GTA 5

No intro! This is GTA 5, pre-game release. 

Run 3rd Street Saints! Run!!

So i have been, for the past 2 days, playing Grand Theft Auto San Andreas on PS3. What is odd is how the more i kept playing, the more I started thinking about GTA 5. I have been bitten by the GTA bug all over again. If you have been a fan of the series, then you know GTA goes back a long ways. When I sat down to write this, including GTA 5, I didn't know there have been 15 games in the series and honestly I have played maybe almost 13 out of the 15 (never played Grand Theft Auto Advance). As a game player you just have no idea that the time has gone by so much. I still can here my favorite line in the old GTA, "and remember Jesus loves us!" 

Anyway, the I know that I was saying that I was done with this generation's gaming and was moving on to the next gen in Nov. but after playing San Andreas, I think I really have that feel of playing GTA 5. Honestly to me San Andreas was the last great GTA game, as I liked GTA 4 but its not in my top 5 of favorites to play (it may be 6 or 7). What i did like about 4 was the story once you got time to know it. But when I played San Andreas or GTA 3 or Vice City, I just fell in live with those games and thought they made me lose a lot of my time. The original Grand Theft Auto and Grand Theft Auto 2 (my other top 5 games) were so great to just pick up and play that it just amazes me how now I can still pick up those games and still play that top down view. That is why GTA 5 is looking like I need to at least spend a few more weeks playing this generations games. I hate to go back on things that I said, but this game is looking so much and so much more like I will have to download this and keep this forever (digital download for me please). I hope that the game is everything that I want it to be and more. The way it looks and moves is breathtaking. I have been watching the videos for it multiple times to put myself in the playing seat or what I would or will do when I get to those certain parts. 

The funny thing is, is that I almost stopped playing GTA after playing with GTA 4. In the beginning, I just didn't lime it....at all. For a period of time, I had become a Saints Row fan super hard. I liked part 1 on Xbox 360 and when I played part 2, I couldn't help but to compare it to GTA. To me they are the same type of open world game lets you run amok but also have a purpose to the game. When Saints Row The Third dropped, I couldn't help but to buy all the download packs and just engulf myself in that game. I look at Saints Row 4, and I refuse to touch it....at all. To me they went in a direction that just makes me shake my head in disbelief. I know it is selling well and all that, but I will not play that game! Playing 1,2, and 3 and then seeing 4, i just can't do it. But I keep looking at this GTA 5 and all I can do is just respect and love this game even more. So here is to the 17th of September and all of the people who are playing this game on this day. Good luck and i hope to see some of you players out there on PSN playing online. 

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PS Vita TV

If you have not heard, Sony is releasing a device simply called the PS Vita TV. The concept of the device is simple, put your Vita games into the device and play your Vita games on your big screen TV (or any TV in your home with an hdmi output). Sounds simply enough. The thing is, this device does so much more than that and a device this special "may" not even come to our side of the world. This is the PS Vita TV. 

So if the device sounds real good, trust me it gets better. So not only does it play Vita games, it plays PSP, and PS One games. It also streams content like Hulu Plus and has a Sony type ecosystem like their own Video Unlimited Service and Vita like apps such as the LiveTweet (a Twitter client) and Reader ebook. The best and the number one thing for me that this thing does is....wait for it....PlayStation 4 cross-functionality! The cool thing is that it will cost about 9,480 yen, which here in America would be about $95 without tax and is only scheduled, as of today, to come out in Japan on Nov. 14th (and also China and South Korea). If you notice though, this drops just one day before the PS4 drops states side. So everybody gets something the week of the 14th in November. From my understanding, the ps4 will launch sometime in 2014 for Japan so maybe, just maybe, we will get it here as well. One of the best things also about the PS Vita TV is that you play the games with a PS3 controller. They also have a separate bundle coming that's includes a DualShock 3 controller and an 8GB memory card which will sell for about 14,280 yen or about $143 here. 

Streaming duties at its best!

