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- Updated: Wii U: all the latest details
- Wii U trailer featured PS3 and Xbox 360 game footage
- CRISP scientists nail self-repairing chip
- Rumour: Samsung in talks to buy Nokia?
- Acer Aspire TimelineX Series gets a reboot
- Microsoft may be working on own Windows 8 tablet
- Buying Guide: Best PAYG phone - budget mobiles compared
- Vodafone cans tubby Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1V
- Buying Guide: Best Canon IXUS 2011: current models by price and specs
- E3 2011: Nintendo at E3: Top five moments
- E3 2011: Nintendo Wii U: proprietary discs store 25GB of data
- Gartner predicts further PC slow-down
- Wimbledon in 3D: Sky, Virgin and Freeview respond
- Spurious LG teaser turns out not to be Google Nexus 3
- Developers claiming iOS 5 jailbreak already
- Facebook face detection tech goes worldwide
- Review: BenVista PhotoZoom Pro 4
- RIM shaken by iMessage as stocks tumble
- Review: Adobe Creative Suite 5.5
- World IPV6 day, 24 hour 'test flight' begins
- Buying Guide: Best Canon PowerShot 2011: current models by price and specs
- Review: BeLight Concealer
- Sony SLT-A35 entry level DSLR announced
- Buying Guide: What's the best Core i3 laptop?
- Sony NEX-C3: new interchangeable lens camera launched
| Updated: Wii U: all the latest details Posted: 09 Jun 2011 01:34 AM PDT As original Nintendo Wiis gathered dust in households across the UK, Nintendo confirmed it would unveil a second-generation 'Wii 2' at this year's E3. And now the Wii U is out in the open and we've rounded up all the new details on the new console right here. The Wii 2 is called Wii U Nintendo is calling the successor to the popular Wii console the Nintendo Wii U. It has sold 86 million Wii consoles so far. Here is a video of T3's first impressions: Remember when you first heard the name Nintendo Wii? Many people laughed and said it would never catch on. It did. Nintendo is hoping that Wii U will capture people's imaginations in the same way. "You might remember how the Wii name began to make perfect sense once you started hearing it as Wii. It was clear how much fun we all had playing together," said Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime on the E3 stage earlier today. "But in thinking about a new Nintendo system we knew the prevailing thought would be this: yes, the game would probably be right for all of us, but could it also be a perfect fit just for you. "The answer to that question is an emphatic 'absolutely'. Today, welcome to the world of Wii U." Wii U is the Wii logo we all know well, with a small blue U just to the right of it. It looks (and sounds) a bit weird, but we may well get used to it in time. So here's the new console - read on for more details on it and the revolutionary new controller.
Wii U UK release date The Nintendo Wii U UK release date is pencilled in for April 2012. Wii U UK price Pricing is yet to be announced. But the fear is that, with the new controller, it may be a little too high. Wii U is a Full HD, 1080p console The new console will be fully HD compatible, unlike its predecessor. EA boss John Riccitiello says that Wii U is a "stunning breakthrough" that "speaks directly to EA Sports games" and boasts "brilliant HD graphics." "Imagine a shooter like Battlefield with jaw-dropping graphics and smooth animations from the Frostbite engine, brought to you on a Nintendo system with that brilliant controller… We can't wait to see EA games on this new system." Wii U has a touchscreen controller The controller for the Wii U is, as was rumoured a 6.2-inch touchscreen tablet that also features an accelerometer and gyroscope for motion control, dual analogue sticks, rumble feedback, a D-pad, a front-facing camera, triggers and shoulder buttons, start/select/home buttons and a microphone. Each Wii U console will come with a new controller and can also use up to four additional Wii Remote or Wii Remote Plus controllers. The system is also backward compatible, and can play all Wii games and use all Wii accessories. Can Nintendo disrupt the market - just as they did with the original Wii controller - yet again?
Wii U processor According to IBM, Nintendo's Wii U is powered by a custom 45nm multi-core Power processor with embedded DRAM. Says the company: "IBM's embedded dynamic random access memory will help deliver a thrilling new game experience to Nintendo fans. The new memory technology, a key element of the new Power microprocessor that IBM is building for the Nintendo Wii U console, can triple the amount of memory contained on a single chip, making for extreme game play." Wii U graphics Wii U's graphics carry on the ATI heritage of the Wii, with a custom AMD Radeon HD GPU reports Kotaku. Wii U specifications and connectivity It appears the original Wii's Gamecube controller compatibility will be binned. while there will be four USB ports under that hatch/at the rear and there will still be an SD card slot. There will also be some internal storage, though you'll be able to boost that by plugging in an external drive. And, as befits an HD console, there will be HDMI onboard, in addition to S-Video and component. Also expect 802.11n Wi-Fi. Wii U disc format We know Wii U will be backward compatible with all past Wii games, but we don't know if there will be any upscaling - or indeed whether the unit will boast a Blu-ray or DVD drive. However, a company exec has revealed that the system's proprietary disc format will hold up to 25GB of data, but it will not be compatible with Blu-ray. You can play games solely on the Wii U touchscreen controller Nintendo president Satoru Iwata agrees that the first Wii U demo video "may have answered some questions, but it probably raised several others, too". But the key concept is clear - Nintendo hopes that you will be able to transfer the game you are playing on a TV screen in your home to the local screen, should you wish to play alone in your bedroom or study - perhaps if someone else needs the TV. "Up until now, home console games had to occupy the TV screen in order to be played. But, the new controller for Wii U with 6.2-inch screen means you won't need to give up your gameplay when someone else comes in the room and wants to watch a TV program."
Demos show that you can move your game from the TV to the screen in your hand almost immediately. Games can also make use of both screens - there's an ace video of this in action where a girl is using the controller as the tee in a golf game while using a standard Wiimote to actually swing - it's at 3m30s. Here's a pic of the controller in use for baseball:
So in single-player games the new controller can display information on its screen that does not appear on the TV, while the information and viewpoint can also change in the new controller based on the orientation of its gyroscope. In multiplayer games the player using the new controller can have a different experience than those looking at the TV. Wii U does video calling and more It also looks like you will be able to make video-calls on the Wii U control pad, using its front-facing camera. Plus, you will be able to share your content such as your holiday pictures and home videos from your local controller to the main television with ease. Wii U is fully backwards compatible with kit and games Wii U is fully backwards compatible, which means that you can play all of your current Wii games on the system and use your Wii Fit or any other accessories you currently use with it. But Wii U's controller is not a standalone handheld console The controller needs to be tethered to the Wii U console to function - it isn't a PlayStation Vita competitor.
Wii U games will be plentiful "Wii U was created so that the widest variety of games can be supported," says Nintendo. "That means those aimed at experienced controllers that can use circle controllers using both their hands, plus those games that can be intuitively played without the need for any buttons." Games design guru Shigeru Miyamoto says of Nintendo's new home console: "More than anything I'm really looking forward to new styles of play... There are so many we're just trying to decide where to begin." Ninty announced new content based on its own franchises such as Mario (see below) and Zelda, but more interestingly,says our own Adam Hartley, "is that EA, Ubisoft, Sega and lots of other third party games developers were showing off new adult-themed, hardcore games that they are making for Nintendo's Wii U."
