Imagine Publishing has launched a new digital-only, Multi-Touch ebook, iCloud For Beginners, specifically designed for Apple’s iBooks 2. Featuring slideshows, interactive images and more, it is one of the first ebooks of its type in the world.

Using iBooks Author’s revolutionary Multi-Touch technology, iCloud For Beginners teaches everything users need to know about iCloud, the free new back-up and sync service. From how to set-up your free iCloud account to sharing your information across your Apple devices, the ebook uses cutting-edge technology to deliver enhanced, easy-to-use tutorials.

“At Imagine, we’re always excited by cool new ways to deliver our world-leading content.” said Editor In Chief Aaron Asadi “iBooks Author is another great opportunity for us to create more products we love for a whole new type of audience. It’s this sort of game-changing innovation that makes us do what we do. ”

“With the speed that the publishing industry is changing, there’s nothing more exhilarating than grabbing hold of new technologies and seeing how we can get the most out of them to serve-up the content we’re so passionate about” added Ross Andrews, Head of Design “What could be better than going from saying ‘we should try that’ to a fully published product in just a few days? It’s hard to think of a more exciting time for the industry.”

iCloud For Beginners is available now on iTunes and iBookstore worldwide for just £0.99 in the UK and $1.99 in the US.

Imagine Publishing is one of the UK’s fastest-growing multimedia content producers. Formed in May 2005, Imagine now publishes 20 regular print magazines, 30 digital apps, 25 websites and thousands of articles every month in the technology, videogames, photography and knowledge/science markets. An Imagine magazine is purchased every ten seconds.

Size

Xperia S: 128 x 64 x 10.6 mm, 144g
iPhone 4S: 115.2 x 58.6 x 9.3 mm, 140g

The Xperia S is noticeably taller than the iPhone 4S, and a little wider too, to accomodate its larger, widescreen display. The Xperia S also breaks from the recent trend of high-end smartphones being less than 10mm thin, which will hopefully result in longer battery life. The weight of the two handsets is essentially the same.

Processor and memory

Xperia S: 1.5GHz dual-core, 1GB RAM
iPhone 4S: 1GHZ dual-core, 512MB RAM

On paper the Xperia S appears to be the clear winner, with a processor 50% faster and double the RAM. However in practice the difference may be less discernible, if at all, due to the fact that the devices run different OSes with different power requirements. The Xperia S should be as fast and responsive as any Android handset, though.

Screen

Xperia S: 4.3″, 720 x 1280 pixels
iPhone 4S: 3.5″, 640 x 960 pixels

The famed Retina Display in the iPhone used to be the standard by which all phone screens were measured. Not any more. The 720p display in the Xperia S, over 4.3 inches, amounts to a pixel density of 341ppi – better even than on the iPhone 4S. The display is arguably the one area most in need of an upgrade when it’s time for the iPhone 5 later this year. The 4.3″ size of the screen on the Xperia S is becoming the norm; some users may find it a little large to use one-handed.

Camera

Xperia S: 12.1 megapixels, f/2.4, 1080p video
iPhone 4S: 8 megapixels, f/2.4, 1080p video

The iPhone 4S is recognised as having one of the best cameras in any smartphone today. Sony Ericsson (now just Sony) has traditionally equipped its phones with impressive cameras itself, so we have high hopes that the Xperia S will be a top performer in its own right. The bump in resolution, up to 12.1 megapixels, sounds impressive, although in reality increasing the resolution on a small sensor can actually degrade image quality, so that is something that will need to be analysed in full when the device becomes available. The f/2.4 aperture should ensure reasonable low light performance on a par with what the iPhone 4S can achieve.

Battery

Xperia S: 1750mAh
iPhone 4S: 1432mAh

The Sony Xperia S has a larger battery than the iPhone 4S, but any potential benefits may be offset by the larger screen size and faster processor. In truth, a day is probably the best you can hope for from either device.

