6/19/2010

Apple Mac Mini 2010 review: First look




HDMI, SD card port and a faster processor in a smaller package

Apple's Mac mini portable computer has had a reamp, making it not only the smallest, but the most powerful incarnation of the device, with more connectivity than ever before.

The 2010 edition now features a HDMI port for hooking up to a hi-def display as well as a SD card reader for easy transfer of multimedia content. It also boasts a faster Intel Core 2 Duo processor at 2.66GHz and an improved nVidia 320m graphics card and a 320GB hard-drive.



With all that extra bulk you'd expect a little swell around the waistline but Apple has managed to slim down a little with a body measuring just 19.4cm square by 3.6cm tall.

There has been a hike in price and the new mini will cost a cool £649, but for this powerful and portable Mac, boasting the Snow Leopard OS, it doesn't really seem that bad. Check out the video hands-on for a tour of its sexy new body.




6/18/2010

Samsung Captivate: AT&T's First Serious Android Phone

Samsung Captivate: AT&T's First Serious Android Phone


Between the Motorola Backflip and the HTC Aria, AT&T hasn't exactly been leading the charge on Android phones. But the Samsung Captivate, coming in the next few months, signals that the carrier is finally getting serious about Android.

As a Samsung Galaxy S phone, it's got impressive hardware: a 4-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen, 1GHz Hummingbird that processes graphics 3x faster than Snapdragon, a 5MP camera that records 720p video, and up to 32GB of combined onboard and external storage.

It also seems as though the Captivate hasn't been hamstrung in the way the Backflip was. Most notably, it'll ship with Google Search instead of the Backflip's pre-loaded Yahoo widget. Although it's not clear if Captivate owners will be able to download third-party apps, something AT&T so far hasn't allowed on their Android devices.

The catch—there's always a catch—is that Captivate will launch running Android 2.1 instead of Froyo. That would be less problematic were it not that the phone isn't launching for another few months, meaning a bump up to Android 2.2 could be quite a ways away. Pricing, too, is still unannounced, and it will be interesting to see how AT&T positions Captivate against its other big summer release.

Still, though, good to see AT&T getting serious about Android, especially if Captivate can live up to its billing.

KTRBED25PM3Z

6/17/2010

Robot Self-Assembles, Then Flies

A flying platform from ETH Zurich is made up of autonomous wheeled vehicle that lock together to share the task of controlled and autonomous flight. The robot, dubbed the "Distributed Flight Array," was presented by Raymond Oung, Raffaello D'Andrea, and others at this year's IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) and was a finalist for best conference paper.

Each wheeled vehicle has its own power, motor, propeller, flight control system, sensors, and wireless communication. The researchers write on their website:

Joined together, however, these relatively simple modules evolve into a sophisticated multi-propeller system capable of coordinated flight.

The individual robots dock together at random, bound by magnets. But the robots doesn't simply fly in a locked positions with the others. They form a network, exchanging sensor information so that each robot can figure out how much thrust is needed (based on its place in the system) for the whole array to take off.

Once the system is hovering, the robotic modules can correct for disturbances, based on their place in the configuration and the system's overall motion. When the robot is done flying, it breaks apart and each robot falls harmless to the ground. See it in action in a 2010 video below.




Interesting stuff--this could be useful for situation of surveillance or search and rescue, where you might have to figure out on the fly what size and shape robot you need. Also, a robot made of many identical modules like this is likely to be more robust--if one parts breaks, it can reconfigure or substitute in a different one.

i-Got-Control iPhone Universal Remote



The iPhone is one hot gadget no matter how you look at it, and even its detractors cannot deny its appeal to the general populace – just take a look at how many more folks out there who tote around an iPhone just for the sake of looking cool?

Well, it isn’t just all looks only as we know without personality, a device cannot last this long in the market. One of the strengths of the iPhone would be its App store that offers a bunch of useful and quirky apps, where today the i-Got-Control iPhone Universal Remote speaks for itself by letting your iPhone be used as a universal remote. It basically enables you to control thousands of devices through an intuitive touchscreen interface.

