Top 10 iPhone Games of All Time

Perhaps it is the sensitive touch screen, the straightforward interface, or the ubiquitous nature of the iPhone among us today that accounts for its insane popularity, but there is no denying that the iPhone as a gaming platform is here to stay.

Today, we bring you the top 10 must-try iPhone games of all time.

10. Plants Vs Zombies

In the wildly popular tower defence game, you are a farmer that has to pick from 48 different types of plants to cultivate on your lawn to defend yourself from a zombie invasion. With its comically animated zombies and catchy soundtrack that grows on you, Plants vs Zombies is definitely on its way to being a classic.

9. Canabalt

In Canabalt, you control a guy on the run attempting to escape the demolition of your city. Using only one control (tapping the screen enables you to jump), you will have to avoid obstacles like boxes and crumbling buildings.

While uncomplicated, it is addictive in its simplicity. With its pixel art graphics and soundtrack that matches the game perfectly, game developers Semi Secret Software have themselves a winning formula.

8. Bookworm

A clone of its PC version, Bookworm is an addictive word-forming game that requires the player to form words with adjacent letter tiles. Twists are involved in the form of fire-burning tiles that are dropped onto the grid. With an extensive library, simple controls and cute graphics, it’s no wonder this classic gem has remained a crowd favourite since its release in 2009. 

7. N.O.V.A

N.O.V.A (Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance) is a first person shooter game with local and online multiplayer modes. Its unique controls allows for flexibility in controls for your character by dragging and dropping elements as you please. With a combination of smooth action, effort in characterization and easy controls, N.O.V.A combines all goodness of a full-fledged PC game with the added convenience of portability.

6. Peggle

Reminiscent of pachinko, you are given a canon with 10 silver balls in it. In a test of physics and geometry, you are required to clear the screen of pegs by hitting them with the silver balls. Along the way, different coloured pegs will activate different bonuses or setbacks. A game that is half tactical precision and half chance, it is sure to keep you riveted for hours. 

5. iBlast Moki

This is a physics-based puzzle game wherein you place bombs at strategic areas so as to propel the colourful Moki balls into exit portals throughout the level. With tools like ropes, balloons and rods, you are also able to set off bombs at different timings to create a domino effect that boosts the Moki balls to safety. Highly challenging and rewarding, iBlast Moki earns a nod for its realistic premise and easy controls, with colourful and cute graphics to boot.

4. Cut the Rope

Another engaging puzzle game that tests your skills of judgment and physics, the goal of the game is to deliver a piece of candy into a monster’s mouth by cutting ropes and using other tools. You are also able to replay levels as many times as you like in order to get the full three stars. Challenging puzzles, simple controls and adorable graphics, Cut the rope is an engaging game you won’t be able to put down. 

3. Doodle Jump

In this game, you control a little green alien that is jumping continuously. The goal of the game is to reach as high a platform as possible while avoiding obstacles like crumbling platforms and UFO abductors. As you play, the global high-score marker at the right side of the screen eggs you on, keeping you addicted with the desire to improve your ranking.

2. Bejeweled 2

A classic, old-school game, Bejeweled 2 is a perfect replica of the PC version. In a grid of 8x8 squares filled by jewels of different colours, we must align at least 3 of the same kind in order for them to vanish. The controls are simpler than ever: simply touch the 2 jewels to be swapped. While nothing new, this game is definitely essential in every mobile device for those times when we’re in need of distraction. 

1. Angry Birds

A hot favourite, Angry Birds is a challenging puzzle game which combines logic and skill with trial and error. You launch various types of birds with different abilities into the pigs’ fortress, with the aim of destroying them all. Highly addictive, the game has gathered a cult following, with merchandise such as plushies, Halloween costumes and even cake decorations made in their honour. With seasonal releases of new levels, there is no doubt that Angry Birds is here to stay, and will be on the charts for a long time to come. 

via Match Move Games

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Facebook Scams You Need To Know About: The Most Common Hacks and Attacks

Given Facebook’s fame, it was only a matter of time before con-artists brought their scams onto the network. Facebook today is infested with dozens of different scams, with increasing reports of users falling victim to foul play. If you’re an avid facebook user, here are 9 common scams that you should look out for, and avoid when they inevitably come your way.

