Pocket Hexagem  ::  Deluxe Aluminum Case  ::  News     

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Pocket Sexagem

Actually, this one is called Pocket Hexagem, but at least I got you to read it. Just when I thought they couldn't do anything new with the match-up-balls/gems/circles/blocks/whatever–and–make–them–vanish idea, Cellosoft comes out with this game, in which you slide the pieces one at a time on a hexagonal game board to make matches of three or more, then "blast" them to make them go away.

It’s a little hard to explain, but the game board has one "empty" spot, and you can move pieces in and out of the spot in order to rearrange them into groups of matching colors. However, the empty spot needs to be next to a game piece in order to be used, and if you make a match and leave the game piece "stranded," you won't be able to use it in that level anymore.

The game sounds simple, but getting through the levels is a little harder than it sounds. Differentiating features of the game include chiseled, metallic–looking graphics and an analog timer (there's a time limit every time you make a match). This is a neat feature and I think other developers who make some of the simpler puzzle/action games should consider doing something similar. It's simple and takes a bit more room than just a digital readout, but it looks prettier and is much more intuitive on small Pocket PC screens.

Registered users can post their scores on an Internet-based scoreboard.

Suit of Armor

In the first of what I hope will be a series of hardware reviews, I'm going to take a look at the new Deluxe Aluminum Case for my iPAQ 2215 from Inno Pocket (the version I’m reviewing was provided by www.Styluscentral.com). It's not directly game–related, but many of us who game on our Pocket PCs take our handhelds to all sorts of places (camping, travelling, on the bus, etc.) and need good protection.

I don't need to tell you how crappy most of the cases are that come with Pocket PCs. They're flimsy. They're made out of low–grade vinyl. They have an inner lining made of cardboard. They almost never have a belt clip. Although pricey custom–fit cases made from upscale components like Napa Vitello leather have their appeal, some prefer ruggedized hard cases since they offer much more protection from drops, bounces, bumps, and other typical hazards of the mobile world.

The case is a custom–fit, shiny, hard container made from anodized aluminum. It comes lined with soft neoprene which prevents the handheld from sliding and being scratched by the aluminum. The hinged front cover opens to the right, revealing an SD card pocket at the center of the front cover. Like all such cases, it is designed to fit a particular device. It has cutouts for the status LEDs, the rear-mounted speaker, the reset switch, the serial port, the stylus, and the entire top of the unit (including CF and SD slots, IR port, microphone, and headphone jack). In fact, the iPAQ is completely usable when in the case, although you can’t plug it into the cradle (of course, you can still hook up a sync/charge cable to the unit if you have one).

The case itself is very shiny, and although it looks thin and a little cheap, it feels quite solid. I wouldn't want to step on the case with or without my device inside it, but I wouldn’t be worried at all about the drops, scrapes, and bumps that can happen during regular use. The hinged flip cover doesn't wobble and snaps securely over what appears to be a plastic ridge. At the top of the cover is a lip which prevents the unit from sliding out when the lid is closed. I actually wouldn't worry about the unit sliding out anyway, since it fits quite snugly into the case. What's nice about this type of case is that, unlike soft cases, it doesn't require all sorts of leather straps wrapping around the device to keep it secure–only two small tabs toward the top. The neoprene residue I sometimes get on my hands when taking the device in and out makes me wonder if the fit will loosen a little with heavy use. I also wonder how durable the neoprene lining will be in the long run, since I'm already seeing a couple of wear marks on the sides from contact with the rubber sides of my 2210. My case also had a couple of tiny holes in certain spots.

The case is very practical overall. Since it's slender and form–fitting, it takes up less space than many of the typical PDA cases, especially the one–size–fits–all variety. I wouldn't have any qualms about sticking the device in the pocket of my dress pants or even my jeans, something I can't say about any soft case I've used. I might even use this case instead of my belt–clip case, which can get uncomfortable since it is has a thick metal plate lining in order to keep its shape (and yet doesn't offer as much protection). Speaking of that, I'm not entirely comfortable with having the top section cut out, as this area gets little protection this way. I would rather they had some sort of mini flip cover for the top or maybe even a snap–on attachment. Maybe it's just me, but I don’t need to access the top area of my PDA that much.

Another minor gripe I have is that the shiny metal is slippery when placed on most surfaces. When I'm driving down the road and have the case on the passenger seat, it slides around unless I put something next to it. I wish they'd put a little rubber on the bottom of the case. Another neat addition would be a detachable belt clip. You don't necessarily need to carry this sort of case around on your belt, but it would be nice to have that option. One final point: to use the SD storage pocket, you’ll need to turn the card over before sticking it in the slot (meaning that the metal contacts will be facing up), and pulling it out of the slot is a little more awkward that it should be. I wish they'd incorporate a pop-in/pop-out mechanism like the one on the device itself as well as an additional pocket for CF cards.

The case retails for $34.99, with a current sale price at the time of this writing of $27.99. With shipping the total comes to just over $30. That's not a bad price, considering the durability and flexibility this case offers. If you're looking for an economical, stylish case that offers more protection than other storage options, the Inno Pocket Deluxe Aluminum Case is an option you should consider.
 

News

Douglas Beck wrote in to give me an update on his newest title, Stuntman Evolution:

In addition, Stuntman Evolution is really coming into focus and will be released for both Smartphone and Pocket PC in the near future. We recently released a video on www.StuntmanEvolution.com which really shows off what an excellent title it's going to be. I began development on this title July 2002—yes, 2002—and have been working steadily along on it, at times feverishly. It's been my exclusive project for months and is going to come down the pipe in the near future.

I’ll admit that this one looked a little iffy to me, but after viewing the movie, this might be an interesting (if unorthodox) title if he can come up with some interesting levels. By the way, Doug also sent me a review copy of Vector Blaster, a game he’s publishing from Rude Scotsman Studios, and I’ll take a look at that one next week.

Allen Gall’s The Week in Games is a free service of POCKET PC magazine and POCKET PC magazine ONLINE: in-depth articles, tips, an Encyclopedia of Software and Accessories, and links to the best Windows Mobile PDA and Smartphone Web sites

This Newsletter is published by Thaddeus Computing, Inc., 110 North Court Street, Fairfield, IA.

Allen Gall’s The Week in Games  Copyright © 2003 by Thaddeus Computing Inc.