ESPN deal lets you stream live NBA games without needing TV service

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/05/espn-nba-live-streaming-service-leak/

ESPN has made plenty of forays into streaming video, but services like WatchESPN typically require that you already have TV service. That partly defeats the point of viewing online, don't you think? However, you might not face that limitation for much longer. According to sources for the Wall Street Journal, the NBA has signed a pact with Disney (ESPN's parent) to launch a new streaming service that doesn't demand a cable or satellite subscription -- a big deal for ESPN, which still makes most of its money from paid TV. Just how it differs from the NBA's own League Pass isn't clear, although both are focused on live regular season games. In other words, you'll still have to fire up an old-fashioned TV to watch the playoffs in real-time. Just when it arrives isn't clear, although you may not have to wait long for an announcement. If the tipsters are accurate, the NBA will announce its partnership as early as Monday.

[Image credit: Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD

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Source: Wall Street Journal

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The new Unreal Engine will bring eerily realistic skin to your games

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/06/unreal-engine-4-5/

It hasn't been hard to produce realistic-looking skin in computer-generated movies, but it's much harder to do that in the context of a game running live on your console or PC. That trip to the uncanny valley is going to be much easier in the near future, though, thanks to the impending arrival of Unreal Engine 4.5. The gaming framework adds subsurface light scattering effects that give digital skin a more natural look. Instead of the harsh visuals you normally get (see the pale, excessively-shadowed face at left), you'll see softer, decidedly fleshier surfaces (middle and right). The scattering should also help out with leaves, candle wax and other materials that are rarely drawn well in your favorite action games.

That's not the only party trick. A new raytracing technique should produce soft, reasonably authentic long shadows in sunsets. Mobile games can finally handle dynamic shadows, too, so a character carrying a lantern may look that much more ominous. Developers will have to implement the new Unreal Engine in their projects before you can see the upgrades first-hand, but it shouldn't be too long before you're playing shooters and other titles that feel much more true to life.

Filed under: Gaming, Software

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Source: Unreal Engine

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HTC's next Desire phone reportedly captures 13-megapixel selfies

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/04/htc-desire-eye-leak/

If you've wanted to shoot 13-megapixel selfies with your phone, you've usually had to get either a knock-off or a one-of-a-kind device like Oppo's N1. You might not have to look very hard if a handful of leaks are correct, however. Both HTCFamily.ru and @upleaks have posted pictures of what's reportedly the HTC Desire Eye, a relatively conventional upper mid-range Android phone that would pack 13-megapixel cameras on both the front and back. They'd even have flashes to help with those dimly-lit dance club snapshots.

The Desire Eye could be quite the powerhouse beyond its photographic abilities, too. Another rumor from @upleaks has it carrying a 5.2-inch 1080p display, a speedy quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of built-in storage. There's no direct clues as to when this new Desire would show up, although HTC already has a "double exposure" event lined up for October 8th. It won't be shocking if the company has more up its sleeve that day than an action camera.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, HTC

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Source: HTCFamily.ru (Twitter), @upleaks (Twitter 1), (2)

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The Tah Bluetooth stick lets you control (almost) anything with a smartphone

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/03/tah-bluetooth-arduino-board/

We've seen plenty of development boards, but this might be the first that comes with both Bluetooth LE and built-in USB. Tah is the creation of India's Revealing Hour and has been designed to both lower the cost of adding Bluetooth to Arduino projects, but also to connect your smartphone to other devices in the home. For instance, adding an IR shield will enable you to create a universal remote control for appliances and your TV. Even better, is that you can slot the hardware into your games console and use your smartphone as a controller -- in the video embedded after the break, the company uses a smartphone as a substitute PlayStation controller, and there's an Xbox variant that's currently being developed. Naturally, Tah is currently gathering funds over at CrowdSupply, and its makers need $25,000 to begin manufacturing. If you'd like to get your hands on one, then early-bird customers can snag one for $40, while the late-comers will pay 10 dollars more.

Filed under: Wireless

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Source: CrowdSupply

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Hackers Are Using Reddit to Connect 17,000 Macs to a Botnet

Source: http://gizmodo.com/hackers-are-using-reddit-to-connect-17-000-macs-to-a-bo-1642062140

Bad news for Mac users: You're at risk for an insidious malware that will connect your computer to a botnet.

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