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tech

3D Printing: Enter the Void

by Jordan Mattos

enter-the-void-1

As a film student in college, I often viewed my production-oriented classmates as tech-heads and gadget hounds. Tied up by electrical wires, I came up with sportive nicknames for them: the camera buff, the visual FX junkie, the techno-fetishist. To them, content and story were means to an end; it was the rush of copulating with metal that really seemed to agitate their senses.

I preferred theory to being on set. I never managed to obtain that tactile high; the current of electricity that shot through their veins whenever they plugged in a wire or pulled a strip of celluloid through a Steenbeck. With no less fervor, I enjoyed discussing the social implications of the latest film with my friends in the cinema studies department, who eschewed “making stuff” for the loftiness of deconstruction.  The general gist was that detachment from the creative process – not sticking your hands in the primordial goo – offered you true objectivity.

The 3D Printshow, an annual four-day consumer-friendly event at Manhattan’s Metropolitan Pavilion, aims to satisfy the urges and convictions of both doers and deconstructionists. Three floors exhibited the various uses of plastic printing machines that ranged from the ornamental (3D printed jewelry) to the potentially life changing (bionic ears), and showed the advantages of the theoretical and the hands-on, with varying degrees of success.

uncanny valley: 3D-printed face

Three-dimensional printing stands in relation, in theory and in practice, to the Maker movement, which has now become a part of international lexicon. Maker Faire, Make Magazine‘s festival, secured a place in the DIY parthenon back in 2006 with the first event in San Francisco. This 3D Printshow in particular was created in the UK by an intrepid Brit. The event has toured Paris and London. Even my boss, a self-identifying Neo Luddite in his 70s, uses the term in casual conversation.

Looking at the event as a whole, there is a valid tendency among certain circles to praise the potential of the radical elements and dispense with the more fanciful as the whimsy of business-minded Silicon Valley types with a fetish for fun fur. A recent article in The New Yorker pointedly called out the money crowd for overshadowing the innovators and placed Maker culture in a refreshing economic and social context. The event I attended offered an Elite Business Conference to understand how 3D printing could help corporations, as well as an Investor Session with plenty of opportunities to flash witty business card designs. But it also offered a live runway show of fashion designs that highlighted the conceptual over the commercial, green thumb student thesis projects, and a Medical and Planet Earth section, which focused on teams that use the printing process for ecological and medical innovation.

Iris van Herpen’s 3D fashion

Permeating the show is a palpable respect for play. One exhibitor, Extreme Flyers, created a tiny remote-controlled helicopter with a built-in HD camera. I watched it glide through the air and weightlessly alight in the palm of my hand. As it hovered above the crowd I wondered what it would be like to make a film shot exclusively by a toy helicopter. For a moment, I found myself joining the crowd, jointly craning my neck in thrall of the beautiful plastic poetically trapped in mid-air.

In this instance, the event successfully married the techie with the conceptual, the politically and socially minded with the thrill of the hands-on. Makers “make” just for the fun of it, but seem all the better for it. It’s in the exciting stages of experimentation, error, and play that their ideas seemed best suited for refinement and further developments in advocacy. Perhaps that’s something we can all stand to benefit from – Neo Luddites and gadget hounds alike.

Filed Under: ARTS, NEW YORK, REVIEWS, SCIENCE Tagged With: 3d printing, design, DIY, maker, Silicon Valley, tech

Gadgets: The Good, The Bad and the Coming Soon

by Alex David Jimenez

banner

We’re well on our way into 2014, and with each milestone we pass, the future becomes more, well, nerdy. Nerdy, that is, in the sense of existing on a more technology and algorithm-based plane. The planet around us is growing smaller as more and more of our OS and HTML obsessed brains grow just a little bit larger. The tech world grows faster every day, and it shows. The late 2013 is no exception to the rule, having given us many bright new gadgets, as well as many dull ones.

