Meet Universal Games Team, Creator of Neon 2 Cars Racing Saga on Google Play

Universal Games Team has created a number of creative mobile apps available in the Google Play store. One such app is called Neon 2 Cars Racing and has received (at the time of this writing in early January of 2016) nearly 500 reviews, with an average of 4.6 stars.

It's a neat, tablet-optimized game that lets you race two neon cars--you control both cars at the same time, which makes it challenging to keep both moving in a straight line. The game has obstacles as well as things to collect as you race. You can challenge and compare scores with players all over the world using a leaderboard function as well as social media sharing.

Reviewers are calling it addictive, fun, and more. Our interview below is with the creator of the game.

1. How did you first get started creating apps?

I'm a self-taught designer. I picked it up from books and researching on the internet. As I learned more about apps, I started experimenting with my first hands-on introduction to building a simple user interface and handling user input. I got started by learning to use Android Studio and SDK manager, Android app design.

2. What do you like best about the process of app design?

I like to keep dreaming for ideas. It's a really creative process, and there is no end to the different apps a person can develop.

3. How do you come up with the ideas for your apps?

As I work, I draw from a lot of different influences. For this particular game, I was inspired by my enjoyment of cartoons, as well as action and adventure racing games. Neon technologies further inspire me. I also wanted to make this game a perfect fit for those that want to test their reflexes.

4. What inspired you to create Neon 2 Cars Racing Saga?

In short, I wanted to combine the beautiful properties of neon, and car racing games. I wanted a design that people would enjoy looking at, with relaxing music to listen to while they played. My goal was to create a perfect game for girls and for boys.

5. In your opinion, what separates a good app from a great one?

A great app design is one that will balance appearance with function. It should be a frustratingly-addictive game and a free game!

Learn more at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.neon.cartoon.twocars.

Meet Joshua Valderrama, Designer and Artist

Designer Joshua Valderrama resides in the U.S. where he is an entrepreneur, seeking opportunities in a digital world. He wants to inspire dreams in those who have given up on theirs and/or those who have forgotten that anything is possible. For examples of Josh's creative work, including photos, artwork, mobile apps, and videos, check out his website, Vision Lingo. You can also find him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

1. How did you come up with the name "Vision Lingo," and what does the name mean to you?

Well, I don't speak much, and it has always been easier for me to give a visual of what I want to interpret. To me, the name means that it's easier to express yourself in action than in words.

2. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur?

I wouldn't say entrepreneur, but I am more of a free spirit. I never felt it was for me to follow anyone's rules or anyone's dreams but my own.

3. What projects are you currently working on?

I am working closely with a friend who has his own company that provides dog massages. We are creating an app for his services to his customers. But more importantly, we're working on branding the company's name.

4. How does your skill and training as an artist influence your work when it comes to creating apps and video content?

My artistic skills have no part in my creativity of my apps or videos.

5. Where do your best creative ideas come from?

My kids. Without them, I wouldn't have the vision of creativity that I have.

Thanks, Josh!

Introducing IT Craft, A Company Offering Web Solutions

IT Craft is a software developer and service provider with almost 15 years of experience. Learn more about IT Craft by visiting their about page. They offer a variety of support solutions for companies of different sizes. Services provided by IT Craft include server administration, web design based on WordPress and Magento engines, LAMP, web apps development, and development of apps for iOS and Android.

The company's perspective is customer-focused, with an emphasis on being able to design, implement, and support solutions based on the individual wishes and concepts of each unique customer. Their customers come from all over the world, with forty percent of clients in the United States and clients in Germany, Australia, the UK, and several European countries.

IT Craft has grown from a tiny company with just one developer back in 2001 to a company with over 130 employees at the end of 2014. They have a keen understanding of a variety of applications and work with customers to create solutions meeting the customers' needs.

I enjoyed reading the customer testimonials on their website, and IT Craft creates a clear plan early in the process with customers to let you know just what to expect and what they can do for you. I think IT Craft will definitely be a provider to watch in 2015 and beyond.

