Two Minute Review of the Griffin PowerJolt SE with Lightning Connector

Andrew Edney
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1
Two Minute Review of the Griffin PowerJolt SE with Lightning Connector

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When Apple released the iPhone 5 anyone who got one soon realised that many existing accessories were not going to work. Thankfully Griffin quickly released a car charging cable with a Lightning Connector called the PowerJolt SE and here is our two minute review.

Griffin’s PowerJolt SE sports a low-profile plug for your car’s 12 volt accessory outlet, and a powerful 10 watt charging circuit so your iOS devices with Lightning connectors can power up quickly and safely.

A durable captive coiled cable with Apple’s Lightning connector stretches from 23.5 inches (60 cm) to at least 48 inches (121.9 cm) in length – just right for the car. LED power indicator glows white when PowerJolt is properly connected and ready to charge. With its built-in, self-resetting SmartFuse, PowerJolt SE guards against power fluctuations as it charges.

Who are Griffin?

From their website:

Griffin Technology began designing and manufacturing technical solutions with an innovative flair in 1992. We’ve since grown to become one of the largest providers of accessories for personal computing and digital media.

We ask ourselves: What would you like to do with your computer, your TV, your stereo system, your MP3 players, your musical instruments… the technology that enhances your life?

Our approach has given birth to some of the best known accessories in the digital entertainment and personal computer markets, including the iTrip family of FM transmitters and the groundbreaking Evolve Wireless Sound System.

Today, Griffin designs, manufactures and delivers useful and fun solutions for digital entertainment and personal computing to people in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, through major retailers and online.

Features

  • Fast 10-watt car charger safely powers iOS devices with Lightning connector
  • Coiled cable stretches from 23.5″ (60 cm) to 48″ (121.9 cm) in total length
  • Charge iPhone 5, iPad mini, iPad (4th gen.), iPod touch (5th gen.) or iPod nano (7th gen.)
  • SmartFuse protects with a built-in circuit breaker; no fuses to replace
  • Certified Made for iPhone

Technical Specifications

  • Input: 12 to 16 volts DC @ 2 amps
  • Output: 10 watts (5 volts @ 2.1 amps)

What’s in the Box?

The box contains the 1.4 m cable.

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A Closer Look

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Final Thoughts

As I mentioned at the start of this review, when Apple released the iPhone 5 (and also the iPad mini) they had a new type of connector on them, called a Lightning Connector. It’s smaller than the connector on previous Apple devices and it also meant that pretty much every accessory you had, cables, cases, charges, etc., wouldn’t be compatible.

Thankfully Griffin stepped up and released a car charging cable with a Lightning Connector so that if you travel by car you can at least charge your iPhone.

The coiled cable is very sturdy – I’ve been using it almost daily now for a few months and it still looks and feels brand new.

The cable works perfectly and charges my iPhone while having enough length to have the iPhone sit nice and surely in my car whilst charging.

The Griffin PowerJolt SE with Lightning Connector retails for around £20, but as usual look around as there are deals to be had.

If you do a lot of driving and you want to keep your iPhone 5 charged this cable is a no brainer and does exactly what it says on the tin – go get one today.

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Learn more from the Griffin website.

Xbox LIVE April 1st One Day Sale

Andrew Edney
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0
Xbox LIVE April 1st One Day Sale

The Xbox LIVE April 1st One Day Sale with at up to 75% off is now on.

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The following list of Xbox LIVE Content that will be on sale Monday 1st April 2013 only.

Xbox Live April 1

Is there anything on the list you are interested in? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

OUYA Android Console Launch Date Set for 4th June

Chris Hare
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OUYA Android Console Launch Date Set for 4th June

The Android gaming console has already been shipped to its Kickstarter backers and will be available from retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, GAME and the OUYA online store this summer.

OUYA

OUYA raised a record $8.6 million (£5.6m) on Kickstarter when the project’s founders appealed for funding on the crowd-sourcing platform. The console has since gained major developer support from the likes of Double Fine and Words with Friends co-creator Paul Bettner.

“Nine months ago, we shared an idea for an immersive, beautiful and powerful game console that generated an outpouring of support from game developers, gamers, technology enthusiasts, and more,” said OUYA CEO Julie Uhrman.

“With that, we set out to bring the OUYA concept to life, and today, we’re delivering.”
Powered by a Tegra3 quad-core processor, OUYA packs 8GB of Flash memory, 1GB RAM, Bluetooth connectivity and an HDMI connection for hooking the system up to a TV screen.

