Forget about next-gen video game consoles from Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft – Apple is going to dominate them all

“What I'm about to say is undoubtedly going to piss some of you off,” MG Siegler writes for TechCrunch. “And that's fine. Because in a few years, I'll be right and you'll look silly.”

“While everyone is focused on the next generation video game consoles from Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft - the latter two of which should be coming later this year - Apple is going to dominate them all,” Siegler writes. “And it won't even be that difficult.”

“Anyone who has been following the smartphone space for the past few years knows that Apple has sort of backed into video game dominance by way of their iOS devices. Apple has sold over 500 million of them. These devices have yielded over 40 billion downloads of the over 800,000 apps. And a large portion of those apps are games,” Siegler writes. “Even if you lump together the Xbox 360, the Playstation 3, the Wii, and the Nintendo DS, Apple has still sold about 100 million more iOS devices than all of those systems combined... [and] in a much shorter span.”

Siegler writes, “The rumor that Apple would unveil some sort of Apple TV SDK at an event next month turned out to be bogus (as most things analysts say about Apple prove to be). But that doesn't mean it's not coming. In fact, I'd bet on it sooner rather than later.”

Read more in the full article here.

Sony: MiniDisc Is (Finally) Dead

While rumors have suggested it in the past, it's now official: after years of complete and utter redundancy, Sony is finally killing off the MiniDisc.

Sony has announced that it will ship its last MiniDisc player in March of 2013. The biggest question it raises, of course, is: who the hell is still buying these things? Assuming they're not being piled up in a warehouse for eternity, presumably some poor guy is buying a shiny MiniDisc player, right now, as if it's the Next Big Thing.

Which, just over twenty years ago, it was. Launched all the way back in 1992, the optical format squeezed music into what was then a tiny—and secure—little package. A shame, then, that they were cripplingly expensive—and that barely anyone released music using the format. Despite such trouble, and the dawn of MP3 and iPod, MiniDisc carved out an amazing 21-year life for itself. Rest in peace, MiniDisc. [Ashai via Engadget]

Image by TomPageNet under Creative Commons license

Sony rolling out new bundle to revitalize Vita sales, includes a year of Plus

For most of us, it wouldn’t come as any surprise to hear that Sony might not be expecting incredible sales of the PlayStation Vita for the holiday season. The portable system has failed to find its place and has seen a slower adoption rate that Sony hoped for, but there is a new bundle that could help spur sales for holiday season.

The “PS Plus Instant Game Collection PS Vita Bundle” is not only a mouthful, it’s also a good deal. At $300, it includes a downloadable code for the game Unit 13, a 4GB memory card, and — the coup the grace — a one-year membership to PlayStation Plus. That subscription alone is valued at $50. Combine it with the game and the memory card, and the bundle represents a savings of about $100.

Of course, this is as much an advertisement of PlayStation Plus as it is a sale on Vita. Plus is Sony’s version of Xbox Live Gold, but unlike Microsoft, Sony already allows all of its gamers to play online, stream videos, and video chat with friends all for free. What Plus offers is a premium set of features, including placing your save files on the cloud and being able to remotely download updates. Members also receive steep discounts on downloadable games and add-ons, and also occasionally receive “free” access to games.

It has been heavily touted as a beneficial service for PS3 owners, but the fact that Vita users also receive free and discounted content is often overlooked. One membership entitles a user to the benefits on both platforms.

What this really looks like is Sony trying to prove to its existing loyal PS3 base that there is value in having both a PS3 and a PlayStation Vita. There is much speculation that dedicated handheld consoles are on their way out, thanks to tablets and smartphones. The Vita has been and will continue to be a case study on how a game system can compete in this environment.

via PlayStation Blog

Get A Feel Of The 80′s With The Drinkman Hip Flask

Some folks might feel that you have been caught up in retro hell when you pull out this Walkman! However, this is no music player because this is a Drinkman and it will carry 150 mils of liquid, what liquid is entirely down to the user! Nevertheless, is this not the coolest hip flask around?

