So look -- you've got a plethora of options on the iPhone to keep you connected to the Twitterverse, but if you're looking for something a touch more official, the wait is nearly over. A few short weeks after Twitter acquired Atebits, the creators of the Tweetie app, the company issued the first official Twitter app for Android; tonight, it looks as if a revamped version of Tweetie (3.0, obviously) will claim that same crown over on iPhone OS. It's tough to say exactly what changes are coming, but a few sporadic tips are coming in from far-flung corners of the globe saying that it's already available. If we were the betting type, we'd say it'll finally pop up in the US app store right around midnight. Pins and needles, we know.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/18/t...around-the-wo/ ...

We've yet to see concrete proof that Apple's portable media players will ship with a camera, but the new iPhone OS 4.0 beta shows Cupertino's at least considering the notion for the iPod touch and even the iPad. It seems AT&T tethering wasn't the only thing hidden in iPhone OS 4.0 beta 4 -- 9to5Mac found a variety of telltale references to an a flash when pouring through the update's source code. Does that mean that the iDevices will actually get cameras, let alone supporting light fixtures? It's too early to tell... but we did spot an LED flash on that early iPhone HD, and a recent Vietnamese leak proves that Apple at least prototyped an iPod touch with a camera -- though no flash, sadly -- as well. Is Apple simply updating their error messages, or is there something to this? You make the call.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/i...for-ipad-ipod/ ...

As our extensive KIRF library shows, China's one wild country that can make almost anything you don't want, so don't mind us while we inspect this new finding with extra caution. This particular Chinese online seller not only claims to have parts for the next-gen iPhone, but also one white face plate -- something not seen on iPhones thus far. While we drool over the thought of an all white Apple handheld, there are still questions to be answered here: the seller wasn't able to explain what that silver bit above the speaker is, nor have we seen white back plates to match this. Furthermore, we were given a "maybe" for a bulk order of 15 to 20 units, which is quite a lot for something that's not even out yet, but we were told over the phone that there's always a back door to Foxconn as long as you wave cash at someone. Not that you should engage in such risky business, plus the truth will be revealed in about three weeks' time, anyway. One more shot after the break.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/w...-gen-iphone-o/ ...

Guess who has another Apple scoop? Tinhte, the upstarts from Vietnam have first pics of the mythical iPod touch with a camera. The "DVT-1" stamp on the back makes it clear that this is an early design verification test unit in the evolution of product testing. In other words, this might not be the final design whenever Apple chooses to announce it, say, on June 7th. A check of the device's serial number identifies a late 2009 third generation iPod touch -- could be that this device was one of those eBay prototypes that never made it to production for whatever reason.

The Foxconn manufactured device is also running the same base diagnostic utility that we've seen before (who could forget that "serial number" icon). The Foxconn label appears to indicate a 64GB model ("64G" using a pair of Samsung 32GB Flash modules presumably) in addition to a 2 megapixel, backside illuminated sensor manufactured by Omnivision (part OV2665-6s).

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/i...ed-in-vietnam/ ...

Some are smitten by the iPad, some wonder just what the heck they'd do with the thing. We finally have an answer for members of the latter group: iPad blimp. The lighter-than-air portion of this equation features an Arduino controller board and some helium, while the decidedly heavier-than-air iPad runs an app to receive a video signal from the blimp and to send it controls via accelerometer. It was created by Breakfast NY and made its debut at an after party following the Munny Exhibit, part of Design Week, where it seemed to be quite a hit amongst the gathered group of drunken humanity, who you can see frolicking with the shiny airship after the break.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/i...cal-dirigible/ ...

World of Warcraft developer Blizzard has revealed plans to add an optional subscription model to its MMO, with players paying $2.99 a month to remotely browse, buy and sell in-game items.

The World Of Warcraft Remote service will be available via any web browser, and as an update to Blizzard's existing World of Warcraft Armory app for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad

Remotely browsing the in-game auction house will be free, but bids and sales for items will require paid access to World of Warcraft Remote. Subscriptions are not yet available, but are currently being beta trialled on a free basis for active US WoW subscribers.

Blizzard has not revealed a final date for the launch of the new paid service.

While this new payment model is likely to prove controversial, Blizzard has previously established that its customers have a significant appetite for paid add-ons.

Within three hours of the launch of April's Celestial Steed promotion, over 140,000 players were queuing to pay $25 for an in-game flying horse, generating over $3.5m of revenue on the item's first day of release.

World of Warcraft's current subscriber numbers are unknown - at one point the MMO temporarily lost an estimated six million Chinese customers due to a protracted move to a new server host - but at its peak it boasted 11.5m paying players.

