Why Video Games Aren't The Cause Of Gun Violence

"If parents are allowing children to begin playing mature-rated games at young ages, then blame the parents, not the games."

       Warning: The Following Article Contains Opinions and Fluently Utilizes First Amendment Rights

   
        'Video games' and 'gun violence': two terms that have been prominently associated with one another over the past week. Since last week's traumatic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, it seems that many people are just trying to find something to blame for an event that I feel Adam Lanza, the perpetrator, is the only one who should be blamed for.
         Yesterday, the NRA (National Rifle Association) held a press conference, defending their existence as a gun-rights lobby in order to direct the blame to someone who arguably deserves it less, and yes, that someone was the "violent media", emphasizing "vicious, violent video games", but also including other entertainment media such as movies and music videos. They specifically targeted "vicious, violent video games with names like 'Bulletstorm', 'Grand Theft Auto', 'Mortal Kombat', and 'Splatterhouse'". While I must admit, I've never had any personal experience with Bulletstorm and Splatterhouse, I must admit that Grand Theft Auto and Mortal Kombat are harmless, in my opinion. While Grand Theft Auto games have been subject to much controversy over the years, the game itself portrays the virtual life on the wild side with much negativity.

Do your children feel influenced by Bulletstorm to shoot and kill giant, ugly monsters?

        Many will argue that Rockstar games created the Grand Theft Auto franchise as a decision of pure evil, but I disagree. While stealing cars and killing police officers in-game may be fun, the game itself provides players with a feel of risk and uncertainty, along with a question of moral certainty and self-worth. But what people must remember, is that these example game titles provided by the NRA are just games-- nothing more than games, and they feel like games. Even Grand Theft Auto, which gives users an authentic experience of a crime-filled life, doesn't influence anyone sane to commit video game-esque crimes. Instead, it influences users to play more video games, if anything.

Playing Grand Theft Auto will keep you out of real trouble,
but can still be a negative influence on younger kids.

        Then there's Mortal Kombat. The only problem Mortal Kombat has created is enhancing the common misconception of the spelling of the word combat. Mortal Kombat plays like fiction, feels like fiction, and is fiction, and for no reason should the NRA have been subjected to blaming NeatherRealm Studios' Japanese-styled fighting game.

Teach your kids the moral konsequences of mispelling kombat.

     
        Blaming video games for real-life violence isn't anything new. Actually, in my experience, video games are brought up nearly every time a violent crime such as this takes place. Prior to this, I've just accepted this fact as a man, but am nearly exhausted by video games being perceived as such a negative thing. Video games are an art medium, like books, poetry, paintings, films, and music, only video games haven't existed long enough for people to understand and respect them as a medium. No one has blamed controversial books or artwork for the tragic events that took place on December 14th, 2012; why does everyone feel the need to bash my favorite artistic medium?

        Sure, if children are exposed to enough violent video games, they will probably be influenced negatively at some point. But there is reason ESRB posts their stamp of approval on nearly every console game, and it isn't just due to the controversy of the Sega CD's Night Trap. No, video games are just another excuse for people to be insane and commit idiotic crimes. The gaming world means no harm, but please, don't allow your 7-year-old to play Grand Theft Auto. The video game industry relies on parents to have common sense. If parents are allowing children to begin playing mature-rated games at young ages, then blame the parents, not the games. Personally, I think the NRA is just upset because their game received a 1.5 out of 10, while Mortal Kombat and Grand Theft Auto IV received an 8 and 10 out of 10, respectively.

Obviously, older kids will still get their hands on mature-rated  games,
but this doesn't stop you as a parent from preventing your younger
kids from being exposed to more vulgar media.

Top 5 Smartphones For The Holidays

        As promised, what you are about to read is the official smartphone guide for holiday buying. This could mean a variety of things, such as buying for friends, family, or even bringing your most selfish attributes forward and buying for your own conceited self. In this bull-free guide, I will personally guide you through the beautiful process of picking out your very first (or very 367th) smartphone by highlighting the pros and cons of my top five holidays picks. Shall we begin?

 

5) Apple iPhone 5

        No smartphone tech guide would be complete without the mentioning of an Apple product. Apple brought us the iPhone in 2008, making the smartphone "hip", bringing us simple applications, and even providing us with the concept of potentially replacing our desktop PCs with handheld, pocket-protected calling devices, and we haven't looked back since. While Apple may have been the inventor, and possibly the original innovator, they have failed to develop many new ideas since the invention of Siri, and customers are forced to wait an entire year before being given the opportunity to see any new product of Apple's in the form of a smartphone. The iPhone 5 may have brought us new iPhone-related hardware, but the handset's release has only been Apple's next step in the ultimate game of catch-up. 

