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Fan artists conceptualize Diablo III’s Angel of Death for prizes and cash

Apr02
by on April 2, 2014 at 11:17 pm
Posted In: Around the Web

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Last week’s release of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls was the first expansion pack for the famed RPG action game. Anticipation of the new version—now on both Mac and Windows—stirred up more than enough buzz, so why stop there? Diablo III Reaper of Souls The artist social network DeviantArt teamed up for the first time with Blizzard Entertainment, Diablo III’s developer and publisher, to sponsor the Diablo III Fan Art Contest. Fans were challenged to create original artwork inspired by the game showing Malthael, The Angel of Death, and/or central figures from the six Heroes of Sanctuary as they plan for battle. And now the winners…

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Skype for Windows Phone 8.1 can upgrade calls to video chats and will have Cortana integration (Updated)

Apr02
by on April 2, 2014 at 11:01 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Mobile

Microsoft Announces Skype Acquisition For 8.5 Billion
At Microsoft’s Build 2014, Skype got a brief mention during the Windows Phone 8.1 demo, but now the details are here. Skype for Windows Phone 8.1 will let you upgrade calls to video chats and will feature Cortana integration. First and foremost, Skype for Windows Phone 8.1 is the first mobile app (finally, a Microsoft feature not on Android and iOS first) that lets you upgrade your regular phone calls to Skype audio and video calls directly from the dialer. While this is still in preview, and Skype is promising “more to come in the next few months,” we’ve seen…

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Y Combinator-backed SimplyInsured takes its online healthcare solution nationwide

Apr02
by on April 2, 2014 at 10:55 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

Doctors Seek Higher Fees From Health Insurers
Y Combinator startup SimplyInsured has announced an expansion outside of California to begin offering healthcare options for small businesses across the US. The company is focusing first on eight new states, including New York, Florida and Massachusetts, and it now has a license to operate in all 50 states. SimplyInsured CEO Vivek Shah, who previously worked as a healthcare analyst at McKinsey & Company, said in an interview that he started the company after a confusing experience trying to buy health insurance for himself on the open market. “It fundamentally made me angry that I was trying to buy health insurance…

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Blizzard begins staged rollout for Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft game on iPad

Apr02
by on April 2, 2014 at 9:46 pm
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web

Blizzard has begun rolling out the iPad version of its Warcraft-themed Hearthstone collectible card game, starting with Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The company promised that other regions will get the app soon. After an extended beta period, Hearthstone officially launched on PC and Mac last month and has since grown to over 10 million registered accounts. Blizzard also has plans to release iPhone and Android versions. Hearthstone is free to play with in-app purchases for card packs and entrances into a drafting mode called the Arena. I’ve been obsessed with Hearthstone for a couple months now, and the iPad version…

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Microsoft Build 2014: Everything announced on day 1 in one handy list

Apr02
by on April 2, 2014 at 8:13 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Insider

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At its Build 2014 conference in San Francisco today, Microsoft made a slew of software and hardware announcements. Here’s a quick recap of everything announced at the event – and we’re not including the fact that all attendees were treated to an Xbox One and a $500 Microsoft Store gift card. Damn. Windows Phone 8.1 Among its first announcements was Windows Phone 8.1, an update to its mobile operating system featuring a personal digital assistant named Cortana, a new Action Center, and support for customizable lock-screens and backgrounds. Windows Phone 8.1 will ship on devices starting in May with the…

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