Twitter updated their mobile apps for Android and iOS with a few new stuff. The layout got a complete makeover, but the most notable update has to be letting users share photos via direct messages.

Other features include adding users to favourites so you can get push notifications anytime they tweet. This could be done by turning notifications on from certain users, but they just made it a more prominent feature.

I’m not a fan of the abrupt design overhaul, it looks nice but it’s gonna take a lot of getting used to because they literally moved everything around. Everything includes composing a tweet: That’s at the bottom of the screen now.

How do you feel about the change? Also, please be good in your DMs

The Android platform for example, has a lot of controllers but letting those controllers work with games has always been a matter between game developers and the controller hardware manufacturers. Of course this means that fragmentation doesn’t make it easy for controller manufacturers. It took a long time for MOGA and similar companies to build up a strong library of games that work well, but now, it’s a pretty good experience.

The pioneer controllers retail $100 each, which makes playing games on your iPhone somewhat of an expensive hobby. First up is MOGA’s Ace Power, instead of the usual retractable arm that holds the phone just above the controller, the MOGA Ace Power splits in half and clamps the phone in between the two sections. The controller connects to the phone via Lightning connector rather than Bluetooth.

Touch Arcade has a hands-on report detailing the device, the report shows that they are unimpressed by MOGA’s new flagship controller.

The hollow feeling of the MOGA Ace Power, the clicky buttons, how little it weighs, the texture of the plastic and the loose rattle of the sliding mechanism when it’s not fully extended with an iPhone or iPod touch inside all work against the device feeling like a $99 piece of kit.

However, with surprise comes disappointment, and the main source of that disappointment is how incredibly obvious to us that all of the developers out there releasing updates to add iOS 7 controller support are doing so without actually testing on a controller. For instance, Dead Trigger 2 [Free] comes with default sensitivity settings that were so high there’s no way any human could play that way. Similarly,LEGO Lord of the Rings [$4.99] has controller support, but you can only move using the D-Pad, not the analog stick. Strange little inconsistencies like that are everywhere, and I’ve yet to find a game that recognizes analog button presses.

The MOGA Ace Power has large potential, future iOS controllers will follow it’s layout and much like every new device it can only get better from here.

Logitech’s controller is called PowerShell, a slightly wider competitor to MOGA’s Ace Power that retails at $100. This controller also connects via Lightning port. Just to be clear both the Ace Power and the PowerShell are for non-iPad iOS7 devices. Analog sticks are absent on the PowerShell and all the buttons are analog. Similarly unless you have very deep pockets, throwing the nearly eight-inch PowerShell into your pocket might be a daunting task.

That said hands-on reports at TechRadar and SlashGear show that the PowerShell is a much sturdier product in comparison to the Ace Power. However in practice most the same problems that affect MOGA’s Ace Power also affect the PowerShell, and since it’s been barely a week I’m pretty sure that nothing has changed with Apple’s MFI APIs and Lightning software support. The keyword here is “potential”.

So what can you play with these controllers, MOGA and Logitech share a list of 300+ titles and still growing. Dead Trigger 2, LEGO Lord of the Rings and The Walking Dead are popular games out now with MFI controller support. Limbo, Terraria and The Cave are coming out soon and major publishers are bringing some of their hit franchises to the scene. Eidos’ Deus Ex: The Fall, Ubisoft’s Trials Frontier and Electronic Arts’ Dead Space are all slated for 2014. There are also old hits ranging from Pac-Man to Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. 

iOS has grown as a gaming platform, more people own iOS devices than Xbox consoles now, it’s a good time to own an iOS device.

“We probably will, at some point I know they’re going to head to mobile. It’s bound to happen sooner or later.”

Well, it has happened. You can now download Kuluya games from the Google Play Store. Currently, there are four games: Oga At The Top, Matatu, Msitu Wars and Masai. All the games feature leaderboards with players from around the world and of course there are touch-screen controls.

For Windows Phone users, Oga At The Top seems to be the only game available. All the games are free so downloading shouldn’t be a problem.

Simply searching “kuluya” will display all their games in the search results. We’ll spend some time with them and tell you what we think.

Try these games out and let us know what you think in the comment section.

The information comes from a leaked presentation slide with alleged full specifications of the new A10. It’s already looking like a beefy hunk of phone — the A10 will use a 5-inch, 720p OLED touchscreen display paired with a  slightly faster 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and quad-core graphics chip. Above is a complete table of the device’s specifications.

The phone wouldn’t otherwise represent a big break from the Z10, although the leak hints at both a preloaded instance of BlackBerry 10.2 and a thicker Verizon variant. When the slide reportedly dates back to May, there’s a chance the hardware could change before release. Still, don’t be surprised if this ultimately represents BlackBerry’s fall flagship.

