the excitement builds!
There is always a lot of hype when Sony gets ready to release a new product and quite rightly so.
RIP jumpers
It’s not often you get a visit from the FA, but yesterday saw just that when Ebuyer donated 500 portable goal posts to local schools.
What do you think?
Last week the news hit that Intel have dropped Smart TVs to focus their attention on Tablets and Smartphones instead.
What does this say about the market for Smart TVs? We’ve discussed televisions in the digital age before, and it is interesting to see the differing opinions on how popular they are proving to be. A bold move for Intel to disregard the category completely then; what did the tech community make of it?
AnandTech said Intel’s shift of focus ‘could also be a sign of things to come. Intel sees synergy between the tablet and the TV.’
Does that mean that the Smart TV will evolve and become the Smart Tablet?
‘Perhaps Intel sees the future of Boxee Box/Google TV offerings as being driven by a tablet rather than a stationary set-top box?‘
So AnandTech are thinking that there are arguments for the tablet driving the smart offerings, as they conclude with:
‘But if you’ve already got a cable box, maybe a tablet is a better way to extend its functionality rather than adding another box to the stack.’
We think there are still arguments for the traditional telly format developed as a Smart TV, but what do you think?
Some have said that there is a lack of demand for the Smart TV and this could have contributed to Intel’s decision. Is this really the case though? We think there are many pros to the Smart TV, one of the main ones the interactive nature of being entertained and being involved in the entertainment itself. Being able to watch TV and connect with apps and socialise via the same medium adds a new dimension to the practice of watching the telly!
Engadget have pointed out that:
‘Obviously, that leaves the door wide open for ARM to sweep in. We already know that Google TV will be making the move to ARM-based hardware soon and the Boxee Box started life on Tegra before making the move to an Atom CE4100‘ but admit to being ‘surprised to see Intel abandon the market just as it seems to be picking up steam.’ This is more in line with how we see the Smart TV market developing- picking up steam gradually rather than becoming an overnight sensation.
Intel themselves described it as a tough descision, especially as they were the leaders in the creation of the product area, but stated that it freed them up to focus on top business priorities. These are ‘Ultrabook (thin laptops) devices, smartphones and tablets.’ according to Venturebeat.com
Should it be an either/or situation though? Will you be able to get everything you would have wanted from a Smart TV from a tablet or a Smartphone instead? We’ll be watching Intel’s progress with interest to answer those questions, and it will be intriguing to see how ARM rise to the challenge.
Games Console vs PC
Jesse Harford from Gametalkcentral weighs up the pros and cons of PC Gaming versus Console Gaming.
We all love the feeling of opening a brand new game and popping that newly obtained piece of digital entertainment into our dedicated console or PC. Whether it’s your birthday, or it’s Christmas; Hanukah or Thanksgiving. We feel like jumping in the air full of excitement and happiness, holding that game in the air, while a familiar jingle plays in the background. The feeling of savagely tearing apart that shrink wrapped case is extremely satisfying. However, finding out that my Pixel Shader 2.0, Graphics Engine thingamabob isn’t compatible, is a bit of a downer. It totally marrs the whole experience of getting that game in the first place. But it isn’t the end of the world. Apparently, there are these handy little machines called “consoles”, which allow us to play all sorts of games without the need of purchasing anything other than the console itself. Genius! Read on and discover the pros and cons of both PC gaming and console gaming.
Pros of PC Gaming
Massively Multiplayer Online Game Time
PC gamers have a plethora of massively multiplayer online games to choose from. Whether it’s an online shooter or an MMORPG, PC gamers simply have the one up over console gamers when it comes to playing online games. PC gamers can competively or cooperatively play against/alongside eachother with more than just 24 players in a game. A much larger, friendlier community gives gamers a much more enjoyable social experience when playing online, especially with the types of games that are available on PC. Games that you wouldn’t be able to get on home consoles. PC gamers are getting a much more “live” orientated experience that console gamers won’t be getting for a few years to come.
MODS and User Generated Content
Being able to manipulate and change the game that YOU are playing is a gratifying experience. Can you see that long, familiar looking “pylon” with two giant football’s resting at bottom over there? I made that! Showing off your creations to the world and allowing people to see how creative, or sick, you can be is a great feeling. Hearing somebody go “Man this map is awesome!” Or “This should have been in the main game!” certainly warms your heart. A great example of being able to create virtually anything with a near limitless tool set, is Garry’s Mod. Within this game, you can just go nuts with your imagination! Words can’t describe what crazy contraptions and landscapes you build within this game, see it for yourself! But mods aren’t just here to lets us create awesome looking maps and objects, they can fix games. A lot of PC classics which have dated tremendously have been given slick new mods to give them updated textures and up-to-date contols to make them feel like a fresh experience. This sort of thing just isn’t possible on consoles due to restrictivness of console manufacturers and the lack of a keyboard to perform various complex tasks. Although games like Halo have shown gamers that a certain level of creativity is possible on consoles.
