Another MMO bites the dust

If you spend countless hours on Facebook boosting the stats of your Order & Chaos Online character, we suggest you stop.


Gameloft's MMORPG will be closing its doors indefinitely on December 20th.


As you can see for yourself in the screenshot below, though, you'll still be able to "fight along with friends" in the iPhone, iPad, and Android versions of the fantasy title.

History lesson


Gameloft's massively multiplayer online role-playing game hit Mark Zuckerberg's social network back in July. You can play completely free of charge until you hit level ten.


From that point on, a subscription - paid for with Facebook credits - is required to progress further.


I have e-mailed Gameloft for more details & will update this post when i get a reply.

Google+ update for iOS

Google just rolled out an update to its IOS Google+ app that finally adds some key features that were previously only available from your desktop browser. It's not a huge update, but version 1.0.7.2940 adds full resolution image uploading, the ability to +1 photos, and yes, Google+ now offers the power of... search from within the app. Additionally, the old black icon has been dropped in favor of a deep red and white design more in line with the recent Google+ redesign's notifications. Grab the updated app for free at the iTunes App Store.

Inside Infinity Blade 2 Gameplay Trailer

Jailbreak iOS 5 GM

Originally posted at cydiahelp.com

Following the release of iOS 5 GM, MuscleNerd has announced that today’s released Redsn0w 0.9.9b2 can jailbreak iOS 5 GM on iPhone 4, 3GS, iPad and iPod touch. We’ve a quick guide below to show you how to jailbreak iOS 5 GM using Redsn0w 0.9.9b2 (update below).

As usual, the jailbreak is not untethered yet. iOS 5 GM untethered jailbreak will be available once it’s released to public, not in GM release. Below is the full steps.

UPDATE: Redsn0w 0.9.9b3 has been released to jailbreak iOS 5 GM without need to point to iOS 5 beta 7.

Jailbreak iOS 5 GM

STEP 1: Download Redsn0w 0.9.9b3 (Windows – Mac).

STEP 2: Download iOS 5 GM for your iOS device from here.

STEP 3: Launch Redsn0w 0.9.9b3, Extras then Select IPSW and point redsn0w to the iOS 5 GM downloaded above.

STEP 4: Now hit OK and get back to the main screen then click on Jailbreak and redsn0w 0.9.9b3 will begin its work. You’ll get your device in DFU mode by following the on-screen instruction then you’re there

Few minutes later you’ll get your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch jailbroken on iOS 5 GM.

NOTE: This jailbreak won’t work on iPad 2. For iPad 2 users, you have to wait for iOS 5 final release to get your jailbreak.

UPDATE: Sn0wbreeze 2.8b8 released to jailbreak iOS 5 GM on Windows, you can download it here.

How to install iOS 5 GM

iOS 5 just went golden yesterday after Apple unveiled iPhone 4S, and promised to release the final version on Oct. 12th. If you cannot wait that long and want to lay a hand on it right now like me, you could download the Golden Master version, which is amount to the final release version, and have installed right now! Here's how (for Mac only):

1. Download the latest iTunes 10.5 beta 9, direct link, install it

2. Download iOS 5 for your iPhone, downloads are available here,

3. Extract the IPSW file from the iOS 5 seed

4. Back up your iPhone by iTunes

5. Open iTunes, connect your iPhone, press and hold option key and choose "restore", select the IPSW file from where you extracted it

6. Wait till the system is loaded and your iPhone restarts

7. Setup preferences, iCloud and sync with your back up

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light landing exclusively on Xperia Play

Square Enix and Sony Ericsson have just revealed that the twin-stick action-adventure game Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will be arriving exclusively (for Android) on Xperia Play in November.

The game was originally released on PSN and Xbox Live Arcade, and saw everyone’s favourite ‘well-equipped’ tomb raider team up with an ancient warrior to stop all hell being set loose amongst an old temple.

Square Enix has also revealed that Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light will be the first of a number of releases scheduled for the Xperia Play, with Ben Cusack, head of mobile for Square Enix Europe, saying, “this is just the start of what we plan to do together”.

Galaxy on Fire 2

Back in March of 2009 Fish Labs rolled out their space trading title Galaxy on Fire, giving folks like me who missed out on the 1984 classic Elite a chance to make a name for themselves out there among the stars. It's a great game that debuted with some difficulty issues, but they were resolved in short order and its universe has been enjoyed by many.

