Now available: Google Places with Hotpot for iPhone

We recently released Google Places with Hotpot in Google Maps for Android, and starting now, you can have that same great experience as an iPhone app. We realize the importance of finding places you’ll love while you’re out and about, no matter what mobile device you use. And Places with Hotpot not only helps you find places near where you are, it gives you the best places to go for you by personalizing your search results.

In case you aren’t familiar with Google Places, it lets you quickly search for places nearby and personalizes the results based on places you’ve rated. We get you started with a few popular search categories, but you can also tailor the list by adding your own favorite searches. This makes it fast and easy to find the best places for you with little fuss.

Use a default search category, save your own, or rate the nearest place quickly.

It can be pretty rewarding to discover a new place you love, but we also realize that there are some experiences you just can’t wait to share. So Places makes it super simple to rate a place with your iPhone while you’re there. Just fire up the app and hit “Rate now.” It will use your location to guess your current place and let you post a Hotpot review right from your phone. But it’s not just about getting to say what you think—the more you rate places, the more you’re sharing about your tastes and the more we can give you personally tailored recommendations.

Give your star rating and add optional details or a review so Hotpot knows your taste.

If you want to make things even tastier, just visit google.com/hotpot from your desktop computer. Here you can add friends to the mix and quickly rate all the places you already know. Once you’ve added friends, you’ll find your results seasoned not just with reviews from around the web and recommendations based on your own personal taste, but also with your friends’ opinions too.

Once you start rating and add friends, Places can give you personalized recommendations.

Get the Places app on your iPhone now by searching for Google Places in the App Store or going here.

This first version of Places is available for all iOS devices in English only. However, expect more features and improvements to roll out soon, including localization in many new languages. We’re hard at work to make Places with Hotpot more and more delicious.

Posted by Greg Blevins, Software Engineer, Google Hotpot team

Top handheld gaming device in 2010

In 2010 marks a series of modern technology. The handheld gaming device is a typical example of new technology for continuous development.

iPod Touch 4

Topping the charts no one else more deserving "all-in-one machine" of Apple. Not merely touch the player, the latest generation iPod Touch is a handheld tablet compact 3.5 inches, FaceTime online phone, entertainment devices to the movies and music is the machine Handheld game with the App Store with more than 300,000 applications.

In terms of games, iPod Touch 4 can not "have" with Sony PlayStation or Microsoft Xbox 360 game, but in terms of quantity and efficiency of use, iPod Touch 4 deserve in this throne.

You can find this device in Amazon:  Apple iPod touch 32 GB (4th Generation) NEWEST MODEL

Nintendo DS XL

Comes to handheld gaming machines can not mention Nintendo's popular console. Latest Version Nintendo DS XL is really revolutionary for those interested in entertaining gamers on the go. 2 Use the touch screen to 4.2 inches wide, 93% larger than the version Nintendo DS Lite, DSi XL for a broader perspective, and users will feel comfortable control.

Also DSi XL also integrated Wireless connectivity, 16 people playing online at the same time and battery capable of running continuously for 4 to 5 hours at the highest brightness (or as long as 13 to 17 hours with lowest brightness).

You can find this device in Amazon: Nintendo DSi XL Bronze


Sony Playstation Move

On the mode of operation, PS Move much like Nintendo Wii , but the graphics platform and newer technology. Sony Playstation Move more interactive, players can use the motion of the body to realize the behavior in the game, the true feeling for players.

Currently, more than 30 gaming companies agreed to support their game compatible with the touch controls as interesting Ubisoft, Capcom, Activision ... Obviously, with the handle motion sensor of this generation, Sony has made a revolution unprecedented in the history of their game machines.

Move a package PlayStation PlayStation Eye + (used to receive sensor, mounted on the PlayStation) + A game to accompany.

You can find this device in Amazon:  PlayStation 3 320GB System with PlayStation Move Bundle

Microsoft Kinect

Move similar Sony Playstation, Microsoft Kinect as a "Wii version" for the Xbox 360. Microsoft hype with supper features such as-motion moved by the whole body, speech recognition (though no standard pronunciation) and the combination of infrared cameras with RGB sensors can operate well in any environment.

In fact, although Microsoft Kinect still have a considerable number of errors as the lag phenomenon, lack of games or light sensor is not really effective, but this is still an impressive product in 2010.

