WhatsApp sets new day record of 18 billion messages sent and received
Wildly popular texting app WhatsApp set a new daily record for message traffic on December 31, with the service seeing over 18 billion messages generated. The company tweeted, "On Dec 31st we had a new record day: 7B msgs inbound, 11B msgs outbound = 18 billion total messages processed in one day! Happy 2013!!!"
Those are impressive numbers when you consider that iOS 5's iMessage service only generates more than 1 billion messages a day. WhatsApp has proved a popular alternative to normal texting, partially due to the additional features available through the app and the ability to send messages internationally for free.
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Razer launches Sabertooth Xbox 360 controller for $79.99
Razer has launched a new Xbox 360 controller known as the Sabertooth. The device looks very similar to the Microsoft Xbox controller, save for the fact it features six extra buttons. It has the normal buttons all in the same locations and could easily be mistaken as a normal controller.
It's currently available in the UK and US for £69.99/$79.99 and comes with a carrying case and a detachable cable. Two buttons are on the shoulder, two are on the undercarriage, and two are beside the OLED screen. It's not clear if the device features any sort of rapid fire or other mods.
There are multiple reviews on the Internet should you find yourself interested in buying one.
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Microsoft says Google preventing the company from providing fully featured YouTube app for Windows Phone OS
Microsoft has brought up an issue last dealt with over a year ago. Back in a March, 2011 post regarding Microsoft's concerns about Google's anti-trust investigations, the company said that Google is preventing Microsoft from accessing data that would allow a full-featured YouTube app on Windows Phone.
What they wrote at the time:
[I]n 2010 and again more recently, Google blocked Microsoft's new Windows Phones from operating properly with YouTube. Google has enabled its own Android phones to access YouTube so that users can search for video categories, find favorites, see ratings, and so forth in the rich user interfaces offered by those phones. It's done the same thing for the iPhones offered by Apple, which doesn't offer a competing search service.
Unfortunately, Google has refused to allow Microsoft's new Windows Phones to access this YouTube metadata in the same way that Android phones and iPhones do. As a result, Microsoft's YouTube "app" on Windows Phones is basically just a browser displaying YouTube's mobile Web site, without the rich functionality offered on competing phones. Microsoft is ready to release a high quality YouTube app for Windows Phone. We just need permission to access YouTube in the way that other phones already do, permission Google has refused to provide.
Microsoft has penned another article that argues that this is still the case. "We continue to be dogged by an issue we had hoped would be resolved by now: Google continues to prevent Microsoft from offering consumers a fully featured YouTube app for the Windows Phone."
Microsoft say they are ready to release a full-featured app as soon as Google gives them permission to access certain data. You can read the full article at
Microsoft's website.
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Apple 'Do Not Disturb' bug to persist until January 7
Apple has acknowledged a bug in iOS 6 that prevents scheduled Do Not Disturb from turning off in the morning. The bug was first discovered yesterday when the new year rolled around. Apple has said that the bug will automatically fix itself next week, so until then they recommend manually turning Do Not Disturb off.
"Do Not Disturb scheduling feature will resume normal functionality after January 7, 2013," Apple said in the support article. "Before this date, you should manually turn the Do Not Disturb feature on or off."
Ironically, Apple started the advertisement below around the New Year, in which the Do Not Disturb feature is promoted:
If you use the Do Not Disturb feature and need to make sure calls are coming through, you might consider disabling the feature until after January 7.
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Nintendo 3DS gets cracked, homebrew code should be able to be ran in the future, pirated games as well
The Nintendo 3DS has proved a tough nut to crack, but hackers have finally managed to get the system to run homebrew code. Back on December 16, hacker Yellows8 posted images of the 3DS with the screen displaying the text "We hacked it!" At the time, the 3DS was only capable of displaying text, but that has changed.
In the few weeks between initially cracking the device and today, hackers have successfully managed to produce images on both of the screens using homebrew code. While we're still a ways from running full homebrew games and pirated games, progress seems to be progressing quickly.
