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Google planning 7-inch Amazon Kindle competitor

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 11:25:00 +0000

Google has already taken internet search and the phone world by storm. The latter with its Android operating system. Now there are rumours that Google is planning to introduce a 7-inch tablet computer. A competitor to the Apple iPad? Possibly, but it looks like Google has the Amazon Kindle Fire in its sights instead.

An analyst told CNET that the Google-branded tablet will have a 7-inch 1280×800 display and run the latest Android 4.0 “Ice Cream Sandwich” operating system.

Samsung Galaxy tab 2: 7-inch ebook-beater

Rather than be marketed as a premium tablet in the same vein as Apple’s iPad 2, it is believed that a Google tablet will be tilted more towards a mid-entry audience, and those that love to read on-the-go.

A rumoured price of around $199 would appear to fit such plans. The Amazon Kindle Fire is currently on sale in the US for the same price. By comparison a minimum specced iPad 2 starts from £399 in the UK – significant price difference.

Amazon Kindle 9-inch tablet on the way?

Meanwhile it is thought that Amazon could be going the opposite way by releasing a 9-inch Amazon Kindle Fire, while others including Samsung are downsizing towards 7-inches like Samsung’s latest Galaxy Tab 2 shows.

But don’t think Amazon is forgetting its Kindle eReader fans. Yesterday we told you how Amazon could be about to unleash a new wave of eReaders that use coloured E-ink possibly shipping as early as next month.

Where do you stand on the tablet debate? Is bigger better? If you own a tablet, let us know what you use it for.

http://fwd.channel5.com/gadget-show/gadget-news/amazon-kindle-colour-set-to-brighten-up-our-lives”>Amazon Kindle colour set to brighten up our lives
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Sega Dreamcast classic Jet Set Radio skating to Xbox 360, PS3

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:59:00 +0000

Fans of the ill-fated, but much-loved Sega Dreamcast console are in for a treat with this one. Dreamcast classic Jet Set Radio is heading to Xbox 360 and PS3. Sega teased a re-release of the game in a trailer that all but confirms a possible HD remake of the classic skating game.

Sega stuck up the trailer on its official blog last night, set to a pumping Jet Set Radio-like soundtrack teasing “the next Dreamcast game on XBLA and PSN”. Note the little radio logo. Oh yes. Jet Set Radio is coming, gaming fans.

7 gaming sequels potentially better than Assassin’s Creed 3

The original Jet Set Radio is a classic in gaming history, still looked back on with fond memories by both Sega and Dreamcast fans.

If a list were drawn up of the games fans would love to see remade or re-imagined, you can bet Jet Set Radio would be among them. It won’t be the first time a Dreamcast title was re-released.

Other Dreamcast games to have recently popped up for download include: Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi and Space Channel 5: Part 2. Heady times for Dreamcast fans. The original Dreamcast SoulCalibur also arrived on iPhone and iPad last month.

Now, if only we could get Sega to re-release Shenmue. Who else wants to see that? Did you own a Dreamcast? Let us know in the comments below.

SoulCalibur for iPhone and iPad out now
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Samsung Zipel oven: cook using your Android phone

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Smartphones these days can do a lot of things. But did you know they can cook your dinner? That is, if you happen to get your hands on Samsung’s new Zipel oven. The Samsung Zipel oven can be controlled using a smartphone app to cook a range of preset recipes.

The Samsung Zipel oven, or Samsung MC368GAAW5A to quote its model number has just been released in Korea. It’s one of the many smart devices we’re sure to see appear this year following CES 2012 – where smart applications were a major theme.

5 technologies we’d like to see shared between devices

Speaking of apps, the Zipel oven can be controlled using one capable of remotely setting the oven to cook 160 preset dishes as long as the smartphone being used is connected to a Wi-Fi network.

Although we’re sure that functionality isn’t tied to being in the vicinity of your local Wi-Fi network. We quite like the idea of being able to pre-heat the oven just before we get home. The Samsung Zipel oven even lets you know the weight and nutritional content of your grub.

There is the downside that you may have to somehow order a Samsung Zipel oven from Korea, or hunt one down should it arrive in the UK, but we can at least catch a glimpse at what our smartphones are capable of. We have of course seen this kind of thing before, with kitchens you can control using your iPod.  

 Control your kitchen with your iPod 

 Of course there is the culinary conundrum that you’d still need to put the food in the oven yourself. Are the smartphone skills of the Samsung Zipel oven a gimmick, or the future of home cooking. Send us your thoughts.
Read Samsung Zipel oven: cook using your Android phone on 5FWD

4G in the UK, courtesy of Everything Everywhere

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 08:32:00 +0000

Everything Everywhere, the umbrella company set up by T-Mobile and Orange has announced plans to launch 4G mobile connectivity in the UK this year to give kickstart 4G phone coverage with broadband-like internet speeds.

Subject to approval by governing body OfCom, the plan is to launch 4G across Britain, spelling faster internet speeds for smartphones and improved phone coverage.

“Everything Everywhere’s vision is to launch 4G for Britain as soon as possible, and the roll out of 3.5G HSPA+ and our 4G trials across Britain are major steps towards delivering on that promise” says Everything Everywhere CEO Olaf Swantee.

LG Optimus 3D Max: the do-it-all 3D video wonder

How soon? Everything Everywhere hopes for a 4G roll out before the end of the year, with initial trials taking place in Bristol in April. If all goes to plan we could soon see 4G broadband-like speeds sweeping the nation, possibly ahead of rival network O2, who also have 4G plans lined up.

Unlike in the US, there are no 4G-enabled phones, but with 4G set to arrive, that could all change, opening the gadget floodgates for 4G-equipped phones with breakneck internet speeds. It could be the best thing to happen to the UK tech scene this year.

What do you reckon, gadget fans? Excited about the possibility of owning a 4G smartphone?

Top 5 smartphone launches we’re excited about
Read 4G in the UK, courtesy of Everything Everywhere on 5FWD

The Gadget Show rebooted for 2012

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:33:00 +0000

Channel 5 today announced that The Gadget Show will return to our screens this Spring in a new, revamped format. The brand new series will take the show on the road, as presenters Jason Bradbury and Pollyanna Woodward travel the globe to test the latest in consumer gadgetry.

Each week The Gadget Show: World Tour will see Jason and Pollyanna undertake an international gadget road trip. From Abu Dhabi to Silicon Valley, from New York to Monaco, our pair of gadget experts will give their verdict on the very latest high-street tech, as well as stopping off to showcase more cutting-edge technology.

On its travels, the show will be visiting Japan, the USA, the Mediterranean, and the UAE to test the best smartphones, laptops, TV’s, gaming consoles and cameras on the market. In the first episode, the show lands in Tokyo in search of parts to build a winning robot for a robot fighting tournament.

We’ll have more for you about this exciting new series over the coming days and weeks!
Read The Gadget Show rebooted for 2012 on 5FWD

Apple iPad 3: the biggest rumours all in one place

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 14:07:00 +0000

If rumour is to be believed, Apple is ready to unveil the next generation of iPad as early next month. In typical Apple fashion, the Cupertino-based company is giving nothing away. But that hasn’t stopped the gadget world speculating. To keep you in the know, here’s a roundup of just some of the the latest, best and most exciting Apple iPad 3 rumours doing the rounds.

From more powerful processors to meatier 8-megapixel cameras, we’ve got the lowdown on the iPad 3 grapevine. Check out the latest iPad 3 rumours below.

iPad 3 will have a quad-core processor

Of all the Apple iPad 3 rumours, talk of a quad-core processor appears to be the most common. Dual-core processors are so 2011 these days, and Apple needs to be seen to be pushing out the best, fastest customer-friendly tablet around. The iPad 3 will need to be quick if it is to continue as the leading tablet for gadget fans and tablet first-timers, especially if it is to cement its reputation as an alternative gaming device.

Siri voice integration

Siri voice integration made its debut on the Apple iPhone 4S. It’s still one of the flagship iPhone features that despite its critics will continue to be taken seriously by Apple. So don’t be surprised to see the feature included as part of the iPad 3’s repertoire, letting you set reminders and check the weather using the power of your vocal chords.

It will have a larger 8-megapixel sensor

Recently-leaked photos revealed what appears to be a larger camera sensor for the iPad 3, which would fit in nicely with word of an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera. But does the iPad 3 need it?

An iPhone 4-like Retina Display

As rumour has it, the iPad 3 will feature a larger version of Apple’s much-heralded Retina Display. Looking at its rivals such as the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, with its IPS display and others, an improvement on the iPad 2 display looks a no-brainer. The bottom line is that games, photos, films and internet browsing will look as spectacular on iPad 3 as it does on the iPhone 4S.

It won’t look all that different to the iPad 2  Besides a few more tapered edges, a larger camera sensor and a slighter bulkier derrière, the iPad 3 will not look all that different from the current-gen iPads. As we’ve seen in the past, once Apple has a design, it tends to stick with it, only making few minor design tweaks. The iPad 2 and iPad 3 will look nearly identical.

Longer battery life

The (rumoured) extra bulk suggests that the iPad 3 may feature a longer battery life. Currently the iPad 2 sports a 10-hour battery life, so anything extra is a bonus. 12 hours, perhaps?

The iPad 3 will be out next month  Apple doesn’t always wait long between launching a product and having it arrive in stores. It is believed that the iPad 3 will hit the shops just weeks after Apple’s March 7 event. If you haven’t started saving up, now’s the time.

Heard any more Apple iPad 3 rumours? Let us know
Read Apple iPad 3: the biggest rumours all in one place on 5FWD

Alan Wake’s American Nightmare awakens on Xbox Live

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:41:00 +0000

Fans of supernatural thriller Alan Wake can sigh with delight. The next instalment of of the Alan Wake franchise – titled Alan Wake’s Nightmare – is now available to download on Xbox 360. The downloadable adventure is a scary stand-alone spin-off adventure that literally sheds new light on protagonist Alan Wake’s world.

Alan Wake’s American Nightmare, has the checkered shirt-wearing-torch-bearing writer stuck in the middle of some alternate world in the hunt for an evil doppelgänger called Mr. Scratch, who is after Wake’s wife.

Alan Wake’s Night Springs is coming to Xbox Live

This odd turn of events forces Wake to somehow learn to control reality and the world around him to unravel the secrets needed to see off Mr. Scratch. We’re sure it’s as weird as it sounds.

As is custom these days, Alan Wake’s American Nightmare comes with its own “Fight till Dawn” survival style mode in which Wake wards off waves of enemies in an attempt to rack up the highest score possible using guns and flares. Online leaderboards add a little spicy incentive to play on.

