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January 5, 2013 by Jacob Krol
Corning Teases Gorilla Glass 3 And Optical Cables!
Corning Incorporated, the company that makes Corning Gorilla Glass, have announced that at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show they will be showing off Corning Gorilla Glass 3! The full product announcement is set to come on Monday January 7th 2013 at CES. It will be a more durable version of the glass and most of the improvements have been made at a molecular level. They have added Native Damage Resistance(NDR) which will help make it more scratch resistant and increase the durability of the glass. One thing that we know for sure is that Corning Gorilla Glass 3 will most likely be the toughest glass on the market.
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September 18, 2012 by Jacob Krol
Harmonix Unveils New Songs And Pre-Order Specials For Dance Central 3!
Today, Harmonix announced some new songs and exclusive pre-order specials for Dance Central 3! And just to remind you Dance Central 3 is launching October 26th in the US, Latin America, and Canada, while Europe, Asia, and Australia get it on October 19th! They already have many great songs from artists like the Village People, Usher, LMFAO, and many other artists, they have just announced Boom Boom Pow-Black Eyed Peas, Now That We Found Love-Heavy D & The Boyz, Firework-Katy Perry, Wild Ones-Flo Rida ft. Sia, On The Floor-Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull, Boyfriend-Justin Bieber, Let The Music Play-Shannon, Beware Of The Boys (Mundian To Bach Ke)-Panjabi MC, Starships-Nicki Minaj, and You’ve Got It (The Right Stuff)-New Kids On The Block! These are great additions to the already big Dance Central 3 soundtrack! Harmonix also announced a few pre-order specials, you can see them broken down by each country below in the press release! These bonus songs are by artists like Usher, Lady Gaga, LMFAO and Nicki Minaj! Be sure to check out the great deals below and be sure to grab them while you can! For more information please see the press release below, gallery, and video below!
Gallery
Video
Press Release
NEW TRACKS, PRE-ORDER BONUSES ANNOUNCED FOR DANCE CENTRAL 3!
Tuesday, September 18th, 2012
With only a few weeks until the release of Dance Central 3, Harmonix is excited to announce more tracks for the game’s hit-packed soundtrack, along with the addition of hot bonus tracks for fans who pre-order or purchase at their favorite retailer, while supplies last!
In addition to tracks already announced from 50 Cent, LMFAO, Usher, Village People, and more, the following Dance Central 3 tracks were revealed today!
- Black Eyed Peas – “Boom Boom Pow”
- Flo Rida ft. Sia – “Wild Ones”
- Heavy D & The Boyz – “Now That We Found Love”
- Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull – “On The Floor”
- Justin Bieber – “Boyfriend”
- Katy Perry – “Firework”
- New Kids On The Block – “You’ve Got It (The Right Stuff)”
- Nicki Minaj – “Starships”
- Panjabi MC – “Beware Of The Boys (Mundian To Bach Ke)”
- Shannon – “Let The Music Play”
Some of the amazing tracks announced for Dance Central 3 are featured in the latest Dance Centralgameplay preview! Check out great music, new moves, and what folks are already saying about the hottest game on Kinect for Xbox 360!
Harmonix and Microsoft are also pleased to announce that, for a limited time only, fans of the franchise will be able to get even more chart-topping dance hits for Dance Central 3 by pre-ordering or purchasing a copy of the game at launch from participating retailers. Bonus tracks include hits from Usher, Lady Gaga, LMFAO and Nicki Minaj. Pre-order Dance Central 3 today to guarantee access to these bonus tracks while supplies last! Check out the bonuses below broken down by region!
UNITED STATES
BEST BUY
BONUS TRACKS: Usher ft. Pharrell – “Twisted”; Usher – “Euphoria”
CLICK HERE TO PREORDERWAL-MART
BONUS TRACKS: LMFAO – “Sorry For Party Rocking”; Nicki Minaj – “Whip It”
CLICK HERE TO PREORDERAMAZON
BONUS TRACKS: Lady Gaga “Alejandro”; Lady Gaga – “Paparazzi”
CLICK HERE TO PREORDERCANADA
FUTURE SHOP
BONUS TRACK: Usher – “Euphoria”BEST BUY
BONUS TRACK: Lady Gaga “Alejandro”EB GAMES
BONUS TRACK: Usher ft. Pharrell – “Twisted”WAL-MART
BONUS TRACK: Lady Gaga – “Paparazzi”SPAIN
GAMESTOP
BONUS TRACK: Lady Gaga – “Paparazzi”MEDIA MARKT
BONUS TRACK: Lady Gaga “Alejandro”GAME
BONUS TRACK: Usher – “Euphoria”GENERICA
BONUS TRACK: Usher ft. Pharrell – “Twisted”UK
AMAZON
BONUS TRACK: Lady Gaga – “Paparazzi”GAME
BONUS TRACK: Lady Gaga “Alejandro”TESCO
BONUS TRACK: Usher ft. Pharrell – “Twisted”FRANCE
FNAC
BONUS TRACKS: Lady Gaga – “Paparazzi”; Lady Gaga “Alejandro”; Usher ft. Pharrell – “Twisted”GERMANY
AMAZON
BONUS TRACK: Lady Gaga – “Paparazzi”MEDIA SATURN
BONUS TRACK: Lady Gaga “Alejandro”GAMESTOP
BONUS TRACK: Usher ft. Pharrell – “Twisted”Dance Central 3, will be available in stores on October 16th in U.S., Canada and Latin America, and October 19th in Europe, Asia, and Australia!
Follow Dance Central on Twitter and Facebook for the latest updates!
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August 22, 2012 by Jacob Krol
Boost Mobile Unveils 3 New Samsung Smartphones!
At a NYC press event tonight Boost Mobile and Samsung unveiled 3(three) new smartphones. The biggest announcement was the Samsung Galaxy S II 4G! This is the first time the Galaxy S II is being offered on a no-contract or pre-paid carrier in the US. It will be available on September 6, 2012 for the price of $369.99 . You will be able to get it at Boost Mobile’s retail store, www.boostmobile.com, and soon after select nationwide retailers. Now, you may have noticed the “4G” in the name and as you may have guessed it will work on their 4G WiMAX network. The Samsung Galaxy S II 4G features Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with Samsung Touch Wiz, 8 megapixel back camera, 1080pHD video recording, 2 megapixel front facing camera, 1.2GHz Dual-Core processor, WiFi Mobile Hotspot capability, 3G/4G network, 16GB internal storage, 4.52-inch Super AMOLED™ Plus touchscreen, black or white color, and much more. Once again the Galaxy S II 4G will be available on September 6 and will cost $369.99 . Next up we have the Samsung Galaxy Rush. Like the Galaxy S II 4G it can run on the Android Unlimited plan. The Galaxy Rush features 3.5-inch touchscreen, 1.3 megapixel front facing camera, 3 megapixel back camera, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, 2GB internal storage, micro SD card slot, 1GHz Qualcomm Processor, and more. The Boost Mobile Samsung Galaxy Rush will be available in Late September and will retail for $149.99 . And last but not least we have the Samsung Array and is perfect for those who love texting. It features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 2.4-inch LCD screen, 2 megapixel back camera, and more. It will be available on September 4 for $59.99 . Overall, I am very excited about all of Boost Mobile and Samsung’s devices. We will have our hands-on on soon and after that our full reviews are coming. Check out the gallery and press release below!
Gallery
Press Release
High-End Speed and Performance Without a Contract: Boost Mobile Strengthens 4G Lineup With the Award-Winning Samsung Galaxy S II 4G
Boost also adds the Android powered Samsung Galaxy Rush smartphone and Samsung Array feature phone to Boost’s growing handset portfolio
IRVINE, Calif. – Aug. 22, 2012 – Boost Mobile, a leader in the no-contract wireless industry, and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the United States[1], today revealed three additions to Boost Mobile’s handset lineup: the ultra-thin Samsung Galaxy S® II 4G, the compact touchscreen AndroidTM powered Samsung Galaxy RushTM and the Samsung ArrayTM with a slide-QWERTY keyboard. All three devices pair with one of Boost’s Monthly Unlimited plans with Shrinking Payments where customers are rewarded for simply making on-time payments.
“Together with Samsung we continue to launch compelling device options from entry level to 4G-enabled smartphones to meet the evolving needs of our customers,” said Andre Smith, vice president-Boost Mobile. “Launching the award-winning Samsung Galaxy S II 4G marks a defining moment for Boost’s customers craving a portable entertainment powerhouse on a no-contract unlimited plan that shrinks to as low as $40 a month.”
Offered for the first time on a no-contract carrier in the United States, the Galaxy S II 4G provides an unmatched entertainment experience for speed and hypermedia enthusiasts without the stress of a contract. Samsung Galaxy S II 4G will be available starting Sept. 6 for $369.99 (excluding taxes) at Boost Mobile’s exclusive retail stores, select independent wireless dealer locations nationwide and atwww.boostmobile.com with free shipping. It will also be available late September in select national retail locations.
This feature-packed Android smartphone will operate on Sprint’s 3G and 4G (WiMAXTM) networks, bringing 4G speeds to Boost Mobile customers in 71 markets across the country with average upload speeds of 3-6Mbps and bursts of more than 10Mbps. As well as access to Sprint’s nationwide 3G network which reaches more than 278 million people.
The Galaxy S II 4G, available in white and black, is loaded with a brilliant oversized 4.52-inch Super AMOLED™ Plus touchscreen, dual cameras and the Samsung Exynos™ processor, one of the fastest dual-core processors in the industry. The phone’s rich color display allows, Boost customers to snap bright photos, record full HD video on the go, and browse the Web at blazing fast 4G speeds in 71 markets nationwide. For an additional $10 a month customers can take advantage of the phone’s mobile hotspot capability, which can create a personal Wi-Fi network on the go, with connections for up to five Wi-Fi®devices.
Additional key features of the Samsung Galaxy S II include:
- Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system
- Dual-mode 3G/4G
- 8MP camera (2MP front facing) with 1080P full HD video
- Dual-core 1.2GHz processor
- 16GB internal memory
- 8 hours talk time
- Wi-Fi/mobile hotspot capability (additional fee of $10/month)
Boost Mobile Adds Two Samsung Devices
The Samsung Galaxy Rush is an affordable Android 4.0 smartphone available late September for $149.99 (excluding taxes), also at Boost Mobile’s exclusive retail stores, select independent wireless dealer locations nationwide, select national retail locations and at www.boostmobile.com with free shipping. The Galaxy Rush has a large 3.5-inch touchscreen, 3MP rear camera and 1.3MP front-facing camera, which allows for face-to-face chatting and the ease of sharing pictures and videos.
