Facebook Groups showing up in News Feed (Facebook Privacy Issue)

Updated 8/09/2011

After the recent transition of old Facebook groups to a new format, Facebook opened a new privacy issue by allowing group stories to show up in news feeds. Previously, Groups were controlled as a separate application, allowing you to control who could see what groups you were in and the posts you made from it. This privacy setting was slightly buried among the mass of other Facebook applications, but at least the option was there.

In the new group format, if you post a status in any of the new OPEN groups that you are in, this will show up on all your friends’ news feed. This shows up even if they do not belong to the group you are in. Certainly it can cause trouble if you are in a particular group that you don’t want others to see. On the flip side, your friends may see a multitude of group stories in which they have no interest in.

One guy I know posted to an Open Group about 8 times in one hour last night. He has 744 friends. I just politely let him know that all of those new Wall Posts he is starting on that Group wall are showing up on all 744 of his friends’ walls. Haven’t seen anything from him since.

This feature appears to be triggered to those only in OPEN groups. CORRECTION: The person must create their own status, publish a photo, or write a doc for it to show up. In addition if the person comments on their own entry, it will also show up in the news feed INCLUDING non friend’s status messages. Which means your entire friends list will see comments you made regardless of who or what posted it.

If someone adds you to an OPEN  group, it is also displayed on the news feed.

If another person makes a status in a group and you comment on it, this will not show up on the news feed.

.

We suggest Facebook should allow privacy option within group posts, to make everyone or only group members see. This privacy option can be set up similar to the way how statuses are made on a regular profile.

You can join in the discussion thread here and here.

Tales of Xillia: Over Limits and New King Character

Ok we’re back with Tales of Xillia news, with some previous news we missed due to all that Phantasy Star Online 2 information popping out. Famitsu has just released clearer screenshots on their site.

Over Limit

While you are in Link Mode, (this is where two characters are linked together) as you attack enemies your gauge gets filled up. When the Link Artes icon appear you push the R2 button to perform the arte together. However if you let the gauge fill to MAX, you switch to Overlimit mode. This allows you to fire  Link Artes and Other Artes in quick succession, in addition you can perform a link artes chain.

A screenshot of the link artes chain.

Gaius

Gaias is 32 years old voiced by Ryōtarō Okiayu. His character appears on the top right corner of the main box art. He is the king of A Joule, the northern portion of Liese Maxia. With his god-like fighting ability and charisma, he was able to unify different tribes. This let him establish the federation nation of A Joule.

WordPress 3.2 works with 1and1 shared hosting

Although 1and1 is currently uses  PHP version 5.2.17, and WordPress 3.2 requires PHP version 5.2.4, we have discovered the site continues to run as expected, however the WP Super Cache plugin acquired a fatal error.

Tales of Xillia: Nachtigal, Ivar, and Shop Build System

Some new Tales of Xillia screenshots came out today featuring Nachtigal I Fan and Ivar.

Nachtigal I Fan (52 years old) is La Sugal’s king, running an autocratic style of leadership with the intent on unifying all of Liese Maxia. Originally he was one out of three princes up to take the throne. Though it was unlikely for him to take that position, he somehow put down an internal insurrection between them and  took the spot. During his youth, he was part of the army, and he has won many battles.

Gradually his self-righteous inclination increased, and in his later years, he pressured the cities of his kingdom with military power. He put a firm step in letting others obey his policies.

Ivar is 16 years old. His family served under “Shrine Maiden Maxwell” for generations within a village dedicated to her. He takes pride in servicing the Shrine Maiden, he’s been her steward ever since his childhood. However, he arbitrarily concluded that Jude robbed him of his position as Milla’s caretaker, and whenever possible will rush to her assistance. Though his sense of justice is higher than average, he tends to become short tempered and elitist.

Tales of Xillia has “search points” where along your adventure you can find items by opening bags or discover them in various places.

When a player approaches a search point, the camera will draw attention to the place you should search. When they collect the item, the search point will disappear, but after some time, the search point will reappear. However, the respawn area is randomized somewhere around the original location.

Tales of Xillia has five kinds of shops, a thrift store, weapon shop, armor shop, decorations shop, and restaurants. Using the “Shop Build System” you can further the development of these stores. By selecting the “development” option, you will deliver raw materials or gald to further enhance the items sold within the shop.

Each item category listed requires a certain amount of growth points. As you deliver materials or gald, the shop’s level will increase and the store will sell new items and existing items at a cheaper price. In addition, each item category also has a bonus, as depicted in the screenshot above. If you deliver that specific material listed in the icon, it will have double the amount of points towards improving the shop.

At level 1, only one weapon was sold, but now at Level 43, many items are sold!

The shop build system affects shops in all towns, so there’s no need for you to worry on building each and every shop from scratch in the game.

[via 4gamer]

Tales of Xillia Famitsu Scan Reveals the King

Today’s new scan of Tales of Xillia shows the proposed antagonist that was revealed in the video. Here’s what we know so far about him.

