5 secret projects Oculus VR and Facebook could be working on


What does the Facebook Oculus VR deal mean?


Unless you've been living under a rock inside a remote cave on an uninhabited desert island, you can't have failed to notice that Facebook has just bought Oculus VR for a sweet $2 billion - a transaction so unlikely that it had many gaming fans glancing at their calendars in disbelief just to check that it wasn't April 1. While the deal isn't to everyone's liking - Minecraft creator Markus "Notch" Persson has already said that his game won't be coming to Oculus Rift as a consequence of the acquisition - it could change the technological playing field considerably.

Oculus suggested that there’s a secret project in the works that will make the deal’s aims become clear. But what could it be?


We've compiled a list of five potential ideas which could happen as a result of Facebook and Oculus VR jumping into bed with one another - one of more of these ideas could end up being a reality, and could change the way we view immersive technology - and games - forever.




Secret Project #1: A Facebook game consoleLine


Facebook 1he most obvious possibility is that Facebook has purchased Oculus VR in order to make inroads into the gaming sector with its own piece of hardware. Facebook has already carved out a large and profitable slice of the interactive entertainment arena with titles like FarmVille and Candy Crush Saga, and the company will be very aware that there's a massive amount of profit to be made in this market. Buying Oculus VR - tipped by many experts to be one of the most important gaming firms of the next decade - sends out a very confident message to the rest of the industry.

The Rift headset could merely be one element of a much larger package. It is platform-agnostic, which means that it could quickly and easily be paired with an entirely new piece of gaming hardware. Oculus is a VR firm, but it has plenty of seasoned pros in its ranks - former id Software honcho John Carmack being one of the most notable. And it is not beyond the realms of possibility for Oculus, backed by Facebook's considerable reserves of cash, to produce its own games console that runs on the ultimate social media network and plays the very best Virtual Reality games from the world's finest developers.


Former Epic Games staffer Cliff Bleszinski - another gaming icon who has invested his own cash into Oculus VR - has recently been quoted saying that the company needed an "ecosystem" to transform the Rift from an optional peripheral to a dedicated platform, and Facebook could well offer that.


Secret Project #2 – Facebook ‘does a Steam’ Line


If the console idea sounds a bit extreme, then perhaps Facebook could be looking into something a little less drastic. Valve's Steam distribution service has already revolutionised the way PC owners buy and play games, and has proven so successful that the company is now working with hardware partners to produce a series of PC-based Steam Boxes. Steam's strength is its audience - 75 million active users as of January 2014 - but compare that to Facebook's 1.23 billion daily visitors and you begin to see the scale of the potential here.

Facebook already has games as part of its framework, so it wouldn't be much of a stretch for the company to expand the scope of its service. If Facebook was the only place where you could play Oculus Rift versions of popular PC and console games - or Rift exclusives - then even the most staunch hardcore gamer would quickly lose their distaste for the social network.


Just converting a tiny percentage of those 1.23 billion active users would turn Facebook into the biggest gaming network on the planet, and that would surely trigger a development goldrush, with all the best studios working in the sector producing titles for the Virtual Reality headset.


Secret Project #3 – Facebook itself goes VRLine


Facebook 2Oculus Rift is thought of as a gaming tool, but Facebook's focus is everything social - not just interactive entertainment. Facebook has already conquered PC and mobile, and Mark Zuckerberg is keen to steal a march on his rivals by claiming a new frontier: Virtual Reality. Rift has applications way beyond playing first-person shooters and flight simulations; it could change the way we interact with friends and family online, making the experience altogether more personal and interactive.

Virtual Reality could be used to place two people who happen to be on opposite sides of the world in the same room with one another. Communication on the web has evolved from text to speech and then video, but Virtual Reality could be the next potential step. Millions already use social networking to remain in touch with distant relations, and this could make things a little more human.


We’re yet to see one of these 3D social spaces really take off, though. Second Life, released in 2003, largely sank without trace from public consciousness after a brief popularity spurt. And PlayStation Home was so popular it… didn’t make the transition to the PS4.


Secret Project #4 – Facebook takes on Xbox LiveLine


Microsoft changed the gaming landscape with its Xbox Live service - a platform that tracks your performance, gaming exploits and friends, and also allows for online play in a variety of games. 46 million members now fill the ranks of Xbox Live, making it one of the most popular gaming-focused networks on the planet.

The attraction of the service is that it monitors your in-game achievements, allows you to keep in touch with gaming pals and generally makes social gaming a breeze. It wouldn't be much of an effort for Facebook to replicate this model; it already has the social and messaging elements nailed down, and the aforementioned 1.23 billion users could create the biggest potential pool of gaming partners on the face of the planet.


Given that Microsoft demands a flat yearly fee to access Xbox Live's Gold tier, we could even see Facebook introduce a subscription business model that subsidises the cost of the Rift headset, lowering the barrier of entry to millions of potential players.


Secret Project #5 – VR sport events, gigs, virtual tourism and much moreLine


Facebook One of the most tantalising aspects of Virtual Reality is the ability to be in an entirely different place and immerse yourself completely. Mark Zuckerberg has already hinted that we could see a future where you could get the feeling of attending a sporting event using nothing but your Rift headset, but the potential applications go way beyond that.

Massive music concerts could be accessible from your living room, and while we'd never recommend it over the real thing, you could potentially visit global landmarks such as The Pyramids, Taj Mahal and Eiffel Tower, all from within your Rift headset. Want to watch a movie in 3D in a massive virtual cinema with friends who live in another city? Rift can offer that, and we're likely to see Hollywood's biggest studios flocking to support the headset.


Closer to home, the growing popularity of spectator eSports - driven by titles such as League of Legends - could make Rift the viewing system of choice for dedicated fans. By donning the Rift headset you could place yourself in the game itself, even though you're not actively taking part. It seems far-fetched, but consider this - League of Legends players are now considered to be professional athletes in the United States, and last year's Season 3 World Championship was watched by a staggering 32 million people via video streaming service Twitch.


Next, read our Oculus Rift vs Project Morpheus comparison



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HTC One M8 mini tipped just days after flagship launch


The HTC One M8 mini has been tipped just days after the flagship HTC One M8 launch.


It has only been three days since HTC lifted the curtain on its 2014 flagship, but that doesn’t stop the rumour mill from churning.


The latest gossip is that HTC is planning to introduce a HTC One mini later this year as a mid-range alternative to the HTC One M8.


Firstly, notorious tech tipser @evleaks issued a tweet saying simply “M8 mini: Check”, hours after the HTC One M8 was launched on Tuesday, March 25.


Then Swedish carrier Telia listed the M8 mini in a blog post regarding HD voice and phones that had compatibility for the technology.


The reference has since been removed, but that wasn’t before Unwired View spotted the leak.


There are no rumoured specs for the HTC One M8 mini or any indication as to when it will be announced, but it wouldn’t be out of the question for HTC to pull such a move.


HTC already launched a larger and smaller version of the 2013 flagship HTC One in the HTC One mini and finger-print sensor wielding HTC One Max.


The HTC One M8 itself features a 5-inch full 1080p HD display running Android 4.4 KitKat with the new HTC Sense 6 UI.


It runs on a 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor with 2GB of RAM and is powered by a 2600mAh battery.


In the rear is a HTC Duo twin-sensor camera, which pairs the main 4-megapixel UltraPixel f/2.0, 1/3-inch sensor with a secondary sensor to allow better depth capture in photographs. This is complemented by a dual-LED flash too.


This dual-sensor rear camera is paired with an upgraded 5-megapixel front-facing camera.


Unlike the 2013 model, the HTC One M8 has a microSD card slot with support up to 128GB.


It does retain the aluminium body and dual front-facing stereo HTC Boomsound speakers though.


Read more: HTC One M8 vs HTC One



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Sony Digital Paper could be the future of newspapers, but not yet


Sony has finally put the Sony Digital Paper into production after teasing the device in May last year.


The Digital Paper could be the future of newspapers, but with a price of around $1,100 (£660) we doubt it’ll take off.


Sony’s 13.3-inch e-Ink Digital Paper system is designed for note taking as well as reading periodicals and the like and is the progression of Sony’s eReader products including the Sony PRS-T3, but may alienate all but the executive-level business users.


It features a 13.3-inch e-Ink display with a 1600 x 1200p resolution and is 6.8mm thin. Full letter-sized documents are displayed as PDFs, but the Digital Paper will let you annotate them using the accompanying stylus.


The fact it has a touchscreen means you can scroll through documents using touch gestures, but sadly it lacks a backlight.


It weighs 375g and even features 4GB internal storage bolstered by microSD card support. Charged by USB, the Digital Paper offers around 3 weeks of battery life.


Currently it only supports PDF files, but at least you can share your newly annotated documents via the Digital Paper’s inbuilt Wi-Fi connectivity. You can even browse the web too.


This could eventually be pioneering technology, but sadly will not appeal to the mass market at this price. Basically you’re paying the same price as a high-end tablet for a glorified notepad or paper print-out.


There are no UK pricing or availability details as yet, but we expect Sony might test the American market first with this rather unique product.


Read more: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite review



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BlackBerry considering bringing BBM to desktops


BlackBerry is seriously considering bringing its BBM multi-platform messaging service to your desktop.


BBM was introduced to Android and iOS devices at the tail end of 2013, expanding the availability of its previously BlackBerry exclusive messaging service.


Rumours have suggested it will come to Windows Phone devices in the coming months, but now it seems that BlackBerry could bring it to desktop platforms too.


In an interview with Reuters, BlackBerry Chief Executive John Chen said such a move could allow employees of large companies or government agencies to start group chats on a PC then move to mobile when leaving the office without noticing the difference.


“We are certainly going to take a very serious look at putting BBM on the desktop”, said Chen.


Such a move would be a logical one for BlackBerry, which saw a huge surge of 20 million new users for BBM when it became available on BBM.


However, in the past month the service has remained stagnant at 85 million monthly active users.


A desktop launch may well provide another user spike, but there’s no guarantee it would be enough to support the failing company.


The news comes in the wake of the Canadian company’s quarterly financial results, which showed a loss smaller than originally anticipated. The results sent share prices up nearly 7 per cent, thanks to a smaller than expected net loss of $423 million (£254 million).


Revenue fell to $976 million (£587m) from $2.68 billion (£1.6b), but analysts were expecting $1.1 billion (£661m).


BlackBerry also plans to introduce high-end smartphones with full QWERTY keyboards, in an attempt to win back its core user base.


Chen explained that the company is designing three new keyboard-centric devices that will be launched within the next 18 months.



Read more: BlackBerry Z10 review



Via: Engadget



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Samsung AMOLED tablet passes though FCC

Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1

Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1




The rumoured Samsung AMOLED tablet has been spotted passing though the FCC.


We could see the Samsung AMOLED tablet come to market imminently, as the device has just been approved by the FCC.


The FCC has approved both the LTE version with model number SM-T805 and the 3G SM-T801 model.


From the looks of the dimensions listed by the FCC, you should expect the AMOLED slate to come with a 10.5-inch display, powered by a 6,900mAh battery.


That’s not quite the high powered battery that you’d expect for a high-end 10.5-inch tablet, but Samsung’s Ultra Power Saving Mode feature could extend the battery life.


The specs for the Samsung AMOLED slate appeared on the GFXBench benchmark database earlier this month, so we also know what hardware the tablet will pack.


It is expected to be powered by a 1.9Ghz octa-core Exynos CPU with 3GB of RAM and feature a 10.5-inch display with a 2560 x 1600p WQHD resolution.


16GB of internal storage will be bolstered by microSD card support, plus you’ll get an 8-megapixel rear and 2-megapixel front-facing camera.


Expected to run Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box, it isn’t clear what range this AMOLED slate will be part of.


Samsung unveiled the business-centric Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 and Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 among other display sizes at CES 2014.


The AMOLED tablet could well be part of one of these premium tablet ranges, but seeing as there is already a Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1, a 10.5-inch variation could be very confusing for consumers.


Currently, there’s no information as to when Samsung will officially launch this AMOLED slate, but an AMOLED tablet is bound to be pricey.



Read more: Best tablets 2014


Via: Sammobile



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New Watch Dogs trailer suggests better graphics than originally thought


Ubisoft has released a new Watch Dogs trailer that suggests the game’s graphics will be better than the gaming community originally thought.


There was a huge outrage when Ubisoft released the Watch Dogs story trailer along with the release date earlier this month.


From the looks of that trailer, fans and professionals alike suggested the game had suffered a major graphics downgrade from the original content presented at E3 2013.


However, Ubisoft Creative Director Jonathan Morin has since claimed that the story trailer “wasn’t a good graphics reference” and shouldn’t been taken to be as such.


To help combat the claims of graphics downgrades, Ubisoft has now released a lengthier “Welcome to Chicago” trailer that focuses on the technology behind the game.


“Drive into the Chicago playground with this ingame-captured trailer, showing the game’s depth and diversity”, reads the YouTube blurb.


This time around, you can more clearly see the next-generation graphics engine that has been specifically built for Watch Dogs to create the game’s hi-tech version of Chicago.


“Across historical landmarks and familiar neighbourhoods, the city is rendered by a powerful new graphics engine specially built for Watch Dogs – rich dynamic lighting, weather and physics effect every element of the game world to create a vivid, living city.”


Ubisoft focuses on the myriad NPC characters that you can encounter in the game. There are apparently over 3000 character kits used in the game, and the people you come across will vary by time and location.


