Mobile Devices

Posted Feb 15th 2008 3:33PM by Nilay Patel
Filed under: GamingAlthough word on the street is that Microsoft is planning to release the successor to the Xbox 360 in 2010, the company is still apparently planning on updating the 360 design several more times in the next couple years. Just like the “Falcon” motherboard now on shelves updated the original 360 design with a 65nm CPU, the upcoming “Jasper” revision should take the GPU to 65nm as well — but that’s more or less common knowledge. What we’re hearing now is that all those RRoDed 360s sitting in warehouses are going to be retrofitted with the same 65 / 90nm CPU / GPU combo as Falcon, but on a mobo design called “Opus” that fits the original Xbox case molds. That means no HDMI, since pre-Falcon cases didn’t have the openings — but apparently MS is only planning on sending these out as warranty replacements. The real action, however, appears to be “Valhalla,” a supposed final rev of the 360 that integrates the GPU and CPU into a single “superchip.” Details on that are more than sketchy, and we’re definitely skeptical — especially since we’d been hearing chatter about 45nm CPUs, but nothing about a unified architecture. We’ll see when we see — as long as all these boxes play CoD4, we’ll be happy.

Posted Feb 15th 2008 4:42PM by Darren Murph
Filed under: Displays, HDTV
We figured it was coming, we knew it was coming, and sure enough, it has arrived. All build-up aside, the LCD deal — not to be confused with the already implemented plasma arrangement — between Matsushita (Panasonic) and Hitachi has finally been finalized, and under the terms of the agreement, Matsushita will acquire a 24.9-percent stake in Hitachi Displays, Ltd. by March 31st, pending regulatory approval. It should be noted, however, that Hitachi and Canon (who is technically still a part of this wheelin’ and dealin’ triangle) are still working to hammer out a formal contract, but you can get all up in the fine print by tapping the read link below.

Though it may be based on a movie, Spiderwick Chronicles is a great introductory video game for young people with its helpful instructions and fun gameplay.

The game revolves around two twin boys and their sister, who discover a hidden world of Brownies, Ogres, Goblins, and more in their dead uncle’s mansion. The story is explained piece by piece through various movie segments, so players don’t feel like they are mindlessly guiding a player around. I would say that a previous knowledge of the movie isn’t necessary–players will get the gist soon enough.

In the game, the player can choose among easy, medium, and hard difficulty levels and then complete a series of mini-quests around the mansion and backyard. The instructions clearly tell you what to do at the right time, so there’s no need to endlessly consult the player’s manual or online sources (a definite bonus). Another good part of the game is that if you’re stuck you can click on the task to find out what you’re supposed to be doing.

Although that may not seem like a good feature to experienced players, the lessons will be a godsend to any kid who has just picked up their first game. Spiderwick Chronicles on easy level is just right for the younger audience–it even has arrows throughout the game for players on where to move next, and isn’t too difficult.

The graphics and the musical score are also very good compared to most children’s video games. One cute part of the game is that when a character–for example, the Brownie Thimbletack–moves, the musical score is accentuated with a little musical noise instead of the standard video game action grunt. The voice actors are nothing special, but the dialog is fresh and actually sounds like a young kid at points. It seems that everything has been thought of, and this leads to an immersing experience.

Spiderwick is no Zelda for sure, so those looking for a multi-layer, 100+ hour experience should look elsewhere; but it’s a good game for its intended audience.

Let’s hope the widespread rumors about Toshiba’s plan to kill HD DVD are true. If not, it might as well prepare for its hara-kiri as soon as possible. It’s because the country’s largest retailer Wal-Mart has announced its allegiance to Blu-ray.

Poor Toshiba, only DreamWorks remains as a major studio loyal to hd dvd. Recently, Best Buy and online video renters Netflix also betrayed the weakened DVD format.

In the next 30 days, the Wal-Mart’s online business and its 4,000 brick-and-mortar Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores will exclusively carry Blu-ray players and movies. Moreover, the retail giant will retain the standard definition DVD players and movies in its inventory.

Just in case you’re still a loyal supporter of beat-up HD DVD, Wal-Mart will continue to sell the remaining items. Though I’m sure most of you will not be interested to buy it even at discounted rate.

Read [Wal-Mart Facts] Via [Check Out]

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While Vodafone claims that their new and advanced customer service available directly on the handset itself in real time is meant to provide users with a self care facility, I think otherwise. Chances are Vodafone is going to cut down on its support staff, hoping that this self-help service would be able to solve their support team from a whole lot of troubleshooting. Then again, I would think that clueless folks themselves might even find it difficult to navigate through such a self-help system, which is why they have customer service consultants in the first place. How effective do you think such a system will be?

I was late to work on Wednesday this week because a short clip of the *greatest toy ever* (think “Pleo’s big buddy”) caught my eye while being featured on Good Morning America.

