Valve's SteamOS gaming PC operating system may not be ready just yet, but that doesn't mean that bespoke computer makers around the globe aren't working on hardware that will be ready to run it when it finally does see a release. British computer builder Piixl is just one of those companies, and it has announced its own entry into the Steam Machine market.
Security and general privacy tends to be of paramount importance to most mobile device users, and with very good reason. But while the battle to steer clear of the unscrupulously-intended, non-niceties of the mobile world are well documented, one company obscures its potentially dangerous spying app under a veil of legitimacy.
Siri caused more than a stir when it first hit the scene along with the iPhone 4s back in 2011, but even though consumers and commentators alike were fascinated by this feature that could answer back (if you had the right accent), the novelty did seem to wear off, and apart from the Eyes Free in-car integration, it's been a while since Apple's much-loved voice assistant really made the headlines.
Although we're relatively well informed as to the progress of Google Glass's development, we haven't had much of an insight into the numerous different designs we've already been promised by the Big G and its partners. The current Explorer Edition, for example, does not work with prescription lenses, leaving those in requirement of visual aids unable to fully use the wearable tech - if at all. As such, designs to facilitate the specialized lenses are being worked on, and one Google manager looks to have accidentally leaked snaps of one pair of prescription Glasses for the world to see. The shots were hastily removed from sight, although not before the Web could grab and share them for the rest of us to ogle over.
Fans of the work of Bungie, the people behind the Halo series of games, has announced that it expects to begin offering its new game for sale soon. Destiny will be available on Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3 and PS4 and looks set to be quite the experience.
Here's how you can enable or find free Xbox One game demos to download and try on your shiny new console before making an actual purchase of the full version.
The iPhone has improved in a variety of ways over the last few years, and like most other smartphones on offer, the rear-facing camera has been treated to regular enhancement. A camera is a complex being, with many elements combining to offer the very best snap-shooting experience, and one of the areas OEMs have sought to crack is the camera's ability to shoot in low lighting conditions. The iPhone 5 and subsequent 5s are far superior to any of their predecessors when there's not much light around, but the Lightstrap Kickstarter project, which, to offer an analogy, is almost the lovechild of an iPhone case and a torch.
Every year in December, the Google Play Store picks the best apps of the twelve months previous, and today, the time has come for the 2013 round-up. With the end of the year quickly approaching, we're going to be seeing a lot of these "best of" lists, and although you mightn't agree with every single one of the Play Store picks, there's still bound to be at least a few gems in there for everybody to appreciate.
Apple has been working hard over the past year or so to noticeably improve the Apple Retail Store experience. The Apple Store app, for example, has been greatly enhanced, offering all kinds of free content including a Christmas-themed playlist earlier this week, and now, the Cupertino giant has rolled out its iBeacons infrastructure across the entire network of U.S. retail outlets. For the benefit of the uninitiated, iBeacons hubs will reside in various locations throughout each Apple Store, and depending on whereabouts you are at any given time, beam information about certain products within that proximity via the Apple Store app.
Starting with Glass XE9 update, Google added the ability for Glass Explorers to take screenshots, or make vignette as Google is calling it, of what you are seeing on the Glass display. Vignettes basically attaches a screenshot of what you are seeing on the Glass display over the picture you are taking using the camera, making it easier for you to show people what you see on Glass.
