Tag: XBox

Apple’s WWDC Keynote Address Highpoints & New Xbox Coming In November

Linda Reimer

Apple’s WWDC Keynote Address Highpoints: Apple kicked off its annual World Wide Developers Conference today and Apple CEO Tim Cook gave the keynote address with assistance from several other upper level Apple staff members. Among the highlights of information relayed in the keynote address include the fact that this fall Apple will update their mobile device operating software to iOS7 which will give iPhones, iPads and iPod Touch models a whole new, fresh and more modern look, the fact that Apple is debuting an Internet radio service called iRadio to compete with Pandora Internet Radio and that SIRI, Apple’s digital assistant for newer iPads, iPods and iPhones will get an update to include better integration and the ability to choose different voices for the personal assistant.

Here’s a link a CNET overview of the iOS7 updated features:

http://reviews.cnet.com/apple-ios-7/

A second link that features a slideshow showing the way  iOS7 will look on the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch:

http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-3671_7-10017110.html

And third link to a report on the updates coming for SIRI Apple’s voice activated personal assistant:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57588315-37/apples-siri-gets-new-voices-display-and-actions/

New Xbox Coming In November: Microsoft announced today, and I’m sure not coincidentally since Apple was releasing some big news today – Microsoft thought they’d try and steal some of Apple’s proverbial thunder but I digress… Microsoft announced that their new Xbox gaming console will be released in November and cost $499.

Here’s a link to PC Magazine article on the subject simply titled Xbox One Coming in November for $499:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2420201,00.asp

Have a great day!

Linda R.

References

Apple’s iOS 7 gets a new look and several new features. CNET. Online. Accessed June 10, 2013.  http://reviews.cnet.com/apple-ios-7/

Greenwald, Walt. (2013, June 10). Xbox One Coming in November for $499. PC Mag. Online.  http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2420201,00.asp

Smoother, Cleaner, Flater. CNET . Online. Accessed June 10, 2013.                               http://reviews.cnet.com/2300-3671_7-10017110.html

Tam, Donna. (2013, June 10). Apple’s Siri gets new voices, display and actions: The digital assistant has some new tricks, including car and music integrations. CNET. Online. Accessed June 10, 2013. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57588315-37/apples-siri-gets-new-voices-display-and-actions/

 

Funny List Of Kitchen Gadgets You Can Probably Do Without & The Next Xbox May Become The Brains Of Your TV Viewing Experience

Linda Reimer

Funny List Of Kitchen Gadgets You Can Probably Do Without: The tech site Gizmodo offers a humorous story today highlighting 15 of what they describe as “Insanely Specific Kitchen Gadgets.” It really is a funny list! There is a hot dog slicer for those that would rather not slice hot dogs with a knife, a “Nana Saver” for those that only want to eat half a banana now, hard-boiled egg molds for those who want to have their hard-boiled eggs look like a cat or bear head and even a s’mores maker for those who would rather not squash s’mores ingredients together by hand!

Here’s a link to the article & list:
http://gizmodo.com/5992324/15-more-insanely-specific-kitchen-gadgets

The Next Xbox May Become The Brains Of Your TV Viewing Experience: The tech site The Verge offers an article today on the next generation Microsoft Xbox which it reports will be sophisticated enough to not only run your cable box but to overlay its own software on top of the cable box menu and channel guide. This new Xbox will also have the ability to sense how many people are in the room and allow people to change or pause whatever they are viewing by eye or hand movement – so your remote may soon be a thing of the past! Just exactly when the next generation Xbox Condole and Kinect Sensor will debut isn’t yet known but even so it will be cool to be able to change television channels or pause video playback simply by moving your eyes or hands!

And The Verge article makes me wonder, yet again, what Apple is working on television wise as my guess is whatever smart television or updated media player they come up with is likely to allow for voice commands; just imagine being able to tell your television to turn on and play the latest episode of your favorite television series by simply saying the words “TV on,” “Play insert-name-of-your- favorite-TV series here!”

Here’s the link to The Verge article which is titled Exclusive: Microsoft’s next Xbox will take over your TV, interact with your cable box:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/10/4208970/next-xbox-tv-entertainment-plans

Have a great day!

Linda R.

References

Horn, Leslie. (2013, April 10). 15 More Insanely Specific Kitchen Gadgets. Gizmodo. Online.

Warren, Tom. Exclusive: Microsoft’s next Xbox will take over your TV, interact with your cable box: The fight for the living room continues. The Verge. Online. 

3 D Video Sans Glasses, Amazon Prime Instant Video Increases Its Library Holdings & Microsoft Drops The Price Of Its Xbox Kinect

Linda Reimer

3D Video Sans Glasses: The tech site Mashable offers a brief article and video today that show how 3-D technology is evolving and it illustrates the point that in the near future we won’t have to wear those goofy looking plastic glasses to watch 3-D videos!

Here’s the link

http://mashable.com/2012/08/22/3-d-movies/

Amazon Prime Instant Video Increases Its Library Holdings:  Amazon has entered into a licensing agreement with NBC Universal to offer its Prime video subscribers access to many NBC/Universal TV shows including Battlestar Galactica, Parenthood, Friday Night Lights and Heroes.

Amazon Prime costs $79 per year and offers unlimited viewing of Prime videos accessed via computers, smart phones, tablets and media streaming players. In addition to video streaming, Prime members can read one free e-book per month from Amazon’s Prime Library, receive free second day delivery of items and reduced overnight shipping fees for most items. For example, shipping for books and DVDs usually cost $3.99 for overnight delivery for Prime members.

Here’s a link to a PC Magazine article on the subject:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2408883,00.asp

Microsoft Drops The Price Of Its Xbox Kinect: Kinect is a motion controlled sensor that allows Xbox gamers to play games via physical motions instead of by using a hand held controller. You simply raise your hand or place a kick in real life in front of the sensor and your character on screen does the same! And Microsoft has just dropped the list price of this great gaming add-on from $149 to $110.

Here’s a link to a USA today article on the subject:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2012/08/22/microsoft-price-drop-kinect/100000000001828/1

Have a great weekend everyone!

Linda R.