I had a chance to sit down with Davor Hunski at Croteam to talk about Serious Sam 3: BFE and ask what makes this version a must-play for fans and to learn more about what’s on the horizon for the franchise.  Here’s what they had to say:

Please introduce yourself and your role at Croteam?

Hi there, I’m Davor Hunski and I serve as the Chief Creative Guy of Serious Sam 3: BFE developer Croteam.

We are big fans of the original series, what is coming back from the first games and what is new?

Glad to hear you’re all fans of the classic Serious Sam games! With Serious Sam 3: BFE, our team wanted to develop a game that builds upon the foundations of what made the original Serious Sam games great and naturally evolve the trademark fast-paced chaos of the series. Serious Sam 3: BFE maintains the overwhelming hordes of enemies, massive environments, brutal weapons and general mayhem that fans of the series love. In addition to greatly enhanced visuals, physics and sound design we’ve added in elements like violent melee attacks, new weapons, redesigned classic enemies and new creatures for Sam to battle. Also, we have the absolutely insane 16-player campaign co-op and multiplayer versus modes so there is a lot of content and fun to be had with Serious Sam 3: BFE!

Do you use any Logitech gaming gear and if so what is your favorite?

Most definitely. We’re rocking some great Logitech gaming keyboards, mice and headphones in both development and testing. My personal favorite are the G930 headphones, because it helps me quickly locate incoming Headless Kamikazes by the direction of their screams!

How was the GamePanel on the keyboards used in Serious Sam?

The GamePanel allows us to display key statistics to the player without cluttering up the game screen itself. Serious Sam 3: BFE displays the name of the mission, the number of kills the player has and the time spent on that level. For our more competitive fans, this is pretty valuable when trying to increase their standing on the leaderboards.

What can we look forward to next from Croteam?  More content for Serious Sam or something new?

We plan to support Serious Sam 3: BFE throughout 2012 with extra stuff. We also plan to develop and release Serious Sam 3: BFE for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. So, plenty of work for us!

Re-Imagine How Music Slides Through Time

With the start of the new year, let’s pause for a moment and reflect on time-shifting nature of music. A record is both fixed in time and yet immortal. It records a particular feeling of the moment yet it is listened to from generation to generation — knowing no time or space limitations. Nothing can highlight this phenomenon better than the 2 artists being showcased in this month’s Artists to Watch program.

This month we feature a box-set compilation from the Old Town School in Chicago. This venerable stage has hosted the who’s who of folk music throughout the world for over 55 years. From Joan Baez and Donovan, Big Bill Broonzy and Ella Jenkins, Pete Seeger and Taj Mahal, Martin Carthy and Steve Earle, Doc Watson and Mahalia Jackson to Jeff Tweedy of Wilco — everyone has performed at the Old Town School. But their performances were one-night events; impromptu jam sessions and musical dialogs between artists and crowds.  They were never intended to be part of a record. But thanks to archivists Colby Maddox and Paul Tyler, history becomes our present and listening to this amazing compilation is an adventure in time and space travel. Are we, the listeners, transported back to Chicago in the 60’s or are the artists forwarded to us?

The same blur happens when we look at our second feature, Goapele’s Play Remixed By Josh One. Both Goapele and Josh One are individual artists who are renown in their own spheres. Goapele recorded Play for her Break of Dawn album and then asked Josh One with Boomnote to re-envision what it could sound like. Josh turned her song into his and brought both of their pasts and futures together into a fusion of time and space. Once again, art seems to know no limits.

Until next month…

G’Day Mates! Today is Australia Day, but no matter where your loyalties lie, celebrate! In honor of our Aussie friends down under, we’d like to take the opportunity to give you some quick tips on how to best commemorate the arrival of the first fleet in Sydney Cove back in 1788.

Hanging out with friends in the sun? In true blue Aussie style, listen to your favorite tunes – like Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown or Big Day Out bands– loud and clear via Bluetooth on your Wireless Boombox. With up to six hours of battery life will keep the music flowing, and a 33 foot range from your mobile device allows you to get up and play Frisbee or throw some snags on the barbie.

Innovation is a driving force. It wasn’t that long ago that the idea of the Internet on our phones seemed far-fetched – but ultimately, it’s proven to be indispensable. In fact, in a recent survey conducted by Kelton Research, nearly 65 percent of Americans ages 18 to 44 would prefer to give up their favorite food for a year, rather than their favorite gadgets.

In the context of mobile phone usage for example, innovation – design, cost and features –has made it possible for six billion people worldwide to become mobile subscribers in 2011, according to ITU World Telecommunications.

