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.
Enough 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
The 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 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.
Backwards 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.
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?
How old is old enough when it comes to owning a smartphone? We take a look at both sides of the debate.
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?
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
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?
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?
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.
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
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
Build and distribute a stunning résumé with this simple tool
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Are you struggling with Wi-Fi on your iOS 6 device?
Many iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners, who've upgraded to iOS 6, have been left without basic Wi-Fi connectivity.
Users are reporting a number of different issues and have taken to Apple's official support forums to register their displeasure.
In two lengthy threads (150 pages in total, CNET has reported) dedicated to Wi-Fi issues, many users have said their iOS device will connect on some networks but not on others.
Other users have been unable to connect to a Netgear Wi-Fi router - a problem which can only be solved by downloading new firmware for the router. Another thread focuses on "persistently slow" Wi-Fi.
AirPlay also affected?
While this isn't, strictly speaking, a Wi-Fi problem, the AirPlay connectivity on our iPad 2 has stopped functioning properly since updating to iOS 6, a problem also reflected by posts on Apple's support pages.
The company, which must be feeling pretty beleaguered at the moment given the backlash to Maps and the general malaise surrounding iOS 6, has yet to make an official comment on the alleged Wi-Fi problems.
However, it's not out of the ordinary for new versions of Apple's mobile OS to experience a few teething problems.
If past form is taken into account, it's likely that the company will quickly identify the issue and roll-out a bug-fixing minor software update.
Are you one of those users experiencing issues connecting to your Wi-Fi network since updating to iOS 6? Let us know in the comments section below.
The changes mirror those rolled out to the Android version of the instant messaging application on September 20.
The most important of which will allow iPhone, iPad and iPad touch users to swipe to the left to see which of their contacts is online and available
Friend bump
Another update enables users to keep their favourite friends at the top of the online list to reduce the need to scroll through the entire contacts list.
Messages now appear as speech bubbles, giving conversations an altogether more attractive look, similar to the iOS Messages and SMS applications.
The new version of Messenger, which has also been optimised for the iPhone 5's 4-inch widescreen, also brings improved speed and reliability, along with a host of bug fixes.
Blackberry fails upward, AT&T goes all in on 4G, and everyone recovers from their iPhone 5 buzz in this week's Mobile Weekly Wrap.
A week after the iPhone 5 made it into the hands of nearly 5 million people, the world finally started spinning on its correct axis again. As the dust settled from the lines of stampeding early adopters, other companies started to unveil their own upcoming offerings. Whether its new tablets and phones for the holiday rush, leaks for the long term, and fallout from the iPhone launch, we’ve got the goods — along with apps and games — from this week in mobile tech (Sept. 23-28, 2012).
AT&T goes all-in on 4G
While the iPhone 5 is the biggest addition in terms of name recognition, AT&T is improving their 4G device offerings in quantity and quality. Teaming with Samsung for much of the new wave, AT&T announced four new devices, three phones and one tablet, from the Galaxy line up that will be available in the coming months. If users have trouble managing the madness of having so many devices on the 4G network, they can connect them all to AT&T’s newly announced touchscreen mobile hotspot. The first of its kind, the MiFi Liberate has a 2.8-inch touchscreen and will allow up to 10 devices to connect to it. It’s all part of AT&T’s plan to cover the world in LTE, which is pretty non-threatening on the scale of evil plots against humanity.
Where the Apple went rotten
Apple’s mobile OS brought quite a few innovations that have people clamoring for what might be possible in the future. For the time being, though, it’s not all pretty. The move away from Google’s products and embrace of Apple-made apps has left Maps users lost. It’s been so bad that Apple CEO Tim Cook openly apologized for the debacle. The switch isn’t the only wrong turn that Apple made. The newly redesigned headphones, dubbed “earpods,” seem to put the emphasis on “piece” in the term “earpiece.” That is to say, “piece of junk.” (That was a long way to go for that joke, I know.)
