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Portal 2 Playstation Move, Mortal Kombat, Desire S: US Update
Apple television HDTV hinted in job posting
Android manufacturers don’t get software: CEO of INQ
Google Docs Viewer adds Excel, Powerpoint, Photoshop and nine other formats
HTC Desire S pre-orders live: £419.99 ships April 18th
Mortal Kombat delayed, battle begins April 21st for UK
Portal 2 for PS3 supports Playtation Move and cross-platform play
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play and Google Nexus S in white, the best tablets of Mobile World Congress: Teatime Tech
Best iPhone apps: app of the day – Fancy
Best iPad apps: app of the day – Back to the Future Ep 1 HD

Portal 2 Playstation Move, Mortal Kombat, Desire S: US Update

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 06:30 PM PST

The week has finally come to a close, we've wrapped up MWC 2011 and now it's time to come full circle. In today's US Update we lay out Portal 2 Playstation Move support, update the UK Mortal Kombat release date, reveal the HTC Desire S pricing and more.

First up, Portal 2 for PS3 will feature Playstation Move support. The functionality is currently in development, but Valve promises support and confirmed PS3 owners will be able to play against PC and Mac users via Steam. Portal 2 for PS3 could be the best version coming.

The ninth installment of Mortal Kombat is delayed. Warner Bros. confirmed the UK release will now take place on April 21st. Oh well for Mortal Monday. The HTC Desire S is now listed on Amazon UK with an April 18th release and priced at £419.99, are you ready to bite?

Google docs viewer has just added support for Microsoft Excel, Powerpoint, Photoshop and nine other formats. The need for desktop software is finally coming to a close. The CEO of INQ, Frank Meehan, has dished some unkind words for Android manufacturers while praising Apple. He claims that Android is focused on "elite early adopter customers" and not the "cool kids".

Last up this morning is an update to the Apple television rumors. In a job posting released today, Apple explicitly references power supplies for standalone TVs. Does this mean we'll see a real Apple television in 2011?

That wraps up your daily dose of tech news. As always I'm Nick Marshall and I'll see you again Monday.

Apple television HDTV hinted in job posting

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 05:50 PM PST

Since 2008 we've heard rumors that Apple was planning to launch their own line of TVs. No, not the Apple TV set-top box, but an actual full-fledged television. Today, a job posting for an AC/DC power supply design engineer went live and the once dormant rumors sparked back to life.

The wording from the job listing is as follows:

The position primarily involves high-density offline power supply's development for Apple's next generation Macintosh platforms spanning from notebook computers, desktop computers, servers, standalone displays and TV.

The reference to "standalone displays and TV" fueled the fire, currently simmering across the inter-webs. For now, this is the extent of the rumor and we have no confirmation such a plan exists. Will we see the Apple television in 2011? Your guess is as good as mine. For now enjoy the render.

via 9to5Mac

Android manufacturers don’t get software: CEO of INQ

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 05:31 PM PST

INQ chief executive officer Frank Meehan has some words of advice for Android manufacturers. Instead of focusing on specs and "elite early adopter customers", start thinking about what the cool kids want. In an no holds barred interview with Mashable at MWC 2011, the CEO explains why the INQ Cloud Touch is built for success despite having a meager 600 MHz processor.

Frank Meehan isn't interested in making friends with fellow Android manufacturers. Instead, he believes in delivering the cold hard truth.

"Android manufacturers are all just focused utterly on the tech, because they're all hardware guys," he says. "They don't get software. They've tried to outdo Apple with hardware, but the problem is the customer doesn't care. The Samsung Galaxy has done pretty well, but it's just price-driven. It's not desire-driven. There are no lines out the door to get a Galaxy. They've done all this work on branding, but the name doesn't mean anything to consumers. It's like calling a phone 'Alpha Centauri' or 'Uranus." – Frank Meehan

The INQ Cloud Touch, HTC Salsa and HTC ChaCha will be the first of dozens of Facebook phones released in 2011. While Mr. Meehan likes what HTC is doing, he thinks that only adding a Facebook button to a keyboard is insufficient.