You can find this device in Amazon: Kinect Sensor with Kinect Adventures!


Parrot AR Drone

Not a gaming device as above, as a Parrot AR drone machine is controlled remotely by the iPhone. Parrot AR drone reason to have a Top 5 products in that handheld gaming, it is like the iPod operating system and application specific games such as Sony Playstation.

Above all, through two cameras mounted on the fuselage, the player can control Parrot flying reconnaissance drone AR neighborhood garden or participating in combat simulation game virtual reality connected with friends by Wi -Fi. If knowledge of Linux, you can write software for it.

You can find this device in Amazon : Parrot AR.Drone Quadricopter Controlled by iPhone/iPod touch/iPad (Orange/Blue)

Google Goggles gets faster, smarter and solves Sudoku

Today we’re launching a new version of Google Goggles that’s faster and smarter than ever before. The new Goggles 1.3 client for Android can scan barcodes almost instantly. All versions of Goggles can now recognize print ads in popular magazines and newspapers. Finally, Goggles has also learned a fun new trick for Sudoku fans.

Barcodes

When shopping offline, it’s helpful to be able to learn more about a product by scanning its barcode. With the new Android version of Google Goggles, scanning barcodes is much faster. Open Goggles and hover over the barcode or QR code. Within a second the phone gently vibrates and presents results, without requiring a button press. Simply tap on the result to read product reviews, check in-store availability and compare prices.

Print ads in magazines and newspapers

We’re excited to take another step in our vision of connecting offline media to online media. The next time you're flipping through the pages of your favorite magazine, try taking a picture of an ad with Goggles. Goggles will recognize print ad and return web search results about the product or brand. This new feature of Goggles is enabled for print ads appearing in major U.S. magazines and newspapers from August 2010 onwards.

This feature is different from the marketing experiment that we announced in November. We're now recognizing a much broader range of ads than we initially included in our marketing experiment. And when we recognize a print ad, we return web search results. While in the experiment, we return a specific link to an external website.

Sudoku

Our favorite weekend distraction is a quiet 15 minutes spent solving a Sudoku puzzle. But even that can be an frustrating experience if (like us) you make a mistake and are unable to solve the puzzle. Now, Goggles on Android and iPhone can recognize puzzles and provide answers to help make you faster than a Sudoku champ. So if you ever get stuck, take a clear picture of the entire puzzle with Goggles and we’ll tell you the correct solution. Check out this video to see how it works.

Google Goggles 1.3 with improved barcode scanning is available for download in Android Market. Recognition of print ads and Sudoku solver is now enabled for the Google Goggles app on Android, as well as the Goggles component of the Google Mobile App on iPhone.

Posted by Leon Palm and Jiayong Zhang, Software Engineers

Top 10 best Games for iPhone

With a large screen, multi-touch technology and a range of support such as gravitational acceleration chip, beautiful 3D graphics ... iPhone really a handheld game console suitable for all gamers. Understanding this, many game development companies have launched special products for the iPhone. However, with a huge number of games on the iTunes Store, find and choose a game worth playing is not easy for iPhone users.

We will introduce readers to 10 games by scoring highest in the poll with a massive Tech Radar magazine. You can find and download all the games on the App Store or warehouse software from a PC via iTunes.

10. Need for Speed Undercover

Need for Speed Undercover has excellent pictures.

There is probably no Need for Speed game, players must also passionate about it. Top graphic to recreate the super-car images on the iPhone. NFS Undercover game, you will become a designer to design your own a Lamborghini, or Audi Q8 ... accurately to the mm on the track with challenging corners, escape from a police chase ...

In the bank's iPhone application, the choice is not easy. But if only the separate racing game, perhaps not difficult to pick out Need for Speed Undercover - a different class.

Buying and playing games here

9. Tiger Woods PGA Tour

The player is the option to create your own character or characters using simulated stars (Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam, Vijay Singh ....) To join a 7-round (Pebble Beach, St.Andrews, TPC Sawgrass ....).

Like many other iPhone game, drag and drop with a touch screen used with Tiger Woods PGA Tour. With a finger lightly down the stairs from the top of divide force bar, you can perform many different techniques of golf. Can also adjust the spin of the ball in the air ... Maybe this is an experience that helps you discover the ability to play golf also refined their potential?

