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Louis CK to offer HBO show as DRM-free download, chip away at cable content deals
With certain exceptions, HBO has developed a reputation for being protective of where and how its content goes digital. That makes Louis CK's plans for a 2013 comedy special a slight jolt to the system, even though it's not his first digital release linked to the channel. While HBO will get a first crack at airing the show, which will be recorded during Louis' ongoing tour, the comedian now plans to post the production online a few months afterwards using the same successful formula that has become his calling card: $5, no DRM and no region restrictions. The offering doesn't overhaul the industry, but it undoubtedly wrests control from the network as soon as the download link goes live. Think of Louis as making a small crack in cable TV's content wall.
Devil May Cry HD Collection now available through PSN, XBLM
The Devil May Cry HD Collection is available now in invisible, digital form via Xbox Live Marketplace and PSN, for $30 or 2400 MS Points. Devil May Cry HD Collection includes Devil May Cry 1, 2 and 3, leaving out 4 because playing as Nero once is quite enough, thank you. At least, we assume that's why. It could also be because 4 is already an HD title.Capcom suggests Devil May Cry HD Collection can hold fans over until DmC drops on January 15, in all of its own HD and neon-filtered glory.
PSA: Windows 8 available to buy starting tonight
Microsoft's stunning new operating system is finally ready for public consumption, starting tonight. The new OS is launching globally in more than 140 markets and in over 37 languages and you'll be able grab either Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro (not to mention the Microsoft Surface), from 12.01am local time at participating US retailers including Amazon, Best Buy and Staples. Meanwhile, Microsoft will also be offering up its Windows 8 upgrade online. Anyone looking to upgrade their PC (and you'll be able to from XP to version 7) will need to stump up $40 -- just keep that source link below bookmarked for later. Better still, if you've bought a Windows 7 machine since June 2, you'll be able to download Redmond's latest OS for the discounted rate of $15, so make sure to pay a visit to our second source link below.
BioShock Infinite: Industrial Revolution puzzle game available with pre-order [update: more retailers]
A pre-order from GameStop for the upcoming BioShock Infinite will net you not one but two games, apparently. Not only will you of course get a copy of the BioShock followup itself, but you'll also pick up a completely separate puzzle game called BioShock Infinite: Industrial Revolution, a Flash-based puzzle game that appears to have been created just for this promotion. Industrial Revolution places you in the shoes of a factory worker in BioShock Infinite's world, completing puzzles to support either one of the game's two factions.Industrial Revolution will have over 50 levels to play through, and will be available to pre-order sometime before BioShock Infinite releases on February 26 of next year. The original version of BioShock had its own Hacking minigame included, but this one seems completely separate, just a fully promotional tie-in title rather than an integral part of the finished release.Update: The offer is not exclusive to GameStop: Irrational has the full list of retailers here.
Google gives users an easy out, adds YouTube to Takeout data transfer tool
Breaking up with a web-based ecosystem is hard to do, especially when you have several gigabytes of data invested in a specific platform. However, things just got a whole lot easier for disgruntled vloggers. Google recently added YouTube to its Takeout data migration service, which now gives users the ability to pull all of their uploaded videos from the company's servers in a single stroke. This groovy tool should definitely come in handy when you're busy shopping around your latest foreign film to different movie studios. In addition to being extremely easy to use, the service will also send an email letting you know that your download has finished. Simply set it and forget it!
Google Play hits 25 billion app downloads, holds celebratory yard sale with $0.25 games
Google Play crossed a rather significant milestone this morning: something to the tune of 25 billion app downloads. While the accomplishment is weighty enough on its own -- especially given that the store also offers books, music and movies, which aren't included in this tally -- Google is celebrating in symbolic style with a number of apps and games for sale at just $0.25 over the next five days. Among the mix of discounted titles, you'll find publishers such as Gameloft, Electronic Arts, Rovio, Runtastic and Full Fat. Not to stop there, shoppers will also discover a curated collection of 25 must-own movies, 25 banned books, 25 albums that changed the world and 25 top-selling magazines. With today's announcement, it was revealed that 675,000 apps and games now live in Google Play -- a healthy increase when compared to 600,000 titles and 20 billion installs just three months ago. As you might expect, Apple still claims the largest selection with 700,000 titles in its App Store, although with such a thin separation between the two, we may see Google Play eclipse its rival in short order.
