Nintendo’s latest 3DS XL edition plays on your nostalgic side
Nintendo regularly draws on its long history in video gaming to get you buying games and consoles, but it may have just topped itself with its latest 3DS XL variants. On top of two models meant to honor the launches of Persona Q and Super Smash Bros., the company has unveiled an NES Edition that plasters the classic NES gamepad on top of a gray back. It’s not as good-looking as the similarly-themed Game Boy Advance SP from years ago, but let’s not kid ourselves — this is still going to evoke many fond memories of playing Metroid in the family den. Not fair, Nintendo. If you’re feeling all warm and fuzzy just by looking at the photo, you can buy the NES Edition at GameStop on October 10th for $200.
Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Nintendo
Source: BusinessWire
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HTC reportedly lost its Amazon phone deal due to AT&T objections
As you may have noticed, that rumor of HTC making Amazon smartphones never panned out; Amazon ultimately designed the Fire phone itself. But was it a bogus story to begin with? Not if you ask The Information. Its sources claim that HTC landed a deal to make a low-end Amazon phone, but that AT&T freaked out when it heard that it wouldn’t have a US exclusive on the device. The carrier reportedly threatened to drop support for the higher-end Fire, forcing Amazon to scrap HTC’s project. That may have been a tough decision, as Amazon had supposedly offered to buy HTC before being turned down by its acquisition target’s independence-minded chairwoman, Cher Wang.
None of the companies involved have commented on the drama, so it may be tough to ever know the full story. The objections are at least plausible, however, since AT&T has a history of demanding exclusives for HTC-made specialty (read: gimmicky) phones like the First and Status. Whatever happened, HTC may have dodged a bullet — the Fire isn’t exactly a strong seller, and there’s no guarantees that a budget Amazon phone would have fared much better.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC, Amazon, AT&T
Source: The Information
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Spider-Man Unlimited is launched, but Android release confusingly delayed [UPDATE: It’s here!]
A few months back, we announced that Marvel Studios and Gameloft would be bringing us a new game for everybody’s favourite neighbourhood Spider-Man, Spider-Man Unlimited. The game has officially launched today, however the Android releases is confusingly absent. While this wouldn’t be the first time Android has been overlooked for an iOS-first launch, the confusion comes from the fact the Windows Phone version has also been launched today, with an Android version promised only as coming “very soon”. It’s a bit disappointing, but hopefully the launch trailer that was dropped today will help tide you over till the game’s release:
UPDATE: The Android version is now live! Download it now from the Play Store here.
With mentions of the Sinister Six, it looks like Spider-Man Unlimited will be a comic book fan’s dream, and for once it actually looks like the endless runner format is somewhat appropriate as gameplay for our webslinger. What’s also interesting is the appearance of S.H.I.E.L.D. head, Nick Fury, in the trailer (presumably voiced by somebody Samuel L. Jackson-esque) which does make sense in the comic book world, but probably has people well-versed in Marvel’s movie exploits scratching their heads. Regardless, we will keep you posted as to when the game finally releases on Android, hopefully in the not-too-distant future.
What do you think about the launch trailer of Spider-Man Unlimited? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: YouTube
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The post Spider-Man Unlimited is launched, but Android release confusingly delayed [UPDATE: It’s here!] appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
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Google Play officially extends return window to two hours
While Google already had been offering an extended two-hour window for app and game returns, the outfit has officially acknowledged the change. Before the switch, Android users had 15 minutes to decide whether or not they wanted to keep software they’d just purchased. From the title’s page in Google Play, options for Open and Refund are displayed during the 120-minute period following the initial download. Once that time is up though, you’re saddled with it for good as Refund is replaced the Uninstall button. Don’t expect to get multiple refunds for the same app, either. Once you’ve received your funds back, if you choose to splurge for the same selection again, you can’t return it a second time.
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Google
Via: Android Central
Source: Google Play Support Page
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Samsung ads poke fun at everything from Apple’s stream to its Watch
Now that Apple’s new iPhone 6 Plus is ready to play in the Galaxy Note 4’s size territory, Samsung is taking the competition on with a few new ads. It’s revived the “It Doesn’t Take A Genius” tagline, and first up is a segment making fun of Apple’s glitchy live video stream during yesterday’s presentation. The rest of the videos play up Samsung’s features like multitasking windows, stylus and fast charging, or make fun of anyone using a watch that still requires a phone to get connected. Whether you’re already lined up for a refreshed slate of iStuff or if you weren’t too impressed, the latest round of Apple vs. Samsung — on store shelves instead of in the court room — is here (complete with bonus flame action).
