RealPlayer Cloud for Xbox One in the works


RealPlayer Cloud targeting Xbox One launch




Video sharing platform RealPlayer Cloud could soon be available for Xbox One users, parent company RealNetworks has confirmed.


Speaking with TrustedReviews recently, Johan Hansen, Managing Director and General Manager of RealPlayer EMEA stated that the company is in the process of bringing its platform to console owners for the first time, although no concrete dates have currently been set.


“We are rolling out onto more and more popular devices,” Hansen told us. “We are looking at Xbox One and we are looking into Smart TVs.


Although confirming the company’s intentions, Hansen remained coy on when the Xbox One might be adding RealPlayer Cloud support.


Describing the Xbox One as “an obvious candidate” for a target platform he stated: “We are talking to [Microsoft]. “That‘s as far as I can go at this moment.”


Not content with plotting a RealPlayer Cloud Xbox One launch, Hansen has confirmed that a PS4 application is also on the horizon.


“Again [the PS4] is something we are targeting but I don’t have an update on if anything is happening there yet,” he said.


“The priority was to get it out onto the main platforms first then add other devices as soon as possible.”


At present the RealPlayer Cloud application, which allows users to share video content that is automatically reformatted to support their current device, is available for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 machines and through TV via Roku or Chromecast add-ons.


Despite suggesting that RealPlayer Cloud will eventually launch on both next-gen consoles, Hansen has hinted that the company is closer to bringing its services to Microsoft’s gamer offering than Sony’s.


Pressed on if a RealPlayer Cloud Xbox One launch is likely to land before a PS4 offering, he added: “It could be. I don’t deal directly with that contact but it [bringing RealPlayer to Xbox One] is further along.”


Read More: Xbox One vs PS4



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5 Reasons Not to Buy a Galaxy S5


A phone for the ages?


The Samsung Galaxy S5 is the big tech news of the moment. It could well be this year’s biggest-selling non-Apple phone, and it’ll be on shelves within a month.

However, there are a few reasons why you should hold off spending £550, or £40 a month, on Samsung’s new phone. Here are the top five arguments for skipping this upgrade.


The screen isn’t dramatically improved over last-generation phonesBlue border


Before the Samsung Galaxy S5 was announced, we half-expected it to have a 2k-resolution screen. Pointless or not, we still think that 2K-res phones will appear this year, but the Galaxy S5 is not one of them.

It uses a 1080p screen – the same resolution as the Galaxy S4. The core Super AMOLED panel technology is the same too. Samsung has made improvements to the calibration of the screen (which affects colour, contrast and so on), but specs-wise, it’s near-identical to its predecessor.


The size of the display hasn’t changed much either. It’s a 5.1-inch screen, up from 4.99 inches in the Galaxy S4. What we’re seeing is phone makers realising that mainstream phones can only get so big before their size becomes a practical pain in the backside. The Galaxy S5 needs to appeal to the masses, where the larger Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Mega 6.3 were always intended to be slightly niche devices (although the Note series has managed to become a smash hit regardless).


We’ve reached a bit of an impasse with screens. Not only will improvements have less of a noticeable effect, major hardware changes are taking a bit longer to arrive too.


In the last three generations of phones, each has seen a big leap in screen tech. This is missing in the Galaxy S5.




Processor improvements have slowed downBlue border


Snapdragon 801 The same can be said of the processor – the Snapdragon 801. At present adding more power to a phone is, at least arguably, overkill and the Galaxy S5 has arrived too early to benefit from this year’s ‘proper’ generational leap in mobile phone CPUs.

The Snapdragon 801 is a bit of a stop-gap upgrade between the Snapdragon 800 and Snapdragon 805. It’s not too far from the truth to call it a revved-up version of the processor we saw last year in the LG G2.


Much like the screen, there are improvements, but you may not notice them all that much. Looking back, the leap from Galaxy S3 to Galaxy S4 was actually a massive improvement by comparison – much as we complained that phone was not enough of an upgrade. How ungrateful we were…




Most of the extra hardware offers niche appeal only

Blue border


As there have been only slight improvements to the core aspects of screen and processor tech, Samsung has had to resort to including a load of ‘extras’.

The most conspicuous of the lot is the heart rate monitor, which sits by the camera lens on the back. It would be uncharitable to call it a gimmick, but it is heading in that direction. Its positioning means it’s not really much use to monitor your heart rate while you’re out running (the main function of a heart rate monitor), and other ‘normal’ phones can have a pretty good stab at the same sort of technology through apps.


Heart rate monitor apps for iPhones and Androids use the camera flash LED and the camera sensor to calculate your heart rate. It sounds like the same sort of nonsense app that might X-ray your body or tell you your future, but it does actually work.


The fingerprint scanner is another novel addition, but it simply doesn’t feel as convenient or quick as the iPhone’s TouchID sensor. And what use is a not-that-convenient convenience feature?


Galaxy S4, HTC One and LG G2 all available at great prices

Blue border


The idea that the Galaxy S5 relies on a series of non-essential extras to justify its existence makes us look back to some of last year’s models and ask – is the new one really worth the extra?

A natural chipping-away at prices has seen last year’s flagships come down to really quite sensible levels, even before the new models are out. You can get the Galaxy S4, HTC One and LG G2 for under £350 – that’s a good £200-odd cheaper than the Galaxy S5.


It’s the LG G2 that you should really look at here too, if you want a bargain. LG’s relatively weak position in the mobile phone brand stakes mean it had to price its flagship very aggressively – you can buy one for just £300. Its processor isn’t light years behind the Galaxy S5s: it uses a Snapdragon 800, and its screen is larger.


Is it a better phone? Not necessarily, but it is a whole lot cheaper.


The Galaxy S5 look is truly Marmite-flavouredBlue border


It’s natural to assume that something new is better than that which it follows. However, the Galaxy S5 really challenges this.

In practical terms, it’s fine. A pitted, soft touch surface gives better grip than the Galaxy S4. It’s just the look – we’re not convinced.


Samsung has adopted the ridged plastic chrome sides of the Galaxy Note 3, and created a new, very odd style of rear for the Galaxy S5. Maybe it just hasn’t clicked with me yet. Maybe I just don’t appreciate style. Either way, I don’t get it.


Are you thinking about buying a Galaxy S5? Let us know what attracts you to the phone in the comments


Next, read our Galaxy S5 vs Galaxy S4 comparison



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Motorola Moto 360 smartwatch to feature OLED screen and wireless charging?

Motorola Moto 360

The future of smartwatches is here, well, almost




Following the timepiece’s formal unveiling earlier this week, latest reports have suggested the Motorola Moto 360 smartwatch will benefit from an OLED screen and wireless charging capabilities.