King ナハティガル ・I ・ファン

King Nachtigal I Fan, voiced by Yoshitada Ōtsuka, is 52 years old. La Sugal’s King who follows an autocratic style of leadership called “World Unification.”

Originally he was one out of three princes up to take the throne. Though it was unlikely for him to take that position, he somehow put down an internal insurrection between them and  took the spot. During his youth, he was part of the army, and he has won many battles.

イバル

イバル (Ival? Eval?) voiced by Showtaro Morikubo. He’s 16 years old. For shrine maiden Maxwell, he worked as Milla’s steward taking care of her since his childhood. He’s very intelligent and his sense of justice is strong. Though lately he feels his job  was robbed by Jude. (Haha funny!) He is well versed in martial arts with two hand sword fighting. He does not seem to be a party member.

Shop Build System

Not only can you buy and sell items but now you can “develop” products using this new system. This is done by using materials you’ve found while playing the game. Each material has a set growth point, and the shop level increase as you gather growth points. With this method, products will reduce in price and new products are sold. While you are in towns or fields you should search for these points using the 360 degree camera. [screenshot here]

Nintendo Wii U Hardware Specs

Nintendo has released the hardware specs for the Wii U and there are as follows:

• Approximately 1.8 inches tall, 6.8 inches wide and 10.5 inches long.
• Controller has a 6.2-inch, 16:9 touch screen and traditional button controls, including two analog Circle Pads.
• Controller includes a Power button, Home button, +Control Pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, L/R buttons and ZL/ZR buttons. A built-in accelerometer and gyroscope, rumble feature, camera, a microphone, stereo speakers, a sensor strip and a stylus.
• Can connect with up to 4 Wii Remote™ (or Wii Remote Plus) controllers can be connected at once. The new console supports all Wii™ controllers and input devices, including the Nunchuk™ controller, Classic ControllerTM, Classic Controller ProTM and Wii Balance Board™.
• A single self-loading media bay will play 12-centimeter proprietary high-density optical discs for the new console, as well as 12-centimeter Wii optical discs.
• Video resolution features; 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i. Compatible cables include HDMI, component, S-video and composite.
• AV Multi Out connector. Six-channel PCM linear output through HDMI.
• Internal flash memory, as well as the option to expand its memory using either an SD memory card or an external USB hard disk drive.
• IBM Power®-based multi-core microprocessor.
• Four USB 2.0 connector slots are included. The new console is backward compatible with Wii games and Wii accessories.

Nintendo Wii U

Here it is! Nintendo’s new system, the Wii U. The main feature of this new console is the tablet like controller as seen in the screenshot below. It promises new High Definition graphics far superior to Wii.

The controller has a single-touch screen, stylus support, rumble support, microphone, accelerometer, and gyro scope.

One great feature about this console is how you can continue playing games even when the TV is off, including when someone wants to watch something else, like Baseball, as suggested in the screenshot above. The Wii U console transmits wirelessly to the Wii U controller. But it doesn’t work like Wifi where you can just carry it anywhere, you need to be within adequate range of the console.

You can share photos and videos you find online, or enjoy video chat on the Wii U controller. You can video chat even if you are watching something else on the TV.

Smash Brothers has also been announced for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. It appears there will be some sort of connectivity between the two platforms but details are scarce.

According to a Gametrailers interview, Reggie Fils-Aime states the Nintendo Wii U will use proprietary optical media. He wouldn’t specify the exact capacity, nor if it would be comparable to a Blue Ray Disc. But he did say it would have enough space to hold HD graphics. As for online features , it will have all of the type of capabilities already in Xbox Live, and Playstation Network. However, Nintendo doesn’t want a rigid closed system like those services, they are looking into a flexible online service.

Nintendo Wii U is also backwards compatible with WIi controllers. Obviously those with the Wii U controller will have an unfair advantage.

In this example, the Wii controller is used to hit the golf ball on Wii U

Tekken, Batman Arkham Asylum, Ninja Gaiden 3 are all coming to Wii U. In this screenshot above, you could use the controller to add tattoos or face paint and apply it to a Tekken character.

E3 2011: Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition

Capcom revealed a new trailer for Street Fighter III: Third Strike – Online Edition. The game is expected to release this Summer 2011 on Xbox Live Arcade and Playstation Network.

The game promises to stay true to the original arcade version offering two different viewing styles, 4:3 aspect ratio and widescreen. The game will come equipped with a player matching system, online leader boards, and blocking system from the original game. 4Gamer states how it will have a  channel function, notifying you of the best matches in real time.

One of the features listed in the trailer was how it will be able to upload matches to Youtube. Also according to 4gamer, it will have a Vault System, although they are unsure, they believe it will store fan art and comics. We noted in the screenshots that on the sidebar, it lists actions you can perform in battle to gain something called VP. (Possibly Vault Points). Perhaps you will use that to spend on whatever is available in the Vault.

