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The TUAW Daily Update Podcast for April 10, 2014
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get some the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the player at the top of the page. The Daily Update has been moved to a new podcast host in the past few days. Current listeners should delete the old podcast subscription and subscribe to the new feed in the iTunes Store here.
Celtic Heroes mobile MMO launches for Android
Celtic Heroes has been doing well enough on the iOS platform that developer One Thumb Mobile is now releasing it for the Android. Published with the popular Unity game engine, Celtic Heroes is a mobile 3D MMO that focuses heavily on a rich fantasy storyline and is said to rival any other browser or desktop MMO. "Our team has created something very special with the launch of our new cross-platform engine," states Executive Producer Paul Simon. "We look forward to massively expanding Celtic Heroes and providing the biggest, most social gaming experience on mobile." You can download Celtic Heroes now for free from the Google Play store or the Apple store. [Thanks for the tip, Dengar!]
Lifelogging camera Autographer reaches out to Android users
Having a photojournalist follow us around all day could work out to be pretty expensive, which is why we liked the idea of Autographer's neck-worn lifelogging camera - even if we didn't appreciate the low-fi picture quality. In any case, the device's creators are continuing to improve the product, releasing a companion app on Google Play that opens it up to Android users. The company can't fix the camera's weak sensor, but at least there's an identical set of features to what's on the iOS counterpart.
Cross-platform Android and iOS gaming arriving through Google Play
Android phone and tablet owners and iOS devotees might not be quite so divided in the video game space soon. Features recently added to Google Play game services, the tool used by developers to manage items like leaderboards and achievements in Android, included new multiplayer options for iOS devices. Additionally, as Engadget pointed out, an update to the Unity engine allows cross-platform multiplayer for iOS and Android players. Google Play game services also received a change to their categories, bringing the total number of video game genres on the platform to 18. Lastly, Google plans to launch a "game gifts" service, which will allow players to send one another in-game items. The company launched its game services software development kit in May 2013 as an answer to Apple's Game Center service. Google also recently purchased Android controller manufacturer Green Throttle Games. [Image: Google]
The Nokia X has already been hacked to load Google Apps, access the Play store
There's a theory that if you make Android look enough like Windows Phone, that users will grow accustomed to the interface, and when it comes time to upgrade, seek to scratch that tile-shaped itch. That's the view Steven Elop gave us in our recent interview at MWC at least. There is another theory: finally Nokia Android handsets are here, and no matter how you dress it up, users want all the apps that come with it -- not Nokia's curated store. Enter xda-developers, the forum that works tirelessly to bend wonky Android interpretations back into unmodified shape. This time it's user Kashamalaga who has figured out how to make the freshly minted Nokia X play nice with Google Apps, Google Now, and even the Play store. Could free and easy (no sideloading) access to the full gamut of Android apps actually work against Elop's "gateway drug" approach? It's hard to say. Though once again, the dev community provides an answer for those that play fast and loose with their OS loyalties.
Dungeon Keeper Android makes it difficult to rate app less than 5 stars
Players who did not enjoy EA's free-to-play Android version of Dungeon Keeper found themselves unable to voice their displeasure in the days following its release, as Pocket Gamer discovered that the game actively discourages less-than-perfect ratings via Google Play. After playing Dungeon Keeper for several minutes, an in-game pop-up requests a Google Play rating, giving players the option of submitting either a 5-star vote or a rating of 1-4 stars. Choosing the "5 Stars" option lets users proceed through the ratings process normally. Selecting the "1-4 Stars" option prevents users from submitting a rating at all, instead confronting them with a request for direct feedback – a result akin to voting in a Pawnee election. Players can still rate Dungeon Keeper directly via Google Play, however, and nothing prevents users from submitting a lower rating after pressing the in-app "5 Stars" button. The game currently sits at an average rating of 4.3 stars out of 5. Speaking to Eurogamer, an EA Mobile representative defended the tactic as a method to encourage detailed player feedback. "The 'rate this app' feature in the Google Play version of Dungeon Keeper was designed to help us collect valuable feedback from players who don't feel the game is worth a top rating," the representative said. "We wanted to make it easier for more players to send us feedback directly from the game if they weren't having the best experience. Players can always continue to leave any rating they want on the Google Play Store." [Image: Electronic Arts / Pocket Gamer]
Final Fantasy 6 out now on Android
Final Fantasy 6 is now available on Android. The mobile port was originally announced in October by Square Enix producer Takashi Tokita, who expected the game to arrive on both Android and iOS by the end of 2013. While it just missed the mark on its Android release, the game has not yet appeared on iOS. Final Fantasy 6 has been all over the place, as it first launched in 1994 on SNES, was later ported to PlayStation in 1999, Game Boy Advance in 2006 and hit PSN in 2011. The Android version of the game features recreated graphics and shares the "new magicites and events" that were brought forth on GBA. The classic RPG costs $15.99 on the Google Play store.
