Jan 24

Logitech makes itself clear: “We are NOT exiting PC gaming”

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Last night, Logitech reported their Q3 2012 earnings, and things didn’t look so good. The company reported an operating loss of $180 million with sales down 14% from last year. As a result, Logitech announced quite a few changes coming to its product lineup, including the dismantling of its console gaming peripherals. However, CEO Bracken Darrell clarified that the Harmony business is not shutting down, but will rather be put up for sale. The company also noted that they’re still focused on PC peripherals, such as the G-series line of gaming keyboards and mice.

logitech

In a thread posted on the Logitech forums, Darrell told Logitech fans that the company has “publicly announced a plan to hold the Harmony business for sale.” He also assured users that “Logitech is not shutting down the Harmony business and certainly not the service.” The sale will not impact Harmony users, and customer support and warranties will still be provided.

The company also announced via Twitter that “PC gaming continues to be a priority for the company.” While Logitech will be discontinuing its console gaming products and exiting that business, the company is still committed to providing PC accessories and peripherals to its customers, resulting in a huge sigh of relief for PC users everywhere.

Logitech’s Q3 sales came in at $615 million, which is quite a significant drop from last year’s $715 million. Overall, sales for the company dropped 8% in North America, 20% in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and 11% in Asia. The discontinuation of other non-strategic products, such as speaker docks and console gaming peripherals, will be completed by the end of 2013.


Logitech makes itself clear: “We are NOT exiting PC gaming” is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

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Jan 23

Stylophone S2 portable analog synthesizer hands-on (video)

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http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/23/stylophone-s2-portable-analog-synthesizer-hands-on/

The original Stylophone is something of a legend. Made popular by David Bowie (and possibly if you’re British, Rolf Harris) in the late sixties / early seventies. Since then the original (shown in our gallery) has been re-released, and spin-off products have come to light. The S2, however, represents a new direction for the vintage synth. This time, makers dubreq wanted to create something that maintained the original’s pick-up-and-play appeal, while adding some more high-end features and functionality that open it up to more serious sound-smiths. The first thing you will notice is that, while it still has the iconic metal “keys,” the Stylophone S2 is somewhat larger — no bad thing if you’ve ever tried penning a melody live on the original. Those keys can be triggered with a wireless stylus, but are touch sensitive also, meaning you can poke out a tune without being limited to the agility of your dominant hand. Skip past the break for more details and a hardware video tour.

Gallery: Stylophone S2 hands-on

If you’re thinking that, despite being larger than its predecessor, there’s just not enough keys, then be assured you can get a full three octaves plus a +/-2 shift function on the left giving it a comprehensive range. The all-analog sound engine also features an eight waveform LFO, bass-heavy sub-oscillators and a state-variable filter. Thanks to an Aux input, you can also use the filters etc. with external audio sources, plus there are headphone and 1/4-inch outputs. If you’re worried it’s all a little too compact for a live performance, there’s a CV (control voltage) input trigger offering the ability to control with with an external sequencing device. It’s not all retro though, with the illuminated speaker section also providing real-time feedback (such as the speed of the LFO). Best — and most importantly of all — it sounds just like you want it to, full of crunchy, analog goodness. The hardware feels extremely well built, and definitely feels like it could stand up to the knocks and bangs that inevitably come with taking gear out on the road, which, thanks to the option of AA battery power is wonderfully easy. Sound like something you’d like the sound of? The Stylophone S2 is available now for £299 (about $470 by conversion).

Billy Steele contributed to this report.

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Jan 23

Numark Orbit wireless MIDI DJ controller hands-on (video)

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Numark Orbit wireless MIDI DJ controller hands-on

NAMM is yet to open its doors fully, but we managed to sneak a hands-on with the freshly announced Orbit DJ controller from Numark at the press preview. As you can see, the wireless device looks like a game controller that crashed into a disco — it’s certainly distinctive. This is no accident, and the design is purposely built with quick and easy button access in mind, letting DJs (and any MIDI-based performers) step out from behind the DJ booth, and onto the stage. The portability of the Orbit is further amplified by the inclusion of a clip-mount on the rear, as well as lanyard-style strap hoops. It feels light yet solid, and the soft-touch finish means your hands won’t get tired gripping this thing in the throws of a drum-pad solo. The name Orbit also evidently refers — at least in part — to the near-symmetrical design which lets you hold it either way with the same comfortable access to those brightly-lit, colorful controls. Those pads feel smooth, yet tactile — and most importantly — responsive. Tap past the break for more impressions.

