Galaxy Note 10.1 hinted in invitation for Samsung’s August 15 event

Galaxy Note 10.1 hinted in invitation for Samsung’s August 15 event:

Regular readers might know that Samsung is planning to make August the Galaxy Note month. The Koreans are preparing an event on August 15, where they will unveil the “next Galaxy device” (if that sounds familiar, it’s because they used the same tagline for the Galaxy S3 launch), ostensibly the Galaxy Note 10.1.

Sprint joins the free Galaxy Nexus party

Sprint joins the free Galaxy Nexus party:

The Galaxy Nexus may not have the most advanced specs anymore compared to the newer Android phones available in the market, but it does hit the sweet spot between hardware, software and price.  If the latter was the biggest concern that’s been holding you back from diving in, the time for hesitation is through, as Sprint is now offering the Galaxy Nexus for free.

HTC Proto might join the One series in fall, a better One V with 4-inch display and Snapdragon S4

HTC Proto might join the One series in fall, a better One V with 4-inch display and Snapdragon S4:


With the original One series failing to shake off HTC’s run of bad financial luck, it’s high time for the Taiwanese to start adding some new blood to their lineup. We reported before about the supposed arrival of HTC One X+, which should boast superior specs to its predecessor, including a NVIDIA Tegra 3+

Sony clarifies statement on unlocked bootloader warranty

Sony clarifies statement on unlocked bootloader warranty:

Yet again, Sony finds itself at the defense table, facing less than enthused crowds who have not taken too kindly the company’s stance on warranty. The Japanese phone maker now explains its side of story of why folks who have unlocked their phone’s bootloader – using the tool provided by Sony, we might add – face the risks of voiding their warranty.

The amazing Horn game to be released this month on mobile devices

The amazing Horn game to be released this month on mobile devices:

Phosphor Games’ Horn is looking to be one of those Android games that you absolutely have to buy. The game is based on the Unreal Engine, which means impressive graphics are assured, and it seems to resemble

Deal: Sprint Galaxy S3 available for $119.99 from Amazon Wireless

Deal: Sprint Galaxy S3 available for $119.99 from Amazon Wireless:

Those of you that haven’t purchased yet the Galaxy S3 from any of the seven U.S. carriers that have either launched or are getting ready to release it, should check out Amazon Wireless first, as the retailer has a great

Chinese Xiaomi Phone 2 to launch August 16 in seemingly indestructible packaging

Chinese Xiaomi Phone 2 to launch August 16 in seemingly indestructible packaging:

The Chinese are apparently crazy over smartphones. After all, this country of 1 billion mobile phone users is

7-inch iPad Mini mentioned in internal Apple Galaxy Tab email [screenshot]

7-inch iPad Mini mentioned in internal Apple Galaxy Tab email [screenshot]:

A couple a days ago we talked about two important testimonies in the U.S. Apple vs Samsung court, Phil Shiller’s and Scott Forstall’s. Both are important figures inside Apple, both Senior Vice Presidents – of Worldwide Marketing and iOS Software, respectively – so it’s certainly interesting to hear them speak about iPhone, iPad and Samsung while under oath.

Top 5 Surprising Facts about Video Games

Top 5 Surprising Facts about Video Games:

There are many more tidbits that could have been added to this list, but lists like these are subjective anyway, which is why I’m leaving the order up to you.  Which of these facts are most surprising to you?
Video Games More Effective at Fighting Teenage Depression than Traditional Therapy
Although 80% of depressed teenagers are never treated, a new game SPARX (Smart, Positive, Active, Realistic, X-factor thoughts) was created to combat negative thoughts and encourage more positive modes of thinking.  The surprising aspect of this game is that depressed teenagers who played SPARX had a significantly higher state of remission than those who only attended therapy sessions.  44% of SPARX players remained in remission while only 26% of those in traditional psychology were able to achieve a state of

IGN App on Xbox Live

IGN App on Xbox Live:
One stop shops for all things game-related are important bookmarks to add to any gamers’ computer (especially sites with decent game walkthroughs!).  Now you don’t have to venture far to get news and updates from IGN.
Xbox Live just added an app for IGN, allowing gamers to take advantage of its game content (previews, reviews, guides, video walkthroughs, live eSports event streaming, access to industry events).  The app even utilizes the Xbox’s Kinect features, integrating voice control and gesture control.

