Posts Tagged ‘Major’
Home Console Gaming May Suffer Death By A Thousand Cuts, Rather Than A Major Revolution
Author: Stefanie Jenkins
The Ouya is making its way out to backers even now (though my shipping notification still hasn’t arrived. Grrr.) and judging by early impressions, it’s no silver bullet to take down behemoths like Sony and Microsoft. The $ 99, Android powered console still isn’t fully formed exactly, but it’s doubtful that between now and June 25 it’ll take on giant-killer proportions. Likewise the recently-announced BlueStacks Android gaming console, which features a subscription-based pricing model, probably won’t alone topple the giants.
But combined, these and a slew of other devices including the GameStick, smart TVs from manufacturers, Steam Boxes, and even Google and Apple hardware are eating away at what was once a fairly exclusive field. It seems a lot of people are waiting for a watershed moment to signal a significant shift away from traditional console gaming to a new paradigm, but increasingly, it looks likely that what we’ll see instead is an erosion that more closely resembles glacial shift, but on a less geological time scale.
There’s evidence to suggest that console gaming is already losing significant ground, like quarterly results from Nintendo that show a dramatic decline in consumer interest in the recently-launched Wii U console. And while Sony saw its first full-year profit in half a decade, most of the good news was on the smartphone side, and PlayStation sales fell for the year. Microsoft is still doing fairly well with the Xbox 360, but growth of key accessories like the Kinect have slowed with time.
Slower Kinect sales are a good bellwether for the industry’s overall health, if only because it and devices like it are where console makers are turning to try to inject some fresh life into a market that had recently started to look fairly stale. To some extent, Kinect, Move and other gimmicks like the screen of the 3DS are an answer to incursions by mobile gaming and other alternatives. Just like point-and-shoot cameras needed differentiating features like long zooms to prove themselves relative to smartphone cameras, video games needed something new to reel in new buyers.
The new crop of challengers to the console gaming market, including Ouya and the new BlueStacks GamePop console, risks getting discounted by critics as just another round of devices like the GP2X Wiz or the Gizmondo, which had limited appeal and then faded into the background of video games history as little more than a minor footnote. But that’s taking too short-term and dismissive a view on what’s currently happening in the video game space. It’s true that, as ardent console gamers continually remind me, there will always be a demand for that type of content.
Increasingly, however, there’s a growing contingent of players that are fine saying, “if I can get it on my phone, why do I need it anywhere else?” and that’s a market that’s ripe for a living room transition like the ones being attempted by Ouya and BlueStack. It’s easy to discount these ahead of their full consumer launch, and I don’t expect them to have an immediate impact on console sales, but they are signs of a sure shift, and one that won’t go away, even if doesn’t provide the sort of bomb shock disruption that we’re so fond of identifying and championing.
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EA confirms 10 percent of staff laid off in major restructuring
Author: Brittany Turner
During video game conglomerate EA’s most recent earnings call, the company’s CFO confirmed that it has laid off the roughly 900 workers whose jobs were rumored to be on the chopping block last month. “Our cost reduction plans will reduce our overall headcount by approximately 10 percent,” said Blake Jorgensen, who also serves as vice president, before explaining that the restructuring plan and resignation of CEO John Riccitello cost the company an extra $ 15 million more than what it estimated in its most recent guidance.
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Major Windows USB vulnerability patched by Microsoft
Author: Alexander McQueen
Microsoft’s newest Patch Tuesday round of safety updates includes a solution for a vulnerability that can enable assailants to jeopardize Computers using a USB trick. The attack needs physical access to a PC, however allows harmful individuals to simply insert a USB trick and make the system carry out harmful code at the Windows kernel level. Microsoft is rating the susceptability as important, not the greatest score of vital, recommending that the business does not view it as a severe risk in spite of its apparent effects.
The ability to compromise equipments by USB is particularly troublesome for big businesses and ventures running hundreds of Windows equipments. As compromises move far from the conventional software-based exploits to physical …
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Dell buyout challenged by another major investor and potential bids from Lenovo and HP
Author: Brittany Turner
Dell’s buyout deal is reportedly facing more opposition from shareholders, and competing offers could be in the works. Sources have told Bloomberg that fellow computer makers HP and Lenovo have expressed interest in buying the company at a higher price, as has Blackstone Group. The sources say HP and Lenovo are unlikely to actually pursue a bid, but their consideration will complicate Michael Dell’s plan to take the beleaguered company private for $ 24.4 billion provided by himself, equity firms, and a Microsoft loan.
Meanwhile, prominent investor Carl Icahn — recently known for his heavy investment in Netflix — seems to have his own plans in the works. CNBC sources reported yesterday that Icahn has collected a roughly 6 percent…
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Protecting its image: Chinese military allegedly behind hacks on major US newspapers
Author: Randy Miller
A few of the most famous papers in the US– The New york city Times, The Exchange Journal, and The Washington Post– have disclosed that they have actually been victims of cyber attacks that closely mirror each various other. All 3 media outlets worked with private protection specialists to examine the hacks, and all three think that the Chinese armed force is behind the attacks. It’s unclear the number of other media agencies have actually gone through attacks, however it appears that China is aiming to keep track of coverage of the state– and weed out sources.
