Fruit Ninja Frenzy arriving on Facebook

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 24px;"></span><br /> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 13px/19px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px; padding-bottom: 0.6em; padding-left: 0.6em; padding-right: 0.6em; padding-top: 0.6em;"> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <img alt="Fruit Ninja Frenzy" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-84257" height="259" mce_src="http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2775/20fruitninjafrenzy.jpg" src="http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2775/20fruitninjafrenzy.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" title="Fruit Ninja Frenzy" width="345" /></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Halfbrick’s addictive fruit slicing game made its premiere on the Xbox 360 with the Kinect earlier this week, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to stop there. MTV Multiplayer got the exclusive scoop on the next version of the game, and it looks like Fruit Ninja is ready to take on the world’s largest social network – Facebook.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=qMU6gPZIwb8:nbnpDLClGfU:yIl2AUoC8zA" mce_href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=qMU6gPZIwb8:nbnpDLClGfU:yIl2AUoC8zA" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="" border="0" mce_src="http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/2976/47206911.gif" src="http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/2976/47206911.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=qMU6gPZIwb8:nbnpDLClGfU:qj6IDK7rITs" mce_href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=qMU6gPZIwb8:nbnpDLClGfU:qj6IDK7rITs" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="" border="0" mce_src="http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6744/58971619.gif" src="http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6744/58971619.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=qMU6gPZIwb8:nbnpDLClGfU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" mce_href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=qMU6gPZIwb8:nbnpDLClGfU:gIN9vFwOqvQ" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="" border="0" mce_src="http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5818/74562502.gif" src="http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5818/74562502.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=qMU6gPZIwb8:nbnpDLClGfU:-BTjWOF_DHI" mce_href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/ubergizmo?a=qMU6gPZIwb8:nbnpDLClGfU:-BTjWOF_DHI" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="" border="0" mce_src="http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/5906/52117182.gif" src="http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/5906/52117182.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 640px;" /></a></div> </div> </div>

Fruit Ninja Frenzy arriving on Facebook

Halfbrick’s addictive fruit slicing game made its premiere on the Xbox 360 with the Kinect earlier this week, and it doesn’t look like...

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Cut The Rope Now in Android Market [Ad-Free] for $0.99

<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="158" src="http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/9664/cuttherope540x263.jpg" width="324" />The extremely popular and top selling iOS game by Zepto Labs Cut the Rope has been available for Android the last week or so over at GetJar as they got the exclusive on it, sadly it comes with ads but then it is also free. If you haven’t downloaded the amazingly simple yet fun game I suggest you do because it’s as addicting as Angry Birds.</p><br/><br/><br/><span> </span><br/><br/>If you are like me and would rather play games without all the ads you can now buy Cut The Rope in the Android Market for only $0.99 and boy is it fun. I played it for at least an hour straight last night but it starts to get quite difficult and takes more than a few times to get all three stars.<br/><br/>The photos posted below might look a little goofy but they did want a cute game for all ages to appeal to the masses. The video above shows just how fun and engaging it can be so I highly suggest you all check it out. Click the source link below to head over to the Android Market and get to cutting those ropes.<br/><br/><a href="http://androidcommunity.com/cut-the-rope-now-in-android-market-ad-free-for-0-99-20110630/cut-the-rope-2/" title="cut the rope"><img alt="cut the rope" class="attachment-thumbnail" height="150" src="http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1556/cuttherope150x150.jpg" title="cut the rope" width="150" /></a><br/><a href="http://androidcommunity.com/cut-the-rope-now-in-android-market-ad-free-for-0-99-20110630/cut-the-rope-1/" title="Cut the rope 1"><img alt="Cut the rope 1" class="attachment-thumbnail" height="150" src="http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/4269/cuttherope1150x150.jpg" title="Cut the rope 1" width="150" /></a><br/><a href="http://androidcommunity.com/cut-the-rope-now-in-android-market-ad-free-for-0-99-20110630/rope-2/" title="rope 2"><img alt="rope 2" class="attachment-thumbnail" height="150" src="http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/9100/rope2150x150.jpg" title="rope 2" width="150" /></a>

Cut The Rope Now in Android Market [Ad-Free] for $0.99

The extremely popular and top selling iOS game by Zepto Labs Cut the Rope has been available for Android the last week or so over at GetJar ...

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Review: Exclusive: LG 47LW550T

