 Creative wins MP3 player patent
One of Apple's main rivals in the digital audio player market, Creative Technology, has been awarded a patent for the interface used on many players. Creative said the patent applied to its players, as well as some competing products such as the Apple's iPod and iPod mini.
Creative was one of the first companies to produce MP3 players but has lost out to Apple which dominates the market. The Creative announcement is the latest salvo in its self-declared war against Apple. In November, Creative boss Sim Wong Hoo said he aimed to out market his competitors, saying the MP3 war had started. Apple's iPod is estimated to account for 80% of sales of digital music players which use hard drives to store music.
Creative is looking to take a slice out of Apple with its new products. It recently introduced a new version of its Zen model which has a colour screen and can play video.
The question now is whether this patent will result in Apple grudgingly paying royalties to one of its biggest competitors.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: September 2, 2005, 11:28 am
News Source : BBC News
 Google Earth Angers South Koreans
South Korea is the latest country to raise its concerns over Google's satellite photo service, Google Earth. The country is worried about sensitive sites being visible from space by the service's users, including the presidential Blue House and military bases, as it remains officially at war with its neighbour, North Korea.
The presidential office in the country is reportedly planning to raise its fears with US officials. The roofs of some sensitive sites in the US - including the White House - have already been blacked out by Google, but that hasn't happened with its satellite imagery of South Korea. Images of the secretive North Korea are also available.
Meanwhile, Google is facing increasing competition when it comes to the search enginge of choice for Chinese surfers. It's reportedly losing market share to Baidu, it's biggest rival, in the country - which has an estimated 103 million net users. However, their use is heavily censored. A survey found 33% of searches went through Google's Chinese service, while 52% were carried out through Baidu.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: September 2, 2005, 11:27 am
 iTunes on the Move
A cellphone which incorporates Apple's iTunes music player software is finally set to be launched after repeated delays. The device, made by Motorola, is expected to be unveiled next week, although both those firms and Cingular, whose network the phone will work on, declined to comment.
Roger Entner, a research analyst, said he'd been told by company sources that the device was finally ready for launch. It was originally touted to be unveiled at a trade show in February, but that plan was scrapped at the last minute.
Many phone firms are looking to launch new products which incorporate masses of music in an attempt to take on the success of the iPod. It's not yet known whether the phone will allow users to send tracks directly from their computer or if they'll have to buy them and download them over WAP.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: September 2, 2005, 11:26 am
Microsoft sets its sites on Google Talk, Skype, and beyond
Microsoft is about to announce that it is acquiring an Internet start-up called Teleo. Teleo is developing a voice over IP technology that is similar to what is found in Skype and the new Google Talk.
Sources say that Microsoft intends to integrate this technology into an upcoming version of MSN. Teleo's voice over IP technology revolves mostly around making calls to normal phones. Presently, Teleo offers a monthly $4.95 service that allows users to make calls to traditional phones for 2 cents per minute world-wide. It also provides users with their own unique phone number that allows users to call them via a regular phone (imbound calling). In essence, users receive their own universal net phone number and users can call it with their regular phones.
Other features include being able to insert click-to-call commands in email and webpages, conferencing, call forwarding, voice mail, and more.
The acquisition puts MSN in a more direct head to head competition with Skype and Google's recently released "Google Talk". When these features will first show up in MSN is anyone's guess.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: September 2, 2005, 11:25 am
 F.E.A.R Demo Review
It?s the 5th August, and many people are awaiting the imminent release of the demo for the eagerly awaited first person shooter (FPS), F.E.A.R. For those who don?t know what F.E.A.R is, it stands for First Encounter Assault Recon. This is a secret military unit that is designated with the responsibility of protecting the country against paranormal activity. So, like many others, I downloaded the demo which weighs in at just over 600mb and installed. Here are Neowin's thoughts.
The demo begins with a fancy cinematic, explaining what is going on. You are assigned the task of stopping an unidentified paramilitary force that has infiltrated a multi-billion dollar aerospace compound; to boot, they're taking hostages. It's on.