In a nutshell, here are the better, best, and not-so-good #gadgets of 2013, (as well as the rising stars to watch in 2014) including smart phones, tablets, laptops, gaming systems, wearable tech, apps, mobile operating systems, and other miscellaneous gadgets.


Smart Phones 2013

Winner: Apple iPhone 5s

Runner-up: HTC One

Loser: Blackberry Z10

The one to watch in 2014: Motorola Project ARA

gadgets
Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

Tablets 2013

Winner: Apple iPad Air

Runner-up: Google Nexus 7

Loser: Microsoft Surface RT

The one to watch in 2014: Amazon Kindle Fire HDX

Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg - financesonline.com
Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

Laptops 2013

Winner: Apple MacBook Air 13″

Runner-up: Samsung ATIV Book 9 Plus

Loser: Google Chromebook Pixel

The one to watch in 2014: Asus Taichi

Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg - financesonline.com
Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

Gaming Systems 2013

Winner: Sony Playstation 4

Runner-up: Microsoft XBox One

Loser: Ouya

The one to watch in 2014: Oculus Rift

Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

Wearable Tech 2013

Winner: Pebble Smartwatch

Runner-up: Misfit Shine

Loser: Samsung Galaxy Gear

The one to watch in 2014: Google Glass

Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

Mobile Apps 2013

Winner: Waze

Runner-up: Blackberry Messenger

Loser: Twitter #Music

The one to watch in 2014: Tinder

Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

Mobile OS 2013

Winner: Android 4.4 KitKat

Runner-up: Apple iOS 7

Loser: Blackberry BB10

The one to watch in 2014: UBUNTU

Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

Other Gadgets of 2013

Winner: Google Chromecast

Runner-up: NEST Project

Loser: Hapilabs Hapifork

The one to watch in 2014: Leap Motion

Graphic courtesy Alex Hillsberg – financesonline.com

All graphics are courtesy Finances Online and designed by Ruby Media Corporation

 

 

Filed Under: OPINION, TECHNOLOGY Tagged With: 2013, 2014, Apple, asus, best, Blackberry, chrome book, chrome cast, gadgets, Google, HTC, ios, Leap Motion, microspft, Nest, pebble, playstation, Samsung, tech, technology, Twitter, waze, worst, xbox

Christmas Shopping: Final Weekend. Best Options.

by Alex David Jimenez

Christmas Shopping

And here we are: the final weekend of Christmas shopping. The last push to get everything on your never-ending list of perfect gifts for all those people you love, and those you are sort of obligated to love. In these final stressful hours of panic and claustrophobia galore, one thing always seems to elude us as consumers: bargain hunting. It’s always a game of looking for the best deals right after Thanksgiving, with Black Friday being the culmination of it all. Yet as December 25th approaches, we find ourselves more and more concerned with getting anything at all, rather than getting something for the best price. And while yes, the smiles and laughter and joy of everyone’s satisfied faces on Christmas morning are worth it, what sort of looming raincloud awaits your wallet once the festivities are over?

To help you out, here are seven simple substitutes to some of the hottest tech gifts of the season. Instead of buying that five-hundred dollar game console, why not opt for something half the price, and worth equal amounts of fun? Check out the alternatives, and don’t go broke during these last few shopping-frenzied days.


1.

HOT ITEM

Bose Soundlink Bluetooth Mobile Speaker II — $314.95

Bose Soundlink

It’s no secret that BOSE is the leader in sound technology and quality. The Bluetooth speaker is quickly emerging as the new big thing in speaker production. Not only do you not need to plug in your music device, but now the common dock for sound devices isn’t even necessary. The music is wirelessly transmitted via bluetooth from your device to the speaker, and we don’t have to tell you that the sound quality is pristine.

While BOSE is the leader in sound, it can be a little pricey. This speaker comes in at $314.95.

