General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article

Official: Verizon Galaxy Nexus December 15th for $299

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 02:38 PM PST

gnexPerhaps the folks at Verizon have a sick sense of humor; they enjoy letting things hang out there until the last possible minute. Verizon announced just minutes ago that the long-awaited Samsung Galaxy Nexus will be available tomorrow, December 15th for $299 on-contract. This comes after multiple rumors of delays and more speculation than you can shake a phone at.

The Galaxy Nexus is the newest in Google's line of stock flagship phones. This iteration has a stunning 4.65-inch Super AMOLED HD screen at 1280x720, a 1.2GHz dual-core OMAP processor, and a 5MP camera. The Verizon version differs from the international HSPA+ edition in that it has an LTE 4G radio and 32GB of internal storage. Also, it is actually for sale in America.

The Galaxy Nexus is Google's Android 4.0 launch device, which brings a number of new features like face unlock, on-screen buttons, and a revamped user interface. Anyone planning to pick one up tomorrow? 

Nokia Lumia 710 Hits T-Mobile January 11 for $49.99

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 02:19 PM PST

lumiaThe first Nokia Windows Phone 7 device is about to hit American shores, and it's coming to none other than... T-Mobile? It might not be the network people were hoping for, but it's also not the device either. The Lumia 710 is the budget-friendly Nokia handset, and is going to sell for $49.99 on a 2-year contract. No one looks to be carrying the higher-end Lumia 800.

The Lumia 710 has a curved design with a good-quality 3.7-inch LCD at 480x800 resolution. Inside is a 1.4GHz Snapdragon processor, 512MB of RAM, a 5MP camera, and 8GB of storage. The meager storage is helped a little by the 25GB of integrated MIcrosoft SkyDrive space. The device will run on T-Mobile's HSPA+ network, called 4G by the carrier.

The software is mostly stock Windows Phone, although there will be Nokia's turn-by-turn Drive app, a T-Mobile account manager, ESPN app, and a few others. This mid-range device can be yours on January 11.

Judge Dismisses Sony "Other OS" PS3 Class Action

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 02:05 PM PST

ps3Back in mid 2010, Sony made the decision to remove a feature from the PS3 firmware that was much beloved by the modding community. Of course we're referring to the "Install other OS" option. Well, a cadre of angry nerds filed a class action suit shortly thereafter, but a judge has just dismissed the case once and for all.

Judge Richard Seeborg expressed sympathy for the plaintiffs, but ruled that the case lacked merit. In accordance with applicable law, he found that the distressed gamers failed to show they were legally entitled to the feature. In February of this year the same court struck down most of the case, but allowed the aggrieved party to amend the complaint. This time it's game-over.

Users of the classic "fat" PS3 that wanted to continue running Linux on the device had to give up Blu-Ray playback and PSN access. While many found this unacceptable, it looks like Sony won't be penalized for making them choose. 

AMD Catalyst 11.12 WHQL Now Available for Download (and 12.1 Preview Driver, Too)

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 01:16 PM PST

AMD this week rolled out a couple of new Catalyst driver packages to play with, one of them a finished build (Catalyst 11.12 WHQL) and the other a preview driver with support for AMD HD3D technology in conjunction with CrossFireX configurations and a new Stereo 3D mode over HDMI 1.4a (Catalyst 12.1).

The Catalyst 11.12 download delivers official support for the OpenGL 4.2 specification, enables support for AMD HD3D technology when using a 3x1 Landscape Eyefinity display group, and makes improvements to better facilitate the enabling and control of the Dual Graphics within the Vision Engine Control Center, according to the release notes. Otherwise, Catalyst 11.12 is mostly a bug-fix release with several resolved issues for Windows 7 users.

For those interested in the Catalyst 12.1 preview driver, AMD says you can expect improved performance of 10-15 percent in Skyrim when multi-sample anti-aliasing is enabled on Radeon HD 6900 Series cards for single GPU and CrossFireX configurations.

Catalyst 11.12 Release Notes

Where Does webOS Go From Here?

