In a world as big as Skyrim’s, it’s incredibly easy to lose your way and forget exactly what you’ve done where. Enter Dragon Shout.

The free universal app is a well-designed record keeper for players of Skyrim. For full details check out the official app page.

*EDIT* The app was just updated so you can add friends to your party, share markers, and have in app chat. The features do cost $0.99. I’m starting to question the usefulness of this app. I can already look up anything about Skyrim on my phone. -Mandalore

I’ve only played a little ways in, but there are some questions raised and a few surprises within the first 15-20 minutes of gameplay. The standard gameplay is still there, but Chair has added some other RPG systems on top of what’s there. Equipment still soaks up your XP and levels you up, but you can also slot gems into equipment to add different benefits. Aside from the basic sword and shield combo, you can also choose heavy weapon, or dual wield. Each setup has strengths and weaknesses. Chests don’t always just open for you either. There are keys that will open certain chests for you.

From what I’ve read online, there is also a deeper plot line and branching pathes to go down. This isn’t a review by any means, but Infinity Blade II looks to be a pretty awesome game that fits in my pocket.

If you’re a fan of board games, you’ve likely at least heard of Ticket to Ride. The game is set in the 1930s (not really that important), and your job is to complete routes that connect two cities on a map of the U.S.A. Players are aiming to score as many points as they can before running out of the train cars used to claim routes. Points are scored by claiming routes (the longer the route, the more points you get), completing a route designated on destination cards (Cities farther apart are worth more, and ten bonus points are awarded at the end for having the longest train route. It’s in players’ best interests to complete as many destination cards as possible because they net the most points. Failure to complete destination cards also results in their points being subtracted from your score at the end of the game.

I’ve played several games already, and it’s easy to love this travel sized version of the game. It has all the gameplay of the tabletop game, and it fits in my pocket! There are a few AI opponents with differing strategies. Some are pushovers, but there’s at least one that is a challenge. Playing solo, games take as little as 10 minutes. So, it’s a great distraction when you have a few minutes to kill. The game also supports local play via bluetooth, wifi, or pass-and-play. While this is a little silly if you happen to be at home and own the game, it’s a great option for playing on the go during vacations or if you’re waiting for a movie to start.

My disappointments with the game are few. Since it’s turn based, asychronous multiplayer might have worked. Although, games would probably take forever. They’ve also stated that the other maps (boards) won’t be available because of additional gameplay elements on those maps. Those maps are available on the iPad and XBLA versions.

Overall, I think the game is worth the purchase if you’re a fan of the tabletop/XBLA version, or if you’re just a fan of tabletop games in general. The best thing is the price at $0.99! When it costs so little, it’s hard to begrudge the few detractors I have.

Pick it up on the iTunes store here.

I might be a bit random and/or long winded as I’m writing this somewhat “stream of conscious”.

-One of the first things I noticed is the beautiful, beautiful screen. I know it’s the same as the iPhone 4, but it looks amazing compared to the 3GS.

-Something that seems small but I noticed immediately, was the responsiveness keyboard. On the 3GS it seemed like the phone couldn’t keep up with my typing, and I constantly had to go back and retype or add letters to words. I think it’s mainly due to the 4S’s processor speed, and the 3GS getting slower with each update.

-Along with the keyboard in minor annoyances, is navigating the Settings on the 3GS. The 4S doesn’t lag between selecting something and moving to the next screen. Thanks the processor again I suspect.

-The camera is noticeably better. The 3GS has a bit of “wobble” on the screen when you move it at a moderate speed. The 4S has almost zero wobble and the image stabilization for videos (in 1080p!) is great. You can also take an HDR images and (lightly) edit photos without additional apps. Although, I just found out that HDR photos take foooorrrreeevvvveeeerrrrr to save. The addition of the flash (I know the 4 has it too.) is also great. I’ve got a flashlight and it took a great picture in an almost pitch black room. I read that the low light photography is supposed to be improved from the 4, but I can’t speak to that.

-It does seem to be generally faster over the 3G network too. The 4S pulled up A-Gamer on 3G at the same time as the 3GS on Wi-Fi.