Gallery: Numark Orbit hands-on

That central dial you see in the middle is designed to be used as a multi-purpose knob, and is big enough for you to comfortably thumb it, while still reaching the side controls. There are four buttons which can be assigned as “virtual rotaries,” and once selected, spin that wheel to modulate whatever you have it assigned to (filters, reverb amount etc.). The other set of four buttons let you expand those 16 pads out to a potential 64, so if you want one bank for controlling lights, one for sample triggering, and another for hot-cues, you can do this all from the one small device. It’s not just the external controls that make this interesting, the internal two-axis accelerometer, which can be assigned to parameters of choice, will definitely add a new dimension to what’s possible. Sadly we weren’t able to try this out, but already we’re thinking of some interesting uses. There’s a micro-USB port on one side for charging and tethered use. We only had a short amount of time with the Orbit, but already we could see its potential for enhancing performance. It’s not meant to replace anything in your existing set-up, rather to enhance it, and given the flexibility of MIDI, this could mean a whole host of interesting uses. The crowd of folk waiting to get a closer look behind us certainly showed that it’s piquing people’s interest. Set to be released in spring for a reasonable $100, this looks like a promising start to 2013 for Numark. Check the video tour below for more.

Billy Steele contributed to this report.

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Jan 23

We’re live from NAMM 2013 in Anaheim, California!

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We're live from NAMM 2013 in Anaheim, California!

It’s been just over a week since we departed chilly Las Vegas, and now we’ve descended on the much warmer Golden State for the music industry’s annual winter gathering. That’s right, we’re here in Anaheim, California for NAMM 2013 to fondle all the latest musical gadgets and attempt to make it through the week with our eardrums still intact. For keeping up with all of the happenings, be sure to take a gander here for all of the latest newsy bits and hands-ons that we’ll encounter over the next few days.

Check out our full coverage of NAMM 2013 at our event hub!

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Jan 23

Logitech gambled big on video conferencing, lost

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Logitech gambled big on video conferencing, lost

Logitech’s PR machine is on the loose this morning, trying to dampen expectations before the company announces its quarterly financial results later in the day. The key message is that we shouldn’t expect any great shakes from the video conferencing side of the business. In fact, there’ll be a $211 million charge against earnings, which is big enough to wipe out the previous quarter’s income four times over, and which stems entirely from this source of pain:

“The enterprise video conferencing industry has experienced a slowdown in recent quarters and consequently, through this period, the video conferencing unit has not sustained the growth Logitech originally anticipated.”

That’s a blanket statement, describing a whole section of the industry and not just pinning the blame on LifeSize, the video conferencing company that Logitech picked up in 2009 for $405 million. It so happens that Polycom and Cisco have also reported ongoing slides in video conferencing sales, so Logitech’s explanation is entirely justified — not that it makes the LifeSize acquisition look any smarter.

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Source: Reuters

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Jan 17

Black Powder Media’s Impulse Controller hands-on (video)

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Black Powder Media's Impulse Controller handson video

Black Powder Media showed up at our double-wide HQ with a couple Bluetooth Impulse Controllers on hand for us to play with. This tiny Bluetooth 2.1 controller is actually a jack of all trades device as it will control your phone, tablet or PC for gaming, multimedia control, remote camera trigger and even help find your keys — via a free app — if you lose them.

We had a chance to play a bit of Pac Man and Temple Run on an iPad and the control was really quite good, though, the device’s housing isn’t complete as you can plainly see in the pic above. Button feel was great with the right rubbery click feel to the various buttons on the face and shoulder keys on the rear. The D-Pad can be flipped to the opposite side of the controller using the small mode key so that lefties can join in the fun, too. To protect your Impulse Controller while it is tethered to your keychain it comes wrapped in a very clever plastic housing that doubles as a stand for your phone while playing a game in either portrait or landscape mode. We definitely are looking forward to seeing the final polished product, but until then have a peek at our quick video tour and photo gallery.

