General Gaming Article

General Gaming Article

White House Asks Congress to Pass New Privacy Laws

Posted: 02 May 2014 05:16 PM PDT

White HouseSix recommendations being offered

More safeguards for Americans' data and additional protections for emails are some of the recommendations being made by the White House as it asks Congress to pass new privacy laws. Six recommendations in total are being offered by President Barack Obama's counselor John Podesta, who posted the proposals on the White House website.

Following a 90-day review, at Obama's request, the president's top economic and science advisers looked at how both the government and private sector use large sets of data. The result is a report that suggests additional privacy laws, increased efforts to protect student and consumer data, make certain that such data cannot be used in discriminatory practices, and even provide non-U.S. citizens increased privacy protections.

One such recommendation revolves around the topic of physical mail and email. When it comes to physical mail, a warrant based on probable cause needs to be issued by a judge if law enforcement wishes to gain access. But when it comes to email, access can be gained with a warrant without a judge's signature most of the time. To fix this, the White House recommends that the Electronic Communications Privacy Act be amended so that additional protection would be in place during a law enforcement investigation.

The White House is also asking for the passing of national data-breach legislation that would collect the assortment of state laws into one federal requirement that would address how data breaches should be reported to consumers and law enforcement. The proposal comes in the aftermath of hackers who stole personal data from millions of customers who shopped at Target. 

How likely do you think it is that Congress will act on any of these recommendations?

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Graphics Porn: The Most Graphically-Stunning Game Screenshots

Posted: 02 May 2014 12:41 PM PDT

Dark SoulsShowcasing the sexiest, most photogenic game screenshots this side of the Internet

We've got our Rig of the Month feature for amazing case mods, but what is a graphics afficionado supposed to do with his or her stellar screenshots? We've got you covered with Graphics Porn. Every month, we'll be collecting and publishing the most beautiful, photogenic, and amazing screenshots submitted by Maximum PC readers. 

If you've been using Steam's nifty screenshots feature or simply print screening some beautiful wallpaper-worthy game moments, we want to be able to share your captured works of art with the world. Please send them to mpcgraphicsporn@gmail.com. Make sure to include the name of the game, a title for the screenshot, and a description of what's happening on-screen.

To kick off the inaugural post of Graphics Porn, we've called upon some of the redditors from /r/GameScreens. They've graciously provided us with the right to republish their screenshots to give us a starting point for future installments. Before you take a peek at the gallery, remember that some of the screens might just contain spoilers! You've been warned.

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Holiday 2013: 57 Fascinating Websites

Posted: 02 May 2014 11:38 AM PDT

Holiday 2013 IssueIn the PDF archive of the Holiday 2013 issue, you can find

  • Our 57 Go-To Website Picks
  • AMD Hits Back
  • Excellend Oddball Cases
  • V3 Gaming Devastator review
  • Asus Radeon R9 280X DC2 Top review
  • Super Talent DRAM Disk review
  • And more! 

December 2013: 2014 Tech Preview

Posted: 02 May 2014 11:37 AM PDT

December 2013 IssueIn the PDF archive of the December 2013 issue, you can find

  • Coming Soon
  • Gaming on the Go
  • Surf Wars: Five Web Browsers Compared
  • Origin Genesis review
  • Silverstone Tundra TD03
  • Lacie Ruggedkey review
  • And more!

November 2013: Micro-Towers

Posted: 02 May 2014 11:36 AM PDT

Maximum PC November 2013 IssueIn the PDF archive of the November 2013 issue, you can find

  • Micro-Towers of Power
  • The Cloud Crowd
  • The Mod Man Interview
  • Nvidia Shield review
  • Gigabyte Z87-UD5H review 
  • Asus GeForce GTX 780 DirectCU II 3GB review
  • And more!

Large Screen Smartphones are Cutting into Tablet Sales

Posted: 02 May 2014 09:30 AM PDT

Galaxy Note 3International Data Corporation reports a slowdown in tablet shipment growth

According to latest data published by International Data Corporation (IDC), tablet and two-in-one device shipments dropped to 50.4 million units in the first quarter of 2014, which represents a 35.7 percent sequential decline and just 3.9 percent jump compared to the same quarter a year ago. IDC believes larger size smartphones are eating into the tablet category. In addition, existing tablet owners seem content with their current devices and are no longer upgrading as often.

"The rise of large-screen phones and consumers who are holding on to their existing tablets for ever longer periods of time were both contributing factors to a weaker-than-anticipated quarter for tablets and 2-in-1s," said Tom Mainelli, IDC Program Vice President, Devices and Displays. "In addition, commercial growth has not been robust enough to offset the slowing of consumer shipments."

Interestingly, Apple is still in the lead, even when factoring in two-in-1 laptop/tablet hybrid devices. However, the gap isn't as wide -- Apple shipped 16.4 million iPad and iPad mini devices in the first quarter, down from 26 million in the previous quarter and below the 19.5 million units it shipped in Q1 2013.

Samsung took the No. 2 spot by shipping 11.2 million units, up from 8.5 million a year prior. That bumped its market share up to 22.3 percent (Apple's share now sits at 32.5 percent).

Image Credit: Flickr (Janitors)

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Google Refutes Glass Teardown Analysis, Calls $80 Build Price "Absolutely Wrong"

Posted: 02 May 2014 09:04 AM PDT

Google GlassEvaluating the BOM of Google's Glass device

You may have seen reports indicating that the bill of materials (BOM) associated with Google Glass is a mere $79.78, well short of the $1,500 price tag it costs to join the Explorer program and bring a set home. Sounds like highway robbery, right? Even after factoring in other expenses that have nothing do to with the actual component costs, the markup seems downright obscene. But is it? Google denies its Glass device cost just $80 to make. So how much is it really?

