SoundCloud Unveils Next; Revamped Web App

post from Ubergizmo on 10 May 2012 10:00:29 AM. © Ubergizmo

stream

The folks that brought SoundCloud, the popular audio-sharing platform have today, unveiled a completely redesigned web-based application. The new application will start off in private beta with the developers already sending out ten thousand invites today alone. The application which is called ?Next? has been launched ?uncomfortably early? according to Alexander Ljung, chief officer at SoundCloud. He explains that in order to complete the app and make it official, the developers want feedback from the community. He deems it necessary in order to get the application into ?fighting shape? and ready for its next step, which is a public beta in a few months.
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By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Zelda: The Musical, Shazam has become American Idolized with Live Episode Tagging,

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/05/soundcloud-unveils-next/

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NEC unveils 13.3 LaVie Z ultrabook

post from Ubergizmo on 10 May 2012 09:42:59 AM. © Ubergizmo

In an industry where ultrabooks are starting to gain momentum in mainstream adoption, we guess we?re not surprised to learn that NEC has outed a new ultrabook of their owned. Dubbed the LaVie Z, this is an ultrabook by NEC that has gone with the use of magnesium alloy over the preferred aluminum material. We?re not sure how much more sturdy it will be compared to its aluminum counterparts, but if you?re in the market for a light and thin ultrabook, NEC claims that magnesium alloy is 50% lighter than aluminum, making the LaVie Z a truly portable solution. So what sort of specs are we looking at here? Unfortunately NEC has deigned to offer up all the details of the device but what we do know is that it will feature a 13.3? display, weighs 999g and is expected to be made available in Japanese markets this summer. We expect more details of the LaVie Z to surface at a later date so be sure to check back with us then for more info.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: NEC touch panel has directional force feedback, NEC VersaPro VZ Windows 7 tablet,

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/05/nec-unveils-13-3-lavie-z-ultrabook/

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ArenaNet to hold Guild Wars 2 beta stress test on
14th May

post from Ubergizmo on 10 May 2012 09:42:03 AM. © Ubergizmo

If you?ve got no plans for the 14th of May and it so happens that you pre-purchase Guild Wars 2, well you?re in for a little treat. ArenaNet has announced via its Facebook page that come 14th of May, they will be conducting a stress test on the Guild Wars 2 servers that will start at 11AM PDT and ends at 6PM PDT. Granted it?s kind of a small window of opportunity, but we?re sure that fans of the game will no doubt want to get in as much game time as possible. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: ArenaNet details Guild Wars 2 Collector's Edition in new video, Guild Wars 2 pre-purchase details, Collector's Edition and minimum system requirements revealed,

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/05/arenanet-to-hold-guild-wars-2-beta-stress-test-o
n-14th-may/

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Analyst predicts Grand Theft Auto 5 will see an
October launch

post from Ubergizmo on 10 May 2012 09:40:49 AM. © Ubergizmo

Rockstar?s upcoming Grand Theft Auto 5?s release date is still pretty much a mystery to all. Analysts have suggested a possible launch at E3 due to the number of people they can reach, and now thanks to an analyst report by Wedbush Securities, it has been suggested that Grand Theft Auto 5 will see a release date in October 2012. How did they arrive on the October date? Well you might recall that BioShock Infinite has had its release date pushed to 2013 and supposedly that is the date ?preferred? by Rockstar to launch Grand Theft Auto 5.

“We believe that October is the preferred release month for GTA V?s developer, Rockstar Games, as the studio has scheduled every prior GTA release during that month (with GTA IV delayed to April 2008, due to bugs in the PS3 version).?

While it does seem to be in line with Rockstar releasing Grand Theft Auto games around those time frames, will these analyst predictions come true? We guess we will have to wait and see, but what do you guys think? Admittedly this is probably the most logical Grand Theft Auto 5 rumor/prediction we?ve come across to date.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Grand Theft Auto V Confirmed by Gilbert Gottfried, But For What Consoles?, Max Payne 3 multiplayer DLCs get detailed,

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/05/analyst-predicts-grand-theft-auto-5-will-see-an-
october-launch/

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Dell XPS 13 Review

post from Ubergizmo on 10 May 2012 09:00:26 AM. © Ubergizmo

With the introduction of the Dell XPS 13, Dell manages to come up with an impressive, extremely compact 13? laptop that is just slightly bigger than the Macbook Air 11. Sold at around the same price than the latter, it clearly outperforms its Apple counterpart in terms of specification and would-be ?switchers? may want to look twice at the value proposition of this laptop.

For those who are worried that such a compact laptop isn?t powerful enough, take a good look at the benchmarks, and the Core i7 option that Dell offers. That said, the XPS 13 faces tough competition as Netbooks from many other vendors are hitting the market, and the competition is just becoming intense. In this review, we will go over the strengths and weaknesses of the Dell XPS 13 to show you how it feels to use one in the real world. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Dell to unveil 14" ultrabook at CES?, Dell to unveil new Ultrabooks at CES 2012?,

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/05/dell-xps-13-review/

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Google developing a Game Center for Android
[Rumor]

post from Ubergizmo on 10 May 2012 08:57:36 AM. © Ubergizmo

Apple?s iOS devices have access to Game Center, a native app for iOS users that consolidates all the gaming apps and leaderboards together rather neatly and shows iOS users what their friends are playing along with their high scores and achievements. But what about Google? Surprisingly there has been nothing from the Android developer so far but assuming the rumors (via Business Insider) are to be believed, it has been reported that Google is looking to create a Game Center of their own.