So here is the thing, the PS Vita TV can also be used as an extender (that's a good word) to play  PS4 games. What that means is of someone is watching TV in the living room (where your PS4 is) your could basically have a PS Vita TV in your bedroom (the ideal place for me) and play your PS4 on your bedroom TV, eliminating the need to keep moving your system from here to there (like I used to do) or buying two different systems to play the same games (also something I just got done doing. I miss my other PS3 all ready). You can read here to read more about the new device (it is a PDF). 

Power Button; Memory Card Slot; HDMI; Ethernet; Power Cord Hole

They also Announced a new lighter and slimmer PS Vita 2000

I think the concept of the little device sounds genius. If it does come to the U.S. and/or Europe and has some good exposure, I think it would make sense to people and they will really like what they are getting. If it only comes out in Japan, I have no problem importing because both the PS4 and PS Vita are region free (super smart). I know the sales for the Vita have been....let's say for a lack of better wording, not so good. The good of this is that it had a price drop recently and if you catch the right deal or place you can get a Vita and a bunch of extras for the same price as a basic one. A lot of the problem with the Vita is that a) it was to expensive b) the game selection and c) the memory for it was way over priced and after awhile it was hard to get a hold of (32gb). But now, after a $50 price drop across the board, and all the support from PS4 like streaming the PS4 to your Vita (they said awhile back PS4 and Vita would be working together) and a ton of games (indies and big name games like Borderlands 2) a Vita now doesn't really sound like a bad option. I think that is also where PS Vita TV comes in to play. You almost don't really have to "buy" a Vita, you buy the PS Vita TV and play your games on the big screen. The only problem is you can't enjoy all Vita games (as the were saying,) and you will not be as portable playing a Vita as you would like to be. So buying a Vita, in my opinion is not such a bad deal after all. But until we get conformation that PS Vita TV will or will not be coming to the U.S., I will be keeping my ear to the street and my eye on the prize as I am looking forward to this great addition to my PlayStation family. What are your thought? Let me know and thanks for reading.

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apple vs samsung

New iPhone 5c

The Other iPhone 5C's

Honestly, this is an iOS vs Android posting, however; a lot of things that move Android is Samsung, I went on to call this Apple vs Samsung. Its the fight that everyone loves to hear and read about. Rather its in the media or in the court house, Apple vs Samsung is Ali vs Tyson, Heat (LBJ version) vs Bulls (MJ version). I honestly like it because it brings out the best and worst in both companies and when it comes to the worst, they both share highlights. When you hear Apple and Samsung you automatically think cell phones. Truth is they go at in tablet wars as well. I think sometime next year they will be adding a bigger phone to the market (maybe not a phablet) and then it will be really nice to see a Samsung vs Apple in a smartphone war. But for now we have the Galaxy S4 (and its many variants like Active and whatnot), Galaxy Tab 3 (and its many sizes) the Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014) and the 8.0 and then the Galaxy Note 3 (now). I use these phones and tablets because the lead the way for Android so it was only right. On Apple's side of things, we have the iPad (4th gen), iPad Mini, an iPhone 5 and now the newly announced iPhone 5c and iPhone 5S.

The New iPhone 5S.

Now lets get to the point of me writing this. I always have these thoughts, and I love to read people's comments on other sites, about what makes the "fandroids" hate iOS and why the "isheep" hate Android? What was it that made them stick with just one single piece of technology and then hate the other? It is also funny to hear another person, who has never owned the object they are downing, talk so bad about the phone or tablet or Apple or Android (Samsung, Sony, HTC, ect..). I am going to share this thought with you and you can think I am way off but if you think about it, it kind of makes sense....well at least to me. I think Apple is like the older generation. The Generation like my mom and her mom and her mom's mom and so on and so on. I am 33, so the generation before me, they don't change an awful lot. They may change small things here and there or do slight upgrades, but not a big change all at once and that is how I see Apple. There is nothing wrong with that, I just see a lot of "old school" tactics in a new era of doing things.

