Sony's PlayStation 4 Comeback

Sony is poised to pounce on Microsoft and regain the gaming console crown.

Microsoft became the leader in the game console business but did not obliterate Sony entirely. Now Sony is making a comeback with the Sony's PlayStation 4 while the newest Xbox One will have to fight for market share.

There are plenty of reasons for this but in the end most people simply prefer the PS4 because it's $100 less. I've written about this in previous columns but the outrageous pricing decisions at Microsoft stem from Steve Ballmer's insistence that price be a reflection of development costs, regardless of the size of the market and the competition.

There is another factor here that Microsoft seems to ignore. We are in a depression! Hello! Earth to the billionaires who run Microsoft, come in, come in!

If you are Steve Ballmer, $100 means nothing to you personally. In fact, when a billionaire sees a $100 bill on the street, he will calculate the amount of time it takes to pick up the bill to determine if it's worthwhile.

Many people who love their Xbox360 and could not afford to buy a PS3 will gladly switch back to Sony to keep some balance between the two systems. And this is going to be even more of a trend if there are serious compatibility issues with the Xbox One as far as legacy games are concerned.

I should also mention that if Microsoft had kept up a torrid pace of development and brought out the Xbox One two years ago, it would now be introducing the Xbox Two against the PS4 and the game would have been over. But no.

Another thing to consider amidst the excessive and mostly illegal snooping by the American government is Microsoft's increased reliance on the cloud and its insistence that a spy camera, the Kinect, be attached to the machine at all times. This is just crazy. It actually looks like two eyeballs are looking at you, watching everything you do. Why aren't more people freaked out by this?

While Microsoft has reversed a few policies on the new system such as allowing the resale of games, I'm going to agree with the majority of pundits who place the blame squarely on the pricing.

That said, it may actually be a marketing ploy. During the holidays the company can announce a special sale: $100 off the new Xbox One! "Why should I buy a $399 PlayStation 4, when I can get a $499 Xbox One for the same price as the Sony?" the customer will wonder.

If Sony does not anticipate this with a $299 sale price, it could be decimated. But if Sony can afford to do the same $100 off, then its boxes will fly off the shelves and Microsoft will lose.

Let's all sit back and see what happens. I'm hoping for any sort of bloodbath.

Source: http://feeds.ziffdavis.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/dvorak/~3/iioa94Rf3qw/0,2817,2422728,00.asp

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Football practice begins at Summerville High School

SUMMERVILLE, SC (WCSC)- Summerville High School football players returned to the field Friday morning for their first practice of the 2013 season.

The Green Wave, led by legendary head coach John McKissick, began practicing at 8 a.m. This was the first segment of their scheduled two-a-day practices.

The varsity team is looking to improve on last season's 7-5 record.

McKissick, who has been the head football coach at Summerville High since 1952, is entering his 62nd season. The 86-year-old coach has led the school to 10 state championships, and holds the record for most wins by a football coach at any level with 601 wins.

Summerville will begin their season on August 29 with a home game against Cane Bay.

Copyright 2013 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Source: http://summervilledorchestercounty.live5news.com/news/news/96702-football-practice-begins-summerville-high-school

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Icona Pop Thinks Robin Thicke's 'I Love It' Cover Is 'Sexy'

'You wanted to go into a bedroom and make love,' the Swedish duo rave about Thicke's sensual cover before their Lollapalooza set.
By Gil Kaufman

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1711774/icona-pop-robin-thicke-i-love-it-cover.jhtml

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Jack White's ex granted restraining order

Music

Randee Dawn TODAY contributor

3 hours ago

Getty Images file

Jack White and Karen Elson in 2008.

The breakup between former White Stripes singer Jack White and his ex-wife, singer-songwriter and model Karen Elson isn't so friendly any more.

Two years ago the pair held a party to celebrate their divorce (they had married in 2005), but according to the Nashville City Paper, a Nashville circuit court judge granted Elson a restraining order against White on July 22, which bars the singer from having any contact with her "whatsoever except as it relates to parenting time with the parties' minor children."

Elson has primary custody of Scarlett Teresa and Henry Lee, the couple's two children. In the restraining order affidavit, she calls White an unfit father who refused to attend family counseling. She adds that White has a violent temper and has left her harassing text messages and emails that pressured her about the divorce's settlement terms.

One incident named in the filing indicated that White wanted his children taken out of a class where another entertainer's child was because White thought the child's parent had "ripped off" his music. Another time, White reportedly was upset with Elison when she attended the wedding of another performer, who he also said "ripped off" his music. The musician(s) were not named in the order.

"Wife fears for her and the children's safety as a result of this harassment," the order said.

Rose Palermo, who represents Elson, said she and her client are trying to resolve the dispute in private. Palermo requested a custodial psychological evaluation for White.?

