Spotify has removed the ability to purchase downloads from its UK and European stores.

In a move aimed at simplifying the service, users attempting to download tracks will receive a message reading, “We’re currently not offering new download purchases on Spotify. You can still use downloads you’ve already purchased.”

Following the update, Spotify issued a short statement that read, “We recently updated Spotify to further simplify the service and pave the way for new features announced at the end of last year. In-app purchases aren’t part of this update but we’re not ruling out their return. Credits/gift cards already purchased are still redeemable.”

As the message above states, previously purchased downloads that haven’t been used can still be redeemed.

More information on the changes can be found on the ‘Music Purchases’ section of the Spotify FAQ page here

If you’ve already distributed your music with EmuBands, you can have your releases added to Spotify’s service; simply log in to your EmuBands account, view your release, and click ‘edit’ next to the contracts list.

Alternatively, to get your music on Spotify, simply click on the ‘Join Us Now’ link on the right hand side and be sure to select Spotify when adding your release.

EmuBands’ one-off distribution fee includes all stores we distribute to now and in the future, therefore opting into Spotify will not cost you anything.

According to a new developer blog on the official EVE Online site, the migration of current DUST 514 players into the EVE universe will begin “after a slightly longer than usual scheduled downtime” on Thursday, January 10th. DUST players can be recruited into corporations and will appear in General chat as well.

Besides just chatting about the weather or sharing battle stories, we are also introducing the first component of higher level gameplay as part of Faction Warfare. DUST mercenaries can accept contracts offered by the NPC Faction Warfare miltias and fight to attack or defend them in the form of corporation battles. These come with the risk of losing a collateral payment of ISK, but a victory will secure a district on one of the many temperate planets in Faction Warfare space. The more districts a militia has control over the fewer victory points will be required for EVE Faction Warfare pilots to take ownership of the system.

Read more about the interaction between the two games on the EVE Online site.

Already the winner of multiple E3 awards as one of the most anticipated new games of the year, Paramount Pictures and NAMCO Bandai Games today revealed the release date for STAR TREK The Video Game – April 26, 2013, in Europe and Australasia!

Moreover, the legion of eager Star Trek fans and gamers will be able to place their order soon, as STAR TREK The Video Game‘s preorder program will be starting in the coming weeks at participating retailers. STAR TREK will bring an original adventure to the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC at retailers and via digital download for PC and PlayStation 3.

All pre-orders for the game will include access to the “Elite Officer Pack,” which features exclusive items and unique uniforms for legendary characters Kirk and Spock, who play front and center in a completely new story created especially for  STAR TREK  The Video Game, written by BAFTA award winner Marianne Krawczyk.

The exclusive “Elite Officer Pack” will include:

–          Stealth Pack – Kirk and Spock stealth uniforms, plus Starfleet Type IV Stealth Sniper Rifle and extra ammo
–          Brawler Pack – Kirk leather jacket costume and Spock Vulcan Science Academy costume
–          Kelvin Pack – Kirk and Spock  U.S.S. Kelvin uniforms, plus  U.S.S. Kelvin Hand Phaser
–          Academy Pack – Kirk Academy Uniform, Spock Officer Dress Uniform, plus Academy Phaser
–          Kobayashi Maru Pack – Kirk and Spock  Kobayashi Maru uniforms

You can find out more about STAR TREK The Video Game at www.startrekgame.com.

Cross-posted from Technically Motivated – Original Link. Techie Jinji and Crimsonshade are the same person.

After multiple rumours, not to mention several hints by the company in recent weeks, it’s now confirmed that Valve is working on its own gaming computer to offically bring Steam – its popular gaming platform that brings a gaming library, store, acheivement system and storage (all online) into one convenient package – to the living room. And thanks to discussion from computer manufacturer Xi3, who are working on the custom PC, we now have some details regarding the planned product – codenamed “Piston” – and what will be going inside.

