What is Windows Home Server?

Microsoft ‘Pondering a bid for Nook Digital Assets’

Chris Hare

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May 9, 2013

Microsoft ‘Pondering a bid for Nook Digital Assets’

Microsoft is reportedly considering tabling a $1 billion offer for the digital assets of its Nook Media joint venture. The deal would see the software giant assume control of the subsidiary’s e-book ecosystem, Nook e-readers and tablets from Barnes & Noble.

However, leaked documents obtained by TechCrunch appear to confirm that Nook’s Android tablet business will be discontinued by 2014.

The branded tablets will be gradually phased out as the company switches to a business model that will see Nook content distributed to “third-party” devices instead.

Barnes & Noble reported heavy losses during its earnings call in February, with its Nook business seeing a steep decline of almost 26% compared to the previous year.

Microsoft landed a 16.8% stake in Nook Media by investing $300 million in the company last year.

Injustice on the Wii U to get DLC This Summer

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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May 9, 2013

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Injustice on the Wii U to get DLC This Summer

The Nintendo Wii U version of Injustice: Gods Among Us will get the Lobo DLC which released on other console this week, but not until the summer. Posting in response to a user’s question, the official Injustice Twitter account replied to that DLC would indeed hit the system – just at a later date.

“We expect DLC for the Wii U version of Injustice: Gods Among Us to be available this summer,” the account said. “Stay tuned for more details.”

Lobo was the first DLC to be released. This will be followed by Batgirl and additional character costumes.

Wolfenstein: The New Order has No multiplayer

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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May 9, 2013

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Wolfenstein: The New Order has No multiplayer

Bethesda’s Wolfenstein: The New Order does not have any form of multiplayer, according to a new interview. Speaking to Gamespot, creative director Jens Matthies said that the game is such a legend in itself that messing with the formula would be the wrong thing to do.

“It’s such a huge part of video game legacy. If there’s a video game museum, Wolfenstein is in the first room. It’s the start of the wave that shaped the world of gaming. On a personal level, I played this when I was younger and it was mind-blowing. I never then of course dreamed that I was going to be working with it. It’s both an honor and a legacy,” he said.

Wolfenstein: The New Order is expected to be released later this year on PS3, PC, Xbox 360 and next generation consoles.

Meet The New Nokia Asha 501

News
Phones

Chris Hare

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May 9, 2013

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Nokia Asha 501 and Asha platform reinvent the affordable smartphone category

Today Nokia unveiled the first of a new family of Asha smartphones with the introduction of the Nokia Asha 501. The handset pushes the boundaries of affordable smartphone design with bold color, a high-quality build and an innovative user interface. The Nokia Asha 501 is the first device to run on the new Asha platform, which is designed to make the experience faster and more responsive. The Asha platform also helps developers to create, publish and make more money from apps made specifically for the new generation of Asha devices.

Standout design, innovative user interface

The Nokia Asha 501 makes high-end design and quality accessible to more people. The device is available in a choice of six striking colours that complement the elegant design. It comes in just two parts: a durable, removable casing and the scratch-resistant glass display, which features a three-inch, capacitive touchscreen and a single ‘back’ button. The compact new Asha weighs only 98 grams, for the ultimate portability.

The Nokia Asha 501 is built to make it easier for people to access everything they love, with a simple swipe and a choice of two main screens: Home and Fastlane. Home is a traditional, icon-based view for launching individual apps or accessing a specific feature, like the dialler or phone settings. The new Fastlane view was inspired by how people really use their phone. Recently accessed contacts, social networks and apps, unique to each person, are stored and presented in Fastlane. It provides a record of how the phone is used, giving people a glimpse of their past, present and future activity, and helping them multi-task by providing easy access to their favourite features.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm9biO4l1pI?feature=player_detailpage&w=640&h=360%5D

Smarter and more personal Internet experiences

The new Asha comes with Nokia Xpress Browser pre-loaded, which compresses Internet data by up to 90%. This is aimed at making mobile browsing faster and more affordable. Nokia also announced the availability of Nokia Xpress Now, a new Web application that recommends content based on location, preferences and trending topics. It will be available via the Browser homepage or as a download from Nokia Store.

“Nokia has surpassed expectations of what’s achievable in the sub-100 USD phone category with a new Asha handset that is unlike any other, with design cues from Lumia and a mix of features, services and affordability that is valued by price-conscious buyers,” said Neil Mawston, executive director, Global Wireless Practice, Strategy Analytics. “This is a welcome addition to the market and a refreshing option for consumers looking to upgrade from feature phones.”

