According to insiders, this ‘special bundle item’ will also include Nokia Purity HD Stereo Headset, an in-ear Bluetooth headset (specific brand not yet disclosed) and, Nokia Play 360 which is a portable Bluetooth speaker with NFC support which should come handy when you pair it with Nokia N9. Still, we’re scratching our heads discerning why the Espoo giant decided to partner Lumia 800 with all these media-centric gadgets. I mean c’mon, its not like all of us are audiophiles and interested to buy another product to beat our eardrums.

Meanwhile, other sources suggest that obtaining Lumia 800 on Valentine’s day means you should purchase this bundle on Microsoft’s retail stores since there’s no way you can get it outside from the packaged deal. Anyway, in case you don’t have the budget, finding alternative deals on E-bay and other online e-tailers might give you a worthwhile shot. Just be careful Mr. Casanova.

Today, it appears we have another tall guy in the class as LG announced the Optimus Vu. On a nutshell, the smartphone is equipped with a 5-inch touchscreen with 4:3 aspect ratio (specific resolution not yet disclosed), a form-factor that resemble most Optimus handsets but the Korean company claims “it’s more comfortable to hold”.

According to insiders, the new Android handset will be powered by 1.5GHz Qualcomm APQ8060 CPU, 8GB ROM, 1GB RAM and 8MP shooter camera, front-facing cam for video-chats, WiFi / Buetooth and NFC support for mobile wallet applications. However, the device will only run Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) on its release, but enthusiasts are expecting its Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) update based from the earlier statement by LG for all of its Optimus devices made last year.

Check out its video

Meanwhile, the translated page also mention about this “Stylus Pen” attached on the LG Optimus Vu hinting it may include similar capabilities like the Samsung Galaxy Note. No word about its price, but a release date pointing to February 21 on Korea was listed. We’ll see!

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However, it appears some users are experiencing issues with the update. Here’s a breakdown we’ve unearthed from the gaming community and Twitter.

One user here claimed the whole download process is a little bit slow and despite of his decent internet bandwidth connection, obtaining the latest firmware took him quite some time to complete. Interestingly, if you’ll read the bottom of the thread, another user replied that downloading the update on a desktop computer, copying it on a flash drive, and installing directly from it might remedy the situation.

Meanwhile, if you’ll search twitter, some players are reporting the new update breaks Netflix app and the process of registering on DC Universe Online. Luckily, the problem for the video-streaming app can be remedied by simply uninstalling / reinstalling it. According to some users, the culprit is pinpointed to some changes on PS3’s web access protocols after the 4.10 update. Likewise, there’s no comment from Sony if they’ll reveal another ‘mini-update’ to solve this issue.

The last one came from the comment section on EU PSBlog whereas a particular user is still having some issues loading a particular website despite of the “browser improvements” included on the firmware. On the other hand, flash player support seems to be disabled on some players who have installed the update. According to this user (69th post), “Ok, browser is updated but we are still not able to watch anything where “Adobe Flash update” is needed, and that is many places! I was hoping to watch GT1TV but i can’t, flash problem!”.

Overall, the new firmware update, while optional, seems to be lucrative for most gamers. However, there’s still some isolated issues we mentioned above that you need to check first before taking the leap.

So are you experiencing any related problems after installing PS3 4.10 firmware? Show your comment below.

The use of the Apple devices brings the Lazer Tag games into a whole new level. The device can show an on-screen “Heads Up Display” which allows players to actually see the lazer during game play. The incorporation of the Apple device also allows players to monitor important games information, such as gear status and remaining power.

The new Hasbro Lazer Tag allows both a solo game and a multi-player mode. The multi-player mode can accommodate up to 24 players and the lazer can reach as far as 250 feet. What is amazing in the multi-player mode is that users can play with live humans or fight virtual enemies using the Apple device attached to the Lazer Blaster.

The solo game or campaign is made possible since the blaster can show targets and enemies. As an incentive to superior combat plays, the Lazer Tag system can increase stats of players shown on virtual leaderboards, give upgrades missions and provide increase gear and firepower.

Lazer Tag’s latest system comes in versions. One is a Lazer Tag Blaster set and a Lazer Tag only. The set is priced at $69.99 while the Lazer Blaster only version is priced at $39.99.Both sets are available on August1, 2012.

There are now rumors that Nokia will release another competitive phone called Nokia 801. The phone is said to succeed the Nokia N8. The phone will have a 4-inch AMOLED ClearBlack Display with a normal Symbian resolution of 360 x 640 pixels. The phone will have a 1.4 GHz processor with a 512 RAM for running applications. Nokia 801 will have a 12 megapixel camera, equipped with Autofocus and Dual-LED flash. Besides still photos, video recording of the 801 will have 1080p HD.

Looking at the alleged leaked photo of the phone, the same looks like a N9 and Lumia but no buttons at the front. Most notable about this news is that Nokia 801 will use Nokia Belle. Nokia Belle is the upgrade of the Symbian OS, which was first upgraded last April called “Ana”. The Belle places Nokia phone close to the touchscreen line of phones predominantly played by Android and Apple phones. The OS provides a new status bar which is effective to monitor tasks, and gives easy access to apps, messages and call alerts. Its interface gives 6 home screens and an option to customize the said screens. The strongest feature of Belle is its NFC or near-field communication (NFC) functionality, such as contactless payments and wireless streaming of media among supported devises.

While the specifications of the Nokia 801 seem promising, the report is not confirmed by Nokia. Further, there are reviews which seriously doubt the veracity of the rumor. It this case, Nokia fans may have to hold on to the excitement brought about by this report.

