i PlayStation 3 Blogger Blog

PS3 Player: Cheats and Guides

2010-02-05T11:25:00.000+08:00

PS3 Player - Cheats and Guides - Over 15,000 Cheats Plus Modern Warfare Complete Guide!: Pt. 1 (Hardcover)

Welcome to PS3 Player, your ultimate guide to gaming on Sony's amazing console. We, the team behind this publication, want you to squeeze every single drop of entertainment and value for money from your PlayStation 3 gaming experience, so have compiled this awesome gaming guide just for you. Now let's us tell you what's inside? Over 10 Complete Strategy Guides - Our team of gaming experts have torn apart the toughest PlayStation 3 games to provide you with our exclusive and exhaustive complete guides. Taking you through the entire game from start to finish to share your insider tips and tricks so you will never get stuck again! Yet we don't stop there as we also unlock all the hidden secrets and bonus items that are hidden away within the games. By using our strategy guides you really can complete your favourites games 100%. 15,000 Cheats, Codes And Secrets - Not satisfied with providing you with the best strategy guides, we have also complied an up-to-date and fully tested A to Z of cheats, codes and secrets for EVERY PlayStation 3 game available* Yet of course we aren't going to stop there, as we have also included Master's guides to a vast array of the console's best and toughest games. We have done all the hard work so you don't have to; so you can concentrate upon having fun completing your latest games, with ease and without frustration. Technical Help - The PS3 is an amazing games console, hands down the best around! Yet there is so much more to Sony's wonder than playing games! So with this in mind our professional tech-sperts have compiled our massive and exclusive Technical Help section to ensure that you make the very most of your PlayStation 3. From browsing the internet, playing multiplayer games online, downloading full games and demos to High Definition (HD) gaming, all your questions are answered inside! Featuring - All these games and so many, many more are covered inside this must have publication; INFAMOUS, UFC 2009: UNDISPUTED, GUITAR HERO: METALLICA, VIRTUA TENNIS 2009, TERMINATOR SALVATION, X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE, CALL OF DUTY 4: MODERN WARFARE, FIFA 09, KILLZONE 2, BIONIC COMMANDO, GRAND THEFT AUTO IV, RESIDENT EVIL 5, LITTLEBIGPLANET, COMMAND AND CONQUER: RED ALERT 3, STREET FIGHTER IV, FALLOUT 3 , SAINTS ROW 2, NEED FOR SPEED: UNDERCOVER, WWE LEGENDS OF WRESTLEMANIA.

*Currently there are no customer reviews but if there is one, I will update this blog post as soon as possible. So stay tune!.. and if this products is not what you're looking for please visit Amazon.com by clicking the above title as there are thousands of products that match your requirement. Thank you

Final Fantasy XIII Reviews

2010-02-05T08:52:00.000+08:00

Final Fantasy XIII Reviews

From the creative minds behind FINAL FANTASY VII and FINAL FANTASY X comes the latest installment in the critically acclaimed series. As FINAL FANTASY VII was for PlayStation, and FINAL FANTASY X for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, FINAL FANTASY XIII will be the first numbered FINAL FANTASY title for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360, and will look to once again reestablish the series as the RPG brand. Players will follow Lightning, Snow, and the other heroes who are dealt a hand of fate by the god-like fal'Cie. Cursed and regarded as enemies of society, they have the world against them and nobody to rely on but each other. Will they find the strength within themselves to break free of their curse and determine their own fates, or will they succumb to this higher power? With a story that is sure to connect with players' hearts, diverse new characters from world-renowned creator and character designer Tetsuya Nomura, and exciting new gameplay features centered around an evolved Active Time Battle system, FINAL FANTASY XIII will be the pinnacle in gaming experiences.

Currently there are no customer reviews yet but I will update this post once there are one. You may also visit Amazon by clicking the above title where there are discussion forum specially for Final Fantasy XIII.

Thank you

Dante's Inferno Reviews

2010-02-04T13:00:00.000+08:00

Dante's Inferno Reviews

Dante’s Inferno is an epic single player, third-person action adventure game inspired by "Inferno", part one of Dante Alighieri’s classic Italian poem, "The Divine Comedy." Featuring nonstop action rendered at 60 frames-per-second, signature and upgradable weapons, attack combos and mana-fueled spells and the choice of punishing or absolving the souls of defeated enemies, it is a classic Medieval tale of the eternal conflict with sin and the resulting horrors of hell, adapted for a new generation and a new medium.

