Electronic Arts founder says game consoles market will shrink and become a niche

. Unless you're a devout gamer with a penchant for gaming trivia, chances are you've probably never heard of Trip Hawkins. Back in 1982, Hawkins founded a company called Electronic Arts (EA), better known today as just EA. Flash forward 30 years and EA is now the world's largest game publisher. Although Hawkins isn't nearly as influential as he once was, he made an brow-raising comment in a recent interview with IGN.

Boy Genius Report , Electronic Arts founder says game consoles market will shrink and become a niche, Electronic Arts founder says game consoles market will shrink and become a niche

LG demonstrates of power of the Optimus G with ballet, archery and goofy hand gestures [video]

. Watch out, Samsung (005930): you aren't the only electronics manufacturer capable of creating absurd and bombastic marketing materials for your smartphones. LG (06657011) this week unleashed a new video for its new Optimus G smartphone that demonstrated its power by using an interpretive dancer, ripped topless men practicing archery and hand gestures so goofy that they would put many fourth-rate hypnotists to shame. The full video rarely actually shows the device close up, and when it does it touts the Optimus G's “mystic appearance” among other features.



Boy Genius Report , LG demonstrates of power of the Optimus G with ballet, archery and goofy hand gestures [video], LG demonstrates of power of the Optimus G with ballet, archery and goofy hand gestures [video]

The iPhone 5 is already generating more web traffic than the Galaxy S III

. Samsung's (005930) Galaxy S III is a big hit, but it's still playing second fiddle to the iPhone. The latest numbers from mobile advertising network Chitika show that the iPhone 5 is already generating more traffic across its network than the Galaxy S III, despite the fact that the new iPhone only came out three weeks ago while Samsung's flagship device has been on the market for months. In fact, Chitika has found that the iPhone 5 claims a 56% share of all traffic produced by the two devices while the Galaxy S III claims a 44% share.

Boy Genius Report , The iPhone 5 is already generating more web traffic than the Galaxy S III, The iPhone 5 is already generating more web traffic than the Galaxy S III

DirecTV's new Genie DVR will keep potatoes glued to their couch

I've been a DirecTV customer for well over 15 years or longer. I can't remember not having a satellite dish, so it's been a long time. My 2yr old DVR allows for 2 shows to be recorded while playing back a previously recorded show.  With all the new Fall TV shows, I sometimes have conflicts and can't record everything I'd like to. DirecTV has just upped the ante with their new Genie DVR which allows 5 HD programs to be recorded at one time. This DVR features a 1TB drive that can store 200 hours of HD programming or 800 hours of SD programs.

The Gadgeteer , DirecTV's new Genie DVR will keep potatoes glued to their couch, DirecTV's new Genie DVR will keep potatoes glued to their couch

Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook gets updated with Ivy Bridge, optional touchscreen

File this under things we could've sworn happened already: Dell is updating its nine-month-old XPS 13 Ultrabook with third-generation Core (read: Ivy Bridge) processors. What's more, in keeping with other trends sweeping the PC industry, Dell is now offering the 13 with an optional touchscreen - you know, to make it a little more Windows 8-friendly.

Engadget , Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook gets updated with Ivy Bridge, optional touchscreen

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mrnom, Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook gets updated with Ivy Bridge, optional touchscreen

Verizon announces Motorola Droid RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD for the 18th of October

We have been hearing a lot of talk about the Motorola Droid RAZR HD and the RAZR MAXX HD, both of which are expected to arrive on Verizon's network in the near future. In fact screen protectors designed for the Droid RAZR HD were spotted n Verizon's stores, leading many, including us, to speculate that the announcement for both phones could be due soon. Well you have been looking forward to either device, you're in luck as Verizon has officially announced that they will be launching both the Droid RAZR HD and the RAZR MAXX HD on the 18th of October, and they will be priced at $199 and $299 with a two-year contract respectively.

