BBC's Freeview HD DRM plans blocked by Ofcom
The BBC's Freeview HD plans have been dealt a blow after the broadcaster's proposed use of DRM on the platform was blocked by Ofcom.
The introduction of DRM on to the Freeview HD service – which is due to launch in the UK this December – was meant as an anti-piracy measure, with the BBC worried that once the free-to air platform launched it would mean that unauthorised redistribution of its hi-def content would become a problem.
The BBC had planned to let users freely record hi-def programmes in SD format, with restrictions put in place for when HD recordings were made.
Although the BBC insisted that the proposed DRM would be "invisible" to the end user it did raise questions.
Out of the 200 submissions that Ofcom received about the proposal, the most outspoken was, unsurprisingly, the Open Rights Group who believed the BBC was trying to "enact a form of encryption through the backdoor."
Large number of responses
Ofcom deliberated on the need for DRM and decided to quash the BBC's plans, explaining in a statement about the decision: "Ofcom received a large number of responses to this consultation, in particular from consumers and consumer groups, who raised a number of potentially significant consumer 'fair use' and competition issues that were not addressed in our original consultation."
Alex Lane, the Editor of What Satellite and Digital TV, told TechRadar about Ofcom's move: "It's good to see Ofcom listening to a consumer-lead campaign, and maybe we can now have a mature debate about DRM."
But Lane did have his reservations, noting: "I just hope it doesn't backfire and cause problems for Freeview HD supplying the best content."
Committed to launch
Although the BBC hasn't exactly said much about the decision Ofcom has come to, the broadcaster did tell TechRadar that "it remains committed to the launch of HD on Freeview as it will deliver choice in terms of platform and availability of HD content for audiences across the UK."
Hopefully this means that it will not be stifling its content on the HD platform, when it comes to the launch of Freeviw HD, as an 'anti-piracy' measure.
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Amazon's Kindle for PC arrives in beta
Amazon has released a free Beta version of Kindle for PC, allowing people to read their purchased eBooks from their computers.
Kindle for PC was announced back in October, and Amazon has made good on its promise with a free beta version for people to try out.
Big hitter
The Kindle has been a huge hit in the eBook market, and the PC version allows you to start reading on the eReader and then continue where you left off on your laptop – and vice versa – taking advantage of the Amazon 3G network.
Chuck in multi-touch capability, the ability to download books and the view notes made when you used the portable device, and you have a fairly nifty free app.
Of course, the problems with the Kindle still not really finding its feet in the UK haven't gone away, so there will be frustrations as well.
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Review: Samsung YP-R1 MP3 player
Samsung has always occupied a grey area in the tech world. With neither the establishment of Sony, nor the consumer-friendliness of Apple, the South Korean company's products have nevertheless garnered impressive reviews from us.
In spite of its amazing netbooks and televisions, one area Samsung has lacked in is MP3 players.
It's never quite cracked the lucrative market, although its MP3-playing phones have shown some headway recently.
Samsung's range of MP3 players - known as Yepp to Apple's iPod and Sony's Walkman - have shown some fairly hefty improvements, though. 2006's Z5F's interface was reportedly designed by Paul Mercer - he of iPod user interface fame - and it went on to sell over 1 million units.
Samsung's latest, the YP-R1, is competing directly with the likes of Creative's new Zen X-Fi 2 and Apple's most recent iteration of the iPod Nano.
Like the Creative player, Samsung's includes a touch screen, and, like Apple's, it's got an FM radio. But is it enough to keep Samsung in the MP3 player game?
It's fairly obvious that Samsung has taken a few cues from the iPod Nano with the YP-R1.
It's virtually the same size, and has a similarly tough brushed metal shell. Unlike Apple's bestseller, the YP-R1 includes a 2.7" display, as opposed to the Nano's meagre 2".
Our biggest concern with the tiny display was its ability to function as a touchscreen, but the YP-R1 manages to stay functional without the iPod Touch's volumous interface.
It's a resistive rather than capacitive screen (when will they learn?), which means it's not as responsive as Apple's offerings. And the titchy nature of the icons means its easy to miss vital controls sometimes.
But once you get used to the screen, it does work. Samsung has done a good job with the interface, and has made it as easy to use as any Apple offering without feeling too derivative. It's orientated in a landscape fashion, and everything's clearly laid out on three scrollable screens.
