Archive for December, 2009

A recent Microsoft job ad indicates that the Redmond-based company is preparing to run Xbox Live games on Windows Mobile phones.

“We need a Principle Program Manager who can help drive the platform and bring Xbox Live enabled games to Windows Mobile,” reads the ad, which was originally spotted by Mobile Techworld.

“This person will focus specifically on what makes gaming experiences ‘Live Enabled’ through aspects such as avatar integration, social interactions, and multi-screen experiences.”
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Bioware has confirmed that it will release the Return to Ostagar DLC on January 5, 2010 for the Xbox 360 and PC platforms.

However, the Dragon Age DLC - which is expected to cost 400 Bioware or Microsoft points - will only be available for the PS3 at a $5 price point in late January.
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Computer security researchers say that the GSM phones used by the majority of the world’s mobile-phone users can be listened in on with just a few thousand dollars worth of hardware and some free open-source tools.

In a presentation given Sunday at the Chaos Communication Conference in Berlin, researcher Karsten Nohl said that he had compiled 2 terabytes worth of data — cracking tables that can be used as a kind of reverse phone-book to determine the encryption key used to secure a GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) telephone conversation or text message.

While Nohl stopped short of releasing a GSM-cracking device — that would be illegal in many countries, including the U.S. — he said he divulged information that has been common knowledge in academic circles and made it “practically useable.”
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This year don’t settle for anything less than the best deals on video gaming systems like the 120 GB Xbox 360 Elite – you can get this video gaming console for only $290 at retailers like Amazon.com, Best Buy, Sam’s Club, Toys R Us, Sears, Dell, KMART, Overstock.com, Target and Walmart.

The Xbox 360 Elite receives 5/5 stars on almost all of their reviews (the few that aren’t 5/5 are usually 4/5) and is by far one of the most sought after video gaming systems on sale during After Christmas Specials. The Xbox 360 Elite graphics and sound quality far surpass those of the Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3 and other comparable systems when used on a 1080p HDTV from Sony or Samsung.
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Apple is preparing something big for next month, and if reports are to be believed, it could be the announcement of the much awaited, long-rumored tablet computer.

The company has not divulged any details and is also expected to reveal this news prior to the launch, but recent report by Financial Times has added credibility to the information.

Indications of a major product announcement
It is being reported that Apple has asked its key application developers to create applications for a device with a much larger screen, in time for the event scheduled for next month.
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By recommending that users exclude some file extensions and folders from antivirus scans, Microsoft may put users at risk, a security company said today.

In a document published on its support site, Microsoft suggests that users do not scan some files and folders for malware as a way to improve performance in Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7, Server 2003, Server 2008 and Server 2008 R2. “These files are not at risk of infection. If you scan these files, serious performance problems may occur because of file locking,” Microsoft states in the document.
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Intel on Monday launched its next-generation Atom netbook processor, saying it will bring longer battery life and improved system performance to low-cost laptops.

The single-core Atom N450 chip is 60 percent smaller than existing Atom processors, and consumes close to 20 percent less power, said Anil Nanduri, director of netbook marketing at Intel. The chip draws about 5.5 watts of power, according to an Intel specification sheet.

The small footprint of the chip could also lead to new device designs, like thinner netbooks and tablets, Nanduri said. Netbooks with N450 chips will be shown by major vendors at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show to be held in Las Vegas Jan. 7-10.
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