Hasta La Gadget!

Hulu is already great for catching up on your favorite TV shows and even watching a movie or two, but starting today, it’s also good for checking out the latest video game trailers. Hulu has introduced its new Video Games Hub, a new page dedicated to showing off the latest trailers for all of the incoming games. You can also get release information for upcoming games too, so Hulu’s got you covered when it comes to new titles on console, PC, and handheld.

The Video Games Hub is live now, and it’s already got a bunch of trailers ready to watch. Browsing through the long list, users can find trailers for Assassin’s Creed III, Grand Theft Auto V, New Super Mario Bros. U, and BioShock Infinite. There’s a section dedicated to Electric Playground episodes so you can get video game news in video form, along with a section for reviews from X-Play (though we can’t imagine that section of the Hub will be around for much longer).

Not feeling video game trailers? Hulu says it will also be offering gameplay videos through its Games Hub, and there’s also a selection of video game-related movies to check out. All of these seem to be documentaries about games and gamers, so at least for the moment there aren’t any actual movies based on video games (though maybe that isn’t such a bad thing).

So there you have it – Hulu now offers video game trailers alongside gaming shows and documentaries. Hulu says that starting out, this feature will only be available on PC, but it’ll begin rolling out to other devices before long. What do you think of Hulu’s new Video Games Hub?

[via Hulu Blog]

Hulu introduces new Video Games Hub is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Those of you waiting for the return of the official Google-powered mapping in app form to iOS for your iPhone and iPad may not have long now with a report saying they’re putting the “finishing touches” on the software. This report comes from the Wall Street Journal where they’ve got an anonymous source inside Google noting the near-complete build status. This person with “direct knowledge” of the innards of Google’s Maps segment notes that they’re note entirely certain that Apple will approve of the app once it’s ready for action – but we can’t imagine such a situation, in all fairness.

What we’ll quite likely see in a release of Google Maps in app form for the iPhone and iPad is a standard approach not unlike what Android users currently use. Included will more than likely be turn-by-turn navigation and spoken-aloud commands between the user and the device. Don’t expect Siri to be immediately joyful about working with the app, of course, as Apple’s own Maps app is now the product of choice for the iOS platform.

Meanwhile Google continues to update their browser-based mobile version of Google Maps, that being available right this minute for all iOS device. That version of Google Maps has been available for some time with a specifically tuned set of controls and user interface made for touchscreen devices of all sizes. Google has given no real official confirmation on when they’ll release a Google Maps app for iOS.

Have a peek at the timeline below to see more information surrounding Apple Maps and the Google Maps comeback to iOS. This release is long-awaited mainly because iOS devices had been working with Google Maps technology since they were originally released, and here with the newest versions of the devices and the mobile operating system, Apple has come forth with their own Maps solution. This new maps solution was widely panned upon release, this prompting Apple to apologize and suggest that people work with 3rd party apps until Apple Maps was up to snuff.

Google Maps for iPhone and iPad near “finishing touches” is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Researchers at Rice University have developed a complex polyurethane nanomaterial that could potentially stop bullets right in their tracks. The researchers say that while the material may not withstand larger bullets, 9mm bullets could easily be stopped by the material, and have the entryway sealed behind it before it could fully penetrate.

During testing, the researchers were able to shoot tiny glass beads at the material, and it effectively stopped the beads in their paths. The group of researchers, which also includes a team from MIT, were initially looking for methods to make materials “more impervious to deformation or failure,” as well as be more bulletproof than what current materials offer.

The result, researchers say, would be better, stronger, and lighter armor for soldiers and police, as well as an advanced bulletproof glass that could be used for armored vehicles. The new polyurethane material works by melting itself into a liquid that would stop a bullet and seal the hole that the bullet made.

Essentially, anything shot at the material would result in no shattering or breaking of anything, which means that if this gets implemented into glass, impact from bullets wouldn’t shatter or crack the glass, but would rather melt around the bullet causing only slight deformation of the glass. The research and experiments of the new material is still in its early stages, so no specifics were given as far as if or when we might expect the material to hit mainstream.

[via ABC News]

Polyurethane nanomaterial can stop bullets in their tracks is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

According to Reuters, around 26 suppliers for China’s largest online iPhone store, Lanyou Shuma.com, were ordered to appear in court on Wednesday this week for smuggling iPhones and iPads in the country. It is estimated that over 162,000 iPhones and iPads worth 500 million yuan ($80 million) were smuggled from Hong Kong over the past two years. Interestingly, half of the suppliers tried were described as “housewives who frequently travel to Hong Kong.”

They were reportedly paid around 20 to 30 yuan for every device they smuggled. Luxury products, such as the iPhone and the iPad, have strict import duties to do when they are sold in China. This forces many Chinese suppliers to shop in places like Hong Kong where duties are lower. “This discrepancy in prices has led to a booming smuggling industry where, for example, iPhones are bought in the United States or Hong Kong, carried into China in suitcases by smugglers and then passed to scalpers in China,” Reuters added.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Android Hits 90% Market Share In China, China Blocked Google.com (Updated),

Remember your first game system? Atari was mine. On my one hour bus ride home after school the excitement would build. As soon as I walked in the door I b-lined for the TV. Aaaaah. It was a treat to be able to play games at home. But these days it is a treat to play games anywhere. I’m beginning to believe people log more game time on their phones than in their homes some days.

Since gaming has gone so mobile PowerA – builders of video game accessories – devised a full featured way to play on your phone.  The MOGA Mobile Gaming System, $49.99 at Amazon, puts a natural feeling Bluetooth controller in your hands. Built for Android 2.3+ phones, MOGA can easily hold the largest phone on the market by just snapping it in. Controls include dual analog sticks, 4 action buttons, shoulder triggers and start/select. Rubberized grips make it easy to hold and you will get 18 hours of play with 2 AAA batteries. PowerA also realized the opportunity and forged relationships with most major game makers to make the mobile experience more like the home experience.  Over 40 games are currently “MOGA enhanced” to give more precision and control. All games are accessible via their Pivot app, available for free at Google Play. With innovations like MOGA it appears that the mobile gaming experience will continue to evolve. Who knows, maybe someday the experience will rival home gaming.

[ Game On. Anywhere. copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]