Alan Wake’s American Nightmare is available to download now from Xbox Live for 1,200 Microsoft Points. PC player? Alan Wake for PC finally arrives in stores on March 2. An Alan Wake Collector’s Edition will also be available, containing a 144-page Alan Wake book, double-sided poster, concept art and extra in-game content for £29.99.

If you’ve already downloaded Alan Wake’s American Nightmare don’t forget to let us know what you think of it in the comments below.

Alan Wake Collector’s Edition for PC goodies outed
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Samsung Series 9 notebook out February 25, for a price

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 10:36:00 +0000

Samsung has finally announced when we’ll be able to get our hands on its luscious, jaw-droppingly thin Samsung Series 9 notebook. The aluminium MacBook Air rival will hit the shops on February 25. But only if those shops are John Lewis. But don’t let that put you off – the Samsung Series 9 is a powerful laptop with specs that make it worth checking out.

Department Store John Lewis has scored a major coup here, nabbing exclusive selling rights to the Samsung Series 9 notebook. Taking a look at the Series 9, we can see why. The Samsung Series 9 is one of the most gorgeous laptops we’ve seen.

Top 5 ultrabooks at CES 2012

Its sand-blasted aluminium body is a real eye-catcher. The Samsung Series 9 13.3-inch laptop comes with an Intel Core i5 processor, 128GB SSD storage and an impressive 10 hour battery life. That’s as good as any laptop out there. By comparison, Apple’s MacBook Air has a maximum 7-hour battery life.

The screen is a particular highlight. It uses Samsung’s HD+ SuperBright Plus technology to deliver better quality images, adept at displaying HD graphics at more viewing angles.

However the Samsung Series 9 comes at a price. At £1,200 the Series 9 laptop certainly isn’t cheap. A more cost-efficient alternative this summer could be the new Asus Transformer Prime TF700, which like the Samsung Series 9 has a metal chassis, HD skills and some decent specs. Read more about the Asus Transformer Prime TF700 at the link below.

Will you be heading to John Lewis to pick up the Samsung Series 9? Let us know.

Asus Transformer Prime TF700 laptop out this summer
Read Samsung Series 9 notebook out February 25, for a price on 5FWD

LG Optimus 3D Max: The do-it-all 3D video wonder

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Following the reveal of the LG Optimus VU, LG has gone to town once more to unveil the LG Optimus 3D Max. It’s a new phone with 3D fully on the agenda. Like the Nintendo 3DS it offers glasses-free 3D viewing out of the box: 3D Google Maps, 3D video editing, 3D entertainment. In fact, everything 3D.

LG says the Optimus Max 3D was designed to take entertainment to a new level. And if you haven’t already guessed, that means making everything 3D. Owners will be able to view 3D photos taken by its dual 5-megapixel cameras, and view 3D video.

LG Optimus VU official: 5-inch smartphone or mini tablet?

The ability to convert boring old 2D Google Maps into 3D visuals on the phone also sounds like a fascinating little feature. Games, too will be optimised into the third dimension. All this without the need to don a pair of 3D glasses. And if you’re 3D-phobic you’ll always have the option to view in 2D. Just don’t tell LG.

On top of all that 3D goodness, the LG Optimus 3D Max is a powerful handset that comes with a 4.3-inch screen, 1.2GHz dual core processor and 16 GB built-in storage which to store all those 3D photos and videos you’ll be capturing.

NFC technology letting you easily share information between handsets will come baked in, but the latest Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system will not. LG promises this update will happen soon after launch.

The LG Optimus 3D Max will first launch in Korea in March, before spreading its 3D wings to Europe. Its first public showing will be at MWC 2012 in just five days time, where we’ll no doubt see more of the rather odd 4:3 square-shaped LG Optimus VU smartphone. Who knows what else LG will come up with next.

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Read LG Optimus 3D Max: The do-it-all 3D video wonder on 5FWD

Nokia teases Pure View: Nokia N8 successor awaits

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:42:00 +0000

Nokia has fuelled rumours of a successor to its 12-megapixel Nokia N8 phone by releasing a trailer for something called Pure View. The video ends by asking viewers to “Get ready to capture a pure view.” Ahead of MWC 2012, it’s looking increasingly likely that Nokia has another turbo-charged camera phone lined up, rumoured to be the Nokia Pureview 808. Coincidence? Unlikely…

The video also features captions such as “Pure detail” and “pure definition” that suggesting that Nokia is about to unleash another mega camera-phone soon. Very soon, in fact. The video ends with the Nokia logo and a 27 February date.

Nokia Lumia 610 budget Windows Phone set for MWC 2012

Nokia has yet to confirm what the trailer is for exactly, but put two-and-two together and it’s looking more likely that we could see Nokia release a camera phone that surpasses even the 12-megapixel talents of the Nokia N8.

Should the Pure view does turn out to be a new phone, it is unclear whether the new handset will fall in with Nokia’s Nokia Belle Symbian range or the latest addition to Nokia’s Windows phones. Rumours suggest the former, as Nokia plans another stab at revolutionising smartphone photography.

MWC 2012 kicks off on 27 February, also the day of Nokia’s announcement. We’ll be sure to bring you all the developments from the unveiling when they happen. Watch this space.

Nokia Lumia 800 white edition out this March
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7 gaming sequels potentially better than Assassins Creed 3

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:32:00 +0000

Confirmation of Assassin’s Creed 3 arriving this October got us thinking about what super gaming sequels we’ll see hitting the shops this year. Turns out there are loads!

The best thing about them is that far from publishers milking it, the majority of this year’s sequels are reinventions of a successful series, bringing new experiences to our favourite video game franchises. From Mass Effect 3 to Halo 4, here are some of the best.

Mass Effect 3

Few games series combine action, storytelling and raw emotion like the Mass Effect games do. The third part in the trilogy is sure to pull a few heartstrings, as Commander Shepard makes what could be a last stand for the sake of humanity. Mass Effect 3 is the first game in the series to launch across multiple formats and have multiplayer, leaving us with even more reason to look forward to it.

Halo 4 

Unlike Halo: Reach (which was a prequel), Halo 4 is a direct follow-up to the events of Halo 3, where legendary protagonist Master Chief once again finds himself faced with a serious evil that threatens the fate of the universe. Halo 4 is the beginning of a new trilogy. It could be special.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 2  

OK, we admit to knowing next to nothing about this one, but a Black Ops 2 sequel has pretty much been confirmed. Given the record-breaking success of the last Call of Duty game, we just couldn’t leave it out. You’ll be hearing lots more about this Black Ops 2 in the coming months.

Max Payne 3 

Late last year we paid a little trip to Rockstar Games’ London office for a sneak look at Max Payne 3 in action for the first time. We can report that Max Payne fans will be very pleased with how it’s coming along. As the premise goes, Max ends up in Brazil where as usual, trouble finds him. Rockstar Games is keeping the main story details a secret here, but what we can say is that Max Payne 3 looks like being a lot of fun.

Prototype 2  

We’ve already played this one, and can safely say that, even after just a couple of hours play, it’s already looking better than its predecessor. Just read our hands-on Prototype 2 preview to see what we mean. Prototype 2 delivers more weapons, better missions and a story that certainly keeps us in suspense.   

Far Cry 3

 Far Cry 2 was a prime example of sandbox gaming done properly. It provided miles upon miles of gaming freedom to do almost anything you wanted. We’ve still to see any Far Cry 3 gameplay footage, but a recently released trailer had us as pumped as we’ll ever be for a game. Few details have been revealed, but we do know that players choice of actions will impact on the story. It’s the consequences of these actions that we’re most looking forward to discovering for ourselves.  

Resident Evil 6

If Resident Evil 6 can deliver upon the same shock and awe provided by its official announcement trailer we could be onto something special here. Protagonists Leon S. Kennedy and Chris Redfield return to face another biochemical disaster that, yep, you guessed it, has left the undead roaming cities across the world. China, in this case. Resident Evil 6 combines the action of recent Resident Evil games with the slow horror gameplay of the originals.

There are of course plenty of more games that we just don’t have the room (or time) to mention. Which sequels are you most looking forward to?
Read 7 gaming sequels potentially better than Assassins Creed 3 on 5FWD

Street Fighter X Tekken to hit up PlayStation Vita this autumn

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:57:00 +0000

Capcom has confirmed that long-awaited beat-em-up Street Fighter X Tekken will launch on PlayStation Vita this autumn, boosted by extra content and 12 additional characters exclusive to the new Sony handheld edition. Exciting stuff. Read on to discover who those new fighters are.

For those that have not yet caught up, Street Fighter X Tekken is a new game published by Capcom that, for the first time features characters from both the Street Fighter and Tekken series. Fights take place using a tag-team format in battles letting players decide once and for all, who is the best.

Street Fighter X Tekken: 5 things you need to know

Unlike the Xbox 360 version, PS3 game will feature exclusive characters that you won’t see on the Xbox 360 edition. Capcom has now confirmed that the PlayStation Vita version, too, will also be blessed with exclusives.

The PlayStation Vita version will feature 12 additional Street Fighter characters: Elena, Guy, Cody, Sakura, Dudley. New Tekken characters included are: Alisa, Christie, Jack, Bryan, Lars and Lei.

We’re sure those extra characters will cross over to the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC at some point , but for now the extra character boost gives gamers an extra reason to pick up a PlayStation Vita and a copy of Street Fighter X Tekken. While we know the console versions will appear on 9 March, an exact Autumn launch date for Playstation Vita has not been confirmed.

Street Fighter not your bag? Then check out our Soul Calibur 5 review. Which fighting game(s) will you be picking up this year?

PlayStation Vita or Nintendo 3DS: Everything you need to know
Read Street Fighter X Tekken to hit up PlayStation Vita this autumn on 5FWD

Prototype 2 preview

fwd@five.tv (Stephen Ebert) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:18:00 +0000

By developer Radical Entertainment’s admission, the first Prototype game wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Lessons have been learnt and Prototype 2 for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC is shaping up to be the badass blood and guts free-for-all the original should have been. The sequel puts a new protagonist at the heart of a crimson-stained, virus-stricken city, armed with mutant appendages and a hot temper. Ahead of release Stephen Ebert had a first play.

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Canadian developer Radical Entertainment begins by introducing Prototype 2 in an almost apologetic fashion, eager to put the past behind them, learn from mistakes, and deliver a sock-rocking sequel to shock and awe. Drastic steps have been taken to achieve this. There’s a new protagonist for a start.

Alex Mercer? He’s still kicking about, but this time you’re in control of Sergeant James Heller – an angry man with a thirst for revenge, placing the blame for the death of his family firmly at the feet of Mercer.