Asha platform for next-generation family of devices

The new Nokia Asha 501 was purpose-built to give people the best possible mobile experiences at an affordable price. It is highly efficient, with an industry-leading standby time of up to 48 days*. The Asha 501 is the first smartphone built on the new Asha platform, which leverages Nokia’s investments in Smarterphone, a company which Nokia acquired in 2012.

The new Asha platform provides developers with an open, standards-based environment for creating quality apps for consumers. Developers can create apps for the Nokia Asha 501 that will be compatible with future Asha platform-based devices. Nokia gives developers the chance to make more money through the global reach of Nokia Store and tools like Nokia In-App Payment and Nokia Advertising Exchange (NAX), as well as Nokia’s unparalleled operator billing network.

Many of the most popular applications are already available or in development for the Nokia Asha platform, including CNN, eBuddy, ESPN, Facebook, Foursquare, Line, LinkedIn, Nimbuzz, Pictelligent, The Weather Channel, Twitter, WeChat, World of Red Bull and games from Electronic Arts, Gameloft, Indiagames, Namco-Bandai and Reliance Games. WhatsApp and other key partners continue to explore new Asha.

The HERE experience, based on Nokia’s leading location-based platform, will also be available as a download for the Nokia Asha 501, starting in Q3 2013 and will initially include basic mapping services.

“The new Nokia Asha 501 raises the bar for what is possible in affordable smartphone design and optimization,” said Timo Toikkanen, executive vice president, Mobile Phones, Nokia. “The synergy between the physical design and the engine that is the new Asha platform has created a smartphone with both style and substance at a great price.”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsXUvR9k0FA?feature=player_detailpage&w=640&h=360%5D

Facebook and global operators to support Nokia Asha 501 with free data plans

The Nokia Asha 501 is expected to start shipping in June 2013. It is expected to be available through approximately 60 operators and distributors in more than 90 countries worldwide.

“We are very happy to offer the new Nokia Asha 501 through our subsidiaries in the continent. We are certain that this innovative device will follow the successful footprint of the Nokia Asha family, combining affordability with the best communication and Internet browsing capabilities,” said Marco Quatorze, Value Added Services Director for America Movil.

A leading operator in the Asia-Pacific region, Telkomsel is also supporting the arrival of the new Nokia Asha. “The Nokia Asha 501 will help us to boost the mobile Internet in Indonesia. It is powered by innovations like the Nokia Xpress Browser, based on a very efficient data consumption technology which allow us to offer best data plan tariff for people,” said Alistair Johnston, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Telkomsel. “We have a billing agreement with Nokia that supports the creation of local applications absolutely relevant to Indonesian consumers.”

The popularity of the Nokia Asha family has also prompted innovative approaches to bundled mobile services. Nokia, Facebook and mobile network operator Airtel announced they have joined forces to offer data-free access to the standalone Facebook app, as well as the mobile site m.facebook.com. By the end of second quarter, current Airtel subscribers in Africa and India** will be able to enjoy unlimited, data-free access to Facebook from their Nokia Asha 501 for a limited period of time.

Commenting on the partnership, Andre Beyers, Chief Marketing Officer for Airtel Africa, said: “The collaboration with Nokia is in line with our strategy of enabling people to access data in Africa as we seek to bridge the digital divide across the continent. We’re already witnessing tremendous growth in data use across the 17 countries where we operate. The provision of free Facebook access is an excellent proposition to the millions of Airtel consumers. We are extremely delighted to partner with Nokia to give our consumers an even better mobile experience.”

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2p5ifCbnkI?feature=player_detailpage%5D

Telkomsel will provide a specific Nokia Telkomsel Asha data plan that offers up to 500 MB of data use and includes 60 minutes of calls and 60 SMS. The company will also provide a one month free data plan to consumers using Nokia Asha 501 that can be used for all mobile Internet activities including access to Facebook or downloading apps.

“This bundle is a great way to discover Facebook on your Nokia Asha and enjoy the experience for longer without worrying about data charges,” said Vaughn Smith, VP mobile partnerships, Facebook. “Working in close partnership with Nokia and global operators made this offer possible and we’re excited to help connect the world on Facebook.”