Story

The Italian mercenary Dante returns home from the bloodletting that was the Third Crusade to two pieces of soul-crushing news. The first is that although he was assured that he was absolved of mortal sins committed in the form of wartime atrocities in the name of the churches interests in the Holy Land, that is not actually the case and his immortal soul is in grave peril. The second and more terrible is that his beloved Beatrice has been murdered, and her soul pulled down into hell by a dark force. Vowing not to accept the damnation of either souls, he gives chase, vows to get Beatrice back and descends into the infamous nine circles of hell. For weapons, he wields Death's soul-reaping scythe, and commands holy powers of the cross, given to him by Beatrice.

*Currently there are no customer reviews yet but I will update this blog post if there is one. Stay tune!

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Reviews

2010-02-04T11:52:00.000+08:00

Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Reviews

Battlefield Bad Company 2 is a first-person shooter, and sequel to Electronic Arts' 2008 release, Battlefield Bad Company. Following the continuing combat adventures of misfits of the US Army's Company "B," Bad Company 2 features the characteristic humor and grit of the Bad Company series, as well as a variety of gameplay improvements and additions, including 2-24 player online support; all-new four man squad gameplay; and more. Couple this with the variety of vehicle related items and classic Battlefield weapons included with the Limited Edition for PlayStation 3 (see complete list below), and you have the Ultimate Battlefield Bad Company experience to date.

Limited Edition Includes 4 x Vehicle Warfare Unlocks • Improved Vehicle Armor – An Up-Armor package mounted on all vehicle types decreases the effect of both explosive and penetrating warheads, significantly improving vehicle survivability. • Vehicle Alternate Fire - Additional weapon packages mounted for the driver of all armored vehicles, greatly expands the range of targets the vehicle can successfully engage and destroy. • Vehicle Motion Sensor – Upgraded Sensor to locate enemy units in direct proximity to the vehicle. • Tracer Dart Pistol – Launched by compressed air, this magnetic dart attaches to any vehicle surface, allows friendly shoulder launched rockets to lock on to and track moving targets even beyond line of sight. 2 x Classic Battlefield 1943 Weapons • M1A1 Submachine Gun – Popular with Paratrooper and Commando units in WW2 for its rate of fire and stopping power the M1A1 is still seen in the hands of paramilitaries today. Reliable but heavy, this classic weapon is still a powerful force in the hands of a Battlefield Veteran. • M1911 Pistol – Adopted in 1911 by the US Army the M1911 saw heavy service in WW1, WW2, Korea and Vietnam. Highly customized M1911 are still favored by Special Operations forces for its reliability and the power of its large .45 caliber round.

*Currently there are no customer reviews yet but I will update this blog post whenever there is one. Stay tune!

God of War III Reviews

2010-02-04T11:17:00.000+08:00

God of War III Reviews by Sony Computer Entertainment

God of War III is a single player action game, exclusive to the PlayStation 3, and the final installment of the God of War trilogy. Containing signature and addictive God of War gameplay — a combination of over-the-top action combat, exploration and puzzle-solving — along with an engrossing mythologically inspired storyline and a selection of new weapons and a new weapons system, it is a fitting conclusion to the much praised God of War franchise.

Story and Gameplay

God of War III allows players on the PlayStation 3 to take on the climatic role of the ex-Spartan warrior, Kratos, as he treads through the intimidating heights of Mt. Olympus and the dark depths of Hades once more to seek revenge on those who have betrayed him. Armed with double-chained blades, as well a selection of new weapons, Kratos must take on mythology's darkest creatures while solving intricate puzzles throughout his merciless quest to destroy Olympus and the mighty Zeus himself.

Mass Effect 2 Reviews

2010-02-04T10:11:00.001+08:00

Mass Effect 2 Reviews

Mass Effect 2 is the sequel to BioWare's hit space-based role-playing game (RPG), Mass Effect. A single player adventure, Mass Effect 2 allows players to continue the adventures of the fully customizable series hero, Commander Shepard, as you take on a whole new adventure and cast of supporting characters. Features new to this latest release in the franchise include the ability to import game save files from the original Mass Effect game to continue the adventure in an unbroken fashion, a new damage system, a more flexible dialogue game mechanic and more.

