New Windows Explorer Will Ship With Windows 8

Microsoft is currently pushing out new announcements like crazy on the Building Windows 8 blog. We for instance know that the company will improve file management features like copying in the new operating system. Today another major change was revealed in a very detailed post on the blog.

Windows Explorer will receive a complete redesign and will ship with many changes when the Windows 8 operating system comes out. Many users of Windows feel that the current file manager of the operating system is in desperate need of a redesign, or at least some form of optimization.

The biggest change is a new Ribbon based user interface that many Windows users know from Microsoft Office. Ribbons have been criticized in the past, especially by experienced computer users. The main points of criticism are that a ribbon interface takes up to much space, and that its tabbed interface does not speed up all operations.

The new Windows Explorer on Windows 8 looks like this

You see the ribbon interface at the top. To make up for the space requirements the status bar was reduced to a single row in Windows Explorer. Other changes that are visible immediately are a new font used for displaying files and folders and the dynamic Tools listing on the title bar.

The Home tab of the new interface offers buttons for the most popular Windows Explorer features. Microsoft analyzed the command usage and found out that only two of the top 10 Windows Explorer commands are currently visible in the command bar in Windows 7. Windows Explorer on Windows 8 will provide access to all those commands directly from the Home tab.

If you are wondering, here is the top 10 Windows Explorer command list:

• Paste: 19%
• Copy: 11%
• Properties: 11%
• Delete: 10%
• Rename: 8%
• Cut: 7%
• Search: 7%
• New Item: 6%
• Open: 2%
• Edit: 2%

The Share and View tabs are always displayed in Windows Explorer.

• Share: The Share tab provides access to features like emailing or zipping files or printing and faxing documents.
• View: Options to enable or disable panes, change the view mode of a folder or grouping and sorting options.

Dynamic tabs are displayed in addition to that. They depend largely on the current location that is displayed in Windows Explorer. Disk Tools are for instance added as a tab to the computer location. Here it is possible to format, cleanup or optimize a drive, use the Bitlocker encryption or work with removable media and rewritable discs.

It is interesting to note that the Windows 8 Explorer will display more files and folders than Explorer of Windows 7. What I’m personally curious about is if Microsoft manages to get the view modes working properly in the new operating system. Another requested feature, the ability to display two Explorer panes with files in one Windows Explorer menu does not seem to have made it into the new version of Windows Explorer.

Computer RAM Knowledge

Computer RAM is the best known form of memory your computer uses to temporarily store and access data. From the time you turn on your computer, your CPU is constantly using memory (RAM). Every time something is opened or loaded, it gets placed into RAM. This means it is put into a temporary storage area so the CPU can more easily access the information. From there it becomes a continuous cycle where the CPU requests data from RAM, processes it and then writes new data back to RAM. In most computers, this transfer of data between CPU and RAM happens millions of times every second. When an application is closed, the application itself, along with all its accompanying files is deleted from RAM. This is to make sure there is room for new data, so unless the changed files are saved to a permanent storage device, they will be lost.

Types of Computer RAM RAM Type: Pins: Usage: SDRAM 168 Typically only used in older and slower computers. RDRAM 184 Only used in certain Pentium 4’s with certain Intel chipsets. DDR 184 Faster version of SD RAM used in Pentium 4’s and Athlon DDR2 240 Newer version of DDR RAM with higher clock frequencies DDR3 240 Newer version of DDR2 with higher clock frequencies

Upgrading Computer RAM

When looking to upgrade your computer’s RAM, you will find RAM information typically displayed like this:

1GB, 240-pin DIMM, DDR2 PC2-5300, 

• 1GB refers to the size of the memory
• 240-pin refers to the number of pins used to connect to the motherboard
• DIMM- Dual In-line Memory Module
• SIMM- Single In-line Memory Module
• DDR2 refers to the type of memory
• PC2-5300 refers to the module type

Some other pieces of information you might find in a RAM description are:

• Clock frequency-refers to speed of the RAM in MHz (800MHz)
• CAS (Column Address Strobe) Latency-refers to the number of clock cycles that elapse from the   time the request for data is sent to the actual memory location until the data is transmitted from the  module. This is represented by a set of 4 numbers also known as RAM timing (4-4-4-12). These numbers stand for:
• TCL - CAS Latency Time
• Trcd - DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay
• Trp - DRAM RAS# Precharge
• Tras - Precharge delay

Normally the BIOS will allow a user to adjust RAM timing to increase performance and stability.

