GameStop to use Microsoft Azure to stream games to mobile users

Michael Hatamoto | Gaming | Jan 12, 2015 1:24 PM CST

Video game retailer GameStop has teamed up with Microsoft to use the Azure cloud platform to stream video game and promotional content to user mobile devices while they are in-store. Customers will be able to view video game catalogs, trailers, promotional materials, and other data.

"Microsoft has always been a fantastic and innovative company for GameStop to collaborate with, both in the technology space as well with their video game consoles and titles," said Jeff Donaldson, SVP of GameStop Technology Institute. "We are continuing to work closely with them to discover and aggressively elevate ways to enhance the retail experience for our customers today and in the future."

GameStop has become more creative in how it approaches gamers, as streaming and digital downloads continue to alter the PC and console gaming markets.

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Facebook reportedly approached to invest in Xiaomi smartphone maker

Smartphone maker Xiaomi reportedly met with No. 1 social networking site Facebook about potential investment opportunities in late 2014. It appears a deal between Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun didn't happen, but reveals how serious Xiaomi is to expand into the United States and other lucrative western markets.

Xiaomi, the No. 3 smartphone manufacturer in the world, and Facebook showed initial interest - but political and commercial roadblocks would have occurred, as Facebook is banned inside of China. Since the deal couldn't be put together, Xiaomi collected $1.1 billion from Chinese investors - and the company's valuation is now estimated at $45 billion.

"Facebook wants to get into China, and Xiaomi is keen to expand outside, so they both recognize the importance of working together," an unnamed source told Reuters.

Continue reading: Facebook reportedly approached to invest in Xiaomi smartphone maker (full post)

Islamic State reportedly hacks US Central Command Twitter, YouTube

Michael Hatamoto | Hacking, Security & Privacy | Jan 12, 2015 1:03 PM CST

It appears the US Central Command Twitter and YouTube accounts were hacked by the Islamic State, corresponding with President Obama preparing to deliver a speech regarding cybersecurity. Both accounts have been temporarily suspended, as threatening messages were posted aimed at US soldiers.

One of the messages posted on the US Central Command Twitter page included: American soldiers, we are coming, watch your back. ISIS. #CyberCaliphate" and included a link to a Pastebin link.

This effort was designed to be an annoyance to the US government and US Central Command systems remain secure from attack. Meanwhile, US officials are looking into the breach, including extent of the incident and any messages that may have been sent from the hijacked accounts.

Continue reading: Islamic State reportedly hacks US Central Command Twitter, YouTube (full post)

AI researchers called upon to sign open letter for safe development

Research into artificial intelligence (AI) continues to evolve, and there is growing concern that uncontrolled AI could have a significant impact on mankind. To prevent this from happening, the Future of Life Institute (FLI) wants AI researchers to sign an open letter to protect humans from intelligent machines.

"We recommend expanded research aimed at ensuring that increasingly capable AI systems are robost and beneficial: our AI systems must do what we want them to do," the letter reads. "The attached research priorities document gives many examples of such research directions that can help maximize the societal benefit of AI. This research is by necessity interdisciplinary, because it involves both society and AI. It ranges from economics, law and philosophy to computer security, formal methods and, of course, various branches of AI itself."

AI is being used in autonomous weapons systems, robots and humanoids, and in autonomous vehicles - raising serious ethical questions that must be answered.

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Enjoying that promotional poster in-store? Why not build on it?!

Chris Smith | Modding | Jan 12, 2015 1:06 AM CST

We've reached back to the past for this one. Ryan Hooper from KARMA IT teamed up with ASUS Australia to produce a pretty kick-ass modded system where the chassis was the promotional poster for the actual motherboard itself.

Completed back in 2012, the system components included were the top of the time - however now they're obviously a little dated. Featuring an Intel i7-2600k processor and paired with an ASUS Maxtrix GTX 580 video card all running through an ASUS ROG Maximus IV Extreme, we haven't seen a build like this one before.

The full specification list is as follows:

Continue reading: Enjoying that promotional poster in-store? Why not build on it?! (full post)

Oculus still trying to sort out what VR is best suited for

The virtual reality market is growing, and seems to have drawn the most attention by the gaming community, but still isn't ready for mainstream adoption. However, it's possible that the movie industry has the most to gain from virtual reality, with consumers interested in embracing the unique viewing experience.

"We've said from the beginning we're big gamers, and we started Oculus to deliver consumer VR and revolutionize games," said Nate Mitchell, VP for product at Oculus, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "But it may well end up being that VR is more about film than games - [but] it's possible. We don't know what the killer app is."

