| iiNet sued for 'allowing piracy' |
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The Australian film and television industry has launched legal action against major ISP iiNet on the grounds it allows users to download pirated content.Read more |
| Will Blu-ray take itself down? |
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The economic downturn is causing some pretty bad fallout there but one thing that might just fail could be Blu-ray.Read more |
| Xbox 360 price drops |
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Now there's no reason not to own a video game system... unless you're a turtle or some other small money-less creature.Read more |
| More Sony batteries recalled |
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More than 100,000 laptop battery packs are being recalled after reports of a certain Sony lithium ion battery pack made in Japan and used in HP, Dell and Toshiba laptops catching fire.Read more |
| LittleBigPlanet religiously recalled |
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LittleBigPlanet has been recalled days before release in order to remove offensive references to the Qur'an.Read more |
| Xbox 360 to go Blu-ray |
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Not a month goes by where we don't have some rumour surfacing about the Xbox 360 getting a Blu-ray drive... only this one seems likely.Read more |
| New Blu-ray technology makes 100GB burning possible |
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A new Sanyo laser technology on the way will give you the ability to burn 100GB in ten minutes.Read more |
| Vodafone offers unlimited music |
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Instead of one coffee a week, you can now spend that to get access to unlimited music through Vodafone.Read more |
| Nokia's free music sales are catchy |
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Nokia's free music access model is set to hit the world - with a catch.Read more |
| Internet TVs coming to a lounge room near you... |
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Samsung have announced plans to launch a series of new TV sets that are capable of accessing the internet for on demand video, news, weather and stock results.Read more |
| Apple's new line-up |
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What's Apple got in store for you this year? Come take a look at the new generation of i-stuff.Read more |
| Sony recalls Vaio laptops |
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Sony Australia is recalling over 4000 Vaio TZ laptops from suppliers and customers after discovering a flaw that could potentially cause the laptop to overheat or burn the user.Read more |
| EB's PS3 deal... is it good? |
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Fancy one of those new PS3's? EB Games have got a deal. We'll tell you the pros and cons.Read more |
| Apple shift into gear |
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40 million iPhones to be built and a new Nano on the way? We look at what's happening.Read more |
| PS3 fights back! |
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In response to the XBox 360 Pro going large, Sony have finally announced an on sale date for their new 80GB PS3.Read more |
| Big Pond vs. iTunes |
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In the past day or two, there have been a couple of announcements that could shape the way you get your music & video in the future.Read more |
| Eee-rific |
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The Eee itself has been an excellent initiative for people who want small computers but the proliferation of Eee branded products seems to be causing consumer confusion.Read more |
| Sony's Playstation store hacked |
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Sony's US Playstation website has been hacked by cybercrims intent on defrauding customers by tricking them into purchasing malicious software.Read more |
| TV sets to get energy ratings |
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Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced today that without government action TV energy use would double in less than a decade.Read more |
| Buzz goes portable |
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Sony bring their best selling console game, Buzz to the Playstation Portable, giving PSP owners the chance to test their trivia knowledge whilst on the road.Read more |
| Nokia Music store launches Tuesday |
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Already up and running in the UK and several European nations, the Nokia Music Store is set to go live in Australia on Tuesday.Read more |
| Warner wants your music $ |
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Music giant Warner plans to sting internet users with a monthly fee bundled onto their internet package giving the user access to unlimited downloads.Read more |
| Blu Ray Cracked |
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According to BBC technology reporter Jim Reed a UK company, Slysoft, has claimed to have cracked the anti piracy technology on Blu Ray discs. (BD+ technology). Interesting news given Sony developer's claims in 2007 that it would be a decade before any hacker would crack the technology.Read more |
| CES: Mobile Phones |
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In case you hadn't heard, the Consumer Electronics Show is on in Las Vegas.
So we're going to take a look at some of the mobile phones the world will see this year because I know you're all obsessed with them. I'm obsessed with them too. It's okay. We're all obsessed together.Read more |
| Sony Recalls Camera With Sharp Edges |
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Own a Sony DSC-T5? Been getting cuts on your hands and you don't know why? Read onRead more |
| Sony Confirms PS3 Price Cut: North America Only |
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If money was the one thing that was holding you back from getting a PS3, Sony have some good news for you... but currently only if you live in AmericaRead more |
| Xbox 360 Warranty Goes From One Year To Three Years |
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Xbox 360 owners who fear problems can worry less as Microsoft have extended the warranty from one year to three years.Read more |
| Jason Bourne Takes His Conspiracy To The Consoles |
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Sierra and High Moon plan on taking Jason Bourne to the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3Read more |
| Manhunt 2 Might Not Make It Out Alive |
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The future doesn't look too promising for the newest Rockstar game with Nintendo & Sony not supporting the release of an Adults Only game.Read more |
| PS3 Price Is Set To Get Lower |
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Is the price of the Sony PlayStation 3 stopping you from buying it? Sony might have an answer for you.Read more |
| Nintendo Wii Outsells Playstation 3 Five To One |
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Sony's Playstation 3 appears to be dragging down Sony's profits as Nintendo's Wii tramples all over it.Read more |
| PS3 firmware update brings upscaling |
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A few months back Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios President Phil Harrison promised that upscaling would be introduced for PS3. Well, now it's official.Read more |
| Video calls on PSP |
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BT and Sony have signed a deal to add Wi-Fi software capable of messaging, voice and video calls on the PlayStation Portable.Read more |
| 80GB PS3 'optional' for other markets |
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Sony Computer Entertainment has said that the company could release the 80GB PlayStation 3 outside South Korea - but there are currently no plans to do so.Read more |
| Google monitors gamers |
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Google has plans to compile psychological profiles of millions of web users by covertly monitoring the way they play online games.Read more |
| PS3 to gain VOIP service |
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Jajah, a VOIP service, has tailored its interface to the PlayStation 3 browser, allowing gamers to place voice calls.Read more |
| Sony UK dismisses PS4 rumour |
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Sony UK dismisses Aussie site speculation alleging that PS4 is to launch in 2008Read more |
| Kutaragi planning for the future |
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Ken Kutaragi or AKA 'PlayStation father' has plans for his next three children, despite his impending retirement.Read more |
| PS3 'EyeToy' to be released this year |
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Sony has revealed the PlayStation Eye peripheral is due for release in Australia this winter.Read more |
| Developers excited about Windows Vista |
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From the movie-like graphics in the action game "Gears of War" to the nearly photorealistic racer "MotorStorm," video games have come a long way since the bouncing blocks of "Pong."Read more |
| Sony ponders larger hard drive for PS3 |
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A Sony Computer Entertainment spokesperson has confirmed that the company is "considering" producing a new version of PlayStation 3 with a larger hard drive.Read more |
| Sony aims to be first with OLED TVs |
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Sony Corporation said this week it planned to start selling ultra-thin TVs using organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology this year, aiming to become the first to market with a TV using the promising next-generation display.Read more |
| Sony: 20GB PS3 not needed |
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Confirming the lackluster response to the 20GB PS3 model, Sony Computer Entertainment of America has announced the lower spec'ed model will no longer be available.Read more |
| Ghost Rider creator flaming mad |
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Gary Friedrich, the creator of Ghost Rider, is suing Marvel, Sony Pictures, Take-Two and a number of other companies that he claims all conspired to "exploit, profit from and utilise" his copyrights to the popular comic book character.Read more |
| Intel reveals latest quad-core CPU |
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The latest Core 2 Extreme is designed with gaming fans, digital design professionals and computer enthusiasts in mind.Read more |
| Apple sells 100 million iPods |
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Apple has sold its 100 millionth iPod in just over five years, boasting that the digital device was "the fastest selling music player in history".Read more |
| PS3: Sony AUS reports strong initial sales |
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Sony Australia is trumpeting the launch figures of the PS3 with sales data from Gfk released, placing 27,083 PS3 consoles sold in 10 days.Read more |
| EA announces Rock Band |
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Electronic Arts has signed a deal with MTV and Harmonix, the developer behind Guitar Hero, to produce a new game titled Rock Band.Read more |
| PS3: working towards scientific research |
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Sony's PlayStation3 is doing more than just entertaining gaming enthusiasts -- it has now blossomed into a powerful tool for medical research.Read more |
| AUS PS3 launch lacks punch |
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Sony's PlayStation 3 finally launched last night, with early-adopters and hardcore gamers among the first people in Australia to own the console.Read more |
| Apple TV available |
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APPLE has started shipping its Apple TV box, a gizmo that lets people take music, photos and video stored on a computer and play them on a television screen.Read more |
| Sony lists PS3 backwards compatability |
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Just shy of the launch, Sony has just launched a backwards compatability site for the PlayStation 3, allowing consumers to check if previous PlayStation games will work on the latest console.Read more |
| IPTV standards coming soon |
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Companies which provide television over Internet technology (IPTV) joined forces to set a single global standard, so that all systems would work together.Read more |
| PSP redesign on the way |
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SCE UK managing director Ray Maguire has confirmed the platform holder’s intentions to release a redesigned version of its PlayStation Portable handheld.Read more |
| GDC 07: Mario Galaxy and new Mii channel confirmed |
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Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto has confirmed that Super Mario Galaxy will be available before the end of 2007 and announced a new channel that would allow people to compare their Miis in a popularity contest.Read more |
| Sony and Immersion create their own rumble |
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Sony has entered into a new agreement that will see Immersion Corporation's rumble technology included in future PlayStation products.Read more |
| Global PSP network coming soon |
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The long rumoured location free player for the PSP (which would enable you to access content on your PlayStation 3 via your PSP from anywhere) may finally be headed towards our sweaty hands.Read more |
| AUS gamers charged for inferior PS3 |
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Australian gamers have every right to be annoyed with Sony - not only are we paying more per console than most other territories, recent news indicates that a large portion of your PS2 games won't work on the new console.Read more |
| AUS PS3 launch: the details |
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The launch of Sony's PlayStation 3 next month will be accompanied by a host of freebies that Sony hopes will take the sting out of the game console's $999 price tag.Read more |
| Next-generation TV viewing |
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The next generation of TV dramas will let viewers break free from the shackles of the couch and restrictive broadcaster schedules.Read more |
| Introversion games heading to consoles |
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UK-based Introversion, developer of Defcon: Everybody Dies and Darwinia, hints that it has some console and handheld initiatives brewing.Read more |
| TV and movie downloads coming to the PS3 |
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Sony Worldwide Studios boss Phil Harrison has admitted that the platform holder is looking to introduce movie and television downloads onto PS3.Read more |
| Sony creating Metal Gear Solid flick |
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Last year at E3, Kojima Productions revealed that they were working on a live-action Metal Gear Solid film. The updated news from late last week, is that Sony Pictures will be heading up the film.Read more |
| Xbox 360 HD DVD launching soon |
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Microsoft's Xbox 360 add-on, the external HD-DVD drive, is set to be released in Australia and New Zealand on March 29, 2007.Read more |
| PS3 release date for PAL locked in |
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Sony Computer Entertainment Europe today finally announced the confirmed release date for Australia, 23rd March 2007, squashing all rumours of another delay that was widely circulated online.Read more |
| Console makers sued over game controller tech |
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In yet another high profile patent case, Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are being sued by Texan firm Fenner Investments over alleged infringement of technology used in game controllers.Read more |
| Microsoft adds games to Zune |
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Microsoft will introduce video games for its Zune music player within 18 months to match features available on Apple's dominant iPod.Read more |
| Download movies to your PSP |
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Sony is in talks with Amazon.com, MovieLink and CinemaNow to offer PSP users movies for digital download, with the service due to launch early next year.Read more |
| Next generation memory |
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Just this week, Sony and SanDisk announced a new flash stick that can store a whopping 32 GB - larger than some hard drives and barely the size of a small child's finger.Read more |
| Unwired for sound |
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A music player that sends signals through the human body, without wires, Bluetooth, or other conventional transmission technologies could be on the horizon.Read more |
| PS3 Backwards Compatibility Site Launched |
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Sony Computer Entertainment has created an official backwards compatibility checklist site for looking up the compatibility status on PlayStation and PlayStation 2 titles.Read more |
| Nintendo Wii launches in Nth America |
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Nintendo has just launched their new Wii console to much fanfare in North America, with some eager fans even camping out to get their hands on a Wii first. After Sony's recent launch of their own console, the PlayStation 3, it will be interesting to see which console comes out on top this Christmas period.Read more |
| Nearly 90,000 PS3s sold in Japan in two days |
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PlayStation fans in Japan queued anxiously last weekend in an attempt to secure themselves a new PlayStation 3, Sony's latest offering in the console wars.Read more |
| One login for PlayStation 3 |
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Every game on the PlayStation 3 will use the same universal sign-in and the same online ID, Sony has confirmed - even titles which do not use the central buddy list and messaging systems offered by the console.Read more |
| TV shows available over Xbox Live |
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Microsoft has teamed up with a handful of Hollywood studios to sell TV shows and rent movies that can be downloaded through the software maker's
Xbox Live online video-game service and beamed straight onto television sets.
Xbox Live users with the latest console will be able to choose from shows including South Park, CSI, and movies including V for Vendetta and Mission Impossible III.Read more |
| No regrets over PS3 controllers, says Sony |
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Sony's head of Worldwide Studios, Phil Harrison, has defended the company's decision to include a motion-sensing feature in the PS3 controller and leave out a vibration function.Read more |
| PS3 online details unveiled |
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Sony has demonstrated the online service for its upcoming PlayStation 3, which will let players compete and chat online and download games, music and movies.
he PlayStation Network, as the service will be called, uses a navigation system already available on Sony's hand held game player, the PlayStation Portable (PSP).Read more |
| New E3 details announced |
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The Entertainment Software Association has announced that next year's E3 will take place in July, with a new name and new criteria for entry set to be introduced.
ESA president Doug Lowenstein pledged that the new E3 will be "more personal, efficient and focused," giving "the top stakeholders who make games, sell games and cover games streamlined access to the people and products they most need to see".Read more |
| Legal action over faulty batteries? |
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Japanese computer makers Toshiba, Fujitsu and Hitachi said today they were considering seeking compensation from Sony Corp over the massive recall of Sony-made batteries used in their laptop computers.
The massive global recall of Sony lithium-ion batteries followed the discovery that the batteries could short-circuit and cause some computers to overheat and possibly catch fire.Read more |
| Wii and 360 too expensive says Sony AU |
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Sony Australia's Michael Ephraim has questioned the price point of rival next-gen hardware, stating the Wii is "a lot to fork out" for the intended family audience, while branding the Xbox 360 as "pricey".Read more |
| Cyber Shack TV Episode 12 |
![Cyber Shack TV Episode 12]( "Cyber Shack TV Episode 12") |
For a full Episode 11 breakdown, check out the Latest Shows section.
“Gagdet and Game gurus of Australia, do you copy?”
That’s right, in case you couldn’t tell, on this week’s show its all about Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six – Vegas, one of the most sensational games we’ve seen all year. To compare the game to a dangerous, terrorist-like situation, the Cyber Shack crew head out to Heartbreak Ridge to play paintball in a real life Rainbow Six like scenario, complete with a bunch of bad terrorists and even badder counter terrorists. Interesting to say the least.
Keeping with the spy theme this week we inspect the latest in surveillance and counter surveillance. You wouldn’t believe how easy it is to spy on people these days, provided of course your conscience is clear. Some of the gadgets we look at are cameras hidden in desktop clocks and smoke alarms, right through to the very spooky ghost phone which allows you to ring in on conversations from anywhere in the world.
Charlie has been to the famed Tokyo Game Show to play some of the latest games and consoles in the world. This week, he presents the long awaited and very sleek, Sony PlayStation 3. Throw in a game review or 2, T3 magazine’s 3 Most Wanted gadgets of the week and your chance to win an Xbox 360 and this episode should have something of interest for everyone.
Watch Cyber Shack next Tuesday after the News and Sports Tonight to find out more.Read more |
| Name change for PS3 controller |
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Since Sony has decided to move ahead with the new design for the PS3 controller, the naming boffins over at Sony have also been busy creating a name for the controller, dubbed the "Sixaxis".
As noted on the official Japanese site, "Sixaxis" refers to the oft-referenced six axes of motion control afforded by the controller's sensors.Read more |
| Additional companies join battery recall |
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Toshiba and Fujitsu have joined a growing list of computer makers recalling Sony batteries in the latest blow to consumer confidence in Sony's reputation as a manufacturer.
The two personal computer manufacturers joined others that have recalled Sony batteries including Dell, Apple and Lenovo.Read more |
| Sony slashes PS3 price to remain competitive |
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Sony says it will cut the price of its much-anticipated PlayStation 3 video game console in Japan by 20 per cent, trying to remain competitive in the next-generation console war with Microsoft and Nintendo.
Before all the Sony fans get excited, there's been no mention the final pricing for the Australian region and the price drop only applies to the 20GB model; the larger 60GB model will NOT feature the price cut.Read more |
| More reports of batteries exploding |
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With Sony in damage control over their massive battery recall regarding Dell and Apple notebooks, another report of a notebook catching on fire is doing the rounds.
Apparently, an IBM Thinkpad notebook user was seen throwing down his notebook at LAX, with numerous onlookers reporting that the notebook instantly caught fire. But this model DOESN'T appear to be one of the models flagged by Sony. Are there problems related to lithium-ion batteries on a whole or just specific batteries? We'll keep you updated as more news comes to hand.Read more |
| Blue laser diode shortage- PS3 delay |
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The Sony Playstation 3 will not release in Australia in time for Christmas this year. With reports of a shortage of the blue laser diodes that are needed for both Blu-ray and HD-DVD, Nichia, the company that makes 80% of the world's blue laser diodes is having problems getting the yield rates up during manafacturing.Read more |
| Digital music news... |
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Apple's online music service, iTunes, remains number one in the online digital music sales but what ever happened to the pioneer of the online trend, Napster? Originally shut down in 2001 for the illegal sharing of pirated files, the company has been struggling since then to gain a foothold back in the market.
Despite initial rumours of jumping into the fray, Google has come forth and officially confirmed that they will not be selling music online. Apple would be breathing a sigh of relief as the Internet search company would have emerged to become a serious competitior.Read more |
| E3 to close down? |
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Recently, UK publication MCV reported that the future of the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the game industry's biggest annual trade event, is under discussion by the Entertainment Software Association and major publishers. According to unnamed insiders, many publishers feel that the event has gotten far too big and unwieldy, not to mention costly.
Online news outlets were reporting that a final decision was to be forth-coming and nothing had been made final by the ESA. But in late breaking news, the ESA has now officially confirmed that the event has been downsized and is "evolving into a more intimate event focused on targeted, personalized meetings and activities".Read more |
| HD DVD and Blu-ray under the spotlight |
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European antitrust officials are investigating the licensing strategies of the companies behind HD-DVD and Blu-ray.
The European Commission is curious to know whether the licensing terms of the rival next-generation DVD formats could break EU competition rules.
HD-DVD was created by Toshiba, while Blu-ray was developed by a Sony-led consortium that includes Philips, Samsung and Sharp.Read more |
| Ricoh develops laser tech for both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD |
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Ricoh has created a single laser that is able to read discs in either format. Their new component will be able to read and write to Blu-ray, HD DVD, DVD and CD with one pickup and one objective lens.Read more |
