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• Apple iPod sales down 17 per cent
• Apple sells 18.65m iPhones in 2011
• Amazon launches Kindle Library Lending service
• Samsung Galaxy S2 gets early UK release date
• Samsung launches Flip-a-like underwater camcorder
• Review: Nikon D5100
• iPhones found to track users' every move
• Latest Alienware range brings powerful M18X laptop
• Scientists find a way to teleport light
• Review: Sony VAIO Z Series VPCZ13M9E
• Tesco buys majority stake in BlinkBox
• Gary Marshall: Digital Economy Act: the law's still an ass
• TechRadar Phone Awards: Vote for your favourite mobile phone game
• Speed Week: How to build the ultimate speed PC
• In Depth: 8 best iPad 2 apps
• Exclusive: Sky: Expect exciting apps from us this year
• Sony kills PSPgo 'to concentrate on NGP'
• Fuji unveils 30x zoom FinePix HS20
• Review: Palicomp Phoenix Hydro-X
• Sony Ericsson sees further profit slump
• Updated: Digital Economy Act challenge fails in High Court
• Review: Hanns.G HS233
• Vodafone halts Samsung Galaxy S Android 2.3 update
• Updated: iPhone 5 rumours: what you need to know
• Yahoo: Bing collaboration needs more work

Apple iPod sales down 17 per cent Posted: 20 Apr 2011 04:10 PM PDT Apple's iPod music player sold 17 per cent fewer units than during the same period of 2010, the company revealed in its quarterly earnings call, this evening. Within record-breaking second fiscal quarter results, which saw the company shift 18.65 iPhones between January and March, came the news that the iPod had suffered a notable decline in sales. Cupertino still reported solid sales of 9.02 million iPods - in various guises - which keeps the device way ahead of the pack, but the year-on-year comparison may worry the company somewhat. The April 2010 report saw just a 1 per cent drop-off from 2009 with 10.89 sales. However, the trend is downwards and 17 per cent is a much bigger fall, providing definite food for thought. Why? It could be that the iPhone's colossal sales tally has meant that users have less need for a standalone iPod touch or classic. If that's the case then Apple will be less troubled. However, with a serious explosion of smartphone use over the last year or so, are people just using their Android or Windows Phone 7 devices as their primary multimedia devices? Whatever the case, it's unlikely that Apple will stand-by and watch part of its core business continue to dwindle. Perhaps we can expect some blockbuster announcements at its annual music event in September to get the iPod back on track.

Apple sells 18.65m iPhones in 2011 Posted: 20 Apr 2011 03:47 PM PDT Apple has revealed it shipped an enormous 18.65m iPhones in the first three months of 2011, representing a 113 per cent improvement on this time last year. The colossal tally is the highlight of the second fiscal quarter earnings report in which Cupertino boasted of a record net profit of $5.9 billion and income of $24.67 billion between January and the end of March. Earnings for the quarter came in at $6.40 cents per share, with today's financial reports shattering the expectations of Wall Street. In that period Apple also racked up 4.69 million iPad sales, undoubtedly carried by the iPad 2 launch last month, and 3.76m sales of Mac computers, which were up 28 per cent on the same quarter last year. The only negative numbers were a 17 per cent fall in iPod sales, to 9.02 million, with iPhone sales perhaps hitting sales of the popular music player. Firing on all cylinders Apple CEO Steve Jobs was on hand to express his delight with the numbers, despite his continued absence from daily duties due to medical reasons. "With quarterly revenue growth of 83 percent and profit growth of 95 percent, we're firing on all cylinders," he told investors. "We will continue to innovate on all fronts throughout the remainder of the year." Related Stories New Apple TV box racks up 2 million sales

Amazon launches Kindle Library Lending service Posted: 20 Apr 2011 12:52 PM PDT Amazon has announced that users of its Kindle devices and smartphone apps will be able to 'borrow' ebooks from their local libraries. Library Lending is a US-based offering which will let users check-out digital titles from 11,000 libraries across America, free of charge. While this is a very cool way to incorporate libraries into the ebook revolution, cooler still is the fact that any annotations you make will be retained if you borrow the book again or buy it from the Kindle store. Whispersync friendly Amazon Kindle Director Jay Marine says: "We're doing a little something extra here," Marine continued. "Normally, making margin notes in library books is a big no-no. "But we're extending our Whispersync technologyso that you can highlight and add margin notes to Kindle books you check out from your local library. "Your notes will not show up when the next patron checks out the book. But if you check out the book again, or subsequently buy it, your notes will be there just as you left them, perfectly Whispersynced." Multi-platform The service, which will launch later this year, will be powered by OverDrive, who arranged a similar deal for Sony's fading Reader devices. Library Lending will work across the entire range of Kindle apps, including iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Nokia, Windows Phone 7 as well as Macs and PCs. While we applaud Amazon for this move, how about giving a little bit of love to the UK? We had to wait forever for the Kindle to begin with, just like the MP3 store. We still don't have the Amazon Android Appstore and there doesn't appear to be any obvious plans to extend the library link-up beyond the US either. Related Stories Gary Marshall: Why Apple is suing Samsung Gary Marshall: Why Apple is suing Samsung Gary Marshall: Why Apple is suing Samsung Gary Marshall: Why Apple is suing Samsung YouGov: Tablets must drop to £250

Samsung Galaxy S2 gets early UK release date Posted: 20 Apr 2011 10:37 AM PDT Phones4U has announced that it will be the first mobile retailer to offer the Samsung Galaxy S2. The dual-core handset will hit Phones4U stores and online on 27 April, giving the retailer an exclusive headstart in selling the much-lauded handset. If you're itching to get your mitts on the Samsung Galaxy S2 you can pre-order it on the Phones4U website now, and bag yourself a free 8GB memory card while you're at it. Galactic Russell Braterman, Marketing Director at Phones 4U is pretty excited, saying, "With its super-slim good looks and the latest Android 2.3 operating system, the Samsung Galaxy S2 is the next step in the evolution of mobile. "We're really proud to be the first retailer to offer the Samsung Galaxy S2 to our customers. The original Samsung Galaxy S was hugely popular when it launched last year, and we're confident the Galaxy S II will be just as successful as its predecessor." Phones 4U has also revealed its Samsung Galaxy S2 UK pricing: it's available for free on a £35/month contract with a choice of networks, or on pay as you go for £499. Related Stories Sony Ericsson sees further profit slump Vodafone halts Samsung Galaxy S Android 2.3 update iPhone 5 to ship in September, says Reuters Hands on: HTC Wildfire S review iPhones found to track users' every move

Samsung launches Flip-a-like underwater camcorder Posted: 20 Apr 2011 10:31 AM PDT Samsung has revealed its latest pocket-friendly camcorder, the W200, which captures full HD video and can be used underwater. The W200 Pocket Cam is rocking a 5MP BSI CMOS sensor which should spell reduced noise on your flicks, and an F2.2 bright lens for superior low-light shoots. It shoots in full HD and you can your amateur masterpiece back on the 2.3-inch LCD screen which offers a multitude of viewing angles. Under the sea… It's the underwater shooting mode that makes the W200 perfect for you holidays though, reckons Samsung, as it comes with anti-fog glass, anti-water drop coating for the lens and an Aqua Mode setting. Like the popular but now sadly demised Flip camcorders, the W200 comes with a built-in USB arm. With microSD storage and autofocus as standard, the W200 hits the UK's shelves in May, but there's no word yet on pricing.

