Tech news, gadget reviews and how-tos on just about anything and everything.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

New Game Releases Oct. 19-26

This will be busy week for gamers as we have 3 new game releases. First off is the Spider-Man: Web of Shadows from Activision. This game features a new combat system and allows you to play as red or black spider-man. This game is rated T for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, and Windows PC, and rated E10+ for the Nintendo DS, Playstation 2, and PSP. Price for the Spider-Man: Web of Shadows is: $59.99 (Xbox and PS3), $49.99 (Wii), $39.99 (for the PS2 and PSP), and $29.99 (PC, and DS).

Backyard Football '09 has also been released by Atari for the Wii, Nintendo DS, Playstation 2, and PC. Backyard Football '09 has an updated roster of superstars from 32 NFL teams as kids and also features new play modes like Pro-Bowl and tournament modes which allows players to play the whole season with complete stats and standings. Backyard Football '09 is rated E and has a price range of $39.99 for the Wii, $29.99 for Nintendo DS, $19.99 for Playstation 2 and PC.

The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of Dragon Scorches is also available this week. The Dawn of Dragon Scorches is the final chapter of the Legend of Spyro video game trilogy and still includes the voice of Elijah Wood and Gary Oldman. Two new game plays is introduced in Spry: the Dawn of Dragon Scorches, Spyro can now fly at any time and a co-op feature is also included which allows gamers to play either as Spyro or Cynder. The Dawn of the Dragon Scorches will be available for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, Playstation 2, and Nintendo DS.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Patriot Triple Channel DDR Memory


Ugh, I hate this kind of news. I've just recently upgraded my PC and the motherboard that I've bought only supports DDR2 memory and now companies such as Patriot are releasing Triple Channel DDR3 Memory Kits. Your PC's memory helps speed up your PC's performance and a triple channel DDR3 would definitely do wonders especially if you're doing a lot of video editing. Patriot's tri-channel DDR3 is compatible with Intel's Core i7 and Intel X58 EXpress Chipset and available in an eye-popping 3GB and 6GB capacities.

Via: Gadget Advisor

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

iSkoot for Skype now available for the Google G1 Phone

Everybody's wondering whether it's true that Google will not allow an application that allows VoIP on your Google G1 Phone. Well, then why is iSkoot has announcing that it will be launching its mobile application, iSkoot for Skype for the Android Platform? Coz it's not really VoIP since iSkoot still uses data connection for you to connect to the Skype application and not actual V. iSkoot is also availabe for the Symbian, Windows Mobile, Java, Palm, and Blackberry platforms. See attached press release.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 22 -- iSkoot, a leading provider of Web communication services made for mobile phones, today announced that its mobile application, iSkoot for Skype, is launching in the Android Market, Google's new mobile application store. iSkoot for Skype is the first VoIP solution available in Google's Android Market.

iSkoot for Skype makes it easy and affordable for people to keep in touch with friends, family and contacts with an always-on-the-go lifestyle. iSkoot for Skype leverages the voice-optimized circuit-switched wireless networks of mobile carriers, allowing for full operation even without access to WiFi or 3G networks and ensuring the best possible call quality. Normal carrier voice and data charges always apply.

"We are honored to be the first mobile VoIP application available in the Android Market because we are dedicated to bringing carrier-grade Web communications services to mobile phones and platforms around the globe," said Jim Hudak, iSkoot Vice President of Business Development. "iSkoot continues to work on delivering innovative products that give people a rich mobile experience so that they can cut the cord from their desktop."

Available immediately for download in Google's Android Market, iSkoot for Skype also runs on nearly all major mobile platforms, including J2ME,S60v3, UIQ, Palm, Windows Mobile and BlackBerry. Android is an open and compressive mobile operating platform developed by an alliance of leading technology and wireless companies including Google Inc., T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm, Motorola, and many others.

iSkoot has built significant momentum during the past year with the recent acquisition of Social.IM, the social network IM client, which positions iSkoot to grow beyond mobile VoIP and create a compelling and valuable consumer solution with a growing lineup of Web communications that can be integrated and pushed to your phone.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The Sony VAIO TT series


Looks like we have another expensive laptop from Sony. The Sony VAIO TT series sports a nice carbon fibre construction, has WWAN technology, and as if the carbon fibre construction isn't enough to drive up its price, it's also the world's lightest and smallest Blu-ray notebook. Now I don't know why Sony felt the need to add a Blu-ray drive on something which only has an 11.4 inch screen but I guess those who can afford it can use it as a portable Blu-ray player and connect it to their HDTV.

