Technology News

iTunes Survey Could Hint at New Video Streaming Service

Josh — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:58:22 +0000

Over the past few months, Apple have been working a lot on many different products including the new iPhone 4 device and the iPad device. Of course, there have been many products that Apple hasn’t updated in a while and one of those is the Apple TV. Since its release, this device has failed to really catch the eyes of the consumers and hasn’t sold many units at all, however, could there be an answer that Apple is working on that will make this device better than ever?

A new iTunes survey that has been found is said to hint at iTunes launching a video streaming service. There have been a lot of rumours just recently that soon, iTunes will be releasing their version of a TV on demand service that will be available through iTunes. Of course, this hasn’t been confirmed but a survey that has been found in iTunes could hint at it. The survey asks the question “What are the primary reasons for your satisfaction with the video content you’ve purchased or rented from iTunes and watched on the iPad?”. One of the answers for this survey is “Titles are available to watch instantly”.

Although this could just be a genuine mistake from Apple, many people believe that it gives us a hint as to what they are likely to release next and that this service will be a video on demand service. Some even believe it will be called iTV.

Technorati Tags: Apple, Apple iTunes, apple tv, iPhone, iPod, itunes, itv

Google Introduces Voice to Gmail

Josh — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 17:36:36 +0000

There have been a lot of rumours over the past few months that Google have been working on their very own system named Voice that they would add into the Gmail package they currently offer but up until now, it has not yet been confirmed. This morning however, Google announced that this feature would actually be available in Gmail from today.

This new feature from Google will be embedded into the Gmail window and it will actually allow you to make calls right from within your web browser. This is different to things like Skype and similar services as you will not have to download ay software at all in order to use the service as it is all integrated into the Gmail window in your web browser. The service will allow you to call anywhere in the world either for free or for a very low cost.

Google actually demoed this service in San Francisco this morning and they announced that you would actually be able to call landlines in the United States and Canada entirely free of charge and that you would be able to call anywhere in the world from anything between $0.02 per minute and $0.19 per minute, depending on where it is and whether it is a mobile or not. You will be able to buy prepaid cards for use with this service from Google and you during the demo; they showed you could call Paris for just $0.02 per minute. It will be interesting to see how this hoes for Google.

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Technorati Tags: Gmail, Google, google calls, google free calls, google gmail, google voice, skype

Intel Releases Atom N550 Processor

Josh — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:10:55 +0000

Intel are known as one of the biggest and best processor manufacturing companies in the world and they have created some of the fastest and best processors that are on the market today Their processors are used by a variety of computer manufacturers including the big names such as Apple and Dell. Now, Intel have announced the release of their latest processor that has been developed especially for netbook computers; the Intel N550.

This new processor is said to be much more responsive and faster than their old netbook processors which will come as a great help to many users. The processor runs at 1.5 GHZ and has 1mb of cache. The processor also supports DDR3 memory and it is said to have a similar battery life to the previous N450 chip that Intel released. In the press release that has been given from Intel for the processor it features information about YouTube and Hulu video sharing websites and how users should see a great increase in efficiency and processing when using these features. Intel are claiming that the processor will also be a lot better for multitasking which is one of the main issues out there facing netbook users.

Intel is claiming that netbooks are available in stores today which feature this new N550 processor although we don’t know of any. We know there are many to be released in the coming months but at the moment, these seem like false claims from Intel.

Technorati Tags: Intel, intel n450, intel n550, intel netbook, intel processor

Apple Plans Patent that Detects Jailbroken iPhones

Josh — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:58:42 +0000

One of the biggest problems that Apple is facing at the moment is that there are a lot of people that are jailbreaking their iPhone devices. Although the Jailbreak at the moments isn’t illegal, a lot of people will use their jailbroken iPhone devices for illegal purposes such as download apps for free using things such as Installous. Apple is of course not very happy about this as it means that they are not generating as much revenue as they should from their app store. However, so far, Apple has done nothing to combat the problem and they are now filing a patent that they hope will allow them to stop user’s jailbreaking their iPhones.