The response from the government is to send in special forces, which are soon lost, as an eerie signal interrupts radio communications. The interference then disappears but the team has been massacred. Footage shows the soldiers being torn apart before they even know what has hit them.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: August 11, 2005, 11:38 am
Serious Sam 2 Multiplayer Features Announced
2k Games today announced what multiplayer features will be included in the upcoming 'over the top' FPS, Serious Sam 2. The game will allow a massive sixteen players to play in co-operative mode over a LAN or online on the PC version, and up to four on the Xbox version, via Xbox Live or system link.
Gamers will be able to enjoy over 40 levels spread across seven different worlds, with varying environments. The game will feature almost 20 weapons and 10 vehicles to help them along their way.
Serious Sam 2 is due this autumn for PC and Xbox.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: August 11, 2005, 11:37 am
News Source : Neowin
GAME (UK) PSP Pre-Orders Filled
UK Retailer, GAME, have filled up their allocation for Sony's hand-held console, the PSP. The PSP is due to go on sale on the 1st of September within Europe. Shortages are expected.
GAME released this public announcement:
"ATTENTION: We have run out of our initial allocation of Sony PSPs but are continuing to take orders for our next batch - expected sometime in September," says the statement. "As the UK's leading gaming specialist you have the best chance of securing one through us, so pre-order now to secure yourself a place in the queue. Please be aware that if you have already ordered your console from us before 4pm on August 5th 2005, rest assured that you will receive your PSP for release day,"
To date, UK gamers waiting to get hold of a PSP were forced to import a unit. However, Sony has taken a dim view on this practice and has attempted to stop it. The PSP will be available in the UK for ?178.99 on 1st September.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: August 11, 2005, 11:36 am
News Source : GamesIndustry.biz
South Korean Dies After 50 Hour Gaming Marathon
A gamer from South Korean has suffered a cardiac arrest after a 50 hour session of popular sci-fi game Starcraft. The 28 year old man, identified only by surname Lee, started playing on August 3rd. During his 3 day gaming session, he had nothing to eat and only stopped for brief periods of sleep or to visit the toilet.
Taegu police told Reuters that the likely cause of death was "heart failure stemming from exhaustion". The man was taken to hospital when he was found collapsed in an internet cafe, although he died shortly after. It is also reported that Lee had recently quit his job to spend more time playing computer games.
This is another case that will cause concern for groups that study the psychological effects that games can have on players. Reports indicate that popular MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) can grip players for up to 15 hours at a time, and the full effects of this are yet to be seen.
This, and the recent controversy stemming from the secret sexual content found in Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas has put gamers back in the media spotlight. Whilst many family groups criticse games, some argue the attention is unwarrented. Many point to the positive elements of games, teaching skills, models and learning skills. One might conclude that certain games are the 'rock and roll' of the day; the problem is undoubtedly generation, and only time will solve it.
(LANS will now bee restricted to 8 hours shifts with at least 4 hour breaks in between!)
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: August 11, 2005, 11:35 am
News Source : BBC News
Google News Adds RSS Feeds
Google plans to enhance its Google News article search service by adding content syndication, according to executives from the Mountain View, California, company.
The new feature will allow Google News users to set up RSS (Really Simple Syndication) or Atom content syndication feeds for specific Google News sections, such as entertainment, business, or world news, and for specific terms users search for on Google News, such as "George Bush," "diabetes," or "space shuttle." Users will also be able to set up RSS or Atom feeds for customized sections they create on Google News. "This is another way of allowing users to access Google News information," says Debbie Jaffe, Google's senior product marketing manager for consumer products.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: August 11, 2005, 11:34 am
News Source : PCWorld
 Apple Fails to Patent iPod Interface
A near three-year-long attempt by Apple Computer to patent the menu-based software interface of its popular iPod digital music player has ultimately proved unsuccessful, AppleInsider has discovered.
The company's patent application, which lists Apple vice president Jeff Robbin and Apple chief executive Steve Jobs as two of its primary inventors, received a final rejection last month from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Standing in Apple's way appears to be a prior filing by inventor John Platt, who submitted a patent application for a similar software design for a portable device in May of 2002 -- just five months before Robbin submitted his claims on behalf of Apple.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: August 11, 2005, 11:33 am
News Source : Neowin
San Andreas Banned Down Under
Latest Grand Theft auto joins Rockstar siblings Manhunt and GTA III on the censor-board blacklist of the antipodean nation.
