Nintendo Wii vs. Playstation 3: Distinctive Features

http://www.qj.net/qjnet/wii/whos-selling-ps3-and-wii-online-stores-listing.htm

Games

There are countless amazing system-exclusive games that are available on the PlayStation 3, as there are on the Nintendo Wii.  The main difference between the two consoles is determined based on the type of games you are searching for. Generally, if your interests lie in the family-friendly range such as Mario Kart or innovative interactive games such as Wii Fit, then considering the Nintendo Wii is definitely recommended. However for the more hardcore gamers, the PlayStation 3 offers a wider range of shooting games such as Call of Duty: Modern Welfare, and Killzone. Additionally, the PlayStation 3 also offers other great fighting games such as Street Fighter IV and Tekken. Each video game console has games that can appeal to every type of gamer therefore it entirely comes down to your individual preferences. Generally, the Nintendo Wii caters to more of the family-friendly market whereas the PlayStation 3 tends to carter to more of the hardcore-gamer market.

Graphics

Ultimately when it comes to graphics the PlayStation 3 has the competitive advantage, as its processing power is far superior than the Nintendo Wii. The PlayStation 3 system utilizes a Cell Processor that delegates 8 other Synegistic Processor elements therefore allowing users to multiple task at 3.2 GHz. Whereas, the Nintendo Wii graphic processor is only slightly more powerful than the one offered in the Nintendo GameCube.

Movies

Due to rapid innovation in technology this has enabled video game consoles the ability to play DVD movies. This innovation is offered on the PlayStation 3 along with the capability to play Blu-ray movies.  Due to Blu Ray players selling on the market for up to $300, the PlayStation 3 would be a great option for those interested in video gaming and high definition movie playbacks. The Wii on the other hand, unfortunately does not hold the ability of movie playbacks. Therefore, if movie playbacks are a major aspect when deciding between video game consoles, then it is probably best to pass up the Nintendo Wii.

Overall Value

On the market today the PlayStation 3 is the most expensive system currently priced at $349.99 and new games for this system typically retailing for $59.99. The Nintendo Wii however, is much more affordable retailing for $149.99 and new games are also slightly cheaper typically retailing for $49.99. Subsequently, in terms of price and value the Nintendo Wii has the comparative advantage. For instance the same price you purchase for a new PlayStation 3, results in the opportunity cost of you purchasing a Nintendo Wii and four brand new games is forgone.

Conclusions

Overall the Nintendo Wii and the PlayStation 3 has much to offer. For gamers who are interested in a high quality graphic experience, the latest video playback technology and isn’t too concerned about the high price margin, then the PlayStation 3 is a clear choice.

For gamers who are family-focused with the types of games offered on the Nintendo Wii and those who are also on a budget, then the Nintendo Wii may be a better choice.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which video game console would be the better choice to suit your needs and preferences.  

Mac OS X Mountain Lion: Impressions

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After updating to apples new Operating system Mountain Lion I must admit that I was very impressed by its new features and the seamless integration of my previous files. The update took only 40 minutes and before I new it it was up and running.

So the main things Looked for was the new features in Mountain Lion 10.8, the main one in which I was excited about was airplay mirroring and iMessage.

Airplay

If you own an apple TV and have wi-fi within your home you can wirelessly mirror the content of your screen across to your TV. When I tested this on my apple TV of a distance of 3 meters away, it was almost seamless. There is a little bit of delay and lag but this is very much understandable, as it is after all wireless with no physical connection. The image quality is surprisingly high, with no obvious streaming bugs. Overall this is the most impressive feature so far. I think this feature is great for a student who wasn't to share their work with a group completely being cable free, fast and effective.

iMessage

Now as an owner of an iPad and iPhone 5, iMessages was next on my list. Apple has integrated the same messaging program to the mac so say for example if someone texts me and they are using wi-fi, the message will pop up on my mac. The simultaneous nature of receiving messages on all three devices at once was very impressive. More or less I should never miss another text message again from a friend of family member.

Bower & Wilkins Desktop Speakers

Image from: http://www.itechnews.net/2009/11/11/bowers-wilkins-mm-1-desktop-speakers/

Desktop speakers have usually been associated in the past with poor sound quality. As a desktop user, I find myself (and I’m sure we all do) spending a large amount of time on it, and one of my favourite things I like to do is listen to music while working.  After extensive research for a decent pair of speakers the Bower & Wilkins desktop speakers are easily the best on the market.

