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by Published on October 3rd, 2012 22:34- Categories:
- Apple iPad
Asian factories have begun manufacturing the long-rumoured iPad Mini, it is claimed.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the still unconfirmed device has a 7.85-inch display with an as of yet unspecified resolution, although it is lower than the Retina display found in the iPad 3.
Apple will position the device as a rival to newcomers such as Google’s Nexus 7 and Amazon’s Kindle Fire series, both of which are significantly cheaper than the iPad.
The iPad as we know will continue, too, with the aim of maintaining Apple’s iron grip on the luxury tablet sector.
Talk of the iPad Mini is nothing new. In fact, we think we’ve even seen pictures of it. An October launch for the device was being touted as far back as May of this year.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/ipad-...uction/0103909 ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 22:17- Categories:
- DCEmu
Download service Steam started hosting software as well as games as of September 5th. It’s by no means the first nor the last company to offer a range of downloadable software but Valve’s current strength in the games market means software developers and retailers alike will be watching with interest to see how this works out.
It’s part of a trend that points to a move away from boxed software at retail, to a download-only era that’s getting closer at high speed.
A statement on the Steam website read: “The software titles coming to Steam range from creativity to productivity. Many of the launch titles will take advantage of popular Steamworks features, such as easy installation, automatic updating, and the ability to save your work to your personal Steam Cloud space.”
There had been hints for some time that Valve might make a move in this direction. A recent update to Steam’s Android App revealed a range of new software categories, and founder Gabe Newell has mentioneddiscussions with Adobe in recent months.
DIGITAL DOMINATION
Valve’s not the only firm planning big things for digital software. EA, which has its own Origin streaming service (solely for games at this point), also thinks we are on our way to digital domination.
EA COO Peter Moore told Reuters that: “There will come a point, when we say ‘We are doing more in digital media now than we are in physical media’ and it’s not far away.”
So what does it all mean for those retailers and developers who still care about boxed software? Are there still opportunities out there?
Software publisher Serif, which says it already works with a number of digital distribution partners including Intel, Amazon and Valve, thinks a decline at retail is inevitable.
Sales and marketing director Ashley Hewson comments: “Sales of software in bricks and mortar retail is already in fairly rapid decline. This is primarily driven by more consumers preferring to download software, which in turn is accelerated by retailers dedicating less of their shelf space to software products.
“There is some opportunity here if you can keep your products on the shelf while your competitors lose their slots, but even that only presents a short term win. In the long term, I would expect most opportunities for in-store purchases of software to come from cross-sells made at the point of purchase of a hardware item.”
Jon Atherton, VP for distributor Entatech, points out that though there is a decline, there are still benefits in selling software for indies: “The software market is becoming increasingly focused on downloads, moving away from the more traditional boxed products. Whilst Entatech can accommodate and support this shift in supply, we still cater for the traditional boxed market – in our experience our smaller independent retailers still prefer to have a tangible product as they find this aids their sales.”
Publisher Focus Multimedia is more positive – having had recent experience of selling Angry Birds on PC at retail, despite it already being available for free online, and it continues to sell a range of software solutions at retail outlets too. The firm’s Alan Wild says: “There are still great opportunities at retail. People want to be entertained and are prepared to spend.”
WORKING SIDE BY SIDE
Distributor and service provider Gem agrees that the market still has some life in it. Head of marketing Katie Rawlings says: “The industry is still redefining itself. Just look at the growth within the mobile and browser areas; these are very recent developments in the last few years. While some cannibalisation is to be expected, boxed and digital will most likely work together side by side for many years to come.”
Gem is also in the interesting position of having acquired a digital distribution arm earlier in the year. Talking about Ztorm, Rawlings tells PCR: “Developing our offering together with Ztorm for both online and in-store activities where we can offer tie-ins between physical and digital products is very much on our agenda.”
Serif’s Hewson leaves us with: “We, and in particular retailers, will have to accept that within a few years nearly all consumers will just buy software online. What share of that action the traditional retailers can get through building their own app stores against competitors – such as Microsoft, Apple, Valve, and Amazon – I guess is their challenge.”
An interesting thought. Software players in the IT channel need to consider their digital options. Selling physical media alone just might not be enough any more.
http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...-retail/029297 ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 22:12- Categories:
- PC News
Microsoft's Apps World stand offers a tantalising glimpse of what to expect from Windows Phone 8.
Apps World in London's Earls Court has hundreds of exhibitors, seminars and demonstrations to choose from. The ebb and flow off delegates means that areas will fill up and empty regularly over the course of the day.
But one stand that is perpetually busy is Microsoft's.
There's no doubt that a large number of people are attracted to the Microsoft's area by the sight of tablets running Windows, and the whispers of 'Is that a Surface?' ping back and forth from those approaching.
The answer, alas, is no - it's not a Surface.
But people remain, because after playing with Windows 8 on a tablet it doesn't matter that it's not on the company's forthcoming slate. Playing with the OS is such an immersive experience that the portal becomes non-existent, the OS itself is king.
Offering the ability to flick between a traditional desktop and the not-called-Metro-anymore start menu, on a tablet, Windows 8 tablets might prove to be the first device that can truly offer the ability to do a full day's work in the office, but also be suitable for surfing and general dicking around when lazing on the sofa in the evenings.
Completely polished, the best word to sum up Windows 8 is 'elegant'.
The music library looks like a storefront, the way it offers up your contacts' details the most intuitive system I have seen yet, and you can feel that the whole thing has been designed for touch.
But what about Windows Phone 8?
Well, despite a series of talks about the mobile OS, there was a notable lack of any real new information about Windows Phone 8, but rather than frustrate, this seemed to only stir up more anticipation, even among the usually cynical delegates - especially once they had had a chance to play with the tablets on display.
I bumped into a vehemently anti-Microsoft friend at the show - this guy is Linux all the way - and when I told him how much I liked Windows 8 he gave me the kind of look that nerds are all too good at firing towards those of us less-technically minded; a mixture of pity and irritation. However, when I saw him again two hours later, his manner had changed.
"Did you have a go on the Windows 8 tablets?" I asked. Looking at the floor he mumbled, "yep".
"And what did you think?"
A pause, a sigh.
"It was really, really nice."
HA! In your face!
If Windows Phone 8 is anything near as enjoyable and practical as Windows 8 on tablet devices, the company really might start making a dent in iOS and Android's dominance.
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...useable/019523 ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 22:09- Categories:
- Playstation Vita News,
- Xperia Play News
Cross platform mobile gaming service is available in nine countries and offers games on Vita and other certified devices.
PlayStation Mobile is now live, giving PlayStation Vita and certified-Android device users the ability to buy third party and PlayStation-produced content.
The service is available in nine countries including Japan, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Australia, with the promise of more to follow.
Picking up the story from our sister site, MCV:
For the time being there are 12 compatible devices – PlayStation Vita, Xperia Play, Xperia Arc, Xperia S, Xperia Ion, Xperia Acro, Xperia Acro HD and three THC models – the One S, One X and One V. Both the Sony Tablet S and the Sony Tablet P are also supported.
All games support both physical controls (where available) and touch screen input.
Any purchases made on the store can be installed on up to three separate devices.
Here’s the launch list:
Super Crate Box - £2.79
Aqua Kitty - £2.79
Magic Arrows - £3.99
Everybody's Arcade - Free
Nyoqix - £4.49
Incurvio - £5.59
Flick Hungry Giraffe - £2.39
Hockey - £1.79
Frederic - £3.19
Loot The Land - £3.19
Tractor Trails - £2.59
Twist Pilot - £2.79
Numblast - £2.39
Underline - £2.19
Rebel - £1.59
Word Blocked - £1.59
Wipe - £1.19
Fuel Tiracas - 40p
Samurai Beatdown - 79p
Beats Slider - 65p
http://www.mobile-ent.biz/news/read/...es-live/019525 ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 10:37- Categories:
- PS3 News
The AC3 Season Pass, only previously rumored when a claimed internal GameStop document was leaked, has been officially confirmed via this week's US PlayStation Store update, which offers gamers the opportunity to pre-order the game with a Season Pass for an extra $30 over the usual $59.99 price.The PS Blog update confirms, Ubi will offer an Assassin's Creed 3 Gold Edition which, at $89.99, will come with a Season Pass which is expected to give gamers access to much of the 'extensive' DLC the developer has planned for AC3.
When asked in the blog comments if the Season Pass would be offered separately, a rep replied replied "Yup, it will".
There was no mention of a standalone price, but the $30 mark up on the Gold Edition of the game is a solid hint.
Ubisoft has confirmed an Assassin's Creed 3 release date of October 31 on PS3 and Xbox 360, with an Assassin's Creed 3 PC release date to follow on November 23. A Wii U version will be available at the console's launch.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com...ass-confirmed/ ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 10:36- Categories:
- Nintendo 3DS News
Nintendo's announced special edition Animal Crossing 3DS and New Super Mario Bros. 2 3DS XL consoles for Japan.