"Graphically, many of the games look on par with new AAA-titles on PS3 or Xbox 360. "Hardcore favourites such as Tekken, Assassin's Creed, Batman Arkham City and Ghost Recon Online were also demonstrated. Clearly, Nintendo aims to push Wii U to the hardcore crowd as well as to the casual market it has so successfully won over with Wii. "EA boss John Riccitiello took to the Nintendo stage to tell the crowd that: 'Over the years I've made E3 appearances with several console partners, but never before with Nintendo.'" Want to look back? Here are all the rumours we rounded up before the big announcement. Considering PlayStation 4 rumours have little substance and Xbox 720 rumours are wispy at best, any revamped, upgraded, HD-friendly follow-up to the Wii would undoubtedly turn heads. And Wii sales finally show signs of decline, Nintendo needs a new console to maintain its momentum. Our colleagues at T3.com have rounded up the latest rumours in the Wii 2 video below: Enter 'Project Cafe': more than just a Wii HD If the Wii 2 rumours are to be believed, then Nintendo's Project Café is more than just a high-def Wii. Game Informer started the rumour mill turning, citing the existence of an HD ready Wii from mysterious 'multiple sources'. French website 01net.com then chipped in with the Project Café codename and suggested core specs that could eclipse those of the Xbox 360 and PS3. Wii 2 specs could include a touchscreen display… The 01net.com website has form - it previously leaked the specs of Sony's NGP handheld before the official reveal. So it's tempting to believe that the Wii 2 could indeed be powered by a three-core IBM Power PC chip, feature an ATI R700 GPU for 1080p/3D visuals and use a unique gamepad with a 6.2-inch touchscreen, dual analogue sticks and a built-in camera. This machine would also be backwards-compatible with the current Wii and its motion-sensing peripherals, enabling it to go head-to-head with Kinect and PlayStation Move. Such a specification would make the Wii 2 faster than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. But you'll note that it's hardly cutting-edge tech we're talking about here. In contrast, the components are proven, reliable and reasonably cheap. If this is the specification Nintendo opts for, it won't take two years to turn a profit on each Wii 2 sold. One thing that is highly unlikely is 3D support, with Nintendo making it clear that it would resist the urge until glasses free technology was at a high enough standard for the television. Goodbye Wii, hello 'Stream'? There's a good chance that Nintendo's new console won't be called the Wii 2, Wii HD, Super Wii, 'Wii Wii' or any other variation of Wii. IGN has heard the name 'Stream', but it could be one of many names up for consideration. Moving on from the Wii brand would make sense if Nintendo is building a powerful machine to win back hard-core Western gamers. Rather than recycle Wii Sports Resort and Just Dance in 1080p Full HD, Nintendo has its eye on greater 3rd-party software support. EDGE claims that "Ubisoft, Activision and Electronic Arts have had development units of the new hardware for months." Of course, having AAA titles like Mortal Kombat and LA Noire alongside a next-gen Mario Kart or Zelda on the Wii 2 isn't going to win Nintendo many converts. It will also need to revolutionise its online offering for the Wii 2 to be taken seriously as a credible gaming machine. Wii 2 release date With the Wii 2 set to be revealed at this year's E3, then it's possible that Nintendo could start rolling it out before Christmas. But given the complexity of a global console launch, early 2012 looks a more sensible bet. That would give Nintendo two years to rack up sales if Sony and Microsoft don't launch new consoles until 2014. "Nintendo is doing this one right," an anonymous source told Game Informer. "[It's] not a gimmick like the Wii." The statement is a little harsh on the Wii, which opened up video gaming to a whole new demographic. Nintendo won't want to throw that all away. 
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| Wii U trailer featured PS3 and Xbox 360 game footage Posted: 08 Jun 2011 12:29 PM PDT Nintendo has confirmed suspicions that the impressive game footage from the new Wii U highlight reel was actually taken from PS3 and Xbox 360 games. The company premiered the console during its E3 keynote and spliced-in footage from popular sports and shooter games into an impressive-looking video trailer. But Nintendo US boss Reggie Fils-Amie says that because the console launch is a year away, and there was no third-party software in existence, the company opted to show comparable HD footage from rivals. The system is 1080p Asked if the games were going to look that good when the Wii U comes out in 2012, Fils Amie told GameTrailers: "Absolutely. The system is going to be 1080p. We can tick that box, that's done. "In terms of how good it looks, it's going to be driven by what the developers are going to do." You can watch the full video interview at GameTrailers.It's definitely worth a watch. Meanwhile, the Wii U hasn't impressed investors with the company's share price falling to its lowest point in five years on Wednesday. Ouch. 
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| CRISP scientists nail self-repairing chip Posted: 08 Jun 2011 10:10 AM PDT Scientists have developed a chip architecture that can detect and repair its own errors. The appropriately named project, Cutting-edge Reconfigurable ICS for Stream Processing (CRISP), concedes that trying to create an infallible chip is a fool's errand, but the new self-healing chip could be the next best thing. The chip works because its cores are dynamically reconfigurable – they can change what tasks they're carrying out as they go – and can put its redundant capacity to good use testing itself for any errors. Helpfulness and reliability "A key innovation is the Dependability Manager, a test generation unit which accesses the built-in, self-test scan chain to effectively perform production testing at run time," explained Gerard Rauwerda who coordinated the CRISP project. "This determines which cores are working correctly." Once it knows which parts need attention, the device diverts ongoing work to the fully functional parts of the chip while it repairs the error-ridden areas to restore the entire chip to full working order. 
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| Rumour: Samsung in talks to buy Nokia? Posted: 08 Jun 2011 09:45 AM PDT Samsung is rumoured to be looking into a bid for Nokia's handset arm, according to online sources. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that 'market speculation' is linking the Korean firm with the ailing phone manufacturer, just a week after Microsoft was rumoured to be doing the same thing. However, both Nokia and Samsung have kept quiet on the subject, according to the WSJ, with Samsung stating: "It seems like a market rumor and we don't comment on rumors." Why? There seems to be little point in Samsung taking over Nokia's phone business, particularly given that it already has its own Windows Phone 7 handset in the UK, the Samsung Omnia 7, with more planned for the future. Nokia's stock plummeting in value and its ever-decreasing market share appear to be fuelling speculation that it is in line for a takeover. Selling to a rival would be a massive fall for a brand that was at the top of the mobile phone game just seven years ago. BGR is also reporting that the Microsoft deal for Nokia fell through because the Finns asked for too much money (£17 billion rather than the £12 billion reportedly tabled), although we'd advise you take such a specific claim with a pinch of salt. 
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| Acer Aspire TimelineX Series gets a reboot Posted: 08 Jun 2011 08:54 AM PDT The busy bees at Acer have announced yet another batch of laptops to add to its burgeoning line-up – the all-new Aspire TimelineX Series. Equipped with second-gen Intel Core I chips, the updated Aspire TimelineX Series offers a massive boost in battery life (Acer is quoting 10 hours), up to 750 GB of hard disk space and an ultra-thin design. Underneath the chassis is a dedicated Nvidia GeForce graphics card, while connectivity comes in the form of HDMI, Bluetooth and optional USB 3.0 ports Screen wipe Acer is offering up a number of screen sizes, with the smallest model, the 3830T, housing a 13.3-inch screen. The 4830T has a 14-inch screen and the 5830T has a 15.6-inch screen. If you don't want a hard drive, then Acer can swap this out for SSD and sound comes courtesy of Dolby Home Theater v4. Also on board is a 1.3 MB high-definition webcam, which allows you to shoot and record 720p footage for playback. We're not sure what kind of footage you would want to record in front of a webcam, but the option is there. The Aspire TimelineX series UK release date is 1 August, with pricing and final specs to the announced. 
