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The Care and Feeding of Warriors: Tanking itemization
Every week, WoW Insider brings you The Care and Feeding of Warriors, the column dedicated to arms, fury and protection warriors. Despite repeated blows to the head from dragons, demons, Old Gods and whatever that thing over there was, Matthew Rossi will be your host. Still waiting for the extra 1-h weapon to start looking at Single-Minded Fury. But I did start working on my tanking again recently. I went back to September to look at Theck's posts on warrior mitigation statistics and started thinking about how warrior gearing works now. To oversimplify for convenience, the value of our various active mitigation statistics and our passive avoidance statistics varies depending on how you prioritize Shield Block and Shield Barrier. This means, among other things, that you can gear, gem and reforge differently if you intend to be running primarily five man dungeons vs. raids, and that you can even change your tactical outlay of stats based on whether or not you're running 10's vs. 25's to some extent. Really, what it comes down to is Shield Block vs. Shield Barrier use and the tension between trying to avoid the absolute most incoming damage vs. trying to create the most predictable spread of incoming damage. Theck makes the point that, while spamming Shield Barrier might cause you to take the least amount of damage overall, you're going to end up taking spiky damage. Spiky damage is something healers hate. A healer would much rather you were taking hits that kept you constantly losing about 60% of your health than be in a situation where most of the time you took no damage, but occasionally you took 90% of your health in one hit, especially when those hits could occur back to back. As a result, while it may be mathematically best to rely on Shield Barrier, it won't work out that way in actual practice because healer mana isn't infinite and they can't just bomb heal you to full if you go down to almost dead in one or two hits. Damage spikes are the enemy, and a balanced use of Shield Block and Barrier will cause your incoming damage to be far more predictable and easier for your healers to cope with.
Battle Dungeon goes offline due to piracy
Battle Dungeon is a tactical strategy multiplayer game for iOS that arrived on the App Store about a week ago, but it's no longer there. The developer announced on its website that it has pulled the game from the store due to piracy. The US$4.99 game (also supported by in-app purchases) experienced so many online players playing pirated copies that the developer, Hunted Cow, says that it couldn't keep the crowded servers running with the money coming in, and had to pull the plug. They're offering refunds to anyone who bought the game outright, and money back for any in-app purchases. TUAW checked in with the developers directly about this, and they told us that the team is considering its options right now. They say that "hopefully we'll be back in business very soon." The original website post said the game would be down "for the foreseeable future," but the devs now say to expect an announcement on what's next as soon as possible. We've heard about problems with app piracy before -- it's relatively easy for almost anyone to grab an app from the App Store, and then use widely available programs and exploits to share that app with people who haven't purchased it. That seems to be what's happened here. But fortunately for Hunted Cow, there are also a few ways to fight piracy (especially with a title that requires online play), so odds are that we'll see this game back up and running much more legitimately very soon. [via Touch Arcade]
Ballistic Tough Jacket: Disaster-proof protection for your iPad
Ballistic makes sturdy cases for the iPhone, now they've got the Tough Jacket for your iPad. Designed to be a resilient but practical cover for Apple's biggest iOS device, the Tough Jacket is made of heavy duty plastic and rubber and comes in three parts which assemble onto your iPad for exceptional durability and ruggedness. The unit I tested works on the iPad 2 and the latest generation iPad. I tested the Tough Jacket for over a week in real-world use to see how it fared. Note that I am not a fan of cases for my Apple devices, but the Ballistic products are a good solution to toughening up your gear. Design At first I was put off by the assembly required for the Ballistic Tough Jacket. But then, I'm used to pretty simple cases. Ballistic doesn't make lenticular smiling puppy cases. They make really tough cases. While testing my iPad, a friend told me they use Ballistic cases on iPhones at his job. One of his coworkers managed to leave an iPhone on the roof of his car one day... Despite flying off the car onto the highway, the iPhone survived. These cases are designed to be tough -- not pretty or easy to get on and off. Still, the design of Ballistic gear is all about function. A silicone rubber sleeve first goes over the iPad, then a hard plastic white back plate snaps around this rubber. You have to work a little to get things to snap in properly, and when you're done it looks like your iPad has suddenly become standard-issue Imperial Stormtrooper gear. But again, Ballistic isn't making your iPad pretty, just tough. Lastly there's a hard plastic snap-on cover. There are cutouts for the iPad speaker, headphone port and the lock switch but power and volume are kept under the rubber. The headphone port cutout is ample, but I often had trouble getting my finger into the tiny hole to lock the orientation. Volume works, but power can sometimes take some futzing. There is a dock cutout, but the snap-on cover must be orientated in one direction to allow it to pass through if you attach the cover. Speaking of the cover, there is a cutout for the iPad camera that has to remain large enough to use -- so that's a bit of exposure on your screen when the cover is attached to the front, but not much. There's a little kickstand on the cover so you can prop the iPad up when the cover is attached on the back. No adjustments can be made, but I found the angle is right on for most use. Also note there is no specific screen protection besides the plastic cover. If you're looking for a water-resistant case, this is not it. While the cover piece seems a bit flimsy at first, I noticed it's actually a very strong plastic and it withstood repeated smacking onto various hard surfaces. The cover also seems like it would fall off, but it is designed in a clever way so that if you try to remove it improperly, it sort of digs in and stays even more secure. I tried shaking the iPad off the cover by holding everything by the kickstand, then violently shaking the iPad -- the darn thing wouldn't come off. It was very impressive, and a good example of the thinking behind Ballistic's design choices. Functionality The actual function of the Tough Jacket is simple: protect the iPad. The cover plate is really the only "moving" part, and as I described earlier, it's nearly impossible to break. It's easy to remove the cover (though not accidentally), pop it on the back, whip out the kickstand and have the iPad ready to go in seconds. If you're handing your iPad to someone, it's a safe bet it'll be secure. While I didn't have the gumption to toss my iPad on the ground, I did bounce it on my table a few times, and the combination of rubber and plastic makes a very effective shield. The corners of the Tough Jacket are the rubber portion of the case, presumably for maximum absorption of impact. As some of you know, if you drop your iPad on a corner you are almost certain to shatter the screen. Accidental drops are likely safe with the Tough Jacket. The harder plastic will keep the integrity of the iPad's structure, while the rubber absorbs the shock. This is probably the safest case I've seen that doesn't encapsulate the iPad's screen. Provided you keep the cover on the screen while moving about, you should be OK from most drops. Conclusion The Tough Jacket is a must-buy if you find yourself using an iPad in situations where numerous strangers have to handle the device. If you're worried about drops, it's a great solution for businesses. Also, if you take an iPad to a job site where hardhats must be worn, think of it as a hardhat for your iPad. It won't protect it if chucked into a chipper shredder, but you'll be far less worried about tossing it in the front of your truck. Ultimately, the Tough Jacket provides an enormous amount of protection whilst still allowing access to ports like headphones, speakers and the dock connector. It may not be stylish, but it isn't particularly ugly and will protect your iPad from falls and general abuse. For the price (US$69.99 from Ballistic), it's a very good buy.
Samsung Galaxy Camera accessories include flashes, wireless charging pad, barn doors (eyes-on)
Samsung's going all out with its Galaxy Camera accessory lineup. In addition to the cases and Flip Covers we saw at Unpacked earlier this week, the company had some external flashes and professional-looking holsters on hand at its IFA booth, including a grip-mounted adjustable strobe, a ring light set and a sophisticated carrying rig, complete with hinged barn doors to block out unwanted glare. There were also hard covers in multiple dark colors, a handful of soft rubber-looking covers in light colors like aqua and lime green, along with an oversized wireless charging pad mock-up. In typical IFA fashion, booth attendants were unable to provide any information whatsoever, so it's anyone's guess what any of these gadgets cost, or if they'll even make it to market. It's also unclear whether or not any of the accessories are functional at this point, or simply mock-ups of add-ons under consideration. In the meantime, you can take a closer look in the gallery below.%Gallery-163991%
The Daily Grind: Do you immediately change your password when there's news of a hack?
Sadly, we hear more and more about hacking, phishing, and password theft these days in our favorite MMOs. When an outbreak occurs, blame is distributed to the usual suspects, but many times it breaks down to simple account housekeeping. The warnings come through, and we're all told to change our passwords immediately. Authenticators are sold in record number, and many people take the precautions they wish they had from the start. But are you one of the newly cautious? Do you take measure to protect your account the second you hear of a hacking outbreak, or do you figure it can't happen to you? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Need a case for that Galaxy Camera? Samsung's got you covered (eyes-on)
We've seen the ins and outs of Samsung's first Android-based digital camera, but how about an outer shell? You likely won't be transporting this junbo point-and-shoot in your pocket, making a variety of protective options a necessity. First up is the Flip Cover -- a camera-friendly variant of the Galaxy original, with a slide-in design and a large protective flap to cover up the LCD. There's also a full-on carrying case, which slips open to reveal the lens while offering a bit more protection. And, if you're going au naturel, you'll want to suit up with a wrist strap at the very least, offering a bit of insurance against potential slips and spills. We don't have pricing and availability info to share, but like the camera itself, it looks like there's a bunch of color configurations to choose from, all pictured in the gallery below.%Gallery-163726%
Ask Engadget: best case for the Samsung Galaxy S III?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Amandeep, who needs a case for his new superphone. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "Hey guys, I just snagged myself a new Galaxy S III, but I'm at a loss when it comes to deciding on a case. I'm looking for something that falls between the typical silicone wrap and a full-on army grade rubber block of invincibility. It needs to provide sufficient protection from the occasional drop or two while staying relatively sleek and somewhat stylish. That said, my last phone was a Thunderbolt with an extended battery, so it's safe to say that I won't mind a bit of thickness. I've had my eye on a Shell-Gel series case from Ballistic, but I'm still in need of suggestions. Any ideas?" How about it peeps? What do you use to protect your Galaxy S III that you'd recommend to another? Constructive suggestions are always welcomed.
