General Gaming Article |
- Motorola Plans To Update Some Devices To Android 4.0 Within Six Weeks
- Square Mobile Credit Card Readers Now Selling in 9000 Retail Locations
- Google Takes The "+" Out Of Search
- Easy Does It: We Review The World's Most User-Friendly PCs
- Android Developers Rush Out Second Rate Siri App
- Origin PC Offers Intel Core i7 2700K Overclocking Service Up to 5.2GHz
- Chrome Web App of the Week: Graphicly Comics
- Thermaltake Frio is One Letter Short of a Frito, Cools PC Chips with Dual 130mm Fans
- Lenovo Launches AMD Fusion Powered C325 All-in-One Desktop
- Toshiba Added To The List Of Flooded Thailand HDD Facilities
| Motorola Plans To Update Some Devices To Android 4.0 Within Six Weeks Posted: 24 Oct 2011 02:47 PM PDT
After a little clarification, Motorola has confirmed that there will be updates for three devices in the specified time frame. The devices called out are the Droid RAZR, Bionic, and Xoom tablet. At that point, the company says it will make a decision on other devices. We would be surprised if other phones like the Droid X2 and Photon 4G don't also get the tasty new Google treat. Motorola releases a huge number of devices, so it is unlikely it will have the resources to properly update all of them. The Google buyout could also complicate matters and delay updates. Do you have a Motorola device with an uncertain future? Considering the trouble in unlocking the bootloaders, are you annoyed at the lack of information? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Square Mobile Credit Card Readers Now Selling in 9000 Retail Locations Posted: 24 Oct 2011 02:31 PM PDT
When users install the Square app on iOS or Android, they have the option to set up and account and have the readers sent to them free of charge. If the 2-5 day shipping time isn't going to work, $9.99 at one of the aforementioned stores will net a user the reader on the spot. But it wouldn't make sense to get the Square reader into 9000 retail locations just to serve users will a need for instant gratification. We suspect that Square hopes to lure in new users that have no idea what Square is. They will see the device in shops, and not know they could get it for free in the mail. They could just plunk down $10 and get started right there. Have you ever used Square? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Google Takes The "+" Out Of Search Posted: 24 Oct 2011 02:15 PM PDT
When you control over 60% of the search market, you can more or less do whatever you want. Google has decided to forcibly change the way our brains understand the act of search by ditching the "+" operator. Google searches will now ignore that symbol in web searches, but there is an alternative, clumsy as it is. The + sign has always been used to denote a required term in a search query, but according to Google the new way is more consistent. Now users can put a word or phrase in quotation marks to indicate that is must be that exact term. So instead of [computer +hardware], you would now search [computer "hardware"]. While Google claims that this is a consistency play, it may also have something to do with Google+, which you couldn't really search for because "+" was a search operator. It's a little sad to see it go, but did you really use the + operator daily? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Easy Does It: We Review The World's Most User-Friendly PCs Posted: 24 Oct 2011 02:07 PM PDT How to set up the computer-phobe in your life with trouble-free computingAre you ready for that 3 a.m. phone call? No, not the call from JSOC hoping to get approval to chopper in DEVGRU to take out a Tier 1 operative (what that means even we don't know). What we're talking about is that 3 a.m. call from your sobbing parent, sibling, or acquaintance desperately asking for your help with a computer. It. Gets. Old.
Let's admit it, for those computer-phobes, a personal computer with a fully featured and robust operating system isn't right for either them or you. As wonderful as a PC with a real operating system is, there's maintenance to be done, patches and drivers to be installed, and enough dials, knobs, and gauges that a computer-phobic cyberklutz can really bork things up faster than you can say right-click. But in a world where not having access to email, Facebook, and the Internet puts you as far off the grid as the Unabomber, is there a way for these folks to have an easy, trouble-free computing lifestyle? To find out, we looked at three machines—the Telikin Touch, the Samsung Series 5 Chromebook, and Apple's iPad 2—that just might be idiot-proof enough to keep even a complete computer-dufus from screwing things up. Telikin TouchIt feels a bit like a computer kiosk, but that's for your protectionThe Telikin is billed as "quite possibly the world's easiest computer." And we can see why. Originally aimed at non-tech-savvy elderly folk who want a computing experience without having to dial-a-nerd every day, the Telikin offers a custom-designed OS to do just a few things, but do them easily. The Telikin Touch itself is an off-the-shelf, 18-inch MSI all-in-one with a dual-core Atom, a 320GB hard drive, 2GB of RAM, and Wi-Fi. The Telikin's performance isn't horribly slow, but it's certainly not as responsive as the other two devices we're reviewing here and can lag on occasion. The Telikin's main selling point is its ease of use and senior-friendliness. The unit comes with a USB keyboard sporting very large letters, and there is an option for a keyboard with even larger letters. The OS itself is a variant of Linux that's been tweaked to display big, friendly buttons on one side for email, browsing, and games. The buttons are large enough that the screen's touch capability works surprisingly well. The touch screen doesn't support flick-based scrolling, but the big buttons and a UI that's never hidden ensure that the newb can't get lost. The Telikin supports Skype, Facebook, and POP- and IMAP-based email systems. We did hit a snag here: We let the Telikin configure our Hotmail account, but it biffed on the outgoing mail port. We corrected it easily, but this would leave a computer-newb stumped for months. The iPad 2 got this right, while the Samsung Series 5 Chromebook didn't have native client support for Hotmail.