A chance meeting and a failed revenge attempt later ends up with them both being allies (sort of) and Mercer transformed into a mutant imbued with superhuman strength and the capacity to cause carnage. It’s not long before Heller the man mutant becomes public enemy number one, and an “all against me” mentality develops. Now Heller’s the bad guy on-the-run from the might of the police and military, on foot in a heavily patrolled New York overrun with nasties.

We played a few missions that mainly had us to-ing and fro-ing from location to location, with controls tailored to give you the freedom of the city. The ability to walk up walls, glide from rooftop-to-rooftop and parkour your way through the Big Apple, evading capture from a ‘Blackwatch’ enemy organisation out to hunt you down delivers the kind of superhero feeling that Radical Entertainment clearly believes has been lacking.

Beginning the game, it’s up to Heller to acquire some of his more lethal powers. Weapons included a pair of Freddie Krueger claws, a blade, a thorny whip that extends from Heller’s arms and tendrils that can be used to string up multiple enemies like puppets.

The in-game physics guarantees a different-looking outcome each time these are used, as enemies, objects and vehicles are sent flying and dangling from the sticky tentacled appendages unleashed by Heller. The ability to level up each of these lets players customise their style of play to their strengths and preferences.

Free reign to cause anarchy lets players rip off tank turrets to use as handheld firearms, pluck helicopters from the sky, and hijack vehicles to toss into the air, before striking a pose as you send them hurtling back down to Earth in a Kodak moment.

Radical Entertainment is keeping the rest a secret, leaving us with plenty to look forward to. What of the unlikely Mercer/Heller friendship? Where next will the story go? And what else is different are all questions to which this developer is not quite ready to answer just yet. Instead we’re left with a lasting, positive impression of a potentially very enjoyable sandbox game full of all the toys that Prototype fans had hoped for.

Prototype 2 hits the shops on 24 April 2012
Read Prototype 2 preview on 5FWD

Apple iTunes Store set for a makeover?

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:16:00 +0000

It’s all going on at Apple HQ. Following rumours that Apple is set to launch an iPad 3 next month, comes word that its iTunes music store is in for a design refresh later this year. It would be the first major iTunes Store makeover since 2009. Does the iTunes store need it? Read on and we’ll tell you why it does…

A report claims that redesigning the iTunes Store is one of Apple’s top priorities, in a busy year that could also see a new iPad, and a successor to the iPhone 4S hit the shops. An Apple iPhone 5, as it were.

Check out our gadget reviews!

The new iTunes Store will continue to run in its own application on MAC and PC computers, and of course on the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. The new design will be more user-friendly, faster and more efficient, 9to5Mac says.

Apple iTunes Store remains a world leader in customer activity, but even now, navigating the iTunes Store can be a cumbersome experience. Locating the latest apps is frustrating, and hitting back can cause an entire page refresh, rather than take users to the last page of apps they were looking at – resulting in the need to spend longer looking for what they want.

Sure, it gets potential customers spending more time browsing the store, increasing the chances of an impulse app buy or two, but any refresh will need to get the balance between encouraging spend, and delivering a pleasing shopping experience just right.

And with two major Apple product launches tipped for 2012, and Android phones and Windows Phone handsets and their respective app stores increasing in popularity, there has never been a better time for Apple to step it up store-wise.

What do you think? Is Apple’s iTune’s Store in need of a redesign?

Check out our gadget reviews!
Read Apple iTunes Store set for a makeover? on 5FWD

Nike Flyknit Racers make marathons look easy

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:46:00 +0000

This year is as important a year for sport as it is tech. Gearing up for the London 2012 Olympics Nike has unveiled its new Nike FlyKnit Racers – advanced running shoes built using the latest marathon-winning technology, weighing just 160 grams and set to have Olympians gunning for gold this summer.

The technology behind the Nike FlyKnit Racer has been four years in the making. Teams of programmers, engineers and designers have combined their skills to produce what Nike says is the lightest running shoe Nike has ever made.

Read our sports gadgets reviews

Nike claims Nike FlyKnit Racer “revolutionises running by rethinking show construction from the ground up”. Weighing just 160 grams, it is in fact lighter than the Nike Zoom Streak 3, shoe worn by first, second and third-placed athletes in the marathon at the 2011 World Championships. In other words, the Nike FlyKnit Racer is a running shoe built for gold medal-winning champions.

Nike is calling it a second skin, clearly built for runners that want to run out of their own. Nike says we can expect to see the Nike FlyKnit+ being worn by many of the world’s top athletes at this year’s Olympics. Assuming you can make them out from the fast-moving blur, that is.

Nike also released the Nike Flyknit Trainer+ – a trainer for non-athletes that weighs just over 200 grams for runners of all levels. The Nike Flyknit Racer and Nike Flyknit Trainer+ will be available to buy from July 2012.

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Read Nike Flyknit Racers make marathons look easy on 5FWD

Amazon Kindle Colour set to brighten up our lives?

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:48:00 +0000

The Amazon Kindle Fire does not look like coming to the UK anytime soon. Instead, we could see the arrival of a new Amazon Kindle eReader that uses coloured E-Ink. Sound like something you’d be tempted with? Read on to find out more about the Kindle Colour…

Rumours of a Kindle Colour have been spreading after it was discovered that a company has already taken orders for a 6-inch colour E-book reader from Amazon.

DigiTimes (via China’s Economic Daily News report) reports that E Ink manufacturer E Ink Holdings has taken an order for 6-inch colour Amazon eReaders, with shipments to begin in March.

9-inch Amazon Kindle Fire on the way?

That could mean that the entire Amazon Kindle eReader line is due an upgrade to colour in as little time as a month. Amazon has yet to announce such a thing, however the news report claims that, starting next month, up to three million units a month will be shipped.

In the UK at least, a colour upgrade from the current Amazon Kindle eReader would be a more likely addition to Amazon’s current crop of eReaders. The E-Ink connection is particularly intriguing, suggesting that the next Amazon tablet will not mimic the multimedia talents of the Amazon Kindle fire (which does not use E Ink), but that it’ll be another device purely dedicated to reading books, magazines, and browsing the web.

That rules out Amazon gunning for the Apple iPad with another tablet alternative. Although we’d still love to see the Amazon Kindle Fire hit UK shores. Check out our ‘Amazon Kindle Fire: Why we want one now feature to see why.

However, a colour Amazon Kindle eReader would be more than a welcome upgrade for the thousands of UK Amazon Kindle fans. Would you upgrade to a colour eReader? Let us know…

Apple iPad 3 :What we’d like to see
Read Amazon Kindle Colour set to brighten up our lives? on 5FWD

Buyers guide: Must-have earphones for under £60

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:26:00 +0000

Not investing in a top quality pair of earphones is one of the cardinal gadget sins. A good pair of earphones can enhance any music collection. Look around and you’ll discover some great earphones for prices that won’t break the bank. Read on our pick of the must-have earphones for under £60.

From £15 to £55 – we’ve picked out a handful of earphones that offer excellent sound quality at prices to suit all budgets. Each worthy of replacing the default earphones that came packaged with your smartphone or MP3 players. Check ‘em out:

SoundMagic E10

For around £34 (cheaper if you look around) these dashing SoundMagic E10 earphones prove that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy excellent sound quality. They excel in delivering sound with plenty of detail, also combining powerful bass to deliver sound on par with more pricier earphones. The in-ear design keeps all of the sound in your ears – guaranteeing that you won’t disturb anyone on the bus. For the price, they are exceptionally well-made.

Sennheiser CX 300 II

Sennheiser makes some great luxury earphones, but they do some exceptionally good cheaper sets, too. For around £25 the Sennheiser CX 300 II remains one of the most popular. If high levels of bass is your thing, these are the way to go.

JVC HAFX1X Xtreme Xplosives

Like the Sennheiser CX 300 II, the JVC HAFX1X Xtreme Xplosives also deliver exceptionally strong bass for such a cheap pair of earphones. £15, to be exact. The clue is on the name – extreme bass is the order of the day. There’s something to be said for the styling on the eartips, but look past that and you’ll discover a pair of headphones that deal with high bass levels as effortlessly as earphones costing up to four times as much.

RHA MA-350

As budget earphones go, the RHA MA-350s are some of the best. For around £30 you get a solid pair of earphones made from solid aluminium, with soft silicone tips, 3.5mm gold plated connections and spare ear tips. They are comfortable to wear, deliver strong bass, as well as a good all-round sound and terrific noise isolation.

Klipsch Image S4

Klipsch is well-known on the earphone and headphone circuit for delivering accurate sound with lots of detail. At £55 they are the priciest of our picks, but for the price you get a trendy pair of earphones that perform well whatever genre of music your ears fancy. The narrow design of the Klipsch Image S4 also makes it feel comfortable in the ears, too.
Read Buyers guide: Must-have earphones for under £60 on 5FWD

Nintendo 3DS fastest console to five million sales in Japan

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:40:00 +0000

The PlayStation Vita might be stealing the limelight these days, but there’s no forgetting the Nintendo 3DS. Following a stuttering post-release period, Nintendo’s handheld console is doing great. It is in fact the fastest ever console to hit 5 million sales in Japan, 52 weeks after its February 26, 2011 launch.

Nintendo’s 3DS console excited many upon its initial unveiling. It’s the first ever glasses-free console, after all. Initial excitement soon turned into concern, when sales started slipping and Nintendo admitted to failings over pricing and design.  

Nintendo 3DS review

The price was soon dropped, and an Ambassador Programme was made available giving early Nintendo 3DS adopters access to free downloadable games. And those design flaws? To counter the lack of a second analogue stick, Nintendo released a Circle Pad Pro attachment that slots onto the console, adding an extra analogue stick and a better grip.

It all seems to be paying off. The previous record holder was the original Nintendo DS, which reached the milestone after 56 weeks (four weeks later) and Game Boy Advance (58 weeks). Those aren’t shipped figures either, these are actual sales. Not bad for a console that has had more than its share of problems.

Most recent estimates put Nintendo 3DS sales at around 15 million. We’re sure some great games will go some way to bumping those figures up. There are some great games on the way including Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D, Luigi’s Mansion 2 and games more popular among casual and Japanese audiences such as Brain Training 3D and Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance.

Do you own a Nintendo 3DS? Are you satisfied with the console and its game selection? Let us know.

Nintendo 3DS review
Read Nintendo 3DS fastest console to five million sales in Japan on 5FWD

Sony ST25i aka Xperia U photos emerge ahead of MWC 2012

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:25:00 +0000

In the run up to Mobile World Congress, the phone world continues to leak more than a dodgy plumbing job. The above photo reportedly shows the soon-to-be-announced Sony Xperia U, formerly known as the Kumquat and ST 25i. Read on for more details on the dinky Sony phone. Quick! before its name changes once more…

Specs on Sony’s latest phone have been rather elusive, but we can clearly see thanks to a leaked photo, that the Sony Xperia U will be another addition to Sony’s band of small handsets. Sony is of course no stranger to midget handsets, having previously launched the Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini, and Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro.

