Posts Tagged xbox
LG to release Xbox One-like device that’s always listening, even while sleeping [RUMOR]
LG could be working on an always-on voice controlled Android device for a 2014 debut. Like the Xbox One, the device would be listening — even when sleeping — ready to execute a user’s commands.
Xbox Music redesign revealed alongside new Windows 8.1 apps
Microsoft is making a few last minute tweaks ahead of Windows 8.1, but the music app seems to have had the most work done to it. The new Xbox Music interface was revealed in leaked builds of Window 8.1 along with a redesigned Windows Store for app purchasing. Microsoft have put a lot of work into the music app now you can play music in just two click rather than the six that it used to take you.
Screenshots of the new Xbox Music update shows a two panel interface that appears to improve feature like discoverability of music and the ability to quickly access your music. The service originally launched in October in Windows 8 and Windows RT, you can also access songs from an Xbox 360 as well. The new update to the app seeks to improve the previously clunky and slow interface, Microsoft said the app is a “simplified design and layout” this update will improve your experience with the app.
The redesign also includes an in-app search box and support for music files on an SD card, this expanded support will attract more users to actually using the service instead of using third party apps. All the improvements will be made available in Windows 8.1, an update that Microsoft will release as a preview version on June 26th alongside its developer conference.
Source: TheVerge
PS4 bundles go up for pre-order, still cheaper than the Xbox One console
Amazon has finally uploaded a variety of launch day bundles for the PS4, their pre-order guaranteeing delivery on the consoles release date. After selling out of its stocks of game-free Launch Day consoles, the retailer has added more bundles that include Battlefield 4, Killzone: Shadow Fall, Knack and Watch Dogs available to buy with the console. There are special deals along with the purchase of specific games; those who buy Battlefield or Killzone will also get $10 off a year’s subscription to Playstation Plus.
The price of the PS4 bundles are still lower that the enormous price of the Xbox One’s console; the bundles with Playstation Plus are $499.90 and the bundles with a single game are $459.90. Even the most expensive Playstation bundle mentioned is still six cents cheaper than the Xbox One alone, with the Xbox One retailing at $499.96. Amazon haven’t released any bundles for the international market but they will arrive in due time.
The added functionality and the price point put the Playstation temporarily ahead of the Xbox One unless they can pull something out of their bag of tricks to entice more users. Xbox might only have their limited amount of exclusives at launch to entice people to go out and buy the Xbox One.
Source: TechRadar
Xbox One Gamers Will Pay $59.99 for New Games
If Microsoft planned on purposely agitating their fans as much as possible, they’d bump up the price point for each individual game that a gamer may want to purchase for his or her game collection.
Luckily, (for those that still actually want an Xbox One) Microsoft has announced that new Xbox One games will only cost $59.99, making them the same price for current new Xbox 360 games.
This means that although gaming can turn out to be an expensive hobby, at least it won’t be getting any more expensive.
Video games have slowly started to rise in price over the last two decades, and paying 60 bucks for a new game would have seen as a normal act if it weren’t for the rise in smartphone gaming. Instead, gamers are often left wondering why they might consider spending $60 on a game when they can spend $2 on a game that may end up being just as enjoyable on a mobile.
I admit that mobile gaming is not close to standard console gaming yet, but would it make sense for developers to lower the prices on their games? Who knows, they may even generate more profit from shipping a larger volume of games. (Hint: Angry Birds announced a total of 1 billion downloads in 2012, making EA’s 100 million sales on its 25 year-long NFL franchise look puny.)
source: theverge
Xbox One SmartGlass hands-on (video)
SmartGlass is nothing new — it’s the second screen solution Microsoft introduced for its Xbox legions. But for the release of the Xbox One console, the company decided to update the experience and extend the functionality. Culling feedback from the many developers and gamers that have downloaded the app since its initial release, Microsoft came to some near unanimous conclusions: gamers use it as an Xbox Live controller and devs love its use of HTML and Java. So where to go from there? If you’ve been paying attention to any of the company’s E3 announcements, you’ll know that the newly updated SmartGlass app now includes support for in-game DLC purchases, gameplay assists and a DVR-like replay feature. We spent a little time sifting through the new app on the showfloor, so follow along for our initial thoughts.
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Tablets, HD, Mobile, Microsoft
Xbox One games revealed for E3 [updates]
Ryse: Son of Rome is a new game from Crytek that takes the concept of leading a medieval battlefield and puts you at the forefront of the battle. Leading the charge on the beachfront, the game showed some nifty concepts and design coming to the Xbox One console.