OS

Xperia S: Android 2.3 (upgradeable to Android 4)
iPhone 4S: iOS 5

The Xperia S will launch with Gingerbread, Android 2.3, and will receive an update to Android 4 some time in the second quarter of 2012. Sony does customise the OS but in a fairly minimal way, adding a few extra widgets and useability tweaks, without ever completely changing the way the phone works as, say, HTC does. The number of apps is comparable to the iPhone, and both handsets have a comprehensive – if different – feature set, including the excellent Google Maps app on the Xperia S and the popular Siri speech recognition tool on the iPhone.

Verdict

The Sony Xperia S is looking like being one of the most powerful and exciting new smartphones of 2012. On paper it has the specs and features to match and even surpass the iPhone 4S in most areas although, as ever, what looks clear on paper does not always turn out to be so in practice.

We’ll find out when the Xperia S goes on sale in March.

On the PS3, Shift 2 was a shambolic mess of bad handling and a ridiculously random learning curve. Luckily, it fares a whole lot better on the iPhone.

Naturally, it’s a much smaller game, featuring five different classes of car and a mix of traditional races, time trials and drift events. You start with a humble Megane, but as you progress up the ranks there are some hugely expensive and powerful cars available to improve your chances.

Of course, you retain the dilemma of whether to buy bigger wheels or blow your cash on upgrading what you already have. Later events leave little option except to spend, and some tracks definitely respond better to certain types of car, but for most of the game you do have a choice.

Shift 2 boasts some sharp graphics, brilliant collision effects and a nice motion blur when you hit the sweet spot. The ranking system has also been improved, making it possible to earn points for demonstrating techniques, which in turn allows you more freedom in choosing your next race and therefore the calibre of opponent you face

Handling is as strong as the previous Shift, although you can now have options for manual acceleration as well as the original manual gears. However, these extra screen swipes can be tricky if you select too many manual options at once. The single player campaign still packs superb depth, rewarding you for everything from driver points to drifting and the new tracks and locations are superb.

If you wanted to quibble, you could point out that the Drift events are still pointlessly frustrating to play. Likewise, online play is fiddly and restricted to local networks. However in other respects, Shift 2 is a brilliant handheld racer.

Verdict: 8/10

The basic idea of the CTR: Experiments is unchanged. Your hero, Om Nom needs to be fed candy, conveniently attached to pieces of rope. Slide your finger to make the rope swing, then again to cut it at he right moment to release the candy into Om Nom’s gob, hopefully collecting one of 3 stars along the way. It worked beautifully the first time…and still does.

So what’s changed? Well obviously there’s 75 new levels, but more items have been added to change the dynamic a bit. This time you also have to contend with maverick scientist Ken, who throws new objects into the mix. Now there’s trampolines that bounce the candy, cushion-like objects that release air blasts, even rope shooters that stick to your precious candy.

There are also insects that will gobble your prize and stars that disappear after time – in fact, time limits are more pressing this time round, so get our skates on.

For fans of the original there’s plenty in CTR: Experiments to excite. And for anyone who missed it first time, what are you waiting for?

Verdict: 7/10

Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty

Price: £0.69

It may only be a so-so movie, but Captain America the game had potential. With 25 levels of sideways scrolling action, a constant stream of goons to dispatch and a clever, touch-based interface. What could go wrong?

Yup, it’s the interface, Once you get the hang of it, you can pull off some semi-continuous combos of runs, jumps, slides and grabs. Combat is simplistic, mainly using screen swipes for shield attacks and knockdowns. However, most of  these are signposted with screen commands while the laggy controls require you to memorise level layouts to get any kind of rhythm going. Luckily restart points are plentiful and there are added objectives like collecting secret documents to add a bit of variety. However, you only get collectible tokens as a reward when a few extra power ups might be more useful.