Try golf right on the iPhone with "Tiger Woods PGA Tour"

Download the game here

8. Ocarina

Can you just play through it a few times, but the show is left on your iPhone can bring to share with friends in the meeting, for all to enjoy the moments you work with artists "instruments of" iPhone.

Sensor technology allows reconstruct ancient musical instrument on modern phones. Players can try to enjoy it because of curiosity but it is possible to become a proficient use as an artist that play instruments. To the global sharing sites, you can see the players Ocarina for reference and experience.
 
Download game here

Ocarina music games

7. De Blob

De Blob gameplay is extremely simple and clear. No need to shake, no vibration, no cell lines finicky hand, manipulating the player's finger is on the phone and move the tracks paint colors, tap on INKT thinning it out. Since the DS version, retail sales rose by six times is testimony to the attractiveness of De Blob.

Download game here

De Blob with bright vibrant colors

6. Spore Origins

Friendly game gives new players a memorable experience at the beginning. Attention to single-celled organisms on small plates, you will be addicted to the fingertips touch the screen to the single-cell eat food like care to achieve index the best offensive and defensive.

If you prefer, you can save the small creatures that form the image with the iPhone. 

  Become single-celled organisms raised with Spore Origins

Download the free version here, and you have to payment here.


5. Vay

The whole role-playing games are traditionally put into a small icon on the screen of your phone. All jail, village hamlet, heroes, enemies, evil, weapons, spells and mix the red hat makes the game exciting.

If such is not the game's leading applications are also the same type of game that can get you up to 40-50 hours of entertainment with just $ 5 Games? Register here to buy this game.

Vay for iPhone

4. Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles

Can not find a game with free subscription any current generation graphics that makes you wonder deeply, enjoy impressive than the last generation of Prince of Persia (Prince of Persia).

6 to 8 hours of party fun with the iPhone to your iPhone. Download the PC with iTunes for free here, and the full version here

Assassin's Creed is always a popular game

3. Myst

What standards are familiar by the PC as a static display, audio duplication, the pieces and limited motion, now rationalized with the game on the iPhone. I hope that this may just be the beginning of the series click point. Download here

Myst on the iPhone

2. Metal Gear Solid Touch

Use finger and press gently, you can control both the primary exporter to be sized, that's when the game Metal Gear Solid Touch. Graphics and mechanism of great shooting touch, to achieve victory you have to go through 12 levels, fighting four opponents.

If you are a proficient player, all will be resolved for nearly an hour. Maybe time will go faster than you feel!

Download it here.

Metal gear solid touch on the iPhone

1. Classic Wolfenstein 3D

As part of a series of software vendors shootout id Software, the game was designed by the brilliant engineer John Carmack. Game scenario and context is almost similar to the popular game Doom 2 on the PC, Wolfeinstein attracted players through each stage of evolution during journey the same 60 level with a high reasonable degree.

Through the election of the player, 3D Wolfeinstein classsic has gained a position in the iPhone gaming. Download here.

Wwolfeinstein 3D classic game-Doom according to the iPhone

In addition to using iTunes to download, readers can search and download all 10 live games are introduced on the iPhone through its App Store.

A Sneak Peek of Android 3.0, Honeycomb

The past few weeks have been exciting ones for the Android team: we recently released Nexus S and Android 2.3, Gingerbread, and we’ve even had some of our most popular team members take a trip to space. But we haven’t stopped buzzing with excitement: today at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas, we previewed Android 3.0, Honeycomb.

Honeycomb is the next version of the Android platform, designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes, particularly tablets. We’ve spent a lot of time refining the user experience in Honeycomb, and we’ve developed a brand new, truly virtual and holographic user interface. Many of Android’s existing features will really shine on Honeycomb: refined multi-tasking, elegant notifications, access to over 100,000 apps on Android Market, home screen customization with a new 3D experience and redesigned widgets that are richer and more interactive. We’ve also made some powerful upgrades to the web browser, including tabbed browsing, form auto-fill, syncing with your Google Chrome bookmarks, and incognito mode for private browsing.

