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Games and Computers

Stanford's prototype game controller senses player engagement and can alter games to suit ...
When it comes to entertainment, there are few other media that feature the level of user interaction of video games. Now, researchers at Stanford University are looking to make games more interactive. They've developed a prototype controller that monitors the player's physiological responses, then changes the gameplay to make it more engaging based on the player's feelings.  Read More
Microsoft's Kinect for Windows features some subtle differences from the Xbox One version
One of the biggest features hyped by Microsoft about the Xbox One was the new Kinect. Now, Microsoft is bringing an SDK for its improved motion and voice sensor to PC with Kinect for Windows v2. This will allow developers to create Windows applications that use features offered by the Kinect.  Read More
Project Morpheus tracks the user's head movement using a built-in accelerometer and gyrosc...
Sony has revealed its prototype virtual reality (VR) headset for the PlayStation 4 at the Games Developers Conference 2014, in San Francisco. Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida stated in a blog post that the Project Morpheus device has the potential to "shape the future of games."  Read More
Titanfall is the biggest game yet to hit Xbox One this year
Respawn Entertainment’s first-ever title is a complex and engaging first-person shooter that adds parkour wall-running and giant mech combat to the somewhat tired genre. Not only does the title have a lot riding on it, but with so many gameplay mechanics vying for position, the developer has given itself a significant balancing act to perform. Read on to find out how it fares.  Read More
Central to the Skirmos system, and one of several factors designed to set it apart from ot...
From Pong, to 2D platforms and onto online first person shooters, our desire for an increasingly realistic gaming experience was always going to see platforms emerge where we combat our friends, foes and flesh-eating zombies using our real-world bodies. Skirmos, the latest take on the laser tag system, uses gun-mounted LCD display, radio-based dynamic scoring and open-source programming in an attempt bring the complex and varied experience of the modern multi-player shooter to life.  Read More
We share our extended hands-on impressions of the Sony PlayStation 4 (left) and Microsoft ...
Which is better: the PS4 or the Xbox One? It's a question that's already been asked countless times before. And while we won't pretend to have a universal, one-size-fits-all answer, now that we've spent hours on end with both consoles, we have a few things to say about the matter. Join Gizmag, as we take a closer look at the two big next-gen gaming systems: Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4.  Read More
Harmonix has announced the Closed Alpha release of Chroma
As with movies, the music running through a modern video game can help define the pace, atmosphere and overall feel of gameplay. The latest offering from the folks who brought us such addictive free-time-eaters as Rock Band and Dance Central, however, moves the soundtrack from a supporting role in the background to become central to the game itself. Getting down with the beat in the new Chroma First Person Shooter from Harmonix Music Systems will be rewarded with faster movement or the chance to cause more damage. The music can even change the very landscape of the battlefield.  Read More
Microsoft has made a number of announcements regarding its next-gen console
Microsoft has made a number of recent announcements regarding its next-gen console, including an all new headset and a pair of updates that aim to streamline the service. The software fixes and hardware releases combined, should solve a number of the Xbox One's early issues such as the lack of a storage management utility and an inability to use third party headsets.  Read More
The QuadStick aims to afford quadriplegics the ability to play video games
A new device called QuadStick is designed to give quadriplegics the ability to play video games without the need for a traditional gaming controller. Instead, it uses a series of sip and puff sensors, a lip position sensor, a push switch, and voice commands to represent the inputs of a standard video game controller.  Read More
Sinister is looking to change the way gamers play PC games
The humble game controller has received plenty of enhancements over the years, but most of the changes have been minor. A joystick here, some shoulder buttons there, but the core elements have remained pretty much the same. Tivitas Interactive is aiming for a fundamental revamp of the traditional design with Sinister – a device that it doesn't even look like a game controller at first glance.  Read More

Gizmag reviews Rocksmtih 2014 from Ubisoft
When Rocksmith was released in 2011, it had all the ingredients of a gaming pie capable of satisfying kings of Guitar Hero and Rock Band controllers wanting to learn how to play a real instrument in a familiar digital environment and new six-string slingers looking for an entertaining, full-featured learning package. The platform has now been refreshed for 2014, and Gizmag has spent some considerable time in the company of Rocksmtih's infinitely patient, always available virtual guitar teacher on Ubisoft's note highway to callus hell.  Read More
OUYA is offering a matte black console with 16GB of internal storage
OUYA, one of Kickstarter's big success stories, is rolling out a new model of its Android micro-console. While the bulk of it remains the same, it has introduced a new color and increased the amount of storage for downloading games. Of course, the price tag of this new model has also seen a slight jump to US$130.  Read More

