General Gaming Article

Facebook Now Rotating Ads Users Want To See

Posted: 28 Sep 2013 01:18 PM PDT

Facebook Ads

Facebook changing up ad algorithms

Facebook can't leave well enough alone, what with video ads, new search methods, and the various changes the social network juggernaut is continually kicking around. Now it at least appears to be attempting to alleviate the sting of ads by showing users only the ads they want to see. Thank you Facebook, as your "targeted" ads were more than a little insulting, more often than not.

PC World reports Facebook is willing to take the risk of losing ad exposure to help users see only the ads they're interested in by changing its ad algorithms. This should provide users with much more relevant advertisements to, in turn, increase revenue. Facebook already utilizes info from marketers and its audience when attempting to better place ads. The system is now going to depend more on user feedback to improve the ads shown on a rotating basis.

Users who hide certain ads or users who share, comment or like specific ads will be actively participating in this new feedback system. With this and the series of changes Facebook has introduced to news feeds over the past few months, it's safe to say we're looking at a brand new face of the network. Hopefully, like this one, any changes introduced in the near future will be positive ones.

Xi3 to Reveal Additional Details About Piston Gaming PC on Monday

Posted: 28 Sep 2013 01:16 AM PDT

Unveiled at CES 2013, the Piston console has long been suspected to be a Steam Machine

Utah-based modular computer manufacturer Xi3 created a lot of buzz when it trotted out the diminutive Piston console at CES 2013, leading many to speculate whether it was actually a Steam Machine (or "Steam Box," as was the preferred term back then). The company's chief marketing manager David Politis played it coy when online editor Jimmy Thang probed him on the matter. Now, the company says it will reveal additional details about the Piston on Monday, September 30.

"Prominently highlighted today on Xi3's Website is a gray scale illustration featuring an outline of the iconic shape of the PISTON Console with an equals sign floating in the middle of the outline," the company said in a press release Friday. "Above the PISTON silhouette is a headline that reads, 'The wait is over' with the date 09.30.13 featured below the image."

This is interesting because the modular gaming PC has been up for pre-order since March and many of its vital specs have been in the public domain all along. So what is it that Xi3 is so excited about all of a sudden? Could this have something to do with Valve's recently announced Steam OS and Steam Machine initiatives?

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