'Carcassonne' Comes to XBLA

Microsoft reportedly today released Sierra Online's popular board game, 'Carcassonne' on the Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA).

The game is inspired by a real city of the same name, 'Carcassonne' located in the South of France, which is famed for its huge walls and fortifications that were originally built to ward-off potential conquerors and adventurers during the city's hey-days. Way back in the Middle Ages, the city witnessed a string of rulers come and go as it gained in strategic and historic importance.

In 'Carcassonne' the game, players start-off with an empty palate and one square tile, and then proceed to build a medieval walled city, earning points along the way.

While up to 4 people can play on the same Xbox 360, nearly 5 people can play over Xbox Live. Alternately, players can choose to go solo
if they so wish.

Game play kicks-off with a single tile placed face-up on the playing field. There on, players take turns to draw tiles at random, placing them adjacent to other similar looking tiles on the board. A city is created when players manage to connect wall pieces that enclose an entire area.

A sort of cross between puzzle solving and strategic planning, the game ends when all 72 tiles are placed on the playing field.

Apart from the 72-tile game, there's a 12-tile River expansion as well as other expansions to the basic game.

Players stand to win up to 200 gamerscore points and 12 achievements in this game.

Besides, Sierra Online has included support for the Xbox Live Vision camera, a tutorial mode, and online multiplayer.

The game 'Carcassonne' is available today onwards on the Xbox Live Arcade. It's been given an 'E' for everyone rating, and will be available for 800 Microsoft points which is about $10 or Rs 450 approximately.

Nokia's 'Computer Done Beautifully'

Can art meet intelligence? Nokia dares to say 'yes' with its new Nokia N76 that was launched in the capital today.

Sporting a sleek fold design, the N76 has 'Quick Cover Keys', and promises a premium mobile music experience among others.

The phone offers pre-burnt music videos from across-the-globe, including 'Hips Don't Lie' and 'Illegal' by Shakira; 'Crazy in Love' by Destiny's Child; and 'Get Right' by Jennifer Lopez; as well as our very own, 'It's the time to Disco' and 'Zinda Hoon Main', to name a few.

Speaking at the launch, Vineet Taneja, director multimedia, Nokia India, said, "The N76 is a perfect embodiment of leading-edge technology in a stunningly new sleek form factor. This latest addition to the Nokia Nseries portfolio brings a wide range of multimedia experiences to consumers, enabling them to create, consume, and connect, using music, videos, images, and the Internet."

The N76 features a 2 megapixel camera, 2.4-inch QVGA display with up to 16 million colors, dedicated 'Quick Cover Keys' for capturing those special moments without having to open the phone, 2GB memory card for holding up to 1,500 tracks, and MicroSD card slot.

N76 supports music formats including MP3, WAV, MIDI, WMA, M4A, AAC, AAC+, and eAAC+, and works with standard 3.5mm headphones.

The Nseries phone packs Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition, and allows users edit pictures and transfer to compatible PCs.

Other features of the phone include: Nokia Web Browser with MiniMap, and the ability to access popular Internet services such as Flickr and Amazon for searching/shopping/sharing.

Based on S60 3rd Edition software on Symbian OS, the N76 supports Quadband GSM networks, and comes with data connectivity features like EDGE, GPRS, and 3G. It is also enabled with Bluetooth v2.0 for data transfer.

Available in two colors, Metallic Red and Black, the Nokia N76 is available for Rs 21,500 approximately.

The Web's Ten Most Irritating Words

Can you believe that the World Wide Web has actually spawned words that might make users want to pull at their hair in frustration?

British pollsters, YouGov, conducted a poll for Web publisher Lulu.com, creator of the Blooker Prize that converts Web diaries/Blogs into Web books or Blooks, and came up with a string of not so happening words on the Web...

Topping the list of irksome words is 'Folksonomy', a Web classification system, followed by 'Blogosphere' at second place.

'Blog itself comes in at third position, followed by 'Netiquette' aka Web etiquette at fourth place.

The fifth most irritating word is 'Blook' or a book based on a Blog. At sixth, seventh, and eighth place respectively are 'Webinar', 'Vlog' or video Blog, and 'Social Networking'.

Qualifying as the ninth most irksome word is 'Cookie', a file sent to a user's computer after he/she visits a Web site. At tenth place is 'Wiki', meaning a collaborative Web site edited by its readers.

Reportedly, a universe comprising about 2,091 adults was questioned by the poll pundits to come up with these results.

Bob Young, Canadian founder of Lulu.com, expressed the view that the World Wide Web tirelessly continues to churn out new words so much so that there is now possibility for a new language aka Web-lish which could well be the new English.

Previously, even the Collins English Dictionary had announced that a string of words inspired by the Web would be given pride-of-place in their ninth edition. These include: 'me-media'; a term for personal content Web sites like Facebook and godcast, which is a religious service that has been converted into an MP3 format.

BlackBerry Curve Makes India Cut

The RIM (Research in Motion) "BlackBerry Curve" was today launched in the India market.

Measuring about 107-mm x 60-mm x 15.5-mm, and weighing-in at 111 grams, the "BlackBerry Curve" sure looks like the smallest and the lightest Qwerty smart phone from RIM. It is a smooth-edged phone with chrome highlights having a large display and RIM's trackball navigation system.

