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Leaked screenshots of Windows Phone 8 shows off new features

Microsoft will be publicly detailing its next version of Windows Phone, called Windows Phone 8 on the 20th of this month. And as its customary for all big events, some screen shots of what we’re expected to see have surfaced.

The three screen shots show various new functionality. The first shows off the much awaited built in Skype integration. It can clearly be seen that Skype call is one of the contacting options for a specified contact. The second picture shows an incoming Skype call. Hopefully this built in Skype integration more than makes up for the lack of any real Skype app on the Windows Phone platform (no the official Skype app doesn’t qualify as a real app).

The second screen shot shows the new data management in Windows Phone 8. We’ve seen this feature built into Android 4.0 where it works really well and comes in extremely handy. Though the screen shot is not quite clear, I suppose the basic functionality is pretty much the same. You set your data cycle and data limit and let the app inform you if you’re nearing your limit. It looks as if there will be a live tile to go with it too. It shows the amount of data you have remaining in your account.

The third screenshot shows what looks like the camera app. It looks very basic. However the three dots on the top right might hide more advanced options. Nokia is set to bring in its imaging expertise in Windows Phone 8 so regardless of what this picture shows, expect great innovations in Windows Phone 8 in the camera department.

So are you excited about Windows Phone 8? I know I am. Windows Phone, though not at the level of Android and iOS, has serious potential to threaten the top dogs and can become a viable third eco system.

November 20, 2012
Concept video shows what iOS 6 should have been

Apple announced their latest and greatest mobile OS last week, the 6th version of iOS. While it introduced us to many new features, it also left us wondering if Apple could have done a lot more to spice up the UI. A UI that many have come to love, but has remained largely unchanged from the very first version of iOS. It is after all a big release, unlike the point releases we see often. And with Android completely redesigning their interface and Windows Phone coming to the party, the parity between iOS and other operating systems have closed ever so much in the last few months. What does this hope for a better UI in iOS give rise to? A video like the following one showing some exciting concept features.

Some things shown in the video include a very N9′ish looking multi-tasking system. You get a card view of your running apps with big thumbnails to give a better idea of what those apps have. We’ve already seen this system long ago in Palm OS and then later copied into Android and Windows Phone. I can already picture the ‘Apple copy cats’ comments if they were ever to implement a multi tasking system such as this.

Other features shown include Dynamic Badges and Flipicons. Dynamic Badges especially looks like the best feature shown in the entire video and something that can have true utility. Basically instead of having to open the app to view your notifications, you can click the badge and view them at a glance. This is something I’d personally find very useful.

For a rundown of all the features, view the video. Are there any features here you’d want Apple to implement before iOS 6 goes public?

November 20, 2012
Android Not Optimized For Multi-Core Chips Says Intel

Yes, you heard it correct, Intel claims that android multi-core chips are not optimized. We couldn’t blame them too and an android users know it to be true. Intel is also trying to break in the mobile market with it’s “Medfield” single-core atom processor. Although it may sound to be inferior to all the quad and dual core chips but this chip has extremely good performance and the lack of multiple cores in Medfield is not in Intel’s dictionary of worries.

In a recent interview with by The Inquirer with Intel’s GM of Mobile and Communications Mike Bell, Bell is aware of the way Android handles multiple cores, he says, “If you are in a non-power constrained case, I think multiple cores make a lot of sense because you can run the cores full out, you can actually heavily load them and if the operating system has a good thread scheduler. A lot of stuff we are dealing with, thread scheduling and thread affinity, isn’t there yet and on top of that, largely when the operating system goes to do a single task, a lot of other stuff stops. So as we move to multiple cores, we’re actually putting a lot of investment into software to fix the scheduler and fix the threading so if we do multi-core products it actually takes advantage of it.”

As Bell pointed out, Intel blames the thread scheduler (the thread scheduler is the part of the operating system that decides which core executes which app. It’s not as simple as it sounds, the scheduler figures out if there is a need to activate more cores to cope with the load or keep the extra cores asleep to preserve power) and Bell confirmed that Intel are working on a thread scheduler for Android. Bell also blamed the chip manufacturers for not doing a good enough job with their chips with their thermal and power requirements.

