Something small that can either play MP3s or is a phone

Stupid foreign gadget sites. If they wrote in ENGLISH we'd know if this was an MP3-playing phone, or a photo-taking MP3 player, or a voice-recording MP3 player or some kind of GPS-enabled MP3-playing phone recorder.



It looks most like an MP3 player, so let's say it's one of those. Probably with 512MB of memory or a 4GB hard drive! It probably also comes in Moonlight (white) and Dawn (orange). Wow!

You know all those Memory Sticks you've got?

Well you're going to need to get some more, thanks to Sony deciding to make them all smaller again with the Memory Stick Micro.



Actual size! It does 1GB at the moment, up to a "theoretical" maximum 32GB. Adaptors, like the existing ones for Pro Duo sticks, will ensure they fit existing devices.

AIBO is a CLEVER DOG! Isn't it? YES IT IS! YES IT IS!

Sony says... "the new entertainment robot dog "AIBO ERS-7M3" which enabled with conversation with some 1,000 phrases suited to the "character" it develops while the owner cheers it up and strokes it"



The media's really pushing dogs at the moment. Someone's going to want a puppy for Christmas! (we want a puppy for Christmas, along with a butler to do the boring stuff like picking up its poo and putting it in carrier bags, which is what you have to do if you own a (non-robotic organic) dog in London. That's the only reason we don't currently have a dog. No way are we picking up poo in carrier bags, we need all our carrier bags for sniffing glue and deodorant out of).

Japanese woman HOLDING HERSELF!

Little Yuriko here is holding a Yuriko. The 1987 Yuriko comes with head handles (ears), ideal for holding.



More photos of this one.

And the entire Yahoo! Tokyo Game Show 'booth babe' index can be found here.

Poor people get "sub-$100 laptop"

"Children in Brazil, China, Egypt, Thailand, and South Africa will be among the first to get the under-$100 (£57) computer, said Professor Negroponte at the Emerging Technologies conference at MIT."

This isn't right. We're supposed to be superior! These poor people with their clockwork PCs are going to upset the balance of the globe. What if they start posting on our internets and voicing opinions? It's an OUTRAGE.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Sub-$100 laptop design unveiled

Fujifilm makes another Finepix with a higher number

This is the Fujufilm Finepix F11 Zoom. It's better than the F10 Zoom because it has "manual shooting options for increased creativity" and a 2.5 inch LCD screen.



It's out in November and looks quite nice, although perhaps a bit boring. No, we're being too nice. It looks DULL and RUBBISH!

NO MATTER HOW IT LOOKS BABY, IT'S THE INSIDE THAT COUNTS (BONUS FIFTY POINTS IF YOU CAN NAME THE SONG WE'RE REFERENCING HERE):
· A (aperture priority AE) and S (shutter priority AE) modes
· High resolution (153,000 pixel) 2.5-inch LCD monitor for optimum clarity and detail
· Super CCD sensor delivering 6.3 million effective pixels
· 3x optical zoom lens (F2.8 - F 5.0), equivalent to 36-108mm on a 35mm camera
· 500-shot battery life
· Class-leading sensitivity setting of ISO 1600 for photography in low light conditions with low noise (ISO 800 for clear movie shooting in low light)
· Low sensitivity of ISO 80 for ultra-high quality photography in bright conditions
· Improved macro mode for subjects as close as 5cm
· 3:2 image format option
· Quick response times (0.01 second shutter lag* and 1.3 second start-up)
· VGA movie capture of 30 frames per second with sound
· xD-Picture Card(tm) providing large storage capacity, lower power consumption and fast write speeds (16MB to 1GB capacities currently available)
· PictBridge compatible for direct printing without a PC

"High-speed arm" heralds arrival of "wanking robots"

"While competing articulated robots may be able to achieve these rates for short-duration bursts, a new High Duty variation of the M-6iB/6S allows it to maintain high speeds for extended periods."

When this technology filters down to the home it's going to be HUGE.

Fanuc Robotics to introduce new high-speed arm

Nokia says its N70 has "started shipping"

Which means it's out to buy, or out to aggressively attempt to blag as a free upgrade from some cocky wideboy who shouldn't really be THAT cocky seeing as his job is only working in a mobile phone shop. The wanker. Bet he keeps that quiet when out DJ-ing at the weekend. Anyway:



SOUNDS NICE, AND IS SERIES 60 FOR TWEAKING FUN:

- 2 megapixel camera (1600 x 1200 pixels) with 20x digital zoom
- Second VGA camera (640 x 480 pixels ) with 2x digital zoon
- Dedicated shutter key and camera activation slide
- Two-way video call capability
- Real time video sharing
- Integrated flash (operating range up to 1.5m)
- Flash modes: on, off, automatic, and anti red-eye
- Advanced camera modes: still, sequence, video
- Six possible capture scene settings including scenery, portrait, night and sports
- Settings, brightness adjustment, image quality, self-timer, white balance settings and colour tones
- Video and still image editors
- Movie Director for automated video production
- Image and video clip uploading to the web

Some nice photos of the Atari Fossil watches

We haven't seen these anywhere else. They're out in November.





