Console Wars Update - XBox360 Reaches 10m US Units

Yet another update to the next gen console wars – a couple of updates, in fact, and one of them is a sort of cross last-gen/next-gen hybrid internal war. First up is news that the Xbox360 is the first next generation console to sell a huge 10 million units in the US. Obviously Microsoft are making a big deal out of it, and it is big news, but the PS3 has been hot on their tails in worldwide figures and the Wii is still the stand out leader (although conveniently not always considered to be a part of the current console war).

The other news is that the PS2 out-sold its younger and better looking sibling, the PS3, for the year 2007. While the PS3 sold just over 9 million units for the year, the PS2 sold a staggering 13.7 million units.

The console war lives on, as ever, with each of the three seemingly reporting the best results. While the Wii is sometimes overlooked in this round, it has to be the stand out winner. The cheapest, most innovative, most popular, and with the widest appeal of the lot it has easily outsold each of its competitors by a significant margin and continues to impress.

Nokia Tops The Most Popular Brands But N-Gage 4th Most Hated

Marketing magazine has conducted its fourth annual survey on the most popular and least popular brands in the country. It’s perhaps not that surprising to learn that 6 of the top 10 most popular are tech related brands but more surprisingly (considering how annoying some tech gadgets can be) only 3 of the least popular are in this same technology genre.

Nokia is the most popular brand according to the survey with iPod, O2, Facebook, Virgin Media, and BBC completing an impressive line up. Notably, the three that feature in the least popular category are AOL falling in behind only McDonalds, N-Gage, and 3.

Such are the way with these brands, though, many of them feature highly in both lists. (Thanks to T3 for doing the leg work on this one by the way) The five most popular handheld gadgets provide an identical, albeit dishevelled, list of the five least popular - iPod, Nintendo DS, Sony Walkman, Sony PSP and N-Gage.

The Marketing Magazine is typically read by a demographic of people that like gadgets and are technologically savvy. So, do you love or hate these brands? Do surveys like this actually mean anything?

Next Gen Console Wars – An Update

A lot is always made of the console wars. While Sony had pretty much the run of the battlefield with its first PlayStation, Microsoft and Nintendo have more recently staged serious bids to overthrow the all conquering heir. The Nintendo Wii remains the most popular console worldwide, with the Xbox360 holding firm in second place. However, the PS3 is gaining a real head of steam with news that it has now outsold the Xbox360 in the European market.

The Nintendo Wii was a hugely innovative games console, thanks to the Wii Mote. As a result of this, it is seen as bridging the gap between games consoles and the whole span of generations. Older consumers, as well as much younger, would be more inclined to play the Wii than either the PS3 or Xbox360.

Xbox360 gained a lot of the market share from its fiercest rivals, Sony, by releasing considerably earlier. By the time the PS3 was released, Microsoft’s system already had a plethora of high quality titles available. What was more, the Xbox Live networking play had also attracted large numbers of people.

Sony is estimated to have now sold approximately 16 million unites worldwide (compared to 19 million Xbox360s and 25 million Wiis). Billed as being more of an all-in-one home entertainment system the PS3 is more expensive than the Xbox360 but it represents one of the most affordable and realistic methods to purchase a Blu-Ray player.

As reported by BBC News, Sony believes it will overtake the Xbo360 in the near future and reclaim its crown as the leading games console within its ten year lifespan. Kaz Hirai, the head of the gaming console division at Sony, believes this will be achieved thanks to an improved line up of available games brought about by developer’s learning the technology behind the system.

Sharp X-Series Launches With Wireless Option (In Japan)

The area behind the television in our house is a space where nobody dares venture. The great wire graveyard where dust collects at an alarming rate could, though, be a thing of the past very soon. Sharp has released its first wireless television in Japan – the X-Series uses a Wireless High Definition Interface (WHDI) to do away with games console, DVD player, and even satellite connection wires.

A seperate box is provided, which is used to route the TV inputs through. This box can be placed up to 100 feet away from the TV and even works through walls using a 5GHz band. The X-Series of Televisions offer the wireless technology as an optional extra, rather than a standard feature.

Sharp has partnered with Amimon to create and distribute the technology behind the wireless TV. Chip manufacturer Amimon claim that WHDI enables 1080p high definition quality to be broadcast at speeds of up to 3GB/s with a range of up to 30 metres.

The X-Series is quite a breakthrough in TVs. The range offers 37” to 46” displays and was released under the banner of being the then world’s thinnest LCD TVs.

If the technology is effective enough, and affordable enough, it could spell the end of ridiculous lengths of cable between many of the devices attached to your TV set. I, for one, wait with baited breath.

Is Blu-Ray Really The Future?

With HD-DVD being the Betamax of the 21^st century, Blu-Ray players are, apparently, the future. Of course, the PS3 offers one of the most affordable all-round solutions to owning a Blu-Ray player, but we don’t all want to use a games console that bears a striking resemblance to a George Foreman grill to watch films.

Unfortunately, try though I might, it’s a real struggle to find any Blu-Ray players or recorders that stand out. News that Blu-Ray sales tumbled (from an already unimpressive figure) last month does little to make us believe that things are likely to improve in the near future.

