PS3 Sales Up But Sony Cuts Sales Targets January 31, 2008
READ MORE Consoles , Gadgets , Games , Gizmodo UK , PS3
The PS3 seems to have turned a corner for Sony but while sales are up the company has reduced its sales forecast by 1.5 million units for 2007/08 to 9.5 million, down from 11 million.
A slow start – thanks to high prices and a weak games line-up – are the key culprits. The console helped Sony’s Game division turn a profit for Q3 though, selling a healthy 4.9 million units from October-December last year. PS3 software sales for the same period were 26 million, helping to boost overall sales since both PS2 and PSP software sales took a dip.
However, while the PS3 has taken an age to getting up to speed, the PSP Slim & Lite is becoming a real star for Sony. So much so that Sony has upped its sales forecast for 2007/08 from 10 million to 13 million. And why not?
With its new catwalk figure, and the addition of cool features like free Skype calls and Internet radio, the PSP is shaping up to be a cracking entertainment/communications handheld.-Martin Lynch
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iRiver Back Waving A Gold Mickey January 31, 2008
READ MORE Digital cameras , Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , MP3 , Music
I thought the first iRiver MP3 player based on Disney’s Mickey Mouse was fugly but they obviously feel they are still onto a winner because now they’ve gone and dipped it in gold.
This ‘limited edition’ Mickey Mouse MP3 player, or Mplayer, is designed for pre-school yard pimps that still wear their Disney devotion proudly. Inside is a 2Gb player based around the Philips PNX0103ET audio processor. Track browsing and volume is controlled by twisting the rodent’s ears. An upside at last. There's no display though.
I can understand why adults might gag at this, but there are plenty of kids out there that could be bribed to tidy up their bedrooms for the King Of Mice.
It’s priced at around £60 but there’s no release date yet beyond Q1 in China [Year Of The Rat, you know, so kinda close in a rodent fashion].
Still, you can now get a non-gold 1GB Mplayer for around £35 now online.-Martin Lynch
[Dodevice]
Picoz Insecta Helicopter – Just Don’t Swat It! January 31, 2008
READ MORE Entertainment , Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Technology , Wireless
Picoz has been making remote controlled choppers for a a while but this is certainly one of its cheapest, and brightest, offerings.
The Picoz Insecta Helicopter costs just £20 and for something that looks like a giant airborne bug that will scare the kids and missus, that’s a bargain. With it’s big glowing eyes and insect legs, this garish bug chopper with membrane-like rotors is palm-sized and designed to be flown around the house.
It’s controlled by a twin channel, wide-beam infra-red transmitter that also serves as a charger for its lightweight lithium battery. It’s built from “robust polypropylene foam” which the makers say is good for novice kamakaze pilots. Not sure about direct hits from rolled up newspaper though.
You can find the Picoz Insecta here. Happy flying and freaking out the family.-Martin Lynch
Intempo nano Speaker Dock Blushes Valentine’s Pink January 31, 2008
READ MORE Apple , Digital Audio , Entertainment , Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , MP3 , Music , iPod
Intempo is joining the pink gadget brigade for Valentine’s Day with a special version of its best-selling iDS-01NRX MP3 speaker-dock, which should go down a treat with the new pink nano.
The iDS-01NRX boasts an impressive 12Watts output in its little chassis (23 x 12 x 9cm) which should be more than enough to fill an average room with decent sound. Everything can be controlled via the little credit card-sized remote so that you don’t have to disturb all that Bolli drinking.
“Intempo has always been quick off the mark in terms of design led trends in audio technology. We brought out the first iPod speaker-dock in black when the nano first launched and now we are the only manufacturer on the market to have a speaker-dock to match Apple’s newest addition to the nano family,” Katie Richards, Marketing Manager at Intempo. “Unwrapping the new pink nano on Valentine’s Day will be an instant hit, but what better romantic gesture than combining it with a matching speaker-dock so you can share your favourite music together?”
Well…..I can think of at least five things, one of them highly illegal, but that’s neither here nor there. The dock will charge your nano too and there’s a 3.5mm jack for hooking up other audio players. Yours for a pocket-friendly £40.-Martin Lynch
[Intempo]
ipod speaker nano valentines day
Smart Carpet Can Save Fallen Elderly January 31, 2008
READ MORE Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Technology
Having seen first-hand the incredible damage an old person can do to themselves by taking a seemingly minor fall, it’s heartening to see something in the works that could make a real difference.
This is the Smart Carpet which can monitor a old person’s location and sound and in the event of a fall, alert a caregiver. Currently in research by the University of Missouri, the carpet uses a new sensor that can be printed on thin, flexible sheets using inexpensive "organic ink."
The sensors can be laid out in their thousands between the carpet layers and relay constant monitoring information to systems in care homes. The researchers claim the technology could be brought to market in less than two years.
Inventor and university professor, Harry Tyrer says: “This is an unobtrusive monitoring system that will increase the safety of seniors and improve their ability to live independently. Current floor sensor systems rely on vibration readings that may be easily misinterpreted. I think of the ‘smart carpet’ system as a significant improvement and a way for seniors to live both independently and safely longer, providing caregivers or family members an electronic emergency alert system.”
At present, an elderly person dies in the UK every five hours as the result of a fall.-Martin Lynch
[Gizmodo US via University of Missouri]
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