Another big fail for the Telikin came soon after our first boot: a LibreOffice fatal error and occasional hard locks. The error message itself is enough to send a computer-phobe cowering in a closet, but the hard locks? Inexcusable. We thought it was all over for the Telikin but a call to the company resulted in a tech logging into the machine remotely and applying a quick patch. From that point on, the error messages and lockups went away. We almost wondered if the company planned this as a way to showcase its tech support—but no, that's too Machiavellian even for us. The machine comes with free 60-day VIP support, whereby you don't have to wait in the queue to have issues fixed. After the 60-day period is up, you can still get free support and a tech will still remote in, but you have to wait longer on the phone. There's also the ability to back up your data remotely to Telikin's servers for $10 a month, and that includes the VIP support treatment. Maintenance of the unit should be fairly painless, as updates are pushed out by Telikin as needed, and the company promises to offer updates for the life of the unit. In ease-of-use, the Telikin is extremely simple—perhaps easier than the iPad for some. In our attachment test, we could open PDF and Word files without issue, but Zip files confused it. The Telikin's main weakness is in gaming. There are a handful of games that come installed with the OS, but the rest will have to be Flash-based. That's not bad for a casual gamer, but the optimized iPad 2 games are far stronger. The machine has its strengths, though. The 18-inch screen is certainly easier for folks with vision issues, and the real keyboard is appreciated. In video consumption, we could watch Flash-based videos on Vimeo and YouTube, but sadly, the Telikin failed on both Netflix and Hulu. We're still a bit leery about the initial error and locks, but frankly, this isn't a bad solution for a senior who wants a bigger screen, full keyboard, and doesn't mind something that's not as polished or extensible as the iPad 2. $700, www.telikin.com Telikin Touch PROS Large screen with touch capability; friendly to those with vision issues; easiest photo handling of the three. CONS Scary out-of-the-box errors; pricey; multimedia buttons on keyboard don't work. BEST FOR: Senior computer-newbs; people with vision problems.
Samsung Series 5 ChromebookIt's aimed at nerds, but computer-phobes will find solace in the simple browser interfaceOf all the devices here, people likely have the most difficulty understanding the Samsung Series 5 Chromebook. Running Google's Chrome OS, the Series 5 looks like a netbook, but it's not. The secret sauce is Google's Chrome OS. Built around a very lightweight Linux core, Chrome OS is just enough OS to talk to the hardware, run a browser, and that's it. There's no desktop and no icons to be tapped or dragged—it's all browser, all the time. Frankly, that's what we thought made the Chromebook the perfect computer-phobe tool. He or she can't get lost in some menu or goof up a setting because there are very few options to tweak, and you can't exit from the browser. Even though Intel's lowly dual-core Atom powers the Series 5, the Chromebook has a responsive feel to it and will boot in four seconds—on the rare occasions that it even powers down. Most of the time it'll be in instant-on mode, which works wonderfully. With its nice, spacious keyboard (which lacks a Caps Lock key, apparently to prevent SHOUTING on the Internet), the Series 5 is a truly unique piece of mobile hardware for someone with basic needs. But will this nerdware work for a non-nerd? Yes and no.