Price: $199 (Apple.com) 

Pros:

-iOS 6 uses a simple, familiar interface

-The iPhone 5 has a longer, sleeker display

-Specs have improved in the fifth iteration iPhone

Cons:

-Native maps application has become worse

-Processors still haven't caught up with Galaxy S III

-Still not 720p resolution

-iOS 6 doesn't allow for the same complex usage as Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

4) Droid Razr Maxx HD

        I've always felt indifferent about Motorola's Droid lineup of smartphones, mostly due to their original launch in 2009 being promoted as an iPhone-alternative. No, not the superior to the iPhone, but an alternative to the iPhone since at the time, Verizon didn't carry Apple's revolutionary handset. During this time period, many people I knew began to purchase the original Droid and eventually, the Droid 2.
        Upon using these devices for myself, I realized that Motorola's iPhone competitor felt cheap, still held on to a clunky physical keyboard, and left iPhone users feeling even better than before. People who had the Droid loved it, mostly because they didn't have AT&T, and therefore, couldn't buy an iPhone. Over the years, Motorola has improved on the Star Wars derived Droid to the point where I've placed it ahead of Apple's latest iPhone installment. That, my friends, is what you call progress.

Price: $149.99 (AmazonWireless)

Pros:

-Full HD screen

-3,300 mAh Li-Ion battery

-As powerful as Samsung Galaxy S III

-I'm-a-geek-but-I-can-still-be-hip-styled look

-NFC capabilities

-Will be upgradeable to 4.1 Jelly Bean at some point

-Expandable storage support

Cons:

-Still running ye olde Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
-More costly than the more up-to-date Samsung Galaxy S III

3) Samsung Galaxy S III

        The Korean tech-maker is the latest trend in the smartphone industry and it's not hard to see why: Samsung has a vast lineup of 4G smartphones created with the crazy idea that "different people want different things" in mind. The Samsung Galaxy S III, while the trendiest of Samsung's lineup offers logical reason for its trendiness.

Price: $124.99 (AmazonWireless)

Pros:

-Stunning 4.8" 720p display with unique look/feel

-Beautiful 8 MP camera with 1080p video capability

-Able to update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean right out of the box

-Stocked with processors better than that of the newer iPhone 5

-Samsung Galaxy S III 2 GB RAM = (iPhone 5 1 GB RAM) x 2

Cons:

-Still stocked with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

-May be too bulky for some users

2) Samsung Galaxy Note II

 

        This choice may have been a controversial decision due to the common confusion among consumers on what the Galaxy Note II actually is, and what the Galaxy Note was for that matter. To clear this confusion, let me begin by saying the Galaxy Note II is a smartphone-tablet hybrid device that serves the primary purpose of creating a universal go-to device for any smartphone, tablet, or possibly even PC-required occasion. The Galaxy Note II may be pricey, but carries specs better than most other smartphones and even a handful of tablet PCs and comes stocked with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, far surpassing that of the Galaxy S III.

Price: $279.99 (Wirefly.com)

Pros:

-Lavishing 5.55-inch screen with a 720p display

-1.6 GHz quad-core processor with 2 GB RAM

-S-Pen hover is innovative

-Stocked with Android 4.1.1

Cons:

-Some users may find it to be inconvenient

-More expensive than most of its competitors, including the larger Nexus 7

-No Android 4.2 Jelly Bean yet

1) Google/LG Nexus 4

       

        Yet another controversial choice, the Nexus 4 is only available from T-Mobile at the moment or unlocked if bought directly from Google's Play Store. While this may be a problem for most consumers, ecstatic T-Mobile users will find this to be a great catch for the smaller cell phone carrier. The Nexus 4 is the fourth Nexus-branded smartphone available directly from Google and was built in cooperation with LG. At the perfect size and carrying Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, the Nexus 4 is, in my opinion, the best smartphone on the market and will hopefully make its way over to other carriers at some point in time. (Hopefully around the same time that I become eligible for a two-year upgrade!)

Price: $299 (Google Play)

Pros:

-Comes stocked with the new Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

-1.5 GHz quad-core processor on a 4.7-inch display

-High-res 768p (320 ppi) Gorilla Glass 2 display

-Stylish and unique

Cons:

-Only available from T-Mobile

-LTE support is only available through modifying device settings

Assassin's Creed III: Liberation Review

     BULLOGNA SCORE: 8.0!

        While I won't be able to review the full console experience of the game until I get the opportunity to toy with it on PC, I waited in line today during hurricane Sandy in front of GameStop, and got my hands dirty with one of Ubisoft's two new Assassin's Creed titles. The PlayStation Vita-exclusive open-world action-adventure game is has now become a controversial subject among reviewers. So I decided to throw my input out there while it's still the "cool thing to do".

        The decision-making factor in whether or not to buy this game consists of a simple algorithm. If you have a Vita, buy this game. If not, don't buy this game. Don't get me wrong, Liberation is a pure Assassin's Creed game, but is far from being worth $300. It's worth the price tag it was given-- $40. That may seem expensive to most of you who are sitting around playing Fruit Ninja or Angry Birds on your $500 iPad, but to those who are actually concerned with the quality of a game, $40 is dirt cheap, especially compared to the $60 it would cost to buy the full console version of the game. If you don't have the option to get both and you're deciding between Liberation or ACIII, choose the console title. This game was not created as a standalone title. You need Assassin's Creed III for this portable title to have any significance whatsoever. 

