Skype coming to Blackberry and iPhone

Are you a big Skype user? Do you own a Blackberry or iPhone? If you answered yes then get exited because Skype is releasing applications for the Blackberry and iPhone. The information has however been floating around for quite a while now. But It’s always better when you get an official announcement. CITIA is fast approaching and it looks like some companies are looking to stir up some excitement about the event before it begins.

By May Blackberry users will now be able to get Skype action on their devices reported by Reuters who talked with Skype’s Chief Operating Officer, Scott Durchslag who verified the software also being available on the iPhone and iPod Touch. So there you have it. Now you can get skype almost anywhere.

In order to use Skype your going to need a data plan which could include extra payments if you don’t already have one. I would be willing to bet that your network provider is going to be loving this. They can now make some good money off you from a new data plan. It’s also worth mentioning that chances are if you have an iPhone you most likely already have a data plan. The iPod touch only works over Wifi.

If your looking for Skype on your mobile device your time has come and while this is already possible on the blackberry side it costs 30 bucks and has some issues. Skype will be free when it launches and will work much better.

Intel Launches New Enterprise-Class Server Processors

Santa Clara, California-based Intel Corporation has announced the launch of a set of 17 enterprise-class server processors. These are the Xeon Processor 5500 series of processors, around which – according to the company press release – 70 system manufacturers have already announced having built their branded systems to be launched in the market shortly.

The processors range in price from USD 188 to USD 1,600 in quantities of 1,000.

According to Intel, servers manufactured around the 5500 will have the capability to automatically and “intelligently” balance performance load as well as consumption of power in real time. Some of the latest technologies that have been incorporated into the 5500 series are “Turbo Boost”, hyper-threading and “QuickPath”. While Turbo Boost increases processor frequency in response to application demand, hyper-threading manages concurrent application threads in every clock cycle, and QuickPath speeds traffic between the processors and I/O controllers for bandwidth-intensive applications, leading to speeds up to 25.6 GB/s.

The availability of Solid-State Disks (SSDs) and 10GB Ethernet networking available in the market together combine to provide servers that are of a class much higher than previously possible.

Read about the latest launch in the high-tech processor industry, here.

Microsoft Closing Down MSN Encarta

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft Corporation has announced it is closing the MSN Encarta subscription service worldwide.

MSN Encarta, launched in 1993 in direct competition to the traditional reference services such as Encyclopedia Britannica, can no longer be launched from October 31, 2009. The service will continue in Japan till December 31, 2009. The Student and Premium versions of the Encarta service will stop selling by June 2009. User accounts will be automatically disabled after this date. Technical support for Student and Premium versions will continue for a period of three years through http://support.microsoft.com.

Customers who have paid for the MSN Encarta Premium for monthly / yearly subscriptions for any timeframe extending beyond April 30, 2009, will be refunded on their credit card on a prorate basis. The refund will happen on April 39, 2009.

This decision to close down Encarta is a result of the changes taking place in the digital world – and its consequent impact on the ways in which people search for, access, and consume knowledge. With cheaper ways to access knowledge becoming available, Encarta has clearly outlived its purpose. Microsoft intends to reutilize the assets that have gone into developing Encarta elsewhere.

Read about the latest news in the digital encyclopedia world, here.

Stalin vs Martians

Games can’t be serious all of the time. Sometimes we needed a lighthearted game to remind us that we are trying to do; have fun! As ridiculous as the title sounds, Stalin vs. Martians does just that. Published by Mezmar Games and developed by the trio of Black Wing Foundation/Dreamlore/N-Game, this game will have you laughing and having fun the instant you pick it up. It has not been rated ESRB yet.

This game takes place in 1942, and gives the player control over the Red Army as the Earth faces the greatest threat it has ever known; no not World War II, but the highly classified Martian Invasion! According to the developers, the records are closely guarded to this day (yea, and Elvis is alive too). Stalin himself will be conducting your mission briefings! Stalin vs Martians is very over the top, and as Cleveland from Family Guy might say, “the height of just too much-ery”.

Stalin vs Martians is a strategy game, but has more of an arcade feel. Stalin is actually a playable character, and is dead serious even though he is facing the most ridiculous invasion known to man. The single player campaign features a healthy 12 missions. Needless to say, it will keep you busy. The graphics and music are excellent. The graphics are very well designed and unique, and the music has a very Russian “feel”. If your looking fun and a laugh at the same time you can’t go wrong with Stalin vs Martians. It is due to be released on 4/1/09.

Baseball Mogul 2010

A lot of people who were upset over the recent steroids scandal in Major League Baseball. Some felt betrayed, and felt as if they game had been diluted. They wanted to see those players given a hefty suspension, or even cut from their team.

While that probably won’t happen in reality, it could in Baseball Mogul 2010. Developed and produced by Sports Mogul Inc, the game allows you to have complete control over any baseball organization. It was released on 3/27/09. Best of all, its carries a price tag of just $29.99!

Have you ever thought “Why did my favorite team trade that player?!” or “Why didn’t they pursue Joe Smith harder in free agency”? Baseball Mogul 2010 allows you to start at any season  of your choice beginning in 1901. You will be able to right what you percieved to be wrong, and lead your team from the basement of the division, or keep their legacy from falling apart! Red Sox fans, can you imagine going back and preventing the Babe Ruth trade and the subsequent curse?!
Baseball Mogul 2010 will appeal to fans of strategy who wish to have their success determined by precise actions instead of fast reflexes. This isn’t just a simulation game, because you will have complete control on the field. With the aid of head to head stats, you will enter every pitcher-batter battle equipped with the tools to win! If you’re a true baseball fan, you absolutely can’t pass up Baseball Mogul 2010.

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