For those who can’t seem to find their device on the list, you can always learn its codes and save them as a new device. Retailing for $69.99 a pop, you will need to get your own iPhone first. Hopefully it won’t drain your battery even further, as the iPhone’s daily battery life is already rather poor in relative to other smartphones.

iWatch

iwatch2


The iWatch is as fanciful a design as you could wish for. The concept timepiece is a wrist-sized iPhony, a tiny iPod Touch on a strap. It’s also gorgeous.

The design is from the Italian ADR Studio, and exists only in the world of Photoshop. The main screen, seen above, shows the time, date and weather (Rome’s looking very inviting this month). The gallery goes on to show the Bluetooth syncing options (to iPad and iPhone but not a computer, oddly) and a picture of the iWatch throwing a projected movie onto a wall (hell, it’s a concept design: why not dream a little?) Read the specs and you learn that there will also be an RSS reader, Wi-Fi and 16GB memory.

I would buy one in a second, like Cult of Mac’s resident deviant John Brownlee (who also – curiously – claims the iWatch makes his “heart flutter”, despite the fact that he demonstrably has no heart in his dry, rattling cage of a chest). Sadly, it will never be so, and instead I shall be forced to strap an iPod Touch to my forearm like some giant, lottery-winner’s Rolex.


iWatch with projector, watch with projector



iWatch with red and green ribon



6/16/2010

Window Phone Concept Adapts to Weather and Humidity

Seunghan Song created a concept mobile phone dubbed the Window Phone and we found out that this device can transform its look, like a window that reflects the outside weather. Window is a thin and transparent plastic sheet, basically, as you can see in the images below.


Window Phone Concept Adapts to Weather and Humidity


The handset will remain clear when the day is sunny, or it shows drips of water and look humid if it’s a rainy day. Snowy days will make it look foggy and frozen. Of course, the device is all about its cool touchscreen and it also supports handwriting recognition.

You can also draw and write text messages on this “sheet”, that’ll also recognize the symbols you draw and maybe even gestures.


Window Phone Concept Adapts to Weather and Humidity

Window Phone Concept Adapts to Weather and Humidity

Window Phone Concept Adapts to Weather and Humidity

Window Phone Concept Adapts to Weather and Humidity

Window Phone Concept Adapts to Weather and Humidity

Window Phone Concept Adapts to Weather and Humidity


Windows Phone 7 Concept is an Alienware Handset

Egyptian conceptual artist Sherif Mohsen recently showed the world his new creation, a Windows Phone 7 concept handset, bearing the Alienware branding. This ubercool device features a 4.2 inch AMOLED touchscreen display, a 1.3GHz CPU, a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and dual LED flash, plus the ability to play back HD Videos.


You need to a flashplayer enabled browser to view this YouTube video


The Alienware concept phone also supports 3G HSDPA connectivity and its design looks pretty cool, specially since there are a lot of colours to choose from. What do you think?

Game will let you sing and dance like Michael Jackson



The still-untitled video game will feature such Jackson hits as  "Beat It," above, and go on sale by the holidays.
The still-untitled video game will feature such Jackson hits as "Beat It," above, and go on sale by the holidays


(CNN) -- Michael Jackson's brilliance as a performer will live on in a video game that gives fans the chance to sing and dance like the King of Pop.

Game-maker Ubisoft said the forthcoming game, which does not yet have a title, will let players "step into the shoes of Michael Jackson himself and relive his most iconic performances through their own singing and dancing."

The game will feature such Jackson hits as "Beat It" and "Billie Jean" and will go on sale before the holiday shopping season.

No game play or trailer videos were shown during Ubisoft's press conference this week at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, California. Real dancers came on stage and performed to "Beat It," but few other details were revealed.

It is not the first time the late pop icon has been featured in a game. Jackson was a digital character in a 1980s arcade game and also had his own console title -- both tie-ins to his 1988 movie, "Moonwalker."