        The Conclusion

        If you've been dying for a good addition to your Vita's library and you already own Uncharted: Golden Abyss, this is the game for you, unless of course you've never played an Assassin's Creed title, or aren't planning on buying ACIII first. The fun, open-world gameplay outweighs the bugs and lagging framerate, but often doesn't make up for the fact that if you've never played an AC title, you won't have a clue what's going on in this game. Aside from those minor issues which only take place on occasion, this beautiful title will keep you at the end of your bus seat, and ignore what you've heard about forced touch controls. As long as you know how to touch a screen, they're no big deal, and they actually give the game a feeling of consistency, which otherwise this portable title would most likely be lacking.

Android 4.2 vs. Windows Phone 8

  by Gabriel Carey

        While the latest version of Android isn't quite as big a deal as Windows Phone 8, 4.2 could definitely bring something new to Google's mobile platform, but unfortunately will not bring a tasty new name. That's right: no Key Lime Pie this time around. Google has announced that they're keeping the Jelly Bean name, most likely to cut down on confusion. On the bright side, a few new Android-powered devices are suspected to be announced at the October 29th event, speaking of which Microsoft will be holding an event the same day, showing off their latest adaption of their mobile operating system, Windows Phone 8.

        Microsoft promises major changes in WP8, hopefully revising many of the flaws in WP7. While I wish to see more apps developed for the mobile platform, I can't see this occuring nearly as quickly as it did for Google's Android platform. At one time, I was a huge Microsoft fanboy, but my fanboyism (it's a word) has rapidly been fading away as does time. Many of Windows Phone 8's announced features seem to repair most of what was broken in WP7, with the exception of screen resolution, which worries me. The new mobile OS only shows support resolutions up to 1280x768p, which worries me if the standard for mobile screen resolutions increases. Nevertheless, I can't see this being a huge factor in the release of WP8, but screen resolution limitations are just a pet peeve of the filmmaker/critic within me.

        As a firm supporter of both Google and Microsoft, I wish both companies luck on Friday. After seeing Apple's iPad mini conference, there's no way either event could flop as much as the big Apple did.(Although I can see Microsoft proving me wrong on that.) Android is continuing to grow as Microsoft will shortly begin to regain their growth, but Apple is a company I'm beginning to feel sympathetic towards. I can't believe I'm saying this, but Apple is actually falling, and unless they stop competing with their own products with each new release and start considering the technologically progressive environment surrounding them, they're going to fail, and when they hit the ground, they'll hit it hard, and they can take my sympathy along with them.

Why The Upcoming Month Is An Important Time For Tech

        From this week until the end of November is an extremely important time period for tech lovers, and even casual consumers everywhere. It's been three years since Microsoft has released a new version of Windows, and these three years have harmed the Redmond-based software company much more than it's helped. The explosion of smartphone handset devices and tablet PC devices has led to the possible accusation that the PC is no longer needed. While I disagree completely, others may not need a home computer as much as they once did, making smartphones and tablets the superior computing devices due to their simple nature and organized interfaces. While Windows 8 brings forth a new, improved metro modern-UI style to the clunky, but efficient OS, Microsoft's long-term supporters have began to oppose the company they've been loyal to for years. Maybe a tablet-like interface wasn't the change users were looking for, but personally I favor Windows 8, as I've been using the beta since earlier this year.

        On October 23rd, Apple will be holding yet another event. This time it will be none other than the release of.... You guessed it: a smaller iPad, or a larger iPod Touch, just what you've always wanted if you're an iSheep, of course! Personally, I would have liked the idea of a smaller iPad if Apple hadn't just released a new iPod Touch. And the iPad Mini is rumored to have a price-point of lower than $250, making its 7.85" screen cheaper than the iPod Touch's 4" screen. Awkward.

     
        Next Tuesday marks the release date of something revolutionary to the digital video games industry. On October 30th, 2012, Ubisoft will be releasing Assassin's Creed III on PS3/Xbox 360, and its PlayStation Vita-exclusive counterpart, Assassin's Creed III: Liberation. This brand-new addition to the AC series adds many new aspects to the standard that the first four games set in the series, and offers new characters, new weapons, a new story, and more importantly for us tech geeks, a new game engine created from scratch. Many have questioned Ubisoft's choice to release the game on our current-gen consoles that many are already considering obsolete, but the company promises that their new engine, AnvilNext will bring next-gen quality, not previously possible with current-gen consoles. But if you're interested in purchasing Assassin's Creed III on PC as I am, you'll have to wait until its November 20th release date. In the meantime, you can spend some exclusive time with Liberation, which releases on the same day as the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game.

