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10 things you need to know about the Nintendo DSi

According to : Technology.Timesonline

The latest version of Nintendo's handheld console has hit the shops in the UK and Europe. But should you buy one?

As first reported in The Times in February, Nintendo’s new free DSi handheld console launched in the UK and Europe on Friday, April 3. The new console builds on the success of the DS brand by adding a host of multimedia functions.

For the moment, the DSi is available in black or white. The white is shiny and sleek to the touch, the matt black has a slightly rougher finish, which makes it more pleasingly tactile.

Owners of the existing DS Lite may be momentarily thrown by the changes to the volume and power buttons, but otherwise the DSi is pretty much business as usual. So, should you buy one? Here are ten facts that may help influence your decision.

1. The DSi is the third revision of the DS console, the biggest selling games console yet made, with global sales of over 100 million, 9 million of these in the UK alone.

2. Although it looks remarkably similar to the existing DS Lite, the DSi represents a bigger jump forward than that from the chunky original DS to the DS Lite. The new machine is slimmer, with slightly bigger screens and a faster processor, and is packed with new features.

3. New feature one: the DSi has its own built-in operating system, modelled on the Wii system. The OS is stored on the DSi’s built-in memory. One of the practical upshots of this is that games are now “hot-swappable”, meaning you no longer need to power off and on your console when changing game cartridges.

4. New feature two: the DSi comes with two low-resolution cameras, one facing inwards and one outwards. The cameras are complemented by a built-in application that allows you to distort the photos you take for humorous effect. They can also be used for video-chatting.

5. New feature three: the DSi comes with an SD card slot, where photos, music and digital media can be stored. Don’t get too excited by the music playback. The DSi only plays AAC files, not the more popular MP3. Why? Read our interview with Nintendo’s UK boss to find out.

6. New feature four: if you want to play your old Gameboy Advance games, forget it. There is no longer a slot at the front. This is also bad news for fans of Guitar Hero, which uses the slot for its fretboard.

7. New feature five: the DSiWare store, modelled on the Wii store, will offer games for download in exchange for Nintendo points. A web browser will be offered for free.

8. New feature six: the improved internet connectivity means that the DSi firmware can be updated by Nintendo. This is bad news for game pirates, who are thought to have cost the company millions in lost revenue by making DS games available for download on to cards such as the notorious R4. The DSi will not recognise an R4 card.

9. In its native Japan, the DSi sells for around 20,000 yen. One year ago, when the pound was worth 200 yen, this would have suggested a UK price of £100. Now the pound is worth 139 yen, which has bumped up the UK price to £149. Ouch.

10. Nintendo has opted for a quiet launch for the DSi, perhaps in recognition of the fact that no DSi-only games exist yet, and the DSiWare store is poorly stocked. Still, the company reports pre-orders for the console at ten times the level of the DS Lite.

Chart Topping Nintendo sell 435,000 DSi consoles in a week!

Nintendo has confirmed that it has sold over 400,000 of its latest release, the revolutionary DSi handheld console, in the week from 5th April.  That is almost double the equivalent sales of the DS Lite on its release.

"These numbers demonstrate that the Nintendo DS brand remains strong, and that consumers continue to look for the best new experiences on their portable video game systems," according to vice president of sales and marketing Cammie Dunaway.

Nintendo can seemingly do nothing wrong these days, with sales of the free Wii and Wii Fit still going strong as well.  That flies in the face of the credit crunch and demonstrates that people are still willing to spend when the product is right.   The alternative, for those who are even more tech savvy, is to get hold of a free DSi from reputable sites such as Gadgets4nowt!

What are you waiting for!

Free PS3 gaming robot!

According to: Electricpig.co.uk

The Sony PS3 could get an add-on game-playing robot, if a recently-unearthed patent application is to be believed. The patent application, from Sony Computer Entertainment, was filed last June, for a wheeled robot with a camera, microphone that reacts to a gamer’s voice and speaker, plus other sensors.

The Sony PS3 robot is designed to trundle around your living room, detecting its surroundings and presumably display them on your TV, while you somehow interact with the robot in a videogame format.

The Sony free PS3 robot pal also, according to the patent, could have acceleration, gyroscopic and possibly GPS location sensors. The patent also details how the robot could respond to a gamer’s commands despite the view of the robot being different from the view of the gamer (perhaps it can recognise pets as enemies and laser-zap them in-game?)

Sony’s PS3 robot patent comes after we exclusively revealed that Nintendo were planning their own Wii-remake of the classic NES Robotic Operating Buddy (R.O.B.). (Note: our world exclusive on the R.O.B. originally appeared 1 April 2008.)

Sony PS3 jumps to top of sales charts

According to: Techradar.com

Sony may be going through difficult times when viewed from a wider perspective, but at least it got some cheer this week when it emerged that its PlayStation 3 has leapt to the top of the sales charts.

Admittedly, the charts in question are the Japanese hardware rankings, but Sony knows its machines need to do well at home before shining elsewhere.

DS going strong

The last week of February saw the PS3 sell 36,513 units, which was double what it managed the previous week. Nintendo's DSi and the Sony PSP came in close behind on 35,827 and 35,588 respectively, with the Xbox 360 far behind on 11,795.

Nintendo's plain-vanilla DS Lite handheld sold 11,774 units, meaning the DS platform was really the most popular one, but we get the feeling that Sony will take a win however it all adds up.

Yakuza surge

The high PS3 numbers were due to the release of the third instalment in the Yakuza series of games, so it's likely there will be a return to normality when the hardcore fans have all snapped up the title.

Incidentally, the Yakuza line of games isn't known in Japan by that name – instead, it goes by "Ryu Ga Gotoku", which means "Like a Dragon" in Japanese. Don't say we never educate our readers.

Nintendo DSi: the ultimate lifestyle accessory?

According to: Telegraph.co.uk

The Nintendo DSi, Nintendo’s latest DS console is destined to become a must-have gadget.

Is there anything this little device cannot do? I refer, of course, to the Nintendo DS, the handheld games console that is the socially acceptable face of video gaming. Since the first Nintendo DS was launched in 2005, followed swiftly by a touch-screen version in 2006, almost 100 million of the pocket-sized gadgets have been sold across the globe.

April sees the launch of yet another Nintendo console – the DSi. This gadget, broadly similar to the current DS Lite, has a built-in camera, a larger screen and the ability to download games straight to the device. Despite the current state of the economy, and the downturn in consumer spending, it’s expected to fly off the shelves.

It’s not hard to see why. The DS is less a gaming gadget and more a lifestyle accessory. It has also fundamentally altered the way people view video games. Gaming is no longer the preserve of teenage boys hunkered down in darkened bedrooms for hours on end; it’s something enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities – a pick-up, put-down distraction to while away the morning commute. “It’s more than a gaming system, and more of a personal tool to enrich our daily lives,” said a Nintendo spokesman.

The success of Nintendo’s DS and Wii consoles is due largely to the formidable library of games that users can choose from. While some “traditional” gamers have carped at the lack of games to suit them, “casual” gamers and newcomers to the pastime have been quick to embrace new types of “games”, from those designed to hone mental agility to others that encourage users to take care of virtual pets.

“Nintendo is the friendly face of gaming,” says Guy Cocker, who writes for Gamespot. “It’s proving popular with people who don’t even consider themselves to be gamers.”

The DS is dozens of gadgets in one user-friendly package. Who needs an Amazon Kindle when the DS can double as an ebook reader? Last month, Nintendo launched the 100 Classic Book Collection, a “game” which didn’t involve racing cars or defeating enemies, but rather using the console as a portable novel, and ploughing through the likes of Oliver Twist and Alice in Wonderland.

Likewise, you could give up your expensive gym membership and turn instead to the trusty DS to lick you into shape. The My Health Coach game comes with a free pedometer, which plugs in to a slot on the DS, and software to help measure, record and analyse your daily exercise regime. It even enables you to keep a tally of what you’ve eaten throughout the course of the day, and will suggest a nutritionally balanced menu for your next meal.

There’s a yoga game too, as well as games designed to help improve your sight and reaction speeds, and quicken your mental sharpness. My French Coach can help you learn another language, while Stop Smoking with Allen Carr provides a step-by-step personalised program to help you give up the demon tobacco. I’m a big fan of Cooking Guide, a fantastically clever game that not only suggests recipes based on the ingredients you have in your cupboard, but will provide idiot-proof spoken instructions as you cook.

Given the success and enduring popularity of the touch-screen DS Lite, Nintendo could be viewed as taking a risk with its newest handheld console, the DSi. Although it proved a smash-hit in Japan when it was launched late last year, selling more than 1.6 million units in the first two months, cash-strapped British buyers might prove harder to please. Despite the addition of a low-quality camera and music player, and a more svelte design, the DSi differs little from its predecessor.

But, says Guy Cocker, it’s the way Nintendo uses these new features that will make the DSi the latest must-have gadget. “Nintendo knows what it’s doing. They will really take advantage of the new hardware offered by the DSi, and I’m sure they’ve already got some great new games in mind. Expect to see games that use the camera’s motion-sensing capabilities, which will in turn encourage people to upgrade to this newest console. Hardcore gamers will buy it anyway, because they like to have the latest gear.”

The DSi boasts a new feature that will enable users to download games and other software straight on to their device via a wireless network. Among the initial offerings will be a notepad-style program on which to write notes, as well as puzzle games.

Cocker believes the new DSi Ware shop could prove as significant as Apple’s Application Store, which enables iPhone and iPod touch users to download new software to their devices, and which has sold more half a billion applications since July.

“A lot of people will use this to try out new games and download new titles,” he says. “I think the influence of the iPhone is clear.”

 

amBX technology coming to PS3

Gaming Chart - 'Call Of Duty' retains PS3 top spot

As announced by: Digitalspy.co.uk

Call Of Duty: World At War has held on to the PS3 top spot for the fifth week running, with LittleBigPlanet its closest challenger in second.

Skate 2 makes its debut in third, ahead of fourth placed FIFA 09 and last week's number two Lord Of The Rings: Conquest, which drops to fifth.

Guitar Hero: World Tour re-enters the top ten in tenth, behind GTA IV and Need For Speed: Undercover, which swap places in eighth and ninth.

The top ten in full:

1. (1) Call Of Duty: World At War (Activision Blizzard)
2. (3) LittleBigPlanet (Sony)
3. (-) Skate 2 (Electronic Arts)
4. (4) FIFA 09 (Electronic Arts)
5. (2) The Lord Of The Rings: Conquest (Electronic Arts)
6. (6) Resistance 2 (Sony)
7. (5) Fallout 3 (Bethesda Softworks)
8. (7) Need For Speed: Undercover (Electronic Arts)
9. (8) Grand Theft Auto IV (Take 2)
10. (11) Guitar Hero: World Tour (Activision Blizzard)

Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C) 2008 ELSPA Ltd

PS3 Beats Wii on Internet Use

Via: Spong.com

With more than 30 million Wiis sold into homes in its life to date compared to 16 million PS3s and both with Internet browsers, you might expect that Nintendo's family-friendly box to have a larger 'market share' on the Net than the former.

You'd be wrong. A new report from Marketshare indicates that PlayStation 3 owners like to use their console (sorry, Interactive Entertainment System) for Web use than those people playing with their Wiis in December 2008.

With Microsoft's Xbox 360 not having a browser, it doesn't figure in the stats.

The gap between the PS3 and Wii is huge. Nintendo's machine gets 0.01% of 'operating system market share' compared to the PS3's 0.04%. It might look small - but it actually means that PS3 users use the Internet four times as much than Wii users, despite having a smaller install base.

Neither compares to Windows' 88.6%, which still dominates. Apple's 9.63% of share is actually up 9% since November - a great deal of this is down to the iPhone according to Fortune. That coverage also indicates that Microsoft's Windows has lost 1.1% of share in December.

How to Save the PlayStation 3

Via: Businessweek.com

Sony finds itself playing a fierce game of catch-up with the competition. Here's how it can reclaim lost territory

Last generation, Sony set the bar. Despite being the underdog in horsepower and built-in Internet capabilities, the PlayStation 2 shattered sales records and was the clear victor of the console war with Microsoft and Nintendo. This time, plagued by an expensive price tag and other issues, Sony finds itself playing a fierce game of catch-up with the competition. It's time for the company to reclaim lost territory. Here's how it can do it.

The All-in-One Box
Even though Sony has its own movie and television studios, Microsoft was the first to launch a movie download service and most recently inked a deal with Netflix. Sony's online movie catalogue is still in its infancy, with even fewer movies available in HD, and the price is high for a digital-only copy of popular movies ($15 for Batman, really?). Sony should be the leader in this realm. It should work to reduce the cost of Blu-ray movies, especially considering the credit crunch. It should also implement its once touted IPTV here in the States and work fast to expand the PlayStation Store lineup. It will take a lot of work, but if anyone is capable of pulling this off, it's Sony.

Home Sick
Home was supposed to be Sony's answer to Xbox Live. Arriving late and still in beta, this is not exactly what we hoped for. Voice chat is up, and then it's down. Avatars are slow to load. The amount of items to purchase is incredibly limited. We can't watch movies yet with our buddies. The only game we can launch from Home is Warhawk. In fact, despite Far Cry 2 having one of the few dedicated gamer spaces, its multiplayer is not synced with the Home software. Instead of a grand evolution of online connectivity, all we have is a glorified chat room. After waiting this long, Sony had better step up to the plate and make Home a compelling experience if it wants to compete with Microsoft's New Xbox Experience. There's still time, but we have short attention spans.

Indie Gaming
It's true that there are plenty of forgettable games released for Xbox Live Arcade and WiiWare, but new games appear almost every week. Now with Microsoft's realized XNA program and the cheap development costs of working with WiiWare, we're seeing a much greater number of games coming from independent and small game developers. On the PS3, however, new downloadable releases are rare, despite some of the best (flOw, Everyday Shooter) coming from small teams. Sony should stop flexing its muscles a bit and show more love to the little guys.

Try Before You Buy
Almost every Xbox 360 game receives an online demo that allows players to get a taste before spending their money. Demos for downloadable games on the PlayStation Network, however, are nowhere near as plentiful. Yes, Microsoft stipulates that each game has a demo, but couldn't Sony require the same thing? People like free things, and if Sony would be more generous, people would probably open their wallets. Beyond this, there needs to be more betas. Sony has had a few good ones (Killzone 2, LittleBigPlanet, Resistance 2), but there should be more, and they shouldn't be restricted to Qore subscribers.

We Still Love the PS2
Early adopters can play PS2 games on their first generation PlayStation 3s, but that doesn't help consumers purchasing new consoles. Sony made a horrible mistake by nixing ability to play PS2 games from the current PS3 models and needs to address this issue. It should start by offering PS2 games for download. With all those massive PS3 drives, we would gladly pay a reduced price for the PS2's legendary catalogue.

Don't Forget Your Roots
Once upon a time, if you wanted to play a Japanese role-playing game, you'd have to own a PSOne or PS2. Now, Square Enix will port Final Fantasy XIII to the Xbox 360 and also has a number of exclusives for that console. Several other prolific Japanese RPGs have been 360 exclusives or at least made appearances there first. How did this happen? Until very recently, Japanese gamers weren't even interested in Microsoft's console. What was once a staple for Sony is now a rare treat.

Despite having its own MMORPG studio, Sony has not released a single one for the PS3 (with The Agency still a ways out). Sony, you need to get back to your roots before they dry up.

The Death of the Exclusive
How many PS3 exclusives can you think of? You can count them on your fingers, and Microsoft and Nintendo seem to get more than Sony. Traditional PlayStation-only franchises are harder to find, and even timed-exclusives that Sony eventually gets are very off-putting to gamers who could buy a 360 instead, just to play the games they want months in advance. Having exclusive content for games such as BioShock and WWE SmackDown vs. Raw is a good start, but Sony needs to work harder to score exclusive content.

Money Doesn't Grow on Trees
Although the PS3 is an amazing piece of hardware, many people cannot afford Sony's $399 base price. The Wii is still at a mass market price point at $249, and Microsoft's $199 version of the console sells surprisingly well. Sony, however, won't cut the price until next summer. Why? The monthly sales figures have not been outstanding, while the much cheaper Wii is still selling like hot cakes. Sony, you have to be in touch with gamer's wallets. And while online multiplayer gaming might be free on the PS3, you're charging for things like Qore, even while Xbox Live is offering tons of video and preview content for free. With a cheaper console, you'll sell more games. That's the only way you're going to be able to recoup the cost of the hardware.

Streamline the Online Experience
When you think about all you're getting with an Xbox Live Gold account, the price of admission really doesn't sound that high. The PlayStation network is free, but you never score the perks Xbox 360 owners receive. The PS3's community platform, despite Home's rookie efforts, needs a lot of work. There needs to be a unified online interface, one that doesn't require that you spend five minutes logging into Home to access. Offer more tournaments and get developers in there to play with fans. Just because online play is free doesn't mean that it should be sub par. This is the most important aspect of next generation gaming, and you're severely lagging behind the competition. Get the system up to snuff fast, or people are going to stop waiting and move on. We know that you can do it, but we refuse to wait long.

The best games of 2008

According to: Blogs.nzherald.co.nz

Again it's time to argue about the games that stood out this year.

The video game industry had another good year in sales - Americans bought US$3b of games in November despite the recession (more people staying home and opting for in-home entertainment?) and the industry is on track to reach US$22b for the year (link to)

A professor of popular culture (sounds a fun job) said at the weekend that the whole gaming industry is not only recession-proof, but it can thrive in times of recession as during the Great Depression, Hollywood thrived because it offered a cheap, communal escape from the gloomy times.

But gamers appear to be getting more picky about what to buy especially as the higher prices for next-gen console games sting when you make a poor choice.

There were plenty of games to enjoy but we seem to be demanding more in the way of entertainment as well as just burning up rubber or shooting at enemies.

And so the game that my mates couldn't get enough of this year was EA's Rock Band. Until the also brilliant Guitar Hero arrived, I had never picked up a musical instrument. Now I'm hooked into having weekly garage band sessions, thrashing authentic-looking drums and guitars to famous rock anthems and fantasising about playing for a major band in front of major stadium crowds.

For a great party game, this is a winner and it's interesting that anyone initially shy of participating soon joins in and finds they can do OK.

