360 Degree Tard!

*$%#ING LAG!!!

xRock One... Make a better investment!

Don Mattrick, Microsoft Executive, President of Interactive Entertainment said this in an interview:

Mattrick: “I think people are going to love it, and then they’re going to understand what we’re trying to create, and how it links games and entertainment, the functionality of the box. Some of the advantages that you get of having a box that is designed to use an online state, so that to me is the future-proof choice, and I think people could’ve arguably gone the other way if we didn’t do it and fortunately we have a product for people who aren’t able to get some form of connectivity, it’s called Xbox 360.”

Q: “Stick with 360, that’s your message if people don’t like it?”

Mattrick: “Well, if you have zero access to the Internet, that is an offline device. I mean, seriously, when I read the blogs, and thought about who’s really the most impacted, there was a person who said ‘Hey, I’m on a nuclear sub,’ and I don’t even know what it means to be on a nuclear sub but I’ve gotta imagine it’s not easy to get an Internet connection.”

My advice. Invest in a rock. Depending of what sort of rock you get it will be cheaper, or it will hold its value much longer. It will come in more handy than an xBox One in the event of, 1) a zombie attack, 2) the need to hammer something like a nail, 3) to crush nut shells so you can eat, 4) to crush poisonous insects or reptiles that are trying to kills you, 5) depending on the rock you choose it will look prettier and be less heavy, and 6) you will at least have not wasted your time supporting a product that is completely contrary to what consumers want in so many, many ways. Thank you Microsoft for proving that you CAN drive customers away yet again! Hurrah for Windows 8 (& Office 365, Vista, and now the xBox One)!

Source for interview quotes comes from GeekWire.com.

OUYA Game Console: What the Nexus Q & Google TV Should Be

You may have heard of the Kickstarter project for the open source gaming console OUYA (Pronounced Oo-yu). Its been talked about in the positive and the negative. The console will run Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) at its core with a Tegra 3 quad core processor, 1 GB RAM, Bluetooth 4.0, 8GB built in memory, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, HDMI with 1080p support and USB 2.0, not to mention a console controller. Now, some people are shouting that the open source game console has been tried before and failed. Those same people claim that this console will fail just as hard. Yet others shout that this console will be a success because it is designed around Android and that operating system isn't going away anytime soon. With over 50% of the smart phone market share, not to mention a rising share in the tablet market, basing the gaming console around the Android OS is a better move than making an OS from the ground up. Add to this the fact that emulators for other game consoles such as the N64 & PS systems among others and its a huge win for gamers everywhere. But I'm not arguing for the Ouya Game Console based off of the gaming ability. I am arguing for the Ouya Console because of it's entertainment functionality.

Gaming is of course a part of the devices draw. It is awesome that you can do that on your TV. You can do the same with any Android tablet or phone. But as a dedicated entertainment system and living room computing device it is even more awesome! Stream video through Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Youtube and more. Stream music as well. Heck, you can play ANY music or video file via the USB 2.0 port or even by streaming from on device to another such as a PC or another mobile device. You can connect any Bluetooth peripheral to it as well. Stream music to Bluetooth headphones, connect other controllers like a Wii remote, PS3 controller or remote control. Since hacking of the Ouya Console is encouraged, really the limit is in imagination of the hacking and programing community. A community that is alive and well in the Android ecosystem! Currently with 24 days left on the Kickstarter project, you can grab a console and controller for $99.00. If you think of getting this device as an investment in a potential gaming console, that's a big risk because as a console it may not pan out. But, if you purchase the device as a multi-media solution then this is the device for you. Google has released Google TV and the Nexus Q. Both  of them are good but lacking.

Now we haven't seen Ouya as a finished product yet, so there is a chance it won't be as awesome as a multi-media device for your living room as I am hoping it will. Still, I'm betting on it as a win. Check out the project. If it looks to be a fit for you, consider investing in it. At $4.6 million and counting, 35,999 other investors think its a good gamble. Oh, and did I mention the project has 26 days to go? Well, now I did.

UPDATE: Whoohoo! I love it when I'm right. At 8.5+ million, this game console is looking very, very good. The Kickstarter project is over, but the games have just begun. Before finishing some major names officially jointed the club in supporting the OUYA. Check out the Kickstarter page above for details.

