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Win 'Transformers: The Last Knight' movie tickets on us

Ben Gourlay | Contests & Giveaways | Jun 19, 2017 1:30 AM CDT

To celebrate the release of 'Transformers: The Last Knight' in cinemas, we are giving you the chance to win one of five double cinema passes, thanks to our friends at Paramount Pictures.

Win 'Transformers: The Last Knight' movie tickets on us

The Last Knight shatters the core myths of the Transformers franchise, and redefines what it means to be a hero. Humans and Transformers are at war, Optimus Prime is gone. The key to saving our future lies buried in the secrets of the past, in the hidden history of Transformers on Earth. Saving our world falls upon the shoulders of an unlikely alliance: Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg); Bumblebee; an English Lord (Sir Anthony Hopkins); and an Oxford Professor (Laura Haddock). There comes a moment in everyone's life when we are called upon to make a difference. In Transformers: The Last Knight, the hunted will become heroes. Heroes will become villains. Only one world will survive: theirs, or ours.

Please note that the competition is only open to entrants from Australia. To go into the running to win a prize, simply correctly answer the following question:

Continue reading: Win 'Transformers: The Last Knight' movie tickets on us (full post)

Qualcomm tech will power future smart speakers

Anthony Garreffa | Mobile Devices | Jun 18, 2017 11:34 PM CDT

Qualcomm is turning into Skynet as the days pass, with the tech giant unveiling a new reference "smart audio" design that packs a microphone, speaker, and voice recognition technology that OEMs can use to build their own smart speakers.

Qualcomm tech will power future smart speakers

Better yet, Qualcomm's new reference design has support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, meaning that OEMs can provide support for the respective voice assistants, into many more audio products. On the audio side of things, Qualcomm will be using its DDFA audio amplifier technology and an audio development kit (ADK) that will let companies build Bluetooth speakers, headphones, and other audio-related products.

Qualcomm Senior VP Anthony Murray said that the company's aim is to have manufacturers making smart speakers and headphones "without significantly increasing integration time or cost". Linux and Android Things will be powering the new designs, including "far field" multi-microphone tech that will see the products waking up for audio queues like "OK Google", beamforming, and echo cancellation.

Continue reading: Qualcomm tech will power future smart speakers (full post)

Star Wars Battlefront II: the most viewed E3 game

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Jun 18, 2017 10:09 PM CDT

E3 2017 is done and dusted, and now we know just how many views each of the game trailers had during the week - with Star Wars Battlefront II at the top of the list. Here's the top ten most-viewed E3 2017 games:

Star Wars Battlefront II: the most viewed E3 game

Star Wars Battlefront II had over 7.9 million views, while Super Mario Odyssey enjoyed a swift 5.5 million views. As for the break down of numbers, we have:

Continue reading: Star Wars Battlefront II: the most viewed E3 game (full post)

MSI unveils its new X299 TOMAHAWK ARCTIC

Anthony Garreffa | Motherboards | Jun 18, 2017 8:35 PM CDT

MSI has officially unveiled its new X299 TOMAHAWK ARCTIC motherboard, with its freakin' beautiful - and super unique look.

MSI unveils its new X299 TOMAHAWK ARCTIC

The new X299 TOMAHAWK ARCTIC sports 4 x PCIe x16 slots, 2 x PCIe 1x, and 2 x M.2 slots. MSI's TOMAHAWK range is the company's mid-range series, so this doesn't have all of the bells and whistles that the high-end/enthusiast motherboards will have. We do have MSI's own Mystic Light feature, which will light up the board - and in that white theme, it'll look crazy good in the right combination of RGB LEDs, graphics card/s, and case/fans.

MSI X299 TOMAHAWK ARCTIC

Continue reading: MSI unveils its new X299 TOMAHAWK ARCTIC (full post)

G.Skill TridentZ DDR4 hits 5.5GHz with Core i7-7740K CPU

Anthony Garreffa | RAM | Jun 18, 2017 6:52 AM CDT

G.SKILL are constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible with DDR4 overclocking, so it comes as no surprise that they've hit a massive milestone: 5.5GHz on DDR4.

