Events

Oregon Scientific Releases Fitness Band Product Ssmart Dynamo

Gadgets

Jim McCarthy

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Nov 6, 2013

Oregon Scientific Releases Fitness Band Product Ssmart Dynamo

Oregon Scientific has released their own fitness band product, the Ssmart Dynamo Activity Band. Read on for details!

Oregon Scientific has released their own fitness band product, the Ssmart Dynamo Activity Band. The 24/7 activity tracker monitors your sleep time, steps taken, distance travelled, calories burned and more. Here is the press release:

OREGON SCIENTIFIC UTILIZES BLUETOOTH SMART TECHNOLOGY

TO HELP MOTIVATE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

New Ssmart Dynamo 24/7 Activity Tracker Wirelessly Communicates

Activity and Sleep Data to Mobile Devices

Tualatin, OR – November 4, 2013 – Oregon Scientific, a leading designer and worldwide marketer of personal electronics, has announced the company’s entry into the emerging fitness tracker market with the Ssmart Dynamo activity band. Designed to inspire a healthier lifestyle, this activity band tracks fitness goals, activity and sleep, wirelessly communicating data to mobile devices using the latest Bluetooth® Smart technology. Intended to keep the wearer motivated, the Ssmart Dynamo keeps track of physical activities during the day and monitors sleep patterns at night. It is currently available on the Oregon Scientific e-store for $99 will be available at retail in 2014.

As a tool that’s designed to help maintain motivation, the Ssmart Dynamo offers maximum comfort around the clock and an attractive style that can be customized with optional color bands. During the day, it tracks physical activity including steps, distance traveled and calories burned. When the sun goes down, it offers nightly sleep tracking, including rest time and actual sleep time. An easy-to read, four-color LED indicator keeps the wearer informed of their daily activity level that can be stored for up to 14 days. The unisex activity band also features a built-in rechargeable battery that holds a charge up to two weeks and wirelessly connects to iPhone® 4S, iPhone® 5, iPhone ®5S and Android™ 4.3 or later using Bluetooth® Smart with reduced power consumption that won’t quickly drain the battery.

A companion app offers an easy and convenient way to set up, view, monitor, and share a fitness program. An easy-to-read graphic interface provides visual progress and allows users to adjust and optimize their training in order to reach their goals. Customizable goals are measured by daily achievements and displayed in a clear activity level gauge. The app also features an “in bed” gauge display to measure actual sleep time and offers a time-to-fall-asleep analysis.

Other products in Oregon Scientfic’s Sports & Outdoor line include the: ATC Chameleon, Ssmart Watch Trainer and Ssmart Watch Adventurer, Bluetooth Low Energy Bike Pod, BLE Fabric Chest Belt and a line of Heart Rate Monitors and Pedometers.

Additional information about Oregon Scientifics’ full line of product offerings can be found at: OregonScientific.com/us.

This device is compatible with the iPhone® 4S/ 5 or later and SAMSUNG GALAXY™ S4 & Android 4.3 devices or later. Available now at the Oregon Scientific online store for $99, and expected to be available at retail in 2014, this is an interesting entrant to the wearable fitness tracker category.

Check out the product in these photos:

Synology Updates 2-Bay NAS Line for SMB and SOHO Users

Storage & NAS

Jim McCarthy

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Nov 6, 2013

0

Synology has released two new 2-bay NAS units, one aimed at SMB users and the other at first-time SOHO buyers. Read on for details!

Synology has released two new 2-bay NAS units, one aimed at SMB users and the other at first-time SOHO buyers. Here is the press release:

SynologyUK Ltd Debuts DiskStation DS214+ and DS214se

Robust Private Cloud for SMB and the Most Affordable NAS for Home Users

Milton Keynes, United Kingdom – 5^th November 2013 – Synology UK Ltd today launched DiskStation DS214+ and DS214se, two-bay NAS servers running Synology’s award-winning DiskStation Manager (DSM). The DS214+ provides high performance and complete business features to help small and medium businesses centralise backup and share files efficiently. The DS214se is a budget-friendly NAS server that allows beginners to explore the infinite possibilities of Synology NAS.

