Launch of new iMacs may be delayed till 2013, report says

iMacs (October 2012)

Waiting to get your hands on one of Apple's new iMacs? Well, it seems like you might have to wait a little longer than expected.

Users of old iMac machines who for the last couple of years have been waiting patiently for Apple to unveil a refreshed machine before upgrading were finally able to feast their eyes on the latest model last month when Apple unveiled a shiny new, and rather thin (at the edge, at least), design.

Shipping dates were set for November for the 21.5-inch model and December for the 27-inch model. Many of those iMac users have no doubt started to make plans for their older machine, whether it involves giving it to a friend, using it as a giant paperweight or simply consigning it to the attic.

Well, those plans might have to be put on hold for now as it appears the launch of the new machines may have been pushed to 2013. This will come as a big disappointment not only to those hoping to purchase a new iMac, but also to Apple executives who’d been looking forward to healthy sales of the new computer during the upcoming holiday shopping season.

French Mac-specialist blog MacBidouille says it has learned from a “commercial source” that Apple has delayed the launch of the new iMacs because of issues with its advanced welding process – possibly so advanced that it hasn’t quite got the hang of how to do it yet. The process, called ‘friction stir welding’, uses high heat pressure to create a seamless joint in the iMac’s frame.

Apple Insider pointed out in a report on Wednesday that other challenges for manufacturers include the screen’s lamination process, which gets rid of a tiny air gap between the iMac’s display and front glass, which was present in previous versions of Apple’s desktop computer. “In August, KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that the process is more involved with the 27-inch model and would cause supply constraints for the initial batch of machines,” Apple Insider wrote.

The iMac’s page on Apple’s website displays a “coming soon” badge, while the online store continues to show a November shipping date for the smaller iMac and December for the larger one. If MacBidouille’s source turns out to be correct, we can expect to see these dates change soon.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Microsoft launches Windows Phone ad blitz with Jessica Alba, Gwen Stefani

jessica alba windows phone

In an attempt to use the power of celebrity endorsements to promote the Windows Phone, Microsoft has rolled out new ads featuring prominent women.

Taking an aggressive approach with the promotion of the Windows Phone platform, Microsoft has launched two new advertisements starring actress Jessica Alba and No Doubt musician Gwen Stefani. Airing during primetime television tonight on commercial breaks within ABC’s Modern Family and NBC’s The Voice as well as late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live, the two advertisements highlight different ways that the Windows Phone platform has changed their daily life. The 33-second spot with Jessica Alba features the Nokia Lumia 920 and is co-branded with AT&T. However, the 32-second Gwen Stefani advertisement features the 8X by HTC and splashes the Verizon Wireless logo on the screen.

Gwen Stefani Windows PhoneDuring the Jessica Alba spot, Microsoft is attempting to promote the use of the Kid’s Corner feature since young children like to play games on their parent’s smartphones. Similar to Netflix’s Just for Kids section, Kids Corner on the Windows Phone acts as a parental filter.

After Kid’s Corner is launched, it’s impossible for a child to access text messages, emails or other important areas of the phone without a password. In addition, parents can populate the Kids Corner with approved applications such as entertaining games, learning programs or other fun apps for young children. Kids can also listen to approved music through the Kids Corner interface as well as personalize the background. 

Alternatively, Microsoft is trying to highlight the usefulness of the Windows Phone platform for busy working women during the Gwen Stefani ad. Since early adopters of smartphones tend to be both men and women these days, Microsoft is clearly going after the female demographic for the opening round of Windows Phone ads. Ads featuring male celebrities are in the works though. According to Ad Age, two more advertisements will follow later in November featuring Saturday Night Live alum Andy Samberg as well as Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. 


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Facebook rolls out the share button to mobile users

Designed to encourage mobile users to share more types of content with their friends, Facebook is rolling out a new share button for the mobile interface.

Detailed by Techcrunch earlier today, Facebook has launched a share button on the mobile version of the social network and is planning to add sharing capabilities to both the iOS and Android applications at a later date. While the ability to share a particular article, video or picture is commonplace on the Web version of Facebook, mobile users can simply tap on the new share link in order to pass along an interesting piece of content to their friends. When a user brings up the mobile version of the social network, they will notice a new Share button to the right of the Like and Comment buttons. 

Tapping the new share button brings up an interface that allows the user to write a comment that goes along with the shared content. In addition, the user can isolate the post to a specific subset of their friends through groups or post it publicly in order to reach all subscribers.

Once the user is satisfied with the post, they confirm the sharing action by tapping the Share button in the top right corner of the screen. Alternatively, cancelling the post returns the user to the news feed. The new share button is only appearing within the News feed at this point. When visiting a personal page of a friend or a brand, the share button hasn’t been incorporated within the design yet.

The launch of the new sharing feature marks a trend in Facebook’s strategic approach to mobile. While the inclusion of the sharing button isn’t a technical achievement by any means, the priority of improving Facebook’s mobile interface is evident. According to Facebook’s third quarter results, the social network has approximately 600 million active mobile users each month. In addition, about 120 million of those active users check Facebook exclusively through a mobile device. The addition of the share button on the mobile version of the site could result in a spike in the amount of articles, videos and pictures that are shared each day. 

With the addition of the share button for mobile users, this brings Facebook more in line with social network competitor Twitter. On the web version of Twitter, users are encouraged to retweet posts and share them with friends. It will be interesting to see if mobile users on Facebook transition from the Like action to the Share action. Potentially,  it could significantly increase the amount of shared content people find in their News feeds each day and possibly drown out other status updates from friends and family.

However, it could be extremely helpful to brands and advertisers since the share action is more valuable when attempting to spread a particular piece of content. In a related story noted by The Next Web, Facebook is also rolling out a new feed that allows a user to view posts from brands and other pages into a completely separate feed. While posts from those pages will still appear within the News feed, users can visit this page in order to view recent updates only from liked pages.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

That was fast: Google already launches Android 4.2 update to fix Google Voice bug

Google has already released an update for Android 4.2 that fixes bugs with Google Voice.

Android 4.2 may be Google’s newest mobile operating system update, but new doesn’t always mean perfect. The latest iteration of Jelly Bean has reportedly caused issues with Google Voice, but the search giant has already issued a fix.

Within 24 hours of its release, Google launched an update for the operating system that fixed inaccuracies with Google Voice. The app has experienced problems ever since the fresh, treat-themed upgrade launched alongside Google’s new Nexus 4 handset and Nexus 10 tablet. Some complaints said that the bug would Force Close a text message if you tried to add a new contact at the same time. This text messaging glitch appears to be the most significant issue, but the update is believed to address any and all compatibility problems between Android 4.2 and Google Voice.

Luckily, the majority of Android users have probably never even encountered this inconvenience. Android 4.2 is only currently available for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the LG Nexus 4, which means that the bug has only affected a small number of Android users. The updated operating system will also ship with the Nexus 10 tablet that debuted on Tuesday and almost instantly sold out in the U.S. and UK within minutes (though we don’t know how many sales it took to sell out).

Android 4.2, initially believed to be called Key Lime Pie, represents the next major software upgrade for Android devices. Google introduced the previous edition of Jelly Bean, Android 4.1, at its I/O conference in June along with its Nexus 7 tablet. The search engine giant emphasized the “buttery smooth” interface that users would experience with Jelly Bean, and its new iteration promises the same.

The update boasts new features such as the ability to open multiple windows and apps simultaneously and Android Beam integration. This is Google’s term for its Near-Field Communication (NFC) capability, which lets users share photos, YouTube videos and other content by touching Android devices back-to-back. One of the most noteworthy additions is the new Photo Sphere camera, which takes snapshots in various directions and stitches them together to form one big picture.

