The latest word from the Gadget front-line, from our brave soldiers at The Gadget Show.
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It seems we’re about to be subjected to a deluge of Android-packing tablets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab is official, the LG Optimus Pad is on its way and so are Google-backed slates from Toshiba and Motorola.
That means the Big G is going to be in prime position to tackle the iPad, using the same OS that has done such a good job of keeping the iPhone and iOS on its toes in the past twelve months.
The question is, what kind of damage can these devices inflict on the iPad? It’s already sold a colossal 3.27 million units in its first three months and that figure is set to rise. So will new software and Android’s ace approach convince people to choose a different tablet?
Let us know what YOU think. Is Apple done for in the tablet stakes? Or will this slew of new efforts only serve to confuse?
Read Have your say – can Android tablets beat the iPad? on FiveFWD
It seems we’re about to be subjected to a deluge of Android-packing tablets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab is official, the LG Optimus Pad is on its way and so are Google-backed slates from Toshiba and Motorola.
That means the Big G is going to be in prime position to tackle the iPad, using the same OS that has done such a good job of keeping the iPhone and iOS on its toes in the past twelve months.
The question is, what kind of damage can these devices inflict on the iPad? It’s already sold a colossal 3.27 million units in its first three months and that figure is set to rise. So will new software and Android’s ace approach convince people to choose a different tablet?
Let us know what YOU think. Is Apple done for in the tablet stakes? Or will this slew of new efforts only serve to confuse?
Read Have your say – can Android tablets beat the iPad? on FiveFWD
Samsung’s clearly not fussed about phones becoming the ultimate way to record clips and shovel them onto YouTube. Its new Full HD shooter, the HMX-T10 has just been unveiled and it looks like an absolute winner.
The lens sits at a rakish 20 degree angle, so you don’t need to keep your hand perfectly straight when you grip the barrel-shaped design. The 1920×1080 images can be played back using the 2.7-inch touchscreen and there’s 10x zoom, as well as optical image stabilisation to overcome any wobbles you might have while filming.
There’s a 4.7 megapixel sensor for taking stills and a smart auto function so you can record the best shots without having to tinker with the settings. It’s a camcorder noob’s best friend, basically.
The HMX-T10 is due out later this month, but UK pricing is still MIA sadly. Stay tuned for more as we get it.
Read Samsung HMX-T10 bargain camcorder outed on FiveFWD
This week on web tv Dionne sets off on a mission to test two of the latest pieces of body armour to the extreme, as well as still finding time to bring you this week's best tech news!
Watch Web TV 97 - Body Armour TTD on FiveFWD
Getting your PS3 primed for some imminent 3D Blu-ray action? Well, you’re going to have to wait, as Sony’s pushed back the planned September release of the much-vaunted home entertainment update.
The new firmware which packs 3D Blu-ray support for Sony’s home hub has now been delayed until October. Worryingly though, the Big S hasn’t handed over a specific date, which could mean an even longer wait for the console to play nice with your new 3D telly.
Of course, 3D Blu-rays aren’t widely available yet, although that’s set to change when Avatar lands later this year. And with 3D gaming on the agenda for the PS3, this is an upgrade all PS3 owners will be gagging for.
Read PS3 3D Blu-ray update delayed on FiveFWD
Sharp’s superbright Quattron TV has been one of 2010’s hottest gadgets. But it was missing one key skill: 3D. Not any more, as the Japanese tech giant has just pulled the wrappers off its new Quattron 3D TV.
We won’t lie. At £3,500, this thing isn’t cheap. But it does look absolutely astounding. As well as rocking 3D, the TV uses a fourth, yellow, pixel to make for brighter pics. Sharp says this boobtube is 1.8x brighter than rival three dimensional panels.
There’ll only be one version of the Quattron 3D hitting UK shelves in November, and that will clock in at an epic 60-inches. However, Sharp says that it’ll be rolling out a full range in 2011, hopefully with some tidy price drops to boot.
Is this enough to make you want a 3D TV? Tell us what you think in the comments section.
Read Sharp Quattron 3D official on FiveFWD
A week after it was teased by Sammy itself, the iPad-battling Galaxy Tab has been detailed at annual gadget fest IFA over in Berlin. And on first impressions it looks every inch the tablet we’ve been hoping for.
The latest Android software keeps things ticking over inside, while it packs in Flash 10.1 so you can take a peak at, in Samsung’s words, “…every single page of the web”. If that’s not a swipe at the Flash-free iPad, then what is?
The screen comes in at 7-inches and you’ll be able to use the in-built Readers Hub app for spying books, magazines and newspapers. Sammy has also unleashed Media Hub, an iTunes rival which lets you access the latest music and movies from the Galaxy Tab. You get seven hours movie playback, three shy of the iPad’s ten hours.
