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CES 2014, Day 2: Five signs you're at the biggest tech show on Earth
It's easy to lose track of yourself in a city as busy as Las Vegas. Between the iconic Strip, the historic downtown casinos and the international trade shows, folks have a habit of waking up without a solid sense of location. We understand, and we're here to help. It just happens to be the second day of CES. Take a deep breath; take a careful look at your surroundings; and see if any of the following five stories sound familiar. If so, there's a good chance you've been doing the trade show shuffle at the Las Vegas Convention Center. If not, well, then you just got fed Engadget's top five stories of CES 2014, day two. Really, it's win-win.
CES 2014, Day 1: You won't believe what happens next
The sun may be setting on the Las Vegas Convention Center, but that doesn't mean Engadget's gone dark. CES 2014's first day was loaded with new TV announcements, celebrity walk-offs, convertible devices and so, so much more. It's almost too much to handle, but don't fret, we've got you covered. We're going to filter out the buzz at the end of each day and leave you with five things you won't want to go to bed without reading. This is CES, day one.
A roundup of last week's TUAW app reviews
While last week was a slow one for app news and announcements, it gave your favorite TUAW writers a chance to post some great reviews of some of the more recent apps to grace their home screens. Here's a quick roundup of recent reviews -- and some year-end favorite app roundups -- you may have missed: Greeting Card Shop (Mac, $39.99) Magic Trick #1 (iOS, Universal, $0.99) TUAW Editor's Choice Awards for 2013 (Mac and iOS) Best iOS apps of 2013 (as selected by the participants of last week's TUAW Talkcast) SketchParty TV (iOS / AppleTV, $8.99) TUAW will be back on an expanded review schedule beginning Monday, January 6, so be sure to drop by to see what's new and cool.
The Think Tank: What components make up your ideal MMO?
We received a reader tip last week from Aislinn asking us what our ideal MMO components would be. She wrote, "Seeing your picks for Best of 2013, reading your opinions especially on subscription models, and reading the comments of those replying in the article, I wonder: What are the staff's opinions on what makes an ideal MMORPG? With sub? No sub? Buy-to-play with cash shop? I'm curious now what you guys think is an ideal MMORPG." Well, Aislinn, that's a good question. We've covered similar topics before, even dedicating a column to it for a while (until we ran out of ways to stretch Star Wars Galaxies to a thousand words), but it's a good topic to frequently revisit. So I asked the team members to give me their ideal MMO components, and a few of them went to town.
Perfect Ten: New MMOs to watch in 2014
Out with the old desk calendars that you didn't use past February 2013 and in with the new, I always say! It's a brand-new year, and while we don't know all of the twists and turns that we'll travel in MMO news in 2014, I dare say it promises to be a fascinating ride. Last January I gave my list of 10 new MMOs to watch for that year, and I'm a sucker for traditions. With 2014 a mostly blank slate right now, I want to lay out the up-and-coming class of games that at least have a shot at releasing by December. There are the big names, of course, but several other titles that could be sleeper hits if all goes right. Which will succeed, which will flop, and which won't even get out of the door? I don't claim to know all, but I know all, so here are my prognostications for 2014!
Ten educational apps for kids with their first iPad
Learning doesn't have to be boring. It can be enjoyable with the right tools and approach. If your child has a new iPad or a new hand-me-down model, check out these 10 apps that'll make learning their letters, state capitals and math facts fun. You can also check out this longer list, which includes games and other apps for younger kids, teens and beyond. Endless Alphabet [iOS Universal; $5.99] Endless Alphabet combines letter recognition and letter sounds with some motor skill training. Children drag the onscreen letters to form simple words. If they fill in the word correctly, they are rewarded with a definition of the word and a wonderful animation. Designed for pre-schoolers and kindergarten-aged children. The Lonely Beast 123 [iOS Universal; $1.99] The Lonely Beast 123 helps your child count things around the Lonely Beast's house; everything from rubber duckies, to shooting stars and even delicious-looking cakes are countable. Kids can tap on the household items, and they blow up, sink or otherwise disappear. It's an engaging way of teaching kids their numbers, especially when parents sit by their side and assist in the counting. Designed for pre-schooler and kindergarten-aged children. Stack the States [iOS Universal; $0.99] Stack the States tests kid's recognition of states and their knowledge of state capitals, geographic locations, flags and more. It's a challenging game that requires kids to answer geography questions correctly and physically stack the state shapes they earn without causing them to topple. Designed for elementary school children. Monster Physics [iOS Universal; $0.99] Have your children learn some basic physics principles while they build a car, crane, rocket ship and more. Monster Physics is set apart by its excellent controls and great graphics. Designed for elementary school children and above. Math Ninja HD [iOS Universal; $1.99] Help your kiddos learn their math facts in this tower-defense style