While this may seem exciting, it could take a while for the update to completely roll out. Google recently announced that the Nexus S and Motorola Xoom will not be getting Android 4.2, and data collected by the company shows that Android 4.1 is still barely present on most devices.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Google+ update lets users instantly install Android apps

Google has introduced a new feature that allows users to install Android apps shared via Google+ with a single click.

In an increasingly competitive social media ecosystem, Google has made a new addition to Google+ that could separate its social network from the rest. Google has integrated its online store and its social networking platform even more closely with a recently introduced feature. Google+ users can now post direct links to Android apps from the Google Play store on to a user’s timeline, making it easier to share games and applications.

Once the link has been posted, the recipient will be redirected to the app’s Google Play page. An install prompt will also appear to demonstrate how to download the app with a single click. Google+ automatically embeds an image and description of the app alongside the link. Similarly, When Google Play patrons +1 an app within the store, the app is automatically shared on Google+ but without the Install/Buy buttons.

This isn’t the first time the search engine giant has attempted to connect its Google Play store with Google+. The company previously added a function that allowed users to share their favorite music tracks and albums on another user’s profile, complete with 30-second previews. However, there has yet to be a feature that lets users instantly share movies via Google+.

As Google introduces new sharing features, it’s becoming clear that the company is attempting to facilitate the way users access media content through the Google Play store. Last week, Google announced that music and movies from its online store would be available on Google TV in Germany, France and the UK.

While the addition of instant app sharing may be a subtle update for Google+ it will undoubtedly streamline the way Android users recommend and share apps. It could also shape the way businesses and brands promote their mobile presence, giving Google+ a unique edge against competitors Facebook and Twitter.

Each social media platform has its own flavor when it comes to fulfilling business needs: Facebook gives brands the chance to showcase their product through a dedicated page and flashy cover photo, while Twitter lets businesses spark a conversation about their product among the Internet community. With Google+, users can now instantly download a company’s product. This could be particularly crucial for start-up businesses relying on social media to circulate their application.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Is text messaging becoming obsolete? New study shows texting drop in Q3

smartphone texting imessage carrier revenue phone plan

The number of text messages sent in the US has seen a drop in this year's third quarter. Could services like iMessage and Facebook Messenger replace texts?

Text messaging has arguably eliminated the need for phone calls on a day-to-day basis. It has enabled users to communicate concise messages without sitting through forced (and sometimes painful) conversations. But with texting alternatives such as Apple’s iMessage are gaining popularity, will text messaging soon become obsolete? According to a report published Monday, American cell phone carriers are seeing a decline in the number of text messages sent by each customer on a monthly basis.

The data comes from Chetan Sharma, an independent mobile analyst and wireless carrier consultant, who wrote that the number of text message exchanges in the U.S. had dropped by about 2 percent in the third quarter. This may not seem like a significant drop, but it’s a sharp difference from the steady growth that text messaging had previously seen. Sharma says it’s too early to tell if this is the beginning of a decline, but it is the first time that text messaging has begun to dwindle in the United States.

Texting saw a noteworthy boost in 2011, when 2 trillion texts were sent in the U.S. by the year’s end. This marked a 14 percent increase from 2010, according to Forrester Research, which also notes that 6 billion messages were sent per day throughout the country last year.

This current decrease in SMS usage, which stands for “Short Message Service,” a service enabled by cell phone carriers, can largely be attributed to the rise of text messaging alternatives.

One such platform is Apple’s iMessage, which operates almost exactly like a text message but only communicates between Apple devices. Therefore, iMessage completely bypasses the carrier when sending text messages between iPhones.

Another perpetrator could be Facebook’s Messenger app, which essentially exists as the mobile presence for the social network’s instant messaging feature. Unlike iMessage, Facebook’s Messenger app can be used across multiple platforms, which could give it an advantage when it comes to text messaging alternatives.

Does this mean the era of texting is coming to an end? Not exactly. Texting is still a huge part of the way people communicate via mobile devices, but the emergence of these new messaging options could hopefully lead the way toward cheaper texting plans.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Square now processing $10 billion in payments annually

Square now processing $10 billion in payments annually

Jack Dorsey can do the Dr. Evil impression 10 times over

Square, the mobile payments startup founded by Jack Dorsey, is now processing $10 billion in payments annually.

Since Dorsey is also the co-founder of Twitter, the announcement of this milestone came not from a press release, but from a tweet.

"Today we're processing $10 billion in payments annually, an amazing and humbling milestone," said Square, Inc. on Twitter.

Rounding out the 140 character limit, the company credited its users, saying, "To the small businesses growing with Square, thank you."

Square talks

Square spokeswoman Faryl Ury added to that small business-focused sentiment.

"We've seen growth across the board," Ury told TechRadar, "from small food trucks and coffee shops, to retail stores and larger brick and mortar merchants."

A jolt expected from Starbucks

While Square may have a growing user base of small and medium-sized businesses, it's about to add a much larger client with 7,000 national stores: Starbucks.

Starbucks is scheduled to start accepting the Square Wallet this month following the coffeehouse chain's $25 million investment in the startup.

Square faces growing competition from PayPal Here, Intuit GoPayment and Groupon Payments, all of which offer slightly more affordable transaction fees.

However, the company remains the mobile payments leader.

Two months ago, Square reached $8 billion payments processed annually. With the impending addition of Starbucks, the "humbling milestone" tweets should keep on coming.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Square now processing $10 billion in payments annually

Square now processing $10 billion in payments annually

Jack Dorsey can do the Dr. Evil impression 10 times over

Square, the mobile payments startup founded by Jack Dorsey, is now processing $10 billion (UK£6.3 billion, AUD$965,158,000) in payments annually.

Since Dorsey is also the co-founder of Twitter, the announcement of this milestone came not from a press release, but from a tweet.

"Today we're processing $10B in payments annually, an amazing and humbling milestone," said Square, Inc. on Twitter.

Rounding out the 140 character limit, the company credited its users, saying, "To the small businesses growing with Square, thank you."

Square spokeswoman Faryl Ury added to that small business-focused sentiment.

"We've seen growth across the board," Ury told TechRadar, "from small food trucks and coffee shops, to retail stores and larger brick and mortar merchants."

A jolt expected from Starbucks

While Square may have a growing user base of small and medium-sized businesses, it's about to add a much larger client with 7,000 stores: Starbucks.

Starbucks is scheduled to start accepting the Square Wallet this month following the coffeehouse chain's $25 million (UK£15.7 million, AUD$24,128,950) investment in the startup.

Square faces growing competition from PayPal Here, Intuit GoPayment, and Groupon Payments, all of which offer slightly more affordable transaction fees.

However, the company remains the mobile payments leader.

Two months ago, Square reached $8 billion payments processed annually. With the impending addition of Starbucks, the "humbling milestone" tweets should keep on coming.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Google Nexus 4 vs. Samsung Galaxy S3: In-depth comparison

Google Nexus 4 vs samsung galaxy s3 android smartphones

If you're in the market for a new Android smartphone and you want something truly top of the line then the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Google Nexus 4 are bound to be in your sights. The question is: which is better? We put the Galaxy S3 and Nexus 4 head-to-head in this detailed comparison and try to pick a winner.

The Samsung Galaxy S3 has been the relatively undisputed heavyweight champ on the Android scene for half a year now. It is, quite simply, an awesome smartphone. The new challenger emerging is the Google Nexus 4 and it’s looking lean, mean, and dangerous. Manufactured by underdog LG, the Nexus 4 combines impressive specs with an affordable price tag. The question is – does the Nexus 4 have what it takes to steal the title?