Quick Features of the Sony VAIO VGN-TT11WN/B

  • Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SU9300
  • OS: Genuine Windows Vista Business with Service Pack 1
  • Memory: 4096MB (2x2048MB)
  • HDD: 160GB
  • Others: VAIO Everywair WWAN (7.2Mbps HSDPA/2Mbps HSUPA), WLAN 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N, Motion Eye webcam
  • Screen: 11.1” X-black LCD with LED technology, Real Wide 16:9 WXGA (1366 x 768) resolution
  • Optical: DVD+-RW/+-R DL/RAM
  • Graphics: Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
  • Sunday, October 19, 2008

    The Mini E


    The BMW Group has recently announced in a press release a new line of electric cars for their Mini line: the Mini E. The Mini E is a two seater electric powered car that runs on a rechargeable lithium ion battery. Those familiar with the Mini cars would love the familiar yet new design. The BMW Group will only product 500 of these Mini E cars by the end of 2008. Attached is the press release for more information.

    Nice! Though don't jot it down on your Christmas wish list yet. Since production is only limited to five, BMW probably has filled up all their 500 orders. Nice looking car though. According to the specs on this baby, it has an acceleration of 0-100 km/h.



    Monday, October 13, 2008

    Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Preferred

    Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred
    Now here’s a software which can actually be pretty useful (if it works), the Dragon Naturally Speaking 10 Preferred Software. I have to say “if it works” because I haven’t really tried out the software but the company claims can be pretty amazing.

    The Dragon Naturally Speaking is a transcriber which claims it can transcribe what you say with 99% accuracy! Well, if that’s true, then doctors wouldn’t need medical transcriptionists, right? Of course, the uses of Dragon Naturally Speaking are limitless. Businessmen and doctors are not the only persons who can use this, even persons with disability. Imagine surfing the web by just dictating to your computer! Wow! Imagine how many articles I can churn up with! I’ve not been updating my blog because I lack the time to type but with this software, I can already make a piece by reading and then dictating my thoughts at the same time! Now if only have $199.99 to spare. I’ve read up on some Dragon Reviews and it looks like this is really a winner. According to one review, it did pretty well even on windy days. Also, you might want to check out Dragon’s typing speed test! Video demos embedded for your reference.






    Thursday, October 9, 2008

    The iPhone's New Competitors


    It's as if the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic isn't enough, it looks like a busy week for the "let's compete with the iPhone" fanclub. Only a few days after the announcement of the Nokia 5800 and a few weeks after HTC announced their HTC Touch HD (incidentally, you can check the HTC Touch HD Review here), there's another competitor for the iPhone: the Blackberry Storm. The Blackberry Storm is Blackberry's first touch screen device and has there have been rumours of Blackberry creating a touchscreen device which as codenamed Blackberry Thunder. I guess Blackberry changed the name after a while.

    Anyways, it looks like we may have a REAL iPhone competitor in terms of interface. The Blackberry Storm doesn't only offer multitouch capabilities but also features an innovative "click through" feature which allows users to type on the keyboard with the same feel and sound as a real keyboard. Pretty nifty. Unfortunately, some say there's no WiFi for the Blackberry Storm. Now THAT's a real damper since this is supposed to be a smartphone. What gives, RIM?

    Friday, October 3, 2008

    Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Gets Official

    For months bloggers have been talking about Nokia's touchscreen phone called "the Tube", it was even featured in the Dark Knight but it wasn't until recently that Nokia got official with it and dubbed it as the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic.

    According to Cellphone Reviews, the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic will get a worldwide release sometime this fourth quarter of 2008 though it would probably be later in the US if you're waiting for an official carrier to subsidize the device. Looks like a pretty cool phone, little bit on the thick side for me. Check out the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic Review.

    Thursday, October 2, 2008

    Sony VAIO JS1 Series

    I don't know about Sony but their Sony VAIO JS1 Series looks quite cool. The VAIO JS1 is an all-in-one pc which means the CPU is integrated into the screen. Speaking of screen, the screen size of the Sony VAIO JS1 is 20.1 inch. If I didn't know better, looks like Sony is trying to up the Mac.

    Anyways, more than good looks, the Sony VAIO JS1 series also offers the following specifications:

    Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E7200
    Memory: 3GB
    Hard drive: 500GB
    Screen Size: 20.1"
    Optical drive: Multi format DVD rewritable drive
    Graphics: Intel Media Accelerator X4500HD
    Others: WLAN 802.11 b/g/Draft n & Camera