Amazing Alex Free: Interesting Concept, Lacking the Challenge

Rovio, the creators of the popular Angry Birds has released a new game, Amazing Alex, this past Friday. Is it that 'amazing'? We'll find out.

Start Screen

Index

Index Part 2

In the free version of the game, 16 levels are unlocked. Full version is $1.01 CAD and the HD version is $3.05 CAD.

Level 1

In general, the levels were pretty easy, mostly guided with hints throughout. The purpose of the game is to get an object into its desired place. In this level, all you have to do is hit play as the soccer ball will fall down into the basket. Easy? Yeah.

Level 16, a little trickier

Here is level 16, the last level in the free version of the game. In this one, one must attempt to get the balloon through the arrow while capturing the stars. On the bottom are three boxes which you can arrange to help guide the balloon to its place. A little trickier, but does not take much to think of a solution.

Overall, it is an interesting game, but I don't believe I will purchase the full version to play further. These levels were quite frankly too easy for the average player, and lacks the 'oomph' to be casually addicted. This free version took no longer than 10 minutes to complete, and it wasn't that interesting. I was looking forward to a very addicting game similar to the finesse of Angry Birds.

To play, download the free version of Amazing Alex here.

Have fun!

Tweet Lanes: First Impressions

Another Twitter app bound to impress, Tweet Lanes. Tweet Lanes does not feel like a completely finished product, and rightfully so, as it is still undergoing many changes constantly.

Timeline of Tweet Lanes

Tweet Lanes provides a 'holo' theme creating a very clean and refreshing interface. There is a persistent status bar at the bottom for easy access to sending out new tweets. Another cool feature of this app is that there are picture previews on the side. These pictures can be from Instagram, Yfrog, etc. This makes it easy for you to view the pictures instead of clicking on the tweet, and waiting for it to load.

Loading times are very quick, as it has a minimal theme. I love the look of the app, and the usability is fantastic!

Here are the options

The menu button on your GB phone does not work in this app, and instead, one must press on their twitter name to reveal this drop down menu. Here, you can provide feedback and even get the app for free. According to the developer, new features will become premium, and cost money. As this app is currently in the start up stage, they are offering it to you for free once you click on that button.

Settings is currently not accessible. It would be nice to have the ability to choose how often the app is updated with new tweets. Also, push notifications have not been added yet to notify when someone has DM or tweeted you. 

Tweet Lanes also takes advantage of the volume rocker, giving you the ability to scroll through your tweets with ease. It's actually pretty cool to read through your newest tweets without placing your finger on the screen at all! This might be particularly useful with big phones such as the Galaxy Note.

So far, I like the app, and will be using it in conjunction with Scope Beta. Great idea, with a clean interface gives a promising future.

Grab the app on Google Play here

Angry Birds Seasons HD FREE on iOS!

The FULL version is free now, so go grab your iPod, iPhone or iPad and download now!

You can access BOTH 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Here is a screenshot of a Summer 2012 scene.

Is it too early for Jelly Bean?

Picture taken from CNET

The issue of fragmentation has plagued Android from the start, and just a mere 9 months after the release of the Galaxy Nexus, a new version of Android has come abroad, 4.1 Jelly Bean. Nine months from the beginning of Ice Cream Sandwich, no more than three months on other flagship phones, and the update process is to begin again. The Samsung Galaxy S II has been updated in April of 2012 in Canada, and less than 10% of consumers are running ICS on their device. Is it too soon to make another update?

Though a smaller update, Jelly Bean is evidently longed for from every consumer. No one wants to be stuck with the same boring version, and updates are begged for. 64% of consumers still run 2.3.3 Gingerbread, which came out in 2011! 

Jelly Bean brings new features such as Google Ears, Google Now, Project Butter, an improved notification system and much more. As of today, Google Ears can be downloaded onto any phone by installing the .apk file. Google Now can be downloaded, but with many limitations. Voice search cannot be used, and force closes plague the app. Project Butter focuses on the smoothness of the device, minimizing the amount of lag experienced. I'm sure everyone would like a smooth device, with no lags when playing games such as N.O.V.A. or the classic Angry Birds. This is not available though, and can only be achieved with an update through the manufacturer and carrier.

I'm sure Jelly Bean brings many functions in which many will enjoy, but how many are to enjoy it when updates take at least 9 months to push through? With only 10% enjoying ICS, even fewer will get to experience the smoothness of the operating system they advertise with Jelly Bean. I suspect that only 5% will be updated to Jelly Bean of the 10% on ICS before the next update. Updates are coming too frequently, and manufacturers are failing to keep up to pace. 

We love the updates Google, but please, slow it down so many consumers will be able to enjoy the operating system they currently have.