There’s Wi-Fi and 3G inside, as well as a 3 megapixel camera round the back and a front-facing peeper for video-chatting with your pals. That feature works with mobile networks as well as Wi-Fi, meaning the Galaxy Tab will most likely land on contract.
There are 16GB and 32GB models, with Samsung saying the Galaxy Tab will arrive in the UK ‘soon’. Will you be getting one? Or does the iPad still rule? Let us know what you think in the comments section now.
Read Samsung Galaxy Tab detailed on FiveFWD
It’s a match up as obvious as, er, Chantelle and Preston, and after months of talking, Sonos and Spotify have finally got into bed together. The online streaming service is set to land on the networked stereo gadget later this month.
To get involved you’ll need a Spotify Premium account (not to mention a pricey Sonos stereo too). Then when the update lands later this month, you’ll be able to listen to tunes over the cloud from Spotify, as well tweak your playlists using your iPhone or iPod touch as a remote.
The deal is set to land in the UK as well as France, Finland, Holland, Spain and Norway. Napster is bound to be feeling the heat now. It used to be Sonos’ favourite, but it seems Spotify’s huge appeal was too much to ignore.
Read Sonos getting Spotify streaming on FiveFWD
As well as touting its impressive new string of iPods, Apple has also confirmed its moving into the world of social networking, taking on the likes of Twitter, Facebook and Spotify, with Ping, a new effort which will sit on the iTunes store and be accessible on your Mac, PC, iPhone or iPod touch.
The concept is simple. Ping is available straight away to everyone who has a registered iTunes account. All you need to do is sign up via iTunes and start telling your pals what you’re listening to, which bands you’re off to see and even comment on their top songs.
You can follow bands too and get exclusive details and news about upcoming releases and tours, as well as buying their songs directly. You’ll even get a personalised top 10 of all the tunes your pals have downloaded from iTunes so you can see what’s hot right now.
In a pointed jibe at Facebook, Steve Jobs said that privacy would be simple and straightforward. You can either choose to be followed by anyone or pick an option to confirm or ignore anyone who tries to follow you, allow you to create a circle of mates to share music with.
Ping is part of the iTunes 10 update, which you can snaffle for yourself now. Tell us what you think in the comments section.
Read iTunes Ping social network unveiled on FiveFWD
Before Apple got close to announcing its latest changes to iTunes yesterday, Sony was already out of the blocks with its Qriocity service. Dodgy name aside (just think curiosity and you’ll be fine), the new package is bringing on-demand video to the UK “this autumn”.
The service has been available in the US since April and will allow punters to rent movies and TV shows from all the major Hollywood studios and “local networks” on web-enabled Bravia TVs and Sony Blu-ray players.
This certainly looks like a classier proposition than Apple TV right now. The latter might be cheap, but with just Fox and ABC on board, and no word on international tie-ups, Sony’s video streaming deal looks pretty tasty.
But it’s the promise of Music Unlimited for Qriocity, that’s perhaps more interesting. It will stream music from the cloud, a la Spotify, from November, serving up tunes to PCs, TVs and PS3s. Apple appears to have gone cold on the idea of music streaming, perhaps as there’s no money to be made. Sony will do well to challenge in the music arena, but its film offering could gazump Apple TV completely.
What do YOU think? Tell us now in the comments section.
Read Can Sony Qriocity really take on iTunes? on FiveFWD
Just as predicted, Apple has unveiled a new look Apple TV. And this time round, Cupertino is hoping it’s hit on a winning formula, by ditching storage on the device, cutting down its size and slashing the price to £99.
The idea is that rather than buying shows directly from iTunes on your Apple TV, you’ll now rent them. It means no syncing: all you have to do is hit play once you’ve paid for using your iTunes account. However, UK users seem to have got a bum deal, with no rentals available as yet and the price a direct translation of $99 across the pond.
If you do decide to nab one now though, you’ll be able to use the new AirPlay tech to stream clips direct from your iTunes folders, or from your iPod touch, iPhone or iPad, straight to your TV. It looks neat, with the UI cool and breezy to use.
While all clips are in HD, they’re HD Ready rather than Full HD, meaning you won’t get the best out of your top-end telly. Still keen? Tell us what you think of the new Apple TV in the comments section now.
Read New Apple TV outed on FiveFWD
Apple has unleashed what it reckons is the biggest update to its lineup ever, tweaking the touch, nano and shuffle. Each one has had a complete makeover, but its the new nano that’s really grabbed our attention.
