Tag Archive | "Impressive"

Amazon Beware: The New Nook Tablet Is Out With Some Impressive Specs [News]

Posted on 09 November 2011. Tags: , , , , , , ,

class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-08-10h34_27.png" alt="" />Barnes & Noble have officially announced the release of their new tablet reader, named simply the href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/nook-tablet-barnes-noble/1104687969">Nook tablet. It is designed to offer direct competition to Amazon’s Kindle Fire, and the two devices are in fact quite similar.

The Nook tablet will sell for $249, which is $50 more than the Kindle Fire, but will also come equipped with double the storage (16GB) and double the RAM (1GB). The device itself is also quite similar to the Nook Color, but the tablet’s specs will make it possible to use it for HD video content, as well as books and magazines.

The device is equipped with a modified version of Android, and will come with apps like Hulu, Netflix and Pandora, which is something else it has over the Kindle Fire. The access to apps, however, will be more limited, and there is no access to the Android Market at all.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/2011-11-08-10h22_54.png" alt="2011-11-08 10h22_54" width="282" height="410" border="0" />

Like the Kindle Fire, the Nook tablet is Wi-Fi only (no 3G option), and the cloud storage options are not as strong as Amazon’s. Coinciding with the launch, Barnes & Noble announced a significant price-drop for the Nook Color and the Nook Simple Touch, which will now sell for $199 and $99 respectively. Even if you’re not a tablet fan, the general move to tablets is definitely making the simple eReaders more accessible.

So will you rush out to get the Nook tablet? Do you think it is superior or inferior to the Kindle Fire?

Source: href="http://www.androidcentral.com/barnes-noble-nook-tablet-officially-announced" rel="nofollow">AndroidCentral



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Jorte – An Impressive Google Calendar, Tasks App & Widget [Android 1.5+]

Posted on 25 August 2011. Tags: , , , , , , ,

class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/intro2.png" alt="" />Ever since I got my first Android phone, a good old HTC EVO 4G, I’ve been very impressed with the idea of widgets on the homescreen. I had previously owned an iPod Touch, which I thought was great, but now it makes sense to not only have links to apps, bookmarks, and folders, but also actual utilities. One of the widgets I definitely needed was a way to look at my class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/easily-export-facebook-events-google-calendar-chrome/">Google Calendar. The mobile web app left me wanting for more, while class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/install-custom-rom-android/">HTC Sense’s calendar widget was really pretty and functional but occupied more space than I liked. So I went in search of an alternative, first looking through class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/best-android-apps">MakeUseOf’s Top 100 Android Apps page, and then in the Market.

class="vt-p" href="https://market.android.com/details?id=jp.co.johospace.jorte&hl=en">Jorte is a very complete alternative app I’ve found that syncs with Google Calendar and Google Tasks. What’s impressive about it is not only the number of available widgets that are bound to fit in any of your phone home screens, but also the number of views you can see your calendar in when you’re loading the actual app. Once you download Jorte and enter your Google login credentials, you can immediately see how useful this app will be.

Widgets, Widgets, Widgets

For a quick glance at this month’s calendar, this week’s schedule or a peek at your daily agenda, Jorte has got a widget for it all.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16_120539.png" alt="2011-08-16_120539" width="349" height="545" border="0" />

There seems to be a giant number of widgets that Jorte generously provide, all equally impressive and useful. Just long-hold on your homescreen to add a widget and locate Jorte 1×1. It will be followed by plenty of other widgets in different sizes.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16_123316.png" alt="2011-08-16_123316" width="580" height="912" border="0" />

For my first screenshot, I chose all four widgets of size 2×2, so you can see they all fit nicely. If you need more space, you can always shrink the widgets by either choosing a different-sized one when you’re adding a widget next time, or simply choosing to display other widget types. You can do the latter without deleting the widget and reading another one by tapping the upper right corner of the existing widget. You will be presented with a handy dialog to update the settings, choose what to display, colors, font size, etc.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16_122233.png" alt="2011-08-16_122233" width="336" height="545" border="0" />

You can choose between displaying a calendar, monthly, weekly or daily agenda, or even tasks only.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16_122219.png" alt="2011-08-16_122219" width="338" height="540" border="0" />

Here’s how the monthly agenda with the tasks widget looks like in 4 x 4.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/bigcal.png" alt="bigcal" width="480" height="800" border="0" />

There are definitely countless ways to customize the look of your agenda on your phone homescreen with Jorte’s widgets. The functionality doesn’t end there, however. When you click on any of the widgets, you’ll of course, be directed to the actual app, which we will take a look at in the next section.

