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Screens: an easy and elegant VNC app for iOS
VNC (virtual network computing) has been around for a long time, but lately there seems to be more and more interest in it, perhaps because of all the iPad and iPhone owners who want to connect to their computers back home or at the office. Screens, from Edovia, is a new entrant in the VNC app race. It is on sale at US$14.99 for a limited time, after which the price will go up to $24.99. The app is universal, so your purchase allows you to install it on both an iPad and iPhone, or an iPod touch. Like many other similar apps, Screens has support for many multi-touch gestures, as well as squeeze motions to enlarge or shrink the screen back down. The main difference is that with the other apps, you use those gestures to move a cursor around the screen or, in some cases, move the screen around a stationary cursor. Screens allows you to control the remote computer using your finger as a virtual mouse or trackpad. Of course, you have to run a VNC server app on the machine you want to connect to, and you can find those for Windows and Linux. OS X has VNC built in; you just activate screen sharing in the Mac Sharing preference pane. If you have multiple PCs set up to connect to, you flick between those screens on your iPad, iPod touch or iPhone. I've tried it at home, and I was easily able to connect to my desktop Mac and a Windows XP PC. Using the app was a pleasure, and because of the way touch is integrated, it felt like a pure multi-touch app rather than a screen emulator. There is a dedicated keyboard, and a second one with keys that relate to the type of computer you are connecting to. For example, you can invoke a Spotlight search with a tap when connected to a Mac. %Gallery-111639%
Toshiba and Apple working together on a display manufacturing plant
Toshiba and Apple are reportedly working together on a brand new manufacturing plant in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture, specifically to build "low-temperature polysilicon LCD panels," to be used in Apple's iPhones. Toshiba will spend about $1.9 billion on the project, which is scheduled to start building in a month or so, and be done in time to start production by the end of next year. Toshiba already makes some 8.55 million units in its current manufacturing plant, but that production is supposed to double with this new facility. We've posted before about the incredible scale of Apple's production process, and even with all of these plants churning out parts and units, Apple is only barely able to keep up with demand. In some places it's still not even able to keep up. The other benefit is that the more of its production process Apple moves under its own purview, the more of an advantage it can have against competitors, some of which use the same manufacturers and distributors that Apple uses right now. The more plants Apple invests in, the more unique production locations it will be able to take advantage of later on. [via 9to5Mac]
Taiwan subsidizes development for Delta's glasses-free 3D projector and AUO's flexible AMOLED
You know the Taiwanese are pretty serious about technology when you see them liberally throwing cash at factories. According to DigiTimes, Delta Electronics and AUO are two recent winners for a shared NT$600 million (US$19.6 million) government grant, which will cover 45% of each of their research expenditure -- so probably not a fifty-fifty split. If all goes well, Delta will bring out glasses-free, wide-angle 3D projection that's enabled by using multiple high-res LED beamers; whereas AUO will take advantage of the recent AMOLED shortage and develop high-res flexible panels. Nice going, folks, just don't let us catch you all partying on the factory floor with that money.
Apple's dead pixel policy leaks out, up to 15 anomalies 'acceptable' on 22-inch and above screens?
There's nothing quite like coming home with a shiny new laptop only to find tiny black and white dots peppering your LCD, especially when the screen's manufacturer tells you that you're plumb out of luck. If you buy Apple, that scenario might honestly play out just the same, but the chart above could save you an embarrassing argument at your local Genius Bar. According to the allegedly leaked internal document, Apple has a set of precise charts that determine whether or not it will replace your LCD -- a single dead pixel will save an iPod or iPhone, for instance, and Apple will tolerate only two on an iPad IPS screen. We're sorry to say it's not the same if you buy Mac, as you could have a staggering fifteen dead pixels on that pricey Cinema Display and still have to pick up the tab. Hang on to those receipts, folks.
