If there’s one particular book out there that anybody living in the US ought to be reading right now, it’d have to be 1984 by George Orwell.

A recent article from Forbes reports that some analysts believe that it’s the beginning of the end for video game consoles and that we might already be looking at the last of its generation.

Peter Warman, CEO of research firm Newzoo, said, “Will there be a next generation in about eight years? It won’t be in the shape and form we know today with consoles. It could be something you plug into TV and gives you access to all the stuff. You might want an Xbox dongle for exclusive IP that works with other screens. I don’t think it will be a box like we have now.”

Image source: g33kp0rn

The article goes on to say that one of the contributing factors for the consoles’ impending decrease in market share is the increase in mobile gaming, pointing to the speed at which tablets are advancing and the lowering prices. A study by IDC and App Annie shows that spending in mobile games has grown three times, thereby causing more developers to create games that connect devices such as the tablet to the consoles.

One problem with these analysts’ foresight, however, is that they interpret the increase in mobile games’ market share as the departure of users from their consoles to their tablets and other mobile devices, which is inaccurate. The increase will more likely be due to more people playing games than simply current gamers migrating. And even if there will be any migration from console to mobile, it would be that of casual gamers [who play app or Facebook games] who are just looking to pass time than serious gamers.

Moreover, if there is be any reason why the reign of the consoles would end right now with the arrival of the Xbox One and Playstation 4, it won’t be because it has finally ran out of features to offer the gamer but rather because of what it actually offers.

Take Xbox One’s current status with the gamers after it clarified a few questions about internet connectivity and game restrictions (i.e. DRM), for example (Microsoft Underwhelms Gamers With Latest Xbox One News). That said, if Sony follows Microsoft’s example, then yeah, it would be the end of consoles indeed BUT for an entirely different reason and not because of what the analysts above have claimed.

Microsoft may have just cost itself quite a considerable chunk of its market share in the gaming world after it answered some of the burning questions that gamers have been asking since it revealed its next generation console, the Xbox One, last May. In other words, it just confirmed what some gamers have feared all along about the console’s features, particularly regarding game restrictions, internet connectivity requirement, and privacy issues.

Image source: Forbes

Xbox One does require an internet connection in order for gamers to play games offline.

One of the things that threw a lot of gamers off about the console (even before its big reveal) was the bit about its online requirements. Although Microsoft did clarify that the console need not be connected constantly to the internet, it did emphasize that it’s required. In its news post, it states:

“While a persistent connection is not required, Xbox One is designed to verify if system, application or game updates are needed and to see if you have acquired new games, or resold, traded in, or given your game to a friend. Games that are designed to take advantage of the cloud may require a connection.

With Xbox One you can game offline for up to 24 hours on your primary console, or one hour if you are logged on to a separate console accessing your library. Offline gaming is not possible after these prescribed times until you re-establish a connection.”

From what I understand, what Microsoft’s saying is that you can play your games offline, but only IF they’re not designed “to take advantage of the cloud.” So does that mean that we’re supposed to be setting our sights on the game developers and their games now?

Moreover, it says that if you’re playing on your own console, you only have about 24 hours to play the game offline. After that, you’re going to have to connect to the internet again to be able to play offline for another 24 hours. And if you’re playing on a friend’s console, you’re going to have to establish a connection every hour to keep on playing offline.

And the condition doesn’t stop there. Microsoft also recommends that users have a broadband connection of at least 1.5Mbps. Otherwise, you can connect using mobile broadband, an if that’s still not an option then no gameplay for you.
As for trading-in, selling, or giving away your [cloud-based/digital copied] games, it can only be done ONCE, and only if the recipient has been in your friends list for at least 30 days. Used disc-based games can be sold at retail stores but only with the publisher’s permission.

Lastly, about the privacy issues surrounding the Xbox One’s Kinect. Microsoft states that users will be the ones to control or determine when and how the Kinect is On, Off, or Paused.

