Google’s Latest Game-Changer: Field Trip

The next great game-changing app has landed, and it’s from — who else? — Google. Google’s Field Trip, available for several months now on Android, officially launched on iOS earlier this month, and it’s making quite a splash. Field Trip is a location-discovery app, which when downloaded, runs in the background of your smartphone, alerting you to fascinating nearby destinations. How many times have you passed that obscure museum down the road from your house and not realized it’s brimming with paintings from your favorite artist? What about that quirky café across town you’ve always figured had the best apple pie imaginable, but were never sure enough to try? Field Trip is in-the-know, and it wants you to be, too.

If you’re a brick and mortar business owner catering to a tourist crowd on any level, you absolutely want Field Trip to feature you. The app isn’t about showcasing chain restaurants and obvious go-to’s — instead, it highlights lesser known but equally awesome eateries, shopping destinations, architecture must-sees, museums, historical spots, movie theaters, and any place deemed cool and unique. If your business fits this bill, inclusion into Field Trip is a marketing no-brainer.

How it Works
Field Trip was developed by a segment of Google called Niantic Labs. Niantic is like a startup nestled within the dot com giant, fully dedicated to making new and innovative applications. With Field Trip, they’ve truly hit a home run.

Here’s how it works: Once you download the app from either the iTunes or Google Play stores, login to your Google account, and the application will automatically start running in the background of your smartphone. The moment you pass a location Field Trip feels you should know about, it will alert you via a ringtone or vibration. If you set your notifications as such, it will even read the title and description of the locale to you. Things of interest don’t just include physical destinations; Field Trip will also tell you about local events, nearby special offers and deals, and historical facts.

If you’re looking for something specific, Field Trip can help you there too. A list of the current categories includes: Architecture, Historic Places & Events, Lifestyle, Offers and Deals, Food, Drinks and Fun, Cool and Unique, and Art and Museums. The app is currently only covering the U.S. and the U.K., but you know Google — they won’t rest until it’s a global sensation.

What Businesses are Featured on Field Trip?
Google created partnerships with many reputable content aggregators and bloggers across the web to create the impressive collection of Field Trip posts, which is growing all the time. Examples include Zagat, the restaurant review experts (who obviously help alert users to exceptional dining in their vicinities) and The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations, a site that tracks where any and every movie was physically filmed. The majority of partners are established blog sites, such as Eater (another foodie haven) and Thrillist (a site that highlights “thrilling” and unique products and destinations worldwide.) They have also joined forces with local bloggers in major cities that assist in keeping their fingers on the pulse of each metropolitan area’s hidden gems.

How to Get Your Business In On the Action
Business owners that operate applicable destinations can’t petition Field Trip directly for placement, but you can continue your efforts to connect with like-minded bloggers and content aggregators across the web. If your business makes a mean vegan donut, for example, you are likely already featured on sites like Eater and Urbanspoon — and if you’re not, you should start making that connection today. It’s these SEO and marketing-related partnerships that will land you a coveted spot in Field Trip as well. If you are featured on a relevant site, feel free to suggest it to Google instead. TheCultureist, a blog about travel, food and culture trends, recently became the first Field Trip partner recommended by users. Making friends with potential marketing partners is your way in.

Additionally, users can post newfound hot spots to Google+, Twitter and Facebook, and conceivably, if enough folks tag the same location, Google will add it to the service. So if you have a social media savvy customer base, get them on the job. This could conceivably echo FourSquare style business discounts, with merchants offering great deals to visitors who post them on Field Trip. The app is young, so we shall see how the landscape develops.

User Concerns and Feedback
Since launch, Field Trip has had its share of naysayers as well. Many echo privacy concerns, simply because it’s necessary that Google know where you are in order to send you relevant content. As such, some are feeling watched. The truth is, Field Trip isn’t responsible for bringing on a lack of privacy. If you carry a cellphone with GPS initiated, you can be traced. So complaints about Field Trip knowing too much just isn’t warranted — either one is into the benefits and convenience of GPS technology, or not. Those of us already addicted to Google Maps will easily see the benefits of Field Trip.

Worried that you’ll be inundated with constant alerts? So far, Google has been very smart about their content partners, and notifications are not in the least bit excessive. If you do end up feeling a bit overwhelmed, the notification controls allow you to turn updates on or off anytime, or to only receive content from your favorite individual sources. You can opt for frequent or occasional notifications too, so rest assured you have plenty of control over how often Field Trip has something to share.

