Vivitek Qumi Q7 Projector Review

What is the Vivitek Qumi Q7?

The £722 Qumi Q7 is an ultra-portable (though not quite pocket sized) LED projector boasting 30,000 hours of lamp life, 3D playback, a built-in MS Office and Adobe PDF document viewer, 4GB of internal memory, and even optional Wi-Fi for streaming video, photos and websites.

Vivitek Qumi Q7: Design and Features

Despite residing in the ‘Pocket and Personal’ part of Vivitek’s website and following on from the reasonably pocket-sized Qumi Q2, the Qumi Q7’s 238(d) x 180(d)mm proportions certainly didn’t fit into the pockets of any of our clothes or jackets. And at 1.4kg it’s nearly three times as heavy as the Q2, too.

Still, while it might be a challenge for a pocket the Q7 makes minimal impact in a briefcase or laptop bag. Or you can avail yourself of the Q7’s own carry bag, provided free with the projector.



While not as tiny as some might like it to be, though, the Q7 is certainly a looker. Available in black or white, its top edge is finished in a seriously glossy, high-quality material that almost feels like lacquer, and the build quality is strong. The top panel also benefits from a slick and reasonably responsive set of touch controls (though using these does leave some pretty obvious fingerprints on that glossy top plate), and a groove above the lens that provides access to small but tactile zoom and focus rings.

Not that you have to use the buttons on the top panel, mind you. For Vivitek has also thoughtfully provided a little credit card-sized remote control with the Q7 that covers all the key functions. This is rather easy to lose in a darkened room, it must be said, and it isn’t backlit either. But you can’t really complain as getting any remote at all with a projector like the Q7 is not a given.

Connectivity is always a key issue with convenience-focussed projectors like the Q7. Especially when they’re apparently keen to deliver real crossover appeal between the home entertainment and business presentations markets.

The Q7 does a fair job in this respect, though. Particularly welcome is the presence of two HDMIs – especially as one of these can handle the MHL high resolution smartphone connection protocol. But there’s also a D-Sub PC port, a composite video port, a stereo audio input, and a USB you can use for either playing back files stored on USB storage devices or, impressively, for adding an optional extra USB Wi-Fi dongle that enables you to stream content from networked PCs.



The stereo audio input is there, of course, because the Q7 is equipped with an audio system: stereo speakers rated at 2W apiece. This doesn’t exactly represent a home cinema level of audio power, but it will hopefully be enough to provide a simple convenience audio solution of the sort many users of the ultra-portable Q7 will need given that they won’t always be readily able to find an external audio solution.

As with most ultra-portable projectors, the Q7 uses an LED-based DLP projection engine, which is handy since as well as allowing projectors to be incredibly small, LED lamps deliver a vast lifespan of up to 30,000 hours. This compares extremely well with the 2000-4000 hours you get with normal projection lamps.

The image specs delivered by the LED projector system look impressive too, with highlights of 800 Lumens and a claimed contrast ratio of 30,000:1 particularly catching the eye. The native resolution of 1280x800 isn’t full HD and delivers a PC-favouring 16:10 native aspect ratio versus the 16:9 preferred by video sources, but getting any sort of widescreen HD support is fair enough on a projector like the Q7.

The Q7 also supports 3D playback, using the DLP Link system. You don’t get any of the necessary active shutter glasses included for free, though the 3D transmitter is built into the projector’s body.

Vivitek Qumi Q7: Set Up

The Q7 is engagingly straightforward to set up by ultra portable projection standards. It doesn’t support vertical or horizontal image shifting, but its natural projection angle seems well considered for most home and office scenarios.



The simple zoom and focus rings work tidily and smoothly, and while the amount of zoom available isn’t especially massive at 1.1x, having any zoom at all on an ultra-portable projector could reasonably be considered a bonus.

With no vertical image shifting it’s handy that there’s a good amount of keystone adjustment to help you get the sides of your picture straight, as well as an auto keystone option if you can’t be bothered to sort this problem out yourself.

The onscreen menus are bland but straightforward too, and while picture setup tools aren’t especially comprehensive, again we wouldn’t really expect much else from a projector like the Q7.

In trying to optimize pictures, there are just a couple of things to bear in mind. First, for PC presentations, 3D playback and use of the projector in a room with ambient light in it, make sure the lamp output option is set to normal. For movie viewing in a reasonably dark room, turn the lamp to Eco, as this reduces the projector’s running noise and boost black levels.

The other key setting when switching between PC and video use is gamma; use the 2.4 setting for PCs, and the 2.2 setting for video.

readmore »»  

Gran Turismo 6 to let you drive on the moon?

Ahead of next week’s Gran Turismo 6 release date, the full array of Gran Turismo 6 trophies has leaked, suggesting that the title will let gamers drive on the moon.

Hinting that the latest instalment to the usually ultra-realistic racing franchise will offer moon-based driving action, the list of prematurely unveiled Gran Turismo 6 trophies has referenced both “Lunar Exploration Missions,” and “low-gravity conditions.”

With more than 50 Gran Turismo 6 trophies available to gamers in total, two stand out as slightly unusual, stepping away from the standard and taking gamers away from the usual earthly constraints.

Although the customary trophies are present for basic tasks such as winning your first race, unlocking a certain number of vehicles and hitting speed-based achievements, a jump-based trophy and series award point to moon-based racing.

Suggesting that the Gran Turismo 6 moon driving exercises could be reasonably robust, the trophy description references multiple missions which will need to be completed on the lunar surface in order to achieve the reward.

Entitled “Moon Mission Accomplished!,” the moon-based Gran Turismo 6 trophy will require games to “Complete all the Lunar Exploration missions.” Fulfilling these requirements will see gamers handed a bronze award.

On top of this, the “One Giant Leap” trophy demands gamers “Make a jump of three seconds or more in low-gravity conditions.” Again, this achievement will lead to a bronze trophy being unlocked.

To date publisher Sony has yet to offer any details about the possibility of a moon-based level in the upcoming, PS3 exclusive, Gran Turismo 6 release. Although avoiding a next-gen launch aboard the PS4, the latest GT offering will see the likes of Silverstone and the Goodwood Hill Climb added to the franchise for the first time.

Read More: Best Games 2013

Via: CVG

readmore »»  

LG G2 Android 4.4 update confirmed for March 2013

An LG G2 Android 4.4 update is on the cards, with Google’s latest mobile software offering continuing its traditionally slow rollout.


With the rival HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 both already confirmed to be adding the Android 4.4 KitKat update in the first few weeks of 2014, Korean manufacturer LG has now revealed that its challenger to the smartphone crown will not receive 4.4 until “late Q1, 2014, or near the end of March.”

While the company’s headquarters has remained tight lipped on the software patch, Court Elliot, a spokesperson for LG Canada yesterday told Mobile Syrup that the LG G2 Android 4.4 update would be introduced a little later that on some of its peers.

Although the original LG G2 Android 4.4 update will affect unlocked handsets only, the sources have suggested that LG will “offer the software to carriers at the same time, though it’s unclear if the rollout will begin the same day across all providers.”

Despite the Android 4.4 OS having launched alongside the Google Nexus 5, a phone manufactured by LG in partnership with the search giant, it appears that the handset maker will be getting no preferential treatment for its own-branded smartphones.

Earlier this month, an Android 4.4 update was rolled out for last year’s Google Nexus 4 offering. Bringing a range of new features to handsets, Google has confirmed that the software update “adds a number of new features and improves performance.”

The update’s product description adds: “Never miss a message with Hangouts, which can now bring all of your SMS and MMS messages alongside your other conversations and video calls.”

Launched earlier in the summer, the LG G2 is a true powerhouse of the smartphone scene, with a 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor paired up with 2GB of RAM, a 5.2-inch edge-to-edge Full HD display and a 13-megapixel rear-mounted camera.

Next, read all the latest Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours

readmore »»  

Sony PSN buckles under pressure of new PS4 gamers

In news that most gamers dreaded but nearly all expected, Sony’s PSN network is facing log in issues as the platform struggles to stand up to demands of new PS4 owners.


The online portal has struggled to cope with the “extremely high volume” of log ons it’s received from new PS4 owners, leaving many frustrated and irate. Sony has stated that it is currently working on a fix and has urged users to be patient whilst it endeavours to find a solution to the network headaches.

The network buckling means that gamers are unable to download the necessary ‘day one software patch’ which enables features such as Remote Play compatibility with the PS Vita, gameplay recording and Blu–ray and DVD playback.

The failure also prevents users from downloading games or even attempting online multiplayer on their new console, with the ability to record and share in game action also currently unavailable.

Although PS4 owners are able to download the crucial 300 MB update from the PlayStation Network website, and transfer it onto their console via a USB stick, this solution still doesn’t allow gamers online.

In what will undoubtedly be one of the busiest weekend of the year for the Japanese corporation, Sony must work quickly on a fix to allow the avalanche of eager gamers to compete with each other online.

The PS4 will set gamers back £349, a full £80 cheaper than the Xbox One from Microsoft and the console is also available in bundle deals such as the Killzone Mega Pack, costing £449.

Via: Eurogamer

readmore »»  

Nikon D5300 Camera Review

What is the Nikon D5300?

The Nikon D5200 was, and still is, a successful upper entry-level DSLR that offers an appealing combination of a solid imaging specification with good build quality at a price that keeps it in reach of entry-level upgraders. The D5300 looks to further expand the feature-set with the new addition of Wi-fi functionality, as well as a newly developed sensor and several other tweaks. With the D5200 impressing so much, the question is whether the D5300 improvements will be particularly keenly felt. Let’s take a closer look and see if we can find out.



SEE ALSO: 10 best digital SLRs you can buy

Nikon D5300: Features

Although the Nikon D5300 does feature some eye-catching areas of improvement, it shares a lot its specification with its predecessor.

For example, it features the same 39-point AF system as seen in the D5200, a system that utilises the Multi-CAM 4800DX AF sensor module. This set-up incorporates nine cross-type AF points which, thanks to 3D focus tracking, should cope well with moving subjects. A further improvement could have been made via the adoption of the D7100’s 51-point AF system, although the 39-point AF system is certainly in line with competing DSLRs.

The D5300 also features the same EXPEED 4 image processing engine, although the lack of development here isn’t particularly surprising owing to the fact that the D5200 was one of the first Nikon DSLRs to feature the newly developed processor. As a result of it featuring the same processor, the D5300 maintains the same headline continuous shooting rate of 5fps.

The D5300 also relies upon Nikon’s trusty 2016-pixel metering set-up, which is paired with Nikon’s Scene Recognition System to ensure even exposures in a variety of shooting conditions.



SEE ALSO: 10 best cameras of 2013

So far, so similar, although when you look towards the camera’s connectivity you’ll notice some major improvements.

Where it was previously the case that you would have to purchase a separate adapter to give the D5200 Wi-Fi functionality, the D5300 now features an in-built Wi-Fi receiver. As a result you can wirelessly transfer images from the camera to a smartphone or tablet, as well as control the camera wirelessly using the free app.

The D5300's sensor is another area that sees improvements, as although it features the same 24.2MP resolution – as well as retaining the APS-C dimensions – the sensor itself sees the removal of its anti-alias filter. As a result, the D5300 should deliver even better levels of sharpness and clarity in comparison to its predecessor. This new sensor also features a larger ISO range, covering 100-12800 as opposed to 100-6400.

Finally, the Nikon D5300 features an improved LCD screen, which now measures in at 3.2-inches and boasts a resolution of 1037k-dots. One noticeable oversight, and one that could really count against it, is that the screen is still lacking in touchscreen functionality.

readmore »»  

Samsung Galaxy S5 release date, news, rumours, specs and price

With a flurry of Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours currently doing the rounds, latest reports have suggested that the eagerly awaited Samsung Galaxy S5 release date will be held in March.

With the Samsung Galaxy S4 now old hat having been overtaken by the iPhone 5S and Google Nexus 5, Samsung has promised some impressive Samsung Galaxy S5 specs are on the horizon, while the rumour mill has offered even more.

This week Samsung has teased a range of potential Samsung Galaxy S5 features. Speaking at its annual Analyst Day in Seoul, South Korean, the manufacturer has suggested that its 2014 phones (i.e. the Samsung Galaxy S5) will boast impressive 2560 x 1440 pixel displays as well as 16-megapixel ISOCELL camera sensors and as much as 4GB of RAM.

What's more, while recent Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours have pointed to the device trading in its less than impressive plastic build in favour of a new metal option, Samsung itself has stated the phone will support a 64-bit processor. While it might copy the iPhone 5S' CPU, Samsung has stated the S5 will not feature an integrated fingerprint scanner.

Ensuring you are kept abreast of all the latest Samsung Galaxy S5 news and rumours, including when you can expect the Samsung Galaxy S5 release date, what specs the phone will have and how much it will set you back, bookmark this page as will be updating it regularly leading up to the S5 launch next year.

Samsung Galaxy S5 News

Ensuring it is not left behind, latest Samsung Galaxy S5 news has once again seen the upcoming handset tipped to run a 64-bit processor, similar to that found in the new iPhone 5S.

While Samsung’s CEO of Mobile Shin Jong-Kyun recently stated that "yes, our next smartphones will have 64-bit processing functionality," reports of production issues had hinted this feature might not drop until later in 2014 aboard the Samsung Galaxy Note 4. Now, however, the Samsung Galaxy S5 looks set to be on the receiving end, of the PC-esque processor.

“According to the latest bits of information coming from Samsung’s homeland, the company is pretty much done with developing its in-house 64-bit CPU,” tech blog GforGames has reported. They added: “From our understanding, Samsung went past the more difficult parts of creating the CPU, and the chip is almost ready for its release.”

In other recent Samsung Galaxy S5 news has seen a waterproof body tipped for inclusion on the HTC One rival. Unlike the S4 and the follow-on S4 Active, recent reports out of Korea have hinted that the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be a waterproof and dustproof direct from the box, much like the Sony Xperia Z1.

According to further Korean national news outlets, the Samsung Galaxy S5 will also adopt an aluminium or other metal body in a bid to keep footing with the highend and luxurious path being forged out by its competitors, Apple and HTC.

Although looking set to take pointers from the iPhone 5S' processor, further Samsung representatives have added that the S5 will not incorporate a fingerprint scanner like its leading rival. “We are not yet developing the technology,” an official Samsung spokesperson said when questioned on the possibility of a fingerprint scanner hosting Samsung Galaxy S5.