Nice, but we won't be buying any because they come with leather straps, which go manky and start to smell after a few months. No one wants a smelly wrist.

SONY'S NEW S205 LCD SCREEN

"Portrait mode and remote management" are the new features of Sony's Dell-copying new tiltable LCD screens. The 'S' either stands for Sony or Screen, 205 is probably because it's the 205th type of screen Sony has ever made. Wow! 205 is loads!



The portrait mode will be great for looking at pornography shot in portrait style. A lot of the Kate's Playground material is done in portrait, this'll be a great help.

THE PROPER STUFF ABOUT IT:
Brussels, 27 September 2005 -- The SDM-S205 Series of LCD displays is designed to give demanding users the quality, features and versatility they need to maintain a professional edge. From the productivity benefits of an expanded workspace area to the vital, but often overlooked, height adjustment necessary for long-term working comfort, the S205-Series ticks all the right boxes. Both models in the Series (SDM-205F and SDM-205K) are based on a 20.1-inch panel engineered to produce high brightness and contrast for the very best image quality. A fast response time ensures motion as well as still images are reproduced to the highest standard. These are crucial attributes in a display designed to shine in the unforgiving environment of applications like digital video editing, graphic design and CAD. High-end displays need to offer the user as much workspace area as possible, which is why the S205-Series has a native resolution of 1600 x 1200 UXGA. This yields a 1.9 megapixel image, with two-and-a-half times the working area available from a standard XGA (1024 x 768) resolution display.

The story does not end here (GREAT! THIS IS A BRILLIANT STORY! CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW IT ENDS!). With the S205K, users even have control over the orientation of the screen. With everything from word processing and websites to Windows Explorer, the actual content is arranged vertically, mirroring a physical paper page. The most efficient way to view anything like that is in portrait rather than the conventional landscape mode offered by most monitors. The S205K has a specially engineered stand which allows the screen to rotate through 90 degrees, from landscape to portrait and back again. Each display is supplied with Pivot software which re-orientates the Windows Desktop to the desired mode with a single click of the mouse. Boosting productivity by matching the display to the task has never been simpler. The S205 series features Sony Advanced ECO-Mode technology, which uses an integrated sensor to monitor ambient lighting and automatically adjust the screen settings to maintain the best picture quality. Like height adjustment, this ergonomic bonus can help make working with the S205 for long periods more comfortable and less tiring.

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These new models are fully compatible with the VESA DDC-Command Interface (DDC-Ci), which allows image setup direct from the PC using standardised and intuitive software-based controls. Users can fine-tune characteristics such as geometry, brightness and colour balance easily and quickly, while applications can even configure the display automatically to specifics like a particular colour model whenever they are run. This is idea for environments such as design or publishing where colour consistency is essential. DDC-Ci also enables remote querying and management of displays, which simplifies everything from asset management to diagnostics and even data security -- displays can be shut down and locked by the network administrator as required. Both models in the Series have three signal inputs, two HD15 analogue and one DVD-D digital. This means that each can be connected to up to three PCs, switching between them as required.

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The SDM-S205K takes this a step further with USB-based Keyboard Video and Mouse switching (KVM) technology. With KVM, a single USB keyboard and mouse connected to the display can control two PCs so long as they in turn are linked via USB to the monitor. At a stroke, desk clutter is halved, and convenience doubled. Even the cabinet has been designed to make life easier, with a narrow bezel to make side-by-side multiple monitor arrays look and work better, and removable rear covers for safer, better-looking cable management. "With the S205-Series, Sony has taken the central idea of a quality high-resolution display for professionals and refined it," says Hans Mastenbroek, Marketing Director, Sony Displays Europe. "Technologies like DDC-Ci, KVM and Advanced ECO-Mode, plus a host of other design improvements give these displays the extra dimension and the added value you would expect from Sony."

An animating 3D thing of Sony's new MP3 WALKMAN

It's technically rubbish because you can't rotate it up and down as well as left and right, but it still gives you a good look at the magical purple screen:

Sony United Kingdom : Products : NEW MP3 WALKMAN is born

Nokia 3250 -- exciting new number for rich countries!

See, stupid foreign people? We get the cool numbers that end in zeros! You can keep your 3874 and your rubbish 3987 that can't even play MP3s or go on the internet.