G.Skill TridentZ DDR4 hits 5.5GHz with Core i7-7740K CPU

The new 5.5GHz barrier was reached with Intel's fresh X299 chipset and their new Core i7-7740K processor, with G.SKILL's TridentZ DDR4 RAM, with the MSI X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC motherboard used by Taiwanese overclocker Toppc. The RAM in question used Samsung's impressive 8Gb ICs which were pushed to their limits, with Toppc hitting 5GHz on a Skylake-based Core i5-6600K last year.

G.SKILL Corporate Vice President Tequila Huang said: "DDR4 5.5GHz has been our next target after we achieved DDR4 5GHz last year. We are extremely excited to finally make it happen together with Samsung components, MSI X299 motherboard, and Intel Core X-series processor. We are seeing amazing overclocking potential for these newly released hardware and we believe that more overclocking benchmark records will be achieved very soon by professional overclockers worldwide".

Continue reading: G.Skill TridentZ DDR4 hits 5.5GHz with Core i7-7740K CPU (full post)

Intel Core i9-7900X reviewed: 10C/20T @ up to 4.8GHz

Anthony Garreffa | Processors | Jun 18, 2017 1:28 AM CDT

The massive multi-threaded consumer CPU war is now starting thanks to AMD hitting Intel where it hurts with Ryzen and hitting 8C/16T @ $499... but Ryzen ThreadRipper with up to 16C/32T is on the way, so the preemptive strike from Intel with Core i9 happened.

Intel Core i9-7900X reviewed: 10C/20T @ up to 4.8GHz

Now we're seeing the first review of Intel's upcoming Core i9-7900X, their new X299-based Core-X series processor with 10C/20T of CPU performance that seems to perform well, overclock well, but is priced pretty high. Hexus has published their review from an Intel CPU sample that was not provided to them by Intel - so they could throw the review online and not worry about Intel's legal team emailing them saying they've broken NDA.

We can see that the fresh X299 chipset needs some more time to mature, but we have some gaming and overclocking charts for you to gander over - and consider buying the 10C/20T chip in the form of the Core i9-7900X over the upcoming Ryzen ThreadRipper range from AMD. My tip: wait.

Continue reading: Intel Core i9-7900X reviewed: 10C/20T @ up to 4.8GHz (full post)

Age of Empires: Definitive Edition: remastered in 4K

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Jun 17, 2017 11:31 PM CDT

Can you believe it has been 20 years since the release of the original Age of Empires, and now Microsoft has announced that it is working on Age of Empires Definitive Edition, a remastered version of AoE in 4K.

Age of Empires: Definitive Edition: remastered in 4K

4K isn't the only thing Microsoft is doing with Age of Empires Definitive Edition, as there will noy only be the original base AoE alongside the "Rise of Rome" expansion pack, but there's enhanced gameplay and narration, 16 civilizations to explore, and 10 campaigns to play through.

Feature wise, Microsoft promises: "Fully remastered with beautifully enhanced graphics that support up to 4K, entirely re-orchestrated soundtrack, brand-new narrative, major gameplay improvements, Xbox Live support for multiplayer and achievements, this definitive edition brings back the original "Age of Empires" and its "Rise of Rome" expansion with 16 civilizations ranging from the Stone Age all the way to Romans".

Continue reading: Age of Empires: Definitive Edition: remastered in 4K (full post)

Xbox game sales to grow 17% in 2017 due to Xbox One X

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 17, 2017 7:29 PM CDT

Xbox One game sales are expected to rise by over 15% in 2017 in part thanks to Microsoft's new high-end Xbox One X system.

Xbox game sales to grow 17% in 2017 due to Xbox One X

Microsoft's latest premium $499 Xbox One X system will catalyze game sales on the Xbox One family of consoles throughout 2017, analyst firm FutureSource Consulting forecasts. According to FutureSource, total Xbox One game sales are expected to rise by 17% to 70 million throughout 2017 with the bulk of game sales happening in Q4 to coincide with the Xbox One X's launch. PS4 game sales are expected to only jump by 3%, however Sony expects to sell 18 million more PS4 units in the fiscal year ending March 2018, bringing the total sales to 68 million units.

