Matt Smith
555 articles published since May 24, 2010
Page 9
About Matt Smith
Matthew Smith is a freelance writer living in Portland Oregon. He also writes and edits for Digital Trends.
What’s The Real Value Of Games Bundled With Video Cards?
AMD fired a shot across Nvidia’s bow in 2012 by introducing the “Never Settle” bundle. The purpose was simple; attract games to AMD video cards providing them with free games like Far Cry 3, Hitman: Absolution and Sleeping Dogs. Nvidia has responded with its free-to-play bundle, which lures in gamers by offering free credits that can be redeemed for bonuses in games like Hawken, Planetside 2 and World Of Tanks.
PS4 vs Xbox One: 5 Reasons To Buy The Xbox One
This year's E3 felt almost like it was over before it began. Though the conference lasts for days, both Microsoft and Sony made their announcements before the doors opened, showing not just hardware but also their lineup of launch and near-launch titles. In doing so, each company has ignited a new chapter in the console war. While an ideal gamer's den will have both, most people don't have the money or need to grab two consoles at launch, so a choice must be made; Xbox One or PS4? I've put my money down for the Xbox, and here's why.
The Gadgets & Games Of Kickstarter – June 11th 2013 Edition
Each Kickstarter is its own drama representing the hopes and dreams of at least one person. Will it succeed? Will it fail? Will it become a media sensation? It’s impossible to know before the money starts flooding in – or doesn’t. So pop some popcorn and grab your mouse. We’ve got some Kickstarters to watch.
6 Things To Do With Your Wii U While Waiting For New Games
I must admit that the Nintendo Wii U, though I love it, hasn’t done as well as I’d hoped. The problem is simple. Games – there are none! All of the major releases I (and many others) were excited for, like Wonderful 101, Pikmin 3 and Rayman Legends, have been delayed and won’t be showing up until at least August. A console with no games to play isn’t great, but that doesn’t mean your Wii U has to collect dust.
Droid Braves The Elements: The 5 Toughest Android Devices You Can Buy Right Now
Smartphones do more than old-fashioned flip phones and bricks, but their large displays and thin bodies make them vulnerable. According to SquareTrade, a company that sells third-party warranties for electronics, up to 12% of all Android phones fall victim to an accident each year. These numbers may make a durable Android phone seem a good choice. Durable phones are not as common as their more fragile counterparts, but there's a handful of choices available.
iCan: 5 Features iPhone Users Take For Granted That Android Can't Match
The iPhone is often targeted for its lack of features and functionality. When the bullet points are laid out side-by-side Android appears to have a hoard of extras that Apple’s device can’t match. I don’t buy this arguement, however, because it assumes all features are equally important and executed with equal grace. Not all functionality is equally important, and while Android offers many slight tweaks, the iPhone excels where excellence matters.
8 Awesome Kerbal Space Program Mods
Have you ever wanted to design your own rockets, launch them into space, and send astronauts to the moon (or beyond)? Now you can with Kerbal Space Program, a unique game and digital toy that focuses on the space-faring adventures of little green dudes called Kerbals. The game, developed by a small studio called Squad, has been developed with the Minecraft approach.
Which Is Best, A MacBook Air Or MacBook Pro? Both Models Compared Side-By-Side
You might think Apple’s relatively small laptop selection would make choosing a model easy. For some people, that’s true, but for others the tight range of options and prices makes for a difficult choice. A consumer with $1,200 could end up looking at both versions of the Air and the 13-inch Pro. I think all of the MacBooks are a good choice, but the reasons why are various. I’ll help you sort through the clutter and decide which MacBook is for you.
Minecraft Home Security Tips – Build A Perimeter That No One Could Break Through
The world of Minecraft can be harsh. One moment you’re happily cooking a few pieces of bacon in your oven, then next; BAM! Where’d that creep come from? Now you’re back at the respawn point – you’d better know how to get back home from there! Building a door is a good way to keep this from happening, but that only works if you stay underground or in a very tightly constructed fort.
The Gadgets and Games of Kickstarter - May 14th 2013 Edition
Perhaps you haven’t heard, but there is a nifty website called Kickstarter where people can pledge to support projects that they’re interested in. Little things – like Android game consoles, eInk watches, and high-budget video games. Each Kickstarter is its own drama representing the hopes and dreams of at least one person. Will it succeed? Will it fail? Will it become a media sensation?