The "Curve" comes with a 2 megapixel camera with 5x digital zoom, built-in flash, self-portrait mirror, and full screen viewfinder. The phone is equipped with a powerful media player and integrated speaker, and comes with a 3.5 mm stereo jack.

The smart phone also packs a new desktop media manager based on the Roxio Easy Media Creator 9. The media manager allows users easily search, view, and organize media files on the PC; create MP3 music files from CDs; add audio tags; create play lists; and automatically copy or convert pictures, music, and videos for optimal playback.

The phone's integrated media player has been refined, allowing users to search for music by simply typing the title, genre, artist, or album name.

During the launch, Norm Lo, vice president of RIM Asia Pacific, said, "The BlackBerry Curve combines consumer-friendly multimedia capabilities with industry-leading email and messaging experience in an elegant new smart phone design. The BlackBerry Curve will appeal to business professionals and consumers alike with its unique design, full Qwerty keyboard, robust email, full-features, Web browsing support, and powerful entertainment capabilities."

Featuring an ultra-bright 320 x 240 display, the "BlackBerry Curve" integrates light sensing and noise cancellation technologies.

Meanwhile, the "Curve" also includes other BlackBerry features such as integrated browser, speaker-independent voice recognition (SIVR) for voice activated dialing (VAD), Bluetooth 2.0, and dedicated keys for easy operation.

Supporting microSD expansion of up to 2GB, the "Curve" once again features both Internet service and the enterprise server, and is available from Hutch and Airtel at an approximate price of Rs 24,990.

Download DJ Mixer on Nokia Nseries

Nokia Nseries recently launched its 'DJ Mixer' remixing application that is downloadable on Nokia Nseries Music edition devices.

The application can be downloaded on Nokia's N70 Music Edition, N73 Music Edition, and N91 8GB Music Edition by sending 'Nseries DJ Mixer' as an SMS to 5555.

Once downloaded, 'DJ Mixer' helps users record and remix sounds/songs, and create their very own sound tracks. According to Nokia Nseries, 'DJ Mixer' is all about becoming a DJ on-the-go.

Incidentally, 'DJ Mixer' was launched as part of a bigger initiative by Nokia Nseries dubbed 'Nfusion'. 'Nfusion', a music competition, was inaugurated in February this year, and saw the likes of DJ Whosane!, DJ Nasha, and DJ Kris recording natural sounds on Nokia Nseries devices. They then remixed sounds and created their own sound tracks.

Users were invited to participate in the music competition via the 'Nfusion' Web site. Participants were required to create their own sound tracks, basis the ones created by the three DJs. Three winners were announced on the Web site, and a combination of their winning tracks and the tracks created by the DJs was rolled into one universal 'Nfusion' album by Nokia Nseries.

Nokia Nseries devices have always put a heavy premium on 'music-on-the-move', according to the company.

Nokia's N70 Music Edition, N73 Music Edition, and N91 8GB were all launched on the India market sometime in January this year. The new remixing application, 'DJ Mixer' is downloadable on these three Nseries devices only.

The N70 Music Edition features dedicated music keys, and a music-optimized headset with remote control, among others. Up to 700 songs can be enjoyed with the phone's 1GB memory card. This phone is available for around Rs 16,000.

The N73 Music Edition also features dedicated music keys and integrated stereo speakers, and supports a wide range of music formats. With this phone, users can enjoy up to 1,500 songs with its 2GB memory card. The phone is priced at about Rs 22,000.

Meanwhile, the N91 8GB features an 8GB hard drive for up to 130 hours of MP3 music and 500 hours of eAAC+ music. It includes dedicated music keys, an inbox music-optimized headset with remote control, Bluetooth stereo support, and wireless music transfer, among others. The N91 8GB is available for approximately Rs 27,000 to Rs 29,000.

Moto Latest is Optimized for Music

Motorola has launched its latest music-optimized handset, the Motorokr Z6.

Sporting a metallic slider design, and weighing-in at one ounce, the phone features a Linux/Java music platform with Windows Media technology. It allows users to plug and play with any personal computer running Windows Media Player 10 or 11.

Music can be accessed seamlessly with fast PC direct connectivity via High Speed USB 2.0. The phone's integrated music player supports multiple audio files, and has 64MB of on-board user memory, and a removable MicroSD memory card slot for up to 2GB of music, pictures, and other media.

For a quality picture- and video-capture experience, the Rokr Z6 comes with a built-in 2 megapixel camera along with a 320 x 240 resolution
262K color TFT display.

Besides, every Z6 comes pre-loaded with a full-length 2-hour music video titled "Roger Waters, The Wall, Live in Berlin".

The user interface (UI) provides rich layouts, ease-of-use, more personalization options, and improved predictive text input, amongst others.

Malcolm Dawe, vice president & general manager of Motorola Mobile Devices India, said, "With clean lines, an appealing silhouette, and a rich music experience, the Rokr Z6 provides an incredible experience."

The phone is powered by Music ID, a song identification service that enables users identify both the artist and album of songs being played in the vicinity. And it features Bluetooth wireless technology enabling users enjoy a wireless mobile stereo experience with compatible Bluetooth-enabled stereo headphones.

The Motorokr Z6 is available at all Motostores and participating retailers. The deluxe pack is available for Rs 11,999 whereas the premium pack that includes the Rokr S9 is available for Rs 15,499.

