Sony shows you how BRAVIA WE 5 presence sensors work

Remember the Sony BRAVIA WE5 which had very clever presence sensors that could switch themselves off? Sony has probably realised that many don’t actually believe this (including a mate of mine!), so they’ve created this infographic so that it can be explained more clearly

RIM BlackBerry Storm 2

Here are some spy shots of what looks like the BlackBerry Storm 2 which we were told earlier on would arrive the UK as well as other countries in Europe by late this year. From the pictures, it doesn’t look like any radical chances have been made from the current Storm. But sources do suggest that the Storm 2 codenamed “Oden” boasts WiFi and GPS, which is exactly what we want to hear!

Photos of Playstation 3 Slim

Just hours into our post about a possible Playstation redesign known as the PS3 Slim, a user has now posted photos onto a Japanese message board of the slimmed down Playstation 3.You will notice that if these shots are real, Sony has decided to drop the “Playstation 3″ logo and instead replace it with PS3.

New tool downgrades your iPhone 3G’s baseband in a single tap

Just an update anyone who has recently checked out our Roundup: Two Three ways to downgrade iPhone 3G baseband. We’ve updated the article because there is now an even better, simplier method does downgrades your iPhone 3G’s baseband back down from 02.30 to 02.28 allowing you to unlock your iPhone 3G using yellowsn0w for use with any network.As you can see in the screenshots above, this new tool called 3G Fuzzyband Downgrader automatically checks your bootloader version to make sure it is 5.08 and then downgrades your iPhone 3G’s baseband for you seaminglessly.

If you’re looking to downgrade your iPhone 3G’s baseband, or you haven’t been so successful with other methods, we definitely recommend checking out 3G Fuzzyband

Downgrader here: Roundup: Two Three ways to downgrade iPhone 3G baseband

PS3 redesign - “PS3 Slim” in the making?

Rumors have revealed that according to some sources, Sony might be showing off a slimmer version of its PlayStation 3 console as soon as a few months, in June later this year. While Sony UK have thus far denied any of this to be true. A slim redesign of the console falls right in line with “Sir Howard Stringer’s recent comments about the system being too expensive a trimmed-up redesign is right on schedule with those smaller Cell and RSX chips.” Might we see a PS3 Slim as well as a Playstation branded Sony Ericsson phone soon?

Apple outs another brilliant ad: Megan just wants something without viruses!

Apple responds to Microsoft’s ton of “choosing the right PC” ads with one new “Get a Mac” ad that strikes them all. In the ad below, new character Megan just wants a computer that’s virus and headache free, check it out, its absolutely brilliant stuff!

Android app Google Sky Map tells you which constellation lies above

If you’re a user of the T-Mobile G1 or any other Android device, you now have access to Google’s latest Sky Map app which was unveiled just yesterday. The Google Sky Map Android app is basically a map of the stars in the sky, using GPS, it determines your location and serve up the map of stars you can view from your location.

You can hold up the phone to the sky and the map will show which stars are viewable in the direction in which the phone is held. While there are similar apps for the iPhone, we are not aware of any that allows the user to move the device along with the map instantly following.

Samsung launches 32GB memory card using 30nm class NAND

Samsung has announced shipment of its latest 32 Gigabyte (GB) moviNAND, the highest density embedded memory card using 30-nm class process technology. It improves the performance of high-end phones and other mobile consumer electronics when processing and storing large amounts of multimedia content. Each 32GB moviNAND device incorporates eight Samsung 30nm-class 32Gb NAND chips, a multimedia card (MMC) controller and firmware. Samsung’s 30nm-class moviNAND is also available in 16GB, 8GB and 4GB densities.

Sony X-series OLED Walkman on sale in the UK now!

We posted a hands on video about the latest Sony X-series OLED Walkman a few days ago. Although there is no official press release, Pocket-lint and other UK sites are claiming that Sony’s OLED Walkman will arrive UK high streets today. The Sony OLED Walkman will be priced at £209 for the 16GB model and £279 for the 32GB model.

Dell ST2010 20 inch HD widescreen monitor launched

Dell has launched its latest 20-inch HD widescreen monitor: ST2010. It features HD playback capabilities with a 1600 x 900 resolution for a true 16:9 aspect ratio, and an HDMI input for rapid transfer of high quality video and audio. The HDMI input also allows you to connect the monitor to a HD games console or blu-ray player. Other features of the Dell ST2010 includes a fairly standard 5-millisecond response time and a 1000:1 contrast with a 160 degree viewing angle. The Dell ST2010 uses a highly efficient two lamps direct backlight system for as much as 25% energy savings compared to similar monitors using four lamps. It is estimated that the Dell ST2010 will cost around US $120 to $130.

Leaked: Revised second generation T-Mobile HTC G1 called Bigfoot

According to a leaked roadmap of upcoming phones for later this year from Walmart, the below is called Morrison or aka Bigfoot. Many believe this isn’t going to be a new HTC Android phone instead, a revised version of the G1 or second gen G1 if you like. As you can see it sports a full slide-out HTC-style QWERTY keyboard, great for those who are keen on texts. BGR reports that the Bigfoot is likely to drop in October later this year for $148 with a 2-year agreement at Walmart. As for us in the UK, we’re not too sure whether it will actually make its way here.

Sony launches new bluetooth headphone range

Sony have launched two new additions to their bluetooth headphone range this week. Both the DR-BT100CX (in-ear style) and DR-BT101 (overhead style) feature Sony’s noise cancelling technology which we were able to recently test out in their superbly comfortable MDR-XB700.

But unlike the MDR-XB700, bluetooth headphones as you can imagine are wire-free, much more convenient to use and to put away when not needed. Additionally, both the DR-BT100CX and DR-BT101 will offer up to 12 hours of wireless play time before another recharge via USB.

Sony’s new Bluetooth® headphone range lets you immerse yourself in perfectly clear audio without any cable clutter. Whether you are listening to music or making a phone call, Sony’s echo and noise cancelling technology will ensure exceptional sound quality. In addition, compatibility with the latest Bluetooth® 2.1 standard means not only can you say goodbye to troublesome wires, but reduce interference as well.

The new Bluetooth® headphone range from Sony is comprised of two models; DR-BT100CX and DR-BT101. Both feature simple, easy to use finger-tip controls which make it straightforward to adjust the volume, play and skip music tracks, and accept or reject incoming calls at the touch of a button.

The DR-BT100CX in-ear headphones are the perfect partner for your MP3 player or mobile. USB charging and cord free styling make them easy to use, whilst three sizes of silicon ear bud ensure superior sound quality can be enjoyed in comfort. With eight hours of playback time, these lightweight Bluetooth® headphones will keep you in connected, whatever you’re listening to.

For a headband headset without the inconvenience of cables, the DR-BT101 Sony headphones are the ideal choice. Enjoy rich, clear sound for hours on end through the headphone’s 30mm neodymium driver; twelve hours of playback means there is no risk of running out of power on long journeys. As both models support A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP Bluetooth® profiles, Sony’s new Bluetooth® headphone range keeps you connected and cable free whether you’re travelling, exercising or just listening to your favourite tracks at home.