Sony Ericsson ST25i Kumquat forst picture leaks ahead of MWC 2012

The latest word on specs reports a a 3.5-inch display, dual-core 1GHz processor (previously thought to be 1.5GHz), 512MB RAM and a 5-megapixel rear camera with full 1080p HD recording talents. As earlier photos revealed, the Sony Xperia U sports an unusual looking white bar towards the bottom, said to house the handsets aerial. We’re hoping it won’t cause the annoying call-dropping that took the shine of Apple’s iPhone 4.

Also note the Sony Ericsson branding – soon to be replaced by pure Sony branding following the company’s purchase of Ericsson to manufacture phones under the Sony label.

The Sony Xperia U is reportedly in line for a Mobile World Congress 2012 unveiling, where we’ll know a lot more about Sony’s intentions for its latest mini mobile. Till then, we’ll just have to sit tight for more info. MWC 2012 can’t come soon enough.

Source

Panasonic Eluga: The Chuck Norris of designer smartphones
Read Sony ST25i aka Xperia U photos emerge ahead of MWC 2012 on 5FWD

Sony claims 'PlayStation Vita is a 10-year platform'

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:24:00 +0000

The PlayStation Vita may be a pricey bit of gaming kit, but it’s totally worth it, says Sony Computer Entertainment – as the company predicts a 10-year life cycle for the handheld. Meanwhile Sony boss Shuhei Yoshida claims that the 3G PlayStation Vita is the future of handheld gaming. He could be right. Here’s why…

In an interview with GameTrailers, Sony marketing boss Guy Longworth praised the excited reaction to the PlayStation Vita’s launch, and was typically bullish about the lifespan and success of the console in years to come.

PS Vita or Nintendo 3DS: Everything you need to know

“We see this as a five to 10 year platform, so we’ll judge the success of this in 12, 24, 36 months. We expect to have a great launch, but it’s really in 12 or 24 months we’ll know how successful it has been.”

Ten years is a heck of a long time, but far from talking baloney, Sony has a strong record when it comes to the 10-year promise. Both the original PlayStation (PSone) and Playstation 2 lasted the pace, and are still played today 18 years and 13 years on respectively. The PlayStation 3 is currently in its sixth year, and still going strong. And even now developers are only just starting to push its graphical powers to its limits.

However, achieving such a lifecycle with a handheld is now considerably more difficult. The ability to download cheap, and sometimes free games to smartphones has put accessible gaming into more hands, as tech lovers increasingly want their devices to perform as many functions as possible, without the extra spend on a dedicated handheld console.

Like smartphones, the PlayStation Vita is available with 3G, which according to Sony’s Yoshida is a safeguard against customers investment, giving Sony the ability to add extra features to the console down the line.

“3G is our investment in the future. I hope some consumers will believe in that investment of their money for the future. These systems last many years, and we will upgrade firmware, add new features, but it’s not easy to update hardware,” he told Industry Gamers.

But if anyone can make a console last 10-years, it’s Sony. Have you pre-ordered a PlayStation Vita? Let us know.

Call of Duty confirmed for PS Vita, Black Ops 2 leaked
Read Sony claims ‘PlayStation Vita is a 10-year platform’ on 5FWD

Panasonic Eluga: The Chuck Norris of designer smartphones?

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:47:00 +0000

Panasonic isn’t a name we’re used to seeing in the smartphone arena, but it’s now making a comeback, with the Panasonic Eluga. The Panasonic Eluga is a 4.3-inch smartphone with a not-too-shabby clean rectangular design, NFC talents and dust and waterproof credentials.

Panasonic could not have chosen a more competitive time to re-enter the smartphone market. Apple’s iPhone, and numerous Android handsets remain dominant. And then we have the impending rise of Windows Phone devices. But re-enter the smartphone market Panasonic has with a smartphone called the Eluga that at least looks the part.

Motorola’s first intel-powered phone leaks ahead of MWC 2012

The 4.3-inch Panasonic Eluga, reportedly out this March features minimalist rectangular looks in a clutter-free design. The Panasonic Eluga also weighs just 103 grams and has a slim 7.8mm profile.

As specs and features go, there’s a dual-core 1GHz processor, an 8GB internal memory and an 8-megapixel camera. According to Panasonic, the Eluga is also dust-proof and waterproof – the kind of boasts you’d normally hear associated with much more rugged-looking handsets.

Unfortunately the Panasonic Eluga will not have the latest Android 4.0 operating system at launch, although Panasonic reassures that an update will come out this summer. So keep your eyes peeled for that one.

The big question is whether gadget fans will take to a new competitor in the market, where brand loyalty counts for a lot. Mobile World Congress at the end of the month will see new phones from almost every phone manufacturer, bar Apple.

Would you buy a new Panasonic in favour of a HTC, Sony, Nokia, Motorola or BlackBerry?

Top 5 smartphones form CES 2012
Read Panasonic Eluga: The Chuck Norris of designer smartphones? on 5FWD

Bondi

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:04:34 +0000

Bondi is something of a gadget you never really knew you needed, or even wanted or that matter. Essentially, it’s a hanger for your smartphone in the shape of a body. The trick is, you wrap the silicone arms around your phone it hold sit firmly in place, while the coat-hangar head allows you to hang it from just about anywhere.
Read the full Bondi review on 5FWD

PlayStation Vita or Nintendo 3DS? Everything you need to know!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:33:00 +0000

This week sees the arrival of the PlayStation Vita in the UK. The new Sony handheld console combines home console-quality graphics, new innovations, and a killer launch game line-up. If you’ve read our PlayStation Vita review you will already know how much we love it. It’s a great bit of kit. But then there’s the Nintendo 3DS – the first ever glasses-free console, which we also love. Which one to buy? To help you decide, we’ve compared the two, right here…

For different reasons we love both the PlayStation Vita and Nintendo 3DS. Both however, are very different bits of kit, each with their own flaws and strengths. Before heading out to buy either, here are a few things to consider:

Games

Great games make for a great console. The PlayStation Vita has one of the best launch line-ups seen on a new handheld. Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Motorstorm RC, WipEout 2048 and Marvel Vs Capcom 3 are just a handful of launch games available from day one. Expect more ports of familiar franchises including Call of Duty, the new Street Fighter X Tekken game, and new PlayStation Vita titles on the way in future. Sony’s vision is to deliver powerful handheld gaming. It’s like having a PS3 you can take with you.

The Nintendo 3DS doesn’t quite match the raw power of the PlayStation Vita, but but there are plenty of great titles, that still look fantastic on the Nintendo 3DS. Highlights include the quite awesome Super Mario 3D Land, Star Fox 64 3D, Mario Kart 7, Resident Evil: Revelations. Upcoming titles will include Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D and Luigi’s Mansion 2. Past criticisms of Nintendo has been that it doesn’t supply enough ‘hardcore’ games. That has now been remedied. If there is a criticism of both consoles, it’s that many of the big games are sequels offering little new. But there’s no denying that both offer a fabulous selection of games to play.

Portability   The Nintendo 3DS is by far the more portable of the two. You could fit a Nintendo 3DS in the middle of the PlayStation Vita, and still have room to spare. However, PlayStation Vita fans can point to its larger 5-inch OLED screen. It comes down to what you believe is the most important. Bigger screen gaming, or portability? And perhaps, how much of a Nintendo fan you are.

Battery 

The price to pay for such power (PlayStation Vita) and the ability to play games in 3D (Nintendo 3DS) is battery life that fails to amaze. Expect to enjoy a maximum five-hour (give or take up to an hour depending on your settings) charge from either device. Be sure to take a charger on long journeys.

Unique features  

The PlayStation Vita’s most unique feature is its rear touchpad that changes the way we’ll play handheld games, enhancing ports such as LittleBigPlanet by encouraging players to think up new ways to play. PlayStation Vita owners will also be able to play games against those on a PS3 console using its unique Cross Play feature. So if you’re sitting in a coffee shop and using Wi-Fi, you’ll be able to play against friends on a PS3, while sipping a hot one in Starbucks.

The Nintendo 3DS is of course for its glasses-free 3D display. Despite the skeptics it really does work. To amazing effect in some cases. Although it has to be said that the 3D effect isn’t for everybody, and offers little, if anything to gameplay. A neat feature found on both handhelds is augmented reality gaming. Owners of both can snap photos of themselves and their friends to star in games.

Controls

 Controls have been a bone of contention on 3DS. The lack of two analogue sticks has upset many, forcing Nintendo to release a Circle Pad Pro attachment that docks onto the console, costing Nintendo 3DS owners extra cash for the privilege. But it’s the best way to enjoy games such as Resident Evil: Revelations. A couple of hours of play on the Nintendo 3DS can also be uncomfortable on the wrists, so breaks are advised. By contrast, the PlayStation Vita does have dual analogue sticks, and feels much more ergonomically designed, but it comes at a cost of portability.

Price

PlayStation Vita comes in two versions. A Wi-Fi model costs £229.99. A 3G/Wi-Fi model costs £279.99. But look around and you’ll find the PlayStation Vita starting from £210 with a free 8GB memory card from Amazon. New games for both cost around £30, but memory cards for the PlayStation Vita are considerably pricy. An 8GB memory card costs just as much as a game. The Nintendo 3DS costs considerably less – you’ll find it for around £134 and uses cheaper SD memory cards.

PlayStation Vita arrives in stores on 22 February. Have you pre-ordered one? Will you be queuing up at midnight to get one? Let us know in the comments section below.
Read PlayStation Vita or Nintendo 3DS? Everything you need to know! on 5FWD

Apple iPad 3 spied, bigger camera sensor, smoother design

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:55:00 +0000

By now there have been enough Apple iPad 3 rumours to pretty confirm that we will see the iPad 2 successor launched very soon. In fact, we could see the iPad 3 launched next month. What you are looking at is one of the first alleged photos of the iPad 3, with a rumoured 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and a cleaner-looking design.

If rumours are to be believed (they are certainly hotting up) we will see Apple unveil the iPad 3 at a San Francisco event next month. In the run up to March many have speculated what form the next iPad will take. Design-wise, the iPad 3 won’t look very different at all.

Apple iPad 3 to be unveiled next month

One website claims to have received a photo of the tablet via its own, unnamed sources. (see above). The shot only shows the back, but it does reveal some information about the tablet. For one, the camera sensor looks to be larger than it is on the iPad 2. A larger sensor would appear to fit in with rumours of an 8-megapixel camera.

We can also see that the iPad 3 may have a cleaner design around the back. More tapered edges and just an Apple logo on the back are the most noticeable changes here. Should the photos hold true, this may be the first glimpse of the iPad 3.