Like the Samsung Galaxy S II 4G, the Galaxy Rush can be paired with Boost Mobile’s no-contract $55 Android Monthly Unlimited plan with Shrinking Payments. For every six on-time payments, the cost of Boost Mobile’s Monthly Unlimited plan shrinks by $5, eventually getting down to as low as $40 a month for unlimited nationwide talk, text and picture messaging, Web[2], email and calls to 411. Payments do not need to be consecutive to qualify for the next savings milestone.
Consumers who love to talk and text should check out the Samsung Array, available on Sept. 4 for $59.99 (excluding taxes) at Boost Mobile’s exclusive retail stores, select independent wireless dealer locations nationwide and at www.boostmobile.com with free shipping. It will also be available late September in select national retail locations. The Samsung Array is a slim, stylish device with a slide-out QWERTY that is perfect for the texter who wants a 2.0MP camera and Web-browsing capability at an affordable price. The slim form factor makes the handset compact and easy to fit in a pocket. Its 2.4-inch LCD screen it is large enough to see pictures and read texts clearly. The device will also be available on Boost Mobile’s $45 Talk & Text Unlimited Plan with Shrinking Payments.
Samsung, Galaxy, Rush, Array, Exynos and Super AMOLED are trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Other company names, product names and marks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners and may be trademarks or registered trademarks. “4G” used in connection with the Samsung Galaxy S II 4G refers to the fact that the device is capable of operating on Sprint’s 4G (WiMAX) network.
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August 9, 2012 by Jacob Krol
Virgin Mobile Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot Review
Our friends over at Virgin Mobile have sent us the Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot for us to review! We have already reviewed Virgin Mobile’s 2 other 4G device, those being the U600 3G/4G USB Stick and HTC EVO V 4G. Of course theses are the devices that lunched with their 4G network, more should be on the way soon. This device can connect to both their 3G and 4G network, giving you the best of both worlds. Now, let’s start the full review of the Virgin Mobile Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot!
Design
The Virgin Mobile Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot is very similar to the other MiFi’s or Mobile Hotspots on the market today. However, it closely resembles the Netzero 4G Hotspot, the most. It is more bulkier than some of the other ones on contract carriers through. While the hotspot does have some weight to its body, it comes in at 3.37 ounces. So it is not that bad when you think about it. Keep in mind that the device is manufactured by Sierra Wireless, and has some customizations made by Virgin Mobile. It has a 1800-mAh battery, that last around 4 hours when full charged. The battery adds most of the weight to the device. On the top of the device you will find a micro SD card slot. It can hold up to a 32 micro SD card. Basically it turns your mobile hotspot into a flash drive, which will then you let you share those files across the network. Above the screen you have a Virgin Mobile logo and below it you have the power button. In fact this is the only button on the device, most of the settings for the device happens on computer. The power button is backlight and lights up during certain interactions. On the bottom side you will find the micro USB port. On the bottom of the device you have a Sierra Wireless logo, this is where you can pop off the cover and insert the battery. In the box you will review the mobile hotspot, a micro USB cable, power plug, battery, and small activation guide. The front of the device has smooth plastic build to it, while the rest of the device is just normal plastic. Overall, the design of the mobile hotspot is very portable which will allow you to bring it almost anywhere with you.
User Interface
There are 2(two) interfaces for the Virgin Mobile Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, you have one on the device itself and a web portal interface. Let’s start off with user interface on the device, for starters you can’t really do much with it on the device. Considering you only have 1 button, the interface keeps you updated and can send your alerts more than anything else. Along the top of the user interface on the device you will find your network strength, which network you are connected too(3G or 4G), number of devices on the WiFi network, and how full your battery is. If you have an alert an exclamation point will show up their as well. In the center of the screen it will show the name of your network and under it will be your network password. In the bottom left hand corner you can see how much data you have/are using and in the opposite corner you can see the amount of time you have been using it for. To turn off or to power on the device you just simply hold the power button. The web portal is where you can make customizations and see the information in more detail. You can also quickly access your Virgin Mobile account from this interface as well, making it very easy to enter top-up cards and more. It is password protected and many of the settings are meant for the administrator. You can see how much data you have used, see the files on the SD card, battery percentage, if the speaker is on, your alerts, GPS mapping, and much more. You can choose your preferred network, get in-depth detail on your network strength. Overall, Virgin Mobile provides you with some great interfaces that make it super easy to use the Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot.
Network
As many of you know Virgin Mobile is a no-contract carrier, meaning that you pay for only the months or usage that you want and you buy the devices outright. The Virgin Mobile Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot will cost you $149.99 . And the plans are price pretty well, it is nice to see that at least some carriers still take care of their customers. For $35-a-month you get 2GB of 3G Data and Unlimited 4G Data. For $55-a-month you get 5GB of 3G Data and Unlimited 4G Data. Keep in mind that 4G is not available and it may be spotty in other areas where it might be available. In our area 4G from Virgin Mobile is spotty. In terms of 4G speeds, for download we got around 3 Mbps, and on the upload we got around 1.5Mbps. This is similar to what we got using the Virgin Mobile U600 3G/4G USB Stick. Now, keep in mind that Virgin Mobile’s 4G Network is Sprint’s 4G WiMAX Network. So, while you won’t receive the 4G LTE speeds found on Verizon, you can still sometimes get speeds of up to 5Mbps. But it all depends on the coverage in your area. Overall, the network speeds and the plans from Virgin Mobile are great and it proves that no-contract carriers offer some really great deals.
Bottom Line
The Virgin Mobile Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot is a nice device, and does get the job done. It features 2(two) simple too use interfaces, that make the experience with the device very nice. While the device is a little thick, it is still portable which is important for any MiFi or Mobile Hotspot device. As far as the network goes, you have access to both Virgin’s 3G and 4G network. Before purchasing the device make sure that they offer 4G service in your area, this way you can take full advantage of the device. The Virgin Mobile Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot retails for $149.99 . If you are looking for a 3G and 4G mobile hotspot, be sure to look at the Virgin Mobile Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot. And the data plans won’t run you too much either. For More Information On The Virgin Mobile Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot, Please Click Here. We would like to thank Virgin Mobile for providing us with a copy of the “Virgin Mobile Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot”.
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July 24, 2012 by Jacob Krol
Dance Central 3 Lands On October 16!
Harmonix has made some more announcements regarding Dance Central 3. As many of you know the game was announced at E3 2012 and is the follow-up to the super popular Dance Central 2 game and the next edition of the series. First order of business was the release date, and it will be available on October 16th in the US, Canada, and Latin America. While Asia, Europe, and Australia will get the game just a few days later on October 19th! As we know there are over 40 tracks coming on the disc, that includes titles from Usher, 50 Cent, Gloria Gaynor, Cobra Starship, Van McCoy, and much more! You can also import songs from Dance Central and Dance Central 2! Well, Harmonix is announcing an additional 11 songs for the title, that includes “I Am The Best” 2NE1, “Sexy And I Know It” LMFA, “Moves Like Jagger” Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera, “Y.M.C.A” Village People, “Ice Ice Baby” Vanilla Ice, “Turn The Beat Around” Vicki Sue Robinson, “Macarena” Los Del Rio, “Get Low” Lil John and the East Side Boys ft. Ying Yang Twins, “Supersonic” J.J. Fad, “BetterOff Alone” Alice Deejay, sand “Everybody(Backstreets Back” Backstreet Boys. As you can see these songs will add even more to the amazing title. A great new feature of Dance Central 3 is that you can experience the classics with authentic dances. They will be announcing more crews, venues, and even more secrets soon. Keep in mind that Dance Central 3 will be available for the Kinect on Xbox 360 and is landing in the US, Canada, and Latin America on October 16! Check out the gallery below and for more info see the press release below!
Press Release
RELEASE DATE AND NEW TRACKS ANNOUNCED FOR DANCE CENTRAL 3!
Monday, July 23rd, 2012
Get your living rooms ready for the hottest dance party of 2012! Harmonix is excited to announce that the latest installment in its best-selling dance franchise on Kinect for Xbox 360, Dance Central 3, will be available in stores on October 16th in U.S., Canada and Latin America, and October 19th in Europe, Asia, and Australia!
With more than 40 tracks on the disc, Dance Central 3 includes previously announced music by Usher, 50 Cent, Cobra Starship, and more. Today, Harmonix is announcing 11 additional tracks for the soundtrack, each with authentic dance routines created by professional choreographers, including:
2NE1 – “I Am The Best (Original Version)”
Alice Deejay – “Better Off Alone”
Backstreet Boys – “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)”
J.J. Fad – “Supersonic”
Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz ft. Ying Yang Twins – “Get Low”
LMFAO – “Sexy And I Know It”
Los Del Rio – “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)”
Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera – “Moves Like Jagger”
Vanilla Ice – “Ice Ice Baby”
Vicki Sue Robinson – “Turn The Beat Around”
Village People – “Y.M.C.A.”PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED TRACKS:
50 Cent – “In Da Club”
Cali Swag District – “Teach Me How to Dougie”
Cobra Starship ft. Sabi – “You Make Me Feel…”
E.U. – “Da’ Butt”
Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina – “Stereo Love”
Gloria Gaynor – “I Will Survive”
Marcia Griffiths – “Electric Boogie”
Usher ft. Will.I.Am – “OMG”
Usher – “Scream”
Van McCoy – “The Hustle”Dance Central 3 will feature a fun and exciting story mode that has players traveling back through time to learn classic dance moves from past decades alongside their favorite crews and characters from the series. Today, Harmonix revealed that Flash4ward, a fan-favorite crew made up of Taye and Lil’ T, will make their return in Dance Central 3, repping the fly look of the 1990s in a killer house party venue! Stay tuned for reveals of both new and familiar faces in some surprising venues in the coming months.
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July 3, 2012 by Jacob Krol
Max Payne 3 Review(Xbox 360)
Our friends over at Rockstar Games have sent us Max Payne 3 for us to review. It is the next game in the popular Max Payne series. It is also Rockstar Game’s next big hit and not only did they have a huge launch but, they have an extensive line of Downloadable Content coming the very near future. We are testing out the Xbox 360 version of Max Payne 3, and a popular feature that many of you have loved is back. And yes that is Bullet Time and they have revamped it. Now, let’s start with the full review of Max Payne 3.
