Stealth
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Vidabox's STEALTH media center keeps ultra-quiet at 3.6-inches tall
Not content with having released the ZERO barely two months ago, Vidabox just announced its latest media center, dubbed the STEALTH. This new model comes in a slim 3.6-inch tall case, but can be fully loaded with a DVD±RW dual-layer burner, a pair of analog tuners, a pair of HD tuners and up to 1.5TB worth of storage. Like its siblings, the STEALTH also has an AMD AM2 5200+ Dual-Core CPU, 4GB of RAM, a 7950GT video card with dual DVI outputs and an HDCP-compliant HDMI 1.2 jack. While we can tell you that the STEALTH will be released sometime before the end of the year, it appears that Vidabox has made a product so quiet that we didn't quite hear how much it'll cost.
Sony kicks out 007 Edition VAIO TX / DSC-T50B Cybershot
No double agent facade is complete with just an uber-stealthy Sony Ericsson cellphone, as everyone understands that no impossible improbable heist goes down without wiring a few mil to that heavily secured offshore account. Stepping up to the oh-so-dodgy challenge is Sony's own 007 Edition VAIO TX ultraportable, slimmed down to just 1-inch thick and weighing 2.8 pounds in order to fit comfortably in the matching Attaché briefcase. The 11.1-inch machine touts a carbon fiber enclosure, WXGA XBRITE display, 1.2GHz Intel U1400 Core Solo processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, 80GB 4200RPM hard drive, Intel's GMA950 integrated graphics set, dual-layer DVD burner, and a snazzy "privacy screen" that blurs all on-screen content to curious enemies not looking head-on. The Casino Royale-approved device also touts audio in / out, Ethernet, 56k modem, a pair of USB 2.0 ports, 4-pin FireWire, MS / MSPro reader, PCMCIA, and the wireless tools (read: WiFi / Bluetooth) no undercover assassin could function without. For snapping up those incriminating reconnaissance photos, Sony bundles in a DSC-T50B (the "B" is for Bond, presumably) which rocks the same bevy of specs found on its less-secretive sibling, but sports a sleek, black finish and the obligatory 007 logo. While you may have got turned down when looking to become Pierce Brosnan's sure-to-be-legendary successor, you can live vicariously through Sony for just $4,299.99 -- but those desirable silhouettes are unfortunately not included.[Thanks, Will]
O2 Xda Stealth in the flesh
We're still smarting from the thought that O2's sexy little Pocket PC slider has virtually no shot of ever gracing US shores, but that doesn't stop us from torturing ourselves with an endless onslaught of fabulous visual stimuli. PhoneDaily's quick take on the Gigabyte-manufactured Xda Stealth is a bit tricky to translate (we suggest spoon-feeding paragraphs into Google Translate one at a time), but let's be honest -- pics are what we're all here for. As a reminder, the diminutive Windows Mobile device packs 802.11g and a healthy 192MB of ROM on board, which'll come in handy when you're making use of the 2-megapixel cam. If you're capable of subjecting yourself to photo after beautiful photo of a great-looking device that'll never find its way here, click through for the full spread.[Thanks, Dida]
Stealth Computer's $1,195 2000-DT-TB keyboard
We've seen plenty of rugged devices hit the market, and we've witnessed all sorts of newfangled keyboards as well, but Stealth Computers is blending over-the-top durability with one of the most basic input peripherals known to man in its 2000-DT-TB models. Offered in both PS/2 and USB forms, this "totally sealed" NEMA-certified stainless steel 'board is entirely weatherproof, sports an integrated trackball (complete with adjustable "tension ring"), silicon rubber keys, and can handle a dissertation composition in 194 degrees F and 100% humidity (as long as the operator can endure the conditions). The bonus "WIN" button is also a welcome touch, as we imagine it allows you to emerge victorious in a WOW raid with a single key press. Oddly enough, this beast of a 'board is only backed by a one year limited warranty, which doesn't exactly support the bold claims we're led to believe -- while most may harp on the $1,195 pricetag, the real issue is whether or not your $10,000 Dell XPS 600 Renegade (and $99 mouse) can hold their own in the rough as well.
