CrunchGear

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• Daily Crunch: Brick Is Red Edition
• Acer Introduces Aspire TimelineX 3830T, 4830T, And 5830T Notebooks
• Sony Officially Announces Playstation Vita Handheld (With AT&T Partnership) UPDATE: Pricing!
• Phaser Attachment For Playstation Move: It Doesn’t Get Much Nerdier
• Sony Announces New 3D Monitor And Glasses In $500 PS3 Gaming Bundle
• Sony: “30% Of Netflix Traffic Comes From Playstation”
• SCEA’s Jack Tretton Talks About PSN Outage: “I Apologize”
• We’re Live At Sony’s Massive E3 2011 Press Conference!
• Angry Birds On A Nook – No, Not A Nook Color, A Nook
• Nyko Shows Off Its Kinect And 3DS Accessories For E3
• Post-Apple Palate Cleanser: More Swiss Army Axes!
• Everything You Need To Know About iOS 5
• The Star Wars: The Old Republic E3 Opening Cinematics
• Battlefield 3 Hits Stores On October 25
• Android Malware Rears Its Ugly Head… Yet Again
• iOS 5 Camera App Gets Editing, Dedicated Shutter Button, And More
• iOS Passes 200 Million Devices, 25 Million Of Which Are iPads
• Microsoft Finally Announces Serious Kinect Games For Serious Gamers — Star Wars, Mass Effect 3, Even Minecraft
• Kinect Fun Labs: Try Out Crazy Kinect Experiments
• Kinect Brings Disneyland To Your Living Room

Daily Crunch: Brick Is Red Edition Posted: 07 Jun 2011 12:00 AM PDT Kinect Fun Labs: Try Out Crazy Kinect Experiments Android Malware Rears Its Ugly Head… Yet Again Post-Apple Palate Cleanser: More Swiss Army Axes! Nintendo Admits Hack, But Says No Personal Data Stolen Everything You Need To Know About iOS 5

Acer Introduces Aspire TimelineX 3830T, 4830T, And 5830T Notebooks Posted: 06 Jun 2011 09:01 PM PDT Acer today announced the addition of three new notebooks to its Aspire TimelineX family of products: the 13.3-inch 3830T, the 14-inch 4830T and the 15.6-inch 5830T. All three notebooks tout Dolby Home Theater v4 audio, and are powered by second-gen Intel Core i5 and i3 processors with Turbo Boost. Models with integrated graphics should see up to nine hours of battery life, and those with integrated graphics will get up to eight hours. Acer claims that the batteries in these notebooks have a life-cycle of up to four years. Watching movies, TV, and video on these bad boys should be a treat, thanks to the addition of Dolby Home Theater v4 audio and the notebooks' built-in 3DSonic Stereo speakers, as well as support for HDMI 1080p output. Or, if you opt not to use an external source, you can still get pretty good video quality over the TimelineX models' HD Widescreen CineCrystal LED-backlit display at 1366×768 pixels of resolution. In terms of hardware, the Acer Aspire TimelineX notebooks measure about an inch thick across all three models, and sport a USB 3.0 port for quick and easy transfers. Plus, that USB port can charge any USB-supported devices without the notebook ever booting up. The new Acer notebooks also feature an HD webcam with 1280×1024 resolution, with a built-in digital microphone for clear video chat. All three new models have 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi support, and many configurations of the hardware include Bluetooth support. The 13-inch model (3830T) weighs 4.12 pounds, where as the 4830T and 5830T weight 4.88 pounds and 5.6 pounds respectively. However, the 14-inch and 15.6-inch models sport integrated DVD drives and feature a dedicated numeric keypad. Software pre-loaded on the hat trick of new technology from Acer includes Windows Home 7, along with extras such as Nook for PC, Adobe Flash Player 10.1, Adobe Reader, WildTangent Demo Games, Skype, and Norton Online Backup. Microsoft Office 2010 will also come pre-loaded on the notebooks, but will require online purchase before use. The new Acer Aspire TimelineX 3830T, 4830T, and 5830T are available now at U.S. retailers, with models starting at $599.99.

Sony Officially Announces Playstation Vita Handheld (With AT&T Partnership) UPDATE: Pricing! Posted: 06 Jun 2011 06:30 PM PDT The Next-Generation Portable we’ve been hearing about for a good five months now has finally been owned up to by Sony. It is, as rumors had it, called the Playstation Vita, and the many features we’ve heard about (dual touchscreens, cameras, Near, and so on) are all official. All the specs and stuff were already detailed back in January, but we’re just now seeing the actual branding and some of the launch games. They’re showing off a new Uncharted as I write this, and it looks great. We’ll have a nice hands-on with lots of pictures after the press conference. Update: Pricing and availability! The WiFi model will be $249 with the 3G model costing $299 when the both hit this holiday season. Your move, Nintendo.

