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I would not say predominant… (mac marketshare is still quite small), but they are much more common than many realize, particularly in the states.

1 day ago on MacBook Air review (13-inch, 2013) 1 reply

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The whole “arm fatigue” argument is only ever made by people who’ve never tried the configuration. I was of that opinion too at first!

When you think about it, it does sound ridiculous. But the truth it you end up using the screen as a secondary bonus input, not like a tablet. So your arm isn’t up all the time, just when it makes sense. It’s pretty weird to use a laptop without a touch screen afterwards.

1 day ago on MacBook Air review (13-inch, 2013) 4 recommends

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English is a funny language, in that it’s basically an amalgamation of several languages, borrowing differing spellings as well as words.

If only Italian had become the standard second language. A beautiful, phonetic (words are written as they are pronounced) language.

1 day ago on The guns of E3: what can gaming learn from its bloody mistakes? 1 reply 1 recommend

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It’s got its problems (load times, hangs with 100% write, no Facebook app, etc.), but the advantages over other tablets give me hope for future updates: multitasking is unmatched on any other device, two apps at once is incredibly handy, USB ports, and flash in the browser = awesome.

With better designed first party apps and improved performance and reliability, it could easily be a better tablet than anything else out there.

2 days ago on Xbox Music redesign revealed alongside new Windows 8.1 apps 1 reply

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Until, during this mass extinction event, one mutation causes a new bread of “cute” cockroaches. You know they’ll just be adorable with their little collars and leashes.

4 days ago on Purr trade: Switzerland struggles with a black market in house-cat skins 1 reply 11 recommends

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It’s a tough ethical and moral debate, if you allow yourself to really think about it. I think that because almost everyone has interacted, if not had an emotional relationship with a cat or a dog, it’s much harder to think of treating these animals as we do chickens, cows and pigs.

4 days ago on Purr trade: Switzerland struggles with a black market in house-cat skins 1 reply 1 recommend

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That’s true, but WP could stand to receive more updates than other operating systems.

The design and the live tiles are ahead of the pack, but in most other regards, they’re behind.

4 days ago on Nokia Lumia 925 review

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The exclusivity with Windows Phone has advantages though. Microsoft supplied Nokia with large sums of money that were probably indispensable during the transition, and it gives them (basically) their own market to perform in.

HTC’s proven it can deliver great hardware, but they’re no where close to the level of Samsung. The Android market is crowded and it can be difficult to get even a great product noticed. Right now, Windows Phone marketshare is rising and almost all of units sold are Nokia. Not a terrible place to be.

4 days ago on Nokia Lumia 925 review 3 recommends

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Windows Phone was the first mobile OS to embrace a minimal, modern UI language.

UI design is a global trend influenced by artists and designers worldwide. No one “comes up” with it. It develops fluidly just like music and fashion.

That said, Apple is definitely the last to update their design to current trends and tastes. It’s about time.

5 days ago on 'Can't innovate anymore, my ass': Apple's bravado clouds the company's real challenges 1 reply 11 recommends

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To be fair. If you’re trying to hide from zombies, and you start talking loudly, they would find you. Is it fair? no. But the zombies don’t care, they just want brains.

6 days ago on Motion gaming forfeit: PlayStation Camera isn't bundled with the PS4, and that's a big problem 4 recommends

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I’d think that the guys actually at E3 and that are actually interacting with the new Kinect are in a better position to talk about it’s viability as a gaming accessory than you. Furthermore, the article read as very well balanced. Did you read its entirety?

6 days ago on Motion gaming forfeit: PlayStation Camera isn't bundled with the PS4, and that's a big problem

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Get Fruit Ninja Kinect from live arcade. It’s decent fun with some friends (note, the side-by-side mode gets very violent very fast) and you get a surprisingly good workout for your arms.

It’s also handy for searching for a video to watch, as you don’t have to type anything in and it searches through multiple services at once. The downside is you have to say the word “Bing”.

6 days ago on Don't flinch: the new Kinect could be the end of motion gimmicks

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The camera is NOT always on. It’s on when the Xbox is on. In low power mode, the microphone listens for the phrase “Xbox On”. That’s it. MS have already said that this can be disabled as well by the user.

