Hasta La Gadget!

There is nothing quite like a changed look to kickstart things on a different footing. After all, we do see design changes happen from time to time. Take Apple’s iOS operating system for instance – the iOS 7 redesign has certainly riled some quarters, while earning rave reviews from others. As for Google, they themselves have changed their Google logo on the search page for a flatter look, and here we are with word that the Internet search giant has also introduced a fresh look for Google Translate on iOS, and there is more than meets the eye than just a cosmetic change, as Google has also decided to throw in additional languages and new features.

Google Translate intends to help break down the language barrier whenever you travel to a place where the local lingo is something that you cannot understand. Having said that, Google Translate app for iOS 7 has been updated and optimized, where you will be able to enjoy a fresh new look in addition to handwriting support as well as more than 70 languages to make it happen. Imagine when you are in Japan, and need to ask a question. Just use text-input to type in your question, where it will then translate from English to Japanese in a jiffy, with your translation being spoken back in Japanese. [Press Release]

Google Translate On iOS Refreshed original content from Ubergizmo.

The PlayStation 4 launches on November 15th. Well, it does in the US. For Japanese gamers, they’re going to have to wait over three months before they’re able to buy Sony’s next-gen console. But why? A lot of Japanese gamers are not happy, and SCEJA’s CEO excused the later launch, saying that the company needed more time to ensure the game selection was up to standard for Japanese audiences. However, it wasn’t quite enough to quash complaints from its native fans. In a roundtable interview at TGS 2013 with Sony’s SVP of PlayStation hardware, Masayasu Ito explained that in Japan, its portable devices continue to sell well — in comparison to Europe and the US. Thus, the company decided to launch the PS4 in the west first, where there was already “much more excitement” about next-generation consoles. (It also explains why Sony Computer Entertainment Japan focused on refreshed Vita hardware and the Vita TV before this year’s Tokyo Game Show even began).

“Until now, we’ve placed emphasis on the launch titles that are ready for Europe and the US… As I said, in Japan, portable devices are selling very well. So, first and foremost, gaming titles released in Japan would be first for Vita and portables. That’s why the PS4 will come later.”

However, that’s not to say that Sony Japan’s game studios aren’t already at work on PS4 titles: Knack, for example, is being developed in the Land of the Rising Sun. “Our worldwide studios look at worldwide titles rather than directing attention to the Japan-centric titles. So what’s being worked on in Japan is not Japanese-specific, but could (also) be applied on a worldwide basis.” He added that Japan will see around 19 games at launch, with “continuous titles” appearing after that. As a note, both the US and European PS4s can expect roughly 33 games within a “launch window” that will last until the end of 2013.

Filed under: Gaming, Sony

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Dota fans, brace yourselves – there is a huge update for Valve’s remake of the classic Warcraft-based MOBA, and this particular update is on track for a release this coming September 23rd, which would leave you a few days to swoon over your iPhone 5s while checking out what the hype surrounding GTA 5 is all about. Of course, as any good update would have, First Blood will feature a number of gameplay tweaks, although as to whether they are for the better or worse remains to be seen.

The First Blood update will also see the introduction of the highly anticipated Portal Pack that will also feature GLaDOS as an announcer. Other than the introduction of GLaDOS, the pack will also include new Aperture Science Wardcores and the Portal HUD skin. For those who could not give two hoots about Portal, fret not, the First Blood update will also see the introduction of Captain’s Draft. Just what the heck is Captain’s Draft? Well, it happens to be a kind of random pick based game, while other accompanying new stuff with First Blood include local play support, a bunch of new armor and items from the new treasure chests. Are you stoked yet?

Dota 2: First Blood Update Arriving Soon original content from Ubergizmo.

It goes without saying that each time Apple is about to release something new, or to make an announcement of a new product or several devices, their online store would be taken down for a while in order for it to be updated as to reflect the changes in its inventory. However, this rather standard issue practice seems to have been prolonged with the iPhone 5s’ imminent arrival. Why do we say so? It has been closed for over three hours before the iPhone 5s is made officially available online, which is slightly unusual as Apple never really needed that much time before in the past.

Word has it that the Apple Store began to go offline from 8:30 p.m. PT onwards, which is rather early when it comes to a site retooling which would normally require under three hours to do so. For those who do not want to line up in front of an Apple Store in the freezing cold, you can always place your order online, but do bear in mind that there is a very high possibility of the supply running up short since that had always been the case with Apple’s iPhone range in the past. Oh yeah, also do expect interviews with the first person in various lines to pick up the iPhone 5s to appear, too.

Apple Store Goes Offline In Anticipation Of iPhone 5s Release original content from Ubergizmo.

Earlier in the day, we brought you word that there was an iPhone 5s teardown, except that it was not done by the folks over at iFixit, but rather, Australia’s iExpert. Neither was it the gold colored model that was taken apart, although the teardown then did reveal a slightly larger battery that should put to rest any potential arguments that the battery is smaller or of the same size as its predecessor. The folks over at iFixit have managed to wrap their hands around a gold iPhone 5s, and of course, they proceeded with the standard teardown.

After prying the iPhone 5s open, the iFixit team more or less touted that what they discovered within was more or less similar to the one in its predecessor, the iPhone 5. Of course, this is not to say there are no changes at all, but the changes are pretty much few in number. For instance, there is a cable that connects the fingerprint sensor to the Lightning port assembly, while there is no longer a pull-out tab for the 1,560mAh battery. The Touch ID itself is comprised of a bunch of capacitors which will do the job of “remembering” the ridges on your finger, and the 8-megapixel iSight camera has all the signs of a Sony constructed part.

Gold iPhone 5s Teardown By iFixit original content from Ubergizmo.