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Show and Tell: Our Favorite Pencil

http://www.youtube.com/v/boMsQ9yh0mw?version=3&autohide=1&autoplay=1&autohide=1&feature=share&showinfo=1&attribution_tag=yPYSUYuZwPOU8LzRE3Cfsg

Mad Catz streams PC games on your TV with MOJO (New Android console)

As the time goes whizzing by, The world around us is changing faster than it ever has before. This change can currently be noted in a demographic deeply embedded in technology. PC gaming has always been a market that requires participants to maintain a relationship with current technology. Mad Catz's announcement that the company's new Android console, the MOJO, will feature an update soon after release, giving users a way to stream PC games to their TVs. This has effectively displayed the company's effort to maintain relevance in the rapidly advancing gaming industry, and it is this feature that allows the MOJO to fulfill the desire of any PC gamer that wishes to enjoy the benefits offered by a PC game, while relaxing in a more social environment, that until now has been the closely guarded territory of big name game consoles.

 The MOJO could be an affordable alternative to the Xi3 Piston, for gamers that already sport a well equipped Gaming rig. The Mad Catz console contains a Nvidia Tegra 4 T40S 1.8 GHz Processor, 2 GB of RAM, Built in WIFI, USB 3.0, and Bluetooth 4.0. The system only contains 16 GB of internal storage, but is equipped with a Micro SD card slot, enabling expansion of it's capacity. The unit was able to play popular Android games, and through the use of a mouse from Mad Catz's new line of human input devices, we were able to operate these apps easily, and with out the use of a touch screen. You are also able to accomplish this with a feature on the stock controller. The MOJO will retail for $250.It will be released in time for the holiday season, and is available for pre-order now.

As always, thank you for reading

Zachary Sellen

Amazing Breakthrough with Xi3's Piston (changing the game of how we play games)

Every one knows that in the world of gaming you have PC, or console, but the day of them being on different sides of the fence may be coming to an end. The differentiation of the two markets, as well as products, is taking a large step closer to it's disappearance.

Current, and next gen systems are capable of many tasks that you would normally only expect from a PC, and innovations of companies like Valve, Steam, and Xi3 are finally bringing PC games to the living room. I was lucky enough to get a first hand look at the ground breaking Xi3 Piston console, and can honestly say I was more than amazed. The Piston's sleek design is enticing enough, but this little package packs a powerful punch. It was able to run higher spec, and higher benchmark PC games such as Crysis 2, while using the same amount of electricity that it takes to operate an older style light bulb.

 Running Valves new operating system titled SteamOS, the Xi3 Piston brings all the Steam features you're familiar with on your desktop to where ever you want. Taking up little more room than a standard desktop power supply, and a wireless Windows, sans controller included the Piston would be great on the go.

As if all that wasn't enough, The Xi3's modular design allows buyers the ability to upgrade the individual components as technology requires. This is something not offered by the big console names like Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo. 

It is Xi3's belief that gaming supremacy starts with a powerful system, so they equipped the Piston console with a powerful 3.2 GHz AMD Trinity Processor, Radeon 7000 series GPU, 8 GB of DDR3 Gaming RAM, and a 128 GB SSD. The unit sports a hefty $1000us price tag, and will be available for purchase, November 29, 2013 (black Friday).

As always, thanks for reading-

Zachary Sellen

Boston Dynamics introduces us to WildCat (video)

Boston Dynamics is responsible for some of the most advanced robots on earth. With global scale clients like Sony, The United States Armed Forces, and even DARPA, it's not surprising they have brought the robotics field literal leaps. and bounds. Many people have already had the chance to be amazed by some of the creations produced by Boston Dynamics, as they increase in popularity on sties like YouTube. It is in very high probability, that you yourself, are already familiar with some of their work. Big Dog, and Pet Man (both pictured below) are two of the more popular instances of this.

Now the world class development teams of Boston Dynamics has mobilized there latest sprinting, and galloping robot. Cheetah has paved the way for WildCat.


thanks for stopping by-
ZS-

Dell reveals a return to Android with two new Venue tablets.