These are the features for the brilliant Drinkman hip flask;

The Colonel has always liked music. Indeed, he was delighted when the MP3 was invented and he no longer had to employ a military band to follow him on quiet country walks. That only left one problem – the issue of on-the-road refreshment. This inspired the Colonel to invent Swing Your Hips, looking for all the world like an old-style personal music player. It doesn't hold songs, just your favourite tipple. Stroll on.

Priced at $16 in the US and 10 in the UK

Source [Just Mustard]

PrE3- What to expect at E3 2012

This twelve-monthly Electronic digital Activity Expo, or even E3, is definitely around the part going from 5th so that you can In 7th place 06. Held in the particular Chicago Conference Center it really is debatably one of the biggest video game conferences, rivalling names like Pax in addition to Gamescom, thereby appeals to the top people in the online game sector, at the same time all of they need to offer you. Precisely what can most people possibly be witnessing at this years E3?

The primary information out of E3 does come from the group meetings held by way of the about three console front runners that is Panasonic, Ms plus Manufacturers. Without any doubt this holiday season Panasonic is going to be endeavoring to restore a few income right after its tragic economical season by introduction many big announcements. This tends to almost certainly such as a innovative line of Vita online games, that's sorely required, and in addition reports with Playstation 3 exclusives just like the Final of people and Little Significant Earth Karting. All of the All of us, developed by the team driving Uncharted- Kinky Pet, are going to have a lot of attention due to the fact particulars surrounding the online game are actually really short. We understand so it requires two character types, Fergie in addition to Betty, in the world ravaged by getting some sort of fungal-zombie apocalypse. An additional recreation which you will find experiencing much more of would be the not-quite-Smash-Brothers Many Megastars Battle Royale. Among Minor Major World Karting and all sorts of Actors Struggle Royale this indicates Panasonic happen to be wanting to Nintendo's creative designers for a lot of inspiration. What will not at all be shown however is really a brand new system, The new sony get explicitly asserted that there won't be any PS4 this season.

Much more following break…

Microsof company have likewise produced your headline that they can as well won't be unveiling a fresh unit, you will find speculation even though may possibly often be listed next year while. That which we can get is much more video games regarding Xbox kinect by much more ridiculous hunting presentations. It can be no real shock which Halo 4 trailer is going to be having middle level, with the give back with Expert Fundamental heralding good news Microsof company. A further sport which is to be listed is going to be Forza: Horizon. However, due to the headline concerning Web Explorer-Kintect intergrated ,, apparantly Xbox kinect will be really much so within the position light-weight.
As a final point there is Nintendo. Nintendo would be the just business introduction your console- the actual Nintendo wii game console Ough. From the time last years introduction in the Nintendo wii console Ough rumours provides function widespread about precisely how potent it is, exactly what game titles will likely be about it etc. This is Nintendo’s 12 months so that you can break open back into the games console market if your Nintendo wii console Oughout constitutes a great impact. Gaining knowledge through the faults from the Nintendo 3ds unveiling Nintendo have taken steps that you will find a great lineup connected with video game titles prepared with the release of the Nintendo wii game console Ough which include labels such as City: Previous Lighting, Superman Arkham Metropolis, Assassin’s Creed Several in addition to Aliens Northeastern Marine corps. Despite this extraordinary line up in the event the Nintendo wii console Ough can’t compare with the effectiveness of your Xbox 360 360/PS3 then a war may perhaps be through regarding Developers. Yet it's not merely the actual Wii-U of which possibly be looking but also the 3DS therefore most likely a different type of online games with the handheld who has really already been without subject material, a dilemma today struggling with owners of Sony’s Dsi Vita.

As to additional media we can expect in order to listed here a tad bit more regarding Bethesda/Arkane Studio’s Disregarded together with the Older Scrolls Mmorpg. Ubisoft will doubtless become flaunting Assassin’s Creed A few as Long way away 3. One from the largest rough outdoors playing cards will probably be Device who on a regular basis unforeseen so press releases could consist of Half Existence 3 or more (on the other hand impossible that will be) to be able to Heavy steam updates. All we can easily claim beyond doubt is the fact that, like several season, E3 may have some great news flash for everyone as well as any game addict.