I didn't get to try the Guitar Hero equivalent (World Tour) and there may be an argument over which is better, but Rock Band is my standout for the year and I can't wait for Rock Band 2 which is already out in the US.

Here are my other standouts for 2008, and screenshots are here.

Best PS3 exclusive: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Not just a great game to play, it's so polished, it showed how amazing next-gen console gaming can look.

Best Xbox 360 exclusive: Gears of War 2

Brutal action and beautiful to see - visually stunning and a totally satisfying improved sequel.

Best on Wii: Wii Fit

Showing again while Wii is the family console with every grandmother able to have fun trying to keep agile.

Best Karaoke: SingStar ABBA

They're not my thing but the runaway movie success of Mamma Mia coupled with this shows the band just won't fade away.

Best RPG: Fable II

Charming, funny, deep, addictive. Creator Peter Molyneux wanted something unique and with version two, he delivers.

Best Horror: Left 4 Dead

As disturbing and claustrophobic as the best zombie movie, this relentless monster attack is fun and challenging and came to the genre delivering a fresh approach.

Best online: Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning

It may not reinvent the MMO genre but it has all the right elements and makes it such an enjoyable game, it absorbs gamers for many nights into the early hours.

Best action-shooter: Call of Duty: World at War

This solid fast-paced shooter recharges the highly successful franchise with good missions and interesting multiplayer options and hardcore graphics to boot.

Best game to call in sick for: Grand Theft Auto IV

There was no escaping this one. The debate about the seedy aspects of the story masked its genius in being a commentary on consumer culture.

Best Racing: Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (PS3)

For a genre that is highly competitive, this matched the hype and just made us desperately hang out for the full title which may still be a full year away.

Best Sports: NBA 2K9

All passionate sports fans are going to have a favourite here. I'm not big on sports games/simulations but found this a fun realistic experience - which is what counted for me.

Best on PSP: God of War Chains of Olympus

This worked surprisingly brilliantly on the smaller screen, as awesome and engaging as its bigger cousin.

Best graphics: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot

For those of us with big HD TV screens, we finally started to get our money's worth with jaw-dropping graphics.

Best niche game: Mirror's Edge

Unlike anything we've seen, this visually striking and highly original game had more depth than you think when first viewed and it attempts to re-work the platform genre.

Best retro re-visit: Wipeout HD

The old futuristic racing classic that helped launch PlayStation 3 gets a giddy big-screen makeover when downloaded from the online PS3 store and shows how simple original games never lose their shine because they are just about having fun.

Best creative game: Spore

A masterpiece that deserved its many years of hype because it gave us a fascinating way to view life through creating it and sharing it.

Best on PC: Crysis Warhead

An expansion of a great game that has single player and multi-player options you want to play over and over again.

Best Sci-fi: Dead Space

After last year's Top 10 titles like Mass Effect and Bioshock came this intense sci-fi survival horror that was terrifying - aided by superb graphics and thumping bass-laden sound. Check also the game's movie clips released as a separate experience on Blu-ray.

Best on DS: Advance Wars: Dark Conflict

With so much attention on next-gen consoles, I didn't get a lot of time to play DS this year but this strategy game was a personal favourite. DS fans may have other recommendations.

Most innovative platformer: LittleBigPlanet

At very first glance, PS3's much-hyped game looked deceptively like a PlayStation 1 platform game until you explored the hi-def graphics and nice editing tools and level sharing options.

Those who found it their sort of game were charmed and got right into it.

Best long-awaited arrival: Home

Just after Xbox's 360 makeover, PS3's online competition finally arrived just before Christmas, sapped three gigs of space and immediately got dissed by rival Microsoft as being an outdated Second Life clone.

In this mad pre-Christmas time, I'm still yet to give it the exploration time it deserves but here's a sneak look if you haven't had time either.

Other games from this year that I'm still enjoying include Resistance 2 and StarWars Force Unleashed.

Blockbuster on PS3 vs Netflix on Xbox 360

Source: Product-reviews.net

We know that Netflix has partnered themselves with Xbox 360, and is part of the new Experience, Sony do not want to get left behind, which has started of a number of rumors that Sony and Blockbuster will offer video downloads.

Sony and Blockbuster have already fought side-by-side before, as Blockbuster was a huge fan of Blu-ray and said that they would support the Sony format over HD DVD. Blockbuster has been backed into a corner, as Netflix has signed up big streaming deals with LG, Samsung and TiVo and Microsoft.

Blockbuster now has to look for someone else who supports Blu-ray and Sony and the free PS3 is the best bet. Blockbuster on-demand service is different to Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” feature; customers do not need to be subscribed to their DVD-by-mail service to take advantage of the service.

Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii vie for Christmas sales

According to: Telegraph.co.uk

The Nintendo Wii looks set to be the biggest-selling games console this Christmas for the third year running, despite fears the Wii is in short supply in the run-up to the festive season.

Sales figures from industry-tracking website VGChartz shows that more around 336,517 Nintendo Wii consoles have been bought in the last month, compared to about 190,440 Xbox 360 consoles and 88,561 PlayStation 3s.

The release of games such as exercise title Wii Fit and child-friendly Wii Music are thought to have boosted sales of the Nintendo console, which has been credited with introducing a new generation to video gaming.

But both Microsoft and Sony have mounted their own aggressive advertising campaigns in the run-up to Christmas, and have released a number of family-friendly games in the hope of tempting some consumers away from Nintendo.

Microsoft has revamped its online portal, Xbox Live, introducing customisable avatars to the platform to allow players to create cartoon-like representations of themselves. It has also launched a "party zone" on the platform, where groups of friends can meet to chat online, play games over the internet, and even share photos.

The company has also released a slew of games that will appeal to a wide variety of age groups, including the movie quiz Buzz, and karaoke title Lips.

Sony, too, is hoping to win over cash-strapped shoppers with its free PS3 3 console, which combines high-definition gaming with a Blu-ray DVD player.

According to analysts at Screen Digest, high-definition Blu-ray DVD players are going to be among the best-selling gadgets this Christmas, but many of the cheaper players are in short supply. Shoppers are therefore expected to opt for devices such as the PlayStation 3 which have multiple uses and offer better value for money.

Sony, too, has released several family-friendly titles in the run-up to Christmas, including the innovative LittleBigPlanet, where players can build and share their own characters, platforms and environments with other LittleBigPlanet fans. The recent launch of rhythm-action party games, such as Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2, where players connect plastic instruments to their console and play along with the music, will also be key for Sony, as it bids to attract a wider user base to its platform.

"Nintendo is currently riding high," said Steve Bailey, an analyst with Screen Digest. "We don't believe the Wii will be beaten by the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 consoles this generation."

Review: PlayStation 3 (PS3), a superb gaming console

Source: CNN

There's general agreement that Sony stumbled out of the gate with the PlayStation 3.

Months of intense hype were followed by a late launch (fully a year after the Xbox 360) and a staggering $600 price tag for the deluxe model. Even worse, the free PS3 didn't initially have any real must-have exclusive titles, and despite the power of its vaunted Cell processor, multiplatform games from third-party developers didn't look appreciably better than the respective titles on the Xbox 360.

Since then, the company's been modifying the PlayStation product line to better fit the competitive market landscape. As of August 2008, a new "free PS3" is available with a larger, 80GB hard drive, and a "deluxe" model is due in November, doubling the capacity to 160GB.

Both, however, lack backward compatibility with PS2 games and do not come with flash card readers. If those features are a must, it might be best to pick up the 80GB "Metal Gear" bundle version on eBay while they're still out there.

If you don't want to opt for the new 160GB (that will also ship with "Uncharted: Drakes Fortune"), the 80GB version reviewed here might short you on space. Now that you can fill up that hard drive more easily with TV shows and movies from the PlayStation Store, it's much easier to do so.

Still, for those on a budget, the $400 PS3 ups the hard-drive capacity from the older "budget" model and delivers nearly all the same gaming and home theater features as its more expensive sibling. The PS3's game drought has largely evaporated, with popular titles such as "Grand Theft Auto IV," "Rock Band," "Call of Duty 4," and "BioShock" all making their way to the console. While these titles are also available on the Xbox 360, the PS3 has exclusive dibs on "Metal Gear," "Uncharted," and "MLB 08: The Show," as well as the hotly anticipated "Resistance 2" and "Killzone 2" due to hit in upcoming months.

Yes, the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii also have their own handful of exclusive titles ("Halo" and "Gears of War" on the former, and all of the "Mario," "Metroid," and "Zelda" games on the latter), but the PS3's HD graphics go far beyond those of the low-resolution Wii, and its stable hardware doesn't suffer from the Xbox 360's notorious red ring of death.

Plus, now that Blu-ray Discs have become the de facto standard for high-def media, the PS3 is still the only console available to play back that format, and consequently is the best performing and affordable Blu-ray player on the market--a great option if you want to introduce yourself to high-def content.

Design

Like the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii, the PlayStation 3 can stand vertically or lie horizontally in an AV rack, though because of its curved top, it's not meant to have any other components resting on top of it. Early prototypes were shown in white and silver, but currently the PS3 is only available in black.

The 20GB version (now discontinued) was all black, but the larger capacity (and all current models) are highlighted with chrome trim--and there's no way to customize its look as you can with the Xbox 360's interchangeable, if overpriced, faceplates. Judging from Sony's recent decision to bring out the PSP in more colors, we don't expect the company to stick to the black-only option for too long, especially since this system, like the PSP, is a fingerprint and smudge-magnet.

As for its dimensions, the PS3 measures 12.8 inches wide by 3.8 inches high by 10.8 inches long, which is roughly in line with the overall volume of the Xbox 360. That said, the PS3 does weigh a bit more--11 pounds to the 360's 9.9 pounds including power supply--so if you're going by heft alone, you're getting almost 10 percent more console.

Most impressively, there's no external power supply for the PS3; you just plug the included power cable--it's the same standard three-prong style you'll find on most desktop PCs--into the back of the unit and you're good to go. For those of us who own an Xbox 360, and have had to struggle with its massive brick of a power supply, this seems like a remarkable feat on Sony's part.

One obvious difference between the Xbox 360 and the PS3 is the way you load media. As opposed to the more typical tray loader, the PS3 has a front-slot-loading, Blu-ray Disc drive, which contributes to the unit's slicker appearance. Discs slide in and eject smoothly enough, so chalk one up for the PS3 here.

On the front, you'll find two USB ports for connecting (and charging) controllers and other accessories, including USB keyboards, thumbdrives, and the PSP. Unfortunately if you need more than two ports, you're out of luck as only the older versions of the PS3 came with four.

This will certainly become an issue particularly if you want to charge your controllers as well as use an accessory like the PS Eye). The PS3 still doesn't come with USB ports on the back of the unit--something we've desired for a while. Both new versions of the PS3 also now lack multiple flash card readers. While we could see this feature being dropped for a reduced price, even the "deluxe" 160GB model, priced still at $500, will not come with it.

Around back is where you'll find ports for Ethernet, HDMI output, optical digital audio output (SPDIF), and the proprietary PlayStation AV output for analog audio and video. A composite AV cable ships with the unit, and because it uses the same connector as the PlayStation 2, that system's S-Video and component cables should work with it, as well (to get HD video, you'll need component or HDMI).

This, once again, leaves us asking why Sony does not ship the console HD-ready out-of-the-box. Unlike the proprietary snap-on hard drive of the Xbox 360, the PS3's internal hard drive is user replaceable with any off-the-shelf laptop drive. The only caveat: it uses the smaller 2.5-inch drive size, which are twice, or even close to three times as expensive as the larger 3.5-inch hard drive that go into a desktop computer.

The Sixaxis DualShock 3 Controller

When the PS3 was first released in the fall of 2006, gamers gave Sony a lot of grief that the included Sixaxis controller lacked rumble (vibration) support--a feature found on the controllers for the Xbox 360, Wii, and even the older PlayStation 2. Sony has since corrected that with the DualShock 3 controller, which is basically just the Sixaxis with rumble. Starting with the new 80GB core system, all new PS3 versions will include a DualShock 3 controller by default.

With the exception of its included rumble support--and a bit more weight as a result--the Dual Shock 3 is otherwise pretty much identical to the Sixaxis. Fans of the older Sony game consoles will note that it even looks identical to the older PlayStation controllers, but there are some differences.

For starters, it's wireless. You can connect as many as seven controllers via the system's built-in Bluetooth, which Sony claims offers a 20-meter range (about 65 feet). Recharging the built-in battery simply requires connecting the included USB cable between the console and the controller. You can continue to play as the battery juices up (Sony pledges 30 hours of gameplay between charges), but the cable's somewhat short 5-foot length will put you right on top of the TV.

That said, the controller has a standard mini USB port similar to the one found on many digital cameras and PC peripherals, so swapping in a longer cable--or using a USB extender--shouldn't be a problem. We should also note that we had some success charging the DualShock 3 on a number of PC USB ports and even the port on a cable box.

Unfortunately, the battery isn't removable, which means that if it dies--as inevitably it will some day--you'll have to replace the entire controller ($50) if you want to play wirelessly. By comparison, the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii controllers offer user-replaceable batteries: AAs or proprietary rechargeables for the 360, and AAs for the Wii.

As for the controller's design, Sony has made a few tweaks versus the old PS2 version. The L2 and R2 trigger buttons are a bit bigger, and the increased depth in stroke offers players more subtle game control. Sony has also increased the tilting angle of the analog joysticks to give you more precise control and a wider range of motion.

Those analog sticks are more sensitive as well. The PS2's Dual Shock 2 controller had 8-bit sensitivity, while the PS3's controller has 10-bit motion detection. The Sixaxis and DualShock 3 controllers also have a centered Home button, which functions much like its counterpart on the Xbox 360 controller. You use it to return to the console's main menu screen, as well as to sync the controller to the console and start it up or shut it down wirelessly. In game, the Home button will now bring up the cross-media-bar (XMB).

The other big upgrade on the DualShock 3 (and Sixaxis) from its predecessors is its motion sensitivity. As the name indicates, the controller is capable of sensing motion in six directions: up, down, left, right, forward, and backward. Game developers have incorporated this technology in many of the new games in one form or another.

For example, in "Call of Duty 3," you can arm explosives with a twist of the controller. 2K's "NBA 2K8" also makes interesting use of the tilt feature, allowing you shoot free throws by motioning a shot with your controller.

After almost two years of titles, some implementations of the tilt sensitivity are better than others. Some games' use of it are optional and can be switched off, as we can certainly see some folks not wanting to bother with it at all. Clearly, Sony wanted to steal some of Nintendo's interactive thunder, and there's no denying that the Wii's motion-sensitive controllers are more central to that console's DNA.

The Wii controllers are also more sophisticated, including the capability to measure actual motion (spatial movement) and acceleration, rather than just tilting. But unlike the Wii, the PS3 doesn't require a motion-sensor bar in front of the TV. (The current Xbox 360 controllers offer no motion sensitivity at all.) It's safe to say we'll see more innovative uses of the tilting sensitivity feature in future games as it definitely adds an extra level of control when flying the eponymous attack vehicle in "Warhawk" or controlling the trajectory of an arrow in "Heavenly Sword." On the other hand, the highly touted "Lair" is widely considered unplayable thanks to a poorly implemented Sixaxis control scheme.

Familiar interface

If you own a Sony PSP, you'll immediately notice the similarities between the PS3's interface and the PSP's cross media bar-style (XMB) graphical user interface. You navigate horizontally through top-level selection categories such as users, system settings, and media options such as photos, music, videos, games, network, and friends.

When you select a top-level category, a vertical list of suboptions appears, and you can navigate down that list until you find the option you want. The interface is polished and generally easy to use, but you do have to drill down a few levels to reach certain features, and getting to some functions isn't quite as intuitive as it should be. Still, the overall design is slick enough to be called Mac-like, and--at least from an aesthetic standpoint--is more appealing than the Xbox 360's Dashboard and Nintendo Wii's Channels interfaces.

Since the release of the PlayStation 3, Sony has continued to release newer versions of the embedded firmware. These updates usually address bugs and other glitches and even add features such as DVD upscaling, Blu-ray improvements, and an improved interface for the PlayStation Store. These updates are always free, but unlike the Xbox 360 and Wii, they take quite some time to download and then install. Just recently, force vibration capability was added with the release of the DualShock 3 controller on previous titles.

Digital media hub

Before we delve into the PS3's HD movie prowess (see Movie Watching, below), let's take a holistic look at the console's multimedia functionality.

With the new 80GB and 160GB versions, the PS3 drops the flash card reader--a major blow for shutterbugs out there. It also skimps out on available USB slots, limiting them to two, but it does support importing images from a full array of USB-attached devices, including most digital cameras, the PSP, USB flash drives, and home-burned CD-Rs. (One caveat: the images may need to be placed in a special directory, such as DCIM or Picture, if they're not already there.)

A few slide-show styles are available, including a unique "photo album" view that displays the images across a white work surface as if you'd dumped them there and spread them out. When stored internally on the hard drive (copying back and forth is easy), photos appear rapidly, and in the basic slide-show mode, you can advance your slides forward by simply pressing on the top-right shoulder button (the left shoulder takes you back a slide).

Most JPEG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, and PNG images should work just fine. By contrast, the Xbox 360 lacks the impressive photo album viewer, and the Wii--while including some cool and fun photo-viewing and manipulation functionality--includes only a built-in SD card reader.

As for music, the PS3 supports most of the major music-file types, including MP3, ATRAC, AAC, and WAV, and like the Xbox 360, has a built-in music visualizer. As with the photos, you can import songs from the flash card reader, a USB thumbdrive--again, you'll have to create a special Music folder--or rip songs directly to the hard drive from a CD. (Yes, unlike some Blu-ray players on the market, the PS3 can actually recognize and play CDs).

It cannot play back music from attached iPods, nor can it stream from other music players that incorporate copy-protected music formats. Here, the 360 has a leg up: it offers some iPod compatibility, and it can play back WMA music files, as well. In addition, the Xbox 360 allows you to customize your in-game music, while the experience with this on the PS3 is somewhat of a mixed bag.

