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Cranky Cat Game and Cat Dance Club LWP Review [Video]

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<img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="179" mce_src="http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/25/crankyt.png" src="http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/25/crankyt.png" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="cranky" width="324" />It’s time for a cat party on the Android application tip! What we’ve got for you here today is an app double-down, one for a rather awesome app that’ll have you cranking your fingers around in knots for hours, the other a live wallpaper you’ll grow to love should you drink a whole case of Surge before you start staring in the middle of the night in the dark. It’s a disco party and a steampunk masterpiece, both of them on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 for you to enjoy here.</div>
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First of all have a look at this live wallpaper. Obviously it’s the greatest wallpaper of all time having a set of three kitties at a dance party, the DJ Club Kitty right in the center on the wheels of steel. This live wallpaper will cost you a grand total of $1 USD on the Android Market and it comes highly recommended by my daughter Annie who is not allowed to look at it anymore, ever, ever again. You’ve got the ability to change the size of the wallpaper and the speed at which it flies through your brain in its options panel.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="em" mce_style="font-style: italic;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">Cat Dance Club on the Android Market for a good time.</span></div>
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Next there’s Cranky Cat, an honest-to-goodness awesome game from the developers at March Entertainment Inc. In this game you’ll have balls flying at a structure in the center of the screen, your goal being to turn the structure on a crank in 360 degrees around the center until the falling balls hit the structure in a way that already-landed balls will match up. You could also call them orbs, if you like, this entire game built in the awesome cut-and-paste format that’s very fitting of the classic simplicity of its mechanics. This is a puzzle game for those who love Tetris or other match em up games and want to take their love to the next level.</div>
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The next kitty level, that is.</div>
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Cranky Cat Game and Cat Dance Club LWP Review [Video]

It’s time for a cat party on the Android application tip! What we’ve got for you here today is an app double-down, one for a rather awes...

Rage v1.11 update adds Game Center, gyroscope controls and TV support

<DIV class=separator style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapnjJWGTPmZLHwWUKXJp0Sja3odJdWUfl_h2F-bs09R5wtih4EZm00s067R5qS-M49pWLMXhAv70bu-gaPn23UZxsKeOK7WY7kwQAdRLFrswBktPTwvyRP8DjxTU4kfI5wikwCUkHbTc/s1600/ragemutantbashtv-rmg-121017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapnjJWGTPmZLHwWUKXJp0Sja3odJdWUfl_h2F-bs09R5wtih4EZm00s067R5qS-M49pWLMXhAv70bu-gaPn23UZxsKeOK7WY7kwQAdRLFrswBktPTwvyRP8DjxTU4kfI5wikwCUkHbTc/s1600/ragemutantbashtv-rmg-121017.jpg"></A></DIV><br /><P></P>A big update for id games' Rage: Mutant Bash TV (available in SD and HD versions for $0.99 and $1.99; the latter being for iPhone 4 and iPad) has appeared on iTunes overnight. As John Carmack noted in our recent interview with him, it adds a number of new features that arguably should have been there from day one -- namely Game Center achievements and scoreboards. As the game is fundamentally an on-rails shooter with a strong score attack aesthetic, social leaderboards will certainly make for a more compelling experience. <br /><P></P>That's not all the update contains, however. The previously unofficial TV out support has been upgraded to a supported feature, allowing you to cable your iOS device to a bigger screen. A new "museum mode" removes the monsters and lets you play through the levels at your own pace, presumably so you can show your friends the graphics whilst exclaiming "it's on a phone!!" A mirror mode flips the game left-to-right so you can eek out a little more fresh gameplay out of the three rather short levels. <br /><P></P>Most intriguing, however, is the addition of gyroscope controls if you have an iPhone 4. As with the recent Star Wars: Falcon Gunner, this adds an aiming mode based on moving your iPhone around as if it were a window onto the game space. This offers a new and potentially compelling way to control iOS shooters, not to mention a definitely compelling way to look stupid if you play it in public. <br /><P></P>With Rage vying with Epic's Infinity Blade in the iTunes charts, it's just like the late 90s Quake-versus-Unreal competition all over again... except this time they are both getting crushed by Electronic Arts.

