Tech City, Tango, Mafia Wars Shakedown, Gangstar Rio, Beebdroid

The UK government's Tech City initiative now has its own iPhone and Android app, courtesy of Mobile Roadie. It promises news from the East London cluster of startups and research companies, as then as augmented reality features courtesy of Aurasma. The app as well includes The Guardian's series of Tech City podcasts.iPhone / Android

Hide and Seek Productions has made this characterful iPhone mini-games collection for the Royal Opera House in London, getting players to catch music, find props, dress stars, build sets and at the time light it all up. There's a suitably orchestral soundtrack from EMI to accompany it.iPhone

Microsoft subsidiary

Skype may now be a Microsoft subsidiary, however it has some competition on Windows Phone for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls and video calls from Tango. The app lets WP users communicate with users on iOS, Android and PCs, automatically pulling in friends' details who already have the app on those platforms.Windows Phone

Zynga's latest social game for iPhone is a spin-off from its Mafia Wars franchise. Mafia Wars Shakedown's slogan is "Battle friends. Defeat bosses. Rule the world". The aim is after all to build up a gangster mob, complete with weapons, armour and vehicles, nevertheless the battling features are emphasized.iPhone

UK service LoveFilm has launched its first Android app, though it's focused on the company's rentals-by-post service or rather than streaming films. The app helps clients manage their list, watch trailers and browse upcoming movies.Android

Grand Theft Auto III may be on its way to iOS, however Gameloft has got in previously it with the latest installment in its GTA-influenced Gangstar series. This time the action takes place in Rio de Janeiro, with 60 missions, five neighborhoods to explore, and in-game radio stations playing tunes by the likes of M.I.A. and Bonde do Role.iPhone / iPad

New version for iOS

Atari has revived its Asteroids franchise with a new version for iOS. Shooting the bejaysus out of space rocks is after all core to the action, nevertheless there are as well enemy ships, power-ups and more than 200 achievements to unlock. Veteran iOS gamers will note the resemblance to Space Miner, which was itself inspired by the original Asteroids.iPhone / iPad

My Note Games is an iOS app designed to be used at the same time with a physical instrument, including piano, guitar, trumpet and recorder. Aimed at children, it uses note recognition research to identify the notes they're playing, and give feedback on whether they're the right ones. Three mini-games make it an entertaining experience.iPhone / iPad

The Go app to BlackBerry

Home shopping service Ocado has ported its Ocado On The Go app to BlackBerry and Windows Phone, following previous iOS and Android releases. It claims to be the first "transactional supermarket app" for BlackBerry in the UK, helping people fill their digital baskets on the go.BlackBerry / Windows Phone

Clock widgets are ten-a-penny on Android, however RSS Alarm has a neat twist: it wakes you up by reading your RSS feeds, including podcasts. It works with Google Reader, Google Listen and other podcatcher services, and uses Android's text-to-speech engine.Android

Number of app-recommendation apps for iPhone

There are a number of app-recommendation apps for iPhone, however Apps For Execs has a specific focus: apps for business folk. It covers financial, travel and social networking apps aimed at the business community, among other categories.iPhone

Android app HD Widgets was released for Honeycomb tablets a during back, however it's now available for seven-inch Android slates, as so then as smartphones. It promises a selection of useful and fun widgets for the devices, which can be easily swapped and customised.Android

Mix of platforms

Bulkypix's latest puzzle game for iPhone is a mix of platforms, fireballs, zombies and, yes, grannies. It includes a mode to make your own levels and send them to friends to play.iPhone

Social networking app LinkOut taps into people's LinkedIn profiles, and aims to hook them up with relevant contacts in their area, tying in with the calendar and location to suggest the best time and place to meet.iPhone

Chocohero is a colourful platformer from Korean publisher Com2uS which comes on like a reverse Doodle Jump: tilt the device as the chocolatey hero rolls down, during picking up power-ups and upgrading items with coins.iPhone / iPad

The hit series of YouTube animations Simon's Cat?

Remember the hit series of YouTube animations Simon's Cat? There's now a app for that: a game involving attempts to "skillfully place items on a hedgehog's back without him noticing".iPhone