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 12:10 PM PST

Praise tech Jesus, webOS still has a pulse! The mobile OS seemingly doomed to a cold eternity in a digital graveyard has been granted an open source reprieve. Great! Only question is, what comes next?

Obviously webOS is a platform built for smartphones and tablets, but HP making it open source means people can find some weird uses for the little OS that could. How would webOS be best put to use? We already know we'll probably see another tablet from HP. They've conceded that much and we like that. A lot. But we've got some other ideas for how webOS could be used.

HTC Phones

HTC makes fantastic, well-built hardware, and is generally open to building devices for any viable platform. WebOS has always run on hardware that could have been better. HTC is also caught between Google and Microsoft in the patent wars, which has left them resorting to paying licensing fees to the latter in order to continue making Android phones. Unlike Samsung, they don't pull revenue from other areas of tech, so they have no choice but to oblige. With HP already stating that they have no plans to make any more phones, this could be HTC's chance to step in and produce something really badass.

Amazon Devices

We know Amazon has pledged allegiance to Android (for the time being). But one can't help but feel like Amazon could build a better user experience on top of webOS. The lack of apps is certainly an issue, but between HP's pledge of support and someone like Amazon beating the webOS drum, it seems logical that they could get some heavyweight devs to contribute, no?

Computers

When HP first bought webOS, they hinted that webOS would make its way onto laptops as a sort of lightweight, battery-friendly client for checking email and browsing the web. Microsoft is already heading in this direction with their Metro UI, so it doesn't seem outside the realm of possibility that HP—or another laptop maker—would bake webOS into future offerings. Worst case scenario, this could make an excellent experimental UI for that netbook or obsolete laptop you gave up on a couple of years ago.

Printers

We're not really all that excited by this, but it's inevitable. HP has a preternatural fixation with printer innovations, and infusing their hardware with webOS is something they have yet to shut up about. Do you need multitasking and notifications to print coupons? No. Do printers need a mobile OS to prevent killer viruses? Probably not. But whatever, if this somehow makes HP money and keeps them interested in webOS, I'm for it.

Gaming Device

I'd love to see someone build a dedicated gaming device powered by webOS, which is extremely compatible with HTML5 standards, including WebGL. Touchscreen gaming is great, but there's no denying the luxury of having buttons. A webOS gaming device could provide a safe haven for indie developers interested in serving up fun and awesome games, and who don't want to deal with the politics of Apple and Sony and Nintendo, or worry about whether future Android updates will make their lives hell.

Smart Home

Android is making a push to be the official software of the smarthome. But seeing as anyone who makes an Android-powered product has to pay out licensing fees to the likes of Microsoft, I can't see taking off. What if webOS became the official smart home standard? Washing machines that notify you when a load is clean. Wi-Fi controlled lights. Power usage monitoring. Wireless locks. The possibilities are endless—and, for devs, free.

Smart Camera

Yes, smartphones are taking over the territory once claimed by point and shoots, but what if a camera maker imbued their dedicated shooter with a mobile OS? Not only can you wirelessly shoot photos to your computer or Twitter or Facebook (which some cameras can do now), but you'd get an intuitive touch interface and the potential to have apps which can add filters and functionality to powerful hardware.

IPTV Box

WebOS could hypothetically be used to power an IPTV box, and that would make sense, since streaming video in the living room is the absolute future (and in a lot of homes, present) as far as I'm concerned. But aside from total freedom, is webOS really the best avenue for such a solution? Considering an IPTV build would have to be skinned, and apps selection is beyond paltry, webOS provides no advantage over building something with straight Linux.

Purgatory

Or webOS becomes Unix, with no support and no broad interest, languishing in platform purgatory. Hopefully not! But hey—it might actually beat printer hell.

Gizmodo is the world's most fun technology website, focused on gadgets and how they make our lives better, worse, and more absurd.

Funny Man Louis C.K. Drop Kicks DRM and Laughs All the Way to the Bank

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 12:04 PM PST

The comedy stylings of Louis C.K. isn't for everyone. For example, monks probably won't appreciate his vulgar language, and those British Royal Guards in England hardly laugh at anything. Screw them both, because not only is the guy hilarious (check him out on YouTube when you're not at work or around children), but he proved you can make a handsome profit on digital downloads without applying the shackles of DRM.

