PS3 Gets New Headset

BY

Sony has revealed the new version of the official Bluetooth Headset for the PS3, confirming earlier rumors of its existence. The USB dual-microphone headset has a charging cradle, a microphone mute button and has a High-Quality mode while used on the PS3.

So what s different, you ask New features include a redesign, making it sleeker, high-gloss and more compact 30 percent smaller than the original model, writes Anand Agarwal, Product Manager for Peripherals. In addition, the Bluetooth Headset now has built-in noise cancellation for filtering out ambient noise when used with the PS3 system as well as your mobile phone. Gadget fiends take note the new Bluetooth Headset isn t just for gaming. The improved mobile phone feature support allows you to use features such as three-way calling and call waiting. And with nearly six hours of talk time, you can easily take the Bluetooth Headset with you straight from the living room to the streets.

The new official Bluetooth Headset for the PS3 will go on sale for $49.99 during November.

Source: PlayStation.Blog.com

Cryptic Considering Making Star Trek Online Free

BY

The recent announcement that Champions Online would be adopting a free-to-play model made many wonder if developer Cryptic would consider a similar move for Star Trek Online. Cryptic CEO Jack Emmert indicates that they’re considering the move, though it hinges on the success of Champions Online.

“I’m sure people are wondering whether we’ll do it with Star Trek and the question is really how well it does for Champions,” explained Emmert. “Does it work or doesn’t it We’re not sold one way or the other with Star Trek yet. If people want Star Trek to go free-to-play then get in and play Champions and help make it a great success, because that would send a strong message. If we did Turbine’s level of success that would certainly merit the discussion!”

“There are more people than just I on that decision and I can’t begin to say it would be an automatic ‘Yes, we’d do it.’ We hope for a success as big as DDO,” Emmert added. “That would be great – but I wouldn’t say we’re betting on it. In other words, I’m not going to say we’ll do or die if we don’t get five times our revenue or whatever the stats were that Turbine did. We’re just hoping to open it up and increase the fanbase, and we’ll just wait and see – I’d love it if we got their results, but hey, if that doesn’t happen it doesn’t happen.”

Source: Eurogamer

Google Chrome Sponsoring Inflight Wi-Fi

BY

Google has announced that they will be helping to offer Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi to more users than ever over the holiday season. On AirTran, Delta and Virgin America flights, there will be free Wi-Fi on every domestic flight from November 20, 2010 through January 2, 2011.

We were excited by the response from last year s free holiday Wi-Fi program, and thought that this would be a perfect holiday gift to help you stay connected to your loved ones as you head home, writes Sundar Pichai, VP of Product Management. You can find out more about this partnership at www.freeholidaywifi.com. If you haven’t tried Chrome yet, remember to download the browser before you take to the skies, or try it when you’re back on the ground.

Source: Google Blog

Dragon Age Coming To Facebook

BY

BioWare recently announced that they’re launching a new Play4Free Facebook title based upon the Dragon Age franchise. Called Dragon Age Legends, it will let users play with their friends and get a sample of the Free Marches setting and earn exclusive unlocks for Dragon Age II.

“We are privileged to be working with BioWare to bring the Dragon Age universe to the hundreds of millions of gamers on Facebook,” said Mark Spenner, General Manager of EA 2D. “Our goal is to change the perception of social network games and attract new players to the Facebook platform by raising the quality bar. Dragon Age Legends will deliver a deep, sophisticated experience, and we will continue to delight gamers by adding new features and content far into the future.”

Dragon Age Legends is set to launch in February 2011.

Microsoft Launches Windows Phone 7

BY

Microsoft has launched Windows Phone 7 as part of their bid to establish themselves in the smartphone market. AT&T will offer two Windows Phone 7 capable handsets in the Samsung Focus and HTC Surround for $199 with a two-year contract, while T-Mobile is selling the HTC HD7 for $199 with a two-year contract and minimum $15 data plan, with the Dell Venue Pro planned for a later date.