<P align=center><img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/LG%2047LW550T/HCC194.lg.wood02-200-200.jpg"></P><br /><P>LG is unique in the UK TV market by offering both active and passive 3D sets. The 47LW550T is one of the latter, dubbed Cinema 3D by the Korean brand to help confused consumers realise that it shares the same glasses technology that they've become used to at their local multiplex. </P><br /><P>The 47LW550T arrives on retailers' shelves against a backdrop of a bitter active versus passive argument between LG and its rival Samsung, with the latter at pains to point out that the former's Cinema 3D technology cannot display a full HD 3D image. And that's true, because the 47LW550T's screen-mounted polarising filter sends one half of the 1,920 x 1080 Blu-ray image to one eye and the other half to the other. It's what impact that has on picture quality that's important.</P><br /><P>First, though, some background info. The 47LW550TT is a 47-inch edge LED-lit set – part of LG's new 2011 range – and is also available in 32-inch, 42-inch and 47-inch guises. </P><br /><P>Its living room appeal is helped by a slender design and blue-tinted gloss black bezel, but the frame around the screen is rather wide, meaning the 47LW550TT isn't as eye-catching as Samsung's rival D7000 range.</P><br /><P align=center><img alt="LG 47lw550t" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/LG%2047LW550T/HCC194.lg.03-420-100.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>The 47LW550T is packed with all the features we expect from a premium TV plus a few nice extras.</P><br /><P>The headline act is the Cinema 3D technology. By using a screen filter to sort out left and right eye images, instead of active shutters in the 3D glasses, LG has been able to throw in seven pairs of lightweight, battery-free goggles. That automatically gives the 47LW550T appeal to Sky 3D subscribers wanting to throw a 3D football party, although why they come in a variety of garish colours is a mystery. The set also includes a 2D-3D conversion engine.</P><br /><P>Something that may get more everyday use than the Cinema 3D feature is the 47LW550TT's 'smart' capability. Like all high-end TVs launched this year, this LG is smarter than Albert Einstein in a Savile Row suit. Its multimedia talents break down into three areas: Smart Share media streaming from a home network, unrestricted web browsing and App access. Net connection is done via the Ethernet jack or optional wireless dongle.</P><br /><P>The selection of pre-installed apps in LG's NetCast portal is pretty decent, including Acetrax and Viewster movies-on-demand, vTuner net radio, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Picasa, Google Maps and the ubiquitous BBC iPlayer. Some of these you may already have courtesy of your Blu-ray player or TV service, but it's better to be safe than sorry. More obscure/niche/pointless apps can be downloaded from and placed on your personalised dashboard. Check out <a href="http://gb.lgtvapp.com/appspc/main/main/main.lge">www.lgtvapp.com</A> to see what's on offer.</P><br /><P>The web browser promises unfettered surfing – something that Panasonic has omitted from its own Viera Connect smart TVs – but because our review sample arrived before the TVs will hit shop shelves, it hadn't been activated. </P><br /><P>We had more joy with the Smart Share function, which seems quite robust. Connected to both a NAS drive and a PC on our tech network, we were soon streaming MP3s, JPEGs, and H.264 video files to the 47LW550T's screen with ease.</P><br /><P>A feature that will never get a lot of fanfare in the advertising blurb is the 47LW550T's extensive picture calibration possibilities. That's a shame, as what's on offer here is unrivalled in the flatscreen TV market. </P><br /><P>Beyond the usual Vivid, Standard, Cinema and Game picture presets are two ISF Expert options. Selecting one of these opens up the Expert Control sub menu, where you'll find all manner of consumer-baffling tweaks, including a full colour management system. This is where an ISF-certified technician will be able to calibrate the 47LW550T to within an inch of its life, saving their work for you to call into action at the touch of a button.</P><br /><P>What's great about the 47LW550T is that owners get to play at being an ISF nerd, too. LG's Picture Wizard, found in the setup menu, is a step-by-step process that encourages you to adjust various levels until one image in the screen matches LG's own recommendation. </P><br /><P>It's similar to the system found on <a href="">Philips 46PFL9705</A>, but more advanced, including White Level, Tint and Horizontal/Vertical Sharpness stages. The results are saved to the ISF Expert 1 preset. We found our selections greatly improved on the picture quality offered by the Standard mode preset.</P><br /><P>Connectivity is par for the flatscreen course. There are four HDMI v1.4 inputs (side-mounted, with one offering Audio Return Channel support), two USB ports, Ethernet, composite, PC input and digital audio output. Because of the size of the connections recess, a special adaptor is provided for component and RGB Scart.?</P><br /><P>Other features of note include the ability to use the 47LW550T with LG's optional Magic Motion remote control, 100Hz TruMotion smoothing technology, DivX HD certification and a built-in Freeview HD tuner.</P><br /><P align=center><img alt="LG 47lw550t" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/LG%2047LW550T/HCC194.lg.wood01-420-100.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P>Before we get onto the 47LW550T's 3D performance, it's worth noting that its hi-def 2D images are excellent.</P><br /><P>LG claims a 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio for the 47LW550T, but our lab measured a real-world figure of 262,000:1. That's quite a big difference, but 262,000:1 is still impressive, putting it easily in the upper echelons of current LED TVs. And that objective figure translates to subjective viewing, too. </P><br /><P>With Ridley Scott's <EM>Robin Hood</EM> on Blu-ray, the 47LW550T offers a well-contrasted picture that's capable of displaying peak whites and Emo-grade blacks simultaneously. The opening night-time scene, with torch-wielding villagers surrounded by the forest darkness, is therefore suitably atmospheric and immersive. </P><br /><P>This excellent contrast ratio and black level comes courtesy of a stable edge-LED backlighting system (with local dimming) that manages to avoid any trace of light pooling. A 16-step greyscale pattern showed clear delineation without any crushed blacks. Even doubling up to 32 steps only resulted in the brightest whites failing to separate. </P><br /><P>Colour performance is similarly commendable. With our own Picture Wizard-enabled preset, tones were bright, believable and full of subtlety. Reds managed to look red, rather than orangey. Again, a reference gradation test showed none of the blocking that afflicts less well-engineered screens.</P><br /><P>The 47LW550T falls down slightly with motion. There is a noticeable loss of picture detail with fast horizontal pans; engaging the TruMotion frame interpolation tech, even on its low setting, resolved the problem immediately, but introduces predictable haloing around fast-moving objects. When <EM>Avatar</EM>'s Sully takes control of his Na'vi for the first time and runs around like a loon, we were quick to dispense with TruMotion. </P><br /><P>The 47LW550T isn't a disastrous performer with motion (it compares well with <a href="">Philips 46PFL9705</A>, but put it head to head with Panasonic's new <a href="">TX-L42E30B</A> and it comes second.</P><br /><P>Switch up to three dimensions and the 47LW550T continues to raise a smile, but it isn't without its flaws.</P><br /><P>Firstly, despite using passive technology, the 47LW550T still exhibits crosstalk. As always, it's dependant on the material, but anyone hoping this niggling 3D side-effect would be AWOL will be disappointed.</P><br /><P>On the plus side, 3D glasses without active shutters means flickering pictures are a thing of the past. Watching Avatar 3D on the 47LW550T was a pleasure, and the fact that having ambient lights on didn't irritate the 3D delivery system was a welcome bonus. </P><br /><P>The viewing angle is also good. Move around the room and the picture follows. The same cannot be said of Active 3D systems, where the eyewear can lose sync. However, go off-axis vertically and you begin to notice the horizontal ripples of the screen's filter, especially with bright material.</P><br /><P>And what of the resolution loss? Well, it's certainly true that full HD 3D Blu-rays don't look as sharp as their 2D counterparts and if you get close to the screen you can clearly see where horizontal resolution has been chopped in half, but at a normal viewing distance it's much harder to spot.</P><br /><P>And even with the resolution loss, the sharpness of the overall picture is impressive; losing half the vertical resolution doesn't mean it's suddenly back to DVD standards. It's more like Blu-ray lite. Whether or not that's good enough for you is a personal choice, but we'd suggest that the positives of the passive 3D system outweigh the negatives.</P><br /><P align=center><STRONG><img alt="LG 47lw550t" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/LG%2047LW550T/HCC194.lg.wood02-420-100.jpg" width="420"></P></IMG><br /><P><BR></P></STRONG><br /><P><STRONG>Sound</STRONG></P><br /><P>Despite the 47LW550T's slender design, LG's engineers have managed to endow it with a decent set of speakers that deliver a better performance than some of its competitors. They do most of their work in the midrange, and lack real low-frequency impact, but the sound is generally warm and engaging, rather than thin and raspy. </P><br /><P>At full volume (100 on the nifty, animated speaker dial) the 47LW550T goes quite loud, too, although you'll want to nudge it down a notch as distortion does begin to creep in. The optical audio output and audio return channel-savvy HDMI jack make it easy to connect the 47LW550T to a home cinema system.</P><br /><P>The sound menu features a few tweaks that users can make. The 47LW550T offers five adjustable presets: Standard, Music, Cinema, Sport and Game, of which cinema was our personal favourite, adding the most bass. The sport mode, by contrast, seems to rob the entire soundstage of any weight, making BBC's news readers sound like croaking, reanimated corpses.</P><br /><P>Clear Voice II is also offered; whatever LG thinks it's supposed to bring to your aural experience, it's best left permanently ignored.</P><br /><P>Oddly, and somewhat refreshingly, we found nothing resembling a virtual surround mode. Perhaps LG has realised that it's simply not worth bothering with.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Value</STRONG></P><br /><P>The 47LW550T should be available for around £1,300, which is less than competing models such as Samsung's UE46D7000 (£1,700), Philips PFL469705 (£1,600) and Panasonic's TX-P42VT30 (£1,600). Your hard-earned money gets you a well-featured 47-inch LED with a commensurate picture and an enjoyable 3D performance. Cinema 3D isn't state of the art, but the cost-saving from the seven bundled glasses compared to Active Shutter specs means it's certainly a bit of a bargain.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Ease of use</STRONG></P><br /><P>Living with a 47LW550T shouldn't pose any problems to those with a modicum of consumer electronics know-how, but some aspects do take getting used to.</P><br /><P>For instance, unlike some other brands, LG's home page mixes regular TV menus (input/setup) with all the set's smart functions, plus a PIP (Picture in Picture) window of what you're currently watching. It's certainly pretty and colourful, but you may prefer a more traditional layout. </P><br /><P>Other niggles include not being able to access the Home screen when 3D material is being played (presumably because of the PIP window), a blazing white light sited in the lower right corner of the screen that has to be deactivated in the settings menu, and a health warning that pops up whenever your call on a 3D source.</P><br /><P>If you're happy listening to MP3s on an iPod rather than lugging a Discman around, then you'll probably also appreciate the convenience of the 47LW550T's Cinema 3D system without worrying too much about its sub-full HD, three-dimensional images.</P><br /><P>Of course, there's more to the 47LW550T than its 3D capabilities. This is a high-end smart TV, with plenty of fine-tuning options, at an eye-catching price.</P><br /><P><STRONG>We liked</STRONG></P><br /><P>The 47LW550T offers a high-quality 2D picture performance thanks to efficient edge-LED lighting and a brilliant set of user adjustments, while 3D images benefit from the 47-inch screen size and flicker-free Cinema 3D technology. NetCast and Smart Share make it an ideal set for a connected home. </P><br /><P><STRONG>We disliked</STRONG></P><br /><P>The 47LW550T's motion-handling isn't up to the high standards set by other areas of its picture peformance, and some of the picture and sound presets (take a bow, 'Vivid') are hopelessly inadequate. The wide bezel design isn't as neat as it could be, either.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Verdict</STRONG></P><br /><P>Hardcore AV geeks will always remain sniffy about passive 3D screens because of the drop in picture resolution, but LG needn't be bothered – the 47LW550T is a consumer product, not a reference-grade 3D display. </P><br /><P>Its 2D performance is rock-solid, its mulitimedia functions are up to speed with the competition and its particular flavour of 3D is convenient and comfortable. Fun for all the family, as the saying goes.</P><br /><DIV class=mf-viral> <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~3/6I2g31QYs-o/story01.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Article</A></DIV>