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| Microsoft may be working on own Windows 8 tablet Posted: 08 Jun 2011 08:53 AM PDT New rumours suggest that Microsoft is working on an own-brand tablet to launch running Windows 8. The speculation comes from Taipei, with sources claiming that the tablet will make use of a Texas Instruments chip and will launch by the end of 2012. Digitimes, which first published the rumour, claims its sources say that Microsoft is also looking to launch a tablet brand, as it did in gaming with the Xbox. Ill-advised? Microsoft officially revealed Windows 8 just last week, showing off a very Windows Phone-esque UI, although the software is intended for desktops as well as mobile computing. The OS itself is scheduled for a 2012 release date, so it's not outside of the realms of possibility that we'll see a Microsoft tablet hit the shelves in the same year. But with the company hoping to avoid a car crash like its ill-fated Kin line and keep other manufacturers sweet, would a Microsoft-made tablet really work? We think not. There's no reason for Microsoft to jeopardise all its existing OEM relationships that bring in buckets of cash to make a relatively tiny income (even at best) from an own-brand tablet. If Microsoft does release a branded tablet next year, we'll eat our collective hat. 
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| Buying Guide: Best PAYG phone - budget mobiles compared Posted: 08 Jun 2011 08:14 AM PDT With the mobile marketplace teeming with a multitude of smartphones, one might wonder whether cheap pay and go phones still have a place in the mobile infrastructure. With massive innovation in both hardware and operating systems, phones now do a lot more than just let you talk and text. With the introduction of devices like the Apple iPhone, HTC Desire and the Nexus range we are opened to a world of apps and uses. Sadly all this innovation isn't cheap – and most of it is reserved for high-end contract handsets. So, is there such a thing as the 'best pay as you go phone on a budget'? Below you will find what we think are the best cheap mobile phones available right now and all for under £200. Sony Ericsson Spiro
Price: £29.95 The Sony Ericsson Spiro is a stripped down Walkman branded handset, packing a 2-megapixel camera, Edge connectivity and a 2.2-inch, 240x320 (QVGA) screen. It's a well-made, sturdy handset – and it weighs a mere 90g, meaning it is super portable. The keypad is well laid out, and the keys are slightly raised to aid typing The OS is a simple Symbian variant, which is clean and fast – if not incredibly feature packed. You do however get a great MP3 player and radio included. At the end of the day – there is not much to shout about, however the simple handset will suit those on a lower budget, just fine. Orange San Francisco
Price: £99.97 The Orange San Francisco is a feature rich Android handset the goes against the grain of other handsets at this price. The San Francisco has some amazing assets. It packs a 3.5 inch 480 x 800 pixel touch screen, WiFi, GPS and 3G connectivity. The chassis feels very solid, its slate grey main colour is appealing, and the sliver highlights on the long edges look reasonably cool too. In our opinion, this is one of the best handsets about in this price range. Samsung Monte
Price: £69.99 If social is your thing, the Samsung Monte could be the perfect phone for you. The Monte is pre-loaded with widgets for several social networks, YouTube and BBC iPlayer access, and shortcuts to phone functions and apps. You won't find a physical keyboard on this handset, however the touchscreen interface is responsive, even offering haptic feedback. For mobile internet lovers, there's speedy 3G mobile broadband for browsing when out and about, and Wi-Fi connectivity means you can get even faster connections from hotspots. Nokia X2
Price: £59.95 The Nokia X2 is a simple phone that harks back to the traditional form of Nokia 5 years ago. It is a simple candy bar form handset, featuring amazing battery life, a 5 mega-pixel camera and more. Calls are clear, the loudspeaker is loud and texting is really easy. You won't find many connectivity options on the X2. There is no sign of Wi-Fi or GPS – in fact you won't even find a 3g network on this Nokia, however if simplicity is key for you then the Nokia X2 could be just what you are after. Nokia X3 Touch and Type
Price: £109.95 Nokia X3 Touch and Type review The Nokia X3 Touch and Type is a Symbian, touch screen handset featuring a great keyboard, super battery life and a solid build quality. The handset uses the Symbian S40 operating system, which is no where near as feature rich as some of the other Android sporting offerings available, but it does cram a good number of attributes into a diminutive form. You'll find an FM Radio, HSDPA and Wi-Fi connectivity for super fast browsing, expandable storage as well as a decent number of third party apps from the Ovi Store. If you are a textaholic, then the Touch and Type could be the handset you are after. HTC Wildfire
Price: £139.95 A smartphone for those on a tight budget, the HTC Wildfire doesn't skimp on the specs; the touchscreen handset runs Android 2.1 with the user-friendly HTC Sense UI and is rocking the same processing power as 2009's phone of choice, the HTC Hero. The HTC Wildfire offers a 3.2-inch QVGA capacitive screen, Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity, a 5-megapixel camera and allows access to the full Android experience the 2.1 Android OS. The screen isn't the best we've seen, but the features make this handset one to watch. Samsung Galaxy Europa
Price: £99.95 The Galaxy Europa i5500 is another small format Android handset, running Android 2.1 that comes in at the pocket-friendly price of £100. The i5500 features Wi-Fi, 3G and GPS and allows for media expandability through the Micro-SD card slot. The handset is well built and features a unique asymmetrical design that allows for comfortable handling, and its 102g weight is not going to tear a hole in your pocket either. Samsung gives you access to nicely integrated versions of Facebook and Twitter – meaning that your friends will always be with you. If you are looking for a compact Android device for under a £100, you can't go wrong with the Galaxy Europa. LG Optimus One
Price: £175 The LG Optimus One is a stripped down version of their higher priced siblings. The phone features Android OS, a 2.2-inch capacitive touch screen, decent battery life and a pleasing array of media apps. With upgraded storage, the Optimus One can become a great partner for both music and video, and though the screen isn't the largest – images and movies are crisp and clear and sound is passable. We put this phone in the same camp as the Orange San Francisco, but personal choice will define which is the better handset. Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini
Price: £129.95 Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini review The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini is one of the tiniest phones on the market and appeals to the fashion conscious and tech aficionado alike. Featuring Android 2.1, a credit card sized form, a decently powered 600Mhz processor as well as all the usual perks of camera, Wi-Fi and 3G. This phone zips along, and at no point does it feel underpowered. We really enjoyed how quickly apps open and screens update – for a phone of it's size, you expect to sacrifice power, but that simply is not the case. If you are after stellar looks and high power to boot, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini could be the phone for you. Blackberry Curve 8520
Price: £119.95 The Blackberry Curve 8520 is RIM's cheapest handset in their vast range. If you are a business user on a budget, the Curve is a great way to get Blackberry features without breaking the bank. Featuring a decent processor, Wi-Fi built in and a passable camera, this phone doesn't feel budget by any means. You won't find 3G/HSDPA connectivity or incredible media attributes, but if email and text is your thing, this could be exactly what the doctor ordered. 
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| Vodafone cans tubby Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1V Posted: 08 Jun 2011 08:07 AM PDT Vodafone has ditched the portly Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1V, deciding that it makes more sense to sell the slimmer version instead. Customers who registered their interest in the Vodafone-exclusive 10.1V have been receiving notifications that the network will now be offering the updated model. First announced at Mobile World Congress 2011, the Samsung Galaxy Tab was originally 10.9mm thick, with an impressive 8MP camera. Copycat But shortly after the slimmer, camera-toting iPad 2 was launched in April, Samsung whipped out a slimmer 8.6mm deep Galaxy Tab 10.1 with a disappointing 3MP camera. Vodafone had maintained that it would keep its exclusivity on the 10.1V while Samsung would also release the new 10.1 tablet in the UK. Now it looks as though there'll be but one 10.1-inch Samsung Honeycomb tablet option, although a UK release date is yet to be revealed and rumours of the Android 3.1 update causing problems may mean a bit of a wait. 
