Tokyoflash Kisai Online unboxing video

Something a little different for a Sunday morning. A couple of days ago I got my new watch from Tokyoflash. Tokyoflash is a company specialising in cool and unusual timepieces. Rather then conventional dials or LCD number displays the watches from Tokyoflash have many different ways of displaying the time from coloured LEDs with binary representations of the time to LCD segments and blocks.
The watch I picked up is the Kisai Online. This one has a series of LCD lines across the display that also run all the way around the stainless steel wristband. These looks like lines on a circuit board. However, when you turn the watch to face you, as you would when you turn your wrist towards you to see the time, the display updates and the lines on the 'circuit' move to reveal the numbers that tell the time. The numbers are a little abstract so takes a little getting used to but look great!
Have a little look at the unboxing/demo video below for more and then check out Tokyoflash.com



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ZTE Grand X unboxing video

We first saw the ZTE Grand X when James attended the launch event last month. The initial impression was that this new ZTE handset represented great value for money bringing features and spec that you'd commonly find in higher-end devices while maintaining a relatively budget price tag.
With a 4.3" display, dual-core 1.2GHz CPU, 8 Megapixel camera and 4GB of internal memory, the Grand X is probably the least expensive smartphone to be able to deliver on this specification.
Performance-wise the ZTE Grand X doesn't disappoint as you'll be able to see in the unboxing and demo video below.
 
ZTE Grand X specification:
2G Network: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 3G Network: HSDPA 900 / 2100 Dimensions: 127 x 65 x 9.9 mmWeight: 110 gDisplay: TFT capacitive touchscreen, 16M colours, 540 x 960 pixels, 4.3 inches (~256 ppi pixel density)3.5mm jackDolby mobile sound enhancementMemory Card slot: microSD, up to 32 GBInternal: 4 GB storage, 1 GB RAMWLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspotBluetooth: v2.1 with A2DP, EDRCamera: 8 MP, 3264x2448 pixels, autofocus, LED flash, Geo-tagging, 1080p VideoOS: Android OS, v4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)Chipset: Nvidia Tegra 2CPU: Dual-core 1.2 GHzGPU: ULP GeForceSensors: Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassRadio: Stereo FM radio with RDSGPS: Yes, with A-GPS supportBattery: Standard battery, Li-Ion 1600mAh
Posted by: Matt


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Microsoft And Apple Team Up To Buy Patents of Kodak

In what looks like a reprisal of sort, Microsoft and Apple is collaborating to buy the patent portfolio of the financially troubled tech giant Kodak, according to a news report.
Wall Street Journal reported that both companies are planning to team up to acquire some or all of Kodak’s over 1100 patents in a bid that will end at the beginning of next week. Both companies will be joined by Intellectual Ventures Management LLC, a patent aggregation firm, to form a formidable bidding team.
The opposing bidding group is composed other big tech companies like Samsung, Google, LG, HTC, and a San Francisco patent buyer RPX company.
In June 2011, Nortel’s patent portfolio was purchased by Apple, Microsoft,  Research in Motion, Sony, Ericsson, and EMC, beating out Google and Intel in the bidding. That group led by Apple and Microsoft put up a $4.5 billion bid to secure the intellectual property of Nortel which included a variety of technologies and patents  for data networking, optical, voice, wireless 4G, Internet, applications for wireless, semiconductor technologies.  The first bidder was Google, which pledges $900 million in cash.
The Wall Street Journal believes that Kodak’s patents collection is worth less than half of Nortel’s patent portfolio. Kodak filed for bankruptcy protection early this year and is required by law to sell off some of its intellectual property collection to pay off its $950 million loan acquired from Citigroup. Kodak will be split into two major divisions: one will cover around 700 patents for digital-capture technology, while the other one will cover 400 document imaging technologies.
Although sale of these patents was put up last year, it is interesting to note that Kodak is only one of the latest big companies selling their collections of patents in recent months. Besides Nortel, other companies like King of Prussia and Microsoft are also getting rid of their patent collection and patent applications. King of Prussia, based in Pennsylvania, traded off 1700 patents to Intel worth $374 million while Microsoft  secured a non-exclusive license to patents of AOL that costs around $1.056 billion in cash. And of course, who would miss the purchase of Motorola by Google this year. Google disclosed that Motorola’s patents and other technologies costs around $5.5 billion. Google bought Motorola for $12.4 billion.
Needless to say, the current shift in patent ownership may or may not put the technologies in good use, creating a more vibrant and interesting technology world. Well see how these purchases will fare in the near future.

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Firefox 14 Has Compatibility Issue With Themes

Firefox fans this week may find that their beloved browser is breaking their themes. The most recent update for Firefox earlier this week packs a few needed security enhancements but also some glitches that may plague users in the next few days. It was discovered that quite a few themes do not have the required support for the latest Firefox 14.
Many of the users running themes on Firefox know that they can customize the look of their browser by installing many themes available on Mozilla’s Add-Ons page. There are hundreds of available themes to choose from including the ones which will allow one to change the look and feel of the browser’s toolbars, menus, and the overall appearance.
One of the themes lacking support when used in Firefox 14 is MacOS X, a simple theme that gives Firefox the look of Apple’s OS X. When this theme is installed in Firefox 14, a user will receive an alert that the theme is not compatible with the new Firefox. Ignoring the installation warning, Firefox will revert to its default theme and will not run the theme.
Although there are other themes that work just fine, many other themes are yet to be upgraded to work properly. One discussion board on Firefox mentioned that developers should have the capability to simply change the compatibility of themes on the Ad-Ons site to fix this issue from happening again.
Security-wise, Firefox 14 offers better security especially in searches The upgraded browser has been tweaked to work with HTML5 and OSX as well. But perhaps the most significant modification Firefox gets today is its ability to run secure searches when using Google. This means that the URL will have the prefix HTTPS telling you that your Google searches will not be intercepted, especially if you are using a public network.  There will be no difference in terms of experience for users. At this time, support for a secure connection is only available for Google search engine but Mozilla said they are working to give the same capability to other search engines. Most banking sites offer secure protection similar to this feature. Firefox users will now easily notice the “lock icon” on the left of address bar, indicating that they are visiting a secure site.
The compatibility issue of many themes may have taken the limelight for this latest upgrade but the security this new Firefox 14 provides to users definitely carry more weight.  It is just a matter of time before developers can give the needed updates for their themes.
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Nokia Camera Extras for Windows Phone 7 now available

