GPS Navigation on your PSP

So do you always carry your PSP with you so you play that game your addicted to?  Well now it looks like after years of coming up with a reasonable excuse for always having to take it with you, you now will have a solid reason for carrying it everywhere you go … GPS Navigation!  PSP Fanboy posted a bit saying that  American PSP owners will be able to enjoy GPS navigation some time next year. They indicted that the platform support navigation and maps and possibly integrating gaming that ties location in with game play.  Very cool!

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Chrysler to Offer WiFi in 2009 Vehicles

Gina Hughes, the Techie Diva has just posted a great story about Chrysler.

Safety advocates be damned!  Chrysler is adding a new in-dash system called UConnect to all it’s 2009 models.  This will bring Bluetooth, iPod integration, satellite TV and a mobile hotspot to your vehicle.

Passengers will be able to connect laptops, handhelds and even the web-connected Nintendo Wii.  Chrysler is the leading seller of minivans, and I’m sure parents will really appreciate all this multimedia goodness.  Keeping those little ones contented is far better than listening to, “Are we there yet?” over and over.

As of yet there is no mention of pricing, but expect to pay an annual or monthly fee.

Safety advocates will be up in arms.  California has just started their new handsfree phone law, but there are no laws against playing Wii in the car.  Expect other car companies to eagerly wait in the wings to see what the backlash will bring.  I predict some law will be passed barring drivers from surfing the web, but adding multimedia capabilities to automobiles will only get more popular.

Review: WriteSHIELD crystal-CLEAR Screen Protector

Reviewer: Andy Mason (Warthog)
Product: WriteSHIELD Crystal-CLEAR Screen Protector
Manufacturer: PPCTechs
Price: MSRP – crystal-CLEAR 2-Pak kit, $29.00; Deluxe 2-Pak kit, $36.99

I am very meticulous about all my tech toys and, for the longest time, did not see the need for screen protectors. After using my Dell Axim x50v for about a year, I began to notice very faint scratches on the screen from text entry and repeated stylus taps. That’s when I decided that maybe screen protectors were not such a bad idea. When I purchased my Axim x51v, the screen protector went on before the unit was ever powered up!  However, when I switched to the HTC Mogul several months ago, I decided that I could live without a screen protector. “After all it’s a touch screen, and it has a jog wheel and a dozen buttons for navigation so the screen won’t be subjected to constant stylus abuse like the Axim,” I reasoned.  Well, unlike the Axim, the Mogul is a phone and gets smudged from coming into contact with my face and from using my fingers on the touch screen.  Additionally, I have found that I use the stylus more than I anticipated.  The need for a screen protector soon became evident. I have a WriteSHIELD installed on my x51v and have encountered no problems with it whatsoever.  I contacted PPCTechs to see if they had a protector customized for the Mogul. They did and they were willing to send me a crystal-CLEAR Deluxe 2-Pak kit for review that I present for your consideration.

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Review: Logitech Cordless MediaBoard Pro

When I received the unit from Logitech, I expected something simple, light, low-quality plastic and somewhat hallow unit. It was nothing but high quality, glossy, matching black, perfectly balanced and just the right weight keyboard. Nicely priced at the time of review at $60, even better when it was on sale last month at Amazon for $45, this keyboard is the second in the line of Logitech MediaBoard PS3 series, the original Logitech PS3 MediaBoard came with USB Adapter with RF transmitter, and was based on 2.4Ghz wireless technology. It worked perfectly well with Linux, but did not have dedicated buttons, and was priced just $10 less than this one. This unit is Bluetooth, does not require any adapters or transmitters, and works right out of the box with your PS3 or your PC without any drivers, installations, or long setup process…

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Crystal clear protection for your PSP ‘Slim & Lite’

With the Sony PSP ‘Slim and Lite’ being 33% lighter and 19% slimmer than the original PSP, it’s only too important that it’s protected in a way that is not only practical, but also suitable for its funky slim line image.

Coming very soon to Proporta is the Alu-Crystal Case (Sony PSP Slim and Lite). Using only the best at Proporta; it’s even made from the same type of durable and scratch resistant polycarbonate plastic that’s used to make protective eyewear.

All the necessary cutouts allow access to all ports and controls, so there’ll never be any need to remove your device from its case.

Proporta’s Alu-Crystal Cases are shatterproof, shock absorbent, and provide crystal clear protection that is unbelievably tough and leaves your Sony PSP Slim and Lite on display for all to admire.