 
Measuring just over an inch in diameter, the Ozobot is a robotic game piece that is design...
The Ozobot robotic game piece is the latest in a growing range of products looking to occupy the middle ground between virtual and real world gaming. The pocket-sized device can be programmed to play a role in various multiplayer games and aims to inject a dose of education into the equation alongside good old fashioned gaming fun.  Read More
Satoru Iwata has revealed part of Nintendo's strategy for the coming year
Given the continued weak sales performance of the Wii U, it's clear that Nintendo is a company in need of strong new direction. Speaking at a financial results meeting yesterday, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has detailed the company's strategy for the coming months, outlining how the console maker will renew its efforts to communicate the benefits of the GamePad, while bringing classic software to the system's Virtual Console.  Read More
The Sabertron swords in action
Who hasn't grabbed a stick and pretended it was a sword at one point in their lives? Now, with a bit of help from technology, Sabertron swords are helping everyone live out that sword-fighting fantasy, but with some actual score-keeping.  Read More
It's far from plain sailing for the Nintendo Wii U
Things are looking more than a little bleak for Nintendo's home console, with the company cutting its 2013 sales forecast for the system by almost 70 percent. With shaky third-party supports, a lack of software and concerns about raw power, the system has been plagued by issues from the start. Read on as we delve into the system's problems, its current situation and its likely fate.  Read More
Build with Chrome brings Lego to Google's maps and asks what would you build, and where
Last year we reported that Google and Lego had released a browser-based Lego building experience that sprawled over real-life geography – well kinda, if you didn’t mind only placing your models in Australia, where the location-based tool was first released. Build with Chrome has now been released everywhere, in honor of Lego’s anniversary yesterday of obtaining its first patent. With the newer version we have an extensive building academy with promotional tie-ins to the upcoming Lego movie, and you might see Lego models popping up all over your virtual Google map.  Read More
2014 is set to be a strong year for multiplatform games
The months following a console launch are often a defining period in the life cycle of a console, and there's one thing that every platform owner dreads – the game drought. Nintendo's Wii U suffered from a lack of quality software in the months following its release, as did the PlayStation 3 before it. Luckily, things don't look so bleak for Sony and Microsoft's new platforms, with a wealth of new titles hitting current (last?) and next (current?) gen systems alike.  Read More
Scalextric RCS Race Control System uses a wirelessly-connected smart device to display rac...
Many people of a certain vintage will have fond memories of playing with Scalextric, pulling a trigger and seeing your slot car fly around, or all-too-often off, the track. But disappointingly, the game hasn't exactly kept up with the latest high-tech toys. However, that could change with Scalextric RCS, an update which adds smartphone and tablet game management, along with displaying live race information.  Read More
We take a look at some of the most promising PS4 exclusives of 2014
Sony's new console has enjoyed one of the most successful launches ever. Having already shifted more than four million units, the company will have to keep plying the fledgling system with quality titles to carry the momentum well into 2014 and beyond, and exclusive games are key to this. Luckily, we're already aware of a number of promising AAA titles that you can only play on Sony's next-gen console in 2014.  Read More

The Logitech G502 Proteus Core tunable gaming mouse
Logitech has launched a new weapon to help gamers scroll and click their way to victory. Its G502 Proteus Core gaming mouse boasts advanced surface, weight and balance tuning and the world’s first 12,000 DPI sensor.  Read More
Multiple Image Resizer .NET allows users to batch resize images and perform other actions
Resizing multiple images can be a time-consuming process. Lots of batch resizing tools, however, are badly designed, drastically reduce image quality or simply aren't supported by their manufacturers any more. Multiple Image Resizer .NET (MIR) avoids all of these pitfalls. Here's a quick look at how to use it.  Read More
AMD's latest flagship graphics card sits directly between NVIDIA's rival Titan GPUs
AMD has revealed the Radeon R9 295X2, the flagship card in its latest range of gamer-centric GPUs. The new card features a powerful dual-GPU setup that utilizes factory-fitted liquid cooling and boasts a full 8GB memory. The GPU is aimed to compete with NVIDIA's rival Titan cards  Read More
Fujitsu's newly-developed speech synthesis system can produce voices to suit different sit...
Speech synthesis has come a long way from the days when computers sounded like a Dalek with a cleft palate, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. in Kawasaki, Japan are working to move computers away from sounding monotone or perpetually distracted by developing a new speech synthesis system that can quickly produce high quality voices that can be tailored to suit individual environments and circumstances.  Read More
Here's how to print from Modern apps in Windows 8.1
Printing from the traditional desktop environment in Windows 8.1 is a relatively straightforward process, but what about the new Modern UI? It’s definitely a new way of doing things, and several Modern apps support printing. If you have a Surface or another device that's running the RT version of Windows 8, you might be wondering how to set up a printer and how to print from apps. Here’s how it's done.  Read More
Microsoft unveiled its latest version of Windows 8.1 at its developer's conference
Who would have thought that a button would have meant so much to so many people? On Wednesday at its developers conference, Microsoft announced that after bringing back the Start button, it’s now rolling out a package of new features for Windows 8.1 Update and Windows Phone 8.1. Based on customer feedback, it’s part of an effort to make 8.1 feel more like older versions of Windows by stepping away from the touchscreen, cloud-centric version of Windows 8 that proved less than a hit with consumers.  Read More

