Monthly Archives: October 2014

Xploding Boxes all new in version 5

Z10Version 5.0 of Xploding Boxes adds new levels and new features and can be downloaded for BlackBerry, Android, Nook, and Windows 8. This is the first major revision of this app in over two years, and includes a ground-up rewrite of the BlackBerry 10 version of the app, newly added support for the Amazon Fire TV, and ten brand new levels.

About Xploding Boxes

Xploding Boxes is a strategy game where the goal is to start a chain reaction that will explode all of the boxes on the screen. Each level presents a different look and number of touches, requiring a different strategy to solve.

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

New for BlackBerry 10

The app has received a complete rewrite for BlackBerry 10 phones, and is now a fully native app written in BlackBerry Cascades. Meanwhile the gameplay screen has been redone in OpenGL to maintain a resolution independent experience that looks great on high-resolution phones such as the BlackBerry Passport. In addition to the Passport, this new version of the game also supports the newly available P’9983 and the soon to be launched BlackBerry Classic.

Xploding Boxes version 5 also automatically syncs all of your game progress to your BlackBerryID so that going forward you can switch to a new BlackBerry or reinstall the app without having to worry about backups.

New for Windows 8.1

In addition to the new levels, users of the app on Windows 8.1 will find the game to be reoptimized for their OS, with greatly improved support for split screen views.

Xploding Boxes on Amazon Fire TV

In addition to the phones and tablets, Xploding Boxes is also now available on the Amazon Fire TV where it can be played with the remote.

Links & Information

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

BBOS distribution still flat

Unlike the quick adoption seen on BlackBerry 10, classic BBOS distribution remained unchanged for another month. Just over half (53.8%) of users were running OS 7 on their phones.

StatsSept2014

This data was collected by BlackBerry World for downloads of the free BlackBerry strategy game Pixelated. Data shown on the chart is from the beginning of September 2013 through the end of September 2014, and does not include BlackBerry 10 or PlayBook devices.

BlackBerry, Statistics

Writing about Watches…

A bit over a year ago, I wrote that the smart watch wouldn’t take off. At the heart of the argument was the idea that the smartphone has come to dominate by being the one device that does everything, and that a watch would be fighting against this trend.

With the recent announcement of Apple’s entry to the watch market, it seemed like a good time to revisit these assumptions. They have not changed much. Over on Medium, I found a cheaper and more practical alternative for every feature of the Apple Watch. A full year later, I still can’t bring myself to be interested.

BlackBerry

Over 94% of users running 10.2.1 or higher in September

September saw a decent increase in the use of the newest versions of BlackBerry 10. 94.5% of Stuff I Need users, and 94.4% of Pixelated users were running OS 10.2.1 or higher.

With the release of the BlackBerry Passport at the end of the month, OS 10.3.0 was officially released. This was too late in the month to make too much of a difference, although the majority of 10.3 users are actually not even Passport users, but are running leaked versions of the OS on older phones. With in-market devices not getting upgraded until the release of OS 10.3.1 this November, the uptake of 10.3 is likely to be minimal in October as well.

2014Sept-Pixelated-BB10OSVersions

2014Sept-StuffINeed-BB10OSVersions

This data was collected by BlackBerry World for downloads of the free strategy game Pixelated and the free checklist app Stuff I Need. Data shown on the chart is from the beginning of September 2013 through the end of September 2014.

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Statistics

With Halloween around the corner, the Jack-o-Lantern app gets an update

IMG_00012057The Jack-O-Lantern app has been updated to version 2.1 with a few new faces, higher resolution images, and support for the BlackBerry Passport. This update also includes a 47% reduction in the app’s file size.

About the Jack-O-Lantern App

This application is designed to turn your phone into a virtual Jack-O-Lantern in order to help you celebrate Halloween. You can change the Jack-O-Lantern’s face by swiping in different designs from the left and right for the eyes, nose, and mouth. You can also change the back light colour of the design by tapping on the screen.

Links & Information

BlackBerry, BlackBerry10, Jack-O-Lantern, Windows