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Microtek unveils four new HD plasmas
While Microtek may not be the first name that comes to mind when you're thinking about plasma displays, the firm has four new PDP monitors ready to hit the market, all with decent specs and (fairly) reasonable pricing. Handling the low-end is the 42-inch MHP1-HDI, which sports a WXGA resolution, 1,300 cd/m2 brightness, 10,000:1 contrast ratio, built-in ATSC / NTSC hybrid tuner, HDMI, dual 10-watt stereo speakers, silver casing, and the company's own "Digital Color Transient Improvement (CTI) edge smoothing technology." The 50-inch version, dubbed P50TX1A, offers up just 1,000 cd/m2 brightness and an 8,000:1 contrast ratio, but otherwise remains identical to its slightly smaller sibling. For those who just insist on buying a set encased in black, the 42-inch Cineon CP42HA and 50-inch CP50HA just so happen to rock the exact same specifications as their silver-clad brethren, but will cost you a good bit more (sound familiar?) for the caliginous luxury. Microtek claims all four units are available now, and if you can manage to locate one, it'll run you $1,499 for the MHP1-HDI (and $100 more for the CP42HA), or $1,999 for the P50TX1A (add $200 for the CP50HA).Read - Microtek's MHP1-HDI and P50TX1A displaysRead - Microtek's Cineon CP42HA and CP50HA displays
Make your own colored Xbox 360 controller
Sister site Xbox 360 Fanboy posted this very nice custom black Xbox 360 controller created by reader Alcaron. His site has step-by-step instructions on how to create the controller using vinyl dye to actually dye the shell itself. After you do this, it stays forever. Unlike spray paint this stuff isn't just a coating. The best part is that any vinyl dye will work, so you've got many color choices -- wait, not best part, the best part is that the mod costs about $5.The vinyl dye is available at almost any auto supply store and finally having a controller to match your favorite Xbox 360 faceplate is nice. It's the perfect project to do with the kids (offspring, sibling, niece or nephew) in your life over the holiday. The vinyl dye is toxic so adult supervision is strongly recommended and make sure to follow the detailed instructions.
Iomega unveils 1TB UltraMax and 120GB Black external HDDs
Iomega's got a soft spot for Mac users (or pre-formatted HFS+ drives), as its two new external storage options both come ready to rock on OS X. On the desktop side, a whopping 1TB now sits behind the unmistakable cheese-grater grille (up from the previous 640GB and 750GB options) in the latest UltraMax drive. Moreover, the unit comes with FireWire 400/800 and USB 2.0 connectivity, a built-in port hub, and cables for all three connectors. The twin 7200RPM SATA drives support both RAID 0/1 and JBOD, while those looking for backup software will be elated to find EMC's Retrospect Express packaged in. On the portable front, the 5400RPM 120GB Black hard drive needs no AC adapter to get to spinnin', and features both FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 ports while weighing just 5.8-ounces and receiving the same backup application as the big guy. Both drives can be snapped up right now, and while the presumably PowerMac-inspired 1TB UltraMax will run you $499.95, the pocket-friendly Black only demands $189.95.[Via TGDaily]
iRiver's S10 DAP gets dipped in all black
Let's face it, there's just something soothing (or trendy, maybe) about gadgetry heading over to the dark side, and iRiver's shiny little S10 is finally getting its own coat of all black to feel more at home beside the shadowy Clix. Aside from the dimness, everything else looks par for the course, including the same 1.5-inch OLED display, FM tuner, 1GB and 2GB capacities, and the D-Click controlling system found on the black / white version. The murky S10s will be available starting December 23rd, and while the 1GB rendition will run you ¥16,980 ($144), you can double your memory for just ¥3,000 ($26) more.[Via DAPReview]
