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EA ANNOUNCES BATTLEFIELD 4 FOR XBOX ONE AND PLAYSTATION 4

The Next Generation of Battlefield Begins on October 31

Pre-order Now to Receive the Battlefield 4 China Rising Digital Expansion Pack

SYDNEY, Australia. – May 22, 2013 – DICE, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: EA), today announced that the highly-anticipated action blockbuster Battlefield 4 ™ will be available this holiday for early-adopters of the next-generation hardware systems: Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the PlayStation®4. Powered by the advanced Frostbite™ 3 engine, Battlefield 4 delivers a genre-defining all-out war experience brought to life with unmatched visual and audio fidelity, superior character animations and dynamic destruction that ensures no two matches are alike. Battlefield 4 will be available in Australia on October 31 for the Xbox 360® game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. Battlefield 4 will also be available for the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4.

 
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AVG Technologies Acquires Leading Online Privacy Firm PrivacyChoice

AVG Technologies Acquires Leading Online Privacy Firm PrivacyChoice

Acquisition furthers AVG’s commitment to enhance users’ online experience 

MELBOURNE – 22 May, 2013 – AVG Technologies N.V. (NYSE: AVG), the provider of Internet and mobile security, privacy and optimization to 150 million active users, has today announced that it has acquired online privacy organization, PrivacyChoice.

Founded in 2009, PrivacyChoice’s primary mission is to make privacy easier. For the past four years the company has been helping people around the world take control of their privacy through web and browser-based tools.

PrivacyChoice provides both B2C and B2B tools, of which the flagship is the consumer-based web application, Privacyfix. Aimed at addressing web users’ privacy concerns, Privacyfix is an award-winning browser plugin that allows users to manage their privacy settings across Facebook, Google, LinkedIn and thousands of other websites. Web users can do this from a single personalised dashboard, on which they can see which companies are tracking them online, which websites may share personal information, and which have experienced data breaches in the past.

“Since founding, our mission has been to deliver more effective and more informed choices about how your data is collected, used and shared,” said Jim Brock, PrivacyChoice’s founder, who will become Vice President of Privacy Products for AVG. “We saw strong synergies between our approach and the efforts AVG continues to make in empowering people when it comes to their online privacy.”

Privacyfix is currently available in the US for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, with Microsoft Internet Explorer and other international markets to follow. As consumers play out more and more of their digital lives on mobile devices, and in recognition of the vast array of challenges presented by mobile privacy, Privacyfix will also be made available this year for iOS and Android, extending privacy protection across smartphones and tablets.

“Our two companies share a vision of empowering consumers to manage their personal information and preferences as they live out their lives online. This is key part of our commitment to delivering privacy, protection and performance software solutions across multiple platforms and devices,” mentioned Sam Hendry, General Manager AVG Technologies AU. “We believe in allowing consumers to take control of their online privacy and this acquisition is a perfect demonstration of the active steps we are taking to support this vision.”

The acquisition bolsters AVG’s online privacy portfolio, reinforcing the “Peace of Mind” philosophy which is fundamental to its company ethos. AVG currently offers a Do Not Track feature, which actively stops websites from tracking users’ movements online, as a free update on certain products.

 

 
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NEW EA SPORTS IGNITE ENGINE TO POWER EA SPORTS GAMES ON NEXT GENERATION CONSOLES

Madden NFL 25, FIFA 14, NBA LIVE 14 and EA SPORTS UFC to Launch Within Next 12 Months

Sydney, Australia – May 22, 2013 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) announced today that it has developed EA SPORTS™ IGNITE, a new game engine that will power EA SPORTS games on Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PlayStation®4. Fuelled by EA SPORTS IGNITE, EA SPORTS games will be alive with players who think, move, and behave like real athletes and dynamic living worlds, transforming the way people play and experience games on next gen consoles. Created with the EA SPORTS IGNITE engine, Madden NFL 25, FIFA 14, NBA LIVE 14, and EA SPORTS™ UFC, will each launch within the next 12 months.

 
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Bitdefender Launches Free Clueful for Android App to Protect Users from Privacy Invasion

Groundbreaking app alerts device owners to suspicious and reckless behavior by apps 

Sydney, AUSTRALIA, May 22, 2013 – Bitdefender, the creator of innovative global antivirus software solutions, has launched the groundbreaking app Clueful for Android, giving device owners a way to monitor suspicious or careless apps that endanger privacy, handle sensitive data carelessly, deliver unwanted spam and access private information.

Bitdefender Clueful for Android gives you  – totally free – a tool to monitor and analyse Android apps to see which ones can use your phone and read your messages without permission, send spam notifications, access your photos, send your passwords unencrypted over the internet, upload your calendar, interrupt your phone calls with audio ads and more.

The revolutionary free app offers a comprehensive analysis of app behavior that is only available from Bitdefender. From the maker of Bitdefender Mobile Security, PC Mag’s Editor’s Choice for Android security, Clueful checks your apps against a constantly updated Cloud database to let you know when your privacy is at risk. Moreover, Clueful checks each app as soon as you install it, and rates the overall security status of your device with a “Privacy Score” to measure your vulnerability.

“Your smartphone is probably the most personal device you own, containing private messages, sensitive banking information, personal photos and other data that can leave you vulnerable if handled carelessly,” said Bitdefender Chief Security Strategist Catalin Cosoi. “Meanwhile, the world of apps is still like the Wild West – poorly regulated, chaotic and open to exploitation by unsavory characters. Clueful offers you a solid defense in an often dangerous milieu.”

Bitdefender will launch Bitdefender Clueful for Android in an event for the media at Pepcom’s MobileFocus at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas on May 21, the opening night of the CTIA 2013™. Clueful will be available starting the same day on the Google Play store.

Clueful is crafted and maintained by world-leading developers at Bitdefender, drawing on years of experience on the front lines of the fight against malware. Innovation and dedication has won the company top awards, including the #1 spot worldwide in testing by independent analysts of AV-TEST in 2013, the Product of the Year for 2012 by AV-Comparatives, 12 consecutive VB100 awards from Virus Bulletin and more.

 
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ASUS Zenbook Infinity to Debut at Computex

 The World’s First Ultrabook with a Lid made from Corning Gorilla Glass 3

Taipei, Taiwan (20th May, 2013) — ASUS today announced that the new Zenbook Infinity Ultrabook™ will debut at Computex 2013. Zenbook Infinity features a beautiful new design that combines glass and aluminium for a wonderfully slim profile with outstanding resilience. Thinner than the previous model, Zenbook Infinity makes innovative use of new Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3 with Native Damage Resistance™ on the lid and keyboard surround for sleek and durable style.

Slim, stylish and scratch-resistant
ASUS Zenbook Infinity raises the bar for notebook design with a seemingly impossible combination of elegance and durability. With a maximum thickness of just 15.5mm, Zenbook Infinity is 14 per cent thinner than the previous generation of Zenbook. By incorporating Corning Gorilla Glass 3 with Native Damage Resistance (NDR) on the outer lid and keyboard surround, Zenbook Infinity attains a first for notebook design — a sheer, high-gloss, finish that’s highly resistant to scuff marks and scratches.

New Corning Gorilla Glass 3 has the same durability and thinness as Gorilla Glass 2, but uses Corning’s proprietary NDR glass composition for superior scratch resistance, reduced scratch visibility and improved toughness. Corning Gorilla Glass 3 with NDR has three times the scratch resistance of Gorilla Glass 2, and gives a 40 per cent reduction in the number of highly visible scratches with a 40 per cent improvement in retained strength if a deep scratch does occur.

Zenbook Infinity features the pattern of fine concentric circles that’s an ASUS Zenbook hallmark, but boasts a clean and smooth exterior that’s more resistant to the harsh realities of mobile life than notebooks that use more traditional materials.

ASUS at Computex 2013

Zenbook Infinity will be on show at the ASUS Computex 2013 showcase in Taipei from 4-8 June. The ASUS showcase is at Booth M0810, Nangang Exhibition Hall 4F at the Taipei World Trade Center. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.

 
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The latest update for World of Warcraft, Patch 5.3: Escalation is now live on servers and available for play.

The extensive additions include:

–        New Battleground: Deepwind Gorge

  • In the new Battleground situated in the Valley of the Four Winds, the Alliance and Horde continue their war for Pandaria’s precious resources. While the two factions battle for control over mines, they must also protect their own resources from being stolen and turned against them!

