Microsoft, Amazon, HP and Research in Motion also will participate in creating a consistent location for users to view privacy policies on applications’ download screens.

Many apps easily link user profiles and data.

“California has a unique commitment to protecting the privacy of our residents. Our constitution directly guarantees a right to privacy, and we will defend it,” Attorney General Kamala D. Harris said in a statement.. “Forging this common statement of mobile privacy principles shows the power of collaboration among government, industry and consumers – to create solutions to problems no one group can tackle alone.”

According to the Attorney General’s office there are more than 50,000 developers who have created the mobile apps currently available for download on the leading platforms. There are nearly 600,000 applications for sale in the Apple App Store and another 400,000 for sale in Google’s Android Market.

These apps have been downloaded more than 35 billion times, according to the Attorney General. In fact, Apple is on the verge of celebrating its 25 billionth app download. The mobile app space is expected to continue its rapid expansion. The $6.8 billion market is expected to expand to $25 billion $25 billion within four years.

Harris will convene the mobile application platforms to assess privacy in six months, according to her office.

Contrasting similar apps, calls and texts are sent directly from your existing address book while letting you see whom you can call or text for free. Avoiding the hassle of usernames or additional sign up steps, your existing mobile number is your caller ID when contacting friends, family or coworkers.

For users making international calls to people who have not downloaded the app, Vonage touts their rates are amongst the industry’s lowest; cheaper than Skype or mobile competitors. Users can immediately add calling credit straight from the app through iTunes or Android Market in increments of $4.99 and $9.99.

Your phone/device still rings for incoming free calls and notifications of new free text messages even if the app is closed.

Download Vonage Mobile from the App Store

Download from the Android Market

The game consists of challenging levels where the player has to direct the train around the network, through tunnels, and crossings. The goal of this game is to pick up all the passengers on platforms before they become angry or overflow the platform. Throughout the game you will have to change the direction of the train by highlighting turns on the railroad. A blue point will change the direction the train is heading and a white point will make the train go straight on.

If a point turns red, an Advanced Warning System (AWS) will notify you to change the point to white or blue before the train arrives. This means a point has been misplaced. If the points are not changed on time, the trains will collide. There are three themes available for this game: Flat, Raised, or Mock CTC (Centralised Train Control). These themes provide different environments on the game. They can be more challenging to work with or can make the game much easier to play.

Difficulty settings can be adjusted as well to Easy, Normal, or Hard. You want to pick up all the passengers as fast as possible to have more points. If they overflow the platform, the game will end. Also, if the passengers have been waiting too long, they will turn red and stop other passengers from boarding the train. Be careful as you ascend levels, the passengers will become impatient quickly. You want to make sure you stop the train before it arrives at the platform, or it will not pick up the waiting passengers. In addition, keep a look out for the weather, as it could upset passengers as well. A blue button with an arrow on the bottom left can be used to speed up the train. Only three attempts are given for each level.

Train Controller is great for those who like to play challenging and strategic games. After each level is completed, directing the train definitely becomes more difficult. This game is great to exercise the brain.

Download Train Controller from the App Store ($0.99)

On Target:

• Advanced Warning System (optional)
• Fun, strategy game:

Off the Mark:

• Not for the challenged

The incident points to the value, and potential danger, of the use of personal data in the smartphone era. Others have compared it to oil, but it’s more personal than that. User data is almost another form of currency, fueling the success or failure of startups as they seek to increase their user base.

Some apps ask for permission. Others don't.

While Path was the latest to get caught red-handed, it is by no means the only app to do so. According to other reports, many iOS apps have varying levels of access to users’ contacts. What is even more troubling is how infrequently the iPhone user is notified about the transfer of information. While Path and other developers unlikely have any malicious intent, the carefree attitude toward personal information must end.

Apple has managed to remain unscathed in this process. It fell back on its App Store rules, which dictate that uploading contact information without user notification is not allowed. However, Path and others’ behavior managed to slip through the most rigorous review process of any app storefront. The solution may not be another policy, but the existing one must have vigorous enforcement. Also, policies should spell out how long the applications may be able to keep such information on their servers and for what purpose it is used. Apple can not just take a “we did no wrong” attitude to this issue. People trust the company with considerable personal information, and it should be worthy of that trust.

