A Look at Rummikub on the iPhone

Rummikub is a popular classic tile based game for 2 to 4 players where the objective of the game is to get rid of all the tiles in your hand before your opponents get rid of theres, and now Games Factory Online has brought Rummikub to the iPhone. Providing 1, 2 or 3 computer controlled players Rummikub certainly provides an engaging challenge.

To remove the tiles from your hand, you are required to organised your tiles into sets of Groups and Runs. Groups are

three or four same value tiles of different colours, Runs are sets of three or more same coloured tiles in consecutive number order. After your initial move, which must value a combined total of 30 or more, sets can be made from either the tiles in your hand or from the tiles on the board, If you can’t make a move then you have to take a new tile and add it to your hand.

The iPhone version of Rummikub is well implemented, with clear tiles and crisp graphics, although given the nature of the game the graphics are only ever going to be functional. If you aren’t familiar with the game then it might take you a while to learn the rules and strategies of the game as the included rules aren’t very user friendly for the novice,but stick with it as after you get into it, Rummikub becomes very addictive.
This is one of those games where because of the set up time of the original the computer version has advantages over the real world counterpart, and whilst the computer opponents provide an engaging experience, even better is the inclusion of game centre functionality and multiplayer challenges.
Game Centre will automatically find you an opponent and then go one step better, because Rummikub is a turn based game it will give you a notification when it’s your turn, this means that you don’t have to sit waiting around waiting to play you can just return to the game when it’s your turn, this is a great feature of the iPhone version. If you are into classic games then you should check out Rummikub.

You can find Rummikub in the Apple App store.

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A Look at Spectrum Emulation with Sinclair ZX Spectrum 100 Greatest Hits

Emulation is a popular method of playing games from older systems on your current device. Traditionally emulation involves the copying of game files or Roms from your computer but on the iPhone due to Apples App Store policies emulation works in a slightly different way.
On the iPhone it is more common for you to buy an emulator with games included, this guarantees that the files are legal and don’t breach copyright, it also provides a legitimate way for those in search of classic games to purchase a digital copy.

The Sinclair ZX Spectrum was a popular home computer which holds a place in the heart of many gamers and is a much emulated system. The Spectrum has also recently celebrated it’s 30th Anniversary and to celebrate the event Elite Systems have released a special 100 greatest hits emulation package.

Many Classic Games are included

The package contains several top spectrum games from several top Spectrum Publishers and there are some true classics here including Chuckie Egg, Manic Miner, Skool Daze & Barbarian. The quality of emulation is superb, the games look and feel exactly like they did on the original Spectrum Hardware, which is its strongest strength and also it’s biggest weakness.
Game control is performed through on-screen virtual controls, and by default this method has a few problems as important sections of the screen are covered by your figures during play. To help improve this, Elite have included the iDaptive toolkit which allows you to edit the size and layout of the screen on a game by game basis, this allows you to optimise the controls for each game.
This highlights the problem of emulation though, games have come a long way in 30 years and some old games just don’t stand up today. This is especially true of some of the coin op conversions like Dragon Ninja which did the best it could with the available hardware but it wasn’t great 20 years ago and today is a frustrating unresponsive mess.

True 8 bit classics running on the iPhone

It’s not all bad though, the Spectrum classics that were designed around the hardware tend to be simple and fun to play and games like Manic Miner still retain their classic status.
If you are a fan of the Spectrum and want a mobile method of accessing your games or are looking for a cost effective way to see some proper gaming classics then Sinclair ZX Spectrum 100 Greatest Hits is a great way to do it.