First off, I made the monumental mistake of erasing my MS1 data to clear up hard drive space about 9 months ago. My heart sunk when I installed the game thinking I could import my old character only to realize I had erased my old game. :( In these days of DLC milking, I have quickly learned to keep old games.

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised there was no DRM other than a disc check. That is perfectly fair. The instalation was a breeze and the game is fairly stable. Two crashes in the befinning but none since a full week of playing. What makes the glitches worth it, is the beauty of PC graphics. Top notch on my now five year old rig and two year old graphics card. I'll include specs at the end of this review.
As the title of this review suggests... ME2 is beginning to walk an ever so thinning line between RPG to full on action FPS. While I love both, I love them when they focus on one or the other. Many of the RPG aspects of ME1 have been left out such as the inventory system, to a certain degree character building and most importantly exploration, while the FPS aspects were streamlined and greatly improved. However, it seems they had to sacrifice some elements of RPG to do this. For example, when playing ME2, It seems exploration is not as open ended as ME1 where you could freely go to different buildings areas and so forth. In ME2 areas open up related to the mission only, then they close. For example, in Illium, I could only go to certain levels and rooms, then when a story thread opens up a taxi or character will automatically take me to the location. Once the mission is over, you are automatically taken back and that location is gone. This didnt happen often in ME1.

Another example of this is the omission of the Mako and exploration of planets. I know ill get flack for this since it was supposedly a criticism but I LOVED the Mako. With the Mako you felt like you were in control of exploring worlds as opposed to ME2 where tha shuttle drops you off, you explore a small linear map and go. The mako took you through all kinds of terrain into several maps and along the way you mined and found goodies. Thats all nearly gone. Now you have some crappy world map with a boring scanner. This perhaps is my biggest criticism.

This being said, the game did not strip enough RPG aspects to make it any less fun. It has been a joy to play this cinematic space opera. The FPS aspect was greatly improved but as stated before at the expense of some RPG elements. As indicated in title of this review, Bioware is walking a fine line. I just hope they dont cross it into FPS format. That being said, this game is highly recommended for ME1, Sci Fi, RPG and FPS fans.

MY RIG:

2.8 Pentium D Dual Core
800 gb hard drive space
Creative Audigy Sound Blaster audio card
Nvidia 8800 GTS 500mb graphics card
2 Gig memory
Windows Vista

Playstation 3 Yellow Light of Death Fix

2010-02-03T18:43:00.001+08:00

Playstation 3 Yellow Light of Death Fix - How Can You Fix PS3 YLOD All by Yourself?

By Gabriel Fox
The Playstation 3 yellow light of death, YLOD, is very appropriately named! When you go to turn on your system and watch that little yellow light flip to a blinking red light it is very frustrating. You press the button over and over trying to get the system to boot, but it does no good. While many people assume their console has really died and there is nothing to do but replace it, this is absolutely untrue.

It would certainly be easier and faster to just throw away the system out and purchase a new one, but anyone who does that would be stupid enough because the PS3 Yellow Light Of Death is a fixable problem! Plus, it is very likely that the new console will just develop the same Playstation 3 yellow light problem, and you can't continually replace it over and over.

That is why game enthusiasts are now turning to the internet to find fast, convenient, and affordable fixes for the Ps3 yellow light issue. Before you determine which of these fixes is right for you, take a moment to consider what may be causing the problem to begin with.

In most cases, the flashing yellow light of death of PS3 is caused by internal failures due to overheating. Many users notice that their console sounds much louder than usual and/or feels very warm to the touch prior to the Playstation 3 yellow light problem developing. These are actually good signs that the system is overheating and if you can fix the problem right away the flashing lights may actually be avoided!

For future reference, the PS3 console needs adequate ventilation to prevent overheating, or at least make it less likely to happen. Many users place their console down flat on the ground or up against a wall, which blocks off the fan vent which is designed to cool the system down. Other users do not realize that they need to clean off dust so it doesn't collect in the vent and excessive dust can also lead to overheating as it blocks the free flow of air in and out of the unit.

Once you have cleaned dust off of your console and placed it in an area where it is not obstructed, it's time to try a couple quick fixes:

Unplug the console from the wall for half an hour, then plug it back in.
Remove the hard drive and replace.
Check all wires and connections to the console.

