Cross-platform game compatibility and syncing aren't anything new, but there have been few if any games that truly make us feel at home when we switch devices. Developer 17-Bit's just-launched Skulls of the Shogun bucks that trend in style as the first game with a unified experience across every one of Microsoft's platforms. Start a game on a Windows 8 or RT PC, Windows Phone or Xbox 360, and cloud saves will carry over with nary a hitch in sight. Turn-based multiplayer works the same way: anyone involved in a match can play from whichever device is convenient, rather than give up a big screen or mobility. We just wish the undead strategy game's prices enjoyed the same level of consistency -- Skulls costs $5 on Windows Phone, $10 on Windows PCs and 1,200 points on the Xbox. Still, we'll bite if it means squeezing in one more round on our Surface.
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Tablets, Software, Microsoft
Via: Windows Phone Blog
Source: Microsoft (1), (2), (3)
For those who haven't yet found a reason to check out the three-month old PlayStation Mobile store, Sony's got a rather compelling one for ya: freebies. Starting today, one game will be available gratis every seven days as part of a "New Year giveaway," which will last six weeks in total. To obtain the complimentary titles, you'll need either a Vita, or a device that's been PS-Certified -- an honor currently bestowed upon several Sony slates, a bunch of Xperia and Sharp handsets, and HTC's One series Android phones. Samurai Beatdown is the first cross-platform game to lose its price tag, so if you've got rhythm, hack and slash your way over to the PlayStation Mobile store to get downloading.
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Tablets, Mobile, Sony, HTC
Source: Sony PlayStation Blog
After what feels like a mighty long time since it was first announced, Sony's cross-platform PlayStation Mobile store is now up and running with an initial line-up of games (plus one lonely-looking app) for the PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Certified Android devices. That hardware category currently includes Sony's latest tablets and Xperias, plus HTC One-branded handsets -- check the source link for a full list and installation instructions. So far, we can access PSM on the Vita via a new tab on the PlayStation Store, and we know that readers are having luck on devices in the US -- including the Xperia Play -- but the One X (both global and AT&T) has only given us error messages. If you succeed or fail, please post your results below and we'll update accordingly.
Update: Okay, there are definitely teething problems on HTC devices and we're reaching out for an explanation. Meanwhile, owners of the Nexus 7 and the Xperia Ion on AT&T bring happier tidings.
[Thanks to Paul and all who've commented]
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Handhelds, Tablets, Sony
Sony Playstation Mobile store now live, offers cross-platform games and apps from $0.80 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 06:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Okay, so VLC may not be the media darling it once was, but it still has a legion of fans -- as evidenced by the (official) beta version's warm welcome over at Google Play. Despite a clear warning that the build is unstable and might "kill your kitten," users report mostly smooth multi-format video playback on a wide range of devices running Android 2.1 and up, and any jitters will no doubt be resolved over time -- the whole point is that it's open-source and ripe for improvement.
Official VLC app now out for Android: only an unstable beta, but it works originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Jul 2012 07:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Following up on last year's promise to build a standardized SDK for creating Smart TV apps, LG and TP Vision (the new owner of Philips' TV business) have announced the creation of the Smart TV Alliance. Its goal is to create a "non-proprietary ecosystem" to encourage developers to make platform-independent apps based on standards like HTML5. One of the main problems currently for the Smart TV market is that there's many different platforms, some manufacturer specific while others like Google TV and Yahoo! Widgets play across differently branded devices. Curiously, Sharp was included in the previous announcement at IFA last fall and is not mentioned by name this time around, although the press release hints at "other Japanese manufacturers" in the process of joining that will be announced accordingly. The current plan is to release SDK 2.0 by the end of this year, until then interested devs are asked to register on the group's website for more info.
Continue reading LG and Philips / TP Vision announce Smart TV Alliance for cross platform TV apps
LG and Philips / TP Vision announce Smart TV Alliance for cross platform TV apps originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 07:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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One of the things we can look forward to in the coming year from Sony is some some lovely cross-platform content that makes the worlds of the PS Vita and PS3 just a bit more tightly integrated. Games like PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale will allow players to compete against each other, regardless of which Sony console they're using. The so-called cross-play functionality isn't limited to live play either, some games (including the aforementioned PS All-Stars) will allow you to save your game on one and pick up where you left off on the other. There will also be new downloadable content that will span Sony's home and portable consoles. The cross-controller DLC will come first to Little Big Planet 2, which will let you use your Vita to actually create levels on the PS3. Sadly Sony wouldn't divulge too many more details, but we can expect Battle Royale to hit shelves this holiday season. We guess this multi-screen entertainment thing is really going to take off this year.
Sony demos Cross-Play, announces Cross-Controller DLC for Vita and PS3 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jun 2012 21:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Mozilla has shown off ideas for future versions of Firefox as it becomes less of a traditional browser and more of a "soft, friendly, human" ecosystem. Slides released on the web hint at a new desktop environ with a simplified menu, cleaner download interface, and a more functional startpage -- all the while maintaining the same curved-edge look as the mobile variant. A Windows 8 Metro tile-based version is also in the works that's similar to the Firefox tab layout on Android. There's no word when Mozilla's so-called Kilimanjaro project will come to fruition, but you can check out the slideshow after the break for an early glimpse.
Mozilla plans war on fragmentation, reveals unified UI design for Windows 8 and mobile devices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 16:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Continue reading ICQ seeks comeback with mobile app update, new iPad version
ICQ seeks comeback with mobile app update, new iPad version originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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