One knock against it: It's really optimized for living the Google lifestyle of Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Docs. Yeah, it'll work for Yahoo or Hotmail, and anything else that runs in a browser, but it's got an obvious affinity for all things G. The nature of Chrome OS makes it almost entirely reliant upon Internet access and cloud storage—just a smattering of apps work offline. That cuts both ways. If the Series 5 eats a cup of coffee, no data is lost. Buy another one and you're up and running in 60 seconds. Without Internet, though, you're SOL (a 3G model sells for $100 more, plus the cost of a data plan). Since it's really nothing but a browser, it's not surprising that the Series 5 offers excellent browsing and webmail support. We were able to watch videos on Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu without hitches, but not on Vimeo. Video chat is limited to Google Talk, so Skype lovers need not apply. Casual gaming on the Series 5 is actually pretty good. It's certainly better than on the Telikin, which is limited to a few built-in games, as well as Flash- and Java-based games. Google has been pushing more Chrome-based games, and it shows with such winners as Angry Birds. Still, the selection pales in comparison to the iPad 2's rich experience. Media handling on the Chromebook is disappointing. Chrome OS can now read an SD card in the Chromebook's slot, but we could only upload the files to Picasa. People have figured out ways to creatively move files to the SSD, but that definitely ain't an undertaking for newbs. We did a simple attachment test to see how well the Series 5 could handle a Word, Zip, and PDF file attachment in a mail file when viewed from, say, Hotmail and not Gmail. The Series 5 handled the PDF just fine as an attachment download, but the Zip and Word files threw it for a loop. To open the Word file, you'd need to upload it to Google Docs—not exactly newb-friendly. We don't discount the Series 5's usefulness, though. It's maintenance free, with updates pushed out automatically by Google, but the Series 5 is probably suited for slightly more advanced computer-phobes, if not outright nerds. $400, www.samsung.com Samsung Series 5 Chromebook PROS Fast boot; instant on; very responsive; full-size keyboard, very long battery life; zero maintenance. CONS Interface is just plain boring; gaming is good but confined to a browser; media handling is poor. BEST FOR: The computer-phobe who is willing to live an online, Google lifestyle.
Apple iPad 2Though a bit heavy, it offers computer newbs the richest experienceThe shining symbol of the "post‑PC" era is the tablet, and its most prominent representative is Apple's iconic iPad 2. That's one of the reasons we picked the iPad 2 as the tablet to test in this showdown over more feature-rich, but also more complicated Android tablets. We had high expectations that the iPad 2 would solve our computer-phobe problems. Part of that comes from a user interface so easy even a Mac user can handle it. Right out of the gate we hit a snag: setup and maintenance. You don't just start using your iPad 2, you must connect it to a PC with iTunes running. What if you don't have a PC or Mac? You're SOL. Far worse is the iPad 2's need to continually run home to mommy. Updates, for example, can only be applied through iTunes, and for us that was problematic. We eventually gave up trying to download a 647MB patch, leaving the iPad open to a very serious security certificate hack. Sigh. Fortunately, Apple is hoping to fix the iPad's reliance on another computer for future updates, but at press time, no such fix was available.
As is, though, the iPad 2's polish makes it a serious contender for computer-phobes. It's easy to set up for email, the browser is fairly powerful, and the extensibility through apps for just about anything you want to do makes it the most feature-rich device in this roundup. Out of the box, for example, you can't open Zip files or do video Skype, but a few free apps later, and your problems are solved. The killer feature of the iPad 2 is in gaming, though. A computer-phobe may check email or browse a bit, but the games are likely to suck them in. With its vast application bazaar, the iPad 2 is one of the strongest casual gaming platforms available today. So what doesn't work for a computer-phobe? While it's a good media consumption device, you can't copy photos to it without either using a computer or paying for a special adapter. The lack of a real keyboard is also going to deter those who want an email device more than a browsing or gaming device. A Bluetooth keyboard can be added, but that increases the cost. And for the computer-phobe who wants to use a device for long stretches of time, the iPad 2 can be a bit heavy to hold and the 9.7-inch screen a bit small—although the font size scales up nicely for those with vision issues. The screen's relatively low 1024x768 resolution also offended our high-tech tastes but a computer-phobe is unlikely ever to notice. Plus, the iPad 2 has the advantage of being more agnostic when it comes to web services, unlike the Samsung Series 5. Yes, there's a lot of win for the iPad 2 here. From its super application bazaar, to its offline capability and its overly simplistic interface, the iPad is clearly the leading device for a computer-phobe—if Apple could, um, actually not require you to own a PC to use