Category Archives: BlackBerry10

First update for Starbeams

Level21The strategy game Starbeams now sits at version 1.1 after its first update. The update (available for both BlackBerry 10 and Windows 8) adds ten new levels as well as better support for the app in its minimized state.

About Starbeams

The object of the game is to assign colors to each star in order to ensure that none of the stars are connected to another star of the same color. The game starts off easy, but quickly gets more complex, adding more colors and seven pointed stars that can not be changed.

New in Version 1.1

IMG_00000001In addition to the ten new levels that this version brings, most of the other new features revolve around how the app handles itself when it is minimized. On Windows 8 the app now uses a live tile in both the wide and square versions of the icon that shows the number of levels that have been beaten so far. The BlackBerry 10 version of the game does the same thing with an Active Frame when it is minimized, showing an icon, and an update on your game progress rather than just a shrunken view of the current screen.

Links & Information

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BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Starbeams, Windows

Twinkle is now available on BlackBerry 10

IMG_00000017The date count down app Twinkle is now available for BlackBerry 10, with support for both the Z10 and the Q10.

About Twinkle

Twinkle is an app that allows you to set and keep track of upcoming and past events. Twinkle will tell you how far away an event is, and share it with a friends through social networks. The app includes an number of options for sorting or filtering your views in order to allow you to easily be able to manage a large number of different events.

Links & Information

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BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Twinkle

Simple Dice app now supports the Q10

IMG_00000001The Simple Dice app has been updated in BlackBerry World to support the Q10 which is launching within the next week in Canada and the UK. This free app is exactly what it sounds like, just a virtual die that you can roll to get a random number between one and six.

The app can also be downloaded from BlackBerry AppWorld for older touchscreen BlackBerry phones. These versions have also been updated, now giving the option of removing the ads from the application through the use of a $1 in-app purchase.

Links & Information

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Simple Dice

Liar’s Dice updated for BlackBerry 10

Q10Liar’s Dice has been updated in BlackBerry World to version 2.1 in order to add support for the BlackBerry Q10 which is launching this weekend.

About Liar’s Dice

This is a classic dice game of strategy and deception in which seeing only your own dice you must bet on the combined dice in play without getting caught in a lie.

The object of the game is to catch your opponent (the computer) betting too high. Bets are placed on both your own dice which you can see, and your opponent’s dice which are hidden from you. You begin each round by making a bet. The computer then has an opportunity to either call your bet a lie, or to bet higher then you. Then it is once again your turn to call your opponent’s bet or to bet even higher. This continues until eventually a bet is called. Then if the bet is too high the caller wins, or if the bet is not a lie, the bettor wins the round.

The game has two main game modes. The “High Score” mode is the default mode, points are awarded for each round, and the first to gain a given number of points wins. The number of points required to win a game can be configured on the options page in order to allow for shorter or longer games.

IMG_00000017The other option is for an “Elimination” mode in which the loser of each round loses one dice for the following rounds, and the last player with any dice left is the winner. This game is more dynamic as there are a different number of dice in play each round. Additionally games in this mode typically play faster than high score games.

 

Links & Information

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Liar's Dice

Pixelated Plus version 3.4 released

IMG_00000035Pixelated and Pixelated Plus have been updated to version 3.4 for all BlackBerry 10 phones. This version adds support for the BlackBerry Q10, adds a second leaderboard for scores posted in the past 24 hours, integrates with BBM profile boxes, and improves the options for sharing your best scores in the app to social networks.

About Pixelated

IMG_00000029Pixelated is an addictive puzzle based strategy game that requires a mixture of skill and luck in order to accomplish. The object of the game is to change the colour of the squares until the entire screen is a single solid colour. Starting with the square in the upper left corner you can change the colour of the blocks in order to match that of the surrounding squares. This is done repeatedly until the entire screen is a single colour. The object of the game is to clear the screen in as few moves as possible. Under the default settings you must do so in under 22 moves in order to win. The game is controlled by the large colored blocks on the side of the screen.

New in Version 3.4

IMG_00000032This update to Pixelated adds support for showing a leaderboard (powered by Scoreloop) for not only the top scores of all time, but also the best scores over the past 24 hours. Also new in this version is the ability to see a preview of each color scheme inside the color changer on the options page. Additionally there have been improvements made to the sharing options for the app. The app now lists the actual new score when sharing a new high score message, or the number of earned achievements when using a generic share, while the BlackBerry 10 version of the app now also updates BBM profile boxes just like you get on previous BlackBerry OS versions.

Links & Information

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BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Pixelated

10,000 Farkle updated for the Q10

Q10-device10,000 Farkle has been updated in BlackBerry AppWorld to version 2.2 in order to support the soon to be launched BlackBerry Q10. This update also includes a few tweaks to the code in order to make it more efficient for both Q10 and Z10 owners.

How to Play Farkle

Farkle gives you six dice to roll and awards points for a straight, three pairs or three or more of the same number. Fewer points ares also awarded for each individual 1 and 5. Any dice that do not score can be re-rolled for additional points. If all 6 dice can be scored, then all of the dice can be re-rolled on the same turn.

The skill in this game comes from knowing how far to push your luck, and which scoring combinations to take, and when to re-roll.

The default game mode gives you 10 turns to score as many points as you can. The 10,000 point mode gives you unlimited turns to reach 10,000 points. The two competitive game modes both use the traditional format of racing to 10,000 points.

