With all the litigation going on involving the smartphone industry, something good might have come from one Courtroom. The California Attorney General has struck a deal with Microsoft, Apple, Google, HP, RIM and Amazon that will have new privacy policies put in place.
In a nutshell the agreement will:
As far as enforcement is concerned, violators can be prosecuted under California's Unfair Competition and False Advertising laws. Not sure how far of a reach such enforcement will have but it's a start.
Source: California Attorney General Via: Engadget
Earlier today we got word that we could invite ten readers to Microsoft's Windows Phone Party that the company is holding at the 2012 Mobile World Congress. Readers who were interested in attending (and could find their way to Barcelona) only had to comment on the post to have a shot at winning one of the tickets to the party.
While we would have liked to have given everyone a ticket, we could only choose ten. Here are the winners, picked at random.
We are in the process of sending the winners an email (need to get the requested information back to us as soon as possible) and we will get all the details on the where/when for the party and were to claim your ticket.
Congrats to everyone and enjoy the party. If you see Joe Belfiore, say hey for me!
Interested in rugby for both Australia and New Zealand? Enjoy the NRL (National Rugby League)? You're going to want to purchase NRL Season 2012 for Windows Phone for your app arsenal. The developers of the AFL Season 2012 app has continued the their efforts to bring fixtures, ladders, news, results, and more to rugby fans.
Here's an fairly detailed list of available features:
As is the case with the AFL app, NRL Season 2012 will preload images and content to minimise data usage for those on tight restricted contracts. The app will also convert times to match your location.
You can download NRL Season 2012 from the Marketplace for $1.99, with a free trial available.
The Must Have Games 2012 promotion is nearly over, but that doesn’t mean the Xbox Live games will stop coming once March rolls around. Microsoft has just announced several new mobile Live titles.
Read more
Splinter Cell: Conviction was announced back around the Windows Phone launch over a year ago. At last, Gameloft’s mobile port of the popular Ubisoft franchise has made it to Xbox Live.
This version of Splinter Cell tells the story of series lead Sam Fisher’s investigation into the death of his daughter. Gorgeous console-quality cutscenes narrated by Sam’s pal Victor Coste bookend each level. Conviction is actually a port of the popular Xbox 360 game (minus the multiplayer) and feels very much like a console title.
Being a phone game, it uses a virtual stick for the controls. They’re a tad clunky (much like Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles, also from Gameloft) but the difficulty is forgiving enough that it doesn’t harm the experience. If you’ve been wanting a meatier Live title (complete with shooting and sneaking), look no further. Still not convinced? Check out our video preview.
Splinter Cell: Conviction costs $4.99 and there is a free trial. Get it here on the Marketplace.
Thanks Saket for the tip!
The official Facebook app has been updated to version 2.4, following reports that events were no longer accessible with the main menu entry being removed in 2.3. To be able read up on upcoming events requires the user to hit the "..." menu and filter out the news feed. Just a heads up for those who miss this feature being easily accessible.
Head on over to the Marketplace to download Facebook.
Thanks to those who sent tips in!
Splinter Cell: Conviction may not be showing up on the Marketplace just yet, but the Xbox Live Deal of the Week has at least gone live. Orbital from BiteForge and Microsoft Studios is now on sale for $1.99, down from $2.99.
Orbital is all about shooting orbs into other orbs, destroying them and causing chain reactions. It’s got 3 modes of play, each of which changes the rules and aiming around a bit. The neon graphics are pretty enough. As I stated in our review, I really wanted to like Orbital, but it just never clicked for me. The aiming needs work, the game is unforgiving, and there’s no metagame tying it together. But a lot of people enjoy the game anyway, so you may want to give it a shot too.
Orbital is on sale for $1.99 for one week only. Shoot on over here to the Marketplace to get it.
Reuters has recently confirmed both the Lumia 610, which is a low-budget Windows Phone set to be unveiled next week at Mobile World Congress 2012, and a version of the Lumia 900 that is available beyond U.S. shores. This confirms the earlier rumour from PocketNow stating both handsets would be announced at MWC.
We'll of course be on the floor at the upcoming mobile event for the latest so be sure to keep an eye on our website or app for Nokia and Windows Phone coverage.
Source: Reuters
By chance will you be in Barcelona on the 27th of February? If so, do you want to go to a Windows Phone party at the 2012 Mobile World Congress?
We've snagged ten invites to the Windows Phone Party (big thanks to Microsoft) and are offering our readers an opportunity to mingle with the Windows Phone big wigs at Microsoft. You'll also be able to rub elbows with our own Dan Rubino!
Sound interesting? If so, leave a comment below by 8:00pm CST today (the 22nd) and we'll pick ten lucky winners. You'll need to be a registered WPCentral reader (so we can get your email address).
Keep in mind that this is for the tickets only. You'll have to find your way to Barcelona on your own.
Nokia had set up shop in the Metro station at the Barcelona University, but the manufacturer decided to take its promotion campaign into the campus grounds of the Madrid University. Bringing in a DJ and pumping out a loud beat or two, the campus laid host to Nokia's bash over the weekend.
There were a variety of creative activities for students to get involved in, including: dancing, sewing, and more. The day turned night and evening enjoyment took over with an array of waving glow sticks. Overall, it was an opportunity not only for Nokia, but for students to engage with (and express) their creativity.
Source: YouTube (Nokia Italy), via: Unleash the Phones; thanks, Clinton, for the heads up!
