Events

Maxis introduces SimCity

Andrew Edney

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Jan 19, 2013

Maxis recently showed off the latest video for SimCity – the introduction video that will kick start players’ experiences as soon as they login into the game.

Using all gameplay footage, the video shows off Multi-city play beginning with an expansive aerial view of one of the regions in the game before it dives into city specialisation, providing fans with a glimpse into how their cities can look when they specialise in dirty coal power, clean nuclear or wind power, or tourism. The video ends with the first look at the Space Centre, one of the Great Works that players can work to create together when the game launches on March 8, 2013.

Here is the video:

Developed by the renowned Maxis studio in Emeryville, SimCity delivers unprecedented depth of simulation with the new GlassBox Engine, where everything is simulated, including up to 100,000 individual Sims in a city, to every Kilowatt of power pulsing through a region of cities. The model-like world and detail of the simulation make this the most responsive and personalSimCity ever. This is also the most expansive city management game yet where multi-city gameplay across regions delivers a larger playing field. Play a single city or up to 16 cities at once each with different specialisations, it’s your choice.

Multiplayer is also a first for the series, adding a new dimension to the game, as decisions impact both the city and the region, creating new ways to play by collaborating or competing to earn achievements. Finally, SimCity is a live service that simulates real-time updates and pushes them to players in the form of new challenges. Through this platform, Maxis is also able to provide a continuous stream of new gameplay features and content. Whether you play by yourself, with your friends or the rest of the world, SimCity introduces an infinite world of possibilities. What kind of mayor will you be?

There is also a beta you can sign up for if you are interested in playing SimCity early.

Register for the beta here

The four-day beta begins on January 25 and ends on January 28 – so hurry.

SimCity will be released in February 2013 for the PC and Mac.

So are you interested in the new SimCity? If so let us know by leaving a comment below.

Check out our interview with George Pigula about SimCity

CES 2013: A closer look at the Samsung Evolution Kit

Andrew Edney

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Jan 19, 2013

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Just before CES 2013 Samsung announced their Evolution Kit, and at CES we got a closer look at it.

Its an innovative concept that enables Samsung 2012 Smart TV to evolve into Samsung’s new 2013 Smart TVs. By simply attaching the Evolution Kit device into the back of a Samsung Smart TV, consumers can enjoy the latest features that the 2013 Smart TVs have to offer.

With hardware enhancements, such as CPU, memory and GPU up to the level of the latest Smart TV, users can enjoy faster speeds for browsing the Internet and multitask by using apps while watching TV.

In addition, Samsung’s Smart Interaction features such as voice control and motion control will be enhanced. Once the Evolution Kit is attached to the slot, 2012 Smart Hub is transformed to 2013 version. Every year, consumers will now be able to enjoy the latest services with Samsung’s Smart TVs.

The Evolution Kit fits neatly onto the back of the TV and connects via a single cable.

No word on price or availability, all Samsung would say is that it will be out after the new 2013 TV’s, so watch this space.

God of War: Ascension single player trailer released by Sony

Andrew Edney

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Jan 19, 2013

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Sony have released a trailer for the single player mode of God of War: Ascension.

Experience brutal God of War action online with up to eight players in objective-based battles.
Align yourself to Zeus, Ares, Poseidon or Hades and earn their approval to unlock new customisation options for your multiplayer gladiator.
Embark on Kratos’s quest for freedom from the very beginning with an epic new single player story.
Enjoy new combat and puzzle mechanics that build on the award-winning God of War gameplay.

Here is the trailer:

God of War: Ascension will be released on March 15th in the UK, March 13th in the rest of Europe and March 12th in North America for PlayStation 3.

Skype Click to Call gets an update

Andrew Edney

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Jan 19, 2013

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The latest versions of Skype Click to Call for Windows (version 6.5) and Skype Click to Call for Mac (version 2.4) are here.

Key updates in this release include:
• Numbers which are FREE to call are now highlighted in magenta, so it is even easier to spot them while browsing the web
• Firefox 18 and Chrome 23 support (Click to Call is also available on IE and Safari)
• Windows 8 compatibility
• Various performance and stability improvements

Download the new Skype Click to Call now.

App Update: 4oD for Windows 8 now with Live Tile

Andrew Edney

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Jan 19, 2013

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The 4oD app for Windows 8 has been updated and now includes a Live Tile.

