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Brix concept phone wows, expands into large screen display
Designer Seokwon Hong's Brix mobile phone concept looks to be the stuff of dreams, but we'd welcome it today with arms wide open. This innovative idea sees a mobile with a screen covering all of the front real estate feature the ability to connect with other Brix, the two then become one as the screens merge content. The idea behind it while simple, offers up endless fun scenarios for use: from gaming nights with friends -- you'll need a lot of Brix-toting friends, of course, and it'll have to support some type of input -- to family events for pic sharing, and the like. When devices are connected a temporary shared content folder is created until your break them apart, alternatively one device can be set as the control or hub device. We've seen countless concept devices, but this is one of the first to really stand out with excellent real-world possibilities. Job very well done! We're lining up for review samples -- we think a minimum of ten should be good -- today.[Via Sci FI Tech]
BenQ-Siemens SL98 reverse slider
Just when we thought that the slider form factor had reached its zenith, BenQ-Siemens has apparently knocked that all to bits with this, the SL98. Rather than always having the screen exposed to the elements -- and über abrasive pocket lint -- this novel approach has a small display to get a quick peek at incoming call info, with the main screen squirreled away inside. With the touch of a button -- or flick of the wrist, we really don't know -- the main screen is unleashed for your viewing pleasure. As proof that these guys are on to something, both Asus and LG have submit patent applications with similar ideas. Pretty slick stuff, we're looking forward to getting more details as soon as we can.[Thanks, Staska]
Nokia N95 one-ups Apple's iPhone via unrefined display 'hack'
There's no denying that we were fairly taken aback by the beauty of the iPhone's screen, but leave it to a clever (and likely bitter) N95 owner to trump Apple's best shot with his very Nokia. While not nearly as ingenious as converting the device into a mapmaker, this crude demonstration explains how to increase the screen real estate linked to the N95 if you're willing to sacrifice your left (or right) arm. Granted, the "hack" did begin with a broken N95, so strapping a portable TV onto one's forearm and utilizing the device's video output was about the only real solution within arm's reach (ahem). Like it or not, it's laced in utility, and you can catch a video of the action after the jump.[Thanks, Eirikso]
Apple's Finger Tips walkthrough shows off more iPhone attributes
What's a smelly line sitter to do but leech off a nearby WiFi signal and catch last minute content of the mobile they're about the snag? In case you've been following along, Apple has released yet another video walkthrough that carefully explains ten more niceties of the iPhone. 'Course, we can't imagine anyone (well, there's always an outlier) having trouble resetting their device, setting up a passcode, or deleting a text message, but the kind folks at Apple are showing you anyway. Additionally, you'll catch instructions on how to silence the ringer, create a favorites list, assign a ringtone, browse in Cover Flow, edit text, and set up mail preferences. Go on, check out the vid in the read link, we promise we won't tell anyone you're still miffed by the lack of a number pad.
LCD screen lets you waggle on the go
We admired Engadget's custom-made portable Wii, but most gamers don't want to take such drastic steps to achieve Wii mobility. That's where Century steps in.They've made a portable 7-inch LCD screen that connects to the Wii, and contains its own sensor bar. It's priced at 14,800 yen ($120)? Good thing we're scary recluses and don't go places anyway! That doesn't seem terrible for an LCD screen, but it's more than we'd enjoy paying for the privilege of a smaller screen.
Paper-thin display inspires redesigned dreams
The tumultuous journey to the mythical PSP redesign is still going strong. This video of a new portable screen developed by Sony only adds fuel to the grandiose rumors that have been spreading throughout the web. This new technology seems ideally suited for a handheld device, but it may be too bleeding-edge for it to come out in this generation of PSPs. For now, Sony's official stance is that a redesign is simply rumor. But, wouldn't it be incredible to see this tech used in the "PSP Slim"? [Via IGN Boards]
AU Optronics squeezes more real estate onto mobile screens
AU Optronics seems to know a thing or two about LCDs, and the engineering minds behind the scenes have apparently developed a few mobile screens that replace those wide borders with more pixels. The firm will be showing off its new 2.2-inch transflective panel with the "world's slimmest border of 0.9-millimeters" and its 2.7-inch panel which touts the "world's highest contrast ratio" (for its size, we presume) of 2,100:1, which just barely edges Sharp's iteration. The near-borderless display is reportedly "a half size smaller" than existing renditions, and the 2.7-incher claims to be uber-bright and offer up an unusually wide viewing angle as well. Unfortunately, it sounds like this technology won't be making its way up the LCD food chain, as one researcher noted that what you see here will be "mobile device-exclusive."[Via FarEastGizmos]
The Wii goes portable with Pega
A 7-inch (or 8.5-inch) screen display for the Wii isn't that impressive when compared to some of the other shrunken setups we've seen, but its portability might interest on-the-go gamers. As we've come to expect from accessories manufacturer Pega, the attachable screen provides just enough functionality to be usable, allowing for volume/color control, four-direction visual angle adjustment, and little else. There's something to be said though about being able to play a game of Wii Sports: Golf with the display whenever the mood strikes -- mainly, "Wow, this sure would be a lot more fun if we had a bigger TV. Or if we were playing Mystical Ninja instead."[Via MaxConsole]
Three-year-old's Tennis tantrum
Brian McConnell left his son, Adam, alone with a game of Wii Sports: Tennis for only a few moments to fetch a drink, but that was all the time the little demon needed. Not even a Wii remote strap could've saved Brian's plasma TV once the three-year-old set his mind on avenging a lost match. Brian came back to the living room to find his £1,000 television ruined, its 42-inch screen bashed by his Wiimote-wielding progeny. Queue up the darth_vader_nooo.jpg images. The forgiving father let Adam off the hook with only a light lecture and a two-week Wii ban. That's a lot more lenient than the hanging, drawing, and quartering punishment one of our NintenDadz would've sought. [Via Engadget]
Protect your fancy TV from your friends
LCDArm has started marketing (but not yet selling) a piece of plastic that goes over an LCD TV screen and protects it from ... miscellaneous projectiles. The nature of these projectiles is not made explicit, but we can think of only one item that has gotten attention for busting people's televisions. We might be electronic Darwinists who believe that people who can't keep their Wiimotes in hand shouldn't have fancy TV's, but that's no reason not to take precautions against friends' sweatiness.The device is also an anti-glare shield, designed to block harmful ultraviolet light (in the words of the PR blurb: "Reduces ultraviolet (UV) rays and health to human eyes"). You know, because you don't want to see all of that light that comes out of your TV. Wait, reduces health to human eyes?[Via Joystiq]
Luminous Arc from every angle
The combination of Marvelous Interactive and Atlus USA usually equals something unique, if nothing else. Luminous Arc, the new strategy RPG set to debut outside Japan this year, also seems to have undergone the in-depth localization that marks out so many of the titles Atlus publishes for Western gamers.In a recent fan-based interview with the Atlus team at Siliconera, Luminous Arc was compared with the classic Final Fantasy Tactics. Atlus Editor Clayton Chan, who worked on both titles, said that they gameplay in Final Fantasy Tactics definitely wins, but the characters in Luminous Arc are hard to beat. That's high praise, considering not many games can stand next to FFT. See for yourself, at least when it comes to screens, after the jump.
