Jan 29
As The Register learned, in part of an ongoing effort to turn Facebook into its own, closed little ecosystem, Zuck’s empire has closed off public events to, well, the public. Account-holding stalkers only, please. More »
Jan 29
Canon’s range of digital cameras for beginners often carry the “PowerShot” moniker, and the same applies to the latest Canon PowerShot A2500 shooter. This particular entry level digital camera will include a 16-megapixel image sensor and DIGIC 4 Image Processor, in addition to a 28mm wide-angle lens with 5x optical zoom which can be extended to 140mm at the telephoto end.
In order to make sure that even beginners are able to snap decent photos right from the get go, the Canon PowerShot A2500 will feature Canon’s Smart AUTO mode which will analyze individual scenes to intelligently select the right or rather, optimal camera settings based on 32 predefined shooting scenarios, so that you will end up with stunning images that will wow and impress others. It also does HD video recording thanks to a dedicated movie button, and with Canon’s new ECO Mode, you get more shots per single full charge than ever before.
The Canon PowerShot A2500 digital camera is tipped to arrive in worldwide markets later this April in silver, red and black shades for $129.99 each. [Press Release]
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Nikon Coolpix S5200 Picks Up FCC Approval, Starfish Technologies To Unveil Smartwatch At Macworld, 
Jan 29
This week it’s become abundantly clear that the pornographic content issue has become a top priority for the developer teams at Vine, the Twitter-owned 6-second-video app. This app was released less than a week ago with a response that was no less than massive, both Twitter and Apple’s iTunes App Store pushing the app heavily to get the word out about its existence. Since then a significant amount of “NSFW” content has appeared in the Vine universe prompting ire from almost every direction.
Here on Tuesday the 29th of January it would appear that the Vine development team has cut out one entry into the porn problem with a rescinding of hashtags such as #porn, #nude, #sex, and #naked. Searching for these terms now results in a complete lack of results, not because none exist, but because the back end of Vine can be modified to kick out any terms they deem undesirable.
While no official comment on the situation as far as search terms has yet been issued by Vine or Twitter, we do know the results of the app having been “infected” by “Not Safe For Work” content have been dire. The first was the iTunes App Store cutting the app from it’s Editor’s Choice picks: though again, no official word on its disappearance has been made. Another result of the porn issue is the massive amount of press Vine has gotten almost immediately after its initial release.
This begs the question: should Twitter’s Vine team want to kick nudes out of the the mix, or should it simply pretend to be attempting to do so? You can still download the Vine app from the iTunes App Store for your iOS mobile device right this minute (or perhaps just for the time being) and we’ve still got no word on an Android release (or a Windows Phone release for that matter).
Make sure you keep your ear to the wire here on SlashGear for more Vine news as this epic saga continues to unfold! The timeline below should keep you up to date on all the excellence as well – and keep on recording those work safe videos with Vine, too!
Vine Porn disappears from surface of Twitter app is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Jan 29
We all know that Vertu does come up with their fair share of stunning handsets which could lean closer toward being works of art compared to an actual smartphone, and here we are with whispers that Vertu will be working on their most affordable Android-powered smartphone to date. The asking price is still nothing to sneeze at, as we are looking at a sticker tag that is worth €3,000. It seems that Nokia, after selling most of their stakes in Vertu last year, might have a say in the upcoming Vertu handset that runs on the Android operating system.
The new owner, or rather, the majority stakes owner of Vertu did promise to “drive the development of the luxury mobile phone category through significant investments”, where among them would include rolling out new devices. This Vertu-branded Android smartphone might debut next month, but all of it remains hush hush at this point in time, and we do hope that it will maintain a sleek look without being gaudy in nature.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: White Google Nexus 4 May Actually Exist, HTC Announces February 19 Launch Event Possibly For The HTC M7, 
Jan 29
Another year, another renewal of digital camera offerings from the major players in the market. Well, here is the second of three digital cameras from Canon that we will cover for the day – the extremely pocket-friendly (in terms of size, and I am sure cost as well as we will look at that later on) Canon PowerShot ELPH 115 IS Digital Camera. This puppy will come with an 8x optical zoom lens (28-224mm) that is said to offer a focal range which can capture just about any situation without missing a beat, accompanied by a 16-megapixel image sensor and DIGIC 4 image processor that delivers exceptional image quality.
