Thought: Should RIM Jump Ship to Windows Phone?

The industry has begun to notice a few signs of trouble recently for Research In Motion, the company behind BlackBerry smartphones. Despite being among one of the largest global market share holders in the industry, innovation has stalled in their product line for a few years now. RIM has attempted to break this pattern by introducing v6.0 of their OS but the Torch, its flagship device, was largely panned by critics and ignored by consumers. Most recently the company released their first foray into tablets with the Playbook, but despite a promising outlook for the touch-based QNX platform the tablet uses, the product still isn't as good as it should be. Not only does RIM have some serious product issues, but their executives have begun to feel the heat from the public. During a recent interview with the BBC, founder and co-CEO Mike Lazaridis abruptly left, claiming that the questions being asked were unfair and that RIM's admittedly high numbers spoke for itself.

Any of that sound a little familiar? Yes, RIM is starting to sound a lot like Nokia and could be facing a serious change in the near future unless their products are significantly overhauled. Just like Nokia, it's hard not to imagine the company seriously considering other platform options at this point in the game. Well, why not Windows Phone 7? The proposition sounds like wishful thinking, but there are some reasons it could pan out. For one, plenty of manufacturers like Samsung and HTC have shown that handling multiple platforms on their devices isn't very difficult and RIM would only have to worry about the hardware part of the equation, which is something they already do very well (despite their outdated designs). For another, RIM wouldn't even have to invest as heavily with Microsoft as Nokia did--instead they could take the cautious approach and only release a few 'test' devices to see how they fare with the public. There is a reason upstart OEMs in the industry are avoiding Android and that's because it requires a significant amount of investment to stay competitive and the market is currently saturated with well-established brands.

RIM could also bring over their Messaging services especially BBM, the sole reason their operating system is still relevant, to those phones which would guarantee sales for those looking for a more touch-friendly OS but still live and die by the popular IM client. Microsoft's Chassis 2 specifications (unveiled at last year's MIX '10) was designed to take on the classic BlackBerry form factor with a vertical QWERTY keyboard and a touchscreen up top. RIM could spearhead development of this Chassis and thus preserve its signature style while still appealing to their users looking for a newer platform.

There is little doubt that RIM is as much the 800-pound gorilla as Nokia is when it comes to the mobile industry, but without any real effort at innovation the company could suffer the slow death Nokia just barely avoided. Microsoft may be the way out.

WP7 Marketplace Reaches 15,000 Apps, No Signs of Stopping

It happened just last night at the stroke of midnight -- the Windows Phone 7 Marketplace ballooned past 15,000 applications.

A little over six weeks ago, we were celebrating 10,000 apps in the Marketplace. Just think about that: 5,000 new apps in six weeks. Windows Phone 7 was growing pretty rapidly before, but MIX '11 definitely had to be a strong influence during this 5k stretch. Soon apps will be getting a huge overhaul with the new Mango toolkit next month and the next update showing off tighter integration between the OS and apps than ever, it's the perfect time to jump on the bandwagon if you were holding out before!

Source: Windows Phone Applist

LG Quantum Not So Super With WM6.5 [Windows Phone Fail]

Welcome to another edition of Windows Phone Fail in which we lovingly mock copycats, poor photoshops, and other amusing screw ups related to Windows Phone.

After borking up a week ago, you would think the managers in charge of product placement on Smallville would have learned their lesson. Instead, Pocketnow spotted the utterly embarrassing image of an LG Quantum running Windows Mobile 6.5. Admittedly, this is an improvement over their previous fiasco and hey, they did at least get a phone that actually runs a Windows smartphone platform. Too bad they missed a generation.

P.S. The second Windows Phone Fail...in a single day!

Source: Pocketnow

Fake HD7 Spotted In China with 4.8" Screen, Identity Crisis [Windows Phone Fail]

Welcome to another edition of Windows Phone Fail in which we lovingly mock copycats, poor photoshops, and other amusing screw ups related to Windows Phone.

What is the true sign that your platform has become a success? We'll give you a hint: it isn't the number of developers nor is it the fastest growing app marketplace in the industry. It's not even sales. No, the real sign of success in this industry is when China decides to copycat one of your phones with a fake operating system and all.

Well, Microsoft should be patting themselves on the back because that's exactly what has happened thanks to China's infamous Shanzai markets. This time, the manufacturer even one-upped the original by bumping up the already large HD7's 4.3" display to 4.8". Too bad the resolution lost about 80 pixels in the process -- it's hard to accommodate a larger screen! For some added irony, the fake WP7 on the device is actually a heavily skinned version of Windows Mobile 6.5, so don't plan on any Xbox Live gaming fun (despite the misleading tile). If you're in the mood for a few more chuckles check out the shots of this beast from the East at the source link.

Via: WPCentral
Source: Shanzai.com, M8Cool

Quick Impressions: SuperTube Receives Another Update

A little over a week ago we gave our impressions of version 1.2 of SuperTube, the popular HD streaming/downloading YouTube app. This past week SuperTube was once again updated, and the app is finally starting to slow down with adding features and instead making some much needed overall improvements.