First and foremost the design, these look very sleek and attractive. They are in black and a tube-like design, they have an on and off button on the side in a silver sleek panel. They look good on almost any desktop with a single jack cable that goes in the headphone jack of your computer.

Now most important is the sound quality. They deliver a large bass that is noticeable for any song. Now I myself listen to a large amount of hip hop (from the late 80’s era to modern). What I love about the speakers is that they do not put the bass up to an unbearable “fake level” just to get a boom effect - instead these speakers are made so that you get a  “natural” sound (more or less how the artist intended you to hear the track).

The sound at times makes you notice hidden instruments that you may have missed due to poorer speakers of the past. The volume on the speakers can go to insanely high levels to the point in which it sounds amazing, not only are theses desktop speakers but I would recommended them for even for TV speakers or putting outside for a pool party. The sound is clear with no static.
 

Price wise these can come in at a pricey $599AUD and can only be bought here at the Apple stores in Australia, but if you’re serious in audio this is an investment you won’t forget.

MapleStory: Video Game Review

Image From: http://maplestory.nexon.net/guides/what-is-maplestory

MapleStory is a free to play 2D multiplayer online game that combines action and traditional role-playing elements. The game provides players the ability to enjoy 15 unique type character classes, numerous quests and endless character customisations options, which are all for free. In this game, players travel the ‘’Maple World’’, defeating monsters and developing their character’s skills and abilities. Groups of players can also merge together to hunt monsters and share rewards. Social networking functions are also available for players to interact in other ways, such as through chatting, trading and playing mini games.

The best aspect of MapleStory is that the game is always fresh and exciting.  Nexon who is the publisher of MapleStory regularly updates the game’s content. I remember when I first started playing MapleStory in 2006, the game’s world was tiny with only one land mass called ‘Victoria Island’.  Today, the game’s world has grown with several new continents and areas to explore.  The game’s latest content update introduced an entirely new ‘pirate’ class to the game, and several new dungeons for players to explore.

Final Verdict: Love it.

Based on my experience, MapleStory is one of the best free multiplayer role-playing online game. The game’s amount of content and variety and catchy game music is a reason you should give the game a try!

You Oughta Know: The iPhone 5 Review

http://www.apple.com/au/iphone/?cid=wwa-au-kwg-iphone-0001

Even people living under a rock know that Apple recently unveiled “the tallest iPhone yet”. Yet despite pre-orders reaching two million in just 24 hours and massive queues outside Apple stores as the iPhone 5 is officially unveiled today, what many people still aren’t sure of is whether or not Apple’s latest iThing is worth upgrading/converting to. Here’s some information about the iPhone 5 you should know before you make a decision.

Size and Dimensions

At 7.6 mm deep, this isn’t the thinnest smartphone in existence, but it is slimmer than the Samsung Galaxy S3 and previous versions of the iPhone.

The screen has been stretched out to 4 inches, whilst the width remains the same, allowing for full-screen viewing of HD movies.

Screen

The iPhone 5 retains the Retina display fans have come to love, and at 326 ppi and a resolution of 1136x640, it’s easy to see why. What makes the viewing experience on the iPhone 5 so special though is of course the screen size, which has been increased to 4-inches. Whilst the screen isn’t as big as those on some of the iPhone 5’s competitors, this may work to Apple’s advantage, with many criticising the Samsung Galaxy S3 and HTC One X for being too large.

Performance, iOS 6, and Siri

Apple claimed at the product launch that the iPhone 5 would run twice as fast as the 4S thanks to a new A6 processor, and whilst we’re not 100% convinced that the difference is that radical, the iPhone 5 certainly runs much smoother than its predecessors. Apps load quicker, videos seem slightly smoother, and image processing is definitely faster than the 4S.

Just like the 4S, the iPhone 5 is equipped with iOS 6. Even though there don’t seem to be any real differences in the way the operating system runs on both phones, it was always a great operating system to begin with, and still remains one of the most user-friendly yet powerful operating systems on the market. Additionally, the automated assistant Siri returns to the iPhone 5 with all the features you love, plus improved voice recognition.

Camera

Like the 4S before it, the iPhone 5 comes with an iSight 8-megapixel camera. Whilst it certainly takes better photos than the 4S in low-light environments, the 5’s camera doesn’t exactly put digital cameras to shame.