GI Joe Rise of Cobra movie trailer is out

After the Transformers, here is yet another latest 80's toy line film believed to be soon out this summer - G.I. Joe! Maybe not for the younger generations these days, but I certainly remember growing up with G I Joe action figures lying around the house, practically everywhere! However, its films haven't always been welcoming, while fans love its war-themed action, technology equipped vehicles, robotic-like suits, there are others who think its absolutely pointless. I suppose things like these can always go either way! Here's the official G.I Joe: The Rise of Cobra trailer in HD:

G.I. JOE trailer in HD

From the Egyptian desert to deep below the polar ice caps, the G.I. JOE uses the latest in next-generation spy and military equipment to fight the corrupt arms dealer Destro and the growing threat of the mysterious Cobra organization to prevent them from plunging the world into chaos.
Here’s a quick quote of the movie’s synopsis via moviefone…

Director Stephen Sommers (The Mummy, Van Helsing) adapts the beloved Hasbro G.I. Joe toy line with this Paramount Pictures production that pits the Global Integrated Joint Operating Entity against the evil forces of the organization known as Cobra. Dennis Quaid and Channing Tatum star as General Hawk and Duke Hauser, respectively, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Marlon Wayans leading the rest of the cast, including Sienna Miller, Ray Park, Rachel Nichols, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Saïd Taghmaoui, and Asian film star Lee Byung-hun.

Free Swine Flu Tracker app for iPhone geeks

Although we published a way to track online the movement of the Swine flu pandemic using Google Maps a few days ago, it is by no means the only way to follow news of the new H1N1 virus and its spread. Tech savvy, or more specifically iPhone (and iPod Touch) users, will soon be able to download an app called the Swine Flu Tracker off the App Store. While, it is still currently in queue to be approved by Apple, there is no doubt that the developer IntuApps will be quickly credited by popularity for creating this app amongst all the Swine flu craze.

Using this Swine Flu Tracker app, you will be able to see the current threat level for the disease, other features include a map showing confirmed and suspected cases. The app also tells you the symptoms you would get if you were to have the flu and there’s also an alert page for breaking news regarding Swine Flu. 
 
While it is true that regular winter flu has always had a much more higher mortality rate (at least compared to Swine flu so far), all the hype should not be underestimated due to the fact that H1N1 is something relatively new and that the last outbreak was over 40 years ago. Though the trouble it has caused outside of Mexico seems minimal at the moment, we reckon once this Swine Flu Tracker app is out, it should prove to be useful for those who are required to travel frequently. We do wonder however, what the next tech savvy tool to capitalise on this viral outbreak could be, who knows, we’ll keep you posted.

RESEARCH ON FLU VIRUS

How can one bug combine genetic material from pigs, birds and humans to become so dangerous? Think of flu viruses as promiscuous, species-jumping, disguise-wearing contestants in a reality-TV show titled "Evolution Gone Wild." Virus-fighters are scrambling to keep pace, using analytical techniques that work more quickly than ever.

This show is no comedy, as illustrated by today's news about the first U.S. death in the swine-flu epidemic and the escalation of the World Health Organization's pandemic alert status. But knowing how the virus game is played could help you understand issues ranging from the difference between vaccines and antivirals to the reasons why you can't get the flu from a pork chop.

Viruses are outfitted to pry their way into your cells, hijack the protein-making machinery inside, then break their way out and proliferate. The key package is the set of RNA molecules lurking inside the virus' shell. Those single-helix RNA molecules contain the instructions for assembling a cell's proteins into more viruses.

Flu viruses are so hard to get a handle on because they can swap bits of RNA inside the cell, creating a fresh genetic patchwork that emerges as a new virus strain. The fact that the flu virus depends on RNA rather than DNA increases the likelihood of mutation, because the RNA doesn't even try to correct the errors that crop up during replication. It just lets the evolutionary chips fall where they may.

Your immune system can create antibodies that lock onto a virus and keep it from breaking into your cells. But the antibodies won't immediately come to the rescue if the virus has disguised itself through genetic recombination.

That's where vaccines enter the picture: They can sensitize your immune system to recognize the virus in a new disguise. The first step in making a vaccine is to see through that disguise. And fortunately, the quickening pace of genetic analysis is streamlining that part of the process, making it possible to track down a flu virus' identity in hours rather than days or weeks.

The rapid response paid off when it came to identifying the virus behind this month's flu outbreak. "The first specimens took roughly six hours from when the box was opened," David Daigle, a spokesman for the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told me via e-mail today.

The CDC's lab had its sequencers primed and ready to go in advance - first to identify the virus as a swine-flu strain, then to get a complete genetic sequence. "Looking at that genetic sequencing data, you can draw conclusions about the origins of this virus," said John Treanor, a virus expert at the University of Rochester.

The virus was classified as an H1N1 type - the same general type that was seen during the 1976 swine-flu outbreak, but with some novel twists. CDC official Nancy Cox said the virus' RNA mixed together bits from North American avian flu and swine flu, at least one bit from human flu, and at least two bits from Asian and European swine flu.

How did all those bits get mixed together? Pigs are regarded as particularly good "mixing vessels" for RNA swaps, because they can contract flu viruses from humans and birds as well as other swine. All those bits of RNA can recombine within the pigs' cells, resulting in lots of possible disguises for the resulting viruses. One of those genetic disguises was so successful that the virus made another species-crossing jump from pigs to humans.

Now that the virus' genetic sequence has been decoded, it can be used as a fingerprint to track its spread. "For the first time in history, we can track the evolution of a pandemic in real time," WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said at a news conference today.

Just as a refresher, here are some other scientific flu facts:
Flu infections are a fact of life for pigs, but swine flu is rarely passed along directly to humans: It takes just the right genetic twist for the virus to make the jump between species. Swine-flu virus is not passed through food. "Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses," the CDC says in its swine-flu briefing. The concern about swine-to-human transmission has more to do with being in contact with live pigs.

Vaccines train your immune system to block the molecular machinery that viruses use to break their way into your cells (a.k.a. hemagglutinin, the "H" in H1N1). Those vaccines are not designed to stop an infection once it's started. In contrast, antiviral drugs target the machinery that viruses use to break out of your cells (a.k.a. neuraminidase, the "N" in H1N1). Those drugs stop the virus' life cycle in its tracks. The current manifestation of swine flu can be stopped by the antivirals Tamiflu and Relenza (but not by amantadine or rimantadine).

As a flu virus spreads, the chances of further mutation become greater, experts say. And that means there's a chance that a deadlier virus could emerge. That's why it's particularly important to limit the spread of this latest swine-flu virus. But viruses aren't all bad: In fact, evolutionary biologists have seen signs that viruses can give some species new genetic capabilities - and viruses have been used intentionally to help humans.

Finally, here's a list of resources that delve into the science of flu viruses - including some great visualizations showing how the viruses do their thing:
Antigenic shift and antigenic drift explained 
Associated Press: Swine flu interactive 
Washington Post: Flu's severity studied 
Ars Technica: An influenza biology primer 
Swine flu updates from ScienceInsider 
Viral video from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 

Samsung LED TV

For those who have shown interest in the newly unveiled Samsung LED TV we featured just a few days ago, here are two videos to get your appetite going even further! The short clip below was taken by someone I believe in Asia where the tellies are already available and boy are they thin!