In the wake of the "Hot Coffee" scandal, debate is raging in the United States on whether to regulate the sale of sexually explicit and/or violent games. However, there is no such discussion in Australia, where the government's Office of Film and Literature Classification can ban games outright.
And banned it has, forbidding sales of Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude, BMX XXX, and Manhunt in the past. While a heavily edited version of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was approved by the OFLC in 2002, Grand Theft Auto III was banned in Australia when it was released in 2001.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: August 5, 2005, 11:13 am
News Source : Gamespot
Rockstar pushes ahead with "Bully" despite concerns
Any PR, even bad, is good PR it seems with Rockstar. The game publisher has announced another controversial title due to hit the shelves October this year.
Rockstar Games describes the upcoming title as one where gamers play a troublesome schoolboy who stands up to bullies, gets picked on by teachers, plays pranks on malicious kids, wins or loses the girl, and ultimately learns to navigate the obstacles of the fictitious reform school.
"As one of the Trustees of Bullying Online i made every effort to contact Rockstar some weeks ago (before Hotcoffee) to ask to speak with them to discuss our concerns, they ignored our request sadly." said John Carnell, a trustee of Bullying Online to Neowin.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: August 5, 2005, 11:13 am
News Source : Neowin
AMD Quietly Debuts New AMD Sempron Chip
Without making any official statements, Advanced Micro Devices has updated its lineup of entry-level processors with new AMD Sempron 3400+ chip, which is expected to offer performance superior compared to Intel?s recently introduced Celeron D 351 chip, but which also comes at higher price-point.
AMD Sempron processor model 3400+ operates at 2.00GHz, is equipped with 256KB L2 cache and features built-in single-channel PC3200 DDR memory controller. The chip has 64-bit capability enabled and is designed for Socket 754 infrastructure. Thermal Design Power (TDP) the latest value processor from AMD is 62W, which is similar to predecessors.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: August 5, 2005, 11:10 am
News Source : X-Bit Labs
Apple's Multi-Button Mouse
Apple has once again pulled another rabbit out its hat, this time Apple is showcasing an optical multi-button mouse. Yes, you read it right Apple has finally released a multi-button mouse. This mouse dubbed the "Mighty Mouse" has four main features.
The first feature is that it has multiple buttons (left/right and middle click ball). Though by looking, you couldn't tell thanks to Apple concealing it all under a top shell design. Apple has designed special sensors in the mouse that will detect where your fingers are and predict your clicking intentions.
Secondly, Apple's scroll ball offers you the ability to perform a 360-degree scroll via your fingertips. Third, you can scroll either up, down, left, or right. Fourth, Apple has included a set of four programmable buttons on each side of the mouse. These programmable buttons gives you immediate access to unique Mac OS X features like Dashboard, Expos?, etc... Apple is pricing this mouse at just $49 dollars, and oh yeah its Microsoft Windows (Windows 2000/XP only) compatible.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: August 5, 2005, 11:09 am
News Source : Neowin
Download : Piccy
QuickTime 7 for Windows Public Preview 2
Apple has silently posted a new build of its QuickTime 7 for Windows to its Web site, dubbed QuickTime 7 for Windows Public Preview 2.
The original public preview release, which was posted to Apple's website on June 6, 2005, carried the build number 7.0.2.38. This "Public Preview 2" carries build number 7.0.2.63. Apple has not officially announced what has been changed, improved, or added in this new build, though it clearly shows signs of several bug fixes and general stability improvements.
QuickTime is a multimedia technology developed by Apple Computer, capable of handling various formats of digital video, sound, text, animation, music, and immersive virtual reality panoramic images. QuickTime 7 offers a step into the next generation with support for H.264 high-definition video playback, surround sound, and many more exciting new features.