"People of Earth (minus the ones who don't give a shit about this): it's been amazing to conduct this experiment with you. The experiment was: if I put out a brand new standup special at a drastically low price ($5) and make it as easy as possible to buy, download and enjoy, free of any restrictions, will everyone just go and steal it? Will they pay for it? And how much money can be made by an individual in this manner?," Louis C.K. wrote on his website.

After just four days Louis reports he's sold over 110,000 copies for more than half a million dollars. He sold 50,000 copies and collected $250,000 in the first 12 hours alone, at which point he had already broke even on the cost of production and website.

"Minus some money for PayPal charges etc, I have a profit around $200,000 (after taxes $75.58). This is less than I would have been paid by a large company to simply perform the show and let them sell it to you, but they would have charged you about $20 for the video," Louis C.K. explains. "They would have given you an encrypted and regionally restricted video of limited value, and they would have owned your private information for their own use. They would have withheld international availability indefinitely. This way, you only paid $5, you can use the video any way you want, and you can watch it in Dublin, whatever the city is in Belgium, or Dubai. I got paid nice, and I still own the video (as do you). You never have to join anything, and you never have to hear from us again."

He's preaching to choir as far as we're concerned, though he hardly needs to say anything. Making a $200,000 profit in just four days on a $5 download speaks a louder message than his lengthy blog post.

If you have a sense of humor, aren't offended by vulgar language, and want to flip the finger at DRM, you can purchase his video here.

Microsoft: Angriest Android Users Get a Free Windows Phone

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 11:31 AM PST

Been burned by Android malware? If so, Microsoft wants to hear from you, via Twitter, for a chance to score a free Windows Phone device. Microsoft's promotion ties into the recent RuFraud Android scam, in which third-party apps masquerading as legitimate programs like Angry Birds rack up premium SMS charges on the sly. Microsoft wants users to post their #droidrage story as it attempts to capitalize on the hysteria.

"More malware on Android! bit.ly/rt7dpD Been hit? Share yr #droidrage story to win a #windowsphone upgrade. 5 best (worst?) win!," Microsoft's Ben Rudolph posted to Twitter.

Microsoft's promotion has drawn some horror stories already, but it's also backfired with numerous tweets taking the Redmond software maker to task.

"Android malware victims offered free WinPhones by MS (Haven't they suffered enough?)," @deadlymedia tweeted.

U.K. Judge Approves Live Tweeting and Other Text-Based Communications in Court

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 11:02 AM PST

Journalists are now allowed to fire off live text-based communications, such as mobile email, social media (including Twitter), and Internet enabled laptops in and from courts throughout England and Wales without asking for permission, a U.K. judge ruled. Prior to the ruling, reporters would have to issue a request, but that rule has now been removed.

"The normal, indeed almost invariable, rule has been that mobile phones must be turned off in court," the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales wrote in a new guidance (PDF) issued today. "There is however no statutory prohibition on the use of live text-based communications in open court."

Judges still have the power to limit live text-based communications if they think it will pose any kind of problem for the trial, but it's not something they really anticipate.

"It is presumed that a representative of the media or a legal commentator using live, text-based communications from court does not pose a danger of interference to the proper administration of justice in the individual case," the guidance continues. "This is because the most obvious purpose of permitting the use of live, text-based communications would be to enable the media to produce fair and accurate reports of the proceedings. As such, a representative of the media or a legal commentator who wishes to use live, text-based communications from court may do so without making an application to the court."

Non-reporters must still ask permission like before. Furthermore, if the number of electronic devices becomes a distraction or interferes with the court's own sound recording equipment, a judge may limit their use.

