Way back in August, three months before the release of Windows 8, we learned about the existence of a project at Microsoft codenamed Blue. At the time it wasn't clear whether this was Windows 9, or some kind of interim update/service pack for Windows 8. Now, if unnamed sources are to be believed,Windows Blue is both of those things: a major update to Windows 8, and also the beginning of a major shift that will result in a major release of Windows every 12 months — just like Apple's OS X. According to these insiders, Blue will roll out mid-2013, and will be very cheap — or possibly even free, to ensure that 'Windows Blue the next OS that everyone installs.' Exact details are still rather vague, but at the very least Blue will make 'UI changes' to Windows 8. The sources also indicate that the Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 SDKs will be merged or standardized, to further simplify the development of cross-platform apps. Perhaps more important, though, is the shift to a 12-month release cadence. Historically, Microsoft has released a major version of Windows every few years, with the intervening periods populated with stability- and security-oriented service packs. Now it seems that Microsoft wants to move to an OS X-like system, where new and exciting features will be added on an annual basis. In turn, Microsoft will drop the price of these releases — probably to around $25, just like OS X.

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/12/11...ows-every-year ...

GameFly has posted its sales for Black Friday and Cyber Monday on digital PC games, and there are quite a few healthy discounts in there, on big PC titles from this year and last. And even beyond the prices on the website, you can use the code NOV20OFF for an extra 20 percent off these already discounted titles. We've got deals on deals here, people!

You can look through the whole list of prices on GamerDeals, but the standouts are probably XCOM: Enemy Unknown for just $37.49, Dishonored for $29.99,Torchlight 2 for just $14.99, and Spec Ops: The Line and The Darkness 2 for $7.49 each.

Only on Black Friday, you can grab Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning also for $7.49, and Hotline Miami is that same price on Saturday. And on Friday and Monday only, Need for Speed: Most Wanted is $24.99. All those prices are before the code discount, too, so if you need to stock up on PC titles, GameFly seems like one of the best ways to do so.

Gamefly PC Digital Download Black Friday - Cyber Monday 2012 Deals!Save up to 83% off PC titles including Skyrim, Borderlands 2, Battlefield 3 Premium Edition, Sleeping Dogs, Torchlight 2, Dishonored & more!Black Friday - Cyber Monday

Darksiders II - $16.99
The Sims 3 Seasons - $19.99
Torchlight II - $14.99
XCOM: Enemy Unknown - $37.49
Darksiders II Season Pass - $6.80
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - $29.99
Borderlands 2 - $44.99
Dishonored - $29.99
Fallout New Vegas Ultimate Edition - $14.99
The Sims 3 Refresh - $14.99
FIFA Soccer 13 - $19.99
The Sims 3 Supernatural - $19.99
Command & Conquer: The Ultimate Collection - $24.99
Doom 3: BFG Edition - $14.99
Endless Space - Admiral Edition - $20.09
Mafia II - $7.49
Spec Ops: The Line - $7.49
Sleeping Dogs Digital Edition - $24.99
Borderlands 2 - $44.99
The Darkness II - $7.49
Mass Effect Trilogy - $29.99
Two Worlds II: GOTY - Pirates of the Flying Fortress Edition - $9.99

Black Friday Only

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning - $7.99
Syndicate - $4.99
Galaxy on Fire 2 Full HD - $9.99

Black Friday & Saturday Only

Hotline Miami - $7.49

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Only

Battlefield 3 Premium Edition - $29.99
Medal of Honor Warfighter - $29.99
Need for Speed Most Wanted - $24.99
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 - $29.99
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD - $6.69
The Amazing Spider-Man - $33.49
Prototype 2 - $19.99
Transformers: Fall of Cybertron - $40.19

On top of all this, use the 20% OFF coupon code NOV20OFF. This coupon code applies to digital PC titles including new releases like Assassin's Creed 3 and Far Cry 3.
http://www.gamefly.com/download-game...#axzz2Cu63Xaew ...

