TECH POP-UPS

Gamers, rejoice. With Valve teasing the imminent announcement of their PC/console hybrid aptly called the Steam Box, a mysterious website with a timer appeared. And with the timer ending, it led to the announcement of the Steam Operating System (OS). The OS itself is a combination of Steam’s current platform and Linux.

As the new generation of consoles inches its way ever closer, that gaming industry seems to be taking a significantly more advanced approach in bringing us the games we want to play. Today, companies are focusing on the possibility of cloud computing and live games streaming, with initiatives such as Nvidia Shield and Gaikai being developed for these specific purposes. The PlayStation 4 also claims to support this feature by allowing players to gain access to their favorite titles from previous generation consoles without natively running them, thanks to their new PlayStation Cloud service. With so much talk about this new niche of gaming, it came as little surprise when the digital distribution service Steam threw their hat in the ring and decided to unveil their new services specifically tailored to the gaming community’s needs.

Steam announced that it was working on the next generation of gaming consoles, and followed it up with three major announcements. The first of these was the unveiling of the Steam OS, brand-new operating system currently in development at Valve headquarters. The Steam OS is touted as an operating system designed specifically for gamers, ale to incorporate multiple features that gamers require while providing tight integration with the hardware and software of a given machine. Based on a modified version of the Linux kernel, the OS would have all the basic functions of other operating systems, and needless to say, would provide users with access to Steam’s extensive catalogue of games that can be perused, Players would be able to steam their game content already installed on a Windows, Mac or Linux computer to one that is running Steam OS, and would allow for home sharing as well as Steam’s upcoming Family Sharing model.

The OS is being built around the concept of living room computing, which means that the interface will be simplistic and well structured, highly intuitive and easily accessible to players, much like the Steam Bid Picture feature. More importantly, the announcement for the new OS also stated that its source code would be open to all, allowing developers to customize all aspects of it and tailor it to their own liking. The OS will be completely free for users to download to their computers if they so desire, making it possible to have a dual-boot system that houses Steam OS as a secondary operating environment. The news of the announcement has been welcomed with praise by the community, and numerous publishers have pledged their support for the system.

The announcements from Steam didn't stop there however, as the next unveiling introduced the world to the Steam Machines program. Valve has stated that it was designing hardware systems that would be capable of running its new OS and will fit into the living room environment to provide access to Steam’s wealth of software, from the comfort of your couch. The program was stated to contain somewhere close to 300 prototype systems, each with their own varying specifications, that would be shipped to special candidates who had enrolled in the beta program to test them out. Once mass-consumer testing is completed, Steam would then begin to release the systems commercially, and would partner up with manufacturers to create a line of machines for mass-market penetration. The systems designed require a minimum criteria of specifications to be fulfilled, which include certain CPU and GPU models, RAM, hard disk drives and power ratings. Machines can be bought reconfigured from vendors, or can be assembled and customized by consumers to suit their individual requirements and needs, and all devices will support modifications. Packaged with the systems will be the third surprise that Valve unveiled a few days later, the Steam Controller.

Designed to support each and every game from within its vast catalogue, the Steam Controller breaks tradition by introducing two clickable track pads, in place of the standard analogue sticks – to allow for precise movement and control. Each trackpad will measure the intensity and force of the input, with three different levels of measurement, and will also allow for haptic feedback to relay information to the user. The controller also sports sixteen buttons and a high resolution touch screen right in the middle to simulate mouse movement, and is designed to work with the Steam OS as well as the Steam application on other operating systems. The philosophy behind the controllers is to allow players who are accustomed to the precision and finesse of a keyboard/mouse setup to play their games with ease without sacrificing control or utility. The systems are expected to arrive in the market sometime in 2014.

By introducing the Steam OS and moving forward with its hardware solutions, Steam looks to become the most preferred system of choice for most gamers the world over. Accessing your saved games from your friend’s machine should not be a hassle any more, and the same experience that was once confined to swivel chairs can now be taken to your comfortable living couch. We have a major contender in the market as the eighth generation of video game consoles draws near to release, and if Valve has something to say about it, it looks to be a very successful venture indeed.

These new AIOs also known as “All in one PC are result of Viper’s collaboration with Microsoft and Intel to work on a highly” unique approach of how systems are designed Viper has recently introduced a built-in battery in the AIO unit which can give up to 45-minute backup power. Giving you the freedom of portability, to move from your home office to your living room. Wireless capability and the option of a 21.5-inch wall-mountable monitor make’s the all-in-one PC exquisite. AOI PC’s are the game changer literally and figuratively. Sleek, smart, energy efficient, powerful and customizable, the AIO will truly revolutionize desktop computing.

Intel has come up with technological brilliance with the AIO or the All-in-One PC. Geared towards connected homes and entertainment hubs, the all-in-Once PC has successfully bought back the desktop era when one PC was the centre of attraction in a household. Without the bulky CPU, Intel has intelligently hidden the motherboard, the processor, memory, graphic card and a DVD burner in the back of the LED. So basically all the AIO comprises off is an LED screen, a keyboard and a mouse and that’s about it.

The All-in-PC runs a touch screen version of Window 8.1, and the internal specs keeps everything running smoothly. While the central i3 processor, the 2 GB of DDR3 RAM and its moderate Intel HD Graphics card will allow you to watch or play anything without any hiccups. Most video games will run smoothly on medium settings, but some games, like Dirt 3, will operate at high settings. This model of Viper AIO can handle hard work, too. While it’s best at entertaining, its huge 500 GB SATAII Hard Drive means that it is ready for plenty of storage.

When it comes to visual entertainment, Viper’s AIO PC offers fantastic entertainment potential and connectivity options, making it a great hub for all your movies, music and video games. If you’re ready to replace the family computer and want something that does more than surf the web, the Viper AIO PC is worth your consideration. Booting up the machine takes 5-7 seconds, thanks to the super fast SSD (Solid State Drives) which powers up the AIO PC in mere seconds than minutes. Geared with powerful Core i3 processor playing games and browsing the internet are super-fast too. While our test unit was based on the second generation Core i3 processor, other flavors of the AIO can be enhanced to Pentium Dual Core G630 and the blazing fast Core i5 and i7 third generation processors.

Another important feature of the AIO is the built-in webcam which is an added advantage in the machine, making it fun for the family, Skype and other similar video conferencing software work seamlessly well eradicating the need for an extra webcam or a mic. Overall the AIO is a wonderful machine which has something for everyone, be it video conferencing, watching movies, playing games or surfing the internet. A highly recommended machine, the All-in-One PC suddenly makes you believe that the desktop is not dead, it has successfully been resurrected by Intel and it’s here for a long time.

It’s the end of an era – at least for the current generation of gaming consoles. As patrons impatiently wait the release of the Xbox One and the Palaystation 4, we’re still preparing ourselves for a world where a forgotten Xbox 360 sits on a shelf and collects dust. As this generation of video games draws to a close, I would like to   salute the five most visually stunning, interesting, enthralling and playable video games of 2013.

For the second trip down Desmond Miles’s DNA helix, Ubisoft Montreal introduced Ezio Auditore and gave players more options for mayhem in the urban centers of the Italian Renaissance. You can hire courtesans to distract guards or use mercenaries to do the dirty work for you. The swordplay showed increased flexibility and depth, too, with more weapons and tactics than before. Underneath it all, the game’s virtual Italy sported a more varied, vibrant population than any other free roaming game so far.

A Good Match for: Fans of serialized fiction. With a conspiracy fetish tying everything all together, the Assassin’s Creed games represent a journey through history and iteration, where you get to see how tings were in the real world and where ideas are going in game design. Do follow through and continue Ezio’s story in Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood and Assassin’s Creed Revelations.