Final Fantasy 3 coming to PSP Tuesday
Final Fantasy 3 will be available to download on PSP on September 25, as revealed in a recent PlayStation blog.While both the price of the game and Vita compatibility weren't noted, the PSP version will see a few subtle changes. Namely, players will be able to switch to Final Fantasy 3's original background music, graphics will be optimized to suit the system's 16:9 screen, and it will include an auto-battle system to speed up combat.
Rhapsody Android app goes 3.0, adds offline playback
Rhapsody fans with Android handsets, listen up, because your subway rides just got a little more bearable. The latest version of the music streaming service rolled out on the Google Play store this week, bringing with it the promise of downloadable tracks and albums, for your offline listening pleasure. The update also allows you to pick precisely where you want those downloads to go, so you can stream Gaga to your hearts content without eating up your data. More details can be found in the source link below.
Torchlight 2 soundtrack goes free to hear, right here
Runic Games is celebrating the impending launch of Torchlight 2 with the release of the game's soundtrack, which is available to download at Joystiq, free of charge. The soundtrack features 28 tracks and is composed by Matt Uelmen, who also crafted the music for Diablo 2.Uelmen recorded a live symphony for the game's soundtrack in Bratislava, Slovakia, according to a May 2011 blog. Torchlight 2 will launch in two days, giving you plenty of time to listen to Uelmen's music before you hear it in the game.
Apple launches incremental iTunes 10.7 update: supports new devices and iOS 6
While we won't be seeing the heavily redesigned iTunes 11 until October, Apple has unveiled a new update ready for its roster of new devices, not to mention the incoming iOS 6. The refresh will work with the fresh-off-the-production-line iPod Nano and Shuffle hardware -- but that's the extent of what's new in the 165MB download. You can grab it at the source below.
ASUS boasts about AiCloud features in new teaser (video)
Router, Rowter. However you say it, you probably need one, which is why ASUS is temping you toward buying one of its new AiCloud models. The new service is designed to unify your data across devices, letting you share and stream multimedia and documents from PCs to smartphones. You'll also be able to store files online, remote control your PC from your tablet and create single-click download links to share with your friends. ASUS is so excited about the project that it's released a new advert telling you all about it, which we've included for you after the break.
Daily iPhone App: One Epic Knight keeps a Tiny Hero running
David Whatley has been making games on the App Store for a while now -- after an early hit with GeoDefense, he and his team released an antihero tower defense title called Tiny Heroes, and now they are taking on the Temple Run-style 3D endless runner genre with a recent game called One Epic Knight. One Epic Knight takes one of the Tiny Heroes and places him in an endless dungeon, running past obstacles, jumping over and sliding under gaps and challenges, and killing bad guys to collect as many coins as possible. You could argue that this is a pretty straightforward Temple Run ripoff, but Whatley has worked with Temple Run's developer Imangi in the past (his Critical Thought Games put together the Android port for the title), so really this is more of an "inspired by" title than what you might call "stolen from." And it does innovate on the genre a little bit: You can pick up weapons and shields as you run, and those items are then used to either attack or defend your knight as you play. The coins you pick up can be used to buy upgrades and spells, or even cosmetic costumes for your knight as he runs. Honestly, it's all fairly tame -- if you like Temple Run, you'll know how to play this, and if you think the endless runner genre is boring already, there's not a lot here to convince you otherwise. But the graphics are well done, the gameplay is solid, and oh yeah -- the app is free to download. At that price, it's worth a download and a play through to see what you think.
Latest Minecraft snapshot adds 'Wither Boss,' baked potatoes and invisibility potions
The latest install-at-your-own-risk Minecraft update (snapshot "12w34a") is now available over at the official Mojang blog. Once installed, several fundamental changes are made to the way maps and nether portals function. You'll also get some new items, things to make from said items, and probably the coolest creature ever.Dubbed the "Wither Boss," this new baddie is a three-headed floating skeleton torso that shoots exploding skulls from each head. It does not appear as though the creature actually exists anywhere in game yet, but the files are all there, waiting to be hacked in if you've got some kind of death wish (as seen in the demonstration video above by Sethbling).This update also adds potatoes and carrots, the former a reagent for baked potatoes and the latter a key ingredient in invisibility potions, of all things. Splashing the potion will make you and any surrounding mobs invisible, but will not affect your armor or any items you happen to be carrying. Meanwhile, splashing a baked potato on yourself would just be silly.
