Gaming and Tech Network

This Week in the Universe rounds up some of the best and most interesting stories from around the web you may have missed this week.

First there has bee a lot of talk thrown around about Windows 8 this week, this piece by Tim Edwards is the one to read, it does more than just reprint Gabe Newell’s quote.

Why is Windows 8 “a catastrophe for anyone in the PC space”?

“Gabe Newell gave the quote of the year today: “Windows 8 is a catastrophe for everyone in the PC space.” But the question is: why. What is it about Windows 8 that makes it such a disaster? As an experiment, I’ve been using Windows 8 for over two weeks as my main PC. I have no recourse to any other PC or OS to do work or play games. What’s gone wrong? “

As if that was not enough, Blizzard jumped in later on in the week when Rob Pardo made a similar Statement and we have a one word review from Research Director Gunnar Berger of analyst firm Gartner.

So what is it that Microsoft want out of this? Charles Arthur tries to explain in The Observer.

Microsoft hopes new tablet will cure falling PC sales

“Can anything bring the PC business back to life? Tallying up worldwide PC shipment calculations by the research companies Gartner and IDC, together with the revenue and profit figures from Microsoft, and Apple’s computer sales numbers, it’s clear that the Windows PC business is having a lousy time.”

Away from Windows 8 now to a victory for common sense.It has taken far too long but at least there is now legal conformation that you are allowed to tell a joke…

Robin Hood Airport tweet bomb joke man wins case

“This appeal was all about whether Paul Chambers’ tweet, made in frustration that Robin Hood airport was closed, and threatening to blow it sky high if the problem wasn’t sorted out, was a ‘menacing’ message and therefore criminal.

In a judgement which emphasises that context is everything, the Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge made clear that if people who receive or read that kind of message would brush it aside as a silly or bad taste joke, or ridiculous banter, then it would be a contradiction in terms to call it ‘menacing’.”

I suspected this might happen when it was first announced that the Amazon Kindle would have 3G access to the internet with no monthly subscription, I figured it was only a matter of time before Amazon realised it was being abused and the money they were making from the books was not covering it.

Amazon crimps free Kindle 3G surfing

“The free ride is over: owners of early Amazon Kindles that included free global access to 3G networks will now have their ability to surf the net crimped.”

An interesting case of a knockoff perhaps being better than the real thing, at least in terms of what you can do with it.

Droid X360 hybridises PS Vita and Android

“Being Android-based means it’s emulator friendly too and actually comes with nine systems already built-in. Wowzers. Those still desperate to play PSone games on their handhelds may not have to wait for the official green-light after all.”

Video this week (Via Rock Paper Shotgun) is a blast from the past, a 1984 documentary on video games. Enjoy!