For extra protection for your Sony PSP Slim and Lite, Proporta recommend their Advanced Screen Protector, to protect it from scratches, scrapes and dust evasion. Made from a new ultra high-clarity plastic, Proporta have even been able to improve the thickness without impairing screen brightness or clarity. And an added bonus - this protector is also fully washable and replaceable.

Source: email, Hannah Saffman, Marketing and Advertising Executive - Proporta Ltd.

GDC: Glu Mobile unveils initial line-up of titles coming to Nokia N-Gage

Game Developers Conference 2008 - Nokia and Glu Mobile Inc., a leading global publisher of mobile games, today announced its initial line-up of games to be launched on the N-Gage platform in 2008. The titles launching are based on two major forthcoming films from Warner Bros. Pictures, SPEED RACER and The Dark Knight, as well as Super Slam Ping Pong, a new original Glu title in the spirit of Glu’s runaway hit, Super K.O. Boxing!

“We’re pleased to bring these key titles from Glu to N-Gage,” said Alex Galvagni, senior vice president product development and chief technology officer, Glu Mobile. “N-Gage is a great innovation in mobile gaming technology, and this line-up of games from Glu utilizes the platform capabilities to offer richly rewarding game experiences.”

“These three titles are valuable additions to the N-Gage platform, and will deliver exciting gaming experiences for N-Gage players,” said Gregg Sauter, Director of 3rd party publishing, Nokia. “We’re delighted to further our relationship with Glu Mobile - their catalog of games is extremely strong and offers something for everyone.”

About Glu titles coming to N-Gage:

• SPEED RACER - In this mobile game inspired by the upcoming movie, SPEED RACER players become the ultimate grand prix champion in the Mach 6. They must conquer the art of drifting, sliding, jumping and defensive driving in order to stay ahead of the pack while racing on extreme tracks with the dirtiest of competitors.
• Super Slam Ping Pong! - In the spirit of Glu’s runaway hit, Super K.O. Boxing, Super Slam Ping Pong is a hilarious, over-the-top game that features a cast of wacky opponents such as Master Wu-Pong and the Gnarly Gnome. Players must keep an eye out for each opponent’s tell and weakness as they fill their Super Slam meter to unleash powerful slams.
• The Dark Knight - Play as Batman in The Dark Knight, the thrilling action game based on Warner Bros. Pictures’ upcoming blockbuster film. Batman fights to eradicate street crime in Gotham City using his advanced combat skills and an array of unique gadgets. However, things take a darker turn when a new reign of chaos is unleashed on the terrified citizens of Gotham by a rising criminal mastermind known as The Joker.

Source: Nokia press release

GDC: PopCap Games to develop multiplayer mobile games for SNAP Mobile

Cute and colorful Chuzzle first in games line-up

Game Developers Conference 2008-  Nokia and PopCap Games, the leading developer and publisher of casual games, will bring connected mobile Java(TM) games to the SNAP Mobile platform. The award winning Chuzzle is the first game to be re-developed by PopCap under a multi-game agreement.

“SNAP Mobile is all about bringing fun multiplayer Java games to the masses,” said Paul Whitaker, Head of Business Development for SNAP Mobile, Nokia. “With a catalog of broadly appealing games, PopCap titles are a perfect addition to our growing portfolio.” 

“Downloads of our mobile games continue to grow rapidly and we have learned that consumers are increasingly looking for on-the-go games that allow them to interact with one another,” said Andrew Stein, Director of Mobile Business Development, PopCap. “To help meet that growing demand, we’re happy to cooperate with a company like Nokia that shares our vision of bringing engaging and fun casual games to the mobile mass-market along with a proven track record of efficiently distributing and hosting connected mobile games.”

The multiplayer version of Chuzzle will feature community offerings, including chat, leader boards, and more. The original single player version of Chuzzle, which was named ‘Casual Game of the Year’ in 2005 by Billboard’s Digital Entertainment & Media Excellence Awards, is expected to be available on a variety of mobile devices powered by SNAP Mobile by the end of 2008.

Source: Nokia press release

You make the game with Yamake on N-Gage

Yamake for N-Gage, by Nokia Games Publishing, makes it possible for players to create their own games from a range of mini games by adding content, then playing and sharing them with friends and the wider Yamake community.

“Yamake is a groundbreaking new game for the N-Gage platform. Players can make, play and share games that are customized using user-generated multimedia content, and we are proud to be pioneering this new way of playing,” said Dr Mark Ollila, Director of Technology and Strategy and Head of Games Publishing, Nokia. “This is exactly what the future of mobile gaming should be about - creating games that you love and want to play, then sharing them with other players.”

