Mario Kart Wii Preview

GT provides us with an in-depth look at Mario Kart Wii, which is set for release on April 27th in North America.

Mario Kart Wii takes a giant step forward with new karts, bikes, tracks, and tons of options for both controllers and online play, but did Nintendo oversimplify the driving mechanics?

Via- [http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/video-mario-kart-wii-preview]

Price Comparison

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Series Evolution

In this GT featurette, we take "a six-minute odyssey through all things Smash." Here's one fact you may not have known about: the "game's music is made up of arranged versions of pieces by one of 39 renowned video game composers that originated in previously released video games."

This installment also includes a deeper single-player mode than its predecessors. Known as The Subspace Emissary, this mode is a plot-driven, side-scrolling beat 'em up game featuring Brawl's playable characters.

Via- [http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/video-super-smash-bros-brawl-series-evolution]

Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360) Unreal Tech Demo

In this GT featurette, we get to "check out the impressive features of the updated Unreal Engine 3 via an on-stage demonstration."

Via- [http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/video-gears-of-war-2-xbox-360-unreal-tech-demo]

UT3 Mod Brings Master Chief to the PlayStation 3

That's right, UT3 modders decided to bring Master Chief, Gears of War characters, Cloud, and even Spawn to the PlayStation 3.

Thank Unreal Tournament III, UTIII mods and a UTIII mod-friendly PS3! These mods were brought to us by the folks at UT.PS3, so kudos to them for cooking them up.

Via- [http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/pictures-ut3-mod-brings-master-chief-to-the-playstation-3]

Mario Kart Wii Japanese Intro

Nintendo's Mario Kart Wii is set for release on April 27th in the US (April 10th Japan). GT provides us with a first look at the Japanese intro.

I've got to say I was far happier with the graphics than I expected to be. Each track had a completely different flavour. From the gently swaying trees and difficult to dodge cows in the meadow course to the conveyor belts and crane-carried platforms in the Toad's factory course, each track brought back a fond new memory of a Nintendo title from yesteryear but presented them with fresh style.

Via- [http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/video-mario-kart-wii-japanese-intro]

First Look at Sonic Unleashed (PS3 / Xbox 360)

Here's a first look at Sonic Unleashed, set for release on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 -- "some in-game, some pre-rendered CG."

They certainly look like the genuine article, giving the impression that Sonic Unleashed will be coming to the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, hopefully with gameplay that's more Sonic and the Secret Rings than it is Sonic the Hedgehog "Next-Gen."


Via- [http://kotaku.com/371019/rumor-first-look-at-sonic-unleashed]

Wii Shortages Continue?

Still looking for a Wii? Well keep looking, because video game retail giant GameStop revealed this week that it expects shortages of the console to persist until at least September.

You read that right. While GameStop executives said in a conference call this week that the company was seeing an end to the post-holiday shortages that affected the Xbox 360 and DS in January, the Wii was having no such luck.

GameStop COO Dan DeMatteo confirmed, saying that with the Wii, the company anticipated the console's supply "won't meet demand for the next 2 quarters," at the very least. The estimate would put the duration of the Wii shortage at almost the two-year mark since its launch in November 2006.

Additionally, the GameStop call did not address what could happen to the Nintendo supply chain in the wake of the Mario Kart Wii and Wii Fit US launches on April 27 and May 19, respectively. If they are successful, and early indications from Japan and US media circles say that they will be, the two quarter estimate could very well become much longer.

On a final note, GameStop CFO David Carlson said the company was still anticipating shortages with the PSP; was "not seeing any problems with PS3"; and expects "good [PS3] stock when GTA IV launches."

Via- [http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,143597-c,gameconsoles/article.html]

PSP Firmware Update Brings Internet Radio Stations

PSP's firmware update has hit, and now enables the use of over 20 internet radio stations ranging from 80s to J-Pop to Classical. The update also expands support for Playstation Network titles.

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today released 20 additional players for its recently launched Internet Radio feature on PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. The new Internet Radio players offer something for every music lover, with more specific genres such as '80s, Classical, British, and J-Pop. In other news today, SCEA also released the newest system software update, v. 3.93, which expands support for PLAYSTATION®Network titles.