Android, on the other hand, is more like my generation and below. Maybe that is why we (my generation) tend to go with this OS instead. Our generation always welcome change are not afraid to take a shot in the dark (the 1st Galaxy Note, people laughed that out of the building and now look), we want something different. If it doesn't work right, we either tend to work with it/work around it or change it to fix our wants and needs (Cyanogen Mod anyone?). And there is nothing wrong with this either, but the problem with that is that it can bring a lot of inconsistencies later on down the line and then you go through the phase of wanting more or more power or bigger and better.

Our parents and their parents (mainly their parents or our grandparents) were the ones who stayed together for 30+ years through thick and thin and made the vows real. What's crazy to me, in my opinion, our generation is how marriage is today, its almost a fashion statement or an exclusive club and then it barely lasts 5 years. Now that's not true for everybody, but its just my opinion. That is how I see Android and iOS. One is always constantly changing, always trying to out do the other or looking for the next big thing of bigger and better. While the other one is more consistent and almost stuck in its ways. If there is a problem, stick with it (*cough Apple Maps *coughs) and try to improve it next time or just hang onto it (*cough Passbook *cough. Sorry must be something wrong with my throat). And its okay if you don't see it that way or you just think I am in far left field, but to me honestly, that's how I see it.

iPad Mini

iPad 4th Gen.

Another iPad Mini

Apple is so protected and closed off. Is this why people hate them or dislike iOS? They remind me of Xbox 360 in the sense of you have to pay to play you know? Both have closed off platforms, ad agencies and other big market companies can't wait to advertise with them and then nobody has a problem with that. So at the end of the day I think we can say 360 won this generations console war but Apple may not have necessarily won the phone wars, but anybody who is everybody does something with iTunes and the App Store and in that aspect that is way better than the Play Store. Apple is has just one person doing everything or I guess what I mean is, Apple is the only one making iOS products. They are just one company who doesn't do everything in the top 10 all the time but they are very consistent with hitting the 8 and 9 mark across the board on everything.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3. A Beast!

Galaxy Note 3's with new covers.

Android on the other hand, is more like we have a guy for this and a guy for that and then another guy for this and that (guy being companies) and they do that very, very well. Motorola phones are know for being the best when it comes to battery life, its like they pride themselves on that thing, but everything else may be hit and miss. Sony designs some of the most beautiful Android phones out there, but everything else, not so much in the ball park. HTC is one of the few companies that can make Android appealing (as far as the Sense Skin on Android) to look at from their perspective and they also do a few phones actually quite well. Samsung, well Samsung is the king of features (or gimmicks as I like to call them) and nobody out does them. Even if the feature doesn't work right, so what, there it is (I'm talking about you Look Away feature), and they flaunt it to be 1st. I have no problem with that at all, they are great at it (*cough*stealing) (you guys are stealing vacuum designs now?!), features that is, and rather you use them or not, they are the 1st and the top when it comes to something new. So Android has many faces but that's what being open is all about and when you don't like something here, you move on to the next one or you change it, its just that simple.

Galaxy S4

Galaxy S4

 I think when it comes to putting something inside of a phone or tablet, Apple to me, is the best at this and I will tell you why. Apple is the type of company that will "perfect and then display". What I mean by that is, that they will work on something forever, and then finally display it to the world, rather its new, innovate, late to the show or whatever, they will try to perfect it as much as possible and then give it to the people. Android on the other hand (well Samsung at least) is the total opposite, they "display and then perfect". And again, what I mean by that, is that they will drop something first to the market rather it be features or technology, they will display it. I am sorry but after I seen this, I looked at the S4 when it came out and turned my nose up to it. Seriously, You can't show me this and then bring out that! I know it was concepts and trust me I understand, but again that just goes to what I was saying, the first to be able to say 1st and then perfect it later. Even the guy in the video coughed and said look at my tablet, in which i did laugh! If they dropped this phone/tablet (a real phablet in my eye) then there would be no need for any other phone to me. 