Having been announced in the wake of Google’s Android Wear announcement, Motorola has teasingly offered up some tantalising images and a few top line details on the Samsung Gear 2 rival, with a range of tipsters now looking to fill in the blanks.


Citing an unnamed “leakster” with a “flawless track record when it comes down to Motorola,” GforGames has claimed that the Motorola Moto 360’s impressive watch-like round display will benefit from an OLED panel and protective Sapphire Glass coating.


What’s more, the Android Wear powered watch, which will go head-to-head with the equally real but equally mysterious LG G Watch, will reportedly host magnetic induction wireless charging capabilities.


With the OLED panel, which offers deeper blacks and better power management than LCD displays, sure to aid the Moto 360’s battery life, the wireless charging will make for easier recharging than the likes of the bespoke dock requiring Samsung Galaxy Gear.


The Motorola Moto 360 will run Google’s Android Wear – a wearbles orientated take on its market-leading mobile OS – and feature a splash proof body.


Although there is currently no word on a Motorola Moto 360 release date or pricing, early details of this innovative smartphone have us excited. We can’t wait for more official details.


Read More: Samsung Gear Fit review



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Far Cry 4 release date tipped for the first half of 2015

Far Cry 3

Will Far Cry 4 let you rise elephants?




The eagerly awaited Far Cry 4 release date will be held during the first of half 2015, latest reports have suggested.


Although publisher Ubisoft has yet to offer any formal details on the eagerly awaited game, latest reports from Eurogamer have claimed a Far Cry 4 release date is about a year away, with the game to be based in a rural Himalayan setting.


While an exact Far Cry 4 release date remains a mystery, the reports have cited unnamed insiders in suggesting the game will launch during the upcoming financial year – so before the end of March 2015.


Backing up recent reports of a change in setting, the latest rumours, which we must stress are far from confirmed, have hinting that the game will be located in the Himalayan mountain ranges. If accurate this would mark a dramatic step away from the tropical settings of recent Far Cry offerings.


Despite a change in location, it has been hinted that Far Cry 4 will feature a largely unchanged gameplay style to its predecessors, with gamers required to hunt their pray and capture small settlements, all while avoiding death and capture.


Intriguingly, gamers will reportedly be able to ride elephants within the title although this remains to be seen.


Despite the mooted Far Cry 4 release date looking likely to be around 12 months away, you apparently won’t have to wait that long for your first sneak peek. The game will be reportedly be showcased during E3 2014 in early June.


With Far Cry 3 having launched in November 2012, a H1 2015 Far Cry 4 release date would see the game have a development cycle just of just over two years. Launch platforms are currently unclear.


Read More: Best Games 2014



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Assassin’s Creed Unity officially announced with holiday 2014 release date


Ubisoft has officially announced Assassin’s Creed Unity with a special teaser trailer to celebrate.


Following numerous rumours of a next-gen Assassin’s Creed, Ubisoft has lifted the lid on AC: Unity, which has been given a “holiday 2014” release date.


“We have been working on the new Assassin’s Creed for more than three years and although we weren’t quite ready to show you our full vision for a next-gen only AC, it seems Abstergo are trying to force our hand!” read the Ubisoft statement. ”So here’s a true first look at in-game footage from Assassin’s Creed Unity. Stay tuned - we'll have many more exciting details for you in the months ahead!”


From the look of the teaser trailer, Assassin’s Creed Unity is set in 18th century Paris, as the French flag and Notre Dame are both clearly visible in the footage.


The unnamed protagonist is shown standing high above the crowd gathered in front of Notre Dame for an execution by guillotine.


According to “a number of sources”, Unity is one of two Assassin’s Creed games that Ubisoft will release this year.


No doubt, Unity will be the PS4 and Xbox One next-gen title, but rumour has it that there will be a separate Xbox 360 and PS3 version called Comet, but this may not be a final title.


With more details expected in “the months ahead”, you’ll have to satisfy yourself with the below teaser trailer.



Read more: Xbox One vs PS4



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HTC One M8 Launch: How to watch the live stream

HTC One M8 Live Stream

Here's how to follow the HTC One M8 live stream




Ahead of next Tuesday’s eagerly awaited HTC One M8 launch event, the Taiwanese manufacturer has confirmed plans to live stream the event.


With the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z2 rival one of the most eagerly awaited handsets of the year, HTC has posted a HTC One M8 launch live stream on its UK and US webpages teasing simply: “The best is about to get better.”


With the heavily rumoured and repeatedly leaked HTC One follow-on confirmed for a March 25 unveiling, with launch events in both London and New York, the phone is expected to be formally showcased for the first time at 4pm GMT.


Letting eager consumers keep track on just how long there is until launch, the live stream page is currently being used to count down to the phone’s unveiling.


Although HTC has yet to share any confirmed HTC One M8 specs, virtually all of the phone’s expected secrets have already revealed courtesy of a selection of leaks and premature outings.


Set to host a 5-inch 1080p Full HD display – up from its 4.7-inch predecessor - the HTC One M8 will reportedly be powered by a 2.3GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM and Google’s latest Android 4.4 KitKat OS.


Its powerful internals aside, the stunningly designed brushed metal HTC One M8 looks set to benefit from a camera-themed party piece.


According to countless leaks and rumours, the M8 will become the first smartphone to feature a dual-lens rear-mounted camera. Building on the One’s 4-UltraPixel snapper, the dual-lens system will reportedly improve the depth and focussing of shots.



TrustedReviews
will be on hand live from the London launch to bring you all the latest breaking news and hands-on reviews from the event.


Read More: HTC One mini review



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Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet released in the UK, prices start from £399

Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet

The Z2 Tablet is now out in the UK




Following last month’s unveiling, the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet has been released in the UK, with the Android-powered slate available from £399.


Having entered the realms of reality alongside the Samsung Galaxy S5 rivalling Sony Xperia Z2 smartphone during MWC 2014, the slim line tablet has been given a low-key UK release, going on sale through Sony’s own online store. The sale has started following a round of pre-order availability earlier this month.


Available in 16GB and 32GB Wi-Fi only options, as well as a 16GB Wi-Fi plus 4G offering, the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet models cost £399, £449 and £499 respectively.


In a further effort to tempt potential consumers away from the lure of the market-leading iPad lines, Sony has confirmed that the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet can be paired with an additional three year warranty for just 1 pence.


Powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet specs sheet is bolstered by 3GB of RAM and an Adreno 330 GPU.


Lining up at a minimalist 6.4mm thick and just 426g in weight, the 10.1-inch Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet features a 1080p Full HD Triluminous display and benefits from a claimed 10 hour battery life.


