Atma Xplorer » Gizmos and Gadgets

Sony PlayStation games now appearing on Android Market

sylv3rblade — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 01:14:22 +0000

With the launch of the PlayStation Phone AKA Xperia Play imminent, it should come as no surprise that Sony has started to release Playstation One games into the official Android Market.

If you want to purchase these games, you need to remember that these games are only meant for Playstation Certified devices. With no other device in the market bearing that certification, your only option is the Xperia Play. Still there’s the emulation path for those wanting to play PSX games that have yet to be released.

Current Sony Playstation game available on the Android Market are:

Syphon Filter
Destruction Derby
MediEvil
Jumping Fish
Cool Boarders 2

Games are priced at $6.38. Cheap yes but not if you already purchased them for your PS One (on a CD) or via PSN. Sony stands firm that you will need to re-purchase games for the PlayStatin Suite ;(.

via Droid Gamer

Sony PlayStation games now appearing on Android Market originally appeared on Atma Xplorer© on April 1, 2011, 1:14 am.
This post is part of the category General Gaming, Gizmos and Gadgets.

Black Wii coming to US shores?

sylv3rblade — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:39:44 +0000

Three years and a half since the launch of the Wii and it seems we’re finally getting that black Wii console to match our black wiimotes, nunchuck and classic controller controllers (pardon the pun). It’s worth noting that when the Wii (known as the Revolution back then) was shown before release to sport the colors white, black, silver, lime green, and red. Oh Nintendo, why are you making us wait for the good stuff? The Japanese already have their black consoles since last year

The US black Wii console is said to be scheduled for release on May 9 in the US and in Canada on May 23. Price is expected at $199 (around Php 9,000) and will include as copy of Wii Sports resort and the Motion Plus adaptor (yay!).

The question now is when will it reach OUR shores and for how much . I’m pretty sure it’ll be cheaper to order it online buy I’m still hoping that someone else will do the importing stuff Less taxes on my side that way. On a side note this’ll go nicely with my Classic Pro Controller via the Monster Hunter Tri bundle … when it arrives that is. For some particular reason, there’s very few stocks of the bundle and my name hasn’t popped up in the queue of waiting customers .

Black Wii coming to US shores? originally appeared on Atma Xplorer© on April 27, 2010, 9:39 pm.
This post is part of the category Gizmos and Gadgets.

Your Christmas gadget wishlist

sylv3rblade — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:03:50 +0000

I’ve got my budget set for my holiday shopping but sadly it won’t buy me every gadget that I’m longing for (just dirt poor fella here). I’m well on my way on getting my dream camera, the Nikon D90 for xmas (that’s after xmas… you’ll still be waiting for Google’s blessings – ed) but there’s still quite a few gadgets that I really want to get my hands on. What else can I do? Put up a wishlist of course

My current gadget wishlist:

D90 kit [currently at Php 57,000 in hidalgo... Henry's and Avenue have the same price ]
PS3 Slim/Xbox 360 + Philips 220E1SB HD LCD [Php 18,000 at Data Blitz + Php 8,400 at Enigma Tech]
Zune HD + Dev kit [Php 15,000.. the SDK is not yet in the market but I expect it to be dirt cheap... if not free. Shipping will suck though]
i5 and HD 5850 powered rig [ Php 80,000+++ ]

What? No DS love?

Well, given the current line up for Nintendo, I’d rather get another Wii instead in anticipation for Monster Hunter Tri which is set to release in 2010 but that’s for later in the year. What matters now is the gadgets you want for xmas Hope santa is listening (What? Santa is a fake? NOOOOO SANTA IS REALLLLL!! YOU IS LYING!!!)

LOL. OK, kidding aside, with less than 100 days left before the Yuletide season I’m pretty sure you’ve got a few items in mind… What’s your gadget wishlist?

Your Christmas gadget wishlist originally appeared on Atma Xplorer© on September 24, 2009, 4:03 pm.
This post is part of the category Gizmos and Gadgets.

Rubik’s Sphere = brainmelt

sylv3rblade — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:39:14 +0000

Think the Rubik’s cube is already melting your braincells? Then you should stay clear of it’s inventor’s latest contraption, the Rubik’s Sphere.

Where are the sides?

While the cube requires just your brain to solve (and fast fingers if you’re vying for a the title of the fastest) the sphere needs you to be more nimble. Of course, you need to think to solve it.

Not sure if the cube is already available in the Philippines since it was announced February 5th at a toy industry fair in Germany. If it is already in the market though, I doubt I’ll be ruining one of my nephews life with this contraption. Those poor braincells

Rubik’s Sphere = brainmelt originally appeared on Atma Xplorer© on February 17, 2009, 9:39 am.
This post is part of the category Gizmos and Gadgets.

Nikon D90: DSLR + HD Video Recording

sylv3rblade — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:50:48 +0000

Finally, Nikon unveils it’s latest prosumer DSLR, the much rumored D90, confirming all the buzz that it’s the first-ever DSLR with HD video recording. Now while that may not excite a lot of professional photographers, Nikon is promising much of the same low-noise performance of their higher end DSLRs, a promise that I’m willing to bet my money on (ouch, no more online gaming for me).