Review: Nikon D5100 Posted: 20 Apr 2011 10:03 AM PDT Nikon D5100 Review: Overview Although there has been some overlap, digital SLR development has gone through some quite distinct phases. Initially the battle was to produce affordable models, and once this was achieved manufacturers turned their attention to producing cameras with higher pixel counts. This was followed by a push in sensitivity levels and improved low-light performance. During these development phases camera functionality has also expanded, with manufacturers capitalising upon the benefits of digital technology and introducing features such as live view, video and dynamic range optimisation systems. Now, there's a drive to make these increasingly complex and versatile SLRs easier to use, while at the same time helping photographers be more creative. The Nikon D5100, which serves as the Nikon D5000 replacement, typifies this new era in DSLR evolution. With its 16.2 million pixels, articulated 3in LCD screen, Special Effects and Scene modes, along with the more advanced PSAM exposure modes, on paper, at least, the Nikon D5100 seems to offer everything the aspiring photographer could wish for. Let's see. Nikon D5100 Review: Features As Nikon's D5000 replacement, the D5100 sits above the Nikon D3100 (read our Nikon D3100 review) and below the D7000 (read our Nikon D7000 review) in the vast lineup of Nikon DSLRs. Yet the Nikon D5100 features the same 16.2-million-pixel CMOS sensor and EXPEED 2 processor as the Nikon D7000. This means raw images are saved as 14-bit files and users can expect similar quality results with the two cameras. However, like the Nikon D5000 it replaces, the D5100's white balance and metering systems use information from a 420-pixel RGB sensor (the D7000 uses a 2,016 pixel RGB device) and its autofocus (AF) system has 11 points. While it may not have the 39-points of the D7000's AF system, the D5100's Multi-CAM 1000 AF module performed well in the D5000 and Nikon D90 (which has not been discontinued; read our Nikon D90 review). Like the D7000, the D5100's native sensitivity can be set from ISO 100 to 6400, and there are four expansion settings topping out at the equivalent of ISO 25,600 (Hi 2). On those rare occasions when this is not high enough, D5100 users can select the Night Vision Special Effect mode, which pushes the sensitivity to ISO 102, 400. This value is only matched by top-end SLRs such as Nikon's full-frame D3S, however while the D3S can shoot in colour at ISO 102,400, the D5100 can only record monochrome images. In manual exposure or shutter priority mode when the shutter speed is 1/250sec or faster, the D5100 can shoot continuously at a maximum rate of 4fps for around 100 highest quality JPEGs or 20 raw images or 12 simultaneous raw and JPEG files when a class 6 SD card such as a SanDisk Extreme III is installed. While this is impressive for a camera of this level, keen action photographer may look enviously at the 6fps shooting offered by the D7000. It's also worth bearing in mind that it takes around 1 min 50 sec for the D5100 to write 100 Fine JPEGs to the SD card. Perhaps the most noticeable upgrade that the Nikon D5100 makes on the D5000 is with the LCD, which goes from being a 2.7in 230,000 dot unit to a 3in 920,000 dot device. This matches the size and resolution of the D7000's screen and it should make a significant difference when using live view and focusing manually. It was something of a disappointment that the D7000 doesn't have an articulated screen, but Nikon has not made this mistake with the Nikon D5100. Unlike the D5000, however, which had the articulation join at the bottom on the screen, the D5100's screen is hinged on the left. This makes the screen easier to use when the camera is on a tripod. In addition to the Active D-Lighting (ADL) dynamic range optimisation system that we now expect with Nikon SLRs, the Nikon D5100 has an HDR (high dynamic range) mode. When this is selected the camera takes two exposures, one over and one under the 'correct' exposure and merges them automatically into a single image with more shadow and highlight detail than normal. It could prove useful in high contrast conditions if the effect is subtle and not overtly 'HDR'. Although there's a lot packed into the D5100, including full HD (1080p) video and multiple exposure capability, Nikon seems proudest of its Effects modes. These allow the user to apply special effects (Night Vision, Color Sketch, Miniature, Selective Color, Silhouette, High Key and Low Key) to images as they are captured – rather than post capture as with the Nikon D3100 and D7000. Furthermore, the impact of these effects can be seen on-screen when the camera is in live view mode. While these are fun and allow the user to create some interesting images, it's disappointing that its not possible to save raw files at the same time as the JPEGs when these effect options are selected. Nikon D5100 Review: Build and handling When gripping and squeezing the Nikon D5100 a little harder than strictly necessary it becomes clear that it is on the whole very well built, it feels nicely put together and designed to last. The question mark is over the SD card port cover which, when closed still moves under a tapping finger. It's not a major point, but it doesn't quite match the high quality feel of the rest of the camera. One knock-on effect of the success of compact system cameras appears to be that SLR manufacturers are making smaller cameras. Hence, at 128x97x79mm and weighing in at around 560g (with battery and card) the D5100 is approximately 10% smaller and lighter than the D5000 it replaces and the articulated screen is 17% thinner. This and the larger LCD screen has meant that that Nikon has had to make a few changes to the D5000's control layout for the D5100. It would certainly be hard to find room for any additional buttons on the rear of the D5100 without seriously limiting space for the photographer's thumb. Perhaps the most significant difference in the control layout between the two cameras is that the live view button found on the rear of the D5000 has gone and instead the D5100 has a sprung lever switch underneath the main mode dial. This switch feels well made and the D5100 responds quickly to its use, but given that using live view means looking at the screen, it is debatable whether moving its activation control to the top-plate is the best solution. It's easy to mistake it for the camera's power switch. Similarly, movie recording is now started and stopped by pressing the dedicated button, which is also on the camera's top-plate. Nikon would argue that there is logic to putting the shooting or recording buttons close together. Also, as the D5100 has an articulated screen, users may find they more often view the camera from above than they would with a camera with a fixed screen and the top-plate controls are easier to locate when shooting in this way. Although the screen provides a clear view of the image being composed and the magnified view has enough detail to facilitate manual focus, reflections are a n issue in bright sunlight. While it is still possible to compose the image accurately, and the shade of a hand will ensure enough detail is visible for manual focusing, it can sometimes be tricky to make out some of the smaller on-screen icons. As the viewfinder offers just 95% coverage (standard for a camera of this level), there is scope for a few scope for a few surprises around the image frame. On the plus side, however, even with the AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 G kit lens the view is bright and clear enough to allow manual focusing – though in many instances it may be better to do this while looking at the magnified live view image. When the Color Sketch or Miniature Special Effects modes are activated the screen the live view image becomes very jerky, presumably because of the demand on the D5100's processing power. Nevertheless the effects are easy to use and generally work well, although a grainy monochrome mode might be preferable to the Color Sketch mode. It would also be nice to have control over the exposure or at least exposure compensation when these modes are selected. Small niggles aside, the D5100 is easy to get to grips with and while there might not be direct control for aspects such as sensitivity, drive mode, white balance and metering, these and more can be accessed quickly via the Information Display. Nikon D5100 Review: Performance Chroma noise is much less of an issue in high sensitivity images than it is used to be and it's impressive just how little coloured speckling is visible in images captured with the D5100 in its highest ISO setting, ISO 25,600 (equivalent) when noise reduction is set to the default Normal value. At 100% on screen (or at actual pixels in Photoshop), there is some fairly subtle false colouring visible, and there's an obvious speckled texture of luminance noise, but the images are still usable and many cases would make decent A3 prints. As we would expect, images improve significantly when the sensitivity settings is kept below the expansions settings and while there is a dip in the level of detail resolved at ISO 6400, the results are still very respectable. In the past Nikon's auto white balance (AWB) system has been accused of a little too accurate so that warm light is rendered neutral and some of the atmosphere of the scene is lost. The Nikon D5100's AWB system seems to fair a little better on this score, but there is a tendency for it to make scenes captured under hazy sunshine look a little too yellow. This is especially noticeable with landscapes containing lush, green grass, but it is effectively countered by switching from the Standard Picture Control mode to Landscape mode as this boost green and blue. Nikon has some of the best phases detection AF systems around and the D5100's doesn't disappoint. Paired with a Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED it proved up to the job of keeping pace with cars moving at 80mph on a race track. The contrast detection system available in live view mode is also good, only struggling to find sharp focus in fairly low light or when the subject is very close. That said, the subject tends to glide into sharp register rather than snapping into focus as it does with the phase detection system. There's very little to say about the D5100's metering system apart from it works very well. Although the exposure compensation facility still comes in handy occasionally, in its Evaluative mode the system usually takes brighter or darker than average subjects in its stride. The camera's dynamic range is also good, so highlight and shadow detail isn't lost earlier than it should be. All things considered, the D5100 is a very capable camera. Nikon D5100 Review: Image quality and resolution As part of our image quality testing for the Nikon D5100, we've shot our resolution chart with a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM lens mounted. If you view our crops of the resolution chart's central section at 100% (or Actual Pixels) you will see that, for example, at ISO 100 the Nikon D5100 is capable of resolving up to around 26 (line widths per picture height x100) in its raw files and 24 (LWPPH x100)in its highest quality JPEG files. Examining images of the chart taken at each sensitivity setting reveals the following resolution scores in line widths per picture height x100: JPEG images ISO 100 JPEG score: 24, full image ISO 200 JPEG score: 24, full image ISO 400 JPEG score: 24, full image ISO 800 JPEG score: 24, full image ISO 1600 JPEG score: 24, full image ISO 3200 JPEG score: 22, full image ISO 6400 JPEG score: 20, full image Hi 0.3EV over ISO 6400 score: 20, full image Hi 0.7EV over ISO 6400 score: 20, full image Hi 1EV over ISO 6400 score: 20, full image Hi 2EV over ISO 6400 score: 18, full image Raw images ISO 100 raw score: 26, full image ISO 200 raw score: 26, full image ISO 400 raw score: 26, full image ISO 800 raw score: 24, full image ISO 1600 raw score: 24, full image ISO 3200 raw score: 22, full image ISO 6400 raw score: 22, full image Hi 0.3EV over ISO 6400 raw score: 20, full image Hi 0.7EV over ISO 6400 raw score: 20, full image Hi 1EV over ISO 6400 raw score: 20, full image Hi 2EV over ISO 6400 raw score: 18/20, full image Nikon D5100 Review: Specs Sensor 16.2 million pixel 23.6x15.6mm CMOS device Focal length conversion 1.5x Memory SD/SDHC/SDXC Viewfinder Pentamirror with 95% cover, 0.78x magnification and 17.9mm viewpoint Video resolution 1920x1080 or pixels at 30, 25 or 24 fps, or 640x424 pixels at 30 or 25fps ISO range ISO 100-6400 expandable to ISO 25,600 Autofocus points 11 Max burst rate 4fps LCD screen 3in 920,000 dots Shutter speeds 30-1/4000sec in 1/3 or ½ Ev steps and bulb or time Weight 560g with battery and card Dimensions 128x97x79mm Power supply Li-ion EN-EL14 battery supplied Nikon D5100 Review: Verdict Nikon is aiming the D5100 at novice photographers who want to take their hobby more seriously and want a versatile camera that will enable them to take more creative images. The Nikon D5100 is a great choice for these users, but it is also worthy of consideration by more experienced photographers as well. There's plenty of control available over the appearance of images and the 16.2Mp sensor is a higher performer in average low lighting conditions. The only real downside for enthusiast photographers is that there are few direct controls over image parameters. However, most features such as the white balance, drive mode and sensitivity settings are just a couple of clicks away via the Information Display system. We like Having a high resolution articulated screen is also a bonus because it actively encourages shooting from unusual angles which makes for more interesting pictures. Those who rubbish the idea of such a device on a SLR should try using one for a few hours while taking macro or still life images. We dislike Although the Special Effects are fun, and some cases very effective, it's a shame that users don't have the opportunity to take some control over the exposure or record simultaneous raw files without the effects. Verdict Great for both enthusiasts and novices looking to take the next step forward, the Nikon D5100 offers a lot of versatility, opportunity for creativity and quality results. Related Stories Fuji unveils 30x zoom FinePix HS20 Best DSLR: top cameras by price and brand

