General Gaming Article

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• 14 Things to Expect Out of CES 2014
• Wikipad Announces Console-like Controller for Mobile Devices
• Acer Announces DA2223 HQL and TA272 HUL All-in-One Android PCs
• Lian Li Thinks Outside the Box, Turns Computer Desk into a PC Chassis
• AT&T Tries Poaching T-Mobile Subscribers by Offering up to $450 Per Line to Switch
• Acer Smells Blood in Low-Cost Tablet Category, Rolls Out Two New Models Starting at $130
• Acer Gives Touchscreen Chromebook a Moonstone White Makeover
• Newegg Daily Deals: Corsair Carbide 500R Arctic White Case, Asus Z87-A Motherboard, and More!

14 Things to Expect Out of CES 2014 Posted: 03 Jan 2014 02:39 PM PST CES 2014: Expect Steam Machines, wearable computing, and more The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is undoubtedly the biggest tech convention in the word. Tons of gadgets and gizmos are revealed at the show every year and with CES 2014 taking place next week, you should expect nothing less. A lot of the products announced on the show floor actually never see the light of day. Some of them will be quirky, some of them will be cool, but they're almost always interesting to say the least. With CES ringing in the new year, we thought it would be apt to discuss what you should expect to see at CES 2014 before we head on out there ourselves. So take a gander through our gallery below and let us know what you're looking forward to seeing.

Wikipad Announces Console-like Controller for Mobile Devices Posted: 03 Jan 2014 10:12 AM PST Company will also continue to support own tablet Wikipad has revealed a detachable controller for mobile devices called Gamevice while also announcing continued support for its Wikipad gaming tablet with a new update. Designed to be a detachable console-like controller, the Gamevice features a flex bridge design allowing it to expand or collapse. Such a design will permit the controller to work on Windows 8 and Android mobile devices including the manufacturer's own Wikipad 7-inch Android gaming tablet that was released June 2013.  The new hardware will feature dual analog sticks, L1/R1 and L2/R2 analog buttons, an analog D-pad, and analog action buttons giving it a similar form factor to that of a console controller. No price or release date was provided but more information will be forthcoming at CES 2014 next week. Wikipad has also announced the future release of an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Wikipad 7. New features such as controller mapping, Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean), and a plethora of games from their new content partner WildTangent Games will come with the update. One of the new features, the Wikipad Controller Assistant, will allow mobile users to change the control scheme of their Wikipad 7 for any Android game into a console-like experience. Meanwhile the Android 4.2 update will help improve battery life, offer the option of creating multiple user accounts, provide improved camera features, and gesture typing among other improvements and features. Wikipad users will also be receiving six pre-installed games: Shadowgun, Reckless Racing 1, Raging Thunder 2, Sprinkle, Granny Smith, and Zen Pin HD wil be available to users.  No date was given as to when Wikipad adopters will be able to download the OTA update.

Acer Announces DA2223 HQL and TA272 HUL All-in-One Android PCs Posted: 03 Jan 2014 09:29 AM PST It's an all-in-one with Android inside As evidenced by a few early product announcements, this will be the year manufactures find out if there's a market for all-in-one systems running Android instead of Windows. Acer will be one of the first PC makers to find out, having just introduced its DA223 HQL, a 21.5-inch portable AIO running Android Jelly Bean and powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 quad-core processor clocked at 1.7GHz. In addition, Acer unveiled its TA272 HUL, another all-in-one, but with a 27-inch display and a WQHD (2560x1440) resolution. Starting with the DA223 HQL, the 21.5-inch display features 10-point capacitive touch support and a Full HD 1080p (1920x1080) resolution. To get your Windows fix, the system supports MHL connectivity, meaning it can be hooked up to mobile devices and used as an external monitor. It also boasts Windows 8 certification so it can be used to project devices with Windows. While on the topic of the display, it sports edge-to-edge glass, has a built-in battery so can you can carry it to a different room without shutting down, and an adjustable tilt stand that allows the frame to lay completely flat. Other details are pretty sparse, though Acer says the DA223 has already begun shipping worldwide for $699 MSRP. Moving on to the TA272 HUL, this one packs a bigger display and is powered by an Nvidia Tegra quad-core chip. It also features 10-point capacitive touch support, has 16GB of internal storage, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, and runs Android Jelly Bean. It's not portable like the DA223, nor does the display lay flat, though it does tilt from 30 to 80 degrees. It also boasts a USB 3.0 port, HDMI connectivity, and a DisplayPort. THe TA272 HUL sells for $1,099 MSRP. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Lian Li Thinks Outside the Box, Turns Computer Desk into a PC Chassis Posted: 03 Jan 2014 08:27 AM PST This isn't your typical desk (or case) Lian Li has been known to flirt with funky looking case designs. Remember the shell-shaped PC-777 Memorial Edition chassis? And then there was the PC-CK101, a train themed enclosure that rolled into view towards the end of 2012. There have been others and there will be more, not all of which turn into shipping products. One prototype that's up in the air is the DK-01, which is a computer case that doubles as a desk. According to TechPowerUp, the DK-01 measures 800mm x 795mm x 600mm (WxHxD), or 31.5 inches x 31.3 inches x 23.6 inches. It uses metal u-frames for the legs and houses your components in the top drawer, which you can see through a clear glass or acrylic top window. This thing is capable of holding a lot of hardware. It supports ATX, XL-ATX, EATX, and even HPTX motherboards and has room for up to 14 3.5-inch drives, all of which are nestled into detachable bays. To install a giant size motherboard, you'll have to remove half the bays. You'll also need to remove some to make room for graphics cards up to 410mm (16.1 inches) in length. There's room for up to seven 120mm fans, a PSU as long as 280mm (11 inches), and a CPU cooler up to 180mm (7 inches) in height. In other words, you don't have to make many compromises here. Check out all the pics at TechPowerUp and let us know in the comments section below what you think of this chassis. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