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No Comments »Apple Takes 3 Of Major 5 Areas In U.S. Smart phone Sales For Q4 2012, Says NPD
Author: Mark Jeffries
Apple has actually managed to nab 3 of the leading 5 areas for the top-selling smart phones in the UNITED STATE throughout Q4 2012 according to the NPD Team, with the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 ranking first, 3rd and 4th, respectively. Apple also preserved the crown for best-selling total smartphone maker, accounting for 39 percent of smartphone sales in Q4 2012, compared with Samsung ’ s 30 percent.
iPhone 4 sales increased 79 percent compared with Q3 2012, and iPhone 4S sales grew 43 percent sequentially, while the iPhone 5 accounted for 43 percent of all iPhone sales in Q4 2012, which is around in line with the numbers we ’ re seeing out of carrier data also. It likewise comprised nearly two-thirds of all smartphone sales on post-paid strategies with a value over $ 200, NPD states. Samsung made substantial gains on the year, going up to 30 percent of all UNITED STATE smartphone sales in Q4 2012 from 21 percent in the year ago quarter, but the gains were primarily at the cost of other Android OEMs, including HTC, while Apple ’ s overall share continued to be consistent.
Net Applications also released its monthly report on mobile OS share, which found that Apple ’ s iOS increased a little in terms of traffic, considering 60.56 percent of all mobile operating systems, while Android really took a little a dip to 24.51 percent, continuing a decline that has taken place over the previous two months from a peak high in November of 28.02 percent. It looks like Apple ’ s release of the iPhone 5 may have essentially started to erase earlier gains made by the longer accessibility of the Samsung Galaxy S III, but Apple still has some ground to make up if it wants to climb back to its 2012 high of almost 66 percent web traffic share among mobile gadgets. Apple ’ s vacation quarter, that included 47.8 million iPhone sales and 22.9 million iPads, aims to have actually helped it in regards to staying the leader in both smartphone and
mobile device sales in the UNITED STATE, and in keeping the hold it has on mobile browsing. The sturdy quarter additionally accounts for Apple ’ s gaining back the function of biggest mobile phone maker by volume in the U.S., an honor it reclaimed according to the newest information from Technique Analytics launched earlier today.
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Apple Takes 3 Of Major 5 Areas In U.S. Mobile Phone Sales For Q4 2012, Says NPD
Author: Jamie Colby
Apple has managed to nab 3 of the major 5 areas for the top-selling smart phones in the U.S. during Q4 2012 according to the NPD Group, with the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 ranking first, third and 4th, respectively. Apple also maintained the crown for best-selling total smartphone maker, accounting for 39 percent of smartphone sales in Q4 2012, contrasted to Samsung ’ s 30 percent.
iPhone 4 sales increased 79 percent contrasted to Q3 2012, and iPhone 4S sales grew 43 percent sequentially, while the iPhone 5 accounted for 43 percent of all iPhone sales in Q4 2012, which is approximately in line with the numbers we ’ re seeing from provider information also. It also comprised virtually two-thirds of all smartphone sales on post-paid plans with a value over $ 200, NPD states. Samsung made substantial gains on the year, going up to 30 percent of all UNITED STATE smartphone sales in Q4 2012 from 21 percent in the year ago quarter, however the gains were mainly at the expenditure of various other Android OEMs, consisting of HTC, while Apple ’ s total share stayed continual.
Net Applications additionally introduced its regular monthly report on mobile OS share, which found that Apple ’ s iOS increased slightly in terms of traffic, accounting for 60.56 percent of all mobile operating systems, while Android actually took a little a dip to 24.51 percent, continuing a decline that has actually occurred over the previous two months from a peak high in November of 28.02 percent. It appears like Apple ’ s launch of the iPhone 5 may have essentially started to remove earlier gains made by the longer accessibility of the Samsung Galaxy S III, but Apple still has some ground to make up if it wishes to climb back to its 2012 high of almost 66 percent web traffic share among mobile gadgets. Apple ’ s holiday quarter, which consisted of 47.8 million iPhone sales and 22.9 million iPads, aims to have helped it in regards to staying the leader in both smartphone and
mobile device sales in the U.S., and in keeping the hold it has on mobile surfing. The sturdy quarter additionally considers Apple ’ s regaining the function of largest smart phone maker by volume in the U.S., an honor it recovered according to the current data from Strategy Analytics introduced earlier today.