We're getting the Nokia 3250, which you foreign people won't get until 2011 and even then it'll be more than your house:



It's not made out of recycled tractor tyres either, and can almost certainly play MP3s and go on the internet. Have you got the internet, foreign people? Do you even know what it IS? It must be rubbish living abroad.

Nokia runs out of numbers -- 2652 only one left

Nokia saves all the coolest numbers for developed countries. The awkwardly-named Nokia 2652 is designed for "growth markets", which means it's cheap and for foreigners.

And it would appear to be made out of old Austin Maestro seat covers:



Nokia says absolutely nothing about what the phone can do on its proper web site which leads us to believe the 2652 is a bit rubbish. Glad we're not foreign!

FINAL VERDICT:
Not particularly good. 4/10.

Robot goes on SWORD RAMPAGE

They've given it a SWORD and HAND-TO-HAND FIGHTING SKILLS:

"This humanoid robot with independent intellectual property realizes complicated human actions, such as Taijiquan (or shadowboxing) and saberplay"



OH GOD WHAT HAVE THEY DONE?????

Humanoid robot performed Taijiquan

NEC L1 -- a bit thinner

We haven't updated for a few days because the only interesting thing that's happened is NEC saying it's making a phone that's thinner than a whole lot of other phones.



And that's not even a woman's hand :(

HOW MANY MEGAPIXELS IS ITS CAMERA THEN?

- *sigh* it's 1.3megapixels

Nokia makes its rubbish 6630 in a different colour

It's what they're calling a "special music version", for which they've made it orangey-red and stuffed a bigger memory card in the box, no doubt because every fickle phone-owner in the world is currently binning their suddenly unfashionable old Nokias to get the new Sony Ericsson W800i music phone.



It comes with a 256MB MMC memory card, and also includes the Nokia Audio Adapter -- which has a 3.5mm stereo jack so you can use proper headphones and not just the ones Nokia says you're allowed.

OUR OPINION ON THIS, BEARING IN MIND WE'VE NOT ACTUALLY SEEN OR USED ONE:
You'd be better off getting the superior 6680 and buying a bigger memory card off eBay. Or just going for the W800i anyway, seeing as everyone else is at the moment.

Nokia - Rock And Roll On The Go With the Nokia 6630 Music Edition - Press Releases - Press - About Nokia

Heavyweight Thing-Holding World Champion, 2005!

In the heavyweight household goods division it was yet another easy victory for the Korean Li Ho-Hangh, who once again showed strength beyong her diminutive frame to lift an LG Tromm washing machine with a single hand.



In second place was Ukranian microwave expert Labko Rhozova, with the bronze going to the unfancied Lithuanian refridgerator specialist Radata Salakova.

Team Thing-Holding World Champions, 2005!

The young Korean pair showed a superb awareness of their environment to hold FOUR things while simultaneously pulling off the high-scoring "Takoya TV Surround" manoeuvre, beating the Russians into second place for the FOURTH year in a row.

They're unbeatable!



We don't know what they're holding because the web site we stole the photo off is all in foreign. Whatever it is, it looks shit ugly so we don't really care.

Individual Thing-Holding World Champion, 2005!

It's like watching Olga Korbut!!

Genius, genius, genius. Fingerwork, balance, and look at that smile! It's reminiscent of the great 1960s Japanese thing-holder Kayato Takoya:



She is holding FOUR PHONES, two each of the new Samsung SPH-S3900 and SPH-S3950. They have 1.3megapixel cameras, 150MB of internal memory for MP3s and shit, plus a file viewer for opening MS Office stuff and even PDF files.

Here she is again, during the encore:



Sublime. She can do it at will! She is a genius. The finest thing-holder in a generation. This record is going to stand for DECADES.

RUBBISH 3 Mobile opens up "hundreds" of internet sites!

3 Mobile, the useless UK mobile phone company that "loves music" as long as you download it off them for loads of money, has "opened up" access to "the internet" through its 3G mobile service.

Mobile Web
The 3 Mobile Web service will enable customers to visit hundreds of the internet's most popular sites direct from their video mobiles while ensuring a high quality viewing experience.

Yes, that's right! Hundreds of sites! Well done, 3! That's about .000001 of the internet.

For a flat rate of just �2.50 per month, customers with a contract on 3 will be able to download up to 5 MegaBytes of content, or an average of 500 pages each month from the 'Mobile Web', depending on the richness of the page.

Well done again, 3! Now we can look at those 100s of pre-selected commercial web sites maybe once for some MORE MONEY!

WHY WE HATE 3 MOBILE SO MUCH:
Because they lied to us about being able to access the internet on our mobile phones about two months ago, making us FOOLISHLY take out a 3 contract -- which we promptly cancelled two days later upon finding out the truth on our own.

We now have a Nokia 6680 provided through Vodafone -- ironically one we got for FREE after the 3 Mobile COCKS told Vodafone we were cancelling our contract.

MORAL: Don't go near 3 Mobile.

More about 3 Mobile's weird interpretation of the internet

How can Xbox Live win an Emmy?

In that case, we’d like to give a lifetime achievement award to "electricity" and take great pleasure in inducting "wanking" into the Hall of Fame.

The Academy has also announced the awardees for Video Gaming Technology and Applications. In its second year, this award recognizes pioneering efforts and breakthroughs in the gaming world.

The awardees for Video Gaming and Technology are:

- Development and Impact in 8-Bit Consoles - Atari Inc. - Atari 2600
- Development and Impact in Polygon Consoles - Sony (PS1)
- Development of Multiplayer Console Technology - Microsoft (XBOX Live)

More ludicrously out-of-date award nominees here: Technolgy & Engineering - 2005 Winners Press Release

New PS2 "a burning death trap" says Sony

We were right to be wary of them for all those years.

"As a precautionary measure, and until a replacement is provided, SCEE advises consumers owning one of the AC Adaptors affected by this Notice to unplug the PlayStation 2 from the mains power supply and discontinue use until a replacement AC Adaptor is provided."



Can't... type... for laughing!

Sony Cyber-shot M2 -- 5.1 megapixels, MPEG-4 recording

But it's a rubbish flipper/swiveller design.

People will think you're being a pikey and taking a photo with your phone, instead of thinking you're a professional photojournalist out on a freelance mission for a proper magazine, like FHM or Maxim.



They ought to get us in on their focus groups.

SONY ANNOUNCES 2-IN-1 CYBER-SHOT, COMBINING STILL PHOTOGRAPHY AND MOVIE MAKING CAPABILITIES

Berlin, 13 September 2005 - The Sony Cyber-shot M2 features 5.1 effective Megapixel resolution and a high quality movie mode (MPEG-4 recording) in a stylish, ergonomically designed camera. The Cyber-shot M2 combines the best of both worlds: great quality photography is guaranteed, thanks to the 5.1 effective Megapixel Super HAD CCD a large and bright 2.5 inch Hybrid LCD screen, Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar folded-path 3x Optical Zoom lens. In addition, the same device gives you casual movie-shooting capabilities, allowing you to capture up to 50 minutes of good quality footage on a Memory Stick PRO Duo™ with one charge of the supplied InfoLITHIUM battery. Or why not choose the ‘5 Sec Rec’ mode for a fresh style of snappy movie making.


Now you can have it all...
The Sony Cyber-shot M2 is the perfect futuristic accessory to impress your friends. With a press of a button, the camera can switch between photo and movie modes depending upon which will best capture the mood. Unique to Sony, the Cyber-shot M2 features the Pocket Album and Slide Show plus Movie functions for effortless and fun playback on the generously sized 2.5 inch Hybrid LCD screen. Moreover the large screen allows you to frame the shot in any light conditions, including direct sunlight. The camera uses Sony’s Real Imaging Processor, which enables it to capture pictures quickly so you'll never miss the moment.


Style in the palm of your hand
The ergonomically designed one-handed grip sits neatly in the palm of your hand, and the slightly tilted lens axis on the Cyber-shot M2 allows you to hold and shoot with a natural wrist position. The camera automatically switches into photo mode as soon as you flip up the large LCD screen.

The control layout has been designed with ease of operation in mind. For example, the Photo and Movie buttons are arranged in a horizontal line, within easy reach of your thumb. The shuttle control feature on the back of the device allows you to easily scan forwards and backwards through your movie footage and photography to reach the scene you really want to view.

The aluminium body has a special finish to create a luxurious and classic satin metallic look and feel. Equally impressive on holiday, at an evening party or a family barbecue, the Cyber-shot M2 always exudes style.


View and share pictures, wherever, whenever
Imagine how heavy a photo album carrying 1,100 of your favourite photos might be! The new Pocket Album feature from Sony allows you to carry and view up to that much of your favourite still photos on the camera's LCD screen. A separate, internal memory is dedicated to holding your pictures in VGA size, which means you view them whenever you want. The internal Pocket Album in the Cyber-shot M2 is a great way to share with friends and tell a story. In addition to the LCD screen, images can be viewed on TV screen. When the maximum capacity is reached, the oldest images are automatically deleted to make space for new ones (individual images can be protected from deletion). Of course, images are also stored in full high resolution on optional Memory Stick PRO Duo™ for you to save on a PC or print out.