Story Line And Game Modes
Now, the story line in Max Payne 3 is amazing. When playing the game you get pulled into the story very quickly. I don’t want to give too much away, but I will talk a little bit about the story line. No longer are you in New York, Max is now working in Sao Palo, Brazil, but there are flashbacks throughout the game that both fill in the different pieces and keep the story moving a long. There are a lot of cut scenes, which let the game load, give you info, and keep you entertained. You not only play in Brazil, but you also venture into Hoboken New Jersey! One thing to note is that your enemies and the other characters you are fighting, are hard from the beginning. And as expected they do get harder throughout the game, this is where painkillers and extra ammo come in handy. So, you should always explore the different rooms and locations, the painkillers and ammo are usually hidden. But, you will eventually find them. There are also some collectible guns that you can find throughout the game. They are gold and they light up, so they are almost impossible to miss, but they come in handy and usually have extra ammo. You’re partner throughout the game is Raul Passos, and he will help you out when the times get tough. As we mentioned before, painkillers are still in the game. Max has still not gotten over the events that took place in the earlier games, so be sure to get them as they will help you out in the game. The great weapon wheel that was found in Red Dead Redemption is now in Max Payne 3, it makes it super easy to select your weapons of choice, and to see the current status of ammo in each weapon. The graphics of the weapons themselves, are amazing. Rockstar has put so much work into the graphics, and the result is an amazing gaming experience. So, that is a quick summary of the story line, but it does not tell the whole story. Rockstar has also included some other game modes in Max Payne 3. I personally really liked Arcade Mode. It let’s your replay the previous levels, and the end goal is to get as many point as possible. This mode does integrate right into the Rockstar Social Club, which gives you an even better gaming experience. There are 2 modes in Arcade Mode, those being Score Attack and New York Minute. Score Attack will award you the player point for certain types of kills and how the different mechanics that you use. For instance a headshot will give you more points, that killing the person will 3 separate shots. Next, we have the New York Minute(my personal favorite), which will make you go super fast. First of all you should know that a New York Minute is 60 seconds. When you go in the timer starts off at 1 minutes and begins to tick down, for each kill you get time is added. A regular kill will award you 3 seconds, while a headshot will give you 5 seconds. So, I suggest you make your shots wisely. Now, move onto too Multiplayer modes in Max Payne 3. First of all you get booth Death-match and Team Death-match, and one difference that you will notice from other games that offer this is the level of customization. Essentially it is either you against everyone else or your team against the other team. The maps have awesome graphics, everything is so detailed and they relate back to the story line. Payne Killer is the next type of multiplayer mode and it is a really good one. 2 people in the match are selected to be either Max or Passos, and everyone else is trying to kill them. And whoever kills them become them. It is very similar to man-hunting, as everyone is trying to be you. Here is the twist you don’t know who Max or Passos is until the first kill in the game is made. Whoever, gets the first and second kills becomes Max and Passos. It let’s you play as the main characters of the game against real people, which allows you to show off your skills as the main man. And last but not least we ahem Gang Modes, which takes different parts of the Story Line and uses them in Multiplayer. Using the power of story mode with multiplayer is an awesome idea, as you never know what is coming next in this mode. You are fighting with other players in your Gang on multiplayer, yet it still has a surprise because you don’t know what is coming. Rockstar hit a home run straight out of the park with the story line and the many different game modes of Max Payne 3!
Graphics And Bullet-Time
As we said earlier Rockstar games did an amazing job with the graphics, this is one of the game that you have to play to really see all of the detail and handwork that they put into this game. From the land, to characters, to the guns, and everything else, it shows that video games can look really real. The characters actually look like real people for once, in most video games this is something hard to find. Time of day look more real, in some cases you can see the sunset and it looks as if you are really there. From the club scenes, to the dock, and all the way to riding in helicopter the graphics stay at the same amazing level, that Rockstar has achieved. Now, Bullet Time has always been a huge part of Max Payne, and since then we have seen other game copy it. But Rockstar is brining it back and making it better than ever. It can make or break your living or dying in the game, and it can change the entire story line in a brief second. But, if you use it right your end goal will be what you wanted. You now have the option to execute someone if they are close to you and you know have a more realistic shot and dodge system. Dodging a bullet in this mode, makes it much more realistic and gives you more time to react. The best feature of Bullet Time requires painkillers, if you have a painkillers and you are about to die you will go into “Last Man Standing”. This will let you get your health back and continue without having to restart. You get to kill the enemy who was about to kill you, but keep in mind you better have good aim.
Bottom Line
Max Payne 3 is an amazing game and was definitely worth the long wait. The story line will drag you into the game, and make you apart of it. This game could be made into a movie, the story line is that good. The cinematic cut scenes will fill you in sometimes on what is going on, or sometimes give you more questions to ponder. All of the different game modes will give you tons of fun even after you finish the story mode. Then we have the amazing multiplayer, which will let you have loads of fun with your friends and experience different types of gaming. Rockstar Games has put so much work into the graphics, and it really shows. Everything looks really and it all runs so smoothly, really have to give it too them for the amazing graphics. You also get the return of Bullet Time, and with all of the updates they have made too it, the return is very welcomed. Overall, Max Payne 3 is by far the best shooter of the year, and I am not sure if anyone, not even Rockstar, will be able to top it this year. Max Payne 3 is available for purchase for an MSRP of $59.99 . For More Info On Rockstar Game’s Max Payne 3, Please Click Here. We would like to thank Rockstar Games for providing us with a copy of “Max Payne 3″.
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June 28, 2012 by Jacob Krol
The Sims 3 Lucky Palms Is Now Available!
Today, EA announced that The Sims 3 Lucky Palms is now available. It is available exclusively from the The Sims 3 Store. It is a digital download, and it brings a new world to the Sims. Lucky Palms brings new homes for your Sims to live in. And from the photos in the gallery below, it seems that you can live lakeside in what looks to be a house boat. You can also see the amazing environments, they really did a great job with the graphics. The landscape is both a desert with some areas of green and a lake. There is also a well in the middle of the town, that grants wishes. This is surely going to either help or hurt your Sims. The houses look amazing, they have made them specifically to fit the environment. There is also some new decorations like the a new patio set. It seems to me that this town is based of Las Vegas and the areas surrounding it. If you get the gold version you get the “ Lucky Simoleon Casino”, as well as everything that comes in the standard version. You can certainly see if you are lucky at the casino, some might even say you are going there to test your luck. And as with most expansion packs, there is a new storyline and many new characters. Overall, the The Sims 3 Lucky Palms looks like a great expansion pack. And the best part is that you don’t have to wait any longer, you can get it now from the Sims 3 Store, which you can access from this link: store.thesims3.com/luckypalms. For more info check out the gallery and press release below.
Press Release
Make Your Wishes Come True in The Sims 3 Lucky Palms
Experience an Exciting New World for The Sims 3, Available Today
Today, EA announces The Sims 3 Lucky Palms is now available for digital download exclusively at The Sims 3 Store. With this all-new world, your Sims will find themselves in a beautiful green landscape amid the shifting desert sands. In this blooming oasis of manicured gardens, modern estates and cozy abodes nestled on the banks of a pristine lake, your Sims will explore lush garden paths, savor a delicious meal at a swank lakeside bistro and find romance while watching the sun fade into the starlight. At the heart of town lies a mysterious well that is said to grant wishes to the pure of heart.
Indulge your Sims with fabulous homes, a thriving culinary scene and ample recreation areas set against a stunning backdrop. Enjoy fine dining with spectacular river views at The Lucky Cactus Bistro, take a peaceful stroll through the Botanical Garden, spend the day sport fishing at the local saltwater aquarium, or beat the heat at the Perfect Paradise community pool.
Dreams come true in The Sims 3 Lucky Palms, whether your Sim longs for love, wealth, power, fame, happiness or a little bundle of joy. Take a trip to the town’s Wishing Well, an enchanted spot inhabited by unpredictable pixies who may just turn your Sims’ fantasies into reality. Cast your fishing line into the well for a chance at a rare catch, or steal coins to increase your fortune.
The Sims 3 Lucky Palms enriches the creative experience of The Sims 3 by introducing new Sims and storylines such as professional rivalries, friendships, love and betrayal to the town of Lucky Palms. In addition to these new storytelling possibilities, further customize your game with exclusive new clothing, décor items, venues and objects. Will your Sims fulfill their dreams in a desert oasis? Find out in The Sims 3 Lucky Palms.
The Sims 3 Lucky Palms requires The Sims 3 base game to play. To purchase The Sims 3 Lucky Palms, please visit store.thesims3.com/luckypalms. For more information on this game or any other game from The Sims, visit www.thesims.com.
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June 28, 2012 by Noah Lisser
3 New Pokemon Games to be Released!
On October 7th Nintendo will be releasing several new Pokemon games, Pokemon Black Version 2, Pokemon White Version 2, and Pokemon Dream Radar.
In Pokemon Black and White 2, players will thrust back into the Unova region two years after the events of the previous game. This time, however, there are new places to be seen, new adventures to have, and new things to do. PokeStar Studios has been added to the game, where gamers can make their own movies with their Pokemon. There are many genres to choose from, including horror and romantic comedy. Once the movie has been created, it can be shown in the in-game theater. Depending on the moves selected and the order, the crowd will either love the movie or hate it.
There are many new places to explore in Version 2, including Virbank City and Aspertia City. Virbank City is the home to Pokestar studios, while Aspertia City is the starting point of the new Pokemon Journey. Aspertia City also host a Pokemon Gym, who’s leader is Cheren, the rival of the gamer in the previous game. If you’re curious about the second rival, Bianca, she’s doing fine too: Bianca’s has become Professor Juniper’s assitant.
The most significant addition to the franchise comes from Pokemon Dream Radar. Available via download through the Nintendo eStore, those with a 3DS will be able to capture Pokemon in a refreshingly new way. Using the Nintendo 3DS’s video camera, players will use augmented reality to snag Pokemon, some of whom are quite rare, and transfer them to their Pokemon Black Version 2 or Pokemon White Version 2.
For more info please see the press release below:
Press Release
Pokémon Black Version 2, Pokémon White Version 2 and Pokémon Dream Radar Launch Oct. 7
A Massive Pokémon Adventure Continues on Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS
REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Dive into the world of Pokémon like never before when two new Nintendo DS Pokémon games and a downloadable Nintendo 3DS title arrive this October. The successors to the acclaimed Pokémon Black Version andPokémon White Version games, Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 are set to launch for the Nintendo DS family of systems (playable on Nintendo 3DS in 2D mode) on Sunday, Oct. 7. Pokémon Dream Radar will also be available for purchase in the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS on the same day. This downloadable Nintendo 3DS title allows Nintendo 3DS owners to catch their favorite Pokémon, including some very rare ones, via the Nintendo 3DS camera, motion control and augmented-reality technology, and transfer them into Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2.