Galaxy Note 8.0

Galaxy Tab 8.0

Galaxy Tab 10.1

There were rumors that had suggested, AGAIN THESE ARE RUMORS, that Apple was working on a bigger iPad, but kept scrapping the idea because they couldn't get the battery life right. I don't know what the market for a bigger iPad would be, I hear 13 inches, but I think from Samsung's point of view, they do it and release it and let the people choose if they want it or not. That's what I like about Samsung, there is always something for somebody with them. The have phones from Galaxy S3 mini's to huge 10.1 inch tablets. Sometimes, you just can't go wrong with Samsung and you could build a nice ecosystem around them. The problem is that it runs Android (Android is not the problem but the fact that Android phones are FAR better than Android tablets, especially 10.1 inch tablets) and not everything runs equally as smooth on every device. I think with iOS, Apple really makes developers go out and make content for their iPad's and make them look how they should look on a bigger screen. iPhone and iPad are two different things, but run just about the same and I think that is what makes them so popular.

Galaxy Note 10.1 

What if Apple had custom launchers? Would people flock to iPhones? what if the iPhone was say maybe the size of 4.7 inches or and even 5.0 inches, would people like them then? Do people like the S4 because its the "S4" or do they like it because its an Android phone? In the case that it s because its an Android phone, what if Apple made an Android phone or Apple partnered with Sony And now Apple and Sony makes iOS phones. Would Apple do better, get more people to jump over to iOS? The point of all this is, this is what I think about when it comes to tech. I hear people rant and rave so much about things they know nothing about and won't even try because its iOS or its Android. Why not? I mean people have their own opinion and all but how do you get to the point where you feel that strong about something like that? I really like the people earlier today who went nuts about the iPhone 5c and its almost like they put Apple on the cross and crucified them. I get most of these people don't understand business and think the iPhone 5c was for us, but sadly it was not. The iPhone 5c was made for other markets that Apple was not in real big (namely China). Apple thought why not also sell this in the U.S. because we can make some money here at home as well. Sell it for $99 on a two year contract and its "a new phone" at a sweet price. People have to stop looking at things so one dimensional. The iPhone 5S, was crap, the finger print scanner was crap, blah blah blah. What people won't talk about is that that new phone is ran on 64 bit architecture! The new motion chip set. Just think of the possibilities. Games will look sweet (like Infinity Blade 3) and will be able to handle more data. That's just one thing. Sometimes you can't do what the fans want, you have to build and plan for the future and do what best for business. Both of those phones were fantastic business move in my opinion. In China alone, there are 700 million people who have contracts. If Apple's 5c and pull half of those people, that's about 350 million people, and that's just in one place (or a quarter of the people, that would be 175 million people on the WORLD's largest phone carrier).

I think about things like this all the time and in the next few months, I will go out and buy a phone outright,(I don't do contracts) (people complain about Apple and Android, they need to complain about the phone bills and complain about how those still look the same or haven't changed.) and I have narrowed my choices down to now 3 phones. I think what's best for me is what's best for what I have going on. People choose based off of specs or the way it looks or what it does and does not do and that is fine but in the end, you have to choose (or should choose) something that is going to be the best for what you have going on and what you are invested in. The 3 phones are the Moto X, the iPhone 5s, and the Sony Xperia Z1. I still like the Sony Xperia Z Ultra and the Oppo Find5, but I think for what I have going on, these 3 phones are the one to get. I got caught up in the spec war before with phones and tablets and for the most part they mean something but then again specs are not everything. I used to think they were the only thing. But now, iOS and Android both offer something that a person can use and really get the most out of their hard earned coin. I don't want to build my lifestyle around a brand of only this or that because then I could be really missing out on some really good things. So I am just trying to get the max out of what I put into things and I'm staring down the line of two Android phones and an iOS, and none of them are Samsung. I think this time around I will skip the "features" and get a phone that suits me instead of me suiting the phone. I guess until then, let the wars continue.

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My PS3: Is it time to move on?

If you don't know by now, Nov. 15th, 2013 is the day the PS4 comes out. I know plenty of people (at least one million pre-orders say so) have this day circled on their calender (as I do) and plan on upgrading to the next generation of console gaming. Then again there is one problem, what happens to my current generation PS3? Well hopefully that is what I intend to find out and hopefully I can come up with some real answers on moving on or staying in sync with both generations. This is all about My PS3: Is it time to move on?

