Monday, July 15, 2013

'The Walking Dead: 400 Days' an incredible expansion

  The surprise success and glowing accolades bestowed upon interactive adventure The Walking Dead is largely due to two characters: Lee and Clementine. The ex-convict and young girl in search of her parents captivated players eager to learn how they would fare together in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. Bonding with these two felt natural, making the twists and turns The Walking Dead would take all the more gutwrenching.
  But for expansion The Walking Dead: 400 Days, studio Telltale Games takes a different approach, focusing on the journeys of five survivors during the first 400 days of the apocalypse. Although players might not forge as powerful a connection as they did with Lee and Clementine, the expansion is another impressive example of Telltale's storytelling skills.
  The Walking Dead: 400 Days is based near a truck stop, where an unidentified character views notes plastered on a board. It displays pictures of the expansion's five characters: Vince, Shel, Russell, Bonnie and Wyatt. Each person's story takes place at a certain point during the first 400 days of the apocalypse. For example, Vince's tale picks up on Day 2 of the outbreak, while Shel's adventure starts 236 days into the apocalypse.
  The expansion serves as a bridge between the first series of The Walking Dead episodes and the upcoming second season. Choices made in the initial season carry over, and decisions made in 400 Days impact what happens in season two. There's also no set order to the mini-episodes, as each players can choose how they want to view the stories.、
  For players new to The Walking Dead series, it's an interactive adventure that combines context-based action with expertly-written dialogue. The game consistently presents players with several challenging decisions that impact how the story unfolds.
  As with the original Walking Dead, 400 Days' storytelling is top notch. Players may not spend as much time with the five characters, but each of their short stories is equally fascinating. There's Shel, who's taking care of her younger sister while inside a makeshift safehouse in an abandoned diner, and Vince, who finds himself on a prison bus for murder. Every story features a different perspective of the outbreak, yet boasts the same sudden turns and challenging dilemmas.
  Also, the scenarios Telltale creates in 400 Days play out wonderfully. One encounter features a struggle with a gunman where players must frantically fight off a gunman while fumbling to escape. Between the combination of well-timed button presses and exploring with the thumbsticks, it's a dramatic sequence that finds players quickly -- and anxiously -- skirting death and leaving unharmed. It's hard to explain in too much detail without giving away key points of the story, but Telltale again conveys action in a way that heightens tension.

The explanation, he says is that Computer

  Microsoft nowadays released an update to OneNote for Windows RT and Windows 8, adding Workplace 365 help and making the on-screen keyboard dismissible. You'll be able to download the new version now directly in the Windows Shop.
  The biggest addition with this release is undoubtedly the capability to sign in with your Office 365 account. This suggests you could now very easily open your operate notes.
  To complete so, tap around the Much more Notebooks drop-down menu inside the left pane, tap the plus button that says “Add a work or school account to view more notebooks,” and sign in together with your function or college account. It is best to see a list of not too long ago made use of notebooks seem in the left pane; tapping any of them should open it.
  Subsequent up around the list is usually a modest but critical tweak towards the way OneNote’s touch keyboard operates. Though the feature has usually allow you to type anyplace, Microsoft has finally admitted that “you do not would like to kind.”
  Because of this, you can now dismiss the on-screen keyboard so it is possible to see the whole screen for reading. In Windows 8 and Windows RT, the on-screen keyboard shows up whenever you tap into a text box and goes away whenever you tap outdoors. Tapping “outside” in OneNote suggests tapping into any empty space.
  Some may perhaps see this as a minor detail, but it is in fact rather crucial within the touchscreen world that Microsoft has suddenly located itself in. Tweaks like this 1 make the difference involving a very good app along with a wonderful 1.
  When these are the only two improvements Microsoft chose to highlight, the app has received a bit more within this release. The complete changelog is as follows.