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| Buying Guide: Best Canon IXUS 2011: current models by price and specs Posted: 08 Jun 2011 07:25 AM PDT Design has always been the order of the day with Canon's line of IXUS cameras, and the most recent arrivals are some of the smallest and lightest we've seen yet, all the while maintaining classic IXUS looks. A number of models have begun sporting wide LCD screens for a better video-recording experience, and, as with Canon's range of PowerShot cameras, the line has recently welcomed a handful of members equipped with Canon's High Sensitivity system. This, Canon claims, combines a backlit sensor with a modest pixel count together with advanced processing to help produce clearer images with less noise. The current range of Canon IXUS cameras isn't as exhaustive as competing lines from other manufacturers, so choosing the right IXUS shouldn't be too tricky. Neverthless, some are clearly better than others for different tasks, depending on ther design and the exact functionality they offer. Read on to find the best canon IXUS camera for your needs. Canon IXUS 1000 HS
The current flagship Canon IXUS camera packs in a lot for its sub-£300 price tag, including a 10x optical zoom - though sadly without a wideangle - and a 10MP backlit sensor. The IXUS camera also allows for burst shooting at a rate of 8.8fps at 2.5MP, and Super Slow Motion capture at 240fps, while on the rear of the metal-bodied compact there's a 3in display. There's even a Wink Self-timer which cleverly captures an image two seconds after a subject's wink is detected. Read our Canon IXUS 1000 HS review Canon IXUS 310 HS
The keenly priced IXUS 310 HS builds on the formula of the previous 300 HS, with an upgraded 12.1MP High Sensitivity sensor and a 24mm wideangle zoom lens, the latter of which boasts a wide maximum aperture of f/2.0 and Optical Image Stabilisation. Going on to offer full HD capture with stereo sound recording, along with a 3.2in LCD screen on the rear, it's perhaps the best Canon IXUS camera for recording and viewing movies high definition. Read our Canon IXUS 310 HS review Canon IXUS 300 HS
Now replaced by the IXUS 310 HS (above), the IXUS 300 HS is still a tempting proposition thanks to its sturdy shell, 3in LCD screen and HD movie recording, as well as its High Sensitivity technology for capturing images with low noise and a wide dynamic range. Those wishing to get creative can also take advantage of the camera's aperture- and shutter-priority options, as well as the optic's f/2.0 maximum aperture for minimal depth of field effects. Read our Canon IXUS 300 HS review Canon IXUS 210
While it may lack the High Sensitivity technology of many of its stablemates, the IXUS 210 can still be safely considered as a solidly-specified camera with its 14.1MP sensor, 24mm wideangle zoom lens and 3.5in LCD screen on the back equipped with touchscreen functionality. Rounding it all off is HD movie recording to 720p, and up-to-date extras such as 35-person Face Detection, Smart Auto shooting, an HDMI port and Smart Flash Exposure technology. Read our Canon IXUS 210 review Canon IXUS 220 HS
With the same High Sensitivity 12.1MP sensor, 24mm wideangle and full HD recording as the pricier IXUS 310 HS, the IXUS 220 HS comes in at a much cheaper price point thanks to a slightly smaller 2.7in LCD screen and stripped-down functionality. You still get a lot for your money, though, with High-speed Burst and Super Slow Motion movie modes, as well as optical zooming while recording movies and stereo sound capture for greater audio clarity. Read our Canon IXUS 220 HS review Canon IXUS 130
Available in silver, black, orange and pink, the IXUS 130 measures just 17.8mm thick but it still manages to squeeze in a 4x zoom lens with a 28mm wideangle, as well as Optical Image Stabilisation and a HDMI port. HD movie recording is limited to 720p capture, and the screen is also a touch on the small side at 2.7 inches, but with a 14.1MP sensor it's one of the best IXUS cameras if you don't require the High Sensitivity technology but just want something to slip into your pocket for more casual shooting. Read our Canon IXUS 130 review Canon IXUS 115 HS
Currently the most junior IXUS camera to feature Canon's High Sensitivity technology, the 115 HS goes on to provide the user with a raft of functionality, such as full HD movie recording, a 3in LCD screen with a tempered glass outer layer, and a 28mm wideangle lens. You also get a separate type of image stabilisation for images and movies, and a Movie Digest mode which stitches together a day's worth of short video clips into a one single movie. Read our Canon IXUS 115 HS review Canon IXUS 105
The baby of the group, the IXUS 105 is a straightforward and inexpensive camera which combines a 12.1MP sensor with a 28mm wideangle lens, together with a 2.7in LCD screen on the rear. Motion Detection and Optical Image Stabilisation technologies feature among its specifications, while 35-person Face Detection means that the camera should be able to handle even larger groups of people with ease. Sadly the one area in which this IXUS camera differs from many more recent Canon IXUS cameras is its movie quality, which is limited to VGA resolution. Read our Canon IXUS 105 HS review ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
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| E3 2011: Nintendo at E3: Top five moments Posted: 08 Jun 2011 07:06 AM PDT Nintendo's announcement of its new console the Nintendo Wii U was the biggest news at this year's E3, with the games company surprising us all with its tablet-like control system and high-end graphics. While it's way to early to tell if the Wii U will have the same impact as the Wii, you can't help admire Nintendo for once again bringing something different to the gaming world. Our colleagues at T3.com grabbed some Wii U video footage at E3 which you can watch below: But the Wii U wasn't the only announcement that had Nintendo fanboys jumping in glee. With that in mind, here's TechRadar's top five definitive moments from Nintendo at E3 2011. 1.Wii U Fairly obvious one, this! Nintendo hopes to take the idea of "second screen" gaming to the next level, offering gamers a system via which they can play great games on their high-def TVs in the lounge or bedroom, or choose to play the same games on the 6.2-inch touchscreen controller held in their hands.
The touchscreen control capabilities of the system also look interesting, as highlighted in Nintendo's initial tech demos shown at its E3 2011 conference. Players can perform actions such as flipping things from the touchscreen in their hands straight onto the TV screen in front of them, as if the item was really flying through the air. The Wii U remote also lets you share your photos and other media content with your television in new and fun ways. "It's different from anything you've played before. It's infinitely complex and yet perfectly simple at the same time," said Nintendo of America boss, Reggie Fils-Aime. "It can change the way you game personally, and it can change the way you interact with family and friends." 2. New Zelda out this year It is the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda series this year, which is, of course, great news for anybody who loves perfectly designed adventure games for kids of all ages.
And while much of the focus from Nintendo this year is understandably on the new Wii U, the platform holder is not forgetting to deliver the goods to 3DS and Wii owners to keep them happy until the new home console arrives later in 2012. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS finally releases on 17 June and The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for the Wii will arrive later "this holiday season" – with the smart money claiming that it will be released at some point in October, prior to the crazy rush of Xmas cash-ins around November time. 3. Hardcore games for the 3DS Too many gamers are nowadays dismissing Nintendo as a company that has given up on making 'proper' games and focusing too heavily on making casual, kiddy games for the lucrative family market instead.
Nintendo knows this all too well, and, as such announced Kid Icarus, Mario Kart, Super Mario as well as Starfox 64 3D – all set to be released later this year. With new titles Paper Mario and Luigi's Mansion on the way early next year. Additionally, third party publishers have a pretty strong line-up of solid AAA-hardcore titles for 3DS on the way, including (in no particular order) Ace Combat, FIFA 12, Heroes of Ruin, Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games and a new Metal Solid and Resident Evil games on the way, with the likes of Ubisoft, EA and other major publishers filtering out even more new titles throughout the week at E3 2011. 4. Third-party support for Wii U John Riccitiello, head honcho at uber-publisher EA took to the Nintendo stage at this week's E3 2011 press conference to head praise on the gaming potential of the new Wii U. It was the first time that EA has so publicly thrown its considerable weight behind Nintendo and, make no bones about it, it is indicative that Wii U is being seen as a serious prospective money-spinner for publishers.