Nokia Lumia’s default camera app is pretty basic and low on features. If you are unsatisfied with the default camera app, fear not because Nokia has started rolling out Nokia Camera Extras on a global scale. The app basically adds various features to the camera found on Windows Phone models. Once Nokia Camera Extras is installed, you can see various additional features using which you can click action shots, panorama shots and smart group shots. The app also brings self timer, a pretty basic feature that is missing in Windows Mobile 7. When you buy a smartphone, you take these features for granted, but Microsoft doesn’t care and it is good to know that Nokia does.
Readers from Belgium and France have already been able to get their hands on this app. To check the availability of Nokia Camera Extras in your country, you can check the Windows Phone Marketplace or the Nokia Collection.
A lot of features that are added by Nokia Camera Extras are already available in stock camera apps of Android and iOS phones. We expect these features, and even more advanced, to make its appearance in stock camera app of Windows Phone 8 models. The panorama shot option lets you click many pictures and stich them together in order to get a single wide picture. The smart group shot selects faces automatically, thus helping to get the best group shot. The Action Shot mode enables the phone to click rapid shots and the self timer of course does what it should.
The app has been released for Nokia Lumia 710 and Nokia Lumia 800, as those camera features are already available by default on low end Lumia handset, the Nokia Lumia 610, and high end Lumia handset, the Nokia Lumia 900. For those having Lumia 710 and 800 and crazy about clicking snaps, this app is a must have for you folks. This app will at least bring your phone’s capability in par with your friend’s iOS and Android phones.
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Super Talent USB 3.0 Express ST2-3 USB 3.0 Flash Drive

Super Talent introduces its new USB 3.0 Express ST2-3 high-speed USB 3.0 flash drive. Utilizing 2-channel MLC flash memory, the drive delivers read speeds up to 67MB/s and write speeds up to 24MB/s. Not just USB 3.0, the drive is also built to deliver optimized performance when plugged into USB 2.0 port. It is available in 8GB, 16GB and 32GB capacities.
The ST2-3 has a unique housing that can be twisted 180-degree to left or right, and a full 360-degree turn can reveal the USB connector. You don’t need to worry about losing the cap anymore. It comes in blue and red colors.




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PlanetSide 2 - Death is No Excuse Trailer

Sony Online Entertainment and Blur Studios have put together a new CGI trailer for the upcoming MMOFPS ‘PlaneSide 2′. The trailer was debuted at ChinaJoy 2012 but you can watch it below.

 

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ZTE announce the Grand X

Today in London saw ZTE launch their latest Android offering; the Grand X. Running Android 4.0, sporting a 4.3 qHD display and a  NVIDIA Tegra 2 1GHz processor the device may not have the best specs but for under £200 on pay as you go it looks rather appealing.
The device is planned for release next month (August) and will initially be available through Virgin Mobile and Phones 4U.
I got hands on with the device earlier today and it is pretty sweet. The design and build quality look great and speed wise it was pretty nippy. With the price so low I suspect ZTE may well be on to a winner with the Grand X.
Let us know your thoughts in the forum. You can catch the full press release and a few more photos below.

18 July 2012, London, UK - ZTE Corporation ("ZTE") (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, has launched the ZTE Grand X dual-core 4.3-inch screen smartphone in the UK, bringing high-end mobile video and gaming experiences to a wider audience.
The ZTE Grand X combines an NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core chipset with Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) to deliver a rich mobile multimedia experience - a world of entertainment in one device.
The powerful processor delivers fast download speeds and video processing and, combined with the 4.3-inch 16 million colour Sharp screen (960x540) and cinematic surround-sound Dolby Mobile Sound technology, enables the Grand X to provide a compelling mobile entertainment experience.
The NVIDIA Tegra processor means games run fast and smooth, and one-touch access to the Tegra Zone gives mobile gamers quick access to the world's best mobile games.
The ZTE Grand X incorporates a variety of connection capabilities including Bluetooth, WiFi and DLNA which enable users to share content across multiple devices such as TVs and displays, printers, cameras, and other mobile and multimedia devices. The smartphone also allows users to capture, play and share content using the HD video capability.
"ZTE Grand X brings high-end mobile video and gaming within the reach of a whole new audience," said Mr. He Shiyou, ZTE EVP and head of the Terminals Division. "It provides a world of entertainment in a single device - combining high quality and a wide range of functions for a great mobile multimedia experience."
Using the NVIDIA Tegra chipset, the ZTE Grand X is able to provide consumers with best-of-class graphic quality for watching movies, browsing online and photo sharing.
Gaming on the handset delivers authentic and sharp images; the lens is dynamic, and content is rendered for a high-impact interactive experience delivering console-quality on all games.
"With ZTE's Grand X handset, buyers have the best of both worlds: an amazing, high-end user experience at a cost that will be noticeably lower than handsets with similar specifications. With the Grand X, you have all the benefits of a powerful processor combined with a large, high-quality screen and high-end design," said Scott Hooton, Chief Commercial Officer, Phones 4u.
Jamie Heywood, director of mobile at Virgin Media said, "We're enjoying a great partnership with ZTE, having already launched two handsets with them this year, and their latest phone, the Grand X, is a fantastic addition to our extensive smartphone range. Coupled with our best ever 'Premiere' tariff* from just £27 a month and boasting unlimited data as standard and inclusive insurance at no extra cost**, Virgin Media customers can stay connected on the go all day every day without worrying about hidden costs."
Other features of the Grand X include Facetones which shows friends' latest social media updates and photos when they call; and Evernote which enables users to save voice notes, memos, photographs and music in the cloud so they are always accessible.
The ZTE Grand X is a class-leading, feature-rich handset and will be available on contract through Phones 4u and Virgin Media stores across the UK from beginning of August at highly competitive monthly tariffs. Availability will be announced near the time.
Specifications:
Processor: NVIDIA Tegra 2, Dual-core (AP20 Dual Core 1GHz)
Display Size: 4.3" - 16M QHD (960 x 540)
Modem: NVIDIA i450 (HSDPA Cat14, 21Mbps)
Weight: 110g
Dimensions: 127mmx64.6mmx9.9mm
Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.1, WiFi, DLNA
Camera:  Dual Camera 5MP AF Flash/0.3 MP
User Memory: 4GB + up to 32GB Micro SD
RAM: 512 MB
Storage: 4GB, expandable to 32GB (Micro SD)
OS: Android 4.0 (ICS)
Battery: 1650 mAh Li-Ion
Others: Dolby Mobile Sound / HD Voice / HD video capture and playback / Facetones / Evernote / Documents to go / Tegra Zone (Gaming Marketplace)

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DirecTV, Viacom fight to draw in channel punch-out