Real gamers far and wide have one answer for me without hesitation and its simply "just game on both!" If you don't know, I am referring to moving on from my PS3 and going full blown PS4. Another option is skipping the PS4 and just stick with my PS3 or have both and have the best of both worlds. As true as that may sound and yes I know that would be super awesome, realistically, I don't think I have the time or resources to game on both. In a perfect world, and endless supply of money and all the time in the world to just game away! Ahh the perfect world, so easy to make up and yet so hard to make it a reality. You may also be wondering why even debate it, just get the PS4 and move on. I would love to, honestly but there are still some great games still coming out for PS3 (Beyond: Two Souls, The Puppeteer, and Rain), not to mention the games that I need to finish playing (The Last of Us!!).

As you can see 58 GB left from 465 (500GB)

113 Games in this folder alone

Let's get to the heart of it here. 1st of all I am running out of room on my current PS3. I haven't played an actual disc game in so long, I don't even know if my drive works (of course it does, but its dusty)! 500gb sure does go fast over the years when you just keep putting game after game on there, and not to mention being a PlayStation Plus member, you really run out of room fast. Then 2nd, if you can see the Picture, I have a lot of games on my PS3, so finding something to play is never a problem, but then again there are too many things to play! And 3rd, these games are coming soon, like real soon. I know Rain will be out on the 10th or 11th of September and the other two come out in early October. But then that leads me to my next problem, there are other great games coming out in October/November.


NBA 2K14, Batman: Arkham Origins, Assassins's Creed 4: Black Flag, Rayman Legends, Diablo 3, FIFA 14, Grand Theft Auto V, Watch Dogs, WWE 2K14, and my personal favorite Battlefield 4. See the problem now? Too many great games coming, and not enough time or money. However, most of these games above can be played on the PS4 except GTA V and Rayman Legends (and I think Diablo 3). GTA V is enough to hold on to your PS3 in the first place. MY main thing is I just don't know if I can do both systems at the same time. However, I love the latest and greatest, no matter what it is (tech wise that is). So I  that's one of the main reasons why I want a PS4 in the first place. Me personally, knowing how I am, I will neglect my PS3 because the new hot item is in my house and I just have to play with it.

I am going to be honest, deep down, I think I am going to say good bye to my PS3 and get the PS4 and just hope that one day I would be able to stream PS3 games through their Gaikai cloud service (which is a rumor I hear is highly likely). Plus I would get some more love to my PS Vita because now I can play all the games on my PS4 on my Vita which makes another great reason to own a PS4 and a Vita for that matter. To me that is not a gimmick and I think that makes so much sense to do something like that. Its like they took the Wii U thing and made it better (better meaning the games can be played on PS4 or Vita and if you don't want to use a huge tablet controller, you don't have to). I know I am going to catch some heat for this but I honestly don't know what these guys over at Microsoft are doing with their new system.

Just about everything that Microsoft said they wanted to do, they didn't do or announced it will come later after announcing that it would be there day 1. I am not going to get into that in this posting but I will touch on that soon and I just feel bad for the people that pre-ordered theirs thinking one thing but are getting another. I will have a Xbox 1, but not anytime soon, its just to many uncertainties for me. I know when I get this PS4, things will be there day one and ready to go as soon as I pull it out. I had a good run with my PS3, and in about a month or so maybe around my birthday (later this month), I will retire from playing PS3 and move on to the wonderful world of PS4 and not look back. When it comes to tech, I am so funny acting. I wanted the Galaxy Note 2 so bad when it came out, I got it and then a few months later got rid of it because I wanted to get the Galaxy S4 or HTC 1. I got rid of it because I lost interest in it. Samsung makes really good phones....that is to really good phones that are very gimmick oriented. Look-away and hand swipes and barely touching the phone to do this and that, is crazy. Crazy because I hardly ever used any of those features everyday unless I was showing somebody else what it can do. Samsung is like a trophy wife to me, very, very nice eye candy. Xbox 1 is like that to me as well. I know Sony has their thing with the motion controlled flop that was the PS Move and on the new PS4 the glowing bar in the top of the controller, but they don't force it on you and it doesn't make the controller or the system any more or less useless.

