How to Run Your iPhone 4S on T-Mobile (Updated) [Video]

How to Run Your iPhone 4S on T-Mobile (Updated) [Video]:

Michael Capozzi claims he has found a way to unlock the iPhone 4S without using any hardware or software. This video shows a demonstration of his method. It has not been confirmed by us or any third party yet. More »

Yup, Some People Are Already in Line for Black Friday [Wtf]

Yup, Some People Are Already in Line for Black Friday [Wtf]:

I don't know what's in the water in Florida but the same exact Best Buy location that got ridiculously early Black Friday line ups last year is getting ridiculously early Black Friday line ups this year. Yep, people are in line RIGHT NOW. More »

Gametel Android controller steals the spotlight from Xperia Play, threatens to be vaporware

Gametel Android controller steals the spotlight from Xperia Play, threatens to be vaporware:

Xperia Play, Schmaschmeria Play -- who needs it? Fructel's got an Android add-on that does away with Sony Ericsson's slider niche. The folks over at Pocket Gamer recently got hands-on time with this category-quashing controller, dubbed Gametel, that connects to handsets using clamps and a rubberized grip, no matter your mobile manufacturer of choice. Unfortunately, there's no analogue pad here, so it's not quite on par with its PlayStation Certified competition, but it will hold hands over Bluetooth with any Googlefied phones running Froyo and up. The unreleased peripheral includes a 250mAh battery, letting you bash away with those sore thumbs for up to nine hours at a time, your phone's charge willing. There's no official word on just when you can expect this game pad to make its market debut, but if you're really eager, head on over to the source to sign up for launch notifications.

Gametel Android controller steals the spotlight from Xperia Play, threatens to be vaporware originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Nov 2011 22:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink TechCrunch  |  Pocket Gamer, Gametel  | Email this | Comments

Spooky Savings: Amazon's 'Un-BOO-lievable' Halloween sale

Spooky Savings: Amazon's 'Un-BOO-lievable' Halloween sale:

Autumnal consumerism is usually linked with holidays based around turkeys and/or trees, but that hasn't stopped Amazon from conjuring up some scary-good deals to celebrate All Hallow's Eve.



The available gambit of creepy-eepy savings is fairly all-inclusive, ranging from Halloweenish gore-fests like Dead Island, Rise of Nightmares and Left 4 Dead, to the more subtle, yet still emotionally horrifying Catherine. There are a few odd-balls in there like Dead or Alive Dimensions and Duke Nukem Forever, although we suppose Duke is terrifying in a more abstract sense of the word.

Spooky Savings: Amazon's 'Un-BOO-lievable' Halloween sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Microsoft Doubles Down On Media, Reveals New Xbox Content Partners

Microsoft Doubles Down On Media, Reveals New Xbox Content Partners:

You already know about Verizon bringing live TV to the Xbox 360, but it turns out that was just the tip of Microsoft’s great big television-related iceberg.

In an effort to transform the television experience, Microsoft has struck deals with nearly 40 entertainment providers to start injecting more media into their gaming platform.

The full list of companies that Microsoft has forged alliances with is a veritable Who’s Who of the entertainment industry. Here’s a quick breakdown of Microsoft’s new stateside “entertainment partners,” and what we know about their new Xbox offerings.

• Comcast: Sorry live TV buffs, Comcast is only bringing access to Xfinity On Demand this year.


• Clear Channel: iHeartRadio will be the only digital radio service on Xbox Live, complete with Kinect support.


• HBO: A new version of the HBO GO application and its associated content catalog should soon make an appearance on the Xbox.


• NBC Universal: Content from a handful of NBCU properties will end up on the Xbox, including Bravo and SyFy shows. Oh, and who could forget The Today Show?


• Manga Entertainment: Still unknown, but you otaku can probably expect a catalog of streaming anime in the near future.


• Crackle: Expect to get access to Crackle’s backlog of movies distributed by parent company Sony Pictures Entertainment.


• EPIX: Unknown, but I’d expect the MGM/Lionsgate/Paramount company to provide on-demand access to their catalog a la Comcast.


