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iPad 3 spotted in iOS 5, Winter 2011 refresh?
Sony will supply iPhone 5 camera sensors, 8-megapixel shooters incoming
Top 5 reasons iOS 5 tops the smartphone food chain
Nintendo Wii U: Every launch game revealed
Nintendo Wii U: First video!
Hardcore EA games, Battlefield 3 coming to new Nintendo console
Lego City Stories exclusive to WiiU and 3DS: Nintendo getting the third parties on board?
Nintendo Wii U official: Play games on the controller!
Luigi’s Mansion for Nintendo 3DS creeps out at E3
Starfox 64 3D teased at E3: New 3DS features revealed to take on the iPhone

iPad 3 spotted in iOS 5, Winter 2011 refresh?

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 02:54 PM PDT

Tucked away inside the developer build of iOS 5 is a reference to the third generation, iPad 3. Listed as the 'iPad3,1' and 'iPad3,2', this marks the first time we've seen explicit reference to the device by Apple. Could this be the Retina display-powered iPad we were hoping to see earlier this year?

With iOS 5 launching later this year, the popular consensus is an iPhone refresh, iPhone 4S, in September. Today's mention of the iPad 3 in iOS 5 changes the game, raising the possibility of a dual device announcement. Previously, we had expected Apple to follow its yearly product cycle of releasing one iPad towards the start of each year. Launching the iPad 3 this holiday season could change that trend.

Take the news with a grain of salt, but if you happen to spot an iPad 3 before year's end, just remember — you heard it here first.

Coming Soon | Apple | TBD

Sony will supply iPhone 5 camera sensors, 8-megapixel shooters incoming

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 01:09 PM PDT

If the omission of a fifth generation iPhone announcement at WWDC yesterday has you down, fear not. Industry insider DigiTimes is reporting that OmniVision has won a contract with Apple that will see both Sony and OmniVision supply Cupertino with 8-megapixel CMOS image sensors. While we can't give you a release date, doubts over the next generation iPhone's camera pedigree can be silenced.

According to the site, OmniVision grabbed a majority of the CMOS sensors headed to the iPhone 5. Meanwhile, power amplifier (PA) supplier Avago Technologies has landed orders for the WCDMA version of the device for its first time. Even more interesting is the confirmation of BSI (backside illumination):

The upcoming device will feature a built-in 8-megapixel camera, the sources added. TSMC will use BSI (backside illumination) process technology at its Fab 14 to produce CISs used in the new version of iPhone, the sources revealed.

There you have it, 8-megapixel camera sensors will hit the iPhone 5 compliments of Sony and OmniVision. As 9to5Mac hinted, the OmniVision OV5690 looks to be the front runner. With 1080p video capture capabilities, the iPhone 5 should be a treat — whenever it lands.

Coming Soon | Apple | TBD

Top 5 reasons iOS 5 tops the smartphone food chain

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 12:47 PM PDT

To say iOS 5 is a software overhaul is quite the understatement. Packed with more than 200 new features, the launch symbolizes the future of iOS as both a platform on smartphones and tablets. An intuitive notification system, updated camera application and iCloud services are just the tip of the iceberg. Here's your top 5 reasons iOS tops the smartphone food chain.

Mixing together the best aspects of Android, Windows Phone 7 and BlackBerry OS is only a small portion of the iOS 5 journey. The past four years of iOS have seen subtle changes and only a single major revision with iOS 4. Unlike previous iterations, Apple is going for the kill with iOS 5 and in its sights is the entire smartphone ecosystem.

1. No cords, period.
The USB cable is dead (except for charging). iOS 5 no longer requires a PC/Mac to setup, sync or update. Google started the trend with Android OTA updates and more recently with Google Music, but Apple put on the finishing touches and raised the bar. Unlike Android OTA updates where select devices on individual carriers receive an update in phases, Apple supports an ecosystem of 200 million iOS devices. Once updated to iOS 5, all future updates will occur automatically in the background while your iPod touch, iPad or iPhone charges — worldwide via WiFi.

