BBC Radio - Download and Podcast Trial

With the news that the next version of iTunes (4.9) will directly support podcasts, it is interesting to see the BBC is already providing free podcasts of some of its spoken-word output. I assume copyright issues prevent it offering music-based programmes.

E4 available on Freeview from Friday

No need to subscribe to Top Up TV anymore - Channel 4's "E4" channel is going free-to-air from 27th May. Cue tons of Friends repeats (good) and exhaustive Big Brother coverage (not-so-good). They're also launching the time-shifted version E4+1. Do a "re-tune" now to make sure you get them.
UPDATE: Turns out this is old news, but I only just found out!

Sky+ style DVR for Freeview

The Thomson DHD4000 is the first twin-tuner Freeview DVR to come close to having Sky+ functionality. It even has features not available on Sky+. For example, you can start recording a programme and it will include up to 30 minutes of the programme that took place BEFORE you pressed Record! Just like Sky+ you can record two different channels while watching something pre-recorded. And it is only £160!

GBA Single Pak Linking Games

A definitive guide to Gameboy Advance games that support the much-loved Single Pak multi-player facility. This means you can play 2-4 player games with only one copy of the game in question. They tend to be cut-down versions (only 256k of memory in the GBA), whereas Multi Pak linked games offer the full experience. Mario Kart is probably my favourite single pak linking game.

The Game Boy Micro - updated

I'm not interested in their new Revolution console as Microsoft and Sony have the home console market sewn up, but Nintendo are still the kings of the handhelds - and the Game Boy Micro proves it! Look how small it is! The screen is just 2 inches diagonal. To gauge the size from the picture above, look at the width of the GBA cartridge at the bottom. It's the first Game Boy to have an adjustable backlight. Like the SP, it is powered by a built-in rechargable li-ion battery (they've not released battery life specs yet).
The Game Boy Micro is definitely a no-brainer upgrade for all Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance owners (i.e. anyone who's Game Boy doesn't have a backlight). But for Advance SP owners, it's a tougher decision.

Back to basics for your mobile phone

retrofone.com provide phones from a simpler time when we weren't all downloading video clips and taking multi-megapixel photos of each other. To give you an idea, their current best seller list includes the Nokia 7110 and the Motorola StarTac 130!

BBC announces iMP content trial

Be part of the next trial of the BBC's interactive Media Player by following the instructions from the recent press release:

"Broadband users who would like to be considered for a place on the pilot should send an e-mail to imptrial@bbc.co.uk including their name, contact details, age and postcode."

Sony PlayStation 3 vs Microsoft Xbox 360

Official pictures of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360:


The next generation of consoles have been announced this week (I'm not including the Nintendo Revolution due to the sad name, probable focus on younger gamers and lack of network and media capabilities). Sony and Microsoft's visions are quite similar as you'll see. Microsoft have given a few more details particularly about integration with Xbox Live and working as a Media Center Extender, but I've managed to piece together a quick comparison below between the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. I'll try and update it as more details become available.

Sony PlayStation 3 --- Microsoft Xbox 360

Release date:
Spring '06 --- November '05 (simultaneous launch in America, Europe and Japan)

Controllers:
Up to 7 Bluetooth wireless controllers, or up to 4 wired USB controllers --- wireless up to 4, or wired USB (note: no more proprietary controller connectors)

Processor:
custom IBM chip running at 3.2Ghz --- custom IBM chip running at 3.2Ghz (but strangely different - benchmarks show Sony may have the edge here

Memory:
256Mb system RAM, 256Mb video RAM --- 512Mb shared system/video RAM

Graphics:
native 1080p HD support using nVidia RSX --- 720p and 1080i HD support (both use 16:9 aspect as standard and can output digitally to HD displays and normal standard def too)

Ports:
6 x USB 2.0, Memory Stick Duo, SD and CF memory card slots --- 3 x USB 2.0

Optical drive:
Blu-ray (future DVD format), also plays DVDs, SACDs and CDs --- DVD and CD

Hard Drive:
removable 2.5" HD (capacity not specified yet) --- removable and upgradable 20Gb hard drive

Backwards Compatibility:
All PS1 and PS2 games --- some Xbox games, done on title-by-title basis

Connectivity:
Gigabit ethernet, 802.11b/g Wi-fi built-in, bluetooth --- 100/10 ethernet, wi-fi (optional)

Multi-player gaming:
A new 'PlayStation World' service offering subscribers (cost?) a similar experience to Xbox Live --- free Xbox Live Silver service with option to go for paid Gold service.