Perhaps the most useful aspect of the IGN app is the “instant access” walkthrough capability.  No more pulling out the laptop for your game FAQ’s and help: all will be immediately available to you right on your TV!  What a deal.  All that is required for the IGN app is a gold membership subscription.
IGN’s SVP of Content & Publishing Peer Schneider says, “With this new app, we continue our mission to reach gamers wherever they are, across all platforms, services and devices.  Now millions of Xbox LIVE users can watch curated IGN content straight from their TVs.”  IGN is on a mission to conquer the gaming world it seems, and this new Xbox app brings them closer to their objective.  In IGN’s app preview video, Daemon highlights that fact when he says, “In fact, you want have to leave your couch ever again…ever again…”

Thus far, the IGN app is only available to Xbox gold members in the US but will someday reach gamers abroad.  US gamers are getting a deal to ensure we get hooked on this new app – a month of Xbox Live Gold for free, between May 8^th and June 8^th.

The Benefits of Last Year’s PlayStation Network Hack

The Benefits of Last Year’s PlayStation Network Hack:
It was pointed out at last week’s Mobile Gaming conference in San Francisco that in some countries, credit cards just aren’t a part of the culture.  Instead, gamers head out to game and convenience stores in order to secure cards that renew their Xbox Live gold accounts or to buy online credit.
Eurogamer recently examined how last year’s PlayStation Network hack created a credit-card fearing network of PlayStation users even in a credit card-drive country like the United States.  I’ll be the first to admit – I am American, and I have indeed tried to use my credit card to pay for purchases under $2…sign me up for Credit Card Users Anonymous or whatever the equivalent of Alcoholics Anonymous is.

EA executive Peter Moore states that even a year later:

The Beginning of the End for Video Game Retailers Like GameStop?

The Beginning of the End for Video Game Retailers Like GameStop?:

As more businesses move to the internet-based model, what do you see happening to the traditional store?  In the U.S., we saw the demolition of most Blockbuster movie rental stores, replaced instead by the simple and immensely efficient Netflix.  More and more stores are being replaced by their online counterparts.  Where does that leave even the most popular and profitable of store chains?  Well, they get left behind in the dust of keyboard air blowers.
I admit, I didn’t even go out to the store for Mother’s Day this year.  What’s the point?  My mom loves books, but she got a shiny new Kindle for Christmas.  Why spend a good hour at the bookstore when I could be doing something productive like, I dunno, gaming?

Norse Mythology in Video Games: Valhalla, Valkyrie, and Beyond

Norse Mythology in Video Games: Valhalla, Valkyrie, and Beyond:

While it is widely known that Japanese and American cultures are integral to modern video games, the influence of Norse mythology is often taken for granted.
After all, what fantasy game doesn’t include references to some Norse deity or creatures derived from the ancestors of the Vikings?  Scandinavia is what I like to call “the forgotten Europe,” since people without ties to the region often know very little about Scandinavian countries, despite the fact that some of the most popular world phenomenons come from the Nordic people and culture – Ikea, fairy tales by Hans Christian Anderson (such as “The Little Mermaid,” “The Ugly Duckling,” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes”), Angry Birds, Minecraft, pacemakers, even zippers.

The Latest on the PS4 and Xbox 720

The Latest on the PS4 and Xbox 720:
You can kiss those dreams for the announcement of next gen consoles at this year’s E3 good-bye.  Despite the lack of comment from Sony and Microsoft representatives, there were overt hints (oxymoron, I know) about upcoming consoles.  Even independent publishers came right out and said their demos featured games for next gen consoles.
The “overt hints” to which I referred come from the trailers and demos that utilize graphics beyond the capabilities of our current systems.  One of the most impressive trailers was from Ubisoft for the game Watch Dogs, set for release next year.  Since the graphics are overtly next gen material and not all of the consoles were announced, it’s rather self-evident that at least one next gen console will make its debut during 2013.

Analyzing Video Games on the Basis of Film and Literary Criticism (Part 1 of 2)

Analyzing Video Games on the Basis of Film and Literary Criticism (Part 1 of 2)
Upon beginning to write responses to individual comments, I decided my opinions would better be served in the form of another full-length post, dealing mostly with John Flush’s initial question, “A problem with the industry gaining such respect is how do you declare what is meaningful out of games beyond the [storytelling] aspect?”  This, I’m sure, is a question that game critics will battle throughout the existence of the medium.  Since movies contain a visual component in addition to story and character development, perhaps it would be more telling to first analyze what makes a noteworthy film, or rather, a film that critics believe is impactful.

