Microsoft drops Xbox One price back to $349, hints at gaming focus in Windows 10
Update: Added reference to screenshot support coming to the Xbox One.
Microsoft has just announced that starting tomorrow, January 16, you will once again be able to purchase a new Xbox One for $349. Additionally, the company hinted (only slightly) that we’ll get some new information concerning how the Xbox team is looking to help PC gaming flourish at its upcoming Windows 10 event on January 21.
Console sales up dramatically in 2014 as Xbox One finishes strongly
Console fanboys, get ready to gloat — or mope. Actually, (nearly) everybody can be cheered by the latest data from NPD, which showed console sales up a cool 20 percent from last year to to over $5 billion. Leading the final charge was MIcrosoft’s Xbox One, which topped the charts in December for the second straight month. Its recent success can likely be chalked up to attractive holiday pricing, since Sony’s PS4 was consistently eating its lunch prior to that. Either way, it came at a good time for Microsoft, since the last two months of the year are far and away the strongest for consoles.
The news was more grim on the software side, however, as software sales were down 13 percent from last year to $5.3 billion. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare was the top selling game of the year, with Madden NFL 15, Destiny, Grand Theft Auto V and Minecraft rounding out the top 5. Super Smash Bros was Nintendo’s bestseller of 2015 in sixth place overall. Finally, Microsoft had a piece of good news in its latest Xbox Wire report: thanks to a new promotion, the Xbox One will again be on sale for $349 (sans Kinect) starting January 16th. Oh, and screenshots are finally coming “early this year.”
[Image credit: Getty Images]
Filed under: Gaming, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo
Via: Joystiq
Source: Xbox Wire
Android 5.0.2 factory images available for 2013 Nexus 7 Wi-Fi and Nexus 10
After the original Nexus 7 received in update to Android 5.0.2, we were left wondering whether any other devices would be updated to the elusive software version, or indeed, what it actually fixed. Google has today released more Android 5.0.2 factory images for the 2013 Nexus 7 Wi-Fi and Nexus 10 which leaves the Nexus 9 […]
The post Android 5.0.2 factory images available for 2013 Nexus 7 Wi-Fi and Nexus 10 appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Google releases Android 5.0.2 factory images for Nexus 10 and 2013 Nexus 7
Google has just posted Android 5.0.2 Lollipop factory images for the Nexus 10 and 2013 Nexus 7. Until now, the only images that were available were for the 2012 Nexus 7. The build number on today’s images is the same as last month’s LRX22G. Google hasn’t posted any change log, but we aren’t expecting big changes in the new firmware.
The images are available on Google’s developer site and should begin to rollout over-the-air soon. If you don’t want to wait, however, you can check out our guide on installing factory images here, and download the image via the source link below.
Source: Google Developers
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Alleged LG G4 specifications leak, Snapdragon 810 and 16MP camera included
The most anticipated devices to launch in early 2015 will come from Samsung and HTC. However, it seems that LG can be added to the mix. Why? Information involving the LG G4 has been trickling in over the last few weeks. And now we have learned about some of its alleged specifications. Unsurprisingly, the Snapdragon 810 from Qualcomm will be the processor selected. The amount of RAM joining the processor is 3GB. A system dump of the Android 5.0 operating system makes it appear as if a 16MP camera will be included. In all (if true), LG has quite the handset on its hands.
A launch at Mobile World Congress 2015 in March is a possibility for the LG G4.
Source: Techmaniacs
Via: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: Alleged LG G4 specifications leak, Snapdragon 810 and 16MP camera included
Nexus 7 (2013) and Nexus 10 Android 5.0.2 factory images arrive
Back in December, the Nexus 7 (2012) received a new factory image with the build number LRX22G, containing an update to Android 5.0.2. Now the Nexus 7 (2013) Wi-Fi and Nexus 10 are following suite, as factory images have just landed for both of these tablets.