Chrome for iOS updated with new social and stability features
Google has posted an update for the iOS version of its browser Chrome, and the app now features the ability to share content via Google's own G+ network, Facebook or Twitter. The update also has a host of bug fixes per user feedback, according to the changelog, so it should be faster and work smoother. Not quite as smooth as Mobile Safari just yet, unfortunately, as Apple has access to API calls that third-party developers still can't use. But if you're a big Chrome fan and would rather use that browser on your iOS device, it's good to know the app should run better than ever. The update is out now and of course Chrome is free to download. [via 9to5Mac]
PSA: Damage Inc. Pacific Squadron WWII demo out now on Xbox Live
Just in case you've been waiting to see what Mad Catz's grab-bag titled Damage Inc. Pacific Squadron WWII (which used to be the much more feasible War Wings) is like, you're in luck. The game now has a playable demo, available on Xbox Live. The demo is exclusive to Gold members, rings in at just about 770 mb, and can be grabbed for free.Unfortunately, the demo doesn't come with a free Pacific AV8R flightstick, which Mad Catz will be including with the Collector's Edition of the game, and presumably will be the best way to experience flying around in the Pacific Theater. As Mad Catz says in the press release, this game is part of its goal of "pursuing targeted software opportunities that pose manageable downside risk by complementing our hardware initiatives." Which is corporate talk for: They're making the game to sell the stick.But if you have another Mad Catz flight stick, it should work, or just a standard controller will probably do what you need as well. If the demo spins your propeller, the game will be out on August 28.
Xcode 4.4.1 released as standalone app
Apple has finished smoothing out its Xcode releases with version 4.4.1, which finally brings Xcode out as a standalone app. Instead of just including the developer tools (such as legacy simulators and optional command-line tools), it now has sectioned those off into a separate downloads preference pane. This is a smart way to go about things. It allow for Xcode to be easily updated from the Mac App Store. You can get Xcode 4.4.1 for free, though remember that actually submitting apps or developing on iOS will require a developer subscription, from the Mac App Store.
GameStop offering exclusive downloadable Mythical Pokemon on Aug. 27
On August 20, Nintendo will reveal more info on a promotion taking place at your local GameStop later this month. From August 27 until October 6, a new Mythical Pokémon will be unlocked for all players who head to their local GameStop and download the exclusive Pokémon in either Pokémon White or Pokémon Black.The only info about this new Pokémon lies in the image above – it's some kind of horse thing, we guess? Like a flamey-haired horse thing? Look for the official unveiling on August 20.[Thanks, Deoxys911.]
Apple TV software beta 4 released to developers, addresses Photo Stream and control issues
Right alongside iOS 6 beta 4, Apple has also pushed out beta 4 software for its Apple TV -- useful for "testing AirPlay for iOS apps," according to the company. Not surprising, actually, considering that a bit of the polish from the former relied on updates to the latter. It's available as we speak to registered developers, and it promises to fix a number of niggles involving restarts while using the Remote app, the wrong resolution being displayed on one's HDTV, and a Photo Stream quirk that prevented some images from loading. The bullet-point breakdown is hosted up after the break.
Apple seeds iOS 6 beta 4 to developers: here's the changelog
Right around 20 days after iOS 6 beta 3 was beamed out to developers, beta 4 is now making its way into those same hands via an OTA download. We've just confirmed that the files are indeed being pushed out, with the changelog showing fixes related to Facebook integration, the Address Book, authorization statues, and Apple TV / Bonjour workflows. You'll also get a patched-up Dictionary, iTunes and Maps, amongst other things. The entire list of updates is embedded after the break, but we'd recommend a stiff cup of coffee before trying to digest 'em all. Update: For the eagle-eyed, yes, this update does indeed remove the YouTube app from the iOS homescreen. If you're out of the loop, Google owns YouTube. And Apple hasn't shied away from doing its best to distance iOS from Googlefied apps... [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Poll: Is Mountain Lion devouring your Mac's battery life?
We've seen plenty of users report that Apple's latest OS, Mountain Lion, has caused a massive drop in battery life. While we haven't been able to confirm any decrease in longevity with our own OS 10.8 machines, which include previous generation MacBook Pros and the company's latest Retina model, it's clear that some of you who were able to get the operating system downloaded and installed have experienced some not-so-favorable side effects with your Pros and MacBook Airs. While there are plenty of theories, there has yet to be a fix, though Apple is reportedly investigating the issue. This isn't the first time users have reported decreased battery life after an OS update, with a lengthy support thread popping up after Lion's release last year. So, how has the upgrade affected you? Sound off in the poll below to let us know.%Poll-76894%
