Classic Wii Controller grows wings

Sony has its latest DualShock 3 for its PlayStation 3 and now Nintendo is following its Japanese compatriot's footstep with an enhanced Pro iteration of its Classic Wii Controller. With a design that closely resembles its predecessor's complete with wings and an overweight DualShock 3, the Classic Wii Controller Pro adds hand grips, extra shoulder buttons and wider spacing between the mini joysticks.

According to Web site Kotaku, the Classic Wii Controller Pro should be launched in this summer. We're assuming that's around July or August for the Japanese market.

Via Kotaku

Sony, Philips, Panasonic to create single Blu-ray license

Companies that wish to make Blu-ray devices will very soon have a less expensive and simpler licensing process, according to a joint announcement Wednesday from Sony, Philips, and Panasonic.

A new license will be established by mid-2009 as a "one-stop shop" for device makers. The license will include all necessary Blu-ray, DVD, and CD patents for selling Blu-ray players. The licensing program will be handled by a new licensing company to be led by Gerald Rosenthal, former head of intellectual property at IBM. It will be based in the US, but will have local branches in Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

Instead of having to approach Blu-ray, DVD, and CD holders individually and paying them separate royalties, the single license should cut down the total cost of royalty payments by 40 percent, according to Sony.


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Panasonic VieraCast explained and its future pondered

This week at its UK launch event for the 2009 range of TVs and home cinema equipment, Panasonic has barely stopped banging the drum of VieraCast--but what the hell is it, and why should you give a monkey's?

Like so many other manufacturers, Panasonic wants to bring a tiny corner of the Internet to your TV. Unlike Samsung, it's decided to go it alone, rather than enlist a company such as Yahoo to do the heavy design work. Instead, Panasonic has created its own Internet portal, through which its TVs and home-cinema equipment can allow you access to YouTube, Picasa photos and Bloomberg financial news.

According to Panasonic, VieraCast uses simple coding languages to provide the content. JavaScript and XML are both involved, which gives everything a pleasant, dynamic look, without taking ages to code each application. Panasonic told us that one developer made a full app in just one week. Unlike Yahoo Widgets, the Panasonic offering is a much more immersive experience--designed to take centre stage, rather than sit on top of or around what you're currently watching.


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Rumor: PS3 price cut imminent?

Another week, another rumor that a PS3 price cut is right around the corner. This time the fuel comes from Janco Partners' Mike Hickey, who, according to the site gamesindustry.biz, said in his latest note to investors that Sony needs to chop US$100 off the 80GB PS3's price to "restart unit velocity at retail" and that "recent channel checks indicate increased speculation for a PS3 price cut announcement from Sony in the next couple of days".

To cap things off, Hickey added more brutal commentary:
Read more »

Red all over: Limited-edition Resident Evil 5 Xbox 360 Elite

In celebration of the release of "Resident Evil 5", Microsoft will be offering a limited-edition version of the Xbox 360 Elite console.

The Resident Evil 5 Xbox 360 Elite will come in a red finish and have a red controller. Bundled inside the box you'll find everything the Elite has to offer, in addition to a code for an exclusive "Resident Evil 5" theme for your dashboard. Also included as a bonus will be a free voucher for "Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix".

The console should ship around the time "Resident Evil 5" launches, which is Friday, March 13. (The game will also available for PlayStation 3.) The price of the special console will remain the same as a regular Xbox 360 Elite at US$400. However, this model is currently available only in the US.

Via CNET Crave

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