What is Windows Home Server?

Amazon Kindle App for Android Updated to version 3.8.1

Android
News

Andrew Edney

-

Dec 18, 2012

The Amazon Kindle app for Android has been updated again, bringing it to version 3.8.1.

I use the Kindle app all the time on my iPad to read books and I know a number of people who use it on their Android devices, so it is really good to see that real page numbers are finally being used!

What’s New:

• Tuned line spacing options to be more compact.
• Bug fixes for Galaxy Note 10.1 and Japanese Nexus 7 customers.
• Customers in Hong Kong and Taiwan returned to an English experience.

Download the Kindle App from Google Play

App Update: CoPilot for iOS and Android updated to version 9.4, includes integrated Yelp content

Andrew Edney

-

Dec 18, 2012

0

The new version, available as a free update for existing users, adds Yelp data pulled from its API (application programming interface), improved ActiveTraffic service and a variety of app-wide refinements to provide the best possible in-car navigation experience on mobile devices.

CoPilot version 9.4 also brings a variety of additional improvements throughout the app, including:

· Traffic Incidents: CoPilot’s Live flow-based ActiveTraffic service has been enhanced to include detailed information about traffic incidents on-route

· Improved power consumption to maximize battery life when navigating on foot or without an in-car charger

· Universal app: CoPilot single region iOS apps now run in full screen on iPads and iPad Minis for an incredible HD navigation experience

· Numerous refinements throughout the app based on customer feedback, including screen orientation lock, and support for additional coordinate formats

CoPilot version 9.4 is available now for iOS in the iTunes app store and for Android from Google Play. Existing customers can download the new version as a free update.

App Update: Google+ for iOS Gets Updated to Version 4.1

Apple
News

Andrew Edney

-

Dec 18, 2012

0

Google have just updated it’s Google+ app for iOS devices.

What’s New in Version 4.1

– New feature: Google+ Communities
– Ability to subscribe to any circle for notifications
– Ability to indicate how many guests you’re bringing to an event
– Support for time zones in Events
– Basic profile editing
– New compose UI for easier sharing
– New visual stream design
– Discover people and topics more easily using ‘Find people’

Go get it now from the Apple App Store.

Apple releases Mac Wi-Fi Update 1.0

Apple
News

Andrew Edney

-

Dec 17, 2012

0

Apple have just released an update they are calling Mac Wi-Fi Update 1.0.

This update is recommended for all late 2012 Mac systems. This update improves compatibility when using the 5GHz band in Wi-Fi.

It’s a small update so go get it now.

Borderlands 2 gets an update for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC

Gaming
News

Andrew Edney

-

Dec 17, 2012

1

Borderlands 2 just got an update for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the PC.

Xbox 360

General

Modified profile behavior to better protect Badass Rank and related data.
Added functionality to detect and restore Badass Rank in the event it was lost. To ensure you are credited for as much progress as possible, please load your character, select “Continue” on the Main Menu, and then “Save and Quit” after you enter the world. Repeat this process for each character in your character list.
Fixed an issue that caused players to sometimes crash or freeze after killing Master Gee in the Captain Scarlett DLC.
Added a confirmation dialog when opening the Golden Chest in Sanctuary.
Fixed a bug causing players to sometimes get stuck zoomed in when in “Fight For Your Life” mode.
Fixed a bug that could sometimes cause skill points to be reset when loading a character.
Fixed a bug that could cause weapons to not stop firing when the “Gunzerking Autoswitch” option was enabled.
Fixed the Mechromancer’s Anarchy skill sometimes losing stacks incorrectly for multiplayer clients.
Fixed some cases where enemies were getting stuck and unable to move.
“Inverted reverse steering” option now works correctly for clients in a multiplayer game.
Fixed an issue that could cause the trade icon to get stuck on the screen.
Fixed a bug where a splitscreen player would sometimes not receive the appropriate default weapon when creating a new character.
Fixed a bug that could cause the message “processing vehicle change request” to get stuck on the screen.