Development of the upcoming video game has the blessing of Jackson's estate. The singer died of cardiac arrest a year ago this month.

"It is a game that the entire family can experience and enjoy together and this is something that would please Michael tremendously," said Michael Jackson Estate co-executor John McClain, in a statement.


Players will try to mimic the moves they see on the screen, as in  this "Billie Jean" scene.


Players will try to mimic the moves they see on the screen, as in this "Billie Jean" scene.

A Ubisoft press release said the game will include "the most famous tracks" from the singer's extensive catalog of hits. Fan reaction to the game on the singer's website has been mostly positive.

"This is awesome ! My kids are gonna flip!!! I'm excited to get this for my kids. WE LOVE YOU MICHAEL JACKSON!" said one fan.

Another was more skeptical: "MJ's probably rolling over in his grave right now (if he hasn't already) with all the ubiquitous money-making schemes. If he had wanted all this he would've done it when he was alive!"

Ubisoft spokesperson Lisa Revelli said the title will be available using Microsoft's Kinect for the Xbox 360, Sony's Move for the PS3, and Nintendo's Wii as well as the handheld PSP and DS devices. She said for the Kinect/Xbox 360 version, the game will not feature avatars to represent the player, but the actual players themselves on-screen.

The game's release may coincide with the arrival of a new album of never-before-released songs from Jackson, due in November.

iPhone 4 introduction

Great video about iPhone 4!


iMovies for iPhone!

iMovie for iPhone is Coming


Along with HD video recording, the iPhone 4 is getting a way to edit it right on the phone itself: iMovie for iPhone.

Obviously, it's pretty basic video editing, as its on a phone. But you're able to combine various clips, add music, photos, titles and transitions as well as basic effects. You'll recognize the effects from the desktop version of iMovie, where you're able to do stuff like add the "Ken Burns Effect" with slow-mo zooming and panning.

You're able to export in 360p, 540p and 720p, as well. The app will set you back $4.99 from the App Store.


Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard


This tiny device laser-projects a keyboard on any flat surface... you can then type away accompanied by simulated key click sounds. Pull this baby from your pocket and use it to compose an e-mail on your bluetooth enabled PDA or Cell Phone.





Details and Specs:

Keyboard Projection
Light source: Red diode laser
Keyboard layout: 63 key / full sized QWERTY layout
Keyboard size: 295 x 95mm projected keyboard size
Keyboard position: 60mm from VKB unit
Required Projection surface: Non-reflective, opaque flat surface
Visibility: Good contrast up to 600 lux ambient illumination

Keystroke Sensor
Ambient illumination: Works under all standard indoor illuminations up to 600 lux
Detection: rate Up to 400 characters per minute
Detection algorithm: Multiple keystroke support
Effective keystroke: Approximately 2mm
Operating surface: Any firm flat surface with no protrusions greater than 1mm

Bluetooth
Bluetooth Spec: Bluetooth v1.1 class 2
Bluetooth Profile Supported: HID and SPP
Range of Frequency: 2.4GHz Spectrum
Transmission range: 9m
Number of supported passkeys: 5

Electrical
Power source: Integrated, 3.6V rechargeable lithium-ion battery
Battery capacity > 120 minutes continuous typing
Charge Method: Included 100-240V AC Wall Adapter

Dimensions
Approximately 35 x 92 x 25mm (1.38" x 3.6" x 1")

Compatibility
Support for PalmOS 5, PocketPC 2003, Windows Smartphone, Symbian OS, and Windows 2000/XP (Mac OSX will work but drivers are not provided. See the bottom of this page for details.) Look below for a list of specific compatible devices. Please note your device may still work properly if not on this list as long as it supports one of the OS listed above.

