Google's Chromecast Reviewed; Inside the Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset; Shopping Gets Gamified; and More

Important Stories and More from PC Magazine     By Dan Costa     July 29, 2013

View in browser The Excellent Google Chromecast Reviewed A small confession: I logged into Google Play and ordered Google's Chromecast before executives announcing the product had even exited the stage. Part of it was geeky enthusiasm, part of it was the ridiculously affordable $35 price tag. I was also honestly worried we wouldn't get a review unit fast enough from Google. Regardless, our full review is done and my impulsiveness has been validated. This is a great product launch for Google. And for consumers. Share This:     ADVERTISEMENT Inside the Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset The Oculus Rift finally made its way into the Labs this week and it has caused quite a stir. There aren't a ton of games for it, but just watching the demos is an experience to remember. I showed off the dev kit to some non-techies outside the Lab this week and had the pleasure of watching someone actually fall down during the simulated roller coaster ride. Pretty cool stuff. Check out our full guide to the gear that will change the way you look at computer screens forever. Share This: The Gamification of Shopping Shopping has long been considered a sport (and on Black Friday, a contact sport) for consumption enthusiasts, but increasingly store owners are turning retailing into a game. Using game mechanics and the consumer's drive to find both satisfaction and value, retailers are creating a host of new, technologically enhanced ways to make shopping a game. PCMag's in-house shopping expert, Kara Kamenec, explains how to win. Share This: MORE STORIES • VIDEO: Woman Has Epic Temper Tantrum in Apple Store • Video Game-Inspired Home D$eacute;cor • Dvorak: Why I Won't Buy Google's New Chromecast • AppScout: Check Out Yahoo's New Fantasy Sports App That's What's New Now for now. Come back on Wednesday for more top stories from the Ziff Davis Network. Dan Costa Editor In Chief, PCMag.com @dancosta Featured Research Remote Working WP What the trend to remote working means for your business. VoIP Continuity Business Continuity Planning with VoIP Considerations for UC Five IT Considerations for UC in the Contact Center eNewsletter Information You are subscribed to What's New Now with the e-mail address pctipworld@gmail.com. Click here to unsubscribe from this newsletter. To subscribe to other e-mail newsletters from Ziff Davis, change your delivery format from HTML to text, or change your email address, click here. Copyright © 2013 Ziff Davis, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Ziff Davis, Inc., 28 East 28th Street, New York, NY 10016 IN THIS ISSUE • The Excellent Google Chromecast Reviewed • Inside the Oculus Rift Virtual Reality Headset • The Gamification of Shopping