Star Conflict Free-To-Play: A Multiplayer Space Sim Game You Can Go To Combat With
Free-to-play games have served most genres well. Role-playing, strategy, and first-person shooters are represented by numerous offerings that don’t cost a dime. But what about space shooters? All of the genre’s best titles are paid. Most don’t even offer multiplayer or, if they do, the community has been dead for years. There is a new kid on the block, however. His name is Star Conflict
Build Your Own MMO Dungeon In Neverwinter
Ten years ago Bioware released a game called Neverwinter Nights. Though disappointing as a single-player RPG, the campaign wasn't really the point. Instead, the game focused on user-generated multiplayer content built with the amazingly powerful Aurora toolset. Players eventually used the game and its sequel, Neverwinter Nights 2, to build sprawling co-op campaigns and miniature MMOs. Now, a new Neverwinter title has been released by Cryptic
QuickOffice Pro HD: Create, Open And Edit Office Documents On Your iPad [iOS]
Apple doesn’t offer an all-in-one office suite, so users who want to handle these tasks on their tablet must turn to a third-party solution. One of the most popular is QuickOffice Pro HD, a $19.99 iOS productivity suite that is actually owned by Google. The app promises the creation and editing of Word, Excel and Powerpoint files and lets users save documents to .PDF. All of which sounds great – but does it actually work?
Find Your Next Solid State Drive With SSDBoss
We recently covered two sites, CPUBoss and GPUBoss, launched to provide a fast, easy way to determine what you next hardware upgrade should be. Shortly after our last review, the people behind the sites reached out to tell us another site was one its way, too, and it would cover solid state drives. Hard drives may not seem like an obvious extension of the Boss mission, but I think it makes sense.
The Gadgets & Games Of Kickstarter - May 2nd 2013 Edition
Perhaps you haven’t heard, but there is a nifty website called Kickstarter where people can pledge to support projects that they’re interested in. Little things – like Android game consoles, eInk watches, and high-budget video games. Each Kickstarter is its own drama representing the hopes and dreams of at least one person. Will it succeed? Will it fail? Will it become a media sensation?
Doom Vs. Call Of Duty Modern Warfare - Just How Far Has The FPS Come?
First person shooters have been at the forefront of game development since their first incarnation over two decades ago. They combine adrenaline-soaked action with a perspective that provides a great stage for technology; first-person games feature excellent graphics, carefully crafted story events and amazing sound. Yet the core remains the same. You shoot a thing, until its dead – then repeat.
The 5 Toughest iPhone Cases Money Can Buy
Apple’s latest iPhone is surprisingly robust given its light weight but it’s only designed to survive minor drops in a friendly environment. Serious falls, dirt and water aren’t a factor, and that’s a problem if you’d like to use your iPhone while camping, hiking or playing sports. Tough cases are harder to find than those built to provide aesthetic value with some minimal protection and so to save you time, we’ve rounded up five of the best.
Level Up - How To Improve Your Gaming Ability
For most gamers, sitting down with a controller means escapism and relaxation. There are others, however, who enjoy games for the competition they provide. A great game can offer an adrenaline rush unlike anything most people experience in day-to-day life. Of course, that rush can turn to despair when you’re repeatedly stomped. Losing a game time and time again isn't fun, and isn't instructive. The only way to solve the problem is to improve your skills.
The Gadgets And Games Of Kickstarter – 15th April 2013 Edition
Each Kickstarter is its own drama representing the hopes and dreams of at least one person. Will it succeed? Will it fail? Will it become a media sensation? It’s impossible to know before the money starts flooding in – or doesn’t So pop some popcorn and grab your mouse. We’ve got some Kickstarters to watch.
Getting Started With The Lord Of The Rings Online
Turbine’s take on Middle Earth has been live for almost 6 years now and, despite the appearance of numerous other titles, remains one of the most popular western MMOs. It’s also one of the easiest to access thanks to its free-to-play business model. You still need to have a handle on the game’s basics, however, and the complexities of the pay store can be confusing. Here’s what you must know to get started.