On the video front, the PS3 plays Profile 2.0 Blu-ray Discs in full high-definition as well as DVD movies. It also supports MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4/h.264 video files from USB or disc-based media (reading from the "video" directory). If you transfer the videos to the PS3's hard drive, thumbnails on the video menu are shown as 15-second video clips, rather than just as still images of the first frame of the video. Like the Xbox 360, the PS3 can act as a digital media hub, with the ability to stream content from any DLNA-compatible network device, including PCs and network attached hard drives.

PSP owners will find increasingly close integration between Sony's portable and the PS3. Users now have the ability to control their PS3 anywhere in the world using a Wi-Fi connection, thanks to the Remote Play feature. Digital media, including photos, music, and video can be streamed to the PSP, as well.

Sony's version of Web TV Taking a page out of the PSP's book, the PS3 also has a built-in Web browser, but the nice thing about the PS3 is that if you connect a USB keyboard, you don't have to type in URL addresses using the system's tedious virtual keyboard. Likewise, a USB mouse lets you point and click your way through a Web page, just as if you were on a PC.

Not all Bluetooth keyboards will pair with the PS3--the Logitech Cordless MediaBoard requires a USB dongle, for instance. But our favorite keyboard for light text entry is the Logitech diNovo Mini, which interfaces directly via the console without monopolizing one of the precious USB ports. (Likewise, most Bluetooth phone headsets should work fine, allowing you to chat with fellow players during online gaming sessions.)

The browser is fairly robust, and even offers limited Flash support. For instance, YouTube videos work fine, but those on ABC.com and Hulu do not. Overall, the browser is a nice convenience for those who want to browse from their living room couch. That said, the sharpness of Web pages' appearance--and how readable they are--will depend on the quality of your TV and its size.

For example, viewing Web pages on a 60-inch DLP set is going to be more of a challenge than, say, looking at those same pages over a 20-inch computer monitor. And viewing Web pages on anything less than an HDTV at full resolution (720p, 1080i, or 1080p) will be decidedly eye-straining.

The PlayStation Network

While the PlayStation Network did not launch simultaneously with the PlayStation 3, it has since opened up to the public and with it, many games and services are now available. Connecting to the PlayStation Network is free, as is multiplayer gaming, although downloadable games and other content come at a cost. You can, however, get free demos to most games so that you can try-before-you-buy.

In fall 2008, the PlayStation Network will launch PlayStation Home. Home is an online virtual world, somewhat in the vein of Second Life, where gamers can have their avatars interact with one another in addition to the ability to virtually create your own "home." From Home's interface, you can set up game matches and communicate with friends as well as other gamers. The service also promises to integrate the recently-debuted Trophy System, the PS3 equivalent of Xbox Achievements.

The PSN allows all gamers to play online in multiplayer matches for free. By contrast, Xbox Live Silver, Microsoft's free entry-level service, gives you access to some community options but to play online multiplayer games, you have to upgrade to Xbox Live Gold service, which runs $50 per year.

Free online play is obviously a big plus in Sony's favor. That said, Xbox Live has been around for years and has had time to mature, plus the majority of Xbox 360 games offer some form of online play. Microsoft also has its Xbox Live Marketplace, where you can download games, demos, video content, full-length movies, and TV shows in high-definition, as well as game themes and additional game content.

As the PSN matures, Sony has been moving more in that direction, as well: there are now plenty of free demos for download, as well as dozens of original mini-games and classic PlayStation One games available for purchase. Sony also recently debuted an entire video section to the PlayStation Store, allowing PS3 owners the same content-on-demand experience Xbox Live users have had for some time now.

Instead of the points-based payment system found on Microsoft and Nintendo's networks, the PlayStation Store sticks to dollars and cents--users can simply transfer cash to their PlayStation 3 Wallet via credit card or with prepaid gift cards. (International locations will likewise be denominated in their home currency--yen, euros, pounds, sterling, Canadian dollars, and so forth.)

Overall, there's a strong and growing list of titles with solid online play primarily composed of first-person-shooters, action games ("Resistance: Fall of Man," "Warhawk," "Call of Duty 4," "Unreal Tournament 3," and "Grand Theft Auto IV") and sports titles. Pairing a Bluetooth headset will give you chat support in most games as well.

While the online multiplayer support isn't quite as robust and widespread on the PS3 as it is on Xbox Live, it's a big notch up from the Nintendo Wii--the few online games the console offers are burdened with Nintendo's friend 16-digit code system, which must be activated on a title-by-title basis.

Cell inside

When final specifications were released for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3, not surprisingly, there was a big debate over which system was technically more powerful. The 360 uses more off-the-shelf PC components, while the PlayStation 3's 3.2GHz Cell processor was built from the ground up just for the console.

It consists of a single PowerPC-based core with seven synergistic processing units and is the result of a joint effort between IBM, Sony, and Toshiba, which was ironic, considering that Sony and Toshiba were in a deathmatch over Blu-ray and HD DVD.

From the get-go, we were told that the Cell has the juice to run a new class of gameplay physics that will allow developers to create spectacular effects and eventually provide a whole new depth of realism to games. Paired with PlayStation 3's RSX Reality Synthesizer graphics-processing unit, a gargantuan 550MHz, 300-million-transistor graphics chip based on Nvidia's GeForce 7800 GTX graphics technology, and you're looking at a very high-end PC.

The only problem, of course, is that it has taken developers years to learn how to take full advantage of all that processing power and truly deliver on the graphical promise of the system. Titles such as Heavenly Sword and Metal Gear Solid 4 (as well as previews of 2009's Killzone 2) have shown that developers are finally beginning to tap the full potential of the PS3's power.

That said, the hope that the PS3's graphics would run circles around those of the Xbox 360 has yet to be realized. To date, the vast majority of games that appear on both systems look roughly indistinguishable.

As with the graphics chip, the PS3's Blu-ray drive--which allows for games of 25GB to 50GB in size--has yet to show a big advantage over the 8.5GB limit of the Xbox 360's DVD media.

Presumably, as games become larger and more complex (Xbox titles could eventually spread to two or three discs, all of which should have no problem fitting on a single Blu-ray), the PS3 still has one annoyance: its Blu-ray drive has a comparatively slow transfer time, which requires most games to utilize a PC-style hard-disk installation. Installs can take up to 20 minutes but only usually need to be done once, but it doesn't exactly scream "next-generation" from a convenience standpoint.

Those minor gripes notwithstanding, the PS3 delivers an overall level of excellence when it comes to engineering and performance. What's impressive about the PS3, in fact, is that with all this power under the hood, the system runs as quietly as it does. (Some have complained about fan noise, but those problems seem to be few and far between--contact Sony's customer support if your PS3's fan is excessively loud.)

After running for several hours straight, we found that we could still place a hand over the back of the unit and not get scorched--the system runs pretty warm, but not blazingly hot. Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 cooling fan and DVD drive are comparatively far noisier, often to the point of distraction. Also, the PS3 hasn't had any widespread reliability problems, unlike the "red ring of death" problem that continues to plague the 360.

The console's high failure rate--at least on models produced early on in its life cycle--has made for customer service headaches and a billion-dollar liability for Microsoft as frustrated Xbox gamers exchange dead consoles.

Play time

As mentioned above, despite all of the vaunted "power" of the PS3's unique Cell processor, games appearing on both the Xbox 360 and the PS3 tend to look all but identical on both consoles. The PS3 clearly measures up to the Xbox 360 in terms of its graphics prowess, but there are few games available that are unique enough to declare them as a "system-seller," while the argument can be made that "Metal Gear Solid 4" is that game.

However, other exclusive titles such as "Heavenly Sword," "Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction," and "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune" have finally given PlayStation 3 owners something to cheer about. Simply put: Sony needs to deliver still more compelling exclusives, as well as multiplatform titles that look and play better on the PS3.

That said, 2008 has certainly seen things looking much better for the console than ever before as sales have gone up, most likely because of the decision to cut the price of the console and the end of the high-def format war.

At first, the PS3 came with backward support for a wide range of PS2 games (with the 20GB and 60GB models), utilizing the "Emotion Engine" chip to provide hardware support. When the updated versions shipped in March and August 2007, the company stripped the console of this chip to reduce costs and in its place added a software emulation solution for PS2 playback.

This became a precarious situation for long-time PlayStation fans as backward compatibility with PS2 games was slightly deteriorated. However, this has gradually improved with periodic software updates. All along Sony has stated that it wanted to eventually shift to developing content exclusively for the PS3, and with the total omission of PS2 support in the new 2008 PS3 models, this is the first indication of that focus.

Movie watching

Since the PS3's debut, we've seen several Blu-ray players from Samsung, Panasonic, LG, and Sony itself. None of them generally perform any better than the PS3, even though they cost more (twice as much or more in some cases). HD movies look superb on the PS3, which can output video at full 1080p resolution via its HDMI 1.3 port. Audio support is also top notch as the PS3 decodes Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks internally, outputting them as linear PCM, which should deliver impeccable lossless surround when connected to most HDMI-equipped AV receivers.

Sticklers may lament the lack of "bit stream" audio output or multichannel analog connectors--if either is an issue for you, then you're in the small minority who should opt for one of those more expensive standalone Blu-ray players.

With Blu-ray having soundly defeated HD-DVD in the high-def format war (thanks, in large part, to the popularity of the PS3), all major Hollywood studios are now supporting the format, and Blu-ray releases are ramping up as the format slowly but surely becomes more prevalent. In the meantime, the PS3 also plays (and upconverts) standard DVDs (see detailed analysis).

As of now, the PS3 is the only console available with the best Blu-ray player on the market. This is yet another reason to consider it not only a gaming console but a fully featured, high-def media hub that can easily compete with the Xbox 360 in terms of video quality. The PS3 will once again have its hands full when the Xbox 360 begins to offer Netflix streaming with the much anticipated November 2008 dashboard update.

Our only real complaint with the PS3's movie playback is the remote control issue. Accessing Blu-ray and DVD menus with the PS3 controller is functional, yet a bit awkward. Unfortunately, you won't be able to program a standard universal remote to control your PS3 as it lacks an infrared port. Thus, it needs to receive commands via Bluetooth. Not coincidentally, Sony offers a Bluetooth compatible remote for $25.

Other options have surfaced to combat this issue, such as the Nyko Blu-Wave Infrared Remote and the USBIRX3 from Schmartz.com. But we just wish Sony would've spent a few extra pennies and added a standard infrared receiver to the console. Also, with the console now only offering two USB ports, you'll be down to one should you choose a USB IR solution.

Nintendo confirms that Wii supply will not meet demand for Christmas

Acccording to: itvibe.com

Another Christmas another short supply of the best selling games console and again it is the Wii which is in the headlines. Despite the signs that the Wii would be the more popular of the games consoles sought this Christmas it has been revealed that supply will not be able to keep up with festive demands.

However, it seems as though there is very little which Nintendo can do with their manufacturing division working flat out having just increased output by 33 percent a month from 1.6 million to 2.4 million free Wii units, yet still shelves are emptying faster than they can be refilled. It puts the whole situation into perspective when you consider that Sony will ‘only' sell 10 million free PS3 consoles worldwide this year, with Nintendo likely to sell that amount in just 3 months!

There are obvious concerns within Nintendo that consumers will go elsewhere if they are unable to purchase the consoles of their choice but in reality there is nothing which they can really do about in the short term. The massive investment needed to align supply with demand would not come online for some months by which time the extra capacity may not be required.

Computer games to out-sell music and video

Source: business.timesonline.co.uk

For years they have been the preserve of spotty teenage boys sitting in darkened rooms, but computer games will this year out-sell music and video in the United Kingdom for the first time, according to a report released today.

As the music industry has been beset by piracy, and the price of DVDs has dwindled, the gaming market will grow by 42 per cent this year, and will be worth £4.6 billion in 2008, compared to £4.5 billion for music and video combined, Verdict Research said.

The industry has been revitalised this year by blockbuster game releases such as Grand Theft Auto IV, which sold over 600,000 copies on its first day alone.

“Whereas music & video has become somewhat stale, video games has enjoyed an array of technological innovation, which has widened the market demographic enormously and driven phenomenal growth,” said Matthew Piner, author of Verdict’s Video Games & Consoles Retailing report. “2008 has seen video games catapulted into the mainstream entertainment market, popular with men, women, children and families alike.”

he major consoles, all of which have lined up major game releases in the run up to Christmas, are gearing up for a fierce battle. Sony free Playstation 3 hope to revive its ailing fortunes with cute-platform game Little Big Planet.

Nintendo intends to release Wii Music, where players use a movement-sensitive control to play instruments, and free XBox 360 will release more traditional games titles such as Fable II, a medieval fantasy-adventure, and Gears of War II, where players blast aliens.

Mr Piner said: “One surprising aspect of the games market over the past year is that the more severe the economic downturn has become, the better the gaming market has performed. Games represent a relatively cheap, but also exciting and innovative, pastime.

“As more people save money by staying in, a video game, although it may cost three or four times as much as a DVD or CD, offers much more longevity and hence better value for money. Moreover, it offers a more involved and interactive form of escapist entertainment when compared to a CD or DVD.”

In 2003 the combined market for music and video was worth double that of computer games. But in the past five years the game industry has seen revenues rise by 113 per cent, as its audio and video rivals have foundered, rising just 0.8 per cent.

The report said: “Music is suffering from piracy, a continual onslaught of price deflation, intensifying competition and the ongoing decline of physical format CDs. While the DVD market has shown robust volume growth, value growth is impaired by falling prices and heavy discounting.

One source of hope for the music industry is the continued growth of Digital Rights Management (DRM)-free files, which can be transferred between devices, unlike previous restrictions imposed by stores like Apple’s iTunes, which limited the tracks to one iPod.

"The embracing of open MP3 format will reignite download sales, as it will remove the issues of interoperability and encourage album sales," said Malcolm Pinkerton, senior retail analyst at Verdict.

High street retailers such as HMV have seen a rise in sales of computer games, and have reconfigured stores so as to give less space to music. Gennaro Castaldo, of HMV, said: “The growth is obviously there. Over the long term you would have to say that growth will be seen in games and that music will fall away, but will hit a threshold that it will stick at.”

Matt Martin, editor of gamesindustry.biz, the leading industry website, said: “It’s great news for the video games industry. Its also a reflection of how badly hit the music industry has been in the past couple of years as it has not kept up with advances in technology.

"Games traditionally miss out on recession, because they have their own cycle based on when games consoles are released and when they become affordable. Just now, consoles and sales are reaching the peak of that cycle.”

Eight sweet free iPhone apps we love - and 4 we can't get!

Credit to: Gizmag for this excellent article:

The all-conquering free iPhone is a pretty impressive gadget out of the box - but it's the fantastic App Store that really keeps the honeymoon going, giving users access to literally thousands of downloadable third-party applications.

Read the rest of the article at SimplyfreeiPhone!

Fallout 3 review

By Nick Cowen at The Telegraph, who is blown away by Bethesda Softworks's free-roaming post-apocalyptic RPG.

To say that Fallout 3 is one of the most anticipated titles of 2008 is something of a gross understatement. The latest installment in this impeccable franchise from Bethesda Softworks has been had fans clamoring for information ever since the developer announced it. Following the promising previews, trailers and gameplay clips viewed by millions online, Fallout 3 arrives creaking under the weight of its own hype.

Well, fans will be happy to know Fallout 3 will probably exceed their expectations while staking a claim to being arguably the best game released in 2008.

The year is 2277 and the United States has been reduced to a post-apocalyptic wasteland in the wake of a nuclear war with China. The country is now just a bombed-out wilderness populated by desperate humans, malformed mutants and giant insects, and dotted with heavily guarded shanty towns, radioactive rivers and piles of rubble which once used to be city structures. There's also a large chunk of the population existing beneath the surface in vast underground shelters, known as vaults.

Players take on the role of a vault-dweller who was born and raised beneath the surface. When his father leaves the shelter for unknown reasons - and against the wishes of the vault's community leaders - he heads to the surface to search for him.

It's this search for family that provides - at least initially - the underlying story for Fallout 3. It's also just about the only consistent element in the game - such is the sheer scope and variety of the gameplay, scenarios and environments that this game is almost endlessly re-playable.

It's also impossible to pigeon-hole: Fallout 3 is a first-person shooter, a third-person shooter, a free-roaming sandbox adventure and a role-play game all rolled into one. Players gain experience through combat and performing side-quests in order to progress to higher levels in their character development. Once they attain a new level, they can assign points to different skills, be it in weapons, lock-picking, computer hacking or bartering - all of which will come in handy at different stages in the game. Based on these choices, players will develop a character that may depend on brute force or wily social interaction to accomplish their goals. This goes a long way towards granting each player their own unique style of play.

The choices don't stop at abilities, however. Players will come up against ethical issues as well. Decisions such as whether to give water to a beggar dying of thirst or help a shady individual nuke an entire settlement will affect their protagonist's moral fibre, and this in turn will impact how other in-game characters treat and react to them. As in real life, it's a lot easier and a lot more instantly rewarding to toss morality aside, but players who do so will earn bad karma points with every evil deed.

As you'd expect, players are guaranteed to run into countless situations in which violence is the only option. The excellent combat mechanics manage the impressive task of being uncomplicated, while at the same time utilising all the advantages and equipment the players have built up. Although the controls are simple, Fallout 3 is not a conventional shooter and players will come to rely quite heavily on the game's Vault-tec Assisted Targeting System (VATS). Once activated, the VATS allows the player to target specific area on their opponents bodies for a critical hit which dishes out a larger amount of damage. Then the game slows to a cinematic slow-motion crawl as the action recommences, and, depending on their character's skill (or in some instances, luck), players will be treated to some incredibly violent animations.

Make no mistake; Fallout 3 completely earns its 18 rating for its violent content (as well as its moral conundrums). The violence is visceral and brutal and more often than not, using the VATS mechanic will result an enemy's dismemberment or decapitation.

Players are spoiled for choice in the weapons department. There are the standard first-person shooter fare - pistols, grenades, shotguns and assault rifles - as well as more outlandish items. Players can also buy or trade for schematics and then build weapons from whatever junk is lying around. However, it's a good idea to keep firearms in a good state of repair as wear and tear grinds down their effectiveness in the long run.

Apart from instruments of death, players start the game with a handy gadget called a Pitboy. This doubles as a pause menu which among other things can be used to sort through inventory, pinpoint locations on the map, heal damage, upgrade abilities and check mission logs. It can also be used to traverse great distances on the map provided the player has visited their intended destination before.

