Queblin

Last month, Google revealed that their total number of downloaded Android apps had passed the 10 billion mark. The largest slice of the app pie went to games, with a staggering 25.6% of all apps downloaded, that’s 2,560 million games downloaded so far. Phew. Here’s our rundown of the top 5 free Android games available on the market at the moment.

5 – Zombie Dash

At the time of writing, this game holds the number 1 spot on the freebie Android games chart, having toppled the mighty Angry Birds from its pedestal. The secret of the Android games success is down to two things. The first aspect is its simplicity – you have two moves at your disposal, jump and shoot. The second aspects is zombies. People like zombies. Especially when you can shoot them. When jump and shoot is combined with zombies, you have a winning formula, as 5 million Android games downloads have so far confirmed.

Like this games app? Download Zombie Dash from the free Android games chart.

4 – Pool Master Pro

Pool has always been a popular game subject whatever the platform, and the Android games version continues the trend with its 10 million downloads. Offering practice modes, as well as options to play against a friend or the computer, simply add a pint of lager and bowl of stale peanuts to recreate your local pool hall as accurately as possible without ever leaving the house.

Like this games app? Download Pool Master Pro from the free Android games chart.

3 – Fruit Slice

There has been much debate over the two fruit based slicing games currently available. Fruit Slice and Fruit Ninja offer a very similar setup; various items of fresh fruit fly through the air as you swipe the touchscreen to split each item of your potential five-a-day. The plentiful produce is occasionally punctuated by Looney Tunes style bombs, which you have to avoid or its game over. It may sound dull, but it’s hugely addictive stuff. On the Android games chart, Fruit Ninja has the highest placing (although they both have 10 million downloads), but we suspect that this is just down to it having the better name. Ninjas are cool – ‘nuff said. Judged on the games themselves, however, Fruit Slice is the clear victor. It offers more games on the app itself, much better graphics, and a smoother gameplay. If you have a spare fifteen minutes to waste though, either of the two will pass the time nicely.

Like this games app? Download Fruit Slice from the free Android games chart.

2 – Words With Friends

This game is essentially Scrabble, but slower, which doesn’t necessarily sound too exciting, but stay with us on this one. The slow nature of the game is essentially its unique selling point, as it’s great for taking out on your afternoon break, playing your go, and then forgetting about it until later. The game consists of a Scrabble style set-up where you make words with the lettered tiles you are given, trying to use the double/triple letter/word squares to hit maximum points. As the title suggests, you can connect with your favourite social networking site to challenge your friends, or select random player in order to take on a mystery opponent from anywhere in the world. It would appear that ‘Words with Friends or Stangers’ just wasn’t as catchy a title. Either way, it has 10 million downloads to date.

Like this games app? Download Words With Friends from the free Android games chart.

..And number 1 of our Android games – Angry Birds

Probably the most popular smartphone game ever, with a mere 50 million downloads at the time of writing, our number 1 spot goes to those perturbed avians, the Angry Birds. It’s a total mystery as to why they are quite so angry, or why they take out their frustration by loading themselves into slingshots in order to systematically assassinate a race of green disembodied pigs with a penchant for flimsy architecture, but they just do. Spawning a series of themed sequels and special editions, such as the Halloween and Rio editions, and their very own merchandising line in the real world, the Angry Birds seem pretty unstoppable… especially if you’re a pig with no legs..

Like this games app? Download Angry Birds from the free Android games chart.

But why take our word for it, all Android games mentioned are free of charge so log onto the Android Market and check them out for yourself.

Prefer portable console gaming to Android games apps? Check out our blog on the soon to be released PS Vita. If you’ve played these free Android games, let us know what you think of them on our Facebook page. Find out more about Android smartphones.

Due to be released this spring is Sony’s latest smartphone creation; the Sony Xperia S. Having removed Ericsson from their name, this marks a fresh start for the Japanese juggernauts. Unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month, we delve deep into the details of why this smartphone promises to be one of the top handset highlights for 2012. The flagship phone for Sony in 2012, it will directly take on the new Apple iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S3.

Hardcore Hardware

If smartphones were judged entirely by their figures and numbers, the Sony Xperia S would confidently challenge the top trumps of the mobile industry. The 1.5GHz dual core processor is 25% faster than the iPhone 4S or Samsung Galaxy S2. Its LED-backlit 4.3 inch display towers above Apple’s smartphone range and is complimented by the transparent LED illuminated strip that shows off the necessary navigation buttons. Armed with NFC technology, the Sony Xperia S is ready for the increased reliability smartphones will have in card transactions and augmented reality.

Ice Cream Sandwich OS

Nothing tastes sweeter than the ability to optimise your smartphones performance. Android’s latest OS, Ice Cream Sandwich, will help you get the most out of the meaty hardware encased within the Sony Xperia S.

PlayStation Certified

Being manufactured by Sony can only be a good thing when you consider they own one of the greatest games console franchises of all time. It’s great to see they’ve branded the Xperia S as a PlayStation Certified smartphone, giving you access to a whole library of PS1 classics tailored for smartphones.