Pictures emerge of new USB standard connectors

April 2, 2014
USB 3.1 Type C – the next generation USB cable
Rejoice! The boffins in charge of USB standards appear to have settled on a design for the much-anticipated USB 3.1 Type C connector. For starters, there’s no “right way up” – that alone will trigger a sigh of relief from many of us. Both ends of the cable will be the same, it’ll make an audible "click" when it’s connected, it’s about the same size as a current micro-USB connector, and it can handle device charging as well as 10 Gbps data transfer rates.  Read More
Computers have been teaching each other how to play Pac-Man and StarCraft
While it may be getting easier for humans to teach robots how to perform new tasks, there's still one potential problem – when a new robot is introduced to a work environment, its user may have to teach it the task over again, from scratch. That might soon no longer be the case, however. Researchers at Washington State University have devised a method by which computers can teach each other, freeing humans from having to do so.  Read More
The Industrial Internet Consortium's ambitions include delivering reference architecture a...
AT&T, Cisco, GE, IBM and Intel are the latest companies to band together with the aim of standardizing interoperability across smart machines and ultimately, drive adoption of an Internet of Things. Announced last week, the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) is a not-for-profit open membership group created to establish common frameworks for development of inter-connected cyber and physical worlds.  Read More
The XPrize Foundation wants to find out if an artificial intelligence can compose and deli...
TED Talks are known for being delivered in a captivating, compelling fashion – that's why the events' organizers are fairly picky when it comes to selecting speakers. With that in mind, XPrize has teamed up with TED for its latest competition, in which an artificial intelligence (AI) must deliver a TED Talk with no human assistance.  Read More
The new GS70 Stealth 17-inch laptop features high-performing gaming components
MSI, a company known for its computers and components, has just announced two lightweight laptops aimed at gamers. The two models, called the GS70 Stealth and GS60 Ghost, feature high-end components to run modern games. Of course, a desktop will always be the best solution for PC gaming, but for gamers who need portability, these look like they should do the job ... albeit with a premium price tag.  Read More
Google Now notifications are being rolled out to Google Chrome
Google has announced the roll-out of Google Now for Chrome. Google Now users will be able to receive their automated updates in their browser once it has been updated and if they are signed into Chrome. The roll-out is expected to take up to a few weeks.  Read More
Globr is an instant messaging app that allows speakers of different languages to chat
The internet has connected and flattened the world in ways previously unimaginable. Coupled with ever more seamless translation tools, it provides the ability to communicate across borders and languages. Now, a new instant messaging tool is looking to make communication for speakers of different languages even easier.  Read More
It is possible to bypass region-specific website restrictions
We're spoilt with high-quality film and television nowadays, and there are an increasing number of websites on which you can watch the content you're after. Sometimes, however, websites and content are restricted based on the country in which you live. This article explains how you can bypass these restrictions.  Read More
Intel has announced a number of new chips, including a 4th gen Core processor
Intel has announced a number of new chips, including the fifth generation Intel Core "Broadwell" and the fourth generation Intel Core "Devil's Canyon." The company also presented its new Ready Mode Technology and demonstrated a portable All-in-One computer. The announcements are all part Intel's claim that it is "reinventing the desktop."  Read More

Microsoft is ceasing support for Windows XP on April 8th so it's time to consider your opt...
On April 8, Microsoft will cease all support to consumers who are still running Windows XP. On the same day, the company will also end support for Office 2003. If you're a procrastinator still plugging away on an XP machine or working away in Microsoft's aging productivity suite, it's high time you considered your options. Gizmag provides a few suggestions.  Read More
The case features dual zippers and elastic bands to slip over the display, creating extra ...
Apple accessory manufacturer Twelve South is looking to give MacBook owners a ye olde world option for protecting their shiny new devices with the Rutledge BookBook.  Read More


