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December 29, 2006
Heavy duty gaming
This one claims the title of 'ultimate gaming rig'. We don't know if that is strictly true, but it's pretty heavy duty anyway. The Vigor Force Recon QX4 to be unveiled at CES is powered by a pair of the AMD Athlon 64 FX-74 series dual-core processors. Nice. This is the kind of thing you'd use for video editing or post production and gaming must be a dream on it.
December 23, 2006
UWB gains momentum at CES
A whole bunch of Ultra wideband (UWB) proponents will be strutting their stuff at CES, including AboCom, Amedia Networks, Analog Devices, Anchor Bay Technologies, ASUSTeK Computer, Audiovox, Changhong, Complete Media Systems, CyberPower, Cypress Technology, ELEO, Gefen, GIGABYTE, Hisense, Lite-On, Magnum Semiconductor, Meiloon, OMRON, Quanta Microsystems, S1Digital, Siemens Home and Office Communication Devices, Skyworth, Syntax-Brillian, TCL, ViewSonic, Z-Com, Zinwell and Zoran.
These guys are all partnering with Tzero - that's 'zero' with a 'T' - to demo UWB for high-definition video applications and connectivity between a range of A/V components - HDTVs, set-top boxes, digital video recorders, media center PCs, residential gateways etc.
December 19, 2006
If you build it, they will come
Microsoft's games crew must be pleased as punch that Gears of War is selling so well. The future success of the XBox 360 relies on killer games and the public seems entranced with this one.
The games industry is a odd beast. Manufacturers lose money on the hardware and gain it back only if they sell the software that people want. The success of Halo did much to drive sales of the original XBox, just as Grand Theft Auto drive sales for the PS2. Without a good game consoles die off quickly.
Gears of War is a success, but I wont be buying a copy as a protest. Thanks to the game's popularity the cursed Jules version of 'Mad World' used to advertise it is back in the charts, a heinous crime against musical taste.
December 11, 2006
Every wondered what it would be like to drill through a laptop display?
December 11, 2006
40 Fun Facts to Celebrate 40 Years of CES
CES has gone 40 crazy this year and is putting out a factoid a day until the show opens.
The latest, fact fans, is:
Fact #32: CB radio becomes a major consumer product in 1975. 10-4, good buddy.
All this and more, over at the O-Ficial CES site.
December 11, 2006
Nothing says Christmas like I Love You Pants...
Wondering what to get that special geek in your life for Christmas?
Fear not - Speadshirt reckons it's got just the thing:
People love receiving presents that have a personal touch.
This Christmas, make every gift that little bit more special with Spreadshirt.co.uk.
Add a special picture or message to our extensive, high quality range of t-shirts, sportswear, baby accessories, gifts and toys!
Make it special. Because it's Christmas!!
December 8, 2006
Wii: slippery when wet...
No sooner have people got their filthy mitts on a Wii and it seems they just can't keep a hold of them thar controllers.
The result - a smashed telly here and there.
Nintendo has said that it will investigate reports of problems with the Wii controller that have resulted in consumers damaging household items.
"Some people are getting a lot more excited than we had expected," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told Associated Press.
"We need to better communicate to people how to deal with the Wii controller as a new form of entertainment."
Full story: Nintendo looks into flying Wii problem
Pic from: Wii Have a Problem
December 7, 2006
Loc8tor finds its way to CES
Gr8.
The Loc8tor, a revolutionary product that ensures users will never lose any of their important possessions again, will be exhibiting at CES in January 2007.
The Loc8tor is an innovative device which not only finds things; it even prevents items from being lost in the first place. Never again will there be the anxiety of mislaying your keys, wallet or mobile - even a child.
Anthony Richards, the founder and CEO of Loc8tor comments "The response to Loc8tor has been phenomenal with customers using it to find almost anything up to a 600ft range; As well as the usual keys and TV remotes we've got customers using it track tortoises and model airplanes. Even Police forces have purchased to help catch thieves. It's been incredible''
December 7, 2006
Hottest gaming tech on show at CES
Well, what else would you expect at Vegas geek out heaven?
The hottest gaming products and technologies including new gaming software, hardware, consoles, whole-house video systems and controllers will be on display at the International Consumer Electronics Show.
New to the 2007 International CES show floor will be the Gaming TechZone, sponsored by GameDaily and located in the Sands Expo and Convention Center/The Venetian.
The Gaming TechZone will feature some of the hottest gaming companies who are changing the electronic gaming and digital entertainment landscape these include Majesco, Gameloft, PC Gamer, Maximum PC, Game Quest, Wolfking, Ultimate Game Chair, Novint Technologies, 3D Innovations, Tritton Technologies, Frepar Networks, Front Electronics, LumiSource, Bluegears, QMotions, Jack of All Games, Ace Bayou, Blaze Games, Sandio Technology and JFJ Disc Repair.
December 7, 2006
It's the final (Wii) countdown
De-de-der-der. De-de-deh-deh-deh.
Yep the day Nintendo fan boys have been waiting for is almost up us. The States and Japan have already had a play and now Btits can get in on the action from midnight tonight.
The Wii will be upon us - well, for those that have pre-ordered or are happy to queue up in the freezing cold to get their grubby little mitts on one.
Metro even went to talk to the person at the front of the queue at London's HMV.
Did he stress his dedication to Mario? Did he almost break down in tears at the tantalising prospect of yet more Zelda? Did he dress up as Luigi and get mistaken for staff?
Nope.
"I'm not really a games fan," he said. "I'm selling it on eBay."
Youth of today, eh?