Galaxy on fire 2...... Xperia Play Review

The game places you in the role of space fighter pilot Keith Maxwell who encounters a space anomaly and ends up adrift through the galaxy, to be rescued by a benevolent miner who helps you get back on your feet. You'll quickly find you've not only been transported to to the other side of the galaxy, but that you've woken up 35 years in the future. Kind of like Sigourney Weaver.
Your goal is to get back to your home system on the other side of the galaxy, but achieving that goal is going to take some time, and what better way to fill that time than by taking on various missions across the region's 20 star systems. You start out with a relatively weak, modestly outfitted ship, but there's money to be made and upgrades to be had along the way. Jobs ranging from cleaning up space garbage to mining asteroids to transporting goods to hunting pirates to rescuing kidnapped officers can be had in the various stations in each system on the vast star map. And, if that seems too harrowing, money can be made in the simple buying and selling of simple commodities from one station to another. Like father of the genre Elite, it's a game you can take at your own pace.
Each star system consists of a handfull of planets, each with a space station — there are 100 in all — complete with a hanger in which to buy and sell goods as well as a Space Lounge. In each station's lounge can be found individuals of many sorts, most of whom are eager to do business with you. Some want to send you to a neighboring planet to do their bidding, while others seek to send you to other systems much father afield, requiring a multi-leg journey across the star map, involving jumpgates that can send you to strange and distant systems. And all this against the backdrop of the tyranny of the evil alien race known as the Voids.
Seeing real success in the game required careful ship and equipment choices. For instance, some ships offer up the valuable contents of their cargo holds when destroyed, but without a pricey tractor beam, you can't touch them. The same goes for asteroid mining — without the proper gear, that booty is beyond your reach. It's all about successful missions and wise income management.
The game offers a choice of virtual stick/Keypad or tilt-based controls with contextual action buttons to fire primary and secondary weapons. In addition, there are two view modes: standard and free view, which allows for swipe-based, any-angle  camera controls of the battlefield action with pinch and spread zoom support. The free view mode is an opportunity to partake in some real eye-candy, allowing you to contrive cinematic aspects through which to view the game's impressive starfields and volumetric dust clouds (And a different vantage can actually be helpful in a heated battle against a swarm of space pirates.)

The use of the Play's Keypad makes this game even better. Playing with controls on a touchscreen is all well & good, but playing with the Analogue keypad & Physical buttons really help make this one amazing game.

While I enjoyed the time I spent with the original Galaxy on Fire, the sequel feels a more well-rounded and immersive. More polished. Everything just kind of flows together more smoothly this time around.




Galaxy on fire II is available on Android & iOS.

Subscription Renewal Time for Order & Chaos is Here – Will you do it?

For those players of Order and Chaos that got into the game in the first week, the time to pay to renew your subscription is here. While the cost is low (£0.69 a month, £1.49 for three months or £1.99 for six months) it does make you reflect on where you are with the game, and where you want to be in the future. Since the game has started there has only been one update of any significance. This update brought about some much-needed changes – crafting skill switches, server transfer, portal in Greenmont, more repeatable quests for dry quest areas – but lacked in additional content or pvp that people were clamoring for. We do know we are getting a larger update soon (in the next month) that will give as our first dungeon, but is it enough to keep people paying that fee? Does the announcement of Order and Chaos for Facebook make you feel more or less confident about the future of Order & Chaos?

Personally, my feeling is that Gameloft needs to decide if Order and Chaos Online is a subscription MMO with downloadable content packs (expansion packs) like World of Warcraft, or if it is going to be a free to play mmo where you buy additional perks (teleporting, pets, etc). Trying to have it both ways seems to just annoy people.

So will you pay that subscription fee when it comes time and what are you reasons for or against? Let us know in the comments.

Order & Chaos Online

After buying this game, I really, really thought it was worth my time & effort to write a little review. The game has only been out for a few days, so this is by no means a complete review.


Enjoy :)


Order & Chaos is a MMORPG for most iOS devices.

The game is made by Gameloft they are pretty much known for taking popular console or PC games and making a similar game for your mobile device.  There are allot of people that complain about this.  But I for one am happy they do this because you get very ambitious games like this.  Also they do a pretty decent job at it.  This game will be mainly compared to a little game you may have heard of called World of Warcraft.

Order & Chaos Online is £3.99 in the App Store.  This comes with 3 months of online subscription.  As far as I can tell you can keep on playing even if you do not pay the monthly fee - you just get limited access to in-game content. After the 3 months you will need to pay monthly at 59p, 3 months at £1.19, or 6 months for £1.79.  I don't feel this price is to much if they are able to keep people interested and able to provide new content.