Skype for Windows 8/RT updated to version 1.6, brings contact blocking

Andrew Edney
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0
Skype for Windows 8/RT updated to version 1.6, brings contact blocking

Skype for Windows 8 has been updated again, this time bringing in contact blocking.

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This update contains:

Contact blocking

With this update, we wanted to give our users higher control over who can contact them by adding the ability to block contacts.

To block a contact, select the person’s name to open up the chat window. Bring up the command bar by swiping at the top or bottom of your screen (or right click), and select block. You may also choose whether you want to remove or report the contact request as spam.

Performance improvements

We have improved loading speed and reliability across the application. As a result, contacts load speed should now be a lot faster.

Upgrade now via the Windows Store, and share your feedback by discussing what matters on the Skype Community Forum.

Additionally in this release, we have fixed a number of issues from the previous release.

Download Skype from the Windows Store

Two Minute Review of the StarTech 3m Thunderbolt Cable

Andrew Edney
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1
Two Minute Review of the StarTech 3m Thunderbolt Cable

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If you need a Thunderbolt cable for your Mac and you need a 3m one, then you might want to check out the Thunderbolt cable from StarTech.com – and here is our two minute review.

This is how StarTech describe the Thunderbolt cable:

Our 3m (9.8ft) Thunderbolt cables offer a dependable, high-quality solution for harnessing the speed and power of Thunderbolt™ technology, delivering full 10Gbps performance while combining both data and video into a single high-performance cable.

The cables support daisy chaining of up to 6 compatible Thunderbolt devices, which ensures streamlined performance and easier setup. Plus, with dual channel, bi-directional data transfer capability and support for power delivery (for bus-powered devices), these Thunderbolt cables offer the robust performance needed for optimal connections.

This high quality Thunderbolt cable is specifically designed to provide a reliable solution for device connections of up to 3m/9.8ft, providing enough cable length to connect compatible devices positioned as needed.

Who are StarTech.com?

From their website:

Founded in 1985 by Paul Seed and Ken Kalopsis, StarTech.com is an ISO 9001 Registered manufacturer of hard-to-find connectivity parts.

Since its inception, our company has been dedicated to making IT professionals jobs easier by helping them identify, find and get the connectivity parts they need to enable their solutions.

Some of the ways StarTech.com makes it easy include:

  • A broad selection of products from legacy to latest ensure you have access to the parts you need
  • Friendly, professional Technical Advisors available to help you through live chat, phone and email with extended support hours
  • Exclusive online tools and resources like the ConXit Connection Wizard simplify the process of identifying and finding the right part
  • Value-added business services such as order suggestions, listing management and bid process coordination make your business more efficient

StarTech.com serves a global market with operations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Netherlands, Italy, Sweden and Mexico.

What’s in the Box (bag):

The only thing in the bag is the Thunderbolt cable.

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Specifications

Specs

Features

  • Dual-channel, simultaneous bi-directional data and video transfers up to 10 Gbps
  • Supports Power-over-cable, for bus-powered Thunderbolt devices

Applications

  • Connecting a Thunderbolt-equipped computer to a Thunderbolt-enabled device located up to 9ft/3m away, such as an external drive enclosure, RAID array, monitor, etc.
  • Connecting two Thunderbolt-equipped Mac computers, for Target Disk Mode file transfers
  • Connect a Thunderbolt-equipped MacBook Pro to an iMac, to use the iMac as the display for the MacBook Pro

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Final Thoughts

If you have a Mac and want to connect to one of Apple’s Thunderbolt devices, or to an external drive that uses Thunderbolt then you will need to buy a Thunderbolt cable. And like most Apple cables they are not cheap. The Apple store sells a 0.5m cable for £25 and a 2.0m one for £35. But what if you want a longer one, say 3.0m? Well Apple don’t seem sell a cable in that size so you will need to look around for one online, and that’s where StarTech.com come in. We have reviewed a number of their products in the past, so when we were given the chance to review one of their 3.0m Thunderbolt cables we said yes.

The cable comes in a simple plastic bag and takes only a few seconds to connect up and get running. Unlike the Apple cables, this one is black, which I personally prefer to the usual Apple white, but that’s just me!

The cable worked perfectly and the extra length proved invaluable so that I could position the external drive I was using on the other side of my desk away from the MacBook Pro on the other end.

StarTech sell Thunderbolt cables in a variety of lengths from 0.5m up to 3.0m and they do sell white versions if that’s what you want.