1. Clickjacking

Ever seen applications asking you to paste certain chunks of technical (and illegible) code in your browser address bar? This is essentially what clickjacking is; tricking you to paste harmful code in your browser that authorizes foreign access to your Facebook, baiting your curiosity with “Find out who is stalking you!” claims.

2. Fake Friend Requests

Ever get friend requests from strangers? That might be because programmed bots were created to expand a scammer's social network for personal gain. You might think it’s harmless to accept their request, but what you are unaware of is that they might be just looking to send you spam or viruses. We know it’s hard to turn down a friend request from a Megan Fox lookalike, but think about it, are you really that lucky?

3. Phishing

Phishing simply means an attempt to steal your important personal details (credit card info, passwords) by posing as an authorized or trustworthy site. Facebook has had several of such scams, including some tricky ones that resemble a facebook portal asking you to re-login. The best way to spot phishing sites is to look out for unusual-looking URLs in the address bar.

4. Malicious Pages, Groups & Events

Many scam pages exist solely to extract and collect personal information from you. Such pages and groups often try to trick you into inviting your friends to join them or participate in their quizzes (sometimes booby-trapped with phishing schemes) by offering you phony gifts and rewards. Some of these pages may be pose as authentic companies like Microsoft or Apple in order to gain your trust.

5. Fake “Team Facebook” Emails

The real Team Facebook always sends messages telling you they will never ask for personal information such as passwords, and they mean it. If you ever get an email or message from “Team Facebook” asking you for passwords, you can be sure they are looking to steal your personal information.

6. Worms & Viruses

For a content-rich network like Facebook, there are plenty of opportunities to lay mines for worms and other computer viruses. One such example is the koobface worm in 2008, which posed as links to Adobe Flash Player updates and were circulated to disastrous consequences. Although Koobface worms have mostly been stamped out, there are still cases of infection so watch out for those.

7. Western Union Money Scam

An extremely scary scam, this one poses as your friend, sending you a request to urgently transfer cash to him via Western Union (most commonly) or through other wiring services like PayPal. This is where it works best. How do you turn down a friend in need? You don’t, and your money gets stolen. Be very wary when you are asked for money. Tell your friend to call you personally if he needs it that desperately.

8. Unauthorized Surveys

It’s extremely common to take polls and quizzes on Facebook. Everyone does, and it’s not a surprise to see your friend update his status about how he is "Captain America of the Avengers”. It’s fun, but watch out for the kind of quizzes you are taking. Some surveys redirect you outside of Facebook, while others require you to enter personal details such as your contact number before you can view results. Reject these, as most of them are scams looking to get your personal details.

9. Harmful Apps

Harmful apps often look like they are the real thing. They disarm you with images and text that make them look authentic and harmless, whereas in reality they just want to trick you into “allowing” the app. Once allowed, the app now has liberty to send fake announcements and messages to your network of friends. Heard of the infamous “Facebook Shutdown” scam? This was how it originated.

via Match Moves

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FrontierVille Mission: Colossal Homestead - 39 X 39 Expansion

JUN

FrontierVille and Zynga have heard your cries for land, and you have been heard! The 39 X 39 expansion is now here and you can start upgrading today! Just complete a few simple missions and start makin room in the pastures, because soon you will be a bit more Colossal! Here are the missions and rewards and information you need to expand today!

 

 

Part I:  Colossal Permits

 - Collect 15 Colossal Permits
 - Sell 40 Adult Sheep
 - Harvest 75 Eggplants on Your Homestead

 

Part II:  Doctor, Doctor

 - Craft 20 Fire
 - Collect One Clover Blossom
 - Clear Ten Wildflowers from Your Homestead

 

Part III:  Filling Colossal Shoes

 - Craft Seven Fancy Clothing
 - Harvest 500 Crops on Your Homestead
 - Clobber Three Coyotes

Part IV:  Rootin' Toothin' Neighbors

 - Fire the BearCannon Eight Times
 - Craft Five Cakes
 - Collect 25 Recommendations

 

Part V:  Colossaly Expansive

 - Collect Three Daily Bonuses from the Land Office
 - Have Five Land Grants
 - Buy Land Expansion (39 x 39) at Land Office

via FrontierVille Legend

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How To Transfer Contacts To A New iPhone Using a SIM Card

This tutorial will guide you on how to transfer contacts to a new iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS from your old GSM phone using its SIM card.