Most companies out there that allow apps on their Smartphone’s can actually delete or block certain apps on any user’s phone remotely, without even asking permission. The new patent that Apple is filing will allow them to do just the same. The patent will give Apple permission to ‘spy’ on users. The main idea of the patent is to make sure that the user of the phone is actually the person who is supposed to be using the phone and they will base this on the way the phone is being used. Although this is mainly to combat theft and loss of the phone, it may also have an impact on jailbroken phones as Apple will be able to detect them and shut them down.

Technorati Tags: Apple, apple ios4, apple patent, iPhone, Jailbreak iPhone, jailbroken

Only a little more wait : DJ Hero 2 out on October 19

C Robinson — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:56:01 +0000

So Activision is bringing out Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock on September 28th and then Call of Duty: Black Ops on November 9^th and today the company reported that they will be also releasing DJ Hero 2 between both of these games for a release date of October 19^th.

Activision explained that the music-mixing sequel that has been made for Xbox 360 , PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii will hit the stores on October 19 in North America and on October 22 in Europe. The company had said last time that the game would arrive some time in fall.

The game will come in a nice variety of bundles. These bundles include a “party in a box” set that cost $149.99 and contains a copy of the game, two turntables, and a microphone. There is also a single turntable bundle that cost $99.

The game also has a nice soundtrack. DJ Hero 2 will come with 90 on-disc artists that range from the pop diva Lady Gaga to headbangers such as Metallica.

Terms for this Technology News:

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Technorati Tags: Activision, comes out Oct 19th, dj game, dj hero 2

GodFinger iPhone App review

Josh — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:48:33 +0000

Since the release of the iPhone there have been a lot of games released for the device and a lot of them go unnoticed. However, one game that certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed at any point is the game GodFinger. This game has been one of the most popular games in many countries around the world for the iPhone device and it has even made its way on to the iPad.

The idea of this game is that you play God. Despite this being the idea, the actual game play of the game is far from what you might think it would be. There are many games such as SimCity and others in which the idea is to play god but this game has a much more cartoony and fun approach. The game is very well designed using great colours and using a great concept. The idea of the game is to build a planet from pretty much scratch. You will start off with a couple of people living on your planet and as they worship you, you will have to provide them with the things that they need. The game has a very cute and girly look to it and it has a huge amount of small levels that are each divided into individual goals.

Overall, this game is sure to be a hit with almost anyone that plays it and it has certainly been a hit with most of the world. The game only costs a couple of dollars and is well worth it.

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Google Bought Like.com

C Robinson — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:52:39 +0000

Today Google bought Like.com, the price is unknown but the site is valued at around $100 million. The site owned and operatored by Munjal Shah is a visual search engine. It’s a really unique site that is amazing to use and just look at.

CEO Shah didn’t state what Google would be doing with Like.com but he did hint on the point that he and his team will continure to work on the visual search and cross- matching in e commerce for google.

Did you know that Like.com and Google have some kinda of history. Back in 2005 Google was considering buying a company called Riya which was Shah’s first try at an image facial recognition and tagging for consumers, however Google changed their mind and walked away from the website. In 2009 Riya was closed and the company went on toe create Like.com.

So what is Like.com it’s a visual search engine and the company also went on to open a few smaller sites that devote themselves to fashion and e-commerce, some of these sites include covet.com , Weardrobe and Couturious and the most resent What to Wear.

No one is really sure if Google wants a mini fashion empire but maybe they do. Who knows. Only time will tell.

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Technorati Tags: goggle.com, like.com, picture search engine, visual search engine

Not Surprising ; An Italian- American group protest Mafia 2 Stereotypes.

C Robinson — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:56:55 +0000

The UNICO National request the release of Mafia 2 to be stopped and calling the game “ a pile of racist nonsense” But Take-Two Chairman calls the game “ Socially Responsible”

Fighting games are popular and so are Italian focused fighting games. After over five years of the Grand Theft Auto scandal, another title game from Take -Two Interactive has become a huge light in the world of controversy. Some companies just like to bring drama into their life.