"Android is fantastic, it's a brilliant tool," he says. "But most people here think it's about mucking about inside the Android code, but it's nothing to do with that. You've got to do better experiences with the tools you get. What can you do better for the customer? Give me something useful."

The interview really takes a spin for the worse when he begins to praise Apple:

"Every time CES and MWC come around, they're all sitting there slapping each other on the back," he says. "Then out comes the iPad, and people are like, 'Oh sh*t, we got to redo our product roadmap.' Half the stuff disappears off the roadmap like that." The iPad 2 and iPhone 5 will have the same effect, he predicts.

Now that you've heard Frank Meehan's opinion about the current state of Android. What do you think about his analysis? Android manufacturers certainly set the bar in terms of smartphone benchmarks and innovation, but is this a bad thing?

via Mashable

Google Docs Viewer adds Excel, Powerpoint, Photoshop and nine other formats

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 04:51 PM PST

Online document viewing via Google Docs just became a whole lot more useful. Today, the world's best online document viewer completes the Microsoft Office trifecta — adding both Powerpoint and Excel format support to complement Word. Here's a breakdown of all 12 formats now supported.

According to the Google Docs Blog, the viewer now supports: Microsoft Excel (.XLS and .XLSX), Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 / 2010 (.PPTX), Apple Pages (.PAGES), Adobe Illustrator (.AI), Adobe Photoshop (.PSD), Autodesk AutoCad (.DXF), Scalable Vector Graphics (.SVG), PostScript (.EPS, .PS), TrueType (.TTF), and XML Paper Specification (.XPS).

Whether you're looking to view attachments from Gmail or sharing content with other users, being able to view file formats that traditionally need software from within the web browser is key. Existing Gmail users, it's business as usual — the "View" link at the end of emails with attachments will work seamlessly.

Out Now | Google Docs Blog | Free

HTC Desire S pre-orders live: £419.99 ships April 18th

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 04:27 PM PST

The HTC Desire S will be released on April 18th in the UK according to an Amazon UK pre-order page. Available for £419.99 off contract, the Desire S looks to be priced in line with the current HTC Desire HD. HTC is on their way to meeting their Q2 2011 availability estimate.

Sometimes you have to pay to play. Such is the case for soon-to-be HTC Desire S owners. HTC appears to be content with offering off-contract handsets for roughly £419.99 at launch. The original Desire began the trend, the Desire HD followed and the Desire S will continue.

In related HTC MWC 2011 news, Amazon Germany currently has the HTC Flyer available for pre-order. Priced at €669, the Flyer could be the most expensive seven inch tablet in existence. No release date is listed, but HTC's press release indicated Q2 2011 to coincide with the Desire S release.

Amazon Germany is also listing the Incredible S for €519, the Wildfire S for €299 and the Desire S for €499. As with any pre-order page on Amazon, these details are subject to change. Let us know what you think about the purported pricing and whether or not the lack of a dual-core smartphone from HTC will factor into your decision.

The Motorola Xoom pricing isn't look so bad after all.

via AndroidCentral

Mortal Kombat delayed, battle begins April 21st for UK

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 04:02 PM PST

Xbox 360 and PS3 gamers in the UK will have to wait a couple days longer than expected for the ninth installment of the Mortal Kombat franchise. According to Waner Bros., the game will hit UK retailers on Thursday, April 21st. It looks like Mortal Monday is now Mortal Thursday.

Here's the scoop. In an interview with MVC, Warner Bros. confirmed the change in release for the UK this morning. In the US, Mortal Kombat will go on sale April 19th, two days later the UK will launch. Originally, a worldwide release was scheduled for April 18th, dubbed Mortal Monday.

It's been a long and windy road since the original 1992 arcade release of Mortal Kombat. During the past 9 years, the franchise has sold over 26 million copies worldwide and the latest installment looks to be the best yet.

If you are a die-hard Mortal Kombat brawler and planning to purchase the Mortal Kombat blu-ray (also scheduled for April 19th), inside you'll find a DLC code. However, this downloadable content is only for PS3 gamers. According to blu-ray.com,

"With the purchase of either title, you can receive a voucher code for a free exclusive Jade character costume download for the PS3 version of the upcoming game Mortal Kombat."

