Tech Fetish Episode 148: We Welcome iPad Mini & Microsoft Surface

The Tech Fetish crew chats Apple's hardware-saturated iPad Mini press event, and how we think Apple's new tablet stacks up against the reigning 7" kings. Nic bought a Microsoft Surface RT and it accidentally changed his Xbox GamerTag to SunflowerWharf4, but we still think the Windows tablet is cool.

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Justin is the Rose to Nic's Titanic.

Listener George is workin' on his Tech Fetish-inspired beard.

Source : ign[dot]com

Sony to Support PS3 Until at Least 2015

Sony's VP of hardware marketing John Koller has revealed the company will continue to support the PS3 until at least 2015 with a range of first-party content. "A lot of great content is coming," Koller suggested, continuing, "And over the next 2-3 years, the PS3 has got an incredible lineup."

In an interview with Gamespot, Koller also said "We're going to continue supporting the PS3 for the next few years. Absolutely. And we're going to continue supporting it not only that long, but as long as there is a development spigot that's running hot. And I can tell you right now, the development spigot for PS3 is very hot. A lot of great games coming."

Quite what these games may be remains a mystery, especially extending so far into the future, but it's interesting to ponder what this means in relation to when the PS4 will be released. It seems pretty likely that there's going to be some overlap between the PS3 and PS4 in terms of support, the question is for just how long?

Let the speculation begin!

Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Editorial Assistant. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on IGN and on Twitter.

Source : ign[dot]com

Win A 46" 3DTV And PlayStation 3 With Medal Of Honor: Warfighter

Ahead of Medal Of Honor: Warfighter's October 26th release, we're launching a new competition to give you the chance to win some incredible hardware. For the last few weeks IGN readers were given the opportunity to choose your ultimate gaming prize and the voting has now closed.

We're happy to announce that we're giving away a 46-inch 3DTV and a PlayStation 3 so that you can play EA's upcoming shooter as it was intended to be played - on a massive screen with the volume turned up to the max!

HOW TO ENTER

If you want to get involved all you need to do is head to...

http://uk-microsites.ign.com/medalofhonor/ 

...and click on the competition link at the very top of the page then click on the button marked Enter.

You've got until 10am on September 18 2012 to submit your details, so what are you waiting for soldier?

This competition is open to UK residents over the age of 18 only, with full terms and conditions on the competition page.

Source : ign[dot]com

Valve Confirms Hardware Development

A job listing on Valve’s site confirms that the company will begin developing hardware. A listing for an industrial designer says “Valve is traditionally a software company. Open platforms like the PC and Mac are important to us, as they enable us and our partners to have a robust and direct relationship with customers. We’re frustrated by the lack of innovation in the computer hardware space though, so we’re jumping in.”

The post continues, adding that Valve is interested in creating new user experiences. “Even basic input, the keyboard and mouse, haven’t really changed in any meaningful way over the years,” it says. “There’s a real void in the marketplace, and opportunities to create compelling user experiences are being overlooked.”

The post specifies that the position will add “expertise in product design and manufacturing, ergonomics, usability, aesthetics, and surfacing.” Candidates are also expected to have “6+ years of professional experience shipping world-class, high-tech hardware products” and “a thorough understanding of product design principles.”

Speculation about Valve’s entry into the hardware market has been flying since March, when rumors suggested Valve was working on a Steam Box console. Valve later debunked the rumors, commenting that the world is “a long way from Valve shipping out any sort of hardware.” Later, a listing for an electronics engineer to work on "platform hardware" emerged, as well as a blog post discussing wearable computing.

We’ve reached out to Valve for comment about the job listing and will update with any additional information we receive.

Thanks to CVG for the heads up.

Andrew Goldfarb is IGN’s associate news editor. Keep up with pictures of the latest food he’s been eating by following him on Twitter or IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Madden NFL 13 Will Arrive At Wii U Launch

EA has confirmed Madden NFL 13 will be a Wii U launch title. However, the impact of new hardware is evident, as not all key features of Madden 13 will make it to Wii U.

First and foremost, Nintendo's version of Madden 13 will not feature the revamped Infinity Engine, which revamps the franchise's physics in a major way. Our own Greg Miller noted this overhaul changed the feel of the game, making each play feel more like "a fight" than before. In an interview with ESPN, producer Yuri Bialoskursky said "It’s not for a lack of want. We definitely wanted to get the physics into the game. The Infinity Engine is something that is a point of interest for “Madden” fans, it’s just something we weren’t able to achieve for this first year on the new hardware. A lot of times, new hardware comes with new challenges."

EA is bringing many of the key Madden 13 features to Wii U, which is being developed by a dedicated team. Ideas like Total Control Passing, Girdiron Club and the new commentators are on the way. Plus the integration with Wii U's GamePad will allow players to make faster play calls, substitute players and create custom hot routes on the fly, changing the way sports fans will interact with a Madden game. Another key feature being brought to Wii U is Connected Careers, which allows up to 32 players to form a league. Bialoskursky noted that online is a big emphasis for Nintendo this time around, aligning with EA's own interests for its sports titles. On the downside, however, the Madden Ultimate Team feature will not be present this time around.

Speaking with IGN, Bialoskursky said his team's key focus this time around was making sure Wii U owners would have an authentic HD experience. That a game coming at a system's launch doesn't quite execute at the same level as its counterparts on systems that are now six and seven years old is almost par for the course, though it doesn't mean that EA isn't trying to give Nintendo owners as much as possible.

Rich is an Executive Editor at IGN.com and the leader of the IGN Nintendo team. Follow his ridiculous adventures through IGN and Twitter. Keep it cool, Koopalings.

Source : ign[dot]com

Nexus Q Gets More Features, Major Delay

Google's first manufactured hardware won't be on sale this July, as previously advertised. Instead, the Nexus Q will be headed back to the drawing board - or at least halfway there - where it will be receiving additional features and functionality.

The Nexus Q, which was revealed at Google I/O 2012, features media streaming, NFC capabilities, and tight integration with the Nexus 7. But when put in direct comparison to other media streaming boxes, the Nexus Q was different in two ways: 1) It wasn't a box. 2) It was about $200 more than comparable setups.

Ultimately, reviewers lamented the lack of features and the price.

But what about those that pre-ordered the device at the mind-bogglingly expensive price tag of $300? Well, those pre-orders aren't disappearing - Google loyalists will be getting the Nexus Q for free. Google shot the following email to pre-orderers:

We have an important update about your Nexus Q pre-order.

When we announced Nexus Q at Google I/O, we gave away devices to attendees for an early preview. The industrial design and hardware were met with great enthusiasm. We also heard initial feedback from users that they want Nexus Q to do even more than it does today. In response, we have decided to postpone the consumer launch of Nexus Q while we work on making it even better.

To thank you for your early interest, we’d like to extend the Nexus Q preview to our pre-order customers and send you a free device. If you had other items in your order, your credit card will be charged for those items only.

Your Nexus Q will be on its way soon and you will receive a notification and tracking number from Google Play when it ships.

The Nexus Q Team

While we saw no real reason to buy the device at $300 with its current slate of features, with more on the way we're excited to see what the next Nexus Q will be capable of.

We'll let you know as soon as we learn any new information about the Nexus Q 2.0.

Nic is the Editor of IGN Tech. He loves technology almost as much as Starbursts, Boyz II Men, and Halo: Reach. You can follow him on Twitter and IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com