Apple has of course yet to confirm anything, and is typically keeping everything close to its chest until any official unveil takes place. Rumoured tweaks and additions include a HD Retina Display to rival IPS displays such as that on the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime, a quad-core processor and voice assistant Siri to enable tablet-based voice commands.

What do you think? Is the above shot a fake? It won’t be long now till we find out if so.

iPad 3 is coming: here’s what you might be getting
Read Apple iPad 3 spied, bigger camera sensor, smoother design on 5FWD

Call of Duty Vita confirmed, Black Ops 2 also listed on Amazon

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:55:00 +0000

How’s this for a double dose of exciting news: Sony has confirmed that Call of Duty will be heading to the PlayStation Vita handheld this autumn! And if that isn’t enough, Amazon France had listed Call of Duty sequel Black Ops 2 for pre-order, before it was swiftly taken down under instruction from Activision. That’s two Call of Duty games to look forward to this year!

In a recent interview caught on camera, Sony Computer Entertainment of America (SCEA) man Guy Longworth revealed that Sony is “really looking forward to Call of Duty on Vita.” Slip of the tongue or not, it’s official confirmation that PlayStation Vita owners have another blockbuster title to look forward to. Longworth believes it will be a “game-changer” for the platform.  

Top 8 console games we want in 2012

However, Longworth did not reveal whether Call of Duty on Vita will be a brand new dedicated Vita Call of Duty, or an older game in the series, shrunken down to liven up future train journeys.

Another interesting turn of developments has seen Amazon France list Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 for pre-order for €69.99. The listing has since been taken down under instruction from Activision. The publisher has attempted to prevent the press reporting on the story, strengthening the rumours.

From that alone, we can say that this is no longer a rumour, but fact. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is the next Call of Duty game – a direct sequel of the original Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Like 2011, this year is set to be another year of top quality first-person shooters. We’ve already had The Darkness 2 appear in stores – while others we can look forward to include Halo 4 – a proper Halo sequel – and BioShock Infinite. BioShock Infinite swaps the underwater realms of Rapture for a sprawling sky-high floating city.

There will of course be plenty more to come. Which first-person shooter are you looking forward to most this year?

Modern Warfare 3 review
Read Call of Duty Vita confirmed, Black Ops 2 also listed on Amazon on 5FWD

Budget Windows Phone Tango coming soon, real soon!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:30:00 +0000

Windows Phone Tango is the name of the next OS update and brings with it some moved needed love-in for feature freaks but also developers a budget-friendly version of Microsoft’s operating system tailored for soon-to-be-released cheaper Windows Phone handsets to go head-to-head against budget Android handsets. Read on to find out when

We’ve been waiting for a release date of Windows Phone Tango and we may now have one. If reports coming from China are to be believed, we may well see the first Windows Tango handsets in March.

Windows Phone 7 Tango isn’t quite the next generation of Windows Phone, we’ll need to wait for Apollo to land later this year, but rather an alternative version that we will soon see on more cost-friendly handsets – not the version we’ve seen on high-end phones such as the Nokia Lumia 800.

Nokia Lumia 610 budget Windows Phone set for MWC 2012

Windows Phone 7 Tango will launch on devices with lower specs. These devices have so far remained elusive, although there have been rumours that a Nokia Lumia 610 will be one of the first Windows 7 Tango phones to arrive. The Nokia Lumia 610, it is believed will be very similar in feel to the Nokia Lumia 800, with a few stripped down features, such as a lesser-specced camera.

The Chinese website WPDang believes that Microsoft China will launch Windows Phone 7 Tango sometime in March, following Mobile World Congress 2012, where will also see other Windows Phone devices from HTC and LG. We’re expecting the LG Miracle – one of LG’s latest Windows Phone devices to be one of those.

Despite being tipped for budget smartphones, Windows Tango will keep the modern looks and swipe navigation of the current Windows Phone interface, and even add new features such as the ability to add multiple attachments to MMS picture messages, including voice notes.

If reports are anything to go by, we should see the first wave of these devices by the end of the month, and hitting the stores not too long after March. Keep an eye out for more news when we hear it.

Budget Windows Phone platform Tango screenshots leaked
Read Budget Windows Phone Tango coming soon, real soon! on 5FWD

LG Optimus Vu now official: 5-inch smartphone or mini tablet?

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:24:00 +0000

LG has officially unveiled the odd-looking Optimus VU we first reported on earlier this month. We can confirm that the LG Optimus VU does indeed have a 4:3 aspect ratio display that LG says offers tablet-like viewing with smartphone portability. It’s also a powerful device – sporting a 1.5GHz processor, along with some impressive specs. But would you buy a 4:3 ratio smartphone?

The LG Optimus VU was originally teased in an trailer two weeks ago, suggesting a peculiar 4:3 form. It appeared a strange decision, and even then it was to be taken with a pinch of salt, but lo and behold, here the LG Optimus VU is, in all its 4:3 glory.

LG Optimus VU odd shaped handset teased

As confirmed earlier, the LG Optimus VU has a1.5GHz processor, accompanied by an 8-megapixel camera and up to 32GB of storage. The Android operating system is not the latest Android 4.0 (aka Ice Cream Sandwich). Owners will instead have to make do with Android 2.3. An update to Android 4.0 is planned, LG says.

A 5-inch 4:3 ratio display may not be the ideal design choice for viewing movies, but LG says says that the Optimus VU was designed to make “viewing documents, books, internet and multimedia contents easier and more comfortable.” A QuickClip hotkey acts as shortcut to your memos – while a “Rubbersium” pen (or stylus) is also supplied with taking notes in mind.

The LG Optimus Vu is a phone first and foremost, but one with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note and smaller tablets in its crosshairs, combining phone calls with tablet and quick web-browsing skills.

The LG Optimus VU will be one of the many handsets shown off at MWC 2012 from 27 February to 1 March. We’ll know then when, or if the LG Optimus VU will be coming to the UK. Would you buy one?

LG Miracle Windows Phone lives!
Read LG Optimus Vu now official: 5-inch smartphone or mini tablet? on 5FWD

Five for the weekend: Nokia Lumia 610, Playstation on HTC phones, Assassin’s Creed 3

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:47:00 +0000

As another five days of gadget goodness comes to an end, it’s time to round up some of the stories that got us most excited. It’s been an exceptionally good week for leaks, smartphone fans and gamers. Missed any of it? Fear not. Read on to catch up, in our latest five for the weekend news roundup.

Assassin’s Creed 3 to launch on October 30th 2012

 You read that right. Ubisoft this week confirmed that Assassin’s Creed 3 is a real thing, and that it’ll be launching on October 30th, also putting it in line to become a Nintendo Wii U launch title.

New BlackBerry 10 interface first look

 BlackBerry phones are set for a major overhaul. In every way. Photos showing how leaked earlier this week, revealing a radically different BlackBerry 10 interface. If you’re a Blackberry fan of any sort, you need to see this.

PlayStation games on HTC phones this year

 Rumours this week suggested that Sony is about to allow PlayStation games to appear on HTC smartphones and tablets in an attempt to widen the reach of the PlayStation brand. But who cares about branding – that’s great news for gamers and HTC gadget owners.

HTC and Brats audio to dream up new music streaming service

 The likes of Spotify and Napster could have a new rival on its hands. Word has got out that HTC and Beats Audio are hatching a plan to develop its own music streaming service set for an unveiling later this month.

Nokia Lumia 610 budget phone set for MWC 2012

 The Nokia Lumia smartphone range is one of the most gorgeous we’ve ever laid eyes on. Now there are rumours of a budget model called the Nokia Lumia 610, which will apparently be unveiled later this month, hopefully giving many more the chance to own a piece of beautiful design.
Read Five for the weekend: Nokia Lumia 610, Playstation on HTC phones, Assassin’s Creed 3 on 5FWD

Philips launches new 7000 series Smart TV with SimulView 3D gaming skills

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:23:00 +0000

Philips has given its television line a revamp, brining the delights of Smart TV with internet surfing skills to its entire line for 2012. Top of the pile is the new Philips 7000 series HD TV introducing new dedicated features for 3D gaming, making it the choice for both film and TV buffs and video game fans.

The Philips 7000 series is a full HD 3D television that boasts a smooth 800MHz motion rate. In normal speak, it means that even the fastest action scenes will play without the unwanted blur you’ll find on lower-end TVs.

Sky Go Android app out 22nd February

The Philips 7000 series also boasts the ability to convert 2D images to 3D. DLNA options and video streaming will also let you play content to other devices. Ports-wise you get a generous five HDMI inputs, three USB ports, ethernet and Wi-Fi capability. The latter two are essentials if you’re planning to use the Smart TV features.

The addition of SimulView is perhaps the Philips 7000 series most unique feature. Previously seen on Sony’s PlayStation 3D Display, SimulView lets two players wearing 3D specs to play a two-player game on one screen, with a separate image being shown to each player. Previously players would have to play in split screen mode, or hook up another television. This way the only extra investment is a pair of 3D glasses. Neat, eh!

However, pricing has yet to be revealed. And we’re sure the Philips 7000 series will cost a little more than Sony’s PlayStation 3D Display – a bargain 23-inch full HD TV with 3D talents, two pairs of Active Shutter 3D glasses and SimulView capability.

Samsung’s stunning 55-inch OLED TV is a beauty
Read Philips launches new 7000 series Smart TV with SimulView 3D gaming skills on 5FWD

Mass Effect 3 Razer peripherals unlock in-game content

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:06:00 +0000

Mass Effect 3 finally launches on PS3, PC and Xbox 360 next month. In preparation peripheral-maker Razer has launched a range of Mass Effect-themed accessories including a keyboard, Xbox 360, mouse and headset that feature codes to unlock bonus in-game content.

The accessories are all re-skinned versions of existing Razer products, branded with Mass Effect 3 livery. Whether you’re a PC or Xbox 360 gamer, Razer has something for you. The accessories include Razer’s Vespula mouse mat, BlackWidow Ultimate keyboard, Onza Tournament Edition Xbox 360 controller and the Chimaera Xbox 360 headset. There’s even an Apple iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S case.

Top 8 console games we want in 2012

Not only are the new accessories badges of Mass Effect honour and pride, they double up as bearers of codes to unlock extra downloadable Mass Effect 3 in-game content. Each product comes with codes for a Collector Assault Rifle in-game and access to unspecified multiplayer item packs.

Each of the Mass Effect 3 items are available to pre-order now. We’ve got our eyes on the Xbox 360 controller. What about you?

You will of course need the game too, for the full experience. Mass Effect 3 arrives in stores on 9th March on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. It will be the first Mass Effect game to launch on all consoles, and the first to include a multiplayer mode. Will you be picking it up?