Of course, the PC, PS4 and Xbox One versions will include more NPCs than the Xbox 360 and PS3 editions thanks to better processing power.


“Watch Dogs brings new life to the countless civilians populating the city streets. Each citizen has a unique identity and reacts intelligently to the world around them. Everything and everyone is connected,” added Ubisoft. “Any of these people could lead to exciting secrets or unexpected events.”


Watch Dogs is out on May 27, following a delay from its original November 2013 release date.


Ubisoft has already confirmed that the delay has “made a big difference” to the final game, allowing it to include several systems that were originally being save for the sequel.



Read more: Uncharted 4 round-up


The story trailer that caused so much outrage in the community:



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Where can I buy the Galaxy S5?


The Samsung Galaxy S5 release date has been confirmed for April 11, but where can you actually get it from and for how much?


From March 28, the Galaxy S5 pre-order pages go live and you can guarantee an April 11 delivery for your brand new Galaxy.


We’ll collate all the information as it arrives here, ahead of the official Samsung Galaxy S5 release date next month.


Watch our Galaxy S5 video



Carphone Warehouse


Carphone Warehouse's Galaxy S5 pre-order page is now live and the retailer has revealed its pricing for Samsung's 2014 flagship.

It will be available for £579.95 SIM-free or free on contracts starting at £42 per month for a 24 month 3G tariff.


The retailer revealed that pre-registration figures for the Galaxy S5 "quickly eclipsed" those of the Samsung Galaxy S4 last year as well.


"The S5 looks set to become a record breaking handset for Samsung at a key time in the mobile calendar as several major manufactureres launch handsets within weeks of one another," said a Carphone Warehouse spokesperson. "Our early pre-reigstration figures for this handset were off the charts."


Pre-ordered handsets will be delivered "from" April 11. Initially the Shimmer White and Charcoal Black models will only be available, with Electric Blue arriving on doorsteps from April 22 and the controversial Copper Gold delivered by May 20.


Phones 4u


Similar to its rival retailer, Phones 4u's Galaxy S5 pre-order page is now live and the retailer is offering quite a special deal on the handset. If you want the device SIM-free, Phones 4u is offering it for £569.95, £10 cheaper than at Carphone Warehouse.

Also, if you pre-order the Galaxy S5 you'll automatically get a free £50 Google Play voucher, and if you're one of the first 1000 to pre-order you'll also get a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 for free.


4G contracts start at £47 per month if you want a free handset from Phones 4u.


"The demand we experienced for the live demonstrations we provided across ten of our stores shows just how much the public want to get their hands on the new Samsung Galaxy S5, 2014's most anticipated smartphone," said Scott Hooton, CMO at Phones 4u. "With pre-registrations rocking to over five figures since its official global unveiling, we're excited to kick-off pre-orders online and in stores."


EE


The Samsung Galaxy S5 will be available in Black, White and Blue from EE with the pre-order page live now.

EE recommends you opt for the £37.99 per month contract with an upfront cost of £59.99, which offers unlimited minutes and texts and 4GB of data on a 24 month contract.


"The launch of a new Galaxy S has become one of the most anticipated moments in the tech calendar and the Galaxy S5 doesn't disappoint,” said Sharon Meadows, Director of Devices at EE. “When paired with our 4G network, which offers the world’s fastest speeds, the device provides an unrivalled mobile experience – it's super-powerful, features an amazing display, and comes packed with cutting-edge features that will put it right at the very heart of your digital life."


Three


Three has also opened up its Samsung Galaxy S5 pre-order page, with tariffs starting at £38 per month with a £69 up-front handset cost. Like EE it has the device in black, blue and white for delivery on April 11.

The cheapest £38 per month 24 month contract offers 2GB of 4G data, 600 minutes and unlimited texts. For all-you-can-eat data you'll need to jump up to £41 per month, which also gets your 600 minutes and unlimited text messages.


“With great camera technology and innovative health features, we are delighted to be ranging the Samsung Galaxy S5,” said Sylvia Chind, Head of Devices at Three. “Perfect for those who want to tweet their park run progress or simply share a stunning sunset image on their way home, people can do so quickly using Three’s 4G network which we offer at no extra cost, while also making the most of our all-you-can-eat data.”


Vodafone


Vodafone is also letting you pre-order the Galaxy S5, with the device available for free on a £37 per month Red 3G plan when you trade in your old Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

If you want 4G data, tariffs start at £47 per month with a £19 one-off handset payment, but this does offer unlimited calls, texts, 3GB of data and access to either Spotify Premium or Sky Sports Mobile TV.


O2


The Galaxy S5 is available to pre-order now on the O2 Refresh tariffs starting at £38 per month with a £69.99 upfront cost. For that cost you'll get unlimited texts and minutes as well as 2GB of 4G data.

You can get a free handset with contracts starting at £48 per month, which will get you unlimited minutes/texts and 5GB of 4G data.


Virgin Media


You'll be able to get the S5 with Virgin Media from April 11, but you won't actually be able to pre-order it at all it seems.

If you're a Virgin Media TV, broadbandor home phone customer you can get the Galaxy S5 for £29 per month from April 11 with a maximum up-front cost of £99.


However, if you aren't a Virgin Media customer already, tariffs start at £39 for 100 minutes, 250 texts and 250MB of data, which is very pricey.


The actual tariffs are rather complicated though, so take a look at the graphs below.


Samsung Galaxy S5 Virgin MediaSamsung Galaxy S5 Virgin Media


"The Samsung Galaxy S5 is one of the most hotly anticipated releases of the year and will be an exciting addition to our great line-up of handsets," said Jamie Heywood, director of mobile at Virgin Media.


If and when further retailers and providers announce their S5 availability, we’ll update this page.


Read more: Samsung Galaxy S5 vs Galaxy S4



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Oculus says fans “really shouldn’t lose hope” following Facebook acquisition


Oculus VR execs have spoken out against the backlash following its Facebook buyout, saying fans “really shouldn’t lose hope.”


Facebook has acquired the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset creator for a total of $2 million in cash and stock, much to the outrage of its fans and initial Kickstarter backers.


“We assumed that the reaction would be negative, especially from our core community,” said Nate Mitchell, VP of Product at Oculus. “Beyond our core community, we expected it would be positive. I don’t think we expected it to be so negative.”


Mitchell expressed that “people really shouldn’t lose hope” over the Facebook takeover, and that people are already starting to see sense in the buyout.


“As people begin to digest it a bit and think about it, you can see that Twitter and Reddit is swinging back the opposite direction. The onus is on us to educate people, and we want to share everything we’re doing.”


Oculus believes that Facebook’s size and financial capabilities will allow the Oculus Rift technology to move beyond the smartphone tech that currently powers the virtual reality headset.


“What if we can take that technology a step further and make custom versions that was specifically designed for VR and make the very best experience?” said Oculus CEO Brendan Iribe.


