| Google Reveals Pricing Plans for Google Fiber in Austin Posted: 25 Nov 2014 03:37 PM PST  Insanely fast internet for $70
Austin, Texas is one of the areas that Google is currently developing its fiber network. While the company is still constructing the network, Google has revealed its residential pricing plans for Google Fiber in Austin before residents will be able to sign up for the service next month. The deal, which is almost the same as that of Kansas City, will require residents to pay a $300 construction fee that will be waived if they sign a one-year commitment for Google Fiber. After that, local users will have to pay $70 per month which will give them up to 1,000Mbps upload and download speeds along with 1TB of Google Cloud storage. Those who wish to have the "full Fiber experience" can shell out $130 per month which gives them same perks of the lower pricing plan but also includes over 150 channels and the ability to record up to 8 shows at the same time. Google is also offering a free option to Austin residents as well. All they have to do is pay the $300 construction fee in one payment, or pay $25 per month for 12 months, and they will have access to 5Mbps download and 1Mbps upload speeds for no additional fee. Aside from Austin residents gaining access to Google Fiber, Google also intends to connect public institutions such as hospitals, schools, and community centers to its network at no cost. What do you think of Google's price plans? Follow Sean on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| June 2014: Upgrade Your PC! Posted: 25 Nov 2014 03:03 PM PST  In the PDF archive of the June 2014 issue, you can find:
- PC Upgrades
- Gaming Headsets roundup
- x86 Tablet roundup
- Digital Storm Bolt II
- Build It: Budget Kaveri with Hybrid CrossFire
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| Black Friday Sale Starts Now for EA's Origin Service Posted: 25 Nov 2014 02:25 PM PST  Save up to 75 percent
Do not adjust your calendar, it's not Black Friday yet. Nevertheless, some retailers and e-tailers have already begun offering Black Friday sales, including Electronic Arts through its Origin service. Starting now, you can save up to 75 percent off select titles on Origin, which include both new and classic titles. Battlefield 4 Digital Deluxe Edition is now $20, marked down from $40, or you can get the Premium Edition for $48, marked down from $60. Some of the titles are super cheap, like Mass Effect ($3.74, down from $15), Mass Effect 2 ($5, down from $20), and Popcap Hero Bundle consisting of Plants vs Zombies, Bejeweled 3, and Peggle ($5, down from $10). And some are downright old school gems, like all three Populous games ($2.50 each, down from $5) and Magic Carpet ($2.50, down from $5). Not all the titles are games. For example, The Final Hours of Mass Effect 3 ($0.74, down fro $3) and The Final Hours of Titanfall ($1, down from $2) are behind the scenes looks that detail what went into building each game -- possible gift ideas for the gamer who has everything. Assuming Origin isn't a deal killer, give the sale a look, and happy gaming. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| IDC: Competition Affecting PC Sales Shifts From Tablets to Smartphones and Phablets Posted: 25 Nov 2014 01:33 PM PST  Windows XP replacement activity helped ease PC shipment declines in 2014
It wasn't that long ago when analysts had the PC market pegged for extinction in favor of tablets. Somehow they envisioned us all getting real work done on iPads and Android slate -- not even in a parallel universe where everything is topsy-turvy could such a scenario exists. Fast forward to today and things look quite a bit different. According to IDC, pressure from tablets seems to be waning, while smartphones and phablets are beginning to compete with PCs for disposable income. "In the best case for PCs, we'd see a significant wave of replacements as users who spent on phones and tablets in recent years decide they really need to update their PC. Features like touch or convertibility, as well as Windows 10 could make systems more versatile and appealing, along with lower prices," said Loren Loverde, Vice President, Worldwide PC Trackers. "However, we've seen steady progress on prices and new designs over the past year, and replacements are stabilizing PC shipments but not boosting total volume. Going forward, as younger generations become more mobile and web oriented, and emerging regions in particular prioritize converged devices (or economy in number of devices to purchase), the PC market will continue to face tough competition and be more focused on replacements, with limited potential for growth." IDC now expects PC shipments to slip 2.7 percent in 2014, an improvement over the previous forecast of a 3.7 percent decline. That's mainly due to a better-than-expected third quarter in which entry-level models running Windows 8 with Bing won favor among consumers. Chromebooks also helped boost the low-end commercial segment, IDC says. Though overall PC sales are still declining, shipments still total in the hundreds of millions. Last year saw 315.1 million PC shipments, with this year on pace to see another 306.7 million shipments. Looking a little further down the road, IDC expects to see 291.9 million shipments in 2018. Image Credit: Flickr (Highways Agency) Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Hackers Infilitrate Sony Pictures PCs, Threatens to Release "Secrets" Posted: 25 Nov 2014 11:08 AM PST  Hacker group claims to be in possession of Sony's "secrets"