The easy-to-use design tools enable each mini game to be transformed by the player’s personal content such as text, pictures, sound clips and movies from the mobile device or PC - creating their favorite mini games, such as picture puzzles and quizzes that are as unique as the players themselves.

Players can share their mobile mini games via the N-Gage Arena, the Yamake community and via multimedia message between N-Gage compatible and other S60 devices. The Yamake community connects players with one another, allowing them to download and review the mini games, as well as share ideas for content.

For more information on playing, making and sharing your Yamake games visit www.n-gage.com

Source: Nokia press release

PSP 3.90 Firmware Update adds Skype

This is pretty neat, but I think I will stick with Firmware 1.5 that came on my PSP when I bought it the 1st day they came out. I haven’t made one Firmware upgrade to mine.

Anyhow, Engadget brings word that the PSP 3.90 Firmware is out now and adds Skype…

Oh yes, Skype for your PSP-2000 (aka, PSP Slim & Lite) series is now a reality. At least outside of Japan. It’s only available via network update at the moment and adds expanded support for PLAYSTATION Network titles. You do have your $20 PSP Headset right? Good, so what are you waiting for punk, get outta here and let us know how it goes.

Read more about it at PSP Fanboy

Review: Gomadic Quad Charger

Have you seen the TV commercial touting IBM’s Bladeservers? It’s the one that begins with some IT guy peering out an office window through a pair of binoculars spying a Godzilla-sized orb overtaking the skyline of his city.� “What is it?” he wonders out loud?� “It looks like a giant ball of cables!” someone says of the rapidly expanding sphere.� “Save us from all the cables!”� [Cut from the screaming IT masses to the IBM Bladeserver; end of commercial.]

Well, if you live in a household with 4 kids ranging in age from 12-19, or you are a gadget freak in a league of your own then you know one of the biggest drawbacks of owning multiple gadgets is the aggravation of trying to keep all of the proprietary chargers organized for easy access and usage.� I have to admit that I am a bit intimidated by the rat’s nest of cables that confronts me each time I open my desk drawer looking for a particular charger.� “Please, someone save me from all the cables!” [Cut from the frantic reviewer to Gomadic’s Quad charger; end of frustration.]

Gomadic touts the Quad charger as a smart and flexible solution to powering all of your rechargeable devices.

Fight Wall Warts And Tangleweed One Cord At A Time

No more wondering where you left your Treo or iPod. No more unattractive wall warts and tangleweed polluting your power strips and outlets. Gomadic’s brand new Charging Station� was created to bridge the gap between technological efficiency and stunning home design. Compatible with Gomadic’s innovative TipExchange Technology that works with thousands of mobile devices, the Charging Station gives you limitless options, providing a safe and tangle-free command center to charge 4 of your family’s devices at once.

Not a power strip in disguise like other universal charging solutions, the Gomadic Charging Station offers a clean streamlined solution unseen in either the technology or home design markets. While other charging solutions simply hide your AC adapters in a fire-risky environment, Gomadic’s uses one outgoing cord, offering a fire safe and ecologically sustainable solution to everyone from the chicest urbanite to the circuit salivating gadget aficionados we all know and love.

“Tangleweed” . . . I like that!

Read what else I liked and didn’t like about the Quad Charger here…

New PSP (PlayStation Portable) Expands Its Entertainment Experience by Introducing Skype

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that it would introduce Skype features to the new slim and light PSP (PlayStation Portable) handheld entertainment system (PSP-2000 series). More than 246 million members are registered for the use of this communications software, which enables users to communicate with other Skype users around the world over the Internet. Calls between Skype users are free of charge.

 

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Create and care for your own virtual pet on your Nokia device

Creebies find their way onto N-Gage

Nokia now offers a world of virtual pet-care so your pet is never left alone again. Creebies, available through the N-Gage mobile games service, gives each player their own 3D Creebi to care for, entertain, feed and even breed!

Supplied with a trailer and some virtual cash, you can customize your new friend and home with various accessories. Soon, the 3D pet will take on its own personality and appearance based on the attention it receives. With care, the pet will grow and become more independent. However, make sure to keep an eye on its individual health meters, which will let you know when its hungry or feeling ill.

“Nokia Games Publishing has brought a quirky game to N-Gage that appeal to all ages,” said Dr Mark Ollila, Director of Technology and Strategy and Head of Games Publishing, Nokia. “With Creebies anyone can have the pleasure of owning a pet without the trouble of cleaning up the mess.”