The A10 is reportedly launching in November in time for the holidays.

At midnight yesterday, MTN cut off BlackBerry 10 access to data via the blackberry.net APN used by the older BBOS devices. All the data plans provided by MTN for the older Blackberry devices will no longer work for users with Blackberry 10-based smartphones.

Sources told TechSuplex that MTN made the decision to avoid losing revenue over people exploiting and creating  loop-holes in the system that let other non-BlackBerry devices use the same plan for data.

There are dedicated Blackberry 10 plans for users with the Blackberry Q5, Q10, Z10 and rumored-upcoming A10 smartphones. Alternatively these same users can use generic data plans on the MTN network.

Apple unveiled its latest mobile operating system, iOS 7 at its Word wide developer conference (WWDC) which just kicked off yesterday. The highly anticipated OS which has been rumoured to sport a completely new look did just that. For the first time since the iPhone was announced, iOS in iOS 7 was given a UI overhaul.

• All-new Design

iOS 7 went through a thorough facelift from the lock screen to every other inch of UI you will see on the display. The difference is good enough to make the experience brand new but still feel instantly familiar with the user. All the icons have been redesigned and colour schemes have been changed. You will also notice some cool new animations.

• Control Center

Control center which can quickly be accessed by swiping from the bottom of the device is a panel which gives you quick access to controls and apps you tend to need right away. It allows you to turn or off Airplane mood, WiFi, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb, lock your screen’s orientation or adjust its brightness. Play, pause, or skip a song, connect to AirPlay-enabled devices and quickly access your flashlight, timer, calculator, and camera.

• Notifications Center

Notifications center apart from the usual things it was capable of like show missed calls and texts it now lets you view a convenient summary of your day through a feature called ‘Today’. One glance at your iPhone and you’ll know if it’s a certain someone’s birthday, if you’ll need an umbrella, or if traffic will slow down your commute. You’ll even get a heads-up on tomorrow.

• Multitasking

Multitasking was improved drastically in iOS 7. You can now see a preview of your last activity on that app at a glance and just flick it up to close it.

• Camera

With a swipe you can switch between still, video, panorama and now square allowing you capture what you want the way you want it. It also adds filters so that you can add them to your picture instantly.

• Photos

iOS7 brings Collections, Moments, and Years as a new, faster and easier way to scroll through your pictures. It allows for smart groupings of your photos and videos based on time and place. Tap Years and all your shots fill the screen. Each year holds Collections which are like group of pictures taking in different locations.

You can create a shared photo stream using iCloud to share your favorite moments with your favorite people. They can post photos, videos, and comments to your stream, and it all appears on everyone’s iOS devices — automatically. The new Activity view lets you see the latest updates from all your shared streams in one place.

• AirDrop

AirDrop on iOS devices is Apple’s answer to file sharing when the other party is close by. instead of sending via text or email you can just  tap share and select AirDrop and anyone around there or in your contacts running iOS7 will pop up.

• Safari

Safari now has unified smart search field stays hidden until you scroll to reveal it which will allow more space for content to be displayed and with a swipe, you can go back or forward a page. The browser also has a new Tab view where you can see your open web pages in a consolidated view that lets you scroll effortlessly from tab to tab. To close a page, just swipe it offscreen.

• iTunes Radio

iTunes radio is a much anticipated music service that Apple has been working on for sometime now and it will finally be available in iOS 7. It is built into the Music app. The more you listen, the more personalized it becomes. View the History of everything you’ve heard or added to your Wish List. Then tap to download the songs you want from iTunes. You can also create custom stations.

• App Store

A new feature of the App Store shows you a collection of popular apps relevant to your current location. And a new Kids category spotlights the best apps for children based on age. iOS 7 also keeps your apps up to date automatically, so you don’t have to bother. Another bonus of automatic updates: no more little red badge begging for your attention.

A few more noteworthy updates

• Unlock the phone, and icons drift down
• Revamped weather app shows dynamic weather animations onscreen; pinch for all-city overview
• iCloud photo-sharing
• iCloud keychain remembers sensitive data
• Long MMS support
• Swipe from day to day in Calendar
• Phone, FaceTime, and Message blocking
• View PDF annotations
• Activation lock to protect against theft
• Support for 60fps video capture
• Airdrop from activity sheet
• Background asset downloads
• Inclinometer support
• iOS in the Car

The devices that will support iOS7

• iPhone 4
• iPhone 4S
• iPhone 5
• iPad 2
• iPad with Retina Display
• iPad Mini,
• the fifth generation of the iPod Touch.

Unless you’re a registered app developer. The full public release comes to your iPhone and iPad this fall (with no precise date). As usual, registered iPhone developers get a crack at the new iOS 7 beta beginning today, but iPad developers will need to cool their heels for a few weeks.

