OUYA Android Game Console To Launch At Retail In June With ...

The little Android-based gaming console that could is in on track for March as promised for Kickstarter backers, but the public launch in June looks to be an equally splashy affair with retail support from some of the biggest U.S. chains. OUYA announced today to backers that it would be selling the console to the general public beginning in June at Amazon, Best Buy, Target and GameStop.

Pre-orders begin today for retail partners (they?re currently live at Best Buy, Amazon and Target), with pricing set at $99.99 for the console and one controller. Additional controllers are available as well, for $49.99 each (the console supports up to four controllers at one time.

OUYA founder Julie Uhrman sat down with the Wall Street Journal to discuss the upcoming launch and some of the details around it, laying out that Kickstarter backers would get their units first, followed by pre-order customers who ordered through the OUYA website in April, and then wide retail release including physical store presence beginning in June. She reiterated some of the details around launch day content previously announced, including the fact that there will be around 200 titles coming to OUYA as of right now, with Final Fantasy 3 one of the premiere titles from launch partner Square Enix, which will feature exclusive content.

Uhrman also revealed that part of the funds the company raised on Kickstarter are going towards directly supporting game development. ?There are games that we are supporting today,? she said, but she remained mum about any specific software OUYA itself was backing for the platform. Uhrman also said that while she couldn?t reveal specifics about how many pre-orders the console currently has, the number made since the Kickstarter campaign definitely exceeds the 68,000 backers it picked up during the?crowdfunding?effort. That, she told the WSJ, was a key factor in attracting big retail partners.

OUYA has come a long way from its origins as a project many were skeptical would ever be anything other than a vaporware dream. The company shipped out its developer units on time, and then worked to redesign the controller in response to user feedback about ergonomics, components used and control location. Now, it looks poised to deliver on its original timeline and hit full scale production shortly after. It?ll be well worth watching how the OUYA competes with this year?s crop of new consoles from players like Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, since we?re in a period of transition for each of those companies.

OUYA was created in 2012 by Julie Uhrman, a video game industry veteran who saw an opportunity to open up the last closed game platform ? the TV. Julie and an initial team of game developers and advisors brought the concept to life with the help of Yves Behar and the fuseproject, and took it to Kickstarter in July of 2012. It became one of the most successful Kickstarter projects ever, with tens of thousands of backers pledging to...

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Source: http://techcrunch.com/2013/02/05/ouya-android-game-console-to-launch-at-retail-in-june-with-amazon-best-buy-target-and-gamestop/

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Why Spotify Apps Are Actually Pretty Useful

When Spotify updated to add support for apps over a year ago, the news was met with a collective shrug from most people. Over time, a number of apps have popped up, and they make content discovery and personalized news easy.

The initial Spotify apps that launched last year were a little bland (Rolling Stone lists, Pitchfork lists, weird dating apps), but I spent some time with them again recently and a few gems are hidden within Spotify's app "store" (click the Apps button in the sidebar and they'll pop up). Here are a few that work really well.

Apps Are a Fantastic Discovery Tool

The most obvious use of the Spotify apps is to assist with music discovery, and in that respect, they don't disappoint. With apps like Rolling Stone, Hype Machine, The Guardian, and Pitchfork, it's not difficult to find a curated list of some of the best (or at least more popular) new music hitting the shelves. Simply read a review, click play, and you're listening to an album instantly. It's more handy than you'd think.

Of course, music discovery is also about getting into completely new genres, and in a couple places Spotify really shines. I've dipped my toe into the jazz and classical genres for years, but have always been put off by the complexity of diving in headfirst. For classical music, the Classify app has made it easy for me to peek into its depths without feeling overwhelmed. For jazz, the excellent Blue Note app provides a breakdown of the various subgenres of jazz, a timeline, and plenty more. It's one of the rare example of just what's possible within Spotify.

Just you'd expect, you'll also find all kinds of more randomized playlists too, including Tunigo for event-specific lists (parties, workouts, and more), or MoodAgent to create a soundtrack to your current mood.

You'll find plenty of other examples, and chances are that regardless of what type of music you prefer, you'll find an app that does what you want it to. These aren't full-time use apps by any means, and the bulk of my time is spent listening to albums. But when I have time to mess around and find new thing, I've enjoyed my time with Spotify apps more than I thought I would.

Apps Can Dish You Concert News without Filling Up Your Inbox with Nonsense

I like the idea of webapps and sites that send me news when my favorite artists are in town, or when they release a new album, but I'm not into signing up for newsletters, alerts, or Facebook updates. What's nice about Spotify apps is they're restricted to the Spotify ecosystem. They don't dig into (and through) your social networks. They don't send you 900 emails a week. They just sit there, waiting for you to click on them.

So, apps like Bandsintown Concerts or Seatgeek that scan my library and what I listen to, and then show me which of those bands are playing in town soon are pretty nice. I don't need to like a bunch of bands on Facebook, or follow thirty venues on Twitter. It's all just there.

Spotify's own built-in artist alert has also proven helpful. When an artist you've starred releases a new album on Spotify, you get a little notification that lets you know. It's simple, but helpful when you're stuck digging through all the noise.

