Tech Olive

Microsoft has announced that “in the coming days” they will release an update that will apparently fix “70 known and potentially dangerous activation exploits.” They say they’re doing this to keep their “customers and partners secure,” since some illegal copies of Windows 7 have been known to consist of malware, but we’re not buying that. I think we all know the real reason here.

The surprising part of this is that the update is completely optional, but will be marked as an “important update,” so if you’re not careful, it will automatically install if you just press OK, so be on the lookout when you get your next update pop-up.

[Windows Blog]

Activision announced that their upcoming racer, Blur, will be given the beta treatment and the start date is planned for this March. Unfortunately, there was no mention as to the beta’s release platform(s). The full game itself is  releasing for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, so it’s safe to assume that the beta will release all around, but don’t go getting your hopes up!

via [Shacknews]

The free, open-source productivity suite OpenOffice.org is now out with a 3.2 version. Changes include improved startup times by over 40-percent, improved importing and support for Microsoft Office 2007 files, and what looks to be quite a few updates to the Calc spreadsheet including support for multi-row/column copy and paste and much more. You can read all about the new features of the 3.2 release at the OpenOffice.org website.

[Download: OpenOffice.org 3.2]

After detailing record earnings for 2009, Activision has assured gamers that — unsurprisingly — the Call of Duty franchise will continue with a title release in 2010. While Activision didn’t release any specifics, the most recent rumors stated that the new game is being developed by Treyarch and will be based on the Vietnam war with a November release date.

via [MCV]

The popular free-to-play shooter Battlefield Heroes received an interesting update. Along with the familiar forces locked in battle, the developers have seen fit to add not only vampires, but werewolves as well. While the actual motivation behind this move is a bit unclear, the following quote helps put the change into some perspective.

“In a special, month-long event, the many millions of Heroes who have perished on the battlefield can be brought back to life. Anyone can fight alongside these preternatural beings but to become one players must purchase the all-new outfits as a special bundle on the website or as separate items in the in-game store. Once-dead Nationals can be transformed into blood-sucking vampires and Royals into teeth bearing werewolves. Three existing maps have been converted to an eerie night setting to set the stage for an epic battle between these immortal enemies.”

Although Futuremark announced them back in November, we have finally been given some screenshots to go with the promises of new maps for Shattered Horizon. The maps are still coming to gamers at no cost, but Futuremark still has not announced any release date for the new content. In the mean time, follow the break for some screenshots of the new maps.

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Ubisoft announced their newest addition to the Ghost Recon series, Future Solider. and it comes with a nice, but vague surprise. The game has been slated for a Holiday 2010 release on consoles, but it seems we’ll also be treated to a PC release. When, you ask? Well, that’s the annoying part.

For those wondering: We will tell more about the PC version later. – Ubisoft’s Community Manager.

And if that’s not enough to fill your unnecessarily-exciting-useless-information meter, then follow the break for the game’s teaser trailer. Confusingly, the trailer states a Fall 2010 release date.

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While it is a bit silly to assume that none of these dates will get pushed back, EA has announced rough release windows for a ton of their upcoming games. Here are the PC-related highlights:

• Medal of Honor is scheduled for release July-September 2010.
• Crysis 2 is scheduled for release October-December 2010.
• The next standalone game in the Dragon Age series is shooting for a Q4 2011 release.
• EA also mentioned work on a new Need for Speed title, but no further details were given.

via [VG247]

Logitech just announced a new wireless keyboard and mouse combo that claims to have a battery life of three full years, for both the mouse and the keyboard. The Wireless Desktop MK710 set will also utilize Logitech’s new unifying technology, which can manage multiple devices on one receiver. The combo will sell for $100 and will hit European consumers this month with us Americans seeing it later in April.

[Press Release]

At CES, Asus not only showed off their cute little line of Eee netbooks, but they also shot out with a 17-inch 8-pounder, dubbed the G73 and it’s on sale now! There’s only one G73 model available at the moment. It comes stock with a 1.60GHz Core i7 720QM, 17.3-inch 1920×1080 LED display, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, 500GB 7200RPM hard drive, DVD burner, ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870 graphics, and topped off with Windows 7. All of this for $1,450.

[Newegg]