Launching The Jorte App

If there’s one big idea that you should have got from the previous section is that Jorte provides numerous ways for you to view your Google Calendar events. You’ll also see this reflected when you launch the app.

class="aligncenter" style="border: 1px solid black;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16_131221.png" alt="2011-08-16_131221" width="345" height="550" border="0" />

If you have ever wished that the mobile Google Calendar web app had more views than the default month and day, like perhaps a weekly view of some sort, or wished you could view your dated Google Tasks on your Google Calendar, Jorte can do both of these in ways that will blow your mind. It provides at least 3 different weekly views, even a two-week view, and you can even see your tasks underneath.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/4.png" alt="4" width="580" height="924" border="0" />

You can also synchronize your tasks, and create regular and important tasks, the latter of which will be denoted by “[!]” on your task name.

class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/2011-08-16_121433.png" alt="2011-08-16_121433" width="344" height="545" border="0" />

Jorte is a great app if you’re a power user of Google Calendar. It is definitely one of the best organizational apps you can download.

What do you use to keep yourself updated on your tasks and calendar events? Let us know in the comments!



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Create Impressive Flipbooks For Free With FlipSnack

Posted on 30 May 2011. Tags: , , , ,

class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/flipsnack.jpg"/>FlipSnack is a service brought to you by href="http://www.snacktools.com/">SnackTools, which makes it incredibly easy to create flipbooks for free. Using the step by step wizard, it couldn’t be simpler to create a flipbook and host it on their website, or embed it on your own.

With a variety of templates to choose from, easy sharing of flipbooks on social networking sites, and viewer statistics, FlipSnack offers an amazing variety of features for free. If you’d prefer to use a desktop app to create a flipbook, check out href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/create-your-own-flipbook-with-flipbook-printer-windows-only/">FlipSuite, a Windows-only app we’ve reviewed in the past, previously known as Flipbook Printer.

To use FlipSnack, you can register for a free account or log in using your Twitter, Facebook, Google, Yahoo or MySpace account. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Register.png" alt="" width="580" height="223" /> /> Flipbooks can be created using a PDF file of up to 500 pages. You can either upload the PDF file directly from your computer, or import if it is already stored online using the direct URL. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Create.png" alt="" width="580" height="442" /> /> Once you’ve uploaded the file, depending on how large the file is, FlipSnack will convert the document into a flipbook. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Converting.png" alt="" width="437" height="204" /> /> If you choose to add another PDF file to your flipbook, you can do so while the first file is being converted. If you’re using a free account, a total of 3 PDFs can be added to one flipbook.  Each PDF file uploaded to one flipbook will appear as a separate book or section within the flipbook. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Uploaded.png" alt="" width="580" height="135" /> /> Once you’ve uploaded each of your files, you can edit the information that is automatically filled in – the title and description. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/editinfo.png" alt="" width="408" height="154" /> /> The next step is to customize your flipbook. There are four templates to choose from which you can preview. The Classic template uses the front page of the PDF as the cover and looks like a magazine. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Classic.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="425" /> /> The Hardcover template changes the front image to a leather cover, and you have the choice between 5 colors. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/hardcover.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="422" /> /> The Coil flip template looks like a spiral notebook, using your PDF cover as the front image. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Coil.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="409" /> /> The Interactive template looks almost identical to the classic template but includes icons for user feedback.

style="text-align: center;"> src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/interactive.jpg" border="0" alt="interactive.jpg" width="580" height="427" />

After settling on your template, you can further customize the flipbook by setting a specific width and height for the book, choose the colors and style of the background, and the cover of the Hardcover template. You can also choose to show buttons to make it easy to share the flipbook on Twitter, Facebook, or simply by sharing the link wherever you want. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/settings3.png" alt="" width="580" height="301" /> /> After your flipbook has been published, you can easily share it, or generate the embed code for a watermarked version of the flipbook. If you want to embed the book without a watermark or download it, it will cost you $19. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/shareoptions.png" alt="" width="580" height="210" /> /> In addition to being able to share your flipbook, you can also keep track of view stats from your account, and edit it, if you decide you want to change the title, settings, or even add more PDF files. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/stats.png" alt="" width="580" height="227" /> /> When you share the link with other users, they can comment on the flipbook if they are logged into their Facebook accounts.

When reading the flipbook, users can hit the click to read button to go into full screen where your flipbook looks exactly as it did in the preview screen. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/clicktoread.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="383" /> /> FlipSnack is a pretty slick service, with an impressive array of features for free, and SnackTool provides five other similar services for free. You can create gif and flash banners with href="http://www.bannersnack.com/">BannerSnack, create online surveys and polls with href="http://www.quizsnack.com/">QuizSnack, photo slideshows with href="http://www.photosnack.com/">PhotoSnack, a customized audio player with your own playlist with href="http://www.photosnack.com/">PodSnack and lastly, a video player and playlist with href="http://www.tubesnack.com/">TubeSnack.

