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Terminator 2 on 4K Blu-ray includes T-800 arm replicate
The upcoming release of Terminator 2: Judgment Day on UHD Blu-ray will be one of the biggest releases of the year, featuring a beautiful 4K restoration of one of the best action movies ever made.
T2 on 4K Blu-ray comes in a $175 edition that includes a life-size T-1800 endoskeleton arm, which even rocks James Cameron's signature. There will be only 6000 of the limited edition Terminator 2: Judgment Day 4K Blu-ray packs made available, and at $175 they should be pretty damn quickly.
The new 4K Blu-ray pack includes a new documentary Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger ("Uncle Bob"), Edward Furlong {"John Connor") and other cast members. Even at $180, it's not that expensive when compared against the $330 pack that was packaged with a 6-disc Blu-ray and chrome skull.
Continue reading: Terminator 2 on 4K Blu-ray includes T-800 arm replicate (full post)
Intel's new 12C/24T CPU: slower clocks than ThreadRipper
AMD has stressed Intel out so much that they've aged 20 years overnight, and now the pain continues. Intel has announced, very quietly I might add, that the frequency of their new Core i9-7920X processor is just 2.9GHz for base clock, with the Turbo Clock unknown at this point.
Intel's upcoming Core i9-7920X is the company's 12C/24T processor that will be priced at a hefty $1199, and when compared to AMD's new Ryzen ThreadRipper 1920X (12C/24T), Intel loses. First, AMD has its Ryzen ThreadRipper 1920X clocked at 3.5GHz base, and a much cheaper price of $799.
Intel also revealed that the 7920X will have 16.5MB of L3 cache, but didn't unveil any new specs of the processor just yet. So unless Intel's new processor destroys the ThreadRipper 1920X, the massive $400 increase might not be justified.
Continue reading: Intel's new 12C/24T CPU: slower clocks than ThreadRipper (full post)
AMD compares Radeon RX Vega to GTX 1080 in Battlefield 1
AMD has taken its next-gen Radeon RX Vega onto the road, landing in Budapest first. AMD is showing off its new GPU architecture to gaming fans, teaming up with ASUS to show off AMD/ASUS products.
The company has since shown off its new logo/branding for Radeon RX Vega, testing RX Vega with AMD's own Ryzen 7 1800X processor and Battlefield 1 at 3440x1440 on a beautiful FreeSync-powered UltraWide display. There was also another gaming PC next to it running NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 1080 (and not the GTX 1080 Ti) pitted against Radeon RX Vega.
The GeForce GTX 1080 powered gaming PC had the same 34-inch display and native 3440x1440 resolution, but was a G-Sync panel, compared to the RX Vega powered PC and its FreeSync Display. Both monitors were covered so you couldn't tell the difference between the systems, making it a blind test.
Continue reading: AMD compares Radeon RX Vega to GTX 1080 in Battlefield 1 (full post)
Super rare NES game sells for a huge $41,977
I had a NES back in the 80s and had never heard of Stadium Events until now, but TIL that it's one of the most rare NES games in the world.
So much so, that a sealed copy of Stadium Events was sold to a private buyer for a huge $41,977. The seller went for a traditional auction on eBay but the person who won didn't end up paying, so the seller contacted the "serious buyer" who coughed up the massive $41,977.
This isn't the first time that copies of Stadium Events have been sold, with a sealed copy being sold in 2015 for $35,100 and another sealed copy in 2010 sold for $41,300.
Continue reading: Super rare NES game sells for a huge $41,977 (full post)
Ubisoft not threatened by PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is fast becoming a household name in PC gaming, and has rocketed to success in just months. Big-name publishers like Ubisoft are taking notice, but the French games-maker says it doesn't feel threatened by PUBG's big chicken dinner wins.
Bluehole's early access battle royal PUBG is an early access sensation: the game raked in $100 million in revenues with 10 million copies sold on Steam in just 3 months time. Thanks to the new Facebook streaming deal, the game's playerbase continues to grow--in fact PUBG just surpassed Rockstar's GTA V titan in peak players on Steam.
