What is Windows Home Server?

App Update: Sky+ for iOS Updated to Version 4.3.4

Apple

Andrew Edney

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Mar 2, 2013

0

The Sky+ App for iOS has been updated to version 4.3.4.

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 4.3.4

Fixes problems with version 4.3.3 that some experienced once connected to your Sky+HD box.

Download now from the Apple App Store

Home Automation: Z-Wave Alliance Interview

Jim McCarthy

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Mar 2, 2013

1

I recently decided to revisit the home automation space to see what options are out there to make it easier to control my home. Fortunately, when I was out at CES2013 in January, I made some connections to help me to gauge the marketplace. In particular, I want to thank Mark Walters from the Z-Wave Alliance for answering some of my industry questions. Here is the interview, conducted via email, with Mark.

I recently decided to revisit the home automation space to see what options are out there to make it easier to control my home. We have an alarm system (from Vivint, using a Z-Wave controller) and three IP cameras, but wanted to look into adding controllable locks and a sun shade for the front foyer window. I really did not know where to start at first. One of the confusing issues out there is the choice of home automation platform. I was was aware of ZigBee, Z-Wave, and wireless solutions like the NEST thermostat, all of which looked interesting. Fortunately, when I was out at CES2013 in January, I made some connections to help me to gauge the marketplace. In particular, I want to thank Mark Walters from the Z-Wave Alliance for answering some of my industry questions. Here is the interview, conducted via email, with Mark. My questions are in bold, with Mark’s responses indented below.

Interview

1. Home Automation Market:

a. What is the current market size for North America for home automation products?

Frost and Sullivan Research says it is $2,442 Million.

Strategy Analytics says US Smart Home Application Market will be $5 Billion by 2015.

Parks Associates Research says more than 10 million households will have some form of remote monitoring and control system by 2014 up from 3.4 million at the end of 2009.

b. Who is the buyer for these products: contractors or home owners?

Both contractors and homeowners purchase these products. At this time “professional” installation is more predominant over homeowner installation with the large national alarm companies taking the lead.

c. What is the profile of the typical home owner having these products installed?

Mid-income with family.

d. How critical is this capability to the strategic success of the hardware manufacturers? Do they value the potential for differentiation in what can be seen as a commodity product, or are they supporting home automation capabilities as a wait-and-see approach?

They are embracing an escape from what was a commodity hardware business with new product capabilities and new business models that include “backend” services such as monitoring and cloud serving. An example would be the Schlage Link, now Nexia program.

2. Alarm Companies:

a. My alarm company (Vivint) offers some degree of home automation products, based on a Z-Wave controller in the alarm panel. Why go with the alarm company over a self-install from the consumer’s standpoint?

Some people are not handy and don’t want to spend the time to do it themselves.

You get professional monitoring.

Combines easily with existing alarm (security) offering.

b. How does the hardware manufacturer capture value from the alarm company installation?

They sell the products to the alarm company.

Their brand is on the product.

These are incremental sales, without automation the existing locks would stay in place another 20 years effectively blocking another sale. Automation gets a second sale per door that otherwise would not happen.

App Update: Netflix for iOS updated to version 3.0.1 fixes DNS issue

Apple

Andrew Edney

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Mar 2, 2013

0

The Netflix app for the iPhone and the iPad has been updated to version 3.0.1.

Just download this free app and you can instantly watch TV shows & movies streaming from Netflix.

* It’s part of your Netflix unlimited membership. Not a Netflix member? Start your FREE trial today.
* Watch as often as you want
* Resume watching where you left off on your TV or computer
* Browse movies right from your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad

Note: Video out is supported on the iPad, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPod Touch 4G

What’s New in Version 3.0.1

We discovered an issue in version 3.0 whereby, for certain network configuration, our application is unable to resolve the DNS names to our servers. We have observed this issue to prevent you from logging into the app and to cause some instances of error 108 when attempting playback.

Version 3.0.1 addresses that issue.