Truly dynamic slide shows
In addition, the Cyber-shot M2 features a Slide Show plus Movie function for a truly rich slide show experience. It brings your pictures and five second movies to life by playing them back in a variety of slide show styles: select from 'Active', 'Simple', 'Stylish' and 'Nostalgic' modes and your pictures and five second movies will be shown at random accompanied by a choice of four pre-set background music melodies to complement the mood. You can even add background music of you own choice using the supplied Picture Package software. You can select the Music Transfer function to add your own music (MP3 or CD music) to the camera’s internal memory to further personalise your slide shows. To make the very best of your memories, the camera goes one step further, blending and zooming in and out on images for a truly dynamic, movie-like slide show. You don't even have to wait to get home to enjoy this great feature-just switch to Slide Show plus Movie mode and the camera does the rest! There is also a 'Normal' function for playback without mood music.


Pictures in context
The Hybrid REC mode gives your pictures real context on the Cyber-shot M2. By simply pressing the PHOTO button while filming in Hybrid REC mode, the camera will automatically record the five seconds before the still picture and three seconds after the still picture. It’s truly a unique way to capture the atmosphere surrounding the moment. In this mode the movies are stored as 15 fps at QVGA size (320x240).

Stereo sound
The Cyber-shot M2 even features a stereo microphone, a first for a Sony digital camera, and great for playback on a stereo TV. The built-in mono speaker incorporates an ALC (Auto Level Control) circuit, this combined with the Class D amplifier, allows surprisingly loud sound playback without distortion and also ensures low power consumption.


Greater Appeal
The Cyber-shot M2 also features PictBridge, the standard for printing directly to photo printers, such as the Sony DPP-FP50. The supplied Cyber-shot Station makes charging and connecting to a PC, printer or TV even simpler.

The Cyber-shot M2 will ship throughout Europe during November 2005.

Man holds big important thing, women hold smaller, less important things

"I'll hold this one, it cost a lot to make. You girls just hold the little ones. It's OK if you drop them"



If we knew any girls they'd be LIVID at all this.

Podgy British woman having a thing pointed at her!

If only we had a "tech blog" back in 2004.

This series of images was released by Samsung last year, designed to highlight its report that "1 in 5 men have made a naughty home movie in the past".







Whoever had the idea for doing this at Samsung recieves an Honorary Idiot Toys 'Internet Knighthood'. Please email in to get your certificate.

Girls Aloud dolls!

Finally, the chance to roughly push Cheryl Tweedy up against a wall and pull her clothes off -- perfectly legally!



They look a bit small for putting your penis in :(

Sony Cyber-shot R1 goes megapixel BANANAS

We've got a camera. It does 5.2 megapixels, which if we're being honest, is already way too many megapixels.

The photos come off it about three times the size of our monitor, so any ironic photos we take of our glamorous media friends need to be resized before we upload them to our ironic Flickr lifestyle nu-media photo stream.

Which makes the Cyber-shot R1's 10.3 megapixels just too many damn megapixels:



And there's no way you can take discreet photos of girls with something that big.

LOTS OF COMPLICATED STUFF ABOUT CAMERAS AND LENSES WE'RE NOT GOING TO EVEN PRETEND WE KNOW ABOUT:

SONY ANNOUNCES 10.3 EFFECTIVE MEGAPIXEL DIGITAL STILL CAMERA WITH ZEISS 24mm WIDE-ANGLE LENS

Berlin, 8 September 2005

All-in-One professional quality solution
The Sony Cyber-shot R1 is the world’s first digital still camera that combines a large 10.3 effective Megapixel CMOS sensor, and a high quality 24mm – 120mm (35mm) ZEISS Zoom lens in the same body, allowing 'live' viewing with the free-angle LCD screen. It is the latest breakthrough in high-class image quality at an affordable price.

Large Size 10.3 effective Megapixel CMOS
Top-class image quality is guaranteed through the inclusion of a large-sized Sony CMOS image sensor (effective 21.5mm x 14.4mm), uniquely designed to significantly improve dynamic range, sensitivity, and signal-to-noise ratio. The large Sony CMOS sensor is able to capture more light, reducing noise levels, allowing higher shutter speeds, and therefore reducing the effects of handshake for beautifully clear, true to life pictures. Picture blur is significantly reduced because of the camera’s high sensitivity capability, with noise being simultaneously reduced as a result of the newly developed Clear RAW NR feature. The signal is amplified within each pixel, resulting in ultra-fast signal transfer, no smear and ultra low power consumption.

Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* quality and flexibility
The dedicated 24mm-120mm (35mm) wide-angle zoom lens of the Cyber-shot R1 is integrated into the body of the camera. With its F2.8-4.8 aperture, the camera is designed to exacting specifications for optimum performance, reduced internal reflections and fast, quality photography, even at low light levels. Images taken by the Cyber-shot R1 are razor-sharp with excellent colour and contrast rendition.