1. Remove the SIM card from your iPhone and replace it with the SIM card from your old phone.
2. Your phone may need to reactivate. If so, connect to iTunes.
3. Go to Settings; Mail, Contacts, Calendars; Import SIM Contacts.
   
   
4. Remove your old SIM card from your new iPhone and reinstall your new SIM card.

Note that iPhone 4 (GSM model) uses a micro-SIM card; a regular SIM card will not fit. If you are using an iPhone 4 (CDMA model), you will need to use iTunes to transfer your information, as it doesn't have a SIM card.

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FrontierVille Mission: Hankerin' for Fanny

Howdy folks! With the warm summer air creeping in, it has brought love to the frontier! Hank has decided to take a knee and propose to that ‘ole school marme, Ms. Fanny Wildcat! This whole shindig won’t be easy, and Hank is going to need your help! Love Is In The Air will have you crafting items to the liking of Fanny to score some points with Hank! Fanny has decided if he can rustle up a few items that she can forget all about his plastic surgery and makeover and put the Covered Wagon behind her and start a new life! Here is what you will need to know to complete this event, and these missions!

How it works? You will be given the option to place a Hitchin’ Rail, after doing so, whack it 3 times to view a letter box movie starring Hank. You will then be asked to use the Weddin’ Wagon to craft an engagement ring. Click, ‘Call Wagon’ from the Hitchin’ Post and it will arrive. You will then need to Go Inside where you will see the items you need to craft in order to complete the proposal. Clicking the purple ‘?’ will explain how to obtain a particular item. However, some items can only be obtained by doing the missions. Once all of the items are complete, select ‘Proposal’ and watch the fireworks!

Crafting Menu

Crafting Page 1

Crafting Menu 2

Crafting Menu 3

Required Items

Where to obtain items:
Sheers – Sheep Collection
Gemstones – Drop during all actions, or request
Cloth – ‘Ask’ item or neighbor visit
Red Rose Buds – ‘Ask’ item, or harvest Red Roses

Missions

Part I:  Make Fanny's Schoolhouse Rock!

 - Summon Wedding Wagon

 - Harvest 15 Apple Trees on Your Homestead

 - Collect One Schoolhouse Daily Bonus

Make Fanny's Schoolhouse Rock! Rewards

Part II:  Hank's Special Sauce

 - Harvest 60 Tomatoes on Your Homestead

 - Have or Collect Eight Mushrooms

 - Craft One Floral Arrangement

Hank's Special Sauce Rewards

Part III:  Hank and Fanny's Magic Carpet Ride

 - Clobber Five Snakes

 - Have or Collect Four Pear Cider

 - Have or Collect Ten Saddle Oil

Hank and Fanny's Magic Carpet Ride Rewards

Part IV:  Steppin Up To The Plate

 - Collect 50 Additional Reputation

 - Craft One Engagement Ring

 - Collect Two Wedding Wagon Daily Bonus

Steppin Up To The Plate Rewards

Part V:  Cleanin' Up Before The Big Event

 - Have or Collect ten Smoochin' Mints

 - Sell 20 Adult Pigs

 - Harvest Ten Peppermint

Cleanin' Up Before The Big Event Rewards

Part VI:  Almost on One Knee

 - Craft A Suit Suitable for A Suitor

 - Have or Collect 10 Boxes of Sweets

 - Harvest 100 Red Roses

Almost on One Knee Rewards

Part VII:  Poppin' the Question

 - Propose to Fanny

 - Talk to Hank to Congratulate Him

Poppin' The Question Rewards

via FrontierVille Legend

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Empires and Allies: Another One from Zynga

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zynga today announced the global launch of Empires & Allies, including more social features than any Zynga game. Debuting in 12 languages, Empires & Allies is the company’s first strategy combat game, a new genre for Zynga, and the company’s first title to be launched out of Zynga's Los Angeles studio. Empires & Allies will be available on June 1, 2011 in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, Turkish and Traditional Chinese – and for the first time, Malay, Korean and Norwegian.

