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Sony's 25 megapixel Alpha A900 to arrive in August or September
We already spent some time grappling with Sony's monster full-frame Alpha A900 prototype at PMA, but the company's displaying an updated version at the Photo Imaging Expo in Japan, and reps are apparently now saying that the 24.6 megapixel DSLR will be launched during IFA in August or Photokina in September. Other than that, there's not much we didn't already know -- which means there's really not that much at all -- but there are some more shots of this nifty clear-bodied display unit at the read link for your ocular delight.
LittleBigPlanet approaching Alpha, last stop before Beta
It seems so long ago now. We can still remember the feeling of gasping for air; like a heavy weight (one made of equal parts whimsy and cardboard) was planted directly on our collective ribcage. The adorable object of our user-generated desires, LittleBigPlanet was being delayed from early '08 to the much further away and unfathomable "September" ... ... and though news that the game is being pushed "toward the Alpha stage" isn't far removed from an update confirming the game is being pushed towards being released someday, we're pleased as punch to read the update on Media Molecule's blog nonetheless. Why? Because everyone knows that the Alpha stage comes just before the Beta stage and, if you'll recall, Sony has said the demo for LittleBigPlanet will take the form of a "public beta." That means public beta playtime sometime between right now and this September (which is 164 days away, in case you weren't counting). Not much of an update, we know ...%Gallery-1943%
No Sunwell Plateau this weekend
If you were expecting to trash around in the Sunwell Plateau this weekend, think again. According to a Daelo post, Blizzard has taken the instance offline for the next couple of days.While I can understand the Blizzard dev's taking the realm offline here or there, and taking down an instance for an extended period of time during the week, it does strike me as odd that they would choose to remove access during the weekend – a prime playing time for a lot of folks. And I know that I and many of my friends only raid weeknights, so we have ample opportunity to test out the content on the weekends.Nonetheless, we can all look forward to reentering the Sunwell on Monday. If this changes, expect to see an update on WoW Insider.
One Shots: Loch Modan in alpha
Today's screenshot is a picture sent in to us by Eric R. It shows a peaceful sunset over Loch Modan that was taken during the alpha for World of Warcraft. Aside from crisping up the details and changing some of the colors, this really could have been taken in modern-day Loch Modan in WoW. Of course, this low graphic demand is one of the reasons that so many people are able to play the game; not everyone is as focused on constantly upgrading their machines like a goodly chunk of the Massively staff (and several readers) are! Do you have an interesting screenshot from times long gone that you'd like to share? Perhaps you have an image from an in-game event, or just regular running around that you think people would enjoy. Whatever flavor of screenshot you have, send them to us at oneshots@massively.com. Yours could be here next!%Gallery-9798%
Signal 1.1 adds AirTunes support, landscape mode, Webclip icon
We covered Signal when it first dropped in the middle of last year, and now Alloysoft has sent us a note that they've upgraded to version 1.1. The app turns your iPhone into an iTunes remote through a server connection, so you don't need to jailbreak or hack the phone at all -- just run the program on your Mac, and you can use your iPhone as a replacement for the Apple Remote. And Signal actually works in Windows as well, so you can use it to control WMP, or even use a Windows Mobile device as a control instead. No idea why you'd torment yourself with Windows Media, but that's your row to hoe.Version 1.1 brings control for AirTunes, so now you can switch speakers directly from the iPhone, and there's a host of new features -- Webclip support, an Alphabetic library, and Landscape support. Nice little program that's available as a free demo or as a registered version for $24.95.
