Thursday, December 22, 2011

GameStop's Android gaming tablets hit stores

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Summary: Will you be gaming on these GameStop-moded slates this holiday: the Viewsonic Vpad 7, Asus Eee Pad Transformer, Acer Iconia Tab A500 and Motorola Xoom?

GameStop's Android gaming tablets. Image by Gloria Sin GameStop's gaming tablets. Image by Gloria Sin

Amazon’s Kindle Fire may corner the market for e-books and movies/television shows on a mobile device, but GameStop sees a future in mobile cloud gaming by rolling out its own “certified gaming tablet” to 200 select stores and on its website this weekend.

As Ricardo reported back in September, Android is the GameStop tablet’s chosen platform and comes preloaded with seven games like Dead Space and Madden NFL, access to GameStop’s own Kongregate Arcade app store, as well as Android Market for your Angry Bird fix. Most importantly, the device should make console quality gaming on a tablet possible, thanks to the retailer’s acquisition of Spawn Labs back in April.

So far, GameStop.com is listing four different Android slates with various price points and configurations: the $300 7-incher Viewsonic VPad 7, $400 10.1-inch Asus Eee Pad Transformer, $400 Acer Iconia Tab A500, and $500 Motorola Xoom. Rather than sell you a watered down slate for a reduced price like the Amazon Kindle Fire (it doesn’t have a camera, microphone, Bluetooth or SD Card slot), GameStop seems more willing to give you a full-powered tablet that serves up a wide variety of gaming content (from casual to AAA titles). With their native Bluetooth connectivity and the Acer A500’s full-sized USB port, you will be able to plug in your USB controller and or pair your Wii-mote or DualShock 3 controller for console titles not geared for tablets. Ultimately, GameStop will be offering its own wireless controller to go with its line tablets like the OnLive system, but that’s for the future as it is focused on building its user base and demand for cloud gaming first, as the retailer’s President Tony Bartel told GameIndustry.biz last month.

Judging from these tablet’s specs alone, they don’t seem very different from their Android cousins save for a few extra games and games. I hope GameStop will offer at least the app store and cloud gaming service to current Android tablet owners to expand its user base, without requiring that they purchase a slate from the retailer. I doubt serious gamers shopping for a tablet this holiday will opt for a GameStop one to replace their console/PC setup, but to enable them to play “real” games anywhere and anytime, though that means they would need to tote along their controller wherever they go. What do you think? Will a GameStop slate be on your wish list this year?

[Source: GameIndustry.biz, Gamasutra via joystiq]

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Gloria Sin is a freelance journalist based in New York City.


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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Personal finance tool Mint lands on the iPad

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Summary: With its native iPad app, Mint is bringing all of its best features to the touchscreen.

Mint, the personal finance website with 7 million users, has finally landed on the iPad.

The app brings much of the functionally users have come to expect from the web tool. Allowing users to see all their money in one place, Mint tracks spending, saving, credit cards and variety of other accounts.

Better, on the iPad all of that is handled via touch, making the whole experience slightly more intuitive and user-friendly than the online version of the tool. Users can also receive instant updates on bill reminders, which is one of the more helpful features Mint already offers.

Like the web version of Mint, the iPad app is entirely free, meaning that you have no excuse for missing your next credit card payment.

Ricardo Bilton writes for ZDNet's The ToyBox. His work has appeared in The Japan Times, The New York Observer, and The International Business Times, among other publications.


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Vivitar's DVR 790HD offers 3D video recording for $99

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Summary: Vivitar is making a case for cheap cameras with its two latest devices, the $99 DVR 790HD camcorder and ViviCam VT135.

Vivitar, maker of low-end devices like the 690 HD, announced this week the DVR 790HD, a camcorder capable of recording 3D video.

With 5.1-megapixel sensor and a 4X digital zoom, the DVR 790HD can both record 3D video in 720p at 25fps and play it back on its 2.7-inch preview screen.