Gallery: Black Powder Media’s Impulse Controller hands-on (video)

Zach Honig contributed to this report

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Source: Impulse Controller

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Jan 17

Nintendo introduces a fountain pen for your Wii U GamePad, as well as a screen jacket

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Nintendo made a fountain pen for your Wii U GamePad, as well as a screen jacket

Nintendo’s worried about your Wii U GamePad. So much so, in fact, that the company’s releasing a full on “Accessory Set” aimed specifically at bolstering your screen’s HP (sorry, we couldn’t help it) — not only do you get a screen protector, but also a cleaning cloth for keeping it in tip top shape. And you’ll need all that protection with the increased scribbling the GamePad will assuredly see when employing your new fountain pen-esque stylus, also included in the set. The whole thing runs $12.99 when it arrives at retailers on February 4th (at least in the US and Canada).

Show full PR text

Wii U and Nintendo 3DS Kick off 2013 with New One-of-a-Kind Experiences

From an Exclusive LEGO(R) Mission for Wii U to a Luigi’s Mansion Sequel on Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo has Something for Everyone

NOTE: Multimedia available here

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Every video game offers a different experience. But only on Nintendo systems do these experiences transform into moments of shared joy and fun. It’s the parent who pulls a game off the TV to play on the Wii U[TM] GamePad controller so the kids can watch cartoons. It’s the group of friends passing the GamePad around the room and then sharing their experiences on Miiverse. It’s the “you gotta see this” moment when people first experience glasses-free 3D and augmented reality on a Nintendo 3DS[TM] system.

The holiday season added many new Wii U and Nintendo 3DS owners who have already begun to discover these joyful moments together. Nintendo now builds on their enthusiasm with a fun lineup of games for early 2013.

“During the holidays we saw new players respond positively to new game-play experiences using the Wii U GamePad controller and the true 3D of Nintendo 3DS,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “With such a diverse lineup of games on the horizon, people will experience a variety of ways to play, whether they’re using the GamePad to scan for criminals or seeing ghosts in 3D on the Nintendo 3DS screen.”

New on Wii U

The Wii U home console launched to great acclaim on Nov. 18 with the largest lineup of games in Nintendo history. The fun continues into 2013 with the upcoming release of LEGO City: Undercover on March 18. In this original LEGO game, exclusive to Wii U, players assume the role of Chase McCain, a tough-as-nails police officer who is a master of disguise. The massive, open world of LEGO City lets players explore the city using numerous vehicles from the real-life play sets to pursue criminal mastermind Rex Fury. On March 19, the fan-favorite Monster Hunter series descends on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS with Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate. The action RPG’s expansive, gorgeous world features more to do than ever before. Players can hunt monsters, upgrade equipment and improve skills while they take part in more than 200 challenging quests.

Game & Wario[TM], The Wonderful 101[TM], Pikmin[TM] 3 and Wii Fit[TM] U will arrive in the first half of the year. Additional information about launch timing for these games will be announced at a later date.

To ensure that Wii U users get the most out of their GamePad controller, Nintendo will be offering a Wii U GamePad Accessory Set to help owners protect their screens. The set will be available at stores on Feb. 4 for a suggested retail price of $12.99 and includes a Wii U GamePad screen protector that fits over the screen to protect it from scratches and dirt, an extra-large stylus for comfortable touch-screen game play and a cleaning cloth.

New on Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS hand-held system continues its momentum going into 2013. Launching on Feb. 4 is Fire Emblem Awakening, a fantasy turn-based strategy game for Nintendo 3DS. On the same day, Nintendo will release a special bundle of the Nintendo 3DS system that has Fire Emblem Awakening pre-installed on the hardware. The blue hardware features Fire Emblem artwork and a 4GB SD memory card, and will be available at a suggested retail price of $199.99. A demo of Fire Emblem Awakening will be available today in the Nintendo eShop.