game. You play as a ninja that must protect his tree house from an oncoming assault of robots sent by Tomato-San. Answer math facts and earn weapons in this arcade-style learning game. Designed for elementary school children. Art Authority K-12 for iPad [iPad; $7.99] This is a kid-friendly version of Art Authority, the popular classic art app from Open Door. With information on more than 60,000 paintings and sculptures, your art-loving child will never run out of exhibits to view. Besides displaying individual works of art, Art Authority also includes period overviews, timelines, histories and video clips. Designed for elementary or middle school children. Duolingo [iOS Universal; Free] If you want your child to have fun while learning words and phrases in a new language, then you should have them check out Duolingo. It's a great companion to a traditional foreign language course and it's free. Designed for middle school children or older. The Room Two [iPad; $4.99] The Room Two is described as a physical puzzler, wrapped in a mystery game, inside a beautifully tactile 3D world. It's a perfect description of the slightly creepy puzzle game. The app falls into the game category, but it is also highly educational. There's nothing like a good puzzle to get those brain synapses firing. There's also the original game, The Room, if you need another challenge. Designed for middle school children or older. PocketCAS [iOS Universal; $4.99] If you have a math wiz or a budding engineer in your family, then you must download and install PocketCAS. The mathematics app allows you to calculate math from the elementary school level all the way up to calculus, algebra and statistics. Designed for high school or above. Cultiwords [iOS Universal; $0.99] Cultiwords is a fun "word-of-the-day" game that'll help you build your vocabulary. It's great for SAT preparation and just general word knowledge. Designed for middle school or older, but most helpful for high schoolers preparing for college-entrance exams.
Perfect Ten: Biggest MMO news stories of 2013
As the light slowly fades from 2013, we spend our final moments quaffing eggnog, putting up President's Day decorations, and reminiscing about the year that was. We stare at the past and realize that it's a mirror reflecting our own journeys through the past 12 months. We contemplate the impact of one small decision that ripples out and touches souls everywhere. And then we stop getting so maudlin and start getting excited for what 2014 has to offer. For me, I live for end-of-the-year lists. Man, I love 'em. I will devour them, drinking up everyone's opinions about what what the best what, what movies or songs I should check out, and what idiocy drives some people to write top 10 lists. Seriously, am I right? Learn to use a paragraph format, people! Well, here's my top 10 list covering the year's top stories in the MMO industry. Some are pretty obvious, some will be up for debate, and all will be in the past soon enough. So what will historians say about 2013 and online games?
App updates you don't want to miss - December 23, 2013 edition
It has been a busy few weeks with software updates coming out for both iOS and OS X apps. Grab a cup of joe and check out our list of notable updates from the past few weeks! You can also follow them on a rolling basis on our website. iOS Apps Heads Up! [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $0.99] Heads Up! is the fun and hilarious game that Ellen DeGeneres plays on her show. Now you can play with your friends! Version 2.0 adds several new decks and the ability to create your own deck. Tydlig - Calculator Reimagined [iOS Universal; [iOS Universal; $4.99] Tydlig is a revolutionary new kind of calculator that sheds the legacy limitations of old devices for a truly modern calculation experience. Version 1.1.1 adds a new menu action link for when you want to use any historical number in your current expression. Infuse 2 [iOS Universal; Category: Photography & Video; Free] Infuse is the only video player app that bridges the gap between your iTunes and other content –- so you can watch virtually anything you want. Version 2.1 adds even more formats for free users, variable-speed scrubbing, improved accuracy while scrubbing, better movie artwork and more. Infinity Blade III [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $2.99] Uncover new mysteries to wield the power of the Infinity Blade in this timeless adventure of champions and villains. Version 1.2 adds three new quests, nine new enemies, a new Arena Mode and more. Kingdom Rush Frontiers [iPhone; Category: Games; $0.99] Bigger and badder than ever before, Kingdom Rush: Frontiers is a whole new level of the furiously fast, enchantingly charming gameplay that made the original title an award-winning hit. Version 1.4 includes a new free stage, a new boss fight, new hero and more. Kingdom Rush HD [iPad; Category: Games; $0.99] Get ready for an epic journey to defend your kingdom against hordes of orcs, trolls, evil wizards and other nasty fiends using a vast arsenal of towers and spells at your command. Version 2.2 includes a new free stage, a new boss fight, new hero and more. ProCamera7 [iPhone; Category: Photography & Video; $1.99] ProCamera is a photo, video and editing app bursting with state-of-the-art technology that helps you shoot like a pro. Version 5.2 adds a new QR Code Scanner, EXIF Viewer and manual saving. Where's My Water? 