Why I’ll be buying a Wii U at launch

Wii U bundle

Every gamer should buy Nintendo's next console. Here's why.

Nintendo doesn’t have it easy these days. Mobile phones and tablets continue to peck away at its handheld consoles while the Wii, now nearly six years old, struggles to find new buyers among fierce competition from Microsoft and Sony.

As if that weren’t enough, Nintendo is now paying for its negligence towards the gaming industry. The new controller has been met with skepticism, and the claims of better third-party support this time out have been met with shrugs.  We’ve heard this song and dance before.

It’s all seems very doom and gloom. Yet, in spite of this, I’m going to line up to buy a Wii U at launch – and if “gamer” is a label you’re happy to claim, you should too. Here’s why.

Wii U GamepadEnough Power To Please

The Internet’s popular opinion about the Wii U’s hardware is woefully miss-informed.  I’ve read countless forum posts and website comments that firmly state the Wii U is just a minor upgrade to the Wii and no better than the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. That’s nonsense.

We don’t know exactly what is in the Wii U yet, but we do know it’s a relatively new PowerPC processor paired with 2GB of RAM and a custom AMD Radeon GPU, most likely derived from the company’s Evergreen architecture. For comparison, the Xbox 360 uses a graphics chip similar to AMD’s Fudo architecture – which is five years older. Given the separation in architectures it would not be surprising if the raw power of the Wii U is three or four times that of an Xbox 360.

We don’t need to rely on speculation, however. Nintendo has constantly demonstrated games running at 1080p, something current consoles aren’t capable of (they render games at a lower resolution and up-scale to 1080p).

It’s likely that the new consoles from Microsoft and Sony will be quicker, but that’s okay. What’s important is that Nintendo will finally have hardware that can do justice to the beautiful art found in its first-party titles.

An Excellent Launch Lineup

New Super Mario Bros. UThe Wii U hits store shelves on November 18th with an impressive selection of games — 23 will be available on launch day, and 51 titles in total are planned for the “launch window” that runs through March.  Several of these are brand-new games that are launching exclusively for the Wii U. I’m personally looking forward to New Super Mario Bros. U, ZombiU and even Epic Mickey 2 (which will be released on all systems, but offer Wii U-specific features on the GamePad). These titles alone put the launch line-ups of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 to shame. I’m also looking forward to Rayman Legends, though it now looks like it may not make the November 18 release.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Nintendo is also launching with a generous selection of third-party titles including Assassin’s Creed III, Darksiders II, Call of Duty: Black Ops II and Mass Effect 3. Most of the have been released, or will be released for other platforms, but their inclusion on the Wii U helps to beef up the console’s appeal. And that goes double for me.

I haven’t played several new console games because my Xbox 360 went kaput (for the third time) and was no longer covered under warranty. I couldn’t find any reason why I should waste money replacing it when the Wii U was already announced and capable of playing the same games. My excitement might be less if Microsoft made reliable hardware.

Nintendo Can Take Over My Living Room

Nintendo TV controllerNintendo TVii came out of nowhere. There was little to hint at its existence and then – boom! Nintendo drops the bomb just a few months before release.

TVii put the Wii U over the top for me. Since my Xbox 360 died, I’ve been using a Roku for my streaming needs. It works fine and I’d recommend it to anyone, but it’s terribly simple. Scrolling through Netflix titles can take some time, and there’s not much customization available. It works. And that’s all it does.

The new controller must have given the guys at Logitech a heart-attack. It’s taken them years to squeeze small touchscreens into their line of Harmony remotes. Then here comes Nintendo, tromping in with 6.2 touchscreen display that connects directly with streaming services (via the Wii U, of course), and can even be used to purchase new content.

Television via console is now Nintendo’s game to lose. As long as the processor isn’t too slow, as long as the touchscreen isn’t unresponsive, as long as the software works right – it’ll be great. And inexpensive, too, because there’s no need for an additional subscription to access content you’ve already paid for. That’s a lesson Microsoft should learn.

wii u pro controllerBackwards Compatibility

Buying a new console is often bitter-sweet. Yay, it’s a new console… but now I have to buy all new peripherals and games. Ah, hell.

The Wii U doesn’t ask so much from buyers. Most Wii accessories are compatible with it, as are most Wii games. Even software and save data downloaded to the Wii will be transferable to the Wii U. In a sense, the new console is more of an upgrade than an entirely new product. It adds new capabilities but also retains the functionality found in the old system.

