There are 5 worlds in the game with each one having 6 levels to guide through and of course, the further you get, the harder it is to reach your goal.

There are two games types in Switchball, Free Play and Timed Play. But I don’t see the point in having these as there’s literally no difference whatsoever. In Free Play, you’re not timed on how long it takes you to complete the level, so you can just saunter through them if you so wish.

The Timed Play does exactly what it says on the tin, in that you’re timed, but there’s no time limit. You can earn Bronze, Silver and Gold medals depending on how fast you complete each level but time never runs out. So why didn’t they just incorporate the two? So basically Timed Play is Free Play but you can earn medals for completing it quicker.

There’s the added bonus of earning trophies for the amount of medals you achieve throughout the game, which will take you a while to collect as earning a Gold medal on later stages is tricky!! Throughout the game, you’ll find yourself having to change for another ball type as certain obstacles can only be accomplished using a certain ball. But it doesn’t get confusing as the converters lie right around where you need to change to continue.

So if you need to smash through some heavy boxes, you need a heavier ball, or an air ball to get you up to a higher ledge using the fans. This a good as it makes you think a little more about how to pass certain problems instead of just doing the same repetitive thing over and over.

You have ways on controlling the ball. One of them is the token analog stick and the other is using the Sixaxis controls. I found the Sixaxis to be a bit of a chore and not very responsive for this game as there are times when you have to gain speed to get through obstacles and I could never build up enough using Sixaxis. Whereas using the analog stick gave me better control over where I wanted to go and how much speed I built up.

There are 3 camera types so you can navigate around the level to see where to go next which include, Manual, Auto and Chase. The chase camera just made me have motion sickness as it was moving around way too fast for my liking. The Manual is all down to you how you want the camera, but I found the Auto camera to be the best out of the three as it didn’t make me want to throw up after going round 3 corners in a row.

The game looks quite scenic as the levels kind of hover in a vast area with images of mountains and the like around you, similar to the backdrops in Bejewelled 2. The actual levels have a cartoon-ish look to them which I quite like and look nicely polished in HD.

I did find myself enjoying Switchball and it can get quite addictive. But of course with addiction comes frustration, so don’t be surprised if you keep screaming at your TV. I suppose that’s a good thing as once you’ve completed a level you feel like you’ve achieved something instead of just strolling through it all. If you like a good old puzzle game that will keep you occupied on rainy days, then I’d recommend getting Switchball.

3 out of 5

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Having said that they are definitely getting more compact and discrete (such as the Steel Series Siberia V2 we looked at a while back) and now Sony’s two releases – the DR-350USB and DR-320DPV – are testament to this dual purpose aim.

Claiming to be the “stylish alternative to flimsy, drab looking headsets” they certainly fulfil the first part of that with the slim, smooth and ultimately quite discrete design, and the DR-320DPV comes in the usual Sony range of colours namely red or black – which as they suggest you could choose to match your VIAO laptop, although to be honest the fact that they have decided not to do that in the advertising material suggests it may look a little odd!

The earpads appear to have been designed with comfort in mind (possibly at the expense of sound, but that is hard to tell) with foam pads and a lightweight, but hopefully sturdy, adjustable headband which aims to put as little pressure as possible on your head – there is in fact few things more annoying than a headset that sits too tightly!

But it is the microphone that makes the two headsets really multipurpose. As opposed to having a permanent ‘boom’ microphone, these Sony models sport an omnidirectional microphone embedded into actual headset, with a removable ‘voice tube’ that routes your voice directly to the mic to remove as much background noise as possible.

Whilst I’ll admit that I don’t know exactly how well this works, I do have my reservations as to how well the ‘tube’ will be able to carry the sound, and how good quality the microphone will ultimately be. I would personally prefer the solution used in the aforementioned Siberia V2 in which the microphone slides back into the headset, but for a change Sony may well be looking at the lower end of the market at more casual users in which case this would be a lot better for that particular demographic!

As you may have noticed both headsets are almost exactly identical – the only difference really comes in the colours (the DR-350 comes only in gold whilst the DR-320 gives you the choice of red and black) and the actual cable that makes the headset useful!