Do you have any recommendations for free services to create online flipbooks? Let us know in the comments. />
/> Hey Facebookers, make sure to join href="http://www.facebook.com/makeuseof" target="_blank">MakeUseOf on Facebook and get access to some exclusve stuff. Over 105,000 fans already!

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Read comments: href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/create-impressive-flipbooks-free-flipsnack/#disqus_thread">Loved it? Hated it? Join discussion here …

 

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    5+ Impressive Free HTML5 Games You Can Play In Your Browser

    Posted on 25 April 2011. Tags: , , , , ,

    class="align-right" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/intro7.jpg" alt="html5 games"/> href="http://www.makeuseof.com/dir/tag/html5/">HTML5 signifies the href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-websites-html5/">evolution of markup language as we know it. Adding a range of new tags, multimedia capabilities and removing the need for many proprietary plugins, it is easy to understand how HTML5 is seen as a big step forward in href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/web-development/">web development.

    Flash games were once the norm when it came to browser-based entertainment, but now thanks to the powerful nature of HTML5 many web applications, streaming services and href="http://www.makeuseof.com/service/games/">games are taking advantage of the new bells and whistles.

    You’ll need a HTML5 compliant browser to join in, all of these HTML5 games have been tested with the latest stable href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/google-chrome/">Google Chrome on Ubuntu 10.10. Other HTML5 compliant browsers include Safari, href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/firefox-4-internet-explorer-9-browser-showdown/">Firefox href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/firefox-4-internet-explorer-9-browser-showdown/">and href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/firefox-4-internet-explorer-9-browser-showdown/"> I href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/firefox-4-internet-explorer-9-browser-showdown/">nternet href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/firefox-4-internet-explorer-9-browser-showdown/">E href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/firefox-4-internet-explorer-9-browser-showdown/">xplorer href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/firefox-4-internet-explorer-9-browser-showdown/">9.

    href="http://canvasrider.com/">Canvas Rider

    Blatantly inspired by the classic Line Rider, Canvas Rider allows users to create, share and ride user-generated tracks. If you’ve ever played a physics-based bike game (think Trials, or the more recent Trials HD) then the concept will be very familiar.

    class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/canvasrider.png" alt="html5 games" width="580" height="473" />

    As a biker you must reach the end of the level, which is considerably easier said than done. Careful use of throttle and lean controls will help maintain your rider’s position on the bike, and when you’re sick of being thrown off all the time you can have a go at creating your own level.

    There are hundreds of other users’ creations which can be easily filtered by popularity to reveal some beautifully-crafted levels. Chrome users can install href="https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/ebopbobaiphmoclojaeoenommfefljll?hl=en-gb">an extension for quick access to Canvas Rider.

    href="http://www.mattpelham.com/vii/">VII

    VII transforms your whole browser window into a monochrome platform world, with smooth animations, physics and responsive controls. Using both the mouse and keyboard you must navigate, manipulate and clear each screen before progressing. /> class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/vii.jpg" alt="free html5 games" width="580" height="301" />

    Your telekinesis can be used to move or surf objects and solve thought-provoking puzzles and predicaments. The quirky art style and character (who vaguely resembles Roger from American Dad) plods along at a sombre pace, allowing you to take in all the HTML5 goodness along the way.

    Technically brilliant, graphically pleasing and completely free; VII is a great little introduction to the world of browser-borne platform games.

    href="http://upsidedownturtle.com/boredboredbored/">BoredBoredBored

    Whilst VII takes on a more relaxed pace, BoredBoredBored employs a different approach – frantic, death-defying href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/play-arcade-games-pc/">arcade action. Using the arrow keys and your space bar, you (quite literally a dot) must avoid incoming enemy fire whilst propelling yourself into waves of oncoming enemies.

    class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/boredboredbored.png" alt="free html5 games" width="580" height="303" />

    Your only method of attack is accessed via the space bar, the longer you charge your shot; the greater your area of effect.

    At the end of the game you will be given a breakdown of how terrible you are, that is unless you make it to the final wave. BoredBoredBored is a fine example of how HTML5 can be used to create an incredibly fast-paced arcade game that can run natively in a browser window.

    href="http://gopherwoodstudios.com/sandtrap/sand-trap.htm">Sand Trap

    Instead of taking advantage of one of the many physics engines for the Flash or Java platform, Sand Trap uses its own built-from-scratch HTML5 effort in this addictive puzzler. Each level contains a maze, and within that maze is a small amount of sand. By rotating the maze, it is your task to syphon the sand into the bucket.

    class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/sandtrap.jpg" alt="free html5 games" width="580" height="646" />