Rage v1.11 update adds Game Center, gyroscope controls and TV support

A big update for id games' Rage: Mutant Bash TV (available in SD and HD versions for $0.99 and $1.99; the latter being for iPhone 4 and ...

Answered questions about Apple's North Carolina data center

<DIV class=separator style="CLEAR: both; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLittMTuVvlqaavKPrvN-2TfaQ29cuNIstWGHm4VzUG5fNPCrsyiTeXx_4JXPFTbwR3QbSNlX9q_OEPXKJlxNZOA2UYuH8__UimmXa6PmrPxJBuCGxcgwvR_sH7q5DQ92G96Kjb0qYaA/s1600/ncdatacenter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1em; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLittMTuVvlqaavKPrvN-2TfaQ29cuNIstWGHm4VzUG5fNPCrsyiTeXx_4JXPFTbwR3QbSNlX9q_OEPXKJlxNZOA2UYuH8__UimmXa6PmrPxJBuCGxcgwvR_sH7q5DQ92G96Kjb0qYaA/s1600/ncdatacenter.jpg"></A></DIV>Much conjecture has come of the Death Star that Apple is building in North Carolina. Some suspect it will power a future streaming version of iTunes or a major update to MobileMe. The folks at Data Center Knowledge have combined the rumors with their own knowledge about these things into a single, unofficial Apple Data Center FAQ. <BR><BR>Among their findings is the center's size. In a word, it's huge. At 505,000 square feet, it's one of the world's largest data centers. A property assessment from Catawba County revealed that the central server area is enclosed by 262,328 square feet of space. Apple has also reportedly purchased 75 acres of land across the street from the main building, according to "local officials," though what Apple will do with that plot of land is unknown. <BR><BR>What's inside? The FAQ has a few educated guesses, based on recent Apple job postings. For instance, they note that Apple says that its "...data center environment consists of MacOS X, IBM/AIX, Linux and SUN/Solaris systems." Also, recent listings call for candidates who are familiar with storage systems using IBM, NetApp and Data Domain, and data warehousing systems from Teradata.<BR><BR>There's much more, so go over and check it out. In the meantime, we'll have to wait before we realize the power of a fully armed and operational data center.

Answered questions about Apple's North Carolina data center

Much conjecture has come of the Death Star that Apple is building in North Carolina. Some suspect it will power a future streaming version o...

Mac App Store won't support Game Center, in-app purchases

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LGxkgia8IWuahLZbDsU54Wod4ubhb9Hh8Py_g5P_dx7E3KWadroa-2mFY6XSf9hk7Wr1nw3Wu_zO6TlLr36np7kDapgkFxIfKTd-VdXPqSorLXB4-Ut6_rohG1WgGSU8fFTYWli8Pqs/s1600/mascappstore234234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LGxkgia8IWuahLZbDsU54Wod4ubhb9Hh8Py_g5P_dx7E3KWadroa-2mFY6XSf9hk7Wr1nw3Wu_zO6TlLr36np7kDapgkFxIfKTd-VdXPqSorLXB4-Ut6_rohG1WgGSU8fFTYWli8Pqs/s1600/mascappstore234234.jpg"></a></div><br>
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=latesttecompu-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=059680427X&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>With the launch of the Mac App Store about a month away, many developers are preparing their apps for distribution in a whole new way. However, they're finding that the store won't offer all of the features of its iOS counterpart, at least in its initial release. Specifically, Game Center and in-app purchases aren't supported.<br>
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Mac App Store won't support Game Center, in-app purchases

With the launch of the Mac App Store about a month away, many developers are preparing their apps for distribution in a whole new way. Howe...

How Cloud Computing Can Cut Data Center Costs

<br />		<p>Cloud computing is the use of computer resources over the Internet, utilizing a remote, dynamic, and scalable computing system. Computer servers provide managed IT services to users remotely, offering a technology infrastructure without requiring an investment in physical computing resources. Essentially, computing systems are available through Internet access rather than expensive in-house systems.</p><p>Data center services -- from data storage to data protection and disaster recovery -- are available without a costly, dedicated IT department. Instead of having a server room and a complex assortment of computing devices to run business systems, all IT services are available remotely. This paradigm is a massive cost saver because it eliminates the large up-front capital expense of an in-house data center as well as the ongoing operational expense of computer and software maintenance and upgrades, and the IT staff to manage them. Companies that take advantage of cloud computing leverage efficiencies to reduce their operating costs and pass those savings onto their clients.</p><p><strong>Eliminating Capital Expenditures</strong></p><p>The use of cloud computing eliminates the need for capital expenses involved in information technology. Through cloud computing, IT infrastructure including hardware, software, and services are offered on a utility or subscription plan. This enables any company to have world-class IT infrastructure without having to set up a single piece of hardware or install any software. These benefits nearly totally eliminate barriers to end-user access to necessary services. With managed IT services delivered through the Cloud, costs are tied to use, not physical assets; there is not an up-front set-up or operational cost that would be commensurate with actual use.</p><p>With remote access to managed IT services through cloud computing, the burden of infrastructure and management are removed from the end user company. World-class design, implementation, and management are handled by the IT service provider as are hardware, software, and firmware. The cloud computing option can more easily adapt to technology innovation and eradicates downtime by employing virtualized resources and redundant systems. Cloud computing offers leading edge capabilities, allowing users to take advantage of technology innovation without the risk inherit in an in-house roll-out. Generally, the cloud computing IT service provider features an expert IT support and service department available 24x7x365 to monitor, report, and correct any issues. This eliminates the risk that the end user organization will be crippled by a problem which their potentially smaller IT department could not immediately resolve.</p><p><strong>Managing Operating Expenses</strong></p><p>In many rental or leasing programs, the operating costs for the equipment is roughly identical if the equipment was instead bought out-right; the fundamental savings are on the capital expense side. However, with cloud computing, operating expenses can actually be lower than a similar system installed in-house.</p><p>For example, the average business runs its data center 10 hours a day. During off-hours, the system is typically idle. With cloud computing, IT infrastructure and managed IT services can be utilized around the clock. Computing power is constantly available, maximizing efficiency. This cost savings is passed on to the cloud computing customer. This setup is similar to having a traditional IT department leasing their services during off-hours, reducing costs for everyone involved.</p><p>Personnel costs are streamlined in the same manner. Most IT implementations do not require a full IT department for routine support, but do need more manpower during outages, upgrades and turnarounds, peak usage loads, or when problems arise. With cloud computing, the IT service provider offers a dedicated. 24x7x365 workforce for data center and managed IT services fields a constant volume of work, offering further reductions to operating costs in relation to in-house technology systems.</p><p><strong>Security</strong></p><p>Data security has rapidly moved into the forefront of most people's minds. From identity theft to corporate espionage and the vandalism of government websites, the safeguards on computer systems have become as important as the lock on the front door.</p><p>A data center or colocation facility is well-suited to handling the latest security threats and viruses. They are inherently more responsive and flexible because it is their core business. In addition to managing against malignant attacks and natural disasters, data protection, backup, and disaster recovery are vital to any business and its critical customer and operational data. . After just one incident where months or years worth of information is lost, any manager readily appreciates the need for meticulous backups and redundancy.</p><p>Ultimately, cloud computing leverages technological efficiencies to offer remote services with lower operating costs while eliminating an end user's capital investments. The managed IT services provided are of top quality and are readily accessible through always-on Internet portals. Dedicated staff, hardware, and software solutions are utilized in an on-demand configuration for safe, secure, and effective data storage and management.</p>	<br />	<br />		<br />			<br />				<br />					<br /><br />						<p>Steve Bulmer is CTO and an author for Consonus, a solutions provider of <a href="http://www.consonus.com/" target="_new">data center services</a>, IT consulting and infrastructure and managed services. Consonus offers <a href="http://www.consonus.com/data-centers/data-center-virtualization.aspx" target="_new">cloud computing</a> virtual systems tailor-made to fit any business need.</p>					<br />

How Cloud Computing Can Cut Data Center Costs

Cloud computing is the use of computer resources over the Internet, utilizing a remote, dynamic, and scalable computing system. Computer ...