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PlayStation 4 should go all-in on cloud-streaming games

Based on the steady stream of rumors about Sony's upcoming next-gen living-room console, it's widely expected that gamers will be spending at least part of their time playing games streamed directly over the Internet.

According to the Wall Street Journal and others, Sony's acquisition of streaming-game provider Gaikai in 2012 set the stage for streaming-game content, and the new Sony console, whatever it's called, will offer both streamed games and games played via traditional optical disc, purportedly older catalog titles for the former, and newer games via the latter.

Join CNET's live coverage of Sony's event on Wednesday at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET

A move to streaming games is a far-thinking idea, and one that would reduce the need for large amounts of local storage for fully downloaded games, as well as the need to manufacture, transport, and store physical game discs -- with games joining music and movies as media types moving away from being distributed through retail stores on disc. … Read more

Use NFC tags to quickly update your Fitbit activities with FitTap

The biggest issue with any of the activity tracking systems, be it a Fitbit or Jawbone Up, is that some information has to be manually entered by the user. For example, when I'm tracking how much water I drink in a given day, I have to remember to enter it into the Fitbit app, and I'm horrible at it.

When the revamped Fitbit Android app launched last week, I came across another Android app called FitTap. FitTap combines Fitbit activity logging with NFC.

There's two versions of the app, one is free, but requires you to use … Read more

AMD chip, touch controllers all head to next PlayStation -- report

Sony's next PlayStation, which is expected to be unveiled tomorrow, will come loaded with a host of improvements, a new report claims.

The device, which could be known as the PlayStation 4, will ditch the Cell processor that Sony, IBM, and Toshiba developed for the PlayStation 3 in favor of an AMD chip, The Wall Street Journal is reporting, citing people who claim to have knowledge of Sony's plans. The Journal's sources have also agreed with earlier reports, saying that the PlayStation 4's controller will come with touch features.

Sony is holding a special PlayStation event … Read more

Sony trims price of PlayStation Vita, adds new color

With a little less than 48 hours to go before the world gets a glimpse at the PlayStation 4, there's some news for the PS Vita coming out of Japan today.

Sony announced that the company lowered and equalized the price point for the Wi-Fi and 3G/Wi-Fi-versions of the PS Vita to 19,980 yen ($212) from 24,980 yen ($265) and 29,980 yen ($319), respectively. Sony didn't carry the announcement over to the U.S., but it's possible that the company may use a portion of its PlayStation event in New York on February 20 to announce a similar price cut. … Read more

PlayStation 4 to stream games in real time over Net, says report

Sony's acquisition last year of cloud-gaming company Gaikai may be reflected in a big way in the upcoming PlayStation 4.

The Wall Street Journal is citing inside sources in reporting that Sony's new gaming console, expected to debut Wednesday at an event in Manhattan, will let people play games streamed in real time over the Internet.… Read more

Voice control for new PS4 controller?

A leaked image of what is believed to be the PlayStation 4 controller is providing more clues to the capabilities of Sony's next-generation game console.

As reported earlier, the controller will now come with a touchpad, which is sandwiched between the directional pad and colored buttons. If the above photo is indeed authentic, the blue light on the front could mean that the PlayStation Move function is available, making the optional Move motion controller redundant. … Read more

Change your Facebook cover photo using the Android app

Last night, Facebook pushed an update to its Android app that lets users update their cover photo from directly within the app. In the past I had covered an Android app that helped you create a new cover photo, but it required you to use the Web site in order to actually change the photo.

To change your cover photo using the Android app, make sure you're running the latest version of the Facebook app. Pull up your own timeline and tap on your cover photo. You can then select "View Photo" or "Change Cover"; … Read more

Great expectations for next PlayStation

Watching Friday's CNET Update can earn you a trophy:

It's likely that Sony will show off a new PlayStation at its event on Feb. 20, and CNET's Jeff Bakalar takes a look at what to expect -- and what the PS4 needs. There is also a report of a new PS4 controller, with images obtained by Destructoid.

Also in today's tech news roundup:

- Skype has a new feature that lets users leave a video message for a friend when they are offline or on another call.

- Facebook is filtering Graph Search results when it … Read more

Xbox 360 again the most popular console among U.S. gamers

Microsoft has extended its streak of console sales leadership into its third year.

Research firm NPD yesterday released its game-market sales for January. Microsoft led U.S. console sales for the 25th consecutive month, tallying 281,000 units sold. At that sales level, Microsoft was able to grab 44 percent console market share. All told, consumers spent $338 million on Xbox 360 hardware, software, and accessories during the period.

Despite the Xbox 360's specific success, overall hardware sales for all devices were down 17 percent compared with January 2012, reaching $205 million during the period. Software sales hit $373.… Read more

PlayStation 4: What we expect, what it needs, and why

CNET's live coverage of Sony's event on Wednesday

Sony's February 20 event in New York City will likely mark the announcement of the PlayStation 4 and simultaneously usher in the next generation of console gaming. (Sorry, Wii U, but you're more last-gen than next-gen.)

Rumors mills are also churning out details confidently declaring that the Xbox 360 successor will also see the light of day before June's big E3 gaming show in Los Angeles.

Perhaps the biggest news? Both consoles could make their debuts -- gasp -- this year. That's a hyperspeed acceleration in … Read more