One Shots: Welcome to Booty Bay
One of the things we really like about some of these One Shots is showing how things have changed from the early days to now. Take, for example, the above screenshot sent in to us by Gorlac, Orc Hunter from the guild Astrum Brumalis on the Kil'jaeden server. This was taken from back in the days of World of Warcraft's "Friends and Family" alpha. The water's a little murkier, the details aren't as clear, and there's a human statue... wait, what? That's right folks, the statue in the background in Booty Bay was originally a human male, arms outstretched to welcome you. We heard the tales about it being goblinized due to being too similar to a certain religious statue in Brazil, but we just like to think that it's more in keeping with the Goblin nature; those scamps will market anywhere. Have you got a screenshot that shows off an interesting quirk of the landscape, or some cool bit of history? If so, send those over to us at oneshots@massively.com. (full-size, please!) We love to look around the MMO landscape, so any and all MMOs welcome!%Gallery-9798%[Additional statue image courtesy of Dopefish]
Sony 25MP full-frame DSLR hands-on
We're not sure why Sony didn't give its 25 megapixel full-frame DSLR a name other than "Flagship," but we can see why they'd want to invoke ocean-faring vessels when referring to this thing -- it's freaking huge. Check it out in the gallery below. %Gallery-15166%
Hands-on with Sony's new a300 and a350 DSLRs
Just in case you thought that Sony was, you know, making up those snazzy new alpha DSLRs with articulating, live-view LCDs, we're here with a plethora of hands-on shots to prove that they're the real deal. Since you already know the specs by now -- 10.2 megapixel (a300) or 14.2 megapixel (a350) sensors, 2.7-inch screen, ISO up to 3200, and traditional CF slots -- we'll just let you get right to the eye candy below.%Gallery-15043%
Sony's new Alpha A300 and A350 get official
We knew they were coming, and here they are -- say hello to Sony's Alpha A300 and A350. The 10.2 megapixel A300 and 14.2 megapixel A350 are just as we'd heard, with flip-out 2.7-inch swivel screens and live preview that retains the ability to autofocus. The CompactFlash DSLRs also go up to ISO3200, and feature burst modes of 3fps (A300) and 2.5fps (A350). Both cams will hit in April, the A300 with a 18-70mm kit lens for $800, and the A350 in a $900 kit or an $800 body-only package. There are also a couple new lenses, but no word of the mysterious A900 yet.Read - Alpha A300 and A350Read - New Alpha lenses %Gallery-14951%
Sony A300 and A350 DSLRs with swivel-screen and live view leaked
With just days to go until PMA, it looks like security's starting to slip a little bit -- a little creative sonystyle.com URL trickery led Beline at the Dyxum forums to images of those Sony A300 and A350 DSLRs we'd heard about. The A300 is an update to the A200, adding in live preview and a flip-out swivel screen, while the A350 looks like it'll be a 14.2 megapixel unit and probably includes live preview and the swivel screen as well. We're hearing that an A900 is also in the works, but that's a just a whisper -- looks like there might be some surprises in store this week after all.Update: Tons more pictures here, for the curious.[Thanks, Mike]
HP Blackbird 002 alpha hits with Intel QX9650 Core 2 Extreme quad-core processor inside
Drop five grand on a HP Blackbird yet? Good, that means you don't have to start crying right now, because HP just unveiled its "best of the best" alpha system, complete with a Core 2 Extreme QX9650 processor, for a cool $5,499. There's also a PhysX card inside, and Dual CrossFire ATI Radeon X2900 XT 1GB graphics, but you still have to spring a few more hundies if you want Vista Ultimate and 4GB of ram -- Home Premium and 2GB come standard. Oh, and you'll also be thoroughly depressed the moment HP unveils some sort of "alpha alpha" system with that upcoming QX9770 processor inside. Good thing everything's upgradeable.
Sony working on an A200-ish DSLR with flip-out LCD?
Well, Sony finally got official with its A200 DSLR this week, but it looks like Sony's got even more in store for camera nuts. According to the Dyxum forums -- which tracked down these images on some Chinese / Taiwan forums -- Sony's prepping this here DSLR with a flip-screen, and that's all that's known at the moment. The main body is pretty similar to that of the A200, but the internals and other modifications are anyone's guess. [Via Dyxum]
Sony Alpha A200 announced for US
Remember that post on the Sony A200 DSLR that we just posted, oh ... four hours ago? Well, they've gone ahead and confirmed that the camera's coming to the US and were even kind enough to bless us with a date and price for their new "mainstream" DSLR. The $700 DSLR-A200K kit comes with the body and a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 3.9x zoom lens, while the $900 DSLR-A200W includes the camera body, the aforementioned lens, and a 75–300mm f4.5-5.6 lens. Strangely, there's no mention of a body-only option. Both models ship in February but you eager beavers out there can place your pre-orders online starting tomorrow. Go on, git!%Gallery-12770%
Zu Online end of alpha
Development is chugging along for Onwind Digital's newest MMO offering, Zu Online. They recently closed their alpha testing to make way for bigger and better things. The players, it seems, are having a ball playing the game, and let the developers know that they particularly enjoy the game's unique storylines and responsive controls. Now that they have concluded their end of alpha event, "A Happy Ending to Alpha," we will eagerly await news about what is next to come from this beautiful MMO.