Being Ahead of the Curve
Owning a PC means that you can always upgrade and refine what you’ve got, meaning you’ll always be entitled to an even more enjoyable experience. Have you been playing Rage at low spec for the last few days? Never fear! Here are a list of components which will end your low specification game playing days forever! (Or until the next high spec demanding game comes out.) Knowing that your only one screw away from being able to play the latest game at the highest specification available is a welcome one, because when playing games, we all want to experience it in the most entertaining and pleasureable ways imaginable. And it’s not just being able to play these extremely demanding games which gives us that gleeful smile, it’s knowing that YOU made this PC yourself. That YOU put this PC together and that YOU are the one who’s benefiting because of what YOU have done. You feel proud because of the effort and time you’ve put into creating your ultimate gaming experience. And why shouldn’t you be?
CONTROLLER KILLER!
Freedom of choice is brilliant right? We all like to do our own thing and play in our own way. This is the luxury PC gamers get to quite a degree. In particular being able to completely change the contol scheme of a game to suit YOUR playstyle. It may not seem like much, but to most PC gamers this is a big thing. Why should we play the way developer’s want us to play? Do I look like the type of guy who uses “Control Scheme B?” Hell no! It makes gaming feel a little bit more natural and more like our own experience. A little customisation never hurt anyone.
Tid bits
Games are also significantly cheaper, (around £10-£20 cheaper) than buying a game on consoles. This is strictly due to publisher’s having to pay to have their own game on the console in the first place. Sounds crazy right, but it’s just business guys.
Pros of Console Gaming
Easy as pie!
Maintaining and just simply owning a games console is easier than a PC. It doesn’t take an hour for an Xbox or PS3 to boot up and you’re free to play most top tier games without the fear of having to buy a new graphics card or RAM upgrade. There is also far less hassle when it comes to actually playing the game. There’s no annoying DRM, grrr, or long installs. Just pop the disc in and play. As the title says, it’s “easy as pie.”
FWENNNNDDD!
Back to the ease of use thing, it’s also very straight forward when it comes to communicating with your friends. Xbox Live has one of the most easiest, slickiest party systems known to man. You’re always a few button presses away from speaking to your mates or adding a new friend on Live. In addition to this hopping into an online game is also extremely easy. You can actually get into a game online, on Xbox Live, by only pressing one button*. Now that is what I call ease of use!
Couch Potato
Now I like to chillax when playing some Xbox, maybe lay down on my bed or if I’m really in the mood, pose like a Roman God on my couch while being fed grapes from a woman painted in gold. Unfortunately, PC gamers can’t really do this, unless they invest in a separate control pad which would compromise being able to customise your keyboard’s control scheme or buy a wireless keyboard. But to be honest, I doubt any PC gamer is going to want to play Shogun: Total War 2 laying down on a couch like a beached whale. It’s not right.
Cons of PC Gaming
Control me a river
Now despite being able to customize your control set to your heart’s content, getting into these game can prove quite difficult. Especially for those new to the PC gaming scene. Certain types of PC games come with a lot of complex controls that you’ll have to learn and sometimes controls that you WON’T be able to customise, along with those long and tedious tutorials that will make you want to cry. Cry for an Xbox controller.
Why is my wallet so empty?
Being able to play triple A titles at full spec is a luxury that all PC gamers should feel grateful for. We’ve just come out of a recession and most of us are feeling the pinch and a lot of people cannot afford an £800 gaming PC or £1000 gaming laptop. Console gaming is by far the most cheap and effective way of getting your gaming fix, without making your wallet unhappy. Furthermore, in order to stay ahead of that curve I mentioned ealier, you’re going to have to buy PC components. Parts which are no doubt going to cost you quite a bit of money and if technology keeps on evolving at the rate it is now, you are going to broke before you know it. Or before your PC knows it at least.
Ahhh! A virus!
Viruses, hacking’s, malicious programmes, spyware, FBI agents and all sorts of things which go beep in the night are all on PC. Now consoles are definitely not immune to hacking’s or breakdowns of any sort, PC’s are just more susceptible to it. And usually if a console’s online service does get hacked, the issue is usually resolved fairly quickly, despite a few cases quite recently *cough Sony*. When it comes to irradicating an issue which isn’t in-game, PC gamers are on their own. They have to fend for themselves and make sure that they are being protected by whatever PC software is going to keep their PC’s in tip top condition.
