2006 October - SlashGear

Archive for October, 2006

Sony Unveils PS3 Downloadable Content

Benjamin Nied, Oct 26th 2006 Discuss [0]

At long last, it's becoming clearer now as to exactly what Sony has in store for the gaming world with their PlayStation Network Platform. They've unveiled the first set of downloadable PlayStation 3 games set to hit by the end of the year as well as detailed a few things about how the new network service will work with Sony's PSP handheld system's upcoming PSOne emulation. The PS3 game downloads include Blast Factor, flOw, Lemmings, Kazuo (a number puzzle game), Puzzle (only a working title for the time being) and Mainichi Issho. As for the rest, hit the jump! Read The Full Story

Best Buy’s Section For Wii

Rue Liu, Oct 26th 2006 Discuss [1]

This holiday season retailers are making sure the Nintendo Wii is the center of attention. From the image below, you can see that Best Buy's section design for the Wii will blow away the PS3 kiosks. This push for the Wii, maybe because of the higher margins for retailers, and the positive buzz along with the cheaper price and family-friendliness of the console, suggests a larger quantity can be moved off the shelf. Best Buy Gets Into Wii [Via: CrunchGear]

Lik-Sang Shuts Down, Blames Sony

Benjamin Nied, Oct 26th 2006 Discuss [5]

As if Sony needed any help to lessen its popularity among the masses, import/export company Lik-Sang has shut its doors for good, blaming Sony's legal tactics for its demise and calling for angry customers to "blame Sony." Sony, for their part, basically said that Lik-Sang is being a whiny baby about the whole mess by not showing up in court to contest Sony's lawsuit:

'Lik-Sang' did not contest this case (i.e. they did not turn up and therefore incurred no legal costs). We have been awarded substantial costs against Lik Sang which have not been paid. We would therefore strongly deny that our actions have had anything to do with this website closing, and would suggest that this release is sour grapes on behalf of Lik-Sang."

So ladies and gentlemen, should you decide that you need to get one of those newfangled PS3 consoles before everyone else, it's looking like eBay or a bit of luck in obtaining a pre-order are now your only chances. [via GamePro]

Dell Budget Laptop Powered by AMD CPU Priced Under $500

Ewdison Then, Oct 26th 2006 Discuss [4]

As Dell starting to sell AMD desktops and Servers, it just a matter of time when AMD goes under Dell’s laptop chassis. Dell is planning to release AMD based laptops at the end of this month, a 15.4-inch laptop follow by 17-inch model early next year. The new lineup will be priced under $500. According to digitimes, Quanta Computer will manufacture the 15.4-inch version and Compal Electronics will produce the 17-inch version. Sub-US$500 AMD notebooks from Dell to hit the market in November [via digitimes]

Mimoco Unveils Chewbacca Mimobot

Rue Liu, Oct 26th 2006 Discuss [1]

Following the Darth Vader Mimobot, the latest from Mimoco takes the form of Chewbacca. The limited edition of 2,500 will come preloaded with exclusive content from the films in 1G, 2G, and 4G sizes. Prices start at $80. Preorder now, but expect shipment in January. Chewbacca Mimobot [Via: Coolhunting]

ThinkSafe – DIY Magnetic Power Connector for Thinkpad

Ewdison Then, Oct 26th 2006 Discuss [1]

I’m sure many of you Macbooks and MacBook Pros user familiar with “magsafe”, Apple’s new power connector design with magnetic connection. Now those who own Thinkpads shouldn’t be jealous of Macbook users power connector, because you can have one for your Thinkpad. A little DIY work with the help from instructables guide you will be able to make something similar to magsafe. ”This modification isn't destructive in any way, so it should be possible to restore your laptop to its original condition just by removing the pieces you've glued on. You can't use an unmodified power adapter once you've modded your laptop, but fortunately it's pretty easy to make the plug part, so you can make two or more spares” ThinkSafe: A Magnetic Power Connector for Thinkpads [via instructables]

PS3 Unboxing…Yummy

Vincent Nguyen, Oct 25th 2006 Discuss [4]

The lucky folks at IGN UK are one lucky bunch! They’re one of the first to unbox the PS3, even though it was only a prototype. A PS3 is a PS3 by all means. Go crazy on the pictures…and a bonus video! Read The Full Story

LaCie Biometric USB Drive runs the time-trials

Chris Davies, Oct 25th 2006 Discuss [0]

External data storage is big money these days, as more and more people find a computer has shifted into central position in their work and home lives and the need to secure and backup that data becomes paramount. Everything USB have put LaCie's latest offering through its paces, the SAFE Mobile USB, which distinguishes itself by having a platform-independent biometric scanner to secure its contents. Read The Full Story

Cingular Launches TeleNav GPS Navigator Service and Rolling Out HP iPAQ hw6920 Smartphone

Vincent Nguyen, Oct 25th 2006 Discuss [1]

It’s a great day for TeleNav and Cingular. The two companies just announced the roll out of the TeleNav GPS navigation service. It’s real-time, turn-by-turn voice and on-screen navigation system cost an additional $9.99 per month for unlimited trips while the $5.99 plan only gets you 10 trips. The service does require Cingular data plan. This isn’t a bad deal since a decent GPS device ranges from $300 to $800+. Speaking of GPS enabled devices; Cingular also launched the brand new iPAQ hw6920 smartphone, featuring EDGE, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Its got a nice 3-inch screen while the 1-megapixel camera should have been left out all together – shame on you HP. The hw6920 is on the more expensive end priced at $599. Ouch. Read The Full Story

RC Pumpkin Dalek

Chris Davies, Oct 25th 2006 Discuss [0]

Here in the UK we haven't historically gone in for the whole Halloween thing like our American compatriots do, although every year it's getting more and more commercialised as the retailers realise it's another holiday to milk financially. Well, so far I've managed to remain casually aloof, but the sight of a radio controlled pumpkin Dalek was all it took to bring out the big kid in me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPsXj7kVB5g RC Pumpkin Dalek [via MAKE:]

Phantom Wireless Lapboard and Laser Mouse Hands On

Vincent Nguyen, Oct 25th 2006 Discuss [7]

The Phantom Wireless Lapboard and Phantom® Wireless Laser Mouse are a combination wireless keyboard, laser mouse and hard surface that enables users to work or play games from a couch, easy chair or any comfortable setting in the home or workplace. The Lapboard includes wireless technology, ergonomic design, one-touch features, and a wireless high definition 1200 dpi laser mouse. The Lapboard’s innovative design features a keyboard that rotates 360 degrees to accommodate left or right handed users and inclines on a 22 degree angle with a hard surface below for the Phantom Wireless Laser Mouse. The Phantom Lapboard’s interchangeable key-face technology is designed for game-specific and business software applications on PC and Apple Mac platforms. Read The Full Story

WoW: The Burning Crusade Delayed

Benjamin Nied, Oct 25th 2006 Discuss [0]

In a very rare move for Blizzard Entertainment, the brains behind World of Warcraft, we've been given a solid release date for the MMORPG's long-awaited expansion, The Burning Crusade. In a very common move for Blizzard, they've also delayed said expansion to allow for more beta testing and refinement, meaning that users will need to wait until January before embarking on the long, treacherous journey to Level 70. On the plus side, delays from Blizzard usually indicate the desire to make sure that the forthcoming product is as bug-free as possible, and I'd much rather wait a few more months than need to deal with a series of irritating bugs and half-completed features; the griffon paths are annoyance enough. To see the official announcement, hit the jump! Read The Full Story