2048: attack of the clones
Threes! is a puzzle game by a tiny, two-man independent studio. The game has you pushing same-numbered blocks together to try to reach the highest number possible, on a little four-by-four grid. Each number has its own personality, and the game itself â€" released for AU$2.49 on iOS and AU$2.22 on Google Play is beautifully designed, with a clean interface and a satisfying mechanic.It took 14 months to design and build. It took three weeks to clone in the form of a game called 1024.Then, 31 days after its launch on the iTunes app store, a game by young Italian web developer Gabriele Cirulli arrived. Called 2048, it took the basic principle of Threes!, mixed up the gameplay and the visual design a little and â€" perhaps most unfortunately for Sirvo â€" was free to play on the web. It took Cirulli two days to build, and skyrocketed in popularity.Meanwhile, Sirvo was working on porting its game to Android; but another clone called Fives had already arrived on Google Play.(Screenshot by Michelle Starr/CNET Australia)2048, in turn, inspired clones of its own, including a customiser that allowed users to put their own content into the boxes. Cirulli remained adamant that he wasn't going to either make an app for or profit off 2048, and to his credit he hasn't; but others have, as evidenced by a version of 2048 â€" not made by either Cirullu or Sirvo â€" currently sitting at the top of Apple's free app charts.And most players of 2048, we'd warrant, have never even heard of Threes!, even though Cirulli had put a link to his inspiration at the bottom of his page. This is something Sirvo also found."It's all in good fun, at least we'd like to think so, but try as our logical brains might, we still got the same 'cloning feeling'," Sirvo's Asher Vollmer and Greg Wohlwend wrote in a blog post about the clone phenomenon. "Especially when people called Threes!, a game we pored over for nearly a year and a half, a clone of 2048. Others rifled off that they thought 2048 was a better game than Threes!. That all stung pretty bad. We know Threes! is a better game, we spent over a year on it. And obviously, Threes! is the reason 2048 exists."Threes! is a better-made game. It has a much more considered approach, and a slower progression â€" but the satisfaction when you hit the high points is the better for it. 2048 is all about instant gratification.But Cirulli and 2048 aren't necessarily the problem here. Cirulli was just mucking about, experimenting with designing a web interface. He never intended his game to become as popular as it did, he refuses to profit from 2048 and he has been making sure that he credits Sirvo as much as possible.To take a look at the real problem, take a look at the top app charts. Do a search on Google Play or the iTunes app store using the terms "threes" or "2048". Clones are blossoming like bruises. Keep a careful eye on new apps, where you might find as many as 10 Flappy Bird clones in the last two hours (as we have at time of writing).If the original game was getting equal or greater attention, perhaps this sort of opportunistic copycatting wouldn't be so problematic. Annoying, sure, but easily dismissed. But when it's harming developers who have worked hard bring a concept to fruition, gamers should stand up and take note.This is unlikely to mean much to the majority of gamers out there, who only know that they're having a good time. However, it should matter. Firstly, a flood of clones lowers the overall quality of the app marketplace. Secondly, a flood of clones could discourage genuinely creative and interesting developers away from the app marketplaces.No one can be forced to think ethically about the games they play. However, if you played and enjoyed one of the multitudinous Threes! clones out there, have a think about downloading the original game, just to show your appreciation for the hard work that brought it to life.