Mass Effect 3 iPhone app on the way
Read Mass Effect 3 Razer peripherals unlock in-game content on 5FWD

Super slim Samsung Series 9 laptops set to shine

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:11:00 +0000

Samsung’s new Series 9 13.3-inch and 15-inch laptops have been rumoured to arrive in stores this month. That rumour looks one step closer to coming true, after the slim Series 9 laptops appeared for pre-order at a U.S electrical retailer.

A lightweight construction, and proportions thin enough to make Apple MacBook Air owners look twice has already seen the Samsung Series 9 gather fans looking forward to getting their hands on it.

Whisper it quietly, but the Samsung Series 9 laptops may be those so-called ultrabooks – a new category invented to describe laptops with impossibly thin dimensions with top specs. Ultrabooks were a common theme at CES 2012 last month. Their portability and lightness make them a worthy compromise for those still deciding on a tablet or a laptop. Just don’t call them ultrabooks. We’ve yet to hear anyone call them that in public.

Top 5 ultrabooks at CES 2012

The Samsung Series 9 comes with a minimum 1.6GHz Core i5 processor and 128GB Solid State Drive (SSD) for its 13.3-inch models. The laptops have been elusive up to now, except in South Korea, where a 15-inch version is available with an Intel Core i7 processor and 256GB (SSD).

A February 27th date has been reported, but North American store J&R can only confirm that the laptops will be “coming soon”. We will also be hoping for a UK launch date. So if you’re on the hunt for a thin laptop with good specs that won’t weigh you down, keep an eye out.

HP Mini 1104 offers portable computing on the cheap
Read Super slim Samsung Series 9 laptops set to shine on 5FWD

Max Payne 3 trailer turns the heat up on Max

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:45:00 +0000

Rockstar Games has released a new story trailer for Max Payne 3 for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360, revealing further the trouble Max will find himself in. The third game in the series has been a long time coming, arriving in the UK this May, two months later than originally planned. The reason? So that Rockstar Games could make a better game. Read on to discover whether the extra effort looks like paying off.

Up to now Rockstar Games has largely kept the story under wraps. What we do know is that trouble eventually catches up with Max. He soon finds himself in Brazil working for businessman Rodrigo Blanco, whose wife has been kidnapped.  

 Max Payne 3 Gang Wars multiplayer details revealed

The trailer reveals that, along the way Max has been tricked in some way or another. For us that spells all-out action, Max Payne style, as our dual-pistol-wielding protagonist takes on Brazilian street gang, in what looks like a worthwhile threequel to the series.

Max is older, balder and fatter. But take a look at the trailer and you can see that not even a bit of spare lumber can stop Max doing his thing. Max Payne 3 arrives internationally on 18th May on PS3 and Xbox 360, and on 1st June for PCs everywhere.  

 Grand Theft Auto V first trailer reveals San Andreas location

We’ll soon be taking a trip to Rockstar Games to grab a play before release, so keep an eye out for our first impressions. And who knows, we may even squeeze out some Grand Theft Auto V secrets out of them.

Hit the link below to see the latest Max Payne 3 trailer. Don’t forget to return to let us know what you think.

See the new Max Payne 3 trailer now!
Read Max Payne 3 trailer turns the heat up on Max on 5FWD

BIT.TRIP Complete preview (Wii)

fwd@five.tv (Stephen Ebert) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:43:00 +0000

Just settling down to play BIT.TRIP Complete is an experience seldom had in the modern era. It’s an assortment of 80’s-inspired mini-games for Nintendo Wii that echo a golden age in gaming. Ahead of a March 16th release Stephen Ebert went on a tuneful voyage of retro rediscovery.

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BIT.TRIP Complete is a collection of mini games inspired by the past in both gameplay and aesthetic, if not quite sound. Think 8-bit gaming with better music, and you’ll get the idea. That may upset the purists and those who grew up in the 8-bit era, but the soundtrack to BIT.TRIP Complete really is a glorious orchestra of 8-bit effects laced with trendy beats.

Sensory overload

There’s always plenty of bustling activity on screen, but you’ll wish there wasn’t just so you could savour the sounds. This is musical therapy, in video game form, rivaling even Child of Eden on artistic merit alone.

On gameplay, too? Like Child of Eden, BIT.TRIP Complete has the ability to immerse you without realising. It’s a sensory overload in both sight and sound. Its six games: Beat, Core, Void, Runner, Fate and Flux offer little we didn’t see over 20 years ago, but that’s just part of the appeal. This is quick blast instant gratification action, with music at the core of everything that happens in a series of delightfully addictive games.

Back to (old) school

Beat is a Pong-like game, where each hit from the paddle, controlled by a horizontal swivel of the Nintendo Wii remote scores points and livens up the beat. Each miss is a step closer to spoiling the party, gradually resulting in an overcast monochrome screen and the music muting till you recover.

Void is a clever game of risk and reward. Using the Wii Nunchuk analogue stick you control a black dot that must collect other dots to grow bigger whilst avoiding incoming white dots. Colliding with one shrinks you, removing your points tally, so cashing in on your points at the right time is the only way to score big in a game that rewards exciting styles of play.

Fate plays like an old school side-scroller on rails that has you shooting lasers at walls to clear the way while enemies fire at you from all directions requiring the players fullest concentration. Boss battles lend some welcome finality to each stage. Core is a battle of the senses and a true test of whether you have an ear for a beat. The premise is simple. Press buttons in time with said beat. The challenging reality will have you self-harming within minutes, and then wanting to do it all over again.

Runner is an early favourite. It’s a 2D side-scrolling platformer where you control a constantly moving 8-bit character that must run, jump and duck pat enemies in time with a beat. It’s another gratifying game of timing and patience. Mistime (you’ll be doing plenty of that) and you’ll crash into a wall and be forced to start over. Short but challenging levels encourage repeat goes and encapsulate everything there is to love about some of the games on show.

Early thoughts

Whichever BIT.TRIP Complete game you play, there’s no denying that each has a magical quality that developer Gaijin games has bottled up for this budget Wii package. In today’s climate of shooter sequels and multi-million blockbuster games, BIT.TRIP Complete is a reality check of what we loved about games in the first place.
Read BIT.TRIP Complete preview (Wii) on 5FWD

Pure Music

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:59:40 +0000

The brand famous for internet radio introduces its music streaming service, offering unlimited music streaming, on-demand radio shows and podcasts from £4.99 per month, or £9.99 to store your favourite songs offline for listening to anywhere, at any time. Pure Music is available on desktop, as an iOS and Android app and compatible Pure Lounge digital radios from Pure.
Read the full Pure Music review on 5FWD

PlayStation Vita game guide: our favourite day one launch games

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:41:00 +0000

The PlayStation Vita finally launches in the UK in just under seven days. The PSP-successor brings with it console quality graphics, touchscreen and analogue gameplay, and some fantastic launch games. To help you decide which games to buy we’ve picked out our favourites. Which of these will you be picking up?

One of the things we love about the PlayStation Vita launch line up is the breadth of variety. We’ve picked out something for everyone, so racing fans, beat-em lovers, sports fanatics and adventurers need not feel left out.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss

If you told us a few years back that we’d be playing an Uncharted game on a portable device we’d have pointed and laughed. Uncharted: Golden Abyss mixes familiar Uncharted gameplay, adventure, puzzles and humor with gorgeous graphics and some neat touchpad innovations. A day one purchase for us.

FIFA Football

If you fancy the idea of playing FIFA on the train, bus or during your lunch break, FIFA Football for the PlayStation is a no-brainer. Fully licensed teams and classic FIFA gameplay on a handheld? Yes please.

WipEout 2048

The WipEout games have always been fun, if not challenging. WipEout 2048 takes the series to a new level, using touch and tilt controls to steer a futuristic fleet of anti-gravity racers through brand new tracks. With its gentler difficulty curve, WipEout 2048 feels more accessible than past games in the series. Eight player multiplayer racing is just another reason to pick it up.

Motorstorm RC

Motorstorm RC takes the familiar off-road racer into radio-controlled territory, combining hilarious arcade-style racing with luscious jungle and dessert environments. Players compete to unlock race events, build up a car collection, earn medals and even challenge friends online.

Rayman Origins

 Rayman Origins dispels the myth that “they don’t make ‘em like this anymore”. Its classic platforming gameplay is nothing but fun throughout – a love letter to the way side-scrolling platformers should be.

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is arguably the unofficial flagship PlayStation Vita beat-e-up. With 48 characters from the Marvel and Capcom franchises, new modes, stages and online multiplayer, no other fighting game on PlayStation Vita touches it.

So there they are – the PlayStation Vita games we feel are worth a day one purchase. Do you agree? Will you be picking up anything different? Let us know in the comments section below.
Read PlayStation Vita game guide: our favourite day one launch games on 5FWD

Budget Windows Phone platform 'Tango' screenshots leaked

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:23:00 +0000

Following rumours that Nokia is planning to release a bargain Nokia Lumia Windows Phone on Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG), screenshots have leaked showing what appears to be Windows Phone ‘Tango’ – a new Windows Phone interface designed to introduce the operating system to developing countries. It’s a sign of things to come for cheap Windows phones. Take a look.

The screenshots seen on WMPoweruser reveal a number of adjustments to the Windows Phone experience tweaked to run on entry to mid-range handsets with lower hardware requirements.

Windows Phone Tango will need only 256MB of RAM to run, while the minimum requirement for a camera is 3-megapixels instead of 5-megapixels. The compatibility with lower specced devices would appear to help back up those cheap Nokia Lumia 610 rumours from earlier.

Nokia Lumia 610 budget Windows Phone set for MWC 2012

Another nugget of info to be gleamed from the leaked shots is the ability to add multiple attachments to single MMS picture messages. And if you look at the picture above, you’ll notice a microphone, hinting at a native voice recording app for MMS messages.

Aesthetically the interface remains the same: clean layouts, big headers and swipe navigation look like remaining. The biggest problem facing Windows Phone Tango could be fragmentation and different Windows Phone operating systems causing confusion for owners. It spells the familiar problem of attempting to download an app only to find it doesn’t work on your device, although it looks as if phone owners will be warned beforehand.

Naturally we ask that you take the above with a pinch of salt, as we hope to hear more on the latest Windows Phone and those budget Nokia Lumia 610 developments in the coming months.

Nokia Lumia 610 budget phone out this March
Read Budget Windows Phone platform ‘Tango’ screenshots leaked on 5FWD

Sky Go Android App out 22 February lets Android owners watch TV on-the-go

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:35:00 +0000

From 22nd February Android handset and tablet owners will soon be able to watch Sky television on the move, as the Sky Go app officially (finally) launches on the Android Market.