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Viacom and DirecTV fought a bruising bout over fees to a draw Friday and agreed to a long-term deal that ended a 10-day channel blackout.
Their new deal restored MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and other channels to 20 million DirecTV customers and ensured those channels will be available to subscribers on computers and mobile devices in the coming months.
Fans on Twitter expressed relief.
According to terms shared by both sides on Friday, DirecTV Group Inc. will pay about 20 percent more to carry Viacom Inc. channels on satellite TV lineups. That works out to about $600 million in the first year of a seven-year deal. The companies agreed to annual single-digit percentage increases in subsequent years.
DirecTV was able to save itself about $500 million over the entire term by not taking the premium pay TV channel Epix. It said it also was able to send a message that it won't roll over every time a media company threatens to pull channels over fees.
"They realized we were not going to capitulate," said Derek Chang, DirecTV's executive vice president of content strategy.
Investors met the outcome with a ho-hum as the deal was largely in line with expectations.
Shares of both companies edged downward Friday in a declining market. Since the dispute resulted in a blackout the evening of July 10, Viacom shares are down 0.9 percent, closing Friday at $46.41, while DirecTV shares are down 0.7 percent, closing at $48.33. Over the same period, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 1.3 percent.
"I'm not going to engage on who was the winner and who was the loser," said Todd Juenger, an analyst with Bernstein Research. "What we've learned is the fair value of Viacom services, fully tested and vetted in a real marketplace negotiation."
By eking out a large fee increase, Viacom said DirecTV is now paying a rate that is more in line with that of other distributors.
DirecTV's Chang even acknowledged that it had been paying significantly less than competitors for Viacom channels because the deal that just expired had been locked in seven years ago.
Viacom had argued that its networks account for 20 percent of what DirecTV subscribers are watching but cost DirecTV just 5 percent of its overall programming expense. Under the new deal, the Viacom fees will come out to 6 percent.
"It was important to get fair value for our networks," Viacom spokesman Carl Folta said. "We are still one of the most efficient programmers in their bouquet."
By refusing to add Epix to its premium pay TV channel stable, DirecTV was able to save itself a big fixed cost over its entire subscriber base, as the flat fee would have been charged no matter how many subscribers choose to pay more for Epix, a movie channel that is half owned by Viacom.
Media companies typically try to sell rights to their channels as a package, so that fledgling channels are bundled with those already in high demand. Adding Epix to DirecTV would have been a big win for Viacom, as it's now carried by only a handful of distributors, including rival satellite TV provider Dish Network Corp. But that was seen as unlikely, partly because Epix movies are available to Netflix subscribers 90 days after debuting on TV and the channel might have been hard to sell to customers.
The damage from the blackout to both sides was real but not permanent.
DirecTV spokesman Darris Gringeri said the company lost subscribers because of the dispute, "but against our subscriber base, it was not a significant number."
Viacom lost out on 10 days' worth of fees from DirecTV — roughly $14 million — and took a short-term audience hit that will cost the company advertising revenue.
Both sides suffered brand damage — Viacom because it was tagged for being a root cause of rising monthly TV bills, and DirecTV for not giving subscribers what they paid for. Even Comedy Central's Jon Stewart slammed network parent Viacom for acting like China in pulling some shows from the Internet as part of the dispute, hurting people who weren't DirecTV subscribers.
But the fight was short enough to forget about and move on. Plenty of disputes have lasted just a heartbeat — like ABC's 15-minute blackout of the Oscars to Cablevision subscribers in March 2010. Others have dragged on for months.
"It was fortunate they were able to resolve it before the back and forth got any worse than it did," Barclays analyst Anthony DiClemente said.
DiClemente said the relatively quick resolution boded well for an end to AMC Networks Inc.'s continuing dispute with Dish, which has gone on since July 1.


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Super Talent SuperNova SATA III Solid State Drive

Super Talent launches its SuperNova series SATA III solid state drives which is ideal for routers, server farms and simulation applications. One of the main features of the new drive is its thermal conductive silicon padding which prevents overheating and requires less cooling. The 2.5-inch SSD is based on MLC flash and powered by SandForce’s controller.
The SuperNova is available in 128GB and 256GB capacities and uses SATA III interface. It offers up to 555MB/s read and 525MB/s write speeds and up to 85k maximum IOPS 4k random write performance. The SSD includes the RAISE technology that virtually eliminates unrecoverable read errors.



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Huawei Ascend G300 Unboxing Video

The Huawei Ascend G 300 has been available on Vodafone for a few months now but it wasn't until the other day that I realised we hadn't reviewed it yet. A quick phone call and it was here.
While the G 300 may not be able to take on the big boys in the Android wars, such as the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S III, it does have one BIG advantage over them. Its price. You can pick up the Huawei Ascend G300 from Vodafone on Pay As You Go for a mere £100.
That will give you a 4 inch display, a 1GHz CPU, Android 2.3 and all the other standard features of a modern smartphone. You can check out the unboxing video below and we will have a full review in the next week or so.
  Operating System - Android 2.3CPU - 1GHzDimension (H X W X D) - 122.5mm × 63mm × 10.5mmWeight - About 140g (including the battery)Display - 4.0-inchResolution - WVGA( 800x480 pixels)Camera resolution - 5.0 MP AF CameraMemory - ROM: 4 GB , RAM: 512 MB , ROM User Available: 2.4 GB Connectivity - Micro USB, Wi-Fi, 802.11b / 802.11g / 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1 / Bluetooth stereo (A2DP)GPS/AGPSProximity sensorAmbient light sensorBattery - 1350 mAh (1500mAh in Europe & VDF)
Posted by: James

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Sally Ride remembered: Tributes to 1st American woman in space

