Amazon has declared 
war against Apple — and a few other companies — announcing a slew of new products at a New York press event Wednesday morning.
As expected, the online retail giant has unveiled plans to release a tablet computer, called Amazon Kindle Fire. The 7-inch device will cost just $199, a price point that’s likely to make it a hot holiday gift item. Shipments are scheduled to begin Nov. 15.
DrawRace 2 HD 
isn’t your typical racing game — and that’s what makes it so refreshing. Rather than tiling your iPad back and forth to clumsily control an onscreen car, you lay out the path for the driver to take with your finger before the race, then see if your plan worked (aiding drivers along occasionally with a turbo boost). It’s unique, addicting and is a game that will last you a long, long time. The in-app purchases are front and center, but not shoved down your throat (and are mainly shortcuts for players who don’t have the patience to unlock tracks and cars themselves). And the game is simply fun. It’s a great choice for race fans who are tired of the hundreds of “me-too” apps currently available.
As the 2012 election 
draws near, the number of safe havens from politicking is shrinking fast. Facebook was compromised nearly three years ago. Now, some of the most popular games on the social network are at risk.
Candidates and strategists have fully embraced the gamification theory, it seems — and Farmville is squarely in their sites.
Treating a cancer 
patient is usually done through a regimen of drugs, radiation or surgery. But researchers at the University of Utah have put together a new video game supplement to those scary methods.
Unveiled last week, PE Interactive is a motion-controlled game meant to help kids get through rough treatments by building their physical and mental health and giving them a sense of empowerment.
After being the 
subject of whispers, rumors and speculation for months, it appears the iPhone 5 is finally ready to make its debut.
Apple has confirmed plans for a press event at its Cupertino, Calif. Headquarters on Oct. 4, where it’s expected to unveil the next iteration of its popular smartphone.
[One Russian game 
company shares its story about finding success with the “freemium” model on Android, and how its Android revenue should be “much higher than [that of] social networks” in Asian territories.]
In today’s mobile gaming world, conventional wisdom says if you want to make money, the Apple App Store is the place to be. It is, after all, the birthplace of mega hits like Angry Birds, Tap Tap Revenge and Doodle Jump.
Android, however? Indie developers might make a few dollars, but no one’s getting rich off of it, right? Wrong. Game Insight, a Russian-based developer of social and mobile games is betting big on Android and is starting to see that bet pay off.
The Raving Rabbids 
series is one of the more reliable funny franchises in gaming, but that’s largely due to the off-the-wall mini-games developers come up with. In Rabbids Travel in Time 3D, the bug-eyed bunnies abandon that for a straight platform game and it isn’t a great fit. The game’s certainly not difficult and as a platform game itself, it’s not bad (though hardly spectacular). But by so severely restricting the Rabbids and their environment, it takes a lot of fun out of the franchise. 3D effects are used well in the game, and thankfully sparingly, but it’s not enough to make a fair game into a good or great one.
One of the most 
charming things about VidRhythm is being completely surprised by what the game produces. So, without giving away too much, let’s say the videos that result from the collection of six sounds you’re asked to make will make you smile and mine your creative energies to come up with something truly unique. What’s impressive is how easy the app makes it for you to create videos that look professionally polished. Too many apps take themselves seriously. VidRhythm is one of the few that will let you laugh at yourself — again and again and again.
Want to play 
what’s likely to be this year’s biggest PlayStation 3 game on a big screen? I mean a really big screen? Get thee to the local Cineplex!
AMC and Sony have teamed up to let gamers play “Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception” in 3D and in the theater in select cities nationwide.
Electronic Arts 
really wants to screw up your last minute Christmas shopping this year.
After months (or years, even) of anticipation, the company has finally unveiled the launch date for Star Wars: The Old Republic — and it’s a bit of a head-scratcher.
Chris Morris: Journalist 