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Battlefield 4's trailer leaked early, come check it out (in low quality for now)

By: Anthony Garreffa | More News: Gaming | Posted: Mar 27, 2013 2:50 am

We've just shown you the first screenshots of Battlefield 4, so how about an early look at the trailer that has been leaked? 'Circus Maximus' posted a comment on our BF4 screenshot news, pointing us in the direction of the leaked trailer for BF4.

 

 

The trailer features a weirdly placed Rihanna song, and so many quick cuts it's not funny. It'll be great to see it in actual detail from the 17-minute gameplay video we should receive in the coming days - which the trailer states will arrive soon.

 

battlefield_4_s_trailer_leaked_early_come_check_it_out_in_low_quality_for_now

 

What are your thoughts on the trailer? I need to see it in 1080p to really make a judgement on it, but for now it definitely has my trigger finger itching.



Battlefield 4's first screenshots released, prepare your upgrades

By: Anthony Garreffa | More News: Gaming | Posted: Mar 27, 2013 2:11 am

I've been waiting for this day for quite some time now, but it appears that the first leaked screenshots of DICE's first-person shooter, Battlefield 4, are here and boy are they good.

 

battlefield_4_s_first_screenshots_released_prepare_your_upgrades

 

The images have made it to multiple sites, taken directly from a public directory on the Battlefield Blog, which is why we haven't slapped a 'RumorTT' tag on this post. Battlefield 4 is expected to be unveiled at GDC in the coming hours, where we should have our eyeballs greeted by BF4's first official trailer. Until then, check out some more screenshots from BF4.

 

battlefield_4_s_first_screenshots_released_prepare_your_upgrades

 

battlefield_4_s_first_screenshots_released_prepare_your_upgrades



T-Mobile's iPhone 5 will support the company's HD Voice feature

By: Charles Gantt | More News: Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones | Posted: Mar 27, 2013 12:07 am

T-Mobile has been pushing their new HD Voice technology pretty hard lately. The new feature is said to produce much clearer audio during calls and eliminate the "tinny" sound most of us have become accustomed to.

 

t_mobile_iphone_5_will_support_the_company_s_hd_voice_feature

 

Today, T-Mobile announced that the HD Voice feature would in fact be coming to its version of the iPhone 5. While HD Voice technology does exist in other parts of the world, T-Mobile will be the first carrier in the US to offer such a service. This also means that T-Mobile will be the first partner of Apple to put the iPhone's "wideband audio" capabilities to use.

 

To take advantage of the new clearer voice calls, all parties on the call must have a T-Mobile device and be connected to the carrier's HSPA, HSPA+, or LTE networks. The iPhone 5 is expected to launch on April 12 and will cost $100 up front with 24 monthly payments of $20 added to your bill each month.



250 million Facebook users play games on the service each month, equates to $2 billion in revenue for developers

By: Charles Gantt | More News: Social Networking | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 11:32 pm

Games on Facebook are an annoyance for some and a lifestyle for others. Whether or not you game on the social network, you most likely know several people who do. Today, Facebook released some astonishing statistics about its users' gaming habits.

 

250_million_facebook_users_play_games_on_the_service_each_month_equates_to_2_billion_in_revenue_for_developers

 

In a release this morning, Facebook says that over 250 million of its users play games on its service. Roughly 20 percent of its daily users play some type of game when logged into the site. If that is not a wake up call to all game developers, then the monetary figures sure will be.

 

Over 100 game developers made $1 million last year from Facebook games alone, with the totality of all Facebook gaming developers splitting roughly $2 billion in revenue last year. Android and iOS developers are taking note too with over 55 percent of the top 400 iOS games having Facebook integration.



Tibetan Activist targeted by Hackers using a trojan on their Android devices

By: Charles Gantt | More News: Hacking & Security | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 11:01 pm

Activist in Tibet might want to reconsider spreading the word about their next rally through their Android based smartphones. Researchers at Kaspersky Labs have just discovered a new Trojan virus that is designed to target Tibetan and Uyghur Activist.

 

tibetan_activist_targeted_by_hackers_using_a_trojan_on_their_android_devices

 

The malware is specifically designed for Android Phones and is injected into the device when the unsuspecting user opens an email that references the recent World Uyghur Conference. Kaspersky says that this is the first documented attack that targets Android smartphones but it will most certainly not be the last.

 

In an interview with Mashable, Kurt Baumgartner, a senior security researcher at Kaspersky, said:

This is the first time a precisely targeted attack is implementing an Android-based Trojan... this is the first instance that it was used in a targeted attack that's publicly documented.