Nintendo is not abandoning its family-friendly position. And that position is partially based on price. Asking a family to replace an old console with a new one – and three new controllers, plus any peripherals – is always a tall order. I’m happy I’m not going to have to re-purchase controllers when the next Mario Kart game comes out.

Wii U premium bundle

Yes, The Price Is Right

Nintendo’s premium Wii U, which is the one you want, retails for $349. There have been the usual complaints, but they’re only valid if you think coin is traded as freely in real life as it was in the last Mario game.

This entirely new console, which is more powerful than any other on the market today and comes with a 6.2” touchscreen controller, costs less at launch than either the Xbox 360 or PS3 did (by a huge margin in the case of the PS3). Even now it’s only $100 more (in premium guise) than the current mid-range Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 bundle. This seems like a damn good deal. I seriously doubt that Nintendo is making any per-unit profit at this price.

And let’s not forget that the Wii U is compatible with old controllers, which means current Wii owners don’t have to pay anything extra for additional peripherals. The new Pro controller, which is tailored towards third-party games, is the only exception — but hopefully it will be sold at a price similar to the current Classic controller, which is $20.

Conclusion

Will the new console reverse Nintendo’s fortunes? That’s impossible to know. Its competitors have yet to reveal themselves, and long-term success depends on far more than a console’s capabilities at launch.

Then again, speculation about profit margins won’t make the Wii U more or less enjoyable. It is a game console. It should play games well, and it should have good games to play. The Wii U promises better gaming than any other console, and Nintendo has thrown in a tasty bonus with TVii. That’s more than enough to get me in line. What about U?


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

How old should you have to be to own a smartphone?

How old is old enough when it comes to owning a smartphone? We take a look at both sides of the debate.

 children smartphone

The first cell phone I ever purchased was the original Motorola Razr. I actually resisted the cell phone revolution until 2004 when Motorola’s super-thin phone lured me in, but I was already in my late twenties by then. These days, no one waits until their on the brink of 30 years old to get a phone. Cell phones and smartphones are becoming a must-have item on every kid’s wish list. It’s not about making phone calls; it’s about having a camera, audio player, gaming device, web browser, and the ability to access social media and send texts.

Mobile phones are an important invention for the human race. They have definitely changed the way the world communicates and they will continue to do so. Most of us own some kind of mobile phone. According to The World Bank‘s fairly conservative estimate, 75 percent of the world’s population has access to a mobile phone. So how old should a child reach — what milestone — before its okay to own a phone? 

What about kids?

As it turns out, not very old. Nielsen research recently revealed that 58 percent of 13 to 17 year olds living in the U.S. right now have a smartphone. That’s a smartphone, an Android device or an iPhone (possibly a Windows Phone or a BlackBerry, but probably not). If we throw regular old cell phones into the mix then the figure goes up. Lookout estimates that 77 percent of 12 to 17 year olds in the U.S. have a cell phone of some kind.

You can’t blame kids for wanting one given that their peers probably have one. That “well if they jumped off a cliff would you jump too?” line is only going to work for so long. The trouble is parent’s opinions about what age is appropriate for cell phone bestowment vary wildly.

How young is too young?

kid using smartphone

Would it surprise you to learn that the Lookout report also revealed that 22 percent of parents think 10 years old is an appropriate age for kids to get their first phone? Does that sound too young to you?

Kids do mature at different rates. Before you equip your child with a smartphone, you really need to consider whether they have the understanding or the skills to use it. You might want a young child to have a basic cell phone for emergency calls, but there’s a world of difference between that and the latest iPhone.

While 10 might sound too young, most parents would agree that a teen should have their own cell phone by the time they are 16 years old. Wouldn’t they?

A lot depends on the reason behind your child getting a phone. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons.

Why your child should have a phone

Keep in touch: Some parents see mobile phones as an ideal way to keep in touch with their children. Kids can check in with their parents, phone when they need a lift, and make emergency calls if something bad should ever happen. You can even use a cell phone to track your child’s location – all the major carriers offer this service for a reasonable monthly subscription. A cell phone can provide peace of mind for an anxious parent.

Google Maps > stranger: With a smartphone, your kids won’t get lost ever again. It’s frightening when you get lost, but thanks to navigation options like Google Maps, if your kid has a smartphone they can always get directions home and they won’t have to ask a stranger.

Education: Technology is a big part of everything now and it’s important that your kids are exposed to it and learn to use it so they can reap the benefits later in life. Check out the potential for educational help with our back to school apps roundup. A cell phone can also help to teach them about budgeting and taking care of their possessions.