Playstation Vita $249.99 Wifi or $299.99 3G Model

The NGP is now called Playstation Vita. The term “Vita” signifies “life” and as such, this concept is brought about with its social network and location based gameplay features.

For the social aspects of Playstation Vita, there’s Party, which lets gamers voice chat with headsets or with Vita’s built in microphone. A social connection tool called Near lets you connect and play with others around you, recommend content for them, compare trophies, and a variety of other social tools.

Playstation Vita will connect exclusively with AT&T for it’s 3G model. This allows customers to have access to free AT&T WiFi hotspots across the country.

With Uncharted for Playstation Vita, they demonstrated how you can control Drake by using the multi-touch OLED screen. For example, you can drag your finger along the rocks on a ledge to tell Drake where to climb. When in a gun fight you can tap the weapon icon to reload, or tap weapons nearby to switch to them.

In another game called Ruin, it contains a feature called Cloud Saving where you can save your progress on the Vita and load the game from your Playstation 3 and play exactly where you left off.

Playstation Vita will also allow cross-platform competitive online gameplay with both Playstation 3 and Playstation Vita gamers at the same time.

Playstation Vita is currently priced $249.99 for the Wifi model and $299.99 for the 3G model.

Expect games like Street Fighter X Tekken on Playstation Vita.

E3 2011: Rocksmith Authentic Guitar Learning Game

So move over Rockband and Guitar Hero, this time Ubisoft is releasing their own game called RockSmith. Instead of pushing buttons, you will actually have to play the guitar.

The game promises that you’ll eventually learn how to play guitar. In the beginning modes it starts off easy but gets incrementally harder the more skilled you become. It runs similarly to Guitar Hero where notes move toward the screen and you have to play at the right moment.

The game will have its own built in amplifiers and effects processors.

Dave Navarro in the trailer mentioned how he inserted his own guitar to play. We’re guessing any real guitar is compatible with the game.

E3 2011: The Sims Social

A Facebook game reminiscent of The Sims 1. Players customize their own character and interact with others. Not much details were given but you can enjoy these screens from E3.

Official Description: The Sims Social brings the fun and creativity of The Sims to Facebook! Create unique Sims and live out their dreams—or stir up trouble by pulling pranks. Develop deep relationships to unlock new features and advance: befriend and fight, date and cheat, love and betray. Play with life in a whole new way—with your real friends, for free!

E3 2011: Need For Speed: The Run Lets You Run On Foot!

Electronic Arts announced Need For Speed: The Run, a high speed game where players race across the country from LA to NY by any means necessary. Certainly the cops will be on your tail as helicopters and police cars chase you.

One of the surprising new features is how you can leave the car and run on foot to avoid the cops. Footage shows there will be Quick Time Events as you escape the clutches of the cops, or avoid an oncoming train from an overturned vehicle.

Parkour quick time events coming to Need For Speed: The Run

Race on Car, Escape on Foot? Sounds like GTA.

EA also plans to integrate Auto Log into the storyline

E3 2011: Mass Effect 3 + Ghost Recon Future Soldier Kinect Features

Today at E3, Mass Effect 3 and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Future Soldier, showed off how their games will integrate with Kinect.

For example in Mass Effect 3, you can make dialogue choices by reciting the lines displayed on the screen.

In another example, you may give commands to your team mates by calling out their names and the action you want them to perform, creating a more tactical gameplay.

As for Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, you can customize your weapons with gestures similarly to that infamous scene in Minority Report. The point of this feature is to highlight the almost limitless customizations you can perform to your weapon.

By saying, “Optimize for Close Combat” the gun automatically changed into what’s shown in the screenshot above.

The gestures seemed quite awkward to use. For example,  performing an action similarly to pulling down a light switch, the zoom scope comes into view allowing you to shoot a specific area. Opening the palm of you other hand fires the gun. You reload your weapon by flicking back the arm you shoot with.

E3 2011: Minecraft Coming Exclusively to Xbox 360 and Kinect

Not many details are known, but Minecraft was just announced for Xbox 360 and Kinect this Winter.

We’ll post more details when they are available.

Youtube, Bing, Live TV coming Fall to Xbox Live 2011

Announced at E3, a new Xbox Live Experience is coming this Fall 2011. It has several brand new features and a new look.

Youtube is coming to Xbox Live this fall!

You can catch original content, music videos, and all the rest Youtube has to offer right at the comfort of your Xbox 360.

With Xbox Bing, you can just say it and search it. What this feature primarily does, is allow you to search for content already on Xbox Live. It will search Netflix, Hulu plus, Xbox Live Marketplaces, and other content providers, and line them up easily in one place.

The new Xbox Live Experience is offering live television shows, news, and other content. So far we see ABC, Skytv, Canalplus, and Foxtel of Australia on board. They are partnering up with 60+ content providers, divided into separate global regions.