PlayStation 4 will be released on November 15 in North America, PS3 + PS Vita prices dropped to $199
At Sony's Gamescom press conference earlier, they officially announced the PlayStation 4's release date is set for November 15 in North America. This should come as good news for gamers who pre-ordered their PS4s immediately after Sony's E3 conference in which they set the console's price for $399. While an official release date for the next generation gaming console is well and good, Sony also had a few more tricks up their sleeves.
Their current console, the PS3, has received a price drop to $199 in North America for its 12GB model. Of course, storage is expandable if you invest in an external hard drive. The company's portable gaming system, the PS Vita, has also had its price dropped to $199 for both of its 3G/WiFi and WiFi-only variants. As you may remember, the PS Vita is being touted for its compatibility with the upcoming PS4, so it's a no-brainer that Sony would announce a price cut for the system.
With both a price and date set, will you be purchasing a PlayStation 4?
[via Destructoid]
Is this the iPhone 5S's Camera?
Apparently, the image you see could possibly be the new camera for the iPhone 5S according to Luna Commerce. There really is no other information given to us, so we can only make assumptions about the camera's megapixels or the aperture on the lens. As Phoblographer states, "The photos show that it is a one inch by one inch unit for the most part with the rest of the electronics taking up basically as much space as the camera itself." This only has us asking more questions about the upcoming iPhone features, and hopefully we can expect an upgrade from the current iPhone 5 camera. You can click below for other views of the camera.
[via Phoblographer]
The Weekly Swarm: 7/29 - 8/4
Have you recovered from Lollapalooza weekend yet? What a weekend full of parties and music. The last week at Ruby Hornet was full of some great content, such as news of the Akira live-action adaptation resurfacing, the amazing trailer for American Hustle, Chance the Rapper's video for "Everybody's Something," an exclusive interview with Tree from Pitchfork, Jay Z's "performance art" video for "Picasso Baby," even more photos of Kate Upton, photos of A$AP Rocky and Wiz Khalifa in Austin, and so much more. Check out all of last week's content below!
Movies
[Video] John Williams is returning for new Star Wars trilogy
Eddie Murphy will flash his Beverly Hills Cop badge once again
Jamie Foxx wants to play Spawn in a proposed film reboot
Help make a Ghostbusters LEGO set a reality
[Event] I Declare War Ultimate Capture the Flag Paintball Challenge in Austin
Oldboy remake delayed until November
[Trailer] Clapping for the Wrong Reasons
[Trailer] Everybody Street
[Trailer] The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
[Trailer] Haunter
[Trailer] American Hustle
Pacific Rim might have a sequel thanks to foreign box office sales
Harry Potter director David Yates might say hello to Scarface reboot
Live-action Akira film adaptation has resurfaced... again
[Trailer 2] Machete Kills
[RH Review] The Spectacular Now
Music
Scientific: "SmokeWeedF*ckABadChick" (prod. by MikeJaxx)
[Mixtape] Na$im Williams: "Na$im World Order: Black & White"
Scheme: "5AM En Chicago"
Big Sean: "Fire"
[Video] Keify K: "Outfits"
Jody Duff: "KU$HGOD"
A$AP Ferg: "Hood Pope"
[Mixtape] Mo$: "Thought Process"
[Video] Chance The Rapper: "Everybody's Something"
[Event] Dates Announced for "Anything We Want: An Evening With Fiona Apple and Blake Mills"
Giftz: "Fuck Em All" (feat. King Louie & Rockie Fresh)
R. Kelly: "My Story" (feat. 2 Chainz)
[Mixtape] Femdot: "Femedelacreme"
[Video] Justin Timberlake: "Take Back The Night"
[Video] Chief Keef: "I Ain't Done Turning Up"
PIVOT GANG: "Everytime I"
Chuck Inglish: "Swervin'" (feat. Sir Michael Rocks)
The Weeknd: "Love In The Sky"
RETROSPECT: "Get You Some" (feat. Brand Knew and Derin)
L.E.P. Bogus Boys: "Commas" (Young Jeezy, Spenzo, Ma$e & T.I.)
