R.I.P: Grateful Dead exorcised download controversy

Recently, fans of the Grateful Dead (GD) seemed to think that corporate greed has befouled their favorite "undead" band. Un-Grateful fans cried foul and heaped abuse on the band for wanting to put a price on its once free concert recordings. Now that sounds like corporate vampirism.

Things culminated into an online petition that promised a boycott for all things GD. In a healthy capitalist music industry, bad press and bad sales just add up to a giant wooden stake pointing at the heart of profitability. And GD must have turned a wraithlike shade when it realized there were a thousand hammer-wielding fans hankering to do the deadly deed. Naturally, the band reversed its decision. More info here

World's first ULi 1697 board is Abit-ready

Returning to the single-chip design, the latest ULi 1697 mainboard is optimized for AMD processors. According to reports, Abit will launch its UL8 Pro board on December 3 and be the first vendor in the market with a ULi 1697 mainboard.

The latest range of AMD processors integrate the memory controller hub inside the chip instead of the Northbridge of the chipset, thereby removing the data transfer lag to the board's Southbridge. With the need to separate the chip into two distinct regions becoming redundant, the ULi 1697 chipset uses a single-chip design to increase data flow on the board.

The Abit UL8 Pro chip looks like a good compromise between future and legacy standards. Two IDE and PCI slots can be used for older devices, while the increase in PCIe x1 connectors permit future expandability. Doing away with the legacy AGP slot, graphics cards can utilize the faster PCIe x16 interface for better performance. The number of SATA ports has doubled to four. The Abit board additionally includes new features like NCQ, SATA 2, RAID 5 support and high-definition integrated audio. The mainboard in the illustration is an older ATI AT8 product.

Xbox 360 to launch on March 2 in Asia

The launch date for Asia is finally confirmed. Microsoft has announced that it will be launching the Xbox 360 in selected Asian countries on March 2 next year. An estimated 15 software titles will be available during launch, including the much-awaited Project Gotham Racing 3, Project Dark Zero and Kameo. The full range of optional accessories, from a 20GB hard drive and headset to wireless controller and networking adapter, will also be unveiled.

While prices will be released only in January 2006, a Samsung spokesperson has revealed that there will be sets of Xbox 360 bundled with a Samsung High-Def TV during launch. Only 360 sets of this special bundle will be available.

Full review of the Xbox 360

Can Dispenser Mini Venda

Strictly for gimmick lovers, the price on this mini vending machine alone can buy you two small bar fridges. What's more, it's dubious whether the dispenser can live up to its claim of ice-cold cans everytime. The one we came across in a giant Tokyu Home DIY store in Tokyo felt plastic, was plastic, and would require plastic money to pay for the set since it's doubtful anyone would carry so much spare change in their pockets. What was more interesting was the accompanying placard which read: "Good for office use", where thirsty staffers are clearly expected to feed coins into the mini dispenser if they want their soda. Bummer.

See larger image | interior

Via Chip Chick

Price: £99.95 (US$172)
Availability: See Web site
Device: Drink dispenser
Basic specs: Holds up to 10 cans, includes 10p coin tokens, mains adapter, window-style display, illuminated interior, locking door

Visual Radio is now available in Singapore

Over the past weekend, mobile operator StarHub, together with Nokia, HP and Medicorp, announced the launch of Visual Radio in Singapore. For those not familiar with this new service, Visual Radio provides an interactive form of radio listening where users can not only get information and trivia on the music and artist, but also vote for their favorite songs and even participate in related contests.

To access the service, mobile users have to subscribe to a data plan and use one of the Visual Radio-enabled handsets, including the Nokia 6111, N70, 7710, 6230i and 3230. The only radio frequency currently available with Visual Radio is FM 98.7 but more stations are expected to be added in the future.

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