I am a gamer and I want to game wherever I am for as long as I want and playing on my TV and then going to my Vita just seems like that should be mandatory for all systems. That was one of the best features I loved about the Wii U. Beating Injustice: Gods Among Us on the Wii U Game Pad was awesome because I was in my own little world while everyone else was watching TV. I got to game as much as I wanted to with the Wii U, but some games like Lego City was not able to be played on the Game Pad because you HAD to use it for the game itself. So to an extent, the Game Pad is limited and its not HD. The PS4 and the Vita I see are complimenting each other like peanut butter does jelly. After rereading this and starting to finish up with this today (I started yesterday), I think my decision is actually very easy. In a month, I will hang up the PS3 controller, pass on all  those awesome games (especially 2k14 on Oct.1st!!!!) and just wait until the 15th of Nov. and go get my PS4 with a few games (no disc all downloads!) and catch up with a new old friend. If your counting at home, that's about 45 days with no video games (well games on consoles) and I guess I will find some other things to do to pass the time. I guess by then iOS 7 will be out and I will get back to mobile gaming. Maybe Sammy (Samsung) will expose the new 12.1 inch tablet (I hear its a new Galaxy Note 12.1 inch tablet) or maybe they will drop the new Galaxy Gear watch by then I can go grab one and review it or even the Note 3 maybe running a little desert called "Key Lime Pie" (which I'm actually not as excited as I was about the Note 2). I hear my phone is dropping over here in the U.S. (FINALLY!!) with LTE support (THANK GOD!) and that is the Sony Xperia Z Ultra (such a power, powerful phone). Phone is mine (no contract of course).

IFA is this week and I can't wait. Apple is having a press event soon (rumored to be on the 10th of September) to drop the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, so maybe I will get back into the mobile scene for awhile and that would help me pass the time because there are a ton of new and interesting things hitting the market soon. So I guess this month is my final time with my PS3 and while it is sad, the future is looking brighter and brighter so I guess I am not all that sad. Besides, if worse comes to worse, I will just get another PS3 and re-download all my games again and pick right back up like nothing even happened!

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Apple Mac Mini (2012 Edition)

Tired of Windows 7 or 8 or even as we speak, 8.1 preview (I know I am). Then maybe you, like I was , wanting something new because you were tired of all the whole Microsoft thing or just tired of PC's in general. Well look no further than the 2012 edition of the Apple Mac Mini.

This is ALL you get in the box......Seriously!

I write this for those who are thinking of switching to a different OS or those who are tired of PC's but don't want to spend all the big money to try something out from Apple. Well this is where this beautiful machine comes in. Let's face it, Apple's stuff is expensive but on the positive side, their things hold value for a long time for some odd reason. Seriously, an iPad 2 used is STILL expensive! But if you have never used an Apple product or for that matter, a mac, then this might be one of the first things you should involve yourselves in.

This machine is a B.Y.O.A. kind of machine. What that means is "bring your own accessories". This machine does not come with a keyboard, monitor, or a mouse. All you get is the system, the power cord and the operating system or the OS. For me, that was perfect, because I had a monitor already, I had a bluetooth keyboard and a wired keyboard, and I also had a mouse from a old laptop that I used to have.  

So this was perfect for me (I did go out to buy a Apple Keyboard and the trackpad which was ok, but more on that in a later posting). After setting everything up and getting into the OS, it was like exploring a foreign world. Of course, most things were simple to understand, but the other things is what kept me in awe. On a mac, I had to get used to the color dots at the top of a page instead of back and forward arrows. Also everything in the Mac store was just like one huge app. Whereas on a PC you would install programs and things of that nature, on a Mac you install big apps. There are some seriously pricey apps on that Mac store just to let you know.