Your Creebi can also interact with other Creebies via Bluetooth technology - for instance, they can play games together or even breed. Players can show off their newborns to others or send them to new homes through the Adoption Center in the N-Gage Arena.

Creebies is expected to be available in early 2008.

Source:Nokia press release

HDTV Sets and Laptops Top Holiday Wish Lists

Three-in-four (76%) have at least one digital lifestyle product on their wish lists leading up to the Christmas season according to a national survey of 1,200 American consumers by Solutions Research Group.

The top ten wish list items overall were:

    1. flat screen high definition TV set - on the wish list of 35%
    2. laptop (windows) (20%)
    3. digital camera (17%)
    4. desktop PC (14%)
    5. GPS navigation unit for the car (10%)
    6. cell phone (10%)
    7. digital video camera (9%)
    8. Nintendo Wii (9%)
    9. Sony PS3 (7%)
   10. Blu-ray or HD-DVD player (6%)

• HD-capable flat screen TVs were number one with a bullet among all population subgroups with 35% of mentions. Interestingly, most of those HD sets will not deliver true HD to their owners, as only 2% also intend to get a HD box from their cable or satellite company (ranked at #20 on the list).
• Apple’s iPhone was ranked #15 overall. The hottest Apple-branded product was a laptop, ranked #11 overall and #9 among women.
• While no individual Apple product ranked higher than #11 on the wish lists, when combined, Apple-branded technology products make it to the top 5 overall with one-in-six considering purchase, suggesting strong potential holiday season for the company.
• Men and women had six items in common in the top 10 - the rest were unique by gender. Sony PS3 and Xbox 360 were on the top 10 list of men but did not make it to the top 10 list of women. On the other hand, TiVo/DVR and Apple laptops were in the top 10 for women but did not show up on men’s wish lists for the holidays.
• Laptops were preferred over desktop PCs 2-to-1 among those 18-34. Nintendo Wii, Sony PS3 and Xbox 360 were all on 18-34 lists - Nintendo Wii was the highest ranked console, ranked #8 overall, edging out Sony PS3 which came in at #9. Xbox was ranked #12.
• Digital cameras are popular across all age groups - ranked #2 or #3 in all age or gender groups.
• GPS navigation for cars is mainstreaming - it was ranked #5 item among men and #7 among women.

The information in this release come from Digital Life America - Holiday 2007 Edition. The results cited are based on a survey of 1,200 online Americans aged 18 and older in September 2007 using a professionally-managed panel representative of the US online population. To maintain an unbiased perspective, Solutions Research Group funds its own syndicated research.

For a PDF of this release with graphics, please go to http://www.srgnet.com

Source: Source Research Group press release

MScape Game Demo

All I know is that’s something that HP is preparing. It’s a game that use GPS and a machine, a powerful machine judging the graphics on it. is it a UMPC or a MID? I don’t know.

YouTube - MScape Game Demo: Roku’s Reward

The game seems to be a very interesting concept where the physical exercise is combined with some strategical thinking and probably some puzzles.

Nokia reveals N-Gage

London, UK - Life just got more entertaining with the new N-Gage mobile gaming service. The service allows you to try all N-Gage games for free from any one of the tens of millions of compatible Nokia devices in the market. Once captivated, you can conveniently download and buy a game on your device or PC and continue the fun. You can also share the fun by connecting with friends, challenging players around the world, and participating in community activities in the N-Gage Arena.

The N-Gage service will be available globally in November 2007. At that time, the free N-Gage application can be downloaded from N-Gage (PC or mobile) and installed in compatible devices. Later, the N-Gage application will be embedded in a wide range of Nokia devices, including the new Nokia N81 and Nokia N95 8GB, so consumers can play straight out of the box. 

Furthermore, support for N-Gage continues to grow with EA SPORTS(TM) FIFA 08, The Sims(TM) 2 Pets, Tetris�, and Tiger Woods PGA TOUR� being developed for the platform as well as new publishers Capcom and Vivendi, and its famed Crash Bandicoot�, on board. Nokia Publishing also announced new titles: Snakes Subsonic and Bounce Boing Voyage.

The indicative pricing for N-Gage games sold through the N-Gage store will range between six and 10 euros excluding local taxes and can be bought with a credit card or charged through operator billing where available. Operator billing is supported in over 20 countries and credit card billing is available globally. Daily and weekly game licenses are also available at lower prices and all games are free to try before purchase. Moreover, whether you choose to get games over the air or over the internet, managing your games catalog is a breeze with simple store and sync to your PC.

For more information visit N-Gage

Source:Nokia press release