Here's what's changed in version 1.3:

• Custom background
• Browse the videos with low quality
• Optimize the function of playing the video in HQ and HD by 3G connection
• Shortcut to SuperTube within the Zune Hub

We recently got our hands on the latest update and found the app was notably improved in some key areas. For one, the added option of low quality is great as I am sure many would settle for less data-consuming videos over 3G. SuperTube also links into the Music + Videos Hub now, which provides fast seamless access to previously viewed videos or the app itself. Finally, the app has included a nice aesthetic feature to load up custom backgrounds to the home panorama, which you can see in action above.

However, the same issues with HD playback randomly failing are still present in the latest version. As its headlining feature, SuperTube's HD still disappoints and we still find it difficult to recommend the full version for $1.29. Then again, the past few updates have been a testament to Fast Code's dedication to improving the app and it's not hard to say version 1.3 is the best yet. If you want to get your hands on the app yourself, check it out in the Marketplace by clicking on the tile below.

	SuperTube Fast Code $1.29 + Trial Version 1.3.0.0
Click on the tile to get the app!

NoMango? Microsoft Likely Going With 'Windows Phone 7.5'

There was some confusion during MIX '11 regarding what the upcoming Mango update was going to be called. For example, the presentation itself was called 'Windows Phone Next' and it could have been a possibility since we've heard Windows 8 being called 'Windows Next' before. Then Joe Belfiore confirmed that Mango was their internal codename while on-stage during the keynote, but in one of a later session's slides the update was referred to as '7.5'. Thanks to a slip-up on the Microsoft Partner Network site, the confusion seems to be clearing in favor of the latter.

Microsoft's Brandon Watson spoke up via Twitter on the rumor but only said they have yet to officially announce anything. However, WPCentral's Daniel Rubino raises up a valid point: Microsoft has been struggling to name WP7 since its inception. The original name was Windows Phone 7 Series and after much public criticism Microsoft decided to drop the odd appendage, and today we have Windows Phone 7. This coupled with the naming twists-and-turns in MIX makes it apparent that the software giant is pretty concerned about how its product is marketed (and for good reason).

Via: WPCentral
Source: Microsoft Partner Network

Game Review: Spectra

From classic arcade titles like Donkey Kong to three-dimensional mind benders like Portal, platforming games with puzzle elements have a special place in the hearts of many a gamer. It still remains one of the most popular genres in gaming, despite the current generation's chronic addiction to hyper-realistic twitch shooters. One could even argue platforming games have received their biggest boost in popularity yet thanks to the ongoing smartphone revolution, which has placed gaming devices into millions of people's hands. One game capitalizing on mobile gaming's admiration of platforming is Spectra and while it isn't a platformer in the traditional sense, the arcade-style game instead creates a compelling experience by taking a simple color-based concept and absolutely running with it.

Like all great arcade games, the premise and execution of Spectra seems stupidly simple at first

Like all great arcade games, the premise and execution of Spectra seems stupidly simple at first: you are a small block that is constantly moving from side-to-side and your objective is to climb up the platforms as high as possible before dying. But here's the wild card--your block can change colors and you can only jump onto platforms that match the color you are. For example, if you're blue the only platforms that are "solid" for you to land on are blue. Don't underestimate the game's apparent simplicity--it will make you scream in fury and frustration if you screw up.

Speaking of frustration, Spectra's controls are fortunately just the opposite. The game gives you two areas of control: the color-chooser on the left side and the rest of the screen dedicated to the platforming action. Also in that area, you have to tap anywhere in order to make your block jump. But the controls are the simple part; the real challenge is how you use them. As your block moves from side to side, you have to make sure that you time your jump right and that your block is the correct color in order to land on the platform. So if you're red and you jump perfectly but the platform is blue and you can't change color in time, you fall and could die. Again, it's difficulty is hard to express in words but trust us, Spectra will make you pull your hair out...in a good way of course. Somehow the game manages to hook you in and bring you back for more sadistic torture.

Spectra will make you pull your hair out...in a good way of course.

Despite the frustrating and thus addictive nature of its gameplay, Spectra does an excellent job of making sure the game doesn't become too repetitive. Every time you start a new game, the level is randomly generated ensuring that you receive a new head-smashing experience every time. Another added element for replay value is the support of leaderboards for local and online.

Yet the honeymoon period had to end sometime and sadly, Spectra isn't perfect. If you couldn't already tell, the game isn't so much the looker you may have been hoping for. It's just ugly--the epitome of design deemed 'functional'. A game so rich in concept and skillful in execution looks no better than E.T. from the heydays of the Atari 2600. But one does have to appreciate the game's willingness to sacrifice aesthetics for functionality, and admittedly Spectra is very easy to pick up and play. So while the retro look is a little too faithful to gaming's early years of trial-and-error, it more than makes up for it with its intuitive execution.

Overall
Spectra is one of those gems that is perfectly suited to today's mobile gaming platforms and would have rocked in a dusty arcade twenty years ago. Its shortcomings in aesthetics tend to make an unfavorable first impression, but once past that you'll be treated to a tricky game that hooks you in and doesn't let go.

	Rating: Great! Spectra Andrew Bunn FREE Version 1.0.0.0
Click on the tile to get the game!