Games (And Thunder) Hinted in iOS 4.3 Beta

Since the birth of the iPhone, Apple has dipped it’s magical toes into the gaming industry. With trillions of games released thus far on the iOS platform, it may be time for them to dabble in the console arena. I have always heard rumors Apple was going to release some sort of gaming console in the past, whether it was from them buying up game developer companies, or the fact that the iOS gaming has been such a huge success, but could this be it?

The latest iOS 4.3 beta released shows many-a-hints on AppleTV gaming. If you can decifer the code above, or at least read any part of you’ll notice the code …ATVGames… Could this be iDevice ports to the AppleTV or possibly something bigger? Also, could the Cupertino Giant have figured out a way to play God by creating thunder??? I’ll quote that part of the code here…

ATVThunderSettingsController

You heard it here first folks!!!

Of course we’ll have to wait and find out, but I think with the success of gaming on iDevices, and what could be huge success gaming with the AppleTV, I can definitely see Apple revolutionizing the console industry by releasing the iiBox1080-3(Copyright Gadgesteria).

Read the full story over at Engadget

[Update] Twitter 2.0 For Android Demoed. Looks Awesome!

Android, like iOS, has a slew of Twitter apps to choose from. But the obvious choice for “most complete” or “best” app doesn’t fall on the official Twitter app. In fact, it’s one of the worst and never been a favorite here at GS. But that looks like it’s about to change because Twitter 2.0 for Android looks…awesome. The UI is heavily redesigned and now looks exponentially better. As for new features, we’re not too sure yet exactly what is or isn’t on the table. Also unfortunate is that we don’t have a release date to share with you either nor a timeline of when we might see Twitter 2.0 drop.

But in the meantime, hop inside for a hands-on video running through the upcoming Twitter 2.0 Android app…

Update

Twitter 2.0 for Android now available in Android Market.

Windows 7 SP1 Released To OEMs Today. Public Release Inches Closer.

Contrary to Microsoft’s previous flop — Vista — Windows 7 has enjoyed increasing success since its release back in October 2009. While this more refined offering from Microsoft hasn’t garnered nearly as many headlines in regards to system incompatibilities and crashes, no piece of software is perfect. Hell, XP started out as an ugly step child. But by the time Windows 7 was released, it was a 3 service pack strong tried and true platform.

Today, Windows 7 inches one step closer to such a goal. Microsoft’s Senior Technical Product Manager for the Windows Server and Cloud Division announced that Windows 7 Service Pack 1 is being released to OEMs today, with the public release scheduled for February 22nd.

Besides your typical bug fixes and performance enhancements, Service Pack 1 actually brings two useful new features — Dynamic Memory and RemoteFX. Dynamic Memory is a fancy term for more versatile virtual memory management, while the latter is a new technology that can virtualize GPU features on a remote server, allowing users to drive down costs of multi-device networks.

Anyone getting upgrade fever?

Adopted Alltel Customers Reporting FaceTime Woes With Grandfathered Plans.

For adopted Alltel customers who were assimilated into Verizon’s customer base over the last year, news that they would be able to keep their old Alltel plans was awesome news. That nice gesture by Verizon, however, is turning out to be not so nice with the carriers new iPhone 4. Reports are starting to crop up that subscribers who are still on old Alltel plans grandfathered in by Verizon are experiencing FaceTime issues. While voice, text, and other data-releated services function as normal, FaceTime displays “Waiting for Activation” whenever a FaceTime video call is attempted. Furthermore, the “Verizon” tag on the status bar that is supposed to display next to the signal bars doesn’t actually display — nothing does. Thus far, neither Verizon nor Apple have a solution.

We’ve reached out to Verizon and Apple for comment and will report back once we have more information. In the meantime, New VZW iPhone 4 owners who are subscribed to old Alltel plans are encouraged to drop a line inside and let us know how it’s going (or isn’t).

16GB WiFi-Only BlackBerry PlayBook To Cost $499

CES was full of tablets from every manufacturer imaginable. And one of the most sought after tablets on display — We almost died waiting in the mob surrounding the tables! — was RIM’s BlackBerry Playbook. Over the last few weeks, the specs have leaked. We’ve oohed, and aahhed, and spoken our thoughts. And yet, one of the biggest things we’ve yet to find out is how much RIM plans to charge for this tablet. Well, now we know thanks to some click-happy Office Depot employees — $499.

Finally, Some iPad Competition: The HP TouchPad

This summer, Apple’s iPad will finally have some real competition in the HP TouchPad. Announced just today, this webOS powered beaut packs everything we love about webOS (pleasing graphics, consistant UI, intuitive notification system, real multitasking via cards, and plenty more) while also bringing some new-found power to the table as well. How does 1.2GHz dual-core Snapdragon sound for starters? Gaze into the TouchPad’s 9.7″ 1024 x 768 display, stuff its 16GB/32GB of internal memory with anything and everything under the sun, and share it all with the outside world thanks to WiFI b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, 3G, and A-GPS. The 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera supports video calling too!

Other juicy details revolve around software, with our personal favorite feature including the TouchPad and Pre 3 being able to share notifications via a shared TouchStone wireless charging station. Toss in numerous custom applications and software tweaks such as built in Dropbox and Box.net integration and you’ve got one hell of a tablet.

There’s a good Android tablet or two. There’s one iPad. And now, we have the TouchPad. The tablet wars just got insane. Look for pricing on this “summer” opener to come at a later date. Speaking of release, the WiFI-only TouchPad will ship initially, with 3G and 4G models to follow soon after. Unfortunately, it seems that in the commotion of it all, HP forgot to come up with a few prices for these new uber tablets. With that said, you’ll have to check back later to find out just how many hours you’ll have to put in performing day labor just to hold one of these cool, sleek tablets in your hands.

*Hint to HP: If you want to move millions of these things, start them at $349*

HP Veer Revealed! “Mini” Pre3.

So the freshly announced Pre3 is a tad large for your liking? No worries. HP has something else up their sleeve by way of the HP Veer. The display measures in at 2.6″ and packs in 320 x 400 worth of pixels, brain power comes by way of the Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM 7230 processor ticking along at 800MHz, and storage tips the scales at 8GB. Aiding the raw power is support for WiFi, GPS, 14Mbps HSPA+, and 3G mobile hotspot support. Other notable features include a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera, although HP leaves out a flash in the name of affordability. The biggest question we have now is just how “awesome” that shrunken keyboard will be.

Stay tuned…