GTA IV Content on Xbox 360 only!

While Rockstar Games' much-hyped Grand Theft Auto IV is scheduled for release both on the PS3 and the Xbox 360 later this year, Xbox 360 owners appear a tad luckier of the two...

Take-Two Interactive, owners of the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise, have confirmed that they will be delivering exclusive episodic downloadable content of GTA IV on the Xbox 360 version of the game.

Besides, additional game levels and missions will be made available for download over Xbox Live.

Going by reports, Microsoft has paid around $50 million to Take-Two Interactive to crack this deal.

With the first $25 million for the first episodic content package to be made available in March 2008, and the second $25 million for the second package to be made available later in 2008.

With this move, rumors that exclusive GTA IV episodes would be made available on the PlayStation network seem to have been put to rest.

Meanwhile, fans can expect GTA IV to release on both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 simultaneously on October 16, according to the company.

Yahoo! Mobile Portal in 12 Countries

Yahoo! has reportedly announced it will be launching its new generation Internet portal for mobile phones in as many as 12 countries.

The portal will be launched in India, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Italy, the Philippines, Spain, Thailand, and Vietnam, the company said.

Yahoo!'s portal will be pre-installed on all new Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, LG, RIM (Blackberry), and HTC mobile phones.

Yahoo! Go Mobile 2.0 will be pre-installed on most of the new models coming to the market in the coming months, Christophe Parcot, director general of Yahoo! France, said.

Besides surfing the Internet, Yahoo! says its new portal can be used to access email, search roads and satellite maps, and access other Internet services.

Meanwhile, according to reports, Google and Microsoft too have been aiming for new services in the mobile phone market.

Microsoft to Modify Windows Vista?

In response to an earlier complaint that Windows Vista's computer search function puts Google and other potential rivals at a disadvantage, Microsoft has finally agreed to modify its Gen-Next operating system.

This was reportedly announced by Microsoft and the US Justice Department yesterday.

A few months back, Google had filed a complaint with the Justice Department alleging that Windows Vista's desktop search feature does not leave sufficient room for rival search programs, including those of its own. That as such, users are finding it difficult to turn-off the Microsoft program.

As per Microsoft's latest agreement with the US Justice Department, 17 state attorneys general, and the District of Columbia, made public late yesterday, Microsoft will modify Windows Vista by building into it an option that allows users choose a default desktop search program.

With the new feature dubbed 'Instant Search', users will be able to enter search queries, and get result lists from their hard drives.

A source within Microsoft even said that the company will place links inside of Internet Explorer and the 'start' navigation menu to make it easier for users to access the default desktop search service.

And, these changes to the design and function of Windows Vista will be folded into a beta version of a service pack by end this year, the source said.

Commenting on the development, chief legal officer of Google, David Drummond, said the remedies are a step in the right direction but that they should be improved upon further to offer consumers greater access to alternate desktop search providers.

Meanwhile, Microsoft's making changes to Vista is being lauded as a step towards enforcing the consent decree that requires the company to help rivals build programs that run smoothly on Windows.

Coming: 'EA Playground' on Wii, DS

Electronic Arts (EA) has announced their new intellectual property, 'EA Playground', which is in development for the Nintendo DS and Wii at EA Canada.

Talking about the new game, Dave McCarthy, executive producer, said, "EA Playground transports you to your fantasy playground, packed with interesting characters, over-the-top gameplay, and a ton of collectables."

"Kids can bring the excitement of the playground home, and parents or even grandparents can re-experience their childhood thrills," McCarthy said.

'EA Playground' features games that can be picked-up-and-played to fully capitalize on the unique control mechanics of both the Wii and the Nintendo DS.

Besides, players can freely explore the world on their own with this game. They can enter different locations, unlock new activities, make wacky in-game friends, and collect rewards and stickers to upgrade their skills along the way.

The game, scheduled for an autumn release, has not yet been rated by ESRB in North America or PEGI in Europe.

Price Cut to Sony's PS3 is Certain!

There's a bit of good news for gamers who thought Sony's PlayStation 3 to be beyond their reach...

Sony's CEO, Sir Howard Stringer, has been quoted as saying that price cuts to the PS3 are certain though the extent of price cuts is not yet known.

Stringer said that currently, they are studying the possible cut in price, and trying to refine it.

He even admitted to the intense competition from Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii gaming consoles.

He called the Wii a successful enterprise and a good business model, attributing this mainly to the cheaper price as compared to the PS3.

While Stringer has not detailed the extent of the price cut, there's buzz in the market that the PS3 price may be cut by as much as $100 before the holiday season, so as to spur fresh sales.

As of now though, the PS3 continues to be the costliest Gen-Next gaming console on the market. And, according to reports, it has proved somewhat of a burden on Sony with registering repeated poor sales as compared to other consoles.

So, maybe, as Stinger puts it, a combination of a price cut and a break out of games might help revitalize the failing market for the console...

'Motowow Combo' Offer Announced

Motorola has announced the 'Motowow Combo' offer on some of its hottest handsets at select Motostores across the country.

Under the 'Motowow Combo' offer, some of the company's latest handsets, including the Motorokr E6, Motoming A1200, Motokrzr K1, Motorizr Z3, Motorazr V3i, etc, will be bundled together with cool Bluetooth accessories at no additional cost.

