Articles by Jonathan Charles
Iwata: Wii U Online Miiverse Service Not Subscription-Based
During Nintendo's annual shareholder meeting, Nintendo (Worldwide) president Satoru Iwata said that Miiverse - Nintendo's online service for the upcoming Wii U video game console - will not require a subscription. Nintendo hasn't revealed much about the functionality of Miiverse, even regarding how users will access content.
MOST POPULAR
Google Nexus 7 Versus Amazon Kindle Fire: Spec-for-Spec Comparison
Google’s announcement of the much-rumored Nexus 7 on the opening day of its Google I/O conference June 27 saw Google go head-to-head with Amazon, not Apple, in the tablet market. At $199, Google's Nexus 7 tablet is definitely for budget users but has the company created a compelling device to complement the compelling price?
Top iPad Keyboard Accessories: Alternatives to Surface
The unveiling of Microsoft’s Surface tablets and the super thin keyboard accessories meant many Surface owners will see an option for full, non-desktop/laptop productivity. Despite the iPad being the market leader, the tablet isn’t quite the productivity device Apple pitches it as, so are there keyboards available to increase productivity?
Google Chrome for iOS Races Ahead to No.1 on Free App List
Google Chrome for iOS - mobile versions of the desktop browser for iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad - launched on June 28, but has already become the most popular free app on the iOS App Store. The app brings a very familiar experience compared to the desktop versions, especially on the iPad.
Samsung Galaxy S3 Versus Galaxy Nexus (Jelly Bean): Comparing Software
On day 1 - June 27 - of the Google I/O conference, the company gave away free Galaxy Nexus handsets with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean installed to attendees. So is 2011’s first-party smartphone updated with the latest version of Android, a better option than the Samsung Galaxy S3?
Xbox 360 Music Service Launching Later in 2012, Will Rival iTunes
Xbox Music - the service for streaming music coming to Xbox 360s and Windows Phones - will launch later in 2012, according to anonymous source speaking to Bloomberg. The source also said Microsoft will offer an iTunes-esque store, complete with monthly and yearly subscription models.
Google Nexus Q: The Details, First Impressions
Google announced the “Nexus Q,” a streaming device that links to Google Play and is controlled by an Android-based device, at the opening of its I/O conference June 27. The service definitely draws comparisons to Apple TV, but is ultimately a more simple device, so here are the details.
Google Chrome Launches for iPhones, iPad: The Details
Google has announced and launched its popular Chrome browser for iPhone and iPad devices, bringing integration with Chrome for desktop and synchronization across iPhone and iPads. Here are the details.
Halo 4 Spartan Ops: 50 Episodes, 10 Weeks, First Season Free
343 Industries has remained coy over how long its cooperative, episodic campaign for Halo 4 would run. Creative Director on Halo 4, Josh Holmes, said during the E3 2012 Giant Bombcast that it would be the size of a full campaign, but an ExpertZone survey has pinned that figure down: 12 hours, across 10 weeks of 50 episodes.
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Versus iOS 5: Has Google Trumped the Competition?
At its June 27 Google I/O conference, the search giant and owner of the Android smartphone operating system unveiled its latest version: Jelly Bean, version 4.1. Jelly Bean isn’t a major leap forward as Ice Cream Sandwich was compared to Gingerbread, but brings a refined UI and a new real-time updating technology called “Google Now.”
Diablo 3: Blizzard Offers Refunds, Not All Players Are Eligible
Blizzard Entertainment, the developers of dungeon crawler video game Diablo 3, is offering refunds to players after an investigation into whether the company was ill-prepared for the demand during launch. Diablo 3 has been the subject of numerous issues, from server errors to disputes between nations.
Wii U Could Cost $299: Here’s Why
A recent interview with Nintendo (Worldwide) president Satoru Iwata revealed that Wii U games won't retail for close to $100, and the company won't overprice like it did with the Nintendo 3DS. So looking at the console's pricing, judging on past releases, there's a pattern to Nintendo's pricing.
Google Project Glass 'Explorer Edition' Available For Pre-Order, $1500
Google has announced that its wearable heads-up display, Project Glass, is now available for pre-order to Google I/O attendees for $1500. Google showed off the technology once again at the June 27 I/O conference, but stressed it is not a consumer product.