• TMZ: No details yet, but episode of the eponymous show will likely be made available for streaming.


• UFC: Fans got a sneak peek of UFC video on the Xbox back in June — in addition to streaming fights, it’s also expected to bring some degree of interactivity to the mix.


• Verizon: 26 channels from the Verizon FiOS lineup will begin to air live to the Xbox 360 in time for the holidays.

These companies join Microsoft’s existing line up of partners, like AT&T, ESPN, Netflix, and Hulu Plus. International readers shouldn’t fret at the sight of all this US content, because Microsoft has also struck agreements with more worldly sources of entertainment like the BBC (UK), Canal+ (France/Spain), MediaSet (Italy), and SBS On Demand (Australia). Check out the full list here to see if your favorite international media outlet made the cut.

In truth, a lot of the particulars are still up in the air at this point, but one thing is clear: Microsoft is dead serious about making the Xbox 360 the platform to beat.

J. Cole in Chicago!!!!

Meet J Cole on Sunday, October 9th at 3PM at DTLR in Chicago, IL!

DTLR will host the signing for J Cole’s critically acclaimed debut album COLE WORLD: THE SIDELINE STORY the #1 album in the country.

Event Location:
DTLR at River Oaks Mall
96 River Oaks Center
Calumet City, IL 60409

Click here for official page...

Berklee College Of Music: Music Business Handbook

Berklee College Of Music: Music Business Handbook: Berklee College Of Music (Not sure why this site is different from the official berklee.edu site…  Looks kinda shady but nonetheless legitimate), just released part 2 of their music business handbook series.  They cover a bunch of music biz topics ranging from copyright law to unpaid royalties to general entrepreneurship.  ...

Berklee College Of Music: Music Business Handbook

Berklee College Of Music: Music Business Handbook: Berklee College Of Music (Not sure why this site is different from the official berklee.edu site…  Looks kinda shady but nonetheless legitimate), just released part 2 of their music business handbook series.  They cover a bunch of music biz topics ranging from copyright law to unpaid royalties to general entrepreneurship.  ...

[News] Immortal Technique Takes Part In "Occupy Wall Street” Protest

[News] Immortal Technique Takes Part In "Occupy Wall Street” Protest: Immortal Technique says American money is worth "nothing” during latest "Occupy Wall Street” protest.

'Gears Of War 3' Review - Three Steps Forward, One Step Back

'Gears Of War 3' Review - Three Steps Forward, One Step Back:

Closing the book on a trilogy can be hard. We've seen plenty of instances with trilogies ending in disaster: "Godfather 3" and "Matrix Revolutions" spring to mind. "Gears of War 3" steps into this challenging territory, attempting to give a satisfying conclusion to fans while offering features to bring new or battle-scarred players into the fold. And, for the most part, it succeeds swimmingly. For the most part.

THE BASICS

"Gears of War 3" is essentially two games in one. Similar to games like "Halo" and "Call of Duty," "Gears 3" is split between a healthy 8-hour campaign and a robust multiplayer mode.

The campaign focuses on the story of Marcus Fenix and his squad of soldiers, fighting for survival on the dying planet of Sera. The campaign can be played in co-op with up to four players and there's a new score-based campaign mode, called Arcade, which encourages replayability.

The multiplayer is split between cooperative modes like Horde and Beast, and Versus modes which offer variants on Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and King of the Hill.

THE HIGHS

Horde And Beast

There are plenty of people who refuse to play adversarial multiplayer modes against randoms online, knowing full-well that 10-year-olds in Nebraska are much better than they are. For this reason, Epic decided to focus on multiplayer modes which encourage cooperation without the need to play against humans. Horde mode returns from "Gears of War 2," but it is far more interesting this time around. Now players can upgrade defensive emplacements like turrets and razor wire throughout the map, using money earned from kills. There's even an unlocking system where you have to earn experience to unlock improved defenses, encouraging multiple playthroughs.

Beast is slightly less robust, but still plenty of fun. Here you're playing as different Locust classes trying to assault a human base. You can start by spawning as a tiny, exploding ticker to take out some defenses, but after a few waves you'll start spawning as some of the largest enemies in the game, laying waste to your AI adversaries.