More deets on O2's Xda Stealth
Perhaps we failed to adequately emphasize one key feature of the Gigabyte-sourced Xda Stealth when we outed its FCC filing yesterday: its diminutive size. At 110 x 53 x 22.5mm, it bests the HTC Wizard in all but length (where it clocks in just 2 millimeters longer), putting it nearly in dumbphone territory. Granted, the Stealth lacks a full keyboard, but everything's put into better perspective when remembering that it manages to stuff Pocket PC Phone Edition power (and specs to match) into a package on par with some Smartphones on the market. Though there's no 3G radio aboard the handset, we take solace in its 802.11g support; in fact, the only thing raining on our parade is the triband GSM support, which leaves parts of the world unhappy pretty much any way you slice it -- let this be a lesson to Gigabyte that they've got some American sales waiting in the wings as soon as they want to tack GSM 850 onto this thing.Update: MTekk reports that the Stealth will be finding its way to Australia post haste, officially launching before the end of the month for around $940 Australian ($707 US).
FCC reveals O2's Xda Stealth
If you like your O2 Xdas with a few less keys than what the Cosmo's packing, news of the Gigabyte-designed "Stealth" might just get your heart racing. The FCC's spilled the beans on the triband GSM (sorry, Yanks) slider, revealing 802.11g, a 2.4-inch QVGA display, 192MB of flash with 64MB of RAM, and a respectable 2-megapixel shooter. Without GSM 850, a US release is out of the question, and frankly we're not quite sure what bearing FCC approval has on it dropping in the European marketplace, but we reckon it mustn't be long.[Via phoneArena]
Splinter Cell coming to the Wii
As if Ubisoft hadn't done enough already, they've added yet another game to the "launch window" release. Splinter Cell: Double Agent is currently being developed by Ubisoft's Montreal studios for a quick release on the Wii. Let's use our psychic powers to predict the future, shall we? There will be no online component for the Wii version. The programmers have utilized the Wiimote to create a special, unique control scheme. Some missions will remain exclusive to the Xbox 360 version of the game. Sam Fisher will star in some government-oriented espionage action. (goes to look) Oh my stars, look at that, we're precognizant. On the less skeptical side of things, this looks to be one of the better-looking Wii titles, and Splinter Cell doesn't often disappoint, so chalk this up as another minor victory for the fledgling console.[via Joystiq]
Researchers develop stealth radar system
Researchers at Ohio State's ElectroScience Laboratory say they've created a radar system that that is virtually undetectable when used, and able to penetrate solid walls to boot -- no doubt a significant boon to military, law enforcement, and disaster rescue operations. The radar works by scattering a very low-intensity signal across a wide range of frequencies, effectively disguising itself as random noise, but apparently not actually interfering with devices because its bandwidth is much broader than the signals it's hiding in. Although it's hardly the first to pull off wall penetration, the entire radar system can be built from components totaling less than a hundred bucks. But hold up before you run out to Radio Shack, because it shouldn't come as much surprise that they aren't providing detailed DIY plans. In fact, it sounds like those industrious Ohioans already got this system patented and are looking to license the IP -- so cheap gear or not, when it comes to the tech you gotta pay up or shut up.[Via Physorg]
The Boy Genius Report: BlackBerry Stealth
Boy Genius has plenty more Cingy launch timetable info to share with us, dear readers, and one of the most interesting is a new BlackBerry device dubbed the "Stealth." The disappointment for us is that it's probably another SureType device, and all signs point to EDGE data, not UTMS. With what we could gather from the legend, the Stealth will include an MP3 player (huh?), removable memory, but sadly still no camera. The Stealth appears to be slated for release in the October / November timeframe.
