Gamers observing a “Day of Cease Fire” in remembrance of Sandy Hook children, teachers

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Culture, First Person Shooters,

In light of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, the videogame community is putting down their controllers for a day of rememberance. Dubbed "The Day of Cease Fire" and organized by Antwand Pearman, editor-in-chief of GamerFitNation.com, the event is a way for gamers to show the world that they care.

Though some politicians have recently condemned videogames as one of the roots of the violence in our society, Pearman's event is by no means an extension of that misguided thought.

"There's no such thing as world peace," said Pearman. "But at least we as gamers can show respect for the victims of Newtown. It's just a statement. What better statement than to say gamers will put down their virtual weapons in honor of peace."

December 21st marks the day when gamers will stop playing online shooters, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 and Halo 4, and will take the day to pay respect to those who lost their lives just a week ago.

"A gesture like this shows that you give a damn," said Pearman. "I want gamers to unite and show they give a damn."

Read More | Facebook

ESPN ScoreCenter 3.0 lands with iPhone 5 support

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Entertainment, App Updates, Free Apps,

The fine folks at ESPN have updated their ScoreCenter app to version 3.0. The update finally adds iPhone 5 support and a new, cleaner UI that should simplify navigation. A welcomed change to an app whose previous versions got very cluttered and confusing. Also, to activate push notification alerts, users must have an ESPN account.

What's New in Version 3.0

• ScoreCenter has been completely revamped and optimized for iPhone 5 and iOS 6. With a new design and simple navigation, ScoreCenter makes it easier than ever to access the latest scores, news, and video clips for all of your favorite teams and sports.

Read More | iTunes

LifeProof Fre Review: Doomsday Proof

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Accessories, Apple, Smartphones, Features, Product Reviews,

Some prefer to take it out in public naked. I seldom do, but sometimes I'm tempted to let it all out...my iPhone that is. Out of its case, of course. What were you thinking? 

I have been a LifeProof user since the iPhone 4S, and it was a pretty good case for the type of protection I got in return. So, getting the LifeProof Frē for iPhone 5 seemed like a no brainer. I'm not one of those extreme thrill seekers to whom the case is advertised for. I'm more of the dropping the phone on the sidewalk while trying to scoop up the pooches' excrement type of guy or the dropping the phone in a bowl of cereal while totally fixated by the back of the box kind of person. But I digress. You're here to find out how the LifeProof Frē performs, so read on and we'll tell you if it's good enough to protect your iPhone 5.

Click to continue reading LifeProof Fre Review: Doomsday Proof

Nike+ Running now supports iPhone 5 display

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Healthcare & Fitness, App Updates, Free Apps,

Finally, the iconic sneaker brand, Nike, has updated its Nike+ Running app to version 4.1, which supports the iPhone 5 display. Surely, it wasn't a sprint but a marathon in getting this app updated for users, considering it only took them almost 3 months. All griping aside, the app has included some neat features. Click on through for a rundown.

Click to continue reading Nike+ Running now supports iPhone 5 display

Read More | Nike+ Running

BlackBerry 10 put to test against Windows Phone 8 and iOS in speed test videos

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Microsoft, Videos,

GadgetMasters has uploaded two videos to YouTube that compare HTML5 benchmark tests of a BlackBerry 10 development device with an HTC 8X Windows Phone 8 device, and of course, the iPhone 5. See who comes out on top. RIM will launch BlackBerry 10 on January 30th in New York.

Click to continue reading BlackBerry 10 put to test against Windows Phone 8 and iOS in speed test videos

Read More | BGR

Redbox Instant for iOS goes live in App Store, furthers competition with Netflix

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Entertainment, New Apps, Video Apps, Free Apps,

It appears that Netflix has some new competition in the form of a Redbox and Verizon partnership. Today they're slowly rolling out their content streaming alternative to the masses. For $8 per month, Redbox Instant will have unlimited streaming and four DVD rentals; $9 if users opt for the Blu-ray option. As part of the launch, Redbox Instant has released their universal app for iOS that works on iDevices. To date, it is a mystery what contracts the Redbox and Verizon partnership has with studios with regards to content.

For those brave early adopters out there, y'all have the chance to get in on the Redbox Instant action by signing up on their private beta via their website.

Click to continue reading Redbox Instant for iOS goes live in App Store, furthers competition with Netflix

Read More | Redbox Instant

AT&T pick up WCS spectrum for LTE expansion

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Broadband, Smartphones, Corporate News, Wireless / WiFi,

The airwaves are running out, and you may've noticed it from the data diet your phone company has probably went on, or from the inability to send texts from busy areas in the city.

The FCC has approved the transfer of 608 spectrum licenses to AT&T that cover about 82 percent of the US population. Don't start streaming those 1080p movies from your data plan just yet, as the new spectrum isn't going in effect any time soon. It'll be years before any of us can take advantage of it, we're afraid.

Click to continue reading AT&T pick up WCS spectrum for LTE expansion

Read More | FCC

$2.1 million in Wii U consoles stolen in Seattle heist

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Corporate News, Culture, Nintendo, Wii U,

Tis the season for stealing! No, what? 7,000 Nintendo Wii U consoles were nabbed from a SeaTac Seattle Air Cargo warehouse on Saturday night. Get this--the getaway vehicles were two semi trailers. The burglars managed to use forklifts to steal the pallets of the gaming consoles. It is speculated that it was an inside job. Police authorities are on the lookout for two semi trailers with the branding logo of McKinney. However, more likely than not, these will end up on internet sites such and Craigslist and eBay. Considering that each unit costs $300, it's not crazy to say that the thieves walked away with roughly 2.1 million dollars. Like they say, it's the most wonderful time of the year!

Click to continue reading $2.1 million in Wii U consoles stolen in Seattle heist

Read More | ABC News

Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom responds to backlash

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Legal, News, Social Networks,

Instagram wants you to know that it hears your concerns and its doing its best to alleviate the symptoms of change. Accordingly, the photo-sharing service has altered the parts of its new Terms of Service.

Earlier, we reported that many people were leaving the service for Flickr and the like, because people took the new ToS to mean the community's photos would be unfairly monetized for Instagram's gain. Kevin Systrom, co-founder of Instagram, has since made it clear that is not the case. Systrom states that Instagram wants "to experiment with innovative advertising." Which according to Systrom means allowing Instagram access to people you follow, and who they follow, for businesses to use in order to better promote its business.

Systrom also claimed that users still own their content and that his company won't sell user photos to advertisers.

Read More | Instagram Blog

Google Music’s Scan and Match now available in the US

Posted by John Kilhefner Categories: Google, Music, Storage,

When Google Music came to Europe, it brought a new feature not available in the US -- Scan and Match. It's similar to iTunes Match, whereas it scans your local music collection and puts them in the cloud so that you don't have to.

After downloading the Music Manager, it will match your songs up with Google's, and begin "uploading" your songs into the cloud at a rate of about 30 seconds per album. After your music is in the cloud, you can listen to it on different devices, even iOS if you use Google's HTML5 web app.

Now US users are able to take advantage of this feature. It's free, and automatic for the most part, so you won't have to go through the cumbersome process of backing up your digital music collection solo.

Read More | Google