iPhones found to track users' every move Posted: 20 Apr 2011 09:19 AM PDT The Apple iPhone has been found to be saving details of the handset's location at all times, complete with latitude and longitude co-ordinates and timestamps. As if that wasn't Big Brother enough, this secret file is copied to the users' computer every time the device is synced. It seems that the data storage began after the iOS 4 software update, since when Apple has been logging where you've been and when. Nanny state The news has sparked privacy concerns because the data, once transferred to a computer, is fairly easy to access by anyone who gets their hands on the machine. The two developers, Alasdair Allan andPete Warden, who discovered the secret iPhone tracking have started a site to visualise the data found on users' handsets. They note that the other major issue is that Apple is "passively logging your location without your permission" and aren't even protecting the data once it is stored. "At first we weren't sure how much data was there, but after we dug further and visualised the extracted data, it became clear that there was a scary amount of detail on our movements," they wrote on the site. "It also because obvious that at least some other people knew about it but it wasn't being publicised." Apple is yet to respond to the location data revelation. Related Stories Sony Ericsson sees further profit slump Vodafone halts Samsung Galaxy S Android 2.3 update iPhone 5 to ship in September, says Reuters Hands on: HTC Wildfire S review Samsung Galaxy S2 gets early UK release date

Latest Alienware range brings powerful M18X laptop Posted: 20 Apr 2011 08:57 AM PDT Dell has unveiled its latest Alienware laptops, with a refreshed M11X gaming netbook joined by the 18-inch M18X and the M14X. The headliner is the M18X – very much a desktop replacement rather than something you'll be carrying around with you in daily life – which apparently "lays claim to the title of the most powerful 18-inch gaming laptop in the universe". A bold claim indeed. The 18-incher will come with dual-graphics technology and an Intel Core i7 Extreme CPU, factory overclocked to a whopping 4GHz.. Pwn "If you're a gamer, you're going to love our new family of laptops, which deliver on the features gamers care most about – uncompromised graphics performance, and lifelike 3D gaming," said Arthur Lewis, general manager of Alienware. "We are committed to delivering the best gaming systems for enthusiasts everywhere and we take great pride in helping them 'pwn', no matter where they are in the world." All of the laptops have HDMI 1.4 and SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports, the M14X also offers up Core i7 processor options while the M11X has been updated from its already impressive specs to offer up "second-generation Intel Core i processors with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 and updated graphics featuring the NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M." The prices start at over a grand and work their way up quickly as you pick off the best options. But this is unashamedly high-end gaming kit, so you wouldn't expect bargain basement prices anyway. Alienware's highlights for each laptop are: M18x: · An 18.4-inch FHD WLED 1080p display for the best visuals possible · Powerful Dual GPU options with the fastest graphics memory (GDDR5) on all graphics options · Both AMD and NVIDIA graphics options, in Crossfire X and SLI, respectively · New Intel "Huron River" Architecture with a new factory overclocked Intel Core i7 Extreme Quad Core processor up to 4GHz · Upgradeable to up to 32GB 1333MHz memory · HDMI/Display Port output & HDMI-in · 3D output option 3D displays M14x: · 14-inch WLED HD (720p) display standard (1366x768) or optional 14-inch WLED HD+ (900p) display (1600x900) · Second-generation overclockable Intel Core i7 CPUs with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 · Updated graphics featuring the NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M with up to 3GB of VRAM · NVIDIA Optimus technology to extend battery life · Up to 8GB of 1600MHz extreme-performance system memory · HDMI 1.4 to support connectivity on HDTVs and 7.1 digital audio · Audio powered by Klipsch (onboard speakers) M11x: · An 11.6-inch WLED HD (720p) display (WXGA 1366x768) · Second-generation overclockable Intel Core i CPUs with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 · Updated graphics featuring the NVIDIA GeForce GT 540M · Up to 16GB of 1333MHz high-performance system memory · HDMI 1.4 to support connectivity on HDTVs and 7.1 digital audio · Audio powered by Klipsch (onboard speakers)

Scientists find a way to teleport light Posted: 20 Apr 2011 08:32 AM PDT Scientists have succeeded in teleporting wave packets of light with complex quantum make-up from one place to another for the first time. Teleportation, long the dream of many motion-sickness sufferers and commuters, may have taken one step closer to reality but don't go reaching for your Bermuda shorts and sunnies just yet. The researchers, hailing from Australia and Japan, managed to teleport the light by destroying it in one place and recreating it in another, meaning that these wave packets were "dead" and "alive" all at once. Which, let's be frank, sounds even worse than flying cattle class. Schrödinger would be proud Of course, our first question was: how do they know it's the same light? Those clever science types were one step ahead as always: each packet of light has its own complex quantum information, which they kept track of during the teleport. Professor Elanor Huntington from the University of New South Wales, explained, "One of the ways that we encode digital information is by its phase, so what we've done is created a wave packet that's simultaneously a one and a zero in its phase. "Superposition is exactly what underlies the power of things like quantum computers. You enable parallel processing because at the same time it's a one and a zero. The point is, we've managed to teleport it from A to B without the one and the zero getting confused." Well, at least the one and the zero aren't confused. Quantum computing The new quantum leap has exciting implications for quantum computing in that high-speed, high-fidelity transmissions of large volumes of information could become possible. "[Being able to transfer data packets like this] is a necessary thing to do in order to build a proper quantum computer or a quantum communications device," said Professor Huntington. Okay, so high-speed data transfer is not as exciting as teleporting a person from London to Sydney in the blink of an eye or the possibility of creating a half-man-half-fly creature, but it is still a pretty amazing achievement. "There used to be two ways of doing teleportation and both had their limitations," said Professor Elanor Huntington from the University of New South Wales. "One was quite fast, but had a limited probability of succeeding. The other way of doing it was quite slow, but had a very good probability of working. "What we've done is managed to get it both fast and good quality."