Worldwide, GfK Boutique Research and the Consumer Electronics Association forecast that developing countries like China and India will drive global sales of consumer electronics to more than $1 trillion for the first time. In fact, developing countries will account for 46 percent of global gadget sales in 2012, up from 37 percent four years ago.

It’s clear gadgets have settled into a critical role in our daily lives. We here at Logitech are hooked on gizmos too, and we’re committed to creating innovative products that push our horizons, and hopefully become indispensible to our customers.

For example, the Logitech Cube. Logitech’s newest device is more than just a mouse; with its edgy design, it redefines the computer mouse by including traditional functions like pointing and clicking, as well as turning into a presenter when lifted into the air. Small enough to fit in your hand or pocket, the Cube can easily accompany you on the go and has advanced 2.4 GHz connectivity.

Logitech Ultimate Ears In-Ear Reference Monitors have also brought incredible technological innovation to the table. Developed in conjunction with Capitol Studios, these custom in-ear monitors allow users to record, mix and master anywhere they go. Best of all, the user is always in the “sweet spot” no matter where they are.

What tech item of yours do you consider most indispensible? Let us know in comments!

This week, Logitech® Ultimate Ears is showcasing the latest and greatest UE earphones at the 2012 NAMM® Show in Anaheim, Calif.  For those of you that don’t know, NAMM is one of the largest music products trade shows in the world and sees a crowd of 90,000 people over four days – from manufacturers to retailers or notable musicians demonstrating instruments, NAMM is the temporary home to thousands of music enthusiasts, and we’ve been on site since Thursday doing free Custom In-Ear Monitors fittings, demos and earphone giveaways for our friends at NAMM.

One of the best things about NAMM is the constant stream of unique musical performances from morning until night – we checked out the Sam Morrison Band rock its tribute to Bob Seger today!

Taking in another awesome show in the lobby.

UE’s Ashley Esqueda giving away free earphones to a lucky NAMMer.

Keeping busy at the Ultimate Ears booth – wondering about the lab coat’s about? Every Custom In-Ear Monitor is created by a hearing specialist called an audiologist, who takes a mold of your ear to form earphones that are as unique as your fingerprint.

A very excited soon-to-be UE Custom In-Ear Monitor owner!

Are you attending NAMM this year? If you’re at the show, stop by our booth (No. 4152 in Hall C) – we’ll be here through Sunday!

This week in Logitech news, Gizmodo Australia called the Logitech Fold-up Keyboard for iPad 2 one of “the most practically designed” external keyboards they’ve seen. PC World contributor Yardena Arar, called the Logitech Cube as “strikingly innovative” and her  ”personal favorite” tech tool at CES. Tom’s Guide checked out the Logitech Cube at CES, calling it a nifty mouse “for anybody looking for a portable, wireless mouse.”

Also this week, the Logitech Alert security system was featured as an option to deter crime in this article from SF Gate.

For more Logitech news highlights from around the globe this week, check out the list below.

• My iPad’s Ringing, Plus More new-Tablet Tips: Rich Jaroslovsky – www.sfgate.com
• Logitech to offer new webcam tech for business users – www.slashgear.com
• Logitech announces ultraportable Cube Mouse – www.fudzilla.com
• Top 5 gadgets – www.stratfordpress.com
• The 8 Coolest Things at CES Fro Music Fans – www.billboard.com

The results are in: the 2011 GOOD DESIGN™ Awards selected the Logitech® Wireless Gaming Headset G930 and Logitech® Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 for Mac for excellence in new product design.

Founded in 1950, the GOOD DESIGN Award is presented annually by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. The award is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious global awards for new product design and graphics.

In 2011, the Museum received several thousand submissions and the Electronics category earned 91 awards, which honored the latest mobile phones, computers, printers, speakers and headphones, including our very own Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930 and Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 for Mac.

GOOD DESIGN found that the Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930 and Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 for Mac represent smart design and quality. These devices aren’t strangers to praise either. According to PCMag.com, the Logitech Wireless Gaming Headset G930 stands as one of the best wireless Gaming Headsets, with high-quality audio output, smart design, and an impressive range. Furthermore, the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 for Mac’s latest honor follows winning the 2012 iF product design award – one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world.

We’re excited to hit the ground running in 2012 and hope you’ll enjoy what Logitech has in store this year, too. What would you like to see this year from Logitech? Let us know in comments!

Some 65 percent of companies that have deployed Unified Communications (UC) have only been able to service half or less of their employees, according to recent research. To help accelerate adoption of desktop videoconferencing and UC in the enterprise, Logitech is introducing the next generation of webcam technology with full 1080p HD video, onboard H.264 compression and USB Video Class (UVC) driver-less install.

