It was a very different time back in 2012 as far as online gambling and social media were concerned. In an age in which online gambling had not even yet been legalised in New Jersey, (the practice is legal in just three North American states today – Nevada, Delaware, and, since November 2013, New Jersey) the prospect of playing games for real money on Facebook seemed nothing short of ludicrous.

Indeed, Facebook’s in-app games were becoming far more prolific, such as the enduringly popular Candy Crush, but it was another big step for the social network to allow its players to use their own money. It was down to London-based operator Gamesys to step up to the mark, and in 2012 it launched the Bingo Friendzy app, dubbed “the world’s first real cash game on Facebook.” The app was restricted to users aged over 18 and was extremely well-received by Facebook’s gaming communities.

Fast forward three years, and another of Gamesys’ brands, Jackpotjoy, has re-launched its bingo app for Facebook, using a £25 starter bonus for new players. Version 2.0.0 will feature the Aztec-themed Fortune Temple slots game, as well as a 20 line slot, Double Bubble, which promises players bonuses of up to £80,000.

While game variety has increased, the technical aspects have also improved, with far fewer bugs and general better app stability, making it far more accessible to the ever-increasing smartphone market.

The update comes in line with one of the biggest acquisitions in iGaming history, which was officially finalised in April after discussions in February. On February 5, it was announced that Canadian iGaming giant Intertain would be acquiring Gamesys’ assets in a deal worth £425.8 million. Among the assets were Jackpotjoy, which has risen to the status of the most popular online bingo operator in the UK, largely thanks to the hiring of Barbara Windsor as its very own ‘bingo queen.’

Gamesys operates its gambling activities by having them regulated and licensed by the government of Gibraltar. Its new deal with Intertain will doubtless guarantee even more innovation as far as online games are concerned, and with the ongoing partnership with Facebook, we could in for even more exciting games in the future.

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In AFDL you play Officer Robert Campbell, aka Vengeance, an armour suited, super soldier trying to keep the peace in a world collapsing into the zombie apocalypse.

The game is reminiscent of Halo: Spartan Assault with a sprinklings of Resident Evil. It balances frantic twin stick zombie shooting action in a psuedo-top down viewpoint with an array of different puzzle elements. One minute you will be cutting your way through an onslaught of charging zombies with your assault rifle and the next you are playing a memory game with a psychotic Prison Director.

The game has a decent budget with scripted ‘in-engine’ cutscenes and passable voice work but it would benefit from some final polish. This action packed shooter works hard to cram in as many options as possible. A swipe control is used to change weapons and sporadic shop keepers offer a slew of different weapon types and upgrades. All of which are a little too expensive to get on a ‘free’ play through. A jump button creates some verticality and allows the protagonist to navigate over small obstructions and access higher levels. The melee button comes in very handy when swamped by the undead and become invaluable when reloading. Finally, the gadgets functionality means you can drop mines, release drones and throw smoke bombs. This mass of options does make you feel like you are getting a lot of game for your money, and it is pretty cool to have a drone fly around the screen taking out your enemies. However, all of these buttons do make the GUI a touch overcrowded and if you have fat fingers you might press shoot, melee and jump at the same time (on my iPhone 6, not on iPad).

The story moves along at a fast pace with twists and turns throughout introducing additional characters such as the sword wielding ninja and a maniacal scientist.

Overall, the game deserves its ‘app store’ featured status as it looks great and has responsive controls. The game feels cinematic, with an engaging narrative despite some dodgy voice acting. The gadgets are a exciting addition and there is plenty of game to keep to busy. The additional weapons and upgrades are a bit on the pricey side and many will not want to spend more than a couple of dollars on upgrades. However, the game is fun and congratulations has to go out to the team at Fedeen Games For translating this third-person twin stick shooter to mobile devices. It’s well worth a play.

ITUNES LINK: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/a-few-days-left/id908844751?mt=8

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Though the Android framework is not that complex, but its learning ropes might entangle you and trap you in the very beginning of your career. To reap the utmost benefits of Android app development, you need to work cautiously. You can avoid certain common mistakes and accomplish your project with ease.

Without any further ado, here is a list of few frequent mistakes that newbies generally make.

Avoid blocking requests on the User Interface-thread:

Isn’t it annoying and frustrating, when an application shutdowns or stop working while responding with an input? This could happen if the UI thread of the application is kept blocked for a longer period.

