Asphalt 7: Heat now available on Google Play

After a long, long wait, Android gamers can finally rev up their virtual engines in the hottest release of the summer – Asphalt 7: Heat. The latest installment of the hit series developed by GameLoft has been teased for many weeks now and suffered several delays. The game was released on iOS more than a month ago, forcing Android fans to look with envy on the other side.

Asphalt 7: Heat has hit Google Play today and garnered close to 200 reviews already, most of which give it a glowing 5-star review. The app is compatible with Android 2.2 and upwards and goes for an affordable $0.99. My hope is GameLoft will have better success at monetizing the new Asphalt than Madfinger Games had with their Dead Trigger, which they were forced to release as a free title due to the “incredible high piracy rate”. Good developers make any platform tick, and we are all behind supporting and rewarding devs, especially when they produce amazing titles like Asphalt 7: Heat.

Asphalt 7: Heat offers six game modes, including King of the Hill, Elimination, and Paint Job (earn points by smashing your opponents — pure fun!), which ensures a high re-playability. When looking at the graphics in the trailer below, it’s hard to believe that it’s a mobile title, especially one that costs just 99 cents.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXP9Rcr7OLQ&feature=player_detailpage

The new game will give you the opportunity to try out over 60 cars, ranging from exotics to classics, and of course, an AMC DeLorean of Back to the Future fame. After you select your ride, you will be able to push it to its limit over courses in various locales, including London, Paris, Miami, Rio, and Hawaii.

Will you be trying out the new Asphalt 7?

SOURCES Google Play

TAGS Android GamesAsphalt 7Asphalt 7: HeatGameLoft

I'm here to report on the latest, most breaking developments in mobile technology, all the latest and greatest Android news, and to dig deeper on where Android is headed. I'll tell you one thing - we're in for a wild ride!

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Google Talk is down for “a majority of users” Are you affected by the outage?

Google’s popular messaging service Google Talk is having a really bad day. According to the official App Status page from Google, the app is currently malfunctioning for “a majority of users”. Google (and web companies in general) tend to downplay the extent of service disruptions, so when someone admits that most users are affected, you can bet that the problem is serious.

The app loads and connects to Google’s servers just fine, but when users try to use it they encounter various message errors and other abnormal behavior. I personally can see just one contact that appears to be online, my colleague Ankit, but when I try to chat with him, Google Talk graciously informs me that he’s actually offline.

The problem seems to have appeared at least three hours ago, as the first disruption notice appeared on Google’s App Status page at 6:40AM PST. Google initially promised a quick resolution of the issue, but has only offered some “we’re investigating” updates so far.

We’ll monitor the situation and update this post as soon as we notice anything new. How about you? Are you affected by the Google Talk outage?

TAGS GoogleGoogle TalkOutage

I'm here to report on the latest, most breaking developments in mobile technology, all the latest and greatest Android news, and to dig deeper on where Android is headed. I'll tell you one thing - we're in for a wild ride!

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Google Nexus 7 sold out after “incredible demand” – where to buy the Jelly Bean tablet from?

The Google Nexus 7 Jelly Bean tablet has been officially announced at this year’s Google I/O edition, with Google taking pre-orders on the same day it unveiled the device in late June. By mid-July, the company partnered up with various electronics retailers that have also started taking pre-orders for the device.

The Nexus 7 started shipping last Friday, with customers not happy to see some of those retailers beat Google when it came to shipping pre-orders. Since then, we reported that various companies finished their first Nexus 7 allotments on the first days of sales, but the device continued to be available from Google’s own Google Play store.

In the mean time, it looks like the tablet is sold out with major retailers, according to ZDNet. Not to mention that after performing a quick check on Google Play you’ll see that the 8GB version ships in 3-5 days while the 16GB model will reach your home in 3-4 weeks.

So where should you buy a Nexus 7 tablet now? Well, you can always order from Google, but if you’d like to buy it in a physical store, here’s what you need to know regarding Nexus 7 availability from major retailers:

GameStop – 16GB Nexus 7 is backordered. The company waits for a third allotment of pre-orders to ship in August.B&H – online orders accepted, but the store only has limited Nexus 7 stock.Office Depot – 8GB version listed as “coming soon” while the 16GB model is “out of stock.”Staples – 16GB version available in stores only.Kmart – selling only the 16GB version, which is currently “out of stock.”MobileCity – takes pre-orders for the 16GB version, but does not provide shipping dates.Sam’s Club – does not take pre-orders: “this item is out of stock for delivery.”Curry PC World Store – Nexus 7 is sold out at this UK retailer.

As you can see, the device is pretty much sold out with everyone, although you’re surely going to find a device from eBay and/or Craigslist if you need one right now. Google notes:

We’ve had incredible demand for our new Nexus 7 tablet and are shipping them as quickly as possible. When your device ships you will receive a notification from Google Play with a shipping tracking number.

However, the company does not translate that “incredible demand” in actual numbers and we’re certainly interested to know how many Nexus tablets the company sold. The Search giant is expected to sell 2-3 million Nexus 7 units this year, and we’re yet to hear whether the device will ship in other markets in addition to the original four: USA, Canada, Australia and UK.

Did you buy your Nexus 7 tablet yet?

SOURCES ZDNet

TAGS B&HCurryGameStopGoogle Nexus 7Google PlayJelly BeanKmartMobileCityNexus 7Office DepotSam's ClubStaples

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16GB Nexus 7 completely out of stock, Google stops taking orders

Yesterday we showed you that the Google Nexus 7 has been sold out already with various third-party retailers, both the 8GB and the 16GB model. As for ordering the tablet from the Google Play store, the 8GB version had a 3-5 days shipping date while the 16GB version would have only shipped in 3-4 weeks.