Verizon debuts Motorola Q Black
We've still got our eyes on Sprint's Q-with-extra-sexy they've been prepping, but for now Verizon continues to bogart Moto's slim smartphone, and has just released the new medium-sexy Motorola Q Black as expected. The new Q bears the same $199 pricetag of its silver counterpart, but features a $50 rebate instead of the $100 rebate of its sibling, giving Black a $50 premium over its drab companion. Instead of the original's holster, the Black features a carrying case, and there's that "MOL2" update to enjoy, but otherwise there isn't much new to see here. The black coloring apparently isn't only skin deep, so scratches shouldn't reveal anything embarrassing, so that's good news. While you can snag this thing right now online, it won't be showing up in retail until January 12th, according do our tipsters last week. We should also be seeing that MOL2 software update, which irons out a few kinks and improves battery life, rolled out to those gen 1 Qs shortly.[Via Qusers]
Nokia E50 reemerges in "Metal Black"
First it got small; now, it's getting chic. Nokia's most diminutive smartphone, the E50 candybar, is being re-released in fabulous "Metal Black" (read: black) toward the tail end of this quickly waning year. As a refresher, the business-oriented E50 does quad-band GSM plus EDGE, a 320 x 240 display, 1.3 megapixel cam, and microSD expansion all sitting atop S60 3rd Edition. Sadly, it looks like the Metal Black version will only be seeing a limited release in "select markets," but we reckon importers wouldn't last very long in this business if they couldn't figure out how to get a few stateside.[Via nokiae50.info]
Moto Q in Black hits the Great White North
Well folks, it appears that our friends to the north have greased Motorola's palms with a few extra loonies, eh. Indeed, the northerly division of Motorola will be the first company to launch the new Moto Q in Black, available exclusively from Bell Canada. This new piece of ebony elegance comes with all the same features you'd expect from the previous Q: EV-DO, 2.4-inch screen, 65,000 colors, 64MB RAM / 128MB ROM, and a 1.3 megapixel camera. It's basically the same as the old Q, except that it's black (duh), with a soft touch finish. It's available for C$150 ($132) with a new voice plan, and minimum C$60 ($53) data package on a three-year contract. To our American countrymen and countrywomen who are already making a run for the border, a word of advice: that same trick with the loonies probably won't work with US Customs when you try to smuggle it into the lower 48. Instead, just sit tight and wait until this handset hits Verizon -- sometime soon, we hope.
Electronics Arts announces many upcoming/future titles
Electronic Arts has gone on record... about its upcoming titles. Most importantly are two of their more high-profile games -- Crysis and Army of Two. Let us recall briefly that the former is a pretty crazy looking shooter for the PC (although they've gained quite an ego... and change their minds a lot) and the latter is the hotly anticipated co-op game for the PS3 and 360. These games are now slated for a fiscal year 2008 release (after this coming March of '07). So... if you're really pumped for these games, we apologize, but your waiting will have to continue a bit longer. EA's CFO, Warren Jensen, confirmed also many beloved franchises do indeed have sequels in the works. First up, Sims 3. Probably for fiscal of 2009, says the big man. Also, there's a Wii-specific (Wiicific?) Sims title also in the works. In the same vein, and not overdoing real-life simulation at all, is a Sims 2 Holiday Edition due out fairly soon for the PS3 -- hopefully this holiday season. Aside from Sims? Well, there's a SimCity coming up! Oh, and also another Lord of the Rings game and the next-gen realization of the over-hyped-but-still-decent Black. Well fellows, any of these really get you curious or anxious?