How to install iOS 6
How to install iOS 6
You have two methods for downloading and installing iOS 6. You can simply update your iOS device over the air via the device's Settings, or you can connect it to your computer and use iTunes.Method 1: Over the airThe easier of the methods is to grab your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch and update wirelessly. Before doing so, however, it's wouldn't be a bad idea to sync your device with iTunes if you haven't done so in a while. There have been instances with past iOS updates where users have reported the new iOS didn't install correctly, bricking their phone and forcing them to restore their phone before trying again. So, if your iOS device has talked to iTunes recently, go ahead and go toSettings > General > Software Update.Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETYou should see iOS 6 listed, with a Download and Install button below it. Tap the button, agree to Apple's terms and conditions, and either heed or ignore Apple's advice to connect your device to a power source during the download to save battery.Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETAfter iOS 6 installs, your device will restart, which was a rather lengthy process in my experience (20 minutes or so, after the roughly 45 minutes it took to download and install). After restarting, you'll be greeted by a shiny, new iOS 6 lock screen. Slide to open your device and click through the following four setup screens:Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETMethod 2: Update via iTunesIf you are near your computer with iTunes, it might be faster to update this way. In my experience, updating my iPad 2 via iTunes was faster than updating my iPhone 4S over the air. The first order of business is to update iTunes to version 10.7. Open iTunes and then click iTunes > Check for Updates to install the latest version.Once iTunes is up-to-date, connect your iOS device. Click on your device under the Devices header in the left-hand column and click Check for Update.Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETA pop-up window will appear, alerting you that a new iOS version is available for your device. Click the Download and Update button. (Or, if you are going to need your phone in the near future, opt for the Download Only button to download it now and install later. iOS 6 is a 626MB download for the iPhone, which could take an hour or more, depending on your connection and the amount of traffic hitting Apple's servers.)Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETClick through two more setup screens that show you iOS 6's many new features and Apple's terms and conditions to start the download.Once the download is complete, keep your iOS device connected until it restarts. After restarting, you will need to hop through four setup screens before you are off and running with iOS 6. On my iPad 2, the process looked like this:Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETScreenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETTo learn about all the new features iOS 6 ushers in, check out Jason Parker's full review of iOS 6. You can also read our complete guide to iOS 6.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
You have two methods for downloading and installing iOS 6. You can simply update your iOS device over the air via the device's Settings, or you can connect it to your computer and use iTunes.Method 1: Over the airThe easier of the methods is to grab your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch and update wirelessly. Before doing so, however, it's wouldn't be a bad idea to sync your device with iTunes if you haven't done so in a while. There have been instances with past iOS updates where users have reported the new iOS didn't install correctly, bricking their phone and forcing them to restore their phone before trying again. So, if your iOS device has talked to iTunes recently, go ahead and go toSettings > General > Software Update.Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETYou should see iOS 6 listed, with a Download and Install button below it. Tap the button, agree to Apple's terms and conditions, and either heed or ignore Apple's advice to connect your device to a power source during the download to save battery.Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETAfter iOS 6 installs, your device will restart, which was a rather lengthy process in my experience (20 minutes or so, after the roughly 45 minutes it took to download and install). After restarting, you'll be greeted by a shiny, new iOS 6 lock screen. Slide to open your device and click through the following four setup screens:Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETMethod 2: Update via iTunesIf you are near your computer with iTunes, it might be faster to update this way. In my experience, updating my iPad 2 via iTunes was faster than updating my iPhone 4S over the air. The first order of business is to update iTunes to version 10.7. Open iTunes and then click iTunes > Check for Updates to install the latest version.Once iTunes is up-to-date, connect your iOS device. Click on your device under the Devices header in the left-hand column and click Check for Update.Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETA pop-up window will appear, alerting you that a new iOS version is available for your device. Click the Download and Update button. (Or, if you are going to need your phone in the near future, opt for the Download Only button to download it now and install later. iOS 6 is a 626MB download for the iPhone, which could take an hour or more, depending on your connection and the amount of traffic hitting Apple's servers.)Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETClick through two more setup screens that show you iOS 6's many new features and Apple's terms and conditions to start the download.Once the download is complete, keep your iOS device connected until it restarts. After restarting, you will need to hop through four setup screens before you are off and running with iOS 6. On my iPad 2, the process looked like this:Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETScreenshot by Matt Elliott/CNETTo learn about all the new features iOS 6 ushers in, check out Jason Parker's full review of iOS 6. You can also read our complete guide to iOS 6.This content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.Play
