Archive - 2014

Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom Now Opening in June

2014/05/15

JACKSON, NJ – May 15, 2014 – Thrill-seekers eagerly anticipating the opening of this year’s most extreme new ride, Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom, will have to wait a few more weeks thanks to Mother Nature.

Zumanjaro was originally slated for a Memorial Day weekend opening, but the combination of high wind, snow and cold challenged construction at the top of the world’s tallest and fastest drop ride.

“We battled through one of the harshest winters in history and high wind challenged the construction crew atop Zumanjaro’s massive towers this Spring,” said Six Flags Great Adventure President John Fitzgerald. “Our teams have done an incredible job staying very close to schedule despite Mother Nature’s wrath. It is even more amazing considering the dizzying heights of this project.”

Fitzgerald expects to announce an early June opening date for Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom in the coming weeks.

Connected to the iconic Kingda Ka roller coaster—the 45-story monster that ranks as the world’s tallest and fastest coaster—Zumanjaro will hoist riders 41 stories into the sky and rocket them back to Earth at speeds up to 90 miles per hour.

Three soaring Zumanjaro towers have been built on the face of the massive Kingda Ka coaster. Each drop tower features a gondola with eight riders. The gondolas rise to the top of the tower in approximately 30 seconds. Riders pause for a few terrifying moments, 415 feet in the air—even higher than London’s Big Ben and twice as high as the Statue of Liberty—allowing them to catch a glimpse of the skyscrapers in Philadelphia 52 miles to the south before gravity plunges them back to ground level in less than 10 seconds.

Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari is currently open weekends for the 2014 season, and will begin daily operation May 22. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com/greatadventure.

Shieldmaiden Comes to War of the Vikings

2014/05/15

Jerry Paxton

News, Screenshots / Photos, Windows PC News

STOCKHOLM — May 14, 2014 — Paradox Interactive today announced the addition of female characters to War of the Vikings, the close quarter combat game developed by Fatshark. The “Shieldmaiden” mini-expansion adds the highly anticipated option to play as female combatants in a new pre-defined class for both the Viking and Saxon factions, with designs inspired by history and real-world accounts of brave warrior women, and comes at no cost to all players. This update launches alongside a new DLC package that adds a wealth of customization options to the new female warriors – absurd and nonsensical ‘boob armor’ not included. Owners of the of the Blood Eagle and Valhalla editions of the game will have this customization DLC already included, base game owners can purchase the customization DLC for $4.99.

The Shieldmaiden mini-expansion for War of the Vikings also gives all players access to new maps, new weapons, and the ability to use a female face for all existing classes.

“Out of all of the research and study that went into designing War of the Vikings, the history surrounding shieldmaidens was some of the most fascinating and controversial,” said Gordon Van Dyke, Executive Producer for Paradox’s War series. “Our design reflects the preparations that any warrior, male or female, would have made for battle: practical protection, not sexualized fantasy. We’ve saved the physics for the combat, where it belongs.”

Developed by Fatshark, War of The Vikings brings the next generation of close-quarter combat games to Viking Age England, allowing players to conquest across the British shores as fierce Vikings – or defend them as stalwart Saxons. With skill-based combat, authentic historical weaponry and environments, and a variety of game modes, War of the Vikings will test players’ mettle and determine who is worthy of entry to Valhalla.

War of the Vikings is available now: http://warofthevikings.com/buy

Screenshots

ScareLA Returning to Los Angeles this August

2014/05/14

Jerry Paxton

Geek News, Halloween, News

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — May 2, 2014 — ScareLA, the first-ever Southern California Halloween convention, announced today it will return to downtown Los Angeles on August 9 and 10, 2014 at The Reef (formerly LA Mart). The event celebrates the West Coast’s Halloween, haunt, and horror fans with exclusive presentations, hands-on education, onsite attractions and a show floor designed to inspire and promote play. Limited-time presale tickets are now available for purchase at www.scarela.com.

The convention’s 2014 program will feature previews and behind-the-scenes looks at the most anticipated Halloween events in the region. Participants include: Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, Knott’s Halloween Haunt, Los Angeles Haunted Hayride, The Great Horror Campout, The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor and over 30 other top local scare attractions.

“If you are in the Halloween industry, ScareLA is a must. It’s the only convention of its kind that allows us to touch our fans, interact with our colleagues and expand our networks in this market. And it’s a ton of fun,” shares Melissa Carbone, owner of Ten Thirty One Productions.

