Beware the touchtronic device.

Aka, why iStuff was invented.

“It’s basically an album you can hang out in.”

"...an unlikely mix of Zelda and art house cinema. The game is equal parts Robert E. Howard, Shigeru Miyamoto, Tim Schaefer, with some David Lynch thrown in for good measure — but there is more to S&S than these inspirations."

I don’t know what the full game experience is going to be like yet, but based on quotes like that and the trailer, this looks awesome. Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcer (S:S&S EP) bills this nearly completed iPhone/iPad game as a “21st century interpretation of the archetypical old school videogame adventure, designed exclusively for Apple’s touchtronic machinery.” Looks like someone into vector got tired of the MOH FPS aesthetic and decided to rewrite some rules by turning it on its head.

(Via.)

The Patriot App. Aka, there’s a snitch for that.

Thought Steve Jobs was Big Brother? Ha, maybe you were right. Look at Apple carrying this fun little tool! Now with The Patriot App, use your smartphone to turn in that neighbor who just didn’t seem to fit in at summer block parties. You know, the one who kept to himself? You may hate what it stands for, but if there’s a better product name that melds with the app category in general, I haven’t seen it. Supposedly created by former Department of Homeland security people at Citizen Concepts, you can do fun things like text local authorities when you suspect something. (Man, why does the word *citizen* always give me the creeps. Oh yeah, that’s why.) Need a guide for what to do when the Russkies drop the Al Qaida detonates a suitcase at the mall? There’s a paranoia for that.

(Via.)

Introducing the next (blank) killer.

Pop quiz hotshot: You have a product in a category defined by someone else, what do you do? Go all in and take on the leader... or risk becoming marginalized. An obvious dynamic of many categories, but tech seems to be the only one that relies on actual “(insert product) killer” wording. I’ve never heard Subway called a Wendy’s killer, or Dodge a Toyota killer. Even though auto and fast food have their share of parity brands, they also have category leaders that competitors take shots at — they just don’t use that particular phrase.

Some brands might be content with laying low, where owning even 10% of a very large market is fine when compared with trying to replace the category leader outright. Not a bad concept in theory, but reality is different in tech.

Hello Zune. Hello how many other brands trying the same approach who have failed.

Lights, camera, iPhone.

So much for crappy cell phone pics. Photographer Greg Schmigel shows it’s not about the gear you use. His weapon of choice: an iPhone. Now go trash your laptop-taken avatar, please.

(Via.)