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30/06/2012

7 Reasons Why You Will Never See a Final Fantasy VII HD Remake

7 Reasons Why You Will Never See a Final Fantasy VII HD Remake:

There has been plenty of buzz about a Final Fantasy VII remake for years now. Ever since Sony unveiled the Final Fantasy VII Tech Demo for PlayStation 3 at E3 in 2005, fans have been screaming for a remake of the classic title that many consider the greatest game of all-time.… Read more

Hewlett-Packard Will Focus On Windows 8 and Intel For Its Tablets

Hewlett-Packard Will Focus On Windows 8 and Intel For Its Tablets:

There will be two broad categories of slates running Microsoft’s platform: those based on ARM chips that will run Windows RT and those that have an Intel x86 chip at their core, running Windows 8. Out of the two, Hewlett-Packard, the largest maker of personal computers, will only go with the Intel chip (at least at the beginning). It is surely a hard hit for ARM to not have its chips powering HP’s slates but, as Marlene Somsak, spokesperson for the computer maker stated, the first HP tablet running Windows 8 will be addressing the business market. And, in order to clear all ...
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Nexus 7 Factory Image Released

Nexus 7 Factory Image Released:

Google managed to generate a lot of buzz with its first, pure-Nexus tablet which they have unveiled at this year’s I/O. Pre-orders are early indicators of success and we’ve already unboxed the slate — and, as you might suspect, a full review is coming shortly. Google has posted the full OS factory image for the Nexus 7. This is particularly useful for power ...
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Report: Google and Motorola being investigated by FTC for not honoring FRAND commitments

Report: Google and Motorola being investigated by FTC for not honoring FRAND commitments: Google and Motorola Mobility are being investigated by the FTC for not licensing standards-essential FRAND patents; a civil investigative demand has been issued to Google following EC investigations into FRAND violations by Motorola Mobility and Samsung...

Stream TV plans glasses-free 3D TV for Olympics

Stream TV plans glasses-free 3D TV for Olympics:
Stream TV is a company specializing in an area of consumer tech that others are either passing off as only in the research phase right now, or as something that’s so expensive, it isn’t worth going after mainstream crowds yet. We’re talking about glasses-free (also known as “autostereoscopic”) 3D television sets. While Stream TV can’t offer its sets at affordable price points yet, it has the next best thing.


The company is going to be setting up its TVs at sports bars in major metropolitan areas around the world – New York City, London, Chicago, and Los Angeles. It will also be doing the same in Philadelphia, mainly because that is where the company is headquartered. The goal is to get the bars to purchase the TVs in an effort to drive patrons there to watch the summer Olympics in 3D, without the need for glasses.
The world of autostereoscopic 3D TV is still incredibly nascent. Toshiba pioneered the market but its sets are at least 10 times more expensive than you would expect to pay for a comparable 2D high-definition set. Most consumers aren’t willing to pay that premium, especially since the market for 3D TV content is dwindling, not expanding. So Stream TV is taking a risk, for sure. But if you live in NYC, LA, London, or Philly, you might be able to get a neat experience out of it.
[via Philly.com]


Stream TV plans glasses-free 3D TV for Olympics is written by Mark Raby & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 - 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Activision shuts down Radical Entertainment

Activision shuts down Radical Entertainment:
Now for some sad news, especially for those who enjoyed the Prototype games. Activision has shut the doors of developer Free Radical. The reason cited for this recent closure is the under-performance of Prototype in the marketplace. A statement by Activision was released, here’s a snippet;
“Although we made a substantial investment in the Prototype IP, it did not find a broad commercial audience, Radical is a very talented team of developers, however, we have explored various options for the studio, including a potential sale of the business, and have made a difficult conclusion through the consultation process that the only remaining option is a significant reduction in staff.… Read more

If you pre-order Dead or Alive 5 you’ll get access to Bunny Bikinis

If you pre-order Dead or Alive 5 you’ll get access to Bunny Bikinis:
Dead or Alive is known for two things. Great fighting mechanics and ladies in skimpy clothing. If you’re a fan of the latter you should probably pre-order the game at either Amazon or Gamestop, as you’ll receive Bunny Bikinis to dress your virtual ladies in. That’s probably enough incentive for some people.… Read more