Further reports have suggested the Samsung Galaxy S5 release date will see the handset line up with 3GB of RAM in tow. A feature that has also been mooted for the imminent Samsung Galaxy Note 3, the S5's expansive RAM has been hinted at after the company's latest development announcement.

Speaking in recent weeks, Samsung confirmed that it had started mass production of the first 3GB low power DDR3 RAM chips for mobile devices. With the Samsung Galaxy S5 set to be the manufacturer's new flagship phone, it makes sense that it will run the company's latest developments and most advanced components.

A chip that could spell more than increased speeds and improved multitasking capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy S5 RAM improvement could result in a slimmer phone with a bettery battery life. An official spokesperson for the company stated: "Samsung's new ultra-slim memory solutions will enable thinner smartphone designs and allow for additional battery space, while offering a data transfer speed of up to 2,133 megabits per second (Mbps) per pin."

Samsung Galaxy S5 Release Date

As you would expect, Samsung has yet to give any direct indication as to when the Samsung Galaxy S5 release date will be held. That’s not to say we don’t have some idea on when to expect the next addition to the company’s flagship smartphone brand though.

If Samsung sticks with past tradition – and we can’t see why it wouldn’t – then it is expected that the Samsung Galaxy S5 release date will be held sometime around April/May 2014.

Although still nothing more than speculation, this predicted Samsung Galaxy S5 release date does have a theory behind it. Like its bitter rival Apple, Samsung has become something of a fan of strict annual product cycles for its leading product lines, as such it has become a little bit predictable.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 hit UK retailers on April 26 after a dedicated New York launch event on March 14. The Samsung Galaxy S3 went into stores on May 29 2012 and all the way back in 2011, the Samsung Galaxy S2 launched on May 1. Starting to see the pattern?

Although a late April/early May Samsung Galaxy S5 release date is believed to be on the cards, there are still many rounds of rumours and leaks expected before then.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Rumours

It might be early, but the Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours are already doing the rounds. The most prominent Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours to date, however, all focus on one area of the currently unconfirmed phone – its design.

With the Samsung Galaxy S4 having been widely criticised for its plastic form factor which failed to match up to the brushed metal highlights of the iPhone 5 or HTC One, Samsung is widely expected to adopt an all new finish for the S5, with new aluminium body repeatedly tipped.

According to unnamed “sources close to the South Korean phone maker,” recent reports have suggested that the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be used to launch a new ‘Design 3.0’ standard within the company.

The sources stated: “While we don’t have the slightest idea what Design 3.0 really means in terms of looks, we can now confirm that Samsung will start to use aluminium for its high-end smartphones, and the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be the first one to receive this treatment.”

Further hinting at a change in design and materials, Samsung recently acquired carbon fibre specialist the SGL Group, announcing in an official statement that it would be using the high-end lightweight materials in future phones and tablets.

"Lightweight materials have become an important factor not only in industrial applications but also the consumer end markets such as digital media," Yoosung Chung, President & CEO of Samsung Petrochemical said. He added: "This partnership will position Samsung as a leading player in the development and application of carbon fibre-based products.”

"The cooperation is expected to provide a stable long-term supply of carbon fibre materials for Samsung and promote its use in various Samsung products and applications such as consumer electronics, medical devices and engineering applications,"

Samsung Galaxy S5 Specs

With the Samsung Galaxy S4 having taken smartphone specs to the next level, it is widely expected that the South Korean manufacturer will continue with a similar trend with the next-generation S5. Although few areas of the phone’s features list have yet been rumoured, certain elements have been teased.

Earlier this month a Samsung design patent leaked (above) showing off a new angled-edged phone which has been mooted to the be the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5.

Based on the outed design filing, the phone will run a version of Google’s Android operating system (no surprises there then) as well as integrated cameras front and back. At present no further S5 specs have leaked.

Other recently emerged Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours have claimed the upcoming handset will make use of a new 16-megapixel smartphone camera sensor, offing high-end snaps that will finally spell the end for the dedicated compact camera.

Recent reports have claimed that the Samsung Galaxy S5 specs sheet could be bolstered by a 16-megapixel rear-mounted camera and 3GB of RAM wrapped within a Samsung Galaxy S4 Active esque waterproof coating. Although currently unconfirmed, the already eagerly awaited Samsung Galaxy S5 is an inevitability of the current trend of annual product cycles and companies’ insatiable need to always be pushing the envelope and raking in the cash.

According to further leaks, the Samsung Galaxy S5 specs sheet will see the new 16-megapixel camera sensor further bolstered by optical image stabilisation features.

The revised camera component is said to be under development in Korea to replace the 13-megapixel snapper found on the existing S4. It is not expected that the improved camera optics will be ready in time for next week’s Samsung Galaxy Note 3 unveiling.

Samsung Galaxy S5 Price

Although the Samsung Galaxy S5 price is a long way from being confirmed, it has already been suggested that the S5 will cost more than its already pricy predecessor.

According to the same unnamed sources who have claimed a metal bodied design will be bestowed upon the next-gen handset, the Samsung Galaxy S5 price will be bumped up by the new premium building materials.

Stay tuned for more Samsung Galaxy S5 news and rumours as more details on the S4 follow-on continue to appear. While you wait, why not take a look at all the latest iPhone 5S rumours.

readmore »»  

iPhone 6 sapphire glass screen reportedly costing Apple £350m to develop

The next iPhone could features a sapphire glass screen

New iPhone 6 rumours have surfaced, with latest reports suggesting the phone’s upcoming sapphire glass screen has cost Apple more than £350 million to develop.

With the Cupertino-based company said to have splashed out more than half a billion dollars on improving its next flagship phone’s screen, reports from the International Business Times have suggested the company has splurged some $578 million (£353m) on speeding up the development of the resilient glass.

Although the near scratch proof sapphire glass is already used on the iPhone 5S to cover both the fingerprint reader incorporating Touch ID home button and camera lens, Apple is said to be planning to use the toughened glass to cover the entire iPhone 6 screen.

In a bid to meet its own iPhone 6 timescales, the manufacturer is said to have poured vast amounts of money into the increased development of sapphire glass.

Described as “virtually scratch free,” sapphire glass is roughly two and half time tougher than the Corning Gorilla Glass coating found on many flagship smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S4.

According to latest reports, Apple paid sapphire glass manufacturer GT Advanced Technologies £350m to speed up “the development of its next generation, large capacity ASF furnaces to deliver low cost, high volume manufacturing of sapphire material.”

One of many iPhone 6 rumours currently doing the rounds, it has been repeatedly suggested that the next-gen Apple handset will face another increase in size.

With the iPhone 5 taking things from 3.5-inches to 4-inches, the iPhone 6 will reportedly play host to a larger, 4.7-inch to 5-inch panel as well as the standard improved camera optics and speedier processor bumps.

Next, read all the latest Samsung Galaxy S5 rumours

readmore »»  

PS4 game delays will actually help console says Sony

Despite a number of high-profile PS4 game delays marring the console’s official release, Sony has suggested the postponed titles will actually help the next-gen console.

With the PS4 having launched in the UK in the early hours of this morning, the Xbox One rival has landing without a number of its promised big name launch titles. With Killzone: Shadow Fall arguable the console’s only high-profile, exclusive game at launch, the recently confirmed delays to the likes of Watch Dogs and Drive Club have angered many games.

Despite disappointing some, Sony has now suggested that these PS4 game delays could actually benefit the next-gen console as it moves past the lucrative Christmas window.

