“First made available through the console’s Internet Channel in April 2008,” says the Beeb, “BBC iPlayer will now be available as a dedicated Wii Channel to provide Wii users with a new, richer experience of the BBC’s TV and radio on-demand catch-up service.”

A better BBC iPlayer experience

If you’re still actively using your Wii (for more than just Wii Sports Resort), then this new version of the iPlayer will be a handy addition to your telly-watching.

At best, accessing the the BBC’s catch-up TV service was fiddly and unsatisfying using the Wii’s Opera web browser. In contrast, the new version has been designed with a new full-screen user interface, making it a much more viewer-friendly experience.

“BBC iPlayer offers Wii owners another reason to turn their console on everyday,” commented David Yarnton, General Manager, Nintendo UK.

“[The iPlayer Wii channel] adds to the already established non-gaming content on Wii that includes Wii Channels for news, weather forecasts and an internet browser.”

The new Wii Channel is expected to be available from 12.01am on Wednesday 18 November.

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But are you getting the best performance from it? Is your modem/router in the right position? Learn how to optimise your Wi-Fi setup and boost your signal strength with these simple tips.

1. Buy into 802.11n

The IEEE recently finalised the 802.11n standard, which trumps the 54Mbps speeds of the existing Wi-Fi specification with 300Mbps data broadcasting.

Not only is the new 802.11n standard faster, but it also offers improved signal reliability and a greater range. If you haven’t already invested in a compatible Wireless-N or Draft N modem/router for your home then this should be next on your shopping list. See our recommended list of 802.11n routers.

If you do own 802.11n-capable gear, watch out for software upgrades that will bring your existing hardware into line with the final specification.

2. Alter the position of your router

Consider whether your modem/router is currently in the optimum place to give you the best possible coverage. Obstacles, specifically furniture and walls, can degrade your wireless signal – so don’t hide it behind the sofa. Instead, try to site your router centrally, away from walls, cordless phones, microwave ovens and any metal objects, so it floods the area around it with Wi-Fi.

3. Change your wireless channel

Has your neighbour got his own wireless network? If it’s broadcasting on the same channel as yours, you could experience a significant reduction in signal strength and power. Try changing the channel that your router broadcasts on to see if there’s an improvement.

4. check for firmware updates

A typical wireless router won’t actively check to see if there’s updated firmware (i.e. the software that powers the router itself.) Wireless equipment manufacturers such as Cisco/Linksys, Netgear, D-Link et al often release updated firmware to combat post-sale problems. It’s an easy, painless upgrade. Simply go into your router’s menu system and find the option to check for new firmware.

5. Consider the alternatives…

So… you’ve upgraded to 802.11n, repositioned your router to minimise interference, changed the wireless channel and checked for new firmware. But you can’t avoid the fact that a Wi-Fi signal will get weaker the further away you work from the router.

It’s why Powerline equipment is an ideal companion technology for a wireless network. This plug-and-play solution involves routing data through your home’e electrical wiring and it can deliver full-speed broadband access with no drop-off in speed.

Read more about Powerline networking.

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Sources close to the games industry suggest that the long lead time is designed to get publishers on board and to have 14 games available for the launch.

Speculation suggests a global shipment of 5 million Project Natal units with the potential for a new, updated Xbox 360 that comes with the technology built-in.

The good news? The standalone camera might not cost Xbox owners the proverbial Earth. A price point of around £50 has been mooted, which would make it an attractive buy and a Christmas 2010 must-have.

Project Natal was unveiled at this year’s E3 gaming show and uses a combination of full body motion capture and voice recognition technology to translate a player’s movements into onscreen action.

[Via MCV UK]

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Over in the US, Moxi is stepping up its fight against Tivo by launching a new, high-end Digital Video Recorder that features a trio of HD TV tuners.

As the Moxi website points out, this enables the Moxi 3–Tuner HD DVR to either “record two shows at once while watching a third live program, or record three shows while playing back a fourth recorded show.”

