chaos

Create your own soundscapes with Audio Chaos Soundscape Generator

Soundscapes are collections of sounds that, taken together, create a particular scene. A forest soundscape, for example, might include the sound of wind rustling in the trees, birds singing, and a babbling brook. Soundscapes can be used for any number of purposes, including relaxation, theatrical performances, and parties. Audio Chaos Soundscape Generator makes it easy to create and save custom soundscapes. All you need to get started is a selection of audio files; Audio Chaos Soundscape Generator makes it easy to combine them into interesting soundscapes.

The program has an intuitive interface and displays tooltips at the bottom any time … Read more

Gameloft's top hits are its first apps ready for the new iPad

Though many developers were initially tight-lipped about when they would release optimized games for the new iPad--now that the device is here--the news has started rolling in.

Gameloft announced today that four popular games, Order and Chaos Online, Modern Combat: Fallen Nation, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, and Gangstar Rio: City of Saints, are now optimized for Apple's Retina Display and ready for the new iPad.

Coming from four different genres, the four games now updated for the iPad have already seen huge success in the iTunes App Store. Order and Chaos Online is an expansive MMO that strongly resembles Blizzard'… Read more

Gameloft shuts down Web games after security breach

Gameloft, a Paris-based video game company that's a leading mobile-game developer, acknowledged today that a security breach had prompted it to pull the plug on one of its Web sites.

Reports began surfacing on the company's Web forums earlier this week, suggesting that the GameloftLive.com Web site had been experiencing problems and that some accounts had been compromised. One poster suggested: "I told all of my friends to stay offline and they are doing so. I hope Gameloft gets this fixed."

In a statement to CNET this morning, a Gameloft representative said:

"Gameloft live … Read more

Hackers say German officials used backdoor

A German hacker group says it has found a Trojan program designed for spying on Skype communications that it alleges was used for surveillance by German law enforcement officials but which also has flaws that put the infected computer at risk of serious attack by others.

"The largest European hacker club, 'Chaos Computer Club' (CCC), has reverse-engineered and analyzed a 'lawful interception' malware program used by German police forces," the CCC wrote in a post on its Web site today. "The malware can not only siphon away intimate data but also offers a remote control or backdoor … Read more

Order & Chaos Online: Tap That App (Video)

A full-fledged MMO on the iPhone? In this week's Tap That App, I take a look at Order & Chaos Online, the massive online multiplayer role-playing game from Gameloft. Featuring a look that very closely resembles Blizzard's World of Warcraft, the game provides a sweeping world in which you'll be able to create a character, choose a class, customize your look, and set off on an adventure.

If you've ever been a fan of online MMOs or just want to see what the fuss is all about, check out this week's Tap That App.

Instant voice mail and online role-playing: iPhone apps of the week

Some interesting Apple news this week from AppleInsider revolves around Apple's acquisition of the iCloud domain name. Apparently, according to sources, Apple paid Sweden-based company Xcerion an estimated $4.5 million for the domain. It is rumored that the cloud service will be announced this summer at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference here in San Francisco.

There have already been plenty of rumors that Apple's cloud service would enable users to stream music to iOS devices, but according to the article, it may also offer a personalized "locker" where you can keep photos and videos as well. It will be exciting to see how this all pans out at WWDC, and whether people will be more inclined to sign up with iCloud than with MobileMe, which received a somewhat lukewarm response from users.

What kind of things would you like to see offered in an Apple-based cloud service? What would be a reasonable price for such a service? Let us know in the comments.

This week's apps are an instant voice mail messenger and a full-featured MMORPG that closely resembles one of the most popular games of all time.… Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1425: Buzz Out Loud does SXSW

From Austin, Molly and Brian interview Pete Cashmore, get caught up on the big group texting trend, and fall in love with Felicia Day. Plus: movie stars!

Buzz Out Loud live at SXSWi

If you've been anywhere near Twitter in the last week, you know that the South by Southwest Interactive, Film, and Music festival (known lovingly as SXSW to just about everyone) starts this week. Last year was the first time that interactive registrants outnumbered even music festival attendees, so it's more than safe to say the Internet portion of the program has become the biggest part of the program (probably to the dismay of Austin's old-school music fans!). But hey, we can take a hint. If you're anyone at all online, you're at SXSW. So, we'… Read more

Wireless key finder locates your keys and more

I never understood the logic of "ordered chaos." Either you are messy or you aren't. So I rarely sympathize with anyone who is trying to look for his or her phone or car keys under a pile of stuff.

Fortunately for this group of people, the Find It All Key Finder may be the key (literally) to their next search mission. Each $40 set comes with a pair of keychains and a card with wireless receiving and transmitting capabilities. All you need to do is attach them to items that you frequently use or have a tendency … Read more

WiiWare and Virtual Console releases for this week

This week brings us a new snowboarding title that will work with your balance board and a classic Sonic game from the Master System era. WiiWare Snowboard Riot (Hudson Entertainment, 1,000 Wii points): In this snowboard battler and racer, you have the option to use the Balance Board to control your character. Ride with up to four players using Wi-Fi. LONPOS (Nintendo, 800 Wii points): LONPOS is a very straight-forward puzzle game that anyone can easily pick up and play. The game offers two modes of play with the option to download more backgrounds and puzzles. Virtual Console Sonic … Read more