Opening its doors for the first time in 2013, ScareLA attracted nearly 4,000 passionate Halloween fans, professionals and members of the media. The excitement the event generated carried well into the fall resulting in new collaborations, boosted attraction attendance and an invigorated scare entertainment community.

“ScareLA shines a spotlight on everything that makes Los Angeles and the Southwest the ultimate Halloween destinations in America – from premier theme parks, a passionate indie haunter community, to the proximity of Hollywood, the home of horror,” shares David Markland, who co-produces the event with Lora Ivanova. Ivanova adds, “The West Coast is brimming with talent and haunting history just waiting to be discovered. Are you curious about hidden urban haunts? Want to get a head start on your Halloween costume? Interested in creating your own attraction or going pro? Get your scary inspiration at ScareLA!”

ScareLA sets itself apart from other conventions by engaging attendees with interactive and educational experiences at every turn. Guests have the unique opportunity to meet and learn from the nation’s best professionals and artists with a full lineup of hands-on workshops, demonstrations and classes. From make-up to costumes, pumpkin carving to Halloween party tips, fans of all ages will get the chance to roll up their sleeves and play.

This year’s ScareLA will also feature an unprecedented lineup of interactive experiences and a show floor full of unique Halloween merchandise.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.scarela.com. Share, inspire, play – ScareLA.

GamesterGear Announces Falcon Series of Gaming Headsets

2014/05/14

Jerry Paxton

News, Tech News

CHINO, Calif., May 14, 2014 — SYBA USA Inc. and its’ GamesterGear brand of immersive gaming headsets is pleased to announce the new Falcon series will be unveiled at E3 2014. The Falcon series is the newest addition to GamesterGear’s popular gaming headsets supporting the current generations of PC and console gaming including PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. Visit GamesterGear during E3 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, South Hall booth #3047 from June 10th – 12th.

“Our passion is to create cutting-edge, comfortable headsets for users to fully experience the immersive sounds of gameplay as well as the visuals. Our huge 57mm and 30mm dual drivers combined with our Bass Quake technology, let’s you feel the sound of the game,” said Jeffrey Teo, vice president of Gamester Gear.

The Versatile Falcon Series
The new headsets deliver a choice of wired, Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless models. Each comes equipped with a large 57mm driver and a second 30mm driver in each ear cup for the ultimate experience in immersive full spectrum sound encompassing crisp, clear highs, a smooth mid-range, and a deep bass.

Users can adjust audio levels on the headset without having to find the inline controls on the cord. The Falcon headset’s enclosed microphone (enclosed mic included on both Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless models) offers crystal-clear voice pick up that lets users move from in-game team conversations, to making or receiving phone calls. The Falcon is great for gaming, but also brings a new dimension to movies and music by bringing explosive movie scenes and heavy bass lines to life. The headsets will be available at the end of the second quarter this year.

Falcon P4210
This sleek, wired, P4210 headset model is specifically designed for giving players a competitive edge in PS4 console gaming and mobile devices. It has a detachable mic, for on the go entertainment, and the built-in headset amplifier is powered by a built-in battery pack and recharges by micro USB.

Falcon BT210
Designed for compatibility, the B210 features convenient Bluetooth wireless connectivity to smartphones, laptops, tablets, and PCs. It includes a detachable wire, that can be used when the headset runs out of power and has a built in microphone for on the go gamers and travelers.

Falcon AV210
Lightweight, yet powerful, the AV210 is a 2.4 GHz USB powered wireless headset. The transmitter box can also act as a sound card on a PC.

What’s Bass Quake?
GamesterGear headset creates a forced-feedback within the headset causing players to feel the vibration and sense changes in the environment allowing for faster reactions
while gaming.

About SYBA USA Inc.

For over a decade, SYBA USA Inc. has been an innovative provider of IT and consumer electronic products such as I/O controllers, hard disk drive accessories, desktop sharing devices, networking adapters and cable products and services. Headquartered in Chino, California, SYBA sells its products through an extensive network of authorized retailers, distributors, resellers, system integrators, VARs, and ecommerce web sites. Products are sold under the SYBA, Oblanc, GamesterGear and Connectland brand names. For more information, please visitSYBAUSA or GamesterGear. Join the GamesterGear community on Facebook and Twitter.

