Preview: ngmoco’s new iPhone FPS: ELIMINATE

Posted by Drea Avellan Categories: Games, New Apps, Reviews

Oh, San Francisco. Home to the 49ers, majestic bridges, historic Alcatraz, cable cars and even countless videogame development studios. Amongst these studios, in a cozy restored building cloaked by the AT&T Park, lives Neil Young’s iPhone & iPod Touch game developer—NGMOCO.

ngmoco has been put out some of the most successful games for the iPhone & iPod touch, including the Rolando series, Topple and Word Fu. Ranging from puzzle, strategic and adventure, ngmoco knows how to create entertaining portable games. Now, they are set to release one of their most exciting titles yet, ELIMINATE. ELIMINATE is a 3G/Wi-Fi enabled First-Person Shooter (FPS) game, which takes advantage of micro-transactions, where you can upgrade characters, weapons, and the like.

Uncomplicated games currently dominate the App Store platform, due to their casual nature and mass appeal. The creation of more complex genres, such as FPS and strategic games, require a higher level of thought and consideration— a challenge ngmoco was more than willing to take on.  ELIMINATE brings with it an FPS online arena with intuitive controls that make it simple to jump in and play, and while the game might be a pick up and play experience, they haven’t ignored the importance of creating a story. ELIMINATE casts you as an employee of Arsenal Megacorp, a company in question for the use of humans in testing as a way of perfecting their gear. You and three other players are the guinea pigs of this project—SURPRISE!

Click to continue reading Preview: ngmoco’s new iPhone FPS: ELIMINATE

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IREX DR800SG e-book reader set for October launch

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Handhelds

A new e-book reader is set to enter the market as IREX announced that their 8.1 inch display version is planned for an October release. Like Plastic Logic, IREX is partnering with Barnes and Noble for the digital catalog, and teaming with Verizon for the 3G wireless downloads.  IREX has also partnering to sell its e-readers (model number DR800SG) to Best Buy stores nationwide for a price of $399.  This price include 2GB of built-in memory, leather cover, and user-replaceable battery. 

Read More | IREX

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AT&T 3G MicroCell reviewed: It works, and it’s a rip-off

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Cell Phones, Household, Wireless / WiFi

There’s been a lot of hype and discussion surrounding the AT&T 3G MicroCell, and now we’ve got a review from someone who actually purchased one. As a refresher, this device is designed to significantly boost both the voice and data signal in your home by using your own home broadband network. In other words, if the AT&T network sucks enough in your area that you can barely get through a call to Domino’s without it dropping, you can now pay AT&T even more money to get the reception that you should already be getting as part of your monthly payment plan. Oh, and the AT&T 3G Microcell also boasts additional feature options, like unlimited talk time, for additional cost. 

So far, only the community of Charlotte, NC actually has them for purchase , and the device sells for $150. Ouch. One buyer reports that the device works as planned, and that before the purchase, they had one bar of EDGE coverage in their home, and now reports five bars connected to 3G.

Read More | Jason Nash

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Viliv S7 finally priced, starts at $629 on Dynamism

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Handhelds, PC / Laptop, Wireless / WiFi

For those wondering how much the impressive Viliv S7 swiveling tablet notebook would cost, wonder no more, because Dynamism has finally let it be known.

The S7 has a swiveling 1024x600 7-inch touchscreen and pack in a 1.33 GHz Intel Atom processor, 1 GB memory, 60 GB HDD/16 GB SSD, and Windows XP. It has an impressive 9 hours of battery life, and will go from sleep to wake in 4 seconds. Pricing starts at $629, and jump up to $799 is you wanna rock the 32GB SSD model with built-in HSPA 3G access. Head on over to Dynamism to sign up to be notified when pre-orders begin. These won’t last long.

Read More | Viliv S7 Product Page

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Nokia Booklet 3G extended promo video

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: PC / Laptop, Videos, Wireless / WiFi

Nokia has put together a nice promotional video, shot here in Seattle, and featuring a bunch of my friends giving their thoughts on mobile devices, and the Booklet 3G in general. Obviously, the big thing here is the 8-12 hour battery life on this Nokia laptop. Needless to say, we can’t wait to get our hands on this one.

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3G speed test: Verizon wins, AT&T dead last

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Corporate News, Internet, Science, Wireless / WiFi

No shocker here. Wired.com did their own independent tests to determine the fastest and slowest average 3G network speeds in the US, and Verizon came out on top. The survey included 15,000 participants, with 12,000 of them reporting back with data that was valid and usable for the tests. Verizon clocked in with an average download speed of 1,940 kbps, T-Mobile dropped in at second at 1,793 kbps, Sprint took third at 1,598 kbps, and AT&T was way behind at just 901 kbps. That’s just sad, and very telling when you consider the complaints from many an iPhone user as it pertains to 3G speeds.

Granted, this wasn’t the most scientific of studies, as the test included 8153 AT&T users, compared to just 856 from Verizon, but hey, the info is still useful, right?

Read More | Wired

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T-Mobile myTouch Google 3G Cell Phone

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cell Phones, Google, Handhelds

T-Mobile is already working on its next Google phone. So far a million of their G1s have sold since October. The myTouch 3G is set to debut in August. The new phone has a touchscreen but no keyboard like the G1 and will be priced at $199.00 with a 2 year contract. The software is free as Google would love to have Android for all phones. Both Verizon and Motorola seem to agree as they each have products in the works.

Read More | ABC

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iPhone 3GS AT&T in-store launch details

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Handhelds, Portable Audio / Video, Videos

If you are looking to pick up an iPhone 3GS from an AT&T Store tomorrow morning, you’ll want to check out the video above to details on how everything is going to flow tomorrow morning. Basically, stores open at 7:00 AM, and you’ll be able to enter first if you have a pre-ordered phone waiting for you. As soon as the pre-order line is done, you can enter to purchase an iPhone 3GS if you did not pre-order. That second line is good for both current and new AT&T customers, but if you are new, you should head to the AT&T iPhone page first so you can get through the process a bit quicker, since you’ll be pre-qualified.

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PhoneSuit MiLi iPhone Power Pack

Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Cell Phones, Handhelds, Storage

PhoneSuit has released the MiLi Power Pack for iPhone 2G and 3G. Charge your phone via a mini USB 2.0 or 1.1. You can sync with iTunes while it is docked. The MiLi can serve double duty by charging other devices such as headsets or another iPhone at the same time by connection to the Out port. After your iPhone is charged, leave the MiLi attached to recharge or take with you for emergencies. Purchase a power pack for $79.99 and, for a limited time, you will get a Mask Screen Protector 2-pack free.

Read More | PhoneSuit

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Novatel MiFi gives you a personal 3G Wi-Fi hotspot

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Broadband, Cell Phones, PC / Laptop, Wireless / WiFi

Novatel has just announced the future release of their new MiFi 3G portable hotspot, and we are officially excited. Using the MiFi, you’ll be able to grab the signal from your EV-DO Rev. A or HSPA account, and share it over Wi-Fi to a group. For example, you can hit up Starbucks with two buddies, break out the MiFi, and all three of you can hit the Internet without paying for Starbucks Wi-Fi three times. The MiFi device itself looks just as awesome as its usage scenarios, as it just as long and wide as a credit card, and isn’t really that tall. Novatel is also touting that the battery will last for 4 hours when used actively, and 40 hours when on standby. Nice.

Mark our words - we are going to be keeping an eye on the news leading up to the Novatel MiFi official release. Expect to see if available for purchase in for first half of 2009.

Read More | Novatel Wireless

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