Sally Ride, the first American woman to fly in space, died Monday (July 23) at the age of 61.
Ride made history when she launched aboard the space shuttle Challenger on the STS-7 mission in 1983. She became only the third woman to ever travel in space, after Soviet cosmonauts Valentina Tereshkova in 1963 and Svetlana Savitskaya in 1982.
Ride traveled into space once more in 1984, as a member of the STS-41G crew on the space shuttle Challenger. Over the course of her career, Ride logged a total of 343 hours in space.
Sally Ride's death came after 17 months of battling pancreatic cancer. Here are some tributes to Sally Ride from astronauts, scientists, historians, industry officials and other luminaries:
Barack Obama, President of the United States
Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Sally Ride. As the first American woman to travel into space, Sally was a national hero and a powerful role model. She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the stars and later fought tirelessly to help them get there by advocating for a greater focus on science and math in our schools. Sally’s life showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve and I have no doubt that her legacy will endure for years to come. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sally’s family and friends.
Charles Bolden, NASA Administrator
Sally Ride broke barriers with grace and professionalism — and literally changed the face of America's space program. The nation has lost one of its finest leaders, teachers and explorers. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sally's family and the many she inspired. She will be missed, but her star will always shine brightly. [Sally Ride: 1st American Woman in Space (Pictures)]
Lori Garver, NASA Deputy Administrator
Sally was a personal and professional role model to me and thousands of women around the world. Her spirit and determination will continue to be an inspiration for women everywhere.
Sally Ride Science, Company Statement
Sally lived her life to the fullest, with boundless energy, curiosity, intelligence, passion, commitment, and love. Her integrity was absolute; her spirit was immeasurable; her approach to life was fearless.
Sally was a physicist, the first American woman to fly in space, a science writer, and the President and CEO of Sally Ride Science. She had the rare ability to understand the essence of things and to inspire those around her to join her pursuits.
Steve Hawley, Former NASA astronaut, ex-husband
(married to Ride from 1982 to 1987)
Sally was a very private person who found herself a very public persona. It was a role in which she was never fully comfortable. I was privileged to be a part of her life and be in a position to support her as she became the first American woman to fly in space.
While she never enjoyed being a celebrity, she recognized that it gave her the opportunity to encourage children, particularly young girls, to reach their full potential. Sally Ride, the astronaut and the person, allowed many young girls across the world to believe they could achieve anything if they studied and worked hard. I think she would be pleased with that legacy. [Video: Sally Ride's Memories of Historic Spaceflight]
George Whitesides, president and CEO of Virgin Galactic
Sally was an American hero and a historic space explorer. Her legacy will be in the millions of kids that she inspired by her mission and in the educational efforts that followed. It will also be in the positive changes and insights she brought to American space policy through her continued service to the country.  She was committed, intelligent, serious about our biggest challenges, and had a wonderful sense of humor. Our nation and planet have lost an incredible human being.
John Logsdon, Professor Emeritus at George Washington University
Sally Ride's impact on the U.S. space program, and indeed on this country overall, was pervasive. From her pioneering flight as the first U.S. woman in space to her efforts in recent years to stimulate young girls to stay with the study of science, engineering, and math, she was a model citizen. Sally contributed her keen intelligence to many key studies, ranging from the Challenger and Columbia accident investigations to examinations of alternatives paths for the nation in space.
Peter H. Diamandis, Chairman/CEO, X PRIZE
I remember clearly the signs at the Cape during STS-7..."RIDE SALLY RIDE AND ALL YOU GUYS CAN GO ALONG TOO"... All of us rode with Sally on that flight. Her passion and dedication to education and to inspiring women to become scientists and engineers will be sorely missed.
Elliot Pulham, Space Foundation CEO
The space community, teachers and students around the world have lost a great friend and role model. Sally was more than a trailblazing astronaut and brilliant scientist. She was deeply concerned about the state of education in the United States, and worked tirelessly to reach students, especially at-risk young women, with programs filled with hope and inspiration -- to enable our next generation of explorers.
Whether on board a space shuttle, inside a corporate board room, or with students at one of her Sally Ride Science events, she was a motivational and inspiring leader. She was a friend to all explorers, and she will be deeply missed.
Roger Launius, Space History Curator at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum
She was highly significant in a lot of ways. As the first American woman to fly in 1983, that's significant in and of itself. Beyond that, she was involved in both Columbia and Challenger accident investigations, and was critical to the recovery from both of those accidents.
Her report on leadership at NASA in the aftermath of Challenger was really significant. That's where she laid out, really for the first time, the idea that had been floating for a while — mission to planet Earth, which is now Earth science. It had not been a major part of NASA's efforts prior to that time, but has become incredibly significant since. She's an enormously significant voice for children's investigation in science and technology, and especially for girls. It's quite a tragedy we've lost her."
Maria Zuber, Lead Scientist for NASA's Grail Moon Mission
(Sally Ride Science operates Grail's MoonKam for students)
Sally was an icon in the history of space exploration. She realized the great honor associated with being the first American woman in space and used her notoriety to promote education. Her influence in inspiring students to pursue careers in science and technology is one of her many extraordinary achievements. In her role as an astronaut and as an educator Sally changed the lives of countless young people and that will be her legacy.
Scott Hubbard, Stanford University professor, B612 Foundation Program Architect and former NASA "Mars Czar"
Over the last 9 years I was fortunate to work with Sally on the Columbia Accident Board, as a sponsor for Sally Ride Science, and most recently as a reviewer of my book. Sally was kind-hearted, gracious, a strong role model for young women in science and a thoughtful scientist. I am profoundly grateful to have known her and had the opportunity to work with her over the years.
Lon Rains, Chairman, Coalition for Space Exploration
Today, the Coalition for Space Exploration is saddened to say goodbye to our dear friend and colleague Sally Ride - physicist, astronaut, educator and American hero.  After her trailblazing career in space, Sally dedicated her life to the mission of opening the world of science to girls, with the Sally Ride Science Academy and Camps.
She was a role model, a mentor and one of our most effective champions for STEM education.
Our sorrow in her passing is only exceeded by our deep respect and gratitude for her contributions to our nation and our future.
Follow SPACE.com on Twitter @Spacedotcom. We're also on Facebook and Google+.
Copyright 2012 SPACE.com, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Apple to post online that Samsung did not copy them

Apple has been claiming that Samsung "slavishly copied" the looks of the iPad. However, it is proving tough to convince the courts. This is especially true for the U.K. Judge, Colin Birss. Bloomberg are reporting that this is the same judge that previously threw out Apple's case against Samsung proclaiming that Samsung's tablets were unlikely to be confused with Apple's iPad because they weren't "cool enough." He has taken things a step further in his final ruling and has ordered Apple to publicly state on their own website that Samsung did not copy them. Here's a quote with some additional detail:

A U.K. judge ordered Apple Inc. (AAPL) to publish a notice on its website and in British newspapers alerting people to a ruling that Samsung Electronics Co. didn't copy designs for the iPad.
The notice should outline the July 9 London court decision that Samsung's Galaxy tablets don't infringe Apple's registered designs, Judge Colin Birss said. It should be posted on Apple's U.K. website for six months and published in several newspapers and magazines to correct the damaging impression the South Korea-based company was copying Apple's product, Birss said.
The order means Apple will have to publish "an advertisement" for Samsung, and is prejudicial to the company, Richard Hacon, a lawyer representing Cupertino, California-based Apple, told the court. "No company likes to refer to a rival on its website."