Sega creating surgery game for DS
It appears that one Osamu Tezuka license wasn't enough as they've acquired the license for Black Jack to keep Astro Boy company. In Black Jack, you play as Dr. Jotaro Honma, who can best be described as a medical mercenary, selling his talents to those who are willing to pay the most. The operation takes place on the touch-screen, tasking the player with drawing shapes over manga panels to successfully complete the operation. Siliconera describes the system as being "sort of like Jet Set Radio's graffiti system except instead of turning the analog stick you draw patterns."[Via Siliconera]
Video Sandwich: October 23, 2006
Somehow, an internet video creator used monkeys and fart jokes to create a more tasteful way of discussing the white and black PSP than Sony. The "moral" of the story will certainly piss readers off, but for those of you with YouTube accounts, you can go here to leave hateful comments. Besides, why would he spend so much time working on this video if he didn't genuinely like the PSP (regardless of its color)?But maybe you don't like either the black or white PSP. Maybe you'd prefer a P!nk PSP. The celebrity can be seen prancing around, showing off her PSP once in a while. Will this appeal to the all-important girl demographic? I think not. Now, if Sony made a Justin Timberlake PSP, the girls would go hogwild, 'cuz y'know... he's so dreamy! ::swoon::
iriver's black 4GB Clix ventures beyond the mythic
We're still a bit in the dark as to when exactly iriver is going to bust this thing out in retail, or for how much, but they've at least confirmed a 4GB refresh for their imminently lovable iriver Clix player, along with a stylish black version to make hanging out with those smarmy iPod kids a bit less of a struggle.[Thanks, Owen]
Black Xbox 360 rumors abound
When the rumor mill gets a'turnin' you're bound to have a few false-starts, and it seems the new black Xbox 360 meme is no exception. The snazzy "black Xbox" seen above might look quite black and Xboxy, but we're sorry to report that it's just a developer box, plenty of which have been out since before launch for testing out pre-release games. Also, if when Microsoft does actually build a black version, we're kind of hoping they stick with that chrome drive tray from the regular 360, and maybe go with a truer black instead of this piddling smoke color. We're definitely not writing off the rumor entirely, according to some "leaked info" from Microsoft's planned X06 announcements this week, they'll be announcing Xbox 360 Black for the holidays, along with 1080p Halo3 and other fanboy pleasers. We also got a tip from somebody who claims to have a friend at GAME that says the black Xbox 360 will be a premium only color, and might even come with an integrated or bundled HD DVD drive and possibly a larger HDD. We suppose we'll know soon enough -- X06 is over tomorrow -- but that doesn't mean we can't stay busy drumming up the hype and unrealistic expectations until then.[Thanks to everyone who sent these in]Read - Black Xbox at Microsoft eventRead - X06 info leaked
The return of the black Xbox 360 rumor
For the second time since the console's launch, rumors are circulating that Microsoft is working on a black Xbox 360 design, with the source this time being a banner advert from Best Buy depicting what appears to be a matte black console. The low resolution picture, coupled with the fact that the advert doesn't even mention the Xbox 360 -- let alone a black one -- means that this is about as good a confirmation as earlier Photoshop jobs. However, we doubt this is the last we'll see of the black Xbox 360: what with the home theater-matching PlayStation 3 just around the corner, we wouldn't be too surprised if Redmond ends up throwing fans the color-inverted Xbox 360 that they've always wanted.
Nokia relaunches the 6280 3G slider as the 6288
Nokia has announced a rebrand of the 6280 3G slider phone, and it's not so that the company can give it a pretty new name. The "new" 6288's design is similar to its never-hit-US-shores 6282 predecessor, and appears to be practically identical in specification -- QVGA display, 2 megapixel camera, 115g weight -- to the 6282 and its European cousin, the 6280. The design has had a slight tweak (you'll notice the white and black designs, and the lack of chrome on the keypad) and a 512MB SD card is bundled with the phone to sweeten the rebranding pill, and presumably the €325 pre-subsidies pricetag as well.[Thanks, Vlad Balan]
8GB black 2G iPod nano gets unboxed
When Apple says "available now," they mean it. Just one day after the revamped nanos were announced at the "It's Showtime" event, some drool-worthy shots of the green and blue 2G nanos managed to surface, and now we're graced with a photoset containing the esteemed 8GB black-only model. Apparently following in the footsteps of the BlackBook, Apple is only offering the 8GB unit in a single color, so if black's your thing, be prepared to go high-end or bust in order to get one -- be sure to hit the read link for a luscious gallery of Tony Chang's presumably coveted 'Pod. Oh yeah, and PC Mag reviewed the 8GB unit, too, giving it a 4.5 / 5, and calling it the "finest flash player out there in terms of look and feel," and had only the usual nits with it: nonremovable battery, no FM tuner (oh, and something about buggy playback on longer tracks -- no way!). Still, looks for many to be a pretty solid investment; we'd suggest you wait until later today, however, to make any buying decisions on portable audio players, yeah?
