Gadgety News

I’ve been asked by a number of you to expand upon the PS3 Firmware update I mentioned earlier.

Well, this firmware update for PlayStation 3 will include support for a variety of features that fans have been asking for: The ability to open the PS3’s system menu while running a game, custom soundtracks, and ‘Trophies’.

OK, you don’t get access to every system function of the PlayStation 3 but you can change system settings and send messages to your friends, without leaving the game you’re currently playing.

You can also browse through your lists of video, music, and photos stored on your PS3 while playing a game, but you can’t view them.

Some games will support custom soundtracks - this means that you’ll be able to turn down the in-game sound volume, open the XMB, and play whatever track you like - something I tend to do when playing Counter Strike Source, nothing like a bit of Ministry, Pigface and NIN whilst taking out terrorists!  :0P 

Sony said that it will not require developers to add support for custom soundtracks, and did not announce any game that would definitely feature them. (Sony representatives demonstrated the feature running with a specially-programmed version of PixelJunk Monsters.)

But what about these Trophies?

It seems, for the most part, it’s cop of Xbox 360’s Achievement system.

The difference is that instead of the goals being worth certain numeric point values, they’re broken up into Gold, Silver, and Bronze designations, the Golds being the most difficult to earn obviously.

As you gain Trophies, they translate into experience points in an RPG stylee “Level” that goes on your profile.

If you are the competitive type you can directly compare the size of his trophy collection to yours – you can do it by listing every game you’ve both played, or actually go in and compare individual trophy acquisitions.

And that’s pretty much all I know at the mo.

Xbox 360 developers shouldn’t have a hard time taking their Achievement lists and translating them directly into Trophies.

I think Sony’s version wins in the looks stakes compared to the Xbox 360’s lists.

When the major record label was taken over by private equity the promise to “take a new approach”

They were even pointing to examples like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails as the way to go if I remember correctly.

It all looked promising when they were threatening to leave the RIAA and the IFPI and they got in some new techy talent.

Unfortunately the latest news is that EMI has sued both Hi5 and VideoEgg over user-uploaded videos that includes some EMI music.

Ok, under the DMCA, these sites are not responsible for any infringement from its users - and if EMI has a legal beef with anyone, it would be those who uploaded the content.

But, of course, it sues the people that might actually have money.

Hmmmmm, you know, that ”new approach” to the industry is looking quite a bit like the old approach now isn’t it?

Hunting down and threatening your fans and the websites that actually help ‘promote’ your acts for free isn’t going to go down too well is it?

What do you reckon the results are going to be?

Do you agree with EMI’s approach?

Techdirt

Nope - this is not taken from StarWars but this is from the really real world!

The ICT Graphics Lab at USC has created a low-cost volumetric 3-D display and it looks fantastic.

Apparently (just getting my science-head on) the process utilises spinning mirrors, high-speed DLP Projections, and ridiculously precise calculations that figure out the correct axial perspective needed for a 360-degree image.

 ~PHWEW!~

The process even takes into account a viewer’s positioning.

When projecting video frames into a rapidly spinning mirror, close to 5,000 individual images are reflected every second within the surface area and come together to create a real-space three-dimensional object.

Because these images jump out “toward multiple viewpoints in space,” the USC team created a formula that renders individual projections at different heights, and traces each projected beam back to the display area to find the correct position of the viewer.

As if that wasn’t enough the system also updates itself in real time (200Hz), adjusting to the height and distance of the viewer, producing an image that will “stay in place” - or rather, that “adjusts its projected perspective”.

This, in plain speak, means that every person in the room will be able to have a correct view of a holographic image as demonstrated with the TIE fighter in the very cool image above - no need for cardboard glasses with coloured plastic lenses!

Here’s a pretty cool bit of kit and it’s Free!

FonStruct is a cleverly named online font building tool.

You create the font, and the service then turns it into a “high-quality TrueType font” ready for Mac or Windows.