Warm up for the main event with an undercard including our Samsung Galaxy S3 review and a detailed Galaxy S3 vs Nexus 4 spec showdown.

The Galaxy S3 has been on the market for a while now and you can get it from various carriers, although there are some slight differences between versions. The Nexus 4 comes in two flavors – 8GB or 16GB – and it went on sale November 13.

Display quality

Let’s open the bout with the first thing that strikes you about both devices: the screen. The Galaxy S3 has been lauded and derided for having a huge display. At 4.8 inches, the screen size was criticized by some for making the phone too large to handle comfortably. Consumers clearly didn’t agree with the critics because sales have been impressive and there’s a clear trend towards bigger displays in the market generally now. The Nexus 4 has a slightly smaller display at 4.7 inches.

The fact the Nexus 4 has a slightly higher resolution and a smaller screen than the Galaxy S3, means that the pixel density is greater. The Nexus 4 should be sharper. The displays also use different technology. The Nexus 4 display is IPS LCD and the Galaxy S3 is Super AMOLED (if you want to know what that means check out AMOLED vs LCD). Both displays have great color reproduction and good viewing angles and they both have Gorilla Glass 2 protection. The Galaxy S3 might edge it on better viewability in sunlight and that extra size, but the Nexus 4 display is sharper.

Winner: Draw

Design and feel

Neither Samsung nor LG are famed for high quality construction when it comes to smartphones. The Nexus 4 has a rounded form factor and is made of plastic with glass front and back and a chrome style rim. When the light catches the back you’ll see an eye-catching hologram design. It’s a premium look and feel not generally associated with LG, but it is indicative of the company’s push towards the top end of the Android market.

The Galaxy S3 is also rounded with a slightly textured pattern on the border which carries round onto the plastic frame and polycarbonate back cover. There is a single Home button on the front, while the Nexus 4 has no physical buttons on the front. Despite claims that the plastic feels cheap it is very durable and it obviously helps to keep the weight down.

In terms of size the Galaxy S3 is slightly bigger in height and width, but it is also slightly slimmer and it weighs a touch less. Ports and buttons are virtually identical, including right side placement for the power button, which helps you reach it more easily on larger form factor smartphones.

Winner: Draw

User interface and platform

As a Google release the Nexus 4 is vanilla Android and it sports version 4.2 which offers a handful of slight improvements over 4.1, but is still classed as Jelly Bean. There’s a new Quick Settings screen, widget support on the lock screen, improved Google Now, and Voice Search, among a few other new bits and pieces in version 4.2.

The Galaxy S3 launched with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), but the Jelly Bean 4.1 update has rolled out to many devices already. It also has Samsung’s TouchWiz interface, which has already added some features such as a Quick Settings menu in the Notifications bar.

There isn’t a huge difference in usability, but the latest version of Android is always the best. The 4.1 update for the Galaxy S3 brought a very noticeable improvement in speed and performance, alongside great features like expanded Notifications and Google Now. An S3 with Android 4.0 and TouchWiz is definitely behind the Nexus 4 with vanilla Android 4.2.

Winner: Nexus 4

Processor and RAM

Both devices have quad-core processors. The Galaxy S3 has a 1.4GHz Exynos 4412 and the Nexus 4 is sporting a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro clocked at 1.5GHz. The Nexus 4 has 2GB of RAM, which outperforms the 1GB of RAM in the European and international versions of the S3. The U.S. version of the Galaxy S3 matches the Nexus 4′s 2GB of RAM but lags behind with a dual-core processor.

Winner: Nexus 4

Storage

The Nexus 4 comes in 8GB and 16GB versions and in typical Nexus-style there is no microSD slot. You’ll need a screwdriver if you want to open it. The Galaxy S3 comes in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB varieties and you can expand by a further 64GB thanks to the microSD slot which you can get to by removing the back cover. There is no contest here.

Winner: Galaxy S3

Cameras

When it comes to the main camera, both devices have excellent 8-megapixel rear-facing cameras that can record 1080p video at 30 fps. They also both have the usual LED flash, face detection, and a host of other features. Android 4.2 brings a cool new Photo Sphere feature for panoramas to the Nexus 4, but the Galaxy S3 camera app has some nifty features, too.

It’s easier to separate the two phones on the front-facing camera because the Galaxy S3 has a 1.9-megapixel camera and the Nexus 4 has a 1.3-megapixel camera. Do many people really care about the front-facing camera? For those that do, the S3 wins out.

Samsung Galaxy S3 review screen taking photo horizontal recording

Winner: Galaxy S3

Battery

Both phones have batteries rated at 2,100mAh. The Galaxy S3 battery is removable while the Nexus 4 battery isn’t, but few people will carry around a second battery anyway. We’ll need to wait for more extensive hands-on testing to see if there’s any real difference in actual use, but . It’s probably worth mentioning that the Nexus 4 does support wireless charging and has a nifty Wireless Charging Orb accessory, although you do have to buy it separately.

Winner: Draw

Connectivity

You’ve got NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, DLNA, and everything else you would expect to find on both smartphones. The widely noted difference is that the Nexus 4 doesn’t support 4G LTE. It’s debatable how much that matters, because HSPA+ can be very fast, but if you live in the right area then LTE is the fastest mobile network connection you can have right now so it was a surprising omission.

Winner – Galaxy S3

Price

This is where some of the losses above for the Nexus 4 can be cancelled out because it is significantly cheaper than the Galaxy S3. It is basically $300 for the unlocked 8GB Nexus 4 or $350 for the 16GB version. That compares to around $600 for an unlocked 16GB Galaxy S3.

On contract you can get the Nexus 4 for $200 while the Galaxy S3 is closer to $300.

Winner – Nexus 4

Overall Winner: Nexus 4

Google Nexus 4, Nexus 10 announced

If we add up the scores it actually turns out to be a tie with 3 wins apiece and 3 draws, but hopping off the fence we’ll give this one to the Nexus 4 because it manages to offer more value for your money. The wins that the Nexus 4 racked up will probably be more important to most people – it’s faster, it has the latest version of Android, and it’s cheaper. However, if you’re on a carrier with a robust 4G LTE network, or you heavily value storage or the quality of your front-facing camera, the Galaxy S3 may be the phone for you.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Samsung SSD commercial featuring Overly Attached Girlfriend gets over 1 million views

Making solid-state drives sound interesting is an advertiser's Everest. However, Samsung's latest ad for its SSD 840 series made us chuckle thanks to Internet star Laina Walker, the Overly Attached Girlfriend.

Solid-state drives (SSD): they’re tough, fast, silent … and inherently difficult to advertise. While you’d want them in your computer, they’re not exactly the feature-rich eye candy you’d want to ogle over on your screen. So when Samsung launched its SSD 840 line, the company decided the best way to drum up publicity for a boring product is to release a hilariously creepy viral video starring Laina Walker, otherwise known as Overly Attached Girlfriend. And lo and behold, the ad has over 1 million views on YouTube.

“Hey, it’s me your computer,” the ditty begins, as Walker’s large, Stepford-Wife-like eyes hold you captive with their unblinking stare. Walker, known for the funny yet slightly unsettling Overly Attached Girlfriend Internet meme, takes on the role of a wayward computer, threatening you to get her a Samsung SSD if you don’t want to lose your files or have sensitive data leaked. “There’s tons I stopped from getting out: passwords, credit cards, bank account. These days, I’m so clumsy, I need your love to calm me,” she sings in part of lyrics.

But all creepiness aside, the Samsung SSD 840 Pro series is designed for use by IT professionals, heavy computer users, and serious gamers. They’re slightly more expensive than the regular SSD 840 products, which are meant for everyone else who just wants an SSD. Both the Pro and regular options feature super-fast load and read speeds – the Pro more so than the regular variant. The Samsung SSD 840 Pro series is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB configurations, with prices starting at $189.99. The regular SSD 840 series is available in 120GB, 250GB, and 500GB configurations, with prices starting at $139.99. 