MTN, a leading operator across Africa, said it will also offer the Nokia Asha 501 and ease access to Facebook. “We are excited to support this initiative with Facebook in Nigeria and Zambia and we are looking forward to expand it to other markets,” says Pieter Verkade, group chief commercial officer at MTN.

Product specifications and availability

The Nokia Asha 501 is available in single or EasySwap Dual SIM models. All come with WiFi and Bluetooth. Other specifications:
– Dimensions: 99.2 x 58 x 12.1 mm; 98 grams
– Camera: 3.2 MP
– Single SIM standby time: up to 48 days***
– Dual SIM standby time: up to 26 days***
– Talk time: up to 17 hours
– Additional memory of 4GB (card included in box), expandable up to 32GB
– Forty free EA Games worth €75 downloadable from Nokia Store
– Available colours: Bright Red, Bright Green, Cyan, Yellow, White and Black
– Suggested pricing is 99 USD / £65 GBP before taxes and subsidies.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3d8xzeNoJY?feature=player_embedded%5D

New ‘Infamous: Second Son’ Details Emerge

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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May 9, 2013

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New ‘Infamous: Second Son’ Details Emerge

New Infamous: Second Son details have been released by Sucker Punch. Taking place in Seattle, the game will feature a Native American protagonist named Delsin Rowe. According to Game Informer, Rowe is being targeted by the “oppressive Department of Unified Protection”.

While previous games featured electrical-based powers, Second Son sees Rowe manipulate smoke in order to launch projectiles, create smoke clouds and perform a dash move. Players will be able to replenish Rowe’s smoke powers by absorbing chimney smoke and destroying cars. Rowe will also have the ability to absorb powers from fellow conduits, although it’s unclear what form these powers will take.

‘Gran Turismo 6’ to be unveiled at Anniversary Event?

Chris Hare

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May 8, 2013

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‘Gran Turismo 6’ to be unveiled at Anniversary Event?

Gran Turismo 6 will likely be unveiled at an anniversary event next week, it has been revealed. Sony has sent out invites for a Gran Turismo 15th anniversary event at the Silverstone Formula 1 Circuit on 15th May.

“Join us to celebrate 15 years of Gran Turismo, and discover exciting announcements about its future,” the invitation reads.

The event will be attended by Gran Turismo producer Kazunori Yamauchi, who will provide an update about the future of the series.

“The Gran Turismo franchise continues to be extremely important to PlayStation,” explained Sony Europe president Jim Ryan.

“We felt that 15 years of GT was an event worth celebrating along with our colleagues from the Americas, Asia and Japan.

“We are very grateful to our manufacturer partners for helping us to bring together a fantastic event. As well as experiencing the development of the franchise and comparing the virtual and real, it will be a pleasure to see Yamauchi-san and hear what’s next for Gran Turismo.”

“Join us to celebrate 15 years of Gran Turismo, and discover exciting announcements about its future,” the invitation reads.

The event will be attended by Gran Turismo producer Kazunori Yamauchi, who will provide an update about the future of the series.

“The Gran Turismo franchise continues to be extremely important to PlayStation,” explained Sony Europe president Jim Ryan.

“We felt that 15 years of GT was an event worth celebrating along with our colleagues from the Americas, Asia and Japan.

“We are very grateful to our manufacturer partners for helping us to bring together a fantastic event. As well as experiencing the development of the franchise and comparing the virtual and real, it will be a pleasure to see Yamauchi-san and hear what’s next for Gran Turismo.”

App Update: Sky+ for iOS Updated to Version 4.4 with a new look and feel

Apple

Andrew Edney

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May 8, 2013

0

The Sky+ App for iOS has been updated to version 4.4.

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 Sky+ 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 Version 4.4

– Updated look and feel
– Recording help for iPhone users – when several programmes you want to record at once clash, the app will suggest a solution

Download now from the Apple App Store

Nokia Lumia 928 Camera Takes on iPhone 5, Galaxy S3 (Video)

News
Phones

Chris Hare

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May 8, 2013

0

Nokia Lumia 928 Camera Takes on iPhone 5, Galaxy S3 (Video)

Nokia has showcased the camera capabilities of its Lumia 928 smartphone. The Nordic phone maker has pitted the device against the Apple iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S3 at filming and photographing a roller coaster ride called ‘The Hurricane’.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isKPxCvFEGo?feature=player_detailpage%5D

The footage compares and contrasts video and still images captured with the phone’s PureView camera with those shot using the rival devices to highlight its apparent superiority.

