Plants vs. Zombies for iPhone gets new game modes

Just when we thought we were out, PopCap is pulling us back in. PopCap Games has released an update for Plants vs. Zombies for iPhone, including 1 new game mode, 6 new mini-games, and 6 new achievements. Let the zombiepocalypse begin.

The new game mode, 'Zen Garden', takes a slightly more traditional approach to the gardening theme. You start off with some sprouts on bamboo palettes, and water and fertilize them to health, receiving in-game credits for your efforts. You can buy new plants, as well as helpful accessories like an upgraded watering can, fertilizer, and pesticide.

The 6 new mini-games are 'Zombiquarium', 'It's Raining Seeds', 'Column Like You See', 'Slot Machine', 'Beghouled Twist', and 'Portal Combat'. If you played the desktop version, then you're already familiar with these modes. But they're new for mobile users.

Along with the update, PopCap informed us that Retina Display support will be coming along this year, along with some new modes called 'IZombie' and 'Vasebreaker'. Thank you PopCap, for once again giving us a great excuse to not work.

source: PopCap Games

Apple considering integrating movie times into your personal iPhone data

Sure, apps that show movie starting times are a dime a dozen. But Apple has an idea to take it one step further and has filed for a patent for its "Systems and Methods for Providing Context-Based Movie Information." In other words, Apple wants to develop its own iPhone app that will not only show you location-based theater starting times, but will also integrate the information into your calendar and other planners that you have on your handset. It is not known whether or not Apple will eventually offer this app.

The patent, filed by Apple in December of 2009 and just discovered by Apple Insider, is for an app that would reveal movie start times during a specific time slot. Time intervals would be presented to the user to better fit his schedule. If the user picked a film at a time that would conflict with another event planned for in the calendar, he could be given the option to remove the conflicting event from the schedule.

Apple is also considering offering traffic and location based based start times so that the user could pick which theater and showing would be best considering the length of the drive. The app would also show the appropriate theater and showtime for a movie that would be seen following a scheduled event-like a nice dinner for two at your favorite restaurant. You will also be able to share your movie plans with friends, setting up the app to send out the information to people on your contacts list once the movie tickets have been purchased.

source: AppleInsider

In December 2009, Apple filed for a patent on a location and traffic based movie showtime app

Motorola TRIUMPH is a cool Android handset for Virgin, with 4.1" screen and 1GHz CPU

We wish that more carriers are getting nice exclusive phones for their prepaid portfolio like the just announced Motorola TRIUMPH, which will go to Virgin Mobile.

Unlike the high-end PHOTON 4G that was announced today, the TRIUMPH is sporting a simple rectangular shape, and is fairly thin at 0.39 inches. 

Front and center is the 4.1" screen with 480x800 pixels, which disposes with the habit of outing wimpy phones with small displays on prepaid. The Motorola TRIUMPH is powered by a 1GHz chipset, and has a 5MP rear camera with LED flash, plus a VGA front-facing one.

The Motorola TRIUMPH surely looks like a phone that would be considered an above average Android offering on any network, but for now it is limited to Virgin Mobile only. The only downside we are seeing is that it is running Android 2.2 Froyo, but it seems stock, not to mention software disadvantages are always easier to mend than hardware ones. 

The phone is the first to come with the Virgin Mobile Live 2.0 giving you access to Virgin's branded music stream, hosted by DJ Abbey Braden. Also, besides watching live music performance videos, you'll be allowed various “check in” features at special events with the app, a tribute to the musical roots of the carrier.

Did we say the Motorola TRIUMPH has an HDMI-out port? We haven't, and, yes, you'll be able to stream the HD 720p video captured with the phone to your HDTV. Currently Motorola lists the handset as available in the beginning of Q2 on its website, but that's a typo, it should say Q3, since Motorola said at its event today that the TRIUMPH is coming in the summer. 

source: Motorola

Motorola Photon 4G Hands-on

Gladly accepting their arrival in the high-end category, Sprint finally emerges with some recognizable and noteworthy Android powered smartphones from Motorola’s camp that are sure to give customers a taste of what the longtime manufacturer is capable of delivering. In a sweltering day in New York City, the two manage to come together and announce the Motorola Photon 4G – a device that has some similarities to AT&T’s Motorola ATRIX 4G.