CD PROJEKT RED Unveils New Company and The Witcher 3 Branding

2014/05/14

Jerry Paxton

Industry News, News, Windows PC News

MAY 14, 2014 — CD PROJEKT RED, the developer behind the critically acclaimed Witcher series of games, is excited to unveil a new image of both the studio and its leading title—The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and provides new details about the titular Wild Hunt.

Established in 2002, located in Warsaw (HQ) and Kraków, Poland, CD PROJEKT RED was born out of raw passion to video games. The studio’s founders—Michał Kiciński and Marcin Iwiński, both pioneers in video game distribution in Poland in the 90s, decided to employ their gaming industry experience in video game development. A lot of time has passed since 2002, and the studio’s logo remained mostly untouched. Until today.

The new REDbird logo is a combination of energy and passion for game-making the studio is known for. This is how Adam Badowski, CD PROJEKT RED’s Head of Studio, sees the change:

We are rebels and rebels are free. Just like birds. The Northern Cardinal, or REDbird, is what we see ourselves in the industry: intrepid, bold and confident; flying high and aiming even higher. The color, cardinal RED, is something that connects it with another bird, a mythological creature close to our cultural roots and heritage—the Rarog, a small firebird believed to bring luck to people. RED stands for energy, the inner fire that drives us; it represents something very close to everyone here in the studio—the creativity and passion we harness from within ourselves to make the best RPGs in the world.

Starting May 14th, the REDbird logo will become the new, official logo of CD PROJEKT RED—it will accompany all official assets and will form the core of the studio’s visual identification.

Along with the new studio logo, CD PROJEKT RED is thrilled to unveil the new logo of it’s most ambitious game—The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Putting the titular Wild Hunt in its center, the new logo casts the spotlight on the mask of one of its ominous leaders—general Eredin.

The Wild Hunt has always been thought to presage war, great plagues and death. Their origin unknown, these ghastly riders instilled fear in the hearts of men and are believed to be able to steal people’s spirits that would later join the cavalcade. They come at night, in the winter and their appearance is always preceded by the aurora borealis.

In The Witcher 3, the Wild Hunt are not mere bosses at the end of a corridor. They’re part of the lore, part of the system of folk beliefs, they’re both something that children say stories about to scare each other and an entity that can wipe out entire villages in one night. The Wild Hunt is essential to the whole Witcher universe and in The Witcher 3 it will finally take center stage.

The ones who command the Hunt remain a mystery even bigger than the Hunt itself. Their number and purpose are shrouded with mystery, their cold steel however is not—many have witnessed the Hunt’s atrocities, almost none survived to tell the tale.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a story-driven, next-generation open world role-playing game, set in a graphically stunning fantasy universe, full of meaningful choices and impactful consequences. In The Witcher 3, you play as Geralt of Rivia, one of a dying caste of monster hunters, and embark on an epic journey in a war-ravaged world that will inevitably lead you to confront a foe darker than anything humanity has faced so far—the Wild Hunt.

More information about the game and the Wild Hunt is planned to be released soon. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is scheduled for release on Xbox One, PlayStation®4 and PC in February, 2015.

AOC Unveils 24-inch Full HD IPS Display with ONKYO Sound

2014/05/14

Jerry Paxton

News, Tech News

Fremont, Calif. – May 14, 2014 – AOC, a worldwide leader in display technology, today announces the 24-inch Full HD IPS Display with ONKYO sound technology. With two 7W speakers onboard, the monitor is an ideal entertainment hub and has both VGA and HDMI inputs for easy connection to consoles, PCs and other electronic devices. The flicker-free LED backlit display offers 1920 x 1080 Full HD resolution, and the IPS panel ensures consistent color and brightness regardless of viewing angle. The AOC 24-inch Full HD monitor (i2473Pwm) will be available for $249 MSRP at Amazon.com, and is backed by AOC’s three-year warranty as well as the EASE exchange program.

The AOC 24-inch Full HD IPS Display with ONKYO sound technology has a sleek body framed by an extremely narrow black hairline-textured bezel. The monitor offers a 5ms refresh rate, 250 cd/m² typical brightness, and 50M: 1 dynamic contrast-ratio for clear and crisp images. Connectivity includes VGA and HDMI to bring vivid colors, no matter what you are watching, along with MHL (mobile high-definition link), which allows you to connect mobile phones, tablets and other portable electronics devices for quick charging while also mirroring content to AOC’s 24-inch Full HD display. With the ability to connect to various devices such as PCs, gaming consoles, smartphones and DVD players, the Full HD 24-inch monitor allows you to enjoy gaming, videos, Web-surfing, images and more in Full HD.