The original DS suffered from rampant piracy in the form of the R4 card. The piracy was so bad it led to many developers abandoning the platform completely. Fears from several developers regarding this on the 3DS have already been voiced, and many more are likely to join them.
The hackers have said they believe Nintendo could easily patch this exploit with a firmware update.
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Connecticut town collecting and destroying violent video games, handing out $25 gift certificate in exchange
In the wake of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting, one small town in Connecticut is holding a drive to collect and destroy violent video games. The voluntary drive hopes people in the community will at least talk with their kids and better understand the games that they are playing. If parents would like, they can bring in a violent video game and exchange it for a $25 gift certificate at their local drive-in movies.
The town of Southington will collect, destroy, and later incinerate the disks of violent movies, games, and music. The drive, which takes place on January 12, is organized by SouthingtonSOS, a group that formed after Katrina to quickly organize the community after a national or local tragedy.
"There are youngsters who appear to be consumed with violent video games," Southington School superintendent Joe Erardi said. "I'm not certain if that's a good thing. If this encourages one courageous conversation with a parent and their child, then it's a success.
"We're suggesting that for parents who have a child or children who play violent video games, to first of all view the games. We're asking parents to better understand what their child is doing. Have a conversation about next steps. If parents are comfortable (with their child's gaming habits), we're comfortable."
The $25 gift certificate is being donated by the Chamber of Commerce and is intended to be used on an alternative form of entertainment, such as a local movie or waterpark.
"The group's action is not intended to be construed as statement declaring that violent video games were the cause of the shocking violence in Newtown on December 14th," according to a statement from the organization. "Rather, SouthingtonSOS is saying is that there is ample evidence that violent video games, along with violent media of all kinds, including TV and Movies portraying story after story showing a continuous stream of violence and killing, has contributed to increasing aggressiveness, fear, anxiety and is desensitizing our children to acts of violence including bullying. Social and political commentators, as well as elected officials including the president, are attributing violent crime to many factors including inadequate gun control laws, a culture of violence and a recreational culture of violence."
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Apple losing the battle for its claim to "App Store," part of case against Amazon dismissed
Apple sued Amazon over its use of the term "app store" to describe its online marketplace for Android apps. In a ruling today, a judge has dismissed part of the case, the part alleging that Amazon committed false advertising by using the term.
Judge Phyllis Hamilton said there was "no support for the proposition that Amazon has expressly or impliedly communicated that its Appstore for Android possesses the characteristics and qualities that the public has come to expect from the Apple App Store and/or Apple products."
Apple has also sued for trademark infringement, though Apple does not yet own the trademark to "App Store." It has applied for the trademark, though several companies have moved to block the trademark. Microsoft has said in a motion for summary judgement that "Any secondary meaning or fame Apple has in 'App Store' is de facto secondary meaning that cannot convert the generic term 'app store' into a protectable trademark."
Apple argues that "The vastly predominant usage of the expression 'app store' in trade press is as a reference to Apple's extraordinarily well-known APP STORE mark and the services rendered by Apple thereunder."
Should Apple be able to own the trademark on "App Store"? A court will have to decide that at a later date. As it stands, it appears that Amazon will be allowed to continue using the term app store to describe its online marketplace for Android apps.
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Samsung to update firmware on Galaxy S III, said to fix random bricking bug
The Samsung Galaxy S III hasn't suffered any major issues, such as Antennagate (iPhone 4), though some current users are experiencing devices that randomly brick. Some users reportedly left their devices charging overnight, while others simply turned off the screen. In both cases, the device was later found to be bricked.
Samsung has been quietly fixing or replacing devices that were affected, though they are now reportedly working on a firmware fix to fix the problem. The bug appears to be only on Galaxy S III devices with 16GB of internal storage, though it seems to apply to a wide range of Android versions, making some speculate that it is a hardware issue.
We will, of course, alert users when a fix is released for the device, whether it be a software or hardware fix.
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Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 Revolution DLC details leak in the form of a poster
A picture of a GameStop Black Ops 2 DLC poster has leaked to the internet and provided precious details about the upcoming DLC. In the picture, you can see that there will be four new multiplayer maps, a new zombies map, and a new SMG. As far as the details go, we really only have names, so it's time to let your imagination go wild as to what the maps will look like.