Others speaking or sending their Wii U love via video-messages at Nintendo's E3 press conference included Yves Guillemot, Ubisoft CEO and Ken "the BioShock man" Levine, from Irrational Games. Plus, there was lots of clear support for adult-themed hardcore shooting games on Wii U from the likes of Sega and THQ on show – all of which help to endorse the potential of Nintendo's new toy among the core. And with a "third-party developer round-table" scheduled for later tonight in Los Angeles, expect further news on other partners and the latest plans for 3DS and Wii U from a wide range of developers very soon. 5. New Super Mario Bros. Mii Not an 'official' announcement, as such, New Super Mario Bros. Mii is one of several tech demos that Nintendo has been showing off to the press behind closed doors (ie it is not publicly available to play on the E3 showfloor). New Super Mario Bros. Mii shows off the potential for the Wii U's touchscreen controller better than almost anything else. The tech demo basically looks identical to New Super Mario Bros. Wii from back in 2009, with the same image you are seeing on the screen also appearing on the touchscreen in front of you.
Which means you can choose to play it on your TV or use the Wii U's familiar-feeling four-button scheme and dual joysticks to play it on your lap (or in bed, or slouched on the couch, or wherever you like really!). You can also use the new left and right triggers or the Wii U's touchscreen to control the game in new ways. 
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| E3 2011: Nintendo Wii U: proprietary discs store 25GB of data Posted: 08 Jun 2011 06:25 AM PDT Information on the new Nintendo Wii U's delivery format is still somewhat sparse on the ground, although a company exec has revealed that the system's proprietary disc format will hold up to 25GB of data, but it will NOT be compatible with Blu-ray. A Nintendo game designer has said that the Wii U's discs will read discs as large as 25 gigabytes of data. You can check out T3's early look at the Wii U here: Wii U versus Blu-ray Katsuya Eguchi informed Kotaku that the new console's proprietary disc format would hold enough information to fill a Blu-ray disc. However, this does not mean that the Wii U will be compatible with Blu-ray. Nintendo's Wii U specs describe the system as "a single self-loading media bay [with] 12-centimeter proprietary high-density optical discs for the new console, as well as 12-centimeter Wii optical discs". The firm was far keener to focus consumer and industry attention on the Wii U's 6.2-inch touchscreen controller at its E3 2011 conference this week, which it claims will be able to switch games and data between the TV with no latency issues or problems. "It's a system we will all enjoy together but also one that's tailor-made for you," said Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo America. "Is it unique, unifying, maybe even utopian? The answer is also yes to all of this. "It's different from anything you've played before. It's infinitely complex and yet perfectly simple at the same time. It can change the way you game personally, and it can change the way you interact with family and friends." All inspiring stuff, for sure. But whether or not Wii U can win back the faith of the hardcore gaming market is perhaps the key question on third-party developer and publishers' lips right now. 
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| Gartner predicts further PC slow-down Posted: 08 Jun 2011 05:43 AM PDT Analyst house Gartner has issued a new prediction for worldwide PC growth in 2011, saying that consumers will cause growth to slow to 9.3 per cent. Its previous prediction for this year was 10.5 per cent, but the downwards revision has come as consumers continue to tighten their financial belts. It doesn't help that consumers are losing interest in teeny little netbooks and seem to be putting off purchases in order to see how the whole tablet thing pans out. Notebook apathy Ranjit Atwal, research director at Gartner, explains, "Consumer mobile PCs are no longer driving growth, because of sharply declining consumer interest in mini-notebooks. "Media tablets, such as the iPad, have also impacted mobile growth, but more because they have caused consumers to delay new mobile PC purchases rather than directly replacing aging mobile PCs with media tablets." Gartner still maintains that tablets won't have much impact on the PC market, with Atwal adding, "We believe direct substitution of media tablets for mobile PCs will be minimal." Looking up It's not all bad news for PCs though, says Gartner. Business refresh cycles will keep the market ticking over, and the changing focus of the PC will also revive the consumer sector. Mr Atwal concludes, "Moving forward, PCs will no longer be a market by themselves, but part of a larger device market that ranges from smart televisions to the most-basic-feature phones. "Within this market, consumers and professionals will increasingly use the combination of devices that best suits their particular needs." 
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| Wimbledon in 3D: Sky, Virgin and Freeview respond Posted: 08 Jun 2011 04:25 AM PDT The BBC's decision to broadcast Wimbledon in 3D on its HD channel has been met with praise in the television world, with Sky, Virgin and Freeview quick to comment on its significance. Perhaps the most interesting comment comes from Sky, who was the first to promote 3D broadcasting in the UK and must be a little frustrated that it has missed out on showing Wimbledon on its 3D channel. In a statement, the satcaster explained: "For everyone with an interest in the development of 3D in this country, this is encouraging news, with the promotional might of the BBC helping to create further interest in, and awareness of, 3D TV." It didn't miss the opportunity to promote its own 3D endeavours, though. "From the outset of 3D TV, Sky has embraced the opportunities it presents – indeed within just a year of the channel being available to customers, we've broadcast over 100 live sports events in 3D, major Hollywood movies including Avatar and a raft of specially commissioned UK 3D productions, including Sir David Attenborough's BAFTA award-winning Flying Monsters." But it manages to reign its own 3D love, by the end of its blog post: "This move to broadcast Wimbledon in 3D is a significant step in the right direction, and gives confidence that the UK will continue to break new ground in this hugely exciting area." Exciting technical innovation Virgin Media was also quick to jump on the 3D bandwagon and kind of claimed the BBC's broadcast as its own. "We're delighted to be offering our customers their second Grand Slam tennis tournament in 3D following on from the success of our exclusive coverage of the Roland Garros French Open – the first 3D tennis in the UK," said Virgin Media's statement. "Virgin Media TV customers will be able to watch the Wimbledon men's and women's finals in 3D for no extra cost on channel 187." What Virgin Media failed to explain is that as the BBC is a free-to-air channel, you can also get BBC HD at no extra cost on Sky, Freesat and Freeview HD.
Which brings us to Freeview, which contacted TechRadar with the following statement from Isle Howling, MD of the service: "Through exciting technical innovation, 3D on Freeview is no longer a twinkle in the eye of the broadcast industry but is now becoming a reality. "We're delighted that anyone that has access to a 3D TV set and to Freeview HD can get closer to the action on Centre Court as they experience the Men's and Ladies' finals of the 2011 Wimbledon Championships in 3D for the first time." "We hope this 3DTV editorial experiment by the BBC is a sign of new things to come for Freeview viewers." The BBC's 3D Wimbledon broadcast will begin 2 July, with the women's singles final. Don't forget to check out TechRadar's opinion on what will be another landmark in the broadcasting world and also our in-depth behind-the-scenes 3D Wimbledon feature. 
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| Spurious LG teaser turns out not to be Google Nexus 3 Posted: 08 Jun 2011 04:08 AM PDT Yesterday, an image of a mysterious new phone was posted to an LG forum, and subsequently made its way to tech and mobile blogs the web over. What could it be, the internet speculated. The Google Nexus 3? Or perhaps an Optimus Slider? Here at TechRadar, we briefly considered posting the rumour, but something seemed a bit off; the low-res image and the poor gradienting in the top right hand corner – it just didn't seem legit. And it wasn't; although, it kind of was. Turns out the image has been cropped from a teaser that LG did send out in September last year, for an event at which the company revealed the LG Optimus One and Chic. Reasons remain unclear Some enterprising shyster had simply done a cut and paste job on the poster, ditching the invite section and trying (yet failing) to shorten the gap between the mysterious phone and the header text.
What a disappointment for all the foaming-at-the-mouth fanboys who were so ready to believe that this would be the Nexus 3. Don't they realise that Google will be the first to announce the next Nexus, not its manufacturing partner? Phone rumours 101, you guys. 