The pair are due in court Aug. 29 for a custody hearing.

Source: http://www.today.com/entertainment/jack-whites-ex-wife-granted-restraining-order-against-him-6C10825510

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Threat closes US embassies in Muslim world for day

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The United States is shuttering its embassies and consulates throughout the Muslim world on Sunday after receiving an unspecified threat, officials said.

State Department officials said Thursday that they were taking action out of an "abundance of caution."

Spokeswoman Marie Harf cited information indicating a threat to U.S. facilities overseas and said some diplomatic facilities may stay closed for more than a day.

Other U.S. officials said the threat was in the Muslim world, where Sunday is a workday. American diplomatic missions in Europe, Latin America and many other places are closed on Sunday.

Those officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

The State Department issued a major warning last year informing American diplomatic facilities across the Muslim world about potential violence connected to the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Dozens of American installations were besieged by protest over an anti-Islam video made by an American resident.

In Benghazi, Libya, the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans were killed when militants assaulted a diplomatic post. The administration no longer says that attack was related to the demonstrations.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/threat-closes-us-embassies-muslim-world-day-222229157.html

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Experiencing koinonia ? cross culturally | ABPnews Blog

This could probably be two posts in the least, maybe three. But I will limit it. You see, I have experienced ?koinonia.?? I realize that is a thoroughly ?religious? word. I realize it doesn?t mean much to many people outside the church. Perhaps this definition does though, ?fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, the share which one has in anything, participation intercourse, fellowship, intimacy, the right hand as a sign and pledge of fellowship, a gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution, as exhibiting an embodiment and proof of fellowship??*

Recently, I have needed my fellow believers in profound ways. I have needed their trust, their belief in me and my calling, their companionship, their prayers, their understanding, their help, their fellowship, their compassion?you name it, and I have needed it. In awe and humility, I can say, they have provided it. I read various blogs from those associated with the church (or who have become disenchanted with the church) who feel as though they have been cheated of this. I am profoundly sorry for that. I wish it were not so. Perhaps I am in a unique place and position to receive this as a career missionary. But today I was reminded yet again that God is calling his people to ?koinonia? in beautiful ways that we are not privy to often enough.

I preached in a small town in South Carolina. I spoke of the many Internationals that are here in our communities. I shared stories of the ways that God had caused my life and others lives to intersect with these friends and neighbors from other countries. A bit surprisingly I admit, in the children?s sermon the leader mentioned the name of a child from Mongolia. This name was obviously known to the children and the congregation. I thought, ?Neat. They know someone from another country.? Not surprising at all given what I know about Internationals in the United States.

I was not prepared, however, for the professor from a local university that approached me at the end of the service. He told me of the numbers of International students he was in relationship with. Great! He told me of the name that had been mentioned and how that was the child of a family he was involved with. Great! Then as he became obviously moved, he told me how these children were his grandchildren in every sense of the word. He shared how he welcomed opportunities to speak and teach as an entomologist in numerous countries around the world because God expanded his family with these precious lives from other cultures. Another walked up and shared how as a result of this professor bringing these ?family? members into the love and fellowship of the church, they too were able to experience ?koinonia.? They were able to not only provide bicycles but helped the children learn to ride.

They all share life, love, fellowship and family?together!? Beautiful! I had to smile and laugh when this professor presented me with his business card and asked which language I would prefer! Now that is cultural sensitivity!

I came home to an email from this remarkable professor who wrote,? I will be glad to do whatever I can to help our brothers and sisters in Christ build cross-cultural relationships.?

I am a part of the ?church? and have enjoyed and yes, expected, even needed ?koinonia? from my brothers and sisters. What takes me even deeper is when my brothers and sisters in Christ move outside our worldviews and extend that ?koinonia? to the Diaspora in meaningful and intentional ways.

Another congregant after the service said, ?You have inspired me! There is an International, a professor at our local university, living across the street from us?all alone in a big house. I have wondered how he is managing all alone. I am going to his house and invite him to dinner!? Koinonia?. Amen.

?

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Written by Nell Green

Nell Green currently serves as Field Personnel with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Along with her husband, Butch, she has experience ministering primarily among Muslim peoples in Africa and Europe. For the past few years the Greens have been helping churches in North America develop multidisciplinary ministries to meet the needs of Internationals, share the gospel of Christ and become effective global partners.

Author?s Website

Source: http://www.abpnews.com/blog/missions/experiencing-koinonia-cross-culturally-2013-08-01/

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German Publishers Can't Wean Themselves Off Google News, Despite Winning Copyright Law Change

Germany's new copyright law comes into force today but several major German publishers haven't rushed to pull their news snippets from Google News, despite lobbying in favour of tightening the law. On the contrary, they have opted-in to carry on having their snippets displayed.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/Q5Z7b6NDG0w/

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