If you can get a hard drive from someone else which you know works, you will determine right away if you can replace the hard drive to fix yellow light of death problem. In most cases, there will be more substantial damage internally which will require you to either send the console in to Sony or learn how to fix the Playstation 3 yellow light blinking problem on your own.

Doing it on your own is much faster and will cost you less. Some online programs offer detailed video instructions that walk you through it in less than an hour and some will even offer some extra bonuses that make your system more functional once the problem is fixed.

The only reason to ever pay the shipping to Sony is if you have a valid warranty that will pay for the repairs completely. Otherwise, you can do it cheaper and much, much faster by using a good online program with video instruction.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gabriel_Fox

Play Station 3 - My Experience and Thoughts

2010-02-03T18:19:00.000+08:00

By Heimir Arnfinnsson

In late April GTA 4 (Grand Theft Auto) was released on PS3, that was the reason I finally decided to buy myself this console. After months of having to go to a friends house and play. I was not disappointed, far from it. The PS3 is a magnificent console, that's for sure.

I did however buy the 40GB version and that does not have the capability to play PS2 games, that was a little let down for me. But I do own a PS2 console so it's not a huge setback.

One of the biggest pros of the PS3 is it's built in Blu-Ray Player. Blu-Ray is the future and those players will eventually replace the outdated DVD's. Most Blu-Ray players cost more than a single PS3 console, so having one built in is a huge benefit. A benefit that will come in handy later on once Blu-Ray has established itself as a permanent video standard.

The PS3 main purpose is of course to play video games. I myself have bout just over 20 games since it purchased the console. The biggest and best games in my honest opinion are the ones only released for the PS3.

Those are games such as Metal Gear Solid 4, Killzone 2, Little Big Planet, Resistance 2 and last but not least, the game of the year 2009, Uncharted 2.

All of those game are highly recommended by me.

Another handy feature the PS3 consist of is the ability the play streamed content from your PC or laptop. It's quite simple, all you have to do is download a media server (I recommend PS3 Media Server), set it up and that's it. You can stream your movies and audio stored on your PC straight to you PS3 (given that you have internet connection on both devices).

Overall, the PS3 is my favorite console and I recommend it to anyone. If you decide to buy one I strongly suggest that you buy Uncharted 2 along with it.

I rate the PS3 console 9.5 out of 10

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heimir_Arnfinnsson

PSPgo Review

2010-01-26T11:46:00.001+08:00

PSPgo

Introducing the smallest and mightiest PSP system yet. With the PSP Go users can download the best digital games and movies directly to the 16GB built-in memory and use built-in Bluetooth support to connect a wireless headset to more easily utilize Skype to talk with friends. But best of all, you can show off content via the new ultra-crisp 3.8-inch LCD screen, maximized by the PSP Go's new slide out control design. Go versatile, Go digital, Go anywhere.

Customer Reviews:

by Truth and Justice
You might think cool hardware would be enough, but, you would be wrong. Apple has cool hardware, but after playing a lot of games on a touchscreen, I didn't really care for it. I was ready to jump over to the PSPgo, which would deliver a far better gaming experience.

To be honest, I love the hardware, its cool, no worries. Smaller buttons, yeah, well, its ok. I don't mind. I have man hands and I can make it work. I really like the controls being under the screen, I don't have to hold up the PSP as high, it just "feels" better. I love the sliding mechanism. Some themes you can get make it so that when you slide it shut, a clock appears. Its really cool. Some of the controls, like the volume control, are in a truly irritating place. But its small, and portable, and sacrifices were made and I'm ok with that. I am a Sony guy, I love their stuff, and once again the Sony hardware team does not disappoint!

Problem is, when you roll a piece of hardware that has no UMD slot, you better have some awesome supporting infrastructure. And we know what cool supporting infrastructure is thanks to the iPhone and its Appstore.

There are a lot more games for the iphone than for the PSP. But the PSP is supposed to be a better, pedigreed gaming machine. We all know it. There are more Mustangs than Ferraris out there and most of us would rather have a Ferrari. And as for the gobs of games for the iphone, over 20,000 I think, how many games does one need, anyway? And most of them are junk.

So i was really excited about the PSPgo. Sony knows games and gaming systems. The PSPgo should smoke any wimpy touch screen gaming "system". And in terms of hardware, I think it does.

