The biggest news of the week is that the most awaited game ever finally launched. Yes, Action Girlz Racing came out. Just joshing of course, it was actually GTA IV that launched on Tuesday, amid a blaze of publicity, hype, and stabbings in the queue to get one. And it’s region locked on the Xbox 360. Considering most games aren’t, it’s a bit of a spit in the face for owners of American Xboxes who’ll have to queue for a UK one.
Is the iPhone getting haptic? That’s the latest rumour doing the rounds on the web. And haptic is the most overused word of the past year. Basically, it means you get feedback when you press a button on the touchscreen. Add that and 3G, and you’ve got yourself maybe the prefect phone. Come on Jobsy, make it so.
Nokia’s announced three new phones, and they’re all rather cool. The 6600 Fold pops open at the touch of a button and shows an outside screen when you prompt it with a tap. The 6600 Slide has similar specs, with a better camera, and the 3600 Slide has noise cancellation, technologically shushing all around you. Nice.
But forget all that. The biggest news in the T3 office this week has been the arrival of Rockstar Guitar. Just wave your hand down where the strings should be, and it plays a chord. Hit demo and you can play along to rock classics. Well, hammond organ karaoke lite muzak versions of rock classics. Seriously, you haven’t heard the definitive version of Wild Thing until you’ve played with this.
In other news: Blu-Ray sales are down as people opt for good old DVDs; the Post-It note is dragged into the 21st century; and Parrot launches the most designerish photo frame ever.
For weekly news in spoken form, check out the T3 Podcast.
Filed under: Gaming
Now that the Dual Shock 3 is finally here, it looks like Sony’s finding creative way to dump off old SIXAXIS stock — like tossing ‘em in MGS4 PS3 bundles. Japanese PS3 buyers will be able to choose from three “Welcome Box” MGS4 bundles in Satin Silver, Ceramic White, and Clear Black, and in addition to Snake’s latest adventure and a Dual Shock 3, they’ll find a SIXAXIS inside. The bundles will cost ¥49,800 ($470), compared to ¥51,800 ($492) for the gunmetal gray bundle that doesn’t include the extra controller, so basically Sony’s giving Japanese buyers $20 to take a SIXAXIS home. That’s quite a deal, but honestly, we’d rather take drop the Jackson on that super-hot gunmetal unit home than have another (obsolete) controller lying around.
[Via Joystiq]
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Filed under: Gaming
Now that the Dual Shock 3 is finally here, it looks like Sony’s finding creative way to dump off old SIXAXIS stock — like tossing ‘em in MGS4 PS3 bundles. Japanese PS3 buyers will be able to choose from three “Welcome Box” MGS4 bundles in Satin Silver, Ceramic White, and Clear Black, and in addition to Snake’s latest adventure and a Dual Shock 3, they’ll find a SIXAXIS inside. The bundles will cost ¥49,800 ($470), compared to ¥51,800 ($492) for the gunmetal gray bundle that doesn’t include the extra controller, so basically Sony’s giving Japanese buyers $20 to take a SIXAXIS home. That’s quite a deal, but honestly, we’d rather take drop the Jackson on that super-hot gunmetal unit home than have another (obsolete) controller lying around.
[Via Joystiq]
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Filed under: Digital Cameras, Displays
Call it a hunch, but we wouldn’t be surprised one iota if you received some form of digital photo frame for Mother’s Day. If you’re a mother, that is. Digital Foci is sure doing its best to sway your kid’s purchasing decision by shipping its Image Moments 8 just in time. If you’ll recall, this one packs a respectable 450MB of internal memory, an 8-inch LED-backlit SVGA (800 x 600) display with a 500:1 contrast ratio, a multicard reader that handles CF, SD, SDHC, MMC, Memory Stick, MS Pro, MS Duo, MS Pro Duo and xD formats and an obligatory USB port, too. There’s even a set of integrated speakers and an audio output for placing a nice slow jam behind those honeymoon snaps. Take a look in the read link for the full rundown, and get set to part ways with $199 before May 11th (you know she’s worth it).