Missions

Fixed a bug that could cause enemies and missions to be locked to an incorrect level.
Fixed issues with the following missions that could cause players to get stuck or not be able to complete them:
- Plan B
- Wildlife Preservation
- Mighty Morphin
- Fink’s Slaughterhouse
- Animal Rescue: Food
- The Man Who Would Be Jack
- Get To Know Jack
- Where Angels Fear to Tread
- Trailer Trashing
- Clan War: First Place
- Stalker of Stalkers
- The Once and Future Slab
- Home Movies
- Shielded Favors
- You Are Cordially Invited: Tea Party
- (Captain Scarlett) Freedom of Speech
Fixed a bug where the player’s active mission would sometimes fall back to main-game missions when completing other missions in DLC areas.
Fixed a bug that could cause mission waypoints to not display in DLC areas.
Reduced level of Captain Scarlett and Mr. Torgue DLC raid bosses in Normal Mode.
Captain Scarlett and Mr. Torgue DLC raid bosses no longer drop Seraph crystals in Normal Mode.
Fixed a bug where Master Gee (Captain Scarlett DLC) would sometimes not drop any items when killed.
Increased the health of Terramorphous, Willhelm, and Blue.
Addressed an infinite leveling exploit with Fleshstick.

Equipment

Fixed a bug that could cause players to lose mission rewards that they had not claimed when switching between Normal mode and True Vault Hunter mode.
Fixed a bug causing the item-of-the-day not displaying “sold out” sometimes when opening a vending machine where the item had already been purchased.
Fixed a bug that could cause non-droppable inventory to be lost when trying to equip it from the world.
Fixed the player’s backpack sort setting not persisting.
Fixed a bug that could cause players’ backpacks to display empty under rare circumstances when trading.
Fixed a bug that could cause the critical hit bonus to inconsistently be included on the item card of weapons that modify this stat like Miss Moxxi’s Bad Touch.
Fixed bug causing Tediore reloads to get Amplify shield damage bonuses for each round remaining in the clip.
Fixed an exploit giving the player unlimited grenades by picking up a specific grenade mod.
Fixed customization items getting sorted as “ammo” in the inventory.
Amplify damage from Amplify Shields is now divided among all projectiles fired from a single shot.
Balance adjustments to “The Bee”:
- Increased Recharge Delay
- Significantly increased Recharge Rate
- Reduced Amplify damage
Additional miscellaneous balance tweaks.

Challenges

Added “(undiscovered)” entries to the challenge log for challenges that the player has not yet found.
Fixed challenges showing inaccurate completion amounts for area-specific challenges.
Players can now reset all challenge progress for a character once they’ve completed 85% of all non-DLC, non-area-specific challenge levels. This will keep the player’s current challenge bonuses and rank, but reset all challenge progress to 0 and allow challenges to be re-completed for additional ranks and bonuses. This option will appear as a tooltip at the bottom of the “challenges” screen within the status menu if the player has met the criteria.

PlayStation 3

General

Modified profile behavior to better protect Badass Rank and related data.
Added functionality to detect and restore Badass Rank in the event it was lost. To ensure you are credited for as much progress as possible, please load your character, select “Continue” on the Main Menu, and then “Save and Quit” after you enter the world. Repeat this process for each character in your character list.
Fixed an issue that caused players to sometimes crash or freeze after killing Master Gee in the Captain Scarlett DLC.
Added a confirmation dialog when opening the Golden Chest in Sanctuary.
Fixed a bug causing players to sometimes get stuck zoomed in when in “Fight For Your Life” mode.
Fixed a bug that could sometimes cause skill points to be reset when loading a character.
Fixed a bug that could cause weapons to not stop firing when the “Gunzerking Autoswitch” option was enabled.
Fixed the Mechromancer’s Anarchy skill sometimes losing stacks incorrectly for multiplayer clients.
Fixed some cases where enemies were getting stuck and unable to move.
“Inverted reverse steering” option now works correctly for clients in a multiplayer game.
Fixed an issue that could cause the trade icon to get stuck on the screen.
Fixed a bug where a splitscreen player would sometimes not receive the appropriate default weapon when creating a new character.
Fixed a bug that could cause the message “processing vehicle change request” to get stuck on the screen.
Fixed an issue where players could occasionally be unable to connect to one another if one of them had recently been in DLC that the other doesn’t have.
Added an informational dialog explaining that profile-wide settings won’t be saved when splitscreen players choose the same system user as the primary player.