Sky Go lets existing Sky subscribers log in to watch live sport, the latest movies and news on-the-move as they broadcast, also letting users catch up on missed television shows, movies and documentaries.

Sky TV shows land on PlayStation 3

Sky has not officially confirmed the news. Instead, a source close to gadget website TechRadar revealed the 22 February date. We already knew an Android app was coming, but not that it was arriving in less than a week’s time.

Sky Go for Android will launch on HTC and Samsung phones that are considered “the most popular”: HTC Desire, HTC Desire S, HTC Desire HD, HTC Incredible S, HTC Sensation, Samsung Galaxy S and Samsung Galaxy S2.

It won’t be the first appearance of Sky Go. The app has been available on Apple’s App store for months: available for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. We love it, and we’re sure Android owners will, too.

In the coming months we can expect to hear lots more from Sky. The company earlier announced plans for a new on-demand internet TV service for non-subscribers offering movie and live sport rentals letting sports fans watch the latest events without being bound to a contract.

Sky launches new internet TV service
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Assassin’s Creed 3 to launch on October 30th 2012

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:03:00 +0000

Ubisoft has officially confirmed that there is an Assassin’s Creed 3 game, and that it is launching on October 30th. Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot confirmed the news last night. Assassin’s Creed 3 will however, not be a follow up to Assassin’s Creed Revelations, but its own standalone story.

“Assassin’s Creed 3 is the true next generation of both the Assassin’s Creed brand and interactive entertainment/storytelling in general,” Guillemot announced.

  Check out our Assassin’s Creed: Revelations review

The last Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed Revelations was released not so long ago. So how on Earth is Ubisoft able to make another so quickly? Well apparently the game has so far been three years in the making. That news should at least quell fears of a rushed sequel.

In fact, Ubisoft hopes that it will be the best-selling game in the series. Naturally, next to nothing is known of the game’s story, but it’s very likely that it will not feature the famous protagonist Ezio Auditore.

An October release date also marks Assassin’s Creed 3 as a possible Nintendo Wii U launch title. Last month Nintendo confirmed that its new Wii U console will launch in time for Christmas. A new Assassin’s Creed adventure can only help the console hit the ground running. And with its unique tablet-style controls, you can bet the Wii U version will feature some kind of elaborate touchscreen controls thrown in, getting up to all kinds of mischief.   For now though anything else is purely speculation.

We can only look forward to hearing more of Ubisoft’s plans for what we’re hoping will be a more innovative game than past sequels. Assassin’s Creed Revelations was hardly a series best. Here’s hoping.   

Nintendo Wii U launching by Christmas 2012
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HTC and Beats Audio set to offer music streaming service

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:32:00 +0000

Spotify and Napster may be kings when it comes to music streaming, but that has not stopped murmurs of HTC joining forces with Beats Audio for a music service of its own. Word is that a HTC and Beats Audio music streaming service could be launched later this month.

Rumours of a music streaming service involving phone maker HTC and Beats Audio stem from the news that HTC is said to have acquired a sizeable stake in the Beats Audio company, started by head of Universal Music Jimmy lovine and rap legend Dr. Dre.

HTC Announces Sensation XL: goes all Beats Audio on us

The aim of a music service would be to make it the default music client on future Beats Audio HTC smartphones, fulfilling, what sources say are the company’s long held plans to deliver a music service.

Such a partnership would not have arrived completely out of the blue. The HTC Sensation XE, launched last year, has speakers made by Beats Audio. Music streaming appears to be the next piece in HTC’s music puzzle.

Despite there being no official announcement, word is that the music service could be launched later this month at Mobile World Congress, where HTC will also announce a range of new smartphones and tablets, likely to feature Beats Audio technology inside.

Pricing details are apparently being thrashed out as we speak. We will of course bring you more when we hear it. Our ears look forward to seeing what HTC and Beats Audio come up with.

HTC Sensation XE is HTC’s first Beats Audio smartphone
Read HTC and Beats Audio set to offer music streaming service on 5FWD

Amazon Kindle Fire: Why we want one now

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The Amazon Kindle Fire has been on sale in the US since last year. The 7-inch tablet blends the feel of an E-reader with the functionality of a media-friendly game and music-playing tablet PC. What a shame that it has yet to release in the UK. We would quite like one for ourselves. Here are some reasons why…

Cheap and cheerful

If you’re looking to spend top dollar (we mean pound) on a high-end tablet you’d probably be looking to spend at least £300-£400. That’s where the Amazon Kindle Fire comes in. It does many of the things higher end tablets do: play music, video, games, internet browsing, function as an E-reader for less of the price. Amazon lists the Amazon Kindle for $199. Anything close to that in UK money is a bargain.

Play games, watch movies and listen to music

You don’t need to spend close to £500 to do all the above. The Amazon Kindle Fire grants access to millions of movies, TV shows, songs and books to download, read, or store for later perusal. You can even play the latest games including Angry Birds and the addictive Plants vs. Zombies.

Free cloud storage

Across the pond Amazon offers free cloud storage for all users Amazon content, tied into existing Amazon accounts. Should the Amazon Kindle and cloud service service launch in the UK, owners will have plenty of room to store all their Amazon content. Did we say that it’s free!

Borrow books for free  

Amazon Prime members are able to choose from thousands of books to borrow for free. New customers get a whole month of the subscription for free, but once we do, we just know we’ll be hooked. Amazon Prime also gives access to unlimited movie and TV show streaming.

Fast web browsing and email

Amazon Silk is Amazon’s own cloud-powered browser tailored to deliver quicker internet browsing speeds. Unlike Apple’s iPad it also supports Flash. So videos that won’t play on the iPad will work fine on the Amazon Kindle. Another reason to spend less. A built in email app also lets you check mail from your personal email accounts by entering your login details.

Now you know our reasons for wanting one, would you like an Amazon Kindle Fire?
Read Amazon Kindle Fire: Why we want one now on 5FWD

Resident Evil 6: new details, weapon-wielding zombies revealed

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:46:00 +0000

Capcom has released details about the very exciting and upcoming Resident Evil 6 for PS3 and Xbox 360 and PC, including its setting, gameplay details, and some tasty info on the zombies we’ll soon be facing. Get this – they now have weapons!

Resident Evil 6 was first announced in a trailer teasing the involvement of familiar Resident Evil protagonists Chris Redfield and Leon Kennedy. Up to now we know very little about what to expect, as Capcom attempts to steer clear of spoilers. We do however now know a little more.

Check out our gadget reviews!

Resident takes place in 2013, with much of the action taking place in China, as Chris Redfield visits a coastal town called Lanshiang – which at least explains some of the settings seen in the trailer.

Other characters will include Leon S. Kennedy, and a third unnamed protagonist, thought to be Wesker. A teasing quote from Capcom says “we’re still trying to track down his real identity but we do know this man is a mercenary currently engaged in a bloody conflict in Eastern Europe where reports confirm that B.O.W.s [Bio Organic Weapons] are increasingly being used.”

The J’avo are new enemies that display human characteristics such as the ability to understand speech and use weapons. They are violent buggers, warns Capcom. As if Resident Evil’s enemies didn’t pose enough of a threat.

And here’s a biggie. An “evolved control system” will let players shoot while moving, sliding and rolling in any direction. Classic Resident Evil gameplay has always had a stiffness to it that fans have grown to love. From the sounds of things, Resident Evil 6 gameplay will be much smoother, tailored for cover-style gameplay.

Does that sound like your bag, Resident Evil fans? The game does not launch till 20th November, so there is still plenty of time for Capcom to spill plenty of details in the coming months. So watch this space.

Max Payne 3 delayed till May
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Nokia Lumia 610: budget Windows Phone set for MWC 2012?

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:36:00 +0000

Nokia is planning to raise the bar for entry-level smartphones by releasing a cheap Nokia Lumia 610 Windows Phone exclusively with Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) in mind. Such a move would fit into Nokia’s plans to put the latest Nokia handsets into younger hands and eat into the audiences of both Android and iOS devices.

Up to now, Nokia’s Lumia range has been at the higher end of the smartphone scale. A cheap Windows Phone with all the trimmings, at a lower price could be enough to tempt potential customers away from the growing number of budget Android smartphones such as the HTC Wildfire S now popping up in stores.

Nokia Lumia 800 white edition out this March

It is believed that the Nokia Lumia 610 will be a Pay As You Go exclusive, competitively priced, but bringing with it many of the high end features seen in the Nokia Lumia 800. There are two things that could happen.

A stripped-down Windows Phone experience could either diminish the the brands premium feel, or enhance its popularity through increased availability. Nokia clearly believes the latter, as Windows Phone has yet to enjoy the user base that Android and Apple’s iOS operating system currently enjoy. Getting the OS into more hands would definitely help achieve that goal.

It’s a contrasting strategy to Apple’s premium brand ethos. Apple has yet to release a budget oriented device, and has displayed little intention to do so. As for the Nokia Lumia 610, we’ll bring you more information as we hear it.

Would a budget Windows Phone tempt you into ditching Android or iOS? Let us know what you think by leaving a Comment below.

LG Miracle Windows phone with NFC exposed
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Sony PlayStation games on HTC phones and tablets this year

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:44:00 +0000

Got a HTC smartphone? Love games? Good, as later this year a number of HTC smartphones will be PlayStation certified, paving the way for full PlayStation games to appear on your handset! So, along with the likes of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, HTC phones will be able to play back PlayStation classics such as Crash Bandicoot.

A source close to fellow gadget site Pocket-lint confirmed that HTC smartphones and tablets will eventually be able to play PlayStation certified games and other PSOne titles. Word is that an announcement confirming so will be made as early as later this month. Mobile World Congress at the end of the month sounds like the perfect venue to announce such plans.

PS Vita launch line-up confirmed, more great games on the way

Allowing PlayStation games to appear on non-Sony products might seem like madness, but there is plenty of method in it, as Sony aims to make inroads into a growing mobile scene, and expand the PlayStation brand.

At a time when cheap apps and games from the Apple App Store, Android Marketplace and Windows Marketplace dominate the mobile scene, having more engaging console quality games on HTC smartphones and tablets is not a bad idea, that can only raise the standards of what we expect from games on our mobile devices. Pocket-lint did ask HTC and PlayStation for comment, but the company declined to comment on “rumours or speculation”.

PlayStation games are already playable on the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play phone, so it’s only natural that Sony wants to see the brand on more devices, and have more of a dominant presence in mobile gaming.

Speaking of which, don’t forget to check out our PS Vita review at the link below. The Sony handheld console arrives in stores on 22nd February, accompanied by some great launch titles.

Which PlayStation games would you like to see on your HTC phone?