The major improvements are the front camera which has been increased to 720p video to allow for clearer FaceTime and Skype chats, and the new Panorama mode. Interestingly though, the Panorama mode doesn’t capture images in landscape mode, something that phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S3 are more than capable of.

Apple Maps

One of the most controversial changes seen in the iPhone 5 is Apple’s divorce with Google Maps, and the kids are not OK, with Apple instead opting for their own mapping service, Apple Maps.

Whilst it sounded good at the initial launch (Apple promised more road names displayed, 3D mapping, and map rotation), actual testing following the iPhone 5’s release has seen problems which rival (if not overshadow) the “AntennaGate” scandal surrounding the release of the iPhone 4. Issues include (but unfortunately for Apple are not limited to) entire towns displayed up to 2 kilometres out of position with no buildings within them, navigational routes grossly miscalculated, and rivers displayed where buildings are actually located.

Apple are (likely) working on updates for Apple Maps, and in the meantime, it’s still possible to access the Google Maps website using the iPhone 5. However, the inability to use a Maps app powered by Google Maps coupled with Apple Maps’ inability to help get drivers from Point A to Point B may actually drive customers to purchase an Android smartphone.

Battery

Apple claimed the iPhone 5’s battery would last for up to either 8 hours of talk time, 8 hours of internet browsing via 3G, 10 hours of video playback, or up to 225 hours of standby time. Upon testing, the battery easily lasted an entire day, even with heavy usage, although we’d still recommend charging it every night if you use your phone a lot during the day.

The Final Word

With a bigger screen, faster processor, slimmer build, and some extra features, the “tallest iPhone yet” is definitely the best iPhone yet, although Apple’s decision to part ways with Google Maps is unfortunate (both for Apple and iPhone users). Whether it’s the best smartphone on the market, though, is a matter of personal opinion.

If you’re an Android fan looking for reasons not to buy an iPhone, Apple Maps alone will provide you with plenty, and with good reason (especially if you try and use it to navigate your way from Wollongong to Sydney).

Aside from the issues with Apple Maps though, the iPhone 5 is still a powerful phone with arguably the best screen and one of the most intuitive yet impressive operating systems on the market.

But whether you side with Apple or Android, Apple do deserve some credit for somehow managing to further develop an already great product.

What’s App, Doc? Your One Destination for the Latest Technology News and Reviews

Technology.

Name one aspect of our lives currently not affected by technology, and odds are that ten or twenty years into the future, Apple will still be saying “there’s an app for that” (assuming there isn’t one already).

We may not be driving flying cars like in The Jetsons, but let’s face it – with Virgin Airlines soon able to fly us into space as easily as Qantas can fly us from Sydney to the Gold Coast (assuming Qantas aren’t having engine problems) – we’re not far from it.

Technology has changed virtually every aspect of our lives. Just look at the way we shop nowadays. From making awkward small-talk with the person behind the cash register, to self-service machines, to buying things online via the Internet at home on your computer, to buying things online via your smartphone in the palm of your hand wherever you are, even the experience of a shopping spree has evolved due to advances in technology.

But with so many advances in technology, how do we make sense of them all? Is it really worth upgrading my iPhone 4S to the iPhone 5? Should I buy a PS3 or wait for the PS4? What’s the best Ultrabook to buy? Why did KStew cheat on RPattz?

We’re here to help you answer all of those questions, and more (except for that last one). Here on What’s App Doc?, you’ll find reviews of the latest tech, comparisons between the best gadgets currently on the market, and discussions (read: rumours) about upcoming products that are yet to be released.

We've decided on a Matrix-style binary code image for the background since it had a technological/science-fictional vibe to it. For the colour scheme, we decided on a light blue font against a dark background so the text would be easy to read, and had bright blue, pink and purple headings to add some colour to the blog. In terms of the layout, we wanted to keep things simple so it would be easy for readers to navigate their way through the blog. We had the logo at the top of the page, and underneath the logo, we had all of the blog posts on the left, and the gadgets on the right, including the blog roll, a search box, links to share the blog on Facebook and Twitter, and a couple of polls.

As for the Bugs Bunny logo, who wouldn't you want Bugs Bunny as the symbol for their blog?

Keep watching this space for more awesome posts. You never know – soon there might even be an app for us in the future!