The PowerShot ELPH 115 IS digital camera will come with Canon’s Smart AUTO mode which is capable of choosing the right camera settings intelligently, based on up to 32 predefined shooting situations so that even beginners who have no idea on using a digital camera other than to “point and shoot” to capture spectacular images under a range of settings. There is also HD video recording capability, accompanied by Canon’s unique Intelligent IS system technology. There is also a new ECO Mode so that you can go on shooting longer than usual on a single battery charge.
Expect the Canon PowerShot ELPH 115 IS Digital Camera to arrive in stores later this March in blue, silver, black and pink colors for approximately $169.99. [Press Release]
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: iCalc Bluetooth Calculator Keypad Magnetically Works With An Apple Wireless Keyboard, Verizon Jetpack 4G Hotspot 5510L Available January 31 For $20, 
Jan 29
Last Saturday, January 26, marked the first day that it became illegal to unlock your smartphone without permission from the carriers. Of course, many users got upset over the news and for good reason, but the Electronic Frontier Foundation has clarified some details about the new laws regarding unlocking and jailbreaking your phone.
The EFF wanted to point out that the entire situation has both positives and negatives. First, it’s still completely legal to jailbreak and root your phone (but not tablets, mind you), and that law will stand through at least 2015. However, unlocking your phone yourself is illegal as everyone says it is, but the EFF note that carriers “probably aren’t going to start suing customers en masse, RIAA-style.”
The EFF says that carriers will be more likely to sue businesses that unlock and resell phones, rather than the individuals, and the charges are stiff: up to $2,500 per unlocked phone in a civil suit, and $500,000 or five years in prison in a criminal case when the unlocking is for “commercial advantage.”
Even for phones that are no longer under contract, it’s still illegal to unlock them, proving ever more that we’re really not free to do as we want with devices that we own. This law will stay put until late 2014, when the next round of creating and defending exemptions will start back up. It’s possible that we could see lawsuits form against the DMCA, but that’s something we’ll have to wait and see on.
EFF clarifies laws behind unlocking and jailbreaking phones is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Jan 29
Nexus 4 Hits The US And Germany
Posted in: Today's Chili
Say, you have been on the lookout for the LG Nexus 4 for the longest time, but have yet to really manage to find a time and place in the current continuum where stock of the Nexus 4 is available for the masses. Well, I guess your tough luck has finally run out at this point in time, at least where the Nexus 4 is concerned, as it has been reported that the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean powered device is now available over at Germany, in addition to Google Play for folks living in the US.
Let us keep our fingers crossed that this would mean that other countries will not be lagging too far behind both US and Germany. Assuming that the Nexus 4 finally pops up in your neighborhood, will you be one of the first few to rush out and place an order, or do you have your eyes set on something newer, although that will not come with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean in tow? Decisions, decisions, it can be tough being an adult at times. Perhaps this is the opportunity for you to introduce your other half to the wonders of Android this coming Valentine’s Day by gifting your beau the Nexus 4, hmmm?
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: White Google Nexus 4 May Actually Exist, HTC Announces February 19 Launch Event Possibly For The HTC M7, 
Jan 29
So here’s something you should probably know. Starting this past Sunday, January 27th, retailers can now charge up to four percent extra on purchases made using a credit card. More »
Jan 29
Unreal Engine 3’s Epic Citadel demo now available on Android with special features, iOS version updated
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Epic Games’ first internal initiative to produce an Unreal Engine 3 project on Android is complete, nearly three years after a similar initiative produced the Epic Citadel demo. That same demo is being employed on Android, albeit with one shiny new feature: benchmarking. The new mode enables users to test framerate, quality settings, and resolution details — it’s an exclusive for the Android version. The iOS version also saw an update today across its various iterations, enabling support for higher-res displays (the original app launched in September 2010 and has seen little in the update department since).
