Archive for category technology

Sony unveils Move, its PS3 motion controller

 

Sony unveils Move, its PS3 motion controller

SAN FRANCISCO–Sony on Wednesday unveiled Move, its motion-sensitive controller.

A small device that looks like a microphone–but with something on top of it that looks like a ping pong ball with an LED inside–Move is Sony’s bid to gain control over the motion controller wars that are currently led by Nintendo, with its Wii controller, and which many think will be dominated by Microsoft and its Project Natal controller system.

To Sony, releasing the Move is an obvious move for the PlayStation, given it believes it started the motion controller era with its Eye Toy. Sony held its press conference during the Game Developers Conference here.

Now, the Move, which will be available this fall in a starter kit that begins at under $100 for a Move, a PlayStation eye camera and a game, is its attempt to jump ahead of Microsoft’s Natal and to begin winning over Wii users.

“We like to think that the migration path between Wii households and PlayStation households is a natural path,” said Peter Dille, Sony’s senior vice president for marketing and PlayStation.

Shuehei Yoshida, Sony’s president for worldwide studios, said Move will “demonstrate that the motion controller for PS3 will be the solution for both casual and hard-core gamers alike” and that the types of games Sony can create with it are “amazingly diverse.”

Among the types of games Move will work with include those that involve swords, bows and arrows, guns, punching and much more. The idea is that Move will provide players with a realistic and precise feeling of holding whatever kind of thing the game calls for, be it a sword or a gun.

Sony first talked about its new motion controller at E3 last year but didn’t have a name or any kind of timing. Now, by unveiling the device’s name it can begin what Dille said will be the company’s biggest video game marketing effort of the year.

Full article:  http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10467340-52.html?tag=newsLeadStoriesArea.1

10 Fantastic Places for Finding Designers Online

 

10 Fantastic Places for Finding Designers Online

FOUND THIS ON MASHABLE TODAY.
This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business.
  

Unless you are a creative agency, most small businesses don’t have the luxury of having an in-house designer. There are literally thousands of freelance designers and design agencies out there that can fill various niches and services, but finding someone in your price range – and if locale is important, in your area – can be difficult.  

Fortunately, there are some great online resources that can take the sting out of searching for a designer. Here are some of my favorites:  


1. Sortfolio


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Sortfolio is the latest project from 37Signals, the team behind Basecamp(Basecamp), Campfire and Backpack. Sortfolio is really great for companies or individuals looking for a designer because you can browse by price-range (as in, how much do these designers charge on average per project?) and location. You can also get a good look at their portfolio before connecting directly with the designer on their own site.  

Sortfoilio has the added benefit of having strong ties to the design and development communities.  


2. Authentic Jobs


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Job boards are a dime a dozen and sometimes posting for a potential hire doesn’t end with any good leads. Authentic Jobs is unique in that it targets the web developer and web design community and is frequented by those most active in pushing the barriers in that community.  

Created by respected designer and author Cameron Moll and with listing partners like Veer and SimpleBits, if you’re looking for a job posting to get in front of the right people, this should be a stop on your list.  


3. Elance


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Elance is a highly active, organized and efficient community that you can use to find contractors online. You can search for designers by skill set, location and browse Elance’s various groups (members must pass a skill test before entering).  

The nice thing about Elance is that you can see the feedback and ratings that a provider or freelancer has received from others. This can help provide a clearer picture about a designer before going forward with an interview.  


4. Guru


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Like Elance, Guru is a large marketplace that connects freelancers to potential clients. You can view work samples, see completed projects, read feedback from other clients and search by rate, skill level and location.  


5. FreelanceSwitch’s Directory


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FreelanceSwitch is an online community dedicated to freelancing, with a strong focus on creative freelancers like web designers and developers. The FreelanceSwitch Directory can be used to browse for freelancers and see samples of their work.  

From there you can contact the designers directly through their own websites.  


6. SitePoint Marketplace


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SitePoint has a very active community for buyers and sellers. You can browse through pre-made templates, find designers offering their services and also post a listing.  


7. Behance


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The Behance Network is a place to discover and peruse the portfolios from tons of great designers and artists. You can see their portfolio and concepts, and also find out if they are available for work. Behance is a great resource for finding high-level talent.  


8. Carbonmade(Carbonmade)


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Carbonmade is a portfolio service for designers and it is also a great way to locate talent. More than 195,000 designers use the service to post their projects, portfolios images and resumes. You can also see who is available for freelance work and search by design medium and skill set.  


9. AIGA


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AIGA is the professional association for design and their website (as well as the sites for local chapters) has a directory of AIGA designers, as well as AIGA member portfolios, which are hosted by Behance.  


