| PC Drivers for Xbox One Controller Available Posted: 10 Jun 2014 06:27 PM PDT  PC gamers will not have to wait for a Windows Update
Microsoft is set to release PC drivers so that users will be able to play their games with the Xbox One controller in an upcoming Windows update. But for the dedicated PC gamer, Xbox Live's Major Nelson is offering early access to the drivers for download on his blog. Xbox Live director of programming Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb made the announcement saying, "We know our fans have wanted PC compatibility, and we know they wanted to be able to use the Xbox One controller with the same games and applications they have been playing with using the Xbox 360 controller. We can't wait for them to play their favorite PC games with what we consider the best controller ever made and we're excited for fans to experience the improved D-pad, redesigned battery compartment, new comfortable design and offset analog sticks." According to Hryb, any PC game that supports the Xbox 360 controller will now be able to support the Xbox One controller. Simply download the drivers, install them, and plug the controller into your PC through a micro USB cable and you will be good to go. Back in March, there had been rumors that Microsoft was not planning to develop the drivers. However, once the rumor started circulating, Microsoft was quick to respond that such was not the case. So now that the drivers are available, will you be using the Xbox One controller to play games with or is there another controller you still prefer to use? Or is the mouse and keyboard all you need? Follow Sean on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| iBuyPower Shows Steam Machine Prototype at E3 2014 [Video] Posted: 10 Jun 2014 02:25 PM PDT  The light strip isn't just for looks
Back in November 2014 Valve announced iBuyPower as one of its partners that would be developing and selling a Steam Machine. At E3 2014, iBuyPower has shown its Steam Machine, the SBX, to Maximum PC editor Jimmy Thang. iBuyPower director of product and marketing talked to Jimmy about the SBX prototype revealing that it is powered by a quad-core AMD CPU, AMD Radeon 250x (he mistakenly said 750x in the video), and 4GB of RAM. The reason for 4GB is due to SteamOS, which comes preinstalled, not having a lot of software running in the background as Windows 8. This means that all games available on Steam are expected to run in 1080p at 60 FPS. The SBX sports a matte-black finish and has a light strip running along its entire length. However, the pulsating light isn't just decorative. Using SmartLight technology, it can indicate if there is an email message or if a friend is waiting to play with you. A mobile app for iOS and Android devices, coming at a later date, will allow consumers to manage the light strip or even remote control the SBX to download games while they are out of the house. Other features include two USB 2.0 ports on the side, two USB 3.0 ports in the back, HDMI/DVI output, Gigabit Ethernet, and 7.1 analog. As for the size, it is larger than Sony's PlayStation 4 but smaller than Microsoft's Xbox One. The SBX will retail for $499 and is expected to be released in Q1 2015, the date that Valve recently announced would be the new release date for the Steam Machine. Follow Sean on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Formlabs Announces 50 Percent Faster Form 1+ 3D Printer Posted: 10 Jun 2014 09:58 AM PDT  A much improved design over the original
Most of you reading this probably don't own a 3D printer, not yet anyway. However, there's a strong push to make 3D printing a mainstream thing. One of the newest 3D printers to emerge is the Form 1+ from Formlabs, which represents an extensive overhaul of the company's flagship stereolithographic 3D printer. According to Formlabs, this new model boasts a second generation laser system that's four times more powerful than its predecessor, allowing for up prints that are up to 50 percent faster. "The Form 1+ incorporates everything that we've learned in the past year," said Ian Ferguson, Lead Engineer at Formlabs. "We've given every part of the machine another look, updating it for better performance and reliability: a new laser, a new control system, and upgraded precision and quality for dozens of components." In addition to a revamped laser system, it also features a redesigned galvanometer control system to produce models with finer detail and smoother finishes than before. A reinforced peel motor assembly and all-new light-blocking injection-molded resign tank ensure repeatable, dependable prints, Formlabs, says. The Form 1+ is priced the same as its predecessor -- $3,299. For those who own an original Form 1, they can upgrade to the newer model for $749. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Razer is Now Licensing Brand to Third Party Case Makers Posted: 10 Jun 2014 09:41 AM PDT  NZXT will be the first to offer a case "Designed by Razer"
You'll find a wide assortment of gaming and audio peripherals if you sift through Razer's catalog of products. Keyboards, mice, headsets, controllers, and even full-blown gaming systems are among the products bearing Razer's label. What you won't find are any Razer brand cases, though that's about to change. Razer just launched a PC case design licensing program in which it will work with select third-party chassis makers to produce and sell Razer branded enclosures. Razer selected NZXT to be its launch partner for the "Designed by Razer" licensing program. Next month will see the release of the Razer designed and NZXT built "H440 - Designed by Razer." "We have some of the world's best designers and engineers working at Razer and we fully believe in advancing the industry no matter the cost, so it makes sense for us to share this knowledge with other manufacturers in our industry," says Min-Liang Tan, Razer co-founder, CEO and creative director. "It's our goal to service the needs of the hundreds of millions of gamers worldwide and a custom Razer PC case has been sought after for some time. The NZXT H440 – Designed by Razer is the first success with this program and we expect there to be many more." Razer says that anyone wishing to participate in the program will be subject to a "rigorous vetting process." As for the H440, it will sport Razer green USB ports and green lighting that illuminate the rear ports. It will also have a distinct design with a tinted window that shows off the illuminated Razer logo and interior hardware. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Netflix Plans to Yank Messages Shaming Verizon for Degraded Video Streams Posted: 10 Jun 2014 09:24 AM PDT  Verizon gets its wish, at least for now
