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Tap Me aims to improve mobile-gaming ads

A start-up has its sights set on improving advertising in mobile games.

The company, called Tap Me, unveiled today an "integration library" for iPhone and iPad app developers. Tap Me's service integrates advertising into different areas of a game. Ads can be placed in power-up opportunities, in-game rewards, and on other types of game content, all with the goal of improving relevance and decreasing annoyances. For example, if an achievement in a respective title is "speed," Tap Me's platform displays an ad for, say, sneakers, when that achievement is earned.

In addition, Tap Me … Read more

Tap That App: uTorrent Remote

Torrents are source of much legal controversy, which is a shame because the format is a great way to distribute all kinds of content. BitTorrent is working on raising awareness of torrents that share content legally with its Vodo network, and the company has now provided an Android companion app.

uTorrent Remote works with the next generation of the uTorrent client to find and manage torrents on your computer from your phone or tablet. The killer feature? uTorrent Remote's playback. Watch this episode of Tap That App to see what it can do.

Tap That App takes on Android security

In this week's episode of Tap That App, we look at the growing Android security field and check out three apps with three different takes on what's important when making Android safer. One thing's for sure: the makers of all three think that there's more to Android security than mere antivirus and malicious app scanning.

For a more detailed analysis, check out the story this episode of Tap That App is based on.

Be a mobile DJ and play that level again: iPhone apps of the week

As we draw closer to the release of the iPad 2, the Apple rumor sites are heating up, with the usual speculation and research into hidden clues about what the new device will be like. Rumors about faster processor speed and front- and rear-facing cameras have been out there for a while, but an article over at AppleInsider breaks down what types of the iPad 2 Apple is banking on selling most.

The first iPad came in Wi-Fi-only and 3G/Wi-Fi varieties. But with the introduction of iOS devices to Verizon, Apple has needed to make some adjustments to the hardware to make sure it works on all carriers.

According to the article, Apple is expected to offer three variations of the iPad 2: a Wi-Fi only version, a GSM/UMTS version for AT&T, and a CDMA/EV-DO version for Verizon.

AppleInsider reports that Apple is producing more of the 3G-enabled models than the others and concludes that the company thinks most people will opt for the 3G version over just Wi-Fi.

It's tough to say what Apple is really planning, but if you were going to buy an iPad 2 at launch, which variation would you buy? Let me know in the comments.

This week's apps include an app that lets you bring two turntables anywhere and a platform game that's so difficult you can't stop playing.… Read more

Tap That App: Poynt leads to search listings on Android, iPhone, BlackBerry

We're all familiar with Yelp, Google, and Bing as go-to mobile apps for searching out restaurants, movies, and gas stations. Here's Poynt, another undersung app that squeezes the same operation into an equally-compelling package.

It's been awhile since we last took a look and it's high time we revisited the perfectly respectable app for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry smartphones.

TapDisc for iOS: Tap-timing, color-changing, disc-saving fun

TapDisc for iOS combines a unique and challenging mixture of timing, strategy, and unique gameplay to create an interesting and fun new style of touch-screen game.

The more innovative games on the iOS platform tend to take advantage of the more notable properties of a touch-screen interface. TapDisc attempts to do the same with a stylized "tap-to-save" gameplay that creates a pretty interesting and addicting game environment--if you're patient enough to learn it.

TapDisc requires its players to "save" floating discs as they bounce around the screen attempting to avoid harm-inflicting orbs along the way. Discs change colors signifying how long the saving sphere (where the user touches) must be on screen to save the disc.

Keeping up?… Read more

Tap That App: Get your files anywhere (video)

SugarSync, Dropbox, and Box.net all have several things in common. They're freemium cloud-syncing services that let you upload files to download again elsewhere; they all have free apps for BlackBerry, iPhone, and Android smartphones; and they're all featured in this week's episode of Tap That App.

Check out our video to see how one of these apps could solve your storage problems.

iOS developer Tapulous acquired by Disney

Disney has agreed to buy app developer and publisher Tapulous, according to a report from TechCrunch, and later confirmed by CNET's own sources.

The Palo Alto, Calif.-based Tapulous is probably best known for its iOS apps, which include the Tap Tap series, Riddim Ribbon, and Twitter app Twinkle, which made the jump from a jailbroken application to a legitimate one on the App Store.

Tapulous' creations have also been featured in several Apple advertisements and keynotes, including the one for iOS 4, where Apple CEO Steve Jobs used a Tap Tap game to demonstrate multitasking for the first … Read more

The 404 581: Where we try to eat the meat off the chicken feet (podcast)

Warning: Today's episode of CNET's The 404 Podcast is not for the faint of stomach. Please take a moment to scoot that trash can closer to your person prior to viewing.

404 listeners Derrick the Unofficial 404 Photographer and Henry the Unofficial 404 Uncle surprise us in the office today with breakfast! Well, kind of. Chicken feet, anyone?

That's right, the boys were kind enough to make a stop in Chinatown to pick up a few select dim sum dishes for us to try on the air, and by "us" I actually mean "Wilson,&… Read more

Tilt to follow the Riddim Ribbon

Riddim Ribbon attempts to move the iPhone music game genre forward using a tilt-based control mechanism instead of Tapulous' usual button-pressing system for playing along with the music in App Store mainstay Tap Tap Revenge. After playing a few rounds of Riddim Ribbon, it becomes clear that your enjoyment level largely depends on how much you like the music playing in the background. The concept is a lot like another music game, Audio-surf, in which you race along to the rhythm of the music. In Riddim Ribbon, your job is to keep a ball in a groove (like a needle … Read more