Continue reading 'Tibetan Activist targeted by Hackers using a trojan on their Android devices' (full post)



Apple ditches Retina MacBook Pro 'Highest Resolution' tagline

By: Trace Hagan | More News: Business, Financial & Legal | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 10:02 pm

Apple has been forced to ditch the marketing tagline that it has been using in conjunction with the Retina MacBook Pros. The tagline: "The highest-resolution notebook ever. And the second highest." This no longer holds true thanks to the release of the Google Chromebook Pixel.

 

apple_ditches_retina_macpro_highest_resolution_tagline

 

While the 15-inch Retina MacBook Pro does still feature a higher resolution screen, the Pixel crams nearly as many pixels into a much smaller area. The Pixel has also displaced the 13-inch MacBook Pro in terms of resolution, meaning the second part of the tagline is false. Apple could continue to market the 15-inch model with the first part.

 

Apple's new tagline? "High performance has never been so well defined." The Chromebook Pixel also resulted in another change, though not as visible.


Continue reading 'Apple ditches Retina MacBook Pro 'Highest Resolution' tagline' (full post)



Sweden removes 'ungoogleable' from dictionary after Google applies pressure

By: Trace Hagan | More News: Business, Financial & Legal | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 9:32 pm

Google wasn't happy when it found out that Sweden had added a word that meant "ungoogleable" to a list of new words. After Google applied some pressure, The Language Council of Sweden has removed the word from the list. Google's complaint is questionable, with both sides seeming to be quite reasonable.

 

sweden_removes_ungoogleable_from_dictionary_after_google_applies_pressure

 

The word "ogooglebar" was defined to mean something "that you can't find on the web with the use of a search engine." Google requested the council redefine the term to describe something that used Google's own search engine exclusively. The argument is much the same as "Kleenex" being used to mean facial tissue or "Xerox" being used to describe a photocopy.

 

Google must fight to protect its trademark or the name Google could go the way of zipper, escalator, and aspirin--words that used to be brand names. What are your thoughts? Should Google have fought this? After all, they can't prevent locals from using the term--they've just managed to keep it from getting a formal definition.



RumorTT: Galaxy Note 3 will feature 'unbreakable' display

By: Trace Hagan | More News: Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 9:01 pm

A new rumor has popped up that says Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Note 3 will feature an unbreakable display, likely of the flexible variety we saw at CES 2013. An unbreakable display would be a welcome feature for a device that is carried around--and dropped--so frequently.

 

rumortt_galaxy_note_3_will_feature_unbreakable_display

 

The rumor goes on to say that the unbreakable Galaxy Note 3's screen will measure up at a massive 5.9 inches. It's still a bit early to take rumors such as this as more than just a rumor. But, the technology for flexible displays does exist and will likely start showing up in future devices. Whether or not it will be unbreakable remains to be seen.



Google to send out invitations to Glass Explorer Program in next few days

By: Trace Hagan | More News: Augmented Reality | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 8:33 pm

Google will be sending out invitations over the next few days to people who participated in the #ifihadglass competition. Winners of the #ifihadglass competition will be invited to purchase the Google Glass Explorer Edition package for $1,500. They will then be able to pick their pair up at one of the many events Google is planning.

 

google_to_send_out_invitations_to_glass_explorer_program_in_next_few_days

 

The dates for when Google Glass will be available for pickup have not been confirmed. Google stresses that the Explorer Program is only open to individuals. Businesses will have to wait until Google comes up with a program specifically designed for connecting with businesses:

 

We also want to call out that we received great applications from businesses. At the moment, our Explorer Program is only for individuals. However, we are working on connecting with businesses in other ways.

 

We will probably hear more about Google Glass at Google's I/O event.



Google releases updated version of Chrome with improvements to spell checking

By: Trace Hagan | More News: Internet Browsers | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 8:03 pm

Like a machine, Google has pushed out another stable build of Chrome. This latest stable version of Chrome brings with it numerous improvements for spell checking. Some of the spell checking improvements are quite impressive, such as the ability to sync spell checking settings across all versions of Chrome.

 

google_releases_updated_version_of_chrome_with_improvements_to_spell_checking

 

The latest Chrome features a refreshed spell checking dictionary for all languages supported by Chrome. Chrome's spell checker now supports Korean, Tamil, and Albanian. Even more interesting is Chrome's ability to sync your dictionary across all the devices you use Chrome on. This means custom words added to your desktop version will be available on other installations.