    Playing on its simple nature, Sand Trap soon becomes complex and very addictive; especially if you have a soft spot for physics games. This game would probably be even better with a touch interface, if you’re lucky enough to have a tablet PC or similar.

    href="http://www.freeciv.net/">FreeCiv

    Civilization in your browser – need I say more? For those of you who do remember the original Civ, FreeCiv is a faithful representation of the Sid Meyer classic that stole so much sleep from those who played it.

    class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/freeciv.jpg" alt="html5 gaming" width="580" height="393" />

    Those that don’t are in for a treat! Don’t let the flat, dated graphics distract you, in Civ the whole world is your oyster. You must explore, settle, trade, mine and generally build a turn-based empire from the comfort of your browser. There’s a tutorial to get you up to speed, and scenarios to play through if you wish.

    The option to play against AI or href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-five-free-online-shooter-games/">other human players is yours, and you can fully customize your games beforehand. Bye-bye spare time!

    The Rest

    There were a few games that didn’t quite make the main list but distracted me long enough to warrant a mention, and these were:

    href="http://www.benjoffe.com/code/games/torus/">Torus

    class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Selection_282.png" alt="html5 gaming" width="539" height="422" /> /> A nifty take on Tetris, replacing the usual 2D interface with a fully 3D hollow sphere.

    href="http://www.pirateslovedaisies.com/">Pirates Love Daisies

    A delightful HTML5 tower defence game that gives some of the premium efforts out there a run for their money.

    href="http://www.somethinghitme.com/projects/jslander/">JSLander

    class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/jslander.png" alt="html5 games" width="580" height="277" />

    A faithful Lunar Lander clone coded in HTML5 and JavaScript.

    Hint: you’ll need a Y velocity below 6 not to crash and below 3 for the perfect landing.

    href="http://www.worldsbiggestpacman.com/">World’s Biggest Pac-Man

    An awesome selection of custom Pac-Man levels, all linked together. Bored of your current maze? Exit and seamlessly join the next!

    Conclusion

    If you’ve not upgraded to a HTML5 compliant browser yet, you’re probably missing out on the web’s hottest new tricks. As a Linux user, constant Adobe Flash crashes, glitches and sluggish behaviour is to be expected on my system. Not once whilst testing any of the games in this article did my PC flinch.

    There are some things online that only Flash can do… for everything else there’s HTML5.

    Any HTML5 games that tickle your fancy? Which browser do you use? Have your say in the comments below.

     

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    The Spring Project – An Open Source Strategy Game Engine With An Impressive Selection of Free Games

    Posted on 07 January 2011. Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

    class="align-left" style="border: 0px none; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 5px; float: right;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/SpringIconmkII.png" alt="strategy game engine" width="175" height="175" />Spawned off the back of popular real-time class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tags/strategy-games/">strategy (RTS) game Total Annihilation, Spring is an open source freeware strategy game engine designed to run on class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/service/windows">Windows and class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/getting-started-guide-linux">Linux, with a Mac version still under development.

    Developers can take the engine and use it as they please, without having to pay the creators any money for the licence. This has helped the Spring engine build up a class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/8-awesome-free-opensource-games-enjoy-windows-mac-linux/">roster of games that will please even the most seasoned RTS fan.

    There are also a selection of commercial projects, but it’s the free ones I’ll be focusing on in this article.

    id="more-62244">

    The Engine

    Licensed under the class="vt-p" href="http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html">GNU GPL, the engine is free to download, use and adapt upon. The development team comprises of community members who have surpassed the project’s initial aims of bringing Total Annihilation into 3D, with support for all the mods and third-party extras the original could handle.

    Spring is a desirable platform for developers as it has evolved to support some fairly advanced features and is limited solely by the hardware you have available. Within one arena there is support for up to 30,000 units with 250 players taking part with deformable maps, realistic weapon trajectories and varied units, economy and maps.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/spring.jpg" alt="strategy game engine" width="580" height="359" />

    In order to play games that make use of the Spring RTS engine, you’ll need a minimum of: 1GHz single core CPU, 512MB of RAM and a graphics card with 64MB of VRAM. The minimum install is 200MB, and this depends on what else you’re after (be it extra maps, units or add-ons).

    If you really want to get the most out of the engine then these requirements shoot up to a 2GHz processor, 1GB or more RAM and a 256MB GeForce 6600 or better. Your install directory can also reach several gigabytes if you’re determined to try the lot, so class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-analyze-your-disk-usage-pattern-in-linux/">make sure you’ve got space.

    Installing Games

    For Windows the install process is fairly straightforward. You simply need to class="vt-p" href="http://springrts.com/wiki/Download">download the Spring installer executable, run it and you’ll be able to choose from a selection of games to install as optional components during the install procedure.