The YP-R1 is very intuitive, too, with a tap of a light bulb icon to adjust the brightness, and a sweep of the finger to change tracks or fastforward. Samsung has added some fun applications, such as a few touchscreen games and widgets, including SleepCat, which will turn your player off after a set interval.
Gadgets aside, the Samsung is actually a remarkable media player, and certainly the best we've seen at this price point.
Music sounded incredible thanks to what Samsung terms the DNSe sound engine, with James Holden's intricate "Lump" sounding rich and fleshed-out.
There's also the Beat DJ, which, with its time- and pitch- shifting abilities would be great for virtual DJs. But, alas, it can't support more than one track, so you'd have to buy two before hitting the decks at Gatecrasher.
However, where the YP-R1 really excels - and we weren't expecting this - is as a video player.
Drag and drop pretty much any video onto it and it'll play it with no fiddly conversion. The screen really excels here too, the smoothness is astounding for such a small player. Hold it close to your face, turn the volume up and it's like you're actually in a cinema.
There's a lot to like in Samsung's latest, but there were a couple of things we'd like to have seen included.
A built-in speaker is de facto in modern MP3 players, but Samsung seems to have dropped it. Admittedly, including in-ear headphones (as opposed to cheapo extra-skeletal ones) is a stroke of genius, but we'd still prefer to have a nice speaker for playing music to friends.
Samsung has also included Bluetooth, which is (ahem) getting a bit long in the tooth - we're seeing it on fewer and fewer new laptops.
WiFi would have been preferred, but Bluetooth is still handy for transferring files without having to dig out the USB cable.
While we're on that subject, it's a Samsung Proprietary cable, not the standard mini-USB.
Overall, though, Samsung has created one hell of a little media player, one that sounds good and happily played all the files we could throw at it.
Add to this support of BBC iPlayer - albeit offline - and you've got the perfect Christmas present for any media aficionados. And, with its inherent usability, kids will love it too.
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3 asks for ratification of 3G claims
3 is taking Orange to the Advertising Standards Agency over its claims it has the widest 3G network coverage in the UK.
The network is dismayed at Orange's claims that it has the largest 3G network in the UK, with the France Telecom-owned company spending آ£4 million on letting the country know this fact ahead of its iPhone launch.
TechRadar spoke to 3 about the issue, and it said that while this wasn't a spat between it and Orange, it was worried that consumers were being given the wrong idea about network reach.
"It's no surprise consumers are being confused about coverage. Right now each operator chooses a population coverage measurement that suits it. We currently claim 92 per cent coverage," said a spokesperson for 3.
Raising the bar artificially
"We could use a measure used elsewhere in the industry that would boost our claimed population coverage to 95 per cent in an instant, without reaching a single extra customer. We're happy to open up our network to a third-party to judge.
"We'd like to see a common standard applied across the industry, to give consumers a more realistic picture of 3G coverage available to UK consumers on all networks. We believe that we have the biggest 3G network in the UK, both in terms of geographic and population coverage, built on a 9,192 site network that grows by around 150-sites each week. But these claims should be independently verified."
However, Orange has hit back at this claim, telling The Times that by the same metric, it still has the largest population coverage at 93 per cent:
"The figure that 3 has published shows that we have a greater 3G population coverage than they do. We think that's something to shout about and that's why we're telling our customers — and theirs — about it. It's not how many masts you have; it's where you stick them."
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3 asks for ratification of 3G claims
3 is taking Orange to the Advertising Standards Agency over its claims it has the widest 3G network coverage in the UK.
The network is dismayed at Orange's claims that it has the largest 3G network in the UK, with the France Telecom-owned company spending آ£4 million on letting the country know this fact ahead of its iPhone launch.
TechRadar spoke to 3 about the issue, and it said that while this wasn't a spat between it and Orange, it was worried that consumers were being given the wrong idea about network reach.
"It's no surprise consumers are being confused about coverage. Right now each operator chooses a population coverage measurement that suits it. We currently claim 92 per cent coverage," said a spokesperson for 3.
Raising the bar artificially
"We could use a measure used elsewhere in the industry that would boost our claimed population coverage to 95 per cent in an instant, without reaching a single extra customer. We're happy to open up our network to a third-party to judge.
