I’ll be the first person here to admit it: I’m obsessed with technology. Whether it’s a smartphone, gaming console, or digital camera, if it has a chip in it and can do something special, I’m there.
There was a time not long ago when having that obsession wasn’t so common. We had conventions and shows in our towns where we could go, marvel at the latest and greatest computers, and talk with those of us who shared that love. It was a small but proud group.
At the E3 Gaming Expo later this year, Nintendo fans are going to get what they’ve been waiting about a year to know: the Wii U’s launch date and price. Even better, they’ll be able to see a host of games slated to come to the device to see if they’ll be worth playing.
But perhaps Nintendo shouldn’t give that gift to consumers this year, and instead, should give itself the gift of discontinuing the Wii U.
As I sit here writing this on the day the new iPad has launched, I’m inundated with reports of people around the globe waiting in line outside Apple stores hoping against hope that they’ll get their hands on one of the iPhone maker’s highly sought-after tablets. Some folks — including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak — waited nearly 24 hours to get a new iPad, sleeping on sidewalks just for the chance to have it on launch day.
After the successful launch of Mass Effect 3, I thought it would be a good time to revisit the topic of video game storylines. For years, I’ve been told that a nice-looking video game, complete with the latest graphics, will always be successful. However, a game that might not come with all the flashiness but features a solid storyline could very well fall short from a sales perspective.
It’s an interesting concept to think about. In today’s big-budget gaming world, the ticket to seeing a return on that investment is offering outstanding graphics, solid gameplay, and really great multiplayer. And in the event such a game lacks a solid storyline, many of us will look past it.
Have you heard the news? Apple’s new iPad is launching on March 16, and the company and a few game developers think it might be the next big thing in video games. They claim that the device’s Retina Display and quad-core graphics, courtesy of the A5X processor, will be enough to make every console gamer jealous.
Yep, you heard that right. Apple has decided that the time has come to finally take on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 with its iPad, and it hopes those competitors are scared, scared, scared.
Are you excited about the new Apple TV? Are you planning to buy one the minute you can get your hands on it? Are you drooling at the thought of hooking it up to your television?
No? Me neither.
As I was sitting at my desk earlier this week checking out the stories surrounding Microsoft’s Windows 8 Consumer Preview talk at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, I was struck by something: the press event was very long and very boring.
I then thought back to the many, many Apple events I’ve covered. Nearly all of them, with the exception of iOS- and Mac OS X-focused events, are compelling and deliver news from beginning to end. More importantly, they effectively convey the single message that has made Apple so popular: “we’re cool and we know it.”
With all the talk surrounding the Apple TV dominating discussions around Cupertino, I thought it’d be a good time to think about some of the features reportedly making its way to that set. Chief among them is Siri, Apple’s virtual personal assistant.
According to the latest reports, Siri would allow Apple TV owners to give all kinds of voice commands, including change the channel, modify volume, open applications, and more. By all measure, it would be like having the same iPhone-based Siri experience on a big television in your living room.
Over the last several weeks, everywhere I turn, I’m hearing about all the cash Apple has on hand. Some say that the company should hold on to its nearly $100 billion in cash, while others say it’s time to spend some of it. Apple, for its part, has said that it will spend the cash when it feels the time is right, but didn’t give any assurances that it’ll happen.
Earlier this month, Netflix launched an original program starring Steven Van Zandt (of The E Street Band and “The Sopranos” fame), called “Lilyhammer.” The show details Van Zandt’s character’s life in Lilyhammer after he was forced to turn on the mob.
There are some who say that the show is fun and worth watching, while other critics say it’s a disappointment. As for me? Well, I’m not here to evaluate a new show. Instead, I’m here to tell you that Netflix’s decision to produce its own original programming is its best idea yet.
Although the PlayStation Vita’s official launch date is February 22, those who invested in the First Edition Bundle were able to get their hands on the Vita on February 15.
I happen to be one of those lucky people. Against my better judgement, I decided to plunk down the $350 to get the Vita, a case, a 4GB memory card, and Little Deviants. And since I got my hands on the portable, I’ve been quite happy with the experience — and somewhat impressed with the fun factor Little Deviants delivers.
Whenever I review a software product or gadget, one of the key elements I must consider is price. Time and again, I need to determine if the value a product delivers is enough to justify its price tag. And in far too many cases, it doesn’t.
But I’m starting to wonder how much price really matters. Surely we’d all like to save a few extra bucks whenever we can, but if the right product comes along that satisfies many of our desires, we find a way to justify purchasing it in our mind. The device over there that’s $200 cheaper is nice and all, but it’s not the one we want. And that’s all that matters.
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