Given Valve’s public snubbing of Windows 8 for various restrictions over the sale of apps targeting the system’s new interface; and the launch in December of a beta version of Steam for Linux; it should come as no surprise that the system is expected to run a Linux-based Operating System – though which of the various kinds out there it will be, is as yet unclear – which will have Steam pre-installed and setup to run in Big Picture mode by default, offering a very TV-centric interface. As for asthetics, Piston will be coloured in the familiar charcoal grey typically associated with Valve’s software. The form factor, however, is unlikely to be anything typical, and may possibly consist of a four-inch cube-like shape with easily accessible and upgradable components – something of a hallmark of Xi3, who specialise in “developing micro-size modular computing without performance tradeoffs”.

Being designed to plug into a TV for use in the living room, the Piston will have a 1080p HDMI output jack for connecting any HD display. It will also contain eight USB ports, four using the old USB 2.0 standard and another four utilising the newer, faster 3.0 standard quickly finding favour in modern tech. In an interview with games site Polygon, Xi3 chief marketing officer David Politis also revealed that Piston will offer up to one terabyte of internal storage; and is based on the company’s X7A system.

The X7A system retails for $999 in the United States, which roughly equates to £622 at current rates; however, it’s likely Valve will attempt to lower this price in line with its own specifications; though the company has suggested they expect the computer to sell at a premium. Given the value of other computers within the same line from Xi3, however – the most basic of which being the entry-level X5A at $499, it’s unlikely the final price point of the Piston will be below a $500 or £300 level. So, would you pay that much for something like this?

The multifaceted device that first greeted the world at gamescom 2012 under the name “snakebyte eins” is now celebrating its world-premiere at CES 2013 in Las Vegas, as well as a new name, “unu^TM”. The pre-release version will be playable for the duration of the event.

What is unu ™ ?

unu™ is entertainment. unu™ is gaming. unu™ is different. Unlike previously announced and currently available Android-based gaming platforms, unu™offers a truly multifaceted experience. Whether in your lap as a tablet, in the docking station on the TV or right in front of you on the table, unu™ goes where you go, ready to be used wherever and however you want. Games, videos, music, apps, mobile surfing and email – unu™ provides the total package. Developed and designed entirely in Germany, unu™ draws on fifteen years of experience in the games industry.

With perfectly balanced components, unu™ enables users to experience their familiar media and games in totally new ways. The heart of unu™ is the tablet and its custom-coded user interface. But there’s more to the package: unu™ comes with a docking station, a game controller and an air mouse, opening up optimal gaming, media and smart TV experiences. Thanks to the docking station, the unu™ tablet can be quickly connected to the TV so that users can enjoy movies and music as well as games on the big screen. With the tablet docked, the user interface can be operated by the game controller or the air mouse.

The unu™ air mouse makes it possible to intuitively and comfortably interact with the user interface while sitting on the couch, just as easily as if you had the tablet in your hands. No other smart TV manufacturer has been able to offer that kind of ease of use. Touch-based games like Angry Birds can be comfortably played on the TV while relaxing on the couch. A full-fledged keyboard for surfing, writing email and posting to social media is integrated on the back of the unu™ air mouse.
When it comes to intense gaming experiences, the unu™ game controller has all the bases covered. Games optimized for controllers can be played as though they were real console games. snakebyte has been designing and manufacturing gaming peripherals for more than fifteen years and that wealth of experience shines though, reflected in the high-quality components employed. There are already many games with controller support and the number is continually growing. Thanks to an integrated button mapping app, games without native controller support can also be enjoyed with unu™ and the game controller.

Tablet. Gaming Console. Smart TV.
unu™ unites the worlds of tablets, gaming consoles and smart TVs. The heart of the unu™ concept is diversity. unu™ isn’t just a stationary gaming console like its competitors, unu™ is also a tablet that can be used while on the go, out in the back yard or curled up on the couch. But unu™ isn’t just a tablet. With its docking station and game controller, unu™ delivers a 100% authentic console experience on the TV. And thanks to its multimedia features and the wealth of digital content providers, like Netflix and Maxdome, unu™ is the television of tomorrow – a truly smart TV.

unu™ at CES 2013

Every day during CES 2013 in Las Vegas, unu™ will be playable at the snakebyte booth (LVCC, South Hall 2, Booth 25200). Appointments for personal presentations are also available.

You’ll find more info on Facebook on the official unu™ page:
www.facebook.com/Unutablet

Watch the CES 2013 trailer on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqwlOHVP9q4