"We'd like to see a common standard applied across the industry, to give consumers a more realistic picture of 3G coverage available to UK consumers on all networks. We believe that we have the biggest 3G network in the UK, both in terms of geographic and population coverage, built on a 9,192 site network that grows by around 150-sites each week. But these claims should be independently verified."
However, Orange has hit back at this claim, telling The Times that by the same metric, it still has the largest population coverage at 93 per cent:
"The figure that 3 has published shows that we have a greater 3G population coverage than they do. We think that's something to shout about and that's why we're telling our customers — and theirs — about it. It's not how many masts you have; it's where you stick them."
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Opinion: Cookie consent law is breathtakingly stupid
A law that demands consent to internet cookies has been approved and will be in force across the EU within 18 months. It is so breathtakingly stupid that the normally law-abiding business may be tempted to bend the rules to breaking point.
The fate of Europe's cookie law became improbably entwined with a debate over file-sharing. To cut a long story short, it broke free. On 26th October, it was voted through by the Council of the EU. It cannot be stopped and awaits only the rubber-stamp formalities of signature and publication.
The vote's result was announced by way of a whisper. It featured at the tail end of an 18-page Council press release (PDF) that first had to address fishing quotas, train driving licences and a maritime treaty with China. I'm afraid we missed it.
There was no attempt to bury this news – but the hushed tones of its reporting were consistent with the media attention it has received to date. There has been almost no fuss about this little law, despite the harm it could do to advertising, the lifeblood of online publishing. It also threatens to irritate all web users by appearing at every new destination like an over-zealous security guard.
Here's what's coming. The now-finalised text says that a cookie can be stored on a user's computer, or accessed from that computer, only if the user "has given his or her consent, having been provided with clear and comprehensive information".
An exception exists where the cookie is "strictly necessary" for the provision of a service "explicitly requested" by the user – so cookies can take a user from a product page to a checkout without the need for consent. Other cookies will require prior consent, though.
So almost every site that carries advertising should be seeking its visitors' consent to the serving of cookies. It also catches sites that count visitors – so if your site uses Google Analytics or WebTrends, you're caught.
You could seek consent with pop-ups, if you're happy to ignore accessibility guidelines that discourage pop-ups – though users' browsers may block pop-ups by default, which risks confusion. Or you could do it with a landing page that contains a load of information and some choices. The choices for users could be:
1. Give me a load of cookies, now and in future visits, and let me get where I wanted to go in the first place – and please don't interrupt me like this again.
2. Cookies sound evil. I'm going to use American sites instead, because they don't scare me with this cookie nonsense.
3. I don't want cookies from your advertising partners, but I'll gladly pay for an ad-free version of your site. What's that you say? I need cookies for that too? OK, but just a few please.
You need to ask each new visitor just once, of course – until the visitor deletes his 'consent' cookie. Like a blow to the head, that action will cause your site to forget that you've actually met before and you'll welcome the visitor like a stranger.
Between now and 26th April 2011, the date this law must come into force across the EU's 27 member states, two things will happen. The Directive will be transposed into national laws; and we'll get guidance from regulatory bodies. Each of these steps is an opportunity to mitigate the impact of this misguided law.
Our Government could take a bullet for Digital Britain. It could interpret the Directive creatively or, to be pedantic, wrongly. Doing that allows businesses to comply with UK law while putting the UK Government in breach of European law. The European Commission then makes threatening noises before hauling the UK before the European Court of Justice for a shoeing, a process that generally takes a few years to resolve. (The UK is mired in such a battle right now over the original version of the cookie law – it's just that it's not the cookie provisions in dispute.)
I doubt this will happen. The new law amends an existing Directive, passed in 2002. The UK's implementation of that Directive was faithful and, given some MPs are pleading to make all behavioural advertising opt-in, there may be political will for an opt-in approach to all cookies.
Perhaps that was the motive in the EU passing this law – I really don't know. If it was, behavioural advertising could be managed without wielding a sledgehammer that cracks almost all cookies. Lawmakers should identify any harms they see in today's practices and legislate against the harms. To legislate against the technology is unnecessary, short-sighted and destined to fail.