The adoption of 4K UHD television sets is also growing, likely sparked by more 4K entertainment options as well as the range of new 4K-enabled video games consoles such as Microsoft's $249 Xbox One S and it's new $399 Xbox One X, and Sony's $399 PlayStation 4 Pro.

Continue reading: Xbox game sales to grow 17% in 2017 due to Xbox One X (full post)

Xbox One X isn't for everyone, says Microsoft

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 17, 2017 6:23 PM CDT

E3 2017 - Xbox division head Phil Spencer says that Microsoft's new $499 Xbox One X isn't for everyone--it's for those experienced players who want the best console hardware available, and want to push 4K gaming and play today's games at the best possible performance.

Xbox One X isn't for everyone, says Microsoft

"The Xbox One X is a console so it's for someone who wants to play video games in a console environment, and it's for someone who wants the best console out there and a premium console experience. It's not for everybody. Just like the Elite controllers--they're not for everybody. Everyone shouldn't spend $150 on a controller," Xbox executive Phil Spencer said in a recent interview with Giant Bomb.

"The Xbox One X is for the gamer who's experienced, whether they're a PC gamer or a current-gen console gamer, and they want the best console experience available."

Continue reading: Xbox One X isn't for everyone, says Microsoft (full post)

Super Mario Odyssey co-op looks like tons of fun

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 17, 2017 3:45 PM CDT

E3 2017 - Nintendo's new Super Mario Odyssey looks to be the most exciting Nintendo Switch exclusive the platform has to offer, and the Japanese games-maker highlights how two players can team up and play within the unique 3D platforming world.

Super Mario Odyssey co-op looks like tons of fun

As we previously reported, Super Mario Odyssey will have co-op on the Nintendo Switch. Players can detach both of the Switch's included JoyCon controllers and play co-operative two-player on-the-go in Tabletop Mode, or at home in TV Mode. One player will control Mario while the other controls Cappy, Mario's trusty hat. The two-player dynamic is surprisingly fun and deep: Mario can jump on Cappy to close long distances, and Cappy can protect Mario from enemies as well as collect items.

Nintendo Treehouse showcased some of Super Mario Odyssey's two player co-operative mode in a recent video to highlight some of the more entertaining features. While co-op isn't the star of the show perse, it has a very big effect on gameplay, especially certain in-game areas.

Continue reading: Super Mario Odyssey co-op looks like tons of fun (full post)

Sony doubles down on VR commitment

Derek Strickland | Extended Reality (XR) | Jun 17, 2017 1:24 PM CDT

E3 2017 - Sony revitalizes its commitment to its PlayStation VR headset at E3 with a smattering of new virtual reality content.

Sony doubles down on VR commitment

At it's E3 2017 showcase, Sony revealed more PlayStation VR games than it did new PS4 titles, sending a clear signal: Sony Interactive Entertainment isn't giving up on its console-powered VR infrastructure. Since it's launch in October 2016, Sony's PlayStation VR headset has sold 1 million units to date. While that might seem an impressive number, the $399 premium VR HMD's attach rate is quite small: the PlayStation VR has only penetrated 1.67% of the PlayStation 4's massive 60 million console install base.

To attract more PS4 users to adopt PlayStation VR, the console-maker is investing into more games to fill out the headset's catalog of titles with a number of high-profile exclusives and ports. The principal PSVR exclusive is Bethseda's new Skyrim VR, which brings 2011's award-winning RPG The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim into virtual reality for the first time. Sony announced a total of 12 new PlayStation VR games at the show and on its YouTube channel.

Continue reading: Sony doubles down on VR commitment (full post)

Microsoft is resurrecting old-school Xbox

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 16, 2017 7:23 PM CDT

E3 2017 - Microsoft is keen on resurrecting the old-school 2001 Xbox using its newest generation of Xbox One consoles.