Onyx and Pink out in the US
When we heard the US would finally be able to choose what color DS Lite they'd prefer to rock, no longer to be bound by a choice-restricted, Polar White existence, we were almost arrested for how much we celebrated the news. Upon Nintendo laying the announcement on us, we ran out into the street and ripped off our pants in celebration, in what was later described by one key witness as "quite the struggle, I mean, that man was ripping at his pants for a good 15 minutes before he found a pair of scissors and cut them off. I would've stopped watching, but I don't really have a job..." The old man then asked us if we'd be willing to go out some time, maybe to a movie. We asked for a raincheck...Creepy old men on the street aside, we will be storming our local retail outlets later on this afternoon to procure both Onyx and Pink (in case we ever find a woman who doesn't take out a restraining order against us that we may give it to, which we probably won't) in the bold fashion we've become accustomed to. Upon acquiring each model, we'll hold them high above our heads in the parking lot and scream at the top of our lungs until security drags us away. Let us hear from you fine reader. Will you be trading in your Polar White for a different color? Been waiting on getting a DS Lite period due to lack of colors? Happy enough with your Polar White DS Lite?
Black DS Lite: it came, it saw, it conquered
September 2nd saw the release of the black DS Lite in Japan and, as expected, the lines were long, supplies were short, and the slick little system-that-could completely sold out. Famitsu, once again, brings us pictures of long lines at several locations and the unhappy employees that were forced to work the launch. Reports from some of the locations are stating that over 400 people could be counted, waiting to get their hands on a black DS Lite. The article also states that buyers were predominantly male, however every now and then a female consumer would purchase a unit. So few females? Maybe they already purchased a DS Lite?[Via Game Front]
Black DS Lite goes down under in September
After the announcement that the US would be getting the seductive Onyx (black) DS Lite and its more feminine and bright Coral Pink cousin, we were relieved that we had finally been given an option. Screaming from our jail cell DS Fanboy offices in celebration, we firmly gripped our old, has-been Crystal White DS Lites and fell to our knees, nothing more than a husk of our former self. We had fought, long and hard, and we finally did it, we finally won.Now it's the Aussies' turn. The black version of the DS Lite will be made available to the whole country of Australia upon the clock striking the date of September the 21st and we suggest Aussies looking for a darker shade of DS Lite rush to their local retail hot spots, secure a black DS Lite, and use it to rub it in the face of all of their friends. Physically. Nothing more satisfying than purchasing a $199.95 AUD product and rubbing it all over your best friend's face, laughing maniacally until he gets so upset that he snatches it from your hand and throws it to the ground with all his might. Hey, at least it was funny for those 40 seconds, right?[Via Aussie-Nintendo]
Confirmed: Black and Pink DS Lites in September
On September the 13th, those hating the simple elegance of the Crystal White DS Lite may finally seek an official alternative in either the Black or Pink DS Lite (officially dubbed Onyx and Coral Pink, respectively). It's about time Nintendo has gone ahead and tossed us poor American gamers a bone. Check out the official press release after the break.
Confirmed: Black and Pink DS Lites in U.S. Sept. 13
Following close on yesterday's rumors, Nintendo officially announced this morning that the DS Lite will be available in black and pink -- sorry, that's officially "Onyx and Coral Pink" -- in the U.S. on Sept. 13.The DS is the latest in a long line of pink Nintendo portables in America, starting with the Game Boy Pocket and continuing through the Game Boy Micro. Elsewhere in the world, systems like the PSP, and PS2 will soon be available in fabulous pink. You can even gussy up your Xbox 360 with the girliest of colors through a faceplate. Given this sea of light red systems, can a pink PlayStation 3 be far behind?Yes. Yes, it probably can.[Thanks, Daniel]