–        New Arena: The Tiger’s Peak

  • Gladiator hopefuls have a new location to test their mettle amidst the Kun-Lai mountain tops, in the training grounds of the powerful Shado-Pan. Players must make use of the looming tiger statues and fenced platforms to gain an advantage that will bring victory and glory!

–        New Scenario: Battle on the High Seas

  • Help your faction fend off enemy forces in the midst of a battle for naval supremacy on the High Seas.

–        New Scenario: Blood in the Snow

  • An agent of Zandalar has infiltrated Dun Morogh and rallied the Frostmane trolls. At Varian’s request, Moira will lead her personal guard against them once the king’s champions have stopped the magical storm protecting Shimmer Ridge.

–        New Scenario: Dark Heart of Pandaria

  • Goblin engineers have been excavating in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms to find a mysterious artifact, but all they’ve found is trouble; you have been personally called upon by the Warchief to aid them in their hour of need.

–        New Scenario: The Secrets of Ragefire

  • Infiltrate the Emberdeep Caverns and assist the Gob Squad in investigating a recent disappearance in Durotar.

–        Heroic Scenarios

  • A Heroic difficulty for Scenarios have been added and are designed to provide challenging content for small groups of well-seasoned adventurers. Completing a Heroic Scenario awards Valor points, and a chance to obtain high level Epic quality items.
    • Battle of the High Seas
    • Blood in the Snow
    • Dark Heart of Pandaria
    • The Secrets of Ragefire
    • Crypt of Forgotten Kings
    • A Brewing Storm

–        Quest Campaign: Escalation

  • The Darkspear Trolls are in open rebellion against the Warchief! Aid your faction in preparing to rout Garrosh Hellscream from Orgrimmar

–        Battlefield: Barrens

  • Put the stranglehold on Orgrimmar by undermining the Kor’kron supply chain in Northern Barrens.

–        The Legendary Quest Continues

  • Journey with Wrathion to the four corners of Pandaria to speak with the August Celestials.

–        Brawler’s Guild Updates

  • Test your might against two new tiers of bosses in the Brawl’gar Arena in Orgrimmar or Bizmo’s Brawl Pub in Stormwind.

–        Experience needed to increase from level 85 to level 90 has been reduced by 33%.

 

A thorough roundup of the new content is available on the World of Warcraft community site, with comprehensive patch notes available here.

 
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Official Call of Duty: Ghosts Reveal Trailer

Call of Duty: Ghosts takes the critically-acclaimed franchise into the next generation. New world. New story. New, next-gen engine. Pre-order now at http://www.callofduty.com/ghosts/preorder.

Keep up with all of the latest information by following us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/codghosts) and on Twitter (@CallofDuty, @InfinityWard and @CallofDuty_ANZ). Visit www.callofduty.com/ghosts

 
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Microsoft unveils Xbox One: the ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system

Blockbuster titles, Steven Spielberg-produced Halo TV series, and exclusive agreements with the NFL transform games, TV and entertainment for the 21st century living room.

The Video Reveal can be found at – http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/hub/reveal

REDMOND, Wash. — May 21, 2013 — A new vision for the future comes to life today as Microsoft Corp. unveils Xbox One, the all-in-one gaming and entertainment system created for today and the next generation. At Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Wash., the company showcased how Xbox One puts you at the center of all your games, TV, movies, music, sports and Skype.

“Xbox One is designed to deliver a whole new generation of blockbuster games, television and entertainment in a powerful, all-in-one device,” said Don Mattrick, president, Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “Our unique, modern architecture brings simplicity to the living room and, for the first time ever, the ability to instantly switch across your games and entertainment.”

Introducing Xbox One

With Xbox One, games push the boundaries of realism, and TV obeys your commands.1 Say “Xbox On” to launch your personalized Xbox One Home screen, discover what is popular on TV or see friends’ latest gaming achievements all using the most natural interface — your voice. The more you interact with Xbox One, the more it gets to know you and learns what you like. Some of the breakthrough Xbox One features that put you at the center of your living room entertainment include the following:

