14th March 2008 Archive

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Intel's first quad-core mobile aimed at gamers

Core 2 Extreme QX9300 due Q3

Intel has been known to have roadmapped its first quad-core mobile processor for a Q3 release - it demo'd the beast back in October 2007 - but now precise product details have emerged. The gaming-oriented Core 2 Extreme QX9300 is - surprise, surprise - a 45nm 'Penryn' processor, so it contains plenty of L2 cache: 12MB to be …

Bits 'n' Chips 14 Mar 11:02
Acer unwraps 'hologram'-clad Blu-ray laptops

Aspire rational

Acer has given its "gemstone-design" Aspire laptop line-up a polish and chiseled out two more machines. They're coloured blue, so it's no surprise perhaps that both offer optional Blu-ray Disc drives. Acer's Aspire 6920G: iridescent, apparently Acer touted the machines' "holographic 3D" covering that apparently "radiates …

PCs 14 Mar 12:30
Microsoft denies Xbox 360 is Blu-ray bound

We're not talking to Sony

Microsoft's Xbox division and Sony aren’t chatting about incorporating Blu-ray into the Microsoft console, despite a Sony executive stating that the two companies are discussing the HD technology. Sony US' President, Stan Glasgow, confirmed last week that talks between the two companies had taken place, though he didn’t say …

Consoles 14 Mar 12:53
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX33

Review Not a camera for control-freaks

If you're one of those types who enjoys adjusting this and tweaking that to take the pefect picture, the DMC-FX33 from Panasonic will not appeal to you. This camera does just about everything automatically. You have to admit it, the DMC-FX33 is something of a looker. It’s a compact, light, sleek and stylish camera measuring 94 …

Cameras 14 Mar 13:26
Gibson and Activision duel over Guitar Hero

Wah-wah

Publisher Activision has asked a US court to reject a claim made by legendary guitar manufacturer Gibson that the hugely popular Guitar Hero game - even Bill Gates likes it - spanks a software patent owned by the plank producer. Gibson has yet to file a formal complaint of its own, but it says it contacted Activision in …

Consoles 14 Mar 13:47
Manhunt 2 gets green light for UK release

~~Axes~~ controllers at the ready

Manhunt 2 has finally won a UK rating, allowing the violent videogame to be sold in Britain legally. Manhunt 2: We can almost taste its UK arrival. The Video Appeals Committee (VAC) this week ruled that the slasher game must be granted an 18 rating, clearing the way for the title to be sold to buyers of that age or above. …

Consoles 14 Mar 16:02
Toshiba lost $1bn ditching HD DVD, paper claims

Would have lost $500m on it otherwise

How much money has Toshiba lost driving failed high-def disc format HD DVD over the last 12 months? According to one report, a whopping ¥100bn ($998m). Toshiba, not surprisingly, isn't commenting one way or the other on the scale of the loss its HD DVD business was this week alleged by Japanese newspaper Nikkei to be facing. …

HD 14 Mar 16:17
Japanese boffin designs glasses for the absent minded

Find forgotten items

Finding your misplaced possessions may soon become a problem of the past. Boffins at a Japanese university have invented a pair of smart specs that recognise objects and record their locations to help you find them later. Prof. Kuniyoshi's glasses remind you where you left things Image courtesy of The Times The prototype …

Gadgets and Gizmos 14 Mar 16:24