The Oculus executives revealed that the Facebook buyout pretty much happened completely out of the blue. The Oculus guys had gotten to know Mark Zuckerberg and the Facebook team over the past month, but when Zuckerberg got his hands on the latest demos he wanted to know what he could do to help the company progress.


“Well, it almost happened overnight, believe it or not,” said Iribe. “We put our heads together and it made too much sense. If you actually understand [Facebook’s] vision of letting us be who we’re going to be, just like they wanted to let Instragram be who they are. They want to set a precedent of leaving companies alone, but integrating and being able to allow that company to leverage the momentum and strength and size of Facebook.”


Overall, the Facebook acquisition will impact the price and quality of the first consumer available Oculus Rift.


“There’s a lot of things we’re going to be able to do not just in the long-term, but in the short-term, that will make the consumer rift cheaper and higher performance without any kind of delay,” added Oculus founder Palmer Luckey. “It lets us make the right tradeoffs. It allows us to make for the long-term future of virtual reality and not the current financial reality.”


Read more: I’ve lost faith in Oculus and I don’t trust Facebook


Via: GameInformer



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Facebook drones will bring the internet to everyone

Facebook internet drone

The proposed FAcebook internet delivery drone




Facebook has announced its plan to take the internet to everyone using drones, satellites and lasers via its Internet.org project.


The Facebook Connectivity Lab is responsible for building lasers, satellites and the solar powered drones that can deliver the internet to those who are not yet connected.


“We’re sharing some details of the work Facebook’s Connectivity Lab is doing to build drones, satellites and lasers to deliver the internet to everyone,” said Facebook CEO and founder, Mark Zuckerberg in a statement. “Our goal with Internet.org is to make affordable access to basic internet services available to every person in the world.”


Only around a couple billion of the world’s population have internet access, so the Facebook Connectivity Lab project is definitely worthwhile, especially with a worldwide population of around 7.1 billion.


Government censorship sometimes means even those with internet access will have their content controlled and monitored by the authorities.


Turkey has become the latest victim of this government censorship, with access to Twitter and YouTube blocked in recent weeks.


Facebook has already brought internet access to 3 million people over the last year, thanks to its work in Paraguay and the Philippines alone to double the number of users with access to mobile data.


“Our team has many of the world’s leading experts in aerospace and communications technology, including from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and Ames Research Centre. Today we are also bringing on key memebers of the team from Ascenta, a small UK-based company whose founders created early versions of Zephyr, which became the world’s longest flying solar-powered unmanned aircraft.”


The latest additions to Facebook’s Internet.org team make total sense with the social media giant’s plans to deliver the internet via solar-powered drones from 60,000 feet up.


Read more: HTC One M8 Deals



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iPhone 6 again tipped to come in two sizes this September


A new report adds fuel to the rumours Apple will launch the iPhone 6 with two screen sizes in September.


According to Japanese publication Nikkei, the iPhone 6 will likely launch with 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch models in September, both larger than the current 4-inch screen size of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C.


Although there have been multiple rumours pointing towards two iPhone 6 models launching later this year, they directly contradict the report released earlier this month.


According to supply chain checks by UBS analyst Steve Milunovich, it was believed Apple had dropped the larger 5.5-inch model from the initial iPhone 6 launch plans.


However, the Nikki report suggests that LCD panel suppliers for the iPhone 6 will ramp up production a September launch soon, quashing rumours of a June announcement.


The iPhone 6 will use a liquid crystal display panel similar to that used in the existing iPhone 5S.


Multiple sources have suggested that the iPhone 6 will have a “significantly higher” resolution than the current Retina displays.


Apple is heavily rumoured to introduce quantum dot screen technology to enhance the display of its 2014 flagship and improve colour reproduction.


Tim Cook, Apple CEO has already stressed the importance of the overall display quality, combining screen size and quality.


“We want to give our customers what’s right in all respects – not just the size but in the resolution, in the clarity, in the contrast, in the reliability. There are many different parameters to measure a display and we care about all those, because we know that’s the window to the software,” said Cook.


Read more: Quantum Dots Explained





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Samsung Galaxy S5 price revealed by retailers as pre-orders begin

Samsung Galaxy S5

The S5 price has been tipped close to the £600 mark




The Samsung Galaxy S5 price has been been officially revealed by retailers, as pre-orders for Samsung's 2014 flagship.


Carphone Warehouse has announced that it will be offering the Galaxy S5 for £579.95 SIM-free, or on 3G contracts from £42 with no up-front handset cost.


The UK retailer also added that "pre-registration figures for the new Samsung Galaxy S5 quickly eclipsed those recorded for last year's Samsung Galaxy S4."


Phones 4u has also revealed its Galaxy S5 pricing, undercutting Carphone Warehouse with a SIM-free price of £569.95. If you want it on a 4G contract, you'll need to spend £47 per month or more to bag yourself a free handset.


Like Carphone Warehouse, Phones 4u added that pre-registrations for the Galaxy S5 rocketed to over five figures, even before pre-orders opened today.


Last year’s Samsung Galaxy S4 launched with a £580 SIM-free tag, so the Galaxy S5 pricing is a pretty good match to last year's model.


However, if you're debating between the Samsung Galaxy S5 and the HTC One M8 you might want to consider the pricing difference. The HTC One M8 is £549.99 at Carphone Warehouse and £529.99 at Phones 4u SIM-free, which is quite a bit cheaper than the S5.



Samsung Galaxy S5 Features


One of the most eagerly awaited gadgets of the year, the Samsung Galaxy S5 is a 5.1-inch powerhouse, with the phone’s 1920 x 1080p Full HD Super AMOLED display lining up alongside a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor.


Running Google’s Android 4.4 KitKat OS, the Samsung Galaxy S5 specs sheet is further enhanced by a 16-megapixel rear-mounted camera, 2GB of RAM and a fingerprint scanner integrated within the handset’s physical home button.


Lining up at 8.1mm thick and with a sizeable 2800mAh Lithium-Ion battery in tow, the S5’s features list is rounded off by an IP67 certified water and dust resistant body that is set to be available in black, white, blue and gold colour schemes.


The Samsung Galaxy S5 release date has been officially set as April 11. The phone will land alongside the Samsung Gear Fit and Samsung Gear 2 smartwatch.


Read More: Samsung Galaxy S5 vs HTC One M8



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Microsoft reveals Kinect for Windows v2


Microsoft has released the first details (and a rather small image) for its second Kinect for Windows device ahead of an official launch.


It’s been just over two years since the first Kinect for Windows device was released, allowing PC gamers to take part in the same controller-free, motion-controlled gameplay that Xbox 360 users could experience.


Now, Microsoft has taken the wraps off Kinect for Windows v2. As you might expect, it contains the same basic feature set as the Kinect bar that comes as standard with every Xbox One console.