You are encouraged to share the results of your excellent design knowledge via the online gallery which features tags, voting and intelligent categorisation.

I realise that, at best, this is a bit niche but I still think that it’s rather cool.

Making a decent, legible font isn’t as easy as I thought but if you know what you’re doing then it’s definitely worth a try.

Redferret.net

Here we go!

This is a pic of the in-game XMB (Cross Media Bar) demonstrated on a firmware 2.40 PS3 for the very first time!

Sony also reveals that the 2.40 firmware update will deliver the Google search bar (like the PSP update I reported on last week) and the ability to play and control your own music stored on the hard drive in-game.

 Wohoooooooooooo!

EuroTech have just launched their new iPod docking station, the movieCENTER.

As the name suggests you can connect your iPod to the dock and then get your iPod content through your stereo or TV.

They claim that the device incorporates

“powerful processing technology that transforms iPod movies and music into a more realistic and immersive experience”.

This technology includes:

• TruBass processing for subwoofer like performance from ordinary stereo or TV speakers.
• Dialog Clarity tool that creates a virtual center speaker “that lets you hear even the quietest whisper in crystal clear detail no matter how much background action there is“
• There is also a tool to process surround sound.

The movieCENTER comprises a compact black dock and remote control, a shielded audio cable with gold-plated connectors, component and composite video outputs and a USB input.

The Xitel movieCENTER is available in the UK now for £59.99.

Nokia has a new range of handsets for the fashion conscious user and this fashionista victim goes by the name of Supernova.

“Designed to let consumers express their personal style on a number of levels”.

This expression comes in the form of “stylish” designs through to personalisation via “vibrantly hued” exchangeable covers from the X-press range.

The new Nokia 7610, 7510, 7310 and 7210 Supernova devices will launch before the end of the year with exact pricing and availablity to be confirmed.

Another day, another bit of leaked news.

This time it’s Creative’s next flagship media player finding its way into the world via a fan site.

Named as the Creative Zen X-Fi there doesn’t appear to be a lot of tweakagery compared to the current Zen - although the addition of Wi-Fi may grab the attention.

The alleged specs include built-in X-Fi technology with two sound effects “Crystallizer” and “Expand”, support for MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV and Audible as well as WMA video, MPEG4, DivX and MJPEG.

It will come along with a built-in speaker and “premium” headphones, the player will manage 36 hours of audio playback, 5 hours for video and an FM tuner and voice recorder.

That Wi-Fi functionality is said to be there for wireless streaming from Creative’s “Public Media Server”.

Also instant messenging with Yahoo and MSN are said to be supported. Screen size, capacities, availablity and pricing are all as yet undisclosed.

ZAP mentioned this green vehicle at the Detroit Motor show earlier in the year and it looks like the company has now finally turned out a prototype.

Looking like an American retro-rodded version of the Grinall Scorpion it apparently isn’t capable of moving off the parking lot on its own just yet.

That should soon change as it was reportedly on its way to California where it’ll get fitted with a motor.

The company is apparently promising to have its first cars on the road next year when the Alias here is expected to sell for about $33,000.

Via AutoblogGreen

Fancy hooking up your iPod to your telly without the need for trailing wires and such?

Well playing iPod video content on your main gogglebox has just got even easier thanks to the new range of JVC LCD TVs.

These tv’s have a built-in iPod dock but I’m not entirely sure if the curvy new iPhone will fit or not :0/

Each of the four new models, including three full HD 1080p sets, features JVC’s new TeleDock.

Just flip-down the iPod dock at the base of the set and shazaam!

The P-Series includes the 32-inch LT-32P679, 42-inch LT-42P789, 47-inch LT-47P789 and the 52-inch LT-52P789.

The LT-32P679 is a 768p model, while the others offer 1080p resolution.

The iPod will actually charge while docked whether the TV’s power is on or off :0)

As well as the iPod connectivity mullarky there are also three HDMI inputs, two component inputs, one S-video input, SPDIF input and an analog audio output for sending sound from an iPod or the TV through a home theater system.