This game will have SkyDrive and multiplayer functionality, allowing the gamer to join games.
Killer Instinct, a very old game with an incredible fan-base, will be coming to Xbox One. Killer Instinct III, from Rare, will be built for Xbox One and bring back the fighting genre everyone loved on PC.
We just watched the developer for Killer Instinct smash a gamer and he then published the fight to share, he can also quickly edit the game and share it onto the cloud.
Sunset Overdrive from Insomniac Games will be coming to Xbox One, even though the trailer was short, it shows a stylised cartoon-like game, similar to what Insomniac did with Spyro, with a open shooter and always changing worlds.
Minecraft will be coming to Xbox One and will be ported with better maps and new features. Shows the commitment to indie games, hopefully there will be more than just Minecraft on the Arcade platform.
Forza Motorsport 5 is back and it adds better AI and incredibly new design and texture. The game, even in single player, will play like it would in multiplayer, because the AI is so fantastic. It is an impressive new game, even if we didn’t see any real gameplay.
Quantum Break was again shown off on the Xbox One, although we have yet to see any real gameplay. It does look like a fun experience however, with the ability to stop time for a limited amount of time.
Dead Rising 3 will be coming to the Xbox One, it has a redesigned engine and better graphical fidelity. The main character, Nick, fights against thousands of zombies in an open world. The gamer can build different weapons and use any number of objects as tools to defeat the zombies.
The game has new mechanics to make sure zombies are not overwhelming in the open world, flare guns and noise can put zombies in a state of france. Cars will be in the game for faster travel around the world. Dead Rising 3 will be an Xbox One exclusive.
The Witcher 3 will be coming to Xbox One, it will be free roam and Project Red believe there is over 100 hours of gameplay for users to sink into. Optional voice commands will be added and SmartGlass will be integrated for quick storage.
This will be a next generation RPG with tactical combat, new enemies, a huge new world and an immersive story for fans of the game. It will be coming with the Xbox One launch.
Battlefield 4 was shown off at the Xbox One event with new gameplay at 60fps. The new DICE engine makes almost all the map subject to damage and destruction.
DICE has really worked hard to make all elements feel real, from the waters to the fires on the ship, everything feels like a next generation game and the gameplay has been improved.
First map pack will be on the Xbox One.
What Lies Below is a new exploration fighter and even though the trailer was only a minute long it showed the gamer with another player, possibly showing the multiplayer and puzzle aspect to the game.
343 Industries comes onto the stage with the new Halo experience for Xbox One. They have already announced Spartan Assault and the Halo TV series.
This will be a new FPS for Xbox One, we do not believe it will be Halo 5, something more like a continuation on the Halo 4 game.
Titanfall is a new game coming from Respawn Entertainment and is another exclusive to the Xbox One. The game is a new IP and feels like Halo, mixed with Red Faction, mixed with Mass Effect.
The gameplay shows this new title is an FPS shooter with new mechanics suitable for SmartGlass and Kinect. Titan’s are large combat fighters with soliders inside and are the advanced military force.
THIS WILL BE UPDATED
Xbox 360 redesigned with added benefits for Gold Members
Microsoft is committed to keeping the Xbox 360 relevant and has redesigned the console to look more like the Xbox One. The new console will come with a slightly redesigned Kinect and Xbox 360 controller.
This new redesigned console is available today from Microsoft and retail partners. We believe the console will come in different packages, with multiple storage options.
More exciting is what Microsoft is offering to Gold Members, every month two games will be given out for free to members. The first month will have Assassins Creed II and Halo III.
Microsoft will only allow one user to play Xbox One game at a time
Microsoft is treading on murky ground when it comes to used games, with many fans of the Xbox 360 saying they will not purchase the Xbox One if it charges for used game sales.
A new report may be a welcome bit of a news for Xbox fans concerned with the used game stories. The report states Microsoft will not charge for Xbox One games, but will only allow one user access to the game.
This means if the game is sold, borrowed or given away for free, the console originally running the game will have a deactivated license and the new owner will become the sole owner.
On the lending side, this will mean a user cannot play the original game while a friend does, but once the friend is finished with the game they are allowed to give it back without being charged.
The Xbox One will completely install all the game when the disc is inserted, meaning all the data is there and the disc becomes redundant afterwards.