With an 8.1-megapixel camera mounted on the tablet’s rear, a secondary, 2.2-megapixel snapper sits on the device’s fore.


Although the Z2 Tablet is now available for purchase, the eagerly awaited Sony Xperia Z2 handset will not hit the UK until next month.



Read More:
iPad Air review



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Latest Valve Steam Controller prototype demoed in new video

Valve Steam Controller

Valve Steam Controller - "Dog"




Valve has unveiled the fourth prototype of the Steam Controller at GDC 2014.


Nicknamed “Dog”, the fourth prototype is the iteration that removes the Steam Controller’s original touchscreen in favour of physical buttons.


The redesign was announced during a Valve Steam Dev Days presentation in January and aims to improve backwards compatibility.


“We took the things we learnt out of [the third iteration] and we got a lot of feedback not only from the 300 testers but our testing internally, and incorporated them into Dog, which is the latest version,” said Scott Dalton, Valve software team member,


It has two diamond shaped button arrays similar to those found on traditional console controller rather than using the touchscreen.


“As we went on over time we realised that there were a bunch of things about the touchscreen that we could incorporate straight into the touchpads themselves.”


The new controller is more visually similar to PlayStation or Xbox controller, but still looks quirky and unique.


Valve is attempting to make the Steam Controller a little more accessible to those familiar with traditional controllers, taking advantage of their “muscle memory” associated with the movements made while gaming.


At the moment, each Steam Controller is hand-made from 3D printed parts and Valve believes this is as close to the final product as it has gotten so far.


“We’re still doing a lot of testing so there may continue to be changes, but the internal workings of this [prototype] are almost entirely different, there are a lot of ergonomic changes and refinements that we’ve made since [the last iteration].”


The triggers on the latest Dog prototype have also been switched to analogue to increase the usability and make them more sensitive to different gaming types.



Read more: SteamOS Guide – Steam OS and Steam Machines explained




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Watch Dogs PS4 and PS3 exclusive content detailed in new trailer


Ubisoft has revealed the exclusive Watch Dogs PS4 and PS3 content and released a trailer to celebrate.


Anyone who purchases the PS4 or PS3 editions of Watch Dogs will get access to exclusive content not available to Xbox One, Xbox 360 or PC gamers at launch.


Not only will you get a unique “White Hat” Hacker Outfit for your PS4 and PS3 to use, which of course is exciting, but it’s the missions that will be most attractive.


The PlayStation exclusive content includes four extra missions equating to an additional hour of gameplay on top of the existing storyline content.


“By playing this additional content, players will have a deeper knowledge of DedSec, a key and powerful faction in the Watch Dogs universe.”


When you’ve completed this content, you’ll get access to a Hacking Boost called Superior Capacity, which provides you with an additional Battery Slot.


The exclusive content was also shown off a little in the below announcement trailer.


Ubisoft also confirmed that there will be a PS3 and PS4 Watch Dogs bundle available for launch in the UK, which will include all this exclusive content.


Following the original launch delay, Ubisoft announced that the Watch Dogs release date will now occur on May 27 for the PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC.


A Wii U version is still in the works, but will arrive “at a later date”, which has yet to be announced.


Read more: Best PS4 games



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Nokia Lumia 630 spotted running Windows Phone 8.1


The as yet unannounced Nokia Lumia 630 has been spotted running Windows Phone 8.1.


Microsoft is expected to launch Windows Phone 8.1 at the Build Developers Conference in April, but we could be looking at one of the first devices to run Microsoft’s newest mobile OS.


The Nokia Lumia 630 has been spotted on Sofica Camspeed running the latest Windows Phone 8.1 mobile OS, with the version listed as 8.10.12324.0.


Sofica also revealed that it has a 5-megapixel rear camera and lacks a flash. This is in line with previous rumours and would explain how Nokia keeps the Lumia 630’s price low.


The Nokia Lumia 630 would be the successor to the popular Nokia Lumia 620 released last year.


Purported specs include a 4.5-inch 854 x 480p display and 3G only support.


Currently we don’t know much else about the device, but expect it to be formally announced post Microsoft’s Build Conference in early April.


Windows Phone 8.1 Features

In recent months the Windows Phone 8.1 leaks have kicked into overdrive, especially surrounding the heavily rumoured WP8.1 voice assistant Cortana.


According to leaked demonstration footage, “Cortana is a personal assistant on your phone, ready to help with reminders, suggestions, tasks and lots more.”


Competing with the likes of Siri for iOS, it seems Cortana will have a few more features and capabilities than Apple’s voice assistant.


Cortana will be able to offer basic information like settings alarms, searching the internet, checking weather forecasts, providing stock info, sending messages or offering directions. However, it will also be able to take notes for you, activate the Do Not Disturb Mode, toggle Bluetooth, make calls and take advantage of your smartphone apps.


Microsoft’s voice assistant will be able to track event data it discovers in emails and offer tailored notifications and directions, as well as storing other useful data within its Notebook system.


This will enable Cortana to provide truly personalised responses and let you customise how Cortana functions.


Read more: Nokia Lumia 1020 review


Via: NokiaPowerUser



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PS4 stock shortages to continue into the summer

Sony PS4

The PS4 will remain hard to buy for a while yet




If you’re struggling to get your mitts on a PS4 you might have a substantial wait ahead of you, as Sony suggests stock shortages will continue into the summer.


Despite some 6 million PS4 consoles having been sold to date, the Japanese manufacturer has revealed that the ongoing PS4 stock shortages look likely to continue for at least a further few months.


"We're struggling to keep up with demand," Andrew House, President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment told the Wall Street Journal.


"Conservatively, as we get into the early summer months, we'll be closer to a full supply situation."


House’s delay confirmation is the latest knock to expectant gamers, with Sony just last month suggesting PS4 stocks would be readily available by April.


“Based on what I’ve seen so far, I think it is going to be tricky until around about April,” Fergal Gara, Sony’s Head of PlayStation UK said in February.


At the time he added: “You might get a fortnight or a week here or there where it is more available, but we should be back to free supply by about April.”


Despite having been in short supply since launch last November, the PS4 continues to outsell the rival Xbox One.


Although Microsoft’s next-gen console received a spike from Titanfall, latest monthly sales figures have shown that the PS4 remains the console of choice for most gamers.


Read More: Xbox One vs PS4



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Samsung Galaxy S5, Gear 2 and Gear Fit to be previewed before release


Samsung are offering a global preview of the new Samsung Galaxy S5 and Gear range ahead of their official release date next month.


Offering consumers a chance to play with its new device range, Samsung is offering a special preview of all its new products in special store showcases.