The 2002 Directive is not so different from the new lawat first sight: it said that cookies should come with a "right to refuse". The UK implementation reproduced these words precisely. But the Information Commissioner's Office took a pragmatic view, saying that the right to refuse could be given after the delivery of the cookie. Compliance was easy: you just had to put some information in your privacy policy. The new law turns that upside down.
So a better prospect than a faulty implementation of the revised law is that our Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) publishes pragmatic guidance again. The ICO might be motivated to do that: the cookie law is likely to be as irritating for consumers as it is for business. This won't be easy, though: the new wording gives limited room for manoeuvre.
The wriggle room, such as it is, probably doesn't lie in saying that advertising or traffic monitoring are 'strictly necessary' to provide the free service 'explicitly requested'. A better prospect is a weird recital to the Directive that suggests "the user's consent to processing may be expressed by using the appropriate settings of a browser".
It's not a get-out-of-jail-free card by any means. Remember, it's only a recital, not an article. Recitals are meant to explain the lawmakers' rationale and sometimes they're used to resolve ambiguities. They are not meant to contradict the business end of the Directive – and this recital sounds like a contradiction (which smacks of bad drafting).
We've heard a different view of what the recital might mean, but to many it will look like a place of shelter. Subject to whatever our domestic law says, and our ICO's guidance, some businesses might be tempted to hide in the confused wording of that recital. If I was desperate to avoid landing pages and pop-ups, I would too. The risk you run is a آ£5,000 fine, unless the penalties are increased (which the new Directive invites member states to do).
That's a gamble that many will consider worth taking because the alternative might be to haemorrhage ad revenues.
By Struan Robertson, editor of OUT-LAW.COM. The views expressed are Struan's and do not necessarily represent those of Pinsent Masons. You can follow Struan at Twitter.com/struan99.
This article was first published at OUT-LAW.COM.
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In Depth: 12 essential Google Chrome browser add-ons
Google Chrome has made a name for itself as a fast, lightweight browser, but has suffered through a lack of support for third-party extensions. Thankfully Google has seen the light, and support for extensions is here.
You need to be running a development version of Chrome – either version 3 or version 4 – which you can switch to by visiting the Development Channel.
As always, back up before you begin, which brings us neatly on to our first recommended extension.
1. Google Chrome Backup
Google Chrome Backup is a small tool that you install and run independently of Google Chrome. It enables you to back up and restore your Chrome user profile settings – a must before you start fiddling about with some of the extensions below.
SAFE DATA: Back up your Chrome settings for security or transferring to another computer
2. Xmarks
Chrome 4 introduces bookmark synchronisation for Chrome, but if you want to share your bookmarks and passwords across multiple browsers, you'll need Xmarks. The Chrome version is still in an early stage of Alpha development, so you'll need an Xmarks account to access it for download. It's still a little flaky, so read more at the wiki before you install it.
KEEP CURRENT: Sync your bookmarks across multiple browsers with Xmarks
3. MyWOT
The web's a dangerous place, so MyWOT is worth its weight in gold. It rates both sites and search engine ratings with a traffic-light system, throwing up a visible warning dialogue box should you try to visit sites that have a poor reputation. Essential if you venture into the darker realms of the net.
STAY SAFE: Vet web sites and search engine results before you visit
4. AdSweep
As the name suggests, AdSweep removes ads from web pages. It can be installed as an extension or – if you're running an earlier version of Chrome – read the instructions on installing the JavaScript version.
5. Chromed Bird – Twitter Extension 0.3
This clever little extension adds a button on to your toolbar giving you easy access to your Twitter account: you can tweet or read recent tweets by your friends, just by clicking the button.
TWEET: Access your Twitter account directly from the Google Chrome toolbar
6. AniWeather
Get your own customised weather forecasts, delivered straight to your status bar with AniWeather. After installing, you'll be whisked away to a web page where you configure the extension to your current location and tastes.
RAIN OR SHINE: Get weather reports and forecasts for your favourite locations
7. Session Saver
Chrome might be able to restore the tabs from your last browsing session, but Session Saver enables you to build up a collection of saved tabs and restore them to order. It can also be used to export the current set of loaded tabs to your bookmarks.
8. YouTubeDownloader
We're still waiting for a reliable all-singing, all-dancing YouTube management tool (YouasbleTubeFix wouldn't work on our test machine), but in the meantime YouTubeDownloader does exactly what it says on the tin: once installed, look for the yellow download buttons to the right of the video being played.