Microsoft has implemented this one user system to make sure nobody can give the game away or sell it while still playing it, this would lead to real damages to both the publisher and Microsoft.
Source: Polygon
Microsoft doubling down on Xbox One games with $1 billion investment
Microsoft will be developing a lot of in house content for the Xbox One and Phil Harrison, a VP for Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, said they would be spending $1 billion on content.
At the event Microsoft announced the Xbox One will be getting 15 exclusive games and 8 will be new “franchises”, meaning the games will be likely to have sequels and running TV series.
This is something new Microsoft is trying to incorporate, the idea of TV shows running alongside the actual game and having possible movies about events within the world.
While it is nice to see Microsoft take a powerful emphasis on the lore of a game, like Halo, we wonder how Microsoft will distribute the content and if it will only be available on the Xbox One.
We have already heard the Xbox One will not allow indie self publishing or used game sales in the traditional sense, so it may be harder for gamers to enjoy the gaming aspect of the Xbox as they have done previously.
Source: VentureBeat
Call of Duty: Ghosts also coming out on PS4
Activision took up a lot of time at the Xbox event yesterday, enough to make some fans believe Call of Duty was going completely Xbox. Infinity Ward decided to hit Twitter just to make sure gamers knew the new game, Ghosts, was coming to PS4.
Call of Duty: Ghosts will also be coming to PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, but there is no signal of a Wii U launch. This goes against previous concepts that Activision would include Wii U in the line up of launch consoles.
Many had mixed reviews on the Xbox event and we can see why Infinity Ward may want to clear up any rumours they were going Xbox One exclusive, although they will launch DLC content on Xbox One first.
Source: InfinityWard Twitter
Xbox will allow secondhand game sales, but will charge new buyers
After the Xbox Event, Microsoft decided to reveal some other features and allow journalists access to the Xbox Kinect and controller. One sad feature coming to the Xbox One is the fact users will be able to sell games, but the buyer will have to pay again for the privilege.
This is an odd topic and delving into it will mean elaborating on the concept of a sale and why the disc is no longer proof the user owns the content. The disc is simply a license, a one time license to the user to play the game.
One great feature offered is the ability to play the game without the disc as soon as it is fully downloaded, meaning the disc is basically a redundant format that desperately needs to be digital.
We have not found out about price plans yet regarding the resale, but it will definitely corrupt and may end used game stores and eBay second hand buyers and sellers business.
The crippling fact is Microsoft and Sony both look at the gaming industry as one that needs to be digital, and we expect new titles will be on digital download by day one.
Microsoft may offer significant decreases in payments if user accounts are connected through family connections. This means the two users share the same IP and thus live in the same house.
Family will become a bigger feature on the Xbox One, if Microsoft intends to bring this to the living room, it may be a great opportunity to offer free incentives like a family owning one game without paying three or four times.
Halo TV series with Steven Spielberg on Xbox One
Halo: The Television Series, will be one of the first exclusive series for Xbox One, as Microsoft try to span out their entertainment content reach for their next generation console.
Steven Spielberg will help with the development of the series and 343 Industries will push previous story-lines and new movements into the series to keep it alive.
We have seen Halo work in other medias too, Red vs Blue, a machinima series, has been a global success for the YouTube company RoosterTeeth.
The Halo TV series is expected to be an exclusive to the Xbox One and may be available for free for Xbox Live Gold Members. This will allow Xbox to lure viewers into their paid subscription media platform.
Xbox One revealed: All In One gaming system
Microsoft has finally unveiled the new console and they have named it the Xbox One. The console will be an ‘All In One’ entertainment system, offering games, movies, TV, music and apps.
Xbox One will be Microsoft crowning achievement this year, with Windows 8 in the dumps and Office 365 not blasting through the sales. This new entertainment hub could capture millions of potential users.
Microsoft has redeveloped the console, it is larger and comes with a four tone design. Inside the console is 8GB of RAM and runs on new chipset design for developers to easily tackle building games and experiences for Xbox One.
Kinect was also shown off, it has better voice control and from the event is seems to work perfectly with movement, although we will have to wait and see if anything has really changed on the motion sensor.
The Xbox One will have cable TV capabilities, meaning if you are subscribed to Comcast or any other cable provider, you will be able to watch cable through the Xbox One.
This may not be new for PC gamers, but now multitasking is truly unveiled on the Xbox One, the user can switch from a game to a movie to the TV just by telling Kinect to move.