Elite is the gaming service developed by Beachhead Studios for Activision. The service provides two versions, namely, a free and a subscription version. The subscribing members of Elite must pay subscription fees to get various Elite freebies, which includes monthly DLCs.

The monthly DLCs will be available starting January up to September and totals 20 contents. The lucky Modern Warfare 3 fans who will first get the monthly DLCs are the Elite Premium members on Xbox Live. Elite Premium members of Xbox Live got the first installment last January in 2 contents, Liberation and Piazza.

Good news for the Elite members since Activision already announced that the DLC for February will be available to them on February 21. The February DLC is called “Overwatch“, which takes places on top of a construction site of New York building. The battle involves multiple attack angles and players take the risk of falling into the ground. Activision has also announced the DLC maps for March, called “Black Box”, “Black Ice” and “Negotiator”.

The DLCs will also be available for other platforms but after the exclusivity period for the Xbox Live members. Those cannot wait may pay $49.99 to be premium Elite members.

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The new SZ-31MR also features the new iHS Technology (Intelligent, High-Sensivity and High-Speed) that helps ensure to consistent sharp and vivid images at any given situation. This technology also allows for the High-Speed Sequential Shooting at a high-speed autofocus capturing up to 10 frames-per-second.

This latest version also allows users to add special effects to image and video directly from the camera without having to transfer the files to a desktop, tablet or laptop for editing. This is made possible through the 12 Magic Art Filters. This also enables users to enjoy a full high definition video and HDMI control in broadcast quality of 1080p when played on an HDTV.

This product however doesn’t come cheap to sell at $399.99 and to be release April of this year. The new Olympus SZ-31 MR comes in Black and Silver so users can have their pick. The new Olympus SZ-31 MR comes in Black and Silver so users can have their pick. It also comes with a strap, USB cable, USB-to-Ac adapter, a lithium-ion battery (Ll-50B), a warranty card, A/V cable, a quick start guide, a software CD-ROM and an Olympus Viewer 2.

As evidence of the reboot, owners of Battlefield 3 should have an insert of an image of a shark (or a grinning mutant if you want to call it that) with the number “1” right between its eyes. The image is in direct relation with Medal of Honor’s Tier 1 soldiers and those awesome beards.

Players who finished the first installment of Medal of Honor should navigate to the fact that the ending sequence already had hints of having a sequel and with that, questions are brewing up around Medal of Honor 2 regarding its multiplayer mode. The first Medal of Honor’s single player mode was taken religiously by EA’s Danger Close studios while its multiplayer options was handled by DICE, Battlefield’s developer over at Sweden. The question balanced on whether both modes are to be left with Danger Close or will the new Medal of Honor still see a partnership between the two developers.

Over at Twitter, Superannuation said that the announcement of the new Medal of Honor game is to be done “in the next month or so,” pointing directly to a possible GDC offsite event by March.

Canadian video game retailer Future Shop has been witnessed to be tweeting via Destination PlayStation that focuses on a proposed LittleBigPlanet Karting. While photos gathered from Twitter is somewhat blurry, images depicts that the game is, of course racing and is in third person mode from a raised view perspective, moving slightly away from the perspective of the original LittleBigPlanet games.

While some might say that it is high time for Sackboy to try karting, questions about Sony developing LBP Karting is boiling since they already have ModNation Racing as a kart racing title that also has custom made characters and other racing essentials. United Front, ModNation Racing’s developer is reported to be working on a title exclusive for the PS3 and with the rumors of LittleBigPlanet Karting, mysteries big and small are for sure to surface.

“Destination Little Big Planet Cart racing announced for PS3. Move compatible wheel and 3D capable!” As far as the official tweet is concerned, a steering wheel peripheral for the PlayStation Move is a possibility, just like the accessory bundled with Wii’s Mario Kart.

Furthermore, unconfirmed reports also states that costumes from LittleBigPlanet 1 and 2 are transferrable and the Kart version of the LBP should have mild action sequences which brings the idea of weapon equipped karts.

Aside from the leaked images, nothing has been confirmed about the game. Will it be a mover or will it consider being in the ranks of “games that shouldn’t have been developed?”

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With Far Cry’s CryEngine and Crysis’ CryEngine 2, it is believed that Crytek can practically do everything. Putting in the mix numerous partnerships with world renowned gaming institutions and GPU manufacturers, the company is yet to be filled with what is has accomplished so far. Thinking that they could do better to elevate the gaming scenario, Crytek has developed Gface, an upcoming social network platform powered by the company’s Seed Engine that enables users to share game sessions, videos and other personal media. With multimedia written all over it, Gface is coined to be a “high quality social media publishing service where everybody and everyone can play from casual 2D and 3D games to the more intense core games that handles 2D and 3D graphics as well.

Crytek’s Gface is a cross platform network that does not focus on laptops and PCs alone: on Crytek’s website, Gface is seen present on a laptop, a mobile phone and a tablet – proving that its versatility reaches over to the next generation of gaming platforms.

Half of Gface is a social network infused protocol wherein users can automatically drag and drop friends to ongoing games and stream high performance video games in either single player or multiplayer modes. It is built to be hardware independent and runs directly from your browser – play anytime, anywhere and with anyone with ease.

Considering Gface, the gaming industry will have limitless possibilities for multiplayer options topped with social media experience. It is of no wonder that someday, and hopefully soon, both Crytek and Gface will be on the higher echelons of the gaming world.

Gface is currently on closed testing and Crytek has yet to announce its release date. A beta version of the platform is available via Gface.com. Gface is said to carry Crytek’s free to play shooter, Warface.