GadgetReview

Remember that supposed Splinter Cell Conviction promo code that was to be included inside the box of Assassin’s Creed 2?  According to game site CVG, and an Ubisoft spokesperson “The leaflet included in the Assassin’s Creed 2 boxes in the US does not relate to a Splinter Cell Conviction demo download. The leaflet is a US initiative and will not be available in other territories.”  In other words, it’s a promo to get fans of the Splinter Cell series like you and me to download wallpapers to our computer’s desktop and what Ubisoft probably hopes is a conversation going with our best buds to help promote the game.

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According to MCV gaming site, Microsoft’s Project Natal will launch next November for as little as $80 (we heard $50 last month). The rumor also says that Microsoft will kick out a console bundle that includes the Natal camera and perhaps a few games to go along with it.  As of now 14 games are supposedly being readied from a variety of studios, while Microsoft is preparing 5 million unit for shipment during the initial launch.

Project Natal was announced at this year’s E3 and was received with mixed reactions from the gaming and gadget community.  The system uses a special camera to read your body gestures and objects, and then incorporates them into the game, providing a more engaging gaming experience, or that’s how the marketing material goes.  The Natal is Microsoft’s answer to the Wii, while Sony has their own version arriving early next year as well.

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Would you pay $30 a month for access to TV programming on your computer?  Apple hopes so, or that’s how the rumor goes.

According to an industry insider, Apple is in talks with many of the networks to deliver an all you can eat TV service via their iTunes software.  Users would pay $30 a month and be able to stream shows from an assortment of channels as long as they had Internet access.

While it would be difficult to supplant the cable companies over night due to their relationships and contracts with the networks, it is a feasible proposition since more and more channels are looking to take their content online.  Many news sources are pointing to Disney as the ginny pig since they already have close ties with Apple, but at this point it’s all just speculation.

Keep in mind that a rumor recently emerged stating that Hulu might be switching some of their content to a pay model, which actually throws this Apple rumor a curve ball because I doubt those two (Fox and NBC) would want to share revenue when they could be selling it direct.  Then again, since Apple’s iTunes has an install base of 65 million, it might just be feasible.

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Today rumors emerged that Google is in the process of developing their very own navigation app for smartphones running the Android OS.  It’s not clear if the application would be more robust than the iPhone’s current Google Map application and offer turn-by-turn directions, but given that they own the Android OS, and can essentially do whatever they want, it’s more likely than not.

Providing greater credence to the rumor is that Google just discontinued their relationship with Tele Atlas earlier this October, which charged Google for use of their map info – Google has a contract with them until 2013 to work on International maps.  The break away from the map service provider indicates that Google has amassed enough map data over the years to go at it alone and in all likelihood offer an ad supported free version.  …Continue reading: Gadget Rumor: Google Maps With Turn-By-Turn Navigation Might Be Heading To Android Devices

If the Xbox 360 is going to make it to 2015, Microsoft better have definite plans to get Blu-Ray compatibility on board on the ASAP.  In a recent interview with Gizmodo, Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer is quoted saying that we will “soon” be able to watch Blu-Ray movies on the Xbox 360.

The CEO had expressed that an external Blu-Ray drive would be the best way to get the format on the 360.  I bet it looks identical to ill fated HD DVD drive from a few years back.

At the moment however, Ballmer seems to think that there is enough HD content via streaming sources (NetFlix and the upcoming Zune Video) to keep the masses happy.  Are we happy?

How about that web browser?

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Rumors are creeping around that the best part about Microsoft’s upcoming Project Natal will be its price point.  Right now we are hearing that it will go on sale for $50.  Sounds oddly cheap to me.

Will it be bundled with any Natal-style launch titles?

In other related motion controlled gaming rumors, Sony’s “Sphere” is rumored to be priced at $100.  Industry analysts predict that while the Natal is more of an ancillary peripheral in Microsoft’s mind, the Sphere is being looked at as more of a Wii challenger.

In either case, time will tell the true price points soon enough.