Meet Sheena, Founder of Mint Chocolate Solutions: Business and IT Services

Sheena, the founder of Mint Chocolate Solutions, helps take business ideas from inception to opening day. At Mint Chocolate Solutions, Sheena & company help build brands in a unique way by creating custom QR codes which link to your social media, blog, website, and more! They also develop mobile apps and take on other tech-related services to help businesses grow.

1. What inspired you to start Mint Chocolate Solutions, and how did you choose the name?

I had a supervisor ask me, "What would you do even if you didn't get paid?", and I retorted, "There is no profession I would do without getting paid! I will find a way to profit from it." I have had multiple businesses that did not fulfill me over the years. Weeks later, his question finally made sense! I love helping other businesses develop and grow. Most of my peers and friends have a lot of great ideas; however, they do not know how to start, or are afraid to make that leap. I've been in the business of startups several times over. Additionally, startup businesses often have no IT training or experience--so I consider myself their personal business and IT consultant; they appreciate having everything in one place.

Mint was my color for the whole year! I started adding mint to my wardrobe and even toward the renovation of my house! When searching for a name for this new consulting business, I actually consulted with my 9 year old daughter, who was aware of my new mint obsession. And she told me, "Mommy, you really like chocolate. Why don't you name your business, Mint Chocolate something..." I kissed her and told her she was a genius, and Mint Chocolate Solutions was born!

2. Why are custom QR codes so important to businesses?

In the business of branding, standing out from the rest is oh so important. When I saw the benefit of jazzing up your own logo with the benefit of connecting with your customers, I knew I had to spread the word to the public. All my clients absolutely love the uniqueness the QR xode adds to their repertoire.

3. What are some ways for people to get their QR codes out there more and see more clickthroughs?

Anywhere you would feel the need to put your logo will be a place to add your QR code. When people see a QR Code, they are tempted to scan it--even more so when it is different from any code they have seen. (The ugly black and white codes are the most common.)

4. Would you tell us a little more about your app creation services?

Customers are not just going mobile--they ARE mobile. Everyone and their mother--literally--has a smart phone and knows how to use it! If a user can simply click through to order items, view content and comment or purchase shoes, they are more likely to do business with you. We are competitively priced within the market and are always available to our clients.

5. In talking with people who own small businesses, what is your advice in terms of when it's time to consider outsourcing some tech needs to a company like yours--and why is this outsourcing a good investment?

Money is always a factor with small businesses; however, time is a bigger factor. When you feel as if there are not enough hours in the day, then it is time to outsource. When you are losing precious moments with your loved ones, it is time to outsource. There is an understanding that there is a sacrifice; however, don't lose sight of what is really important: it is easy to get caught up. There are many resources out there where you can receive the assistance you need without breaking the bank. Take one step at a time, and delegate like a good manager!

Thanks, Sheena!

Introducing D-Techi, Inc for Web Development and Mobile App Design

Are you looking for help with web development services or mobile app design? With more and more people accessing the web from smartphones and tablets, do you want to make sure your site is optimized for mobile users?

Check out www.d-techi.in, a company created by Yaovi D. Kpoga, an amazing young motivated entrepreneur who has created more than 50+ IOS apps.

D-Techi, Inc brings a team of web designers and developers to work on a variety of projects. They are expert users of WordPress, HTML, Java, Flash, and more. Because they offer very low prices, they find themselves working with customers all over the world. The founder is very connected with others in the web/app development world and knows how to bring the best professionals together to collaborate on your project.

For examples of the apps D-Techi, Inc has produced, visit their page in the iTunes store.

Meet Josh Lieberman, Blogger

Josh Lieberman is 22, an iOS app developer, and in college. He loves to write and follow passions and procrastinate. Check out his blog at http://www.tonotmissthebliss.com.