The 52-inch LT-52P789 JVC LCD TV will be available from August for around the £1,700 mark.

Via - Fareastgizmos

Fed up with the lack of Sci-Fi B-Movies?

Constantly flicking from channel to channel in the search of something decent?

The answer will be beamed to earth on August 16th.

Although there’s not much in the way of a write up on the product page I feel pretty certain that “Channel Changer” and “Ray Gun” is a darn good hint at what it will do.

Now, I just need to get someone that looks like Barbarella to pose with it………….

Product Page

Hello there!

I’ve been snooping around to find some more info about the very cool looking EeePC.

Not only did I find something, I found a whole bunch of press photos!

Thanks to EeePCNews.de we have all these and more to feast our eyes upon! :0)

If all that wasn’t enough go and check out their Flickr set ;0,

It’s been, ooooooooo, days since I’ve mentioned the much hinted PlayStation branded mobile phone.

This latest whisper is even juicier though!

Apart from another ”PSP phone is being readied for launch” rumour word is that Sony will be flying solo for the device leaving Ericsson out of it all.

Marketing Week has reported that sources in Japan and Korea say Sony is working on “converting” the current PSP model into a phone, and that it could hit the shelves in time for Christmas 2009.

This would move the PSP on from it’s current VoIP phone via Wi-Fi to become a fully blown, er, blower.

This report makes it sound like the new device would be a PSP with full mobile connectivity and not just a PSP branded handset.

It does sound like all is not well in the gadget marriage as Sony is reluctant to share any more toys with Ericsson.

Sony is said to have learned from its “strategic error” of giving its Walkman name to Sony Ericsson and that Sony would “never” give its PlayStation branding to the Sony Ericsson joint venture.

 Now, now.  Play nice kids!!  Sheeeesh!

The upside is that could we finally see a PSP Phone?????

Via - MarketingWeek

How badly do you need to be first?

How badly do you need to be the first to own one of the new, shiny, spanky 3G iPhones?

If that feeling of overwhelming smugness is too hard to resist then you need to go and get your hands on the world’s first iPhone 3G and here’s how!

All you need to do is make your way over to New Zealand for 00:01, Friday July 11th.

So, you could use it to call your buddy from your new purchase while it is still Thursday, July 10th at 5:01 am in Cupertino or 13:01 hours here in London.

Vodafone NZ will swing open the doors of its Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch shops at midnight to you overeager Apple lovers!

Time Check — 00:01 NZ time calculated globally

Imagine it:

A cross between a Microsoft Zune, an X-Box 360 and a mobile phone.

What do you think? Would this make you the happiest little gadgeteer ever?

Apparently it would make those folks over at T3 very pleased and although this creation was hinted at over a year ago T3 couldn’t wait so they’ve got their crayons out and made this mock up.

Their version includes the all important X logo and coloured buttons of the X-Box with the slim and sleek Zune music player, with a 64GB flash drive and a mobile phone built in for good measure.

Enjoy and continue to wait for the real thing - in the meantime hit up their gallery :0)

Whoah there!

Thinking about using the glorious 3G iPhone when you’re abroad?

Don’t expect the same deal that you’ll be getting over in the UK with O2.

As you probably know, O2 have used the unlimited download facility in much of its marketing for both the first iPhone and the new 3G model, which will be available free on some O2 tariffs.

Apparently the unlimited data and WiFi allowances only apply in the UK.

If you use the phone overseas the charges shoot up to £3 for each megabyte (Mb) of data downloaded in the EU and £6 everywhere else in the world! ~GULP!~

Let’s say that you want to catch up on the gogglebox back in Blighty and watch an average iPlayer programme from Auntie Beeb; these are usually around 300Mb in size.

This will cost you around £900 if you were in La Belle France and £1,800 in the good ol’ US of A.

 Wha?????