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Apple Takes 3 Of Major 5 Areas In U.S. Mobile Phone Sales For Q4 2012, States NPD
Author: Stefanie Jenkins
Apple has handled to nab 3 of the leading 5 areas for the top-selling smart phones in the UNITED STATE throughout Q4 2012 according to the NPD Group, with the iPhone 5, iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 ranking first, third and fourth, respectively. Apple additionally maintained the crown for very popular overall smartphone maker, accounting for 39 percent of smartphone sales in Q4 2012, compared to Samsung ’ s 30 percent.
iPhone 4 sales rose 79 percent contrasted to Q3 2012, and iPhone 4S sales grew 43 percent sequentially, while the iPhone 5 considered 43 percent of all iPhone sales in Q4 2012, which is roughly in line with the numbers we ’ re seeing from carrier information as well. It also made up almost two-thirds of all smartphone sales on post-paid strategies with a value over $ 200, NPD states. Samsung made considerable gains on the year, going up to 30 percent of all U.S. smartphone sales in Q4 2012 from 21 percent in the year ago quarter, however the gains were mostly at the bill of various other Android OEMs, including HTC, while Apple ’ s overall share remained steady.
Net Applications likewise introduced its month-to-month report on mobile OS share, which found that Apple ’ s iOS increased a little in regards to traffic, considering 60.56 percent of all mobile operating systems, while Android really took a little a dip to 24.51 percent, continuing a decrease that has actually taken place over the past two months from a peak high in November of 28.02 percent. It looks like Apple ’ s launch of the iPhone 5 may have basically begun to erase earlier gains made by the longer accessibility of the Samsung Galaxy S III, however Apple still has some ground to comprise if it wishes to climb up back to its 2012 high of virtually 66 percent web traffic share among mobile devices. Apple ’ s vacation quarter, which included 47.8 million iPhone sales and 22.9 million iPads, looks to have helped it in terms of continuing to be the leader in both smartphone and
mobile device sales in the U.S., and in keeping the hold it has on mobile browsing. The strong quarter additionally considers Apple ’ s gaining back the duty of largest smart phone maker by volume in the U.S., an honor it recovered according to the most recent data from Approach Analytics launched earlier today.
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Mobile’s Next Major Integrated Layer: OS-Level Home Automation
Author: Matthew Baker
Apple, Microsoft and Google may all be vying for the attention of a single startup, according to a new report yesterday from The Wall Street Journal. That startup is id8 Group R2 Studios Inc., a company with a rather obtuse name that flies primarily under the radar, tackling home automation software for mobile devices. So why are the biggest sharks in the tech industry circling R2 Studios right now? Because after building location, social and intelligent assistant features into gadgets powered by mobile operating systems like Android and iOS, home automation is the next big opportunity to add yet another layer of use value to portable devices.
R2′s first project is an Android app that allows users to control their heating and lighting systems via their smartphone devices. The company, founded by Blake Krikorian who previously founded the Slingbox, also holds some patents related to control of electronic devices and control interfaces. Apple, Google and Microsoft are all very much interested in making connections between mobile tech and the traditional household entertainment hub, the living room, and have all introduced technology to prove it. Apple’s AirPlay and Apple TV, for instance; Google’s TV efforts, Nexus Q (which, while shelved, showed its interest in this at least) and media streaming in Android 4.2; and Microsoft’s Xbox/Windows 8/Windows Phone 8 home media integration services all reflect this trend.
The talks between R2 and these coompanies are still in very early stages, WSJ reports, but all of the big three are already thinking about ways to tap into the living room, and the next logical step goes beyond just the confines of media and entertainment. Already, both Google and Apple at least are also taking steps to make their mobile devices more full-featured personal assistants: Apple with Siri and Google with Google Now. But why limit these to just finding good restaurants nearby or serving local movie show times or box scores from the baseball game? Why not have the phone use all of its contextual information to also help with home automation, but in a way that makes those features tied to the OS as a service layer, rather than something people need dedicated apps to handle?
The paradigm here is the same as it was for streaming media: it makes much more sense for Apple to build AirPlay and have it work across its lineup of devices, independent of individual media app settings, than to let each content source try to table their own solution. Likewise, a home automation control system that you can then make available to hardware makers (as Apple has done with AirPlay) to make sure they work with iOS (or Android, or whoever ends up going forward with this first) devices out of the box makes more sense, and will engender greater general adoption, than relying on manufacturer-specific solutions.
We’ve got Nest, Philips Hue and the new Lumawake as jus a few recent high-profile examples of how home automation is getting smarter and better than the basic, smartphone-connected remotes of the past. Devices like these would all benefit from having access to a user’s smartphone that goes beyond communicating with a specific app, and gets into mining contextual information about a user to truly inform their automation patterns. Google, Apple and Microsoft could just continue to let home automation remain the province of third parties, but they’d be leaving a lot on the table in terms of added value for their users, especially now that we seem to be approaching a turning point for broader mass adoption of this kind of tech.
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Major UK networks confirm they’ll carry Blackberry 10 wares in early 2013
Author: Jesus Sargent
While our immediate attention is concentrated on the quick approaching tech-fest that is CES, let us not forget another crucial occasion happening in January– the eagerly waited for launch of BlackBerry 10. We have no idea if its success will equal RIM’s expectations, but simply this morning all major
Filed under: Cellular phones, Software, Mobile, RIM, T-MobileComments