Watch the best of Channel 4, E4 and More4 with the 4oD app. The 4oD app is free to download and enables you to catch up on a wide selection of programmes recently broadcast on Channel 4, E4 and More4, for up to 30 days after transmission. Once you have downloaded the app, the content is available to watch free of charge with no limits to the amount of content you can watch.

The app:
– is free to download
– offers a wide selection of shows from Channel 4, E4 and More4
– has a huge 30-day catch up window
– lets you watch some of the most memorable shows from the last 30 years
– allows free and unlimited access to your favourite shows

What’s changed:

Introduction of Live Tile
Change of 4oD logo image
SDK Update

Download now from the Windows Store

Halo 4 Spartan Ops Season One Returns with All New Episodes

Andrew Edney

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Jan 18, 2013

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Today Microsoft and 343 Industries announced the return of Spartan Ops: Season One, which includes five weeks of brand-new content – from 21^st January through to 24^th February – returning players to the episodic adventure that tells the continuing story of the UNSC Infinity.

Reenlist with Fireteam Crimson as they search for Spartan Thorne on planet Requiem and come face-to-face with the threat of Jul ‘Mdama and his cult of Covenant separatists. The intensity of Season One builds to its thrilling conclusion in Episodes 6-10 as the battle moves beyond Requiem to a wide variety of locations featuring epic vehicular combat and on-foot encounters with Prometheans and Covenant forces.

Each week in “Halo 4,” experience a new high-quality cinematic episode, and fight alongside friends in five action-packed playable chapters until 24^th February. Continuing the story following the events of “Halo 4,” access to Spartan Ops is included with “Halo 4” at no additional charge¹ — effectively delivering two campaign experiences in one game.

The first half of Spartan Ops: Season One (Episodes 1-5) is available to play at any time in “Halo 4” for those beginning their Spartan careers. Get introduced to Captain Lasky, Commander Palmer and Fireteam Majestic as they continue to explore the mysteries of the Forerunner planet of Requiem. For more information on the continuing season of Spartan Ops, including weekly tune-in trailers as well as exclusive content, visit www.halowaypoint.com.

Are you playing Spartan Ops? Let us know what you think of it by leaving a comment below.

Check out our Halo 4 review

CES2013: Yale Locks Announces Updates to Deadbolt Products

Jim McCarthy

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Jan 18, 2013

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The venerable brand Yale Locks and Hardware announced several updates to their deadbolt line for home automation. Read on for details.

The venerable brand Yale Locks and Hardware announced several updates to their deadbolt line for home automation, using the tagline Keyless Entry Made Easy. First off, they announced the first home deadbolt lock system to use Near Field Communication (NFC) capabilities to lock and unlock the deadbolt. This means that you can use your NFC-equipped mobile phone in place of that key that you tend to leave in your purse or briefcase and is a very convenient feature. They demoed it using a Samsung Galaxy S3 phone in the booth during CES, and it worked flawlessly.

Second, they announced that their system is now compatible 2GIG’s Go!Control panel. Go!Control relies on Alarm.Com as the backend service, and now Go!Control users can use Alarm.Com to remotely lock and unlock the door over the internet using the very good Alarm.Com mobile app. I’ve used that app on Android and iOS to remotely arm and disarm my home alarm system, and it works very well.

Third, they announced that their lock solutions will now work with Honeywell’s new 6280i Tuxedo Touch Center. This integration allows Honeywell’s system to add a very well-executed lock solution to their current control system, rounding out the selection for the discerning home owner looking to implement a home automation solution. My alarm company uses Honeywell controllers, so this new product would likely be compatible with my controller and could be available through my alarm company.

Lastly, Yale announced a new distribution deal with ADI, North America’s leading wholesale distributor of security and low-voltage products. ADI will distribute the complete line of Yale Real Living™ locks, including both the keypad and touchscreen versions, as well as the new lever-lock version.

Check out these product photos of the new products that Yale announced:

Here are excerpts from the press releases that Yale Locks issued:

YALE TO DEMONSTRATE FIRST RESIDENTIAL LOCKS

WITH NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION CAPABILITY

First Residential Locks to Use Mobile Phones as Keys

NEW HAVEN, CT January 8, 2013 – Yale Locks & Hardware (www.yalelocks.com), an ASSA ABLOY Group company and a world leader in door hardware for residential and commercial applications, will demonstrate a version of its Yale Real Living locks with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. The Yale Real Living line is the company’s first category of locks specifically designed to integrate seamlessly into the digital home.