Every Mobile App Development Services provider uses various practices to develop an effective and user friendly mobile apps. Applications often initiate with a single thread that runs a message loop, and everything that is visible to the viewers, feedback that they receive, Activity onResume, drawing events, etc., all these are regulated via the message loops. If anything executing in this thread is consuming a lot of time, it will frustrate the users and force them to ultimately abandon that app.

You can use ThreadPoolExecutors and AsyncTasks to guard against blocking calls. It will toss these calls over worker threads. And for processing the results, you can implement callbacks and post messages in your message loop of the UI-thread, once the background tasks are accomplished.

Furthermore, you can enable “Strict mode” in your device to facilitate visual feedbacks to the users, while your app is running certain operations on the UI-thread.

Over commenting is a bad practice:

Indubitably, giving comments in between the chunks of code will make your program easy to comprehend in the future. But, adding extraneous or elongated comments is not a good practice, it can hamper your performance and make the code appear a bit clumsy and cluttered.

Avoid screwing up the programming format:

This has been observed quite often that newbie programmers screw up the formatting and make it rather hard to understand upon reading. It is that common that you can easily recognize a skilled programmer and a rookie one. Though, there are certain programming languages that demands formatting, but there are several others like JavaScript that do not.

Don’t forget the visuals – make it more interactive:

It has been observed that rookie developers often commit this mistake, but, it is quite simple to remedy this issue.

Creating an interactive application will add to its market success, thus it’s advisable to integrate certain functions to lend a positive feedback while the user interacts with the application. For instance, when users push a button, it must be highlighted before responding to the action.

With Android, you can assign StateListDrawable to your custom screen element and for this, you can build a drawable XML file featuring a state selector.

Read the Android documentation thoroughly beforehand:

Seeking guidance from the Android Developer website can help the beginners achieve their goal with ease. You will get a huge chunk of the documentation along with the SDK tools, which can also be downloaded online. This documentation not only epitomizes Javadoc API reference, but also includes tutorials, videos, etc., that can make Android app development a breeze.

Moreover, you can seek help from the Android Training for learning via resourceful tutorials that are well organized into several lessons and classes to assist the newbies and solve their doubts.

Efficient Java programming is required – Don’t be a lazy programmer:

Since, Java is a high end programming language featuring a virtual machine and demands high level skills; for developing using Java, you need to have your hands on the language prior to beginning the development process. It possesses standard programming guidelines. And, an inefficient and incorrect program can push your project into jeopardy; thus, it’s better to participate actively and work efficiently.

Maintain a regular backup of your work:

It is highly annoying when hours of hard work and efforts disappear in the end (or mid) due to certain stupid issues (either hardware or some other issue). Hence, it’s better to avoid such situations and take backup of your work at regular intervals while coding.

Integration with the OS:

There is a plethora of utile features that Android platform offers developers to easily and efficiently integrate their application with the other applications and systems. You can seek benefits of the intent handling, home screen widgets, and other useful functions, and ensure that your app is easily accessible over the mobile platforms and thus, can engage potential viewers with ease.

Wrapping Up:

The above mentioned are some of the rookie mistakes that newbies often commit while developing their Android application. Get familiar with these common mistakes and avoid them to ensure an effective application at the very first attempt. However, it’s advisable to keep improving your skills and efforts and reap its incredible benefits while contributing to the Android community. Remember: “Practice makes a man perfect”.

The post 8 Most Common Blunders That Android Beginners Should Avoid appeared first on AppTrawler.

Smaller and Better

The ability to (phonetically) record an ambiance was once a technological marvel. Today, audio-visual recording devices are getting smaller and exceedingly advanced. Consider the proliferation of content on social media sites such as YouTube and FaceBook. Virtually any person handling a smart mobile device from anywhere can use software such YTD and may convert, create and upload content within a small timeframe. As devices get smaller and advanced (think Google Glass), a number of ethical questions come to the forefront.

Spyware?

The producers of the Narrative Clip urge consumers to search elsewhere if needing devices to spy on friends and loved ones. The clip is not very realistic in helping James Bond-types succeed in undercover missions. Though small, and not aesthetically revealing of its technological ability, the device is intended for hands free yet repeated recording of events. Such practical settings could include a child’s birthday party or a scientist’s lab slides.

The Autographer is more overt in serving as a camera, alerting those within sight of an oncoming shot via a blue light. Moreover, the devices fish-eye lens prevents wearers from taking head-on shots of others without making it blaringly obvious.