Facebook iOS App to Get Speed Boost, Design Unchanged, Engineers Say
The Facebook iOS app - which has been consistently criticized by users because of its slow speed and frequent endless loading - will reportedly be revamped to focus on speed. Facebook released the Camera+ app, originally as "Camera," which has been described as very responsive.
Samsung Galaxy S3 TouchWiz Versus iOS: What is the Real Thing?
Following on from the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Windows Phone 8 comparison, it seems logical to see how Samsung's much-sought smartphone compare to the rest of the competition. So how does Samsung, and its TouchWiz UI, compare to the iOS?
TLYT ‘BAND’ Charger Brings Portable Charging, Minimal Design
TLYT has announced it new brand of the same name along with a portable car charger called "BAND." The charger's form factor resembles a HDMI cable in its simplicity, but TLYT ensures that the speed of charging is not compromised.
‘Tout’d’ Provides Recommendations by Friends on Everything, Built by Wall Street Veterans
“Tout’d,” a social media app for providing recommendations on anything a user asks, has been announced. The service is built by Wall Street veterans Rob Morelli and Saro Cutri, and aims to leverage the trust friends have.
Skyrim 'Dawnguard' Out, First DLC Pack: The Details
Since The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim released during November 2011, the game has been praised for its almost endless amount of content. Since the world of Skyrim is huge, it would almost seem pointless to add downloadable content, but Bethesda has with “Dawnguard.”
Google I/O 2012: Top 5 Things to Expect
The June 27 Google I/O 2012 developer conference is highly anticipated ahead of a probable Jelly Bean unveiling, and possibly a Google Nexus-branded tablet. That's not all, though, so here are the top five reveals Google could make at the I/O 2012.
Nintendo: Wii U Games Not $100, Pricing Coming Later in 2012
Nintendo has flat-out denied reports that Wii U games will be approaching triple figures, a figure perhaps suggested because of the games' dual functionality across the Wii U and the GamePad. Retailers listed the price, but it was only ever likely to be "fictitious."
Canon Mixed Reality Headset: Has Virtual Reality Arrived?
Apparently id Software’s John Carmack wasn’t the only person building a virtual reality headset, previewed at E3 2012, as Canon is showing off the Mixed Reality headset ahead of retail availability in July. The headset isn’t a gaming device, simulating instead real world situations.
iPad Versus Google Nexus Tablet: What Can We Expect?
Google's I/O conference begins June 27, and there's every chance the company will unveil the next version of Android - its mobile operating system - called Jelly Bean along with the rumored 7-inch Google Nexus tablet. Any new tablet is going to be compared to the iPad, the market leader. So how does the Google Nexus tablet fare against the iPad?
$99 Xbox 360 Available Outside of Microsoft Stores: Are Better Deals Available?
Microsoft’s Larry “Major Nelson” Herb has announced that the $99 Xbox 360, which subsidizes the price through a two-year contract, is now moving outside of Microsoft’s scattered official stores and into GameStop and Best Buy. The move marks another step in the Xbox 360’s best-ever sales, ahead of the Durango Xbox’s likely 2013 announcements.
Facebook’s ‘Find Friends Nearby’ App Pulled: Why?
Facebook released the “Find Friends Nearby” app June 25, which did exactly what it said and allowed users to effectively scan the area for local users. However the feature has since been pulled almost as quickly as it was released. Why?
Mass Effect 3 ‘Extended Cut’ DLC Out, Won’t Please Everyone
BioWare’s much anticipated “Extended Cut” DLC for Mass Effect 3 releases June 26, expanding on the controversial ending. However, BioWare isn’t changing the ending and says some fans won’t like what Extended Cut brings.
5 iOS Apps We Love
The iOS App Store is full of apps, both great and terrible. Keeping that in mind, here are some of the standout apps users should download.
Essential iPad Accessories: Top 5
Buying an iPad is often only half the battle, because users then want to find cases or dock connectors or bags to store the device. The problem is that there are a huge amount to choose from, so what good products have risen to the top?
