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Gaming
GameBone Pro game controller for iPhone
By Darren Quick
20:28 June 29, 2009 PDT
With the ever-increasing number of games available for the iPhone and iPod Touch through the App Store it seems many users find the Apple devices an acceptable gaming platform. One of the major downsides for gamers though is the lack of any real physical buttons. 22Moo is looking to provide mobile gamers with a solution in the form of the GameBone Pro, an OS 3.0 compatible, 8-way D-pad, 6 button game controller that connects to an iPhone or iPod Touch via Bluetooth or Apple’s 30-pin dock connector. Read More
Belkin boosts HD streaming with Gigabit Powerline HD Starter Kit
By Paul Best
18:32 June 23, 2009 PDT
As web viewing figures begin to put on serious weight, so grow the demands on households’ internet connections. Recent stats show that more than four in five people are watching more internet video than a year ago and the number of videos being viewed has ballooned 10-fold in a couple of years. But speed and bandwidth, which are critical to quality video streaming, remain issues. Belkin’s new Gigabit Powerline HD Starter Kit adapter is helping the challenge of delivering mass entertainment over the internet, achieving 1000Mbps using the home’s existing powerline network. Read More
Maingear Axess-HD Gamer: Get your game on in the living room
By Darren Quick
21:34 June 21, 2009 PDT
Maingear has added some gaming grunt to its line of high end Home Theater PCs (HTPCs) in the form the Axess-HD Gamer. Just like its stable mates, the Axess-HD and HD PRO, the HD Gamer sports a low profile design with aluminum case and optional OLED Front Panel Display that is designed to blend in with other home theater components. However, behind that stylish exterior lies a system built for gaming, an intention made more obvious by the inclusion of the Phantom Lapboard as standard. Read More
Sony goes into battle with its motion controller for PS3
By Paul Best
01:21 June 4, 2009 PDT
A day after Microsoft took the wraps on its Project Natal motion control system at the E3 expo in Las Vegas, Sony Computer Entertainment has followed suit, showing off its own motion controller prototype for the PlayStation 3. And while the announcements have been popularly characterized as something of a “controller wars”, they're really a signpost pointing the way gaming has been heading since Nintendo stole the show with its Wii motion-sensing game console in 2006 – the need to capture the hearts and minds of the growing gaming audience, especially the moms, dads and similar less hardcore gamers. Read More
Sony officially announces PSP Go
By Darren Quick
21:58 June 3, 2009 PDT
Sony has confirmed the rumors and officially announced the updated, slimmed down version of its PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld gaming console at E3. The new PSP go features a sliding form factor with the ability to play video and music when closed, or transform into a gaming console when the familiar PlayStation controls are revealed. Read More
Microsoft shows off Project Natal motion-sensing control
By Darren Quick
00:58 June 3, 2009 PDT
“You are the controller.” No, it’s not some new Zen proverb for gamers, it’s how Microsoft describes its new motion-sensing, controller-free technology code-named Project Natal. Following details leaked a few weeks ago when the US patent office released documents, Microsoft has given a demonstration of the technology that looks and behaves a little like a Sony PlayStation Eye on some serious steroids. Read More
Forensics toolkit cracks open the Xbox gaming console
By Darren Quick
21:58 May 5, 2009 PDT
Those who think the Xbox game console may be the perfect place to hide illicit material from prying eyes – principally because it isn't seen as a regular-joe PC – had better think again. Computer scientist David Collins has developed a toolkit that allows police and other law-enforcement agencies to recover criminal data more easily from hard drives like the Xbox Read More
AMD claims world’s most powerful GPU with the ATI Radeon HD 4890
By Darren Quick
19:57 April 2, 2009 PDT
To meet the ever increasing graphical demands of modern games AMD has introduced the ATI Radeon HD 4890 graphics card that boasts a staggering 1.36 TeraFLOPs of compute power, GDDR5 memory, and engine clock speeds capable of nearly 1GHz. Read More
Xbox 360 set for Wii-style motion control with Gametrak Freedom
By Jamilah Le
04:51 March 30, 2009 PDT