Check out the video below and let us know what you think. 


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Tom Hardy cast in Splinter Cell movie

Tom-Hardy

The Dark Knight Rises actor will play Sam Fisher in upcoming adaptation of Ubisoft's game franchise.

Things are moving quickly with Ubisoft’s big-screen plans, and now their next big project after the Assassin’s Creed movie has its star.

Sam FisherFollowing his turn as the the villainous Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, actor Tom Hardy has signed on to play the lead role in the film adaptation of Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, based on Ubisoft’s espionage-centric game franchise. Hardy will play series protagonist Sam Fisher, a special-ops agent who works for a shadowy government organization called Echelon.

Jean-Julien Baronnet, CEO of Ubisoft Motion Pictures, spoke to Variety about the casting.

“Tom Hardy is currently one of the biggest talents in the film industry, and he has a phenomenal ability to take on complex and varied roles with his broad range of acting skills,” said Baronnet. “His involvement in the Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell movie is exciting news for movie and video game fans alike.”

Following the release of The Dark Knight Rises, Hardy next appeared opposite Shia LaBeouf in the prohibition era period drama, Lawless. He will next be seen on screen playing the title role in Mad Max: Fury Road, co-starring Charlize Theron. 

The International writer Eric Warren Singer is currently penning a script for the Splinter Cell film, although no director has yet been hired.

“Eric Singer is one of the most talented writers of the moment, and … we’re confident he’ll bring a fresh approach and create a thrilling story … while still respecting all the codes and traditions of the franchise that are so important to fans,” added Baronnet.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Texas Instruments to cut 1,700 jobs in cost reduction effort

Texas Instruments to cut 1,700 jobs in cost reduction effort

Cutting mobile, cutting jobs

Texas Instruments announced Wednesday it will be cutting its worldwide work force by 1,700 in an effort to cut costs.

The semiconductor company said that as it moves away from its historical focus on the mobile market and focuses on OMAP processors and wireless connectivity solutions, it requires fewer resources.

"We have a great opportunity to reshape our OMAP processor and wireless connectivity product lines to concentrate on embedded markets," Greg Delagi, senior vice president of Embedded Processing, said in a press release, noting that momentum is already building for these new efforts.

"These job reductions are something we do with a heavy heart because they impact people we care deeply about. We will work closely with all employees affected by these changes to provide a range of assistance related to compensation, benefits and job search."

Pennies saved

The cut jobs are expected to save TI about $450 million (UK£284, AUD$433) by the end of next year.

A hit of $325 million (UK£205, AUD$312) is expected as a result of the restructuring, dollars that will drop out of this quarter's earnings.

TI is almost an anomaly in a manufacturing world that, for the most part, is moving toward mobile and away from traditional markets.

In a report from September, Delagi sad that mobile is "less attractive" for Texas Instruments moving forward, marking the beginning of the end for the company's smartphone and tablet plans.

Its OMAP 4470 processor is found in the Kindle Fire HD, but that may be the last major mobile product to see a TI chip inside.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Black Ops II sells more than 1 million units overnight at Gamestop alone

Black Ops 2

Call of Duty: Black Ops II will likely beat Modern Warfare 's impressive sales records.

Everyone knew the launch of Call of Duty: Black Ops II was going to be huge, but just how huge is still a bit of a surprise.

GameStop president Tony Bartel told Bloomberg Business Week today that the retailer sold more than 1 million copies of Treyarch’s military shooter during its midnight launch events alone.

Black Ops II is shaping up to be our biggest game launch of all time,” he added.

Of course, it’s worth noting that this is just one specialty retailer’s sales figures, and the tally doesn’t include the countless other ways players got their hands on copies of the game. Thus far, the launch of Black Ops II looks to exceed that of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which broke just about every existing sales record when it generated $775 million in revenue in its first five days on the market last year.

Activision has yet to announce any official data on Black Ops II sales, but at the rate the game is moving we’re likely to hear about more records broken in the near future.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Wireless Router Buying Guide

Wireless router buying guide

We separate marketing from reality to outline the specs and features you need in a wireless router.

Wireless Router Buying Guide

Looking to set up a network in your home so you can connect all your PCs to your broadband Internet service, share data files, and stream audio and video between rooms? Don’t know what equipment you need? Confused by the spec charts for the gear you know you need? Skeptical of the pie-in-the-sky performance claims? We can help.

We’ll assume you already have broadband Internet access (via DSL, cable TV, or whatever solution you might have). The next thing you need is a wireless router that will go between your broadband Internet device (i.e. your DSL or cable modem) and one of your PCs. (Or between your modem and data switch if you already have a more elaborate network). We’re suggesting a wireless model because you don’t want to string Ethernet cable around your home unless you absolutely have to; besides, a wireless router is the best way to access the Internet using your smartphone. And if you ever discover you absolutely must have a wired connection, the router will have a built-in switch to handle it.

Features and wireless networking standards

Now let’s talk about the features you should look for in a wireless router. Just like smartphones, new wireless networking standards are coming out more often than ever. The current standard is 802.11n. Just about every router you can find on store shelves these days should comply with this standard, and this spec typically appears at the top of the list of features printed on the box, so it shouldn’t be hard to find when you go shopping.

There are, however, two new standards now in development that will soon make 802.11n old news: 802.11ac, and 802.11ad. The latter is still a few months off, but 802.11ac routers are already available, such as Buffalo’s AC1300, or D-Link’s DIR 865L. This new standard supplements 802.11n and offers considerably faster speeds, but the problem is that this standard isn’t supported by any of the devices most people currently own. So basically, if you get an 802.11ac router, it’ll probably still be backward compatible with all your 802.11n hardware, but you’ll have to wait for a while before you can get your hands on a device that can actually utilize your router’s 802.11ac capabilities.

Because of this rapid progress in wireless networking standards, if you have older wireless gear, you’ll want to make sure that any new router you buy will remain compatible with whatever previous IEEE standard your other hardware is based on (examples include 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g). And if you want further assurance that your wireless router will work with other wireless devices you already own (wireless network adapters, media-streaming boxes and so on), look for the Wi-Fi Alliance’s Wi-Fi Certified logo. The alliance’s 300 member companies conduct extensive interoperability testing to ensure that products claiming to adhere to 802.11 specifications are in fact compatible.

Wi-Fi network speeds

You should take manufacturers’ speed declarations with a colossal grain of salt. For example, you’ll encounter many claims of “theoretical” maximum bandwidth of 300 or 450Mb/sec (megabits per second), but you’ll never see throughput that high in realistic environments in which walls, doors, appliances, and other barriers separate your router from its client devices. When transferring files using TCP/IP (the most common file-transfer protocol that Windows computers use), you’ll more likely achieve speeds of 100Mb/sec at close range – much less than that at longer distance.

The 300Mb/sec claims aren’t fabrications; they’re just not based on real-world conditions. Fortunately, most wireless routers manufactured in compliance with the 802.11n standard should be capable of streaming high-definition video over a reasonable distance, provided there aren’t too many obstacles in the path between the router and its client.

All wireless routers have built-in switches for making hard-wired network connections, but cheaper routers will have switches rated at only 100Mb/sec. You won’t regret spending a few extra dollars to buy a model with a gigabit switch (that’s 1,000Mb/sec). A gigabit switch won’t make downloading files from the Internet any faster (the fastest cable modems currently deliver only 50MB/sec to 60Mb/sec), but it will make a significant difference in the speed at which you can move files across hard-wired network connections inside your home.