Bose.com

 

THE ALTERNATIVE

Sonos Play 1 — $199.00

sonos-play

The Sonos Play 1 is a newer item to the market, offering the same technology of wireless music connectivity for a lower price. While the device may not have the namesake, the quality is there. The Sonos Play delivers music without wires or docking, and can offer multiple speakers (with purchase) playing from the same music device all at once.

The Sonos Play 1 is available starting at $199.00.

sonos.com


2.

HOT ITEM

Apple TV — $99.00

Apple TV

So, you have iTunes, and tons of movies, but can only watch then on your iPhone or iPad. Same with your streaming Netflix account, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, etc. So what do you do? You get Apple TV. It’s a device that takes these entertainment streams and puts them onto your television screen. Sound useful? It is. The device can be used to project photos, games, apps, YouTube, and so on. Only possible setback – if you don’t have an apple device, it probably won’t prove very useful.

Apple TV is available for $99.00.

apple.com 

 

THE ALTERNATIVE

Google Chromecast — $35.00

Chromecast $35

Google has recently come out with the answer to streaming devices such as Apple TV – the Google Chromecast. It’s a small USB-looking device which does, well, the same thing. The Chromecast receives your streaming entertainment wirelessly and connects to your TV’s HDMI hookup, displaying your media on the big screen. Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Google Chrome, HBO Go, and many other mediums are included, and at a much lower price.

The Google Chromecast is available for $35.00.

google.com


3.

HOT ITEM

Apple iPad Air (32 GB with WiFi and LTE) — $729.00

apple_ipad_air 32g wifi LTE $729.00

Not much need be said about this one; Apple usually is in the forefront of the hottest tech items for the Christmas season. This year is no exception. The new iPad air is the lightest full-range tablet, with retina-display graphics and a pristine processor. The sleek look of the iPad is one of its biggest selling points, coupled with its reputation overall. The price, however, holds true to Apple standards, cutting a large dent into any purchaser’s finances.

The iPad Air is available with multiple options from $499.00 to $929.00.

apple.com

 

THE ALTERNATIVE

Google Nexus 7 (32 GB with WiFi and LTE)  — $349.00

Nexus-7

 

The Nexus 7 has been rated one of the best tablets for 2013 by techradar.com. While it might not be the holy grail of tablets, it’s a very smart and sleek alternative. The device features countless apps and the display is sharper than most tablets on the market. For business or pleasure, if the iPad is too large an investment, the Nexus 7 would be the smart way to go.

The Google Nexus 7 is available with multiple options from $229.00 to $349.00.

google.com


4.

HOT ITEM

Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch — $299.99

samsung-galaxy-gear

 

Smartwatches are emerging, and fast. It’s not just a watch – it’s connected to your phone. The most popular smartwatch on the market right now – The Samsung Galaxy Gear. This watch, with a digital touch display: displays your emails, displays your texts, locks/unlocks your phone, makes hands-free calls, uses voice commands, and more. The one big obvious negative – the watch only syncs with Samsung phones.

The Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch is available for $299.99.

samsung.com

 

THE ALTERNATIVE

Pebble Smartwatch  — $150.00

pebble smartwatch

 

The Pebble Smartwatch is a fully functional wireless smartwatch that syncs with Android and Apple smartphones. With a less colorful display, it’s certainly an alternative to other smartwatches, but features a wide range of useful tasks, including text display, email display, music selection, alarms, and fitness apps. The Pebble does what you need for half the price.

The Pebble Smartwatch is available for $150.00.

getpebble.com


5.

HOT ITEM

Apple iPhone 5s (32 GB) — $299.99

iphone_5s

 

It’s the hottest phone on the market, and the only smart-phone featuring fingerprint technology. The sleek iPhone 5s sells itself, boasting retina display, fingerprint recognition, a super-fast processor, and two HD cameras.

The iPhone 5s is available with multiple options from $199.00 to $399.00.

apple.com

 

THE ALTERNATIVE

Apple iPhone 5c (32 GB)  — $199.00

iphone5c

 

Same Phone. Same company. Four very different elements: The shell is plastic, as opposed to its aluminum counterpart on the 5s –  A slightly slower processor – Only the rear camera is HD – No fingerprint technology. With all of these in mind, the difference of about 100 dollars certainly makes up for what is missing considering the phone is still a highly functioning iPhone.