    PDAs
    HP 1940
    HP 2210
    HP 4700
    HP 5550
    HP rx3417
    HP rx3715
    Dell Axim 50 X50V
    MIO 336 BT
    Palm Tungsten T3
    Palm Tungsten T5
    Palm Zire 72


    Smartphones
    Nokia 3650
    Nokia 6600
    Nokia 6260
    Nokia 6630
    Nokia 6680
    Nokia 7650
    Motorola A1000
    Motorola MPx220
    HP 6300 Series
    Sony Ericsson P800
    Sony Ericsson P900
    Sony Ericsson P910i
    Xplore M68
    Palm Treo 650
    Dopod 565
    i-mate SP3
    Qtek 8010
    SPV C500
    MD2000
    MDA II
    Qtek 2020
    XDA II
    Dopod 700
    i-mate PDA2K
    MDA III
    Qtek 9090
    VPA III
    XDA IIs
    Dopod 699
    M2500
    Qtek 2020i
    XDA IIi
    Dopod 818
    i-mate JAM
    M500
    MDA Compact
    Qtek S100
    XDA mini

    PCs and Laptops
    Windows 2000/XP Drivers and Software Included
    Important Mac OS Note:
    We were able to get the Bluetooth Virtual Laser Keyboard to work with Mac OSX using the built-in bluetooth support in the OS. However, there is no driver software for Mac included with the keyboard and therefore no way to set the keyboard preferences such as brightness, key-repeat rate and sensitivity. You have been warned!










Specifications for iPhone 4G Leaked





Well it's that time of year again, and the number of speculations, leaks and purported photos and videos of the next-generation iPhone is sure to increase. The latest blurb to sweep the web involves tech pundit John Gruber mocking the Wall Street Journal for not having any interesting information. He then goes on to drop some killer specs for the upcoming iPhone release,
apple iphone fourth generation.


This mockup of the next generation iPhone has nothing to do with Gruber's information (predictions?) but we liked the fact that it resembles the iPad. Back to the specifications of the iPhone 4G:


Screen resolution improvement to surpass the competition. Gruber claims Yukari Iwatani Kane gave him the scoop on a 960 x 640 resolution screen. This would beat the Droid (854 x 480) and the Nexus One (800 x 480).


The same source claims the iPhone HD, as some are dubbing the new device, will have an A4 system on a chip, or something from the same family. For those not familiar, this processor was developed by Apple in-house specifically for the iPad.


But wait, there's more. Gruber continues by saying there will be third-party application multitasking. Apple watchers and iPhone fans have been waiting for this feature since day one. Finally the "battery issues" and other excuses Apple has been giving us for no multitasking except native apps (iPod for example) have been overcome.


Last but not least Gruber also drops "second front-facing camera." Video conferencing anyone? This jives with the photos and videos that have been coming out showing a longer iPhone frame and possibly space at the top for new hardware. Many have speculated the aspect ratio on the new screen could be 16:9.

Nintendo 3DS

Nintendo 3Ds (^(00)^)

Though shaping and play style is still as old school as ever, Nintendo is somehow following the trend of 3D, with their gem called the Nintendo 3DS. Yes, as the name said, you get to play 3D games on this new handheld. Following the success of the Game Boy, and Game Boy Advance, and the last DS, the 3DS still looks like a brick. But when its covered up, it looks like Nokia’s old communicator.


Nintendo 3Ds (^(00)^)


The 3DS is Nintendo’s answer to 3D gaming, and its showing off its glass-free technology at E3 press conference. Its something that Kyoto-base game company would like to call “a solution that lets you take 3D gaming along with you wherever you go”. Somehow, we don’t need the bulky glasses when playing the 3DS, which seemed rather unbelievable and breath-taking, when every other major player requires 3D glasses for their product.

The upper screen is surprisingly only 3.5-inches, the size of an iPhone 4. Not as wide as we’d expect. There is a slider on the side that lets you tweak the 3D effect, seemingly enabling you to adjust its depth based on your distance from the screen, or turn it off entirely. As with the current DS, the bottom is a touchscreen, and is not 3D.