Privacy Protection

In theory, we act in public by a particular code of ethics and laws. Does it matter if someone takes a picture of you while strolling the bookstore or eating in a café? In theory, if we’re doing nothing wrong, maybe there’s nothing wrong with being recorded, yet no one can dismiss the uneasy feeling of privacy invasion.

As more devices are produced and the number of individuals wearing them in public increases, lawmakers will need to contend with a new trove of ethical and legal implications. As it stands, technically, it is legal to wear such small recording devices in public, outside of public restrooms, strip clubs, casinos and other venues that prohibit such actions.

Etiquette vs. Value

Those who find value in new wearable gadgets will counter those who view such devices as added intrusions and nuisance. Like a number of products and services, the etiquette versus value issue may reside in behavior.

For example, Facebook is an incredible social tool used by people all over the world. One may use it for commerce, keeping in touch with relatives, or misuse it to bully classmates and spread falsehoods. Producers of wearable technology hope products are seen as valuable commodities rather than threats to privacy and standards of etiquette.

Wearable technology is here. If wearable tech is here to stay remains unanswered. In addition to clip-on cameras, expect to see Google Glass, virtual-reality headphones and more ‘wearable’ yet technologically advanced wearables in a public café, bookstore, or crowded city street near you.

Make sure you respect IP with video downloads.

The post Wearable Technology: Mapping Groovy Gadgets From Head to Toe appeared first on AppTrawler.

If you grew up in simpler times you might find yourself reminiscing about the golden years, when cameras used film, hair was teased, jeans were acid-washed and portable sounds came from a Walkman. If you love the idea of revisiting your youth, but can’t bear the thought of parting with your iPhone or iPad, add a touch of nostalgia into your day with these fun and functional retro-inspired iOS apps.

The post Retro-Inspired Apps You’ll Love appeared first on AppTrawler.

But not all apps are created equal. A large number of them are good for everyone from toddlers to teens, but many are inappropriate or blatantly unsafe for anyone but an adult. Whilst you can click here to check out the most popular apps that your child can use, ensure you review any app before your child downloads it so you know that it will entertain without harm.

Additionally, you can protect your children from potentially dangerous situations by installing mobile apps that can monitor what they’re downloading and where they’re going on the internet as well as around town.

Safe Apps

These particular mobile apps are fun for every age group and contain no violent scenes or inappropriate material.

● Angry Birds – Help the birds fly in the right direction to knock down various targets. This is an addicting game that actually helps kids learn a little bit of how arcs and angles work.
● Cut The Rope – Here’s another app that works a basic understanding of physics into the fun. To get Om Nom his candy, you have to know how to swing the rope just the right way to get past obstacles and have the treat land in his mouth.
● AniMatch – This is an electronic memory match game that kids as young as two or three really enjoy–with no cards to put away when done.
● Drawing Pad – With this app, kids pull out their virtual crayons and draw just as they would on paper. Budding artists can save their completed work and then share it using email, Facebook and Twitter.
● Where’s My Water – If you child doesn’t like getting clean, this mobile app may change that. The goal is to help Swampy the Alligator stay clean which makes for good, clean fun.

Just this small sample should give you an idea of all the wonderful, safe mobile apps that both you and your kids will be happy to own.

Mobile Apps To Avoid

It’s critical to know what apps your child, particularly your teen, should avoid. Don’t take your child’s word that the app is safe because “all my friends have downloaded it.” It could result in disaster.

Omegle and Kik are two prime examples. These social apps let you chat with people based on a profile you create. Users are required to be 18, but most kids are savvy enough to get past that rule. Unfortunately this had led to teens viewing (and sometimes sharing) “graphic” photos which compromised their safety and their reputation. Remember that what’s posted online stays there forever.

Other Important Child Safety Apps

Parents can’t be with their kids 24/7, but luckily there are safety apps that can.

The Mobile Spy app records both phone activities and the GPS location where your child has been. Phone Sheriff lets you block chosen activities from running on your child’s phone. Net Nanny for Android has an app manager that keeps new apps from downloading until reviewed and approved by a parent. You can work these from any web browser so your child won’t be aware of the surveillance.

Even after you take these precautions, remember that parents are walking, talking safety apps. Learn which apps could be trouble and talk with your kids about what can happen if they download any of these to their devices. They might not want you to know it, but they will be listening.

Software Developers India works with both large and small organizations to help them develop and market their mobile app ideas for both children and adults. Their developers are experts on a variety of platforms including Android, iOS and Windows.

