Archive for May, 2010

PC Giant Dell joins tablet PC market

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

_47049669_tablet-threesome-bodThe world’s No 3. Computer manufacturer Dell has announced its new tablet PC known as the ‘Streak’ and the ‘Mini 5’. Dell has confirmed that this is the first of many new products planned.

The streak runs on Google’s Android system and is a bit smaller than most tablets with just a 5” screen, although reports suggest Dell also has a 7” and 10” tablet in the pipeline. Tavis Butler of Dell told the BBC that “This is the first in a family of devices”.

According to analyst firm CCS insight over 1.3 billion mobile devices will be sold around the world in 2010.  Dell obviously wants to move into this space much more prominently although it appears as if they will be targeting business users more so that mainstream consumers.

The ‘Streak’ was first shown off at the Consumer Electronics show earlier this year. The product seems in a unique position as it is larger than a smart-phone such as an iPhone but smaller than an iPad and as such offers an alternative to both these products.

The first ‘Streak’ comes with 3G and wi-fi connectivity, 16GB of storage, GPS and two cameras. It will be available in the UK from June and will be distributed exclusively through the Carphone Warehouse on O2 service plans.

New iPod Touch to feature camera?

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

196658-ipodtouchwithcamera_350As Apple struggles to contain it’s prototypes, there is yet another leak. Rumour has it Apple’s latest iPod Touch is getting a 2-Megapixel Camera.

The 64 GB device features a 2-megapixel camera and based on its markings it appears to be a test unit. Without word from Apple there is no concrete information as to when or even if this new model will hit UK shelves.

So while this iPod Touch could be the real deal, it’s hard to know for sure whether it is an old propotype or something Apple is currently working on. Realistically it could be 2011 before we see a new iPod hit the shops as Apple typically announces new iPods in September.

Sony PS3 to stream Indie Films

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

ps3+playstation+3_2524_19766585_0_0_7032420_300Both the Playstation 3 and XBox 360 have been streaming mainstream blockbusters for a while now. However Sony has just announced that from Autumn this year PS3 owners wil be able to stream films from MUBI.

Mubi is known as an online cinemateque for quirky movie lovers. With 1,000’s of acclaimed independent, foreign and classic films available it is a welcome addition to the PS3. It is believed that initially there will be around 300 films available to download at launch.

Andrew House, European Playstation boss stated ‘Playstation is about great entertainent, from games to content, delivered straight to the living room or enjoyed on the go’.

PS3 owners will simply need to download the application from the PS Store and then download the films. Although prices are yet to be confirmed it is thought there will be a varied pricing structure similar to iTunes. However some films will be free to download.

HTC Unleashes new Smartphone

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

HTC-Wildfire-smartphone-005

The HTC Wildfire will hit UK Shelves in July this year. The release of the latest HTC smartphone using Google’s Android Platform will be hot on the heels of the new iPhone 4G.

The Battle between Apple and Google for market share will heat up with the new HTC aimed at taking on the mass mobile market.

The Wildfire, with a 3.2 inch touchscreen, is smaller than the Nexus One and Desire, which have 3.7 inch screens, but has the same 5 megapixel camera. Its processor is slower than the Desire and Nexus One which include Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chip.

The HTC Wildfire also allows users to recommend applications – or ‘apps’ – that they have downloaded onto their device, to their friends, either by sending them a text or email with a link to the ‘app’ on the Android marketplace, or by broadcasting details of the ‘app’ on Twitter and Facebook.

Drew Bamford, HTC’s director of user experience, said it is just the first step in making Google’s Android marketplace, which includes many thousands of downloadable programmes, easier for people to navigate.

New MacBook to hit UK Shelves?

Monday, May 17th, 2010

new-apple-macbook_1Apple is set to release a spanking new MacBook. According to Vietnamese site Tinhte, which was in the news last week after they got their hands on pictures of the new iPhone 4G in action.

It looks like the MacBook will be getting an update that will bring it more in line with the new 13 inch MacBook Pro and will feature a faster 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, and NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM.

This brings the MacBook up to par with the 13-inch MacBook Pro. It is expected that the new MacBook should hit UK stores before the end of 2010, however no release date has been confirmed.

