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Acer, Lenovo looking to release Tegra 3-equipped tablets in early 2012
For now ASUS' Transformer Prime is the lonely king of the quad-core tablet hill, but as we'd heard a few weeks back, it looks like it'll have company soon enough. Insider sources have reported to DigiTimes that you'll be able to snag a nifty Android tablet with a quad-core GPU for between $459 and $599 in 2012. Acer and Lenovo are apparently set to target Apple's iPad tablet as well as ASUS with NVIDIA's quad-core Tegra 3 GPU tablets running Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) in the first quarter of 2012. These sources also stated that since neither Acer nor Lenovo have a direct advantage over Apple or Amazon's tablet devices, they'd only be competing for about 10 to 15 percent of the total PC tablet market. And yes, there are mathematical formulas that prove that owning a reasonably priced tablet with a quad-core GPU does make you the coolest kid on the block.
Samsung delivers kernel source for T-Mobile Galaxy S II, developers can now collect all three
Developers, start your engines. T-Mobile's version of the Samsung Galaxy S II was the slowest in the family to get the official kernel source. It's here now, though, arriving on Sammy's site a whole four days after the phone's release; this isn't an eternity by any means, but its counterparts had the source available no later than the actual launch date. No matter the reason, make your way to Samsung's official site to dive in and make some magic happen. [Thanks, Aubrey]
Source: Frontier's canned 'The Outsider' project was actually 'The Bourne Redemption,' and we've got the greenlight video [updated]
It seems that the plot surrounding Frontier Developments' canceled project, "The Outsider," grows thicker. A video sent to Joystiq this morning by an anonymous source reveals that the game was actually a Jason Bourne-based project known as "The Bourne Redemption." But wait, that game footage looks mighty familiar -- is that The Outsider? Sure looks like it, but now it's known as "The Bourne Redemption." Interesting! And given that the clip is interspersed with footage from the third Bourne film, "The Bourne Ultimatum," we're guessing that Frontier was hard at work on "The Outsider" / "The Bourne Redemption" when the project was canned for a variety of reasons. Moreover, the clip we were sent is specifically noted as the "greenlight" for the project, which either means it's moving forward or, more likely, this video was the original proof of concept that got the ball rolling on development. We'd love to tell you more, but other than the clip above, we don't know much else. But perhaps you do? You're welcome to tip us with more info! We've reached out to both EA and Frontier for comment. Update: We've added much more information on the subject, just past the break.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive trailer is wholly inoffensive
The first gameplay trailer for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is actually quite pleasing. That is, if you're into the fast-paced slaughter of virtual opponents. It's okay, folks -- they're terrorists, so that's kinda how these things work.%Gallery-131820%
Refresh Roundup: week of August 15, 2011
Your smartphone and / or tablet is just begging to get updated. From time to time, these mobile devices are blessed with maintenance refreshes, bug fixes, custom ROMs and anything in between, and so many of them are floating around that it's easy for a sizable chunk to get lost in the mix. To make sure they don't escape without notice, we've gathered every possible update, hack, and other miscellaneous tomfoolery from the last week and crammed them into one convenient roundup. If you find something available for your device, please give us a shout at tips at engadget dawt com and let us know. Enjoy! Official Android updates The HTC EVO 3D is now ready for a maintenance fix called 2.08.651.2, which offers some nice improvements like allowing more Sprint bloatware to be uninstallable by the user, contact transfer via bluetooth, fixes for the lock screen occasionally freezing, and GPS enhancements. This update is available through a manual install. [via SprintFeed] Speaking of the HTC EVO 3D, the bootloader unlock tool is now ready for your enjoyment on the company's fancy new dev site. Android 2.3.4 is finally rolling out on T-Mobile's HTC Sensation 4G, and all users should receive the OTA update by the end of September at the latest. Aside from the standard 2.3.4 enhancements, Sensation 4G owners can also expect better battery life, additional software stability, extra touchscreen responsiveness, and improved "device reboots." Curiously, the refresh also promises better screen and photo resolution. All in all, this is the kind of firmware boost we love to see. (Thanks, Anonymous) [via TmoNews] If you're using a Samsung Fascinate 3G on Telus, you'll be interested to know that you may now have Gingerbread bestowed upon your device. It'll involve a manual install using Samsung Kies, so go to the