Phaser Attachment For Playstation Move: It Doesn’t Get Much Nerdier Posted: 06 Jun 2011 06:21 PM PDT There’s really not much to add, here. The game they showed was “pre-alpha” so don’t expect this thing for like a year. Or rather, expect it breathlessly. But really, whether the game’s good or bad, you’re going to want to buy this to go along with it.

Sony Announces New 3D Monitor And Glasses In $500 PS3 Gaming Bundle Posted: 06 Jun 2011 05:54 PM PDT Sony has just announced a brand new 24-inch 3D HD display designed by them specifically for gaming. It uses active shutter glasses to produce 3D, and I’m guessing from the size and terminology that it’s 720p. It comes with one pair of glasses, a 6-foot HDMI cable, and one of the major 3D games that’s launching this year (Resistance 3 is pictured). The whole package is $499.99, and additional pairs of glasses are $70. They also announced a bundle with Resistance 3 and the Sharpshooter Move accessory for $150, and more or less dated the Ico and God of War remasters. They’ll be out in September (same as Japan).

Sony: “30% Of Netflix Traffic Comes From Playstation” Posted: 06 Jun 2011 05:35 PM PDT According a Jack Tretton, CEO of SCEA, 30% of Netflix’s video traffic comes from Sony devices, primarily PS3s. The news came at Sony’s E3 press conference where they also apologized for the extensive PSN outage. As you probably recall, Netflix uses the most Internet traffic of all the streaming services, providing 29.7 percent of peak downstream traffic.

SCEA’s Jack Tretton Talks About PSN Outage: “I Apologize” Posted: 06 Jun 2011 05:28 PM PDT SCEA’s CEO Jack Tretton took to the stage today to talk about the PSN outage that has effected the gaming platform’s online play for the past weeks. Tretton thanked the PS3 supporters and reported that network activity was at 90% and that the company is “committed” to the PSN experience. He described the PS3 and new NGP platforms as dedicated to network play. He gave no timeline for as to when the PSN would be back up to full capacity but apologized for the “anxiety” Sony has caused some players.

We’re Live At Sony’s Massive E3 2011 Press Conference! Posted: 06 Jun 2011 04:28 PM PDT Talk about buzz. This whole crowd is just sitting here, wondering if Sony, the almighty Sony, will actually acknowledge the massive data breach. No one is talking about the NGP, PS3, of course not the Move. Nope, it seems to be all about the hacking — and the tasty food Sony’s providing served up by some trendy L.A. food trucks. Will Sony admit responsibility, out the people responsible, or even hand out NGPs as a sort of media payoff. No one knows! But we’ll find out in just moments as Sony’s 2011 E3 presser is set to start shortly. Oh, and thanks for the VIP table, Sony. We love you too.

Angry Birds On A Nook – No, Not A Nook Color, A Nook Posted: 06 Jun 2011 02:44 PM PDT The new Nook (colloquially called the Nook Touch) runs Android underneath that crunchy black and white book interface, so Nook hacker JFreke decided to root it and see if something like Angry Birds will run. Lo and behold, it does. Very, very poorly. But it’s still awesome, in a really shabby way. [via Mike Cane and The Digital Reader]

