Hasta La Gadget!

When EA reps took the stage at Microsoft’s Xbox One unveiling event a few weeks back, they were part of a very small group of game companies represented. The world got a first look at EA’s new sports game engine, Ignite, and a tease of what to expect come this holiday, but we’re betting there’ll be even more interesting stuff presented during the company’s press briefing this afternoon at E3 2013. A closer look at Battlefield 4 and a thorough detailing of EA Sports’ various annual franchises are locks, as is a second premiere of Respawn’s new game Titanfall. What’s got us really excited is a possible Mirror’s Edge sequel reveal. Find out with us in real time with the liveblog just below the break.

Filed under: Gaming, Software, HD

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We’ve heard quite a bit about iOS 7 today at WWDC — in fact, the company made it clear there’s still more to talk about. But despite having tons of new features to share, Apple set aside some time to walk through a new security utility, called Activation Lock. In essence, it is what it sounds like: if someone steals your phone and chooses to disable Find My iPhone, he won’t be able to reactivate the phone. Same if they wipe the phone — they’ll be forced to sign in with your Apple ID and password, which they obviously wouldn’t know. Barring extenuating circumstances (that “thief” happens to be a deranged ex-lover who knows your log-in credentials), the new feature should keep your data safe, if nothing else. But will it be a theft deterrent, as Apple hopes? That’s a question we’ll leave for another day. In the meantime, Activation Lock is available in beta today, and for iPhones, specifically. An iPad beta will follow in the coming weeks, with the final, public release set for this fall.

Follow all of our WWDC 2013 coverage at our event hub.

Filed under: Software, Apple

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We just got a look at the updates to Siri in iOS 7. There’s now a sound wave on the bottom of the voice-control feature, and you’ll have your choice of male or female versions — and Siri will be available in French and German, with more languages to come. And, as the headline above indicates, Siri now features integration with Twitter, Wikipedia and — get this — Bing. Eddy Cue also teased the next frontier for Apple’s voice control: iOS in the Car will integrate the latest mobile OS with an auto’s infotainment system, and Siri will help drivers pull up directions and more. Don’t get too excited, though, that feature isn’t coming until 2014.

Follow all of our WWDC 2013 coverage at our event hub.

Filed under: Software, Apple

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When we were first introduced to the Xbox One, we heard about the hardware. Today, at Microsoft’s E3 keynote, it was all about the games. We had a look at Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, a One-exclusive Killer Instinct reboot and Ryse: Son of Rome (both an exclusive and a launch title). We also learned that Minecraft would be getting some expanded multiplayer options when it hits the new console, and checked out the “open-world shooter” Sunset Overdrive. That wasn’t all: we caught some stunning footage of Forza Motorsport 5, as well as Quantum Break (exclusive), Crimson Dragon, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and zombie survival game Dead Rising 3 (arriving “this holiday” as a One exclusive). We saw some hectic action in Battlefield 4, which will have a “Second Assault” DLC available to Xbox One users first, and spied Titanfall, another exclusive landing “spring 2014.” You can also make your own games in Project Spark, and there are a bunch of trailers for the titles mentioned above available now at the YouTube source link, including some for games that weren’t featured on-stage. Oh, we almost forgot to mention. New Halo.

Follow all of our E3 2013 coverage at our event hub.

Filed under: Gaming, Software, HD, Microsoft

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Source: Official Xbox YouTube channel, Microsoft

While our focus is squarely on what’s Apple’s planning for the future of its mobile OS, the company’s reminding us exactly how successful it’s been so far. According to Apple’s stats, it’s now got 600 million devices running iOS — adding another 100 million. The iPad continues to dominate tablets too, claiming an 82 percent share of mobile web use over the 18 percent claimed by the competition. On smartphones, web use share for the iPhone is 60 percent against 24 percent for Android.

Follow all of our WWDC 2013 coverage at our event hub.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile, Apple

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