As a post on the official Kinect for Windows blog shows, the sensor closely resembles the aforementioned Xbox One original, but for the Kinect branding on the top surface of the device. Also, on the front of the sensor, the Xbox 'X' has been replaced by a simpler power indicator.


Kinect for Windows v2 will plug into your PC via USB 3.0, and requires a hub box and a separate power supply to run.


As we saw from the Xbox One package, the second generation of Kinect is vastly improved over the original. It contains a 1080p widescreen camera (the original was VGA), which enables sharper motion capture over a wider area. It can also see users in the dark thanks to infrared technology. Input lag has also been reduced significantly.


Meanwhile, the second Kinect's four onboard microphones help with detecting voice commands.


All of these new features should be put to even wider use on Windows PC than on the Xbox One through a number of non-gaming applications. The potential for boardroom or meeting use in particular is fairly obvious.


There’s no news on when we’ll see an official launch for Kinect for Windows v2, but the blog post does state that we are "getting closer and closer to launch."


Read More: Best games 2014



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Best Fitness Tracker 2014: 5 Best Activity Trackers


Looking for the best fitness tracker to get in shape? Whether it's for running, cycling, swimming or simply walking down to the shops, we've put five of the most popular bands and pod activity trackers to the test.


If you thought wearable tech was all about smartwatches, then you'd be wrong. The likes of Fitbit, Nike and Jawbone started the trend, but with the likes of the Samsung Gear Fit, the Sony SmartBand and the Garmin Vivofit to name a few on the way in 2014 there's no letting up on the tracking craze.


What does a fitness tracker do? Essentially it collects data from your day that can then be analysed and hopefully encourage you to incorporate healthier habits into your daily routine.


Most trackers include an accelerometer to track movement and record steps just like a pedometer. Additional features include the ability to monitor sleep patterns, count calories burned and an altimeter to track the number of steps you've climbed, one of the best ways to burn off a big lunch. Most also include the ability to log food and water consumption to give you a more comprehensive overview of your day.


Some of the key features to look out for in a fitness tracker include whether you want to wear one around your wrist or clipped onto your clothes. If you want to take it in the shower or go for a swim you need to make sure it's waterproof and not water-resistant, too. Those are two very different things.


Nobody wants to charge another gadget as regularly as smartphone and trackers can vary from a week to months of power depending on whether it's USB charged or a watch battery.


Find out if it's compatible with your smartphone. Most of the latest fitness trackers support the latest iPhones and Android phones. Bluetooth 4.0 support, which enables real-time data syncing, is only available on select Android phones like the Nexus 5 and Moto G so it's wise to check support before buying.


If you are sold on the idea of a tracker and don't know which one to get, we've been slapping on the most popular ones in recent months to pick out the best to look out for.



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Amazon event signals set-top box launch next week


Amazon has sent out invites to the media for a special event to be held in New York on April 2.


Wednesday’s event is likely to see the official unveiling of its media streaming set-top box. Indeed, on the invite Amazon promises an "update for our video business."


For some time now rumours have been swirling concerning Amazon’s intended entry into the living room entertainment market. This device is said to rival the likes of Apple TV, Roku, and now the Google Chromecast.


The recent launch of Amazon Prime Instant Video here in the UK would appear to signal the company’s intent to expand its video streaming service outside of its native US. Instant Prime provides 'free' TV and movie streaming for Prime customers, including Amazon’s expanding roster of original content.


Still other rumours claim that the Amazon device will also be pitched as an affordable games console, with a dedicated game controller set to be offered. Images of this bluetooth controller appeared to have leaked onto the internet a couple of weeks ago.


The device is expected to run on a heavily modified version of Google’s Android OS, much like the Kindle Fire range of tablets. As such, don’t expect to be able to stream or download any of your Google Play media content to the new Amazon box.


Elsewhere, The Wall Street Journal is claiming that the Amazon set-top box will ship with preinstalled Netflix and Hulu apps in the US.



Next, read our pick of the best TVs of 2014



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Microsoft Office for iPad release finally confirmed


Microsoft has finally confirmed that Microsoft Office will arrive on the iPad and the app suite launching today in the App Store.


Finally, Microsoft has made Word, Excel and PowerPoint available to iPad users with a brand new mobile friendly user-interface.


The app suite will be available to download directly from the Apple App Store today, with pricing yet to be announced.


Developing...



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UK game industry wins tax break battle


The UK game industry has won its seven-year battle to secure a tax break for games that qualify as “culturally British”.


The European Commission has approved the tax breaks for the UK video game industry, after Brussels dropped its objections to the plan.


Initially, the tax breaks were being question over state aid rules, but the EU Commission now states its “initial doubts have been dispelled.”


“The proposed aid for video games is indeed focusing on a small number of distinctive, culturally British games which have increasing difficulties to find private financing,” said Joaquin Almunia, EU competition chief.


However, although this is good news for the industry, not all UK gaming companies will benefit from the tax breaks.


Any projects looking to be approved for the tax breaks must pass a cultural test first. Points are awarded for certain job roles carried out by UK staff, the percentage of game development undertaken in the UK and whether at least half of the game team are from the UK.


In terms of game content itself, points are awarded based on the percentage of the game based in the UK or an EEA state, the number of characters that are from the aforementioned locales and whether the game features a “British story” or that relating to an EEA state.


More points are also allocated to the game’s use of the British language.


What’s more, the European Commission added that only games that are of cultural value will be given the additional aid. Currently, only around 25 per cent of UK developed titles would qualify.


“Tax breaks for the British games industry have been a very long time coming, but this is far from being the end of the matter,” said Mark Gerhard, boss of Runescape maker Jagex.


“Studios across the UK need to collectively show that the fight for their introduction has been a worthwhile one by maximising their potential to deliver a robust, expanding games industry in this country. Our industry should be held in the highest regard, strengthening the British economy and fuelling job creation, both things which tax breaks will help reinforce.”



Read more: Best games 2014




Via:
Eurogamer



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HTC smartwatch and tablet will launch “at the appropriate time” says CEO


The HTC smartwatch and tablet will only launch when HTC deems it “the appropriate time”.


Following the formal announcement of the Motorola Moto 360 and LG G Watch smartwatches, many expected to see HTC announce its own wearable.


However, speaking to the China Post, HTC CEO Peter Chou has confirmed that although the company is working on a tablet and wearables, they will only be launched “at the appropriate time”.


Sadly, he failed to provide any more details on either of the devices, but HTC is reportedly working on an 8.9-inch Google Nexus tablet that may be introduced in June.


In terms of wearables, Google has already revealed that HTC is a manufacturing partner for the Android Wear smartwatch OS announced earlier this month.


Both the Moto 360 and the LG G Watch have been revealed as Android Wear smartwatches to be released later this year.


Moving on to HTC One M8 sales, Chou believes the 2014 flagship will help HTC grab 8 – 10 per cent of the global smartphone market “in the long run”.