So he/she can socialize: Socializing is an important part of your teenage years and you want your child to be involved and feel like they are on level ground with their peers. When I was a kid we would “call round” for people by actually physically going to their house and ringing the doorbell. It was a huge waste of time and if you ever lost a friend when you were out somewhere there was no way to contact them. Cell phones are so convenient for arranging social situations, that the lack of one could leave your kid out of the loop.

Be nice: Smartphones are awesome. We adults are buying them in our droves and using them for all sorts of purposes. Don’t assume your kid will get up to no good – they probably want a smartphone for many of the same reasons you do.

Why your child shouldn’t have a phone

Study: Teens know it's bad to text and drive, do it anyways (no way!)

Kids can be data hogs: Do you trust that they have money skills or understand limits? They could run up big bills for overage charges on data or app purchases. Smartphones are also potentially very expensive.

Inappropriate content: Consider the fact that a smartphone allows them to surf the web and access all kinds of content. Not all content is good. 

Stranger danger: If your kid is texting or chatting on a cell phone, you have no idea who is on the other end. Your kid could be talking to someone bad. They can also take photos and potentially share them with anyone.

Texting and driving: For older teens, texting while driving is a serious concern.

Sweep aside the cons

The good news is that you can sweep away all these concerns by choosing the right device, the right plan, and considering parental controls.

First of all, decide whether they need a smartphone or if a basic cell phone would do the trick. A nice feature phone would still allow them to text friends, track location, take photos, listen to music, and even play basic games. It’s also way cheaper and seems to make more sense for young kids. You may even want to consider something really basic for emergencies, like the OwnFone.

Check out the family plan deals and dedicated plans for kids and see what would suit you and your child best. You can set hard limits and block access to app purchases if you want to.

You can also look into your many options for parental controls. Some carriers provide services and there are many apps available. They allow you to do all sorts of things like: block specific numbers or only allow specific numbers, set times when the phone cannot be used, limit access to the web, set time limits for usage, and even remotely cut cell phone service when your teenager is driving.

Rules and reasons

Most important of all, sit down with your child and explain what they should and shouldn’t do in detail. Give them reasons and make sure they know that their new phone is a privilege. Ultimately, if you want to ensure that your kids use technology responsibly and safely you have to make them aware of the dangers. It also helps if you are at least a bit tech savvy yourself.

There’s no right answer to the question of how old kids should be to own a smartphone. The truth is it depends on your kid and it depends on you. We’d love to hear your opinions though, so please post a comment and weigh in on the debate. If you’re a parent, what are your concerns? Have you given your kid a cell phone or smartphone? How did it work out? Any tips for other parents? If you’re a teen or even younger do you want a phone? If so why? What would you use it for?


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Acer CloudMobile smartphone goes on sale in UK

Acer CloudMobile smartphone goes on sale in UK

Nine months after launch, the CloudMobile goes on sale

Acer's CloudMobile S500 smartphone, unveiled way back at MWC in February, has finally gone on sale in the UK.

The 4.3-inch Android Ice Cream Sandwich handset is now in stock at online retailer Expansys for the rather modest SIM-free price of £290.

The device, initially slated for launch by the store on September 5, features a 1280 x 720 HD IPS display, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 1GB RAM, and 8GB of on-board storage.

There's also an 8-megapixel camera on board, capable of shooting full HD video.

Take it to the Cloud

The device is somewhat skewed towards business users as the AcerCloud app makes it easier to sync-up their data with other Acer devices, like a laptop or tablet.

The 9mm thick device seemed like a solid mid-range player when it was announced over 7 months ago in Barcelona. Does it still have what it takes to match up with the competition?


Source : techradar[dot]com

10 best job hunting apps for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

10 best job hunting apps for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch

Get the best new job you can with our ace work apps

Finding a job can be a tough task at the best of times. Right now, it's harder than ever - job cuts, lay-offs and mass redundancies mean the job market is more competitive and has more candidates, too.

We may all be in it together when it comes to the financial crisis, but when it comes to job hunting, you're on your own.

The process of finding employment can generally be separated into three stages: find a position, apply for it, and then perform at the interview. In many cases, simply finding vacancies is the hardest part of the job hunt.

Tracking down the perfect position is, in all likelihood, the most time-consuming and dullest part of the process. Once you've found the perfect job with a dream salary at a company you like the look of, you need to create the perfect curriculum vitae; a document that impresses both visually and through its content is essential if you're to make it to the interview.

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Happily, your iPad or your iPhone can help you at all three stages of the job hunt. There are apps to help you find the right position, and apps to design the best CV too. If the interview stage isn't your strong point, however, there are even apps available to help you build up your confidence.