Apple’s range of iDevices dominate the Christmas lists of kids aged 6-12 in the US.
Its success comes at the expense of Nintendo’s Wii U, which is forced into second place according to new data from Nielsen.
Apple’s iPad is the most sought after gift followed by Wii U, iPad Touch, iPad Mini and iPhone. Around half of the kids surveyed expressed interest in an iPad, up from 44 per cent the year before. 29 per cent will be asking for a Nintendo 3DS.
Xbox and PS3 also feature highly with 25 per cent and 26 per cent respectively. It’s bad news for Vita, though – Sony’s machine will feature on the Christmas lists of just 14 per cent of those questioned, which is lower than the 18 per cent who’d like a PSP.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ipad-...hlists/0106764 ...

...

You have to admit -- there's something extra special about receiving tablets. Perhaps it's their sleek and portable designs, or maybe it's because they're best for watching movies and playing games rather than pounding out important memos on a deadline. Their rep as entertainment devices is already changing, though: we've seen slates with pen input and bundled keyboard docks burst onto the market this year, and Windows 8 is only boosting that corporate-friendly image. Wherever you fall on the work / play spectrum, we've got some great slate choices for you. Hop past the break to dive in.

On the cheap

Apple iPad mini

Following years of rumors, the mini is finally here. Does it live up to the enormous hype? Yes -- and it manages to surprise in some ways, too, with a unique anodized aluminum backing, impressive battery life and performance that trounces earlier-generation iPads. The $329 price is a notch higher than the competition, but you get what you pay for. In this case, that's superior build quality and access to the tablet-friendly App Store.
Key specs: 7.9-inch (1,024 x 768) display, dual-core A5 processor, 16GB of internal memory, 512MB of RAM, weighs 0.68 pounds, rated for up to 10 hours of battery life.
Price: $329 from Apple

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Nexus 10

The big brother to the Nexus 7 impresses with a stunning 2,560 x 1,600 display, great gaming chops and strong audio quality. The downside is middling battery life: we're talking about seven and a half hours when the competition delivers 10-plus.
Price: $399 from Google

Acer Iconia Tab A110

Looking for a slate that offers Jelly Bean and a lightweight design on a budget? The 7-inch A110 delivers, and it runs a 1.2GHz Tegra 3 processor, to boot.
Price: $230 on Amazon

Mid-range

Apple iPad 4

The mini may be stealing some of the new 9.7-inch iPad's thunder, but the smaller slate can't hold a candle to this device's super-fast performance -- thanks to the A6X chip under the hood – and the stellar 2,048 x 1,536 display. Like its 7-inch sibling, the fourth-gen iPad has the new Lightning connector, which makes it incompatible with older docks and accessories. If you have the money to burn, though, this is one worthy step up.
Key specs: 9.7-inch (2,048 x 1,536) IPS display, dual-core A6X processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB internal storage, weighs 1.44 pounds, rated for up to 10 hours of battery life.
Price: $499 from Apple

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

Famous for its S Pen, the Note 10.1 is both a costly sketchpad and a capable Android tablet. Its plastic design isn't the most premium, and the price tag should be a good $100 lower, but features like pen input and multi-screen view are nifty and useful.
Price: $499 on Amazon

Dell XPS 10

The XPS 10 is one of several productivity-minded Windows RT slates available, targeting the business set with security features such as TPM plus integration with corporate IT departments. There's an optional keyboard dock, which ups the ante with two USB ports, HDMI and longer battery life.
Price: $500 from Dell

Money is no object

Microsoft Surface with Windows RT

Redmond's slate boasts a business-friendly pedigree, with the sold-separately (but mandatory, as far as we're concerned) Touch Cover providing the productivity chops with a comfortable set of keys. The 10.6-inch slate is also impeccably built, and the cool matte surface feels great in the hand. That said, those who favor apps and entertainment over getting work done on the go will want to stick to the Android or Apple ecosystems, which offer larger content selections.
Key specs: 10.6-inch (1,366 x 768) display, quad-core NVIDIA Tegra T30 processor, 32GB internal memory, 2GB RAM, weighs 1.49 pounds, rated for up to eight hours of battery life.
Price: $599 (with Touch Cover) from Microsoft

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Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11

The ARM-powered Yoga 11 takes the cake for most unique form factor: as its name implies, it sports a flip-and-fold design that lets it transform from a notebook into a slate and vice versa. In addition to that versatility, you get Lenovo's keyboard know-how and a Tegra 3 processor.
Price: From $799 starting in December

ASUS VivoTab RT

This device features the thin-and-light design and long battery life we loved from ASUS' Android-based Transformer tablets, and the optional keyboard dock provides a decent (though slightly cramped) physical keyboard and touchpad.
Price: $549 on Amazon

http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/16/h...guide-tablets/ ...