Wireless data security

Wireless networks are as insecure as they are convenient – if you don’t take steps to secure your network, just about any troublemaker within range can eavesdrop on your online activities, leech off your Internet connection, access any of the files stored on your computers, infect your systems with viruses, and cause all sorts of other problems.

If you’re operating an older router that’s limited to WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) security, however, you might as well not have any security at all. Cracking WEP security is literally child’s play. The router you buy should support at least WPA2 (the second implementation of the Wi-Fi Protected Access protocol), but every device you add to your network must also support WPA2 for this to work. Your network is only as secure as the least-secure device that’s connected to it.

Linksys WRT610NDual-band and tri-band routers

Manufacturers have sold dual-band routers for years, but now many are starting to roll out tri-band routers as well. What does all this ‘dual’ and ‘tri’ business mean? Dual-band typically means that the router is equipped with two radios: one that operates on the 2.4GHz frequency band, and one that runs on the 5.0GHz frequency band. This enables you to set up two separate wireless networks, which is nice to have if you want to use one network exclusively for transferring data files and the other for streaming media, for example. Make sure you read the fine print though – some dual-band routers only have one radio that can operate on either the 2.4GHz or 5.0GHz bands, but not both at the same time. Netgear’s WNDR4500 or Linksys EA4500 are both capable of running on the 2.4GHz and 5.0GHz bands simultaneously.

Tri-band routers are a bit of a new thing, and chances are you’ll have some trouble finding one to purchase. If you’re reading this in 2014 or later however, tri-band routers will likely be ubiquitous by now. Essentially, these routers have a third radio that operates on the currently unlicensed 60GHz frequency band. Using a new technique to beam the radio signal directly to the antennas of connected devices (a process called beamforming) allows some of these routers to achieve data throughput rates of 7Gbps – considerably faster than the measly 300Mbps that 802.11n routers are capable of. 

If you’re only looking to get basic internet access and don’t need all these bells and whistles, you can save a bit of money by going with a single-band N router like the Securifi Almond, or a D-Link DIR-636

Quality of Service

Despite the label, Quality of Service (QoS) is not related to the quality of your Internet connection; rather, it’s a set of mechanisms within the router’s firmware that reserves certain resources for different applications. If you rely on a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service, such as Vonage, for telephone service, QoS allows you to configure the router to assign that data flow higher priority. So if someone in your home is downloading a large file while you’re talking on the phone, the quality of your call won’t degrade.

QoS can also be used to optimize your network’s performance with online games, video streaming, and similar applications. QoS can’t increase your network’s bandwidth or speed up your Internet access, but it can make the best use of the online resources you do have.

D-Link-DIR-855USB connections

The last router feature we’ll examine is USB support. You’ll find USB ports on many routers, but it’s important to find out what that port is used for. On some routers, it’s merely a means of transferring setup information (network ID and password, for example) from the router to a client via a USB memory key. Better routers will allow you to plug in a USB mass-storage device to add NAS (network-attached storage) functionality. Plug a large USB hard drive into your router and every device on your network will have access to that storage resource – it’s like having a cheap server. A good number of routers on the market have USB support, like Netgear’s WNDR4500 for example.

What to spend: price vs. performance

Let’s sum up with a discussion of prices. Depending on the type you get, you can spend anywhere from $35 to nearly $200 on a wireless router. 802.11ac routers will likely cost you a bit more, but the cheapest products will likely sacrifice advanced features such as Quality of Service, USB connectivity, and dual- or tri- radios. They might also be more difficult to set up and may not have strong tech support on tap. If you run into problems. If you don’t need those features and are confident in your own skills, those shortcomings won’t matter.

A cheap router that delivers subpar performance, however, is no bargain. Product reviews will give you a hint as to what you can expect, but setting one up in your own home is the only sure way of knowing how the router will perform in your unique environment. When you buy yours, make sure the retailer you do business with offers a liberal return policy if you’re not satisfied. 


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Cooler Master launches $100 compact HAF XB case for LAN-goers

Although we hold the HAF 932 and HAF X with high regard, there's no denying what could be viewed as a major shortcoming: they're massive. Full tower enclosures provide plenty of elbowroom to work with, but they're also a hassle when it comes to attending LAN parties or dealing with a cramped desk area. As such, Cooler Master has unveiled a new chassis for folks who are interested in the HAF series but need a compact solution.

Hitting US shelves this week for $100 and due in Europe later this month, the HAF XB measures 17.4 (W) x 16.7 (D) x 13 (H) inches and weighs 18.1lbs -- about 10 inches shorter, 5 inches less deep and 13lbs lighter than the HAF X -- yet it supports the same high-end hardware you'd typically stuff into a larger case.

Along with support for standard ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboards, the HAF XB can handle seven expansion cards including three GPUs measuring up to 13.1 inches (334mm) long, processor coolers standing up to 7.1 inches (180mm) tall and power supplies extending up to 7.08 inches (180mm) long.

Drive-wise, the HAF XB can accommodate up to two 5.25-inch devices, two 3.5-inch drives via hot-swappable X-Dock bays on the front of the enclosure, and up to six 2.5-inch drives if you factor in the X-Dock bays. Front panel connectivity is fairly standard with two USB 3.0 ports as well as audio input and output jacks.

You'll also find room for dual 120mm or 140mm front intake fans, one 120mm or two 80mm rear fans and one 200mm fan up top, as well as support for a 120mm liquid cooling radiator in back or 240mm up front. Once outfitted, you can ogle your hardware through a transparent window in the top of the enclosure.

Although we hold the HAF 932 and HAF X with high regard, there's no denying what could be viewed as a major shortcoming: they're massive. Full tower enclosures provide plenty of elbowroom to work with, but they're also a hassle when it comes to attending LAN parties...


Source : techspot[dot]com

Samsung said to be ramping up flexible AMOLED screen production

Samsung said to be ramping up flexible AMOLED screen production

Samsung's flexible AMOLED screens could arrive early next year

Though delays have seemingly slowed production of Samsung's flexible AMOLED screens, a new report points to production of the screens starting in early 2013.

An anonymous source told the Wall Street Journal the screens were in the final stage of development at Samsung Display, and that the manufacturer hoped to release the screens by the midpoint of next year.

Samsung debuted the first footage of the technology last December, and originally expected to deliver the first flexible screen products in 2012.

That hasn't been the case, though based on this new report, it appears as if Samsung is attempting to get the jump on competitors also working on similar screens.

OLED advantage

Made from plastic instead of glass, the prototype screens Samsung has shown off to this point reveal an incredibly flexible and durable display.

To this point, no company has been able to mass produce the displays, but Samsung has been pushing to move from the prototype to commercialization over the course of the past year.

The Wall Street Journal suggested Samsung's ability to invest heavily in the research and development of mass marketing the flexible screens comes from the recent profit windfalls Samsung Electronics has received.

With a 91 percent increase in net profits resulting in earnings totalling $6 billion (UK £3.78, AUD $5.78), Samsung clearly had the money to put behind the R&D.

Whether or not the manufacturer will be able to succeed remains to be seen, as Samsung had previously promised the OLED panels would be ready by now, and are still unavailable.

Just how Samsung plans on using the flexible screens is anyone's guess, but the applications could revolutionize both smartphones and tablets for the foreseeable future should they ever move beyond the concept stage.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Bioware gives away Mass Effect Trilogy in response to Black Ops 2 disc error

mass-effect-3

You thought it was a mistake, but we prefer to think that it was an omen," says Bioware of Black Ops 2/Mass Effect 2 code issue.