More than 50 percent of PSP users listen to music on their system, and to address this user interest, SCEA launched Internet Radio for PSP in December 2007, with more than 22,000 stations via AOL's SHOUTcast Radio and icecast.org's icecast. The new players are organized into more specific styles of music so that PSP users can easily find what they are looking for and listen to their favorite genres. The additional stations expand PSP's broad set of music capabilities and demonstrate how SCEA continues to add services and features that benefit PSP owners.

The PSP system's Internet Radio can be accessed at any Wi-Fi* hotspot, giving users a vast library of music to choose from that goes well beyond the music files stored on their Memory Stick Duo.*

How to use Internet Radio on PSP

• PSP system software must be 3.80 or later to use Internet Radio.
• Ensure you are in a Wi-Fi environment before attempting use.
• Insert Memory Stick Duo™ media into the PSP, select the Internet Radio icon under the Network icon, and then select "About Internet Radio."
• Follow the on-screen instructions for adding an Internet Radio player.
• When you have added the desired Internet Radio player, the player icon will appear under the "About Internet Radio" icon.
• Select the Internet Radio player icon.

The Internet Radio feature is compatible with both the original PSP (PSP-1000 series) and the recently released PSP (PSP-2000 series).

Via- [http://gizmodo.com/369463/psp-firmware-update-brings-internet-radio-stations]

LEGO Meets Team Fortress 2- Games news

Here's one way to bring the Team Fortress 2 experience home (aside from buying it): recreate a scene in LEGO, like this skillful brick artist.


Via- [http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/pictures-lego-meets-team-fortress-2]

Wii gets the Super Smash Bros crystal ice treatment

Captain Awesome and the League of Awesomeness were unavailable for comment. Now if you'll excuse us, we need to go die a few hundred more times in pointlessly difficult platforming levels.

Via- [http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/14/wii-gets-the-super-smash-bros-crystal-ice-treatment/]

Verizon Actually Helping Speed Up P2P File Sharing?

Oh yes, Verizon is teaming up with researchers at Yale and a P4P Working group in order to speed up peer to peer file sharing.

How is this beneficial to Verizon, who has the burden of carrying P2P traffic, which measures at about 1/3 of the internet's throughput already? Because when you're sharing files with others, only about 6.3% of the traffic comes from users in the same city as you, which is cheap traffic for Verizon to deliver. In a new optimized scheme, up to 58% of the traffic can come from nearby users, which speeds up your downloads and makes it much more cost effective for the ISP.

AT&T has also participated in tests like this one, but is trying to find a way to block pirated content and only allow "legal" content such as NBC's officially delivered shows to make it through the network. Verizon, on the other hand, says they do "not accept the role of network police agency," which means filtering for pirated content is unlikely. Time to sign up for Verizon!

Via- [http://gizmodo.com/368119/verizon-actually-helping-speed-up-p2p-file-sharing-wha]

How would you change Chumby?

As with Pleo, many may argue that Chumby is simply too cute to tweak. But if you can manage to shuffle your emotional attachments to the side for a tick, we're confident there's quite a few things you'd like to see changed. Sure, this totally unique hodgepodge of glanceable information and bedroom mainstays can handle quite a broad variety of tasks right out of the box, but considering that it's built on an open, hackable architecture, it's just begging for someone to come along and do things better than its creator.

So, now that you've had ample time to roll this critter around your domicile, enjoy its abilities and install that hefty firmware update, what's left to be done? Tell the world below, we're all listening.

Via- [http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/14/how-would-you-change-chumby/]

Vstone Black Ox Robot- Might Destroy Your Office

Vstone has just unveiled "Black Ox", a 1.5-foot robot that features "20 movable axis points and fierce fighting skills."

Finally, after a scourge of sissy, beer serving robots we meet our maker. Vstone's Black Ox stands more than 7,000 feet tall and brings a Tokyo-sized lust for meat.