AT&T Tries Poaching T-Mobile Subscribers by Offering up to $450 Per Line to Switch Posted: 03 Jan 2014 07:59 AM PST Wireless wars are heating up All is fair in love and war, and even though AT&T once tried courting T-Mobile to the tune of $39 billion before regulators shot down the deal, these one-time wireless BFFs are back to being rivals. In case you thought AT&T might go soft on T-Mobile, the former isn't pulling any punches on the latter, having today announced it will pay T-Mobile subscribers up to $450 per line if they switch. "In addition to a larger and more reliable 4G LTE network, T-Mobile customers who switch to AT&T will benefit from a superior smartphone line-up and award-winning customer service," AT&T said. The limited time offer on the table for T-Mobile customers is that if they switch to AT&T, they can trade-in their current smartphone for a promotional card worth up to $250. The value will vary by device based on make, model, and age, though AT&T says many of the latest and most popular handsets will be eligible for the full $250. In addition, T-Mobile subscribers who switch to AT&T will receive an additional $200 credit per line. Between the two credits, AT&T is potentially offsetting any early termination fees and the cost of purchasing a new smartphone. If you're interested, visit AT&T's Switcher Promo page. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Acer Smells Blood in Low-Cost Tablet Category, Rolls Out Two New Models Starting at $130 Posted: 03 Jan 2014 05:55 AM PST The year of affordable Android tablets has begun It seems like forever ago when the only Android tablets on the market were the ones trying to compete with Apple's iPad line at the $499 price point and above. Fast forward to today and affordable Android tablets are fairly common, though not quite ubiquitous. Might that change this year? Well, we're off to a good start with Acer announcing two new Iconia slates starting at just $130. Starting at the lower end, Acer's Iconia B1-720 is a 7-inch Android tablet aimed at new tablet owners and families looking for an additional slate for the kids. It has a thin design that houses a 1.3GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage flanked by a microSD card slot, built-in Wi-Fi, 10-point touch support, and Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean. Acer says it will be available by the middle of this month for $130 MSRP. If you have a few more pieces of eight to spend, Acer also announced the Iconia A1-830, a slightly larger tablet with a 7.9-inch IPS display and 1024x768 resolution. It measures just 0.32 inches (8.15mm) thin and weighs just 0.84 pounds, but wields an Intel Atom (Clover Trail+) Z2560 1.6GHz processor and 1GB of RAM. It also has 802.11n Wi-Fi, a rear-facing camera that captures 2560x1920 video, a front-facing camera with 1600x1200 capability, micro USB port, Bluetooth 3.0, microSD card slot, and Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean. This will will go for $180 $149 when it becomes available later this quarter. Update Acer sent Maximum PC an email letting us know of a last minute pricing change. The new price of the Iconia A1-830 is $149 instead of $180 as originally announced. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Acer Gives Touchscreen Chromebook a Moonstone White Makeover Posted: 03 Jan 2014 05:54 AM PST Same on the inside, different on the outside Acer was the first to market with a touchscreen Chromebook when it introduced the C720P back in November, and in case the addition of a touch panel alone wasn't enough to make you consider Google's cloud-based platform for a secondary notebook (or primary one for little Billy), then a color change probably won't be the straw that breaks your back. Regardless, Acer just expanded its touchscreen Chromebook line by unveiling a Moonstone White model. The Moonstone White (C720P-2600) Chromebook sports a completely white chassis, "giving the device a consistently stylish look from any angle." Other than the style change, it's the same Chromebook in function. Like its predecessor, the C720P-2600 features an 11.6-inch HD (1366x768) LED display with touch support, Intel Celeron 2955U processor based on Haswell, 2GB of RAM, 32GB solid state drive (SSD), 802.11n Wi-Fi, HD webcam, USB 3.0 and 2.0 ports, HDMI output, and up to 7.5 hours of battery life. The new model is also priced at $300 and comes with 12 free Go-go in-air Internet passes and up to 100GB of free Google Drive storage for the first two years after purchase. Retailers will begin carrying the new Chromebook SKU next week. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook

Newegg Daily Deals: Corsair Carbide 500R Arctic White Case, Asus Z87-A Motherboard, and More! Posted: 03 Jan 2014 05:51 AM PST Top Deal: C'mon, you know you want to. Why deprive yourself? We can see it in your eyes, you want it bad! We're of course talking about wanting to build a new PC, and we wholeheartedly support that decision. To get started, consider today's top deal for a Corsair Carbide Series 500R Arctic White Mid Tower Gaming Case for $100 with free shipping (normally $140; use coupon code: [EMCWVTJ45]; additional $20 mail-in-rebate). Amenities include USB 3.0, 2.5-inch drive support, and a multi-channel fan controller. Other Deals: Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I73770 for $275 with free shipping (normally $300; use coupon code: [EMCWVTJ28]) Seagate Hybrid Drive ST2000DX001 2TB MLC/8GB 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s NCQ 3.5-inch Desktop SSHD for $120 with free shipping (normally $160; use coupon code: [EMCWVTJ32]) Asus Z87-A LGA 1150 Intel Z87 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard for $130 with free shipping (normally $150; use coupon code: [EMCWVTJ35]) Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B for $80 with free shipping (normally $90; use coupon code: [EMCWVTJ38])

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