Tag Archives: Games

Technology Trends in 2010

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eReaders and eBook Players

eReaders and eBook Players

The year 2009 was witness to the rise and fall of technology and gadget trends. It was characterized by intensified video gaming blow outs, a new approach to mobile phone use and computer portability, and an endless quest to create better and more advanced gizmos.

As the New Year unfolds, video game expert and technology analyst Scott Steinberg unveils at Digitaltrends.com a sneak peek on the "what’s what" in technology for 2010.

1. The year 2010 may be the time for eReaders and eBook Players — digital tablets designed to simulate the customary reading-on-paper experience — to come into their own. Expected innovations in 2010 include selections powered by Android OS, more affordable models and full-color eReaders with touch screen and wireless 3G support.

2. Smartphones will continue to shine in 2010, but with added surprises. Android-run and Windows Mobile-powered smartphones will create an established market. Cell phones will likely be run by applications that offer more power and flexibility, allowing these devices to evolve and potentially replace laptops. Adapting to lifestyles, Smartphones will be must-haves in 2010, and Google’s Nexus One Smartphone is to watch out for.

3D TV

3D TV

3. The household names in television manufacturing are keen at beginning a new era of TV viewership. Shops filled with a display of cutting-edge three-dimensional TVs, as well as Blu-ray players that power 3D flicks, will be anything but extraordinary in 2010.

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4 Ways to Enjoy a Risk-free Online Social Networking Experience

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4 Ways to enjoy a risk-free online social networking experience

4 Ways to enjoy a risk-free online social networking experience

Perpetrators of phishing, scamming and identity theft have found a veritable gold mine in social networking sites. All too often, users of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter inadvertently make themselves easy targets for these kinds of activities.

Here are four ways to protect yourself and your information online.

1. Always check your privacy settings.
While Facebook sets your privacy setting to your contacts by default, other social networking sites do not. In fact, some display your profile to the general public. Make sure that you make use of a site’s privacy settings to allow only your friends, family, loved ones and contacts to view your profile.

In line with this, do not add just anybody as your contact. If you are keeping a personal profile, then make sure that you only have people you personally know in your contact list. If you are on social networking sites to play online games, or to market your brand, it might help to create a separate account for this purpose. You can limit the amount of personal information you have on these accounts.

2. Think twice before you post something.
For one, do not post your hometown if this has been set as your secret password question. Make sure that your post does not have personal information in it, or other identifiers like a landmark near where you work.

In no circumstances should you announce where you would be at a particular time. This way, lurkers would not be able to pinpoint where you are at any time.

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Online Poker: They’re Playing It Everywhere

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They’re Playing Poker Everywhere

They’re Playing Poker Everywhere

With the advent of poker online, the craze is fast spreading in many parts of the world. More and more aficionados are content with playing poker over the Internet, at the comforts of their own game room, perhaps at the attic, away from crowd of the casinos and heavily-decked function rooms.

Give the credit to some, if not many, of the Internet poker gaming hosts for putting lots of ingenuity into their sites attracting more poker fans. Even, there are online poker sites that offer deposit bonuses for new members who sign-up for an online poker account. Also there are many poker sites that offer free versions of poker tutorial lessons straight from professional poker players. This is one way of testing your skills and developing your strategies. Some of the most exciting poker games at the Internet are happening at online poker Australia.

There are ways to win a poker game. But there are much, much better ways to end up amassing large amounts of money. Yes, online poker can give the same, if not better chances of winning as would having to play it in a poker table. What’s a bit confusing at first is betting. In a poker game, the money you put in the table is different from the money you bet. The terms in betting for poker are “small blinds” and “big blinds.” The best way to learn the process of betting is to actually play the game.

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Online Bingo: Market Analysis and Projections

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Online Bingo Market Analysis & Projections

Online Bingo Market Analysis & Projections

Over the past decade the online gaming industry has emerged as one of the fastest growing segments of internet commerce today. In 2006 online gamblers wagered a total of twelve billion dollars via the World Wide Web. Experts project an estimated twenty four billion dollars will be wagered via online gaming sites during 2015.

Online Sportsbooks and Casinos were first to introduce their product to the public during late 90’s. 2002-03 ESPN began televising the World Series of Poker showing pro player’s hidden cards which sparked the online poker boom. Millions of recreational players logged on to become the next televised world champion. By 2005, bingo made its official entrance and has proven to be one of the most profitable sectors for gaming operators. The United Kingdom has experienced a growth rate in excess of 400% with new bingo players over the last four years.

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10 Ways to Enjoy your MAC

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10 Ways to Enjoy your MAC

10 Ways to Enjoy your MAC


Your MAC is a bundle of many joys if you take the time to explore its many features. To save on that effort, here’s an updated list of the best features and add-ons that are sure to help you enjoy your MAC to the fullest.

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10 Ways to Spice up your Boring PC

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deskstop computer

You already have your monitor, your CPU (the Central Processing Unit), your keyboard, mouse, and printer. The recent Windows Microsoft’s OS (Operating System) is already installed, as well as other basic office programs. Your PC seems to be complete yet you find yourself bored with it. Here are 10 easy steps to liven up your PC:

1. Add other hardware and accessories.
High-performance speakers or headphones that give off quality sound from mp3s and other sound files can be bought from almost any electronics or computer shops. While you’re at it, why not upgrade your printer with those that can act as scanners, colored and black & white printer as well?