So what’s new in Android 5.0.2? Like we saw with the Nexus 7 (2012), the update brings no noticeable user-facing changes and instead is all about introducing bug fixes meant to improve the overall stability of Android Lollipop. As XDA mentioned when the update hit for the Nexus 7 (2012), the update specifically addresses issues “with MountService which should now start before performBootDexOpt [and] changes related to NAND have also been pushed. Fstrim, introduced in Android 4.3, caused some serious issues on Lollipop… devices with slow NAND should now have a noticeable performance boost.” There’s likely a few device specific bug fixes in there as well.
To grab the latest factory images, click on the image below that matches your device:
For those not comfortable with flashing ROMs, or those that don’t want to go through the hassle for a minor update, we’re sure it is only a matter of time before the OTA reaches your device.
[New Android Wear app] DressWatch matches your watch with your outfit
Not all watch faces available on an Android Wear device can be adjusted. For those that require a complete outfit with the watch included, there is DressWatch. The app matches a users watch face with the outfit they are wearing. It does so by grabbing two colors from an image uploaded or one already taken. The user can change the colors to their liking if they do not like what DressWatch has offered. Rather than hunting for a watch face and risking disappointment, DressWatch ensures a user can match.
Hit the break for the gallery and download links.
Come comment on this article: [New Android Wear app] DressWatch matches your watch with your outfit
Vector 73: Nous sommes Charlie
Vector is a news and analysis show focusing on the biggest stories, hottest trends, and most important issues in technology and popular culture. On this week’s show, Guy mutes us. Dave reads our reviews. Charlie Hebdo. Golden Globes. Tribalism. Comedy. David Cameron vs. Snapchat and WhatsApp. Selfie and belfie sticks. Georgia and Rene talk CES 2015. And then it gets weird.
Show notes
- British Prime Minister suggests banning some online messaging apps
- Beyond NSA, FBI is assuming a larger surveillance role
- Charlie Hebdo shooting
- Golden Globes intro
- Tina Fey and Bill Cosby
- Belfie stick (Sorry!)
- A brief history of user interface
- Avengers: Age of Ultron
Panel
- Georgia Dow of Isometric
- Guy English of Kickingbear
- Dave Wiskus of Better Elevation
- Rene Ritchie of Mobile Nations
Feedback
Question, comment, recommendation, or something you want us to follow up on for the next show?
- Email vector@mobilenations.com or leave a comment below.
Sniper Elite III Ultimate Edition announced; we’re celebrating with a contest this weekend
World War II-era third-person shooter Sniper Elite III is one of my favorite Xbox One games of 2014. The gameplay combines equal parts stealth and gruesome sniping kills, all in the service of thwarting the Nazi expansion into Africa.
Last year we caught early word of an upcoming Sniper Elite III Ultimate Edition that bundles the main game with its downloadable content. Today, publisher 505 Games has officially announced the Ultimate Edition will be coming in March – for the low price of $39.99 on Xbox One and $29.99 on 360.
To celebrate the impending Ultimate Edition, Windows Central is proud to partner with 505 Games on a massive Sniper Elite III giveaway. This Saturday we’re streaming the original Sniper Elite III on Twitch and giving out more than twenty copies of the game for Xbox One, Playstation 4, and Steam. This is one stream you won’t want to miss!
Samsung Hires new Head of Design Again
After replacing its Head of Design last year due to dismal reviews of the aesthetics of the Galaxy S5, Samsung is again changing things up on the personnel side of things. Lee Dontae, former head of Tangerine, has been hired as the new Head of Design for the Korean tech company. Tangerine, as you may recall, was founded by Jonathan Ive, Apple’s current Senior VP of Design. Lee Dontae has made a name for himself in the world of design, consulting with companies like Samsung, LG, Toyota, and British Airways.
Lee Dontae’s official title is VP and Global Design Head of the Design Management Center. He is hoping to elevate the design prowess across the board, instead of focusing on one product. This is welcome news for tech lovers everywhere, and potentially Samsung’s upcoming sales figures. For quite a while, it seems that Samsung has been stuck in the “Design Doldrums,” with a relatively stagnant aesthetic ideal.
Do you think these changes will help Samsung embark on the next leg of its journey in the right direction? Or will it just be more of the same, to the chagrin of potential customers? LEave a comment below and let us know what you think!
Source: Korea Herald
Via: 9to5 Google
Come comment on this article: Samsung Hires new Head of Design Again
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