The jet-black DVR boasts 500GB of internal storage space, giving the new Moxi box enough room to swing around 75 hours of 1080P HD recordings or around 300 hours of standard definition programming.

Usefully, this hard disk drive space is also expandable with up to 6.5 Terabytes of external eSATA drive storage.

The Moxi 3-Tuner HD DVR also gives its owners access to web–based content and services such as Netflix, Hulu and YouTube. While media streaming functionality can access music, photos and other media files on a networked computer.

As good as the Sky+ HD box is, by these standards it’s still got some serious catching up to do.

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It brings to an end O2′s exclusive two-year deal to sell the smartphones.

According to Orange, the two handsets will retail in Orange shops, on-line via the Orange website, at Orange HMV concessions, Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U outlets.

Orange iPhone Pricing

Orange says that it is launching the following iPhone plans and price points:

Pay Monthly — iPhone 8GB, 16GB and 32GB models will be available on multiple monthly plans, with the 3GS free on all £45 plans and the 3G model free from £30 plans (both with a 24-month contract).

For anyone looking for full all-inclusive packages, there’s a new high end “traveller” offer with inclusive roaming call and data allowance is available at £125 month.

All plans include unlimited (subject to a 750MB fair usage monthly limit) UK mobile data usage on Orange’s data network, which Orange boasts has the largest 3G population coverage in the UK.

In addition, Orange iPhone customers will also get free unlimited use of the UK’s largest single public Wi-Fi network, BT Openzone.

Pay as You Go (PAYG) — Customers topping-up by £50 at purchase will be able to buy an iPhone 3G on Orange PAYG for a mere £333. (Did I say ‘mere’?)

According to Orange, any customer buying an iPhone on Orange PAYG will automatically get 250MB of data each month, plus unlimited use BT Openzone wireless hotspots for 12 months.

SME Plans — Similar to Pay Monthly Consumer pricing (above), with an additional £50 monthly tariff.

iPhone tethering bundles — Customers wanting to use their iPhone to get mobile broadband on their laptop can take out additional bundles starting at £5 per month.

Need to know more? Full details on pricing and plans available at www.orange.co.uk/iphone

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Easy LP to MP3 records directly from LPs and tapes to WAV, MP3, WMA, Audio CD or MP3 CD. The software also includes various audio clean-up tools to remove clicks, pops, hisses and other unwanted noise from your old recordings.

Roxio’s vinyl to MP3 solution can also chop up continuous tracks into separate digital music files. It can even automagically fill in the name of the artist or band, and the song title and album name, using intelligent tools that can recognise music files by their core characteristics.

Easy LP to MP3 comes with everything you need to get started, including: the appropriate stereo cable connections and a CD label creator, so you can even print off sleeves for your newly created audio discs.

Want to save your old vinyl collection? Roxio Easy LP to MP3 is available now for £39.99 at www.roxio.co.uk.

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Featuring a built-in Wi-Fi connection, the Siesta Flow can tune to internet radio stations, play podcasts, even access ‘listen again’ content. It can also stream music direct from any Wi-Fi enabled computer.

Of course, PURE’s new radio streaming gadget is more than just a slick web radio. DAB, DAB+ and FM options deliver an all-round audio entertainment experience.

The Siesta Flow also features 365 different alarm tones – one for every day of the year. Accessed via PURE’s on-line portal, they include sleigh bells, a fog horn and even a submarine-inspired sonar ping.

How much? PURE says that the Siesta Flow will set you back a cool £99.99. For more information, see the full news release below.

PURE Siesta Flow news release

PURE – the world’s leading radio maker – presents Siesta Flow; its first internet connected bedside radio.

Siesta Flow, with an SRP of just £99.99, is PURE’s most affordable internet connected radio to date. Incorporating PURE’s award-winning ‘Flow’ technology, Siesta Flow offers all the functionality of the market-leading EVOKE Flow and top-of-the-range AVANTI Flow, but also provides access to 365 different alarm tones – one for every day of the year – via PURE’s on-line portal, the PURE Lounge (www.thelounge.com). Alarm tones range from sleigh bells, perfect for Christmas morning; school bell, ideal for getting the kids out of bed; grandfather clock, perfect for reminiscing; fog horn and police siren for those who find it difficult to wake up and a submarine beep for underwater fans!

