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AP Technology NewsBrief at 1:55 p.m. EST(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Review: Nintendo Wii U blows up dual-screen gamingWhen Nintendo first broached the idea of multiple-screen video games in 2004, many critics were skeptical that players could focus on two images at once. Yet the handheld DS, blending one touch-sensitive screen with a slightly larger video display, became a runaway hit. Turns out the portable DS may have just been a dress rehearsal for Nintendo's latest home console, the Wii U, which blows up the dual-screen concept to living-room size. It goes on sale in the U.S. on Sunday, starting at $300. Nintendo seeks to shake up gaming again with Wii ULOS ANGELES (AP) _ It can scan zombies, replace a TV remote, open a window into virtual worlds and shoot ninja stars across a living room. It's the Wii U GamePad, the 10-by-5-inch touchscreen controller for the successor to the Wii out Sunday, and if you ask the brains behind the "Super Mario Bros." about it, they say it's going to change the way video games are made and played. "You can't manufacture buzz," said Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime. "You can't manufacture word of mouth. All we can do is to provide the product and the games to foster some sparks that hopefully enable that to happen. We think we have that with Wii U." Israel and Hamas battle on social media as wellJERUSALEM (AP) _ The hostilities between Israel and Hamas have found a new battleground: social media. The Israeli Defense Forces and Hamas militants have exchanged fiery tweets throughout the fighting in a separate war to influence public opinion. 'Journey' leads Spike Video Game Awards nomineesLOS ANGELES (AP) _ The artsy downloadable game "Journey" leads the pack of nominees for this year's Spike Video Game Awards. The PlayStation 3 game received seven nods in such categories as best graphics, independent game, original score and game of the year. Google invests $75 million in Iowa wind farmMOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) _ Google is investing $75 million in an Iowa wind farm as part of its effort to encourage development of cleaner energy sources. The deal announced Thursday gives Google Inc. a stake in the Rippey Wind Farm in Greene County, Iowa. RPM Access LLC is the primary owner. Dell shares hit 3 1/2-year low on weak 3Q, outlookLOS ANGELES (AP) _ Dell shares hit their lowest point in more than three and a half years Friday on concerns about its ability to quickly transition away from the declining PC market. THE SPARK: Dell reported third-quarter earnings and revenue that were worse than expectations, even for investors who were braced for a dismal quarter. Amazon's larger Kindle Fire HD ships earlyNEW YORK (AP) _ Amazon has started shipping the larger version of its Kindle Fire HD tablet computer on Thursday, five days ahead of schedule. Amazon is short on stock, though, so new orders won't ship until Dec. 3. Amazon.com Inc. had been taking orders for shipment on Nov. 20. Software founder McAfee denies killing neighborSAN PEDRO, Belize (AP) _ Software company founder John McAfee said Wednesday he is in hiding, unarmed and accompanied only by a young woman, changing locations and telephones frequently to stay one step ahead of a Belize police unit he says wants to kill him. Belize police have said they want to question McAfee, who they describe as a "person of interest" in the slaying of fellow American Gregory Viant Faull. Faull, 52, was shot to death over the weekend on the Caribbean island where both men lived. Review: Nexus tablet showcases Google media playNEW YORK (AP) _ When I first turned on Google's new tablet computer, I immediately thought of it as a mere conduit to Google services. Besides giving you quick access to Gmail and YouTube, the Nexus 10 steers you to digital movies, books and other content available for sale through Google's online Play store. In UK, Twitter, Facebook rants land some in jailLONDON (AP) _ One teenager made offensive comments about a murdered child on Twitter. Another young man wrote on Facebook that British soldiers should "go to hell." A third posted a picture of a burning paper poppy, symbol of remembrance of war dead. All were arrested, two convicted, and one jailed _ and they're not the only ones. In Britain, hundreds of people are prosecuted each year for posts, tweets, texts and emails deemed menacing, indecent, offensive or obscene, and the number is growing as our online lives expand. (c) 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |