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Regardless of what you think about the Android platform, there’s no denying that the Market experience for finding apps is pretty poor. And that’s putting it nicely. Google has evolved the experience over the years, and the web-based Market helps a lot. But on the phone, even with Gingerbread, it’s far from great. Today, Chomp, the app search engine, launches an experience for Android that is great.

If you’ve heard of Chomp before, it was likely from their iPhone app, which focused on not only search but also personalized recommendations. But with the Chomp for Android experience, co-founder Ben Keighran decided they wanted to strip the service to its core, based on the usage patterns they’ve seen on both the iPhone and the web.

“We found out that while early on, people enjoy the social stuff, it wasn’t very sticky and people weren’t returning to the service,” Keighran tells us. “What we found was that users were actually typing into the search box what type of app they wanted to use — things like ‘expense trackers’, ‘food’, and ‘puzzle games’,” he continues. And so that’s what Chomp decided to focus on.

Keighran gave me a demo last week of just how poor this experience currently is on Android’s Market. Typing in any category gives you and handful of results that appear to be completely out of context. That’s because the search in the Market uses a combination of metadata, titles, and other signals that are obvious — and can obviously be gamed.

“We’ve developed the algorithm that really stands out on Android since search is so bad,” Keighran says. “It learns the topic and function of every app in the store. And using AI and machine learning, it builds a whole new database of apps,” he continues noting that they’ve had 20 computer scientists working on this patented technology.

And it’s not just what’s underneath — Chomp on Android actually looks really good and gives you a pleasing way to browse apps. Navigation is simple and intuitive, and the core way to browse when you find the category you’re looking for is just to swipe from side to side across different apps until you find the one you want.

And when you do find the one you want, installing it is as simple as it is in the Market. Thanks to the deep APIs that Android offers, you can download an app in the background and then be placed right back where you were in Chomp.

Alongside the Android update, Chomp’s website is getting an overhaul today as well to highlight the aforementioned things. Chomp’s key value proposition isn’t that it’s great for iPhone app search or Android app search, but rather that it’s great for all app search. And that’s why others like Blekko are now serving up their results. The big boys — Google, Bing, and Yahoo — don’t yet use Chomp’s app results, but I would not be surprised at all to see one of them getting on board soon.

Below, find a couple videos Keighran made to talk about the new app, including a lengthy one with advisor Kevin Rose.

Some Discussion Around Children And Tablet Computing

from the good,-bad-or-in-how-you-use-it? dept

This post is Sponsored by ASUS Windows Slate, in partnership with Microsoft and SAYMedia — as is fully explained in the post — but the content and views are entirely my own.

David Pogue, over at the NY Times, had a fascinating post last week about the debate that goes through his head concerning children using iPads and other tablet/smartphone devices. He worries that his son is too engrossed in using it, but the more he works through the issue, he begins to realize that maybe it’s not as big a problem as he originally thought, and it’s not necessarily the same thing as plopping a kid in front of a TV — which many people agree is probably not the best idea:

What makes my feelings on this subject even more complicated is that, in general, my 6-year-old isn’t playing mindless video games. He’s not allowed to play shoot-’em-ups or violent games at all. Instead, he’s encouraged to play creative apps — and most of the time, he does.

[...]
Come on, how can apps like that be bad for a kid? Is it really that much different from playing with paper cutouts? Or blocks? Or a toy drum set?

When he does play games, he favors thinking games like Cut the Rope (a clever physics-based puzzle game) or Rush Hour (strategy puzzles). Heck, even Angry Birds involves some thinking. You have to plan ahead and calculate and use resources wisely.

In the old days, we used to tut-tut about how much TV kids watched — but parents usually made an exception for educational shows like “Sesame Street” and “Between the Lions.” How is this any different? Shouldn’t we make exceptions for creative and problem-solving apps?

He goes on to note that we shouldn’t just assume that something is “bad” for kids because it’s electronic, and that perhaps use in moderation makes plenty of sense. This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot as well, as a father, in trying to figure out what’s appropriate technology-wise for my kid to use.

So, with that, it seemed like a perfect opportunity when SAYMedia, along with Microsoft, approached us about participating in a new “conversational” campaign they’re running, getting people discussing what are the best ways for parents to use tablets with kids. As you may see on the website directly, we have a unit between the first and second story, which is a “conversational” unit, that lets you input your own thoughts on the topic, in order to get some wider ideas. Beyond the general interest in the topic, we were interested in experimenting with this type of campaign, because (as we’ve stated for years), we like to see what happens when you build “marketing” or “ad” campaigns that aren’t one-directional, but which really involve communities, and really involve getting their thoughts on things. We hope some of you will also find it worthwhile to participate in this discussion — and let us know your own thoughts on the role of such technology in the lives of kids. Thanks for participating.

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http://www.danteesinferno.com/arts-entertainment/humor/increasing-popularity-of-action-games

Expect to see a rash of new and/or improved games for the shiny new iPad 2 in the near future. One of the first publishers out of the gate is Firemint, announcing enhanced graphics for Real Racing 2 HD.

Firemint says that although it had no detailed advance knowledge of exactly what iPad 2 would bring, the actual announcement has turned out to suit what they’ve been developing very well, i.e., gyroscopic controls, faster graphics and a lighter form factor that will be easier on gamers’ hands when holding the device.

“Real Racing 2 HD has been significantly enhanced beyond what could work on existing devices, and our efforts have definitely given us a head start on iPad 2,” Firemint says. “All these attributes combined with our enhancements to Real Racing 2 HD will create the most precise and intuitive car racing experience on any device. The 1080p HDMI output also opens up some great possibilities.” Sounds like those enhanced graphics are going to be really enhanced.

[via MacStories]

The last three months of 2008 saw Lucas on an intensive driver training program so he could qualify for an international racing license. He got the license faster than anyone had before, then joined former Le Mans and Grand Prix winner Johnny Herbert in a Nissan/Playstation Academy Nissan 350Z in the Dubai 24 hour race.

A spectacular first-up effort prompted Nissan to sign Ordoñez to a full program in the 2009 GT4 European Cup which saw him finish the series in second place with two wins and six podiums – by this stage he was racing at the forefront of an international series less than 12 months after full time studies.

Ordoñez raced again in 2010 European GT4 Cup for a series fourth alongside the 2009 Academy champion Frenchman Jordan Tresson.

This year to road to international motor racing fame takes another step as Lucas will contest the seven Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in a Signatech Nissan LMP2 car. The series consists of seven races starting with the Sebring 12 Hour in Florida on March 19, and including the 1,000km of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, the Le Mans 24 Hours in France, Petit Le Mans (Road Atlanta, USA) and finishes in China.

http://www.samsungmoment.net/arts-entertainment/humor/playing-online-games

People who love video games like to take every possible chance to play their favourite game, so it is not strange that exist so many good applications for mobile phones. Many Android phone users can get the most from their mobile tools, including the shooting games. Again the choice is big, so it is good to know what to choose if you want to spend quality free time. Also there are hundreds of free Android apps available, but be aware that many of them are not so great. To make your job easier, here is a list of top 5 best android shooting games – the order of the top 5 is random.

Quake is an adventure game that includes travelling through alternative dimensions. The task is to prevent an invasion of inter – dimensional monsters and the story is developing through 3 parts of the game, excluding the second part that was originally intended to be a separate franchise. The game is the traditional but available in high – quality graphics.

Old good Counter – Strike is probably the most popular shooting game of all times. However through the years this game has been changed and became smarter. Especially Android, has many elements of the game that has amplified the focus of the user. There are so many gadgets used in the game so it could be said that the old version has been redefined and definitely improved. “Big Range Hunting 'is a revised version of earlier models and is application one of its kind. The game is revised and improved by the application and the illustration. By quality of the app, all the earlier problems have been solved and the new artillery gives a better enjoyment.