In addition to the DVR 790HD, Vivitar also announced the ViviCam VT135, 12.1-megapixel shooter also capable of recording images in 3D. Both devices ring in at a tempting $99, so it shouldn’t be much a surprise if the pair are a bit on the cheap side. Still, at that price, the DVR 790HD could serve as a viable starting point for those looking to experiment with 3D recording.

Ricardo Bilton writes for ZDNet's The ToyBox. His work has appeared in The Japan Times, The New York Observer, and The International Business Times, among other publications.


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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Vivitar's DVR 790HD offers 3D video recording for $99

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Summary: Vivitar is making a case for cheap cameras with its two latest devices, the $99 DVR 790HD camcorder and ViviCam VT135.

Vivitar, maker of low-end devices like the 690 HD, announced this week the DVR 790HD, a camcorder capable of recording 3D video.

With 5.1-megapixel sensor and a 4X digital zoom, the DVR 790HD can both record 3D video in 720p at 25fps and play it back on its 2.7-inch preview screen.

In addition to the DVR 790HD, Vivitar also announced the ViviCam VT135, 12.1-megapixel shooter also capable of recording images in 3D. Both devices ring in at a tempting $99, so it shouldn’t be much a surprise if the pair are a bit on the cheap side. Still, at that price, the DVR 790HD could serve as a viable starting point for those looking to experiment with 3D recording.

Ricardo Bilton writes for ZDNet's The ToyBox. His work has appeared in The Japan Times, The New York Observer, and The International Business Times, among other publications.


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Charge your Mac and iPad at the same time with PlugBug

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Summary: Have both a MacBook and iPad? The PlugBug lets you charge them both.

At a time when more and more people seem to have every Apple gadget under the sun, the question of how to keep all the devices charged has become more and more important. Enter the PlugBug, a simple accessory that tackles two charging jobs at once.

The 10W PlugBug attaches to the top of the MacBook power adapter, allowing any gadget capable of charging via USB to use the PlugBug’s USB port. Providing the fastest charge possible for the iPad and iPhone, the PogoPlug also functions as an international power converter, converting internal MacBook adapters into ones compatible with North American power sockets. That’s sure to be a big help for frequent travelers.

As for a non-Apple focused device that offers something similar, consider the Kensington Triple Charger, which is compatible with a large number of devices.

The PlugBug retails for $34.99.

[TwelveSouth]

Ricardo Bilton writes for ZDNet's The ToyBox. His work has appeared in The Japan Times, The New York Observer, and The International Business Times, among other publications.


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Monday, December 19, 2011

Nintendo makes Zelda 3DS bundle official, $199.99

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Summary: This Black Friday, it’s all about nabbing one of these limited edition Nintendo 3DS bundles with either The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, or Super Mario 3D Land.

When images of the originally Europe-only Special Edition Zelda 3DS was revealed in Black Friday flyers last week, it seemed too good a deal to be true. Limited edition hardware just don’t make it to our shores very often.

Thankfully, Nintendo America just confirmed that both the gold-trimmed Zelda 3DS with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, and the Mario bundle with the recently released Super Mario 3D Land will indeed be in America on Thanksgiving (November 26).

Although the suggested retail price for both bundles is $199.99, GameStop is offering quite a discount on the box set if you trade-in your DS Lite (or later device) at the same time — you could pay as little as $99.99 for the bundle if you have a DSi XL. Now, if you have a number of Game Boy Advance titles that you would like to play every so often, then you should probably keep your DS because the 3DS is not backwards compatible with GBA titles.

Best Buy, on the other hand, is offering either box set for just $179.99, which is a great deal given that most 3DS games cost $40 each, and the device usually costs $169.99. Judging by the Black Friday flyers I’ve seen so far, no other retailer beyond GameStop and Best Buy is carrying the Zelda bundle. Most stores are just stocking the Mario bundle due to its festive color and new title, so check the product descriptions carefully before lining up on Friday.