Brain Age: Concentration Training for Nintendo 3DS arrives on Feb. 10 to build on the mainstream appeal of the celebrated Brain Age series with new challenges to help players concentrate as they block out distractions. A demo will also be available in the Nintendo eShop on Jan. 24. On March 24, fans of the original Luigi’s Mansion have reason to celebrate with the release of Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon. In this game, a timid Luigi travels through more mansions and captures more ghosts using his upgraded Poltergust 5000. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity also hits the Nintendo 3DS system on March 24. In addition to playing as a Pokémon, players explore ever-changing Mystery Dungeons as they build Pokémon Paradise and recruit more Pokémon to their team. There is also a deep and compelling story full of unexpected twists. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity makes the most of the features of the Nintendo 3DS system, such as the ability to use the system’s camera to open Magnagates – portals to new Mystery Dungeons in the real world. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate comes to Nintendo 3DS on March 5. This sequel takes place 25 years after Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and follows the famous Belmont clan as they set out to find and destroy the ruthless Dracula. The action-filled game features multiple playable characters and combines both 2D classic side-scrolling game play with full 3D areas. On April 21, another entry in the LEGO City: Undercover series arrives on Nintendo 3DS. LEGO City Undercover: The Chase Begins is a prequel to the Wii U game, and follows the exploits of Chase McCain as a rookie cop.

Below is a partial list of upcoming launch dates in the United States and Canada. Note that game titles and launch dates are subject to change.

Wii U
Publisher Title Available
Activision The Amazing Spider-Man[TM] Ultimate Edition March
The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct March 26
Capcom Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate March 19
D3Publisher The Croods: Prehistoric Party! March 19
Electronic Arts Need For Speed Most Wanted March 19
Nintendo LEGO(R) City: Undercover March 18
SEGA Aliens[TM]: Colonial Marines Q1
Ubisoft Rayman(R) Legends Feb. 26
Nintendo eShop for Wii U
Gaijin Games BIT.TRIP Presents… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien Q1
Neko Puddle Q1
SEGA The Cave[TM] Jan. 22
TECMO KOEI AMERICA Corp. Fist of the North Star(R): Ken’s Rage 2 Feb. 7
Two Tribes Toki Tori 2 Q1
Zen Studios Zen Pinball 2 Q1
Wii
D3Publisher The Croods: Prehistoric Party! March 19
Talking Stick Games Kids Learn Pets and Vets Bundle March 12
XSEED Games Pandora’s Tower[TM] Spring
Nintendo 3DS
ATLUS (Index Digital Media, Inc.) Etrian Odyssey[TM]IV: Legends of the Titan Feb. 26
Shin Megami Tensei(R): Devil Summoner(R): Soul Hackers April 16
Capcom Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate March 19
D3Publisher The Croods: Prehistoric Party! March 19
Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate March 5
Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 3D Feb. 12
Little Orbit Monster High[TM] Skultimate Roller Maze[TM] March 13
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. NARUTO(R) Powerful Shippuden March 5
Nintendo Brain Age[TM]: Concentration Training Feb. 10
Fire Emblem Awakening Feb. 4
LEGO(R) City Undercover: The Chase Begins April 21
Luigi’s Mansion[TM]: Dark Moon March 24
Pokémon[TM] Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity March 24
SEGA Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed[TM] Feb. 12
Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS
Agetec, Inc. Bloody Vampire Jan. 31
Witch’s Cat Jan. 31
Big John Games Coaster Creator 3D Q1
Capcom Resident Evil(R): The Mercenaries 3D Q1
Disney Interactive Disney/Pixar Finding Nemo: Escape to the Big Blue Jan. 17
Maximum Games Deer Drive Legends Jan. 17
Nicalis Ikachan Q1
Guxt Q1
Nintendo Tokyo Crash Mobs[TM] Jan. 17
Fire Emblem Awakening DEMO Jan. 17
Brain Age[TM]: Concentration Training DEMO Jan. 24
Renegade Kid ATV Wild Ride 3D Q1
Rising Star Games Jewel Master: Cradle of Egypt 2 March 19
Shin’en Nano Assault EX Q1
Ubisoft Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon(R) Shadow Wars Jan. 24
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell(R) 3D Q1
Nintendo DS
D3Publisher The Croods: Prehistoric Party! March 19
Talking Stick Games Kids Learn Animals Bundle Feb. 26
Kids Learn Math and Spelling Bundle Feb. 26
Kids Learn Pets and Horse Bundle March 26