In Antibody Lite you are saving the world by fighting an infection that threatens mankind with extinction. It is a fun game that includes war against pollution and evil – interesting combination of combat and science. There are beautiful drawings and an appealing design to stimulate the demand for all users.

iCommando is also one of the most eye – catching games and often it has been ranked as the best game by Android generally, really attractive for players from all ages. This sniper game features a rich storyline in a combination with a smooth, responsive gameplay control. That is enriched with an intense combat action, stunning urban graphics and high scores. You can find six exciting missions in three difficulty levels.

http://www.mediamanagementsoftware.info/arts-entertainment/humor/games-for-all

Just when Will's feeling pretty good about himself, he and Emma find a “sue-icide” note on Sue's desk. They run to Sue's house to save her and although passed out, she is not dead from the gummy vitamins she took. She's feeling down about her recent slump, but Will's not falling for it (yet).

Sam wants to take Quinn to Color Me Mine (seriously) she's not really into it but agrees anyway. About last week's mono incident (read about it here ), Quinn told Sam she sucked a gumball out of Finn's mouth to save his life. Sam feels like he's losing her and figures out how he can secure her love, by starting a Justin Bieber tribute band, of course.

Sue storms through the hallway, slamming glee kids into lockers and throwing papers. Sue is still angry and suicidal. Emma tries to help her by suggesting Sue join glee club. Sue's not sure about hanging out with “sponge-hair, square-chin,” but she agrees. Will concedes just to keep an eye on her.

The glee kids hate the idea, but Will convinces them to let her stay. For Regionals, they are competing against The Warbles (of course) and Oral Intensity. This year's theme for Regionals is for them to sing an anthem. Sam tells the glee kids about his Justin Bieber Experience and treats them to Bieber's “Baby”. The guys are confused, but the ladies love it. Sue: “I've got to get that girl [Sam] on my Cheerios.”

The glee boys, except Finn, want in on The Justin Bieber Experience because they saw how crazy the girls are about it. They are all in a post-Valentine's Day slump. Finn ridicules them.

Sue is excited to be behind enemy lines so she can destroy the glee club from within by pitting them against each other. The suicide was a ruse. She asks Mercedes for advice on how to be a diva…and then Rachel, thus planting the seeds of a diva-off between the two.

Finn is still hitting on Quinn, although she hasn't decided what she's going to do yet. The glee boys, AKA: The Justin Bieber Experience, perform “Somebody to Love” as their anthem. It makes the ladies crazy. Finn is completely dumbfounded. Advantage: Sam.

Lauren is only remotely impressed with Puck. Quinn's not the only one taken by Sam's “Bieber” charms; Santana wants to schedule a little talk with him. Quinn tells Finn she chooses Sam: “He owned it and it was sexy. Sam's an artist and at the end of the day, it really turns me on.”

Puck is getting turned on himself by watching Lauren wrestle. Lauren wants Puck to help her get over being nervous when she sings solo. Finn is dressing like Justin Bieber now too to try to win Quinn back.

Time for the diva-off! Rachel and Mercedes sing “Take Me or Leave Me” from the Broadway show Rent. They bond over the song and Sue's plan is thwarted. Sidenote: Rachel sings the part originated by her Glee mom, Idina Menzel.

Will calls Sue into his office and wants to take her to the Children's Hospital to sing songs in the pediatric cancer ward. She resists initially, but agrees as long as they don't sing any Journey. Will, Sue and the patients sing “This Little Light of Mine” and it's so sweet. Sue's heart just grew two sizes bigger (for now).

Rachel goes to Brittany for popularity help. She pays Brittany to attribute her fashion style to Rachel. They start with leg-warmers, which Brittany immediately wears as arm-warmers. Britt's arm-warmer trend is a hit. Soon, all the girls are dressing like Brittany – who's dressing like Rachel.

The glee girls aren't buying that Rachel is the real trend setter. Especially after Brittany hires a publicist and is named “The Trendiest Girl in America”. She would love to chat, but has to run for her interview with Teen Vogue.

Lauren pictures everyone in their underwear as she sings (well, talks) The Waitress' “I Know What Boys Like”.

Santana tell Sam that “despite [his] mouth to face ratio,” Sam's cute. She offers her services as his mistress. She ruins his fantasy that Quinn didn't cheat on him. Cheating with Santana will give him buzz at the school and show Finn who's the most popular.