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple, Samsung
Source: Samsung Mobile (YouTube)
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This butterfly keyboard can replace your mouse, sort of
Have you ever thought about how you might improve the standard QWERTY keyboard? Jesse Vincent has. He’s a keyboard enthusiast, a rare breed of geek inexplicably obsessed with text entry devices. We found him showing of Keyboardio at TechCrunch Disrupt — a butterfly-shaped keyboard designed to put more emphasis on the opposable thumb. In addition to general ergonomic tweaks, Vincent’s design puts keys like ctrl, delete, shift and alt under the user’s left and right thumbs, taking the load of peripheral toggling off of the pinky finger. There’s also a new “function” button under the typist’s palms, which can apply macros and modifiers to almost any key.
Vincent says he’s been experimenting with eliminating the mouse by using the function toggle to map the WASD keys to general cursor movement and using other keys to tell the mouse to “jump” to specific quadrants of the screen. This would allow users to manipulate the cursor without taking their hands off the keyboard, potentially limiting repetitive stress injuries. Vincent admits that his design is only going to appeal to a specific niche, but hey — at least the keyboard enthusiasts on the GeekHack forums seem to dig it.
Filed under: Misc, Peripherals
Source: Keyboard.io
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Apple Upgrading Existing iCloud Subscribers to More Affordable Plans
Just a day after unveiling new pricing for iCloud, Apple has begun emailing existing iCloud subscribers to notify them that the company is upgrading their accounts to the new price points and will be refunding them the difference. However, users will be allowed to keep the same storage sizes.
For example, a user subscribed to the 25 GB plan, which is no longer an option under the new iCloud pricing, will have their price reduced from $40 a year to $11.99 a year. The discounted price is in line with the new $0.99 a month price for 20 GB, although established iCloud customers do get an extra 5 GB. However, once a user changes their plan away from “legacy plans” like the 25 GB, they cannot return to them.
Apple says the new price points are in effect due to iCloud Drive, which lets users store and access data from any of their devices. The launch of both iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite will see the launch of iCloud Drive this fall.
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Equil’s Smartpen 2 can transcribe your notes without your tablet’s help
The Equil JOT smartpen was a nice evolution on digitally-enhanced writing implements. Much like Livescribe’s digitizing pen, it copied all a writer’s scribbles to a companion iPad app — but the JOT didn’t need a special notebook to do it. Rather than requiring writers to buy special smartpen-friendly paper, Equil created a sensor that could be attached to any notebook and synced wirelessly with iOS devices. Now that JOT’s rebranded successor, the Smartpen 2, doesn’t even need to do that.
The Equil Smartpen 2 launched this week at TechCrunch disrupt, and it’s mostly the same writing device as last year’s model, but with one important difference: the pen’s notebook sensor can save your notes locally. This means that you no longer need a smartphone or tablet handy to digitize your notes, and can sync digital scribblings later at your leisure. The new model will retail for $169, but can be had for a tad cheaper for the duration of an Indigogo campaign, which prices the device at $79 and increases in $10 increments as orders are filled.
Filed under: Misc
Source: IndieGoGo
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After balloons and robots, Google’s next moonshot is a vibrating spoon
A new technology’s joining those diabetes-monitoring contact lenses at Google X’s Life Science division, one that’ll make eating a lot easier for people with Parkinson’s or essential tremors. This technology takes the form of a spoon that vibrates to counteract its users’ tremors, making it possible to eat without spilling food. It’s called Liftware, and it was designed by San Francisco company Lift Labs, which Google has just acquired and integrated into its moonshot division, with all its other far-out, ambitious projects. Liftware’s makers designed it, so those afflicted with the aforementioned conditions can still function independently and socialize during meals. The company’s founder Anupam Pathak even believes his high-tech utensil’s technology could be used for things like keys, make-up brushes and other handheld tools. With Google’s money now backing the project, who knows — that might actually happen in the future.
Source: The New York Times, Google+
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Engadget Daily: Hands-on with Apple Pay, a ‘Day of Action’ and more!
Itching to learn more about Apple Pay? We went hands-on. Wondering what all the “Day of Action” talk is about? We covered that too — and a whole lot more. Read on for Engadget’s news highlights from the last 24 hours.
Filed under: Misc
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