Those brainiac South Koreans have been at it again. Like their compatriots at LG, Samsung have jumped on the high-def combo player band wagon -- thumbing their noses at Sony, Toshiba and friends along the way -- and announced the BD-P5000 Blu-ray and HD-DVD hybrid device. Unlike LG, however, this one actually supports HD-DVD's interactive functionality, which is nice. The Americans (as ever) are expecting this toy to arrive in stores in time for the Christmas rush with a street price of US$1049.

Posted by Scott Bartley at 1:47 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 )

We're spending more and more time online at work and at home so anything that can improve the web experience is welcome.

Developed in Christchurch, Interclue shows users quick text snippets of linked pages, such as Google search results, as shown below.

No longer do you have to download annoying images and adverts, or irrelevant large documents before determining if the link is useful.

This free Firefox add-on is designed for frequent internet users such as journalists, bloggers, researchers, business users and students, who need to find the information they want well before their deadline is up.

CEO, Seth Wagoner, says, "Instead of unreadable images or huge full page previews, Interclue shows the main content of a link within a discrete tooltip window when the mouse pointer is hovered over Interclue's informative icons at the end of a link. It helps people keep on track with what they are doing by reducing mouse clicks, saving tedious waits for links to download, and minimising the open windows and tabs that clutter up their screen."

Posted by Ted Gibbons at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

Lucky punters in Wellington, Kapiti and Christchurch who are on TelstraClear's InHome network are about to have their download speeds bumped up free of charge.
Downstream speed on the 5 GB plan will increase from up to 2 Mbps to up to 4 Mbps, and the 20 GB plan from up to 4 Mbps to up to 10 Mbps.
TelstraClear Head of Consumer, Steve Jackson, says customers on the 5 GB and 20 GB plans will be automatically upgraded to the new speeds.
”This is great for our customers and they don’t need to do anything. They’ll notice everything gets a lot faster. On our 5 GB plan alone, more than 12,000 customers will reap the benefits of an increase in speed.
Mr Jackson says the company was noticing a change in customer behaviour, with customers wanting to optimise their broadband experience for things such as streaming video.
”We’re staying ahead of the game, offering customers plans to suit their needs. An increase in speed makes surfing the internet, downloading music and videos and playing online games easier than ever before.„
Mr Jackson is obviously enamoured of his company's generosity but another point of view could be that local providers are finally realising what broadband actually means and are taking some steps to supply it to their long-suffering customers.
The new speeds will be in effect by August 1.

Posted by Ted Gibbons at 9:37 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

This morning Philips held bit of a shindig down at the Aotea Centre to show off some new toys to the local media. Among the TV’s, headphones, power surge protectors and drag queens (no, really) was a little toy called amBX (am-bee-ex). It’s a PC peripheral targeting gamers that riffs off Philips’ Ambilight technology found in some of their high end LCD TV’s.

Ambilight is a lighting system built into the rear of an LCD TV that changes colour depending on the picture being displayed on screen, the idea being that the human eye sees’s better in a room with a little light than a completely darkened one. I reviewed a couple of these Ambilight tellies when they first appeared and was a little underwhelmed by the whole experience. While the theory of back lighting your television is sound, in practice it proved little more than a gimmick. Will the emergence of amBX for your PC be any different? Probably not.

amBX is basically a speaker system for your PC that attempts to add a tangible element to your gaming experience. I does this by introducing those same Ambilights we talked about earlier but goes a couple of steps further through the addition of two little desk-based fans that blow wind in your face and a fancy wrist pad that vibrates whenever action is occurring in the game you’re playing. Philips had a couple of the things running and while the speakers looked and sounded decent enough there were a few flaws in the rest of the get up. For a start, wrists aren’t the ideal place to sense vibration effects and instead of "feeling" the action it just kind of tickled and felt not entirely dissimilar to a bad case of pins and needles. One imagines that after a long gaming session your hands may actually go numb and fall off.