Not for Those Who Want: A harmonious whole. The framing story of Assassin’s Creed is the franchise’s biggest problem. The present-day world that ordinary Desmond Miles wals through just isn’t as lushly imagines as those his hooded predecessors prwled. The pieces of the fame don’t sync up in terms of appeal and you’ll start getting involuntarily annoyed when you start to hear Desomnd actor Nolan North’s voice again.

Rocksteady’s second outing with Batman sharpens two areas where open-world games usually floundered: getting around and beating up bad guys. Arkhan City’s combat system perfectly combines fists, feet and gadgets to make B atman feel formidable. The experience of gliding above the rooftops and pouncing onto criminals from on high nails the feeling of being a creature-of-the-night crime fighter superhero.

A Good Match for: Comic-book fans who want to embody the Dark Knight. With plot and voice work by top talents who’ve brought Batman’s world to life, Arkhan City’s creative pedigree enhances its great mechanics. Not for Those Who Want: The atmosphere of Arkhan Asylum. In delivering bigger environments, this Bat-game sacrifices some of the moody atmospherics of its predecessor.

Regularly cited as one of the best games ever made, Irrational Games’ beloved adventure submerges platters in Rapture, an undersea world city torn apart by civil war and rife with the worst behaviors in human nature. The way you wield your character’s supernatural abilities doesn’t just advance the game’s plot but also reveals a little about you as a person.  A Good Match for: College Students. BioShock feels like a new kind of cultural experience, one that you help create as you play. Its use of directed aesthetic and literary reference has also made it the fame that’s launched 1,000 thesis papers

 Not for Those Who Want: High-octane action. While the fameplay encounters in BioShock are entertaining, there’s a lot of space between them when compared to other first-person games.

Gears 3 fills the marquee spot held by Bungie’s Halo games and with good reason. Epic Games’ scifi shooter threequel represents hardcore shooter nirvana: a tightly-polished campaign that plays great solo or coop and some of the best multiplayer found anywhere. Moreover, the fame’s been robustly supported with both campaign and multiplayer DLC designed to deepen an already hearty release.

A Good Match for: Dedicated online shooter fanatics who play every day. The more you play, the more Gear 3 rewards you.

Not for Those Who Want: Deep character development or intriguing story structure. Gears 3 games have always been meat-and-potatoes in terms of plot.

Paradoxical as it may seem, stealth and freedom should go hand-in-hand in video games. The folks behind this stellar hybrid understand this and give players the chance to steer Corvo Attano’s quest for revenge however they choose. With the abilities and weapons on hand, you can teleport through a level and knock every one unconscious for a non-lethal run or slow down time and gun down ever fool who comes your way. No matter how you play, the atmospheric world of Dunwall is a beautiful place to creep through.

A Good Match for: Alternate reality enthusiasts. If your’re a fan of Earths where thing went seriously wrong/different, then you’ll want to heed Dishonored call. They city of Dunwall harbors just enough tech for you to hack and repurpose but the game also endows you with a slew of magical abilities that let you get creative in how you work through a mission. This isn’t Solid Snake or Sam Fisher sneaking. It’s something more steampunk.

Not for Those Who Want: To know where they’re going to wind up. The reticule that you use for the Blink teleport ability can be hard to see/aim, making it a bit of painful guesswork to figure out if Corvo will be going exactly where you want him to.

Automotive destruction’s never looked as sexy as it does in Criterion’s hi-speed racing game. You’re tasked with driving against traffic, scraping against civilian cars and shoving competitors into signature crashes called Takedown. But, Paradise also deserves praise for a seamless integration of multiplayer where dropping into a showdown can be quick as tapping a button.