A stylish way to wake up to a world of internet radio, DAB/ DAB+* or FM, Siesta Flow uses a Wi-Fi connection to access internet radio, podcasts, listen again content and can even stream music direct from a Wi-Fi enabled computer. Also available from The Lounge is a unique selection of PURE Sounds to relax you to sleep or wake you in a positive frame of mind.

Siesta Flow also features the PURE PowerPort which provides power for USB accessories such as mobile phone chargers, reading lights, bedside fans and cup warmers, solving the problem of having insufficient power points next to the bed. Other features include: a large auto-dimming display; touch sensitive controls; four quick-set alarms; sleep and snooze timers; 30 DAB/FM presets and an auxiliary input for an iPod/ MP3 player.

Siesta Flow is a strategic extension of the hugely successful Siesta bedside radio, creating along with Siesta iDock a compelling family of affordable bedside radios with distinct feature sets. It also significantly improves on the audio with digital amplifiers and custom-wound stereo speakers.

Siesta Flow is part of EcoPlus™, PURE’s ethical philosophy and ongoing commitment to look after the environment. All PURE products are designed to minimise their environmental impact and manufactured in ethically approved facilities. They have reduced power consumption in operation and standby, use recycled packaging materials, have the smallest possible packaging and components selected to minimise environmental impact.

Siesta Flow is available in time for Christmas from all good stockists at an SRP of £99.99. For more information, please visit www.pure.com/ www.thelounge.com or call +44 (0) 845 1489001.

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Here’s a run-down of the core features of this PURE DAB portable radio:

• DAB/DAB+/FM radio
• ReVu functionality
• Intellitext and textSCAN
• iPod/ MP3 player input
• Alarm and kitchen timer
• 30 DAB and FM presets
• 3-inch speakers
• Mains or battery powered

The Pure Elan II DAB digital portable radio will be available in the run-up to Christmas with a price tag of £99.99. Full news release below.

PURE Elan II DAB/FM Portable Radio news release

PURE – the world’s leading radio maker – presents Élan II, a great sounding and great looking portable stereo DAB/ DAB+*/ FM radio with ReVu technology to pause and rewind live DAB radio.

Élan II (SRP £99.99) brings a stylish, modern twist and contemporary materials to traditional radio design with a black satin-touch finish, anodised aluminium fascia, turned aluminium controls and chromed handle with rubberised grip.

Feature-rich, Élan II also includes intellitext and textSCAN, which enable users to pause and control scrolling text and even store certain broadcasts such as traffic reports or sports results. There is an input for an iPod/ MP3 player, an alarm and kitchen timer and 30 DAB and FM presets. With digital amplifiers and custom-wound 3” speakers, Élan II sounds as good as it looks.

Élan II can be run off the mains or taken out and about thanks to the optional ‘fit and forget’ ChargePAK rechargeable battery, which provides up to 35 hours of portable listening per charge.

Élan II is part of EcoPlus™, a statement of PURE’s ethical philosophy and ongoing commitment to looking after the environment. All PURE products are designed to minimise their environmental impact and manufactured in ethically approved facilities. They have reduced power consumption in operation and standby, use recycled packaging materials, have the smallest possible packaging and components selected to minimise environmental impact.

Élan II All is available in time for Christmas 2009 from all good stockists at an SRP of £99.99. For more information, please visit www.pure.com or call +44 (0) 845 1489001.

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The digital photo alarm clock itself features a 4.3-inch colour display, which can be set to show a clock, calendar or a digital image of your choice. Here’s a quick run-down of the core features:

• Built-in FM radio
• 4.3-inch colour LCD
• 7 different face styles
• 3 alarm tone choices
• MP3 and WAV audio files support
• JPEG and BMP image files supported
• USB connectivity

The HANNspree digital photo frame alarm clock is available via Misco for £44.99. Full news release below.

