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BlackBerry is now seeking nominations for the 2013 BlackBerry Achievement Awards that will be presented t this year’s BlackBerry Live conference this May in Orlando Florida. The awards recognize excellence in entrepreneurship and development on the BlackBerry platform.

Formerly the Wireless Achievement Awards, it has been rebranded to BlackBerry Achievement Awards to be consistent with the new “All BlackBerry Everything” naming scheme. Several new categories have also been introduced to include even more areas of business savvy.

Award Categories:

• App of the Year
• Putting Customers First
• Mobile Innovation of the Year
• Making the World a Better Place
• Entrepreneur of the Year

Prizes for winners this year are huge and include travel and accommodations to BlackBerry Live 2013, Conference Passes, BlackBerry Training, BlackBerry 10 devices and more.

The deadline for submissions is March 22nd, click here to submit your vote.

Sony kicked off the next generation wars this week when it kind of revealed the PlayStation 4. The company certainly beat Microsoft to the punch, but will Microsoft wait until E3 to show off the next Xbox? Recent rumors suggest that the company will host its own pre-E3 unveiling.

CVG reports Microsoft will be unveiling the next Xbox in April. It would appear that this date was already set in stone before Sony even announced that it would unveiling the PS4 this week. The event reportedly “ruffled some feathers” at Microsoft so expect something big from the company in April. It can’t afford to have a lesser showing than Sony’s if it expects to kick up the hype even further as we head into the next generation of gaming platforms.

Aside from the unveiling reportedly taking place in April, the ever vigilant folks at NeoGAF have found that a Microsoft partner has registered the XboxEvent.com domain for this year. The partner, U.S. techs, worked with Microsoft on its E3 press conference from last year. As expected, there’s nothing at the URL just yet, but it does mean that Microsoft is planning something soon.

If the unveiling does happen in April, what can we expect from Microsoft? Something very similar to Sony’s press conference, but with perhaps more of a focus on the services and hardware. That includes a major focus on the next generation Kinect, which has been the subject of countless rumors thus far. As far as games, I wouldn’t expect much from Microsoft at the unveiling event.

If both platform holders show off the hardware before June, E3 2013 is going to be very interesting. The press usually assigns winners in a year of new hardware to who has the best hardware, but this year may be focused solely on the games. Sony better bring its stable of quality first-party content because Microsoft will undoubtedly have some major reveals from third parties, perhaps even including the next Call of Duty running on next generation hardware.

Check out our previous coverage of all the rumors regarding the next Xbox.

Google Glass is in the news a lot this week, mostly thanks to Google’s #ifihadglass contest, which enables people to get the opportunity to buy one of the devices. Naturally, Conan O’Brien took notice, and aired this ad for “Google Ass”.

The slogan is “Strap it to your butt.”

It’s something that’s gained notoriety on the web in the past several years; someone organizes a “flash mob” to meet up at a certain time and place and impress a crowd of onlookers with their random outburst of dancing and/or singing. They’re all the rage these days, and it seems like there’s a new one every week.

But I think we have a thing or two to learn from the Russians, who put on a hell of a show during their flash mobs. They don’t phone anything in, that’s for sure; incorporating Taco’s ’80s hit “Puttin’ On The Ritz” with choreographed sweepers, professional-looking backflips, and a newly married couple in the snow, this group knows what the hell they’re doing.

The original song:

The Verge has confirmed with Google that a “fully-polished” version of Google Glass will be ready for consumers by the end of the year, that it will cost “less than $1,500,” and that it will be compatible with both Android and iPhone.

Also, they’ll come in colors like: Shale, Tangerine, Charcoal, Cotton and Sky.

The Verge Editor-in-chief Joshua Topolsky had the opportunity to take the device for a spin, and has written the most in-depth hands-on account of it that we’ve seen so far. And the good news is that he seems sold on the device.

The Explorer edition, which Google is currently taking applications for with the #ifihadglass contest, comes with a sunglass accessory which can be put on and taken off. As he notes, the device comes apart so you can attach different frames, lending credence to the rumor that Google is working with Warby Parker. One could imagine Google working with a variety of partners.