While Epic’s Unreal Engine 3 has supported Android for some time, the release of the internal app means, “we’ve invested in plenty of QA testing against a wide range of devices, and we’ve executed the necessary profiling required for shipping Android games,” an Epic Games rep tells us. Moreover, that investment carries over to Unreal Engine 3 licensees. To snag the Epic Citadel demo (for free) on your Android device of choice, head to Google’s Play store or Amazon’s App Store. And for a taste of games currently on Android based in Unreal Engine 3, check out the incredible trailer for Horn just beyond the break.
Epic Games Releases “Epic Citadel” for Android
Android users can download the free app now, plus ‘Epic Citadel’ gets iOS update
CARY, N.C. (January 29, 2013) – Epic Games, Inc. today released “Epic Citadel” for Android devices. The free app, which is used to demonstrate the studio’s award-winning Unreal Engine 3 (UE3) technology on multiple platforms, is available now on Google Play and Amazon Appstore for Android. A new benchmarking mode and updated visuals bring added depth to the popular app.
In “Epic Citadel,” players navigate the dynamic fantasy setting of the award-winning Infinity Blade. From the circus bazaar to the sweeping cathedral in the center of town, “Epic Citadel” dazzles with a visual parade of special effects.
“While we’ve licensed our engine to help developers build and ship many fantastic games for Android, ‘Epic Citadel’ is our first internally developed product to be released to Android users,” said Jay Wilbur, vice president of Epic Games. “It’s a free, easy way to check out the high-quality experience Unreal Engine technology delivers on mobile devices.”
High-End Graphics for Android
“Epic Citadel” was created with the same UE3 tools and technologies used to develop best-selling PC, console and mobile games. Features include:
· Amazing visuals. “Epic Citadel” pushes the envelope for modern visuals on Android devices. Through the latest advances in Unreal Engine 3 technology, the application delivers unrivaled graphics and special effects that immerse players in the kingdom’s grounds.
· Benchmarking mode. “Epic Citadel” enables users to gather performance data for Android devices through its benchmarking mode, which displays frames per second stats, quality settings and resolution details.
· Realistic reflections and animations. Environment mapping and other high-end rendering techniques produce lifelike reflections, and vertex deformation and skeletal animation bring trees and banners to life with dynamic movements.
· Global illumination. Unreal Engine 3’s built-in global illumination system, Unreal Lightmass, provides realistic lighting and shadows with minimal development resources.
· Dynamic specular lighting with texture masks. Sophisticated graphics features impart a tangible quality to cobblestone roads and vivid reflective marble surfaces, while lens flares and light coronas add dramatic emphasis when panning across light sources.
Outstanding Cross-Platform Performance
Epic has worked closely with hardware leaders to ensure that “Epic Citadel” delivers a superior experience on the latest mobile platforms.
“‘Epic Citadel’ features beautiful, high-performance graphics that are characteristic of mobile Unreal Engine games. Throughout the app’s development for Android, we worked closely with Epic Games to ensure that the visuals can be experienced on NVIDIA Tegra-based devices in all of their glory,” remarked Tony Tamasi, SVP Content and Technology, NVIDIA.
“Intel is very pleased to see Epic’s award-winning Unreal Engine 3 technology shipping on Android with full native support for x86,” said Mukesh Goel, Director of Ecosystem Enabling, Mobile Communications Group, Intel. “We’re especially excited by the tremendous performance being realized in ‘Epic Citadel’ on the Atom Z2460 platform.”
“As the leading supplier of mobile and embedded GPUs for both iOS and Android, Imagination has worked extremely closely with Epic for many years as it has continuously pushed the boundaries of mobile graphics with Unreal Engine technology,” Tony King-Smith, VP of Marketing, Imagination Technologies. “We are delighted that our collaboration is extending into the Android space and that Epic is making such excellent use of our PowerVR GPUs and tools as it brings the best of gaming capability to the rapidly growing Android market.”
New iOS Update
Today Epic also released an update for “Epic Citadel” on the App Store that improves the industry-leading visuals of the iOS app. Available for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, “Epic Citadel” now supports high-resolution devices and offers aesthetics even more striking than previously seen.