Computer RAM

RAM is considered the most critical component in a computer system. Every bit of data must pass through RAM to get to the processor. Generic, low-cost RAM is most often the cause of data corruption and program crashes, so never skimp on the quality of RAM when upgrading. Make sure the RAM you choose is considered Grade A. Grade A RAM can only be found through major manufacturers, such as: Crucial.com.

Three Tips for a Longer Lasting PC

Computers and their various parts eventually break down after repeated wear and tear. Some parts can become obsolete so they need to be upgraded. Other parts could have yet been of service, but unfortunately meet an untimely end due to improper handling or use. If you want to make the most of your computer — and spend less for replacement parts — you need to take care of it properly. Here are some tips to help protect your computer from an early demise.

* Properly shut down your computer.

Avoid unplugging your computer or turning it off by pressing the power button. This catches your computer unawares and prevents it from saving its current state. It can also corrupt the data on your hard disk drive. If your system files become corrupted, you may have to reinstall your operating system and all your other software. This will make you lose all your files! Practice a little patience and wait for your computer to shut down completely before unplugging it from the power outlet.

* Do not hit or drop your computer.

Computer parts are very sensitive! Do not strike your computer for whatever reason. Your hard drive could be irreparably damaged if jolted while it is spinning. Even a drop of a few feet is enough to render most notebook computers senseless and useless. If you have to hit something, try the wall or other object that can better withstand physical battery.

* Do not wet your keyboard.

This is extremely lethal for laptop computers. Wet keyboards will cause sensitive internal laptop components to short-circuit. If the damage is severe, you may need to get a new system. To avoid this problem, try not to eat and drink while using your laptop, or work by the pool or beach. If a binging session cannot be avoided, be very careful not to spill any drinks on your keyboard.

If you treat your computer with care, it will happily serve you many years and be less likely to hang up or freeze on you. You will also get to save on repair and replacement costs!

Three Quick Fixes to a Slow Computer

Hang-ups and freezes give both you and your computer a bad day. If your computer is running slower than usual, it may be infected with a virus or you may be running it beyond its limits. There are three quick fixes to unresponsive computers.

* Add More RAM

A very effective way to boost your computer’s speed is to increase your RAM or random access memory. RAM is the place where your computer stores temporary information that is needed to maintain open applications. With more RAM, your computer can store more information and consequently run more applications.

If you run out of RAM, you will experience choppy videos and music, and stuttered responses to keyboard and mouse commands. You can increase your RAM by upgrading or adding more RAM modules. RAM modules can have a capacity of 256MB, 512MB, 1GB and 2GB.

* Run Antivirus and Antispyware Software

Viruses, spyware, adware and malware all reduce your computer’s speed. These malicious programs can run stealthily in the background and hijack your files and processes. To deal with these threats, scan your computer frequently — especially after surfing the Web.

There are many good antivirus and antispyware software available for free on the Internet, but the best way to stay protected is to purchase paid software that offer real time protection. With real time protection, viruses and unwanted files can be spotted, blocked or removed the moment they enter or attempt to breach your system.

* Close Unnecessary Applications

A very simple way to deal with a lazy computer is to decrease its workload! If you are fond of running many programs in the background, close those that you do not immediately need and keep the number of open applications at a minimum. With fewer tasks to juggle, your computer can better manage your open applications.

Try out these quick and easy fixes and watch your computer speeds soar!

How to Clean Up Your Hard Disk Drive

Proper maintenance of you hard disk drive can help keep your computer running fast and smooth. In much the same way a messy room deters us from finding things, a disorderly hard disk makes it difficult for the computer to find files. Here are three steps that you can take to clean up your hard disk drive.

