Details on four new Samsung Android smartphones have emerged ahead of their official MWC 2011 debut, the Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830, Fit S5670, Gio S5660 and Mini S5570. Of the four, the Ace is the best specified, with a 3.5-inch HVGA touchscreen, 800MHz processor, 5-megapixel camera and WiFi b/g/n according to its recently posted product page.
Video demo of the Galaxy Ace after the cut
According to the Korea IT Times, the Ace S5830 is available in Russia now, with Europe, India and China next. However, UK carrier Three has already announced that it will be offering the Ace shortly; they also put together the demo video you can see below.
The Fit S5670, meanwhile, has a 3.31-inch QVGA display, 5-megapixel camera and a 600MHz processor; the Gio S5660 is slightly smaller, with a 3.2-inch HVGA display. Finally, the Mini S5570 gets a dinky 3.14-inch QVGA display and 600MHz processor as well.
We’ve all seen movies where glossy concept gadgets casually flick photos and other content between themselves in a way that gets us cursing flaky Bluetooth transfers, but Australian tech specialist Amnesia Razorfish claims it has created a real-world version. Using Microsoft’s Surface multitouch table, Amnesia Connect allows you to slap your smartphone down, drag an image, video or app from it, and then drag it onto another device.
Video demo after the cut
Right now it works with iOS devices – Amnesia Razorfish show photos being pulled between iPhone and iPad – but the company is developing support for Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry devices. In the background there’s a blend of WiFi, Bluetooth, proximity-detection, token management and device positioning with the accelerometer doing all the hard stuff, but for the end-user it’s simply a case of joining the Surface’s own WiFi hotspot and putting down their device. Even that WiFi step is being removed by the crafty Aussie engineers.
Although Amnesia Razorfish is positioning this as an eye-catching way to sell content – they’re also looking at NFC payments for in-store use – the Surface table isn’t really required. It allows for the animated transfer and preview process, but the Amnesia Connect app itself would work on a regular notebook and allow for the same seamless exchanges.
UK carrier Three has announced that, as of February, it will be offering the Dell Inspiron Duo convertible hybrid netbook/tablet. Based on Intel’s dual-core 1.5GHz Atom N550 with 2GB of RAM and a 320GB hard-drive, the Windows 7 based Inspiron Duo has a 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen that can rotate in its bezel to face forward, for regular notebook use, or outward, to be used as a tablet.
As we found, though, the extra weight and bulk of the rest of the netbook – including a reasonable keyboard – does remove some of the mobility friendliness of the Inspiron Duo. We’re presuming Three will be offering a 3G-enabled version of the hybrid, though it’s unclear whether that means an integrated modem or an external one (either USB or mobile hotspot).
No word on pricing or specific launch dates at this stage, though we’re assuming it won’t be long before we hear more. More details on the Dell Inspiron Duo in our hands-on report.
You might remember an EVE multibox hack from mid-2010 which allowed one arguably-too-dedicated gamer play as up to fourteen characters simultaneously, while still skating on the allowed side of the MMOG’s rules. Now Zhek Kromtor is back with a new game and an even more crazy setup: fifteen suspended monitors playing browser-based MMO Nodiatis as fifteen different characters.
Video after the cut
The fifteen Samsung LCDs – which Kromtor says were bought with $10,000 a family member won on a lottery ticket – are suspended from the ceiling with monofilament wire and each run at 1920 x 1080 resolution. They’re hooked up to eight computers for a total of 34 3GHz+ cores with 48GB of RAM, all using SSDs.
No sign of the low-tech multiplayer controls Kromtor rigged up for his EVE play – which included multiple mice stuck together, with lengths of dowel to press multiple buttons simultaneously – but we assume they’re somewhere to be found too. More details in the videos below.
ASUS’ Eee Slate EP121 is set to ship imminently, but until then we’ll have to live vicariously through the company’s official unboxing and demos of the 12.1-inch Windows 7 slate. Over the course of two videos, ASUS attempts to show us why we shouldn’t discount the PC tablet, and highlights some of the benefits regular Windows has over more mobile platforms like Android or iOS.
Videos after the cut
As we discovered in our own hands-on time with the EP121, the Core i5-470UM processor certainly means that Windows 7 whips along nicely, and the active stylus and dual-mode touchscreen makes for an arguably more impressive touch experience than finger-use alone. In the second video there’s a more general overview of Art Rage Studio, Adobe Photoshop, the bundled Bluetooth keyboard, 1080p YouTube streaming, and on-screen keyboard and hand-writing recognition.