Both modes can be played and enjoyed by "Gears" newbies and veterans alike, making them a great way to spend an evening with friends online.

Versus Multiplayer For Dummies

One of the bigger issues with "Gears of War 2" Versus was that it was extremely punishing for newcomers. Epic designed the multiplayer in "Gears of War 3" to be far more welcoming, introducing weapons like the sawed-off shotgun which can be used to repel overly-aggressive veterans. The game also feels snappier, with more responsive, quicker controls. The bots in private and unfilled Quick Match games have also been given an AI upgrade, making them great for training purposes.

Newcomers will still have a tough time against experienced players, but if things get too frustrating you can always just play with friends in a private match, where you'll still earn experience and unlocks albeit at a slightly slower clip.

Beauty Among Chaos

"Gears of War 3" is a gorgeous game. If there's one thing Epic excels at, it's showing the world just what the Unreal engine is capable of. Every environment, both in the campaign and in multiplayer, is stunningly detailed, with flooding city streets to desert vistas to abandoned luxury hotels. It's not just a matter of pushing polygons, either. Epic a very strong art design team that knows how to make worlds that feel like you could reach out and touch them, even though you'd probably need some Purell afterwards.

THE LOWS

A Campaign Misstep

While the campaign in "Gears of War 3" is plenty of fun, it feels like a step backwards from the previous two games. It's prettier, sure, but the gameplay is hindered by a reliance on what could only be described as zombies. Yes, through half of the "Gears of War 3" campaign you're fighting the Lambent, a rabid faction of Locust who look and act like the undead. "Gears of War" has always been a game about tactics, but many of the battles against the Lambent feel like mindless slogs against thoughtless enemies. This is in stark contrast to the "normal" Locust enemies you face in the other half of the game, who are far more interesting to fight. The comparison is simple enough: The Lambent is to The Flood as The Locust is to The Covenant. And really, did anyone like fighting The Flood?

Story Issues

It's sad to say that the "Gears of War 3" story doesn't feel all that engaging. Half-baked, half-explained relationships between Marcus, his father and the queen of the Locusts do little to fill in the blanks of the trilogy, and the climactic battle just feels, well, expected.

Part of the issue is my lack of connection with these characters, even after three games. You're safe to assume that at least one of the main squad doesn't make it out alive, but when you don't really feel all that bad about such events, you know there's a problem on the character development side. Meanwhile attempts to give depth to near-parody characters like Cole feel forced and warrant eye-rolls. Attempts at humor are equally weak, with not a single joke in the game really "working." Unless you find lines like "This rig's got more holes in it than my shorts!" worthy of acclaim.

Paid Unlockables?

"Gears of War 3" has plenty of things to unlock, but I can't help but feel like Epic held back in an effort to nab some post-release DLC cash. There are only about six weapon skins that you can unlock through in-game play (some of which require playing older "Gears of War" games). There are plenty of unlockable characters, but much of the work for those characters was done once they were included in the campaign. Meanwhile, on launch day, Epic will release a whopping 21 weapon skins for sale, with prices ranging from $3 and $4 a pop. And, if you wish to buy them all at once, it'll run you $45. Seems like a pretty steep price for content that could have easily been included in the game.

THE VERDICT

It's easy to overlook the campaign issues and some DLC unseemliness when you realize just what a fantastic collection "Gears of War 3" is. The multiplayer alone is well worth the price of admission, with plenty for veterans and newcomers to enjoy themselves. And the campaign, while not as memorable as previous entries, is still fun to cruise through with a couple of buddies. It might not be the satisfying story conclusion the franchise deserves, but in terms of advancing the gameplay and visuals of the franchise to new heights, "Gears of War 3" is a definite success.

