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PS3 Update 2.20

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The Playstation 3 Update 2.20 has been released!

This update adds the following features to PS3:

* “Resume play” will enable PS3 system to start playing a Blu-ray disc and DVD at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed.
* “Audio Output Device” will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3.
* PS3 system’s Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser’s view speed will be improved.
* DivX and WMV format videos that are larger than 2GB will be playable.
* “Mosquito Noise Reduction” will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback.

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Stystem Software Update Makes Playstation 3 Blu-Ray Interactive

Sony recently announced that an upcoming system software update will make Playstation 3 compatible with interactive Blu-Ray menuing. The update is scheduled to be released in late March, 2008. This update will add Blu-ray Disc(TM) (BD) Profile 2.0 or BD-LIVE, enabling PS3 owners to experience interactive features, such as downloadable video content, ringtones, games, and more. In addition to BD-LIVE, the system software update (v. 2.20) will enable photo and music playlists on PS3 to be copied to PSP(R)(PlayStation(R)Portable) handheld
entertainment system.

“With Blu-ray established as the high-definition optical disc standard, more consumers are ready to jump in and take advantage of everything the format offers,” said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA. “Whether you want to download movie extras, send ringtones to your phone, or play interactive games, BD-LIVE will offer exciting new ways to enjoy a Blu-ray movie. With these regular firmware updates and future-proofed technology, SCEA is making the 10-year lifecycle of PS3 possible.”

Other features this update will make available:

• “Resume play” will enable PS3 system to start playing a Blu-ray disc and DVD at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed.
• “Audio Output Device” will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3.
• PS3 system’s Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser’s view speed will be improved.
• DivX and WMV format videos that are larger than 2GB will be playable.
• “Mosquito Noise Reduction” will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback.

Look for this update for Playstation3 coming soon!

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Dell Planning Special PCs for China And India

Dell is planning on turning out a new version of PCs for users in China and India.

Dell said the company grew consumer sales in China by 54% and the company plans on increasig sales this year.

When we look at the potential for expansion, we do see enormous opportunity ahead,” Dell said. “As far as the U.S. goes, I think the U.S. will be OK, but not the fastest-growing. We expect more growth in Asia.”

The company last month reported its fourth-quarter profit fell 6.4 percent and cautioned that more cautious spending by U.S. customers could hurt its business.

Dell says it has about 18 percent of China’s market by revenue and 10 percent by number of units sold. Worldwide, it has a 16.1 percent market share, according to consulting firm Gartner Group.

Dell is also selling computers through retail channels in the two emerging markets.

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Dexter The Space Robot Now Assembled

Dexter the robot that will work on the space station has now been assembled. Dexter is ready to do manual labor on the space station.

The robot, which is properly called the Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator, will in future do much of the external work on the space station.

Dextre will now undergo a series of tests and trials before it is asked to do major tasks.

Ultimately, it will be commanded to install and remove small payloads such as electronics boxes, computers and batteries

The fourth test happens this Thursday.

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Mario Kart With Wii Wheel Release Date

The release date for Mario Kart With Wheel for Wii is coming quickly. This great new game, complete with a wheel to keep you on the road will be hitting retail outlets on April 27, 2008.

Play a whole new way with the Wii Wheel! The Wii Wheel transforms the Wii Remote into a steering wheel that feels natural in anyone’s hands, while the Wii Remote and Nunchuk offer a classic control style for the Mario Kart veteran. In either configuration, you can perform dramatic speed-boosting tricks like jumps, flips, and wheelies and with the shake of a Wii Remote.

If you want to be first on the block to own a copy of Mario Kart with Wheel, be sure to place your Preorder now!
The game (and wheel) retail for around $50.00.

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Super Smash Brothers Brawl For WII Sells Like Hotcakes

It was recently announced that Super Smash Brothers Brawl for Wii has broken a sales record at Nintendo. The game was released on March 9, 2008 and sold almost 900,000 copies that day. To date, sales exceed 1.4 million copies.

It is the third installment of the Super Smash Bros. series and features dozens of classic Nintendo characters like Mario and Sonic The Hedgehog. It’s for 1-4 players and rated “T”.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl is now available and retails for around $50.00.

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Google Says Company Can Avoid Economic Downturn

Executives at Google seem to think the company is immune to an economic slowdown. Eric Schmidt said during a press conference that Google is uniquely positioned to avoid the troubles plaguing many other firms.

“It’s too early to say if there’s (already) been any specific impact but if there were I don’t think it would be much,” Schmidt said.

“We believe that if there were (a U.S. recession), we’ll be well positioned. We’re not particularly dependent on any particular one market. There’s not a lot of advertising for any one market over another,” he said.

“There tends to be a flight in a global slowdown to higher quality advertising and higher quality advertising is determined by what sells,” he said.

The question is: will those companies continue to buy ads from Google?

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Nintendo Hints At “Big Game”

Nintendo has put out a lot of big titles in 2008. Now there’s a hint they may be planning on releasing another “big game” before year end.

“There’s going to be a big game for the holiday that gamers will want,” Nintendo’s Reggie Fils-Aime told GameTrailers. “The gamers are going to be excited, and the expanded audience is going to be excited.

Whatever it is, gamers are probably expecting to have their socks knocked off.

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Robert Soloway Faces 26 Years For Spamming

Robert Soloway was a heavy duty email spammer and now he faces up to 26 years in prison for his efforts. It’s tough to feel sorry for the guy, who once bragged: “I’ve been sued for hundreds of millions of dollars and have had my business running for over 10 years without ever paying a dime, regardless to the outcome of any lawsuits.”.

Sentencing is June 20th.

Soloway has already pleaded guilty to charges of fraud and tax evasion.

My Inbox laughs ruefully.

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Samsung L74W

The Samsung L74W digital camera is unique in a very special way. The Samsung L74W is a touch-screen digital camera, which might take some getting used to, if you haven’t had the opportunity to use one before.

The touch-screen interface, in fact, will probably be a deal breaker for many people who experiment with this camera. Many users have reported the interface to be a bit of a “pain”.

Phone Features:

7.2 Mega Pixels, 3.6X Optical Zoom
Wider perspective through a 28mm wide-angle lens
3″ Touch Screen LCD (230K) (Physical User Interface)
ASR (Advanced Shake Reduction), ISO 1600 and Red-eye Fix Function
3.0x Optical Zoom with Sound for Perfect Video Shooting, Built-in Movie Editing Function
Face Recognition AF & AE
14 preset scene modes and Wise Shot
Provision of a 450MB internal memory for World Tour Guide function
Voice Recording (depends on capacity)
Special Photo Edit / Effect function
About 450MB Built-in Memory, SD/SDHC/MMC Plus Memory Card
Dimension: 104.5 X 61.8 X 21.8 (W x H x D, mm) / Weight: 174g

The Samsung L74W retails for around 189.99.

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