Just managed to find this really cool software on the Blackberry Mobile app store. Finally there is an application to update the wordpress blog via the BB.

I suppose this means the blog can be more active again.

Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.

Once in a while, we will come across a game that is mindless violence. Here, for example, is one of it. The best thing is I was actually introduced to this game by someone who thought it was a great game for people who are under lots of stress. The game makes use of the OpenFeint system which means if you have an account there, you can post your high score to the website to show off. *bitching*

Gameplay

So let’s take a look at what options we can tweak in the game. There is the sound effect and background music (pretty irritating). The difficulty level allows you to change how many times the bullet will rebound when hitting objects/wall in the game. It also controls how many bullets you will start with in the game. Take a challenge and go for the Hard level … you only start with ONE bullet. The guide line will give you a red line in the game so that you can aim your shot.

Being a wuss, I decided to start with EASY level. So the game is pretty simple, try to waste off as many of the people in the game with a single bullet. The first shot will be guided by the red line. You goal is to keep killing off everyone until you run out of bullets. Once that happen, it’s GAME OVER and your score will be posted online (via OpenFeint).

Check out those dead bodies. Don’t worry about the bullet rebound because you cannot kill yourself.

Here’s the current highscore for the Easy level at the moment. Some people just don’t have a life.

Graphics

Well … what can I say. Stickman style and gory details are pretty lame. But hey, who cares!

Summary

A cool game in the beginning but the repetition will probably wear out your patience. I think you might end up more stressful after playing the game.

Rating

Filesize: 5.6 MB

Version reviewed: 1.0

Price: US$ 0.99 (there is also a Free version which uses a target instead of little stick man)

Was at Starbucks today as they launched their new Orange Zest drinks. They have the Honey Orange Frap (blended coffee or cream based) and the Honey Orange Latte. Personally, I find that the drink is a tad too sweet and it’s really ORANGE-GY taste. Brrrrr…. I don’t like the orange flavour (I only ordered it to get the key-chain).

They even have the Year Of The Tiger tumblers out (RM 38) for those interested in getting one.

For those interested, here’s a shot of the key chain. It has a tiger, starbucks cup and the starbucks coffee logo on it. Quite interesting. It’s made from pewter.

This is the software that most techies will end up searching and installing on any smart phone. The Remote Desktop will allow you to connect to any Terminal Server / Remote Services machines out there. It’s great if you’re on the road and suddenly you want to connect back to your office server to perform some diagnostic check.

Usage

You can use the software in either portrait or landscape mode (landscape provide a more comfortable widescreen look as a desktop).

You can easily maintain a list of servers that you frequently connect to. These, of course, could be servers or desktops with Remote Assistance installed (XP Pro, Vista Pro and Win 7 Pro). As long as they are connected to the internet, you will be able to log in to those machines anytime.

Once you click on the Connect button, you will get a prompt such as above, to indicate that you are connecting to the machine of your choice. This can be done over mobile network or WLAN.

Once connected, you will notice a row of buttons at the bottom of the screen (noticed that I prefer using the device in landscape mode).

The buttons are for:

• Keyboard – this will show the iPhone keyboard
• Extended keyboard – this will show the extra keys (such as Function buttons)
• Options – this will bring up the options menu
• Right Click – when you select this, the mouse will work in right-click mode
• Look around – with this selected, you can tap the screen and pan around (since you can setup to view the screen as 800×600, 1024×768 or 1280×800 mode). You can also zoom in and out by pinching the screen. Note that while this mode is selected, you can also tap the screen to simulate left mouse click.

In the options menu, you can also trigger Macros. I haven’t quite figure out how this work yet. Perhaps I will explore in greater detail and update on the functionality later.

Here is the extended keyboard view. As you can see, you can access the Function Keys (F1-F12), arrow buttons and the Start button.

Summary

Great productivity tool and a lifesaver if you are on the road and suddenly asked to login to the corporate servers to check on certain status. Worth installing.

Rating

Filesize: 0.3 MB

Version reviewed: 1.0

Price: US$ 5.99 (there is also a Free version which is limited to Workstation connections — cannot connect to Windows Servers)

It is no longer being updated and will be kept there for archive purposes. Thank you.

Well well well … looks like they actually managed to port over Quake 3 to the iPhone. Since the game is technically more graphic intensive, I would suggest trying this on the iPhone 3GS.

Gameplay

OK. First of all, you probably need to know where you can download the game. You can easily download this game from Cydia by adding xSellize as a source (http://cydia.xsellize.com). You can search for Quake 3 and install it after that (about 45 Mb). There are really no instructions and notes attached with the game so I had to figure out the damn controls all by myself (and with the help of Mr. Google).

