Is Palm Pre an iPhone killer? We find out now

The Smart Phone wars are about to kick into high gear with Sprint's introduction of its "iPhone killer," the Palm Pre.

The Pre is exclusive for Sprint and goes on sale Saturday (6/6) for $199.99 with a two-year service agreement. You can buy the Pre at any Sprint store as well as Best Buy, Radio Shack and select Wal-Marts.

Several media reports claim that Apple's response will come Monday when it is expected to announce either a $149 or $99 iPhone, down from the current $199 8-gigabyte model.

Apple is also expected to release a new iPhone this summer as well as a new iPhone operating system that will work with existing phones.

Most smart phone companies may be playing a little catch up with the Pre.

The Pre runs on the new Palm webOS mobile operating system and features a drop-down QWERTY keyboard, unlike the totally touch screen iPhone.

Sprint also promises to deliver a phone that is equally at home handling your business or your casual conversations and usage needs.

“The argument that you need one phone for work and another phone for play, or that you have to make compromises between business and lifestyle productivity, is over,” said Dan Hesse, president and CEO of Sprint. “With Pre, compromises of the past are history.”

I can't say if that's true, but what is true is how you can save nearly $1,500 annually over two years with Sprint's simply everything plan at $99.99 per month versus plans costing nearly $50 more from AT&T and Verizon for smart phones.

The good news for consumers is that AT&T, which exclusively sells iPhone, and Verizon, which has the best network in the country, may lower prices to compete with the new product, which packs a big technological punch.

"The Pre's dynamic 'activity cards' approach to handling and navigating multiple applications is a great advance, but the core breakthrough is the integration of information across multiple applications on and off the phone," said Andy Castonguay, director of Mobile & Access Devices Research, Yankee Group. "With social networking and messaging being so important to consumers, the device’s new ‘Palm Synergy’ functionality – which gives Pre the ability to automatically pull friends' contact details, messaging addresses and personal calendars from different applications online and on the phone – will greatly simplify people's ability to communicate with their friends and colleagues the way they want."

A key feature of the Pre is "Palm Synergy," a feature that brings together your personal and professional calendar, contacts and e-mail into one centralized view, making transitions between work and personal life smooth and easy to manage.

For example, if you have the same contact listed in your Outlook, Google and Facebook accounts, Synergy recognizes that they’re the same person and links the information, presenting it to you as one listing.

Layered calendars allows you to view work and personal calendars can be seen on their own or layered together in a single view. Combined messaging lets you see all your conversations with the same person in a chat-style view, even if it started in IM and you want to reply with text messaging. You can also see who’s active in a buddy list right from contacts or e-mail, and start a new conversation with just one touch.

Cover boy Kobe Bryant loves to play games

Kobe Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers, star will be the cover athlete for 2K Sports' NBA 2K10.

After leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a remarkable 65-17 regular season record and a 1-0 lead in the NBA Finals, Bryant has established himself as one of the best players in the game.

“I’ve been playing sports video games for as long as I can remember and honestly, I’ve never seen one come so close to replicating real basketball," Bryant said. "What 2K Sports has done is truly incredible. (They are) constantly improving and adding something new to their game every year that makes them better and better, and that’s exactly what I try to do each season with my game. It’s as if 2K Sports has been on a sports video game championship run for several years now, and I’m not even sure there’s a word for that kind of dominance.”

To support this announcement, 2K Sports brought on legendary, award-winning film director and die-hard New York Knicks fan, Spike Lee, to produce an exclusive TV spot that aired Wednesday night to reveal Kobe Bryant as the cover athlete for NBA 2K10. Lee, who recently directed the highly publicized documentary on Kobe Bryant, Kobe Doin’ Work (ESPN Films), is famously known for his intense love and passion for the game of basketball.

“It's quite obvious why 2K Sports put Kobe Bryant on the cover of NBA 2K10, which is the best NBA video game,” said Lee, whose recent documentary on Bryant has earned high praise. “One day Kobe and I will go 1 on 1 playing NBA 2K10.”

In conjunction with the reveal of Bryant as the cover athlete for NBA 2K10, 2K Sports will invite fans to vote on their choice for the official box cover. A dedicated voting site will offer fans a selection of NBA 2K10 box covers to choose from, and the voting period is open now through June 15. The box cover that receives the most votes at the end of the voting period will be unveiled as the cover of NBA 2K10 on June 16th. More information on voting can be found at the official NBA 2K10 voting site, www.2ksports.com/vote.

Sony adds new motion controller

Following Microsoft's Project Natal announcement for totally hands free gaming, Sony has announced its own motion controller.

Sony's is a hand held device that resembles a wand with a ball at the end. It will use the PlayStation EyeToy to track the ball to capture motion as you play. It's due early next year. Sony says gamers will be able to write or draw using the wand, due to increased sensitivity.

You can easily imagine its application with things like baseball or sword-fighting games. Some publications who saw a live demo at E3 weren't too impressed with this early beta saying it was buggy and wasn't as seamless as Microsoft.

The guess here is that PlayStation will start marching onto Wii territory with its new toy and Microsoft may take gaming to new places and become the must-have unit. Talk about a comeback.

Who will be on NBA2K10? Kobe? LeBron?

2K Sports will reveal the cover athlete for its much anticipated basketball simulation game, NBA 2K10, Thursday night during a 30-second spot that will run during the pre-game show for the NBA Finals (9 p.m., ABC).

Playing videogames with no controller? Revolutionary.

The biggest videogame news in a long time came out Monday when Microsoft announced a new totally hands-free controller system called "Project Natal" (See video below).

Announced during Microsoft's annual E3 press conference, Project Natal allows gamers to use their hands to control Xbox 360 games and movies without touching a controller, a definite one-up to Nintendo's Wii-mote, which you hold in your hand to mimic real life motions.

Nintendo's motion-sensative controller has become so popular that non-gamers are buying Wiis and using them as Yoga stations and other types of workout machines as well as gaming systems. The controller is key. Want to throw a ball? Hold the controller and make a throwing motion.

In Microsoft's new world you can do the same thing, but without holding the controller. If this works, it'll be the biggest videogame breakthrough since the original PlayStation introduced us to realistic looking graphics.

No one is sure when Natal will be available and what games it will work with. Microsoft officials did say the new motion-control system would work with every Xbox 360, but didn't commit backwads compatibility (which I doubt we'll see). You can expect to see costs in the $100 range.

I'm very anxious to see where this goes. The demo video below shows the system talking to you using voice recognition software and people turning off the system using their voice.

This is very exciting, don't you think?

D-Link Network Adapter wins Choice Award

If you have been reading this spot for long, you know we consistently praise the D-Link PowerLine HD Adapters, which allow you to create fast and easy wired network solutions in your home by plugging these devices into two or more outlets.

Today, the PowerLine Network Starter Kit won the Computer Shopper Editors' Choice Award and the PC World Best Buy Award.

In product reviews from both publications, the unit received top editorial recognition for features such as fast transmission speeds, easy installation, simplified management, push-button security and affordability.

Computer Shopper said: "Ease of use and speedy performance are two good reasons to choose the D-Link PowerLine HD Network Starter Kit DHP-303 if you're thinking of using your existing electrical wiring to provide Ethernet connectivity throughout your home. In our tests, installation was a breeze. We plugged one adapter into a wall socket close to our router and connected it with one of the included Ethernet cables, then plugged the second adapter into a wall socket in a room located on the other side of the house. Next, we connected our Lenovo ThinkPad notebook to the second adapter. Within seconds, the notebook was assigned an IP address from the router, and we were up and running.

The unit was also named "Top Pick" in the PC World Best Buy Awards. Editor Becky Waring noted: "its throughput was more than 30 percent higher than the competition's, and it carries a lower price tag."

This is one piece of technology that just works.

First Metal Gear Solid for Xbox 360 due soon

If you've been waiting for a Metal Gear Solid title for Xbox 360, your wait is over.

On Monday, Konami Digital Entertainment announced today that Metal Gear Solid: Rising is currently in development for the Xbox 360.

Raiden, one of the most popular characters in the Metal Gear Solid universe, will star in the all-new title. Raiden first debuted in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty as a playable character (PS2 version) and appeared as a non-playable cyborg in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for the PS3

No firm release date was given.

Ice Age actors lend voices to "Dinasours" game

The talent from Twentieth Century Fox’s upcoming Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs feature film will reprise their roles in the upcoming video game from Activision). The game, like the movie, features the voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah and Josh Peck as members of an unlikely herd of prehistoric pals on a rescue mission across the tundra and beyond as they meet new friends and discover a mysterious world teeming with lush vegetation and fierce dinosaurs.

For the first time in an Ice Age game, players take on the roles of multiple characters such as big-hearted Manny the mammoth (Romano), the earnest but goofy Sid the sloth (Leguizamo), Diego the saber-toothed tiger, fan favorite Scrat and more. Gamers also get gameplay tips from the wacky possum duo, Crash and Eddie (Peck), and Ellie the mammoth (Latifah). Each character features its own strengths and abilities, resulting in a wide variety of gameplay experiences as players work through more than 15 action-packed levels. Players can also team up with friends and family in eight competitive multiplayer mini-games, another first for the game franchise.

The Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs video game is being developed by Eurocom for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii console systems. A Nintendo DS handheld version is also in development.

Meet Buick's new LaCrosse, the car that will save GM

Well at least I think it could help out the struggling automaker.

GM is aiming for the Lexus ES350/Acura TL buying audience with its smartest looking sedan in years. Buick's Enclave started the change. The Enclave was a beautiful sports ute that did everything right, including the thing that had been escaping Ford and GM in recent years - fit and finish.