However, given the incredible presentation of Fallout 3's desolate world, players would be forgiven for wanting to take the long way round between destinations. The gorgeous expanses, with accompanying wilderness sound effects and minimalist music, all combine to fill players with the eerie sense of impending doom that hangs over even the most serene vistas. This is a harsh and hostile environment where "survival by any means" is the only law of the land. But despite its dark veneer, the world of Fallout 3 is very easy to become immersed in, and players who are patient and brave enough to give it a thorough exploration will be richly rewarded.

In the human settlements the attention to detail and stark designs create a palpable sense of a civilisation barely clinging on to survival. The characters that populate them are sometimes a little generic - and at close distance can seem a little poorly rendered - but the excellent voice acting goes a long way towards balancing this.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Fallout 3 is how effortlessly it combines so many gameplay mechanics, storylines, characters, expansive environments and complex in-game intricacies into one fluid package. Staring out over Fallout 3's beautiful if harsh badlands as wind whistles on the soundtrack and the sunset bleeds red through the sky, it's easy to forget how much has gone into creating one of the most fully realised worlds on offer to gamers

Fallout 3 may offer depressing vision of the future, but it's impossible to not be swept away by it.

Sony announces 160GB PS3

You wait months for a free PS3 with a reasonably-sized hard drive, then two come along at once...

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Are you looking forward to taking delivery of a shiny new 80GB PS3 this week? You may want to reconsider. Sony has got its Leipzig bandwagon off to an interesting start by announcing a new 160GB PS3 model, set to hit Europe on October 31 at £350. The bundle will include, "additional PlayStation Network content". What could this be? Perhaps a Home beta?

The company also announced a release date for much-anticipated social platformer, LittleBigPlanet. You'll get to start playing with virtual rag dolls on October 29.

PS3 firmware 2.50 adds support for Flash 9--but don't expect glitch-free Hulu viewing

Source: http://news.cnet.com/

Sony rolled out the latest firmware update for the PS3 (version 2.50) in the past few hours, available to all as a free download. The main additions, as reported on the official Sony Europe PS3 forums, are as follows:

>>Flash 9 support added to Web browser.

>>Improved Bluetooth headset support.

>>In-game screenshot capture tool (for future titles).

>>Improved user interface for PS3 Trophies.

>>Thumbnails added to video search.

>>Direct Information Board links to PlayStation Store.

>>Power save mode (automatic shut-off after predetermined downtimes).

For us, the biggest potential highlight was the addition of Flash 9 support (coming, ironically, the same day that Flash 10 goes live). Flash 9 should allow the PS3's Web browser to access more sophisticated Web video sites, including Hulu, ABC.com, and our own CNET TV (YouTube worked well enough with the browser's earlier version of Flash). And, indeed, you can now watch those sites, but it's short of a perfect experience. We couldn't get Hulu or CNET TV to go full-screen, and had trouble accessing the high-resolution versions of both (Hulu's 480p version was inaccessible, and the CNET TV "HD" stream produced a very low framerate).

As such, we're scoring this attempt at a Hulu Box as an incomplete. Even in this buggy environment, though, it was cool to be able to access more video content, particularly on Hulu. (We were able to cobble together a full-screen view by zooming the screen on the PS3, and then zooming again with our TV controls.) None of the problems seem insurmountable, however, so let's hope Sony continues to plug away and further refine the functionality.

What do you think of the latest PS3 firmware update: useful additions, or just an incremental upgrade? Is Hulu access a big deal, or do you use something like PlayOn instead.

Free PS3 Giveaway With Quantum Of Solace Web Game

Source: http://www.cinemablend.com/

I don’t know about anyone else, but if I didn’t have to write this news story I would be at the website playing the 007 web game of Quantum of Solace while gulping down a shaken, not stirred, martini. It’s all because of the simple fact that for the next eight weeks, leading up to the release of the game, Activision will be giving away free PlayStation 3 units.

It’s rare that a web game is actually worth playing, but in this case it’s not just a pastime for fun, but an actual means to which you can use the rewards found within the web game to unlock screenshots, artwork and other goodies from the Quantum of Solace Rewards Page.

At this point you probably want the darn link so you can get to crackin’ on that web game, eh? Well if I told I didn’t feel like giving you the web link. What if I told you that maybe I would keep it for myself and earn all the goodies for numero-uno? What would you do, huh? What...would...you...do? You would probably go to another website that has the link. Preferably Kotaku...because we all know how much they need the hits right now.

Anyway, without further ado, you can go to the Official Sony Pictures Entertainment Website to play the 007 web game and earn a shot at winning a free PS3 entertainment system by entering the sweepstakes.

PS3 80GB Review - Quick Summary

Good:
- The most powerful games console out. I would even say best but that's my opinion
- Blu-ray (Profile 2.0) movie player, for low price, and possibly expandable to future profile versions
- Compared to XBOX 360 Games not limited to ~8.54GB of DVD, but rather 50GB on Blu-ray disk, but these disks may get even bigger.
- Has Adobe Flash Player support, e.g. you can watch videos on YouTube
- Use the PlayStation Store to buy games, add-ons, demo, trailers and even classic PS1 games
- Comes with the Dual Shock 3 controller which features rumble, rather than the older SixAxis
- Uses less power than the other PS3 models, especially the 60GB PS3s, saving you money on electricity bills
- Free online gaming network, compared to XBOX 360's network
- Supports streaming music, video, photos, etc.
- Very long production life cycle, about 10 years (Sony states) like the PS2 which you can still buy now
- Divx certified player, also plays Xvid video files because they are similar.

Bad:
- The 160GB PS3 coming out around October 2008 time, so you might as well wait for that, not long now
- No backwards compatibility with PS2 games. You have your PS2 for that, right?
- Only has two USBs
- No SACD support
- No flash card readers
- No ethernet cable
- No HDMI cable. You will need this to output HD video. This is an absolute must! You can get one for about £3. Don't let the higher prices fool you.
- 50% of my MP3s do not play. I think it can't play ID3v2 tagged MP3s, but Sony has to fix this with a future firmware update.
- Gets scratches easily, even with some fabric
- Produces a lot of heat, so make sure it's not stored in a closed space e.g. cupboard. Needs to be well ventilated
- Attracts a lot of dust, this gets very annoying sometimes.

BioShock PS3 ready for download

According to: http://www.hd-report.com/

No longer will PS3 gamers have to wait for Bioshock, the game that sent Xbox 360 sales into orbit last year. The Bioshock demo for Playstation 3 is now available for download on the Playstation Network. The full version of the game is scheduled for release in retail stores and online October 21, that’s only 17 days away!

Bioshock for PS3 has supposedly been improved from the Xbox 360 version, although according to 2k senior producer Melissa Miller not on the graphics level. Some additions include a new “Survivor” mode where enemies are more difficult to defeat, PS3 Trophy support, and new plasmid powers.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Bioshock, it was designed by Ken Levine of 2K Games and released for Xbox 360 and PC in August ‘07. The game is set in 1960 and follows plane crash survivor Jack who explores the underwater world of Rapture. There he must face attacks by mutants and mechanical drones.

 

Latest BioShock Screenshots for PS3

From: http://www.worthplaying.com/

A narrative-driven action experience BioShock allows players to do the impossible as they journey through an amazing, immersive and terrifying world. The PS3 version of 2K's genetically enhanced game is getting new features and content, such as trophies, but also an exclusive Survivor mode, which is a new difficulty mode.

Considered to be one the finest games in the history of interactive entertainment, BioShock is a watershed entry into the world of video games. As one of the most lauded franchises in the past decade, BioShock introduces gamers into an exciting world filled with fascinating characters, intelligent enemies and complex moral choices that define the foundation of the game world. With its rich story, meticulous attention to visual detail, tense action and infinite replay value, BioShock delivers the perfect blend of storytelling and first person action.

Developed by 2K Marin, 2K Boston, 2K Australia and Digital Extremes, the PS3 release brings forth new features and content that expands the world of BioShock in new and exciting ways.

Barely surviving a plane crash, the player lands in icy uncharted waters and discovers an undersea city called Rapture, a failed utopia whose citizens had embraced genetic engineering before the city descended into pure anarchy. Power and greed have run amok and the city has succumbed to civil war. Fans have embraced BioShock’s mysterious world filled with powerful technology and fascinating characters. BioShock is also renowned for its rich visual detail depicting a gorgeous Art Deco world set deep beneath the sea.

Key Features:

* All-new PS3 exclusive content: In addition to the original revolutionary game experience, free PS3 fans can enjoy a brand new difficulty mode – Survivor – as well as enjoy Trophy support as they explore Rapture. And the experience doesn’t end there – all new exclusive BioShock downloadable content will be available only on the PS3 after launch
* Choices and consequences: Make meaningful choices and mature decisions, ultimately culminating in the grand question: do you exploit the innocent survivors of Rapture…or save them?
* The world is your weapon: Take control of your world by hacking mechanical devices, commandeering security turrets and crafting unique items critical to your survival
* Weapon upgrades provide ammunition for every situation: Upgrade your weapons with ionic gels, explosives and toxins to customize them to take advantage of your enemies’ weaknesses
* Gameplay that evolves around your playing style: Customize your experience by genetically modifying your body through dozens of Plasmid Stations scattered throughout the city and turn your body into the ultimate weapon
* Adaptive AI provides challenges around every corner: Explore a living world where the inhabitants have interesting and consequential relationships with one another that impact your gameplay experience
* Immerse yourself in Rapture: Experience breathtaking visuals that vividly illustrate the forlorn Art Deco city, highlighted by strikingly realistic water effects and meticulously detailed environments

Currently available on PC and Xbox 360, Bioshock on PS3 will be available in North America on Oct. 21 and internationally on Oct. 24, 2008

 

Sony Plans to Sell 150 Million PlayStation 3 Game Consoles.
Sony Wants to Outsell PlayStation 2 with PlayStation 3

Source: http://www.xbitlabs.com/

At present, Sony PlayStation 3 is the worst selling latest-generation video game console. However, Kazuo Hirai, chief executive of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., hopes that the latest system will eventually outsell its predecessor, Sony PlayStation 2 with 150 million units sold worldwide.

“It’s not fun for me replicating the PS2 numbers. I’ve seen that movie already. I want to try to see if we can exceed the PS2 numbers after nine years, otherwise why are we in this business?” said Mr. Hirai in an interview with Financial Times.

The original Sony PlayStation that was launched in 1994 was sold in 102 million units quantity worldwide, whereas the PlayStation 2, which was released in 2000, passed the 140 million units mark recently. The market of video games is increasing dramatically, particularly in the U.S., these days, hence, setting an unprecedented goal for the PlayStation 3 is not something strange.

But there is one thing that should be kept in mind when comparing PS2 and PS3: the former dominated the previous round of console war for the market and neither Microsoft Xbox or Nintendo GameCube could rival it. Nowadays Nintendo Wii has outsold both PlayStation 3 and free Xbox 360, moreover, the latter is still ahead of its Japanese rival in terms of installed base.

Game developers already recognize Wii as the winner of the current round and predict that both free PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 will trail Nintendo’s latest video game system.

“It looks to me as if the Wii is going to have at least half the installed base of the overall industry and the Xbox 360 and PS3 are going to fight over the balance, based on the run-rates we’re seeing,” said Peter Moore, the head of EA Sports, who used to be corporate vice-president of Microsoft’s interactive entertainment business division.

Mr. Hirai did not reveal any strategies or initiatives that would help PlayStation 3, which is sold for $399 in the USA, to outsell Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii substantially in the coming years. Still, he indicated that he would work hard in order to PS3 to surpass sales of the PS2 over a similar time period.

Japan: PS3 Catches Up to Wii, Xbox 360 on Life Support

 

eXceem users have now claimed nearly £250,000 of free stuff!

Source:www.exceem.co.uk/

A lot has changed since I joined the eXceem community back in October 2006. A quick look at the stats shows a marked increase in activity:

• Threads: 27,964
• Posts: 314,468
• Members: 9,430

The most staggering fact of all ......those 9,430 members have now collectively received nearly £250,000 of goods from free gift networks. I guess the actual total could be more given that not everyone posts when something comes their way.

That is a heck of a lot of free games consoles, iPods, iPhones and everything else you care to imagine!

Simply staggering!

Apple iPhone 3G price does not add up: costs $173 to make, $199 to buy

Now this is all about happy news and weird news rolled into one, the good news is that the Apple iPhone 3G is relatively cheap at only $199, but reports are showing that the phone only costs $173 to make, work that one out.

The iPhone 3G is cheap really when you think about it and many consumers are happy with the pricing of the new device but market researchers iSuppli seem to have found the answer to this $173 to make, $199 to buy scenario. iSuppli has reported that the iPhone 3G only costs $173 to make which is very strange indeed considering the 8GB version of this phone will only cost you $199 (£99 in UK), ok this is a great selling point for Apple which could mean major competitors finding it pretty hard to compete with such a low price. For example the $785 HTC Touch Diamond is obviously much more expensive for everyday consumers and the $855 Nokia N96 smartphone is expensive also, how can these firms compete against the free iPhone 3G. Nokia and HTC will still sell by the millions we are not doubting that but it seems there is strong favour for the cheap iPhone.

iSuppli say that the iPhone 3G price is cheap because of the materials used to make it, and of course those providers who have to subsidize the handsets by giving Apple around $300 per iPhone, and before you question the quality the iPhone 3G is off top quality so no suffering when it comes to the quality, Apple are smart people (Well most of the time anyway) and they use the right components to do the job. Apple are pretty successful in giving us what we want considering if you look back on last year the iPhone version one cost $226 to make and that did not have 3G nor did it include GPS.

Source: http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/

 

Xbox 360 owners tougher than PS3 fans

Are you interested in home decor? Do you think friends more important than family? Does standing out in a crowd make you sweat? If you answered 'yes' to all of those questions, then you’re probably a free Playstation 3 owner, according to the latest research.

The consumer research arm of credit reference agency Experian questioned free PS3 owners about their views on a range of subjects, and compared them to the results of the same questions posed to Xbox 360 owners.

When asked if money is the best measure of success for example, more free Xbox 360 owners than PS3 gamers felt that it is. Well, Bill Gates is said to have two Xbox 360s in his modest dwelling...

Of those questioned, 184 PS3 owners felt that friends are more important to them than family, while only 144 Xbox 360 gamers said the same - it's not clear how many of either group still live with their mums.

Survey respondents who own Sony’s console also turned out to be more interested in nature than Microsoft’s gamers are.

However, equal numbers on both sides of the console divide felt that real mean don’t cry. Apparently.

Interestingly, a greater majority of free Xbox 360 owners said they couldn’t live without their mobiles phones. Free Playstation 3 gamers seem more intellectual: more of them can’t live without books than Xbox 360 owners are able to, although hopefully they’re not referring to strategy guides.

At the end of the day, however, gamers’ views could simply be due to their ages. The research found that while the free Xbox 360 appeals most to those aged between 35 and 44 years old, the free PS3 is more popular among people aged 44 and over.

Source: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/

 

Free iPod Touch may be heading toward an upgrade

A pair of reports from Lehman Brothers reveal spiking free Mac sales and predict the free iPod Touch may be heading toward an upgrade.

Citing NPD data, Lehman analyst Tim Luke claims Mac unit sales grew 50 per cent year-on-year in May - well ahead of the 37 per cent growth the analyst had expected.

Free iPod remained strong, up 11.6 per cent and ahead of the decline in sales of the media player the analyst had expected to see.

The analyst said he expects to see demand for iPods shrink on strength of vigorous interest in the free iPhone 3g, and anticipates new Mac laptops will appear in the coming weeks, in time for the US back to school season.

A second Lehman Brothers analyst, Ben Reitzes, this week sent a warning to clients noting diminishing supplies of the free iPod touch.

Observing the limited supply suggests iPod sales remain stronger than expected, he noted the need for Apple to lower prices on the device to reflect lower iPhone prices.

Source: http://www.macworld.co.uk/

 

Playstation 3 sees sales jump

'Grand Theft Auto' sales hit 8.5 million units

Source: http://www.variety.com

"Grand Theft Auto IV" and Nintendo were kings of the videogame kingdom again in May, but Sony surprised the biz by landing in second place for the month in console sales.

Sony's free PlayStation 3 sold 209,000 units domestically in May, according to the NPD Group. That's well ahead of Microsoft's free Xbox 360, which has generally been a solid No. 2 behind Nintendo's Wii.

Earlier in the year, the PS3 briefly outsold Xbox 360, but Microsoft blamed that on supply constraints following the holidays. In May there were no supply issues, nor were there any big PS3-exclusive games. A combination of last year's price cuts, the built-in Blu-ray player and a growing library of games appear to be giving Sony an advantage over its competitor.

However, neither console got much of a sales boost out of the release of "Grand Theft Auto IV," as they had been hoping. PS3's 209,000 units sold is up moderately from April and down from March, while Xbox 360 sales fell for the second month in a row to 187,000 units.

Meanwhile, Nintendo free Wii sales also slipped, though the lower-priced console was still a dominant No. 1 at 675,000 units.

"Grand Theft Auto IV" took the Nos. 1 and 4 game sales spots for its 360 and PS3 versions, respectively. Game sold 1.3 million units in April and has sold a total of 4.2 million, according to NPD. Publisher Take-Two Interactive recently said the game has sold 8.5 million units worldwide.

Nintendo's "Mario Kart Wii" was No. 2 for the second month in a row, selling 788,000 units and bringing its total to almost 2 million.

"Wii Fit," the new exercise game from Nintendo, had a very strong debut despite its high $90 price and unique balance board peripheral. Game sold 688,000 units in its first month, landing it at No. 3.

The only other new game to hit the top 10 was Sega's adaptation of "Iron Man." PlayStation 2 version sold a decent 131,000 units.

Several other high-profile new games didn't manage to sell the minimum of 102,000 units to break into NPD's top 10 for May, including Electronic Arts' "Boom Blox," developed with Steven Spielberg, and Disney Interactive's "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian."

 

3G iPhone announced by Apple

Thinner iPhone on show at WWDC

Source: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk

Apple boss Steve Jobs has officially announced the free 3G iPhone at the Worldwide Developers' Conference (WWDC). The free 3G iPhone will be available for $199 in the US, is thinner at the edges than the first generation iPhone, features sold metal buttons and the same screen as the original.

