I booked our dinner reservations last night using our kansas city clear internet connection. Our kids came to visit and suggested that we go out to dinner. I know how difficult it is to find a reservation on Friday night at a good place if you don’t book it at least a week before. I told them that I would just cook, but they insisted that we get on this website called, opentable.com and check to see if anywhere had any availability. It turns out that one of our favorite places had an open table at eight o’clock. We quickly booked it straight from our computer. We were able to print out a paper confirmation to take with us to the restaurant. I just couldn’t believe that it was that easy! My daughter told me that a lot of places keep their open table up to date. If they have a cancellation, they make the information available on-line, so that someone else can come and they don’t loose the business. It really is a great idea!
I’ve had my fair share of devices over the past couple of years but for some reason Windows Phone is probably the only mobile OS that is hard to commit to for over a month or so. In my honest opinion the Windows Phone 7.5 UI is my favorite (took some time using it but after a while I grew to like it). It’s not crammed with widgets and pages like Android and not too basic like iOS. The live tiles work perfectly when I want to be kept in the ‘Really, did that just happen?’ rather than the ‘Wait, when did that happen?’.
I also love how multiple OEM’s (original equipment manufacturer’s) have picked up the Windows Phone OS providing variety in screen size, shape, color, feel and most importantly, price. I also love how everything is integrated all together, in what’s called the ’People’ App. Its literally a preloaded app that links all my contacts and their news feed, twitter, pictures, etc, in one location without fetching through 3 different applications. So what’s holding me and many others from purchasing a new Windows Phone for our daily driver? One word really, Apps.
As sad, pathetic and selfish as it sounds, its the truth. Don’t get me wrong, Windows Phone 7 has some great apps and its really starting to grow. You can find applications that do the job on Windows Phone (And do them well may I add) but the sad part is, not many of the larger game developers are making their games for Windows Phone. One of the major ‘non-contributors’ is probably Zynga. Everyone has either played or has heard of Words with Friends, Hanging with Friends and even Scramble with Friends. I happen to enjoy Words with Friends very much but I am not able to play it on my Windows Phone. The best replacement I found is probably Words by Post (read my review of the app here). It’s clean design and Lifetime Score keeping makes it a great replacement, however I have only gotten a few of my friends to convert over. Scramble with Friends Can be replaced with Wordament, but again, everyone would rather play Scramble.
Another game that has become very popular over the past few weeks has been Draw Something by OMGPOP. This is another game that I love to play and have paid for but if I cant play it on the go than what’s the point? The good news is that many people have requested OMGPOP to develop this game for Windows Phone and the developers are considering it.
Those are just a few quick examples of application I would like to see. What holds most people back from buying Windows Phone, other than being a fanboy or not wanting to jump into something so new, is its low processing speeds. Android devices are starting to move towards quad-core processors where windows phones only have 1.4GHz single-core. Kinda seems like Windows Phone is behind the 8 ball. But to be honest, if you aren’t playing 3D, graphic intense games, you don’t need a dual-core or higher processer in your phone.
The newer Windows Phones are starting to be released with 4G LTE connectivity (Nokia Lumia 900), so that’s a plus. However, until I see some of the major application developers design apps for Windows Phone, it will be hard for me to switch from my Galaxy Nexus…
What’s holding you back from using a Windows Phone? Have you tried one yet?
Google is now implementing something called Public Alerts with Google Maps. Public Alerts is an emergency awareness system for events like earthquakes, blizzards and floods, in locations that you search. Google teamed up with companies like the US Geological Survey (USGS), the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the National Weather Service to help produce accurate information for local areas. Currently, when using Public Alerts, the only information given on the emergency is How likely, How soon and How severe.
The service is currently available for the US but Google plans on allowing other companies to implement their alerts as well, as long as they follow the Common Alerting Protocol. In the future, Google plans on adding more countries and alert features as well as making this service available on other Google products and services as well.
Good move Google, I think this is a great step in the correct direction.
We heard the ICS update for the original Transformer was coming soon, we just didn’t know when. Well, according to ASUS’ Facebook page, we will be receiving the update ‘Mid-February.’
Granted Mid-February might seem like forever away but it’s only a few weeks. All of us who own the original Transformer should just be happy we will be receiving an ICS update at all. This also shows that asking a question on Facebook might result in great news!