The game contains 4 races Human, Elf, Orc, Undead.  You can then choose between male or female.  Then you can choose your class Warrior (good we weapons and armor), Mage (powerful spell caster), Monk (important healing skills), Ranger (good a ranged weapons). When you get to customizing it seems a little limited.  So not sure how many configurations of characters you are going to see out there.

The controls are fairly standard for this kind of 3rd person view you have.  The left side virtual thumb stick controls your characters movement.  You can swipe just about anywhere else to look around.  On the right you have your options for attacks and spells and jumping.  


Menus are pretty straight forward.  You can look at your Bag it contains your items.  Under Character you see what clothing, armor, weapons you have equipped.  Quest is where you can select or view and drop quests you have accepted.  Spells is where you can change the spells you are using also under Talents you can upgrade your talent tree.  I have not gotten much into the Social or Team options but will try them out soon.

Graphics on this game are very good.  This could easily be one of the best looking games on the iOS platform at the moment, and shows the iPhone / iPad can compete with the DS & PSP. Although the screen looks a bit cramped on the iPhone version, it still looks amazing.



I don't have allot to talk about game play other then it seem to be pretty standard getting a quest and doing what you need to finish it.  I am hoping there is some good variety in the quests.  I really don't want it to be come a grind fest. The game is also missing a few key items that I hope Gameloft will bring soon. There are no Dungeons, no real raids & no Mounts. None of there are missed at the moment, but when players start hitting the level cap (I believe it's 50 right now), these thing will be essential to the games survival.

I believe this is a game that will keep me playing for some time. It wont make me leave Final Fantasy XIV or Rift, but I think this it's a game I can pickup and play when there is nothing on the TV, or when i'm in work :). This could really be World Of Warcraft mobile. After I get some more time into this game I will post a full review.
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/order-chaos-online/id414664715?mt=8

Could Microsoft own the OS..... Again?

Ok, this is a rather geeky post, so the fain hearted should STOP........

Ok, here we go.

Some 25 years ago (Infact, just a few days over 25 years ago), Bill Gates Created Microsoft, who in turn created Windows 1.0.1

Since then, Microsoft have gone on to dominate the computer operating system market. Over 91% of PC users are estimated to be Windows users. I myself own a Windows PC (Although its only ever used for Gaming, everything else is done in OS X).

Now, don't quote me on this, but I believe that before Windows was even thought about, another operating system existed called UNIX.

Now, I wont bore you with the history of the 2 (UNIX Wiki - Windows Wiki), but basically Windows went on to win the battle & the war.

But UNIX still lives on to this day, powering Linux, OSX, Android & Palm Webos (if im wrong, please correct me), and accounts for around 9% of the PC market share

Ok, thats the history done (I would have made a great teacher!!), now on with my rant.

Today, Attachmate announced they were acquiring Novel, owners of the rather popular Linux distro, SUSE Linux. Novel also own UNIX......

Now, to help raise the cash to buy Novel (for $2.2Billion), they are selling some IP's to Microsoft. Now Attachmate have not anounced what IP's will sold to MS, there is a fear that they may sell the rights to UNIX to MS. This would be bad....... Real bad.

Remember the history lesson I gave you? UNIX is the backbone of Linux, MAC OSX, Android & the iPhone.....

This could lead to MS strangling UNIX to death, or pricing UNIX out of the market & kill off the competition. For a few measly quid ($450Million), MS could dominate the desktop OS & the mobile OS market once again.....

This could be bad.

I may be on the wrong track completely here, and if I am, please correct me & educate me, but if I am right, it's going to be a MS world...

Source(s)
http://www.linux-watch.com/news/NS4446359842.html
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/11/22/attachmate_eats_novell/
http://www.computerhope.com/history/unix.htm

Windows Phone 7 - Hands on

So here it is, the Samsung Omnia 7 - T-Mobile's 1st Windows Phone 7 phone. Weighing in at 138g, a 4 inch capasative touch screen, AMOLED display, 1Ghz CPU, and Windows Phone 7 OS.

I got the phone delivered on wednesday, and must say.... i like it. The phone itself feels nice in the hand, the screen is ultra bright & the OS is promising. I say promising because i'm not feeling it 100%. Something is missing...

I'll get to the bad points later. 1st, the good stuff.

