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Myspace loses .co.uk
2008-04-30 14:34:00
Social networking behamoth MySpace has had its myspace.co.uk domain seized by an appeals panel, and the ownership passed back to an ISP based in Stockport. Total Web Solutions registered the co.uk domain 11 years ago and 2 years before MySpace launched, but Nominet ruled in February that it had to be handed over to MySpace which I for one found unfair. “We refused to be bullied by one of the largest media organisations in the world,” says the Total Web Solutions’ MD Paul Fallon. “This has been a very stressful case for a legitimate medium sized ISP to have to take on - but we had to defend our reputation and to stand up for what was right.” Rightly not satisfied with the process, Total Web Solutions and its legal representatives are now questioning whether the Domain Resolution Service should be operated from within Nominet.
More About: Myspace

Skype Release 3.8 for Windows
2008-04-30 14:23:00
Skype has announced that version 3.8 for Windows is ready to be downoaded for free and they claim that this version of their VOIP sounds better than ever before. The main improvements are in the “audio engine” which should mean significantly reduced background noise, less delay, fewer call drops, and fewer cut-outs especially when both sides are using 3.8. The new version also lets you change your headset, headphones or microphone without messing around with sound settings. Another change is that the user’s profile image on incoming authorisation requests are now hidden by default - this is because some people have been using “offensive” images - so you now you’ll have to click through to see the hidden avatar. This release also includes a number of video-related bug fixes and “other tweaks.”
More About: Skype , Release

Casio’s New Baby-G’s
2008-04-30 14:07:00
Casio have released pics and specs of their new line of Baby -G watches that feature a rather neat zooming display. The BG-2000/2001 series come in white, yellow and orange with shiny wrist bands and have complimentary coloured LCDs and 5 user styles to chose from. The auto-zoom function enlarges the digits when you tilt your wrist to read the time. Naturally to be in the G range they’re shock-resistant, water resistant to 100m, with world time and five independent alarms and have auto EL backlighting (LED for the yellow version). No prices as yet.

Multiple Flavours of iPhone Choices To Come
2008-04-21 15:41:00
More news about the greatly anticipated 3G iPhone and word on the street is that it could be “Radically Different”. This might be no more than Apple seeking MORE attention but the grapevine is all about different versions of the device to suit the preference of peeps. Depending whether you’re after a music and video device, those that want a “communication” device (ie a phone!) or a laptop substitute - these are covered by the regular iTouch flavour, an iPhone with a slidey QWERTY keypad or a clamshell version with a larger screen. Do you reckon this could be over-egging the (Apple) pudding or are you all for the choice?
More About: Iphone , Choices

Use The Force or Let’s Twist Again….Force Sensative UMPC
2008-04-21 12:52:00
Craving a bit deeper, more meaningful interaction action with your touchscreen gadget, like maybe stretching or squeezing it? Do you already think this touch-screen haptic feedback is getting a little old-hat by itself? Well, it seems that Microsoft thinks so. Their researchers have come up with a prototype of force-sensing cleverness that’ll let you apply different kinds of force to a device, like twisting or bending, to do stuff like flip through document pages or swing through applications. They’ve modded a Samsung UMPC and slapped on four sensors that detect how you’re trying to manipulate it, so it doesn’t have to actually be flexible. The researchers think the tech will complement—not replace mind you—touchscreens, making devices more active and engaging, not to mention smaller, since space-wasting buttons will be unnecessary - AWwwwwwwwwwwwww……….. poor buttons!! But lets face it - the Japanese love their retro gaming controll...
More About: Force , Twist , The Force

Microsoft to Bring Unknown Pleasures to Zune
2008-04-18 15:40:00
Microsoft is readying a Joy Division edition of its Zune MP3 player to coincide with the release of a DVD about those fabulous Mancs. The Zune will feature an adaptation of the cover art from the band’s 1979 album debut, Unknown Pleasures, which artist Peter Saville created using a graph of one hundred pulses from pulsar CP 1919, dontcha know ;0, Personally I think that all of these players should carry a ‘FAC’ number…………&he llip;….  I for one am waiting for any more Insights and pictures of this new Candidate of cool mp3/band get togethers. Until then I shall be lost in the Wilderness or I’ll be in the centre of the city in the night, waiting for you. Yeah - I’m a fan. Sorry. I’ll stop this now.
More About: Microsoft