If you’re really interested in the Glass experience, you won’t want to miss Topolsky’s piece. Make sure you have a few minutes to spare, because it’s quite long.

The piece also comes with this video:

It takes quite a bit of work to reboot an MMO, but Square Enix is determined to make the business model work. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is slated to be released some time in the second quarter of 2013, and it appears that the project is nearly complete.

Today Naoki Yoshida, director of A Realm Reborn, took to the PlayStation Blog this week and announced that PlayStation 3 gamers will soon get a chance to try out the game through a phase of the beta test that is “about to commence.” Players can sign up for the beta at Square Enix’s website.

A Realm Reborn will feature homages from classic Final Fantasy titles such as Final Fantasy VI and Final Fantasy VII. From the blog post:

We consider it one of our missions to reacquaint gamers all over the world with the wonders of Final Fantasy. To this end, we’ll be incorporating the most memorable elements of the series into A Realm Reborn. Mind you, this won’t be limited only to the game’s launch; in subsequent patches, we plan to keep adding more great stuff from Final Fantasy’s 25-year history. For starters, adventurers will be able to take on the Crystal Tower (FFIII) raid dungeon, do battle with classic summons (such as Ifrit, Titan, and Leviathan), and ride magitek armor (FFVI). It goes without saying that there’ll be moogles and chocobos as well. Your trusty steed will fight beside you in battle, and can also be dressed up in neat costumes. Future patches will introduce series mainstay Gilgamesh, and also the fun and excitement of the Gold Saucer (FFVII).

In conjunction with the beta announcement, a new trailer for the game has also been released. Though it is labeled as an “Exploration Trailer,” it features plenty of battle footage.

Games for the Weekend is a weekly feature aimed at helping you avoid doing something constructive with your downtime. Each Friday we’ll be recommending a game for Mac, iPhone or iPad that we think is awesome. Here is one cool enough to keep you busy during this weekend.

Heroes and Castles ($1.99 Universal) is a cross between a tower defense game and a role-playing game all in one. While your goal is to defend your castle by building up defenses, you also control your own han- selected hero right in the thick of the battle.  Just think of the hero you select as being a remote control armament you use to defend your castle.

In the single-player campaign mode, you start out by selecting one of the five different hero types you want to be: Knight, Paladin, Engineer, Ranger or Mage. Each type is further configurable with three distinctly themed characters to choose from.  Not only is this the character you will control on the battlefield, it is from this character’s vantage point that you will watch over your castle and command your army. Once gameplay starts, there is a virtual d-pad on the left side of the screen that you use to walk forward and backward as well as strife left and right. You can look around by swiping your finger across the screen, and your hero will walk in the direction you are looking. On the right side of the screen are your controls for fighting and running.

During combat, you are also responsible for issuing commands that will repair your castle, construct new buildings and summon an army to fight at your side. You build up your army by spending your gold to add more units to the battlefield. Depending on how accomplished you are in the game, different unit types will be available to deploy. One of the most versatile unit types are the archers. They stand atop your walls and pick off attacking foes as they approach your castle. You can also employ Pikemen, Giants, Crusaders and eight other types of units to defend your castle. Between each level, units are upgradeable. You use crystals that you earn in battle victories to upgrade your unit’s strengths.  As an example, if you depend on your archers as much as I do, you may want to invest in them by increasing their bows’ range, arrows’ damage and even their health points.

When it comes to building onto your castle, you can dig additional gold mines, upgrade your wooden walls to stone or steel, and even add defensive towers. There are 14 options to choose from.  Just like adding new units to your army, adding more armaments to your castle costs gold. Gold is mined during the battle from your mines.  The more gold mines you add, the faster you earn gold and the easier it is to buy defenses. Just keep in mind that building additional gold mines will also cost you some gold.

There are 31 levels in campaign mode. Once completed, you will unlock an endless play mode. When you think you have had enough defending your castle from attacking forces, you can elect to change sides and try your luck at laying siege to a castle rather than defending one. The strategy and gameplay you employ when attacking a castle is similar to the one used defending it.  Rather than gold, you recruit “Cultists” that will worship you in order to generate the Dark Energy you need to summon more units.