About Unreal Engine
Developed by Epic Games, the award-winning Unreal Engine is known for its cutting-edge graphics technology, world-class toolset and scalability across PC, console and mobile platforms. Unreal Engine 3 (UE3) is designed to accelerate developers’ productivity for creating high-quality games, applications, training simulations, visualizations, digital films and animated entertainment. Powering hundreds of games and integrated with two dozen leading middleware technologies, UE3 holds more than 20 technology awards, including eight Game Developer Front Line Awards and five Develop Industry Excellence Awards. The Unreal Engine also owns a seat in the Front Line Awards Hall of Fame. Unreal Engine 4 (UE4), winner of multiple Best of E3 2012 awards, offers unprecedented graphical capabilities and workflow improvements that provide unparalleled accessibility for developers building the next generation of games and applications. For more information, visit http://www.unrealengine.com and follow @UnrealEngine.
About Epic Games
Established in 1991, Epic Games, Inc. develops cutting-edge games and cross-platform game engine technology. The company is responsible for the bestselling “Unreal” series of games, the blockbuster “Gears of War” franchise and the groundbreaking “Infinity Blade” line of mobile games. Epic’s award-winning Unreal Engine technology has won dozens of awards and is available for licensing. Epic is continually recruiting top talent for its studios located in North Carolina, Washington, Utah, Maryland, Poland, Korea and Japan. For more information, visit http://www.epicgames.com and follow @EpicGames.
Epic, Epic Games, Gears of War, Infinity Blade, Unreal, Unreal Engine, UE3, UE4, Unreal Lightmass and Unreal Tournament are trademarks or registered trademarks of Epic Games, Inc. in the United States of America and elsewhere. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
###
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Handhelds, Tablets, Mobile, Google, Amazon
Jan 29
To kick off 2013 Kia Motors has already hit the ground running announcing three new vehicles to grip and rip the road. Those being the all new 2014 KIA Optima and Forte back at the LA Auto Show, followed by the new Forenza in Detroit. While they have plenty more to come this year, today SlashGear will be enjoying an exclusive first hand look (and test drive) with the first two. Today we’re proud to bring you live coverage from the Kia First Drive event in Scottsdale, AZ, for the all new Sorento and Forte.
Kia has been on the forefront of design and elegance ever since they launched their extremely popular and redesigned Optima, and you can’t forget the unique yet edgy Kia Soul (see our review) and now we’re getting a look at their newest offerings. The all new just announced vehicles mentioned above have been completely redesigned for the new year, and we’ll be getting up close and personal with both. Today SlashGear will be taking part in the official Kia First Drive for these vehicles. Be sure to check back later today for our hands-on coverage while we take both rides for a spin through the desert and red rock mountains of Scottsdale, Arizona.
Now the Kia Sorento might not look new at first glance, but for 2014 they’ve redesigned the front and rear facia, and then the important parts come under the skin and hood. The interior has been completely redesigned with Kia stating over 80% has been changed, tweaked, redesigned, or improved. Add in plenty of luxury amenities, a new 7-inch TFT gauge cluster, followed by their awesome 8-inch UVO infotainment system they’ve really set the bar. Being tech lovers here at SlashGear we’ll be sure to get up close with their new 8-inch UVO entertainment system, complete with Google Maps, and much much more.
You can see more from our announcement posts from earlier this year, but the new V6 offering, not to mention AWD options and more, KIA has really improved their offering for 2014 – so stay tuned after we take a quick drive with this baby today.
Then we have the Kia Forte. With a radical new look, edgy yet aerodynamic lines, and a smooth Sedan design the Kia Forte for 2014 looks to take on the road full stride. Kia aimed to make this the best option available in its segment, while being elegant and sporty, and with the Forte they certainly deliver just that. With a new 2.0 4-cylinder engine pushing 173 horsepower and all the features and UVO infotainment that’s kept KIA users happy over the past year, the all new Kia Forte looks pretty impressive. We’ll be giving both of these vehicles a nice test drive and checking out the fresh interior later today.
Stay tuned right here to SlashGear for all of our live coverage, additional details, tons of pictures and much much more.
2014 KIA Sorento and Forte First Drive is written by Cory Gunther & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Who's in charge here?
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.