Review: Exclusive: LG 47LW550T

LG is unique in the UK TV market by offering both active and passive 3D sets. The 47LW550T is one of the latter, dubbed Cinema 3D by the Kor...

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Exclusive: Skype rejects Chinese VoIP ban

<div align="center"><img src="http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/3724/skypelogo200200.jpg" /></div>The Chinese government has moved to ban non-Chinese VoIP/internet telephony services in China, though Skype is refusing to accept the ban.<br /> The <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/8231444/China-makes-Skype-illegal.html">Telegraph</a> reported on Thursday 30 December that China had announced that it had made the use of Skype illegal in the country.<br /> The Chinese government announced that all internet phone calls were to be banned in China apart from those made over the two state-owned networks, China Unicom and China Telecom. <br /> <strong>Skype to be illegal</strong><br /> "[This] is expected to make services like Skype unavailable in the country," read a report in the Communist party newspaper People's Daily.<br /> For its part, Skype is refusing to accept the ban. When asked directly if China has banned or restricted the use of Skype anywhere in China, including on PCs or mobile phones, a Skype spokesperson said:<br /> "No, users in China currently can access Skype via TOM Online, our majority JV partner. TOM Online offers local versions of Skype for Windows, MAC as well as mobile platforms such as Symbian and Windows Mobile. More details can be found at <a href="https://londonph.grayling.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=https://londonph.grayling.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://skype.tom.com">skype.tom.com</a>."<br /> When pressed and asked if Skype can see such a move as possible, the Skype spokesperson added: "We do not comment on speculation."<br /> China is now the world's largest market for VoIP calls.<br /> The Chinese ministry of Industry and Information Technology has so far declined to comment on when the new regulations will be put in place.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.techradar.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Source.</a>

Exclusive: Skype rejects Chinese VoIP ban

The Chinese government has moved to ban non-Chinese VoIP/internet telephony services in China, though Skype is refusing to accept the ban. ...

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Exclusive: Sony Ericsson PSP Phone to be joined by Hallon and Anzu

<P align=center><img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/Mobile%20Phones/Sony%20Ericsson/se_anzu-200-200.jpg"></P><br /><P> Sony Ericsson is set to bring out three new Android phones in the first half of 2011, a source close to the matter has told TechRadar.</P><br /><P>The first is (obviously) set to be the mooted PSP Phone, currently still running internally under the Zeus codename and likely to be part of the Xperia family.</P><br /><P>The next two will be refreshes of phones in the existing line up, as Sony Ericsson looks to build on its fledgling Android renaissance.</P><br /><P><STRONG>And you, Anzu?</STRONG></P><br /><P>The Anzu is set to be the refresh of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10, and will also be running Android. It's not the first time we've heard of such a phone - a month ago the Sony Ericsson Anzu was mentioned as a 12MP device with a very slim form factor and a 4.3-inch screen.</P><br /><P>This will be landing in the UK alongside the Hallon, a name that's been thrown around the internet for a while as a possible Sony Ericsson handset.</P><br /><P>The Sony Ericsson Vivaz was one of the last handsets from the company running Symbian, and it's no secret SE wants to keep the form factor alive, and this is highly likely to get an Android reboot as the Hallon.</P><br /><P>The exact Android version the phones will be released with is still to be decided, but it looks increasingly likely Android 2.3 will be used (although Sony Ericsson hardly has a reputation for keeping its handsets up to date).</P><br /><P>Our source couldn't confirm exact release dates, but given TechRadar's been asked to a briefing to talk about the Xperia range in January and an invite has been extended for Mobile World Congress to see multiple phones, we'd imagine two, if not all three, will be given UK release dates very soon.</P>

Exclusive: Sony Ericsson PSP Phone to be joined by Hallon and Anzu

 Sony Ericsson is set to bring out three new Android phones in the first half of 2011, a source close to the matter has told TechRadar. The ...