Just as the rumour mill predicted, it drops the click wheel and now rocks a multitouch panel, letting you slip through music, photos and Nike + with a swipe of your digits. There’s now a clip round the back, so you can ditch those pesky armbands when you take it out running, and you can rotate the screen using your fingers so you can see what’s playing whichever way you hold it.
There are some downsides though: the new nano loses the ace camera and video playback skills of the last version. There are 8GB and 16GB models, costing £129 and £159 respectively.
The new shuffle reverts to an old-school design, bringing back the buttons that were so desperately missed on the last model. It keeps voice controls and the clip though and is now only £39.
But best of all, the new iPod touch is now even thinner. It crams in the same A4 chip and Retina Display as the iPhone 4, along with Game Centre, the new multiplayer gaming app which is looking to rival Xbox Live on Windows Phone 7. There’s also a camera round the back for video and regular snaps, as well as a front-facing camera for FaceTime. The new touch comes in 8GB, 32GB and 64GB versions, costing £189, £249 and £329. The iPod classic stays the same as ever, costing £193.
What do you think of the new iPod line up? Are you planning on getting one? Tell us what you think in the comments section now.
Read Apple unveils new iPods on FiveFWD
LG has revealed the name for its much-hyped iPad rival. Dubbed the Optimus Pad, it’s due to show up later this year, with Google’s Android OS nestled inside, just like the soon-to-be-unveiled Samsung Galaxy Tab.
The Korean tech titan is promising a slew of tablet “firsts” without actually delivering any detail. It also reckons the Optimus Pad will be slimmer and lighter than its key rivals, while delivering “superior performance”.
There’s no more news on when exactly the Optimus Pad will land, but LG will need to be quick out of the blocks with so many other tablets just around the corner.
Does the LG Optimus Pad stoke up your gadgety fires? If so, tell us what you think in the comments section now.
Read LG Optimus Pad tablet revealed on FiveFWD
Sony’s Reader range has been given a timely refresh as it looks to do battle not only with the likes of the Amazon Kindle, but also the e-reading skills of the iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab. All three versions, the Touch, Pocket and Daily Edition, now rock touchscreen tech.
Each one also uses E Ink Pearl, which Sony reckons gives every model speedier page turns, which you can do just by flicking your finger across the screen. The Daily Edition also now comes with Wi-Fi as well as 3G, so you can load up the latest e-books directly to the device.
The Touch and Pocket now come with a more than ample 2GB for stashing books, while all three editions have been slimmed down, with new look thin frames to ensure you can slip them into any bag without much hassle.
They’re all due to land before Christmas and with the e-reader dream now a reality, this might be a good time to ditch your paperbacks and go digital.
Read Sony Readers get refresh on FiveFWD
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep transports the familiar Disney-inspired RPG franchise exclusively to PSP. You take turns to play as three protagonists, each on a quest to locate a Keyblade master and fend of evil creatures spread throughout familiar Disney worlds. Stephen Ebert gives his verdict…
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The basics
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep sees you take control of three characters: Terra, Aqua and Ventus – each with their own storyline as they enter some of the same fantastical worlds seen in several well known Disney films such as Cinderella, Snow White and more. The result is almost three separate games: only by clearing the game with each character can players get the whole story, lending some serious longevity to Birth By Sleep.
The good
If you’re not a fan of turn-based combat, but love RPGs you’ll find plenty to love here. Birth By Sleep does away with turn-based attacking for more conventional button tapping, combined with one and multiple button-activated magic spells. RPG games can be intimidating to newcomers, but Birth By Sleep’s gameplay is instantly accessible, and made easier to understand thanks to neat tutorials and instructions throughout.
New to Birth By Sleep is the ability to customise what’s called a ‘Command Deck’ giving you the chance to create and alter your abilities combinations at will. Magic abilities are listed on-screen, activating them is as easy as pressing a button. Adding further depth to combat are ‘D-Link’ attacks that let you use the abilities of characters you’ve met throughout to keep combat fresh and exiting.
The bad
Because you’ll need to clear the game with each of the three characters, there’s plenty of Birth By Sleep gameplay to be had, but some of the earlier levels are aren’t exactly complex, and a little on the easy side.
The bottom line
Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is a thoroughly playable RPG with fun gameplay, diverse combat and a well executed story with many hours of gameplay to make it well worth adding to your PSP collection.
Read Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep Review (PSP) on FiveFWD
Microsoft has confirmed it will unleash a new Xbox 360 controller in the New Year, but hasn’t handed over any official shots of it in action. The new-look effort will have a ‘Play and Charge Kit’ as well as something the Big M calls a ‘transforming d-pad’.
The latter is rumoured to rise when you turn the controller, suggesting some kind of motion tech may well be inside. But it’s the ‘Play and Charge Kit’ that’ll excite hardcore gamers, as it could mean the end to using pesky AA batteries to play games without being wired up to the console itself.
