Hasta La Gadget!

Early next year, the traditional console giants will face a new challenger in the form of crowd-funded OUYA, and now Green Throttle Games has arrived to show you its take on the future of sofa-based gaming. Founded by familiar names such as Charles Huang of Guitar Hero fame, and Palm’s Matt Crowley, the company asks why buy an expensive console when your Android phone or tablet has all the hardware you need? The idea is that not only can you play games on your touchscreen device, but when in range, hook it up to a TV, pair a couple of the Bluetooth Atlas Controllers, and have yourself a makeshift console. Green Throttle is making its own games for the platform, and already has some third-party developers on board, but wants more to bulk up its “Arena” app catalogue. From today, the free SDK is available for download, and hardware development packs — complete with controllers — released for purchase, although stocks of these are limited. More news on the consumer launch is expected “in the near future,” but while you wait, let the founders walk you through their vision in the video above.

Continue reading Green Throttle Games wants your Android device to become your next console (video)

Filed under: Gaming

Green Throttle Games wants your Android device to become your next console (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Nov 2012 12:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Things have been hopping in the land of Ubuntu lately, with the operating system securing a pending date with Steam, an appearance on the Nexus 7 and an April 25 launch for version 13.04. Now the OS is getting another extra hop in its step as word of a “future Ubuntu SDK” was dropped at a recent developer summit in Copenhagen. The powers-that-be mentioned the need to start discussions in order to define potential criteria for assessing technologies and libraries for inclusion in an Ubuntu SDK, as well as what tools to throw in. Although it appears that an Ubuntu SDK will not be the focus for 13.04 for now, mention of a software development kit should be welcome news for folks eager to bring apps to the OS. Interest piqued? Check out the source link to see the Ubuntu SDK assessment criteria.

Filed under: Software

Ubuntu summit raises software development kit for OS originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 08:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The word “finally” is often abused (including by us), but here it’s deserved: after months of knowing about Windows Phone 8 with little to do but wait or support rival platforms, developers can finally download version 8.0 of the Windows Phone SDK. The kit lets teams get cracking on apps that take advantage of the Windows 8-related code base in Windows Phone 8 and all the hooks that go with the new OS, such as the broader hardware support, ties to the lock screen and Wallet. You’d better be an early adopter on the desktop if you’re eager to start programming for the equally new mobile platform, though — the SDK won’t run on anything less than a 64-bit copy of Windows 8. We’re still anticipating a much improved ecosystem now that Windows Phone app writers can do more than twiddle their thumbs.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft

Microsoft posts Windows Phone 8 SDK, kicks off a new era for apps originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s no secret that Facebook saw FarmVille for iOS as writing on the wall: it had to either tap into mobile app revenue or risk losing income (and marketing-savvy developers) whenever someone left the web. Following a beta this summer, the company’s solution to its dilemma is now open to everyone. All developers on the social network can build ads that link from Facebook’s Android and iOS apps to either Google Play or the App Store — offering both an easy plug for their native apps and that all-important ad revenue for Facebook. The system currently takes a shotgun approach and may pitch social networkers for apps they already have or don’t want, but it should be refined in the next few months to where some curious purchasers won’t even have to leave Facebook to load that hot new title. Hopefully the increased recognition for mobile developers is worth sullying our once pristine news feeds.

Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Facebook

Facebook opens mobile ads for apps to all developers, keeps them on the money train originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Oct 2012 23:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The first time we saw Romo, it was a fledgling Kickstarter that received our Insert Coin treatment. It went on to achieve its funding and even landed on our stage at CES. Now, the team behind it are back with a new updated version. The latest iteration boasts an all new circuit board, plus updated software and hardware — along with the promise of an API for developers. If that sounds cool, that’s because it is, but there are even loftier plans afoot if they secure a second round of funding. Remote 2-way telepresence, Roomba-esque navigation learning skills, facial recognition and Computer vision to name a few. So if you’re an iOS-owning (no Android at this time) robot fan, you’d better scoot on over to the source and be lured in by its cutsie little grin (again).

Filed under: Robots, Mobile

Romo’s return: the cute little smartphone robot wants to steal your heart again originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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