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While Spotify apps aren't going to change the way the listen to music completely, they do have their uses, and as both a discovery tool and a news filter, the apps are surprisingly useful. It might be time to give them another look if you haven't already.

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/QEUe1vjcX1A/why-spotify-apps-are-actually-pretty-useful

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Super Bowl showcases Apple's AppStore vanity URL

In the midst of the Super Bowl advertising frenzy, CNET noticed the first big, public showcasing of Apple's AppStore.com URL shortener, right at the end of the trailer for the upcoming Star Trek movie.

The way it works, according to developer Benjamin Mayo, is that the new AppStore.com shortener simply takes the name of an piece of content, company, or even person on iTunes, removes any special characters, and then appends that to the domain name. If that ends up with multiple entries for the same name, you'll be shown a search-like page containing all of them, to avoid conflicts. So http://www.appstore.com/imore will show you all apps, podcasts, etc. that include iMore in their name, while http://www.appstore.com/mobilenations will show you all apps made by our Mobile Nations network.

According to Steve Streza, developers interested in knowing more can find documentation on Apple's portal at https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#qa/qa1633/_index.html

More important than the URL-shortening aspect is the marketing aspect. Once upon a time it was "dot com" everyone, with websites ruling the advertising world. Then AOL keywords began to get sprinkled in. The Google keywords. Then Facebook pages. Now Apple has a way to splash a link across an ad, a billboard, or a website in the same easy-to-remember manner.

It makes Apple competitive in the marketing mind-space.

Source: CNET, Benjamin Mayo

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheIphoneBlog/~3/x7mqS9qrRcs/story01.htm

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Finding the way to memory: Receptor plays key role in regulating plasticity of brain's nerve cell connections

Feb. 4, 2013 ? Our ability to learn and form new memories is fully dependent on the brain's ability to be plastic -- that is to change and adapt according to new experiences and environments. A new study from the Montreal Neurological Institute -- The Neuro, McGill University, reveals that DCC, the receptor for a crucial protein in the nervous system known as netrin, plays a key role in regulating the plasticity of nerve cell connections in the brain. The absence of DCC leads to the type of memory loss experienced by Dr. Brenda Milner's famous subject HM. Although HM's memory loss resulted from the removal of an entire brain structure, this study shows that just removing DCC causes the same type of memory deficit.

The finding published in this week's issue of Cell Reports, extends Dr. Milner's seminal finding to another level, revealing a key part of the molecular basis for learning and memory.

Although both netrin and DCC are essential for normal development (in terms of guiding nerve cell growth) until now their function in the adult brain was not known. Dr. Tim Kennedy, lead researcher and neuroscientist at The Neuro, contributed to the discovery of netrins as a young post-doctoral fellow. This new study reveals the answer to the question that drove him to first start a lab. "I remember that exact moment when I knew I could run a research lab, it was 1993 and I was studying the developing nervous system and I was amazed to spot netrins in the adult brain -- raising the important question, 'what are they doing there?' 20 years of dedicated research later the answer provides an important piece of the puzzle for understanding our nervous system and neurological disorders.

"The power of this study is that it looks at the animal on all levels, molecular, structural, and behavioural. We show that the netrin receptor DCC is a critical component of synapses between neurons in the adult brain, and is required for synapses to function properly. To demonstrate this, we selectively removed DCC from a specific subset of neurons in the adult mouse brain. This results in progressive degeneration of synapses, leading to defects in synaptic plasticity and memory. The synapses continue to function in that they still communicate but, the synapses cannot adjust or change in response to new experiences. Therefore, you can't learn anymore."

Furthermore, DCC deletion from mature neurons results in changes in the shape of specialized protrusions called dendritic spines, and alters the NMDA receptor, a critical trigger for mechanisms that make changes in synaptic strength. Therefore the study reveals that DCC is required to maintain proper synapse morphology or shape, and to regulate the ability of the NMDA receptor to switch on, which ensures activity-dependent synaptic plasticity.

Mutant mice that entirely lack DCC in all cells do not survive past birth and exhibit major defects in brain development. In order to investigate the function of netrin in the adult brain, researchers from the Netherlands Cancer Institute, collaborators on this study, engineered a new strain of floxed mice, in which the DCC gene can be selectively deleted from a specific sub-set of cells. Floxing involves putting short sequences of DNA on either side of a gene sequence. An enzyme that is activated later in life then recombines the DNA and cuts out the intervening sequence -- deleting the gene only from specific cells. The Kennedy lab activated this enzyme only in the mature mouse brain, and limited activation to only a subset of neurons, consequently deleting the DCC gene from only from these neurons. These mice live to adulthood (DCC is made normally in all other cells in the mouse) as the enzyme only turns on and deletes DCC in specific cells in the adult brain. Although the mice otherwise appear normal, testing their behavior revealed severe deficits in their ability to form certain types of new long-term memories.

This study provides important new insight into the neural mechanisms of learning and memory, processes that are fundamental to our existence, survival, and everyday life.