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| Developers claiming iOS 5 jailbreak already Posted: 08 Jun 2011 03:50 AM PDT Apple's new iOS 5 software has only been available for less than 48 hours, but already it appears to have been jailbroken. MuscleNerd, of the iPhone Dev Team fame, has posted pictures of an iPod touch running the new iOS 5 platform, complete with Newsstand and Reminders, but also offering the Cydia store, for access to apps designed for jailbroken phones. The exploit is reportedly completed using the limra1n exploit created by noted hacker GeoHot (who you might remember from the recent Sony PS3 court case) and while it's great to see such speed in getting the iOS software jailbroken, what we're seeing is very early stages at the moment. Work to be done For instance, the exploit still has to be tethered, which means users will need to be connected to a PC every time they reboot, and there's no word on when or if the jailbreak will work on an iPad or iPhone as yet. However, with months to go before the iOS 5 release date, the Dev Team has plenty of time to perfect the hack (which isn't illegal any more in the US) so if you're after a more open iPhone before Christmas, this could be good news for you. 
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| Facebook face detection tech goes worldwide Posted: 08 Jun 2011 03:36 AM PDT Facebook has confirmed that its face detecting 'tag suggestions' system has now rolled out to the whole world, having been in use in the USA since December 2010. The new tech sees Facebook keeping track of what faces are tagged with which names so it can begin suggesting who's in your photos as you upload them. The idea is to save the time and effort that all that pesky manual tagging requires, but some paranoid androids are upset that Facebook rolled the new feature out with no warning. Face time Face detecting does mean that Facebook is storing extra data on you, but it's not hugely different to it knowing what your face looks like when you're manually tagged in a photo anyway, as far as we see it. Still, if you're concerned that Facebook can recognise your face, you can opt out of being automatically tagged in any photographs your friends upload. So today's screaming headlines aren't wrong; Facebook does knows what you look like. Just like it always has. 
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| Review: BenVista PhotoZoom Pro 4 Posted: 08 Jun 2011 03:30 AM PDT Apps such as iPhoto make improving your photos a breeze, enabling you to change the colour balance, lighting levels or even crop your shots for a better composition – but what if you want to turn a favourite 8x10 shot of your cat into A1 poster size? Under normal circumstances you'd expect to get a shot full of picture noise, JPEG compression artefacts and other nasties. But it doesn't have to be that way. PhotoZoom Pro 4 uses a image-resizing algorithm called S-Spline that enables you to resize shots by up to a million pixels, without any real loss in picture quality. It works a bit like the bicubic resizer in Photoshop Elements, only it's much, much better. Resizing your pics in PhotoZoom Pro 4 couldn't be simpler. You open an image, choose how much you want to resize it by and then choose screen or print resolution. The app uses S-Spline Max by default, but there are other presets to choose from. You can even tweak the results using options available within each preset, so you can make images look softer or sharper, for example. There's also a batch-processing mode so you can resize folders of images and the app works with iPhoto libraries too. Of all the presets available, S-Spline Max works the best, producing good-looking resized images. Excessive resizing can, however, make some images look artificial, which proves that while PhotoZoom Pro 4 may be good, even it can't perform miracles. 
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| RIM shaken by iMessage as stocks tumble Posted: 08 Jun 2011 03:07 AM PDT BlackBerry maker RIM's stocks fell to a four-year low yesterday after the announcement of Apple's iMessage. It seems that investors have got the jitters as Apple nabs yet another key BlackBerry USP; iMessage is an instant messaging service for Apple devices on iOS 5, just as BlackBerry Messenger is for BlackBerry users. On Tuesday, RIM's stock fell to below $37 for the first time since 2007, a tumble of around 3 per cent. Grim RIM What's more, over the course of this year RIM's stock has fallen over 35 per cent. Until Monday, BlackBerry Messenger was the only IM service of its kind and had proven very popular with the teenage market. Rumours that BlackBerry would release and iOS and Android Messenger app have so far come to nought, but RIM could yet claw back kudos by opening BBM up so that Apple, Android and BlackBerry users could all IM each other… that's a utopian dream we can't see coming to pass though, if we're honest. 
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| Review: Adobe Creative Suite 5.5 Posted: 08 Jun 2011 03:00 AM PDT Adobe CS5.5 sees a mid-point release for Creative Suite for the first time. And although we're traditionally used to seeing 'point' releases such as this as free updates to current users, this is a paid-for upgrade. So for your £571 (if you're upgrading the entire Master Collection – it's £1,811 for a fresh CS Premium package) what do you get and is it good value? It depends on what you use it for. There is certainly a good amount of new features across the suite, but not all apps have new functionality. In fact, many are almost untouched, sporting only a few minor tweaks. So if you're expecting some new Photoshop bells and whistles, think again. Well, kind of. If you have an iPad and a copy of Photoshop, you can now use the three new Adobe iPad apps, Nav, Lava and Eazel, to control and send images to Photoshop Extended over a Wi-Fi connection. These three apps signify the release of the Photoshop Touch SDK, meaning anyone can create iPad apps that interact with Photoshop. Illustrator, the vector drawing app, also remains largely untouched, with a few new features such as brushes with corner controls and improvements across stroke and arrowhead functionality. Acrobat X Pro gets a guided Actions Wizard for automating multi-step PDF tasks (joining multiple PDFs, for instance). Where things do get interesting, though, are in the new 5.5 releases of Flash, Dreamweaver, After Effects, Premiere and InDesign. The latter, Adobe's page layout tool, now gains more eBook and digital publishing tools. The ability to add a cover to EPUB formats directly from export and refined controls make it a much smoother process to create EPUB docs that display correctly across all platforms. Adobe's digital publishing tools have also been included – but you will need to pay a fee to actually publish iPad magazines and apps. The web and mobile tools are where this release comes into its own. Dreamweaver CS5.5 now enables you to author native mobile apps (and test them live on android platforms) and updates to Live View mode – along with enhancements to the Multiscreen Preview panel – make it quicker to preview your designs (the latter enabling you to see side-by-side renderings of a single design across multiple platforms). Flash CS5.5 is similarly impressive. Content scaling enables you to scale content on the Flash stage to adapt your design to different screen sizes (particularly important for developing android apps or games). New code snippets for creating mobile and AIR apps make use of accelerometer, multi-touch gestures and more. Adobe is really pushing mobile here – and if this is your area, the updates to Dreamweaver and Flash are a no-brainer, especially if you own the Web Premium version of CS.
Video has also been concentrated on, with the CS5-introduced Mercury Playback Engine (for speeding up real-time rendering within After Effects and Premiere) offering support for more graphics cards. After Effects CS5.5, Adobe's compositing and VFX tool, sees a neat new Warp Stabilizer tool that really does work magic on shaky camera footage. Premiere Pro includes new trimming and editing tools along with new integration with the now Mac-compatible Adobe Audition. CS5.5 is a release you'll love if you're into mobile, video and eBook creation. If you're into design, illustration and photography, and have no interest in creating digital books and the like, you can almost certainly stay with CS5. 
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| World IPV6 day, 24 hour 'test flight' begins Posted: 08 Jun 2011 02:31 AM PDT It's World IPV6 day today, with some of the biggest internet companies in the world testing deployment to IPV6 to make sure that the eventual transition will go off without a hitch. The day has been organised by the Internet Society and is being backed by the likes of Google, Facebook and Yahoo. Those who wanted to join in with the web test had to ask for permission before 3 June, but on the Internet Society's website you can test out your readiness for IPV6. Successful transition "The goal of the Test Flight Day is to motivate organisations across the industry – internet service providers, hardware makers, operating system vendors and web companies – to prepare their services for IPv6 to ensure a successful transition as IPv4 addresses run out," explained the Internet Society about the day. Facebook said of the test: "World IPv6 Day will allow us to better understand how our infrastructure and code perform under IPv6 while minimising impact on our users. "Since January, we've conducted several studies and tests of our own and have gained even greater confidence that our site is ready for IPv6." The transition from IPV4 to IPV6 will free up more than 4 billion new web addresses. 