“The delays to games wasn’t quite as we planned but it has an upside,” Fergal Gara, Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment UK has told TrustedReviews.

He added that the delayed PS4 games “will help momentum into next year and help people get past the first 30 or so titles.”

Although having left some pre-order gamers feeling slightly let down and cheated, Gara has suggested that the PS4 game delays will not affect early sales of the console.

“Given the momentum and the demand there is for PlayStation 4, selling the early units doesn’t feel terribly difficult,” he told us.

Claiming that gamers will eventually benefit from the delays, he added: “It is a slight disappointment [that Watch Dogs has been delayed], the timing isn’t as we had hoped. We have said we are for the players and we would rather they have a great game slightly later than a good game early.”

Helping spread the company’s range of big name launches, Gara suggested: “We look in great shape going into 2014 with a long line of titles already announced.”

Read More: Xbox One vs PS4

readmore »»  

Ashes Cricket 2013 Game Videos: See why it was pulled from sale

Delayed, delayed again, released, pulled. That’s the life of the Ashes Cricket 2013 game in a nutshell after the title’s seemingly endless bugs forced it to be canned.



After months of repeated delays, Ashes Cricket 2013 was made available for purchase for just a matter of hours before being pulled from Steam and officially axed for good.

Originally scheduled to launch in time for the summer Ashes series, the 505 Games published title was eventually launched through Steam late last week before being cancelled due to “negative consumer feedback.”

Despite the game’s quick cancellation, the title has now become something of a cult hit, with those (un)fortunate enough to download the game flooding YouTube with gameplay videos of the title’s seemingly endless array of bug, glitches and downright awful graphics.

In a statement yesterday, 505 Games announced the overall cancellation of the Ashes Cricket 2013 game.

“The game was released briefly on Friday 22nd November 2013 on digital PC portal, Steam, but has since been removed by 505 Games following negative consumer feedback,” the publisher wrote.

"As most people who have followed the project closely can affirm, the development of Ashes Cricket 2013 has been fraught with challenges almost from the outset. The chosen developer, even with their many years of cricket game development experience, was unable to overcome the unexpected challenges that the chosen game engine threw up, even with multiple extensions to the development schedule.

"The net result of the challenges we have faced was a game which, despite our best efforts over the course of a 2 year development, couldn’t meet the quality benchmarks of either us, our licensors or our customers.”

They added: "The people who purchased the game will be contacted very shortly with details of a full refund."

Below are just a couple of our favourite Ashes Cricket 2013 videos highlighting the game’s many, many issues.

Read More: Best Games 2013

readmore »»  

Dead Rising 3 Game Review

Dead Rising 3 - Hands-on at E3 2013

Ask us which Xbox One title we were most excited about at E3, and we’d have to say TitanFall. That said, Dead Rising 3 comes a very close second. Created by Capcom Vancouver, Dead Rising 3 is not the most visually advanced next-gen game or the one that’s most likely to push the frontiers of gameplay, but one thing it’s almost certain to be is a whole lot of fun.

Like previous games in the series it’s an open-world game of action, horror and survival, though this time the action moves from the Vegas-like Fortune City to the fictional Californian city of Los Perdidos. The new hero is a young mechanic, Nick Ramos, and his objective to escape the zombie-stricken city before a military strike wipes it off the map.

Watch the Dead Rising 3 announcement trailer:

Read our in-depth Xbox One vs PS4 comparison

Meanwhile, the tone remains one of ultra-violent slapstick; it’s not just about staying alive and slaying zombies, but about looking good while you do it. Not only can Nick adopt a selection of different clothes and uniforms, but he can scavenge items and combine them into a vast range of offensive weapons, going all the way from flaming broadswords to sledgehammer-chainsaws and high-explosive shotguns.

Where Dead Rising 3 moves on from the earlier Dead Rising games is in terms of visual style and scale. Los Perdidos is big – apparently bigger than the settings of Dead Rising 1 and Dead Rising 2 combined – and you can wander in and out of buildings or enter different parts of the city without any loading times. What’s more, the increase in console horsepower has been used in the most obvious way: to add more zombies. In Dead Rising 3 the flesh-chewing chumps are everywhere, packing out the streets and increasing the chances of Nick becoming swamped. You’ll find yourself taking to the rooftops and clambering onto cars and tricks in order to avoid an inglorious demise.

The look this time is deliberately more realistic, with the colours toned down and a lot more textural detail in the environments, characters and zombies. However, don’t think for a minute that Capcom Vancouver has been looking at The Last of Us for inspiration. There’s still something reassuringly comic-book about the zombie-bashing blood and gore, as the flaming sword slashes the walking dead into two burning chunks, or the ‘sledgesaw’ literally divides and conquers.

Beyond this, there are some major changes to the gameplay. Where previously new weapons could only be crafted at a workstation, the more resourceful Nick can craft new items anywhere provided he has the right ingredients and a plan to work with. Zombies now come in more varieties, with some attracted to light or sound. Start blasting away willy-nilly with a shotgun and you’re guaranteed to get more attention than you could handle. Some zombies can also alert other zombies to your presence. Luckily, you can use some of this zombie-intelligence to your advantage. Fire off a flare into the distance or get something to make a noise and you can lure the shambling hordes away from your location.

From what we’ve seen the game has missions pushing you on to specific objectives, but also more ad-hoc events that prompt you to go and find survivors. Meanwhile, a tie-in with an Xbox SmartGlass app allows you to use a map and look-up nearby resources on your tablet – or even call in an airstrike when the zombies get too numerous to handle.

Dead Rising 3 - First Impressions

With the likes of Dead Island: Riptide out and Dying Light on its way, there’s more competition in the zombie crowd-control genre than there was when the original Dead Rising appeared, but there’s something daft and more exuberant in Capcom Vancouver’s take that just clicks. It might not do anything radically new, but if Dead Rising 3 can maintain the demo’s pace over the long haul, then we could be in for a gruesome treat.

Next, read our WatchDogs hands-on from E3 2013

readmore »»  

Microsoft Surface Pro 2 suffering from overheating problems

New Microsoft Surface Pro 2 issues have emerged, with the flagship tablet found to be suffering from overheating problems.

An issue said to affect both the Microsoft Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2, the overheating tablet concerns are reportedly causing further problems with the iPad Air rival’s display. As the tablet becomes increasingly hot, its screen has been found to dim beyond a usable level.

Microsoft has acknowledged the issues and stated that it is working on a fix for the dimming screens. In the meantime, the manufacturer has suggested that those affected by the overheating problems simply let their Windows 8.1 powered tablets cool down.

“Surface devices may dim the screen as thermal temperatures rise from extended, high CPU intensive activities – like gaming,” an official Microsoft spokesperson stated.

They added: “We’re working on a tuning update that will remove this unnecessary dimming event. You can expect this update in an upcoming Windows Update package. In the meantime allow the Surface to cool down for a minute or so in order to return the screen to previous brightness levels.”

Despite the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 having only hit retailers in late October, this is far from the first trouble the tablet has encountered.

Earlier this month, a software update was rolled out for the Nokia Lumia 2520 challenger, addressing battery drain issues and increasing the tablet’s staying power by 25 per cent.