How to Benchmark Your Android Phone for Free

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 11:00 AM PST

droidCar nuts race their rides to see whose machine is the fastest. Fitness fanatics run marathons to test their physical limitations and endurance against that of their fellows. Geeks and gearheads? Our battles are fought and won on the basis of how capable our hardware is. While our desktops and laptops might be a thing of wonder to behold, carrying them around with us for the sake of collecting the accolades we deserve isn't always convenient. Carrying around a smartphone or tablet, however, is. Benchmarking also provides the added benefit of telling you how well your phone manages the current version of your handset's operating system and apps, as well as whether future OS upgrades will slow all that zippy mobile computing hotness to a bag of sluggish hardware fail. If you're the owner of an Android handset, there's a lot of options out there to see how hard your phone rocks. Here's three of our favourite free benchmarking tools, along with the reasons why you should use them. 

BenchmarkPi

BenchmarkPi gauges processor efficiency so well it'd make a grown man cry. The genius of BenchmarkPi is in its simplicity: By tasking how quickly your handset is able to calculate Pi to a particular number of decimal places, BenchmarkPi is able to ascertain how powerful your processor is. Additionally, the app is great at being able to tell whether or not your device is being overtasked by other programs running in the background, making it easyto  troubleshoot problem apps. If you're feeling competitive, you're in luck: BenchmarkPi also maintains a constantly updated list of the top 300 Android phones out there, ranking them by their processing power. 

Battery Graph

The harder your smartphone has to chug in order to crunch the numbers necessary to do important work like running a session of Minecraft Pocket Edition, the less juice your battery will have left for lower priority tasks such as calling your loved ones to assure them that you're still alive and well despite the Creeper's best efforts. Battery Graph is designed to run in the background on your handset while you go about your business. Start it up when you turn on your phone, and check it out at the end of the day. While you're busy, texting, finding your way with Google Maps or having a jaw-wag with a co-worker via Skype, Battery Graph will quietly collect data on how each hoop you force your phone to jump through effects its battery. To snag a balanced benchmark of your battery's performance, drain it all the way down and then charge it completely before starting. In order to paint a true picture of your battery's performance, we recommend running Battery Graph over several days under normal operating conditions. Doing so will let you discover what applications and times of day take the biggest bite out of your battery's life, as well as show you how long your battery lasts during an average day. 

NenaMark 1 & 2

Available in two different flavors—one for high-end Android phones and the other for handsets wielded by mere mortals—NenaMark is one of the easiest ways to benchmark your phone's GPU performance for free. By measuring the number of frames per second your smartphone can crank out in the face of parametric surfaces, varying light models, particles and reflections, NenaMark is able to ascertain whether your phone's takes graphical hits like a champ or glass-jawed featherweight. Your handsets results can then be measured against those of other makes and models to see how your phone ranks. 

 

Intel Launches DX79TO Motherboard For Frugal(ish) Sandy Bridge-E Adopters

Posted: 14 Dec 2011 10:46 AM PST

Want to make the jump to LGA2011 and Sandy Bridge-E but don't quite need all the bells and whistles of the DX79SI? Intel might just have the alternative motherboard for you. The company's new DX79TO mobo is basically a stripped-down version of its bigger DX79SI brother with fewer bells and whistles. The question is, are the enthusiast-type buyers who are already making the jump to Intel's latest and greatest chips willing to dump features for a modest price discount?

The DX79TO sports most of the same specs as the more expensive version, but is missing a front USB 3.0 port, a PCI-E 3.0 x8 slot (replaced by an x1 slot), a pair of audio jacks (the DX70TO is six-channel instead of eight-channel), an S/PDIF port and an Ethernet connection. VR-Zone reports that the heatpipe that connects the lower heatsinks on the DX79SI has been replaced by simple metal connects, as well.

It still comes decently stocked, though, with two 6 Gbps SATA ports, four 3 Gbps SATA ports, eight USB 2.0 ports, two back-side USB 3.0 ports (via NEC controller), CrossFireX and SLI support, quad channel/eight DIMM memory, two PCI-E x16 slots and more. Check out Intel's product briefing for a full list of specs.

So, enthusiasts (since you're reading Maximum PC, we assume you're enthusiasts): does the DX79TO catch your eye, or would you rather spend the extra money and snag a DX79SI? Some quick Google Shopping browsing shows the TO selling for around $210 to $235 (even though Intel suggests a MSRP of $205-ish), while the SI is available for $260 at Newegg. Is the lower price worth the lost features?
Posted by Shri Krishna

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