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| Buying Guide: Best Canon PowerShot 2011: current models by price and specs Posted: 08 Jun 2011 02:30 AM PDT The line-up of Canon PowerShot cameras stretches from sub-£100 compact cameras offering just the basics, right up to the revered G series of Canon PowerShot cameras long viewed as a capable alternative to the bulkier DSLR. New features in the range of PowerShot cameras include Canon's High Sensitivity technology, which promises more accurate colour and better results in low light, as well as Face Self-Timer option which waits for a new face to enter the scene before the camera releases the shutter. Canon is also beginning to offer full HD video recording in certain PowerShot cameras, and the new SX230 HS marks the beginning of GPS functionality in the series, too. So which PowerShot is best for you? Whether you've £100 or £400 to splash out, the following guide will help you find the best Canon PowerShot camera for your needs. Canon PowerShot Cameras: Top-end models Canon PowerShot G12 At the helm of the hierarchy of Canon PowerShot cameras is the G12, the latest in a long line of warmly recieved enthusiast compacts. The first G-series model to incorporate Canon's High Sensitivity technology, the PowerShot G12 goes on to offer 720p video recording, a 28mm wideangle zoom lens and even a built-in ND filter for long exposures. Topping it all off is a vari-angle 2.8in LCD screen on the rear with the option of an electronic level display, and full manual control over exposure is also provided. Read our Canon PowerShot G12 review Canon PowerShot S95
About as advanced as it gets for such a small camera, the PowerShot S95 packs in a number of high-end features into its tiny chassis. Not only do you get a 10MP backlit sensor as part of Canon's High Sensitivity system, but also a 28mm wideangle lens with a maximum aperture of f/2.0, and raw shooting alongisde the more standard JPEG option. Other niceties include a 3in LCD screen, 720p HD video recording and Hybrid IS system to keep images sharp and focused. Read our Canon PowerShot S95 review Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
With its 24-840mm beast of an optic, few photographic situations are likely to lie outside of the Canon PowerShot SX30 IS's capbilities. A 4.5-stop Optical Image Stabliser helps to maintain sharpness on all focal lengths, while the camera's 14.1MP sensor captures 720p video in addition to stills, with the added bonus of stereo sound recording. Less-experienced users who are nevertheless keen on having the Canon PowerShot camera's wide focal range at their disposal will also be pleased to know that Smart Auto technology is on board to instantly recognise and appropriately capture a variety of different scenes. Read our Canon PowerShot SX30 IS review Canon PowerShot Cameras: Mid-range models Canon PowerShot SX230 HS
Essentially the same as its SX220 HS launch partner (below), but with the added extra of GPS functionality. Arguably this makes it the best of the Canon PowerShot cameras for when travelling, although you do pay an extra £50 for the privilage. The model is also a touch heavier because of this, but otherwise it offers the same combination of a 14x optical zoom, 3in widescreen LCD and full HD video recording from its 12.1MP sensor as the SX220 HS. Read our Canon PowerShot SX230 HS review Canon PowerShot SX220 HS
With full HD movie capture, optical zoom control during movie recording and a generous 3in widescreen display on the rear, the SX220 HS seems to be the best of the Canon PowerShot cameras for video. Yet, with its 12.1MP High Sensitivity sensor and 14x optical zoom range, it proves that it's equally happy to shoot still images in all manner of conditions. There's even full manual exposure control and slow-motion video recording for the more adventurous photographer. Read our Canon PowerShot SX220 HS review Canon PowerShot SX210 IS
Full manual control and a broad zoom range used to be the preserve of bulkier bridge cameras, but the 14.1MP SX210 IS manages to offer both inside a pocket-friendly chassis. Thankfully, the PowerShot camera's 28-392mm focal range is accompanied by a four-stop Optical Image Stabilisation feature to help keep images sharp, while the 3in LCD screen on the back is protected against damage with a tempered glass layer. The newer SX220 HS, however, can be had for just £20 more. Read our Canon SX210 IS review Canon PowerShot SX130 IS There's plenty to like about the PowerShot SX130 IS, such as its 12x optical zoom range with image stabilisation, HD movie capabilities and the 3in LCD screen on the rear. There's also full manual control over exposure, as well as an i-Contrast option which is said to optimise dynamic range according to the scene. All of this is topped off with a 28-scene Smart Auto function for instantly optimised images, and a 12.1MP sensor to capture all images and videos. Canon PowerShot D10
Canon's sole contribution to the waterproof compact camera category, the PowerShot D10 is looking a little long in the tooth with its 3x optical zoom, 2.5in LCD and VGA movie mode, but it does at least incorporate the latest DIGIC 4 processor, and its 12.1MP sensor should suffice in most situations. In addition to its 10m waterproof capabilities it's also fully sealed against dust and protected against drops and knocks, as well as being freezeproof down to -10°C. Read our Canon PowerShot D10 review Canon PowerShot Cameras: Budget models Canon PowerShot A3300 IS
Despite its budget price tag, the PowerShot A3300 IS boasts a 16MP sensor, a 5x optical zoom which begins at 28mm, and a 3in LCD screen. It even goes as far as offering HD movie recording with its own dedicated image stabilisation function. Other features of note include Hints and Tips to aid the novice user, Creative Filters to give images instant treatments, and Live View Control which allows options such as brightness and saturation and be easily adjusted with sliders. Read our Canon PowerShot A3300 IS review Canon PowerShot A3200 IS
Just £10 more gets you the newer A3300 IS option, although should you want to plump for its older sibling you'll still get the capable combination of a 14.1MP sensor with a 5x optical zoom lens, as well as a three-stop Optical Image Stabilisation system and a 2.7in LCD screen. A 720p HD movie recording function with Dynamic IS is also provided, as are a range of image effects such as Miniature, Toy Camera and Super Vivid. Canon PowerShot A3100 IS
Available in three separate finishes, the metal-bodied PowerShot A3100 offers a respectable blend of a 12.1MP sensor, 2.7in LCD and a 4x optical zoom, in addition to both Optical Image Stablisation and Motion Detection technologies. Sadly there's no sign of HD video recording here, but it's a little slimmer than other budget PowerShots thanks to its rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The handy addition of a FaceSelf-timer feature also means that the camera will automatically capture a group shot once it senses a new face in the frame. Read our Canon PowerShot A3100 IS review Canon PowerShot A2200
The PowerShot A2200 differs from its cheaper siblings in offering a 14.1MP sensor and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, but otherwise it's very close in specifications to the A1200. Common features between the two include 720p HD movie recording, a 2.7in LCD screen and a 4x optical zoom lens with a 28mm wideangle, while all processing is handled by the latest DIGIC 4 engine. There's also a useful Discreet mode available through the mode dial which silences beeps and other operational sounds. Canon PowerShot A1200
Temptingly priced just under the £100 mark, the A1200 is one of the cheapest Canon PowerShot cameras to offer HD movie recording, while the 4x optical zoom begins from a generously wide 28mm. Powered by the latest DIGIC 4 processing engine, the model goes on to boast a Smart Auto option, as well as Face Detection for 35 individual faces and a handful of Creative Filters for instant image treatments. It's also powered by AA batteries, which is useful should you unexpectedly run out of juice. Canon PowerShot A800
The no-nonsense A800 unites a 10MP sensor with a 37-122mm zoom lens and DIGIC III processing power. On the back there's a 2.5in LCD display, while on the inside Canon has equipped the model with 19-scene Smart Auto technology to help optimise images in a range of conditions. Available in black, red, silver and blue-grey finishes, other notable additions include Face Self-Timer and Blur Reduction options, as well as creative modes such as Poster Effect and Super Vivid. Canon PowerShot A495
Canon's budget PowerShot camera is about as straightforward as compacts come these days, with a 10.0MP sensor, 2.5in LCD screen, DIGIC III processing and a 37-122mm optic at the top of its spec sheet. Available in a choice of three finishes, the camera is powered by a set of easily available AA batteries, and comes complete with Smart Auto, Smart Flash Exposure and Face Detection technologies to help simplify the picture taking process for newbie photographers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
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| Posted: 08 Jun 2011 02:30 AM PDT Going up against a well-established app like 1Password is a tricky task, but BeLight Software attempts to do just that with Concealer, a new security solution for managing and protecting sensitive information. As a password manager it can't yet match its market-leading rival, but it has a very significant additional feature. Concealer stores information such as passwords, bank or credit card details, software licence keys and website logins as cards and notes, pinned to a virtual notice board. Information is kept in a sparse bundle protected by AES-256 encryption. As its rival 1Password was first released in 2006 and is currently in its third version, it's unsurprising it has features Concealer's debut release lacks: browser plug-ins for 1Password save your account details as you surf, and let you launch a site and log in with one click. It also offers cloud synchronisation, and you can add attachments to secured items. But these attachments are the only way 1Password can manage files, and there's a 20MB limit. Concealer's File Storage cards can store any kind of data, with no restrictions on size. You can encrypt videos, music, photos, documents and even applications. They can be used just like Finder folders, but no one can get at their contents without your password. As a password manager, Concealer currently lacks the feature set of 1Password, but it's half the price and much better at dealing with data files. Over time, it could – and should – mature into something special. 
