So...I bought an Xbox 360 - Part 1

If you online my gametag is "smartrich"

I actually went out to buy a wii but was let down by the lack of stock.

ainlly

So over 300 dabs later and armed with every abvailable extra a couple of games (Crackdown and Gears of War) I realised that I'm well out of practice.

After hours of play I think I'm finally an amateur at Crackdown but hopeless at Gears of War.

To be honest I was hoping to see examples of "In Game Advertising" but so far the live targeted ads have evaded me. I actually think this whole market is set to explode but my first experiences are disappointing.

The actually ordeal of getting online was a challenge due to the lack of suitable support for the wireless network adapter - definitely not as simple as plug and play. after over an hour of failing to find suitable help on the xbox site, it turns out the answer is as simple as turning off the security on my wireless router before connecting the xbox and then turning the security back on again afterwards...doddle.

More to follow soon.

USB Missile Launcher at gadgetshop

Awesome. Simply awesome. And no, I'm not a gadgetshop affiliate!

LG and Prada unveil the KE850 touch-screen phone - infoSync World

If you want a fashionable phone then forget the iPhone. Official press release here.

Photos here.

Creative technology from Microsoft...

I'm speechless - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/6233433.stm

Quicker start-up times for PCs in 2007.



Wired News covers the phenomenon that will by extra auxiliary screens on laptops aided by flash assisted memory to allow laptop users to start essential apps without evening starting their computer.

Windows Vista features this "sideshow" functionality but there are few laptops available with the necessary hardware at the moment. I had a quick search for auxillary screens and only came up with the following examples:

• Asus w5fe
• MSI's Mega Player 529

For a nice little video clip demonstrating side show visit this Scobelizer post.

DSC00076
Originally uploaded by RichardStuartGregory.

Sony Cybershot DSC T10

I finally chose to get a new digital camera and after much research plumped for the Sony Cybershot T10.

The new camera has 7.2 megapixel reslolution, is slim and light as a feather. To that end the camera features Super Steady Shot® optical image stabilization to remove any "wobble" from detailed photos. I've not been that impressed with the function so i finally found a couple of spare hours to go for a walk and take some photos of the surrounding area and practice using the camera.

i-mate JAQ - infoSync World

I-mate moves into Blackberry space with this thumboard Windows Mobile 2005 phone.

I think the New Product Development must be getting a little tough for them now since this, the JasJam and the JasJar all operate with similar functionality but just have different designs.

I don't think it's worth changing phones at this stage until then can bump up the ROM beyond 128Mb to improve the performance.