Jobs said the free 3G iPhone is "amazingly zippy", claiming that download speeds approach those that can be achieved with Wi-Fi. Two other smartphones were used to demonstrate the iPhone's speed superiority - the Nokia N95 and Treo 750, and Apple claimed the iPhone is 36 percent faster than them.

And the 3G capabilities won't hurt battery life, Apple claims. The 3G iPhone will last for 300 hours of standby time, while 2G talk time is up to 10 hours (from 8 hours). On 3G talk time, while other phones have 3-3.5 hours, the iPhone has 5 hours of 3G talk time, Apple claims.

"That's actually a very large amount of 3G talk time. We're very proud of this," said Jobs.

Meanwhile, the 3G iPhone is capable of up to 5-6 hours of high-speed browsing, 7 hours of video and 24 hours of audio.

The 3G iPhone, which also features built-in GPS support, will be available in 22 countries, starting from July 11.

The iPhone first went on sale in the US last summer, and Jobs claimed today at WWDC that "it's widely believed that this is the phone that has changed phones forever." Apple sold 6 million iPhones in the first year

3g iPhone Rumours At a Frenzy

The rumour mill is dizzy with speculation about what 'cool new stuff' Apple's iPhone will shortly be sporting, ahead of chief executive Steve Jobs's keynote at the annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco on Monday.

Source: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/

Rumoured tweaks include a front-facing camera for video calling, variations on form factor and GPS capability. There have even been reports doing the rounds on the internet of Apple filing a patent for solar cells that could be installed under the screen, opening up the possibility of an iPhone part-powered by green energy in the future.

But as consultancy Analysys Mason associate Mark Heath says, Apple knows how to keep its iPhone secrets fresh: "People talk about having GPS capability in there, perhaps a slightly changed device to make it more suitable, more robust for some users; it's all speculation at the moment so we'll just have to wait and see what it looks like."

One thing analysts and commentators are agreed upon, however, is that a 3G device is coming.

Peter Cunningham, senior analyst at analyst house Canalys, told ZDNet.co.uk's sister site, silicon.com: "I'd be very surprised if it wasn't the free 3G iPhone."

But the analyst is also holding out for a little extra from Jobs: "Apple has got a track record of being very innovative and a habit of surprising people so I'm certainly expecting it to be more than just a 3G iPhone — I'm certainly expecting something a little bit special."

Many industry watchers — and Mac co-founder Steve Wozniak — expressed disappointment when Apple chose to launch its mobile gambit via a mere Edge device, rather than going straight to the mobile superhighway of 3G.

Already speaking as if the second coming of iPhone has occurred, Dr Windsor Holden, principal analyst at Juniper Research, told silicon.com: "One of the key drawbacks of the old iPhone was you had this wonderful device for accessing the mobile internet but the speed at which it could be accessed once you moved away from the cloud was very limited indeed.

"And now you have the UMTS capabilities within that device I think it's got quite enormous potential to do very, very well."

Analysys Mason's Heath pointed out that iPhone users have already been sideloading content and utilising Wi-Fi to watch video on their handsets.

"3G is absolutely critical to give that extra distribution channel [to stream video outdoors] and allow you to offer a compelling service. And this is way before broadcasting networks and things like DVB-H come along, so we think that the iPhone could have a significant impact in the mobile TV market in the short term," he said.

According to Holden, the clearest sign a 3G device is imminent comes from an announcement today by Japanese mobile operator Softbank that it has signed an iPhone distribution deal with Apple.

He explained: "That's probably the biggest indication yet we're going to see the 3G iPhone very, very shortly. There was just no opportunity at all for them to offer a free 3G iPhone in Japan — given that 70-odd percent of people in Japan have a 3G handset."

Shipping a free iPhone 3G device therefore does more than just improve Apple's mobile hardware street cred: it opens doors to more markets worldwide. As Canalys' Cunningham points out: "Edge across the GSM networks or GSM operators is still pretty limited — predominantly it's 3G or HSPA networks now being rolled out now — so what 3G does [is] it provides compatibility with a far greater range of operators."

Other sure-fire tweaks on the way for iPhone 2.0 are the firmware updates Apple announced back in March, when it said it would be licensing Microsoft's ActiveSync protocol.

Codemasters Talks PS3 GRID Vs. Xbox 360

http://www.ps3news.ca says:

With GRID coming out next week, it's crunch time for Codemasters to get things right after the underwhelming demo.

According to executive producer Gavin Raeburn (aka Uncle Chewy), not only have there been major improvements made, but there's more tweaks on the way in patch form.

"Firstly, we v-sync every frame, but allow the game to overrun if needed, which is very rare and is much preferable to a complete frame drop," he wrote on the company's official forum.

"Secondly, our performance tests show that the free Xbox 360 is running at a rock solid 30fps and the free PS3 rarely drops, being rock solid 99% of the time. San Fran in the demo is probably our worst performer when the action gets really heavy on a couple of those long straights," Raeburn continued.

"Thirdly, we don't lead on any platform. We have dedicated teams on each platform as that is the only way to get the best from each of them," he added.

"Fourthly, there are some extra performance improvements between the demo and release on free PS3 as we were tuning right to the last minute. This should be apparent in our forthcoming reviews. Just to be on the safe side, we also have some further improvements lined up our patch," concluded the Codemasters exec

Greenpeace test finds PS3, Xbox 360, Wii toxic

Xinhuanet report says:

In their new "Playing Dirty" report, environmental organization Greenpeace found that all three home video game consoles - Sony's free Playstation 3 (PS3), Microsoft's free Xbox 360 and Nintendo's free Wii - tested positive for a variety of hazardous chemicals, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), beryllium, bromine, and phthalates.

The latter, found in relatively high levels in both the free Xbox 360 and free PS3, are not permitted in components of toys or childcare products sold in the European Union. However, game consoles are not classified as toys and therefore are not subject to existing legislation.

"Whether game consoles are classified as toys or not, they can still contain hazardous chemicals and materials that could harm humans. The technology is available for the manufacturers to design out toxics and produce greener game consoles now," said Greenpeace's Dr. Kevin Brigden in a press release.

The report found that all three systems contained significant levels of bromine, a chemical linked to impaired memory functions and other health problems. One of the phthalates found in the free 360 and free PS3, a chemical called DEHP, is also known to interfere with sexual development in mammals, especially males.

Greenpeace points out the three console manufacturers have "avoided or reduced uses of individual hazardous substances in certain materials within their consoles." Nintendo's free Wii showed no traces of beryllium in its electrical contacts, the free Xbox 360 used fewer brominated materials in its housing materials and the free PS3 circuit boards were bromine-free.

"Our test clearly shows that a greener game console is possible, said Casey Harrell, Greenpeace International toxics campaigner. "By combining the best practices of each console design, we could replace most of the hazardous chemicals found in these game consoles with toxic free materials."

Greenpeace has further identified game consoles as key contributors towards a growing waste product called "ewaste." Once they reach the end of useful life, the group said, game consoles are "often dumped and end up in unsafe and dirty recycling yards in developing countries, where toxic contents harm both the environment and the health of workers."

New ivyskin iPod touch Cases Offer Touch-Thru Design

A free iPod case company by the name of ivyskin recently came out with some new free iPod Touch cases which let you fully protect your free iPod while also making use of its touchscreen interface. These cases are known as the ivyskin Retro T2 and you'll find them pricing around $40.

The ivyskin Retro T2 cases are designed to fit your free iPod Touch or free iPhone. The case is available in five color choices, including chrome, blue, black, yellow and red. It is made of hard-shell plastic and offers a touch-thru acrylic screen to protect the player's screen while also letting you use it.

Each case offers what ivyskin says is impact and scratch protection provided in a design sporting a thin wall. An additional scratch resistant liquid plastic coating applied at the end of the case's construction reportedly adds even protection. These cases are available now.

Courtesy of: http://portables.about.com

Review : Free PlayStation 3

Cnet says...

In the gaming world, being first to market has its advantages, but it also has some downsides. With its free Xbox 360, Microsoft has staked itself a year's lead over arch rival Sony in the next-gen gaming wars and, just as importantly, the battle for living-room dominance--these powerful minicomputers also do double duty as digital media hubs.

Free Playstation 3 good: Swanky design; all games in HD; PSP-like user-friendly interface; plays Blu-ray and upscales DVDs to 1080p; built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; 80GB hard drive; wireless and optional force feedback controllers; backward-compatible with PS2 and PS1 titles; built-in memory card readers; online play is free; onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD decoder.

Free Playstation 3 bad: A USB port on the back would've been nice; glossy black finish is a fingerprint magnet; runs hot and noisy; power guzzler.

The bottom line: The free PlayStation 3 is still the most expensive next-gen game console, but its swanky design and bevy of features make it great value...when free.

 

10 free PS3 tricks Sony doesn't tell you

Techradar says:

Got a free PlayStation 3? For those of you that have picked up Sony's shiny black plaything, we've put together a Digital Home top ten of tips that you won't find in the user manual.

1) Play games from any country

Harbouring a desire to play Super Gaiden Ninja XI? Now you can. In fact, you can handily play any free PS3 game from any country. On holiday in the States and spot the latest release at a bargain dollar-to-pound price? Help yourself. So far, at least, free PS3 games aren't being region coded. That said PS2 and PS1 games are so you can't play a US title on a Euro console.

And let's not forget that Blu-ray movies are region-coded so the barriers aren't completely down yet.

2) The secret video reset

One of the most annoying aspects of the free PS3 are its video settings. Take it up to the bedroom portable or round to a friend's house and there's a good chance that you won't be able to see anything on screen because your 'new' TV is running at a different resolution or using a different cable connection. And - because you can't see anything - you can't change it.

Until now. Shut down your free PS3 then restart by pressing and holding the power button.This will reset your free PS3 to its most basic 480p graphics mode so you'll be able to see enough to choose RGB SCART, component, HDMI or whatever from here.

3) See how much charge is on your pad

There's no indication of how much charge is left on the pad itself. Instead it appears on screen during games. Press and hold the PS button on any joypad. An indicator will appear, showing your pad's charge as a small battery. A full battery pic means a fully-charged pad. Neat.

4) Download game saves

Chances are someone out there has already beaten that boss for you and saved their game afterwards. Why not take advantage of it? Google 'free PS3 game saves'. There are hundreds of finished and half finished game saves scattered all over the internet. Download the save you want - it'll come in a 'PS3' folder that you can lift onto a USB stick and put into your PS3. Go to the Game menu, choose your stick and the game save you downloaded should be right there. Press Triangle to copy it to your hard drive.

5) Make free video phone calls

You will need a USB headset (like the one you use for PS2 Socom) and an EyeToy camera. Plug in both via USB then go to your Friends menu. Choose a friend you've signed up earlier and press Triangle. Choose Start New Chat and type a message. Something like 'Videochat?' should do the trick. Now, providing they're in front of their powered-up free PS3 (perhaps you could text them to tell them to be in position?) then they'll see your message and be given the option to accept your videochat.

Now, provided they too have a free Apple iPhone camera and headset, two windows will open, one showing you (so you can make sure you're looking your best), the other displaying your mate. Best of all you can hit Triangle again and invite more people to join your chat - up to a maximum of six. And the cost? Not a bean above your usual broadband connection charges.

6) Browse multiple internet windows

Open the browser (go to Network) and surf to a page you want. Now open up the menu with a press of Triangle and choose 'Open In New Window'. Enter another URL and then do the same again. Keep going until you've got six windows open. Now press L3 (done by clicking down the left stick). You're now in multi-page mode. Move the left stick to flick through the webpages as though they were bits of paper, then click L3 again to zoom in.

7) Upgrade your hard drive

We took the drive out of our free PS3 and found it to be a Seagate Momentus 5400rpm 60GB 2.5inch SATA drive. We swapped ours out effortlessly for a Seagate Momentus 120GB 2.5inch SATA drive and it worked perfectly. Remove the cover flap on the bottom of your free PS3 with a fingernail. Undo the blue screw and slide the drive over to the right and out of your PS3. Undo the four screws on the 'caddy' and remove the old drive.

Put your new drive in the caddy (it should be exactly the same size, of course) and re-do the four screws. Slot it back in and slide to the left to make the connections. Re-do the blue screw, pop the cover back on and restart your PS3. Say 'yes' to the message on screen and voila - new super-size hard-drive. (Go to Settings, System Settings, System Information to check).

8) Share your bought downloads

You can download anything you've bought from the store to five PlayStation 3s. This is useful if you've got more than one free PS3 (of course) and also if you've wiped your hard-drive and don't fancy paying for the same download twice...

However, you can also choose to share your download with your mates. The PlayStation Store logs how many times each download has been downloaded by each user. On your mate's free PS3 Create New User and log onto the store with your ID. You'll now be able to go to your download and see that you've already downloaded whatever it was that you paid for. You can now download it again, using another of your downloads and giving it to your mate for free. Or a small optional charge...

9) Force a free PS3 to show your files

Put your photos in a folder called 'PICTURE' or your videos in a folder called 'VIDEO' or simply *force* your free PS3 to look at your files on your stick regardless of what you called them or where you put them. Insert your stick and go to the menu option you want (Photos, Music, whatever). PressTriangle to bring up a menu and choose Display All.

This will show every file on the stick. It even works for a plugged-in iPod, though the multi-folder structure you'll reveal is a bit baffling. Still, your songs are in there if you've got the patience to find them.

10) Change your album art

When you import a music CD your free PS3 automatically pulls down the album art and stores it with the tracks. Occasionally it gets it wrong, however, or it may simply not be able to find the art of your hipper, less commercial tracks. This is easily fixed however.

Download a pic of the art you need as a jpg on your PC and put it onto a stick (in a folder called PICTURE, ideally). Copy it to your Photo menu (press Triangle). Now go to Music and select the album folder with the offending art. Press Triangle and select Information. Go to the Photo menu and select your new picture. Bingo.

 

Video games go mainstream

Britain's £1.7bn gaming market is booming at last according to reports from http://www.guardian.co.uk

If you have sat stunned on the sofa as Niko Bellic, the antihero in the Grand Theft Auto video game, metes out violence worthy of an 18 certificate movie, there is worse to come. In June dads will be encouraged to strut around in the manner of rock icon Steven Tyler when new title Guitar Hero Aerosmith hits the shelves.

The extremes demonstrate the diversity of the £1.7bn UK games industry, which has pushed beyond its core gaming audience of maladjusted youths to become family fare. It is now a bigger market by turnover than film box office receipts and music, and is rapidly closing the gap on DVD sales.

The growth spurt is down to the success of the third generation of games consoles pitting Microsoft's free Xbox 360 against the free Sony PlayStation 3 (free PS3) and the free Wii, as well as the continued appeal of games franchises such as Grand Theft Auto and Mario Kart. Last week specialist retailer Game said like-for-like sales had surged 41.2 per cent in the year to January and its profits had jumped 156 per cent to £75.5m.

The performance chimes with a record first quarter for the UK video games industry as a whole. Sales reached a new high of £418m in the three months to 29 March, according to monitoring website ChartTrack. That was an increase of more than £100m on the same period last year and nearly 18 million games were sold.

But analysts are asking how long the honeymoon will last for a traditionally cyclical market. Early signs that a peak has been reached have come from Microsoft, which recently announced plans to cut the price of the free Xbox 360 in some countries. Its Japanese rival Nintendo has surprised the market by setting conservative sales targets for its handheld free DS lite and free Wii consoles this year. Those with longer memories remember tougher times at Game, when a Christmas profit warning was regarded as almost inevitable. Its fortunes have been intertwined with the success of each new console. So as the free Xbox 360, free PS3 and free Wii mature, will Game fall back on hard times?

Each successive console has a lifespan of five to seven years, which usually creates peaks and troughs in the market. But James George, a partner at OC&C Strategy Consultants, argues it is different this time. He says: 'You have three or four consoles that are all successful. Of the first and second generation consoles, free PlayStation was by far and away the most successful, with a 60 to 70 per cent market share. Now you have devices at different stages in their life cycle and that should help publishers to smooth out some of the bumps.'

Last year the free Nintendo DS was the biggest UK seller in volume terms, knocking the free PS2 and free iphone into second place, the first time since 2003 Sony's PlayStation had not been the biggest format. In contrast to Sony and Microsoft, whose consoles target serious players, Nintendo has attracted non-traditional users like women and the older 'Countdown crowd' with easy-to-play titles such as Dr Kawashima's Brain Training. And it is estimated that a fifth of those buying a free Wii console have never played computer games before. Since launching it in November 2006, Nintendo has sold 24.5 million globally. Sony is expected to have only sold about 13 million free PS3s in the same period.

Entertainment retailer Zavvi says games sales are 50 per cent ahead of last year and describes the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV as 'amazing'. It is estimated that 609,000 copies of the £45 game were sold in the UK last Tuesday alone. 'Madonna's album Hard Candy came out last Monday and will be one of the biggest albums of the year, but it just couldn't compete,' says Zavvi's Stephen Lynn.

Simon Soffe, Game's head of investor relations, says the record-breaking sales achieved by the launch of GTA IV and free Wii Fit shows computer games have entered the mass market. Free Wii Fit is aimed at women and is played by standing on a board that looks like a bathroom scale and can detect shifts in weight.

Soffe says the trend is increasingly toward games played standing up in front of the TV, rather than furiously punching buttons. New titles such as Rock Band - which lets players form a group with guitars, drum kit and microphones - and Guitar Hero Aerosmith are expected to continue this trend.

'We are entering more complex territory,' he says. 'Developers are creating games that make use of the power of consoles such as the free PS3 and free Xbox and the results are almost cinematic. You can move anywhere you like, walk down any street or open any door.'

The acquisition of Gamestation transformed Game into the world's second-largest games specialist, with its shares jumping 78 per cent over the past year. Yet, despite Game reporting like-for-like sales growth of 20.1 per cent in the 13 weeks to 26 April, some analysts are bearish. They argue its margins will come under pressure as Argos and the supermarkets move into the market ahead of the Christmas peak.

But Pali International analyst Nick Bubb says investors have nothing to lose, as he expects Game's one-time suitor, US giant GameStop, to make another bid. 'Even if this cycle doesn't turn out to be broader and longer, Game will be bought by GameStop. That is bound to happen.'