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Doodle Block – a Fun Tower Building Physics Game

Every now and again a little gem crops up on the App Store which may not be complex or have a famous name but is fun to play, a perfect example of this is Doodle Block.
Doodle Block is a physics game where cartoon style blocks fall from the top of the screen and land on a weight balanced platform.
The objective of the game is to build a tower with the falling blocks from the platform as high up the screen as possible, the rules of physics apply so you need to make sure that the platform remains balanced, if the platform topples or if any blocks fall off then the game is over.
A couple of features make the game more challenging, your first task is to set the size of the falling blocks, this is done by touching the screen to start the block growing and shrinking, and then pressing the screen to set it’s size, while this allows you to plan a strategy it isn’t an exact science so you often have to react to slight variations in size and therefore weight of blocks. The second feature is the fact that the blocks are slightly different shapes so they don’t fit perfectly together and sometimes edges of blocks catch causing your tower to become less stable.
With this type of game the graphics tend to be functional and this is true of Doodle Block, but they do have character and serve a purpose, the games music is great but its the games physics engine that is outstanding and makes the game wonderful to play.
Doodle Block is a great little game, highly addictive and quick to get to grips with.
Download the game from the App Store, you won’t regret it.
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Has your iPhone Personal HotSpot vanished in iOS 5.1

In this previous article I explained how you can use your iPhone as a WIFI Hotspot.
Several of you have contacted me to say that your personal hotspot option has disappeared since the recent iOS 5.1 update.
After doing some research it looks like this is quite a common problem, but there appears to be a simple fix.
When you apply the fix you will loose your wifi network passwords so make sure you have a note of these.
If you find that you have lost your personal hotspot in iOS 5.1 try these following steps.
1) Make a note of any wifi passwords that you might need.
2) Open the settings App
3) Go to the General Section
4) Select the Reset menu
5) Selection the Reset Network Settings Option.

The Personal Hotspot option should now be available again

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Modern Combat 3 : Battlefield for the iPhone?

Every now and again a game hits the Apple App store which makes a real impact and Modern Combat 3 is a great example of this.
Based on similar concepts to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare & Battlefield, Modern Combat 3 by Gameloft provides the payer with an exciting first person glimpse of modern warfare through both a single player campaign and an exciting multiplayer mode.

The single player campaign mode is based around a well scripted story arc covering 13 objective based missions. On-screen markers guide the player through varied and highly detailed terrain as you move from checkpoint to checkpoint battling squads of enemies and revealing the next piece of the exciting plot.
As you play through the game you soon realise that this is no normal mobile game, the script is well thought out and immersive dragging you into the story line. The production values of the game are very high and with the high quality of graphics this game looks like the kind of game you would play on a home console, this is especially true when the game is played on the iPad 3.
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As good as the single player mode is, the game really comes into it’s own when played in multiplayer mode. You can play over either local wifi or over the Internet, and unlike other first person shooters on iOS the game isn’t just about running and shooting mindlessly, tactics play apart of the game as you use the detailed environment to more towards your objectives. There are 7 multiplayer modes included in the game including popular modes Capture the flag, team battle and Zone Control where your team is rewarded points for controlling strategic locations.

The technology and infrastructure behind the multiplayer game is very impressive, I have yet to notice any lag whilst playing and if the device acting as host disconnects from the game, control of the game is passed transparently to another device without any break in the gameplay.

The control of game movement is performed through an on-screen virtual D-pad, with your right hand controlling the aiming of your gun. There are also on-screen icons to activate specific functions such as throwing grenades and activating the guns sights. The control of the game is very smooth and the it plays very well indeed, although if playing on an iPhone sometimes the controls feel a little cramped and it is possible to press the wrong button, but on the iPad this problem is resolved and the game is wonderful. Even on the original iPad the game looks good and plays smoothly but on the new iPad (iPad3) the graphics are rendered for the high definition retina display and look absolutely fantastic
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Modern Combat 3 is very reasonably priced and can even be found for less then £1 during sales. The game, as is now common in mobile games, does has in app purchases but these aren’t necessary to play the game, and are mainly used to purchase new weapons in multiplayer mode.

On the iPhone Modern Combat 3 is very good, on the iPad it’s fantastic, but on the new iPad the game rivals any FPS experience that you’ll find on a home console or PC. If you enjoy games like Battlefield and Call of Duty then you feel right at home playing Modern Combat 3

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How to relax with the iPhone

Every now and again we all need a breather, it helps us relax or to re-focus our mind if we are stuck on a challenging problem. It’s also a good idea to occasional reflect on our thoughts, and here’s a nice little App to help you – Feel Good by Siyn Apps.