The other difference in siege mode is that your castle is your hero. Unlike campaign mode where you can only level up and change the abilities of your hero between levels, in siege mode you can do this during the battle. In siege mode your castle is your hero. The source of your hero’s evil energy is the Wormwood Tree situated in the middle of the battlefield. So long as the Wormwood Tree lives, you can maintain and increase your evil hero’s power an abilities. This of course means that the knights of the castle will be looking to destroy the Wormwood Tree, for when it is destroyed, your siege is pretty much over.

In order to play a multiplayer game, you must successfully complete the first few levels in both campaign and siege modes.  Only then you can start playing against your online GameCenter friends. In that mode, you choose if you want to either defend a castle or lay siege to it.  What helps this game stand apart from other role-playing tower defense games multiplayer games is its co-op mode. In co-op mode you and your online friend can join forces and fight side-by-side as two heroes on the same battlefield rather than against each other.

By putting you in charge of a character on the battlefield, this game is certain to appeal to those who love action games. Fortifying defenses, building castles and amassing armies will suit the more strategic-minded game players.  Choosing the armaments and units you want in order to level up adds a bit of roleplaying to the gameplay too. The balance between each style of gameplay has been implemented very well.  With the added options to lead the aggressive siege skeleton army or battle a friend online, this game will keep you busy for many a weekend to come.

Related research and analysis from GigaOM Pro:
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• How do developers ride the Siri wave?
• Connectivity means making the machine disappear
• Access vs. ownership: Why UltraViolet has already lost

Each week, TEDx chooses four of our favorite talks, highlighting just a few of the enlightening speakers from the TEDx community and its diverse constellation of ideas worth spreading. Below, give this week’s talks — all about music — a listen.

Learn 100 songs in five minutes: Jordan Hume at TEDxMacquarieUniversity
The structure of music might seem complex and mysterious, but many songs adhere to a simple, timeless pattern, says Jordan Hume. In a five minute piano lesson, he demonstrates the pattern of over 100 different songs, which he says run the gamut from country to hard rock. (Filmed at TEDxMacquarie University)

The cello — remixed: Ben Sollee at TEDxSanDiego 2012
Ben Sollee grew up playing the cello — from classical pieces taught in school, to impromptu R&B and fiddle jams with his family. At TEDxSanDiego, he showcases his particular way of using the cello, which blends influences and techniques into a fresh contemporary style. (Filmed at TEDxSanDiego)

Wine glasses, snifters and Tchaikovsky: Glass Duo at TEDxBratislava
If you’ve ever performed the old trick of running your finger across a wine glass to make a sound, prepare to be astonished as musicians Anna and Arkadiusz Szafraniecky recreate complex classical pieces using just empty glasses. (Filmed at TEDxBratislava)

Classical beatboxing: Jonatan Lopez and Man Wei Che at TEDxYouth@BeaconStreet
Cultures collide as beatboxer Jonatan Lopez (JFlo) and Juilliard-trained bassist Man Wai Che fuse genres into a seamless performance that takes musical collaboration to a whole new level. (Filmed at TEDxYouth@BeaconStreet)

And below, some highlights from the TEDx blog this week:

• Drones for good: Andreas Raptopoulos at TEDxHelvetia
• “Art makes you happy” — presenting, our first talk in Korean!
• Founder Chris Anderson shares the evolution of TED and TEDx

Google’s (GOOG) Project Glass is exciting. Whether or not the idea of connected eyewear with an integrated transparent display that falls into the wearer’s line of vision appeals to you, the simple fact that a giant like Google is working on a project like this out in the open is intriguing. Project Glass is also going to be pricey, however. CNET claims to have confirmed that the device will launch sometime this year for “less than $1,500.” We don’t know how much less at this point, but the simple fact that the $1,500 developer edition price-point is being cited by CNET’s unnamed source suggests we’re likely looking at a hefty price tag.

In September 2009, the President announced that—for the first time in history—White House visitor records would be made available to the public on an ongoing basis. Today, the White House releases visitor records that were generated in November 2012. Today’s release also includes visitor records generated prior to September 16, 2009 that were requested by members of the public in January 2013 pursuant to the White House voluntary disclosure policy. This release brings the total number of records made public by this White House to more than 3 million—all of which can be viewed in our Disclosures section.