The performance race is getting even tougher now with Intel in the field as well with it’s impressive Medfield processor.

November 20, 2012
Agni’s Philosophy – A Final Fantasy-inspired Tech Demo From Square Enix

A Final Fantasy-inspired tech demo called “Agni’s Philosophy” was released by Square Enix today, in order to introduce it’s next generation engine called the Luminous Engine. The engine is in development within Square Enix.

According to Square Enix, the engine is able to portray high quality “real time computer graphics,” at the same level as “pre-rendered computer graphics,”.

Final Fantasy Versus XIII is also supposedly using the Engine’s lighting assets along with the Crystal Tools engine acting as its base.

You can watch footage of the tech demo below:

You can give your thoughts to Square regarding this tech demo at this survey.

November 20, 2012
God of War: Ascension Footage Shown

Gameplay for God of War Ascension was shown at Sony’s Press Conference at E3. The footage showed Kratos fighting against minotaur-type enemies with a one handed sword, as well as his chained blades. The gameplay is very similar to the previous games. Kratos still fights as brutally as ever.

Apparently, Kratos also has some new powers such as being able to repair structures to make his way through. Some new elephant-like monsters were also shown.

The footage ended as Kratos fought against a leviathan and jumped into it’s mouth. The full gameplay demo is below:

The game will be released on March 12th, 2013.

November 20, 2012
Gears Of War: Judgement Trailer Released, Coming In 2013

Gears of War: Judgement got its proper reveal with a trailer at Microsoft’s E3 conference earlier today, check it out below:

The game also got a release period of sometime in 2013.

Stay tuned for more information regarding Gears of War: Judgement as new content including a gameplay trailer is to be released soon.

November 20, 2012
Assassin’s Creed 3 Demo Shown

Francois Pelland, producer on Assassin’s Creed 3 took the stage at Ubi’s press event to present the game. At first a trailer was shown, and then the demo was played.

In the demo, Conner killed an elk for it’s meat and fought off wolves. The elk meat was delivered to a butcher in the village where Conner was asked by a medicine man at camp to bring him some mercury for medicinal purposes.

Connor left the camp to go after a Templar and fought against some redcoats. He also used an enemy as a shield while some redcoats fired at him.

Conner climbed trees, sled down snow embankments. Cliffs can also be climbed.

November 20, 2012
Top 5 Stereoscopic 3D Games

Technology is evolving at a rapid pace, as game developers continue to discover innovative new means of enhancing the experience for the end-user. High-definition was once touted as the next big thing at the beginning of the seventh console generation. A higher level of on-screen detail paved the way for immersive experiences, not only for gaming but the entertainment industry in general. Now that it as become a standard affair, the newly commercialized stereoscopic 3D is seen as the technology that can potentially take gaming to the next level. While it has already made its mark in Hollywood, it remains to be seen if it can gain similar prominence in the gaming industry.

Stereoscopic 3D is still in its infancy; one that is plagued with various issues. Crosstalk, for instance, is an undesirable effect that produces ghosting or allows you to see a double image on certain objects. However, on the other end of the spectrum, there are notable examples of games that do a remarkable job of showcasing the technology with negligible unwanted effects.

Below is a list of games that are currently the benchmark of stereoscopic 3D. If you’ve just bought a 3DTV, or are looking for a reason to get one, you’re in the right place.

5. Sonic Generations (PS3/X360/PC)

Sonic Generations’ brisk pace and sense of speed makes it a rollercoaster ride in 3D. Powered by the Havok physics engine, the set-pieces make way for some crazy environmental destruction. Hence, when it comes to stereoscopic 3D, the game is a natural with plenty of startling ‘pop-out’ moments during each level. There is a bit of ghosting here and there at higher levels of depth, but you’d be hard-pressed to notice as you blaze past your surroundings at top speed.

