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Continue reading IDC and Gartner: US PC sales still sluggish, Apple, Toshiba see jumps in market share

IDC and Gartner: US PC sales still sluggish, Apple, Toshiba see jumps in market share originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 08:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s no secret that Microsoft is planning on integrating Xbox LIVE into Windows 8, but rumors are now swirling that Xbox 360 games might actually be playable on the next version of Redmond’s OS. References to “XBOX_360_SYSTEM_CRASH” have been found in the kernel code — an odd bit of text to show up in software that’s not designed to run on the 360’s PowerPC CPU. There are, of course, other, more mundane possibilities — like the ability to remotely control your console to trigger update and game downloads, or to receive notifications from the machine on your desktop. But, if Microsoft is bringing Xbox titles to the PC, it would only serve to solidify Windows as the platform of choice gamers. Guess we’ll just have to wait bated breath to see what Ballmer has to tell us in January.

Xbox 360 pops up in Win 8 code, console game compatibility coming to the PC? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you’ve got questions, and if you’re brave enough to ask the world for answers, here’s the outlet to do so. This week’s Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Wilfred, who needs a new gaming rig (but ain’t interested in buying the time to build one). If you’re looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

“I’m going to buy a powerful computer, so naturally, I am looking to buying a gaming computer. I know about Alienware and iBuyPower desktops, and while I know others exist, I don’t know which one is superior. Looking for a Core i7 and enough horsepower to chew through today’s latest titles, but I’d prefer a company that’s reputable and known for above-average service. Thanks!”

We know you’re probably passionate about [insert PC builder here], but let’s keep the banter civil down there, cool? Cool.

Ask Engadget: best prefabricated gaming desktop? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 02 Jul 2011 22:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canada may be moving to polymer-based currency, but mobile payment services like Square — which cater to classic plastic — haven’t yet taken time to trek to the Great White North. NetSecure is looking to offer similar convenience to the region with its new Kudos Payments service, which just so happens to ship with a shockingly curvy swiping dongle. Similar to Square, it creates a secure ‘point of sale‘ without a hard-wired transaction terminal, and charges a slightly higher 2.9-percent fee to users’ accounts for each exchange. Kudos has iOS, Android, and Blackberry apps to tap into the functionality and, even a version for Mac and PC — in other words, you and yours should be suitably covered. Any roving entrepreneurs who are interested in the service will be able to snag the $49.99 kit free of charge from the company’s website for a “limited time,” which may or may not expire before Google decides to open its own Wallet a few miles kilometers north.

Continue reading NetSecure Kudos Payments announced for Canada, is the half-circle to Square

NetSecure Kudos Payments announced for Canada, is the half-circle to Square originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We got acquainted with Acer’s new Aspire Ethos 8951G and 5951G laptops a week ago, and told you all about its hot hardware and its £999 price in the UK. Well, now these marvelous multimedia machines have journeyed across the Atlantic and brought their nifty detachable touchpads, which double as multimedia remotes, with them. The North American versions (named AS8951G and AS5951G) also pack the same 18.4-inch and 15.6-inch HD displays and USB 3.0 ports as their British counterparts. There’s Core i5 and Core i7 Sandy Bridge silicon and GeForce GT 555M graphics to give you plenty gaming grunt, and to ensure that the sounds match the visuals, both models pump out 5.1 channel surround sound. Low end audio in the AS5951G comes courtesy of a bass booster, while its big brother has a small subwoofer stuffed in its underside. So, what’s the damage to your wallet for these two black beauties? The AS5951G and AS8951G run $1,400 and $1,600, respectively, here in the States, while prices start at $1,200 and $1,500 CAD for our friends in the Great White North. Interested parties can find the full nitty gritty in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Acer unveils Aspire Ethos laptops built to please eyes and ears in the US and Canada

Acer unveils Aspire Ethos laptops built to please eyes and ears in the US and Canada originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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