A cross between a motivational calendar and a thought of the day calendar Feel Good presents you with a slide show of beautiful pictures ranging from outstanding landscapes to cute animals, along side each picture is a motivational and thought provoking message. To draw you into the image slight and subtle movement is added to each scene, the effect is quite stunning.
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There are a number of social elements included in Feel Good, if you see a picture or message that you would like to share with friends then there are options to share them through Twitter, Facebook or Email which is a nice touch.
Feel Good is a very simple app, but a very effective one, and a great little app to have on your iPhone to feed your more reflective moods.
Feel Good is free of charge with a selection of pictures included and additional picture packs are available through in App purchases, check it out in the App Store.

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How to watch the Sky Formula 1 Channel on the iPhone

In a previous article I’ve written about the Sky Sports TV App and how to watch Sky Sports on the iPhone, and the App has been updated to include the new Sky Formula One Channel.
Formula One is incredibly popular and there was uproar when a number of races were taken off free TV and put onto Sky TV, but if you are an F1 fan but don’t want to subscribe to Sky then there is now an alternative.

The Sky Sports TV app is provided on a rolling 1 month subscription through iTunes so you can stop paying at anytime by ending the subscription.

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The App delivers a number of live streaming channels to your iPhone, including Sky Sports 1-4, ESPN, At The Races, and the Sky Formula One channels. The video quality is good even on a 3G mobile connection, so you can keep up to date whilst travelling.
To install the Sky Sports TV App search for Sky Sports in the App Store.

 

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How to Save Money with Voucher Cloud on the iPhone

In this previous post I looked at how you can save money by comparing prices with the Red Laser App on the iPhone, and here’s another way you can save, by using money off shopping vouchers from Voucher Cloud.

After you sign up to Voucher Cloud, which is free of charge, Voucher Cloud provides you with an impressive range of electronic vouchers which you can show to the person serving you to get money off, the vouchers cover many different types of category, from house hold shopping, to eating out, to entertainment and many more.20120308-222417.jpg

 

As well as providing a compressive search engine Voucher Cloud can detect your current location and display all the offers nearby, this is a great feature for when you are out and about and want to find a cheap meal or activity.

Voucher Cloud is one of those Apps which you should keep on your phone. You never know when you could use it and when you do it might save you a significant amount of money.

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How to Design your Own iPhone 4 case with Neostich

This is a really nice idea for those with a creative streak, or for those who want to design their own unique iPhone 4 case; the Neostich case kit.

The kits are based around the creative needlecraft technique of cross stitching, they come in a variety of base colours and they come with everything you need to get started. Cross stitch patterns are readily and often freely available so the options for you to customise your iPhone case or for those wanting to create a special and unique gift are almost endless.

With these Neostich cases you can really let your imagination run wild and as some of the example cases show it’s possible to create some great looking cases.
If you are looking for some inspiration then you could check out some Cath Kidston mini floral or spotty background patterns, or you could easily find patterns online for your favourite animals or characters.

20120303-225445.jpgYour phone is an extension of you and this is a good way to personalise your phone, you could add your initials or name to the case, or if the case is a present add the initials of the recipient. Or how about creating several cases to represent different times or the year, eg Halloween, Christmas and summer.

The possibilities are endless, it’s great to personalise your phone case, it should say something about yourself, and can be a great fashion accessory.

You can buy a Neostich case kit from Amazon by clicking here

 

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How to synchronise your Facebook Contacts with your iPhone Contacts

As the Facebook social network has become more and more popular it’s becoming a major part of peoples lives, and it’s becoming a central repository of their contact details.
As default Facebook contacts are kept within the iPhone Facebook App but there is an easy way to synchronise your iPhone contacts with your Facebook Contacts and share some of the infomation between the 2 lists, eg syncronsing pictures
To Synchronise your Facebook contacts with your iPhone:

  • Open the Facebook App on your iPhone
  • Display the Facebook navigation menu by selecting this button:

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  • Select the Friends Option
  • Click on the arrow button in the top right hand corner of the screen:

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  • Select the Sync Contacts Option:

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  • Select to Turn on Contact syncing, you can also select to use a contacts Facebook Picture:

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