General Gaming Article |
- Windows 10 Minecraft Builders Can Play With Mobile Gamers
- Zotac's New Zbox Magnus EN970 is Built for Gamers
- Newegg Daily Deals: Sid Meier's Civilization V: The Complete Edition, LG 25-Inch Monitor, and More!
- Watch for Falling Prices in Gaming Laptop Sector
- Asus ROG Sets Sights on Casual Gamers with G11 Gaming Desktop
- 10 Secure Gmail Alternatives
| Windows 10 Minecraft Builders Can Play With Mobile Gamers Posted: 08 Sep 2015 01:42 PM PDT The ability for mobile gamers to team up and build to their heart's content in a single Minecraft: Pocket Edition map has been around for a while. However, now owners of the Windows 10 Edition Beta of Minecraft can jump into the multiplayer fun as well, presumably bringing Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and Windows 10 customers together in a virtual world for the first time. The news arrives via Xbox Wire, which reports that the v0.12.1 update will open the world up to five players on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. There's a catch, however: These players must be on the same local network. The report also states that the update will allow Windows 10 Edition Beta players to team up with four other Windows 10 customers via Xbox Live. According to the report, the mobile version of Minecraft will have better touch controls, updated controller support, and an updated controller mapping screen. The mobile apps will even get the enhanced weather effects that made their debut in the Windows 10 version, such as directional rain and snow accumulation. "In addition to plenty of new goodies to build and potions to brew, you'll now be able to encounter golems and ocelots, and even explore the Nether. Finally, this update brings the ability to sneak and sprint in Pocket Edition," the report states. Back in July, Mojang and Microsoft announced that the Windows 10 version of Minecraft can be acquired for free. The catch is that customers will need to have already purchased the Java-based version on the PC or Mac platforms. To install the game, customers must first log into their Minecraft account, hit the "redeem" button, and then sign into their Microsoft account. Microsoft purchased Minecraft developer Mojang back in September 2014. The studio said that owner and founder Markus "Notch" Persson was the majority stock owner and didn't want to own a company "of such global significance." "Over the past few years he's made attempts to work on smaller projects, but the pressure of owning Minecraft became too much for him to handle," the studio said at the time. "The only option was to sell Mojang. He'll continue to do cool stuff though. Don't worry about that." The Windows 10 version of Minecraft launched on July 29, the same day Windows 10 was made available to the general public. The Pocket Edition first made its debut on Android with support for Sony's short-lived Xperia Play gaming phone back in October 2011. |
| Zotac's New Zbox Magnus EN970 is Built for Gamers Posted: 08 Sep 2015 01:36 PM PDT On Tuesday, Zotac International introduced a new Zbox PC built specifically for gamers who are looking for a small PC that's bursting at the seams with performance. Called the Magnus EN970, this PC crams an Intel fifth-generation CPU, a discreet Nvidia GPU, and support for up to four monitors into a hand-sized small form factor device. Kapow. The specs show that the new Magnus EN970 uses an Intel Core i5-5200U dual-core processor clocked at 2.2GHz (2.7GHz max) and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 with 3GB of GDDR5 VRAM. There are also two slots for DDR3L-1600 memory sticks up to 16GB, one M.2 SATA slot, and two 2.5-inch SATA slots for HDDs and SSDs. The company says this PC is "RAID-ready." In addition to those specs, the new Zbox provides a whopping four HDMI 2.0 ports, a 3-in-1 card reader, two gigabit Ethernet ports, Wireless AC, and Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. Other ingredients consist of four USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, a microphone jack, and a headphones jack. "An all new designed housing in the same portable form factor means the Magnus EN970 is ready to game beyond the desk. Matte-black finishing on a minimal design thinly veil the powerful hardware. Whether it's for the living room, desk, or for a LAN party, the Magnus EN970 has both looks and strength to power your play," the company says.