While the technology is impressive on stage, we hope Xbox One will deliver vast and clear experiences and not just half worked multitasking and control.
Finally moving onto games, Xbox One revealed some impressive new marks with their games and said they have 15 exclusive titles ready for launch and 8 of these will be new franchises.
Microsoft has said they will launch their full pre-launch line up of games at E3, with more news on the Xbox One. We will have to wait until June 10 for the full look.
Sony teases PS4 console ahead of Xbox event
Sony has made a rather blurry teaser video to keep the spirits up before the Xbox event tomorrow, showing the PS4 console at a distance with a sufficient amount of blur and close in capture shots.
One thing missing from the Sony PlayStation event was the actual console, the company made a big deal out of the controller, system and the ways gamers would experience gaming and entertainment.
The company should be unveiling the console and a whole new set of games at E3 on June 10, the same date Xbox is set to reveal their line of new titles.
No details on pricing are available yet, PS4 will be a one-pay plan, we suspect, while Xbox will go with a one-pay and subscription-based plan for more user choice.
Xbox 720 to come with Windows 8
The next Xbox reveal date has officially been announced by Microsoft, on May 21. Redmond is preparing a list of special features showing the next generation gaming console, followed by a full rundown of games at E3.
A new rumour has emerged concerning the platform the Xbox will run on, according to a report by WindowsITPro, the new console will run on a similar operating system to “core” Windows 8.
Bringing in Developers
The platform will allow developers to create apps for Xbox without the fees to get a developer console or Xbox code. It will make the Xbox a content ecosystem consisting of lots of apps and services.
Currently, the Xbox Live ecosystem consists of a few video, audio and social applications. Rumours have also said the Xbox will work with a users Cable TV cord, allowing cable on the Xbox.
Xbox 720 Price
Pricing plans have also been added in the WindowsITPro report, stating the cheapest Xbox will come at $299 and the user will sign a two year contract with Microsoft for Xbox Live, at $10 a month.
The Xbox Live GOLD membership will come back and we expected this from the start, it has been one of Microsoft’s most profitable features on the Xbox console.
If users want to purchase the Xbox without the two year agreement, it will come at $499. This would trump the idea Xbox needs to be always on, if they are offering an Xbox without online opportunities.
Always On
Of course, Microsoft could implement the Xbox to need an internet connection, even if the user doesn’t have an Xbox Live account. This way, Microsoft can easily stop piracy on games from happening, even though this is pretty low on consoles.
Xbox has lost a lot of hype over the “always on” idea, with Sony’s PS4 taking the lead on many gaming polls on what console would you rather buy.
Source: BGR
Xbox SmartGlass now available on Amazon appstore for your Kindle Fire
Microsoft brings their "second screen" application to Amazon's storefront for Kindle Fire devices
About six months ago Microsoft released their Xbox SmartGlass app for Android to generally good reviews. If you haven't been paying attention, the app acts as a sort of controller for your Xbox, allowing you to surf the net from the console, act as a media controller remote and even change your Xbox 3D avatar. But until today, users wanting to use the app on their Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD devices had to resort to hackery to use Google Play or outright sideload a copy.
No longer, as it's now officially available from Amazon. We're not sure just how many folks want to use a tablet as a remote versus use a smartphone, or how many of the folks who do will be using a Kindle Fire, but if you're one of them, click this link to grab it, or check out the appstore from your Kindle Fire or Kindle Fire HD.
Via: Engadget
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Xbox SmartGlass now available on Amazon appstore for your Kindle Fire
Microsoft brings their "second screen" application to Amazon's storefront for Kindle Fire devices
About six months ago Microsoft released their Xbox SmartGlass app for Android to generally good reviews. If you haven't been paying attention, the app acts as a sort of controller for your Xbox, allowing you to surf the net from the console, act as a media controller remote and even change your Xbox 3D avatar. But until today, users wanting to use the app on their Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD devices had to resort to hackery to use Google Play or outright sideload a copy.
No longer, as it's now officially available from Amazon. We're not sure just how many folks want to use a tablet as a remote versus use a smartphone, or how many of the folks who do will be using a Kindle Fire, but if you're one of them, click this link to grab it, or check out the appstore from your Kindle Fire or Kindle Fire HD.