Today is a big milestone for the company, said Todd Peters, corporate vice president of the Mobile Communications Marketing Group. It really speaks to our commitment to understanding what consumers want, and our resurrection in the mobile category.

The roughly half-billion dollar ad campaign dubbed Really focuses on people being too distracted by their phones. Microsoft says that the Live Tiles interface will help end bad phone behavior.

“Almost everyone who sees the ads admits at least one of the head-in-phone moments could happen to them or someone they know, said Katy Asher, Windows Phone marketing director for Microsoft. These are experiences we can all relate to. We wanted to surface that insight in a funny way and hold up a mirror, asking consumers if this is really how they want to interact with their phone. Do you really want to be that distracted person, or do you want to get what you need quickly and get back to life

Microsoft also worked with Rob Dyrdek and Minka Kelly on a launch event called the Really Rally Road Trip. They will be flying cross-country to look at Americans bad phone behavior and show off Windows Phone 7 features, starting in New York where there will be a free concert by Katy Perry and ending in San Francisco with another free concert, this time by band Maroon 5.

Mass Effect 2 PS3 Gets Prequel Interactive Comic

BY

While PS3 owners were shocked and delighted when BioWare announced that Mass Effect 2 would be coming to PS3, questions remained about what content would be on the disc and how the backstory of Mass Effect 1 would be covered. BioWare Producer Jesse Houston answered a lot of those questions in a forum post.

Firstly I’d like to talk about what’s on the BluRay Disc; Of course Mass Effect 2 will be included.  On top of that, Lair of the Shadow Broker, Project Overlord, Kasumi: Stolen Memory and the Blood Dragon Armour, said Houston. Also included is, as on Xbox 360 and PC, an access code to the Cerberus Network. This will give you instant access to the same great lineup of Downloadable Content such as Zaeed and Firewalker.

We’ve talked briefly about the Interactive Comic, he continued. BioWare Edmonton (the group that made Mass Effect 2) teamed up with the fine folks at Dark Horse Comics to create an interactive backstory. While I can’t release all the details about this yet, what I can tell you is that we want to create a stunning visual experience that not only tells the core story elements of Mass Effect 1, but also is fully interactive allowing you to be faced with some of the major choices which will have consequences [for] your Mass Effect universe. This interactive comic’s initial release will be exclusive to PS3 owners who would be otherwise unable to realize the full effect of choice in the Mass Effect universe and will be included on the Cerberus Network.

There will also be some DLC Bundles, such as the Aegis Pack as well as exclusive both Free and Paid DLC for all PlayStation 3 owners such as the Recon Operations Pack. Words can not express how very pleased I am to be able to bring this BioWare title to our PlayStation fans, concluded Houston.

Source: Social.BioWare.com

Time Warner Gets Look Back

BY

Time Warner Cable has launched Look Back, which allows Digital Video customers to watch shows they may have missed within a three-day window. The feature will be available on 24 channels with a consistent lineup across cable systems.

“Look Back gives customers the ability to further time-shift and achieve more control over the programming they want to watch,” stated Melinda Witmer, Executive Vice President and Chief Programming Officer for Time Warner Cable. “There is no need to set a DVR and no worries about getting special equipment. Look Back is easy, fast and simple for all of us with busy schedules.”

Nintendo Pays Big For Helen Mirren

BY

According to reports, Nintendo paid Helen Mirren a half million British Pounds (roughly $800,000) to appear in a commercial for Wii Fit Plus. That fee was received for a mere two days worth of shooting for the 65-year-old actress.

Nintendo insisted they wanted Helen and no one else, said Mirren. They wanted an older, more attractive woman to show that the Wii isn’t just for children.

Source: MSN

Half-Life Goes Beyond Black Mesa

BY

In lieu of any new Half-Life material coming out, fans have filled the void with their own interpretations. Using a shoe-string budget, the Beyond Black Mesa project has achieved some impressive results.