Ubisoft has taken note of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and its massively engaged playerbase, and despite the strong numbers, the publisher isn't perturbed. Company CEO and co-founder Yves Guillemot affirms that Rainbow Six: Siege is still doing very well, and in the call he announced R6 had 30 million registered users at the end of June. At the same time, however, Mr. Guillemot says that PUGB elements could be adapted into Ubisoft-published games like The Division and Rainbow Six: Siege.
Continue reading: Ubisoft not threatened by PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (full post)
HMD accidentally unveils the Nokia 8 ahead of the launch
Earlier this week, Evan Blass revealed the first image of Nokia's upcoming flagship showing rumored design.
Now, it appears that the company has accidentally revealed the phone ahead of the launch. A promotional photo was posted to the company's Chinese website showing the Nokia 8. If there were any doubts about earlier leaked photos, we now have confirmation that this is indeed Nokia's flagship.
The phone should be officially unveiled on July 20th, and according to previous reports, it will be powered by Snapdragon 835 and come with 4GB or 6GB of RAM. The device is expected to feature a 5.3-inch QHD display and run Android 7.1.1 Nougat.
Continue reading: HMD accidentally unveils the Nokia 8 ahead of the launch (full post)
Razer to build smartphone for gamers?
Recent rumors started after the company filed for its IPO indicate that the company may be working on a Razer smartphone. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise to anyone because Razer did buy the defunct and indebted smartphone maker Nextbit.
Nextbit made a smartphone called the Robin which was a 'cloud' phone that kept most of its storage and data in the cloud. It launched at a time when unlimited plans were still rare and didn't get any carrier to embrace it, so it was very niche and ultimately failed.
Continue reading: Razer to build smartphone for gamers? (full post)
DOOM 6.66 update delivers free DLC, slashes price
Bethesda is unloading tons of value for current and potential DOOM players, starting with free multiplayer DLC, a MP overhaul, a price cut, and last but not least, free weekends.
If you've yet to pick up id's new explosively gritty, demon-smashing, skull-crushing, rip-and-tear shooter DOOM, then Bethesda is making it worth your while. The publisher today launched DOOM's v 6.66 update, a big 30GB+ update that makes all multiplayer DLC for all owners of the game--the season pass has been abolished!--and gears the game up for free weekends.
Also included in the aptly-named 6.66 update is a considerable overhaul to the game's fast-paced multiplayer, including a complete revamping of the progression system--unlockable items are now gated behind EXP progression rather than being randomized.
Continue reading: DOOM 6.66 update delivers free DLC, slashes price (full post)
Nintendo Switch voice chat app stumbles out of the gate
Nintendo today launched its hotly debated Nintendo Switch Online smartphone chatting app, and it's just as bad as you predicted.
The Nintendo Switch has two major online-based first-party games: ARMS and Splatoon 2. Rather than allowing players to easily hook up third-party headsets directly to the Switch, or into the Switch's Pro or JoyCon controllers, the company has taken a more confusing integrated approach: by forcing users to download an app to their phones for voice chatting. The app, which is required to chat with friends in parties in online games like Splatoon 2, launched today to strong frustration from the community.
Splatoon 2 isn't yet available, so only games press currently have full functionality of the app. And from what we're hearing it's quite awful, and Switch owners aren't happy. According to Forbes' Paul Tassi, the app is marred with a litany of problems including: the phone's screen must stay on to chat, you can't chat with friends when the app is minimized so say goodbye to communication while you answer a phone call, and, of course, there's real issues of battery drain considering the phone's screen must stay on and connected to the internet at all times to work.
Continue reading: Nintendo Switch voice chat app stumbles out of the gate (full post)
Ubisoft's digital-first plan is paying off big
Ubisoft's move to future-proof its games and embrace the digital market is paying off big as the French games-maker reports big earnings despite not releasing any new games.