The analog stick on the side is called a “Slide Pad”. There’s a gyro motion sensor, making the 3DS compatible with DSi games. Two cameras are integrated inside, making capturing 3D photos possible. Nintendo is also talking about how the system will seek out Wi-Fi hotspots or other 3DS systems “without you knowing,” which sounds a bit gloomy. Systems can communicate regardless of which games are being played. It can even pull in new DLC directly from other consoles, all without a monthly fee.


Nintendo 3Ds (^(00)^)


Nintendo 3Ds (^(00)^)


Nintendo 3Ds (^(00)^)


Nintendo 3Ds (^(00)^)

Nintendo didn’t mention anything about release date or price, which is rather odd. From the looks of the photo, 5 colors seemed to be the choices. There’s black, cyan, red, purple, and orange. There’s an insanely long list of available games from multiple developers, which seemed to be of great news from Nintendo. The 3DS has been claimed by Nintendo to have the biggest launch support pool ever.


Publisher Game
Activision DJ Hero
AQ Interactive cubic ninja
Atlus Etrian Odyssey
Shin Megami Tensei
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor
Capcom RESIDENT EVIL® REVELATIONS
SUPER STREET FIGHTER IV 3D Edition (name not final)
Electronic Arts FIFA Soccer
Madden NFL
The SimsTM 3
Gameloft Asphalt GT
Harmonix Music game
HUDSON SOFT Bomberman franchise
DECA SPORTS franchise
KORORINPA franchise
KONAMI Baseball franchise
Contra franchise
Frogger franchise
HIDEO KOJIMA’S METAL GEAR SOLID SNAKE EATER 3D “The Naked Sample”
PRO EVOLUTION SOCCER franchise / WINNING ELEVEN franchise
LEVEL-5 Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle (name not final)
Majesco Entertainment BloodRayne: The Shroud
A Boy and His Blob
Face Racers: Photo Finish
Lion’s Pride: Adventures on the Serengeti
Martha Stewart
WonderWorld Amusement Park
Marvelous Entertainment BOKUJYOUMONOGATARI 3D (name not final)
NAMCO BANDAI Games Dragon Ball® franchise (name not final)
Gundam® franchise (name not final)
PAC-MANTM & GALAGATM (name not final)
RIDGE RACER® (name not final)
Super Robot franchise (name not final)
Nintendo Animal Crossing
Kid IcarusTM: Uprising
Mario Kart
nintendogsTM + cats
Paper Mario
PilotWings Resort
Star Fox 64TM 3D
Steel DiverT
ROCKET Crash-City GP
VS-robo
SEGA Sonic (name not final)
Super Monkey Ball (name not final)
SQUARE ENIX CODENAME: Chocobo Racing® 3D
DRAGON QUEST® franchise
FINAL FANTASY® franchise
KINGDOM HEARTS franchise
Take-Two Interactive Carnival Games® franchise
TECMO KOEI GAMES DEAD OR ALIVE® 3D (name not final)
DYNASTY WARRIORS® (name not final)
NINJA GAIDEN® (name not final)
SAMURAI WARRIORS® 3D (name not final)
TOMY LOVELY LISA 3D
NARUTO SHIPPUDEN ACTION
THQ de Blob 2
Kung Fu Panda Kaboom of Doom
Marvel Super Hero Squad Infinity Gauntlet
The Penguins of Madagascar
Puss N Boots
Saints Row: Drive-By
Ubisoft Assassin’s CreedTM Lost Legacy
Battle of GiantsTM: Dinosaur Strike
Driver® Renegade
Hollywood 61 (name not final)
Tom Clancy’s Ghost ReconT
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Chaos TheoryT
Warner Bros Batman franchise
LEGO franchise



iPhone 4 white not available during launch day, might need to date her some other day.

iphone 4 white



This came as no surprise, as the white iPhone 4 will not be available on launch day for AT&T subscribers. The carrier will only offer the black iPhone 4 during pre-orders and at launch, whereas the white knight will only be available for your glory in summer.



Same thing goes to Japan’s SoftBank, which has stated officially that only the black will be available, while the white will only hit the market at ‘a later time’.