The Droid RAZR was released about a month before we heard news about its ‘upgrade’, the Droid RAZR MAXX. Droid life was able to get this screen shot of the Droid RAZR MAXX with a release date of January 26th. Soon after, Motorola caught wind of this and changed the date to “Coming Soon”. We saw a slip up in the past from a Verizon Ad on their website unveiling the intended release date. But this is the second slip up with the same date. Is it safe to assume that January 26th as the intended release date for the Droid RAZR MAXX? I think so.
For a phone with a 3300mAh battery and 21 hours of battery life this phone will be worth its 299.99, on contract, price. So, if you were waiting, well your wait will be over Thursday!
Source: Droid-Life
Having so much in my mind when I was moving I was really glad my dad came to the rescue. He was there on move in day to direct the movers and he’s done a lot since then to look into the water bill and do a cable tv comparison and even talk to a lawn maintenance company about coming to mow my yard every two weeks. I don’t know what I’d do without my dad – I’m 30 years old but I’m single so I guess he’s the man that’s still in charge of taking care of me and that’s important to him. I hope one day to meet a man who even holds a candle to my father but you know, at this rate I don’t know that that’s going to happen anytime soon. I love my mom, too, but dad and I have always had a special father daughterbond that I’m not sure too many fathers and daughters have. I really cherish the time I have with him.
Order and Chaos is a must have for anyone with an Android or iOS device!
Overview:
Order and Chaos by Gameloft is an Massive Multilayer Online Role Playing Game or, more simply put MMORPG, that is available for your mobile device (sorry Windows 7 users). It is one of its kind having 3D graphics and being a real time, open world MMORPG for your mobile cell phone or tablet. With little to no game lag and only a few minor glitches, it is defiantly worth the $6.99 purchase price in the market. Normally MMORPG’s like World of Warcraft and Aion require a hefty monthly payment. Order and Chaos is different when it comes to this.
When you first purchase the game from the market or Gameloft’s website, you have to set up a Gameloft live account. It’s simple and the account is free to have. After you set up your account you will then have 3 free months of play time for Order and Chaos. This is pretty neat knowing you just spent $6.99 on it. After the 3 months are over you’ll be prompted to purchase more game time. Have no fear, it wont break the bank. He are the prices for game time:
$0.99 a month is fairly cheap knowing that games can sometimes charge an upwards of $15.00 per month. Its a total of $6.00 a year if you buy two 6 month subscriptions. There is no way this game will break the bank. Purchasing things is as simple as taping on your inventory, going to ‘Get More Coins’, taping on what you would like to purchase (game time, runes, in game gold), and paying with your Android Market account or iTunes account.
Introduction:
Like I stated above, the game runs flawlessly and has pretty decent graphics for a cellphone/tablet game. The graphics do remind me and others of World of Warcraft but that is something I can see past. Before you start playing you have to double check and make sure your WiFi is connected. If its not than you will get prompted to change your setting for this game uses a lot of data.
After logging in to your freshly made Gameloft live account, you will get to the character selection screen. This allows you to create 3 characters (4 if you purchase the slot) choosing between Orc, Undead, Human and Elf. You then will have the option to customize your character with over 100 different combinations such as hair color, skin color, face features and hair style. When that is all said and done you will be able to choose a class. Pick between Warrior, Ranger, Mage and Monk but choose wisely, what you pick is what you get. Then name your character and select what server you want to play on. As of right now there are only 4 servers and the game is not cross platform. Meaning people with the Android version can not play with people that have the iOS version… yet.
Controls, UI and Gameplay:
The controls and UI are user friendly in my book but I will say they took a while to get used to. Playing in landscape mode you need to use the left thumb to move and the right thumb to change camera view, jump, attack, use spells and abilities, loot monsters and pretty much anything else you can think of. Pinch in and out with your fingers to zoom the camera in and out.Your health and vital information is in the upper left (including your current level) and enemy vitals as well. Your mini map is on the upper right allowing you to tap it to open a larger world map. At the bottom of the screen you see and arrow pointing up. Tap on that arrow and it expands the real time in game chat. There are options for talking globally, locally or whisper to a friend. The arrow on the right expands out and allows you to store more items like potions and food.
When in your menu/inventory you will be able to look at what things are in your bags, inspect items you might have, check quests, see what friends are online, etc.
