Nov 20
Nov 20
When you’re on the hunt in a first-person shooter, the very tiniest fraction of a movement can mean the difference between nailing a shazam headshot and dying. That’s why the new 2013 version of the Razer DeathAdder gaming mouse has a 6400 dpi optical sensor, compared to the 3500 dpi infrared sensor on its predecessor. That’s, like, almost two-times better, right? We can’t help but feel it’s not going to affect your epic Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 sessions all that much. More »
Nov 20
Nintendo’s marketing vice president has insisted that fresh Wii U supplies are incoming to alleviate the new console bottleneck, promising “a great quantity” though warning that shortages may still be on the cards. “Demand has been phenomenal” Scott Moffitt told Forbes, though declined to give any specific sales figures, only highlighting the sell-out presales and insisting that there will be more Wii U units than there were Wii consoles at the older model’s launch.
“We want consumers to know upon launch they can go into their stores, and there will be new quantities available there to go in and buy” Moffitt said of Nintendo’s strategy with the US launch of the Wii U. “There may be lines, and we do anticipate tremendous demand. We’ll do our best to keep up with it, but there should be a great quantity available at launch. We know that for this launch week, we will have more available than we did during the Wii launch.”
However, the prospect for holiday sales may well be mixed, especially with Black Friday approaching at the end of this week. Moffitt is ambitious about Nintendo’s ability to meet demand in the run up to the holidays. “We’ll have more replenishment during the holiday season to replenish those stocks and refill those store shelves as quickly as we can” he said. “We can’t guarantee there won’t be shortages, but we’ll do our best to keep up with it.”
It’s not solely availability that is causing some gamers headaches, however; a launch-day update for the Wii U has seen consoles out of action for several hours as they gained features like backward compatibility with the Wii, but some owners found that their Wii U was bricked in the process. With supplies so tight, getting a replacement for a broken Wii U is also a challenge. GameStop is entirely sold out of Wii U, and Walmart, Best Buy, and Target all have limited stock; there are some mutterings that they might be holding select units back for Black Friday sales, however.
Moffitt also suggests that the US will get stock priority over other locations, such as Europe and Asia, where the Wii U is launching at a slightly later date. “Since the US is launching first, you can expect there probably would be more available in the US than in other territories” he admitted. “We’re going to manufacture as many as we can to keep up with demand, and hopefully we can do that this time.”
New Wii U stock on the way with US priority says Nintendo exec is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Nov 20
Gift Guide: iPhone 5
Posted in: Today's Chili
Short Version
Apple put out a smartphone this year, which isn’t unusual. But this time it changed the screen size, something it hasn’t done since the iPhone’s original launch. It also changed up the physical design considerably and beefed up its internal processing power. Plus, it added LTE, for much faster mobile data usage.
Long Version
Features:
- Thinner, lighter design compared to previous iPhones
- A6 system-on-a-chip delivers considerably improved performance
- Extra screen real estate provides an extra row of icons, better aspect ratio for video playback
Info:
- 4-inch, 1136×640 display
- Dual band 802.11n Wi-Fi and LTE network compatibility
- Available: Ships in 2 weeks
- MSRP: Starts at $199 on a 2-year agreement (U.S.)
- Product page
The iPhone 5 is…
… Apple’s latest smartphone. For the devoted iOS fan, there’s not much else to consider. But it’s a lot more besides, including definitely the best iPhone yet, and most likely the best smartphone available. That’s not the assessment of an Apple fanboy: it’s the honest opinion of someone who uses multiple phones, including Android, Windows Phone 8 and even occasionally BlackBerry devices. While they all have their individual merits, Apple’s phones still offer the best mix of general usability, simplicity, convenience and third-party software to suit the general user.
Buy the iPhone 5 for…
… people who loved their previous iPhones but want something newer, faster and better. Or for those new to smartphones, who want a device that gives them all the capabilities they’re looking for, with latest generation mobile networking tech and a dead-simple mobile OS. For those looking at budget as their primary deciding factor, the iPhone 5 might not be the best choice, but otherwise it’s the phone I’d recommend to just about anyone.