We test the free Wii Fit

Source: http://women.timesonline.co.uk/

The next big thing in virtual-reality fitness promises to have you bending, stretching and working up a healthy sweat. Robert Crampton gets an exclusive sneak preview of the new free Wii Fit

I was going to take my son with me to do this story but then I thought: “Nah, he’s 10, he has enough fun as it is.” Besides, we’d have just ended up fighting over the controls like at home. And then there was his sister to consider. To ask Sam to help me to test-drive the new free Wii Fit, being launched this spring, and leave Rachel out of it would have been to invite total family meltdown.

The free Wii Fit, which comes complete with its own special balance board, is one of the new fitness computer games from the Nintendo stable, which already includes virtual games such as tennis, boxing and bowling.

Parents have good reason to be grateful to the Nintendo free Wii. Pack them off to their PlayStations or take the old telly-as-babysitter option, and you feel guilty. Not very guilty, admittedly, but a bit. But tell them to play with the free Wii for half an hour and you can tell yourself that they’re getting a little exercise (a study in the British Medical Journalsaid as much). It may not be Swallows and Amazons, but it’s better than nothing. The new free Wii Fit though, according to Nintendo, is the first it has marketed as a “fitness” game: it has four training categories aimed at improving players’ muscle condition, balance, flexibility and aerobic capacity.

For those not in the loop, the Nintendo free Wii has sold more than 2 million consoles since its launch in Britain in December 2006. It is a hardware/software package that enables you to play games and solve puzzles on a TV screen. If that sounds old hat, you don’t play hunching over a console pressing buttons; you play by actively doing (more or less) what you would if you were you playing the game for real. It’s virtual reality, in other words. Hence, people becoming so engrossed in a game of tennis or a sword fight that they punch through patio doors and such like and end up in hospital.

So if you’re playing golf, for instance, you swing the wireless control as if it were a golf club, and then watch your ball disappear off down the fairway on screen. Or you hurl your bowling ball into a phalanx of skittles. Or you shadow box as your computer-animated self smacks an opponent around a boxing ring.

Does that make any sense? Basically, if it weren’t in front of you, you’d think the free Wii was science fiction. It’s the first piece of contemporary kit that’s made me shake my head and say: “Eeeh, what will they think of next?” It makes me feel as my own parents felt when confronted with a video, as an Edwardian felt holding a telephone, as an Elizabethan felt looking through a pane of glass. If it wasn’t such a laugh, the free Wii could easily make you feel about 500 years old.

Sophie, a publicist, shows me the new hardware for free Wii Fit at her office in Soho. On the floor in front of a giant TV is a pressure-sensitive balance board about the size of weighing scales. In fact, what the new free Wii does is to weigh you straight away. Along with your height and age, the computer then works out your body mass index. Mine is 29.36, somewhere between Medically Obese and About To Drop Dead. “It’s not 100 per cent accurate,” Sophie says, tactfully. “Muscle weighs more than fat.” “Thanks,” I say. “I can see why you’re in PR.”

Next, after some rudimentary balance exercises in which I am revealed to be fundamentally lopsided, the machine computes my “free Wii age”. It is 65 (my actual age is 43). “Oh dear,” says Sophie. I have to choose a “Mii”, an icon to represent myself on screen. I go for a perky little chap with a side part and pot belly. He introduces himself. In Japanese. The English language version is not available yet, but if its success over there is anything to go by – more than a million copies of the game sold in just over a month – this game won’t be sitting on shop shelves for long.

I select an on-screen tutor, wondering if it’s morally or legally OK to lust after a computer-generated fitness instructor. She greets me with what I take to be a provocative pose. “She’s saying, ‘Hello, you fat bastard’,” the photographer says. “Nah,” I say, “she’s saying she fancies me. You can always tell.” “It’s a good alternative for those people who aren’t, er, that confident about going to the gym,” Sophie offers.

For the next hour I submit myself to a series of sometimes gruelling, sometimes exciting, often humiliating exertions. I try some skiing, first slalom, then a jump. Neither is successful. I turn into a ball and try to roll myself down a hole. I endeavour to keep one hula hoop in motion while attempting to catch others. It’s all about minute transfers of weight, rhythm, fluidity of the pelvis, such as dancing, essentially.

I could feel my abdominal muscles taking the strain, so presumably it was doing some good. Improving core strength and stability is the order of the day. Nintendo is to ask Liverpool John Moores University to research the effects of free Wii Fit, but anecdotally, I can confirm that you have to make an effort. Not as you would lifting weights or running, but similar to a beginners’ Pilates class, or some semi-serious stretching.

I try walking a tightrope between skyscrapers
“How did I do?” I ask Sophie. “Well, your Mii just fell to his knees crying, so not good,” she replies. We move on to heading a football, where you have to bend and lean on the balance board to connect with incoming footballs. Occasionally, in a nod to Sir Alex Ferguson’s motivational techniques, a boot rather than a ball will smack you in the face unless you dodge it. My heading wasn’t bad. Then I try walking a tightrope slung between two skyscrapers and came back to earth with a bump. Yoga is next and I’m not bad at standing on one leg.

Finally, we arrive at the macho stuff, thigh bends, press-ups, stuff that requires brute strength rather than any finesse. I need a score and I get one: four stars out of four, polite oriental applause from the tutor. “Well done,” says Sophie as I collapse red-faced into an armchair.

That final discipline was properly difficult. Why not just do the press-ups on their own, without all the electronic wizardry? One answer is that the free Wii provides a range of stats, personal targets, graphs and the like, which are a good incentive to keep going once the initial enthusiasm has worn off. Mostly though, all this wizardry simply makes mucking around making a chump of yourself even more fun than it is already, which is fine by me.

Numbers game
1,830 calories the average amount of calories burnt a week by children using the free Wii console (based on a 12.2hour average gaming week)

130 beats a minute the heart rate children can reach while playing free Wii, compared with 83 beats a minute when playing sedentary games

27lb the weight loss you could achieve over a year by playing free Wii Sports for 12.2 hours a week.

SOURCE: Figures taken from a study by Liverpool John Moores University into the effect of playing free Wii Sports

Ubisoft Confirms New Prince of Persia For Free Xbox 360, Free PS3 and Free DS

Source: http://www.dbtechno.com

Ubisoft has confirmed that they have their Montreal studio hard at work on a new Prince of Persia game. The game will be released on the free Xbox 360, free PS3, and free Nintendo DS in time for the 2008 holiday shopping season.

There has been little information beyond that in regards to the new Prince of Persia.

The game has no official title, nor have any details, screenshots, etc. of the game been released.

Ubisoft stated that this is the same development team that worked on the Prince of Persia Sand of Time trilogy.

The new game will offer new types of gameplay as well as a brand new art style, according to Ubisoft.

The free DS version will be very different apparently from the free PS3, free Xbox 360 and free PC versions with a new story and characters.

No free Nintendo Wii version was announced.

Nintendo Wii Fit: the Balance Board is life changing

Source: http://www.product-reviews.net

It’s only been a couple of days since we posted a first look with some hands-on photos of the Nintendo Wii Fit and Balance Board, on that day I decided to spend time everyday using Wii Fit and to see just how good it was, as the free Wii needed to get some time because it was just sitting there not being used. Now only two days later I am amazed at how good Wii Fit is, it has changed everything for the free Wii and not only am I using the it to keep fit, but also my wife, daughter and son.

I can tell you first hand that the Balance Board and Wii Fit is truly life changing, I not only know I am overweight and have a high BMI but I am even learning about the way I stand and how it is very wrong and bad for my health. Last night I was waiting for my brother to arrive outside his home and I realized I was standing with all my weight on one leg and I corrected this to a better posture like it shows you in Wii Fit…things are changing already.

There has been times when I go to bed feeling fat as I have eaten late, but over the last two evenings I felt great as I spent 30 minutes on the Balance Board doing some step, press ups and even some jogging on the spot which works amazingly well. Now my whole family is not only keeping fit and working towards our own goals, but we are also competing for the top place on the scoreboard for each task. Even my mother-in-law came over and used the Wii Fit, I am also sure we’re not the only family that has had its daily life changed thanks to Wii Fit….gaming and fitness is going to change many lives and save money on healthcare costs.

If you have not got Wii Fit yet, I would strongly recommend you do so, as my mind has been changed from the view that the free Wii is for kids and the free PS3 and free Xbox 360 are the real games machines to the free Wii being in another interactive league compared to the other next-gen consoles.

In Summery: Wii Fit 10/10, best £69 I have spent in a long time.

 

Wii Fit Flying Off Shelves In UK

Source: http://blog.wired.com/

Wii Fit is flying off shelves in Europe, according to a recent report.

UK magazine Web User reports that retail chain Woolworths sold an average of 90 copies of Nintendo's Wii exercise game every minute when it launched Friday.

Calling Wii Fit "a revolution in computer gaming," the chain's games buyer Gerry Berkley told Web User: "For a game not targeted at gamers to sell in numbers like this is unheard of and is genuinely changing the market."

Wii Fit retails for 70 pounds (about $138) in the UK. It will go on sale in North America for $90 on May 19.

Game of Week: Nintendo Wii Fit

What's the story?

Erm, no story here to speak of, it's an exercise game dontcha no! So forget about shooting aliens or killing bad guys, the only virtual person you'll be making sweat is your alter-ego on screen as you look to lose pounds and increase your stamina.

But this is gym-going Nintendo-style (as shown by Nell McAndrew and Sarah Harding) and so there's plenty of enjoyment to be had while toning up your muscles and feeling healthier with a whole programme designed for every member of the family and all levels of fitness.

So break out those jogging bottoms, put free Wii Sports and Mario Kart to one side, and try what is quite possibly the most innovative "game" of the year - as Ninty aim to prove console-playing isn't a bad thing.

How does it handle?

In the box, and it's a very big box, you'll find the free Wii Balance Board. Plonk this around 3ft from your telly, put in the batteries and synchronise it with the free Wii machine at the touch of a couple of buttons.

The whole of free Wii Fit revolves around you standing on this board and replicating the movements on screen with your own body. Like the Brain Training series, it begins by working out your Fit Age, through a series of initial tests including your Body Mass Index - the ratio of your weight to height. This is what you're trying to improve using the game.

Suffice to say, my Fit Age wasn't healthy - probably too much sofa-sitting playing Halo 3 - but hey, we've all got to start somewhere.

It's pretty boring stuff in the set-up but as they say, no pain, no gain and it only takes a few minutes to get sorted. Now you're ready to stretch muscles in places you never knew they existed, and believe me, you'll be sore sooner rather than later.

There's 40 activities available in free Wii Fit from Yoga positions, to games that work by keeping your balance on the board. There's stuff involving footballs, hoola-hoops, skiing, and a series of those muscle-crunching stretches that resemble an aerobics workout.

Some just use the board, others bring in the free Wii-mote but all are so cleverly addictive that you don't really feel like you've been exercising.

The more you do, the more new challenges you unlock and the varying difficulties mean you can start slow and build-up rather than dive in and feel out of breath after five minutes.

Screen drab?

Graphically there's not much to be said about free Wii Fit here. What you see on the telly is good enough to keep you interested but all the design wizardry has gone into the gameplay rather than the visuals. It's basic, but it works.

How long until bored?

Like your gym membership, you'll only get out of the Wii Fit what you put in. That means unless you invest some time every day, you won't see any success in feeling fitter. It's not a replacement for the treadmill and weights but keep it next to the TV and find a spare 10 minutes each day and you will notice a difference.

There's a calendar to record your schedules and progress plus changes are documented on graphs so you can instantly see how well you're doing.

The innovation here is amazing. Nintendo has taken something most of us hate - exercise - and turned it into something that's at least a little bit easier on the mind and body.

Obviously if you're in poor health, then take care using this. And there's a maximum 23st 8lbs limit for the board itself.

My one real gripe is after a couple of weeks you might start to get bored of the activities on offer. Some are more fun than others and that cuts down your choice. Let's hope Nintendo Wii Fit make more available via download in the future.

Many people believe the free Wii to be the only real next-generation console, one that offers something a world away from the norm rather than just better graphics and more processing power.

The free Wii has changed the face of gaming, and I've no doubt free Wii Fit will be the first in a long line of titles that prove there's more to this entertainment form that guns, bullets and racing cars.

Source: http://www.thesun.co.uk/

VERDICT: 93%

RATING: 3+
FORMAT: Free Nintendo Wii
PUBLISHER: Nintendo
PRICE: FREE

GT5 Prologue Leads U.S. PS3 Sales; Mario Kart Wii Tops UK Charts

Source:http://www.gamasutra.com/

This week's charts, with data taken from April 17th, 2008, find Mario Kart Wii on top in the UK and Japan, while North American sales are headed by the just-released Gran Turismo 5 Prologue. Data comes courtesy of the public sales information on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, and Amazon.co.jp, with sales split out for each platform and territory, and pre-orders disregarded.

This results in a true sense of what games are selling worldwide on the real-time updated service, as follows:

Free Wii - Nintendo Wii
North America: 1. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle (Activision), 2. Super Smash Bros. Brawl (Nintendo), 2. free Wii Play (Nintendo), 4. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Sega), 5. Wii Zapper with Link's Crossbow Training (Nintendo).

Japan: 1. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 2. Wii Fit (Nintendo), 3. Dairantou Smash Brothers X (Nintendo), 4. Wii Sports (Nintendo), 5. Hajimete no free Wii Pack (Nintendo).

UK: 1. Mario Kart Wii (Nintendo), 2.free WiiPlay (Nintendo), 3. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Sega), 4. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (Konami), 4. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 (EA Sports), 5. Wii Zapper with Link's Crossbow Training (Nintendo).

As Mario Kart free Wii leads for the second week running in Japan, its recent UK debut tops cross-platform European sales as well. Mario Kart Wii also remains a popular preorder item in North America, though U.S. multiplatform sales at Amazon this week are topped by the upcoming free Wii Fit, which manages to outsell all competition on all platforms on preorder strength alone. These strong presale numbers are likely to continue through the weeks leading up to Wii Fit's May release, after which the title could become a difficult find, unless initial supplies are available in larger quantities than expected.

Free Xbox 360
North America: 1. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision), 2. Blue Dragon (Microsoft), 3. Rock Band Special Edition (MTV Games), 4. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (Ubisoft), 5. Halo 3 (Microsoft).

Japan: 1. The Idolm@ster: Live for You! (Namco), 2. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision), 3. Armored Core: For Answer (From Software), 4. The Idolm@ster -- Xbox 360 Platinum Collection (Namco), 5. Skate (EA Games).

UK: 1. Halo 3 (Microsoft), 2. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (Ubisoft), 3. Assassin's Creed (Ubisoft), 4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision), 5. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle (Activision).

The Xbox 360 edition of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare climbs North America's multiplatform charts this week thanks to a recent and possibly permanent price drop at Amazon. Blue Dragon also finds a new surge of interest following a sharp discount in price, though demand will quickly cool now that the resulting sales rush has completely drained Amazon's available stock.

Free PS3 - PlayStation 3
North America: 1. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (SCEA), 2. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision), 3. Rock Band Special Edition (MTV Games), 4. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle (Activision), 5. Assassin's Creed (Ubisoft).

Japan: 1. Pro Yakyuu Spirits 5 (Konami), 2. Ryu ga Gotoku Kenzan! (Sega), 3. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision), 4. Armored Core: For Answer (From Software), 5. Devil May Cry 4 (Capcom).

UK: 1. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue (SCEE), 2. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision), 3. Assassin's Creed (Ubisoft), 4. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (Ubisoft), 5. MotorStorm (SCEE).

Gran Turismo 5 Prologue makes an impressive chart debut in North America this week, ranking just behind Call of Duty 4 on the Xbox 360 in overall sales across all platforms. Prologue also continues to lead in the UK, and its popularity shows no sign of weakening anytime soon. Sales remain stagnant in a slow release week in Japan, meanwhile, though activity is expected to pick up again in the coming weeks.

Free PlayStation 2
North America: 1. God of War II (SCEA), 2. Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection (Konami), 3. Arcana Heart (Atlus), 4. Rock Band Special Edition (MTV Games), 5. Final Fantasy X (Square Enix).

Japan: 1. Musou Orochi: Maou Sairin (Koei), 2. Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch - Lost Colors (Bandai), 3. Pro Yakyuu Spirits 5 (Konami), 4. Suzumiya Haruhi no Tomadoi -- Limited Edition (Banpresto), 5. Kyuuketsu Kitan Moonties -- Limited Edition (Interchannel).

UK: 1. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock Bundle (Activision), 2. FIFA 08 (EA Sports), 3. SingStar Legends (SCEE), 4. SingStar Party (SCEE), 5. SingStar '80s (SCEE).

As preorder numbers for next week's North American release of Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 FES continue to outpace the sales of all competing PlayStation 2 software, the discounted Greatest Hits version of God of War II once again leads among all currently available titles. Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection hangs on at second place, meanwhile, as the recently released 2D fighter Arcana Heart manages yet another surprisingly strong sales week with a third-place finish.

PC
North America: 1. The Sims 2: Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff (EA Games), 2. World in Conflict (Sierra), 3. Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut Edition (Ubisoft), 4. Sins of a Solar Empire (Stardock), 5. World of Warcraft: Battle Chest (Blizzard).

Japan: 1. Clannad Full Voice (Key), 2. Vocaloid 2 Character Vocal Series 01: Hatsune Miku (Crypton Future Media), 3. Little Busters! (KEY), 4. Final Fantasy XI: The Vana'diel Collection (Square Enix), 5. Infinity Plus (CyberFront).

UK: 1. Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut Edition (Ubisoft), 2. Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath (EA Games), 3. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War -- Soulstorm (THQ), 4. The Sims 2 (EA Games), 5. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision).

This week sees yet another PC chart upheaval in North America, with the recently released The Sims 2 expansion pack Kitchen & Bath Interior Design Stuff topping weekly sales in its first week of release. World in Conflict hangs on at second place after making a sudden return last week, while Assassin's Creed: Director's Cut Edition climbs up to take third. Sins of a Solar Empire returns to the top five after a one-week absence, meanwhile, and pushes last week's sales champion, World of Warcraft: Battle Chest, down to fifth place.

