One of the most popular Android tablets is the Kindle Fire, and with good reason. It’s a fantastic device and it comes with a very reasonable price tag when compared to the competition. Students can get an even better deal on the device for the month of January, as Amazon has dropped the price on the Kindle Fire HD 8.9 by $50.

2012 was a big year for downloadable games on consoles and PCs. The indie and smaller developers came on strong this year and brought some truly special games directly to our consoles, without the need to go buying a disc at the local video game retailer. There is something so incredibly satisfying about being able to boot up your console and download a game instantly.

When the App Store first launched, one of the first kinds of apps that seemed to make sense was musical instruments. Playing piano and strumming a guitar on a touch screen just seemed like a natural thing to do. Most of those apps in those days were lacking on features and functionality, and we’ve certainly come a long way in terms of quality of apps on the App Store. Echo Piano is a great example of an app to play the piano done right.

A great example of a sports game that pulls a section of the sport and makes it into a fun game that is made for the touch platform is Flick Soccer. It might not be the deepest game I’ve ever played on iOS, but it offers simple, fun gameplay that anyone can pick up and play and have a good time with. It’s relatively challenging and really fun. As a bonus, it is available on the App Store for the low-cost of $0.

Evernote Food has recently received a huge update that adds full support for iPad, as well as all kinds of new features that make it more useful for foodies everywhere. The iPad version of the app offers a completely different interface to the iPhone and iPod touch versions, designed to take full advantage of the extra screen real estate of the device.

The Creeps is a great example of a free tower defense game that is really good. It features the standard tower defense gameplay that you expect, but it does it in a fun package. If you still love sitting down and taking part in some good old-fashioned tower defense gameplay, then you will love The Creeps, especially when you consider that you can get the core game without spending a dime.

Instagram is one of the most popular ways to share photos with friends. It takes the complicated process of editing and customizing photos and scales it back so that even amateurs can make some really cool looking images. In addition to the filters and core functionality of Instagram, there are some cool third party applications that allow you to do even more with the photo sharing service.

Gmail users will be able to use the Google Voice service to make free domestic voice calls for another year, as Google has just announced that is extending the use of the service through all of 2013. Of course, this only applies for users in the US and Canada, but it’s an awesome feature nonetheless, and one that users should most certainly take advantage of.

Throughout the life of a gamer, there are certain games that make us cross over from the realm of casual gaming to being a hardcore gamer. If you look back at your gaming life, you can probably remember what the first games were that you kept coming back to. Those were the games that you did not just pop in to play casually. Instead, these games kept you coming back for hours.

Do you use Chrome on your computer to browse the web? A lot of people do, as it is one of the most popular web browsers out there. It runs fast, and it offers a user-interface that many people feel comfortable with. The Chrome Webstore is filled with some fantastic extensions that help make the browser even better. I myself am an avid Chrome user on my PC and Mac, but I take my love of Google Chrome to another level.

Well don’t worry, there is an app that makes it easier for you to stay motivated and reminded. The app, called My Personal Trainer, will remind you to stick with your food and exercise goals so you never miss a workout again. Consistency is key when starting an exercise program, and this app helps you make sure to stick with your plan so you can start seeing more results faster.

Infinity Blade II rivals Real Racing 2 in terms of pure graphical fidelity, and arguably, it surpasses Real Racing. Not only that, the game is a ton of fun to play. It truly is the total package in terms of mobile gaming, and it is a game that every single iPhone owner should have installed on their device. It’s been given game of the year awards on all kinds of video game websites, and it most certainly deserves it.

The holiday season is upon us. The hardcore gamer in your life is going to want some cool video game paraphernalia to go along with their hobby. There are plenty of cool things for gamers out there that you can grab at the last minute and make their holiday one to remember. Sure, Christmas is only about a week away, but fear not, with a little extra cash for shipping, or a trip to the mall, you can still get some cool gamer gifts and make your favorite gamers happy.

For iPhone owners who want a fun game that fits in with the winter theme, Ski Safari is a perfect choice. It offers fun gameplay, good visuals, and is just downright fun. Not only that, it’s a relaxing game that’s themed around the world’s most popular winter sport; skiing. Admittedly, the skiing is not realistic in this game, but it’s also not supposed to be. If you want a game that lets you take part in one of the best parts of winter, without the cold, Ski Safari is the game for you!

By default, the Camera Roll on iOS is not exactly the most functional part of the mobile operating system. It lets you view your photos, but it does not do it in the most functional and organized way. It just shows you a giant list of photos which is easy enough to scroll through, but it most certainly could be better.