GameBuddy promises game streaming with almost no latency
We've seen quite a few products with the ability to stream games from one screen to another on a local network – the NVIDIA Shield is one of the devices at the forefront, as is the PlayStation 4 along with a Vita. However, the weakness of all of these is latency, an issue that the creators of the GameBuddy streamer promise to address.  Read More
Gizmag takes a look at some of the most promising upcoming Xbox One games
With the next-gen launch season out of the way, it's time to look forward to what 2014 holds for the new systems. Microsoft produced some solid exclusives at launch in the form of Dead Rising 3 and Forza Motorsport 5, and will be looking to continue that success as the system's first year progresses. Read on as we take a look at the most promising next-gen titles coming to Xbox One in 2014.  Read More
EA is finally going to allow players to enjoy SimCity offline
If you were to take a look at many publications' "Biggest Fail of the 2013" award, it's quite likely that EA's SimCity will be listed near the top. After all, the online-only game made one of the worst launches in video game history with servers that were plagued with problems, and a change to the SimCity formula that, by and large, most players hated. Now, after almost a year after the initial release, the company is finally doing away with one of players' biggest problems, the online requirement.  Read More
Gizmag goes heads-on with the new Crystal Cove prototype of the Oculus Rift virtual realit...
For the last few decades, gaming has basically been the same thing. Sit in front of display, hold controller (or mouse and keyboard), play game. But when you strap on Oculus Rift's virtual reality headset, you realize that it's something truly different. Read on, as Gizmag goes heads-on with Oculus Rift's latest prototype, dubbed Crystal Cove.  Read More
In addition to enabling streaming of Playstation titles to Sony consoles, the company says...
Sony today announced its cloud gaming service Playstation Now, which will enable users to access Playstation titles on demand via various consoles. While the road towards cloud gaming has been an uncertain one at times (evidenced by OnLive's near bankruptcy in 2012), today's unveiling at CES makes it a clear that Sony sees a bright future for on-demand gaming.  Read More
The new gaming-targeted device will be based on Tobii's EyeX controller
Having already modified an Asteroids arcade console to add eye control capabilities, Swedish company Tobii is looking to bring its eye-tracking technology to a wider gaming audience. It has teamed up with Danish gaming peripheral and accessories manufacturer SteelSeries to create a new controller that is able to detect where on a screen a person is looking.  Read More
We breaks down our top games of 2013
It's been a big year for gaming. Not only did we see the arrival of the two big next-gen systems, but we also saw developers squeezing some amazing technical and artistic achievements out of seven-year-old consoles. Which titles stood above the crowd? We polled our writers for their picks for the top games of the year.  Read More
Two wireless controllers can be strapped to common cardio equipment, or to the two foam ba...
Hoping to build on their success in bringing a marriage of physical movement and arcade action to the mainstream with Guitar Hero, RedOctane co-founders Kai and Charles Huang have formed Blue Goji and are looking to gain a foothold in the rapidly-evolving world of exercise-gaming. Their latest effort, Goji Play, uses two wireless controllers and an activity sensor to turn a regular cardio machine into a makeshift video game platform.  Read More
SteamOS will run on Steam Machines of various shapes and sizes
While the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 have stolen the lion's share of hype surrounding next-gen gaming consoles recently, Valve has continued working away on its own entry into the console market. Last week, the company shipped Steam Machine prototypes to 300 beta testers and made the first release of the open-source operating system that will power it, SteamOS, available for download.  Read More
 