Apple may have to stand in the corner for the rest of lunch break and possibly have to send a letter of apology to Mr. Samsung for being such a big silly.
Posted by: Gareth


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Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn (Upcoming Game)

Master Chief returns in Halo 4, part of a new trilogy in the colossal Halo universe.
Set almost five years after the events of Halo 3, Halo 4 takes the series in a new direction and sets the stage for an epic new sci-fi saga, in which the Master Chief returns to confront his destiny and face an ancient evil that threatens the fate of the entire universe. Halo 4 also introduces a new multiplayer offering, called Halo Infinity Multiplayer, that builds off of the Halo franchise's rich multiplayer history. The hub of the Halo 4 multiplayer experience is the UNSC Infinity – the largest starship in the UNSC fleet that serves as the center of your Spartan career. Here you’ll build your custom Spartan-IV supersoldier, and progress your multiplayer career across all Halo 4 competitive and cooperative game modes.

Release Date: November 6, 2012

Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

Developer: 343 Industrie

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn Official Full-length Trailer 

source - ign

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Big tech stocks rally after early earnings reports

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — That wasn't so bad, after all.
That's the sentiment among investors as they digest last week's smorgasbord of quarterly results from technology companies that included Intel Corp., IBM Corp., Microsoft Corp. and Google Inc. Although reports from the industry bellwethers all featured some troubling signs, their performances indicate the technology sector is largely holding up, even as Europe's debt crisis undercuts sales and threatens to topple a still-shaky U.S. economy into another recession.
"What you are hearing now is a huge sigh of relief," said ISI Group analyst Brian Marshall.
As they exhaled, many investors latched on to Intel, IBM, Microsoft and Google. All four of their stocks ended last week higher than they began. That was good news for the Dow Jones industrial average, which also edged upward. The index includes computer chip maker Intel, corporate technology specialist IBM and software maker Microsoft in its basket of 30 stocks that are supposed to reflect the state of U.S. industry.
As a whole, the technology sector is in better shape than Wall Street envisioned. That's especially heartening amid signs that Europe's debt woes could cascade into a financial crisis similar to the 2008 meltdown in the U.S. that deepened the Great Recession. The technology-driven Nasdaq composite index ended last week 7 percent higher than where it stood at the beginning of June.
The rally could still lose steam if other major technology companies flop in their upcoming earnings reports for the three months spanning from April through June.
Apple Inc., which has ridden the success of the iPhone and iPad to become the world's most valuable company, is scheduled to release its quarterly financial results this week. Other major technology companies on this week's earnings calendar include: chip maker Texas Instruments Inc., computer disk-drive makers Western Digital Corp. and Seagate Technology PLC, business software maker SAP AG, data storage equipment maker EMC Corp. and business software maker VMware Inc.
EMC, VMware and SAP have already revealed their quarterly results either topped or matched analyst estimates, helping to propel their stocks higher in recent weeks. Seagate has said its quarterly revenue missed analysts' targets, but its stock is still slightly higher than before the warning.
Investors haven't been as sanguine about the pratfalls of other companies. Business software maker Informatica Corp., computer printer maker Lexmark International Inc. and chip maker Advanced Micro Devices Inc. have all been severely punished for earnings letdowns in their latest quarters. Since they issued warnings about their disappointing performances, their stocks have plunged by 18 percent to 33 percent.
AMD spooked investors late Thursday with a glum forecast that included a frank assessment of the personal computer industry, which has been slumping as more people surf the Web on smartphones and tablet computers.
"We expect macro headwinds will continue for the third quarter," AMD CEO Rory Read told analysts on conference call. "We also believe the PC industry may be resetting to a new baseline and that full-year industry growth estimates will be reduced."
Intel, AMD's much bigger rival, also experienced a slowdown in the second quarter and sees sluggish conditions persisting in the third quarter. Unlike AMD, though, Intel still produced second-quarter earnings above analyst projections and investors appear confident in the company's ability to manage its way through whatever difficulty might be ahead. The same appears to hold true for IBM, which raised its earnings guidance for the second half of the year, even though it expects Europe's weakened currency to decrease revenue slightly from last year.
The swing in currency rates also represents a drag on Google's revenue growth, but the Internet search leader is offsetting some of that by tweaking its technology to aim more online ads at Web surfers most likely to click on them. The additional clicks translate to more revenue for Google.
The shift away from PCs shaped Microsoft's redesign of the Windows operating system, which runs on most desktop and laptop computers. Microsoft has tailored Windows 8 so it can also power touch-based tablet computers, including a device called Surface that the software maker plans to release to compete against the iPad.
Investors have such high hopes for Windows 8 —due to hit the market Oct. 26— that they have been betting Microsoft will end the year with a bang as consumers and businesses snap up new machines running on the revamped operating system. Not even last week's announcement of Microsoft's first quarterly loss in its 26-year history as a public company could dampen the good vibes that have been lifting Microsoft's stock. The loss stemmed from a $6.2 billion charge for a soured acquisition from five years ago. But it was an afterthought for investors as they gaze into the future and try to figure out what's ahead.
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Nokia Is Still Trying Hard To Build Presence In North America

Nokia is facing an uphill market battle in North America even. Even the heavily-hyped Lumia 900 apparently did not help change the climate for the former number one mobile maker.
Nokia hoped that Lumia 900 would become its “hero” phone in the US and Canada but it failed to gain enough foothold to threaten the dominance of the well-established iOS and Android market. The phone simply could not ignite the spark needed by Nokia to sway the customers’ perception.
Nokia revealed this week in its quarterly report that over 600,000 mobiles were shipped to North America, a number combining both the latest Lumia phone and other low-end Symbian phones already in the market today. The quarter saw Nokia’s failed big effort in trying to put as much hype as possible to Lumia 900. While the 600,000 figure looks significant, it actually marked a 60% decline from the same quarter earlier.
It is no secret how Nokia is trying to build its brand and face again in the United States and Canada, especially the former. Tons of advertisements were thrown during the second quarter to prepare the launch of Lumia 900 including a huge concert Times Square concert that features Nikki Minaj to no avail. Nokia even failed to see even a slight quarter-to-quarter improvement.
Experts believe that in a world saturated by Samsung  and Apple devices like the US, Nokia needs to rethink its strategy. Although the figure of over half a million mobile units sold is generally still a good trend, Nokia needs to step up the ante especially since it is trying to relaunch its brand. The quarterly report did not even disclose how many units were sold directly to users.
The financial aspect of Nokia’s situation in the United States is showing improvement though. According to the quarterly report, the region produced revenue of $128 million,  a big 45% increase compared to the same time a year earlier. The figure also shows that the second quarter generated about 38% more revenue than the first quarter. For Nokia, it is a tell-tale sign that consumers are shifting more towards getting Lumia smartphones while moving away from basic and prepaid phones.
Carriers like AT$T and T-Mobile USA tend to have reservations for Windows Phone at this time. Analyst Pierre Ferragu from Sanford C. Bernstein estimated that each of these carriers may have ordered only 250,000 each, given the untested waters Nokia’s Windows Phone is yet to navigate at this time.
Generally, Nokia still seem to be right in line despite the poor showing of Lumia 900. Let’s see how it goes in the next quarter.