No one could fail to notice it bears an uncanny resemblance to the Wii remote (Wiimote) and the folks at Performance Designed Products (PDP) claim that the Gametrak Freedom - a new control device set for release on the Xbox 360 - is the most accurate and versatile 3D motion controller on the market. Read More
OnLive streams HD games to any old PC or Mac
By Darren Quick
01:03 March 27, 2009 PDT
Cloud computing is a concept that has been touted as the next generation technology for some time and with major players such as Google, Microsoft and Apple now heartily embracing the idea it seems its time has finally come. While the advantages of the approach have long been recognized, the Internet speeds required to make it feasible have meant that cloud computing has remained a blip on the horizon until recently. But with high speed connections becoming more and more available around the world companies are rushing to get on the cloud bandwagon lest they be left behind and miss out on the ‘next big thing’. And it’s not just the standard office applications like word processing, spreadsheets and databases that are making the move. The world of gaming could also be headed for a shake up as Palo Alto-based OnLive tests the water in providing on-demand games streaming over a broadband connection. Read More
Innovative ‘caseless’ computer housing concept from BMW
By Darren Quick
21:43 March 15, 2009 PDT
Although obviously best known for its cars and motorbikes, BMW also creates yachts, aircraft and trains, and has now turned its design expertise to a computer gaming tower with the ‘Level 10’ concept for Thermaltake, a manufacturer of computer housings and components for individually configurable high-end computers. Read More
iPoint system promises touchless gesture control of 3D displays
By Darren Quick
22:29 February 23, 2009 PST
For all the advances in computing and display technology over the years it’s a little disappointing that the main way we interact with them is still largely keyboard and mouse based, or for gaming consoles, controller based. The Wii’s motion controller has shown that the traditional ways of interaction serve as a barrier to many people and that new ways of interaction offer up a whole new range of possibilities. We also know that there are people hard at work on delivering whiz-bang new Minority Report style glove-controlled interfaces, but iPoint 3D goes a step further – the system allows people to communicate with a 3D display through simple hand gestures – without touching it and without 3D glasses or a data glove. Read More
Nintendo DSi launches April 5 in the United States
By Darren Quick
06:13 February 19, 2009 PST
February 19, 2009 The third iteration of the all conquering Nintendo DS will be released in the US on April 5. The new Nintendo DSi, which has been going gangbusters in Japan where it was launched on November 1 last year, crams even more goodies into a package about 12% thinner than the Nintendo DS Lite. Built-in features include two VGA (0.3 megapixel) cameras, SD card slot, a new DSi Sound application and a new DSi Shop application, which is similar to the Wii Shop Channel. Read More
EU funds universal, future-proof video game emulator to protect the classics
By Darren Quick
20:09 February 16, 2009 PST
As the average age of gamers increases, so too does the number of older gamers with fond memories of classic games. Unfortunately as PCs evolve and with each new generation of gaming consoles many of these classic games become nothing but memories as the hardware required to play them is rendered obsolete. But it seems the cultural importance of these games is finally being recognized with the European Union funding a €4.02 million (USD$5.2m) project with the overall aim of facilitating “universal access to our cultural heritage by developing flexible tools for accessing and storing a wide range of digital objects.” Read More
Game review: Flower (PlayStation 3)
By Darren Quick
18:22 February 15, 2009 PST
Anyone who has played thatgamecompany’s previous offering, flOw, will know that they march to the beat of a slightly different drum, aiming to produce games that touch players on a different emotional level than the majority of video games on the market. Their new game "Flower" certainly achieves this with its beautiful graphics, relaxing soundtrack and instantly accessible control system combining to give players a memorable and unique gaming experience. Read More
The most insidious invention in history?