Amazon sidesteps battle over Dan Brown book
Amazon sidesteps battle over Dan Brown book
The Kindle version of "The Lost Symbol" was in limbo since Amazon first placed the hardcover version on its site for preorder.Its publisher, Random House, was concerned with releasing a Kindle version on the same day as the hardcover version.The company reasoned that with such a low price ($9.99 on the Kindle) compared with the hardcover version, which Amazon is currently offering for $16.17, that Kindle sales would cannibalize hardcover sales.Random House's issues set the stage for what could have been a major battle between Amazon and publishers.Dan Brown's book promises to be a bestseller the day it's released.Random House might have had some leverage.But after entering into discussions with Amazon, Random House announced last week that it had approved a Kindle version."Now that all of our security and logistical issues surrounding the e-book of 'The Lost Symbol' have been resolved, the e-book will be released simultaneously with the hardcover on September 15," the publisher announced.It didn't elaborate on what those issues were.Amazon followed up that statement with its own confirmation this week.It's interesting that Amazon felt the need to write its own press release to announce the book's Kindle availability.It underlies the importance of Brown's book and perhaps of Amazon's desire to show other publishers that Random House is allowing one of the biggest books of the year to hit the Kindle at a reduced price on the same day it's offered as a hardcover in stores.Stephen King's next book, "Under the Dome," which is slated for a November 10 release, could potentially challenge Kindle policy if its publisher, Simon & Schuster, decides to press the issue.Publishers are wary of some aspects of the Kindle.AmazonAmazon will continue to face those discussions as long as publishers only worry about their hardcover sales. Publishers believe that if people can buy a book on the Kindle store for $10, they will have no reason to buy a hardcover version for $16--or more.Amazon's troubles are quite similar to Apple's battles with the music industry.Publishers are set in their ways. They don't necessarily welcome e-books, and they're deathly afraid of Amazon building too much power in the space through both hardcover and Kindle sales.The larger the Kindle's following, the less leverage they will have, they believe.Apple can relate.It has been forced to deal with a wary music industry since its iPod started becoming the dominant force in the industry.The music industry is scared of iTunes and Apple.Book publishers don't want to put themselves in the same position with the Kindle and Amazon.But it's possible that they are.Random House has already backed down.Simon & Schuster is up next to challenge Amazon and its Kindle.It will be interesting to see whether it goes to battle or follows Random House's example.In either case, its decision will set a precedent.Disclosure: Simon & Schuster is owned by CBS. CNET News is published by CBS Interactive, a unit of CBS. Check out Don's Facebook profile, Twitter stream, and FriendFeed.
The Kindle version of "The Lost Symbol" was in limbo since Amazon first placed the hardcover version on its site for preorder.Its publisher, Random House, was concerned with releasing a Kindle version on the same day as the hardcover version.The company reasoned that with such a low price ($9.99 on the Kindle) compared with the hardcover version, which Amazon is currently offering for $16.17, that Kindle sales would cannibalize hardcover sales.Random House's issues set the stage for what could have been a major battle between Amazon and publishers.Dan Brown's book promises to be a bestseller the day it's released.Random House might have had some leverage.But after entering into discussions with Amazon, Random House announced last week that it had approved a Kindle version."Now that all of our security and logistical issues surrounding the e-book of 'The Lost Symbol' have been resolved, the e-book will be released simultaneously with the hardcover on September 15," the publisher announced.It didn't elaborate on what those issues were.Amazon followed up that statement with its own confirmation this week.It's interesting that Amazon felt the need to write its own press release to announce the book's Kindle availability.It underlies the importance of Brown's book and perhaps of Amazon's desire to show other publishers that Random House is allowing one of the biggest books of the year to hit the Kindle at a reduced price on the same day it's offered as a hardcover in stores.Stephen King's next book, "Under the Dome," which is slated for a November 10 release, could potentially challenge Kindle policy if its publisher, Simon & Schuster, decides to press the issue.Publishers are wary of some aspects of the Kindle.AmazonAmazon will continue to face those discussions as long as publishers only worry about their hardcover sales. Publishers believe that if people can buy a book on the Kindle store for $10, they will have no reason to buy a hardcover version for $16--or more.Amazon's troubles are quite similar to Apple's battles with the music industry.Publishers are set in their ways. They don't necessarily welcome e-books, and they're deathly afraid of Amazon building too much power in the space through both hardcover and Kindle sales.The larger the Kindle's following, the less leverage they will have, they believe.Apple can relate.It has been forced to deal with a wary music industry since its iPod started becoming the dominant force in the industry.The music industry is scared of iTunes and Apple.Book publishers don't want to put themselves in the same position with the Kindle and Amazon.But it's possible that they are.Random House has already backed down.Simon & Schuster is up next to challenge Amazon and its Kindle.It will be interesting to see whether it goes to battle or follows Random House's example.In either case, its decision will set a precedent.Disclosure: Simon & Schuster is owned by CBS. CNET News is published by CBS Interactive, a unit of CBS. Check out Don's Facebook profile, Twitter stream, and FriendFeed.
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