Oculus is working with developers in the video game and movie industries, and it's possible Oculus VR headsets could also find their way into military simulation trainings. There is a tremendous amount of opportunities for virtual reality in the future, but consumers appear more interested in what can be done sooner rather than later.

Continue reading: Oculus still trying to sort out what VR is best suited for (full post)

Take home 'The Boxtrolls' on 3D Blu-ray, thanks to Universal Pictures

Ben Gourlay | Contests & Giveaways | Jan 12, 2015 12:01 AM CST

To celebrate this week's release of 'The Boxtrolls' on 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD and digital we have ten copies of the 3D Blu-ray combo pack to give away to readers, thanks to our friends at Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Beneath the charming cobblestone streets of Cheesebridge live the Boxtrolls; quirky, mischievous and cardboard box wearing creatures who crawl above ground at night to scavenge for bits of human junk. The Boxtrolls love nothing more than cheese and an orphaned baby boy named Eggs (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) whom they have warmly raised since his infancy as one of their dumpster-diving, junk collecting own. Despite their timid, good-hearted nature, the Boxtrolls are feared by the people of Cheesebridge, who believe they will steal their children and beloved cheese. Eager to win over the town's affection, evil pest exterminator Archibald Snatcher (Ben Kingsley) and his crew of Red Hat exterminators develop a plan to eradicate the kindhearted band of tinkerers. It's up to Eggs and his feisty new friend Winnie (Elle Fanning) to bring the two world's together amidst the winds of change - and cheese.

To go into the running to take a Blu-ray home, simply answer the following question:

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Apple toots its own horn, indirectly helped create 1 million jobs

Michael Hatamoto | Business, Financial & Legal | Jan 11, 2015 11:32 PM CST

Apple added 9,000 new jobs in 2014 alone, but says it has directly and indirectly led to more than 1 million jobs being "created or supported" by the company. In addition to its Apple headquarters and stores throughout the country, Apple also has generated great interest among app developers within the community.

"This year is off to a tremendous start after a record-breaking year for the App Store and our developer community," said Eddy Cue, senior VP of Internet software and services at Apple. "We're so proud of the creativity and innovation developers bring to the apps they create for iOS users and that the developer community has now earned over $25 billion."

Apple is off to another tremendous start with its App Store, racking up almost half a billion dollars on mobile apps and in-app purchases during the first week of January - and New Year's Day was the highest-grossing day of all-time for the App Store.

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Malaysia bans 'Achmed The Dead Terrorist', Jeff Dunham creates brother

Ben Gourlay | Celebrities & Entertainment | Jan 11, 2015 10:42 PM CST

Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham is known worldwide for his character Achmed the Dead Terrorist, but what happens when a nation becomes sensitive and expressly prohibits him from performing with the character? Well, Dunham gives him a beret, an accent and a new name and continues the performance regardless!

Dunham said that Malaysia's Ministry of Culture and Arts requested that his act be changed for local sensitivities, including his name, likeness, references to virgins or Muslims. Now released on DVD, the footage from the performance from last May can now be enjoyed. During the setup, Dunham notes:

"While I respect the wishes of our host country, I'm also an American and a firm believer in the freedom of speech. On the other hand, I wanted to avoid Achmed and I getting thrown in jail and being caned. So let's just say that the character that took center stage in Malaysia was strikingly familiar to all in attendance, but it was a last-minute twist that became the highlight of the entire tour. Who knew Achmed had a brother?"

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US says it didn't attack North Korea, and Pyongyang's security is poor

Michael Hatamoto | Hacking, Security & Privacy | Jan 11, 2015 10:29 PM CST

The FBI continues to say North Korea is responsible for a crippling cyberattack and data breach of Sony Pictures, and the Obama Administration vowed revenge, but Washington didn't drop the North Korean Internet, sources claim. However, those responsible for hitting North Korea likely didn't need to work very hard, and future attacks could be imminent.

"It looks more like the result of an infrastructure attack than an infrastructure failure," said James Cowie, chief scientist of Dynamic Network Services, in a statement to the AP. "There's nothing you can point to that says it has all the hallmarks of an attack by a nation state. It could have been anybody."

The entire country of North Korea only has four principal access point to the Internet, and while the US government has the capabilities to impact them, so do multiple other nation states - and smaller hacker groups.

Continue reading: US says it didn't attack North Korea, and Pyongyang's security is poor (full post)