The iPhone 5c is available with multiple options from $99.00 to $199.00.

apple.com


6.

HOT ITEM

Xbox One  — $500.00+

XBOX1

 

 

This one will probably take the cake this year as the hottest selling item. The Xbox One sells itself. It supports the most popular games with the most pristine graphics, features streaming of movies and television shows, and features skype built in, to chat with fellow gamers or family & friends whenever you want. And, you can do all those things simultaneously. Given its popularity, the price of the One is rising as the Christmas deadline approaches, growing from a base price of $500. Retailers are selling it currently from as low as $500 to as high as $700 plus.

The Xbox One is available for at or around $500.00.

xbox.com

 

THE ALTERNATIVE

Wii U — $299.00

Wii_u

 

Trust us, they’ll love this one just as much. Yes it’s been on shelves for over a year, but the Wii U is still going strong, offering users an immersive gaming experience which puts the elements of the game both on the big screen and in their hands. The Wii U by all means stands up to the competition, and is nicely priced at 200 dollars less.

The Wii U is available for $299.00.

nintendo.com


7.

HOT ITEM

Amazon Kindle Fire HDX (32 GB with WiFi and 4G)  — $369.00

Kindle-Fire-HDX WiFi 4G 32g $369

 

Tablets and readers: can’t go wrong with those this Christmas. And the Kindle Fire HDX surely measures up. It features sharp color display, several apps and display options, WiFi, and 4G capability (addition monthly plan). This reader is more than a book reader, offering email, games, social media apps, and documents. If it’s the reading you’re serious about however, you might want to check out the alternative.

The Kindle Fire HDX is available with multiple options from $229.00 to $424.00.

amazon.com

 

THE ALTERNATIVE

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (WiFi and 3G) — $189.00

kindle paperwhite

Plain and simple, it’s a reader. There are no other functions like apps or video, just books. What makes the Paperwhite different is the display. The screen is lit to give readers full and clear resolution in any light – even in the dark. It’s all you’ll need, holding up to 1,100 books.

The Kindle Paperwhite is available with multiple options from $119.00 to $209.00

amazon.com

 

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, TECHNOLOGY Tagged With: amazon, Apple, bose, chopping, Christmas, gadgets, Google, pebble, Samsung, sonos, tech, technology, Wii, xbox

Cell Phone Battery Cases: Which ones are worth it?

by Alex David Jimenez

REVIEW – According to recent statistics, nearly seventy-five percent of the world population uses a cell phone. The market for cellular technology has been exploding since the early two-thousands, and had seen an even more dramatic increase since the dawn of the smart-phone. Long have the days passed since we, as a modern society, have used our cell phones simply for making phone calls. They can tell us about the current weather. They can take high-definition photos and video, as well as post them to all of your favorite social networking sites. They can harbor popular and high-graphic games. They can even give you directions and tell you which of your friends are nearby. It’s no secret that the power of smart-phones is quickly increasing, as so too is the demand for products and accessories capable of sustaining the mounting amounts of energy we use each day for that power.

While cell phones today have a much longer battery life than they did years ago, the market for cellular battery improvement is still growing. We use our phones for everything, and are constantly finding ourselves taking our phone chargers everywhere we go. Can’t find and outlet to plug it in? Looks like you’re screwed.

Consumers today are finding the phone battery-life issue more commonplace, and many are utilizing an ever-growing solution: Cell Phone Battery Cases. The idea: Use the case to protect your phone from damage, and charge your phone when necessary with the battery built right into the case itself. Genius! It seems the most sensible solution, whereas the need for wires on the go will become obsolete, and your stress level might fall at least a bit knowing your phone’s battery should survive the day.

