Jan 21
In a move that probably shocks nobody, the Chinese government has implemented a new rule that will require anyone who uploads a video online to register with their real names. … Continue reading
Jan 21
The latest version of the app Todoist, referred to simply as “Next,” hopes to capture the attention of the busy bees among us by offering small-scale project management features at a new, affordable cost of… zero dollars. Alongside a streamlined …
Jan 21
What’s your favorite thing to see explode? Never thought about it? How could you. I think it might have to be the watermelon The hard outer shell of the fruit makes for perfect fragmentation, the watermelon’s shape holds an explosive pretty darn well and its red flesh makes for colorfully gory splashes (especially against the green shell). Plus, it’s watery so the explosion range is fantastic. I don’t think it’s a competition. Just look at the SlowMoGuys blowing up a watermelon and try and think of something better to blow up. The watermelon looks like some super bomb from Mario Kart.
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Jan 21
(Credit: Rosaparks)
Emoticons can be so darn cute, what with their big cartoon eyes, red-hearted smooches, and playfully sheepish tongues.
But move the position of that tongue from side to center and add a little spit and chin stubble to that kissing mouth and things can get creepy fast. And that’s exactly the point of a new French ad campaign aimed at protecting kids from Internet predators.
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The provocative national campaign, launched by Innocence en Danger, a nonprofit dedicated to child safety, and ad agency Rosapark, features images that take familiar emoticons into oogie territory with real human faces. “Do you really know who’s talking to your child on the Internet?” the copy reads. Hopefully not anyone even remotely resembling the guys in these posters.
The emoticon-gone-bad images currently appear in magazines and newspapers, and in Paris bus shelters, surely terrif… [Read more]
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Jan 21
Blizzard’s StarCraft 2 is one of the hottest RTS games at the moment and is played worldwide in tournaments and championships. Unfortunately it isn’t necessarily free to play, although there is a Starter Edition that basically lets gamers enjoy some elements of the game, while restricting some features to those who have paid for the full version of it. Now the good news is that for gamers who are still holding out on purchasing a full version of game (maybe you’re waiting for all three expansions to be released and purchase them as a bundle, who knows) is that Blizzard has announce patch 2.1 for StarCraft 2 gamers that basically unlocks more features of the game for those who own the Starter Edition.
Previously one of the restrictions of the Starter Edition was that gamers could not access the Arcade section, but now thanks to patch 2.1, Starter Edition owners of the game will be able to access custom maps and the Arcade. The Arcade section is basically where custom maps and games are created. If you have played Warcraft 3, this is basically the same thing where you will be able to play all sorts of cool and weird custom maps created by other StarCraft 2 gamers. Heck, we’ve even seen how one gamer managed to create a StarCraft 2 MMO through the map editor, so who knows what other gems there are out there. The patch will be going live today but as Blizzard has stated, it will be rolled out region by region, so fret not if you haven’t received the update just yet.
Patch 2.1 For StarCraft 2 Unlocks Custom Maps For Starter Edition Owners original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Jan 21
Earlier last year, Blizzard announced a new free-to-play virtual trading card game called Hearthstone, a game which would be based on its Warcraft franchise. The game has been undergoing closed beta for quite a while now but the good news for those wondering what all the fuss is about and want to get in on the action, Blizzard has officially announced the Hearthstone is now in open beta, meaning that if you’re interested in giving the game a go, you can hit up the Hearthstone official website for the download of the game. According to Blizzard, despite this being an open beta, they have no plans on performing any more wipes, so whatever you collect now will stay with you all the way to the end.
As it stands the open beta is limited to the North American region although Blizzard did state that they will be opening up the beta to other regions within the next few days or so, so if you’d rather not play in the North American region, be sure to keep an eye out for more region availability later on. The open beta is not expected to be unlimited as Blizzard did state that they will be monitoring their servers and if things start to get busier than they’d like, beta activations will have to be temporarily disabled. At the moment the game will be available on both PC and Mac, although mobile versions are expected to be released later.
Blizzard’s Hearthstone Enters Into Open Beta original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Jan 21
Nintendo Rumored To Be Working On New Consoles: Fusion DS And Fusion Terminal
Posted in: Today's Chili
As you might have heard by now, Nintendo isn’t doing too well as they have recently slashed its Wii U sales estimates by 70%. The company announced they would be exploring a new business strategy and reassured gamers they were not done with consoles just yet, and now thanks to a new rumor, it seems that Nintendo could be working on new consoles, with one of them being the handheld variety. If the rumors are to be believed, the consoles are expected to be called the Fusion Terminal and the Fusion DS, with the latter being the handheld version. Now it should be stressed that these are just rumors for now, although admittedly rather extreme rumors, so be sure to take it with a grain of salt for now, although they do make for an interesting discussion. (more…)
Nintendo Rumored To Be Working On New Consoles: Fusion DS And Fusion Terminal original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Jan 21
(Credit: Mars One)
Despite the understandable delays and roadblocks to its original timeline, the colonization initiative Mars One has succeeded wondrously in one of its less tangible goals: planting seeds in our collective subconscious.
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For instance, what would it be like to live out your last days on the Red Planet, surrounded by only a handful of others in close proximity? What are the psychological effects? What will the limitations of the … [Read more]
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Jan 21
Sometimes, you never knew you wanted something until someone drops it in your lap. That’s exactly what Bodelin Technologies has done with their smartphone-powered ProScope Micro Mobile microscope. This genius little thing now works underwater.
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Jan 21
Sony Reportedly Blocking Benchmark Apps On Prototype Phones To Prevent Leaks
Posted in: Today's Chili
If there is one way that new smartphones or tablets are leaked, it is through the use of benchmarks. Benchmarking software/apps are commonly used to determine how powerful a device is and also how it compares to the rest of the competition and to see where it is performing and where it isn’t. Unfortunately some of these benchmarks used are public websites, meaning that those who are constantly combing for information will stumble across new and unannounced devices. We’re sure these “leaks” weren’t done on purpose, but it looks like Sony might have had enough. (more…)
Sony Reportedly Blocking Benchmark Apps On Prototype Phones To Prevent Leaks original content from Ubergizmo. 
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