"The Magnus EN970 is Windows 10 ready and can take full advantage of Direct X 12, so you can get even more juice from the already powerful hardware," the company adds. The company also boasts that customers can easily upgrade the EN970 by removing the two thumb screws and sliding the bottom cover off the device, as shown above. Unfortunately, Zotac did not provide pricing or an availability date for the new device. |
| Newegg Daily Deals: Sid Meier's Civilization V: The Complete Edition, LG 25-Inch Monitor, and More! Posted: 08 Sep 2015 11:45 AM PDT Top Deal: Any parent will tell you that raising a child isn't easy. Want to know what else is difficult? Leading an entire civilization from prehistoric times on into the future! If that sounds like fun, then check out today's top deal for Sid Meier's Civilization V: The Complete Edition - PC Game for $25 with free shipping (normally $50 - use coupon code: [EMCAXAW88]). It's a lot cheaper than raising kids, and if you screw up, you can simply start over again! Other Deals: WD Red Pro 3 TB 64MB Cache NAS Hard Drive for $155 with free shipping (normally $166 - use coupon code: [ESCAXAW28]) LG 25UM56-P Black 25-inch IPS 2*HDMI FHD ULTRAWIDE LED Monitor for $170 with free shipping (normally $200 - use coupon code: [EMCAXAW36]) Sennheiser HD 429S Over-Ear Headphone with Mic for $45 with free shipping (normally $60 - use coupon code: [EMCAXAW78]) Pillars of Eternity PC for $40 with free shipping (normally $50 - use coupon code: [EMCAXAW87]) |
| Watch for Falling Prices in Gaming Laptop Sector Posted: 08 Sep 2015 11:13 AM PDT Affordable gaming on the go There's an interesting report over at Digitimes about MSI facing fierce competition from Acer and Asus in the gaming laptop market. According to the report, MSI will attempt to defend its share of the gaming notebook market by offering a series of price cutting promotions and investing more into its marketing efforts. It's the former strategy that intrigues me, as gaming laptops are already relatively affordable. Looking back, Gateway's P-7811 FX laptop was one of the first mobile gaming systems to set this trend in motion -- it had an Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile P8400 processor clocked at 2.26GHz, 4GB of DDR3-1066 RAM, 200GB Seagate Momentus hard drive (7,200 RPM), and GeForce 9800M GTS graphics, all for around $1,400. Not too shabby for 2008. I purchased one for myself and still have it, though I've gone through two more laptops since then, the most recent of which is the Asus ROG G751JY-DB72. It's a higher end gaming notebook than the Gateway model ever was, and also more expensive, but at $2,100 street, it's several hundred below MSRP ($2,500). You don't need to spend that much on a capable gaming laptop. For example, Gigabyte's P55W v4 streets for $1,300 and includes an Intel Core i7-5700HQ processor, 8GB of RAM, 1TB HDD, DVD burner, and GeForce GTX 970M (3GB GDDR5) graphics. For another $100, you can bump up to a 128GB mSATA SSD and still keep the 1TB HDD for storage tasks. The P55W v4 is a bit more comparable to the type of system the P-7811 FX was several years ago, albeit in a 15.6-inch form factor. That means the P-7811 FX wasn't an anomaly, but the beginning of a trend that continues today. Circling back to MSI and its reported plan to offer price cutting promotions, consumers looking for a new gaming laptop should keep a close eye on things to see what develops. We could be on the verge of a price war, or at least a price scuffle, between MSI, Asus, and Acer, the latter of which recently announced new Predator models. "Since Acer does not have advantages in brand recognition, [our] sources expect the vendor to resort to low price strategies," Digitimes reports. The report doesn't mention companies like Gigabyte, but given the value proposition of the P55W v4, it's another company to watch closely over the next several weeks. |
| Asus ROG Sets Sights on Casual Gamers with G11 Gaming Desktop Posted: 08 Sep 2015 09:19 AM PDT Pre-built PC packs a punch Given the choice, we always prefer to roll our own rigs. It's what sets us apart from the casual crowd. However, if you're feeling lazy this time around but still want to swim in Skylake, you might be interested in the new G11 desktop from Asus' Republic of Gamers (ROG) division. Asus says it's taking aim at casual gamers with the G11, and by that it means gamers who aren't really into overclocking or tinkering. Hence why it features an Intel Core i7-6700 Skylake processor -- it's a fast chip but lacks an unlocked multiplier. Even without overclocked parts, the G11 doesn't have to be a slouch. It can be configured with up to 32GB of DDR4-2133 RAM, up to an Nvidia GeForce GTX 980 graphics card with 4GB of GDDR5 memory, and up to four 256GB M.2 PCI-E 3.0 x4 solid state drives with up to a 3TB SATA HDD for storage. Other features include built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connectivity, 300W or 500W power supply, Blu-ray writer, 7.1 channel audio, USB 3.1 Gen 2, Windows 10, and a "futuristic chassis design with Myan-inspired markings" and customizable LED lighting. It also comes with a wireless chiclet gaming keyboard with backlight. Asus didn't say when the G11 will be available or what the starting price will be. |
