#techandgaming

By Michael Jones

The smartphone industry has again taken a step into the future with Canonical’s record-breaking fundraising attempt beginning to build some momentum.

It was announced that Canonical, creators of the Ubuntu operating software, would be starting an ‘indiegogo’ campaign to raise a staggering £20.8 million in a month, to fund the production of their very own smartphone, which would interconnect with their operating system on PCs in previously impossible ways. Usually working as a normal smartphone, when connected to a monitor, the devices applications will be usable as desktop applications using the same storage facilities on the phone.

However, this campaign is the largest of it’s kind. Indiegogo’s previous fundraising record is held by the Scandu Scout device, which raised around £1,100,000 ($1,665,380). The Ubuntu Edge has already smashed this record, with around £2,150,000 raised in the first day the indiegogo account was opened.

To receive one of the 40,000 models the company is hoping to produce, a donation of £540 is required, but donators are reassured by the news that if the project does not reach its target by the 21st August, then all of the money raised will be completely refunded.

This risky project shows Canonical’s belief in the project and if the goal is raised, it will be interesting to see the final product in May 2014.

What are your views on the increase of projects funded in this way? Does it help the user get more out of the future of technology?

By Michael Jones

Call of Duty’, easily one of the most successful first person shooter series that the video gaming industry has ever seen. But is it time to finally bring it to a close?

In 2003, gamers across the globe were introduced to the ‘Call of Duty’ franchise, which almost annually has been one of the top sellers. The classic moments of C4 door explosions followed by slow-mo raids and building top shoot outs, are easily recognisable and are etched in to the mind of every avid player, but is this because we have seen it too many times?

Year after year, when November comes, so does the newest addition to the ‘CoD’ franchise. Players expect the usual single player and multi player modes, and can sometimes be surprised by a new feature such as spec ops or zombies, but now, even they are just part of the usual experience. In my opinion, what ‘Activision’ are really missing is some imagination. Except for slight graphic upgrades and the occasional new feature, the games are becoming too predictable and gamers are getting bored. After 9 games, we, as a community, want something new. But will we get it?