Thứ Tư, 24 tháng 10, 2012

The Windows 8 Muddle

This isn't shaping up to be the transcendent week that Microsoft wanted it to be.  The Windows 8 announcement isn't a failure by any means, but the coverage is a lot more mixed and confused than I'm sure Microsoft would have liked.  That's partly due to some clever marketing by Microsoft's competitors, and partly due to some mistakes made by Microsoft itself.

The situation all came together for me this morning when I did a brief appearance on Bloomberg TV, a cable business channel in the US.  The segment was supposed to cover the new iPad Mini and Windows 8, with equal time given to each one.  The Bloomberg folks spent time with me yesterday prepping the questions on each subject.

The equal billing of iPad Mini with Windows 8 is itself bad news for Microsoft.  Windows 8 represents the reinvention of Microsoft, one of the biggest changes the company has ever made.  The iPad Mini is a follow-on product in the iPad line.  It's a very nice follow-on, and probably one that will sell very well, but it's not at the same level of importance as Windows 8.  However, hardware gets more attention in the tech press than software.  It's more tangible, and people react to it emotionally. So the Mini jumped right into the mix.

Apple very cleverly timed the Mini announcement a couple of days before the formal Windows 8 rollout, distracting the press from Microsoft's story.  It reminds me a bit of the way the iPhone rumors undercut the Microsoft Zune launch in late 2006.


Leaking Flagship

Even with the competitive game-playing, Microsoft's announcement should have been OK.  But then Microsoft failed to ship the Intel-compatible "Pro" version of its new Surface tablet on time.  Instead, the only Surface device being reviewed right now is the Windows RT version, which can't run existing Windows software.  Since Surface is the Windows 8 flagship, and hardware gets more coverage than software anyway, the concerns about Windows compatibility in Surface RT are dominating a lot of Windows 8 press coverage.

One of the most biting Surface reviews was David Pogue's in the New York Times, who compared Surface to owning "a new Ferrari...that has to be refueled every three miles."  (link).  PC Magazine called it "a disaster" (link).  You can see more reviews summarized here.

There's an answer to the concerns about Surface RT: wait and buy the pro version.  But the last thing a vendor wants to do right before the December buying season is tell customers not to buy.  You'll hurt sales of not just Surface RT, but all other Windows 8 products as well.  So Microsoft can't push that message aggressively.  (Hey, Microsoft -- you say you want to be a device company?  Lesson No. 1 is that you have to ship your high-end flagship product before Christmas, not right after it.)

The Windows 8 muddle was in full play for the Bloomberg segment, which started with video of Bloomberg's Sara Silverstein and Gizmodo's Sam Biddle trying to use Excel on Surface.  Sara tries and fails to copy a formula using the touchscreen.  Sam tells her Microsoft claims you can use all of Excel in the touch version.  Sara replies sarcastically, "I believe that you would...if you're making a spreadsheet about, you know, lemonade stands" (link).

Then the segment jumps to the iPad Mini, with a discussion of how it stacks up against Amazon's subsidized tablet hardware.  That's a great topic, and deserves a lot of thought.  In fact, it goes on so long that Bloomberg runs out of time and never comes back to Windows 8 (link).  So Apple and Amazon steal most of the oxygen, and the only impression you get about Windows 8 is that it's not ready for serious business use.

Not all the Windows 8 coverage is negative.  For example, Walt Mossberg did a nicely balanced piece on All Things D (link), and Wired was pretty positive about Surface (link).  But the story of Windows 8 is complicated.  In a world of quick sound bites, it's very easy for the press to caricature Windows 8 as "that touch screen thing that doesn't run your stuff properly."  Clever marketing by Apple is giving Microsoft less time in the press to explain the nuances of Windows 8, and the failure to ship Surface Pro on time makes Microsoft's job even tougher.  Microsoft has enough money to wait out the bad coverage, but I think it's less and less likely that Windows 8 will deliver the massive initial sales that Microsoft promised for it.