The game starts up with the usual id-soft logo and then you will be presented with the main menu (just like in the original Quake 3 game). The screen respond to your accelerometer so basically you can view the menu in landscape or portrait style (I recommend the landscape mode). I suggest you don’t try to setup anything and just start the game … I tried to mess with the options and it practically screwed up the entire game.

You can then start a single player game (I didn’t try if the multiplayer actually works or not). The usual load up screen from the game will appear while you start flexing your fingers.

Ok. So here’s where it gets REALLY complicated. Figuring how to move and shoot in the damn game. Since there is no instructions … it’s all a matter of trial and error (and also Mr. Google). Here’s the breakdown of what I found:

• Accelerometer – move around (it’s tough)
• Free look – tap with the finger
• Shoot/Fire – tap with two fingers
• Jump – tap with three fingers

So yes… the controls needs some work. And the sound is not working yet in the game. But heck, who would believe Quake 3 could actually run on the iPhone in the first place.

Graphics

It’s just like the real deal … only smaller.

Summary

No latency and lag in the game. Great graphics (no sound yet .. but hopefully that would be solved soon) and the controls are a NIGHTMARE. Other than that, this shows the path of what future games can be ported over to the iPhone (Doom 3 maybe … or FarCry )

Rating

Filesize: 45 MB

Version reviewed: 1.0

Price: US$ 0 (FREE)

Here’s a complete new take on games on the iPhone. This is Zen Bound (from Secret Exit) which is a game that has been described as “A calm and meditative game of wrapping rope around wooden sculptures”. Well, that actually summarises the entire game into a single sentence.

Gameplay

So here’s how the game works. You need to select from three different choice of trees (which consist of different sculpture hanging from each of those trees). The amazing thing about the sculpture selection screen is everything reacts to your movement. You can start swaying those flowers and lantern by moving your iPhone around.

Once you have selected the sculpture, you will be presented with the screen above. Basically, the objective of the game is to continue wrapping the sculpture with the rope until the entire sculpture has been painted. It may sound easier than it seems. Trust me, it will take a lot of practise in order to get everything done properly.

In order to wrap the rope, you will need to manipulate the sculpture. You do this by using one finger and rotate the wooden sculpture around. You need to use two fingers to spin the object. On top of that, you can tilt the iPhone in order to adjust the rope direction.

Just when you think that is the end of your problem, you only have a limited length of string which you can use. At the top of the screen, you will see the total length and how much rope you have used so far. Once you have more than 80% of the object painted, you can end the game by tying the rope to the end nail (or you can tap the “End” button).

Graphics

Gosh. What is there to say. This game has been listed as one of the Top games for 2009. The graphics are smooth and is truly spectacular. Just look at the detail of the wooden sculptures and the hand drawn background. You just need lots and lots of patience to play the game.

Summary

A calm and meditative game of wrapping rope around wooden sculptures.

Rating

Filesize: 52.5 MB

Version reviewed: 1.2.2

Price: US$ 1.99

What do you need to do?

1. You need to download Terminal from Cydia. Start up Cydia from your phone and go to “Featured Packages”.

2. You will find “MobileTerminal” there. Tap on that to install MobileTerminal.

3. Once installed, you will find “Terminal” application. Start the application.

4. Once you are in the Terminal screen, type “passwd” and press Enter. You will be asked to key in your existing password (by default, it will be “alpine”). Then you will be required to key in a new password twice. Choose any secure password you like. Once you have successfully changed the password, you will be safe (for now).

Gameplay

So the objective of the game is to stay on proper racing lines, be number 1 and open up more cars and tracks to race on. The more you stay on the Racing Line, the more points you will accumulate.

Controls of the game are still similar to the previous version of NFS. You tilt the device left and right to control your steering. Flick the device left/right during corners to initiate a drift. Tapping on the screen will trigger the brakes. Nitros will now appear as a button to press in the lower right corner. I do find that the controls are a bit sluggish this time around.

There are also multiple camera angles that you can choose. You can now cycle through the different views:

• Driver view – in-car driving
• Bumper view – camera angle lower and in front of car
• Chase view – the standard view which I am most comfortable with

Every race you win, you will get star points and cash. You need the rating to unlock cars and tracks. Obviously the cash is to upgrade the car.

Car selection screen is not as interactive as the previous NFS. Car details are incredible and there are 20 different types of cars to choose from.

Graphics

The graphics in the game are spectacular. Look at the detail drawing of the dashboard in the Golf GTI. It’s an exact outlook in the actual Golf. The amount of time getting all the nitty gritty details correct is a visual bonus.

Summary

Great game. But I must say, the controls have gotten a bit sluggish now. Drifts don’t react as great as before. Still a winner in my books.

Rating

Filesize: 178 MB

Version reviewed: 1.0.0

Price: US$ 6.99