Moto G Google Play edition now available for $180
The Moto G now has an official Google Play Edition. The device, which just popped up on the Google Play Store, is available for $180 (8GB) or $200 (16GB). Just like we've seen on other Google Play edition devices, the Moto G will offer the same specs as the GSM version along with a stock version of Android 4.4 KitKat. It'll be compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile here in the US, although it doesn't appear to offer AWS support for T-Mobile's HSPA+ network. We're still waiting to hear details about its availability in other parts of the world. Head to the source link to grab one of your very own.
How to access Google Play music, TV shows and movies on your iOS device
Are you a former Android owner with a music and video library still stuck in the Google Play Store? Don't worry about having to re-purchase your content now that you are on iOS. We have good news for you as there are apps in the iOS App Store that let you access your Google Play media on your iOS device. Google Music users should start by downloading the official Google Music Play app. Developed by Google itself, the app supports both the standard service and the All Access service, which lets you stream anything from the Google Play Music store. All the music is stored in the cloud and accessible on your iPhone. Though not designed for the iPad, you can install the app on your iPad and run it in 2X mode. If you are looking for a native iPad client, then check out Cloud Play for Music All Access. Just like the official app, Cloud Play gives you access to your standard account and the premium All Access service, if you are signed up for it. You'll have to spend US$1.99 to download this universal app from the iOS App Store. Though Google has a dedicated music player in the iOS App Store, it does not have a standalone video player for its Google Play movies and TV shows. To access this content, you must use the YouTube app. Launch the YouTube app and login with your Google credentials. Tap the menu button at the top left or slide the main panel to the right to expose the navigation menu of the app. About halfway down on the left, you will see an option for "Purchases." Click on purchases, and you should see a list of all the movies and TV shows that you purchased on Google Play. You have to be on WiFi to play back the purchased content, but it works like a charm when you are connected to a high-speed connection.
Fight manager sim Title Bout Championship Boxing 2013 out on iPad, Android
Boxing management sim Title Bout Championship Boxing 2013 is now available on iPad and Android via the Google Play store. Title Bout 2013 launched on PC, Mac and Linux in June 2013, one month after Out of the Park Developments sold the series to PISD, an independent company that provides OOTP with development libraries used for Out of the Park Baseball. Title Bout 2013 has players simulating boxing matches, setting up tournaments, training sessions and more in a management simulation/text-adventure-style interface. Much like OOTP Baseball and Sports Interactive's Football Manager series, Title Bout 2013 features a huge database of real-life athletes, sporting over 8,000 fighter records. The management sim is said to be nearly the same on iOS and Android as it is on PC, though it's priced at a moderate $1.99 compared to the current $9.99 price for two PC licenses on the game's site. Title Bout Championship Boxing has a lengthy history, as it began as a tabletop game created by brothers Jim and Tom Trunzo in the late 1970's, later seeing DOS-based text simulation TKO Boxing in 1990. Comp-U-Sport created Title Fight 2001, a brand later sold to OOTP Developments, which launched Title Bout Championship Boxing 2 and version 2.5 in 2005 and 2008, respectively.
Start digging with The Cave on Android
Android fans need go without oddball adventure game The Cave no longer, as the game found its way to that platform late last week. The Cave costs $4.99 on the Google Play store, and arrived a few weeks after making an appearance on Ouya. The adventure game comes from The Secret of Monkey Island creator Ron Gilbert and Double Fine, the developer Gilbert left in March. The Cave first launched in January on PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Mac, Linux and Wii U. Our review of the XBLA version considered it the "cruelest of Double Fine's games," noting its sharp writing and somewhat tiresome repetition.
Ratchet & Clank: Before the Nexus companion game out now on iOS, Android
Sony launched the companion app to its latest Ratchet & Clank adventure on iOS and Android this week, Ratchet & Clank: Before the Nexus. Free on both platforms, Before the Nexus is an endless runner in which players collect bolts while hopping between grind rails and avoiding obstacles. The game ties in to Sony's November entry in the main series on PS3, in that Raritanium obtained in the mobile game can be synced with Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus, allowing players to upgrade their weapons in the game at a faster pace. Before the Nexus includes a handful of gadgets and weapons from the series for players to collect as well. Given that our review looked fondly at Into the Nexus, noting that it felt like a "farewell" for the series, the mobile companion app may be a worthwhile download for players booting up the main game for the first time.
