Sony unveils the Xperia Z5 Premium, the world's first 4K smartphone
Sony has unveiled three new smartphones at IFA 2015, with the Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact not standing out too much, but the new Xperia Z5 Premium is the world's first 4K smartphone.
Starting with the Xperia Z5, which features Sony's new 1/2.3 Exmor RS sensor crammed into a huge 23-megapixel camera with an F2.0 G Lens. This is Sony's "first completely re-imagined smartphone camera module since Xperia Z1" and has been "designed with Sony's interchangeable lens camera Alpha technology for clear, vivid imagery every time".
The new Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are both powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, which is an 8-core GPU with 4G LTE speeds and the latest in Wi-Fi technology. Both handsets pack Sony's incredible battery stamina and power-saving technologies, as well as Quick Charge 2.0 which will have your Xperia Z5 charged up in no time.
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Hideo Kojima: The players are everything, I get my energy from them
To celebrate the launch of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Konami has released an official debriefing that shows Hideo Kojima is truly one of the most heartfelt developers in the industry.
Hideo Kojima cares about his audience and really connects with the people who play his games. During the MGSV debriefing, the grandmaster of tactical stealth espionage personally visited the home of Sean Gillespie, a fan who had recently tragically died of cancer. Before his death in February, Sean's love and enthusiasm for Metal Gear Solid directly touched and inspired Kojima and his dev team.
"I'm visiting Sean's home after he passed because my energy comes from the players," Hideo Kojima said in the video, his voice seeming to hitch with emotion. "When I announced a release date for MGSV I swore to follow through, and not to disappoint them. The players are everything. Without them, nothing I do would matter."
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ASUS unveils a Windows 10-powered PC-on-a-stick with the new VivoStick
ASUS has just unveiled its new VivoStick, which is a PC-on-a-stick powered by Windows 10. The new VivoStick sports an Intel Cherry Trail-based processor inside, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of local storage packed into an eMCP (multi-chip package).
The new ASUS VivoStick includes 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, 1 x USB 3.0 port, 1 x USB 2.0 port, and an HDMI port. ASUS has also included a headphone jack, and there's even an integrated speaker. Windows 10 will come pre-installed, which is a nice touch. Even Intel's Compute Stick packed Windows 8.1, but the VivoStick is going to be quite the winner with Windows 10 installed.
ASUS has placed an MSRP of $129 on the VivoStick, with no word on availability just yet.
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You can now download Epic's awesome 'Showdown' VR experience
This time last year we were at the NVIDIA Editor's Day where we got the chance to test out Epic Games' at the time 'Car Flip' VR experience. This ended up being 'Showdown', one of the best VR experiences at the time.
Well, now Epic has released the Unreal Engine 4-powered Showdown experience, which you can download directly from the Epic Games Launcher. The cinematic, bull-time action "experience" is compatible with the Oculus Rift, Sony's Project Morpheus and HTC Vive. If you have an Oculus Rift DK1 or DK2 headset, you need to download this right now and check it out.
Continue reading: You can now download Epic's awesome 'Showdown' VR experience (full post)
Acer announces new Predator Gaming Series monitors with NVIDIA G-SYNC
Acer has announced two new additions to the Predator gaming monitor series, introducing a flat-panel and curved monitor.
The Predator Z35 is a 35-inch curved panel that provides 21:9 UltraWide Full HD (2560x1080), utilizing NVIDIA ULMB (Ultra Low Motion Blur), and a 200Hz refresh rate. Acer also threw in its TrueHarmony technology and DTS Sound 9Wx2 speakers.
The Predator XB1 Series includes two different 27-inch models that feature a 4K UHD (3840x2160) or WQHD (2560x1440) IPS panels able to provide 100% of the sRGB color gamut. The 28-model (XB281HK) has a 1ms gray to gray response time, and the 27-inch models feature a 144Hz refresh rate.
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Acer shows off Chromebook R 11, a convertible Chromebook
Acer has announced the Acer Chromebook R 11, the company's first convertible Chromebook laptop unit.