2. iCloud is Google Music's big brother
iCloud takes the concept of Google Music, but leverages iTunes for a seemingly simpler and more efficient solution. All of your content in iTunes is available across all of your iOS devices. Your recent photos, videos and music are synchronized. Instead of having to upload all of your music, iTunes will instantly make available any music you've purchased via iTunes available to all of your devices. If you've downloaded music or ripped CDs from other sources, you'll have the option to pay $24.99/year to have the iTunes 256kbps version of those same songs. For someone with over 15,000 songs, not having to upload that music is a huge advantage — not to mention the lossless 256kbps quality iTunes offers.

3. iMessage delivers iOS synergy
FaceTime is a great method for calling fellow iPad and iPod touch owners, but sometimes you just want to fire off a message. Realizing that not everyone wants or has an iPhone has done wonders for Apple's software philosophy. Now, instead of having to use an instant messaging service or email to communicate with fellow iOS users, Apple has released iMessage. Just like RIM's BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), iMessage supports multimedia attachments, group messaging and offers real-time delivery status notifications — heck, you can even see if the other person is typing a message!

Leveraging the hundreds of millions of iOS users worldwide for a single messaging ecosystem is quite possibly the best idea out of Cupertino in years. We're not too sure how the carriers will feel about iMessage, but iOS users will love it.

4. WiFi Sync — all data, all devices
Beyond the basic syncing capabilities iCloud brings to the table, WiFi Sync makes the iOS experience even better. The next time you open up your Camera application and snap a photo, by way of Photo Stream sync, you'll be able to edit that image within moments on your iPad. Would you rather handle your image editing on a 3.5-inch display or 9.7?

With the new notification system, your iOS alerts reach your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch simultaneously. If you've ever had the unfortunate pleasure of using and iPad while your iPhone is in your pocket

5. Notification done right
Android notifications are rock solid. Whether you're talking about Android Honeycomb or Gingerbread, Google has done a great job. Apple on the other hand has done little to update its Notification System, until iOS 5. Using a similar pull down system, Apple has taken the Android foundation and built a more functional finished product. The Notification window is as much stylish as it is functional, delivering the polish we'd expect from an Apple solution. Where Apple really takes the notifications a step further can be seen in the lock screen. The next time you press the power/screen on button, you'll be presented with a complete breakdown of your alerts. If you'd like to unlock the device using the normal slide-to-unlock that's fine, but now you can slide-to-unlock each alert — taking you directly to its respective application.

Since we're talking about the lock screen, it's worth a mention that the Camera from lock (a trick Windows Phone pioneered) is a nice touch, as is the use of the volume up button as a hardware shutter key. One feature spotted, but not featured in the WWDC keynote yesterday was the inclusion of iPhone flash on calls and alerts. Finally, you can leave an iOS device on the table and not have to enable sound or vibration.

Coming Soon | Apple | Free

Nintendo Wii U: Every launch game revealed

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 11:10 AM PDT

Closing out the E3 show today was Nintendo, who as you know, unveiled its first HD console — the Nintendo Wii U (Project Cafe). As we answer the question of whether "it's unique, unifying or utopian", let's take a look at all of the confirmed titles. Teaser alert: Nintendo did not disappoint.

The unveiling consisted of 11 titles, some described in more detail than others. Confirmed titles are as follows: Super Smash Bros 4, Lego City Stories, Batman: Arkham City, an Assassin’s Creed game, Dirt, Ghost Recon Online, Tekken, Metro: Last Light, Aliens Colonial Marines, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge, and Darksiders II.

1. Super Smash Bros 4
Coming to both the Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS will be a new Super Smash Bros. title. The game will offer connectivity between the two version of the game, but what that connection might offer remains to be seen.

2. Lego City Stories
Like the new Super Smash Bros., Lego City Stories will be coming to both the Nintendo Wii U and 3DS. It's an open world game set in a massive Lego city. Gameplay details were limited, but expect plenty of customization options.