EA states that over 800,000 people have signed up for Battlefield Premium

EA states that over 800,000 people have signed up for Battlefield Premium:
Patrick Soderlund of EA has recently told USA Today that over 800,000 people have paid for the Battlefield Premium service during its first two weeks of existence. “We are very pleased with the performance so far, We’re actually only two weeks into it, so it’s a little early to tell how this is going to pay off.… Read more

A bad night: Netflix and Instagram go down amid Amazon Web Services outage

A bad night: Netflix and Instagram go down amid Amazon Web Services outage: Netflix logo






Friday night movie? Don't plan on Netflix to watch it — the service has gone down harder than an aborted Qwikster launch across wide swaths of the country. Twitter's awash with complaints, the main website is down as of this writing, and that's not even the worst part. The worst part is that, right now, you can neither post an image of your busted Netflix app on Instagram nor look at your friends' filtered photos while you wait for Netflix to come back online. Guess it's time to head to Pinterest — except it's out too. It's all thanks to an Amazon Cloud outage, says VentureBeat. The AWS health dashboard has details on the various "Power Issues" at some locations in North Virginia, if you want to watch the play-by-play.
You could go...
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Nexus 7 doesn't support MHL or USB On-The-Go, but that's partly Google's call

Nexus 7 doesn't support MHL or USB On-The-Go, but that's partly Google's call: via cdn1.sbnation.com






Once upon a time, the Nexus 7 had an HDMI port. That's no longer the case, but can you eke some extra functionality out of the Micro USB port that remains? We spoke to Asus, and it sounds like the current version of Android doesn't allow much of it right now. As of today, the company says that the shipping build of Android 4.1 Jelly Bean doesn't support the Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) which would allow it to double as an HDMI port, nor advanced USB On-The-Go (OTG) functionality.
However, it does function as a USB host device, so you can plug certain other peripherals into the Nexus 7 and have them function. We saw Nexus 7 devices use USB ethernet adapters at Google I/O, and AnandTech notes that a mouse and keyboard will also work....
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How PlayStation Vita Can Dominate the Indie Game Market

How PlayStation Vita Can Dominate the Indie Game Market:
Independent game development has managed to rise incredibly over the years, gaining popularity across major home platforms all the while retaining its indie credibility. What makes these titles so outstanding is their reliance on old school design, high challenge, inventive gameplay, or in some cases, all of the above. Indie games are unique and oftentimes inviting, presenting players with an appealing experience that sucks them in and keeps them returning to it.… Read more

Japanese games need to reduce friction - Platinum writer

Japanese games need to reduce friction - Platinum writer:
Devs need to worry less about being inclusive and focus more on what they do best, JP Kellams says.
Japanese games won't get better until developers start trusting players more, according to Jean Kellams of Platinum Games. Kellams, writer and international coordinator for the Japanese developer, responded to a NeoGaf forum thread regarding the differing success of Japanese and Western games in a multi-tweet epistle on risk, execution, and most of all, friction.


Kellams said gamers look for exceptional games in a crowded market, an aspect which is risky to strive for without the massive budgets of Western publishers. He said Japanese developers have to focus on the ideas and themes they can do best and then communicate about them.

"Where Japanese games need to get better is reducing friction," Kellams said. He added that the tendency of Japanese developers is to actually add friction and bog down the game experience.

"Culturally, Japanese design is about being inclusive. They don't want anyone left behind, so they will add friction to an experience," he said. "Can I take your order. Hamburger. Hamburger is a piece of meat, two buns, ketchup and mustard. Are you sure you want a hamburger? Yes. That is friction. Western games stop when the user says hamburger. They assume that user intent is initially correct. [Japanese] games should too."

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot



"Japanese games need to reduce friction - Platinum writer" was posted by Connor Sheridan on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 17:13:59 -0700

Deity-based MOBA SMITE will not use Jewish, Christian, Islamic figures

Deity-based MOBA SMITE will not use Jewish, Christian, Islamic figures:
Controversy from inclusion of Hindu figures prompts response from Hi-Rez Studios COO.