Massively Exclusive: More DCUO PvP screens
Last week we showed off a batch of PvP screens from Sony Online Entertainment's upcoming DC Universe Online MMORPG. This week, we've got more where those came from, but this time you'll only find these images here on Massively. SOE treats us to twelve new images of player vs. player superhero action, featuring everything from outlandish costumes to fireballs, ice shields, and laser beams (though, sadly, no sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads as of yet). Oh, and don't forget the giant spring-loaded boxing glove. DCUO, currently slated to release in early 2011, is undergoing closed beta testing. You can read more about the game at the official website. %Gallery-106561%
New HP e-All-in-One printers make it easy to print from anywhere
HP recently announced two new wireless, Web-connected All-in-One printers that provide features that are sure to make Apple owners happy. The printers, the HP Officejet Pro 8500A e-All-in-One series (above at left, starting at US$299, currently available with a rebate for just $229) and Officejet 7500A Wide-Format e-All-in-One (above at right, starting at $299, not currently shown on the US HP website) feature connectivity to the Web, which allows them to print from various services without needing to fire up a computer to do the printing. Here's a quick look at some of the unique (and some not-so-unique) features: HP ePrint -- sometime this fall, you'll be able to download the HP ePrint iOS app and print documents on your device directly to your HP Officejet Pro 8500A or Officejet 7500A from literally anywhere you have an internet connection. Until then, or when you're on any internet-connected device, you can attach your document to an email and send it to your printer. ePrint supports PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text, JPEG, TIFF, BMP, PNG, and GIF files, and you'll receive feedback from the printer if the print job is successful or if there's an issue. Borderless printing -- If you want to print anything from a 3" x 5" card up to a 13" x 19" brochure, you can do it on the 7500A Wide-Format printer, and you can print to the edge of the paper. That's useful for doing printing of business documents on-demand, rather than sending them to a printer. Wireless and Wired networking -- Both printers have built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi and 10/100Base-T Ethernet networking capabilities. The LCD display on the printers makes setup easy with on-screen instructions. (Correction: Wi-Fi is an option available at additional cost on the 8500A.)
Stab-proof Gorilla Glass coming to TVs near you in 2011
If you go to Corning Inc's website, you'll see the company advertises its seemingly indestructible Gorilla Glass as being available for LCD TV sets, but to this point, no major manufacturer has taken up this tempting offer. That's all about to change, apparently, as Corning has recently announced plans to massively expand its production capacity (see press release after the break) and is now predicting it'll secure its first deal this fall. The benefits of going Gorilla are increased durability, strength and scratch resistance, which some are arguing could be a big selling point to display makers keen on doing away with plastic bezels and exposing edge-to-edge glass surfaces. Of course, the disadvantage is that we'd have to pay up to $60 more for a panel with the extra-tough stuff inside, but then having the option is better than not, right?
TERA releases new Screens of the Week, skill change info
We may not have much information on TERA's highly secret political system, nor do we have a ton of new gameplay details to report, but one thing we always have in abundance regarding the forthcoming action MMORPG is screenshots. Yes, En Masse has delivered the eleventh installment of their venerable Screenshots of the Week featurette, this time focusing on the Valley of Nihil. Situated on TERA's western continent, the valley is an arid wasteland of cracked plateaus and foreboding sandstone that you can view in our gallery below. En Masse was also kind enough to drop a few tidbits regarding skill tweaks earlier this week. In a brief news release, the TERA publisher details some of the feedback received from the Focus Group Test 2 that concluded earlier this spring, as well as some new skills that resulted from the feedback. Have a look at the skill descriptions as well as the in-game icons on the game's official website. %Gallery-96720%
Verizon confirms Droid X screen issues, but says they're not widespread
We just got word back from Verizon regarding those flickering Droid X screens, and sure enough, the ghastly images are not a side effect of your assimilation into the Droid collective. Verizon and Motorola have owned up to a genuine problem with a small number of Droid X displays, approximately one-tenth of one percent. If your screen starts acting up you'd best contact the authorities immediately. And by authorities, we mean tech support, not the FBI -- the omnipresent glowing red eyeball is completely normal. It told us so. Here's Verizon's full statement on the matter: "Verizon Wireless and Motorola are aware of a very small number of DROID X units that have experienced a flickering or banding display. Motorola has resolved the issue and is continuing to ship the phones. Any consumer who experiences a flickering or banding display should contact a Motorola customer support center or Verizon Wireless."