Duke Nukem Forever will officially launch on May 3 2011 in the US, followed by a May 6 international release, bringing to the end more than a decade of waiting among gamers. Arriving for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, the title will be released by 2K Games and Gearbox Software, who took over development after 3D Realms folded in 2009.
Video after the cut
Previous rumors suggested a late May release after pre-order listings were spotted at Amazon, but many would-be buyers remained wary of the title.
Pre-orders are now being taken for the new release dates, priced at $47.99 for the PC version, $56.99 for the PS3 version, and $59.82 for the Xbox 360 version (all at Amazon). More details in the press release and video below.
Press Release:
Duke Nukem Forever® Set to Kick Ass and Chew Bubblegum Starting May 3, 2011
Bodacious, EGO-dosed action game brings over-the-top FUN and non-PC humor back to games
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–2K Games and Gearbox Software announced today what will be a landmark date in gaming history – legendary hero Duke Nukem will make his triumphant return in Duke Nukem Forever® on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC on May 3, 2011 in North America and May 6, 2011 internationally!
“The moment fans all over the world have been waiting for is almost here”
Duke Nukem is one of the biggest and most recognizable brands in the interactive entertainment industry. Irreverent, non-PC, and uber macho, Duke Nukem is the perfect, uncompromising ass-kicking hero to remedy the overdose of today’s gaming archetypes. Duke brings his signature brand of babe-lovin’, cigar-smoking, beer-chugging and ass-kicking action as he saves the Earth and its babes from hordes of invading aliens. Where will you be when Duke Nukem Forever launches? Better mark your calendars, Duke’s legend is being told this May and his brand new trailer, viewable at www.dukenukemforever.com, promises to blow your mind!
“The moment fans all over the world have been waiting for is almost here,” declared Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “May 3, 2011 marks Duke’s return as he unleashes his brash and brutally honest wit on the world. His return is going to be epic and one that will make video gaming history!”
Put on your shades and prepare to step into the boots of Duke Nukem, whose legend has reached epic proportions in the years since his last adventure. The alien hordes are invading and only Duke can save the world. Pig cops, alien shrink rays and enormous alien bosses can’t stop our hero from accomplishing his one and only goal: to save the world, save the babes and to be a bad-ass while doing it. The King arrives with an arsenal of over-the-top weapons, non-stop action, and unprecedented levels of interactivity. This game puts the pedal to the metal and tongue firmly in cheek. Shoot hoops, lift weights, read adult magazines, draw crude messages on whiteboards or ogle the many hot women that occupy Duke’s life – that is if you can pull yourself away long enough from destroying alien invaders. Duke Nukem was and will forever be a gaming icon, and this is his legend.
“When I said goodbye to 3D Realms and the original Duke Nukem 3D team in 1997 and soon after founded Gearbox Software, I never in my wildest dreams imagined that a day like today would come,” said Randy Pitchford, president of Gearbox Software. “Today I am proud, humbled and even astounded to announce that the day is coming at last for all gamers to be a part of video game history: Duke Nukem Forever will launch worldwide this May!”
Players looking to get access to the Duke Nukem Forever playable demo before it is publicly released can join the Duke Nukem Forever First Access Club. A membership certificate for the Duke Nukem Forever First Access Club is included within the Borderlands™ Game of the Year edition, where customers will be able to experience the definitive, value-packed collection of the critically acclaimed and best-selling Role-Playing-Shooter that has captured the imagination and attention of single-player and cooperative gamers around the world.
For more information on Duke Nukem Forever, including where to pre-order a copy, please visit www.dukenukemforever.com. Duke Nukem Forever is rated M for Mature by the ESRB.
2K Games is a division of 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO).
About Take-Two Interactive Software
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is a global developer, marketer and publisher of interactive entertainment software games for the PC, PlayStation®3 and PlayStation®2 computer entertainment systems, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Wii™, Nintendo DS™, iPhone®, iPod® touch and iPad™. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games and 2K, which publishes its titles under 2K Games, 2K Sports and 2K Play. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at www.take2games.com.
About Gearbox Software
Gearbox Software is respected industry wide for the award winning, best-selling original and licensed video games they have developed for major video game platforms. Founded in 1999 and located near Dallas, TX, Gearbox Software is well known for the creation and development of their original blockbuster franchise, Borderlands, and has developed numerous top selling add-on packs for Borderlands. Additionally Gearbox now has ownership of the Duke Nukem franchise, created and developed the Brothers in Arms series and developed games and added value to many of the industry’s top franchises including Halo, Half-Life, Tony Hawk, James Bond and others. Gearbox Software’s success has been enabled and supported through several key mutually beneficial business relationships with strong publishing partners including Activision, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft Entertainment, Microsoft Games Studios, Sega of America and Take-Two/2K Games.