The launch of mid-range devices such as the HTC Desire 816 and the HTC Desire 610 will also help boost HTC’s position in the smartphone market, which is still dominated by Samsung and Apple.


Although HTC is pretty confident, Hong Kong-based CLSA analyst C.K.Cheng said “despite the better availability, the M8’s launch schedule is very similar to the Samsung Galaxy S5, and HTC will struggle to fight Samsung’s massive marketing budget.”


In 2013, HTC had acquired less than 5 per cent of the global smartphone market share, so the latest range will definitely need strong sales for HTC to rise up the ranks.


Read more: Samsung Galaxy S5 vs HTC One M8





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Watch Dogs delay “made a big difference” to final game


Ubisoft has explained the Watch Dogs delay has “made a big difference” to the final game.


The studio would have been forced to scrap several in-game systems if the game hadn’t been delayed from its original November 2013 release date.


In a GDC 2014 interview with CVG , Ubisoft’s VP of Creative Lionel Raynaud revealed that the game has been significantly improved by the delay.


“It’s made a big difference – we’ve polished everything,” said Raynaud. “The things we’ve developed the most are the interactions with hacking, and how in many situations being smart with chain reactions can offer something unique from any other open-world game.”


“If we weren’t able to deliver this aspect, it wouldn’t feel new enough to be worth a new IP.”


In fact, the Watch Dogs teams would have been forced to save some features for the game’s sequel, without the additional development time.


“There are always things that you have to keep for the next game. In this case the extra time allowed us to put a lot of our ideas into the game, so we are happy with that.”


“There were several systems that were not going to be in the game if we released in November. There’s always the discussion of ‘should we leave them for the sequel, or do we take the time to finish them?’ And we decided to take our time and do it right.”


However, there are some larger concepts that have been deliberately saved for the next game, in order keep the game’s consistency.


“Some ideas that we weren't able to get into the game would not have made a difference, while other, bigger ideas that naturally emerged during development were so different that we felt they would have changed the experience.”


The Watch Dogs release date has finally been confirmed for May 27 on the PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC. A Wii U version is still coming, but will be released at a later date.



Read more:
Xbox One vs PS4



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BT broadband is most complained about provider for Q4 2013


BT broadband has been voted the most complained about service provider for Q4 2013 in the latest Ofcom report.


According to Ofcom’s Telecoms and Pay TV Complaints report for the closing three months of 2014, BT has topped the list of the UK most complained about broadband providers.


The Telecoms and Pay TV report ranks the five biggest internet providers according to the number of complaints Ofcom receives about them, which is then adjusted by the amount of customers each provider has.


This is the first time BT has been the most complained about provider in the report, as usually EE is at the top of this list.


“BT is disappointed with the results in broadband and TV, despite the fact that we’ve improved from last quarter,” said Libby Barr, MD of BT customer service. “BT is the fastest-growing business by far in the UK for both pay TV and broadband, and as we process more transactions we have unfortunately suffered more disruption than companies with static or declining customer bases.”


Ofcom’s report states that the regulator received 32 complaints for every 100,000 BT fixed-broadband customers for Q4 2013. These were mainly related to service faults and initial customer service attempts to handle reported issues.


BT also generated the highest level of complaints surrounding its subscription TV service, with 31 complaints per 100,000 customers. This doesn’t relate to quality of programming but facility access and billing complaints.


Virgin Media was found to have the lowest amount of complaints for the quarter, with Sky placing second for the fourth quarter running. TalkTalk was the third least complained about provider.



Read more: Best routers 2014



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Philips 8800 TV is UK’s first UHD 4K TV with Android


Philips has introduced the 2014 Philips 8800 TV as the first UHD 4K set to feature in-built Android in the UK.


The Philips 8800 UHD 4K is part of the Philips 8000 series, which all offer the Philips Ambilight feature and Android.


Within the 2014 8000 series is the top end Ultra HD 4K resolution 8800 series and full HD 8100 and 8200 TVs. These models will be available from Q2 2014 in Europe.


“We innovate our Philips TVs continuously to create a better TV experience,” said Marc Harmsen, Philips’ Global Marketing Lead. “With Ambilight and Android we are able to go beyond the ordinary. It is not about pushing technology to the limits, but about how technology can be used to design a TV that adds genuine value to users’ lives.”


“By combining Android’s strengths with our existing Philips Smart TV offering, we will massively enrich the TV experience and make it smarter”, said Albert Mombarg, Head of Smart TV at Philips.


Philips 2014 range also includes the Smart TV 6009 series, standard TV 4000 and 5000 series, and the film lover-focused 7000 series with a new Ambilight Gaming Mode to make your gaming experience a little more immersive.



Philips 8800 4K TV Features


The Philips 8800 offers a 55-inch 4K Ultra HD 3840 x 2160p LCD display with Ambilight.


It features Active 3D functionality with Premium2D to 3D conversions and auto 3D detection.


To help improve picture quality it uses a 1000Hz Perfect Motion Rate Ultra plus Ultra Resolution for motion sharpness. The 4K TV also features Local Contract and Micro Dimming Pro technology for dynamic LED backlight adjustments.


The first 4K TV to deliver Android, the 8800 can upscale content in real time to UHD resolution via Ultra Resolution.


Like all the TV models within the Philips 8000 series, the 8800 features the Philips Ambilight and a newly integrated Gaming Mode, allowing the lights to quickly respond to fast moving action or sports games.


The 8800 also features an integrated camera to automatically detects you and adjusts the sharpness of the display according to your distance from the TV set. This camera also enables you to control the set using gestures, cursor navigation, typing and talking.



Read more: Best TVs 2014



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WD My Cloud EX2 Review


What is the WD My Cloud EX2?


The EX2 is a dual drive version of Western Digital’s popular single drive My Cloud hybrid NAS and Cloud storage device. It joins the company’s four-drive My Cloud EX4 but, while we found speed and design issues with that product, the EX2 follows the original closely. So do we have another highly affordable and appealing consumer NAS or, in expanding the original My Cloud concept, has WD again pushed too close to more established NAS devices with greater functionality?

WD My Cloud EX2 – Design


EX2 2 Unlike the EX4, the EX2 mimics the design of the original My Cloud. This is a good thing.

Whereas the hard angles of the EX4 were more industrial and less living room friendly, the EX2’s sweeping curves give it an appealing, chunky, almost cute appearance and make it a device you could place just about anywhere.


Since price is a key part of WD’s attack on the market the build quality of the EX2 isn’t stellar. The plastic chassis has a lot of flex, most notably in the lid that pops open like pressing the lid of a kitchen bin.


In this age of tool-less, hot swappable drive bays we also aren’t particularly impressed by the weak mechanism WD has fitted for taking the drives in and out.


If you buy a populated EX2 this may not be a problem, but for those buying an unpopulated unit it feels fragile and you need to be careful slotting drives in and out.