Some Droid X handsets have defective screens? (video)
All's not well in Creepy Red Eye land, if reports out of several cell phone forums can be believed -- a number of early Droid X adopters are documenting serious graphical or possibly electrical problems with the handset's giant screen. While we don't know how widespread the issue might be quite yet, symptoms include rapid flickering and vertical banding over all or part of the 4.3-inch LCD. Several forumites claim to have already had their phones replaced, in some cases being told the defect was a common problem in their respective launch day batches. We've contacted Verizon for confirmation and hope to have a response soon; in the meanwhile, see video examples of both issues after the break, and let us know if you've seen similar glitches in comments below. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Exclusive screenshots from Fantasy Earth Zero
One of the big sells that TERA has been focusing on in the lead-up to its official release is the idea that combat is entirely real-time, but like most great ideas in MMOs, it's not the first title to use combat with no lock-on and an action-based environment. Fantasy Earth Zero might be easily mistaken for yet another grind-based Asian game at a glance, but the actual mechanics of play combined with skill-based PvP make for a very different creature -- and yes, one wherein combat happens without any sort of target lock. Gamepot USA was kind enough to furnish us with a few shots of the game in action during one of the large PvP battles, which showcase a faction of the strategic combat taking place on contested maps. The process of gathering resources and controlling towers is one of the dominant elements of gameplay, to the point where some reviewers have gone so far as to call the game an MMORTS in spirit. Take a look at the gallery, and consider giving Fantasy Earth Zero some of your time over the summer if you want something more different than it looks. %Gallery-97134%
TERA screens reveal Serpentis Isle
The folks at En Masse Entertainment have made a habit out of releasing new TERA screens near the end of every week, and today is no different. The seventh installment of the Screenshots of the Week featurette takes us to Serpentis Isle, which is just a bit north of Mistmoar Island and the location of last week's E3 demo. "Creatures both familiar and fantastic can be found in this dangerous territory and they are not keen on sharing it with hapless explorers nor gallivanting heroes," says Evan "Scapes" Berman, En Masse community manager, in a teaser post on the game's official forums. You can view the new screenshots on TERA's official website, or check them out in our handy gallery below. %Gallery-96207%
Marvel vs. Capcom 3 screens are light on the curleh mustaches
Click image to jump into our gallery Capcom has finally released some in-game shots of Marvel vs Capcom 3. The screens are missing HUD elements, but that's fine -- we just wanted to see how the game would "blur the line between 2D and 3D graphics." Frankly, we're surprised it doesn't look more like Super Street Fighter IV. And not a single curleh mustache in sight? How will the fans react? Head into our gallery below to check out the new screens, which feature a Ryu vs Wolverine match-up, Iron Man shooting Morrigan in the face and a trigger-happy Chris Redfield taking on The Hulk. %Gallery-93783%
Samsung's AMOLED division is now profitable, expects major smartphone growth in 2010
If you want the dish on what's happening with mobile displays, Lee Woo-Jong, VP for marketing at Samsung Mobile Display, is as good a person to ask as any. The chap has been telling the Reuters Global Technology Summit that his company has finally gone into the black with its AMOLED production line, and that its research projects a 50 percent jump in smartphone shipments in 2010 relative to 2009. This is expected to boost demand, which is already exceeding supply, for high-quality displays. Samsung says shortages might be experienced all the way until next year, but has reiterated its belief that AMOLED is the future with a $2.15 billion investment into expanding its production lines, while also predicting a 30-fold growth in shipments of such displays by 2015. Every handset out there looking like the Wave? We could learn to live with that.