     
        On November 18th, Nintendo will be releasing its first console in six years! (Yes, it's been that long since the Wii released. I can't believe it either.) The Wii U gaming console will release alongside 23 games, and will come packaged with the exclusive Nintendo Land title if you're willing to pay $50 more for a tech-showcasing game and 4 times more storage. If I was 10-years-old, this would truly be an excited time for me, although I know far too much about GPU, CPU, and RAM to concern myself with Nintendo much anymore, unless of course it's a traditional Pokemon game on 3DS, but that's a matter I still wait patiently to experience. And by the way, the Wii U gets Assassin's Creed III before PC. That's sad.

Why The Wii U Will Struggle

        With less than a month to go until the Wii U's November 18th release date, there is much controversy regarding the success of Nintendo's latest console. The tablet-controlled home console brings HD gaming to a company whose gimmicky invention has held them back from producing a powerful console. The Wii U changes things drastically for Nintendo. Like many consumers, I bought the Wii U in 2007, a year after its release, played it for the gimmicks, and haven't touched it since. If Nintendo had released the Wii U in the first place, that would have been a revolutionary tactic, but splitting what should have been one console into two consoles, separated by six years of technological innovation couldn't possibly lead to success, could it? For Nintendo, success is unpredictable and relies on the faces of well-known franchises and the desires of children with good taste in mustached plumbers.

        Before and during the Wii's release, Nintendo constantly targeted families to be their number-one customers, persuading parents to buy the console in order to spend more time together as a family. With the Wii U, this doesn't seem to be the case. Nintendo is attempting the impossible: targeting both hardcore gamers and families with a completely different, unneeded experience that most people don't really want. Honestly, I'm still confused on why I would need the Wii U. Nintendo still hasn't responded to my confusion, nor my families' confusion on whether or not it's a completely new system or just a modified Wii. Regular people don't understand that you need a new system with new games in order to transition from a standard to high definition platform, and that's another fault that could cause problems for Nintendo.

        So, if people don't understand the need to transition to another console for high-definition gaming, then most consumers will feel that the only update from the Wii to Wii U is the addition of a tablet controller, whereas most families already own at least one tablet per household, and will find this innovation to be irrelevant. Nintendo made a huge mistake by only adding one letter to the Wii's title when naming their latest console, a mistake that will lead to at least one year of rough sales before they are forced into marketing the contrast between the Wii and Wii U. Sometimes, I feel as if Nintendo doesn't pay enough mind to commentators on sites such as IGN and GameSpot. These "trolls" who are constantly harassing Nintendo for the Wii U are actually bringing forth some valid points as to what the purpose of the Wii U actually is, and Nintendo has failed to respond.

        While I've yet to see any TV spots advertising the Wii U, I can only pray that for Nintendo's sake, they include major juxtaposition when explaining the differences between Wii and Wii U. They are actually far different consoles, but I can't see normal consumers understanding this like I do (because I'm a tech-writer and they aren't). I have to say I won't be buying the Wii U this year, but if by next year Nintendo gives me enough reason to make the purchase, I just may have to. The Wii U is available for pre-order at most retailers. ($349.99 for 32 GB deluxe set, or $299.99 for 8 GB basic set)

The Scientific Philosophy of Pokémon Nostalgia

        As many of my readers should know, Pokémon Black Version 2 and White Version 2 have recently been release globally. In response to its release, I've decided to write this article in order to dig deeper into what really triggers the nostalgia fans of the series tend to feel every time a new video game is released. Now, I'm not actually going to use scientific terminology to explain my stance on this subject, for I'd rather not bore my casual readers to death. Instead, I'm going to trigger even more nostalgia by describing my own personal Pokémon experiences and leave the scientific reasoning behind this nostalgia to the readers' own interpretations.
        I was six-years-old. I'm not certain of the exact year, but I'm sixteen now, so it was probably 2002. I was a little late to Pokémon, but it didn't stop me from becoming interested in the franchise. I'd watched the show for as long as I can remember, but this time it was different. From this point on, my entire life would be based on this small, but important event. My mom took me into Toys R Us to browse. I browsed the GameBoy Advanced games because that's the system I had. At the time, I also had a PlayStation 2, but was completely uninterested in everything non-Nintendo. (This changes drastically in my teenage years, but not until then.) I couldn't find any GBA games to be appealing at the time. I knew what I wanted. I wanted Pokémon Silver. The box art displayed a glimmering Lugia, my favorite Pokémon (thanks to the film, Pokémon 2000). But what's this? Pokémon Silver Version is only for GameBoy Color!? Is GameBoy Advance backwards compatible with GBC games? Do I even know what any of that means because I'm six!? No, I have no idea what that means.
        My mom and I leave the store. I'm disappointed. My mom asks me what's the matter, and I respond with the truth. My mom, the strong woman she is, marches back into the store and asks the question everyone wants the answer to. "Can this game play on a GameBoy Advance?" she asks, referring to Pokémon Silver Version. The man answers, "Yes." The suspense is killing me as I'm waiting in the car. My mom exits the store, a small bag at her side. She takes something out of the bag. Is it the game? What could it be? It's Pokémon Silver Version. My first Pokémon game. I insert the plastic cartridge into my GameBoy Advance, its end sticking out awkwardly.
        "Now, what did you say your name was?" Professor Oak asks. I choose to enter a "New Name". I enter: POOP. Fast forward ten years. The other day I went searching for this game, and it was no where to be seen. It took me roughly twenty minutes, but I found it. I booted up my GBA SP, backlight and all, then chose to continue my game from where I previously left off. My name is Poop. I've owned this game for ten years, and I've never restarted it. Never will.
        The point I'm trying to make in all of this is a good question, really: how on earth do I remember this short segment of my life in such vivid quality, but often have difficulty remembering that I have homework when I was told that I have homework only hours before I forget. Many would respond to this by saying that it's because I actually care about this memory far more than I'm concerned with my homework, but I disagree. This wasn't actually as big a deal as I made it out to be in my life. It's effect on me is minimal, but somehow I'll never forget it, but I forget what I learn in AP US History, a class that explains important things that have happened in the past and how they affect the modern-day United States.
        While I still don't understand this conflict, I try to sit here and play a new Pokémon game with updated graphics, more Pokémon, a new story, and many new memories, but no matter what I do, it's not the same as what I grew up with. As we grow up, we find that reality has taken away from the simple fun we had as kids, and the complexity that comes with new technology spoils this simple fun. While it's great to make new friends, let's not forget to revisit our childhood friends every now and then, just for the memories.