So my advice would be to disable things like email before you leave the UK.

If you’re going to be needing all that kinda stuff that the iPhone has been built for the best option is to take out a data-roaming add-on for when you require the service

Remember though; O2’s new “unlimited” download policy is subject to a fair-usage policy - in other words, although there is no set limit, your connection may be stopped or dramatically slowed if you are deemed to be over-using it.

Hmmmmmmmmm………….

Source

For all you Mac lovers here’s some web-cam news!

Logitech are launching their first ever Mac-compatible webcam today.  Rah! 

The snappily titled QuickCam Vision Pro for Mac claims to deliver “image perfect detail and exceptional video calling” through iChat and Skype.

It will also produce VGA-quality video at up to 30 frames per second – which is “four times as sharp and twice as smooth as any other video-calling solution - at no additional charge”. Thank you LT :0)

The camera features a Carl Zeiss lens hooked up to a two megapixel sensor.  You can get up close and personal as it will still produce a sharp image when you’re only 10 cm from the camera lens.   Extreme close-up!

The cam uses Logitech’s RightLight2 technology, which enables the webcam to adjust intelligently in dim or harshly backlighted situations.

“With this new webcam for Mac computers, we’ve integrated our most advanced video technologies to truly enrich your video-calling experience,” says Gina Clark, general manager and vice president of Logitech’s Internet Communications business unit. “The lens and autofocus, the sensor and the lighting software all contribute to create image-perfect detail and clarity.”

The plug-and-play Logitech QuickCam Vision Pro webcam for Mac is expected to be available in the US and Europe next month for £69.99.

Logitech Website

3 years in the making and now the power assisted Live Luggage is here!

And there will be a “world premier” on June 26th.

The PA series of checked baggage features a 12V NiMH rechargeable battery pack supplying power to the wheels when the handle is gripped and the bag is tilted.

The bags weigh 10.6kg (23-pounds) which is about 3kg (6.6-pounds) more than standard hard luggage, according to the manufacturer.  That means be pepared to be charged (see what I did there?) each time you travel by Ryanair and other budget lines!

The cases are good for about 1.5 miles of assisted travel under a 32kg load - I wonder if you can saddle them?

You feel the need to have powered luggage?

How about when it has a $1,365 (£700) price tag?  So, I guess that the people that fly budget wouldn’t be getting any of these then.

I apologise for the headline but sometimes I just go with the first thing that falls into my little mind.

Back to the story.

Merc have been mulling over which direction to go with their eco-cars and, according to the news filtering through the media, Merc could be out with their electric Smart car in 2010.

During a recent interview, Daimler’s chief executive was quoted as saying that an

“electric Smart [was planned] for 2010,” and he also said that an electric Mercedes model would be arriving “the same year.”

As for the cost he said that it would depend greatly “on whether it sells the batteries or leases them.”

There was even a mention of a fuel cell car in 2010 - I just wonder if there’ll be an AMG or Brabus version >:)

Via Greenlaunches

Nokia has recently announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the context-aware social-activity mobile phone service - Plazes

“This acquisition helps Nokia to accelerate its vision of bringing people and places closer together, in line with our broader services strategy”, said Niklas Savander, head of Nokia services and software.

“In addition to the key assets, through this acquisition Nokia will bring on a visionary team with an advanced understanding of social-activity services, as well as the technical ability to further develop this area.”

Nokia are excited as Plazes adds the elements of “place” and “time” to social networking through features that allow people to alert friends of their activity and location.

Users are able to review their own and others’ past activities; share their experiences and make plans with friends, who are then able to respond with comments and suggestions as well as their own location information.

This acquisition falls in line with Nokias vision of social networking tools and the development of their handsets to this end; although it also sounds pretty good for any potential stalkers out-there so I’m hoping that there is adequate security on this.

The agreement is subject to the usual conditions and is expected to close in the third quarter 2008 after which Plazes will become part of Nokia’s Services & Software unit.