Nokia is yet to officially announce the Lumia 928, but did offer a first look at the handset in a teaser on its website.

The Lumia 928 will allegedly be much lighter and thinner than the existing Lumia 920, but feature similar core hardware specs.

A recent print advert in Vanity Fair confirmed that the handset will feature a state-of-the-art PureView camera backed up by a Carl Zeiss lens and optical image stabilisation.

Nokia is expected to formally announce the Lumia 928 on 14th May in London.

Synology Launches DiskStation DS213j

Storage & NAS

Jim McCarthy

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May 8, 2013

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Synology has launched a new Marvell-powered NAS unit, the two-bay DS213j. Read on for details.

Synology has launched a new Marvell-powered NAS unit, the two-bay DS213j. Powered by a 1.2 GHz Marvell processor and 512MB of DDR3 RAM, the DS213j is a budget NAS aimed at entry-level home and office users that need a backup and file sharing solution. Here is the press release:

Unparalleled price-performance optimised for budget-minded users

Milton Keynes, United Kingdom – 7th May 2013 – Synology UK Ltd, today, launched the DiskStation DS213j. A budget-friendly 2-bay NAS server dedicated to backup and data sharing for home and small office.

“With advanced hardware integration the DS213j is designed to work as an efficient private cloud for home and small office users, letting them access their stored data with ease,” said Chad Jiang, Product Manager of Synology Inc.

DS213j delivers read and write speeds of over 100MB/sec and 70MB/sec respectively. With such capabilities, file transfers have become an easy task allowing you to share a Blu-ray quality video in less than 3 minutes. The built-in Floating-Point Unit (FPU) CPU and 512MB of RAM further enhance the performance of intensive applications, such as thumbnail creation and multitasking ensuring the user has the optimum experience.

Designed with energy efficiency in mind, DS213j only consumes 3.65 watts when hard drives enter hibernation mode and no more than 20 watts under full operation. Support for Wake on LAN/WAN and multiple scheduled power on/off further reduce
power consumption and operating cost. DS213j is also carefully engineered for noise and vibration reduction, featuring side ventilation openings and rubber washers on hard drive holders.

The DS213j runs on DiskStation Manager (DSM) 4.2, which is feature-rich to enhance user-productivity and simplify their tasks, all on a sleek user interface optimised for multitasking. DS212j, the predecessor of DS213j, has received numerous media recognitions worldwide, including the “Tech Accessory of the Year” award from Stuff, U.K.

For more information, please visit http://www.synology.com/products/product.php?product_name=DS213j&lang=enu

Availability: Synology DiskStation DS213j is now shipping globally.

The DS213j is not yet listed on Amazon or NewEgg, but the DS213 model lists for about $300 diskless. Keep an eye out for Synology’s latest entry-level 2-bay NAS unit.

Windows Phone 8 gets Revamped YouTube App

Chris Hare

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May 8, 2013

0

Windows Phone 8 gets Revamped YouTube App

Google has released a new and improved native YouTube app for Windows Phone 8. The previous edition of the video-sharing service was a bare-bones offering, but its successor has been rebuilt from the ground up to take advantage of the operating system’s live tiles layout.

Windows Phone 8 users can now pin videos, playlists, channels and search results to the live tiles screen and manage their YouTube profiles in-app.

The move suggests that Microsoft and Google’s feud over YouTube could be coming to an end. The former had accused its competitor of blocking access to YouTube features due to the way the service was coded.

Microsoft also announced that a revised YouTube app for Windows Phone 7.X is in the works, but did not provide a specific release date, but I has been said it be in a few weeks time.

The new YouTube app is available as a free download from the Windows Phone Store.

No Star Wars Games Until 2014 From EA

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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May 8, 2013

0

No Star Wars games will be released during the current financial year, Electronic Arts has confirmed. During a recent investors’ call, the company said that it would release 11 major titles on PC and consoles in fiscal year ’14 (April 2013 to March 2014).

What you mean No Star Wars Games This Year …….

Upcoming titles include new entries in the FIFA, Madden, Command & Conquer and Battlefield series, as well as the recently announced Sims 4.

Despite previous delays and cancellations, EA also plans to launch its NBA Live franchise within the year, according to Joystiq.

EA is likely to release its first licensed Star Wars game closer to the launch of Episode VII in 2015.

EA announced a multi-year licensing deal with Disney earlier this week.