So which products are the ones consumers should be looking for? The market for cell phone case/chargers is growing fast, and there are several options floating around the inter-webs. Here, we’ve compiled six of the most popular producers, specifying the specs and the varying differences between the products.

1.

BOOSTCASE

Cell Phone Battery Cases: Boostcase

BoostCase.com
$79.95 – $99.95
iPhone 4(s) / iPhone 5(s)
Battery: From 1500mAh to 2200mAh Capacity
Weight: 8.2oz

Aside from its sleek look, the Boostcase iPhone Hybrid Battery Charging Case is also quite functional, capable of extending your phone’s battery life for several hours. The case is somewhat bulky, according to consumers, but does redeem itself in having a separate click and snap design, allowing you to interchange the charging system as desired.

The case comes in a “single-shot” or “double-shot” version, the latter providing better battery life. Though a bit pricey, the Boostcase is a contender in the phone charging industry.

Pros:

Up to 150% Additional Battery Power

Dual Charging (Phone and Case)

Stylish Look

 

Cons:

Long Charging Time

Bulky Feel

Some Functionality Errors

                               Overall Rating: Screen Shot 2013-11-18 at 2.26.31 PM

 

2.

ETÓN Mobius Black
Mobius Black

Etón Webstore
$59.99
iPhone 4(s)
Battery: 1800mAh Capacity
Weight: 3.4oz

The Mobius Black is somewhat revolutionary in the world of cell phone chargers, in that it is not only a mobile charging station, but is one which harnesses the power of the sun to do so. Along with the case’s rechargeable battery pack, the Mobius features a high-efficency monocrystal solar panel. The device is moderately priced – good for consumers not looking to spend too much.

Though solar power seems massively convenient, some consumers do complain about the phone’s limited capabilities when charging the phone – i.e. the phone should not be charged while the solar panel is attached. The Mobius Black os only available for the iPhone 4(s).

Pros:

Solar Powered

Removable Battery

USB Syncing Capability

 

Cons:

Limited Battery Capacity

Mediocre Case Durability

Charging Limitations (solar)

                               Overall Rating:  Screen Shot 2013-11-18 at 2.26.50 PM

 

3.

POWERSKIN
PowerSkin

Power-Skin.com
$49.99 – $79.99
iPhone 4(s) / iPhone 5(s) / Samsung Galaxy SIII / Samsung Galaxy S4 / Samsung Galaxy Express / Blackberry Z10 / HTC One X/X+/XL / Windows Phone 8X
Battery: From 1500mAh to 2000mAh Capacity
Weight: 1.92 to 3.53 oz

The PowerSkin Cell Charging case has taken the battery-powered phone case to several different mediums on the market. PowerSkin has more cases for more phones than any other producer, and has developed some quality products to boot. The look is sleek and modern, and the case itself is one of the most durable on the market.

Consumers have stated in some cases that the phone takes a long time to fully charge and that the battery power is not competitive enough for its competition.

Pros:

Multiple Product Options

Sleek Design

Durable Case

 

Cons:

Only up to 70% extra Battery Charge

Bulky Feel

Long Charging Time

                               Overall Rating: Screen Shot 2013-11-18 at 2.26.31 PM

 

4.

THIRD RAIL
Third Rail

thirdrailmobility.com
$89.99
iPhone 4(s)
Battery: From 1250mAh Capacity
Weight: Case: .85 oz – Battery: 1.4 oz

Perhaps the most positive aspect of the Third Rail’s TRIO Charger for the iPhone (Positive, but not for everyone) is that its battery is completely detachable, leaving the phone thin and lightweight when not in use. The battery pack, or multiple, stackable battery packs can be easily clicked onto the phone when it needs juice. The charging wire is universal, therefore useful in charging many other devices if needed.

The downfall: just not a very attractive product. Most negatives pertained to the case’s design and durability, as well as its lack of efficient power.

