New Overwatch Map Pack Now Available for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3

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Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3’s third map pack has been released exclusively for Xbox 360 Call of Duty Elite subscribers – and this one is called Overwatch.

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This is how the new map is described:

Shots break out on a construction site atop a New York City skyscraper. Battle takes place along two levels in a near symmetrical layout, with the central bridge and side routes open to attack from multiple angles. Watch your every step, as a lack of boundaries surrounding the perimeter leaves nothing to prevent you from falling far to the ground below.

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Check out our review of Call of Duty: MW3

Have you tried any of the packs yet?

LG to Unveil Optimus 3D Max Smartphone at MWC next week

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Following in the footsteps of last year’s glasses-free 3D smartphone, LG Electronics will publicly unveil the Optimus 3D Max at the 2012 Mobile World Congress (MWC).

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With powerful 3D technology and sleeker design, the Optimus 3D Max provides a complete 3D entertainment platform and marks a big leap forward in the ever-expanding 3D ecosystem.

“The Optimus 3D Max was born from LG’s constant efforts to bring user entertainment experience to a higher level,” said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “The introduction of the Optimus 3D last year ushered in a new era for smartphones and Optimus 3D Max is real proof of LG’s commitment to portable 3D entertainment.”

LG Optimus 3D Max is equipped with diverse innovations and offers users with advancements including:

■ True Performance Muscle with Latest Mobile Technologies

LG Optimus 3D Max is a powerful smartphone in both 2D and 3D mode and a pleasure to view with LG’s exclusive brightened display. 3G’s network speed has been also improved to HSPA+ 21Mbps. LG Tag+ offers advanced NFC (Near Field Communication) capabilities designed to promote greater user convenience. One of its benefits is automatic setting changes which are possible by creating predefined tags that are customized to certain modes such as car-mode, office-mode or sleep-mode. Depending on location, the predefined tags will automatically adjust various phone settings including Wi-Fi, bluetooth, GPS and sound volume.

Beyond its already innovative features, attendees of MWC 2012 will see some of the future benefits that will be made available through a Maintenance Release or an application available on the LG SmartWorld (www.LGsmartworld.com). Additional features include:
– HD Converter to offer HD quality on a TV connected through MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link), when transforming Open GL-based 2D games and applications to 3D and viewing Google Earth;
– Range Finder to calculate the distance between the camera and the subject as well as the dimensions of an object through triangulation;
– Out-focusing Shot to enhance camera quality beyond that of other smartphones through image processing using depth information.

■ True 3D Entertainment Features with Improved 2D-3D Compatibility

Users can convert Google Earth, Google Maps and other road views into 3D using the enhanced 3D Converter. Furthermore, 3D photos and videos captured by the Optimus 3D Max can also be viewed in a single-screen mode in 2D, using the 3D Hot Key mounted on the side of the phone to easily toggle between 2D and 3D. LG also plans to continue expanding video contents, applications and games optimized for the 3D Converter available from the 3D Zone at LG SmartWorld.

■ True Excellence in Design with Slimmer and Lighter Body

The LG Optimus 3D Max’s premium design comes from LG’s commitment to fine details. LG focused on trimming details on the design of the Optimus 3D Max by keeping only the essentials and eliminating everything else. Measuring only 9.6 mm thin and weighing 148 grams, the lean body with metallic and rounded edges incorporates the best 3D features in addition to desirable 2D features. The Optimus 3D Max includes unique 3D-style cubicle icons which users can customize with their own photos through the Icon Customizer.

The Optimus 3D Max will first launch in Korea in March and will gradually roll out in other markets starting in Europe. The device will receive an upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich from Android 2.3 Gingerbread shortly after the launch.

Key Specifications:

Chipset: 1.2GHz Dual-Core processor (OMAP4430)
Display: 4.3-inch 3D WVGA Display with Corning? Gorilla? Glass 2
Memory: 8GB Internal Storage, 1GB Internal Memory
Camera: 5MP Dual-lens
OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Battery: 1,520 mAh
Others: HSPA+ 21Mbps, HDMI connection 2D/3D TV/monitor up to 1080p via MHL, DNLA for wireless connection with TV/PC (3D video also supported), NFC Full Support, LG Tag+

Let’s see what other news next week brings.

PS Vita Firmware 1.61 Already Available

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Today saw the release of the PS Vita, and there is already a firmware update available.

PS Vita

An update to the PS Vita system software was released on 21 February 2012. If you update your PS Vita system, the system software version will be 1.61 and the following features will be updated.

A PS Vita system software update is required to use PlayStation Network features and some features on the system. Also, downloading and installing the PS Vita system software update will update your PS Vita system’s operating system to include the latest security patches, as well as new and revised applications, features and settings. It is recommended that you always maintain your system to use the latest version of the system software.

Main features in system software update version 1.61

  • System software stability during use of some features has been improved.

By installing PS Vita system software to version 1.61, new features released as part of system software 1.60 will be updated.