Wii on the Move - LCD Screen for Nintendo
2008-04-18 11:05:00
Fed up with having to leave your beloved Wii behind when you go out? Dry your eyes because ChinaVision have the remedy - no longer will you have to look over your shoulder as you close the door and see your console give you the puppy-dog eyes. This LCD monitor can attach to the back of the Wii easily, and the screen has a ball and socket hinge that can be turned appropriately for whatever use. When the monitor is not in use, the screen can be folded down against the Wii, just like a laptop. There is even a reverse/up/down picture control enabling you to mount it on the roof of your car. You can also plug in other devices such as a DVD or other media players with the extra AV outputs, as well as USB peripherals. As for power, the Wii LCD screen is powered by the normal Wii power cable, or included cigarette lighter adapter. You can get one for $101.45 each, or get your buddies involved and get 3 for about $97.39 each.
More About: Screen , Nintendo , Move

No New DS
2008-04-17 17:44:00
I reported that there was word that a new DS was to be unveiled by Nintendo at E3. Unfortunately Nintendo Japan has shut down the rumor by saying “We cannot comment…but at the very least there won’t be anything like what Mr. Hamamura suggested…” Boooo!!!! IGN via Go Nintendo via Kotaku

Ferrari of the Sky - Augusta AW139 Executive
2008-04-17 11:11:00
You’ve got the Ferrari but it still gets overtaken by cycle-couriers in the heart of London. You need a way, preferably designed by Pininfarina, to get you into the city without the inconvenience of joining all the human cattle on the ground. If you wander over to Aero Toy Store they have just the thing that you’re looking for; namely the super-deluxe 2008 Pininfarina edition Agusta AW139 Executive helicopter. At the heart of the chopper’s luxurious design is a nine-passenger VIP cabin, featuring Two Zone Climate Control, a deluxe entertainment system with Airshow type mapping display, two 15″ monitors, CD/DVD/satellite radio/satellite/I-pod capability operated by a menu driven touch screen controller, eight speakers and a woofer sound system. It should be available right now so it could be yours in the time it takes for that bank to transfer your money from Switzerland. Pricing on the Agusta AW139 is on a ”you have to ask, you can’t afford”...
More About: Augusta

iPhone Price Drop = 3G on the Horizon?
2008-04-15 13:19:00
According to Mobile magazine O2 is about to cut the cost of an iPhone in the UK to £169. The £100 price cut is apparently due to be announced tomorrow (that’s Wednesday 16th folks) and follows T-Mobile’s recent decision to reduce the price of the 8GB handset to 99 euros (dependent on tariff) in Germany. Now, there’s a shortage of iPhones and this price drop - could it be that Apple is planning to introduce the 3G iPhone sooner rather than later?
More About: Iphone , Price , Drop , Horizon

Keeping Your Laptop Cool - Fan-tastic!
2008-04-15 11:06:00
The days are going to get warmer, no.  Really!  So obviously you’re going to wear the appropriate clothing to keep cool - but what about that lovely laptop of yours? It will be slaving away to do your bidding and generating heat - I for one don’t want to witness my pride and joy melting before my eyes as I play ‘Team Fortress’ or get half way through recording a new grind-core track. A lot of the fans on the market are a tad dull but these a very different. Each Futura fan and stand is custom made from one of eight colour choices, and is printed with UV cured ink to keep it looking as good as new. They even promise the possibility of custom printing somewhere down the line. It all folds away so that it will be as portable as your laptop - well, probably more so if your lappy is anything like mine ;0, $49.95 from Laptop Desk  via Shiny Shiny
More About: Cool

A Tiger on Carnaby Street! - Onitsuka Vends Trainers
2008-04-14 23:18:00
I’ve just been told that Onitsuka Tiger has launched what it claims to be the UK’s first trainer vending machine. The machine can vend 24 pairs of the Japanese brand’s trainers in six sizes and has been placed in Carnaby Street right here in London - OT apparently plans to roll out the concept across the UK. According to the company, it took its inspiration from Japanese vending machines, which famously carry goods that us Westerners would never expect to see sold in that way. Onitsuka Tiger
More About: Trainers