    You are also able to download maps and mods from a link within the Spring client. This community-made video explains the ins and outs of getting to grips with the Windows setup procedure and the client in general:

    classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="580" height="460" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"> name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ll58N26aDgU" /> type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="580" height="460" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ll58N26aDgU">

    For Linux users there is a class="vt-p" href="http://springrts.com/wiki/SetupGuide">setup guide to follow, and if you’re using Ubuntu or a package that uses Synaptic then you only need to punch a couple of lines into the console before you’ll be playing.

    Note: Linux users will need to add the class="vt-p" href="https://launchpad.net/~spring/+archive/ppa?field.series_filter=maverick">Spring repository and install (or update) from there to use the latest versions.

    class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/repositories-package-management-ubuntu/">Ubuntu users can open Terminal and use:

    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:spring/ppa /> sudo apt-get update /> sudo apt-get upgrade

    Some games have their own individual installers, but for most you’ll simply need to place the main game files in your Spring “mods” folder and maps into the “maps” folder.

    Whilst many of the games are focused on pure class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/multiplayer-war-games-fps-assaultcube/">multiplayer mayhem, some have single player campaigns and full support for bots so you can play on your own if you feel like it.

    The Games

    Here’s a selection of four of my favourite Spring derivatives. Some of these are stable and popular titles whereas others show promise and demonstrate what the Spring engine is really capable of. You can download more at class="vt-p" href="http://www.springfiles.com/">SpringFiles, or check out the official Spring  class="vt-p" href="http://springrts.com/wiki/Games">games page.

    class="vt-p" href="http://springrts.com/wiki/Balanced_Annihilation">Balanced Annihilation

    Currently the most popular game utilising the Spring strategy game engine, Balance Annihilation provides players with a very in-depth, tactical and competitive online battlefield. The game is home to many refugees from the original Total Annihilation and new players are encouraged to read class="vt-p" href="http://springrts.com/wiki/Balanced_Annihilation:Starting_With_TA">this guide before jumping in.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/ba.jpg" alt="spring strategy game" width="580" height="348" />

    Regarded as a mature and well-developed game, updates now only include minor tweaks as opposed to big upgrades. Tactical options open to each player invariably shape the way each game is played out, with strategies focusing on map control, air superiority and aggression amongst others.

    class="vt-p" href="http://www.spring1944.org/">Spring: 1944

    Still under development, the only World War II themed Spring game to date has a keen following thanks to the aspirations of the development team. Eventually the team would like to create four playable sides (Britain, the US, Germany and the USSR) with historically accurate units and attributes.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/1944.jpg" alt="spring strategy game" width="580" height="423" />

    At present you can play with German and British troops, which is good enough for a very tactical game of toy soldiers. Like many of the other Spring games, 1944 strives for realism so you might benefit from reading class="vt-p" href="http://www.spring1944.org/wiki/doku.php?id=guide">the documentation first.

    class="vt-p" href="http://zero-k.info/">Zero-K

    Once known as Complete Annihilation, Zero-K is another dynamic and action packed RTS that promises to provide hassle-free tactical gameplay. Perhaps the most impressive aspect are the hundreds of available units that shape your tactical choices, and the game’s eventual outcome.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/zerok.jpg" alt="spring strategy game" width="580" height="435" />

    Whilst continuing to be a very in-depth game, aspects are simplified like the streamlined economy which requires careful monitoring of resources but little in the way of micromanagement. Zero-K makes for a very balanced and approachable game in an often over-complicated genre. As always, if it’s your first game you’ll probably benefit from class="vt-p" href="http://zero-k.info/guide-newbie.php">reading the guide.

    class="vt-p" href="http://www.imperialwinter.com/">Star Wars: Imperial Winter

    Completely free and unofficial, this non-Lucas Arts RTS is set in the politically unstable post-Return of the Jedi universe and should keep even the most dedicated Star Wars fans happy.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="alignnone size-full wp-image-62248" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/starwars.jpg" alt="strategy game engine" width="580" height="464" />

    With more than a hundred units available for either the Rebel Alliance or Galactic Empire, this free community-driven project attempts to provide more units than any game released under the Star Wars guise yet.

    Currently in beta, this one’s worth keeping an eye on if you’re a strategy-obsessed fan of the Force.

    Conclusion

    Whilst many of the games on the Spring strategy game engine are still in need of time, developers and refinement – some are ready for you to play right now. If you are an class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/dyson-ambient-real-time-strategy-game/">avid RTS fan, longing for a decent multiplayer effort to latch onto then there’s bound to be something using this engine that ticks the box. Hopefully the Mac version will be stable enough for a proper release soon.

