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23andMe, Ancestry and others agree to genetic privacy guidelines
A number of genetic testing companies, including 23andMe and Ancestry, have signed onto a set of guidelines that aim to address consumer privacy concerns, the Washington Post reports. The privacy best practices, drafted alongside the Future of Privacy Forum, state that companies should acquire "separate express consent" from customers before handing over their individual-level information -- like genetic data and personal information -- to certain third parties. It also says companies should disclose how many requests for information they receive from law enforcement. MyHeritage, Habit and Helix have agreed to the voluntary guidelines as well.
Helix wants to build a marketplace for your DNA
There are secrets buried deep within our genetic code, and more than a few companies that want to help you learn them. Helix believes that the gaggle of startups vying for your DNA have a problem: they all need an individual sample to use. That's why the company is positioning itself as a marketplace where you take a single DNA swab, and then it shares the information with whoever you choose.
On my iPad: Helix
This is On my iPad, a quick look at an iOS game we think you'll enjoy. We can't seem to put down Michael Brough's Helix. Here's a brief video explaining why the retro-inspired avoidance game is special to us. The challenging, "hectic piece of momentary action" is available on iPhone and iPad for $2.99. [Image: Michael Brough]
How would you change Lenovo's Thinkpad Helix (2013)?
Lenovo's first Yoga machine still stands as a watershed moment in laptop and tablet design, but what of one of its successors, the ThinkPad Helix? In addition to those first two modes, you could spin the Helix's display outward, enabling you to use the device as a free-standing drawing display. When we placed it front of our Dana Wollman, however, she found that the exciting form factor had some drawbacks. Like the fact that the 'Rip'n'Flip' design wasn't all that, not to mention the last-generation internals and the short battery life. Still, we imagine some of you might have taken a liking this piece of hardware, so why not hop over to our forum and tell us what you would have changed?
Lenovo's ThinkPad Helix returns with a thinner design and longer battery life
Lenovo's ThinkPad Helix Windows convertible was always a promising device. Here was a tablet that could fit into its keyboard dock with the screen facing forward or backward. It had a full HD display and an active digitizer for pressure-sensitive pen input. Best of all, it used proper laptop-grade processors, ensuring you'd get performance more in line with an Ultrabook than a standalone tablet. Sure, its weird cooling flap and pointy dock-guides made it cumbersome to use, but in spirit, at least, we were on board. We hoped Lenovo would try again with a refreshed design. At last, the company has done just that -- more than a year after the original first went on sale. The new Helix arrives later this fall with a thinner, fanless design, not to mention slightly longer battery life.
XBMC renames its media app as it leaves its Xbox roots behind
XBMC's name (which stands for Xbox Media Center) isn't really relevant these days. The media center app only runs on the original Xbox through hacks, and it does a lot more than play your music and videos. Accordingly, it's getting a long, long overdue rebranding: meet Kodi Entertainment Center, the moniker you'll see from version 14 onward. The new naming scheme is both more universal and less prone to legal issues. The developers now have control over their trademark, and the move should prevent trouble with "other companies" -- no doubt including Microsoft -- that might send lawyers after fans or the XBMC team itself. The first Kodi release is a rough alpha, so don't expect to see the new name everywhere just yet. However, it shouldn't be long before the XBMC badging is consigned to the history books.