Blackberry fails upward
As more and more iPhones and Android devices creep in to the business space, Research in Motion is doing its best to dig in and wait out the storm. While it hasn’t really been working, it has managed to spin some losses into wins this week. The first “win” came with its second quarter reports. The company lost $235 million, which actually beat expectations of just how bad it was doing and led to a jump in its stock prices. Later, video of the yet-to-be-seen BlackBerry 10 L and N series phones leaked onto the web, blowing whatever surprise the company had planned for an unveiling. The thing is, the video generally impressed consumers and may mark a potential comeback for the oft-forgotten phone company.
Apps and games of the week
Street Fighter X Tekken ($3, iOS) – The button-mashing, combo-smashing fighter that has been a favorite on the consoles now makes its way to mobile. This iOS title will allow for you to take your fist to your friends online or play through single player battles.
Scape ($6, iPad) – Carry a composer with you. Scape lets you pick between a variety of different soundscapes, mixing and matching them as the app creates a custom, computer-generated soundtrack for your listening pleasure.
Draw Pad Pro ($2, Blackberry) – Just because you’re on a BlackBerry doesn’t mean you’re all business. Let your creative side flow with the inner artist’s dream app.
LazyLog (Free, Android) – While some missed calls and texts are important, others are the equivalent of inbox spam. Cast them to the side and get back to the people that matter with LazyLog.
eTrade Mobile (Free, Windows) While it’s been out on iOS and Android, Windows users can finally get their hands on this powerful portfolio manager.
Skitch (Free, iPhone) This app is already available for iPad and Android and has been beloved buy its owners on those platforms. It’s finally making its debut on the iPhone, and is sure to get just as much love.
Friendizer – (Free, Android) – This app will close the gap between your charming inner personality and unfortunate lack of social skills. Check out who else is near by and if your interests match up without having to go through awkward small talk.
BDrive (Free, iOS/Android) – The social cloud memory bank, use BDrive on your device of choice and share files between other devices and users to create a completely virtual community database.
A recent report says the two Android-loving companies responsible for the Nexus 7 are working on a $100 tablet.
If you’re wanting to buy a Nexus 7 then now is the time to do it because Google’s still offering a $25 credit for Google Play with tablet purchase. But if you can wait until Christmas there may be a brand new, even cheaper Nexus tablet to get your hands on.
According to Digitimes, a source that seems to be right as much as it’s wrong, Google and Asus are working on a $100 Nexus tablet. The new Nexus will reportedly be ready in time for Christmas, the most magical time of the year (at least in sales numbers). The rumor comes from unnamed sources invloved in Asus’ supply chain. Apparently the tech giants are working on slimming down the Nexus 7 and offering it in two different variations: one running for an extremely budget-friendly $100 and the other staying at the $200 price point.
The current Nexus 7 managed to keep the price low without cutting too many corners. The only drawbacks — depending on how you look at them — are its lack of 3G connectivity and scratch-resistant Corning glass in place of the Gorilla brand. The mini-tablet still managed to pack in 1 GB of RAM, a quad-core Tegra 3 processor, NFC, GPS, microphone, and a front-facing camera. Asus wrapped all that up in a tight, 7-inch package and it was sold for a steal at $200.
This new, thinner Nexus would no doubt be an attempt to solidify Asus and Google’s place as the go-to budget tablet makers even if the much-anticipated iPad Mini makes an appearance near the end of the year. If Google could pull it off, the cheaper tablet would definitely end up in a lot of stockings over the holidays. The low price of $100 would definitely appeal to impulse buyers, much like the Touchpad’s fire sale.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem likely this rumor will end up being anything but smoke and mirrors. We all know what happened with the $200 Surface tablet rumor… It didn’t come true. The truth is that Google would be losing a whole lot of money if it sold a tablet at $100 without dropping the specs to the point of embarrassment. It doesn’t matter how advanced the Jelly Bean software is, even Project Butter can’t save sub-par hardware. If Apple is good at any one thing, it’s delivering a smooth user experience and Google knows it needs to bring its A game in that department as well.
Do you think there’s any truth to this rumor? Would you buy a cheaper Nexus 7 over an iPad Mini if you had the choice?
Google, left, obscures what Apple, right, reveals (credit: The Verge)
Apple Maps has been called blurry, inaccurate, and unfinished, but there's one area in which the Cupertino company didn't skimp on the detail: high-security locations.
In a three-way comparison of iOS 6 Maps, Google Maps, and Nokia Maps, The Verge found that Apple paints the clearest picture of military installations that are sensitive to various countries' national interests.
Turkey has the most to complain about. Its island of Imrali counts Kurdish separatist leader Abdullah Öcalan among its high-risk inmates in a maximum security prison, and it's as clear as day on iOS 6.
Dutch military contractor IBL, deemed a "tank workshop" by the site, was also fully visible in Apple Maps when looking at Personeelsvereniging Tankwerkplaats, Netherlands.
The same is true for a vital military airstrip on the Japanese island of Minamitorishima.
Apple didn't make any exceptions for its home country, as the United States' Aberdeen Proving Ground hasn't been obscured in Maryland.
Likewise, the U.S.'s joint interests as part of NATO are outed in Geilenkirchen, Germany.
The Google Maps Difference
Google, which has provided its mapping service to the public since 2005, had made it a habit to obscure these perceived security risks for a number of years.
Blurring, pixelating, and overexposing are some the ways in which Google Maps and the Google Earth software hide sensitive locations.
But Google said that "it has never blurred any images," according to a statement to The Verge.
Instead, satellite images arrive blurred from its "variety of sources," even though the sources are often the same providers used by Apple and Nokia.
This birdseye view is now available in 37 U.S. and 14 international locations. Most notably, the Google Maps update shows off the Leaning Tower of Pisa and its famous 5.5 degree angle.
Look at that lean (Credit: Google)
Not forgetting about the tried-and-true aerial imagery, Google also updated the high-resolution satellite maps for 17 cities and 112 countries.
The entire city of Lancaster, Calif. no longer shows up looking like a blurry field of nothing - a technique Apple sure could borrow for military installations worldwide if Google is done with it.
When you can't rely on your smartphone battery to last forever, use the SpareOne emergency phone as backup.
Tis the season for new smartphone announcements. Whether you are a diehard gadgeteer or a general consumer shopping for a new phone, one of the most important thing you want to learn about a product is how long the battery lasts. You never know when you will need to make calls during emergency situations. Luckily, you don’t always have to rely on smartphones in case of long term power outages. The SpareOne emergency cellphone is your perfect backup, running on a single AA battery and can reportedly last up to 15 years with 10 hours of talk time.
We received a demo unit of the SpareOne phone and it’s as bare as an emergency phone gets. The candybar style device has all the buttons in the front, is extremely lightweight, and comes complete with the one AA battery it needs to power on. You’ll need to insert your own micro SIM card to make calls, but 911 will always work with or without a SIM. SpareOne recently released the device with a new waterproof, floating bag so your one emergency won’t get destroyed, making it durable in an all-weather situation.
While it’s not a particularly fancy gadget, it does seem like a fairly useful one to have sitting in your emergency shelf. If necessary, the phone also doubles as an torchlight and and last up to 24 hours with the single AA battery. Though the idea is for SpareOne to be an emergency backup phone, the device could make for a good starter phone for younger kids whom you don’t believe has the responsibility of owning a smartphone just yet — but should still have cellphone access at the minimum. It could also make for a good rugged, traveling phone for when you take outdoor trips and don’t want to ruin your fancy iPhone 5. Of course, the only problem you’ll run into in these situations is having to actually remember your contacts’ phone numbers or carry a phonebook … and when was the last time anyone did either?
If you’re intrigued, SpareOne emergency phone is available for purchase now at $120 apiece.
In Jetsetter this week, Starbreeze unveils its first original, Dragon Quest X disappoints, and Jump Games moves beyond India's borders.
Welcome back again to Jetsetter, Digital Trends’ weekly look at the international world of video games.
