Apps & Games

Astraware Announces Support for Mobile Linux

Astraware Announces Support for Mobile Linux and Joins ACCESS Connect Ecosystem Global Partner Program. Here is the full press release:

Astraware is excited to announce their first steps toward support of an additional mobile platform for their range of PDA and Smartphone games. The company has been working on updates to its own core technology library to enable its games to run on Linux® based mobile platforms, and the first fruits of this labor, running under an early SDK and hardware, have recently been demonstrated by ACCESS Co, Ltd at 3GSM in Barcelona, Spain.

Astraware also announced it has joined the ACCESS Connect Ecosystem (ACE) Global Partner Program as a charter member. ACCESS’ recently announced ACE partner program is designed to create an ecosystem of world-class partners that will unleash the potential of the digital life generation by driving development and adoption of new mobile and converged technologies and solutions.

“Extending our platform support is a key part of our strategy.” said Howard Tomlinson, CEO of Astraware. “We see mobile Linux as being an extremely important part of the industry over the coming year, and we’re aiming Astraware to be the games provider of choice for this platform. As a charter member of the ACE program, we’re taking a lead in the growth of the mobile Linux community.”

“We are delighted to be able to continue our long-standing partnership with Astraware,” said Larry Berkin, Senior Director, Developer Ecosystem & Technology Acquisition for ACCESS. “Astraware’s games are incredibly popular and are an excellent addition to any mobile device. We are pleased that they have been able to assist us in these early stages of the platform development, so that we are confident a range of great quality software will be ready when the platform launches. We are also pleased to welcome them as charter members of the ACCESS Connect Ecosystem global partner program.”

“Astraware’s CTL system and cross-platform game development methodology allows us to target a wide range of mobile device platforms,” said David Oakley, CTO of Astraware. “We are very excited to be working with ACCESS to extend our technology on to the ALP platform. ALP provides a rich set of functionality to third-party developers such as ourselves enabling us to deliver a compelling experience to consumers.”

Astraware is continuing to develop its core technologies to function with the various flavors of Linux for mobile devices and intends to have a range of games fully compatible when device manufacturers are ready to launch. These will include Astraware Sudoku, Astraware Solitaire and other titles from the company’s own IP alongside key titles from its range of licensors.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Astraware, Mobile Linux, Windows Mobile Blog]

ActiveSync 4.5 released

The latest version of Microsoft ActiveSync is now out of beta and is available to download from the Microsoft Download Center.

Microsoft ActiveSync 4.5 is the latest sync software release for Windows Mobile-powered devices. ActiveSync provides a great synchronization experience with Windows®-powered PCs and Microsoft Outlook right out of the box.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone, Pocket PC, ActiveSync, Microsoft, Tracy & Matt]

Real Dice promotion

A few weeks ago the people at Real Dice contacted us about their new online gaming network. With Real Dice you can play Poker, Sudoku, Chess, Dominos, Backgamon and Mah Jong online and on your mobile device. You can even play people across platforms as Windows Mobile (PPC and Smartphones, Palm: Palm OS 5.0+ and Blackberry: 87xx model and 8100 Pearl devices are supported.

Real Dice Network community is a unique concept that allows members to make new friends online. While playing or simply by sending an email within Real Dice Network, customers can create their own virtual community and organize private tournament with their buddies.

We are currently offering 3 months free subscription using our promotion code: TANMWIN

We will be trying this out ourselves over the next week or so and we’ll let you know how we get on!

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Windows Mobile blog, UMPC, OQO, Samsung Q1, Ubiquio 702, Laptop, Tracy & Matt]

Astraware and PopCap Games release Hammer Heads

Hammer Heads is a frantic fun-fest for anyone with an aversion to those pesky creatures that live at the bottom of your garden. As the gnomes rise from their holes, just tap the screen to bash them with your hammer! Meet several types of gnome, each with their own unique quirks, collect power-ups to aid you in your quest, and earn special speed bonuses if you’re handy with your hammer! A visit to the Tower of Gold can earn you extra cash to spend on special hammer and life upgrades available at the in-game Shiny Shop.

“For each problem there’s a solution, but when the solution involves a hammer, you can be sure that it’ll end up being rewarding to the soul,” said Howard Tomlinson, CEO of Astraware. “What could be better for testing your reactions and tapping accuracy than teaching those pesky gnomes a lesson!”

Hammer Heads features 2 game modes – Classic Bash – progress through 25 challenging levels and defeat the Gnome King, earning special achievement trophies along the way; and Marathon Bash – a never-ending gnome-bashing extravaganza!

Hammer Heads has been one of the most popular PC and online gaming titles of 2006, and now fans of the game can take it with them on the move.

