Jul 15
Jul 15
Jul 15
These days, it seems like everybody wants to get into game development. Trouble is…no one’s quite sure how. Valve – one of the most popular developers in the industry – is looking to change that, with the release of Pipeline.
Jul 15
Canadian telecom Telus first to offer shortened two-year wireless contracts
Posted in: Today's Chili
Canadians can finally say goodbye to the dreaded three-year cell contracts they’ve been strapped with for too long: Telus is now offering a two-year contract per Canada’s new wireless code. The company announced as much today in a statement which said the new plans kick off on July 30th, with both unlimited talk and text included (not to mention shareable data on a single account). It’s the latest addition to the company’s long-standing “Clear and Simple” plan. The plans are available for individuals, families, and small business as well — with up to 15 devices connected under a single plan with the latter option.
Most importantly, of course, Canadians can now enjoy the same two-year cycle of buyer’s remorse that us Americans have been dealing with for years now. Just 23 months and 30 days until you can get that new phone!
Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Mobile
Jul 15
After yesterday’s discount of the Surface RT becoming official in the US, Microsoft is expanding the price cut globally to various other countries, including the UK and Australia. Microsoft has updated its UK and Australian stores with updated prices for the older Windows tablet to reflect the lower price tag.
Each of these stores now as prices for the entry-level Surface RT at £279 and AU$389, respectively. The US price is at $349 now, which is a $150 drop from its initial price tag of $499. As for the 64GB version, that can be had for just $449, which is also a $150 discount from the original $599 cost.
Prices vary depending on the region, but retailers are also cutting the price down of the aging tablet. Both Best Buy and Staples are discounting the Surface RT, which Staples was the first store to discount the tablet. It’s not said whether or not this is a permanent price cut, but Microsoft’s website doesn’t say otherwise.
The Surface RT hasn’t been the most popular tablet, especially with the newer Surface Pro releasing earlier this year. The Pro seemed like Microsoft’s efforts to cover up the Surface RT, giving users a full desktop experience with the Surface Pro, but it seems they’re still wanting to sell them, considering that numbers have been low for the company.
The price cut could also mean a second-generation Surface tablet is on the way. We’ve already heard several rumors of a refreshed Surface slate that could be arriving this year, and while it was tipped that we would see it at Microsoft’s BUILD conference last month, there’s still time for the company to release a second-gen model before the year’s end.
Surface RT cut goes global as Microsoft chases sales is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Jul 15
Jul 15
Apple is investigating claims that an iPhone 5 owner was killed while answering a call, with Chinese police confirming the user, 23 year old Ma Ailun, was indeed electrocuted. The woman was charging the iPhone 5 at the time of the alleged incident, Chinese site Xinhuanet reports, and according to comments by her sister was killed by an electric charge through the handset. Apple has said it is cooperating fully with authorities, though declined to comment on any specifics.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of this tragic incident and offer our condolences to the Ma family” Apple said in a statement, Reuters reports. “We will fully investigate and cooperate with authorities in this matter.”
According to local police, Ma was indeed electrocuted, and that is believed to be the cause of death. However, they would not confirm whether or not her iPhone 5 was involved.
Ma’s older sister has already pinned the blame on the Cupertino firm, however, suggesting that all smartphone owners should avoid using devices while they’re plugged in. “[I] hope that Apple Inc. can give us an explanation” she wrote on messaging service Sina Weibo. “I also hope that all of you will refrain from using your mobile devices while charging.”
One possibility is that the charger itself could be at fault, particularly if it was not an official unit. Last December, a UK iPad user received an electric shock from a fake Apple charger, the Birmingham Mail reported, with a local trading standards spokesperson confirming that a similar incident had caused the death of a young boy some months earlier.
Meanwhile, US product testing and verification company UL was forced to issue a warning earlier this year after identifying counterfeit iPhone chargers that had faked its approval label. “These USB power adaptors have not been evaluated by UL to the appropriate Standards for Safety,” the company said in a statement at the time, “and it is unknown if these power adaptors comply with any safety requirements.”
Apple investigates iPhone 5 electrocution death claim in China is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2013, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Jul 15
How many people do you know in your city? Hello Lamp Post won’t exactly let you meet or talk with anyone specific, but it will allow you to listen to the thoughts, comments, and other random ramblings of others who live in the city.
First things first, what is Hello Lamp Post? It’s a city-wide experiment that involves turning objects throughout the city (like the mailbox shown above, or lamp posts, for example) into interactive objects. These objects have been assigned with a unique reference code. Whenever someone wants to “wake” them up, all they have to do is text “Hello [object] #reference code” to 0117-325-9898.
The object will respond with a question for you to answer. If someone has “woken” them up before, then you’ll receive their answer instead, followed by the option to add your own message so you can join in the conversation.
The concept launches today, July 15th in Bristol, UK. It’s a fun way to get to know your city and its other inhabitants in the most unconventional way possible.
Check out what sort of street objects are having the most conversations here.
[via Dvice]
Jul 15
Jul 15
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