Hotmail for Android

Attention Hotmail user's: there is now an app for your Android device.  If you remember, Hotmail is owned by Microsoft, coincidence?  I guess they figured they needed to put some of the money they make from patents from Android usage to good use.  Especially if their Hotmail user's aren't going to be using Windows Phone 7 devices.

The Hotmail apps includes:
-Push Notifications
-View all Hotmail folders
-Send, receive, and view attachments
-Support for multiple Hotmail accounts

Does anyone even still use Hotmail?  If you do, then swing by the Android Market to pick it up:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.hotmail.Z7

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Android review: 'Riptide GP' by Vector Unit

Today I'll give a brief review of Riptide GP by Vector Unit.  Riptide GP is specifically for Tegra 2 Android devices, which is unfortunate for non Tegra 2 users.  I'm running this on my Acer Iconia a500 tablet and it rocks.  The graphics are unbelievable for a mobile device.  The water has amazing water physics and real-time reflections; which make for a gorgeous experience.

The game is on the Android Market listed at $6.99 and is worth every penny.  For $6.99 what do you get:
-12 raceways/tracks
-6 jet skis
-Race, Hot Lap, and Championship modes
-Includes OpenFeint support for online scores and achievements.

I played for awhile last night and was blown away.  The controls a pretty simple, you steer your racer/jet ski by tilting the device in either left and right directions.  Once you go airborne swipe your thumbs in each corner to pull of trick moves.  These moves usually require some big air to give you time to land them before crashing.  Swiping your thumbs in different directions make your racer do different tricks, so don't be affraid to experiment with different combinations.

I cleared the first race class last night and felt that every track gives you something unique.  Some tracks are longer and provide bigger jumps than others.  It does kind of feel like they tried to stretch the existing tracks a little far, because once you clear the first few tracks the remaining tracks in that class are simply the first tracks with their layout reversed.  Which at times actually allows for some pretty impressive stunts.  If you have ever played any of the Hydro Thunder or Wave Race (N64) games, this is a similar experience.

In terms of gameplay and graphics I was blown away.  The game is smooth and a blast to play.  There is a free demo version in the market so I'd recommend trying it out first to see if you like it.  It limits you to one jet ski and the first track.  I tried it and immediately purchased it after clearing the first track a couple of times.  In my opinion this is one of the best looking games (if not THE best looking game on the Android Market).

If you'd like to check it out swing by the Android Market:
Full Game $6.99   https://market.android.com/details?id=com.vectorunit.blue
Demo                      https://market.android.com/details?id=com.vectorunit.bluedemo


Checkout the demo video from the Vector Unit site:



*Vector Unit owns all Riptide GP properties. This is just a game review.

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Android Review: 'Cordy' by SilverTreeMedia

As promised this is the first of hopefully many Android reviews.  Today we are looking at 'Cordy' by SilverTreeMedia.  I first played this game at  our local Best Buy a few months ago.  It was loaded onto the Xoom that was on demo in the store.  Immediately, I wanted this game.  I recently picked up a Acer Iconia a500 tablet running Honeycomb, and this was the first game I downloaded.

It is free from the Google Android Market.  After downloading you can enjoy the first 4 levels for free. Once you hit the 4th level you'll be prompted to buy the rest of the levels from within the game.  It is only a few dollars (somewhere around $3 or $4 dollars).  But it is money well spent.

'Cordy' is an extremely well put together game.  I found it fun to replay levels; unlike many platformer games where you feel kind of forced to replay a previous level.  I didn't experience that with this game.  It was just as fun to run through a previous level as it was to discover a new one.  The game is built on the Unity game engine, and can run on Android devices with at least the following hardware:
-Android 2.2 (Froyo)
-ARMv7 CPU
-OpenGL ES 2.0


If you're device is rocking at least the above specs you are good to go.  


The graphics are simply amazing, especially when you consider it is running on a mobile device.  As mentioned above I run this game on my Acer Iconia a500 tablet and it runs perfect.  My wife runs it on her HTC Evo 4G and it runs well.  Very well infact.  The only issue I've noticed when running it on the Evo is a slight lag which can catch you at a bad time when playing (usually when running around a corner when the whole game world has to rotate).  Otherwise, it's great.

The controls are simple and for the most part they stay out of the way.  On the Evo it feels a little more cramped, mostly due to the screen size.  On the tablet, the buttons are large, but they aren't in the way while you're playing.  You basically have one button to run left, and one button to run to the right.  On the right side of the screen you have a jump button and an action button that allows you to charge up the exit hubs, swing, or grab depending on what the situation demands.  Meanwhile, you'll run around the level collecting glowing orbs and gears.  Once you collect enough of the glowing orbs to build up your battery meter, you can plug Cordy into an exit hub which will charge it up and activate the exit door.  Then you can run to the next level.  In later levels you actually get to swing around objects and even jump onto a springboard that will launch Cordy into the foreground or background to continue his adventure.


'Cordy' is a platformer/puzzler game at it's heart.  All the while it dresses itself up with beautiful graphics and snappy gameplay.  As you play you also unlock hats for Cordy to wear during his adventure.  This game is a blast to play and doesn't cost a dime (at least for the first 4 levels).  If you are a fan of simple, but fun games than 'Cordy' is a must have.  'Cordy' has been named as one of the 'Best Games on Android Market' and has been picked as an Editor's Choice title from the market as well.


Checkout the promo video from SilverTree Media's Youtube channel.
And a Link to Cordy in the Android Marketplace.









*Cordy and all respective properties therein are owned by SilverTree Media.

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