* Delete Unused Files

Keep your hard disk well-organized and easy to navigate by manually deleting files and uninstalling programs that you no longer have a need for. This also frees up valuable hard drive space that can be used to store important files in the future.

* Run Disk Cleanup Utility

A fast and easy way to clean up your hard disk is to use Microsoft Window’s disk cleanup utility under the system tools. You can configure that disk cleanup utility to delete temporary files, empty the recycled bin, and compress old files. The disk cleanup utility also gives you the option to uninstall unused programs and Windows components, and delete system restore points except for the most recent one.

* Run Disk Defragmenter Utility

Another way to keep your hard disk neat and orderly is to run Window’s disk defragmenter utility. As we move, delete and install files in our computer, some large files will not be stored as one complete unit. Instead, they will be broken down into smaller parts and stored in between other files. File fragmentation makes it difficult for the computer to locate these separated files.

The disk defragmenter reduces file fragmentation by sorting scattered files and placing them closer to each other. When you run the disk defragmenter, it will assess your hard disk and advise you whether the disk needs to be defragmented or not.

Even if your computer is running smoothly now, observe proper hard drivemaintenance so you can avoid future problems and keep your computer in the best possible condition.

Storing Information on Your PC: Four Popular Removable Media Devices

You do not have to lump all your files in your computer’s internal hard disk drive. If you are a file hoarder, you will eventually reach the limit of your hard disk drive capacity. You can easily remedy the problem of low storage space by making use of removable media devices. Removable media devices are a great alternative place to store extra files and data. You may also use them to create back ups of important and sensitive files. In the event of a total computer crash, you will not lose all of your files if you diligently back up your data.

There are many removable media devices available in the market today. Among the most popular ones are CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and USB flash drives.

* CD

CDs or compact discs are the most popular type of removable media. They rendered the floppy disks obsolete several years ago. While very affordable and in large supply, CDs sadly have short life spans.

In order to read or play a CD, your computer should be equipped with a CD-ROM drive or a CD writer. CD-ROMs will simply allow you to read data on a CD. If you want to read and write data on a CD, you will have to get a CD writer.

* DVD

DVDs, also known as digital versatile discs or digital video discs, are similar to CDs but these removable media devices are able to store more information — roughly six times as much as CDs can hold. While CDs can only accommodate a few hundred MB, DVDs can hold between 1GB and 17GB of data. CDs and DVDs are virtually of the same shape, size, and look. With their large capacity, DVDs are usually used to store movies and videos.

In order to play a DVD, you will have to have a DVD-ROM drive. If you want to be able to store files in a DVD, then you need a DVD writer. For faster copy and playback speeds, you can get a DVD-RAM drive.

* Blu-ray Disc

Like CDs and DVDs, Blu-ray discs, also known as Blu-rays or BDs, are optical storage media. CDs, DVDs, and Blu-rays all have the same standard dimensions. When it comes to storage capacity, however, Blu-rays are king. A two-layer Blu-ray disc can accommodate as much as 50 GB of data.

Blu-rays are typically used to store high-definition videos. A blue-colored laser is used to read and transfer data on Blu-rays — thus, their name. DVDs, on the other hand, use a red laser. In order to read data on a Blu-ray disc, you need a BD-ROM drive. A BD writer is needed for writing to Blu-rays.

* USB Flash Drive

USB flash drives are compact, thumb-sized removable media devices that use flash memory to read and record data. They can act as mini hard disk drives and hold gigabytes of data. To use a USB flash drive, you need only plug it into a computer’s USB port. You can then copy, transfer, and delete as many files as the flash drive can accommodate. When attached to a port supporting USB 2.0 technology, USB flash drives can read and write data faster than optical drives.

How to Save Space on Your Hard Disk Drive

Low on hard drive space? Here are three quick fixes to your problem!

* Delete Unused Files

The first and most obvious step to take is to delete your unused files. Over time, we hoard files that we had a need for, but do we really need them now? If you examine your old files, you will notice that you no longer use many them. Old programs are stored in your program files that have never been run in years. These old files and programs are simple taking up precious space in your hard drive. To quickly free up some hard drive space, simply delete unnecessary files and uninstall those programs that you no longer use.

