Microsoft is getting ready to come out with their first “made for the public” mobile platform. While the company has taken plenty of criticism for the previous Windows Mobile OS, they will be the first to admit that their previous platform has been designed with the needs of business clients in mind. But now, with the number of people using smart phones growing steadily to include non-business users, it is time for Microsoft to adapt a new strategy.

The Windows Phone 7 is all about the user experience. From the stylish new OS to the easy to use interface, the end user is given utmost priority with the handset. While the restricted and closed system is easily felt by the developers, people using the phone will find it easy to jump around the device link from one menu to another and accomplish plenty of tasks without having to move back to the home screen after every step.

Each part of the new OS has been interconnected, from the contact lists to the media files and even the maps feature.

Of course, it also helps that services such as Bing search, Zune media and Xbox Live Games are also connected to the device. In this way, a user can instantly invite a friend to play an online game, send a quick media file and arrange a quick meet up with other friends to a new place you found on the maps feature.

Microsoft is also planning to move the launch of the OS from October to September. This is pretty surprising move since they had originally announced that the OS will be coming out during the holiday season –and an October launch date already seemed too ambitious. But now, it seems that they are pushing themselves further by moving the date to September.

Many might remember the classic Disney live action science fiction film Tron, the movie was famous for its (then) high end special effects and the (also then) intense, high speed light cycle matches. While several games over the years have tried to recreate the experience and the intensity of the movie, very few have come close. For the Google Android, an early game by the name of Light Cycle 3D by Battery Powered Games comes pretty close.

The game itself comes in full 3D, with lighting and graphics that matches the style and feel of the classic movie. While the title itself is not an official Disney product, it still brings plenty of the original spirit that has made Tron quite famous.

The game itself is simple, players steer a light cycle in a grid around a walled arena and blaze a large laser wall in their trail. This trail will stay up for the whole round. The point of the game is to force opponents into a wall while avoiding the walls that the opponents have made.

It is simple and easy at low speeds, but at higher difficulties and faster speeds, Light Racer can prove to be quite a challenge. In terms of controls, all cycles move at a similar speed, which makes the combat more of strategic steering than a race. With the only available controls being to turn left or right, players are made to face the challenging reality of this game early on.

In terms of graphics, this Google Android game is pretty top notch. Even on a low spec G1 handset, Light Ricer 3D runs are a pretty decent space. While having to tap the screen with a finger will obscure your peripheral vision, the overall gameplay is satisfying and fulfilling. According to the developer, version 1.2 of this impressive app is already available on the Android Market.

Sonic the Hedgehog has been a video game icon since his debut on the Sega Mega Drive. When Sega decided to stop making consoles, fans thought that the Sonic franchise would be neglected as well. On the contrary, the Japanese company decided to release Sonic in many different platforms such as the Nintendo Wii.

Although it is far from forgotten, the blue blur has not had the exposure it needs to win the hearts of the gaming masses again. Thankfully, Sega decided to make good with their promise to bring Sonic the Hedgehog to the iPhone. This was confirmed when Sega decided to give chosen journalists a sneak peek during the E3 game convention held at Los Angeles.

This specific title will be a multi platform release. Aside from Apple’s iPhone, it will also grace the Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. The story arc follows the one in Sonic and Knuckles which was released for the Sega Mega Drive. It will bring plenty of familiar elements such as the horizontal scrolling game play. This project is being lead by the Sonic Rush (Nintendo DS) franchise developer “Dimps” in cooperation with the Sonic Team.

Sega’s current goal is to polish the game controls to make it just the combination of touch and tilt. A virtual directional pad reminiscent of a console game controller is also provided for accuracy.

Since the retro style is kept intact and the game retains its distinct flavor, Sonic’s old fans will really have something to look forward to. Those new to the game will most likely find it enjoyable as well, seeing as there are few games on the iPhone resembling the title.

Sega did give their word that they will not compromise so the amount of content in the handheld versions will be at par with the console releases.

While developers might not be too happy that the Android market is well known for its wide range of free applications (they do need to make a profit after all, making apps and games costs money), end users will always enjoy being able to access useful features that will not require them to spend a single pence.

With the World Cup fast approaching, it certainly helps being able to rely on your Android smart phone for all the big updates. Choosing an app, however, can be pretty tough, with the thousands of choices available on the App store, figuring out which one to go for can be tough. So here is a quick list of our most recommended Android applications that will keep you on top of all the big news updates for the World Cup.