Read More: iPad mini 2 review

Via: PhonesArena

readmore »»  

PS4 ‘more complicated’ to develop for than Xbox One says Witcher dev

The PS4 vs Xbox One battle continues

With the Xbox One and PS4 both now on sale in the UK, the next-gen gaming battle is truly on, with one industry expert suggesting Microsoft might have the edge, in a development sense at least.

According to a CD Projekt Red developer working with both next-gen consoles, the PS4 is ‘more complicated’ to develop for than the rival Xbox One.

"The Xbox One is pretty easy to understand because it’s not just the hardware [that] is similar to the PC,” Balazs Torok, Lead Engine Programmer on the next-gen bound Witcher 3 told Eurogamer. He added: “Everything like the SDK, the API is really similar to what you would find on a PC.”

Looking across to Sony’s newly launched next-gen gamer, the dev stated: “On PS4 this is a little bit more complicated.”

Expanding on the challenges of working for PS4, he added: "On the PS4 it's very good to have the fast memory. Everyone is really happy about that - but the problem is the game has to function on everything.”

Torok stated: “We are not holding it back, it's just we are not at the stage right now to go in and optimise on each platform specifically. We want to make the game and the whole engine run on everything, with all the features and bells and whistles, and then just optimise, optimise, optimise.”

Although it has been suggested that the PS4 has a power advantage over its leading rival, Torok has claimed that this is not the case.

"I don't see a major power difference,” he said. “The memory is very different but pure computation power, if you just measure that, there's no major difference."



Read More: Xbox One vs PS4

readmore »»  

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 to launch in two new colours

Two new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 colour schemes are reportedly in the works, with Red and ‘White Gold’ models tipped for launch.

Originally launched in the now customary black and white hues, the mooted red and ‘white gold’ Samsung Galaxy Note 3 models will join a pink finished handset which was introduced to select markets in recent weeks.

Citing unnamed insiders, serial Samsung tipster SamMobile has suggested that both new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 colours will be made available in January, with the refreshed phone range potentially set to make an appearance at CES 2013.

“The red version will launch sometime in the first week, while the White Gold variant will follow two weeks later,” the sources are reported to have confirmed.

Although said to be heading for a global rollout, the red and white gold Samsung Galaxy Note 3 handsets could well be exclusively stocked by individual retailers and networks.

Just a cosmetic change, it is not believed that there will be any alterations to the standard, and highly impression, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 specs.

Originally unveiled back at IFA 2013 in September, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 boasts a sizeable 5.7-inch display with a 1920 x 1080 pixel Full HD resolution and 386 pixels-per-inch image density.

A true powerhouse of the mobile sector, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 specs sheet is further bolstered by a 2.3GHz quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM and a 13-megapixel rear-mounted camera. The ‘phablet’ also comes bundled with Samsung’s S-Pen stylus.

Next, read all the latest Samsung Galaxy S5 news and rumours

readmore »»  

Watch Dogs could 'define next-gen gaming' says Sony

Despite having been hit by launch delays, Ubisoft’s Watch Dogs could come to define next-gen gaming, PS4 maker Sony has suggested.

Speaking in line with today’s UK PS4 release date, Sony has suggested that the upcoming Watch Dogs game could become the first in a hugely successful franchise which grows to define the emerging era of next-gen, PS4 and Xbox One based gaming.

Speaking with TrustedReviews, Fergal Gara, Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment UK has stated that Watch Dogs could “define next-gen gaming and really push some boundaries.” Despite Gara’s optimistic outlook for the game, he has revealed the company’s disappointment in the Watch Dog delays.

“It is a slight disappointment [that Watch Dogs has been delayed],” he told us. “The timing isn’t as we had hoped. We have said we are for the players and we would rather they have a great game slightly later than a good game early.”

Looking at the promise shown by the futuristic title, Gara stated: “A title like Watchdogs, the anticipation is so high around it; pre-orders are already very significant and very strong for PS4.”

He added: “It would be a terrible shame if a game like that - which could go several rounds, Watchdogs 1, 2, 3 and could define next-gen gaming and really push some boundaries - it would be a shame if a title like that came out and it was only good when it could be great.”

Although having expressed his disappointment at the delays which have seen the Watch Dogs release pushed back until ‘spring 2014’, Gara has claimed this was the correct move.

“I do think it’s the right call by Ubisoft,” he said. “Many of us would like to have our hands on it tonight, tomorrow, right now, but we will have to wait and it’s better to have a great title than just a good title.”

The PS4 launched in the UK today, with the next-gen console setting wannabe owners back £349, £80 less than the rival Xbox One price.

Read More: Xbox One vs PS4

readmore »»  

Kobo Arc 10HD Tablet Review

What is the Kobo Arc 10HD?

The Kobo Arc 10HD is a 10.1-inch Android tablet for readers, specifically ones who are ready to give up 800-page paperbacks taking up bag space. Promising access to over 3.5 million books, the biggest of the Kobo Aura tablets boasts some impressive specs including a full HD screen and meaty Nvidia Tegra 4 CPU.

Priced at £299.99, the 16GB version of the Kobo Arc 10HD is a cheaper 10-inch tablet alternative to the Nexus 10 (£319), Xperia Tablet Z (£379) and the 9.7-inch iPad Air (£399). It sounds like a promising package, then, but does it really have the quality to upset the big names and take on the likes of the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9?



SEE ALSO: Get some some help with our tablet buyer's guide

Kobo Arc 10HD: Design

When it’s becoming increasingly difficult to make a tablet that looks and feels different from all the others out there, the Aura 10HD does its best to stay away from simply being branded another boring black slab. The slim black bezel leaves plenty of screen estate to read ebooks on and around the back it has a strikingly similar angular design to the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7.

There’s a red sliding switch up in the top right hand corner to turn the tablet on and off with the volume rocker (and page turner) located in close proximity. Over on the left side is the 3.55mm headphone jack, micro USB charging port and micro HDMI port to connect to a HDTV. The front-facing camera sits up top above the screen and around the back are the two stereo speakers that are easily avoided when you need to hold the tablet in two hands.

The Arc HD 10 at 9mm thick is not as slender as the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition (7.9mm) or the Nexus 10 (8.9mm). Weighing in at 627g it’s beastly fella as well. That’s heavier than the Nexus 10 (603g) and the new Note 10.1 (540g) and it really shows once you get your hands on it. There’s really sharp corners at the bottom of the tablet and make it extremely uncomfortable and difficult to use for long periods, too, so bad we had to put it down after a short period of use. This, combined with the great heft is a serious problem for the 10HD.

Kobo Arc 10HD: Screen & Sound

The Arc 10HD features a 10.1-inch 2,560 x 1,600 HD display with a 300 ppi pixel density matching the Nexus 10 and surpassing the vibrant 1,920 x 1,200 LCD resolution screen on the Xperia Tablet Z. On paper, it makes for good reading but there’s a few that let it down from being a really top notch screen.

For starters, the screen is a little on the dull side. Even at maximum brightness it lacks the luminosity of screens like the Nexus 10 and even small tablets like the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 and Nexus 7. It’s does manage to deliver sharp, detailed images for video, but colours look oversaturated. It’s a bit like someone taking a really good picture and unnecessarily tampering with the saturation afterwards.

Viewing angles are decent enough but the colour issues are even more noticeable, if you are not looking at the screen straight on.

One area we can’t really fault the screen is responsiveness. The 10-point multitouch, capacitive display registers swipes, presses and gestures excellently. It’s just a shame about some of the other niggles the screen suffers from.