Lets know what you think about iOS 7′s new look in the comments below.

After nearly 7 months since it first announced its new music player tagged the gPlayer, Gidilounge has finally said they are ready to release the next generation Gidilounge app into the wild in a few weeks.

The new music streaming app will have all the features that where disclosed to the public at their October 10th event which included the ability to browse and create playlists, save their favorites and listen to a music Lounge (curated playlists) but in addition the app will allow users to discover new and upcoming artist, listen to latest releases and the weekly Top 10 of most listened to songs on Gidilounge.

The Lounges will be positioned in a way that if you are cooking for instance, there is a lounge for that where you can listen to music as you cook, or driving or even studying. It will also cover popular genres like like Juju, Afrosoul, Afrobeat and Highlife music.

The exact date for its release has not yet been confirmed but the new gPlayer will be available on the web and all mobile platforms (iOS, BlackBerry, Windows 8 and Android smartphones and tablets) for Gidilounge and music fans everywhere.

Mr Rubin’s departure from Android comes five months after  Apple’s Software Chief, Scott Forstall, left the iPhone maker in its biggest management reshuffle in years. In November, Steve Sinofsky, Microsoft’s Head of Windows, abruptly left after a radical, mobile-centric redesign of the operating system was launched.

As for his replacement, Page says that Sundar Pichai will be taking charge of the Android team. You may know Pichai as Senior Vice President of Chrome, Chrome OS and apps. Pichai will still manage Chrome while taking on his new duties as Android lead. 

It will be interesting to see what Pichai does with Android. Some of his work with Chrome might make its way into Android and vice versa. Both have a lot to gain from each other so it will be exciting to see what the future holds for both Android and Chrome. The Google I/O 2013 conference is two months away. We might see an introduction or possibly Pichai will outline new goals for the Android ecosystem. The shake-up in Android leadership also brings up a lot of questions. Some industry observers believe Pichai’s new responsibilities could point to the merger of Chrome and Android, potentially bridging the divide between the computer and smartphones and tablets.

That’s a daunting task. Most outsiders believe Chrome and Android businesses have competed against each other, said Avi Greengart, who covers Google for research firm Current Analysis. The platforms are based on different visions for the future of computing: universal HTML 5 applications in the cloud for Chrome versus optimized native applications installed in the device for Android. Pichai’s biggest challenge will be juggling the two worlds and deciding whether they should collide.

The M.O.U.S.9 wireless mouse and the R.A.T.M mouse.

These are gaming mice primarily made for smartphones and tablets and anything in between. The R.A.T.M and M.O.U.S.9 are compact variations of the company’s acclaimed R.A.T.7 and R.A.T.9 gaming mice, which feature customizable ergonomic grips and weight systems. Mad Catz is trying to bridge this gap by making an entire line of peripherals that will work with anything that has Bluetooth capabilities through what is being called GameSmart Technology. Both the R.A.T.M. and M.O.U.S.9 boast a battery life of up to year, according to Mad Catz.

F.R.E.Q.M gaming headset.

The F.R.E.Q.M. is a compact, fold-up wired headset with an inline microphone for smartphones, tablets, and PCs. It features 40mm drivers and dual in-line audio controllers, which will let you answer calls on your phone, or mute your mic on your computer. This will run you about $150.

Mad Catz C.T.R.L.R., console-style controller.

The last piece is the C.T.R.L., which looks very similar to an Xbox controller. The big noticeable difference is that it has media buttons, otherwise it’s layout is very similar to the Xbox controller. It seems as though these will be up for sale quite soon as there are already “buy” buttons up here.

As part of its GameSmart marketing, Mad Catz is providing mobile game developers with the tools necessary to provide integrated support for the devices within their apps, mostly to ensure developer support for integration into mobile games. These devices are likely going start a trend, with manufacturers like, Logitech and Razer following suit, maybe then you can get one, until then these would drop the hammer on your wallet.

The first major reveal of CES; Nvidia has introduced an Android-based gaming handheld titled Project Shield.

The system uses the company’s new Tegra 4 processor and is housed within a controller with a flip-up screen, complete with its own integrated sound system and the complete array of controls you’d find on a traditional console controller. It features a HDMI port for video output, micro-USB for accessories and docks, and a microSD port for expandable storage. While the exact specs are still forthcoming, Project Shield has a 5-inch 720p HD display.

The system, Nvidia says, is “pure Android,” which gives it unhindered access to the standard Android interfaced, as well as apps and games from the Google Play store. It will also be able to play games installed on your gaming PC at home via remote access including Steam platform games and will play any PC game from anywhere within the same local Wi-Fi network. It’s slated for a Q2 release.

Here’s a demo video of Project Shield

Technesstivity will cover all gaming-related news from CES 2013 so stay tuned.

Video: Android Central