There is little doubt that Android holds these same issues as well. If apps could get away with this in the curated App Store, imagine what the wild west of the Android Market holds. Just as Google has begun recently cracking down on malware in the Android Market, it must also begin to take a stronger role in overseeing how apps access contact information.

In the interim, all users should be vigilant about what happens to their address book information and other personal data. Don’t assume that every app will ask for explicit permission before it accesses your contacts. Understand how the app works by reading its description and user comments. Yes, Path has fixed its issue, but it is likely that the same problem exists with other apps. Being savvy and guarded about your information must be the new normal for everyone who wants to get social in the world of apps.

AMC introduced Story Sync, a web app, during last week’s midseason premiere. Story Sync works on tablets such as an iPad, as well as any computer’s web browser.

The interactive features are designed to work with those watching the show live. So if you are catching up on episodes from a DVR, it is best to hold off as the content contains plot spoilers.

Story Sync also includes background trivia and a variety of graphics, such as the humans vs. walkers kill count. Viewers can also watch a sneak peek of the upcoming episode and an instant replay of a key scene.

Live discussion takes place through Twitter and AMC’s web site. Hit the “Watch and Chat” tab to join a chat room with other fans who can discuss the episode as it unfolds.

It does not have the depth or auto cred of franchises like Need for Speed or Gran Turismo. The cars are fairly generic, and the controls are clearly directed toward casual racing fans.

The storyline involves you increasing your skills and mechanical options by winning a series of races against the Ravens, a rival street gang. Winning races means more upgrades and customization options for your car. The cars models are generic, however. While securing the requisite licensing agreements from auto makers was probably cost prohibitive, it does take away some of the authenticity of the game to not have that.

Players can play through the storyline or improve their skills by partaking in a series of other races. Controlling the car is very easy; included is a good tutorial that walks one through controlling the vehicles (there is an iOS version as well for those who prefer that format). Maneuvering the car is straighforward, though the most fun is to be had by slamming into enemies. Be careful about running into cars at full-speed, however, as this sends you off course and makes recovery difficult.

While definitely geared toward casual gamers, Race Illegal High Speed 3D has some merit for those looking for a casual game to add to their Mac.

Download Race Illegal High Speed 3D for Mac ($2.99)

On Target:

• Easy-to-learn controls

Off the Mark:

• Generic cars

Fortunately, early adopters don’t have to wait to try out one of the new applications: Messages. As the successor to iChat, Messages promises to unite conversations across a Mac, iPhone and iPad by tapping into the iMessage platform.

Currently in beta form, Messages will send an iMessage to any iPhone, iPod touch or iPad running iOS 5. For those who have experienced this on an iPad, it is very similar. By entering an iCloud-synced Apple ID, you can type in the name of a contact and easily send a message.

However, get ready for notification overload. If running iMessage on an iPhone and iPad, each device will get the message notification at the same time as on your Mac.

There are other inconsistencies. Messages does not (yet) unify conversations the way that Google Voice does. For example, a conversation that begins on an iOS device won’t necessarily stay synced up with your Mac. To maintain the same strand, users must begin the conversation on a Mac and then continue it on an iOS device.

Messages includes support for the full-screen mode in Lion. Using it in this mode seems like a lot of wasted screen real estate, however.

The iMessage interface is still there, along with all the functionality for previous accounts. Users can also engage in a FaceTime conversation, though this launches the separate FaceTime app instead of integrating it into Messages.

Given that Messages is in beta status, those who don’t like to mess with hiccups or bugs should probably leave it alone for now. The wider take is that it points to the future of the Mac and iOS platforms. Apple clearly sees them working more in unison as they continue to evolve.

In order to have full syncing features users must sign in to their Windows Live account. If you don’t have a Windows Live account, you can sign up from the phone or computer quickly. By signing up through Windows Live, users are able to view and edit their notes on any computer (OneNote Mobile was released late last year on the iPhone).

Features of OneNote Mobile are straight forward, but useful and include text formatting, images, bullet lists, number lists and checkable boxes. Users can sync their notes and edit or view them from a computer and the notes will support links. These features make this app ideal for to do lists, shopping lists or general notes. Windows users can sync their notebooks from the desktop version of OneNote. Mac users must rely on the Office Web apps as there is no version of OneNote for OS X.