Via- [http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/video-vstone-unveils-black-ox-robot-might-destroy-your-office]

AOL to Pay $850M for Social Network Bebo

AOL stepped up its bid to boost traffic and advertising opportunities worldwide as the struggling Internet company agreed Thursday to pay $850 million for the online hangout Bebo and a foothold in the growing arena of social media.

Although Bebo remains in the shadow of MySpace and Facebook, it is strong in some foreign markets, including Britain. According to comScore Inc., its audience outside the United States is engaged, spending more time on average there compared with the leading rivals.

AOL executives say they are planning to tap that engagement to drive traffic to AOL's other free, ad-supported Web sites, especially internationally, while leveraging AOL's instant-messaging communities, AIM and ICQ, to try to grow Bebo in the United States.

"This is going to be the cornerstone of our strategy to really go after the social media space," Ron Grant, AOL's president and chief operating officer, said in an interview.

In a conference call with reporters, AOL Chief Executive Randy Falco called the acquisition "game-changing for AOL," a move that will power the company's strategic push into advertising.

AOL has been looking for ways to increase ad revenue to offset steep declines in dial-up Internet subscriptions. After several quarters of strong growth, AOL's advertising expansion has been slowing, putting pressure on the company's parent, Time Warner Inc., to sell the Internet unit.

Falco said Time Warner's willingness to spend $850 million in cash indicated its commitment to AOL's future, though eMarketer analyst David Hallerman likened the move to renovating a home before selling it at a higher price.

Company officials declined comment on recent reports that Yahoo Inc. has stepped up talks with Time Warner about buying or forming a joint venture with AOL as Yahoo tries to fend off a $40 billion-plus takeover bid from Microsoft Corp.

The Bebo acquisition could make a Yahoo-AOL deal less likely by adding one more integration headache to the mix, said Roger Kay, who heads the market research firm Endpoint Technologies Associates.

The deal is AOL's largest since it bought MapQuest for $1 billion in 2000 (not counting AOL's $106 billion purchase of Time Warner in 2001).

San Francisco-based Bebo Inc. has about 100 employees and plans to launch in five countries this year. New York-based AOL LLC said Bebo will be "featured prominently" in AOL's international expansion.

Unlike the $1 billion AOL has spent in recent years buying various advertising companies for their technology or platform, the Bebo deal essentially involves buying eyeballs.

It is an acknowledgment that AOL needs outside help in fostering a vibrant community around social media, where visitors are encouraged to strengthen connections through photo-sharing tools, messaging features and personal profile pages.

AOL so far has failed to leverage AIM's strong community of buddies into a full-powered social network, despite such an attempt with AIM Pages. Yahoo, Google and Microsoft also have been struggling with their homegrown efforts.

Startups have been behind the most active networks online, and the Bebo acquisition serves to underscore their potential as gold mines for ad dollars.

Media conglomerate News Corp. bought MySpace for $580 million in 2005, and analysts believe the company could argue the network is worth more than $15 billion today, based on what Microsoft paid for a 1.6% stake in Facebook Inc., MySpace's next biggest rival. That stake went for $240 million in October, implying a $15 billion market value for the company as a whole.

Both MySpace and Facebook, however, have struggled to capitalize on their large audiences. Facebook drew strong criticism from its users when it unveiled its "Beacon" program for tracking and sharing information about their purchases and their activity on other Web sites.

Hallerman, the eMarketer analyst, said that despite Bebo's traffic, AOL won't necessarily find lots of ad opportunities there.

"It's just the category," he said. "There's a disconnect between traffic and monetization."

Bebo President Joanna Shields, who will stay on to run the network, said her site has successfully attracted sponsorships from major brands to run with original programming. With the targeting technologies AOL already has built and acquired, she said, Bebo should be able to extend that success to other formats such as display advertising.

"A lot of these (social-networking) companies are developing the types of assets AOL has assembled," Shields said in an interview.

It's not clear what would happen with Bebo's existing deal with Yahoo to run display advertising. Shields said it was too early to comment because the sale to AOL wasn't expected to close for another month.

Time Warner shares fell 16 cents, or 1%, to $14.60 in mid-afternoon trading Thursday.