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Exclusive: Microsoft wants Windows 8 to relaunch PC gaming

<P align=center><img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/classifications/home-entertainment/gaming/games/images/Cryengine3_screenshot-200-200.jpg"></P> <br /><P>Microsoft will use Windows 8 to relaunch itself at the forefront of PC gaming, TechRadar understands, with the software giant ready to put its weight behind the platform once more. </P><br /><P>The rise and rise of the MMO has underlined the power of PC gaming. Along with real time strategies and the still vibrant first-person shooter scene, it remains one of the planet's most popular gaming platforms.</P><br /><P>However, despite Windows remaining hugely influential, Microsoft's reluctance to embrace the PC as a gaming platform in recent years has angered many. </P><br /><P><STRONG>Green shoots</STRONG></P><br /><P>A relaunched Games for Windows marketplace was a recent fillip, but it is the hiring of Rahul Sood, the founder of gaming computer brand Voodoo PC and previously an outspoken critic of the Redmond company's attitude towards PC gaming that underlines what TechRadar has been told about Windows 8. </P><br /><P>"Windows 8 will represent a real new push into PC gaming," the source told TechRadar. "Gaming will be a key component for the whole OS." </P><br /><P>Along with the new store, Microsoft has shown signs of waking from its PC gaming slumber in the course of 2010. </P><br /><P>The announcement of a new Age of Empires game, along with Fable 3 and an updated Flight Simulator appear to be the green shoots of the new attitude. </P><br /><P><STRONG>Steam clean</STRONG></P><br /><P>The landscape will not be easy for Microsoft however, with Valve's Steam now a dominant figure in PC gaming. </P><br /><P>Valve – the company behind the wonderful <EM>Half Life</EM> series, along with <EM>Counter Strike</EM>, <EM>Portal</EM> and <EM>Team Fortress</EM> – has established Steam as a gaming store, delivery network and hub for online gamers. </P><br /><P>Microsoft will have the advantage of mass market, and could leverage the strides it has taken with online gaming on the Xbox 360 to try to win back the hearts and minds of the PC gamer. </P><br /><P>And Windows 8 would appear the perfect opportunity to begin the hard slog. </P>

Exclusive: Microsoft wants Windows 8 to relaunch PC gaming

Microsoft will use Windows 8 to relaunch itself at the forefront of PC gaming, TechRadar understands, with the software giant ready to put ...

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Exclusive: Microsoft wants Windows 8 to relaunch PC gaming

<P align=center><img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/classifications/home-entertainment/gaming/games/images/Cryengine3_screenshot-200-200.jpg"></P> <br /><P>Microsoft will use Windows 8 to relaunch itself at the forefront of PC gaming, TechRadar understands, with the software giant ready to put its weight behind the platform once more. </P><br /><P>The rise and rise of the MMO has underlined the power of PC gaming. Along with real time strategies and the still vibrant first-person shooter scene, it remains one of the planet's most popular gaming platforms.</P><br /><P>However, despite Windows remaining hugely influential, Microsoft's reluctance to embrace the PC as a gaming platform in recent years has angered many. </P><br /><P><STRONG>Green shoots</STRONG></P><br /><P>A relaunched Games for Windows marketplace was a recent fillip, but it is the hiring of Rahul Sood, the founder of gaming computer brand Voodoo PC and previously an outspoken critic of the Redmond company's attitude towards PC gaming that underlines what TechRadar has been told about Windows 8. </P><br /><P>"Windows 8 will represent a real new push into PC gaming," the source told TechRadar. "Gaming will be a key component for the whole OS." </P><br /><P>Along with the new store, Microsoft has shown signs of waking from its PC gaming slumber in the course of 2010. </P><br /><P>The announcement of a new Age of Empires game, along with Fable 3 and an updated Flight Simulator appear to be the green shoots of the new attitude. </P><br /><P><STRONG>Steam clean</STRONG></P><br /><P>The landscape will not be easy for Microsoft however, with Valve's Steam now a dominant figure in PC gaming. </P><br /><P>Valve – the company behind the wonderful <EM>Half Life</EM> series, along with <EM>Counter Strike</EM>, <EM>Portal</EM> and <EM>Team Fortress</EM> – has established Steam as a gaming store, delivery network and hub for online gamers. </P><br /><P>Microsoft will have the advantage of mass market, and could leverage the strides it has taken with online gaming on the Xbox 360 to try to win back the hearts and minds of the PC gamer. </P><br /><P>And Windows 8 would appear the perfect opportunity to begin the hard slog. </P>

Exclusive: Microsoft wants Windows 8 to relaunch PC gaming

Microsoft will use Windows 8 to relaunch itself at the forefront of PC gaming, TechRadar understands, with the software giant ready to put ...

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Ennio Morricone to provide exclusive LG ringtones

<P align=center><img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/Mobile%20Phones/LG/EnnioMirricone_LG-200-200.jpg"></P> <br /><P>LG has announced that legenday movie music maestro Ennio Morricone is providing a collection of exclusive ringtones and music for its mobile phones. </P><br /><P>Morricone has written some of the most iconic movie scores – including Sergio Leone classics like <EM>The Good the Bad and the Ugly</EM> and a <EM>Fistful of Dollars.</EM></P><br /><P>And LG has now snapped up the composer, and as well as newly composed pieces there will be a selection from his movie themes, including <EM>The Mission</EM> and <EM>Cinema Paradiso</EM>. </P><br /><P><STRONG>Pre-loaded</STRONG></P><br /><P>The exclusive music will be preloaded on LG's range of smartphones and it will be the dual-core LG Optimus 2X which will be the first to get the selection. </P><br /><P>"LG smartphone users will be able to enjoy a total of 25 of Morricone's creations -- 15 ringtones composed specifically for LG and 10 of his best-known tunes from the world of cinema," explained LG. </P><br /><P>There will also be a 'selection' of apps with Morricone-related content – including images and video clips available free from the LG store. </P><br /><P>"Signore Morricone is one of the best-loved soundtrack composers of all time," said Dr. Jong-seok Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. </P><br /><P>"Reproducing his work with such amazing clarity on the Optimus 2X, gives smartphones a whole new level of respect as the primary device for on-the-go music."</P>

Ennio Morricone to provide exclusive LG ringtones

LG has announced that legenday movie music maestro Ennio Morricone is providing a collection of exclusive ringtones and music for its mobil...

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Exclusive: UK firm promises photo-realistic 3D graphics on mobiles

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/images/IMG_Logo4-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>UK-based Imagination Technologies has acquired 3D graphics specialists Caustic for $27 million (£17 million), promising that photo-realistic 3D will soon be available on consumer mobile devices. </P><br /><P>The investment in Caustic Graphics will help <a href="http://www.imgtec.com/index.asp">Imagination Technologies</A> – who provide the video chips used in the Apple iPhone and also own UK DAB specialists Pure Radio – to push the envelope of what is possible with mobile 3D graphics.</P><br /><P>Caustic's mobile graphics tech is said to be capable of bringing cinema-quality 3D graphics to mobile phones.</P><br /><P><STRONG>3D ray tracing to change mobiles</STRONG></P><br /><P>Speaking exclusively to TechRadar, Imagination Technolgies' PR Director, David Harold said of the deal: </P><br /><P>"Well, we don't want to tip our hand but this acquisition opens up the potential for highly photorealistic imagery to reach new real-time applications and markets, including consumer, not possible previously, via its integration with POWERVR, which is the de facto standard for mobile and embedded graphics. </P><br /><P>"We have a proven track record of disrupting markets by bringing new and high-end technologies to consumer and embedded products: ray tracing is a key additional technology that traditionally has been regarded as the exclusive domain of specialised markets and non real-time applications. We will change that."</P><br /><P>Imagination posted a 131 per cent rise in adjusted pre-tax profit to £10.1 million pounds, with revenue up 16 per cent to £44 million in the six months through to October 2011 after its partners shipped 107 million of its chips. The company hopes to ship over 200 million chips in the year to end-April 2011.</P><br /><P>Chief Exec Hossein Yassaie explained recently to <a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6BD1L120101214">Reuters</A> that the company had recently signed extended licensing deals with Apple and Intel, both companies also being shareholders in Imagination Technologies, in addition to deals with Samsung and Fujitsu.</P><br /><P>"We are doing repeat business with a lot of our customers, we are securing new customers," Yassaie said in an interview. "If you look at volume and actual devices shipped, we are talking about 100 million units, and some of our competitors have nothing to show.</P><br /><P>"We would not have acquired this [Caustic] technology if we did not believe we could get it into handsets," he added, commenting on the new deal.</P>