Nyko Shows Off Its Kinect And 3DS Accessories For E3 Posted: 06 Jun 2011 02:35 PM PDT Want to experience the joy of Kinect, but happen to have a small living room? Nyko wants to help you out. They also want to help you out if you are in any way unhappy with your 3DS. Well, no, it can’t actually make the 3D “sweet spot” bigger, but their new accessories do help in other ways. The Kinect add-on they’ve created (top) is called the Zoom, and it reduces the minimum distance necessary to use the Kinect by (they say) about 40%. That means you’ll only need three or four feet of clear space in front of it, though your mileage may vary. In our review, we found that at least seven or eight were necessary with a stock Kinect. If you find yourself having to move furniture too often, in any case, then this might be a help. Hopefully there are no adverse effects from distortion or whatnot. For the 3DS, they’ve got a couple little extras: The Shock n’ Rock is a case for your system that adds a ton of battery life, gives you improved sound via four larger speakers, and even boosts the vibration function. If all you need is more battery or a better grip, they’ve got the Game Boost and Power Grip for those. Then there’s the Play Clock, which turns your expensive 3D gaming machine into an alarm system. Practical! No pricing or availability yet on these, but we’ll ask when we drop by their booth tomorrow. Nyko Announces New Product Lineup for E3 2011; Kinect Now Apartment-Friendly! Nyko debuts peripherals for 3DS, Kinect and PS3 at global gaming convention LOS ANGELES – June 6, 2011 – Leading gaming peripherals manufacturer Nyko Technologies® today announced their upcoming product line-up to be showcased at the 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), taking place June 7-9 in Los Angeles. The line-up includes Zoom for Kinect, a bold new peripheral that allows Microsoft’s motion-sensing camera to function in smaller environments. Nyko is also introducing a variety of innovative new accessories for the Nintendo 3DS, including new products for charging up, rocking out, and even waking up! Also new this year is a revamped controller dock for PlayStation 3. With a focus on offering real gaming solutions, Nyko continues their tradition of innovation and affordable, high quality design. “Nyko has been showing off new products at E3 for a dozen years straight, and we can’t wait for players to see the 2011 lineup,” said Chris Arbogast, director of marketing at Nyko Technologies. “With 3D and gesture-gaming, this year is all about finding new ways to enjoy video games. We’ve developed new accessories that bring the fun of gaming to even more players, regardless of long plane trips and cramped living rooms.” Nyko’s E3 2011 product line-up includes: • Zoom for Kinect – Specially-designed lenses in a simple clip-on accessory allows Kinect gaming in smaller living rooms and apartments by reducing the distance required for the Kinect to function properly by up to 40%. The Zoom requires no additional power or batteries and is compatible with any Kinect game for both single and multiplayer use. • Shock n’ Rock for 3DS – The ultimate 3DS add-on offers 3x the battery life and 4 powered speakers providing crisp, loud surround sound for any environment. Added vibration feedback gives each and every 3DS game an extra level of immersion while the ergonomic design provides comfort for extended gameplay sessions. • Game Boost for 3DS – A snap-on backup battery that is lightweight and can be installed quickly, it provides up to an extra 1 – 2 hours worth of juice through the existing battery contacts. • Play Clock for 3DS – Wake up with your 3DS fully charged every morning with this combination charging dock, alarm clock and powered speaker system. Ideal for storing and charging your 3DS. The built in line-in port allows you to easily hook up any MP3 player or audio device. • Power Grip for 3DS – This external battery with ergonomic grip offers up to 3x the battery life. The Power Grip does not require players to remove the existing battery while also providing a ergonomic grip for added comfort and stability. • Charge Base 3 for PS3 – Rapidly charge two PlayStation 3 controllers with this stylish new vertical design of a best-selling item. Nyko’s unique, magnetic charging adaptors allow for easy charging, with no ports or cables required.

Post-Apple Palate Cleanser: More Swiss Army Axes! Posted: 06 Jun 2011 01:28 PM PDT Remember those sweet vintage Swiss Army axes we saw a while back? The quantity was so limited that they sold out only an hour or so after I posted them. But Garrett Wade has conveniently “located” another lot of them, so you’ve got one more chance to get an extremely tasteful wood-splitting tool. I bought one last time around, and I can tell you they’re great, though due to a slightly shorter handle, more for chopping smaller logs than heavy axe work. Only $50, or $39 for a hatchet. In case you needed a break from “the Cloud,” which of course cannot be chopped.

Everything You Need To Know About iOS 5 Posted: 06 Jun 2011 01:17 PM PDT The WWDC 2011 keynote has just wrapped up, and Steve Jobs and company have announced some very interesting features for the iOS family of devices, including improvements to browsing, rich reminders, and a slightly Android-esque Notification Center. Apple has its own page with many of these features, but here are the big ones as we see them, and links to further coverage on the network. Continue reading…

The Star Wars: The Old Republic E3 Opening Cinematics Posted: 06 Jun 2011 01:09 PM PDT Star Wars Kinect isn’t the only featured game at E3 that’s set in a galaxy far, far away. Nope. EA just released the opening scene for Biowar’s upcoming Star Wars saga, Star Wars: The Old Republic. It’s time for the Sith to rise again! Also, is that supposed to be Han Solo’s great-grandpa?

Battlefield 3 Hits Stores On October 25 Posted: 06 Jun 2011 01:04 PM PDT EA’s been teasing Battlefield 3 for the last few months with demos and gameplay clips and it’s finally launching. The latest incarnation of EA’s long-standing shooter franchise is hitting this fall — October 25th, to be exact. Select fans will be able to get a taste of Battlefield 3 bit early when the multi-platform beta drops this coming September. Click through for an unofficial video that premiered during EA’s E3 presser. Oh, and MW3, what?