There’s very little to get excited about in the sound department, either. The two rear mounted stereo speakers are exceptionally loud for a tablet but as the case with most, it’s crackly at higher volumes and can’t really match the richness and the directional sound produced by the stereo speakers found on the Kindle Fire HDX 7 tablet.

readmore »»  

European PS4 owners aren’t getting full PSN experience at launch

Sony’s PS4 console is out in the UK and Europe today, but early adopters won’t quite be getting the full next gen experience that our US cousins are enjoying.

That’s because Sony has announced that it will be temporarily cutting some of its PSN services in Europe, as well as Australia and New Zealand, in order to cope with the expected surge in network activity.

In a post on the european PlayStation blog, Sony speaks of an "unprecedented influx of players onto PSN" in America since the PS4’s launch on November 15. The company is expecting a similar surge when us Europeans join the fray.

Anticipating an almighty network activity spike, Sony has opted to "switch off a couple of features for European customers on day one."

Two features in particular have been deactivated. What’s New, which enables you to check on your friends’ recent PS4 activity, will not be available from the off. Also, the Content Information Screen, which lets you see your friends’ activity related to a specific title, will be inaccessible to Europeans.

Sony reiterates that you’ll have the bulk of PSN at your disposal, including online multiplayer gaming, trophies, friending your fellow PS4 gamers, and sharing and live broadcasting gameplay videos.

Few European PS4 owners will grumble, we suspect, provided these steps ensure a hassle-free initial experience come login time. With a day one update required in order to access all of the PS4’s media features, the last thing we want is sluggish or non-existent network performance.



Read More: PS4 Launch Games: A video guide to what you need to play

readmore »»  

LG G Flex international launch event announced

LG will hold an international launch event for its LG G Flex curved smartphone in the early days of December.

The South Korean manufacturer recently sent out invites (see below) to an LG G Flex-themed event being held in Hong Kong on December 3, which is this coming Tuesday.

As reported by 3G.cn, this is intended to mark the wider launch of the LG G Flex in markets outside of South Korea, where it is already available to purchase.

It’s already been announced that the LG G Flex will be made available in Europe - specifically on France’s Orange network - some time in early December.

The LG G Flex is a 6-inch smartphone with a couple of unique attributes. The main one its that its large 720p display curves from top to bottom. It utilises a similar kind of flexible OLED display to the Samsung Galaxy Round.

This serves to mimic the immersive effect of watching a curved OLED TV when viewing video on the G Flex. It also makes it more ergonomically suited to making calls, as it curves around the shape of your face.

In fact, the whole phone is worthy of the name Flex - it’s possible to literally flatten the device with a little pressure at its raise ends.

The other notable feature of the LG G Flex is its self-healing back. Scratch it up, and the slashes will seal up within minutes.

Other than that 720p display, which is hardly the sharpest on the market, the LG G Flex is a well specced device. It runs on a 2.26GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 CPU and 2GB of RAM, and it sports a 13-megapixel camera. It weighs a hefty 177g.

Now read about LG's 55-inch curved OLED TV

Via: UnwiredView

readmore »»  

Extra PS4 stock supplied to 300 GAME stores

Concerns of a PS4 stock shortage ahead of tomorrow’s release appear to have finally been put to bed, as GAME became the latest retailer to announce it’s received more stock, following announcements from ASDA and Tesco.


Despite warnings that short stocks of Sony’s PS4 meant the console could “be in the short supply for up to four months after launch”, it appears the manufacturer and UK retailers have fought hard to ensure they’re able to satisfy the high levels of demand.

In GAME’s case, the company has received a range of extra bundles including the Killzone Mega Pack, all of which are currently available to purchase online and at over 300 GAME stores following tonight’s midnight launch.

Charlotte Knight, GAME’s category director stated, “Demand for Playstation 4 has been phenomenal” and insisted the company was “gearing up for an incredible launch.”

Although the retailer hasn’t announced it’s pricing of the Killzone Mega Pack, other sites are currently listing the bundle at a price of £470 and for their money customers will receive a PS4 console, Killzone Shadow Fall, a PlayStation Camera, a second DualShock 4 wireless controller.

On top of this a 14 day PlayStation Plus trial, HDMI cable, power cord, wired Mono headset and USB cable will also come within the bundle.

The basic PS4 console will set wannabe owners back £349, a full £80 cheaper than the rival Xbox One, a console which went on sale last Friday, November 22.

Read More: Xbox One vs PS4

readmore »»  

Virgin Media TV Anywhere app hits Android smartphones and tablets

Virgin Media today brought its TV Anywhere on-demand and live streaming television service to Android devices, finally offering up direct competition to rival service Sky Go.

Of the 90 channels available via the online service and 67 available through mobiles and tablets, 39 of these are not currently offered on Sky Go, with notable examples including BT Sport, ITV, Channel 5 and Premier Sport.

With an additional nine channels included with the new Android app, Virgin Media’s Director of Digital Entertainment, Scott Kewley, claimed that Virgin TV Anywhere was now “the market leading service for those who want the best of home entertainment with them to watch wherever they are, at no extra cost.”

The nine new channels to join the TV Anywhere service are Good Food, Home, Really, Watch, Yesterday, CBS Reality, Alibi, Dave and Drama.

Free for all existing Virgin Media Tivo customers, the Virgin TV Anywhere app allows viewers to remotely organise their Tivo hubs and scheduling their favourite programmes to record, for viewing at a convenient time.

The new Android app also enables customers to browse tailor made recommendations, rate the shows they watch via Tivo’s trademark Thumbs Up/Down system, and also acts as a gesture-based remote when used at home.

Available to download from the Google Play store, the new Virgin Media TV Anywhere app is compatible with an array of Android tablets and smartphones, such as the HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S4, Google Nexus Tablets and the Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

The new Android offering follows the TV Anywhere app which has been available for iOS devices for some time.

Read More: Virgin Media Super Hub review

readmore »»  

PS4 Launch Games: A video guide to what you need to play

With Sony’s next-gen console now just hours away from launching in the UK, here is a video guide to the best PS4 launch games you need to play.

Helping you sort the wheat from the chaff, the featured trio are our pick of the top next-gen offerings set to land alongside Sony’s next-gen gamer when the PS4 finally goes on sale in the early hours of tomorrow, November 29.

Kicking off with the most high profile PS4 exclusive, Killzone: Shadow Fall takes the first-person shooter to new realms of realism. With unparalleled graphics, the latest Killzone offering highlights the visual superiority of the PS4 over the outgoing PS3.

Although available on both current and next-gen consoles, Battlefield 4 is a must for all new PS4 owners. The much-loved FPS release builds on its PS3 origins with increased detail and added punch. Finally, for those wanting something more than shooting folks in the face, EA’s Need for Speed: Rivals sees the aging driving franchise re-find its feet.

Watch the video below to see why these three are our picks of the PS4 launch games.

readmore »»  

Sony confirms sub-£500 PS4 and Vita bundles

Sony has revealed plans to offer a PS4 and PS Vita bundle deal, with the two consoles to be sold together in a sub-£500.

With the PS4 release date to see the next-gen console go on sale in the UK from midnight tonight, Sony has revealed that the PS4 and PS Vita bundles will be sold with immediate effect.