The pseudo 3D world of Captain America certainly looks good in the screengrabs. In play, however, with so many taps, slides and virtual buttons going on, it’s hard to keep a clear view of the action. Try the free Lite version before you splash the cash.

Verdict: 6/10

Gravity Lab!

Price: £0.69

Yes, it’ a bit like Angry Birds (in fact a lot like it) but there’s plenty to surprise in this accomplished clone.

Your task is to catapult Steve the Robot into various coloured crates, which in turn tumble into the stars you must collect. Different crates have different effects under the weird lab physics. Red crates float, blues fall left, yellows fall right, trampolines bounce them up, etc – and that’s just the first of the labs. The next two start using gravity fields to change colours and Steve’s trajectory, while portals that could literally take you anywhere.

Verdict: 7/10

Alien Space Retro

Price: Free

There’s been so many original iPhone games recently, it’s hard to take retro entrants all that seriously. However, this remix of last year’s Alien Space is worth a look – especially as it’s free.

One glance tells you this is an Asteroids clone, with 30 levels of basic blasting before you.  Movement and firing are controlled by twin virtual joysticks, and touching the screen will also activate bombs or change weapons. Nothing much wrong there, although, frankly there’s not much more to it unless you fancy buying the Survival Mode…which we never got round to.

Verdict: 6/10

Temple Run

Price: £0.69

This is a cute idea – race through a scrolling multi-directional world, avoiding traps and plotting your route to the elusive and distant exit.

With only four moves, tilt control and finger slides for slides and turns, it’s easy to control – except for speed which is done automatically. Use the bonus coins you collect for valuable upgrades like extra lives, because you’ll need them.  It feels like the original Prince of Persia or Pitfall games – except much more playable and with an extra dimension of choices. Once you get your eye in you’ll be stringing athletic moves together.

Verdict: 7/10

One of the interesting things about iPhone developers is how few have managed more than a one hit wonder. There are sequels, of course, but in terms of original hits lightning rarely strikes twice.

Fans of the cult iPhone hit Fruit Ninja, however, are in for a treat with this latest  release – a very different game with the same manic and fluid intensity.  The idea of Jetpack Joyride is simply to collect the coins while the screen scrolls left to right at lightning speed.

Your hero, Barry Steakfries, starts with a trusty jetpack, capable only of firing downwards, leading to a fairly simplistic up/down style reminiscent of the old Spectrum classic Lunar Jetman. However, pretty soon you start picking up glowing icons in your path which provide a wealth of additional gear – from the Hog motorbike whose trajectory is easier to control and can fire straight ahead, to the L’il Stomper robot that can race or stamp through anything in its path.

Any hostile contact immediately returns you to your default vehicle.

The obstacles get trickier too, from laser beams to homing missiles, all which can be dodged by the simple up/down one-touch controls. There are also occasional Boss characters that require a more strategic approach, usually rapid fire at weak points while avoiding more ferocious attacks.

Ozzie developer Halfbrick also throws in extra Spin Icons that can be gambled on a fruit machine for weapon upgrades as well as 3 extra  objectives per level such as finding scientists, collecting a set number of coins or even engineering your own demise at key points. And the social element is catered for via Facebook leaderboards and rankings.

It may not completely stop Jetpack Joyride getting repetitive but at least it keeps you coming back for more.

Verdict: 8/10

Explodables

Price: £0.69

A great title but sadly not a fantastic game, Explodables is a positive riot of colour and finger mashing gameplay.

It feels like an inverted version of Missile Command, as the red, green or blue rockets shoot up from the bottom of the screen – shoot them down by tapping the screen, which is easy enough until you realise that the big scores rely on detonating them in the correct order. Get it right and score multipliers appear that can be dragged around to maximise your points.

New icons and dangers are introduced constantly in the form of crowns, rainbows and Catherine wheels, as well as bonus coins that can be spent on upgrades. It’s certainly a hectic mix, always challenging you to try some new technique

So far so good, but with its huge graphics and relentless gameplay Explodables does itself no favours by being so damn confusing. Nothing stands still long enough for you to really understand what’s going on and peppering the screen with text exclamations hardly helps.

