OK, get the salt out, it’s RumourTime. Not content with gate-crashing Sony’s various PS3 launches, a Microsoft employee seems to have confirmed a new version of the Xbox 360 with a HDMI port. On the official Microsoft XNA Game Studio Express forums a XNA Framework Developer answered the following question:
Q: “Will the HDMI output on the revised 360 require any code changes. I am hoping some developers have a beta unit and can answer this question.”
A: “No changes required.”
Now, I understand that this is at best, a very roundabout way of maybe/kinda/sort of confirming something that has been rumoured for quite some time but, assuming Microsoft Xbox developers have some inside knowledge, it’s worth noting. It would tally with all that other unconfirmed information about a Xbox Elite version which will come in cool black and sport a 120GB hard disk drive.
While it’s good to fantasise, I‘d like to think that all of this is true and not some ruse in the run-up to the dreaded April Fools Day.-Martin Lynch
[Xbox Scene News]
news technology gadgets games xbox console PS3
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Nothing can aid your quest for the cessation of human suffering like the $35 Buddha Machine. So what does it do? It loops preloaded music tracks via one-button interface. Want more? You got it! Just check out this neat feature from manufacturer FM3's site:
"I also hear that track9 is particularly good at keeping cats away :)"
I really do see the practical merit of this device to aid in meditation and cat annoyance, but somehow the packaging seems just a bit off topic. – Mark Wilson
Product Page [via boingboing]
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Tomy have brought out a dozen official Nintendog beanies which whine or bark when you press their left ear. They're quite cute and they are less annoying than the DS game, which, during my short tenure as a Nintendog owner, drove me menkle. That AWFUL muzak. The suburban surroundings. In fact, the only things I liked were the crazy Mario Kart toy and the stars that came out of my puppy's head when I praised him. Anyway, Cliché (for that was my Nintendog's name) died a horrible death while we were on honeymoon. Good.
I wonder if these puppies are real-puppy-proof - if so, then our four-month Border Terrier, Jones, is getting all 12. It might stop him going to work on my shoes, rugs, MacBook cable, kitchen floor, toes, or the postman. It won't stop him peeing on the bed, though. – Ad Dugdale
Product Page [Anytoys via Ubergizmo]
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Here's a tiny picture to add to all the rumor and speculation about the Xbox 360 120GB drive, and this one is allegedly a promotional poster from videogame retailer GameStop, showing the first shot we've seen of a 120GB "hardrive" that would be on the Xbox 360.
The only problem with this is, we're not sure GameStop is in the business of misspelling words on its promotional posters. Really, WTF is a 120 GB "hardrive?" Still, looks like a great design for an external hard disk, and if that's not really the one that will be offered alongside the Elite 360, perhaps it should be. – Charlie White
Xbox 360 120GB HDD advertising appears [Xbox 360 Fanboy]
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HANNSpree is known for making some pretty unique LCD TVs. They cover everything from fire trucks to elephants to baseballs and more, but this is a bold new step. The HANNSFries TV look like a pack of fries, and the accompanying remote control looks like a ketchup packet. I am glad HANNSpree finally created a fry TV, my newborn's fast food-themed room just wasn't complete without this. You have to start those kids out early if you want them to be horribly overweight and not athletic. This 10-inch LCD TV has yet to have a price or release date. –Travis Hudson
Product Page [Via ChipChick]
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Long battery life in an MP3 player is an important factor for me when I’m in purchasing mode – except for my last one, of course, which cost £25 and has a battery life of about 12 minutes. Only joking, it’s about 5 hours, which still sucks.
The successor to the entry-level T10 from iRiver, is the T50 which promises a whopping 52 hours from one AAA battery. Again, I’d wait for the reviews before endorsing that claim fully. I’m not sure if I like the ridges on the design but at 52 hours, it could be turd-shaped and I wouldn’t care.
It will come with 1Gb of storage, a 1in colour screen – that you can view photos on – a voice recorder and FM radio. It’s going on sale in Japan first in two weeks and will cost around £45.-Martin Lynch
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We all like Internet bargain-hunting for those ‘must-have’ gadgets but are we being ripped off in the process?
According to some alarming data from the industry online safety group, Get Safe Online, one in 10 people in the UK has been had online in the past year, to the tune of £875. Ouch!
The UK has 29 million Net users and the survey found that 12 per cent (almost 3.5 million) have experienced online fraud in the past year. Most were caught out while shopping online, while general fraud, bank account and credit card fraud made up the rest.
Importantly, it’s not just down to a wave of e-crime but also to user ignorance of basic online surfing rules. Less than half of UK surfers believe online safety is their responsibility, with many saying the banks or ISPS should do it for them. You know, right after someone wipes their arses for them.
You can read the survey highlights here and find some online safely tips here.-Martin Lynch
news technology online PC broadband internet crime
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Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