Ask PSP Fanboy: Volume 19
Every Saturday, PSP Fanboy will answer your burning questions. If you have a question for the team, send an e-mail to andrew @ pspfanboy.com with the subject "Ask PSP Fanboy." NOTE: We do NOT answer questions related to downloading illegal copies of games. Stop asking.Q: Does Andrew hand-select his emails for Ask PSP Fanboy?A: Yes. Some questions simply can't be answered, while others aren't worth answering at all.Q: How many people have installed custom firmware on their PSP systems?A: This is probably an impossible question to answer. There's no way of tracking all the PSP systems out there, nor is there a fair way of evaluating it. If we polled the PSP Fanboy community, it will be more likely that we'll have users of custom firmware -- but will a casual player even know about homebrew? Most likely not. The one thing we can say, however, is that custom firmware is becoming increasingly popular. A look at dark-alex.org's alexa stats reveals the incredible growing demand for custom firmware.
New Guilty Gear screens and details
While these pictures are from scans and thus aren't the best quality, they come with a bonus bit of information: Guilty Gear XX Accent Core players will have a choice of two control schemes: Wiimote with full motion controls, or a more traditional control scheme. Just what we wanted!This latest Guilty Gear is due out in Japan near the end of July.
Spankin' new Gundam screens
Mobile Suit Gundam MS Front 0079 looks better with every screen and scan that we see, particularly considering what we have to compare it to. But looks aren't everything, and though we've been rough on Wii graphics lately (it's only because we love you, Wii!), the fact remains that Gundam games tend to be a love-it or hate-it proposition.Of course, it all may be a moot issue until or unless the game heads out of Japan, but that doesn't mean we can't look! See for yourself after the jump.
Forlorn Spidey has nowhere to sling his webs
No wonder Spider-Man 3 got such mixed reviews on the Wii version of the game -- someone forgot to finish the graphics. We can't think of any other possible explanation for something this atrocious. What's going on here? How can this be considered acceptable ... and how can anyone bestow even a middling-good score on such a sight? We love us some Spider-Man and all, but this game would have to be the best thing ever (moreso even than sliced bread) to wrangle an 83%. Maybe we're just pickier than most, but this looks like a sign that not only is there something wrong with how some third-party Wii games are being handled, but maybe the review system isn't all it's cracked up to be, either.[Via Digg]
Dragon Quest IX in full color
We've seen some of this before, particularly the lower right panel, but only in scans -- look at the difference in the full color screenshots! The production values on this are staggering; remember the jaggy screenshots from Chocobo Tales? The backgrounds in Final Fantasy III? Those games are beautiful in motion, but suffer somewhat in stills. If this comparison is any indication of what's in store for us with Dragon Quest IX, we're not sure we can handle that much awesome.
New official NiGHTS screens
We know that NiGHTS: Journey of Dreams will use the Wii's Forecast Channel for seasonal effects in the upcoming game, and we know that multiple control styles will be available, but we hadn't seen much of the look of the game beyond a few scans. Now, all that's changed; official screenshots have finally been released, and you can stare and drool to your heart's content. Just try not to get it on the keyboard.
Rune Factory 2 screens burst into light
We don't even have the first Rune Factory yet, and already there are screenshots from the sequel. This is getting entirely too common with games we're interested in, like Professor Layton and his Many Mysterious Venues. Rune Factory 2, like its predecessor, is a spin-off from the Harvest Moon series. There's some debate as to whether or not we even need the first title, but we're willing to give it a spin when it finally comes out. In the meantime, we'll check out these shots from the sequel
We find the fun in MySims DS scans
Finally, a look at MySims on DS that looks worth playing. We were starting to get a little sulky, because it looked like all the fun went into the Wii version and we were left with some lackluster Mii knockoffs, but these latest scans from Famitsu show off what DS owners can expect from the upcoming Sims redux. Hit the jump to see the scans, complete with inset screenshots.
New Brothers in Arms shots
DS games are looking pretty hot lately, but Brothers in Arms is just so gorgeous that we can't help but wonder what the catch is ... like maybe it will give us cancer or completely suck or something. Probably not, but we'll be keeping an eye out for anything that could cause lasting harm, either physical or emotional.While you ponder our weird paranoias, check out the screens. They're after the jump.