The Chromebook R 11 features an 11.6-inch (1366x768) display, HD webcam, powered by Intel Celeron processors. The device features a dual-torque hinge design able to support the following modes: laptop, pad, display and tent. It is just 19.2mm thin and weighs less than three pounds, so it'll be easy to transport out and about.
The Acer Chromebook R 11 will launch in North America next month with a $299 MSRP. Global rollout will begin in November.
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Star Wars: Battlefront won't have server browsers on PC
Today Battlefront fans got a big shock when EA revealed that the new Star Wars shooter won't have server browsers, and instead will be based entirely on a new matchmaking system.
"Star Wars Battlefront will not offer a server browser, but will utilize a new skill-based matchmaking system," EA's community manager Sledgehammer70 said in a Reddit post. Essentially it looks as if even PC gamers won't be able to create and join custom maps and gametypes on a server, instead being stuck in a matchmaking playlist.
EA says that gamers will still be able to join and create party lobbies with their friends, but the studio still hasn't revealed any concrete details on their new system. Reddit users accuse EA and DICE of "console-izing" PC gaming with this move, and one user says that regional gamers might get the short end with matchmaking: "Australian MatchMaking has never worked properly here we get so many out of region players that just ruin the server."
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We are looking for a professional YouTuber for video content
Not only are we looking for US-based news reporters, but we are on the lookout for a US-based video professional, too. TweakTown is wanting to step into the world of video content in a big way, so we need a professional video guy or girl, too.
The candidate would need extensive experience in video content, with previous bodies of work as an example before applying. Preferably, we are looking for someone who is already in the industry who might work for a smaller site or company (or even on your own) and wants to join the big leagues, but you don't need to be intimidated by this. You might do kick ass work and just haven't been noticed yet, so this is your chance!
We would need someone based in the US who is willing to travel to trade shows and expos around the world, including CES in Vegas, E3 in LA, Computex in Taipei, and more. We are looking for someone who has considerable experience in YouTube, Vessel, and more - and has no issues dealing with deadlines. There's no super amount of technology expertise required, but this would be an advantage.
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We are looking for a US-based news reporter, join our awesome team!
TweakTown is expanding! We are on the lookout for a US-based news reporter that will join our team. The job is pretty straight forward and easy, and it's a ton of fun, too.
The candidate will of course need to be based in the United States, with the West Coast being preferred. The candidate would be required to have above average English and grammar skills, and a large interest in technology and games. Previous experience isn't required, but it is definitely favorable. You'll of course need Internet access, a computer of some sort to write on, and the time required (which varies depending on your typing speed, and how quickly you get used to writing news, hopefully for a living).
This is a paid position, where you'll start off on a trial for 1-2 weeks before joining our awesome news crew led by yours truly. We are looking for a serious candidate, so if you're working a full-time job, you'll have to think twice before applying. The candidate would also have to be excited about attending local technology and game trade shows, such as the Consumer Electronic Show in Vegas, E3 in LA, and more.
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How Fallout 4's perk system might work
Fallout 4 is a pretty complex and dynamic game, and lots of gamers are stumped when it comes to the new perk system. Below we make an educated guess based off of data and speculation on how Fallout 4's perk and leveling system might work.
A recent OXM interview with a Bethesda rep has prompted a dizzying level of confusion in the Fallout community, leading to rampant speculation and millions of gamers scratching their heads. "You'll still level up via XP, and each level increase will still give you a point to spend on a perk, but now those perks have varying XP levels of their own," says the Bethesda employee. "It's perk-ception, essentially, and means that, should you theoretically play long enough to max out every tier of every single one gaining untold buffs and no doubt all kinds of horrendous real-world illnesses in the process - you'll top off with a total of 275."
Perk-ception? Perk level ups? How does that work exactly? Also does this mean there actually is a level cap after all? I believe the concept is pretty hard to explain in just words, and the rep was put on the spot and wasn't prepared to adequately explain the system. Which makes sense, as Todd Howard says Bethsoft won't spoil Fallout 4, and this could ruin some surprises.
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