Download from the Apple App Store

Xbox Ultimate Game Sale (Day 5) Batman Arkham City and Borderlands and more

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Mar 2, 2013

0

Xbox Ultimate Game Sale (Day 5) Batman Arkham City and Borderlands and more

Today Xbox Ultimate Sale Day 5 is a mix bag of Games on Demand from Batman – Arkham City to Portal 2 Saving from 50 to 67% Today.

Batman – Arkham City £8.99 / $14.99 Saving 50%

Borderlands £8.99 /$14.99 Saving 50%

Borderlands 2 £24.99 /$29.99 Saving 50%

Fable 3 £19.99 / $9.99 Saving 50%

Fallout: New Vegas £8.99 / $9.99 Saving 50%

Portal 2 £8.99 /$14.99 Saving 50%

Red Dead Redemption £8.99 / $14.99 Saving 50%

Dead Island £8.99 / $9.99 Saving 67%

Dishonored £24.99 / $29.99 Saving 50%

EA Shows Off Battlefield 3 End Game Trailer

Gaming
News

Chris Hare

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Mar 1, 2013

0

Today Electronic Arts released a new trailer for Battlefield 3 “End Game” DLC.

The latest Battlefield 3 video looks at the ‘End Game’ expansion, exploring its new maps and game modes.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKnnBiZeqrE%5D
Lead designer Niklas Fegraeus talks about the DLC in detail, explaining how individual vehicles can be used and how each maps differs.

The fifth expansion, which is due to launch in March, adds four new maps designed for “high-speed combat and action”.

‘End Game’ also introduces three new vehicles, including a dropship, which will provide support to troops with rapid deployment vehicle drops.

Injustice: Gods Among Us Champions of Week 4 Battle Arena Announced with New Gameplay Videos

Andrew Edney

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Mar 1, 2013

0

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment have revealed the chosen reigning Champions of the fourth week of Injustice Battle Arena, and released two new gameplay videos celebrating the victors.

With these latest victors, the preliminary rounds of the battle close, and next week the continuing contenders will face off against each other in the quarterfinals. Fans can now watch two all-new videos featuring the first extended gameplay of Superman, Sinestro, Green Arrow and Hawkgirl.

In a result of fan voting over the last week, Superman smashed Sinestro to pieces in a showing of otherworldly power:

While Green Arrow came out on top of Hawkgirl in an epic match of wits, agility and raw force:

Find out next Monday which first round champions will enter the ring for the first quarterfinal matches of Injustice Battle Arena. Voice your opinion via Facebook, YouTube or Twitter and join the debate!

Injustice: Gods Among Us is an all-new game in development by award-winning NetherRealm Studios, creators of the definitive fighting game franchise Mortal Kombat. The title debuts a bold new fighting game franchise that introduces a deep, original story featuring a large cast of favourite DC Comics icons such as Batman, Green Arrow, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, Nightwing, Solomon Grundy, Superman, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and many others.

Set in a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred, players will experience heroes and villains engaging in epic battles on a massive scale.

For more information on the game, visit www.injustice.com.

BEYOND: Two Souls gameplay and behind the scenes videos with Willem Defoe

Andrew Edney

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Mar 1, 2013

0

Sony today announced Willem Dafoe (Platoon, Spider-Man) is to star alongside Ellen Page (Juno,Inception) in BEYOND: Two Souls; the latest title from critically acclaimed development studio Quantic Dream, makers of the award-winning Heavy Rain. We have some new videos to share.

BEYOND: Two Souls will feature Oscar nominee Ellen Page in the lead role of Jodie Holmes, a young woman who possesses supernatural powers through her link to an invisible entity. Ellen is supported by Willem Dafoe who plays Nathan Dawkins, an enigmatic scientist working for a government division studying paranormal activities. Dawkins’ professional curiosity in Jodie, driven by personal tragedy, is a central theme in BEYOND: Two Souls, and provides a rich and evocative narrative that only Dafoe’s subtleties of performance could fully realise.

Here is the behind the scenes video:

And here is the gameplay video:

BEYOND: Two Souls is due for release in October 2013 on PS3.