Currently Gearbox Software is in development with Duke Nukem Forever published by 2K Games, Aliens: Colonial Marines, published by Sega, and other unannounced AAA games for multiple platforms including the Microsoft Xbox 360, PlayStation®3 system, Nintendo Wii, Windows PC, Mac, Nintendo DS, PSP and more.
“PlayStation” is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Microsoft, Windows, the Windows Start button, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies, and “Games for Windows” and the Windows Start button logo are used under license from Microsoft.
All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.
Apple stores have apparently begun receiving stocks of universal iPhone 4 bumpers, which will suit the controls on both the AT&T and Verizon versions of the smartphone. As we spotted back at the CDMA iPhone 4′s launch, the newer handset has the ringer switch slightly lower down the left-hand side; this tweaked official iPhone 4 case has a longer opening to suit both positions.
Video demo after the cut
The updated case was spotted by Engadget reader Alex, who promptly picked up the Bumper so as to compare it to the original design (as you can see in his video below). The change does mean that from now on official Bumpers should suit either iPhone 4 version, but if you’ve got a fitted case for your current model, don’t necessarily expect it to work on the Verizon handset arriving next month.
FujiSoft’s PALRO just keeps getting better, with the original educational robot getting an object-recognition upgrade late last year, and now learning English. Seemingly suggesting a launch outside of the current Japan-only market, the Atom-based ‘bot can now maintain a conversation with English users.
Video demo after the cut
As well as explaining what, exactly, it is, PALRO can read out weather forecasts, access the internet and take a picture with a head-mounted camera. The latter is particularly nifty, responding to a voice instruction to take a shot, spotting the most likely subject automatically, asking them if they consent to be photographed and then giving a choice of places to wireless send the result.
Still, it’s the plaintive “Please be good to me!” halfway through the video below that really strikes a chord. Right now, PALRO is on sale to educational establishments, priced at 298,000 yen ($3,596).
With the tablet torrent at CES 2011 we’ll admit to having forgotten about bModo’s 12G tablet, announced in October last year, but the 11.6-inch Windows 7 slate has now shown up for a full review. AllTouchTablet picked up the $849.99 slate – which runs a 1.66GHz Intel Atom N450 single-core CPU with 2GB of RAM and Broadcom’s CrystalHD video accelerator – and found the Windows experience to be pretty solid, with media playback impressing.
Video demo after the cut
On its own, the Atom CPU and integrated GMA 3150 graphics aren’t going to do much good, but the Broadcom chip helps the tablet handle 1080p HD video (as long as it uses a supported codec). Unfortunately CPU-only tasks – like handwriting recognition in Windows 7 – aren’t as slick, and the 2.5-3hr battery life is pretty woeful when you compare it to the iOS or Android competition.
bModo has slapped a custom UI – triggered with a dedicated touch-sensitive key – to help Windows 7 with its finger friendliness, but it’s the lack of pocket-friendliness which really seems to scupper the 12G. At $849.99 – or $799.99 for the 1GB RAM version – and then another $75 for the optional dock (which doesn’t have an HDMI or other graphics output, and props the 12G up at a particularly steep angle) it’s expensive for a slate.
Verizon’s first advert for the upcoming CDMA iPhone 4 has been revealed, and the carrier takes the perhaps unusual step of not actually showing the smartphone at all. Instead the ad plays on the amount of time its taken Apple to produce a Verizon version.
Video after the cut
So, we have lots of clocks, people staring at them, and impatient foot-tapping, as second-hands count down to 12 o’clock. We’re guessing that doesn’t necessarily mean Verizon stores will start opening at midnight or midday, though.
The Verizon iPhone 4 will go on sale come February 10, priced at $199.99 for the 16GB and $299.99 for the 32GB, with a new, two-year agreement. Existing Verizon subscribers will be able to get their hands on it a week early, from February 3.
Details on four new Samsung Android smartphones have emerged ahead of their official MWC 2011 debut, the Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830, Fit S5670, Gio S5660 and Mini S5570. Of the four, the Ace is the best specified, with a 3.5-inch HVGA touchscreen, 800MHz processor, 5-megapixel camera and WiFi b/g/n according to its recently posted product page.