  • TV on Xbox One.1 Navigate and watch live TV from your cable, telco or satellite set-top box through your Xbox One. Microsoft is committed to bringing live TV through various solutions to all the markets where Xbox One will be available.3
  • Home. Turn on your entertainment system with two powerful words, “Xbox On,” and a custom-tailored Home dashboard welcomes you with your favorite games, TV and entertainment.
  • Snap. Do two things at once on the biggest screen in your home. Use Snap to jump into a multiplayer battle while watching your favorite movie, talk with friends on Skype while watching live TV, or track your fantasy team on TV as you watch the big game and more.
  • Skype for Xbox One. Specially designed for Xbox One, talk with friends on your TV in stunning HD, or for the first time ever, hold group Skype calls on your TV.
  • Trending.1 Stay on top of what is hot on TV by discovering the entertainment that is popular among your friends, and see what is trending within the Xbox community.
  • OneGuide.1, 2 Find your favorite entertainment easily, searching by network, name or time, all with the sound of your voice and presented in a tailored program guide.

 

To create the most advanced Xbox system ever designed for games, TV and entertainment, Microsoft created a state-of-the-art gaming operating system and fused it with an equally amazing entertainment platform, so you will not have to switch inputs to watch TV or play a game. An eight-core, x86 processor and more than 5 billion transistors helps make lag and load times a thing of the past, so you can instantly jump between a game and your entertainment at lightning speed or run a host of apps right alongside your game with no loss in performance.

Introducing Xbox One titles and exclusives

Gaming on Xbox One immerses gamers in cinematic worlds that look like real life, with characters that feel more human than ever before. AAA blockbuster titles unveiled for Xbox One include the following:

  • “Forza Motorsport 5” from Turn 10 Studios is the latest edition of the highest-rated racing franchise of the past 10 years.3 Built from the ground up to take advantage of Xbox One and the infinite power of the cloud, no game better delivers the sensation of being behind the wheel. “Forza Motorsport 5” sets a new bar for racing games and will be available exclusively for Xbox One at launch.
  • “Call of Duty: Ghosts” is the next generation of “Call of Duty” and a stunning leap forward for the franchise. It delivers an all-new world, an all-new cast of characters and an all-new story, built on a new, next-generation engine. The next-generation technical innovations built to support the incredible gameplay advancements make this the most beautiful and immersive “Call of Duty” experience yet. Activision and Microsoft also announced the renewal of their close partnership that will see both the return of the “Call of Duty® Championship,” presented by Xbox, as well as all-new downloadable content debuting first and exclusively on the Xbox platform.
  • “FIFA 14,” “Madden NFL 25,” “NBA LIVE 14,” and “EA SPORTS UFC” from EA SPORTS will change the way consumers experience and play sports games. Driven by the new EA SPORTS Ignite engine, these new EA SPORTS games will deliver massive innovations in human intelligence, true player motion and living worlds. Adding to its commitment to Xbox One, EA SPORTS also announced the promise of exclusive content to be revealed in the coming months.
  • “Quantum Break” from Remedy Entertainment is a revolutionary entertainment experience from the creators of “Max Payne” and “Alan Wake” that blurs the line between gaming and TV by integrating drama and gameplay into one seamless, uniquely immersive experience. How you play the game impacts the show, and the show informs how you play the game.

 

In addition to the amazing lineup of games coming to Xbox One, Microsoft unveiled exclusive content partnerships with some of the top names in TV, sports and entertainment.

  • “Halo” television series. Award-winning filmmaker, director and producer, Steven Spielberg will executive-produce an original “Halo” live-action television series with exclusive interactive Xbox One content, created in partnership with 343 Industries and Xbox Entertainment Studios.
  • National Football League (NFL).1 A multiyear, landmark partnership will deliver the ultimate interactive NFL television experiences for the next-generation Xbox One and leverage Microsoft devices and services to evolve both in-game and on the sideline. The NFL on Xbox will redefine broadcast experiences through innovations around Skype, Xbox SmartGlass and player-worn technology; add an all-new fantasy football solution for the biggest screen in the house; and create a personalized NFL destination only available on Xbox One.

 

Introducing a new generation of Xbox Live

Xbox One is built to amplify an all-new generation of Xbox Live that is more powerful, more personal and more intelligent. Unleashing the virtually unlimited power of the cloud makes everything more convenient and accessible, from allowing games to be installed in segments so that gameplay can start quickly to updates downloading in the background. Save and store your personalized profile, games and entertainment in the cloud to access them anytime, from any Xbox One console.4 In addition, existing Xbox Live Gold Membership for Xbox 360 will seamlessly carry over to Xbox One.5 Xbox Live takes you deeper into the games you love with all-new features.

