Live from Microsoft’s Xbox One E3 Media Briefing

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Features, Home Entertainment, Microsoft, Video Games,

Microsoft is set to take the stage for it's annual E3 Media Briefing this morning, and today is gonna be all about the Xbox One. The show starts in just about 15 minutes, and we will be bringing you all the news as it happens. Will the console really need to be connected to the Internet in order for you to play games? What about rentals and sharing with friends? Hopefully all this is answered. Head past the break for the full scoop!

Click to continue reading Live from Microsoft’s Xbox One E3 Media Briefing

Apple releases iTunes 11.0.4, offers better syncing and bug fixes

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Music, Software,

Hot on the heels of releasing OS X 10.8.4 Mountain Lion, Apple has gone ahead and released additional maintenance updates to iTunes. Update includes bug fixes for improved syncing and eliminated a sign-in bug some users were experiencing.

The syncing fix remedied an issue that some users were experiencing when switching between wireless and wired syncing. The new version is available in the Mac App Store's update section. Direct link for iTunes update for Windows PC and also for OS X.

Read More | iTunes

Microsoft details Windows 8.1 features [Video]

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Microsoft, PC / Laptop, Software, Videos,

Microsoft has prepared a video first-look at Windows 8.1, the upcoming update to its major desktop operating system, due out later this year. Using a Surface Pro to demo the software, Jensen Harris of the Windows User Experience team walks us through some of the improvements, including the new cloud-powered lockscreen, new Start screen tile sizes, app sorting, Start screen arranging, new personalization options, motion accents for wallpapers, and more. Two pretty big items not touched upon are the return of the Start button, and that Outlook 2013 is coming to Windows RT 8.1. Check out the full video after the break to see what awaits you in Windows 8.1, the preview of which will be available on June 26.

Click to continue reading Microsoft details Windows 8.1 features [Video]

Samsung Galaxy S4 unboxing gallery

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Features, Galleries,

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is the talk of the town as it pertains to Android smartphones at the moment (though one could argue that the HTC One deserves just as much attention.) Samsung's new flagship sports a 5-inch 1080p display, LTE connectivity, and a bunch of those nature sounds to make it more calming (or something.) While we are working on our full Galaxy S4 review, we put together a photo gallery showing off the device itself, along with the included accessories. Go ahead and check out our Samsung Galaxy S4 unboxing gallery for all the goodness, and stay tunes for the review.

Gallery:

Apple releases OS X 10.8.4, highlighted by Wi-Fi & Exchange improvements

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software,

Apple has just released OS X 10.8.4 for it's desktop and notebook computer lines. The latest update to Mountain Lion is mostly focused on stability and security, fixing things like Microsoft Exchange calendaring, corporate Wi-Fi issues, and the like. Safari 6.0.5 is also included in this release. Fire up the Mac App Store to grab it. Full changelog after the break.

Click to continue reading Apple releases OS X 10.8.4, highlighted by Wi-Fi & Exchange improvements

AT&T BlackBerry Q10 pre-orders begin tomorrow at $199.99

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds,

If you've been wanting to get in on the BlackBerry 10 action but wanted a physical keyboard, AT&T has just announced that pre-orders for the BlackBerry Q10, the new QWERTY from the company-formerly-known-as-RIM, begin tomorrow. You can get the LTE-powered Q10 for $199.99 with two-year contract. Yeah, we are just surprised at that price as you are, and we expect it to sell just as badly as you do. Unless you plan on picking one up, in which case, have fun with your 720x720 display. Some people just can't let go of hardware keyboards, right?

Apple has two major record labels signed for iRadio streaming service

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Music, Rumors,

According to The New York Times, Apple is going full-force in negotiations with record labels in an effort to get its new streaming music service (which many refer to as iRadio) in position to be announced, and possibly launched, at WWDC next week. The report states that Apple has already signed deals with both the Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group for rights to recorded music and publishing. The holdout is Sony Music Entertainment, which seems to want a bigger cut of the profits. Of course, if Apple can convince Sony to sign, then its music service will be stocked with all the popular music users will expect, without any glaring holes.

There are no solid details on Apple's streaming service, and there won't be until it is formally announced by the company itself. That said, rumors point to it being similar in vein to Pandora, rather than a Spotify/Rdio competitor. In other words, it will be a radio service rather than one where you get to pick and choose exactly which track(s) you want to listen to at a given moment. The service would be supported by iAd, with advertisements interspersed into the listening experience, like Pandora.

Fingers crossed for WWDC!

Read More | The New York Times

Plants vs. Zombies 2 set for July 18 release

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Games, iPad Apps, New Apps, PopCap Games, Free Apps,

Plants vs. Zombies was one of the early hits on App Store, making it the 12th all-time paid iPhone app in Apple's marketplace. Well, now there's more to come, PopCap Games will release Plants vs. Zombies 2 for iOS on July 18th for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

This time around, the game will be free to download, instead including the now-popular in-app purchase model. PopCap does say that pretty much the entire game will be free to play, and in app purchase will be for extra currency, plant food, and items to enhance the experience.

Check out the Plants vs. Zombies 2 trailer after the break for a look at what Crazy Dave has in store.

Click to continue reading Plants vs. Zombies 2 set for July 18 release

Vine now available for Android

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Software,

If you own an Android phone,  you can now get in on the Vine action that iPhone users have had access to for over four months now. The app is Twitter's answer to video sharing, allowing users to share six-second video snippets with each other. Interestingly, the iOS version and Android versions each have features that the other doesn't. For example, the iOS version includes support for the front-facing camera, mentions, hashtags, and search. The Android version doesn't--but it does have a zoom feature, something that's not found in iOS.

Vine for Android works with any device running Android 4.0 or higher, and you can download it now from the Google Play Store.

Read More | Twitter

Get a year of Xbox Live Gold for $20 right now

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Hot Deals, Microsoft, Video Games,

Wanna pay a third of the typical price for an Xbox Live Gold membership? Act quickly, as eBay is selling 12-month Xbox Live Gold memeberships for $20, a nice discount from the typical $59.99 price point, making it our Deal of the Day. Supplies are limited though, so if you want one, go get one now.