The popularity of the Apple Mac range has increased significantly over the past few years and with this new launch Apple is hoping to secure yet more PC users.

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Friday, May 14th, 2010

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Sony PSP 2 due in 2010

Friday, May 14th, 2010

psp2It has been rumored that Sony could launch the PSP 2 this june at E3.

The popular portable gaming device is long over due for an upgrade and it looks as if it could be available for fans in the UK just in time for Christmas.

As shown in the picture (right) the PSP v2 is much bigger and guaranteed to offer a much better gaming experience. The sleek design and large screen are key changes for this new PSP.

Sony is set to pitch the PSP v2 against the Nintendo 3DS which will be announced at E3 as well.  Apple is also rumoured to be launching the next generation iPhone 4G or iPhone HD by the end of next month.

So for all you tech geeks out there… June could well be the month for you.

Skobbler iPhone satnav app launches in UK for just £1.19

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

skobbler-iphone-300x221Top-selling iPhone navigation app Skobbler has launched in the UK for just £1.19, giving a decent alternative to shelling out for a dedicated piece of GPS hardware.

Having seen over 150,000 downloads in Germany, the new app comes to the UK at the £1.19 introductory price, with the normal price being quoted as £2.39.

The app uses OpenStreetMap and relies on a community-led approach with users crowdsourcing information in order to update maps quickly. Any issues that motorists or pedestrians come across can be highlighted, making for consistently updated and, more importantly up-to-date maps.

Features include; turn-by-turn GPS navigation, being both visual and voice guided; day and night display modes; automatic continuation after incoming calls and a handy pedestrian mode.

The app is available on the iPhone 3G and 3GS from the App Store at the £1.19 price for a limited time only.

Panasonic 3D TV Hits the UK

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

panasonic-50-inch-full-hd-3d-vt20-uk-150x150

Panasonic 3D TV Hits the UK

Panasonic have entered the fray with this massive 50 inch flat screen P50VT20B 3D Plasma Television. Although it may not be the first 3D TV to go on sale in the UK, it is by far the most attractive of the 3D models on sale.

The first noticeable aspect about this television is probably that it’s a plasma model. Though LCD TVs have of late gotten the upper hand on their plasma rival, the technology is not at all substandard. In fact, Panasonic point to a number of advantages with using a 3D plasma TV over a 3D LCD Television.  These include super clear images for any fast motion, improved luminance efficiency, cross talk reduction, and, evidently, better quality when viewing ordinary 2D content as well.

Unfortunately, no discussion about 3D televisions could be complete without talking about the dreaded glasses. The P50VT20B uses active 3D goggles, which means they’ll cost a lot (in the £100 range). Fortunately two are included by default, so you won’t have to immediately purchase more like with some Samsung 3D TV models. They also look quite stylish, resembling a new pair of designer sunglasses, in contrast to some of the very dorky pairs we’ve seen through the years.

Microsoft takes gaming battle 3D with upgrade to Xbox 360

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

Xbox+360_2524_19770172_0_0_7041218_300Video game companies have taken their fierce battle for customers into the realms of the third dimension, with Microsoft challenging Sony head-on by upgrading its Xbox 360 console to support 3D games.

The US technology giant revealed yesterday that it had signed a strategic partnership with the electronics company LG, as it prepares to bring 3D gaming to the Xbox 360. Gamers in the UK will have to control their excitement for now, as plans seem to be limited to the Asian market at the moment. Yet experts believe the rise of 3D in other formats makes the format’s expansion more likely. The move follows recent announcements by Sony, which has upgraded its PlayStation 3 console to support 3D, and Nintendo, which is planning to release a 3D version of its popular DS  and Wii Consoles.

Microsoft has been concentrating heavily on taking the fight to Nintendo’s extraordinarily successful Wii console, whose motion-sensor-based games have encouraged a whole new group of players into the market. This culminates in the launch of Project Natal at the E3 expo next month. Yet the group clearly believes it needs to offer an alternative to Sony, and yesterday news from South Korea emerged that the Xbox 360 will support 3D games.