HTC becomes first to join Sony PlayStation Certification program.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

HTC becomes first  to join Sony PlayStation Certification program.

HTC is becoming the first non-Sony handset manufacturer to join its PlayStation Certification program. The program is designed to ensure handsets are capable of delivering PlayStation quality graphics and sound on games and other content branded from Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE). The move to partner with HTC will expand the circulation of Sony content on Android-powered devices.

Previously called "PlayStation Suite," the company just changed the working title of the embedded software used by certified devices to "PlayStation Mobile," which marks the shift in focus to mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

“Consoles, tablets, phones, there are more ways to play games,” says Sony Computer Entertainment president and group CEO Andrew House at an E3 press conference. “We will be bridging an experience to smartphones and tablets with PlayStation Suite next year. PlayStation Suite is about bringing the best gaming to mobile tablets.”

PlayStation certification guarantees a level of performance on par with PlayStation content, and makes it attractive for developers to produce PlayStation-like game experiences for Android devices. PlayStation Mobile content will also be compatible with PlayStation Vita, for cross-platform content. PlayStation Mobile offers store navigation and handles purchases of content on the Sony end, so publishers can focus on developing content for the platform.

HTC's PlayStation-certified devices include the HTC One X, HTC One S and HTC One V.

“HTC is focused on delivering innovative mobile experiences for people everywhere and SCE’s immersive world of gaming will bring compelling entertainment to HTC One customers across the globe,” said Kouji Kodera, chief product officer at HTC.

Third-party publishers and developers have agreed to develop content for PlayStation Mobile, as well as Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios. Games are the forefront of PlayStation Mobile offerings.

While HTC is the first handset manufacturer to gain PlayStation Certification status, others are likely to follow. Sony says it will accelerate the expansion of PlayStation Certified devices to reach a broader audience.

Source: SONY

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Microsoft Xbox SmartGlass will allow mobiles and tablets to interact with Xbox .

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Microsoft Xbox SmartGlass will allow mobiles and tablets to interact with Xbox. 

Microsoft has unveiled a new application to allow mobile devices to interact with Xbox and the television.

The Xbox SmartGlass app will enable devices such as tablets and smartphones to interact with the games console in a variety of different ways, such as acting as an additional games controller or as a display for interactive TV content.

Microsoft says the technology will enable a second screen experience, with the connected device providing complementary information and interaction with whatever entertainment is being shown on the main screen through the Xbox.

"SmartGlass takes all of your devices and first makes them all work together, and second works in concert with your Xbox to unleash a whole bunch of new scenarios," Yusuf Mehdi, chief marketing officer for Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business says. "Imagine being on the couch and watching a show or a game and having your tablet suddenly light up with information, and as things occur in the show, the tablet updates. It's really, really cool.

The technology was shown at the E3 expo in the US, where Microsoft demonstrated several SmartGlass usage scenarios. A SmartGlass enabled tablet was shown acting as a remote control and keypad for TV and Xbox services; to provide additional information such as maps and character stats while playing a game, and showing interactive content that was linked to the program showing on the TV.

"In the past when people have tried to put a Web browser on the TV, the experience has always been difficult to navigate," said Lisa Worthington, senior public relations manager for Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business. "You need to have something to input text easily, but keyboards and mice don't really belong in the living room and using a remote is awkward.

"We recognize that people have these second devices in their hands while they're consuming TV. But what they don't have is an experience where those devices are talking to each other and the television. Right now devices don't keep up in the living room. What we've done is create an app that will release on all major devices and will enable devices to interact with your Xbox."

SmartGlass will work with Windows and Windows Phone based devices, along with devices running iOS and Android, and will connect using wi-fi.

Also E3 Microsoft announced the holiday line up of Xbox game releases, including Halo 4, and new additions to Forza, Fable, Gears of War, Call of Duty, Madden and other epic franchises. The company also announced new Kinect-enabled games, and a new home fitness program developed with Nike, called Nike+ Kinect Training.

Microsoft also announced a new music service, Xbox Music, that will offer some 30 million tracks to users across the whole Windows platform.

"It's the music service we've always dreamed of building, so it will really be the best of download-to-own or subscription music," Mehdi said. "You'll be able to personalize and share with your friends, and best of all, discover new music and integrate it with your Windows 8 PC, tablet and phone."

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Sony unveils Wonderbook augmented reality book for PS3 at E3. Announced new exclusive games.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Sony unveils Wonderbook augmented reality book for PS3 at E3. Announced new exclusive games.

Sony has shown off a new augmented reality book at the preview for this year's E3 expo.

The Sony Wonderbook will use specially created AR books that will interact with the Playstation 3 console and its Eye digital camera to create interactive experience for readers. The camera will detect the book, and then display AR content on the screen.

The Wonderbook release is set to be a new Harry Potter title, written by JK Rowling, the author of the popular series, titled The Book of Spells. The book will feature augmented reality games, with players casting spells using the Playstation Move motion controller as a wand to cast spells.

Sony also announced new PS3 exclusive games including Beyond, God of War: Ascension, Last of Us, and PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale; and new titles for its PS Vita mobile gaming device including Assassin's Creed 3: Liberation, Call of Duty Black Ops Declassified and PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale.

A new PlayStation Move Racing Wheel was also launched.

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HTC struggling to stay afloat in South Korea.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

HTC`s one series.

HTC struggling to stay afloat in South Korea.

HTC Korea’s country manager Lee Chul-hwan was sacked, mostly due to the Taiwanese smartphone maker’s failure to make an impression on the local market according to local sources Tuesday.

HTC Korea confirmed Lee’s departure from the top post but declined to elaborate further. It has been rumored that the company will completely fold its business in South Korea, though officials currently insist that it will continue operating here.