Exclusive: UK firm promises photo-realistic 3D graphics on mobiles

UK-based Imagination Technologies has acquired 3D graphics specialists Caustic for $27 million (£17 million), promising that photo-realistic...

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Exclusive: HTC Magic gets shock Android 2.2 upgrade

<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/Review%20images/HTC%20Magic/Press%20shots/htc_magic_double-200-200.jpg"> </div><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=latesttecompu-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B002BCVNPG&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>The <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3630952467398438450&postID=5259949181154080743">HTC Magic</a>, a phone that was announced nearly two years ago, is getting the (sort of) latest Google Android upgrade.<br> For some unknown reason, Vodafone has decided this is something of a cult phone and despite being announced in February 2008 on Android 1.5, Froyo is now in the Magic building (that sounds like a very wrong euphemism).<br> The new update brings a whole host of upgrades, including USB tethering, new Gmail and YouTube clients, Exchange support and copying apps to microSD cards which will make a big difference.<br> <br>

Exclusive: HTC Magic gets shock Android 2.2 upgrade

The HTC Magic , a phone that was announced nearly two years ago, is getting the (sort of) latest Google Android upgrade. For some unknown ...

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Exclusive: Sega Interview: Producer of 3D Virtua Tennis 4

<P><img alt="Mie" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/gaming/games/images/Vt4%203d/mie%20kumagai-420-90.jpg" width="420"></P><br /><P>We're massively excited about Sega's forthcoming <EM>Virtua Tennis 4, </EM>not least because it is the first in the mighty <EM>VT </EM>series from Sega that will make use of both 3D and Move motion control on the PlayStation 3.</P><br /><P>As such, we recently caught up with the game's producer, Mie Kumagai, who – since joining Sega back in 1993 – has been the creative force behind some of Sega's most successful and best loved video and arcade games. </P><br /><P></IMG></P><br /><P>Kumagai-san became Executive Producer on the new <EM>Virtua Tennis </EM>series 11 years ago, back in 1999, becoming the first female Executive Producer at SEGA.</P><br /><P>It is as the mastermind behind <EM>Virtua Tennis</EM>, <EM>Virtua Tennis 2, Virtua Tennis World Tour</EM> and <EM>Virtua Tennis 3</EM> that Kumagai-san has won the hearts of gamers and Sega fans worldwide, creating what has become the world's best-selling and most critically acclaimed tennis series. </P><br /><P><img alt="Vt4" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/gaming/games/images/Vt4%203d/21277Virtua%20Tennis%204%20%283%29-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>She is currently working on the fourth iteration of the highly successful series with <EM>Virtua Tennis 4</EM> recently announced and due to be released in 2011, featuring both 3D gameplay AND PlayStation Move compatibility. We found out a little more about what's in store for one of our all-time favourite gaming franchises as it gets the 3D treatment.</P><br /><P><STRONG>3DRadar: Virtua Tennis is one of the greatest sports titles on next gen consoles – so how does 3D add to the experience?</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>Mie Kumagai</STRONG>: 3D technology really helps us describe the depth and sense of distance that exists in tennis, which requires spatial recognition. So by recognizing the distance between ball and player and thinking strategically where to return the ball in the opponent's court to get a point, players can enjoy the realistic tennis experience by using their body with 3D technology. </P><br /><P><img alt="Vt4 2" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/gaming/games/images/Vt4%203d/21279Virtua%20Tennis%204%20%285%29-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P><STRONG>3DR: Do you think marrying 3D with Move on the PS3 version of the game adds to the gameplay? And how?</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>MK</STRONG>: 3D technology has been around for a while, but the reason why we are able to provide a fun and interactive experience in the 3D virtual space is because of the integration between 3D technology and Move. Users are not only simply playing in the virtual 3D space, but also making the various return shots by adjusting the angle of the racket surface.</P><br /><P>We believe even consumers who are not good at playing actual tennis can feel like the world's greatest tennis players by swinging a racket in 3D space. </P><br /><P><img alt="Vt4 3" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/gaming/games/images/Vt4%203d/21281Virtua%20Tennis%204%20%287%29-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P><STRONG>3DR: What are the main experiences in the game that you feel will really show off the 3D aspect?</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>MK</STRONG>: When players get to return shots from the opponent. Seeing the ball heading back to you from the depth of the tennis court makes you feel as if you can catch the ball by reaching out your hands. </P><br /><P><STRONG>3DR: For that minority that don't like to play in 3D – are they going to lose out on the experience in some way?</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>MK:</STRONG> 3D technology doubles the fun of the game play experience. There might be some users who feel it's annoying to wear 3D glasses… but once they've played this game in 3D, I think they would realize what they've been missing. </P><br /><P><STRONG>3DR: Do you think your game will help TV manufacturers to promote and sell their new 3D TVs in 2011?</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>MK: </STRONG>I definitely think it will. I'm sure our game will really bring out the features of 3D, and impress people with its interactivity. I would be very happy if VT4 will be used for demonstrations of 3D TVs.</P>

Exclusive: Sega Interview: Producer of 3D Virtua Tennis 4

We're massively excited about Sega's forthcoming Virtua Tennis 4, not least because it is the first in the mighty VT series from Seg...

