No PS3 Price Cuts Planned For NowWith the Sony PS4 set to launch later this year, we’re sure that many gamers who have no plans to pick up the console are looking forward to potential price cuts of the Sony PS3. This is more or less expected since we expect Sony will want to get rid of older stock while focusing on sales of the PS4. However gamers looking to pick up a PS3 console for themselves on the cheap will be disappointed. According to the PlayStation UK’s marketing director, Fergal Gara, there are no plans for a PS3 price cut yet. Speaking to the folks at GamesIndustry International, Gara was quoted as saying, “The PlayStation 3 is a system where it hasn’t been particularly easy to get the costs down,” which might be why the company has no plans for a price cut just yet. This does not mean that there will not be any price cut as Gara stated that Sony will continue exploring opportunities, but just don’t expect one anytime soon. As it stands, the PS3 retails for $300 while the PS4 will be priced at $400 when it is released later this year.





GameStop Applauds Microsoft For Reversing Their DecisionSo it was only yesterday that Microsoft officially rescinded their used games policy and always-on internet connection, possibly putting themselves back in the competition against Sony’s PS4, and at the same time winning back fans and customers who might have otherwise jumped ship. Well it looks like gamers aren’t the only one who are pleased with Microsoft’s decision as retailer GameStop has announced that they are quite pleased with Microsoft’s decision as well. The company has released a statement in which they applaud Microsoft for changing their policy, and for understanding their customers as well as recognizing the importance of the pre-owned market. This isn’t too surprising especially since GameStop makes a bulk of its profits by selling used games, so we can only assume that this means that business is back to usual for the retailer.


EA Will Still Discontinue Online Pass Despite Recent EventsBack in May, EA announced that they would be removing the Online Pass feature from all of its games. We guess some had speculated that was in anticipation of Sony and Microsoft announcing their own DRM policies which would ultimately make EA’s Online Pass redundant, so when Sony did reveal their plans, and with Microsoft backtracking on theirs, some are probably wondering, does this mean that EA will reintroduce Online Pass as a way to prevent gamers from selling or lending used games to one another? Well the good news is that despite EA being named the worst company in America, it looks like they will be sticking to their guns and will remove the Online Pass feature.

According to EA, the decision to remove Online Pass was based on feedback from players, and that the recent announcements by both Sony and Microsoft did not affect EA’s decision and that there will not be any changes made to their plans. Either way we guess gamers can now breathe a sigh of relief!


Steam Reportedly To Get A Game Sharing Feature Of Its OwnWith all the fuss over game sharing with next-gen consoles, we’re sure many PC gamers are gloating at how easy it is for them to share their games. In fact, game sharing can even be done through platforms like Steam by giving your friend your user ID and password. While that isn’t exactly the cleanest way to do that, or the most efficient, it just works, but it looks like Valve might be exploring a more official way to allow friends to share Steam games with one another. A user over at the NeoGAF forums has spotted a piece of code which has indicated that Valve could be coming up with a way to allow gamers to share their games with each other.

The code makes reference to a shared game library, along with a notification which would let the user know when a game is currently being played by their friend, presumably not letting them access it in the meantime. We’re not sure what is the extent this sharing feature will go, and if all games will be compatible, especially since both Sony and Microsoft’s policies have left it in the hands of publishers with regards to DRM, so we wouldn’t be surprised if Valve took the same route as well. No word on when this alleged sharing feature will be released to the public, but what do you guys think about it?


Alleged Photo Sample Taken By Moto X LeakedWhile we’re still waiting for the Moto X to be officially announced, @evleaks has recently uploaded a photo which has been allegedly snapped by the device’s camera itself. While the photo above doesn’t look too shabby, it seems that it was snapped by a 10MP camera which might not sit too well with Android users who are looking forward to the device. After all, current high-end Android phones are sporting at least 12MP, with phones like the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom sporting 16MP cameras, so at least on paper, it would seem that the Moto X phone is lagging behind. Other rumored specs include a dual-core processor with a 720p HD display. We’re certainly hoping that this isn’t the case, especially since current-gen Android devices sitting on the high-end spectrum of the market are featuring quad-core chipsets with Full HD displays. Of course it is possible that the Moto X could be designed as a mid-ranged device to target a wider audience, but either way we’ll have to wait and see how it plays out. In the meantime what do you guys think of this photo’s quality?