The iPhone 5: The Speculation and Rumors Over A Handset That Doesn't Exist

        It's almost here. 12. We've all seen this meaningless image, and somehow have all been convinced that it's hints towards the unveiling of Apples latest abomination, the iPhone 5. Now don't get me wrong, the iPhone 5 could very well compete with the latest Android devices, but is it likely? Not a chance. The problem, and the advantage of Apple's marketing techniques are that they assert themselves through a silent treatment towards their liberal hipster audience. Do I have anything against liberal hipsters? No, I'm just stating the obvious stereotype that most Apple consumers tend to share.. Using this roughly 11-month silent treatment, Apple establishes a hype over a device that hasn't been announced, yet its very existence has been predicted by its mass audience. This is due to the fact that iPhone devices have been released annually during the same release window quarter since the iPhone (1?) It's actually an excellent style of strategic marketing, but also one that's destined to wear off at some point in time.

        Since us Apple fans never actually get any specifications on their handsets until days within their release frame, we have to create our own predictions based on absolutely no information whatsoever. While many of us Apple fanatics enjoy discussing speculation over a device that doesn't exist, I assume other people find it extremely annoying. (We They do.) And they wouldn't find it the least bit annoying if they had evidence to backup their speculation, or if they actually discussed other devices as Android groupies do, but instead all of us Apple fans fall into this speculation, obsessing over false information, and then "show off" a smartphone that they neither own, nor exists in the first place. I'm really sorry if you are one of those people like me who obsesses over Apple as if they are actually an innovative company, but I needed to get my opinion out there regarding this subject.

What To Expect

4G LTE

        Sure most devices other than the iPhone have used speedy 4G LTE radios since 2011 (which is a long time in smartphone years), but Apples decided to be their usual, different selves and have decided to take another direction in the mobile data category. People expected the iPhone 4S to include 4G capabilities, but Apple just wasn't ready for this type of change. (Are they ever?) Sometimes this can be a good thing, as taking on experimental technologies can be well, experimental, but this isn't the case with 4G LTE, as the technology has been used in many phones since 2010, and 4G itself has been used in South Korea since 2006, so during the time period when the 4S was in production, 4G was not a new technology.

Larger Screen

        Let's face it. The screen on the iPhone 4S, as well as many of its other features, is incompetent. While the latest blockbuster Android device, the Samsung Galaxy S III shows off its 4.8-inch 720p screen, the iPhone 4S has a mere 3.5-inch 640p screen. Now, some may argue that the latest iPhone is about a year old now, while the Galaxy S III was only recently released, but I would respond by saying, "Whose fault is that?" because it's Apples fault for not creating a mainstream, open-source mobile operating system that can be enjoyed on various smartphones, whether they're low-end or high-end devices. Apple has 1 phone, and within a month of its annual release, Google can come back with something better because they haven't restricted their operating system to one phone; everyone can love Android, no matter what phone they have. (Unless of course they have the iPhone.) 

This is all I am certain you can expect from the iPhone "5", as I am not a psychic.

What Not To Expect

         If I were an Apple-crazed fool, which according to this article I am, then September 12th would be my favorite day of this year (besides December 21st), but I wouldn't expect any Android-esque operating system from iOS 6, as Apple should be very careful not to infringe any of Google's patents, for if they were to do such things September 12th wouldn't be such a happy day for Apple fans anyway after their law suit against Samsung for patent infringements. And if you were expecting an Android-esque OS, why not just upgrade to an Android device?