In short, there's every possible app to help you along the path to a new or more exciting career, and we've structured our tips in this chronological order to help you with the process.

1. Jobcentreplus

Jobcentreplus

Access nationwide job listings, all for free, with this official app

Price: Free
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch

Finding out what positions are out there is step one in the job-hunting process, and where better to start than the Job Centre?

The Jobcentreplus app allows you to search all the vacancies at every Job Centre nationwide, giving you access to a huge number of positions.

There are three main ways to search for a vacancy. First, you can use a search term and define a place - so, if you're looking for sales jobs in Bath, enter those details and tap on Search.

Second, you can use the location capabilities of your iPhone to simply search for jobs in your current vicinity. Finally, you can browse jobs by category; if you really want to be a butcher, for example, tap on the job title and search for all the positions near you.

If you're not fussy about your role, you can just search for every job close by, but naturally this returns far too many results to be wholly useful. We really liked the favourites function that allows you to quickly collect a number of job ads to read in more detail at your leisure.

Also, the number of preferences and options available that enable you to refine your job search and really dig out your perfect role impressed us, too. In short, using this official app is generally much less stress than visiting a real Job Centre, yet with all the same opportunities on offer.

2. Pocket CV

pocketCV

Build and distribute a stunning résumé with this simple tool

Price: £ 1.99 / $2.99
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad

Making a résumé that really sells you and your talents can be both tricky and tedious. You need to make sure that you've put everything a prospective employer would need to know in an easy-to-follow layout, preferably on no more than two sides of A4.

Pocket CV is designed to help you do just that; it splits your CV into seven sections, and you simply fill in each one. Then tap Preview to see what your new CV looks like. It really couldn't be easier.

Although this is a universal app, it's notably easier to use it effectively with the iPad's larger screen. If you have a LinkedIn account, you can import all the data from that to help build your CV, too.

Obviously, the more information you have on your LinkedIn profile, the better your CV will look, but even if you just use the bare data, it's an excellent starting point. You can build as many different résumés as you choose, and there are eight different design formats to choose from. They're not the most contemporary of layouts, but neither are they offensively ugly.

Once everything's designed and you're ready to roll, you can email a CV directly from the app, or copy it to Dropbox for further editing on a computer if needed.

3. Monster Jobs for iPad

monster jobs

A job search tool from one of the largest and best-known job sites

Price: Free
Works with: iPad

The Monster website has been going for many years now, and is one of the most popular job search tools in the UK. You could, naturally, use Safari on your iPad to look for jobs on the site directly, but as with many specialist apps, the Monster Jobs iPad app gives you a more polished and simpler method of looking through its listings.

The search tool enables you to look for roles by keyword and location, and you can also change countries if you're after a job somewhere else in the world. You can save jobs to view at a later date, and see all the positions you've already applied for.

There are a number of filters to help you narrow down your choices and you can store your regular searches. If you think you may have found the perfect role for someone else, you can share it using email from within the app, too.

If you have a Monster account set up, you can log in and get access to all your CVs and covering letters, so that you can apply directly from the app. While you can't create a CV in the app, you can get started on a covering letter.

4. CV-Library HD

CV Library HD

Search for jobs and create a CV quickly, all from one app

Price: Free
Works with: iPad

CV-Library HD claims to have more than 50,000 real-time jobs available to search and apply for when you're on the go. There are over 4.7 million registered users, the service offers a free CV review when you register, and it has a selection of featured recruiters from more than 70 industries.

When we ran our searches there were more than 5,000 IT jobs, over 2,000 management positions and just shy of 3,000 admin vacancies waiting to be filled. CV-Library HD gives you instant access to all these positions. In addition, you can link the iPad app to the company's website and use it to apply for jobs, save your most popular searches and share job adverts with your friends.

The app uses the iPad screen real estate very well, with jobs to the left in an easy-to-scroll column, and role information (such as location, salary and description) given plenty of space to the right. That might sound like a small thing, but some of the other job search apps, presenting much the same information, aren't as clear.

The design of the app really does make it easier to trawl through a large number of results to find the perfect job, especially with other features.

5. ResuM8

Build a professional and outstanding CV with this easy five-step plan

Price: Free
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad

resum8

Creating your own CV can be a bit of a pain. How do you describe what you're good at? How do you say it without sounding pretentious and putting potential employers off? Well, ResuM8 is here to help.