December 6, 2006
Wireless HD streaming: I predict a Ruckus...
Ruckus Wireless is itching to show off its 802.11n based wireless HD streaming system at CES.
Other draft-N products have failed to deliver on the promise of delivering a stable and reliable wireless connection and remain subject to the same problems of interference and fluctation as standard Wi-Fi today. As such, these products cannot reliably support delay sensitive applications such as TV and voice, and the consumer must install messy wiring throughout the home.
Ruckus Wireless is showcasing this technology at the Hilton (17th floor, Central Tower), and demonstrations include:
- Multiple HDTV streams over prototype new 802.11n technology
- Multiple MPEG-4 HD IPTV streams over existing Wi-Fi
- Voice (Fixed Mobile Convergence) over Wi-Fi
December 6, 2006
Wii safety manual - the lost pages
So, remember those bonkers Wii safety pics from yesterday?
Well, it didn't take the internet funsters long to knock up a few of their own.
Like this:
Or this:
Full set a this a way.
[Thanks Dan!]
December 6, 2006
NXT sounding off at CES
Audio specialist NXT will be on hand at CES to show off some new prototypes its been working on.
This year, one of the [NXT's] suites will be dedicated solely to prototype products and acoustic solutions some of which will be demonstrated by Shinhint.
NXT's Chief Commercial Officer, Graham Ryan, comments, "CES is the most important commercial exhibition on the calendar for NXT. The focus on product development and forming strategic alliances has increased considerably in recent years, and we expect next year's event to be even better for NXT than CES 2006, which we regarded as our most productive to date. Furthermore, having successfully exhibited with some of our closest licensees at this year's event, we welcome the opportunity to partner with Shinhint at the 2007 show."
December 5, 2006
UK gamers can take a Wii on Friday
Last of the Wii/wee jokes. Promise.
Bursting to see what it's like? (okay we lied about being done with the wee jokes...)
Let T3 take you on a tour.
Now with a slight sound of rustling paper on the unboxing too.
December 5, 2006
Simple guide to playing DivX on your Xbox 360
Looks like there are a lot of folk out there, cursing Microsoft's decision to only support WMV on the Xbox 360.
Those kind folk over at TweakTown have put together a nice little guide to hand hold you through the process:
Since the Xbox 360 is essentially a PC wrapped in Microsoft 360 dashboard software, I always thought there must be some way to play movies other thanWMV on the console – without actually hacking the 360 software and hence voiding your warranty. It turns out you can!
Related: Watch DivX on your Xbox 360
December 5, 2006
Super efficient Japanese Wii safety instructions
While this is verging on treating consumers like morons, Nintendo Japan seems very concerned what people might do with their Wii once they get it.
As well as the obvious things - like don't douse it in brown liquid - it also covers things such as don't attempt to stick any vegetation in it.
More pics over at Kotaku - [Thanks Dan!]
December 4, 2006
Japanese gamers brave winter weather to have a Wii
We'll spare you the yellow snow jokes...
Nintendo's game console, the Wii, went on sale in Japan on Saturday, greeted by thousands of shivering but exhilarated game enthusiasts who had lined up through a wintry night to bring home the latest machine.
"My friends and family called me a fool. They don't see a point of rushing to a store on the launch day when you can get it much easier a while later," said Junpei Ito, a 24-year-old company employee.
"But joining the line like this is part of fun," said Ito, one of about 2,000 people in a queue besieging electronic retailer Bic Camera's flagship shop in central Tokyo.
More from Reuters.
December 4, 2006
Digg founder spills Apple's iPhone secrets
Well kind of.
Spin on to four minutes ten for some actual details, unless you really enjoy umming and ahhing.
According to Rose, it'll be available in 4GB and 8GB capacities, priced at $249 and $449 respectively.
It'll also apparently have a slide out keyboard and a touchscreen on the outside (though surely all touchscreens have to be on the outside to be useful...)
We'll have to wait for January to see if it's all true or not.
December 4, 2006
Samsung DivX phone - oooooo
Now that, we want.
Samsung rolled out its Ultra phones, and here's the F500, the video specialist of the line that's the first mobile that can play back DivX movies. On its 2.4-inch screen, it can handle all the usual suspects, too, such as MPEG-4, H.264, WMV and AVI, storing it all on 400MB of internal memory or up to 2GB on a microSD card. It's also packing a 2-megapixel camera.
More at Gizmodo.
December 1, 2006
So, what DOES a flaming laptop look like?
December 1, 2006
PS3 Blu-Ray movie hack
It's been out, what, a couple of weeks and the PS3 has its very own unofficial modification already.
The folks over at PS3News.com managed to backup a full Blu-ray movie to the console's hard drive.
The breakthrough comes only a week after the same group backed up a Blu-ray PS3 video game onto the console's HDD.
The fan, known as CJCP, used a version of the Linux operating system to back-up a copy of Talladega Nights: The Ballad Of Ricky Bobby. The file was a little over 20GB in size.
Full low down and the word Linux over at Digital Home.
December 1, 2006
Watch DivX on your Xbox 360
Since Microsoft isn't budging on letting the Xbox 360 playback DivX, some crafty folks have come up with a super easy way to transcode DivX to WMV on the fly.
Yeah, we know you could do it on a Media Center PC before - but this will work with any old setup.
TVersity 0.9.9 is out featuring on the fly video transcoding for the Xbox 360.
We also have many improvements to the GUI and a preview of our new media library navigation interface (in the picture) which is designed for web enabled devices with Macromedia Flash.
Grab it from TVersity [thanks Gizmodo]
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