Review: Sony VAIO Z Series VPCZ13M9E Posted: 20 Apr 2011 08:00 AM PDT Following hot on the heels of its new VAIO S-Series ultraportable laptop, Sony has released another ridiculously slim and light portable that packs in plenty of power. The VAIO VPCZ13M9E fits into Sony's top-range business ultraportable bracket, as reflected by the hefty price tag. However, you do get an awful lot in return for emptying your wallet. Pulling the VAIO VPCZ13M9E from its box, we were immediately struck by how thin and light it is. While it isn't as slender as the elegant Samsung 9 Series, the 234 x 216 x 34mm dimensions means it'll slip easily into pretty much any bag. And at 1.4kg it's only a fraction heavier than the Samsung 9 Series, and almost half a kilo lighter than the VAIO S-Series. Even small children could carry the VAIO VPCZ13M9E around all day – although trusting a child with something as expensive as this would be great folly. That goes double since this laptop feels far from indestructible. The brushed aluminium chassis is durable enough, but the carbon fibre lid flexes under light pressure and we're not sure it would survive a drop or a sharp knock. If you're taking the VAIO VPCZ13M9E on the road, we'd recommend some kind of padded bag for protection. We also have to concede that the Samsung 9 Series is the better looking of the two machines. While Samsung's laptop oozes class with its curved edges and ridiculously slender form, the VAIO VPCZ13M9E appears rather bland in comparison. It's not that the all-black design isn't appealing. It's just that for this much money, we want a machine that we can pull out with pride, knowing that everyone around us will be drooling at the sight of it. Usability is excellent, however, with a firm keyboard proving excellent for long typing sessions despite the compact chassis. Sony has used an isolation style design, popular in modern laptops. Each key sticks up through individual holes in the chassis, which separates them and also prevents crumbs and dust from dropping into the VAIO VPCZ13M9E's interior. The keyboard is perfect for touch typing, and a subtle backlighting means you can work well into the night. We also liked the surprisingly spacious touchpad, which makes the most of its limited space. It's smooth and responsive, and supports multi-touch gesturing. Above the keyboard, Sony has placed its standard VAIO, ASSIST and WEB buttons. VAIO is a portal to your media, while ASSIST helps you to diagnose any problems you might have, and recover the VAIO VPCZ13M9E to a working state. Finally, WEB starts up your internet browser. Sony VAIO VPCZ13M9E review: Specifications Since the VAIO VPCZ13M9E is designed to be used on the move, Sony has fitted an anti-glare panel for the 13.3-inch display. The screen can be comfortably used outdoors, with no reflections to hamper visibility. This lack of a glossy coating often results in washed-out or lifeless colour reproduction, but the VAIO VPCZ13M9E produces strong and colourful images. Contrast levels are excellent, and the 1600 x 900 resolution means your photos and movies look razor sharp. Unfortunately, you won't be able to carry many movies, because the solid state drive offers a measly 128GB of storage space. It's a shame that storage is so tight when the Sony VAIO S-Series offers half a terabyte, although the Samsung 9 Series also settles for 128GB. Still, the inclusion of a built-in DVD drive is excellent considering the VAIO VPCZ13M9E's small stature. We hate lugging external USB drives around, but here there's no need. If security is an issue, there's a fingerprint scanner between the buttons of the touchpad. You can use this as an alternative to a password for logging into Windows and on compatible websites, so you won't have to remember a complex string of characters. Your personal files will remain safe – unless someone steals the VAIO VPCZ13M9E and hacks your pinkie off, of course. Networking is strong, with 802.11n Wi-Fi giving you speedy access to wireless networks. You also get a Gigabit Ethernet port, so you can connect to the net using a good old-fashioned cable if needed, and Bluetooth 2.1 lets you swap files with compatible devices. An HDMI port can be used to attach an external monitor or projector, which will come in handy if you plan on giving any presentations. An ExpressCard slot is also available for expanding the VAIO VPCZ13M9E's capabilities. Sony VAIO VPCZ13M9E review: Performance The whole point of ultraportables is that they deliver a good wallop of power in a compact, easily transportable form. Therefore, if one of these mini machines is plagued by weak performance or a rubbish battery, it's almost impossible to recommend. An Intel Core i5-460M running at 2.53GHz is the brains behind the VAIO VPCZ13M9E. For this price, we were strongly hoping for at least a Core i7, preferably based on Intel's latest Sandy Bridge technology, which we saw in the VAIO S-Series. However, when we ran our benchmark tests, we were happy with the results. The VAIO VPCZ13M9E has a switch in the top left corner of the chassis that lets you choose between STAMINA or SPEED. SPEED gives you maximum throttle, while STAMINA eases back on performance in order to prolong battery life. Our results are below. Battery Life: Stamina: 364 Speed: 274 MobileMark 2007: Stamina: 276 Speed: 278 3DMark 2003: Stamina: 3532 Speed: 16270 Our tests showed that performance is more or less equal to the VAIO S-Series despite that laptop using an Intel Sandy Bridge CPU. The VAIO VPCZ13M9E won't be out of date any time soon, with more than enough grunt to run your applications simultaneously. Surprisingly, there was almost no effect in MobileMark when we switched to STAMINA mode. The real hit came in graphical performance, which shrank massively. On SPEED mode, you can comfortably edit media and play reasonably recent games, thanks to the dedicated Nvidia GeForce GT 330M GPU. On STAMINA mode, the GPU is powered down and the CPU's integrated graphics is used instead, and you'll struggle to even watch HD video. However, if you're travelling without access to a mains socket and simply browsing the web or working on some documents, it's well worth switching the VAIO VPCZ13M9E to STAMINA. We got 274 minutes of life on SPEED mode, a very reasonable effort. But on STAMINA this rose to a highly impressive six hours. This beats the Samsung 9 Series and the VAIO S-Series hands down, both of which survived for precisely 288 minutes on battery power. Sony VAIO VPCZ13M9E review: Verdict Sony's VAIO VPCZ13M9E is a pricey ultraportable that has hit stores at the same time as the Samsung 9 Series and the Japanese giant's own VAIO S-Series. Competition is stiff, so can the Z-Series do enough to stand out amongst its less expensive brethren? We liked With a compact chassis and up to six hours of battery life, the VAIO VPCZ13M9E is a great machine for anyone who needs to stay productive on the go. The SPEED/STAMINA switch means you can prioritise between longevity and performance. Keep the dial firmly locked on SPEED and you'll be rewarded with plenty of power, and a strong graphical showing from the dedicated Nvidia GPU. Despite the reduced dimensions, the VAIO VPCZ13M9E is still highly usable. A firm isolation-style keyboard is great for touch typing, and is backlit for night sessions, while the touchpad is smooth, spacious and responsive. The VAIO VPCZ13M9E's 13.3-inch anti-glare screen is still surprisingly vibrant, and you won't be hampered by annoying reflections when working in bright conditions. You also get a couple of decent extras, such as a fingerprint scanner. We disliked If you can get over the price, there's not a huge amount to dislike about the VAIO VPCZ13M9E. There are a couple of missed opportunities, however. For one, we find it difficult to get truly excited over the plain black chassis. It lacks the sexiness of the Samsung 9 Series [942065] and the lid feels a little too weak for our liking. We were also disappointed to see just 128GB of storage. If we're splashing out two grand on a laptop, the least we want is enough space to carry all of our media around with us. Verdict If you're a regular traveller who needs a highly portable laptop that has enough power to run all of your applications, the VAIO VPCZ13M9E is a great option. Providing you can afford it, that is.

Tesco buys majority stake in BlinkBox Posted: 20 Apr 2011 07:48 AM PDT Tesco has acquired a majority stake in movie streaming service Blinkbox, shelling out for 80 per cent of the company. Richard Brasher, Tesco UK CEO, explained the supermarket's motive behind the purchase: "The acquisition of blinkbox, together with a range of other services currently in development, means we can link physical purchase of a product to the building of digital collections in a new and seamless way. "Working with the blinkbox team and our content partners, we will bring these compelling propositions to life for our customers." Tesco to the movies Management-speak aside, Tesco's new purchase means that the supermarket can offer films to buy both and rent physically on DVD and virtually using the internet. The 'range of other services currently in development' could refer to Tesco-branded smartphone and tablet apps for accessing the on-demand service, as hinted at by Brasher's further comments: "We want to allow them to decide how they access entertainment content and on which devices, whether it's on PC, TV or tablet." Blinkbox can currently be used on PC, Mac, PS3, 'tablet devices' and internet-enabled TVs; no doubt Tesco will be keen to splash its logo about a bit on all these platforms. Every little helps Blinkbox CEO Michael Comish adds, "It's a hugely exciting time, looking at how accessible entertainment is becoming for consumers. This partnership represents another step forward, bringing the leading movie streaming service together with the UK's biggest retailer." It's not the first time the supermarket has made forays into the movie business, with the unlikely setting up of a Tesco film production arm in early 2010, intended to adapt bestselling novels into moving picture form. That side of things doesn't seem to be going too well, however, with just one film, Paris Connections (that well-known blockbuster) notched up to date.