In response to yesterday’s report of Call of Duty: Black Ops II players discovering that the PC discs of their game had somehow been burned with Mass Effect 2 code, Bioware has offered free downloads of their sci-fi saga to the first 50 people who can prove they had it happen to them.

“If you were one of the affected, chances are you thought it was a mistake, but we prefer to think that it was an omen, and when the universe talks, you should listen,” posted the developer on its official website. “If the universe thinks that you should be playing Mass Effect right now, who are we to argue? In fact, we want to help!”

That help comes in the form of a free PC download of Mass Effect Trilogy to the first 50 people who send a picture of themselves holding the miscoded Black Ops II disc.

“Remember, in order to qualify, YOU must be in the picture, and disc 2 of your Call of Duty: Black Ops II must be visible. Got it? Then send your photo to community@bioware.com and you could be playing your very own Mass Effect Trilogy in time for the weekend!” writes Bioware.

While the cause of the error remains unclear, it’s nice to see Bioware embracing the bizarre turn of events in good spirits. No word yet on how Activision is taking it. You can get more information about the giveaway at Bioware’s official blog.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

In T-Mobile’s Fantasy World the LG Nexus 4 has microSD, unfortunately reality says otherwise

If you thought your newly ordered T-Mobile version of the LG Nexus 4 was special because of the advertised “microSD port” on T-Mobile’s sale page, we have some bad news for you. In T-Mobile’s fantasy world there might be microSD, but not in the real world. This was apparently just a misprint.

This is a pretty big mess-up really. After all, there are probably at least a few customers that say this and said, “Heck yah, I’ll get this for $199 on contract and get a microSD port as a bonus!” Imagine how angry these duped individuals will be when they learn the truth. Anyone closely following the Nexus 4 might have called this out as a mistake instantly, but not everyone is “in the know” about this sort of stuff.

This isn’t the first thing related to the LG Nexus 4 that T-Mobile has misrepresented. Many consumers also believed that T-Mobile’s WiFi calling feature would be supported, since they originally stated that it was a feature for the Nexus 4. We now know that this isn’t correct. That being said, as long as you understand what you are getting– going through T-Mobile for the Nexus 4 is still a reasonably decent option if you just can’t afford to pay the $299+ outright to get the Nexus 4 from Google. Do you plan to get the LG Nexus 4 through T-Mobile or will you get it unlocked via Google Play instead?



Source : mobilemag[dot]com

Samsung, Nokia dominate third quarter mobile phone sales

Samsung, Nokia dominate third quarter mobile phone sales

Samsung and Android continue to outpace Apple and iOS

A look inside the quarterly sales numbers showed smartphones are up 46.9 percent over the same period in 2011, and revealed Android phones outpaced Apple's iOS phones by 5:1 during the third quarter.

The sales figures, as reported by the analysts at Gartner, show mobile phone sales have decreased by 3 percent overall, continuing a trend started earlierthis year.

Despite the overall sales dipping, smartphone sales bolstered by Samsung, Nokia, and Apple have continued to escalate, and are now responsible for almost 40 percent of all mobile phone sales.

Samsung holds lead

During the third quarter, Samsung was able to maintain its lead over Apple in smartphone sales, largely due to the Galaxy lineup, including the Galaxy SIII.

With a 32.5 percent share of the smartphone market, Samsung was able to hold off second-place Apple, which earned 14 percent of the sales.

Research in Motion was able to slip into third place, with HTC following closely behind, as Nokia's smartphone sales slipped to seventh.

Samsung still found itself in the overall lead with 97.9 million phones sold (22.9 percent), a narrow margin of victory over Nokia's 82 million total mobile phones sold (19.2 percent).

Apple was able to solidify third place by selling 23.5 million iPhones (3.9 percent), which was a 36.3 percent jump from 2011, and accounted for the largest increase in year-over-year sales.

Gartner expects Apple to have another traditionally strong fourth quarter due to the expanding availability of the iPhone 5, but doesn't think holiday sales will impact the overall market all that much.

Android still king of the hill

Even though iPhone sales increased tremendously during the third quarter, Apple's iOS still had trouble catching up to Android.

With 122 million Android phones sold during the third quarter, Google's OS increased it's share to 72.4 percent of the market.

Despite Android earning 20 percent more users during the third quarter, iOS was still able to garner 13.9 percent of all users, a drop of just one percent from Q2.

Apple was able to maintain second place largely due to the decreasing numbers of Symbian and Microsoft's Windows Phone 7, as both OS were being phased out for Windows Phone 8.

iOS is expected to increase its numbers during the fourth quarter according to Gartner analysts, but all that depends on how strong Apple's final quarter turns out from a sales perspective.


Source : techradar[dot]com

Google improves Flash sandbox, Chrome safer than ever

Google silently rolled out an update to Chrome which featured an unusual change, apparently one worthy of an announcement on the Chrome Blog: improved Adobe Flash plug-in sandboxing. The company claims its new method of fortifying Flash makes Adobe's plug-in every bit as secure as Chrome's native sandboxing techniques.

To harden Flash against would-be Chrome hackers, Google says it's been working closely with Adobe to create a custom solution. The fruit of this partnership has yielded a Flash plug-in which -- if attacked -- will relegate a hacker's exploits to a single Chrome process. Unless hackers discover a method to escape Google's improved Chrome-Flash sandbox, the security measure will insulate the host operating system from virtually any threat posed by Flash.

Of course, if there is a way to escape Chrome's newest Flash sandbox, hackers will find it eventually. Google actually counts on this though, utilizing its Pwnium contest as a way to transmogrify this inevitable truth into better Chrome security. Last year, controversial security firm Vupen was thought to have a working Flash sandbox exploit for Chrome.

Currently, Google awards Chrome hackers $60,000 for disclosing their zero-day recipes. Partial and conciliatory hacks net those same security nerds a cool $40,000 or $20,000, respectively. Although exposing a Flash vulnerability would only qualify for the $20,000 reward, escaping the sandbox which attempts to isolate the plug-in and utilizing that vulnerability to attack the host operating system would most certainly qualify for the sixty grand.

The improved Flash sandbox has made its way to all platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, Linux and Chrome OS.


Source : techspot[dot]com

Microsoft has "no plan" to release DirectX 11.1 for Windows 7 (Updated)

According to a reply from an engineer on Microsoft's Developer Network forum, DirectX 11.1 will be available exclusively for flavors of Windows 8 only. There are apparently no plans to release 11.1 for Windows 7 or Vista. "DirectX 11.1 is part of Windows 8, just like DirectX 11 was part of Windows 7. DirectX 11 was made available for Vista .... but at this point there is no plan for DirectX 11.1 to be made available on Windows 7", the post reads.

Update (11/14): A slight change of plans may be in the works as Neowin reports that some DirectX 11.1 features have been quietly included on the "Platform Update for Windows 7 Service Pack 1" that is part of this week's IE10 preview release, but is limited to WDDM 1.1 drivers on Windows 7.

Although this information comes from Microsoft employee David Moth, it's important to note that Microsoft itself has not provided an official statement on the matter. Having "no plan" doesn't necessarily ensure it won't happen either -- but so far, it sound too good for Windows 7 users.

While Microsoft has often neglected older Windows operating systems when it comes to the latest versions of DirectX, omitting 11.1 from Windows 7 may have caught developers off guard. Microsoft launched Windows 7 with full DX11 support, eventually adding even Vista to the list. Considering this latest DirectX version is incremental -- 11.1 as opposed to 12 -- dropping support for both Vista and 7 feels like an maneuver powered by planned obsolescence more so than absolute necessity.