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Candy Crush Saga is a variation on games like Bejewled, where you have to match three like pieces to make them disappear and move forward. There are five different types of levels; Moves, which limits the number of moves you have to complete a puzzle, Jelly, which encases pieces in jelly that you have to chip away, Ingredients, where special unmatchable pieces are needed to score points, Time Limited, which is obvious, and Candy Order, where players must collect a specific number of candies using a set number of moves.

If a lot of that sounds difficult, well, it is. The higher the level, the greater the difficulty, and there are 350 levels in total. That’s a lot of candy matching. The game can become frustrating at points, the kind of frustrating that makes you want to give up, not actually try to get better. That’s the problem with Candy Crush; as easy as it is to pick up, once you hit a wall, it’s just as easy to toss away and never want to look at again.

Still, a free game is a free game, and for that, it might be worth a few hours of gameplay until you get fed up. If you love that kind of challenge, though, this might be the kind of game you’ve been looking for.

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• Candy Crush Levels 35, 70, 76, 82 and 97

The post Review: Candy Crush Saga appeared first on AppTrawler.

Graphics-wise this game holds its own against the slew of Bejeweled and Zuma clones already out their on the market. Although there are not many, there is some really nice animations and the whole package is lovingly polished. Tomb Breaker’s jewel collecting narrative is told through the eyes of a young Tomb raider called Aria Brite. It’s slightly familiar territory but to be honest, it’s all about the puzzles as apart from a cartoon girl and a voice over intro there is no real story or progression through a narrative.

The games main mechanic is matching the same colored jewels with each other that are horizontal or vertical to each other (not diagonal). The jewels do not need to be directly next to each other and you can connect multiple gems in a single swipe. It’s easy to get the hang of but difficult to master. Extra bonus points are given when you connect the entire collection of a single colour or if you cross your own lines. Each round lasts 60 seconds and you not only collect points but special gems which act as currency to buy power ups.

The Power Ups

The power ups come in five styles:
– double points
– 10 more seconds
– lighting mode
– double crossover points
– +1 to all matches

The game is very addictive and it wasn’t long before I had earned my ‘Played 50 games’ gamecentre achievement. Some rounds everything goes your way and you are clearing colours, crossing the lines and stacking up a pile of special jewels to use to buy powers ups and other times you have difficulty getting three gems to line up. This is a great pick up and play game that you can dip in and out of as you please.

The Issues

There is however, a few issues that stops this game reaching the top score and top of that list is the cost of the power ups. I played well over 50 games and earned enough to buy one of the power ups. I eagerly purchased the ’10 more seconds’ power up thinking that more time would lead to more points and more prizes. For a short time (about two rounds) this was true but them the power up was removed and I was left having to play another 50+ games to attempt to earn another one. Of course you can buy booster packs to gain extra currency ($1.99 will get you 100,000 and power ups cost between 3000 – 7000) am I did buy one pack in order to test out the other powers up (as well as support the developer as it was a free game) but I was a little annoyed.

I have spent the week playing and playing and although I still think this is a great game, many gamers will lose interest with it after a while as there is no story or quest mode, and you are ulytimately playing the same board over and over. If there was a steady progression of obstacles, enemies, boosters and general forward movement then this would score better on the longevity front. As it stands however, you may be like me and really enjoy playing it but ultimately stop playing after a while for lack of progression. If you enjoy playing over Facebook and challenging friends then it will last longer but if you are just after a fun puzzler in those ‘quiet times’ then you may be disappointed later down the road.

Overall

Overall this is a highly polished and hugely addictive game marred by over ambitious in app purchasing expectations and limited story line and progression. As its free I would definitely recommend downloading it but if you are stingier gamer who doesn’t like shelling out for in-app purchases then don’t get too excited about the power ups as you will only get to use them one in fifty games.

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• Link The Cute Creatures Together And Rack Up The Points In Celulo

The post Review: Tomb Breaker | iOS appeared first on AppTrawler.

On the developer’s blog, Vitrue says it “worked with the iTunes team at Apple to provide strategic guidance, creative design, solution development and account management.”

The fan page, which already boasts over 80,000 fans, has tabs for featured apps, games, a search widget, and a discussion forum. Users can boot up iTunes by clicking on the featured apps or share the love for their favourite games on their Facebook wall.

More features are promised soon, which Vitrue says will “help fans sort through the virtual mountain of apps and easily discover what their friends like.”

This functionality was previously exclusive to Mplayit and its iPhone Arcade on Facebook.

And while you’re on Facebook, why not become a fan of Pocket Gamer?

Mobile Entertainment

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