This new GM was introduced at the January car shows and looks like a winner. It should be in showrooms next month with a price tag starting in the high 20s and topping out in the high 30s if you opt for an All Wheel Drive 280 horsepower version. I think the stock motor, at 255 horses, will be plenty.

The car will have every bell and whistle, every gadget, you could imagine, from Bluetooth support, in-dash navigation, an electronic head-up display in the windshield to track speed and even a system to warn you when objects are in your blind spot.

The LaCrosse will also offer internet connectivity, DVD headrests in the rear, and GM's industry-best On-Star system. Ambient lighting in the cabin just looks cool and hand stitching on the dashboard screams luxury.

This may be a game-changer for Buick, which used to be your father's brand.



LaCrosse Specs

Exterior
Length: 196.9 in. Width: 73.1 in.
Height: 59.2 in. Wheel Base: 111.7 in.
Curb Weight: 4019 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 38 in. Front Hip Room: 55.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 57.4 in. Rear Head Room: 37.3 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 56 in. Rear Hip Room: 53.9 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.7 in. Rear Leg Room: 40.5 in.
Luggage Capacity: 13.3 cu. ft. Maximum Cargo Capacity: 13 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5

Performance Data

Performance
Base Number of Cylinders: 6 Base Engine Size: 3 liters
Base Engine Type: V6 Horsepower: 255 hp
Max Horsepower: 6900 rpm Torque: 217 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 5100 rpm Maximum Towing Capacity: 1000 lbs.
Drive Type: FWD Turning Circle: 38.7 ft.
Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.4 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: 17 mpg / 28 mpg
Range in Miles:
Automatic: 312.8 mi. / 515.2 mi. / mi.

Microsoft's Zune HD could be a game changer

Microsoft has announced plans for its Xbox Live online network to support the Zune, positioning it as a PSP of sorts for the Xbox. The Zune itself will go head to head with the iPod touch.

Here's a sneak peek video.

Zune HD Video Hands On from Gizmodo on Vimeo.

Your Harris Teeter VIC card on your iPhone?

Got emails from quite a few of you today who have successfully installed a new iPhone app that brings up your store rewards card codes on the screen.

This lets you take off those old bending plastic VIP cards off your keychain.

The new app, called CardStar, lets users store and retrieve these cards right on the iPhone or iPod touch so they be scanned directly from your screen.

There are nearly 200 merchants supported.

iPhone app lets you ditch store reward cards

Tired of carrying all those store "rewards" and membership cards?

You know, the Harris Teeter VIC card and your Blockbuster membership and a CVS store card?

A new iPhone app, CardStar, lets users store and retrieve these cards right on the iPhone or iPod touch so they be scanned directly from your screen.

There are nearly 200 merchants supported. Can't wait until they add the YMCA.

Microsoft's Zune HD coming this fall

Microsoft's long rumored Zune HD will hit store shelves this fall. Users will be able to surf the Web, play HD movies and listen to digital radio.

The unit will come with an HD radio tuner, is based on Windows CE and will use a version of Internet Explorer customized for its touch screen.

Pricing was not announced.

AT&T to double speeds on wireless networks

AT&T plans to upgrade its 3G wireless network with the hopes of doubling speed by completion in 2011. The upgrades start later this year.

With its network built on the 3G UMTS technology that is commonly deployed throughout the world, AT&T can boost the speed of its mobile broadband network and offer a wide variety of devices to take advantage of it well in advance of 2011-2012, when most industry observers expect 4G LTE networks and device availability to be widespread. AT&T plans to begin LTE trials in 2010, with deployment beginning in 2011.

In addition to the planned speed upgrade, AT&T is enhancing its mobile broadband coverage by nearly doubling the wireless spectrum dedicated to 3G in most metropolitan areas to deliver stronger in-building reception and more overall network capacity.

The upgraded network platform could allow for theoretical peak speeds of 7.2Mbps. Typical real-world downlink and uplink speeds experienced by customers with upgraded 3G will be less than the theoretical peak and will vary based on a number of factors, including location, device, and overall traffic on the local network at a given time.

Guitar Hero offers a chance for free concert tickets

Guitar Hero has a new online scavenger hunt today that invites fans to scour websites, TV shows, blogs and online media sites to uncover the full list of artists that will appear on Guitar Hero 5, the next version of the most popular music game in the world.

Fans are invited to start their search at GH5.GuitarHero.com and register to participate in the sweepstakes for a chance to win a set of 5 tickets to 5 different concerts in a major metropolitan area venue near their hometown.

Once registered at GH5.GuitarHero.com participants will be given clues leading them to a series of blogs, TV shows and online media where every day, for the next five days, a selection of bands from the Guitar Hero 5 set list will be revealed. Once entrants have uncovered the bands from the designated locations, they must go to GH5.GuitarHero.com to verify the information found and will then be eligible to enter to win. Entries for the sweepstakes will be received through June 25, 2009. Registration is now open.

Guitar Hero 5 debuts this fall.

Star Wars Battlefront coming to PSP, DS

Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron is due this summer for the PSP and Nintendo DS and promises to let players fight on multi-level battlefronts, on the ground and in space. Players can start the fight on foot, commandeer a vehicle to battle on the ground or dogfight in space, and land their craft and fight on capital starships. The battles waged on each front are all directly effected by the player’s actions, creating a combat experience where every shot fired and every enemy defeated can affect the outcome of a battle on another front.

The game features a single player campaign that spans the entire Star Wars Saga – and beyond. Gamers assume the identity of X2, a clone trooper created from the DNA of a Jedi Master. Originally tasked with eliminating Jedi during Order 66, X2 decides to leave his blood-stained past behind and joins the Rebellion. X2 isn’t the only Force-sensitive clone, however. X1, his clone brother, chooses a much more sinister path, leading to a confrontation that could determine the fate of both the Empire and the Rebellion.

Additionally, players will have at their disposal massive amounts of pick-up and play action for seemingly endless replay value. The PSP provides the deepest customization options ever seen in a Star Wars Battlefront title, allowing players to personalize and build their character with more weapons and items than ever before, including the weapons characters carry into battle, the armor they wear on their backs, their species, gender, appearance and physical strengths. Players can also unlock hundreds of other items and bonuses to help even the odds. On Nintendo DS, players can experience a unique class-based gameplay experience that allows them to outfit their characters with pre-determined weapon armaments, including heavy weapons, blasters and even lightsabers.

Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron on the PSP supports 16-player multiplayer, complete with in-depth stat tracking, and intense 4-player skirmishes on Nintendo DS across a wide number of modes, including the all-new “Heroes and Villains.” Take up arms as some of the most iconic Star Wars characters, including Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Kit Fisto, Darth Maul and other familiar faces from Star Wars Battlefront®: Renegade Squadron™ and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed™. And battle for the fate of the galaxy on some of the most memorable Star Wars planets of all time, including the forest-covered landscape of Endor, the frozen wastes of Hoth and even the mysterious Yavin 4.

Ministry, Cranberries, Zombies join Rock Band

Harmonix and MTV Games today announced that three tracks from industrial metal pioneers Ministry will be added to the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content next week for the Xbox 360, PS3 and Nintendo Wii.

Also coming next week: music from The Cranberries and The Zombies.

Ministry played together from 1981 until 2008 and, during this time, laid the foundation for American industrial metal. The “Ministry Pack 01” will feature “Cuz U R Next,” from The Wicked Soundtrack by Al Jourgensen, the Ministry frontman-scored soundtrack to the 2008 film, Wicked Lake, as well as “The Great Satan” and the Grammy-nominated“LiesLiesLies,”both from the band’s 2006 album Rio Grande Blood. This three pack marks Ministry’s first appearance in the Rock Band catalog.

Also making Rock Band soundtrack debuts next week are 60s English rock band, The Zombies, and Irish alternative rock band, The Cranberries. “She’s Not There” and “Tell Her No,” both from The Zombies self-titled 1966 album, will be made available, as will “Linger,” from The Cranberries 1993 album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? The song was named by VH1 as one of the 100 Greatest Songs of the 90s.

Tiger Woods 10 demo now live on Xbox Live and PS Network

The Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 10 demo is now available on Xbox LIVE and PlayStation Network.

Gamers can play a couple of holes in the demo, which includes digital replications of this year’s U.S. Open on Bethpage Black and Turnberry, which will be hosting the 2009 British Open. Gamers will also get a chance to check out the all-new Tournament Challenge mode as the demo features a playable event from the famous 17th hole at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course - TPC Sawgrass.

In addition, tournament atmosphere has been ramped up this year and players will experience dynamic weather conditions and its effects on gameplay, huge galleries, a new commentary team and broadcast style introductions.

A new practice round mode, included in the demo, allows you to place the ball anywhere on the course and work on your shots and distance control.

Is Palm Pre an iPhone killer? We find out June 6

The wait is over for Sprint's highly anticipated Palm Pre phone. It debuts nationwide June 6 in Sprint Stores, Best Buy, Radio Shack, select Wal-Mart stores and online at Sprint.com

The phone will cost $199.99 with a two-year service agreement and after a $100 mail-in rebate. Sprint claims the device will "consolidate your important information – professional, social and personal – into one revolutionary device using an operating system that redefines the experience of living and working wirelessly."

A key for the Palm Pre is that users will save up to $1,430 over two years for the all-everything plan -- unlimited minutes, text and internet -- versus similar offerings on AT&T and Verizon, though Sprint's 3G network is routinely panned by critics.

A little about the Pre, from Sprint's press release:

The new webOS platform introduces Palm Synergy, a feature that brings together your personal and professional calendar, contacts and e-mail into one centralized view, making transitions between work and personal life smooth and easy to manage.