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Ridge Racer Unbounded review: A series reboot that's slow off the grid

By Ben Griffin for CVG UK

Ridge Racer and developers Bugbear are a perfect match. They're both behind a tradition of racers that don't quite hit their mark. Bugbear's FlatOut chipped a glass ceiling that Burnout 3 was busy smashing to bits, and Ridge Racer is a much-loved series that, arguably, now belongs to a different time.
This Year One revision attempts to shake things up but, in truth, the combination of developer and series makes for an uninspired mix. There are Split Second-style roadside detonations (here more fuel truck than multi-storey building), slow-mo takedown events ? la Hot Pursuit (cars flip and fly, but weightlessness renders them more like crisp packets), and - just to remind you you're playing Ridge Racer - drift events.
It certainly doesn't look like Ridge Racer, though. Attempts at modernising a series predominantly at home on green valley-set motorways that tear through waterfalls and under swooping helicopters are refreshing, but Bugbear didn't need to ditch the iconography entirely. The action is now set in a urban sprawl called Shatter Bay, a dense megapolis low on space and high on muscle cars.
It's large enough to make a varied setting, but it doesn't achieve it. You'll race through industrial areas and speed downtown, and then through an industrial area, and then downtown again. Different time periods and weather effects are something, at least, and the gritty concrete-meets-neon aesthetic looks good in places, but it's nowhere near Forza, Burnout Paradise, or Dirt. Shiny and angular sports cars only have exterior and hood cams, and look positively flimsy compared with other racers' more robust rides. And at night, everything is orange. Everything.

So, the setting falls flat. Worse, however, is the speed. In a cardinal sin for an arcade racer, Unbounded is slow. Something's wrong when instead of gripping your controller with white-knuckle glee, veering away from incoming traffic and using every available second to plan and battle and correct approaching angles, you're looking at your watch while a corner listlessly coasts into view. Your internal monologue is less, "Omg omg omg" and more, "I supposed I should start turning left in a bit". You feel like you're waiting for the game to catch up to you. In a racer, it should be the other way around.



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MIPS Seeking to Bring Android 4.1 Jelly Bean to Budget-Friendly Tablets

MIPS Technologies, Inc announced recently that it is on a course to bringing Google’s latest mobile operating system—Android 4.1 Jelly Bean—to low-cost tablets without compromising performance and features. MIPS (acronym to Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages) stands as a striving competitor to ARM in the Android market. Architects behind this architecture claim it is a more simplified platform without compatibility issues whatsoever with Android OS.

Considering the fact that the hype for Jelly Bean is building up real fast, MIPS is also on a high-speed course to making things work perfectly for the platform.
“We are working aggressively on bringing Jelly Bean to MIPS, and expect that it will be available to our licensees very soon,” said Jen Bernier-Santarini, director of corporation communications at MIPS.
ARM is greatly dominating in the Android tablet market and MIPS is just starting out. But in December 2011, everyone was stunned when an ICS Tablet was released for just $99 with pretty decent specs; 7-inch screen, 3D graphics capabilities, 1080p video recording, HDMI port, 1GHz MIPS processor, etc.
Apparently, the company is struggling to get noticed by major manufacturers and considering Intel is also on track to get its piece of the pie, MIPS needs to step up real fast.
As much as the company did a great job to make sure its architecture is compatible with Android OS, there are still a few apps that could run perfectly on MIPS-based devices but it is now negotiating with developers. Among the first few ones that agree to port their apps are Halfbrick, the developer of Fruit Ninja, and Opera Software.
There is an upcoming Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update roll outs for devices running on MIPS but even so, an analyst believe that it would be difficult for the company to get hold of better traction in the market it’s targeting. ARM and Intel are just two big hindrances for MIPS.
“MIPS will again struggle to compete with ARM and Intel,” said Nathan Brookwood, principal analyst at Insight 64.
[Source]


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Google Nexus 7 – First Impressions

Sharon Machlis, the managing editor at Computerworld has recently got her hands on the new Google Nexus 7, the highly anticipated 7” tablet of the year that has been launched earlier this year. She has recently published a review video for the device. Apparently, she was so interested in buying one for herself that she reviewed the one that she bought, she declares at the start of the video. So what’s that interesting in the Google Nexus 7?

For starters, the form factor, as she describes, definitely creates a great first impression. The tablet is sleek – only 0.4 inches – and has great display properties for a 7-inch tablet. Of course, being small, the tablet has its advantages as it is very lightweight at only 12 oz. Booting time frame is also very small. On click it boots and displays the home screen in less than 30 seconds. Overall speed of the tablet is quite impressive. At the heart is the quad-core Tegra 3 processor and the 1 GB RAM, which together with the 4.1 Jelly Bean makes the tablet really quick and very responsive.
Jelly Bean has a nice overall feel to it. One thing that was noted was that the home screen cannot resize when you turn the tablet around from vertical to horizontal view. A new feature that has been introduced in the Nexus 7 is the swipe to use the Google Now feature. From the home page just swipe up and it immediately turns on the Google Now home page. For those who have used the assistant Siri, this is not as great and certainly Siri would win any day because of its versatility and the many commands it can understand. Having said, Google must be dying to develop a lot more features into this.
At $199 for the 8 GB model, the Google Nexus 7 is certainly one of the best tablets currently available in the market.

Via: Computerworld




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Chinese Internet Users Are Going Mobile

China and its over 1-billion population is a dream market for any electronics company. Apparently, the news that there is a 380 million strong desktop Internet user community is a testimony to the fact that the Chinese are voracious when it comes to Internet consumption. But what makes the news even more interesting is the fact that there is a even more strong 388 million internet users community who logs in to the Internet using their cell phones. This must be music to the ears of smartphone makers such as Apple.