Missions

Fixed a bug that could cause enemies and missions to be locked to an incorrect level.
Fixed issues with the following missions that could cause players to get stuck or not be able to complete them:
- Plan B
- Wildlife Preservation
- Mighty Morphin
- Fink’s Slaughterhouse
- Animal Rescue: Food
- The Man Who Would Be Jack
- Get To Know Jack
- Where Angels Fear to Tread
- Trailer Trashing
- Clan War: First Place
- Stalker of Stalkers
- The Once and Future Slab
- Home Movies
- Shielded Favors
- You Are Cordially Invited: Tea Party
- (Captain Scarlett) Freedom of Speech
Fixed a bug where the player’s active mission would sometimes fall back to main-game missions when completing other missions in DLC areas.
Fixed a bug that could cause mission waypoints to not display in DLC areas.
Reduced level of Captain Scarlett and Mr. Torgue DLC raid bosses in Normal Mode.
Captain Scarlett and Mr. Torgue DLC raid bosses no longer drop Seraph crystals in Normal Mode.
Fixed a bug where Master Gee (Captain Scarlett DLC) would sometimes not drop any items when killed.
Increased the health of Terramorphous, Willhelm, and Blue.
Addressed an infinite leveling exploit with Fleshstick.

Equipment

Fixed a bug that could cause players to lose mission rewards that they had not claimed when switching between Normal mode and True Vault Hunter mode.
Fixed a bug causing the item-of-the-day not displaying “sold out” sometimes when opening a vending machine where the item had already been purchased.
Fixed a bug that could cause non-droppable inventory to be lost when trying to equip it from the world.
Fixed the player’s backpack sort setting not persisting.
Fixed a bug that could cause players’ backpacks to display empty under rare circumstances when trading.
Fixed a bug that could cause the critical hit bonus to inconsistently be included on the item card of weapons that modify this stat like Miss Moxxi’s Bad Touch.
Fixed bug causing Tediore reloads to get Amplify shield damage bonuses for each round remaining in the clip.
Fixed an exploit giving the player unlimited grenades by picking up a specific grenade mod.
Fixed customization items getting sorted as “ammo” in the inventory.
Amplify damage from Amplify Shields is now divided among all projectiles fired from a single shot.
Balance adjustments to “The Bee”:
- Increased Recharge Delay
- Significantly increased Recharge Rate
- Reduced Amplify damage
Additional miscellaneous balance tweaks.

Challenges

Added “(undiscovered)” entries to the challenge log for challenges that the player has not yet found.
Fixed challenges showing inaccurate completion amounts for area-specific challenges.
Players can now reset all challenge progress for a character once they’ve completed 85% of all non-DLC, non-area-specific challenge levels. This will keep the player’s current challenge bonuses and rank, but reset all challenge progress to 0 and allow challenges to be re-completed for additional ranks and bonuses. This option will appear as a tooltip at the bottom of the “challenges” screen within the status menu if the player has met the criteria.

PC

Update v1.3.0

Fixed the “use” description text on the HUD getting cut off prematurely when binding “use” to certain keys.
Fixed a bug that could cause the critical hit bonus to inconsistently be included on the item card of weapons that modify this stat like Miss Moxxi’s Bad Touch.
Fixed a bug causing decals to not be displayed when the framerate was set to 30FPS Capped.
Fixed a bug causing head customizations from the Mr. Torgue DLC to not unlock properly for Sirens and Mechromancers.
Fixed a bug where profiles would refuse to save when they were already corrupted on startup.
Fixed a bug where profile restoration code would sometimes trigger inappropriately.

Updates are done automatically, so just load up the game and wait.

StableBit DrivePool for Windows Home Server 2011 Beta 1.2.4.7226 released

Andrew Edney

-

Dec 17, 2012

0

There has been another beta build from CoveCube! StableBit DrivePool development marches on – now its version 1.2.4.7226.