The system itself is not very big. A little bigger than an AppleTV and about the same size as most toasters turned on its side. It's funny how you can pack everything you need in this small package. For the person who is thinking about switching, take note and do not throw away everything from your old PC or computer in general, because you could possibly use that old hardware on your new platform. The system runs quiet and the internals are as follows: core i5 2.5ghz processor, 4 gb of ram, 500 gb hard drive, and Intel hd graphics. It also has 4 usb 3.0 ports firewire 800 port, hdmi, thunderbolt, and an audio line  out/headphone jack. Wifi is 802.11 a/b/g/n, bluetooth 4.0 and a SDXC card slot.

Not bad on the inside, but to others, this configuration may get laughed at. You can also get a core i7 but of course its more expensive. Its not built for heavy gaming, but then again what Mac is? But you can play your basic games and my daughter played on Y8.com on there. There are other games you can play like the Bioshock's and things of that nature, but you will have to look inside the Mac store for more of that. 

I do not do a lot of things on my Mac Mini because honestly, I do all my browsing from my Nexus or iOS devices'. There are those times when you do need to do some heavy lifting like transferring songs onto an iPod, iPhone, or upload music to Google Play Music and those quick devices just don't do enough. I also make music and while apps for FL Studio is nice and Garage Band as well, without some sort of real computing, I would be lost without it. Photo editing is real big and making movies and all of that just need more processing power, more this and that, well just more everything. So because of that, PC's will probably never die out completely, and at the same time, you don't actually need a PC because Mac is a great alternative and so is the Mac Mini by Apple. I plan on getting another Mac here in the near future. I think I want a MacBook Air (2013 Edition) or the new Mac Pro (2013). The one is so thin and light and the other is so small and light and really customizable. I don't know if I want another desktop. I do know however that I am cool with not having any more PC/Windows platforms anymore! I have been using Windows for ages (and it feels like it) and if you this same feeling and are in need of a switch but don't want to spend a lot, then this Mac Mini should make for a real nice transition.

Apple Mac Mini (2012 Edition) 8.5/10

Slim Port Adapter

The Best Accessory Your Nexus Can Have

Always wanted to put your content from your tablet onto your big screen, but in full 1080p HD? Well now with the new Nexus 7 FHD and A Slim Port adapter, your wish is it's command. This is the Slim Port Adapter for your Nexus Device.

To be honest I don't have the real actual SlimPort Adapter, I have a Slim Port Adapter by TGOM that I got here from Amazon. This one is a lot cheaper than this one, so I went with the one from TGOM instead. To be honest, in my opinion, they do the same thing but one is for a cheaper price. I got this on Tuesday I believe and I have been using it everyday to get the feel and how it works out and the performance. The most important thing is, that this device works. I hate to say it feels cheap because its hard plastic, but it feel like any other small hard plastic piece. 

I can't say much for design, because I don't think it was supposed to look mind blowing, but the design of it is kind of plain and its not to big. Its actually about the size of two double A batteries side by side and about as thick as one of the batteries. So its not really all that big, and the wire that is connected to it is a decent length.

I have a 1080p TV and a 720p monitor in the back. I game on both of them but the this Slim Port only works on the 1080p display as far as i can see. My PS3 and 360 work with no problem on the monitor (even the Wii U worked on it) so i am just guessing that since you can't dial back the settings on a Nexus, and the monitor only displays 720p images, then it is safe to say that the Slim Port only shows 1080p content.

 

Performance wise, i didn't see any noticeable lag while playing games on it or watching YouTube videos. I was also able to stream music from my google play account and run it through my receiver and it worked like a charm without any cut or Distortion in sound. The only bad that i think this thing does have is, it didn't play my Time Warner Cable app, and said that external displays are not supported by this app. I wish I had a Netflix or Hulu Plus account because then I could tell you if those worked. I do know that Crackle worked fine and the games themselves (that I have) worked perfectly. 

My music selections with Nexus below

A little Dead Trigger with Nexus below

More selections

This is where the you're charging wire goes.

