9th January 2008 Archive

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Xbox 360 could back Blu-ray

CES Microsoft covers its high-definition derrière

The format wars have taken another turn this afternoon as Microsoft announced its Xbox 360 console might feature Blu-ray in the near future. Albert Penello, group marketing manager for Xbox hardware said the console still supports HD DVD, but would gain a Blu-ray add-on if HD DVD fails as a next-generation format. "It should …

Consoles 9 Jan 01:51
Covenant energy sword added to Halo 3 replica arsenal

CES If we could get the Chief's MA5K carbine too...

If you've already got the Xbox 360 special edition console and Lego-like Master Chief figures, but you still feel like you hadn't quite satisfied your Halo habit, you need a Covenant plasma pistol, rifle... or energy sword. Covenant energy sword: slice through your enemies with ease The plasma pistol and rifle have actually …

Consoles 9 Jan 01:56
LG lifts skirt, reveals watchphone

CES But don't tell anyone...

The wristphone is back, this time courtesy of LG. But while the manufacturer showed off its idea of what such a gadget should look like, there's no guarantee it'll ever come to market. LG's watchphone: off the wrist Locked away behind glass and protected by a pair of minders, six watchphones were on display at the Consumer …

Gadgets and Gizmos 9 Jan 04:44
Ion readies USB-connected VHS player

CES Rip your old tapes

Ion, the company behind those USB turntables much loved by those of us old enough to not only know what vinyl is but to have invested in an LP collection, is hoping to win over folk with home movies and films recorded on VHS. Ion's VCR 2 PC: transfer your old tapes The VCR 2 PC may look like an early Amstrad video recorder …

Gadgets and Gizmos 9 Jan 11:02
Noxon 2 and iPod Touch trouble

Q&A

I recently purchased a TerraTec Noxon 2 internet radio and iPod dock but seem to be having problems in playing music from my iPod Touch - reviewed here. The Touch registers on the Noxon - reviewed here - but only goes as far as '90's hits playlist and then just shows that this section is empty. Any ideas on what I may be …

Q&A 9 Jan 11:02
Blackberry Pearl 8120 smartphone

Unwired Video Review Now with Wi-Fi and other refinements

Everyone knows that the Blackberry is de rigeuer for corporate types, but now RIM is making a real push to get the mobile email devices into the hands of consumers too. The Pearl 8120 builds on the original slimline Pearl and adds some cool new features - like Wi-Fi and a better camera. Can't see the video? You'll need Flash …

Phones 9 Jan 12:02
Amiga explains ~~AmigaOS 5~~ AmigaAnywhere

CES on Video Bill McEwen's elevator pitch

It's the next generation of the Amiga operating system - company President Bill McEwen reveals what it's all about... Can't see the video? Download Flash Player from Adobe.com CES on Video WowWee wheels in Tribot DisplayLink demos multi-monitor USB dongle Guitar Hero gets true air axe WowWee demos FemiSapien robotrix …

PCs 9 Jan 13:02
Qualcomm quietly buys up Bluetooth experts

While everyone distracted by patent spats

C-Net is reporting that last December Qualcomm quietly bought up audio-streaming specialists Open Internet North America, though neither company has made a formal announcement about the purchase. The deal would make sense for Qualcomm, who have big ideas for the mobile phone as a home-media server which will need high-quality …

Phones 9 Jan 13:52
LG laptop goes up in flames

Journalist on the scene in less than seconds

A journalist was awoken by a hot news story yesterday: the realisation that his LG Electronics laptop had just exploded. The so-far anonymous journalist had apparently put the laptop into sleep mode. Unfortunately, the device was not ready for bye-bye and instead blew itself sky high, belching smoke and flames. The specific …

PCs 9 Jan 14:03
A Bluetooth headset just for women

It's not for girls - oh wait, yes it is.

Sony Ericsson hopes to draw the ladies in with its latest gadget: a Bluetooth headset designed with a lady's needs in mind. Sony Ericsson HBH-PV712: a design just for women The HBH-PV712 Style Edition headset features several ‘innovations’ that supposedly make it suitable for and appealing to women. For example, it’s …

Gadgets and Gizmos 9 Jan 14:04
Alienware heads off on a curve with gaming screen design

CES on Video PC maker makes its pitch

It's curved an it has got an enormous resolution. Yes, it's Alienware's monster monitor, and here's what all the fuss is about... Can't see the video? Download Flash Player from Adobe.com CES on Video WowWee wheels in Tribot DisplayLink demos multi-monitor USB dongle Guitar Hero gets true air axe WowWee demos FemiSapien …

Gadgets and Gizmos 9 Jan 15:02
Toshiba raises colours in portable storage battle

320GB 2.5in HDD

Toshiba has added a touch of style to its portable hard drives, whilst also breaking a record. It claims to be the first manufacturer to launch a 320GB 2.5in form factor portable HDD. The drive expands Toshiba’s existing range of portable 2.5in storage units, upping the range’s largest capacity from 250GB to 320GB. Each unit …

Storage 9 Jan 15:48
Wii Fit sells 1m copies in Japan

The virtual flab fighter

Traditional exercise is officially dead, at least in Japan. Nintendo’s Wii Fit video game has already sold one million copies to Japanese customers hungry for some virtual physical activity. Wii Fit: The Balance Board The game was only released in the region at the beginning of December and the Nintendo sales figure could …

Consoles 9 Jan 15:51
Lenovo waves around ultra-light sub-laptop

CES on Video Pitching the IdeaPad

Lenovo has big things planned for it's consumer-friendly little laptop, the IdeaPad U110... Can't see the video? Download Flash Player from Adobe.com CES on Video WowWee wheels in Tribot DisplayLink demos multi-monitor USB dongle Guitar Hero gets true air axe WowWee demos FemiSapien robotrix Eye-Fi pitches camera- …

PCs 9 Jan 16:02
LG shows gadget based on next-gen Intel UMPC chip

CES 45nm 'Silverthorne' not even out yet

LG has craftily shown off an ultra-mobile PC based on Intel's as-yet-unlaunched '45nm Silverthorne' processor at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The UMPC is based around a 4.8in, WVGA touch-sensitive display, but as you can see it also has a slide-down Qwerty keyboard. The rectangular space at the top-right of the …

PCs 9 Jan 16:51
Panasonic unveils web-enabled Plasma TVs

CES Telly-based surfing

Panasonic claims to have created the industry’s first internet-enabled plasma TVs, part of its Viera range of displays. The PZ850 includes 46in, 50in, 58in and 65in models, each providing direct access to the internet. Panasonic said that the introduction of IPTV gives telly-lovers access to an endless stream of internet …

HD 9 Jan 17:06
Revealed: USB 3.0 jacks and sockets

CES Next incarnation of the bus standard makes an appearance

USB 3.0, the upcoming version of the universal add-on standard re-engineered for the HD era, made a small appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). It wasn't demonstrated in operation, but we did get to see what the new connectors look like. Not, alas, the optical one, we have to report, but the electrical connectors …

Bits 'n' Chips 9 Jan 18:37
Xbox Live account takeovers put users at risk

Celebrity gamer wants his virtual armor back

Hackers have hijacked the Xbox Live account of a celebrity gamer and made off with a prized piece of virtual armor in a brazen act that suggests the online Microsoft service still puts the security of its users at risk. Colin Fogle gained widespread acclaim in gaming circles after posting a video showing how it was possible …

Consoles 9 Jan 20:44