Consumers can avail of the 'Motowow Combo' scheme as follows: Motorokr E6 with Snoop S9; Motoming A1200 with Portable Charger P790; Motokrzr K1 and H350; Motorizr Z3 and H350; Motorazr V3i and H500; Motoslvr L6i and H350; Motoming A1200 and HT820; Motokrzr K1 and HT820; Motorizr Z3 and HT820; Motoslvr L7i and H500; and Motorazr V3i and H350.

The 'Motowow Combo' offer is currently on at dedicated Motostores in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahemdabad, Noida, Chandigarh, Thane, and Pune.

Throwing open the latest offer, Sudhir Agarwal, Director Sales, India, Sri Lanka & Nepal, Motorola Mobile Devices, said, "Motorola is taking Motostores to the next level by providing a truly rich mobile retail experience that will keep consumers coming back for more."

Meanwhile, to add to the 'wow' factor of the current offer, customers are being treated to customized 'phone tattoos' and wireless photo imaging services in addition to the bundled mobile accessories.

Coming: The US Army on Xbox 360

Ubisoft and the US Army have announced "America's Army: True Soldiers" being developed by Red Storm Entertainment exclusively for the Xbox 360.

It is learnt that the new game will try best to provide an authentic US army experience. With 8 maps and full Xbox Live online gaming support, the game is being built based on Red Storm's Ghost Recon Warfighter 2 game engine.

Game developers say "America's Army: True Soldiers" will accurately portray values that guide soldiers in the US Army by incorporating game play based on mission accomplishment, teamwork, leadership, respect for life and property, and so on.

Starting off as soldiers, players will be able to take on different roles such as riflemen, grenadiers, automatic riflemen, or snipers. With the play-lead-recruit feature, gamers will be able to earn respect and move up the ranks, or get team mates to award them points.

The most unique feature, according to the game's developers, is the merging of single-player and multiplayer aspects. As such, single-player accomplishments made in categories like valor, marksmanship, stealth, and conditioning will be able to be upgraded and used in the multiplayer aspect of the game.

Besides, "America's Army: True Soldiers" promises the use of high-tech equipment, including a Blue Force Tracker to improve target recognition and increase information to the player.

Being touted as one of the most realistic US army experiences on a gaming console, the game's developers are certain it will appeal to both gamer and military types who want to enact a real army experience on the gaming console.

Meanwhile, "America's Army: True Soldiers" is scheduled for launch sometime in September this year, and has been given a "T" for Teen rating.

"Halo 3" Fans must Wait until Sep 25

Game freaks worldwide will have to now reportedly wait until the 25th of September for the final launch of the 'Halo 3' multiplayer.

According to Bungie Studios, the limited public beta that debuted worldwide on May 16 saw over 820,000 unique participants, and over 12 million hours of online gameplay.
The new feature where players can record their gameplay, and share it with buddies over Xbox Live especially saw over 580,000 saved films created by users, Bungie Studios said.

With the beta now closed, consumers can look forward to the release that will pack new merchandise, including two new Xbox 360 Limited Edition "Halo 3" wireless controllers, and a headset that lets gamers talk with friends over Xbox Live.

The headset will be available early September, and the contollers September 18, each for around $59.99 (Rs 2,450 approx).

The Zune Halo 3 edition digital media player will be available exclusively at GameStop starting June 15 for $249 (Rs 10,169 approx). This edition will come preloaded with artwork, trailers, and music from all 3 "Halo" games.

"Halo 3" is scheduled for final release on September 25, and will be available in three versions including Standard Edition for $59.99 (Rs 2,450 approx); Limited Edition for $69.99 (Rs 2,858 approx); and Legendary Edition for $129.99 (Rs 5,308 approx).

Near Final Version Leopard Releases

oday, Apple Computer announced its near final version of Mac OS X Leopard, in what is the 6th major release of the world's most advanced OS.

Leopard is scheduled to ship in October this year, and according to Apple, introduces over 300 new features; including a new Desktop and Dock with Stacks, an updated Finder featuring Cover Flow, Quick Look, Time Machine, Spaces, and enhanced iChat and mail applications, among others.
The new Dock features Stacks that help users better manage desktop clutter caused by browser and email downloads.

The all new Finder has Cover Flow, which is an innovative way to quickly browse and locate files/applications. Finder also has a new Sidebar that simplifies organisation of files on a Mac, adding easy access to shared Macs and PCs on a home network.

With 'Back to my Mac' .Mac subscribers can browse and access files on their remote Macs over the Internet.

The near final Leopard sports Quick Look, an innovative way for users to instantly preview any file, even play media files, without having to open an application.

'Time Machine' as the name suggests helps users travel back in time to find deleted files, applications, photos, and other digital media.

Leopard's latest iteration includes: full native 64-bit support to enable applications take complete advantage of 64-bit processing; easy multi-core optimization and scheduling to take advantage of the latest Intel hardware; and Core Animation to help developers easily create animated user experiences.

Other new features in Leopard include: Leopard Mail for customization of email, Notes for easy taking down and organizing of notes, to dos for creating lists viewable directly in Mail, data detectors for automatic sensing of phone numbers/addresses/events, iChat with iChat Theater for presentations, iCal for powerful group calendaring features, Spaces for giving users a powerful clutter-free way of creating customized spaces on their desktops, Web Clip for fetching things from Web pages, Boot Camp for running Windows natively on Intel-based Macs, and other new development tools.