Willem Dafoe announced as voice talent on BEYOND: Two Souls

Gaming
News

Andrew Edney

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Mar 1, 2013

1

The power of Hollywood enters the world of gaming as Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today announces that Willem Dafoe (Platoon, Spider-Man) is to star alongside Ellen Page (Juno,Inception) in BEYOND: Two Souls; the latest title from critically acclaimed development studio Quantic Dream, makers of the award-winning Heavy Rain.

A Stellar Cast for a Genre Defining Game:

BEYOND: Two Souls will feature Oscar nominee Ellen Page in the lead role of Jodie Holmes, a young woman who possesses supernatural powers through her link to an invisible entity. Ellen is supported by Willem Dafoe who plays Nathan Dawkins, an enigmatic scientist working for a government division studying paranormal activities. Dawkins’ professional curiosity in Jodie, driven by personal tragedy, is a central theme in BEYOND: Two Souls, and provides a rich and evocative narrative that only Dafoe’s subtleties of performance could fully realise.

Writer and Director David Cage of BEYOND: Two Souls, comments “Ellen and Willem were casted for their immense talent and they bring with them the same passion and dedication you would see in the movies they star in. Never before have I seen this caliber of acting performance in a video game.”

Play Through A Lifetime:

In BEYOND: Two Souls, gamers will play through fifteen years of Jodie’s story, experiencing the most striking moments of her life. As she traverses the globe, Jodie will face incredible challenges set against a backdrop of emotionally charged events, the likes of which have never before been seen in a video game.

Like its predecessor Heavy Rain, BEYOND: Two Souls will allow players to shape the course of the story through their decisions and actions taken in the game.

Actor Willem Dafoe comments, “It’s a beautiful story and because the player participates in the scenario and chooses the character’s actions, the possibility of where the story goes is fantastic.”

Cage adds, “We are really proud of what we have created and I hope that fans will appreciate BEYOND: Two Souls for the intensely original, rich and affecting experience it will offer.”

The Next Chapter for Quantic Dream:

Developed exclusively for PlayStation 3 BEYOND: Two Souls blurs the lines of movie-making and gaming by featuring a brand-new engine, an immersive and evocative story and the best theatrical performances in gaming to date.

The methods used by developer Quantic Dream to track facial, voice and body animations simultaneously create a true performance from the actors, and result in the most realistic and emotionally charged gameplay experience to date.

BEYOND: Two Souls is due for release in October 2013 on PS3.

App Update: My Movies for Android 1.93 Now on Google Play

Andrew Edney

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Mar 1, 2013

0

Brian has just released version 1.93 of My Movies for Android.

My Movies for Android is the fastest, easiest and most impressive way you have ever kept track of your movie collection. Using our high quality movie database of more than 350,000 titles on DVD and Blu-ray, you quickly get access to a large quantity of details of the titles in your movie collection, including movie trailers, high resolution covers and much, much more.

What’s in this version:

– Added: Simple or Medium options for the Dune remote.
– Change: No longer alerts user about already having a TV Series.
– Change: Checks if user have latest version of a profile before allowing an incorrect data report.
– Change: Buttons in trailers and releases area updated.
Various minor fixes.

You can find My Movies for Android in Android Market in two editions, My Movies for Android Free and My Movies for Android Pro – the applications are identical with the exception that the free version is limited to maximum 50 titles, and only 10 items in trailers and title release lists.

The Pro version is available for £3.99 in the UK. The free version allows you to fully evaluate the software before buying the pro version – if your collection already contains more than 50 titles, the free version simply only lets you synchronize the first 50.

Click here to open the pro application on Google Play.

Click here to open the free application on Google Play.

Sky Buys O2 and Be Broadband Services

News

Chris Hare

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Mar 1, 2013

0

Today Sky announced (March 1) a deal with Telefónica UK, owner of the O2 mobile brand, to acquire its consumer broadband and fixed-line telephony business in a deal worth up to £200 million.

The acquisition of around half a million consumer broadband and phone customers served by the O2 and BE brands will make Sky the second largest provider in the UK broadband market.