In short the EX2 looks great from a distance, but you’ll spot some corner cutting up close.


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WD My Cloud EX2 – Features


EX2 3 This isn’t as evident in the feature set. Like the original My Cloud and EX4, the EX2 has core NAS functionality like support for DLNA and iTunes servers, UPnP and FTP as well as multi-user support to set folder access and permissions. Backups are also a big focus with TimeMachine support for Macs and WD’s own 'SmartWare' software for scheduling backups on PCs.

WD pitches the My Cloud line as both NAS and Dropbox alternative and it takes on the latter by enabling remote access to its data via Android, iOS, PC and Mac apps. Files can be downloaded, edited or – in the case of media on mobile devices – streamed (depending on the codec support from your OS).


WD also builds in support for Google Drive, Dropbox and Microsoft’s newly renamed OneDrive (previously SkyDrive). Letting you automatically sync or manually transfer specific folders between them and your My Cloud.


On the hardware side there isn’t a lot to see. WD doesn’t reveal what chipset powers the EX2, but accompanying its Gigabit Ethernet port are two USB 3.0 ports (up from the My Cloud’s single port), which allow you to add further storage capacity via external drives.


Some NAS will let you sync files from external drives via the USB ports, but here they are purely for bolstering capacity.


So far so good, but the EX2 maintains a potentially significant Achilles heel: its lack of expandable RAID. This won’t affect customers who buy an EX2 with all the storage they need, but for those hoping to expand it with bigger drives in future you’ll be out of luck.


Unlike Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR), Netgear X-RAID or Drobo’s BeyondRAID, the My Cloud’s RAID1 cannot swap to larger drives and automatically expand its capacity. Instead you’ll have to transfer everything off the My Cloud, install two larger drives (they must have matching capacities) then put the data back on again.


This aspect emphasises the mainstream consumer focus of the line. WD doesn’t expect you to be upgrading the EX2 and if that is in your plans you would be better of looking at the more advanced lines from Synology, Netgear and Drobo.



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ISF: Contrast still more important than resolution for picture quality


While the industry is pushing for higher and higher resolutions with new 4K TVs, the president and founder of the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF), Joel Silver, still maintains that resolution isn't the most important factor in good picture quality.


Speaking at the Panasonic Convention 2014 in Amsterdam this week, Silver said that for the ISF, which drives standards for the TV industry and trains professional calibrators, "the fourth and least of our four key parameters is resolution."


"There’s some controversy within the industry as to where resolution sits. But, for us, the single most apparent thing you see is dynamic range."


However, Silver was at pains to point out that this doesn't mean there are no benefits to 4K TVs. On the contrary, he believes 4K TVs have a role to play in improving all aspects of TV picture quality, not just the amount of detail.


"We’re constantly compromised by losing three-quarters of the colour information that comes to our television," Silver explained. "Even with Blu-ray we’re only getting one in every four pixels of colour information."


"We’ll finally go beyond that one day with Ultra High Definition and get all the colour information."


Silver also praised Panasonic for being the first consumer TV brand to adhere to the ITU's new standard for gamma, which he explained will have a serious impact in improving the quality of dark scenes in films and TV.


"Panasonic’s 2014 TVs are the first consumer products I know of that follow ITU's specification on gamma. Basically we’re talking shadow detail here; it affects the bottom end of our greyscale. Imagine going through the dark spaces in a new way… the details and the blacks will be forever changed.”



Next read, THX and ISF Calibration: Is it worth it?



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LG G2 mini release date confirmed for April


The LG G2 mini release date has been confirmed by LG, with the smartphone touching down in April.


Arriving in April, rollout will begin in Russian Commonwealth countries initially, followed by Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.


“The compact G2 mini offers a combination of design, hardware and UX features previously unavailable in its class, making it a very attractive option for mid-tier markets,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG. “With the G2 mini, our objective is to allow a much larger consumer base to be able to experience the key benefits of the G2 UX in a smaller form factor. To that end, we’re confident we’ve succeeded with the G2 mini.”


Originally LG told TrustedReviews that the LG G2 mini wouldn’t arrive until “around May or June time”, priced “accordingly to the mid-range market”.


LG G2 Mini Features

Originally announced at MWC 2014 in February, the LG G2 mini builds upon the flagship LG G2 smartphone released at the tail end of last year.


It features a 4.7-inch qHD 960 x 540p display running Android 4.4 KitKat on a 1.2Ghz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with 1GB of RAM.


Powered by a 2440mAh battery, the G2 mini comes with 8GB of internal storage, helped by microSD card support.


Around back is an 8-megapixel camera, complemented by a 1.3-megapixel forward-facing camera.


The LG G2 mini comes with 3G and 4G compatibility and offers Bluetooth 4.0 LE, Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity options.


Software features include the LG G2’s Knock Code unlocking function, Quick Window and Guest Mode among others.



Read more: LG G Flex vs LG G2



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The Last of Us coming to PS4 this summer, claims Sony exec


The Last of Us is going to arrive on the PS4 this summer, according to a PlayStation Turkey executive.


A video posted to Turkish website Multiplayer has revealed that PS4 gamers will be able to play The Last of Us and its DLC on Sony’s next-generation console this summer.


According to Sercan Sulun, Playstation’s Eurasian Software Marketing Manager, the PS4 edition of The Last of Us will come with all the DLC, including the single-player Left Behind DLC.


“There is no information about a new The Last of Us game but I can share this knowledge; as of this summer, The Last of Us will be on the PS4. Both on PSN and physically,” said Sulun.


“The PS4 version will also include the DLC so you will be able to play Left Behind as well.”


Of course, the PS4 edition of the 2013 critically acclaimed PS3 exclusive will come with enhanced graphics, similar to that accomplished with the Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition for the Xbox One and PS4.


Back in January, developer Naughty Dog teased that a PS4 edition of the game could be on the cards, especially as it was getting its engine running on PS4 for Uncharted 4.


“We’re just getting our Naughty Dog engine up and running on PS4 as we work on the next Uncharted project. We will see what the future brings,” said Eric Monacelli, Community Strategist at Naughty Dog.


Naughty Dog unveiled the teaser trailer for the next entry to the Uncharted series during Spike TV’s VGX event, promising a “big jump” in visual quality and a continuation of the series’ traditional story-driven gameplay.


Read more: Best PS4 games



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Batman: Arkham Knight screenshots show off new enemy


A fresh batch of Batman: Arkham Knight screenshots give us a first look at the brand new villain.


Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment has provided fans with a new set Arkham Knight screens that finally give us a look at the eponymous Arkham Knight, who is the main protagonist in the final entry in the Arkham series.


This game will be the first time Arkham Knight is introduced to the game’s Gotham City universe and has been created by Geoff Johns, writer of Aquaman, Justice League and Green Lantern.