In the last few years Ubisoft has transformed from a company that relies strongly on game sales into a massively profitable business whose games now make money long after their initial sale. This paradigm shift made Ubisoft one of the most interesting companies to cover, and now the European titan has created a billion-dollar empire with strong recurring revenues. Case in point: Ubisoft just made 202.1 million euros ($232.71 million) in its first quarter 2017 without releasing a single new game.
In the first quarter of FY18, Ubisoft pulled in total sales of 202.1 million euros ($232.78 million), up 45.2% year-over-year since Q1'16. Total Q1 sales exceeded Ubisoft's 170 million euro target by 18.88%. The company reports that digital is making up more and more of its total sales revenue, and for Q1'17 digital accounted for a staggering 80.4% of sales, or 164.2 million euros ($189.07 million).
Continue reading: Ubisoft's digital-first plan is paying off big (full post)
ASUS to launch three ZenFone 4 series phones next month
ASUS recently launched the ZenFone 4 Max with 5,000 mAh battery, but we are still waiting for three new ZenFone series smartphones. It was initially expected that the company would launch the phones during Computex, but that didn't happen due to, according to a source, "design overhaul and efficiency upgrades."
Now, a new report states that the company is ready for the launch and it should unveil the devices on August 17th. August is clearly going to be busy since we are also expecting Samsung to launch the Note8 and LG should unveil its V30.
Read also: ASUS launches ZenFone 4 Max with 5,000 mAh battery
Continue reading: ASUS to launch three ZenFone 4 series phones next month (full post)
New Note8 leak shows unexpected design: Big top bezel
Just a couple of days ago, one of the first images of the Note8 surfaced showing a beautiful Infinity display. However, now a new leak shows a bit different image.
Case maker Nillkin has released an image of its Note8 case, and it is clear that the design of the phone doesn't match the one we saw in the images earlier this week.
Read also: Note8 to have two storage size options and insane price
Continue reading: New Note8 leak shows unexpected design: Big top bezel (full post)
Woman caught smuggling 102 iPhones strapped to her body
The prices of iPhone devices vary from country to country. We recently reported that the iPhone 7 could cost anywhere from $815 to $1200, depending on where you try to buy it. Knowing this, it shouldn't be surprising that individuals try to make some money on black market selling iPhones.
One woman was caught while trying to sneak 102 iPhones from Hong Kong to China. Apparently, this isn't uncommon since the iPhone prices are lower in Hong Kong.
The woman strapped 102 iPhones on her body, adding around 40 pounds (around 18kg) extra weight. Photos show different models of the iPhone device, so it's hard to guess the total value of the haul, but rest assured that we are looking at tens of thousands of dollars worth of phones.
Continue reading: Woman caught smuggling 102 iPhones strapped to her body (full post)
Apple patents a feature that could save lives
In a patent published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Apple describes a feature that could literally save lives.
The tech giant submitted a patent for a feature that would allow users to call emergency services "when a conventional method may not be practical." The patent describes how a user could call 911 by simply using a fingerprint.
It is already possible to call 911 from the lock screen on iOS devices, but this feature would allow users to call the emergency services even if they find themselves in a situation where an assailant or attacker is watching them.
Continue reading: Apple patents a feature that could save lives (full post)
Razer seeks $5 billion valuation via overseas IPO
PC peripherals-maker Razer hopes a new IPO will raise the company's valuation to as much as $5 billion.
After 12 years of being private, Razer currently plans to go public with its shares with an IPO. The company will open its shares in an initial public offering in Hong Kong, China, this October, sources familiar with the matter tell Bloomberg. The Singapore-founded American company is most known for its vibrant PC gaming products including keyboards, mice, and headsets, as well as premium-priced laptops like the Razer Blade.
With its IPO, Razer aims at a valuation of anywhere between $3 billion and $5 billion. Sources say the launch in Hong Kong is no mistake: the company is pursuing China's massive $27 billion games market, which is largely set on the mobile games segment. The company has already made its mark within the massively lucrative region with its first retail store based in Hong Kong.
