Not much has happened since HTC’s announcement of the Droid DNA except for…
1. Nokia is ‘Here’
Nokia announced its multi-platform “Here” mapping service at the perfect time — when iOS users have a lackluster Maps app and many, including myself, are looking for another mapping option.
The former largest cell phone manufacturer in the world is trying to “reinvent” maps for a new generation.
As of now, it’s web-only, but mobile apps should be hitting stores in a few weeks.
Check it out, and let me know what you think in the comments below: Here.net
2. Angry Birds Star Wars Review
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…
Two seemingly incompatible worlds collide to create developer Rovio’s latest bird-flinging adventure, Angry Birds Star Wars. But can the most popular mobile game ever take on the most popular film franchise ever and survive?
The short answer is: absolutely. Instead of slapping Star Wars-themed skins onto levels and making a quick million, Rovio wove characters, scenes and aspects of the film franchise into the very fabric of its game.
Take the birds, for example. The standard red bird becomes a light saber-wielding Luke Skywalker, the black bomb becomes force-pushing Obi-Wan and the yellow bird is the gun-slinging Han Solo. Each have their own Star Wars-themed powers that perfectly fit in with the universe.
Angry Birds Star Wars also combines traditional gameplay with Space levels like Rovio’s earlier game.
As it has proved time and time again, Rovio is not satisfied with cheap renditions its wildly successful formula. A simple Star Wars skin over the original Angry Birds would have sold millions, but taking the time to design an original universe will, in the end, sell more copies than if they hadn’t.
My recommendation: Buy Now (iOS: $0.99-$2.99, Android: Free-$2.99)
3. Science News! Star-less planet discovered
And in the new/old segment of Science news, an “orphan” planet has been discovered!
Basically, CFBDSIR2149, likely a gas giant, is free-floating through space around 100 light years away from Earth.
Free-floating means just that; the planet isn’t pulled by gravity from any star that we can detect. It’s just flying through space.
Other fun facts about CFBDSIR2149 (rolls right of the tounge, doesn’t it?) include the fact that it’s 400 degrees Celcius on the surface and since light from a star isn’t reflecting on it, the planet can only be seen with infrared light.
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That’s all the news for this week! Make sure to check back on Tuesday for the latest and greatest in tech.