In Roger Ebert’s review of the movie 8 ½ in the book The Great Movies, Volume I, he says:

The Amazing Spider-Man Review (PS3)

The Amazing Spider-Man Review (PS3):

Now I have been a huge fan of the comic book hero since I was young. Collecting the comics, watching the 90′s Saturday morning cartoon religiously as a kid. I also played several of the games and experienced many of the ups and downs the character has had in this particular medium.
Many people cite the movie licensed Spider-Man 2 as the highlight because of how well it handled the

PEGI game ratings come into effect

PEGI game ratings come into effect:

The new rating system for video games in the United Kingdom, PEGI, comes into force today, fully replacing the current hybrid of the traditional British Board of Film Classification and PEGI that has the film style age rating placed alongside PEGI’s more specific warning labels.
While this will see PEGI game ratings shown with more prominence on game packaging, it also brings into effect laws against selling games to underage gamers. With this comes harsher penalties, leaving retailers responsible for making a mistake – deliberate or accidental – when selling to someone under the age the game is rated for; so look out for signs similar to supermarket age warnings, “if you don’t look 25…” in game retailers soon. Those found guilty of selling to someone that isn’t applicable for the game’s age rating, could face a prison sentence and a fine of up to £5,000. This is unlikely to be used in every instance, but it’ll likely be enough to put the fear in those that have sold to underage gamers in the past.

There should be a "more of the same" rating for each CoD

As part of the introduction, culture minister Ed Vaizey has been front and centre discussing (via MCV) the change: “The UK has one of the most dynamic and innovative video games industries in the world, and the games they produce not only entertain millions, but can also educate and foster creativity.”
“Today’s simplification of the ratings system benefits both industry and consumers and will help ensure that the millions of games sold in the UK each year are being played by the audiences they were intended for.”

Rackspace CEO: ‘We’re playing a different game’ than Amazon

Rackspace CEO: ‘We’re playing a different game’ than Amazon:

For Rackspace, there’s no turning back from OpenStack now. As of Wednesday, all new customer workloads will deploy on the company’s open source cloud computing platform, leaving the company’s legacy platform for existing customers that want to take their time transitioning to the new cloud. Now, the competition to dethrone cloud king Amazon Web Services really begins. Or does it?
I recently spoke with Rackspace CEO Lanham Napier, who shared his vision for how OpenStack is changing his company from the inside out and how he doesn’t necessarily view Amazon as direct competitor.

Dropbox: Yes, we were hacked

Dropbox: Yes, we were hacked:

Maybe this will put an end to all that “Dropbox of the Enterprise” talk by cloud storage providers.
On Monday night, Dropbox acknowledged that spam mailings afflicting users starting a few weeks ago happened when hackers used passwords obtained from third-party sites to access “a small number” Dropbox user accounts. The company called in outside experts to help its security pros and here’s what they discovered, according to the Dropbox blog. 

Amazon takes aim at IO bottlenecks

Amazon takes aim at IO bottlenecks:

Amazon appears bound and determined to speed up IO for its cloud customers.
New Provisioned IOPS (Input Output per Second) block storage volumes will let users set performance levels of up to 1,000 IOPS per volume and then use RAID to stripe two or more volumes together to realize 10,000 IOPS, said Arun Sundaram, product manager for AWS Storage. (See the AWS blog post and video announcing the news here.)

Silver Spring embraces cloud, software-as-a-service for smart grid

Silver Spring embraces cloud, software-as-a-service for smart grid:

Smart grid company Silver Spring Networks launched a new service on Wednesday that uses the cloud and software-as-a-service to give utility workers access to real time data, for monitoring grid systems and

5 sites that crunch data to help you predict the president

5 sites that crunch data to help you predict the president:

If you’re one of the lucky few who’ll attend a social function between now and Nov. 6 and avoid a conversation about the election, I envy you. For everyone else, it’s time to bone up on your election knowledge and try to impress your peers with everything you know — or at least avoid looking like someone who only reads tech blogs and TMZ.
Here are five sources of information that will help you talk intelligently about who’ll win without even forcing you to pick a side. Just the data, please.
FiveThirtyEight
This New York Times blog manned by expert statistician Nate Silver might be the gold standard for predicting elections. FiveThirtyEight is updated multiple times a week, usually tied to the release of poll data or economic numbers, and follows a consistent model for