It was a busy week in the video game world abroad. Reports out of Korea suggested that that country’s big publishers Nexon and NCSoft were looking to purchase Valve; in Japan, it looked like Konami was going to stop farming Silent Hill out to European developers and give it to its premiere Japanese creator Hideo Kojima instead; and in Britain, Revolution Games greenlighted development on Beneath a Steal Sky 2. That’s not all that’s been going on beyond our borders though, as Jetsetter can attest.
* Starbreeze announces Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.
At the beginning of September, Jetsetter reported that Swedish developer Starbreeze had signed a two-game deal with publisher 505 Games. The first title would be Payday 2, a sequel to Overkill Software’s multiplayer shooter. The other game though was more mysterious. All Starbreeze announced was a codename for the game, “P13,” and it said the game would be a collaboration with filmmaker Josef Fares. P13 debuted on Thursday as Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, a lush looking downloadable for PC, Xbox Live Arcade, and PlayStation Network. The story follows the titular boys as the try to find a cure for their dying father. As you can see from the image above, Starbreeze’s very first original game is quite a looker.
* Dragon Quest X nets 300,000 subscribers.
Japanese MMO culture is peculiar. While online role-playing games like Final Fantasy XI are played in the country, they’re far less popular than multiplayer RPGs like Monster Hunter played on portable devices but over local wireless connections rather than online. How popular are local multiplayer RPGs? Square-Enix sold 4.3 million copies of the multiplayer Dragon Quest IX for Nintendo DS within six months of its release. The company released the first fully online entry in the series, Dragon Quest X, this summer on Nintendo Wii. Not great, comparatively. According to Nihon Securities Journal (via Siliconera), there are only 300,000 Dragon Quest X subscribers paying the $13 per month fee to play. If Dragon Quest can’t get Japanese citizens playing MMORPGs in the millions, nothing can.
* Jump Games expanding to either Canada and Singapore.
Indian mobile game developer Jump Games—a purveyor of numerous movie tie-in games for iOS like Total Recall and Real Steel—is opening new studios in Singapore and Canada. “We’re clear that we need to have a studio outside India,” Manish Agarwal told MCV. Agarwal is the CEO of Reliance Entertainment, the parent company of Jump Games. “We’re looking at exploring the talent pool in either Singapore or Canada by opening a studio there because it’s going to take time for the local talent to develop.”
This is Jetsetter’s second week at its new Saturday slot. Any suggestions for the column? Drop us a note in the comments. You can also follow me on Twitter at @ajohnagnello.
Mobile data management company Snappli, which helps people stay within their limits by compressing data and video, pulled the numbers from its iOS 6-toting users in the United States and the UK.
The company claims that 25 per cent of its users were using Google Maps on a daily basis before the switch to iOS 6.
Shortly after installing the new update 35 per cent of the 5,000 users with iOS 6 were giving Apple Maps a try each day.
In the ensuing days that number dropped to just four per cent, meaning only 1-in-25 iOS 6 users (that also use Snappli) are currently persevering with the service.
Use still dropping off
That number, gleaned a couple of days ago, is still falling according to the company.
On Friday Apple CEO Tim Cook issued a stunning apology for the malfunctioning Maps app, and openly suggested that iOS 6 users pin Nokia Maps or Google Maps to their homescreen while his troops
If iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users heed his advice, the number of people still using Apple Maps may become negligible within the next few weeks.
Of course, Snappli's data comes from only one source, so it's difficult to equate it with the entire iOS 6 community, but it does offer an interesting look at the drop-off in users Maps has experienced.
Google has rushed to update its iOS apps to fit the iPhone 5
Google has issued an update for its Gmail application to ensure it fits beautifully on the iPhone 5's new 4-inch widescreen display.
TheVerge reports that iPhone 5 owners will be able to see a couple more emails on-screen, while they will not have to exert as much energy thumb-scrolling to read messages. Every little helps.
The Gmail update comes after Google released iPhone 5-friendly versions of Chrome and YouTube.