Jetpack Joyride devs unleash Colossatron on Dec. 19
Halfbrick Studios will launch its next game, Colossatron: Massive World Threat, on December 19, the developer announced in a new trailer. The game was first announced in July at PAX Australia for iOS, though the Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride developer's latest announcement now includes both Google Play and the Amazon App store as the game's other destined platforms. Colossatron gives players the ability to smash through cities as a giant robotic snake, thwarting resistance efforts from one General Moustache and his army. Halfbrick promises a "chaotic campaign, epic boss fights, devastating weaponry, survival challenges" and other features in the mobile game. No price was listed for the game.
Daily Roundup: SteamOS release, holiday gift guide for the geek, Z Ultra Google Play edition and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Android Device Manager now available for your downloading pleasure on Google Play
The Android Device Manager feature lets users track or control phones and tablets from the web, but now an app is making the website's functionality available while on the go. Using the app, you can find your devices on a Google Map, ring to locate or add a lock screen or system reset for dire circumstances. Check out the Google Play store for the download.
Google Play Store update brings better social app recommendations to Android
Just when it appeared Google's recent run of Android updates had come to an end, a new version of the Play Store pops up with new features in tow. Android Police got its hands on the app, running it under a microscope to find new social and recommendation features that make finding and downloading the best apps less of a hassle. To that end, Google now warns you when an app you're about to download contains in-app purchases, also making it easier to review apps with a larger star selector and dedicated edit and delete buttons. Opting for improved social recommendations, a new activity feed combines your +1s and ratings and connects them to your Google+ profile, letting you peek at those made by your friends to find apps you might otherwise have missed. Google's already begun rolling out the Play Store update, but if you can't wait for it to come over-the-air, hit up the source below to get the jump on everyone else.
Google Wallet lets you capture credit card info with your smartphone camera
The contents of your wallet are under attack. Earlier this month Coin swept in threatening to eliminate the need for all of your beloved non-cash payment methods and now Google Wallet is making it even easier to capture your plastic with its latest Android update. Along with the introduction of its very own physical debit cards, Google added the ability to upload your debit and credit cards to Wallet by simply snapping a picture with your smartphone -- similar to the recent addition to the Dropbox Android app. Instead of entering your card numbers manually (such a drag, we know), those users who see a camera icon in the "card number" field of the Wallet mobile app, can capture both the card number and expiration date with a photograph.
Opera's Android browser gets dedicated support for bigger tablets
After jumping aboard the WebKit train and launching a dedicated browser for the iPad, Opera's now turned its attention to Android tablets. With the release of Opera 18 for Android, the company is quick to note that it didn't just update and scale up its smartphone browser: navigation and menu buttons have been strategically placed to where your fingers naturally rest and its improved Discover feature lets you swipe between newspaper and magazine content that has been matched to your interests and location. Like with all its browsers, Opera's Android tablet app comes complete with data-saving capabilities. Off-Road mode is designed to help you stay online when you're on a public Wi-Fi connection or trying to reduce your data usage, basically when connectivity is less than ideal. Underpinned by Google's Chromium 31 framework, Opera's big-tablet app is available on Play Store right now -- check the source to grab it.
Weekly Roundup: PlayStation 4 and Retina iPad mini reviews, Coin startup and more!
You might say the week is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workweek, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Weekly Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past seven days -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Google Play Music now available for iPhone
Hold onto your hats, music lovers, 'cause things just got a little crazy out there. Google just released Google Play Music for iPhone (free), an app that lets you "discover, play and share the music you love, anywhere." It actually surprises me a bit that Apple allowed this app onto the App Store, since it's a direct competitor to the company's own iTunes Music Store and iTunes Radio. Google's All Access service (US$9.99 per month) for Google Play will allow music buffs to listen to unlimited songs; create custom radio stations based on songs, artists or albums; get recommendations on music based on your tastes; and use playlists created by Google music experts. The free standard service provides a way to add up to 20,000 songs from your personal music library from Mac, Windows or Linux computers; listen through the app or Google's web player; and save favorite tunes to your device for offline playback. All of this is ad-free, and available in a variety of countries. But wait, there's more! Google is also offering a free month of All Access in order to (hopefully) get you hooked on the service. And if you have a Chromecast device, you'll be able to beam your music wirelessly to it thanks to built-in compatibility in the Google Play Music app.
