CES: the very best of the show so far January 8, 2014 The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for geeks. It sees several gigantic aircraft hangers packed full of the biggest releases from some of the world’s top tech firms. This year saw 3D printers move further towards the mainstream, while manufacturers of high-end TVs once again pulled out [...]
Geek Speak: Hands-on review: the new PS4 December 18, 2013 It’s the most powerful console in the world – but is it the one you should buy this Christmas? @steve_dinneen PLAYSTATION 4Sony | £349.99Four Stars EARLY reports that Sony’s next gen console is out-selling Microsoft’s Xbox One now seem premature – the latest figures have them locked in a dead heat. While Microsoft has pinned [...]
Some games to get you through Christmas December 18, 2013 Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag The Assassin’s Creed franchise has been rumbling on for years but the latest iteration promises something a bit different – this time you take the role of a swashbuckling pirate pillaging his way through the lush Caribbean. The graphics alone make this worth a look. Knack This on-rails adventure isn’t [...]
Geek Speak: Hands-on review: the Xbox One December 11, 2013 Microsoft’s new console is under fire from Sony’s PS4 – we put it through its paces XBOX ONE Microsoft | £429.99 Four Stars THE console wars are well and truly underway, with all three big players – Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo – having released their next-generation machines. Here is the lowdown on Microsoft’s latest device. [...]
Our pick of the launch-day titles December 11, 2013 Forza 5 The sixth title in the Forza Motorsport franchise has been released exclusively for Xbox One. It uses the new graphics engine to create a highly-realistic driving experience. Forza 4’s world tour tracks are replaced with levels divided into categories such as compact sports cars and track toys. Dead Rising 3 Dead Rising is [...]
Ways to keep your mobile data away from thieves December 4, 2013 As a new face-recognition security app hits an iPhone near you, we assess your top security options FaceCrypt PlusApp Store, £4.99FaceCrypt is an ingenious app that allows you to keep all of your passwords behind digital walls 10 feet thick (the algorithm needed to unlock it is military grade). To access your files, just flash [...]
Xbox One: know your console November 27, 2013 Everything you need to know about the long-awaited sequel to the Xbox 360 LIVE TV TV and video signals from set top boxes such as Sky, Freeview and Virgin can be fed through the console so you don’t have to switch inputs between gaming and watching TV. But British users have experienced compatibility problems, complaining [...]
New Legend of Zelda game is a nostalgic hit for fans of the franchise November 27, 2013 REVIEW LEGEND OF ZELDA: A LINK BETWEEN WORLDS | by Steve Dinneen Four Stars ASK any gamer of a certain age – between around 25 and 45 – what their favourite title is, and I reckon you have about a 30 per cent chance of them naming one of the Legend of Zelda series. Nintendo [...]
Geek Speak: Hands-on review: The iPad Mini November 24, 2013 @steve_dinneen iPAD MINI From £319 for 16GB wi-fi only Four Stars TWO weeks ago, I wrote a big review of the iPad Air, which I said was the best tablet on the market, despite not incorporating all the latest tech from the iPhone 5S. Now, I’m going to have to do it all again, because [...]
And here’s something nice to wrap it up in November 24, 2013 EMILY DICICCO BRINGS YOU THE VERY BEST iPAD CASES Smythson All of Smythson’s leather iPad Mini cases can be personalised with up to fifteen characters of text or images for just under £100. smythson.com; £235 Burberry Anyone who eats, sleeps and breaths Burberry will want this sleek and simple case to add to their collection. [...]