June 2013 – Mattina Technology

Ouya Unboxing

By MT

Ouya Unboxing Video

This morning I went to Best Buy around 10:30; I decided I was going to pick up the new Android gaming system called Ouya. When I went to the video game section at Best Buy I couldn’t find the Ouya. I proceeded to ask one of the representatives about it. He lead me to the very back of the video game section; the Ouya was hidden from plain site. It was the last Ouya on the shelf; I considered myself lucky and I asked the representative how many Ouya’s Best Buy had received. He told me that Best Buy had received four and two of them were preorders. I couldn’t believe it, there is no reason to hype a video game release just to make something seem more popular then it really is. The main purpose should be to sell as many consoles as you possibly can. In the future video game companies need to work better with their manufacturers to increase production.

iOS 7 Coming this Fall

By MT

The Apple iPhone is getting a new look and feel this fall. It is called iOS 7 and it is a major update to the current operating system on the iPhone. Apple is changing the design of their icons and adding some key new features. Apple is adding a control center; the control center allows the user to access their settings with just a swipe. Another new feature is the ability to add filters to your photos. Some of the filters that will be available include Noir, Fade and Instant. Apple is also changing how multitasking and notifications function. If you want to try out a demo of iOS 7 click here.

iOS 7 First Look

What am I looking forward to in Apple’s new update?

I am looking forward to the new control center that Apple is adding. It used to be a pain to change the Brightness and the WiFi. It used to be a three step process and now it is only a one step process. I am really excited about the control center in iOS 7.

What looks disappointing in the new operating system?

The design of the icons is a let down; it looks like these icons came out of a cartoon. They also look overly simple and lame. For example the new Game Center Application is literately four circles; it just isn’t very inspiring or innovative. However, I care more about the features and the new features look to make up for the lack of design.

Source: Apple

Nintendo @E3 2013

By MT

Nintendo showed some great games at E3 2013. However, this is the first year that Nintendo didn’t have a major press conference. Instead Nintendo showed an online presentation called Nintendo Direct. They truly showed why it is worth owning a 3DS and a Wii U. I am so glad that I bought my 3DS on the day it came out and that I bought the Wii U when it first came out.

What games did Nintendo show at E3?

They showed off a variety of first party and third party titles. One of the games that caught my eye was the New Super Smash game for 3DS and Wii U. They showed several trailers for the new game and they announced several new playable characters. They announced three new characters, Megaman, the Villager from Animal Crossing and the Wii Fit Girl. Nintendo also revealed a new Donkey Kong game called Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze. It is the sequel to Donkey Kong Country Returns. It is a side scrolling platformer that pits you against Vikings and Giant Walruses. Some of the other titles that Nintendo delved into include Mario Kart 8, Super Mario 3D World, Yoshi’s New Island, The Legend of Zelda a Link Between Worlds and New Super Lugi U. Nintendo also shared more details about the upcoming Pokemon X and Pokemon Y games. Both games will be released on October 12th, 2013 and they will be in 3-D.

Trailer created by Nintendo

How well did Nintendo perform at E3 this year?

I wasn’t very surprised by what I saw from Nintendo this year. In the past Nintendo has made some pretty big announcements at E3. In the past several months Nintendo has revealed most of the games that we saw at E3. The only games that really surprised me were Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze and Super Mario 3D World. I would give Nintendo a six out of ten at this years electronic expo.

Source: Nintendo’s E3 Website

Would you wear Google Glasses?

By MT

Google Glass is a revolutionary new product that allows individuals to do a number of tasks that normally require a smart phone to do. It is essentially a pair of glasses that you wear to take videos, snap pictures, get directions and ask questions. If it catches on it would change the way that humans interact on a daily basis. These glasses feel like they were taken right out of a spy movie. They are even being banned in certain building, including restaurants and bars. This is because of privacy; privacy will be a hurdle for Google and their new product.

Will the average consumer buy Google Glasses?

It depends on the final price, the final design and on how much they promote the product. I think that the average consumer would buy this product if the price is between 300 and 500 dollars. However the test units are selling for 1500 dollars; I don’t think the average consumer is willing to pay 1500 dollars for a pair of smart glasses. I do think there is a market for this product even if the average consumer doesn’t buy it. I believe that technology and gadget enthusiast will buy this product.

Will I purchase the Google Glasses?

Yes, if I have the money I will purchase the Google Glasses when they are released to the general public. I think the ability to take videos and pictures of what the user is seeing is really cool and different. I hope that they make a model that doesn’t require a contract because I am not willing to pay for data. I also hope the glasses have the ability to sync with your smartphone. Google Glass will change the way that individuals see the world.

Sources: Google Glass, Google Glass distribution begins June 6th in Los Angeles, $1500 price

Start Menu Returns on Windows

By MT

Microsoft is going to release an update to their current operating system this summer. It is exciting because a lot of individuals have not been happy with Windows 8. However this update doesn’t look as promising as it could have been. This update is going to bring the start button back; it is also going to allow the user to boot into the desktop when they turn there computer on. These are the most noticeable updates that Windows Blue will include.

Why doesn’t Windows Blue look that promising?

Windows Blue doesn’t look that promising because the start button doesn’t bring up the original start menu. Instead it just allows the user to enter the application screen. I don’t want two different interfaces on my computer at the same time. Windows should use the application interface for their tablets and the desktop interface for their desktops and their laptops. It confuses the consumer and it is not integrated well.

Will I be updating to Windows Blue when it comes out this summer?

Yes, I will be updating to Windows Blue when it is released this summer. Some of the features are a step in the right direction. I am glad that Microsoft is allowing the user to boot right up to the desktop. Another feature that I am looking forward to is the ability to snap three applications together all in the same window. If you are a Windows 8 user you should definitely update to Windows Blue when it is released. Just don’t expect anything revolutionary in Windows Blue.

Source: Microsoft outs the new features in Windows 8.1: Here’s what you need to know