Bullogna's Back-To-School Shopping Guide: Smartphones and Tablets

        Whether you're already in school, heading back to school, or graduated 60 years ago, there's always a good excuse to buy yourself (or your kid) a new gadget. Yeah, I'm talking to you, grandpa. And with so many various options in the wonderful world of devices, it can sometimes be hard to choose a new smartphone or tablet. That's why we're here; so we can pick it out for you (and so you don't get sucked in to buying from a company just because they're the biggest, or because they recently won a dispute between themselves and another company-- not mentioning any names.) So hurr wehr gehrr agerhn. Ehrr yurh redehr?

Smartphones

Samsung Galaxy S III

Price: $199.99 w/ upgrade

        If you know me well enough, or you creep on my Facebook every now and again, you probably saw this coming as my top choice for smartphones. At this point, the iPhone 4S is incompetent and irrelevant, and this beautiful device remains at the top of the smartphone food chain, devouring everything in its path. Its beautiful screen, powerful processors, and hi-def built-in cameras all account for a phone that excels at anything one would need a smartphone to excel at, making a tablet completely irrelevant to anyone whose device upgrade was made available near its release date. (I'm jealous of all of you who were that fortunate, as I'll probably upgrade to the Galaxy S VI by the time my upgrade comes around.) Nevertheless, this phone  marks the moment where the iPhone itself becomes irrelevant, providing the reason Apple decided to sue Samsung in the first place. They're afraid, and I don't blame them.

Sony Xperia Ion

Price: $99.99 w/ upgrade

        If you're lucky enough to live in an area where AT&T's service isn't complete crap, then allow me to introduce you to their greatest phone: the Sony Xperia Ion. When you hold it in your hands, you'll know it's the one, but if you don't have AT&T, you can hang this idea up altogether, as it's only available on the network who once raised our nation's bar, but for those of you who are with big blue, you can get your hands on this beauty for only $99.99! (Wouldn't have been worth it for $100.)

Tablets

Nexus 7

Price: $199 (8 GB) or $249 (16 GB)

        This is a device I can actually speak with experience from, and here's my opinion on tablets in general. If you have a nice new smartphone with a large HD screen, you probably don't need any kind of slate PC, unless of course your smartphone lacks Android, or for some odd reason you need your tablet to have quad-core processors. Tegra 3 simply isn't worth an extra 200 bucks. But I have a Samsung Stratosphere with a 480p screen and very poor processors. It's great for on-the-go Google-"ing" and possibly a news article now and then, but at home I prefer my Nexus 7, and no doubt wish it was my phone. It's got speedy processors, a sharp screen, and even a newer, cleaner OS (4.1 Jelly Bean). It was worth every penny, but depending on what phone you have, it may not be for you.

iPad?

Price: $499

        

No, that question mark was not a typo. I know I'm just constantly bashing Apple in this article, but trust me, I do it out of love. The iPad is almost as irrelevant as the iPhone which itself is nearing the irrelevance of the iPod Touch, and the reason lies just above this sub-article: The Nexus 7. Who needs an iPad when the Nexus 7 does more for a lower price? If it wasn't for its 2K screen resolution, the iPad would no longer exist, but I must admit the resolution is quite impressive, though the games at this resolution most likely lag, and most probably don't even support its 2K screen, but it was a nice attempt on Apple's part. But why would we need a resolution that's not even available on most larger-sized consumer TVs on a 10-inch screen? We don't, but Apple assumed we did. The human eye can't even tell the difference between the iPad's and the Nexus 7's resolution at this size, but if you really want to pay over $300 more for something your eyes can't even distinguish, or size inconvenience, it's a free country; do what you please. I recommend looking into the Nexus 7, though.

        

Bullogna's Back-To-School Shopping Guide: Laptops

        While some students may have already returned to school, it's never too late to consider purchasing new technology for out-of-school schoolwork. And it may seem odd, but right now is actually the best time possible to buy new tech before it becomes old tech, and the reason for this is as follows: Google Nexus 7. The new tablet is quicker and more proficient than Apple's no-longer-new iPad, and comes at a cheaper cost too. (So you don't have to sell your limbs on the black market to buy the Nexus 7) In this back-to-school shopping guide, we'll take you through every type of tech you may find useful for school, recommend the best possible device/software, then compare its most mainstream competition, explaining why our choice is better than the popular choice. Are you ready kids? I can't hear you! Ooooooooooooohhhhhhhh!

Laptops

        I assumed since this is a no-name article from some random guy who apparently has a weird obsession with Spongebob gags, that most readers won't read past the first paragraph. That's why I decided to make the first paragraph the most helpful by guiding readers through the exhausting process of picking a new laptop. I'll start with the cheaper low-end laptops in which I won't exactly be able to compare to the "popular brand" per se, yet I will compare to some of the mid-range tablet PCs.