Parent company Activision Blizzard confirmed this month that WoW's ongoing success helped drive its better-than-expected financial results for the first quarter of 2010.

With Apple confirming over 30 million iPhone OS devices sold between June 2007 and March 2010, there is likely to be a significant crossover audience. Potentially more lucrative, however, is simple browser access to the World of Warcraft Remote service, allowing players to manage their in-game inventories from any web-enabled PC.

While take-up of the new paid service remains to be seen, it is possible the bold pricing scheme may be further justified by the inclusion of future remote access features, such as social networking for in-game Guilds.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...obile-warcraft ...

European age ratings organisation PEGI has released its app for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch in the UK.

The application allows users to browse a database of over 14,000 games to research content, age ratings and suitability of all videogames that have been rated by the Pan-European Game Information association.

"We hope that this free app can give the PEGI system a boost in awareness among consumers, especially parents," said Simon Little, managing director of PEGI.

"It offers quick and direct access to everything you need to know about PEGI and videogame ratings, so there’s no excuse not to download it."

The UK's Entertainment and Leisure Software Publisher Association said it supports the release, and has encouraged parents to download the app in a bid to increase education on age-ratings.

"We fully support the PEGI classification system for the videogames industry and are delighted that this app has launched in the UK," offered Michael Rawlinson, director general of ELSPA.

The move comes after the ESRB in the US released a similar app for the North American region last year.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...for-uk-parents ...

New research from Nielsen Games has shown that, contrary to popular belief, the release of a big game isn't necessarily enough to motivate consumers to buy a new games console.

In fact, wanting to play one particular game was cited as the least motivating factor in buying a console by gamers questioned for the survey, coming out as far less important than Blu-ray capabilities, price reductions and online capabilities.

For its research, Nielson quizzed 700 active gamers aged 7-54 who did not currently own a PlayStation 3 but were "definitely" or "probably" interested in buying one in the following six months.

The company interviewed the gamers over a three week period prior to, during and after the release of God of War III on the console, using the game as a lens to determine how important it would be in motivating purchases of the PS3.

However, the results showed that it was of little relevance, with just 12 per cent stating that one specific game would be a motivating factor in their decision.

Instead, the most motivating factors were Blu-Ray capabilities, the recent price reduction of the PS3 and the library of games currently available, which were cited by 65, 63 and 62 per cent of those questioned respectively.

62 per cent said that their decision was motivated by wanting to upgrade from the PlayStation 2, 56 per cent said they wanted the console in order to connect with friends that also had a PS3, and 50 per cent said they were interested in the PS3's other online capabilities.

49 per cent were interested in the PS3's other multimedia capabilities. 42 per cent wanted the console for online multiplayer, and 36 per cent said they were motivated by offers bundling an HDTV with the PS3.

Despite the fact that buying a specific game ranked lowest on the list of reasons for acquiring a PS3, God of War III was the most popular game named among those that did list it.

From a total of 20 PS3 titles, which also included Heavy Rain, Modern Warfare 2, LittleBigPlanet and Gran Turismo 5, 33 per cent named God of War III, followed by Final Fantasy XIII with 13 per cent.

"Not to be overlooked is that nearly half (49 per cent) cited interest in the console for its multimedia capabilities," noted Nielsen on its blog.

"This is especially interesting because the tagline for Sony's recent marketing campaign, 'It only does everything,' touts the entertainment versatility of the PS3 even as it features specific high-profile games, including GOW III, in select ads.

"Considering the data, it appears as though this marketing strategy complements consumer sentiment. While many potential PS3 buyers will see GOW III as an important asset, more often the game will be considered one of many reasons to acquire the console rather than the sole motivator."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-sell-consoles ...

Nintendo, who are publishing Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies in North America, revealed today that the game is scheduled for a July 11th release. They also confirmed that the game will feature downloadable quests, just like its Japanese build. Here’s the official website.

Dragon Quest IX has a somewhat interesting history. We went from Square Enix saying they were “considering” an overseas release to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata pledging marketing support for the game, to Nintendo of America eventually announcing that they would be publishing the game themselves. In bringing the game over, Nintendo hope to preserve its connectivity functions, which allow you to passively communicate with other players that own the game while your DS is closed, and acquire parts of a large treasure map in the process. For the overseas release, this feature has been renamed “Tag mode.”

Whether or not Tag mode or even Dragon Quest IX itself will take off remains to be seen. Historically, the series hasn’t been as popular as Final Fantasy or Kingdom Hearts overseas and IX’s connectivity features are tailor-made to suit Japanese society. Still, if there’s anyone that can raise mainstream awareness of a product, it’s Nintendo.

http://www.siliconera.com/2010/05/19...-on-july-11th/ ...