Sue tells Will that none of the glee kids has performed an anthem yet. She wants the kids to sing one with her. They perform”SING” by My Chemical Romance.

Sam breaks up with Quinn. He knows she made out with Finn. He's going out with Santana now. Sue realizes she “has the music” in her and is now the new vocal coach for Oral Intensity.

Will wants to use “SING” for Regionals, but Rachel wants to do an original song. Finn agrees with Rachel that they need to write their own song and convinces Rachel to write it. Finn notes the old Rachel “might be making a comeback.”

Next Week: Rachel Berry house-party-train-wreck extravaganza.

Last week's recap: ” Silly Little Love Songs ”

http://www.guilfordmusic.com/arts-entertainment/humor/alternatives-to-boredom-with-game-playing

Okay, first of all, I love Lady Gaga. She is one of few musical artists that I think actually is an artist. She is a great singer, a great performer, a great musician, and a great song writer. Lady Gaga is in fact an artist.

Recently, Lady Gaga showed up at a baseball game wearing a black bikini and a jersey. As she was sitting the bleachers, she began giving the paparazzi “the finger”. Prior to this incident, she wore an outrageous outfit to her sister’s graduation. And in a later incident, demanded a guy who took a picture of her at a restaurant to delete the picture from his phone.

Lady Gaga is an artist, but she is also an attention whore. Why would I say such thing? Well, why would you wear outrageous outfits and bikinis to public events, then actually have the nerve to flip people off when they take pictures of you?

What do you expect to happen? You’re walking around wearing practically no clothes, and you’re shocked that people are taking pictures of you?

Lady Gaga’s music videos are becoming more edgy –so edgy that their getting pointless. Sometimes the video has nothing at all to do with the song. Take “Alejandro” for example. First, I didn’t know what the song was about anyway, but now that I’ve seen the video, I really don’t know what the song is about. The video makes the song more interesting, but I don’t get it.

Look at her transformation from “Just Dance” to “Alejandro”. What happened in between those times. Her songs got crazier, her videos got crazier, and people liked her more! The crazier she got, the more popular she became.

She knows this, and this is why she walks around wearing crazy outfits. She knows her fans or “her little monsters” as she calls it, likes to see her do something out of the norm. And she– just like a lot of other celebrities– loves to be in the spotlight.

Other articles you may be interested in:

Beyonce Claims Feminism Helped Her with Relationships

Christina Aguilera: Why Can’t She Get the Credit She Deserves?

Mariah Carey Releases a Fragrance Inspired by Ring Pops: Why is She so Childish?

I Hate Kat Stacks! What a Cheap Whore!

Chris Brown Banned in Britain: Why Are People Still Mad at Him?

If you would like to receive emails of my future article links, click on my profile, then click “Follow”. Also, follow VanityGoddess on Twitter and Myspace!

http://www.doveabove.com/arts-entertainment/humor/gaming-skills-improved-with-practice

From Lady Gaga Singing “Born This Way” in an Egg, to Cee Lo Green and Gwyneth Paltrow’s feathery “Forget You,” to Arcade Fire’s big win, watch the best moments of the Grammy Awards. Plus, view the best of the Grammy’s red carpet.

Puppets and Gwyneth Help Cee Lo ‘Forget You’

Feathers. Puppets. Gwyneth Paltrow. Cee Lo Green sure knows how to put on a show. In what may have been the most exciting (or terrifying) moment of the awards, Green sang his family-safe version of “F*ck You,” aka “The song otherwise known as ‘Forget You.’” And now competing with Lady Gaga for best over-the-top costume of the night…

Gaga Breaks Out of Her Shell

Lady Gaga rolled onto stage in her egg to perform her new single, “Born This Way.” Whether the egg motif is a riff on her her anthem about being yourself, we’re not exactly sure. Her costume, on the other hand, left little to imagination. When she accepted the award for Best Pop Vocal Album for “The Fame Monster,” Gaga gave special thanks to Whitney Houston. This means, of course, someone probably got dissed.