In addition to the PlayStation Certified range, the Android Market provides over 300,000 apps at your disposal, including the PlayStation Classic, Grand Theft Auto III. Wherever you download your games, the Sony Xperia S will charge through their exhaustive demands without losing breath, thanks to its already praised 1.5GHz dual core processor.

Capture it all – Camera Specs

Worries in photo quality between camera smartphone and camera are phasing out for the casual happy snapper. Capturing 12 megapixel photos, the Sony Xperia S offers a resolution that’s competitive against standalone cameras. The inclusion of an Exmor R mobile CMOS sensor maximises light availability in your picture to help prevent dark and gloomy snaps. With a 1080p high definition rear facing camera, your video memories are sure to look crisp and detailed. There’s even a front facing camera perfect for video calls that captures it all in 720p high definition. To help achieve that perfect photo, the camera hardware is provided all the trimmings; touch focus, face detection, image stabilisation, geo-tagging, LED flash and 3D sweep panorama, making the Sony Xperia S a truly sensational camera smartphone.

Sony Xperia S UK release date

Not long to wait until the release day as the Sony Xperia S will be available in the UK at the start of March. For a full product spec and all the info on the Sony Xperia S, visit our coming soon page.

So there’s our run down on another hotly tipped smartphone for 2012. Does the Sony Xperia S excite you? Let us know on our Facebook page.

It’s been a while since we’ve posted about the Apple iPhone 5. After months of anticipation and excitement across 2011, we were presented the iPhone 4S; an upgrade of the Apple iPhone 4 with more muscle inside its A5 processor chip and more knowledge through personal assistant Siri. Even though the upgrades were necessary, Apple fans couldn’t help but feel slightly disheartened. We love it when Apple releases something completely new that “Changes everything. Again”. With leading brands releasing the Samsung Galaxy S3, Sony Xperia S & the Nokia Lumia 900, 2012 is the year for Apple to step up and release the true next generation smartphone: The Apple iPhone 5.

As all our old blogs relate to the 4S, we thought it was time to blow away the cobwebs, delve deep into the rumour mill and bring you the latest designs, specifications and more on everything iPhone 5.

New design – Apple iPhone 5

A new design is possibly the most anticipated feature expected for the iPhone 5. The iPhone 4 and 4s have stylish designs but all fashions change with time. iPhone enthusiasts want to own something that looks new, fresh and distinctly different from past iPhone models. One feature that would separate the Apple iPhone 5 from its range is a new screen size. It’s a quick win for Apple as their standard 3.5 inch display is towered by the Samsung Galaxy S2’s 4.3 inch screen. Would a larger screen on the iPhone affect sales of their iPad range? This could be the reason for sustaining the iPhone’s original size. Will the iPhone 5 have a new shape? Here’s our three favourite concept designs below..

We’re certain the iPhone 5 will host a new look design.

Apple iPhone 5 rumour rating 5/5

New Name or just iPhone 5?

The strangest rumour we’ve heard so far is that the device will be named the iPhone SJ, in memory of the late Steve Jobs. This is the last iPhone which Jobs had an input into the design and features of the device. Although it seems a fitting tribute to the icon who retransformed the fortunes of Apple with his innovation and industry changing ideas, we think there’s only a moderate chance the iPhone 5 will be named the iPhone SJ

                                                                                                Apple iPhone 5 rumour rating   3/5

UK release date?

One of the safest guarantees is that the iPhone 5 will in our hands by October 2012. It’s more than likely the product would also be available within 10 days of announcement. For a company that loves to throw surprises and spontaneity, is an October release date too predictable? Apple would certainly please a large fan base if they released the iPhone 5 ahead of the date cited by many blogs. The reasoning for an iPhone 5 release towards the end of 2012, is to allow time for the iPhone 4S to sell enough units. With Sony and Samsung releasing their next generation smartphones in the spring and summer, we believe Apple are more likely to unveil their latest addition to the family within their older June/July iPhone release date format. With Android OS racking up the largest share of users on any platform, the last thing Apple needs is to give the Galaxy S3 and Sony Xperia S a head start. We’re confident that the iPhone 5 will be released in 2012 and hoping for a summer release.

Apple iPhone 5 rumour rating 4/5

Over the following months, we’ll be posting roundups of the latest iPhone 5 news and stories as they unfold. What would you like to see in the upcoming iPhone 5? Let us know what you would like to see on our Facebook page.

Can’t wait for the iPhone 5. Then grab yourself an Apple iPhone 4  from mobiles.co.uk

Samsung are set to officially unveil the Samsung Galaxy S3 at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next month. Hotly tipped to be the smartphone of 2012, we sift through the rumours and hype to establish what the Galaxy S3 will feature.
With the highly successful Galaxy range, Samsung have the world at their feet. The Samsung Galaxy S2 was crowned the bestselling smartphone in the UK for December. With sales that challenge the iPhone head on, it’s no wonder why the next instalment of the Galaxy S range is so eagerly anticipated.

Could this be the Galaxy S3?