Hi-Rez Studios' upcoming game SMITE has made waves for its depiction of combat between the deities of various religions, but the studio is steering clear of some of the world's largest faiths.


Todd Harris, Hi-Rez Studios' chief operating officer, responded to GameSpot about controversy resulting from the inclusion of Hindu figures in its upcoming multiplayer online battle arena. The figures' appearances in the game prompted Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, to request their removal from the game, as he said putting the deities under player control trivialized them.

Harris initially responded by stating that Hi-Rez decided to use figures from the Hindu faith because it is one of the world's oldest and most diverse religions, providing a good base of inspiration for several characters. SMITE also pulls from Greek, Chinese, Egyptian, and Norse mythologies, Harris stated. The game, which is now in closed beta, will include more deities as development continues, not fewer.

GameSpot requested comment on whether the company plans to implement figures from Abrahamic (Jewish, Christian, and Islamic) religions into its game in keeping with its diverse roster of characters. Harris answered, saying Hi-Rez includes a diverse staff and that Abrahamic figures were not included mostly for gameplay reasons: its tradition does not have stories about deities fighting one another with "awesome abilities," he said.

"From [the] perspective of a video game, the key Abrahamic figures--Adam, Noah, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, are not that interesting in character design or gameplay. They are all human. They never overlapped or interacted with one another. They certainly never fought each other in dramatic fashion with unique abilities. They are all peaceful--at best they would be support characters," Harris said.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot



"Deity-based MOBA SMITE will not use Jewish, Christian, Islamic figures" was posted by Connor Sheridan on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 13:52:29 -0700

Broken Sword: The Director’s Cut Now Up on Android

Broken Sword: The Director’s Cut Now Up on Android:

Broken Sword: Director’s Cut is now available on Android after proving itself a popular app on Apple iOS. The phrase Director’s Cut means that users on Android devices will be getting the enhanced version, and not the exact same iOS version which had been released on iOS way back in 2010. In particular, enhanced means 20% added content as well as improved high-resolution visuals which would be adequate for phones as well as tablets.
A special treat on this game is a glimpse into the collector’s comic by Dave Gibbons of Watchmen fame. This comic has been made into a digital version and narrates the incidents that make up the storyline of Broken Sword. The game itself is in English language, but to add to its international flavor, users have the option of getting Spanish, French, Italian, German, and English subtitles.
Created by Revolution Software ltd, this game allows users to accompany the characters via pointing and clicking through touch instead of the usual method of directing all their actions. An adventure game, Broken Sword: Director’s Cut follows the incidents surrounding a violent murder in the Palais Royal at Paris. Basically, it relates the experiences of a woman named Nico Collard, a French journalist who goes to interview a politician called Pierre Carchon. She gets drawn into a strange and horrific plot that leads her to meet American-born George Stobbart. The two travel the world in search for answers to ancient questions that involve a conspiratorial group called the Knights Templar.
Broken Sword boasts of being nominated for several times in the British Academy of Film and Television Arts awards. Last year, it got an MBE from the Queen’s Birthday honours list. As it makes its way to Android-based devices, it prides itself as being the first mainstream high production value adventure game on Google Play. Interested gamers may download the app for $4, which should be worth it given that it has already gotten a rating of 4.7 out of 5 on Google Play.
via eurogamer

Apple wins preliminary injunction on Samsung GALAXY Nexus, can aim for Samsung Galaxy S III next

Apple wins preliminary injunction on Samsung GALAXY Nexus, can aim for Samsung Galaxy S III next: Judge Lucky Koh has awarded Apple a preliminary injunction against the Samsung GALAXY Nexus; Apple will have to post a $96 million bond and Samsung will most likely ask for a stay on the order which revolves around four patents Samsung allegedly infringed upon with the handset...

Square Enix has highest salary average among game companies in Japan

Square Enix has highest salary average among game companies in Japan:
Final Fantasy publisher holds top spot, above Sony, Nintendo, and Sega.