In this game ; Mafia 2 ; which is due to come out within days ( August 24) on PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game was development at 2K Czech which is the same studio behind the first edition released back in 2002. In this edition the game is set in Empire Bay, a New York-like metropolis of course. And players follow the novice mob soldier Vito Scaletta as he tries to rise the ranks of La Cosa Nostra during the 1950s.

Yeah there are tons of similar mob stories that have been told before on film , television and even in other video games. However Mafia 2 seemed to hit the UNICO National the wrong way. The US’s largest Italian American Heritage was not happy about the games “ inappropriate and insulting perpetuation of the pervasive and denigrating stereotype of organized crime being the exclusive domain of Italians and Italian- Americans”

The organization’s president, Andra DiMino went on to say “ Take-Two is directly, blatantly and unfairly discriminating and demeaning one group to the exclusion of all others. We are demanding they halt release of the game and cleanse it of all references to Italians and Italian – Americans.”

So in response , Take – Two chairman, Strauss Zelnick said “ Mafia 2 tells a compelling story about organized crime in American- a subject that for decades has been featured in movies, television shows and novels. Neither UNICO nor any other organization purporting to represent Italian- Americans has seen or played Mafia 2” He then went on to say. “ At Take-Two we balance our right to free expression with what we believe is a thoughtful and responsible approach to creating and marketing our products… We will only release a title that meets out standard : as art, as entertainment and as a socially responsible product. We aim to-distinguish creative and compelling story telling that advances artistic expression from subject matter that gratuitously exploits or glorifies violence or stereotypes. I fully and completely stand behind our creative teams and products, including Mafia 2”

I think that if the UNICO wants to fight this game they will need to wait for it’s release. Because it’s kind of difficult to fight something no one has seen but the actual development company. If after that the game offends them then they have a right to fight it even more. It’s only fair.

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Technorati Tags: controversy, Italian game, Mafia 2, stereotypes, UNICO

Reigning Oct 5 ; Castlevania: Lords of Shadow

C Robinson — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:55:43 +0000

The game Castlevania: Lords of Shadow will arrive in the US on October 5. Konami confirmed this release at the on going Gamescom 2010 which is taking place in Germany. The 3D action adventure game is less than two months away of course gamers are very excited.

In March 2008 Konami formally announced the new game coming up in the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo. The game had been developed for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3.

So what’s the game about? Lords of Shadow takes place in the year 1074 and players follow a new member of the Belmont clan. His name is Gabriel and he is a member of the Brotherhood of Light. Gabriel’s adventure had many levels, these things involve him roaming the land in pursuit of pieces of an artifact and also battling nefarious underworld creatures along with other mythical monsters and beasts. ( Cool right? )

However the biggest add on to this new game is that it has 3D graphics. Which is even more exciting

Terms for this Technology News:

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Technorati Tags: Castlevania, Lords of Shadow, new game

Apple set to release iPad Mini in time for Christmas

Josh — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:35:09 +0000

We are sure you all know about the iPad device that Apple released a few months ago and how successful they were with the device. Now, rumours are that Apple are set to release a ‘mini’ version of their iPad device before this Christmas.

The current version of the iPad boasts a 9.7 inch screen. The rumoured Mini version of the iPad is set to have a slightly smaller screen at just 7 inches but is set to weigh around 200 grams less than the current version of the device does.

The rumours of this new mini iPad come as a Chinese newspaper published the story yesterday. This is the first time it was mentioned and the likeliness of the story has yet to be confirmed although many experts have also said that this would be a likely move for Apple.

The new iPad is set to be released by Apple in time for Christmas if the rumours are correct and we are guessing that it will be a little cheaper than the current model.

If the rumours are true and this iPad Mini is released in time for Christmas, we are sure that it will be on the Christmas list for most people and that Apple will sell out pretty quickly. If Apple has the success that they did with the iPod Mini with the iPad Mini, then they will have a huge hit on their hands, once again.

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Technorati Tags: apple christmas, Apple iPad, apple ipad mini, apple release, christmas gift, iPhone, new apple