Via- [http://www.tech2.com/india/news/internet/aol-to-pay-$850m-for-social-network-bebo/31461/0]

Blu-ray on Xbox 360? Microsoft hasn't heard about it

Those hot/cold "Blu-ray coming to Xbox 360" rumors just cooled off a bit again, with product manager Aaron Greenberg telling Reuters "Xbox is not currently in talks with Sony or the Blu-ray Association to integrate Blu-ray into the Xbox experience".

He also dropped the nugget that Microsoft expects to trail the PS3 in sales again in February, but should have things turned around by April, just in time for the GTA IV launch, which should also be right around the time this rumor rears its head again.

Via- [http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/12/blu-ray-on-xbox-360-microsoft-hasnt-heard-about-it/]

Konami Releases New Metal Gear Solid 4 Screenshots

Konami has just released a new batch of Metal Gear Solid 4 screenshots, which show off some of the game's mechs.

While Kojima has already apparently moved on to other things, we haven't! Check out these new Metal Gear Solid 4 screenies. Looks like aqua green is the new brown.

Via- [http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/pictures-konami-releases-new-metal-gear-solid-4-screenshots]

StarCraft II Zerg Gameplay Blowout

Unlike its predecessor, StarCraft II offers "custom 3D-graphics engine with realistic physics and the ability to render several large, highly detailed units and massive armies on-screen simultaneously."

Each race will be further distinguished from the others, with several new units and new gameplay mechanics, as well as new abilities for some of the classic StarCraft units that will be making a reappearance in the game.

Via- [http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/video-starcraft-ii-zerg-gameplay-blowout]

American Gladiators (NES)

In American Gladiators for the NES, "the events were morphed into side-scrolling and overhead mini-levels that only partially resembled the real-life events."

The Eliminator in this game combined elements of the first two seasons' courses. The treadmill run and handbike were the first two obstacles, followed by a run across the balance beam through a gauntlet of what appeared to be blocking pads. The cargo net climb and zipline were next, followed by the choice of a door which may or may not have had a Gladiator behind it.

Via- [http://www.techeblog.com/index.php/tech-gadget/video-game-vault-american-gladiators-nes-]

Doctor Who Game Announcement Coming Soon

British sci-fi institution Doctor Who for the PC, PS2 and the DS is coming confirms developer Eidos. Soon, too! According to an Eidos spokesperson:

We haven't announced a release date at the moment. It's not too far away. We should be showing it to [press] quite soon... It's for PS2, PC and DS...

Via- [http://kotaku.com/364962/doctor-who-game-announcement-coming-soon]

iPhone 2.0 Update Available Free in June, Touch Users Get to Pay Up

All of the awesomeness you've been reading about—from an AIM client to Enterprise goodness—will be coming your way in June with the final 2.0 software update. For free! Unless you've gotta an iPod touch, then due to those nefarious "accounting practices" you have to pay to get the update. Again! ($20? less? more? You should've just gotten the phone, asshole.)

Apple Announces iPhone 2.0 Software Beta Includes SDK & Built-in Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync

CUPERTINO, Calif., March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple(R) today previewed its iPhone(TM) 2.0 software, scheduled for release this June, and announced the immediate availability of a beta release of the software to selected developers and enterprise customers. The iPhone 2.0 beta release includes both the iPhone Software Development Kit (SDK) as well as new enterprise features such as support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync to provide secure, over-the-air push email, contacts and calendars as well as remote wipe, and the addition of Cisco IPsec VPN for encrypted access to private corporate networks.

"We're excited about creating a vibrant third party developer community with potentially thousands of native applications for iPhone and iPod touch," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "iPhone's enterprise features combined with its revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface and advanced software architecture provide the best user experience and the most advanced software platform ever for a mobile device."

The iPhone SDK provides developers with a rich set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and tools to create innovative applications for iPhone and iPod(R) touch. Starting today, anyone can download the beta iPhone SDK for free and run the iPhone Simulator on their Mac(R). Apple today also introduced its new iPhone Developer Program, giving developers everything they need to create native applications, and the new App Store, a breakthrough way for developers to wirelessly deliver their applications to iPhone and iPod touch users.