"Hydro", "Grind", "Downhill", and "Mirage" are the new multiplayer maps, with "Die Rise" being the new Zombies map. Downhill appears to be a ski resort, which would make sense, while Mirage appears to be in the desert. The other two pictures aren't as clear and the names could align the maps in many different settings.
The SMG is named the Peacekeeper and there are no details as to which game modes it will be available in. The DLC is set to come to the Xbox 360 on January 29 and will likely cost $15, if it stays in line with the pricing of Black Ops DLC. If you have the Season Pass, you'll get the DLC for free when it releases.
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Ubuntu entering mobile OS battle
Canonical, the creators and maintainers of Ubuntu, a Linux operating system, has released details about their new phone operating system Ubuntu. Wait, what? That's right, Ubuntu will soon be coming to phone near you. The Android-based operating system is billed by Canonical as "more immersive [and] less cluttered."
They are also saying that it will be powerful enough to be used as a desktop system, though that sort of phone-as-a-PC thing didn't work out too well for Motorola. The mobile OS space is fairly crowded, with iOS and Android dominating and Microsoft trying to make Windows Phone viable, so it will be a tough battle for the fledgling operating system.
Mozilla is also working on bringing out a mobile operating system and Samsung, Intel, and others are working on the Linux-based Tizen. Smartphones using the operating system aren't expected to ship until 2014, so it will likely be even more difficult for the OS to gain traction. With that said, you miss every shot you don't take.
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Polaroid to open 'Fotobars' that will let you print Instagram pics on different materials
Polaroid will be opening up 10 retails stores in 2013 that will be called FotoBars. These locations will allow you to edit and print pictures, applying filters if your picture isn't from Instagram. The pictures can then be printed on a variety of materials, framed if you want, and be shipped to you within a couple of days.
From the image, it looks like editing will be done on Apple computers, which are probably used to make the whole experience "hip." Material options will include wood, bamboo, metal, acrylic, and canvas. Users will also have the option to print out a normal photo. According to Polaroid, a "critical aspect of the customer experience" is the ability to see and feel examples of the materials, which sounds very Appleish.
The first location will be Delray Beach in Florida, which opens in February. Further locations will open throughout the year, including New York and Las Vegas.
Chief executive Scott W. Hardy:
Unfortunately, even the very best of those pictures rarely ever escape the camera phone with which they were taken to be put on display around our homes and offices. Why? Because turning those pictures into something tangible, creative and permanent is neither easy nor fun. Polaroid Fotobar stores are going to change all of that.
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Microsoft posts countdown to E3, rumor starts that next-gen Xbox will be announced
Rumors have a way of starting using data that could mean next to nothing. For instance, a rumor is now saying that the countdown to E3 posted by Microsoft today is proof positive that they will be announcing the next Xbox at E3 in June. While there have been rumors saying this is the case, this timer does not have any shred of definite proof.
While it is pretty likely that the next Xbox will make its first appearance at E3 this year in June, a simple timer does not give any hard evidence. The text "And it's on..." only adds fuel to the fire, but still does not prove that this is Microsoft's plan. While it certainly is time for Microsoft to update the Xbox 360, they will likely try to milk it for every dollar its worth.
It's also important to consider that Microsoft still has some major Xbox 360 game releases to get through, including Gears of War Judgement in March. Would Microsoft really release the next-gen console so quickly after a major game release? It's hard to say. If the console includes backwards compatibility, then it is possible.
With that said, it's completely possible that the Xbox successor will launch at E3 this year, however, it's completely possible that it won't.
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75% of the worlds leaders use Twitter
We live in a world of instant information, of constant connectivity, and one where we share almost every moment of our lives on social networks. A recent study reveled that you are able to follow 75% of the worlds leaders on Twitter.
South African President Jacob Zuma (@SAPresident), UK Prime Minister Savid Cameron (@Number10gov), and even Russia's president Vladimir Putin (@KremlinRussa_E) have all taken to Twitter to be able to address the masses instantly.