Former Apple Designer Creates More Subdued iOS 7 Icons As A ConceptWhen iOS 7 was revealed, many were pleasantly surprised by the visual changes afforded by the new OS, while others were horrified at the pop colors that Apple had decided to go with. While iOS 7 is still a work in progress, here’s how some of the icons might have looked like if former Apple designer, Louie Mantia, were still working at Apple. Mantia was in charge of some of the design of the icons prior to iOS 7, which to be honest was a good thing because there was really nothing wrong with the way the icons looked in the first place. However keeping to the theme and feel of iOS 7, Mantia has come up with his own set of iOS 7 icons which we can’t help but feel look a bit better, as the colors are slightly more subdued, but at the same time keeping to the overall theme.

According to Mantia, “Today, I revisited that original task and took about a day to understand the new style. Simpler, smoother, subtler. While I don’t employ the grid they created (and while I instead use the colors I chose), these feel interesting and balanced. Vibrant and bold, but not overbearing.” What do you guys make of Mantia’s design? Would you have preferred this over the current design?


Shirt Designed For The iPhone Comes With Microfiber Cloth Sewn Into ItWith the oils from our hands and our faces, not to mention dirt, grease, and whatnot, the screens of our phones get pretty nasty and usually within the course of a day, many of us wipe our phones down several times. Usually a microfiber cloth will do the trick, but not everyone has one or brings one out with them, which is why this shirt from designer Voy Voy might be something worth checking out. The design of the shirt itself is pretty normal, clean and simple, but what makes it unique is how it comes with a small piece of microfiber cloth sewn to the bottom corner of the shirt, allowing the user to use it to wipe down the screens of their electronic devices such as camera LCDs, tablets, or even smartphones.

In fact according to the product’s description, the shirt has been created for the iPhone in mind, with a pocket designed to hold the iPhone specifically. We’re not sure what this entails – could it be that the pocket has been measured and designed in a way that it will hold the iPhone securely, versus larger pockets where the phone could slip out when you bend over? In any case this shirt is priced at $98 and can be bought at Voy Voy’s website.


Apple Sued Over Call Forwarding Patent By Texas CompanyIt seems like tech companies being sued over alleged patent infringements these days has become the norm, and it looks like Apple will have to add another company to the list in the form of a company from Texas called Bluebonnet Telecommunications. According to the lawsuit, it seems that Bluebonnet believes that Apple has infringed on a patent which allows for call forwarding. Bluebonnet alleges that devices like the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5 have infringed upon the patent, which has been described as a phone communicating with a central switch to display a list of options, which are then displayed for the user.

Unsurprisingly Bluebonnet is seeking a permanent injunction against Apple and its infringing products, and are seeking damages which includes both pre- and post-judgment interest. We’re not sure if Bluebonnet has a genuine complaint or if they are just another patent troll seeking for a quick way to grab some cash from Apple who might have other pressing matters, like the lawsuit with Samsung, on their hands.


Baldurs Gate: Enhanced Edition Pulled From App Store Due To Contractual IssuesBaldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition is a noble effort to revive a game whose original was adored by many fans, although reviews of the Enhanced Edition have left something to be desired. Either way for those looking to try their hand at the Enhanced Edition of the game, you’re out of luck for now as it steems that the game has been pulled from Apple’s App Store, and that its sequel, Baldur’s Gate 2: Enhanced Edition, has been put on hold. The reason behind this is due to “contractual issues” which the folks at Beamdog did not go into specifics about. What this means is until those issues are resolved, Beamdog will not be releasing the patch for the game, and that the sequel will be put on hold and that the game will no longer be available from the App Store. However those who currently do own the game don’t have anything to worry about as they can play the game normally, just that any bugs you encounter will probably not be resolved for a while. More information about this can be found on the Baldur’s Gate website.


AT&Ts Blackberry Q10 Begins Shipping For Some CustomersSo the Blackberry Q10 for AT&T is set to be released to the masses come 21st of June, but it seems that some AT&T customers might be getting their orders a wee bit earlier. According to emails sent out by AT&T, some Q10 owners have been notified that their order of the Blackberry 10 handset has already been shipped. No word on how long it will take to arrive, but we’re guessing it should arrive at least on the 21st itself. For those who did not pre-order the handset, the Blackberry Q10 will be available via AT&T come 21st of June and you will be able to get your hands on one for $199.99 in-store along with a two-year contract. So, who’s excited to receive their brand new Blakberry Q10 before the weekend? If you’re still wondering if the Blackberry Q10 is the smartphone for you, be sure to check out our comprehensive review of the device here.