Is HD DVD In Trouble? May 18, 2007
READ MORE Blu-ray , Gizmodo UK , HD DVD , Movies
The news from Stateside is that the HD DVD Promotional Group is kicking off a new promo campaign, led by a $100 (£50) rebate on some Toshiba HD DVD players.
In US terms, that brings the price down to $299.99 (£150). The offer applies to the Toshiba HD-A2 HD until June 16, but for the last week it will apply to all players. Even more attractive is that consumers over there will also get to choose five free HD DVD movies from the following:
Apollo 13, Seabiscuit The Chronicles of Riddick, Casablanca, Constantine, Dukes of Hazzard,
Four Brothers, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, The Rundown, Blazing Saddles, U2: Rattle and Hum, U-571, The Perfect Storm, We Were Soldiers
Now remember, Toshiba already hacked off a big chunk from its HD DVD player prices in the US and UK recently. Just a month or so later, its lopping off some more – if only for a month – and chucking in five free movies, worth around £100.
Blu-ray has been dominating the media attention in this high-def spat, and recently announced hitting the ‘one-million mark’ in Blu-ray movie sales.
HD DVD might be making a big push now but is it too little, too late? Cut price offers on top of recent price cuts with very generous movie giveaways thrown in is not a sign that things are going all that well for the HD DVD camp. That said, I hope they bring those offers over here too. -Martin Lynch
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Watch Keychain Concept Makes You Jingle all the Time May 18, 2007
READ MORE Gadgets
Although the concept of putting a watch on a keychain is a good one—one less thing to carry around—the fact that it's a keychain makes it less than convenient. Why? Imagine having to fish out the lump of metal with all 10 of your keys to see what time it is, while at the same time trying to keep your wallet inside your pocket with the other hand, clumsily.
Then there's the noise issue, which means the jingling of your keys will alert everyone that you're checking the time for the fourth time in ten minutes, which we're sure the judge won't appreciate.
Archport Classic: Uber-Hip Sneaker with Secret Compartment May 18, 2007
READ MORE Gadgets
Behold the Archport Classic. *Cough*. Stylish, isn't it? I see it as the kind of shoe that Max from Hart To Hart would be wearing if he was still alive and they had commissioned Hart To Hart: The Geritol Years and he was schlepping around an old people's home waiting for Jon and Jen ("She's gawjus") to bring him soft fruits and news of Freeway.
The Archport Classic is not just any old shoe, however. As well as being excellent for "working out at the gym or just hanging out" it's got a secret hidden compartment, the Archport™ cartridge, for you to stash a door key and three credit cards (or similar-sized items, should you be uncreditworthy) or cash. Available in white or Widow Black (Omigod, call Jen and Jon, they murdered someone at the old folks' home!) it'll cost you $79.99 and get you all the envious looks your cataracts can handle at Sunset View. – Ad Dugdale
Product Page [Amazon]
BitTorrent Pirate Lands In Clink May 18, 2007
READ MORE Online
Today a Hong Kong man became the first person to be jailed for BitTorrent- related video piracy. (Note: He is not the actual pirate shown in our illustration.)
Yep, Chan Nai-ming got three months in jail, a month each for Daredevil, Miss Congeniality and Red Planet. I mean, Miss Congeniality I understand, but Red Planet???? The Court of Appeal were swayed in the end not so much by the man's behavior but by his online handle, "Big Crook." Excuse me while I change my screenname to "InnocentGuy2077". – Wilson Rothman
Hong Kong online movie pirate loses appeal [Reuters]
Judge Baffled By Internet In Internet Court Case May 18, 2007
READ MORE Online , Technology
Oh dear. Maybe there is a good reason why judges wear those silly, poofy wigs and costumes. It’s not tradition, it's because they really are hundreds of years old and exist suspended in a vacuum of time where the only ‘net’ they had to contend with belonged to fishermen.
A UK judge overseeing a case about alleged inciting of terrorism via the Internet stopped prosecutors on Wednesday to ask what a ‘Web site’ site was.
The prosecutor kindly took time out to explain ‘Web sites’ and ‘forums’ to our legal system’s equivalent of a Tree Ent.
Judge Peter Openshaw said: "The trouble is I don't understand the language. I don't really understand what a Web site is.”
While I don’t expect a judge to be an expert in all aspects of the cases they face, I think that appointing a non-surfer to a Net case is frankly, baffling.-Martin Lynch
Halo 3 Launches September 25/26 May 18, 2007
READ MORE Consoles , Games , Gizmodo UK , Xbox
Well, now it’s official. Microsoft has confirmed that Halo 3 will launch in the US on Sept 25, followed by Europe on Sept 26. This is earlier than predicted and points to Microsoft making an early dash to snag as many Christmas Xbox 360 console sales as possible.
The company claims that the game will ‘shatter’ one-day entertainment sales records and it’s probably right, considering 2.5m copies of Halo 2 sold in the first 24 hours. So far, over 14m copies of Halo games are in the wild. The multiplayer beta kicked off yesterday and already the signs are good.
Microsoft will be also flogging a special Halo 3 edition of the Zune music player sporting Halo music and artwork - after all, it needs all the help it can get. There will be three versions of the game on offer and I’ve only got US pricing so far: basic game $59.99 (£30), a Limited Edition for $69.99 (£35) and a Legendary Edition for $129.99 (£65). Just add around £20+ to each.
Jump now for a photo of the Legendary Edition. -Martin Lynch
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