Google has cut the prices of its Drive cloud storage service
Following Microsoft's recent relaunch of SkyDrive as OneDrive, Google has thrown down the gauntlet in the cloud storage market by reducing the prices of its own platform. The drops are significant too.  Read More
Virgin Media has announced a multi-platform cloud storage service
There's a new player in the already crowded cloud storage market. UK-telecoms provider Virgin Media has announced the launch of Virgin Media Cloud. The platform promises a, "safe and easy way to sync store and share your files."  Read More
Gizmag reviews the Surface Pro 2,
With the first Surface Pro, Microsoft laid out its vision of the future: one mobile device with the guts of a laptop that can replace your tablet, laptop, and maybe even desktop. Unfortunately that first model also brought along some sketchy battery life. But what happens when you improve on that by 75 percent? You have the Surface Pro 2, a much less compromised hybrid PC.  Read More
The Web was born 25 years ago, on March 12, 1989 (Image: picture man/Wikipedia)
On March 12, 1989 Tim Berners-Lee, while working as a contractor at the CERN laboratories in Switzerland, submitted Information Management: A Proposal, which sparked the greatest advance in information technology since Gutenberg invented the printing press. At the time, it was just a way for CERN scientists to share data, but a quarter of a century later, it’s grown from a curiosity into a necessity without which our world can no longer function.  Read More
The new notebook GPUs provide a significant performance boost over their predecessors
NVIDIA has announced an update to its entire range of laptop graphics solutions. Known as the GeForce 800M line, the new GPUs provide a significant performance boost over the 700M series cards, and offer a range of new, built-in functionality.  Read More
The Little Big Disk Thunderbolt 2 from LaCie
LaCie, which is now part of the Seagate house, has released a new version of its Little Big Disk storage unit that's claimed fast enough to enable simultaneous plug-and-play RAW 4K video editing and display. The device boasts a terabyte of onboard storage, two Thunderbolt 2 ports, and near silent dual cooling performance.  Read More
IBM has put Watson, its cognitive computing system, in control of the menu at a food truck...
IBM's Watson supercomputer has been rather busy in recent years. When not triumphing over us inferior humans on Jeopardy, it has been trying its hand at customer service and offering its expertise in clinical diagnosis. The kitchen, however, has been one domain where our mastery has so far gone unmatched. Well, until now that is. IBM has put its cognitive computing system in control of the menu at a food truck feeding attendees at this week's SXSW festival and the appointment has resulted in some particularly imaginative dishes.  Read More
Facebook Messenger for desktop has been discontinued, but users can still connect to Faceb...
Facebook has discontinued support for its Messenger for Windows Desktop client for Facebook Chat. The move follows an abrupt announcement last week and will mean that Facebook no longer offers a desktop instant messaging client of its own. Users can, however, still use third-party applications to connect to Facebook chat from their desktops. Gizmag takes a look at a selection of instant messaging options that can be used to connect to Facebook Chat from the desktop, some of which are recommended by Facebook itself.  Read More

Eterni.me will create a virtual version of users that their loved ones can interact with w...
A new service promises to create virtual versions of its users that their loved ones can interact when they have died. Eterni.me plans to collect as much data as possible about its users on which to base computer-generated avatars. The company says the experience will be, "like a Skype chat from the past."  Read More
The Soap router features a touchscreen for easy configuration
Generally, when a new router comes along, the main featured touted by the creators is how fast it is. Soap is a little different, instead focusing on its touchscreen interface for ease of use and configuration.  Read More
Microsoft SkyDrive has recently been relaunched as OneDrive
Following Microsoft's recent relaunch of SkyDrive as OneDrive, there is a little more parity and competition at the top of the cloud storage market. How do the options stack up against each other though? This article provides a comparison of the main players – Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Apple iCloud and Amazon Cloud Drive.  Read More
The Wi-Fi virus could reportedly spread as quickly as an airborne biological virus (Image:...
We all know to look out for viruses that can be spread over the internet, or by sharing files between computers. Now, however, scientists at the University of Liverpool have shown for the first time that special viruses could move between wireless access points using existing Wi-Fi networks – as efficiently as the common cold virus spreads between people through the air.  Read More
South Korea is reportedly looking into crippling North Korea's nuclear program, using a St...
According to a report from Yonhap News Agency, South Korea has announced its intention to create a sophisticated cyberwarfare virus designed to undermine North Korea's advancing nuclear program. The Ministry of Defense in putting forward its proposal to the South Korean Parliamentary Defense Committee, stated that it would attempt to design the cyber weapon on the Stuxnet model.  Read More
Microsoft has launched Office Online, a free, online version of its Office productivity su...
Microsoft has launched Office Online, a free, online version of its Office productivity suite. It's not surprising that it has been launched, as Microsoft continues to hone its cloud and unification vision. What is surprising for many people is finding out that Microsoft already had a free online version of Office available.  Read More
 
