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Report: Microsoft in talks to buy Israeli VR firm
Daniel Terdiman | Feb 18, 2009
The ZCam, from 3DV Systems, which is rumored to be in acquisition talks with Microsoft.
(Credit: Jared Kohler/CNET Networks)
Microsoft hopes the acquisition of a virtual reality start-up will give it another trick up its sleeve in the game console wars, if one report proves true.
As anyone who has been following the video game industry over the last couple of years knows, Nintendo's Wii console has been the runaway sales leader.
In the early going of the so-called "next generation" of consoles, which began in late 2005 with the release of Microsoft's Xbox 360 and continued a year later with the launch of the Wii and Sony's PlayStation 3, each company tended to refer to the "console wars" as being a battle between the three.
But more recently, as the Wii has vaulted far ahead of either the Xbox or the PS3, Microsoft and Sony have recast the console wars as being just between the two of them; They argue, instead, that the Wii is a very different kind of machine and that, in fact, many Xbox or PS3 owners also own a Wii.
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StarHub dropping analog Cable TV service
Philip Wong | Feb 17, 2009
The Singapore telco has just announced its plans to cease its analog Cable TV service from June 30 citing the phasing out of relevant settop boxes (STB) in the industry. Affected StarHub subscribers can opt to sign up for its digital Cable TV service which offers a variety of advantages. For starters, there are more than twice as many TV channels, inclusive of HD programs, in digital format. Furthermore, user will also have access to onscreen electronic program guide, free games, as well as handy information such as stock listings and lottery results via its Interactive TV channel.
The digital migration will require a settop box (STB) upgrade with revised monthly rental charges. Instead of paying S$2.14 (US$1.52) for an analog STB, users can choose between a digital STB, high-definition (HD) STB, HubStation and HubStation HD at S$4.28 (US$3.05), S$6.42 (US$4.57), S$8.56 (US$6.10) and S$14.98 (US$10.67), respectively. To offset the price variation, StarHub is offering a monthly waiver of S$2.14 (US$1.52) off the rental fees for a period of six months per hardware upgrade. You may also need to upgrade to an HDTV if you're upgrading to its HD settop box.
Existing customers can exchange their STBs at any of StarHub's four customer service centers or request for an onsite installation (S$32.10 (US$22.87) fee applicable). Detailed setup instructions are also available in the product package and downloadable online here. You can refer to the StarHub press release for more information.
Canon's Xeed gets 1200p picture resolution
Philip Wong | Feb 16, 2009
(Credit: Canon)
Whether you're a Computer-Aided Design professional or an accountant who deals with huge complex spreadsheets, the Canon Xeed WUX10's ultra-high 1,920 x 1,200 resolution is designed to boost your work productivity. The world's first WUXGA LCoS projector will comfortably display two A4-size documents side by side up to 300 inches in screen size with its bright 3,200 ANSI lumens output. This gives you the advantage of displaying more than double the information of an XGA projector without frequent scrolling.
Since the WUX10 multimedia projector is also full-HD-ready, Canon has included an HDMI 1.3 terminal featuring 1080p signal-compatibility and Deep Color support for richer hues. More importantly, it comes with a separate PC and digital DVI input for added flexibility to hook up a laptop or desktop computer. Getting this Canon up and running is also a simple plug-and-play affair, thanks to its auto setup. This function covers everything from focusing and input selection to image geometry and color adjustments.
For all the above capabilities, you'll have to shell out a cool S$16,999 (US$12,111.86) or about five times the average price of a 3,000 ANSI lumens XGA model. The Canon Xeed WUX10 is now available in Singapore. We've not received further information for the rest of Asia.
S3 offers affordable graphics card for home theater
Dong Ngo | Feb 16, 2009
Hard-core gamers might laugh at this, but if you have a budget PC that you want to upgrade cheaply to be a media center that can play HD content on the big TV screen, then S3 Graphics has something for you.
(Credit: S3 Graphics)
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Xbox 360-powered retro arcade machine
Philip Wong | Feb 13, 2009
(Credit: Solomods.com)
I swear this is definitely not the first time I am writing about such modernized retro arcade machines. The spin for this particular one from Solomods.com is a bit different, though. I guess it is pretty obvious from the image that this concoction is powered by the Microsoft console with its "loud" neon sign and Xbox 360 written all over it. To be more specific, the Xbox 360 arcade machine has a naked 60GB kit featuring a custom-installed disc drive and infrared sensor tailored for the huge cabinet.
Nevertheless, what really caught my attention is the antique 27-inch CRT monitor. While it does make the finished product authentic, we're just not convinced that this a good match for an Xbox 360 based on our past experience. There's another bigger problem. The Xbox 360 arcade machine is available only for local pickup in Ohio, US, and costs a whopping US$2,250. If it is any help, you might like to know that it's preloaded with three games, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter Turbo HD and Soul Calibur.
Via Bornrich
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