It won’t surprise you given their full names that the DR-350USB uses a USB adapter (shock!) which of course means you can have it plugged in at the same time as speakers, whilst the DR-320DPV uses standard 3.5mm connectors but does still come with inline controls and the extended length of 2.5m – whilst the DR-350USB has a combined length equal to that, if you wish to use it without the USB you will be limited to 1.2m which is far from massive.

The last real thing of note is the small clip on the mic plug on the DR-320DPV which allows you to attach it to the headphone jack when the former is not in use, meaning you don’t suffer from the cable-clutter that I for one am plagued by and would ordinarily require use of something like a Cable Drop!

I think even Sony would admit that if you are going for some hardcore gaming you will probably want something more robust and sound quality orientated, but for most ordinary folk that wish to combine the use of the microphone and the need for some headphones then these could well be for you!

Via – Sony

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Of course, nothing is set in stone, but Engadget ran a post featuring pictures and video’s of the potential features and user interface of the courier and claimed news arrived from, and i quote, ‘an extremely trusted source’.

So what’s it all about then? Well my initial impression tells me that you would be mistaken to perceive the device as an iPad competitor. Whilst the dual screens would make it an excellent ebook-reader, it seems it would have difficulty being an adequate portable media player or lightweight gaming option such as the iPad. It is in fact described as a ‘digital journal’, which sums it up quite nicely in my opinion.

It is said to run from the same operating system as the Zune HD and Windows Mobile 7 Series, which is most likely Windows CE 6. From the video’s on Engadget, it seems that the main source of input into the device will be a pen/stylus. However, before you jump in and think poorly of it, consider that the handwriting recognition technology behind it, is so accurate that it allows you to simply scribble in the name of a contact to send an email, or write in a web address to be taken to the site. The seemingly near perfect quality of the technology makes the need for any tricky on screen keyboard or pointing device, pretty much negligible.

So why would you want a Courier or “digital journal”? Well if you’re the sort of busy businessman that currently is forced to carry folder upon folder, diary upon diary etc. perhaps in a large briefcase, then the Courier allows you to consolidate all of you separate sources of notes, contacts, news stories etc. into a single lightweight device no more than an inch thick. Judging by the mock-ups it seems to be the ultimate, portable collaboration device. Although in addition to that, it also seems to be a very capable web browsing and email device.

Physically, the device has always been rumoured to have dual screens which fold together in order to provide an authentic ‘book’ like experience. This remains true with these unofficial mock ups which is a major attraction for buyers of e-readers as well as those who will use it as a business journal/diary.

It is also rumoured to have a built in camera (unlike the iPad) which will add extra functionality. In the video’s they used the example of a designer snapping shots of materials and collecting a journal of thoughts, meetings and such, hence maintaining an entire project with just one single device.

With this just being an initial mock up/rumour, there are no details of pricing or availability, however Engadget have been informed of a Q3/Q4 release date. This would suggest very little intent of competing with the iPad or I’m sure they would have battled for a sooner release. Perhaps they’re leaving that to the recently announced HP Slate device.

So, are you keen to get your mits on an Apple iPad? Is it useful? Or are you willing to wait and see what other tablet-style alternatives appear in the coming months? Does the Microsoft Courier digitial journal seem like more of an actual work device? Take a look at the following concept videos and then tell us what you think to them in the comments below!

Via – Engadget

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Here at Zath we’ve been lucky enough to interview the director of Sony Design Centre Europe (DCE); Takuya Kawagoi who has overseen the implementation of this new Monolithic Design Concept for these products.

Takuya Kawagoi took up the position of director of Sony Design Centre Europe (DCE) in February 2009. In this role he will undertake a pivotal role in directing the young DCE team and providing his vision for Sony design in Europe. Tak has been an instrumental figure in Sony design since joining in 1991 where he first worked at the Tokyo Design Center before moving to London for his first UK assignment as a senior designer at DCE.

This was followed by art director positions at the creative center in Tokyo and in the global marketing team at Sony Ericsson, where he developed the iconic Sony Ericsson logo. Tak has vast experience in the development of brand communication and understands exactly which aspects of packaging can help products reach their potential in markets overseas where particular styles must be kept in mind. Further branding for the iconic Sony Ericsson logo, BRAVIA TV and alpha digital camera range campaigns have played parts in Tak’s design career at Sony.