The D90 unit touts an all new 12.3-megapixel image sensor developed in-house (much like the D3 and D700′s) equipped with a max ISO of up to 6400. As Nikon’s new unit in the prosumer DSLR market, it’s equipped with features from the higher-end cameras as well as the easy-to-use features from the point-and-shoots ones.

Features:

Scene recognition system with a 420-pixel RGB sensor
Playback will automatically zoom on a face
Active D-lighting (auto-adjusts highlights and shadows)
Advanced scene mode can do things like detect a VR lens to apply image stabilization and use a slower shutter speed, rather than crank up the ISO
Live View has face priority (like point-and-shoots) and
Nikon’s fastest Live View autofocus yet

D90 Specification:

12.9 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million)
3.0-inch 920,000 pixel (VGA x 3 colors) TFT-LCD (same as D3 and D300)
Live View with contrast-detect AF, face detection
Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
Illuminated focus points
Movie capture at up to 1280 x 720 (720p) 24 fps with mono sound
IS0 200-3200 range (100-6400 expanded)
4.5 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
Expeed image processing engine
3D tracking AF (11 point)
Short startup time, viewfinder blackout and shutter lag
Slightly improved viewfinder (96% frame coverage)
Extensive in-camera retouching including raw development and straightening
Improved user interface
New optional compact GPS unit (fits on hot shoe)
Same battery and vertical grip as D80
Vignetting control in-camera
72 thumbnail and calendar view in playback

As for the HD video capability, well the D90 can shoot 1280 x 720 (720p) video at 24fps with a 16:9 aspect ratio with five minutes of video on a 600MB file. It’s not going to take away any of the market from dedicated HD video recorders but you can bet that this can lead to the D90 can lead to some interesting shots. Think a super close up interview with a Macro Lens or a wacky shot with fisheye lenses XD.

The D90 will sell both in body only and kit sets.

The body will go for about $999 and the kit with the new 18-105mm f3.5/5.6 VR lens will go for $1299. The lens solo will go for $485.

If you need more info or want to see the press release, here’s some further reading:

Nikon D90 Official: First DSLR Ever With HD Video Recording

Nope, I’m not starting a digital photography section although it’s become one of my fave past times/hobby (an expensive one at that) ever since I’ve got my hands on my D40 about 3 months ago. I just wanted to blog about the D90 as a record of the specs and as part of my to buy list next year. XD Wish me luck!

Nikon D90: DSLR + HD Video Recording originally appeared on Atma Xplorer© on August 27, 2008, 2:50 pm.
This post is part of the category Gizmos and Gadgets, Photography.

Buying a PS3? Wait until September

sylv3rblade — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:28:56 +0000

The all new 80 GB PS3 “Core Pack” (SRP $400) will go main stream and replace the current 40 GB model in the market by September this year. Jack Tretton announced on Sony’s press Conference at this year’s E3 adding the words “the same functionality of the 40 GB… with twice the storage” that should make people think twice about getting a PS3 unit any time soon.

Here’s a quick excerpt:

Sony Computer Entertainment America Announces New 80GB PLAYSTATION(R)3, Limited Edition PlayStation(R)2 Bundle, and PlayStation(R)Portable Entertainment Pack at E3 2008

Starting in September 2008, the newly announced PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM)) 80GB model will become the mainstay of the company’s hardware line-up. The 80GB model will retail for $399, and will offer all of the features and functionality of the 40GB model with double the storage to accommodate more movies, graphics, music, photos and other entertainment content — all for the same price. As with its predecessor, the new 80GB model will be a complete entertainment system comprising of a Blu-ray(TM) player, HDMI output, an integrated Wi-Fi connection, Cell Broadband Engine(TM) and a built-in 80GB hard-disk drive. The multi-functionality of the 80GB PS3, combined with more than 140 exclusive and third-party titles and the PLAYSTATION(R)Network, is a comprehensive entertainment value designed to appeal to a wide range of consumers from hard-core gamers to general entertainment enthusiasts.

[read full announcement via kotaku]

Since it’s exactly the same unit as the 40GB (except for the swapped drive), you still won’t have backwards compatibility to PS2 games as with the now defunct model (the very old 60 GB PS3). Holding out your purchase until September however will give you a PS3 unit with double the storage capacity. If you don’t want to risk voiding your unit’s warranty by opening the unit and swapping a bigger drive, I suggest you wait.

SCEA has also launched it’s new PLAYSTATION(R)Network Video Delivery Service. The new service offers movies and TV shows for purchase and rental for both the PS3 and PSP. As of current tally, there’s nearly 300 full length movies and more than 1,200 TV episodes. Now if the PSP would only support DiVX XD

Now, some news for PSP users, a new limited edition package is up for grabs.