Here is how CoveCube describes this application:

Combine all your hard drives into one big storage pool (except the system drive with the OS).
Add and remove drives from the pool at any time without re-partitioning or manually moving folders.
Create duplicated folders on the storage drive pool that are protected against single drive failure. If a drive fails on which a duplicated file was stored, the contents of that file will remain readable even without the drive.
All your data is stored in standard NTFS files. You can always access your files even if the Windows Home Server completely crashes or this add-in can’t be used.

This beta version’s change log:

[D] Measuring the pool would crash the system on pools with extremely deep directory structures.

Download the latest beta build from here

Forza Horizon Rally Expansion Pack available from tomorrow on Xbox LIVE

Gaming
News

Andrew Edney

-

Dec 17, 2012

0

Forza Horizon Rally Expansion Pack available from tomorrow on Xbox LIVE

Microsoft, Playground Games, and Turn 10 Studios have announced that the Forza Horizon Rally Expansion Pack is available to download starting tomorrow, Tuesday 18^th December on Xbox LIVE.

The Rally Expansion Pack brings a thrilling new automotive experience – with new cars, terrain, and off-road racing challenge – to this year’s biggest racing game. The Forza Horizon Rally Expansion Pack will be available to download for 1,600 Microsoft Points or as a free download for players who own the Forza Horizon Season Pass.

With the Rally Expansion Pack, the Horizon Festival is expanding to include epic rally racing and iconic rally cars that have been specifically tuned to handle the extreme terrain of Colorado’s most formidable off-road stages. Players will test their driving mettle with new multiplayer rally events, leaderboards, and Rivals challenges, as well as a new set of career events that take place on rally stages built across Colorado to push rally drivers and their cars to the limit. These stages feature severe and sudden elevation changes, massive jumps, and more surface variety than has ever been seen in Forza Horizon, providing an intense and varied off-road driving experience.

The Rally Expansion Pack will include five iconic rally cars, each with its own storied real-world rally history. Players will be able to upgrade these cars with new rally-specific upgrades including tires, suspensions, transmissions, and body kits specifically created to maximise each car’s potential on the varied terrain of the Expansion Pack’s rally stages. In addition, players will be able to create their own dirt-eating machines by applying rally upgrades to any car in their Forza Horizon garage for use in the rally stages and in the main game.

The five cars in the Rally Expansion Pack include:

2005 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

The traditional blue and yellow Subaru is nearly synonymous with rally racing. The Subaru World Rally Team has been active since 1980 and has employed a “who’s who” list of rally-driving greats including Ari Vatanen, Colin McRae, and Petter Solberg. The 2005 WRX STi saw minor interior upgrades over the 2004 version. It is powered by the turbocharged and intercooled 2.5-liter flat-four that cranks out more than 300 horsepower. Subaru’s invincible all-wheel drive system provides grippy traction on any surface.

1982 Lancia 037 Stradale

The words “Group B” will send a chill of excitement down any rally lover’s spine. These cars were so fast they were eventually banned from rally competition. The Lancia 037 Stradale represents the last of the RWD cars to be competitive before AWD cars took over the sport. With a silhouette similar to its predecessor, the Lancia Stratos, the 037 is a mid-engine, tube frame beast with body panels made of Kevlar. The 200 road going versions built for homologation had an Abarth-developed 16-valve four-cylinder 2.0-liter engine with a Volumex supercharger. Power output of the street car is right around 200 horsepower, although the final evolution of the rally 037 had as much as 325 horsepower.

1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth

Built with the intent of winning the World Rally Championship, the RS Cosworth was a successful stopgap model between the Sierra Cosworth and the later Focus. Although the Escort did not win the championship, it did win eight events between 1993 and 1996 and was extremely competitive as a Group A car. What makes the Escort RS truly special is the Cosworth YBT 1993cc turbocharged I4 engine. Its standard output of 224 horsepower has been tuned to as high as 1,000 horsepower in competition trim. Its full-time 34/66 front/rear split AWD system also give it excellent handling on any surface.