The AOC i2473Pwm goes beyond the traditional Full HD IPS monitor design by including a pair of ONKYO-powered stereo 7-watt speakers in the base of the monitor. This provides higher quality audio than other monitor drivers, which are typically placed behind the screen, producing stifled, inferior sound. The AOC monitor’s built-in speakers pack enough sound to eliminate the need for additional desktop speakers, allowing you to free up more desk space for multiple monitor configurations.

i2473Pwm Key Features

Cabinet Color: Black with Hairline Texture in the front and matte in the back
Panel: TFT Active Matrix IPS LCD, LED Backlight
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Diagonal Viewable Area: 23.8″
Brightness: 250 cd/m² (typical)
Response Time: 5ms (typical)
Optimal Resolution: 1920x1080x60Hz
Color Depth: 16.7M
Inputs: 1 x VGA, 2 x HDMI (1X MHL)
Speaker: 7w x2 (ONKYO)
Adjustability Tilt: -5° to +20°
Mount: VESA 75mm x75mm Wall Mount Compliant
Special Features: AOC’s e-Saver, Screen+ and iMenu software

Cabinet Color: Black with Hairline Texture in the front and matte in the back
Panel: TFT Active Matrix IPS LCD, LED Backlight
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Diagonal Viewable Area: 23.8″
Brightness: 250 cd/m² (typical)
Response Time: 5ms (typical)
Optimal Resolution: 1920x1080x60Hz
Color Depth: 16.7M
Inputs: 1 x VGA, 2 x HDMI (1X MHL)
Speaker: 7w x2 (ONKYO)
Adjustability Tilt: -5° to +20°
Mount: VESA 75mm x75mm Wall Mount Compliant
Special Features: AOC’s e-Saver, Screen+ and iMenu software

Creative Launches the All-New Sound Blaster E Series

2014/05/14

Jerry Paxton

News, Tech News

Milpitas – 14 May 2014 – Creative Technology Ltd today launched an all-new series of small but powerful USB audio solutions for PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets – The Sound Blaster E Series. Consisting of the Sound Blaster E3 and the Sound Blaster E1, the Sound Blaster E Series builds upon the popularity of the Sound Blaster X-Fi Go!Pro. They utilize USB plug-and-play connectivity to provide PC, and now even Mac users, with access to a powerful USB audio experience through real-time advanced audio processing.

Top audio quality is ensured even on smartphones and tablets through the Sound Blaster E Series’ high SNR levels and 600 Ohm headphone amplifiers that supply more power than a standard headphone jack. The Sound Blaster E3 can also function as a high performance USB DAC for selected smartphones and tablets, and users can alternatively enjoy high quality wireless audio by pairing with smartphones and tablets via Bluetooth.

With their high SNR levels, high performance USB DAC and headphone amplification capabilities, the Sound Blaster E Series products are designed as end-to-end solutions that allow users to bring the best out of their audio and their headphones, even when they are on the go. In addition, the Sound Blaster E Series supports studio-grade headphones.

“Since the inception of Sound Blaster, we have provided the best audio quality for PC and Mac users. That being said, the mobile market has rapidly grown, creating opportunities for entertainment experiences on the move that only a few years ago were confined to the PC or living room. With the Sound Blaster E Series, we are not only able to enhance the PC audio experience, but have gone beyond it. These devices capitalize on our high-end audio expertise, and give smartphone and tablet users the opportunity to experience uncompressed audio quality while on the go,” said Long Chye Low, General Manager for Sound Blaster Audio at Creative.

Beyond their sound card and headphone amplification capabilities, the Sound Blaster E3 and E1 also feature dual headphone ports for music sharing. Furthermore, they feature high quality embedded microphones for voice recording and phone calls, virtually turning every headphone into a headset.

Sound Blaster E3

The all new Sound Blaster E Series is led by the Sound Blaster E3, a powerful USB DAC & Bluetooth Headphone Amplifier. When connected to PCs and Macs, users can utilize the downloadable Sound Blaster E Series Control Panel software to access the full suite of SBX Pro Studio audio enhancement technologies, giving users a powerful and fully customizable listening experience for movies, music and games.