Gary Marshall: Digital Economy Act: the law's still an ass Posted: 20 Apr 2011 07:12 AM PDT I'm a fairly cynical chap, but even I was surprised when the Digital Economy Bill became the Digital Economy Act: it was badly drafted, rushed through without proper scrutiny and became a bad law. As I wrote at the time, the legislation "dropped its digital trousers and waved its digital arse" at the lot of us. You'd think common sense would prevail, and that BT and TalkTalk's legal challenge would send MPs scurrying back to the drawing board. Nope. The High Court has ruled in the government's favour, and the British Phonographic Industry for one is delighted. "Shareholders and customers of BT and TalkTalk might ask why so much time and money has been spent challenging the act to help reduce the illegal traffic on their networks," BPI boss Geoff Taylor said. "You're all our bitches now." OK, he didn't say that last bit. But it's true all the same. If BT and TalkTalk don't appeal, we're stuffed. Kangaroo court One of the reasons BT and TalkTalk spent "so much time and money challenging the act" was because it stood to cost them enormous amounts of money - something which the High Court actually agreed with, removing the bit where ISPs would have to pay 25% of Ofcom's costs and the costs of establishing an appeals body. It's nice that the review concluded that ISPs shouldn't help fund the creation of a kangaroo court. But it's still a kangaroo court. It's possible to have bad law that's legally sound while being utterly stupid, and the DEA is a classic example of the type. Don't take my word for it. Ask the academics at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Just last month, their analysis of the Actexplained that "the DEA gets the balance between copyright enforcement and innovation wrong... the DEA has given too much consideration to the interests of copyright holders, while ignoring other stakeholders such as users, ISPs, and new players in the creative industry." Anyone who doesn't think the Act was cynically and contemptuously rushed through Parliament when there were hardly any MPs there to oppose it really wasn't paying attention. The DEA is bad law. It imposes unnecessary burdens on ISPs, could have a chilling effect on public wi-fi provision and demonstrated absolute contempt for democracy. According to The Music Void, Google is considering "doing an Amazon" and launching its music service without the labels' permission - and the same report notes that Google's "Larry, Serge and Eric could buy the entire music industry with their personal money". Perhaps they should. Which would you rather see? Google-owned record labels, or an Internet where you can only see what record labels say you can see? Make no mistake. The DEA is designed to deliver the latter. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TechRadar Phone Awards: Vote for your favourite mobile phone game Posted: 20 Apr 2011 07:00 AM PDT As you will no doubt know by now, the TechRadar Phone Awards 2011 are here and we are counting on you, the reader, to have your say on six of the categories, with the rest being judged by our panel of experts. Here we take a look at the nominations in the Best Game category and give you some food for thought about the titles that have been chosen as the best games for smartphones, regardless of the platform. So, take a look and see if your favourite is in the list. Don't worry if it's not as you can still go and vote, as we are also giving you the opportunity to tell us what your favourite game is. All you have to do is go to the Your Choice section of the voting process and let us know. Angry Birds It's hard to believe just how much success Angry Birds has had in its relatively short time in the gaming world. Not only has the game spawned seasonal sequels in Angry Birds Seasons and a movie-related spin-off (Angry Birds Rio), it has managed to catapult its maker Rovio into the gaming big league and make billions of dollars in the process. There's no doubting the success of Angry Birds, but has this success brought backlash? Axe In Face Despite its sinister title, Axe In Face is one of the most charming games to hit the Apple App Store, given that its premise centres on a garden-loving Viking who wants to protect his crop of tulips. It may not have had the vast success of some of the other titles in this top 10 but its gameplay is second to none, giving it a longevity that most games developers look on with envy. It might be one of the more obscure titles in the list, but Axe in Face issurely a favourite for all who have played it. Cut The Rope! Yes it uses the over-used and annoying web phrase Om Nom, but this is the only bad thing you can say about Cut The Rope – a game that is effortlessly playable and deceptively simple. As far as gameplay goes, Cut The Rope is fantastic, with players having to get the candy in the mouth of Om Nom. All this is done by manipulating ropes, pulleys and other systems, brilliantly combining action and puzzle-solving. It's definitely a contender for game of the year, but is it too cutesy for you manly gamers? Dead Space Bridging the gap between the first Dead Space and its sequel, the smartphone version of Dead Space is a joy to play. This is because Electronic Arts, the maker of the game, is the master of the shock factor and has managed to add gore by the bucket-load. So, it is fair to say then, that this is a game strictly for adults. With gorgeous graphics and brilliant gameplay, Dead Space is up there with the best; but is it too scary for some? Vote for your favourite game here. Flight Control It may be one of the oldest games in the list but with great colourful graphics and some of the most addictive gameplay you will experience from a mobile game, Flight Control still offers an unmatched sense of thrill and excitement, especially in its later levels. That said, is it too aged to stay a contender? Infinity Blade There's no doubt about it: Infinity Blade is the best-looking mobile game ever. But graphics aren't everything, so it's lucky that Infinity Blade has enough hack-and-slash gameplay to keep players coming back time and time again. Part RPG, part beat-'em-up there's no denying the wow factor of Infinity Blade; but does that leave us with a great-looking but ultimately shallow-watered game? Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit It may not be the most technologically advanced racing sim around but it is definitely one of the best to play. This is because Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit is arcade racing all the way, where you can flee from police or race your own corrupt buddies through deserts, forests and along beachside towns. Is a sheer adrenaline rush enough for Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit to get your seal of approval? Samurai II: Vengeance THD While the advent of the Tegra 2 chip in smartphones hasn't exactly brought hundred of next-gen gaming titles, it's quality not quantity that counts and Samurai II: Vengeance THD has this in spades. With superb graphics and feature-rich gameplay, this game will make your jaw drop. As it is limited to Tegra 2 phones, though, it will need your help in nabbing the Best Game award. Vote for your favourite game here. The SIMS 3 The SIMS made an effortless transition to mobile with The SIMS 3, a game that's just as enjoyable to play as its PC brethren. What's most impressive about the game is how much is packed into the mobile version – the neighbourhood is open world and the SIMS personalities seem to be as complex as ever. It is a game you need to spend time with, though, so it may miss out on the commuter vote. Tiny Wings It may not be the most well-known game to feature our feathered friends, but Tiny Wings is everything that is great about mobile gaming. It combines rhythm with physics and is both beautiful to look at and addictive. And it was created by a developer with no previous App Store experience, which adds to the game's appeal. Does it have the might to defeat the bigger names on the list, though? Words With Friends Words With Friends has been nothing short of a revelations since it was released. It's social gaming in its truest form, with games played between friends and strangers sometimes lasting weeks but being no less fun because of it. Couple this with the ability to play iPhone users while using Android and vice versa and what you have is a great game that everyone can play. It's only downfall is originality – its similarity to another word-based tile game is uncanny. Related Stories Vodafone halts Samsung Galaxy S Android 2.3 update iPhone 5 to ship in September, says Reuters Hands on: HTC Wildfire S review iPhones found to track users' every move Samsung Galaxy S2 gets early UK release date

Speed Week: How to build the ultimate speed PC Posted: 20 Apr 2011 07:00 AM PDT This article is brought to you in association with LG Optimus 2X Want to build the fastest PC ever? Want to know what the best graphics card is to go with the fastest processor? Come with us and we'll tell you how to put together the ultimate performance PC. Sometimes only the fastest will do and that is especially true with a performance gaming PC. The pinnacle of PC excellence is a machine with only the biggest, quickest and most powerful components known to man, all working in unison to make everything you do with your PC an absolute joy. But it's the part about them working together that is possibly one of the most important things to consider if you're looking to put together the fastest machine on the face of this earth. The one thing you absolutely cannot have is a bottleneck in your system. If you've got a budget processor backing up your £600 graphics card then the throughput of data is going to get backed up with the cheapo component and your expensive GPU will be sitting there twiddling its transistors. And that way stuttering framerates lie. So what's first? Well, it's time to get the basis of your monster PC sorted, and that's your motherboard, CPU and memory. Fastest motherboard, CPU and memory Choosing the right combination of motherboard and CPU is vital in any PC build. It's at this point where you make the big decisions in the make up of your rig, and how you want it to perform now and in the future. Here we're looking at building the fastest PC right now, but you might be looking for something you can upgrade at a later date. Therefore looking at what upgrade paths a particular CPU/mobo combination will give you is worth some consideration. Right now though there is only one option for the ultimate rig and that's to go for an Intel X58 platform. While it may be the oldest of the Core i7 compatible platforms it's also still the fastest. The key point though is that it's also the only one of the Intel's chipsets that come with support for Gulftown six-core processors. And we definitely want one of those. The fastest consumer processor on the planet right now is the Core i7 990X. It's a six-core, twelve-thread, 3.46GHz CPU with a monstrous 12MB of cache. We also need to think about what graphics setup we want for our machine too - in terms of single or multi-card graphics arrays - and whether we want that to be an AMD or Nvidia based graphical setup. So our motherboard of choice then is the Gigabyte X58A-UD9. It's a big, expensive board, but it gives us support for the all important Intel Core i7 990X through the LGA 1,366 socket. The X58 chipset also comes with triple-channel DDR3 memory support, something which subsequent chipsets have not continued support for. To keep things trim though we'd opt for a Corsair Vengeance 12GB kit. We've looked at the Corsair Vengeance 8GB dual-channel kit and its impressive modules are the same, with the 12GB kit simply giving you another 4GB module for your money. That Gigabyte motherboard also comes with four 16 lane PCIe 2.0 slots, and we're going to need all of those when it comes to our graphics cards of choice. Fastest graphics card The graphics card is the supermodel component of your PC and is the one most likely to give you that feeling of speed. The best single graphics card around is quite simply the Nvidia GeForce GTX 580. It comes with the fastest Fermi GPU so far; a chip that comes with the full complement of 512 CUDA cores, 48 ROPs and the sort of DirectX 11 chops to make mincemeat out of any game. And for this ultimate PC we're going to use four of them in SLI. It would be possible to use a pair of GTX 590s to get on the quad-GPU tip, but while they house essentially the same GF 110 GPUs as the GTX 580 they come at a much lower core clockspeed. So to get the ultimate performance you'll need the GTX 580 running under its own steam, well four of them running under their own steam anyways... The Gigabyte X58A-UD9 motherboard allows us to use quad-SLI with the full 16x PCIe lanes. This should give us the fastest possible instance of SLI gaming available. That said, as soon as you go over two cards in either Nvidia's SLI or AMD's CrossFire tech then you're looking at increasingly diminished returns the more cards you add in. Currently dual-GPU setups give the best performance for your cash, with the second card often giving you almost twice the performance. Third and fourth cards though will often give you less than 30% and 15% extra respectively. But this is the ultimate rig, so we want the ultimate graphics setup and that means jamming in four GTX 580s into your setup. Fastest storage For many years the bottleneck of any system has been the storage drive. Traditional magnetic disk drives haven't really changed in nigh-on thirty years. You can see for yourself just how much of a bottleneck they can be by finding a system running on a traditional HDD and starting a virus scanning routine. Your CPU will probably be idling away, not having to do much as the HDD slowly filters data through to it. Drop in a Solid State Drive and suddenly the CPU is having to work overtime just to catch up. But SSDs are expensive bits of kit. Often you can compromise with a small capacity SSD as a boot drive with your OS and key apps on it, with a large, traditional HDD backing it up as storage. But that can leave little space for large footprint games, which will then have to go onto the standard drive and, hey-presto, it's bottleneck time again. If we weren't going for a huge, multi-graphics array we'd opt for the OCZ RevoDrive x2, but that's a PCIe-based card and the four GTX 580s take up all the available space. But seeing as the Gigabyte X58A-UD9 comes with a pair of SATA 6Gbps ports we'd go for a couple of Intel's 510 series 240GB drives. That will give you a shade under 500GB of storage, more than enough for a fairly average games library. If you absolutely have to keep your entire media collection to hand too then you'll want a Western Digital 2TB Caviar Black. Best power source The only way to get all this working at all though is to spend some cash on a quality power supply. There are a number of top PSUs to choose from but for our money we'd generally always recommend either Corsair or Coolermaster. For anything up to a three-way SLI or CrossFireX setup we'd go for either the Corsair AX1200 for seriously high-end cards or the Coolermaster Silent Pro Gold 800W. Those are great power supplies in their own right, but unfortunately not fit for our, rather extreme, purposes. And that's because they both lack the necessary eight PCIe connectors. One that will do the goods is the slightly more grown up big brother of the Coolermaster 800W and that's the Coolermaster Silent Pro Gold 1200W. As well as having access to more juice than its little brother it's also got the requisite four 8-pin and four 6-pin PCIe connectors we need to get this rig off the ground. Cos once we power up this uber-rig it's going to fly. Go on, try it yourself.

