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Gamers go ga-ga over Oculus Rift virtual-reality headset

You'd think this were the turn of the 1990s. The "Total Recall" remake just opened today in theaters, and a virtual-reality headset ended up being up the hottest thing in the gaming world this week.

The Oculus Rift works like a conventional head-mounted display, but packs a few features that make it ideal for gaming. For example, the Rift offers impressive head-tracking capabilities; stereoscopic 3D rendering; a wide field of view (110 degrees -- most headsets only offer around 40 degrees); and several inputs (DVI/HDMI and USB). When wearing the Oculus, each eye gets close and personal with a 640x800 LCD screen for a total resolution of 1,280x800 (720p). … Read more

Angry Birds adds 15 new levels, support for Retina iPad

Those Angry Birds are still angry even though they can now hang out on the beach with 15 new levels.

Flying in today to iPhone and iPad users, version 2.2 of the original Angry Birds nestles in with a whole new set of challenges.

A new section dubbed Surf and Turf offers 15 levels where you can slingshot the angry birds at the piggies just trying to get a tan at the beach. As usually, the levels start off easy but get more difficult as you move along.

But don't worry, if you bump into trouble getting through … Read more

Retina MacBook Pro buyers can now choose CPU, storage options

Consumers eyeing a Retina MacBook Pro now have a choice of CPU, drive storage size, and other options.

Apple has revamped the order page for both flavors of the new MacBook Pro with a build-to-order configuration. So you can now pick your options based on the features you want and how much money you're willing to spend.

Previously, buyers looking for the less-expensive 2.3GHz model were forced to move up to the pricier 2.6GHz version if they needed a beefier CPU or more hard drive storage, noted Apple blogging site MacRumors.… Read more

iPad Mini display production slated for August, says analyst

The gears could start to turn as early as this month for the production of a smaller iPad.

Production of the 7.85-inch display slated for use on a smaller version of the iPad should begin in August, an analyst told CNET.

"We expect panel production to start in August, with production ramping up to high volumes (more than a million units per month) in the fourth quarter," said Paul Semenza, an analyst at NPD DisplaySearch, in response to an e-mail query.

Semenza said this is DisplaySearch's "understanding of the activity for the 7.85 [inch] … Read more

Rumor Has It: iPhone 5 isn't the only trick up Apple's sleeve

On this week's show, we discuss the latest iPhone 5 release date rumors, Samsung's possible Retina Display, and an alleged new tablet from Sony, and we wonder if Apple is really interested in buying a stake in Twitter.

The New York Times came out with a report over the weekend describing talks between Apple and the 140-character proselytizer. The report alleged that Apple has considered buying a minority stake in Twitter, a company that hasn't yet filed an IPO. The Wall Street Journal chimed in to say the talks were more than a year ago, and its … Read more

Apple patent filing hints at Google Glass-like tech

Heads up, Google. Apple may be eyeing its own "portable heads-up display" that could one day give Google Glass devices some competition.

Outlined in a filing published by the U.S. Patent and Trade Office yesterday, Apple's patent application refers to a technology that increases the resolution on a display without increasing the number of pixels. Such technology could be used in a portable heads-up display, Apple explained, where limiting the number of pixels is especially useful.

"In particular, a portable heads-up display may be size and weight constrained such that addition of physical pixels may … Read more

Rumor Has It: iPhone 5's annoying new 'feature'

Even Tim Cook seems to be hinting that a new phone is right around the corner. But it may frustrate people updating from an earlier device, as trusted news source Reuters is reporting that the new device will boast a smaller 19-pin dock connector. What will that mean for compatibility with older accessories, like speaker docks? A headache.

Also on today's show, the youngest child in the MacBook Pro line may get some love from Apple soon; Nokia's mathematicians may have figured out a novel way to save the company; and the BlackBerry PlayBook isn't dead, and … Read more

Expert claims Google's Nexus 7 display has flaws

Google's popular Nexus 7 tablet has display issues, according to an expert.

First of all, let's be clear: Google seems to have a certifiable hit with the Nexus 7 tablet and reviews have mostly been positive, if not very positive. And there have been no major complaints from review sites about the display.

That said, Raymond Soneira at DisplayMate Technologies says the tablet's display "falls short." Not mincing words, he says in a new blog post that he knew "something was seriously wrong" when he looked at the standard photos that DisplayMate uses … Read more

Six LG Display workers charged with stealing Samsung tech

LG Display is under fire after it was revealed yesterday that six employees were charged with stealing technology from Samsung Display.

According to the Associated Press, six of LG Display's workers and accomplices allegedly stole OLED technology between 2010 and 2011. Samsung charges that LG Display also attempted to steal its employees for its own gain.

All told, 11 people were charged in South Korea in connection with the alleged crime, including three people working at Samsung Display.

For its part, LG Display has denied all wrongdoing and told Bloomberg in an e-mailed statement yesterday that the only information … Read more