Ubergizmo , Verizon announces Motorola Droid RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD for the 18th of October, Verizon announces Motorola Droid RAZR HD and RAZR MAXX HD for the 18th of October

Phones4U begins taking UK pre-orders for Samsung's Galaxy S III Mini

If good things come to those who wait andgood things come in small packages, then the Galaxy S III Mini must be pretty special indeed. If you're in the market for the junior edition of the company's blockbuster flagship, independent retailer Phones4U is now accepting pre-orders.

Engadget , Phones4U begins taking UK pre-orders for Samsung's Galaxy S III Mini, Phones4U begins taking UK pre-orders for Samsung's Galaxy S III Mini

UK consumers in the dark about benefits of wood windows says Westbury Windows & Joinery

Only a quarter (27%) of people understand that wooden window frames are better for the environment than uPVC frames, according to research undertaken by Westbury Windows & Joinery. Respondents were asked to take into consideration manufacturing, energy efficiency and disposal. A third of people (34%) wrongly believe that uPVC is less detrimental to the environment or has at least the same impact as wood.

Press Release Distribution , UK consumers in the dark about benefits of wood windows says Westbury Windows & Joinery, UK consumers in the dark about benefits of wood windows says Westbury Windows & Joinery

ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 receives Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update

If you so happen to be a proud owner of the ASUS Transformer Pad TF300, then here is a wee bit of good news for you. This particular tablet has just received the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update, and we are referring to the LTE-enabled version. After all, it was a couple of months ago in August when ASUS introduced the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update for the non-LTE version of the Transformer Pad 300, so better late than never with the TF300, right. Performing the update is a snap, all you need to do is to download the ASUS Transformer Pad TF300TL firmware (version 10.4.3.6) followed by flashing your tablet with the latest ROM.

Ubergizmo , ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 receives Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update, ASUS Transformer Pad TF300 receives Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update

Softbank might just purchase a stake in Sprint

The mobile carrier landscape in the US is definitely changing, what with the most recent merger concerning both T-Mobile and MetroPCS, where the latter's smartphones will soon be able to take advantage of T-Mobile's network coverage. Well, Japanese carrier Softbank could play a role in reshaping the US wireless landscape too, with talk that the Japanese giant could very well drop a cool $19 billion thereabouts (according to The Nikkei newspaper) for a major stake in Sprint – we're talking about as much as 75% here.

Ubergizmo , Softbank might just purchase a stake in Sprint, Softbank might just purchase a stake in Sprint

Microsoft won't sell Mature-rated video games in the Windows 8 Store

. Critics of Microsoft's (MSFT) upcoming Windows 8 operating system have another alarming decision to protest: It's been revealed that the software giant will not sell or support any game with a Mature rating in the United States and a 16+ PEGI rating in Europe, Rock Paper Shotgun reported. The company's latest controversy, which was discovered in its Windows 8 app certification requirements, is puzzling due to the fact that Microsoft not only allows M-rated games on its Xbox 360 video game console, but it also publishes many of them.

Boy Genius Report , Microsoft won't sell Mature-rated video games in the Windows 8 Store, Microsoft won't sell Mature-rated video games in the Windows 8 Store

V-Moda's M-100 audiophile headphones get ready for mass production, we go ears-on

V-Moda's been seriously edging for the audiophile crowd lately - namely with its Crossfade M-80 on-ear headphones, the VAMP headphone amp for the iPhone 4x4S, and a soon-to-be disclosed followup dubbed as Vamp Versa. That brings us to its soon-to-be released M-100 headphones, which haven't really been a secret since their inception, making them a special set. Unlike many companies who strive for secrecy in regards to upcoming products, V-Moda's taken a drastically different approach with its latest cans, with owner Val Kolton stating that they're effectively the first crowd-sourced set of headphones.










Engadget , V-Moda's M-100 audiophile headphones get ready for mass production, we go ears-on, V-Moda's M-100 audiophile headphones get ready for mass production, we go ears-on

Amazon extending Kindle Owners' Lending Library to the UK, Germany and France this month

Amazon's Kindle Owners' Lending Library has grown considerably since launching in the US, and it looks like the company's finally decided it was time to let some other countries in on the service as well. It announced today that Amazon Prime members in the UK, Germany and France would all have access to the service "later this month," although it's not providing a specific date just yet. As in the US, it will let folks borrow up to one book a month for free, with over 200,000 titles available to choose from (including "thousands" in the countries' local languages).