* Zip Your Files

Another way to free up space on your hard drive is to zip those files that you seldom use. Files that are zipped are compressed into smaller files that take up less space. After zipping, your files will be stored inside a zipped folder and you can safely delete the original files.

If you ever need access to your zipped files, you can quickly do so by unzipping your zipped folders. To zip and unzip files and folders, you will need a zipping software such as WinZip. A free trial version of WinZip is available for download on the Internet.

* Transfer Files

If you want to hold on to all of your files and free up hard drive space at the same time, you can transfer those files that you do not immediately need to a separate storage device. An external hard disk drive is a high capacity storage device that can store as much information as your internal hard drive can store. For those with smaller storage needs, CDs and DVDs will do. One great storage media that you can easily slip inside your pocket is the USB flash drive. Now greatly improved, USB flash drives are capable of storing several dozen gigabytes of information.

With an uncluttered hard drive, you can immediately store new important files and keep your files and folders organized.

How to Recover Lost Hard Drive Data

Your old hard disk drive has finally died out on you and you are left without all of your files! If you have somehow lost some or all of the data on your computer hard drive, do not panic. You can recover your lost data through computer hard drive recovery software and services.

While sturdy-looking, computer hard drives are relatively fragile computer hardware that can easily break apart if you physically abuse them or run them beyond their limits. With just a short three-foot drop, you can crack and disable your laptop computer hard drive.

You can usually tell if you have a broken computer hard drive based on the sounds that it makes when you boot up and use your PC. The failing hard drive will warn you that it is having a problem by making clicking sounds. When you hear frantic clicks from your hard drive, turn off your computer immediately or you will further damage your drive.

At this point, you have to decide on whether to let go of your hard drive data or hire a computer hard drive recovery service to retrieve your data. Data recovery services are never cheap so be prepared to shell out some cash if you want to retrieve your old hard drive data.

If your computer hard drive is not completely destroyed, you can attempt to recover your data by yourself. You can do this with the help of computer hard drive recovery software.

Before running any computer hard drive recovery software, you first have to remove the damaged hard drive and externally hook it to another computer via a FireWire or USB port. This computer should have the data recovery software installed in it. You then use the recovery software to copy the files from the defective hard drive onto a destination hard drive. The process can take a few hours to several days so you need to be patient.

Depending on the extent of the damage to your hard drive, you can recover all or a greater portion of your hard drive data by using computer hard drive recovery software or by employing a computer hard drive recovery service.

Two Types of Computer Hard Drive Failures

Like most Computer Hardware; Computer hard disk drives eventually break down with normal wear and tear — more so if subjected to adverse conditions like poor overclocking, power surges and extreme weather. Somewhere down the road, you will have to entertain a computer hard drive upgrade to keep your system stable and safeguard your saved data.

When computer hard drives fail or crash, the problem can be classified either as a logical hard failure or as a mechanical hard drive failure.

* Logical Hard Drive Failure

In a logical hard drive failure, the computer hard drive is not broken. You still have a hard drive with a sound architecture, but the drive is not able to properly read and sort data.

Logical hard drive failures can stem from human errors like accidental file movement. If you accidentally delete, move or overwrite important system files, your hard drive can crash.

Logical hard drive failures can also be due to corrupted files such as in instances when your computer is attacked by a virus or other malware.

* Mechanical Hard Drive Failure

When you are dealing with a computer hard drive that has some broken parts such as a chipped arm or a scratched platter, then you have a mechanical hard drive failure. Broken hard drives usually give off a clicking noise when operating. If you hear a clicking sound when you turn on a laptop that has just suffered from a nasty fall, chances are that you have broken the integrity of your hard disk drive.

Unless they have been overwritten by newer data, data lost through a computer hard drive failure can be recovered. You can recover lost hard drive data on your own if you have a minor logical hard drive failure. When it comes to hard drives that no longer power up and physically broken drives, however, you need to seek the help of a professional computer hard drive recovery service.