Sky will pay £180 million to Telefónica UK for the consumer broadband, home phone and line rental customers. These customers will move to Sky for their services on completion of the transaction.

An additional amount, not exceeding £20m, will be payable by Sky depending upon “the successful delivery and completion of the customer migration process by Telefónica UK”. Since entering the home communications market six year ago with the acquisition of EasyNet, Sky has built a business with 4.2m broadband customers and 4m telephony subscribers, as of December 31, 2012.

The company also has 3.6m triple-play customers, who take broadband, pay-television and home phone from the company.

Dead Island Riptide DLC pre-order bonuses announced

Gaming
News

Andrew Edney

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Mar 1, 2013

0

Deep Silver today released the first gameplay footage for Dead Island Riptide.

Deep Silver today revealed more details about the upcoming DLC packs for players pre-ordering Dead Island Riptide, the next instalment of the Dead Island franchise.

Pre-order DLC #1: The Survivor Pack
·       A BBQ Blade! This special pre-order pack contains an exclusive weapon only available here! How better to dispose of the wretched zombies than with a sharp blade? Add in some workbench-modifying and hook it up to a few fuel tanks to bring some heat to a zombie’s heart! The so-called “BBQ Blade” lets you wade through zombie hordes with ease!
·       An XP/stats booster! Want that extra edge to level up faster than your peers? Here’s your chance!
·       A special shop! The Survivor Pack will grant you access to a shop offering a special discount on weapons and items! Happy shopping!
The Survivor Pack DLC will be made available to everyone who pre-orders the game before its release in regions where it is available.

Pre-order DLC #2: Fashion Victim
Tired of seeing your character go around wearing the same clothes all the time? The “Fashion Victim” pre-order DLC includes a set of new skins for all the player characters (Logan, Purna, Sam B., Xian Mei, and “the new guy” John Morgan) in co-op mode.
In the UK, the Fashion Victim DLC will only be available through preorders from GAME Ltd

Content will be redeemable via download on Xbox LIVE for versions of the game on the Xbox 360and PC and via the PlayStationStore.

These DLC packs will also be available to buy individually with the release of Dead Island Riptide. The Survivor pack will be available for 400 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360 or for £3.99 on PlayStation Network and Steam. Become a Fashion Victim for 160 Microsoft Points or for £1.49.

Dead Island Riptide will be released on April 23, 2013 in the USA and Canada and on April 26, 2013 in the rest of the world for the PlayStation 3, for Xbox 360 and for Windows PC

STAR TREK The Video Game EXCLUSIVE interview with Brian Miller from Paramount Pictures

Andrew Edney

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Mar 1, 2013

0

We have talked about the STAR TREK The Video Game a bit on the site, and we recently got to have some hands-on and interview Brian Miller, who is the Senior Vice President from Paramount Pictures and also the games producer.

The award-winning Star Trek game casts players for the first time ever as Kirk and Spock in a totally original co-op experience worthy of gamers and fans. Set in the new canon of director and producer J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek (2009) reboot, players will be immersed in the game’s rich story and action packed combat.

Set after the events of the Star Trek (2009) reboot, continue the sweeping journey through the new universe with a completely original story.

Under development by acclaimed Ontario-based developers Digital Extremes (Bioshock 2, Dark Sector, The Darkness 2), Star Trek features an original story by BAFTA award winner and God of War writer, Marianne Krawczyk, in collaboration with the writer/producers of the new Star Trek films, Bob Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof.

In the interview with Brian, we talk about the new game, getting the movies cast involved, we also talk about the Red Shirts and we ask him the age old Trek fan question. Oh, and there’s some new gameplay footage in there too.

Over to Brian:

The action-packed combat game is set to launch in the UK & EU on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC April 26th, prior to the May 17th theatrical release of Star Trek Into Darkness. The game is based on a stand-alone storyline that continues the adventure of iconic characters Kirk and Spock as they work together to stop the legendary ‘Gorn’ enemy race bent on conquering the galaxy.

Watch out for our preview very soon.