LaCie's 5big Thunderbolt Series, 2big Thunderbolt Series and d2 Thunderbolt Series externa...
Digital movies, music and multi-megapixel photos have an annoying way of eating into your once ample external storage. LaCie has responded to such storage woes by upping the top end of its d2 Thunderbolt Series single hard disk drive systems to 5 TB at 7200 RPM, and its 2big and 5big Thunderbolt RAID units to 10 and 25 TB respectively.  Read More
LG's UltraWide UM95 packs a QHD (3440 x 1440) resolution
There were a few things that I saw last month at CES 2014 in Las Vegas that didn't really register in my head as big innovations until I got back home. Chief among them is a 34-inch flat-screen 3440 x 1440 HD monitor from LG that most show attendees just wandered right past without giving a second glance. Weeks later I increasingly covet that monitor, better known as the UltraWide UM95.  Read More
Windows 8.1 Update 1 will be released in a couple of months and here's what you can expect
Whether you love it or hate it, Windows 8 keeps moving forward. Windows 8.1 added a lot of features and interface improvements to the first iteration. Now another improvement is coming, which Microsoft is calling Windows 8.1 Update 1. It's like a service pack that improves security and stability under the hood. But what's most notable is how it makes the Start screen and modern interface easier to use with keyboard and mouse on traditional computers.  Read More
While the two devices when paired together allow extra functionality, they can also be use...
For those who play video games, a fraction of a second, say, the time it takes to move your hand from keyboard to mouse, can be enough to lose a soldier, building or entire army. For this reason keyboard shortcuts have become an important weapon in the gamer's arsenal, but what if our commands could be streamlined even further? With this objective in mind, a US-based engineer and founder of Solid Art Labs Eric Charlton has designed the King's Assembly, an input device which allows control over a keyboard, mouse and joystick simultaneously.  Read More

Keepod is a portable OS
Mathare is 500,000-resident slum in Nairobi Kenya, where basic sanitation is non-existent, there’s no adequate water supply and no school system, except for so-called street schools that try to fill that gap. Only 10 percent of local youth will reach college education. Most of the locals are part of the five billion people in the world who are digitally excluded. Now, a new UK-based initiative called Keepod Unite aims to reduce the digital gap in Mathare by providing an OS that can be loaded onto a USB drive and plugged into just about any shared PC.  Read More
Colossus was the world's first programmable digital electronic computer and gave the Allie...
Sometimes the most important victories in a war don’t occur on battlefields and don’t involve weaponry. On Wednesday, a very unusual group of veterans gathered at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire to commemorate an event that shortened the Second World War and saved countless lives. They were the men and women who built Colossus, the world's first programmable electronic digital computer, and they and their families were at the National Museum of Computing for a re-enactment of the day the famous machine began its code-breaking operations against the Axis forces.  Read More
The distance at which the fob will work is adjustable, meaning it can be set to unlock the...
For some office workers the task of locking and unlocking their computer is a regular part of the job, while for others it's frequency is dictated by the extent of their caffeine addiction. Looking to automate this process is the team behind the GateKeeper Chain, a key fob with a built-in proximity sensor which automatically locks your PC when you walk away and then unlocks it when you return to your desk.  Read More
The Asus Chromebox is due for release in March 2014
The last of the Haswell-based Chrome OS machines announced by Google last September has now been revealed. Where Acer, HP and Toshiba all opted to release notebooks built around Intel's 4th generation microarchitecture, Asus has its sights on the classroom, home office or living room with the launch of its compact-yet-powerful Chromebox desktop computer.  Read More
The CODE keyboard comes in both an 87 and 104-Key version
Despite the advent of touch screens, speech recognition and eye-tracking, the keyboard still reigns supreme as the input device of choice for many of us. Somebody who places a lot of value on this intermediary is programmer and prominent blogger Jeff Atwood who, disillusioned with the range of mechanical keyboards on the market, set to work in producing the CODE Keyboard.  Read More
FixMeStick is a first plug-in device designed to remove hard-to-detect malware from Apple ...
Back in 2012, Montreal-based entrepreneurs Marty Algire and Corey Velan released a product known as the FixMeStick. It's a bootable USB device that detects and eliminates viruses in PCs ... and now a Mac version is in the pipe.  Read More
Tango promises to be one of the most portable PC solutions on the market
It seems like every single PC builder is looking to make a device that works in the living room. Even PC gaming giant Valve is trying with the introduction of its Steam Machines. A new entry is coming to the market called Tango, and as far as size goes, this thing is positively tiny.  Read More
Gizmag met up with Tobii at CES 2014 to see first-hand how the company's eye-tracking tech...
We've been following the development of Tobii's impressive eye-tracking technology for several years now, but it looks like consumers may actually get a chance to try it out for themselves in the not too distant future. Thanks to a partnership with SteelSeries, an eye tracker specifically for gamers is set to hit the market later this year, but that still leaves the question of what the technology can actually bring to video games. Fortunately, we were able to catch up with Tobii CEO Henrik Eskilsson on the CES show floor and try it out for ourselves.  Read More
Eyelock's myris iris-scanning identity authentication device
myris is a new iris-scanning identity authentication device that promises to improve online security for its users and eliminate the need to remember the myriad of different passwords required for our different digital accounts.  Read More
The Evolution-Constructed Features algorithm can identify and learn new objects without hu...
Scientists at Brigham Young University have developed an algorithm that can accurately identify objects in images or videos and can learn to recognize new objects on its own. Although other object recognition systems exist, the Evolution-Constructed Features algorithm is notable in that it decides for itself what features of an object are significant for identifying the object and is able to learn new objects without human intervention.  Read More