6 days ago on Don't flinch: the new Kinect could be the end of motion gimmicks

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Wonder if the new Kinect is sensitive enough to stabilize a sniper rifle through detection of your breathing and heart rate. Would be interesting!

6 days ago on Don't flinch: the new Kinect could be the end of motion gimmicks 2 recommends

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Except it isn’t in circumstances where you need to access something that can’t be mapped to a button. A quick example would be selecting a vigour in Bioshock – rather than pausing the game to re-map a vigor into one of the two slots, you could just call it out. A similar idea for calling formations, telling AI teammates what to do, etc. Gamepad inputs are great for frequent actions, not so great when what you’re trying to do requires pausing the game to interact with a menu.

Can motion control be a gimick? of course. But with the right game and the right implementation, it has the potential to be awesome.

6 days ago on Don't flinch: the new Kinect could be the end of motion gimmicks 1 recommend

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Yes and no. It’s precisely how our eyes function (using the differences in 2 images to determine depth) but downgraded to have only a single clear depth plane. Objects that are blurred by the lens filming it will be blurred even if you focus your eyes on that object, which is annoying.

Rendered 3D movies largely avoid these issues (there being no lens) and are typically much more enjoyable to watch for it.

6 days ago on Is 3D TV dead? ESPN 3D to shut down by end of 2013 1 reply

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A big annoyance I have with current 3D is that no matter what point I focus my eyes on, it’ll be as blurry or as clear as the director intended it to be, unlike real life. Simply filming everything with a slow aperture would help this. The 2D version’s depth of field could even be adjusted in post based on the 3D imagery.

6 days ago on Is 3D TV dead? ESPN 3D to shut down by end of 2013 1 reply 1 recommend

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Life of Pi was spectacular in 3D as well!

6 days ago on Is 3D TV dead? ESPN 3D to shut down by end of 2013 1 reply

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Or, instead of a proprietary device supporting a proprietary protocol, Apple could simply start supporting Miracast so that their devices work with any other device.

Monopolies are bad enough without us helping them get there.

6 days ago on iOS 7 to include standardized game controller support 1 reply

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iOS6 was/is stuck in the past in terms of design. Built in the Vista era of “look at how much graphical power I have” instead of a focus on usability and clean modern design.

While iOS7 continues some of those mistakes (hello gradients!), it’s an important step forward, particularly because Apple still influences many designers around the world.

Take a look at the Tesla Model S’s dash interface to see examples of iOS derived design, which could have been so much better had it been influenced by Android or WP.

While not perfect, iOS7’s design can only be a step forward, not just for phones, but for design in general.

6 days ago on iOS 7 to include standardized game controller support 3 recommends

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Maybe it’s meant to be the top part of a guy’s head and his eyes. Whole new range of emoticons!

8 days ago on Apple debuts iOS 7, OS X Mavericks, and new Macs: everything you need to know 1 reply 1 recommend

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MS’s entire strategy is based on the assumption that in a few years, modern computers will come in all sorts of form factors. If that assumption pans out there’s a huge benefit from having a consistent interface across all form factors.

And just look up “iPad concepts” on Google. Most people’s idea of the ideal tablet ran a full desktop OS. These form factors don’t have to be different categories.

12 days ago on Netbook 2.0: Microsoft's small tablets with free Office are a recipe for confusion 2 replies

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If you were looking for a laptop to use in meetings, on planes, on your lap or in coffee places, would you even go near this machine?

Not to justify Acer’s design (I’m in full agreement with you there), but it’s rather unfair to review a device in a context for which it was never designed for. This is a portable All-In-One, and to review it as a mobile laptop is rather disingenuous.

Acer used to ship mice with its notebooks.. If that’s still the case, it should have been included in the review. If not, then the review stands, in my opinion.

18 days ago on Acer Aspire R7 review 5 replies 12 recommends

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That’s basically like complaining Google Now doesn’t let you switch to Bing.

19 days ago on Windows 8.1 preview: many small tweaks make for a significant update 1 recommend

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No need for fanboys. Macs are great and there are many reasons to switch, but they are generally more expensive than PCs, don’t run nearly the same range of applications, and have their own drawbacks in terms of user interface. Not to mention that new PCs typically come in more versatile form factors, which can be a deciding factor depending on your usage.

19 days ago on Windows 8.1 preview: many small tweaks make for a significant update 1 reply