We’re used to seeing all sorts of funky motion-based games on smartphones, but here’s something a little bit different: a retro-themed desktop 3D flash game that utilises your iOS device as an accelerometer and gyroscope-based wireless controller. The objective of kijjaa! is simple: just fly your vessel around, shoot down or avoid the enemies, and pick up extra lives. Don’t worry, there’s no jailbreaking involved here — all we had to do was visit kijjaa.com/air, and then copy the code onto our iOS app to establish the link via WiFi or 3G.
There’s no serious challenge in kijjaa! — based on the app’s description on iTunes, the game’s designed with students and office workers in mind, so it’s ideal for those seeking a fun quickie during their short breaks. We’d say the hardest part is trying to dodge the ghosts that show up randomly in short notice, but what really annoyed us were the occasional control lags that popped up even over WiFi. Still, for a promotional $0.99 pricing (the 70 percent price drop ends on January 17th has been extended to January 24th), this game has gone much further than most other games have, and it’ll only get better — already in the pipeline are Game Center support, new enemies, new bonuses, and achievements. Hopefully the developer will also throw in some more chiptune soundtracks as well. Demo video after the break — it kinda makes you want this on the Apple TV too, doesn’t it?
The BlackBerry Dakota wasn’t the only device to find its way onto the Internet prematurely. The Torch 2, the second generation “best BlackBerry ever,” features the same physical construction as the first device, but the main differences that should catch potential customer’s attention is the hardware inside the phone. While the original Torch featured a processor clocked at 600MHz, the new model significantly upgrades the speed, along with bringing new features to the mobile Operating System (OS) on board.
Like the BlackBerry Dakota, the Torch 2 will feature BlackBerry OS 6.1. That means the new device will feature OpenGL ES support, along with new APIs for several features, most of which focus on geo-location in one fashion or another. The Torch 2 will be a Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE device, and feature a 3.2-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 640 x 480.
The main feature of the device, though, is the 1.2GHz processor. There will be 512MB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage. The device will feature Bluetooth 2.1, a 5MP camera on the back, and GPS. Another new feature is the magnetometer. With the lack of changes to the exterior of the device, it’s good to see that Research In Motion is focusing on improving the inside.
The BlackBerry Dakota has managed to shy away from the lens of a camera for quite some time, but it looks like anyone looking for their next top-of-the-line BlackBerry device might be staring at their next device. Boy Genius Report has managed to get the first shot of the device, which features a capacitive touchscreen along with the company’s trademark physical keyboard below.
Research In Motion have managed to throw in plenty of features, if the listed specifications pan out to be true. Though, as we’ve seen in other devices in the past from the company, the Dakota doesn’t stand as the king of the smartphone hill, but strictly at the head of the BlackBerry lineage for a short time. Features like a 2.8-inch capacitive touchscreen display, but with a VGA resolution of 640 x 480.
The device will also feature Near Field Communications (NFC) built-in. It is a Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE device, with a 5MP camera on the back. RIM has included 4GB of internal memory, along with 768MB of RAM. The Dakota will have Bluetooth connectivity, integrated 802.11 WiFi b/g/n, an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and a magnetometer. Perhaps one of the device’s best features is the ability to use it as a 3G mobile hotspot. It will use a microUSB port for charging.
The Dakota is reported to be launching with BlackBerry OS 6.1, so we imagine there will be new features within the mobile Operating System (OS) itself, but details regarding those are not available at this time. What carrier exactly the new Dakota will launch on is up in the air, but it is likely that the device will launch on AT&T some time in the future. No exact date is available.
[Update]: It looks like BlackBerry OS 6.1 just broke cover over at DevCon Asia over in Bali late last night. Some of the new features in the OS will be the new magnetometer listed above, and APIs for digital compass usage. There will also be support for OpenGL-ES 2.0, Window API, and event-based geo-fencing location APIs.
TP-Link was showing off some gear at CES last week that will be interesting to those looking for faster wireless networking and dual band capability. The router is called the TL-WR2843ND and it is perfect for streaming HD video around your home and for transferring large photos.
The dual band mode of the router allows the device to avoid interference from other wireless networks in the area and from other devices in the home or office. The router has 5GHz band along with the common 2.4GHz band.