Cost wise, the 3.0m cable is listed on their website at £68.39 which isn’t cheap, so make sure you really need 3.0m before spending that sort of money on a single cable. Oh and as usual do a search online for the best price as Amazon had it for £54.26!

One thing I did notice on their website was that the shorted length cables are more expensive than the official Apple ones. I haven’t yet tested an Apple Thunderbolt cable to see if their is any performance difference, but bear that in mind when choosing your cable.

So all in all it’s a good quality cable, it’s just a little expensive.

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You can learn more from the StarTech.com website.

Halo 4 Forward Unto Dawn finally coming to Blu-ray in the UK

Andrew Edney
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0
Halo 4 Forward Unto Dawn finally coming to Blu-ray in the UK

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If you are in the UK and you want Halo 4 Forward Unto Dawn on Blu-ray then you are in luck as it’s finally getting released over here.

Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” tells an exciting story of heroism and sacrifice on a scale never before seen in the “Halo” universe, taking fans back to the beginning of the human and Covenant war and leading into the events of “Halo 4.” Set against the backdrop of a United Nations Space Command (UNSC) military academy, a group of highborn cadets are training to be the next generation of soldiers in the UNSC’s ongoing war with insurrectionists in the outer colonial planets. Among these cadets, Thomas Lasky struggles with his doubts about this war, and with the burden of expectations he may not be able to carry. As Lasky comes to terms with his potential as a military leader, the terrifying alien alliance known as the Covenant arrives and turns his world upside down. Inspired by the Master Chief, he must decide what it means to be a hero. “Halo” fans that experience Lasky’s thrilling origin story in “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” will be rewarded with special insights into the story of “Halo 4” and the “Halo Infinity Multiplayer” experience.

Directed by Stewart Hendler (“H+,” “Sorority Row”) and written by Todd Helbing and Aaron Helbing (“Smallville,” “Spartacus”), “Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” features a diverse cast of established and up-and-coming Hollywood talent, including Tom Green (“Dance Academy”) as Thomas Lasky, Anna Popplewell (“The Chronicles of Narnia”) as Chyler Silva, Daniel Cudmore (“X2,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “The Twilight Saga”) as the Master Chief, Ayelet Zurer (“Angels & Demons,” “Munich”) as Mehaffey, Mike Dopud (“Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol”) as General Black, Enisha Brewster (“Footloose”) as April Orenski, Masam Holden (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Elizabethtown”) as Michael “Sully” Sullivan, Osric Chau (“2012”) as JJ Chen, Iain Belcher (“Supernatural”) as Vickers, and Kat De Lieva as Dimah.

“Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn” is backed by a top-tier production team led by executive producers Lydia Antonini and Josh Feldman, former Warner Bros. and Playtone executives, respectively. Continuing its involvement with the “Halo” franchise, Legacy Effects (“The Hunger Games,” “The Avengers,” “Avatar”) is creating specialised costumes and armor, and visual effects are being designed by an award-winning team led by John Sullivan (“The Pacific”). Production services are provided by Herzog & Co.

There are two versions being released on May 27th, the normal Blu-ray version and a

Deluxe Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo that also contains a set of Halo art cards and an A3 poster.

You can pre-order your copy below.

          

And why not check out the exclusive interview we did with Anna Popplewell about Forward Unto Dawn below:

 

Sky+ app for Android Updated to version 3.0.2

Andrew Edney
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0
Sky+ app for Android Updated to version 3.0.2

The Sky+ app for Android has been updated.

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The latest Sky+ App ensures you never miss the latest and greatest TV.

For a start, there’s a full Seven Day TV Listing Guide that presents all your favourite channels.

And for shows that are simply unmissable, we’ve now introduced Series Link for mobile. This ever-so-useful function lets you record entire seasons of favourite shows to your compatible Sky+ HD box. And all with just a few finger taps.

In the app’s Showcase section you’ll find the top TV picks of the week – whether it’s a movie premiere, a big match or a new must-see drama.

Now & Next shows you what’s on and what’s coming up. And beneath individual Programme Details you’ll find Other Airings (which tells you when else a favourite programme is on air) plus alternative programmes you may like.

The Sky+ App also lets you group channel Favourites together to create your very own personal TV guide. Recording couldn’t be easier – you just tap on the Record button alongside your chosen programme and the request will go straight to your Sky+ box. What’s more, the app allows you to record from anywhere in the world.

