**Hangouts had a hiccup, so the video for this episode is split into two parts**
CES 2014 came and went, and as everyone expected, 4K (UltraHD) has replaced 3D as the ‘must-have’ tech that nobody wants. TONS of amazing gadgets were shown, and tons of useless ones too.
“A Virtual Retinal Display uses a micromirror array and a combination of optics to reflect an image directly onto your retina, effectively using the back of your eyeball as a screen. The resulting picture is extremely sharp and vivid, unlike anything a conventional display can produce. In particular, the 3D images are exceptionally clear.”
Gaming News:
Sony
PS4 is the fastest ever selling console in the UK.
Batman Arkham Origins PC patch released. 3.1GB’s of patch.
Ep. 132 – Hangouts Gonna Asplode
Nov 03, 2013
The next-gen consoles from Microsoft and Sony are almost upon us! Just in time for all of us (including Dave) to jump ship to the loving arms of the superior PC gaming side of things.
Tech/Hardware News: Apple
Slimmed down iPad air
iPad mini w/retina
OS X Mavericks released… and it’s free!
New MBPs w/Haswell, longer battery life and slightly lower prices
MacPro gets priced starting at $2999
iWork apps now free with new Macs
Google
Nexus 5
Android 4.4 “KitKat”
Despite Google’s claims that 4.4 was rewritten to perform much better on ‘lower-end’ devices (512mb of RAM), the Galaxy Nexus is EOL’d – 4.3 is the last official stop.
Microsoft
Surface 2 released… Now with dual-position kickstand!
Windows 8.1 released for free to existing Windows 8 users. According to Microsoft “this is not a service pack”.
GPU’s
AMD releases the R9 290x, first Hawaii based GPU processor to rule them all.
nVidia announces the 780 Ti and price drops for the 780 and 770.
Street Fighter 2 development tidbits released by lead developer.
Ep. 131 – PC Gaming Revengeance
Sep 30, 2013
I tell ya: you go away for 5 weeks, and suddenly, everyone has shiny new products that just came out of nowhere (well, except Apple). Valve, Sony, AMD… these are interesting technology times that we live in. Everyone wants to turn the market on its ear. Let’s see who manages to do it.
Announces new series of GPU’s topping out with the R9 290X and prices.
“The R9 290X also sports Ultra-HD graphics at native 4K resolutions, this is beyond anything you will see on the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 and the 290X is aimed at running those native resolutions at 60 frames per second. This is a benchmark in home gaming.”
Also targeting Creative Labs and Asus with their new True Audio Processor built into the R9 and one R7 –
AMD ‘Mantle’ aims to take over Directx. It’s OpenGL/DX all over again.
Teams up with Raptr for Gaming Evolved App, an alternative to the nVidia Geforce Experience.
nVidia
Partners up with SteamOS. I wonder what Linus Torvalds thinks?
Ep. 130 – Retirement, Retirement, Retirement
Aug 25, 2013
Gamescom 2013 has give us yet another round of punches between Sony and Microsoft, each trying to convince us that they are the next-gen king. Meanwhile, Nintendo stands in the corner looking sad. And from his mighty tower, Paul looks down on all of them with a jaded eye…
One of those crazy weeks where new stuff comes out, and the Internet seems to go insane. On one hand, you have Google dropping their low-cost plan to take over your living room, and Microsoft pulling another 180 on their publishing policies. On the other, you’ve got a ‘gamez opinionist’ attacking a developer to the point where he rage quits the industry, and yet another Kickstarter project failing to materialize. Fun times.Topic of the Week:
Tim’s Japanese doll building empire FTW!
Tech/Hardware News:
Google
New Nexus 7 with faster processor, more RAM and retina-class display starting at $229.
Chromecast allows streaming to your TV from computers and mobile devices for $35.
Hello, NSA. We hope you enjoy the show. We know you’re big fans. The least you can do is email into the show and ask a question or two.Topic of the Week:
Prism
Microsoft collaborates with the NSA. Everything watched, read & filmed.
The game every girl (and Dave) has been waiting for.
Deus Ex for iOS gimped on jailbroken devices… But Square Enix caves and now says they will remove the restriction.
Oh yeah, the Steam Sale started.
Ep. 127 – E3 and WWDC 2013 Wrap-Up
Jun 16, 2013
Another E3 has come and gone, and with it, a new console war is ushered in. Couple that with WWDC 2013 taking place in the same week, and you have a Widget packed full of heated discussion.
Tech/Hardware News
WWDC
iOS 7 unveiled with re-designed Jony Ive UI (buh-bye green felt!).
No restrictions on trade-ins, lending, or reselling disc-based games. Trolls Xbox with swap video and starts the Greatness Awaits campaign which reminds me of the old SAPS days.
No online requirement, activation or check-ins for disc-based games for first party games. Third party can do it.
500 GB HD is upgradeable.
Current Playstation Plus will carry over and include PS4 at launch.
Playstation Plus now required for online multiplayer. Not required for other online services such as Netflix, etc.
Also, publishers can opt in or out of PS Plus requirement for free to play games.
Cloud service coming for playing PS3 games on PS4.
Camera will be $60 optional add-on.
Exclusive game: The Order 1886, Drive Club, Infamous: Second Son, Knack, Killzone
The next-gen war has officially started. Let the rampant fan wars commence! So with all the major console manufacturers tipping their hands prior to E3, we now know what to expect… sort of. I mean, you wanted to watch sports through your XBox One, right?
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