Continue reading: Razer seeks $5 billion valuation via overseas IPO (full post)
Cosmetic microtransactions fund StarCraft II tourneys
Blizzard is taking a page out of Valve's playbook to fund StarCraft II eSports tournaments.
With its new War Chest initiative, games titan Blizzard is essentially mimicking Valve's unique interactive Battle Pass monetization program to raise money for competitive StarCraft II competitions. War Chest essentially allows StarCraft II players to purchase cosmetic skin packs via in-game microtransactions and earn exclusive rewards while taking part in an engaging marketing campaign.
Blizzard notes that 25% of all War Chest purchases go directly to StarCraft II eSports ventures. Blizzard will add the first $200,000 raised via War Chest to the BlizzCon 2017 tournament pool making a total prize pool of $700,000.
Continue reading: Cosmetic microtransactions fund StarCraft II tourneys (full post)
Samsung will manufacture 7nm chips for Apple's iPhone 9
Samsung will produce chips for Apple's next year's iPhone, claims a new report. It appears that Samsung and Apple have already signed a deal regarding iPhone 9's processors.
This is a huge accomplishment for Samsung since the company lost the deal with Apple back in 2013 to its Taiwanese rival TSMC. TSMC is currently working on 10nm A11 chips for the iPhone 8.
Read also: Apple orders 10nm A11 processors for the iPhone 8
Continue reading: Samsung will manufacture 7nm chips for Apple's iPhone 9 (full post)
It's not you; Crash Bandicoot remaster jumps ARE off
The developers at Vicarious Visions have played some mind games with old-school Crash fans.
If you've played the new Crash Bandicoot remaster, you're probably having a tough time with the jumps. Thankfully we finally know why. It's not just you: Crash isn't jumping right, and his jumps really are off. These aren't the old-school PlayStation games you remember just updated fancy graphics, the devs at Vicarious Visions finally admitted, but a new game with an altered physics system.
"Many fans have picked up on the fact that Crash's jump isn't quite the same as it was, particularly in the first game, Crash Bandicoot," the dev team said in a recent Activision blog post.
Continue reading: It's not you; Crash Bandicoot remaster jumps ARE off (full post)
Far Cry 5's campaign is 25-30 hours long
Far Cry 5's campaign length will be on par with previous games in the series, Ubisoft says.
With a living, breathing open world based built with Ubisoft's next-gen world tech mixed with chaotic and explosive FPS action, Far Cry 5 looks to be the most ambitious Far Cry yet. Since the game won't release until 2018, Ubisoft has been a bit tight-lipped about specific details, but lead writer Drew Holmes drops some new info.
In a recent interview with Gamingbolt, Mr. Holmes said that Far Cry 5 has deep customization and a massive level of guns and other toys to spread wanton mayhem across rural Montana. "It has a robust school system. There's going to be lots of weapons to play around with. We're going to go into it later. But expect improvement and stuff you have seen in previous Far Cry games," Mr. Holmes said. When asked about Far Cry 5's total campaign length, the writer affirmed it should be around 25-30 hours.
Continue reading: Far Cry 5's campaign is 25-30 hours long (full post)
Netflix pulls in 5.2 million new subscribers
Netflix has announced strong second quarter earnings, causing stocks to rally due to strong subscription growth.
Streaming juggernaut Netflix continues to grow: the company recently announced that it broke the 100 million subscriber barrier in its second quarter, with 104 million current members. Netflix reports boosts in revenues and subscribers, but weathered a 50% drop in operating income.
The titan raked in $2.78 billion in total revenues in the three month period ending June 30, 2017, up 32.3% year-over-year from Q2'16. Perhaps the most impressive jump is how many new subscribers Netflix earned--the company beat Wall Street's outlandish estimates by pulling in 5.2 million new subscribers during the quarter, or more than 200% more new subscribers year-over-year.
Continue reading: Netflix pulls in 5.2 million new subscribers (full post)






