What’s new in 3.0.2:

– Fixes a bug where some customers are seeing incorrect airing times in Planner items

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bskyb.android.skyplus

Win a copy of Tomb Raider on Xbox, a book and Kick Energy Drinks

Andrew Edney
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2
Win a copy of Tomb Raider on Xbox, a book and Kick Energy Drinks

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This month saw the launch of Tomb Raider and the return of one of gaming’s most iconic characters, Lara Croft. Developed by Crystal Dynamics, this gritty reboot depicts the first adventure for a young and inexperienced Lara Croft in a story which charts the journey of an ordinary woman who finds out just how far she must go in order to stay alive.

To celebrate the release of Tomb Raider, we’re teaming up with Square Enix and Microsoft to give three lucky adventurers a copy of the game on Xbox, a book and a case of Kick Energy drink.

So what do you have to to win of the prize packs? Well its simple – go check out our review of Tomb Raider, and tell us what score we gave it. Then just click on the Contact Us link at the top of the page and tell us your answer. Make sure you use a valid email address when submitting your entry otherwise we can’t contact you. You can enter as many times as you like, but only one entry per day will be accepted.

Usual contest rules apply, and the winners will be selected at random. This contest is only available to those people in the UK because of the game – sorry!

The contest closes Saturday 6th April, so good luck.

Tomb Raider is out now www.tombraider.com

My Movies Home and Essentials Server Solution 2.13 Build 4 released

Andrew Edney
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1
My Movies Home and Essentials Server Solution 2.13 Build 4 released

My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 has been renamed to My Movies Home and Essentials Server Solution, as it now supports both Windows Home Server 2011 and Windows Server 2012 Essentials and version 2.13 Build 4 has just been released.

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My Movies Home and Essentials Server Solution 2.13 Build 4 change log:

Added: Advanced configuration dialog added back in – it have been missing since WHS V1. This allows for configuration to restart server on update of AnyDVD.

Fix: There could be a problem adding video converter jobs to paths on NAS devices.
Fix: There was a problem downloading MP4 files when stored on NAS devices.
Fix: Issue that could prevent the video converter service to stop processing, if automatic backups were enabled.
Fix: Incorrect path could be stored for mobile locations, when videos were converted to external NAS devices.

You can download My Movies Home and Essentials Server Solution 2.13 Build 4 here Check out our review of My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 2.0 Pre Release 7

My Movies for Windows Media Center and Collection Management for Windows 4.05 Build 5 released

Andrew Edney
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0
My Movies for Windows Media Center and Collection Management for Windows 4.05 Build 5 released

Brian has just released My Movies for Windows Media Center and Collection Management for Windows version 4.05 Build 5.

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My Movies for Windows Media Center and My Movies Collection Management for Windows 4.05 Build 5 changelog:

Added: Update to API commands.
Added: Online locations are now sent to the server, but not sync’ed down.

Fix: Issue with MediaInfo MPEG-2 video in some situations.
Fix: Add of standalone TV Episodes is now again synced to server automatically.
Fix: SQL Server 2008 R2 installation would not work on some Windows 8 machines. It have been updated to SQL Server 2008 R2 SP2. Users already affected by this problem, please use our uninstall tool.

Download My Movies 4.05 Build 5 now Check out our review of My Movies for Windows Home Server 2011 2.0 Pre Release 7

TOMB RAIDER now has micro-transactions

Andrew Edney
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1
TOMB RAIDER now has micro-transactions

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Square Eniq quietly added micro-transactions to Tomb Raider yesterday.

For those players who want a little boost, they can buy items and upgrades rather than earning them in the game. These transactions are available on the PC version on Stream (see the list below) and also on Xbox 360 for 80 MS Points each.

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Do you agree with micro-transactions? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Other Tomb Raider articles you should check out:

Watch the Tomb Raider opening two minute cinematic Check out our interview with lead writer Rhianna Pratchett Check out our interview with art director Brian Horton Check out our preview of the first 3 hours of Tomb Raider single player Check out our preview of Tomb Raider multiplayer Check out our Exclusive interview with Darrell Gallagher from Cyrstal Dynamics Check out our Exclusive interview with Meagan Marie from Crystal Dynamics

Gears of War – Judgment Haven Map and Execution Mode Released

Chris Hare
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0
Gears of War – Judgment Haven Map and Execution Mode Released

Today Epic Games for Gears of War – Judgment has released a new pack includes a new multiplayer map called Haven and the fan-favourite mode Execution. There will be special playlists for Haven and Execution which will feature 2 XP for a limited time. VIP pass holders will receive 3 XP within that playlist for a limited time.