 

Google Chrome will now allow the spell checker to "ask Google for suggestions." This new feature makes use of the same spell checker used by Google search. This means that Chrome now supports grammar checking, proper nouns, homonyms, and context-sensitive spell checking in English.

 

The new spell checking improvements are available on Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS. Mac support is in the works.



T-Mobile lets slip Galaxy S4 release date, get your S4 around May 1

By: Trace Hagan | More News: Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 7:31 pm

During T-Mobile's Uncarrier event today, the company let slip that customers would be able to get the new Galaxy S4 "about May 1st." Of course, that's not a completely specific date, though we expect the device to launch on May 1 provided that there aren't any issues or delays that appear in the next few weeks.

 

t_mobile_lets_slip_galaxy_s4_release_date_get_your_s4_around_may_1

 

The new Galaxy S4 will have to compete with the iPhone 5. The iPhone 5 will be launching a few weeks before the latest Galaxy, but customers may be willing to wait those extra couple of weeks to get the latest and greatest device on the market. We'll have to see how it all plays out.



Rightware releases Basemark X screenshot and some tech specs

By: Trace Hagan | More News: Apps | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 6:12 pm

Rightware, makers of the benchmark Basemark X, has released a new screenshot for its upcoming Basemark X benchmark. Along with the screenshot, Rightware teased us with some of the specifications of the upcoming becnhmark.

 

rightware_releases_basemark_x_screenshot_and_some_tech_specs

 

As you can see above, the graphics are fairly impressive, for an iOS, Android, and Windows Phone benchmark. The benchmark utilizes the Unity 4.0 game engine and the polygon count in the test sequences total up to over 900,000.

 

We'll have more information on Basemark X after we attend Game Developers Conference, currently taking place in San Francisco, California.


Continue reading 'Rightware releases Basemark X screenshot and some tech specs' (full post)



T-Mobile launches its 4G LTE network in 7 US cities

By: Trace Hagan | More News: Connectivity & Communications | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 5:31 pm

T-Mobile has announced at today's Uncarrier event that its 4G LTE network is now live in seven US cities across the nation. T-Mobile customers in Baltimore, Houston, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Jose, and Washington DC will be able to surf at speeds faster than many home DSL connections.

 

t_mobile_launches_its_4g_lte_network_in_7_us_cities

 

T-Mobile expects to bring its 4G LTE network to 100 million Americans by the middle of this year and to 200 million Americans by the end of 2013. It's currently in last place in the LTE roll out race, though Sprint isn't too far ahead. Verizon and AT&T continue to be the front runners, but T-Mobile is trying to catch up quickly.



Rumors prove accurate, T-Mobile announces iPhone 5 for $99, 4S and 4 join lineup

By: Trace Hagan | More News: Business, Financial & Legal | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 4:31 pm

It took T-Mobile long enough to get the iPhone. All of the other major carriers, and even some minor carriers, have had it for a good period of time. We knew that T-Mobile would eventually get the iPhone as they said that they would be getting it this year. At the time, we weren't sure when it would be arriving.

 

rumors_prove_accurate_t_mobile_announces_iphone_5_for_99_4s_and_4_join_lineup

 

For users looking to pick up the iPhone 5, you'll have to put $99 down and pay $20 per month for the next two years. This works out to a cheaper upfront cost, though you do have to pay the full price of the device over its life.

 

The iPhone 4S will set you back $70 at the outset and the same $20 per month. If you're into really old tech, the iPhone 4 can be had for just $15 down and $15 per month.



Google hires frequent Chrome leaker Francois Beaufort

By: Trace Hagan | More News: Business, Financial & Legal | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 3:44 pm

Google has made a move to curb the early leaks by Francois Beaufort by hiring the leaker onto the payroll. As of yesterday, Beaufort was hired by Google to be a Chromium Evangelist. Unfortunately, this means that the rest of us will continue to be in the dark about upcoming Chrome and Chromium features until much closer to their respective release dates.

 

google_hires_frequent_chrome_leaker_francois_beaufort

 

It's no secret that I love Chromium and Chromium OS and have been diving into the open source project deeply over the years. In this new role, I'll be able to do a series of more in-depth "behind the scenes" pieces about the Chrome team, its culture, and upcoming features.

 

Google isn't the first company to hire someone who was making life difficult for the company. For example, Jagex, maker of Runescape, hired one of the bot developers to join the team that worked on stopping bots in the game. We'll see if Beaufort continues to provide early leaks or if him being on the payroll will limit his ability to do so.