Microsoft is resurrecting old-school Xbox

Microsoft has very successfully breathed new life into last-generation's Xbox 360 platform with its extensive backwards compatibility program, ensuring about 380 older last-gen games are playable on the newer Xbox One consoles. Now Redmond is going even farther by bringing 2001 "OG" Xbox games onto Xbox One, ushering in a surprising endeavor to reinvigorate the console brand from its roots.

At E3 2017, Xbox division head Phil Spencer officially confirmed that original 2001 Xbox games are coming to Xbox One backward compatibility. To date only two games have been announced including Crimson Skies and Fusion Frenzy, but we have a strong feeling that the classic system-seller Halo: Combat Evolved will make it over and soon everyone will be able to recreate those beloved old Halo LAN memories.

Continue reading: Microsoft is resurrecting old-school Xbox (full post)

Assassin's Creed: Origins microtransactions likely

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 16, 2017 6:34 PM CDT

E3 2017 - Like all of Ubisoft's new games, the publisher's new massive ancient Egypt-based Assassin's Creed: Origins will be based around live services to monetize the game and ensure a long tail for revenues.

Assassin's Creed: Origins microtransactions likely

Ubisoft is no stranger to microtransactions. The publisher has dramatically shifted towards digital online content with games like For Honor, Rainbow Six: Siege, The Division and Ghost Recon: Wildlands, which have all significantly boosted PRI (player recurring revenue) spend across the board. In fact, PRI spend on microtransactions and add-on content made up 17% of Ubisoft's total revenue in 2016, or $273.7 million. By 2020, Ubisoft expects PRI to make up a whopping 25% of total yearly revenues, or $584.1 million. That's a 113% increase in PRI from fiscal year 2017 to fiscal year 2020.

This forecast frames key insights for FY2018 releases like Assassin's Creed: Origins and Far Cry 5, both of which should be monetized in key ways to facilitate substantial PRI growth. Today we'll be focusing on Assassin's Creed: Origins--Far Cry 5 will come at another time. Ubisoft Montreal game director Ashraf Ismail has confirmed that Assassin's Creed: Origins wont' have an online multiplayer mode, but will instead feature online features that will enhance the player experience. This is prime lingo for microtransactions.

Continue reading: Assassin's Creed: Origins microtransactions likely (full post)

Bungie explains why Destiny 2 runs at 30FPS on consoles

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 16, 2017 5:22 PM CDT

E3 2017 - Bungie says that Sony didn't force 30FPS parity between Xbox One X and PS4 console performance in Destiny 2.

Bungie explains why Destiny 2 runs at 30FPS on consoles

Just yesterday Destiny 2 dev Luke Smith told WCCFTech that Bungie is "aiming to deliver the same experience on all platforms, and so far, there are no specific enhancements planned for Xbox One X." This led many to believe Bungie was simply holding back and forcing the Xbox One X to run the same as the PS4 Pro because of the exclusive marketing deal it signed with Sony.

Microsoft's new $499 Xbox One X console features beefier hardware than the PS4 Pro, including a 6TFLOP GPU, a 2.73GHz customized Jaguar CPU, and 12GB of GDDR5 RAM clocked at 326GB/sec--all of which should ideally be tapped to deliver higher graphic fidelity and frame rates then Sony's $399 PS4 Pro box.

Continue reading: Bungie explains why Destiny 2 runs at 30FPS on consoles (full post)

Bethesda: we want to leave free mods the way they are

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 16, 2017 4:23 PM CDT

E3 2017 - Bethesda exec Pete Hines says premium Creation Club content will live alongside free mods, and the company has no plans to disrupt or shake-up the free modding market on PS4, Xbox One or PC.

Bethesda: we want to leave free mods the way they are

Bethesda's new Creation Club program might sound an awful lot like paid mods, but it's actually not. Creation Club content does resemble mods in terms of being add-on content that ranges from weapons and armor to new quests and even new world areas, but it isn't free.