The firm is struggling to find an alternative option as Korea, dominated by Samsung and LG Electronics, is a ``tomb’’ for foreign handset makers, said officials. 

Lee, who headed HTC’s Korean office from October, left the post last month ― domestic operations are currently being supervised by the manufacturer’s headquarters in Taiwan.

“The manager left for personal reasons,” said a company spokeswoman. “The top post is currently vacant, but internal discussions are being held to find a replacement for Lee.” 

She added it is undecided when the position of country manager will be filled again. She also strongly denied rumors of the Taiwanese manufacturer withdrawing from the Korean market.

Lee’s six month tenure was met with repeated failure to change the firm’s minimal local presence.

Foreign phone manufacturers including HTC are being hammered by Korean companies here. 

Their combined market share, including that of HTC, only accounts for one percent of the domestic market, according to data provided by Samsung, a figure that HTC also confirmed.

Pantech, Samsung and LG Electronics together hold 99 percent. HTC sold a mere 30,000 handsets here in the first quarter. 

Foreign companies have had difficulties challenging Samsung and LG as the two handset giants invest heavily on marketing and have an extremely strong brand image. 

Domestic mobile carriers also strongly back Korean handsets, as they sell better than their foreign counterparts. Experts say the gap between foreign and domestic companies won’t narrow anytime soon.

HTC’s Sensation XL, released last year to rave reviews, failed to help the company gain any headway here.

The Taiwanese handset maker is struggling on the world stage as well. According to market research firm Gartner, HTC had a 1.8 percent global market share for the first quarter, a decline from an already low 2.4 percent for the previous quarter. 

The global leader is Samsung Electronics, which had 20.7 percent to move past Nokia at 19.8 percent for the first time. Samsung sold 86 million handsets, while HTC sold 7 million in the same period. Samsung and Nokia are the only manufacturers with a double-digit market share.

The Taiwan-based firm announced that it plans to release a new model, as yet unnamed, in Korea within the year. It is currently discussing the matter with telecommunications companies and features of the new phone are also yet to be revealed.                                 

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HP webOS developer blog news. June 4.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

HP webOS developer blog news. June 4.

Posted on June 4 there are two recent information about a VAT change in Europe and Multiple Application version support on the App catalog.

From the HP webOS Developer Blog:

Eurozone VAT Change

European Union recently instituted changes that affect the VAT rate for app purchases in those countries. To offset the new VAT, app prices in those countries were automatically increased. As always, you can manually adjust your prices by performing a meta-data update in the webOS Developer Center. This change should keep keep your app revenues the same as they were before the VAT increase. If you have questions about the VAT change, please visit our forum.

Multiple App Version Support

As of late last week, the App Catalog supports multiple app versions. When updating an app, if you remove support for a particular version of webOS or a specific device, the system will automatically continue to provide the last suitable version to users. No action is needed to take advantage of this functionality. If you have been holding off on making changes to your app because it would no longer function on older devices you can now update to a new version. Simply uncheck the device(s) no longer supported and the older version will continue to be available on the older devices. Feel free to discuss this change in our forum.

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Amazon Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE now for $0,01.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Amazon Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus 4G LTE now for $0,01.

Amazon is offering the Verizon Samsung Galaxy Nexus starting for $0,01 with a new Verizon Wireless contract.

The phone first hit the market in the U.S. this past December as a Verizon Wireless exclusive, and while Android 4.0 adoption is still just beginning to take off, technology has been a bit quicker to shift. Newly announced smartphones tout quad-core chipsets and vastly improved battery performance, but they also carry hefty price tags. For those in search of an Ice Cream Sandwich phone without having to fork over $200 or more, this Amazon offer is a good option.

Galaxy Nexus by Samsung
At a Glance:

• 3G/4G LTE connectivity
  
• Android 4.0 OS
  
• 1.2 GHz dual-core processor
  
• 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED touchscreen
  
• 32 GB memory
  
• 5-MP camera + Full HD 1080p video record
  
• GPS navigation
  
• Wi-Fi Capable (802.11 a/b/g/n)
  
• Stereo Bluetooth
  
• Personal/corporate e-mail

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Gameloft announced "The Amazed Spider Man" 3D mobile game.Launch July 3 for iPhone,iPad and Androids.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Gameloft announced "The Amazed Spider Man" 3D mobile game.Launch July 3 for iPhone,iPad and Androids.

According to Gameloft, Spider-Man’s adventures are expected to arrive on mobile devices and tablets this summer for multiple platforms. It will be launched alongside the most anticipated movies of the year, Sony Pictures’ The Amazing Spider-Man. 

To make things even more interesting, Gameloft and Marvel announced they would follow the original story line and would create an immersive universe that should stay true to the upcoming film.

Furthermore, Gameloft also confirmed the “The Amazing Spider-Man” official mobile game would be a full 3D action title supposed to allow players to get acquainted with familiar characters and environments.

In addition, it promises to provide players with a wide range of missions, rich gameplay and comprehensive battle systems. In “The Amazing Spider-Man” players will be able to explore the city, protect the citizens, as well as develop their skills and discover various powers.

Gameloft and Marvel plan to launch “The Amazing Spider-Man” in conjunction with the movie release on July 3. The official mobile game will be available for feature phones, iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android.

“In addition to being an opportunity for Gameloft to showcase our skills in adapting movies into games, when combined with the fact that this is one of the most popular and commercially successful Super Heroes of all time, after having boasted one of the highest grossing movie franchises in history, we expect this title to be a great success,” said Gameloft’s Gonzague de Vallois, SVP of Marketing.

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