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Exclusive: Virgin Media vows to 'build on' 3D strategy

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/images/virgin-media-3d-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>Virgin Media has told TechRadar that it will continue to "build on" its 3D strategy in the coming year, with the imminent arrival of its latest set top box making it much easier to find content.</P><br /><P>Like many others, Virgin Media's 3D content has been limited so far, although the company is well aware of the strides being taken by rival Sky. </P><br /><P>Sky 3D launched this year bringing an entire channel of 3D content from the worlds of film, sports and arts. </P><br /><P>Virgin Media's 3D content is available through its on demand service, and a strategic deal with Samsung means that the company has not forgotten about those customers that want to have access to content to play on their expensive 3D equipment. </P><br /><P><STRONG>Building</STRONG></P><br /><P>"We're still building on the 3D strategy that we put into place," Virgin Media's Cindy Rose told TechRadar . </P><br /><P>"We have a collaboration with Samsung so we will be doing a lot of stuff around 3D. </P><br /><P>"We are aware that some of our XL TV customers have spent a lot of money on 3D televisions sets and we want to make sure we give them content."</P><br /><P><STRONG>Content is king</STRONG></P><br /><P>For the time being 3D content remains thin on the ground, with bidding wars over high profile films like <EM>Toy Story 3 </EM>and <EM>Avatar </EM>which boost company's 3D line-ups. </P><br /><P>Sky's financial clout and its impressive investment in 3D content means that it is going to be in pole position for many of the high profile movies and other bits of content. </P><br /><P>However, as 3D content becomes more common, it is important that the likes of Virgin Media can be viewed as an option for people who are looking to upgrade their television to a 3D set. </P><br /><P>Viewers need a 3D capable television to watch the 3D broadcasts, but manufacturers like Virgin Media's partner Samsung are putting huge amounts of money behind the push for 3D.</P>

Exclusive: Virgin Media vows to 'build on' 3D strategy

Virgin Media has told TechRadar that it will continue to "build on" its 3D strategy in the coming year, with the imminent arrival ...

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Exclusive: T-Mobile sorry for Galaxy S Android 2.2 delay

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/classifications/Mobile%20Phones/Samsung/samsung-galaxy-S-i90001-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>T-Mobile has responded to TechRadar's request for more information on the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/t-mobile-responds-to-galaxy-s-android-2-2-delay-912753">Samsung Galaxy S Android 2.2 deployment delay</A>, apologising for the whole episode.</P><br /><P>The network originally promised the update would land by 1 December at the latest, but failed to meet that deadline, later confirming it would happen next week.</P><br /><P>TechRadar asked T-Mobile for a reason behind this delay, and received the following:</P><br /><P>"T-Mobile apologises for any inconvenience caused by the delay in 2.2 Froyo update for the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s-689293/review">Samsung Galaxy S</A>. </P><br /><P>"It is our priority to ensure that the update will provide our customers with the best possible experience and we are working hard to make this happen as soon as possible." </P><br /><P><STRONG>Lifting the lid</STRONG></P><br /><P>T-Mobile couldn't comment on a reason for the delay, but reading between the pretty wide lines it's clear the Galaxy S upgrade failed some part of the testing process at the last moment.</P><br /><P>The problem here wasn't that the upgrade has taken so long to deploy (although it has irked customers) but a missed self-imposed deadline meant that users were constantly checking for something that never arrived.</P><br /><P>We hope the Android 2.2 update lands by next Friday from T-Mobile, which we're assured it will, and we don't have to talk about this until Android 2.3 Gingerbread lands...</P>

Exclusive: T-Mobile sorry for Galaxy S Android 2.2 delay

T-Mobile has responded to TechRadar's request for more information on the Samsung Galaxy S Android 2.2 deployment delay , apologising fo...

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Exclusive: T-Mobile sorry for Galaxy S Android 2.2 delay

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/classifications/Mobile%20Phones/Samsung/samsung-galaxy-S-i90001-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>T-Mobile has responded to TechRadar's request for more information on the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/t-mobile-responds-to-galaxy-s-android-2-2-delay-912753">Samsung Galaxy S Android 2.2 deployment delay</A>, apologising for the whole episode.</P><br /><P>The network originally promised the update would land by 1 December at the latest, but failed to meet that deadline, later confirming it would happen next week.</P><br /><P>TechRadar asked T-Mobile for a reason behind this delay, and received the following:</P><br /><P>"T-Mobile apologises for any inconvenience caused by the delay in 2.2 Froyo update for the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s-689293/review">Samsung Galaxy S</A>. </P><br /><P>"It is our priority to ensure that the update will provide our customers with the best possible experience and we are working hard to make this happen as soon as possible." </P><br /><P><STRONG>Lifting the lid</STRONG></P><br /><P>T-Mobile couldn't comment on a reason for the delay, but reading between the pretty wide lines it's clear the Galaxy S upgrade failed some part of the testing process at the last moment.</P><br /><P>The problem here wasn't that the upgrade has taken so long to deploy (although it has irked customers) but a missed self-imposed deadline meant that users were constantly checking for something that never arrived.</P><br /><P>We hope the Android 2.2 update lands by next Friday from T-Mobile, which we're assured it will, and we don't have to talk about this until Android 2.3 Gingerbread lands...</P>

Exclusive: T-Mobile sorry for Galaxy S Android 2.2 delay

T-Mobile has responded to TechRadar's request for more information on the Samsung Galaxy S Android 2.2 deployment delay , apologising fo...

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Exclusive: Confirmed: TiVo iPad app will come to Virgin Media service

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/tv/VirginUI_non4x3/tivo_ipad_app-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>Virgin Media's new TiVo powered service will be taking advantage of the TiVo iPad app – turning it into a powerful remote and companion device. </P><br /><P>TiVo is showing off its new iPad app in video and it has been enthusiastically received by the US market in which the PVR giant is dominant. </P><br /><P>But UK consumers can look forward to the prospect of turning their iPads into a remote for their new <a href="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/tv/TiVo%20Box%20and%20Remote-218-85.jpg">Virgin Media TiVo service</A> boxes. </P><br /><P><STRONG>Paired</STRONG></P><br /><P>Once paired with a box it not only offers you a remote, but also gives you easy access to information, remote record and a host of other options that make your iPad very useful in this context. </P><br /><P>Confirming the news, Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, told TechRadar that users could "look forward to the app coming next year". </P><br /><P>The new <a href="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/home-entertainment/tv/TiVo%20Box%20and%20Remote-218-85.jpg">Tivo powered Virgin Media</A> service is a massive new addition to the UK TV market – with the partnership bringing key changes to the Virgin cable platform. </P><br /><P>The new boxes that carry TiVo will start to appear this month, and the service will continue to expand through 2011.</P>

Exclusive: Confirmed: TiVo iPad app will come to Virgin Media service

Virgin Media's new TiVo powered service will be taking advantage of the TiVo iPad app – turning it into a powerful remote and companion ...

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Exclusive: Apple iOS 4.2 likely to land today

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/classifications/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/iPhone/iphone4_2up_front_side-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>Apple is set to unveil its new iOS 4.2 for its full range of devices, a source close to the matter has confirmed to TechRadar.</P><br /><P>The new update is set to land later today, and usually Apple releases the update around 1PM Eastern Time, so we'll probably be seeing it this evening.</P><br /><P>The source confirmed that it will be landing on the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/apple-ipad-681021/review">iPad </A>and <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/apple-iphone-4-694980/review">iPhone</A> range, so presumably the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/gadgets/ipods-and-portable-audio/ipod-and-mp3-players/apple-ipod-touch-4g-716177/review">iPod touch</A> is getting the goods as well, although this wasn't mentioned.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Big for the 'Pad</STRONG></P><br /><P>While iPhone users will be happy to receive a little update, it's the iPad brigade that will be enjoying this new announcement, as it will bring a raft of changes to their devices.</P><br /><P>The big one is multi-tasking: the same home button double-tap method will see apps running in the background displayed at the bottom.</P><br /><P>The tablet will also receive folder management, Game Center and presumably the likes of AirPrint and AirPlay, allowing wireless management of new Apple services.</P>

Exclusive: Apple iOS 4.2 likely to land today

Apple is set to unveil its new iOS 4.2 for its full range of devices, a source close to the matter has confirmed to TechRadar. The new updat...