DirectX 11.1 is poised to make a significant number of changes to the graphics API, but most of the improvements appear to be performance enhancing tweaks. RockPaperShotgun does note one unique feature that DX11.1 brings to the table though: native support for stereoscopy (read: 3D glasses support). This means the small community of gamers willing to don 3D glasses may be doing so in the future without relying on proprietary technologies from GPU makers. Of course, those gamers will need Windows 8 and titles which support the new DX-based 3D standard.

Will the absence of DX11.1 for Windows 7 force droves of users to Windows 8? Most likely not. However, for some gamers, it'll be one more item to consider when it comes time to upgrade.


Source : techspot[dot]com

UpTo Calendar comes to Android: Hands on with the social calendar

The Mayan calendar ended on December 21, 2012, but if those guys had UpTo, the calendar would never end. UpTo is a social calendar app that made its mark on iOS and has now moved to Android. We go hands on with the app to see if it's worthy of celebration.

One of the more popular apps for iOS devices has made the transition over to Android, as UpTo popped up in the Google Play Store Monday. The social calendar promises to make your future more interesting by highlighting events you might be interested in and aggregating your friends’ schedule into your planner so you won’t miss anything they’re up to (get the name now?). It has a lot of potential to fill your calendar with awesome events, or turn you into the ultimate party crasher, depending on how you use it.

To hook with UpTo is that it always looks toward the future. Facebook is like a collection of things that have already happened; Twitter is like a stream of what’s happening at the moment; and UpTo tells you what’s going to happen. It does this by taking your existing calendars and placing all of the shows, parties, and special occasions into a Twitter-like stream. Linking your Facebook account will draw in all of the happenings from your Events page. Using a Gmail account will pull all of the Google Calendars’ events. It pulls events from all kinds of services together into one feed. To the app’s credit, the feed works well. Everything looks very unified even though the information is coming from multiple locations, and interaction with an individual event is easy. It’s a visually pleasing app. It makes something pretty plain – a calendar – look sleek and modern.

Of course, what fun are all these awesome occasions – or mundane tasks – if you can’t tell your friends all about it? That’s where the social aspect of UpTo kicks in. By adding friends from your email contacts or Facebook, you’ll be able to see what’s on their agenda as well. This makes sharing event information easy. Then again, if your friends are terrible people, they may use that information against you. As such, you don’t have to share every event you’re planning to take part in and neither do your friends, so information can be kept private. That way your business partners won’t know about the pedicure that you took a half-day off to get.

Social events don’t just stop at your friends as UpTo has amassed over 800 event streams that you can “Discover,” subscribe to, and include in your calendar. Fans of most professional and college sports can add the entire schedule of your team of choice; Movie and TV buffs can add lists of major release dates and premieres; and citizens of major cities can subscribe to see the biggest events that are coming through town. When the creators of the streams update their events, like if the team you follow makes the playoffs, the new happenings appear automatically on your calendar. You can then comment or like those events to make your thoughts known, allowing you to socialize with people all over that are interested in the same occurrences as you.

As solid in its execution as it is in appearance, UpTo lives up to everything you’d expect out of it. It’s quite the task to make a calendar interesting, but UpTo manages to do so in a way that doesn’t stray too far from the initial purpose of keeping track of events. The social aspect is sure to be great for party planners and those who are looking for some extra company for a show or concert. It strips away a lot of the unnecessary details of events on other platforms, keeps only the most pertinent of information, and makes it easy to manage in your personal schedule or send out for others to join in. UpTo is an app worth checking for the event planner in you.

You can download UpTo for free from the Google Play Store. It is also available for free on iPhone.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Many Origin accounts are being hijacked, EA offers no explanation

If you have an Origin account, you may want to change your password. Scattered reports from gamers including Eurogamer's Richard Leadbetter indicate that EA may have suffered a security breach. Affected users claim to have received an email from Origin confirming the successful change of their account's email address or password (or both) -- except, of course, the account owners didn't make those changes.

It's unclear how widespread the issue is, but a post on NeoGAF has compiled a list of recent threads created about the topic on EA's forum. Although EA has responded to Eurogamer's report, it mostly beat around the bush, citing its various support avenues and "robust security measures" that are "constantly upgraded." The company didn't acknowledge that the recent compromises may stem from an internal breach.

Many affected users insist that they used complex passwords and that their systems aren't infected with a keylogger or any other malware, so they're convinced that their credentials must have been leaked on EA's end. Adding to the frustration, once an account is hijacked, most of its profile information is altered (including the Origin ID) to erase the identity of its original owner, making it tricky to recover with EA's policies.

Automated online recovery methods generally require access to the email address listed on the account, but that information has been changed in most cases, so the only recourse is phone support. Also, when an Origin account's email address is changed, the service sends a notification to the previous address, but it doesn’t say what the new address is, which makes it harder to help phone support locate your account.

Even after defeating those obstacles, you may not be able to get your account back. According to many reports, EA's support requires your date of birth as part of its security protocol. This shouldn't be a problem, but a lot of people submit bogus birth dates when registering on sites and there's little chance of remembering such a random selection. Some users also suggest that the hackers may be changing birth dates.

If all else fails, you may be able to recover the account if it's bound to another service, such as Xbox Live. Having your account stolen is a bummer, but you can at least be fairly sure that your credit card data is safeish. When Origin stores credit card info, it doesn't keep the three-digit CSS code and it only displays the last four digits of the card number. We're not sure if they'd be able to buy games on your account, however.


Source : techspot[dot]com

Microsoft rewards long-term Xbox Live subscribers with new 360s

A custom-designed, 250 GB console is on its way to veteran subscribers, says XBL Director of Programming.

Some veteran subscribers to Microsoft’s Xbox Live service will receive a nice piece of recognition for their loyalty in the form of a free, custom-designed Xbox 360.

Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry Hryb announced the giveaway on Twitter, and included an image of the specialty consoles that will be sent to the service’s long-term subscribers.

“I can confirm we’re surprising some of the #Xbox LIVE members that have been with us the longest with one of these,” he wrote.

Over at All Games Beta, there are photos of the 250 GB console and the XBL-themed box it will arrive in, as well as a letter from the Xbox Live team that will accompany it. The letter indicates that the console will be sent to subscribers who have been with the service for more than ten years, and the console will also come with a free year of Xbox Live.

Given many of the recent updates to Xbox Live that have pushed it further away from standalone gaming console and toward the realm of all-purpose media center, there’s a good chance that the number of subscribers over the next ten years might make a similar console giveaway impossible — though we’re probably not alone in hoping it happens.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

BlackBerry Messenger gets free voice calls over Wi-Fi, available now

Research In Motion is not expected to release its next generation BlackBerry 10 handsets until the first quarter of 2013, but the company has something for its loyal users in the meantime: free Wi-Fi calling over BlackBerry Messenger. Version 7.0 of the popular messaging platform has just entered beta with a new feature called BBM Voice that will could provide a simple way for users to save on voice minutes.

The new feature is tightly integrated into the platform. BlackBerry Messenger will show who in your contact list is available to call using BBM Voice, and a simple press of the dial key will send a request to start a voice call. During calls users can jump into a split screen mode allowing them to talk, text and send images or other content at the same time with any BBM contact, or even switch to other applications.

BBM has long been touted as a key advantage of BlackBerry devices over the competition. And though it was quite disruptive at the time, similar cross-platform options like WhatsApp have since cropped up to lessen its appeal. The ability to make free calls over Wi-Fi is not new either, as applications like Viber have been doing that for a while and even support cellular data connections. Nevertheless, having the option baked into the OS presents some advantages, and might be a big deal in emerging markets where BlackBerry is still strong.

Although the ability to make free voice calls may sound as something that carriers would frown upon, it appears that they’re willing to play ball as long 3G/4G support remains out of the picture. James Tantram, senior product manager at RIM, tells The Verge that carriers believe BBM drives a lot of purchase decisions and making it more compelling means more people will want to sign up for the BBM plan or data plan.