The xPC modular computer fits in your pocket and can convert to a laptop, tablet, desktop ...
Different computing tasks can prompt us to open our laptops or reach for the tablet, while there are some that leave us somewhere in between. But what if you had a pocket-size device that could turn its hat to all of them? ICE Computer has been developing its xPC modular computer with this flexibility in mind. With the device's ability to transform into a laptop, tablet, desktop PC and gaming device, ICE believes it may have zeroed in on a one-size-fits-all solution.  Read More
The Transformer Book Duet is a large tablet with a  docking station that adds a 1 TB hard ...
Perhaps the hottest item of many on display at Intel's huge booth at CES 2014 was a relatively non-descript convertible laptop from Asus. The unique selling point for this touchscreen system, dubbed the Transformer Book Duet, is that it not only runs Windows 8.1 but can also switch over to an Android 4.2.2 mode with just a few clicks or taps.  Read More
Aura connects to an Android phone via NFC
Lenovo strongly believes that table PCs deserve a place in our lives, and the company thinks we can't do any better than its new 27-inch Horizon 2 touchscreen, which I had the opportunity to try out at CES 2014 in Las Vegas.  Read More
Razer's Project Christine
US gaming hardware company Razer has chosen CES 2014 to unveil plans for what it calls "the world's most modular gaming system." Dubbed Project Christine, the desktop gaming PC promises to unlock the upgradability and performance of a high-end gaming PC, to the non-geeks among us.  Read More
The TA272HUL Android All-in-One computer from Acer
Acer is cementing its support for Google's operating environment with the release of two new All-in-One (AIO) desktop computers. Rather than extend its line of devices built around Chrome though, and go toe-to-toe with LG's Chromebase perhaps, the new arrivals both bring the mobile OS experience to the desktop with Android Jelly Bean running the show. The TA272HUL features a high resolution WQHD touchscreen display for crisp onscreen action, while the DA223 HQL packs its own battery for portability.  Read More
The ThinkVision 28 has a 4K display and Android 4.3
Lenovo appears interested in making a splash early this year, with the recent announcement of a new LTE smartphone and now this pair of displays – the ThinkVision Pro2840m, a high-end 28-inch pro monitor, and the ThinkVision 28, which Lenovo calls a "smarter display" that doubles as an Android-powered entertainment center.  Read More
The LaCie Sphère hard drive is the result of a collaboration with Christofle
Following on from its collaborations with designer Neil Poulton on its Rugged Hard Disk and Phillippe Starck for its Blade Runner disk, LaCie has looked to France-based manufacturer of fine silverware, Christofle, to add a touch of class to its latest hard drive offering, the LaCie Sphère  Read More
The Ultra PC weighs in at 980 g (2.2 lb) and measures 13.6 mm (0.53 in) at its thickest po...
LG continues to attempt to beat the usual avalanche of announcements at CES by getting in early. After recently announcing a 105-in curved UHD TV and some UltraWide monitors, the company has revealed it will also have a new Ultra PC laptop, a couple of second-generation Tab-Book2 hybrid devices, and a new 27-in all-in-one (AIO) PC at next week's show.  Read More
New MRAM technology could revolutionize data storage in electronic devices (Image: Shutter...
Back in 2005, Professor of Physics Johan Ã…kerman touted magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) as a promising candidate for a "universal memory" that could replace the various types of memory commonly found alongside each other in modern electronic devices. A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has now developed a new type of MRAM that could see Ã…kerman's vision become a reality.  Read More
Gizmag runs down the highlights of Apple's very tail-heavy 2013 (original images: Shutters...
Apple's 2013 was, as the old song goes, a very good year. But it was also an unusual year, as CEO Tim Cook saved all of his product announcements for the last seven months, with most of them lumped right before the holidays. Join Gizmag, as we take a look back at the tail-heavy year that was for Apple.  Read More