Microsoft reckons it’ll be out in the wild in early 2011, so here’s hoping it won’t be as much of a hulking monstrosity as the current version.
Pleased? Or do you think Microsoft needs to keep its Xbox controller as it is? Tell us what you think down below.
Read New Xbox 360 controller official on FiveFWD
Jonesing for a 3D laptop to match that spanking new 3D telly sitting pretty in your front room? Well HP reckons it’s got just the ticket with its newly announced Envy 17 3D. This new effort follows the already sleek Envy 17, but as the name suggests, slings in three dimensional skills for good measure.
The desktop replacement size should mean watching movies back will be every bit as classy on a similarly sized TV. Best of all, it rocks a Blu-ray drive with 3D Blu-ray skills, which you’ll be able to spy using the bundled active shutter specs.
AMD is supplying the 3D tech inside the Envy 17, but neither them or HP has said exactly when we’ll be able to get our mitts on one. Here’s hoping that it’s soon and that our wallets won’t take an absolute battering in the process.
Read HP Envy 17 3D unveiled on FiveFWD
It’s just a few hours until Steve Jobs dons his turtle neck, slips on his Seinfeld-esque sneakers and makes for the stage at the annual iPod unveiling in San Francisco. And while we know the iPod is likely to get a tickle, just what will the changes look like?
The new iPod touch is said to come with an iPhone 4-matching Retina Display, alongside a FaceTime camera and perhaps a tad more memory. But it’s the new iPod nano that’s causing all sorts of fuss, with chatter that the click wheel is being gazumped by a small time touchscreen panel.
And then, of course, there’s the new iTV and iTunes TV subscription service. Will Apple’s move into mainstream telly really happen today, or will Jobs and co leave that for a later announcement?
What do YOU reckon? What has Apple got lined up for us at 6pm this evening? Tell us your thoughts down below now.
Read Apple iPod event: what will be unveiled? on FiveFWD
Sanyo’s VPC-CS1 is the world’s smallest and thinnest Full HD camcorder, measuring just 26.8mm wide. It’s capable of shooting 1920×1080 movies as well as snapping 8MP still images, and it can shoot these videos and photos simultaneously. Despite the small dimensions, the CS1 features a 2.7in LCD screen and has a 9x optical zoom. It stores movies and stills onto SD, SDHC and/or SDXC cards.
Read the full Sanyo Xacti VPC-CS1 HD review on FiveFWD
Styled for more adventurous shooters, the Kodak Playsport is waterproof to three metres and has a rough, tough-looking design. It captures movies at Full HD (1920×1080) and grabs stills at 5MP. Content is recorded to SD or SDHC card and you can frame and replay the footage you take on the Playsport’s 2in LCD screen. There’s also room for a 4x zoom and face-detection mode.
Read the full Kodak PlaySport Zx3 review on FiveFWD
Flip has added to its range of popular pocket-sized camcorders with the innovative Slide HD. After you’ve finished filming you can watch footage on a 3in touchscreen TFT, which slides out from the body of the camcorder. This presents an improved way to review clips.
The Slide HD has up to four hours of recording time because of its 16GB internal memory. The maximum resolution of clips is 1280×720 (30fps). Mac- and PC-compatible, the Slide HD has a built-in USB arm for computer connection and features pre-loaded software to help with video uploads to the net.
Read the full Flip Slide HD review on FiveFWD
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Read Jason Gaming 27/08 on FiveFWD
Gagging to get hold of a 3DTV? Well it looks like you’re in a minority, according to new research by pollsters YouGov. Its stats show a mere 2 per cent want a TV packing in the new tech, at a time when the likes of Sony and Samsung are desperately peddling 3D tellies and Sky is shaping up to launch its own 3D channel.
Of the 4,199 surveyed, just 89 said they were plotting a 3DTV purchase in the next 12 months. 25 to 34 year olds are the most likely to stump up for one.
3DTV has been the subject of stacks of research, with some suggesting sales were sluggish and that tech obsessives weren’t sold on the pricey sets on offer. That said, retailers such as Comet reckon sales are strong and that people are willing to fork our big sums.
These numbers won’t make for happy reading at Sony or any other big TV player though. re you planning on getting a 3DTV? Let us know down below.
Read Only 2 per cent of UK fancy 3DTV on FiveFWD
Join Suzi and the gang for a quick look at what's coming up on the sixth episode of this series of the Gadget Show – Monday 6th September at 8pm on Five!
Watch Coming Up Show 6 on FiveFWD
Jason runs down some of the best games released this week.
Watch Jason Gaming on FiveFWD