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Is T-Mobile about to take the wraps off some game changing technology?  This blogger thinks not, but according to an inside source close to the story, T-Mobile is working on something called Project Dark, which sounds more CIA espionage than come back story.

The tipster, whose calling himself Mr. T, says T-Mobile will offer some sort of ‘all inclusive package’ that provides network speeds that are 3x faster than any other US carrier.  All things considered, T-Mobile has been fastidiously working to update their dated and slow 2G network to 3G, so it’s not all that implausible that they’d have something like this up their sleeve.  Furthermore, the source also claims that T-Mobile has plans to provide top of the line handsets from the #1 (Nokia) and #2 (Samsung) handset manufactures.

So will T-Mobile eclipse Sprint’s all you can eat plan?  Maybe, but they still have the worst coverage in the US.

All the employees who received the information were required to sign confidentiality agreements. Each sector has received it at different times, the bulk of them actually received it the 13th, after most of the information was already leaked (Although it’s not entirely accurate…)

That said, the Project Dark is not any ONE thing..its a term for a company TURNAROUND; Last to First is what some like to say. It’s an all inclusive “package” that includes blazing speeds, 3 times faster than anyone will have on the market for years. Phones people actually WANT, using top of the line models from the top 2 cellphone manufacturers in the world (Nokia #1, and Samsung #2). Hot software like Android. And European priced packages.

And all of this will make Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint’s head spin when its released faster than anyone can have time to finishing reading any official press releases.

330 Million in new networks Verizon? Try nearly 10 billion.

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At this point its anyone’s guess to when and if the ‘iPad’ or ‘iTouch‘ computer will ever hit the market.  Okay, it’s probably not a question of ‘if’, but ‘when’.  Now iLounge says they’ve got the scoop on the touch screen computer from an insider that “correctly called the iPod nano 5G, iPhone 3GS and Chinese iPhone 3G months ago.”.

Apparently a 7-inch version was in the works, but that was scrapped in favor of a 10-inch version.  As previous rumors have stated, the iPad will run the iPhone OS, or a variation there of and include a similar form factor (hence the pic above).  Despite many rumors denouncing 3G connectivity, iLounge’s source says they’ll be two versions: one with and one without, analogous to the iPhone and iPod Touch.  As expected the screen’s resolution will be much higher than the iPhone and will enable users to read magazines and books in addition to full blown web pages.

Drum roll please….apparently Curpentino will announce the tablet like computer on or before January 19th of next year and will start shipping in May or June of that year. Typically the summer months are the lull for the consumer and tech industry, but this might align them for back to school, although I can’t imagine this is a device parents and grad student would spring for.  So as for launch date I’m gonna say they’ve got it wrong.  Either Apple needs to announce their next wonder device in a few weeks time or wait until summer of next year and launch it for the 2010 holidays.

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According to an Apple Insider source close to a Taiwanese manufacture that produces Apple products, the Cupertino company is set to refresh their line of iMacs.

Although it’s not clear exactly what Apple will be changing, the source noted that the computer’s design will more closely resemble that of Apple’s recently released LED Cinema display, although it’s not clear if the new iMac will include this lighting technology.   Other added features are said to be some sort of audio enhancement (I’m guessing iPod/iPhone dock) as well as Blu-ray support despite Jobs’ dismay for the technology.

Just a few months ago Apple announced price drops on all their laptops, so it only seems reasonable for their iMacs to follow suit, which could ring in at the tune of a few hundred dollars less than the current versions.

So when will we see the new iMacs?  Probably as soon as October and no later than early November if Apple wants to take advantage of the holiday shopping bonanza.

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It’s been a big day for bundles.  Not to trump the Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Limited Edition in my mind, this PS3 Slim bundle featuring Uncharted 2 and a massive 250GB hard drive hit the blogs today.

Additional rumored bundles include:  Assassin’s Creed 2, and Gran Turismo 5 all packed with a 250GB hard drive to possibly be released in the UK in October for $494.

According to SCEA, definitely none of these bundles are scheduled for release on US soil.  Why is that?  With TGS creeping up, hopefully Sony will grace us with some answers.

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