Hasta La Gadget!

Right on schedule (ahem), Valve has begun requesting applications for the first Steam for Linux beta test. There are only 1,000 spots available, but the company is looking for “experienced Linux users” only — presumably, ones that will be better at debugging than spilling zombie brains. So, if you’ve got a rig running Ubuntu 12.04 or above and decent Linux knowledge, head to the source link to register your interest.

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Laptops, Software

Valve opens Steam for Linux beta registration, wants pros only originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 04:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you didn’t manage to get your hands on a full-sized replica of the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device, now’s your chance to get a mini-sized one for your desk instead.

Our pals over at ThinkGeek have just outed this darling little version of the Portal 2 ASHPD for just $59.99(USD), and it’s just darling. This mini version of the Portal gun measures about 12″ long, and fits nicely into your hands. It even lights up in either orange or blue, and makes the appropriate sound effects when you toggle between modes. It ships with a handy stand so you can display it proudly on your desk too.

So if you hadn’t figured out what you’re getting that Portal fan on your holiday shopping list yet, you now know. Open up a portal now and stick your hand and your credit card through to ThinkGeek to order yours now.

Now all they need to do is to come up with a Portal gun that actually works.

There you were, thinking your NECA-produced Portal gun replica was super neat all on its own. Well, okay — it is — but wouldn’t it be even cooler if you could use it to make a baby companion cube levitate in mid-air with it? That question is exactly what lead to Hack a Day’s creation of just such a device, as seen in the video below the break. By reappropriating a magnetic floating globe’s parts and attaching said parts to both the gun and a homemade companion cube, Hack a Day were able to recreate at least part of the magic Chell experiences in her Aperture Science adventures. Of course, if you move the gun too much, the companion cube will fall out. Just think what that does to its psyche! You monster.

[Image credit: Caleb Kraft, Hack a Day]

Continue reading Your Portal gun isn’t as cool as Hack-a-Day’s Portal gun (which actually levitates a companion cube)

Filed under: Gaming, Alt

Your Portal gun isn’t as cool as Hack-a-Day’s Portal gun (which actually levitates a companion cube) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Oct 2012 02:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Welcome to Tuesday evening, everyone. Earlier today, we found out that Samsung may be planning a Nexus 10 tablet, complete with a resolution to give the third-gen iPad a run for its money. ZTE gave its response to yesterday’s allegations that it may be helping the Chinese government spy on the US, and Apple started shipping the fifth-generation iPod Touch to the first customers today. We heard that the rumored 32GB Nexus 7 variant might be replacing the 16GB model, and speaking of the Nexus 7, it received Android 4.1.2 today, which adds a much-needed landscape mode.

NASA’s Curiosity rover has scooped up its first “handful” of Martian soil, while Verizon announced today that it will have 4G LTE in 418 US markets by the end of the day on October 16. Not only did Samsung announce the Galaxy Music smartphone today, but it also started teasing a “groundbreaking” Windows 8 device reveal for October 15. Microsoft has released a Windows 8 update ahead of its launch at the end of this month, while we heard that Windows Phone 8 pre-orders might open up on October 21.

Despite Apple’s best efforts, its Lightning chip has been cloned, and today the company was said to be in a long-running relationship with a carbon fiber manufacturer. We got to take a look at some snazzy new iPad Mini renders today, and were told that BlackBerry 10 might not launch until sometime in March 2013. Today was the day that Felix Baumgartner was supposed to attempt his record-breaking skydive, but at the last minute Red Bull had to pull the plug on the mission due to bad weather, with tomorrow’s jump called off for the same reason. Firefox 16 was released today, and Amazon filed a new patent for an online haggling system.

Ice Cream Sandwich finally hit the Motorola Atrix 2 today, while Jelly Bean was arriving on Galaxy S IIIs in Korea. Tens of thousands of Chrome users have fallen victim to a bogus adware app claiming to be Rovio’s Bad Piggies, and Valve has invited players to fill out playtest surveys for a chance to come into the studio to test new games and hardware. Gearbox released the Mechromancer DLC for Borderlands 2 a week early today, and the Humble Bundle is back, only this time it doesn’t feature any games. Skype users are being plagued by a trojan, so if you use the service a lot, it’s probably a good idea to check out our post to see what you can do to stop it from infecting your computer.

Finally tonight, we have a pair of original posts for your to read through. Chris Davies tells us why a Nexus 10 won’t solve Google’s problem with getting developers to make apps aimed at Android tablets, while Chris Burns has given us a review of the Acer TravelMate P243 notebook. That does it for tonight’s Evening Wrap-Up, enjoy the rest of your night folks!

SlashGear Evening Wrap-Up: October 9, 2012 is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Ever wanted to stop by Valve‘s offices and have an early look at the studio’s upcoming games? Swinging by Valve Towers for a visit may seem like a pipe dream to most, but now the company is actually giving ordinary players the chance to do just that. In an announcement on the Steam forums, Valve invited players to fill out its new playtester survey. If you’re selected, you’ll get to drop by Valve’s offices and test out the studio’s upcoming games and hardware prototypes.

No, we’re not kidding. Since the playtest involves a trip to Valve’s offices, the company is specifically looking for people in the Seattle/Bellevue area. However, even if you have the misfortune of living anywhere else in the country, you’re not entirely out luck. Valve is inviting anyone who lives in the United States to fill out the survey, as it says it may want to conduct remote playtests in the future.

At the moment, the playtest survey is only open to those who live in the United States. That may not be the case forever, though, since Valve says it’s looking to “add international support in the future.” We’ll be keeping an eye out for more details on that international roll out, but sadly, Valve fans living outside of the United States can probably expect to be left waiting for a while.

Valve likely won’t let you leave its offices without first signing an NDA, so now you have to ask yourself: if you get selected to stop by for a playtest and you get to play an early build of Half-Life 3, can you keep that yourself? We have a feeling that some Valve fans would struggle with that one. In any case, this is a great move by Valve, and one that’s sure to net it even more points with the gaming community. Who’s ready for some playtests?

Valve seeking playtesters for new games, hardware is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.