Know the Different Computers

Computers apart from a physical entity have also been synchronized into the daily lives of people in several forms. Categorically a computer system can be divided into 3 main forms that are being used widely. They are the desktop, laptop and palmtop. However, part from these three categories of computer system, it has also been divide into different types depending on their use and are hence are divided basically in an uncategorized way. There has been automation in almost every sphere of human life where these uncategorized computers play a very important role. The un-categorized computers are:-

Personal Computers – Also widely known as PC these are the computers that are basically for the household and are mostly used by the people who like to work from home or is the type of computer that is completely used from the home. The configuration of a personal computer basically depends on the requirement of the user and the type of work they need to extract from the computer system.

Workstation Computers – these types of computer systems are widely used by the engineers and several technicians. The main difference between the PC and the workstation computers are the computation speed of the CPU which is enhanced by much advanced configuration as compared to the PC. The processors of these computers are designed to meet the graphics demand and designing purpose as desired by the user. These computers can handle voluminous data efficiently that is required as per the requirement.

Supercomputers – These computers are mainly used for computational purposes and are quite advanced in use as well as in the configuration as compared to the personal computers and the workstation computers. The configuration is mainly advanced in terms of its RAM and memory storage as well as the frequency of operation and the use is for tedious mathematical calculations etc.

Mainframe Computers – this category of computers is of standard configuration but is used on much wider scale by educational institutions and such large domains for as a server computer that serves the requests to around 500-600 computers.

Apart from these categories of computers based on the use, computer systems are also divided on the basis of their electronic nature. They are:-

Analog Computers – As quite obvious from the name, these computers are based on analog techniques and uses analog signals. They proceed after measuring the changes that are physical in nature such as pressure; temperature etc. and accordingly the pre decided arithmetic and logical operations are performed.

Digital Computers – They are the computers that have very high programming speed. This is because they operate on two digital states i.e. high and low which gives them an edge as compared to the analog computers.

Hybrid Computers – A mixture of both analog and digital computers yields the hybrid computers. They have operations of which some resemble to the operations of digital computer techniques and some of the analog computer techniques. In short, it is a combination of the main points of the analog and digital computers.

Essential Computer Components

The Most Essential Computer Components and Hardware Devices

A computer can be possibly defined as a device that can be programmed to perform the effective mathematical calculations along with the logical operations. The capability of this electronic device is amazing with the incredible provisions of processing of data and the storage options. Enormous amount of data can be eventually retrieved by these devices. The major types of computer are namely the:

• Portable
• Desktops

The portable devices are easy to carry from place to place and are the most convenient ones to use on the go. The incredible connectivity to the internet facility makes it the most convenient for an individual to stay connected with the rest of the world whenever it is required and wherever it is necessary. On the other hand the desktop PCs are the sturdy desktop pieces that are stuffed with the components that are matched perfectly to meet the requirements of an individual’s particular necessities.

The most essential components in a computer

Case – The outer case that perfectly includes all the hardware components within.

Power Supply is one of the core components that deserve proper mentioning as there are different types of power supply provisions to the computer. The type to be assigned depends entirely upon the respective computer system.

Motherboard being the next important case component is considered to be the brain of the respective computer system. It is the main controlling panel that provides the installation of certain computing devices along with the proper provisions of video and the sound cards. The motherboard is the essential component that gets accompanied by other further computer components namely the micro processing chip, the Central Processing Unit along with the BIOS that is, Basic Input and Output System.

Microprocessor can be considered to be the brain of the computer system. It is responsible to handle each and every command and the controlling operations involved in a respective computer system.

Memory usage is the most important functionality which is situated upon the motherboard.

Certain drive controllers are also to be considered as the effective computer components that get categorized under the case.

The Hard disk drive is the storage component that is responsible for the storage of data in a computer system. The operating system which is the root to all computing and other functions gets installed here.

External storage components like the Floppy and the CD ROM drives stores the data to be accessed any time as a medium of portable further usage.

Monitor – The component that delivers the display to the functions that get carried away in a respective computer system.

Keyboard and Mouse are the peripheral computer components that are responsible for the input of respective data signals to the computer system.

The CPU or the Central Processing Unit is the key to process all the necessary information starting from the basic to the complex functions to be performed by the system. The sound is transmitted through the output device namely the speakers.