With Palm Synergy, users get:

-- Linked contacts – a single view that links your contacts from a variety of sources, so if you have the same contact listed in your Outlook, Google and Facebook accounts, Synergy recognizes that they’re the same person and links the information, presenting it to you as one listing.

-- Layered calendars – Your calendars can be seen on their own or layered together in a single view, combining work, family, friends, sports teams, or other interests. You can toggle to look at one calendar at a time, or see them all at a glance.

-- Combined messaging – Synergy lets you see all your conversations with the same person in a chat-style view, even if it started in IM and you want to reply with text messaging. You can also see who’s active in a buddy list right from contacts or e-mail, and start a new conversation with just one touch.

-- Palm's operating systems lets you keep multiple activities open and move easily between them like flipping through a deck of cards. You can move back and forth between text messaging and e-mail, or search the web while you listen to music. You can rearrange items simply by dragging them, and when you are done with something, just throw it away by flicking it off the top of the screen.

Finding what you need is also easy with universal search – as you type what you’re looking for, webOS narrows your search and offers results from both your device and the web.(4) WebOS crushes the barriers to true mobile computing.

Oprah's personal trainer delivers video workout for Wii

EA Sports Active is the latest fitness game for the video game console known as the Nintendo Wii.

Developed exclusively for the Wiiby EA Canada, Active is an innovative, virtual fitness product that offers personalized, customizable workouts that can be done from the comfort of home. Developed in collaboration with fitness experts, including Bob Greene – renowned exercise physiologist, author and Oprah’s personal trainer – Active will be the first in a new line of EA Sports virtual fitness products to improve the well-being of people of all ages.

Users will get their heart pumping through interactive circuit workouts from more than 25 different activities and exercises that target the upper and lower body, as well as cardio. Similar to a personal trainer, the program provides clear instruction, feedback on technique and encouragement with visual and oral cues, while also providing calories burned in real time. Preset workouts are designed by fitness experts to target specific workout results. For optimal personalization, circuits can be customized based on interests and fitness level and there is complete flexibility for the duration and intensity level.

Active includes software, a specially-designed leg strap that holds the Wii’s Nunchuk controller to track lower body movements, as well as a resistance band to increase the intensity to upper body exercises. The program can support two players at one time, and the EA SPORTS Active Accessory Pack containing one leg strap and one resistance band is available for an MSRP of $19.99 in North America. The product is compatible with the Wii Balance Board, which will add components to the sports drills.

Pilates on the Nintendo Wii, with Daisy Fuentes.

Coming this summer: Wii Pilates.

Well, sort of.

SEGA announced today that it plans to release "Daisy Fuentes Pilates," the first Pilates workout program for the Wii, during the warmer months.

Footage was shot at what the company calls "a lush tropical resort," and uses the Wii Balanced Board.

During the game, the Wii's controls will monitor movements and offer instant feedback. On on-screen timing bar and real-time feedback from Fuentes will help keep users on track. There is an English and Spanish version included in each game.

So kids, don't get mad when Mom is stealing your Wii time.

“This is a great way to get Pilates training that fits your schedule and lifestyle,” Fuentes said. "You can start out as an absolute beginner then move into intermediate and advanced levels--all at your own pace, in the comfort of your own home, and with responsive feedback that helps ensure you’re mastering core skills correctly before you advance."

VIDEO: New features for Madden 10.

Here you go guys. What do you think?

Toast Titanium 10 is must have for Mac users

The best about Sonic's new Toast Titanium 10 Pro for the Mac is its ease of use. But before we begin, you must have Mac OSX 10.5 or later (this is Apple's operating system, it's version of Windows, if you will).

The program is designed to work with Apple's killer iLife '09 suite of programs that includes DVD authoring and burning software, web designing software and photo manipulating and handling tools.

Toast 10, which supports Blu-Ray, can also instantly download and convert flash video from YouTube. Firefox can do this with a free add-on, but Toast will convert the file in the background and have it ready to burn to disc (or transer to a TiVo or portable device) for you instantly.

One of the coolest features, to me, was how you can back up the original footage from your high def camcorder (the kind with the hard drive built inside) using the program. You don't have to move your files from the camcorder to computer anymore, which was a time-consuming step.

You can also use Toast to extract clips from your DVDs (not encrypted ones, though).

The best thing is the interface. You move the files you want into the Toast window, whether they are data or music or video, put in your media and click burn. Done.

Some of the new features include:

-- Extract clips from any DVD-Video and convert to the format of your choice.

-- Save web video from your favorite video sharing sites to enjoy on TV and on-the-go Archive AVCHD camera footage to DVD or BD media with a single click

-- Stream and watch television programs, such as EyeTV recordings and TiVoToGo transfers on your iPhone or iPod touch over Wi-Fi with the new iPhone native application Streamer

-- Build your MP3 library with automatic capture and tagging of Internet audio
Convert audiobook CDs for playback on your iPod

-- Transfer standard definition and HD video from your Mac to your TiVo DVR to enjoy on your TV

If all that sounds like technobabble to you, don't worry, this program is super simple to use and will definitely enhance your experience with your Mac. For me, this is a must have for the Apple computer. I grade it an A plus.

High Definition Zune handhelds on the way?

Some images of what is apparently a high-definition version of Microsoft's portable Zune music player hit the internet this week.

It appears the new device would go head-to-head with Apple's iPod touch.

The new Zune is said to have a multi-touch screen (sound familiar?) and a 16x9 screen ratio. It will have a TV port on the side and will sync to a computer via WiFi. There has been some speculation that the new device will support Xbox games.

The new Zune, available with 8, 16 or 32 gigs of memory, allegedly will ship with a web browser and may launch this fall. It will also deliver HD radio.

Talk about your all in one device.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Due next month

Parents, get your wallets ready.

Electronic Arts will release the "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" video game June 30, just ahead of the Warner Bros. Pictures’ film based on J.K. Rowling’s sixth book in the Harry Potter series.

In the game, players will return to Hogwarts to help Harry survive a fraught sixth year. They will also have a chance to engage in exciting wizard duels, mix and brew magical ingredients in Potions class and take to the air to lead the Gryffindor Quidditch team to victory. Players may even get sidetracked by Ron’s romantic entanglements as they journey towards a dramatic climax and discover the identity of the Half-Blood Prince.

The game will be available for the Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PSP, Nintendo DS and Windows and Macintosh computer systems.

Art wants a home gym, which one should he get?

OK, guys, I got an email today from a reader named Art. Actually I got three.

Art says he looks like the "before" picture in one of those get-in-shape informercials and he's sick and tired of it. Art's 41 and he writes he's at least 50 pounds too big. He works crazy hours at night and getting to the gym isn't possible. So he wants a home gym.

He asked me what I thought about several different products. I thought it might be better to pose the question in the blog and see what folks out there have to say.

Art is interested in a cardio machine and a weight training machine and says he'll have to do payments to get it but figure he can spend at least the $100 he would spend per month for, say, a YMCA family membership.

So Art is open for some suggestions and I'm curious myself.

"Peggle" and Amazon's Kindle store debut for iPhone

PopCap Games has released the popular "Peggle" game for the iPhone and iPod touch. It's a $4.99 download from the Apple App Store. The casual game has been downloaded more than 50 million times to date.

“Our new adaptation of Peggle for iPhone and iPod touch was truly a labor of love,” said Andrew Stein, director of mobile business development at PopCap. “We spent huge amounts of time specifically optimizing this version of one of our favorite games to one of the world’s coolest devices, so that it was just right.”

To play, gamers fire a metallic silver ball from the top of the screen, relying on gravity to propel the ball downwards while it ricochets off unique arrangements of orange and blue pegs. The goal is to clear all the orange pegs from the screen, while earning as many points as possible, before running out of balls. A moving bucket at the bottom of the screen offers free balls, while green power-up pegs unlock special abilities via ten unique and memorable Peggle Masters who guide players through dozens of levels of gameplay challenges. Power-ups include explosive area-clearing blasts, lobster claws that serve as pinball-like flippers and “fireballs” that cut through all pegs in their path.

Also, Amazon has launched a special Kindle Store optimized for the Safari Web browser on iPhone. Now when users of the Kindle for iPhone app click on “Get Books,” the new Kindle Store tailored for the size and shape of the iPhone and iPod touch screens automatically opens in Safari. This optimized Kindle store offers iPhone and iPod touch app users quick and easy access to the Kindle Store’s 280,000 books, including 106 of 112 New York Times Best Sellers and most New Releases that are available for $9.99 or less.

iPhone users can shop Kindle’s selection of books on the iPhone and iPod touch using Apple's Multi-Touch user interface. Amazon's Whispersync technology saves and synchronizes Kindle customers’ bookmarks across Kindle, iPhone and iPod touch, so you always have your reading with you and never lose your place. Kindle customers can read a few pages on their iPhone or iPod touch and pick up right where they left off on their Kindle, if they choose.

And now the iPhone helps you pick out toilet paper, too

Greenpeace's iPhone app is called “Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper Guide.” The tool created by 3rd Whale, gives consumers a quick and easy way to choose the greenest toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, and paper napkins sold at the local supermarket.

The guide gives a thumbs-up to Green Forest, Natural Value and Seventh Generation, while recommending that shoppers avoid products like Kleenex, Charmin, Angel Soft, Cottonelle, Brawny, and Scott.

Greenpeace recommends companies manufacturing paper products that: 1) contain 100 percent recycled content; 2) at least 50 percent of which is from post-consumer materials); and, 3) avoid the use of chlorine or chlorine compounds in the whitening process.

The guide rates facial tissues, paper towels, toilet paper, and paper napkins with a “Recommended,” “Avoid,” or “They Can Do Better” ranking.

Features of the application include:
• The ability to quickly compare household paper brands while in the grocery store;
• A list of environmentally preferable tissue, toilet paper, paper towel and paper napkin brands.
• Brand specific information including the percentage of recycled content, the percentage of post-consumer content, and the bleaching method.

“Tissue products made from recycled content help to reduce our impact on ancient forests, protecting forest ecosystems and wildlife habitat,” said Greenpeace Forest Campaigner Lindsey Allen. “Customers who download the iPhone or Android version of the Greenpeace Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper Guide can compare brands available at their local grocery store to find which brands are most environmentally sustainable. For those interested in protecting ancient forests from clearcutting and supporting truly sustainable companies, this application makes informed decision making even more convenient.”

New Tiger Woods game lets you play against the pros

A new online tournament mode in the upcoming Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 will allow players to post their scores against actual PGA Tour leaderboards.

Game online tournaments have daily, weekly and Play the Pros tournaments. Gamers can jump into a new tournament each day, play 18 holes and see if their round stays atop of the leaderboard, or play in a weekly tournament and post scores from four rounds that span over an entire week of play.

Play the Pros is an extension of the daily and weekly tournament systems, but instead of a gamer-submitted leaderboard, players will be posting their scores against the real life scores of PGA TOUR golfers during an actual professional event. EA SPORTS Live Tournaments is available on Xbox 360, PLAYSTATION 3 and Wii versions of the game.

Gamers can also look for digital versions of Anthony Kim and Rocco Mediate to the franchise and join digital versions of players like Luke Donald, Jim Furyk, Natalie Gulbis, Rory McIlroy and Vijay Singh.

DISH claims lead in HD race with several new hi-def channels

DISH Network(R) Introduces New National HD Channels

--Leads All TV Service Providers with More Than 140 National HD Channels


Satellite provider DISH network, in a hot battle with DirecTV over which offers the most HD networks, announced it was delivering HD fees of FX, SPEED, Fashion TV (FTV), Logo and MavTV.

DISH, which now claims 140 HD channels, will now host the complete 24-hour feed of The N on DISH Network Ch. 181, its new permanent location. Additionally, DISH Network will launch MSNBC HD in June.

FX HD and SPEED HD are located in DISH Network's Classic Silver 200 HD programming package and above, available to consumers starting at $22.99 per month for the first six months, along with free installation, a free HD DVR and three months of free premium channels, including HBO and Showtime. FTV HD, Logo and MavTV HD are available in PlatinumHD, an HD add on package available to subscribers for just $10 per month.

iPhone monthly fee$ going down, down, down?

Several industry reports, including one from Cote Collaborative industry pricing analyst Mike Cole, say AT&T is considering a $10 reduction in the iPhone monthly service plans, when a new version of the phone debuts, perhaps as early as next month.

The iPhone fell behind the BlackBerry in the latest smartphone sales reports and AT&T, the reports say, would make the move to try to boost sales of the iPhone, which many users -- and potential users -- feel is too expensive month-to-month.

Current iPhone prices range from $69 to $129. iPhone users who do not have a texting plan pay $0.25 to receive and $0.50 to send individual messages. Individual text plans range from $5 to $20.

So to go "whole hog" with the iPhone with unlimited everything is $149 per month. Sprint, meanwhile, offers the same features for $99 per month (but Sprint does not have the iPhone).

Is Nintendo recession-proof?

Talk of recessions and layoffs loom for many businesses worldwide. Just not Nintendo.

The videogame giant reported highs for sales and operating profit in the fiscal year ending March 31. The company posted sales of more than 1.83 trillion yen and operating profits of more than 555 billion yen.

Worldwide annual sales of close to 26 million Wii home game systems in this past fiscal year brought lifetime totals to over 50 million, while more than 31 million portable Nintendo DS systems were sold in the same period, pushing the lifetime amount past 100 million units.

Fiscal year retail software sales also rose for each platform from the previous year, reaching 197 million units for Nintendo DS, and over 204 million for Wii.

Fiscal year global financial performance, stated in millions of yen, was as follows (percentage changes vs. previous year):

Sales, ¥1,838,622 (+9.9%)
Operating Profit, ¥555,263 (+14%)
Recurring Profit, ¥448,695 (+1.8%)
Net Profit, ¥279,089 (+8.5%)

For the current fiscal year, beginning April 1, 2009, Nintendo projects sales of another 26 million Wii hardware systems and 220 million software units, while Nintendo DS sales are projected at 30 million hardware systems and 180 million pieces of software.

New Guitar Hero titles hope to expand genre, with pop, hip-hop and R&B

Gaming guitar heads can look forward to Guitar Hero 5, DJ Hero and Band Hero. DJ Hero hopes to expand Guitar Hero’s social gaming to all-new consumers with the addition of diverse music genres including hip-hop, R&B, Motown, electronica and dance. Introducing an all-new innovative turntable controller, DJ Hero transforms players into DJs who rule the club scene by creating original mixes of popular songs and music from the world’s most exciting artists and DJs.

Guitar Hero 5 features the hottest rock and roll artists today as well as classic rock bands and gives players an unprecedented level of control over the way they play the game with the ability to drop in and out of songs and change band members, instruments and difficulty levels on the fly.

The franchises’ first E10+ rated console game, Band Hero, features top-40 hits designed to expand the experience to a new genre and appeal to a broad family audience who can play together on the guitar, drums, bass and microphone.

New game promises to teach your kids to sing

Disney Interactive Studios today announced that Disney Sing It: Pop Hits, the third game in the video-based karaoke video game franchise, will be released this fall.

It will feature 30 master recordings and popular music videos from fan favorites, including Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift, Colbie Caillat, Demi Lovato, Hannah Montana, Jesse McCartney, Coldplay and One Republic.

To play, you sing solo with the music, or do duets or go head-to-head with a friend. A new "Sing It Pro" mode claims to help teacher players to actually sing by teaching vocal exercises as well as showing players how to control breath and teaching the basics of pitch.

Astro Boy releasing this fall

Look for Astro Boy, the video game this fal on Wii, PS2 and PSP.

It'll allow players to control the title character, a young boy robot with incredible powers. Your mission will be to save his home, Metro City, from evil President Stone and his robot army. To do battle, you'll use Astro's arsenal of weapons which includes, seriously, butt machine guns as well as finger lasers and an arm cannon.

The game is based on the upcoming feature film of the same name.

Elite Forces Unit 77 drops for DS systems

Deep Silver Inc., a publisher of interactive entertainment software and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koch Media, today announced that Elite Forces: Unit 77 for Nintendo DS is now available.

Developed by Abylight and co-published by Gammick Entertainment, Elite Forces: Unit 77 is an action-driven, squad-based shooter. Featuring a unique blend military action, strategy and tactics style gameplay, players will traverse the globe to save hostages and put an end to the terrorist threat.

A series of mysterious disappearances of high profile personalities from the worlds of science, industry and entertainment reveal a horrific global terrorist threat. With the clock running and the lives of the hostages and millions of others in danger, the international community's last hope lies with an extremely covert and highly specialized military team: Unit 77. Made up out of four professionals who are the best in their respective field, Unit 77 must combine their skills to stop massive world destruction by the hands of the terrorists.

Features

An intense combination of action, military strategy and tactics for Nintendo DS. Shoot your enemies while you tackle all the challenges that stand between your team and the hostages!

Control four characters whose specialized skills are well-defined: the quiet and effective sniper, the fearless explosives expert, the brilliant hacker and the devastatingly powerful gunner.

You work strategically uniting your forces into a squad when enemy forces outnumber you, or can control one character at a time for greater tactical moves.
Pursue your enemies around the world through detailed 3D environments that move the action from the dense jungles of the tropics to the labyrinths of abandoned arctic ports and to the sweltering sands of the desert.

Defeat your enemies by relying not only on your firepower, but your brains as well since you must explore your surroundings carefully to utilize anything you can find!
Disarm mines and bombs, drive vehicles such as armored military trucks and tanks, access encrypted files or use stealth to infiltrate the enemy bases, all by simply utilizing the touch screen. All the power of Unit 77 is at the command of your Stylus.

Is the internet running out of space?

A reader sent me this post from London's Sunday Times that reports some experts are warning that internet usage is about to hit overload.

That will mean users facing regular "brownouts" that will stop users in their tracks and more frequent slowdowns.

Experts predict that consumer demand, growing at 60 percent per year, will only increase, and will exceed available bandwidth supply in 2010.

“With more people working or looking for work from home, or using their PCs more for cheap entertainment, demand could double in 2009,” net specialist Ted Ritter told the Sunday Times. “At best, we see the [economic] slowdown delaying the fractures for maybe a year.”

iPhone-type products may be coming to Verizon

As we reported several weeks ago, Verizon Wireless and Apple appear to at least be discussing going into business together.

Business Week reported that there's a real possibility that Apple may release two iPhone-like devices for Verizon later this year. One would be an iPhone-lite, a smaller and skinnier version of the current device. Another would be a media pad that is bigger and wider than the current iPhone and would allow for HD video and for phone calls when connected to a WiFi device.

Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam told BusinessWeek that his company has spoken with Apple executives and he had conversations with Apple's Steve Jobs.

Ultimately, this could be good for the consumer. You would have the choice of two providers for your Apple devices and maybe AT&T would see fit to trim its prices for iPhone service, which are notoriously high.

Also today the Wall Street Journal reported that Microsoft is working with a third party to develop an iPhone rival, code named Pink, that would debut on Verizon's network early next year.

Are your kids addicted to video games?

A new national study claims one in 10 youngsters, ages 8 to 18, may be addicted to their PlayStation.

Iowa State and the National Institute on Media and Family compared gaming habits to the symptoms of pathological gambling established in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

The study -- which analyzed data from more than 1,100 U.S. out in January 2007 -- found that nearly 8.5 percent of young gamers were addicted, showing six of 11 classic signs.

They included:
1. Lying to family and friends about video game usage.
2. Using video games to escape from problems or bad feelings.
3. Becoming restless or irritable when attempting to stop playing video games.
4. Skipping homework in order to play video games.
5. Doing poorly on a school assignment or test because they spent too much time on games.

“Many parents have been worried about their children being ‘addicted’ to video games,” said Dr. Douglas Gentile, assistant professor of psychology at ISU and lead author. “While the medical community currently does not recognize video game addiction as a mental disorder, hopefully this study will be one of many that allow us to have an educated conversation on the positive and negative effects of video games.”

Gentile, who also serves as the director of research for the National Institute on Media and the Family, was especially surprised by the gap between casual and “addicted” gamers.

In the study, “addicted” gamers played video games 24 hours per week or twice as much as casual gamers. Those "addicted" gamers were more likely to report having trouble paying attention in school, with and some even stealing to support their habit.

“This study is a wake-up call for families,” said Dr. Walsh, president of the National Institute on Media and Family. “While video games can be fun and entertaining, some kids are getting into trouble. I continue to hear from families who are concerned about their child’s gaming habits. Not only do we need to focus on identifying the problem, but we need to find ways to help families prevent and treat it.”

iPhone on the Verizon network?

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal at the CTIA Wireless 2009 tradeshow, Verizon CEO Ivan Seidenberg said his company's new 4G network could bring wireless internet to the entire country.

He also said it could bring Apple's iPhone, currently only available from AT&T, to that new network.

He said Apple never seriously considered making a version of the phone for his company's current network because of limitations. Verizon currently uses something called CDMA and would've required Apple to make a modified iPhone. He said it was more likely Verizon and Apple might work together once the new network launches in 2010, about the same time that Apple's current exclusive contract with AT&T would end.

Verizon's new 4G network could bring broadband services to rural areas that previously couldn't get it. Less than 40 percent of rural American homes can get high speed currently versus nearly 60 percent of city and suburban homes.

Verizon senior VP Tony Melone gave Cnet a preview of what could be coming.

"I can't pre-announce any products or services," Melone told Cnet. "But I can envision offering devices that are geared toward putting wireless broadband in the home. And then people could use Wi-Fi to share the connection with multiple devices like they do today with router connected to their DSL or cable modem service."

The Beatles are coming.....To Rock Band

The Beatles are coming -- to "Rock Band."

Harmonix, which develops the popular video-game series, will release a version featuring Beatles music.

The game -- available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii -- will allow fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and use the Beatles’ music through gameplay that replicates the Fab Four's rise to music royalty. It will be compatible with all "Rock Band" instrument controllers, as well as most "Guitar Hero" and other third-party peripherals and microphones.

The $249.99 limited-edition bundle, called "The Beatles: Rock Band," will include the game and:

A special Bass controller: a large-scale replica of the bass famously used by Sir Paul McCartney;

Beatles-inspired and Ludwig-branded "Rock Band 2" drums with classic pearl finish and vintage replica Beatles kick drum head;
Microphone and mic stand;

Additional "special content."

Fans who preorder the game will be eligible to join a special club to get breaking news and behind-the-scenes footage starting in May and leading up to the game's launch on Sept. 9.

Get more details at www.thebeatlesrockband.com.

Men choose videogames over sex....really

A new British survey has found that one in three men would rather play video games than have sex.

The study of 1,130 British men was conducted by PS3PriceCompare.co.uk. The results of the poll may surprise you, but they didn't surprise Genie James, executive director of the Natural Hormone Institute. She said hormonal imbalance and stress are as much to blame as anything for choosing Wii boxing over going to bed early with your wife.

“It is very likely," James said, "that these men are suffering from a hormone imbalance at a cellular level that causes them to lose interest in sex."

James has ideas on how to fix it in a book due out in January. It's called, appropriately, "In the Mood Again," and explains how natural hormone balancing, diet and lifestyle changes can help adults of both sexes regain lost libido.

She also explores the causes of low libido. She believes that when testosterone levels begin to decline in a man’s 30s and 40s, libido – or sex drive – is compromised. Other symptoms of declining testosterone levels are fatigue, lethargy and weight gain.

“That is why many men come home, plop down on the sofa and pick up the remote or engage in video games," James said. "They just don’t feel up to doing much else.”

James is seeing this lack of interest in sex even in men in their 20s.

So, what’s a Madden-loving guy to do?

“Exercise naturally boosts lagging testosterone levels,” says James. “Also, clean up your diet. Go organic when possible. Give up the nachos and beer while sitting on the sofa. Remember that all those pounds packed around your middle are literally decreasing your ‘manliness.'"
“To get ‘in the mood again,’ all you need is a pair of sneakers and a trip to the health food aisle of your grocery store,” says James. “The results will be less time in front of the TV and more time enjoying another form of entertainment.”

Could Charlotte be getting ready for higher high-speed internet?

Time-Warner cable subscribers, your internet bill could be going up soon.

The company is doing research that could soon lead to the company charging Internet customers based on usage. Under such a plan, customers would see tiered pricing based on usage. Media reports have prices from $29.95 to $54.90 monthly. If you go over your plans usage cap, you would get charged $1 per gigabyte.

Time Warner said it was making these moves to continue to upgrade and maintain its network, saying consumption among high-speed subscribers is increasing by 40 percent per year.

The company also announced it would offer a 100 GB Road Runner Turbo package for $75 per month with faster speeds. It also said overage charges would be capped at $75 per month. "That means that," said Time Warner cable COO Landel Hobbs, "for $150 per month customers could have virtually unlimited usage at Turbo speeds."

TWC, which has more than eight million broadband customers, will begin collecting information on internet usage in Austin, Texas, San Antonio, Texas and Rochester, N.Y., sometime later this year. Introduction of tiered billing could follow quickly. Greensboro will also likely see the tiered plan. Other companies are making similar moves.

Greensboro mayor Yvonne Johnson told the Greensboro News & Record that she thought the move was a bad idea.

“I think that having the best, cheapest Internet options we can is what’s best for the city, and I think the majority of the council will agree and want to get involved,” she told the Greensboro paper.

AT&T is doing a price tier trial in Beaumont, Texas, and Comcast, the nation's biggest cable comapny, caps bandwidth at 250 GB per month. If you go past that, you get a warning call. If you continue to exceed the limit, your subscription can get canceled.

Considering a download of a high-definition movie can be up to 10 GB, it wouldn't be hard to go way over most plans' caps -- and that's not even getting to your kids playing PlayStation online until the wee hours on the weekends or using your Internet phone service. Locally, some broadband cable bills could easily hit triple digits if Time Warner makes the change to tiered billing here.

I understand the company's need to try to recoup some costs. Cell phone companies have different pricing plans and not everyone is a heavy user. But if we have to have tiers, I'd like to see a reasonably pricing unlimited usage option. In this economy, I don't think charging more makes sense -- unless you want to drive customerss to other alternatives, like DSL.

The Boston Bruins will win the Stanley Cup

If you believe sports videogames, which do a pretty good job mimicking real-life, the Boston Bruins will win the Stanley Cup for the first time in 37 years, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks in a six game series. That's what happened when EA Sports set up a simulation of the 2009 NHL playoffs using its NHL 09 videogame.

Boston, led by shutdown defenseman Zdeno Chara and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Phil Kessel grabbed its sixth Stanley Cup and its first since 1972.

The EA SPORTS simulation predicts Boston and Chicago will appear in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 17 and 15 years, respectively. Boston last appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1990, losing 4 games to 1 to the Edmonton Oilers. Chicago lost in four straight games to Pittsburgh in the 1992 Stanley Cup Finals.

2009 Stanley Cup Finals
Game 1 – Boston 4 Chicago 2
Game 2 – Boston 3 Chicago 2 OT
Game 3 – Chicago 3 Boston 1
Game 4 – Boston 4 Chicago 3 OT
Game 5 – Chicago 4 Boston 3
Game 6 – Boston 5 Chicago 3

Boston reached the Stanley Cup Finals with 4-2 series wins over Montreal, and Carolina, and a thrilling seven games series victory over the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference Finals, according to NHL 09.

Chicago, making its first playoff appearance since 2001-02, upset President’s Trophy winner and top seed San Jose in seven games in the Western Conference Finals after series wins over Calgary (4-2) and Vancouver (4-2).

The NHL 09 computerized simulation is conducted using artificial intelligence that uses real-life data from each team, such as player ratings and line combinations, and includes variances such as injuries and hot streaks to predict a realistic outcome of each game and series.

Nintendo's new DSI handheld a surefire hit

The world-gripping recession apparently hasn’t caught up to Nintendo. The worldwide videogame maker has sold more than 10 million copies of one game, Wii Play.

In February, sales of the Wii console system were up 74 percent over February 2008. Also in February, Nintendo sold 753,000 Wiis, reaching 19 million lifetime sales and it sold nearly 588,000 portable DS units, reaching nearly 29 million lifetime unit sales.

On Sunday, Nintendo will launch the latest edition of the dual-screen DS system, the $169.99 Nintendo DSi. It’s 5.4 inches wide, 2.9 inches long and weighs about 7.5 ounces. Looking at it, it’s not much different than its two predecessors. Only this time, the Nintendo portable comes with two built-in cameras (one facing you holding the game and one facing away), new audio recording and playback functions plus downloadable games and applications (hello iPod and iPhone!).

Players can manipulate photos with 10 different “lenses” that are built into th cameras. They can share their creations using a WiFi connection. And of course, it plays the DS games. A new DSi shop launches Sunday and is a new online storefront wehere users can redeem DSi points to download games and applications. DSi owners get 1,000 points to use so long as they visit the shop by Oct. 5.