Devices including the Samsung Gear 2 and Samsung Gear Fit will be on display and available for demonstration by “dedicated Galaxy specialists” in UK stores from the pre-order date of March 28.


“The new Galaxy S5 and Gear devices are designed for what matters most to our consumers,” said Younghee Lee, Executive VP of Global Marketing at Samsung IT and Mobile. “We listened closely to our consumers when designing these products, and we want to give as many customers as possible enough chance to experience the Galaxy S5, Gear 2 and Gear Fit before they purchase.”


Although there is no word as to which specific stores in the UK will have access to the Galaxy S5 preview showcase, Samsung has said that it will be available at “Samsung Experience Stores, mobile carrier stores and key retailer stores”.


The idea of the preview is to let you take the new devices for a test run before you buy and to take a look at specific features like the S5’s fingerprint scanner or the heart rate monitor of all the devices.


All the new devices were launched at the Samsung Unpacked 5 event at MWC 2014 last month. The Samsung Galaxy S5 release date was set for April 11, and now Samsung has confirmed that the Gear 2, Gear 2 Neo and Gear Fit will also be available from that day.


Read more: Samsung Galaxy S5 vs Galaxy S4



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Amazon smartphone release date and features tipped


The Amazon smartphone release date and features have been tipped by a notoriously accurate industry insider.


According to Ming-Chi Kuo, KGI Securities analyst and someone with a fantastic reputation of correctly revealing manufacturers’ plans before they are announced, Amazon’s smartphone will be unveiled within the next 3 – 6 months.


“We predict Amazon (US) will launch its own brand smartphone in 3-6 months, using the same hardware strategy as used for its e-reader and tablet”, said Kuo in a note to clients obtained by BGR. “The supply chain will start stocking up materials in 2Q14 for production. We estimate required components will amount to 700k – 1.2m units and assembly to 300 – 600k units. Related suppliers will start to see benefits in 2Q14.”


It is believed that the Amazon smartphone will be running on the same Fire OS as the Amazon Kindle Fire range, which is Android with a heavy overlaid UI.


What’s interesting is that Kuo confirms previous rumours of the Amazon smartphone offering not two, but six cameras that will be used for enhanced gesture controls.


“The key feature of the smartphone, we believe, will be the six cameras. Aside from the main camera, which is used to take pictures, and the sub camera used for video conferencing (these are both found in all smartphones), we think the other four cameras will be used for gesture control, allowing users to operate the smartphone without touching the touch panel.”


Specs wise, Kuo suggests the Amazon smartphone will have a 4.7-inch display with a pixel density of somewhere between 300 and 320ppi. This would roughly work out at 720p HD rather than 1080p full HD.


It will also apparently have a plastic body and feature a 13-megapixel rear camera supplied by Sony. All the other cameras, including the front-facing video-calling snapper, would be produced by Primax.


Battery size is tipped to lie somewhere between 2,000 and 2,400mAh.


“While Amazon’s smartphone is at the experimental stage, we think its hardware features and business model may have the potential to garner a positive market reaction, fueling robust sales growth,” added Kuo.


Read more: Google Nexus 7 2 vs Kindle Fire HDX 7 vs HDX 8.9



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Samsung UE65HU8500 TV Review


What is the Samsung UE65HU8500?


The Samsung UE65HU8500 is where 2014 gets interesting. Not only is this 65-inch model the first TV from Samsung’s 2014 TV range, it’s also the brand’s flagship 2014 TV. Which means two key next-generation things: it carries a native 4K / UHD resolution, and it’s curved. The question is, is it also brilliant? Or has the introduction of the curve sent Samsung round the bend?

GUIDE: Samsung TVs in 2014


Samsung UE65HU8500

Samsung UE65HU8500: Design and Features


Any discussion of the Samsung UE65HU8500’s design has to kick off with its curve. As with the only other curved TV we’ve seen to date, the LG 55EA980W, the screen curves gently back at its centre, creating an instant and potent aesthetic impact through its sheer difference from the flat TVs we’re all used to.

We suspect that many people will feel highly attracted to the UE65HU8500’s subtle curve as a design feature, but it remains to be seen if it’s going to have any appeal from a performance point of view.


One potential negative thing about the curve, of course, is that if you want to wall hang it it’s going to stick out much more than most flat TVs – though Samsung has at least come up with a simple wall mount that makes hanging the UE65HU8500 easier than you might imagine.


Another distinctive point about the UE65HU8500’s design is the narrowness of its bezel, which is barely 1cm across. This stands in stark contrast, of course, to the huge, speaker-sporting bezels around Sony’s upcoming 2014 UHD TVs – and it’s a contrast we think may work in Samsung’s favour with the public given what a chunk of living room space a 65-inch screen takes up even with minimal bezel around it.


We did feel, though, that the bezel looks a little plasticky and uninspired versus the panache and style of some previous high-end Samsung TVs.


As with last year’s UHD Samsung TVs, the UE65HU8500’s connections are predominantly provided by an external connections box, which hooks up to the TV by just one cable. As well as making it easier to keep the space around the TV looking tidy, this external connections box carries many of the TV’s ‘brains’, so that 65HU8500 owners could if they wish pay for upgrade boxes in the years ahead so that their TV is always enjoys the latest Samsung features and operating systems. Like a more extensive version of the Evolution Kits available for the last couple of generations of Samsung’s non-UHD TVs.


Connection Box

Another benefit of this upgradable connections suite is that it means you don’t have to worry about changing connection standards – eg, new HDMI formats – or new UHD broadcasting formats should these suddenly appear.


As a perfect example of what we’re talking about, the connections box with the UE65HU8500 carries four HDMI 2.0 inputs supporting 50/60Hz UHD playback - as well as compatibility with the MHL 3.0 spec (which supports 4k formats up to 2160p30) and support for both the HEVC UHD delivery system being used by Netflix and the HDCP 2.2 anti-piracy standard. None of these connection options were available on last year’s Samsung UHD TVs, but owners of those TVs will soon be able to buy the new connections box and thus instantly enjoy the upgraded connectivity.


ROUND-UP: 10 Best TVs


Samsung UE65HU8500

With so much confusion surrounding the UHD HDMI situation last year we always felt that the upgradable connections box was a massive attraction, and even though the HDMI situation is more established now, it’s still early enough in UHD’s life for us to still find Samsung’s unique upgradability hugely reassuring.


The UE65HU8500’s more advanced connectivity is far from the only advance its new connections box carries versus last year’s though. It also houses a considerably more powerful ‘brain’: a Quad Core Plus 1.8GHz system that apparently runs twice as fast as last year’s 1.3GHz engine. This is used to drive a more powerful video processing engine – including local dimming of the edge LED lighting array that’s delivered over more separately controlled zones than Samsung has attempted on a ‘mainstream’ TV before.