-Something else that’s the same as the 4 but new to me are the dimensions. The 4/4S is noticeably thinner. I think it’s mainly due to not having a curved back.

-Finally, Cougar was probably right. I’m not going to be dictating my posts to Siri real soon. I was correct that it was a standalone app that was bought by Apple (I found it in my purchase history). It does a good job with most things (and is a HUGE improvement from the voice commands in the 3GS), but Siri still gets tripped up if you speak to fast or on unusual words (notably last names). Siri will do some cool things like remember relationships though. My wife taught Siri that I was her husband and who her brother and sister are. So, she can say, “call my sister”, and Siri will dial the correct person. Siri is also reasonably clever I asked what the answer to “the life, the universe, and everything” is. Siri consulted Wolfram Alpha and came back with the correct response (42).

Now for some speed tests. For these, I’ve deleted the cache so there isn’t any program info ready to go. They are also runningon the same Wi-Fi network. I’ll test a few “lighter” apps (facebook, camera, etc.) and a few “heavy” apps (Infinity Blade, Plants v Zombies, etc.). On to the tests!

Infinity Blade (to start screen) -         48.8 s (3GS) – 15.3 s (4S)

Facebook (to full newsfeed load) -      20.0 s (3GS) - 6.1 s (4S)

Netflix (to full load) -                                14.4 s (3GS) - 9.3 s (4S)

Camera (open app) -                                    2.2 s (3GS) - 1.7 s (4S)

Camera (take & save picture) -                 1.2 s (3GS) - 1.1 s (4S)

Camera (switch to video) -                        2.3 s (3GS) - 1.3 s (4S)

Camera (from lock screen) -                     1.5 s (3GS) - 1.1 s (4S)

Words with Friends (to full load) -        6.8 s (3GS) - 4.5 s (4S)

Plants vs Zombies (to start screen) - 18.6 s (3GS) - 9.7 s (4S)

Bejeweled 2 (to start screen) -                9.7 s (3GS) - 4.5 s (4S)

Weatherbug (to info load) -                      4.3 s (3GS) - 3.3 s (4S)

As you can see, the biggest difference is when loading the “big” apps/games like Infinity Blade or PvZ. The 4S is twice as fast or better. This could be a major selling point for people reading this blog as I’m sure games are always a consideration (especially with Infinity Blade 2 coming out). Although, there are noticeable differences in loading with commonly run, “smaller” apps like Facebook, Netflix, and Words with Friends.

So, there you go. Hit me up in the comments if you have any questions or want me to compare something else.

Aliens have crash landed on earth in the center of Baghdad. The major problem is there’s a huge bubble (anomaly) covering the entire crash site. It’s your job to go in there and figure sh*t out and blow sh*t up.

Anomaly: Warzone Earth (AWE) has a great blend of tower defense, strategy, and resource management. I would describe it as strategic tower offense. Each level is a street map that your vehicles can move along with alien turrets set up along the route trying to destroy you. You start out each level by purchasing units with varying damage and armor stats or special abilities. You then plot your route through the city so as to achieve the level goal while trying not to get your units destoyed. You can get money to upgrade your units or purchase additional units by destroying alien turrets or collecting resources.

All of that sounds simple enough, but there are many things that complicate matters and make strategic thinking extremely necessary. As you progress upward through the levels, alien turrets get tougher and have varying attacks (area, straight line with high damage, lighting that arcs between vehicles, etc.) and that can really change how you want to go through a level. The turrets DO obey a basic “line of sight” though. They can’t shoot over or through building that are beside them, and that can also change how you move through a level. The levels will also put the resources you need to upgrade units in the least desirable spots forcing you into a risk/reward situation.

The one thing that can turn the tides are what are called (I think) Command Powers. You are given a few at the start of each mission, but they are also rewarded at certain spots on the map or when you destroy a turret. Your command powers can do things like repair units, reduce damage, create a decoy, or call in an air strike. How and when you use the powers can turn a battle . . . or completely screw you later on if you need them.