With the iPhone SDK, third party developers will be able to build native applications for the iPhone with a rich set of APIs, including programming interfaces for Core OS, Core Services, Media and Cocoa Touch technologies. The iPhone SDK will allow developers to create amazing applications that leverage the iPhone's groundbreaking Multi-Touch(TM) user interface, animation technology, large storage, built-in three-axis accelerometer and geographical location technology to deliver truly innovative mobile applications.

Apple has licensed Exchange ActiveSync from Microsoft and is building it right into the iPhone, so that iPhone will connect out-of-the-box to Microsoft Exchange Servers 2003 and 2007 for secure over-the-air push email, contacts, calendars and global address lists. Built-in Exchange ActiveSync support also enables security features such as remote wipe, password policies and auto-discovery. The iPhone 2.0 software supports Cisco IPsec VPN to ensure the highest level of IP-based encryption available for transmission of sensitive corporate data, as well as the ability to authenticate using digital certificates or password-based, multi-factor authentication. The addition of WPA2 Enterprise with 802.1x authentication enables enterprise customers to deploy iPhone and iPod touch with the latest standards for protection of Wi-Fi networks.

The iPhone 2.0 software provides a configuration utility that allows IT administrators to easily and quickly set up many iPhones, including password policies, VPN setting, installing certificates, email server settings and more. Once the configuration is defined it can be easily and securely delivered via web link or email to the user. To install, all the user has to do is authenticate with a user ID or password, download the configuration and tap install. Once installed, the user will have access to all their corporate IT services.

The iPhone 2.0 software release will contain the App Store, a new application that lets users browse, search, purchase and wirelessly download third party applications directly onto their iPhone or iPod touch. The App Store enables developers to reach every iPhone and iPod touch user. Developers set the price for their applications -- including free -- and retain 70 percent of all sales revenues. Users can download free applications at no charge to either the user or developer, or purchase priced applications with just one click. Enterprise customers will be able to create a secure, private page on the App Store accessible only by their employees. Apple will cover all credit card, web hosting, infrastructure and DRM costs associated with offering applications on the App Store. Third party iPhone and iPod touch applications must be approved by Apple and will be available exclusively through the App Store.

The iPhone SDK provides a reliable, fast and secure way to create innovative applications for the iPhone and iPod touch. In addition to the rich set of iPhone OS APIs, the iPhone SDK also provides advanced tools for creating native iPhone and iPod touch applications including: Xcode(R) for source code editing, project management and graphical debugging; Interface Builder with drag and drop interface creation and live preview; Instruments to monitor and optimize iPhone application performance in real time; and the iPhone Simulator to run and debug applications.

During the beta iPhone SDK program, a limited number of developers will be accepted into Apple's new iPhone Developer Program and offered the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing. The Standard Program costs $99 (US) per year and gives members an iPhone SDK and development tools; access to pre-release iPhone software; technical support; the ability to get code onto iPhones for testing; and distribution of applications via the new App Store. The Enterprise Program costs $299 (US) per year.

In addition to these new iPhone network and security features, the beta iPhone 2.0 software provides several new Mail features such as the ability to view PowerPoint attachments, in addition to Word and Excel, as well as the ability to mass delete and move email messages.

Pricing & Availability

Apple plans to release the final iPhone 2.0 software, including the iPhone SDK and new enterprise features, as a free software update for all iPhone customers by the end of June. Third party applications created for the iPhone will also run on the iPod touch, and iPod touch users will be required to purchase a software update to run these applications. The free beta iPhone SDK is available immediately worldwide and can be downloaded at developer.apple.com/iphone/program. The iPhone Developer Program will initially be available in the US and will expand to other countries in the coming months. Apple is accepting applications beginning today from enterprise customers who would like to join the private iPhone Enterprise Beta Program (http://www.apple.com/iphone/enterprise).

Via- [http://gizmodo.com/364788/iphone-20-update-available-for-free-in-june-touch-users-get-to-pay-up-again]