Kota the Triceratops dinosaur debuts this week at the annual Toy Fair held in New York City. Measuring over 40 inches tall, Kota is an interactive triceratops, featuring movement sensors in nine areas on his body. Kota adorably reacts to touch by moving his head, tail, mouth, and horns. Kota is a durable little big guy as well, he’s happy to hold a little bit of weight, and children (mind you, that’s not grown up kids) can press a button on the riding handle to play adventure-themed songs.

Six D batteries are required to keep Kota happy and playful. Approximate retail price: $300; ages 3 years & up; available: Fall 2008

Learn more at Playskool.com.

For more on innovative toys, visit our other site, Babygadget.

The notion seems counter productive at first glance, but retailer website Amazon is placing retail links that could drive shoppers away from its own website. People browsing Amazon to do their Web shopping could be directed to purchase items at competing websites. Has Amazon gone mad?

Rest assured, Amazon hasn’t lost its mind and is testing a new paid advertising program. By placing links like “Available at these other websites” and showing competitor pricing on its own shopping site, the company is collecting referral fees that could earn it more money than if the company sold the item itself.

Time will tell if the program is successful, but for now, it is obvious that Amazon is trying what it can to stay profitable into the future.

Read more at The Seattle Times.

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What’s that second box at the bottom of the preamplifier you ask? It is a separate power supply. The second box allows Jeff Rowland to put in an internal Ni-MH battery pack. According to Audio Junkies, who definitely know more about this audiophile stuff than I do:

The Criterion has four balanced and two single ended inputs, and both balanced and single ended outputs. Both signal to noise ratio and channel separation are rated greater than 100dB.

The price for such a hot looking piece of audio technology is enough to make you gasp, $18,000. If that is too much, Jeff Rowland does have some lower end models for about $10,000 less.

Source: Audio Junkies, Stereophile, Jeff Rowland Design Group

Mobility Electronics, a name famed for being a pioneer in portable power solutions for folks who tend to be dressed in gadgets more than clothes, has just announced that its iGo Universal power adapters and accessories are now available in the UK via selected Maplin retailers. In fact, a total of 86 Maplin retail stores already offer iGo power adapters, with plans to introduce it to 143 retail stores in total before the year 2008 is over. If you don’t want to line up with the masses to pick up any iGo product, there is always the option to purchase it online at www.maplin.co.uk. Check out the list of featured products after the jump.

iGo juice70 – This compact all-in-one adapter powers and charges your notebook computer from any standard wall, auto or in-flight outlet. Bundled with the iGo dualpower accessory, users can simultaneously charge a notebook computer and another mobile electronic device.
iGo everywhere – A combination AC/DC adapter that allows users to power/charge nearly all low-power mobile electronic devices from any standard wall or auto outlet. Includes a retractable cord and convenient travel case.
iGo in-car charger – DC adapter that allows users to power virtually any gadget from a standard in-vehicle outlet.
iGo AC charger – Ultra-portable AC adapter that allows users to power/charge multiple gadgets from any standard wall power outlet.
iGo powerXtender – Utilizes two AA batteries to power/charge virtually any gadget, providing extra runtime when away from standard power outlets.
iGo power splitter accessory – This accessory is designed to work with select iGo low power adapters to simultaneously charge two gadgets, such as cell phones, Bluetooth headsets, portable gaming devices, and more from a single adapter

It doesn’t matter what type of device you have as all iGo power adapters and chargers use the company’s patented tip technology, where a single adapter is capable of charging a host of devices thanks to its interchangeable tips.

Press Release

If you use Snapfish, Shutterfly ,or Kodak Gallery, you’re very familiar with the wonders of photo creation technology and have probably made countless photo books, calendars, Christmas cards, or coffee mugs with a darling photo of your baby for your mother-in-law. I know I have.

So why do we need another one? Rocketlife claims to be the “next generation of photo creation technology that revolutionizes the way that consumers create all types of personal photo products online.” What’s different? With RocketLife, there is no need to log into an account (though of course you’ll have to create one to PAY) and your projects are stored on YOUR computer, not the service. However, the big difference seems to be with the “Smart Arrangement” Technology which intuitively lays out and designs photos into “artistic works of art.”

If you’re one of those people who struggle with design and tend to be a tad indecisive, then Rocketlife can make you a collage or photo in seconds. It’s like having your own designer genie. As with their competitors, photos can also be manually cropped, rotated, and manipulated, with photo treatments, such as tints, blurs, lighting, textures, text, and graphics, with the click of a mouse.

RocketLife’s “3D Digital Merchandising” does give you a better vision of your final project, as with the mug I made for my lovely mother-in-law for Mother’s Day. (Scoring points here!)

But don’t take my word for it…sign up for our newsletter and you’ll have a chance to win a coupon code so you can try it for yourself.