Aguilera’s Grammy Revenge…Sort of

After fumbling the national anthem at the Super Bowl, Christina Aguilera was set to redeem herself with a powerful tribute to Aretha Franklin. Some thought she killed it, while angry tweeters thought she mumbled the lyrics. And she may have tripped while onstage. Sigh.

Leave it to Lady Gaga to continue to break the mold. While most singers go to great lengths to keep their music under wraps before their record is officially released, Gaga has revealed the entire lyrics to her upcoming single "Born This Way" via Twitter.

In a tweet to her fans yesterday, Gaga teased, "Are you ready for the full lyrics?! Can we trend #bornthiswaylyrics!? It has been in my heart for over a year. I'm so excited to share it."

Shortly afterward, she noted, "It's #1 worldwide! That was fast! You're so radical! Here you [go] Monsters, this one's for you."

Gaga then posted the full lyrics to the song, which officially drops February 13 and includes the chorus: "I'm beautiful in my way/Cause God makes no mistakes/I'm on the right track baby/I was born this way/Don't hide yourself in regret/Just love yourself and you're set/I'm on the right track baby/I was born this way."

As Elton John told Entertainment Weekly, "Born This Way" is an empowerment song for all people.

"[It]… will completely get rid of Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive.' This is the new 'I Will Survive.' 'That was the gay anthem. This is the new gay anthem. Actually, it’s not a gay anthem," he said. "It can apply to anybody."

http://noviflorist.com/the-innovational-gaming-site.html

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Disney movies have always enthralled young children and Mulan is no exception. Do you have a Mulan fan in your house, then you’ll love these free coloring pages, online games and activity ideas for the movie Mulan released in 1998. These activities would also work well for preschool or elementary school classes and many of the ideas can be used for party games, activities or goodie bags.

Coloring Pages

http://disney.go.com/magicartist/coloring/mulan/index.html

Description: Printable coloring pages of Mulan.

http://www.hellokids.com/r_316/coloring/disney-coloring-pages/mulan-coloring-pages/?pos=0

This link contains 27 pages to color of scenes from the movie including Mushu and the Lucky Cricket, Mulan bathing her dog Little Brother and Lucky Cricket relaxing in the bathtub.

http://mulan.fredscorner.nl/mulan_coloring_book.html

About 25 coloring pages organized based on the character featured on the page.

Online Games

http://www.onlineflashgames.org/12-shooting-games/2867-flash-game-mulan-fire-away/play.html

Mulan Fire Away Game

In this game Mulan is doing archery. You earn points by getting the arrow on the target. Use the up and down arrow keys to aim, the left and right arrows to adjust the power. Then you fire using the space bar.

http://www.oyunlar1.com/online.php?flash=3200

Mulan Maze Game

In this game you use the arrow keys to get Mulan through the maze. Pick up prizes along the way to earn points. Watch out for Shan-yu too.

http://www.disneyclips.com/beautyparlour/mulan.html

Mulan Princess Parlor

In this game you can do Mulan’s makeup, change her clothes, and do her hair. This is a perfect activity for any little girl that loves Mulan.

Activity Ideas

http://family.go.com/entertainment/pkg-princess-crafts-and-recipes/

A recipe for “Panda Cupcakes”, it gives all the ingredients and instructions on how to make them. They look really cute! This link also has a craft called “Mulan’s Jade Necklace”.

http://disney.go.com/magicartist/greeting/mulan/index.html

This is a greeting card designer. You can make a birthday, Thank you, or get well card. You can choose from different pictures of Mulan characters, and create a border.

http://disney.go.com/magicartist/play/mulan/index.html

This link is called “Play Sets” it has characters from Mulan, after clicking on it you can print that character and make a puppet out of it.

http://disney.go.com/magicartist/calendars/mulan/index.html

This link leads to a page where you can create a calendar and use a picture of a Mulan character. You can also add stickers onto the calendar to mark important dates such as birthdays or holidays that are within that month.

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/5082/mulanfaq.html

This page has some great facts about the movie and the Chinese legend that served as inspiration for the movie. This is great information for a trivia game or for teachers introducing a unit about China.

http://mushings.com/?p=2531