Hammer Heads is available for devices running Palm OS 5.0 and higher, and Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003, 2003SE and 5.0, from the Astraware website: http://www.astraware.com/hammerheads. The game is priced $19.95 with a special release discount for Club Astraware members.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Astraware, Hammer Heads, Windows Mobile Blog]

Google Maps on Windows Mobile

Google have just made the excellent Google Maps available as a native Windows Mobile application.

“Like other versions of Google Maps for mobile, with this Windows Mobile version you can find businesses and see real-time traffic updates, along with unique features like contacts integration, GPS support, draggable maps, and tap and hold menus.”

Looks like this will be fun to play with, I’m just installing it now…

Visit the Google Maps Mobile site for more info.

Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, google, google maps, Windows Mobile Software, Tracy & Matt]

Bejeweled Valentine’s Day Edition

Astraware® and PopCap Games® would like to wish you a very happy Valentine’s Day. To celebrate a special edition of the best-selling handheld game ever, Bejeweled®, is once again available for a limited time from the Astraware website.

Bejeweled Valentine’s Day Edition features all the gem-swapping fun of the original, but with some loved-up extra features. The game board is enhanced with sparkly red heart-shaped jewels and the game includes a ‘Valentines’ Special’ option to help shy romantics get the message across to their Bejeweled-addicted sweetheart. The ‘Valentines’ Special’ has two preset questions, or the user can create a personal message in their own unique way.

This year the game has been updated to add compatibility for some new devices, so Windows Mobile® users with 240×240 square screen devices can display their inner-romantic. We’re also excited to announce the first ever release of Bejeweled Valentine’s Day Edition for Windows Mobile® for Smartphone devices, including those with landscape screens.

Bejeweled Valentine’s Day Edition is available for only a couple of weeks, so don’t miss it! Owners of a registered copy of Bejeweled (original version) can download the Valentine’s Day Edition for free, and registration codes for the Valentine’s Day Edition will also work for the classic version of Bejeweled®. For more information on Bejeweled Valentine’s Day Edition for Palm OS® and Windows Mobile® visit http://www.astraware.com/bejeweledve.

Posted by: Matt

[Post tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Astraware, Bejeweled, Windows Mobile Blog]

VITO Technology Launches VoiceReminder

VITO Technology releases new product for Pocket PC & Smartphones – VITO VoiceReminder. VITO VoiceReminder is a talking alarm-clock and a voice reminder in one that keeps you on track telling you the exact time and playing your voice reminders exactly at scheduled time.

VITO VoiceReminder uses voice messages recorded by you to remind you about all the important events in your life: from business meetings to kids’ school festivities. Creating new reminders takes a couple of seconds and you may be sure that VITO VoiceReminder will notify you when the time comes.

In VITO VoiceReminder you can schedule as many voice reminders as you need to notify you: daily, weekly, monthly or just once. There are different convenient views for all your reminders by day, week and month. This way you can overlook, say, all reminders for the following week. Reminders are easily managed: you can edit, copy and delete them.

VITO VoiceReminder can also be used as a full screen talking clock. It can announce current time precisely or roughly, in round numbers. Keep your device in the pocket and listen to the time! You can choose how you want VITO VoiceReminder to notify you: by playing specific music files (wav, mp3, ogg), announcing current time or both. After this you will hear your voice memo. One more important thing is that reminders volume does not depend on system volume – you will never miss a single reminder.

VITO VoiceReminder is available at vitotechnology.com for $19.95. Try it for free for 2 weeks.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Vito, VoiceReminder, M3100, Smartphone Software]

Club Astraware Points Party

Club Astraware bursts into life this month with a Point-popping Party! Everyone can join in and get points for all kinds of things, from purchase to high scores to surveys and more! And what do points make? Free games and discounts from the Astraware store, that’s what!

The Points Party runs until the very last day of February 2007, and we’ve added lots of new ways to earn points!

The newest and most exciting announcement is that for this one-time special, we’re providing points for any past purchases made outside Club Astraware!* That’s right – whether you picked up a copy of Sudoku just a week before we it started, or you’ve been a loyal buyer of Astraware games right from when we started, you’ll get points for all of the games you’ve bought from us. And, while you only get points from purchases while you’re logged in to your Club Astraware account at Astraware store, for this time only, we’re letting you claim points no matter which store you previously purchased at!

To claim your points, all you’ll need is the email address that you registered the software with. Simply ask us to add this email addresses to your Club Astraware account. Once they are added, check your products list in Club Astraware, and if all your purchases are listed, claim your points! Remember, this is a one-time special event which offers long-term Astraware customers a chance to get all the points they would have earned in previous years.