10. Krop


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Krop is both a job posting and job search tool for creatives. Designers can also offer up their own portfolios. Potential employers can pay to have access to searching that database or you can post a job offer on Krop’s board.  

Tecmo Bowl Throwback

It’s on like Donkey Kong.  Or in this case…like Tecmo Bowl.

Just writing this piece is bringing back memories of the hours on hours of playing Tecmo Bowl as a kid.  The Walter Payton high five in the endzone.  Hiding your controller under a pillow so your friend can’t see what play you are picking.  It was competition at it’s best.

Tecmo Bowl Throwback Officially Announced, Detailed

Tecmo today finally confirmed the existence of Tecmo Bowl Throwback, the upcoming remake of the SNES football title, Tecmo Super Bowl, set for release this spring.

The Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network game will include online multiplayer, customizable teams and rosters, and online leaderboards, as well as preseason, season and Pro Bowl modes. Fans of the SNES version will be pleased to know that you’ll be able to play Throwback in either the newfangled, next-gen-ish style or in the classic 2D presentation. In other words, prepare yourself for major childhood flashbacks.

Overall, it sounds like a winning formula for a tasty retro-remake treat. Don’t you agree?

Tecmo Bowl Throwback Officially Announced, Detailed

http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/702936/Tecmo-Bowl-Throwback-Officially-Announced-Detailed.html

For my cricket loving friends…

YouTube Dabbles in Live Sports With IPL Matches

YouTube will begin live-streaming Indian Premier League cricket matches this March. It’s possible that the matches will be viewable in countries like the United States that don’t currently have a place to watch IPL matches on traditional TV.

YouTube has been a destination for both the lPL and live streaming before, just not at the same time. It streamed U2’s Rose Bowl concert to 10 million viewers across seven continents last year, and there’s an IPL cricket channel that shows pre-recorded highlights from league matches.

Live sports coverage has been one of the greatest reasons to keep those cable or satellite subscriptions, so YouTube moving into this area could be another step towards the dominance of Internet-based TV. There have actually been live-streaming options for sports online before; they just usually come with subscription fees. For example, ESPN Insider members have access to live streams of much of what the network of sports channels covers.

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Use your Amex to buy electronics

My iPhone backlight went out last night. I was getting text messages and phone calls but couldn’t see anything on my screen. It sucked bad for 12 hours. I’m out of warranty on the phone so that would be a couple of hundred to get back in the game. Went to the Mac store this morning. They did some magic and ta da, all good. That was close. But the Mac genius told me that if you buy electronics with American Express up to 10k, they automatically cover an extra year of manufacturer warranty. Works on Mac products. So if i would have bought my iPhone with an Amex, i could hav got a replacement refurbished phone if they couldnt get the backlight to display I havent confirmed this 100% but I’m signing up for an Amex tomorrow if true. If you know about this, shed the light. Just FYI homies.

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AT&T Rolls Out Cheaper Unlimited Plans, iPhone Monthly Rate Drops $30

Responding to price cuts from Verizon, AT&T today rolled out new unlimited plans for all devices on its network, including the iPhone. Under the new plans taking effect on Monday, iPhone customers can sign up for unlimited voice and data for $99.99 per month, although texting packages remain separate for an additional fee. The unlimited voice and data plan represents a $30 discount from the previous unlimited plan for the iPhone.

All smartphone customers, including iPhone customers, may now buy unlimited voice and data for $99.99. For smartphone customers with Family Talk plans (prices assume 2 smartphones), unlimited voice and data is now available for $179.99. Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals, $30 for Family Talk Plans.

Existing customers will be permitted to change to the new plans as of Monday via AT&T’s website, with no monetary penalty or extension to contract terms. It is unclear at this time whether there will be any adjustment to AT&T’s non-unlimited plans to reposition its pricing tiers in relation to the new, lower unlimited price. Responding to price cuts from Verizon, AT&T today rolled out new unlimited plans for all devices on its network, including the iPhone. Under the new plans taking effect on Monday, iPhone customers can sign up for unlimited voice and data for $99.99 per month, although texting packages remain separate for an additional fee. The unlimited voice and data plan represents a $30 discount from the previous unlimited plan for the iPhone.

All smartphone customers, including iPhone customers, may now buy unlimited voice and data for $99.99. For smartphone customers with Family Talk plans (prices assume 2 smartphones), unlimited voice and data is now available for $179.99. Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals, $30 for Family Talk Plans.

Existing customers will be permitted to change to the new plans as of Monday via AT&T’s website, with no monetary penalty or extension to contract terms. It is unclear at this time whether there will be any adjustment to AT&T’s non-unlimited plans to reposition its pricing tiers in relation to the new, lower unlimited price.