Japanese salary and income analysing company Nensyu Labo recently revealed a ranking chart for the companies with the highest average salary for its employees (via Andriasang). Square Enix is at the top, with employees getting an average salary of 21.68 million yen per year ($273,057).


This was followed up by Sony, with an average of 9.23 million yen ($116,253), and Nintendo, with 9.14 million yen ($115,117). Sega Sammy Corporation was placed fourth, with a salary average of 8.22 million yen, while Konami and Namco Bandai were just behind with 6.78 and 6.40 million, respectively.

The top 10 list is just below:

1. Square Enix -- 21.68 million

2. Sony -- 9.23 million

3. Nintendo -- 9.14 million

4. Sega Sammy Corporation -- 8.22 million

5. Konami -- 6.78 million

6. Namco Bandai Holdings -- 6.4 million

7. Tecmo Koei Holdings -- 6.15 million

8. Gala Japan -- 5.91 million

9. Capcom -- 5.71 million

10. Yuke's Future Media Creators -- 5.65 million

Nensyu Labo stated that it compiles its data based off public filings from each company.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot



"Square Enix has highest salary average among game companies in Japan" was posted by Jonathan Toyad on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 23:30:58 -0700

Activision books Call of Duty and China-related web domains

Activision books Call of Duty and China-related web domains:
Call of Duty publisher grabs names like "blackopschina.com," "bochina.com," and other China-related domains.

Activision recently registered 17 domain names that are related to Call of Duty and China.


According to a post on Fusible, the domains may be linked with the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops II's storyline that involves a future cold war between the United States and China. Part of the list of domains, specifically "modernwarefarechina.com," could also be a reference to an upcoming free-to-play Call of Duty title for China.

The full list of names bought by the company is as follows (via Internet brand protector MarkMonitor): anheixingdong.com, anheixingdong.net, blackopschina.com, blackopschina.net, blackopsonline.net, bochina.net, callofdutychina.com, callofdutychina.net, heisexingdong.com, heisexingdong.net, jueshengshike.com, jueshengshike.net, modernwarfarechina.com, modernwarfarechina.net, modernwarfareonline.net, xiandaizhanzheng.com, xiandaizhanzheng.net.

The company discussed creating a microtransaction-based Call of Duty title made specifically for China via an investor conference call last year. For more information about the upcoming Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, check out GameSpot's recent articles.

Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot



"Activision books Call of Duty and China-related web domains" was posted by Jonathan Toyad on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 22:17:48 -0700

New Rainbow Moon Developer Diary is all about crafting

New Rainbow Moon Developer Diary is all about crafting:

Rainbow Moon has already revealed two developer diaries for the upcomingdownloadable title, and now, a third is here that covers gear and crafting items in the game. Among the important mechanics covered in the video are how to attain better weapons, armors and accessories, how new equipment changes the look of your character and how to use materials in crafting slots of equipment to make exceptional gear.… Read more

Windows 8 renames Windows Explorer, File Explorer to help you find files instead

Windows 8 renames Windows Explorer, File Explorer to help you find files instead:

Windows 8 renames Windows Explorer, File Explorer to help you find files instead

Come gather 'round PCs, wherever files roam, and admit Windows Explorer, simply has to go. And accept it that soon, your OS'll be Metro. If your file finding time is worth savin' -- then you better get used to File Explorer instead, for the times they are a-changin'.

Windows 8 renames Windows Explorer, File Explorer to help you find files instead originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 29 Jun 2012 19:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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Google+ API developer preview now available for iOS

Google+ API developer preview now available for iOS: Google+






No, the Google+ iPad app hasn't been released, but Google has laid out the specifics of how developers can update their applications to incorporate the Google+ platform's features. Before getting into all of those API details, Google warns developers not to get too ambitious about releasing their apps with this code — this is a developer preview, after all.
The first feature that Google is offering iOS developers is a Google+ sign-in button. This works just like the browser-based button, letting users log-in with their Google credentials instead of creating another account. Google has also provided code for Share and +1 buttons, each working just like their respective buttons on the web. One of the most compelling features for...
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See what tough decisions players made in The Walking Dead Episode 1

See what tough decisions players made in The Walking Dead Episode 1:

