In the last of a trio of short mini-reviews for Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) App store games (and Apps) you can now purchase, I am taking a look at iChillout, from Chillingo Ltd.

iChillout is a rather leftfield proposition, in that it’s there not as a game or productivity App, but as a relaxatory aid. Here’s the official breakdown on what it is about:

So there’s not a mass of complexity to what this App does - but the question is, does it do it well? Hmmm, I’ve got to say yes! I wouldn’t usually go a bundle on these sorts of Apps, but once I found sound 20 (English Woodland) I was sold - I really like the sound of birdsong in an otherwise peaceful environment!

There’s a good range of stuff here - and I can imagine if you are having trouble relaxing, this could well help you unwind. Overall, I’m saying this is worth a try - and for £0.59, you can’t go wrong!

Conclusion: Recommended!

In the second of a few short mini-reviews for games you can get in the Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) App Store, I am taking a look at Pocket Mini Golf 2, from Chillingo Ltd.

PMG2, as I’ll call it, is surprisingly enough, based on Mini Golf ! Here’s the official breakdown on what the game is about:

I have to let you in a little secret - Mini-Golf games are my favourite genre of casual games - the fact you can pick it up, control it easily, but it still requires some skill, is I think the perfect mix! PMG2 is no exception - I was wondering how the isometric controls you often need in these games would translate to a touchscreen, but the best test (just pick it up and see if the buttons come naturally to you) was passed well!

The graphics are not outstanding - but then again, they don’t need to be - they just need to show you where you are going with the ball, and if you sink it - kinda like a pool simulator game, the enjoyment is more in the skill of sinking a ball with a great shot!

Overall then, a great game - granted, I’ve not tried too many others from the veritable plethora of other games on the App store, but as a standalone this is well worth the £1.79 I invested in it.

Conclusion: Well recommended

In the first of a few short mini-reviews for games you can get in the Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) App Store, I am taking a look at circuit_strike.one, from Chillingo Ltd.

CS One, as I’ll call it, is a neat little top-down shooter, based on classic 360-degree ‘zero gravity’ shooters that we all know and love from years ago. Here’s the official breakdown on what the game is about:

But on with the review proper:

First thing I noticed, it takes a little bit of time to download - now that’s usually a good sign with App store games, because it means you are getting a ton of media (GFX, SFX) in the game - on launching the App I wasn’t disappointed - it’s  a visual treat, and sounds good too!

I was worried about how this game was going to play, because I’m used to having tactile control through a joypad - well, again I need not have worried because it controls well. The font in the game is a little but stylised for my liking, and sometimes hard to read - but that’s a minor quibble really. This game is extremely playable also, and in terms of casual gaming, I really liked it!!

So overall, I’d highly recommend it - but hang on, what about the cost? Ooh, that could be a stumbling block - er, hope - how does £0.59 strike you?!

Conclusion: Highly recommended

A few short weeks ago, Rogers unleashed the HTC Magic and Dream, allowing Google’s mobile OS, Android, to descend upon Canada like a swarm of open source, robotic, bright green locusts. I, for one, welcomed our new insectoid overlords. Will had already enjoyed the bleeding edge of Android when it first came out in the fall with T-Mobile’s G1, but since then we’ve experienced the much-touted Cupcake update, and a new piece of hardware to carry the world’s second-newest cellphone platform. The G1 didn’t really come off as a comfortable, let alone sexy smartphone; the chin was bizarrely angled, and could easily get in the way of typing, and the whole thing looked fairly chunky. On the other hand, the Magic, announced in Barcelona at MWC, was a proper device that could easily appeal to the mass market, and make Android more than just a developer’s sandbox. T-Mobile will soon be releasing the MyTouch 3G, their version of the Magic, so read on for a peek into the future.

Update: Samples from the camera now included in the gallery.

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OtterBox announcing their uber-protective cases for the BlackBerry 8900 Curve, was my kick in the ass to finally crack open the Storm case they had sent me eons ago. Right off the bat, I could tell that there was a lot of differences in this model, namely the latching mechanism for the hard case is a much more convenient slide action rather than the brutish “crunch until it snaps” technique. If you haven’t heard of OtterBox, they make the toughest cases for phones out there. I’ve been looking at their Defender series, which uses three layers of protections (clear screen, hard plastic, and rubber skin), since it first came out, and with every new device they make some pretty interesting adjustments.

