News

RetroN 5 gets a release date

Hyperkin will soon be launching the RetroN 5, a games console that plays NES, SNES, Genesis and GBA cartridges all in one convenient console. The US and European consoles will be released at the same time with the price points of $99.99 in the US and ?89.99 in the European territories.

Hyperkin explains the delay in release was due to several key modifications made to the console shown at E3. The shell design was changed to allow for better ventilation, as well as accommodations to use the Sega Power Base Converter allowing users to play Master System cartridges on the console.”

Below is the press release:

Leading video game peripherals company to release the RetroN 5 during holiday season.

EL MONTE, CA (SEPTEMBER 2013) – Hyperkin has set December 10, 2013 as the official release date for the RetroN 5. The RetroN 5 plays NES, SNES, Genesis and GBA cartridges all in one convenient console. The US release will coincide with the European release, with the MSRP set at $99.99 in the US and ?89.99 in the European territories.

Hyperkin explains the delay in release was due to several key modifications made to the console shown at E3. The shell design was changed to allow for better ventilation, as well as accommodations to use the Sega Power Base Converter allowing users to play Master System cartridges on the console.

All versions of the RetroN 5 will come with an AC adapter with four variable head sockets to fit multiple regions with the voltage ranging from 110 to 240 volts.

Hyperkin also confirms that the release date of October 31, 2013 listed on Amazon was a placeholder, and that Amazon has been contacted to correct the release date.

“Retron 5 will be the most amazing classic game console.” said Steven Mar, Hyperkin’s Executive Director. “We thank everyone who has been patient and supportive of Hyperkin during development.”

For more information or media requests, please contact: [email protected]. Follow Hyperkin on Twitter and like their Facebook page for the latest news and information.

Posted by: Gareth

Internet Explorer 11 preview released

Microsoft has today announced that the Internet Explorer 11 Release Preview is now available to customers using Windows 7. Building on the strengths of IE10, Internet Explorer 11 offers users the best browsing experience for Windows, bringing incredible speed together with advanced web technologies perfect for touch.

Having released the IE11 Developer Preview for Windows 7 in July, today’s release invites a broader range of tech enthusiasts and consumers to download and experience IE11 for Windows 7 as part of the final stage of previews before general availability later this year. IE11 for Windows 8.1 will coincide with the general availability of Windows 8.1 which starts at 12:00am, October 18^th, in New Zealand).

A new video has been created to coincide with the Release Preview. In the video Microsoft takes to the streets to find out exactly what people think about Internet Explorer and discovers that when it comes to IE, there are still some misconceptions floating around out there. But as you’ll see, actually using IE11 and Windows 8.1 was enough to change a few minds.

Posted by: Matt

Sony Xperia Z Ultra now available on Three

With Sony’s largest HD smartphone screen yet, at 6.4″, the lightweight Sony XperiaT Z Ultra smartphone on Three is perfect for those that want to enjoy entertainment on the move and is available now from Three stores.

The Sony XperiaT Z Ultra is 4G ready and when Three rolls out its 4G network, a simple, free software upgrade will mean the speedier technology will be available to customers at no extra cost.

Three is offering the Sony XperiaT Z Ultra with an upfront cost of £99 on a 24 month contract plan. Choose from £34 a month for the Ultimate Internet 500 or £36 a month for the Ultimate Internet 1000 which are both available with all-you-can-eat data. Otherwise for £38 a month you can opt for The One Plan that includes all-you-can-eat-data, 2000 minutes of talk time and 5000 Three to Three minutes, plus 5000 texts.

Sylvia Chind, head of devices at Three, said: “The Sony XperiaT Z Ultra is an exciting addition to our growing range of 4G Ready devices. Its stunning screen and suitability for watching movies or playing games means you can make full use of Three’s all-you-can-eat data plans and enjoy an immersive entertainment experience without being tied to your living room.”

The hardwearing device is dust resistant and *waterproof and you can even write or draw on the screen using any stylus or pencil allowing you to watch, read, write and play anytime and anywhere.
The Sony XperiaT Z Ultra will also be available to order online from October 18 at www.three.co.uk.

Key features:

• 6.4 inch Full HD TriluminosT display to maximise the viewing experience in stunning clarity
• Thin and lightweight
• *Waterproof and dust resistant
• 8MP HDR camera with Exmor RS sensor

The MeMo 8 and 10 are coming soon

Here’s the scoop on the other new Android tablets that Asus announced at IFA this year. They revealed their next-generation MeMo 8 and MeMo 10 tablets. Here’s a quote from their press release with the specs.

ASUS today announced two new affordable Android tablets, the MeMO Pad 8 and MeMO Pad 10, with an 8-inch and 10-inch screen, respectively. Both tablets feature a 1280 x 800 resolution, a quad-core processor and microSD card storage.
Designed for easy one-handed use, ASUS MeMO PadT 8 measures just 127mm from side to side and weighs only 350g, yet packs an 8-inch display that gives 30% more screen space than a 7-inch tablet. ASUS MeMO PadT 10 is equally portable, at just 522g.
Vibrant IPS displays and ASUS SonicMaster-enhanced sound
ASUS MeMO Pad 8 (ME180A) and MeMO Pad 10 (ME102A) both feature an LED-backlit display with a 1280 x 800 resolution and IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology for a bright and vibrant image, with wide viewing angles and great daylight visibility. High-quality dual speakers with ASUS SonicMaster audio technology give great sound quality, too.
MeMO Pad 8 also features a rear 5-megapixel camera that captures great quality photos, while MeMO Pad 10 features a 2-megapixel rear camera. Both models also capture 720p HD video and have a 1.2-megapixel front camera for video chat.
Powered by 1.6GHz quad-core processors for a perfect balance of multi-tasking performance and energy efficiency, MeMO Pad 8 has up to nine hours battery life with HD video playback and MeMO Pad 10 up to 9.5 hours. MeMO Pad 8 has 8GB of onboard storage, while MeMO Pad 10 has 8GB or 16GB. Both models also feature a microSDXC card slot. As we can see, the Transformer Pad Infinity isn’t the only Asus tablet to up the ante. Asus didn’t share any details on pricing or availability for these two tabs just yet, but that should be forthcoming fairly soon. These two tabs are likely designed to cover the mid-range and budget-friendly market segments.