What it needs is a better tutorial level to introduce some of the more advanced techniques. Still, if you like your learning curves steep, Explodables provides a near vertical challenge.

Verdict: 7/10

Frogger Decades

Price: £1.45

There’s nothing like an anniversary to make you feel old and Frogger hitting 30 makes us feel positively ancient. However, it’s also true that most of these basic classics also respond poorly to reinvention.

Frogger Decades is certainly better than most, keeping the top down perspective albeit with a pseudo 3D slant that brings all the new environments to life. From Mayan temples to pirate ships. each level has something new to throw at you in the way of natural hazard or local wildlife – all conspiring to throw your curiously hydrophobic hero into the drink.

This time  round, however, he has more skills than mere jumping; he can grab objects by lashing out with his tongue and perform super-jumps to reach more difficult targets. There’s a choice of interface too; from a poor onscreen joypad to a more elaborate but intuitive system of swiping the screen with your finger to execute leaps and moves. It can feel a bit laggy in places, leading to occasional mistakes, but is clearly the lesser of two evils.

Verdict: 7/10

Riot Rings

Price: £1.49

If you liked Puzzle Bobble, you might enjoy this. The idea is virtually identical, albeit with a different perspective. Your launcher is in the centre of the screen, revealing animal icons that must be fired outwards to fill the circles around you.

Match up 3 or more icons of the same beasty and they disappear, setting up chain reactions and    making the circle smaller until fully cleared. As the 101 levels unfold, the circles multiple, sometimes concentric, sometimes rotating or complicated by new icons joining from offscreen.

It’s thoughtful stuff, but with no in-game soundtrack and little in the way of surprises, loses its initial appeal fast.

Verdict: 7/10

Tiny Invaders

Price: £1.49

This is a nice idea that will probably take a sequel to fully realise. The idea’s simple; invade a human body by mopping up the white blood cells, one limb at a time.

Each of the levels starts with a central hub where your micro-parasites are stored, release them by swiping your finger and then manipulate the maze-like structure to force them to move in the chosen direction.

Speed up your soldiers by giving them a nudge to score extra points – and that’s it really. It’s impossible to fail a level, so only higher scores to keep you hooked – which isn’t really enough.

Verdict: 6/10

With a title like this, only one name springs to mind; veteran founder of Llamasoft , Jeff Minter. Now enjoying a new lease of life, this is Minter’s second release in as many months and it’s every bit as good as his early Commodore classics.

The idea is simple enough…raise a family of goats against ever-increasing odds in a game that combines platform and shoot-em-up elements in equal measure. Early on the goals involve little more than flirting, jumping to higher the platforms as the screen scrolls upwards and kissing billy goats to instantly grow the size of your family.

The object is to encourage your brood to do all the work as they follow mum dutifully through every leap and bound. Once they acquire a tail, they can flick it to dispatch enemies. However, if things get too tough, mum can take matters into her own…er…hoofs, albeit at the sacrifice of one of her offspring.

You have a choice of interface, either tilting or flexing an onscreen finger for movement, with screen taps taking care of jumps and attacks, just choose the one that feels more comfortable.

As the game progresses, each new level introduces a new element, from weapons to exploding bridges. It makes for a gentle learning curve that never bombards  you with too much too soon, something that other developers could definitely learn from.

On the minus side, the screenshots reveal that Goat Up is hardly what you’d call eye candy. From the menu screen onwards, to the increasingly garish pixel trails, there’s nothing here that would have pushed boundaries even 20 years ago.

Look past the simplistic graphics, however, and you’ll find a game that packs more variety, longevity and fun than most. All in all, it shows a true games maverick at play, and boy have we missed him.