The little fans however were actually pretty cool. I liked the way they blew wind in my face but this was purely a comfort thing and in this regard I was as happy as dog in car with his head hanging out the window. It didn’t, however, seem to add anything to the actual gaming experience, it was simply too far removed from the on screen action.

As for the lighting — it looked nice and who knows, it may even help me play longer and sooth my pixel-strained eyes. Right now however, all I can see is tingly hands, flashing lights and an extra seven or eight little devices littering my desk and I’m left feeling that the amBX system is just an expensive gimmick ($799 for the Premium bundle).

In spite of all this, Philips should be commended for embracing PC gaming, they’re sponsors of the World Cyber Games and the amBX shows that some real effort is being put in to designing innovative new products for PC gamers — only time will tell if amBX is a success however.

Posted by Scott Bartley at 3:10 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 2 )

Vodafone has announced the launch of a Broadband Pro mobile broadband plan. Designed to complement the existing mobile broadband range, Broadband Pro offers users 3GB of data per month for $69.95 with a 24 month contract.

”We have the very popular 1GB plan, but customers have told us they want more data when they’re on the move,„ said GM of products and services, Kursten Shalfoon.

The new plan is also available at $79.95 per month (with an additional $10 for bundle insurance) for customers who want no fixed term.
”The customer automatically gets the benefit of our bundle insurance which gives them a buffer of an additional 3GB of traffic to ensure they don’t run the risk of exceeding the monthly limit.„

Customers who sign up for 24 months can choose between a free Vodem or a Vodafone Mobile Connect PC card for $99. The Vodem requires no additional software to install - customers simply plug the Vodem into a USB port on their laptop or desktop and the Vodem takes care of installation.

Vodafone’s 3G Broadband network offers real-world speeds of between 800kbit/s and 1.4Mbit/s download speed and 380kbit/s upload speed. The Broadband Pro plan is available from Monday, July 23.

Posted by Ted Gibbons at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 )

Symantec today announced the release of Norton AntiBot, a real-time bot detection and removal solution for consumers. AntiBot monitors PC applications and processes around-the-clock (but what will be the toll on your system's performance?), offering an additional layer of protection that complements existing security solutions to protect PCs from unauthorised access and tampering.

”Consumers need to know that they may be directly implicated in the criminal activities being perpetrated by botnets - if not by having their own identity or personal information stolen, then by being part of a network of zombie PCs carrying out large scale criminal activities like massive spam distribution and phishing email schemes,„ said Rowan Trollope, senior vice president, Consumer Products Division, Symantec. ”We estimate there are millions upon millions of bot-infected PCs in existence today, with the vast majority of users having no idea of what’s going on behind the scenes of their own computer. Norton AntiBot is an important new tool for strengthening consumer security and stopping these insidious threats.„
Unlike yesterday’s viruses and worms, today’s bots are stealthy and dynamic, secretly installing code on systems and turning them into ”zombies.„ Once installed, bots can execute new commands sent by a bot master on an ongoing basis. If they are not properly removed, they can reinstall themselves, making them particularly difficult to destroy. Norton AntiBot is designed to completely eradicate all traces of any bot or other malware from a system, once it’s identified.
Norton AntiBot will be available early August from the Symantec online store at www.symantecstore.com/au for an estimated retail price of NZD$39.95, which includes a one-year subscription to Symantec’s protection updates.

Posted by Ted Gibbons at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

iHug is set to launch new services for the SOHO market.

With the ability now to offer both phone and internet services, iHug is going after small and home businesses.
For $49.95 + GST a month, businesses can keep their existing phone number and there is no need to sign up for a long-term contract. And the price is the same no matter where you live.

"We don't think a business in central Auckland should get a better deal
than one in Central Otago," said David Joyce, iHug's marketing GM.

Three new broadband plans are also on offer with the top plan providing for 60GB of data at $140 a month (with ihug work phone).
All the new broadband plans offer downloads speeds as fast as a customer's line will go, up to the possible maximum 7.6Mbps. Upload speeds top out at a healthy 800Kbps.