The extra power is also put to use with improving the upscaling of HD and standard definition content to the screen’s UHD pixel count, and, intriguingly, it powers a new PureColour technology that simplifies the colour processing system while also providing more than seven times as many colour adjustment points as any previous Samsung TV. Resulting, hopefully, in a much more defined and rich colour palette.


Smart TV

The UE65HU8500’s new brains also, of course, include Samsung’s latest smart TV system. At first glance this seems surprisingly similar to last year’s system, flying in the face of the wholesale annual changes we’ve become accustomed to from the Korean brand. But dig a little deeper and there are actually plenty of significant new developments to explore.


Samsung UE65HU8500

We’ll cover the system in detail in a dedicated feature in the next week or so, but briefly the main changes look like this.


Last year’s Social Hub has been replaced by a Game one. Social features are now included with the smart content menu window devoted to your personal streamed content rather than having their own screen, and include a trending on Twitter content-finding option. Gesture controls have been replaced by finger controls, the idea being that you can adjust the screen with really small movements of your fingers now, rather than needing to move your whole hands in the fatiguing way you had to with last year’s Samsung sets.


Also a big step in the right direction is the introduction of a new single content-sharing and control app for smart devices that replaces the over-complicated two apps of last year. Then there’s the ‘multi-screen’ function, which on the Samsung UE65HU8500 lets you display up to four different full HD 'subscreens' of content simultaneously. So you could, say, have live TV showing to top left, YouTube clips to top right, a list of related video clips to navigate to at bottom right, and the 'On TV' hub menu to bottom left. The system works smoothly and quickly, and is a handy visual trick for Samsung to have in its shop-floor arsenal.


ROUND-UP: Best 4K TVs


Samsung UE65HU8500

Another key new element to the UE65HU8500 is a football mode introduced in recognition of the fact that this is a World Cup year. This switches to a footie-friendly picture preset, lets you highlight footage of a particular player from the tournament, and rather niftily gives you the option to have your TV automatically record a game’s highlights to USB, with the TV deciding what’s a ‘highlight’ by analysing crowd noise.


What about the curve?

We can’t, of course, leave off a discussion of the UE65HU8500’s features without looking in more depth at the curved screen. There are so many issues surrounding this controversial development in TV tech, in fact, that we’ll be doing a dedicated feature on the subject soon. Ahead of that, though, here are a few initial thoughts from living with the UE65HU8500.


The first thing to say is that the curve makes more sense on the UE65HU8500’s 65-inch screen than it did on the smaller 55-inch screen of the LG 55EA980W. We’ve always felt that curved screens are more likely to have positive effects at larger screen sizes, and this is borne out by the way the extra sense of depth and immersion the curve gives with both 2D and 3D footage feels more convincing from a wider range of viewing distances than it does with the 55-inch model.


It’s worth adding here that Samsung has introduced a new depth enhancement processing system designed to make our 'flat' source images better suited to the curved screen environment.


Another benefit of the larger screen is that the area within which you can sit before the curve starts to seriously upset the image’s geometry is expanded, making it easier to accommodate more viewers in the enlarged ‘sweet spot’.


That said, it remains the case that if your viewing angle gets beyond around 35 degrees off axis then the image starts to look uncomfortable, with the image near you looking compressed compared with the far side. And of course, the problem grows the wider your viewing angle gets. Stay within the 35 degree viewing angle though and interestingly you actually suffer less contrast and colour loss off axis than you do with flat TVs.


Samsung UE65HU8500


The biggest issue we have with the curve is that if you have any bright light sources opposite the screen, the curvature can cause either double or stretched reflections on the screen – something which might require a little thought with how you place the TV in your living space.


Overall, though, while the curve might not suit everyone, it does have some benefits, and the size of the 65HU8500’s screen makes those benefits easier for multiple users to enjoy thanks to the larger viewing sweet spot. So watching a curved TV needn’t be a solitary activity after all!


To be honest, it’s kind of handy that the curve doesn’t strike us as an unmitigated disaster, since Samsung is so behind its curved technology that it’s only fitted its curved screens with its top-line panel and processing technology. If you’d rather go flat you’ll have to do without local dimming, as well as having pictures created via a less accurate micro dimming system – by which we mean that the image will be broken down into fewer ‘blocks’ for processing purposes than the picture of the 8000/8500 curved models, resulting in less accurate colour and contrast delivery.



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Google now encrypting all your emails in Gmail


Google has revealed that it has taken steps to encrypt every single email you send through Gmail.


In a recent blog post, Gmail Security Engineering Lead Nicolas Lidzborski outlined Google’s how the company had tightened up its popular email service.


"Starting today, Gmail will always use an encrypted HTTPS connection when you check or send email," he wrote. This means that "no one can listen in on your messages as they go back and forth between you and Gmail’s servers—no matter if you're using public WiFi or logging in from your computer, phone or tablet."


Of course, Google has always supported the HTTPS secure communications protocol, and in 2010 made it the default option. But now the company has taken that option entirely out of our hands, ensuring that Gmail is a completely encrypted experience for everyone.


The post also points out that your emails are secure even when they're moving about internally between Google’s data centres. It mentions that these increased privacy steps have come in the wake of "last summer’s revelations."


This is evidently a reference to the court case that arose when it was found that Gmail was scanning its users emails as part of a targeted ad system.


Not that Google’s ongoing security tweaks have affected Gmail’s reliability that much. According to the post, "Gmail was available 99.978 percent of the time" in 2013, which amounts to less than two hours disruption per user for the whole year.


Read More: Best mobile phones 2014



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Nikon Df Camera Review


What is the Nikon Df?


Nowadays, the word cool isn’t one necessarily associated with cameras. But, back in the golden age of film SLRs, the 1960s and 1970s - both eras of iconic design, the classic models were not only triumphs of engineering but simply beautiful – the epitome of cool, in fact

Recently, there’s been a return to those design aesthetics. Fujifilm and Olympus brought out their own retro-inspired models such as the beautiful X100S and OM-D E-M5 and that tempted Nikon to have a stab at a retro-tinged DSLR.


So here it is – the full-frame Nikon Df – the camera to finally satisfy those who, since the arrival of the D1 almost 15 years ago, have yearned for the digital equivalent of film SLRs such as the F3 or FM2. Or is it?


READ MORE: Camera Reviews



Nikon Df: Features


The Nikon Df has been designed not just for Auto-Focus (AF) lenses, but also for use with old and new manual-focus optics.