This app helps you to put together a CV in stages. Though ResuM8 is free, it doesn't really function properly without buying the database of headlines as an In-App Purchase. For £1.99 you get access to 400 bulleted 'Strengths' that you can use in your C.V. This is great if you struggle to sum up ways to describe what you do, and what you're good at.

Inevitably, some of the Strengths are a touch corny, though you can change them if you prefer. The app could do with a bit of spit and polish in the design department too, but it's perfectly accomplished for creating a quick-fire CV.

Once you've created one, you can send it as a PDF or RTF file and can attach a covering letter, too. There's a short introduction explaining the reasoning behind the ResuM8 method, which is worth a quick read, and you can create a CV without a paying a penny if you really want to - so at least you can check the app out for free.

6. Jobsite Jobs

Jobsite

An appropriately named app for searching though vacancies

Price: Free
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch

Jobsite Jobs is a handy iPhone frontend to the many thousands of roles available on jobsite.co.uk. You can search by keyword and place, as well as using location services to let you see what vacancies are nearby. You can narrow your search to include jobs advertised in the last few hours, or widen it to all roles posted in the last seven days. You can also set the search distance up to a 50 mile radius.

Finally, you can choose to exclude temporary, part-time or contract jobs - or search only for those types if you like. Results can be ordered by relevance to your search terms, date posted, or salary, and searches can be saved to make it easier to re-run the query at a later date.

Although there are promoted jobs within the app, the one we clicked on was outof- date, somwhat annoyingly. If you have a Jobsite account, you can create a shortlist of roles for later. Once you've uploaded your CV, you can also quickly apply for any role.

7. Interview Questions Pro

interview questions pro

No need to be fearful about the nerve-jangling interview process…

Price: 69p / 99¢
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad

Once you've found a job and created a compelling CV that has employers clambering over each other to see you in person, you still need to perfect your interview skills if you want that coveted position. Interview Questions Pro splits practice questions into sections, covering critical thinking, work history, behavioural aspects, and you - the candidate.

There's also a selection of suggested questions for you to ask a potential employer. Simply tap on a section to get started with the sample questions. You can begin at question number one and work your way though, or simply pick out the questions at random.

Tap on the question to flip the flash card to reveal the sort of thing you're supposed to be saying. The app doesn't give you a word-for-word answer, of course, but instead points you in the general direction. You can add your own questions for more personalised interview practice too, if you want.

8. Resume Designer

Resume Designer

A simple template tool for creating the perfect CV on the go

Price: £1.99 / $2.99
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad

Resume Designer is a basic app that lets you make your own CV very easily. All you have to do is type the relevant information into a template to create a document.

There are five default résumé sections on the basic template, such as Objectives and Work Experience. All you have to do is tap on a section and fill in the details. A persistent preview below each entry shows you exactly what your changes look like as they happen.

If the sections don't suit or you need to add another, you can, including Skills and Volunteer Experience, or you can create a custom section. In addition, you can add an events section to make a list of significant events to be shown in order.

Once you've finished, you can email or print the CV from the app. There's no control over the fonts or colours, but this is still a great app for creating a good-looking document quickly.

9. Interview Skills

interview skills

An app designed to demystify the interview process

Price: Free
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch

The Interview Skills app from Barclays Capital is ostensibly designed to help candidates prepare for an interview solely with Barclays, but its useful advice and videos make it great for any candidate. This app revolves around three fictional candidates and their answers to four interview questions - motivation, business awareness, competency and role. You listen to their answers and decide which one is strongest.

This is handy as it puts you in the position of interviewer and allows you to decide first-hand which answers are most suitable. Rating the interview answers is a fun way to pick out the pitfalls when in an interview.

As well as this useful game, there's a whole section of hints and tips to help you answer interview questions, including videos of helpful advice from the people who devise and run interviews at Barclays.

10. LinkedIn

LinkedIn

The business social network that lets you hunt down your next position

Price: Free
Works with: iPhone, iPod touch, iPad

With LinkedIn you can build a virtual CV, but also, just like Facebook, keep in touch with ex-work colleagues. Once you've created a profile and made contacts, you can request recommendations from others you may have worked for or with, and search out the movers and shakers.

On the iPad, the app has the useful feature of being able to see who has looked at your profile recently too. Additionally, you can see updates from people in your industry, and join LinkedIn groups to keep up on the latest news or job openings.

Of course, you can add your own updates. You can use the Updates section to see what everyone is doing, or use the People You May Know to help your business profile grow.

See which of your contacts has been promoted or joined another company, or use it to do research on a company you feel you might want to join.


Source : techradar[dot]com

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