I think if you’re a fan of strategy or tower defense games, you should definitely buy this game. It has great graphics, solid gameplay, a unique concept, and it’s plenty of fun.

You can download a demo or the full game on Steam. 

You can download it on iTunes where it’s 50% off for the time being. The non HD one is $.99 and the HD version (for cool people with an iPad or Retina Display) is $1.99.

You can also download it in the Mac App Store

You can visit the AWE website here.

Any info I’m presenting, I found at engadget, cnet, or Apple. I’ll be focusing on the “cliff’s notes” for the information, but I’ll also be adding my impressions. I was looking forward to this announcement, and my wife and I are planning on getting the new model.

First off, I will say that I am disappointed that the phone looks EXACTLY the same. They should at least have some visual cue that I’m buying an updated version. However, I am still running with the 3GS. So, I’m fairly certain I’ll be happy with the upgrade. At least the cases for the new phone won’t cost a premium because they’re new too.

The 4S will come in three sizes and prices this time around and is available October 14th in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB configurations for $199, $299 and $399, respectively. I believe those prices are also contingent on a 2 year service plan through AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint (newly added for this version). The other big deal with the addition of Sprint is that the new phone is a true worldwide phone and can work outside of the country on the Verizon and Sprint networks. Sprint is also promising to keep its unlimited data plans (for now) too. Both points are moot for me as I have no money to travel outside the country anymore, and I’m still on AT&T’s unlimited data since I never changed my contract. People bitch about AT&T, but I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve had problems with their coverage.

*Siri*
This is the name of their “do everything” voice recognition software. A lot of android phones have a similar function built in, but this is a huge step past the so-called voice recognition on the 3GS at least. Siri promises a hands-free, intelligent way to interact with the phone. Now iPhone users can text, write emails, make reminders, set alarms, check the weather, search the web, etc. all without using their hands (except to push the Siri button). Now I can look forward to looking like a crazy person in all new ways as I tell my phone to do things in public (or just in my car). I might be mistaken, but I’m pretty sure Siri was an app at one point. I’m betting Apple saw some potential and bought them up.

*A5 Chip*
This is going to be the biggest improvement from my phone and the iPhone 4. The 4GS is now sporting the A5 dual-core 1GHz processor along with a dual-core GPU. Supposedly, it will have twice the power and seven times faster graphics than the iPhone 4. Apple used Infinity Blade 2 running a version of Unreal Engine 3 to show off the 4GS’s power at the press conference. Apple is also claiming that the battery life for the phone is going to be the same as the iPhone 4 despite the faster chipset. My iPhone is chugging pretty hard with my current demands so I’m looking forward to the snappiness of a faster processor.

*Camera*
The new camera has 8 megapixels, a larger aperture (to let more light in), the A5 as an image processor for face recognition, it does HDR photos (without an app), you can edit pictures (without an app), and you can launch the camera from the lock screen. The new camera also does 1080p video at 30 fps as well. (Good thing we got that 1080p flip last year for Christmas!) The LED flash is still there of course, and Apple is also promising better performance in the color sensing department too. I guess they’re just driving the iPhone closer to the “do everything” gadget that people have to have.

That’s pretty much it for the major changes for this phone. A few minor things: They changed the antenna so people don’t have problems with dropped calls when holding the phone a certain way. The antenna also switches between cell towers better so phone and data service is improved. It still has the retina display. Facetime is still in there. You can stream to your TV with AirPlay if you have an AppleTV device. You can print wirelessly with Airprint (and a supported printer).

Most of the other notable features are going to be wrapped up in iOS 5. Honestly, some of the really cool functions are going to come when this update is rolled out. However, I’m sure that the 4S is optimized to run iOS 5. So, I’m sure everything will run a bit better on the new phone. The new iOS will work on the 3GS model and higher, but I’m afraid to see what my performance on the 3GS is going to be like with that upgrade.

Once I get the new phone, I’ll post my impressions of it here, and have a comparison to my 3GS at least.

Here’s a nice comparison chart I found at engadget that I thought was helpful.