Users will have to pay real-world money to unlock credits to buy content. However, payment ensures higher quality--the content is highly regulated and submissions are put through Q&A testing and alpha and beta phases.

Continue reading: Bethesda: we want to leave free mods the way they are (full post)

Nintendo stocks surge following E3 2017

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 16, 2017 3:26 PM CDT

E3 2017 - Nintendo's high-profile E3 2017 showcase has had a strong effect on its stock, sending its shares to their highest point in years.

Nintendo stocks surge following E3 2017

Shares of Japanese console-maker Nintendo have risen once again on the back of a successful games reveal stream, this time centered around its new Switch console-handheld hybrid.

Nintendo company shares are now at their highest point since 2008 thanks to the strong community buzz driven by a slew of heavy-hitters like a new mainline Pokemon RPG for the Switch, Fire Emblem Warriors, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle, a new Kirby and Yoshi game, the massively anticipated Mario Odyssey, and the big surprise of Metroid Prime 4.

Continue reading: Nintendo stocks surge following E3 2017 (full post)

Metro Exodus is 4A Games' most ambitious game yet

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Jun 16, 2017 2:15 PM CDT

E3 2017 - Metro Exodus represents a new horizon of scope and depth for the landmark FPS series.

Metro Exodus is 4A Games' most ambitious game yet

4A Games has been working on its new Metro Exodus game for three years now, and promises a staggering level of freedom and exploration for players. The next-gen FPS takes place in huge "continent-spanning" open-world environments filled with hostile life, post-apocalyptic ruins, loot, and unique interactive opportunities.

4A Games leverages new technologies like dynamic weather, a true day-to-night cycle, and a full year's of seasons from spring to winter to breathe new immersive life into post-nuclear Moscow, all with the deadly action-packed FPS survival the series is known for.

Continue reading: Metro Exodus is 4A Games' most ambitious game yet (full post)

iPhone 8 leak confirms fingerprint sensor under screen

Lana Jelic | Mobile Devices | Jun 16, 2017 12:25 PM CDT

A recent mobile conference in Shenzen has revealed some new information about the upcoming iPhone 8.

iPhone 8 leak confirms fingerprint sensor under screen

While it's still not certain whether Apple will launch the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus and the iPhone 8, more and more reports confirm this.

The report from Shenzen comes with a picture of an interesting slide from one of the presentations. The slide lists iPhone 8's specs: 5.8-inch OLED display with 2.5D glass and 3D Touch.

Continue reading: iPhone 8 leak confirms fingerprint sensor under screen (full post)

Vivo to show phone with fingerprint sensor under screen

Lana Jelic | Mobile Devices | Jun 16, 2017 10:34 AM CDT

For a while now we hear rumors that Apple or Samsung will launch a smartphone with a fingerprint sensor embedded in the screen. It was expected that Samsung might introduce this feature with the Galaxy S8, but that didn't happen. According to the latest reports, the Note8 might also be without this feature.

Vivo to show phone with fingerprint sensor under screen

As for Apple, there are some reports that claim that the iPhone 8 might have this feature, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Now, a new report from China says that a totally unexpected company might be the first to launch a smartphone with a fingerprint scanner embedded under the glass - Vivo.

Continue reading: Vivo to show phone with fingerprint sensor under screen (full post)

More OnePlus 5 images leak ahead of the launch

Lana Jelic | Mobile Devices | Jun 16, 2017 8:24 AM CDT

OnePlus will reveal its highly-anticipated flagship on June 20th, and the company has already revealed some info about the phone. We learned that they are working with DxO on the phone's camera and that the phone will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835.

More OnePlus 5 images leak ahead of the launch

The company also revealed a photo of the device, which shows the back of the OnePlus 5 and confirms the dual rear camera setup.

Now, a couple of days before the launch, more images have leaked. While the official OnePlus 5 photo shows the back of the device, this one shows its front.

Continue reading: More OnePlus 5 images leak ahead of the launch (full post)

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