However, the good news is that Apple has yet to say anything regarding this ‘might be’ limited white iPhone 4. Therefore it is possible that there’s still a glare of hope in the end, as other carriers might have the white baby in stock during launch day.

New Xbox 360 black

Microsoft Xbox360 Kinect


Live pictures of the new Xbox 360 and the Kinect (ouch!) are up at Engadget, and as you can see the new Xbox 360 black unit is a lot smaller than the original Xbox 360. Not only have that, but they even squeezed in the power supply into the chassis, which means all the twinkie parts have shrink a lot. The new blackbox360 is very sleek, with glossy black finishes. Somehow it looked better than the old ones.


Microsoft Xbox360 Kinect


The new blackbox360 is already available at Amazon, Newegg, and GameStop for $299. Kinect will be shipping at $149 for standalone unit on 4th November. With the new Xbox360 coming, the old arcade has been given a slash in price too, by $50.


Microsoft Xbox360 Kinect


The new black and sexy chassis seemed to have a lot of air vent, which shows that Microsoft has been keen in improving the air ventilation over the old unit, hopefully eliminating the RRoD issue. Let’s check out the new features of the blackbox.


Microsoft Xbox360 Kinect


Form Factor: Sleek, lean and gloss black finish with chrome accents. Place vertically or horizontally in any living room entertainment center.
Touch Sensitive Buttons: Turn the Xbox 360 video game system on/off and eject a disc with the swipe of a finger.
Whisper Quiet: Whether you’re playing a DVD disc or from the hard drive, or navigating the dashboard, with the all-new and much quieter Xbox 360, the only noise you’ll hear is your own laughing, cheering and playing.
Wi-Fi: Built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi for fast, easy connection to your friends and entertainment on Xbox LIVE.
Hard Drive: 250GB internal, swappable hard drive for even more storage. To access, remove the bottom panel by pushing the small tab toward the front of the console.
Kinect-Ready: Custom Kinect port on the back of the console that directly hooks up to the Kinect sensor for controller-free fun.
USB Slots: Five USB ports; three in the back of the console and two in the front for easy plug and play.
AV Connections:
AV Cable included for standard definition TV connection.
HDMI port for high definition TV connection.
Optical Audio: out port integrated on back of console for AV system connection.
Power Supply: Smaller and more efficient. Xbox 360 250GB and Xbox 360 Original power supplies are not interchangeable.
Wireless Controller: The award-winning Xbox 360 Wireless Controller matches the console in all black with color-matched thumbsticks and directional pad with a touch of gloss and chrome to complete the look.
Backwards Compatible: Your favorite accessories and games will work with Xbox 360 250GB. (Xbox 360 External Hard Drives and Memory Units are not compatible.)
Accessories: Customize your Xbox 360 250GB with matching black accessories, including favorites such as Controllers, Wireless Headset, Chatpad, Quick Charge and Play & Charge Kits and more. Get a look at a few of these today.

Key Internal Components Changes:
Fan: Moved from two small fans to one larger fan for improved acoustics.
Chipset: 45 nanometer and integrated CPU and GPU.
Wi-Fi: Integrated wireless capability.


Microsoft Xbox360 Kinect


Microsoft Xbox360 Kinect


Microsoft stated that the Kinect will work with every Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 Origin owners will have to connect a USB and separate power cord for the Kinect unit. The new black Xbox 360 has a special ExtUSB-ish port marked with “Aux”, a special Kinect port that handles both data and power for the new motion control system, eliminating the need for 2 cables to power up the Kinect system.


Microsoft Xbox360 Kinect

Damn this baby makes me jizz in my pants!

Philips Cinema 21:9 LCD TV




Philips has come out with their new Cinema 21:9 LCD TV for ultimate home cinematic viewing experience. It is the world’s first cinema-proportioned LCD TV which features 56 inch screen with the 21:9 aspect ratio. With this you can watch movies in the 2.39:1 format completely fill the screen. Besides there are also three-sided Ambilight Spectra come combines with the on-screen action to provide better home cinematic viewing experience. The Cinema 21:9 LCD TV will be available in Spring 2009, more details coming on the end of February 2009.