“Fans will want to count the days until Oct. 7, when they’ll not only get to play the successor to one of the biggest Pokémon adventures ever, but also expand their Pokémon experience to the Nintendo 3DS with Pokémon Dream Radar,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “No matter whether people are playing on Nintendo DS or Nintendo 3DS, they’ll be getting an incredible Pokémon experience that expands upon the beloved Pokémon Black Version andPokémon White Version games.”
Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 bring players back to the Unova region two years after the events ofPokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version. There are many new areas to discover in the region, and exciting changes to previously visited places for players to explore. One new area is Virbank City, where players will be able to visit Pokéstar Studios and star in their own movie with their favorite Pokémon. The movie a player creates premieres at the in-game theater, where the audience gives it a rating. Movies are rated based on script choices and battle move sequence, and players can even create sequels to existing movies. There are many movie genres to choose from, including romantic comedy and horror.
Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 will also give fans of the original games a chance to catch up with some familiar friends. In this game, Cheren and Bianca return two years after the events of Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version, and a lot has changed. Bianca is now the assistant to Professor Juniper, helping her with Pokémon research. Cheren is now a Gym Leader and a teacher at a school in Aspertia City – the starting location for this adventure.
In Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2, players will also be able to catch some of the Pokémon from outside the Unova region, such as Eevee, Riolu, Tyranitar, Arcanine and Mareep, right from the start of the game. If they are playing on Nintendo 3DS, players can transfer Pokémon they have caught with Pokémon Dream Radar into their Pokémon Black Version 2and Pokémon White Version 2 games (visible in 2D only). Pokémon Dream Radar lets players use several different features of the Nintendo 3DS system, including the Nintendo 3DS camera, motion control and augmented-reality technology, to discover and catch Pokémon. The game includes hard-to-find Pokémon such as the new Therian Formes of Legendary Pokémon Tornadus, Thundurus and Landorus.
Additionally, players can learn all about their favorite Pokémon by purchasing Pokédex 3D Pro from the Nintendo eShop. This enhanced and upgraded version of the original Pokédex 3D includes detailed information about every known Pokémon featured in the history of the Pokémon video game series.
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June 25, 2012 by Jacob Krol
Virgin Mobile U600 3G/4G USB Stick Review
Our friends over at Virgin Mobile have sent us the U600 3G/4G USB Stick. This is one of their newest “Broadband2Go” devices that can run on their “4G WiMAX” network. Keep in mind that they also work on their 3G network. This is good in case the 4G network is not available in your network. This does not work like a MiFi, it provides an internet connection for one computer or laptop. It provides the network to that device by the USB port. But, is this device worth it too let you get internet everywhere? We will answer this in our full review, which begins right now.
Design And Hardware
Now, there is not much to the U600 3G/4G USB stick. The device is very light and can be taken everywhere, so if you want to bring your laptop on the train with you, this can definitely be a companion. And portability with any Internet anywhere device, is super important. This device comes in at just 1.1 ounces, so super light. On the front of the device you have the 4G/3G indicator lights, a Virgin Mobile logo, and the USB head. Now, a very nice feature of this device is that the USB head can do a full 180 degrees. This enables you to plug the device in which ever way is the most simple for you. It lets the device fit in to small or tight locations. The front of the device is a shiny and smooth type of plastic. While the rest of the device is more rough, but still comfortable in the hand.On the back of the device, you have the model number, manufacture information, and serial numbers. The U600 USB stick comes in one color, and that is black. Inside of this USB stick we have 32MB(megabits) of RAM and 128MB(megabits) of storage. Keep in mind that this storage is not user accessible. In past USB sticks, not just made by Virgin Mobile, they sometimes include a micro SD card slot. This way it can also become a USB drive. One thing to note is that after normal use the device can become a little hot. After you disconnect from using the device as your internet source, I would suggest letting the device cool down for a couple of minutes before removing it. There is no battery in this device, it is powered by your laptop or computer. Overall, the design and hardware of the U600 3G/4G USB stick, is very nice and should make the customer happy.
Software: Broadband2Go
So, when you first plug the U600 into your laptop or computer it will prompt you to install the “Broadband2Go”. After your done installing, you will need to restart. And then when you plug the device back in the application may open or automatically or you may need to open it up manually. Now, out of the box it will search for 4G WiMAX at first and then if it can’t connect it will go and log into the 3G Network. In preferences you can choose which networks your prefer it to connect too and if you want too you can have it only connect to one of them. The application is fairly simple to use. Keep in mind that it is made by Franklin Wireless. Updates can be done automatically in the application, which will make it super easy to do these. It has a timer in the application so it can tell you how long you have been using the connection for. If you want to check your usage or add a top-up card, simply log on to Virgin Mobile’s website. When connected to the device the homepage is Virgin Mobile, which makes it easy to connect too. You can also access the User Manual for the U600 via the application under the “help” menu. I am happy to see that the Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go application is very simple to use.
Network
Now, we move onto what may be the most important part of the review and that is the network. Let’s first begin with the plans that Virgin Mobile offers. Like all of Virgin Mobile’s devices, the U600 is a no contract device. So, to buy the U600 3G/4G USB stick you will have to pay $99.99. If you plan on using the device than the $99.99 is not that bad of a deal, if you frequently use the device for internet. And the plans are price pretty well, it is nice to see that at least some carriers still take care of their customers. For $35-a-month you get 2GB of 3G Data and Unlimited 4G Data. For $55-a-month you get 5GB of 3G Data and Unlimited 4G Data. Keep in mind that 4G is not available and it may be spotty in other areas where it might be available. In our area 4G from Virgin Mobile is spotty. In terms of 4G speeds, for download we got around 2.8Mbps, and on the upload we got around 2Mbps. So, as expected the speeds are what we got on Sprint’s 4G WiMAX network. And since Virgin Mobile’s 4G Network is Sprint’s WiMAX network, I was not in shock. Overall, the Network speeds could be better.
Bottom Line
The Virgin Mobile U600 3G/4G USB stick is anise device. As long as you have good coverage from Virgin Mobile on both their 3G and 4G networks. You should be a’okay with using this when you are traveling or if your home connection is down. Virgin’s pricing is great through for as low as $35-a-month for Unlimited 4G data, this may be one of the best prices out there. If you are looking for away to connect more than just your laptop or computer, you can look at MiFi’s which usually connect to up to 10 devices. Keep in mind that this is different for each carrier. The Virgin Mobile U600 3G/4G USB stick is available for $99.99. You Can Get More Info On The Virgin Mobile U600 3G/4G USB Stick, By Clicking Here. We would like to thank Virgin Mobile for providing us with a copy of the “Virgin Mobile U600 3G/4G USB Stick “
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June 22, 2012 by Noah Lisser
The Next 3DS
Yesterday Nintendo announced that a new handheld system, the Nintendo 3DS XL, will be launched by August 19th. The system will have screens that are 90% larger than those of the 3DS, a new form factor, and also come bundled with a 4 gigabyte SD card. This system, with its larger screens and greater memory, will let people view more movies and T.V. shows on a bigger platform, as well as fully immerse gamers in their gaming environment. The system will be available in blue or red, and be priced at $199.99.
For more info, please see the press release below:
Press Release
Portable 3D Entertainment Goes Extra-Large with New Nintendo 3DS XL
Larger Version of Nintendo 3DS System Launches Alongside New Super Mario Bros. 2 on Aug. 19
REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– A big year for the Nintendo 3DS system is about to get even bigger. In a Nintendo Direct video on June 21, Nintendo revealed plans to launch Nintendo 3DS XL, a new version of Nintendo 3DS with 90 percent larger screens. When it becomes available across North America on Aug. 19 at a suggested retail price of $199.99, the new system will create even more immersive entertainment experiences for users, delivering a wealth of games and video content that can be enjoyed on the go.
Nintendo 3DS XL features an updated form factor and will be available in Red or Blue. The new system’s battery life outperforms that of the original Nintendo 3DS, and it comes bundled with a 4 GB SD card, which owners can use to store content such as downloadable games and videos from the Nintendo eShop. Nintendo 3DS XL launches on Aug. 19, the same day as New Super Mario Bros. 2, a new installment in the fan-favorite Mario game series.
“No other hand-held entertainment experience compares to the fun of Nintendo 3DS,” said Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime. “With the launch of Nintendo 3DS XL on Aug. 19, consumers will be able to enjoy the great lineup of current and upcoming games on an even grander scale. Plus, Nintendo 3DS XL gives owners even more real estate on their screens to enjoy entertainment applications like Nintendo Video and Netflix.”
To view the latest Nintendo Direct video, which contains more news about upcoming Nintendo products, visitwww.nintendo.com/nintendo_direct or www.youtube.com/nintendo.
For more information about Nintendo, visit http://www.nintendo.com.
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June 20, 2012 by Jacob Krol
Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6 Review
Our friends over at Samsung have sent us the Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6 for us to review. It is one of their newest galaxy players to hit the market. It is also there smallest at just 3.6 inches. However, it still has many great features like a 1GHz Processor, Android, WiFi, GPS, and much more. Now, let’s get started with the full review of the Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6!
In The Box And Design
Now, the Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6 does look like a smartphone. Key difference here is that it is not a phone, it has no network connection. It is a Galaxy Player that has access to WiFi but, no cellular network. It can be called a MP3 Player that is running on Android. This player is super light at just 3.74 ounces, at times it feels like your are barely holding it in your hands. It is .38 inches thick, which makes it pretty thin. but it is not the thinnest device on the market. In the box you get the Galaxy Player 3.6, micro USB cable, wall charger, Samsung 3.7 V L-Ion Battery, Earphones, user guides, and covers for the buds of the earphones. On the right hand side you will find the volume rocker and power/sleep button. On the bottom you have the micro USB port and headphone jack. Above the screen you have the Samsung logo, a earpiece, and a VGA front facing camera. Below the screen you have 3 android touch capacitive buttons, those are menu, home, and back. On the back you have 2 mega-pixel camera, speaker, Galaxy Player 3.6 logo, and Samsung logo. When you take the back plastic cover off you will find the micro SD card slot and the 3.7 V L-Ion battery. The color of the device is black, the back cover is a very smooth plastic material. On the side you have an aluminum border, it adds some color to the device.
Hardware
Now, we move onto the hardware of the Galaxy Player 3.6 by Samsung. It has a 3.65 inch HVGA display, so no Super AMOLED is on this device. It has a resolution of 480 X 320. The screen quality is not the best out there, it is not like the Galaxy Player 5.0 that came out last year. As expected you get the best picture quality when the brightness is all the way up, but this does decrease your battery life. Viewing angles is not the best feature of this device, but if you looking head on you can get an okay image. It features a 1GHz processor which keeps the device going but, it is not the fastest on the market. However, when you listen to music it moves fine and for the most part scrolling throughout the device does not give us a delay. When you wake it off from sleep you can see a delay, from when the 3 buttons go onto when the screen lights up. Opening large applications does take a while. But the back speaker quality is very good and it can get very loud, and music is one of the key purposes for getting this device. It has 8GB’s of internal storage and there is a micro SD card slot. It has a 1500 mAh Li-Ion battery. It features WiFi, BlueTooth, FM Radio With Earphones, and GPS connectivity. Overall, the hardware on the Player 3.6 could be better, but should be fine for the average user.