China is going through a transition of sorts when it comes to Internet usage. While the total number of users accessing the Internet on a desktop is sliding steadily, mobile Internet users are steadily on the rise. CNNIC deputy director Liu Bing puts the affordability of the cheaper smartphones and their widespread availability to be the reason behind this upsurge of sales. The third quarter of 2011 saw a surge of smartphones shipments to the country. The figure of 24 million units shipped to the country is the highest globally tippingUSAfor that spot.
A market of such magnanimous proportions cannot be left untapped for any length of time and as such the high end of the market has been lapped up by global giants Apple and Samsung. However the middle and the lower segments of the market saw local manufacturers such as Huawei and Xiaomi Technology make their own. With the rapid increase of cell phone users inChina, mobile payments have also picked up. Reports say that more than 44.4 million people had used Internet on their mobile phones to make an online payment. The figure is up 14 million from the end of last year. With a forecasted 18 trillion Yuan ($2.85 trillion), the e-commerce transactional value in 2012 in China is a lucrative proposition for any global business.
Via: China Daily


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Jet Set Radio Coming to iOS and Android Devices

We already knew that Jet Set Radio was getting an HD release for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC download but now Sega have announced that there will also be versions for the iPad, iPhone and Android devices.


“Jet Set Radio for iOS and Android includes the same slick gameplay, genre-blending soundtrack, and pioneering art style as the other versions alongside new features like OpenFeint and Retina display support and the awesome ability to use pictures taken with your phone or tablet’s camera as in-game graffiti! Traverse Shibuya terminal on the train, silence the Love Shockers on your lunch break, blast through Benten-cho while boarding a bus and upload achievements to Facebook while riding a ferry; Jet Set Radio will be a dream come true for portable gamers everywhere!” Sega said in a press release today.
Are you as excited as I am for a re-release of Jet Set Radio? Now, if only they would give us the exact release date. Check out the mobile version gallery below:


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Amazing Spider-man review: Spidey's best yet - but Batman can rest easy

By Ben Griffin for CVG UK
Every superhero has a power that developers need to nail. For Green Lantern it's the ability to construct literally anything imaginable - understandably, this is hard, and that's why there are no good Green Lantern games.

For Superman it's being an invincible ultra-being who's also morally perfect - again, developers struggle with that one. Batman needs to be vulnerable in light and powerful in darkness - a hard task, but one Rocksteady were more than up to in Arkham's Asylum and City. The lesson? Nail the power and you nail the game.
With The Amazing Spider-Man, Beenox have been wrapping their minds around the concept for the better part of two years - double that of their previous games Web of Shadows and Shattered Dimensions. And it shows. What's the first thing gamers do when a new Spider-Man game drops? They head to New York's tallest building, drink in the skyline, then jump right off. That's what being Spider-Man's about, and getting it right is imperative.
And Beenox fundamentally have. Web-swinging's been built from the ground up, a close third-person camera used to eye-watering effect as it blurs and shakes behind. You all but need goggles to keep out the bug splats. It's a more cinematic experience making last-gen's Spider-Man 2 franchise-high feel coldly detached by comparison.
Like Treyarch's 2004 gem, webs stick to buildings rather than vague spots in the sky. You'll hold the right trigger to swing automatically, and though it feels a little hands-off in comparison, skill comes from rhythmically releasing the button to swing at different heights, speeds and angles.
It's wildly balletic but still follows physics; find yourself without anything to swing on and you won't swing. That's where Web Rushing comes in, and the new technique revolutionises the wall-crawler's moves. Hold RB/R1 to momentarily freeze time, pick a spot on the scenery, then release.
When time starts you'll get there in the most extravagant way possible - across hoods of cars, over radio masts and around flag poles. You can pick objects in the immediate area, or distant shapes down long avenues to which you'll automatically chain together movie-quality moves to reach.

 Again, some might accuse it of wrestling control from the player, but for those lacking the reaction times of a superhero it's essential in communicating superhuman speed and agility. It's impossible to be Spider-Man in realtime; Web Rushing's the workaround.
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Samsung Galaxy Nexus back on Google Play in US

                Samsung's Galaxy Nexus is back on sale through Google Play in the US following the temporary lifting of an Apple-enforced sales injunction.

An American appeals court suspended the ban over the weekend while the Korean tech giant bids to overturn the original decision.

Google was preparing a software patch for the phone's Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system as a workaround solution, and was planning to resume sale of the product this week.

The Galaxy Nexus's quick search functionality was adjudged in violation of Apple's mobile patent. Any response from the iPhone maker to Samsung's appeal could see the ban reinstated.

Earlier today, Samsung's Galaxy Tab range avoided a sales injunction in the UK after the High Court rejected Apple's claims that it infringes on the iPad.

Google's Android 4.1 Jelly Bean will be rolled out to the Galaxy Nexus in the coming weeks.


source - digitalspy

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Apple adds 'Food and Drink' section to App Store

Apple has added a 'Food and Drink' section to its App Store.

The new addition plays host to restaurant locators, recipe applications and other culinary-related software for iOS devices.

Major outlets such as Starbucks, McDonald's and Pizza Hut will have their official apps moved to the dedicated section.

The Starbucks app quickly shot to the top of the chart for most downloaded free 'Food and Drinks' apps, while Food Network's in the Kitchen app is the most popular premium product.

More than 3,000 apps are currently available in the new section, but food subjects such as dieting, shopping, and coupons will continue to be hosted elsewhere.

Apple announced at last month's Worldwide Developers Conference that more than 30 billion applications have been downloaded from the App Store. 


source -  digitalspy

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Lincoln biopic to release same day as Twilight: Breaking Dawn - Part 2

Steven Spielberg's Lincoln biopic is to open in US cinemas on the same day as The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2

Lincoln will get a limited release on November 9 and then expand nationwide on November 16, reports Deadline
Breaking Dawn - Part 2 will also be released to theaters on November 16..

The Spielberg-directed film follows the story of Abraham Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) during the end of slavery in the United States and the Union's victory in the Civil War.

Lincoln is written by Tony Kushner and based on Doris Kearns Goodwin's 2005 biography Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.

Sally Field, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tommy Lee Jones, James Spader, Lee Pace and Jackie Earle Haley also appear in the biopic.Back in June, an alternate twist of Lincoln's story was released titled Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, starring Benjamin Walker as the 16th President of the United States, who must kill off the vampires trying to take over the country.




            Watch the trailer for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 below:

           Watch the trailer for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter below:

source - digitalspy

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Apple 'must say on website that Samsung didn't copy iPad'

                                

"Apple must reportedly publish an announcement on its website stating that Samsung did not copy the design of the iPad."