At it's NYC press release, Dell announces details of the company's new Android based tablets.

 The Dell Venue 7, and Venue 8 will be shipped as soon as October 18th, running Android 4.2 (jellybean). Dell claims that in time, Venue units will be updated to a more current build of the OS.

 Although the two tablets differ in screen size, they both exhibit a 1,280 x 800 resolution display. This standard definition picture lands the tablets behind in performance, to the much more powerful Kindle Fire HD 7, from the same price range. Dell has likely taken this route to make better use of the low spec hardware featured in the tablets. Both the 7, and 8 inch variant of the Venue are equipped with a 2 GHz dual-core Intel Z2580 processor. The 7 inch model is only available with 16 GB of internal storage, while the 8 inch version is offered with either a 16, or 32 GB hard disk drive.

 Dell did impress with their decision to include a micro SD slot, should you find yourself wedged full. Of course, which ever you were to choose of Dell's less than dynamic duo, you also have your pick of 4G enabled, or wifi only editions of the Venue. Prices start at $149, and are available currently for order. In my opinion, Dell has released a product just good enough to keep loyal Dell customers from switching to other manufacturers, but are a great distance from taking business away from any current generation, name brand Android tablets.

Do you have anything to add? Let me know what you think in the comments below, and as always, thanks for reading-
Zachary Sellen -

Amazon to unleash a triple play of new Kindle Fire tablets

Amazon turns heads with the release of their 3rd generation of Kindle Fire tablets.


 First up we have the return of the Kindle Fire HD 7. This base model is back with the dual core processor and 7 inch screen of it's predecessor, but redesigned with a sleeker, more slim look,  and sporting Amazon's new Fire OS 3.0 Mojito. Android advocates need not worry, Mojito's compatibility with Android, gives Kindle owners the ability to run Android apps in addition to apps exclusive to the Amazon Market. Priced at $169 for the 16 GB, and only $139 for the 8 GB version, Amazon brings the Kindle to a wider audience.


The next step up from the HD 7 places us at the beginning of the HDX line of Kindle Fire tablets. The HDX 7 is available in 4G, or a wifi only version, both of which come equipped with your choice of a 16, 32, or 64 gigabytes of internal storage. Prices for the HDX 7 range from $229, to just over $400 depending on your desired version. No matter which you choose, the HDX 7 showcases a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution, 2.2ghz quad-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, and an Adreno 330 graphics processor. What does all that mean? Basically, this combination of high powered hardware results in a super accelerated tablet experience, fast games, and even faster apps.

We have definitely saved the best for last, as we take a look at the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 tablet. Holding it's own as the leader of the pack, the HDX 8.9 utilizes an unequivocal partnering of processing power, and an impressive 2,560 x 1,600 resolution to unite a snappy response time with a captivating, and crisp picture. The HDX 8.9 is also offered in a 4G, and wifi only model, and just like the HDX 7 you have your choice of hard disks. It differs from is two counterparts not only in screen size, but the 8.9 is the only tablet in the trio to feature an 8 megapixel rear facing camera, in addition to the hd forward facing camera offered in the smaller screen units. The bare bones option retails for a mere $379, and you can expect to pay nearly $600 for a fully loaded 8.9.

All members of the new HDX line are also equipped with the new Mayday button. This new feature enables you to connect with their technical support staff only 15 seconds after the depression of the mayday button. Thus allowing the rapid, and live remote assistance to get you back on track. The three tablets are available now for preorders, but with varying shipping dates. A redesigned Fire HD can be expected as soon as October 2nd. The 4G enabled Kindle Fire HDX 7 will not begin shipping until November 14th while the wifi only version of the HDX 7 will be sent out nearly a full month earlier. The highly sought after HDX 8.9 will be heading for homes by November 7th for the wifi only version, and December 10th for the 4G versions.
Making these a perfect gift idea, just in time for the holidays.

thank you for reading-
Zachary Sellen-