What secrets might Sony Pictures be hiding? We don't know the answer to that, but apparently a hacker group does, or at least is claiming that to be the case. Sony Pictures suffered a security breach by a hacker group called #GOP, which forced employees to shut down their systems and stay off the movie studio's network. The hackers say they're in possession of internal data, including the company's "secrets." The hacker group is threatening to release the stolen data to the public if its demands aren't met, though it's not clear outside Sony what exactly #GOP is demanding. "We've already warned you, and this is just a beginning. We continue till our request be met," read a message that appeared on affected computer screens. Sony isn't saying much on the matter. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Sony Pictures Entertainment spokesperson Jean Guerin said the company is experiencing a "system disruption, which we are working diligently to resolve." It's been a rough week for Sony. News of the attack comes just a day after another hacker group (DerpTrolling) claimed it hacked into Sony's PlayStation Network and published the email addresses and passwords of gamers. Sony denied the claim, saying no breach occurred. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Nvidia Rolls Out Two Shield Bundles for Black Friday Posted: 25 Nov 2014 09:25 AM PST  Choose your weapon: Shield portable or Shield tablet
If you happen to be in the market for a Shield (in either handheld portable or tablet form), or are otherwise looking for gift ideas this holiday season, hold your horses for just a few more days and you'll score a better deal. Like many, Nvidia is participating in the Black Friday festivities, and it's doing it with a couple of bundle options for the aforementioned mobile gaming devices, both of which will come a few extra incentives. On Friday, you can buy the 32GB Shield tablet with LTE capabilities for $399 and receive a free Shield controller, Green Box bundle, and Nvidia GRID on-demand gaming service. Included in the Green Box bundle is Half Life 2, Portal, and Half Life 2: Episode One, which is the first time the latter has been available on mobile. While that's the same price as the 32GB Shield tablet with LTE normally sells for, the extras bump up the total value to $488. As for the handheld Shield device, it too will sell for its regular price of $199, but will come with a carrying case and glossy black armor, and of course Nvidia's GRID on-demand gaming service. All combined, that's a $258 value. That's not a bad score with the GRID service, which is free for Shield owners until June 30, 2015. GRID's on-demand game library is worth over $400 and includes nearly two dozen titles, including Batman: Arkham City, Borderlands (1+2), Lego Batman 2, The Witcher 2: Assassin's of Kings, and more. Nvidia's Black Friday promotion runs on November 28 from 12:01 AM PST to 11:59 PM PST, or while supplies last. And for more Black Friday deals, be sure to bookmark and check often our regularly updated Black Friday Deals 2014 Round Up. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
| Turtle Beach Announces 'Heroes of the Storm' Themed PC Headset Posted: 25 Nov 2014 06:04 AM PST  Now available in stores and online
In anticipation of Blizzard's upcoming multiplayer online battle arena game, audio peripheral company Turtle Beach announced today the availability of its Heroes of the Storm PC gaming headset. The headset features swappable speaker plates depicting iconic Blizzard characters from the past 20 years, including those found in its Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft franchises. At present there are just three speaker plates -- Arthas, Diablo, and Kerrigan -- though more will be added over time. Underneath the plates are 50nm neodymium drivers that supposedly deliver "crisp highs and booming lows." Turtle Beach says the breathable around-the-ear cushions are optimized for noise isolation and comfort. There's also a high-sensitive microphone on a removable boom and an inline remote with volume control and a microphone mute button. Heroes of the Storm is a team brawler combining characters from Blizzard's most popular franchises. It features 5 versus 5 matches on Battle.net with three game modes. Heroes rotate each week, though you can unlock permanent access to a hero through money earned in game or bought via microtransaction. Turtle Beach's headset is available now for $80 MSRP. Follow Paul on Google+, Twitter, and Facebook |