Via: Engadget
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Xbox SmartGlass now available on Amazon appstore for your Kindle Fire
Microsoft brings their "second screen" application to Amazon's storefront for Kindle Fire devices
About six months ago Microsoft released their Xbox SmartGlass app for Android to generally good reviews. If you haven't been paying attention, the app acts as a sort of controller for your Xbox, allowing you to surf the net from the console, act as a media controller remote and even change your Xbox 3D avatar. But until today, users wanting to use the app on their Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD devices had to resort to hackery to use Google Play or outright sideload a copy.
No longer, as it's now officially available from Amazon. We're not sure just how many folks want to use a tablet as a remote versus use a smartphone, or how many of the folks who do will be using a Kindle Fire, but if you're one of them, click this link to grab it, or check out the appstore from your Kindle Fire or Kindle Fire HD.
Via: Engadget
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Microsoft Updates Xbox SmartGlass App, Brings Support for Tablets 7″ and Up
This morning, Xbox fans can update the official SmartGlass app for Android through Google Play. Inside the update, there is now official support for Android tablets 7″ and up, an “always-on” mode where your device will stop going to sleep while you are connected, and some other minor fixes and enhancements. What’s New: Support for [...]
Microsoft Updates Xbox SmartGlass…
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Microsoft Updates Xbox SmartGlass App, Brings Support for Tablets 7″ and Up
This morning, Xbox fans can update the official SmartGlass app for Android through Google Play. Inside the update, there is now official support for Android tablets 7″ and up, an “always-on” mode where your device will stop going to sleep while you are connected, and some other minor fixes and enhancements. What’s New: Support for [...]
Microsoft Updates Xbox SmartGlass…
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Microsoft Updates Xbox SmartGlass App, Brings Support for Tablets 7″ and Up
This morning, Xbox fans can update the official SmartGlass app for Android through Google Play. Inside the update, there is now official support for Android tablets 7″ and up, an “always-on” mode where your device will stop going to sleep while you are connected, and some other minor fixes and enhancements. What’s New: Support for [...]
Microsoft Updates Xbox SmartGlass…
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How To Use Your Xbox Controller On Jelly Bean
One of the best features of the Xbox is its controller which is perfect to use in any game that you play. You can now use this same controller in playing your favorite Android games with just a few simple modifications. You’ll no longer need to rely on the touch screen to play your favorite games as the Xbox controller is more precise and user friendly.
This modification was first discovered by XDA forum member Dslrocks10 which he tested on his Google Nexus 7 device. This could also work on any device running on Android Jelly Bean.
Here’s what you will need
- Spare Xbox controller
- Mini USB cable
- Device running on Jelly Bean
Here are the instructions
what you do is strip an xbox controller’s cable, or the break away cable(this is smarter due to the fact you can still use your controller later with another break away cable), and strip a usb cable (the male end still in tact) and simply wire the corresponding colors together(Green to green, red to red, black to black, white to white). Now the xbox controller has a 5th wire which is yellow, you can ignore that one.
According to Dslrocks10 everything works perfectly fine except for the L & R trigger buttons. He’s not sure if it’s an issue with Android or his controller. What we think though is that the buttons just needs to be remapped with a button remapper app.
So far this setup has been tested on Grand Theft Auto III, Modern Combat 3 and Dead Trigger.
If you have a spare Xbox controller and you have a device running on Jelly Bean you might want to give this a try since it’s relatively easy to do.
This saves you a lot of money compared to buying those popular Android controllers out in the market today.
via XDA
Microsoft working on a fix for Halo 4 SmartGlass issues, arriving in ‘the coming weeks’
Microsoft’s SmartGlass and Microsoft’s Halo 4 apparently aren’t quite getting along on Windows Phone 8 devices. Using SmartGlass, Halo 4 players can normally access their stats and other info about their robot supersoldier using the long-established Waypoint service — except for Windows Phone 8 users, apparently. A forum thread dating back to Halo 4‘s November launch highlights the issue — as Xbox.com forum user “Scion Eon” puts it: “Whenever I try to log into SmartGlass on my phone while playing Halo 4, I am immediately greeted with a message that says ‘Your device is missing certain required features.’” As it turns out, Mr. Eon isn’t the only one experiencing said connectivity issues — specific to Windows Phone 8 devices — and Microsoft’s aware of the situation.
