Atari ports classic games to HTML5 for web and Windows 8, lets developers craft their own (video)

Atari ports classic games to HTML5 for web and Windows 8 users, lets developers build their own video

Atari is big on nostalgia this year, but it hasn’t had much in the way of software to reflect the trip down memory lane beyond the existing mobile apps. Its remedy to that shortfall is full of 2012 buzzwords. The new Atari Arcade includes modern takes on eight classic Atari 2600 games, all built entirely with HTML5 and free to play. As fun as that promises to be, our interest is most piqued by the game library’s open-ended nature; this isn’t just an alternative to firing up a smartphone. A new Javascript kit lets developers not only build their own games but make money as they see fit, whether it’s through ads or in-app purchases. Whether they’re new or old, titles work in multiple contemporary browsers, although Microsoft would really, really like you to know that the games are ad-free and touch-optimized for both Windows 8 tablets as well as Internet Explorer 10. We’ll try to remember that when we look to relive our Combat memories on a Surface.

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Atari ports classic games to HTML5 for web and Windows 8, lets developers craft their own (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 15:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Joystiq  |  sourceAtari  | Email this | Comments

Google Octane benchmark tests JavaScript in the real world, scales to mobile sizes

Google's Octane benchmark tests JavaScript in the real world, scales to mobile sizes

We’re all too familiar with JavaScript tests like Sunspider — we use them all the time to gauge browser speeds on phones and tablets. Most of these have little direct correlation to the sites we’re visiting on our devices, however, and seldom acknowledge that we’re testing with anything but a desktop. Google wants to drag the experience into this decade with its new Octane benchmark. The collection of tests uses real-life examples of JavaScript code — who knew web-based Game Boy emulators were so popular? — to generate results for a simple, more-is-better scoring system. Its interface also scales dynamically and should fit just about any screen size. While we can’t guarantee that Octane will find a place within our own battery of tests, both the benchmark itself and the source code are available for anyone to investigate. Feel free to post and compare your results in the comments.

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Google Octane benchmark tests JavaScript in the real world, scales to mobile sizes originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 09:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Chromium Blog, TechCrunch  |  sourceOctane (benchmark), (source code)  | Email this | Comments

Browser-controlled robot lets you skip stones remotely, mentally escape the concrete jungle

Browser-controlled robot lets you skip stones remotely, mentally escape the concrete jungle

Can’t unwind without the aid of open spaces? Skippy the robot might be able to help you out. The aptly named bot lets you remotely skip stones across an Idaho pond using a simple web interface. After waiting for your turn in a virtual queue, the machine lets you adjust its aim, tweak the amount of force behind the pitch and dispatch a rock. Best of all, your stone jumping exploits are automatically recorded, letting you show off your skipping prowess. Devised as a way to raise awareness for Idaho’s Sun Valley resort area during the summer months, the mechanical projectile chucker seems to be arduino-powered, and operates only during daytime hours. Check out the source to start pelting pebbles, or venture past the break for two short videos of the contraption in action.

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Browser-controlled robot lets you skip stones remotely, mentally escape the concrete jungle originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Gizmag  |  sourceSkip Town with Sun Valley  | Email this | Comments

Some Divine Individual Has Created a Browser Extension that Converts YouTube Comments to Herp Derp [YouTube]

Internet angel @tannerstokes has created a browser extension that converts all YouTube comments to Herp Derp. (Available for Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Opera.) Of course, just in case you actually care to read what the lurkers of YouTube have to say, you need only click the Herp Derps for a reverse translation. More »

Chrome 20 browser released: exclusive 64-bit Linux Flash, fewer MacBook crashes

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If your new MacBook is having kernel panics, or you’re forced to run a 32-bit browser in Linux because you need Flash, Google’s brought relief with version 20 of Chrome. While acting sheepish about “yet another release,” the Chrome Blog said “hundreds of bugs” were fixed, including a MacBook resource leak issue which was temporarily patched by disabling some GPU features. Also, Linux users will finally get full 64-bit support for Flash with Adobe’s PPAPI “Pepper” version, but since it was made exclusively for Chrome, Penguin users will be stuck with that browser if they want the feature. To get it, check the source after the br… oh, right, background update. Nevermind.

Chrome 20 browser released: exclusive 64-bit Linux Flash, fewer MacBook crashes originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 05:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Geek.com  |  sourceGoogle Chrome Blog  | Email this | Comments

We Were Right: Google Confirms Chrome Is to Blame for Crashing MacBooks [Chrome]

In a statement issued directly to Gizmodo this evening, a spokesperson for Google has confirmed that Chrome is indeed to blame for our frozen and crashing new MacBook Airs. More »

Google Chrome for Android comes out of beta, hits Play today

Google Chrome for Android comes out of beta, hits Play today

Sick of hearing about Google yet? Perhaps you’re not. The search giant has unleashed one final bit, quietly announcing that Chrome for Android has finally emerged from its beta stage as a stable release. Version 18.0.1025123 has officially arrived in Google Play and is available for download now for devices running Ice Cream Sandwich. Updates from the beta appear to be modest, and include some minor user interface tweaks, along with stability and performance fixes — the big news here is the official nod from Mountain View. If you’ve been holding out for a final release, the time has come to hit up Play — get where you need to go by clicking through to our source link below.

Google Chrome for Android comes out of beta, hits Play today originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Firefox for Android Gets a Speed Boost, But Still Needs Work [Firefox]

Firefox, the ubiquitous browser for desktops, has been on Android for a while, but well, it was pretty slow. An update that just went live brings it some much needed speed, but there are still some nuts and bolts missing. More »