website to get all the instructions. [via MobileSyrup] The five people enjoying their Motorola Flipside can finally be treated to Android 2.2. Yes, that's Froyo. Go here to get the update manually. [via AndroidCentral] Some Motorola Droid X users complained about bugs after its bump up to Gingerbread, which should be resolved by installing version 4.5.602. It's a simple maintenance fix that throws in a couple additional enhancements at the same time. [via AndroidCentral] HTC Droid Incredible is inching closer to getting upgraded to Android 2.3.4, according to the support page Verizon recently set up on its site. [via Droid-Life] In time for today's launch, Samsung has released the source code for the Conquer 4G. Devs, head here to download it -- you'll know what to do after that. [via Android Police] For everyone who chooses to get the Conquer 4G, it's supposedly set to receive a device security enhancement today as well, according to some leaked screenshots. [via SprintFeed] Unofficial Android updates/custom ROMs/misc hackery This was fast -- the same bug fix update for the Droid X that we mentioned above has already been rooted. Go to the via for the full details on how to get it. As always, diving into these types of processes are more advanced, and you should follow the instructions to the letter. [via Droid-Life] The MIUI custom ROM is starting to gain a lot of momentum in the Android community, and if you're interested in checking it out on your device without going through the hassle of installing the full version (let alone rooting your phone or buying a MIUI-supported phone), an XDA developer has created a clone of the MIUI launcher and has made an APK available for your downloading pleasure. The via has a large screenshot gallery to check out. [via AddictiveTips] We've seen a lot of leaked Gingerbread ROMs surface for the HTC Thunderbolt, but this time an "official" update has made its ways to the Android dev world. It's been told that this is not yet the final build, so it's bound to get even better with time. Still, the impatient users may want to get this as soon as possible. [via RootzWiki and AndroidCentral] Another build of Gingerbread, EH06, has leaked for the Samsung Epic 4G. [via AndroidCentral] The HTC EVO 4G update to Android 2.3 can now be rooted, courtesy of Revolutionary. [via AndroidCentral]
The Stanley Parable is a thoughtful Half-Life 2 mod
"Cakebread," the creator of Half-Life 2 mod "The Stanley Parable," says the less you know about his experimental, story-driven game the better, and we're going to adhere to the spirit of that. Besides, if the trailer above doesn't make you want to play it, nothing we're going to say will help.
Source: Xbox 360 Spring 2011 update launches May 19, adds PayPal
Even before that new app smell has worn off from Hulu Plus, Microsoft will launch its annual spring update for the Xbox 360 Dashboard. Images sent to Joystiq by a Microsoft tech support employee reveal that the next Dashboard update will begin rolling out on May 19. According to the documents, the update will be distributed in six separate waves between May 19 and May 30 "to ensure a high quality deployment." Additionally, while not technically part of the automatic update, Avatar Kinect is listed for a May 27 arrival as a separate download. Aside from offering support for the new Microsoft disc format -- which will "be used in future game titles releasing later in 2011" -- the spring system update will enable PayPal support on the console, extending the payment option "to new international markets." PayPal will be "the only user facing feature" of the update. Update: Microsoft tells us, "We have nothing to announce." Update 2: May 27 has come and gone, and alas, Avatar Kinect has yet to launch. PayPal was added, however, on May 19.%Gallery-123154%
Samsung releases Droid Charge source code ahead of phone's launch
This isn't right... this isn't right at all. As a possible tip of the hat to enthusiastic coders, or merely a curious oversight, the source code for Verizon's forthcoming Droid Charge has appeared on Samsung's open source portal. Nothing earth-shattering here (as we've known of this 1GHz LTE handset for a while), but we reckon there's a few industrious readers who will appreciate hacking this Droid's software ahead of launch. So if you count yourself among that bunch, follow the source link and type 'SCH-I510' in the search box -- happy coding!
Portal 2 contains an 'interactive teaser' for JJ Abrams' Super 8
Buried in Portal 2's "Extras" menu is an "interactive teaser" for Super 8, this summer's J. J. Abrams-helmed sci-fi monster movie. "What exactly is an interactive teaser?" you ask, half-knowing the answer. Do you remember that original teaser for Super 8, in which a train crashes and something lets itself out of a train car? This is like that, except interactive (thanks, Source Engine!), and it takes place from the point-of-view of someone inside the train. You can find it in that copy of Portal 2 you've undoubtedly already purchased or, if you're still stuck at work like we are, watch a video after the break.
