Dec 13

PlayStation Vita plays it smart with phone-like UI, we go hands-on

Posted in: gaming, hands-on, playstation, Today's Chili, touchscreen, ui, video games, VideoGames

We’ve handled the PlayStation Vita often enough to know our way around its lightweight chassis and petite thumbsticks, but whenever we’ve tried to explore the handheld’s underlying user interface, event staff played interference. Developers at a recent Vita Hill Social Club event were much less shy, however, and let us poke and swipe through the Vita’s menu with hardly a shrug.

Gallery: PlayStation Vita UI hands-on

Continue reading PlayStation Vita plays it smart with phone-like UI, we go hands-on

PlayStation Vita plays it smart with phone-like UI, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 09:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 12

Nokia N900 gamepad hack dispenses with beauty, sidles up to sore thumbs (video)

Posted in: controller, hack, mobilepostcross, mod, nokia, Today's Chili, video games, VideoGames

Know what’s kicking and screaming its way into obsolescence? If you guessed the N900, pat yourself on the back with this hack. Nokia’s internetting tablet that simply refuses to quit has already run the multi-purpose gamut, standing in as a brain scanner / replacement, OS dual-booter and Ice Cream Sandwich biter — just to name a few. Now, a homebrew mod from Polish hacker Emeryth, has that soon-to-be retro QWERTY slider sporting a custom gamepad to make those long hours logged into video game emulation that much more thumb-friendly. The exposed overlay is based on an ATmega8A microcontroller and plugs directly into the device’s USB port, giving gamers an eight button solution, plus a PSP-like analog stick. It’s a handy, albeit ugly, add-on that’ll help get your gaming heros of old through well trodden enemy lines. Video demo lies in wait after the break.

Continue reading Nokia N900 gamepad hack dispenses with beauty, sidles up to sore thumbs (video)

Nokia N900 gamepad hack dispenses with beauty, sidles up to sore thumbs (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dec 12

P.S. it’s not a Vita: Yinlips’ Android-based YDPG18

Posted in: Android, gaming, kirf, Today's Chili, video games, VideoGames

Don’t call it a KIRF — it’s a Yinlips “Android Smart Game Player.” Which is to say, it’s an Xperia Play-like experience wrapped in PS Vita clothing. So basically, yeah, it’s a KIRF. This form factor doppleganger hails from China and lacks the internal quad-core pizazz of the Sony next generation handheld it purports to be. Instead of standing on the precipice of portable gaming, this 5-inch pretender will net you a hum drum FroYo / Gingerbread-based (even its own website couldn’t decide) OS packed with a slew of old school gaming emulators (from NES to N64), an array of ports including HDMI, a single core 1.2GHz processor complemented by 512MB of DDR2 RAM and WiFi. It’s a must have device for, well, no one. But if you’re the type who likes to burn money and carry about a virtual collection of video games past, then by all means, import away.

P.S. it’s not a Vita: Yinlips’ Android-based YDPG18 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Kotaku, ASCII (Translated)  |  sourceYinlips (Translated)  | Email this | Comments

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Dec 12

Google’s Native Client focuses on apps and games, brings Bastion to the browser (video)

Posted in: Google, Today's Chili, video, video games, VideoGames

In case you missed it, Google’s Native Client launched at the end of the summer, promising to ease cross-OS deployment by letting developers run x86 code natively in Chrome. Early adopters have had a few months to tinker with Google’s new trick, and now the outfit is eager to show off their best work. Supergiant Games, for instance, has ported Bastion to the Native Client, opening up the Xbox Live hit to Mac, Linux and Chrome OS users. Google’s Christian Stefansen says Native Client makes porting existing code bases written C, C++ or C# easy, citing Spacetime Studio’s Star Legends — an MMO with over half a million lines of code — as an example of a large project that was ported in as little as two weeks. Google touts application middleware ports (such as Unity, Moai, Mono, fmod and more) and easy distribution to the Chrome Web Store as a major boon to developers, and encourages interested studios to check out its new Native Client site to help them get started. Interested? Hit up the links below, or simply skip past the break to hear Mr. Stefansen’s spiel for yourself.