In Depth: 8 best iPad 2 apps Posted: 20 Apr 2011 04:59 AM PDT If you've been fortunate enough to get your hands on a new iPad 2, you'll know that it's a very powerful piece of kit. Yes, so it's very slim and all, but what actually matters is that Apple A5 dual-core processor, improved graphics and new gyroscope – meaning that developers have been rushing to update their apps . So here are a few of the best new ones – along with older apps that run better on the new iPad. 1. PhotoBooth - Free (included with iPad 2) A staple of the iPad 2's starter apps, PhotoBooth takes advantage of the iPad's dual cameras to bring you stupid pictures of yourself. Yes, it is a novelty app, but it's one that might make you smile. Or, more probably, make young'uns chuckle at the sight of themselves with silly effects applied. You can share photos or save them to the Camera Roll. Even though it's a funny little app, there's still some hefty graphics processing involved, not to mention the requirement for the iPad 2 cameras. 2. iMovie - £2.99 Since you can shoot 720p video on the iPad 2 too, it makes shooting and publishing quick-fire family movies a real doddle. It might cost, but it's a steal – iMovie has been completely reinvented for iPad 2 and it really is a top app. It does need the intensive dual-core A5 processing of the iPad 2 –it's far more powerful than the iPhone 4 version, for example. 3. RealRacing 2 HD - £5.99 The follow up to Real Racing and RealRacing 2, RealRacing 2 HD is seriously good – and seriously absorbing. Control with the iPad 2's gyro is excellent and we really like the responsiveness when you get used to it. And then there's the enhanced graphics – and this is where the iPad 2 really plays its part. The app can be used with the iPad 2 HDMI connector to support 1080p HD out with an HD TV. What's more, while you can see the racing on your TV, the iPad 2 will also show you real-time telemetry and your position on the track. Simply ace. 4. GarageBand - £2.99 Like iMovie, this is another cracking app direct from Apple. The best thing about using it on iPad 2 is the performance, while the look of the instruments is fantastic. However, it does work great on the original iPad. Many seasoned GarageBand users actually prefer using it on iPad than the original Mac version. The Smart Instruments are pretty cool, while you can also export music to iTunes. 5. Jenga HD - £0.59 Jenga HD is available at this price – 80 per cent off – for a "limited period" so you have our apologies if the app's pricing has risen by the time you read this article. Jenga on the iPad is seriously absorbing and comes complete without the real-life Jenga problem of spilt drinks. Jenga HD has gyroscope control for greater accuracy on the iPad 2. 6. Pages - £5.99 Why Pages? Simply because it works like a dream on iPad 2. It's already a great app for the original iPad, but the A5's power means it works like a dream and the graphics are superb. 7. Pocketbooth HD - £1.19 As the original iPad doesn't have a camera, Pocketbooth HD is a version of the iPhone app for the new iPad. It enables you to take a strip of photos with different effects and then email them off, publish them on Facebook or Twitter or just save them to your camera roll. If you have AirPrint enabled, you can print them off, too. 8. Angry Birds Rio HD - £1.79 How many Angry Birds apps do you need? Well, several, judging by its popularity. Here's the latest installment which some have labelled as the best yet. And the graphics look outstanding on iPad 2. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Related Stories Review: Archos 28 Internet Tablet Review: Archos 28 Internet Tablet Review: Archos 28 Internet Tablet Review: Archos 28 Internet Tablet

Exclusive: Sky: Expect exciting apps from us this year Posted: 20 Apr 2011 04:42 AM PDT Sky's tech guru Brian Lenz has told TechRadar that it is going to be a busy year for the company in terms of apps, with lots of innovation heading to the 'companion device'. Lenz is the director of product development at Sky, and has overseen projects like the launch of the Sky 3D channel. But it is the companion device that is currently causing waves at Sky, with a host of well received apps like Sky + and Sky Sports News joined recently by the impressive Sky News iPad service. Busy 2011 Lenz told TechRadar that the latest arrival is by no means the end for Sky in this area, with a busy 2011 planned. "We hope that we are doing a stream of things in the app market that will resonate, and we believe that we have a great roadmap," Lenz told TechRadar. "We have been learning things everyday from what we have done with the Sky + App and Sky News Insider and that's showing us how to take that into other areas. There is no end of things that we will do in this space. "It's going to be a busy year where you will see a lot of things from Sky." Lenz and Sky believe that the companion device, be it a smartphone or tablet, remains a sensible way to bring interactivity to consumers without distracting them from their primary reason to have a TV - namely to watch television. "In the app space you can experiment and we can see if the things that work for us there can be put onto the television in an unobtrusive way that will really enhance the experience," added Lenz.

Sony kills PSPgo 'to concentrate on NGP' Posted: 20 Apr 2011 04:27 AM PDT Sony Computer Entertainment has announced that it will no longer be producing the PSPgo. The company is ditching the diminutive handheld in favour of the upcoming Next Generation Portable (NGP) which should be out later this year. Sony told Japanese site AV Watch that with the PSPgo out of the way, it is free "to focus on" NGP development. PSPgone Rumours that the PSPgo was to be canned first surfaced yesterday, with a blog post scribed by a Sony employee pointing out that the PSPgo is no longer available to buy in Japan. A Sony spokesperson told TechRadar, "Before the end of the year we are launching NGP which we believe will revolutionise portable gaming. "In the meantime, the current generation of PSPs continue to be in demand... and we will continue to meet that demand." Existing stock of the PSPgo will continue to be sold until it's all gone. Meanwhile, the company is upbeat about the PSP-3000, claiming that it is selling well and is not set to be ditched like its racy little sister.

Fuji unveils 30x zoom FinePix HS20 Posted: 20 Apr 2011 04:26 AM PDT Fuji has unveiled the new top model in its range of bridge cameras with the FinePix HS20, the company has announced. The new flagship Fuji bridge camera carries a 16-megapixel EXR CMOS sensor and 30x optical zoom lens covering a focal range of 24-720mm (35mm equivalent). To accommodate the long zoom, Fuji has equipped the FinePix HS20 with an Advanced Anti-Blur technology where four images are taken in quick succession and combined to produce a shake-free image, Fuji claims. Fuji says the FinePix HS20 also reduces camera shake through Pixel Fusion to increase sensitivity and boost shutter speeds. Other key features of the Fuji HS20 include raw capture, Full HD video recording, a 3in tilting rear LCD screen with 460,000 pixels and full resolution high-speed shooting at 8fps. The Fuji HS20 bridge camera also boasts Fuji's new triple core EXR processing engine, which Fuji claims speeds up processing times and gives the FinePix HS20 a maximum dynamic range of 1600% in its Dynamic Range mode. The Fuji FinePix HS20 price tag sits at £399 and is available now. Stay tuned, as TechRadar will soon be testing this latest Fuji bridge camera. Related Stories Best DSLR: top cameras by price and brand Review: Nikon D5100

