The Zone

Heya folks. Check out our HWM/GameAxis minion, Fat Cat Lim, holding the PS3. It's not ours, but we're getting one for "reviews". That's right, we're GETTING one.

Don't hate us because we're beautiful.

So, if you're curious to see what we think of the PS3, don't forget to check out the January issue of GameAxis next month.

PS: We might get the Wii and do a double-header hands-on! Woot!

Not just another silicone 'condom' for you iPod owners out there, the Podstar range of iPod silicone casings is well-built to the fact that they might be the best silicone casings ever! We bring you the unboxing of two of these babies; just in time for Christmas!

Yeap, these things made the seven deadly sins look like wussies 

more after the jump!

Kontron, a maker of tough computing devices that could possibly take a direct hit from a hydrogen bomb has released its latest tough portable computer - the NotePAC.  To quote from the site:

 "NotePAC™ is completely sealed from intrusion by water, salt laden air, and blowing dust and dirt. It combines a high-strength cast-magnesium case and shock mounted components to form a portable platform that can withstand a 15g ¬operating shock load–as might be experienced during rough transportation. For example, NotePAC can operate continuously in high vibration environments, such as found in rotary winged aircraft and off-road vehicles."

Now, before you people come to the conclusion that this is just another notebook that offers maximum security but has minimal performance advantages over, lets just say, a Sony VAIO ultra-ultra portable, you're wrong.

Maximum specs include a dual-core Intel processor, Wireless-G, up to 2GB of DDR2 memory, super-shock resistant hard drives up to 160B, 3D audio and even a touch screen! If only it wasnt so thick and heavy at 16 pounds. *sigh* 

While most of us prefer using the Wii as a casual plaything, our in-house sadist tough guy uses Wii Sports Boxing as a Fight Night training tool. To show how much of a sadist he is, we bring you our first-ever YouTube video!

*viewer discretion strongly advised 

Could the Nintendo DS Lite redesign be in the works? There are rumors circulating around that in 2007, Nintendo will release a new version of the DS Lite with a larger screen of 3.5 - 3.8 inches. The current size of the DS Lite screens are 3 inches.

While there's no confirmation or substantial truth behind the proposed update, keep in mind that Nintendo previous handheld console platforms have undergone numerous revisions. Case in point, the Game Boy Advance. For Nintendo to revise the DS Lite is quite probable, and larger screens are most definitely welcomed. What other upgrades would you like to see on a revised DS Lite, should if Nintendo ever plans to do so?

Yesterday was a day of reckoning for the mobile phone market when Nokia formally introduced the N95 to members of the media. Designed for multimedia and connectivity, it even packs in a GPS reciever so that you can find your way through every major city in the world. Replacing up to five devices in one single pass, it also sports a 5 Megapixel camera that is capable of capturing DVD-quality video clips, a dedicated music player, HSDPA network capabilities, Wireless-G, and one of the best looking mobile phone screens on the market, we want one! (* only if the 850mAh battery lasts more than a day on heavy usage )

We'll surely want this for Christmas, but that's passed, unfortunately >.<

In case you're wondering, that's a full-sized gauss pistol that actually works on the principles of magnetic propulsion. And that's the same laws of physics behind the ever-cool gauss rifle in the MechWarrior universe. Too bad the creator has to wait till April 2007 till the imminent release.

For more info, head over to www.gausspistol.com 

(image originally taken from Screenshots) 

You gotta love Malaysia. Where else can you find a whole street closed off for a officiating ceremony for the new 23 public "automatic-cleaning" toilets? 

With the toilets costing RM400,000 each, you wonder if they'll throw in a back massage once you're done with your "business" in there. I remember trying out one such toilet back in Sydney, Australia, but I didn't think they were that great compared to a normal toilet. Anyone tried out the ones in Jalan Bukit Bintang yet?

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While everyone had a great CES weekend, we're rooting for Macworld that's happening in (about) 8 hours from this post, and while CES is great because it gives you a taste and feel of all your new consumer stuff that's coming out within the next couple of months (or years), I'd rather go for a show that deals in unveiling products that we will see the day after they are unveiled by the maniacal leader him-who-holds-the-apple-by-its-balls! Amongst the rumors this year are the unveiling of the new Macphone (if the rumors are true, anyways) and a launch of a new Mac home theather system. Sweeeeet

One thing we spotted while browsing Engadget is their hands-on report of the Asus XG Station in the CES event in Las Vegas, which is basically an external video and audio processing "docking station". Once you connect it to your notebook via your ExpressCard slot, you no longer have to depend on the stock Intel GMA graphics chips to power your games. Apparently it managed to run 3DMark06 (default settings, we presume) quite nicely.

A few caveats: it's kinda big, and you'll need an external monitor to output the graphics. But if you're just gonna use it at home I guess that's okay; as long as it's a marked improvement over the standard Intel GMA graphics. We're still wondering what's the GPU powering the Asus XG Station... X1000 Radeon or a GeForce 7 card?

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Although we primarily eschew Macs for their mice, we can't simply resist the temptation of the new iPhone, which was unveiled last night at Macworld. stunningly thin and ultimately gorgeous, we think that it's the device that's currently the closest to perfection (until communication brain implants are developed). Although there is a slight disappointment in the choice of finish (we want apple white!), us Asians will only recieve stocks in 2008 (and hopefully the bugs will be ironed out by then)

*image from Apple Inc. 

Juicy specs include:

super-big 3.5" touchscreen @ 320 by 480 at 160 ppi

"multi-finger" input 

runs on OS X 

is also a widescreen iPod (hence, no new iPod video we guess)

comes in 4GB or 8GB flavours

connectivity options include quad-band GSM, WiFi b/g, EDGE, BT v2.0 with A2DP and uses the 'iPod connector' for charging and data connections

has a 2.0 Megapixel camera 

Its going to be offered with a 2-year plan from Cingular at USD499 for the 4GB model, and USD599 for the 8GB model. Better save those pennies now!

The Sony PSP may not be flying off shelves but they're still undeniably sexy and attractive, especially if they keep making new models like this latest Champagne Gold PSP color. Very sweet-looking PSP. For now, it's only on sale in Japan. No word when it will arrive in North America or on our shores. 

LOL who doesn't want an extra day of leave especially during the holiday season, and that might be true when the upcoming Aopen/Mitsubishi Taiwan CAR PC gets worldwide distribution.

Why blue screen of death? It runs with a "Celeron M360 on a 915 chipset, 512MB of RAM, a 40GB hard disk, GPS, GMA 900 for graphics, a DVD player, and support for DirectX 9" - on a Windows XP platform, and while connectivity information is still scarce (we have bananas working as bloggers - its in Mandarin), we still dont know wether you're able to continue your torrents while driving. Just don't expect too much from a mobile HTPC.

More information here = CAR PC 

Check out this video from YouTube - its an USB-powered, BB gatling!

Makes the regular BB gun you have at home look puny, eh? Unfortunately we weren't able to search for the dude who did this; he's new on You Tube >.<

Samsung seems raring to go after Canon and Nikon - they just launched their new range of Samsung NV digital cameras, which will be targeted towards mainstream consumers. Maybe it's me but they've a classic-retro camera look to them, especially the NV10 and its pop-up flash. They're very purty-looking though, and I wouldn't mind upgrading my old Canon IXUS 30.

Thing is, they've an interface with like a dozen tiny touch-sensitive buttons on the back, which I ain't too crazy about. Still, can't deny that they perform well and look sleek too. Anyway, here are a few more shots to whet your appetite.