Continue reading Google’s Native Client focuses on apps and games, brings Bastion to the browser (video)

Google’s Native Client focuses on apps and games, brings Bastion to the browser (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nov 01

GameStop’s Android gaming tablets get official at 200 stores in soft launch

Posted in: Android, controller, gaming, GoogleAndroid, honeycomb, slate, tablet, tablets, Today's Chili, video games, VideoGames
Android slates gussied up with pre-installed video games? We must be talking Sony here, right? Wrong. Turns out, this is what GameStop’s prexy had in mind when he spilled the beans about the company’s plans for a certified gaming tab. Making good on that word, but falling short of actually producing a new device, 200 of the retailer’s brick-and-mortar shops are now home to an array of tablets from the likes of Acer, ASUS, Samsung and Motorola — all members of Google’s tablet OS brigade. These familiar Honeycomb faces carry their same retail prices, but come customized with seven free games and, in the case of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Iconia Tab A100, the company’s proprietary Bluetooth controller. You can always snag that last bit separately, although if you’re already committed to shelling out this much cash, what’s another $39? While the verdict’s still out on whether this move is a hit or miss, it sure is no wonder why PlayStation Suite’s eyeing greener hardware pastures.

GameStop’s Android gaming tablets get official at 200 stores in soft launch originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 26

Sony limits PS Vita game save options, memory card definitely not optional

Posted in: memory, minipost, sony, Today's Chili, video games, VideoGames

We say proprietary and you think, Sony. Isn’t that how it usually goes? For the electronic giant’s latest reVitalized foray into portable gaming, the same old custom solution is in tow — now, with limited storage options. According to a report on Kotaku Japan, games made for the handheld will either save your progress to its SD card-like external storage or to the cartridge itself, as SCEI’s not offering users any option for overlap or preference. Thinking you might save a few bucks and skip out on the external memory altogether? Well, my frugal gaming friends, think again. Unlike the PSP, titles for the system requiring an external save, in addition to some downloadable content, simply won’t play without a memory card on board. Sure, this tidbit of news could prove frustrating to those not indoctrinated to the company’s obstinate ways. But, we’re willing to bet this device’s dazzling innards are enough to help you overlook these minor niggles come next February.

Sony limits PS Vita game save options, memory card definitely not optional originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 20

Kinect adds Sesame Street and National Geographic to Xbox Live, makes motion control wholesome fun

Posted in: kinect, Microsoft, Today's Chili, video games, VideoGames, xbox 360, xbox live, Xbox360, XboxLive
Kinect — it’s the Xbox 360 peripheral that just keeps on giving, now with more edutainment. Yes, that collision of worlds typically yields cringe- and boredom-inducing interactive experiences. Not so with this marriage of MS’ motion-controlling sensor and the fine folks behind TV mainstays like Sesame Street, National Geographic and Disney. The newly inked content partnerships will see the creation of specifically tailored episodes of Kinect Nat Geo TV, in addition to a season’s worth of Kinect Sesame Street TV for Xbox Live, letting your youngins play virtual connect the dots with Elmo. Plans are also underway for a virtual storybook effort, codenamed Project Columbia, aimed at indoctrinating children into the fundamentals of reading, and Rush, a videogame that’ll lead adults and their tots alike through Pixar’s virtual worlds. These various family-friendly titles and TV shows are set to rollout sometime next spring, so if you need to get your little ones’ blood pumping (and slim down those love handles while you’re at it), it looks like X’s prepping to mark that spot. Official presser after the break.

Continue reading Kinect adds Sesame Street and National Geographic to Xbox Live, makes motion control wholesome fun

Kinect adds Sesame Street and National Geographic to Xbox Live, makes motion control wholesome fun originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 17

Must See HDTV (October 17th – 23rd)

Posted in: blu-ray, hdpostmini, Today's Chili, VideoGames
The baseball season is almost over, but we’ve got one more playoff series to enjoy before giving things over completely to the fall and winter sports. We’ve also got a new new shows premiering this week, alongside notable Blu-ray releases including The Crow and Cape Fear. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.