Assassin's Creed to feature co-op, downloadable content [update 1]
Eurogamer reports that, according to OPM, Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed will include co-op missions and unspecified downloadable content. Admittedly, this welcome revelation comes as little surprise, as these two features are quickly becoming staples of next-gen era titles. We're more curious about the possibility of versus multiplayer, perhaps building on the concepts featured in the Splinter Cell series. But, if history is any indicator, that might have to wait until the sequel. Assassin's Creed is currently scheduled for release on PlayStation 3 only, although an Xbox 360 version is likely in the works.[Update 1: Metafuture has thrown the smack down on the dubious origins of this one, and it ain't OPM. Eurogamer got their unsourced info from Computer & Video Games who apparently cribbed it from German gaming site GameFront and, in doing so, mistranslated the meaning.
Hitman: Blood Money demo hits XBL
Set to ship next week, the demo for Eidos' latest Hitman title, Blood Money, has hit the Xbox Live Marketplace. Stop everything you're doing on your 360 and give it some time to download the 783Mb demo. Can't wait until that active downloads functionality starts working fo' real. Our sources are whispering any day now.
Portable Ops: MGS on PSP sans card battles
Since we didn't get into Konami's keynote this afternoon (they had a little tantrum when we didn't remove a post at their request) we're linking to Gamespot's coverage of the latest installment in the seminal Metal Gear Solid series: Portable Ops for the PSP. What makes Portable Ops special? No card battles, that's what!According to Gamespot, Ops is "even more intriguing than [they] would have expected." Errr, okay. Whatever that means. We will say that it features that same MGS action that console gamers have come to love, packaged in a convenient portable factor. Taking place in 1970, six years after the events of Snake Eater, Ops will detail Naked Snake's fall from grace ... we're talking Big Boss people. Plan on getting some portable sneaking on winter '06. Awesome.
Metal Gear Solid 4 -- final logo
After leaping over a fence, running frantically from security guards and dodging an intricate series of traps, the Joystiq team infiltrated the hallowed walls that house E3. Mysterious barriers and surly men barred us from progressing much farther, but we were able to sneakily snap some pictures of the banners and signs hanging about. Hovering over the Konami booth was this Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots logo, which demonstrates a departure from the previous design and a strange obsession with upside-down sevens. With Kojima having his hands on this title, we can only assume that there's a deeper meaning to be found here.Our guess: Snake will be battling an elite and mostly psychotic team of soldiers called the Seven Deadly Sims. They'll be post-modern virtual entities meant to illustrate how life has become a neo-classical pastiche and how technology is....yeah. We have no idea what it means. Expect Kojima to reveal the truth at the Konami press conference on Tuesday.
Hitman: Blood Money gets a ship date
Xbox 360 owners got a real treat not too long ago when we found out Hitman: Blood Money will not only be making it to the current-gen consoles but the 360 as well. Today Eidos has come out and said that May 26th is the day in which our infamous cleaner makes his debut on next-gen territory. So with this title coming out on PC, PS2 and Xbox, most gamers want to know whether or not the 360 version will be just a fancy port or provide a little something more. We know how some ported titles don't exactly live up to the next-gen hype (*cough* GUN *cough*). It'd be a crying shame to see this happen to the Hitman series. Here's hoping we don't see an easy cop-out from IO Interactive.