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The unique 'short back focus design' of the Cyber-shot R1 also allows the last lens to be positioned immediately in front of the CMOS sensor, contributing to a reduction in chromatic aberration. On the Cyber-shot R1 this distance has been reduced to an astonishing 2.1mm.

The flexibility of the lens design also means there is no need to change lenses to capture the shot you want. This allows the Cyber-shot R1 to be exceptionally fast in use - faster than most other high-end cameras. For example, the Cyber-shot R1 is capable of taking a macro of a butterfly, zooming in on an object in the distance, and then taking a wide-angle landscape shot, all within a few seconds without the need for changing lenses.

The fixed-lens design of the Cyber-shot R1 provides enhanced durability, reducing the risk of dust or foreign bodies scratching or damaging the sensor as a result of multiple lens changes. The lens block designed specifically for the Cyber-shot R1 is made up of 10 groups of 12 elements, four of which are aspherical.

Sony and Carl Zeiss in partnership
Working with Carl Zeiss, Sony has developed a highly qualified high performance lens to realise a higher contrast and resolution even at the edge of images. The lens of the Cyber-shot R1 has been designed through simulating MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) and chromatic aberration. Additionally, the Carl Zeiss T* multi layer coating, already appreciated by professional photographers the world over, ensures higher quality images with vastly reduced ghosting and flare.

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Real Imaging Processor for ultimate performance
The Real Imaging Processor has been further enhanced for the Cyber-shot R1 to provide more detailed, purer and vivid colours. The white balance accuracy has also been improved to differentiate between indoor and outdoor shooting, producing more precise colour. The microprocessor has been further customised for the large CMOS image sensor, resulting in a much shorter response time and greatly reduced image noise. With it’s ultra-low power consumption, STAMINA power efficiency, and the use of an intelligent InfoLITHIUM battery, the Cyber-shot R1 can carry on shooting for an amazing 500* shots, without the need for recharging the battery.

Free-Angle LCD to shoot like no other
The inclusion of a large 2.0-inch "Over Head" free-angle LCD screen, facilitates a revolutionary approach to shooting with the Cyber-shot R1, unique in its class. Combined with the ultra-bright (luminance 600 Cd/m2) screen, the swivel action allows you to shoot from horizontal or vertical levels, high or low angles or waist height, to maximise creativity.

High sensitivity for reduced blur
Picture blur is significantly reduced because of the high sensitivity capability of the Cyber-shot R1. Traditionally this would lead to an increase in noise, however with the use of the large size CMOS sensor, and the newly developed Clear RAW NR feature, the signal to noise ratio is improved. The Clear RAW NR original algorithm system reduces colour and luminance noise, enabling shooting with significantly higher sensitivity than current Cyber-shot models, using a selectable ISO sensitivity mode (up to ISO 3200). This ensures images with less noise and finer detail. This especially benefits customers when they shoot in low-light conditions, or when shooting moving objects.

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A.G.C.S for rich colours and optimal contrast
The Cyber-shot R1 features an Advanced Gradation Control System to obtain optimal image contrast. The capability to evaluate distribution of the brightness on-screen and apply an appropriate Gamma curve (luminance distribution) means that images can be altered in real-time for a clearly defined image. For example shooting in difficult conditions such as a poorly lit subject and brightly lit background is not a problem for Cyber-shot R1 – using the A.G.C.S. feature, brightness can be balanced out, ensuring an evenly lit image.

Advanced display for live preview
You can view a 'live' preview of the shot you are framing, so you can clearly see what the end result will look like before you take the shot. The improved display layout on the Cyber-shot R1 shows the basic camera settings such as shutter speed, F number, and EV diagram in the bottom area of both LCD and EVF without overlapping the subject in the image area. In addition to the basic settings, the following functions provide further assistance when shooting:

* Histogram
The display shows a live histogram when shooting, ideal for adjustment of brightness. Additionally, in playback a histogram also appears for each of the three separate RGB colours, this is ideal for checking the detailed balance of each colour and then making necessary adjustments.
* Zebra Pattern
This uses black and white stripes (Zebra Pattern) to indicate areas where the brightness exceeds a certain level resulting in burnt-out highlights. The exposure can then be adjusted accordingly.
* Grid lines This helps when photographing a horizontal or vertical subject. It can also be used artistically and creatively when composing a picture to a particular pattern.
* Enlarged Focus
The focusing point appears in an enlarged image when the manual focus ring is used, for more accurate focusing.

The Japanese get in on the "pod" scene with the "Laserpod"

Which, it seems, is a little thing that flashes funny colours.





Creative Japan's "Lightbox" is 400 yen cheaper and the bulb lasts longer and can be replaced.