Many UC solutions have been slow to gain widespread adoption because users felt the quality was too low, legacy hardware wasn’t able to support new technologies and IT managers struggled with deployment time. To address this, Logitech is webcams that offer a more life-like experience, easier installation and lower PC processor burden for enhanced desktop videoconferencing and UC.

In collaboration with Skype™, Logitech is the first to offer true 1080p videoconferencing at a maximum 30 frames per second for fluid motion and vivid colors. These enhancements help overcome the barrier to acceptance for UC solutions when video quality is too low to keep employees engaged.

Rather than slowing down the PC’s processor, advanced H.264 hardware encoding manages video compression inside the webcam when paired with a compatible videoconferencing client. Because of the reduced CPU load, H.264 webcams better enable desktop videoconferencing on older and low-end PCs – a major cost-savings for businesses that want to move up to UC without having to replace legacy hardware. Also, since video is captured natively in the H.264 format, there is no extra compression step when sharing video clips – reducing upload time.

Logitech, along with the USB Implementers Forum, has been actively involved in developing a UVC standard that allows for driver-less plug-and-play installation – slashing deployment time in large enterprises that may need to simultaneously install hundreds or even thousands of webcams. Logitech HD webcams are also compatible with all major UC applications.

The combination of 1080p, H.264 compression and UVC driver-less install will help accelerate adoption of desktop videoconferencing and UC in enterprises of all sizes. It’s never been easier for video communications and collaboration to become part of everyone’s work life, whether connecting with colleagues down the hall or partners on the other side of the world.

More information on Logitech webcams and other Logitech products for business is available at www.logitech.com/business.

This week in Logitech news, International Business Times named the Logitech Cube as one of the top ten hot new gadgets at CES. Technorati called the Logitech Cube a “clever little device” that would give you “the chance to be the coolest presenter in your office.” The Verge also checked out the Logitech Cube at CES this week, calling it “a fun little device for anyone.” Check out their hands-on video below:

Also this week, Forbes visited the Logitech corporate headquarters in Fremont , where there are vending machines that dispense gadgets “like candy” as seen in the video below:

For more Logitech news highlights from around the globe this week, check out the list below.

• Logitech Unveils Cube Presentation Mouse – www.pcmag.com
• Logitech Cube is the mouse and projector hybrid you never knew you needed – www.tecca.com
• Hands-on with Logitech’s adorably tiny Cube mouse – www.dvice.com
• Logitech’s tiny Cube mouse is a presenter, too – www.asia.cnet.com
• Jenne Partners With Logitech in UC Accessories Deal – www.channelpartnersonline.com
• Logitech Cube – Presenter and Mouse in One – www.technology-digital.com

Does Friday the 13th bring to mind images of black cats, the grim reaper or hockey masks? Even if you’re not generally superstitious, you still might find yourself crossing your fingers, knocking on wood, and finding an excuse to stay home tonight!

In many cultures, Friday is a historically unlucky day; the number 13 itself is also thought to be unlucky throughout many regions of the world. Superstitious diners in Paris have been known to hire a “quatorzieme,” or professional 14th guest to avoid bad fortune brought by the number 13. In Brazil, Friday the 13th in August is considered unlucky, more so than any other Friday the 13th because agosto (August) rhymes with desgosto (sorrow).

Combine the notoriously unlucky Friday with the number 13, and some pretty powerful fears are evoked. In fact, paraskevidekatriaphobics—people with a fear of Friday the 13th—might refuse to travel or go to work. And in 2012, we’re (un)lucky enough to have three Friday the 13ths—in January, April and July!

It’s certainly not the day to tempt fate. And while we’re not necessarily superstitious, we think it’s always a good idea to take extra precautions, especially when it comes to keeping your home safe. Stack the cards (perhaps not those of the Tarot variety!) in your favor with Logitech Alert digital video security systems.

The weatherproof Logitech Alert 750e Outdoor Master System and Logitech Alert 750i Indoor Master System are both easy to connect to your network—using existing outlets and wiring—and are easily expandable. By automatically recording high-quality video (960 x 720 @15fps) when motion is detected, you can rest assured any intruders on your property—black cats included—are going to get noticed. You can watch live video over the Web or on your smartphone, and even receive motion-triggered alerts by e-mail and mobile phone.

Dependable no matter where it’s used, your Logitech Alert system will give you peace of mind every day of the year so you can take bad luck out of the equation. Stay tuned throughout the year. There are two more Friday the 13ths, which means you’ll be getting more from us on these superstitious days!

We’re curious—tell us about your best and worst Friday the 13th!