The Tech Circuit

CEBU, Philippines – Nintendo revealed some of the details of its first mobile app last week – the first Nintendo app for Android and iOS that’s to be available by next year.

Named “Miitomo” and unveiled during a strategy meeting for investors in Tokyo, a press statement from the gaming industry giant described the app as a “communication application that helps friends share personal facts and interests.”

Billed by Nintendo CEO Tatsumi Kimishima as a free-to-play game, it is unclear how the app’s gaming premise would exactly go – only that it will allow its ‘players’ to create personal avatars called “Miis.” The avatars (and the user accounts that come with them) allow players to interact with ‘friends’, thereby learn new things about each other.

“Miitomo’s” unveiling is quite momentous for Nintendo, given that it has steered clear from releasing applications (games or otherwise) for the Android and iOS platforms until “Miitomo.”

Nintendo also plans to release other game titles by 2016.

Phone for emergency situations

A new phone with hardware provisions for emergency situations was recently introduced by MyPhone, makers of the “Rio” Android-driven smartphone series.

Dubbed MyPhone My112 – a.k.a. the “SOS Phone” – the handset is powered by a 6,000 mAh battery – a hardware component that gives the unit an additional power bank function.

It is water and shock-resistant, and features a dedicated “SOS Button” which, when pressed, activates a siren alarm that’s intended to get the attention of rescuers during emergencies. The unit also comes with an “extra bright flashlight” and a glow-in-the-dark body finish.

Available in blue, red, and yellow body color variations, the phone comes with a VGA camera and can read microSD memory cards of up to 8GB. Dual-SIM capable, the unit can connect to 2G EDGE and GPRS mobile internet networks. More information on the “SOS Phone” is found at myphone.com.ph.

Microsoft’s “Arrow” Launcher for Android

Last week, Microsoft’s “Arrow Launcher” went live on Google Play – ending the beta (or testing) phase of the Microsoft-branded launcher for Android-driven devices.

Compatible with handhelds running on Android 4.3 or higher, the launcher is unique in the sense that it does not redefine the Android experience or impose the Windows experience – but adapts to the user’s regular usage habits.

“Arrow Launcher” doesn’t exactly have a “home screen” since it classifies applications and utilities into three main categories: “People,” “Apps,” and “Notes & Reminders.” It allows no needless information on a smart device’s screen, and also clears out bloat-ware apps that are hardly or never used.

With support for third-party icon packs, widgets and a customizable dock, “Arrow Launcher” is free to download – a lightweight launcher option for a simple but functional user experience.