Pros:

Detachable Battery

Universal Battery Charger

Light-weight

 

Cons:

Low Battery Capacity

Poor Design

Poor Durability

                               Overall Rating:  Screen Shot 2013-11-18 at 2.26.50 PM

 

5.

MOPHIE
mophie

mophie.com
$79.95 – $129.95
iPhone 4(s) / iPhone 5(s) / Galaxy SIII / Galaxy S4
Battery: From 1500mAh to 2300 mAh Capacity
Weight: 2.44 to 4.59 oz

The Mophie Cell Phone Charging case is easily the most popular on the market right now, and for good reason. According to average users, the case is durable, sleek, and gets the job done. There are currently 3 versions of the case for the iPhones, each worth a different capacity for charging power, and 2 designs for the Samsung Galaxy phones. The Mophie boasts 120% additional power and an easy on/off switch.

Most complaints about the Mophie include the lack of accessory access, including that for headphones and USB cables.

Pros:

Sleek Design

Up to 120% Additional Battery Power

Durable Case

 

Cons:

No Syncing Access (Must remove Case)

Headphone Jack less accessible

Product gets Hot when Charging

                               Overall Rating:  Screen Shot 2013-11-18 at 2.25.44 PM

 

6.

PHONE SUIT
Phonesuit

phonesuit.com
$79.95 – $99.95
iPhone 4(s) / iPhone 5(s)
Battery: 2100mAh Capacity
Weight: 2.78 oz

The PhoneSuit Elite Battery Case for the iPhone is certainly one of the most appealing charging cases on the market. The case is durable, and the size is preferred over many other cases given its slim look. The charging jack gives the option for charging or syncing your phone, and the fit offers access to most headphone jacks, regardless of shape or design.

Overall, the product is often edged out by companies like Mophie because of the product quality. The PhoneSuit works well, and looks great, but doesn’t seem to last as long as other products before pieces start breaking down and breaking off.

Pros:

Sleek Design

Up to 16 additional Hours talk-time

Quick Charging Technology

 

Cons:

Mediocre Durability

Too Expensive

Short Product Life

                               Overall Rating:  Screen Shot 2013-11-18 at 2.25.44 PM

 

Filed Under: TECHNOLOGY Tagged With: battery, battery life, best, better, Blackberry, Blackberry Z10, Boostcase, Case, Cell Phone, cell phone battery, Charger, Etón, iphone, iPhone 5s, iPhone5, Mobius Black, Mophie, PhoneSuit, Powerskin, review, Samsung, Samsung Galaxy, Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy SIII, tech, technology, Third Rail, top

Game Boy for the iPhone: Without Jailbreaking

by Alex David Jimenez

Remember the Game Boy? It was Nintendo’s crowning handheld achievement in the days when video games were a new and exciting medium. The Game Boy allowed us to take our video games out of our living rooms and play them on the go – wherever we went. It was the first of its kind.

Today of course the modern smart-phone has far outweighed the need for an individual portable gaming console. There are thousands upon thousands of games available for play on the iPhone alone. While this certainly suffices as means for adequate mobile gaming, there is always a certain joy to playing the games of old in their original form. Who doesn’t enjoy a round of Game Boy’s original Super Mario Land, or Mega Man? Nintendo still produces Game Boys, now in color, technologically advanced 3D graphics, and dual screens. Yet one thing Nintendo never did was strike any sort of deal with Apple, or any other platform, to sell their trademarked games as applications. Who hasn’t looked for  Mario Bros. or Castle Quest as games in Apple’s App Store? For those who have the latest iPhone, is it really worth spending the money on a Game Boy just to play vintage Kirby’s Dream Land?

I have seen several examples of iPhones which are jailbroken uploaded with vintage Nintendo games. However many people (myself included) have no interest in having their phones jailbroken. Certainly not for a game.

Enter: A nifty new platform, designed for the iPhone 5. Game Play by InSeven Limited has developed the loophole that my geeky Mario-loving self has been looking for. Interested? Well, the details are very specific. But if you have what’s needed to set it up, why not give it a try?