Verdict: 8/10

Airport Mania 2: Wild Trips

Price: £1.49

Much like the first game, Airport Mania 2 is all about keeping an airport running smoothly. Your main task involves ensuring your planes get to the right runway and take-off on time, likewise you need to organise landings using the same skills in reverse. A tutorial level takes you through the basics, after which it’s up to you to organise more takeoffs and landings, scoring points for efficiency that can be spent on upgrades like extra runways and cosmetic improvements to your planes and facilities. You also get bonus points for sticking to the airport’s colour code.

Naturally, things don’t stay at a leisurely pace. In addition to more planes, you have to consider fuelling, maintenance and baggage handling. You also get to change airports as the game progresses, which refreshes interest, although the basic tasks remain unchanged.

The action is viewed from the side, with most of the gameplay relying on tapping the screen. It’s clearly a format that works better with a mouse, but once you get the hang of it, accidentally selecting the wrong plane or instruction should diminish.

Verdict: 7/10

Flick Champions HD

Price: £1.99

Applying the Subuteo model to a number of sports, Flick Champions features 8 different sports, including Tennis, Hockey, Archery and, of course, both American and ‘real’ Football.

Everything is controlled with a single finger, although the actual mechanic depends on the sport. For footy, it’s just matter of flicking the screen in the right direction, but other sports require sliding to control the power of your shot. You also get to choose between Exhibition mode and cup tournaments against the AI or ‘mano-a-mano’ against another player using the same device.  It’s all fairly basic stuff, but for simplicity and variety there’s much to enjoy.

Verdict: 7/10

Serious Sam: Kamikaze Attack!

Price: £1.49

If you knew Serious Sam on the PC, you’ll know what to expect here.  This time, you play as a headless enemy, relentlessly pursuing Sam to catch him and blow the both of you to bits. There are also bonus points for meeting level objectives like killing a set number of enemies or smashing obstacles.

With movement being automatic, your task is simply to tap the left of the screen to jump over obstacles and the right to kick things out of your way. Overdoing this increases your rage metre, forcing you to pause a moment to avoid sudden death. It’s responsive to play, but hardly a step forward.

Verdict: 6/10

Megastunt Mayhem

Price: £1.99

This monster truck racer gives you a few models to choose from, with more unlocked as the game progresses. There are 4 arenas each requiring slightly different gameplay, from the obvious ‘last-truck standing’ model of Demolition Park, to the stunt-based Megastunt Arena. Each arena has its own objectives to complete.

Control is based around tilting or finger presses to steer and taps to accelerate and break. Stunts are performed by flicking your truck in various directions, a simple mechanic that works surprisingly well when you pull off a beauty. There’s also extra content to upload, if you fancy forking out the cash.

Verdict: 7/10

Cast your mind back a bit and maybe you’ll remember FitFinder, the controversial social network app by Floxx. Well, this is their next offering in the world of apps, and its name is Spottd.

We’ve seen a fair share of social networking apps come through the doors at Smartphone Daily, so it takes something a bit special to stand out from the crowd, and we’re happy to say, Spottd does just that.

Spottd is all about the here-and-now, allowing you to connect with your friends, and share the things you love. Spottd allows you to check recommendations of places, such as restaurants, pubs and clubs to find the best place that suits you. This sort of feature is always going to work better in a larger city, and we were surprised to find several places recommended in Bournemouth that we didn’t even know existed!

Spottd also allows you to create your own recommendations, adding a description and photo to it if you so wish. When we gave this a go, the process was simple enough to do, although it was a little fiddly to add a description to our recommendation.

As well as recommendations, Spottd allows you to create your own profile, although it’s a bit basic, it does what it needs to do. The best thing about Spottd is definitely its layout and design. It’s suprisingly easy-to-use and the simple layout means you won’t get confused when looking for specific locations.

As we said previously, we get a lot of social networking apps through our doors, but we can safely say that Spottd is definitely one of the best we’ve seen in a while.