4. Shadow of the Colossus (PS3)

Just one glance at one of those enormously towering Colossi coming towards you in 3D will be enough to make a believer out of you. Shadow of the Colossus makes some clever, yet subtle use of stereoscopy. The 3D effect isn’t too intruding, but at the same time it servers as a fabulous complement to an already immersive experience. Subtle hints of ‘pop-out’ can be seen from emerging rubble that Agro leaves behind, as he trots around the vast open landscape. However, as already mentioned, the real stars of the show are the Colossi, who are perfect stereoscopic renditions of their 2D selves.

3. Trine 2 (PC)

A two dimensional platformer with three dimensional assets is the perfect specimen for a stereoscopic 3D makeover. Trine 2 is a natural when it comes to 3D, and hence makes some fine use of its stationary viewpoint. Depth is made distinguishable across individual 2D planes, and you can evidently see the difference between objects that are nearer and those that are farther away. Ultimately, it goes a step beyond the ‘staring through a glass window’ effect, almost creating the impression of a real life aquarium at first sight. Truly a remarkable sight to behold!

2. Child of Eden (PS3)

What better game to make use of stereoscopic 3D than one that is all about conveying a highly immersive and surreal experience? Child of Eden is a trance music fan’s dream come true, and the addition of 3D puts it on steroids, literally. It takes augmented reality to the next level, with some of the most immersive and visually enticing convergence effects ever. The on-rail nature of gameplay is highly beneficial for stereoscopy, allowing the game to ramp up depth and convergence during specific moments of rapture.

1. Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (PS3)

The definitive stereoscopic 3D experience! Uncharted 3 accomplishes and retains a very natural and believable sense of depth at all times. More importantly, however, when things get exciting and those Naughty Dog trademark set-pieces begin to kick in, they bring with them some crazy ‘pop-out’ and parallax effects. Particularly outstanding is the way in stereoscopic 3D is used to enhance elemental effects, such as fire, smoke, and water. The Chateau level, in particular, makes for a remarkable showcase of the game’s stereoscopic 3D effects. Unfortunately, the game drops to a lower resolution when running in 3D mode, but it still looks great and the 3D effects are well worth the sacrifice in image quality.

Honorable Mention: God of War: Ghost of Sparta (PS3)

Ghost of Sparta’s PSP roots allow it to retain pristine image quality in stereoscopic 3D on the PS3, given that it isn’t very taxing on the hardware. The vast landscapes are brought to life in 3D, and the now well-known ‘staring through a glass window’ effect that stereoscopy brings is implemented quite well. In terms of ‘pop-out’, Ghost of Sparta uses a more subtle approach. Smoke and other particles appear to fade out nearer to the screen, adding to the overall immersion.

November 20, 2012
Halo 4 E3 Demo Footage

As promised Halo 4 kick started Microsoft’s E3 conference with a bang. Check out the full footage below:

Yeah we know, Microsoft promised a whole 10 minutes but showed off a few minutes less than that. Just wait for the official release, eh chap?

November 20, 2012
Samsung Galaxy S and SII sales surpass 50 million

Samsung is easily the biggest Android OEM in the world right how. Heck it is the biggest smartphone manufacturer even when operating system isn’t taken in consideration. With market penetrating in countries ranging from its home country of Korea all the way to the United States, it won’t be surprising at all to know that the company has sold quite a few smartphones. From its massive portfolio, it’s easy to pick the Galaxy S lineup as the company’s most successful. The original Galaxy S propelled Samsung to the top of the charts way back in 2010. And with Galaxy SII that upward trend only increased further.

Samsung, according to BGR, has now unveiled some official sales figures for a few of its top selling phones. According to the company the combined sales for Galaxy S and SII have surpassed 50 million. If broken down into separate sales figures, it comes to 24 million for Galaxy S and 28 million for Galaxy SII. The phablet, Galaxy Note has also enjoyed success with sales figures topping out at 5 million units.

Now with the launch of Galaxy SIII, which has already broken preorder records for all Android smartphones, the only future for Samsung is further up from where it already is. Don’t be surprised if by the end of the year sales figures for Galaxy SIII alone surpass 50 million.

November 20, 2012