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ESA unveils plans for satellite radio in Europe
While we Americans fight for our satellite radio rights, it looks like the Europeans are getting set to receive a bit of sky high radio entertainment themselves. The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced that with the help of a few select partners, it plans to launch the "multimedia car radio of the future," which looks to feature built-in satellite radio and generous timeshifting functionality to boot. The antenna, which will presumably be factory installed on select vehicles, will be a "flattened mobile antenna integrated into the bodywork," and will receive signals in the "Ku" frequency band used by existing communication satellites. Aside from not having to launch an understandably expensive array of equipment to get sat radio to Europe, the service also touts the benefits of timeshifting, noting that a "cache or hard drive-based system" will be included to pause and rewind transmissions, and it would even maintain a connection for short stops (like refueling) so you don't miss a moment of your favorite broadcast. Unfortunately, the ESA isn't spilling any hard release dates for this technology, but we can expect it to hit BMWs at the very least, and the prototype can be seen right now at the Noordwijk Space Expo in the Netherlands if you just happen to be around.[Via Orbitcast]
BenQ intros six-megapixel DC-E610 / DC-C610 shooters for Europe
Not too long after gifting its Joybooks with Vista, BenQ is unveiling a duo of ho hum six-megapixel shooters for the European market. Both compact digicams sport a classic, silver finish, ISO ratings of 80 to 400, and SD support, but the slightly thicker E610 gets a more fleshed-out set of specs than its admittedly lacking (albeit thinner) sibling. The E610 comes in with a 6.1-megapixel CCD sensor, Pentax lens, 3x optical zoom, VGA video mode at 30fps, "shake-free" operation, 2.4-inch LCD monitor, USB 2.0 connectivity, a rechargeable Li-ion cell, and PictBridge support to boot. The less-featured C610 gets a six-megapixel sensor, a fixed 42-millimeter lens, two-inch LTPS LCD screen, 320 x 240 resolution movie mode, AA-battery support, USB 1.1 connectivity, and a presumably lower pricetag to compensate. Currently, no information regarding price is available, but you can reportedly pick either of these uninspiring point-and-shoots up in Europe right now.[Via LetsGoDigital]
Orange to offer DSL and a MacBook for two euros per day
We'll go ahead and spare you the blatantly obvious "apples to oranges" remark, as the two fruitful companies actually do seem to have something in common based on a recent report from French newspaper Le Figaro. While we've seen a plethora of wireless broadband providers hook up with laptop manufacturers, Orange is apparently getting set to offer 1Mbps DSL service for (an apparently attractive) €60 ($79) per month, or "around €2 ($2.65) per day," and you even get a shiny new Apple MacBook to use with it starting in January. Additionally, those looking to make the most of their high-speed missions can upgrade to an 8Mbps connection for an additional €5 ($6.62) per day. While contractual terms aren't crystal clear just yet, it looks like some sort of "three-year agreement" would be in order, and Orange hopes the deal will lure enough folks in to move "1,000 units per month" for the first six months, which would certainly help its consumer base grow right alongside the competitive pressures it's feeling from the Iliad Group. Plus, if you're one of the first 200 to sign up, Orange will throw in a new iPod shuffle for an additional single euro. Purportedly, the whole deal will only be available to Frenchmen (and women) at first, but could spread to other parts of Europe if it catches on.[Via MuniWireless]
Urilift: the disappearing public urinal (and we do mean public)
While there's no shortage of bathroom-based oddities floating around out there, the Urilift system definitely takes top honors. Since the presumably alcoholics anonymous-approved Wizmark urinals can't keep everyone from getting a little tipsy, officials in Victoria, British Columbia are taking a note from European countries to keep urine off the streets. Rather than leaving inebriated party-going males nowhere to relieve themselves on the streets, the government is considering installing hydraulic toilets in the roadways, which are remotely triggered at night to appear from their subterranean dwelling place. While there's no doors or privacy factor involved, those who were previously choosing to take it to the sidewalks probably won't mind all that much, and designers say the open design discouraged loitering and criminal activity anyway. Priced at $75,000 a pop, Victoria plans to become the first North American locale to try these newfangled restrooms out -- and hey, at least we know where to head for a clean(er) Spring Break now, right?