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| Sony SLT-A35 entry level DSLR announced Posted: 08 Jun 2011 01:56 AM PDT Sony has unveiled the latest camera to hit its Alpha range – the SLT-A35. After much rumour and speculation, the A35 has been released and offers 16.2MP shooting and comes with Sony's translucent mirror technology, which was first seen in the A33 and A55 ranges. The A35 comes with some great low-light technology, with the A33 housing a maximum sensitivity of ISO 12800 and there's a number of new features on board, including Tele-zoom High Speed Shooting – where you can magnify 1.4x – Picture Effect and a battery life that is 30 per cent greater than its predecessors. Firmware upgrades On the back of the camera is a Xtra Fine LCD screen with TruBlack technology, this give you 100 per cent field coverage. Also announced is a firmware upgrade for the A33 and A55. This is available from 20 June, and is said to add several creative and operational enhancements. To get this firmware upgrade, you need to point your browser to: http://support.sony-europe.com/index.aspx?site=odw_en_GB. The Sony SLT-A35 UK release date and pricing are still to be announced. 
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| Buying Guide: What's the best Core i3 laptop? Posted: 08 Jun 2011 01:28 AM PDT The traditional view of the entry-level laptop often involves cheap, low-powered machines that can barely handle simple office tasks. However, times have changed. Intel's development of its powerful yet highly affordable range of Core i3 processors has meant that budget notebooks can pack power too. So what's the best Core i3 laptop? The Intel Core i3 has two independent processing cores on each chip allowing you to smoothly multitask your software applications, and combined with HD graphics, it's now easier than ever to enjoy rich high-definition multimedia on the most affordable machines. We've brought together four sub-£499 laptops, all powered by Intel's Core i3 processor range. Anyone looking for an entry-level portable that doesn't skimp on performance need look no further. 1. Lenovo G560 - around £310
Boasting impressive usability and performance, the Lenovo G560 () is one of the best laptops we've seen at this price point, and its few small quirks (such as an average battery life) don't detract from an excellent overall user experience. Intel's first-generation Core i3-350M powers the G560, and though it isn't as potent as the latest Sandy Bridge chips, it's still more than capable of keeping up with most everyday home uses. The Intel integrated graphics mean that playing the latest games is out, but HD video looks great on the 1366 x 768 display. Read the full Lenovo G560 review 2. Packard Bell EasyNote TS13 - around £450
The EasyNote TS13-HR-035 is a great and cheap way of enjoying and editing your media on the move. Performance is strong thanks to the inclusion of Intel's Sandy Bridge Core i3 processor, and the display is satisfyingly vibrant. There's no discrete graphics card, so Intel's integrated chip is all that's on offer for gamers, but when you consider that the TS13 comes with a dedicated button for launching a social networking app, you realise that hardcore gamers aren't really its target market. For everyone else, it's got more than enough power, and a few other handy features. Read the full Packard Bell EasyNote TS13 review 3. HP Pavilion DV6-3112sa - around £450
If you're looking for a powerful home machine, the HP Pavilion DV6-3112sa (around £450) is a fantastic buy, and is one of the most capable budget machines on the market. The first-generation Intel Core i3 processor is plenty powerful, even if it isn't a Sandy Bridge chip, but it's only a small part of the DV6's secret sauce. It's combined with a whopping 6GB of RAM and a dedicated ATI Radeon HD 5470 graphics card, blowing all of the laptops reliant on Intel's integrated chips out of the water when it comes to gaming. Those combined specs really are an incredible bargain when you consider the price, and the resulting performance is hugely impressive. Read the full HP Pavilion DV6-3112sa review 4. Medion Akoya E6221 - £480
The Medion Akoya E6221 offers tremendous value for your hard-earned cash. With impressive performance that exceeds the low asking price, a strong TFT screen and long battery life, this is a fantastic bargain that will suit students and cash-strapped yet demanding users. The trick to its success is including Intel's latest Sandy Bridge technology in the form of the Core i3-2310M processor. This is coupled with a handy 4GB of RAM and Intel's much-improved integrated graphics technology. All this combines to make a machine that only those using extremely resource-intensive applications or high-end games will find limiting. Read the full Medion Akoya E6221 review Best Core i3 laptop: The verdict When it comes down to a balance of performance and price, there can be only one winner here. For such a relatively budget price, we're just astonished at the hardware HP has packed into the Pavilion DV6-3112sa. It's the only laptop here to feature a dedicated graphics card capable of running new games, and that hefty 6GB of RAM means even HD video editors may find it a capable machine. Of course, the DV6 isn't even really designed for gaming or advanced editing. It's really for home use, and with this much power, home users will never find themselves waiting for it to catch up. 
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| Sony NEX-C3: new interchangeable lens camera launched Posted: 08 Jun 2011 01:17 AM PDT Sony has refreshed its NEX camera line-up with the launch of the Sony NEX-C3 – one of the smallest interchangeable lens cameras around. The NEX-C3 has been given a new chassis shape that's six per cent trimmer than the previous model - the NEX-3. You'll be glad to read that the decent sized grip found on previous NEX's is still around, though. As anyone fighting fat will attest, a smaller body means a lighter one and this is the case with the NEX-C3, which weighs in at just 225g. The NEX-C3 has a 16.2MP CMOS sensor inside (Exmor APS HD) and can also shoot 720p video. Image quality is said to surpass that of the NEX-3 and there are more features. New features These include a Picture Effect function, 3D sweep panorama, auto HDR and a twilight mode. There's also something called Photo Creativity. This feature allows easier editing of images within the camera. Situated on the back of the NEX-C3 is a 7.5cm Xtra Fine LCD screen features TruBlack screen technology. Those who haven't got the money to upgrade to the sleeker and smaller NEX-C3 shouldn't fret too much as Sony is also offering a firmware upgrade for the NEX-5 and NEX-3. Available 20 June, this adds the new 'Picture Effect' function, as well as a Peaking function to assist with more precise manual focusing. This can be downloaded from: http://support.sonyeurope.com/index.aspx?site=odw_en_GB. The Sony NEX-C3 UK release date is still to be announced, as is pricing. 
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