By Mike Hanlon
15:16 February 15, 2009 PST
Further irrefutable proof that the slot machine is one of the most insidious inventions in history came from the 800 year old University of Cambridge this week. Researchers used fMRI brain-imaging to find that near misses (two identical fruits on the pay line and another just above or below) activate the same reward pathways in a gambler's brain as a win. What's more, slot machine manufacturers seem aware of this, as machines are programmed to deliver near misses almost one in three, enticing losers to keep gambling. Hardly seems fair does it? Read More
New Rubik's cube is a sphere
By Darren Quick
21:20 February 5, 2009 PST
You might have thought Professor Erno Rubik, the creator of the Rubik’s cube, might have rested on his laurels (and the piles of money the puzzle surely earned him), but no. Erno has been busy churning out a variety of puzzles over the years, but none has captured the imagination of the world quite like his ubiquitous cube. He is hoping to change that with his latest creation the Rubik’s 360. Read More
Hands-on with the Gravitonus iClubby ergonomic workstation
By Mike Hanlon
23:46 January 22, 2009 PST
January 23, 2009 Desks were designed before computers existed and they have largely dictated the way we configure our working environment. A lot of journalists are viewing the new Gravitonus iClubby as a workstation for gamers, but in my mind, it’s a lot more than that. Perhaps it’s time to reappraise exactly what a workstation should look like, because after trying it at CES, I want one, and I only spend a very small proportion of my time gaming. The fully ergonomic seating position, three screens, the sound system and lighting and temperature controls makes it the ideal high productivity workstation for anyone who spends long hours slaving over a hot keyboard . At $7000 it isn’t cheap, but it’s VERY comfortable, and I suspect the increased productivity afforded by the comfort and increased concentration would yield an ROI measured in months, not years, and there’s no price you can put on a bad back and aching shoulders. Read More
GAMEROX gaming chair gets kids moving while sitting down
By Darren Quick
18:41 December 14, 2008 PST
If there’s one thing most parent’s hate seeing, it’s their offspring slumped in from of the TV, video game controller in hand, ruining their posture and getting fatter by the second. This is one of the many reasons Nintendo’s Wii has proven so popular and now a company with a new concept in game seating is also hoping to do its bit for poor childhood posture and inactivity by getting kids moving and improving their posture while they sit playing video games. The GAMEROX chair is designed to promote movement during game play to deliver health benefits through improved circulation, movement and exercise by taking advantage of children’s natural tendency to move with the onscreen action. Read More
Logitech G13 gaming keyboard takes aim at hand fatigue
By Darren Quick
19:17 December 10, 2008 PST
We gamers are a hardy breed - we risk hand fatigue, sleep deprivation, eye strain and obesity all in the name of world domination, hostage rescue or quest completion. Logitech have addressed at least one of these afflictions with their G13 advanced gameboard – a hybrid gaming keyboard that features a naturally contoured design that is designed to deliver increased comfort and reduce hand fatigue by complementing the natural shape of the hand, while the smooth, concave home-row keys make it easy to locate buttons by touch. Read More
EA announces first and only NASCAR title for the Wii
By Darren Quick
20:57 December 4, 2008 PST
Wii owning NASCAR fans will be happy to hear that EA has announced the first and only NASCAR racing title for the console will be in stores in time for the Daytona 500 and the official start of the 2009 NASCAR season. Instead of porting an existing title, EA’s NASCAR Kart Racing has been designed exclusively for the Wii, so it will hopefully make good use of the console’s motion sensing controller and, in keeping with the Wii’s family friendly credentials, up to four players can go head-to-head, via split screen, in a mad dash to the checkered flag. Read More
Fanatec's Porsche 911 GT3 RS Racing Wheel for PC and PS3
By Darren Quick
19:51 December 3, 2008 PST
There must be plenty of aspiring Porsche drivers out there without the finances to afford the real thing because Fanatec has announced another addition to its line of Porsche licensed steering wheels for PC and PS3 gamers. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS Racing Wheel for PC and PS3 is crafted from genuine Alcantara leather, the same material that is used in real Porsches, and features the “world’s first” placement of a vibration motor on the brake pedal for that extra touch or realism. Read More
First ever World of Warcraft MMO Gaming Mouse
By Darren Quick
19:15 November 13, 2008 PST
SteelSeries has unveiled the first ever gaming mouse aimed at the global community of World of Warcraft (WoW) Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) players. Co-designed with WoW publisher Blizzard the MMO Gaming Mouse features advanced macro creation capabilities, six possible DPI settings, 16 million profile-specific illumination colors and manages to squeeze in15 programmable buttons to give players that extra edge. Read More
ECCI Trackstar 6000 series racing wheels and pedals
19:00 November 5, 2008 PST
One for serious gamers, the ECCI TRACKSTAR 6000 sim-racing controls feature and ergonomically shaped, 13-1/2" two-tone leather steering wheel, a customizable steering resistance system with fluid damping, behind-the-wheel paddles and a USB interface as standard... and it really looks the part. Read More
ASUS releases enthusiast level ROG Rampage II Extreme motherboard
By Darren Quick
21:45 October 30, 2008 PDT
ASUS has released the Republic of Gamers (ROG) Rampage II Extreme high performance enthusiast motherboard featuring the latest Intel chipset and SLI/CrossFireX on Demand provide support for the new range of Intel processors and multi-GPU technologies. Read More
Celeste H Calabro
- July 5, 2009 @ 22:20 UTC