The Care and Feeding of Warriors: The endless rage treadmill
Every week, WoW Insider brings you The Care and Feeding of Warriors, the column dedicated to arms, fury and protection warriors. Despite repeated blows to the head from dragons, demons, Old Gods and whatever that thing over there was, Matthew Rossi will be your host. You knew we were going to talk about this again, partially because rage and rage income is, by far, the most important aspect of the warrior class. The majority of warrior balance issues in the past have come from rage income. Whether it be too little rage (as it was in the first few months of The Burning Crusade) or too much rage (as was the argument for fury DPS in ICC at the end of Wrath of the Lich King), we always end up back at the same dance. Since the post earlier this week announcing that enrage would be changed, we've seen a new beta build where exactly that happened, and Ghostcrawler responded to a post on the forums in greater detail for how the rage design in Mists of Pandaria is intended to go. We're going to talk about both of those things this week in some detail, which is code for "Matt gets all long-winded." Luckily, in this online format, I don't actually have to say all of this stuff -- I just type it out. So let's look at the changes to Mists's beta build 15882 first. Many of these changes are merely tooltip changes, but a few definitely are more than that. They're the first stages in the change to enrage promised in that earlier post.
UK's Bemilo pay-as-you-go mobile service gives greater control to worrisome parents
Operating on Vodafone's network, Bemilo is a new pay-as-you-go mobile service in the UK that aims to give parents greater control over their child's use of a mobile phone. Among the features, one can specifically set which hours during the day that the phone can be operated (the only exception being calls to mom or dad), which websites can be visited and who the child may contact. Further in the name of safety, all picture and video messages are disallowed from the get-go, and parents can even review their children's text messages -- even after they've been deleted. The Bemilo service runs £2.95 per month, on a month-to-month basis, whereas calls and voicemail access are charged at 10 pence per minute. Text messages run a similar 10p, but data usage will be levied at a steeper 25p per megabyte -- cost-conscious parents may wish to nix this usage entirely. Bemilo's required SIM card may be purchased either directly through the company's website or its partner, Carphone Warehouse. As for the company's mascot, Milo, that's one cute character that your kids will surely resent.
Protect your iPhone from prying eyes
Ars Technica posts about the cautionary tale of how vengeful exes and others can use your iPhone to stalk your movements, then offers a great guide to getting your privacy back. The case in point comes from Reddit where someone admitted to using his girlfriend's iCloud account to track her via Find My iPhone, then changed her contacts information so she was sending text messages to him instead of her friends. While the original poster has since altered the post to remove most of information and admitted that what he did was wrong, commenters have chimed in on doing similar things or having the same sort of access. Ars uses this as a springboard to write an anti-stalking guide for the iPhone, which contains a lot of common sense ideas and how-tos on changing your Apple ID, iTunes password and more. If you're looking to protect your mobile privacy, it's a terrific place to start. Ars gets kudos for going the extra step and providing information on where to get help if you are being stalked, whether it's by a former loved one or a stranger.
New water-resistant coating protects your phone, the planet (video)
Water, the life-long foe of all things electrical. Protecting our digital finery from its evil infiltration is a task many have undertaken, and the latest battalion to join the foray is Daikin Industries. The chemical company is developing a water-resistant coating that could save many devices from a watery grave. We've seen similar ideas before, but Daikin's promises to have good eco-credentials thanks to its low toxicity. Formed by dissolving a fluoropolymer in fluorinated solvent, the coating takes just a minute to dry and is extremely thin -- between 0.1 and 1 microns. The coating isn't designed for full waterproofing, but rather to raise the base level resistance to liquid attacks. Most interestingly of all, it can also be applied to porous and meshed surfaces, such as mouthpiece grills. It's hoped to be commercially available from December this year, so you'll have to try to avoid any little accidents until then.