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Exclusive: HTCSense.com coming to the HTC Desire?

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com///classifications/gadgets/phones/mobile-phones/HTC/HTC-Desire2-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>HTC has hinted that its cloud-based HTCSense.com service may be made available to older handsets in the near future, with the original HTC Desire looking likely to get the functionality.</P><br /><P>A TechRadar reader kindly gave us a tip-off that HTC had contacted him about the HTCSense.com service.</P><br /><P>While the phone company couldn't confirm if the HTC Desire was compatible with HTCSense.com, it did reveal that more details should arrive 'by the end of the year'.</P><br /><P>While we knew <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/htcs-new-sense-ui-might-not-come-to-desire-716696">HTC was looking</A> at porting the service to other compatible devices, it's the first time we have heard of any sort of timeframe.</P><br /><P><STRONG>Makes Sense</STRONG></P><br /><P>HTCSense.com was announced back in September and it is currently only available on the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/htc-desire-hd-717295/review">HTC Desire HD</A> and <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/htc-desire-z-717296/review">HTC Desire Z</A> handsets.</P><br /><P>If you have these phones then you can log on to HTC.com to lock your handset if you have lost it, track its location and even take it off mute so you can hear its ringtone. </P><br /><P>The service is completely free and also allows you other synching options.</P><br /><P>The rather cryptic message our reader got from HTC was as follows: "At this time we are unable to confirm when the Desire will be compatible with HTCSense.com.</P><br /><P>"We hope to make this available before the end of the year."</P><br /><P>We have contacted HTC to see if there is any official information/confirmation on this.</P>

Exclusive: HTCSense.com coming to the HTC Desire?

HTC has hinted that its cloud-based HTCSense.com service may be made available to older handsets in the near future, with the original HTC D...

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Review: Exclusive: Icecrypt T2400

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Icecrypt%20T2400/T2400%20main-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>The appeal of free-to-view TV platforms is obvious, but 2010's addition of hi-def channels in the shape of Freeview+ HD is starting to convince Sky and Virgin subscribers that there is another way.</P><br /><P>The Freeview+ HD recorder has been blossoming of late with tempting boxes from the likes of <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/digital-tv-recorders/humax-hdr-fox-t2-708548/review">Humax</A> and <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/digital-tv-recorders/philips-hdt8520-716278/review">Philips</A>, but Icecrypt's imminent follow-up to the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/digital-tv-receivers/icecrypt-t2200-690460/review">T2200</A> receiver has gone one-up on its rivals by including a 1TB hard drive on the T2400 as standard – and a Western Digital Green Drive, at that. </P><br /><P>As well as storing recordings (a stunning 250 hours of HD or 500 hours of SD), that HDD can pause live TV and store other digital files. Both 500GB (£309.95) and even 2TB (£TBC) versions will also be available, the latter in 2011.</P><br /><P>The back of the T2400 presents more evidence that this is a serious candidate.</P><br /><P>Two Scarts are joined by outputs for HDMI and composite video, while audio-only feeds can travel via its analogue stereo audio outputs or an optical digital audio cable.</P><br /><P><img alt="icecrypt t2400" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Icecrypt%20T2400/T2400%20front-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>The latter suggests home cinemas and surround sound, and the T2400 can handle both uncompressed PCM and Dolby Digital audio, though neither are yet broadcast over Freeview HD platform, which uses compressed stereo sound to free-up space for the HD channels. </P><br /><P><img alt="icecrypt t2400" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Icecrypt%20T2400/rear2-420-100.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>Back there we also spotted an Ethernet LAN port and a USB slot, both of which can play the likes of DivX and MP3 files from an external USB drive, respectively. Home networking will be introduced to the T2400 experience, though not in time for the initial sale date; the early review sample we're looking at here is still being tweaked before going on sale very soon. </P><br /><P><img alt="icecrypt t2400" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Icecrypt%20T2400/T2400%20front-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>We've no complaints about the picture quality from the T2400's DVB-T2 tuners, with high definition channels in particular producing spotless images. </P><br /><P>A transmission of The One Show on BBC One HD presents some detailed close-ups while a broadcast of Planet Earth on BBC HD demonstrates some smooth and detailed panoramas of Western Australia that teem with colour and life. </P><br /><P>Standard definition programmes are a notch below expectations; there's an over-arching softness that suggests a less than impressive upscaler inside the T2400, though Icecrypt assures us that the drivers will be updated in a software upgrade due next week. </P><br /><P><img alt="media" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Icecrypt%20T2400/Media_player_file_list-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>Insert a USB stick and the T2400 adds an extra dimension you might not have expected to find on a Freeview HD recorder – digital media playback. Press the media button and there's a choice of MP3, Photo or Media – the latter applying only to video files.</P><br /><P>AVI files encoded with XviD or DivX work fine, and we even managed to get a bevy of DivX HD files – saved as MKV files – to play without hitches. Here the picture quality is highly watchable, though hardly benchmark – we spotted a touch of grain amid a slight jerkiness to playback. This, say Icecrypt, will also be addressed imminently by new drivers. </P><br /><P><img alt="icecrypt t2400" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Icecrypt%20T2400/T2400%20front-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>After tuning-in digital channels over a couple of minutes, the T2400 presents a good-looking eight-day electronic programme guide.</P><br /><P>A mere one hour's worth of schedules over just five channels are shown on a single page, though colourful and hi-res graphics are used to devastating effect. Well-defined lettering and easy to read fonts meet a colour scheme of yellow and white text on a black and grey background; the end result is an EPG as attractive as any in the recorder market. </P><br /><P><img alt="epg" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Icecrypt%20T2400/EPG-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>While the EPG is being inspected, and schedules searched (by keyword or genre), a window in the top-left-hand corner plays a thumbnail of the current TV channel, while the audio plays interrupted beneath. </P><br /><P>Recording is a cinch; click on a programme from the schedules and a choice of single record/series record/reminder is presented. Choose record and it's added to a list of scheduled recordings that's accessible via a 'fastext' shortcut option.</P><br /><P>If you pick three programmes to record simultaneously, a 'conflict' banner appears that offers you a choice of 'alternate instance' (another broadcast time or date is found) or 'manual method' (do it yourself). </P><br /><P><img alt="channel list" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Icecrypt%20T2400/channel_list-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>Our only complaint is some slight colour banding in parts of the guide page, and that the schedule grid flickers while it's being toggled through.</P><br /><P>We also noticed that some options seem to have been named by a non-English speaker, with 'reservation' used instead of 'record', and 'resolve OK' where something more descriptive such as 'alternative broadcast found: recording scheduled' would have been better. Although only days from going on sale, Icecrypt is overhauling the Englishness as we write. </P><br /><P>Another oddity is that the remote lacks a 'recordings' button, and finding a simple list of what's been recorded is actually quite difficult. Eventually we found a button sporting a graphic of a page, which we guess is a logical icon for a library; it leads to a simple list with the title, date and transmission time recorded.</P><br /><P><img alt="recordings" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Icecrypt%20T2400/Recordings_library-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>This same translucent page gives details of the space left on the HDD, options to create and name folders of recordings, and move files either within, or to a USB drive.</P><br /><P>A 30-minute episode took just over a minute to move a USB stick, with the resulting MPEG4 files saved as a TRP formatted file. It's not rocket science to find a media player or some file converter software that handles TRP files, but nor is it particularly easy – Windows Media Player nor Quicktime natively support TRP. </P><br /><P>Recordings can be skipped through very easily using the remote's arrow keys, with the percentage of the programme gone shown on a progress along the bottom of the screen. Half or quarter speed slo-mo is also possible, while the 'jump' button can be set to between one and 10 minutes. </P><br /><P>Aside from those minor issues, the T2400's interface comes across as quick, good-looking and easy to use – helped by a remote control that's large, well weighted and comprehensively labelled – but it's not the slickest set of controls imaginable. </P><br /><P><img alt="icecrypt t2400" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Home%20Entertainment/Icecrypt%20T2400/T2400%20front-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>It's the Freeview+ features that make this new generation of free-to-air hi-def recorders so enticing, but it's the sheer size of the HDD and user-friendly interface that makes the T2400 an attractive option. Others will love the chance to playback digital files. </P><br /><P><STRONG>We liked:</STRONG></P><br /><P>An attractive and quick EPG coupled with decent functionality and an easy to use remote control meets a huge hard disk and playback, streaming – and even export – of a bevy of digital files. What's not to like? </P><br /><P><STRONG>We disliked:</STRONG></P><br /><P>The chance to export recordings to a USB stick is excellent, though considering the size of the HDD we'd only want to do that to watch a programme on-the-the-move – so the TRP format of exported files is slightly awkward. There's also no streaming, or a Common Interface slot, which rules out Top-Up TV viewing cards. </P><br /><P><STRONG>Verdict:</STRONG></P><br /><P>It's not without its faults and the T2400 doesn't always produce cutting-edge image quality, but this versatile and fully featured deck has some nice extras nevertheless. Taken together the T2400 makes for a fine Freeview+ HD recorder with recording capacity that just can't be beaten.</P>