So the device itself has a little charging port to charge your device as you watch and play games. So you can connect your hdmi wire to the Slim Port and then a charging cable to the Slim Port and then put them into the Nexus device. I have not used mine yet because I charge my Nexus with the Nokia Lumia Wireless Charge Plate. Overall this Slim Port is kind of cool and its a great way to get your content from your Nexus to your device so people can see instead of people always looking over your shoulder while you do things on your tablet or phone. I used this with my Nexus 7 FHD but it sold as working for the Nexus 4, so I assume that it works for both, in case you were wondering. The main thing I use this for is for gaming on my Nexus. I hook up my Nexus to the TV and connect my MOGA controller and play games on my TV. It's like having a OUYA. This is now my personal gaming system and its pretty cool.

Is this device for you? That's a good question. It depends on your purpose for the device and what you are willing to spend. I paid next to nothing for this device so it was a no-brainer for me. I love tech and this is just another way for me to get use out of my Nexus 7 FHD. If I would have to buy the other SlimPort and pay that much, then I would say you can actually live without it. In that case I would have sent this back by now! But honestly, I am enjoying this and know that this will have more of a purpose later on down the line. As for now, its a great conversation piece and the novelty will more than likely wear off in a few more days or so. After that, that is when I think I will actually use it as a normal routine or not. But if you have been interested in getting the most out of your new Nexus 7 or Nexus 4 or if you are really wanting to get the most out of every new feature you Nexus has to offer like I am, then for the price, this is a great way to experience your device with others and finally get that real big picture in a nice small package.

Slim Port Adapter by TGOM 8/10

The ultimate gaming set-up

Mario & Luigi Dreamteam

   *Note that this is only the demo*

   What's up everyone, today we are doing another game review or first imprestion if you must, on a 3DS game called Mario & Luigi Dreamteam. So without further adu, this is Mario & Luigi Dreamteam.

  To continue the theme of this year being "The Year of Luigi" Ninendo has put together an impressive game that packs platforming and rpg elements together just right. First off I am a huge fan of Mario RPG and have a copy on my Nexus 7 FHD that I still play to this day. I say that because this game reminds me so much of Mario RPG and maybe that is why I like this game so much. Fans of Mario and or Luigi should not be bothered or depressed with this game because it is not the same old rehash Mario title and because it is fun if you have been playing these types of games or if your new to the whole thing. I am starting to thing that the best way to play Nintendo games is actually on 3DS rather than Nintendo Wii U or even the Wii. I say that because Nintendo captures all the Nintendo goodieness that we have all come to enjoy and even more and packs it in a place that can fit right into your pocket.

   I am not gonna lie, I am going to actually buy this game sometime next week because I am really interested in what other features or gameplay elements that they have packed inside of there. The game itself looks pretty good (for 3DS standards) and the controls seem a little weird at first but you get used to them over a period of time. The A button controls Mario while the B button controls Luigi. The R sholder button controls the switching of different actions while the L sholder button cycles them in reverse. The game itself (even in this demo) uses every feature on the 3DS to near perfection.

   There are three modes on the demo, The Real World, The Dream World and Boss Battle. My favorite so far is the Dream World because Luigi is at his very best. In the Dream World stage, you use the touch screen to pull on Luigi's mustache to grab on to Mario in game and fling him to different spots. It sounds odd and crazy but it works and works real well. The boss battle stage was nice too. The power ups that you use are basically little mini-games that you can pull off to double or even tripple your attack. One of my fav's was the turtle shell attack. Mario stands on one side of the screen and Luigi on the other and with the right timming of the right button, you kick the sheel at the enemy and it returns to the other teammate. However, if you miss it, you just missed out on a lot of damage for that said boss or enemy. It really keeps you engaged into the game these games can work for offensive and defensive purposes.

There were a few charecters that I reconized like Mario, Luigi and I seen Toad. Then there are a few new people, good/bad, who were new to me but they never left me going "who in the world are these people?" The only thing bad that I think I can say about the demo and not the game (but still may be in the final game as well) is that it seems like its to short and that the game wear out its welcome to soon. I could be wrong but that's what I get the feeling of. Anyway, anything I am missing or anything anyone wants to add, send it in and I do respond.

Check out my buddies buddies Youtube page A Demon Gaming <----click the link there
And as always Long Live Tech

Mario & Luigi Dreamteam 9/10

Selecting one of the best moves

Mini Game at its best.

The Dream Levels