“Empires &Allies is strategy combat gone social – think CityVille meets Risk”

Set on a sprawling multi-island game board, Empires & Allies integrates familiar game play elements from popular Zynga titles into a story-driven combat crusade. Players aim to build a thriving island-nation by arming themselves against enemy forces and preparing for battle. Throughout the game, players will build army units, recruit friends, and encounter helpful allies and unique villains as they fight their way across enemy-held territories on the quest to defeat the final villain.

“Empires & Allies is strategy combat gone social – think CityVille meets Risk,” said Amer Ajami, executive producer of Empires & Allies at Zynga. “We’re focused on bringing our players a new form of entertainment and a strategy game is definitely a new playground for us. Play is in everyone’s DNA, and this game lets you have fun and get creative by choosing your own destiny, building a nation and eventually, conquering the world.”

As nation leaders, players strive to build powerful empires and expand to new islands, while getting play-by-play tips from Scarlett, a personal military advisor. Empires & Allies also introduces 30 characters that help guide play and reveal plot secrets along the way.

Empires & Allies features include:

Building an Empire

Feared by his allies and hated by his enemies, “The Raven” is an unapologetic tyrant who wanted his pet mascot to be an eagle, but he couldn't catch one. In a tirade, “The Raven” has destroyed your empire. Once the rubble from the attack on your empire is cleared, build your empire’s population back up. Build island huts, cottages, houses and more to collect rent to fund your expanding empire.

Mobilizing Your Troops

Get ready to fight “Captain Krunsch,” an old school seaman who relishes taking out his enemies the old-fashioned way--with his bare, arthritic hands. Build formidable ground, naval and air defense to protect your empire and beat those invaders back. Use Unit Research Laboratories to upgrade your armies and unlock new attack bonuses.

Fight With Friends!

Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. Build up your troops, recruit your friends and send them out to invade in-game villains and advance the story line, or choose to invade your neighboring friends’ empires to collect Infamy Points. Strategically select from different ground, naval and air units to build your battalion based off their effectiveness against the opposing army. You might just want to unleash “Wingo,” a pilot who was born to fly – first class. His mama was a stewardess and his daddy made tiny pretzels for the airlines.

Guided Play

As the nation’s leader, you must build up your empire’s defenses to ward off “The Raven” and his evil minions. Scarlett, your personal military advisor, will always show you fun things to try next to guide you on building a powerful empire. Scarlet keeps an eye on all military functions. She’s seen it all. She knows there’s no “I” in “team.” Despite her mysterious past, she has the respect of her troops, who eagerly shout “Aye aye!” to every one of her orders. Once tasks are complete, you can unlock increasingly advanced buildings and decorations.

Neighboring Empires

Visit your neighbors’ empires to help them secure more energy, decorations and collectible items, gaining Honor Points along the way. Tending to your friends’ empires is a surefire way to speed up your progress and amass your army. Enlist your neighbors help in combat to quickly finish off your enemies with special attacks. And don’t forget to call on “The Admiral,” the most experienced fleet commander in the seven seas. His only limitation – his refusal to trim his eyebrows makes it harder to find the port. Or the starboard.

Empires & Allies will be available at zynga.com/empires in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, Turkish, Malay, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Norwegian. 

via Business Wire

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How To Sync Your iOS Device with iTunes

This post is an overview of how to sync your iOS device (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad) with iTunes.

 Setting up syncing

1. First, download and install the latest version of iTunes on your computer.
2. Open iTunes.
3. Connect the iOS device to your computer using the USB cable and select it in iTunes under Devices on the left-hand side.
4. Set up which items you want to be synced: You can do this by clicking the corresponding tabs in iTunes to specify which information you want synced between the iOS device and your computer.
   
5. Click Apply, in the lower-right corner of the screen, to sync.

List of What You Can Sync

• Applications
• Audio content—music, podcasts, audiobooks, and iTunes U content
• Bookmarks
• Books
• Contacts
• Calendars
• Movies and TV shows
• Photos
• Notes
• Documents (File Sharing apps only)
• Ringtones

Please note that the first time you sync the Info tab with your iOS device, you are asked if you want to merge data, replace data on the service, or replace the data on your computer from the following applications:

• Mac: Address Book, iCal, or Microsoft Entourage
• PC: Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, Windows Addressbook (XP) and Windows Contacts (Vista)

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Cafe World Dog Show Dinner Catering Order

A new Catering Order is now available for you to complete in Cafe World chefs, as the annual dog show is now happening (virtually, of course), and you're out to cater the event. Don't worry - your menu hasn't gone entirely to the dogs, as you'll be taking care of the cute pooches and humans alike through five different tasks.