Which gadgets/deals are you eyeing this Black Friday?

[Source: BusinessWire]

Related:

Gloria Sin is a freelance journalist based in New York City.


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ZDNet's Ultimate Black Friday 2011 guide to deals and steals

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Summary: Drill down on the latest and greatest gadget deals with our guide to Black Friday 2011.

ZDNet 2011 Holiday Gift Guide

[Last updated on November 24: Microsoft Store, Sony Store; Panasonic]

Black Friday is almost here!

This year’s Black Friday may fall on November 25, but more and more retailers are starting their sales on Thanksgiving (Nov. 24), and even making some offers exclusive to the weekend. Not only that, but a sneaky few are also splitting their bargains between their brick-and-mortar and online stores.

To help you navigate this increasingly complex, multi-platform shopping extravaganza, we’re sifting every ad from retailers across America for the latest tech deals available to you this year. Where possible, we’ll also make note of the start times and dates so you won’t miss out on those brag-worthy bargains. We’ll be updating this post multiple times a day right up until Turkey Day to serve you all the hottest gadget steals and deals, so be sure to bookmark this page or subscribe to our feed.

But before you rush out to buy the first tech toy you see on sale, here are some quick tips to help you avoid buyer’s remorse:

Read up on ZDNet reviews before splurging on anything. (You never want to buy a gadget just because it’s been marked down.)Always search multiple sites/retailers for the best price (factoring in shipping costs and taxes) for a particular item. It certainly beats driving around to various stores only to find out it’s out-of-stock everywhere, or that you paid too for it when there is a better deal elsewhere.Keep an eye out for the increasingly popular pre-Black Friday sales (Amazon, Walmart, Newegg, Sam’s Club and Target all have them this year) in the event what you’re looking for sells out before the 25th hits.There is a glut of Android tablets and smartphones on the market this year so you may find some sweet deals for them, as long as you don’t mind the build of Android they are running. DealNews is also predicting some competitive prices for 60-inch HDTVs and 15.6-inch laptops this “Black Friday Season” (including Cyber Monday).Apple isn’t known for great deals on Black Friday (or during the holiday season in general) so those items can wait if you’re maxing out your budget.Research/ask about the return/exchange/price match policy before you buy. Many time-sensitive and door crasher items could be final sales so don’t assume you’ll be eligible for a full refund or price match should you find a better deal later.

Note: Items and prices will be published on a rolling basis as we receive the circulars, so be sure to come back regularly and check for new listings. If you think something should be added or a deal isn’t correct/available anymore, please let us know in the TalkBack section and we will update this guide.

Retailers posted so far: Bealls Florida, BJ’s, Costco, Blain’s Farm & Fleet, Fred’s, Gander Mountain, Gordmans, JC Penny, Kohl’s, Marine Corps Exchange, Rite Aid, Hastings, Military BX (AAFES), Cabela’s, Macy’s, Radio Shack, Staples, Walmart (updated in-store/online discounts), Sears Outlet, Office Max, Best Buy, Toys “R” Us, GameStop, Target, Kmart, Sam’s Club, Sears, Office Depot, Best Buy Doorbusters, BestBuy.com (Red Hot Deals), Amazon (new items/prices), Fred Meyer, Target’s Surprise Doorbusters, Newegg; Meijer, hhgregg, Barnes & Noble, Adobe, Kobo, Verizon, AT&T, Microsoft Store, Sony Store, Panasonic

Retailers expected soon: Apple

Skip to: E-book readers & tablets; Video game consoles & games; Digital cameras & camcorders; MP3 players & portable media players; GPS navigation devices; Home theater, music & movies; Televisions & HDTVs; Laptop & desktop computers; Printers; Hard drives, flash media & storage; Monitors, peripherals & PC accessories; Cellphones & accessories, miscellaneous electronics & software; Circular ad scans; Related links & resources

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