2. Change the basic desktop settings from time to time (wallpapers, icons and others).
Wallpapers, icons, and cursors can be changed. You can do this by right-clicking on your desktop and selecting Properties. If you find the wallpapers, icons, and cursors boring or uninteresting, there are websites that offer good ones for a free download. Changing these settings will give your PC a more personalized and creative feel to it.

3. Add a screensaver.
Screensavers of different themes and designs can also be downloaded from the Internet. Cartoons, animals, nature scenes — you name the design. It will be fun to look at it after you’ve left your PC on standby mode.

4. Install PC Games.
Free computer games like Bookworm and Text Twist challenge the vocabulary and minds of just about anyone. They may be a bit simple and generic but they can give life to your boring PC. They definitely serve the purpose when you have nothing much to do.

5. Install Photoshop and other graphics editing programs.
There are many things that you can do with graphic editing programs. You can edit and enhance photos from your digital camera. You can also create your own wallpapers or desktop backgrounds and icons out of your photos or designs.

6. Get yourself an Internet connection.
The Internet is a good source of news and information. It also makes correspondence with family, friends, business partners and clients easier. Once connected, you gain access to networking sites and other entertainment domains where you can watch movies, music videos and other video clips for free. You can also compete with players from all over the world in a multitude of online games.

7. Install or subscribe to reputable anti-virus software.
Norton and McAfee are two of the leading anti-virus programs that protect your computer and rid it of viruses that cause harm to it. They can be downloaded online and are provided to those who need them by subscription. You can also download free trial anti-virus software before you make any subscription.

8. Download music or rip music from your CDs.
Programs like Apple’s iTunes and Windows Media Player can rip music from CDs. Programs such as iTunes also has a vast library of songs up for purchase and download. At 0.99 cents, you can already get any song that you like.

9. Upgrade your PC with an added RAM or an extra hard disk.
The Random Access Memory (RAM) determines how fast your computer can function. With a high-performing RAM, your desktop can function with relatively less fear of malfunctions. RAMS with a capacity of 2 to 3 gigabytes can be purchased in electronic and computer stores.

10. Get a DVD-writer or an external storage.
External hard disks that store up to 250 gigabytes-worth of computer programs, files or documents, videos, images and sound files are for sale in the electronics and computer shops. There will be no fear of running out of storage space when downloading more files if your PC is supported with an external hard drive.

The Video Game Industry “is” Recession-Proof

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I’ve heard about claims that the video game industry, along with healthcare, is recession-proof. Well, these claims might be proven to be true, especially when you take into consideration the gaming industry’s February 2009 sales in the United States, which involved a double-digit growth year-on-year at a time when overall retail sales growth was sluggish. That is made even more special when you take note of the industry’s consistently growing sales for the past few months, while the rest of the world was experiencing recession blues.

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Top 5 Notable Changes in Nintendo’s New DSi

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Nintendo New DSi

When news first came out about a new version of the Nintendo DS, gamers were abuzz with curiosity. With the original DS, Nintendo revolutionized the handheld gaming industry and paved the way for stylus-based gameplay. The second installment, the Nintendo DS Lite, was a simple redesign and didn’t really offer anything unique.

After its release in Japan last November, the DSi already boasts of more than one million units sold. It is scheduled for release in the US, Europe, and Australia this April. Now, gamers all over the world are asking themselves whether it’s worth their money to upgrade to Nintendo’s latest handheld.

If you’re one of them, here’s some info on the new DSi features that, hopefully, may help you to decide.

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Amazon’s Video Games Download Service

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amazon game downloads
Amazon has long been known as the Internet’s largest book seller. Since its launch in the 1990s, it has seen the rise of international sites in the United Kingdom, Japan, France and Canada, among other countries. It has also since branched out from books to other products like e-books, electronics, music, and even clothing and video games.

Amazon has recently added direct-download video games. The game download service allows the player to play for 30 minutes free before buying the game. Amazon has said that it is aiming at casual gamers with its array of at least 600 downloadable PC, PS3, and PSP games.

Amazon’s move is seen to benefit Reflexive Entertainment, a developer that Amazon purchased late last year. Reflexive Entertainment has been creating games for different platforms, and has even launched its own online distribution site, "Reflexive Arcade" five years before Amazon bought it.

To give online customers a taste of what it has to offer, Amazon will be giving out free full-versions of popular games such as "The Scruffs" and "Jewel Quest 2".

Personally, I think it is great that Amazon is continuing its drive to become the online equivalent of Sears. With book sales dwindling over the years, it only makes sense that it replicates its highly successful business model to other retail products. Amazon has had some success with one of its newer offerings, e-books released via the Kindle e-reader (which reportedly sold more than half a million units in 2008). Mac users, however, might feel left out because Amazon’s new offering does not carry games for the Mac.

I am a casual gamer and I have played more than my share of games. While I normally pay $10 for an app or a game that I like for my iPhone, I do not, however, see the need to use Amazon’s new service, much more pay for it when there are other sites that offer the same games (or somewhat similar versions) free of charge. For years, I have been able to log on to Popcap’s Web site and have mindless (and not-so-mindless) fun that lasts for hours or days.