The standout feature is perhaps the inclusion of a collapsible metering coupling lever to allow non-AI Nikon lenses to be attached. To facilitate this, the Df’s AI indexing tab can be folded out of the way.


However, before setting it physically on the lens the Df will need to be told via the menu what to expect. Then to meter you’ll have to use the command dial on the front to set the desired aperture. A long-winded process, but a welcome addition for those with non-A1 lenses.


ROUND-UP: Best Cameras 2014



While it’s not intended for action photography, the Df is still capable of shooting at a pretty fast 5.5fps, while the shutter has been tested for 150,000 cycles.


Disappointingly, the maximum shutter speed is only 1/4000 sec – not 1/8000 sec as with the D800/E or D4 – while a flash sync of 1/200 sec is a little slower than the D800’s 1/250 sec.


It’s also more than a little disappointing that there’s no video functionality. In this day age – regardless of the perceived target market – that’s just unacceptable.


The Multi-CAM 4800FX module offers 39-point AF, the central 9 points of which are the more consistent cross-type variants, with the system able to lock on in conditions as poor as -1EV.


The AF is hooked up to the Df’s Scene Recognition System to allow for sophisticated predictive AF tracking in continuous AF, making it easier to keep a lock on moving subjects.



For a power source, the Df uses the relatively small EN-EL14a battery, which Nikon considers good for approximately 1,400 shots.


Finally, in terms of the DF’s sensor Nikon has opted for a full-frame model, but instead of using either the 24.3MP one from the D610 or the 36.3MP version from the D800/E, it is the 16.2MP unit from the flagship D4.


This is perfectly understandable – while the extra resolution of the others may be desired in some situations, the flexibility and performance of the 16.2MP chip at higher ISO speeds is much more in tune with the spontaneous situations for which the Df is designed, not prolonged tripod-mounted work.


Furthermore, it’ll also be more forgiving with pre-digital optics than the ultra-critical 36.3MP sensor.



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PayPal brings Pay At Table and Order Ahead to UK


PayPal has added two new mobile payment systems to its UK app, Pay At Table and Order Ahead.


Available in the US since September last year, Pay At Table and Order Ahead allow you to pay for your food using your phone and order it ahead of the visit respectively - all without any fancy NFC technology (which is why it’s good news for iPhone users).


This UK implementation kicks of PayPal’s wider roll-out of payment services around Europe. You can now use PayPal to pay for items in more than 2,000 restaurants and shops around Britain, but this particular implementation is new and available in the Wagamama, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, and Prezzo restaurant chains.


Pay At Table doesn’t just negate the need for whipping out your wallet in restaurants, it makes the whole process easier. Splitting the bill between multiple Pay At Table users is easy, as is adding a tip from multiple sources.


It works by producing a four digit code upon seating, which you then give to your waiter. From that point on, all of your ordered items appear on the app - which could also be a great way of monitoring those mistaken additions.


Another restaurant bugbear that this app removes is waiting to pay. Once you check out of the app, you’ve paid, and you can leave the restaurant without waiting around for an extra 20 minutes trying to get the waiter’s attention to settle up.


It’s also possible to add a picture of yourself to your PayPal account in order for participating restaurants to verify your identity in an alternative check-in system.


Order Ahead, as its name suggests, is more of a take away tool, though participating restaurants may also allow you to eat in once you get there. It lets you check out a restaurant’s menu, choose your meal, and when you want to pick it up or arrive to scarf it down.


Both Pay At Table and Order Ahead are available through the free PayPal app on iOS and Android right now. Naturally, you’ll need a PayPal account (with money in it) to make use of these new features.



Read More: Best mobile phones 2014



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Magellan: All fitness wearables will have heart rate sensors ‘within a year or two’

Adidas miCoach Smart Run

Heart rate sensors will soon be with the masses




As sports bands become increasingly smart, Magellan has suggested that ‘within a year or two’ all fitness wearables will feature integrated heart rate sensors.


With the likes of the Adidas miCoach Smart Run watch having already brought integrated heart rate monitors to the fore, the vitals-tracking sensor is now starting to appear in phones, including the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5.


Now, according to Magellan, the latest selling point of the wearables market is on its way to being a mainstream inclusion, much like step tracking or sleep monitoring.


“At this point step tracking is a commodity,” Clark Weber, Magellan’s Senior Director of Wearable Technology said. “If a new product didn’t have that at this point I would be surprised.”


Speaking with TrustedReviews he added: “The same is going to happen, probably in a year or two, with wrist-based heart rate. If you are wearing something on your wrist you are going to expect to see that type of information.


Although Magellan does not currently offer heart rate tracking on any of its wearable product lines, the manufacturer has suggested this could change in the near future.


“Heart rate is something that we are looking into for sure,” Weber told us. “We are going to be adding more and more sensors to the watch to bring in those expected metrics.”


Despite pointing to widespread adoption of heart rate sensors, Weber has been somewhat downbeat on the technology’s current implementations.


“The optical heart rate that they are using on a lot of these devices is fine when you’re resting but when you go for a run the reliability is not there,” he said.


“Getting my heart rate on the back of my phone at any given point of the day is interesting and if I’m tracking it throughout the day it could help me understand certain aspects of my wellness but when it comes to the specific activity that is going to be fairly inconvenient.”


Read More: Samsung Gear Fit review



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PS4 Camera sales near 1m with a 15% adoption rate

PS4, Dualshock 4 and the PlayStation Camera

PS4, Dualshock 4 and the PlayStation Camera




Sony has announced that PlayStation Camera sales for the PS4 are nearing 1 million.


During a presentation at GDC 2014, Sony’s Chris Norden revealed the PlayStation Camera is “severely supply constrained” following underestimated demand for the PS4 peripheral.


So far, the PS4 has sold over 6 million units and Sony said 15 per cent of those users have purchased the PlayStation Camera as well. This percentage would put PlayStation Camera sales around the 900,000 mark.


The PlayStation Camera’s popularity has seen it sell out at a number of retailers, so Sony asks you to “please be patient” as they work to replenish supplies.


Sony made the decision to sell the PlayStation Camera separately to the PS4, despite offering augmented reality title The PlayRoom as a free game included with the next-gen console.


The PlayStation Camera currently costs around £50 to buy online, but the original RRP was £59.99.


Even if you purchased the £349 PS4 and the PlayStation Camera at launch, the combination was still cheaper than buying the Xbox One.


Microsoft’s next-gen console automatically came bundled with the Kinect motion gaming peripheral to reinforce the company’s focus on the Xbox One being an all-round entertainment system.


Microsoft also put a lot of emphasis on the Kinect’s voice commands, which can be used to navigate the Xbox One and launch various apps.