Users can also utilize the Sound Blaster E3’s 600 Ohm headphone amplifier (600 Ohm amplification capabilities) for audio listening from smartphones and tablets. Additionally, the Sound Blaster E3 features Bluetooth connectivity, which allows the device to connect to smartphones and tablets wirelessly for up to 8 hours of wireless audio playback. The Sound Blaster E3 also functions as a portable USB DAC, so users can connect the Sound Blaster E3 to selected smartphones or tablets via USB for uncompressed digital audio streaming.

Intelligent Technological Highlights of the Sound Blaster E3

Functions as a powerful external sound card, providing PC and Mac users with the power of real-time Sound Blaster audio processing from a small package.
Utilizes a simple plug and play USB connection for PCs and Macs. This provides users with high-resolution digital audio while charging the device.
Features high quality audio with a 110dB SNR and a 600 Ohm headphone amplifier for a powerful and detailed listening experience.
Due to its small, ultra-portable size and internal lithium-ion battery, headphone amplification can also be enjoyed when used with smartphones and tablets while on the go.
Users can enjoy the freedom of Bluetooth wireless audio playback between the Sound Blaster E3 and smartphones, tablets, or mobile devices capable of Bluetooth output.
The Sound Blaster E3 functions as a portable USB DAC, so users can also connect the Sound Blaster E3 to selected smartphones or tablets via USB for uncompressed digital audio streaming.
Supports Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO) for low latency and high fidelity playback.
Gives up to 8 hours* of battery life when wireless Bluetooth is enabled. When used in analog mode, battery life lasts up to 17 hours*.
Features two headphone ports for convenient simultaneous stereo audio listening.
Features powerful voice recording and clear voice calls via the built-in microphone that virtually transforms every headphone into a headset. When connected to PC and Mac via USB, users can utilize CrystalVoice Technology for real-time voice enhancements.

Sound Blaster E1

The Sound Blaster E1 is a small but powerful wired USB HD Audio and Headphone Amplifier that increases the level of audio detail and resolution on PCs, Macs, smartphones and tablets. Like the Sound Blaster E3, it functions as an advanced external sound card for PCs and Macs, while providing smartphone and tablet users with powerful and detailed audio amplification.

Intelligent Technological Highlights of the Sound Blaster E1

Functions as a powerful external sound card, providing PC and Mac users with the power of real-time Sound Blaster audio processing from a small package.
Utilizes a simple plug and play USB connection for PCs and Macs.
Features high quality audio with a 106dB SNR and a 600 Ohm headphone amplifier for a powerful and detailed listening experience.
Due to its small size and internal lithium-ion battery, headphone amplification can also be enjoyed when used with smartphones and tablets while on the go.
Supports Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO) for low latency and high fidelity playback.
Gives up to 25 hours* of battery life.
Features two headphone ports for convenient simultaneous stereo audio listening.
Features powerful voice recording and clear voice calls via the built-in microphone. When connected to PC and Mac via USB, users can utilize CrystalVoice Technology for real-time voice enhancements.

* Actual battery life will vary with use and volume settings.

Pricing and Availability

The Creative Sound Blaster E3 and Sound Blaster E1 audio solutions will be available at the online store at us.creative.com at the following suggested retail prices:

Creative Sound Blaster E3 USD129 (Available from early July 2014 onwards)

Creative Sound Blaster E1 USD49 (Available now)

For in-store availability, please refer to local authorized dealers.

For more information about the Creative Sound Blaster E3 and Sound Blaster E1 audio solutions, please visit www.soundblaster.com.

Creative Sound Blaster E1 Portable Headphone Amplifier Review

2014/05/14

Jerry Paxton

News, Reviews, Tech News, Tech Review

Creative Labs has released its very portable Sound Blaster E1 Headphone Amplifier unit and we got to take it for a spin. The Sound Blaster E1 is a pass-through device from your audio source to your headphones by way of 3.5mm rubberized audio cables. The unit itself features a small, plastic body that even has a shirt or belt clip attached to it. Aside from its small size and the belt/shirt clip, you will also find a volume slider and power switch on one side of the unit. This side is basically the control panel. The front and back ends of the E1 are reserved for input and output. On one end, you have a 3.5mm input jack and a USB jack which aids in recharging the E1’s internal LiPo battery. A battery which, I might add, allows the listener about 25 hours of usage on one charge! On the other end of the unit, you will find two headphone jacks so that you can share the listening experience with another person. Creative Labs has even included a built-in microphone which allows you to take calls on the go or while driving (stay safe and hands-free people!). In terms of size, the whole E1 easily fits into the palm of your hand and has oodles of audio-enhancing capabilities.