Lenovo ThinkPad Helix review
It's been six months since Lenovo launched the ThinkPad Helix at CES, but during that time we've never really stopped talking about it. Every time we've reviewed a comparable product -- a small-ish PC that could be used in some sort of tablet mode -- we've returned to the Helix as a beacon of what could be in this category. All told, the Helix has had a few things potentially recommending it: it rocks the same sturdy, well-spaced keyboard you'll find on other ThinkPads and a spec list that includes NFC, a Wacom pen digitizer and a high-quality, 11.6-inch, 1080p display. Best of all, the Helix can be used in three ways: not just in tablet mode, but with the tablet inserted either facing the user or pointed away, a design Lenovo is calling "Rip n' Flip." It's the sort of versatility we loved so much in Lenovo's Yoga line; only this is a more compact machine with a higher-res screen and pen input. Sounds lovely, right? Read on to see if it's as good in practice as it is on paper.%Gallery-192094%
Lenovo delays ThinkPad Helix, eyes a spring release
If you were biding your time until late February to pick up a ThinkPad Helix, we've got some bad news: Lenovo's revealed on Facebook that the convertible Ultrabook has been pushed back to a March or April release. For a refresher, the Helix packs an 11.6-inch 1080p Gorilla Glass display and carries a $1,499 price tag in its base configuration. Mum's the word on what's forced the flexible hardware closer to spring, but we've reached out to Lenovo for confirmation and more details. [Thanks, D]
Thinkpad Helix appears on Lenovo's Israeli website, lends hope to a stateside or Euro arrival
It wasn't long ago that our Chinese language website reported on the Lenovo Thinkpad Helix, a convertible ultrabook that launched alongside other models, but seemed destined for China only. Now, it looks like Israeli folks might also get the device, as it popped up recently on the company's website there. We noted that it would carry Windows 8, an 11.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 detachable IPS touchscreen, NFC 3G module, stylus, 10-hour battery life and optional Core i7 processor for the top model. That would make it a pretty potent ultrabook, let alone a tablet -- making us hope that it'll power its way over to our shores.
Intel bolsters video patent portfolio with purchase from RealNetworks
Silicon juggernaut Intel has inked a multi-million dollar deal with RealNetworks, agreeing to purchase scores of video-related patents and annex an entire software team. Specifics of the accord have Intel shelling out $120 million in exchange for 190 patents, 170 patent applications and a video codec development squad. In addition, the two companies have signed a "memorandum of understanding," agreeing to collaborate on future development of the licensed software. RealNetworks states that the sale "will [not] have any material impact on its businesses" and it will retain "certain rights" to the sold technologies. Intel says the sale will improve its ability to "offer richer experiences and innovative solutions [...] across a wide spectrum of devices." The full PR is queued up for you after the break.
PosiMotion Helix iPhone / iPod touch gaming grip now available at Best Buy
PosiMotion certainly announced this one well enough in advance (all the way back in December), but it looks like its Helix gaming grip for the iPhone and iPod touch is now finally available, and at Best Buy no less. In case your memory needs to be jogged a bit, this $20 contraption promises to be ideal for "virtually any game," and let you use your iPhone or iPod touch in either portrait or landscape mode -- it'll also keep your headphones from getting tangled up for good measure. Still not convinced? Then perhaps the video after the break will change your mind -- chains not included.
PosiMotion announces Helix gaming grip for iPhone / iPod touch
Still not satisfied with any of the with iPhone and iPod touch steering wheel or game controller accessories available these days? Then perhaps PosiMotion's recently announced Helix gaming grip will be more to your liking -- it does promise to be ideal for "virtually any game," after all. To that end, the Helix is able to accommodate your iPhone or iPod touch in either portrait or landscape mode, and it boasts a "grip-enhancing" soft-touch coating to keep it from slipping from your hands during particularly intense gaming sessions. Still no firm word on a release date just yet, but PosiMotion will gladly take your $20 now and deliver one to you sometime in the Spring.
