Z-Type is a fun way to learn to touch type

If you're a skilled touch-typist, this time-waster isn't for you. But if you're just learning to touch-type (or have recently switched to a superior layout), Z-Type might prove a nice way to practice your typing skills while having a bit of fun.

It's a basic shooter game: Spaceships come at you from the top, and you need to shoot and destroy them before they hit the bottom and destroy you. You do the shooting by typing the words associated with the baddies: Each spaceship has one word, and every letter sends a shot aimed at it. Once you finish typing the word, the ship explodes.

The graphics are very nice, and when you're done with the game it shows you your score and accuracy. The only thing I didn't like about this game is that it wouldn't let me set the speed, and it seems to be aimed at novice typists. If I could just select the level of difficulty before starting to play, I suspect it would have been much more engaging.

Still, for novice typists it's a great little way to practice!

[This was the Community Choice winner in the Mozilla Labs Game On 2010 competition! -Ed]

Z-Type is a fun way to learn to touch type originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 12 Feb 2011 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/12/z-type-is-a-fun-way-to-learn-to-touch-type/

Rosario Dawson Rose Byrne Rose McGowan Roselyn Sanchez

Chrome OS "panels" and Google Talk Chrome Web app go cross-platform

Back when we had the chance to play with some more mature builds of Chromium OS, one feature we particularly liked was its slick, panelized Google Talk funcationality. It later disappeared, replaced by a Gtalk app in the Chrome Web Store -- but while Google talks about 'the same platform everywhere,' the Gtalk Web app only worked on Chrome and Chromium OS.

What about all us Windows, Mac, and Linux users? Well, now we can get in on the action, too, even though the Chrome Web Store loudly proclaims ** THIS APP REQUIRES A CHROME NOTEBOOK **!

While that's not totally true anymore, you do need panel functionality, which your version of Chrome probably doesn't offer yet. However, if you have a recent Chromium build you can add the command line switch --enable-panels to enable basic panel functionality. There's no about:flags entry for this yet, so you'll have to use the switch for now. If you need help, just check our tutorial on how to add command line switches to Chrome.

Continue reading Chrome OS "panels" and Google Talk Chrome Web app go cross-platform

Chrome OS "panels" and Google Talk Chrome Web app go cross-platform originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/26/chrome-os-panels-and-google-talk-app-go-cross-platform/

Summer Glau Sunny Mabrey Susan Ward Susie Castillo

ASUS Eee Pad MeMO and MeMic hands-on (video)

Though we played with ASUS' Android-powered Eee Pad MeMO back at CES, the company spilled a couple new secrets here at CeBIT today: first, it'll be running Honeycomb by the time it launches in June -- current prototypes are running Gingerbread -- and second, certain MeMO bundles will include the MeMic, a separate Bluetooth handset that lets you take calls without holding a giant tablet to your face (it's pronounced "me-mike," by the way). Interestingly, the MeMic features a translucent LCD that we're told will make it to the production units; unfortunately, the units on display were running very early alpha software that had "given out" by the time we arrived at the booth, so we couldn't get a sense of viewability. In addition to making calls, the MeMic will let you stream music, control media, and perform a few other basic tasks that make sense for a tablet remote.

On the Honeycomb side, ASUS tells us the delay is simple -- as it stands, a commercial-grade Honeycomb port doesn't exist for Qualcomm hardware, which is what the Eee Pad MeMO is running (the Xoom -- the only released Honeycomb tablet so far -- is running Tegra 2). The company's confident that it'll be ready by the time the MeMO's slated for release in June, however. Follow the break for video!

Gallery: ASUS Eee Pad MeMO and MeMic hands-on

Continue reading ASUS Eee Pad MeMO and MeMic hands-on (video)

ASUS Eee Pad MeMO and MeMic hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 08:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/zMSgYCIaRv8/

Chelsea Handler Cheryl Burke China Chow Chloë Sevigny

Nexus S 2.3.3 update adjusts screen's color temperature, we go eyes-on

We've been hearing reports about Nexus S' Android 2.3.3 update adding a yellow tint to the screen and even washing out its colors, but according to Google's Ry Guy, said patch is indeed intended to tweak the display's color temperature. Here's the full quote from Google's support forum:

"With your new OTA complete, you may notice a slight difference in the way colors are displayed on your Nexus S. For Nexus S, we have adjusted the color temperature settings to more accurately reflect darker colors at all brightness levels. The Gingerbread UI being darker, we found that the colors were not as accurate when the device was being used at lower brightness levels. For example, some users reported that the initial color temperature was too high leading to some darker greys having a reddish tone; with the new color temperature this is no longer the case."

So while this display tweak is well-intentioned, it looks like many commenters on both the forum and XDA-Developers aren't too happy with this. Being curious geeks that we are, we went ahead and manually updated our own Nexus S (and by the way, be sure to match your build number with the appropriate patch). As you can see in our comparison photos (shot with the same manual camera settings and medium screen brightness), the new overall color temperature is no doubt subtly warmer, although the dimmer brightness settings no longer suffer from the aforementioned red tone. Interestingly, we actually approve this change, and the Super AMOLED display certainly doesn't look washed out to us, nor do we see any noisy dithering that some have reported. Surely we can't be alone. Well, there's only one way to help solve this mystery: if you happen to be a fellow Nexus S owner who's applied this update, why not chime in below?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Gallery: Nexus S 2.3.3 update adjusts screen's color temperature, we go eyes-on

View Poll

Nexus S 2.3.3 update adjusts screen's color temperature, we go eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 05:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Android Community  |  Google, XDA-Developers  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/27/nexus-s-2-3-3-update-adjusts-screens-color-temperature-we-go-e/

Leonor Varela Leslie Bega Leslie Bibb Lil Kim

Windows Phone's new UI and Xbox games are most exciting aspects of Microsoft deal, says Nokia poll

In search for feedback on its momentous decision to dump Symbian in favor of Windows Phone, Nokia has put up the above poll on its Conversations website canvassing opinions about what users anticipate most out of the new deal. There's no consensus choice, with the equivocation of reactions being underlined by the fact that the "Other" option was the modal response, however of the given categories, a UI refresh and Xbox-related gaming boons turned out to be most important. No surprises there, Symbian's touchscreen UI shortcomings are well known about while the Xbox tie-up has been one of Microsoft's big selling points for Windows Phone 7 since its start. We'd just ask Nokia to be quick about delivering on these things -- spending too long in anticipation mode won't be good for our health.