Terminator Salvation Trailer HQ

“As the player, you will face many different scenarios, you will be hunted, face superior enemies, endure assaults and work your way to a solution.”

Movies don't have a great history within the game industry. Whether playing a game based on a movie or watching a movie based on a game, the results are rarely as epic as the promotional trailer. Terminator is one of the rare exceptions. When T2: The Arcade Game arrived, few could keep their hands off this non-stop, hugely destructive shooter. Even with primitive graphics and gameplay technology, few titles can compare, at home or in the now-dead arcade.

Unlike T2, Terminator Salvation, the action game based on the upcoming movie, isn't an on-rails shooter. But it has every chance of continuing its predecessor's legacy. "We have focused on conveying emotions relevant to the gameplay," said Per Juhlén, Producer of Terminator Salvation. "There is always a delicate balance when conveying emotions in a game without interfering with the actual gameplay.

"We worked hard on conveying the feeling of fighting a superior power and the feeling of satisfaction when a goal is achieved against all odds. This is where we used the more cinematic components, just to ensure we did not create frustration or poorly staged game play scenarios."

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves trailer

Pre-E3 2009 Preview

Arguably (considering that the developer and publisher has not shown off everything coming down the pike in the coming year), SCEA saved the best for last during the pre-E3 event held in mid-April at the Andaz Hotel in West Hollywood. But not only is there speculation about what might be lurking (including more hands on with God of War III), but what the company showed was only the multiplayer and co-op portions of the upcoming Naughty Dog title, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

However, from a purely visceral standpoint, what was shown was clearly the crowning jewel of the day. Uncharted 2 marks the first time that the title has moved into the multiplayer arena, but though the modes of play were nothing truly new – there was the team deathmatch and a version of capture the flag entitled Plunder – what was remarkable was how the game played out. The graphics were not dumbed down for multiplayer. Rather, the multiplayer elements sported the same detailed environments and same smoothness that players will experience in the single-player portion of the game.

A representative for Naughty Dog gave a very brief presentation to the game, stating that the development team was pushing the technology of the PlayStation 3 with the game and that players would experience a new style of gameplay than what they were used to.Uncharted is very much an action-adventure built within the same style of treasure-oriented missions that set the Tomb Raider franchise apart from other titles, but rather than copying the Lara Croft game, Uncharted has taken its own course with a cast of recurring characters that give the game personality. 

Nathan Drake is the central protagonist of the game. As the storyline goes:

“Down on his luck, Drake is lured back into the treacherous world of thieves and mercenary treasure-seekers he had sought to leave behind. When a mysterious artifact propels Drake on an expedition to find the legendary Himalayan valley of Shambhala, he finds himself embroiled in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse against a fugitive war criminal who’s after more than just the fabled riches of the lost city.”

But that’s central to the single-player element … which was not available for play at the pre-E3 event. The multiplayer was fast-paced, a graphical treat and a whole lot of fun to play.

Mac OS X users - try out Avast Antivirus Mac Edition if you’re worried

We received a few messages from Mac users last week worried about the conflicker worm. While we are not aware that Mac OS X are susceptible to its infection nor are we aware about many viruses that can infect Macs, we believe some of you like some suggestions on choosing a reliable antivirus software / app for Mac OS X.

Avast Antivirus Mac Edition has the same ICSA Certified scan engine as all Avast antivirus products, offering protection against the latest and legacy virus, malware, Trojan horse, and spyware risks. Virus definitions and scanning capabilities are updated often (sometime several times per day, depending on current threats), so you can rest assured that your Mac is protected at all times. All you need to do is install, configure once (if you want to change the default settings) and forget about malware being a problem.

Some key features of Avast Antivirus Mac Edition includes:

Full on-access scanning - which scans files as you access them, to make sure they are safe from infection
On-demand scanning - for scheduled or ad-hoc scans of your system volumes
Mail protection-integrated mail protection can stop infection at one of the most vulnerable access vectors
Virus Chest - a safe storage place for infected or suspected files, where they cannot harm your system
Fully automatic updating of the program and virus definitions and full scanner preference control
Under-the-hood technology features include: native execution of virus database on Intel platform Macs, with fast emulation on PowerPC of assembler-level parts; multi-threaded scanning daemon; industry leading unpacker support (for archives); able to upgrade the definitions database, even while doing background scanning; application itself multi-threaded; fail-safe updating architecture (if the daemon fails to do an update, the main application will do it instead); kernel extension architecture for capturing after-close events on modified files; optimized software architecture, including non-blocking system calls; and the program is designed for speed and non-degraded system performance.

Unfortunately, unlike the PC version of Avast which does have a freeware version for home users, its Mac OS X edition isn’t absolutely and consists of a 60-day trial. If you think you’d like to try it out, click here for more info over at Avast.

New musical synthesizer app for iPhone and iPod Touch

For those who liked musical synthesizer apps such as the MiniSynth developed by Yonac, comes its "big brother" - MegaSynth, compatible with both iPhone and iPod Touch. MegaSynth is a fully-featured analog modeling synthesizer, it is packed with a number of features that its "younger brother" did not support. With its 3 true-analog-modeling VCOs, 5-note polyphony, dedicated LFOs, built-in sequencer, arpeggiator/chordmaker and recording feature. MegaSynth is packed with the necessary digital technology to deliver a complete mobile synthesizer package that compromises none of that classic, luscious analog synth tone. Yonac Software Releases MegaSynth, Premier Synthesizer for iPhone and iPod Touch From the creators of miniSynth comes its long-awaited “big brother.” MegaSynth brings together several innovative features to make it the definitive synthesizer for iPhone and iPod Touch. (New York, NY – April 18, 2008)

Yonac Software is pleased to announce the release of MegaSynth. Following the success of the company’s analog-modeling miniSynth, the developers have worked hard to create a synth that utilizes the capabilities of the iPhone to the utmost. It combines several features to offer one of the most creative and powerful synthesizers available for the iPhone and iPod Touch.MegaSynth utilizes several features to empower the musician including: • 5-voice polyphony • 3 oscillators with 7 waveforms each • Configurable triad arpeggiator and chordmaker with 23 musical scales • 24-note step sequencer • Accelerometer-controlled pitch, cutoff and resonance • 4 LFOs • Noise generator • Oscillator syncing • Recording; audio file import/export via Wi-Fi connection • Infinite user presets • 209 factory sounds • Reverb and modulation effects

“We’ve worked hard for many months to produce a synth that caters to sonic exploration,” says CEO and MegaSynth head designer James Yonac. “MegaSynth’s features will have synth lovers drooling, yet those new to synthesizers will find the intuitive interface easy to navigate. It is sure to inspire many new musical compositions.”

MegaSynth is now available at the Apple iTunes app store for $4.99. Yonac Software was founded in New York City in 2008. The company mainly focuses on the development of music and sound related software. In September 2008, they released the hugely successful miniSynth, the app store’s first synthesizer. Yonac’s other iPhone applications include TuneORama, an easy-to-use guitar tuner, and Thereminator, a touch screen theremin.