Card Reader and Compact Mirror
2008-04-14 23:11:00
You know how it is; you need to download stuff from a memory card and check your lippy and you’ve only got one pair of hands aintcha? Here is the answer to all your dreams!! This will read a wide range of cards, except for Compact Flash, is just 2.5 x 2.2 x 0.8 inches small, has a built-in USB plug and you can always stash spare cards inside. They even do it in grey and blue……praps black for the goths might be a good idea…. Yours for $15. Gadget4All
More About: Card , Reader , Mirror

New Nintendo DS…….?
2008-04-14 15:24:00
Word on the street is that July will see the unveiling of the DS Extreme at the E3 gaming expo in the States.  It’s rumoured that they’re not going to bother with the GBA port - this means that it won’t be backwards compatible with GameBoy Advance games but allows for a slimmer design and lower price. So, is this likely? Well, it has been 2 years since DS Lite was launched and another 2 since the DS hit the streets so it is pretty much on the cards methinks. Oh, and the rumour comes from a credible source: Hirokazu Hamamura. He’s the head honcho of Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu’s parent company Enterbrain. No word from Nintendo tho.

sQuba - James Bond Lotus Elise
2008-04-13 19:04:00
The days are getting longer and warmer and the temptation to pull a bit of a Roger Moore gets harder to resist. What? You know. 1977. James Bond . Lotus Esprit. Yeah, you got it. The bit where Bond ‘dips the headlights’ of his Lotus in The Spy Who Loved Me. The crazeees at Swiss design company Rinspeed have based their newest creation on the newer Lotus Elise and called it sQuba. The sQuba is an all-electric vehicle with three motors, one to drive the car on land and two to power a pair of screw drives for underwater movement. These are aided by two Seabob jet drives that “breathe” through rotating louvers mounted on the car’s fenders and appear to give the car its maneuverability underwater. The sharp minded amongst you might think that a submersible convertible sounds like a submarine with a cat-flap but Rinspeed has got a handful of reasons why it didn’t go with a closed cockpit. Safety is one, because in an emergency, occupants might not b...

Playstation 3 gets iPlayer
2008-04-13 18:10:00
If you’re a PlayStation 3 owner in the UK you can also access iPlayer, it’s not only the Wii fans domain - although it’s not entirely official where the PS3 is concerned ;0, A programmer who was rather miffed that only the Nintendo Wii could officially access the Beeb’s on demand internet video service has taken it into his own hands to develop a work around so the player will work on the PS3. The clever coder says: “It’s mainly a demonstration of how easily the BBC could support the PS3 with their Wii version. This does nothing more than mask your PS3’s user-agent string and makes half a dozen changes to make the JavaScript and CSS function correctly on the PS3. It only took a day to produce, so come on BBC - how about implementing this properly?” The page, found at ps3iplayer.com, will only work on a PS3, and isn’t accessible via a PC or Mac browser, however you will be able to view footage, where available, full screen, somet...
More About: Playstation , Playstation 3

Disposible Mobile Phones Coming to Europe
2008-04-13 01:04:00
Phone maker Hop-on Inc. unveiled this at CTIA in Las Vegas. It’s a disposable cell-phone concept: A $20 (13 euros) phone with no LCD screen that can be thrown away (surly it should be recycled!) after it’s spent. The company said on Thursday that a Europe an distributor had purchased 10,000 of the phones for a test run. Hop-On markets the phone as an ideal choice for kids, teens, seniors, and world travelers (pretty much everyone then). I reckon you could add to the list drug-dealers, hitmen and the paranoid that believe the government aliens are listening to them. Telecoms.com
More About: Mobile , Mobile Phones , Phones

Another Gibson Robot - The SG
2008-04-13 00:52:00
Remember the Gibson Robot Guitar? The amazing auto-tuning Les Paul that covers various tune settings as well as the regular A440. Well, now Gibbo have released a buddy for the Les Paul in the shape of the equally iconic SG. Both models will apparently be available in a funky, Prince-tastic purple metallic finish, and will go on sale for a “limited time”; 1 week or 12 years? - Gibson aren’t telling! So, if you’ve got $3,999 for the Les Paul, or $3,599 for the SG go for it and throw your tuners away. Via TrustedReviews