You will also be able to choose from a few different professions in game. They include Blacksmithing, Tailoring and Leatherworking. Through out your journey you will be able to level professions through 5 ranks; Primary, Intermediate, Advanced, Professional and Master. Another thing to note are deaths. When you die you can choose to re-spawn at your location for 1 rune or at a local graveyard for a loss of gold if your character is above level 10. If there is a nearby monk, they can resurrect you instead.
Conclusion:
When you’re first starting you might get frustrated with how slow the game play is, but as you progress things happen faster and become more challenging. The game sometimes feels repetitive at times when you just do quests and kill creatures, but you can also join a party to defeat dungeons together or elite monsters. I have encountered a few glitches while playing Order and Chaos. First glitch that I keep running in to is my target gets DE-targeted until it attacks me again. That bothers me most when I’m at low health and trying to finish the fight before I die. Other than that there are times where NPC’s (Non Player Characters) get glitched or wont talk to me when I need to hand in a quest (I hope its not because I forgot to shower…)
Gameloft has provided us, as gamers, with a wonderful and mind blowing game for our cell phones/tablets. So what are you waiting for, head over to the Android Market, Apple’s app Store or Gameloft’s website and join thousands as they fight the battle of Order and Chaos.
For detailed in game information check out the Order and Chaos Wiki
Well everyone, I hate to say it but its that time of year again. Its the holiday season. Over the years gifts have gotten more complex and maybe even expensive in some cases; and now with internet shopping, preparing for that holiday gift exchange couldn't be any easier than when in the comfort of your own home. That's why sites like www.become.com are great. They allow you to compare prices to find the best and lowest deal without the hassle of looking on every website.
If you are in the market for a new router this holiday season head over to become.com. With comparing prices from top stores like internet routers from Best Buy you can really find your self the best deal on the web. And these aren't cheap routers by any means, they are high quality and top of the line router company's that provide blazing speeds for anyone on your shopping list.
Maybe an internet router isn't something you need this holiday season. Become.com has everything from home and garden to technology including top of the line watches. We all know that special someone who still wears a watch because they refuse to look at their cellphone. Checking out the selection of Invicta Black watches would be far from disappointment.
But enough of that, lets talk about something everyone could use, A used LCD TV. Even my parents are jumping on the flat screen band wagon this holiday season. One thing they have encountered is price. Tv's aren't cheap by any means, but using become.com to find the cheapest deal on the web is a great idea.
So what are you waiting for, Head over to www.become.com and start comparing!
I have been thinking lately. Since I have Been focusing on writing on www.techhog.com with my phone reviews and news, I think Ill start reviewing games on this site. Games will include PC, Xbox, PS3 and Wii.
Ill be reviewing basic elements of newer games. Nothing in-depth that will give away the story line, just what to expect, basics of the game and most importantly, my thoughts on the game.
Games you can expect to soon see include:
Skyrim (Of course)
Diablo III (Beta)
Path of Exile(Beta)
Star Wars Old Republic (Beta)
and other games that are requested.
I will also be writing about Random games like:
Indie games in the Xbox marketplace
Patches and new Downloaded content
Starcraft custom games, Etc...
Hope you guys enjoy this new change, and hopefully this will be one of your new stops for game information and reviews.
Any games you would like to see? Let me know!!
Tweet me @ohmyitsDoug
or email me at info.dailyelectronic@gmail.com
Written by my friend Betty Walls
My parents surprisingly love technology. They are always the first to have the newest device. It is shocking, but they are normally ahead of me in getting whatever is new to the technology market. I don’t know why they are so fascinated with it. Most of my friends’ parents could care less and almost reject technology. While it annoys my friends, I can completely understand. That generation grew up without computers, Satellite internet or even Facebook. Most people’s natural reaction is to reject change. I am still puzzled why my parents are the opposite. It would be different if they were this welcoming about every change in life, but they are not. When I first moved to college, I thought my mom would be getting an apartment next to mine. When I introduced my dad to my boyfriend, I thought he was going to have a heart attack. They have never reacted well to change and I guess I will be forever puzzled as to why they are so accepting of technology.
Hey EVERYONE! Please vote for Techhog.com for a Mobbie this year. It would mean so much for us to win this prestigious award. Just click on the link and follow the instructions that are on our site. You can vote once a day till November 10th. But one vote is all I ask for.
Thanks for all your support!