But the PSP go has its own issues. The bottom line is, you should buy a PSP with a UMD slot - for now.

Here are the reasons:

There are only 7 "mini" game titles in the app store at the time of this review.

There are 16 "exclusive" PSP downloadable titles.

Then there are hundreds of PSP games, but, the issue there is that many of these PSP games cost LESS on UMD than they do on the PSPgo! So not only do you lose the ability to buy a USED game, and the ability to RENT the game from gamefly, you also actualy get to pay MORE for the games in download format. Its INCREDIBLE!

Ape escape... $13.99 on Amazon.com, $19.99 via digital download on the PSP.

beaterator... $36.99 on Amazon.com, $39.99 via digital download for psp.

Other games are the SAME PRICE as getting a hard copy. Except, you don't get to sell or trade that hard copy when you are done.

The biggest software source that I have access to a huge back catalog of PSP games that are NO LONGER IN PRINT. Gee. I'm super unimpressed. We all know the only reason games go out of print is because they aren't selling anymore and you can buy a used copy at gamestop for $5.

And guess what - I could access all this software from a PSP1000, PSP2000, or PSP3000, and buy used UMDs and sell my games when I'm done.

The downloadable games should be CHEAPER than buying a hard copy. You aren't paying for extra convenience. You should be paying less because that game did not have to be pressed and distributed thousands of miles to get to you.

In addition, the Playstation store - which is your most convenient way of getting games - is very poorly set up. Forget seeing a video of the game, as you can on Amazon. None of the games for sale even have screen shots so I can't tell what the heck i'm buying. There is less information available than on the back of a UMD case in the store. Hello 1995!

There are also no customer reviews, so I can't make a judgement from that.

The free Rockband Lite took 30 minutes to download, which seemed waaay too long and a lot longer than the iPhone games I've been buying. In a world where you can download a Kindle book in 2 minutes, and a iPhone game in less than 5, without even using WIFI, a 30 minute wifi required download is going to get old in a hurry. Oh yes, I know I could tether it to a computer or PS3 with a USB cable. Hellllllo 2004. Lets not brag about that too loudly, the PSPgo is starting to be a King of Inconvenience.

The bad appstore, poor download prices, and lack of cheap, addictive games is a total deal killer for me. Yes, Sony will fix this. Over time. Not by Christmas 2009.

Buy a PSP3000 this year. And leave the PSPgo for another time, after Sony works out its growing pains...

Game Addiction: The Experience and the Effects

2010-01-26T11:34:00.000+08:00

Game Addiction: The Experience and the Effects (Paperback)

I believe this blog posting won't be complete if I not talk about Game Addiction. Read some review below adaptation from Amazon.

"Clark and Scott have blasted out a reasoned, hard-hitting account of video gaming that is both authoritative and non-judgmental. Their first-hand perspective yields useful information along with a powerful message about the potential and the peril inherent in our--and our children's--growing dependence on the satisfactions of virtual worlds. Anyone who can still think deeply will do so after reading this book!" --Jane M. Healy, Ph.D. Educational psychologist and author of Failure to Connect: How Computers Affect Our Children's Minds and What We Can Do About It

Customer Reviews:

by M.E. Blazer
Finally a book about video game addiction that is not just about statistics and research, but from the minds of those who realized that they have played a little more than they have liked. With their motivation to find out why, I found the books relevance to the subject to be that much more heartfelt; with data to support that yes you can show all the signs of someone who is addicted, but not condemn game playing. I never felt like I was being lectured to, but given the facts to how to handle excessive game play and prevent it in children before it can become a problem.

PC Gamer Review

2010-01-26T11:16:00.000+08:00

PC Gamer (1-year)

PC GAMER the #1 PC games magazine. The lastest game reviews, gaming news, tips, tricks and strategies to get the most out of your computer gaming experience.

Customer Reviews:

by Joseph Boone
Once upon a time, PC Gamer was in a real dogfight with Computer Gaming World for the title of best gaming magazine. This battle ended when CGW basically self-destructed thanks to some massively poor decision-making by their editorial staff. CGW has since re-launched as Games for Windows: The Official Magazine but has not reclaimed their old glory.