Links & Information

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Farkle

Script for deploying most recently created .bar file

The following batch script is what I use to automatically deploy the most recently created .bar file in a folder to either a PlayBook or BlackBerry 10 phone.

@echo off
for /f "delims=" %%x in ('dir /od /a-d /b *.bar') do set recent=%%x
@echo on
call blackberry-deploy -installApp -launchApp -device <device-ip-address> -package %recent% -password <device-password>

Just replace <device-ip-address> and <device-password> with your actual ip address and password.

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, code

Xploding Boxes gets even more levels

IMG_00000064Xploding Boxes has been updated to version 4.4 in BlackBerry World, Google Play, the Amazon AppStore, the Nook Bookstore, and the Windows 8 store. This new version adds an additional 10 levels to the game, as well as improving the sharing options on BlackBerry 10, and improving the in-app payment system for the Google Play store.

About Xploding Boxes

Xploding Boxes is a strategy game for BlackBerry, Android, Nook, Windows 8, and BlackBerry 10 where the goal of the game is to start a chain reaction that will explode all of the boxes on the screen. Each level gives you a different number of touches, and requires a different strategy to solve.

The game itself, and the first 25 levels are available for free, while an in-app purchase can be used to access the rest of the levels for just $2.99 while maintaining your progress from the free levels.

Links & Information

Android, BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Nook, PlayBook, Windows, Xploding Boxes

App reviews from others

My apps have gotten a lot of attention in the past week from a variety of sites, so I would like to take a moment to thank everyone for writing about my apps.

First BlackBerry Cool and Berry Review wrote up reviews of the new BlackBerry 10 game, Starbeams.

The Stuff I Need app also got some attention, with N4BB calling it a ‘must have BlackBerry 10 app’, and CrackBerry also giving the app a favorable review. A video from CrackBerry’s James Richardson is embedded below.

Finally NerdBerry noted the release of the most recent update to Xploding Boxes which is now up to 370 levels.

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Starbeams, Stuff I Need, Xploding Boxes

Mileage Tracker updated to version 1.2

IMG_00000038The BlackBerry 10 app, Mileage Tracker has been updated to version 1.2 in BlackBerry World. This new version now automatically fills in your start odometer reading with your most recent end odometer reading in order to make your use of the app more efficient and quicker than ever. This update also adds support for the upcoming BlackBerry Q10 in addition to some optimizations to the code of the app itself.

About Mileage Tracker

Mileage tracker is a free app designed to help you track the miles you drive on each trip for use on tax deductions, accounting, or employee reimbursements. Instead of keeping this information charted on your computer, it makes much more sense to be able to track this directly on your phone, which you normally would have with you in the car already.

IMG_00000035Trips can be grouped into categories, and edited (or deleted) at a later date. Following a one time in-app payment you can export your data into an Excel compatible .csv format and a pretty (and sortable) .html format.

Links & Information

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Mileage Tracker

Morse Code app adds support for BlackBerry Q10

Q10The Morse Code app for BlackBerry 10 has been updated to version 2.1 in BlackBerry World in order to add support for the soon to be released BlackBerry Q10.

About Morse Code

This app will take your text, and translate it back to you in Morse Code. Any text can simply be entered, and then by pressing the “Play Morse Code” button, can be turned into an audible Morse Code signal. The application also allows you to adjust the speed of the playback in words per minute in order to accommodate different skill levels.

Links & Information

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Morse Code

Stuff I Need app gets its first update

framedThe Stuff I Need app has been updated to version 1.1 in BlackBerry World. This new version adds support for the BlackBerry Q10, and also includes a delete all function on the options page in order to make it easier to refresh your list.

About Stuff I Need

Originally conceived as a grocery list app, this minimalistic checklist can be used to keep track of the stuff you need to get, or the stuff that you need to do.

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Stuff I Need

Runaway Trains adds support for the Q10

Level53smallThe colorful strategy game, Runaway Trains has been updated to version 2.4 for BlackBerry and Android. This new version has ten new levels, as well as adding support for the soon to be released BlackBerry Q10.

About Runaway Trains

Runaway Trains is a colorful strategy game for all ages where you must route the trains to the proper station. Each level progresses in difficulty and presents an unique puzzle which you must solve by finding a way to guide the coloured trains causing a collision or running out of track.

This is done by touching the intersections to toggle the open path of the tracks. If at any time the trains crash or end up at the wrong station, you will have lost and have to try again.

Level21The first 25 levels are free, while the rest of the game can be accessed following a one time in-app purchase of $2.99.

New in version 2.4

Version 2.4 of Runaway Trains adds levels 171-180, as well as new and improved menu icons. BlackBerry 10 phones also now have a new easy way to share high scores, and the app now supports the soon to be released BlackBerry Q10.

Links & Information

Android app on Google Play
Android, BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Nook, Runaway Trains

New Starbeams game released for BlackBerry 10

Level21The brand new game Starbeams has been released in BlackBerry World for all BlackBerry 10 phones. The game has 100 levels, and requires you to assign colors to each star in order to ensure that none of the stars are connected to another star of the same color. The game starts off easy, but quickly gets more complex, adding more colors and seven pointed stars that can not be changed.

As with Xploding Boxes and Runaway Trains the first 25 levels of the game are free, while the full game can be purchased through a one time in-app purchase. Currently Starbeams boasts 100 levels, but that number is sure to grow as the game is updated in the coming months.

Device Support

The game supports all BlackBerry 10 phones, including the Z10, the Q10, and the DevAlpha.

Screenshots

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Links & Information

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BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Starbeams