9. Google Chrome Dual View
The Google Chrome Dual View bookmarklet will appeal to widescreen monitor owners: now you can view two web sites side-by-side without having to switch tabs. Just drag the bookmark on to your bookmarks bar, click it and then enter the two URLs you wish to view.
DOUBLE UP: View two web sites side-by-side with this bookmarklet, which works in all versions of Chrome
10. Cleeki
Forget IE8's Web Accelerators feature, Cleeki offers all this (you can even import IE accelerators into it) and more. Just roll your mouse over a web link and click the eye icon to get a preview of the web page, or select some text or an image for options to search or share via various services. Install it from www.chromeextensions.org/social-communications/cleeki/.
DO MORE: Select your text to access the various features offered by Cleeki for searching and sharing
11. Fit to Width
Fit to Width is a clever little extension which attempts to make the horizontal scrollbar a thing of the past by fitting the current web site to your browser window when you click the Fit to Width button in the status bar.
12. Gmail Checker
Want an at-a-glance view at the unread messages in your inbox? Gmail Checker places a button in your toolbar that does just that: click the button for a preview of all unread messages. Hotmail users feeling left out should check out the Hotmail Notifier instead.
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EU wants consent for every web cookie
A new law has been passed through the EU parliament which tightens the restrictions on how cookies can be used within website based in Europe.
The new law will have far-reaching implications for all publishers of online content in Europe, as it essentially means that unless you agree to specific terms no website will be able to remember who users are – something which will be a threat to the online advertising industry and the sites that survive on this revenue.
According to Out-Law.com, the law is set to come into force over the next 18 months and will mean that cookies will no longer be stored on user's computers unless the user "has given his or her consent, having been provided with clear and comprehensive information."
Cookie cutter
While the law is meant to shield users from unwanted targeted advertising – we are looking at you here Phorm – the requirement will be that all 'tracking cookies' will be subject for approval.
This means that the entire way websites work in Europe will have to be reassessed. Currently, when you log on to a website, cookies will be stored on your computer to remember your preferences, account details and things that most of us take for granted.
Like taking a sledgehammer to a walnut, if the law is passed in the UK – and across the rest of the 27 member states – then all of this usually harmless but necessary behind-the-scenes action will be queried every time you visit a new European-based site.
Clear and precise information
Out-Law.com, who uncovered the legislation within an 18-page press release which also discussed 'fishing quotas, train driving licences and a maritime treaty with China', has republished the text which states that cookies "should be allowed on condition that users are provided with clear and precise information in accordance with Directive 95/46/EC about the purposes of cookies or similar devices so as to ensure that users are made aware of information being placed on the terminal equipment they are using." Yes, it's that confusing.
This isn't the first time the EU has tried to pass such a directive. In 2003 another 'cookie law' was passed with regards to unsolicited material, which meant that an opt-out option had to be given on all material that was not requested by the user. This was meant to curb the flow of pop-ups and spam on websites and through email.
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EU wants consent for every web cookie
A new law has been passed through the EU parliament which tightens the restrictions on how cookies can be used within website based in Europe.
The new law will have far-reaching implications for all publishers of online content in Europe, as it essentially means that unless you agree to specific terms no website will be able to remember who users are – something which will be a threat to the online advertising industry and the sites that survive on this revenue.
According to Out-Law.com, the law is set to come into force over the next 18 months and will mean that cookies will no longer be stored on user's computers unless the user "has given his or her consent, having been provided with clear and comprehensive information."
Cookie cutter
While the law is meant to shield users from unwanted targeted advertising – we are looking at you here Phorm – the requirement will be that all 'tracking cookies' will be subject for approval.
This means that the entire way websites work in Europe will have to be reassessed. Currently, when you log on to a website, cookies will be stored on your computer to remember your preferences, account details and things that most of us take for granted.
Like taking a sledgehammer to a walnut, if the law is passed in the UK – and across the rest of the 27 member states – then all of this usually harmless but necessary behind-the-scenes action will be queried every time you visit a new European-based site.
Clear and precise information
Out-Law.com, who uncovered the legislation within an 18-page press release which also discussed 'fishing quotas, train driving licences and a maritime treaty with China', has republished the text which states that cookies "should be allowed on condition that users are provided with clear and precise information in accordance with Directive 95/46/EC about the purposes of cookies or similar devices so as to ensure that users are made aware of information being placed on the terminal equipment they are using." Yes, it's that confusing.