Warner promises ten European Blu-ray launch titles
Blu-ray will be launching in Europe this year, as Warner has queued up ten Blu-ray titles for a European launch later this year. France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom can all expect to have titles such as Firewall, Syriana, Full Metal Jacket, Training Day and Space Cowboys to choose from (yes that is just 5, they didn't announce which ten specifically). We're still awaiting word on European HD DVD releases but we wouldn't be surprised to see a very similar lineup.
European extended downtimes
As a complete surprise to many players, several European realms will be offline for up to 24 hours starting this maintenance. As this is due to the migration of hardware, it's odd that this news was delivered relatively late this week.The affected realms are: Agamaggan, Aggramar, Ahn'Qiraj, Al'Akir, Arathor, Argent Dawn, Aszune, Azjol-Nerub, Bladefist, Bloodfeather, Bloodhoof, Bloodscalp, Bronzebeard, Burning Blade, Burning Legion, Chromaggus, Crushridge, Daggerspine, Darksorrow, Deathwing, Defias Brotherhoo, Dentarg, Doomhammer, Draenor, Dragonblight, Dragonmaw, Drak'thul, Dunemaul, Emerald Dream, Emeriss, Executus, Frostwhisper, Hakkar, Haomarush, Khadgar, Kul Tiras, Lightning's Blade, Mazrigos, Moonglade, Neptulon, Ragnaros, Scarshield Legion, Steamwheedle Cartel, Sunstrider, Sylvanas, Talnivarr, The Maelstrom, The Venture Co., Trollbane, Twilight's Hammer, Twisting Nether, Vashj, Warsong, Xavius, Zenedar.Kor'gall will be down for up to 36 hours.In addition, a small update on the paid character transfer service, for Europeans: we've got to wait to see how the rollout in America goes, but it should be available shortly.
World First: C'thun Down
Only hours after Blizzard made additional changes to the C'thun encounter, European guild Nihilum (Magtheridon realm) seems to have managed to kill C'thun. Forum post with details here, and screenshots and loot are listed on their website. Congrats, members of Nihilum for this impressive world first![Thanks, spencer, for the quick heads-up on this one!]
Nintendo updates European release schedule
Hot on the heels of some evidence that the guys and gals at Nintendo of Europe have been dragging their feet when it comes to release dates, comes a fresh list of their forthcoming titles. Things are looking considerably less dire here, but I still feel a bit sorry for those Europeans that were unable to import and had to wait so long for Trauma Center. It's almost criminal. Megaman Battle Network 5 Double Team DS (Capcom/Nintendo) - 14 April Tetris DS (Nintendo) - 21 April Trauma Centre: Under the Knife (Atlus/Nintendo) - 28 April Pokémon Link! (Nintendo) - 5 May Metroid Prime Hunters (Nintendo) - 5 May Super Princess Peach (Nintendo) - 26 May Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain? (Nintendo) - 9 June New Super Mario Bros. (Nintendo) - 30 June Also worthy of note is the Euro release date of what is undoubtedly the biggest GBA game this year--Final Fantasy IV arrives on 2 June.
PS3 European pricing not what it seems
With the recent slip-up by a Sony Europe VP regarding the PS3's European pricing, Americans have been exposed to one of the most annoying aspects of being a European gamer (when we're not waiting ages for games to arrive): unfair console and video game prices. Naturally a lot of American readers will be angry when they convert Mr. Fornay's €499 and €599 price range to dollars; $613 to $736 is a lot of dough when compared to the console's main competitor.Fortunately for U.S. gamers (and unluckily for Europeans), no console manufacturer ever bases the price of its consoles on the currency exchange rates. The chances are that the US dollar figure of the PS3 will be equal to or lower than the euro numbers, not in line with the currency exchange rate. Don't believe us? Check out the Xbox 360's European pricing. For some reason the Xbox 360 price in U.S. dollars is identical to the price in euros -- working out to a €60 or €80 premium depending on which console you purchase. Based on the example of the Xbox 360 it follows that if the European pricing outlined by Mr. Fornay is real, then the American pricing for the PS3 will be between $499 and $599 and not the crazy numbers that you get after converting the currency. Crappy for European gamers, we know, but at least the American PS3 Fanboys will stop crying!