Sky TV "makes it so" with Star Trek: The Next Generation Stranded!

Make the update so, Mr Blogger!



Lieutenant LaForge and Commander Data have crash-landed on a Class M planet. All contact has been lost and atmospheric interference means the Enterprise has no clue as to the fate of the crew. The crew is missing presuming dead.

Meanwhile...
On the planet surface, the shuttlecraft is badly damaged and all its critical systems shut down. Lieutenant LaForge was seriously hurt, Ensign Ralfe critically injured and Data damaged but, fortunately, still functioning.

Armed only with a Phaser, a Tricorder and an impaired positronic brain and android body, Data has to help his companions survive a hostile world while trying to find a way to return to the Enterprise...



This is going to put us at the heart of the Star Trek universe like no other game!

Sony makes a new "WALKMAN"

It has a feature called 'My Favorite Shuffle', which makes it select the most listened to 100 songs and play them at random.



And here's a photo of a woman looking at one, so it MUST be good!



SPECS:

- 20GB (NW-A3000) and 6GB (NW-A1000)
- Plays MP3 and the much more popular ATRAC3plus formats
- Has a nice screen, judging by the look of it

THE ENTIRE PRESS RELEASE, BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE LIKE THIS LEVEL OF DETAIL:
Berlin, 8 September 2005 - 26 years after WALKMAN created a revolutionary music lifestyle, the new Sony WALKMAN will now redefine it.

Simply called 'WALKMAN', the new digital music player from Sony features spectacular ergonomic design and an exciting range of intelligent features that allow the user to enjoy music in a totally new way.

Sony WALKMAN is a true extension of the user's personal taste and musical preferences. At the press of a button, the 'Artist Link' function will search every artist, album and song stored on the device and offer suggestions of artists and bands closely linked to the genre of music being played at the time.

Sony WALKMAN, available in two capacity sizes -- 20GB (NW-A3000) and 6GB (NW-A1000), also features two new shuffle functions. By selecting 'My Favorite Shuffle', the device automatically selects the most listened to 100 songs and plays them at random. The 'Time Machine Shuffle' function randomly selects a year and plays all of the songs from that particular year that are currently held on the device.

Featuring an advanced organic EL display (2 inches on the 20GB version and 1.5 inches on the 6GB model), Sony WALKMAN not only incorporates a range of great features, it also offers the ultimate in ease of use through an appealing user interface and fantastic visibility.

Once switched on, a mobile phone style 'Home' menu appears offering nine different options that can be selected via the four-way directional button. These include 'Music Library', 'Play Mode', 'Initial Search', 'Intelligent Shuffle', 'Favorite 100', 'Play History', 'Settings', 'Playlist' and 'Now Playing'.

Music can be searched in a variety of ways, via 'Genre', 'Artist', 'Album', 'Song', 'Release Date', 'Rating' and 'Recently Transferred', all of which can be scrolled through to enable users to find their music faster and easier. Sony WALKMAN records three years of playback history that can be searched and also features the first ever 'Initial Search' on a hard disc device, allowing the user to scroll from A-Z for ultimate ease of use.

"We are raising the bar with the new Sony WALKMAN", said Gregory Kukolj, General Manager at Sony Europe. "This stunning new device will be instantly appealing to both style followers and technology-minded individuals alike. One drawn by the spectacular design and the other by the outstanding ease of use and features that really deliver. The new Sony WALKMAN is an irresistible proposition for users who want the ultimate digital music player."

The 20GB Sony WALKMAN is available in two stylish colourways, violet and silver; while the 6GB unit comes in the additional colours of pink and blue. All devices package with colour-matched headphones.

The NEW WALKMAN will be simultaneously introduced with a whole range of design-matching accessories such as a stylish remote control for easier navigation, various carrying cases, a docking station for convenient connection with the PC as well as a docking speaker system giving the option to both connect to a PC as well as playing music through the speakers.

Sony WALKMAN features ATRAC3plus and MP3 playback and ships with the new "CONNECT Player" that offers advanced music library management as well as providing seamless access to the CONNECT catalogue of more than one million tracks and albums available for download.

"CONNECT Player" incorporates a new and improved user interface that features a simple 'drag and drop' function for easy transfer from library to player. "CONNECT Player" supports the new functions within Sony WALKMAN as well as providing automatic software updates and increased Codec support.

One more thing! That iTunes Mobile Phone has finally been made!

They call it the Motorola ROKR E1 and it's good because you can give Apple your money on the go via iTunes.



That's it. We're done copying stuff off Apple and saying it's stupid for the night. That was fun. Sleep tight, web massive!