Blur trailer and screens highlight Team Race, Team Motor Mash modes
In the latest trailer for Blur, lead designer Gareth Wilson takes us for a lap around the upcoming racer's bevy of team events. First, Wilson breaks down some tactics in Team Race, your run-of-the-mill us-vs-them race mode, in which teams duke it out on the track. Here, players can swap mods and lend assistance in a variety of ways -- all in an effort to finish the race in the best position possible, thus earning more points than the enemy team. The second portion of the trailer focuses on Team Motor Mash, another points-based team mode in which points aren't simply earned through pole position, but rather through the judicious application of power-ups. Players can also earn points by smashing into rival drivers, giving this mode a Destruction Derby-like feel. Aside from the new trailer, we've also got some new screens for you to check out in the gallery below. Blur races to the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on May 25. %Gallery-93377%
Sniper: Ghost Warrior media bangs a few heads
We're not a hard blog to please. Send us some screens and some video, perhaps a trailer that has a badass guitar solo screeching throughout, and you've won us over. That's exactly what's going on in the Sniper: Ghost Warrior multiplayer trailer above. Sure, there's a whole bunch of sniping to check out but, man, those licks! We just hope that music doesn't play in-game, because we probably won't be able to kill anyone while we're busy headbanging with our leather bracelet and denim vest on. Accompanying the finger-melting trailer after the break is a bounty of new screens, so if you like your action a bit more still -- but just as violent -- hit up the gallery below. %Gallery-93064%
Sam & Max: The Tomb of Sammun-Mak media needs a shave
Click image to check out our 'stache of screens Telltale has sent over some media from Sam & Max: The Devil's Playhouse's second episode, The Tomb of Sammun-Mak, which takes the duo down a decidedly gentlemanly path. Sure, there's only the one in-game screenshot where Sam is sporting some bushy whiskers (good show, old boy!) but there's still other items to leisurely peruse, perhaps while sipping a fine Earl Grey tea. There are also several pieces of art for your eyes to appreciate, including a posh train and rather down-on-his-luck-looking Max, if that's more to your liking. So, put on your most dashing outfit and be sure to head into our gallery for a sophisticated look at the upcoming episode. Tally-ho! %Gallery-92554%
See Snake sneak, fight dragons in these MGS: Peace Walker screens
You know that crazy story you read about Snake fighting monsters from the Monster Hunter series in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker? Well, today we've got actual images of Snake in the act -- can't have a PSP game without monster hunting in it, amirite? Jokes aside, Snake seriously fights some dragons and it's pretty crazy. Our second featured gallery (which, if you're going on The Price is Right rules, makes it better than the first) takes us through virtual boot camp. This is akin to the MGS we're used to seeing: sneaking around industrial facilities and stealthily taking out inept guards. Pick your poison below. %Gallery-92267% %Gallery-92269%
Vanquish screens show the game's acrobatic side
Click image to slide into our gallery We're still waiting to see the first gameplay footage of Shinji Mikami's latest, Vanquish, but at least these new screens give us hope that the protagonist super-soldier isn't just some lumbering tank guy. It appears you'll be able to have acrobatic battles with giant mechs. If these pair of screens are any indication, there will be ballet-like air dodging maneuvers you can pull off, which can culminate in driving a giant spike (or is that a huge bullet?) into the thing. The other new screens Sega sent over depict more of what we've already seen in the first batch of screens: shooting stuff, trying not to get shot by stuff and a bit of both at the same time. Check 'em all out in the gallery below. %Gallery-92103%
Bungie bids funny farewell to Halo 2 online multiplayer
Click image for more lulz As today is the last full day you'll get a chance to enjoy Halo 2, Bungie has apparently gone and pulled the joke lever. In preparation for tonight's festivities, we went online to download all of the extra maps for the game and get a round of practice in, only to find a few peculiar messages -- like the self-esteem booster you see above. For the most part, the messages are pretty jovial, though there are a few odd ones that take it a bit too far. Head into the gallery below to check 'em all out. %Gallery-90846%