——-

1) The launch of the new range of not only TV’s, but devices across the board, revolved around the ‘Monolithic Design Concept’. Could you tell us exactly what this means and the idea behind it?

The idea of the Sony BRAVIA Monolithic Design concept is that it combines aesthetic appeal and minimalist style to create a design statement in its own right. Monolithic Design uses beautiful surfaces, high-quality materials and a minimalistic, functional style to transform the living space. Everything is geared towards a unique entertainment experience – from the ultimate performance when everything is switched on, to beautiful design that complements the living room when it’s turned off.

Every detail in the BRAVIA Monolithic Design concept has been carefully considered, from the contrast of high-quality materials and flush screen surface (which looks spectacular whether the TV is on or off) to the option to recline the TV at a 6 degree angle – ideal for viewing from low, contemporary furniture and for adding a sense of space to your room.

2) These new TVs continue the long standing Sony tradition of being aesthetically top of the pile. How important is it to the company to continually provide such stunning designs?

Design has always been at the forefront of Sony’s thinking in developing new products. There is no point in developing groundbreaking technology if it is housed in a product that people think is ugly. Our European Design Centre, which was established in 1980, is dedicated to building on Sony’s design heritage and developing beautiful products with the juxtaposition of our cutting edge technology and aesthetic design. This is at the heart of the thinking behind the Monolithic Design concept and will feature across all of our home entertainment products in 2010.

3) The TVs seem to fit ideally into every environment they are thrown in to. How difficult is it to come up with designs that appeal to people of different cultures with extremely different households?

It’s certainly a challenge to fit every country’s individual needs, especially in Europe where tastes vary so much across the continent. However, by looking at overall trends in interior design we have seen that minimalistic design is in vogue across Europe and indeed, the world. So we have tailored our new range to fit in with rooms boasting stark, clean lines.

4) I think it’s fair to say that the designs are fairly minimalistic. To look at it feels fairly reserved in that it’s not at all striking. Would you say that ironically, it is the discreet nature of the design that ultimately makes it stand out from the crowd?

This is exactly the point of the Monolithic Design concept. The TVs are designed to look as good switched off as they are switched on, complementing the overall design of your living room, rather than looking out of place. By having a flush surface and no unnecessary decorations, the new range of TVs allow the viewer to focus 100% on the HD quality pictures that are being generated, without having your line of vision distracted by the edge of the TV or visible buttons.

5) Presumably you want your customers to instantly recognise the high quality of Sony product design? In terms of the various selling points of a Sony home entertainment product, how important and at what stage of development does the ‘visual design factor’ come into it?

‘The “visual design factor” is something that is included from the very beginning of the design process. If the looks are left to later stages of the design process, they can be very costly and even impossible to integrate and include. It could be compared to building a house where security has been added as an afterthought; to get the most out of the security, it has to be included from the very early stages in the architect’s drawings.

A television to us is so much more than a box in the corner of the living room and instead is an integral part of the home. So, it’s all about placing the living room at the heart of the home entertainment experience as well as creating a seamless balance of design and technology.

Our customers know what they want, and in an aesthetically pleasing home it is important to have a television to complement the design. The domestic design market is moving more and more towards minimalism and we feel we have an amazing concept to showcase’.

6) How do you decide about what direction to take your product design when starting out in designing a whole new family of products as you have done with the “Monolithic Design Concept”?

This question is perhaps best answered by watching Sony’s own ‘Make Believe’ video in which they go into the specifics of how they go about designing their TV products.

Zath: A big thanks to Sony and Takuya Kawagoi for taking the time out for this interview, hopefully you’ve now got a much better understanding of Sony BRAVIA Monolithic Design Concept as we certainly have here at Zath and look forward to seeing more of these products as they’re released.

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So you may be thinking, well won’t I have to pay import duty? Won’t that make the savings pretty much negligible? Well actually, no. Thanks to a binding ruling by UK customs, there is a guaranteed 0% import cost.