PC Gamer provides both reviews and previews of games. They also have a small section covering hardware. One regular feature that is nice is that they give sample builds for three PCs each month, entry level, mid level, and high end. Most magazines just focus on the most expensive parts for their sex appeal but most gamers can't afford that gear. It's nice to see this magazine buck that trend.

Most computer magazines employ humor to keep things from getting too dry and this one is no exception. They do a very professional job of providing coverage but throw in just enough sarcasm to give you a grin or two in every article. They also do a good job of calling out games that have real issues and even in their previews I've seen them point out shortcomings. Overall, this is a very good magazine and well worth the subscription price.

Assassins Creed II Review

2009-12-27T14:38:00.000+08:00

The world of the assassin is one cloaked in shadow and steeped in danger. Ensnared in a web of revenge and conspiracy, the assassin embraces power at its most elemental, acting as the dividing line between life and death. As an assassin confronted by perilous new challenges and difficult choices, what path will you choose?

Synopsis

Get ready to plunge into the lush and deadly world of the Italian Renaissance, an era of arts, riches and murderous conspiracy. Assassin's Creed II introduces you to Ezio, a new assassin carrying on the deadly lineage of his forebears. Confront an epic tale of power and corruption as you hone your assassin's art, wielding weapons and instruments designed by the legendary Leonardo da Vinci himself in this gripping and deadly sequel.

Product Review:
Fans of the previous game will be very impressed with Assassin's Creed II. I must say that the previous game was quite disappointing. I felt it had a lot of potential as a game but the repetitive gameplay and frame-rate issues made it a big let down. This time though things have changed drastically for the good. I have yet to complete the game but have played enough to formulate a review.

The first thing you'll notice is that the game has a very cinematic feel. The cutscenes are a bit lengthy and drive the story very well. The voice acting is pretty good and the lip syncing is almost spot on. Graphically the game is stunnning. The first Assassians creed looked very pretty but this one seems a notch above it. There is no denying the beauty of it all.

The gameplay has a very GTA style feel to it. You go from place to place to do a variety of different things. Unlike the last game where the gameplay was very reptitive where each section of the game required you to gather information in order to assassinate your victim (which only consisted of 3 or 4 different ways). Ubisoft have completely revamped that flawed style into a more enjoyable experience. Basically, think GTA but in the 15th century.

The freestyle movement is well done and easy to use. Although sometimes I had difficulty jumping up walls, Pressing the X button sometimes makes Ezio jump outwards rather than up. Having said that, its still an enjoyable experience, very much like the last game. Its also quite easy to navigate around your map.

The combat system hasn't changed that much. There are a few minor modifications. Ezio can do a few different things this time round like snatch enemy weopons while fighting and thrusting them down there body. The combat is a lot of fun and quite easy to learn. Also Ubisoft have added a currency system in the game. You can steal money from passing citizens or search enemies for money or earn money by doing errands and missions. The money can be spent on buying weopons and armor or upgrading current items. It makes the game much more enjoyable and interactive.

One thing of note is that this game is not for kids. There is a lot of sexuality in this game. Ezio can hire whores to distract gaurds and there is a bit of dirty talk. Its fun but some might feel it to be offensive. The ESRB does rate it at 17+, young children should stay away from this game.

There are a few minor glitches in the game but nothing major. I had a problem picking up boxes in the beginning of the game but nothing major so far. Hopefully these issues will be fixed with a patch.

Overall this game is a lot of fun. Its way better than the previous game. Anyone who enjoyed Assassins Creed should pick this one up. They will not be disappointed.

by M.D Sadek

Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation)

2009-12-27T14:15:00.000+08:00

On the one hand I love my Kindle 1... I use it everyday, I subscribe to my favorite newspaper, I mark up my books with annotations, highlights and bookmarks.

On the other hand my Kindle 1 annoys me... unintended page changes, the awkward way I sometimes have to hold it to keep from hitting buttons, the sometimes slow page refresh, and the screen freezes that now has me traveling with a paper clip lest I need to do a reset while commuting on the train.

I've had the Kindle 2 in my hands for almost a day and have carried it on one commute. What follows is my "first impressions" review of the Kindle 2 from the perspective of an owner of the original K1. What's different, what's better and what's worse?

5 big things I immediately noticed as different:

First, when taking the K2 out of the box I immediately noted that the back cover is not easily removable (if at all) and won't slip off in my hands - as was frequent with the K1. The keyboard is also much much smaller and less obtrusive.