“Synology presents the DS214+ and the DS214se to bring tremendous opportunities respectively for business and home users,” said Darren Lin, Synology’s Product Manager. Powered by a 1.33GHz dual-core CPU, the DS214+ outperforms its predecessor by 89% faster at 208 MB/sec read and 153 MB/sec write speeds with Link Aggregation enabled, boosting business productivity.

With 1GB of RAM twice the size of its predecessor and the built-in floating point unit, the DS214+ exhibits a significant gain in multi-tasking performance. To simplify hard disk installation and ensure system reliability, the DS214+ comes with an external enhancement of front mount hot-swappable tool-less lockable drive bays and dual Gigabit Ethernet ports with failover support. Moreover, it features two USB 3.0 ports for higher data transmission and one eSATA port for extensive external backup option.

The DS214se, the special edition of Synology DiskStation, comes at a price tag lowest among Synology’s DiskStation product lines, affordable by almost everyone. However, the DS214se is no slouch as it delivers read speeds at 102 MB/sec and offers a myriad of multimedia applications. It features Web Assistant and simple setup wizard to make setup and management more intuitive and simple than ever. Designed with energy efficiency in mind, it only consumes 3.59 watts in hibernation mode, and no more than 19.14 watts in full operation.

Both DS214+ and DS214se run on DiskStation Manager (DSM) 4.3 , an intuitive operating system that provides a host of applications to bring better productivity at work and offer a new level of multimedia experience. Synology was honoured with 2013 PCMag Business Choice Awardand received the highest rating in every element of the survey, including reliability, overall satisfaction, value, and likelihood to recommend. For more information, please go to

http://www.synology.com/products/product.php?product_name=DS214%2B

http://www.synology.com/products/product.php?product_name=DS214se

Check out these product pictures of the DS214+:

And the DS214se:

The DS214+ retails at £267 including vat and the DS214se has an RPP of £117 including vat.

Synology Invites You to the UK Launch of DSM 5.0 Beta in London

Storage & NAS

Jim McCarthy

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Nov 6, 2013

0

Synology is holding a DSM 5.0 Beta Launch event in January in London and you are invited! Read on for details.

Synology is holding a DSM 5.0 Beta Launch event in January in London and you are invited! The event is open to press, end users, developers and anyone else who is interested in DSM 5.0. Here is the press release invitation:

Synology will unveil the DSM 5.0 beta and showcase their latest products

Milton Keynes, United Kingdom – October 2013. Synology UK Ltd invites you to join them at the DSM 5.0 beta launch event on 16^th January 2014 in the Millbank Cinema and Media Centre, London. The event will feature an exciting, first-look at the new DSM 5.0 beta and also promises some big changes to the popular NAS operating system. Guests will have an opportunity to have hands on experience with the new DSM as well as the complete range of Synology NAS products and be in with a chance to win a Synology DiskStation. This event is open to all Synology lovers so whether you are a distributor, reseller, media or end user; there will be something for you and a lot to see and learn.

To register for your free place, visit www.synology.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

If you’ll be in London on 16 January, you may want to plan on attending!

Assassins Creed IV – Black Flag Bundle Announced for PS4

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 5, 2013

0

Assassins Creed IV – Black Flag Bundle Announced for PS4

Ubisoft has announced that a bundle for PlayStation4 including the console and a copy of Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag, available at the launch of the console in the UK on 29th November, 2013.

A bundle for PlayStation 3 including the console and a copy of Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag has also been available for sale since October 29 in the UK.

Customers who purchase Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag on PlayStation 3 or PlayStation 4 can download 60 minutes of additional gameplay via the PlayStation Network after the game’s launch.

Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag tells the story of Edward Kenway, a young British man with a thirst for danger and adventure, who falls from privateering for the Royal Navy into piracy as the war between the major Empires comes to an end. Edward is a fierce pirate and seasoned fighter who soon finds himself embroiled in the ancient war between Assassins and Templars. Set at the dawn of the 18th Century, the game features some of the most infamous pirates in history, such as Blackbeard and Charles Vane, and takes players on a journey throughout the West Indies during a turbulent and violent period of time later to become known as the Golden Age of Pirates.