Honeycomb also features the latest Google Mobile innovations including Google Maps 5 with 3D interactions and offline reliability, access to over 3 million Google eBooks, and Google Talk, which now allows you to video and voice chat with any other Google Talk enabled device (PC, tablet, etc).

Please stay tuned for more Honeycomb news from the Android team. For now, you can get a taste of Honeycomb by checking out this video.

Posted by Andy Rubin, VP of Engineering

Magix Movie Edit Pro 17: first 3D and HD video editing software

Magix Movie Edit Pro 17 is a unique combination between Full HD and Movie Edit Pro 17. This may be considered a 3D video editing program first in the world.


MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 17 comes in two versions - Classic for new users and Plus for professional users who want more than visual effects.

Movie Edit Pro 17 is built more than 1000 different effects makes video editing becomes extremely interesting. Magix AG has designed Movie Edit Pro 17 software to handle simple operations and the integration of rich sound effects .

Video editing apps Movie Edit Pro 17 also supports all standard formats DV camcorders as well as high resolution cameras such as HDV and AVCHD.

With the improvement is amazing, the process of turning an ordinary video into a compelling video segments with impressive effects, background music and the corresponding interactive tools quickly and superior easily.

In addition to support for editing and creating 2D movies, Movie Edit Pro 17 is also capable of moving 2D footage into 3D format.

Some features of Movie Edit Pro 17 as:

- Supports all cameras (H) DV, webcams and other video sources.
- Import videos directly from iPhone
- Increased color clip
- Edit photos like a pro with 99 templates, 3D design, automation effects, color correction...
- Surround sound effects with Dolby Digital 5.1, Audio Mastering Suite, Beat recognition ...
- Multicam editing for camcorder 2
- AVCHD is supported by the review feature allows the import process easier
- Full support for stereo receiver
- Support for fully functional 3D camera
- Edit 3D recordings available
- 3D Effects
- Reviews and export to all devices that support 3D display
- Export in any format (DVD, Blu-rays, files, YouTube ..)

Interesting point is that when users buy Movie Edit Pro 17 applications will be presented together with 3D glasses.

You can find this software in Amazon : Magix Movie Edit Pro 17 HD Plus Software

LG Quantum review- Nice smartphone for woman

Appeared quietly after Optimus 7, LG Quantum is considered smartphone Phone Windows 7 for women.

Designed much like LG GW620 Android released last year - also marks the smartphone LG's presence on the battlefield produced smartphone ongoing dynamic. Quantum LG look "plump" with size 119.5 x 59.5 x 15.2 mm and weighs 176 grams and rounded corners.

Multi-touch screen on the LG Quantum 3.5 inches wide, 480 x 800 pixel rigorous standards that Microsoft set out to ensure good performance graphics interface of much customization Windows  Phone 7. Below the screen are three function keys default: Back - Menu and Search, Menu key is placed separately in order to create maximum convenience in use.

Besides, the combination with slide-out QWERTY keyboard will support multi-task better, especially in the messaging and chatting on the phone, which is the preference of the majority of female users.

Although soft "body" but LG Quantum owns specifications not inferior to the smartphone for men. Machine equipped with a 5MP camera can shoot HD video, audio jack standard 3.5mm headset, 16GB of flash memory to store applications comfortably as well as entertainment and file the applications division to support Windows Marketplace Wireless Application sharing with other devices in close range ...

Unfortunately Quantum LG still can not expand the external memory, like other models, Windows Phone 7.

Going along with the ability entertaining, LG Quantum also owns a powerful processor with Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8650 CPU 1 GHz, 256 MB RAM, 512 MB ROM and fashionable as 3G connectivity (HSDPA, HSUPA), Wi-Fi 802.11 chuanb / g / n ... noteworthy is the application of Quantum To Play, through which users can share multimedia files with other devices such as TV via DLNA connectivity.

Of course, LG Quantum indispensable Bing web search engine - search function is becoming increasingly important with a smartphone. In addition to Bing web / map / news search, the Windows Phone 7 phone also has built both the hot and key search features voice search.

Together with Focus and Samsung Surround HTC, LG, Quantum will be AT & T exclusive U.S. distributor. In other markets, the machine is expected to be named Optimus 7Q and released around the second quarter of this year

You can find this mobile in Amazon : LG Quantum Windows Phone (AT&T)