This app is convenient and offers endless possibilities. This eliminates the need to carry a notepad around. Get an idea? Open up a new note on OneNote Mobile and jot it down. Need to make a shopping list? No problem, use the checkable boxes.

The free option of OneNote Mobile offers users access to 500 notes on their device and old notes can be deleted at any time. With this many free notes, users can use this app as storage for information such as recipes, directions or even your daily schedule.

What’s so great about having a note-taking app is if the user thinks of something to add to their list it’s easy to do so, creating a paperless trail. Just make sure your phone is charged. While it may not have the robust and cross-platform prowess of Evernote, it is a solid entry from Microsoft in the Android productivity category.

Download OneNote Mobile from the Android Market (Free)

On Target:

• User friendly
• Convenient

Off the Mark:

• Similar to other note-taking apps, such as Evernote

Gameloft Live will seem familiar to users who enjoy console-type gaming. The app opens up to your hub, your customizable homepage, featuring your avatar. From this screen you can view your profile, access your games, customize your avatar and hub area, view Gameloft news, connect with your friends, and shop for new games. As you play more games and explore the app you unlock gaming achievements or level up within the Live app, earning more experience points and Gameloft dollars for use when downloading in-app games.

My one concern with the Gameloft Live app was if it recognized games previously purchased through the Android Market. So far I’ve noticed that most games have a selection within their Options menus allowing you to ‘Connect to Gameloft Live.’ The game, and all its corresponding achievements, then shows up under your Games in the Live app.

Gameloft games not only connect to the Live app but to your social media websites. There are in-game options to connect to Facebook, while back in the main hub of the Gameloft Live app you can easily connect to both Facebook and Twitter. This is a great way to connect to other gamers and increase your Friends list on Gameloft Live or share your scores and favorite games through statuses and tweets. Although I’ve reached level four on Gameloft Live without Gameloft friends, the one thing I wish for is a way to make new friends in the app for a more social experience.

The Gameloft shop seems to have a game for everyone, no matter their likes or their budget. The shop can be organized by category and everything is included: arcade style games, action games, racing, simulation, sports, and the lists goes on. I had the chance to download a few of the free games and was in awe of the quality of the graphics and instantly sucked in by the gameplay.

Among those I tested out were Fantasy Town, where you build your own adorable little town to host magic creatures and earn coins, and Brothers in Arms 2, an action shooter game with amazing graphics and fantastically detailed and customizable controls. Each requires you to earn special rewards that allow you to unlock new levels, giving you motivation to continue playing. Gameplay is also extended by time restrictions where you must wait a certain time period before unlocking specific features (in Brothers in Arms you had to wait a few minutes before your next mission was assigned).This timing aspect does force the games, and the Live app, to stay running in the background. Battery is quickly depleted if you forget to manually shut down your apps after exiting.

Download Gameloft LIVE! from the Android Market (Free)

On Target:

• Excellent games
• Engaging social network

Off the Mark:

• Can be a battery drain

SpotON Radio has an elegant interface that will please any follower of minimalism. Users can create a station by selecting an artist or tapping into their listening preferences through Spotify. SpotON will suggest those who have been the most-listened-to from your Spotify account.

There are other strengths to its use of the Spotify platform; if you are digging a particular station on SpotON, it can be turned into a Spotify playlist. When scrolling for similar artists, there was a broad list to browse through, which was a refreshing break from other apps that try to limit your choices. I also found stations to be slightly more consistent than Pandora, which occasionally has random songs that don’t seem to mesh with the station you had in mind.

The only downside is SpotON Radio is geared for Spotify Premium members. The app lets anyone try it out for a while, but then it is time to pay up. While this may disappoint some, it points to the increasing value of how applications can tap into the Spotify platform.

As another perk, the app includes no ads. It’s also very simple to publish playlists or stations to social media. Spotify is making the leap from app to platform, which will have a continued impact on how we interact with digital music.

Download SpotON Radio from the App Store (Free)

On Target:

• Excellent interaction with Spotify.
• Elegant interface.

Off the Mark:

• Requires Spotify Premium membership.