Review: Exclusive: Icecrypt T2400

The appeal of free-to-view TV platforms is obvious, but 2010's addition of hi-def channels in the shape of Freeview+ HD is starting to c...

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Exclusive: 'Highly unlikely' action will be taken against Twitter Joke Trial tweets

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com///classifications/people/struan_robertson-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>TechRadar has spoken to Struan Robertson, editor of Out-Law.com and Legal Director of Pinsent Masons LLP, about the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/twitter-joke-trial-appeal-comes-back-with-guilty-verdict-907516">Twitter Joke Trial</A> and he believes that it is unlikely those repeating Paul Chamber's original 'terrorist' tweet will face prosecution.</P><br /><P>At the time of writing this, the current top trending topic in the UK is <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23iamspartacus">#IAmSpartacus</A>, a hashtag that <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/twitter-joke-trial-sparks-i-am-spartacus-uprising-907709">thousands of users</A> have applied to Paul Chamber's original tweet, which landed him with a criminal record this week.</P><br /><P>Robertson explained to TechRadar that "It's highly unlikely that action will be taken against those repeating what Chambers tweeted.</P><br /><P>"While lots of people saw Chambers's original tweet as a joke that, at worst, was in bad taste, the prosecutor and the judge clearly didn't. They saw it as criminally menacing. </P><br /><P><STRONG>Big payout</STRONG></P><br /><P>Robertson continued: "I can't see a prosecutor taking action over the retweeters, though. Aside from the profile of this protest, the retweeters arguably make clear their satirical intent by using the Spartacus hashtag."</P><br /><P>The <a href="http://www.out-law.com/page-11545">Out-Law.com</A> editor does warn, however, that those using the hashtag aren't completely safe from the law, saying: "It's worth noting that you don't avoid responsibility for a message just because you're repeating what somebody else said. </P><br /><P>"A person who retweets a libellous message could themselves be sued for libel – and if they have more followers than the original author, they could be facing the bigger payout."</P><br /><P>This may be food for thought for all the celebrities who have jumped on the Twitter Joke Trial bandwagon.</P>

Exclusive: 'Highly unlikely' action will be taken against Twitter Joke Trial tweets

TechRadar has spoken to Struan Robertson, editor of Out-Law.com and Legal Director of Pinsent Masons LLP, about the Twitter Joke Trial and ...

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Exclusive: AMD Caymen Islands cards definitely delayed

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Components/AMD%20logos/AMD%20logo-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>Top industry-insiders tell TechRadar.com there will be no <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/graphics-cards/amd-radeon-hd-6000-what-to-expect-902180">Caymen GPU</A> launch in November.</P><br /><P>When we first got our hands on AMD's new <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/pc-components/graphics-cards/amd-radeon-hd-6870-902549/review">Radeon HD 6870</A> and <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/pc-components/graphics-cards/amd-radeon-hd-6850-902866/review">HD 6850</A> we were pretty nonplussed, but there was always the spectre of the radically re-designed Caymen GPU-powered cards coming straight on their heels.</P><br /><P>But according to a top source from within the graphics card industry, AMD looks to be cooling those heels.</P><br /><P>We have been told that the delayed AMD boards will be arriving "sometime" in December, not this month after all.</P><br /><P>Rumours have been floating around from sources in Taiwan, but this is the first we've heard from industry bods in the know in this country.</P><br /><P>We know that none of the board manufacturers have had their allocation of cards shipped yet. And with an end of November deadline, it looked tight as to whether they would turn up at all.</P><br /><P>Indeed, it looks like we wont be seeing them until Santa's revving up his reindeers next month.</P><br /><P>This is all looking very much like the AMD version of <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/pc-components/graphics-cards/nvidia-geforce-gtx-480-679629/review">Nvidia's GTX 480</A> yield-based delays, as another industry bod said yesterday.</P><br /><P>And if it does match Nvidia's problems last year are we then looking at a 2011 release instead?</P><br /><P>With yesterday's release of the GeForce GTX 580, is AMD holding onto its top-end card to squeeze every last drop of performance out of it? Or is there something drastically wrong with the chip or manufacturing process?</P><br /><P>Only time will tell...</P><br /><UL><br /><LI><a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/pc-components/graphics-cards/amd-radeon-hd-6870-902549/review">Read our Radeon HD 6870 review</A></LI><br /><LI><a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/pc-components/graphics-cards/nvidia-geforce-gtx-580-906690/review">Read our GeForce GTX 580 review</A></LI></UL>

Exclusive: AMD Caymen Islands cards definitely delayed

Top industry-insiders tell TechRadar.com there will be no Caymen GPU launch in November. When we first got our hands on AMD's new Radeo...

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