ReflexDock Pro lets you watch your iPhone movies on your big screen

HDR

The iPhone has always been a very fun phone to play with. But the only let down would be the small screen. I’m not sure how many people that love watching movies in a small screen, but I sure ain’t one of them. I still prefer to watch movies in front of my big tee vee on my comfy sofa. Now Konnet has given us a real nice accessory for our iPhone.


The ReflexDock Pro is a sleek looking cradle that connects your iPhone or iPod to your LCD TV using an AV cable, allowing you to play any video on them. There’s also a USB cable, which means you can charge your iPod/iPhone while watching your movie, saving your battery’s juice. This seemed to be a great device in conjunction with the ‘coming soon’ Netflix apps later this year. Streaming videos from your iPhone to your TV you say?


The ReflexDock Pro comes in both black and white color. The Pro also comes with an audio-out jack and a 3.5mm stereo cable, allowing for the connection of external sound equipment. SRP is set at $50, and is already available at Amazon.com.


Compatibility:

  • iPhone 4
  • iPhone 3Gs
  • iPhone 3G
  • iPhone 2G
  • iPod Touch 2nd gen
  • iPod Touch
  • iPod Nano 5th gen
  • iPod Nano 4th gen
  • iPod Nano 3rd gen
  • iPod Classic

French uber cool racing arcade looks and feels like the real thing


i-Way


In Lyon, France, lies a magical and glamorous “Disney land” for those petrol heads. A place that you should be in instead, if you’re at E3 looking for some car racing sim games. Its called the i-Way.

i-Way


Each race cost around #73 (€60), and if you’d like to take part in the race packages like running in a league or tournament, that’s $770 (€630)for 10 races. Surely that place won’t be swarmed with kids running and screaming around with such a grand price. There are 18 6-axis car simulators featuring full-sized versions of Formula 1, rally, touring, and endurance race cars.

If you ever need a pit stop from all the crazy racing, this place is packed! Talk about in-house spa with the GT girls (I made that up), conference rooms for meeting half way during a race, restaurants, lounges, and even office space. That’s a lot of things in a building. No wonder it took 4 years to build.

Need for Speed goes back to its roots, Cops vs Speeders.

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit


As usual, EA releases yet another installment to their infamous Need for Speed series. But this time, it’s something different, yet familiar. EA has unveiled at E3 the Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. A classic Need for Speed game of cops vs road bullies, but with new speeding machines.


Need for Speed Hot Pursuit


There’s a career mode for single players, and the online gameplay for multiplayer mode. A new online network for NFS called the “Need for Speed Autolog” which acts like Tweeter for players. I wonder if there’s Ferrari in it this time, as there is in the classic old school Hot Pursuit. Previous NFS series has been quite some let down, with repetition of the styles. Most Wanted would be the only one that’s fun, as far as I can recall. Hopefully this new series will bring us back to the good old days of Hot Pursuit.



“At Criterion, we’ve been playing Need for Speed since it was first introduced on 3DO. We are honored and excited by the opportunity to reinvent the franchise for today’s connected audience,” said the game’s Creative Director Craig Sullivan in an official release. “Our goal has been to create cops vs. racers pursuits that are so fun, fast and exciting it really brings to life the adrenaline and intensity of the high speed cop pursuit experience with your friends.”



Need for Speed Hot Pursuit


Need for Speed Hot Pursuit

Twistdock, a PS3 docking station that you would love.



twistdock


Enough of the Xbox news, here’s some goodie for PS3 owners. A docking station for PS3 but comes with a twist. Vogel launched this Twistdock for PS3 at E3 Expo. It’s able to hold either an original PS3 or Slim, and on the back, two controllers can be slotted into the dock to be charged. There’s a USB hub for connecting other electronic device, though its functions are not stated. A sexy and lovely add-on device for your living room, in compliment to your dusty electronics.


twistdock



twistdock