2 [iOS Universal; Category: Games; Free] Get ready to join Swampy, Allie and Cranky on their next exciting adventure. Version 1.1.0 adds two new locations and removes the energy system, allowing you to play as much as you want. Sky Guide: View Stars Night or Day [iOS Universal; Category: Reference; $1.99] A star and constellation guide has never been more beautiful and easy to use. Version 3.0 adds new time-lapse feature, 64-bit support, realistic comets and more. Gneo [iOS Universal; Category: Productivity; $4.99] Gneo helps you take action with your to-dos by prioritizing all the things you need to get done. Version 1.0.5 adds a new Calendar selector, new smart notebook filter and more. Agricola [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $6.99] Europe is recovering from some hard times. You and a spouse must grow your two-room hut and empty farmyard into a productive farm. Version 1.1.0 adds the ability to expand the game by purchasing Decks I (Interactive) and K (Complex) for your game. Drafts [iPhone; Category: Productivity; $1.99] Quickly capture text and send it almost anywhere. Version 3.5.8 updates the swiping behavior so your can delete by swiping to the left, and moving or pinning by swiping to the right. Drafts for iPad [iPad; Category: Productivity; $2.99] Quickly capture text and send it almost anywhere. Version 3.5.8 updates the swiping behavior so your can delete by swiping to the left, and moving or pinning by swiping to the right. Daedalus Touch – Text Editor for iCloud [iOS Universal; Category: Productivity; Free] Daedalus Touch is the first truly next-gen text editor on iOS. Version 1.7 turns the app into a freemium title with advanced features available via in-app purchases, new font selector, new theme switcher and more. OS X Apps The Elements [Category: Reference; $19.99] The Elements is a living periodic table that gained a great deal of attention on the iPad before making a move to OS X. Version 1.0.6 doesn't add any functionality, but fixes issues with some late-2012 27-inch iMacs. Cobook [Category: Business; Free] Cobook is an über address book that compiles contacts across just about every social network imaginable, along with your standard Contacts list. Version 3.0 adds support for multiple user accounts, design tweaks and support for Instagram, Foursquare, AngelList and LinkedIn. Civilization V: Campaign Edition [Category: Games; $9.99] The latest edition of the Civilization franchise for Mac includes the Babylon, Mongols and Scenario DLC packs. Version 1.3.4 adds the "Scramble Nations" and "Scramble Continents" options via in-app purchases, along with a suite of bug fixes. SkyDrive [Category: Productivity; Free] SkyDrive is Microsoft's access-from-anywhere storage system that installs a synced folder on your Mac. Version 17.0.2021.1202 fixes some syncing bugs that previously plagued the system.
Norrathian Notebook: EverQuest Next Round Table roundup, round three
Quick on the heels of our second Round Table roundup for EverQuest Next and EQN Landmark comes the third, filled with the next bushel of questions! In these (lucky) seven queries, devs asked players to give their opinions on starter zones, modding the UI, length of the day and night cycle, grouping, preferred Landmark building styles, and the role of NPC merchants. And of course, devs also offered their personal opinions on these topics. Did you participate in all the polls the first time through? If not, we've got them all right here for you. Go ahead and join in the discussions; it is never too late to voice your opinions! You never know when your comment might be the one that turns the tide of thinking or offers a new solution no one had considered before.
The Think Tank: Massively's 2014 MMO predictions
The end of the year is our time to not only reflect on the last 12 months but also look forward to what's to come. Since some of the more anticipated MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online and Wildstar have missed their anticipated 2013 launches, we now have that to look forward to in 2014. But what else? Follow along after the jump for the Massively staff's 2014 predictions, and for an added laugh, take a look back at our 2013 predictions to see how close (or far off) we were.
The Think Tank: Do government spies scare you away from your favorite MMO?
The NSA is listening to our MMO chat logs, and I feel fine. Monday's news has sparked outrage among some gamers, while others yawn and carry on, knowing that they have nothing to fear. So I polled the Massively staff members to gather everyone's thoughts on the topic. Would any of us stop playing our MMOs of choice, knowing that there are government spies all around watching our every move? Or does that just mean more noobs to bash in PvP?
The Tattered Notebook: EverQuest Next roundtable roundup, take two
Back in September, The Tattered Notebook gathered together the first 10 roundtable questions that EverQuest Next and EQN Landmark devs posed to fans, with their accompanying community thoughts, developer opinions, and video clip answers. However, that was only the tip of the iceberg. The Round Table discussions were not just an introductory fad; they are a permanent part of the development process. As such, new polls are put up every week for fans to vote on and to post their own feedback and thoughts about on the forum. So now that a couple of months have passed, it's time to round up the next wave of questions in one central location, focusing this time on the six questions with dev responses. Maybe there is a query or two that you missed as the weeks rolled by, or maybe you just want to see what direction the community is leaning. Got some strong opinions about death penalties or fast travel in EverQuest Next? What about in-game holidays? This is definitely the time to share them!
