Google Friend Connect now available to the masses

This program has been in private beta for a while now — but just recently it was opened up for everyone to use. Friend Connect
is an extremely simple way to make any website you have a bit more
social — people that “join” your site (which I think can be confusing
when you already have a mechanism for users to sign up) can use
embedded Google gadgets which take advantage of Google’s Open Social
API.

Members of your site can also easily invite their friends or share
your site on popular social services like MySpace, Facebook,
del.icio.us, Digg, Fark, StumbleUpon, Live Spaces and Mixx.

Adding Friend Connect to your website couldn’t be easier. Here’s how to get started:

1. Go to http://www.google.com/friendconnect
2. Click “Set up a new site”
3. Go through the set-up wizard — It will ask you to download a couple files to put in the root directory of your website
4. Copy the code it generates for you, and paste it where you want your first gadget to go

Out of the box, there are a few gadgets that you can easily install
on your website in their directory — these include gadgets like
Members, Wall, and one to Review/Rate things. If you are skilled at
making Google gadgets, it’s pretty straight forward to make one that
can take advantage of Open Social features.

What do you think of the new Friend Connect service?

Source : http://blogs.zdnet.com/

Sony Alpha underwater housing review

Sony DSLR-A350 housing test : The Sony Alpha 350, put in the market by Sony, is a digital reflex camera for the advanced photographer. Professionals will probably find the speed of 2.5 frames per second too slow. However, underwater photography does not require extreme speed since you nearly always make use of flashes and you also have to wait for the flash batteries to recharge before the next shot is enabled. Sony uses Carl Zeiss lenses for the Sony Alpha 350. The Sony Alpha SLR camera is light with its 582 grams, as well as compact and has a pleasant hand-fit. The CCD sensor offers 14.2 effective megapixels. Pictures can be stored in RAW, JPEG as well as RAW + JPEG.

Sony Alpha Digital SLR
The Sony Alpha A350 camera supports various storage memory cards. Not only the Sony types (Memory Stick Duo, MS Pro Duo and MS Pro HG) are supported, also CF cards type I and II. To tackle the dust problem of dust sticking to the sensor, the Alpha 350 has been equipped with a dual anti-dust system. The sensor has an anti-static coating and a shake mechanism. This mechanism is activated automatically after changing the lens, giving dust no chance to stick to the sensor. The tilting LCD of 2.7 inch can be folded out to 90 degrees upwards and tilted downwards at 45 degrees. It facilitates using the Live View. The Live View function of the Sony DSLR-A350 not only works at manual focus, also at auto focus.

Dive Expedition Spitsbergen
The scuba dive expedition to Spitsbergen that I am joining is organized by Waterproof Expeditions. This company organizes expeditions to the Arctic as well as the Antarctic area. You will stay on a ship during the expedition. Don't picture a luxurious cruise ship, since our polar vessel should be able to withstand cold and, most of all, ice floes. The vessel however, does offer warm and comfortable cabins, a dining room and rooms for speeches. The group is always international.

BS Kinetics Gibson housing for Sony Alpha 350 SLR camera
Underwater I concentrate in taking photos with an overview. The ice floes and underwater landscapes are that fascinating and colourful, I find it a pity to take macro shots. It's the 11-18 mm wide angle lens of Sony that I use. The dome port of the BS Kinetics closes by means of a bayonet mount on the underwater housing. Turning it a quarter to the right suffices to attach the port to the housing. The dome port is extremely compact. This is pleasant while travelling as well as underwater. The bigger the dome port, the more resistance while swimming. Read the full Sony Alpha housing review and explore beautiful Spitsbergen.

Source : http://www.letsgodigital.org/

Sony Xperia X1 Review and Video Walkthrough

The good folks at MobileTechReview have published a very detailed and lengthy review of the Sony Xperia X1. They are "very impressed" with the new X1. If you're in the market for a new Windows Mobile device this could be the one to get. It rivals any of the HTC Touch devices.

"The hardware is impeccable, the panels are both fascinating and useful, and of course there's no carrier bloatware! Though other phones offer many of the same features, somehow the Xperia X1 has that special sauce where the whole is greater than just the sum of its features. It's fun, it's cool and it offers very good entertainment possibilities while also being a very good business device thanks to Windows Mobile, the hardware keyboard and push email. The Xperia is perfect for power users and those who like something new and different (courtesy of panels), and it's priced at the high end where mostly power users tread. If you're just looking for an affordable Windows Mobile touch screen phone with a single user interface, the Xperia isn't for you."

Check out the full review at the link below. There's more information than you'll ever need.  