The company will also roll out the changes for the popular Sparrow email client, which it acquired in June.
Boxed out
At Apple's iPhone 5 launch event, the company made clear that it would be relying on the developer community to update its apps to fit the new screen size. Without these changes apps appear letterboxed on the new device.
It seems, that despite the ongoing squabbling between the two companies, that Google remains committed to providing the best services possible for Apple's range of iOS devices.
The Gmail app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch is a much different beast than the client which was pulled from the App Store after just one day in November last year.
We recently spoke with Katsuhiro Harada, creator and producer of the Tekken franchise, about his favorite fighting style and how the series changed forever.
Recently, we had the chance to sit down with Katsuhiro Harada, the creator of the Tekken series. In the gaming world, when it comes to Japanese developers there are a few that have transcended the anonymity associated with most developers, and have developed a bit of a rock star image. Some of this is a natural evolution of giants in an industry that is still small enough to seek out icons, yet not big enough to have the public scrutiny on headliners that is attached to stars in other billion entertainment industries. Some of it is a deliberate attempt to embrace the quirkiness of their popularity. Katsihiro Harada is a bit of both.
On one hand he is a long time industry vet, who has become the face of one of the world’s biggest franchises, a role he has embraced whole heartedly. Whether that means showing up at Namco events in Vegas with champagne for everyone and models on each arm, or engaging in faux-feuds with Street Fighter producer Yoshinori Ono (which included an epic prank rivalry that turned into a brilliant viral marketing campaign for the games’ crossover offerings — see below), Harada has been up for it. On the other hand, he has been known to snap at gamers for “whining and complaining” and “practice being an adult.”
But putting aside his personality, Harada is a respected developer for a reason. His work on the Tekken franchise has been influential, to say the least, and the gaming landscape would not be what it is today without him.
We had the chance to ask him a few questions (through translator , including where he thinks the industry is going, what keeps bringing him back to the fighting genre, and what his own favorite fighting style is.
What is it that keeps bringing you back to the fighting genre?
It’s probably because you are fighting — not against the CPU — but against another player. So depending on the player the experience is quite different. And not just that, but after creating the game we are able to go out to these various tournaments and events and play against the fans in the community, and so you actually get a lot of feedback at that point as well, “you know this is really cool, but we’d like to see this or that implemented,” or “this feature changed in a certain way.” Being able to implement that to make an even better game is really good.
How do you select which fighting styles to include in Tekken?
Well you know, early in the series we started off with some of the more famous fighting styles, obviously, and then from there progressed throughout the series to more styles that aren’t as well known, but the movements are quite interesting and fun to watch. And then more recently, since most of our game designers and animators are very familiar with all of the various more well-known martial arts, we kind of leaned more towards actually making our own fighting styles.
What is your favorite fighting style? If you could choose one style to master, what would it be?
[I] like the martial arts, especially where you’re not doing grappling, but more hits. Something with not very long combinations, but more power with into each blow. For that reason perhaps, karate.
With new consoles coming soon, where do you see the fighting genre going?
Well, when you say “next generation” you are probably talking about consoles, and as far as fighting games on next gen consoles, it probably won’t change much from what you see today. Obviously there will be some new mechanics and stuff you normally see on an updated sequel. But rather than that with the newer consoles, the really big changes [I] foresee is perhaps with mobile, like cell phones or perhaps tablets, or some of these things that are becoming very popular. They are also becoming much more powerful. You also have the capabilities that are increasing with the networks — wireless networking connections and such. So there is going to be that line where fighting games will probably continue on their current path on consoles, but also this new way of playing, perhaps on a cell phone or a tablet via a wireless network. And that’ll be something that might make a bigger impact, and might come sooner than you think.
So are you excited for the next gen of consoles, or are you happy with where fighting games are right now?
The one thing that [I] really am looking forward to regarding the next generation of consoles is that they’ll probably be more focused on online — they all do that now, but more so. Always being connected to the internet, always being able to access. And everyone being connected to the internet via the consoles as the foundation, to mean that we would have more freedom to design moments that rely heavily on online play. And that is also something to be excited about for fighting games.