Review: Palicomp Phoenix Hydro-X Posted: 20 Apr 2011 04:00 AM PDT The Sandy Bridge release hoo-hah is a few months old, and only now that the dust has settled are we beginning to see what system builders can put together around Intel's new CPU architecture for this hardcore gamers' price point. Enter the Phoenix Hydro-X PC from Palicomp. Actually, stop. Must systems be christened with this kind of fantastical nomenclature? Aren't games for all the elfeared escapism? Surely it'd be more alluring to the browsing enthusiast to peruse the systems on offer using simple letters and numbers, like German cars, rather than being forced to order the Goblin Slayer King Elemental XXX in an embarrassed whisper? Okay, rant over, resume. The Phoenix Hydro X, like Scan's excellent 3XS Vengeance, packs Intel's top 2600K chip – although unlike the 3XS, there's no out of the box overclocking. Another crucial difference comes in the GPU spec; rather than the single GTX 580 sported in Scan's system, Palicomp has paired some tasty MSI Twin Frozr HD 6950s in a CrossFireX array. Despite the extra silicon inside the formidable Coolermaster HAF X case, it's £250 cheaper than the Scan 3XS, too. So what gives? Where's the compromise in components that lands the Phoenix Hydro X at this price point? Take off your cynical hats, folks, this is a balanced, well thought out build that doesn't skimp on any particular area (such as with cheaper, rubbish RAM) and thus delivers uncompromising performance. The real sugar of the deal comes down to the CPU and GPU pairing really. That i7-2600K offers much more value and, in some cases, raw performance than its i7-9xx series brethren. Similarly, AMD's long-standing emphasis on the ultra performance GPU at the two-ton mark makes these two HD 6950s an extremely powerful pairing for comparable money to a single top-end Nvidia card. We were hugely impressed by the Scan rig's marriage of 2600K chip and GTX 580, but in the Phoenix Hydro X we're witnessing a genuine match made in heaven – pretty much the exact sweet spot in price and performance on the market right now. If you were to buy all the components that make the Phoenix Hydro X individually, you'd save yourself around a hundred bob. That includes the Corsair H70 self-contained (read: no nightmare) CPU water cooler unit, 64GB SSD and 1.5TB HDD storage and more fans than Justin Bieber. But to our eyes, that hundred nicker mark up is well worth it. In return you receive a very smart combination of parts, expertly built (the inside of the case is immaculately arranged and cable tied) and all under warranty for a year. Now take into account the actual performance you get out of the box and it's got better DirectX 11 power in tessellation and gaming stakes than the £1,740 3XS Vengeance, and CPU benchmark scores that, with a little overclocking encouragement, could easily match the Scan rig. It's a great time to buy full systems, and right now this is definitely the full system to buy.

Sony Ericsson sees further profit slump Posted: 20 Apr 2011 03:58 AM PDT Sony Ericsson is battling against sliding profits and handset sales, and new figures show the company is still seeing a downturn in key areas. After profits, revenue and handset sales all fell in Q1 2011, the only positive was the slight rise in handset cost, which came in at an average of €141. The main concern for Sony Ericsson is the number of handsets sold - in Q1 2010 it shifted 10.5 million, but in the same period this year that number was down to only 8.1 million, which the company puts down to a reduction in the number of feature phones sold. According to the Guardian, this means that the company is now shifting fewer units than HTC by volume, plopping it down to ninth in the world behind the likes of RIM, Nokia and Apple. Profit is still profit But onto the good news for the company - the gross margin for Q1 2011 was up to 33 per cent thanks to the higher selling prices of the phones and other miscellaneous items. And despite the falls, Sony Ericsson's restructuring plan (which saw it shed a number of employees) is now no longer costing any money, and the company still posted a profit of €11 million (£9.6 million) after tax - although this was on sales of nearly £1 billion. Bert Nordberg, President & CEO of Sony Ericsson said: "Sony Ericsson's profitability continues as we accelerate our shift towards an Android-based smartphone portfolio, with smartphones comprising over 60 per cent of our total sales during the quarter. "Towards the end of the quarter we introduced the highly anticipated Xperia Arc and Xperia Play, which have been well received by both operators and consumers around the world. However, the Japan earthquake made it a challenging quarter operationally and we are experiencing some disruptions to our supply chain. We will continue to evaluate the situation." If you love a good table of numbers relating to a Japanese-Swedish alliance (and, let's be honest, who doesn't?) then head on over to Sony Ericsson's website and check them out in all their off-green glory. Related Stories Vodafone halts Samsung Galaxy S Android 2.3 update iPhone 5 to ship in September, says Reuters Hands on: HTC Wildfire S review iPhones found to track users' every move Samsung Galaxy S2 gets early UK release date

Updated: Digital Economy Act challenge fails in High Court Posted: 20 Apr 2011 03:32 AM PDT The High Court has today ruled in favour of the government on the challenge by BT and TalkTalk against the controversial Digital Economy Act. Both ISPs claimed that the legislation was rushed through parliament too quickly by the last government, stating that the act is seriously flawed and 'incompatible' with European law. BT and TalkTalk's lawyers also stated that the Act, which would implement a 'three-strikes' system against file sharers, would "impact on the privacy and free expression rights" of UK internet users. Internet rights However, the opposition, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, argued that the Act contains safeguards to protect the rights of consumers and ISPs alike. The ISPs' case proved unsuccessful, with the High Court ruling in favour of the UK government on all four counts and stating that the legislation is in line with EU laws. Update: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has released the following statement: "The High Court today ruled in favour of the Government in a judicial review of measures to tackle online copyright infringement in the Digital Economy Act. "Mr Justice Kenneth Parker upheld the principle of taking measures to tackle the unlawful downloading of music, films, books and other copyright material. BT and TalkTalk had brought the judicial review, claiming that the measures in the Act were not compliant with EU law and were not proportionate. The judge rejected the challenge. "The judicial review also considered the statutory instrument that splits the cost of the Act's mass notification system between rights holders and internet service providers. "The judge ruled ISPs could be made to pay a share of the cost of operating the system and the appeals process but not Ofcom's costs from setting up, monitoring and enforcing it. The Government will now consider changes to the statutory instrument." The ISPs can claim one small victory on cost grounds, but we have a feeling this won't really prove much consolation. Gutted When asked for a reaction to the ruling, BT sent TechRadar the following statement: "We are disappointed with the outcome of the Judicial Review. We are reviewing this long and complex judgement. Protecting our customers is our number one priority and we will consider our options once we have fully understood the implications for our customers and businesses. "This was always about seeking clarity on certain points of law and we have to consider whether this judgement achieves these aims." The legislation will likely take months, if not years, to come into practice so this may not be the last we hear from ISPs on the subject, with BT and TalkTalk no doubt looking for any available loopholes to exploit. Related Stories Can social networking beat world hunger? Sky joins in fight against BT LLU pricing Sky joins in fight against BT LLU pricing Yahoo: Bing collaboration needs more work Virgin Media to trial world's fastest broadband in London

Review: Hanns.G HS233 Posted: 20 Apr 2011 03:30 AM PDT Two dimensions might have been fine for the last few thousand years of great philosophy works, Shakespeare folios and Kubrick masterpieces, but it's just so… you know… flat. We're living in a post-Avatar world, and thus everything in life should be popping out at you all the time. Imagine if you were reading these words on one of those new 120Hz 3D monitors. Mindblowing, right? Well, the jury's out on the actual merit of the 3D PC experience, but if you see this extra dimension in entertainment as the way of the future, you'll need to invest in a monitor that can handle the refresh rates required for such eye-popping visual trickery. We've already seen some quality panels burst onto the market (it looked like they were coming right at us), with the BenQ XL2410 and the Asus VG236 offering particularly good value and 3D prowess at £300 and £400 respectively. Hanns-G, not to be outdone, has produced a similar 23-incher for just £280. An intriguing prospect, no? The Asus' price does include the Nvidia 3D Vision kit required for 3D gaming visuals, though, so the £280 you'll shell out for the HS233 must be complemented with a further £120 flying out of your wallet for the 3D specs. With its skinny price tag in mind, it's actually quite a similar screen to those already on the market. From the 3ms response time and 1,920 x 1,080 native resolution to the 1,000:1 contrast ratio, the HS233 is able to match its competitors pace for pace in terms of its build and picture quality. However, the BenQ can be swivelled around to a portrait format and offers especially good colour definition, while the Asus takes the pain and hassle out of buying the 3D Vision kit by bunging it in one package with the screen. Hanns-G's 3D offering has no unique selling point like those two; it's simply a 3D-capable panel for a slightly cheaper price than the competition. The question is, does choosing the cheaper option mean any significant sacrifice? Tentative display Disregarding the 3D stuff for a second, as a gaming/media monitor it performs admirably. Picture and colour quality is crisp if not Earth-shattering – no washed-out visuals here. It sits a little flimsy on the desk and isn't exactly yogic in its flexibility, but only owners of extremely cluttered desks will find the HS233 incapable of manoeuvring into a usable position. So, you have a decent 23-inch screen sitting on your desk. It cost you £280. You're really counting on the 3D performance to make it worth your while. It should be noted that considerable faffing around and driver updating/deleting can be required to get the 3D Vision kit working. It's not Hanns-G's fault, but it does outline the major problem in 3D gaming: the fuss. The HS233 produces 3D images of the same calibre as the more costly Asus and BenQ panels and adds another level of immersion with a game or movie, just as the others do, but it's up to the user to decide if that's worth coping with the torturously painful glasses. We liked The Hanns.G HS233 is a very capable 3D monitor at a very reasonable price-point. And thanks to that 120MHz refresh rate it's also one hell of a good all-round monitor, too. It's also backlit, giving vivid colour representation and crystal clear images. We disliked That reasonable price-point, though, unlike the competing Asus screen, doesn't include the Nvidia 3D Vision kit. That itself costs another £100, so if you're after the full 3D package you've got to pay.

