Temple Run 2 scores record as fastest-growing mobile game

Temple Run 2 for Android

(Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET)

Temple Run addicts have propelled its sequel into new territory.

In 13 days, Temple Run 2 has been downloaded more than 50 million times by iOS, Android, and Kindle users, developer Imangi Studios said yesterday, making it the fastest-growing mobile game ever.

In reaching this milestone, the action game topped the previous record holder, Angry Birds Space, which rocketed to 50 million downloads in 35 days.

Temple Run 2 places you in a jungle where you have to outrun a giant ape, leap over chasms, and swing on ropes to get past hazards. Along the way, you pick up gold coins to score points. But one wrong step, and your character meets an untimely demise.

Temple Run 2 debuted in Apple's App store on January 17 and quickly became the top free app with more than 6 million downloads in less than 24 hours. The game then swung intoGoogle Play and Amazon Marketplace, picking up even more adventurers.

"Temple Run has evolved into something so much bigger than us," Imangi co-founder Keith Shepherd said in a statement. "The game has performed beyond our wildest dreams, and we are thrilled that gamers and fans have embraced Temple Run 2 in such a short period of time."

The game studio has cut deals for Temple Run clothes, digital comics, and card and board games. Last June, Imangi teamped up with Pixar to create Temple Run: Brave, which combines the action in Temple Run with characters from the Pixar film "Brave."Following in the footsteps of Angry Birds maker Rovio, Imangi has also parlayed the success of Temple Run into something more lucrative.

Temple Run 2

Description

With over 170 million downloads, Temple Run redefined mobile gaming. Now get more of the exhilarating running, jumping, turning and sliding you love in Temple Run 2!

Navigate perilous cliffs, zip lines, mines and forests as you try to escape with the cursed idol. How far can you run?!

FEATURES

★ Beautiful new graphics
★ Gorgeous new organic environments
★ New obstacles
★ More powerups
★ More achievements
★ Special powers for each character
★ Bigger monkey!!!

Become a fan of Temple Run on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/TempleRun

Follow Temple Run on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/TempleRun

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Panasonic rolls out new Blu-ray players, high-end models get Miracast

(Credit: Panasonic)

LAS VEGAS--Panasonic (along with Sony) has been one of the the biggest Blu-ray supporters since the format's inception, and the company continues to heavily support the format even as its importance fades.

Panasonic unveiled four new Blu-ray models at CES 2013: two 3D models (DMP-BDT330 and DMP-BDT230) and two 2D models (DMP-BDT89 and DMP-BD79). All of the models save for the the DMP-BD79 include built-in Wi-Fi.

The 3D models include Panasonic full Viera Connect suite of streaming-media services, as well as 2D-3D conversion and a Web browser. Both models also support Miracast (Panasonic calls it Display Mirroring), which makes it possible to send videos, photos, and music from compatible Android mobile devices (version 4.2 and higher) to your TV.

The 2D models include just a basic streaming-media package, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant, Vudu, CinemaNow and YouTube. The company is also keeping last year's DMP-BDT500 and DMP-BBT01 in its line for 2013.

Panasonic's press release is light on details, so as of now it's hard to say what the specific features b... [Read more]





by Matthew Moskovciak via CNET

Panasonic's WT60 set to impress

LAS VEGAS--In 2012, Panasonic released its largest line of LCDs yet, and this year the range is even bigger with seven different series to choose from. The flagship of the new range is the WT60, and it will be available in two sizes: the 47-inch TC-L47WT60 and the 55-inch TC-L55WT60.

With the addition of Panasonic to the LG Smart TV alliance, and in addition to Panasonic using LG-like panels and features, it could be difficult to tell the two brands' LCD offerings apart this year.

Adding local dimming to this year's replacement for the WT50 is welcome, as poor black levels were an issue with last year's TV. Panasonic says the WT60's Clear Panel Pro further enhance picture quality, and the advanced ISFccc Calibration Mode will enable calibrators to wring a better image from the set.

Panasonic has never been about flashy features, but things have changed with this year's products. The WT50 offers Swipe and Share 2.0, which lets users tap their NFC smartphone against the TV to share content (likelihood of use: once), and Voice Interaction/Guidance allows users to speak commands into their Panasonic remote or smartphone (likelihood of use: good).