You must have Windows 2000/XP in order to install the QuickTime 7 Public Preview 2 on your PC.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: July 14, 2005, 11:57 am
News Source : Apple.com
Download : Preview 2
John Romero leaves Midway
After reports started popping up yesterday on Computer Games Magazine that John Romero had left Midway, John Romero himself responded to the rumors. Originally contacted by Bluesnews about this rumor, The Romero responded in his forums:
Hey guys, I can definitely confirm that I have left Midway - I've been gone for about 3 weeks and Rhaluka and I have been traveling around and having fun together (a sort of honeymoon without going to tropical destinations).
Midway says that development of Gauntlet hasn't been impacted by my departure and is scheduled to ship this fall. I can't say anything more about the situation and hope you all understand.
I'm currently looking at lots of exciting developments right now and it'll be a couple months before I can announce my next destination.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: July 14, 2005, 11:56 am
News Source : Blues News
Skype Goes Wireless
Skype International and Boingo Wireless announced a partnership this week that will allow users to access Skype's VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol) technology from 18,000 Wi-Fi hot spots worldwide.
Available in coffee shops, book stores, and hotels, as well as other public places, Skype Zones powered by Boingo are geared not only toward business travelers and students but also toward any wireless user in search of cheap international calling, Skype spokesperson Kelly Larabee says.
Skype Zones offer VoIP users unlimited access to Boingo's public broadband for $8 per month. Also, infrequent users can pay $3 for a two hour connection, the companies say in a press release. The version of the product that is currently available on Skype's Web site is a beta one, however, and the company pointed out that prices and availability may change before the final version is released.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: July 14, 2005, 11:55 am
News Source : PCWorld
Debate Intensifies Over Hot Coffee Sex in GTA
San Andreas sex-scene mod has watchdog group barking; Dutch hacker unmasked--claims his patch only unlocks what was already in the code.
In Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, gamers can play basketball, play pool, dance, grab some fast food, buy clothes, work out at the gym, base jump, have girlfriends, and race remote-controlled cars--all completely legal activities in the real world. However, the game's main character can also shoot innocent bystanders, stomp the heads of prostitutes into a bloody pulp, and launch rocket-propelled grenades at police helicopters--all decidedly illegal outside the realm of gaming.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: July 12, 2005, 12:55 pm
News Source : Gamespot
FlatOut 2 announced
London and Los Angeles, July 11 - Vivendi Universal Games (VU Games) and Empire Interactive (Empire), a U.K. computer games developer and publisher listed on AIM, today announced an exclusive agreement by which VU Games will market and distribute in North America, Empire's multi-platform destructive racing game FlatOut 2.
FlatOut 2, one of Empire's key frontline titles, builds on the success of the first installment, also distributed in North America by VU Games. Developed by the award-winning Finnish developer Bugbear Entertainment, FlatOut 2 is an over-the-top racing game where players experience the drive of their lives as they race around fully destructible environments in one of 16 fully customizable and upgradeable cars. FlatOut 2 is expected to launch in 2006 on Sony PlayStation 2, Microsoft Xbox and PC.
"We are very thrilled about FlatOut 2 with its revolutionary physics and great gameplay," said Ian Higgins, CEO of Empire. "Teaming up with VU Games was a natural decision and we anticipate the title to be a hit on both sides of the Atlantic."
"We are excited to continue our successful relationship with Empire Interactive with the newly signed distribution agreement for FlatOut 2," said Philip W. O'Neil, Chief Operating Officer and President of North America for Vivendi Universal Games. FlatOut is scheduled to hit North American retail shelves this month, and is available for PlayStation?2 computer entertainment system, Xbox? videogame system from Microsoft and the PC.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: July 12, 2005, 12:51 pm
News Source : Neowin
Pre-release testing of Longhorn starts
Microsoft is offering a selected group of testers an early preview of Windows, Code-Name "Longhorn,". Longhorn Beta Program participants will preview software for the next generation of Windows as well as Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.
Longhorn will provide advancements in the following key areas:
# A strong focus on the fundamentals of the operating system, including advancements in reliability, performance, deployment, and ease of use.
# Major improvements to help PC users to work smarter and provide exciting new experiences for home users.
# The next-generation developer platform to make it easier for developers to create breakthrough applications.
News Posted by : DoDgEtHiS On
: July 12, 2005, 12:50 pm
News Source : Microsoft
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