Read more: Xbox One vs PS4


Via: Gamespot



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Titanfall 2 rights obtained by EA Games, won’t be Microsoft exclusive


EA Games has obtained the rights to create a Titanfall sequel, with a report suggesting it will not be a Microsoft exclusive.


PlayStation gamers may be able to play Titanfall 2 according to a new report that the sequel will not be exclusive to the Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC.


According to a “reputable” Gamespot source, EA Games has secured the rights to a Titanfall sequel following the excellent reception to the recently released online-only FPS.


Although sales figures for the game haven’t been released, Titanfall helped see a huge increase in Xbox One sales. In fact, Xbox One sales figures nearly doubled thanks to the Titanfall Xbox One bundle, with overall sales up 96 per cent.


What’s interesting is that the terms of EA Games’ rights acquisition isn’t quite as clear cut as with the original title. It’s possible that PS4 and potentially Nintendo Wii U gamers too will see Titanfall 2 launched for their console of choice.


Previously, EA Games CFO Blake Jorgensen said that potential sequels to Titanfall could fall under the multiplatform umbrella for “sure”.


At the tail end of 2013, Jorgensen announced that Titanfall was to be a Microsoft exclusive “for the life of the title”.


Vince Zampella, Respawn Entertainment then followed up on the revelation via Twitter, suggesting that exclusivity might not have always been planned.


“Always MS exclusive at launch, great partner and focus is good for a startup. EA made a deal for the rest, we only found out recently,” tweeted Zampella.


Earlier this month, prominent games industry analyst Michael Pachter said Titanfall 2 would not be an Xbox One exclusive.


“I think this might be the last exclusive you see for a long long time that’s third party,” said Pachter. “I think had [EA Games] known at the time when they made the decision to go exclusive Xbox, had they known that the Xbox One was going to be $100 more than the PS4 I think they wouldn’t have done it. I think that they believe that Microsoft was going to kick Sony’s butt this cycle.”



Read more: Titanfall Guide



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Samsung Gear 2 and Gear Fit prices announced in Taiwan


Samsung has officially announced the Samsung Gear 2 and Samsung Gear Fit prices ahead of their release date.


According to the given prices, the Gear 2 will be $295 and the Gear Fit will be $197 when they are launched in the US.


This would equate to a £180 price tag for the Gear 2 and £120 for the Gear Fit in the UK, if the conversions are kept exactly the same.


Despite Samsung’s official announcements, there was no mention of the Gear 2 Neo pricing, but it is expected to be priced to match the Gear Fit at launch.


Before you get too excited at the thought of a fairly affordable Samsung smartwatch, we reckon the devices will cost a little more here in the UK than those conversion prices suggest.


Earlier this week, Three released its Samsung Galaxy S5 pricing on contract, but also let slip the standalone prices for the Gear Fit and Gear 2 Neo.


According to Three’s prices, the Gear Fit and Gear 2 Neo will cost £199 rather than the £120 suggested by official Taiwanese Samsung pricing.


We still have no official release date for any of the Tizen-powered Samsung wearables, but expect them to arrive not long after the Galaxy S5 release date.


We have contacted Samsung to find out what the UK pricing for the devices will be.


Samsung Gear 2 Features

The Samsung Gear 2 features a 1.63-inch super AMOLED display with a 320 x 320p resolution running on 1GHz dual-core processor with 512MB of RAM.


It has 4GB of internal storage and comes with Bluetooth 4.0 LE and an irLED sensor, but there’s still no GPS to speak of.


Samsung has apparently improved the battery life to around 2-3 days, or up to 6 days with low use.


The Gear 2 also has a 2-megapixel camera and built-in speakers for smartphone notifications.



Read more: Samsung Tizen OS – 6 things you need to know


Via: Sammobile



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Leading manufacturers could be working on own YotaPhone rivals

YotaPhone

Could the YotaPhone be the start of a revolution?




Leading smartphone manufacturers are reportedly pursuing their own dual-screen smartphones as Yota says it has advised on a range of potential YotaPhone rivals.


With the YotaPhone – a 4.3-inch Android powered handset with a power-saving, secondary E-ink screen on the rear – having launched in the UK earlier this week, Russian manufacturer Yota has claimed “most OEMs” have been in contact for advice on their own products.


We are having some companies contacting us and asking for support,” Lau Geckler, Yota’s Chief Operating Officer said speaking with TrustedReviews recently. “We have some IPs but particularly we have a lot of experience.”


He added: “It is not out of the question [to have copycat devices].


“If you go to any OEM that is either first tier or second tier and asked them to do [a dual-screen phone], they would probably say ‘the only guys who know how to do this is Yota, it would take us many years to get the same experience.’”


Although the manufacturer refused to name any of its rivals which it claims have approached for advice, Geckler hinted that more than a few have been in contact.


“Most OEMs have asked us questions [about the technology],” he told us. “In reality what we are doing is more about software and less about hardware.”


With battery life improvements one of the main draws of the £419 E-ink hosting YotaPhone, the company’s COO has suggested delays in battery improvements could force rivals to follow a similar dual-screen approach.


“Everybody had expected new and improved batteries to come out by now but that didn’t happen,” Geckler said.


“Samsung is focussed on its power saving system and Microsoft has something as well. Everyone is trying to find their way around this delay in the optimised batteries and ours is a good way to do this.”


Read More: Samsung Galaxy S5 review



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iPhone 6 camera to focus on image quality, not megapixels?


Apple will not focus on improving the megapixel count with the iPhone 6, instead focusing on image quality enhancements.


According to a new report, Apple won’t be entering the megapixel battle with the iPhone 6 but will introduce new methods of improving the image quality.


Speaking to AppleInsider, “people familiar with the matter” suggested the iPhone 6 will not compete with the likes of the 20.7-megapixel Sony Xperia Z2 or 40-megapixel Nokia Lumia 1020 in terms of megapixel count when it is launched next year.


Apple is instead focusing its efforts on tweaking components to increase the image quality produced by its 2014 flagship.


With the iPhone 5S, Apple retained the 8-megapixel iSight camera but enlarged the pixels to 1.5 microns, up 0.1-microns from the original iPhone 5. This enabled the iPhone 5S to gather 33 per cent more light than the previous camera model.


Apple also introduced a faster f/2.2 lens, making the iPhone 5S better at low-light photography and improved overall image quality.


That’s not to suggest the iPhone 6 will not feature a slightly higher resolution rear camera than the 8-megapixel iSight camera featured in the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C.


The sources suggested that Apple may jump up a few megapixels, upgrading perhaps in a way that the iPhone 4S’ 5-megapixel camera was bumped up to 8-megapixels for the iPhone 5.