The two bands can be used at the same time too with the user surfing the web on 2.4GHz and shooting HD video around the house with 5GHz band. The router uses MIMO tech to allow for a 60% longer range. It supports all sorts of wireless security like WEP, WPA, WPA2, and Mac filtering.
Having a personal robot tell you all of your pertinent, and need-to-know information every morning is probably a dream come true for some people, especially if it’s a small rabbit-like robot that kids would find adorable. That’s exactly what Karotz is. A small, rabbit-looking robot that’s meant to help you throughout your day, from waking you up, to telling you how the weather is outside before you step out the door.
The device made its presence known at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where the company behind the small robot showed the device off. Karotz is your “smart little bunny,” and it’s filled with features. It has voice recognition and voice control, an integrated web cam, and even an RFID chip inside so that if you lose it somewhere in your home, you’ll be able to find it again.
The rabbit robot will be able to read your friends’ Facebook status messages out loud, give you traffic conditions, horoscopes, and more, all based on your verbal requests. It’s able to do this thanks to the integrated WiFi. The Karotz robot is a media player, too, able to play your music when you request it to. For the $199 price tag, the small robot rabbit isn’t a bad deal, especially if you’re looking for a small robot to spruce up your life. It’s up for pre-order now.
It’ll probably be subject to an additional fee as usual, but Verizon and Apple have just revealed that the new CDMA iPhone 4 will act as a mobile WiFi connection for up to five devices. It’ll come with an iOS-specific version of the Verizon 3G Mobile Hotspot that folks have been enjoying on their Droids for many moons now. That should allowing for laptops, tablets and the like to get online via iPhone without a pesky cord, and almost certainly make the long-verboten iPhone – iPad tethering connection finally attainable. Joy to the world!
Update: Verizon called it an app, but getting hands-on we can see that’s not the case at all — Personal Hotspot is built right into the CDMA iPhone 4′s build of iOS 4.2.5. Perhaps we’ll see it migrate to other devices as well?
Got iTunes? Got a Windows Phone 7 device? Then you’ll probably want to check out the new Remote app in the Marketplace. It promises to make the two sing in perfect harmony by making them talk over a WiFi connection. There’s a basic set of iTunes controls at your WP7 phone’s disposal, including volume, starting /stopping music, and searching by album, artist, and song, and a corresponding piece of desktop software you need to install to make the magic happen. It’s compatible with both Windows (XP and above) and Mac OS (10.5.8 and above), so all you really need now are $1.99 for the mobile app and the overwhelming desire to control your playlists remotely.
The iXtreamer iPod/iPad dock has landed in the UK, and you’re getting plenty for your money. As well as an extra-wide docking slot suitable for Apple’s iOS tablet, there’s WiFi b/g/n, a 3.5-inch hard-drive bay, HDMI and network connectivity.
To be honest, iPad support is only one string to the iXtreamer’s bow; it’ll work as a DLNA/UPnP streamer, play back 1080p HD video with 7.1 surround sound, stream internet radio, work as a TwonkyMedia server and as a standalone NAS or FTP server. There’s also Blu-ray ISO support, the ability to use your iPhone as a remote control, and a full on-screen UI.
It’ll also play FLV streaming video from online, opening the door to accessing on-demand content as well. The iXtreamer is priced at £159 ($247) from Advanced MP3 Players and is shipping now.
Motorola is expecting strong sales of its XOOM tablet, and has ordered as many as 800,000 units for Q1 2011 alone, according to the latest supply chain leaks. According to DigiTimes, four color options make up the 700,000 to 800,000 unit orders Motorola has placed, with suppliers expecting total orders this quarter to near one million. Meanwhile, the WiFi-only version of the XOOM is now expected to arrive in April.
According to Latin America Motorola exec Maurizio Angelone, the XOOM will arrive in Argentina in WiFi-only form come April 2011, with the 3G version following on a month later. It’s not clear if the same WiFi timescale will hold for the US or other regions where the XOOM is expected to be released; Verizon has promised the 3G XOOM sometime in Q1 2011.
TP-Link was showing off some gear at CES last week that will be interesting to those looking for faster wireless networking and dual band capability. The router is called the 