Software
I have a feeling Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich will not be making its way to the Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6, instead it is running Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread with a version of Samsung Touch Wiz. As many of you know Samsung Touch Wiz, is their custom user interface for Android. At times the operating system does lag, this all depends on how big the application is and how many you have open. Included on the device right out of the box you get Google Talk, Latitude, Voice Search, Navigation, Places, News And Weather, QuickOffice, Calculator, Voice Recorder, All Share, Kies Air, Samsung Smart View, Task Manager, Downloads, Angry Birds, Books, Contacts, Samsung Apps, Camera, Gallery, FM Radio, Memo, Market, Social Hub, My Files GMail, Email, TextPlus, YouTube, and more. The Galaxy Player features SoundAlive And DIVX, which makes sound quality on the 3.6 very good. This is where the Galaxy Player 3.6 shines, the back speaker is very powerful and it quality of what you are listening to is very good. The headphones are okay, depending on what genre you are listening too. It supports FLAC, Ogg, MP3, ACC, and WMA music files. So, the chances are very high that the music you listen to will work on this device. It supports AVI, MP4, WMV, MKV, and Adobe Flash video files. And you get a built-in 8GB’s of storage for music, videos, files, and applications. If for some reason you need more space fear not as you can insert up to a 32GB micro SD card. Importing music on to the Galaxy Player 3.6 is very easy, just connect it to your computer and drag and drop the music files you want into the music folder on the 3.6! Then when on your device just simply tap the music application and begin enjoying your music. While the software on the Galaxy Player 3.6, may not be the latest it shines at what it is meant to be and that is a great music player.
Bottom Line
The Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6 is their entry-level Galaxy Player. So as expected it may not have the top of the line camera, display, hardware, or software. However, Samsung did include a great speaker on the back and a very simple and easy to use music player. That as an added bonus can also function as an Android device. Meaning that you have access to get as many applications as you can fit and play around with them. Personally I think the Galaxy Player is one of the best entry-level MP3 players on the market. And the price for this guy isn’t that bad, it comes in at $149.99, I would have liked to see it a little lower at $99.99 but we have to see if Samsung does anything about that. For right now it will cost you $149.99 and you get a nice entry-level MP3 player that has the added bonus of Android. To Get Your Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6, Please Click Here. We would like to thank Samsung, for providing us with a copy of the “Samsung Galaxy Player 3.6″.
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June 14, 2012 by Noah Lisser
Nintendo Announces New Games for 3DS
At the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, Nintendo announced several new games for its portable gaming system, the Nintendo 3DS. Some of the prominent ones were Super Smash Bros. 2, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon, and Kingdom Hearts 3D.
Super Smash Bros. 2 has some new interesting features. A new mode, the Coin Rush Mode, has been implemented where players can challenge their friends, and for the first time in a portable Mario title players will have the ability to play the entire game cooperatively over wi-fi.
Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon has been upgraded to include more puzzles, more action, and of course, more ghosts. The game is expected to be released during this holiday season.
For the 10th Anniversary of the Kingdom Hearts Franchise, Disney Interactive and Square Enix will launch Kingdom Hearts 3D July 31st with “StreetPass features, AR Card compatibility and support for the Circle Pad Pro accessory”. Nintendo also announced that demo will be released in the Nintendo eShop shortly.
The trailers for these games and others will be available on the Nintendo eShop, as well as a new comedy short, Threediots.
For more information, please refer to the press release below.
Nintendo Reveals New Nintendo 3DS Game Details at E3 Expo
Hand-Held System Continues to Offer New Experiences to Users as Original Releases in Key Franchises and Online-Enabled Offerings Highlight Key 2012 Content
E3 Expo 2012NOTE: Multimedia available here
LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Momentum for the Nintendo 3DS hand-held system continues to build. Tonight, during a special Nintendo All-Access 3DS Software Showcase @ E3 2012 event at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Nintendo shared new information about upcoming Nintendo 3DS games that will launch in 2012, as well as downloadable content in the Nintendo eShop.
“Millions upon millions of people already know that the best portable gaming content is found on Nintendo systems,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Games from Nintendo and our third-party partners, plus the growing selection of downloadable titles in the Nintendo eShop, will help even more people discover the unique variety of entertainment available only on Nintendo 3DS in 2012 and beyond.”
Game information revealed at the event includes:
- New Super Mario Bros. 2: This new side-scrolling installment in the fan-favorite Super Mario Bros. franchise launches Aug. 19 as the Mushroom Kingdom bursts with more coins and gold than ever before. Players can transform into Gold Mario and Raccoon Mario, and challenge friends to beat their high scores in the new Coin Rush mode. Also, for the first time in a hand-held Mario title, players can enjoy a cooperative two-player mode for the entire game via a local wireless connection.
- Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate (KONAMI): The classic action adventure franchise arrives on Nintendo 3DS this fall. Combining 3D graphics with timeless 2D game play, the game marks the return of fan-favorite character Alucard, the son of Dracula himself.
- Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon: This action-filled game starring Luigi launches for Nintendo 3DS this holiday season. Players can expect more haunted mansions to explore and new ways for Luigi to take on a wild assortment of ghosts in this new adventure. In addition to using the strobe function of his flashlight to stun ghosts, Luigi must solve puzzles and reveal hidden details in the environment to unlock new areas in the mansions.
- Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion (Disney Interactive): This new game combines classic Disney characters with rich, imaginative environments that players can experience in 3D for the first time. The game itself is inspired by the classic Castle of Illusion game and features new ways for Mickey Mouse to interact with the game world using paint and paint thinner.
- Paper Mario: Sticker Star: Launching this holiday season, this classic action role-playing franchise gets a fresh 3D look in its hand-held debut as Mario uses stickers found in the game to win battles and solve puzzles.
- Scribblenauts Unlimited (Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment): In this new game, players help Maxwell, the game’s hero, explore an unbound world and solve robust puzzles and challenges. The game continues the series’ tradition of allowing players to create nearly any object they can think of.
- Kingdom Hearts 3D [Dream Drop Distance] (Square Enix, Inc.): Celebrating the franchise’s 10th anniversary, the latest title from Disney Interactive and Square Enix launches July 31 with StreetPass features, AR Card compatibility and support for the Circle Pad Pro accessory. A demo version is coming soon to the Nintendo eShop.
Additional third-party games on the way for Nintendo 3DS this year include Transformers Prime from Activision, Rabbids Rumble from Ubisoft, LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Heroes of Ruinfrom Square Enix, Inc.
To get fans excited for these games, Nintendo announced the immediate availability of new content in the Nintendo eShop, including trailers for Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon and Paper Mario: Sticker Star, plus a playable demo version ofLEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Nintendo 3DS owners with broadband Internet access can visit the Nintendo eShop anytime to find games, demos, trailers and other content available for download.
Nintendo also launched an introductory episode of Threediots, its first original short-form comedy series, produced by Consolidated Baily, exclusively on its Nintendo Video service, which delivers free handpicked comedy, animation, Hollywood, gaming and music videos to Nintendo 3DS owners. More than 70 percent of Nintendo 3DS systems in the United States have connected to the Internet, and applications such as Swapnote and Nintendo Video have been downloaded more than 1 million times each domestically.
To view a recording of the full Nintendo All-Access 3DS Software Showcase @ E3 2012 event, please visithttp://e3.nintendo.com.
Remember that Nintendo 3DS features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.
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June 12, 2012 by Noah Lisser
EA Announces A UFC Videogame!
After many years with THQ, the UFC gaming franchise is going to EA. UFC, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, is a sport consisting of warriors from all different branches of martial arts who fight against each other. The move to EA, and with it EA Sports, is supported by both parties. EA, with its experience in sport video games, will be able to expand the UFC video game franchise further than THQ. Luckily, there seems to be no animosity. THQ CEO Brian Farrell said, “We’d like to thank the UFC for their great support and partnership and wish EA all the best moving forward.” We will update you once EA talks about the release date. Hopefully, the game we be released in the coming year, as there are few things as fun as virtually punching someone in their virtual face. For more info see the press release below.
Press Release
EA SPORTS to Produce UFC Videogames Under Licensing Agreement With Zuffa, LLC
E3 Expo 2012REDWOOD CITY, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA) announced today a licensing agreement with Zuffa, LLC, to produce and distribute video games bearing its Ultimate Fighting Championship ®(UFC) brand. The new multi-year, multi-product partnership will provide EA the exclusive rights to develop UFC video games, which will be developed and marketed under the EA SPORTS™ brand.“We’re thrilled to begin a long-term partnership that will bring fans incredibly authentic, and deeply connected, UFC videogames”
“We’re thrilled to begin a long-term partnership that will bring fans incredibly authentic, and deeply connected, UFC videogames,” said Andrew Wilson, EVP and Head of EA SPORTS. “UFC has become a global powerhouse because they have the world’s best fighters, competing in the world’s best mixed martial arts events. We share UFC’s passion for the sport, and we look forward to capturing all of the intensity and excitement of the action with unique new game experiences across a range of platforms.”
Zuffa has licensed to EA the UFC rights previously held by THQ, Inc. (THQI).
“We’d like to thank THQ for creating some of the most critically-acclaimed sports videogames of this console generation, and we’re excited to enter a new relationship with EA that will help us deepen our connection with fighting fans around the world,” said UFC President Dana White. “There’s no one better at creating authentic sports videogames than EA SPORTS, and we’re excited to have a partner who shares our vision of deep, connected and multi-platform global game experiences.”
“We’ve relished our relationship with UFC over the last several years and believe that the UFC gaming brand is in great shape. THQ’s more focused strategy moving forward meant that transferring the license to EA made sense to all parties,” said THQ CEO Brian Farrell. “We’d like to thank the UFC for their great support and partnership and wish EA all the best moving forward.”
EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions and breakthrough digital experiences. EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, content and online services for videogame consoles, personal computers, mobile phones, tablets and social networks. EA SPORTS game franchises include Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey,NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football, Fight Night boxing and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf.
For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums and game communities, please visit www.easports.com to connect, share and compete.
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June 8, 2012 by Jacob Krol
EA Unveils SimCity Social!