3. Batman: Arkham City
Rack another for a dual console launch, Batman: Arkham City will make use of the Nintendo Wii U's new controller and bring a new twist to the Arkham experience.

4. Assassin's Creed game
Since the Nintendo Wii U will not be released until 2012, the Assassin's Creed title will likely be the follow up to Revelations or simply a mention that the entire franchise will be coming to the next-gen console. We're not exactly sure since Nintendo kept the announcement rather vague.

5. Dirt
Dirt or Dirt 2, it's not clear. At least one title from the franchise is headed to the Wii U. The good news here is that Nintendo has locked in a serious off-road racing franchise. As much as we love playing Mario Kart, Dirt will bring the HD graphics necessary to showcase the Wii U.

6. Ghost Recon Online
The Nintendo Wii U controller will support Ghost Recon Online, announced yesterday during Sony's E3 press conference. As the perfect companion to the upcoming Ghost Recon release, Ghost Recon Online will be one of the first titles to showcase the power of the giant touchscreen on the Wii U.

7. Tekken
Was it TTT2 or is this an entirely new Tekken title showcased at E3? Nobody knows at this point, but the game will undoubtedly receive a warm welcome to commemorate its 16-year history. Let's see how well Nintendo can leverage that new controller in a fighting title.

8. Metro: Last Night
A first person shooter (FPS) which looks to put the Wii U graphics to the ultimate test, Metro: Last Night received a very strong reception with no shortage of praise for the graphics. This could be the title that re-defines the Wii as a professional gaming unit. As a PlayStation 3 owner, I'm impressed.

9. Aliens Colonial Marines
Not much was said about Aliens Colonial Marines other than confirmation it's coming to the Wii U. The screenshot (seen above) looks enticing, but we'll reserve judgement until we see some extended game play footage.

10. Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge
Another quietly confirmed, but nonetheless impressive, title announced was Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge.

11. Darksiders II
THQ came on stage to confirm Darksiders II for the Wii U. There was a short demo clip shown with the protagonist, the horseman Death, battling a gigantic monster before the clips faded out. Will Darksiders II make use of the Nintendo Wii U's HD graphics? It's hard to tell, but the game will also be coming to the PS3 and Xbox 360 next Spring so we'd assume so.

There's your first 11 titles for the Nintendo Wii U. Both EA Sports and Ubisoft have made formal commitments to support the next-gen console so expect a mass influx of titles as we approach the 2012 console launch. Nintendo is making moves friends, the world of HD awaits.

Coming 2012 | Nintendo | TBD

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Nintendo Wii U: First video!

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 10:49 AM PDT

Solid details on the Nintendo Wii U are extremely thin on the ground, but if you want to see how the new touchscreen, display streaming controller works, check out the very first trailer, right here!

Make yourself a brew, smack play below and watch as Nintendo US boss Reggie Fils-Aime reveals the Nintendo Wii U and its controller, pulling off all sorts of stunts including sharing a screen, acting as a drawing pad and as a scope on a gun accessory.

What do you make of the Nintendo Wii U? Will it work? Is the name just too daft? Shout up with your thoughts in the comments below.

Hardcore EA games, Battlefield 3 coming to new Nintendo console

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 10:18 AM PDT

At E3 2011 Nintendo president Satoru Iwata invited EA boss John Riccitiello to talk up the relationship between Nintendo and EA and how their new console, when it finally arrives in stores, will change the way we play games using its innovative new controller. Battlefield 3 on a Nintendo console? It’s going to happen.

“Imagine a shooter like battlefield brought to you on a Nintendo system”, the EA boss said. Any doubts that Nintendo’s new console won’t cater to the hardcore have already been erased. In terms of what this means for Nintendo new console, to release next year, it means Nintendo should be able to compete on level terms with both Sony and Nintendo.