WoW running on iPhone via 3G

World of Warcraft (WoW) on the iPhone? Yes, you read it correctly! This isn’t necessarily a new app for the iPhone though. What you see in the picture and the video below is actually WoW being streamed to the iPhone via the iPhone’s 3G connection. What we understand from this is that, the actual online game is running on the PC but with the help of Vollee, WoW can be successfully streamed and yes, played on the iPhone 3G. It looks like from the video, most features of the game can be played and the speed looks pretty smooth taking into consideration it is 3G.It’s done using Vollee, which is used to stream games over 3G, so the video is actually just a stream and the rendering is done on the PC. But it’s much smoother than we’d expect over 3G, and comes with enough features that true WoW addicts will be able to get their fix on the run, buying and selling elves or whatever happens in that game.

Mebius NJ70A netbook - the first with integrated optical sensor LCD Pad

Sharp has unveiled its latest and very impressive netbook: Mebius NJ70A. It is expected that Sharp will be announcing Mebius NJ70A in the coming press conference soon. Some of the features include 10.1″ display with an Atom N270 CPU, and Intel 945GSE Express Chipest, 160GB of HDD and web cam. Most importantly, it features an integrated 4″ optical sensor LCD with led backlight and 853 x 480 resolution, one of the first to be seen in a netbook! The Mebius NJ70A netbook will be in stores in Japan.While this Netbook is just plain standard, the optical sensor LCD is really impressive and lets you use either your finger or a stylus to write memos or emails with its handwriting recognition mechanism. Other functions also include playing the piano, zooming in and out on documents is just like you would do on the iPhone.

Mebius NJ70A netbook - the first with integrated optical sensor LCD Pad

Sharp has unveiled its latest and very impressive netbook: Mebius NJ70A. It is expected that Sharp will be announcing Mebius NJ70A in the coming press conference soon. Some of the features include 10.1″ display with an Atom N270 CPU, and Intel 945GSE Express Chipest, 160GB of HDD and web cam. Most importantly, it features an integrated 4″ optical sensor LCD with led backlight and 853 x 480 resolution, one of the first to be seen in a netbook! The Mebius NJ70A netbook will be in stores in Japan within the next couple of month.While this Netbook is just plain standard, the optical sensor LCD is really impressive and lets you use either your finger or a stylus to write memos or emails with its handwriting recognition mechanism. Other functions also include playing the piano, zooming in and out on documents is just like you would do on the iPhone.

Latest Samsung LED TV Series 6 and 7 have arrived

Long gone are the days when every household would queue up to upgrade to the latest trend of LCD / plasma television sets. Samsung have now upped their game by launching their latest LED (that’s right, Light Emitting Diode) widescreen tellies.
From its pebble stone like remote control to the television set itself. Not only are the two new Series 6 and 7 LED TVs thin (1.2″) but are also superior in just about every other way imaginable. Instead of multiple parts molded together, these LED TVs are one solid, piece of advanced technology, elegantly supported by a unique crystal neck.Particularly impressive is the spec that Samsung have been able to cram into these 12″ “Crystal TVs”, the Series 7 for example boasts built in woofer, gaming mode, a range of connectivities including internet tv, wireless LAN, 2x USB, DTV tuner, 4x HDMI and weighs round about 22.2 kg. The LED range is no exception to sporting luxurious features such as Mega Contrast Ratio, Wide Colour Enhancer Pro with LED Gamut and 100Hz Motion Plus technology, all of which assists in delivering the best and most vibrant detail and colours possible.The Series 7 mentioned before also provides an extra widget controller feature which allows you to connect to the web and explore common interests such as weather, news and stock. On board internet@TV allows you to surf the web just like the browser on your computer except you’re doing it on a 55″ screen! Making the most out of the internet, LED 7000 series’ Content Flash Library also allows you to download games and tools to be run on the telly, this certainly isn’t a functionality offered by your average TV!

Of course Samsung have also made these LED TVs so that its impressive quality doesn’t mean compromising our planet’s environment. Both the Series 6 and 7 LED tellies are recyclable and environmentally friendly with a frame that contains no non-environment friendly VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), while it is running you will save up to 40% of power consumption compared to the average telly. When its not, an ultra low power consuming standby mode (<0.1watts) is available so that no excess energy is wasted and therefore automatically helps you cut down on your carbon footprint.

Sony unveils new Blu-ray player and BRAVIA theatre systems

Sony has unveiled their new Blu-ray player (BDP-S360) and three new BRAVIA theatre systems: new HT-SS360, HT-SF360 and HT-FS3 surround sound systems which provide high definition sound quality to create superlative home theatre experiences.

The Sony BDP-S360 is an upgrade to the previous BDP-S350 model and comes equipped with Sony’s Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology, which means it can convert standard definition signals, customers can use their existing DVD movie libraries, to 1080p providing a near high definition picture.

Sony’s new home theatre systems boast Sony’s S-AIR wireless technology, so you don’t have to worry about messy wiring.

Official press release:
Sony’s new Blu-ray player takes High Definition to new heights

Form meets function with the BDP-S360 and the perfectly matched new HT-SS360, HT-SF360 and HT-FS3 surround sound systems

Today Sony unveils its latest Blu-ray player for entertainment enthusiasts who are seeking an unforgettable home theatre experience. Incorporating the latest in cutting edge technology, the BDP-S360 delivers pristine 1080p picture quality, with full 7.1 surround sound via a compatible AV receiver. This can be achieved through newly incorporated DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD decoding capabilities, the first time these features have been made available on an entry level Blu-ray player from Sony.

Sony is also launching three new BRAVIA Theatre systems, the HT-FS3, HT-SS360 and HT-SF360, which provide exceptional high definition sound to fit seamlessly with the incredible high definition images produced by the BDP-S360 and create a superlative home theatre experience .

By offering the opportunity to immerse yourself in the exciting world of BD-Live™, the BDP-S360 takes interactive entertainment to another level. This feature continues to break new ground, breathing fresh life into your movie viewing by allowing you to download and stream bonus content such as additional scenes, trailers and movie-based games. The BDP-S360’s built-in USB port means that exclusive additional content can also be downloaded from special websites dedicated to movies boasting these features and saved onto an optional USB flash storage device.

“The BDP-S360 is a gateway to a whole new world where movies are a total immersive experience. We believe that the BDP-S360 is a must for every HDTV owner, as it combines sleek product design with high-class performance features,” says Julien Dalle, Senior Business Manager, Home Video Marketing of Sony Europe. “This new model shows we are 100% committed to the constant development of our Blu-ray range to ensure that we are incorporating the latest format advancements. Blu-ray is the ultimate HD format and the interactivity of Sony’s Blu-ray players is the main reason so many of us are choosing them as the basis for our home entertainment experience.”

And consumers don’t need to throw out their existing DVD movie libraries; instead, they can give them a new lease of life with the BDP-S360. Equipped with Sony’s Precision Cinema HD Upscale technology, the BDP-S360 can convert standard definition signals to 1080p, providing a near high definition picture via High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) so that you can enjoy seeing your favourite films in a whole new way.

With its quick start up mode, the BDP-S360 allows you to begin operating your Blu-ray player in just six seconds, a time unrivalled by other products available today. Its BRAVIA sync technology enables you to control the player, BRAVIA TV and home theatre system with just one remote control, meaning you can switch all three products with the touch of a single button. Also included is the added functionality of Bonus View, providing Picture-in-Picture capability with certain titles, meaning you can watch that insightful director’s commentary in realtime alongside the main movie in stunning HD.

Additionally, the BDP-S360 adds Sony’s Precision Drive™ technology, which helps to detect and correct wobbling discs from three directions, supporting stabilisation of the playback of bent or scratched Blu-ray Discs and DVDs. It also supports Deep Colour video output and AVCHD discs encoded with x.v.Color™ (xvYCC) technology.

The BDP-S360 also includes those features users have come to love in Sony’s Blu-ray range, with 24p true cinema for cinematic picture quality, allowing you to see movies exactly as the director intended them to sound and feel, and, last but not least, the extremely user-friendly experience that is the Xross Media BarTM. This final feature provides simple and intuitive navigation between menus that is head and shoulders above the competition.

Indulge in great entertainment with Sony’s home theatre systems

Designed specifically to perfectly complement the BDP-S360, the three new BRAVIA Theatre systems from Sony provide consumers with a choice of powerful performance and unobtrusive design. Pairing any one of these surround sound systems with the BDP-S360 will provide you with a seamlessly tailored, sleek and powerful home theatre experience.

The HT-SS360 and HT-SF360 models give consumers the choice of elegant floor-standing speakers (HT-SF360) or satellite speakers (HT-SS360) for a more understated look. Both come equipped with a hefty 1000W power output, support pristine High Definition sound when hooked up to a Blu-ray player and are BRAVIA sync enabled.

Nobody wants a living room cluttered with wires, so Sony’s home theatre systems provide the capability for Sony’s S-AIR™ wireless technology. This provides great surround sound experience without any clutter.[1] Both the HT-SS360 and HT-SF360 come with Sony’s intelligent DCAC (Digital Cinema Auto Calibration) technology, which makes setting up your speakers easy, by measuring a variety of key factors such as speaker distance, volume and frequency to provide the optimum surround sound for music and movies. When coupled with DCS (Digital Cinema Sound), which enhances the surround sound experience with its Cinema Studio Modes, it all adds up to high-quality surround sound that allows you to experience movies in the way they were originally intended.

The HT-FS3 home theatre system completes the package, providing a superb surround sound experience without littering your living room with wires and clutter. It offers FM/AM Radio functionality and 2.1 channels of S-Force PRO Front surround sound for a comprehensive cinematic atmosphere. Like the HT-SS360 and the HT-SF360, this home theatre system is fitted with a Digital Media port that enables you to play music stored on MP3 players, computers or mobile phones.

With perfectly matched Blu-ray players and home audio systems, Sony are helping consumers move towards a totally connected lifestyle with Blu-ray

Google O3D: a 3D graphics plug in for browsers

Google released a new software called O3D yesterday. It is a broswer plug-in which will bring accelerated 3D graphics to browsers such as Microsoft’s Internet Explorer (IE), Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari , Linux and Google’s Chrome. Google O3D works on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Google hopes that the technology will be built directly into browsers eventually.

Google OCD allows developers’ Web-based JavaScript programs to tap directly into a computer’s graphics card chip, which means better games and other applications. Google has uploaded a video demo on its blog post with some information about Google O3D.

BeBook e-reader demoed

Many like to call these e-readers, or e-book readers or even e-paper display devices, like the Kindle, BeBook is a device with a display that looks exactly like as if you were reading from paper. Of course, compared to paper, this is much more friendlier to the environment in that you’re not wasting any paper.

The BeBook which retailed at £249.99 both online and at the show, can read almost any popular file formats that you can think of, pdf, mobi, prc, epub, lit, txt, fb2, doc, html, rtf, djvu, wol, ppt, mbp, chm, bmp, jpg, png, gif, tif, rar, zip, mp3 (for audio books) as well as RSS newsfeeds. With an incredibly long battery life, one charge will last 7000 pageturns, though it may be on the low side in terms of internal memory (512MB), the BeBook makes up for that by having aSD memory card slot.

Adobe Flash software into many of the chips that go inside TVs and set-top boxes

Adobe has secured a deal to put its Flash software into many of the chips that go inside TVs and set-top boxes. It will enable developers and content providers to create applications to deliver web-based content such as news, weather and share prices to TV screens.Flash will be included on most chips -those made by Broadcom, Intel, NXP and STMicroelectronics - but the deal does not cover TVs made by Sony and Samsung. The first applications using Flash are expected to hit TV sets early in 2010.Sony and Samsung already have a number of connected TVs on the market, but they are using Yahoo's rich media platform of widgets instead of Flash.
More than 420 million TVs, set-top boxes, and media players are expected to ship globally in the next three years and increasingly they are capable of being connected to the net.Adobe hopes it can get Flash inside many of those devices to create a new generation of connected entertainment services, including streaming video in high definition, and applications that can run in real time alongside video broadcasts, such as interactive news tickers, sport scores, quizzes and the weather. It could also mean TVs being used for many of the tasks now given over to a computer or laptop, such as using a search engine, online maps, and consuming all manner of digital content.Adobe has signed up video delivery service Netflix, Disney and the New York Times to make the first batch of applications.Change is coming to TV and we will see more and more content get used Flash director of technology strategy for Flash, Anup Murarka


The appeal for content makers and developers is the emergence of a single standard for rich media, which will let them create applications that run on many devices."Change is coming to TV and we will see more and more content get used and taken to TV," said Anup Murarka, director of technology strategy for Flash.Flash is installed on about 98% of PCs and almost 80% of all online video is delivered using Flash, according to Adobe. 

It powers services such as YouTube, the BBC iPlayer and a new generation of video games inside the browser, such as Quake Live.Microsoft has been pushing its own rival platform Silverlight, but it has had limited traction with developers and hardware manufacturers. 

The company says its second version of Silverlight has been installed on 300 million machines since it became available six months ago. 

But analysts think Silverlight is unlikely to challenge Flash across PCs, mobiles and TV screens in the near future. 
 
Flash is the engine behind YouTube and BBC iPlayer video


Microsoft does have the Xbox 360 in the hands of at least 28 million gamers and the machine could be used to drive take-up of Silverlight in the home. 

It also has a few deals with the makers of set-top boxes to power the software that runs TV guides and on-demand services over the internet and this too could be a way to spread Silverlight usage. 

Flash Platform Business Unit general manager and vice president David Wadhwani said he still hoped to see Flash on the Xbox 360, as it is already running on the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. 

"I don't think it is beyond the realm of reason that we will see Flash on the Xbox. 

"It would add clear value to their platform. But the decision is still theirs to make." 

Adobe is aiming to become the global standard for all rich media in the "three screen" world - PC, TV, and mobile. 