Remember that Wii, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS feature parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/wii, http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu and http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii U[TM] and Wii[TM] home consoles, and Nintendo 3DS[TM] and Nintendo DS[TM] families of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System[TM], Nintendo has sold more than 4 billion video games and more than 637 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as the Game Boy[TM], Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi[TM] and Nintendo DSi XL[TM], Super NES[TM], Nintendo 64[TM], Nintendo GameCube[TM] and Wii systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario[TM], Donkey Kong[TM], Metroid[TM], Zelda[TM] and Pokémon[TM]. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at http://www.nintendo.com.

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Jan 17

IK Multimedia’s iRig HD adapter for iOS, Mac lets guitars ride the Lightning port

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IK Multimedia's iRig HD adapter lets guitars ride the Lightning port

IK Multimedia spent a lot of time at CES 2013 courting Android musicians, but we neglected to mention equal attention spent on iOS at the show through the iRig HD. The company’s new adapter pipes audio from a guitar or other instrument with a quarter-inch plug into Lightning-equipped Apple devices, keeping them in IK’s musical world (and inviting terrible Metallica puns). It’s not exclusively built to jam with an iPad mini or iPhone 5, either, as a modular approach brings the analog-to-digital conversion both to earlier iOS gear and to Macs’ USB ports through relevant adapters. About the only disappointment is the absence of firm launch details, although those should be coming “soon.”

Continue reading IK Multimedia’s iRig HD adapter for iOS, Mac lets guitars ride the Lightning port

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Via: Cult of Mac

Source: IK Multimedia

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Jan 15

Stay seated: Valve’s Team Fortress 2 ported to virtual reality

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Safetyproof your living room Valve's Team Fortress 2 getting ported to VR goggles

If Valve Software’s Team Fortress 2 is anything, it’s versatile. The company’s demonstrating that versatility once more in porting the game to virtual reality goggles, which could result in some serious psychological trauma. Kidding aside, a Game Developers Conference blurb today revealed the internal project — part of Valve’s ongoing wearable computing efforts — which says the talk, “will describe lessons learned from Valve’s porting experience.” In another talk, Valve hardware man Michael Abrash is diving into the possibilities he sees in the future of VR, as viewed through his own company’s experience.

It isn’t clear whether Valve is using the much-loved Oculus Rift technology (seen above); the notes of the second talk only detail a general exploration of VR’s weaknesses and strengths as they pertain to current technology. One thing is clear: both talks aim to educate game developers on what some Valve employees see as a burgeoning new frontier in game development. We welcome this bizarrely sci-fi future with open arms.

Continue reading Stay seated: Valve’s Team Fortress 2 ported to virtual reality

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Source: GDC (1), GDC (2)

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Jan 15

Disney Infinity challenges Skylanders for toy-based game crown, launches in June

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Disney Infinity challenges Skylanders for NFCenabled console crown, launches in June

Disney’s got a huge stable of iconic characters already immortalized in plastic, but the company’s looking to virtualize its lineup with today’s announcement of crossplatform game / toy experience Disney Infinity. Like Activision megalith Skylanders, Disney Infinity pairs actual plastic figurines (enabled with NFC or something similar) with game consoles connected to a pad. The pad transmits those characters directly into the game, across any system the game is being played on. Unlike Skylanders, Disney Infinity‘s pad can apparently add up to three connections at once, allowing for character powerup additions and other in-game bonuses. The first characters available come from Pirates of the Caribbean, The Incredibles, and Monsters University (we spotted Jack Skellington and other biggies in the reveal trailer as well); Disney promises that users will also be able to create their own universes (virtually) inside the game, beyond just playing in themed environments. 20 characters are said to launch with the game when it arrives this June for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, Wii U, 3DS, PC, and mobile. Take a look at the announcement trailer just below.

Continue reading Disney Infinity challenges Skylanders for toy-based game crown, launches in June

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