In adding NFC capability, Yale expects to be the first US brand to offer residential locks with this technology. What’s more, this Yale Real Living line will be compatible with the ASSA ABLOY Mobile Keys platform. A scalable secure delivery infrastructure for distribution and management of mobile keys, the ASSA ABLOY Mobile Keys platform allows credentials to be distributed securely through NFC-enabled mobile phones as an alternative to mechanical keys and physical access cards. Consequently, this will be the first line of residential locks that can be unlocked directly using an NFC-enabled mobile phone.

At present, at least 12 cellphone models are being equipped with NFC antennas. Additional models from the major cellphone brands are expected in early 2013.

NFC is a short-range wireless communication technology standard that enables the exchange of data between devices up to a 10-centimeter distance. Applications include contactless transactions such as payment and transit ticketing, keys, data transfers including electronic business cards, and access to online digital content.

The mobile keys platform enabled by the NFC technology has already been introduced to the hospitality industry by Yale’s parent company, ASSA ABLOY. In fact, this past summer, ASSA ABLOY completed the first-ever trial of the mobile keys platform at the Clarion Hotel in Stockholm, in which 28 frequent hotel guests were invited to use the technology over an eight-month period. Reaction to the mobile keys platform was overwhelmingly positive.

“From a residential perspective, the mobile phone is ubiquitous,” said Jason Williams, General Manager of Yale Residential. “We use it to make reservations, schedule our day, everything. By incorporating NFC technology into our Yale Real Living locks, we’ve extended the functionality of the mobile phone even further. What’s more, we’ve created a highly secure product that capitalizes on ASSA ABLOY technology that is being extremely well-received in other end-user markets.”

Available with either a sleek capacitive touchscreen or pushbutton key pad, Yale’s new platform of intelligent locks supports both Z-Wave® and ZigBee®, allowing them to integrate seamlessly into a wide range of home control and security systems, including Control4, the Vera Z-Wave® home control system by Mi Casa Verde, and Alarm.com’s emPower™, among others.

Register for the beta of SimCity

Gaming
News

Andrew Edney

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Jan 18, 2013

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Would you like to be involved in the beta for the new SimCity? Well now you can apply.

With its return in 2013, SimCity will engage an entirely new generation of PC and Mac gamers as they become mayors of their own unique and specialized cities to build a world that co-exists alongside friends. Built from the ground up to be an online, connected experience, SimCity is a fully connected world where each decision has a rippling effect that affects other players within the same region.

This is what Maxis posted:

The team at Maxis is hard at work rebooting the king of city-simulation games, SimCity! We are extremely excited with our progress so far and would especially like to thank you the fans for your continued participation and support. We are humbled by your passion, it fuels us to work even harder to make the game we’ve been dreaming of, and deliver the SimCity you’ve always wanted.

Register for the beta here

The four-day beta begins on January 25 and ends on January 28 – so hurry.

SimCity will be released in February 2013 for the PC and Mac.

So are you interested in the new SimCity? If so let us know by leaving a comment below.

Check out our interview with George Pigula about SimCity

SpellForce 2: Faith in Destiny gets more DLC

Gaming
News

Andrew Edney

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Jan 18, 2013

0

Nordic Games have released the second SpellForce 2: Faith in Destiny DLC, The Golden Fool for the PC.

Set before SpellForce 2: Faith in Destiny, The Golden Fool remains true to the RPG and RTS genre. Delving deeper into the SpellForce world, the DLC explores the story of the game of stones, Drakkar.

In the second of three DLC’s, players can now join in the bitter battle as Carla, one of the non-playable characters from the main game with the aim to win back the legendary “Golden Fool” stone. The stone, of which there is only one in existence, defeats every other stone and ensures the holder will forever be the Drakkar champion.

Set in the Tuscari Desert, the game has a genuine SpellForce feel where the thirst for power is now greater than ever. The Golden Fool is the most precious stone in Amun Kar’s game of stones where players must risk everything to regain it along with Carla’s reputation as the game of stones champion.

This DLC pack is available to purchase on Steam for just £3.49.

