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GTA V to ship on two discs for Xbox 360; one for PS3

Grant Theft Auto V will ship with two discs for the Xbox 360, according to the game's developer.

Rockstar Games on Tuesday posted a question-and-answer page on its site, responding to queries from fans. The company confirmed that due to the size of the upcoming title, the Xbox 360 version will ship with two discs. The first disc will need to be inserted into the console at startup. That disc will install game files onto the console. The second disc will then be used to play the game. No switching will be required once the file is installed on … Read more

Colin McRae Rally races onto iOS

Codemasters' Colin McRae Rally holds a special place in the pantheon of racing games, earning legions of fans for its realistic simulation of breakneck rally racing.

If you're among those fans, or you just like a good high-speed race against the clock, you'll be glad to know Colin McRae Rally is now available for iOS.

CMR is all about off-road sprints, where you're effectively trying to beat the clock in order to unlock additional cars and stages. The game has 30 of the latter but only four cars, and in championship mode you must repeatedly finish "… Read more

Could Google be next with a game console?

CNET Update hearts it:

In this episode of Update:

- Preorder a GamePop by Sunday to get it for free, or else get the GamePop Mini free with a subscription.

- Prepare for a Nexus Q comeback if Google relaunches it as an Android-gaming console.

- Leave your evening plans in the hands of Max, the new Netflix suggestion feature.

- Catch a glimpse of Android 4.3 leaked screenshots.

- Ditch the extra cable box this summer with Time Warner Cable's live TV app on Xbox.

- Bid farewell to the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, which isn't getting an upgradeRead more

Android 4.3 allegedly caught on Google Play Galaxy S4

Google's next version of Android may have taken its latest bow courtesy of a batch of leaked screenshots.

Images obtained and posted by Sammobile purport to reveal an early Android 4.3 build running on the Google Play Edition Galaxy S4. The screenshots clearly display the Android version number as 4.3, while the model number of GT-i9505G refers to Google's new "pure" version of the Galaxy S4.

Another screenshot shows that Google is apparently sticking with the Jelly Bean moniker for Android 4.3.

This isn't the first time Android 4.3 has surfaced … Read more

BlackBerry CEO axes planned BB10 for PlayBook tablet

The BlackBerry PlayBook will not be moving to BlackBerry 10 after all.

CEO Thorsten Heins confirmed that he had canceled BlackBerry's plans to bring its next-generation operating system to its tablet, which continues to ship and has developed a small cult following.

Heins said he wasn't satisfied with the level of the experience, and made the "difficult decision" to stop the company's efforts on that front and shift its resources back to its core smartphone products.

The PlayBook runs on a rudimentary version of the BB10 operating system. Both BB10 and the PlayBook OS are … Read more

Facebook recruiting Android users to test its app

MENLO PARK, Calif. -- Facebook is lifting up its hood for Android users who are willing to help it test, and ultimately approve, its Android apps.

The social network launched a beta testing program at a press event on Thursday, using Google Play's new beta partnership program, a process where users sign up -- through Google+, of course -- to test for bugs and crashes.

"We're inviting this group of people to join the dog-fooding family," Mike Shaver, director of engineering for mobile, said, using the term that describes when a company requires its employees to … Read more

Sony reportedly nixed PS4 Eye bundle at 11th hour to cut price

Sony may have called an audible on the robotic eyeball accessory of its upcoming PlayStation 4 console, according to a new report.

Citing sources, IGN says Sony originally intended to include the $59 camera accessory inside a $499 launch system bundle, but changed plans at the last moment by removing it in favor of trimming everything down to $399. All to beat out Microsoft's Xbox One and its mandatory Kinect accessory with its $499 price tag, IGN's sources said.

Sony did not respond to a CNET request for comment on the report. We will update this story when … Read more

Windows 8.1 has arrived

In this episode of Update:

- All of the goodies announced today for Windows 8.1.

- Early access to Kinect for Windows opens up for developers.

- Square goes after online sales with Square Market.

- 1 million Android users have unknowingly downloaded apps with adware.

- Google is ready to ship the Google Play versions of the Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One.

CNET Update delivers the tech news you need in under three minutes. Watch Bridget Carey every afternoon for a breakdown of the big stories, hot devices, new apps, and what's ahead. Subscribe to the … Read more

The best pure Android phones right now

There's something magical about owning a Nexus phone. It's akin to belonging to an elite inner circle or cabal, one that's privy to the most up-to-date software straight from Google's top-secret labs. The benefits of running on pure Android unfettered by carrier bloatware, shady third-party apps, and manufacturer skins go beyond feeling special, though. The biggest is that accessories and apps simply run properly when not tripped up by glitzy yet proprietary add-ons.

Unless you void your warranty and root your handset, then flash it with custom Android builds, however, phones with stock Android are hard … Read more

The HTC One Google Play Edition is an Android die-hard's dream come true

Editors' note: For this review, I focused on how the HTC One Google Play Edition differs from the carrier-branded versions of the handset. For my complete assessment of the HTC One's design, features, and performance, please see the full review.

Though the HTC One is a stellar phone just as it is, I know that many Android purists would prefer that it shipped with Google’s stock OS while forsaking all of the fancy tricks and glitzy software that HTC layered upon it. Fortunately, with the new $599 HTC One Google Play Edition, that day is here.

Using the … Read more