The WT60 series features a minimalist approach to aesthetics that is encompassed by a clear pedestal with an... [Read more]





by Ty Pendlebury via CNET

Panasonic's DT60 LCD is bursting with features

(Credit: Panasonic)

LAS VEGAS--Panasonic is following up last year's DT50 LCD with the release of the DT60. The DT60 will be available in two sizes: the 55-inch TC-L55DT60 and the 60-inch TC-L60DT60.

Panasonic has joined LG's Smart TV alliance, and it has taken a page out of the Korean giant's book by releasing a TV bursting with features.

The DT50 offers the following additions: My Home Screen which allows each user in the home to create their own personal home screen; Swipe & Share 2.0 lets users tap their NFC smartphone against the TV to share content; Voice Interaction/Guidance allows users to speak commands into their Panasonic remote or smartphone; three HDMI ports and three USB enhance connectivity; and a Dual Core processor with a Hexa Processing Engine should improve picture quality.

Panasonic's range of LED TVs will be available in the U.S. in spring 2013, with pricing to be announced.

[Read more]





by Ty Pendlebury via CNET

Lowe's corrals home management under Iris

Lowe's Iris Smart Kit

(Credit: Lowe's)

LAS VEGAS--Lowe's might not be the first name that comes to mind when you're thinking about cutting-edge home tech, but the company has quietly moved into the field with a series of simple, do-it-yourself kits called Iris.

Pulling together technology from an huge range of vendors, including Verizon, Sylvania, Schlage, First Alert, GE Jasco, and Radio Thermostat of America, Lowe's is offering three Iris kits as well as a new senior monitoring pack called Iris Care.

Iris Care lets you monitor a person's habits and routines remotely. When it detects something abnormal, such as a door opening in the middle of the night, it can text you. It includes an emergency pendant, which can call, e-mail, or text when activated. It can also monitor the ambient temperature at the person's house.

Lowe's Iris Care Senior Pendant.

(Credit: Lowe's)

Lowe's recommends that Iris Care be used in conjunction with one of the Iris kits that includes motion sensors and apps for remote monitoring. Iris also offers a secure Web site for checking up on it from a PC or Mac. The Senior Pendant will cost $29.99, and the notification services it utilizes cost $14.98 per month.

The new Iris Smart Kit is a premium-level do-it-yourself kit that co... [Read more]





by Seth Rosenblatt via CNET

Panasonic's Bluetooth speaker plays nice with tablets, does faux surround

(Credit: Panasonic)

LAS VEGAS--Samsung and LG aren't the only major manufacturers getting in on the Bluetooth speaker market.

Panasonic introduced the SC-NP10 Bluetooth speaker at CES 2013, designed with tablets in mind. The 3.5-pound speaker is designed to prop up tablets for movie-watching, although it doesn't necessarily need to be used with a tablet.

The SC-NP10 also has a feature called "Near Field Stereo Sound," which is supposed to make audio sound better even though you're close to the speaker. There's virtual surround processing as well, to help widen the soundstage from the small speaker. The SC-NP10's Bluetooth Re-Master feature claims to restore frequencies lost by Bluetooth transmission, but I've never found those types of features to work well in other systems. Panasonic also touts a 3.13-inch subwoofer, although calling it a subwoofer is a bit of a stretch for a driver that small.

The SC-NP10 is scheduled for release in April. Pricing has not been announced.

[Read more]





by Matthew Moskovciak via CNET

German state threatens Zuckerberg with $26K fine

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is facing a 20,000 euro ($26,000) fine over the social-networking site's failure to offer German users anonymous accounts.

According to The Guardian, the data protection commissioner of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein has written to Zuckerberg and to Facebook Ireland threatening the fine if Facebook continues to ban anonymous accounts. According to the data protection authority, forcing users to provide their real identities is a breach of German law, under which the country's citizens have the right to use online media services anonymously.

"It is unacceptable that a US portal like Facebook violates German data protection law, unopposed and with no prospect of an end," The Guardian quotes the state's data protection commissioner, Thilo Weichert, as saying.

Read more of "Zuckerberg faces 20,000 fine over Facebook's anonymous accounts ban" at ZDNet.

[Read more]





by Jo Best via CNET

Panasonic sticks with plasma-heavy TV lineup

The VT60 series plasma gets new styling.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

There are still going to be three makers of plasma TVs in 2013--LG, Samsung and Panasonic--but the only one going all-out for the display technology is Panasonic.

The company has announced five full series of plasma TVs, and here they are in a nutshell.

