Gamers: Get the most out of your Android device

When everything is working properly, however, OnLive can offer some of the most engrossing experiences possible on an Android device.

Above: Who thought this was a good idea?

As you can see in the screenshot of Darksiders above, touch-screen controls don’t always translate smoothly for some games. Alternatively, you can use the official OnLive universal controller. This Bluetooth device is available with the OnLive microconsole or sold separately for $49.99. It’s expensive, but it’ll work flawlessly with any game on the service.

All of that is great, but the L.A. Noire port is where the potential is. The 1950s crime thriller was already a success on consoles and PC, but OnLive worked closely with the developer to create a touch-optimized version. Instead of a clunky overlay, the game works like a point-and-click title with the player’s finger acting as the cursor.

“Tablets and smartphones combined with OnLive open up an entire new world of gaming possibilities,” OnLive CEO Steve Perlman told GamesBeat when asked about the possibility of more marquee titles getting the full tablet treatment. “Lots of good things are on the way.”

(download OnLive)

Alternative app stores and how to install them

Google Play has come a long way since its initial inception. Back then, when it was still called the Google Market, it didn’t really do a great job of separating games from the rest of the apps. Things were hard to find. And the overall user interface was ugly. It’s improved, but it had to because it has competition.

Due to the open-source nature of Google’s OS, anyone can create a marketplace for applications. So, allow us to go through the different markets, why you should want them, and how to get them.

Amazon Appstore: You should absolutely have the Amazon Appstore for a two reasons. First, it has a Free App of the Day. Every 24 hours, Amazon features one program atop its store and gives it away for nothing. It’s not always some piece of junk either. Both Peggle and Plants vs. Zombies debuted as the Free App of the Day when they were introduced to the Appstore. The second reason: It gets some Android games before Google does. PopCap has released all of its games on Amazon’s digital store long before making them available on the Play Store. With Amazon aggressively asserting itself into the tablet space, this trend is likely to continue. So to get the best games as early as possible and sometimes even for free, it’s best to have both stores on your device.

How to get the Amazon Appstore:

1. In device settings, under Security, check mark the box that allows for applications to be installed from “Unknown Sources.”
2. From your Android device or from your PC, head to this web address: http://www.amazon.com/b?node=2350149011
3. On that page you will see a “Get Started” box with a text field. Enter the email address associated with your mobile device and hit Go.
4. You will receive an email from Amazon with a link. Click the link using your Android, and a download should begin.
5. The download’s progress will be tracked as a notification. Once it is finished, simply select it from the notification bar. Note: If you did not allow applications from non-market sources, per step 1, then you will be directed to do that now. This will shut you out of the installation process. Simply find the Amazon Appstore file in your downloads folder to begin again.
6. The Appstore should now be listed among the rest of your apps. Place it on your homescreen so that you don’t forget to check each day for the new free app.

Tablified Market HD: Android Tablets haven’t taken off like the iPad. This has caused a lag in the creation of tablet-optimized apps and games for these devices. What is worse is that it can be very difficult to find anything in Google’s marketplace that has been crafted with a 7- or 10-inch screen in mind. A “Staff Picks for Tablets” list exists in the official market, but it doesn’t sort into smaller categories and is missing some things.

Thankfully, Tablified Market HD fills that void by acting as a curator of the Play Store’s tab-specific offerings. Developer Tablified Apps has created a viewer that can be sorted as generally as games and apps down to specific genres like racing and sports. If you find something you wish to download, just click on the install link, and it’ll take you right to app page in the store.

(download Tablified Market HD)

Supplemental apps to make your gaming life easier

Portable gadgets that are constantly connected to the Internet are great for Angry Birding on the go, but they’re also a great way to get information, shop, and interact. Here we’ve collected some of the most useful.

Steam: No, you can’t play games from the online-distribution service on your HTC One X, but you can use this version of the portal to keep in contact with your friends and to purchase PC titles to be downloaded later. Everyone is on Steam, and this program brings all of the chat functionality directly to your phone. And your significant other will love it when you’re checking for Steam sales while laying out at the beach on your vacation.

(download Steam)

GameFly: If you get game rentals in the mail from GameFly, this is the best way to maintain your queue throughout a busy day. The GF devs have made it painless to rent, remove, or purchase selected titles using the in-app tools. It also has some interesting social media features. A quasi-Twitter streams comments and updates from members who talk about what they’re playing and the news of the day.

(download GameFly)

Pulse: This is an attractive app for keeping track of news stories in the video game industry or otherwise. Pulse presents all of the recent news in a tiled display. Once the reader selects an interesting article, the text will animate in from the side. At that point, a swipe of the finger will file through each story from that particular website.

Tap the star on any article, and you can save it to be read later. Pulse will keep it synced on the device and on Pulse.me which brings a similar easy reading experience to the web.

(download Pulse)

What else?

If you already knew about everything above, try a few of these: Call of Duty Elite app, SlideMe Marketplace, Xbox Live friends, and use a Wii remote Controller on your phone.