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Filed under: Digital Cameras, Displays
Call it a hunch, but we wouldn’t be surprised one iota if you received some form of digital photo frame for Mother’s Day. If you’re a mother, that is. Digital Foci is sure doing its best to sway your kid’s purchasing decision by shipping its Image Moments 8 just in time. If you’ll recall, this one packs a respectable 450MB of internal memory, an 8-inch LED-backlit SVGA (800 x 600) display with a 500:1 contrast ratio, a multicard reader that handles CF, SD, SDHC, MMC, Memory Stick, MS Pro, MS Duo, MS Pro Duo and xD formats and an obligatory USB port, too. There’s even a set of integrated speakers and an audio output for placing a nice slow jam behind those honeymoon snaps. Take a look in the read link for the full rundown, and get set to part ways with $199 before May 11th (you know she’s worth it).
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Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
Ariel Waldman contributes Movie Gadget Friday, where she highlights the lovable and lame gadgets from the world of cinema.
Previously on Movie Gadget Friday, we went thirteen years into the future of failed technology with Johnny Mnemonic. Gearing down from cyberpunk grunge to the post-apocalyptic Australian outback, this week we dust off the many dune gadgets and gas-guzzlers in The Road Warrior to take a closer look at the details. Known as the sequel to Mad Max, this leather-lust film takes the fight for survival by way of modded-out motors seriously (down to the skull hood ornaments). While electronics are scarce in this 1981 film, the ever-present tinkering and modification of hardware throughout more than keeps our attention.
The Interceptor
From dune buggies to Desotos, custom-built cars are scrapped together from scavenged materials and outfitted with nitrous oxide tanks and whatever weapons and are within reach. The Interceptor features two large tanks strapped to the trunk and an impressive roll cage built for brutal road battles. Modded from an original 1973 XB GT Ford Falcon Coupe and fitted with an impressive supercharger, Max’s machine is capable of extreme speeds at the flip of a switch. Known as the last of the V8s, the vehicle contains a booby-trapped destruction device under the trunk in case of emergency. Other vehicles worth honorable hardware mentions are Pappagallo’s custom-built scrap car with two Ford 351 engines, and the red Ford F100 featuring a boat windshield and some serious cobra door decals. More after the break.
Continue reading Movie Gadget Friday: The Road Warrior
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Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless
T-Mobile’s 3G network started going live today, and it looks like that early word from a company memo may not hold true for all users. Some markets may in fact have a silent soft-launch of faster data rates, we’ve heard from several tipsters who’ve said that they’re already getting faster data service, and now the company itself getting the word out that it’s launching data as well. But company peeps were indeed instructed to make sure customers don’t count on that faster data being present; bottom line is you may have it, you may not (but if you take T-Mobile at its word, you should). NYC is the first market to light up, but others should come online soon — anyone trying it out? How’s it going? Hit us up in comments and let us know!
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Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless
T-Mobile’s 3G network started going live today, and it looks like that early word from a company memo may not hold true for all users. Some markets may in fact have a silent soft-launch of faster data rates, we’ve heard from several tipsters who’ve said that they’re already getting faster data service, and now the company itself getting the word out that it’s launching data as well. But company peeps were indeed instructed to make sure customers don’t count on that faster data being present; bottom line is you may have it, you may not (but if you take T-Mobile at its word, you should). NYC is the first market to light up, but others should come online soon — anyone trying it out? How’s it going? Hit us up in comments and let us know!
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Filed under: Transportation
We appreciate the effort, we really do, but we can’t see a new hue as being the adjustment that coaxes the world to stop laughing at the Segway i2. Nevertheless, those who have convinced themselves that they just have to have a two-wheeled transporter can now snatch one up in Metallic Sage. Of course, it’s not like anyone outside of the i2 owners circle will even notice the difference, but hey, we’ve heard that some seriously great relationships have come from within that exclusive sect. Sike.
[Via Gearlog]
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Filed under: Transportation
We appreciate the effort, we really do, but we can’t see a new hue as being the adjustment that coaxes the world to stop laughing at the Segway i2. Nevertheless, those who have convinced themselves that they just have to have a two-wheeled transporter can now snatch one up in Metallic Sage. Of course, it’s not like anyone outside of the i2 owners circle will even notice the difference, but hey, we’ve heard that some seriously great relationships have come from within that exclusive sect. Sike.
[Via Gearlog]
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