• TC-PZT60 series (65 and 55 inches) The company's 2013 flagship promises "Beyond the Reference" picture quality, with an all-new Studio Master panel that has the thinnest gas layer yet, which the company says will remove dim and double images. There's a newly developed red phosphor, faster switching than ever, THX certification for both 2D and 3D, and improved 3D performance--namely less crosstalk--according to Panasonic. I called VT50 the best TV of 2012 and one of the best ever, and I expect great things out of the ZT50's picture.


• TC-PVT60 series (55, 60, 65 inches) Numerically this one looks like the successor to that VT50, and I expect it to have similar picture quality. The company's early press release's only mentions of picture quality are THX certification and better motion resolution than the 2012 version.


• TC-PST60 series (50, 55, 60, 65 inches) In name and feature set, Panasonic's cheapest 3D-capable plasma series looks like the successor ... [Read more]
  
  
  
  
  
  by David Katzmaier via CNET

Six new Panasonic micro home stereos sound off at CES 2013

Pictures coming soon.

(Credit: Panasonic)

LAS VEGAS--Panasonic takes to CES 2013 to announce an array of updates to its line of micro stereo systems, this year with an emphasis on streaming, though several of the products include a Lightning dock for fifth-generation iOS music players.

As users grow more comfortable with wireless audio standards like Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay, Panasonic banks on a new generation of devices that rely on a wireless connection to transmit music.

The company gives a full refresh to its HC home audio systems with the introduction of the SC-HC58, SC-HC38, and SC-HC28. The SC-HC28 relies on a Lightning dock and an external USB port for hard connectivity, while the SC-HC38 steps up with Bluetooth and the SC-HC58 offers AirPlay as an additional feature.

Dual passive radiators built into all three units carry heavy bass to the low end of the frequency spectrum, and Panasonic even includes wall-mounting brackets with the SC-HC38 and SC-HC58 models for extra design points.

The SC-NE1, SC-NE3, and SC-NE5 systems represent new territory for the NE (Network Era) line of stereo systems. The company claims the "curved aero stream ports" on these systems do an improved job of routing airflow through the units, while simultaneously stopping "noise friction" from es... [Read more]





by Justin Yu via CNET

Toyota and Lexus showcase autonomous research vehicle

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Vizio's M TV means major features up to 80 inches

(Credit: Vizio)

LAS VEGAS--Vizio is traditionally known for cheap TVs, but at CES 2013 it's doubling down on its foray into step-up, feature-rich (read: slightly more expensive) territory with the 4K XVT models and the all-new "M" series.

The company's M range LED-based LCD TVs goes from 32- up to the company's first 80-inch model, the M801d pictured above. All of the sizes in the series should ship in the first half with the exception of the 80-incher, which is a second-half product. Pricing was not announced, but knowing Vizio it will be extremely competitive.

No other maker aside from Sharp has announced an 80-inch LCD that we know of (crazy-expensive 84-inch 4K sets notwithstanding), and we expect the Vizio M801d to undercut the price of Sharp models like the LC-80LE632U (now about $5,000) when it launches. Of course, Sharp should also announce new 80- or even 90-inch sets at CES, too. And while I'm saying "of course," don't buy a jumbo LCD, buy a projector.

In all the M series comprises a whopping eight sizes: the 32-inch M321i, the 47-inch M471i, the 50-inch M501d, the 55-inch M551d, the 60-inch M601... [Read more]





by David Katzmaier via CNET

Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra: Astonishingly thin

Alcatel's One Touch Idol and Idol Ultra are both extremely thin smartphones.

(Credit: CNET)

I'll try not to cut myself on the Alcatel One Touch Idol Ultra, which Alcatel claims is the thinnest smartphone yet.

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• Alcatel One Touch Scribe HD: 5-inch, quad-core Android


• Smartphones at CES 2013: Gotta have more quad-core

In truth, I've seen none slimmer; the Idol Ultra measures a razor-thin 0.25-inch thick. For perspective, Samsung's slim Galaxy S3 measures 0.34-inch deep.

The Android smartphone features a 4.7-inch HD AMOLED display and comes with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor. An 8-megapixel camera with 720p HD video capture rounds out the feature set, along with a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera.

The Idol Ultra is bound for China this month.

Just to confuse things, the Idol Ultra is similar to its sibling, the Alcatel One Touch Idol, which will be U.S.-bound. Also bearing a 4.7-inch screen, the Idol uses the LCD display technology instead of AMOLED, and it's finished with a brushed metallic coating. Although not as whisplike as the Idol Ultra, t... [Read more]





by Jessica Dolcourt via CNET