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Olympus EVOLT E-520 DSLR gets purchased, sample shots abound
Hey there EVOLT E-520, we nearly forgot you ever existed! Just over a month after Olympus' latest DSLR first broke cover, one particular individual has managed to corral one from an Austrian shop and snap a few stills. Reportedly, he's planning to write up a full review, but judging by the way the initial round of shots went, we're not so sure he's going to keep it long enough for all of that. As Tam Hanna so bluntly put it, the "autofocus system of the E-520 is the worst [he had] ever seen on a digital camera." Of course, we suppose it could grow on him with time, but just look at the shots in the read link and you'll probably agree that said scenario isn't very likely.Update: Tam wrote in to inform us that this particular camera was defective. Guess that explains a lot, huh?
John Mayer secures a BlackBerry Bold, makes world envious
See how easy it is everyone? All that's required to snag a BlackBerry Bold well before its public release is to become a Grammy award-winning artist, sell out shows worldwide, date a smattering of superstars and convince Fender to create and sell your own branded guitar. While you're off working on step one, John Mayer is living it up with his brand new BlackBerry Bold. Granted, he can't claim to be the very first with said handset, but it's likely the first completely legitimate edition let loose. Of course, once you've landed the Curve and MacBook Air before everyone else on the planet, snagging a Bold is just child's play.
The WoW starts now!
I'm not quite sure when someone first suggested I might like to try World of Warcraft. I know someone who went into World of Warcraft about 3 years ago now and tried, half-heartedly, to suck me over with her, but it didn't happen. Then, for my birthday earlier this month someone gave me a free month in World of Warcraft. I haven't decided whether to thank them or shoot them. But, what is it like coming to World of Warcraft when it's been around for so long? Well, the answer is, as you might expect, in some ways good in some ways bad.World of Warcraft has, if you search on google for it, millions of hits. Sorting the good from the bad is hard work. Of course there is our feed, and our sister blog, WOW Insider to include, but do you want a useful, and well researched guide (they are out there) or an advert for "buy this book, it will tell you all you need to know" disguised as that same guide? (They are out there too.) I've finally settled, as with the blogs, on Allakazam, WOWWiki and TenTonHammer for most of my needs for information. They don't always agree, they have different uses, but they are all useful to me.
A first look at RuneScape
I so nearly titled this the top 6 reasons why I don't like RuneScape.Liking, or not liking, a game is, of course, deeply personal. You may well find the reasons for disliking RuneScape that I list here as reasons to make you play the game, more power to you if you do. A quick straw poll around the Massively team has revealed that others have more positive views of RuneScape. But on with my list: I find the interface cluttered, badly designed and hard to use; I dislike the way you chat to the NPCs; I find the other players largely rude, often unreasonably aggressive and distasteful; Losing almost all your equipment each time you die is frustrating; Handling skills and experience in them is horrible on so many levels; Why, oh why, do they handle the free-to-play structure so badly? More details on these under the fold.
Asus' Eee PC 701 exposed in Russian review
Well, would you take a look at this. Turns out, 3DNews somehow managed to get their palms around (and within) Asus' Eee PC 701 for a hands-on review. Granted, a heap of the writeup was a bit hard to grasp without understanding Russian (or being a master in deciphering broken translations), but we were able to notice that their sample unit boasted a 900MHz ULV Intel Celeron M processor, 512MB of DDR2 RAM, a seven-inch 800 x 480 resolution display, Ethernet, a 56k modem, and 802.11b/g. Additionally, the wee machine was even put through a series of benchmarks, so if you're interested in digging through an early review (or just want to brush up on your Russian), head on over to the read link -- but for those just yearning for a few more pics, they're posted after the break.
First look at DirecTV on Demand
It's been a long time comin', but it looks like DirecTV's bonafide video-on-demand service is nearly ready for primetime. Judging by a descriptive thread over at DBSTalk, the service -- dubbed DirecTV on Demand -- has been rolled out in beta form to at least some users, so here's a quick look at what you can expect. First off, DoD will reportedly "be available for internet connected HR20's that are running on a compatible version of software," and requires that a user request a program via the 'net or through their HR20, after which the DVR "downloads that content via the internet, and stores the downloaded content just like any other recorded program." Feel free to hit the read link for all the nitty-gritty details, but for those into abridged versions, click on through for a few key points...[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Retail Chumby gets previewed, unboxed on video
Just about two short months after learning the official specifications and pricing details of the forthcoming Chumby, it looks like one of those lucky "insiders" were able to get their paws around a retail production unit and show us what this thing's all about. Aside from blessing us with an unboxing video, initial impressions of the device explained that overall performance was "very snappy, the screen was crystal clear, and sound performance was excellent." Additionally, it was noted that the Chumby just seems like a gizmo that will enable all sorts of fun, so while we the general public wait our turns, be sure and take a peek at the preview vid residing after the break.