Plugging in and turning on the Sound Blaster E1 gives you the following Creative Labs’ audio magic without having to do any tweaking:

SBX Pro Studio Advanced Audio Processing Application. Experience the cinematic difference that Sound Blaster technology brings to your PC or Mac
SBX Surround, an improved surround algorithm increases and expands the virtual surround spaciousness, allowing you to enjoy cinema-quality sound in the comfort of your home
SBX Crystallizer enhances the dynamic range of compressed audio sources to give you a more realistic and immersive experience
SBX Bass allows for much larger bass impact without overpowering speakers and SBX Smart Volume minimizes abrupt volume changes
Crystal Voice features innovative technologies that are specially designed to deliver the best vocal fidelity
600 Ohm headphone amplifier supports high performance headphones for a studio-grade listening experience
Built-in Lithium battery with up to 25 hours of audio playback and fully portable
Built-in mono microphone allows users to take calls when connected to smartphones and clear voice communications for games and Skype calls on PCs and Macs

What do all of those audio enhancing algorithms and technology mean? Instead of going into each, I thought it would be best just to explain the difference in sound quality in real-world usage. Sitting at a desk for most of the day, I go through a lot of music on my iPhone 5. iTunes is basically my lifeline, with my making several album purchases a week. I also listen to several podcasts as well a streaming radio stations. My morning often begins by streaming KLOS Los Angeles’ “Heidi and Frank” morning show. I began my testing with that as spoken word, no music formats are often a challenge for sound-boosting technologies. Unfortunately, it was not a resounding success in terms of enhancing my listening experience. They sounded pretty much the same with or without the Sound Blaster E1 working its mojo. I figured that would be a difficult test, so the next type of audio I wanted to hit was some good old fashioned power metal – Enter: Dragonforce! I should also note that for these tests, I wore a pair of V-Moda Crossfade M-100 headphones.

Without the Sound Blaster E1 plugged-in, I listened and enjoyed one of my favorite tracks from their Inhuman Rampage album, “Operation Ground and Pound”. It was, as always, awesome. Then I plugged in the Sound Blaster E1, set my iPhone’s volume level to 60%, and controlled the volume straight from the E1’s volume slider. The difference was incredible – Dragonforce bounced around my ear canals with increased clarity and intensity – two things which, most of the time, are mutually exclusive. I was blown away by how much better my iPhone’s music sounded thanks to this almost $50 dollar little box. I switched over to one of my favorite movies to watch on my iPhone, John Carpenter’s Big Trouble in Little China. Again, the difference with and without the E1’s audio processing is incredible. I can’t see NOT using this little wonder when I play my tunes or watch a movie from my phone or tablet.

You can even use the Sound Blaster E1 on your laptop or desktop computer system! I would still recommend a good sound card as a primary audio solution for your gaming machine but, if that’s not an option, you will be impressed with how the E1 takes your laptop or desktop’s audio to the next level. Overall, the Creative Labs Sound Blaster E1 portable headphone amplifier unit is a great little product that handily enhances the audio from your smartphone, tablet, or even laptop. Retailing for $49.99, the Sound Blaster E1 is also a very economical purchase – the benefits of which will be readily apparent when you start listening to your favorite albums or movies.

Amazon.com Product Link

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LifeLogger Unveils Hands-Free Video Recorder

2014/05/13

Jerry Paxton

News, Tech News

Palm Beach Gardens, FL (May 13, 2014) – LifeLogger, an innovative company committed to changing the way you remember your life, has introduced the world’s first head worn wearable camera meant to capture, share and make your life story digitally searchable and forever stowed. LifeLogger has developed the ultimate life logging system, equipped with a cloud solution and metadata processing software that will actively store your memories and make them available to you on the web, desktop and all your mobile devices.

“Imagine you could live stream your wedding proposal, your first roller coaster ride, the moment you hold your child for the first time,” says Stew Garner, CEO of LifeLogger. “LifeLogger gives you the photographic memory and details that you might forget or are too busy experiencing to capture otherwise.”

