Previews

Previews — 2 Comments
23
Nov 08

Blackberry Storm Hands-on

On Thursday afternoon after a gruelling day of classes I came across an acquaintance (friend of a friend :p) who was sporting the unreleased Blackberry Storm. Although i had only a few minutes with the unit, I have definitely made up my mind and my questions have been answered.

 

1. What is the clicking like?

Well, it’s not as cool as it could/should be. The whole screen is an entire button and it clicks similar to a mouse button. The problem is that typing is not faster than the iPhone. The travel on the screen button is too long and you have to move your fingers awkwardly. The other issue I had with it was that the keyboard unlike the iPhone does not pop-up the key which your covering with your finger. I have chubby fingers and sadly mistakes happen when typing on any type of keyboard. 

 

2. Can you tap instead of click to select items on screen?

No you cannot. As much as you want to on the unit i had you cannot.

 

3. Is it big?

As you can see in the pictures it’s not at all. It is about the size of the IPhone. It felt really comfortable in my hands. It was also not too heavy not too light. Overall build quality is exceptional. Definitely a great example of RIM build quality.

 

4. Is the screen Bold-like?

It is a pretty high res screen. Colours looked gorgeous as the bold. I am guessing that the screen is capacitive also. Doesn’t really matter since it responds to the physical click. 

 

5. Is it a great IPhone replacement?

Sadly no. As much as RIM tries to market these new handsets to consumers it shows it’s inexperience and, let’s face it, desperation. There is nothing that stands out about the device other than the clickable screen. The media capabilities are there, just not all that exciting. The IPhone is widening the gap right now by becoming the top selling phone in North America. I would like to state that I am not an IPhone or Apple fanboy, just an technology enthusiast trying to get my fix on my tech addiction. I am patiently awaiting a Windows Mobile + Zune phone replacement for my current IPhone 3G as I feel all Windows Live Service, Windows 7 and Windows Mobile 6.5 will the all-in-one package of interactivity. 

 

Again…If you love BlackBerry and want a touch screen get it.

 

Filip

Previews / Updates — No Comments
5
Nov 08

Update: 7 reasons to be excited for my next few postsmic

Up and running natively on one of my hard drives. All features unlocked on the build. thanks to Rafael Rivera. More to come. That is all for now…

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Previews — 4 Comments
10
Oct 08

Little Big Planet BETA Preview

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One of the most awaited releases for the PS3 is ‘Little Big Planet’. I have been super excited about this game since the E3 trailer this past summer. On Wednesday Oct. 8 I finally received my BETA tester key. I spent some good time playing it that night, which happened to be my last night in Ottawa before leaving the next morning at 7am back to Southern-Ontario. Obviously an all nighter was needed…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E3 Trailer of Little Big Planet

 

A little big background…

I wasn’t sure I really understood what the actually did until i started playing. The basic idea it’s that it’s a multiplayer platform game with a lot customizing option.

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You can customize your character which happens to be raggedy-ass puppet. You can customize your ‘pod’ which is the equivalent of you home where you launch levels from. You can customize levels in which you must complete with or without help from your friends online.

 

My little big experience…

You start off by running through a level who’s backdrop is a collection of mugshots for the developers and other team members. A very creative way of making you sit through the credits. There is very little sitting involved as you are running jumping, moving, dragging and hanging off of things. You are guided through the tutorial levels by a British accented narrator which makes the whole experience as if is you’re listening to a story being told(they should really use this guy with audible books, as Audible.com seems to be the latest craze in literature…NOT). Within minutes you learn all the info you will need to know:

  • you have to complete the level by making your way from left to right of the screen (similar to a side scroller) by bypassing all the obstacles
  • you should collect all possible orb as they gain you points at the end
  • every final step in each level world requires you to stick stickers on objects which seems to animate them (eg. sticking shoes, shorts and a jacket on a cardboard cut-out of a king animates him to drop a bridge down over a river for you to cross to the checkpoint)
  • this is more than a side scroller as you can move from background to foreground (jumping also)
  • six-axis controls the characters head motions (found no use for it other than as a novelty)

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My little big positives…

  • graphics are stunning
  • physics are surprisingly accurate
  • more fun than Mario…there i said it
  • Possibilities for levels are endless with online creation and sharing
  • intuitive controls
  • appeals to different crowds (Wii-like effect)
  • the cutest game you will ever play

My little big negatives…

  • moving from foreground to background can be a bit confusing as all it takes is moving left joystick up or down. I would have liked to see the six-axis used for moving back and forth.
  • no choice to skip the tutorial if you really want to start playing. The controls are really intuitive and are only hard if you haven’t played games since the 1990s

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My little big conclusion…

I absolutely loved this game. It is exciting and magical in the way everything is presented. A lot of attention to detail has been paid and it shows. I for one will make sure to a get a copy of the final release as soon as it comes out this October 21st and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants an easy to play game with fun challenges.

 

My little big scores…

Presentation
Graphics
Audio
Gameplay
Overall		 4.5/5
3.75/5
4/5
4/5
4.0/5
Previews — 1 Comment
26
Jul 08

Blackberry Bold 9000 Sneak Peek…

Here is a little sneak peek at the Bold in action. Rumoured to be releasing early next week. Check back soon for the review (ahem, Monday).

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Later…. :)