Because…
… this is still the smartphone that you have to worry the least about. Competitors have made considerable progress since their early days, and that’s reflected in sales numbers. But if I’m looking for a device that will provide both me, and my much less tech-inclined mother the fewest amount of headaches (and the most pleasure) during a typical day’s usage, the iPhone is still the way to go.
Nov 20
Samsung Galaxy S IV tipped for Feb. 2013, 13MP camera and A15 quad-core chip
Posted in: Today's ChiliWe’ve been hearing whispers about Samsung‘s next flagship handset, the Galaxy S IV, for quite some time now, but as time moves forward, the more that rumors start to heat up. This time, we’re hearing that the Galaxy S IV will launch in late February, and will pack in Samsung’s Exynos 5450 chipset with a quad-core Cortex-A15 processor, and a 13MP camera.
A 13MP camera wouldn’t be crazy, but we also shouldn’t get our hopes up too soon. Samsung’s Galaxy Note II was supposed to have a 13MP sensor, but the company went with the old 8MP sensor instead because Sony couldn’t make enough due to other phones that they had deals with. However, it might be different this time around, and Samsung could be going all-in for 2013.
On top of the camera and chipset rumors, we heard a few days ago that Samsung would be unveiling their own 5-inch 1080p smartphone display at CES 2013, in order to take on HTC who launched the first device in the US to have a 5-inch 1080p screen. Some are saying that Samsung’s rumored 5-incher will be used in their Galaxy S IV.
While we should expect a powerhouse of a device with the Galaxy S IV, we’ll be taking these rumors with a grain of salt until we hear more info about it, hopefully at CES come January. It’s rumored that the Galaxy S IV will be officially revealed at Mobile World Congress, though, which happens in late February. However, Samsung has said that the February launch date for the GSIV are “not true,” so we’re not really sure when to expect the new phone.
[via GSMArena]
Samsung Galaxy S IV tipped for Feb. 2013, 13MP camera and A15 quad-core chip is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Nov 20
Some people love to sing while taking a shower. Not to brag, but I’m one of the world’s greatest listeners, so I prefer my bathtime music to come from another source. If you have the same preference, first of all high five! Second, here’s a shower head who prefer to leave our music to the professionals.
Made by Kohler, the Moxie shower head comes with a waterproof Bluetooth speaker. It can be paired and stream audio from any Bluetooth-capable device from up to 32ft. away. You can also detach it from the shower head and use it as a normal Bluetooth speaker or for when you need to recharge its Li-ion battery via USB.
It’s also great for covering up your number 2 hits. The Moxie shower head is available from Amazon for $199 (USD).
[via Kohler & Gadget Review]
Nov 20
Skype version 3.0 arrives on Android devices: Microsoft login, refreshed tablet UI (hands-on)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Arriving just after its debut on Windows Phone 8, Skype‘s updated its Android app, with a focus on improving the tablet experience. Surely thanks to improved Google tablet sales, Skype references that it’s optimized the new UI for the Galaxy Tab 2, the Nexus 7 and ASUS’ Transformer Prime, among a few others. Menus and navigation are both repurposed to make use of the extra space, and while the navigation home screen still exists on the phone version (which hasn’t changed, design-wise), you’ll be staring at your contact list most of the time when using it on a tablet. In fact a persistent tab on the left side of the screen will take you to recent calls and the base contact list, while settings, search and the phone dialer all reside in the top right corner.
Video calls are generally better with bigger slabs, offering more screen real estate to beam your friends, family and co-workers to. However, tablets aren’t well known for their camera skills, and our camera output was obviously far sharper on the Note II than on the Nexus 7. Supplanting Messenger as Microsoft’s chat app of choice, you’ll also be able to login with (and combine) your Microsoft account and this was relatively painless on both the phone and tablet. Skype has also updated the app with its latest SILK audio codecs, attuned specifically for human speech and — more importantly — varying internet speeds. After some initial ‘robot voice’ while connecting, we soon had no issues with several international video calls through WiFi. Hardware demands for Skype’s latest encompass the minimum of Android 2.1 OS and an 800MHz processor or faster and if you pass those requirements, the source below is ready to offer you the download.