OnLive is Nominated for ‘Innovation of the Year’ by Stuff Gadget Awards 2011

OnLive is Nominated for ‘Innovation of the Year’ by Stuff Gadget Awards 2011: OnLive is finally starting to gain recognition as a company that has made great strides in the innovation of gaming. The gaming industry hasn’t ever seen anything like OnLive before, and because of this, they have been nominated for ‘Innovation of the Year’ by stuff.tv, for the Stuff Gadget Awards 2011. OnLive Founder and CEO, Steve Perlman has been at the helm of many other innovations in the past, but perhaps none with as much potential as OnLive. The Gadget [...]

Touchscreen Game Controllers Joypad & Buttons DX + Samsung Galaxy Tab

Apology for no Summer Mix this year...

Sorry everyone, I apologize for the lack of a summer trance mix this year. I have been providing a summer trance mix annually for the past decade. Considering there is only one week left in August, making a summer mix for the sake of calling it a summer mix would be un-tasteful.

I have worked at 3 different jobs in the year 2011 in pursuit of a better career path (Which I beleive I have finally found a good base to build off of). I will get back to my musical habits very soon and provide you guys some good music to vibe to.

Just wanted to provide an update for those of you who are wondering "why no beats lately" or "why no mixes?".

Yeah...Busy year is the reason why.

Thanks for understanding and hope to tweet, facebook, or game with you on xbox live soon. :)

-Ernesto

http://twitter.com/essay708
http://facebook.com/essay708
xboxlive gamertag: essay708

HTC Evo 4G Was the Best Selling Android Phone in Q2

HTC Evo 4G Was the Best Selling Android Phone in Q2:

According to NPD Group, the best selling smartphones from April through June (Q2), all happened to be devices that launched last year and not this year. So, even though we saw some great devices like the Motorola Atrix, HTC Thunderbolt and LG G2X — none of these managed take the top spot from last year’s heavy hitters. Here’s the tops:

1. Apple iPhone 4
2. Apple 3GS
3. HTC EVO 4G
4. HTC Inspire 4G

While at first I struggled to wrap my head around this info, it’s now easy to see that the reason for the iPhone 4 taking #1 is because it the phone continues to be reintroduced over and over to consumers. First on Verizon, then later as a newer white version. Say what you will about Apple and their evil phone, Jobs definitely knows to squeeze every last drop out of his cash cow. The Apple 3GS saw a big price drop this year too making it appealing for those with AT&T who are on a budget.

What I found most interesting was the fact that even though Sprint is the 3rd largest carrier in the U.S., their HTC Evo 4G still managed to sell better than any other Android handset in the Q2. A simple explanation could be that because this was arguably the “best” phone in Sprint’s lineup up it left consumers with little choice for anything else until the Evo 3D’s release in July (Q3). When it comes to the HTC Inspire 4G, in my short time working with Best Buy Mobile, I saw Inspires fly off store shelves thanks in part to its higher-end specs but with an affordable $50 price sticker.

What did you guys think about these results? Were you expecting a different Android handset to come out on top? Are consumers catching on to the dual-core hype? Which Android device do you predict to take the top spot in Q3?

[Via Splatf]

All the Videos of the East Coast Earthquake (Updating) [Video]

All the Videos of the East Coast Earthquake (Updating) [Video]:

Just within minutes after the Earthquake hit the Eastern seaboard videos are popping all over. Here's a gallery of them all, mostly confused people and shaken plants. California is laughing at us. (Updating). More »

Research: Video Games Help Reduce Crime Rates in U.S.

Research: Video Games Help Reduce Crime Rates in U.S.:

Entry Image: 

bill_gates_mugshot.jpg

Video games help reduce crime rates in the United States, according to new research conducted by the Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) in Mannheim, the Baylor University and the University of Texas at Arlington. According to research video games reduce crime rates because they keep "potential criminal offenders" busy using their computers or gaming consoles. The study analyzed the effect of both violent and non-violent video games on the number of violent and non-violent crimes in the United States.

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Mac Miller - Donald Trump

The Best Way to Store Stuff in the Cloud [Battlemodo]

The Best Way to Store Stuff in the Cloud [Battlemodo]: "

Cloud storage services are everywhere these days. The internet has gotten cloudier than my memories of Burning Man '05. Each claims to rule the sky, but there can be only one. Find out who it is. More »