Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, Galaxy S IV Rumors, PS4 Event Afterthoughts, Possible Upcoming Xbox Event, and More!

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B-TEN Official Podcast - Episode 3

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B-TEN Official Podcast - Episode 2

B-TEN Official Podcast - Episode 1

Next-Gen Xbox Event Coming Soon?

        According to NeoGaf forums and various other sources, the domain name XboxEvent.com was registered yesterday by Eventcore, a company formerly known as U.S. Techs, who according to their site, establishes a platform that promotes their best technology solutions. Interestingly enough, along with a list of partnered corporations towards the bottom of their site, Eventcore tells its site visitors to "Check back in a few weeks. We will have much more to show you." Could this possibly be related to their registration of the Xbox event site, or am I just thinking too much into this? Probably the latter, but who knows!?
        It only makes sense that Microsoft host an event for their next-gen gaming console after Sony's overwhelmingly hyped event on Wednesday. We can only hope that Microsoft is holding back some really innovative technology, so that their event can be just as successful. Personally, I want the next Xbox to have more exclusive content and capabilities that can't already be found on most PCs, as Microsoft's exclusive franchises have really lagged behind Sony and Nintendo during the current generation of consoles, although their price-point and superior online infrastructure have become a major factor in winning over hardcore gamers, while Kinect has proved itself as the definitive motion-based system for home consoles. After Sony's stunning presentation Wednesday, one can only wonder what Microsoft has been working on in the gaming department of their company.

I love this controller so much........ For my PC.

The Official PlayStation 4 (Prototype) Controller Has Been Leaked

       Much news to come in the upcoming week, as many events tied to the next generation of video game consoles are to be revealed. Beginning with Bungie's reveal of their upcoming game, Destiny on Sunday and continuing into Tuesday and Wednesday with expected hype revolving around Sony's upcoming console, potentially dubbed PlayStation 4.
        Earlier today, video game news source, Destructoid posted an image depicting what clearly seems to be the controller for Sony's upcoming console, reiterating the former Cross, Circle, Triangle, and Square buttons, but reforming the traditional analog sticks, D-Pad, and PS buttons formerly found on Sony's previous DualShock line of controllers.
        The new controller seems to have innovated on features such as adding some sort of inverted detail within the center of each nub. As assumed, the start button and select button have been removed and replaced with the famous (or perhaps inFamous) touchpad which has been rumored up to this point. The PS button has been moved down slightly since the DualShock 3, while a built-in speaker seems to be placed directly above it. The speaker will most likely be used in a similar manner to that of the Wii remote's built-in speaker that Nintendo has used since 2006. Aside from those major changes, the new controller also features a modified version of the DualShock 3's D-Pad. Many complaints over this image have been issued on other competing sites, and while many of these complaints can be considered understandable, readers must realize that the leaked controller is merely a prototype and is only intended to be used by PlayStation developers in its current state. The final version of this controller may be completely different from the image you see here.

LittleBigPlanet 3, Killzone 4, OUYA Release, Halo 3 On PC, and More!

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B-TEN Official Podcast - 2

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Bullogna Technology News Official Podcast - 1

PlayStation 4 Rumors, Upcoming Vita Lineup, and More!

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Bullogna Technology News Official Podcast - 1

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