According to Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, Leopard is the best release of Mac OS X till date, surpassing even Tiger, and would further extend Mac OS X's leadership as the most advanced and innovative OS in the world.

Mac OS X version 10.5 Leopard is scheduled to ship in October, and will be available through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple's retail stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers for around $129 (Rs 5,805 approx) for a single user license.

Safari 3 is the Fastest, Says Apple

Apple Computer's newly-launched 'Safari 3' is the world's fastest and easiest-to-use Web browser for Windows PCs and Macs, claims Apple.

The company expects Safari to join the ranks of iTunes in delivering a legendary user experience to both Windows and Mac users.

The 'Safari 3' browser features easy-to-manage bookmarks, easy tabs for effortless browsing, and built-in RSS reader for quick scanning of latest news and information.

Speaking on the occasion, Steve Jobs, Chief Executive Officer of Apple, said, "We think Windows users are going to be really impressed when they see how fast and intuitive Web browsing can be with Safari. Hundreds of millions of Windows users already use iTunes, and we look forward to turning them on to Safari's superior browsing experience too."

Apple has always maintained that Safari is the fastest browser on the Mac. Now the company is saying Safari is the fastest browser on Windows as well, loading and drawing Web pages up to twice as fast as Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, and up to 1.6 times as fast as Mozilla Firefox 2.

Besides, Apple says the speed of Safari combined with its intuitive user surface would allow users spend more time surfing the Web, and less time waiting for pages to load.

Other features of Safari now available to Windows users include: SnapBack for one-click access to an initial search query; resizable text fields; and private browsing to ensure that a user's browsing history is not stored.

Safari 3 for Windows requires Windows XP or Windows Vista, a minimum of 256 MB of memory, and at least a 500 MHz Intel Pentium processor. Whereas, Safari 3 for Mac OS X requires Mac OS X Tiger 10.4.9 or later, a minimum of 256MB of memory, and is designed to run on any Intel-based Mac or Mac with a PowerPC G5, G4, or G3 processor and built-in FireWire.

Meanwhile, a free test version of Safari 3 is now available to the public as download at http://www.apple.com/safari. The final version would be available as free download to users of both Mac OS X and Windows in October this year, the company said.

First DVB-H Handset this Week

On Saturday, Nokia launched its new Nseries multimedia device, the N92, which the company claims is the world's first Digital Video Broadcast Handheld (DVB-H) enabled handset supporting Live Broadcast Mobile TV.

Nokia's announcement follows the recent launch of DVB-H Mobile TV services in Delhi by national broadcaster, Doordarshan. Currently, DD's service comprises 8 popular free-to-air DD channels, including DD National, DD News, DD Sports, DD Bharati, DD Urdu, DD Punjabi, DD Bangla, and DD Podhigai, supported on DVB-H compliant handsets.

At the Nokia launch, Vineet Taneja, Director of Multimedia, Nokia, said, "We are glad to bring the Nseries flagship device the new N92 to mobile users in the country. With the growing popularity of mobile devices, and their capability to offer instant access to information and entertainment, this initiative will bring in perfect synergy between television content and the mobile platform."

Nokia claims its N92 is the world's first 3G/GSM device to feature an integrated DVB-H receiver. The N92 works in conjunction with DVB-H technology to deliver live digital TV broadcasts, making it as easy for consumers to tune into TV channels on the device as it would be within the comfort of their homes.

With the N92, users can set reminders to watch their favorite TV programs, create personal channel lists, and subscribe to TV channel packages.

In a new form factor that is apt for watching TV on-the-move, the N92 has a large 2.8-inch anti-glare QVGA screen with 16 million colors and dedicated media keys.

The N92 starts shipping by end of this week for a price of Rs 23,719.

In another announcement, Nokia said its N77 multimedia computer cum TV phone is getting readied to be shipped to India later this month.

According to top sources at Nokia, N77 takes TV out of the living room, and into the open. The wide 2.4-inch flat screen and high quality stereo sound make N77 the ideal personal mobile device for enjoying TV programs on-the-go.

N77 features dedicated TV keys to give users direct access to a world of TV programs. The device sports the ability to remember the last channel viewed by the user. Similar to N92, with the N77 too, users can set reminders to alert them about favorite TV programs.

Apart from all the features one would expect from an Nseries multimedia computer, N77 also features: 30-second replay and live TV watching after replay; and program guide for viewing program information up to 7 days, purchasing new channels, etc.

The N77 based on S60 3rd Edition software on Symbian OS is being offered in markets where commercial mobile TV services based on DVB-H technology are available.

Ubisoft 'Assassin's Creed' in Nov '07

Ubisoft has reportedly just announced that it's highly anticipated game, 'Assassin's Creed' will launch worldwide in November this year.

The flagship 'Assassin's Creed' title, being developed out of Ubisoft's Montreal studio, will make its debut on the PlayStation 3 (PS3), the Xbox 360, and PC, says Ubisoft.

Commenting on the game, Tony Key, Vice President of Marketing, Ubisoft, said, 'Assassin's Creed' is going to be a huge launch for Ubisoft this year, along with being the start of an exciting new franchise, credited with bringing something completely new to the market.