At EA E3 2012 Press Conference(See Our Live Blog From The Event, By Clicking Here.), they unveiled SimCity Social. And in simple terms they are brining SimCity to Facebook soon. Now as we all know they are many copies of the SimCity like games available on the network. Well now SimCity is officially coming to Facebook, a wish that many, including myself, have been waiting many years for! Your city will evolve through the choices that you make. This gives more freedom for creativity and will make the game more fun. Just like in the original SimCity, you are the mayor. Therefore you will have to handle crime, fire, pollution, a much more. Social is a big part of this game, by visiting other cities and doing task you level up and or gain something. You can visit your friends cities or even other people’s cities. You will have to decide whether to make your friends cities a friend or a foe, and depending on what you choose very different stuff can happen. But in the end SimCity Social is set to deliver an awesome experience of all of Facebook’s users! The game will be launching the upcoming weeks, but for now head over to www.facebook.com/simcitysocial or check out the press release below for more info.
Press Release
SimCity Social Breaks Ground on Facebook
The Critically-Acclaimed Simulation Franchise That Launched The City-Building Genre Stakes Claim On Facebook
E3 Expo 2012LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–There’s a new mayor in town with SimCity™ Social! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) today announced that SimCity, the world-renowned city-building simulator from Maxis that pioneered the genre, is coming to the largest social network in the world. A close collaboration between many talented people at Maxis and Playfish, SimCity Social brings the real city-building simulation to the masses, giving players the freedom to create sprawling cities that come to life as a result of player-driven choice. Launching globally on Facebook soon and currently in closed beta, SimCity Social is introducing groundbreaking innovations that change the landscape for social city-building.
“Facebook gamers have been waiting a long time for the original and best city-building game to come to the platform,” said Jami Laes, Vice President of Global Studios for Playfish. “This isn’t your typical drag and drop city-building game. Players don’t just build a city – they choose the kind of city they want and watch its soul come to life as it grows and reacts to their decisions. With SimCity Social, we’ve taken the best in social gaming design and married it with unprecedented depth to create an all-new deeply social experience.”
“Over the years EA has continued to bring major brands such as The Sims to Facebook,” said Sean Ryan, Director of Games Partnerships, Facebook. “SimCity Social is a great addition, and we look forward to another high quality game becoming available to the hundreds of millions of people who play games on Facebook each month.”
In SimCity Social, there are no set linear paths to follow; cities evolve as a direct result of player-driven choice allowing for more creative freedom. As mayor, players will deal with unforeseen issues like fires, crime and pollution, and will make crucial decisions that will help them discover how their cities take shape. Social interactions in SimCity Social go far beyond just visiting friends’ cities or using them as resources to complete tasks. Players can choose to build friendly relationships with other cities or form an intense rivalry through a dynamic and ever-evolving friend and foe system. With multiple options for city growth, unexpected gameplay events that shape the destiny of the city, and city-to-city relationships, players will see recognizable changes that bring forth aesthetic and gameplay alterations based on the decisions made in the game – for better or for worse.
SimCity fans can visit www.facebook.com/simcitysocial to view trailers and sneak a peek at content. “Like” us on Facebook to get in-game items at launch.
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June 5, 2012 by Jacob Krol
EA Remakes Need For Speed Most Wanted!
Today, at EA E3 Press Conference they had Criterion on stage. And they unveiled that they are remaking Need For Speed Most Wanted! In this game your end goal will to be the most wanted! It will have a large open world that is packed with tons-of-action at every point on the map. You will be able to explore by driving around the world, you can compete and takedown rivals, race or challenge your friends, try to run out the cops, and of course discover hidden game play. And if you do everything right you may become #1 on the Most Wanted list! It will be available on October 30, 2012(US) for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PSVita, PC, and Android. There will be a special edition that will let you drive the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale and Porsche 911 Carrera S, get double points, and much more. Now the AutoLog system is built-in to the game, this will let you share your scores and view other people’s scores. It will allow social competition between you and your friends. You points will be called “Speed Points” and basically everything that you do in the game, will let you earn these points. Overall, I am very excited for the new version of Need For Speed Most Wanted! For more info check out the trailer, photo gallery and press release below!
Need For Speed Most Wanted E3 Trailer
Press Release
Criterion Games Reinvents Best-Selling Need for Speed Most Wanted
Critically-Acclaimed Studio Injects Unique Attitude, Passion For Open World Racing And Award-Winning Quality To Deliver A Revolution In Social Competition
E3 Expo 2012LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Do you have what it takes to become Most Wanted? Today, at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) announced that Criterion Games is reimagining Need for Speed™ Most Wanted - a franchise fan favorite and the bestselling Need for Speed game in the series. Designed for a new, more connected generation of racing fans, Need for Speed Most Wantedoffers players an expansive open world packed with exhilarating action where they can choose their own path to become the Most Wanted. Players will have the freedom to drive anywhere, discover hidden gameplay, takedown rivals, challenge friends or just hang out and toy with the cops. Everything they do counts towards the end goal of becoming #1 on their personal Most Wanted List. Need for Speed Most Wanted will give players the freedom to race their own way when the game ships October 30, 2012. A special limited edition pack featuring double speed points, custom liveries, pre-customized rollouts and two vehicles: the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale and Porsche 911 Carrera S will also ship on October 30, 2012.
“Criterion is shaking up the franchise with Need for Speed Most Wanted,” said Matt Webster, Executive Producer at Criterion Games. “This is Most Wanted for a new generation of players. We’ve brought everything we know about racing, chasing and exploration and smashed them together in a highly connected open world automotive experience. Whether driving solo or racing with friends in our amazing new multiplayer experience, Autolog fires up competition out of everything as players compete to be most wanted amongst their friends.”
The only rule in Need for SpeedMost Wanted is to race without rules. There’s a start and a finish to every race – but how the player races, where and when they choose to compete, and the skills they choose to compete with – are all up to the player. It isn’t enough to be the Most Wanted amongst rivals and cops. Now players will fight for ultimate bragging rights amongst their friends thanks to Autolog. As the original inventors of the ground-breaking, friend-connecting Autolog technology, Criterion establishes once again a new standard in social competition by recommending gameplay challenges across a players’ social network within both single player and multiplayer game play. In Need for Speed Most Wanted, everything players do will earn Speed Points that will take them up the Most Wanted list – from competing for best race times and battling cops in pursuits for the highest scores, to catching the most air off a huge ramp and more. Autolog 2 keeps intense competition at the heart of the experience – if there’s something to do, there’s someone to beat. And for the first time, Autolog recommendations extend to enhance the multiplayer experience within Need for Speed Most Wanted. With no lobbies or wait times, gamers will seamlessly enter an online world and immediately receive a rapid-fire delivery of Speed and Skill Tests. Autolog 2 will make recommendations to players to help finesse their racing prowess, further fuelling endless competition and hours of entertainment.
Need for Speed Most Wanted will be available October 30, 2012 in North America and November 1, 2012 in Europe for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system, PC, Android. For more information on Need for Speed, visit http://www.needforspeed.com or become a fan on Facebook® athttp://www.facebook.com/needforspeed and follow us on Twitter™ http://www.twitter.com/needforspeed. Press assets are available at http://info.ea.com.
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June 4, 2012 by Jacob Krol
Harmonix Unveil’s Dance Central 3!
Today Harmonix announced Dance Central 3! Yes, their awesome dancing game will be coming for the third time! In terms of new features you will get the Crew Throw down mode, the latest music, most authentic dance moves, more ways to control the game and much more! One other feature is that you can dance through time! Starting from the 70′s all the way up to present day! So you can start off by dancing the Hustle , then go to the Electric Slide and then all the way to the Dougie. You will get the latest music from artists like Usher, 50 Cent, Gloria Gaynor, Cobra Starship, Van McCoy, and much more! You will also be able to import all of the song from Dance Central and Dance Central 2! One new feature with voice controls is that you can just shout the name of the song and you will be dancing in no-time at all. The Crew Throw down supports up to 8 players! It will be two teams of 4 players going head-to-head in a Dance Battle. There will also be mini-games built into this mode! Overall, Dance Central 3 has already won-my-heart-over and it seems like it will yet again be the best Dancing game on the market. We will update you when any more info is released, in the meantime check out the photo gallery, video and press release below!
Dance Central 3 First Look
Press Release
HARMONIX’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED DANCE FRANCHISE RETURNS THIS FALL WITH DANCE CENTRAL 3!
Cambridge, MA/Los Angeles, CA – June 4th, 2012 – Today at the Microsoft E3 Media Briefing in Los Angeles it was revealed that Harmonix’s best-selling dance franchise on KinectTM for Xbox 360® will return this fall with Dance CentralTM 3!
Music and rhythm game innovator Harmonix continues to expand on the Dance Central universe with electrifying new features that keep the party going, including an all-new multiplayer mode for up to eight players, and the hottest, most diverse soundtrack yet, featuring Usher, Gloria Gaynor, 50 Cent and many more!
In Dance Central 3, players get sent back in time to dance their way through the ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, ‘00s and beyond – learning popular dance crazes like “The Hustle,” “Electric Slide” and “The Dougie,” alongside the hottest moves from today. The beat keeps rocking with an innovative new party mode for up to eight players, the ability to import your songs from previous Dance Central titles, and more*! The best full-body dance experience on Kinect for Xbox 360 is better in every way with Dance Central 3!
Dance Central 3 features brand new ways to play with your friends, including the innovative Crew Throwdown mode. With support for up to eight players, Crew Throwdown pits two teams of up to four dancers head-to-head in a series of performances, dance battles, and fresh mini-games to prove who’s the hottest crew on the dance floor! Crew Throwdown features innovative gameplay, including the all- new rhythm-tracking Keep the Beat mini-game and Make Your Move, which will have players competing head-to-head as they create fresh routines on the fly!
With more than 40 tracks on the disc, Dance Central 3 features the most exciting and diverse soundtrack in the franchise to date, including:
- 50 Cent – “In Da Club”
- Cali Swag District – “Teach Me How to Dougie”
- Cobra Starship ft. Sabi – “You Make Me Feel…”
- E.U. – “Da’ Butt”
- Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina – “Stereo Love”
- Gloria Gaynor – “I Will Survive”
- Marcia Griffiths – “Electric Boogie”
- Usher ft. Will.I.Am – “O.M.G.”
- Usher – “Scream”
- Van McCoy – “The Hustle”Harmonix also released the first of many behind-the-scenes videos, which give fans a close and personal look at Dance Central 3! The video is available here: http://youtu.be/JC7D6g1lgBIFollow Dance Central on Twitter (http://twitter.com/dance_central) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/dancecentral).
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May 8, 2012 by Jacob Krol
Virgin Mobile Announces Three 4G Devices And 4G Network!
Today, Virgin Mobile announced that they will be launching a 4G Network. Note that this will be Sprint’s 4G WiMAX Network. Their first 4G smartphone will be the HTC EVO V 4G. It will run on their Unlimited Data and Messaging plan which costs $35 per month. It will be available on May 31 for the price of $299.99 . The EVO V 4G features Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, HTC Sense 3.6, WiFi Hotspot Capable for up to 5 WiFi devices, 1.2GHz Dual-Core Processor with 1GB of RAM, a 4.3 inch qHD Touchscreen display, a 5 megapixel back camera with flash, 1.3 megapixel front facing camera, 4GB of internal space, microSD card slot with 8GB card included, HDMI port, Bluetooth capable, 1730mAh battery, and much more! If you want to use the mobile hotspot feature it will cost an extra $15 a month. Virgin Mobile is also announcing a Mobile Hotspot and a USB Stick. Let’s begin with the Overdrive Pro 3G/4G Hotspot. It can share it’s connection with up to 5 WiFi enabled devices. For an easy set-up it has a 1.7 inch LCD screen and for file sharing it has a micro SD card slot. This device will cost you $149.99 . You also get the U600 3G/4G USB Stick, which allows you to share your connection with one computer that has a USB port. The USB stick will cost only $99.99 . They are offering 2 plans, for $35 a month you get unlimited 4G (where available) and 2GB of 3G Data. For $55 a month you get unlimited 4G and up to 5GB of 3G data. Overall, I am very excited about Virgin Mobile going 4G and there new devices seem great! These devices and the 4G WiMAX network will be available/go live on May 31, 2012! For more info check out the press release below!
Press Release
Virgin Mobile USA Introduces 4G with No-Contract PlansStarting as Low as $35 per MonthFirst 4G smartphone on Beyond Talk is the HTC EVO™ V 4G,part of the award-winning EVO familyOverdrive Pro 3G/4G mobile hotspot by Sierra Wireless andU600 3G/4G USB Stick by Franklin Wireless come to Broadband2GoWARREN, N.J. – May 8, 2012 – Virgin Mobile USA continues to demonstrate how it’s answering to A Higher Calling with the speed of 4G, by offering customers who prefer a no-contract option the fully loaded HTC EVO™ V 4G on Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk monthly plans. The data-centric offers start at $35 per month for unlimited data and messaging. HTC EVO V 4G will be available for $299.99 beginning May 31.
As Sir Richard Branson states in his video manifesto for A Higher Calling, “Why pay for minutes when it’s unlimited data you really want?” Now customers will be able to enjoy unlimited 4G data where available and messaging on an iconic Android™-powered device, all for just $35/month. Including 2.5GB per month of full-speed data Virgin Mobile USA was recently “Highest Ranked Customer Service Performance among Non-Contract Wireless Providers” by J.D. Power and Associates. Virgin Mobile USA received the highest numerical score among non-contract wireless providers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Wireless Customer Care Non-Contract StudySM – Vol. 1. Study based on responses from 2,840 consumers measuring six non-contract wireless providers and measures opinions of consumers who contacted customer care within the past year. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed July-December 2011. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.
“’Higher Calling’ means we continue to look for ways to give our customers the best products possible at a great price, and we know our hyper-connected Beyond Talk customers will appreciate the real affordability paired with the innovative technology of the HTC EVO,” said Jeff Auman, vice president for Virgin Mobile USA. “You just can’t beat the value of EVO V 4G with plans starting at just $35 per month.”
On the mobile broadband side, Virgin Mobile’s Broadband2Go continues to offer no-contract plans ideal for people who need internet access when they’re out and about. The versatile Overdrive Pro™ 3G/4G mobile hotspot by Sierra Wireless ($149.99) and the powerful U600 3G/4G USB Stick by Franklin Wireless ($99.99) provide customers two ways to stay connected at 4G speeds. “The launch of these two devices demonstrates our commitment to bring 4G speeds and innovation to our Broadband2Go customers who chose to forgo a contract as well,” said Auman.
All three devices will operate on Sprint’s 3G and 4G (WiMAX) network and be available beginning on May 31 at VirginMobileUSA.com. They will then be available in June at major retailers and at select independent dealers nationwide Assortments vary by retailer..
Going Beyond Talk
The HTC EVO V 4G strengthens Virgin Mobile USA’s Android-powered smartphone lineup by adding such features as Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich and HTC Sense 3.6 user interface.
Proving that customers don’t have to sacrifice technology to choose a prepaid smartphone that keeps them connected, HTC EVO V 4G specifications also include:
- Mobile hotspot capability – Connect up to five Wi-Fi devices
- 5MP camera with video and 3D HD imaging, and 1.3MP front-facing camera
- 4.3-inch qHD touchscreen
- 1730mAh battery (up to six hours of talk time)
- 1GB RAM/4GB ROM
- External micro SD memory card slot up to 32GB (8GB card included)
- HDMI and Bluetooth-capable
HTC EVO V 4G customers will enjoy Virgin Mobile USA Beyond Talk plans starting at just $35 a month for 300 minutes of voice with unlimited messaging and data. 4G (WiMAX) where available. Plans include 2.5GB per month of full-speed data or 3.5GB with purchase of a Hotspot plan. Data limit is a combination of phone and hotspot usage, if applicable. And the mobile hotspot on the HTC EVO V 4G can be added for this device on any Beyond Talk plan for an additional $15 per month.
Pairing Broadband2Go with 4G
Virgin Mobile’s new monthly 3G/4G Broadband2Go plans, combined with these new devices, allow customers to hook up their tablets, laptops, and other wireless devices. Starting at just $35/month, customers can enjoy access to unlimited 4G data. Where 4G coverage is not available, the $35 plan keeps you connected with 2GB of 3G data. For $55/month, customers benefit from unlimited 4G data and a whopping 5GB of 3G data.
- The Overdrive Pro 3G/4G mobile hotspot connects up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices, making it ideal for families on-the-go and independent professionals. The compact device has top battery strength and a 1.7-inch LCD screen that makes setting up a cinch. It also offers a microSD slot for up to 32GB of shared network storage.
- The U600 3G/4G USB Stick supports Windows, and a rotating connector makes it easy to fit in most laptop configurations.
Setting up your Broadband2Go account is extremely simple, and there are no activation fees. Top-Up can be handled online with a Virgin Mobile Top-Up card, debit or credit card.
Sprint 4G (WiMAX) is currently available to 120 million people in 71 markets across the country with average upload speeds of between 3-6 Mbps, with bursts of more than 10 Mbps.
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April 25, 2012 by Jacob Krol
ASUS Zenbook UX31 Review
Our friends over at ASUS have sent us their Zenbook for us to review. Yes, this is there “Ultrabook” and the battle has begun to see who makes the best one. Lenovo is the other big player in the game, as well as Dell and many other companies. However, ASUS definitely has an advantage thanks to its great design and features. Now, let’s get started with the full review of the ASUS Zenbook.
Design And What’s In The Box
Ultrabooks are all about being thin, and the Zenbook does just that. It’s thickest point at the rear of the computer is .67 inches and the thinnest point at the front comes in at just .11 inches. We have the “rose gold” color which is very nice, however it is more of a light pink. On the lid of the device, right front and center you have a silver ASUS logo. On the bottom of the device you have the cooling vents and serial numbers. On the left hand side you will find the microSD port, headphone jack, and a USB port. The right hand side is home to your mini HDMI port, mini VGA port, charging port, and another USB port. Once you open up the laptop you will see the keyboard, trackpad, webcam, and screen. In and around the keys of the keyboard you will see the “rose gold” color again, while the keys themselves are the alumni color of the rest of the ultrabook. Above the screen you will find the webcam and microphone, under the screen you have the ASUS logo. Under the left hand side of the keyboard, you have “Audio by Bang & Olufsen ICEPower” written. You also have silver Intel CORE i7 and Windows 8 stickers. You speakers are the hinge that connects the display to the rest of the ultrabook. It says “UX31 Series Ultra Slim”, this way you know what device you have and can show it off to your friends. The ASUS Zenbook UX31 is a beautiful device and it is crafted very nicely. ASUS took their time with developing this device and made sure that it looks great. It’s slim profile makes it super easy to travel with, and you can carry it with the included leather carrying case. ASUS really does give you everything right out of the box. You get a VGA and Ethernet adapter, and a leather carrying case for these 2 cords. You get the charging cable for the computer. I also want to say that the carrying cases are made very nice as well, they really make sure everything is perfect. You also get cable ties, a welcome letter, manuals, users guides, and more. The box design it self is very nice and shows off the design of the ASUS Zenbook.
Keyboard And Trackpad
The design of the keyboard and the trackpad is complete integrated into the design of the Zenbook. And it makes for a great design that I wish was in more ultrabooks on the market. The trackpad color differs by a little bit from the color of the entire device, and it is easy to find and easy to use. The trackpad sometimes mixes up the clicks, but for the most part it worked well. You can scroll up and down on the webpage or documents, by swiping up and down on the trackpad. To click on something it is a physical click for the most part, no longer do you need to just lightly tap the pad it self. I hope that ASUS eventually adds more functions you can do with the trackpad. The keyboard is great, it is very easy to type on and the keys have just the right amount of space between the individual keys. Across the top row of the keyboards you have many different functions. To use the functions themselves, hold down both the function key and the key at the top to make the action happen. I wish they included a function key on the both the left and right hand side of the keyboard. At times it is a stretch to reach both the function key and the individual key at the top. The functions do come in handy, and they scattered around all of the keys not just the top row. For instance you can control the webcam with the “C” and “V” keyboard keys. You can go through the different mode via the function key and the space bar. You can be in entertainment mode, quite space, high performance, battery saver and more. They all come in very handy when performing different tasks on the Zenbook.
Operating System And Performance
The ASUS Zenbook is running Windows 7 Home Premium. This is one of the most common operating systems found on computers today. I have a feeling that by the time Windows 8 rolls around there may be a new version of the Zenbook or this version can be upgraded to the newer operating system. It is the 64-Bit version of Windows 7 Home Premium. Now, our review unit has Intel Core i7 Processor and has 4GB of RAM inside. It runs very fast and the boot up time of this Zenbook is very fast and it wakes up from standby mode in a matter of seconds. You can have the Zenbook in stand by for up to (around) 10 Days. It has a Solid State Drive, this way it can keep the slim profile design and if for some reason you drop the Zenbook(which I/ASUS do not recommend), your data has a better chance of staying safe. There are not that many pre-loaded applications on the Zenbook, which is always a good thing. You have a lot of stuff pre-loaded from ASUS which comes in handy a lot. The days of actual paper manuals are ending soon, and ASUS happily provides you with a “eManual”. This will help you figure out how to do a lot of stuff on the Zenbook. The ASUS Tutor application teaches you all about the cool features of the laptop like, multi-touch, face logon, instant on, ASUS smart detect, and Bluetooth logon. This has videos of the actions being done, this way you can learn both visually and via the simple instructions typed on the screen as well. You have a widget right on the screen that lets you know your battery power, stand by time, and the charge time. You can also turn on and turn off “Instant On”. ASUS Vibe Fun Center is your place is your place to find the latest music, radio stations, games, news stories, books, and much more. The best part is that a good amount of them are free, this way you don’t need to put out your hard-earned cash on the different items. Overall, the processor inside of the Zenbook helps to make sure that Windows 7 and the pre-loaded applications work correctly.
Display And Sound
ASUS much have put a ton of work into the display on the UX31 Zenbook. This is because I was amazed with how good everything looks on it. It has a 13.3 inch with a resolution of 1600 x 900! Browsing the web, watching videos, viewing photos, and everything else you do on the screen looks great. And your level of brightness really doesn’t affect the quality too much, for the most part it stays consistently throughout all of the levels. The quality is very impressive and I hope the manufactures learn a lesson from the Zenbook UX31. Now, onto the amazing sound quality of this ultrabook. It has both Bang & Olufsen ICEPower and ASUS SonicMaster, these two technologies together form an amazing sound quality. Now, with the amount of speakers that the Zenbook has, you wouldn’t think it could produce much sound at all. Well in reality it gets very loud, and has the best sound on a Ultrabook that I have seen yet. If you turn the volume up all the way it gets very loud, a comfortable volume would be found a little before the middle. That is how loud and great the sound quality is on the Zenbook. Overall, I really have to applaud ASUS for using their technology and Bang & Olufsen to produce a great sound system on the Zenbook.
Bottom Line
The ASUS Zenbook UX31 is one amazing ultrabook. It has a gorgeous display, a loud and great sounding speaker system, a fast processor, great pre-loaded apps, and much more! And if the rose gold color isn’t for you they make it in several other colors. Now, here is the important part; the pricing. The ASUS Zenbook UX31 starts off at $999.99, and depending on your customizations it can be more expensive. however, I have to say that the ASUS Zenbook UX31 is currently the best Ultrabook on the market. I personally like the design of it sloping down better than the of the book shape, the speed on this computer is great, the sound is impressive, and many more features make this the best. I can’t wait to see the next generation of Ultrabooks’ from ASUS. For More Info On The ASUS Zenbook Or To Get Your Very Own, Please Click Here. We would like to thank ASUS for providing us with a copy of the “ASUS Zenbook UX31″.
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April 13, 2012 by Jacob Krol
Nokia Lumia 900 Update Now Available! (3 Days Early!)
Earlier this week we informed you that Nokia confirmed that there was a software issue with the AT&T Nokia Lumia 900. You can see our article by clicking here. Well Nokia, has just posted on Twitter that the update is now available! The update is here 3 days ahead of schedule, which is even better news. The software update fixes an issue that was on the device, some users where unable to get a data connection. Well, Nokia did an amazing customer service job is they are giving every single customer who bought the phone from day one to April 21, 2012 a $100 credit on their AT&T Bill. I imagine that AT&T is also trying to help in the situation as well. They then gave 2 solutions to fix the problem, you can either exchange your current Lumia 900 for an updated one or perform the update by yourself. For Info On The Update For The AT&T Lumia 900, Please Click Here. The update is as simple as downloading an application and then following the on-screen instructions. Overall, Nokia is doing a great job with making sure that their devices work properly and doing a great job with customer service. I am very happy to have Nokia back in the USA and they hopefully have some more amazing devices in store for 2012. Be sure to let us know in the comments if you are doing the update.
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April 6, 2012 by Jacob Krol
Lenovo C325 Review
Our friends over at Lenovo have sent us the Lenovo C325 for us to review. It is one of their new All-In-One desktops. Yes, that means that everything is inside of the monitor. It is also meant to be an “affordable“ All-In-One desktop, which is always a good sign. However, this computer can be the center of the household with many great features. Now, let’s dive into the Lenovo C325 review!
Design
The Lenovo C325 is very compact, and that means no wires getting tangled together and more space to do stuff on your desk. Since, it is a all-in-one desktop it is just a monitor, keyboard and a mouse. It has a plastic housing and metal stand. The screen can be titled to your liking and for your best viewing angle. It is also not to heavy with the packaging it weighs just 10.66KG. Under the left hand corner of the screen you will find the Power Button and several lights that will let you know what your computer is up to. On the right hand side you will find the screen adjustments buttons. On the right hand side you have built-in DVD reader/writer, it pops right out of the side. On the left hand side you have the headphone jack, microphone jack, USB ports, and multi-card reader. On the back you have 4 USB ports, an ethernet port, and the power cable port. On the top and bottom of the computer you have the speakers. Overall, the design of the Lenovo C325 is definitely one of it’s best features!
Hardware
Now, of course what is a computer without the hardware inside. Keep in mind that you can customize this device to your liking. The screen will always be 20 inches LED Backlight, however it can be multi-touch. That is if you choose the model that offers this. Our review unit did not have the multi-touch screen, however the 20 inch LED Backlight display was very good. Viewing images or video chatting on the device was a breeze the image was crystal clear. To make the graphics as good as they were we had a AMD Radeon HD 6320 graphics card inside. For speed we have an AMD E450 Processor with 4GB of RAM. In terms of speed, it was average, niter very fast nor to slow. Boot up time is around 30 seconds, which is expected. It has a 500GB Hard Drive which gives you plenty of room to store all of your data. It comes with Windows 7 Home Premium installed. It has a built-in DVD reader/writer that pops out of the right hand side of the all-in-one. On the left hand side you have a USB 2.0 port, a USB 3.0 Port, a headphone jack, and a 6-in-1 memory card reader. Above the display you have a 3.0 Lenovo High-Sense webcam, the quality is okay. It will be fine for video chatting or taking self portraits. If you want too you can add a HDMI port, TV Tuner, and more to this computer. Now, in terms of the operating system you will get almost no bloatware on this device. Which makes it much easier to start customizing it to you liking. It has some handy features pre-loaded on it from Lenovo, like the reduce system feature, Fun Cam, and many more. The rescue system feature is great, if for some reason you hard drive gets corrupted this will help you get back in shape. Overall, the Hardware and Operating System on this computer is great.
Bottom Line
The Lenovo C325 is a great simple All-In-One computer. It has one of the easiest setup’s on the market, just plug it in and you are good to go. It has a great design that fits into ay environment. It has some quality hardware inside such as the AMD E450 Processor with 4GB of RAM, that gives you some speed. The graphics are good and it has plenty of ports so you can plug-in all of your accessories. Overall, the Lenovo C325 is hard to beat and the pricing for it is where it gets even better. It comes in at $499, just under $500. This makes it an affordable all-in-one computer that the entire family can enjoy! For More Info On The Lenovo C325 All-In-One Desktop, Please Click Here. We would like to thank Lenovo for providing us with the “Lenovo C325 All-In-One Desktop”.
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January 11, 2013
Polaroid Unveils The iM1836; First Android Camera With Interchangeable Lenses!
Polaroid has unveiled the iM1836 camera and this is the first Android camera that features interchangeable lenses. It features an 18 megapixel camera with a 10-30mm optical zoom lens. It will work with Micro Four Thirds system lenses via an adapter. This will give you many different choices to help you get the perfect shot. Usually [...]
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January 11, 2013
CES EXCLUSIVE: Panasonic Creates a New Way to Listen to Music
Recently Panasonic has unveiled a new type of headphone which is unique to the portable music experience. The name of these headphone are the Panasonic RP-BTGS10 Bone Conduction Headphones. What I found remarkable about these headphones is that they do not sit inside on top of the ear canal, but rather right in front of it. [...]
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January 11, 2013
Polaroids New Camera Series Unveiled At The 2013 CES!
Polaroid has released a set of three new cameras. These cameras include features “From interchangeable lens options and built-in Wi-Fi to instantly upload and share pictures over the web, the next-generation cameras combine the legendary Polaroid advanced imaging technology and fun, user-friendly features in small and ultra-portable, yet powerful devices.” The first camera is the Polaroid iM1030/iM1232. This camera [...]
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January 11, 2013
Polaroid Kids Tablet Unveiled At The 2013 CES!
Did you know that Polaroid makes tablets? Well they do and they have just announced the Polaroid Kids Tablet! The unique feature about this device is that it is a real Android tablet but, with a very special design and user interface that shows it is dedicated for kids. As you can see in the [...]
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January 11, 2013
AT&T Adds The Lenovo IdeaTab A2107!
Today, AT&T has announced that the Lenovo IdeaTab A2107 is now available for $199.99 with out a 2-year contract. The Lenovo IdeaTab A2107 features a 7-inch Bright 350 nit HD display with good viewing angles. It will be running Android 4.0 with a Lenovo User Interface. It has a 3 megapixel back camera and a front [...]
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April 18, 2013
AT&T HTC One Review
Our friends over at AT&T have sent us the HTC One for us to review. The HTC One is one of the most antipicated devices of the year and now it is time for our full review on it! The HTC One brings many new features to the table inclduing an UltraPixel Camera, this ftures [...]
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April 17, 2013
Verizon Wireless Lucid2 By LG Review
Our friends over at LG have sent us the Lucid2 for us to review! This is the successor to the original Lucid and is exclusive to Verizon Wireless. This is joining the carrier as a free with a 2-year contract device and this puts it into an interesting spot in the lineup. It features an [...]
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April 16, 2013
Verizon Wireless Samsung ATIV Odyssey Review
Our friends over at Verizon have sent us the Samsung ATIV Odyssey for us to review. This is another one of their Windows Phone devices and it will fall into the midrange category. This is the first Windows Phone 8 smartphone from Samsung to land in the United States. It was announced back at the [...]
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April 16, 2013
Fuse Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity Camo Headphones Review
Fuse has recently released the Mossy Oak Break-Up Infinity Camo Headphones, new headphones with a forest camo design. I was given a chance to test them, and here’s what I found:
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March 29, 2013
Virgin Mobile Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE Review
Our friends over at Virgin Mobile have sent us the Samsung Galaxy Victory 4G LTE for us to review! With the announcement of this device Virgin Mobile now offers a 4G LTE device. As you may recall the Galaxy Victory 4G LTE was first a device on Sprint, and you can still get it there. Check [...]
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