Similar to Apple?s Game Center, Google?s version will feature an achievement system, leaderboards along with a friend finder. Given that Google has a social network on their own in the form of Google+, we wouldn?t be surprised if Google+ integration finds its way into the social gaming hub. After all, tying products and services together is one of Google?s trademark moves. No word on a name just yet but we?ll be keeping our eyes and ears peeled – until then we suggest taking this with a grain of salt.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Google+ for iPhone app redesigned, Google Maps 6.7 for Android updated, has Google Offers and indoor walking directions ,

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/05/google-developing-a-game-center-for-android-rumo
r/

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Apple reportedly offered Proview $16 million in
settlement over iPad trademark dispute

post from Ubergizmo on 10 May 2012 08:56:43 AM. © Ubergizmo

We know that Apple is currently in settlement talks with Chinese company Proview over the alleged trademark infringement dispute. According to Proview?s lawyer, Apple had supposedly made an offer to the company for an undisclosed sum of money, but it seems that it was too low for Proview?s liking. So just how much are we talking about here? According to a report by Chinese publication Sina, Apple is rumored to have offered Proview $16 million to settle the issue once and for all. However Proview rejected that offer and claimed that it was too low.

Apparently Proview is about $63 million in debt with several Chinese banks so we can understand why they would think that the $16 million offer is too low. Will Apple eventually cave and offer Proview the full $63 million to get them out of debt, or do you think they?ll meet halfway? Either way we?re sure that Proview?s creditors will probably just end up taking whatever they can get.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Chinese official does not agree that Apple owns the iPad trademark, Apple in talks with Proview to settle trademark dispute,

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ettlement-over-ipad-trademark-dispute/

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Could Rovios next game be a Caseys Contraptions
remake

Congratulations to Rovio on reaching a full one billion Angry Birds downloads, but apart from Angry Birds, what else does the Finnish company have up their sleeves? It has been reported that Rovio is looking to expand beyond its famed Angry Birds franchise, but what exactly are we looking at here? Now if you?ve seen the thank you/teaser video that Rovio released in conjunction with its one billion Angry Birds downloads, you might have noticed at the end there is a cartoon drawing of a blonde kid. This led to many speculating that the kid could be a hint to Rovio?s next game.

The folks at 148apps have done some digging and as it turns out, the kid from the Rovio video is none other than Casey from Casey?s Contraptions, albeit drawn in a slightly different styling. They reached out to its developer, Noel Llopis, who tweeted, ?Before rumors start flying, Rovio is a perfect gentleman. Not a Zynga at all. Don?t worry, all is well.? Could this be what Rovio was referring to when they said they were making a non-Angry Birds title? Or could this just be another developer that Rovio acquired? We guess we will have to wait and see! Until then, who?s excited about a possible Rovio remake of Casey?s Contraptions?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Angry Birds achieve 1 billion downloads, Nokia Announces New App Partnerships at CTIA Wireless,

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/05/could-rovios-next-game-be-a-caseys-contraptions-
remake/

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Gamelofts N.O.V.A. 3 arrives on iTunes for $6.99

Heads up iOS gamers, remember Gameloft announced that N.O.V.A. 3 would be arriving on iOS devices soon? Well the good news is that if you?re in the mood for a first-person shooter, the game has officially arrived and will set you back $6.99 and is available for purchase via the iTunes App Store. Granted it is a bit more expensive than your regular apps but based on the reviews we?ve seen so far, many are saying that it will be worth your $6.99. Taken from the iTunes App Store, here is what Gameloft is promising gamers: (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Dungeon Hunter 3: Official trailer released, Sony Ericsson introduces the Xperia Play Experience Pack,

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http://www.ubergizmo.com/2012/05/gamelofts-n-o-v-a-3-arrives-on-itunes-for-6-99/

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LG Optimus LTE2 has its photos leaked online

On the same day the Samsung announced the Galaxy S3, their Korean competitor LG took the wraps off their new device, the LG Optimus LTE2. Thanks to Kuccblog, additional details of the device has been leaked along with several photos. For starters we have to agree with the general consensus that the LTE2 does remind us of the Galaxy S2, although that?s not to say that it?s a bad thing since the Galaxy S2 did feature a pretty nice design. On top of that, the website also revealed that the processor powering the Android handset will be Qualcomm?s Snapdragon S4 dual-core processor along with a 4.7? True HD IPS display. Other features of the phone include (in case you missed our coverage) 2GB of RAM, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich with LG?s very own UI on top, a 2,150mAh and it will come with a wireless charger of their own which is one of the Galaxy S3?s official accessories. Kuccblog also revealed several features of the camera which includes the ability to snap HDR photos, anti-shake functionality and voice activated commands. Pop on over to Kuccblog for the rest of the photos.