Gears of War Judgment

IMPORTANT: You must download the DLC pack directly from the Xbox 360 dashboard or add it to your download queue via Xbox.com. The dialogue box prompting you to download the pack in-game is not functioning properly and will be fixed as soon as possible.

As for the title update, check out the list of fixes below:

  • Various dedicated server improvements.
  • Players no longer get stuck in the main menu background after playing three random matches.
  • Locusts no longer spawn at the second E-Hole on the first wave of Island.
  • Players will no longer get stuck inside of a Boom Shield that has been planted by an enemy player.
  • Players will no longer able to look down the scope with a Markza while holding a Meat Shield.
  • If a Locust destroys an objective at the same time the timer runs out in OverRun using Mercy rules, the match will not end early.
  • Fix for exclamation points not disappearing after viewing an unlocked character.
  • While holding a Meat Shield you will only need to tap B to melee.
  • The Meat Shield will now drop if you switch to the snub.
  • The “Spray and Pray” ribbon can now be earned in the first round.
  • If the Boom Shield is disabled in weapon swap you will no longer see the icon in Tac-Com.
  • You will now earn the Team Savior ribbon for reviving three individual teammates in a single life.
  • Players can no longer chainsaw another player while holding the Boom Shield.
  • Improvements to the Hammer of Dawn targeting.
  • You will now see XP tallies between matches.

Halo 4 Forge Island out now

Andrew Edney
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0
Halo 4 Forge Island out now

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343 Industries have released the Halo 4 Forge Island add-on early, and you can get it now.

Referred to as the ‘Great Anvils’ by UNSC personnel deployed to the southwestern peninsula of Requiem’s smallest continent, these massive sentinels tower high above the shield world’s warm tropical ocean. The geologic data acquired from these islands has offered incredible fodder for Infinity Science’s Forge group, providing diverse and modifiable terrain for the War Games combat simulations.

You can download Forge Island for free right now.

What do you think of Forge Island? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME Shatner Vs The Gorn video

Andrew Edney
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0
STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME Shatner Vs The Gorn video

Side by Side - Shatner & Gorn

More than four decades after they first squared off on an isolated desert planet, William Shatner comes face-to-face again with the menacing Gorn species of STAR TREK fame … but this time the battle begins on a comfy sofa with the two former foes seated in front of a video screen as they fight again in promotion for the April 26 release of STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME. The Kirk-Gorn rematch can be viewed below:

The original Kirk-Gorn duel was seen in the classic 1967 “Arena” episode of the STAR TREK series.

Shatner and a stunt man in a replica Gorn suit are seen casually playing STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME when a dispute leads to a friendly fight re-enacting actual choreographed punches from the classic TV brawl blow-for-blow. This time, however, couch pillows replace what appeared to be “space rocks” that were thrown the first time around.

“What better way to spotlight the adventure and fun everyone can have actually playing as Capt. Kirk in the new game, than to team up the legendary former captain himself to play one of his old foes,” commented LeeAnne Stables, President of Consumer Products at Paramount Pictures, the studio releasing the game. “Mr. Shatner is such a great sport and that Gorn had absolutely no chance of coming out on top this time.”

After spending a day on the set with the Gorn to create the video, veteran actor Shatner, who originated the role of Capt. Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series, added: “It never ceases to amaze me how many people still ask me about that scene. It’s 46 years later, and he hasn’t aged as well as I have.”

The highly anticipated STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME features a vastly updated version of the Gorn as the key foe to legendary duo Kirk and Spock. Players take on the roles of Kirk and Spock, who work together to get to the heart of a mysterious attack by an enemy with unimaginable strength – a re-imagined version of the Gorn. In an entirely original story, written by BAFTA award winner Marianne Krawczyk, the Gorn is a terrifying threat, with an army that could overwhelm Kirk, Spock and the crew of the Enterprise.

The all-new video showdown between the two STAR TREK icons can also be found online at www.startrekgame.com starting today, and highlights the co-op play that is at the heart of STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME, which will be available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. Pre-ordering is available now.

STAR TREK The Video Game is under license by CBS Consumer Products and will be released April 23 in North America and April 26 worldwide by Paramount Pictures and NAMCO Bandai Games.

Check out our recent interview with Brian Miller below:

 

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