Shuttles Latest Black Box - XPC G5 6801M
2008-04-11 16:34:00
If you cast your minds back to Shuttle’s Foresight Linux-based KPC; well now there’s another little box of beauty.  The XPC G5 6801M has the AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ processor, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 320GB hard drive, LG’s GGC-H20L Blu-ray/HD DVD combo drive, ATI’s 256MB HD 3450 graphics card, a DVB-T tuner, 25-in-1 multicard reader and 7.1-channel audio output. ~Breathe~  And……….Ethernet, FireWire, a multitude of USB/eSATA ports, DVI/VGA out (they even throw a DVI-HDMI adapter in for free!)  and a bundled remote so that this can become the hub of entertainment in your dwelling. All of that for £876 and if you can’t see the point in HD-DVD then knoock off £134 for the BD-only version.  (Prices converted from Euros - hence the odd amounts). via Bios Magazine
More About: Black , Black Box

PS3 Laptop - Get One and Do Good
2008-04-11 11:16:00
The crazyily great, talented and renowned modder, Ben Heck, has already built both an Xbox 360 and a Wii Laptop -  but now he’s gone and done a PS3 version. Granted, it has taken him about 18 months - but he’s also a busy fella. Spec-wise this is what it’s flexin: Original backwards compatible 60GB model 17-inch LCD HDTV screen: 720p HDMI-DVI connection Keyboard, USB ports, stereo speakers, headphone jack Size: 17 x 13.75 x 3-inches Weight: 16 pounds You’re liking it - I can tell. Want one? Well, you’re in luck as Engadget are going to be auctioning it off for charridy mate - so dip your hands in your pocket, do some good and come away with something rather groovey! BenHeck Via - Engadget
More About: Good

Twitter plus iPhone = Twinkle
2008-04-10 21:39:00
I call upon those fellow Twitter users who (unlike me) also own an iPhone!! You have now a client called Twinkle that has just been released on Installer.app. “So, what’s the difference between Twinkle and other apps?” I hear you ask. Ok, so there’s quite a few ways in which you can tell the combined populous that you’re about to go get a kebab or that you don’t understand the film that you’re watching, but Twinkle lets you use the iPhone’s location feature to add location data to your tweets. Not only that, there’s a “near me” feature that can show you tweets from people within so many miles of you, which is great for stalking organising a get together. Location information is only visible from Twinkle and not on the Twitter website - good thing or not? You can follow me on Twitter here: JayGarrett Just Another iPhone Blog via Tech Digest
More About: Iphone

Facebook gets REAL Scrabble
2008-04-10 15:21:00
If you cast your minds back to the whole Scrabulous v Scrabble debacle and how threats flew (mainly in one direction) around - well Mattel has now launched its own Scrabble application for Facebook after successfully appealing for the removal of the Scrabulous interloper. But its arrival has been less than smooth, with many players reporting a variety of bugs and usability issues getting in the way of their wordy fun. Scrabble is actually struggling to tempt Facebookers with only 3860 people playing the game each day. That is partly because US-based Facebook users cannot play it at the moment as Hasbro licenses the board game there and has agreed that EA will publish its digital creations……..complications, complications. Meanwhile Scrabulous has been deemed fit to return and manges to soak up the working day spare time of 692,700 people every day.
More About: Real

Nokia Tube Update
2008-04-10 12:21:00
As promised here’s some more info bout the device code-named “Tube ” It sounds like it will be Nokia ’s first touch S60 device but will not be a flagship phone! Oh no, another higher spec’d phone will ship “shortly after” so they say. The display is said to be between 3- and 3.5-inches with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a camera (with what looks like another up front) which they say is “way better” than the iPhone’s but will not be able to challenge their N-series shooters. The phone is said to have GSM/EDGE, UMTS/HSDPA with built-in GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, uPnP support and a stylus.  Phwew! No multi-touch on this model but it is said to provide haptic feedback in a package supposedly smaller (maybe a little bit wider) than the N73. You might notice the “XpressMedia” label on the phone which would indicate an affiliation with Nokia’s XpressMusic class of media devices. More at Symbian Freak
More About: Update

A Phone Watch You Would Wear - Van der Led MW2
2008-04-10 11:58:00
You might want to sit down. This is quite shocking. There is finally a watch-phone-watch thingy that actually looks good!! This is the Van der Led WM2.  It is a quad-band GSM watch with a 1.3-inch, 260k colour touchscreen display. It also has stereo Bluetooth, can manage up to 240-hours of standby or 300-minutes talk as well as packing in 1GB of storage. It can be yours for €300 (roughly £240) starting Monday!!!!
More About: Watch , Phone , Wear