    Do RTS games do it for you? Have you got any favourite Spring based games and maps? Let us know in the comments. />
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    2 Impressive Alternatives To Animoto That Will Help You Make Slick Home Videos

    Posted on 02 December 2010. Tags: , , , , , ,

    class="align-left" style="border: 0px none; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 5px; float: right;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/xine.png" alt="" width="128" height="128" />I recently went to a wedding reception where guests were shown slideshows of the couple. For most people, slideshows suffice since they deliver results without costing a lot of time. However, there are simple applications like class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/dir/animoto/">Animoto that let you create impressive and professional-looking slideshow-like videos that don’t require immense amounts of time either.

    While Animoto is a stellar (and free!) service that simplifies the process of making professional-quality home videos from your pictures, it isn’t the only one. With these next products, you will soon be on your way to creating some stunning videos in a few clicks.

    id="more-59567">

    class="vt-p" href="http://flixtime.com/">Flixtime

    Flixtime is a slick video-making web app that will class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/dir/flixtime-create-videos-from-photos/">take your pictures and effectively creates a “flix in a flash”, as its motto says.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/23.png" alt="" width="580" height="365" />

    After you create an account, you can upload your pictures, video clips (in .AVI, .FLV, .WMV, .MP4, .MOV) and music, or select some from the Media Lounge, which is Flixtime’s library of stock images from Fotolia (which contains an enormous collection of class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/the-top-8-websites-to-sell-your-stock-photos/">royalty-free photos) and the Music Lounge, which features songs for use from the stock music community, class="vt-p" href="http://www.audiomicro.com/">AudioMicro. You can also add a cover image for your clip and text slides, which you can freely move around to fit whichever photo it’s for. You can choose to save your video in either 640 x 360 dimension, or iPod-friendly 320 x 180, and in either FLV, MP4, or DIVX formats.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/3.png" alt="" width="580" height="265" />

    What’s cool is that your videos will be 60 seconds long, as opposed to Animoto’s 30-second offering for free accounts. Like Animoto, however, you won’t be able to directly download your video, but you can post your new video on YouTube, which will require you to authorize Flixtime for access (although I had trouble getting this to work).

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/41.png" alt="" width="273" height="345" />

    You’ll also be able to remix your video, which allows you to choose more pictures to add, or replace any elements, like the song or certain photos. Flixtime will also provide you with ways to share the link on your social media accounts, like Faceboo, Twitter, and a myriad of sites thanks to class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/dir/addthis/">AddThis.

    While Flixtime is pretty nice overall, there seems to not be any additional video styles. To get a glimpse of the effects Flixtime offers for the default video style, see this sample from YouTube.

    classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="580" height="351" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oLsQhg_J4jk?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" /> name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="580" height="351" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oLsQhg_J4jk?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true">

    class="vt-p" href="http://studio.stupeflix.com/editor/create/">Stupeflix Studio

    Stupeflix is a suite of video products, including the interesting Stupeflix TV, which creates web TV channels from Flickr images to help illustrate the latest tweets on trending topics, and the Stupeflix API for web developers of video applications. The Studio is where the magic for consumers happens.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/62.jpg" alt="" width="494" height="308" />

    You can first choose a video style (there are currently  class="vt-p" href="http://studio.stupeflix.com/tour/themes/">4 styles available) and then, upload your photos and videos (up to 40 MB) or import them from Facebook, Flickr, Picasa as there is no library of stock images. You can also add images by URL.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/72.png" alt="" width="580" height="456" />

    You can then choose to include songs (up to 10 MB) and text. The editor is pretty neat and fast, but some powerful features can be hidden unless you fully try it all out before publishing a video, which I had to do as I was a bit confused at first. One example is the grouping feature. You can drag pictures in and out of a group so that the same text or song (“soundtrack”) apply to all the pictures or videos in that group. Grouped pictures will also be displayed at the same time. You could also add text or a different soundtrack (but be careful as it might play along with the songs from each group which won’t sound too beautifully) to the whole movie, as opposed to the different groups.

    When you want to preview your project, just save it and a video player will pop up and show you what you’ve got so far. When you’re ready to finish your project, you can then export it to a 480 x 270 video and choose to share it on Youtube and Facebook. A free video will be 1 minute-long, but you can buy the downloadable HD and full-length versions as well.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/91.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="252" />

    After a video is published, you can edit it as a new project, which allows you to add or edit media, but not change the video style (for that, you’ll need to make a new project).

    These two applications will help you make short but stunning video slideshows in a few clicks. What do you use to whip up nicer-than-average home videos?