Main features in system software update version 1.60

  • The lighting pattern of the PS button has been changed to light up blue when the system is on.
  • The PS Vita system now automatically starts up in a safe mode the first time you turn it on after the system was turned off by pressing and holding the power button for 30 seconds. This approach for turning the power off is used when you cannot turn the system off using the normal steps, or when the system does not operate correctly.

Safe mode is a start-up mode for your PS Vita system, in which only a few system functions are available for solving problems. When the system starts up in safe mode, follow the on-screen instructions.

  • A new application, Maps, has been added. The icon for the application is on the home screen.
  • You can now take videos in Photos.
  • In Settings, the position where [Flight Mode] appears has changed.

You can adjust the flight mode setting under Settings > [Start] > [Flight Mode].

  • You can now publish stories about the products that you rate in PS Store to Facebook®.

You must first tap the checkbox [Publish Rating Stories] under Settings > [Start] > [PlayStation®Network] > [Facebook] to set a checkmark.

  • In near, players’ information is now displayed on the [Discoveries] screen.

On this screen, a list of the online IDs of up to 100 players that you have encountered, and the number of times that you encountered each player, are displayed. Tap an online ID to display that player’s profile screen.

  • You can now report inappropriate messages in Group Messaging and inappropriate comments about an activity.

To report inappropriate messages or comments, tap [Grief Report] under [Options] on the screen that shows entire messages or the screen that lists comments for activities.

  • You can now delete back-up files in Content Manager.
  • The Mac OS version of Content Manager Assistant for PlayStation® has been released. The Windows® version has also been updated.
  • “PlayStation®Network account” has been renamed to “Sony Entertainment Network account”.

Have you got a PS Vita yet? Tell us what you think of it!

New Look Samsung Series 9 Notebook Out This Week in UK

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Back at CES, we told you about Samsung’s new Series 9 notebook and now we can reveal it’s going to be released this week in the UK.

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Samsung Notebook 900X3A utilises the lightweight yet strong material Duralumin to create a slim and aerodynamic design. Used in the building of military aircrafts and other highly-specialised equipment, Duralumin offer twice the strength of aluminum despite being light in weight. This allows for a design that is like no other, with premium finishes and a lightweight arching curved design that is beautiful from every angle. Other stylish features include a backlit keyboard that is always easy to see regardless of the environment and an edge-to-edge LCD design for visual impact. It’s a minimalist look that is both simple and sophisticated.

See vivid SuperBright Plus content wherever you go

If you live for the latest HD movies and games, then Samsung’s SuperBright Plus screens, with 400nit brightness, will transform your mobile experience. With 16 million colours and the vivid SuperBright Plus clarity, Samsung Notebook 900X3A is 100% brighter than the standard 13” notebook display. You can enjoy HD movies, games, and other favourite multimedia even when viewing in direct sunlight, and there are no more annoying reflections that tire your eyes. From high-energy, action-packed sequences to angelic scenes that enrich the soul, the true-to-life picture quality with Super Contrast ratio (1300:1) will blow your mind. With such powerful mobile performance, your home entertainment system is now able to join you on your travels…brilliant!

Learn more from the Samsung website

Synology Announces the Synology DiskStation DS1812+ NAS

Synology have just announced a number of new devices, starting with their first 8-bay DiskStation DS1812+ NAS box.

DS1812

Synology DiskStation DS1812+ offers a high-performance, scalable, and full-featured network attached storage solution that meets the needs of small and medium-sized businesses that require an efficient way to centralize data protection, simplify data management, and rapidly scale storage capacity with minimal time spent on setup and management. The Synology DS1812+ is backed with Synology’s 3-year limited warranty.

Highlights

●194.4 MB/sec Writing, 192.3 MB/sec Reading1
●Scaling up to 18 Drives with Synology DX510
●Featuring SuperSpeed USB 3.0
●Expandable RAM Module (Up to 3GB)
●2 LAN with Link Aggregation Support
●CPU Passive cooling Technology & System Fan Redundancy
●VMware®, Citrix®, Microsoft® Hyper-V® Compliance
●Running on Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM)

Check out our preview of DiskStation Manager 4.0 at CES 2012 Learn more about the DS1812+ here

NVIDIA Release GeForce 295.73 Beta Drivers

NVIDIA have released a GeForce 295.73 beta driver for it’s graphics cards.

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Some of the hottest gaming titles in the market include Diablo III, Mass Effect 3 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. But you won’t get the most out of them without the latest GeForce R295 drivers.

Our new drivers come packed with GeForce-exclusive performance and quality enhancements, and they are now Microsoft WHQL-certified.

Download GeForce 295.73 drivers from GeForce.com.

GeForce R295 highlights (performance measured on GeForce GTX 560 at 1080p resolution):

  • Game-changing performance boost of up to 45 percent in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, “the fastest selling title in Steam’s history”
  • Up to twice the performance in Mass Effect 3 with SLI technology.
  • GeForce-exclusive quality enhancements with ambient occlusion support for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Diablo III, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
  • New 3D Vision and SLI profiles for over 50 titles.
  • New PhysX software for the best experience in top PhysX titles like Alice: Madness Returns and Batman: Arkham City.