Now that the floodgates have opened for hardcore games on a Nintendo console, which games would you like to see on the new console?

Lego City Stories exclusive to WiiU and 3DS: Nintendo getting the third parties on board?

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 10:08 AM PDT

Nintendo has partnered with TT Games to deliver a new open world Lego game exclusively to WiiU and Nintendo 3DS.

Could this be a sign that Nintendo is getting more third-parties on board. Nintendo believes that Wii U combined with the 3DS will deliver new gameplay experiences not seen anywhere else. and one of the first confirmed exclusives to test this out will be Lego City Stories.

We didn’t get to see it in action, but anything that sounds like a Grand Theft Auto game, with Lego gets our vote. We look forward to seeing the new innovative experiences promised by Nintendo.

Nintendo Wii U official: Play games on the controller!

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 09:51 AM PDT

The Nintendo Wii U is official: it’s Nintendo’s new console, and it comes with a controller-cum-tablet that lets you stream games right to it.

Speaking at E3 2011, Nintendo’s president Satoru Iwata focused on the Nintendo WiiU’s new controller, which features a 6.2-inch touchscreen, microphone, accelerometers, gyroscope, thumbpads, D-pad and shoulder buttons.

The “new controller for Wii U with 6.2-inch screen built in means you won’t need to give up your gameplay when someone else comes into the room and wants to watch a TV program,” he said.

The screen on the Nintendo Wii U can be used as a second screen for games or web browsing, or to stream the main screen. Previous Wii games are supported, and accessories are too – it was shown working with the Wii Balance Board in a trailer, and as a doodle pad to draw Link of Zelda fame.

Nintendo will be showing prototype software on the Wii U controller to journalists at the convention this week, including a demo in which a Mii avatar plays alongside Mario in a platform game. Nintendo US president Reggie Fils-Aime stressed that these would not be launch titles.

A trailer was then shown confirming some games in development, including Lego City Stories, Assassin’s Creed, Tekken, Alien Colonial Marines (Sega), Ninja Gaiden 3 and Ghost Recon. Nintendo president Iwata also revealed famous Smash Bros franchise will appear on the Nintendo Wii U console.

EA CEO John Riccitiello then took the stage to confirm the publishing giant would support the platform (mentioning EA Sports), and offer full online play support. “We can’t wait to see EA games on this new system,” he said.

Iwata has yet to reveal the actual console beyond the press pic you see above, and could well have not settled on a final design just yet.

Stay tuned for more from E3 as it happens.

Luigi’s Mansion for Nintendo 3DS creeps out at E3

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 09:41 AM PDT

Luigi’s Mansion was something of a cult hit, and by far the best launch title for the Nintendo GameCube when it launched a decade ago. Now, it’s getting a Nintendo 3DS sequel, Ninty US boss Reggie Fils-Aime revealed today at E3.

“The first brother of video games is back, and he’s got his vacuum,” said Fils-Aime, before showing a crowd of journalists a trailer for the game, which appears to offer more of the ghoul sucking action for the home console original, with spruced up 3D graphics – and several mansions to explore.

“it’s not a simple revision, it’s an entirely new game making an extraordinary use of 3D,” he said.

No word of a release date just yet but we’ll let you know as soon as we hear.

Out TBC | £TBC | Nintendo

Starfox 64 3D teased at E3: New 3DS features revealed to take on the iPhone

Posted: 07 Jun 2011 09:37 AM PDT

Reggie Fils-Aime took to the E3 stage to show and tell Star Fox 3D, otherwise known as Lylat Wars 3D over here, for the Nintendo 3DS. We’ve heard about it before, but not about the new features just unveiled.

Players will be able to steer using the accelerometers built withing the 3DS or use the thumbtack and buttons like as usual.

Multiplayer will take things up a notch for portable Nintendo gaming too. The 3DS cameras will catch every reaction of the player when playing against others, grabbing the reaction of your mug when you lose.

Starfox 3D for Nintendo 3DS will arrive in stores this September.