The Walking Dead Episode 2: Staved for Help is out today on PlayStation Network, but before hopping into the dramatic new episode, you can see what players chose in many of the tough decisions in Episode 1: A New Day. There are some major spoilers for the first episode in the video and the rest of the article, so you’ve been warned.… Read more

PlayStation Home adds additional Virtual Items in new trailer

PlayStation Home adds additional Virtual Items in new trailer:

PlayStation Home’s Magnus is back with a new video showcasing the newest virtual items being added to PlayStation Home this week. You can now purchase the Reaver Armor and Weapon Packs inspired by the new PlayStation 3 exclusive No Man’s Land. You can also purchase more casual clothes with the Glamorous Peach Dress and Crop Top Jacket Bundles for females and the Suave Tuxedo and Patent Leather Jacket Bundles for male characters.… Read more

Next-Gen Galaxy Note to Feature 5.5″ Super AMOLED PenTile Matrix Technology?

Next-Gen Galaxy Note to Feature 5.5″ Super AMOLED PenTile Matrix Technology?:
New information confirms that the screen size of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 measures 5.5 inches diagonally. This device is the successor of the popular Samsung Galaxy Note which debuted last year. Its screen makes it slightly larger than the original device, but in fact, its width is slightly smaller.
The screen is rumored to have Super AMOLED PenTile matrix technology, pixel density of ~360ppi, and a resolution of 1680 x 1050. There is also some talk about a flexible display, though that too is unverified.The design of the phablet, or the phone tablet hybrid, will be largely inspired by that of the Samsung Galaxy S III. The Samsung Galaxy S III is this year’s flagship phone for Samsung and is expected to share some features with the Galaxy Note 2.
Rumors likewise hint at a September release for the S Pen-enabled device. Earlier, it was believed that the phone was slated for launch in October. The reason behind this allegedly is none other than the upcoming launch of the next iteration of the iPhone, the iPhone 5. The Apple device is scheduled to be launched in October. If Samsung releases the phone before Apple sells its product, it might garner more sales from people who are looking to buy a phone around that time.
Other rumors surrounding the Samsung Galaxy Note include a dual-core ARM 15 processor, an Exynos 5250 chipset, 2 GB of RAM, and a camera with an 8 or even 12 megapixel sensor. Moreover, it is said to have Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich or even Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
The 4G connectivity is likewise expected at least for models that will be launched in the U.S. Some features found on the Samsung Galaxy S III such as NFC, S Voice, and S Beam will probably be offered on this device as well. The S Pen will furthermore most likely be still onboard as it was a key feature of the original Samsung Galaxy Note. However, these rumors have not been confirmed.
via gs marena

Apple v. Samsung: US judge grants injunction on Galaxy Nexus

Apple v. Samsung: US judge grants injunction on Galaxy Nexus: Galaxy Nexus






Apple first asked for a preliminary injunction on US sales of Samsung's Galaxy Nexus devices back in February, and the court has now ruled, granting the motion and imposing a ban — at least temporarily. The Nexus is the most recent implementation of Google's pure Android experience on another manufacturer's hardware.
Reuters legal reporter Dan Levine, who was in the courtroom for the ruling, has indicated that the injunction focuses on Samsung's infringement of the '604 patent, and that the injunction can go into effect after Apple posts a bond of around $96 million. The '604 patent covers searching multiple sources of information (on a device and elsewhere) through a single search interface, a lot like Apple's Siri. That's a big deal...
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LittleBigPlanet Karting US Beta Registration Now Open

LittleBigPlanet Karting US Beta Registration Now Open:

Good news for US LittleBigPlanet Karting fans: beta registration is now open!
The PS Blog post about the LittleBigPlanet Karting beta updated today to say that registration is now open. Registration will ask users for their PSN ID, email address, if they’ve ever created or shared levels in LBP games or ModNation Racers, and if they’ve played LBP or MNR games previously. European registration has been open since the announcement on Wednesday.
No date or further details were announced for the beta, nor was any information disclosed about how long registration will last, so interested users should ideally sign up as soon as they can.
Want to learn more about the game? Check out the PSLS E3 Preview of LittleBigPlanet Karting.
LittleBigPlanet Karting is a PS3 exclusive and is currently scheduled to release sometime this year.