While at the shop, users can download the DSi internet browser, powered by Opera, to provide what I found to be pretty fast web browsers via that WiFi connection. Software in the shop will “cost” 200, 500 and 800 or more points. You can buy additional points online at the shop or at retail locations ($19.99 for 2,000 point card).

Gaming-wise, there’s no much new. But the games are already various and pretty good. Now, you can adjust brightness at five different levels. You can use a built-in microphone for voice recognition and to manipulate, but not save, AAC sound files accessed via the SD card slot. The battery can provide up to 14 hours of play. And there are parental controls to help manage content for little ones.

I don’t have to tell you this will be a hit. Old DS users, particularly younger ones, will want the latest thing. The interactive features clearly separate next-gen from current-gen and being able to download games and apps is going to appeal to gamers who are seeing these features become available on other devices.

A 50-inch plasma or an Xbox 360 for 99 cents?

Want to win a 50-inch plasma TV or an Xbox 360 for 99 cents?

Wendy's, the fast food restaurant, has a Web site where participants bid for prices by answering trivia questions. After each correct answer, the bid price drops. The person whose "bid" reaches 99 cents first wins the item.

Friday's auction items include the TV, the video game system and a fancy game chair to sit on.

Auctions kick off at 11 a.m. Friday. Good luck.

Here’s what will be available:


11 - 11:29 a.m.: Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite Console

11:30 - 11:59 a.m.: Ultimate Game Chair V3

Noon - 12:29 p.m.: Panasonic 50-inch 720p Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV

12:30 p.m. - 12:59 p.m.: Ultimate Game Room (Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite Console, Ultimate Game Chair V3, Panasonic 50-inch 720p Flat-Panel Plasma HDTV)

Tough home courts: UNC and Clemson

In a national poll conducted by video game maker EA Sports, college basketball fans have chosen North Carolina's Dean Smith Center as the toughest place to play.

The Smith Center finished ahead of home courts at Clemson (second), Xavier and Pittsburgh. Duke's infamous Cameron Indoor Stadium, was fifth.

EA Sports took the poll to help with production of "NCAA Basketball 10," a new video game it will deliver next fall. The idea is to make playing at certain home courts tougher than others.

More than 200,000 people voted.

“College basketball fans have spoken and they have determined once and for all the most difficult places to play in college basketball,” said NCAA Basketball 10 producer Connor Dougan. “Now we are going to design a feature that authentically reflects how difficult it is for opposing teams to play and win at these venues.”

Here are the top 15:

1. North Carolina
2. Clemson
3. Xavier
4. Pittsburgh
5. Duke
6. Kansas
7. Louisville
8. Syracuse
9. Tennessee
10. Arkansas
11. Maryland
12. Illinois
13. UCLA
14. Florida
15. Texas

Coming to TiVo: Blockbuster downloads online

Blockbuster is going to let TiVo users download movies from its online library beginning later this year.

Most TiVo users with high-speed Internet connections will be able to view the movies offered in Blockbuster's On Demand system. Netflix and Amazon offer online video straight to TiVo, too. Netflix also lets users of certain Blu-Ray players and Xbox 360 systems have access.

Netflix's online movie selection, however, is limited to mostly older titles and doesn't include many HD movies.

Under terms of Blockbuster's new deal, the brick-and-mortar stores and Web site will sell the TiVo DVRs. Blockbuster senior vice president Kevin Lewis said his company planned to make the online system available to users of Apple-brand products. Apple has its own on-demand service, Apple TV, that just expanded its HD offerings.

Lewis said Blockbuster will offer about 10,000 movies when the new service launches in the latter half of the year and said his company's online roster would be stronger than Amazon and Netflix, offering newer content.

With TiVo, once a film is selected, it can be watched while it is still being downloaded over the Internet.

The hardest video games of all time

AOL's gaming site, GameDaily.com has just released its list of the top 10 hardest video games of all time.

"Not only are these games almost impossible to beat," the Web site claims, "but will inevitably end with you or your fellow gamers cursing, throwing controllers or kicking chairs."

No. 1 on the list was the Ninja Gaiden series, which is, for me, practically impossible to deal with on Xbox 360.

Here's their list.

10. Contra series (Konami)
Contra is one of those holy grail franchises that poses a challenge for all who approach it. The two NES games were hard to beat, unless you were one of those people that used a code for multiple lives. Then came the sequels Contra III: The Alien Wars on SNES (a monster on the hardest setting) and Contra: Shattered Soldier, a game that's so frustrating we still haven't beaten it. (We've gotten close, though.)


9. Defender (Williams)
As the last line of defense for Earth, you've got an awful lot to tackle in Williams' arcade classic. Mutants have overtaken the planet, and they're sucking up innocent people. Not only must you blast these creatures into oblivion, but you also have to rescue falling civilians. Later stages are incredibly demanding, especially with the introduction of the smaller swarm ships. Don't say we didn't give you a heads up.

8. Devil May Cry 3 (Capcom)
In Devil May Cry 3, the "hard" difficulty setting from the Japanese version became "normal" in the States, and Capcom then introduced a new difficulty mode called "Dante Must Die." It was so overwhelming that Capcom had to introduce an easier Special Edition to calm down the gaming community.

7. God of War series (SCEA)
To breeze through God of War games, choose the lightest difficulty and enjoy the cakewalk. For the rest of us, there's God mode, which punishes players with enemies that don't hold anything back; just wait until you face the serpents. Oh, and don't expect God of War III to be any easier.

6. R-Type (Irem)
R-Type leads the pack of nearly impossible shooters. When this game first hit arcades in the late '80s, people kept slamming quarters down for a chance to take on the Bydo Empire with a small spacecraft. It's still a pain in the butt, especially the recently released Xbox Live Arcade game R-Type Dimensions. (Unless you're a wuss and take the easier route.)

5. Ikaruga (Treasure)
Speaking of unbelievably hard shooters, we can't have this list without this Treasure classic. Ikaruga has a twist to its shooting techniques, as you'll switch between two colors and absorb enemy bullets to fire charged shots. You'll need to acquire power-ups, as enemies unleash beautiful, firework-style destruction. Good luck getting past level five – or even level three.

4. Mega Man 9 (Capcom)
Most Mega Man games have their fair share of frustrations, most notably Mega Man 3 on the NES and the Mega Man X games on the PlayStation. Nothing, though, comes close to what you'll face in Mega Man 9. This downloadable game for Xbox Live, Wii Shop Channel and PlayStation Network hurls everything it's got at you, from fire-throwing flowers to tricky spiked floors to crazy boss battles. There's also a list of Challenges to complete, some of which are borderline insane. One even requires you to survive a boss battle for 10 minutes.

3. Battletoads (Tradewest)
The designers at Rare were either mad scientists bent on breaking our spirits or freakin' geniuses testing our physical limits when they produced Battletoads on the NES. Maybe it's both. Either way, this wild platforming game has several tasks for you and a friend to complete, including speeder bike chases, snake riding, beating up baddies and surfing. Few have seen the game's conclusion.

2. Ghouls n' Ghosts series (Capcom)
Ghosts n' Goblins is without question one of the most difficult video game series of all time. Its lead character, Arthur, valiantly attempts to save his love, only to die repeatedly at the hands of numerous monsters. Super Ghouls n' Ghosts for the SNES is a real test, requiring you to go through the game twice before it ends. Many a controller died beating that one.

1. Ninja Gaiden series (Tecmo)
Finally, we come to the series that will bring you to your knees and make you cry for mercy. Since its debut on the NES, Ninja Gaiden introduced tough enemies and even tougher bosses. Over the years, it's only gotten harder. Ninja Gaiden Black is ridiculous with its enormous list of challenges to complete and tricky bad guys. Ninja Gaiden II on the Xbox 360 only increased our stress levels, with monsters so vicious we punched holes through walls

VIDEO: So this is how they created Dr. Manhattan

Watch out of market NCAA games now for free

The HD out of market feeds of NCAA games are up now and look good.

You can click here to see them.

Get your out-of-market NCAA games for free (plus local TV schedule)

Here is WBTV Channel 3's NCAA Tournament schedule for Friday and Saturday:

Thursday, March 19th
12 pm Butler - LSU
2:30 pm Radford - UNC
7 pm Michigan - Clemson
9:30 pm Binghamton - Duke
Friday, March 20th
12 pm Tennessee - Oklahoma State
2:30 pm Dayton - West Virginia
7 pm Southern Cal - Boston College
9:30 pm Cleveland State - Wake Forest

If you want to see other games than the ones listed, you can buy a "March Madness" package from cable or satellite provider, or you can queue up your high-speed internet connection. At CBSsports.com, you can see out-of-market games for free. If you have an iPhone or iPod touch, you can download a $4.99 app from the Apple App Store to see out-of-market games on the handheld devices wherever you can access a Wi-Fi connection.

Apple adds most-wanted features to iPhone

Apple today unveiled new features that will be available in the forthcoming iPhone 3.0 software.

The features include: cut, copy and paste (shake to undo or redo); turn-by-turn GPS navigation, landscape keyboard for all applications (including mail), photo instant messaging, and support for stereo bluetooth headsets.

The iPhone and iPhone 3G versions of iPhone OS 3.0 will be free for current iPhone users, and that the iPod touch version will be available for $10.

Apple to unveil new iPhone operating system software

Engadget and several other tech sources are reporting that Apple plans to introduce its iPhone 3.0 software March 17 at 1 p.m.

Apple plans to show of an advance preview of the new software, which many expect to arrive by summer, along with possibly a new iPhone.

Current users want to be able to type emails while holding the device sideways (landscape mode) allowing the keyboard to be larger as well as being able to send multimedia text messages. It'll be interesting to see what goodies Apple puts into the new software.