That's a heck of a good question. In a statement provided to The Wall Street Journal, a Google spokesman said simply the cost estimate floating around the web is "absolutely wrong." Unfortunately, that's all he said -- there was no followup on the actual cost or any hints as to why it's off.

The sub-$80 estimate originates from Teardown.com, which notes that the processor is the most expense part at $13.96. Non-electrical components add another $13.63, followed by a catch-all "other" category accounting for $11.32 and Connectivity tacking on $10.79 to the cost. Every other part in the breakdown comes in at less than $10, according to the teardown analysis.

WSJ says one point of contention could be the display, which is pegged at just $3 (display/touchscreen and glass). Given the device's high resolution and thin profile, it might actually cost much more.

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Visit a Microsoft Store Over the Weekend, Maybe Walk Out with a Free Windows Phone

Posted: 02 May 2014 08:27 AM PDT

Opportunity RingsMicrosoft is giving away a limited number of Windows Phones this weekend

Statistically speaking, if you own a smartphone, there's a high probability that it's running Android or iOS. Microsoft is taking steps to change that, and if you're intrigued by what the company is doing with its Windows Phone platform, you may want to stop by a Microsoft Store this weekend, provided it's not too far out of your way. Those who do will have a chance to win a free Windows Phone.

Microsoft is giving away 8 Windows Phone handsets per day on May 3 and 4 (Saturday and Sunday), per store through its Opportunity Rings instant win game, the company announced on Facebook. This is a giveaway that's taking place at all of its U.S. locations, full line and specialty.

Your chances of scoring a free Windows Phone probably aren't all that great based on the assumption that this promotion is likely to draw a big crowd, or at least a bigger one than Microsoft typically gets at its stores. But hey, if you're local to a store and curious, consider this a friendly heads up.

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Nvidia, Falcon Northwest Tag Team Gaming PC Charity Auction to Honor Philip Scholz

Posted: 02 May 2014 05:39 AM PDT

Falcon Northwest Nvidia PCCharity auction honors late Nvidia worker Philip Scholz who gave his life saving another

Life is tough sometimes, there's just no two ways about it. Earlier this year, Philip Scholz, a 35-year-old graphic design marketer employed by Nvidia, lost his life trying to save a man that was laying down on the Caltrain tracks at the Santa Clara station. In his attempt to pull the man off the tracks, both were struck by the commuter train traveling at 50-70MPH. The man on the tracks survived, but Scholz did not. If there's a silver lining to such tragedy, it's that Scholz's name lives on through the Philip Scholz Memorial Foundation, for which Nvidia and Falcon Northwest are attempting to raise funds through a charity auction on eBay.

The foundation provides scholarships to needs-based youth and promotes physical activities involving Scholz's favorite pastime, baseball. A giving person who made the ultimate sacrifice while alive, the Philip Scholz Memorial Foundation ensures the spirit of his character lives on in death.

"He was confident, aggressive, capable, I could see that without a moment's hesitation, he's going to act," Nvidia co-found Chris Malachowsky told San Jose Mercury News. "I'm sure his knee-jerk, no hesitation to help someone else is what caused this -- he goes down as a hero in my book."

The machine that's been donated to the charity auction features an Intel Core i7 4770K processor, Nvidia GeForce GTX Titan Black graphics card, Asus Z87 Maximums motherboard, 16GBof G.Skill DDR3 memory, and two Crucial 1TB M50 solid state drives shoved into a custom designed Falcon Northwest Tiki chassis. All of the proceeds from the auction will go to the foundation.

Head over to the auction page to spy more pictures and/or place a bid. The auction ends on May 8, 2014.

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Newegg Daily Deals: PNY Turbo 256GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive, Asus 24-inch LED Monitor, and More!

Posted: 02 May 2014 05:38 AM PDT

PNY Turbo 256GBnewegg logo

Top Deal:

How many movies have you seen where a guy or gal has broken into an office and is transferring files via USB as they nervously watch the progress bar hoping they don't get caught? If they would have used a USB 3.0 flash drive, they could have been in and out without all the suspense and unnecessary stress. Do you hear that, movie actors? Tell your friends about today's top deal for a PNY Turbo 256GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive for $98 with free shipping (normally $150 - use coupon code: [EMCPEPW86]; additional $10 mail-in-rebate). With read and write speeds up to 185MB/s and 135MB/s, respectively, you can spend less time stealing enemy secrets on woefully unsecured PCs and more time planning your next move!

Other Deals:

WD My Book 4TB USB 3.0/USB 2.0 3.5-inch External Hard Drive for $140 with free shipping (normally $160 - use coupon code: [EMCPEPW23])

Samsung 840 EVO 2.5-inch 120GB SATA III TLC Internal Solid State Drive for $80 with free shipping (normally $85 - use coupon code: [EMCPEPW27])

Asus VE248H Black 24-inch 2ms Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor for $145 with free shipping (normally $180 - use coupon code: [EMCPEPW28]; additional $20 Mail-in rebate)

Linksys WRT54GL Wireless Broadband Router 802.11b/g up to 54Mbps for $40 with free shipping (normally $50 - use coupon code: [EMCPEPW38])
Posted by Shri Krishna

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