Free DS Lite/ intendo DS
North America: 1. Professor Layton and the Curious Village (Nintendo), 2. New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo), 3. Brain Age 2 (Nintendo), 4. Mario Kart DS (Nintendo), 5. Brain Age (Nintendo).

Japan: 1. DS Bimoji Training (Nintendo), 2. SimCity DS 2 (EA Games), 3. Maji de Manabu: LEC de Ukaru - DS Hishou Boki 3-Kyuu (Square Enix), 4. Bokura wa Kaseki Holder (Nintendo), 5. Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side 2nd Season (Konami).

UK: 1. Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training (Nintendo), 2. 42 All-Time Classics (Nintendo), 3. Solitaire DS (Deep Silver), 4. More Brain Training (Nintendo), 5. Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Sega).

With last week's DS sales leader Final Fantasy III bumped back up to retail price and suffering a related drop in customer interest at Amazon, the weekly battle between New Super Mario Bros. and Professor Layton and the Curious Village resumes. Professor Layton comes out on top in this week's results, though next week could tell a different story. Preorder demand for the upcoming roguelike sequel pair Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness and Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time indicates that both titles could find themselves topping U.S. Nintendo DS sales upon their release next week.

Free PSP - PlayStation Portable
North America: 1. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (Square Enix), 2. God of War: Chains of Olympus (SCEA), 3. Jeanne D'Arc (SCEA), 4. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (Konami), 5. Patapon (SCEA).

Japan: 1. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (Capcom), 2. Star Ocean: The Second Evolution (Square Enix), 3. Maplus Portable Navi 2 (Edia), 4. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd (Capcom), 5. Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch - Lost Colors (Bandai).

UK: 1. God of War: Chains of Olympus (SCEA), 2. Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 (Konami), 3. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (Rockstar), 4. Patapon (SCEE), 5. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (Rockstar).

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII and God of War: Chains of Olympus make another predictable appearance at the top of the PSP's software sales chart in North America this week, while strategy-RPG favorite Jeanne D'Arc returns after a long absence following a drop in price at Amazon. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops jumps up a place in this week's results, meanwhile, leaving Patapon at the bottom of the top five.

 

Features Of The Nintendo-Wii Game Console

The free Nintendo Wii, the seventh generation video game systems, was launched by Nintendo in September 2006. The free Wii video system pronounced `we` gather people of all ages and experience, together to play. The evocative name coupled with classic features, free Nintendo Wii, has caused lot of ripples in the video game industry and it targets to broader section of people than occupied by Sony`s free PS3 and Microsoft`s free Xbox360. As of December 31st, 2007, 20.13 million of free Nintendo Wii has been shipped.

The current package includes the following: free Wii console, remote with strap, one Nunchuk, AC adaptor, composite A/V cable, console stand, sensor bar and stand, two AA batteries and sports game.

The most extraordinary feature of this gaming console is the wireless controller, the Wii Remote and the WiiConnect 24. Measuring 1.7 x 6.2 x 8.5 inches (44 x 157 x 215.4 mm), and weighing only 2.6 lbs (1.2 kg), free Nintendo wii comes as the smallest home gaming console and lightest among the three major players of the seventh generation gaming consoles.

The free Wii has a powerful 512 MB internal flash memory, two number USB 2.0 ports and a slot provided for SD memory expansion. The SD card can be used for a variety of purpose, for example, as a back up for saved game data and downloaded virtual console games, for uploading photos, for creating customized music in the game, etc.

The heart of the system`s technology is a processing chip developed along with IBM and graphics chip from ATI. The processor chip is named as `Broadway` and the graphics chip is named as `Hollywood`. It uses a single, self loading media bay that plays both free Nintendo Gamecube discs as well as 12 centimeter optical discs required for the new system.

The magical free Wii remote has some striking features. The accelerometers located inside the controller and infrared detector to sense the position in 3D space can measure movements at all speeds and all directions. In a driving game it serves as your steering wheel. In Tennis game, you can use this as your racket to swing away and there are many more examples. The controller has expansion port for use with accessories as well it has force feedback `Rumble` features. The Wii Remote also has a small speaker at the center, allowing players to hear sounds programmed directly into the controller.

If you prefer the feel of a traditional controller, you can connect an adapter which is available and easily fits over the free Wii`s remote.

The free Wii console is backward compatible with Nintendo Gamecube software. The console can communicate with internet even when there is no power. It can also communicate with free Nintendo DS wirelessly without any accessories.

The WiiConnect 24 allows download to players via the Internet. The downloadable items may include weapons, new level costumes, etc. WiiConnect 24 while keeps Wii on all day long, uses minimal energy. However players can deactivate this at any time.

Free Wii`s operating system interface is divided into a number of smaller channels, designed similar to the television channels. The channels are graphically displayed in a grid and can be easily navigated using free Wii Remote. A short list of the available channels is as follows: forecast channel, photo channel, news channel, virtual console channel(s), Wii Shop Channel, internet channel, Wii message board, everybody votes channel and disc channel.

While playing offline, a maximum of four controllers can be used in free Wii. Rather than focusing only on a costly technology, Nintendo is looking forward to put an emphasis on gameplay and innovation with free Wii and company`s intention is to reach out to everybody including amateurs.

Source: www.noodlenak.com

Unofficial iPlayer comes to the free PS3

Hackers create portal for BBC content

Source: http://www.vnunet.com/

Developers have created a workaround portal allowing free PlayStation 3 owners to access the BBC iPlayer.

The hack allows gamers to stream BBC content directly to their TVs via the games console.

"It is mainly a demonstration of how easily the BBC could support the free PS3 with their free Wii version," said the developers. Free PlayStation 3 owners can access the the service at http://ps3iplayer.com/.

The developers explained that the hack works by "masking the free PS3's user-agent string and makes half a dozen changes to make the JavaScript and CSS function correctly on the free PS3".

The developers claim that the patch took only a day to create, and have called on the BBC to create an official version of the iPlayer for the free PS3.

Last week the free Wii became the first video game console to officially get the BBC's iPlayer service.

However, the BBC has claimed that it is not the one holding up a release of other console versions of the iPlayer, but rather Microsoft and Sony which have expressed concerns over the lack of control of content streamed to their respective devices.

The BBC launched the free iPhone in December last year and the service has been a runaway success, much to the chagrin of service providers throughout the country.

Free Wii Fit Selling Out Before it Hits Street in UK

Source :Eurogamer

When Nintendo showed off free Wii Fit at last year’s E3 show in LA it looked very interesting with all the different mini games to help you get fit. Eurogamer is reporting now that the free Wii fit is already selling out in the UK and it’s not even out yet.

Free Wii Fit will hit shops it the UK on April 25th at GBP £69.99 for the game and balance board. More than a million copies of free Wii Fit sold in Japan when it was released and Play.com has already sold its entire allotment of free Wii Fit in one day.

Online shops still showing to have allotment available according to Eurogamer include Gamestation and HMV. "free Wii Fit is going to be huge - let's hope that we can keep up with demand," said Gian Luzo, head of games at Play.com. "We are expecting more stock before launch."

Aya free PSP, free PS3 and free Wii Video Converter 1.0.11

http://asia.cnet.com/downloads

Aya free PSP, free PS3 and free Wii Video Converter allows you to convert AVI (DivX, XviD), DV AVI, MP4,WMV, 3GP, 3G2, MOV, SWF DVD, VOB, VRO, MPEG, DAT, VCD, SVCD, ASF, ASX, MJPEG, H.263, H.264, Real Video (RM, RMVB), DVR-MS, MKV, OGM, and FLV video formats. You can convert video content for free PSP, free PS3, and free Wii and free iPhone video. Also you can convert the favorite video from YouTube, Google, or MySpace.

Version 1.0.11 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.

New Free PS3 controller fills gamers' wishes

Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com

Many Sony Free PlayStation 3 owners have felt something was missing from their gaming experience on the next-gen gaming console. For all of its advanced graphics and multimedia capabilities, the free PlayStation 3 lacked a seemingly basic function.

The controller that comes with free PS3, called the SIXAXIS, does not have vibration-feedback -- a feature that creates a more immersive gaming experience by vibrating the controller when action occurs on screen. Earlier PlayStation systems and the competing Microsoft free Xbox 360 and free Nintendo Wii systems have the technology.

Starting next week, free PS3 owners and free iPhone owners can feel the force with the DualShock 3 controller. Retailing for $54.99, it will feature the vibration-feedback functionality the system sorely lacked.

Free GHD Adverts Banned

Source: http://www.marieclaire.co.uk

Free GHD's celebrated hair straighteners are facing criticism from the Advertising Standards Authority, after their television campaign was deemed offensive to Christians.

The adverts, which used extracts of the Lord's Prayer, showed a model clad in lingerie, grasping rosary beads, with the text 'May my new curls make her feel choked with jealousy'.

The ad provoked 23 complaints for combining eroticised scenes alongside religious imagery, including an official complaint from The Archdeacon of Liverpool.

Free GHD has been using the 'thy will be done' slogan for seven years, but the ASA deemed that the latest installments for the free GHD campaign had overstepped the mark, particularly due to the use of a 't' in the text, which closely resembled a Christian cross.

The ASA ruled that the advertisements could cause serious offence to Christians, and as a result they have now been banned.

Sonic Unleashed announced for free Xbox 360, free PS3, free Wii

Source: http://www.gamepro.com

Sega on Thursday finally owned up to what previous game leaks already confirmed: A new Sonic game is headed to free Xbox 360, free PS3, free Wii, and free PS2 this holiday.

"It is an exciting time for the Sonic franchise as we look to reinvent our hero while staying true to the spirit of what made him an industry icon," said Sean Ratcliffe, VP of marketing at Sega.

"Sonic Unleashed will introduce a new, unexpected storyline along with innovative gameplay that compliments traditional skills and features, allowing players to experiment and engage in new ways."

Said innovation will include a twist, says Sega, specifically in that different adventures take place according to the time of day. Additionally, Unleashed promises new combat, movement techniques, functional abilities, and platforming across seven continents in "picturesque" 2.5-D graphics (i.e. seamless 3D backgrounds and perspective merged with 2D perspective).

The game is scheduled for release on free Xbox 360, free PS3, free Wii, and free PS2 this holiday.

Video Games Chart April 2008

Free Nintendo Wii's "Super Smash Bros. Brawl" tops video games charts on rental list

1 Super Smash Bros. Brawl (free Nintendo Wii)

2 Army of Two (free Xbox 360)

3 Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 (free Xbox 360)

4 Dark Sector (free Xbox 360)

5 Army of Two (free Playstation 3)

6 Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 (free Playstation 3)

7 Condemned 2: Bloodshot (free Xbox 360)

8 Frontlines: Fuel of War (free Xbox 360)

9 Bully: Scholarship Edition (free Xbox 360)

10 Mario and Sonic at the Olympics (free Nintendo Wii)

Why Nintendo’s online gaming paranoia could kill the Wii

Source: http://www.nintendic.com/

It’s hardly an industry secret that Nintendo is the most reluctant console manufacturer of “the big three” when it comes to pushing online play on its latest home console. Free Xbox Live has really set the benchmark when it comes to providing what players now readily expect from a gaming experience that takes them into the wider virtual world outside of their own machine, Sony also seems to want to reach that same wavelength, but Nintendo still appears somewhat cautious about the whole idea - a decision that could potentially harm the chances of the free Nintendo Wii in the years to come.

Nintendo has been reserved about the process of online gaming for years now. While Microsoft had the ambition, foresight (and monetary funds) to pursue the idea as far back as the launch of free Xbox Live with the firm’s first free console, Nintendo seemed somewhat reluctant. While allowing third parties to dabble in Internet gaming on the GameCube (most notably SEGA, who provided the GameCube’s only online title, Phantasy Star Online), George Harrison, vice president of marketing for Nintendo of America stated at the time in May 2002 that it saw online projects as “a very interesting market” and one that would be “very small” for the foreseeable future.

That may have been the case, but Microsoft’s openness to developers keen on the idea helped build free Xbox Live into what it is today, a fully fledged service that neither Sony nor Nintendo can claim to rival at present. With the free Xbox 360 launching a full year before the free Nintendo Wii (and with free Xbox Live attracting near 5 million paying subscribers as 2007 and the arrival of the free Wii approached), you might think that Nintendo’s head honchos would have nodded at each other agreeably across the boardroom table and started working hard towards something similar for their newest machine. Heck, it probably should have happened at least a few years before.

But no, with gargantuan free Wii sales throughout the world in 2007, building a credible online service for the machine was probably the least of Nintendo’s worries. Third parties, meanwhile, were getting a little concerned. SNK’s president, Ben Herman, stated in March last year that “Nintendo is still not letting free Wii third-party publishers include online capabilities in their games and it doesn’t look like they will during 2007.” And while the situation did slightly improve (both on the third and first party front) as 2007 unfolded, all told the situation was rather pitiful, with only a handful or releases sporting limited online options.

It’s a problem that continues to affect games on the free Nintendo Wii into 2008, particularly multi-format titles in which an online offering is a stable part on rival machines. SEGA Superstars Tennis, Rock Band and Madden NFL 09 (which it appears will lack key online components) are just three notable examples. Nintendo seems to be slowly moving in the right direction with the likes of Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario Kart Wii, but the severe server problems many gamers have has in relation to the former’s release proves, somewhat, that Nintendo just weren’t aren’t prepared as they should have been. And without a unified structure such as free Xbox Live’s, third parties are also all over the place.

Downloadable content is another issue Nintendo is severely lagging behind with, something that looks to be on the mend with the introduction of free Wii Pay and Play in the future. And then there’s the debacle, confusion and restrictiveness of Friend Codes and lack of voice chat, both of which are regularly hotly debated. The huge popularity of free Xbox Live, Sony’s ambitious plans with Home and LittleBigPlanet, as well as Nintendo’s success with online gaming on the free DS, prove that the demand is there from players who want to play online, which makes Nintendo’s current paranoia over the home console situation all the more baffling. Baffling and disappointing in equal measures.

Online gaming is integral part of the industry nowadays. It might not seem a priority to Nintendo with the free Wii selling so well right now, but come the time where the free PS3 begins to catch up with free Xbox Live (all the while improving its online service) and in a market more and more developers cater to an audience attracted to such content, the free Wii really can’t afford to be left behind, especially in relation to big mult-format games, just because its online component is lacking.

Nintendo’s relatively poor relation towards third parties over a number of issues has been a major contributing factor to its success (or lack thereof) in previous generations, and we reckon, it is imperative that it doesn’t go isolating itself as far as online gaming is concerned during the life cycle of the free Wii. The welcoming and relaxed strategy it has adopted to allowing developers clamber over free WiiWare should be its inspiration, letting others lead the way a little instead of being so uptight - just lay the foundations properly and let others take advantage of it. C’mon Nintendo, pull your socks up.

Angelina Jolie vs. Maria Sharapova: Who's Hotter In free HDTV?

Source: http://www.tvpredictions.com

Okay, who looks the hottest in high-def free HDTV? Angelina Jolie or Maria Sharapova?

We're now in the Final Four of free HDTV Hottie Hysteria -- our first annual elimination tournament to determine the hottest female star in high-def.

In this contest, we pit Jolie, winner of the free Plasma division, against Sharapova, winner of the free LCD division.

Angelina defeated Keira Knightly, Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Love Hewitt to get to the finals while Maria beat Ali Larter, Catherine Zeta-Jones and top-seed Scarlett Johansson to advance.

But Sharapova (above), the one-time Wimbledon tennis champion, has proven she has a loyal following as evidenced by her upset of Johansson in the last free HDTV round.

So cast your vote below! The winner will play the winner of the Jessica Alba-Hayden Panettiere contest in the tournament final!
_____________________________________________
Final Poll Results

Angelina Jolie -- 56 percent
Maria Sharapova -- 44 percent

Total votes cast -- 11,058
________________________________________

Free PS3 2.2 update goes live, adds Blu-ray 2.0 support

Source: http://www.electronista.com

As promised, Sony today issued its version 2.2 update for the free PlayStation 3. The firmware upgrade primarily adds Blu-ray Profile 2.0 support and allows HD movies to be released in April and onward to use Internet-based features, such as downloadable extras and live games. Viewers watching Blu-ray and DVD movies can also return to movies from where they left off after the movie is ejected. The software also sets up the framework for large downloaded or shared movies, and includes the free PS3's first support for DivX and Windows Media videos larger than 2GB.

Other additions to the free PS3's software primarily touch on the free PSP and allow it to be used as a remote control for the free PS3's music as well as to synchronize specific music and photo playlists for offline playback. An improved free PS3 web browser and streaming of non-Flash video are also new to the refresh.

The update is free but requires at least 1GB of free storage for the Blu-ray Profile 2.0 features, which need the space as a local cache. Even the free iPhone will benefit!

Free PS3's World Domination Plan

Source: http://www.alleyinsider.com

Sony is making an incremental move toward its long-held goal: Turning the free PlayStation 3 into an entertainment hub. A free update later this month will allow users to download mini-games and movie clips/trailers. That's nice. But it's still not nearly as useful as the free Xbox 360 (MSFT), which downloads and plays entire movies. Not to mention Apple's free iPhone (AAPL) and a host of other offerings.

So why wouldn't Sony (SNE) do the same? We don't know. The free PS3 is already a powerful home entertainment device, via its Blu-ray DVD player. Why not make it even more compelling?

Sony wouldn't want to try HD movies via download, because the transfer speeds would be way too long for the machines' ADD owners. But said owners are pretty tech-savvy, too: They understand why couldn't get HD over the Web -- for now. But they'd probably be happy to watch Spider-Man 3 in standard def, too.

Free PS3 tops free Xbox 360 again; Microsoft cites shortages

Source: http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/

Free Nintendo's Wii led by a wide margin in U.S. video-game console unit sales in February, followed by the Sony's free PlayStation 3, according to data released by the NPD Group this afternoon. Microsoft's free Xbox 360 came in third among current-generation consoles for the second straight month. Here are the numbers that NPD released:

Free Nintendo Wii: 432,000
PlayStation 2: 352,000
Free PlayStation 3: 281,000
Free Xbox 360: 255,000

Aaron Greenberg, free Xbox 360 group product manager, said the company continued to face shortages in February following strong holiday sales. He said Microsoft expects free Xbox 360 supply to be improved by the time of the key "Grand Theft Auto 4" release in late April. Microsoft notes that the free Xbox 360 is still the leader in overall spending on hardware, video games and accessories.