Auctioneer ready for 2.3
Reader V3T sends word that the folks behind Auctioneer did a long testing session last night, and they say that the latest builds of all the Auctioneer addons are now working under 2.3. They are, we're told, still in alpha, but V3T says they are stable enough to use and that all functions are working-- including BottomScanner, an awesome little addon that finds bargain auctions for you as they happen.That cheering you hear is frugal and money conscious players everywhere happy to have a new build of Auctioneer under 2.3. Preview versions of the addons can be found on Auctioneer's Preview page. V3T also says they're looking for more usage and feedback, so if you do download it, make sure to report any bugs or errors and let them know what works or what doesn't.
Zu Online alpha test goes live with 'big rewards'
Zu Online, a new, free fantasy MMO being developed by Onwind Digital and brought to the 'states by IGG, has entered its alpha test. Sporting a unique and surprisingly stylistic hand-drawn style, Zu is heavily-steeped in Chinese mythology, shirking the typical elves and orcs fare for a focus on Buddhist monastic tradition.Their website, which is curiously hard to navigate and chock full of good old fashioned engrish, claims that "hundreds of thousands" of people applied to be part of the alpha, and only five hundred made it in. Those lucky few will get an added treat from Onwind and crew this weekend, as all alpha testers will receive a princely 30 gold!And hey, for a free game, it sure is pretty. If they work on localization a little bit more, Zu Online could very well be a hit . We'll see.
Sony planning A100 successor, two other DSLRs for 2008?
Unfortunately, details are still thin on this one, but apparently Sony is looking to introduce not one, but three new DSLRs next year. At a recent press event at Sonimagfoto in Barcelona, Spain, it was reported that the firm is hoping to crank out an all new flagship model, a true A100 successor and another flavor that's likely to hit at a lower price point than its higher-end Alpha siblings. Additionally, it's looking to increase its lens collection from around 24 to 40 within the next two years, many of which will be new designs from Carl Zeiss. Beyond that, we're simply left to speculate, so be our guests in comments, would ya?[Thanks, Jakob G.]
Wrath of the Lich King Alpha in the wild?
Take this with a gigantic shaker full of salt, but a sketchy guild site host named Ejeet Networks claims to have received screenshots of the downloader for the Wrath of the Lich King alpha (watch out for the automatic music player on their site, too). Again, this means almost nothing-- even if the downloader is really out there in the wild, it hardly means the game is anywhere near done, or that anyone but Blizzard employees are still playing it at this point. But Ejeet says the DNS server for the WotLK beta is online and answering DNS resolution, and they claim that a "Swedish contact" sent them screenshots of the alpha downloader.Personally, I call shenanigans-- their first screenshot says version .1, and then the Properties screen they have says version 2.0.3.70, so which is it? They also claim that since the Properties screen says "{c} 2004-2008 Blizzard Entertainment," that's proof that we'll see Wrath in 2008, but that's hardly true as well. I have no doubt that we'll see the beta in 2008, but I'd bet money we won't see the expansion itself until January 2009. I'd love to be wrong, but them's the breaks.But I leave it up to you-- as much as I disagree, these could be proof that Blizzard has an expansion alpha up and running. Anyone else spot any other weirdness that could rule these out as fakes?Thanks, Dan!
Sony's Alpha A700 DSLR now official, already previewed
Rather than scraping the details off their Romanian flash pages, you can now take a more mature approach to your A700 fawning by reviewing Sony's official press release. Better yet, dpreview has a hands-on preview of the latest Konica Minolta Sony Alpha now packing a 12.1 megapixel APS-C "Exmor" CMOS sensor and all-new version of its Bionz image processor which combine for up to 5fps bursting. $1,400 for that sweet body starting in October. Now go read the multi-page preview in full after peeping all that hot, hot DSLR action in the gallery below. %Gallery-6971%Read -- Press Release Read -- Hands-on preview
Sony's Advanced Amateur DSLR called the Alpha a700?
Anyone who's the least bit into digital photography knows that Sony is coming out with two new DSLRs -- the Flagship and Advanced Amateur models -- sometime in the future, but other than a few in the wild shots and rumored specs, we still don't know much about the mysterious duo. Info is slowing coming to light, however, with several of Sony's foreign sites now showing a flash video that clearly depicts the Advanced Amateur model branded as the a700 -- which would follow the original a100 and perhaps signal an a900 branding for the Flagship. Seems like we're getting close to an actual announcement here, so we'll keep you posted.[Via Photography Blog]