The Animal Crossing console's due out first in the region, landing on November 8 for 22,800 yen (£180), with a copy of the new instalment included on a 4GB SD card.The New Super Mario Bros. 2 bundle will release on November 15 again for 22,800 with a copy of the game included on an SD card.
During a Nintendo Direct 'Mini' broadcast this morning, the platform holder also announced a Black Nintendo 3DS XL due for release on November 1 for 18,900 yen (£150).
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/371207/examiner/ ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 10:35- Categories:
- Wii U News
Chasing Aurora developer Martin Pichlmair says that Nintendo is working hard to make the Wii U eShop friendly and open for independent developers.
"I cannot talk about the new eShop in detail. What I do know is that Nintendo is doing everything to make this console much more open, social and indie-friendly than the Wii ever was," he told the Official Nintendo Magazine.
"There are people at Nintendo who know where innovative games come from. And if you look at the launch lineup you can clearly see that those people have had a say in it. At the same time, the Wii U with its various controller configurations calls for experimental games of all kinds and Nintendo is always eager to have games make good use of its console's innovations," Pichlmair added.
The games on the Wii U eShop augment the system's impressive launch day line-up of 23 titles.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...endly-than-wii ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 10:33- Categories:
- Wii U News
Social network is a "paradigm shift" that consumers need to experience to fully understand
Nintendo
nintendo-europe.com
Ninetndo's Reggie Fils-Aime has pointed to the Wii U's social networking function, MiiVerse, as the console's killer app.
MiiVerse will appear on the Wii U's home-screen. Friends in your social network will be represented as their Mii avatars, with bubbles displaying their updates, messages and even pictures in real-time. Eventually, it will be accessible from any mobile device.
"As the network grows and the installed base grows, it will prove to be a true killer application for the system, and I say this loving what we have done with Nintendo TVii and loving all the games," Fils-Aime told AllThingsD.
"Until you try it and experience it, you may not totally understand it."
According to Fils-Aime, MiiVerse will be a "key differentiator" for Nintendo against its competitors in the gaming market. Facebook is a social network first and foremost, mobile platforms have Game Centers, and Xbox Live has a limited set of social features, but MiiVerse is the first social network to be constructed around gaming.
"People have to leave the current paradigm behind to understand what we are trying to do. Miiverse is going to be embedded right on the game platform, so literally some of the activity will be able to happen immediately as people experience it."
The Wii U goes on sale worldwide in November this year, with the cheapest version selling for $299 (£250 / ¥26,250). Nintendo has forecast 10 million unit sales by the end of the year, and retailers have already used up their pre-order allocations. However, Fils-Aime does not want a repeat of the supply shortages in the Wii's early days.
"We are looking to max out production as quickly as possible," he said.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...-us-killer-app
...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 10:26- Categories:
- PC News
After concentrating on gaming and visual improvements in previous releases of Chrome, the browser's latest focus appears to be in video engagement. The latest beta includes a PeerConnection API that lets developers create real-time video chat applications without a plug-in. This builds upon existing WebRTC integration with a new getUserMedia API that should result in higher-quality video, audio, and data communications. The Beta also bundles in track support for HTML5 video, letting developers add in subtitles, captions, and other metadata -- the above photo, for example, is a screencap of a bike ride video enhanced with Google Map and Street View data. Another nice addition is a MediaSource API which adjusts video quality based on computer and network environments, which should put an end to those agonizing waits while the dancing inmate version of Gangnam Style buffers. Those interested can get their mitts on the new Chrome Beta today.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/03/c...eo-engagement/ ...by Published on October 3rd, 2012 10:25- Categories:
- PC News
Hey look, another round of purported iPad Mini parts have surfaced, this time courtesy of Ukrainian iPhone. Conveniently enough, the Wall Street Journal also happens to be reporting that its sources have confirmed "mass production" of the still unannounced slate has begun BY Apple's "Asian suppliers." This time around, we're looking at an anodized black version of the familiar backplate and its insides. As9to5Mac points out, it's housing a SIM card tray, similar antenna spacers to the current iPhone crop and a similar layout to the current iPod Touch. Alongside that is a separate digitizer in white, hinting that we'll see the final device in the same colorways as the iPhone 5.WSJ also notes that its sources state this tab's LCD screen is indeed 7.85-inches, being sourced from both LG and AU Optronics. Naturally, pricing is almost definitely set to be cheaper than the full-size iPad -- here's to waiting for an invite to thesupposed unveiling event set for this month.
http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/03/w...uction-begins/ ...- Search DCEmu
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Catherine: Full Body’s English translation for the Vita