Preorder Trials Evolution: Gold Edition and get early access to beta

Andrew Edney

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Mar 1, 2013

0

Today, Ubisoft announced that the closed beta for Trials Evolution: Gold Edition has begun. From today to March 14^th digital versions of the game that have been preordered before the end of the beta will give an early access to the whole Trials Evolution: Gold Edition experience.

During the beta, Ubisoft and RedLynx are organizing a track creation competition using the game’s incredibly powerful track editor. Winners will see their tracks featured in Track Central at the launch of the game, in addition to receiving exclusive prizes detailed hereafter.

Trials Evolution: Gold Edition features all the original game’s content newly optimized and enhanced for PC, as well as all of the tracks from the original Trials HD game, recreated using Trials Evolution: Gold Edition’s physics and graphic engine.

The game will also feature an exclusive list of Uplay achievements and reward Trials players with exclusive content as detailed below:

Action 1: Gold Digger

Obtain your first gold medal in single player career

Action 2: Decorated

Obtain 100 total medals in single player career

Action 3: Faultless

Zero fault any hard track in single player career

Action 4: Platinum Privileges

Obtain your first platinum medal in single player career

Reward 1: Trials Evolution GOLD wallpaper

With this wallpaper, turn your boring desktop into a wild Trials ride!

Reward 2: Rider Gear: Top Hat

Every classy Trials rider needs his or her very own top-hat (and awesome moustache!)

Reward 3: Rider Gear- Ancient Armor

Forged in the depths of Mount Lynx, this armor has no magical properties whatsoever!

Reward 4: Rider Gear: Space Suit

In the Space Suit, nobody can hear you scream. Actually they can but it just seems way cooler!

And here is the new trailer:

For more information about the competition visit:

http://redlynx.com/games/trials-evolution-gold-edition

For more information about the pre-order offers visit: http://www.redlynx.com/community/blog/260

To pre-order the game, please visit: http://shop.ubi.com/store/ubiemea/en_GB/pd/productID.272038000/sac.true

Trials Evolution: Gold Edition launches on PC digital 21^st March & PC retail 22^nd March 2013.

Deep Silver announces Metro Last Light release date

Gaming
News

Andrew Edney

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Mar 1, 2013

0

Deep Silver today announced the release date for Metro: Last Light. The first person shooter and highly anticipated sequel to the extraordinary Metro 2033 will be available from May 14, 2013 within Northern and Latin America and May 17, 2013 across Europe for PlayStation 3, the Xbox 360 and PC.

“The new release date is the ideal way to strike the balance between bringing the best out of Metro: Last Light and not keep the fans waiting longer than necessary.” , said Dr. Klemens Kundratitz, CEO of Koch Media. “We won’t leave that time unexploited and will work closely together with 4A Games to make the game even better. It will receive all the attention it deserves.”

“Since it has been made public that we took over the Metro franchise, the fans keep asking for a release date. Now we can finally announce when they will be able to get their hands on the game! We would like to thank all of the Metro fans for their patience. And we can assure them that we have a lot more coming their way with the franchise.”, said Menno van der Bil, International Commercial Director, Deep Silver.

In the year 2034, a nuclear war has turned the world into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. In Moscow, the tunnels of the Metro have become a new home for the former inhabitants of the city. Within the catacombs, they fight for their survival, fending off hordes of hideous mutants born from the toxic atmosphere, as well as other factions desperate to take control of what little hospitable land remains. As they fight, they also search for a doomsday device that could be the key to their victory. A civil war is inevitable. During these dark hours, the players will embody Artyom, and become the last light for all of mankind.

The plot of Metro: Last Light was written by Dmitry Glukhovsky, acclaimed author of the novel Metro 2033 which inspired the creation of both video games. Also, Glukhovsky is responsible for all dialogues in Metro: Last Light. Glukhovskys novels Metro 2033 and Metro 2034 have sold more than 2.000.000 copies worldwide. In 2013, his latest book Metro 2035 will be also available outside of Russia.

For more information about Metro: Last Light, please visit www.enterthemetro.com.