this, um, post-PC device. $500, www.apple.com Apple iPad 2 PROS Huge application offering; super-simple interface; easy email setup. CONS Requires a PC for setup and maintenance; form factor is not ideal for heavy use; users cannot easily copy photos to it. BEST FOR: A computer-phobe with light usage patterns and access to a real PC. The Easy AnswerThere might not be one perfect solution, but there is a clear winnerLet's be straight, there isn't a device here that we didn't find wanting in some capacity or another. From the Samsung Series 5's mediocre handling of media, to the iPad 2's requirement that you use another computer just to turn it on, to the Telikin's out-of-the-box error messages, not one of these machines is the perfect solution for the computer-phobe in your life. Let's face it, if completely trouble-free computing existed, there would be no computer-phobes. Still, these devices do get closer to trouble-free computing than a full-fledged PC, each in its own way. The Telikin Touch seems perfect for the audience it was originally created for: computer-newb seniors who want a mouse and keyboard and access to a tech who can fix any issue remotely. The Samsung Series 5 is fast, responsive, and likely impossible to break, and it's a good compromise for the phobe who wants a keyboard, mobility, and zero maintenance. The iPad 2, for its part, offers portability and the offline functionality that the Series 5 can't, and its gaming and extensible app support is superb. So can we declare a winner? Honestly, we think we can. Keep in mind that each solution has serious faults, but we think the all-around computer-phobe is best served by the iPad 2. We make that decision based on its agnostic web services support, its rich gaming, and its ability to meet a computer-phobe's evolving needs—because let's face it, the more comfortable a person gets with computing, the more they tend to want to do. For example, on the iPad 2 you can edit photos and video locally; not so on either the Telikin Touch or Series 5. And let's not forget the generous functionality offered through apps. The iPad 2's extensibility (with the help of an optional Bluetooth keyboard, of course) gives it a leg up over both the Series 5 and the Telikin. The only big fail for the iPad 2 where computer-phobes are concerned is that they may have to come to your house to update their devices on your PC once every few months. Still, that's a hell of a lot better than regular 3 a.m. phone calls. Feature Comparison
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| Android Developers Rush Out Second Rate Siri App Posted: 24 Oct 2011 12:49 PM PDT
It's an alpha level app called Iris (Siri spelled backwards), and it was built in just eight short hours. As you can imagine, Iris is a bit rough around the edges -- really rough, actually -- but it proves there's nothing inherently special about the iPhone 4S that makes it a better platform for this sort of technology, just in case there was any doubt. We spent a few minutes playing with Iris and ran into many of the same quirks that Slashgear did. We asked Iris a simple math question and were told, "The time after the past but before the future." We were going for "15." Repeated attempts to have Iris call someone in our Contacts list proved even more frustrating as it repeatedly got the name wrong and kept asking, "Call who?" So it's not Siri, but it's a step in the right direction for Android fans who want a virtual personal assistant of their own. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Origin PC Offers Intel Core i7 2700K Overclocking Service Up to 5.2GHz Posted: 24 Oct 2011 12:12 PM PDT
If you want your chip professionally overclocked before it leaves the warehouse, you'll have to select Origin PC's Genesis system. Pricing starts at $1,301 but quickly climbs once you step up from the default Core i5 2310 processor option to the Core i7 2700K (adds $275) and requisite upgrade from standard cooling to a custom liquid cooling solution for the CPU and motherboard with refill kit (adds $570). For that kind of investment, Origin PC will overclock the 2700K as high as 5.2GHz and no less than 4.7GHz, up from the processor's stock speed of 3.5GHz. Other baseline specs in the Genesis include a 500W power supply, Asus P8Z68 V motherboard, ATI Radeon HD 5670 videocard, 8GB of DDR3-1333 memory, 320GB hard drive (7200RPM, 16MB cache), DVD writer, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. These parts are all upgradeable. Image Credit: Origin PC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chrome Web App of the Week: Graphicly Comics Posted: 24 Oct 2011 11:26 AM PDT
Available for use as a Chrome app, as well as on smartphones and tablets, Graphicly Comics is one of the most versatile ways for funny book aficionados to get their fix around, as it offers access to over 3000 different comic book titles, many of which are free. Should your need to feed the geek beast within demand that a premium be paid for top shelf titles like The Walking Dead or The Amazing Spiderman, picking up an issue or two is as easy as entering your Google account credentials and paying with Google Checkout. Once you've downloaded your purchase, it can be read offline, in fullscreen mode or at a smaller size along so that you can post your feelings on the comic's content to share with other Graphicly Comics users or to your social media accounts.