So it all sounds pretty spectacular. Of course, there will be plenty of skeptics which will disregard the idea under the assumption there is a ‘catch’. As far as I can tell it is trustworthy and I can’t see why it wouldn’t be attractive to potential iPad buyers. In addition to the lower costs and early release, delivery is promised within 3 days of the US launch date. The pre-order of the Apple iPad in the US opened on Friday 12th March.

So what is Bundle Box? As i mentioned earlier, they are an online transatlantic shopping service which allows Brits to register for a free USA postal address. Therefore being able to easily ship items from the states with, in this case, no extra cost. BundleBox allows customers to order from any US website and send the goods to your registered address. Bundle Box then send out the goods to the consumer in the UK. The company was started by former Google executive Andre Schmidt in the UK last year.

The total cost of the device including postage and packing, when ordered through BundleBox, will come to a modest £465.20 for the 16Gb Wi-Fi version. As I said, this is a saving of approximately £30 over the predicted UK price, sounds like the best deal I’ve heard of for an Apple’s iPad yet, what do you think to it?

One of the biggest gripes I have with living in the UK is the pretty limited collection of technology on the market and the more expensive price tags when compared to those across the pond. Short of flying across and actually buying the goods ourselves, we really are stuck with high prices and limited variety.

Some sites in the US such as the Apple store, only allows payment using USA credit cards, however the ‘buy for me’ service provided by Bundle Box allows users without such cards to purchase the goods anyway. Registration for the site is free as well so it won’t break your bank just taking a look. Other services provided by BundleBox include the ‘strip and ship’ offer which removes bulky packaging to minimise shipping costs.

Personally, I love the idea and have been looking out for such a service such as Bundle Box for some time now. Obviously with other goods this can be an extremely expensive way of shipping certain goods depending on the physical size of it. However generally US prices are cheaper than here in the UK, so you will have to take time weighing up the pro’s and con’s for each individual items, although bulk shipping to save costs is a viable option.

So what do you think of the Bundle Box service? Is it something that interests you? The Apple iPad is no doubt going to be high in demand so this service does give you a chance to get there ahead of the crowd.

Via – Gaj-It

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The extra footage is said to be around 10-12 minutes, which isn’t a lot, but any excuse to see Avatar in 3D again is good enough for me. Some of the extra scenes that could be added are Jake Sully’s avatar proving himself to the Na’vi and Tsu’tey getting drunk at a native festival.

To be honest, I don’t think it would be detrimental to the film for leaving these scenes out as I was amazed with Avatar both times that I saw it in all it’s 3D glory.

The reason for the possible re-release is because James Cameron reckons the studios have missed out on around $200 million because of the release of Alice in Wonderland in 3D which has replaced Avatar 3D in many cinemas.

Personally I think it should be left alone and take it for what it is. A huge success that smashed all records. Just be proud of that Mr Cameron and move on. But saying that, I would watch it again if it was re-released. Hypocritical I know.

So would you like to go back to Pandora for an extra 10-12 minutes of extra footage or do you think James Cameron is getting a bit greedy?

Via – IGN

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The first thing you’ll notice about TotalFinder is that once it’s been installed on your system, Finder will have tabs! With tabs styled on Google’s Chrome browser thanks to the Chromium codebase, you can easily flick between tabs and save the hassle of having a lot of Finder windows open to carry out your daily tasks. For those ol’ Norton Commander fans out there, you can also view your windows in a dual panel mode which is a nice option to have, although one I don’t personally use.

A feature recently added in the latest release of TotalFinder (0.8 at the time of writing) is the ability to drag and drop files between tabs, which is a great addition I’ve been hoping for since the early releases. It works great and is a real time saver having all your tabs available to drag and drop in through one Finder window.

Although it’s still currently in Alpha, I’ve found TotalFinder to be a stable application, especially in the later builds. It’s currently free from binaryage, although when it comes out of testing it will cost to use – keep your eye on this one!

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After using it for a while, however, I came to appreciate the great service pushme.to offers as an alternative to these apps when you’re out of texts – after all, some of the iPhone contracts available on the market aren’t exactly generous when it comes to SMS limits. Another useful feature with this service is that it allows people to send messages to registered users from the Pushme.to website.