Death is here to chop Darksiders 2 prices by 66 percent for PC. Both Steam andAmazon currently have deals on the apocalyptic action game, dropping the regular $50 price to $17. The deal runs for the next day and a half of Steam, the Amazon sale doesn't say when its time is up.

Despite Darksiders 2 selling 1.4 million copies since launch, THQ CEO Brian Farrell said the game sold "below our expectations." The publisher is currentlyhanging on to life by a thread.

http://www.amazon.com/Darksiders-II-...s=darksiders+2 ...

The next installment in the Starcraft II trilogy is set to arrive on March 12th, with Blizzard opening up pre-orders for standard and digital deluxe editions starting today.
Blizzard solidifies the target date after noting last week in its financial report that the company hoped to launch the expansion sometime within the first half of 2013.
Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm will be offered in three packages: Standard, Digital Deluxe, and Collector’s Edition.
The standard edition runs $40 and contains only the game, while the $60 Digital Deluxe version packs in a World of Warcraft pet, a bonus skin, Zerg portraits/decals, Kerrigan’s wings, and a Zerg sigil for Diablo III characters.
The $80 retail Collector’s Edition will include all the aforementioned goodies from the Digital Deluxe package, plus a 144-page hardcover art book, Zerg mouse pad, behind-the-scenes DVD, and soundtrack CD.
The Collector’s Edition pre-order availability date wasn’t shared as part of the announcement, but both the regular and Digital Deluxe offerings are available for pre-order as of right now.

http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/starc...-dated/0106297 ...

The Biggest game of 2012 has just been released. All over the UK theres thousands of shops opening just for the release.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II is released on the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC, also soon to be released on the Nintendo WiiU. Also the Playstation Vita is getting its own Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified.



Pushing the boundaries of what fans have come to expect from the record-setting entertainment franchise, Call of Duty: Black Ops II propels players into a near future, 21st Century Cold War, where technology and weapons have converged to create a new generation of warfare.

Futuristic missions give you new weapons and scenarios to get to grips with
The CLAW is a Cognitive Land Assault Weapon that can be utilised as an in-game vehicle
Call of Duty: Black Ops II is a new story with elements and characters from previous games
Attacks come from land and sky with the new quadrotor guns
Combining incredible high-dynamic range graphics and sensational new gameplay, Black Ops II sets you off on secret operations as Frank Woods – the protagonist from the original Black Ops game.

The non-linear storyline will see you battling during a futuristic Cold War, as well as tackling flashbacks from historical missions and playing as various members of the Mason family. Every decision you make during this story will affect future consequences, giving you a different experience every time you play.

With new futuristic weapons, the chance to master a number of different vehicles and modes of transport, and a mysterious villain - known simply as Raul Menendez - Black Ops II is set to be the ultimate Call of Duty game.

Beyond the Campaign
Alongside the epic Campaign and branching story is the all-new Multiplayer mode. New maps, new game-styles and new perks make this the most engaging Multiplayer yet!

The fantastic Call of Duty Elite service is provided for free alongside the action-packed game, allowing you to use a number of incredible features which will enhance and extend your Multiplayer experience.

Zombies Mode also makes a comeback with a series of challenging maps and missions that enable you to fight off the dead in even more ways.

Heres the cheapest places to buy Call of Duty: Black Ops II

• Amazon: £39.97
• Play.com: £42.99
• Tesco: £39.00
• Sainsbury's: £39.99
• Toys'R'Us: £39.89
• TheGameCollection: £39.95
• ShopTo: £44.86
• Zavvi: £44.95
• HMV: £42.99
• GAME: £44.99
• Blockbuster: £44.99 (Consoles) £34.99 (PC).
• Steam: £39.99

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Just in time for the holidays, a slew of new Windows 8 Ultrabooks has arrived to make your shopping list all the more difficult. Not only must you settle on a screen size, you also have touch-enabled machines to consider -- and don't forget those Atom-powered hybrids, which pull double duty as standalone slates and full-fledged laptops. The deliberations may be endless, but we've whittled down the playing field to some prime contenders. Just hold your horses -- some of these slick machines are drumming up extra anticipation with release dates well into the holiday shopping season.