New GTA Online Title Update 1.05 is Online

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 5, 2013

0

New GTA Online Title Update 1.05 is Online

The newest automatic title update for GTA Online is now available for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. As mentioned previously, this update addresses some residual issues where occasionally people’s vehicles or vehicle modifications were disappearing due to a cloud save failure – as well as the other fixes mentioned below:

Built in measures to prevent users from losing their progress when there is a cloud outage
Built in a number of measures to protect players’ cash balances even if there are network problems
Fixed an issue where on rare occasions during network problems the player could lose their Online vehicle or mods after exiting GTA Online

If you’re still experiencing problems or any other technical problems, please visit our support website to contact our support team and subscribe to the GTA Online Launch Status article. You can also shoot us a quick message at the Rockstar Support Twitter.

Konami Announces First Details for New Data Pack for PES 2014

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 5, 2013

0

Konami Announces First Details for New Data Pack for PES 2014

Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. has revealed details for its forthcoming free Data Pack 2 for PES 2014 coming later this month, New data pack updates player rosters and adds 800 new likenesses to PES 2014, and more.

Designed to bring all team rosters fully up to date, the update will include all transfers made ensuring that all current players are at their correct teams. Moreover, the publisher has also extended the realism of the game’s stunning visuals, with the addition of over 800 new faces which are included within the download. This will ensure that even more players are represented in staggering clarity, with the likes of Manchester United’s Da Silva twins, Boca Juniors’ Riquelme, Real Madrid’s Isco and England’s own, Jack Wilshere, are amongst those that will be upgraded.

Moreover to the roster updates, feedback has been gathered from the PES community and a multitude of other additions have been added via the new data pack. The download also bolsters the online elements of the game, with the long awaited addition of the 11 Vs 11 mode, enhancements to the chat elements, and gameplay tweaks. A new ‘Team Play’ lobby system has been incorporated, as have online competitions and Master League Online competitions to the game’s Competition Mode.

New official kits have also been added, with more third kits added to the likes of Santos, Palmeiros and Flamengo, which sponsorships have been amended to key teams where necessary. New adidas, Nike, Puma and Mizuno boots have also been included, and will be available via the game’s Edit mode, which has also been enhanced for ease of use with the addition of the player base copy and more functionalities.

How to get ready for Call of Duty: Ghosts From Current Gen to Next Gen

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 5, 2013

0

As Call of Duty: Ghosts is here and are getting ready to define the next console generation. Now available worldwide, the all-new title ushers in the next generation of Call of Duty. From Infinity Ward, the developer that brought players the original Call of Duty and the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series, Call of Duty: Ghosts features a new, intense story, and new innovations in multiplayer, all brought to life by a next generation engine that delivers a full package of entertainment as only Call of Duty can.

“The launch of Call of Duty has become a pop-cultural event shared by millions around the globe. We consider this a huge honour and it drives us to exceed our fans’ expectations each and every time,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing Inc. “Call of Duty: Ghosts delivers on this promise with an epic thrill ride which takes the franchise to new heights on both current and next-gen consoles. The teams at Infinity Ward, Raven and Neversoft have poured their hearts and souls into making this the must have gaming experience of the next generation. And of course, none of this would be possible without the most passionate fans in the world. Today is for them.”

In Call of Duty: Ghosts, for the first time ever in the series, gamers play as the underdog against an enemy that has superior numbers and firepower. The story opens with a strike from the ODIN (Orbital Defense Initiative) space station, a weapons platform which was designed to protect us. An intense firefight in space turns the most powerful weapon ever devised against us, and the attack reshapes the world as we know it. As your home lies in ruins and everything around you is destroyed, you and your brother come across the remnants of a group of elite soldiers, shrouded in mystery, known only as the Ghosts. Together you must not only defend what’s left, but also take the fight to the enemy before they complete the destruction and end our way of life. Co-written by Stephen Gaghan, the Academy Award winning writer, Call of Duty: Ghosts is a stunning leap forward for the blockbuster franchise.