Netflix received a cease and desist order from Verizon's legal team last week due to a message the streaming service was posting to customers during times when network congestion resulted in lower quality videos. The message read, " The Verizon network is crowded right now. Adjust video for smoother playback." Fast forward a few days and Netflix is backing off its shaming campaign, though it hasn't ruled out using the same or similar messages in the future. According to Netflix, the messages were part of a test, which insinuates that it isn't removing the message for fear of legal action from Verizon, but on its own accord. "We started a small scale test in early May that lets consumers know, while they're watching Netflix, that their experience is degraded due to a lack of capacity into their broadband provider's network," Netflix explained in a blog post. "We are testing this across the U.S. wherever there is significant and persistent network congestion This test is scheduled to end on June 16. We will evaluate rolling it out more broadly." Netflix went on to claim, once again, that it's the fault of ISPs for not delivering high-quality video feeds to its customers during times when their networks are congested. "We pay some of the world's largest transit networks to deliver Netflix video right to the front door of an ISP. Where the problem occurs is at that door -- the interconnection point -- when the broadband provider hasn't provided enough capacity to accommodate the traffic their customer requested," Netflix added. According to Netflix, some ISPs in the U.S. are essentially erecting toll booths, whereby Netflix and other services must pay a fee to have their content delivered unfettered to customers. In doing so, Netflix says ISPs are double-dipping getting their customers and Internet content providers to pay for access to each other. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Rockstar Finally Confirms Grand Theft Auto V for PC, Coming Fall (Also to PS4 and Xbox One) Posted: 10 Jun 2014 08:57 AM PDT  It's about flipping time!
Quick, pinch yourself to make sure this is really happening. After months and months of basically dodging questions about when Grand Theft Auto would release to PC, Rockstar Games finally acknowledged that it would happen, and even gave a general time frame. Announced at E3, Rockstar Games said GTA V will ship to PC this fall, along with versions for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles. These releases won't be simple ports from the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Instead, Rockstar promises that GTA V will take full advantage of the next generation console and PC hardware with "across-the-board graphical and technical improvements" for added detail. You can expect improvements such as increased draw distances, finer texture details, denser traffic, and enhanced resolutions. "The new generation upgrades also extend to Grand Theft Auto Online, an ever-evolving Grand Theft Auto universe. Rise through the criminal ranks by banding together to complete Jobs for cash, purchase properties, vehicles and character upgrades, compete in traditional competitive modes, or create your own content to play and share with the Grand Theft Auto community," Rockstar says. Rockstar's release for PC and next gen consoles will also include all the content and gameplay that's been added to the original version since launch, including new jobs, weapons, vehicles, and so forth. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Origin PC Shoves a Titan Z Inside Chronos, Dubs It World's Smallest 4K Gaming System Posted: 10 Jun 2014 08:28 AM PDT  Big time gaming performance from a small form factor system
Give credit to Origin PC for never letting its lineup of gaming PCs grow stagnant, including its small form factor Chronos option. In the past few months alone, the boutique builder added a micro tower option to Chronos and upgraded its internals with Intel 9 Series Z97 motherboard options. What's next? Try 4K gaming. Origin PC today announced the availability of Nvidia's dual-GPU GeForce GTX Titan Z in its Chronos micro tower, which it now bills as the world's smallest 4K gaming PC. "So far, 4K gaming PCs have been required to be in large tower cases with multiple video cards. It's amazing to see that in such a short amount of time we are already offering a true 4K gaming PC in a micro tower that can sit vertically on your desk, or horizontally in your living room," said Kevin Wasielewski, Origin PC CEO and co-founder. "The Chronos micro tower with a 12GB Nvidia Titan Z is the most gaming power I have ever seen in such a small chassis." The Chronos comes in four different SFF and two mini-tower case options -- Corsair 250D, Silverstone RV201, Silverstone SG08, EVGA Hadron Air, Corsair 350D, and Silverstone FT03. All of them can accommodate the Titan Z, which is roughly a $3,000 upgrade over the stock GeForce GTX 750 that comes standard in some configurations. Pricing for a complete Chronos setup can vary wildly depending on which parts you choose. There's a lot of flexibility in component choices, such as 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB RAM options in DDR3-1600, 1866, or 2133, as well as "Premium" RAM options (Corsair Dominator Platinum). As previously mentioned, the Titan Z is available now as a GPU option in the Chronos. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Newegg Daily Deals: Zalman CNPS10X Optima CPU Cooler, Samsung 27-inch LED Monitor, and More! Posted: 10 Jun 2014 08:04 AM PDT |