| Posted: 08 Sep 2015 12:00 AM PDT A more private email solutionIt's no secret that Google reads subscribers' emails. They even go so far as to read non-subscribers' messages that are sent to Gmail users. The company claims it scans for certain keywords to tailor client-specific ads and once you sign the ToS (Terms of Service), those tailor-made ads are sent to everybody in your contact list. The same is true for the myriad of alphabet agencies, however they are not looking to spam new hardware ads in your inbox. Your words are the infamous Big Data, in this case earning fat profits for big-business. As a result of the rampant spying, users are turning to alternative email servers that limit or promise to keep their information private altogether (although nothing is ever truly secure). In this roundup, we'll take a look at some of the popular alternative email services that can give Gmail a run for its money—and remove you from their pocket. ProtonMail promises security from prying eyes and gets its own mobile app. First on the list comes from a joint endeavor from Harvard and MIT students, who created ProtonMail as to combat rampant spying. The service boasts end-to-end encryption without the need of installing any encryption-based software or VPN and is as easy to use as Gmail. It does, however, use a two-tiered password system—one for logging into the system and the second to decrypt the mailbox. What's interesting is that mail can be adjusted to have a specific "expiration date" and will self-destruct after the selected period of time. Proton Technologies has also released a Beta app that allows users to access their accounts on both Android and iOS mobile devices. Best of all it's free. Tutanota is designed to send encrypted email using Android and iOS devices, and sports an easy-to-use interface. Germany-based Tutanota is another popular encryption-based email service that was designed to be used with both Android and Apple mobile devices. Launched back in 2012, Tuatanota is an open-source alternative to Gmail that also features end-to-end "NSA-proof" encryption. However, users are limited to 1GB of online storage. Users can also send and receive encrypted attachments and can even setup their own domain server to manage business accounts. Unlike ProtonMail, encryption is done locally on the client end rather than through the company's server so passwords need to be strong and the devices themselves would also benefit from using a virus or malware app for extra security. FastMail features a unique physical security key that generates random passwords, making it secure even on public PCs. The former Opera-owned mail client, FastMail, is an interesting alternative to Gmail—sporting a rather unique security measure to keep your messages from being data-mined. It uses YubiKey, which generates a different password (over the USB HID protocol) every time it's used, which makes it suitable for use with public PCs. Unlike some email services, FastMail is a paid subscription services that is based on storage—250MB for $10 per year and up to 60GB for $120 per year; it does, however, offer a 30-day free trial. Kolab Now is a web-based group-oriented email service that uses the Cloud for security. Another privacy-oriented alternative to Gmail is geared toward collaboration, where users can file-share with each other on the same project. Switzerland-based Kolab Now allows its users to collaborate with others securely utilizing the cloud from anywhere around the world. Their groupware suite features task-management capabilities along with file storage, customizable web-client, and the ability to set up multiple identities. What makes the data content so secure is actually Switzerland's privacy laws, which makes it illegal for other nations (such as the United States and UK) to access secure data. This Gmail alternative is also subscription-based (payable with PayPal and Bitcoin) with group accounts running $9.50, and single email service $4.80, respectively. HushMail is a password-encrypted service that only the recipient can have access to, so make sure that password is strong. Simple is the only way to describe this next email client. HushMail doesn't feature the myriad of features other email providers have, such as Google Drive, Voice, or even Chat. Instead, it offers individual or business accounts with a minimalistic interface, in both free and paid subscriptions. Email is PGO-encrypted locally, making it easy for the recipient to decrypt using a public encryption key, provided both the sender and recipient are using the same HushMail service. If either one uses a different provider, then a password hint will be given, which the