Xbox One indie titles not expected until early 2014

Microsoft doesn’t expect to see any independent titles launch on the Xbox One until early 2014, giving developers’ time to complete their games.

According to Phil Harrison, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President, the company has received “hundreds” if not “thousands” of applications for its Independent Developers @ Xbox program, but doesn’t expect to see the game materialise until early next year.

“We’ve had an avalanche of interest from all corners of the globe. It’s what we expected but it’s great to see. Now we’re working through applications and creating that dialogue with developers,” said Harrison to Games Industry International.

“I don’t think we’re going to see things at launch. I don’t think it’s realistic to see a developer get the programme and build a game and get it into the market on November 22. It’s reasonable to expect in early 2014 we’ll start seeing the first games come through.”

Harrison was also quick to protect the reputation of Microsoft over the flurry of overturns surrounding Xbox One policies in the months since the official unveiling.

“Our long term vision hasn’t changed at all. We haven’t diluted our long term vision, which is all of the benefits of a connected ecosystem and what that means for all of the stakeholders – us, developer, publisher and crucially, the player. None of that has changed.”

Since officially launching the Xbox One, Microsoft has changed policies on DRM, daily online check-ins, always-on Kinect requirements and other smaller details.

“We had to adapt some of our policies and it was best that we did those before we launched, which we’ve done. All of that can be handled in the vacuum of the pre-launch activity. And it allows the players to have a choice.”

November 2013 will see both the Xbox One and PS4 launch within weeks of each other with consumers having to decide which next-generation console they want to own.

“We feel very happy about the launch line-up we have and the launch window of games we’ll be bringing to market,” added Harrison. “That line-up is very, very strong. And Titanfall is turning into the huge megahit that we expected it to be.”



Next, read our Xbox One vs PS4 comparison.

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GTA Online will feature real money microtransactions

Rockstar Games will seemingly be introducing real world currency microtransactions for GTA Online, the GTA 5 multiplayer experience.

Gamers will be able to spend real money in GTA Online by purchasing so-called “cash cards”, which offer additional in-game currency for a price.

According to one Reddit user who has discovered an XML file within one of the in-game GTA 5 websites that details of the four cash cards that will be available to purchase to boost your bank account in GTA Online.

“Cash is king in this town. Solve your money problems and help get what you want across Los Santos and Blaine County with the purchase of cash packs for Grand Theft Auto Online”, reads the information attached to each card. “All purchased cash is automatically deposited into your character’s bank account. Spend wisely, cash therapy is fleeting.”

Some users have found that it is fairly difficult to actually earn cash in GTA 5, despite the option to play the stock market and invest in properties across Los Santos.

However, it seems Rockstar is making it possible for gamers to buy their way to success in GTA Online, which may irk the majority who won’t want to spend any more money on GTA 5, having already spent around £40 for the game itself.

GTA Online will launch as an additional free download for GTA 5 gamers. A type of MMO, GTA Online brings the GTA 5 experience to an online world for up to 16 players at any one time.

Available from October 1, GTA Online will let gamers completely personalise their multiplayer character and participate in nearly all the activities available to do in the main GTA 5 game.

“Grand Theft Auto Online brings the freedom of the Grand Theft Auto experience to multiple players in a dynamic shared world,” said Rockstar Games when releasing the GTA Online trailer. “The game combines a persistent and continually expanding world full of personalities. With a wide array of redesigned mechanics, and a huge range of structured and unstructured activities for you to do.”

Next, read our pick of the best games of 2013.

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Dell Inspiron range refreshed with new laptops and AIO PCs

Dell has refreshed its Inspiron range of laptops and PCs with new models for 2013, which are all Windows 8 touchscreen devices.

The Inspiron 7000 series laptops are thinner than before, Inspiron 11 3000 are 11-inch portable laptops and the Inspiron 23 is the latest all-in-one PC with a “razor-thin” design.

Currently, specs for all models are a little thin on the ground, but we’ll tell you what we know so far.

“Consumers today are looking for PCs that are not only dependable and easy to use, but are packed with all of the features they want in a thin, upscale design”, said Ray Wah, Vice President of the Dell Consumer PC Group. “We think this is our best Inspiron line-up ever, and we’re really proud of the tremendous value that we can provide to our customers.”



Inspiron 7000 Series Features

All the new Inspiron 7000 Series laptops feature diamond-cut bevelled edges and an aluminium design. Offered in 14- and 15-inch displays that can be upgraded to Full HD resolutions, the Inspiron 14 and 15 have backlit keyboards too.

Both the Inspiron 14 and 15 can be fitted with Intel Haswell Core i5 or Core i7 processor as well as SSD options for the Inspiron 15 and 17.

Available from September 26, the Inspiron 7000 Series price start at £519 for the Inspiron 15 and £769 for the Inspiron 17.

Inspiron 11 3000 Series Features

The Dell Inspiron 11 features an 11.6-inch screen and is designed to be portable and light. It weighs just 1.43kg and is 21.2mm thick, despite an 8 hour battery life.

It features a 10-point capacitive touch screen and packs noise-cancelling, dual-array microphones for video calls.

Pricing and availability details have yet to be released.

Inspiron 23 Features

The Inspiron 23 is the latest all-in-one PC from Dell, offering a touchscreen Windows 8 desktop PC with a Full HD 10-finger capacitive touch display. The monitor can be laid flat or tilted for easier touch screen access.

Available from October 31, Dell has yet to release any pricing details.

Next, read our pick of the best Windows 8 laptops, tablets, convertibles and PCs.

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Apple iMacs refreshed with Intel Haswell processors

Apple has announced it will be giving its iMac range a 2013 refresh, complete with new Intel Haswell processors.

Both the 21.5-inch and 27-inch models will receive the Intel i5 processors that are more energy efficient and powerful than their predecessors.

The iMac update follows a similar update given to the Apple MacBook Air range earlier this year.

“iMac continues to be the example that proves how beautiful, fast and fun a desktop computer can be”, said Philip Schiller, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing. “Inside its ultra-thin aluminium enclosure, the new iMac has the latest Intel processors, faster graphics, next generation 802.11ac Wi-Fi and faster PCIe flash storage.”

New iMac Features

The new iMac desktop Macs will come with support for the next-gen 802.11ac Wi-Fi, offering performance three times faster than the average wireless broadband connection.

There is also support for PCI3-based flash storage that is 50 per cent faster than the previous generation. The standard iMac configuration comes with 8GB of RAM and a 1TB hard-drive, but this can be boosted to 32GB of RAM and a 3TB hard drive.

As standard, the iMac 2013 range comes with two Thunderbolt and four USB 3.0 ports as well.

The entry-level 21.5-inch iMAc will have a 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor and Iris Pro graphics, while the high-end 21.5-inch model and basic 27-inch model will have the quad-core Intel i5 up to 3.4GHz and Nvidia GeForce 700 series graphics.

Anyone wanting higher specs can upgrade to the quad-core Intel Core i7 processor that clock at speeds up to 3.5GHz or choose Nvidia GeForce GTX 780M graphics with 4GB of dedicated video memory.



New iMac Price and Release Date

Available now from the Apple Store, prices start at £1,149 for the basic 21.5-inch model, with the 2.9GHz Intel Core i5 version priced at £1,299.

The basic 27-inch iMac is £1,599, while the 3.4GHz Intel i5 will retail for £1,749.

Next, read our pick of the best laptops of 2013.

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E4 and Film4 live channels added to Sky Go lineup

Sky has announced that customers can now watch live E4 and Film4 content using its Sky Go service on the move.

Customers can now enjoy content from E4 and Film4 via the Sky Go app, meaning all the Channel 4 group channels are available on the service following the addition of Channel 4 and More4 earlier in the year.

With the addition of E4 and Film4 to Sky Go, customers will be able to watch their favourite shows like How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory live, with other programmes like Peep Show, Misfits and Black Books available to watch on demand.

Now, Sky Go customers can watch up to 49 live channels using the service. This already includes Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Fox, Syfy and the Disney Channel.

Sky Go is available on PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Android devices as well as other platforms like the Xbox 360.

It currently has around 3.3 million users and any Sky customer can register two devices for Sky Go for free.

Sky Customers can also choose to upgrade to Sky Go Extra for an additional £5 per month on top of their usual subscription fees.

This bumps up the number of registered devices up to four per customer and allows user to download TV programmes and movies (if they have the relevant subscription) to their devices for offline viewing.

The Sky Go app is free to download, or desktop users can go to skygo.com.



Next, read our pick of the best TVs of 2013.

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Microsoft Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 UK prices revealed

Microsoft has revealed the UK pricing details for its Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 tablets ahead of their release next month.

With both the Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 available on October 22, Microsoft has revealed how much you’ll have to pay for the new Windows 8.1 slates.

The 32GB Surface 2 model, you’ll have to pay £359, while the 64GB model is £439.

For the Surface Pro 2 there are several options available, with prices ranging from £719 to £1439.

The 64GB internal storage Surface Pro 2 option with 4GB of RAM will cost £719, but bumping the internal storage up to 128GB jumps the price to £799.

If you opt for 8GB of RAM, you can either spend £1039 on 256GB of internal storage or £1439 for 512GB.

Microsoft Surface 2 Features

Replacing the rather unsuccessful Surface RT, the Surface 2 runs Windows 8.1 RT on a 10.6-inch ClearType HD display with a Full 1080p HD resolution.

Under the hood there’s a Nvidia Tegra 4 processor and a battery offering around 10 hours battery life.

There’s a 5-megapixel rear camera and an additional 3.5-megapixel snapper in the front, both of which are capable of recording 1080p video.

Microsoft Surface Pro 2 Features

Running the full Windows 8.1 Pro, the Surface Pro 2 is powered by a fourth generation Intel Core i5 processor.

Microsoft is keeping quiet on exact figures for the Surface Pro 2 battery life, but states it is up to 60 per cent longer lasting than the previous Surface Pro.

It comes bundled with a Pro Pen stylus and adds a new dual-angle kickstand for a new way to view the Surface Pro 2. There’s a trio of USB 2.0 ports and a single USB 3.0 connection as well as Ehternet and mini DisplayPort.



Next, read our pick of the best Windows 8 laptops, tablets, convertibles and PCs.

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BBM for Android and iPhone won’t arrive this week

BBM for iPhone and Android

BlackBerry has announced that BlackBerry Messenger for Android and iPhone won’t be launching this week.

Following complications with an unreleased, older version of the BBM for Android app leaking onto the Google Play Store over the weekend, BlackBerry has to delay the official launch of the multiplatform BBM app.

Android and iPhone users eager to get BBM on their devices will now have to wait even longer to see the official app appear in the App Store and Google Play.

“We attempted to address the problems caused by the unreleased version throughout the day on Saturday, but as active users of the unreleased app neared a million – and accelerated – it became clear that the only way to address the issue was to pause the rollout for both Android and iPhone,” said Andrew Bocking, EVP of BBM, in an official blog post.

The app launch was delayed at the weekend, but BlackBerry was very vague about the readjusted release date for BBM. Now, it seems that it won’t be happening this week at all.

“The team is now focused on adjusting the system to completely block this unreleased version of the Android app when we go live with the official BBM for Android app. We are also making sure that the system is reinforced to handle this kind of scenario in the future. While this may sound like a simple task it’s not. This will take some time and I do not anticipate launching this week.”

This news will be yet another blow for the struggling Canadian smartphone manufacturer, especially following the news that BlackBerry has agreed to a $4.7 billion sale to Fairfax Financial consortium.

Prior to that, the company announced that it had to cut 40 per cent of its workforce following $1 billion Q2 losses.



Read more – BlackBerry Fairfax sale: RIP BlackBerry, your time is still up.

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