Epson joins fitness market with world's lightest GPS watch
In the world of electronics, the size of a device directly relates to its ability to pull ahead of the competition -- especially when it comes to fitness-tracking gadgets. The latest and greatest in this field has emerged from the most unexpected of places, with Epson, a company known for its printers and projectors, releasing the world's lightest GPS watch. This timepiece, specifically designed for runners, reportedly offers more accurate readings and better battery life (up to 12 hours on one charge) than competing products from Garmin, with acute data on distance, speed and pace, all due to its newly-designed 13mm-thick module. If sweat is an issue, the water-resistant casing offers protection against a full submersion of up to 50 meters -- you can wipe your brow with a sigh of relief. Pricing and availability on the company's latest concept is still unknown, but you can let your eyes do the jogging as you peruse the press release just past the break.
The Care and Feeding of Warriors: How to tank for non-tanks
Every week, WoW Insider brings you The Care and Feeding of Warriors, the column dedicated to arms, fury and protection warriors. Despite repeated blows to the head from dragons, demons, Old Gods and whatever that thing over there was, Matthew Rossi will be your host. So maybe you don't tank or perhaps have never tanked. Maybe you're new to the game, maybe you just haven't tried it out yet, maybe you used to tank but then stopped for whatever reason and aren't feeling comfortable picking it back up. Whatever your situation, the tanking game in World of Warcraft is available to you as a warrior. A lot of guides tend to focus on gearing and speccing your warrior to tank, glossing over what you actually do as a tank. What buttons are you hitting and when? Sometimes that's because it seems self evident, or because specific fights call for specific things. This guide is written from an absolutely basic perspective: It will tell you what to do and when to do it, assuming you've no experience at all as a tank. Therefore, this caveat: No guide can make up for practical experience, and you may well learn different ways to perform the role that conflict with this. And that's fine. Learning the role through doing will help teach you what's suited to you; this is just intended to get you started out on that road. This guide also assumes you are level 85. At least for the first 60 or so levels, you have few enough abilities that there's really no confusion and if you level as a prot warrior, you'll pick this up anyway. This is intended for DPS warriors and PvPers who have never tanked but would like to, as well as old hands who haven't tanked in a while.
Liquipel could make your iPhone waterproof without a case
Yeah, it sounds too good to be true. But that really is an iPhone in the cylinder above. Liquipel claims to make your smartphone water resistant by bonding it inside and out with a "nano" coating which repels water. While this isn't for deep sea diving, it appears to be an ideal solution if you are clumsy or happen to be around water quite a bit. In the image below, I snapped a pic of a tissue paper coated with Liquipel technology. The tissue is impervious to water absorption, acting more like wax paper. Pretty neat stuff. The downside (for now) is that you'll have to send your device off to Liquipel for a few days for them to coat it. A rep I spoke to said they are hoping to work directly with manufacturers to integrate their coating before you buy a phone. In that case, you'd buy a water resistant phone automatically, eliminating the need for a LifeProof case or OtterBox if you're just going to have your phone by the pool. I'm hopeful Apple will license or acquire this tech and implement it as soon as possible. While it won't help with gravity, Liquipel certainly seems capable of preventing those spills and splashes that we're all accustomed to -- the ones which make us cringe or, at worst, place our iPhones in a sealed container filled with dry rice overnight (and prayer, for the devout). Currently the Liquipel coating costs $59 for a 1-2 day turnaround for coating your phone. While the iPhone is certainly supported, it isn't the only smartphone you can protect. But really, if you have one of those other phones, is it worth it? I kid. Check out Liquipel's YouTube videos for more of this product in action. Here's hoping Apple shows some interest in using the material soon -- I'd love my iPhone 5 to be water resistant.
Has James Bond gone green? Bulletproof electric roadster in the works
Warding off assassins while saving the environment just became a cake walk with the Jo-Mojo, an upcoming creation by Lativian armored vehicle company DARTZ. This two seat convertible roadster brandishes an 80 horsepower electric engine capable of pushing zero to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph -- yet most of its "mojo" is outside the hood. Custom seating, color-changing chameleon paint finish, bulletproof tires, and others are just a few of the many "drooling" features. The sunroof is given a task with flexible solar panels built-in, good for juicing up the batteries while idle or on the go. Aimed to hit the market at the end of Q2 2012, its estimated price tag starts at 30,000 euros (~ $40,000), within range of most low-end luxury automobiles. Check past the break for a video slideshow of this snazzy piece of metal by Gray Designs, DARTZ's partner in the venture.
