Profile

What would be the best Windows Phone for someone just getting their first smartphone? My mother has only had feature phones, but wants to stick with Windows because she has used Windows for years and thinks it would be easier for her to learn. She likes Windows 8, so she may be right.

 If that makes you a luddite, well then, let’s go fire up some factories, because I’m with you. I see console vs. mobile/touchscreen gaming as complementary, actually. I’m far from a kid, and graduated college last century, but I still play games all the time. For “serious” games, that means a home console.

If you use Firefox, there is an extension called LongURL Mobil Extender that will show the actual destination in a pop-up. You can also use the longurl.org or unity.me websites, but you will have to copy and paste the link to see the destination site. 

As far as I know, the XBox Video app doesn’t allow you to change them. However, you should still be able to use zune software, which is what XBox Video is based on, to make the changes. You will need to download it from www.zune.net. 

I see that Google is phasing out Checkout in favor of Wallet? What’s the difference? I have used Google Checkout before, I think (plus whatever you use to pay for stuff on Google Play). I don’t recall anything memorably good or bad about it from a consumer point of view.

Honestly, I haven’t played it in person, but I’ve played many Android and iOS titles.. I would like to pick an Ouya up, and I think it is a great idea. BUT.....no, it is not the same. For a major console release, development costs an average of ~$20 million or so. For a blockbuster, major effort that figure occasionally approaches $100 million.

Hmmm, I guess I would say it is harder than a replacing a laptop’s HDD but easier than replacing an iPhone 5 screen. Here is a YouTube video of a later version DSi screen being replaced, so you can see if it looks like something you would like to take on. http://youtu.be/5IqqNFxE-b0  

If so, will the older devices see any benefits from 802.11ac access point?

I think what we just saw was that Microsoft and Nintendo are going to be announcing price cuts. Soon. Honestly, if I had to rank my preferred systems, it would probably be Nintendo (love me some Zelda and Metroid), Microsoft (love me some Halo), then Sony.

I don’t see a happy future ahead for the

I think that you have to actually own a physical copy of the game for it to be legal to use an emulated version. If you already own a copy, play on, player.

First off, I am a Nintendo fan. I've had many Nintendo systems over the years, and played about 10 hours of Super Mario RPG for the SNES over the weekend. Suffice it to say, I am not a "hater".