He is a militarised, rougher and definitely more extreme version of Batman, who is said to “really challenge Batman to go head to head with him in lots of different ways.”


The screens also show off the next-gen version of Gotham City, Batman at the peak of his powers and fitness and of course, the Batmobile.


Thanks to a larger version of Gotham City with wider streets, you’ll be able to career around in the Batmobile for the first time in Batman: Arkham City.


“Batman: Arkham Knight is the pinnacle of our hugely successful franchise and we are giving players the most expansive, impressive title in the series,” said Martin Tremblay, President of Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment at launch. “We’re excited to be developing the game for next-gen platforms, which has allowed us to bring to life the design elements that we envisioned from the beginning such as the Batmobile and how it augments Batman’s abilities, to the fully detailed and realised Gotham City.”


Available sometime this year, Batman: Arkham Knight will launch on the Xbox One, PS4 and PC.


Read more: Best games 2014


Batman: Arkham KnightBatman: Arkham KnightBatman: Arkham KnightBatman: Arkham KnightBatman: Arkham KnightBatman: Arkham Knight



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Candy Crush Saga maker’s IPO not off to a sweet start


The maker of hit social and mobile game Candy Crush Saga, King Digital, experienced a disastrous stock market debut as it found its share price swiftly plummeting.


King had valued its shares at a rather optimistic $22.50 for its initial public offering, but the mood swiftly turned sour for the UK company.


Shares in King Digital had dropped to $19 by the end of the first day of trading - a whopping 16 percent loss. They continued to dip in after-hours trading.


Many feel that King’s IPO has been marred by investors’ previous experience with Zynga - another overnight mobile and social game phenomenon whose value swiftly plummeted when it came to the financial crunch. Zynga’s shares are currently half the price of their initial 2011 value.


Even worse than Zynga, which at least had a couple of hit games under its belt, King is yet to follow up its key hit Candy Crush Saga with another. Farm Heroes Saga, Pet Rescue Saga and Papa Pear Saga have all done reasonably well, but haven’t reached anything like the numbers of King’s breakout hit, which is played by around 93 million people worldwide.


The trouble is, the mobile gaming industry is an unpredictable beast. Literally no one foresaw the phenomenal success of Flappy Bird, an extremely simplistic and dauntingly difficult casual game made by solitary Vietnamese programmer Dong Nguyen.


This makes predicting the future earnings of a mobile developer - even one as well run and ruthlessly calculating as King - extremely tough, bordering on impossible.



Read More: Best games 2014


Via: The Guardian



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Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 11 Tablet Review


What is the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 11?


Lenovo’s latest Yoga is a brand-new hybrid, but this version is aimed at consumers on a budget, so its £500 price is one of the best we’ve seen for one of these versatile machines – last year’s equivalent, the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S, weighed in at more than twice this amount.

As usual, this Yoga uses Lenovo’s versatile hinge to swing through 360 degrees, so it’s easy to use as a laptop and tablet – and it’s just as easy to flip into the 'tent' and 'stand' positions. It’s a convincing design in a market flooded with innovation of varying quality: the Sony VAIO Duo 13 has a slick sliding mechanism that’s hampered by a cramped keyboard, and the Toshiba Satellite W30t had a detachable screen but faults elsewhere.




Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 11: Design & Build Quality


The Yoga’s slick hinge is strong enough to stand up to constant movement and, despite this, it’s never tricky to move: the panel swings easily, and the Yoga’s rubberised base holds the machine firmly in place no matter its orientation.

Lenovo has made this machine look decent, too. The lid is clad in dark, matte material, and the interior uses silver plastic that looks like powder-coated metal. There’s a shiny Lenovo logo, and the underside is made from soft-touch plastic that curves around to meet the upward-facing surfaces. The only thing we don’t like is the bezel – when combined with the hinge, it looks too big.



The hinge is sturdy, but build quality elsewhere is mixed. The wrist-rest is strong, with little flex, but the keyboard isn’t as sturdy – there’s plenty of movement, especially in the centre. The underside is impressively strong, but the thin screen bends easily, and pressing the centre of the dark panel causes the desktop to flicker.


The Yoga weighs 1.35kg, and it’s 17.2mm thick, which are great figures for an Ultrabook – well within Intel’s official guidelines. That’s also better than the Sony, which weighs 1.3kg but is 20mm thick. It’s more palatable than the Toshiba W30t, which weighed 2.1kg and was 24.6mm thick with its two sections clasped together.



Those figures make this light and comfortable in Ultrabook mode, but it’s less successful as a tablet. It’s too bulky to use in one hand, and the 11.6in screen means the Yoga is too wide. The Yoga compares well to its rivals, but it still can’t solve the portability problem that every other hybrid has also encountered.


The right-hand edge has power and reset buttons, a volume rocker, a USB 2 port and a headphone jack, and the left-hand side serves up a USB 3 connector, micro-HDMI port and an SD card reader.


There’s nothing special about the Yoga’s connectivity: no Gigabit Ethernet, single-band 802.11n wireless, and Bluetooth 4.0 – the Toshiba and Sony machines have dual-band wireless.


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Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 2 11: Screen & Sound Quality


The Yoga’s price is given away by its screen. The 1,366 x 768 resolution is a mid-range figure matched by the Toshiba W30t, but the Sony VAIO has a Full HD screen – and Lenovo’s own Yoga 2 Pro, which is admittedly more expensive, has a 3,200 x 1,800 panel.

In some tests the Yoga’s quality stood out. Its measured brightness level of 369 nits easily beat the Toshiba and Sony systems, which scored 266 nits and 273 nits, and the Lenvo’s 900:1 contrast ratio sits in between its rivals. This helps when dealing with bright ambient light, such as sitting outside or near a window, making the Yoga 2 11 better than average for use outdoors.


The Lenovo’s 6,975K colour temperature is on the cool side, and it’s further away from the 6,500K ideal that both rival systems, and all three machines have middling Delta E figures around 4.7. The Yoga’s sRGB gamut coverage of 66.7% is better than the Toshiba, but it’s not a good result: this panel can’t fully display reds, lighter blues and purples, and some greens.


What these numbers mean in practice is films and photos look a little cool and 'washed out' compared to the best laptops and best tablets. You'll have to spend more to get a laptop with a better screen, but similarly priced tablets will look much better.



Viewing angles are good, with only a little darkening when we tilt the panel all the way to the desk, and we weren’t bothered by reflections – something that’s been fixed since the last Yoga. The IPS panel is bright and has good contrast, but the lack of colour accuracy and the low resolution means it’s only suited to general computing rather than anything tougher.


The Yoga’s speakers have surprising volume considering this is a small, cheap system, and quality isn’t bad: the mid-range has unexpected punch, and the high-end is crisp rather than tinny – but only just. There’s not much bass, but we prefer these over the Toshiba’s audio kit.



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