BBM 7 with the new BBM Voice feature is currently available in beta form for BlackBerry smartphones running BlackBerry 6 OS or higher, with support planned for smartphones running BlackBerry 5 OS at a future date. The beta can be downloaded for free from BlackBerry Beta Zone.


Source : techspot[dot]com

Ubisoft CEO is interested in THQ titles

"They have good things," said Yves Guillemot of THQ's remaining assets.

While the outlook for troubled game publisher THQ looks increasingly grim these days, it still has some valuable assets, according to Assassin’s Creed publisher Ubisoft.

In an interview with Games Industry International, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said his company is monitoring THQ’s plight with an eye toward picking up some of the company’s existing licenses and franchises.

“They have good things,” said Guillemot. “We are always interested in good brands. For sure, it’s something we can consider, but I can’t tell you more.”

THQ previously parted ways with its Ultimate Fighting Championship license, ceding the franchise to rival Electronic Arts. The company still has ownership of a few other licenses and franchises that Ubisoft could be targeting, though, including the Saint’s RowSouth Park: The Stick of Truth. Games still under development by THQ include a few high-profile titles that are now in a state of limbo such as Homefront 2, Metro: Last Light, Company of Heroes 2, Saints Row 4, an unknown game developed by former Assassin’s Creed director Patrice Desilets.

Earlier this month, the company reported a $21 billion loss for the most recent quarter, and enlisted the services of advisory agency Centreview Partners, a company that recently facilitated several high-profile sales and bankruptcy proceedings for similarly troubled companies.

“What happened to [THQ] is something that happens regularly when we have transition,” said Guillemot of what THQ’s predicament indicates about the greater gaming industry and trends. “Some can make it, some decide to go in different direction. It happened with Atari and Midway and also Acclaim last generation. It’s something that happens in this industry and that’s the way the industry consolidates.”


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Google TV update adds voice search, PrimeTime guide

Unfazed by the lukewarm reception its Google TV platform has seen so far, the search giant is moving ahead with its efforts to blend Internet entertainment with traditional television programming and conquer people’s living rooms. Today, the company announced a handful of updates designed to make it easier for users to navigate content, including Voice Search and a new Quick Guide.

The update will launch on LG devices first and will enable users to search for movies and TV shows, open applications, and even surf to websites by using voice recognition technology. The functionality will also work across multiple apps so you’ll be able to search and play content from within YouTube or Netflix, for example.

Similar functionality is already available on Microsoft’s Xbox 360 with Kinect and on Samsung’s own TV platform. However, GigaOM notes that one key advantage to Google’s approach is the use of context to make sense of what people are saying. So if you say “CNN” Google TV will switch to that channel accordingly, while saying “Pixar movies” shows on-demand results and “how do I cook marinara sauce” fires up a YouTube video.

Of course, it remains to be seen how accurate the voice search feature is in real world scenarios. The technology is based on Google’s Knowledge Graph, which also powers Google Now on Android devices.

Beyond voice search, Google renamed its TV & Movies digital video store to “PrimeTime” and added a quick guide view designed to make discovery easier. The latter allows you to browse content through a subtle overlay at the bottom of the screen without interrupting what you’re watching at the moment. PrimeTime will also tap into Google’s Knowledge Graph to recommend shows based on what you are watching or have watched.

Google TV 3.0 will reportedly roll out to folks with LG Google TVs this week, while second-generation Sony streaming devices as well as the Vizio CoStar should get it in the coming months. Early adopters who bought a first-generation Google TV device will get the new PrimeTime app but not the voice search features.


Source : techspot[dot]com

Barnes & Noble announces free Nook app for Windows 8

Microsoft and Barnes & Noble have teamed up to offer Windows 8 users a free Nook app for books, magazines, newspapers, and comics.

Readers with Windows 8 PCs have a new free option for enjoying their literature. Barnes & Noble’s subsidiary Nook Media announced the release of a Nook app for the Microsoft operating system. The free app holds all of your books, magazines, newspapers, and comics within an easy-to-use new interface specifically for PCs or tablets running Windows 8.

Like most of the programs available through the official Windows Store, the Nook app capitalizes on the distinguishing features of the OS for a unique new experience. The Live Tiles allow you to jump right back to your spot or see when a new issue of a subscription is available. You also have the option to pin a specific title to your start screen, making it faster to hop back and forth between books. The app contains a Nook Store, so you can purchase additional books without needing to navigate in and out of the program. Between the 3 million titles in the store and the tailored recommendations of the Nook Channels service, you should never be hurting for reading material. 

Another handy feature of the app is the new “paper” user interface, which is meant to offer an uncluttered, easy reading experience. The Nook app interface is also designed to make browsing among your titles easy with the touch capabilities of Windows 8 tablets. And of course, the Windows 8 app will sync with the Nook app across your other mobile devices through the Nook Cloud. That makes it easy to access your books from any computer at any time without missing a page. 

It’s been a busy month for Barnes & Noble, which recently dropped prices on two Nook models as it rolls out the new Nook HD. The Windows 8 Nook app is the first digital property to emerge from the partnership between the bookseller and Microsoft. It shows an understanding of how developers will likely take advantage of the Windows 8 start page, especially in terms of Live Tiles and pinning apps. These types of extra perks will probably become commonplace among the companies that are able to collaborate with Microsoft to create special Windows 8 versions of their programs.  


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

RIM introduces BBM Voice to help convince you and your friends to come back to BlackBerry

BlackBerry BBM Voice

Research in Motion has added an interesting new feature to BlackBerry Messenger named BBM Voice, which lets you call fellow BBM users for free provided your phone is connected to a Wi-Fi network. It's a great idea, provided your friends also use BlackBerry phones.

Research in Motion knows it needs to win back the general public’s support, and it also knows that one way to do so is by coming up with a feature that will save someone money. BlackBerry Messenger was that feature several years ago, as it made use of the BlackBerry network plan you had to pay for anyway, and provided “free” text message conversation with fellow BlackBerry owners.

Now though, a high percentage of the dedicated BlackBerry owner’s friends use iPhones and Androids, rendering BBM a relic from better days past. Now RIM has come up with BBM Voice, which it claims is “for the times when you want to hear a friend’s laughter instead of reading LOL.”

That’s right, BBM has become Skype, as it now offers the chance to call your BBM friends through version 7 of the software, using only a Wi-Fi connection. There are no geographical borders and no time limits, and as it doesn’t count towards your monthly bill, no extra charges either.

RIM makes no mention of whether BBM Voice will break free from a Wi-Fi connection and use a 3G/4G data connection in the future. It’s hardly a surprise, as networks — particularly in the U.S. — are rarely enamored by features that lose them money.

BlackBerry Messenger will show who in your contact list is available to call using BBM Voice, and a split screen display lets you send text messages or files at the same time, plus the service is compatible with Bluetooth headsets too; setting it up perfectly as a way to work collaboratively while away from the office. Those not using a BlackBerry for business will appreciate the chance to avoid massive international roaming bills too.

So, free messages and free calls, all through a single app. Sounds great, right? It is, but — and here’s the problem — to take advantage of BBM Voice, your friends and colleagues all have to have BlackBerry phones too, and as we’ve established already, they’re now using iPhones and Androids.

BBM Voice is a beta program at the moment, but you can bet it will have been perfected by the time BlackBerry 10 arrives after January 30 next year, as being able to say “free calls and messages with BlackBerry 10” should help people take notice of the new OS. All RIM needs is for those people to convince their friends/family/acquaintances/dog it’s a good idea too.


Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

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