Well now, is it me or did Microsoft miss the target on this one?

Now compare that to Sony’s PS4 reveal.

The competition is getting stronger in the world of mobile devices. Different brands have emerged, namely the China-made brands but two of the most popular names that stand out are Samsung and iPhone.

The two top brands, which have been battling head-to-head, have released new models to outclass the other. And for the first time, Apple, the company that brought us the iPhone, now allows users to trade their old iPhones for new models according to a report.

This indeed is good news for iPhone lovers. But on the company’s side, it says otherwise as it shows that their market has been dwindling since their release of the iPhone 5, thanks to Samsung’s rise to dominance.

On the other hand, this movement may benefit Apple’s sales because this may help increase their market share more. Since Apple has a solid fan base, these customers will remain loyal and may not switch to other brands once this swapping system is established.

For many years Apple has been the dominant force in the market, and now that they have faced a worthy competitor in Samsung, it will be up to the company as to what strategy would they take to retain their loyal customers and attract new clientele.

Let’s see what counterattack Samsung will undertake against Apple in the weeks to come.

One doesn’t have to be a fan of the HBO hit fantasy series Game of Thrones to be all caught up in, or at least witness, all the fuss surrounding what just happened in the recent episode which aired on Sunday. Just hours after the show, fans took to Facebook, Twitter, message boards, and other various forms of social media to express strong sentiments regarding this one particular shocking development that unfolded.

The magnitude of the emotional reaction among fans towards the episode was so uncontainable (for lack of a better word) that even those who don’t follow the series were intrigued, celebrities included.

Can someone fill me in on everything about Game of Thrones so I can participate in the only conversations that happen

— Whitney Cummings (@WhitneyCummings) June 3, 2013

smh. red wedding was too hectic.

— frank ocean (@frank_ocean) June 3, 2013

OMG #GoT WTF

— Jason Biggs (@JasonBiggs) June 3, 2013

Tonight’s Game of Thrones was the most upsetting hour of TV I’ve ever seen.

— Josh Gad (@joshgad) June 3, 2013

i dont know what just happened in game of thrones. i’m in shock.

— Ed Sheeran (@edsheeran) June 3, 2013

This is how I feel about the game of thrones episode just now…. What. Just. Happened. instagram.com/p/aFbgewj8MS/

— joe jonas (@joejonas) June 3, 2013

Just how shocking was this scene that it was enough to generate such a huge reaction within the GoT community? Let YouTube user Horrorcirdan’s video show you:

And if you only started following the series just recently (like me) or you just happened to watch the particular episode by chance, then you’re probably wondering why everybody’s all so worked up about it (even the so-called GoT pundits). Well, I could tell you what I think but then I’d run the risk of spoiling the whole episode to those who still haven’t seen it yet, wouldn’t I? Let me just say that it was more than just because of the get-you-out-of-your-seat twist.

Season 3 of Game of Thrones will conclude this Sunday at 9PM, June 9.

Chris Brown is now being investigated for a hit-and-run incident that he was involved in on Monday (May 21). This is following a report made by TMZ that the Fine China singer is being accused of refusing to hand over his driver’s license and insurance information after rear-ending a woman driver’s Mercedes with his Range Rover at a set of traffic lights in Beverly Hills, California. And it didn’t stop there, also according to the report, Brown even gave the woman false insurance information.

Image source: Perez Hilton

If the accusations are found true, Brown could be facing jail time for violating his parole, which was granted to him after he was charged with assault and domestic violence for beating up then-girlfriend Rihanna back in 2009.

A source close to Brown, however, claims that the he was fully cooperative during the time of the collision and that he even gave his correct driver’s license and insurance details. “[Chris] has tried to contact the driver to confirm the right information following the allegations,” the source said. “Unfortunately, it would seem she has gone of the radar and isn’t responding to his attempts to resolve the situation,” the source added.

Mirror.co.uk obtained a photo of the vehicle that Chris is blamed for colliding with, and from the looks of it, there’s hardly even any damage at all.