Up to 40% of all mobile devices shipped in 2008 are expected to carry Flash Lite. However, the big omission remains Apple's iPhone. 

"We continue to work with Apple to bring Flash to the iPhone," said Mr Wadhwani.

Creating a panoramic experience

Imagine being able to zoom into any part of a panoramic photograph that catches your eye. Plus, even seeing people miles away when the picture was taken.This is already possible thanks to a gadget called GigaPan Epic which can create images 1,000 megapixels in size.

The robotic device can be mounted on a standard digital camera to capture hundreds, even thousands, of photographs which are then assembled into one panoramic image.

David Bergman's 1,474 megapixels image of President Obama's inauguration speech is fast becoming the poster child of this new slice of technological innovation.

The GigaPan device works by taking many zoomed-in snaps of the landscape, with each one at a slightly different angle.

These photographs are then stitched together by software on the user's computer - but beware that this process can take a very long time, even on a high-end PC.

Photographs of static objects are merged together seamlessly, but moving ones can create a ghostly effect.

There is a buzz around Gigapan not only because it is visually impressive, but it is finally entering the realm of affordable consumer tech.

What began as a research project for taking detailed shots of the Red Planet, is now within the reach of keen photographers.

Panasonic launches latest Z1 TV series

We reported about the Panasonic one-inch thick plasma LCD Z1 last month, further details have now been officially published in the press release after the jump. However, as you will know, the Z1 wasn’t cheap at all, the official press release below still hasn’t addressed as to what the price tag on this badboy will be.

Birmingham, England (April 17, 2009)-Panasonic is pleased to announce that it is expanding its line of VIERA Series flat-panel TVs with the introduction of the new Z1 Series.

Technological advancements with NeoPDP
In 2008, Panasonic announced the development of next-generation plasma display panels (PDPs) called NeoPDP technology which used ground-breaking technologies that offered better picture quality, higher efficiency and thinner dimensions than its predecessors. After thoroughly reviewing its existing IC technology and panel structures, Panasonic developed new phosphors and cell design technology for improved discharge and new circuit and drive technology to significantly reduce power loss.

As a result, Panasonic has improved motion image performance, contrast and colour reproduction in its plasma displays to achieve a level of picture quality that is simply unprecedented. To improve motion images, the Z1 Series adopts Panasonic’s 600Hz Sub-field Drive Intelligent Frame Creation Pro, which helps achieve 1080 line motion picture resolution*1. Even fast-moving objects are clear and sharp. Users enjoy a truly stunning viewing experience, especially with ultra-dynamic action and sports scenes such as motor car racing events and car chases.

The Z1 Series also delivers a remarkable dynamic contrast of over 2,000,000:1 thanks to the increased brightness achieved by NeoPDP technology and refinements to Panasonic’s Real Black Drive System (a pre-discharge system). With these enhancements, the new models provide the kind of “infinite black” colour that pulls viewers right into the picture.

The Z1 Series will feature VIERA CAST*2, making it one of the first models in Europe to offer this service. With VIERA CAST, viewers can access certain Internet content by simply clicking a button while sitting in their living room. For example, users can view such familiar content as Eurosport, YouTube and Picasa directly on their VIERA TV. Viewers can access other information too, such as news, weather forecasts and stock market information. DLNA connection is also possible with these three series. Digital data*3 such as motion images and still images saved onto a PC can be played on VIERA through a home network. For example, DivX content on a PC in the den can be viewed on a VIERA in the living room.

Flagship model
The Z1 Series is the flagship model combining superb functionality with a slim, fully flat*4, one-inch design. Also featuring full-HD wireless transmission technology that makes flexible room layout possible, these models are perfect for users seeking the highest grade in both function and design.

The Z1 Series deliver outstanding 1080 lines moving picture resolution and a dynamic contrast of over 2,000,000:1. The THX Certified Display they incorporate has passed stringent tests, ensuring that they are ideal for viewing films. Z models also feature home networking with DLNA, which allows playback of motion images with VIERA CAST, and the VIERA Image Viewer. They can play DivX format motion images as well. The Z1 plasma series will be available as 46” (TX-P46Z1) and 54” (TX-P54Z1) models

World Of Warcraft patch 3.1

The new World of Warcraft (WoW) patch 3.1 Secrets of Uldar goes live today. WoW patch 3.1 represents one of the most significant content patches to World of Warcraft yet. It introduces many new features including the ability to sect and swap beteewn dual talent specializations, a brand new quest hub in Icecrown called the Argent Tournament, and the new Ulduar 10 and 25-man raid instance etc. Also, the map system has been extended to all Wrath of the Lich King dungeons, so navigating instances without WoW addon will be much easier.
For the full patch notes, check out the Blizzard website. You can also find many WoW addons on curse.com.

How to downgrade iPhone 3G baseband 02.30.03 to 02.28.00 - ModMyi downgrader tool released!

Finally, at last! A baseband downgrade tool for iPhone 3G. Readers who are iPhone 3G users who unexpectedly and accidentally upgraded their iPhone 3G’s baseband during the iPhone firmware 2.2.1 update will be happy to know that ModMyi (not the iPhone Dev Team) have come up with a tool that claims to downgrade your iPhone’s baseband from 02.30.03 back to 02.28.00.

While back in February, the iPhone Dev Team did specifically release a Pwnage Tool for iPhone 3G users so


that they could update their iPhone 3Gs safely to firmware 2.2.1 while preserving baseband 02.28.00. It seemed this message didn’t get across to many in the right time and as a result a significant large number of iPhone 3G users who had their iPhones unlocked during the previous fimware version ended up just having a bricked “iPhone 3G Touch”.

Well the good news have finally come, after two months, ModMyi is now reporting that a tool called pHaseBanDowngrader has just been released that allows iPhone 3G users to downgrade baseband from 02.30.03 to 02.28.00.

Before you go ahead with the pHaseBanDowngrader baseband downgrade tool, everyone should know that from the release notes available for this new tool, its not the simpliest tool in the world to use and therefore use at your own risk (though this is so new that we don’t know yet what the risks could be)! We will keep everyone updated of any updates or new instructions regarding the pHaseBanDowngrader.


ModMyi says:

…this tool has been tested by multiple people and WILL NOT brick your device. if you have bootloader version 5.9 it will not work. you can try but it will not work (still no risk of brick)

Apparently most new iPhone 3G’s come with bootloader version 5.9. You can checkout this link for instructions to check your bootloader’s version. The below is a short quote from the tool’s read me file:

To run the pHaseBanDowngrader, connect via SSH to your iPhone and copy the downloaded folder (phasebandowngrader) into the folder “/Applications” on your iPhone.
Note: The folder MUST named phasebandowngrader with lowercase letters!

To run it, open MobileTerminal and type “login”. The user is “root” and password is “alpine” by default. Then type: “cd / Applications/phasebandowngrader/”, then, to run the downgrader, type “./phasebandowngrader

So if you’re interested in having a try at the new baseband downgrade tool for your bricked iPhone 3G, you can download pHaseBanDowngrader using the download links available over at ModMyi. I think its fair to say at this time the pHaseBanDowngrader isn’t definitely going to work but it seems to have great potential. We’ll keep everyone updated with any news!