HANNspree Photo Alarm Clock news release

Hemel Hempstead, 19th October 2009. The new all–in-one Photo Alarm Clock (P.A.C) from design-centric consumer electronics manufacturer, HANNspree, unites a number of every day gadgets to create the perfect bedside gadget. Featuring an alarm clock, a photo viewer and a music/FM player all wrapped up in a sleek, black mirror finish design, the HANNspree P.A.C is a stylish, digital magic box brimming with functionality, ideal for Xmas stockings.

The Photo Alarm Clock features a 4.3” colour LCD screen which can be set to a clock (digital or analogue), a calendar or photo display. The clock has 7 different face styles to choose from – you can even set a favourite photo as a background. It also features alarm functionality with an all important snooze feature for those mornings when you need that extra 10 minutes! There are 3 alarm tone choices alternatively you can set your favourite music as an alarm tone.

Storing your favourite music is simple – USB is included for fast, effortless file transfer. (The Photo Alarm Clock supports MP3 and WAV files.) As well as pre-recorded music, the HANNspree Photo Alarm Clock enables you to listen to FM radio with storage for 25 preset favourite FM frequencies. The Photo Alarm Clock is also designed to display memories. JPEG/BMP photos can also be transferred effortlessly via USB, to be used as wallpapers for the Photo Alarm Clock or you can take advantage of the slide show player to watch a rolling selection of your selected memories.

Intuitively, the HANNspree P.A.C changes from ‘night’ to ‘day’ mode automatically and the LCD screen can also act as a nightlight with 3 brightness settings to choose from. The P.A.C also boasts a clever sleep function which allows users to preset a time for the Photo Alarm Clock to switch off. Either, 10, 30, 60 or 90 minutes settings are provided to allow you to relax and fall asleep gradually to your favourite music.

The Photo Alarm Clock is available from www.misco.co.uk, for a stocking friendly £44.99. With so much functionality in one tiny box, you’ll have Xmas all wrapped up.

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Denon has announced the DBP-1610, a new ‘high-performance’ Blu-ray player designed to strike a balance between high quality technology and affordable home cinema.

The DBP-1610 features: a 1080p/24 video ouput, Ethernet port (for BD Live updates), Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, plus DivxHD and AVCHD playback.

Denon’s new, jet-black Blu-ray player will be available in October at £399.99.

Denon DBP-1610 news release

September 2009 – Denon, one of the world’s premier manufacturers of high-quality home entertainment components, has introduced a new high-performance Blu-ray player designed to deliver a high-quality but price-conscious start into the High Definition era.

Amongst other highlights, the DBP-1610 features full support of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio and offers a high definition video experience, even from regular DVDs. Denon’s newcomer will be available in October at a suggested retail price of £399.99.

Like the company’s previous Blu-ray players, the DBP-1610 allows owners of advanced AV Receivers to add high-quality Blu-ray capability to their system and enjoy high definition audio and video.

To bring out the full quality of film, the new DBP-1610 has a 1080p/24 video ouput and supports Deep Color as well as “x.v. Color” schemes for realistic images. Furthermore, it offers high bit video processing including 1080p scaling for normal Standard Definition content such as DVD-Video to improve picture quality.

For easy connectivity, the new model features an onboard Ethernet port that allows for Internet access for BD Live and firmware updates.

Adding to its video handling capabilities, the DBP-1610 offers DivxHD playback and supports AVCHD playback from DVDs and SD cards made from HD camcorders.

For those listeners who want to use their Blu-ray player as a step-up CD player, the Denon DBP-1610 features a dedicated two channel analogue audio output, equipped with high-class Burr-Brown D/A converters and superior analogue components to ensure the high level of sound quality for which Denon is renowned.

The highly rigid chassis and centre-drive mechanism ensure total reliability and optimum
performance at all times.

The DBP-1610 is an ideal match for Denon’s award-winning new AV Receiver lineup. It will be available in October in a black colour finish at a suggested retail price of £399.99.

Denon

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