Style:
Available in silver, white and black --- available in white but front faceplate can be replaced with custom designs

Peripherals announced:
A high-def wireless video camera allowing 'Minority Report' style control of games - like the EyeToy on heat --- video camera, memory cards (not much point due to built-in removable hard drive), replacable face plates to customise console, infrared remote (included?), wi-fi module

What will be interesting is how easily the two connect up to other devices. Microsoft have shown a diagram with a tantalising glimpse of an iPod on it, but no details yet. Also they've expressed how easily the Xbox 360 will speak to Windows XP computers (particularly those running Media Centre) but no mention of Mac support for either console. PS3's various memory card slots and USB ports bode well for those with digital cameras and pen drives, as I imagine you'll be able to run slideshows of images stored on external devices. PS3's inclusion of wi-fi is obviously there for linking to Sony PSPs, but will be interesting to see whether you can stream media from other sources.

Verdict? Too soon to tell. The fact that Microsoft announced first and will ship first doesn't necessarily mean it will win in the long run - the battle between Nintendo DS and Sony PSP in the handheld market showed that people were willing to wait and see. But the timing of Microsoft's release (just in time for Christmas shopping in all major markets in the world) combined with some big title announcements (Final Fantasy, Quake 4, EA Sports - all with Xbox live support) could give Microsoft the edge. That simultatneous international release will be interesting. On the other hand, Sony have a much larger existing customer base and have crucial 100% backwards compatibility in their new console. Style-wise, I'd have to say the Xbox 360 and controller look great, whereas the PS3 and controller may take a bit of getting used to (although I do like the use of the Spider-Man font on the side of the console!). Pricing has yet to be announced, but based on pure hardware, the Sony console looks like it will cost more to make. Retail prices will all depend on how heavily both companies allow the software to subsidise the hardware costs (remember - Gilette make tons more money on razorblades than on razors).

What do you think?

Related links:
The Register: Sony details PlayStation 3
The Register: MS unwraps Xbox 360
Official Xbox 360 specs
Gamespot coverage including full specs
Engadget: E3 Day 1 inc. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
Xbox 360 @ Joystiq.com
PlayStation 3 @ Joystiq.com

FlipFOLD – a gadget for folding clothes!

Man invents clothes. Man washes clothes. Man gets told off by Woman for not folding clothes properly. Woman invents FlipFold. Man uses FlipFold. Man and Woman co-exist happily in domestic bliss.

Apple adverts over the years

With news that Apple are about to launch some new adverts for something other than the iPod, it got me thinking of the old Apple adverts. You can see them all here as well as some other Mac-related videos. I mean the iPod silhouette adverts are OK and everything, but you can't beat Jeff Goldblum standing in front of a white background.

XBOX 360 Launched

Of particular interest is it's use of wireless controllers, easy network connectivity and media streaming capabilities. I'm sure within a few weeks of launch, someone will have worked out how to stream from a Mac, not just a Windows XP powered PC. The native support for 16:9 HDTV displays is a first. I think it looks nice too.

Remember Dark Season?

A freaky children's TV show from the early 90s that centered on a sinister plot to give free laptops to kids in a secondary school (just like Apple does in Maine) but using a brain-washing subliminal screen saver to turn the kids into zombies or something (unlike Apple). It turns out that Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies was responsible for this amazing piece of cult TV! More details here as well.

iMac G5 upgraded

£899 now buys you an iMac with 1.8GHz G5 processor, 512Mb RAM, 160Gb hard drive, built-in Airport Extreme WiFi, built-in Bluetooth 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, ATI Radeon 9600 graphics with 128Mb DDR video memory and a Combo drive. Drop another £100 and get a 2.0Ghz G5 processor and a 8x Superdrive capable of writing to DVD+R DL media. Another £40 for a wireless keyboard and mouse. Pre-loaded with Mac OS X Tiger and iLife '05.

Now you honestly have no excuse.