Posted by: Gareth

HTC Plan to launch their own Operating System

HTC is generally considered to be one of the most innovative mobile phone companies in the world today and just lately they’ve shifted their focus from the ‘low-end’ side of the phone industry to the ‘high end’ to try and claw back some real estate from the the biggest hitter in the Android world.Samsung.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock the past few months you will know that Matt absolutely loves the HTC One and so do thousands of others across the globe but the problem is that HTC just haven’t been able to shift as many of their beloved flagship as they predicted, so to change the company’s fortune they have decided to try their hand at their own operating system.

This operating system will be designed specifically for the Chinese market as HTC’s CEO Peter Chou believes that the country is an area where great growth is possible, and according to sources across the internet HTC’s Chairwoman has personally been in contact with the Chinese government to ensure that this business prospect is the best that it possibly can be. The main reason behind the idea to create their own operating system is unclear but i can’t help but think it could be something to do with wanting Asia etc to become less dependant on other smartphone manufacturers eg. Apple, Samsung etc.

There has been no word as yet when this operating system will be released in China but rest assured we will let you know of any further developments as this is a story that could well see HTC sticking around in the mobile phone industry for many years to come if they pull it off.

Post by: Chris

EE 4G Hits 100 Town Milestone

EE, the UK’s first 4G network, has surpassed the 100 town milestone, with 10 new places covered this month. 4G from EE is now available to businesses and consumers in a total of 105 towns and cities across the UK, covering 60% of the population just ten months after launch.

The full press release from EE follows:

SUPERFAST 4G FROM EE HITS 100 TOWN MILESTONE    

· Accrington named the 100^th UK town to be covered by a superfast 4G mobile network – footballing legend Ian Rush marks the switch on of the superfast service at the Storefirst Stadium, Accrington Stanley’s home ground

· EE also turns on superfast mobile internet in nine other towns this month – Ashford, Bicester, Colchester, Guildford, Milton Keynes, Redhill, Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells and Woking

· 4G from EE now available to businesses and consumers in a total of 105 towns and cities across the UK, covering 60% of the population just ten months after launch

· EE also switches on double speed 4G in a further five towns – Sunderland, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton

Wednesday 28 August, 2013 – EE, the UK’s most advanced digital communications company, today announced that 4G is now available in more than 100 towns and cities across the UK, with ten new places covered this month. Accrington, in Lancashire, is officially named the 100^th town in the UK to benefit from superfast mobile internet.

To celebrate this milestone, footballing legend Ian Rush – who helped give the town’s football club Accrington Stanley national recognition when he featured in the famous 1980s Milk Marketing Board ad – visited the town on behalf of EE to mark the switch on of superfast 4GEE.

Rush was in Accrington to present the manager of Accrington Stanley, James Beattie, with 4G from EE for the club, as EE’s coverage of the town will include Accrington Stanley’s home ground, The Storefirst Stadium. The switch-on of the superfast 4G technology, which will be installed for free in the team’s club house, coincides with Accrington’s league cup game against Cardiff City and EE is to sponsor the match ball to further mark the occasion.

Ian Rush commented: “It’s great to see that Accrington is grabbing headlines again – this time for being the 100^th town in the UK to get superfast 4G from EE. It’s fantastic to be part of the big 4G switch on, and we’ll all be raising a glass of milk at the Accrington Stanley clubhouse to celebrate!”

Steven Day, Chief of Brand and Communications, EE, said: “Our 4G network is just ten months old and we’re delighted to have reached the 100 milestone so quickly.  With Accrington named as our 100^th 4G town we wanted to take this opportunity to have some fun celebrating the fantastic efforts of our network team. We’re all about connecting people and football legend Ian Rush is intrinsically connected to Accrington thanks to the 1980s Milk Board ad which can be still be enjoyed today online and streamed without any annoying buffering on your mobile thanks to 4G!”

Today’s launch strengthens EE’s position as the biggest 4G network in the UK, helping more people around the country access the latest mobile technology.

4GEE is also being switched on this month in Ashford, Bicester, Colchester, Guildford, Milton Keynes, Redhill, Sevenoaks, Royal Tunbridge Wells and Woking, taking the number of towns and cities covered to 105. 4G from EE now covers the homes and businesses of 60% of the UK population.

EE’s double speed 4G roll out continues…

In addition EE is upgrading already existing 4G networks to offer double speed 4G across a number of towns with average speeds of 24-30Mbps.  More businesses and consumers will benefit from double speed which kicks off today in Sunderland, Sutton Coldfield, Walsall, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton. Double speed 4G from EE is now available in 20 towns and cities across the UK.

Olaf Swantee, Chief Executive Officer, EE said: “The key to a successful 4G launch is making the service available in as many places as possible – the more people use 4G, the more they want 4G.  We have built amazing momentum with one of the fastest 4G roll outs in the world, a strong range of devices, great content offers and compelling pricing.”

EE 4G mobile customers have instant web access while on the move, so they can download large files quicker than ever, watch live TV on mobiles without buffering and play live multiplayer games on the go. Consumers and businesses have access to the UK’s widest range of 4G mobile handsets, tablets and dongles.

For more information, please visit www.ee.co.uk.