Why Field Trip is Poised for Greatness
Besides being an obvious boon for featured merchants, Field Trip is a win for users too. While most of us can honestly say the last thing we really need is another app, Field Trip has the makings of a must-have. For starters, its diversity lends itself to constant usage. Sure, it’s obviously perfect for vacations, as it literally can act like a tour guide with audio read-outs about all nearby must-sees. But think about how much you could learn about your day-to-day surroundings that currently lie hidden in your awareness. Field Trip could make home feel like a new and exciting destination, and that’s pretty special. Anything that helps make our real world come alive in a more visceral and interactive fashion immediately has staying power, and Field Trip does this in spades.
Google’s Latest Game-Changer: Field Trip 
A Post from SPN

The Secret World of Video Game Speedrunners

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is an epic game; it takes hours to explore dungeons, travel through time and fight giant monsters. Released in 1998, it’s the first Legend of Zelda game to breach the third dimension, and it was meant to take players hours or days to complete on their Nintendo 64.
Or, you could beat the whole thing in 21 minutes and 45 seconds.
This is known as a speedrun. Talented players use their skills, days of practice and known glitches to get the fastest possible time in games that were never intended for quick play. This isn’t about appreciating the game for the story or the graphics, but about exploiting development holes for players to burn through.
In the past, there wasn’t a way to prove the glitches weren’t just something added by the players to get a faster time. But thanks to services like uStream and Twitch.TV, speedruns are broadcast for thousands to enjoy and scrutinize.

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The Digital Gold: Olympic Video Games

The world's eyes turn toward jolly ol' England on July 27th for the start of the London 2012 Summer Olympics. The honored and respected quadrennial international contest has a rich history of memorable moments and human drama that has made the event a must-see for sports fans and nationalists alike.
The Olympics have made an impact on home computers and video game consoles, too. Although Olympic video games lack wondrous people moments such as Michael Phelps winning eight gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics or 1980's "Miracle on Ice," they gives armchair athletes the ability to make their own marks against smack-talking friends.

The video game industry has released numerous Olympic-themed games in its roughly 40-year existence (both officially licensed and non-licensed) games that let gamers participate in the hurdles, 100-yard dash, swimming, gymnastics, and other sports. Unfortunately, like other video games based on real-world properties, the quality of Olympic video games has been hit or miss—mostly miss. That said, there are a few golden gems in the muck that are worth a play.

The Olympic and Olympic-themed games in this roundup cover the computer and home video game console titles that are true representatives of the multi-sport event—no stinkers here. Their play styles, however, are radically different. Older games crafted with the arcade and 8-bit computers in mind are button-mashing and joystick-jiggling affairs that wrecked controllers; the most-recently released Olympic title utilizes Microsoft's revolutionary Kinect motion-controller for hands-free gaming.
As always, check out our slideshow below for commentary on the best Olympic games, and feel free to leave your own picks in the comment section.

The Activision Decathlon (1983)

The Activision Decathlon's programmers (which included the legendary David Crane) must have been sitting on significant joystick stock. That's what immediately comes to mind when reflecting on this early '80s title which brought the high jump, 400-meter race, discus throw, and other contests to the ColecoVision, Commodore 64, and MSX platforms. The Atari 2600 version was a bastard of game that destroyed joysticks (and wrists) as gamers had to rapidly move their sticks left and right to run. Still, The Activision Decathlon is a title (somewhat) fondly remembered by the Gen-X set.

Summer Games (1984)

Summer Games was the first of Epyx' multi-sport competitive titles that were released in the mid to late '80s. Although Summer Games lacked an official Olympic license, the game packed several Olympic sports including pole vaulting, sprinting, skeet shooting, and more. The Commodore 64 version let gamers compete in even more events than the other versions as it let players link it to Summer Games II (released in 1985) to create a single huge event.

Winter Games (1985)

Epyx did more than replicate the summer Olympic Games. Winter Games, the developer's take on the Winter Olympics, also lacked an official Olympic license, but it was another excellent sports title for the Amiga, Apple II, Commodore 64, and home video game systems. Winter Games featured eight events, including the ski jump, luge, bobsled, biathlon, and other snow-and-ice competitions.

Track & Field (1987)

This is the game that gave an entire generation of kids hand blisters, sore fingers, and other nerd-specific injuries. Track & Field, Konami's first foray into Olympic-themed video games, was originally released in arcades in 1984, but ported to the Atari 2600, Commodore 64, NES, and other home computer and video game consoles. Players' race for glory saw them compete in the long jump, hurdles, javelin throw, and more. The NES version used a chip-tuned "Chariots of Fire" as its splash screen composition, a track used in the arcade version's closing credits.