        The Asus X401A-RGN4 caught my eye at my local Best Buy the other week, and did so for a fairly good reason, aside from me being a geek and all things with a battery catching my keen eye. The 14" laptop computer packs a 2.3 GHZ Intel Pentium processor, 4 GB of RAM, and a 320 GB hard drive for only $329.99! And if you have no idea what I was talking about in the previous paragraph, just ignore it and assume I know what I'm talking about as I assumed you wouldn't read past the first paragraph. The X401A-RGN4 is available in Matte Lime Green, Matte Pink, and Matte Deep Blue Square, because square is an outstanding color.

        You can get that 14" Asus, or you can get the year-old iPad 2 for about $70 more. This is supposed to make you feel less bad about purchasing the Asus laptop, as the iPad 2 is incapable of running x86 programs, and still to this day lacks a decent word processor for everyday writing tasks. Although, the iPad does look nice, and look, you can slide your finger across the screen and your apps jiggle!

        On the higher end of things, you have the more expensive gaming PCs, which are great for video and photo editing as well as, erhmm, gaming and you have the less proficient, but more portable and stylish MacBook Pro.

        Look it's a bird; no it's too loud to be a bird... It's a plane; no it's too small. It's Alienware! My choice for a high-end PC is a quite obvious one for friends/family readers, and that's mainly because I recently purchased one myself: The Alienware M14x. Now if you get the M14x, I recommend you get the i7 version with 8 GB RAM, otherwise you're better off with the M17x. Now, I've heard all the Alienware horror stories, but somehow I'm always brought back to this PC-game-centered line of high-end Dells because no matter how it's worded, they're still the most powerful PCs money can buy! And for people who care about style, they're also quite beautiful. The 8GB Alienware M14x is normally $1,499, but since the M14x's are $100 off for a limited-time-only, you can customize your own Alien FX laptop for just $1,399, and that's a bargain you don't want to miss. (I don't work for Dell, I'm just really excited now!)

        And then there's the Macbook Pro.... I don't want to down it too much since I'm supposed to be non-biased, so here I go. (Ugh!) You can get a 15-inch Macbook Pro with Retina display equivalent to the M14x for $2,199 or a standard 15-inch Macbook Pro for $1,799, but unless you like the all-glamour-no-proficiency style that the Macbook Pro constantly shows off, I recommend looking into Alienware. You've been warned.

        If you want a high-end PC, but you don't want anything fancy-looking, I recommend clicking here. Until next time, my friends, when we'll be taking a look at smartphones and tablets, see ja!

        

Why I Love Video Games and What They Represent

       Why I Love The Industry

        Although I'm not sure why, video games are often frowned upon by most parents. Gaming takes their children away from everything and places them in front of a screen with a controller for hours on end. While that may seem like an isolated and fattening hobby, it's actually great to a certain point. And the reason for that is: video games represent the advancement of our culture. If you're anything like me, you've grown up with games and have become familiar with the industry from early on.

        The truth is, I'm not in love with video games. There are merely a select few video games that are great in comparison to the many works in the film industry considered the best. But movies have been around much longer than video games. While the first films were projected in the late 1800s, video games didn't become mainstream until almost 100 years later. In 1972, Pong was released by Atari in arcade-form and didn't see a home release until 1975. The video game industry represents a new, more advanced innovation of technology-generated media. That's why I love the video games industry and what it represents, and better yet we don't even need to think about this complex idea. Typically, those who play video games don't understand why they have so much passion towards the simple concept of a game, but they certainly notice a form of satisfaction in the idea that they're continuing to achieve in a digital escape from the real-world. 

        But that can't be all there is to the gaming industry, can it? Is it all about achieving something that isn't there? Is it all about the advancement of technology; about becoming stronger than the film industry? No. I can't explain all there is to video games; why people like them, or why people line up on the release day of a new blockbuster title. What I do know is this: The video games industry is based on community. Not everyone understands this, and I'm sure there are even many gamers who don't, but I'm no gamer. I'm simply a story-teller who digs deeper into a subject that interests me more than it probably should.

        The Console Wars

        The video games community is like no other. You can read as many forums as you'd like from any other media industry, but you'd never see any group of people argue such strong, valid points as the video games community, and quite honestly I find this to be truly a beautiful thing. The console wars continue on and on without end, without interruption, and as much as PC gamers deny that they're involved in the console wars, the PCs are the most brutal. 

        There are currently four groups who participate in the console wars, and every group is built up of fanboys and those who deny their fanboy-ism, but are still biased towards one side. (No one isn't biased towards their favorite console!) There are the PCs, the Xbox 360s, the PS3s, and the Nintendos. (I didn't consider the PS3 fanboys as "Sonys" because of the lack of interest PS3 owners have in the PS Vita handheld, nor do I consider the Xbox 360 the "Microsoft Crowd" due to the fact that PC games are Games For Windows)  Each group of fanboys (and "fangirls") believes their system is better than the other three, and before this year I actually believed you could conclude that the console with the best system specifications is the best, but that's far from true. If you judged a console by its specs, the PC would be the superior gaming console by far, but you can't base this judgement primarily on specifications. The PC may have the highest specs, but a PC with better processors, a better graphics card, and better RAM than a PS3 or Xbox 360 would cost an ordinary consumer over $1,000, while the PS3/Xbox 360 are roughly around $250 (unless you buy the $99 Xbox 360 with Kinect that also charges $15 per month for two years costing you around $600 in the end.)

