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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Help Bob make money in Sticks, a fun physics game

Sticks is another one of those rare games where the intro is actually worth watching. It introduces you to office worker Bob, who is basically a wage slave fantasizing about a better existence.

Then, on his way back home from another grueling day at the office, he passes a huge sign which says "Sticks." This is where the game starts.

Each level has a number of coins hovering in mid-air, and your goal is to place sticks that lead those coins to Bob -- but you only have a limited amount of wood to play with. As soon as you're done placing your sticks strategically, hit the big Play button and let nature, or rather gravity, run its course. The coins will drop down, and if you place your sticks correctly, they will roll all the way to Bob.

The soundtrack is soothing and playful, and didn't get on my nerves even after playing for quite a while. All in all, a very cute game, especially for a day at the office.

Help Bob make money in Sticks, a fun physics game originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/18/help-bob-make-money-in-sticks-a-fun-physics-game/

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Monday, October 29, 2012

This week's sidebar poll: Are you buying a new Nexus?

Nexus

It's Nexus day, and the Internet is ablaze with chatter about the merits and failure of a series of devices nobody has touched. If you haven't been paying attention, a quick recap.

The LG Nexus 4 -- the new Nexus phone, priced at $299 for the 8GB version and $349 for the 16GB version. It's pentaband unlocked GSM, with an HSPA+42 radio.
The Nexus 7 refresh -- the 8GB version has been dropped. We'll see the 32GB version shortly for $249, and the 16GB version is a cool $199. The HSPA+ unlocked GSM version will chime in at 32GB and sell for $299
The Samsung Nexus 10 -- a 10-inch tablet built by Samsung with a ultra-high-resolution screen (2560x1600). The 16GB version is $399, and the 32GB version is $499.
None of the devices come with removable batteries, an SDcard slot, or with CDMA or LTE radios.

It's the last line that seemingly has everyone in a tizzy. There's reasons why Google is doing it this way -- namely the LTE frequencies aren't very standard and not everything is licensed in a friendly way -- and we never should have expected a micro SDcard slot in a new Nexus device. As far as the radios, We've also known since we first saw the phone at the FCC that there would be no LTE at launch. But when it becomes official, that's when it's time to consider all the options.

Hit the break and check the poll, or look to the right and see it in the sidebar. Let us know what your plans are, and if you're interested in one of today's new devices. Use the comments to express it all. We'll hash it all out next week.

Speaking of which, here's the results of last week's poll.

What has you excited for the October 29 event?

The next version of Android -- 39.46-percent
The Nexus 4 -- 28.84-percent
A 10-inch Nexus tablet -- 27.04-percent
Other -- 4.66-percent

It's a shame that the weather didn't cooperate and the even had to get canceled (we certainly don't blame them -- stay safe) because a lot of folks were looking forward to seeing all there is to see about Android 4.2.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/iHyKZsiqsCo/story01.htm

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This Beautiful Aurora Is One Spiral in the Sky That Isn't Out to Get You

All around is chaos and coming apocalypse, so take a moment to cast your eyes over this beautiful, calming aurora, snapped by David Cartier. More »

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/dbTx2rPO2yE/this-beautiful-aurora-is-one-spiral-in-the-sky-that-isnt-out-to-get-you

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Microsoft releases sexy Bing app for iPad

It's still a bit odd seeing Microsoft deliver apps for Apple's mobile platform. And it's even stranger still to see one as sexy as the new Bing app for iPad, which brings a slick, immersive search experience to Apple's tablet.

Just as a regular search on bing.com will, the Bing app for iPad tailors the results it displays based on what you're searching for. There are loads of custom views, covering everything from movies and maps to weather and shopping. The app also offers a heads-up display of currently trending searches, complete with related images, which is an iPad-exclusive feature.

Navigation is a breeze thanks to multitouch controls, allowing users to flick or swipe through results. And while the development team refers to the app as "touch and decide," Bing Voice Search is also built in -- making it easy to start a query without using the iPad's on-screen keyboard.

The Bing app for iPad is available for download now from the App Store.

Microsoft releases sexy Bing app for iPad originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/07/microsoft-releases-sexy-bing-app-for-ipad/

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Mac OS X Lion Preview 2 released, introduces mega exciting leather bound iCal skin

This is one of those posts that could probably be condensed into a tweet: Apple has released the second Preview of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion. If you're running Preview 1, it looks like you'll first receive a small update via Software Update, and then you can download Preview 2 from the Mac App Store.

There has been some speculation that Apple is getting close to a release or Golden Master build, but judging by 9to5 Mac's initial findings there's definitely some way to go. The Golden Master will probably appear at, or just before, the Apple WWDC in June.

So far, it's looking like the only changes in Preview 2 are the leather bound iCal skin that you can see above, and the main iChat window now combines your AIM, Bonjour and Jabber contacts, like Adium. We're sure that more details will emerge throughout the day, though, and there's bound to be lots of invisible changes, too. We'll update this post when we find out more.

Mac OS X Lion Preview 2 released, introduces mega exciting leather bound iCal skin originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 05:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/31/mac-os-x-lion-preview-2-released-introduces-mega-exciting-leath/

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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.

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

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Invisible's 'The New Obsolete' showcases self-constructed instruments, touts a typewriter-driven piano (video)

If you're hip to repurposing old tech for new inventions, Invisible is right up your alley. The Greensboro-based unit calls themselves a "mechanical music museum" and "a reverse engineered folk science daydream" when describing their elaborate set of sound-making contraptions and recycled video equipment. The outfit's effort The New Obsolete was part of the Moogfest happenings this weekend, and our curiosity was immediately piqued. This particular performance is labeled as "an exploded view of the strange romance between humans and technology."

Among all of the self-constructed instruments is the Selectric Piano: a typewriter that uses both computer and piano parts to control a keyboard. Each keystroke by the typist corresponds to a note added to collective soundscape and a mounted video camera allows the audience to keep tabs on the textual component. The project also showcases an object known as Elsewhere's Roof. The device controls a set of drum and percussion tools with water dropping into a few rather hi-tech Mason jars. In addition to arsenal of noise makers, multi-channel video and library of collected audio (via tape decks and turntables, of course) rounds out the lot. We were able to catch one of the stellar showings, so hit the gallery below for a look at the wares while a snippet of the action awaits beyond the break.

Gallery: Invisible: The New Obsolete