Source : http://pocketpc.pdablast.com/

PlayStation fiends finally get a second life

The annual battle of the consoles that takes place every Christmas will heat up this week when Sony launches its own version of Second Life for the PlayStation 3. The new service, called PlayStation Home, will allow players to create an online “virtual life” and interact with other players in a make-believe world.

Sony hopes to cash in on the massive success of Second Life, which claims to have 15m registered players around the world — albeit that the highest number active at any one time is about 76,000. It is, however, available only on a computer rather than a games console. To try Home, which is slated for release in the next 10 days, players must download a piece of free software from Sony’s PlayStation store onto their own PS3.

From here they must create their own character, known as an avatar; they are then free to explore Sony’s virtual lands complete with shops, apartments and cinemas. They can also meet and interact with other avatars from around the world, exchange ideas and play mini-games such as chess or 10-pin bowling. Avatars can dance together or blow each other kisses but, in case you’re wondering, interaction will fall short of full-on sex, a popular option for many Second Life fans.

Sony has high hopes of Home becoming a digital clubhouse where those with time on their hands can let their avatars hang out together online. Most of the service’s initial features will be free, and you are given a harbourside apartment that you can furnish as you choose. If you want to embellish your virtual home with fancy furniture or bling up your avatar with posh clothing, this will inevitably cost real money. For example, a pair of jeans will cost about 85p and a flash apartment will cost about £4. This will be paid for via PlayStation’s online store.

Home has been in the pipeline for some time, but the announcement of the launch so close to Christmas is no coincidence. This is traditionally the most popular time for gamers to invest in new consoles. Two years ago, when Nintendo launched its Wii, the device sold out across many shops in Britain, and — in what was something of a PR coup — the company was forced to airlift new stock in from mainland Europe. It pioneered the idea of creating permanent player avatars on a console.

Whether Sony’s marketing move will prove as successful remains to be seen, but initial reports are good. While Home is not as ambitious an undertaking as Second Life, Sony appears to have successfully created a slick environment for gamers to enjoy exploring. The initial choice of clothing for your avatar is limited, but many of the virtual stores have not opened for business yet and this, along with other aspects, will undoubtedly evolve rapidly.

Perhaps the most important feature is that if avatars meet up online, the players can launch a PS3 game directly from within Home that they can participate in, if they all have a copy. This may help PlayStation to catch up with the hugely popular Xbox Live online service.

Sony is not alone in attempting to entice buyers by adding new features to its console: Microsoft has completely revamped the software for its Xbox 360 consoles in time for Christmas shoppers. The company also insists it has finally replaced the errant chip that caused so many of its consoles to malfunction and has begun building some storage memory into even the cheapest of Xbox machines.

The crucial point for many buyers in these cash-strapped times will, of course, be price. And here the Xbox 360 has the advantage. Microsoft has recently slashed the cost of its Xbox range so that gamers can buy the most basic console for £130. The PS3 will set you back at least £350.

Source : http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/

Killzone 2 Release Date on PS3; 12 New Screens

This past fall Sony stated the much-anticipated PS3 exclusive Killzone 2 would not be released in 2008 and instead would likely land sometime in February 2009.

Thanks to G4's X-Play, we can now confirm that Sony has officially marked February 27 for the United States release of Killzone 2. The status for release in other territories remains unknown.

If you can think back to nearly four years ago, Sony used a pre-rendered CGI "film" to unveil Sony Playstation 3 to the masses at E3. It seems like forever ago since Killzone 2 was first confirmed to be in development, and now we're less than two months away from its imminent arrival.

Sony has been running closed demos for online multiplayer play including the sweet new "Warzone" mode that switches modes automatically based on what's transpiring in the game. For example, if one player is clearly dominating in capture the flag, the game might switch to assassination and make this player the target.

We also have 12 all-new high resolution screenshots from Killzone 2 straight from Sony which you can look at below. Feel free to drool, and don't forget to put a big huge mark on your calendar for February 27, 2009.

Source : http://www.thehdroom.com/

Nokia Shares Rally on Downbeat Forecast

Nokia revised down its forecast for handset sales Dec. 4, yet company shares rose some 5% in New York and Helsinki trading. Why? One reason was that investors were bracing for worse, says analyst Richard Windsor of Nomura Securities in London. “Things are not as bad as some had feared,” he wrote in a note to investors.

The news wasn’t exactly good. Nokia backed off its previous forecast for industry-wide sales of 330 million devices in the fourth quarter of 2008. Overall, global handset sales are likely to drop some 5% in 2009 vs. 2008 as retailers clear out inventory, the company said. In addition, Nokia said it could no longer stand by its earlier vow to increase global market share from the third-quarter level of 38%.

Longer term, though, there are reasons why Nokia remains a good bet. As the company noted in the Dec. 4 statement, the number of mobile subscriptions worldwide is expected to cross the 4 billion mark in the first quarter of 2009. Mobile is still a growth business in macro terms.

While Nokia will take some lumps in the downturn, it has the resources to continue to invest in research and development and in marketing. Smaller competitors will have a more difficult time doing so, and a few may disappear from the market. “In tough times the people who are stronger and able to invest are better off than weaker competitors,” Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo said in an interview in Barcelona on Dec. 2, before release of the revised forecast. “Of course we intend to use our position to improve our position in the market.”

Source : http://www.businessweek.com

Nokia 2605 Mirage Phone Rolling Out Via Verizon Wireless

Nokia and Verizon Wireless unveiled their latest mobile device for the holidays, Nokia 2605 Mirage.

It is a clamshell phone with a simple flip that wears out the cool blue color. It’s a low-end mobile phone, so many people will be able to afford it.

The Nokia 2605 phone has a 1.8 inch internal display screen and a 1.2 inch external display screen. The phone equips a VGA resolution camera with video recording capability and dedicated buttons. It integrates the Verizon VZ GPS Navigator and the Chaperone Parent/Child tracking service.

The Nokia 2605 offers Mobile Web Mail, chat and Mobile IM features. The phone comes with an interesting feature, snap-on faceplates that allow the user to change the blue color to another color of their choice. It provides users enhanced web applications to access news, weather and sports etc. Bluetooth technology is also wrapped with this sleek Nokia phone.

Nokia 2605 is a perfect phone to gift and will be available online from today for $49.99 (approx. Rs. 2, 470) with a two year service agreement and a $50 mail in rebates. The phone will be available at retail outlets from January 23, 2009.

Source : http://www.mobiletor.com/

Nokia's New N97 Aims for the Super-Connected

If Nokia's N97 smartphone arrives on U.S. shores it could claim fame as a spoiler in today's battle between Apple and Research in Motion (RIM) for the consumer smartphone user.

That's because the N97 not only offers features both iPhone 3G fans and BlackBerry consumer users enjoy -- a touchscreen display, full QWERTY keyboard and hefty video and music support -- but it expands on those capabilities with an "always on" browser window and advanced social networking and messaging services.

Calling it the "world's most advanced mobile computer," Nokia (NYSE: NOK) debuted its latest high-end device today at the annual Nokia World event in Barcelona, Spain. The 3G device retails for approximately $700 U.S. and will be available in Europe in mid-2009.

Nokia, which did not respond to inquiries by press time, has not indicated a U.S. launch date.

"From the desktop to the laptop and now to your pocket, the Nokia N97 is the most powerful, multi-sensory mobile computer in existence," Jonas Geust, vice president for Nokia Nseries, said in a statement.

The launch comes at a time when handset makers are battling for attention in an increasingly competitive environment. Smartphone vendors and wireless carriers have been revamping everything from their phones' look and feel to their hardware and software in a heated race to attract users and grab greater market share.

The second coming of Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone, the 3G, kicked off the most recent leg of the race this June, altering the U.S. smartphone landscape with its popular touchscreen features and support for application downloads and high-speed 3G connections.

Meanwhile, Nokia remains the world's largest phone manufacturer but is feeling pressure from rivals' successes. Research firm Canalys reported that the company's share of the smartphone market fell to 38.9 percent during third quarter, from 51.4 percent a year before. Meanwhile, Apple's market share increased to 17.3 percent, while BlackBerry maker RIM's (NASDAQ: RIMM) grew to 15.2 percent over the same timeframe.

The market may yet see further upheaval. Dozens of new handsets have been hitting the market since the new iPhone made its debut. Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) introduced the first Android-based open source device, the HTC G1, while Research in Motion pushed out two new BlackBerry devices, the Bold and Storm, the latter becoming the company's first-ever touchscreen device.

Social networking goes mobile

Nokia, with more than one billion users, hasn't remained idle, however.

Until today, Nokia's chief candidate for an "iPhone killer" had been its 5800 XpressMusic smartphone, which launched earlier this fall. It features a touchscreen and a drop-down menu for easy access to music, as well as one-touch access to a Web browser and other applications.

The user interface also provides a widescreen display -- another feature similar to the iPhone's and G1's designs.

The new N97 builds on the 5800's features, and also marks the latest in a steady stream of Nseries devices that Nokia has been introducing into the European and U.S. markets this year. Just three months ago, Nokia launched the N96, N85 and N79, ranging in price from $400 to $900.

The N97's 3.5-inch widescreen display can be personalized with widgets and quick icon access to social networking services. It comes with 32GB of on-board storage and is expandable up to 48GB, courtesy of a slot for a 16GB microSD card.

Just like the 5800, the N97 supports Nokia's Music Store -- the company's downloadable music marketplace -- and offers 36 hours of playback time. Like the G1, it also offers support for Adobe Flash -- a feature that Apple's iPhone continues to lack.

The device also supports the popular IM networks like AOL's AIM and Microsoft's Windows Live Messenger.

But it's the N97's advanced tie-ins to social networking -- dubbed its "social location" service -- that Nokia is banking will spark the most user interest.

The feature relies on an integrated GPS sensor and electronic compass that together enable users to automatically update their statuses on the major social networks -- so friends can always be alerted to their current whereabouts.

According to the company, such services will change how mobile users interact in the very near future.

Source : http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/

Nintendo Launches North American Club Nintendo Site

Nintendo has launched the official website for the North American version of their Club Nintendo promotional service (via Kotaku), where gamers can earn bonuses by buying and registering Nintendo games and products. Unfortunately, there's really nothing to see on the site right now, other than a promise that the service is "coming soon," and a few new details on how it'll actually work. Observe:

• Earn Coins for registering Nintendo products and completing surveys


• Redeem Coins for limited edition Rewards


• Earn a set amount of Coins each year to gain Gold and Platinum status


• Create a Family Account and invite members of your family to join


• Register your newly purchased Wii console or Nintendo DS on Club Nintendo and extend your warranty

It all sounds very similar to the Club Nintendo services that Japanese and European gamers have been privy to for years, so it's about time North American gamers were let in on the fun. No mention has been made about what the rewards will be, but a recent ESRB rating revealed that the Game & Watch Collection for the DS -- a Club Nintendo exclusive in Japan -- will be released in the U.S. soon.

Nintendo announced their intentions to bring Club Nintendo to North America at a press conference back in October, promising it would launch before the end of the year. Considering there's only 25 days left to the year, and so far Nintendo's only managed to launch a barebones website, we're starting to wonder whether they'll be able to keep that promise. Here's hoping.

Source : http://www.1up.com/

Walmart.com offers "thousands" of Wiis from Monday

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Nintendo Co Ltd's Wii has emerged as one of the few hot products this holiday season, and Wal-Mart Stores Inc will offer "tens of thousands" of the hard-to-get video game consoles on its website starting on Monday.

Walmart.com said it will offer the Nintendo Wii console for $249.24, and a "value bundle," which includes the console and other items like an extra set of controllers, for $329, while supplies last.

The Wii has emerged as one of the most sought-after gifts this holiday season, which has otherwise been lamented for a lack of new and hot products.

On Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving which marks the start of holiday shopping, the Wii was the most searched-for product on the Yahoo Shopping site. It was also the most popular product on eBay, with 3,171 of the consoles selling for an average price of $349 that day.

As of Friday night, the Wii console was sold out on Walmart.com, bestbuy.com and circuitcity.com. Bestbuy.com listed the sold-out Wii for $249.99.

Walmart.com also said that it will offer, beginning on Monday, certain Wii video games at a price of two for $30, and certain accessories, like the Nintendo Wii Racing Wheel, starting under $10.

Wal-Mart has been gaining market share and clout in the U.S. recession as cash-strapped shoppers seek out its low prices.

On Thursday, it reported a stronger-than-expected 3.4 percent rise in sales at its U.S. stores open at least a year, after it slashed prices on food and toys to lure shoppers.

Walmart.com spokesman Ravi Jariwala said the online retailer has worked with Nintendo closely throughout the year and seen strong sales of Wii products on its website, helping to secure the latest supply of the popular console.

Source : http://www.reuters.com/

Nintendo moves into the kitchen

Or at least that's what Nintendo of America Inc. is banking on as it unveils a new interactive Game Boy-like device called Personal Trainer: Cooking.

Using Nintendo DS technology, Personal Trainer: Cooking is basically a small gray hand-held box -- with a touch screen and voice recognition -- that stores more than 245 recipes.

Once you decide on a recipe (based on country of origin, cooking time, ingredients, calorie count, etc.), a little animated chef with a monotone electronic voice and a bushy mustache talks you through the steps to making the dish. Videos of the more difficult steps are available for viewing. There is also an interactive shopping-list function that helps would-be chefs check off ingredients as they buy them.
The official Web site for this strange little device (although it is high-tech, it looks weirdly primitive -- maybe just because it's geared toward novice chefs) has a video of two teens cooking crab cakes using their Personal Trainer. It's worth watching for its sheer awkwardness and unintentional tawdriness. I can't imagine a seasoned home cook relying on such a device, but I can see that home cook using it to engage his or her children in the cooking process.

Source : http://www.orlandosentinel.com/