Engadget , Amazon extending Kindle Owners' Lending Library to the UK, Germany and France this month, Amazon extending Kindle Owners' Lending Library to the UK, Germany and France this month

Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx arrives at the FCC

Yesterday, Lenovo did release their fair share of tablets, but we covered the main draw. Well, it did not take too long before these puppies start to pop up all over the FCC just like mushrooms after rain, and the Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx Windows 8 powered convertible tablet has just hit the FCC, ready to be inspected from all wireless aspects to make sure that it is good to go in the US market without interfering with other frequencies or networks. The FCC has identified the Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx as the IdeaTab K3011 models 60018 and 2287, having gained the FCC's approval via Lenovo's OEM partner Wistron Corporation.

Ubergizmo , Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx arrives at the FCC

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maximum, Lenovo IdeaTab Lynx arrives at the FCC

GM appoints new global chief of Cadillac who's already talking sports cars

General Motors has created the new position of global vice president for Cadillac. Stepping into that. new role is GM senior executive and top lobbyist Robert E. Ferguson, who will oversee global growth and development of the luxury brand.

Ferguson is responsible for marketing, brand management and advertising for Cadillac around the world and is also expected to be responsible for sales in the new year. He will report directly to CEO Dan Akerson, who said of Ferguson, "The Cadillac brand will hit a higher gear under his watch."

Ferguson is taking on his new role at a critical time for Cadillac.

Autoblog , GM appoints new global chief of Cadillac who's already talking sports cars, GM appoints new global chief of Cadillac who's already talking sports cars

Vizio preps for Windows 8: all-in-one PCs get touchscreens, notebooks get 'enhanced' touchpads

As is all the rage right now, Vizio is upgrading its line-up to support Windows 8's more touch-centric UI. The company's 24-inch and 27-inch all-in-one PCs will receive touch panels, resulting in a price bump to $998 for the base 24-incher with Ivy Bridge and Kepler internals, 1920 x 1080 display and 500GB hard drive. Meanwhile, Vizio's Ultrabooks - both the 14-inch and 15.6-inch models - and its heftier 15.6-inch Full HD notebook will all get "enhanced multi-gesture touchpads" that will allow exactly the same swipes, taps and pinches as a touchscreen.

Engadget , Vizio preps for Windows 8: all-in-one PCs get touchscreens, notebooks get 'enhanced' touchpads, Vizio preps for Windows 8: all-in-one PCs get touchscreens, notebooks get 'enhanced' touchpads

Alleged Sony “Odin” specs spotted in forums, suggests 5″ 1080p display

A few days ago we reported that a certain Sony device with the codename "Odin" hinted at the possibility that this could be Sony's flagship phone in 2013. However until today, only the name was known but thanks to the folks at Phone Arena, they have managed to stumble across a forum thread which was dedicated to Xperia rumors. While the post itself is a bit dated, what makes it somewhat credible is the fact that the poster referenced "Odin" a good few months before the tech publications (like ourselves) came across it.

Ubergizmo , Alleged Sony “Odin” specs spotted in forums, suggests 5″ 1080p display, Alleged Sony “Odin” specs spotted in forums, suggests 5″ 1080p display

Google offers historical exhibitions, wields its search powers to tell untold stories (video)

Google has been taking advantage of its sheer domination of search to act as a custodian for human culture, whether it's famous artwork or wonders of the world. The most direct example of this archival impulse may have arrived today through the launch of historical exhibitions at the (virtual-only) Google Cultural Institute. Starting with 42 exhibitions, the project delves into major historical events with both a guided, mixed-media tour as well as the kind of free-form exploration you'd expect from Google, such as hunting down a specific person, place or time range.

Engadget , Google offers historical exhibitions, wields its search powers to tell untold stories (video), Google offers historical exhibitions, wields its search powers to tell untold stories (video)

Box experience is now enhanced

If you are a user of Box, then surely you would be interested to hear about a major announcement that concerns Box – where the company intends to make it even easier for their customers to use today as well as in the future. We are talking about 140,000 businesses and 14 million users thereabouts here, where they use Box to share, access and manage content from virtually anywhere as long as there is a decent Internet connection.