Computer Basics that you must know nowadays

One can’t undermine the importance of computer in a person’s life in today’s world. No matter in which field you are working or what you are studying, if you are not using computer then it can be said that you are unnecessarily missing out on a big advantage. There are people who have this phobia for computers and they think that it is too complicated to handle. Operating a computer hardly requires any special skill that you need to possess. All that you need to do is get to know certain computer basics which will provide you with a general idea about the functioning of a computer and then nothing will seem difficult.

If you don’t have any idea about how a computer works then the first thing that you should do is to get acquainted with all the devices of a computer. Have a clear idea about the various input and output devices of a computer and know which device is used for what purpose. It may sound strange but it is true that initially people often find it difficult to put the mouse pointer at a desired place on the screen. Certain things like knowing the difference between a hardware and software or what are the various operating systems that are available and used mostly can increase your computer knowledge remarkably.

An operating system can be called as the main driver of your computer which makes it possible for you to perform various computer activities by linking different hardware to different applications. The most widely used Operating Systems are the ones made by Windows like Windows XP, Windows Vista etc. There are other Operating Systems like MAC or Linux which are mainly used for specialized purposes.

As most people use the Windows Operating Systems so if you want to know the computer basics then it is sensible for you to start with MS Office. MS Office is a program consisting mainly of MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint which makes writing, calculating and making presentations convenient for us. MS Word is used all across the globe by everyone for writing purposes. It is an application which makes you write error free English in whatever size or font you prefer. It has a built in thesaurus which can provide you with a god stock of words and it also detect any spelling mistake or grammatical error in your writing. MS Excel is mainly used by people for data entry. It is a spreadsheet where you can put quantitative details in an organized manner. By using this application, you can do long and tiresome calculations within no time. MS PowerPoint is an application used by people in order to make presentations.

Among computer basics, another thing which should be known to you is how to use the internet. Visiting a website, sending mails, chatting etc. are some of the things which you should be aware of. There are various Internet Browsers using which you can access the internet. Knowing how to use an internet browser is extremely important nowadays. Computer is also a device which you can use effectively for entertainment purposes like listening music or watching movies. So, when you are learning the computer basics, knowing how to operate a media player in a computer might also become handy.

Data Security in Hard Disk Drives

The data security arises when there is a discussion about the data or the sensitive information. The security of the data within the hard disk is as much important as the data itself is. The security of the data in the hard disk drive is to protect the data from any data loss and the prevention of the data from any unauthorized access. The data or the information; when it is sensitive will require that much level of the security. There are many software and utilities that are available for the hard disk drives to provide the security of the data. The WinMagic’s SecureDoc is one such software that has the feature to provide the encryption to the entire hard disk drive to protect the data.


In the CD ROM’s or the DVD ROM’s the data can be only read and once burned over it then again cannot be written or modified. The operating system should have the characteristics of providing the facility of data security. The operating system is responsible for providing the security feature to the files and the directories. Which files should have the read access and which files should have the write access or execute authority is what the job of the operating system.


The Unix and the Linux operating system provide such facilities. The security of the data is much low in the Windows operating system. The data security is somewhat a compromised topic in the Windows operating system. There are some utilities that can be used to provide the feature of locking the files and the folders in the operating system. But each and every time the software asks for a password. In case there are thousands of files then in such a situation the user cannot remember all the passwords. The user finds it a frustrating job to enter a password each time a file or a directory is to be accessed.


The data security in the hard disk drive becomes severe when the hard disk is shared over a network. When the hard disk drive has the sharable access then the data security is of more importance. Here the other users apart from the owner of the data have also the permission to access the data. The internet is also a wide network that has a large number of computers connected to it. The hard disk data security can also be achieved by designing an effective file system.


The NTFS stands for the New Technology File System – is the file system that is so designed that the goal of it is to provide the encryption to the data which is stored in the hard disk drive. The primary purpose while designing the NTFS was to provide access control and the data security. There is much complex system of security that is used in the NTFS.