See Snake in MGS3: Horse Meat Eater
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was almost a great game. Instead it was a really good game with one major flaw: you couldn't eat horse meat. That is why it thrills us to discover that Hideo Kojima has seen fit to amend this oversight in MGS3: Subsistence.Sure, it's only a bonus movie this time... but our top secret inside sources at Konami have informed us that MGS4 on the PS3 will be the most realistic 4-D horse meat eating simulation in existence![Via VG Cats]
Stealth in 1.10
Stealth and invisibility abilities have been altered for the 1.10 patch, and if you're a class with a stealth ability, you aren't going to think it's for the better. Presently, when in stealth, you can use a skill, and are unstealthed at the end of the skill cast. However, in 1.10, you are unstealthed at the beginning of the skill cast rather than the end. What does this mean to you? Well, if you're trying to cast aimed shot from shadowmeld, people now have a chance to spot you. Though there are pages of complaints, Blizzard has confirmed that this change is intentional.[Fan art by Nicole Chartrand]
Kojima on Uwe Boll: "It's impossible"
The Kojima Productions Report, the English companion to Hideo Kojima's audioblog HIDECHAN, released its second installment today, and it's already bearing fruit! Host Ryan Payton delivers a message from Kojima-san dispelling recent "nasty rumors" that Uwe Boll is being considered to direct an upcoming Metal Gear Solid movie. Says Kojima:"Absolutely not! I don't know why Uwe Boll is even talking about this kind of thing. We've never talked to him. It's impossible that we'd ever do a movie with him." Ouch! Kojima sounds pretty confident that Konami isn't sidestepping his authorial control anytime soon, even if Boll did receive a copy of the script. Oh, and Uwe, congratulations on that recent Razzie nomination; we know you have what it takes to bring home the Golden Raspberry!
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
The season of sequels has officially come to an end-or perhaps, just begun-with the arrival of Hideo Kojima's Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Like many of the other blockbuster sequels sprouting up, Snake Eater inherits its backbone from its predecessors, while managing to surpass them in every way-we certainly don't miss the mind-numbing philosophical ramblings of MGS2. But no radar? Don't fret, there's some Snake-friendly gadgets that will ease the pain of losing your most valued crutch. The new health/stamina/inventory systems may be different, but you'll find it helps to propel the gameplay, as does the camouflage. And certainly, some players will welcome the new close quarters fighting. With Snake Eater, the developers have pushed the PS2 hardware to the max, without going overboard (see Killzone). Still, the dated camera system is annoying as ever, but the thrilling(!) boss battles and breathing environments are some of the best we've seen-and the number of available options you have to approach these scenarios is equally impressive. And c'mon, MGS characters are always priceless! Despite twists and turns around every corner, Snake Eater is clearly the best this series has to offer. But is it the best sequel this season has to offer? That remains to be determined...
Metal Gear Solid 3 available now
Yes folks, you can now eat snakes. As Solid Snake. It doesn't get much more poetic than that. Or maybe in the game, Snake eats himself... Who knows... For those of us who are fans of the Snake they call Solid, the latest iteration of the series has shipped. Expect more stealthy action, hardcore violence, and lots of great music, especially the Harry Gregson Williams pieces. (I'm a fan, what can I say.) And, of course, the always snazzy visuals an MGS game provides. The kind of visuals that, when they debuted with MGS2: Sons of Liberty, actually made grown men weep. (Happened at E3.) A word to the wise: A lot of people complained that the demo of MGS: Snake Eater was too easy. The official story is that the difficulty was tuned back considerably in the demo. Don't expect such an easy journey in the full version. Even if you have no interest in the game, the demo on the recent Jam Pack demo DVD in stores is worth checking out, purely for the opening segment. Spectacular stuff. Note for trivia fans: David Hayter, the voice of Solid Snake, is also the voice on all EA Sports "It's in the game" intros. He also wrote the screenplays for the two X-Men movies.
Konami employs Hollywood no-names for MGS3
Konami has joined forces with some legitimate, albeit unknown, Hollywood talent for the latest Metal Gear installment. David Hyter, Harry Gregson-Williams & Kyle Cooper join the team. Those names ring any bells? Well, Hayter is actually the (English language) voice of Solid Snake and will once again lend his talents-he's also a screenwriter (X-Men, X2 & Scorpion King). Gregson-Williams is composing another original score for the series (he's responsible for the MGS2 score). Some of his Hollywood credits include, Shrek 1 & 2, Enemy of the State, Team America & Man on Fire. Finally, Cooper, a director/producer, is working with Hideo Kojima (MGS creator) on an interactive opening title sequence. Cooper's worked on title sequences for Spider-Man, Seven & Mission Impossible. Metal Gear Sold 3: Snake Eater will be available on November 17. [Good lookin' out, David]