Mircrosoft Exchange 2010 beta free download

CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MICROSOFT EXCHANGE 2010 BETA FREE DOWNLOAD

The latest release of Microsoft’s collaborative and messaging software: Exchange Server 2010 public beta version, raises the stakes against rival IBM’s Lotus Notes. Exchange 2010 has many new features, including new integrated email archiving and productivity features, as well as option for customers who want to mix and match on-premise and Web-hosted Exchange.The new email archive feature in Exchange 2010 will allow IT professionals to access emails across an organization using the Exchange software that they already use. This is aimed to protect and preserve valuable information. Productivity features include: mail tips, voice mail preview, ignore conversation and conversation view.While it is still in beta at the moment. The full version is expected to be available later in 2009. For more information and the free download link, check out the Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 page.

According to Microsoft:
Microsoft Exchange® Server 2010 Beta helps IT Professionals achieve new levels of reliability with greater flexibility, enhanced user experiences, and increased protection for business communications.

Exchange Server 2010 gives you the flexibility to tailor your deployment based on your company’s unique needs and a simplified way to keep e-mail continuously available for your users.

Anywhere access - Exchange Server 2010 helps your users get more done by giving them the freedom to securely access all their communications - e-mail, voice mail, instant messaging, and more - from virtually any platform, Web browser, or device.

Protection and compliance - Exchange Server 2010 delivers integrated information loss prevention, and compliance tools aimed at helping you simplify the process of protecting your company’s communications and meeting regulatory requirements.

Nintendo DSi

Nintendo DSi Hands-On

Nintendo DSi Walk Through (OS)

When Nintendo first released the DS handheld system in November 2004, its two screens, touch-screen capabilities, and built-in microphone made it a curiosity. These features, used intelligently by developers, led to the DS triumphing over Sony’s more powerful, but more traditional, PSP. For all the innovation it packed, though, the clunky DS lacked an attractive aesthetic, an oversight that Nintendo sought to fix with the redesigned DS Lite. While it offered all the same features and abilities, the DS Lite was stylish and streamlined - more of an adult tech device than a kid’s toy. Three years later, the Lite has cemented the DS’s status as the most popular handheld gaming device of all time, with close to 100 million systems in gamer’s hands worldwide. Now Nintendo has released the DSi, the latest revision to the hardware. It’s got plenty of new features, but is it different enough to be worth the upgrade? Let’s take a look.

At first glance the DSi doesn’t seem much different from the Lite. Size-wise they’re roughly the same, though the DSi is a tad thinner. The most apparent physical difference is the way the system feels – instead of the Lite’s iPod-like glossy smooth plastic finish, the DSi has a matte finish with a slightly rougher texture, almost like frosted glass. The volume control has changed from a slider to a pair of volume up/volume down buttons, and the power slider on the side of the system has been replaced with a power button below the d-pad. Speaking of the power button, it can be tapped to soft-reset the system back to the main menu from any game or application, which is handy. Also nice is the ability to hot-swap game cards – that is, change games from the main menu without having to turn off the system first. 

Each of the DSi’s screens is a quarter-inch bigger than those on the Lite (3.25 inches instead of 3), but the difference is hard to spot unless you’re doing a side-by-side comparison. I was more impressed with the improved DSi speakers, which despite being smaller physically are noticeably louder than the Lite’s – Elite Beat Agents fans rejoice.

Powering up the system brings you to the DSi’s completely redesigned front-end menu system. Icons line up horizontally and can be scrolled through quickly, each accessing a different function. Much like the “channel” setup on the Wii, the icons here can be rearranged to suit the user’s preference. The Settings menu has been taken directly from the Wii’s, with four pages of options, and while most of the Lite’s features are intact, the option to auto-boot your DS game is mysteriously absent.
Nintendo has also added wireless Web capabilities to the DSi’s bag of tricks. Opera’s DS Web Browser is a free download, and works pretty well for a mobile web browser. Image-heavy sites give it trouble, but mobile versions are available for many major sites (including Yahoo, MySpace, and Facebook) that work great. More relevant to gaming is Nintendo’s DSi Shop, where users are able to download DSiWare games directly to their system. Much like the Wii Shop, Nintendo will be updating the DSi Shop often with new games to buy. While the selection is pretty limited right now, if WiiWare is any indication, DSiWare will be great for both wildly original game ideas and games that are fun but too limited in scope to deserve a full retail release.

For all its improvements, though, the DSi is not without its drawbacks. To add all the new hardware and still retain the system’s portability, Nintendo had to nix the DS’s Game Boy Advance support, so don’t toss out your SP just yet. The lack of a GBA slot also means that certain DS accessories aren’t compatible – yes, that means that the DS Guitar Hero games don’t work on the system. All the added tech must mean a bigger drain on the battery, as a full charge will last around 12 hours, compared to the Lite’s 15-20 hour battery life. And speaking of batteries, Nintendo has yet again changed the charger plug-in style, so if you’ve got universal or DC chargers it’s time to upgrade. Finally, the DSi follows in the Wii’s footsteps, in that new games generally require an up-to-date firmware. While these firmware updates will add stability and functionality to the system, they also put the kibosh on using any unauthorized flash cards on the DSi, so homebrew enthusiasts beware.

So at the end of the day, the real question is: is the DSi worth it? I say yes. If you’re a new DS owner, obviously this is the best, most feature-heavy version of the system. If you’ve already got a DS, that’s a little trickier. Nintendo’s already said that DSi-enhanced and DSi-specific games are on the way, not to mention all the downloadable games that will only be available through the DSi Shop. The bottom line is the DSi takes everything that made the DS great, and adds a ton of features that are entertaining and useful. Nintendo’s always had a knack for delivering great handheld gaming devices, and the DSi is no exception.

THE GODFATHER II PC GAME RATING

OVERALL RATING :7/10

Gameplay: 7.0
The control scheme is decent enough but the game bogs down in repetition and irritations when it seems you are defending the same turf over and over. Driving mechanics make that element a real pain, especially when you are trying to outrun enemies.

Graphics: 7.0
The game’s graphics won’t challenge a higher-end system. Some of the animation is a bit rough, but generally the characterizations are nailed down. 

Sound: 7.5
The voice acting, at times, sounds a bit forced, but is generally solid. The musical score is very nicely done.

Difficulty: Medium

Concept: 7.3
The dev team did a nice job in creating an alternative parallel adventure within the world of the Godfather. There are enough of the characters from the movie to make it feel like you are an active part of the movie even though you are forging your own story in that world.

Overall: 7.0
The game could almost be called the Good, the Repetitious and the Ugly. Some elements are well done and some are not. Still, this is not a bad game, by any means. There are some immersive elements and you do, at times, feel like you are part of the world. The graphics could have been better, though, and some of the game mechanics could have been improved upon.

THE GODFATHER II PC GAME REVIEW

It’s a tale of two cities … make that three cities … with recurring themes and characters, but at the heart of it all, you are the ‘Don’ out to carve an empire in the name of the Corleone family.