Windows Phone's new UI and Xbox games are most exciting aspects of Microsoft deal, says Nokia poll originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:27:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink The Inquirer  |  Nokia Conversations  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/26/windows-phones-new-ui-and-xbox-games-are-most-exciting-aspects/

Selita Ebanks Shakara Ledard Shakira Shana Hiatt

Samsung Galaxy S II gets price and release date

 

Samsung's dual-core, Gingerbread-powered Galaxy S II has appeared on Play.co.uk alongside a tentative SIM-free price and release date. According to Play, which is currently taking pre-orders for the phone, it'll ship Mar. 31 for £599.99 (~$960). Pre-release prices are never guaranteed to be accurate and are always subject to change, but £599 seems like a realistic price point for the Galaxy S II, as it's slightly higher than current single-core offerings from other manufacturers.

Can't wait another month for your Galaxy S II fix? Check out our hands-on coverage from MWC 2011. [Play.co.uk]

Samsung Galaxy S II gets price and release date posted originally by Android Central

Sponsored by Android Cases and Accessories

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/uvswY3sl1GM/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-gets-price-and-release-date

Susie Castillo T.A.T.u. Talisa Soto Tamala Jones

YouTube Ad Blitz 2011 lets you watch, share and rate Super Bowl ads

While I'm not a huge sports fan, I can appreciate a good ad when I see one; and the Super Bowl sometimes feels like it's as much about the ads as it is about the sport.

YouTube Ad Blitz is an official YouTube channel going strong since 2007, with over 21 million channel views. It shows all Super Bowl commercials, uploaded instantly once they're broadcast in-game. Saw an ad you liked? Now you can watch it again! Better yet, the channel makes it super-easy to share ads with friends who missed them during the game.

A big part of the fun is being able to vote for your favorite commercials; it's actually an official contest, with rules written up by lawyers and all. The contest goes on until Feb 14th, and you can vote as you watch, using the thumbs up/thumbs down buttons on each video.

At any rate, contest or no contest, this is a beautiful showcase of the latest and greatest in advertising.

YouTube Ad Blitz 2011 lets you watch, share and rate Super Bowl ads originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/10/youtube-ad-blitz-2011-lets-you-watch-share-and-rate-super-bowl/

Blake Lively Blu Cantrell Bonnie Jill Laflin Bridget Moynahan

Ask DLS: What's your primary Web browser?

Competition is a good thing, and the browser arena has been a fierce arena for years now. There are at least four "major" browsers each vying for your attention, along with lots of smaller spin-offs (SRWare Iron or Flock, anyone?).

While the browser usage charts we share from time to time show overall browser usage amongst the Web at large, Download Squad readers are not exactly the average bunch in terms of browser use. So today we have one simple question for you:

What's your primary Web browser?

View Poll

Ask DLS: What's your primary Web browser? originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/16/ask-dls-whats-your-primary-browser/

Melania Trump Melissa George Melissa Howard Melissa Joan Hart

First Windows Phone 7 update results in bricked Samsung phones

We didn't expect Microsoft's first global update for Windows Phone 7 go off without a snag, but several owners of Samsung WP7 devices are really regretting pushing the update button yesterday. The update has reportedly had trouble with the Omnia 7, resulting in bricked handsets or an updater which locks up before it completes. Microsoft is aware of the issues, and is currently working to resolve them.

There are also plenty of users reporting that the update still hasn't been offered -- including yours truly and blogger Manan Kakkar. If you've got a Windows Phone 7 device, how did your update experience go? Was it snag free, or or you now holding a very shiny doorstop?

First Windows Phone 7 update results in bricked Samsung phones originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/first-windows-phone-7-update-results-in-bricked-samsung-phones/

Jamie Lynn Sigler Janet Jackson January Jones Jennie Finch

ChaCha sues HTC for Facebook phone trademark infringement

Facebook phone rumors were swirling for quite awhile, then HTC answered a question that seemingly nobody asked by delivering unto the world a phone with a dedicated Facebook button... the ChaCha. In what can only be considered a stroke of luck for all of humanity, the Taiwanese handset maker has been granted the opportunity to rectify its naming gaffe courtesy of a trademark infringement suit brought by ChaCha Inc. That company trademarked its name and logo in 2007 for its text and voice internet search engine services and is (rightfully) displeased with the HTC's choice of names for its Facebook-focused handset. ChaCha doesn't want mobile users thinking that it's endorsed the phone, and given that the company's bread and butter is providing mobile search, such confusion seems likely. ChaCha is asking for money damages and a permanent injunction to prevent the phone from going to market with its name. That's just fine with us -- if only the courts could grant an injunction to remove that Facebook button.

ChaCha sues HTC for Facebook phone trademark infringement originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Phonescoop  |  Justia  | Email this | Comments

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/26/chacha-sues-htc-for-facebook-phone-trademark-infringement/

Anna Faris Anna Friel Anna Kournikova Anna Paquin