"A total of 123 world leaders out of 164 countries have accounts on Twitter set up in their personal name or through an official government office," wrote Digital Daya in a recently released report. "In our last report in August of 2011 only 69 out of 164 countries were using Twitter."
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Zynga and EA set to kill popular Facebook games
Both Zynga and EA are in the midst of cost cutting efforts and Facebook games are the first to take the hit. Zynga has either marked or already shut down 24 games with more cuts coming.
EA has reportedly marked several of its popular app style games for end of life as well. The hard truth is that people are just not playing them anymore. Everyone is gaming on their mobile devices and not using facebook as their gaming console anymore.
Zynga is even planning on shutting down its most popular game, PetVille, which still attracts over a million users each month. That is about 60,000 users daily. This leaves us wondering where the next big gaming boom will take place.
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Google and Kia partnership will bring Google Maps and Places to new cars this year
Kia, the Korean car manufacturer is said to teaming up with Google to offer its Google Maps and Places on the companies UVO eServices in car electronics system.
The new setup will debut in the 2013 Sorento CUV model, which will be arriving in late Q1 of this year. The updated UVO system will allow users to sync up directions and locations from their smart phones, PCs, or the web.
The car will also be able to find you interesting things to visit using Google Places. Existing music management, hands free features, and improved voice recognition will also be taking stage in the improved UVO system.
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Apple reportedly pulling chip manufacturing from Samsung
Apple is said to be cutting ties with Samsung and shifting the manufacturing of its mobile processors to another chip manufacture. This is no doubt the result of the seemingly never ending patent war between the two companies.
Apple has selected global chip manufacturer TSMC, and is said to take 12 to 18 months for the transition to fully complete. The partnership will begin with the current-generation A6X chips as soon as the first quarter of 2013.
This equates to a reported loss of $13 billion in revenue for Samsung. Samsung fans need not to fear though, industry analyst have stated that the breakup will have minimal effect on Samsung.
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GameStick brings a new Android game console to your TV, fits inside its own controller
PlayJam, a company known for its Smart TV roots, will be competing with the OUYA for Android-based gaming console supremacy this spring. The company is building the "GameStick", a TV based system that is no larger than a normal flash drive.
The finished version will even be capable of stowing itself inside its wireless gamepad. It will run Jellybean and dual-core Amlogic processor that while not as powerful as the Tegra 3 in the OUYA, should also not be as expensive.
PlayJam is still looking to raise $100,000 to push the GameStick through the last phase of development and is hoping to begin shipping the device in April of this year.
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Avis buys Zipcar for $500 million
Avis has tossed its hat into the $400 million US car sharing market by purchasing Zipcar for about $500 million. Zipcar has a reported 760,000 members in 20 major US cities.
The acquisition comes at a 45% premium over Zipcar's closing price on Dec 31 2012 with the transaction set to complete in the spring of 2013. Zipcar was formed in January, 2000 as a way to bring the popular European concept of car sharing to the US
"By combining with Zipcar, we will significantly increase our growth potential, both in the United States and internationally, and will position our company to better serve a greater variety of consumer and commercial transportation needs," said Ronald L. Nelson, Avis Budget Group Chairman and CEO in a press release.
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Apple to sell E-books in Japan
The Japanese newspaper Nikkei is reporting that Apple is planing on launching fully fledged iBookstores in Japan this year. It is unclear where the first store will be open for business.
Japan has been slow to embrace E-books, but with companies like Amazon, Google and Sony retailing the format, Apple had no choice but to follow suit. Apple has reportedly signed agreements with Japanese publishers Shogakukan, Kodansha and Kadokawa.
Manga has been dominating the Japanese E-book market lately, but Apple is banking on the arrival of western book publishers to fuel its fire and help turn its newest venture into something profitable.
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New Google Asia servers expected to bring 30% speed boost when they go live later this year
Google is getting closer to turning on its newest servers in Taiwan and Singapore later this year. The company is said to be expecting a 30% performance increase across its full ranges of services when the new servers go live.
The new Singapore data center, started in late 2011 is set to go live in the coming months. Google also broke ground on a Taiwan facility this past April.