Dish Network expands national HD offerings

DISH Network has added high definition feeds of Showtime Showcase HD, SHO2 HD, The Movie Channel HD and BET J, expanding its national HD count to up to 128 channels. The sat-caster, which now trails DirecTV in national HD by only a handful of channels, plans to add BET, Comedy Central, CMT, MTV, Nickelodeon, Spike TV and VH-1 in HD this spring.

Showtime Showcase HD, SHO2 HD and The Movie Channel HD are located in the Showtime Unlimited package, available for just $12.99 per month. BET J is part of PlatinumHD, which can be added to any programming package for $10 per month. Existing DISH Network subscribers who upgrade to HD programming will receive PlatinumHD free for the first three months.

Apple releases new iMac models

Apple released a slew of new products Tuesday morning, including long-awaited updates to its iMac, Mac mini and Mac Pro lines of personal computers.

The iMac, with its all-in-one design, now starts at $1,199 for a 20-inch version featuring a 2.66 GHz processor and 2 gigabytes of memory. A 24-inch version ($1,499) comes with 4GB of memory and up to 1 terabyte of hard-drive space. A fully tricked-out iMac -- upgradeable to 8GB of memory -- now runs well over $3,000.

All iMacs come with a built-in video camera, speakers and wireless-N networking.

Starting at $599, the mini measures only 6.5 inches square by 2 inches high. It comes with a 2 GHz processor and up to 4GB of memory. Apple claims it uses 10 times less power than a typical desktop PC.

The Mac Pro uses new super-fast Intel "Nehalem" processors that Apple claims make its flagship machine up to twice as fast as the old model. Pricing begins at $2,499, $300 less than the old version. The new machine also includes a high-performance graphics card that Apple said provides "three times greater performance," and an updated interior to allow easier access to components for expansion.

Apple also updated its popular wireless networking base station, the AirPort Extreme, to allow users to have simulatenous 2.4 and 5 GHz dual-band networking, as well as the ability to give guests a password to access your network while still maintaining security for personal files.

T-Mobile tries $50 unlimited cell plan and $135 rebate to switch carriers

T-Mobile has rolled out an interesting new promotion in San Francisco: a $50 unlimited usage cellular voice plan. Also the company is offering customers in the Bay Area a $135 rebate to switch carriers, essentially eliminating the early termination fee costs.

T-Mobile says the new %50 rate plan is only available to customers who have used the service for 22 months. The new plan would allow T-Mobile customers to have unlimited data and voice for $85. AT&T, for example, charges $99.99 for unlimited voice, $30 for data and anywhere from $5 to $20 for texting.

The good news for consumers is if T-Mobile rolls this plan out nationwide and does well, it could force other carriers to react. A national analyst, John Hodulik, predicts we'll see T-Mobile make such a move next month.

Why? T-Mobile is struggling to keep up with AT&T and Verizon and Sprint in the cell phone wars.

With its best-selling iPhone spearheading purchases, AT&T added 2.1 million customers in the fourth quarter of 2008. Of those, 1.9 million were iPhone users.

Verizon added 1.4 million new users, but T-Mobile added far fewer: 621,000. That was down from 670,000 new customers in the third quarter and down from 951,000 new subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Sprint/Nextel lost 1.3 million customers in the fourth quarter as cell phone users seem to be choosing sides: AT&T or Verizon.

A cheaper $99 iPhone by summer?

RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky reports today that consumers can expect a $99 iPhone this summer.

The current iPhones cost $199 for an 8-gigabyte model or $299 for a 16GB model with a two-year agreement with AT&T. Abramsky thinks a cheaper iPhone might increase Apple's global market share for smartphones from 12 percent (currently) to as much as 19 percent.

Abramsky said the new iPhone will not run on AT&T's faster 3G wireless network, instead using the older 2.5G version. But the $99 phone is expected to have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility, as well as the same size screen. He predicts the new phone will have a lower resolution, but also a cheaper data plan -- one for $15 per month, half the current rate.

Apple doesn't comment on products in development.

The report says the current iPhone will keep its pricing while possibly adding new features like a better-looking screen, a video camera and more memory.

How to be a movie director...and Vista's not all that bad after all

I love good party games, and Microsoft's latest – which relies on the included Xbox Live Vision camera to “film” scenes featuring you and your friends – is a pretty good one at times.

Here's the basic premise: The camera captures players as they participate in mini-games that basically have them moving around as though they have no sense of rhythm. Then you can edit these performances down to make short clips for everyone to laugh at, and you can even put the finished product on YouTube or DVD.

The good news is that setup is easy, and players can select everything from characters to how to light the scene. Unfortunately, the graphics aren't the best, you'll need a lot of room to film, and the camera has a hard time making people out sufficiently unless you're filming against backgrounds that are as blank as possible.

Also, while “You're in the Movies” is fun with a group, it's terribly boring – unless you want to play long enough to unlock enough scenes to edit and do voiceovers – by yourself. Even that's not much fun.

Still, when I played with a few friends, everyone was cracking up. This one's at least worth a rental.

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate

$240-$400

When Microsoft Vista debuted two years back, I basically ignored it. I heard what many people were hearing: that Vista wasn't a worthy successor to Windows XP.

So I was a little surprised when I popped in a version of Vista Ultimate with Service Pack 1 last week. Security out of the box is solid, and the operating system – like most Windows setups – is easy to use and understand.

Ultimate comes with some pretty powerful backup tools to help you recover lost data, a much-needed and useful feature. There's also a heavy-duty data-encryption system, which can protect your personal information if your computer is lost or stolen, plus a super-easy way to search for files on your hard drive.

My favorite Vista feature was the redesigned Windows Media Center, which connects wirelessly to your Xbox 360 so you can enjoy photos, movies and music on the family TV.

I'm not saying this is a Mac OS X killer, but until Windows 7 (in beta testing) officially comes out later this year, it'll suffice.

Both the PC and the Mac handled the upgrade flawlessly (I used Boot Camp on the Mac). In the first few weeks of hard use, I suffered no crashes and it ran games very smoothly. My only quibble was that Vista initially didn't work with many of my programs – as you may have read – although in most cases I was able to update drivers and get everything going again.

Overall, Vista Ultimate does hog a lot of resources, but it is a bit better than XP.

Want more Games N Gadgets news? Visit http://langstonwertz.blogspot .com. Langston Wertz Jr: 704-358- 5133; lwertz@charlotteobserver.com

Video of Windows 7 in action

Looks pretty swift and slick to me. I can't wait to try it.

What do you think?


Original Video - More videos at TinyPic

And the first new "Madden 2010" feature is

As promised EA Sports revealed one of the new features in the new Madden football game at Super Bowl halftime. The new Madden is due out about six months from now.

That feature is "procedural awareness" and it should add a great deal to the realistic feel this new Madden team is promising.

Now, game developers have figured out how to tune how fast players switch between targets -- and make them behave accordingly.

Imagine really being able to "look off" a safety while controlling your quarterback and if the defensive back has his head turned, he's not going to react to make a specatular, if unrealistic interception on you anymore. Including in that feature is something EA calls "procedural attitudes," basically a player's face model changing realistically. So you'll see players' react more like their real-life counterparts.

Here are several videos to illustrate.

New Madden game info debuts at SuperBowl halftime

True story. I'm at home Saturday afternoon, watching Wake Forest get beat by Georgia Tech in ACC Basketball, Tech's first league win of the year, and my phone keeps ringing.

Four readers called me or emailed me to let me know that at halftime of Sunday's Super Bowl game, some EA Sports officials will release official information about the upcoming edition of the best-selling football game, Madden 2010.

Turns out that new Madden developer Ian Cummings has been on a message board conversing with fans, which is pretty cool.

Cummings promises that the 2010 version will be a mimic of what you see on Sunday afternoons.

"Everything you see on Sunday, see it in Madden NFL,” Cummings wrote. "What does that mean?...We have one goal, and that is to make an NFL football game that is as true to life as possible.

"We aren’t about gimmicks; we aren’t about fluff; we aren’t about catering to glitchers or cheaters. We’re focused on emulating what you as an NFL fan are used to seeing on TV, and what many of you players and coaches have seen on the field. For every single update we provide you with throughout this year, feel free to call us out if anything doesn’t stand up to our new mantra."

This sounds promising. So he promises to reveal details at halftime of the Big Game tomorrow. I'm not a Bruce Springsteen fan anyway, so I think I'll go see if he delivers what he's been promising.

Is iPhone the best hand held gaming system?

According to ZDNet, computer giant Apple is working on a very powerful new iPhone that could hit stores later this year.

The new phone, currently about as powerful as Sony's excellent PlayStation Portable, would be more than twice as powerful, capable of rendering graphics – and games – better than anything before it in the portable gaming world.

And unlike the PSP or Nintendo DS, the iPhone allows gamers to download games via Apple's App Store, which users can access wirelessly or on their computer.

Currently, the games on iPhone are pretty good, but not very complex. The phone, in a sense, can act as a joystick. You can tilt it to control on-screen action. Racing games come off especially well – while holding it horizontally, the phone becomes like a steering wheel and creates a very realistic playing experience.

Some games I've seen add a little directional control on the touch-screen pad, similar to the one you would use playing a traditional handheld or console game. So far, I've found those to be rather clunky, and I'm not sure if you could (or would want to) try to play, say, a sports game – or anything that requires a lot of button presses – on the iPhone.

But you can buy mainstream games for the iPhone right now for as little as $9.99, and they can be ready to play within seconds. The delivery is faster and the games cost about three times less than most PSP and DS titles.

