Android 4.2 updates, the PlayStation 4, Xbox Surface and much more

 

It’s been another epic week in gadgetry and gaming, and we wouldn’t blame you for struggling to keep up with it all. It’s just as well we’re here to do that for you: read on for our round-up of all the hottest stories of the week, here in the Gadget Digest.

Souped up smartphones

It’s been a busy week in all things Android. Google’s new version of its smartphone operating system, 4.2, is barely a week old, but it appears it’s already heading to the Samsung Galaxy S3 super phone. Not to be outdone, we started seeing the first signs that HTC’s incredible full HD phone, the HTC J Butterfly, is making the leap from Japan to the West.

Next-gen consoles

Microsoft’s got a new Xbox on the way, but it’s not what you think. It’s actually a tablet, according to sources, and it’ll run touchscreen games much like an iPad – but as we revealed in our feature, Microsoft’s no stranger to this form of handheld gaming. Meanwhile, we pulled together our wishlist of must-have features inside the Sony PS4: is there anything else you’d like to see?

Smart TV

Over on the smart TV front meanwhile, Google turned up the heat on Apple TV a little with the addition of movie and TV streaming on Google TV boxes in the UK. Virgin meanwhile took on its arch-rival Sky by releasing its TV Anywhere service for laptops, computers and iPhone and iPad. But as we found out, it has a few catches.

Games galore

While all the big tech for Christmas has already been announced, things are only just getting started on the gaming side of things. On mobile, Angry Birds Star Wars touched down and we checked out the bizarre Curiosity cube, which holds a life-changing prize for someone within. Over in console land, we also took a gander at Need For Speed: Most Wanted, and set loose our full review of Halo 4. Has it been worth the wait?

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Viewsonic's massive tablet, Doom 3 coming to PS3, Xbox 360, LOVEFiLM gets HD streaming, and more

 

It’s that time again. In Gadget Digest we pick out a handful of stories we didn’t get the chance to share with you from earlier in the week. This week’s tech roundup is a nice little mix of entertainment news, gaming, music and tablets.

That sounds like a fun weekend, right? .

LOVEFiLM launches HD service secures exclusive NBCUniversal deal in battle with Netflix

In the battle for on-demand film and entertainment supremacy, LOVEFiLM has signed a multi-year agreement with NBCUniversal that will let customers exclusively watch films such as ‘Kick-Ass’, ‘Despicable Me’ and ‘Bourne Legacy’. LOVEFiLM also launched its HD service, giving customers the gift of full 1080p HD viewing where available. That’s as good a reason as any to get out the popcorn, we say.

Doom 3 to relaunch on PS3, Xbox 360, PC this autumn

Forget Call of Duty for a moment and cast your eyes and memories back to Doom – the series that made first-person shooters so popular many years back. A Doom 3: BFG Edition will be launching this autumn on PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, with 3D support. As if that wasn’t enough, a single player story mode will bring seven new missions to Doom 3. Watch out for that, soon.

Pure Contour 200i Air: Pure’s first Apple AirPlay radio

Radio experts Pure has launched what could be the first of many Apple Airplay products. The Pure Contour 200i Air connects to a home Wi-Fi network to support wireless streaming from Apple devices such as an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad tablet. Naturally the Pure Contour 200i Air also works with Pure Music – Pure’s music streaming service giving users access to thousands of extra tracks and radio stations. The Pure Contour 200i Air is available now for £199.99.

Viewsonic launches massive tablet

When is a tablet not a tablet? When it measures nearly 22-inches. That’s when, but that hasn’t stopped Viewsonic calling its Viewsonic VCD22 tablet that. the exact measurements come in at 21.5-inches. The display is full HD. Other features include a 1GHz dual-core Texas Instruments processor, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, 1.2-megapixel camera micro HDMI port, and three handy USB ports. Pricing and release date details have yet to be revealed.

Seen anything else in the tech world you want to point out? Drop us a mention in the comments below. Have a great weekend, gadget fans

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Top 5 party console games for Christmas 2011

The current crop of games consoles have shattered the notion that gaming is anti-social once and for all. Today’s consoles are all about entertainment, movement and fun – in other words, they’re perfect for a party. Join us as we look at five top titles to get the party started this Christmas.
This time of year is party season, but instead of dishing up the same old combo of snacks, tunes and small talk, why not spice the occasion up with some party games to get everyone involved? With all three major consoles now featuring motion control add-ons, gaming is more active and immersive than ever before, so let’s check out the top party games on the shelves right now.

Just Dance 3 (all platforms)There are loads of dance titles out there, but we’ve selected Just Dance 3 because not only is it one of the best of the breed, but it’s also available on all three platforms and is one of the newest titles on the scene. Up to four players can dance together (or eight on the Wii) and you can even create your own dance routine for your fellow players to try and emulate.
We Sing Rock (Wii)We Sing was the first karaoke game to appear on the Wii, and the franchise has now gone on to sell more than a million copies worldwide. The latest release is focused around rock music, but features the same well-designed formula of fun and interactivity that has made the series so successful. Checking out your mates doing their best Alice Cooper or Motorhead impressions should be worth a few laughs this Christmas!

Wii Party (Wii)The Wii’s rival consoles have come a long way since Wii Party first surfaced more than a year ago now, but it remains a great example of what made Nintendo’s console such a favourite in the first place. Just about useless for a solo player, Wii Party cranks up the fun for two to four players with a series of games designed to raise a smile and get everyone involved.

Michael Jackson: The Experience (all platforms)The King of Pop had a style all his own, and now you can showcase your own dancing and singing talents against the backdrop of nearly all of MJ’s best-known hits. Perfect your signature dance moves and you’ll unlock achievements, plus of course you’ll earn the adoration of thousands of fans. A treat for Jackson fans, and good fun for everyone else, The Experience is well worth considering.

Mario & Sonic at the London Olympic Games (Wii)For some unashamedly simple multi-player gaming giggles, surely the Mario and Sonic mashup to mark London’s hosting of the Olympic Games next year delivers a gold medal performance. It’s comprehensive enough that there’s something for everyone, but doesn’t take itself so seriously that things become overly competitive. A solid choice for any party.