Also, for Tag 2 we actually expanded a lot of the online capabilities, and included a lot of new features, but these obviously — voice chat as well — require a certain percentage of the CPU of the console. That is probably an area that will be greatly improved with the next generation. So that’s something that will benefit fighting games as well.
Regardless of genre, where do you see gaming technology evolving years, even decades down the road?
It’s kind of hard to read, a lot more so than it was in the early 90s, for example, to predict what would happen in 2000 or so. Things are much less visible that way. But if [I] had to pick one thing, it would probably be graphical capabilities – the graphics will look similar to life, they will be very realistic. And this will probably help increase the feeling that players get, that they’re represented inside the game. The barrier between the game and the screen and themselves kind of collapses, and they feel like they are pulled into it as a result of the technology. That’s probably the one thing that’s easy to foresee.
It’s kind of hard to think that there will be some drastic change. For example, any input device that has a directional pad, any controller — that’s something that has been around for years and years now. Perhaps long ago people would have thought that would have been done away with in favor of analog sticks or something else as the main way of inputing direction, but that’s not the case. Also, people have been saying for some time that touch panels are more prevalent and they’re taking the place of keyboards, and that still hasn’t happened yet either, so it’s hard to think that drastic change will happen in the next 15 years or so.
But at the same time [I] feel that creating that drastic change — or something that is a real change out there — is almost the responsibility of us as game creators. So [I] have to start working on that big idea now.
Do you see a point where gaming rivals, or even surpasses movies?
Well, games have always looked at movies as far as presentation. For example, the angles you capture a certain scene from, the way you have the rhythm of when it really explodes or when it is more subtle. The tempo. Those are the kind of things video game creators have taken as an example in games. But there are some areas where movies can’t compete. For example, the Metal Gear series and Call of Duty. Up until now you’ve seen these movies where the main figure is portrayed, but it was from a pulled back perspective. But with these games you are in the battlefield, spinning about, and everything going on has been recreated.
From a different perspective, EverQuest, or some of these online games. You can connect and play in the same atmosphere and environment with hundreds of other people, and that itself is entertainment that movies can’t recreate. So there are instances where games can go beyond what movies can do
Tekken has a universal appeal. Do you deliberately design it for an international audience, or do you not worry about that and just make the best game you can?
Early on in the series, perhaps [Tekken] 1, 2, 3, maybe even 4, was a time when Tekken was mainly not developed as a fighting game to build all these players, but almost to try and implement new technology and showcase that, as well polish it. And this technology also ended up being used in other Namco games, whether it be the polygon models, or moving the characters on a 3D plane with X and Y and Z coordinates. So each time we went in with technical goals we wanted to achieve. It wasn’t really until about Tekken 5 that Tekken started being viewed as a relevant fighting game that was tournament worthy. Up until then Street Fighter and the Virtua Fighter series were on that level. It was at about Tekken 5 where we reached that. From then obviously the development was more focused on trying to develop certain audiences.
Are you lining up for the iPhone 5 because it’s tailored to your needs better than any other phone, or because it’s the new iPhone?
Given the massive success of the iPhone despite a number of problems (Wi-Fi, maps), tech pundits have been writing stories this week about the death of Android and suggesting it become more like iOS. This is ironic, considering Apple still maintains that Android was essentially a stolen product.
Microsoft isn’t even in the discussion, because the few of us who have Windows phones are just thankful that we aren’t in lines, that we have more hardware choices than the iPhone buyers have, and have fewer malware problems than the Google folks have. Because everyone else is on the other two platforms, in our minds, we Microsoft users are the new elite geeks. In everyone else’s heads, we’re just geeks.
However, underneath all of the buying activity is an unfortunate trend: Consumers are thinking about what they need and want less and less. Did those in line waiting for the iPhone first sit down and think through what they liked and didn’t like about their existing phones? Did they consider what features were worth their money? Did they eventually come to a well-thought-through conclusion, or did they just go rabid when the words “new iPhone” came from Apple?