Source: Take a look at Hulu Plus on Xbox and the new Kinect sub-Dash
Sure, Hulu Plus may not be part of the public beta preview of this spring's Xbox 360 Dashboard update -- at least that's what Microsoft's saying -- but that doesn't mean we can't see what it may look like when it does launch, as scheduled, sometime in the next few months. Images sent to us by a trusted tipster show the Hulu Plus app in action (and being controlled by Kinect), as well as the revamped Kinect Dashboard. Like the Netflix app, the Hulu interface resembles the Xbox Dashboard itself, offering a rotating layer of categories with selectable content. As for the updated Kinect Hub, it looks fairly similar to what is currently available on the Xbox, only it adds access to both Netflix and Hulu Plus. Though our tipster doesn't know whether Hulu Plus will be added to the current public beta test of the next Dashboard update, our source did note that the application seems fully functional, as does Avatar Kinect (also not currently part of the preview). Our tipster said the Kinect-controlled Avatar showcase app wasn't especially exciting, but that "it was good at tracking my movements and the response time was pretty fast like everything else with the Kinect." Hopefully we'll find out for ourselves soon enough!%Gallery-121264%
Dino D-Day available now on Steam for $20
The time has come, dear friends, for all of us to face down our two greatest fears: Dinosaurs, and Nazis who have learned how to wield dinosaurs as gargantuan, reptilian weapons of mass destruction. The Source Engine-based multiplayer shooter Dino D-Day is available now through Steam for $19.99 (or $59.99 for a four-pack). The game pits nine different human soldier classes against an army of three different dinosaur types: The Velociraptor, Dilophosaur, and Desmatosuchus. Check out the gameplay video after the jump to get a taste for ... did that dinosaur just kill a player by throwing a goat at him? We must own this game.
ASUS releases Eee Pad Transformer source code, physical bits to come later
We're still sitting here playing with our Decepticon and Autobot toys, Jetfire and Starscream continuing their battle for airborne supremacy. It's how we entertain ourselves whilst waiting for ASUS to release its Transformer tablet on the world, but now we can at least get our hands on what makes it tick. The source code for that 10.1-inch tablet with its IPS screen and Honeycomb flavor has just been lobbed up onto the company's site and, with just a few clicks, you can continue its trajectory right onto your storage device of choice -- though you'll need to run it through an unzipper before it can really have any impact. What you do with it after that is up to you, but you're going to have to wait a bit longer before you'll have anywhere to deploy the results of the included makefile.
Google keeping Honeycomb source code on ice, says it's not ready for other devices
Itching to put some sweet, crunchy AOSP Honeycomb on your hardware of choice? You might have quite a wait, as BusinessWeek reports that Google will not release the Android 3.0 source code in the near future, and we just received confirmation of the same. Google forwarded us the following statement, which pretty much says it all: Android 3.0, Honeycomb, was designed from the ground up for devices with larger screen sizes and improves on Android favorites such as widgets, multi-tasking, browsing, notifications and customization. While we're excited to offer these new features to Android tablets, we have more work to do before we can deliver them to other device types including phones. Until then, we've decided not to release Honeycomb to open source. We're committed to providing Android as an open platform across many device types and will publish the source as soon as it's ready.It's fairly clear that the company's motivation here is the same as it's been all along -- Google wants to restrict Android to the devices it was designed for. Though the company long insisted that earlier versions of Android were not for tablets, manufacturers quickly adapted the source code to slates anyhow, and we can imagine the company wasn't thrilled some of the middling results. At that time, Google's only weapon was to deny access to Gmail, Maps and Android Market, which it did liberally (with a few exceptions to the rule) but this time it sounds like it's simply withholding the "entirely for tablet" source code instead of sending cease-and-desist letters out. Another explanation, however, could just be that Honeycomb's not ready for primetime without some OEM help -- last we checked, smartphone support was a far cry from final, and even the finished Motorola Xoom still has a few software kinks to work out. Here's hoping a nice cold bowl of Ice Cream will smooth things over with the open source community before long.
White iPhone 4 starts to get Best Buy, The Source shelf space
This shelf tag was apparently spotted this weekend at a Best Buy in Houston, and it speaks for itself: white iPhone 4, AT&T, $599.99 off contract (the same price as the black). Of course, we all know this thing is coming within the next few weeks at this point -- there's just too much evidence pointing in that direction -- but the fact that we've got big box retailers printing and placing tags for it now suggests that it's coming sooner rather than later. Oh, and in case you're wondering, that QR code link is dead at the moment -- we've linked it below in case you want to give it a shot. Update: Looks like The Source (Canada's version of Radio Shack) is also making room. See for yourself after the break. Thanks, Anonymous! [Thanks, Joel P.]