1992 Toyota Celica GT-Four RC ST185

Driven by Carlos Sainz, the ST185 won the driver’s title in 1992. This was the pinnacle of Sainz’s rally career and the first time a Japanese car won trophies in an otherwise European manufacturer-dominated motorsport. The GT-Four RC is an AWD, turbocharged, 4-cylinder with a water-to-air intercooler and close-ratio transmission. A total of 232 horsepower give it plenty of juice and, when you upgrade to the rally body part components, the Celica is an obvious standout rally-racing icon.

2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR

The Lancer’s AWD performance is equal to supercars costing exponentially more. With 276 horsepower ready to be unleashed, the lightweight 3,109-pound Evo VIII MR is a formidable car on any surface. Lightning-quick turbocharged acceleration is put down to the surface through a six-speed transmission and helical limited-slip differential, making the Evo VIII a natural choice for any rally lover.

Forza Horizon Season Pass owners will be able to download the Rally Expansion Pack for free on 18^th December. In addition, Season Pass owners will have access to the December Season Pass bonus car—the 2003 Ford SVT Focus, which also comes with rally-inspired body upgrades—effectively giving Season Pass owners a sixth rally car to enjoy in the Rally Expansion Pack.

Season Pass owners will also receive five exclusive cars, with one car being released per month through March.

Don’t worry if you are not a Season Pass holder, you can buy the pack for 1,600 Microsoft Points.

Check out our Exclusive Forza Horizons interviews

Company of Heroes 2 Multiplayer trailer

Andrew Edney

-

Dec 17, 2012

0

Back at Gamecom I wrote about Company of Heroes 2, and now THQ have released a new trailer for Multiplayer.

It is 1941 and the beginning of what will become the most brutal conflict of World War II, as Germany launches a full-scale invasion of the frozen tundra of the Soviet Union which would result in over 14 million military casualties. Take command of the iconic Soviet Red Army in brutal frontline warfare to free Mother Russia from the invading Nazis. Your strategic skills and tactical expertise hold the power to tip the very balance of this conflict in the sequel to the critically acclaimed and multi award-winning Company of Heroes. Engage in visceral tactical combat that will define you as a military leader and challenge you to wield the might of the Soviet Empire as you smash your way to Berlin.

And here is the new trailer:

What do you think of Company of Heroes 2? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Check out our interview with Quinn Duffy

Borderlands 2 DLC : Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt

Gaming
News

Andrew Edney

-

Dec 17, 2012

0

There has been some information leaked about the next Borderlands 2 DLC – this one is called Sir Hammerlock’s Big Game Hunt.

From Reddit:

Danger! Excitement! Mustaches! It’s time for another episode of Vault Hunter Adventures, featuring Sir Hammerlock! In this week’s tale, our hard-boiled heroes travel to the savage continent of Aegrus! Their goal? To uncover the most exotic creatures Pandora has to offer, and give ’em the old one-two!

One new head and one new skin for each class
A new vehicle – the fanboat (summoned from a Catch-A-Boat station), with 68 of its own skins and corrosive, incendiary, and shock weapon mods
Currently 12 side missions and 5 longer main story missions
A new raid boss (“Imagine, if you will, a Stalker the size of a small building. Now imagine yourself killing it.”)
More new Seraph items
New kinds of enemies, like the borok and the scaylion
Lots of monster-tracking side missions assigned by Sir Hammerlock
A new swamp/jungle continent named Aegrus
A self-important but not-so-well-known new enemy who is “super-pumped we’re archenemies now”, and who leads a tribe of jungle savages and has an evil plan that might actually work
A new treasure room brimming with goodies… but with a time limit

Check out our review of Borderlands 2

Apple Releases iOS 6.1 Beta 4 to Developers

Apple
News

Chris Hare

-

Dec 17, 2012

0

Apple has seeded a new beta of iOS 6.1 to developers alongside new beta software for the Apple TV and Xcode 4.6 Developer Preview 4.

The iOS 6.1 Beta 4 firmware is build number 10B5126B and can be downloaded from the iOS Dev Center.

No word on what’s new yet.

Google Releases New ‘YouTube Capture’ App

Chris Hare

-

Dec 17, 2012

0

Google has released a new app called ‘YouTube Capture’ that makes it easy to film and share videos.