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    Create Impressive Videos With Wax 2.0 [Windows]

    Posted on 12 October 2010. Tags: , , ,

    class="align-left" style="border: 0px none; margin-left: 20px; margin-top: 5px; float: right;" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/toolbar_videos.png" alt="video creation software" width="205" height="205" />Ever since I saw my first class="vt-p" href="http://www.youtube.com/user/gigafide">Tinkernut video tutorial, I was hooked on the presentation style, which I wished professors would adopt. The creator of Tinkernut excels at making a myriad of educational tech-related videos (ranging from class="vt-p" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MJUGVFAXKg">making your own operating system to class="vt-p" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEW2HjCn0vk">original DIY projects) mixed with awesome effects that are anything but boring. I first learned of class="vt-p" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5vbnnmtBDg">Wax 2.0 through his channel and this is definitely an application that aspiring video creators should take a look at.

    class="vt-p" href="http://www.debugmode.com/wax/">Wax 2.0 is video creation software that comes from the creator of class="vt-p" href="http://www.debugmode.com/wink/">Wink (which lets you class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/4-tools-for-creating-screenshots-and-screencasts/">make awesome Flash-based product demos) who is dedicated to ensuring that anyone can start authoring their own videos.

    id="more-55368"> /> You can use Wax 2.0 to create video sequences with special effects or as a plugin for commercial video editors such as Sony Vegas and Adobe Premiere.

    Here Are The Files Wax Accepts

    • Video footage: Must be in the AVI container format (which may hold video and audio),
    • Audio: WAV files,
    • Images: PNG, JPEG, BMP, TIFF, TGA files.
    • Others: class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/8-icon-search-engines-perfect-graphic-symbol/">Icons (ICO), Photoshop (PSD, which you should read more about in the  class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/pages/download-idiot-guide-photoshop">free PDF manual) and AviSynth files (AVS format used to  class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-add-subtitles-to-a-movie-or-television-series/">easily embed subtitles).
    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1.png" alt="video creation software" width="435" height="517" />

    You’re most likely going to have to convert your videos or audio clips to use them in Wax, but fear not as there are many capable multimedia converters abounding the net, including class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/formatfactory-a-multifunctional-media-converter/">FormatFactory and class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/top-free-media-converters-for-windows/">MediaCoder (which has been class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-easy-to-use-freeware-video-converters/">featured with other incredibly popular video converters for Windows).

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/2.png" alt="create a video" width="580" height="545" />

    Also note that the videos exported from Wax 2.0 can only be in AVI format, which can end up being ultra huge files, unless you have DivX or Xvid.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/3.png" alt="create a video" width="580" height="592" />

    Both of these have been discussed in the recent class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/capturing-publishing-videos-youtube-settings-formats/">mini-guide for publishing YouTube videos and class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/compress-videos-send-email/">another handy article on shrinking video file sizes for easier sharing. There are also codecs you can use in other popular open-source video editors such as class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/7-video-editing-tasks-virtualdub-handles-ease-windows/">VirtualDub and class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/7-free-open-source-video-editor-for-linux/">Avidemux, so what makes Wax 2.0 different?

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/full.jpg" alt="create a video" width="580" height="433" />

    What Makes Wax 2.0 Stand Out?

    Besides the video-editing platforms we’ve discussed above, class="vt-p" href="http://explore.live.com/windows-live-movie-maker">Windows Live Movie Maker is also available for download plus, you can technically also class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-watch-upload-free-3d-videos-to-youtube/">upload videos to YouTube and class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/youtube-video-editor/">edit them online so what’s the big deal about Wax 2.0? There’s a few pretty useful features you should consider Wax 2.0 for:

    Modifying Clip’s Properties

    VirtualDub and Avidemux can do finish any video-splitting, -trimming or class="vt-p" href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/merge-multiple-video-files-with-virtualdub/">-merging tasks in a jiffy when you use Direct Stream Copy mode. However, most filters you use (e.g. adding some blurring effect, or changing the perspective) have to apply to the whole video. Thus, you cannot have specific parts modified, unless you’re using something like the class="vt-p" href="http://neuron2.net/zoom.html">zoom 1.2 filter which has a phase 2 you can adjust to revert back to the original settings.

    Meanwhile, Wax 2.0 has the Quick 3D video plugin which is a Godsend. You can basically enlarge, shrink, and modify the video or image around which I’m sure you’ve wished Windows Live Movie Maker could allow.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/4.png" alt="video creation tools" width="541" height="443" />

    First, right-click on the Media Bins area and select Add Media Files. After you’ve chosen your files, drag them to the timeline, go to the Video Plugins tab under the Media Bins area and under Video Plugins: 2D, drag Quick 3d to the items in the timeline (repeat as necessary for all items in the timeline you want to change).