  In creating Windows eight, Microsoft produced a massive bet that adding touch capabilities to personal computers would aid revive an market that was having eaten away by smartphones and tablets. But Creative Techniques president Tim Bajarin, writing more than at Time, says his analysis has identified that generating touch such a vital part of private computers was a serious strategic error on Microsoft’s element. The explanation, he says, is that Computer users are so used to utilizing mice and keyboards that they see no benefit to touching their screens to have work carried out. So even though touch interfaces make best sense for smaller, portable devices including smartphones and tablets, they make small sense for personal computers which have bigger windows 7 ultimate activation key displays and that already come with trackpads or mice.
  “While adding touch input to screens will not be a undesirable issue, persons getting able to adapt swiftly to touch as a primary type of user interface input on bigger PCs does not take place overnight,” Bajarin writes. “Early on, Apple’s scientists studied the kinesiology of arm movements in connection to keyboards and mice, and concluded that implementing any gestures in to the user interface worked greatest by way of a trackpad. The company also determined that picking the hand up in the keyboard location and moving it to touch the screen was unnatural, and factored that in to the final choice to add gestures towards the Magic Trackpad instead.”

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

HTC Misses Estimates as One Smartphone Fails to Boost Sales

  HTC Corp. (2498), the Taiwanese smartphone maker, posted second-quarter profit that missed analyst estimates as the release of its flagship One handset failed to reverse a slide in sales. Shares dropped.
  Net income fell to NT$1.25 billion ($42 million) in the three months ended June, the Taoyuan, Taiwan-based company said July 5. That’s down 83 percent from a year earlier and trails the NT$2.17 billion average of 19 analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.
  Taiwan’s largest smartphone maker, which has seen its stock slump 80 percent in the past two years, released the HTC One into the U.S. in April, the same month Samsung Electronics Co. (005930) put its flagship Galaxy S4 on sale. New marketing plans and executive changes may help the company rebuild its brand after its global ranking fell to ninth behind Chinese handset makers ZTE Corp. (000063) and Huawei Technologies Co.
  The stock dropped as much as 5.4 percent to NT$192 in Taipei today, the lowest since November 2005, and was 4.4 percent lower as of 9:18 a.m. Taiwan’s benchmark Taiex index lost 0.3 percent.
  Revenue for the quarter fell to NT$70.7 billion compared with the NT$72.8 billion average of 21 analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. The company had forecast sales of about NT$70 billion.
  HTC lost the early momentum of unveiling its HTC One in February prior to Samsung’s Galaxy S4 as a shortage of camera components forced it to delay shipments. A smaller version of the flagship will be released this quarter, Bloomberg News reported last month.
  HTC fell to ninth in the global smartphone market during the first quarter, with 2.4 percent share, according to data from Bloomberg Industries and IDC.

Microsoft’s WPC, as its title implies

  Microsoft will hand around its most up-to-date edition from the running program, Home windows eight.1, to OEMs in late August, Microsoft’s Windows advertising chief informed its companions on Monday morning.

Speaking at its Around the world Companion Meeting (WPC), Tami Reller, company vp and main advertising and marketing officer for Home windows, claimed that Microsoft would make the RTM (release to producing) version of Windows 8.one to OEMs by late August. Microsoft didn't say when Windows eight.one would be launched to shoppers in its closing form, but background suggests that Microsoft must a minimum of be on course to ship by Oct.
  Microsoft’s WPC, as its title implies, is Microsoft’s chance to talk its roadmaps to its companions; Microsoft began its partner software about 20 years ago. In accordance to main govt Steve Ballmer, 90 % of the profits Microsoft realizes “in a way, form or form” is produced through the companions Ballmer resolved currently as component of a three.5-hour keynote tackle.
  In mixture, all those partners experienced “quite a fantastic yr,” Ballmer claimed, with all of its associates escalating six.5 per cent above past 12 months, on base sales of $650 billion.
  Ballmer’s information, mainly because it has actually been upgrade to windows 8 pro pack, was that Microsoft has reinvented by itself being a equipment and solutions organization, as an alternative to merely a computer software agency. “Windows has constantly been more a tool than a piece of program; it described a category of unit called the Personal computer,” he stated, whether they be, tablets, all-in-ones, convertibles, plus more.
  Ballmer said that Microsoft’s companions might be demonstrated how Microsoft has enhanced in the cloud, specifically how Microsoft straddles the public and private cloud; “big information,” including how Microsoft programs to share Bing research facts with builders and supply general public facts to non-public clouds with the Azure Information Marketplace; how Microsoft’s social initiatives straddle several different merchandise; and cellular, specially how Microsoft supports its individual products and solutions from itself and many others.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Is Sony prepping an Android phone with 4K video capture?

  It’s just a rumor at this point, but it’s possible that Sony will be coming to market with a new Android smartphone with a 20-megapixel sensor capable of capturing 4K-resolution video meant for Ultra HD TVs.
  As reported by the Xperia Blog, system software for the phone codenamed “Honami” was uncovered which indicated that video capability will handle the higher 4K standard because of the power inherent in Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 chip. The chip’s specs state that it can handle both 4K and also stereoscopic 3D video and still images at a total resolution of 55-megapixels.
  New camera modes are expected to be introduced to make use of these advanced features, though it’s not clear what will ultimately make it to the final product. The rumors also suggest that Sony will put its own stamp on Android to differentiate itself more from the crowded and competitive Android market. But again, details are vague, other than a revamped interface, apps and the new camera.
  If this comes to fruition, it would be the first reported smartphone to offer 4K Ultra HD video capture, though there are standalone video cameras that can already do so. Ultra HD is still very new, and despite efforts to lower prices, content remains elusive, with true 4K-resolution Blu-ray discs only coming to market next year at the earliest. Sony has said a 4K streaming service is slated for launch this summer, but there has been no word yet on an exact date for that, nor how much content will be available and what it will cost to stream it.
  Much like 3D first came to market, this may be a push to spur 4K adoption through user-generated content that can be played back directly onto a 4K Ultra HD TV. There’s also the possibility that competitors will be doing the same, particularly since Samsung, LG and Toshiba have also been working on 4K Ultra HD TVs.

And users of the new interface have found

  Windows eight, which debuted past calendar year, was meant to bring Microsoft's flagship working system into the post-PC period although continuing to serve regular Laptop buyers. Unfortunately, this need to provide both camps has yielded a program that serves neither specifically effectively.
  Windows eight is oblivious to your context by which it truly is staying employed and disregards how consumers might desire to communicate with it. Its new "Modern" interface, which was designed with touch screens in your mind, but which standard Pc end users can't avoid, represents an important action backward in operate for them. And users of the new interface have found a slim variety of applications available for it.
  Together with the new software package, users can elect to have their computers load the standard desktop interface once they convert them on -- rather than being forced to go through the trendy interface 1st. Microsoft has also restored the familiar -- and widely missed -- Start off button for the desktop taskbar.
  Home windows 8 permitted customers to split the screen between two Contemporary purposes, but would only dedicate a couple of quarter with the display screen to 1 of these, when the other received the rest. While using the update, end users can display a lot more than two Modern day purposes without delay -- whenever they have got a big enough screen -- and may modify the amount of display space each will get. Likewise, consumers of Home windows eight.one can see two or more tabbed browser windows in Net Explorer, some thing they can't do along with the authentic variation of the working method.
  And Microsoft appears to get focusing on boosting the amount and high quality on the applications people can make a choice from. There are now greater than one hundred,000 applications within the Windows eight retail outlet, and also the company announced at its developer meeting previous thirty day period that apps from Facebook, Flipboard plus the Countrywide Soccer League -- which can be well-known on iPads and Android products -- are to the way.
  Microsoft has also included some new options to Windows eight.one. Between the very best certainly are a lookup element that queries the gadget, the world wide web and also the Home windows app retail outlet simultaneously; and a function that could automatically update your applications and sync them throughout your Windows products.
  While these improvements are welcome, they don't resolve Home windows 8's fundamental complications. It's even now blithely unaware on the context during which its being utilised. Despite the brand new "boot to desktop" mode, you will still normally discover you within the Present day interface, even on a keyboard-and-mouse Laptop. And there's a fantastic chance that although you happen to be devoted to the trendy interface, you can expect to discover your self fumbling with the desktop, endeavoring to click icons which were designed for a pointer -- not your fingertips.
  Relatively than restoring a well-used element, the new Commence button is just a facade. It won't carry back again the previous Home windows Get started menu, but merely takes customers back again on the Modern day household display. Buyers can configure it to point out all their applications rather -- in a very full-screen Present day view -- but even that check out doesn't copy every one of the attributes of your previous Commence menu.
  Even with the brand new capabilities, the trendy interface remains a poor in good shape for standard Computer system users. The ability to indicate two -- or even three -- apps at any given time is not really a substitute for remaining capable to watch, stack and rapidly change concerning several windowed folders and programs.
  And then you can find the app situation. Irrespective of the latest additions, the Home windows application keep gives end users significantly considerably less alternative than app suppliers to the iPad and Android products. For example, just one of your present leading ten paid out and top rated ten totally free apps out there with the iPad, is available as a Fashionable Home windows app.
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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Apple hires former Yves Saint Laurent CEO for 'special projects'

  Apple Inc has hired the former chief executive of French luxury group Yves Saint Laurent for "special projects" reporting to Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook.
  "We're thrilled to welcome Paul Deneve to Apple," spokeswoman Kristin Huguet said. "He'll be working on special projects as a vice president reporting directly to Tim Cook."
  Deneve, who joined Yves Saint Laurent in 2011 after holding senior positions at fashion brands Courreges, Nina Ricci and Lanvin, held several sales and marketing jobs at Apple in Europe between 1990 and 1997.
  It is unclear what special projects Deneve will be overseeing at Apple, which is still looking for someone to head its retail operations following the ouster of John Browett last year after less than a year on the job.

Home windows eight handed Mac OS

  Microsoft’s Windows 8 is currently a more common functioning process compared to the reviled Home windows Vista, getting rid of a supply of embarrassment as Microsoft’s most up-to-date OS gradually proceeds to collect steam.
  In accordance to Internet Applications’ NetMarketshare tracker, Home windows 8 captured 5.10 % of all desktop techniques the company tracks for the month of June. Vista’s marketplace share now stands at four.sixty two %. Naturally, each will need a few months (or a long time) just before they go Home windows XP and Home windows seven, equally of which dipped about fifty percent a proportion point’s value of share to complete the month with 44.37 % and 37.17 %, respectively.
  There was excellent information within the browser front as well: Internet Applications also documented that World-wide-web Explorer 10 surged four.26 percentage points to complete with 13.fifty two per cent in the desktop market place.
  That marked the main time that IE10, which shipped with Home windows eight (but can also be readily available for Windows seven), passed World-wide-web Explorer 9.0, which fell 3.68 points to 11.71 percent on the desktop industry.
  The two numbers carry on to verify the momentum for Windows 8, which has struggled to lift its head previously mentioned both equally third-party operating techniques, together with its have rivals inside the Microsoft nest.
  Home windows eight handed Mac OS X 10.eight in February. If Home windows 8 continues to raise its share at its latest rate of about 0.5 percentage details for each month-and if Home windows XP continues to say no at with regards to the exact rate-Microsoft would need about 32 months, or until eventually about February 2016, for Windows eight to go Windows XP.

  Analytics agency StatCounter also place Home windows 8 over Windows Vista in its worldwide measurements of browser knowledge. StatCounter claimed that Windows eight captured 6.44 p.c of all PCs, vs . 5.ninety four percent at the commencing of June. StatCounter reported, nevertheless, that the variations of Mac OS X put together, at eight.fifty two percent, were nevertheless higher than Home windows eight.
  StatCounter also described that Home windows eight handed Vista in June, when Vista share stood at five.4 percent.
  Although the divisions concerning running programs were rather clear-cut, assessing the place the varied browsers stand involves a little additional slicing and dicing of your details.
  Overall, Web Applications places IE in a very commanding direct, with fifty six.fifteen percent of the market place, versus fifty five.98 per cent in May-thanks to Microsoft bundling IE with PCs, needless to say. Web Purposes puts Firefox at 19.15 per cent, down from twenty.63 %, and Chrome at seventeen.17 %, down from 15.seventy four %.
  Mix all Chrome variations, even so, as StatCounter does, as well as full share for Chrome climbs to 42.19 p.c, down from the high of forty two.68 % a month in the past. StatCounter puts all variations of Firefox five.0 and higher in a put together share of 19.14 p.c.
  The underside line? Chrome, IE, and Firefox all continue being feasible browser platforms, with ongoing advancements to each.

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