Skype for iPhone and iPad Updated to version 3.7

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The Skype app for the iPhone and iPad has been updated to version 3.7.

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What’s New in Version 3.7

Updated chat and dialpad views
Various bug fixes
Stability improvements for iOS 5

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/skype/id304878510?mt=8

RIM Release BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0

Research In Motion (RIM) announced that the new BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 will be released for download today.

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BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 delivers an enhanced tablet experience and allows you to use the BlackBerry PlayBook in new ways throughout the day – at work and at play.

“Building on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet’s proven web browsing, multimedia and multitasking strengths, the new BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 introduces a range of new communications and productivity enhancements as well as expanded app and content support,” said David J. Smith, SVP Mobile Computing, Research In Motion.

New BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 features include:

 

Integrated email client with a powerful unified inbox: With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 you have the option to use a unified inbox that consolidates all messages in one place, including messages from Facebook®, LinkedIn® and Twitter®, as well as personal and work email accounts.

Social Integration with Calendar and Contacts apps:  The built-in calendar harnesses information from social networks and makes it available where and when users need it.  Contact cards are also dynamically populated with updated information from Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to create a consolidated view of contacts.

Updated BlackBerry Bridge app: BlackBerry® Bridge™ is a unique app that provides a Bluetooth® connection between your BlackBerry PlayBook and core apps on your BlackBerry® smartphone (including BBM™, Email, Contacts, Calendar and Browser) in order to let you view the content on the larger tablet display. With BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, it’s easier and quicker than ever to take documents, web pages, emails and photos that appear on your BlackBerry smartphone and display them on your BlackBerry PlayBook for an optimized viewing and editing experience. The updated BlackBerry Bridge app also provides a new remote control feature that allows a BlackBerry smartphone to be used as a wireless keyboard and mouse for a BlackBerry PlayBook.

Improved mobile productivity: Updated document editing functions, the new Print To Go app, and increased control and manageability of corporate data with BlackBerry® Balance ™ allow you to get more out of your BlackBerry PlayBook every day. Plus, an updated virtual keyboard with auto correction and predictive next word completion learns how you type to enable faster, more accurate typing.

New apps and content: Thousands of new apps are being added to BlackBerry App World™ today (including a range of Android® apps that will run on the BlackBerry PlayBook). A new BlackBerry Video Store1 is launching today. Enhanced web browsing capabilities are also available with BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0.

In conjunction with the release of BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0, RIM is making available an initial release of BlackBerry® Mobile Fusion that will include support for managing BlackBerry PlayBook tablets and BlackBerry smartphones2 in an enterprise. The full release of BlackBerry Mobile Fusion (with mobile device management capabilities for iOS and Android devices) is planned for general availability in late March 2012. For more information about BlackBerry Mobile Fusion, please visit www.blackberry.com/mobilefusion.

Availability

The BlackBerry PlayBook OS 2.0 software update is now available as a free download for all BlackBerry PlayBook tablets.

Firecore Updates Seas0nPass Jailbreak Tools Package for AppleTV to version 0.8.2

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FireCore have released an update to Seas0nPass taking it to version 0.8.2.

Here is what they said:

Today we are happy to release a new version of Seas0nPass that simplifies the installation of older firmware versions. This process called ‘stitching’ allows Seas0nPass to utilize previously saved firmware signatures to jailbreak and restore an AppleTV version that Apple may no longer be signing.

What are signatures? Why do I need them?

Firmware signatures are required to install a particular firmware version onto iOS devices like the AppleTV. When installing the latest version, these signatures will be created in real-time during the iTunes restore process.

However, from time to time some firmware versions will stop being ‘signed’ by Apple, which will prevent them from being installed. Backing up your firmware signatures allows you to retain the ability to install an older firmware version in the future, should the need ever arise.

Firmware signatures are unique to each AppleTV and firmware version.

How do I get it?

As always, Seas0nPass is available as a free download from Seas0nPass.com.

Microsoft talks about Languages in Windows 8

In the next article on Windows 8, Microsoft talks about the use of languages, including the use of United Kingdom English!

Win 8 lang

This is how the next article begins:

Since its introduction in Windows 2000, Multilingual User Interface technology, or MUI, has allowed customers to install additional display languages on their Windows PCs and to switch between them. But for the majority of users, the language you got when you booted up your Windows PC for the first time was likely the one you were stuck with. For Windows 8, we have reimagined the display language experience, focusing on making additional display languages available to all Windows users, making them super easy to find and install, and allowing users to switch between them. This blog entry unveils the changes we’ve been making in Windows to achieve this.

February 21 marks UNESCO’s International Mother Language Day. This year’s theme is “Mother tongue instruction and inclusive education” and we think making sure Windows can be used in the language you want is one way we can contribute to this goal. For more information from UNESCO please see the full site.

To read the rest of the article, click here.