Boss
Kelsey Grammer comes back to TV this week on Starz playing the mayor of Chicago, who has just been diagnosed with a degenerative brain disease that he’s trying to hide from both his friends and his enemies. Focused more on political intrigue it probably won’t have the action of The Chicago Code, but the intricacies of the corrupt political machine at work should remain. Check out a trailer after the break, apparently this first season was already impressive enough that it’s been renewed for a season two before the premiere episode airs Friday.
(October 21st, Starz, 10PM)

World Series
The long baseball season has finally come down to the last two teams standing. the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals both feature impressive offensive and defensive lineups, which should make for an exciting round of baseball, as long as the series goes. The first four games are all scheduled to take place over the next week, so check the schedule below and clear out a little time for the inevitable Pujols/Hamilton/Cruz show.
(All week, Fox)

Once Upon A Time
Game of Thrones this ain’t. This new drama premieres on ABC Sunday and attempts to update fairy tales for the modern age. The plot centers around a woman who is contacted by the son she gave up for adoption who believes that she is actually from an alternate universe where she is the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. Now he lives in a normal-looking neighborhood that is actually populated by the characters of the most famous classic children’s stories. The subject matter is a bit out there, but coming from writer’s whose biggest credit to date is their work on Lost, who would expect anything different? There’s a trailer for this one after the break as well.
(October 23rd, ABC, 8PM)

Continue reading Must See HDTV (October 17th – 23rd)

Must See HDTV (October 17th – 23rd) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 10

Must See HDTV (October 10th – 16th)

Posted in: blu-ray, hdpostmini, Today's Chili, VideoGames

Baseball playoffs are in full effect and altering TV schedules, so if you’re digging Fox’s lineup then too bad — it’s going to be mostly on ice for the next couple of weeks. We’ve still got a few major fall premieres trickling in, but the most significant addition are the first Blu-ray titles with Ultraviolet (Horrible Bosses, Green Lantern). Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.

Forza Motorsport 4
It’s no big secret that around these parts, our love of things that plug in and log on only narrowly beats out the need to go fast, and since we can’t drive every car in real life, we’ll leave that up to Forza. The fourth iteration of Turn 10’s driving game arrives this week and has racked up a list of glowing reviews. New this time around are Kinect-enhanced car walkarounds and driving, enhanced community features and a revamped career mode. The only knock seems to be that some things are a little too familiar from its predecessors, but we can’t wait to get behind the wheel and find out ourselves.
($59.99 on Amazon, October 11th)

Psych
The Adventures of Shawn & Gus’ Psychic Detective Agency continue on this week, and while that title may make one USA’s best show’s appear somewhat childish, we assure you — it’s even more childish than you think. Of course, one of the appeals of Psych is its retro flair (so far we’ve seen Ralph Macchio as a guest star and an entire episode spoofing Twin Peaks) so if you’re in the target age range and haven’t quite grown up, this is one to watch.
(October 12th, USA, 10PM)

The Walking Dead
One of last season’s most-talked about shows, this tale of survival in a zombie infested wasteland came in with a bang and went out with a whimper. We’ll be watching to see if it cab retain the crunchy action flavor of the first few episodes and avoid the boring melodrama that came in later on. If you’re willing to risk a few spoilers (surprise, the RV breaks down at the worst possible time) then check out the season two trailer after the break.
(October 16th, AMC, 10PM)

Continue reading Must See HDTV (October 10th – 16th)

Must See HDTV (October 10th – 16th) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 10

Sony PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset review

Posted in: Games, gaming, headphones, headset, playstation 3, Playstation3, ps3, review, sony, sound, Today's Chili, video games, VideoGames, Wireless

Oh hey, Sony, how nice of you to join the party! The console gaming headset party, that is (no, Bluetooth earpieces don’t count). Over a year ago the company had us yearning for a PS3-oriented headset after letting loose its duo of Ultimate Weapons headgear for PC gamers. Then in May, a glimmer of hope shone upon us when its PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset was announced for the DualShock-wielding gamers — and priced at a modest $100.

There’s no doubt that this playing field’s been blanketed with a saturation of wallet-tempting selections (we’re looking at you MadCatz, Turtle Beach and Astro), but Sony’s official kit has a few tricks up its sleeve for a potential home run. Despite the moniker, it’s capable of virtual 7.1 surround sound and displays onscreen status reports exclusively when used with a PS3. We spent a few fragging-hours over PSN to hear how well we could pin-point our enemies with sound to keep the kill streaks coming. You’ll find out the answer by hitting that “read more” link below.

Gallery: Sony PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset review

Continue reading Sony PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset review

Sony PS3 Wireless Stereo Headset review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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