“We are aware that there is an issue with the Xbox SmartGlass experience for ‘Halo Waypoint’ on Windows Phone 8 devices, which may prevent users from accessing Halo 4 player stats,” a Microsoft rep told us this afternoon. Thankfully, Redmond’s also taking care of a solution. “We are actively working on a fix and expect to have a solution within the coming weeks. We appreciate your patience as this gets resolved and apologize for any inconvenience this causes,” the statement reads. Of course, should you want to access Halo 4‘s Waypoint functionality on SmartGlass before that fix, you can always use Microsoft’s competitor’s devices. But then who’d do that?
[Thanks Colin!]
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Software, Mobile, Microsoft
Source: Xbox.com
Tile Launcher Beta Makes Your Android Homescreen Feel A Little More Windows Phone-y
Whether you use Windows Phone or not, chances are at some point you’re going to have to get used to the concept of tiles. Microsoft’s putting them everywhere. On your Xbox, PC, tablet… They’re unavoidable. If you like the idea of tiles over icons, though, here’s an app you might want to try out: Tile Launcher Beta. While it’s not quite a clone of the MS-borne smartphone interface (for example, you can still have a custom background), it does place brightly colored squares on a continuous scrolling homescreen.
You know…it kinda grows on you. While I’ve never been a huge fan of the Windows Phone interface as is, the tiles here are pretty slick and, as in the left-hand screenshot above, with some custom icon tweaking they can be made to look gorgeous.
- ADW Launcher Ex Finally Released, Transitions To A Whole New Dimension
- Nova Launcher Goes Version 2.0, Brings Performance Increases And A Pile Of New Features
- Launcher Wall For Android Review: A Poor Man’s Windows Phone 7
- ADWLauncher EX Receives Huge Update To Version 1.3.3.5 Just In Time For Its Birthday (And Google’s 10 Billion Download Celebration)
Tile Launcher Beta Makes Your Android Homescreen Feel A Little More Windows Phone-y was written by the awesome team at Android Police.
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MOGA Controller First Impressions (Part 1)
I was lucky enough to snag Power A’s MOGA Bluetooth controller for Android devices during their Christmas promotion where they gave away the device for free. I just recently received it, and after playing around with it for a while, I’m almost glad I didn’t waste my money on it. The controller itself is great, in fact, I would say it is just as good as an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 controller. The huge problem with its $49 price tag has to deal with the MOGA Pivot app, which I will go over in part two of our first impressions of this device. In the meantime, I feel pretty positive about the overall controller. Take a look:
Design
The controller’s design is interesting. The controller is essentially a square, which I found to be rather odd, but it is understandable as to why Power A went ahead with this design. In the middle of the controller there is a clip that the user is able to pull out and lock their smartphone in. When the user isn’t using the clip, they can close it and hide it away so it looks like a normal controller. Due to weight management, I’m glad they took up this design, but it is definitely unique.
The only odd thing I found with the MOGA controller was the trigger buttons. They feel hidden away, as they are located behind a strip of plastic. I would of almost expected them to be more to the top where it would be more comfortable to access, but after using it a while and getting used too the design it’s the perfect place. Again, it does feel odd at first because it simply isn’t your standard controller design.
Complaints
My huge complaint with the controller is that it feels top heavy with the larger devices out there like the Galaxy Note II — the device I have been testing the MOGA controller on. Setting down your MOGA controller with the smartphone in the clip will cause the MOGA to fall over backwards. Albeit I’d prefer it to stay upright, it actually does not land on your smartphone as the clip protects the fall.
As a last complaint, the analog sticks feel very restrictive, which can be a bit annoying. They are not as free flowing as you would find on an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 controller. In fact, sometimes they feel a bit difficult to move around, but that may just be another thing that takes getting used too.
Conclusion
As I mentioned at the beginning, even though I received this controller for free, the $49 price tag is a bit steep. A standard Xbox 360 controller or PlayStation 3 controller you can find for $39.99 and sometimes even $29.99. The big thing with the MOGA is that it comes with the MOGA Pivot app, which allows you to use the controller in MOGA-optimized games. If you aren’t using that app for the controller, you simply can not use it. That’s not a huge problem, but the problem lays with the limited amount of content that the MOGA Pivot app provides. As an estimation, there are about 12 MOGA optimized games, some of which are not even good games.
Newell hints Valve’s PC-like gaming console coming in 2013
In a recent interview with Valve’s co-founder, Gabe Newell, he hinted that the company is developing its own gaming hardware that may be released in 2013. This is in light to the company’s continuing pursuit to innovate and offer better experience to its loyal customers. Being one of the top-notch video game developers, Valve has one good reason to develop its own hardware that would serve as platform for its games, although many doubt it would become a hit.