Ed. note: For more information, check out Ethics.gov.

Oscar Pistorius, the South African Olympian and Paralympian who is accused of the pre-meditated murder of his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day, has been granted bail and released prior to the trial, which could take six to eight months to begin.

Pistorius has spent the last eight days arguing his innocence before Magistrate Desmond Nair, who granted bail on the condition that Pistorius surrender his passport, refrain from imbibing alcohol, and report to a local police station twice a week.

Nair admits that after over a week of hearing evidence, he admitted that it is far too soon to make a judgement on how the state’s case will go during the trial because there were many, many details to be pored over. Pistorius claims that he awoke in the early hours of Valentine’s Day–after having gone to bed with girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp–to turn off a fan on the balcony just off his bedroom. When he came back into the pitch-black bedroom, he says he realized someone was in the bathroom. Thinking Reeva was still in bed–where he’d left her before going to the balcony–he put on his prosthetics (Pistorius is a double amputee), grabbed a gun, and went to confront the intruder. He shot through the door of the bathroom, hitting Steenkamp three times. Pistorius says when he realized the person inside could have been his girlfriend, he opened the door to find her wounded but still alive. An attempt at resuscitation was unsuccessful, he claims. Since that day, various reports have come in from witnesses who say they heard the sounds of an argument coming from the home that night, and the first responders on the scene admitted they weren’t wearing protective slippers over their shoes, which may have contaminated the crime scene. The former chief prosecutor of the case, Hilton Botha, was removed after it was discovered he was involved in a controversial incident of his own, wherein he participated in chasing down and shooting at a vehicle full of people while drunk. He is accused of seven counts of attempted murder in that case.

“The pieces of the puzzle may not yet all be before me,” Nair said of the Pistorius case.

Pistorius has had several people give conflicting accounts of his relationship with Steenkamp; some say they had a volatile relationship and that there had been incidents of a “domestic” nature between them before, while others insist they were a normal, happy couple.

“If Oscar was to ask her to get married, she would have said yes,” friend Kevin Lerena said. “That’s how happy and joyful their relationship was.”

It’s clever but still creepy: Facebook is exploring partnerships with data companies that provide loyalty cards to retailers like drug stores and retailers in order to show you ads based on your shopping habits.

As AdAge reports, Facebook may obtain the phone numbers and email addresses that customers supply to drug stores in return for discounts and loyalty points. The company will then match the numbers and emails with user Facebook profiles in order to create new marketing opportunities. This means, for instance, that I might buy ex-lax at the store and then see ads for All-Bran in my Facebook feed.

This merging of online and offline data creates powerful marketing opportunities and, as ad industry people like to point out, will let people see ads they’re theoretically interested in seeing. In this perfect world of data-based marketing, no company will waste their money showing baby food or make-up ads to the likes of me — and I will be happier because I don’t have to see those ads.

The flip side, of course, is the creepy factor. Facebook and the data companies (in this case Epsilon, Acxiom and Datalogix) do take care to protect so-called “PPI” (protected personal information) by scrubbing out names and just using other techniques to make the data anonymous. But one still shudders about the unencrypted information escaping into the wild through carelessness or hacking. In my case, it just increases my resolve to provide retailers with fictitious names and numbers.

For now, we may still be a ways of from the onslaught of fiber ads in our Facebook. According to AdAge, the new “custom audience” options are still winding their way through nervous corporate legal departments.

(Image by gcpics via Shutterstock)

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For the time being, Google Fiber is a strictly Kansas City affair. The company has said it would like to expand, but it probably wont do anything until Google Fiber is fully available to both Kansas Cities. That being said, the company is expanding its Google Fiber operations and that can only be a good thing.

The Financial Post reports that Google is currently looking for three people in the Kitchener, Ontario area to work on Google Fiber projects. The jobs currently available are a product manager, a test engineer and a software engineer. All three positions will be responsible for helping Google build mobile apps to complement its current Google Fiber service.

The product manager is the most interesting job posting because it definitely alludes to Google Fiber launching in more locations in the future. Here’s the responsibilities listed in the posting: