Marvbloke: Bigger and Better in 2006

Look out for some great things happening to marvbloke.com in 2006. In the meantime, have a great Christmas and new year! Also, look out for a predicitions article for January's Macworld Expo.

Firefox 1.5 out now!

Have a look at the title bar of your web browser. This is what your web browser says about you:

1. Safari: You have a Mac, enjoy not having to install a bunch of anti-malware/spyware/virus/trojan nonsense on your computer, and just get on with what you want to do on the Internet
2. Internet Explorer: You have a PC, you're new to computing and the Internet, have either got tons of malware/spyware/viruses running riot on your computer making it slower, or have installed tons of programs that supposedly stop all these bad things happening.
3. Firefox: You have a PC, and have realised that Internet Explorer is really pants. You enjoy tabbed browsing, better pop-up blocking, faster page loading etc.

If you're in category 2, you must download the brand new Firefox 1.5 web browser. I guarantee you'll never go back to Internet Explorer (but you can if you must). Firefox 1.5 is also now available for Mac but it's a close call between it and Safari...

Intel-based Mac Mini to be Tivo-killer?

Great rumour from Think Secret today suggests that the Macworld Expo in January will see the announcement of a new Intel-based Mac mini. It will feature FrontRow 2.0 and a Tivo-like PVR (possibly an optional add-on). It will feature a built-in iPod dock, and may use a proper 3.5 inch hard drive instead of the current notebook-style 2.5 inch drive (although they'd surely have to increase the size of the mini to do this). This rumour suggests Apple are so serious about the living room, that they'd bring their Intel roadmap forward by six months to get this product out. I can also imagine it would allow users of the iPod (with video support) to transfer TV shows to the player easily.
Marvbloke says:
I really hope this rumour is true, as the Mac mini would be a great addition to the living room. I'd definitely be tempted.

Forget laptops...the 'pentop' computer

This has been a big seller in the US. This pen can keep a schedule, play music, calculate maths problems, translate languages and more.

Apple Store Trafford Centre - first pics

And...
Video of actually going into the store
Video of the new iPod

Trafford Centre Apple Store pics

First impressions of BBC media player trial

informitv.com has a first-impressions look at the trial of the BBC media player.

Free iPod nanos on the Tokyo subway...

...sort of. They're flat plastic replicas that are stuck to a wall, and passing commuters can peel one off the wall and take it home. On the back is a QR-code (weird japanese barcode) and URL for a website with exclusive wallpapers. Would be interesting to see this on the tube in London! Click the link for more pictures.

The Chicken Parmo: A Teesside Delicacy

Behold! A culinary treat from back home in Middlesbrough. Chicken breast in breadcrumbs, covered in bechemel sauce, topped with cheese, served in a pizza box with chips. The first thing that pops into a smoggie's head at 3am after a night on the beers.
If you haven't yet tasted the artery-clogging, heart-attack-inducing goodness contained within each Chicken Parmesan, then you haven't lived. Read on for more details (although you won't find out why this legendary food-stuff is unheard of outside Teesside...)
Please add to the comments below with any Parmo-related stories...

Friends Quiz

Have a go at these 5 general Friends quizzes. Let me know how you did in the comments below.

Marvbloke's 1st Wikipedia article addition!

I've had my first contribution published on Wikipedia. I added information to the Pro Evolution Soccer 5 article, explaining about the new PS2 network functionality. Couldn't believe how easy it is to do. You don't even need to create an account to add things (although I recommend you do, so you can get credit for them!)

Pro Evolution Soccer 5 released TODAY!

Quick round-up of all the PES5-related news on the day of release on the PS2!
- The game is released on PS2 and Xbox today (21st), then on the PC on the 28th and the PSP on 25th November.
- Online multiplayer modes on the PS2, Xbox and PC allow for two-vs-two exhibition matches as well as the ability to set up leagues with your mates
- The PSP version can exchange data with the PS2, e.g. your Master League data and customised teams
- A new mobile phone version is planned for release in March 2006 (screenshot below)

- A new Pro Evo spin-off football management game called "Pro Evolution Soccer Management" is being developed for the PS2. Data can go to/from your copy of PES5 . No mention of release dates yet (screenshot below)

- Last year's winner of the PES league was Osman Idris. He beat his younger brother Mazin 3-2 in the final at BT Tower in London. He now goes ahead to the European Championships in Seville.
- A new national PES5 league has been launched, with matches starting in December. Your league ranking can be increased just by playing against your mates! More info at www.pesrankings.com
- If you still haven't ordered your copy, get it here:
Pro Evolution Soccer 5 (PS2)
- Loads more PES5 info available at www.pes5.net (including a playable demo for the PC and some exclusive wallpapers)

Expect marvbloke's full review of the PS2 on-line multiplayer aspect of PES5 over the weekend!

Tiki Bar TV shows what a video podcast should be

As featured briefly in Steve Jobs' recent Front Row demonstration, Tiki Bar TV is a great video podcast showing the goings on at a Tiki Bar (it's actually some bloke's flat). The idea is that people come to the bar with various problems, and Dr. Tiki solves them by ordering a cocktail from resident bartender Johnny Johnny. They then give you instructions to make the libation, so you could say this is edutainment. There's also a viewer mail section for feedback. They get visibly more drunk as each episode goes on, so the adlibbing is superb. The humour is spot on, and the fast pace and editing works really well with the video podcast format. I'd suggest subscribing in iTunes so you get all future episodes automatically, then clicking 'GET' on every previous episode and watching them in order. It gets really sublime by the 6th or 7th episode (my two favourites by the way). Please note: not suitable for work as there are one or two 'naughty words' (e.g. "You'll need the juice of two freshly squeezed limes. Only fresh-squeezed lime, never from a can, you f*ckin' savage!")

New Powerbooks, Power Mac G5 Quad, Aperture

Apple have announced new PowerBooks - 12" is unchanged but cheaper. 15" and 17" models now have Superdrive as standard, 46% brighter displays and have 22% better battery life. The 15" now has a 1440 x 960 display, the 17" has 1680 x 1050.

The Power Mac G5 Quad has 2 processors each with 2 cores.

Aperture does for professionals what iPhoto did for consumers. It handles RAW natively and has non-destructive versioning, full-screen contact sheets etc. I don't think they're going after Adobe Photoshop - I think Aperture is more of a proofing short-deadline tool. I'm assuming you can go from the images in Aperture straight to Photoshop when required.

Apple Event: The result

iMac G5 - now even thinner with 1.9Ghz and 2.1GHz processors, Front Row, Photo Booth and a built-in iSight camera. The modem is now an optional USB module. Ports now horizontal along the bottom at the back. Mighty Mouse included as standard.
iPod - 30Gb and 60Gb, same height, width, but thinner. 320x240 262,000-colour display. Can do video (MPEG4, H.264). 20 hours battery life.
Front Row and Apple Remote - new Media-centre style view of your videos, music, photos and DVDs. Works with the infra-red iPod-shuffle-like Apple Remote. The remote can also control your iPod when it sits in the new Universal Dock. Although the Remote is available separately for £19, Front Row is only available with new iMacs.
iTunes 6 - supports purchasing of video
iTunes Music Store - now offering 2000 music videos and episodes from 5 ABC TV shows including Desperate Housewives and Lost.

Also (not announced) the eMac has been quietly discontinued meaning Apple no longer make CRT-based computers.