• Xbox Live - The xbox live service is amazing!! No doubt the best feature / app on Windows Phone 7 to date.
• Internet Explorer - Did I just say that?? Yes, IE on this phone is great, not quite as good as iOs, but not a bad attempt.
• MS Office - only tried this once, but was able to create & edit a Excel file. Best Office app on any mobile
• The Marketplace - This has its good & bad points. The bad being the lack of content - only 1000 apps. But as the OS is only 4 weeks old, I cant really hold that against it. The good news is the layout. This is the best looking app store on any mobile... iOs, Blackberry, Android & Symbian. It looks lush.

And now the bad stuff

• MSN Messenger - Did MS really leave out msn messenger? or am i missing something
• No Backgrounding - WTF?? Not even suspended backgrounding like iOs? It really annoys me opening Twitter, only to find it has to load my entire lists from scratch.
• Live tiles - Live?? Really? Most of my tiles are static!! MS need to open this up to all apps.
• One home screen - Really dont think i could live with only 1 home screen... I really like the scrolling affect, but MS need to allow multiple home screens.

All in all, it's not a bad phone, but MS mad one massive mistake.....

Back in 2007, apple released the 1st iOs device, the iPhone. It was a smartphone, but was missing key things ALL other smartphone came with as standard. MMS, no backgrounding, no copy & paste, no 3rd party support, a locked down OS.... but somehow, Apple still made the iPhone the greatest gadget on earth....

Now, in 2010, MS seems to want to emulate what Apple did in 2007, by taking there phone back to basics. No copy & paste (yet), an extremely locked down OS, no backgrounding and total control of there devices. MS are trying to do in 2010, what Apple did in 2007. Will they succeed?? I hope so, because the OS is very promising, but needs some work.

The Samsung Omnia 7 will be going back on tuesday, as I don't think the OS is quite ready for the big time yet. I really believe it's time will come. Maybe in a few months I will return to Windows Phone 7. Until then, back to my beloved iPhone 4.

The Samsung Omnia 7 is available on T-Mobile UK from £35 per month. See:

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/pay-monthly/samsung-omnia-7/# for more info.

Samsung Omnia 7 Specifications

Band	Quad-band
Weight	138 g
Size (mm)	122 x 64 x 11

Talk time (up to)	6 hr 10 mins
Standby time (up to)	330 hr
Charge time (up to)	2 hr 30 mins

Imaging

• Video camera
• 5.0 Megapixels Camera
• Camera flash

Connectivity

• Internet on your phone
• Mobile broadband
• 3G
• Bluetooth
• GPRS
• Built-in GPS (Software required for Sat Nav use)
• Sync with PC

Messaging

• Personal email
• Windows Mobile email
• Picture messaging (MMS)

Entertainment

• TV on your phone
• Audio player
• Video player
• MP3 player

Miscellaneous

• Handsfree included
• Voice activated dialling
• Vibrating alert
• Personal organiser

Windows Phone 7

So, today in work, we were treated to a visit from Samsung & Microsoft, who were keen to show off there latest products, the Samsung Omnia 7 & Windows Phone 7.

Representing Microsoft was a friend of mine, Alex. I met Alex a few years ago when i started to use the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 mobile. I was (and still am) working in tech support for a mobile operator, he was working for Danger, the company who owned the Sidekick...... but i digress, back on topic.

I got a chance to play with Windows Phone 7, and must say - even as an Apple fanboi - it was quite good. I mean, not iPhone good (of corse), but it was very good. Here are some of the highlights.

• One home screen. Endless 'Tiles' 
• Integrated Facebook, Twitter & Contacts, in one 'Hub' 
• Ultra (and i really mean) Ultra responsive.
• No lag. I really mean it, there was 0 lag moving from app to app.
• MS Office - Slideshow's look amazing on this thing!! (Apple, take note)
• Zune Music - Unlimited music for £8.99 a month
• The big one...... XBOX LIVE!!!

Yep, Microsoft finally pulled there fingers out & added Xbox Live support to the phone. It allows you to get achievements for games & sync with the Xbox. It looked freaking sweet. I mean. Fucking amazing!

You can ask anyone who knows me, and they will tell you how much I hate Micro$haft. I hate there PC Operating system and I hate Windows Mobile 6.5 an below, but even I am drawn to Windows Phone 7. This is what happens when MS have there back to the wall. When they are the underdogs. Windows Phone 7 is what they come up with, and for the 2nd time, I may find myself liking a MS product.

Micro$oft, I am hooked on my Xbox. I love the 360. And I think Windows Phone 7 could be loved. You may win me over yet....

My top 5 Mobile Operating Systems:

1) Apple iOS

2) HP/Palm WebOS

3) Microsoft Windows Phone 7

4) Google Android

5) RIM Blackberry OS