Universal Remote's MX-810 gets previewed
Universal Remote's company name leaves little unsaid about what its core competencies truly are, and its latest professional-series remote recently got a bit of hands-on time with the crowd at Electronic House. The MX-810 Pro Wizard was purportedly designed to work with setups ranging from a single room to an entire home, and sports a color LCD, 44 hard buttons, RF / infrared compatibility, rechargeable Li-ion, and hot keys for powering up select groups of components. Interestingly, this unit also includes 32MB of built-in memory to store commands that control "up to 24 activities for each of 24 different devices programmed into eight LCD pages." Of course, this also means that you'll need at least a week of vacation to actually program this $399 gizmo once it hits your doorstep in July.[Photo courtesy of Tony Scarpetta]
Video walkthrough of Xbox 360 Spring Dashboard update
You know how it goes: pictures are fabulous, but videos are probably the next best thing to handling it yourself. In this case, a video walkthrough is about as close as you're going to get to May 7th whilst still chillin' in April, and considering you already know just about everything you can ever desire about the impending update and QWERTY thumboard, why not relearn it all again care of an "official" on-screen walkthrough? You know you can't resist, so be sure to hit the read link and pull up a chair, because you're going to get tired of standing after 25 or so minutes.[Thanks, Buck]
First Impressions: Mailplane - the desktop Gmail client
The fusion of web services and desktop software is a holy grail of computing bliss that few can claim. The web can often be clunky and limited by the constraints of a browser, while the data in your desktop software takes a swim with your MacBook when you drop it at the beach. Anyone who has ever gone back and forth on whether to use the convenience and innovation of Gmail on the web vs. the power and integration of a desktop email client like Apple's Mail.app knows what we're talking about. While the melding of these two universes might seem like an impossible hope to some, Mailplane is a new desktop Gmail client in private beta that just may be a light at the end of the tunnel.Continue reading for the details on just what Mailplane is about, and be sure to check out our screenshot gallery for a taste of how well (so far) Gmail and the desktop are getting along.%Gallery-2135%
Macworld goes in-depth on the new AirPort Extreme
Dan Frakes at Macworld has published an in-depth article that delves into just what the new AirPort Extreme is all about. Pointing out some of the details we covered in our original post, Dan goes the full mile and then some with a history of the device and explanations of some interesting new features. Most notably, he unfolds fancy new technology like the multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) feature of 802.11n, as well as a new time-based access control system which lets you specify times that each device can access the internet. Are your kids (or your roommate?) spending too much time on MySpace when they should be doing homework on their MacBook? No sweat - just use Apple's easy-breezy AirPort Utility to cut 'em off until... well, whenever you feel like it.Dan also covers what's missing - things like Gigabit ethernet (which, given the fact that it's been in Macs for years, still blows my mind) and the once-standard antenna port. He even pulls an industry price check to make sure Apple isn't taking us for too much of a ride with the new station's $179 price. All in all it's a good state-of-the-AirPort-Extreme for anyone interested in this recent sleeper release from Apple.
First Tag Heuer cellphone mockups surface
As we suspected, it looks like Tag Heuer will indeed be joining the ranks of D&G, Prada, Aston Martin, McLaren, and the host of other brands out there who are joining the cellphone craze. Dial-a-Phone is reporting that the forthcoming handset should be "a completely new design," unlike the D&G RAZR which was devoid of originality save for the branding, gold finish, and dangerously high pricetag. Additionally, the Paris-based ModeLabs will indeed be crafting the design, and if all goes as planned, should be launching in undisclosed locales "within a few months." Currently, all they know is that it should be "made of stainless steel" and closely resemble many of Tag's unmistakable timepieces, and while chances are slim that the phone will actually be in a watch, be sure to hit the read link for the first wave of mockups.[Thanks, Stokelake]
Engadget HD's first look: Monster Control AVL 300 universal remote
We just opened Monster's first go at universal remotes, the AVL 300, and we'll have a full review up shortly but lets just say that we came for remote consolidation ability but are staying for the lighting control -- boy is is slick. To sum up the AVL 300, it's a Harmony remote (there is a Harmony badge on the back of the battery cover) slightly reworked for better lighting control and multi-AV system controls oh and yes, it does cost more Monster Cable style. So 'till we get the full review up, enjoy the pictures.