You'll have three days to cook three dishes (the human side of this order), along with collecting two items for the pups. If you can achieve all of that in time, you'll be rewarded with a new Hush Puppies recipe (clever Zynga, very clever). Meet us behind the break for a full look at what it takes to complete this order in time.

For starters, you'll need to cook three dishes: 


 - Smoked Salmon Latkes (a 2-hour dish) 216 times, 
 - Shu Mai Dumplings (a 6-hour dish) 308 times, and 
 - Ginger Plum Pork Chops (a 24-hour dish) 35 times. 


Luckily, the longest cooking dish is required the least number of times, but those Shu Mai Dumplings are nothing to scoff at. You'll need to make sure not to waste any time (and use all of the friends' help that you can get) to finish this one in time.

On top of those three dishes, you'll also need to collect 44 items: 


 - 22 Fancy Dog Biscuits and 
 - 22 bowls of Gourmet Dog Chow


You can purchase these individually for 4 Cafe Cash, or you can simply sent out a mass request to your friends to help you before it's too late.

With the help of the 15 people you can bring into this order with you, if you can finish in under three days, you'll receive the three-star rating, 12 Catering Points, 6,300 Cafe Points, 75,000 coins and the Hush Puppies recipe as a reward. 


Finish in more than three days, but less than five and you'll earn two stars, 8 Catering Points, 4,500 Cafe Points and 50,000 coins. If it takes you more than five days to complete these five steps, you'll earn the one-star rating, 4 Catering Points, 2,700 Cafe Points and 30,000 coins. Sure, the coins are great in any situation (and the Cafe Points aren't bad either), but I doubt you'll want to go through all of this again if you miss the three-star rating the first time around. Good luck if you take this one on.


via blog.games.com

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FrontierVille Mission: FrontierVille Legends II: Calamity Jane’s Shootin’ Show

Have you completed the original FrontierVille Legends: Paul Bunyan mission?  Have it completed because Zynga developers are planning to release yet another timed missions in the “Legends” series, the FrontierVille Legends II: Calamity Jane’s Shootin’ Show mission.


Here are the requirements for this mission, as well as the rewards, let’s check them out below:


- Collect Three Bonuses from the Inn
- Tend 50 Apple Trees
- Get 20 Wide-Eyed Chickens


The Wide-Eyed chickens are just items that you collect from neighbors.


Completing the FrontierVille Legends II: Calamity Jane’s Shootin’ Show mission in less than 10 days, then you will be rewarded with 750 XP, 1 Queasy Chicken and 5 Chicken Ready Boosts.

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Guide to iPhone Activation

Just got an iPhone?  You may be asking yourself  where to begin.   This post will guide you through the steps you need for the early stages of setting up and using your new iPhone.

  - Before you plug your iphone into your computer, make sure you have the latest version of iTunes.  

  - iTunes will detect your iphone and will show you some terms and conditions. You need to Agree to  them  

and continue.

  - iTunes will ask you to sign into your Apple ID/iTunes Account. Your account on your iTunes Store is the same account, so just enter your username and password. If you don’t have one, create an iTunes Store account and continue. 

  - Your iTunes Account information will automatically be displayed and the setup process continues.

  - You will be prompted for  a free trial of Mobile Me, Apple's online service. One of the useful feature of Mobile Me is the Find my iPhone feature, which can locate a lost or stolen phone via GPS, make a sound to help you find it in the house, or even remotely wipe and lock a stolen phone. It will cost you US$100 a year, though. Make your choice and proceed.  You may decline the Trial by clicking the “No Thanks”.

 - When activation is complete, iTunes will bring you to the iPhone management screen and the phone restarts.  Your iphone is now ready to use!

-  If you want to add your contacts, calendar, music, and videos to your iphone, you need to sync the iphone with your computer.  Check here for the guide to syncing iPhone with your computer.

That’s all for now.  Check back for more iPhone Tips and Tricks.

You will be expecting more posts on iPhone Tutiorials  here on The Gametech as we both explore and experience the world of iPhone.  

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