[Mixtape] KIT: "NewWavey"
[RH Premiere] Netherfriends: "Ode to Joy Freestyle" (feat. Chandler London)
[RH Interview] Soul Trapping with Tree at Pitchfork 2013
[Video] Mike Mictlan: "WZRD Science" (feat. Greg Grease)
[Video] Lili K: "Interlude"
Vic Mensa: "Time Is Money" (feat. Rockie Fresh & Beldina)
Of Montreal Announces Fall US Tour
[Video] John Legend: "Made To Love"
Grade Aplus: "Baby Grades" (prod. by MikeJaxx)
Ibn Inglor: "WAXXX"
[Video] Jay Z: "Picasso Baby: A Performance Art Film"
Frank Leone: "Skate 99"
Add-2: "Sorry Kanye But This Verse Is Better"
Photography
[Photography] If Superheroes Had Instagram
[Photography] Kate Upton For Beach Bunny Bride Campaign
[Photography] The Beatles: Early Days
[Photography] Dubai From A Birds Eye View
[RH Photos] Collab n Art in Austin
[RH Photos] Under The Influence Tour w/ A$AP Rocky and Wiz Khalifa (Austin)
[Photography] China's Last Gunslingers
[Photography] Irina Shayk For GQ Russia
[Photography] David Choe & Estevan Oriol Afghanistan Trip For JUXTAPOZ
[Photography] The World Of Abandoned Asylums
[Photography] IG Weekly: Mikeescamilla
Other
[RH Contest] Win a pair of tickets to see Killer Mike + El-P in Austin on 8/5
Activision becomes independent, buys $8.2 billion in shares from Vivendi
The largest video game publisher just became independent. Activision Blizzard, the publisher behind the Call of Duty, Warcraft, and Guitar Hero franchises, bought back an $8.2 billion share from parent company Vivendi earlier today. Under the Activision Blizzard name, 429 million shares that equate to roughly $5.83 billion will be bought, while Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick and co-chairman Brian Kelly will head a group that will purchase 172 million shares (roughly $2.34 billion). Vivendi will still have a 12% stake/82 million shares in the company following the transaction.
This comes after Vivendi was looking to offload its shares in the video game company last summer. The French company, which also owns Universal Music Group (Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, etc.) and the French TV channel/movie production company Canal+, originally merged its Vivendi Games unit with Activision Blizzard for $9.8 billion in 2009. The move made Activision Blizzard the largest video game publisher alongside Electronic Arts.
With its newfound independence, Activision is banking on its franchises' successes without a parent company funding them. Considering the most recent Call of Duty game, Black Ops 2, made $1 billion in its first 15 days of release, I think it's safe to say Activision will be able to prosper on its own.
[via New York Times]
AT&T allows annual phone upgrades... with a catch
Technological advances happen so much that we've become used, for better or worse, to a constant stream of new laptops, tablets, smart phones, etc. every year. AT&T is doing their small part to ensure consumers can continue to be happy... while spending more and more money on yearly device upgrades. Starting on July 26th, both new and existing AT&T customers can enroll in a new subscription plan that will allow them to pick up a new phone or tablet with no down payment.
However, monthly payments will be made to recoup the initial down payment cost. After 12 payments, the user can continue using the device, or they can opt to trade it in for another unit. If the customer decides to keep the unit, the monthly payments will end after 20 payments. So, for example, if you want one of the new iPhone 5S phones coming out this fall, but can't cover the cost of the phone, you can enroll in the new subscription plan to pay it as you go over the next year.
Of course, it seems as if the overall cost of the plan will be more expensive than simply paying for it up-front. However, it seems like the perfect plan for techies and those who just have to have the latest and greatest in cell phone trends.
[via IGN]
[Video] Grand Theft Auto V Gameplay Trailer
As the current generation of gaming consoles begins its slow crawl towards the end of its life cycle, the final generation-defining games are preparing their releases for one last big hurrah. Five years after its last official entry in the series, Grand Theft Auto V will be making its way to stores to give a proper farewell to PS3 and Xbox 360 fans. While previous trailers for the game have been made up of cut scenes, Rockstar released the first official video of actual gameplay footage yesterday to appease GTA fans.
GTA V takes place in San Andreas, which some may remember as the location of the PS2's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. However, the area has been expanded upon for current-gen consoles, resulting in a game area bigger than GTA IV's Liberty City and Red Dead Redemption's maps combined. Another huge change to the GTA formula is the ability to play three main characters simultaneously. Typical upgrades have been made since GTA IV, of course, such as control mechanics, an updated online strategy, etc.
Grand Theft Auto V will be hitting stores this September 17th.
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