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/5.png" alt="video creation tools" width="334" height="667" />

    Click on the arrow next to Quick 3D and you’ll see the ways you can edit the actual clip.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/6.png" alt="video creation tools" width="580" height="360" />

    If you’re looking to have a property change over the course of the clip’s appearance, right-click on the property and select Linear.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/7.png" alt="" width="580" height="360" />

    You can move pictures from one point in the video to another (sort of like class="vt-p" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inbetweening">tweening), play a video alongside/inside another video (for a video class="vt-p" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture-in-picture">PiP effect), etc.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/8.png" alt="" width="568" height="401" />

    Using A Green Screen

    In the same box where you found Quick 3D, you’ll also see under Color, the green screen plugin Chroma Key.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/9.png" alt="" width="580" height="459" />

    Drag it to the timeline item whose background is a solid color, use the eyedropper to select that background color, adjust the Tolerance level and you can ‘get rid’ of the boring background or use a different one.

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/10.png" alt="" width="580" height="452" />

    If you check the Invert box, you can roll your own homemade iPod ad!

    style="text-align: center;"> class="aligncenter" src="http://main.makeuseoflimited.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/11.png" alt="video creation software" width="569" height="461" />

    Obtaining Way More Effects

    So Chroma Key is probably the easiest to understand, but you can achieve much more if you shoot for more complex effects, such as these:

    classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="580" height="465" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/De0fexedgZg?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" /> name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="580" height="465" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/De0fexedgZg?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true">

    Watching what each of the effects available in Wax can do might be easier than reading about them so here’s a good video:

    classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="580" height="465" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RRgjI71T42E?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" /> name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="580" height="465" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RRgjI71T42E?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true">

    Want to try the more any of the more advanced effects just described? Here’s how to use the Rotomate plugin to clone yourself:

    classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="580" height="360" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /> name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yLjTku2Q2iM?fs=1&start=23''&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" /> name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="580" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yLjTku2Q2iM?fs=1&start=23''&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border=1" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true">

    And here is a video I made myself advertising MakeUseOf!

    width="580" height="465"> name="movie" value="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/2LMhegD68mw?fs=1&hl=en_US&hd=1"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"> src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/2LMhegD68mw?fs=1&hl=en_US&hd=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="580" height="465">

    What do you say? Do you have some suggestions for other free video creation software? Let us know in the comments!

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    The HTC Legend Is An Impressive Web Browser

    Posted on 29 July 2010. Tags: , ,

    Released in March 2010, the HTC Legend is an extremely versatile, premium Smartphone. It has an impressive range of features which make it not only a phone, but an effective still and video camera, portable media player and web browsing device.

     

    The legend measures 112×56.3×11.5mm and weighs in at just 126 grams. Given its size, this is considered relatively lightweight, and this coupled with its slimline profile make the legend not only pocket friendly but is comfortable to hold and use. The handset is finished in silver so is an attractive phone.

     

    Up to 16M colours can be displayed within a pixel setup of 320×480 pixels. This gives the 3.2 inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen a very high level of display quality, which provides sharp and vibrant video playback via the internal media player. An optical trackpad offers an alternative means of navigating the Android user interface, and an auto-rotate function is included courtesy of a built in accelerometer sensor.

     

    Vibration, MP3 and WAV ringtones are the available alert types with the HTC Legend, and by assigning music files of these formats as ringtones, users have the opportunity to customise their handset in order to hear the track of their choice any time the phone rings. Both a 3.5mm audio jack and a speaker phone system are provided in order to allow hands free communication.

     

    As expected from a Smartphone of this calibre, an array of useful features is provided as standard. The media player is versatile, supporting a host of music and video file formats. Google search, Maps and Gmail can all be directly accessed via dedicated applications, as can YouTube and Google Talk. For productivity purposes, several useful features are included such as a document viewer, organiser and voice memo recorder.

     

    Several connectivity methods are utilised by the HTC Legend to stay connected to both the internet and cellular networks on the go. Class 10 GPRS and class 10 EDGE provide the handset with its primary method of cellular network connection in areas with little or no 3G coverage. HSDPA provides an internet connection at speeds of up to 7.2 mega bytes per second in areas covered by 3G (alongside HSUPA at 2 mega bytes per second). Wi-Fi is utilised whenever a signal from a wireless internet router is detected. This provides an enhanced web browsing experience thanks to the faster connection it provides. Connection to compatible hardware such as other phones and computers is carried out by both Bluetooth and USB connections, so tasks such as file sharing can be carried out.

     

    A 5 MP camera (2592×1944 pixel resolution) keeps budding photographers entertained. This provides high quality snapshots and video, and has an array of image enhancing features included in the camera’s software package. These ensure that taking high quality still images and video is a breeze.

     

    A micro SD slot can accommodate a memory card of up to 32 GB for storage of data such as media files, should the internal storage of384 MB not suffice.

     

    HTC are definitely on to a winner with the Legend. Its unique aluminium unibody long with its impressive hardware and software are sure to impress all manner of mobile phone connoisseurs.

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