Runthrough with Samsung's Q-killing i320
Slim, wide, full keyboard-packin' WM5 Smartphones might be out and about this side of the pond, but our European friends have yet to get in on the Motorola Q -- making Samsung's release of the i320 even more interesting for them, not to suggest there aren't a few Americans that'll be reading PPCReviews' first impression with bated breath. Unfortunately, the outcome isn't exactly a love fest, with the reviewers knocking the i320's sluggish response, odd speakerphone positioning, under-battery microSD slot and lackluster camera. On the positive side, well, it's a WM5 Smartphone with a full keyboard if you're into that sort of thing, and the QVGA display gets high marks. They were also a bit confused about the inclusion of two batteries, suggesting that the i320 might eat some serious power. We'll wait for a couple more reviews before issuing a final judgment, but the HSDPA Q is looking better every day.[Via Smartphone Thoughts]
Macworld's first look at the MacBook
Jason Snell gets to play with all the cool toys. I suppose it doesn't hurt when you're paid to do it (when is AOL going to get me a MacBook, huh?). Anyway, Jason has put together another one of his patented 'first looks' for the MacBook (he got one of each hue). Jason says there are two things people with either love or hate: the glossy screen and the new keyboard.Based on the pictures I am digging the new keyboard, but I will reserve judgment until I actually pound a few keys (since when I am on my Mac I tend to be typing something).
TIME gets hands-on with the Nintendo Wii
We knew we should have taken that call from Miyamoto the other day, but our loss was TIME magazine's gain, because the Mario and Zelda creator was looking for someone to, wouldn't you know it, take the upcoming Wii for a little spin. TIME's five page article is so full of interesting deets that we barely have room to scratch the surface here, but suffice it to say that Lev Grossman not only reports on his hands-on experiences with a number of games, he's also able to get inside Nintendo's head, if you will, and tease out a bit of the methodology behind what some hardcore gamers perceive as the company's madness (Wii? those controllers? Nintendogs?). As for the actual gaming, Grossman got to play some tennis (the sensors even allow you to add spin), slay some dragons (brandishing the controller like a sword in Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess), and bring those wacky Warioware minigames into the third dimension (think: fishing, weight lifting, cooking, etc.). Geez, this thing sounds like so much fun that we may just skip the Sony keynote this afternoon and see if the folks from Nintendo will let us play with their goodies.
New Core Duo iMac: First Impressions
So, yesterday, I decided to be conservative, save some money, and purchase the 17-inch Dual Core iMac, which was in stock at the Palisades Apple Store, rather than wait for the more expensive 20-inch to arrive. After all, I've already ordered a fully-loaded, top of the line MacBook Pro, so I may as well be conservative with the iMac. Also, someone at the Apple Store screwed up, because when I got the iMac home and unpacked it, I had a free upgrade to a wireless keyboard and mouse. Nice! I need to order more RAM and the monitor adapter (wish they'd included it...), so I can plug in another monitor and try the monitor spanning trick.As soon as I opened the box, I lost the iMac remote. It turned back up about 25 minutes later, and now I am keeping it stuck to the side of the iMac.So far, I have to say, this machine is very fast. Even with only the default 512MBs of RAM, this baby launches programs fast. Safari and iTunes are instantaneous in nearly everything (with only a slight load screen when visiting the iTMS). Universal binary programs are all super fast, and most of the programs running in Rosetta still function very well, as long as they aren't graphics intensive. Unfortunately, World of Warcraft is quite laggy with frame-rates fluctuating from 7-20 per second. I hope the universal binary version comes out soon. iPhoto is fast and cool, but would seem to need some more RAM to really zip through my 12K photos. I'll report more details later today, and hopefully have a nice video podcast of the new machine for you sometime today or tomorrow, so stay tuned.I was disappointed to find that GraphicConverter is no longer bundled with the new Macs, but there is a universal binary version of the application already available. For a full list of apps included with the new iMac, check after the break.
Apple Matters' first look at iWeb
James R. Stoup over at Apple Matters has a first-look review of iWeb that is probably worth checking out if you are curious about the product, but not yet willing to shell out the dough for the new iLife '06. I particularly like the "What iWeb isn't" section: "iWeb is NOT a general purpose website creation application. Do not make the mistake of thinking it is a scaled down version of Dreamweaver, as it most definitely is not. This application is designed to publish personal websites either to .Mac or to a folder to be used via another hosting service. It does nothing else."Check it out.
First impressions: Macbook Pro
After waiting patiently in line for twenty minutes, Dan at The Apple Blog got his turn to play with the Macbook Pro (MBP). There were other members of the press waiting for their turns, so he wasn't able to conduct a complete review, but he did get a good feel for the machine. A few quotes from his first look:"...the Intel build of Safari is the fastest web browser that I have ever used, on any platform. Instead of bouncing in the dock and forcing you to wait, Safari opens a new window and loads a page almost instantly when you open it...""..I went to the Applications folders, selected all, and double clicked...the MBP started working smoothly...clicking around between applications produced instant results..." That's with every application open? Wow.He identifies the lack of a Firewire 800 port and a PCMCIA slot as the bad news, but his overall (albeit brief) impression of the machine was quite positive. Check it out.