The Google Nexus 7!

Yesterday the Google Nexus 7 tablet was announced. This 7 inch tablet packs a massive one two punch. It starts at $200 for the base model ($250 for the next up) and packs the Nvidia Tegra 3 Quad Core +1 processor. The +1 is a fifth core that fans lovingly call Ninja core because it kicks in for low processing needs like web surfing or watching HD video to conserve on battery power. The tablet also boasts 1GB of ram, a super IPS display, a N wireless module and the latest iteration of Android called Jelly Bean. The manufacturer is ASUS and they have released 3 tablets prior to this. All three were great successes and were very well made. Additional all three are well supported as well. In fact, I'm writing this review on the ASUS Transformer Prime. But that's besides the point. This Nexus tablet is the first of its kind and will hopefully receive some tender love and care not only from ASUS but also from Google.


Why This is a Big Deal


This is the first time a high end tablet could be purchased at such a low price. Now some would suggest that the Kindle Fire or the Nook Tablet would both qualify for this prize, but this is not the case. Sure both had dual core processors on board which was top of the line at the time of release, but both run limited versions of a mobile operating system (Android) that are heavily customized so the user does not get a fully functional tablet without rooting the devices in questions. Not only is there some amount of specialized knowledge needed to do this, but by rooting the device you void the warranty. The Nexus 7 on the other hand not only delivers the high end quad core tablet with supporting hardware, but is also offers a fully functional mobile operating system.


My One Reservation


The one thing I do not see in the tablet that makes me frustrated is the lack of an expandable memory slot. There is no SD or microSD slot for which the user can add additional memory as needed. This is a must considering the base model comes with just 8GB of on board memory. The next model up offers 16GB of memory. The problem is that both versions the operating system takes up some of that memory. About 2.5GB is taken up by the OS. That is why I would recommend the 16GB model. Since the OS takes up the same amount of space on both the 16GB model actually delivers much more total memory available to you the user than the 8GB model does. Still, despite the lack of expandable memory slots, this tablet is still very much worth the money asked for it. Considering cloud storage will take up a lot of the slack, the memory issue isn't a huge deal.


Educational Potential


This little gem is perfect for schools. It has the right combination of price, size, and functionality. Admin, teachers, students and parents can all take advantage of a device that is portable, light and has a battery life that surpasses any laptop computer. The larger screen is bigger than a smart phone screen and offers the better functionality. For the same price of a high end smart phone under contract you get a tablet that does as much or more without the cost associated with a phone plan. Pare a bluetooth keyboard to Nexus 7 (or go without) and you have an extremely effective word processor. The research potential for students makes this an ideal device to have in or out of class. Then there is the things schools can eliminated with the introduction of the tablets. For example, rather than having very expensive and heavy textbooks the schools could use ebooks. Furthermore, the open source textbook option is an amazing and VERY low cost alternative to the traditional approach. What is more, this tablet is more than capable of providing such things as tutorial apps, interactive lessons, scientific and graphing calculators, charts and more for little to no cost. Every student could have a full set of references such as dictionaries and encyclopedias at hand too. Teachers could provide schedules and even update them so that all students and parents are aware of what is happening. Emergency notifications could be delivered to the tablets so students and teachers remain safe. Students can be called to the office or pulled out of calls without the need for the entire school to be disrupted by a general announcement that could also embrace the student in question. Essentially our schools could move out of the late 80's and into the 21st century. The best part is that the tablet or those that follow are the devices that can do this because of the low cost and high end combination.



