E3 2013: Best tech
E3 is all about the games. Sort of. While the top gaming titles steal the limelight at the big LA expo there is also a wealth of cutting edge hardware on show as well. MSN Tech has been treading the vast Los Angeles Convention Center floorboards all week, checking out all the hot new kit. Here’s our pick of the best tech at E3 2013. Click on to find out the best of E3!
The hottest tech on show at E3 2013
E3 2013: Xbox One
The Xbox One blurs the boundaries between gaming and multimedia to form an all-in-one, one-stop living room box that Microsoft will be praying shifts by the bucket-load. Described by Microsoft’s IEB chief of staff, Aaron Greenberg, as both “a very ambitious device” and an “all-in-one system” that is the “future of games, TV and entertainment” the new Xbox has your living room fi…rmly in mind. As promised, and after much criticism after the entertainment and multimedia-focused launch last month, Microsoft came out all guns blazing when it came to detailing the Xbox One’s gaming pedigree. Corporate vice president of Microsoft Studios Phil Spencer took to the stage to tell the assembled media that there would be 13 exclusive Xbox One gaming titles. Available: November Price: USD 675 (prices may vary)
The hottest tech on show at E3 2013
E3 2013: PlayStation 4
E3 2013 will be remembered as the year when the eighth-generation console revolution sparked into life. And the PlayStation 4 certainly has the pedigree to dominate in the new console wars. Sony delivered a double blow on console rival Microsoft on day one of E3 2013. Firstly, almost four months after it was first revealed at a high-profile launch event, the Japanese giant gave the world its first look at PlayStation 4 console over in Los Angeles. And then, in the closing stages of a glitzy press conference, it was revealed that the Sony PS4 will be approximately a hundred dollars cheaper than the Xbox One. Available: Before Christmas Price: USD 549 (prices may vary)
The hottest tech on show at E3 2013
E3 2013: Ouya
The PS4 and the Xbox One weren’t the only new consoles on show in LA. Ouya, the result of a hugely successful KickStarter campaign that raised USD8.6 million, relies on Android Jelly Bean to run the show. Similar to Google TV, you can think of Ouya as a set-top box for your television because Android applications like TuneIn Radio and VEVO grant it video and music playback capabilities. However, unlike the former comparison, Ouya can run Android mobile games, thanks to the built-in Nvidia Tegra 3 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal flash storage and HDMI connectivity for hooking it up to an HD TV. Available: 25 June Price: USD 156 (prices may vary)
The hottest tech on show at E3 2013
E3 2013: Nvidia Shield
Graphics specialist Nvidia surprised everyone over in Vegas at CES back in January when it announced its new games console – then labelled Project Shield. Over in LA, the finished version of Nvida Shield was on show. The handheld device packs in Google’s Android operating system, with the ability to download and play games directly from the Big G’s Google Play store. Critic…s have pointed to that fact that the console costs more than a Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita but it could be a system adopted by die-hard PC games fans, purely because it can stream PC games. The average cost of Android games is far below games on Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita too. Available: June Price: USD349 (prices may vary)
The hottest tech on show at E3
 E3 2013: Nyko Smart Clip
The Nyko Smart Clip is a simple accessory that clips on to your console control pad and holds your smartphone for an integrated, hands-free second screen experience – perfect form Xbox Smart Glass, for example. This is the Xbox 360 version but there will also be Smart Clips available for Xbox One and PlayStation 4. It’s designed to hold any iPhone, Android, Windows Phone or Blackberry device. Available: TBC Price: TBC
The hottest tech on show at E3
 E3 2013: Mad Catz M.O.J.O
Like Ouya, the Mad Catz M.O.J.O machine is an Android micro-console – designed to work with the companies existing GameSmart peripherals. That gives it the edge over the likes of Ouya as it already has a gaming ecosystem in place – as well as an established fan base for the popular brand. There’s little word on the hardware specifics the moment but what we do know is that M.O.J.O. will come boxed with the Mad Catz C.T.R.L. wireless gamepad. Available: TBC Price: TBC
The hottest tech on show at E3
 E3 2013: Razer Blade
The Razer Blade is, we’re told, the world’s thinnest gaming laptop. Less than 17mm thin and weighing 1.86kg, the 14-inch Blade still manages to pack in a plethora of heavy hitting hardware. As well as a Haswell Intel Core i7 quad-core processor and 8GB of RAM, there’s the latest graphics processing from Nvidia on board and also a lightning fast SSD drive of up to 512GB. The 1600 x 900 display is LED backlit and it’s packing Killer Wireless-N 1202 connectivity for super low latency gameplay. Available: Pre-order now – ships in late June Price: From USD1,999
The hottest tech on show at E3
 E3 2013: Alienware 18
Alienware is back with a bang, with its latest gaming laptops not only packing the latest generation Intel processing power, but also sporting a funky new look – an anodised aluminium shell and magnesium alloy body inspired by jet engines and stealth bombers. The new Alienware 18 is the most powerful 18-inch gaming laptop available – its Nvidia SLI dual graphics technology allows the system to be overclocked to an incredible maximum speed of 4.3GHz. Available: Now Price: From USD 3141 (prices may vary)
The hottest tech on show at E3
 E3 2013: Turtle Beach Call of Duty: Ghosts headset
Turtle Beach has secured a two-year exclusive agreement with Activision and the first fruit of that partnership was on show at E3. The Call of Duty: Ghosts headset not only packs a wealth of cutting edge tech and a premium finish, buyers will also get bonus content developed in collaboration with the game’s developers, including voice prompts and audio presets. Available: TBC Price: TBC
The hottest tech on show at E3