Those of you that managed to get their 16GB Nexus 7 orders in should consider yourself lucky, as it looks like the model is no longer available for order. Google has stopped taking orders and lists the device as “coming soon.” Interested buyers can sign up to be “notified by email when Nexus 7 (16GB) becomes available.”

Apparently Google simply didn’t make enough 16GB Nexus 7 units to meet demand, according to The Guardian:

Sources close to Google say the search giant seriously underestimated the demand for the 16GB version of its 7in Nexus 7 tablet, which has sold out from stockists and other sources while demand for the smaller 8GB version remains comparatively low.

Moreover, the same publication notes that the Search giant was taken aback by the decreased interest in the 8GB version, which Google hoped it would sell very well. The company thought that buyers will combine the 8GB physical memory available on the cheaper model with its cloud-based storage solutions to make up for the limited storage space. But it looks like buyers are more interested in storing their files on the tablet instead of relying on the cloud, and that’s why the 16GB version is more appealing. That’s even more so considering that neither version comes with microSD support, and therefore buyers can’t upgrade the storage on the device themselves.

Not to mention that some third-party retailers have only been stocking the 16GB version, while the 8GB tablet was available via the Google Play store.

Finally, since both models are very affordable, it’s really not surprising to see the 16GB Nexus 7 sell out completely.

At the same time, let’s not forget that the 8GB Nexus 7 tablet is also shipping in 3-5 days, which means Google has sold plenty of units. However, the company, which is expected to sell 2-3 million Nexus 7 units this year, is yet to mention how many tablets it sold since announcing the device in late June at Google I/O.

Neither Google nor Asus specified at this time when the new 16GB Nexus 7 batch will be ready, and the UK publication notes that it “could take some weeks to arrive.” You may still find plenty of 16GB Nexus 7 stock on sites like eBay or Craigslist, although you should expect to pay a premium price for the tablet.

Have you ordered your Nexus 7 unit yet? Which capacity did you choose and why?

SOURCES The Guardian

TAGS Android TabletsGoogle Nexus 7Google Playtablet

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16GB Nexus 7 completely out of stock, Google stops taking orders

Yesterday we showed you that the Google Nexus 7 has been sold out already with various third-party retailers, both the 8GB and the 16GB model. As for ordering the tablet from the Google Play store, the 8GB version had a 3-5 days shipping date while the 16GB version would have only shipped in 3-4 weeks.

Those of you that managed to get their 16GB Nexus 7 orders in should consider yourself lucky, as it looks like the model is no longer available for order. Google has stopped taking orders and lists the device as “coming soon.” Interested buyers can sign up to be “notified by email when Nexus 7 (16GB) becomes available.”

Apparently Google simply didn’t make enough 16GB Nexus 7 units to meet demand, according to The Guardian:

Sources close to Google say the search giant seriously underestimated the demand for the 16GB version of its 7in Nexus 7 tablet, which has sold out from stockists and other sources while demand for the smaller 8GB version remains comparatively low.

Moreover, the same publication notes that the Search giant was taken aback by the decreased interest in the 8GB version, which Google hoped it would sell very well. The company thought that buyers will combine the 8GB physical memory available on the cheaper model with its cloud-based storage solutions to make up for the limited storage space. But it looks like buyers are more interested in storing their files on the tablet instead of relying on the cloud, and that’s why the 16GB version is more appealing. That’s even more so considering that neither version comes with microSD support, and therefore buyers can’t upgrade the storage on the device themselves.

Not to mention that some third-party retailers have only been stocking the 16GB version, while the 8GB tablet was available via the Google Play store.

Finally, since both models are very affordable, it’s really not surprising to see the 16GB Nexus 7 sell out completely.

At the same time, let’s not forget that the 8GB Nexus 7 tablet is also shipping in 3-5 days, which means Google has sold plenty of units. However, the company, which is expected to sell 2-3 million Nexus 7 units this year, is yet to mention how many tablets it sold since announcing the device in late June at Google I/O.

Neither Google nor Asus specified at this time when the new 16GB Nexus 7 batch will be ready, and the UK publication notes that it “could take some weeks to arrive.” You may still find plenty of 16GB Nexus 7 stock on sites like eBay or Craigslist, although you should expect to pay a premium price for the tablet.

Have you ordered your Nexus 7 unit yet? Which capacity did you choose and why?

SOURCES The Guardian

TAGS Android TabletsGoogle Nexus 7Google Playtablet

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In other non-iPad mini news, Google+ app now optimized for iPad

Let’s take a break for awhile from the slew of rumors and leaks about the iPad Mini. What’ we’re going to report does not require you to have the new iPad nor the iPad Mini. It’s about Google+, the mobile app which was just optimized for the iPad.
That’s right folks. If you’re a heavy Google+ user, I mean you’ve long ditched Facebook and Twitter over Google’s social networking site, then you’ll be glad to know that you can now enjoy the luxury of checking out updates from people in your Google+ Circles right in the comfort of your iPad’s large screen display.

According to Google, Google+ for iPad was designed with the device in mind. As such, you’ll be able to pinch and expand posts right in your stream to add your comments, use two fingers to drag a post from your stream to easily re-share it and start a Google+ hangout from your iPad and stream it to your TV using AirPlay (sweet!).
Google+ for iPad is available now as a free download from the iTunes App Store. Have you downloaded it already or updated the app if you have the universal version installed before? Tell us how you find the experience with Google+ on your iPad. We’ve been reading some great remarks about the app so far.
via [The Official Google Blog], [App Store link]

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