Vodafone halts Samsung Galaxy S Android 2.3 update Posted: 20 Apr 2011 03:15 AM PDT Vodafone has been forced to suspend the Samsung Galaxy S Android 2.3 update at the behest of Google. The big red network was the first to offer the new version of the Google OS for Samsung's popular smartphone, but has now rolled it back and posted the following explanation on its forum: "Due to an issue with the Gingerbread update for the Samsung Galaxy S, its roll out has been temporarily suspended by Google. "Unfortunately, this means the Vodafone variant is not currently available to download through KIES." Ain't us, guv'nor "As there are no known performance issues with the Vodafone variant of the device, we are working with Samsung to reinstate the roll out as soon as possible. "We know this is frustrating for those Vodafone customers who have not yet been able to update their device and are working hard to address the matter with Samsung." The rumour mill is abuzz with speculation over why this update would have been suspended, but it's believed that in certain regions the camera application has proved to be unstable, so Google is likely holding back on allowing the update out into the big wide world until it's satisfied all is well. We've contacted Vodafone and Google to see what the Dickens is going on, and will report back should we find anything more. Related Stories Sony Ericsson sees further profit slump iPhone 5 to ship in September, says Reuters Hands on: HTC Wildfire S review iPhones found to track users' every move Samsung Galaxy S2 gets early UK release date

Updated: iPhone 5 rumours: what you need to know Posted: 20 Apr 2011 03:15 AM PDT iPhone 5 (or the iPhone 5G, as some are calling it) rumours are flying thick and fast already. Will the 5th generation iPhone deliver ultra-fast mobile internet? What other specs will it feature? Let's raid the iPhone 5 rumour fridge to find the tomatoes of truth amid the stinky stilton of baseless speculation. iPhone 5 release date The Apple Worldwide Developers' Conference 2011 date has been announced as 6 June 2011, so it's possible we'll see the iPhone 5 break cover there. However, Jim Dalrymple at The Loop says that this year's WWDC will be about software, not hardware, with Apple focussing on iOS and Mac OS. This fits with Apple's established rhythm of iPhone releases, with new models appearing in late June or early July each year. So it's a safe bet that the iPhone 5 release date (UK and US) will also be late June or early July. The usual July release date was mentioned by Engadget's source too in January 2011 - meaning the standard release cycle looks set to continue. A new report from China later stated that Q3 (which still includes July) is now the earliest we will see the iPhone 5, after the disaster in Japan pushed back supply of key components. On 20 April 2011, it emerged that the iPhone 5 release date may now be September 2011 rather than June/July. This date was cited by three sources who spoke to Reuters. Our colleagues on T3.com have rounded up the latest rumours in the iPhone 5 video below. iPhone 5 form factor The Wall Street Journal reported that: "Apple is also developing a new iPhone model, said people briefed on the phone. One person familiar said the fifth-generation iPhone would be a different form factor than those that are currently available… it was unclear how soon that version would be available to Verizon or other carriers." This has since been backed up by reports from Engadget we reported on 17 January 2011, which state the design will be a 'total rethink'. Of course, since the iPhone 3G was followed by the 3GS it's possible the new iPhone won't be a total refresh and we'll see an iPhone 4S (or iPhone 4GS) before an iPhone 5. However, reports from China have backed up the larger-screened, metal chassis-sporting iPhone 5 rumours, so the redesign still seems firmly on the cards. On 22 March 2011, China Times also reported that the iPhone 5 will feature a 4-inch display. A rumour we covered on 7 March 2011 suggests that the new iPhone will do away with the glass back and opt instead for a metal back which will act as a new iPhone antenna. And an Apple patent that we reported on on 7 April 2011 suggests that we could see the bezel put to good use on the new iPhone. The patent describes how visual indicators and touch-sensitive buttons could be incorporated to the space around the iPhone screen. A cheaper, smaller iPhone 5 - an iPhone nano A prototype version of a smaller iPhone is said to exist, built to ward off competition from cheap Android handsets. Rumours around an iPhone nano picked up again on 13 February when the Wall Street Journal claimed that the so-called 'iPhone nano' exists and may even be on sale later this year. Those iPhone nano rumours may hold little truth, though. As we reported on 18 February, the New York Times cites an anonymous source who says there will be no smaller iPhone from Apple. "The size of the device would not vary," says the source. A white iPhone 5 The Economic Daily News is reporting that white iPhone 5 glass is being shipped, with a supplier called Wintek being the sole touch panel vendor for the white iPhone. iPhone 5 specs According to the Chinese Economic Daily News (via AppleInsider), with the exception of Qualcomm chipsets - which would replace the current Infineon chipsets in the iPhone 4 - Apple's sticking with the same suppliers for the 2011 iPhone 5G components. We'd expect the basics of the iPhone 5 specs to get a bump - more memory, faster processor, and more storage. The specs? A new antenna, 1.2GHz processor (possibly dual-core) and a larger screen: 3.7" instead of 3.5". The iPhone 5 may also be made from a new kind of alloy, or maybe meat. In other rumours which surfaced on 15 February 2011, Digitimes is reporting on information supposedly leaked from component suppliers that claim the iPhone 5 will feature a larger, 4-inch screen. Digitimes quotes the source as saying that Apple is expanding the screen size "to support the tablet PC market as the vendor only has a 9.7-inch iPad in the market." We're also hearing word of a multi-core design, in keeping with the rest of the mobile world, as Apple looks to improve both battery life and performance. The iPhone 5 will also get a massive graphical boost as it moves to a dual-core GPU - this could herald true 1080p output from the new device, according to our news story on 18 January. UPDATE: On 10 March 2011 it emerged that the A5 chip, found in the new iPad 2, looks to be headed to the iPhone 5, bringing enhanced functionality and dual-core power. iPhone 5 digital wallet There's been some speculation that Apple might include Near Field Communication (NFC) technology in the iPhone 5G, turning it into a kind of credit/debit card. However, as Techeye.net notes, "Apple has looked into NFC before" so this might not be imminent. However, with the tech being inside the Google Nexus S, the time for NFC may finally be here. UPDATE: On 24 February 2011, we reported that an Apple patent has revealed an e-wallet icon on the iPhone homescreen. This adds credence to the rumour that iPhone 5 will feature NFC. However, on 14 March 2011, reports in The Independent cited sources from 'several of the largest mobile operators in the UK', who said that Apple told them not to expect NFC in the iPhone 5. So perhaps we'll have to wait for iPhone 6 for that. But who to believe? On 22 March 2011 China Times reported that the new iPhone will include an NFC chip. LTE support At least one analyst thinks the iPhone 5 will support LTE, super-fast mobile broadband, in the US. That would make the iPhone 5G a 4G phone, which won't be confusing at all. LTE is certainly coming - AT&T plans to roll out its LTE service in 2011 - but an LTE iPhone has been rumoured for a while. USA Today floated the idea of an LTE iPhone on Verizon last year. iPhone 5 camera Speaking at a live Wall Street Journal event, Sony's Sir Howard Stringer was talking about the company's camera image sensor facility in Sendai, a town that was recently ravaged by the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami. According to 9to5Mac, he said something along the lines of, "Our best sensor technology is built in one of the [tsunami] affected factories. Those go to Apple for their iPhones… or iPads. Isn't that something? They buy our best sensors from us." iPhone 5 price If the iPhone 5 is an evolutionary step like the move from the iPhone 3G to the iPhone 3GS then we'd expect the price to stay more or less the same, although in the UK higher VAT rates may well mean a higher price tag. iPhone 5 pictures A spurious photo of an iPhone 5 front case has been unearthed by a Chinese reseller, suggesting that the next Apple handset will feature an edge-to-edge display. We're not convinced it's a genuine Apple part, though. On 17 March 2011, we reported on another supposed set of leaked iPhone 5 cases, this time looking remarkably similarly to iPhone 4 cases. What do you want to see in the next iPhone? Hit the comments and share your thoughts.

Yahoo: Bing collaboration needs more work Posted: 20 Apr 2011 03:08 AM PDT Yahoo's latest financial results have shown a continued fall in profits and brought the revelation that a search partnership with Microsoft is not yet paying off. Yahoo is desperately trying to reinvent itself as it falls away from relevance, and profits of $223 million (£137m) in the first quarter were actually $310 million down year on year. Chief Executive Carole Bartz helped bring about a deal with Microsoft and Bing to raise advertising revenues for the company, but more work is needed on the back end technology and any roll-out is on hold. Profit drop The drop in profits was, however, less than expected and Bartz believes that the company's decline is being arrested. "Our turnaround is proceeding on schedule, and we are very confident Yahoo is heading in the right direction," she told reporters. Although its UK market share is still paltry, Bing has performed admirably in the US – where Google has never been as dominant as in the British market. A partnership between Bing and Yahoo provides a significant competitor to Google in the States, providing they can get the technology right within the collaboration. Via BBC Related Stories Can social networking beat world hunger? Sky joins in fight against BT LLU pricing Sky joins in fight against BT LLU pricing Updated: Digital Economy Act challenge fails in High Court Virgin Media to trial world's fastest broadband in London

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