The Godfather II is the franchise sequel to the 2006 EA title, but rather than mirror the events of the initial movie, in Godfather II, you run an alternate course that will have you carving out your own territory, building up your own family and becoming the don that Michael Corleone needs to clear out his enemies. The role is not exactly from the films, but it is an attempt to allow players to feel more part of the story.

And that works, to a certain degree. Unfortunately the game bogs down in repetitious tasks, and sub-par driving mechanics, even while tracing the rise of a crime empire through New York, Miami and Havanna.

Havanna is the first setting and acts like a tutorial to get you used to the character interaction and the combat as well as setting up the overall story arc.

On the eve of New Year’s 1959, revolutionaries succeeded in overthrowing the Cuban government and taking control of the country. This comes just as the families have moved into the country with the idea of establishing their empires there thanks to the friendly government. As the game begins, Hyman Roth has declared the revolutionaries not much of a threat and that the families will get very rich by working with the government. Your boss (you can create a character named Dominic with a bit of customization possible) is part of the celebration, as are Michael and Fredo Corleone. But in the middle of the countdown to the new year, the government announces that the revolutionaries have won. This, of course, begins wide-spread panic as people decide they must flee the country. Your first job within this tutorial setting is to get the Corleones to the airport. When almost to the plane, a sniper kills your boss, Aldo. On the plane ride back to the states, Michael explains that there are few he can trust, but Dominic falls into that category. In fact, Dominic is the one Michael has chosen to take control of New York. With the disaster in Cuba, a lot of families will be vying for a piece of the Big Apple. 

It is a large task, but the game helps you get organized. The initial quests are directed and introduce you to what will be your best friend in the game – the heads-up display known as the Don’s View. Through this interface you can direct all your operations, from upgrading skills, to assigning soldiers and lieutenants to trouble spots within your empire, and so on. It’s really quite convenient and makes the whole experience a bit easier. 

Soon enough, players will find themselves in a sandbox setting, where they will have to contend with a mini-map system that is far from convenient and driving mechanics that are clunky and generally not very well thought-out.

While there is an overriding story arc, players have a lot of latitude in how you approach the tasks. You initially take over a front for a whore house, but after that, you can cut into a rival’s business in any way you see fit. 

The game uses some arcade mechanics in a third-person shooter setting, with pick-ups available from fallen enemies. And you can always go into melee mode and beat an opponent to death. What you take will anger the ones you take it from and they will not sit idly back and allow you to run roughshod over their territory. Taking over a business that is a front for a family is not overly complex. You approach the person in charge, find their weak spot (through threats or physical violence), apply just enough pressure to get them to crumble and then take over. That means more income and more income means you can hire more soldiers, promote some to lieutenants and upgrade skills. 

The stagnated gameplay starts to surface a bit as you move into the game. It becomes a repetitious affair to take over businesses and then defend the inevitable retribution. And getting the business can be a laborious affair. The mini-map is not overly helpful and if you can decipher the map and the location is close enough, running there (as opposed to driving) is preferable. 

Graphically, The Godfather II is Ok; it is definitely not about to challenge high-end cards (two different machines were used to play this game, one with an nVidia 9800 GTX Black card and another with twin ATI 4870s) and while the character models are decent, there is general clunkiness with rotating to face new attackers and some of the movements seem a bit stilted.

There are characters that are instantly recognized from the movies and others that are not. That holds true for the voice action. Some of the movie actors have lent their voices to this game and others have not. The musical score is very rich and includes composer Nino Rota’s classic theme. The score varies, depending on the action – and there is a lot of action in this game – and keeps the pacing feeling right.

The game has some good moments, moments that feel very repetitious and moments that are a bit frustrating. Those expecting to follow events from the film will be disappointed; those looking for a gangster/empire-building game set against the backdrop of the Godfather films may find this a decent diversion.

iPod Touch 2G

Just to give a heads up to those of you who are iPod Touch 2G (the second generation iPod Touch) users. The iPhone Dev Team have been working hard lately to release a new, latest version of their redsn0w tool for jailbreaking iPod Touch. Though you must still be warned that redsn0w is still in beta and problems and bugs still exist, so its not absolutely perfect but it does offer a chance for iPod Touch 2G users to come onboard and join the jailbreak crew.

The latest redsn0w supports all operating systems, Linux, Mac OS X and Windows, click here to find the links you need to download the tool via torrents.

BlackBerry Storm 2

We only told you about the possibility of seeing a next generation BlackBerry Storm, the Storm 2 earlier in the week and now it seems that rumor has been confirmed to be true. RIM’s Alain Segond von Banchet, Channel Sales Manager in the Netherlands has confirmed the release of the Storm 2. It will be due later in the year, for Europe: late ‘09 or early 2010! What the sales manager wasn't being so honest about was whether the Storm 2 will be upgraded with WiFi, despite this, it seems very obvious that this hardware update will be inevitable if RIM wants to continue to compete with its rivals using the Storm 2. Hopefully we'll see more info of the successor of the first BlackBerry full touchscreen mobile soon.

Conficker begins stealthy update

The Conficker worm has started to update infected machines with a mystery package of data. 

Computer security firms watching the malicious program noticed that it sprang into life late on 8 April. 

The activity on its update system delivered encrypted software to compromised machines. It is not yet clear what the payload contains. 

The Conficker virus variants are thought to be present on millions of PCs around the world. 

Spam connection 

The updating activity has begun about a week later than expected. Analysis of the "C" variant of Conficker (aka Downadup) revealed that its updating mechanism was due to go live on 1 April. 

The belated updates were spotted by researchers for Trend Micro following the arrival of a new file in one of the directories in so-called "honeypot" machines deliberately seeded with Conficker C. 

Analysis showed that the file had arrived via the peer-to-peer file transfer system that infected machines use to communicate. 

In a bid to avoid alerting people to its activity, the update is slowly being trickled across the population of machines harbouring the C variant. Exact figures for the number of Conficker-infected machines are hard to determine, but the minimum is widely believed to be three million. 
 COMBATING CONFICKER 

Microsoft offers bounty for worm creator 
Q&A: How do I protect myself? 
Timeline: Conficker virus 


"The Conficker/Downad P2P communications is now running in full swing," wrote Ivan Macalintal from Trend Research on the company's security blog. 

Once it arrives on a machine, the package of data randomly checks one of five different websites - MySpace, MSN, eBay, CNN and AOL - to ensure its host still has net access and to confirm the current time and date. 

Following this check the data package removes all traces of its installation. 

The strong encryption on the payload has, so far, prevented detailed analysis of what it actually does. However, security experts speculate that it is a "rootkit" that will bury itself deep in Windows in order to steal saleable data such as bank website login details. 

Security researchers are continuing to analyse the payload to get a better idea of what it is intended to do. 

Symantec said it too had noticed the increased activity of Conficker and its analysis suggested a link with another well-known virus called Waledac. This malicious program steals sensitive data, turns PCs into spam relays and opens up a backdoor so the machine can be controlled remotely. 

The security firm noticed that the update also included an instruction to the worm to remove itself on 3 May, 2009. However, the Waledac imposed backdoor on the machine will remain open, so its creators can still control compromised PCs.