You need:

An iPhone 5

The company has developed this program specifically for the latest version of the iPhone (iPhone only). At least for now…

A Google Drive account & iPhone App

If you have a Gmail account, you have access to Google Drive, used to save and store files online. The App (which is free) is available at the App Store.

 

  • Step 1: Add the Program Link to your Home Page

The link must be visited on the phone so the website can be bookmarked to your phone’s home screen directly. The link is http://inseven.co.uk/apps/gameplay/app/
Press ADD button on your screen to open the options.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add the page to your Home Screen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2: If you don’t already have it, download the Google Drive App

Google Drive is free in the App Store.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Step 3: Find and Download Game Boy ROM files

This step tends to be the trickiest one. The Game Play website cannot directly offer the ROM files for download. Instead, it is suggested that you search for the files yourself. Game Play does provide a list of games which currently will work for the application:

Adventure Island, Adventure Island 2,Bionic Commando, Bomberman, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Castle Quest, Castlevania 2 – Belmont’s Revenge, Double Dragon, Dr. Mario, Duck Tales 1, Duck Tales 2, Fist of the North Star, Kirby’s Dream Land, Mega Man 1, Mega Man 2, Mega Man 3, Mystical Ninja, Ninja Boy 1, Ninja Boy 2, Ninja Gaiden Shadow, Othello, Ren & Stimpy Space Cadet Advenutres, Super Mario Land, Tale Spin, Tecmo Bowl, The Castlevania Adventure (’86), The Flash, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, The Pagemaster, The Real Ghostbusters, Tiny Toon Adventures – Montana’s Movie Madness, Tiny Toon Advenutres – Bab’s Big Break, TMNT – Fall of the Foot Clan, TMNT II – Back from the Swewers, TMNT III – Radical Rescue, Yoshi’s Cookie.

There are several different websites which can be used to find and to download game ROMS. The one I personally utilized most was one called DopeRoms.com. Specifically, if you search for game boy games, this page lists the games used for the original Game Boy, which are the only ones that currently work for the iPhone application:

http://www.doperoms.com/roms/Gameboy_And_Gbc.html

*Note: The game ROMs will be labeled as GB, GBC, or both. (Game Boy and/or Game Boy Color) – If the file is only listed as GBC, it will not work.

 

  • Step 4: Save the downloaded Roms to a folder in Google Drive. 

On your computer, the saved files can be dragged or loaded into your google drive account.
Create a folder in your Drive specifically for the games.

 

 

 

The folder and files will sync with your iPhone 5.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Step 5: Add artwork

The photos for the games must be downloaded and added as well. To find the artwork,
search for it. For example, for the game Super Mario Land, I Googled Super Mario Land under images and found several shots of the original cartridge artwork:

Once downloaded, add the artwork file to the same google drive folder as its game.

You then must rename the artwork file to exactly match that of the game, only changing the file type from gb to jpg.

For example:

Once again, the folder and contained files on your Google Drive will sync with those on your iPhone 5 app.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Step 6: Open the App!

You’re finished! Open the Game Play app on your iPhone Home Screen. The Google Drive app automatically syncs with the app and the games will appear within the app itself.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Notes on the application

– There is no sound on any of the games for Game Play. Do not be concerned when there is no sound for the games. It is not yet available. The application creators are working to add this feature soon.

– The games cannot be saved.  If the application is closed, the game will be lost and can only be started from the beginning the next time the application is opened. If the iPhone itself is turned off while Game Play is running, the game will continue where you left off.

InSeven Limited, the company behind Game Play, has stated that they are continuously working to improve the program. They hope to bring Game Play to other platforms soon, and are seeking to expand to include Game Boy Color games in the near future.

Filed Under: TECHNOLOGY Tagged With: Game Boy, games, gaming, geek, google drive, iphone, nintendo, tech, technology, vintage

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