                                                                                    Entertainment

The Nexus 7 has great potential as an entertainment devices in additional to its educational functions. The +1 on the Tegra 3 means you can browse the web and watch hours of HD footage while sipping away at battery life. Then is you want to kill some time while waiting with a game you can do that with access to hundreds of thousands of free and paid games. What is more, you aren't just limited to the Google Play store. There are other Android appstores such as Amazon and GetJar. You aren't limited in you music or video content either. If you are stuck in the Apple ecosystem you can simply port all your music and videos over at no cost since Android is compatible with many different media formats. If it isn't out of the box compatible for some of your content, there are apps that give the needed drivers to make them compatible at little to no cost. Then of course there are other options for music, audiobooks, ebooks and more. Why limit yourself to one ecosystem? I am the Kindle and Nook apps installed on my tablet and smartphone. I purchase the books I want at the best price. Same goes for music. It all centers in on my Android devices that are not limited in the least. Furthermore, if video content is your drive then you can access YouTube, Netflix, Amazon, HBO, Hulu and more. You can also bring your own digital files to the table without the need to convert them like other products such as Apple's. Back to the games thing, there are a large variety of casual and advanced games available through all appstores. Whether you want to kill a few minutes with Angry Birds or Cut the Rope, or if you want to spend more time with games such as Dead Space, Max Payne, Shadow Gun or Dark Meadows, you have plenty of options  on hand with a tablet that is built to handle the demands of them all!


Review to Come


So I'm taking one for the team here guys. I've pre-ordered the Nexus 7 16GB model and will be posting a full review as soon as I get my hot little hands on it. It is important to note that the current pre-order offer includes a bonus $25 credit for the Google Play store, so if you are interested in taking the dive without reviews that may be a nice little bonus for you. In either case, the wonders of the latest iteration of Android  combined with high end hardware is a nice temptation. I can't wait to see what other manufacturers will be offering to counter the Nexus 7. Either way, in the end guys we are the winners! I love living science fiction!

To purchase the Google Nexus 7 go to this link.

Update:

I missed this the first time, but the Nexus 7 also has a 12 core GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) that makes game play and over all beauty and usability of this tablet a pleasure. Essentially, this means that the tablet is running 16 cores when your playing games or other graphic intensive functions and still gives you 8 to 9 hours of battery life! If you are considering getting a Kindle Fire, think again. This tablet is the best bang for your buck. Especially the 16GB model.

8 Bit Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter!

Thanks Wisdom from TriForce Radio for sharing this on Facebook!


This is epicly AWESOME!

The Pocket TV: Mobile Has Just Gotten Cooler

Android Ice Cream Sandwich on my TV? Yes please!!!

Some projects on Kickstarter are just cool. Others are freaking AWSOME! The Pocket TV just so happens to be one of the latter. Running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) this USB thumb drive sized computer turns your display of choice into a fully functional entertainment and presentation system without anything other than the device and remote. So long as the display in question has a HDMI-in, you are cooking with jet fuel baby! Plug and play. In my geeky little mind this is a massive plus because I have an Android 4.0 tablet. The customization of this micro computer is ideal. I also have a Logitech Revue Google TV box, and I'll be honest, I'm replacing it with the Pocket TV. Google's biggest mistake with the Google TV is, in my mind, that they didn't just make it Android for TV. This is that in a nut shell.

 First Impressions

The specs for the device seem a little on the low side when you first look at them. A 1 GHz processor is a little on the low side, but considering the 1080p dedicated GPU makes it all better. The majority of processing needs for games and movies comes from the graphics. It helps that Ice Cream Sandwich is the best and most effective version of Android yet.

Mobile Gaming but Better!

Speaking of games! The Pocket TV comes with a USB port on the back! A lot of Android games are coming with controller options now so you can have a mobile gaming platform on your hands. And I'm not talking about Angry Birds or Cut the Rope either. Games like ShadowGun, Asphalt and more. Then of course there are the countless emulators out there for older games going from the PlayStation and the Nintendo 64 and back. I'm sure PS2 and Xbox emulators aren't that far off either.

The Project

The Kickstater Project is fully funded, so if you jump on board it isn't because you have a dying desire to help this project float. No my friend, there is no altruistic excuse for your to drop so dough here, this is all about you. The projected availiabiltiy of the Pocket TV will be October, so you are investing in the future, but consider how jealous your family, friends and co-workers will be when you show them your new toy this Thanksgiving and Christmas season. If you are in the US or Canada, you're looking ad dropping $120 (includes shipping) for the pocket TV with basic remote. If you want the Air Remote, your total will be $145 including shipping. That's not bad considering that the retail price is $190 AND your get it before your snobby relative who always lords it over you that he or she has the latest and greatest first. If you are that snobby relative, well... you spent less for the latest and greatest then. To check out the project and more details, click this link.

P.S. You can also control the Pocket TV from your Android or iPhone. Just another reason to love this idea!