                                                     The ruling follows last week's decision in the UK high court, where a judge deemed Samsung's tablets were not 'cool' enough to be confused with the iPad. The judge said Apple's notice should be published on its website and in newspapers and state that the Galaxy tablet range did not infringe Apple's registered designs, according to Bloomberg. The announcement must remain in place on Apple UK's homepage for at least six months.
Richard Hacon, a lawyer for Apple, hit out at the ruling made yesterday (18 July). He said the order amounts to 'an advertisement' for Samsung. He said: 'No company likes to refer to a rival on its website.' Apple said it intended to appeal the decision and Judge Colin Birss gave the manufacturer permission to take the case to the Court of Appeal.
Patent disputes between manufacturers are happening around the world, with the likes of Apple, Samsung, HTC and Google accusing each other of copying designs and technology.

Editor: Graeme Neill



source - mobiletoday

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Assassin's Creed lll (Upcoming Game)

  Set against the backdrop of the American Revolution in the late 18th century, Assassin's Creed III introduces a new hero, Ratohnhaké:ton, of Native American and English heritage. Adopting the name Connor, he becomes the new voice for justice in the ancient war between the Assassins and Templars. Players become an Assassin in the war for liberty against ruthless tyranny in the most stylized and fluid combat experiences in the franchise to date. Assassin's Creed III spans the Revolutionary War, taking gamers from the vibrant, untamed frontier to bustling colonial towns and the intense, chaotic battlefields where George Washington's Continental Army clashed with the imposing British Army.

Assassin's Creed III, Release date - October 30, 2012

Genre: Action

Publisher: Ubisoft

Developers: Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Annecy

Watch Trailer

source - ign

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Apple releases latest iOS 6 beta to developers

 

 

Apple has released the latest beta version of its new iOS 6 mobile operating system to developers, and started moving users from me.com email addresses over to icloud.com.MacRumours reports that Apple has launched "iOS 6 beta 3" to third-party developers, along with Xcode Developer Preview 3 and Apple TV Software beta 3.

The third beta version of the mobile OS reportedly includes new settings for Apple's Maps application, including controls for users to change the volume of the navigation voice and set distances to be displayed in miles or kilometres, and local language tools for map labels.

Developers also told MacRumours that Maps in beta 3 can be set as "normal" or "large"; roadworks or traffic accidents are now being flagged up by the software; and 3D flyover coverage has been added to some maps.

The beta release also revealed that Apple is starting to shift Apple users with me.com email addresses - operated under the previous MobileMe service - over to cloud storage solution iCloud.

This will mean that certain Apple users will automatically get icloud.com at the end of their email address.

"Users signing up for new Apple IDs, or enabling Mail on their iCloud account for the first time, will automatically receive an @icloud.com email address instead of a me.com email address," Apple explained in the iOS 6 update's changelog.

"iCloud users with @me.com addresses that have been used with iOS 6 beta 3 will receive an @icloud.com email address that matches their @me.com address."

Also in iOS 6 beta 3, the Answer and Decline buttons have returned for FaceTime calls; iMessage on iPad now accepts a phone number as a valid contact; and new icons have emerged for junk, trash and archive.

Unveiled in early June at Apple's WWDC, iOS 6 is set to launch this autumn, and most commentators believe that it will be accompanied by the sixth generation of the iPhone.

 

 

source - digitalspy

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Microsoft's Bing introduces new layout for faster searches

Microsoft's Bing search engine has been given a visual overhaul to make the service more efficient.The website's layout has been streamlined to bring users search results quicker than before, and its daily image has increased in size.
"Most of us would like to spend less time searching for information online, as, let's face it, there is more to life than search," said Peter Maxmin, head of Bing UK.

"We want to make your search experience quicker and easier so you can get on with the important stuff."

The changes, introduced with tablets and smartphones in mind, will also offer faster load times and improved readability.

"After all, Bing's goal is to help people spend less time searching and more time doing. Changing how Bing looks is the next big step in doing just that," the company added.

Earlier this month, Microsoft enhanced Bing through an agreement with Encyclopaedia Britannica that added additional information to search queries.


source - digitalspy

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'The Dark Knight Rises' review: Batman finale delivers on the hype

 The Dark Knight Rises is an upcoming 2012 superhero film directed by Christopher Nolan, who co-wrote the screenplay with his brother Jonathan Nolan and the story with David S. Goyer.
It's understandable, then, thatThe Dark Knight Rises arrives on the back of deafening hype. It also promises to do something unprecedented for a comic book franchise - bring the curtain down on its three-film story arc with a definitive full stop.
The action picks up eight years after the events of The Dark Knight as Bruce Wayne, battered and bruised from his years of fighting crime, has retreated to his mansion as a Howard Hughes-like recluse. Thanks to the Harvey Dent Act, organized crime has been quashed and Gotham is safe. In peacetime, Batman isn't needed anymore.
The harmony doesn't last, however, as Tom Hardy's terrorist Bane - introduced in a daring mid-air plane hijack - arrives on the scene. A blend of hulking physical power, impressive intellect and strange English gent accent, his MO is to tear Gotham to the ground through crashing the stock market and reigniting the city's streets of fire with an underground army. It's a smart and socially relevant plot point in the wake of 2008's market crash and last year's Occupy movement.

This unstoppable force must meet an unmovable object, though, and Bruce is forced to don the cape and cowl again to stand up to the masked psychopath, who turns a Wayne Enterprise energy reactor into a giant bomb. It's a race against a ticking clock, and swirling around the Dark Knight's quest to stop him are old allies James Gordon (Gary Oldman), Alfred (Michael Caine) and Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman). They're joined by Wayne Enterprises board member Miranda Tate (Marion Cotillard), determined Gotham cop John Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and cat burglar Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway).

The latter is a revelation as a leather-clad thief robbing from Gotham's rich and powerful, and it's her encounter with Bruce that helps shake him back into action. Hathaway effortlessly slinks through the performance, turning on seductive charm one moment then switching into a brutal ass-kicker the next. All concerns abut her performance evaporate after her first encounter with a hobbling Bruce at Wayne Manor.Like an expert orchestra conductor, Nolan is able to balance summer movie thrills with some exceptional character moments. Alfred, so long Bruce's trusted butler, has his loyalty tested when his employer chooses to go beyond the limits. One exchange between the pair (referencing Rachel's underlined final letter from The Dark Knight) is perhaps the most heart-wrenching moment of the trilogy.

The Dark Knight Rises barely lets up throughout its two-hour, 45-minute running time as Nolan precision-engineers a full-throttle blockbuster with the walloping, Hans Zimmer-backed action sequences of The Dark Knight and the emotional weight of Batman Begins. It's the events of the 2005 series restart that tie very closely to what unfolds in Rises, as Bruce's past and present collide for a jaw-dropping trilogy closer. The Dark Knight Rises is intelligent, heart-pounding spectacle cinema that grips like a vice from minute one and won't let go.

source - digitalspy

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