Capcom's Gold Medal Challenge '92 (1992)

Released the same year as the Barcelona Summer Olympics, Capcom's Gold Medal Challenge '92 features over a dozen events including the long jump, 100 meter backstroke, weightlifting, and marathon. Capcom's Gold Medal Challenge '92's gameplay relies on heavy button-mashing, but unlike many other 8-bit Olympic-themed video games, it requires players to press the "B" and "A" buttons with a particular rhythm. The game's also well-remembered for its 8-player competition that inspired much smack talk.

Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (2012)

There was quite a drought when it came to memorable Olympic Games games, but the wait for a couple worth playing has ended just in time for the London 2012 Olympics with the inevitable video game tie-ins. This time, as in 2008, former rivals Nintendo and SEGA have collaborated on an arcade-style take on the ceremonies with the lengthily-named Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. This Nintendo 3DS cartridge boasts over 50 competitive events starring the plumber, the hedgehog, and several of their friends, rivals, and enemies. There's lots of competitive fun in the single or multiplayer modes, but the overly simplistic versions of some events dulls the experience a bit.

London 2012 (2012)

London 2012, the official tie-in game for the upcoming summer Olympics, is Sega's second take on the international contest (the other being Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games). The sports title features numerous competitions (archery, aquatics, gymnastics, table tennis, and more), and countries (including Australia, Brazil, Greece, Jamaica, Kenya, Ukraine, United States) to select. London 2012 also features motion control support (Microsoft Kinect for Xbox 360 and Sony PlayStation Move), an online multiplayer mode to compete with online community's best, and very solid commentary. London 2012's biggest positive is its modern game design; rapid-fire button-mashing is discouraged in favor of more precise, well-paced inputs.

Which Android game is worth to buy?

Asphalt 5 HD (for Android)
3.5 stars, $ 4.99

From racing games available on Android, Gameloft Asphalt 5 HD ($ 4.99, right) led the pack. Asphalt 5 looks good, and drives better by putting you in the driver's seat with three different control schemes. When it comes to the garage, this rider laps the competition with 30 customizable vehicles. Multiple-choice accounts of how the game physics to use the proper handling of women as accessories of auto-damaging other a smooth journey. And for all the luxury and glamorous, Asphalt 5 can not match revelries rube from Reckless Racing ($ 4.99, right). But for those who seek treatment VIP racing, Asphalt 5 is your journey.

Backbreaker Football (for Android)
$ 2.99

If you are looking for arcade-style soccer that allows you to feel pigskin without learning a complex control scheme, together with Backbreaker Football. Backbreaker drops you into the game, and, if you're still standing in 90 seconds, you'll be ready for the big leagues. The goal is simple: get the ball to the other side of the field. Once you start running and the defender came charging, but with the complexity becomes painful, bone crushingly obvious. By combining reaction-spin, side steps, Jukes-by-tilting your phone's accelerometer to control the direction-you dodge, sprint, and likes to show off the road to the stars. With back-to destroy a stadium animation and carefully drawn, Backbreaker catch tactility and adrenaline of the game.

Jump Doodle

It's hard to imagine getting more mileage than a dollar from Doodle Direct. This game sends endurance (sweet) you "doodle" platform jumping to new heights. The premise is simple: travel as high as you can without missing a platform, or hit a baddie. You control your doodle by tilting your phone from side to side and aimed upgrades such as springs, jet pack, and force fields. Tapping anywhere on the screen lets you fire (spit?) On your opponent are equally captivating. If it sounds simple jaw-droopingly, it is because it is. However, two elements that will make you jump: captivating graphics-game looks as if it had doodled on graph paper-integration and high scores, traced the red line along the right side of the page.


Dungeon Defender: First Wave (for Android)
$ 4.99
With the strategy, action, character development, and a hyper-stylish cartoon world of fantasy perched on the Unreal Engine, Dungeon Defender ($ 4.99) to assemble all the components that are fun and highly addictive mobile games. Located in Etheria mythic, the game lets you control four characters, each with different equipment, attack, and the tower. With the wave routing the enemy, you gain experience by which you could upgrade (level-up) character or their towers. As indicated by the title, dungeons-eight of them-are very important for the game-play, each with a unique layout that demands a certain player's strategy, calling the tower. Defender Dungeon siege in two modes: you can prevent the enemy on your own (Local) or join up to four friends online (Online). For those looking for more action-and-horsepower in their tower defense game, Defender Dungeon: First Wave will be satisfactory.