Chủ Nhật, 23 tháng 9, 2012

Nokia c3 Game BirdHunterpro



Get ready to help Rob who is on a mission to blow the birds who have planned to destroy his farms. You have to help Rob by blowing up birds using darts. Try to blow as many birds as required to go to next level. Darts do not carry over from level to level. Look out for special birds, eggs and have fun discovering what they all do. Some objects may help or block you from your target. You will have to complete 50 levels to win the game

Nokia c3 Game Brave


Brave: The Video Game is based on the Disney-Pixar movie of the same name. It is a third-person action-adventure game where you play as both the movie's and game's protagonist, Merida. She's a fiery, red-headed Princess from Scotland who is impressive with a bow and doesn't want to live by society's normal rules. Give her hand away in marriage?! No way! It follows along the same story as the movie; while I don't want to give away spoilers (for those of you planning on seeing it), it involves a spell, a witch and a bunch of bears with the backdrop of mythical Scotland. Is Brave a bullseye, or does this ginger lack a soul?

Chủ Nhật, 17 tháng 6, 2012

Nokia C3 Game Jewel Explosion


The aim of the game is to line up the same coloured gems in a row. Arrange three or more gems together to make them vanish. Line up four or more of the same coloured gems and create a 'Jewel Explosion' that destroys everything around it. Line up five gems and a 'Spectrum Gem' appears and explodes every gem of the same colour on the board. Create chains in the shape of the letters 'L' or 'T' and receive a 'Cross Gem' that explodes all gems in the same row and column.

Nokia c3 Game Ferrari GT 3: World Track



Not all of us can afford a luxury car, much less a Ferrari. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to drive one? To get inside one? To even see one?

Wonder no more, because Gameloft and Sun Cellular Value-Added Services brings you the definitive Ferrari experience two full weeks ahead of the rest, as Ferrari GT3: World Track, the third installment of the critically-acclaimed Ferrari GT mobile game series, takes you to a higher level of style and speed – right at your fingertips!


Ferrari GT3: World Track gives you the chance to drive one of 57 authentic Ferrari models, spanning over 50 years of racing history. Race across 10 exclusive tracks from amazing locations all over the world – ranging from the beaches of Sydney to the vibrant streets of Miami. And for the first time ever in a mobile game, get a chance to race around Fioriano, Ferrari’s own test track.



The series takes on a new approach on obtaining and managing your vehicles with the all-new Auction Mode, allowing you to buy and sell your vehicles for depending on specific “Stars” requirements (the in game currency) or “Fame” levels (which you gain from winning races and other events).



With new and improved game and graphic engines, a huge variety of Ferrari models to choose from, and 9 event types across 10 different locales, Ferrari GT3: World Track is the experience racing fans have all been waiting for.



Be the first across the finish line in Ferrari GT3: World Track through Sun Cellular’s Value-Added Services NOW!

Thứ Năm, 14 tháng 6, 2012

Nokia c3 Game Ghost Recon future soldier



In the escalating political climate of the near future, a new breed of soldier has arisen. Trained to be better than the best and outfitted with the most comprehensive array of high-tech gear ever assembled, the future soldier stands apart by his ability to remain undetected.

As a member of the elite Ghost Recon team, you are among the few who possess the power, the adaptability, and the cognitive fortitude of the future soldier. Specialized in every area of combat, equipped for survival, and trained in absolute discretion, you are entrusted with the missions no other soldier can handle.




The official mobile game of the newest installment in the famous Ghost Recon series.
Fight the War of Tomorrow through side-scrolling beat’em-up gameplay featuring a new cover system.
Team-based tactics to take full advantage of the versatile allies that support you.
Become a future warrior using new weapons including remote drones, codenamed: The Big Dog.
Extreme combat conditions are enhanced by highly detailed graphics for snow, rain and fog.
Decide a critical conflict set in the near future where an overthrown Russia invades Europe.

Download

Chủ Nhật, 12 tháng 2, 2012

Nokia c3 Game March of Heroes




The game is called March of Heroes and is (obviously) a first-person shooter, everyone's favorite genre. The graphics are breathtaking, we have to admit, so we can't wait for this title to hit the application stores.

When exactly will March of Heroes be released, and how much it will cost are minor details that Gameloft didn't consider necessary to tell us.

