| Windows 8.1: Everything You Need to Know Posted: 27 Jun 2013 03:12 PM PDT A visual walkthrough of 20 new Windows 8.1 features and changes Microsoft has recieved a lot of negative flack for the radical changes it's made in Windows 8 with the complete disconnect from traditional UI elements like the Start button. With the release of the Windows 8.1 preview, which you can try out now if you are willing to use beta software, Microsoft is making strides to appease the user base it left out in the cold. Many of the features in Windows 8.1 are focused toward business use or bring-your-own-device scenarios, but there are also a ton of new features that improve usability and some that add an extra oomph of aesthetic appeal. The free Windows 8.1 update will officially release in the fall, but let's take a look at some of the interesting consumer-facing features now. |
| Al Lowe's Leisure Suit Larry Reloads Today on PC and Mac for $20 Posted: 27 Jun 2013 11:58 AM PDT  The original Larry Laffer returns with new jokes and puzzles
It's been nearly two decades since the last Leisure Suit Larry game launched. No need to check our math, we're intentionally ignoring the releases of Magna Cum Laude (2004) and Box Office Bust (2009), both of which inexplicably shunned Al Lowe in the development process even though he made it be known he wanted to participate. But let's not cry over spilled beer, the original Leisure Suit Larry is back on the prowl, and this time, Al Lowe was involved from start to finish. Leisure Suit Larry Reloaded, available now on Steam and through Replay Games on PC and Mac for $20, is an enhanced version of Larry Laffer's introductory game, Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards. It's the second remake (the first one upgraded the graphics to glorious VGA), but it's also much more than a shiny new coat of paint. Al Lowe and Sierra veteran Josh Mandel (the voice of King Graham from King's Quest) updated the content with thousands of new lines and jokes. You'll also find new characters, additional locations, new jokes, and even a brand new major love interest for Larry. In short, if you played through the original, you still won't be able to breeze through the remake because of all the added content. 
The $20 Reload is the result of a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over $655,000. If enough copies are sold, Al Lowe has said he'd like to remake all the games in the series. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| BitFenix Ronin Case Plays Nice with Water Cooling Gear Posted: 27 Jun 2013 10:55 AM PDT  Whether by air or by water, Ronin keeps its cool
BitFenix on Thursday announced another rubberized ATX computer case for do-it-yourself (DIY) system builders. Dubbed "Ronin," this latest creation from BitFenix is coated in the company's SofTouch Surface Treatment and bordered by micro-mesh strips that both add to the aesthetic and act as additional ventilation. On the inside, there's plenty of room to pack in high-end gear. Cooling chores are handled by front and rear 120mm fans, both of which are included. You can optionally add another 120mm fan up front, two more on top, one more on the bottom, and up to two 140mm fans on top. Alternately, BitFenix says there's enough room inside to install a water cooling radiator up to 240mm in length. The chassis can house up to three 5.25-inch drives and up to six 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drives. A removable FlexCage makes room for graphics cards up to 240mm in length, though you lose three 3.5-inch slots by taking it out. Other features include cable management locations, a side panel window, large CPU cutout, filtered front intakes, and a magnetic bottom filter. No word yet on price or availability. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Nvidia Discovers "Mechanical Issue" in Shield, Delays Launch Until July Posted: 27 Jun 2013 09:47 AM PDT  Shield console suffers a minor setback just prior to launch
Nvidia said a final round of quality assurance (QA) testing turned up a mechanical issue in its Shield handheld gaming platform, prompting the device maker to delay the system's launch until sometime next month. The issue relates to a third-party mechanical component, and while Nvidia didn't specify exactly which piece of hardware is acting up, the company did say that it's working around the clock with the part's supplier to resolve the issue. Shield was supposed to go on sale tomorrow for $299, down from its original MSRP of $349 when first announced. Nvidia a week ago slashed $50 off the price of the console after hearing from thousands of gamers that such a price point would result in a "home run" for Nvidia. That may still be the case, but for the time being, Nvidia will have to wait out the rain delay, to keep the baseball analogy going. "We apologize to those who have pre-ordered Shields and to all those who are waiting for them to go on sale. But we want every Shield to be just right," Nvidia stated in a blog post. Nvidia said it will update everyone with an exact shipping date at a later time. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Newegg Daily Deals: Logitech G710 Mechanical Keyboard, Cooler Master HAF 922 Case, and More! Posted: 27 Jun 2013 09:28 AM PDT |
| Sceptre's 2.1 Sound Bar Turns Your HDTV Into an Android Smart TV Posted: 27 Jun 2013 09:11 AM PDT  Smarten up your HDTV with a sound bar
Typically you shop a sound bar to improve to your HDTV's audio without having to invest in a full fledged home theater setup, and Sceptre's SB301524W Speaker Sound Bar 2.1 with built-in subwoofer will certainly do that. However, it will also serve your ordinary TV a slice of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, in effect turning it into a smart TV through plug and play technology without having to invest in a new television. "The Sound Bar 2.1 with built-in subwoofer and Android Platform turns your traditional HDTV into a smart TV at a fraction of the cost," said Cathy Chou, Sceptre's vice president of operations. "Our newest addition to the family of sound bars not only enhances your HDTV experience, but also brings people closer by giving you access to the same applications as a computer, including Skype, Facebook, Instant Messenger and more." 
Designed for HDTVs 42 inches or larger, the SB301524W features a touch sensor control panel, preset modes, an auto-dimming LED screen that displays current settings, and a remote control with a QWERTY keyboard on its backside. It has Wi-Fi support and offers access to Google Play to download songs, games, movies, and other apps. As for sound, the Sound Bar 2.1 sports a pair of 18W front facing speakers, a 35W subwoofer with passive radiator, and SRS WOW HD support. Sceptre's Sound Bar 2.1 is available now for $300 MSRP. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Internet Explorer 11 Will Eventually Land on Windows 7 Posted: 27 Jun 2013 08:28 AM PDT  Faster browser for everyone
One of the major benefits of upgrading to Windows 8.1 when it becomes available is the inclusion of Internet Explorer 11. The touch-friendly browser represents a pretty significant update to IE's code base, with support being offered for WebGL and Google's SPDY protocol, as well as improved HTML5 support. While the new browser is shipping with Windows 8.1, Microsoft is planning to port it over to Windows 7. That tidbit comes courtesy of Engadget, which claims "Microsoft opened up about" plans to deliver IE11 to Windows 7 users, though the Redmond software giant hasn't released an official statement (that we know of) or offered up any kind of time frame. According to Microsoft, IE11 offers better touch performance, faster page load times, a continuous browsing experience across Windows devices, and completely rebuilt F12 developer tools. It's also supposed to be more battery efficient, in part by offloading image decoding to the GPU. For you power surfers out there, IE11 supports up to 100 tabs per window, with independent tab suspension for efficient use of memory and battery, and faster switching between tabs. It also supports side-by-side browsing, a handy feature for, say, comparison shopping between two sites. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