The second thing I noticed is power management. No longer do I have to press and hold two buttons to put the device to sleep. The switches for On/Off and Wireless On/Off are gone. There's a single small switch at the top of the K2 that handles Sleep.

The third thing I noticed - where's the silver strip? In fact, the entire navigation structure has been completely revised - I'm still getting used to it but it's a huge step forward. The silver strip has been replaced by a 4-way rocker that can also be pressed for "OK" commands, creating bookmarks, and doing highlighting.

The fourth thing I noticed - while page changing doesn't seem to me to be particularly faster - almost every other interaction on the screen is vastly accelerated... scrolling the cursor, looking up words, highlighting text, and typing text.

The fifth thing I noticed - a new power cable. This unit uses USB cables that are not compatible with K1. It's a bit of a bummer since I was hoping my wife and I could share power cables (she's taking over my K1).

What's better:

Navigation is a huge improvement. Moving the cursor to a word and having the definition of the word immediately pop up on the bottom of the screen is terrific. Using the rocker to move between articles in a newspaper makes scanning the paper much faster and enjoyable. Calling up the Menu strip is much faster and interactive. Clearly, Amazon was hard at work to make navigation quicker and easier. The hard work is apparent.

Buttons: The K1 was a constant struggle with inadvertent page changes. The design was flawed from the beginning. The single best improvement in the K2 took a few minutes of concentrated reading to realize... the button hinges are on the outside - at the edge - of the K2. You need to press on the interior of the button to get it to click. This change alone has saved me from several inadvertent page changes. Combine that with the smaller button sizes and one major source of frustration has been instantly eliminated!

Size: The K2 is thinner than the iPhone. It feels denser and maybe a tad heavier - although I did buy the premium cover which snaps into the K2 and adds to the weight (btw, I love the premium cover and think it's worth the investment).

Network Speed: The K2 can use G3 cellphone connections and when it's activated it makes a considerable difference in interactivity to the Kindle Store and when downloading Archived content.

Power Management: The little power button at the top of the Kindle is really a power slide. That is, slide it to toggle Sleep mode on and off. Slide and hold to do a full power down. And the K1's wireless on-off switch has been replaced by a menu choice in software. Works for me. Also, compared to the K1 waking from sleep is super-fast.

What's worse...

There isn't much I liked better in the K1 than the K2. One thing: calling up clippings and notes. In the K2 these items only list the first sentence or two of my highlights. In the K1 it displays the entire highlight - which makes reading through them much easier and more like reading Cliff Notes. The new interface in K2 is annoying and makes the feature much less useful. I'll be writing to Amazon to see if we can get that changed.

Closing thoughts...

The K2 is a big refinement over the K1. It feels as easy to read as the K1 but doesn't seem any crisper to my eyes (I usually read at point sizes 3 & 4). In this regard, as a book, the K1 and K2 are comparable. I wouldn't run up my credit card to buy the K2 from a belief that it's fundamentally easier to read. However, in my short time with the K2 it's a more enjoyable device to use. The change in the hinging and size of the buttons is major plus and would make it hard to go back to the K1. Amazon broke a few paradigms that K1 users are accustomed to and I found myself going to the K2 User Guide to figure out some content management issues that have been changed in this release.

Why 4 stars and not 5? The Kindle will never get 5 stars from me until Amazon implements the notion of a lending library where I can lend another Kindle user a book; which would have the book would disappear from my Kindle and appear on theirs. After x number of days the book would automatically be returned to me and taken off the other person's Kindle. Amazon says they want the device to disappear and content to stand out. I say: Until I can lend a friend a book the Kindle will never quite live up to that standard and will be, in my book, stuck at 4 stars.

by P. Inhofer

PlayStation 3: History of video game consoles (seventh generation)

2009-12-27T14:01:00.000+08:00

PlayStation 3: History of video game consoles (seventh generation), PlayStation 3 launch, PlayStation 3 accessories, PlayStation 3 hardware, DualShock (Paperback)

PlayStation 3. History of video game consoles (seventh generation), PlayStation 3 launch, PlayStation 3 accessories, PlayStation 3 hardware, DualShock, PlayStation 3 system software, XrossMediaBar, VidZone, PlayStation Network, PlayStation Store, PlayStation Home, Remote Play, PlayStation 3 games