“From Day One, we’ve set out to create the next generation of Call of Duty with Ghosts,” said Mark Rubin, Executive Producer, Infinity Ward. “With an all-new single player story, our best multiplayer game yet, character customisation, squads mode and an all-new Extinction mode that lets you battle it out against aliens, this game is the complete entertainment package. We’re excited today is finally here and can’t wait for our fans all over the world to start playing.”

Call of Duty: Ghosts delivers an unparalleled online multiplayer experience, empowering fans to customise their soldiers and squads as male or female characters for the first time, bringing over 20,000 possible character combinations. With seven new multiplayer modes, 14 maps out of the box, a new Squads mode for up to six-player cooperative play, over 30 new weapons, including a new Marksman Rifle weapon class, and over 20 new Killstreaks, it’s the complete online experience on both next-gen and current gen systems.

Call of Duty Ghosts also introduces Extinction, a completely new co-op game mode featuring a unique blend of fast-paced survival gameplay, base defence, player customisation and class levelling. Teamwork and communication are essential when playing Extinction, as your team faces an alien menace that has overrun an isolated Colorado town and the team must eliminate the threat via any means necessary.

Call of Duty: Ghosts players on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 who plan on picking up the Xbox One or the PlayStation 4 can play today and upgrade seamlessly to the next generation when they are ready for as little as £9.99 via a variety of global retailers, as well as Microsoft and Sony. When you upgrade, your current gen Call of Duty: Ghosts multiplayer stats, in-game achievements, progression, and Season Pass

Guild Wars 2 The Nightmares Within

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 5, 2013

0

NCSOFT and ArenaNet, developer of the Guild Wars franchise, today announced the latest Guild Wars 2 content update, The Nightmares Within, and the corresponding Rock the Nightmare Music Video Contest, which features a unique 3D-printed Guild Wars 2 guitar as the grand prize.

In the 12^th November release, The Nightmare Within, players continue the sinister storyline that began in October’s Tower of Nightmares release. Having unlocked the secret behind the toxic defences surrounding the monolithic Tower of Nightmares, players now can assault the tower itself. But new dangers, frights and challenges await all who dare enter the stronghold of the Toxic Alliance between the reptilian krait and the Nightmare Court.

Players can get an inside look at all the new content, events, and rewards in The Nightmares Within during a developer livestream with ArenaNet developers on Wednesday, 13^th November 21:00 CET on the Guild Wars 2 Twitch TV channel at www.twitch.tv/guildwars2.

Rock the Nightmare Music Video Contest
Few things are as “metal” as a sorcerous tower of evil, and to commemorate The Nightmares Within release, ArenaNet is hosting a heavy metal music video contest. Starting today through 26^th November at 08:59 CET, players and fans can submit a one-minute music video to “The Nightmares Within” song, available for download at the ArenaNet SoundCloud page at www.soundcloud.com/arenanet.

The most creative videos will win SteelSeries gaming gear and one grand prize winner also will receive a unique 3D-printed Guild Wars 2 guitar from Sygnus Guitars. Winners will be announced on the Guild Wars 2 website on or around Friday, 13^th December. More information on the contest, including rules and submission guidelines, can be found at www.guildwars2.com/en/community/contests/

New Events
·         Lingering Poison: Though the Tower of Nightmares has been breached, the Toxic Alliance’s nefarious presence remains. Players will find that Kessex Hills and the surrounding countryside still are befouled by poisonous pollen.
·         Face The Nightmares Within: Special encounters await players brave enough to enter rooms within the Tower of Nightmares. What will they find? Agents of the evil Scarlet Briar? Or something much more insidious? Only one thing is certain: strength, determination and resilience will be required to survive.
·         The End of Nightmares?: Marjory Delaqua, the human detective, developed a special antitoxin to destroy the deadly menace at the heart of the Tower of Nightmares, but the team she dispatched to inject it never returned. Players will get their chance to pick up the fight and succeed where those before them failed.

