Will Apple’s Tablet Become The Popular New Gaming Platform?

It will be interesting to see how this alternate form of distributing games appeals to consumers. I am personally looking very forward to seeing the tablet as another popular platform for gaming.

Here's an article that talks about the Apple tablet and its use as a device for gaming...

Game developers look forward to making games for Apple tablet
January 24, 2010 | Dean Takahashi | Comments |

Game developers are starting to get excited about making games for Apple’s tablet computer, which is expected to be announced on Jan. 27.

The tablet is likely to be a hot new platform for games, since it will have more processing power, a bigger touch screen, and other capabilities that dwarf the game experience on the iPhone, which is no slouch when it comes to games.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Electronic Arts was preparing games for the Apple tablet. EA declined to comment, but it makes sense given EA’s heavy focus on making mobile games. There is also plenty of other content in the works, such as apps for reading books, magazines and newspapers, textbooks, TV shows, YouTube and other things. The Journal said the 10-inch or 11-inch screen device would be about $1,000.
Flurry also reported today that the tablet is running the iPhone OS 3.2, which has not been released yet. That means that the device will likely run the current 130,000 apps that are available on the AppStore. About a fifth of those apps are games. And, in fact, Flurry said today that the bulk of the 200 apps that Apple has been testing on 50 new devices at its Cupertino, Calif. headquarters are games.

The tablet will be a significant new test as to whether there is room in the crowded game market for a new gaming device. It comes at a time when there are no new game platforms planned even as consumers are turning to gaming on smart phones in droves.

Games, for instance, are the No. 1 app on the iPhone and iPod Touch. While the iPhone and iPod Touch compete with the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSPgo, this new Apple device will be in virgin territory, along with all of the other tablet devices being created. Analysts believe that there could be a big market for devices that have 5-inch to 15-inch screens and yet are not netbooks or smart phones.

Some of those devices are more like eBook readers, but the Apple tablet will be an interesting jack-of-all-trades. It may launch first as an eBook reader aimed at the Amazon Kindle, but it could also become a popular new gaming platform.

http://games.venturebeat.com/2010/01/24/game-developers-look-forward-to-making-games-for-apple-tablet/

9 Powerful Social Networking Sites for Women Entrepreneurs

It’s not easy being a women entrepreneur, yet there is certainly power in being a women entrepreneur. It takes a unique type of confidence and tenacity to conquer success. However it also requires networking, expanding your network, and collaborating with others to help achieve your goal. Here is a very helpful article that provides resources to help connect with other women entrepreneurs.

9 Powerful Social Networking Sites for Women Entrepreneurs

What is the real power behind women entrepreneurs? A study by the Center for Women’s Business Research shows that women now own 40 percent of private firms, women-owned businesses generate about $3 trillion in revenue and employ 16 percent of the workforce; making them significant players in the national economy. In addition, the study found that 85 percent of women surveyed do not believe being a woman is detrimental to their business success, and 32 percent believe being a woman is beneficial.

There is power in being a woman entrepreneur. There is even more power in the collaborations that are formed among women business owners. Whether your product or service is exclusively for women or not, you simply cannot deny the intrinsic inclination to support each other and champion each other’s cause. Why not use that to our advantage? The real power in women entrepreneurs lies in our ability to connect, support and encourage each other straight to the top!

Continue to read full article.... http://biznik.com/articles/9-powerful-social-networking-sites-for-women-entrepreneurs

Great opportunity for $10K women in games scholarship

APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT'S 3RD ANNUAL G.I.R.L. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Program Awards Up To $10,000 Toward Tuition and Other Educational Expenses

SAN DIEGO , Calif. – January 19, 2010 – Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 G.I.R.L. Scholarship to help educate and recruit more women into the field of video game production and design. Sponsored by Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) a global leader in online gaming, and administered by Scholarship America®, a leading non-profit educational support program, applications are available at https://www.scholarshipamerica.org/gamersinreallife and more details, including official rules for entry are also available online at http://www.station.sony.com/girl/.

"The past two G.I.R.L. Scholarship recipients were such a valued addition to our team that we are thrilled to offer this program for the third consecutive year," said Laura Naviaux, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Sony Online Entertainment. "Our goal is to continue to encourage and reward women who share our commitment and passion for developing cutting edge online games for all demographic groups."

One skilled student will win up to $10,000 to be applied toward tuition and other educational expenses at the school at which the student is currently enrolled, and an optional internship of up to 10 weeks at one of Sony Online Entertainment's studios (room, board, transportation and living expenses not included).

To be eligible to participate, entrants must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program related to video games, including video game art, design, animation, production, programming or visual effects, must not graduate before the end of the 2011 spring term and must comply with the program's official rules. Entrants are required to complete an online application along with an existing piece of art, and if chosen as semifinalists, submit two pieces of concept art and one essay that will be reviewed by a panel of SOE judges. Online applications must be completed and submitted on or before February 15, 2010. SOE will announce the winner on or about May 20, 2010.

For more information about the G.I.R.L. Scholarship program, please visit http://www.station.sony.com/girl/.