Ubisoft's new game is based in 1191 AD where the bulk of game play revolves round exploring three cities as part of the 'Third Crusade'. The Assassins, shrouded in secrecy, and feared and loathed for their ruthlessness, are on a game plan to stop hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict.

Players also get to don the hat of Altair, the anti-hero, who has the power to throw his immediate environment into utter chaos, and play the assassin to the hilt.

Ubisoft says the game will showcase a new technology, which realistically simulates crowd behavior. And, this is a key aspect of the game for players must know how to best navigate crowded areas, and use their surroundings to their advantage.

Meanwhile, 'Assassin's Creed' will retail for a maximum price of $59.99 (Rs 2,472 approx) with the Limited Edition priced at $69.99 (Rs 2,884 approx).

EA Releases Details on FIFA 08

Details on the upcoming FIFA 08 for Xbox 360 and PS3 have just been released by Electronic Arts (EA).

FIFA 08 for Xbox 360 and PS3, EA says, will be a game to match the complexity and beauty of real world football. It will throw gamers onto the pitch to defy odds, face highs... and lows, hone their skills, and play like pro football players, and maybe lead their teams to that oh-so-elusive victory!

According to EA, the new game will sport 620 licensed teams, 30 leagues, and over 15,000 players, making it a much larger-than-life experience as compared to FIFA 07.

The '35-point decision' engine will deliver even more responsive animations and ball control. EA claims the engine will put together different parameters such as ball spin, pressure from defenders, player attributes, even air pressure, to recreate the magic and high drama of real soccer.

The engine's smart Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 'threat map' system will help players remain more alert, and respond to threats and opportunities in real time to make the most of what they have.

FIFA 08 will feature a new mode dubbed 'Be A Pro' which as the name suggests, will lock gamers into the role of single players, daring them to play like professionals, right from positioning and tackling to reading the field and passing the ball.

EA claims players will be able to create their own styles, or recreate signature styles of some of the game's greats with the help of FIFA 08's Gen-Next 'building-block' system.

What's more, animations will be such that can be interrupted any time to transition into a new move, helping gamers read and respond to or better still - break the defence.

Andrew Wilson, Executive Producer for FIFA 08, said, "This year, FIFA 08 takes its second step into the next-generation. Last year, we kicked off the next-generation by introducing a new engine, and stunning ball physics. This year, we are introducing new game play, new modes, and a new feeling of football finesse."

EA says the 'Interactive Leagues' feature that was first introduced in FIFA 07, will now debut on Xbox 360 and PS3 in a way that gamers can play out their fantasies in the F.A. Premier League, Bundesliga, French League, or Mexican 1st Division.

Developed by EA Canada in Vancouver, FIFA 08 is scheduled for an autumn worldwide release on Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, Wii, Nintendo DS, PSP, PC, and mobile.

EA says it will release specifics of the other versions of FIFA 08 in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, screenshots of FIFA 08 for Xbox 360 and PS3 can be downloaded at http://info.ea.com.

HP Launches New Pavilion Desktops

HP India has launched a new range of Pavilion desktops; the Pavilion a6000 series, and the Pavilion m8000 series.

According to HP, the innovative new range promises state-of-the-art performance and functionality together with improved style and appeal.

The new Pavilion desktops come with optional HP-branded widescreen LCD monitors, as well as wireless multi-media keyboard and mouse.

The monitors feature BrightView technology for sharper display and enhanced productivity. They can be rotated 160-degrees horizontally or vertically.

The wireless keyboards sport a slim space-saving design, and feature easy-to-use low profile keys, and side hot keys for instant access to common functions. The memory card reader and power button are placed on top of the PC.

The new desktops include HP's newly-introduced Easy Clip feature, which makes for a personalized experience through placing clip accessories onto the edge of the monitor.

With the new Pavilion range, HP has introduced Vista Remote for a digital experience at one's fingertips as also Pocket Media Drive Bay for additional storage capacity. Select models are also Bluetooth-enabled.

HP's new Pavilion desktops are available in a glossy Black finish with some parts highlighted in a luminous Azure Blue.

The desktops are priced between Rs 30,990 and Rs 75,990, and will be available across all company retail outlets and the HP e-store.

Microsoft Wooing Gamers with Offer

In what looks like an attempt to steal the thunder from rival gaming consoles, Microsoft Entertainment & Devices Division has today announced an exciting offer around the Gen-Next Xbox 360.

Under the offer, gamers can exchange 'any' old gaming console in return for a brand new Xbox 360. This - for the price of Rs 15,990, which is much lower than the current market price of Rs 19,990.

The interesting part is gamers stand to get a new Xbox 360 in exchange for just about any old gaming console, whether it is a PSP or PS2 or Nintendo DS and so on.

Further building on the offer, Microsoft has introduced a new price range for its Xbox 360 gaming titles.

For instance, the company said Dead or Alive (DOA 4) would now be available for just Rs 999, and coupled with Forza Motorsport 2 and Gears of War (GoW), for Rs 1,895 only.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohit Anand, Country Manager, Entertainment & Devices Division, Microsoft India, expressed the view that they expect this promotion to further stimulate the gaming boom in the country by giving gamers an attractive price point to get hold of their very own Xbox 360 consoles.