Low-end / mid-range

Sony VAIO T13

The T13 Ultrabook has been around for some time now, but it still stands out for its many configuration options and robust spec list -- including a Core i5 Ivy Bridge CPU, a 500GB hybrid hard drive with 4GB of RAM and a slick 3.54-pound metal chassis -- offered at a surprisingly wallet-friendly price. To usher in the Windows 8 era, Sony recently added an edge-to-edge glass touch display as an option for this 13-inch machine, which makes it an even stronger contender for the students and casual users on your list.
Key specs: 13-inch (1,366 x 768) capacitive touchscreen, Core i5-3317U processor with 4GB of RAM, 500GB hybrid hard drive, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 0.75 inches thick, 3.54 pounds.
Price: $870 from Sony

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Toshiba Satellite U945

The U945 is a bargain-priced Ultrabook, and though it may sport a blue plastic coating rather than a more premium aluminum finish, it packs solid specs: a Core i5 processor, 6GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive paired with a 32GB SSD for speedy boot-ups.
Price: $730 from Toshiba

Samsung Series 5 Ultra Touch

Touch doesn't have to come at a huge premium, as the Series 5 Ultra Touch so deftly demonstrates. For $850, you get a 13-inch panel ready to handle finger input, a 500GB hard drive with 24GB of ExpressCache and a Core i3 Ivy Bridge CPU.
Price: $850 from Best Buy

High-end

HP Spectre XT TouchSmart

We're fans of the 13.3-inch Envy Spectre XT, which sports a great keyboard and touchpad and offers impressive performance in an attractive all-metal package. The 15.6-inch TouchSmart is even more enticing -- with a 1080p IPS display (with touch support, of course) a generous selection of ports, Beats Audio and full copies of Adobe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements. The TouchSmart won't go on sale till December, but you can add it to your shopping list in the meantime.
Key specs: 15.6-inch (1,920 x 1,080) IPS display, Ivy Bridge processors, 0.7 inches thick, 4.77 pounds.
Price: $1,400 (expected in December)

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Acer Aspire S7

Yes, Acer's 13-inch Aspire S7 offers a bright 1080p IPS display, but its panel goes above and beyond with a design that can lie completely flat. Acer sweetens the deal with an included USB-to-Ethernet adapter and carrying case.
Price: $1,375 on Amazon

MacBook Air 13-inch

Viewed alongside the new crop of touch-enabled Windows 8 machines, Apple's ultraportable may have a little less luster. But if the beneficiary of your generous gift giving can live with keyboard input, the Air's Core i5 power, Mountain Lion and best-in-class glass trackpad are a winning combo.
Price: $1,128 on Amazon

Hybrids

HP Envy x2

HP's take on the Atom-powered laptop / tablet craze is an 11-inch slate with a detachable keyboard dock. It's not the form factor that's impressive, though: specs include NFC, Beats Audio and a 400-nit IPS display. There's also pen support, so users can interact with the device via the touchscreen, keyboard or stylus. Beginning November 14th, you'll be able to purchase this lightweight, aluminum-built hybrid for $850 -- hardly chump change, but you get a lot for those buckaroos.
Key specs: 11-inch (1,366 x 768) display, Clover Trail processor, 64GB of built-in storage, 0.33 inches thick, 1.5 pounds / 1.6 pounds with dock.
Price: $850 (beginning November 14th)

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Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx

With a dual-core Clover Trail processor, 32GB of solid-state storage and an 11.6-inch IPS display, the Lynx looks to be a solid standalone tablet. Add in the $150 dock and you get 16 hours of battery life -- when this hybrid hits the market in December.
Price: $600 and up

ASUS Transformer Book

With a spun-metal lid and a sleek silhouette, this convertible looks deceptively similar to the ASUS Zenbook. But detach the tablet from its keyboard dock and you have a Core i7-powered 13-inch slate. Look for it to drop in mid-December.
Price: TBD

Giveaway

HTC One X

Ready to take home one of AT&T's hottest smartphones? Today's offering is the tried-and-true HTC One X, which remains one of our top picks on the US carrier's LTE network. To enter for your chance to win, be sure to review our full guidelines, then leave a comment below.
Good luck!

http://www.engadget.com/2012/11/12/h...ltraportables/ ...