1. What inspired you to launch your site, and how did you choose the name, "tonotmissthebliss"?

It all began a few years ago when I was about 50 pounds overweight and had this big idea for a project. The project was this huge, way over my head, ambitious goal to 1) get in shape, 2) lose weight, and 3) write about it all to become a book about the process. After a lot of writing, I began to share it with friends. But it becomes cumbersome to discuss the same bit of writing in three or four different full conversations. This is where the blog idea was born--as a place to write these musings and thoughts.

I've always had a fascination with the word "bliss." Somehow, I'm quite happy that "tonotmissthebliss" still resonates with me to this day. It took me a couple years to really build the momentum and energy to consistently post. But now that I've slowly reached this point, it feels amazing.

2. How did you first get interested in writing poetry?

Hah. I would say that listening to Eminem at a young age definitely influenced my mind to enjoy hearing rhymes. In high school, my friends and I would insult each other with rhymed blocks of text. Then in my early years of college, I would write long poems for gals I never dated. Only recently have I started directing my love of poems towards myself, the universe, and overarching ideas such as love and inspiration.

3. What do you find are your favorite times to write--and what are some topics or experiences that seem to motivate you to put your thoughts/feelings into words?

The favorite time to write is when the mind has something to write about. Thank goodness for Evernote--as long as I have my phone nearby, I can record the thought for later. I would say 40% of my rhymes are from the train, 35% are written at the park, 10% at work, and the other 15% anytime, anyplace.

The biggest motivation is my love of anime. There's a certain type of show I watch where a team comes together to overcome insurmountable odds. The feelings of inspiration, teamwork, and THEY DID IT!!!! create such positive visceral reactions that resonate with me. Upon figuring out that I can craft those same emotion with my rhymes, I became addicted to it.

But my content is inspired from nearly everything I come across. Whether it's hearing about wars in the Middle East, learning about the universe during an episode of Cosmos, or listening to the late thinker Alan Watts, anything and everything is inspiration. I'm merely retelling the pre-existing story from my perspective.

4. How would you compare the creative work of developing apps with the creative process of writing?

You know, I've never yet tried to make that comparison. I'll start by how they differ. For one, I could write a poem on the train into work and shape it into a blog post to share that evening. For apps, it takes months to get somewhere tangible. They operate on completely different time-scales.

However, at the core of both you find the same elements--human emotions. It's all about the emotion you aim to invoke in the reader or the user. How can you make them feel something positive and worth feeling again?

5. When you think about your life over the next few years, what do you imagine yourself doing?

Hmmm, I don't really know a specific destination. I just know I want to grow my talents and see where they take me.

If I were to imagine the current trajectory, I would continue writing poems to the point where they eventually start linking up with music. I would love to be a songwriter one day. Or a spoken word rapper.

I see myself having at least two more personal apps on the app store. I have a super mega dream app I want to make, but there's two (or even three) that have to come before it, and each one is at least a six-month project.

So if I'm at a point where I have those under my belt and in the next few years I can start that dream project, I'll be so happy.

Thanks, Josh!

An Introduction to Casino Apps, A Review Website

For those who enjoy playing casino games on their smartphones and tablets, there are a wide variety of casino game apps in the iTunes and Google Play store. But how do you choose which ones to play? There's a website called Casino Apps which offers reviews and screenshots to help you sort through the many options.

The Casino Apps site is divided into several sections for different types of games, including bingo, slots, roulette, poker, and even solitaire. As an example of one of the site's popular bingo app reviews, the review of Bingo Party emphasizes both the social and single-player aspects of the free app, which allows users to connect with friends via Facebook to play as well as to play offline by yourself.

The site is a good place to find out what different apps provide in terms of a user experience--and to make your best judgments in terms of which apps you want to try given their potential costs. While most of the sites are free and involve playing for credits rather than real money, there are some sites which involve real money, so play at your own risk!

In short, this is a useful site for getting an idea of some of the casino apps out there: it's a nice starting place that puts several things all in one place so that you can save yourself some Googling and clicking through search results.