The Genius Of Google -INGRESS the game

Ingress - It's time to move

                   Google’s smartphone app team Niantic Labs has released a new multi-player gaming platform that turns your real-world location into a virtual world.

Called Ingress — which is available for free download on Android via Google Play — the app is based around the premise that a strange energy has been discovered by European scientists, and it must be controlled before it controls you.

But the app isn’t one you play while sitting on your couch at night. It requires actual movement and encourages you to get outside to unlock new features, weapons and adventures. For example, to control and capture things called “portals” — which spew matter from creative places such as museums and libraries — you have to go there. Once you connect three portals, you form a region and claim a territory.

This means if you are in Times Square, the app’s built-in scatter map technology knows where you are and adds a virtual layer to it. It leads you to real statues and landmarks to continue the game. The platform also works in rural communities too.The news comes as the Niantic Lab teased videos leading up to the launch, which included taglines such as “there’s more for the world to see.”

Heading the Niantic Lab team is John Hanke, the location-based guru behind Google Earth, Google Maps and StreetView. Hanke was previously the CEO of mapping tech company Keyhole which was acquired by Google in 2004.“We live in a world of abundant information and ubiquitous computing — why not play in it? For the first time, the world, not the screen, can become the basis for a mobile game — it’s a controller in the palm of your hand.

Could the blending of real and virtual worlds be the future of gaming? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Ingress is a closed-beta right now. Request an invite at http://www.ingress.com

Ingress transforms the real world into the landscape for a global game of mystery, intrigue, and competition.Our future is at stake. And you must choose a side.A mysterious energy has been unearthed by a team of scientists in Europe. The origin and purpose of this force is unknown, but some researchers believe it is influencing the way we think. We must control it or it will control us. “The Enlightened” seek to embrace the power that this energy may bestow upon us. “The Resistance” struggle to defend, and protect what’s left of our humanity Install Ingress and transform your world.

"The World is the Game"

Move through the real world using your Android device and the Ingress app to discover and tap sources of this mysterious energy. Acquire objects to aid in your quest, deploy tech to capture territory, and ally with other players to advance the cause of the Enlightened or the Resistance.

Strategy. The struggle is being played out globally. Track the progress of players around the world, plan your next steps, and communicate with others using an Intelligence map.

What is the Niantic Project?
Is this just a game? An Investigation Board (http://www.nianticproject.com) filled with cryptic clues and secret codes awaits. The story evolves everyday. Powerful secrets and game tech are there to be unlocked.

Form Alliances - The struggle to save the planet spans the entire world. Groups of people acting together can be more effective than individuals acting alone. Cooperation across neighborhoods, cities, and countries will be needed to achieve the ultimate victory.

NOTE: This app is optimized for smartphones, not tablets.

Join the investigation: 

Google+: http://www.google.com/+NianticProject 

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NianticProject 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NianticProject

Help Center: http://support.google.com/ingress

Permissions:

THIS APPLICATION HAS ACCESS TO THE FOLLOWING:

·        

     YOUR ACCOUNTS

USE THE AUTHENTICATION CREDENTIALS OF AN ACCOUNT

Allows the app to request authentication tokens.

·         HARDWARE CONTROLS

CHANGE YOUR AUDIO SETTINGS

Allows the app to modify global audio settings such as volume and routing.

·         YOUR LOCATION

COARSE (NETWORK-BASED) LOCATION

Access coarse location sources such as the cellular network database to determine an approximate tablet location, where available. Malicious apps may use this to determine approximately where you are. Access coarse location sources such as the cellular network database to determine an approximate phone location, where available. Malicious apps may use this to determine approximately where you are.

FINE (GPS) LOCATION

Access fine location sources such as the Global Positioning System on the tablet, where available. Malicious apps may use this to determine where you are, and may consume additional battery power. Access fine location sources such as the Global Positioning System on the phone, where available. Malicious apps may use this to determine where you are, and may consume additional battery power.

·         

     NETWORK COMMUNICATION

FULL INTERNET ACCESS

Allows the app to create network sockets.

·         YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

READ CONTACT DATA

Allows the app to read all of the contact (address) data stored on your tablet. Malicious apps may use this to send your data to other people. Allows the app to read all of the contact (address) data stored on your phone. Malicious apps may use this to send your data to other people.

·         STORAGE

MODIFY/DELETE USB STORAGE CONTENTS MODIFY/DELETE SD CARD CONTENTS

Allows the app to write to the USB storage. Allows the app to write to the SD card.

·         SYSTEM TOOLS

PREVENT TABLET FROM SLEEPING PREVENT PHONE FROM SLEEPING

Allows the app to prevent the tablet from going to sleep. Allows the app to prevent the phone from going to sleep.

Hide

·         YOUR ACCOUNTS

DISCOVER KNOWN ACCOUNTS

Allows the app to get the list of accounts known by the tablet. Allows the app to get the list of accounts known by the phone.

·         HARDWARE CONTROLS

CONTROL VIBRATOR

Allows the app to control the vibrator.

·         NETWORK COMMUNICATION

VIEW NETWORK STATE

Allows the app to view the state of all networks.