Gallery: Skype 3.0 for Android hands-on
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Microsoft
Source: Skype (Google Play)
Nov 20
HP has reported its Q4 and full-year 2012 results, and there’s an unpleasant $8.8bn hit on the balance sheet over alleged “serious accounting improprieties” at Autonomy prior to its acquisition. The writedown has been blamed on claims that Autonomy execs inflated the value of the firm so as to drive up HP’s bid, and has referred the case to the US SEC’s Enforcement Division and the UK’s Serious Fraud Office for civil and criminal investigation.
“HP recorded a non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets within its Software segment of approximately $8.8 billion in the fourth quarter of its 2012 fiscal year. The majority of this impairment charge is linked to serious accounting improprieties, disclosure failures and outright misrepresentations at Autonomy Corporation plc that occurred prior to HP’s acquisition of Autonomy and the associated impact of those improprieties, failures and misrepresentations on the expected future financial performance of the Autonomy business over the long-term. The balance of the impairment charge is linked to the recent trading value of HP stock. There will be no cash impact associated with the impairment charge.” HP financial results, Q4 and full year 2012
HP claims that its internal investigation discovered evidence that Autonomy “mischaracterized” low-end hardware sales with “little or no associated software content” so as to make them look more impressive and as if they contributed to ongoing licensing revenue. In fact, the negative-margin sales amounted to 10- to 15-percent of Autonomy’s revenue. Autonomy execs also used “licensing transactions with value-added resellers to inappropriately accelerate revenue recognition” HP says, “or worse, create revenue where no end-user customer existed at the time of sale.”
Unsurprisingly, however, former Autonomy chief executive Mike Lynch has denied any such misbehavior, telling Reuters that HP’s due diligence process was watertight. “The former management team of Autonomy was shocked to see this statement today, and flatly rejects these allegations, which are false” a spokesperson said on behalf of Lynch and the former Autonomy chiefs.
“HP’s due diligence review was intensive, overseen on behalf of HP by KPMG, Barclays and Perella Weinberg” the spokesperson continued. “HP’s senior management has also been closely involved with running Autonomy for the past year.”
The issues arose, so HP tells the story, following Lynch’s replacement in May this year, when “a senior member of Autonomy’s leadership team” blew the whistle on “a series of questionable accounting and business practices.”
As a result of that financial fudging, HP overpaid when it splashed out $10bn for the company it now claims, with CEO Meg Whitman saying during the company’s financial results call today that former HP CEO Leo Apotheker and former CSO Shane Robison are to blame for not identifying the errors. “HP is preparing to seek redress against various parties in the appropriate civil courts to recoup what it can for its shareholders” the firm said in a statement, indicating it plans “to aggressively pursue this matter.”
Nonetheless, the current chief executive says that HP still sees a future for the acquired firm. “We remain 100 percent committed to Autonomy and its industry-leading technology” Whitman insisted.
HP: Autonomy overinflated its accounts and we have to foot the $8.8bn bill is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Nov 20
Department of Justice asks MetroPCS for more info regarding T-Mobile merger
Posted in: Today's Chili 
We can’t say we’re exactly surprised, but it’s still worth noting that the United States DOJ has contacted MetroPCS to ask for additional information about the company’s recently announced merger with T-Mobile. The adequately-named “Second Request” will be essential before an actual consolidation approval can be made, and MetroPCS has stated it plans on being fully cooperative so that it can “obtain the approval of the transaction as soon as possible.” Additionally, the Wireless for All carrier says it’s pretty confident on the Department of Justice’s ability to see the proposed merger is “both pro-competitive and pro-consumer.” In the end, it’s nothing more than a required hurdle before the two telcos can move on with their original plans. Official word from MetroPCS can be found inside the presser below.
Continue reading Department of Justice asks MetroPCS for more info regarding T-Mobile merger
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, T-Mobile
Via: Android Central
Source: MetroPCS
Nov 20
Guy Responsible for HP’s Humiliating $11 Billion Autonomy Purchase: Don’t Look at Me!
Posted in: Today's Chili
The man who engineered HP’s disastrous $11.1 billion purchase of Autonomy—a company whose accounting improprieties just cost the laptop behemoth a whopping $9 billion—is Léo Apotheker. So what does the man who let an acquisition of this size go through without proper due diligence think about the deal after today’s revelations? More »
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