So, who else is counting the days until Mortal Kombat is released? I think Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 for iPad will hold me over, but another MK trailer might push me over the edge.

April 21 | Mortal Kombat | £37.79

Portal 2 for PS3 supports Playtation Move and cross-platform play

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 03:39 PM PST

On track for an April release (fingers crossed), Valve's Portal 2 will feature "complete PlayStation Move support". While the capability is not full integrated yet, Valve is looking to offer PS3 gamers some consolation for missing out on Left 4 Dead. Did we mention Portal 2 for PS3 allows cross-platform play with PC gamers via Steam?

PC gaming generally delivers the best overall experience, whether that means online game play or updates and bonus content. Portal 2 looks to end this trend by offering Playstation 3 owners the ability to control gameplay with the Playstation Move.

Valve's Chet Faliszek had this to say about Portal 2 Playstation Move support, “Move is also a completely new experience for us, thus the system isn’t fully integrated yet". The real question is whether Move support will be integrated at launch or in a subsequent update.

Unlike Half Life Orange Box which used an external team to develop the console version, Valve now builds out games in-house. They've even created a special console department just to ensure consistent gameplay across platforms.

“We made a promise to gamers at E3 that Portal 2 for the PS3 would be the best console version of the product,” said Valve boss Gabe Newell. “PS3 gamers will be able to simply drop the Blu-ray disc in the PS3, link to their Steam account from inside the game, and all their Steam friends (on PC and Mac) will be visible and accessible for chat and game invites.”

It looks like the Playstation 3 version of Portal 2 will be the one to buy. Being able to play across platforms and use the Playstation Move should deliver some impressive game play. For the Portal fans in attendance, show us a sign of hands if you plan on picking up the title for the PS3.

via Eurogamer

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play and Google Nexus S in white, the best tablets of Mobile World Congress: Teatime Tech

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 09:55 AM PST

That’s it folks – another week over. For you anyway – us, we’re working on right around the clock to bring you the latest and greatest in gadget news. See what made the headlines this afternoon here in our teatime tech roundup.

Let’s talk Android first, as Google’s OS has dominated today: we got a peek at new versions of both the stunning Google Nexus S and Sony Ericsssn Xperia Play in white, so be sure to check them out. What might not be so pleasing to see however is the first SIM-free pricetag for the LG Optimus 3D.

The controversy around Apple’s move to force everyone to offer in-app payments for iPhone rolls on meanwhile: the latest details emerging show that Amazon faces an uphill struggle to keep a Kindle app on iOS.

Finally, as we jetted off back from Barcelona to greet and dreary Britain, we rounded up the best tablets of Mobile World Congress – see what made the cut.

Still want more news? Roll on over to the homepage and help yourself to it all as it breaks!

Best iPhone apps: app of the day – Fancy

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 09:25 AM PST

If you often find yourself stuck trying to think of a unique gift for a friend or family member or just like shopping, Fancy is one of the best iPhone apps for fashion and shopping we’ve ever seen. It allows you to share cool finds from the web and follow other people to see what they’re digging.

Clothes, accessories and other cool things you can buy are separated into categories and you can shuffle lists to get a little bit of serendipity in there. The Fancy interface is not too fancy itself with a really clean design that focuses on showing you cool clothes rather than getting in the way with UI. It’s a great free app and could be a lifesaver when you realise you’ve forgotten your girlfriend/boyfriend/mad aunt has a birthday coming up.

Out now | £free | iTunes

Best iPad apps: app of the day – Back to the Future Ep 1 HD

Posted: 18 Feb 2011 09:00 AM PST

The latest in our distinguished line of best iPad apps takes inspiration from one of the most fondly remembered film trilogies of all time. Back to the Future Ep 1 HD for iPad is a time-travelling point and click adventure, and well a worth a look if you’re one of the many Back to the Future fans.

You play as Marty McFly, who must travel back in time to to save Doc Brown, who is stuck in the past. And not just because he’s an old timer. You know this app is the real deal when it’s been developed in collaboration with Bob Gale – the co-writer of the films. Watch out for five more future episodes. We definitely will be.

Out now | £3.99 | iTunes

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Friday, 18 February 2011

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