Confirming the company’s plans, Fergal Gara, Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment UK stated that the PS4, PS Vita deals would come in the form of a “soft bundle,” with the consoles to be sold together but not as part of a specially boxed, pre-priced bundle packed.

"We're working with our retail partners to put across that proposition as well as we can," Gara told the folks over at Eurogamer.

Expanding on how the bundle will be formed he added: "It'll come to market in a few different shapes and guises. You may walk in and get a great deal on 'buy a Vita when bought with' type deal. So if you buy a PS4 you can get a Vita for X. And others will say, well here's the Ultimate Bundle and you get all those bits in it.”

Offering pricing details on the bundle’s slightly loose pricing structure, Gara has suggested that to make the package enticing, the two consoles will need to cost less than £500. With the PS4 price set at £349 and the Vita retailing around the £180 mark, this bundle package should mark around a £30 saving for eager gamers.

"As a base price point, in other words for the two consoles, we expect the gamer to be able to pick that up for under £500,” the Sony UK head said. “It's not a hard bundle pack at this point in time. It's us working with the retailer to effectively deliver a soft bundle."

Read More: Xbox One vs PS4

readmore »»  

PS4 Pre-orders: Best deals and bundles available now

The console might be out in the US, but PS4 pre-orders are still going strong here in Blighty, with a mass of retailers all vying for your next-gen console cash.

Although day one PS4 pre-orders sold out months ago and some retailers are now not able to ship consoles until after Christmas, a number of outlets are still giving you the chance to secure your PS3 follow-on ahead of tonight's upcoming UK PS4 release date. Highlighting just how in-demand the next-gen console, interest in the PS4 is said to be double that of the rival Xbox One.

Following the announcement that more than 1 million PS4 pre-orders had already been placed by the middle of the summer, Sony has confirmed that any PS4 pre-orders placed after August 6 will not be available on the console's day of release. If, however, you are still intent on snapping up the next-gen console ahead of launch, there are many offers still available to ensure you get the most for your money - you don't even need to spend the £349 asking price.

Where can you buy the PS4? Read on to find out.

Amazon

Amazon is now offering PS4 pre-orders at the console’s E3 confirmed £349 price point. Although currently offering the console at its RRP, Amazon has promised those looking to secure the console ahead of launch, that it if lowers the price at any point, it will refund the difference. If you are after your PS4 in time for Christmas, however, you might want to look elsewhere.

“Customers who pre-order this console from November 14 will receive their consoles after Christmas," the company has stated on its PS4 product pages.

Further clarifying when eager gamers can expect their PS3 follow-ons, the company added: “Customers who pre-ordered this console from August 7 up to and including November 13 will receive their consoles before Christmas.”

PS4 Pre-orders: Amazon

GameStop
One of the best PS4 pre-orders savings of the moment, online outlet GameStop is offering PS4 pre-orders at the considerably reduced price of £329.97, a grand saving of £20.02.

Like many of its rivals GameStop is warning those after the console that PS4 pre-orders might no longer arrive by the unit's November 29 release date. The retailer's site states: "Pre-orders on PS4 placed after 1st September 2013 are not guaranteed for Launch Day. Any preorders up until 1st November are guaranteed before Christmas. After this you will be placed in a queue system."

Offering a bit more positivity, the company adds: "When you preorder the PS4, you are automatically upgraded to Express Shipping for free."

PS4 Pre-orders: GameStop

Blockbuster

Although you can no longer pre-order your console through the now defunct retailer, Blockbuster has confirmed that all PS4 pre-orders placed with the company will still be honoured.

Having originally suggested that it would not be able to honour PS4 pre-orders due to entering administration for a second time, the retailer has now flip-flopped on this statement.

"We are pleased to announce that both Microsoft and Sony have set aside Xbox One and PlayStation 4 Day 1 consoles for Blockbuster customers who have valid pre-orders,” an official statement from the company has today stated.

"To ensure Microsoft and Sony supply you with your console please complete the form at the following link by midnight on Thursday 7th November - http://survey.blockbuster.co.uk/s3/nextgen.”

Toys R Us

Having offered the best PS4 pre-order discounts to let you pinch the pennies, Toys R Us has now closed its early offering of the next-gen console. Despite being out of day one pre-order stock, the retailer is still listing the PS4 price at a reduced £339.99, £10 cheaper that the console's RRP.

Since Sony's day one unavailability announcement, the retailer has closed its PS4 pre-orders stating simply "PS4 pre-orders sold out." That said, the continued low price suggests the toy store will offer this reduced price after launch too.

Offering a small glimmer of hope to those who have yet to secure their PS4 pre-order, the Toys R Us advanced order page is now letting wannabe owners to "Register to receive an email when available."

PS4 Pre-orders: Toys R Us

Game

Offering multiple PS4 pre-order options, high street retailer Game will let you secure a standalone PS4 console, or the next-gen device bundled with a couple of games. It has failed to acknowledge the lack of day one availability at present.

Although stating the PS4 price at the £349 RRP, Game only requires a £20 deposit for you to reserve your console ahead of launch. With the precise PS4 release date still up in the air, Game has listed the Xbox One rival alongside a “X-mas 2013” launch window.

Again only requiring a £20 deposit with the full balance to be paid ahead of launch, Game’s PS4 games bundle will see the PS3 follow-on hit your doorstep with a copy of Killzone Shadow Fall and Drive Club in tow. A finalised price for this game bundle has yet to be announced.

PS4 Pre-orders: Game

Zavvi

Undercutting its rivals, Zavvi is offering a marginally reduced PS4 price for those pre-ordering the console. And when we say marginal, we really do mean it.

Shaving a full five pence of the console’s price, Zavvi based PS4 pre-orders will see gamers pay ‘just’ £348.95. What’s more, unlike some retailers demanding full, upfront payment, the former high street presence has stated: “Payment will not be taken until dispatch.”

Again offing a price promise that could come in useful as competition between sellers increases and fees potentially tumble, Zavvi has revealed: “Order this product with us today and if we reduce the price between taking your order and the release date, we will charge you the lower price!”

Although still accepting PS4 pre-orders, the retailer now states on its website: "Orders place from 6th Aug may be received after release date."

PS4 Pre-orders: Zavvi

ShopTo

The PS4 has topped the company’s pre-orders list repeatedly since its unveiling and ShopTo has no plans to halt its pre-orders even though day one stock might not be available.

A statement on the ShopTo PS4 pre-order pages now reads: “Please note that Sony have confirmed all PlayStation 4 pre-orders placed from August 6 will now not be guaranteed for launch. You can still pre-order PS4 with us in case we receive cancellations and can fulfil your order for launch.”

Another retailer to offer the PS4 with a microscopic discount, pre-ordering the console from ShopTo will save you a full two pence off the retail price. PS4 pre-orders through this online retailer will set you back £348.98. What's more, the company will let you change your mind at any time between ordering the next-gen Sony console and the device being shipped to your door. ShopTo has stated: “You will not be charged until the item is dispatched. You may cancel the pre-order any time before dispatch.”

PS4 Pre-orders: ShopTo

While a number of other retailers had previously offered PS4 pre-orders, many have now stopped accepting advanced purchases for the eagerly awaited console. While Sony itself is no longer accepting PS4 pre-orders, both Tesco Sainsbury's have also close their PS4 pages.

More to Follow: We will continue to update this post with all the latest PS4 pre-order deals as they emerge.

