Project Natal at Tokyo Game Show 09

Wow…Project Natal looks like it really is going to be a different experience.

Apparently major game publishers are backing Project Natal so imagine the titles which may be come available. No concrete date has been announced yet but it is rumored at least to be sometime in 2010.

According to Microsoft’s official website:
“Xbox 360 is also set to deliver the best new gaming, entertainment and social experiences for consumers this fall. Not only is Xbox 360 home to the most-anticipated exclusive games such as “Halo 3: ODST,” “Forza Motorsport 3,” “Left 4 Dead 2,” and new content from Rockstar Games including the Xbox retail exclusive “Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City” featuring “The Ballad of Gay Tony,” which will also be available for download over Xbox LIVE, it will also be the only place to watch instant-on HD in 1080p1 with Zune video, and listen to personalized streaming radio right in the living room with Last.fm on Xbox LIVE.”

You can read more online at microsoft.com

Vizio’s VIA connected HDTV with built in Wireless 802.11n coming soon

Vizio is a US company based in California they have announced in June this year new features for their range of XVT Series HDTV’s.  The launch of the Vizio VF551XVT is due September 2009 a snippet taken from the press release on the specifications:

“This year’s Extreme VIZIO Technology (XVT) series again advances VIZIO performance with a Full HD 1080p lineup featuring 240Hz SPS™ (Scenes Per Second) models using Smooth Motion™ technology in sizes 42”, 47”, 55” LCD with two models incorporating both TruLED™ and Smart Dimming™ backlight technology.  VIZIO is also releasing new models of 32” and 37” 120Hz Slim Line™ stylish designs. In all models, VIZIO has integrated USB video inputs that are enhanced and offer high quality 1080p video playback, along with Mega Dynamic Contrast Ratio™ of up to 2,000,000:1 that makes for incredible black levels and almost three-dimensional imagery. All XVT series televisions include an advanced user interface control with picture in picture and picture on picture functionality as well as universal learning remote controls..” Read more from the Press Release at Vizio.com

An added feature of Vizio HDVT is the ability to access Ebay, Facebook and Twitter using VIA Vizio Internet Apps.  Currently Vizio is only available in the US.

New Chocolate LG BL40 officially announced by LG

The new Chocolate LG BL40 has now been officially announced by LG via a press release yesterday the 30 July. The phone is striking with a 4″ HD screen with 21:9 aspect ratio, 5mp camera, HSPDA, and WI FI. LG mobile fans will be in awe especially if they have purchased the others in the Black Label series.

The LG BL40 is due to be released in 54 countries in the third quarter of 2009. More information on the specifications can be found at LG Mobile.  The official advert for the new Chocolate LG BL40 is below:

Blackberry Tour 9630 available today in the US

The Blackberry Tour is available from today the 12 July on Sprint and Verizon Networks in the US. The device supports both CDMA and GSM networks with built in GPS and Bluetooth but has no Wi-Fi capabilities.

A review of the Blackberry Tour on Telus from HowardChui.com

For more information and full specifications on the Blackberry Tour 9630 visit the Blackberry website.

Toshiba TG01 Snapdragon smartphone is launched as NTT DOCOMO PRO SERIES T-01A in Japan

Toshiba  T-01A the Windows Mobile Smartphone featuring Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor now released in Japan.  This is the first device from Toshiba to use Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon QSD2850 chipset.  The T-01A is running on Windows Mobile 6.1 more information is available though only in Japanese at Microsoft Japan

Docomo PRO series T-01A main Specs taken from the NTT DOCOMO website
Height x Width x Thickness 130 x 70 x 9.9 mm
Weight 129 grams
Continuous Stand-by Time (static) 250 hours (3G) / 180 hours (GSM)
Continuous Talk Time 210 minutes (3G) / 200 minutes (GSM)
Continuous Video Calling Time N/A
Main Display 4.1 inches (480 x 800 dots)
Wide VGA; TFT LCD; 65,536 colors
Sub Display N/A
External Memory Device microSD

memory card (2 GB)
microSDHC memory card (16 GB)
Cameras
Outer: CMOS with autofocus
Effective resolution: 3.2 megapixels
Recorded resolution: 3.2 megapixels
Inner: N/A
Colors Silver, Black

For more information on availability in Japan visit the docomo PRO series product page.

According to Engadget in May 2009, Europe will launch the T-01A in Spain first in a joint venture between NTT DOCOMO and Telefonica rebranded as the TG01.  Will the UK launch this Snapdragon smartphone?  We hope so!

Video of the Toshiba TG01 posted on youtube by Kinoma TV.  Kinoma is a media application for Windows Mobile and Palm Centro/Treo.

Apple iPhone 3G S released in the UK 19 June 2009

The new Apple iPhone 3G S is due to be released in the UK.  Features include:

• 8GB model: Black
• 16GB model: Black or white

• UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
• GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
• Wi-Fi (802.11b/g)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• 3.5-inch (diagonal) widescreen Multi-Touch display

View the full specifactions at the Apple website

Check out the Apple iPhone 3G S video review from the Telegraph TV channel.

Xbox 360 and Project Natal Bundle due in 2010?

Project Natal Xbox 360 motion sensor to rival the Wii, recently featured at the E3 Conference 2-4 June 2009.  It has been rumored it will be released as a part of a bundle available with the new to be launched Xbox 360 in 2010.

Xbox 360 and Project Natal was featured on the Jimmy Fallon Show in June 2009, the video is below if you missed it.

Microsoft’s Kudo Tsunoda dropped by the Jimmy Fallon Show on NBC 10 June 2009 to demo Xbox 360’s Project Natal

Garmin-Asus Nuvifone G60

The G60 Nuviphone a GPS smartphone was announced by Garmin early in 2008.  The G60 was due to be released in June/July 2009  but Garmin President and COO Cliff Pemble announced to investors in May 2009  it would be delayed until the second half of 2009. The G60 GPS Smartphone will be an eagerly awaited entry into the GPS/Smartphone market.  The G60 boasts a memory capacity of 4GB with 128 RAM, 3G connectivity, touchscreen, mp3 playback,  1100 mAh removable/rechargeable lithium cell with 4 hours talk time, full specification information can be found at the G60 homepage.