The Think Tank: Which MMOs are you looking forward to the most in 2014?
Can you believe it's already December? This is the time of year when we reflect back on what we've played over the last 12 months and try to remember what's coming out in the next 12. We have some great titles to look forward to in 2014, including The Elder Scrolls Online, EQN Landmark, WildStar, and more. Since we've got a diverse team of MMO fans here on staff, I was curious about each writer's anticipated picks for the new year. Check out the answers just after the cut! And don't forget we'll do our official most-anticipated vote later on this month.
Engadget's Cyber Monday 2013 roundup
As tempting as post-Thanksgiving savings are, some of us simply aren't brave enough to face the Black Friday hordes. That doesn't mean stay-at-home shoppers aren't still looking for a bargain: Cyber Monday is upon us, and there are deals aplenty. If you skipped this weekend's brick-and-mortar discounts, read on -- we've got TVs, PCs and tablets galore. Can't find what you're looking for? Stick around, we'll be updating this post as more deals go live. [Buy More Stuff photo credit: jbhthescots / Flickr]
Perfect Ten: What I'm thankful for in MMOs
It is good to give thanks. It is good to be grateful. I love having a holiday this time of year to encourage me to do what I should be doing all of the time, which is to recognize the blessings that I have and the sacrifices that others have made on my behalf. Even when it comes to games, there's so much to be thankful for. So if you'll excuse a list full of sentiment and seriousness, today I'd like to give a shout-out to 10 things that I'm thankful for in the realm of MMOs. Check them out and then perhaps add your own thanks in the comments section!
The Thank Tank: What are you most thankful for in the MMO genre?
Today is Thanksgiving Day in the USA. so it's only natural that we ask a thanks-related question for this week's Think Tank. As much as we, as a fanbase, like to be critical of our favorite genre, it's important to take some time to be thankful for what it is to us. So I asked the Massively team members what they're thankful for in MMOs. Grab a turkey leg dipped in cranberry sauce and stuffing (go ahead and double-dip; Uncle Leon won't mind) and follow along after the cut for our thoughts.
Engadget's Black Friday 2013 roundup
Don't think that the Black Friday shopping rush this year is all about the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. We've rounded up a smorgasbord of Thanksgiving week deals that should appeal to tech-savvy shoppers of all stripes, whether they're looking for entry-level smartphones or giant 4K TVs. Hop past the break and you'll find bargains that could please the gadget lovers in your life -- and just might spare you from battling the crowds at the mall. [Image credit: AP]
Perfect Ten: Why we need more post-apocalyptic MMOs
With the recent re-release of the 1988 classic RPG Wasteland and the development progress of Wasteland 2, my mind's swimming in post-apocalyptic wonderment these days. Aside from those titles and the insanely popular Fallout series, post-apoc hasn't proven to be as popular a setting for games as it is in, say, film, TV, and novels. And when it comes to MMOs, the only major effort that's been made to produce a similar title has been limited to Fallen Earth (and in a lesser sense, Defiance and Xsyon). Now, I love me some Fallen Earth, especially as of late, but every time I log in it makes me think of just how rich and fertile this setting is for MMO studios. Considering just how rampant fantasy titles are, I feel strongly that devs need to be exploring outside this well-trod path to other genres, and the post-apocalypse is a perfect place to start. Here are my reasons that we need more post-apoc MMOs, and no, I'm not going to list "rampant prostitution and drug use" because that would also apply to a Los Angeles MMO.
The Think Tank: Are non-combat sandbox tools a necessity in your MMO?
The RPG ingredient in our MMORPG sandwich has seemed to be dwindling away, but a few upcoming games -- and additions to existing ones -- are letting us know that RPG is back. One major element of the RPG is open control over how our story plays out. In true tabletop RPG style, sandbox tools let us play these games as we want to play them, but not all of us want that much freedom in our MMOs. So I asked the Massively team members for their thoughts on sandbox tools in their favorite MMOs. Are they welcome, or should we focus more on leaderboards and combat-based achievements? And how much exactly do they hate this question?
Perfect Ten: What making games taught me about MMO development
Since 1998, I've created and run countless games in my role as a youth minister. Despite the accusations from some corners that games waste time, I've been a firm believer that they're one of the most universal bonding experiences and can be used for a purpose. I've also learned a lot of lessons while coming up with my own or adapting others' games. You can have the perfect game on paper, but throwing it to the "test server" of a group of insane teens can show you just how wrong you are. It's through games that I've tied together my hobby and professional life, and it's definitely opened my eyes to some of the complex issues that developers deal with on a daily basis. So you know how they say that you have to walk a mile in another's shoes to understand where he's coming from? Well, I've done this with games. Here are 10 lessons that running games taught me about developing and operating these complex MMOs we love.