Engadget's holiday gift guide 2011: bags and cases
Welcome to the Engadget Holiday Gift Guide! We're well aware of the heartbreaking difficulties surrounding the seasonal shopping experience, so we're here to help you sort out this year's tech treasures. Below is today's bevy of curated picks, and you can head back to the Gift Guide hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the holiday season. Santa may be able to toss a few thousand laptops in his bright red sack with nary a scratch to be seen -- but you sure can't. You'll want to keep those goods sparkly and new for as long as possible, and that's what today's gift selections are all about - getting your tech from A to B in the safest, most stylish way possible. There's plenty of choice for transporting your goodies, ranging from the bland to the bizarre, from rucksacks to courier bags, silicone to silk -- there is literally something for everyone. Finding a one-size-fits-all solution is going to be nigh-on impossible, but we're hopeful that what we've got here will be just the ticket to re-wrap what you just unboxed.
Didn't get the AppleCare+ with your iPhone? Worry not, you now have 30 days to change your mind
AppleCare+, Cupertino's latest protection plan, debuted on the same day the iPhone 4S was unveiled, but anyone wanting to take advantage of the two-year warranty and accidental damage coverage was required to fork out an extra $99 at the same time they bought their phone. While Apple allowed early adopters to buy the service until November 14th because they weren't offered it upon pre-ordering, it appears the company's extended that window until December 15th, according to an internal memo leaked to SprintFeed. What's better, it seems that Apple's softening up its policy for everyone else during the holidays, as the company now offers a 30-day window just in case you walk out of the store with your glass-laden treasure unprotected and change your mind later. Apple's site confirms the policy (shown below), but as always, there's a catch: if you choose to get it after point of purchase, you'll need to either call up Apple directly or schedule a Genius Bar appointment, bring your receipt in and have the phone inspected to ensure it's not already damaged. Seems like a lot to do, but just make sure you use that Reminders app to keep track of it all.
Encased iPad survives 1300 foot drop, because why not?
The folks at G-Form make athletic pads and rugged iPad cases, but they must really hate Apple's tablet over there. Not only did they drop a bowling ball on it and drop it out of a plane at 500 feet, but now they've doubled that distance, throwing a couple of encased iPads from a parachute at a height of 1300 feet (almost 400 meters), complete with movies playing. Since you probably wouldn't be watching the video below if the iPad broke, the case indeed does protect the devices (though that case does look a little worse for the wear). In a review of G-Form's cases, we liked the protection a lot, but I agree -- it's not a very good looking case, and especially if (like me), you like to keep the iPad's form factor lean and sleek, it's not a good choice for that either. But then again, if you're in a situation where you absolutely need to protect your iPad and aren't worried about how it ends up looking, it certainly seems like G-Form's protection is a good way to go. [via TechCrunch]
Cyberdyne turns its HAL exoskeleton into an anti-radiation suit
The original Hybrid Assistive Limb (HAL) suit was designed to help those with muscle diseases, but it's now been upgraded to cope with a very different type of problem: handling radioactive substances. One of the few wearable materials that can stop radiation is tungsten, which is extremely heavy: a typical tungsten vest weigh up to 132 pounds. When worn in conjunction with a HAL exoskeleton, however, a vest can be worn for lengthy periods without causing fatigue -- potentially allowing greater access to hazardous sites like Fukushima.
The Care and Feeding of Warriors: Specializations in Mists of Pandaria
Every week, WoW Insider brings you The Care and Feeding of Warriors, the column dedicated to arms, fury and protection warriors. Despite repeated blows to the head from dragons, demons, Old Gods and whatever that thing over there was, Matthew Rossi will be your host. We are about to live in interesting times, my friends. Last week's BlizzCon effectively promised us most, if not all, of the candy I wanted. With the full awareness that this is all subject to change, take a look at the mock-up for abilities (not talents, core abilities) that all fury warriors will get as they level from 1 to 90 in the revamped Mists of Pandaria scheme. With the announcement that Slam will be an arms-only ability, I personally suspect that Wild Strike is the replacement for Bloodsurge's Slam proc. More importantly, you'll note a few things. One I really want to highlight at the start are the no-brainer talents that aren't talents anymore, like Flurry, Raging Blow, Bloodsurge and both Titan's Grip and Single-Minded Fury. You'll also note that you don't have to choose between TG and SMF. You get both at level 38. I used the fury abilities screenshot because that's the one I managed to get. If Blizzard did an arms or protection one, I didn't see it. But all three talent specializations are worth discussing, because we're heading into a future where your talent choices are no longer constrained by spec.