recipient must get correct in order to view the message. There are two versions of HushMail that use different security encryption, with the default configuration relying on critical passphrase and private-key operations done on the HushMail server, and the stronger configuration, which uses a Java applet to decrypt data locally, making it tougher to intercept. GMX is a free email service that features file sharing as well as antivirus and spam protection. One of the better free email services comes from GMX, which boasts an impressive list of features, including unlimited email storage, 2GB of file storage, multiple email account management, and the ability to add up to 10 different accounts with the same IP address. What's interesting about GMX is that it has its own antivirus and malware software built into the app and allows users to blacklist any email they deem nefarious, although it does use seven spam checkers to screen emails. As far as security is concerned, the email service relies on an SSL connection, which uses two keys to encrypt data. It also has a mobile app, allowing users to access content on their mobile devices that even allows for drag-and-drop capabilities with files and folders. CounterMail utilizes the OpenPGP protocol to encrypt email and three-layer identity security to protect against SSL attacks. Another free-to-try pay-based email provider with top-level security comes from CounterMail, which also has a USB key option for accessing data on public computers and mobile devices. The company claims it does not store cookies on PCs or Android-based devices and doesn't log your distinct IP address. The email provider uses the OpenPGP protocol to encrypt information and a three-layer security protocol to prevent SSL attacks initiated through false certificates. CounterMail has three subscription options as well as a domain service ($10 extra) that starts at $19 for three months with a limited storage space of 250MB; the space increases with the larger subscriptions. Neomailbox is perfect for those who need to have their data scrubbed but like the Mob, it comes with a price. Neomailbox is a great option for those who need an email service that is capable of scrubbing data, as the service automatically deletes all IP addresses as well as email headers upon request. While it may be one of the more expensive services on the market (starting at $49 a year), it boasts an impressive set of features, including using SSL/OpenPGP encryption, spam and virus protection, and unlimited throwaway email addresses. Like most of the others in this list, Neomailbox is based in Switzerland and therefore subject to its privacy laws, making it difficult (but not impossible) for intel agencies to get their hands on your data. Lockbin is an online email provider that's easy to use and effective at encrypting messages. If simplicity is what you're craving, perhaps Lockbin is your solution. The free/subscription-based service requires no signup and uses the Cloud to send AES-256 bit encrypted email. Actually, AES-256 bit is used while the email is at "rest" (stored) and 256-bit TLS/SSL while in transit. This is another service that relies on a password for decryption, so users need to make sure the other party has the required information. While Lockbin notes on its website that its service isn't perfect, it is light and the easiest to use in a pinch—simply write your email in the company's "Send Message" page and hit send, nothing more, nothing less. They do offer paid subscriptions that allow access for multiple users, as well as an Outlook add-in and the ability to send and receive files. Setting up your own private email server is another option that can be used for security. Another option for keeping emails private and secure is to create your own server (it worked for Hillary, right?). While this is one of the more secure ways to keep email from prying eyes, it can still fall prey to hackers and it can be a difficult task to accomplish. Private servers can be built using a home PC or workstation, but it can be a daunting task as you must also install the server software and then a host of other applications—mail transfer agent, delivery agent, and IMAP or POP3 protocols. Another option is to simply "buy" a cloud-based server such as RackSpace or Linode; however, these can be expensive and security is only as tough as the hosting software provides. While there are a host of options that provide a reasonably secure way of sending and receiving email, it would seem the best option is to revert to pen and paper, and snail-mail the message conventionally. |
As with most mini-PCs released by Zotac, the company offers a barebones model and a "Plus" model. The latter edition comes with a single 8GB DDR3L memory stick and one 120GB M.2 SSD for a higher price. Both models are "Windows 7/8/10 ready," meaning customers are responsible for providing the EN970's operating system. 
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