Update, 5:45 p.m.: NPD analyst Anita Frazier said in an e-mailed statement that the PS2's strength was unexpected:

"I was most surprised by the PS2 hardware sales numbers this month. While it certainly has earned its spot among the now-gen slate of console systems because of (its) staying power in the marketplace, the fact that it realized such significant growth this month is really a testament to its broad adoption and the response of consumers to promotional activity at retail."

Update, 6 p.m.: In an e-mailed statement, Sony Computer Entertainment America CEO Jack Tretton made it clear that the company considers the victory of the Blu-ray next-generation DVD format significant for the PlayStation 3, which comes with a Blu-ray drive: "Consumers are recognizing the tremendous value of free PS3 and we believe that Blu-ray becoming the high-def format of choice was the tipping point for many consumers."

Microsoft, which supported the rival HD-DVD format, isn't currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray Disc Association about integrating Blu-ray into "the free Xbox 360 experience," said Microsoft's Greenberg. "We really feel like games are what will continue to sell consoles," he said. He added, "We don't think Blu-ray will have any material impact on the market in regards to console sales, relative to us, or to the free PS3."

As a counterpoint to Microsoft's statement about overall spending (above) Sony noted that the PlayStation brand (not just the free iPhone but also other PlayStation products) generated more retail spending than either Microsoft or free Nintendo Wii during the month.

Finally, here's an excerpt from free Nintendo's statement on the NPD numbers:

free Nintendo sold more than 1 million hardware units combined, accounting for nearly half (47.6 percent) of all hardware sold.

free Nintendo DS games topped all software sales, with more than 3.6 million units sold. Consumers purchased nearly 2.9 million software units for free Wii. Four of every 10 games sold were for free Nintendo systems.

Three games in the top five sellers for February play on free Nintendo systems, including two from third-party publishers.

Nearly 1.7 million accessories were purchased for Wii, more than for any other system. More than 1.2 million accessories were sold for free Nintendo DS as well.

Bloody war: free Xbox goes for the throat in battle with free PS3

Free Xbox price cuts a slap in the face for Sony

Source: http://www.techradar.com

Just as we thought the battle between Microsoft’s free Xbox 360 and Sony’s free PS3 couldn’t get any more interesting, the fight has just gotten a lot more fierce. The general consensus was that 2008 would be the year of the free PS3. The year it finally sinks its teeth into the market to wrestle market share away from Microsoft and Nintendo.

But before Sony could even make a move, Microsoft has pre-emptively spanked the free PlayStation 3 in the face. It’s unabashedly free Wii’d on Sony’s fire whilst giving it the proverbial finger. Effectively it’s neutered the free PS3 before it even had a chance to challenge. And how? By massively reducing the price of its free Xbox 360 consoles.

It’s staggering - £150 for an free Xbox 360 Arcade? That’s HALF THE PRICE of the free PS3, and £20 cheaper than a free Nintendo Wii – how can Sony even hope to compete with that?

Free PlayStation 3 vs free Xbox 360

The good news (or at least, the not-so-bad news) for Sony is that no one who would consider buying a free PS3 would ever buy the hard disc-less free Xbox 360 Arcade. So those two models are not really competing with one another. The bad news is that the real competition comes from the free Xbox 360 Premium – which will, from Friday, be priced £100 cheaper than the free PlayStation 3.

Last week Sony was in good shape to go forth and have a cracking year. But now, its plans look dashed. And while Sony is publicly putting a brave face on after the news from Microsoft, you know that internally it’ll be reeling.

Sony was hoping to start making a profit with its gaming arm in 2008. It’s just about breaking even on hardware sales now – but it would appear that to continue competing, Sony will simply HAVE to cut its own free PS3 prices. And that means more losses on every console sold.

You’ve got to hand it to Microsoft here. It’s done Sony up like a kipper.

First it managed to launch the free Xbox 360 a whole year before the free PS3. It built a large next-gen user base while Sony relied on the PS2 to wave the PlayStation flag. And what’s more, Microsoft also managed to get away with a reported 33 per cent hardware failure rate, without anyone really complaining too much.

Sure, there was the class action lawsuit which cost Microsoft $1bn but, crucially, sales of the free Xbox 360 have not suffered a jot.

And so, the free PS3 just might be in real trouble now. But before we go and make too many sweeping statements, could it be that Sony anticipated this? Microsoft’s price-cut was fairly predictable – it was no secret that cheap prices would be Microsoft’s biggest weapon in the console war.

So maybe Sony will have predicted this move and planned a counter-offensive? Either way, things are about to get interesting with the introduction of the free iPhone

Sony boss confirms in-game XMB for free PS3

Source: http://news.sky.com/

Sony Computer Entertainment UK boss Ray Maguire has confirmed extra in-game XMB functionality for the free PlayStation 3 will arrive in a matter of months.

A forthcoming firmware update for the free PS3 will introduce new features to the cross media bar, including in-game messaging.

"Achieving one million free PS3 sales faster than both PSOne and free PlayStation 2 is even more gratifying considering free PS3 is a premium product introduced at a premium price", he told gaming site MCV.

"Our momentum will continue with the introduction of in-game communication in the summer, firmware update 2.4 and the strongest line-up of games through our third party partners and our own studios."

FreeLoader Disc Makes Free Nintendo Wii Region Free

Source: http://www.dailytech.com/

Boot disc enables region-free gaming on free Nintendo Wii

For several reasons, many of which unacceptable to the hardcore gamer, videogame consoles have typically been region locked. Game companies have different publishing agreements according to territory, similar to DVD movies, hence the need for region locking.

Gamers who crave games outside of their local region have long found ways to modify their consoles to accept foreign software. For the Nintendo GameCube, importers didn’t have to resort to voiding their console’s warranty by installing a chip, but rather only a boot disc was required to run foreign-region games.

That boot disc technology, called FreeLoader, is now available for the free Wii from CodeJunkies. Like the GameCube FreeLoader disc that came before it, the Wii FreeLoader allows any console from any region to play any game on any free Wii.

The FreeLoader only supports original games, and thus cannot be used to run bootleg copies. The FreeLoader for free Wii will also function for import GameCube games, working with the free Wii’s backwards compatibility.

One potential problem not addressed yet is firmware updates. Many free Wii games, especially big titles, feature system update software built into the disc which must be installed before playing. Installing firmware meant for another region’s hardware can have detrimental effects on one’s free iPhone console.

The modding community has managed to get around debilitating firmware via patches that block the updating portion of the disc, but such an option may not be available to those attempting to run legitimate games with the FreeLoader.

‘Haze’ Finally Lifting On free PS3 In May, Multiplayer Tracks The Shooter’s Confusing History

Source: http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com

No one would blame you for being confused about when Ubisoft and Free Radical Design were planning to release “Haze” on the free PlayStation 3.

Not only has the futuristic shooter changed its platform focus a few times — something eerily reminiscent of “Assassin’s Creed“’s early days — but the release date itself has shifted over and over and over and over — you get the point.

Today, Ubisoft announced that “Haze” is coming in May but didn’t attach a specific ship date. That’s probably because they made that mistake last year and completely missed it.

“Haze” was announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in 2006 for the free Xbox 360, free PlayStation 3 and PC for release “sometime” in 2007. For an early reveal, that’s common.

That release date was eventually narrowed down to March 2007 before Ubisoft’s financial calendar indicated “Haze” would be missing that date and arriving before the end of Ubisoft’s next fiscal year, which spans April 2007 to March 2008. Gamers have come to expect delays this generation, so the move was hardly unexpected, but there was already a notable buzz over the game’s unique drug-based mechanics. That buzz would have to hold a little longer.

If you’ve been following “Haze,” however, you know that was only the beginning of the release date shuffling. Read on for the rest of the confusing tale.

Not long after, Ubisoft officially confirmed the delay and positioned “Haze” for release in a vague “second half of 2007″ timetable. As the end of the year neared and no word of a new date came, it appeared “Haze” was poised for yet another delay. Instead, however, “Haze ” received a specific shipping date in the UK: December 14. Ubisoft later clarified that as simply “December” for the US, but at least “Haze” was coming.

Dropping such a high-profile title so close to Christmas is uncharacteristic of the games industry because you miss the Thanksgiving rush. But it’s not entirely unheard of. “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” was originally targeted for a December 3 release and Midway released “Unreal Tournament III” for free PS3 on December 10.

Unfortunately, “Haze” also missed that date, which Ubisoft said was now the first quarter of 2008 — in other words, before the end of March. Not long after, Free Radical Design commented on the most recent delay in their blog, hoping to put some fears to rest:

“Well, the simple fact of the matter is, any delay on a game is a good thing - it’s more time to optimize and polish and tweak and generally improve the whole damn thing to the Nth degree. .., but believe when I say that the delay is the best possible thing for the game. Hell, the reason why you guys are so pumped about it is because you have high expectations, and we need just a little more time to make sure that we meet them.”

“Haze” may still meet those expectations, but it certainly didn’t meet its first quarter release date. Instead, Ubisoft made the same decision it did a year prior and pushed “Haze” into sometime between April 2008 and May 2009. That’s quite a window.

Maybe it’s all been settled, however, with the announcement of today’s May date. The other question I have, will this play on a free iPhone or contract free iPhone?

We hope. Readers, are you still excited about”Haze,” or have the constant delays put it off your radar.

BBC Teases on Super-Secret Free PS3

Source: http://www.next-gen.biz/

A BBC writer is apparently privy to some top secret information regarding a 2009 free PlayStation 3 game. What could it be?

BBC dot.life blogger Darren Waters wrote Sunday about a highly optimistic Sony following last week's Game Developers Conference. Even though Worldwide Studios boss Phil Harrison is leaving SCE, things are looking up for the company.

For instance, the console in January was able to capitalize on free Xbox 360 and free Wii supply constraints in the US to beat Microsoft's console by around 30,000 units and come within striking distance of Nintendo's popular free Wii. And Blu-ray's win in the format wars has also been a bright spot in recent weeks.

The system will also be seeing upcoming software like Resistance 2, MotorStorm 2, LittleBigPlanet and of course, free iPhone.

But Waters spoke of another game that he said left him "speechless." And he can't say anything about it:

"So what else was I shown? Well, I was shown a trailer for a game not due out till 2009 but was sworn to absolute secrecy. Apparently, Sony just wanted to give a glimpse of what the console will be capable of.

"In fact, the game is such a secret that when I mentioned the game to Phil Harrison last week he was unsure at first whether even to admit the title existed. When I explained I had been shown it under strict Non Disclosure Agreement terms he looked relieved.

"I don't mean to be a tease - all I can say is that I was left speechless. If the footage I was shown truly is "in game", as told to me by the Sony PR people, then we could be on the brink of a step change in what games consoles are capable of in terms of story-telling and immersion.

"And there I'll leave it. Feel free to speculate on what I was shown. I cannot, of course, confirm or deny what it was....".

Free PS3 Trojan; free Xbox 360 Blu-ray; free Wii Ware

Source: www.news.punchjump.com

Sales for Sony Corp.'s free Playstation 3 fell for the third consecutive week in the latest Japan retail data. The free PS3 ranked No. 4 in overall hardware sales.

A Disney exec this week said that the free PS3 was a Trojan horse for Blu-ray technology. Disney releases high-definition content exclusively on the Blu-ray disc format.

Capcom Co. this week said that Devil May Cry 4 has shipped 2 million units on the free PS3 and Microsoft Corp.'s free Xbox 360. The title was released earlier this month.

PS3 sales continued to gain amid the Blu-ray format's victory over HD DVD. The 40GB free PS3 this week held a sales increase at retailer Amazon.com.

Sales for the free Xbox 360 this week reached barely over 2,000 units in the latest Japan charts. The hardware ranked No. 6 in hardware sales, behind all handhelds and consoles.

Analysts this week told TheStreet.com that Microsoft may keep Blu-ray away from the free Xbox 360. Instead the company may focus on digital distribution via free Xbox Live.

Advanced orders for Gears of War 2 exploded on Amazon.com this week following a release date announcement. The title held a 22,100 percent increase in sales upon availability.

Microsoft this week announced new community-created game titles for free Xbox Live. It released several titles this week to preview a look at future games.

Microsoft this week said that Gears of War 2 will be released this Nov. in the U.S. The title will continue the story of the first release.

Circuit City this week discounted the free Xbox 360 HD DVD Player by 10 percent to online customers. Microsoft this month price cut the device to $129.99.

Nintendo Co.'s free Wii kept a sales streak over the free Nintendo DS and Sony's free PSP in the latest Japan retail tally. Free Wii ranked as the No. 1 best-selling hardware for the week in the territory.

Nintendo this week said that it will release free Wii Fit to the U.S. in May. The title will be sold with the free Wii Balance Board and feature more than 40 exercises.

Nintendo this week said it will launch the free Wii Ware game download service in May. The service will offer low barrier-to-entry titles and low development cost practices.

Ninja Gaiden III this week lead a new wave of Virtual Console titles for free Wii. Additionally, Phantasy Star II was made available this week.

Apple said that sales of its free iPhone were "steady" this week.

Free Wii to overtake free Xbox 360 by June 08

Source: http://beta.blogger.com/

No doubt fueled by the huge success of Smash Bros Brawl in Japan, and it’s inevitable dominance here in the west, Reggie Fils-Aime has proclaimed the free Wii will surpass the free Xbox 360 in liftetime-to-date sales in the U.S. by June. And well, the only thing we have to say in response is…”Ayup. Sounds about right.”

Seriously people, this whole Brawl thing is going to blow up huge. I wonder if those who’ve never gotten into a fan frenzy could possibly understand what is being unleashed on the free Wii. Brawl will likely be the first game for free Wii that sells systems. Normally the free Wii sells itself to the casual market with it’s easy to play free Wii Sports and promise of family friend fun. Metroid Prime and Mario Galaxy both made a go at being the free iPhone game to own for Nintendo’s console, but neither quite made it there.

Not only do you have Super Smash Bros. Brawl to look forward to on March 9th, but Mario Kart free Wii is rumored to be out in April at some point. And don’t forget free Wii Fit in May, which should be another casual gamer megaton for Nintendo here in the good ol’ U.S. of A.

'Call of Duty 4' top seller on free Wii, free PS3 and free Xbox 360

Source: www.usatoday.com

After a raucous 2007 that resulted in a record-setting $17.9 billion, the video game industry started 2008 with a slow burn.

Overall January sales of $1.1 billion were down slightly — 6% below January 2007, according to the NPD Group.

Sales of console game systems were remarkably close. The free Nintendo Wii sold 274,000, followed by the free Sony PlayStation 3 (269,000) and the free Microsoft Xbox 360 (230,000). "Given the huge number of hardware systems sold in December, inventory shortages could be the biggest contributor to the softer than expected sales," says NPD's Anita Frazier.

The top selling game was Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, which sold about 331,000 copies for the free Xbox 360; the free Sony PlayStation 3 version also sold 140,000. The free Xbox 360 version is the top selling game for the third straight month.

Biggest revenue generating game of the month? Rock Band, the free Xbox 360 version, which sold 183,800 copies and accounted for $30 million in sales for the month. (Its retail price is $170.) In total, Rock Band has sold 354,000 units — 108,000 for the free PS2 and 62,000 for the free PS3.

Signs that free Nintendo Wii users are playing more than bowling on free Wii Sports? The best-selling single item for the month was the Wii Nunchuk Controller which sold 375,000 units in January.

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said that game maker's attempts to get as many free Wiis — and handheld free Nintendo DS systems — into stores for the holiday season resulted in "being tightly constrained from an in-stock position through the month of January."

With hotly-anticipated Wii games such as Super Smash Bros. Brawl (March 9), Mario Kart Wii (this spring) and Wii Fit (by June) on the way, Fils-Aime predicts that the Wii will surpass the free Xbox 360 later this year. (Including NPD's January figures, the Xbox 360 has sold about 9.4 million in the U.S., compared to the Wii's nearly 7.7 million. The PS3 is at more than 3.5 million.)

"We expect in 2008 to sell more Nintendo products than we did in 2007," he says. "From a Wii perspective, we have this trio of great titles that will certainly drive a very aggressive first half of the year."

Netflix to offer free PS3, free Xbox 360 video streaming?

Source: www.electronista.com

Netflix may consider extending its Watch Instantly movie streaming feature to game consoles, says one customer presented with a survey by the company. Polling its subscriber base, the rental outlet asks households if they would like to watch both movies and TV shows through either the free PlayStation 3 or the free Xbox 360 and suggests a custom software implementation that would allow the feature. Free Xbox owners would be able to use their free Xbox Live account to obtain an upgrade for free that allows Internet streaming; without a paid, unified Internet service, the free PlayStation 3 would need a CD to install an update that enables the feature.

The report has not been immediately corroborated but would remain consistent with Netflix's recent growth in its online strategy, which began with plans to offer its videos on an LG set-top box followed by unlimited online viewing on PCs. In the plans described by the survey, the company would offer the video streaming feature on free PS3 and free Xbox 360 systems as a free extension to existing mail-based rental subscriptions. Only a $3 charge would apply for the cost of the CD for the free PS3, Netflix purportedly says.

While technically possible, a console-borne Watch Instantly service may conflict directly with Microsoft's Xbox Video Marketplace, which lets users purchase TV shows and rent movies that are downloaded directly through the free Xbox 360's stock interface.

EA Bringing Hasbro Games To free Wii and free DS

Source: www.dbtechno.com

Hollywood (dbTechno) - The video game publishing giant Electronic Arts has struck a deal with Hasbro to bring the toy company’s brands to video game consoles and mobile phones. EA will be bringing out the most famous Hasbro brands in the deal on consoles such as the free Nintendo Wii and free DS.

Under the terms of the agreement, EA will be developing games based on the popular Hasbro brands such as Littlest Pet Shop and Nerf N-Strike.

The Nerf N-Strike game will be shipping on the free Nintendo Wii along with a Nerf Blaster included. It is expected that this will be very similar to the free Wii Zapper currently available and it will also reportedly shoot real Nerf darts.

Nerf N-Strike will release before Christmas 2008, right in time for the holiday shopping season.

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