Despite the massive amounts of information on the Web that should help us make better decisions, we increasingly focus on stuff that agrees with a decision we’ve already made. That is foolish, and it even could be dangerous.
Ultrabook example
Because passion surrounds anything Apple, and I don’t want to get buried in hate mail for suggesting another phone might be better for you, let me use a different platform as an example. I was recently asked, if I to buy an Ultrabook today, which I would choose.
Currently I’m using a Samsung Slate running Windows 8, so the thought of returning to a laptop configuration forced me to sit down and think through the decision. The number one priority for me is battery life. I’m always forgetting where I’ve left my laptop and forgetting to keep it charged. But as I thought some more, I realized battery life really wasn’t what I needed. What I need is the ability to fast-charge the device, because I generally have 30 minutes to an hour to get ready. But even a 20-hour battery will be dead if it has been sitting for a few weeks. (Unless you completely turn off a laptop, it will slowly drain its battery in suspend.)
So I decided what I really wanted was a fast-charging battery with decent life. This led me to the Lenovo Carbon X-1, which also has the best keyboard, one of the best touchpads, and a decent set of ports. The Carbon X-1 is also is sturdy (semi-hardened). But I would have traded all of these things (well, maybe not all) for that eight-hour battery that can charge to 80 percent in 35 minutes. The sexiest notebook does me no good if the battery is dead. Most of the events I attend have many analysts, and typically only three or four plugs, most of which the A\V guys use. So I regularly need a good battery.
Despite not being the most popular Ultrabook, the ThinkPad Carbon X-1 is a perfect fit to my particular needs and situation.
Why I ‘ve avoided the iPhone 5
The feature most important to me on a smartphone is a keyboard, because I’m often writing long answers to long questions. Usually I’m carrying something in one hand, which means I need a single-handed phone experience. Yes, I can and have lived off a screen phone, but I’m far slower typing on it single handedly. I prefer a portrait keyboard. That’s why I keep returning to my old, obsolete, 3G Dell smartphone. I have no doubt that eventually I’ll have to give it up, but I’m not going to do it easily. I can get around the 3G to 4G thing with a Verizon 4G hotspot (which works just fine with my tablets and notebook computer).
If I need a bigger screen, my 7-inch Kindle Fire HD is far better than even the biggest super smartphones, and all my data flows fast through that Verizon hotspot. When I travel, the hotspot stays home, forcing me onto Wi-Fi and keeping my data charges from nosebleed range. (If you want an impressive cell phone bill – as in four digits – let your kid use his or her iPhone on roaming while on vacation.)
The iPhone 5 lacks my needed keyboard, its Wi-Fi is having problems, and its navigation is totally broken. Until those last two things are fixed, I’d be very unhappy with the iPhone 5. (I actually use phone navigation a lot.)
Based on the things I do with a phone, the Windows platform is the best one for me. Maybe I’m unique, but I’m OK with that – I’ve never liked looking like everyone else.
Pick what you want
The point of this piece isn’t to slam the iPhone 5, but to point out a practice that likely causes too many folks to buy a phone that doesn’t meet their needs. People who need and use phone navigation and Wi-Fi should buy a different phone, or at least wait until Apple fixes the iPhone issues. (The Wi-Fi issue may be fixed by the time you read this; the mapping issue likely will take far longer.)
A smartphone will cost you around $1,000 a year. Everyone should think through what they need before spending that kind of money. You may discover that your existing phone — or a phone other than the one folks are lining up for — better fits your needs. Because you have to live with a phone for about two years, taking time to make a good decision makes sense. And if more of us planned before we purchased, we’d likely find more phones tailored to our unique needs, and be less likely to stand in line for hours to get a phone that almost everyone else has.
Guest contributor Rob Enderle is the founder and principal analyst for the Enderle Group, and one of the most frequently quoted tech pundits in the world. Opinion pieces denote the opinions of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views of Digital Trends.
Enough Power To Please
Backwards Compatibility
