Google acquires Slide

Google has acquired social gaming company Slide for a reported $228 million, reports Tech Radar.

However, despite no official comment from Google or Slide on the matter right now, it is clear that it marks another important step in Google's move into social and casual gaming.

Slide makes popular Facebook apps such as SuperPokeand SPP Ranch. The acquisition follows Google's investments in social gaming giant Zynga, the FarmVilledeveloper.

Microsoft will unveil Kinect in November, the latest addition to its Xbox 360 gaming system, with the hope of stealing the crown from Nintendo's Wii console as well as the Sony motion-gaming platform, says CBC.

The difference is that Kinect requires no hand-held controller, instead using a specially designed camera system to track players' movements, gestures and voice commands.

The goal is not to replace the system's core gaming functionality - the option to use a traditional controller remains - but to make the 360 more accessible to casual players and non-gamers.

Amazon released the first two games for its Kindle e-reader device, states Examiner.com.

Both games appear to be simple word-based puzzlers, as the Kindle is obviously limited in the types of gaming possible on a black and white e-reader tablet.

The titles, Shuffled Row and Every Word, are available for free download from Amazon.com.