Many iPhone 6 rumours have suggested the 8-megapixel resolution will remain unchanged, but some have tipped a 10-megapixel snapper to feature.


The iPhone 6 rear camera may also be able to offer optical image stabilisation according to recent reports, as well as an aperture size of f/2.0.


Earlier this month, a rumour emerged that the iPhone 6 could feature pressure, temperature and humidity sensors to bring it up to level with the Samsung Galaxy S5.


The iPhone 6 is expected to launch in September with a new iOS 8 health-centric operating system alongside the heavily rumoured Apple iWatch.



Read more: iPhone 6 vs iPhone 5S – What to expect



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InFamous: Second Son Game Review


Is inFAMOUS: Second Son the PS4 exclusive to rival Titanfall?


The first inFAMOUS game was arguably one of the defining titles of Sony’s last generation console and Sucker Punch succeeded where so many have failed by following up with a fittingly brilliant sequel. From what we’ve seen of inFAMOUS Second Son on the PS4 so far, this could be the best instalment yet.

It’s still the same sprawling open world, platform action at the core with elements of RPG and duck-and-cover shooter thrown in for good measure. Sucker Punch aims to keep the franchise fresh with a new protagonist, a greater emphasis on the morality system that has so far underpinned the series and a gorgeous new location.


The fictional surroundings inspired by real-life cities in the first two games are now replaced by Seattle, the city closest to the US-based development team. Visitors will be able to pick out familiar landmarks like the Seattle Science Center and the famous ‘gum wall’ while the landscape is littered with nods to the previous games like the brilliantly named ‘Cole’s Electronics Store’.




Watch the inFAMOUS: Second Son trailer from E3 2013






MORE
: Titanfall hands-on


Visually, the environment looks stunning. If you thought Killzone: Shadow Fall demonstrated the PS4’s graphical superiority, inFAMOUS Second Son further impresses thanks to subtle lighting and minor details like the reflection in rain puddles as you run through the dark, which create a world with character and an atmosphere you can really buy into.


Events for Second Son are set seven years after inFAMOUS 2 where Cole MacGrath’s actions in the New Orleans-inspired New Morais lead to the fallout that now sees the oppressive Department of Unified Protection (D.U.P) try its best to shackle the superhuman conduits, including our new protagonist Delsin Rowe.


In his mid-twenties and dressed in denim jacket, hoodie and beanie hat, Rowe is the kind of unassuming hero where his allegiance to the good or bad is left fairly ambiguous. His smoke-fuelled powers might not sound as brutal as Cole’s electric skills, until you learn that Delsin has the ability to absorb powers from other conduits like his accomplice Fetch (Abigail Walker) adopting her electrical neon powers to zip up walls and fire laser projectiles.



Meeting Fetch is where our hands-on time begins and you must choose between the heroic and ruthless path. The former leads to Rowe taking Fetch under his wing, searching sea boats to uncover and destroy drug stashes. Take the ruthless route and you’ll be tasked with hunting out an activist leader, turning Fetch into a remorseless killer.


Dropping you into the heart of the city, the map radar in the bottom of the screen will point you in the right direction, pinpoint D.U.P officers and other points of interest. You are, of course, free to roam the streets of Seattle giving you plenty of time to wander around and appreciate the level of detail that has gone into the new environment.


Over on the left of the screen, you’ll find power reserve gauges and life bars although this build was set up to let us take as much damage without dying. GTA-style, there will be side missions and what is expected to be around 20 hours of gameplay although we didn’t get to sample how those side missions will look and play out.



Approaching the waters (which you can’t swim in by the way) in the heroic level we have our first encounter with the hordes of highly armoured, gasmask-wearing D.U.P officers. Enemy AI in previous games didn’t really make a great impression and is something Sucker Punch has clearly tried to address. They’ll no longer lay in wait as you try to hide up on a rooftop to pick them off. They too have special afflictions to hunt you out, whether it’s flying up the sides of walls or setting your feet in stone to slow you down.


In the Ruthless level, Rowe and Fetch roam the rooftops across a series of locations around the city interrupting demonstrations against the government’s treatment of conduits to find the leading activist who is also well protected. There’s plenty of opportunities to put the new combat system and get a sense of how the story could develop as Rowe ends the tunnel shootout by holding his hands up in front of an D.U.P stranglehold.


Combat can be approached from short or from a distance and up close feels very Arkham Asylum in close quarters. The melee combat system doesn’t feel drastically different from the button bashing in inFamous 2, although there are attempts to freshen things up. Now you can zoom into individual enemies and choose whether to go for a fatal headshot of incapacitate by aiming for the ankles. It’s yet another way to develop the morality system by giving you the option to choose how to treat every individual you encounter in the game.



There’s a greater variety of weaponry as well powered by Rowe’s borrowed powers like a laser sword and the ability to shoot laser projectiles. We have to admit, we will miss being able to throw cars down the street Crackdown style. When you are taking a beating, the screen will lose colour and like Uncharted, you’ll need to back off and retreat to recover life.


Controls don’t shy too far away from previous games. L1 and R2 control Rowe’s smoke-fuelled powers, L2 lets you zoom into the action and in the build we played through, the R1 trigger was left inactive. Square is assigned to the melee combat, X is to jump or can be double tapped to jump higher and circle lets you to dash or climb buildings.


Triangle is assigned to the new Karmic actions. Hit this and decide whether to subdue (Triangle) or execute (Square) D.U.P officers. The DualShock 4 Touchpad also gets some love. Push down and pull down to drain the neon lights from street signs or suck up the smoke from chimneys on the top of houses.


It works well we just don’t know how necessary it was include but it seems we can expect more interesting uses of the DualShock 4 controller later in the game. Rowe’s movement on ground and parkouring from one building to the next is Assassin’s Creed-esque and if you are struggling, the neon powers will let you zip up buildings making getting around so much easier.




First impressions


The first thing that hits you about inFAMOUS: Second Son is just how good it looks. From the close up facial animations to the recreation of the Seattle landscape this could be the most gorgeous PS4 game yet.

Story-telling is one of Sucker Punch’s strengths and it’s difficult from what we’ve played to know how things will play out, although there’s a strong sense that the arc will be shaped by real-life themes and concerns. The gameplay mechanics feel well executed and combat is surprisingly slick with enough variety to stop it from feeling repetitive.


Whether it can match the kind of freedom that GTA 5 has now become the pinnacle for open world games only time will tell, but there are plenty of positive signs. Fans of the inFAMOUS franchise will be encouraged by what we’ve played through so far and has all the hallmarks of being a standout title for the PS4.


MORE: Games to look out for in 2014



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