It’s also well worth noting that if you’re an iPod Touch user, you’ll be able to message people as long as you’re connected to a wi-fi network which is a great advantage for many!

When you open Pushme.to, you’re presented with a simple interface allowing you to either register an account if you’re a new user, or login to an existing account. If you’re signing up for a new account, just enter your details and check for the confirmation email and you’re all set!

Once you’re logged in, sending a message couldn’t be much simpler; just select the message button and send a message to whoever you want! With the inclusion of push notifications when you get a message, Pushme.to offers a brilliant alternative that you’ll quickly grow to love.

The best news is yet to come: the developers of Pushme.to have decided to include all the features from the paid version of the app in the free (or ‘lite’) version! You’ll be given Facebook profile access, unlimited messages and the ability to send images over messages, so what are you waiting for? After trying it out, I definitely recommend Pushme.to to anybody looking for an SMS alternative for their iPhone or iPod Touch.

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Opera has good history on mobile devices such as their Opera Mobile 9.5 browser for Windows Mobile phones, so the first thing that struck me about Mini 5 is that it too has an extremely simple user interface (UI) that’s extremely intuitive and makes a lot of key operations in mobile browsing very easy.

At the bottom of the screen, there’s a black bar with all the navigation tools you need, and although this may take up valuable screen estate on an already small screen, it’s very functional. You have your back, forward and refresh buttons as expected, but the tabs button makes it incredibly easy to add, remove and switch between tabs – much easier than it is on Android’s stock browser.

You also have access to the preferences via a pop up grid with various choices allowing you to not only change your settings, but also manage your downloads, bookmarks and view your history amongst other things.

Apart from the good looking UI of Opera Mini 5 on my Google Android-based Nexus One, I was impressed at the sheer speed when rendering pages. The browser itself isn’t necessarily faster, but the way pages are loaded is. When loading a page, it’s taken from Opera’s servers, which load the page using compressed text and images from their cache. This means that pages load extremely fast, although image quality isn’t as sharp as it is on the stock browser, where web pages are loaded like they would on any other device.

Being in beta, Opera Mini 5 looks incredibly promising, and although features such as pinch-to-zoom aren’t supported yet, the future of web browsing on Android certainly looks bright thanks to Google’s open platform policy, unlike a certain other company’s mobile platform…

For full details on how to download Opera Mini 5, head on over to the Opera website or search for the browser app on the Android Market.

Via – Telegraph

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So what makes this one so different to the others? I hear you ask. Well, here’s the answer. The case fits seamlessly around the edge of the iPhone or iPod Touch to create incredible impact protection, in fact 100% more protection than a standard plastic case.

It has all the usual cut outs so functionality is not restricted at all, and the soft(ish) nature of the material (d3o) creates massive shock absorbance meaning you can hurl it around till your heart’s content and it probably won’t break for at least twice as long as it would do in a normal case.

Not only does it allow full functionality of the iPhone 3GS or 3G, it also keeps up with the impressive styling of the phone. Charcoal in colour with smooth, rounded edges, the extra protection on your phone will not make it look rugged or ugly at all.

Also, the casing is thick enough that it just raises the iPhone off of a desk, which means they can keep the front and rear of the phone visible at all times and provide almost maximum scratch protection. I think it would be fair to say, the iPhone is prone to getting a little scuff here and there.

The product appeared on BBC’s Dragon’s Den program last year (with Peter Jones throwing an iPhone at a desk) and has been tested to the point where it has survived being thrown at a brick wall and dropped from a balcony whilst cradling an iPhone inside, just take a look at the video below to learn more and to see them testing it out.

The iBand d30 iPhone Protector case looks like a great solution for protecting your beloved iPhone or iPod Touch from high impacts drops, in fact I’ve wanted one ever since I saw it on Dragon’s Den. That said I’d still personally be a little concerned about scratches to the front or back of the case and would probably pair this impact protection along with the Zagg’s InvisibleShield scratch-proof cover which together should ensure a long life for your iPhone/iPod Touch.

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