Product Detail:

Paperback: 156 pages
Publisher: Alphascript Publishing (September 25, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 6130051891
ISBN-13: 978-6130051891
Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces

For more info, I suggest you visit Amazon.com

PlayStation 3 Review by Sony Computer Entertainment

2009-12-27T13:39:00.000+08:00

The fourth generation of hardware released for the PlayStation 3 entertainment platform, the PlayStation 3 120GB system is the next stage in the evolution of Sony's console gaming powerhouse. Loaded with a mix of multimedia features and functions available on earlier PlayStation 3 models, as well as a series of new advancements and refinements, the PlayStation 3 120GB system is destined to push the envelope in the realm of Next-Generation entertainment.

What's Under the Hood

As with previous models, the PlayStation 3 120GB system features an IBM "Cell" processor and a co-developed NVIDIA graphics processor that together allow the system to perform two trillion calculations per second. Yet the 120GB system manages to improve on this with its 45nm version of the processor, which although running at the same 60+nm speed as previous PS3 versions, uses less energy. This makes the unit's smaller size and quieter fan possible. Along with the traditional AV and composite connections, the 120GB system also boasts an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port, which delivers uncompressed, unconverted digital picture and sound to compatible high-definition TVs and projectors. (The system is capable of 128-bit pixel precision and 1080p resolution for a full HD experience) This console also provides for an extreme sound experience by supporting Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, as well as Linear PCM 7.1. Finally, it features cross connectivity with your PC network and PlayStation Portable (PSP) and its pre-installed, 120GB hard disc drive allows you to save games as well as download content from The Internet. Unlike The some other models of The PlayStation 3, The 120GB system does not offer backwards compatibility.

Blu-ray, PlayStation Network Downloads and Beyond

PlayStation 3 utilizes The Blu-ray disc media format, which gives you The best high-definition viewing experience on your television, by way of The format's ability to hold six times as much data as traditional DVDs. This tremendous capacity, combined with The awesome power of The system's processor and graphics card, promises an endless stream of mind-blowing games, and other multimedia content. This doesn't mean though that The PS3 is limited to Blu-ray discs. It also supports CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD+R formats. In addition, PlayStation 3 system software includes BD Live support that allows you to play discs that support Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0 (BD-LIVE), meaning you can also connect to The Internet while playing discs that support this format to obtain additional features. And of course PS3 owners also receive free access to The PlayStation Network (PSN), where through The PlayStation Store and PlayStation Home, they can download games, game demos, movies, and other content, as well as chat with friends, play mini-games, compete in tournaments and explore dedicated game spaces.

Sensational Controller

The Dualshock 3 wireless controller included with The PlayStation 3 120GB system provides The most intuitive game play experience, with pressure sensors in each action button and The inclusion of The highly sensitive Sixaxis motion sensing technology. Each hit, crash and explosion is more realistic when The user feels The rumble right in The palm of their hand. It can even detect natural movements for real-time and high precision interactive play, acting as a natural extension of The user’s body. Dualshock 3 utilizes Bluetooth technology for wireless game play and The controller’s detachable USB cable to seamlessly and automatically charge The controller when connected to The PlayStation 3. By integrating all of these features into The popular PlayStation controller design, The Dualshock 3 further enhances The advanced gameplay experience only available on The PlayStation 3 system.

Synch with Your Other Sony HDMI Devices
The PlayStation 3 120GB system features HDMI + Bravia Synch functionality. Bravia Synch allows connectivity between Sony HDMI products, without having to utilize multiple remote controls. This means that with The push of one button users can control compliant Sony devices connected to your PS3 via HDMI cable.

What's in The Box:

New slimmer and lighter PS3 system with a 120 GB HDD, Internet-ready built-in Wi-Fi, 2 USB ports and HDMI + Bravia Synch output for 1080p resolution and connectivity between other Sony HDMI products.
Dualshock 3 wireless controller.
AC power cord, AV cable and USB cable.
Free PlayStation Network membership.

My overall impression of the Slim is "nothing new" at least on surface. The "cooler, quieter, smaller, more energy efficient" you don't notice while playing a game or watching a movie. The really great news about the Slim is that so many more will be able to afford it and, with a larger user base, more developers will feel more strongly motivated to publish more, better games that all of us will enjoy.