Posted by Ted Gibbons at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

A Sony representative has confirmed that controller rumble will make its way to the PS3 for the first time, after delays caused by several lawsuits surrounding the technology.

Kotaku's Brian Ashcraft is reporting that a Sony Computer Entertainment employee confirmed to him that SixAxis with rumble is on the way. No other details were provided, although rumour broke earlier this week that a rumble-enabled controller would appear with the release of the new 80GB PlayStation 3 in the US this August.
Digital Arts staff

Posted by Ted Gibbons at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

Logitech has unveiled a new computer mouse that can operate mid-air. The Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless mouse uses a laser system and works similar to a television remote control.

The new device operates using three technology systems: Freespace motion-control, gesture command and wireless. Logitech officials say the MX Air Rechargeable Cordless mouse was designed using MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) sensors, DSP (digital signal processing) technology and RF (radio frequency) wireless technology. Additionally, specific algorithms can distinguish between intentional and unintentional hand gestures - thereby only responding to intended movements.

Posted by Ted Gibbons at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

Piggy-backing off the endless tidbits of gaming related news spewing forth from the E3 conference, Microsoft New Zealand has taken the opportunity to announce local pricing for a couple of upcoming Xbox 360 accessories.

First up is the Xbox 360 Messenger Kit — the diminutive device that plugs into your existing 360 controller and provides convenient thumb-stroke chatting abilities — it gets a NZ RRP of $49.95, comes with a headset and is available in September.

Second, Microsoft will release a range of different coloured wireless controllers in October. Available in pink, dark blue and light blue, they’ll cost $89.95 and — according to Microsoft — allow you to ”express your gaming identity". Only three colours? What about puce? No one ever remembers puce...

Posted by Scott Bartley at 3:02 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 2 )

Google has announced new widgets called Mapplets that will let users gather data from multiple sources to personalise maps.

By adding mini-applications like real-time weather conditions or listings of local events, Google hopes to make it easier for non-technical users to easily build maps with dynamic content, according to a blog posting by Google product manager Thai Tran.

"We noticed many of these mashups simply displayed a static set of places on a map, such as the best bars in San Francisco, yet the authors had to set up a website and write Javascript code to generate the map, which is not something that we could expect the average person to do." Tran wrote. "We also noticed that much of this great content was not getting discovered, even though millions of users were coming to Google Maps every day and searching."

With the new Mapplets, a user looking for a home in Chicago could add Mapplets that display real estate listings and Chicago Transit Authority train lines, Tran said.

In a separate announcement, WeatherBug, which provides live local weather information online, said that it has created a Mapplet for Google Maps that puts temperature markers on the map from WeatherBug's network of tracking stations and weather sensors worldwide.

The WeatherBug Mapplet also includes the delivery of severe weather alerts, traffic updates and live camera images the company said. When users click on temperature or camera icons on the map, additional content like wind direction, wind speed and weather alerts are displayed.

Mapplets can be accessed under a new "My Maps" tab at Google Maps that brings the Mapplets together with the first version of My Maps, which was released in April to allow users to drop place marks onto a map to create personalised maps. Since the launch of the first version, more than 4 million maps have been created, according to Google.

A preview version of Mapplets announced in May resulted in more than 100 developers submitting Mapplets in a month, Google added

Posted by Ted Gibbons at 10:02 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

An image taken from Microsoft's E3 Press rehearsal and originally published to an online company image gallery shows a peculiar fourth Xbox 360 on stage suggesting that Microsoft will add yet another model to its current line up of three machines.

The [image], entitled "Pick Your System" and originally posted to a [Microsoft Flickr account], shows four dimly lit Xbox 360s on stage whereas the company currently only offers three versions; a Core model for US$299, a premium model with hard drive for $399, and an Elite model with a larger capacity hard drive and HDMI support for $479.

The report surfaced amid [rumblings] that Microsoft will drop the price of existing Xbox 360 models in the wake of Sony's US$100 [PS3 price drop].

Posted by Ted Gibbons at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

UPDATE: Wed 12th. Sadly, Paul Gunn, local spokesperson for PlayStation, has confirmed that NZ will not follow suit with a price drop. Gunn says the US price drop is to make way for the introduction of the 80GB PlayStation and no decision has been made as to whether the 80GB model will be released here or not.

Sony's US entertainment arm has cut the price of the PlayStation 3 by US$100 to boost flagging sales.

The PS3 price cut, effective today, reduces the 60GB console to US$499 from the US$599 price tag that has been in place since the console's November 2006 launch. The price drop, which was the subject of heavy rumour-mongering late last week, was anticipated primarily because of slow sales - blamed in part on the console's higher price tag compared with rival products. Nintendo, for example, sells its Wii for US$249, while Microsoft's Xbox 360 retails for US$299 and up.

At the same time, Sony also announced that starting next month, it will sell a new 80GB PS3 console in the US for US$599, and bundle a free copy of the MotorStorm game with the box. Currently, the 80GB model is sold only in South Korea.

According to statistics from research firm NPD Group, PS3 sales have consistently lagged those of its two main rivals. Through May, NPD estimated total sales of the PS3 in the US at 1.4 million consoles, compared with 5.6 million Xbox 360s and 2.8 million Nintendo Wiis. (Microsoft, however, had a one-year jump on the competition; it launched the Xbox 360 in the fall of 2005.)

Posted by Ted Gibbons at 2:45 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

ISP Orcon today announced it will be launching a naked DSL broadband product in September, allowing customers to have broadband without having to pay a monthly line rental for telephone service.

"There are a surprising number of customers for whom an analogue telephone line has very little value, or who have a strong desire to move to VoIP telephone solutions. We are very pleased that industry pressure has paid off, and we will be able to offer these customers a stand-alone broadband solution in a matter of months" said Scott Bartlett, Chief Executive of Orcon.

The VoIP part of the product has been dubbed DigitalVoice and while prices have not been finalised, Bartlett insists they will be substantially lower than current toll call prices.

He was also at pains to point out that not all VoIP services are created equal.
"It is important not to confuse free or near free internet telephony services such as Skype with those offering quality of service. DigitalVoice from Orcon will offer similar, or even better quality than a regular analogue telephone service in most cases" he said.

Posted by Ted Gibbons at 3:25 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )

Apple's iPhone impresses with a gorgeous display and so much technological innovation that you can almost overlook its imperfections

We waited (and waited), we bought -- and now no fewer than half a dozen PC World editors have put a gaggle of iPhones through their paces.

Our conclusion: If you want to love this much-hyped gadget, you'll find plenty to go ga-ga over. The revolutionary multi-touch navigation system really is intuitive and fun. The endless expanse of display alone is nothing short of mesmerizing, with beautiful bright colors and crisp resolution. It's a great handheld video player, a decent music player and camera; its browser, while not as versatile as the one on your notebook, is still impressive. Plus, it works just fine as a cell phone.

But there are disappointments, too. Some we knew about ahead of time, including lack of 3G support and the absence of instant messaging and office suite applications. Others are only apparent once you start using the handset (it can get warm with constant use, and you'll need to wipe off smudges frequently with the included cloth).

We're still iffy about the software keyboard and predictive text entry: They work reasonably well, but overall text entry is still easier with a hardware keyboard, and the iPhone may not be the best choice for people who need to compose a lot of email.

We were impressed with the iPhone's durability. We tried scratching it and dropping it on everything from carpet to concrete. It survived all the abuse, with only some scratches from the concrete.

And then there are the undeniably fun aspects of this super-hot gadget du jour, from the cute icons on the home screen to the way deleted email swooshes into a trashcan.

An iPhone is expensive and comes with some major drawbacks. And the most prudent course would be to wait for the next version, one that'll work out some of the kinks, and we hope, be tied to a faster wireless network. But it's hard to be patient once you've seen one -- the future of mobile devices is here and it's called an iPhone.
By PC World staff

Posted by Ted Gibbons at 9:50 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 )