Jewellust (for Android)
$ 2.95

Jewellust ($ 2.95) brings jewel swapping and destroy the new, more exotic locales, with 30 levels spread across seven pyramids. Much like Bejeweled, Jewellust asking adventure to swap adjacent gems to form vertical columns or horizontal lines. However, this is only one part of the puzzle: You are also tasked with opening the cryptic puzzle pieces before time runs out. If you succeed, you will run away with the prize jewel of the Ancient. The game packs two modes: Campaign, where you navigate the seven pyramids of Egypt to collect the seven crystals to open the Pharaoh's Treasury, and Survival, in which the same rules apply, but the points are paramount. Along the way, there are plenty of luxury and glamor to make you shoot, the Destroyers, which triggered a chain reaction is suitable to eliminate the gems, to the Big Bang, which randomly attacks and blasts away cut gems.


Real Soccer 2011 HD (for Android)
$ 4.99

Real Soccer 2011 HD ($ 4.99) lets you kick-off Euro Cup 2012 today. With nine leagues and 245 teams, there are teams for the most finicky fan, in accordance with a dynamic camera angle based on motion capture technology that ensures you'll never miss a kick, you can even share your favorite replays on YouTube or challenge friends over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. There is a mode for every mood, including the Historic Challenge that lets you turn back, and the possibility of forming again, the history of football, and Being a legend, where you can command a certain player for the entire season. Unlocking achievements and trivia answer, you will find that the more you play, the more you'll want to play-not like the game itself.

Reckless Racing (for Android)
$ 4.99
The fact that Reckless Racing ($ 4.99) originally wore this moniker "Deliverance" sidekick noisy racer, the roots of the country. Reckless Racing features six vehicle driven by a, how should we say, vibrant cast of characters including Bubba, Cletus, Floyd, Lurlene, and Otis. If you do not tend to fork it, immersive game graphics, banjo soundtrack, and 3D physics will send you skidding, sliding, and slipping in a number of racetracks rough and tumble. hillbilly hijinks comes in three modes: Dirt Rally (race against five opponents), Hot Lap (time attack), and Deliver (where you must collect and distribute the packet within the specified time.) Another challenge bumpkins over a LAN or the Internet or using the built-in chat to coordinate your derby.

Sims 3 HD (for Android)
4 stars, $ 6.99

EA Mobile has ported the definitive simulation game, Sims 3 HD ($ 6.99), for the iPhone, iPad, or on your Android phone. This application has an additional feature the latest from the desktop version, including the ability to Wish mobile-systems that consolidate Wants and Fears to 70 + Goals and Wishes-while exploiting through mini-games. Solid graphics and camera controls are fairly easy to follow your character (Sim) from home to town and back again. If the daily maintenance is not satisfactory, there is a feature called The Story Progression Sim that follows you through life. For gamers who prefer not to throw them to the desktop Sims, Sims 3 HD optimize the experience for on-the-go gaming.

Spider-Man: Mayhem Total HD (for Android)
4 stars, $ 4.99
In Spider-Man Gameloft: Total Mayhem HD ($ 4.99), available for Android, iPhone and iPad, New York is invaded by evil from the last game the Red Sox. As a young Peter Parker, it challenges you to fight and involves a cast of unsavory criminals who had escaped from prison and dismissed the city's streets. Total Mayhem relieve you of the most famous nemeses of the Green Goblin, Dr. Octopus, Electro to Venom-at a level that sends you a dozen swings in the Manhattan sky, brushing the subway, and criminals beating with 20 combinations of explosive battles and special attacks.



SteamBirds (for Android)
4 stars, $ 1.99
One of the steam-punk, two-part strategy, and three-part air dogfight, Steambirds ($ 1.99) from Spry Fox LLC is a cocktail, if rigid, satisfying for gamers Android. The story begins in a vision of steam-punked from 1835 when Sir Albert Pendleton finds a low temperature fusion that powers then-although "nuclear hotboxes"-the first plane. Games take on World War I (and II) where you and Axis Allies face a nuclear-powered steam-equipped Powers. In 1939 Paris-smoldering rubble for the first victim of nuclear weapons-and you have to fight the attackers atoms through the air turn-based dogfights. You're pathetic outgunned, as reflected in the difficulty in mounting a challenge, but if you can shoot down the enemy before you're gunned down, you can save your skin, and the world.