Film and share videos with YouTube Capture:
✓ Easy, fast recording
✓ Touch up videos with colour correction, stabilization, trimming, and music tracks
✓ Upload to YouTube, Google+, Facebook, and Twitter simultaneously

You can download YouTube Capture from the App Store for free.

Tomb Raider : Guide to Survival Episode 1 – Smart, Resourceful Lara

Andrew Edney

-

Dec 17, 2012

0

Tomb Raider : Guide to Survival Episode 1 – Smart, Resourceful Lara

SQUARE ENIX and Crystal Dynamics have released a video for their forthcoming game Tomb Raider. This is episode 1 of the Guide to Survival and is called Smart, Resourceful Lara.

This video series will dive into the World of Tomb Raider: exploring the decisions Lara faces as she is forced to survive.

The first episode in the series explores how Lara must use her wits to become a Survivor.

Though she doesn’t begin as a fully accomplished heroine she’s smart, resourceful and full of potential: you’ll see Lara using the Basecamp System to upgrade her skills and gear, see how she uses her Survival Instinct to explore on the island, and get an insight into her signature weapon, the bow.

And here is episode 1:

I am a huge fan of the new Tomb Raider game, and recently I got to play the first three hours of Tomb Raider – my preview post will be up soon.

Amazon Adds Two New Series to Prime Instant Video

Jim McCarthy

-

Dec 17, 2012

0

Amazon has added two TNT series as exclusives to Prime Instant Video. Read on for details.

Amazon has added two TNT series as exclusives to Prime Instant Video, Falling Skies and The Closer. Here is the press release:

Amazon Announces Exclusive Prime Instant Video Licensing Agreements with Turner Broadcasting and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution for Two of TNT’s Hit Series

Turner Grants Licensing Rights for TNT’s Falling Skies (Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood) and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Grants Rights for TNT Series The Closer (Kyra Sedgwick, Jon Tenney)

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 17, 2012– (NASDAQ: AMZN) — Amazon.com, Inc. today announced an exclusive content licensing agreement with Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution to add the epic TNT drama series Falling Skies and the Warner Bros. Television-produced TNT series The Closer to its Prime Instant Video catalog, giving Prime members instant access to these titles at no additional cost. Fans will be able to enjoy all seven seasons of The Closer and the current as well as future seasons of Falling Skies on Prime Instant Video.

Prime Instant Video now features more than 30,000 movies and TV episodes for Amazon Prime members to stream instantly on Kindle Fire HD or any of the hundreds of compatible Amazon Instant Video devices, including iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Roku, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and the Wii U. To start watching Prime Instant Video, visit http://www.amazon.com/PIV.

“Today’s agreements with TNT and Warner Bros. Domestic TV add two great TV series to Prime Instant Video,” said Brad Beale, Director of Digital Video Content Acquisition for Amazon. “Falling Skies and The Closer are some of Turner’s most-watched and highly talked about series and we’re happy to offer them exclusively for Prime members to enjoy. Amazon Prime just got even better.”

“We are pleased to offer Falling Skies to Amazon Prime members,” said Deborah K. Bradley, Senior Vice President of Program Acquisitions for Turner Broadcasting. “Subscription-on-demand services continue to grow in the consumer marketplace, and this deal represents a way to help expand our viewership from TV Everywhere and introduce a wider audience to this hit series.”

“Amazon has proven to be a terrific distribution platform for our popular television titles and we are confident that The Closer will also meet with that same success,” said Ken Werner, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. “There will be 109 episodes of this riveting drama available for fans to enjoy for the very first time or to rewatch their favorite episodes from TNT.”

Falling Skies, which ranked this year as basic cable’s #1 summer drama with key demos, tells the extraordinary story about life and survival in the wake of a catastrophic alien invasion. Noah Wyle stars as a college professor who becomes an unlikely resistance leader in this gripping series from DreamWorks Television and executive producer Steven Spielberg.

TNT’s Warner Bros. Television-produced series The Closer is the only show in basic cable history to rank #1 for five consecutive years. Emmy-winner Kyra Sedgwick stars as Los Angeles Deputy Police Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, whose impeccable investigative and interrogation skills have resulted in countless confessions and convictions.