PlayStation Vita review
Read Sony PlayStation games on HTC phones and tablets this year on 5FWD

HP Z1 lets you perform open-chassis surgery

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:44:00 +0000

Computer maker HP isn’t traditionally known for pushing design boundaries, but the company has outdone itself this time. Its new HP Z1 Workstation is a real eye-opener. The computer snaps fully open, too – allowing for easy customisation and upgrading. What a clever idea. The HP Z1 has a little more up its sleeve, also packing some top specs, a quad-core intel processor with NVIDIA-juiced graphics and lots of storage options.

The HP Z1 Workstation may find its place in HP’s business-like range, but there’s no denying how cool its ability to open up and reveal its innards is. The big idea is that the HP Z1 suddenly becomes very easy to upgrade or fix.

Microsoft Kinect to take over PCs tin February

Those not into such gimmicks will find plenty more to get excited about – some decent specs abound. The HP Z1’s screen is a 27-inch IPS display that should perform well even when placed near areas of sunlight. It has a 2560×1440 resolution.

Under the hood, the HP Z1 are powered by a quad-core Intel Xeon processor and NVIDIA Quadro graphics. Games will look great on this thing. Customers will have a choice of 160GB or 300GB Solid State Drive (SSD) storage. Other extras include a 2-megapixel HD webcam and a Blu-Ray drive.

The HP Z1 may not quite the eye-catcher in regular use (when not flashing its insides), but it remains an intriguing device. Tempted? Well, you’ve still got plenty of time to ponder a purchase. The HP Z1 does not arrive in stores till April. U.S prices are reported to start at $1,899. That works out at around £1209 in the Queen’s English pounds.

Have you spotted any other equally gimmicky desktop computers? Let us know.

Alienware X51 slims down the size of PC gaming
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UK games chart: Kingdoms of Amalur enters at the top

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:39:00 +0000

EA’s combative RPG game Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning has stormed to the top of this week’s UK games chart, pummeling competition from Final Fantasy XIII-2 and another new entry The Darkness 2, in a top ten featuring a lot of 2011 hangers-on.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is just one of five new entries in the UK top 20, but only one of two to make reach the top ten this week. The game has so far been well-received, and praised for its mixture of combat and exploration.

Kinect Star Wars limited edition R2-D2 console out April 3rd

In third, The Darkness 2 has been long awaited. The sequel sees one Jackie Estacado struggle to bring down an empire, while battling the inner demons giving him all manner of deadly powers. Elsewhere Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, FIFA 12 and Battlefield 3 take up spots four, five and six.

At seven, eight and nine: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations and former number one The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Mario & Sonic London 2012 Olympic Games is at ten.

Following a slow start to the year, the gaming calendar is in full swing. A flurry of new releases is seeing the gaming charts of 2012 take shape, but as we can see, a number of games from last year are still being snapped up by shoppers.

Will next week change things? Expect only a minor dent, with only Tekken 3D Prime Edition for Nintendo 3DS and UFC 3 being the only major releases. The UFC games have always proved a chart hit, so UFC 3 is one to watch in a 2012 chart yet to be dominated by what this year has to offer.

But of course, you could change that. Which games will you be buying this week? Let us know.

The Last of Us story details revealed, no cliffhangers says Naughty Dog


Read UK games chart: Kingdoms of Amalur enters at the top  on 5FWD

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2: 7-inch E-book beater?

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:34:00 +0000

Say hello to the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 2. Samsung’s latest tablet is a 7-inch affair bumped up with the latest Android 4.0 operating system and some great specs on board. However, those looking for something to kick a future Apple iPad 3 into touch need look elsewhere. It is, however a decent entry point into tablets, and a possible alternative to the humble E-book reader.

  iPad 3 is coming: here’s what you might be getting 

E-books don’t fetch much these days. However, tablet manufacturers are increasingly encroaching on E-book territory, by launching smaller tablets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 is a 7-inch take of the popular Galaxy Tab range. We’re expecting to hear more about the 7-inch Galaxy Tab 2 in the coming weeks, but specs-wise we’re talking about a 1GHz dual-core processor and an LCD display.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 will also have a 3-megapixel rear-facing camera, and a front facing VGA snapper. Combined with its Android 4.0 operating system for a more PC-like experience on a tablet, designed for portability and getting things done quickly, you can see the lure over tablets such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 over E-book readers.

Then again, the Amazon Kindle does have that clever E Ink display. E Ink looks just like paper, reducing glare and strain on the eyes. We imagine the LCD display on a tablet won’t feel quite as friendly after a prolonged bout of reading, but it will be considerably better for other media use.

Nevertheless, tablet fans keen to take the plunge should at least keep an eye out for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, which could cost around the £250 mark if we’re lucky. That would make it a bargain in anyones book. That is, unless the Amazon Kindle Fire ever launches in the UK. A U.S price of $199, and similar in English money would make it very tempting indeed.

More details are expected in the coming weeks, so expect to hear more about the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 very soon.

A 9-inch Amazon Kindle Fire could be on the way


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Alan Wake Collectors Edition for PC goodies outed!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:12:00 +0000

Alan Wake finally launches on the PC on March 2nd. To make up for the long wait, developer Remedy has released details of the Alan Wake Collector’s Edition for PC. Alan Wake originally launched in Xbox 360 two years ago, so it has been quite the wait. Can a fancy collectors edition make up for it? Read on to see what PC players will get for their money.

Elaborate special edition packages are all the rage these days. The Alan Wake Collectors Edition for PC contains the usual blend of goodies one might expect.

Not familiar with Alan Wake? Then check out this video for all you need to know

The collectors edition contains a bonus disc featuring The History of Remedy, The Making of Alan Wake, The Making of a Thriller, several music videos and storyboard movie clips with concept art.

A 144-page book titled The Alan Wake Files details the the supernatural incidents that abound in the setting of Alan Wake’s Bright Falls setting, complied by author Clay Steward.

Six postcards featuring different scenes from the game, seven character and scene stickers and a double-sided poster are all included. Extra game content comes via downloadable content packs The Signal and The Writer coming on separate discs. It’s about time PC owners got to play one the most atmospheric Xbox 360 games. Even though chances are many will have already done so on the console.

Meanwhile another Alan Wake game called Alan Wake’s American Nightmare – a spin-off of the original story is due to launch this month as an downloadable Xbox Live Arcade title for Xbox 360. It looks like PC owners will have another Alan Wake game to wait for.

Alan Wake Collector’s Edition is out in stores for PC in March 2nd from £29.99. Will you be picking up Alan Wake for PC?

New Alan Wake game revealed


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BlackBerry 10 homescreen widgets and interface first look!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:45:00 +0000

The next generation of BlackBerry phones won’t be seen till the end of this year at least, but some photos have already emerged of the latest BlackBerry 10 operating system, detailing the almost Windows Phone-like experience that users can expect on future BlackBerry handsets.

Take a look at the above photo. What you are looking at is reportedly one of the first photos of the new BlackBerry 10 widget-based interface. It’s just one part of a haul of leaked information said to stem from a presentation, sent as a tip to Crackberry. Some haul.

Top 5 smartphone launches we’re excited about

Look closely and you’ll see that BlackBerry 10 for smartphones bears more than a passing resemblance to the user experience found on the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet, stripped down, resized and tailored to finger-friendly fashion to fit in your pocket.

As you can see, the major change here is the use of homescreen widgets that, dare we say it look very Windows Phone-like, bar the names of the folders appearing beneath the folders.

Shots of the menu system reveal icon and app navigation reminiscent of Android, iOS and Nokia Belle. It’s one heck of a change from previous BlackBerry menus, unrecognizable, even.

Other shots reveal that a clear inbox interface for your email and instant messages and more than a hint that video calling will be a mainstay of future BlackBerry 10 handsets. Perhaps in handsets such as the BlackBerry 10 ‘London‘ – a 1.5GHz phones with a front and rear-facing camera, spotted at the beginning of the month.

Will the new interface be enough to tempt you into going down the BlackBerry route?

Apple’s iOS remains as popular as ever, Android, with the latest Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system continues to improve by adding more features, and Windows Phone handsets are beginning to find their way into more hands. BlackBerry 10 will have to be something special. Agree?   BlackBerry 10 London touchscreen spotted
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Motorola’s first Intel-powered Ice Cream Sandwich phone looks like this

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:41:00 +0000

In the run up to Mobile World Congress (MWC) – the biggest mobile phone show on Earth, here’s another sneak peek at an unreleased phone. The above image is rumoured to be Motorola’s first Intel-powered smartphone. Note the familiar Motorola Razr-like stylings, its design cues clearly taken from its popular and thin smartphone range.

Much of what we know about this phone still remains a rumour, however reports seem to agree that Motorola’s first Intel-powered phone will sport Android’s latest operating system. That’s Android 4.0 – also known as Ice Cream Sandwich.

Check out our gadget reviews!

That means an improved user-interface, new home screen folders with resizeable widgets, improved texting, web browsing, email, new video effects and plenty more under-the-hood tweaks to an already established Android operating system.

The Motorola smartphone will also sport a new version of Motorola’s MotoBlur interface – Motorola’s own way of binding together your contacts, photos, emails, Facebook and Twitter activity without the need to log in to each app individually.

A camera with a 15-frame-per-second frame burst mode has also been mooted, as Motorola joins the growing band of upcoming smartphones to step it up in the photography department, where the Nokia N8 and its 12-megapixel camera still reigns supreme.

Look out for more on Moto’s latest in the days to come. What do you think? Are the Razr stylings doing it for you?  HTC Endeavor details reveal iPhone and Samsung Galaxy rival
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Will Call of Duty win the GAME BAFTA Audience Award for the fourth year in a row? You decide!

fwd@five.tv (The Gadget Show) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:58:00 +0000

A group of the UK’s finest gaming journalists and broadcasters – including our very own Mr. Jason Bradbury – have compiled a shortlist of their ten top titles of 2011, but it’s up to you which one will win the GAME Audience Award at this year’s GAME BAFTA video game awards ceremony on March 16th.

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The ten titles in contention for the only publically-voted category at this year’s awards are: Batman Arkham City, Battlefield 3, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, FIFA 12, L.A. Noire, Minecraft, Portal 2, Skyrim, Zelda: Skyward Sword and Uncharted 3.

All fine games indeed, but based on the fact that a Call of Duty game has won the award for the last three years, the cynic in us can’t help but think that the franchise will be favourite to win it yet again this year with its latest edition – Modern Warfare 3.

Place your vote for your winner of the GAME Audience Award. As an extra incentive to vote, GAME are giving away a limited edition Star-Wars themed XBox 360 package, which includes an R2-D2 themed console, C3PO inspired controller, white Kinect peripheral and a copy of the motion-controlled Kinect Star Wars game.

Kinect Star Wars, limited edition R2-D2 console out April 3rd
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