Toshiba's 13.3-inch Chromebook
Following Google's announcement last September, Toshiba's Digital Products Division has now confirmed that the company is joining the Haswell Chromebook party with a model of its very own. The Toshiba Chromebook is the first to feature a 13-inch HD display, offers dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity and promises day-long battery life.  Read More
Gizmag's pick of the best laptops of 2013
As I type this round-up of top laptops on my own Windows portable desktop replacement, I can't help thinking that maybe it's time for an upgrade. It seems like only yesterday that dual-core processors, 500 GB hard drives, a couple of hours of portable use and screen resolutions of 1366 x 768 were at the very tip of every salesperson's tongue. But these days such machines would probably have a hard time attracting flies. 2013 has been a year of high performance, low power processors, long battery life, and stunning displays. Read on for a selection of top performers that have caused Gizmag's heart to skip a beat or two.  Read More
The GT60 gaming laptop from MSI has a 15.6-inch, 2880 x 1620 resolution, anti-reflective d...
After making a quick show and tell at Computex back in June, MSI has now released what's claimed to be the world's first 3K gaming laptop. The 15.6-inch GT60 features a 4th generation Core i7 processor, GeForce graphics, combined SSD/HDD storage and customizable color backlighting for the keyboard for after hours gaming.  Read More
Acer has announced its first touchscreen Chromebook, the C720P
Acer has followed last month's release of its C720 Chromebook with the launch of its first touchscreen variant. In addition to supporting up to 10 simultaneous touch points, the C720P is claimed to boot up from cold in just 7 seconds, has twice the built-in storage of its slightly older cousin and comes with 100 GB of Google Drive storage for two years.  Read More
La Fonction No.1 is a briefcase which transforms into a miniature mobile cubicle
While smartphones, tablets, and ultra-portable laptops have made it possible to work anywhere and everywhere, some privacy has been lost in the process. La Fonction No.1, a briefcase which transforms into a miniature mobile cubicle, is one attempt to bring an element of privacy back to the new work-on-the-go ethic.  Read More
Acer joins the Haswell party with the launch of the C720 Chromebook
When Google announced a new batch of Haswell-based Chromebooks at last month's Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco, HP was first off the mark with its Chromebook14. This was followed by the colorful Chromebook11 a few days ago, and now Acer has joined the Haswell party with the launch of its third generation Chromebook. The thin and light C720 promises faster performance and longer battery life than previous models and sports a daylight-friendly anti-glare screen.  Read More
Three new Chromebooks and a Chromebox have been announced by Google at IDF13
During last week's Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco, Google previewed a batch of upcoming Chrome devices based around Intel's 4th-generation Core i processors. As well as revealing new Chromebook models from existing partners Acer and HP, the Mountain View-based multinational also announced two new sign-ups to its cloud-based operating environment in the shape of Toshiba and Asus.  Read More
The ThinkPad T440s Ultrabook is among a number of new business Ultrabooks announced by Len...
Lenovo has taken the wraps off some new Windows 8 business class Ultrabooks ahead of an IFA 2013 debut. Though all of the new additions take advantage of the performance improvements and energy efficiency offered by Intel's Haswell processors, the new T and X Series models also feature something called Power Bridge technology that allows users to swap out the second battery without having to power down first. Lighter and thinner than previous ThinkPads, the new laptops all feature a large trackpad to support Windows 8 gesture controls, and come in both touch-enabled and non-touch display panel flavors.  Read More
The SOL is a Ubuntu laptop equipped with a detachable solar panel, which the developers cl...
In the Western world, we tend to take for granted some pretty basic amenities, like reliable electricity. For people living in those corners of the globe where electricity can be scarce, WeWi Telecommunications, Inc. has developed the SOL, a rugged laptop that doesn't rely on a power socket to stay charged. The Ubuntu Linux-powered computer is instead equipped with a detachable solar panel, which the developers claim will provide up to 10 hours of battery life after just two hours in the sun.  Read More
The MSI GS70 gaming laptop is staking a claim at the top end of the laptop market
When it comes to gaming laptops, the era of two-inch-thick, weighty monstrosities is truly over. Systems such as Razer's Blade and Blade Pro have carved out a decidedly more pleasing form-factor for the category, and with the GS70, MSI is ready to stake its claim at the top of the market. The new system is particularly thin for its category and packs some high-end hardware within its svelte body.  Read More
 
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