India is set to be one of the key beneficiaries of the new data centers. "These data centers will be crucial to the Indian market due to its proximity," Lalitesh Katragadda, country head, India Products at Google, said in an interview.
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Samsung will showcase its Smart TV Evolution Kit at CES 2013
Samsung has been teasing us with its Smart TV Evolution kit for a while now and it finally set to be unveiled at the 2013 CES next week.
The hardware kit will plug into the back of compatible Samsung Smart TVs and will effectively turn your 2012 model into something closely resembling a 2013 model.
The Evolution it will upgrade the TV by adding a new CPU, more memory and even GPU upgrades. Personally I have been waiting for something like this for years. To me it only makes sense that we can upgrade our existing TV the same way we can upgrade our PCs.
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Intel Web TV project reportedly held up in content negotiations
Intel's big plan to create a Web TV service and set-top box has hit a major bump in the road as it negotiates with media companies for content licenses.
We were hoping for a debut at CES next week but an Intel spokesperson has said that there will be no announcements or product demonstrations at the electronics show this year.
Intel is betting big on this project. Forbes has reported that the company's budget for the project is "significantly larger"� than Apple or Google's own set-top box efforts.
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Tobii Rex lets you control any Windows 8 PC with eye-tracking tech
Tobii, the company behind the eye-tracking Gaze Technology has just announced an eye tracking kit that you can use on any existing Windows 8 PC.
Called the Tobii Rex, the stick like device mounts under your screen and connects to your PC via a USB port. The company says that you will use it along side existing peripherals like your mouse and keyboard. The Rex is designed to augment your input devices rather than replace them.
Most of us will not have the pleasure of using a Tobii Rex anytime soon though. The company is only producing a mere 5,000 of the eye tracking devices which will sell for a whopping $995 each.
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RumorTT: Sony to announce PlayStation 4 in February at Destination PlayStation
Sony has sent out an invite to members of the press for an event in February. Destination PlayStation will be held February 25-28 in Scottsdale, Arizona and will show off games, with attendees being "treated to food, drink, play, and a first look at all the amazing new releases coming from Sony Computer Entertainment America Entertainment in 2013."
SlashGear suspects that the PlayStation 4 will be announced here and released in 2014, if it follows past release trends from Sony. Couple this with the rumor that Sony has ended production of the PS2 to focus on the next-gen console, and it's starting to look really good for console gamers.
The PlayStation 4 will be competing against Microsoft's next-gen console, rumored to be called the Xbox 720, whenever it does eventually decide to launch. Some rumors have placed the announcements as E3 this year, but others say that it won't be until 2014. One thing is certain, they can't be too far in the future.
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Paris Apple Store robbed on New Year's Eve, more than $1 million taken
Apple's Paris store was robbed on New Year's Eve by armed robbers. The store had only been closed for about three hours when two people broke into the store through an employee entrance and attacked the security guard and janitor inside. The janitor is said to be lightly injured.
The suspects reportedly stole Apple products, with the estimated loss to be around 1 million euros, or approximately $1.25 million. The police won't confirm: "It is too early to give an accurate estimation of the damage. An inventory is taking place to determine the exact amount of the damage," a Paris police spokeswoman said.
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iBUYPOWER Chimera 4SE Desktop Gaming PC Review
Introduction
iBUYPOWER is a well-known name when it comes to custom laptops and desktops. Today I have the joy of taking a look at its latest Chimera system, the 4SE. The design of the system is something you can only get from iBUYPOWER, as the sides of the Phantom are custom with a flame version of their logo.
The nice thing about buying from system integrators, such as iBUYPOWER, is the massive amount of customization that is available. The only other way to get this degree of flexibility is to build your own system, not a task everyone is up to.
iBUYPOWER was great and allowed us to develop our desktop testing methodology on the system. We feel that the tests ran should be able to separate the machines we test in the future based upon several different categories.
The entire testing methodology culminates with a benchmark we know you've been waiting for. That's right, with our return to desktop reviews, we're introducing Battlefield 3 as one of our tests.
With that introduction out of the way, let's take a look at our review machine.
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