        I'm not going into anymore detail as far as specifications are concerned because I don't want to bore my readers, I just do, but the point is there is no superior console. That's right! Wii = PC = PS3 = Xbox 360; and that, my friends, is my favorite way of doing math. I'm not saying this is an issue. I'm only emphasizing the point that consumers are so passionate about their favorite console that they're willing to argue that their system superior with anyone at any time. And here's what I mean when I claim the systems are completely equivalent. The Wii offers the first mainstream motion-controlled console experience, but is graphically inferior to all other consoles (including iOS at this point). The Xbox 360 offers the best third-party support and considerably the best online community, but lacks variety in first-party support. The PS3 offers great first-party support, but fails when it comes to graphical capability in third-party support (although this seems fishy) and online community. And the PC has the best graphical capability (depending on your computer specs) but doesn't have as large a library as its console companions and is more costly for average consumers.

        So... How Does This Relate To The Title?

So here's why I love the video game industry and what it represents. I came here to write a short article about what video games represent and my entire article completely changed subjects after the second paragraph. Video games represent our freedom to discuss, produce, and consume, and most of the time doesn't incorporate politics (like everything else) while doing so. Regardless of the previous paragraphs where I spoke of specifications, consoles, and arguments, video games are about simple fun, bringing us back to our childhoods, thinking less about the worries life may bring, and helping us to enjoy achieving something even if it's not real, because if we actually did the things we did in video games, we'd all be in prison.

Fin.

Why Teachers Fail When It Comes To Technology

Why Teachers Fail When It Comes To Technology

By Gabriel Carey

Throughout the previous school year, I made it a point to point out flaws when it comes to my teachers. Maybe it's because I'm sixteen and becoming rebellious, maybe it's because I've critically analyzed every video game, tv show, song, and even commercial I've seen in the past year, or maybe it's relevant to the fact that there are so many teachers whose flaws outweigh their benefits. Now, before I continue, let me tell you that I've had a few good teachers in the past. A few. Do taxpayers really want their money to go towards a few good teachers, but an overwhelming number of people who are just plain awful at what they do? It doesn't matter who you are, what your political stanpoint is, or even what you ate for breakfast this morning, (yeah, I went there) if you are satisfied with your tax dollars going towards the salary of a teacher who can't teach, then you're one of them. While I won't be able to discuss every detail of why so many teachers can't do their jobs right, (because I don't know) I'll just highlight some points as to why they fail when it comes to the use of technology in the classroom. 

Students Can't Aren't Allowed To Use Their Resources

Sure, every kid who's still in school complains about not being allowed to use their cell phones, and while I disagree with the typical reasons students give for this outrage, I do think students in school should be allowed to use their cell phones in school for educational reasons. Android-based smartphones have one of the greatest applications of all time built-in to their OS, usable the second you turn the devices on. QuickOffice is a great alternative to Windows' Microsoft Office. (QuickOffice is built-in to Android tablets as well, which don't require a monthly data plan.)

Teachers Don't Understand Technology

Here's a hilarious topic. When I was in 9th grade, I signed up for a photography class where the students learned how to create photographic composition, edit photos, and create professional-looking photographs using Adobe PhotoShop CS5. The only problem was.... I had to teach the teacher how to use PhotoShop. You would think they would train teachers to use advanced programs when they are required to teach them. Now this, truly, is an outrage. I can't imagine what the class would have done if I was not there to teach PhotoShop. None of the other students had a clue how to use the program, and the following year, the art teacher was forced to stop teaching the class due to lack of resources. I don't blame the teachers for their lack of technology understanding, but I do often wonder: what do these teachers learn when they're absent from school for "training"?

The Conclusion: YOU SAVE MONEY!!!

Board of Education systems don't realize it (what else is new?) but by switching over to new technology such as tablets, smartphones, and/or Ultrabooks, parents will actually save money! Most kids already own smartphones, and those who don't can get an efficient tablet for as low as $199.00 (Google Nexus 7, Kindle Fire, etc.) That's only about $100 more than a graphing calculator, which can only do one thing! With a tablet or smartphone, you can get a free graphing calculator app, download cheaper-than-paper eBooks and even use the QuickOffice tool I mentioned earlier for free! Now that you don't have to buy Microsoft Office for $130, you can buy yourself a bluetooth keyboard which can be found for as low as $20 on Amazon.com. I know this sounds like an ad for tablets, but it's only the truth about technology. A total of about $220 doesn't sound that much cheaper than the $230 you would otherwise spend on a graphing calculator and Microsoft Office, but that $220 will be a lot more useful to students than a graphing calculator and a document-processing application will be in the long-run. I challenge every parent and every student to write a letter to their Board of Education, reinforcing what I've just explained in this article.