Cortana: Windows Phone's Answer to Siri?

Apple's iPhone has Siri and Android has Google Now, but it looks like Microsoft is developing its own counterpart: a virtual assistant based on the Halocharacter "Cort

ana." In fact, "she has the potential to be a star for Microsoft," said analyst Rob Enderle. "Xbox is Microsoft's strongest platform and Halo is the strongest brand, with Cortana being the cutest character."

For players of Microsoft's Halo video game series, the computer AI character known as "Cortana" can do much more than just provide directions and plot advances in the game. Soon, however, Cortana could become part of Windows Phone users' real lives as well.

Nismo Gizmo May Give Drivers Another Reason to Fiddle

Nissan has designed a smartwatch to go with its Nismo sports car that does everything from tracking the user's heart rate to monitoring the car's performance. Smartwatches could be yet another distraction for drivers, however. There must be careful evaluation before new products are made available to drivers, cautioned AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety spokesperson Bruce Hamilton.

Nissan on Monday unveiled a concept smartwatch that will connect drivers to their cars and provide them with real-time biometric data while tracking their progress across social media.

The Nismo Concept Watch will be created for drivers of Nissan Nismo cars.

It will be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which runs from Tuesday through Sept. 22.

"It's still just a concept," remarked Daniel Matte, head of wearables research for Canalys'Appcessory Analysis Worldwide Service.

Zynga relaunches gaming site, loosens Facebook ties

Online game publisher Zynga Inc relaunched its website on Thursday, allowing users to play its games without first signing on to Facebook, a significant step toward establishing its independence from Facebook Inc.

The relaunch of Zynga.com is the latest step in the slow dissolution of a special partnership that once bound two of the most influential players in the social Internet industry.

Tim Catlin, general manager of Zynga.com, told Reuters he believed Zynga's players wanted to create unique player names that were not tied to their Facebook accounts, which displays their real names.

Iron Man 3 - Games for iPhone, iPad and Android for free

Gameloft have made another debut with its new official Game "Iron Man 3". Game is now available for iPhone, iPad and Android devices.

 If it isn't clear from the name itself, the game is based on the much-anticipated movie, Iron Man 3.

After the events of Iron Man 3, Tony has become a peacekeeper, but new threats emerge regularly all around the globe - and Iron Man is the only one who can take care of them. The game lets you become billionaire Tony Stark aka Iron Man and promises a fast-paced, endless running adventure.

The game is now available as a free download with a host of in-app purchases for iPhone and iPad as well as Android.

Zynga Continuing effort to get over of loss

Zynga Inc.'s surprise profit in the first three months of the year got overshadowed by a revenue decline, a drop in the number of users and a lower-than-expected second-quarter forecast.

The online game maker's stock fell more than 10 percent in extended trading Wednesday after the first-quarter results came out.