The file system in the Linux or the Unix operating systems is different from that of the Windows. This contributes to the data integrity and reliability of the data in the hard disk drive. The data security feature is implemented in the Unix operating system with the help of the file permissions like the read, write and execute permissions. There are several user groups in the Unix operating system that provides the data security. Only the owner of the file has all the permission that is of read, write and execute over a file.

Mexican-made game world's most downloaded iPad app

Taco Master, the creation of Mexican company Kaxan Games, is the world's most downloaded iPad application and among the most purchased software for use on other Apple devices at the iTunes store.

Players take on the role of street vendors and try to make the highest-quality taco they can in the least amount of time, the president of Kaxan Media Group, Ricardo Gomez, told EFE.

"It's very engaging and addictive and has received millions of downloads in more than 50 countries," Gomez said, adding that the game became the most downloaded application for the iPad just a week after it was released Aug 4.

It also ranks among the top 10 most-downloaded applications for other Apple devices such as the iPhone and iPod.

Despite its low cost of 12 pesos (97 cents), a pirated version of the application is already available and can be downloaded for free from some Web portals. "It's what always happens with the good games," Gomez said.

"The kid who uploaded it even tweeted it on his account like some achievement. It's infuriating because they don't charge anything; they do it for the pure pleasure of 'hacking'," the company's president said, adding that the crime has already been reported to the authorities and is being investigated.

"This action won't affect our sales that much because those who are used to downloading pirated software are going to keep doing it and those who aren't will keep (downloading games) legally," he said.

Gomez said his company currently is making 15 video games for mobile devices and one for the home video game console Wii.

Kaxan Media Group invested $4 million last year and has 120 game designers, according to Gomez, who said the interactive media company is Latin America's largest creator of intellectual property in the video game area. 

6 Mobile HTML5 Games You Can Play On Your Smartphone For Free

Web apps have come a long way in the last few years, and with the dawn of HTML5 even more complex, self-contained games and tools can be created. Smartphone manufacturers have (on the whole) been quick to ensure compatibility with the new standards, ushering in a new breed of palm-sized entertainment. No app to download means no App Store rules or Market limitations, though don’t expect HTML5 efforts to out-class native applications – at least not for a short while yet. This list will hopefully demonstrate the potential that HTML5 has on a mobile device, all whilst enjoying some satisfying free games.

Each game in this list has been tested and confirmed working on the iPhone, and should work in any HTML5-compliant mobile browser running on Android, Windows Phone 7 and so on. If you’re playing these on the iPhone, hit Safari’s middle button (it looks like a box with an arrow) and choose Add to Home Screen for fullscreen fun.

1. Castle Solitaire

My decision to include Castle Solitaire first on the list is a tactical one. For about a week now I have been hopelessly addicted to this deplorably simple card game and I don’t know why, other than the fact that I’ve got a thing for vanilla solitaire. My hope is to get this section out of the way if I have a hope of finishing this article any time soon.

2. Nano Tanks

If you like Worms, then Nano Tanks might just appeal to you. It’s a simplistic 2D shooter whereby you must take out enemy tanks whilst avoiding obstacles and incoming fire. On the iPhone the game was tough to play in Safari, so I’d recommend adding it to your home screen for better (fullscreen) control.

3. Mafia Wars Atlantic City

There’s no point trying to ignore one of the most popular Facebook games to date, Mafia Wars. Zynga, the highly successful social gaming company, have recreated their much-celebrated (and by some despised) crime ‘em up in nothing but HTML5 and Javascript.

4. Treasure Cube

By now you’ve probably played your fair share of “escape the room” style puzzles, whereby you must decipher clues, collect items and be inventive with your inventory in order to exit the room. That’s exactly what Treasure Cube is, only it works using HTML5 on your smartphone.

5. Lazors

Simple games are often the best, and Lazors certainly couldn’t get much simpler (in principle, at least). Within the 30 levels included you will find tangled lasers, which appear as orange and red. Once a laser has been untangled it will turn green, and once all lasers are untangled the level is complete.

6. Spy Chase

Last but certainly not least there’s Spy Chase, a top-down homage to the racers of days gone by. Here you’re tasked with collecting power-ups, avoiding cars and obstacles and eventually catching up to your target and eliminating them.