Read More: Xbox One pre-orders

readmore »»  

Nokia Lumia 2520 release date and price confirmed

The Nokia Lumia 2520 release date has been confirmed, with the company’s first tablet to land next Wednesday December 4.

Set to be offered exclusively through retailer John Lewis at launch, the Nokia Lumia 2520 makes the manufacturer’s first foray into the tablet market, with the 10.1-inch Windows RT offering to go head-to-head with the likes of the iPad Air and Microsoft Surface 2.

“We're very excited to announce the launch of the Nokia Lumia 2520 tablet exclusive to John Lewis,” Harry Boughton, a Junior Buyer for tablets and telecoms at the retailer stated. He added: “We have seen a continuing demand for tablets, selling one every 15 seconds, and we think the addition of this tablet to our range will appeal to customers looking to do more than surf the web.”

Building on the company’s increasingly popular line of Lumia branded Windows Phone smartphones, the new Nokia Lumia 2520 will set wannabe owners back £399.99 and will be made available in four colours – black, white, red and blue.

Powered by a 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, the Nokia Lumia 2520 specs sheet will see the 10.2-inch, 1080p Full HD display bolstered by 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage.

Coming with a 6.7-megapixel rear-mounted camera, the Nokia Lumia 2520 features list is rounded off by a secondary, 2-megapixel snapper up front, an 8000mAh battery and 4G connectivity options.

For those after a Nokia Lumia 2520 with more business-orientated uses in mind, the company has also revealed that the Nokia Power Keyboard Case will be made available for an additional £149.95. Bringing an additional 5 hour battery life, the accompanying case also introduces a pair of USB 2.0 ports.

Read More: Nokia Lumia 1520 review

readmore »»  

Killzone 4: Shadow Fall Game Review

Platform: PS4 exclusive

Killzone games have always looked good, so it’s no real surprise Sony picked Killzone 4: Shadow Fall to be its key PS4 exclusive launch title. It's just the kind of game to make loyal PS3 owners upgrade. After Killzone: Mercenary delivered the fantastic PS Vita FPS we have craved for so long, Shadow Fall ventures into a world that takes full advantage of the next-gen bump in hardware and hopes to do the same for the PS4.

Regrettably we haven't got the multiplayer working properly yet ahead of the PS4's launch, so for now we're focusing on the single-player campaign whose environments are the setting for much of the multiplayer, too. These days it feels like the single-player is an afterthought for FPS games, but is this true of Killzone: Shadow Fall?

We'll pick up that question later, but first some scene-setting. For those not familiar with the Killzone universe, the latest conflict takes place on the planet Vekta. Set after the events in Killzone 3 where the Helghast’s planet is destroyed, the 'bad guys' (that's the Helghast) now reside on the same planet as the Vektans separated by a security wall. Peace reigns for thirty years, but it's to no one's surprise (least of all ours) that this doesn't last.

In Shadow Fall you play Lucas Kellen, who we first see as a young boy in the opening moments of the game witnessing his father being killed by Helghast soldiers as they try to flee their city on Vekta. Naturally these events have a profound effect on our protagonist as he's left to be mentored by a Shadow Marshall who rescues him. Fast forward to the present of the game and Kellen is now a morally corrupt special forces type who operates behind enemy lines.

So far, so generic, but that tag is a little unfair. Previous Killzone games have drawn upon historical and contemporary events to shape the storyline and Shadow Fall follows the trend with clear Cold War undertones emphasised by the mistrust between the two warring factions and internal strife this creates.

It’s a valiant attempt to steer clear from some of the more clichéd single-player campaigns we often see in most shooters. Rather than just a black and white good vs evil type affair, Killzone: Shadow Fall creates a scene in which two peoples are trying to coexist on one planet with all the problems that creates.

It doesn't quite come off, however. While the themes are interesting enough, it doesn't really come together as a cohesive whole in the same way a Bioshock Infinite does, for example. It's all too easy to lose track of the exactly where the plot is going and why, while the voice acting and dialogue is workmanlike rather than engaging. Guerilla Games has tried to create an interesting narrative tension, but it still feels like the story comes a distant third behind the visuals and the gunplay. And if the likes of Mass Effect, Bioshock and Halo have taut us anything, it's that a good story can make or break any single-player experience.

But if the story sometimes lacks that immersive pull, the visuals do much to compensate. Killzone: Shadow Fall in 1080p HD is stunning. It’s one of the nicest looking PS4 launch titles and you will often find yourself staring around at how gorgeous the landscape is. The backdrops are amazingly detailed and natural looking and the way lighting breaks through gaps to obscure your view really showcases what the PS4 is capable of. As an example of what 'next-gen' entails Killzone 4: Shadow Fall does its job very, very well.

This and the typically impressive gunplay is probably exactly what loyal Killzone fans are after. Sniper and machine guns take time to reload, but still fire off with a satisfying thud as you plough your way through Helghast soldiers. Weapons are now more versatile as well and your default arm can be set to a work as a sniper rifle, with its barrel extending and a scope appearing for firing at range. You can go all guns blazing, but the new sonar locator helps you take a more stealthy approach -- an approach balanced by the fact overuse of the sonar will alert nearby soldiers.

Another combat enhancement introduced for Killzone: Shadow Fall also gives us a chance to use the PS4's touchpad for the first time in anger. When you are outnumbered, you can get a helping hand from a small drone called the OWL. Hitting L1 to activate the OWL, you can swipe in different directions on the touchpad to command the OWL to put up a shield, hack into computers, send out a zip-line and stun or fire at enemies. If you’ve been killed, the drone can revive you as long as you still have a Stim pack spare.

You will need all the help you can get, too, as the Helghast AI has clearly been ramped up and definitely takes more than a few rounds to take down the orange-goggled Helgahst soldiers. If you don’t turn off alarm systems the hordes will keep on coming at you, making it easy to die if you don’t play smart. This stops Killzone from descending into too much of a mindless run and gun affair.

As does the greater freedom to explore, which means more opportunities to show off the controller support like the ability to play back audio logs uncovered from rooms through the DualShock 4's built-in speaker. That said, it's still largely a linear affair where your simple goal is to complete missions to get from A to B, while the more open environments also mean you'll sometimes find yourself wandering aimlessly for your next objective.

All told, the single player campaign is an enjoyable distraction with some spectacular set pieces, but the patchy storyline and so-so level design means it's not the most memorable. That's a real shame as there are moments where Shadow Fall excels, but it feels as if Guerrilla Games never quite pulled everything together as tightly it could.

Which leads us to conclude that the multiplayer really is still the key ingredient. We'll return for a greater exploration of this soon, but it's a familiar setup based around a class system where you can select from Assault, Recon and Support classes with 12 unique special abilities. It serves up old favourites likes capture the flag, domination, and deathmatch, but there's also a custom option to create your own levels and share them with other players that could prove to be Killzone: Shadow Fall's most interesting feature given Sony's claimed focus on social gaming.

Verdict

Killzone: Shadow Fall is a beautiful-looking game and the perfect visual showcase for the PS4's hardware. The DualShock 4 controller support gives us a promising look at how other PS4 games can embrace the touchpad and speaker features as well. As shooters go, it's a solid effort. The ambitious story is not perfectly executed and the more open environments actually do more harm than good sometimes, but any Killzone fan will enjoy the single-player campaign and the visuals are as stunning as the trailers suggest.

readmore »»