SOME STATS TO PERHAPS DREAM ABOUT:

* iTunes player with dedicated key
* 850/1800/1900 MHz Tri-band GSM/GPRS
* Weight: 3.77 oz
* Dimensions: 4.25 x 1.81 x .80 in
* Display: 176 x 220, up to 262 colors TFT
* VGA Camera (SHIT), 4x Zoom, flash and video record
* Music Tones
* Bluetooth Capable for voice calls
* Speakerphone
* Talk Time: Up to 9 hours/560 min
* Standby Time: Up to 9 days/230 hrs

Apple - iTunes for your Mobile Phone

How to wear your iPod nano

You sort of dangle it around your neck with a strange headphone/strap device, which might mean iPod owners will CHOKE TO DEATH MORE OFTEN!!! Great news!!



Yes! Felicity has caught hers on the train door! Drive, driver, DRIVE!

Apple - iPod nano - Accessories

Apple makes iPod a bit smaller and rounder, calls it the iPod nano

Yeah, we know the score. It'll come in a great box that makes you think you've bought the single greatest gadget in the world, than it'll gradually go wrong until you end up flogging it on eBay and buying something from Creative that actually works right.



At least, that's what happened to us.

WHY IT MIGHT BE GOOD:

- 2GB and 4GB of hard memory
- Which means there's one less thing to break
- It now works for 14 "Apple hours" which is about 9 of our standard Earth hours
- Apple says it's so light you "can wear almost three days’ worth of music around your neck"
- It has a colour screen "for photos", but no doubt somone'll soon hack it "for porn movies"

PS:
That's their small 'n' in the name 'nano'. It's not us typing stuff wrong.

The Nikon Coolpix P1 is much more like it!

This is much more like it!



Best of all, this has 802.11b/g Wi-Fi business for dumping your shots to a PC as you take them and loads more cool stuff.

LOADS MORE COOL STUFF:

- 8 megapixels
- Uses SD cards
- 3.5x optical zoom
- 2.5 inch LCD display
- 3264 x 2448 max resolution
- Macro mode that operates a mere 1.6 inches from your subject (IDEAL FOR PHENOMENALLY HI-RES CLOSE-UP PORN!)

THE ONLY REASON THIS ISN'T BETTER THAN OUR SONY DSC-W1:
Because it uses a proprietary battery, unlike the DSC-W1 which takes AA batteries so if you run out you can buy some more to stick in and not miss a single escalator upskirt opportunity.

Nikon Coolpix S4

Remember for a brief period in the late 1980s when "swivel" was used as a swear word?

The Nikon Coolpix S4 swivels.



We had an old one of these six years ago and it was a bit clumsy and rubbish, if that's any help.

FACTS.

- 10x optical zoom
- 6 megapixels
- 2.5 inch LCD screen

Fuji's started doing Memory Sticks

And it's pleased about this enough to have sent out a press release -- on a Friday!

HERE'S ADRIAN CLARKE:
Adrian Clarke, Fujifilm's Director of Photo Products, said, "The Sony PSP will be incredibly popular in the UK, which means that there will be even more demand than ever for the Memory Stick format. With the introduction of Memory Stick to its range, Fujifilm now offers every single media card format available on the market.

"When consumers need storage media, all they need do is look out for the Fujifilm brand. With such an array of memory cards on the market, and the increasing amount of devices requiring them, being able to look out for a single, reliable and high quality brand greatly simplifies the choice for consumers."

That's not strictly true. We tend to look for Sandisk, as they're cheapest and work best and loads of people on eBay sell 1GB ones for 64 pounds including shipping. Good luck with it though, Fuji! If you can do a 1GB Pro Duo for less than 64 pounds including shipping, we'll have one off you.

PS: THE THING WE LEARNED TODAY
Today, we learned that using a capital 'B' means gigaBYTE, and using a small 'b' means gigaBIT. So from now on, we'll be getting that right whenever doing stuff about memory. There's a big difference between 1GB and 1Gb. Fascinating.

We also learned how to set the timer on a Biasi Riva Compact HE. That's our new boiler! We might do some "joke" updates about it next week.

Oh, and we saw that new Sony Ericsson Walkman phone for only 22 pounds a month on a Virgin contract through Carphone Warehouse.

Sony DVPNS92V -- SACD and HDMI

TGN! (That's Great News).

It has digital HDMI output, which is great, and Super Audio CD, which isn't particularly great but would perhaps be nice to have for the future or that SACD version of War of the Worlds.



THIS IS GOOD BECAUSE:
"Digital upscaling to 1280x720p/1920x1080i optimises picture quality by reproducing the DVD image to a higher resolution than standard definition, in output."

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
It doesn't say!

Sony Europe : Press Center : SONY ANNOUNCES TOP OF THE RANGE DVD PLAYER WITH SUPER AUDIO CD AND HDMI OUTPUT