New Rewards
·         Antitoxic Fashion: Players completing the meta-achievement for The Nightmares Within will unlock a special Gasmask Skin that features the latest design in air purification and toxin prevention. This universal skin can be applied to any piece of head armour.
·         Exclusive Looks: Players can complete their wardrobes with a new Air Filtration Device – a dry-land version of the starter aquatic helm – or get the new Toxic Spore back item.
·         Minis: Players can earn two new Toxic Krait minis – one by destroying Toxic Alliance foes, the other by killing a special enemy hidden deep in the heart of the Tower of Nightmares.
·         Tri-Key Chest: Players collecting three keys – either from foes within the Tower of Nightmares or by bartering for them with Marjory Delaqua’s helper, Dee – can open the chest for a chance to win special treasures.

For more details on Guild Wars 2 or The Nightmares Within, visit http://www.guildwars2.com/.

Campaign intel for Arma 3

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 5, 2013

0

Arma 3 have posted the new campaign intro, with Tensions rise as NATO peacekeeping forces begin to leave The Republic of Altis: a strategic fault-line between crumbling European influence and a powerful, resurgent East. For more details on Arma 3 please visit there website

Broken Sword 5 – The Serpent’s Curse: Episode One to release 4th Dec

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Nov 5, 2013

0

Broken Sword 5 – The Serpent’s Curse: Episode One to release 4th Dec

Revolution Software has today confirmed that Broken Sword 5 – The Serpent’s Curse will release worldwide for PC on December 4^th. In addition, the developer has revealed that this Broken Sword adventure will, unlike any before, run over two thrilling episodes, concluding in January 2014.

The game set crowdfunding records for a UK-developed game back in September 2012, when it raised $850,000 from 15,000 backers on Kickstarter. Those that pledged to receive a PC, Mac or Linux copy of the game will get each episode as it become available.

The first episode will debut on PC / Mac / Linux through Steam, GOG.com, and Revolution’s own website store on December 4^th, with a PlayStation Vita version to follow later in the month. The concluding episode of the game will be published on PC in January 2014. iOS and Android versions will follow shortly after each PC episode.

“Whilst this is very much a classic Broken Sword game in terms of production values and sense of adventure, we’re really breaking new ground with The Serpent’s Curse,” says Charles Cecil, Founder & CEO, Revolution Software. “The success of our Kickstarter appeal has allowed us to be hugely ambitious – each episode is a full sized game in its own right. So we will be publishing two action-packed adventures in close succession. The response to those that have seen the game so far has been hugely positive – some suggesting that this is the best Broken Sword yet.”

When a mysterious painting is stolen during an armed raid on a Paris gallery, George Stobbart and Nico Collard are thrown, seemingly by chance, into the investigation together. From Paris to London and beyond, the trail becomes a race against time as dark forces from Europe’s turbulent past are woken from their slumber. Broken Sword characters old and new are encountered – but who can George and Nico trust? The journey they are on reveals a conspiracy as old as the written word, whose ancient heresies will cause innocent blood to spill once more…

A classic point and click that feels utterly contemporary, Broken Sword 5 – The Serpent’s Curse has re-united key members from the Broken Sword team, with layout artists from studios such as Disney, Aardman, and Universal who have created sumptuous, classically drawn backgrounds. The rich, lavish HD art, evolves the art-style so loved in the previous Broken Sword games.

Episode 1 will be released on December 4^th for PC, priced £9.99 per episode / £14.99 if both episodes are bought together. Price and release dates for other formats to be confirmed.

Broken Sword 5: the Serpent´s Curse – The Adventure Continues

About Broken Sword 5: the Serpent´s Curse

Paris in the spring. Shots ring out from a gallery…
A robbery – a murder – and the beginning of another epic, original Broken Sword adventure.

An adventure that will hurl intrepid lawyer George Stobbart and sassy journalist Nico Collard onto the trail of a murderous conspiracy forged in the cauldron of war-torn Europe. A conspiracy whose roots lie in mysteries older than the written word.

Armed only with logic, integrity and a wry sense of humour – can George and Nico outwit evil forces both ancient and modern and save mankind from disaster? From a Curse forged by the Devil himself?

Broken Sword is one of the world´s best loved adventure series, having been played by over 10 million players and earned exceptional reviews (including a Metacritic score of 91% for Broken Sword – Director’s Cut – iPhone). Broken Sword 5 – the Serpent’s Curse builds on this rich heritage.