First off, the World DroidCup -this is one of the best tools we have found when it comes to getting all the big highlights. Do not expect long news updates however, the DroidCup focuses more on the numbers and statistics, providing users with updated tables and match results. It is the perfect app to use when you only have a few minutes to spare and cannot afford to take in the long news articles found in other websites. As expected, this app is free to download so you can get it now.

Another free app that we recommend is the EvriThing World Cup. The name may sound odd, but the app is absolutely fantastic. It gives users a running thread of news updates and match highlights. The app itself uses very little images and other content so loading is fast and smooth. As you might expect, all the articles on the site are updated by the moment, providing users with a unique insight to the matches as they happen.

Though it was not initially intended for gaming, the iPhone has gotten a significant chunk of the casual gaming crowd to switch over to Apple’s side of the revenue pie. Why has it become such a popular gaming device? Well for starter, there are many casual game apps readily available in the Apple App Store.

Anyone can just switch games on the fly as long as they have the credits to buy it. Games are cheaper too, as compared to their Nintendo DS or Sony PSP counterparts. And lastly, the iPhone has more uses than a dedicated portable gaming device, which makes it all the more appealing to the casual crowd.

Since the iPhone 4 was announced, people have speculated on its various on board technologies. The gaming community held its breath as Apple unveiled a control sensor that could significantly change gaming on the go.

Much like the Wii Motion Plus’ control sensor, the new iPhone will sport a three axis gyroscope that will work hand in hand with the existing accelerometer on the device. This will allow for precision based controls that need feedback such as the rate of rotation, angular velocity and user acceleration. Potentially it could be used for driving simulation games or even first person shooters.

The iPhone 4 will be the missing link between the Wii Motion Plus that has only a tuning fork gyroscope (two axis) and the Playstation 3’s Sixaxis or Dual Shock 3 motion controls.

Gaming on the iPhone may just affect the existing market in a big way. While the Nintendo DS attracts kids of all ages, the iPhone has a bigger reach and a better appeal to those who really have the money to spend. That could mean that portable gaming will move from the niche crowd to the mainstream with the inclusion of connectivity elements. Microsoft may be the next big player with their upcoming Windows Phone 7.

If there is one thing that is really interesting about the new age of app and game development, it in how much room for experimentation there is.

Before, game developers could not afford to just play around while making games. There are plenty of game producers who had great ideas, but innovation was stifled by high productions costs. During a time when game distribution was limited solely to actually producing floppy disk/CD installers, there was no room for making games that were not certified to make a profit –and even then, there were plenty of games that still flopped.

However, the emergence of the internet, better data transfer speeds and impressive hardware on smart phones have encouraged the growth of a new industry; the app market. Apple and Google are benefitting a lot from this business model, and many small companies are poised to earn plenty by coming up with plenty of downloadable games –thanks to the internet and smart phones, micro-transactions has become the lifeblood of many development companies and individual developers.

Now, developers are able to create games that are more than just money-making programs, there are plenty of developers who are trying out genres that could not be delved into before and surprisingly; there is also money to be made with simple artistic games.

While the hardcore gaming market has also been a strong influence for the demand for the creation of games with artistic value or genuine depth, it is the app markets on smart phones that have provided the financial foundation for this new era of artistic mini-games.

This development has also become a stepping stone for many small game companies. Thanks to app markets, developers can now have their works made and noticed –and some of the best success stories end with tie ups with major developers such as Sony.

App game developer Camel Games has launched Shoot U!, an interesting new Android game that will have payers laughing and grinning as they launch scribbled humanoids off a sketchbook cannon and enjoy the games physics.

The point of the game is simple: hit the red ball with the star in the center. In order to do this, players take control of a cannon on one side of the screen and by manipulating the objects in the stage (by shooting humanoids at it) the target will be hit. The first few stages are simple ballistic challenges. This is later made intricate in later stages where there are levers, balancing platforms, slopes and other things around the red ball.

And by red ball, we do mean red ball. The target itself is not a static object; it will be pushed around by levers and roll off slanted edges. More often than not, players will have to toss a humanoid into one or two objects in order to move the red ball in place where it can be hit. Some stages will even encourage players to push the target up in the air and hit it with proper timing.

The gameplay of this title is addictive, though there some points when the actions feels a little too repetitive and players might want to put it down after a while. Regardless, Shoot U is a game that player will keep coming back to when they need to play something that actually requires a little more thinking and planning than the usual.

Graphics wise, this title borders on the semi-artsy with its scribble-style artwork. Some stages are designed in a manner that looks a little haphazard, but all in all, the game stays true to its own unique style and approach. Players looking for a game with a little more depth and detail might want to go for the more traditional looking titles out there.