It'll be interesting to see where this goes. Apple needs to update the iPhone, adding things like cut-and-paste, multimedia instant messaging, and a QWERTY keyboard that works in landscape mode (to make typing e-mails easier). Battery life is also an issue. But with those fixes and a more-powerful gaming core, many might be willing to make the switch.

‘Guitar Hero: Metallica' arriving soon

Activision's “Guitar Hero: Metallica” hits stores this spring with more than 45 songs from the band's history, including tracks from every studio album it's ever recorded. The game will also feature artists selected by the band to be in the game, like Queen, Foo Fighters, Bob Seger and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Socially conscious video games

Advanced Micro Devices, a next-gen computer company, has created a new suite of socially conscious games about the environment, energy consumption, poverty and health. The free kit is at http://gamesforchange.org/toolkit. The company, which is targeting 13- to 18-year-olds, is hoping to inspire young people to do more with video games than destroy monsters or outrace virtual cars.

It's not the blood, it's the challenge

A University of Rochester psychology study shows that it's the challenge games provide, not the carnage, that makes gaming entertaining. The study by Rochester's Immersyve Inc. found that gore detracts from a game's fun factor. More than 2,500 gamers were surveyed.

Get more Games N Gadgets news at http://langstonwertz.blogspot.com.

New iPhone, iPod Touch upgrades; iLife 09 debuts

On the same day that computer giant Apple released its new iLife '09 software, the company dropped an update to the iPhone and iPod touch.

The company, which released the patches Tuesday, says update 2.2.1 improves the stability of the Safari Internet browswer and corrects an issue where photos do not display correctly.

iLife '09 is Apple's photo, movie and Web site creation suite.

The software can organize your photos based on the actual faces that appear in them, and shares to Facebook with one click. iMovie includes themes to help make movies easily. Apple promises its included GarageBand '09 software will help teach you to play an instrument or create a song, and the Web site creation tool has been refined to be easier to use. Users of Apple's MobileMe service, which pushes e-mail and calendar appointments to a user's mobile phone and computer simultaneously, will have access to 20 gigabytes of storage space online.

Hyundai joins HD Radio movement

Just as satellite radio is becoming more commonplace in new cars, HD radio is gaining some acceptance, too.

Unlike satellite radio, HD radio doesn't require a subscription. And while satellite radio offers strictly national programming, HD Radio is more locally based. For instance, local sports channel WFNZ (610 AM), which has a weak signal over the air, simulcasts on one of the HD channels used by Power 98 (WPEG FM), providing anyone with the HD receiver a clear and strong signal throughout the Charlotte area. Bonus? It's in stereo.

There are more than 1,800 HD radio stations in the U.S.

Wednesday, Hyundai Motor America extended its commitment to HD radio, joining companies like Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, Ford/Lincoln/Mercury, Scion, MINI, Jaguar, Kia and BMW that make it an option on some models.

Hyundai is offering HD radio on its new Genesis sedans equipped with navigation systems. For the 2010 model year, the company will offer on it on non-navi Genesis and in 2011, Hyundai plans to offer it across many other models in its lineup.

Download Bruce Springsteen's new song for free

Bruce Springsteen is coming to Guitar Hero: World Tour.

Coinciding with the release of his new album, "Working on a Dream," two songs by the Boss will be released for "Guitar Hero: World Tour" on Jan 27.

The Bruce Springsteen Track Pack features the classic "Born to Run" and a new track, "My Lucky Day." The tunes will be available to Xbox, PlayStation and Wii owners as a free download between Jan. 27 and Feb. 4. On Feb. 5, it'll cost gamers between $3 and $4, depending on which system they own.

To get the downloads, you'll need access to each system's online store.

Haven't tried the game? "Guitar Hero: World Tour" has a redesigned guitar controller, a drum kit, a microphone and includes a "Music Creator" that lets players record, edit and share their music. Bands can compete head-to-head online.

Kids survey: I'll be a pro athlete

Ran across a telling stat in a press release to promote a videogame today.

Seems that Nintendo commissioned Wakefield Research to interview 400 kids via telephone about their feelings about math. The kids were between nine and 14 years old and the survey was conducted Dec. 12-23 of last year, when most were out on holiday break.

The results were disturbing:

One in five kids believed they were more likely to become a pro athlete than get an A or B in math class.

More than one-third said math was their most difficult subject. Nearly one-third had negative feelings about the subject; 18 percent said math was boring and 13 percent called it, ahem, "torture."

Of course, Nintendo wants to "help" all the children of America with its new "Personal Trainer: Math" videogame for the Nintendo DS that it promises will "provide a fun and rewarding way for people to improve their basic math abilities."

Now, my kids are going to play videogames regardless, so maybe it's better they learn a little math rather than trying to kill the zombies in some fictional Texas town.

The game has 40 fast-paced exercises, using basic addition and multiplication and works its way to more more extensive multiplication tables and calculation ladders. There are daily math drills to keep users' skills sharp and attendance records for users to see how they improve week to week and month to month.

I haven't tried this game yet, and I hope to, but it looks promising and here's hoping more game-makers can stop all the bomb-and-gouge games for a second to develop a few games, like this one, that will help develop our kids' minds instead of just their hand-eye coordination.

Grey's Anatomy: The Videogame?

Get ready for "Grey's Anatomy" the game.

Ubisoft has a licensing agreement with ABC Studios to create a video game based on the popular TV series. The game is scheduled to release later this year.

Gamers can play as any of their favorite doctors or trainees -- including Meredith Grey, Derek Shepherd or Miranda Bailey -- in an original storyline.

According to Ubisoft, players will "make important personal and professional decisions, explore the direct relationships with each other, and perform the delicate surgeries the series is known for, all through fun and engaging game play."

New From Apple: Cheaper iTunes, new laptop and 8-hour batteries

Apple CEO Steve Jobs, suffering with health problems, didn't make an appearance Tuesday morning at the MacWorld show in San Francisco. But the company he founded released a slate of new offerings.

Among them:

-- A 17-inch "environmentally friendly" MacBook Pro that will support up to 8 gigabytes of RAM. The new machine will retail for $2,799 and weighs just 6.6 pounds. It has a high-definition (1920x1200) LED backlit display (and a $50 matte display option). The new machine also has a non-user-removeable battery that Apple promises will deliver up to eight hours on a single charge. The company says the battery is good for 1,000 full charges. There'll be an exchange problem for those needing new batteries. The machine is recycleable, Apple says, and contains no arsenic or mercury.

-- Starting in April, the iTunes store will get an overhaul. There will be three pricing tiers per song: 69 cents, 99 cents, and $1.29. Owners of the Apple iPhone will also be able to download music via the 3G over-the-air network.

Record companies will choose the prices in exchange for Apple getting them to agree to sell all songs free of “digital rights management” (DRM) technology that limits people's ability to copy songs or move them to multiple computers. By the end of this quarter, Apple said, all 10 million songs in its library will be available without DRM.

-- Apple also announced improvements to its movie, music and photo software at the annual gathering of Apple devotees. iPhoto ‘09 can recognize faces and sort photos based on who's in them. GarageBand ‘09 includes videotaped, interactive music lessons given by Sting and other musicians.

Apple's iWork, its version of Microsoft's popular Office software, got a makeover and a web-based application, iWork.com, though it does not allow users to edit documents in a web browser like Google's online document program.

Internet rumors had been speculating about the possibility of a new smaller iPhone Nano, as well as updates to the iMac and MacMini. But Apple made no such announcements.

Apple unveiling iWork 09, likely today

With the official start of the 2009 MacWorld Expo in San Francisco set for noon Eastern time, Apple has already given at least one clue of what patrons can expect: a new version of its iWork software.

iWork is Apple's answer to Microsoft Office, a software bundle that features word processing and spreadsheet software.

Early Tuesday morning, Apple's downloads page was showing iWork '09 instead of the 2008 version as a clickable link. The link still led to the '08 version, however.

No Steve Jobs at MacWorld

Tuesday's MacWorld convention in San Francisco promises to be exciting. It's the annual conference where all kinds of new Mac computers and peripherals are introduced. Apple, maker of the popular Mac line of computers, is pulling out of MacWorld after this year and Apple CEO Steve Jobs will not appear, after many years of delivering keynote addresses and introducing new products.

Internet speculation has been that Jobs is too ill to attend. Monday morning, Apple released a statement from Jobs saying he had a "hormone imbalance" that was causing him to lose weight. Jobs said in the statement he's begun treatment, expects to recover, and will not attend MacWorld.

The hot rumors for the show consist of a new iMac being released and a new Mac mini computer. There's also speculation about a 17-inch Macbook Pro laptop that has a battery that lasts longer than previous models but cannot be removed; a smaller version of the iPhone that will be cheaper than the current model, which retails for $199 for an 8-gigabyte version or $299 for a 16-GB version; and of Apple introducing its new operating system, Snow Leopard.

Here's a portion of Jobs' note.

"As many of you know, " Jobs wrote, "I have been losing weight throughout 2008. The reason has been a mystery to me and my doctors. A few weeks ago, I decided that getting to the root cause of this and reversing it needed to become my #1 priority.

"Fortunately, after further testing, my doctors think they have found the cause -- a hormone imbalance that has been 'robbing' me of the proteins my body needs to be healthy. Sophisticated blood tests have confirmed this diagnosis.

"The remedy for this nutritional problem is relatively simple and straightforward, and I've already begun treatment. But, just like I didn’t lose this much weight and body mass in a week or a month, my doctors expect it will take me until late this spring to regain it. I will continue as Apple's CEO during my recovery.

"I have given more than my all to Apple for the past 11 years now. I will be the first one to step up and tell our board of directors if I can no longer continue to fulfill my duties as Apple's CEO. I hope the Apple community will support me in my recovery and know that I will always put what is best for Apple first."