  • Smart Match. A new Smart Match matchmaking system virtually eliminates waiting in lobbies by estimating wait times and finding people you want to play with while you are enjoying other activities — reputation fundamentally matters and helps find best matches.
  • Game DVR. A dedicated Game DVR captures and accesses your magic moments, all saved to the cloud. Along with sharing tools, you will have the most amazing bragging rights with Xbox Live.
  • Living Games.6 Dynamic, living worlds evolve and improve the more you play, and advanced artificial intelligence can learn to play like you, so friends can play against your shadow.
  • Expanded achievements. A new and expanded achievements system captures video of your epic moments, continues to grow a game’s achievements over time and rewards you in new ways, and your Gamerscore carries over from Xbox 360.
  • Xbox SmartGlass.6 Xbox SmartGlass is natively part of the Xbox One platform, built in from the beginning with the ability to quickly render content directly onto your device, and now more devices can connect at one time for multiplayer and shared entertainment.

 

Introducing the Xbox One look and feel

New Xbox One hardware is sleek and modern and complements any décor. The console is shaped in the 16:9 aspect ratio and employs a horizontal orientation optimized for its high-speed Blu-ray™ disc player. It is molded in a deep and rich liquid black color and includes a distinctive beveled edge.

The completely redesigned, revolutionary 1080p Kinect is more precise, more responsive and more intuitive. Its unparalleled vision, motion and voice technology let you reach into games and entertainment like never before by dramatically expanding its field of view and fidelity. It works in nearly any lighting condition, recognizes precise motion control from a slight wrist rotation, and distinguishes your voice even in a noisy room using advanced noise isolation.

The class-leading Xbox controller is refreshed with more than 40 technical and design innovations. Updated directional pad, thumb stick and ergonomic fit immerse all gamers in ways that are uniquely Xbox, and precision and control have been dramatically increased with all new vibrating impulse triggers.6 The Xbox One Wireless Controller is designed to work in concert with the new Kinect, allowing the two to be paired automatically to create seamless player syncing.

Xbox One will launch in markets around the world later this year. Visit the new Xbox Wire blog at http://news.xbox.com for in-depth features on the new system, including photos and videos from the unveiling event and new and rotating content from Xbox. More details about Xbox One and blockbuster games will be explored at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in June.

 
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Bryan Singer Tweets Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique on the set of X-Men: Days of Future Past

Bryan Singer Tweets Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique on the set of X-Men: Days of Future Past. To be released in 2014, the story revolves around the X-Men who must travel in time to change a major historical event that could globally impact on man and mutant kind.

Courtesy of BryanSinger via Tiwtter – First look: #JenniferLawrence as a vengeful #Mystique. #XMen #DaysOfFuturePast

 
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Deathstroke Confirmed as Playable Character in Batman: Arkham Origins Challenge Mode

Pre-Order Now for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC for Exclusive Early Access to the Deathstroke Pack

Today, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment confirmed that Deathstroke will be a fully playable character in the challenge mode for Batman: Arkham Origins™.  Fans who pre-order the game for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 system or Windows PC will receive exclusive early access to the Deathstroke pack.

Accompanying this news is the Batman: Arkham Origins Official Trailer which can be seen here.

Deathstroke will come complete with his own unique weapons and special moves, and will be playable in all challenge maps in the game, as well as two additional challenge maps that will be included with the pack.  The pack will also contain two alternate Deathstroke character skins.

Developed by WB Games Montréal, Batman: Arkham Origins features an expanded Gotham City and introduces an original prequel storyline set several years before the events of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City.  Taking place before the rise of Gotham City’s most dangerous criminals, the game showcases a young and unrefined Batman as he faces a defining moment in his early career as a crime fighter that sets his path to becoming the Dark Knight. As the story unfolds, players will meet many important characters for the first time and forge key relationships.

Batman: Arkham Origins is the next installment in the blockbuster Batman: Arkham videogame franchise and will be available for the Xbox 360®, PS3™, the Wii U™ system, and Windows PC.  The game will release worldwide Oct. 25, 2013 along with Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate™ for Nintendo 3DS™ handheld system and PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system.

 
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