Square Enix boss steps down amidst "extraordinary loss" for this financial year

By: Anthony Garreffa | More News: Business, Financial & Legal | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 2:33 pm

Square Enix has just lost their boss due to an "extraordinary loss" in their last financial year, with slow sales in console games in the West to blame, Square Enix said in a statement to investors. Yoichi Wada has been head of the company since 2000, and has now been replaced with former Square Enix president Yosuke Matsuda.

 

square_enix_boss_steps_down_amidst_extraordinary_loss_for_this_financial_year

 

Profit forecasts have been cut, making room of plans for "major reforms and restructuring" within Square Enix, something that will cost around $70 million to do so. Console game sales are the cause for these issues, and the restructuring, but it is the reforms themselves that will see the company tripping that line into the red this year. The company were expected to make a $24.4 million profit, but will now make a $90 million loss.



19-year-old receives 30 months in prison for 'lasering' two aircraft in 2012

By: Anthony Garreffa | More News: Business, Financial & Legal | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 1:41 pm

Last October, 19-year-old Adam Gardenhire pleaded guilty to aiming a laser pointer at a private aircraft, and a police helicopter. On Monday, a federal judge based in California sentenced Gardenhire to 30 months in prison.

 

19_year_old_receives_30_months_in_prison_for_lasering_two_aircraft_in_2012

 

President Obama signed in a law in February of last year, where aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft now deemed a federal crime. Gardenhire is the second person in the US to be sentenced under the new law, with four more Californians indicted on similar charges this month alone. Gardenhire pointed a "commercial-grade green laser" at two aircraft on March 29, causing the Cessna pilot to "suffer vision impairment that lasted for hours."

 

The second case saw a Pasadena Police Department helicopter pilot hit in the eyes with the laser, but he "was wearing protective gear and did not suffer eye damage or vision impairment as a result of the laser," according to a statement from the Office of the United States Attorney Central District of California that Ars Technica got their hands on.



RumorTT: Hulu up for sale once again?

By: Anthony Garreffa | More News: Business, Financial & Legal | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 12:38 pm

Hulu is rumored to once again be up for sale, with the last news that News Corp and Disney were considering buying one another out, but now according to Reuters, anonymous sources are confirming that the board are reaching out to more than one potential buyer while they consider their options.

 

rumortt_hulu_up_for_sale_once_again

 

Variety are chiming in too, where they've suggested that the two would remain part owners, and would welcome another party to join in on the fun. Hulu's owners have tried to sell the site previously, but this time we could actually see a deal solidified and completed, time will tell of course.



Foxconn makes a cool $3.2 billion in net profit, thanks Apple for letting them make their iPhones

By: Anthony Garreffa | More News: Business, Financial & Legal | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 11:31 am

Foxconn Technology have reporte their earnings for the year, seeing a nice net income of $3.2 billion according to the Financial Times. The company otherwise known as Hon Hai Precision are the company known for manufacturing some of the most popular devices in the world.

 

foxconn_makes_a_cool_3_2_billion_in_profits_thanks_apple_for_letting_them_make_their_iphones

 

If you didn't already know, these devices are better known as the iPhone, iPad and iPod. Hon Hai Precision are what they go by in their home country, where they beat analysts' predictions on high margins for these iOS-based products. Foxconn International Holdings is the world's largest cellphone maker, where they produce devices for a multitude of companies, including Apple, Nokia and Motorola, but suffered a net loss of $316.4 million.

 

Because of this, there is now some concerns that Foxconn's huge reliance on Apple is going to be a problem going into the future.



Google to use 'white spaces' spectrum in order to deliver Wi-Fi to South African schools

By: Anthony Garreffa | More News: Networking | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 10:29 am

There has already been some experimentation with "Super Wi-Fi" networks using the white spaces spectrum in the US, and now Mountain View-based search giant Google are poised to use the same technology to deliver Internet access to ten schools across South Africa.

 

google_to_use_white_spaces_spectrum_in_order_to_deliver_wi_fi_to_south_african_schools

 

The Verge has reported that "launching the test network is Google's most direct effort yet to demonstrate the potential of white spaces... as a means of delivering faster internet connectivity to the developing world and other rural areas."

 

"White spaces" are bands of unused television spectrum that allows signals to travel farther and penetrate deeper into buildings than the commonly used 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi spectrum bands.




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