(Credit: RIM)

Is it a coincidence that Apple’s iPhone 2.2 update was released on the same day the BlackBerry Storm hit stores with a touch screen, 3G connectivity, and enterprise-friendly functionality that rivals anything Apple has on the market?

I think not.

Today’s iPhone update is Apple’s first salvo of many in its fight against Research In Motion for dominance over the cell phone industry. Some might say Apple’s decision to update the iPhone is pure coincidence, but I don’t think that the company is that naive.

Apple realizes that RIM is releasing a major offering that could shake Steve Jobs and Co. to its core, and it doesn’t want anyone to think it’s not doing everything it can to continually update its own product.

But Apple’s decision to release the update just as RIM releases the Storm strikes me as one of the most fascinating moves the company has made in quite some time. After checking out the update and considering the timing, I can’t help but wonder if Apple is more than a tiny concerned about the BlackBerry Storm and RIM in general.

Sure, it’s simple for some to state Apple has no reason to be scared of RIM, because the iPhone’s popularity keeps growing, and its business functionality is now on par with RIM’s, but I’m not so swift to concur. The BlackBerry Storm appeals to consumers who want a “next generation” cell phone, as well as company employees that want a new BlackBerry with all the extra fixins, to boot.

Say what you’ll, but Apple is scared. And it should be.

…

source The Digital Home

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Yesterday we discussed the Black Friday deals planned for the Xbox Live Marketplace. In case you did not notice, these Thanksgiving deals are US-only, just like most good stuff. According to Microsoft’s Major Nelson, however, extending these discounts to other regions just isn’t possible. Why? Uh … issues … that’s why.

“I gave the feedback about having this available for other regions,” explains Nelson. “but due to a lot of issues it wasn’t possible. ”

Yes, that’s incredibly informative and absolutely explains why Europe and other territories are getting the shaft. Let’s face it, the only “issue” here is that Microsoft likes charging extra money for its fake currency in non-US regions, and doesn’t want all that nickel n’ diming to go to waste.

Now tell me, Microsoft, why should a European gamer pay 800 points for Rez when he knows damn well that others are getting it for 500? Please remember the World wide web is global, and people find out about this stuff roughly three seconds before it’s announced. Bullsh*t of this nature kind of upsets people.

Via Destructoid

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Yesterday we discussed the Black Friday deals planned for the Xbox Live Marketplace. In case you didn’t notice, these Thanksgiving deals are US-only, just like most good stuff. According to Microsoft’s Major Nelson, however, extending these discounts to other regions just isn’t possible. Why? Uh … issues … that’s why.

“I gave the feedback about having this available for other regions,” explains Nelson. “but due to a lot of issues it wasn’t possible. ”

Yes, that’s incredibly informative and totally explains why Europe and other territories are getting the shaft. Let’s face it, the only “issue” here’s that Microsoft likes charging extra money for its fake currency in non-US regions, and doesn’t want all that nickel n’ diming to go to waste.

Now tell me, Microsoft, why should a European gamer pay 800 points for Rez when he knows damn well that others are getting it for 500? Please remember the Internet is global, and people find out about this stuff roughly three seconds before it’s announced. Bullsh*t of this nature kind of upsets people.

Via Destructoid

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Just as we dangled in front of you a few weeks ago, it appears as though the next Assassin’s Creed will be in a much different setting. Recently, games mega analyst Michael Pachter let it slip during an interview with GameTrailers that Altair will be traversing buildings “sometime in the 1700s.” He then proceeded to say that it could possibly revolve around the French Revolution.

If the game is placed in the French Revolution, there are quite a few exciting years it could explore. Will Altair be embroiled in another religious conflict or will Ubisoft put him smack dab in the middle of the Reign of Terror? My hope is for the Reign of Terror because I’m a large fan of the guillotine.

Either way, a new setting is definitely happening. Hopefully, Altair can learn a few new tricks during his time warp. I would hate to have to dive in a French haystack.

[via GiantBomb]

Via Destructoid

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Just as we dangled in front of you a few weeks ago, it appears as though the next Assassin’s Creed will be in a much different setting. Recently, games mega analyst Michael Pachter let it slip during an interview with GameTrailers that Altair will be traversing buildings “sometime in the 1700s.” He then proceeded to say that it could possibly revolve around the French Revolution.

If the game is placed in the French Revolution, there are quite a few exciting years it could explore. Will Altair be embroiled in another religious conflict or will Ubisoft put him smack dab in the middle of the Reign of Terror? My hope is for the Reign of Terror because I’m a huge fan of the guillotine.

Either way, a new setting is definitely happening. Hopefully, Altair can learn a few new tricks during his time warp. I would hate to have to dive in a French haystack.

[via GiantBomb]

Via Destructoid

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In a shocking show of corporate greed and defilement, Rare’s studio manager Mark Betteridge has made it clear to gamesindustry.biz that his studio will seek to “own” the entirety of the Avatar product market and will continue to use the cutesy creations in the future. Betteridge prefaced his Avatar-owning statement by admitting that third celebrations want in on the market space, but Rare will attempt to control it all.

From the interview:

There’s a lot of interest in avatars by third celebrations, as you can imagine. As standalone avatar products, we want to own that space, because we think it’s a massive, massive space going forward – it appeals across genres, across age ranges, demographics, and there’s an enormous opportunity there.

There you’ve it folks, the small developer who created the critically acclaimed FPS Perfect Dark Zero now seeks to control one of the most pivotal markets on Xbox Live. In addition to wanting it all right now, Betteridge made clear that Avatars are just in their infancy and described last week’s release as just a “foot in the door.”

More like a foot in my pocketbook, Rare.

Via Destructoid

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In a shocking show of corporate greed and defilement, Rare’s studio manager Mark Betteridge has made it clear to gamesindustry.biz that his studio will seek to “own” the entirety of the Avatar product market and will continue to use the cutesy creations in the future. Betteridge prefaced his Avatar-owning statement by admitting that third parties want in on the market space, but Rare will attempt to control it all.

From the interview:

There’s a lot of interest in avatars by third parties, as you can imagine. As standalone avatar products, we want to own that space, because we think it’s a big, big space going forward – it appeals across genres, across age ranges, demographics, and there’s an enormous opportunity there.

There you’ve it folks, the small developer who created the critically acclaimed FPS Perfect Dark Zero now seeks to control one of the most pivotal markets on Xbox Live. In addition to wanting it all right now, Betteridge made clear that Avatars are just in their infancy and described last week’s release as just a “foot in the door.”

More like a foot in my pocketbook, Rare.

Via Destructoid

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If you don’t already own Arkadian Warriors, then you are an idiot. One-of-a-kind features such as co-operative roleplaying action, enthralling combat and amazing character interaction work together to produce what is one of Xbox Live’s greatest digital triumphs. Don’t worry if you missed out the first time around, however, because this Friday’s post-Thanksgiving sale will see Arkadian Warriors priced at a ludicrous 500 Microsoft points! No excuses this time!

The entire first paragraph was sarcasm.

Right, so it’s Black Friday soon and Microsoft is getting in on the sales fun. The real jewel in the crown is Rez at 500 points, down from 800. Assault Heroes for 250 is also worth a look if you’ve not played it before.

Some downloadable content and Microsoft’s new “premium themes” are also available — including the new Castle Crashers theme. If you felt like buying into Microsoft’s despicable ploy to make people “fix” their themes broken by the NXE, Friday might be a good opportunity. If you’ve a US account, anyway.

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