Ubergizmo , Box experience is now enhanced, Box experience is now enhanced

Ragnarok Odyssey For PlayStation Vita

XSEED Games will launch Ragnarok Odyssey for the Sony PlayStation Vita on October 30th, 2012 in the US. The standard version is priced at just $39.99, while the Mercenary Edition retails for $49.99. The Mercenary Edition provides a randomized pack of 10 Monster Cards from the over 50 available in-game, a soundtrack CD containing 32 songs, and a 96-page full color “Mercenary Guide” featuring a collection of art, quests, maps, and boss strategies.

TechFresh , Ragnarok Odyssey For PlayStation Vita, Ragnarok Odyssey For PlayStation Vita

The iPhone 5 ‘raises the bar for smartphone design'

. To say consumers, carriers and analysts are raving about the iPhone 5 would be an understatement. Apple's (AAPL) flagship smartphone has been met with near universal praise from consumers and has sold out across nearly all networks. And according to Display Search analyst Shawn Lee, the iPhone 5 has raised the bar for smartphone design as a whole. 

Lee notes that the handset is able to pack power efficiency and advanced performance in an ultra-slim form factor, while other competing manufacturers struggle to do the same.

Boy Genius Report , The iPhone 5 ‘raises the bar for smartphone design'

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techblog, The iPhone 5 ‘raises the bar for smartphone design'

2013 VDS GT 001, GT 001-R are knife-edged Gillets

Raphaël van der Straten has been racing for the family team, VDS Racing Adventures, since 2000 in everything from a Renault Clio to a BMW M5, but now the Belgain race team is getting ready to build its own unique car to compete in GT2 races. Not only is VDS introducing the GT 001-R (pictured above) for racing duties, it also building a small number of the car for street use to be called the GT 001. According to SuperCars.net, the GT 001-R is being built to race at the 24 Hours of Dubai race while 22 examples of the street-legal GT 001 will be built for the team to sell.

Autoblog , 2013 VDS GT 001, GT 001-R are knife-edged Gillets, 2013 VDS GT 001, GT 001-R are knife-edged Gillets

Project Ugly Horse: Part 1

Meet the Horse. I have always hated this car. Not the Ford Mustang, mind you, nor the ubiquitous Foxbody, but this specific car. It's not because it came from the factory cursed with a heavy and under-powered 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine or an entirely worthless four-speed automatic gearbox. No, I hated this car because once, while I was off pretending to pay attention at college, my father traded two whole International Scout II trucks, their titles and a scad load of new old stock parts for this: a secretary special hatchback Mustang. It made me ill.

Sorry, son.








Autoblog , Project Ugly Horse: Part 1, Project Ugly Horse: Part 1

Tritton Kunai headset ships to chatty PS3 and PS Vita gamers

There are plenty of gaming headsets, but only so many specifically tuned to the PlayStation audience that aren't made by Sony itself. Mad Catz' Tritton label has just shipped a version of its Kunai wired headset optimized for both the PS3 and the PS Vita that might redress that (admittedly minor) deficit. About the only real customization for Vita owners is the option for a shorter 3-foot cord, but PS3 owners can plug in through USB and adjust voice volume independently from the gunshots and explosions.

Engadget , Tritton Kunai headset ships to chatty PS3 and PS Vita gamers, Tritton Kunai headset ships to chatty PS3 and PS Vita gamers

HTC waves the white flag in U.S. tablet market

. Believe it or not, HTC (2498) really has tried selling tablets somewhere in the United States over the past couple years. But now the company has realized that it has no plausible way to compete with Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN) or Google (GOOG) in the American tablet market and is pulling up its stakes.

Boy Genius Report , HTC waves the white flag in U.S. tablet market, HTC waves the white flag in U.S. tablet market

AT&T rumored to start taking Windows Phone 8 pre-orders on the 21st of October

If you're planning on picking up a Windows Phone device, you might be interested to learn that according to a fresh set of rumors, it seems that come October 21st, AT&T will be taking pre-orders for Windows Phone devices. Given that Microsoft will be hosting a Windows Phone 8 event in San Francisco come 29th of October, it's not a stretch of the imagination to think that AT&T could be getting a head start on the pre-orders before.