A Good Match for: Street racing fans. If you’ve ever pulled up to a stoplight and imagined what it’d be like to burn rubber on a wide-open stretch of asphlt-and survive any ensuing mishaps-

Not for Those Who Want: To tune the specs of their rides. It may be Paradise but these aren’t real-world cars. You can’t do much more than swap out paint jobs, so those wanting to make changes to brakes, shock or engines will need to get their grease-monkey fix elsewhere.

Bethesda Softworks’ hit role-paying game does nothing so much as deliver a giant, Tolkien-styled possibility space to its players. The high-altitude climes of Tamriel feel alive with wonder and threat. The ability to customize your warrior outcast with a singular mix of mystical skills and lelee mastery feels as broad as ASkyrim’s horizon.

A Good Match for: Dungeon & Dragon players. Adventuring in Skyrim feels like spinning your own epic yarn, as songs of your feats spread digitally from town to town in a game world that reacts to your actions. You can spend weeks meandering in its fascinating side quests, leaving the main story.

Not for Those Who Want: Urgency. Then drive to wander and discover over powers the drive to compete in Skyrim. If you’re the kind of player who wants those two vectors to meet in a meaningful way, you’ll find The Elder Scrolls V a bit frustrating. While we’re excited for the launch of the PS4 and Xbox One, we’re certainly going to miss amazing consoles like the Xbox 360 and PS3. These systems have kept us entertained for the past seven to eight years and introduced us to amazing games and franchises like “Uncharted” “Gears fo War”, “Borderlands” and “Good War”. Even though we’re stoked for next-gen games like “Final Fantasy XV” and “Infamous: Second Son”, we won’t forget the many hours we’ve spent completing missions on our current consoles? And what are you looking forward to most on the next-gen consoles? Sound off in the comments in the comments section.

Screen mirroring is a technique through which you can mirror the screen of your smart device on a bigger display. The setup can be wired or wireless. Here we discuss the wireless method.

FOR iOS

AirPlay was introduced with iOS 4.2 in 2010 to let people stream content from an iOS device to a PC/Mac or Apple TV. Some fames even offer a second-screen experience, displaying the game on yourTV with your phone acting as a controller. The option shows up automatically when using an app that supports AirPlay.

FOR PC

ANDROID MIRRORING

First, chek to see if your Android device supports sisplay mirroring. Go to Settings > Display, does it say, “Display Mirroring?” If so, your device suports it. CyanogenMod developer Koushik  ‘Koush’ Dutta has demonstrated a working AirPlay mirroring solution for Android, but if you are not using the Cynogen Mod, your will need the doubleTwist app, along with the AirTwist add-on (paid upgrade) in order to use AirServer/ AirPlay to sync your devices.

Enjoy your mirroring experience

During the iOS 5 beta period, we covered how to mirror an iPad 2 with a TV using AirPlay and an Apple TV. With the release of the iPhone 4S, Apple brings the mirroring feature to its newest handset.

To get started, you will need an Apple TV with the latest software and an iPhone 4S, all hooked up to the same Wi-Fi network.

To mirror your iPhone 4S, you will need to double-click the home button, bringing up the app-switching tray. Swipe from left-to-right two times, revealing a volume slider and the familiar AirPlay icon.

Tapping on the AirPlay icon will reveal any Apple TV-compatible devices currently connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone 4S. Select the device to which you would like to mirror your iPhone 4S. Toggle the Mirroring switch to On.

Once mirroring is enabled, the status bar on your iPhone will turn blue and have an AirPlay icon located next to the battery meter. This serves as a reminder that everything you are currently doing on your iPhone 4S is being displayed on your TV.

Mirroring your iPhone 4S to a larger screen can come in handy for giving a presentation, showing off photos, taking a FaceTime call or even simply browsing the Internet. Mirroring works with both portrait and landscape modes.

To turn off mirroring, just repeat the steps above, but this time select iPhone on the AirPlay screen. The blue bar and AirPlay icon in the status bar should then disappear, indicating that you have successfully turned off mirroring.

Yeah friends I hope you liked my tutorial. Thank you