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There aren’t too many sweeter combinations of words to hear than “portable” and “hotspot.” Especially for mobile geeks enthusiasts like me. Imagine my excitement when Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless announced their own-branded version of Novatel’s MiFi Intelligent Portable Hotspot, the Verizon MiFi 2200! A self-contained WiFi router that fits in my pocket? Yes please.

Tipping the scales at a scant 2.05 ounces and measuring a credit card-like 8.8mm thick, the Verizon MiFi 2200 Portable WiFi Hotspot is smaller than my laptop mouse. But, my mouse can’t broadcast its own WiFi network out to five separate WiFi devices while serving up data from Verizon’s 3G (EVDO Rev. A) data network.

The Verizon MiFi 2200 promises something like 4 hours of WiFi data connectivity for up to five WiFi-enabled mobile devices (laptops, smartphones, cameras, printers… you get the idea), with almost two days of stand-by time, thanks to that integrated Li-ion battery. But, can a 3G router barely bigger than a few stacked credit cards deliver near-broadband data speeds reliably and conveniently?

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The HTC Touch Diamond hit the scene last year with hard-hitting features that led the smartphone pack at the time. We’re talking VGA touchscreen, a quality 5-megapixel camera, WiFi, GPS and 3G connectivity - all packed into a slim and trim package barely half an inch thick. So, how do you top that? With the HTC Touch Diamond2, of course.

The Diamond2 still hasn’t officially landed in the USofA, but expect AT&T (NYSE: T) to pick up the Diamond2 as the HTC Warhawk (awesome name!) in the near future. For the time being, you’ll have to make do with a European Diamond2 or just keep yourself busy with the review and photo gallery below! (Summary at end)

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It’s finally here! The Verizon (NYSE: VZ)-branded MiFi 2200 has been a long time coming, and now that Novatel’s credit card-sized portable 3G wireless router is available from Verizon as the Verizon MiFi 2200, mobile road-warriors can take their WiFi network with them wherever they please. As long as you’ve got a decent lock on Verizon Wireless’ EVDO data network, the Verizon MiFi 2200 will make sure you’re online and ready to rock work.

Portable 3G routers aren’t exactly new. But, until now, these solutions were basically full-sized WiFi routers with nothing more than a slot for your broadband data card. The MiFi Portable HotSpot does everything those clunky old 3G routers  can do, but it shrinks everything down to the size of a really thick credit card - with an on-board operating system and integrated Li-ion battery to boot!

The MiFi broadcasts a WiFi network using 802.11b/g standards, allowing up to five people to simultaneously surf Verizon’s 3G network. Novatel and Verizon claim the battery should be good for up to four hours of continuous use. We’ll have to see how close that figure reflects on real-world performance.

There’s just something about being able to tote around a WiFi network in your pocket that tickles our inner geek silly. Excuse us while we go play.

Full review to follow. Here are some unboxing pics to hold you over.

EA Mobile’s stable of iPhone games is already impressive, but it’s about to get even better. The mobile arm of famed game developer EA is putting the finishing touches on their latest in iPhone gaming - The Sims 3 for iPhone -  and we’ve got the first-look scoop for all our readers!

These are the same guys behind iPhone-tastic gaming titles like Spore Origins, Tiger Woods PGA Tour and Need for Speed Undercover, so you know their “next big thing” is going to be, well, big. And, after spending some time with the EA Mobile team and their Sims 3 iPhone game, we’re convinced they have a hit on their hands. Keep reading for our first-look preview.

[Updated]
Now with 100% more video! (at bottom)

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You wouldn’t believe the looks I got while using the BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Pearl Flip at CTIA Wireless. Most were of surprise, others bordered on disgust, others still were closer to curiosity. Even the RIM people gave me weird reactions - “Really? You use that?” Still, I reassured everyone that my regular BlackBerry was a Bold, which was met with many a sigh of relief. One of the some common complaints for the Pearl Flip have been a cheap-feeling construction, the oddly recessed trackball, how the flip jutts out the rear, and overall size, but after using the Pearl Flip from Telus (NYSE: TU) off and on almost since launch, I can say I’m not that disappointed with it. It wouldn’t replace my Bold in a million years, but the 8230 does have a few things going for it. Since the BlackBerry 8230 just came out on Alltel and we’re expecting it on Verizon (NYSE: VZ) soon, we thought it might be worth checking out.

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