While there are some glaring omissions from the Graphicly Comics library (DC Comics, we're looking at you) it's fair to say that buying, reading and sharing the comics you love has never been easier. Be sure to check in every Monday for another edition of Maximum PC's Chrome Web App of the Week.
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| Thermaltake Frio is One Letter Short of a Frito, Cools PC Chips with Dual 130mm Fans Posted: 24 Oct 2011 11:25 AM PDT
This is another cooler utilizing direct-contact heatpipes intended to pull heat up and away from the processor. There are a total of five heatpipes, each one measuring 0.6mm thick. Heat from the CPU is distributed to high-density aluminum fins sandwiched between a pair of red-bladed 130mm PWM fans. To make installation easier, the fans snap into place without any tools, so you can remove them and install the heatsink in your system with minimal fuss. The Frio Advanced supports all modern sockets, including Intel LGA 2011, 1366, 1156, and 775; and AMD FM1, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, and AM2. Image Credit: Thermaltake | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lenovo Launches AMD Fusion Powered C325 All-in-One Desktop Posted: 24 Oct 2011 11:06 AM PDT
"We create technology tools so users can do more. Our latest all-in-one desktop gives consumers just that, by combining strong performance in a compact and affordable PC," said Nick Reynolds, executive director, Product Group Marketing, Lenovo. "We've infused the C325 AIO desktop with leading technology, resulting in brilliant images, rocking sound and touch screen technology for a great entertainment experience." Cutting through the hype and getting down to the spec sheet, the C325 includes:
It also comes with a pair of integrated stereo speakers supporting SRS Premium Sound, touch-optimized software (IdeaTouch), and several utilities. The C325 AIO is available now starting at $699. Image Credit: Lenovo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Toshiba Added To The List Of Flooded Thailand HDD Facilities Posted: 24 Oct 2011 10:52 AM PDT
According to a Toshiba announcement, its HDD facility in Navanakorn Industrial Estate Zone, Pathumtani, Thailand, has been severely flooded, with over 3 feet of standing water throughout the building. Although none of the employees were injured in the deluge, the facilities inside were damaged. "With the water at its current level, we anticipate a long-term shutdown," the announcement proclaims. "The date of resumption of operation is unpredictable." Like we've said previously, if you think you might be in the market for a HDD sometime soon, it may be a good idea to go and get it now while the getting is cheap. |
The bane of every Android user's existence is the update cycle. Just because Google has updated the platform doesn't mean that every device maker will be able to get an update to every phone in short order; or at all. That's why Motorola's new statement via Twitter is so surprising. In a series of Tweets, the OEM has confirmed that 
You may not have encountered a Square mobile credit card reader, but the odds of it might have just 
Have you heard of Siri? Of course you have, unless you turned the dial on your Apple ear filters to 11. Siri is one of the most talked about features native to the recently released iPhone 4S, and it's been garnering a lot of attention and praise, and maybe even a bit of envy in the Android camp. The cool thing about Android, however, is any developer can code a Siri equivalent to work with Google's open source mobile platform, and to prove it, a team of Android developers went and did just that. Sort of.
It never takes long for system builders to capitalize on newly announced components, so it should come as little surprise that boutique system builder Origin PC is already pimping Intel Core i7 2700k-based systems overclocked beyond 5GHz. The chip just showed up today in an official capacity when Intel released an updated processor price list, and it's now being offered as an option in Origin PC's entire line of custom desktops.
With movie theaters full superheroes this past summer and zombies currently dominating Sunday night television, it's safe to say that comic books are once again en vogue. With geeks of all ages willing to spend their hard earned money on the graphic novels and monthly titles that they love, comic book creators and imprints are making it easier to snag their wares through 
Ladies and gentlemen, overclockers and enthusiasts, meet the Frio Advanced, a big and bulky cooler that incorporates some of the most up-to-date CPU cooler technologies while still preserving the greatness of its predecessors, according to Thermaltake. Among the improvements to the Frio Advanced are extra welding points acting as headt collectors on the heatsink.
Lenovo's tapping into AMD's Fusion platform to power its new C325 all-in-one (AIO) desktop PC. The C325 surrounds AMD's E450 processor with a 20-inch LED backlit display with optional multi-touch touchscreen support. It also has an HDMI port in case you'd rather hook it up to an HDTV for big-screen moving watching, or simply to connect an external PC monitor.
We've been keeping you up to date on the effects of the Thailand floods on the hard drive market as we've received news of the situation: both | You are subscribed to email updates from Maximum PC - All Articles To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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