Image source: mirror.co.uk

This isn’t the first time Brown got involved in a car accident. In February, he wrecked his Porsche 911 after he hurtled into a wall claiming he was cut off by “aggressive” paparazzi in Los Angeles, California.

In this day and age, technology has ruled every aspect of living so one of the most important things to learn is how to use the computer. This skill is definitely required for individuals to meet the needs of the economy.

Michael Zamansky sits down for an interview at Yahoo Finance’s The Daily Ticker where he pushes for an upgrade in the level of education, where it should have computer science as part of the curriculum. Since computers are everywhere nowadays, it’s better for everyone to learn how to use them because so many jobs now require computer proficiency as a basic skill.

Image source: Finance.Yahoo.Com

According to Zamansky, learning computer science in high school or middle school will help fill plenty of job vacancies, since the tech community often complains about not finding enough qualified workers.

Right now, it seems that the board of education refuses to address Zamansky’s proposition for several reasons, but given time, perhaps it will realize that more American citizens will benefit from it by helping the economy rise through their technological skills.

Image source: Hollywoodreporter.Com

As the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing incident shook the whole world, actor Bradley Cooper took a moment to show up at one of the victims in the hospital. Jeffrey Bauman Jr., the 27-year-old who lost both his legs during the unforgettable attack, got a visit from Cooper as well as New England wide receiver Julian Edelman.

Bauman was at the marathon to support his girlfriend, when, according to his brother, he saw one of the bombers just before the explosion. Unfortunately for him he fell victim to the blast and woke up under so much medication but was able to write some key answers to hunt down the suspects.

Cooper’s and Edelman’s visit was certainly a welcome surprise for Bauman. But the two celebrities didn’t plan to visit him together because the Cooper just came out of the blue, according to Edelman. The actor happened to be in town shooting American Hustle, that temporarily stopped its production during the manhunt for Tsarnaev.

In the wake of the bombing incident that happened on Monday at the Boston Marathon, many in Hollywood expressed their sympathies and showed their support for all the victims and families who were affected through social media. But one celebrity’s message in particular managed to resonate with a huge number of people on the internet so much that it became viral. I’m talking about Patton Oswalt and the inspirational message he posted on his Facebook page which has now been shared more than 200,000 times, ‘Liked’ more than 300,000 times, and has received over 14,000 comments. And then of course, there’s the tweet;

“…seconds after the explosions, you see hundreds of people running TOWARDS the carnage to help.Not away.” — Paul Kozlowski

— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 15, 2013

In his open letter on Facebook, the Virginia-born comedian reminds the people of all the good in the world. He argues that humanity is not “inherently evil,” and that he believes that good will ultimately prevail in the end because tragedies like the Boston bombings force good men to act together and eradicate evil, much like white blood cells on a virus, though not by violence but by love.

Monday’s bombings claimed three lives and injured more than 170 people.

Image source: Abcnews.Go.Com

April 15 is now painfully memorable to everyone especially the people in Boston, Massachusetts. The event was almost successful as many participants joined to run until that horrifying tragic incident at the finish line.

Image source: Cbsnews.Com

Two bombs exploded at the finish line, turning the celebration into a bloody carnage. Three people reportedly died while around 170 were severely injured, and some even lost their limbs.

Image source: Getty/Tmz.Com

According to the Associated Press, the improvised bombs were made of 6-liter pressure cookers filled with explosives and sharp metal objects such as nails and ball bearings, hidden inside duffel bags that were strategically left on the ground during the event. They detonated within 10 seconds of each other, timed with a kitchen timer. This kind of bomb can easily be set off using electronic devices and gadgets such as cell phones.

Image source: Bagnewsnotes.Com

Updates are now being posted on news programs and websites. US President Barack Obama has made an announcement that authorities would work with local law enforcement to catch and punish those who are responsible.

Here’s a footage captured by a television camera at the finish line.