With LifeLogger, you can record up to eight hours of hands-free footage without the need to hold up a camera or phone. Equipped with GPS and Wi-Fi, LifeLogger can be easily controlled from your device or smartphone via the Android and iOS app. The LifeLogger app allows users to control their device, manage existing videos, sign in to your cloud account and either automatically upload your footage or choose to manually upload the videos and memories you wish to cherish. Battery and memory status is also visible via the LifeLogger app, as well as the option to turn live streaming on and off.

LifeLogger lets you live stream video to any desktop, tablet or smartphone as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection, making life’s moments instantly shareable the moment they happen. Along with live streaming video content, LifeLogger will also stream your GPS coordinates, compass data of the direction you’re heading, GYRO and voice.

“LifeLogger will change the way we look at cameras,” says CEO Stew Garner. “The world is moving in a direction of instant connectivity and constant sharing. As a result, we are constantly preoccupied with capturing the moment that we oftentimes are not even fully present. With LifeLogger, you can seize your moment and store it too.”

Users don’t need to plug in their LifeLogger to the computer through the included USB cable (although they can) to store all their content. LifeLogger will upload your memories automatically once connected to Wi-Fi, storing them to the cloud and filing them on a simple 3D timeline, organized by date. Once footage is uploaded to the metadata processing software, it undergoes an image stabilization process, enhancing the quality of every moment captured. Face detection, optimal character recognition, voice recognition and GPS positioning on a map are also scanned and stored using algorithms which give the user an unparalleled way to search and re-live their memories.

LifeLogger shoots video in the direction you are looking at, giving you a truly accurate point of view shot. The LifeLogger team has undergone vast and intensive research that has proved that the most effective way to get a true recording of your mind’s eye is by wearing the camera around your head; camera’s worn around the neck or clipped will only capture half of the entire picture. As a result, the team has developed a headpiece solution that proves to be comfortable, durable, lightweight and sturdy for daily use. Similar to Google Glass, the LifeLogger becomes as seamless as it is integral to your daily routine. LifeLogger

Additional features of the LifeLogger include:

Video resolution at 720p 30fps
Still images at 5 megapixel,. 4:3
90 degree fixed lens
Photo burst, up to 10 per second
Time lapse, up to one photo per 60 seconds
Photo snapshot
Preloaded with 32GB SD card of external memory

Estimated availability for the LifeLogger camera is end of year 2014, with the first run of mass production anticipated to be sometime between October and November, and shipping in December just in time for the holidays. Starting today, anyone can support LifeLogger in getting the camera into production through Kickstarter.com, where backers of $169 or more are rewarded with a camera and three months of up to 25GB of cloud storage and free video and metadata processing.

Disney Fantasia Unveils The Capsule Realm in Trailer

2014/05/13

Jerry Paxton

News, Trailers / Videos, Xbox 360 News, Xbox One News

BURBANK, Calif. — (May 13, 2014) – Disney Interactive and Harmonix Music Systems are taking a fantastical interstellar journey in the upcoming “Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved” with the announcement of the game’s newest realm, “The Capsule.” Set in a modular space station orbiting around Earth, the latest realm will feature Elton John’s “Rocket Man” and Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” as playable songs.

Previously announced realms “The Hollow” and “The Haven” have taken place in forest environments; “The Capsule” is the first to be set in space, introducing a new sensory experience for users that extends the vision and legacy of the original Fantasia film. At the center of “The Capsule” lives a lone astronaut monkey who is cut off from all forms of communication. What begins as a claustrophobic, deactivated space station, transforms into a fully-powered, living machine as players perform “In Your Eyes” and “Rocket Man.” These songs were originally announced at PAX East last month.
A video demonstration of “The Capsule” can be found on YouTube at:

“Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved” is a breakthrough musical motion video game inspired by Disney’s classic animated film “Fantasia,” and will be available for Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft and Kinect for Xbox 360 in fall 2014. Featuring over 30 tracks – including contemporary hits, classic rock, classical music, and more – “Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved” transports players to a breathtaking world where music and magic combine to transform extraordinary interactive landscapes in entirely new and creative ways.

“Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved” will be available in fall 2014 and is currently not rated by the ESRB.
For additional information about “Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved,” join the Facebook community at https://www.facebook.com/fantasiagame, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @FantasiaGame and view all videos on our YouTube channel at http://youtube.com/FantasiaGame.