Club Astraware is free to join and only takes a couple of minutes. There are also extra ways to earn points on your account including:

AND we’ve now added two NEW ways of earning extra points:

Our Points Party survey is available on the Astraware website from 26th January to 28th February 2007 and EVERYONE who completes the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win a special edition Palm Z22 PDA with Astraware Sudoku pack – Club Astraware members also get the special bonus of the extra points in their account. Visit http://www.astraware.com/promo/pointsparty for more information!

We’ll be adding more new ways of getting points in the future, so make sure to check your Club Astraware account regularly!

*Purchases made up to 26th January 2007 can be included in the catch-up claim.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Tracy & Matt, Astraware, Points Party, Windows Mobile Blog]

VITO Remote for Smartphone

VITO Technology releases VITO Remote for Smartphone – the first universal remote control for Windows Mobile Smartphones. You can finally replace all your TV, Video, Home Theater and other remote controls with your stylish and compact Smartphone!

VITO Remote for Smartphone allows you to teach you Smartphone all the commands from the original remote controls for your home and office electronics. Simply place Smartphone and an original remote control with their infrared ports facing each other, press a button on Smartphone and then on an original remote control: your Smartphone has learned it! This way you can easily stow all the necessary commands to your Smartphone and control any of your home and office equipment.

With user friendly and straightforward interface you can easily create as many profiles as you wish for all your devices that can be controlled remotely. Every button can have a separate icon or a custom name. With multiple screen layers you can assign as many commands as there are buttons on the original remote control for one and the same device.

VITO Remote for Smartphones is available for $15.95 at vitotechnology.com. The system requirements are Windows Mobile Smartphone with Intel XScale or Samsung processor.

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): smartphone blog, Pocket PC blog, Vito, VITO Remote, M3100, Smartphone Software]

Microsoft Unveils New Ways for Consumers to Get Windows Vista

Microsoft today detailed three new methods for customers looking to buy, upgrade or license multiple copies of Windows Vista. Anytime Upgrade, Windows Vista Family Discount and Windows Marketplace will provide customers with greater flexibility in obtaining the new operating system and will ensure they have the edition of Windows Vista that matches their needs.

“With the consumer launch of Windows Vista so close, we’re excited to announce three new ways to make the purchase and upgrade experience easier than ever,” said Brad Brooks, general manager of Windows Client Marketing at Microsoft. “These new programs give our customers more flexibility and choice to ensure they get the edition that’s right for them.”

Windows Anytime Upgrade is a new option that allows customers to conveniently upgrade their existing edition of Windows Vista to a higher-grade edition by way of an online transaction. For example, if a Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Business user decides he or she wants more capability — perhaps to join his home PCs to secure domains at the office, or to experience the multimedia capabilities of Windows Vista on his work laptop — Windows Anytime Upgrade makes the process of moving to Windows Vista Ultimate expedient and affordable. To use Windows Anytime Upgrade, a customer simply clicks on the Windows Anytime Upgrade option in the Start menu, selects the desired upgrade edition, purchases it online to secure a new digital key, and then follows the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail prices to upgrade to more premium editions of Windows Vista are as follows: Home Basic to Home Premium $79, Home Basic to Ultimate $199, Home Premium to Ultimate $159 and Business to Ultimate $139. Windows Anytime Upgrade will coincide with the general availability of Windows Vista in the United States, Canada, Europe and
Japan on Jan. 30, and after launch customers can find additional information at http://www.windowsanytimeupgrade.com .

Windows Marketplace Adds Windows Vista to Its Virtual Shelves. In another first, Microsoft will make Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft(R) Office release available for direct download via Windows Marketplace, the largest online destination for buying software that runs on Windows. Starting Jan. 30 and working with retail partners, Windows Marketplace will offer the following upgrade editions of Windows Vista and full versions of the 2007 Microsoft Office release at suggested retail prices:

Family Discount Rewards Multiple-PC Households. To make it easier for households with multiple PCs to make the move to Windows Vista, Microsoft is launching a limited-time offer for customers who buy retail copies of Windows Vista Ultimate. From Jan. 30 through June 30, the Windows Vista Family Discount will allow North American customers to license two additional copies of Windows Vista Home Premium for use on other PCs in the home at the reduced price of $49.99 each. Before completing the order online, customers will need to enter one valid full or upgrade Windows Vista Ultimate key from their retail boxed product. After eligibility is verified online, the customer can purchase licenses to install Windows Vista Home Premium on one or two additional Windows-based computers. The Windows Vista Family Discount is available only in the U.S. and Canada. More information is available at http://www.windowsvista.com/FamilyOffer .

Matt

[Technorati tag(s): Microsoft, Vista, CES, OS, Tracy & Matt]