Android Malware Rears Its Ugly Head… Yet Again Posted: 06 Jun 2011 12:50 PM PDT It's been about a week since the last Android malware attack, DroidDreamLight, and yet another malicious program has infiltrated Google's platform. According to the North Carolina State University blog, the malware is being dubbed "DroidKungFu," and has yet to be detected by mobile anti-virus software programs. Read More

iOS 5 Camera App Gets Editing, Dedicated Shutter Button, And More Posted: 06 Jun 2011 11:42 AM PDT Today at Apple's WWDC event, we got a chance to preview some of the upcoming features of the iOS 5 camera application, and from what we're seeing, there's plenty to get excited about. First off, and most importantly, the shutter button is "WAY FASTER," according to MG Siegler who is live-blogging the event. Read More

iOS Passes 200 Million Devices, 25 Million Of Which Are iPads Posted: 06 Jun 2011 11:02 AM PDT Scott Forstall, speaking at WWDC 2011, has just announced some major numbers relating to Apple’s iOS. 200 million iOS devices have been sold, which they claim makes it the #1 mobile operating system in the world. With Android nipping at their heels, that could be a transient title, at least in the mobile phone world. The iPad, however, is another story. Continue reading…

Microsoft Finally Announces Serious Kinect Games For Serious Gamers — Star Wars, Mass Effect 3, Even Minecraft Posted: 06 Jun 2011 10:56 AM PDT Alright, finally. Microsoft released the Kinect last year with games that turned out to be to nothing more than virtual parlor games. But today at the company’s E3 2011 presser, they took the wraps off the first round of games that finally seem to be meant for gamers — you know, gamers as in people that enjoy virtual killing and such. The headliner? Oh it must be Star Wars Kinect. This is actually the second time that Star Wars Kinect “debut” at E3. Microsoft used the title through a highly-scripted demo to launch the Kinect at last year’s E3. Well, it’s finally available and will launch…they didn’t say. Presumably it will come before next year’s E3. If nothing else, all the lightsaber swinging looks to be a good core workout. EA shared the stage with Microsoft today where they announced Mass Effect 3 — with Kinect support! “It’s all about kick-ass action” Mass Effect 3 still uses the 360′s controller, no silly movement support here. However, EA built the game around Kinect’s voice recognition support, which gives the gamer a more immersive experience. You’ll be able to talk to your team members, give commands, and simply read the on-screen dialog rather than selecting the phrase with the controller. The whole experience was demo’d on stage, and, honestly, it seems to be a novel extension of gaming with just a controller. Ghost Recon is getting in on the Kinect fun as well. All future titles in the serious will support Kinect. Until then, Ubisoft built a fun add-on called Gunsmith that allows players to customize the inner working parts of the game’s guns, which allows for millions and millions of different combinations. Voice support is included as well, “Optimize for range”, well, optimizes the given gun for longer range. No word when this will hit, but man, watch out LIVE, you’re about to get millions of new firearms. RYSE by Crytex and Microsoft Studios promises to take you into the heart of the Roman empire with full motion Kinect support. No launch date or further info was announced but man, I can’t wait to kill someone with a short sword. Expect a bit of Kinect in Forza Motorsport 4, too. Info wasn’t flowing from the stage, but the on-screen demo teased voice integration and head tracking, which when combined with a traditional controller or wheel, should bring welcomed features to the staple racing game. Fable The Journey will launch full motion support. All your actions, spells and effects are controlled through what at least seems like a rich control scheme. The game launches sometime next year. It’s not all action games, though. Oh no, even Minecraft is getting in on the Kinect fun and is hitting the 360 this coming “winter.” Besides the so-called hardcore games, Dance Central 2 is also on tap, which will hopefully induce Nicholas, who now works for the man (Peter Ha) at The Daily, to break out the macarena once again.

Kinect Fun Labs: Try Out Crazy Kinect Experiments Posted: 06 Jun 2011 10:50 AM PDT Kinect Fun Labs is a demo system for new Kinect technologies. For example, a new system called Kinect Me creates an avatar that looks just like you. You capture your face and hair and clothing and then it creates an avatar that looks just like you. Another demo is Kinect Finger Tracking through an app called Sparkler. This allows you to to draw in the air with your fingers. It draws, in short, in 3D. You draw “behind” 3D images and you can view the images from different angles. Googly Eyes allows you to bring in your favorite items into games. For example, you can scan in an object like a toy and then it appear on the Kinect in 3D. Then it bounces around. What these really are, however, are demos of potential new features for Kinect-enabled games. It is quite impressive. It goes live today and is available for all users.

Kinect Brings Disneyland To Your Living Room Posted: 06 Jun 2011 10:36 AM PDT This one is just for the kids: Microsoft just announced that Disneyland – the whole thing – is coming to Kinect. You can walk through the park and then go on immersive rides including Alice In Wonderland and Peter Pan. They had four kids on stage who were flailing about madly inside little croquet balls on stage. Very funny stuff. A few more shots after the jump.

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