Car nuts and gamers will no doubt be happy at this most unusual of partnership between Top Gear and the forthcoming PS3 driving game, Gran Turismo 5.
The alliance will allow gamers that buy the GT5 game to download up to 40 episodes of the entertaining car show from a dedicated Gran Turismo TV channel accessed via the PlayStation 3's online network. They’ll also be able to catch up on the latest news from the automotive world.
Even better, gamers will get the chance to race hundreds of the cars tested on the Top Gear show around a virtual version of the Stig’s test track. You’ll have to provide your own in-car soundtrack though, which is probably a good thing.
“We’re sure that players will be as thrilled as we are when they get the chance to put their own driving skills to the test on the Top Gear Track in GT5, as well enjoying classic episodes of Top Gear via GT TV,” said Kazunori Yamauchi, President of Polyphony Digital, the developer of Gran Turismo 5.
Simon Danker, Director of Digital Media at BBC Worldwide, added: “We’re thrilled to make Top Gear accessible to Gran Turismo gamers.”
Gran Turismo 5 Prologue is due out next year.-Martin Lynch
With Christmas coming and the prospect of being kissed repeatedly by drunken aunts and leathery grannies ahead of you, you might want to think of a distraction now. Plan that exit strategy.
Why not try the Xmas Disco Cube from IXOS, a £60 flashing iPod dock that just might provide enough distraction to escape the dreaded kiss-fest and cheek-pulling. The cube flashes LED lights in time to the music and the side-firing speakers will throw out 2.5W each with the bass boosted by a little internal 3W subwoofer.
The device is compatible with 3G-6G iPods and nanos, as well as other MP3 players via a 3.5mm jack.
Just chuck on the Noddy Holder classics, dim the lights, spin them around the room a few times and they’ll be asleep on the sofa in no time. Job done. Available now at John Lewis and PC World. -Martin Lynch
I've covered this before here and there’s lot of promises of it making its way here from the creative Aussies behind it, but so far, no deal. But we do have a video. It's been around a couple of months but in case you missed it....
The M500 from SMS Technology can be found online of course but, cool and all as this James Bond wrist watch/mobile phone is, I’d prefer to see some reviews I can trust before parting with my cash.
The video [which starts oddly with a boob flash – you have been warned] is accompanied by lots of music, but thankfully it stops long enough to see and hear how dialling, texting and other key features work.
It’s certainly thin and cute and even with a few hiccups, I’d have one in a flash.-Martin Lynch
Well, that’s that then. The silly spat that started when Sony’s PS3 game, Resistance: Fall of Man, used Manchester Cathedral as a backdrop is finally over, with Sony having its sins absolved.
This is far cry from the most recent outburst where the Church wanted PS3 games removed from the BAFTA 2007 game nominations. That didn’t work but considering PS3 games won nothing last night, the church needn’t have worried. Speaking to the Beeb, the Very Reverend Rogers Govender said:
“I think some important lessons have been learnt. We forgive Sony for what they have done, even though they still believe they have done no wrong. In an industry that is breaking new frontiers, it is important that long held traditions of film and television are maintained. These traditions include having courtesy, respecting the dignity of your subject, and admitting when mistakes have been made.”
"In so many ways Sony have failed to live up to these standards by disrespecting people of faith and the victims of gun crime in Manchester.”
OK, that was a statement of forgiveness, wasn’t it?-Martin Lynch
Well, that’s that then. The 
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