Cons of Console Gaming
Nobody puts baby in the corner.
We’ve seen a lot being pushed out of our current gen consoles so far and it’s amazing that they can produce blindingly amazing looking games and still feel fresh. Some devs say that there’s still some power in these old war machines! But that’s only some. We don’t want some. We want more! What’s new and what looks the best. We all say graphics don’t really matter so much and that it’s “all about gameplay,” but that’s not what you’re really thinking when you’re playing Unreal Tournament 3 are you? The point is, console gamers can’t upgrade their platforms with the latest hardware because they’re not technically allowed to, although some still do it. PC gamers have the opportunity to do that though, which leaves console gamers in the corner.
MM-NO
The lack of MMOs on consoles is a right downer, considering how insanely popular they are and how many people play them. Strict certifications processes coupled with, console limitations, lack of a keyboard and issues regading “who’s going to be paid what?” Stops MMOs from reaching out to a completely different audience and from taking any of our money! Oops, that was a good thing.
What the people had to say?
So now that you’ve heard what I’ve had to say, why don’t we hear what the great people of Twitter and Facebook have to say?
“Tough one! I used to love PC gaming but my computer got old & can’t run them like it used to. Alas, I’ll go with console.” @gearsofsteph
“PC for FPS games, keyboard and mouse or die! Consoles for fighting, driving, and sports games 
controller on FPS sucks.” @RedskullSS
“ Console-Social Gamer. PC-Hardcore Gamer. It’s that simple.” @Cheekytweeter
“PC Gaming. Or OnLive.” @icecolddemon
“PC Gaming. Nothing beats a mouse & keyboard for shooting someone in the face with.” @MerseyMal
“PCs have more buttons, consoles can be relied upon to run any game you buy for them. So, consoles it is then.” @CrispyFloyd
“PC gaming is better. Better graphics, more room for better gameplay, really precise input devices. (Mouse and keyboard) etc.” @xPreatorianx
“PC better everything and lower long term costs and to top it off you can surf the net when you’re done gaming.” @Pud_NZ
“PC but console gaming is more about the socialising if you like whereas pc is more hardcore” Naz.
“Well obviously I’m going to be biased because I’m a console gamer, and I’ve never done PC gaming” Jabril.
“Ooh personally, either XD.” Charlotte.
“PC Gaming: Cons: Too much effort and set up rubbish and more problems. Console Gaming Cons: Lack of customisability in certain games and graphics can get outdated in a few years. Console Gaming Pros: Great accessibility to ‘plug-and-play; no hassle no technical stuff to worry about, more common and easier to connect with friends. PC Gaming Pros: Great potential for high-end graphics if the PC can support it, meaning the graphics won’t get outdated as easier. Good PC Community for mods etc and better servers on most games. Can connect controller / wheel etc. if necessary.” Preet.
“PC. Better graphics more communities can vary how much you wanna spend.” Ravi.
From what people are saying here PC gaming seems to be the way forward. But there’s no right or wrong answer, only your opinion should matter. As long as a constant stream of spectacular games like Rage, Dark Souls and Batman Arkham City keep appearing on our dedicated gaming platforms, we have nothing to worry about.
*Terms and Conditions apply.
Thanks to Jesse for taking the time to write this piece; if you enjoyed it too and would like to read more of Jesse’s thoughts on gaming visit gametalkcentral or follow @GameTalkCentral on Twitter
IPad vs Galaxy Tab 10.1
There is no denying that the iPad is the tablet to beat at the minute.
It combines handsome looks with an easy-to-use interface and ticks all of the boxes as to what you would want from such a device.
But the champion could have a new challenger in the future from a company that has had its fair share of run-ins with the California-based firm.
Steve Jobs - Technology Genius
Steve Jobs created the Apple Lisa which was brought out in 1983 and was one of the first personal computers to use a graphical user interface, bringing the idea of clicking on icons to open windows to life. In 2010 we were introduced to the iPad which incorporated a slick design with advanced technology. With taking such a leap forward in innovation, the brand and its products have become one of most talked about in history. The BBC has put together a timeline of Apple products from then to now here.
Assessing Google Wallet
Jakk from Technology Blogged shares his thoughts on Google Wallet:
I’ve been mentioned here before on Ebuyer regarding my writing on Google Wallet, the very latest branded NFC (Near Field Communication) payments system brought to you by Google. Now, if you are new to Google Wallet and haven’t heard of it yet, it was announced all the way back in May and promised to bring mobile payments to all Android phones, with later generation handsets receiving an NFC compatible chip and older generation one’s an app.