Gateway Gaming Laptop - P-172x FX
2008-04-10 11:40:00
If you’re looking for a gaming lappy but not willing to shell out more than £1,000 then Engadget may have spotted a likely purchase. The beast in question is Gateway ’s latest 17-incher, the P-172X FX. It features a Core 2 Duo CPU (the 2.4GHz T8300), 1920 x 1200 resolution, 4GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, NVIDIA’s GeForce 8800M GTS GPU (with 512MB of GDDR3 RAM) and a DVD-R/RW/RAM optical drive. The P-172X FX is available right now for $1,999 (£1,000) and kid brother P-172S FX will run you $1,399 (£700). Check Engadget for a full write-up.
More About: Gaming , Laptop

Wii iPlayer
2008-04-10 10:57:00
It can appear on the iPhone and iPod Touch but Auntie Beebs iPlayer will soon be popping up on your HD teles via the Nintendo Wii as well. In its current Beta form for the Wii, the iPlayer service will cost £3.50 (or 500 Wii points) to install the Internet Channel needed to view it and is then free and easy to access. A BBC spokesperson added that the service would be tweaked over coming weeks to improve service and image quality and in an effort to eliminate the need to purchase the Internet Channel. Now we hust have to wait for interactive channels so you can use the Wiimote - praps as a gavel in ‘Cash in the Attic’ or ‘Homes Under the Hammer’……?

Panasonic DMC-TZ5 - No More Rubbish Snaps?
2008-04-09 18:04:00
Fresh from the Panasonic Imaging Event I have news about some new Lumix cameras that you might be interested in. First off I had a grope around with the new FX500. It’s a good looking machine and the main draw for me was its touch screen LCD viewer. It actually made me want to explore what the camera could do - but don’t worry if you’re not quite ready for a touch screen camera as it has the regular manual dials and buttons as well. To be honest, watching people use the camera out in the real world I could see most were using it on full auto mode and (as we were in a power-boat) the main use of the touch screen was to target things as they flew by at a fair rate of knots. This has the HD movie function and a 25mm wide angle lens and shoots at 10 mp. The one that I took out into the field (well, the Thames) was the DMC-TZ5 (pictured). Not the slimmest camera out there but that Leica lens does state its purpose in no uncertain terms and it has a reassuring weight...
More About: Snaps , Rubbish

One Touch Transfer from Blu-Ray to PSP, Phones and Walkmans
2008-04-08 15:09:00
This is more like it Sony - nice move!! Although it looks just like another Blu-Ray recorder this one features a one-touch video transfer that will sling flicks to Sony’s PSP, selected mobile phones and video Walkmans.  Unfortunately this is confined to Japanese based gadgets - for now. The BDZ-A70 features all the in/outs that you’d expect, a 320GB (the BDZ-T90 offers 500GB) disk with the ability to burn to dual-layer BD-RE media.  Available, yeah in Japan, later this month for about ¥170,000 (£835ish). Let’s hope that they make it over here soon enough!
More About: Phones , Transfer , Touch

Blog Your Way Riches!
2008-04-08 14:25:00
Although not technically a gadget (unless you’re really old-skool) this may have the power to change your life. This is “Secrets for Blog ging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income” Written by highly respected Bloggers, Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett, this book has the potential to make bloggers such as me and anyone else out there tap in to the money making side of blogging big time. I for one am ordering it! You can too by clicking here :0) Ok - so I’m also a tad biased as Chris is my bro ~proud~ but I know that he and Darren know what they’re talking about.
More About: Riches

DVD Resolution on iPod Touch and iPhone
2008-04-08 12:16:00
Most will know that the iPhone and Touch support 640 x 480 pixel video running at up to 30 frames per second. Ars Technica is reporting that it’ll actually take 720×576 at 25fps; That’s the same resolution and frame rate that DVDs chuck to your eyeballs. Ok, so no real difference will be seen on your Apple device, but if you also intend to watch them on your puter or tele the higher res means less eye pain. Ars Technica
More About: Iphone , Ipod , Resolution