CES2013: Ingersoll Rand Showcases Nexia Home Intelligence

Jim McCarthy

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Jan 18, 2013

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Ingersoll Rand was showcasing their home automation solution: Nexia Home Intelligence. With the ability to control deadbolts, thermostats, cameras, and blinds, and with analytical capabilities to help you control your energy costs, Nexia Home Intelligence is a well-rounded entry in the home automation space. Read on for details.

Ingersoll Rand was showcasing their home automation solution: Nexia Home Intelligence. With the ability to control deadbolts, thermostats, cameras, and blinds, and with analytical capabilities to help you control your energy costs, Nexia Home Intelligence is a well-rounded entry in the home automation space. The Nexia booth showcased deadbolt, camera and blind controls, with hands-on demonstrations of all of these products. In the past when I have looked at home automation solutions, I concluded that there were too many systems and pieces from too many vendors to make it practical. Nexia looks to be a significant step forward in a whole-home automation solution, bringing together a single-branded solution that can be installed by their dealers in the field. Here is what they announced:

Nexia™ Home Intelligence Continues its Innovation Leadership in Home Automation

New Nexia-compatible deadbolt lock and energy management solution by Schlage^® and Trane are unveiled at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show

LAS VEGAS (Jan. 7, 2013) — NexiaTM Home Intelligence, a brand of Ingersoll Rand, brings a bigger and better-than-ever home automation system to the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) featuring an array of compatible products and technologies to create a total connected solution for today’s homeowner.

Innovations showcased in the Nexia Home Intelligence CES booth No. 20830 include several Nexia-compatible products from home industry leaders—Trane® and Schlage^®, also brands of Ingersoll Rand. Today, homeowners can remotely manage multiple features and functions of their home—including door locks, heating and cooling systems, video surveillance, lights, shades and energy usage—via any web-enabled computer or smartphone from anywhere in the world. Among Nexia’s most recent product expansions is the new Schlage Touchscreen Deadbolt; the new Trane Energy Management Solution powered by eMonitor^TM; and new zoning capabilities with the Trane ComfortLink^TM II Control.

“Homeowners’ needs are continuously evolving, particularly when it comes to technology. In fact, a recent study from Forrester shows that 84 percent of U.S. adults now use the web on a daily basis, 50 percent own a smartphone and tablet ownership doubled in 2012 alone,” said John Evans, president, Residential Security Solutions at Ingersoll Rand. “Nexia offers a total home solution that meets homeowners’ increasingly mobile lifestyle needs and gives them the flexibility to manage their home from wherever they happen to be in the world.”

Redefining Home Safety: Schlage Touchscreen Deadbolt

The Schlage Touchscreen Deadbolt, a 2013 Electronic House Product of the Year award winner, is fully loaded with the highest grade of security and technology. The strong, multi-function lock is a first for Schlage in combining the connectivity of Nexia Home Intelligence, the convenience of keyless entry and the protection of built-in alarm technology to create a lock like no other. It delivers an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Grade 1 security rating, the highest residential rating awarded on the market, as certified by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA).

Nexia compatibility gives homeowners control of their home’s safety from wherever they are. If they can’t be at home to access the touchscreen deadbolt, they can unlock a door from work to let a dog walker inside, manage distinctive key codes and settings from the airport, or receive text alerts if a lock is activated or an alarm is triggered while on vacation.

The fully loaded Touchscreen Deadbolt offers keyless control using simple access codes so homeowners never have to worry about losing, hiding, carrying or forgetting their house keys again. It can hold up to 30 unique codes and is designed to build temporary codes for someone such as a housekeeper who needs access only on certain days and times of the week. The built-in alarm system also alerts homeowners instantly if someone goes in and out, tampers with the lock or tries to break into the home.

Home Energy Management Solutions

Trane introduces an easy, efficient way for homeowners to monitor and manage their home energy usage to lower costs with the introduction of Trane Energy Management powered by eMonitor. Trane Energy Management tracks usage data 24/7 and reports how much is being spent on electricity throughout the home. Using the program, homeowners can monitor and control gadgets and appliances in the home that use electricity, affecting the home’s overall energy usage and costs before they see the bill each month.

Trane Energy Management also sends owners real-time alerts and notifications of various situations such as circuit overloads or if the refrigerator or freezer door is left open. The eMonitor interface delivers detailed energy usage information and analytics to the user’s web-enabled computer or smart phone.