This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Dr. Kennedy is a Chercheur national of the Fonds de recherche du Qu?bec -- Sant? and a Scholar of the Killam Trusts.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by McGill University.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Katherine?E. Horn, Stephen?D. Glasgow, Delphine Gobert, Sarah-Jane Bull, Tamarah Luk, Jacklyn Girgis, Marie-Eve Tremblay, Danielle McEachern, Jean-Fran?ois Bouchard, Michael Haber, Edith Hamel, Paul Krimpenfort, Keith?K. Murai, Anton Berns, Guy Doucet, C.?Andrew Chapman, Edward?S. Ruthazer, Timothy?E. Kennedy. DCC Expression by Neurons Regulates Synaptic Plasticity in the Adult Brain. Cell Reports, 2013; 3 (1): 173 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2012.12.005

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/FFrAL0NaGEU/130204142644.htm

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Develop Your Safety Skills With Avalanche Training sports, outdoors ...

There are a great deal of people who wish to visit some of the natural wonders of the world or engage in ski and related activity in some of the challenging environments. While more are engaging in snowboarding and mountain hiking, it is of the utmost importance that one seek avalanche training to provide the resources and develop essential skills in disaster management. It is essential to protect oneself and others while on an adventure.

Many resorts and natural locations are visited by increasing amounts of snowboarders, hikers and skiers which means that protective measures are becoming stricter. Due to the extent of the natural wilderness and harsh elements, disasters can occur and have resulted in the loss of lives of many explorers. With the appropriate types of training available, more people are equipped to handle unforeseen circumstances.

The first step is to assist individuals exploring snowy terrain in the identification of possible avalanche areas and ways to avoid it. Skills focus on the ability to rescue someone who has been trapped under the excessive amount of snow. All outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to take heed of such programs in order to secure their safety in nature.

In many regions, these supportive programs are supported by facilities including the National Search and Rescue Association meaning that you receive all relevant guidance in case of disaster. All equipment, tools and technique will be explored should you ever have to face a difficulty in the wilderness without access to the appropriate resources. Curricula will consist of different levels depending on current skills and abilities.

Introductory courses will focus on the basics of safety while advanced levels may take a closer look at action plans. There is also a field element where students will be required to explore areas in the identification of risk and prevention. One may enhance essential skills and improve upon awareness of the cause for resultant avalanches.

Whether you are looking to engage in extensive hiking, snowboard or ski activities it is of the utmost importance that one focus on the implementation of safety procedure. Understanding the risks involved and determining safety methods can aid in the saving of lives. Should you already be knowledgeable regarding the basics, refresher and professional level courses may be taken.

One will need to invest in standards that are nationally recognized for the safety of all involved in extensive trips and adventure trails. In order to ensure appropriate outcomes are achieved with the result that you are better able to act in an efficient manner to prevent against risk. Determine whether certification may be included upon completion.

With appropriate and certified avalanche training all individuals are provided the opportunity to seek the necessary tips and strategies that should be fulfilled. Possessing the knowledge and means to act in case of emergency services. Not only will you be able to continue your journey, but you will be able to apply those skills in real life situations when the time is right.

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Source: http://bicycleland.blogspot.com/2013/02/develop-your-safety-skills-with.html

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BofA says mobile, online banking working again

(Reuters) - Bank of America Corp, the No. 2 U.S. bank by assets, on Saturday said its mobile and online banking systems were working again after crashing on Friday.

Customers who attempted to log onto the website on Friday received a message that said the site was "temporarily unavailable." An internal systems issue caused the problems, a person familiar with the situation told Reuters.

Bank of America says it has 30 million active online banking customers.

(Reporting By Rick Rothacker in Charlotte, N.C.; editing by Gunna Dickson)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/bofa-says-mobile-online-banking-working-again-184237882--sector.html

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India's Religare says tech error caused unusual trades

MUMBAI (Reuters) - A technology glitch at India's Religare Capital Markets caused "unintended transactions", the brokerage said on Saturday, a day after deeply discounted sale of large blocks of shares in Tata Motors and UltraTech Cement hit the markets.

India's National Stock Exchange Ltd said on Friday it was investigating the block sales in two stocks, the latest in a series of unusual price movements to rattle the market.

"Religare Capital Markets Limited uses third party software for execution of orders on stock exchanges. Due to some technical issue in the software, unintended transactions got executed," the brokerage said in a statement.

"There was no broker error and no loss to any clients," it said, adding the matter was being looked into by the software provider. It said there was no impact on client business and the brokerage would operate normally on Monday.

A total of 2.07 million shares in Tata Motors were sold in six blocks at an average price of 274.92 rupees (5.16 dollars) in the afternoon on Friday, well below the roughly 292 rupee level at which the shares were trading at the time.

Tata shares fell as low as 268.25 rupees before ending the session down 5.49 percent at 281.64 rupees.

Shares in UltraTech, a cement maker, ended down 3.4 percent after an earlier block sale of 41,863 shares took place at an average 1,853.80 rupees, also well below where shares were trading at the time.

Both trades took place around the same time.

(Reporting by Sumeet Chatterjee; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/indias-religare-says-tech-error-caused-unusual-trades-065454700--finance.html

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