Holding it for the first time, it employs a subtle design style similar to the ATRIX 4G, but thankfully enough, it feels rather larger and more sturdy. The increase in size is due to its much larger 4.3” qHD display that instantly comes to life exuding some excellent looking visuals that will attract anyone. Additionally, we like the tough nature of the handset thanks to the soft touch matte material coating its sides and rear. Not something you see that often, it’s suffice to say that some will be receptive to seeing the handset sporting a kickstand – so it’ll work perfectly for those long periods of video watching.

Obviously, this is by far the best selection we’re seeing on Sprint’s lineup in terms of Android devices from Motorola. Packing some modernized amenities, it’s undoubtedly going to be a huge competition to Sprint’s other upcoming handset this summer – the HTC EVO 3D. Some of the Photon 4G’s features include a 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, 16GB of internal storage, 8-megapixel auto-focus camera with dual-LED flash, 1080p video recording, and tri-band GSM radio. Needless to say, it’s definitely nice to see this one being offered as a world phone for Sprint.

As for software, it’s running the latest light version of MOTOBLUR that we’re seeing being used by most high-caliber handset from Motorola’s stable. Love it or hate it, it’s running on top of Android 2.3 Gingerbread – so it’ll still offer all the essentials. Furthermore, it’s enabled to work with Motorola’s nifty Webtop app, but it’s only offered if you happen to use Motorola’s HD Multimedia Dock or Laptop Dock, which of course, connects to the handset via the microHDMI port. No word on pricing or an exact availability date, but nonetheless, Sprint customers will have something to look forward to this summer either way.

T-Mobile to offer the mid-range Samsung Dart on June 15th

A leaked screen shot of an internal T-Mobile document reveals that the carrier plans on launching the mid-range Samsung Dart on June 15th. For those who don't need or want all of the bells and whistles available on high-end releases, the handset offers a 3MP camera, a 2GB microSD card and comes with Swype pre-installed. And because the document says that the Samsung Dart offers Flash in the browser, we can reasonably assume that Android 2.2 is aboard. While we do know the launch date, Samsung did not mention pricing in the internal document.

This internal T-Mobile document says that the mid-range Samsung Dart is coming on June 15th

As we reported, T-Mobile also plans on launching the high-end HTC Sensation 4G on the same day which will allow the carrier to also target those looking for a handset with all of the 'latest and greatest' that Android has to offer. With the latter device priced at $199.99 with a new 2-year contract, we could see the Samsung Dart get tagged with a price of  $99.99 to as high as $129.99 with a signed pact. Sounds like the perfect family scenario-Mom and Pop grab the Sensation 4G while Junior walks out with the Dart. Considering that the latter will launch next Wednesday, we should receive some official pricing information soon.

source: TmoNews

Motorola PHOTON 4G is the diamond-shaped Tegra 2 handset for Sprint you've been waiting for

Motorola just lifted the veil from its dual-core handset for Sprint, dubbed the Motorola PHOTON 4G. Before you say ATRIX 4G, we'll have to say that this one is different, at least designwise, not to mention it is running the latest and greatest Android 2.3 Gingerbread out of the box.

First off, it has this peculiar diamond shape with cut off corners, second - the screen is 4.3" with 540x960 pixels of resolution. OK, the innards are the same - NVIDIA Tegra 2 with 1GB of fast desktop-grade RAM, plus 16GB of internal memory, but we have an 8MP camera on the back, and with dual LED flash to boot. 

Besides the 4G WiMAX and the CDMA connectivity, the phone actually has 850/900/1900 GSM radio inside, so you can use it on any GSM network as well. Apart from the worldwide connectivity, data encryption and remote device management round up the reasons why Motorola is touting the PHOTON 4G as an enterprise device

Motorola still hasn't mastered the art of squeezing Full HD 1080p video capture out of the dual-core Tegra 2 chipset, but we remain patient. For now, the PHOTON 4G records HD 720p video, but otuputs 1080p via its HDMI port. Moto is touting the "Mirror Mode" feature, which, for us, is the good ol' HDMI-out mirroring of the phone's screen to your giant HDTV. 

There are two docks coming along as accessories with the PHOTON 4G, the Multimedia Dock, and a Car Dock, but the handset comes with a cool kickstand of its own, a feature we wish was present on more smartphones. If you are wondering about a Laptop Dock, yes, the PHOTON 4G will be capable of plugging itself in there. Sprint's next dual-core phone, the Motorola PHOTON 4G, will be available in the beginning of Q3, says Moto.

source: Motorola