Source: Epic Mickey dev suffering layoffs
Despite a number six debut on December's NPD charts, Epic Mickey apparently can't save Junction Point Studios from post-launch staff cuts. Sources speaking with Joystiq confirm that Disney Interactive issued layoffs at the Warren Spector-helmed studio today, though exact numbers are unknown -- we've contacted Disney for comment, but we imagine those plans for sequels to Epic Mickey aren't looking so solid right now. Following last week's closure of Disney Interactive-owned Propaganda Games, today's layoffs represent further steps back for the publisher in terms of "core" game development endeavors, and, we fear, may not be the last of Disney's cuts. Disney also owns Split/Second developer Black Rock Studios, and most recently acquired social game developer Playdom. Update: Layoffs hit entire Disney Interactive division. [Image credit: Flickr user 'junctionpoint']
Symbian Foundation axing websites on December 17th, source repositories available 'upon request'
We'd heard that the Symbian Foundation would undergo some drastic changes as it transitions to a licensing body, and here's number one -- every official Symbian website will be shuttered on the 17th of next month. That goes for every page from symbian.org down to the Symbian Twitter and Facebook feeds, and the source code itself will be shelved. If you want access to any of it, even the databases of user-generated bug reports, you'll have to ask the Foundation for a hard copy and pay a nominal media and shipping fee after January 31st. We're trying to reach Symbian right now to figure out the full repercussions of this move, but assuming Nokia's promise to keep Symbian open-source still rings true, you might want to start stashing away the repositories and setting up mirrors before the Foundation drops off the face of the web -- and perhaps the Symbian crowdsource community, too.
G-Star 2010: Vindictus wins big for Nexon
Vindictus has hacked its way into the hearts of many players, with its can-do attitude and liberal stance on how many decapitations make your actions morally justified. Apparently, the players aren't the only ones in love with the game, as it has managed to walk away from the G-Star 2010 convention with so many awards that the development team can build a house. The 2010 Korean Game Awards taking place on the show floor awarded Nexon's game the grand prize as well as six other awards for excellence. The win was a first for Nexon, and it was followed by a half-dozen other awards including the Popular Game Award (in the Online Game category) and all four technical creation categories (Game Planning/Scenario, Game Graphics, Game Character, and Game Sound). CEO Seo Min thanked the organizers for the honors as well as Vindictus players for making the game such a success. Free-to-play games have come a long way as a whole, but if the bevy of awards is any indication, Vindictus is a cut above the rest.
CHIP-8 emulation comes to Half-Life 2, you can finally retire your Telmac 1800 (video)
We've seen quite a few programming projects lately, from CPUs built in the world of Minecraft to a full-blown Game Boy emulator in JavaScript. And now? Wiremod forum member Techni has taken the CHIP-8 virtual machine and got it up 'n running in the Garry's Mod sandbox for the Source game engine. Sure, CHIP-8 has been around since the 70s, and since it's small and easy to program it has a following that persists to this day -- but that said, we never expected to see it running Space Invaders from inside a game of Half-Life 2, in all its 8-bit glory. That's what we call progress! Or at least a satisfying hack. See it in action for yourself after the break. [Thanks, Jason]
Vindictus open beta off to an early start
Looking to get a head start on some F2P dungeon-crawling, vampire staking, and goblin smashing? It's your lucky night, as Nexon America has let us know that the Vindictus open beta has left the terminal a bit ahead of schedule. The festivities include the game's newly accessible third episode, the aforementioned new mobs, and a new dungeon (Ainle), which you can enter from boat dock three. Inside, you'll encounter a town overrun with fireball-flinging undead and assorted underworld minions, many of which can be picked up and used as thrown weapons thanks to the game's Source Engine physics. In addition to the new content, early access beta players will be able to retain their characters, rank, and loot when Vindictus officially launches later this month. Check out more of our Vindictus coverage, including video of the game's grappling moves, or head over to the official web site for more info.
Left 4 Dead 2 coming to the Mac this Tuesday
This is it -- the rumors were true! The last non-Mac holdout of Valve's Source titles is Left 4 Dead, the zombie-killing shooter featuring four survivors and a whole lot of undead, but that's about to change. The official site for the newest Left 4 Dead 2 downloadable content, "The Sacrifice," confirms that the game's sequel is coming to the Mac this very Tuesday, October 5th. Left 4 Dead 2 will be released, as have all of the Source games, under the Steam Play banner. That means if you own it on the PC, you also own it on the Mac, so all you'll have to do is download and start shooting zombies. Anyone who buys the game on Steam will get all of the DLC for free, which makes for the original five campaigns plus the three DLC levels to play through. That's an excellent deal for sure. Unfortunately, the first game is not yet ready for the Mac; apparently, it's taking Valve a little longer than expected to get it OS X-compatible. But Valve promises that when it is released, Steam owners will get the same deal -- all the DLC with the game itself. That's good stuff. Of course, with Left 4 Dead finally coming to our platform, which game will we be stuck waiting for next? Civ V, where you at? Thanks, Ben H!