Nokia c3 Game Ultimate Ski Racing 2



It says very little for my prospects as a skier that despite Ultimate Ski Racing 2 being almost a carbon copy of its predecessor I'm no better at this game than I was at the original.

This is a return trip I was more than happy to make, however.

Despite the original game's simplicity, managing to get to the end of the run in anything but last spot was always an immense and enjoyable challenge.

Second time lucky



And so it is here.

In fact, pretty much every element of the original Ultimate Ski Racing has been duplicated in this sequel, to the point that telling the difference between them – beyond the odd visual tweak – is near impossible.

Taking to the snow involves switching between just three buttons: '4' to send your skier sliding left, '8' to send him back to the right, and '2' to activate the game's boost, which builds several times throughout each run.

The challenges themselves – viewed from above, with the skier heading towards you – are split between three activities: Giant, Slalom, and Downhill.

All three, however, require you to call upon the same skillset - the abilities to weave at short notice and build up speed during the straights are key to posting a fast time.

Sticky slicky?

In Giant and Slalom, going as close to the gates as you can without touching them will also earn you bonus points aplenty, though any contact adds time to your tally.

Even if you're something of a clutz, however, Ultimate Ski Racing 2's upgrading system – which lets you improve your equipment with money you pick up from on-the-slopes action – ensures you shouldn't have to grind for long to start moving up the charts as you spring from one location the next in World Cup mode.

The game even boasts three-way multiplayer (albeit pass-the-handset).

Even so, it's hard to spot what's been achieved here that the developer hadn't already mastered in the original. As such, though it's easy to enjoy a second spin on this particular series' slopes, the original Ultimate Ski Racing was arguably slick enough for both games.

Nokia c3 Game Dungeon Hunter 3



When the darkness awoke, evil flooded over the land of Gothicus. Uncover the mystery of the plot against your kingdom as you hack your way through large dungeons and ferocious monsters. Enjoy hours of excitement as you dive into the main story, accept side quests and collect innumerable items. Dungeon Hunter 3 is an epic adventure set in a dark fantasy world in the tradition of the most successful hack and slash RPGs.


Features
  • An immersive dark fantasy atmosphere thanks to isometric 3D graphics and stunning animations
  • Deep character customization: Choose from 3 classes with 2 specialization paths each
  • Over 100 items, weapons and pieces of armor to find or buy from the merchant
  • Thrilling hack and slash gameplay full of real-time fights and a heavy dose of fun
  • Don’t face evil alone; rally companions who will help you to save your world…and your soul
  • The 5 faeries will help you in your epic mission by providing protection, power and advice

Thứ Bảy, 11 tháng 2, 2012

Nokia c3 Game Ace Combat Northern Wings



Ace Combat Northern Wings  Nokia Mobiles Game. The legendary flight series soars on to your mobile phone! Ace Combat: Northern Wings brings the aerial action to the palm of your hands. Pilot supersonic fighter jets across 10 missions, spanning thrilling dogfights to intense air-to- ground battles. Encounter minigames and boss battles along the way.

Thứ Sáu, 27 tháng 1, 2012

Nokia c3 Game MobiXonix 3D



MobiXonix is a 3D Arcade game that takes the gamer into the colorful fantasy world of strange moving objects. The gamer controls a comic character in the game play, scores by filling up a minimum of 80% area of the board at each level with out being touched by the weird enemies. The game can be played in four modes such as easy, medium, hard and extreme, making a total of 50 interesting levels. Six types of power-ups such as Lives, Score, Time, Speed, Slow and Surprise makes the gamer to enjoy.

Thứ Hai, 23 tháng 1, 2012

Nokia c3 Game Tetris 2012





Custom Tetris at your fingertips? Tetris 2012 lets you choose what rules you want in your Tetris game. Try any of 10 popular Tetris game rules from over the years, then mix and match them for a unique Tetris experience. Experience a new style of Tetris, unlock new tunes, and beat the game's 60 achievements. This game is a must for any Tetris fan.

Nokia c3 Game Nightclub Manager


Nightclub Manager features: Become the manager of the most fashionable nightclub!
Make your own unforgettable parties! It's high time for you to show your best in club business!

Thứ Bảy, 7 tháng 1, 2012

Thứ Ba, 3 tháng 1, 2012