For now, there is not enough information that would describe Valve’s gaming console accurately. However, Kotaku’s interview with Newell revealed the following facts:
Living-room-friendly PC Package
Basically, Valve is planning to build a custom PC that would offer entertainment in the living room like no regular PCs. There are conflicting reports suggesting it would run either Microsoft’s Windows operating system or the open-source OS, Linux.
Based on the capability of Microsoft’s latest OS, it is most likely that Valve would opt it over the latter considering it seeks to produce an ultimate entertainment hub for gamers and the whole family.
PlayStation and Xbox Competitor
Newell made a bold statement saying the machine his company is developing would pose a competition against already successful gaming consoles from Sony, PlayStation 3, and Microsoft, Xbox 360.
In the history of gaming, only these two consoles were successful enough to still exist this day partially because they are offered at reasonable price ranges. PCs with decent specs, on the other hand, would play at around $600 to $800. One of the ways Valve can compete with these consoles is to offer its machine at the same price range.
Conclusion
Valve’s plan is actually good for the company and its loyal patrons. But it would take a lot of effort and extensive marketing campaigns just to make it on par with its competitors. Following is also one way to make it a hit but that’s one thing Valve cannot buy as it requires loyalty. But let’s wait and see what the company is planning about it.
[source: Kotaku | via: Tom’s Hardware]
Microsoft may turn to mobile gaming for crowdsourced mapping data
Keeping map data relevant’s a full-time job — just ask Nokia, Google and, yes, even Apple. Which is why Microsoft may be gearing up to offload some of that heavy lifting to users in the augmented reality guise of mobile gaming. Or at least that’s one possible future outlined by a recently surfaced patent application. The USPTO doc, filed back in June of 2011, clearly lays out a crowdsourced “data collection system” whereby users sent on virtual missions to specific real-world targets would aid in the gathering of up-to-date geo-location data. With its thriving Xbox gaming arm and reinvigorated inroads into the mobile space, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch for Microsoft to leverage a bit of corporate synergy to make its own mapping service more accurate, or simply license the data. Whatever the case may be, it’s all up in legal limbo for the time being. So, for now, you’ll have to content yourselves with AR missions of the Ingress kind.
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Wireless, Mobile, Microsoft
Source: USPTO
Twonky Beam update for Android, iOS streams to Roku, Xbox 360
As good as a catch-all that Twonky Beam can be for pushing mobile and web video to TVs, there’s been a glaring hole as long as some of the most popular media hubs weren’t streaming targets. An update rolling out to the Android and iOS apps is patching things right up by adding support for Roku and Xbox 360 hardware as destinations. There’s not much to know beyond that, although it’s a giant help for compatibility — along with support for DLNA, some TVs and U-verse boxes, the refresh should have Packet Video’s app reaching about 90 percent of the networked devices you’d find in front of the couch. That still makes it a handy compliment to (or even a replacement for) living room apps like SmartGlass.
Continue reading Twonky Beam update for Android, iOS streams to Roku, Xbox 360
Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD, Mobile
Via: SlashGear
Source: App Store, Google Play
Sky Go Streaming App Now Supports 25 Devices Including Nexus 4
The Sky Go app, which lets Sky TV subscribers in UK & Ireland stream on demand and live TV to their Android device, has added 14 new devices to the list of supported devices. The updated app is now compatible with both the Nexus 4 and the Nexus 7. The update includes an improved user interface and navigation. Other devices now supported include the HTC Desire X, HTC One X and the Samsung Galaxy SIII.
Sky Go is currently available on all iOS devices and the Xbox 360 so it’s nice to see it working its way through more Android handsets. If you guys can watch the Doctor Who Christmas special, The Snowmen, I will be VERY jealous.
Sky Go Streaming App Now Supports 25 Devices Including Nexus 4
The Sky Go app, which lets Sky TV subscribers in UK & Ireland stream on demand and live TV to their Android device, has added 14 new devices to the list of supported devices. The updated app is now compatible with both the Nexus 4 and the Nexus 7. The update includes an improved user interface and navigation. Other devices now supported include the HTC Desire X, HTC One X and the Samsung Galaxy SIII.
Sky Go is currently available on all iOS devices and the Xbox 360 so it’s nice to see it working its way through more Android handsets. If you guys can watch the Doctor Who Christmas special, The Snowmen, I will be VERY jealous.
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