The WAN Show - OMG Blizzcon News & HP Stream pwns Chromebooks? - November 8, 2014

The WAN Show episode from November 8, 2014 opens with Linus addressing technical difficulties and setting the stage for a packed show filled with major gaming and tech news. He teases early impressions on the Motorola Droid Turbo, Oculus Rift excitement, and a preview of what’s to come in the BlizzCon news cycle, including new details about Overwatch and Starcraft Legacy of the Void. The hosts dive into Blizzard’s Overwatch gameplay trailer, praising the clear display of many characters and the potential balance challenges, while speculating on how the game may evolve as a standalone title rather than a part of a larger franchise. They discuss the new Hearthstone expansion Goblins vs Gnomes and the Android tablet expansion, highlighting the move to mobile platforms and the implications for the card game’s ecosystem. The show pivots to a historical look at Intel’s cheating settlement from the Pentium 4 era, explaining the $15 cash payouts and the $4 million to charities, while noting the long-term reputational impact and lessons for industry transparency. Sony’s quarterly losses are examined, with emphasis on the mobile division’s impact and the broader implications for Sony’s entertainment and hardware strategy in a volatile market. Viewers are treated to a segment on HTC’s rapid charger technology, Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 compatibility, and the potential benefits for 3300 mAh phones, as Linus discusses practical charging improvements for daily use. The Droid Turbo hands-on segment is shared, including battery life expectations, MMS limitations on Verizon variants, and Tim’s personal usage test to gauge real-world endurance under GPS, music streaming, and constant connectivity. The conversation moves to Gmail’s new apps ecosystem, where Google’s approach to cross-service compatibility is debated, including use cases for non-Gmail accounts and the evolving Inbox interface with material design. The hosts provide their take on Google Inbox and the standalone Gmail app, noting differences in collaboration features, offline support, and the evolving approach to push reminders and notifications within email. A substantial portion of the discussion is devoted to HP Stream devices, with details on the Stream 7, Stream 8, Stream 11, and Stream 13, emphasizing price points, screen sizes, LTE data offers, and bundled Office 365 and storage benefits that may reshape the Chromebook competition. The team weighs the Stream line against Chromebooks, analyzing how Windows devices with Office 365 and OneDrive might present a more versatile productivity option for mobile workers and students. They solicit audience feedback via a Twitter Blitz, inviting thoughts on whether Stream devices or Chromebooks better fit a mobile computing future, acknowledging the ongoing debate about cloud reliance and offline capability. The show then examines the BlizzCon announcements in more depth, including standalone Starcraft II expansions, archon mode, allied commanders, and a robust online tournament framework that could uplift community engagement and competitive play. The hosts discuss new units and balance considerations for Starcraft II Legacy of the Void, including the return of the lurker and the potential impact on future RTS strategy. They pivot to a live debate on whether BlizzCon’s news will push broader PC gaming trends, particularly in the strategy and MOBA-adjacent space, and reflect on Blizzard’s pedigree in balancing complex competitive ecosystems. The conversation moves back to Hearthstone, with commentary on its expansion cadence and cross-platform accessibility, and the implications for moving a digital card game across devices, including Android tablets and iOS devices. A segment on consumer electronics market shifts follows, with emphasis on Sony’s tough quarter and the broader implications for console, phone, and media device ecosystems in 2014. The hosts close with a quick-fire recap of notable gadget moments from the week, including new charging technologies, streaming services, and the ongoing evolution of mobile productivity tools, before teasing upcoming content and hardware deep-dives planned for future WAN Show episodes.

Topics · technology · gaming · mobile