The exchange offer on Xbox 360 is running at Microsoft retailers across the country. It is available for a limited period, which Microsoft refused to comment on.

Motorola's Mid Range Music Phone

Motorola today unveiled its newest mid-range handset, the MOTOSLVR L9.

Among others, the L9 features an integrated music player, FM radio, and powerful imaging and video capture, making for a rich multimedia experience. And with Motorola's new CrystalTalk technology, the handset automatically accounts for background noise, adjusting audio to match ambient volume.

The integrated music player with stereo Bluetooth wireless technology allows users wirelessly enjoy music on-the-go. Integrated FM radio completes the music experience.

Other features of the phone include: a 512MB card and external microSD memory card support up to 2GB; talktime of up to 400 mins and standby time of up to 350 hours; 2.0 mega pixels camera with 8x digital zoom; video capture with 4x zoom; full screen landscape playback at 30 frames per second (fps); and progressive downloading and video streaming for quick music/video downloads.

The L9 is powered by GPRS and EDGE Class 10 technology, allowing quick downloads and information exchanges.

And, it comes with the Screen 3 application for staying in-touch with latest news/happenings; as also the MusicID application for enabling users get information about songs being played in their immediate surroundings.

An unobtrusive live news and information streaming service, Screen 3 streams live feeds into the L9, and the user can opt either to get brief information about the feed, or the entire story on his/her handset.

The MusicID application works by sending information over GPRS to a server, and then transmitting relevant information back to the user.

Malcolm Dawe, Vice President & General Manager of Motorola Mobile Devices India, said, "MOTOSLVR L9 takes Motorola's breath-taking MOTOSLVR design, and packs it with outstanding music and imaging capabilities for the Indian consumer."

The MOTOSLVR L9 is immediately available at all Motostores in the country for around Rs 9,499.

Apple iPhone to Start Selling June 29

It's official... Apple Computer has announced starting selling its eagerly awaited iPhone in the US from the 29th of this month.

The release date was announced amidst 3 television commercials showing off the phone's large touch screen, its video-watching, music-playing, and photo-displaying capacities.

And, Apple posted all 3 TV commercials on its Web site, it is learnt.

Apple's combination of cell phone, media player, and wireless Web surfing device will cost around $500 (Rs 22,500) to $600 (Rs 27,000), depending on the amount of memory included. And it will be sold through online and physical stores of Apple and AT&T, which is the exclusive service provider for the device.

The iPhone does not have a keypad, instead sports a touch-sensitive screen. The device was unveiled to a packed audience in early January this year by Steve Jobs, Apple's Chief Executive Officer. Jobs had said the iPhone would appear in stores in June, but had given no specific date at the time.

During the keynote, Jobs described the iPhone as 'revolutionary' and demonstrated its features, including Multi-Touch, a touch screen display system that can differentiate between and react to simultaneous touch from two fingers.

The iPhone features a 3.5-inch display, 2-megapixel camera, headset and audio jacks, and an iPod dock.

The first iPhone model would be quad-band GSM, meaning it would work in almost every major country in the world. And data transmission would be supported by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and EDGE.

O2's PDA 'Xda Flame' this Month

Last week, O2's new 'Xda Zinc' with Tegic's XT9 mobile interface was launched.

O2, a UK-based premium brand, has been lately making its presence felt in the Indian market, especially with its wide range of PDA phones.

Speaking about O2 products on the market, Myilravanan Nathar, Country Manager (India), O2, said these could be classified into 5 categories; namely, high performance, lifestyle, messaging, hybrid, and smart phone.

The 'high performance' category is for tech-savvy people, who want a technologically superior gadget, Nathar said.

Very soon, in the third or fourth week of this month, O2 will launch its 'Xda Flame' PDA phone in this category.

Touted as the first dual processor PDA phone with GPU and CPU, the 'Xda Flame' will feature: Nvidia 3D video hardware accelerator, 2GB embedded RAM, 520 Megahertz Intel processor (CPU), 3.6-inches screen, support for TV-VGA output, etc.

'Xda Flame' will be available through Bright Point India Limited, and will be the most expensive of all O2 PDA phones.

O2's second 'lifestyle' category focuses on multimedia and mobile productivity.

O2 has already launched the 'Xda Atom Life' PDA phone in this category. With a 624 Megahertz Intel processor, the 'Xda Atom Life' is the fastest PDA on the market, according to Nathar.

A 3.5G phone that also supports 3G, the 'Xda Atom Life' features: 1GB embedded RAM, and SRS WOW HD, and connects to the network at around 3.6 megabits per second.

The 'Xda Atom Life' will be available this week onwards, for a price that is ikely upwards of Rs 43,000.

In the third or 'messaging' category meant for productivity conscious customers who typically do a lot of messaging, O2 has launched its 'Xda Zinc' PDA phone about a month ago.

The 'Xda Zinc' features: a 520 Megahertz Intel processor, 2.8-inch screen, and full sliding Qwerty keyboard. The PDA comes with various connectivity options. Available on the market, the phone is priced at Rs 38,000 (inclusive of taxes).

The fourth O2 category known as the 'hybrid' category has the 'Xda Stealth,' a fusion product, which when closed becomes a PDA, and when opened becomes a phone.

'Xda Stealth' is priced at around Rs 26,500, however the street price, according to Nathar, is about Rs 21,000 along with warranty.