Sony, presumably not wanting to compete with the PS3, are equally responsible (if not more so) than any other company. Their own efforts appear over-priced and under-featured compared to the PS3.

It is possible to get a Blu-Ray player for marginally less than the price of a PS3 but the hardware definitely seems to suffer as a result. Sharp have released a couple of decent efforts, in terms of price, but the sensible money still rests with the PS3 – for now, at least.

For those of us that are always on the look out for a new avenue of gadget dreams, the future does not look Blu. We are on the look out for Blu-Ray equipment to review, but if you see anything first, let us know.

New Pornoviolence Genre To Be Created For GTA IV?

Pornoviolence was a term first used by Tom Wolfe in 1976, but thanks to the Guardian’s Peter Lyle it’s come to the fore once more. Peter Lyle is the Guardian’s Art and Architecture blogger and has criticised reports that GTA IV is a form of modern art, instead referencing it as pornoviolence.

The critique raises several issues. First off, labelling a game like GTA IV as being pornoviolence is certainly not going to put people off playing the game – in fact, I suspect it is much more likely to do the opposite.

Rockstar has long been the leading light when it comes to using apparent bad publicity to sell games – did you see the furore when they released Table Tennis? The GTA series has been nothing short of controversial from its inception but that controversy has continually fuelled its popularity.

However, one more important issue has been raised – should GTA IV have its very own genre? The pornoviolence tag sits well with me and if high calibre games like Grand Theft Auto were released under a new pornoviolence genre then I for one (and according to Lyle I’m a “media-addled introvert”) would be waiting for the next release to satiate my desire for “a crude, unmediated celebration of the urges to fight, have sex, and make fire ”.

GTA IV (Sold Out Long Ago) Released 29th April

It would be remiss to approach the 29^th April without making any comment on the impending release of what must surely be the year’s most highly anticipated video game – Grand Theft Auto IV. This latest instalment joins an elite list of games that will already be classed as sold out when it hits the shelves.

Pre-orders for GTA IV have hit an unprecedented high, with major retailers like Play.com, HMV, and Game all claiming that they have already sold out. Obviously, hyper inflated versions will be available on Ebay (as ever) for those unable to wait until the next batch is released.

Many retailers stopped guaranteeing the delivery of pre-orders on the day of release several weeks ago. Some shops have even stated that customers that have already placed an order may not receive the game until a few days after release.

The GTA series has long been a hit since its PlayStation only days, and if you’re an avid gamer then you’ll no doubt be waiting anxiously for its release. If you’re not a gamer then expect unusually busy 24 hour supermarkets at one minute past midnight. This is often seen as the easiest way to get hold of a copy without paying the ridiculous prices otherwise demanded.

Prepare For A New Spate Of Wii Related Injuries

Finally, it’s here – the Wii Fit. Following a slew of software and uniquely entertaining additions to the Wii line up, the Wii Fit hit UK stores today. Bearing in mind the number of broken bones, smashed televisions, and assorted injuries already attributed to Wii gamers, this latest addition looks certain to attract a more cardiovascular range of injuries. But, it does look like it should provide a few giggles along the way.

Unfortunately, like all the latest video game fads, actually finding one might prove more difficult. Over quarter of a million unites are available throughout the country but if you haven’t already pre-ordered then you need to act quickly or face paying well over the odds on Ebay.

The Wii Fit includes the Wii Fit balance board and while the whole thing is unlikely to instantly convert anybody into an ultra-fit Adonis, combined with an hour or two of Wii Sport workout it will make an excellent introduction. What’s more you don’t have to embarrass yourself in front of the gym regulars.

The Wii has become renowned for being more accessible to a greater range of people compared to other games consoles. As well as looking certain to continue this trend, the Wii Fit board looks like being yet another popular addition to an already successful line up.

All Go! For PSP Owners

Hot on the heels of the Go!Messenger service, Sony has announced that video download service Go!View will be released some time in summer. Sony is partnering with Sky to release the Go!View service.

Users will be able to download TV episodes, films, and other content to watch while on the go. In true Sky style, the service will be released with a subscription and a pay-per-view price package so users have the freedom of how they want to pay as well.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about this release is that it’s the first official video download service available to European PSP owners. While no specific details have been leaked yet regarding the actual content that will be available, the listings should be pretty comprehensive and will almost definitely include the latest incarnation of Lost and 24.

While no firm release date has been announced, Sky and Sony have declared that it will be released some time in summer. Users will need to register first, then download content onto their PC, and then transfer it on to their PSP at a later time. It’s possible that a similar service may also be released for other handheld devices but, guess what? No official word on this has been released yet.

Rainbow Six PS3 Case - Now That Is Cool

Case mods of this calibre usually only appear on PC’s, but not any more. This rainbow six case mod is based on the Sony Playstation 3 and is so cool!

I have not seen such a detailed case in a long time, it has sky scrapers, attractions from Las Vegas and even a helicopter.

The PS3 is cleverly disguised as a casino with led’s to add effect. This is one case that will definetly be hard to beat!

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