VC Friday: Time to Get Equipped
We barely need to write anything here this week, do we? Mega Man 9 -- WiiWare -- 1000 Wii Points Helix -- WiiWare -- 1000 Wii Points Strong Bad Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free -- WiiWare -- 1000 Wii Points Helix is a dance-cum-exercise game from Ghostfire which was deemed above-average by critics, if not exactly essential. Strong Bad Episode 2: Strong Badia the Free falls into the same trap as Super Dodge Ball did in North America, in that it's a great, worthwhile title that was regrettably released the same week as Mega Man 9. And Mega Man 9, well, you know all about that. It's totally awesome and rad. Buy it.[Update: typo]%Gallery-30253%
Nintendo Channel update: Helix, baseball, and an old friend
A second Mario Super Sluggers video has hit the Nintendo Channel today, proving that Nintendo does mention the game ... occasionally. Good thing, since if they're going to promote the game at all, now would be the time! Other new(ish) videos include the official Helix trailer, designed to entice WiiWare fans into shaking along with a skeletal, metallic homunculus, and ... a Defend Your Castle video? Can't forget about "classic" WiiWare, we suppose. Here's the full list of new, very slowly streaming videos: Mario Super Sluggers Info Video 2 Helix Info Video Defend Your Castle Info Video 2 Mario Kart Wii: Who's playing Wii today? 4 Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 All-Play TV Spot Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Video 2 MySims Kingdom Info Video High School Musical 3: Senior Year! Video Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia Info Video Imagine: Rock Star TV Spot
Helix dances onto WiiWare
We don't have any idea if Helix (1 player, Rated E for Everyone, 1,000 Wii Points) will be fun or responsive. We don't know if there's enough for the money, or if it's mind-bogglingly buggy. All we know is that the rhythm-music game (developed by Ghostfire Games) allows you to follow along with an onscreen robot as you dance in time with 26 different songs and (in the process) get a little exercise. We don't know much about how good Helix will be. But what we do know is that it's different. And for a service that (with few exceptions) has become something of a dumping ground for cast-offs and cash-ins, that's just about the most refreshing thing we can imagine.
Retail and download releases for the week of August 25th
There's plenty of content releasing on the Wii this week. Whether you're a fan of retail games or looking to download some content on the Virtual Console or WiiWare, your gaming needs should be taken care of this week. Head on past the break for the details and let us know what you'll be playing!%Gallery-24326%
Rhythm game Helix coming to WiiWare tomorrow
Trying to get those chunky pounds to come right off, but you're unable to find a copy of the elusive Wii Fit anywhere within a fifty-mile radius? Perhaps a new WiiWare title, due out tomorrow, can temporarily fill the void -- Ghostfire Games' rhythm-fitness title Helix. The game, which will cost 1000 Wii Points, will have players performing 30 different gestures with two Wiimotes to the beat of 26 songs from independent artists. Ghostfire CEO Ed Roman highlighted the game's health benefits, saying that you can "really burn some calories playing this game." Based on the gameplay video we've posted after the break, you'll probably look totally cool whilst doing so.
Hudson says Ys coming out next week (again), may be joined by Helix
Once again, Hudson Soft has updated their Virtual Console page with a release date for Ys Book I & II. They say it will be out this Monday. Last time they dated Ys, Nintendo chose not to release it or any of the other games that had been announced for that day, choosing totally different games instead. Will it show up for real this time? We hope so. We'll have 800 points ready. Would Nintendo really do that to the same game twice? Well, okay, but will they?Ghostfire Games also sent out a press release announcing that their rhythm/exercise game Helix will be released on WiiWare this Monday for 1,000 points. We wish both companies the best of luck in having their games released.
Taking a closer look at Helix
While some of you remain skeptical about Helix, we're definitely interested in Ghostfire Games' upcoming WiiWare title. Essentially, everything you need to know about the game is revealed by Ed Roman in this producer walkthrough (embedded up top). Ghostfire is really stressing the whole "exercise made fun" angle, and with the success of titles like DDR and Wii Fit, who can blame them? What we like most about Helix, though, is that the developers clearly put a lot of thought into every aspect of this dancing game. Take, for example, the calibration option, which helps the software map out your own specific movement quirks more easily. (MotionPlus, schmotionplus.) Also, according to Roman, you can still play the game if you only have one Wiimote, so if you lack two controllers that's not a game-killing issue.If you're curious about how the developers fit twenty-six songs onto a WiiWare title, or why they decided to use two Wiimotes rather than a Wiimote/Nunchuk combination, or anything else about Helix, for that matter, just check out the video above.
Helix for WiiWare gets an official trailer
If the previous videos for Helix got you all kinds of excited for the WiiWare title, then the new, official trailer for the game is likely to make your heart explode with anticipation. To us, it's the usual: some experience shots sprinkled throughout gameplay clips and a list of the game's features. According to the trailer, we can expect this one to hit WiiWare sometime next month.