In the fifth or 'smart phone' category, the company has launched its 'O2 Graphite' smart phone, which operates on Windows Mobile, supports MS Office applications, supports push e-mail through Outlook, among others. 'O2 Graphite' is not yet launched in India as according to Nathar, the market here is not ready for O2 smart phones.

So, with some products already on the market and others to be launched, Nathar revealed that nearly 7 products have been planned for the Indian market this year. Which may mean replacing existing products with newer ones, or adding new ones at different price points, ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 45,000.

A New Global Memory Card Standard

A new type of memory format called the 'miCard' (Multiple Interface Card) has been approved by the Multimedia Card Association (MMCA) as a global memory standard, say reports.

The 'miCard' which has been developed by Taiwan-based Industrial Technology Research Institute, is designed to work in small consumer gadgets such as digital cameras, mobile phones, and any device with a USB plug.

The card has been developed, reportedly, to make transferring data between gadgets and PCs easier. It is USB 2.0 compatible and can transfer data at 480 Mbits per second. Initially, the 'miCard' will be able to store 8GB of data, but the maximum capacity is expected to top out around 2,048GB.

The 12mm wide and 1.95mm thick 'miCard' is smaller than regular Multi Media Cards (MMC), so it will require an adaptor for MMC-compliant devices. However, the company anticipates that future devices will be able to directly accept the miCard.

Besides, compatibility with both USB and MMC slots eliminates the need for an external card reader.

According to Yves Leonard, Chairman of MMCA, they have developed the 'miCard' specification to provide manufacturers a solution that is adaptable and convenient for consumers. Adding USB 2.0 capability to a memory card provides an interface that is compatible with existing products, and widely recognized by general consumers.

The 'miCard' is expected to be available globally by the third quarter of this year.

Spam King Arrested,Long Live Spam

Being hailed as a significant week for the Internet, last week reportedly saw the arrest of one of Internet's most prolific spammers, Robert Alan Soloway (27), rightly christened 'Spam King' by federal prosecutors.

So much so that Internet users around the world heaved a sigh of relief, as Soloway's arrest meant their e-mail inboxes would no longer have to suffer being clogged with millions of unwanted messages... At least, that's what was voiced by computer security specialists across the globe.

A jubilant Jeffrey Sullivan, US Attorney for the Western District of Washington, reportedly said, "Spam is the scourge of the Internet, and Robert Soloway is one of its most prolific practitioners. Our investigators dubbed him 'Spam King' as he is responsible for millions of spam e-mails."

Patrick Peterson, Vice President of Technology, IronPort Systems, exclaimed, "This is a great day for the Internet. The message it sends is going to have a much bigger impact than what we see in our inboxes, which is undetectable."

Peterson added that Soloway is the first spammer in the US to be charged with aggravated identity theft under the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. "Everyone involved in clapping those handcuffs on him are heroes," Peterson lauded the investigators.

Soloway, owner of Newport Internet Marketing, was arrested last week after being indicted by a federal grand jury on 10 counts of mail fraud, 5 counts of wire fraud, 2 counts of e-mail fraud, 5 counts of aggravated identity theft, and 13 counts of money laundering.

A total of 35 counts, all related to junk e-mail. However, Soloway pleaded 'not guilty' to all of these counts, as per court documents.

The charges against the 'Spam King' are multi-fold. He is accused of operating false Web sites and over 50 domains, through which he posed as an advertiser offering legitimate 'broadcast e-mail services' with 'permission-based opt-in e-mail addresses'.

He is accused of fooling legitimate businesses into buying marketing software/services that turned out to be no more than spam tools. And when these businesses found the gumption to complain, they were allegedly met with threats and intimidation.

The 'Seattle Spammer' (one more of his nick-names) is also accused of creating over 2,000 proxy computers or botnets, of using stolen e-mail and domain names to block others' ISP addresses, and so on.

Soloway's indictment is largely the fruit of a joint investigation by the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Unit, the US Postal Inspection Service, and the Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Units of the Department of Justice.

He is scheduled to remain in custody until his detention trial sometime next week.

EA Announces 'NFS ProStreet'

Electronic Arts (EA) has reportedly announced the latest addition to its blockbuster 'Need For Speed' (NFS) series, "NFS ProStreet".

"NFS ProStreet" promises a groundbreaking NFS experience, where the player gets to compete head-to-head with the best street racers in a multitude of racing showdowns.

According to Larry LaPierre, Executive Producer of the game, "NFS ProStreet accelerates street racing culture by providing the ultimate stage for the pursuit of street racing supremacy. This is a game about building the ultimate performance-tuned battle machine, taking it to multi-disciplinary showdowns all over the world, and pitting players' skills and reputation against the very best street racers."

Developed by EA Black Box, "NFS ProStreet" claims to have perfect precision, and detailed photo-realistic graphics, effectively transporting players to the center of the action.

Apart from all this, there is another interesting change in the form of 'Autosculpt' technology, which allows players to customize not only the appearance of their car, but also it's performance. Besides, "NFS ProStreet" also features an online mode, and an aggressive and skilled artificial intelligence (AI) system.

Meanwhile, "NFS ProStreet" which is slated to ship at the end of this year, will be available for Xbox 360, PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, Nintendo DS, PC, and the mobile.