Ubergizmo , AT&T rumored to start taking Windows Phone 8 pre-orders on the 21st of October, AT&T rumored to start taking Windows Phone 8 pre-orders on the 21st of October

Iriver Japan outs the Astell & Kern AK100, a new High-End Hi-Fi DAP

It seems that there still some room for Iriver's DAP in Japan after all. Today the once extremely popular DAP (Mp3 Player) Korean manufacturer announced in Japan the Astell & Kern AK100 a luxury and High-end audiophile oriented DAP. Schedule to hit Japanese store October 27th the Astell & Kern AK100 comes by default with 32GB of internal memory as well as a a dual MicroSDHC port capable to expand the total amount of internal memory of the Astell & Kern AK100 up to 96GB.




Akihabara News , Iriver Japan outs the Astell & Kern AK100, a new High-End Hi-Fi DAP, Iriver Japan outs the Astell & Kern AK100, a new High-End Hi-Fi DAP

German Police monitor Gmail, Skype, and Facebook via snooping malware

Efficient Germany might have run into a hiccup – especially after the government allegedly let it be known (by accident, of course), that the police in Germany did state that they perform monitoring duties on Skype, Google Mail, MSN Hotmail, Yahoo Mail and Facebook chat should the need arise. This raises a whole lot of ethical and privacy questions. Just how do the German police get around snooping on what their targets communicate over the mentioned email services as well as VoIP programs. Well, snooping malware is the answer of the day.

Ubergizmo , German Police monitor Gmail, Skype, and Facebook via snooping malware, German Police monitor Gmail, Skype, and Facebook via snooping malware

Twitter might build its own video hosting service

Twitter is reportedly mulling over creating its own video hosting service, unnamed sources have told AllThingsD. The addition of a home-grown video hosting solution would further cement Twitter as a content company as opposed to a channel for quick-fire communication. The social network has already moved to allowing photos to be immediately uploaded on its own servers, so allowing videos next would be a logical next step. The only difference between hosting photos and video is that the latter would require much more bandwidth, which could prove challenging if Twitter doesn't have the proper infrastructure to support it.

Boy Genius Report , Twitter might build its own video hosting service, Twitter might build its own video hosting service

How to bring Google Maps back to iOS 6 on the iPhone

. Apple (AAPL) has been taking some major heat as of late for its decision to remove Google Maps from iOS 6. The Cupertino-based company chose to instead incorporate its own in-house mapping service into the platform and has faced harsh criticism as a result. Although Apple is actively improving its own maps app, many people still prefer the old Google (GOOG)-powered solution. Previously, users would have to use Google's mobile mapping site to access the company's data, but a new app gives iOS 6 users direct access to the old mapping features and doesn't even require a device to be jailbroken.

Boy Genius Report , How to bring Google Maps back to iOS 6 on the iPhone, How to bring Google Maps back to iOS 6 on the iPhone

Motorola Occam and Manta spotted testing Android 4.2?

There is no confirmation that Android 4.2 will continue to maintain the Jelly Bean moniker, but it is more or less certain that this will be a minor update to the mobile operating system from Google. Apparently, benchmark results for a couple of upcoming Motorola devices known as the "Occam" and "Manta" have appeared, where it pointed to both phone and tablet being powered by the Android 4.2 operating system version right out of the box without having to wait for an update rollout.

Ubergizmo , Motorola Occam and Manta spotted testing Android 4.2?, Motorola Occam and Manta spotted testing Android 4.2?

iPad mini could push total holiday iPad sales to nearly 30 million

. If Apple (AAPL) does come close to selling 10 million iPad minis in the fourth quarter of 2012, it could push total iPad sales up to the 30 million mark for the holiday season.

Boy Genius Report , iPad mini could push total holiday iPad sales to nearly 30 million, iPad mini could push total holiday iPad sales to nearly 30 million