The publisher will create new titles based on the Star Wars movies for mobile devices, consoles and PCs, while Disney has kept some rights to develop mobile and browser titles, along with social and online games. The announcement was made after Disney issued staff cuts at LucasArts last month.

Work on previously announced games such as Star Wars 1313 and Star Wars: First Assault has since been halted.

Is HTC ‘Working on Two Windows Blue Tablets’

Chris Hare

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May 8, 2013

0

Is HTC ‘Working on Two Windows Blue Tablets’

It is rumoured that HTC will launch two high-end Windows tablets after Microsoft has rolled out its ‘Blue’ operating system update. The Taiwanese is preparing the 7-inch R7 and the 12-inch R12 for launch later this year, according to PhoneArena‘s sources.

The R7 will reportedly boast a full HD, 1080p display and run off a powerful 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 and 2GB of RAM.

A 13-megapixel camera, 16GB of internal memory, microSD support, Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity and a 4G LTE radio are also rumoured.

HTC’s larger R12 device is said to feature the same core specs with additional connectivity options and a super high-resolution 2048 x 1536 display capable of rivalling Apple’s latest iPad.

Both tablets have been tipped for release in October, with Microsoft’s Windows Blue update expected before the end of the year.

ShopTo refuses to sell ‘Call of Duty: Ghosts’ in Shipping row

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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May 8, 2013

0

ShopTo is refusing to sell Call of Duty: Ghosts and future Activision titles, it has been revealed. Upcoming releases including Call of Duty: Ghosts, Deadpool and Skylanders: Swap Force have been removed from the retailer’s website because of Activision’s strict shipping policy.

Activision currently won’t allow online retailers to post Call of Duty games more than a day before launch.

ShopTo boss Igor Cipolletta told Eurogamer that this has a negative effect on an online retailer’s pre-order campaign, as many deliveries won’t arrive until the day after release.

“This has the undesired effect of previously loyal and satisfied customers thinking that, if we can’t ‘get it right’ for one of the biggest games of the year, why should they trust us with any future orders?” Cipolletta explained.

“Their friends and acquaintances, by word of mouth and social media, (despite possibly not having ever ordered from us), would see us (and possibly e-tailers as a whole) as unreliable. This despite all the time and hard work my team and the myriad of other publishers put into other titles during the year.

“Of course this Activision policy is not for every title, but due to the volume and fever pitch Call of Duty seems to generate (both positive and negative), it causes the most damage to us.”

Cipolletta said that ShopTo would reconsider its stance if Activision levelled the playing field between online and high street retailers, with the latter able to open at midnight.

He also revealed that recent Call of Duty titles have failed to generate the company any profit because of the extra costs associated with a Tuesday launch.

“Our wholesale unit price, added to the fact that the game has a worldwide Tuesday release date, means the processing and shipping requirements of this stock does not accommodate an e-tailer’s needs.

“With the requirement to pay staffing costs over the weekend, this would destroy any profit, as we cannot increase our selling price as we risk having zero orders. Essentially, if we receive stock late on a Friday, the processing time we have is halved and our processing costs double.”

‘Assassin’s Creed’ Designer “Terminated” by Ubisoft

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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May 8, 2013

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Assassin’s Creed creative director Patrice Désilets claims to have been fired by Ubisoft. Ubisoft confirmed the departure of Désilets yesterday (7th May), saying that he left following the breakdown of “good faith” discussions.

“Unfortunately, since the acquisition, the good faith discussions between Patrice and Ubisoft aimed at aligning Patrice’s and the studio’s visions have been inconclusive. As a result, Patrice has left the studio,” reads an Ubisoft statement.

However, in a statement to Polygon, the game designer, who rejoined Ubisoft following the acquisition of THQ Montreal, said that he was terminated and “unceremoniously escorted out of the building by two guards”.

“Contrary to any statements made earlier today, this morning I was terminated by Ubisoft,” Desilets claims.

“I was notified of this termination in person, handed a termination notice, and was unceremoniously escorted out of the building by two guards without being able to say goodbye to my team or collect my personal belongings.

“This was not my decision. Ubisoft’s actions are baseless and without merit. I intend to fight Ubisoft vigorously for my rights, for my team and for my game.”

The studio is believed to be working on 1666 and Underdog.

Patrice Desilets worked as creative director on Assassin’s Creed and Assassin’s Creed 2, before joining THQ Montreal in a similar position in May, 2011. He was at the centre of an unsuccessful talent-poaching lawsuit filed on behalf of Ubisoft later that year.