During the international CES conference, Samsung slipped in a clip of an unknown smartphone during their official promo video. Is this the Samsung Galaxy S3? Demonstrating a thinner bezel strip around the display, the screen appears larger than the Galaxy S2 and would match the rumour of a 4.6 inch display; 0.3 inches larger than the Samsung. Whether this image is the genuine Samsung Galaxy S3 or just a fake remains to be seen. It’s certainly a clever marketing stunt for Samsung to raise the excitement bar and get the press talking on their mysterious handset.

Snap it up with the S3

Circulating rumours suggest that the Samsung Galaxy S3 will come equipped with a 12 megapixel camera. With key 2012 releases such as the Sony Xperia S already confirmed to have a resolution of this scale, it’s more than likely that Samsung will want to build upon the Galaxy S2’s 8 megapixel camera with their next generation release. With Apple also expected to upgrade their 8 megapixel camera with the release of the iPhone 5, Samsung have a great opportunity to steal exposure from Apple’s future handset by offering the technology sooner and stealing the wow factor from under their rivals noses.

Hungry for Ice Cream Sandwich? The S3 is.

It’s a dead cert the Galaxy S3 will come pre-loaded with the tasty new addition to the Android family. With a refined and evolved user interface, Ice Cream Sandwich is even more efficient for multitasking. This is great news for the Samsung Galaxy S3, which is rumoured to house a 1.8 GHz dual core processor which would storm through high end games and applications without breaking a sweat.

Galaxy S3 release date?

Following the World Mobile Congress in February, it’s highly likely that the Samsung Galaxy S3 will grace the UK shops within weeks of its announcement. Demand will be high, so make sure you don’t miss out on what is expected to be the top selling handset of 2012. We’ll be tracking the latest announcements on the Samsung Galaxy S3 as they happen. So check back for specific details as we get them through.

Watch this space on how you can pre-order from mobiles.co.uk.

Welcome back to part 2 of our apps games review. In part 1 we explained the rise of the apps.This time around we explore what the major games consoles are doing to take on the apps games and mention the upcoming release of the PS Vita.

If you can’t beat them…

The leading console brands clearly want a piece of the action, chasing the new revenue available from distributing game apps on iOS, Android and Windows Phone platforms. The latest Sony products such as the Sony Xperia S or Sony Tablet S are PlayStation Certified meaning you can download a range of classic PlayStation titles straight to your phone. Xbox have taken a similar approach offering the Xbox Live Arcade across Android and iOS, with additional features available for those who use the latest Windows Phone Mango. Nintendo currently don’t offer their titles as game apps. With strong branded characters such as Mario and Donkey Kong, maybe keeping these exclusive to Nintendo hardware is what keeps fans coming back for more.

PS Vita released in UK 22/02/2012

For those who still crave a portable gaming device, the PlayStation Vita is released in the UK on the 22nd February with 11 games. Armed with a Quad-Core processor, the PS Vita promises to bring PS3 quality gaming to a portable console. The top model boasts Wi-Fi + 3G access which is perfect for online gaming against your rivals or downloading the latest title from the PlayStation Store. The rear touch pads help interact with games in three dimensional motions such as touching, grabbing, pulling and pushing without obstructing the OLED screen. Overall, this product promises to push the boundaries of portable gaming once again.

Will the PS Vita reverse the trend of game apps? The heads at Sony realise the challenge they face against the smartphone as their Marketing team plans their “biggest campaign ever” for the PS Vita. With so many smartphone devices activated daily, PlayStation are unlikely to ever recapture their share of the portable games market of 2009. To place it in perspective, 6.68 million Nintendo 3DS’s were sold globally in the first 6 months of release. 0.7 million Android activations take place every day!

The Future..

The technology of the PS Vita looks incredible and is unlikely to be replicated in a smartphone that is primarily for calls and texts. Because a mobile phone is such an essential piece of kit bought by everyone, even PS Vita owners are likely to purchase apps games for their smartphone. The casual gamer only ever wanted that quick fix of gameplay when on the bus or away from their main games console; smartphones achieve this.

Sony and Nintendo’s revenue from portable games hardware will surely shrink as smartphones continue to grow worldwide. Could this be Sony’s last dedicated games console? With such a wide range of electronic products, Sony could make their games accessible as downloads onto their BRAVIA Televisions or invest further into PlayStation Certified smartphones to win back the heart of the casual gamer. With Nintendo’s top releases appealing greatly to children, many will be too young to own a smartphone. As long as Nintendo continue to captivate hearts with the likes of Mario Kart and Pokémon, portable games consoles will continue to sell; just in smaller volumes than we’ve seen before.

The golden age may be over for now but that doesn’t mean Game Over. Sony and Nintendo have exciting products lined up and will push in directions to provide an ultimate gaming experience. Let’s hope they fork out another coin and press continue because we still want to play!

What do you think? Let us know on our Facebook page.

We also offer the Nintendo 3DS as a free gift. The perfect solution to play apps games on your smartphone and Nintendo games on the 3DS. Be sure to look out for the PS Vita on mobiles.co.uk after its UK release date of 22nd Februrary.