Hasta La Gadget!

An early taste of Microsoft’s next-gen gaming experience arrived today for Windows Phone and Windows 8.1 users in the form of the Xbox One SmartGlass app, and now Android and iOS faithful can get their fill as well. There’s not much you can do with the second screen app as the hardware it’ll play wingman to won’t arrive until Friday, but you can find quick clips of launch titles via the Game Clips feature, courtesy of those who have advance access to the console. If you have a device running Android 4.0+ or iOS 6.0 and above, you can sample Redmond’s forthcoming gaming experience ahead of time at the bordering source links.

Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Tablets, Software, HD, Mobile, Microsoft

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Source: Google Play, iTunes

After crossing under the elevated railroad viaduct that bisects a lush Azerbaijani forest from an industrial landscape, a squad of American soldiers gazes out at the valley that lies below. A saw-toothed horizon of half-assembled buildings juts out in the distance. It’s almost peaceful. Hundreds of seagulls chatter lazily overhead, blissfully unaware that the ensuing firefight will leave the seemingly forgotten structures looking somehow even worse for wear. Whole facades crumble under the hellfire of a military attack chopper. A grenade launcher’s explosive payload immediately contradicts the seemingly harmless thud it makes upon exiting the weapon’s chamber. An enemy scrambles for a new safe haven; his earlier hiding place no longer exists. By scene’s end, all that’s left are roiling flames and caustic black smoke.

This scene from the Battlefield 4 trailer was how the world, perhaps unwittingly, met Frostbite Engine 3, the next-gen toolset powering all of Electronic Arts’ non-sports games for the foreseeable future.

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD

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Yahoo’s been working hard to include support for Apple services in its Screen iOS app, now it’s gone one better and launched its video-discovery app on Apple TV. With an emphasis on comedy, Yahoo Screen has been designed to collate the best of web video, including clips from Saturday Night Live, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show, as well as live news, events and music. You’ll also be able to browse trending videos and watch Yahoo Originals programming, which are delivered direct to your Apple TV without the need to AirPlay them across. AllThingsD reports that PBS has also quietly pushed a new app, letting users get their Nova, Frontline or Antiques Roadshow fix (older episodes of Downton Abbey will be available shortly after PBS begins re-airing seasons early next year). Today’s update may only available to US users but Apple isn’t being shy about broadening the number of Apple TV apps available across the globe.

Filed under: Internet, Software, HD, Apple

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Source: Yahoo Screen (Tumblr)

While Sony was content to toy with radical designs for the PlayStation 4’s controller, it turns out Microsoft took a more conservative approach when building the Xbox One’s gamepad. GamesBeat scored a look at the controller creation process and discovered that Redmond was reluctant to tweak the Xbox 360 controller at all since it considers the hardware “best-in-class.” After some pressure from Zulfi Alam, Xbox’s general manager for accessories, Ballmer and Co. decided to explore what changes could be made, and invested over $100 million throughout the course of the effort.

Despite the firm’s aversion to rocking the proverbial boat, it still wound up with more than a few unconventional prototypes — some of which packed built-in displays and cameras. One of the strangest versions included a cartridge for emitting smells, and another featured a built-in projector that could throw out visuals reminiscent of illumiroom. Ultimately, the wackier iterations gave way to the traditional kit that’s heading to stores, as the adventurous features drained battery life too quickly or the company’s “core base didn’t appreciate them,” according to Alam. While we wouldn’t have expected the Xbox One to usher in the age of smell-o-vision, we can’t help but wonder what that future would have looked smelled like.

Filed under: HD, Microsoft

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Source: GamesBeat

Last week it was the PS4’s turn, and this week the Xbox One ships for eager gamers, bringing along its own slew of titles including exclusives like Forza Motorsport 5, Dead Rising 3, Ryse and Killer Instinct. We’ll have our review of Microsoft’s new box tomorrow, but another major highlight this weekend is a Doctor Who 50th Anniversary special. The Day of the Doctor will air at 2:50PM ET on BBC America, simultaneous with other broadcasts around the world. Also key for Whovians is the Adventure in Space & Time film that will air Friday night, looking back at the beginning of the phenomenon, and The Night of The Doctor mini-episode — the film’s trailer and the entire mini-ep can be found after the break.

Amazon will premiere the first three episodes of its second original series, Betas, on Friday morning, and on Blu-ray we’re looking forward to Star Trek:TNG season five, Aubrey Plaza in The To Do List and Lilyhammer season one arriving ahead of its season two Netflix debut. Race fans should also keep an eye out, as the Formula 1 series wraps up its season in Brazil Sunday morning. Look after the break for our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and gaming.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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