© nickmichetti for PlayStation LifeStyle, 2012. | Permalink | 3 comments |
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Judge appears skeptical towards government position on Megaupload data

Judge appears skeptical towards government position on Megaupload data:
Today US District Judge Liam O'Grady deferred a decision on whether Megaupload users would get their data back, saying he would consider scheduling a hearing at a later date.
A date for this later hearing was not specified, but it will likely determine whether the Department of Justice committed a search-and-seizure that would require the DOJ to make users' files accessible to them again, or whether "the court should treat Goodwin and other Megaupload users as unsecured creditors who can ask for their data back when the DOJ's case against Megaupload is finished," as PCWorld reported Assistant US Attorney Andrew Peterson as saying earlier today.
Still, Judge O'Grady appeared skeptical of the government's position that Megaupload was merely a service provider rather than a holder of property.
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Google to take Analytics Mobile with In-Depth App Reports, Android App

Google to take Analytics Mobile with In-Depth App Reports, Android App:
Google is on a roll, these days. Change is inevitable, they say. Change is incessant, Google says.
Google amidst the recent development is keen to bring its analytics chops to mobile apps. By the courtesy of Mobile App Analytics, now iOS and Android developers across the world would be able to avail in-depth insights and app reports. Keeping a track on downloads, conversions and in-app purchases just got simpler and better. Thanks to Google God.
As we speak, Google Analytics Mobile App- Beta version has already been launched in the PlayStore along with Mobile App Analytics which would be available for download on the PlayStore.
Needs are increasing day-by-day and that’s what is complicating apps from the interaction perspective. Reading people’s expectations and standing out on them is inevitably the success mantra of developing a top-notch app.
Google Analytics Products Manager, JiaJing Wang said “Sophisticated measurement tools become important as they allow app developers and marketers to measure and iterate on the user experience they bring to people. In order to devise a better product, they absolutely need to measure the end-to-end value after developing and marketing an app,”
The product reports would thereby be broke into three categories: acquisition/users, engagement and outcomes. With acquisition and users analysis report, developers would be able to view the new users which download their apps, the operating system they are running, the country to which they belong and whether they landed on your download page via a mobile display ad.
The engagement reports would showcase the amount of time a user spends with an app, what screens he viewed and also what path he follows from screen to screen. Not to mention, it also sends reports app-crashes and occasional network-timeouts.
And lastly through outcomes, developers can set goals and keep a check on how well they are monetizing from the app. If it’s a ticket-booking app, the amount of tickets booked or it’s a trading app, it shows the total in-app purchases.
Initially, the web and mobile app analytics would be different but plans have been laid out to integrate both of them at a later stage, so that both developers and marketers can get a better view of how their websites actually work.
Isn’t Google amazing?

Evidence that Microsoft tested Windows Phone 8 on the HTC HD7 and HTC Surround emerge

Evidence that Microsoft tested Windows Phone 8 on the HTC HD7 and HTC Surround emerge:


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We have just received a tip from a developer which suggests that Microsoft has in fact gotten Windows Phone 8 up and running on first generation Windows Phone 7 handsets, something which Microsoft admitted was theoretically possible but would be prohibitively expensive.
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The snippets of data from App Hub analytics show the HTC T8788 AKA the HTC Surround, the HTC Mazaa, Microsoft’s old engineering test bed which looks like the HTC Trophy, and the HTC T9296, AKA the HTC HD7, all running Windows Phone 8.
OS versions 8.0.9720.0 and 8.0.9722.0 and 8.0.9727.0 all make an appearance, seemingly from a variety of locations.
The data suggests that bringing the OS to the older generation Snapdragon processors may not be as big a deal as Microsoft suggested, and of course raises the hope that XDA-Dev will take care of those who want to crowbar the OS on their current phones, much like Windows Phone 7 is running on the HTC HD2.
Have any of our readers who are also developers noticed these devices in their stats? Let us know below.
Thanks SuNcO for the tip.