Following the success of five PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable) Entertainment Packs, SCEA announced the Ratchet and Clank(R) Size Matters PSP Entertainment Pack, a new bundle showcasing PSP’s multi-functional feature set, targeted for holiday gift-giving. Launching in October 2008 for $199.99 MSRP, the bundle will include a limited-edition “Silver” PSP system with the highly acclaimed game, Ratchet and Clank(R) Size Matters; a blockbuster movie on UMD(R) (Universal Media Disc); a PLAYSTATION(R)Network voucher to download the innovative puzzle game, echochrome(TM) from PLAYSTATION(R)Store: and a 1GB Memory Stick PRO Duo(TM) for storing music, videos, photos and more

Put Dark Knight or Wanted on the UMD and you’ve got yourself a buyer here Sony.

This year’s E3 brings the biggest news in gaming. I simply wish I could be there but.. XD

If you’re still playing Crisis Core, you may want to check out my Crisis core materia fusion Guide

Buying a PS3? Wait until September originally appeared on Atma Xplorer© on July 17, 2008, 5:28 am.
This post is part of the category Gizmos and Gadgets.

What’s on your Christmas Wish list?

sylv3rblade — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:26:17 +0000

Since YugaTech, Dexter and Mcbilly have been posted their wish lists for the upcoming Christmas season so I decided to compile mine.

A year before, everything on that list would’ve been bulky pieces of equipment, but having to travel to and from work at a regular basis makes it a chore so I’ve opted for mobility or killer specs out of convenience rather than personal preference.

On my list are:

Asus EEE PC (mine will be coming this year yay!)
Dell Latitude XT Tablet PC
A Bravia HDTV bundled with a PS3 or XBOX 360
Nintendo Wii (will my dad give us his wii? =’c)
iPod Touch
A full-spec’d PC from Dell XPS line and hopefully XPS One
An Nvidia 8800GT for my aging rig
A Nikon D80
A Microsoft Sidewinder Mouse
A RAZR 2

What’s yours?

What’s on your Christmas Wish list? originally appeared on Atma Xplorer© on November 28, 2007, 4:26 am.
This post is part of the category General Computing, Gizmos and Gadgets.

Apple-Inspired Apparel

sylv3rblade — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:28:07 +0000

Haven’t got enough of Apple productsÃ¢â‚¬â€a Macbook for you laptop, an iPod for your music needs, an iPhone for your mobileÃ¢â‚¬â€why not try apparel for your children as well?

Black Arrow is providing you a means of sating that ihunger (sorry couldn’t resist).

Black Arrow’s current line of clothes for the little Mac Lovers are suitable for 6 to 12 months old and are available in steel gray or yellow. They take international orders and are ready to deliver in upto 220 countries. If you’re already interested, head to their site at Unconfessable Ideas.

Apple-Inspired Apparel originally appeared on Atma Xplorer© on November 1, 2007, 10:28 pm.
This post is part of the category Gizmos and Gadgets.

iPod line updates

sylv3rblade — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:37:50 +0000

True to its word, Apple has just announced a major revamp in it’s popular iPod media players:

The iTunes music store now allows users to buy songs wirelessly.
The Classic Ipod receives a fully metallic finish and is currently noticeably thinner than its predecessor. The new iPod is available in 80 GB and 160 GB versions.
The new Nano will integrate video and a larger, brighter screen with an interface similar to the iPhone. Apple will also bundle three games into the new Nano, including Sudoku from Electronic Arts. The new Nano will feature two memory sizes 4Gb and 8Gb. It will be sold in black, red, silver, blue and green.
The unveiling of the iPod Touch(Not to be confused with Pasen’s iTouch). Though slimmer than the iPhone, the iPod Touch features a similar multitouch interface, built-in Wi-Fi and the Safari Internet browser. Like the iPhone, the iPod Touch can play YouTube videos. One thing the iPod Touch can’t do that the iPhone can: make or receive phone calls. A video demo of waht the iPod Touch can do is posted below
Iphone prices have been slashed too. Apple said it will discontinue one of the two models sold since late June. The remaining version, with 8 gigabytes of storage, will now sell for $399, or $200 less than before.

iPod line updates originally appeared on Atma Xplorer© on September 6, 2007, 6:37 am.
This post is part of the category Gizmos and Gadgets.

Toshiba’s 32GB SDHC Memory Card

sylv3rblade — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 12:23:31 +0000

Gone are the days of skimping your digicam, trying to cram as much shots as you can on your memory card or keeping your favorite extended playlist on your mp3 phone (if you’re still doing this I suggest you go look up what an ipod is anytime soon. Like now!). Toshiba has just announced 3 new memory cards into it’s line. The world’s first 32GB SDHC card backed up by a16GB SDHC and an 8GB microSDHC card. The 16GB SDHC card will be available beginning from October 2007, and the 32GB SDHC and 8GB microSDHC cards will be launched in January 2008 worldwide.

SDHC Memory Card (High Speed Type) can reach a maximum write speed of 6MB per sec. . Both cards feature “Class 4″ SD Speed Class, guaranteeing sustained data write at 4MB/s and also integrate highly secure CPRM copyright technology.

Now if only Sony releases something close to this capacity… XD

Toshiba’s 32GB SDHC Memory Card originally appeared on Atma Xplorer© on September 5, 2007, 8:23 pm.
This post is part of the category Gizmos and Gadgets.