This isn't the first time the EU has tried to pass such a directive. In 2003 another 'cookie law' was passed with regards to unsolicited material, which meant that an opt-out option had to be given on all material that was not requested by the user. This was meant to curb the flow of pop-ups and spam on websites and through email.
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Firefox 3.6 by December confirms Mozilla
Mozilla has confirmed that Firefox 3.6 will be arriving in December – and will usher in an era of six-monthly major updates for the popular browser.
The arrival of 3.6 will bring minor tweaks and some personalisation tools for the browser, as Mozilla looks to continue it's impressive growth in the browser market.
Talking to the Telegraph, Mozilla's Tristan Nitot confirmed that December would see the arrival of the next iteration, and that another would be along by June.
Six month timeline
"We are trying to release an update every six months," said Nitot.
"Users will see less big changes from version to version but there will updates out more regularly."
Firefox already automatically pushes through minor updates, but major updates indicate key changes to the browser.
Firefox 3.6 will bring the potential to take advantage of accelerometers as well as the ability to change the look and feel of the browser with one click and open, native video support.
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Samsung S5560 Marvel set for UK debut
Samsung is set to unleash another mid range handset to the marketplace, but carries an erratic spec list.
On the one hand, the S5560 Marvel is a decently-specified device, with a 5MP camera with flash and auto focus. On the other hand, it doesn't have 3G.
Other specs include a 3-inch QVGA touch screen, Samsung's proprietary OS running its widget-filled TouchWiz UI and a video recorder too.
Nokia non-competitor
It's currently available for pre-order, although it doesn't look like it will be competing with the Nokia 5530 XpressMusic as the budget touch screen of the moment.
Currently only being offered on Orange, the phone will set you back آ£30 on a 12 month, deal, with a slightly meagre amount of minutes on offer with that.
The 5530 on the other hand costs just آ£130 on pay as you go, so it's difficult to see where the S5560 Marvel will be placed in the market, but we're sure Samsung has some sort of plan for it.
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Review: LG 32SL8000 LCD TV
We've seen the 'one pane' design before from LG, but on this 32-incher it's particularly effective; a single sheet of glass stretches right across the front of the TV and, with no need for a dedicated border, the illusion is of a 'borderless' TV.
It's not – a black screen surround instead sits under the glass – but an upward curved edge on the TV's top and a simple dark aluminium strip along the bottom helps create a classy, understated look.
Don't think its svelte design means it takes up less room than similarly sized sets, because that's not the case, but the LG 32SL8000 does remain a prime candidate for wall hanging.
We say almost because, although it's less than 5cm deep, the inputs on the back would then be hard to reach. Housed in a slight recess are three HDMI sockets, though the 'side panel' – in reality another recessed area almost alongside – presents a fourth HDMI and a USB port.
Unlike a lot of LCD TVs at this price, the 32SL8000 is packed with features that are as useful as they are easy to operate.
The most impressive is the USB media player, which can display JPEG slideshows set to MP3 music as well as various video files – including DivX and DivX HD.
Less crucial is Bluetooth connectivity for wireless headphones and sending pictures from mobile phone. LG is the only brand that provide Bluetooth, presumably because it's yet to embrace DLNA networking.
Other tech aimed at reproducing HD includes 24p Real Cinema and TruMotion 200Hz, though LG's take on the latter is to provide a scanning backlight alongside a 100Hz filter.
The 32SL8000 32-inch LCD TV also includes Intelligent Sensor II, which takes the ambient light levels in the room and tweaks the TV's brightness accordingly (also saving on energy consumption). In practice it's not really needed; the TV's 'cinema' setting – our preferred viewing mode – proves less bright than any picture produced using Intelligent Sensor II.
Not that any 32-inch TV – even one with Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution – is ultimately going to be judged only on its suitability within a home cinema setting. We're looking for an all-rounder.
If you do fancy something a little bigger, siblings in LG's SL8000 Series include 32-inch, 37-inch, 42-inch and 47-inch sets, while the step-up SL9000 Series (42 and 47-inch) use Edge LED technology to backlight the panel. All are certified by the Energy Saving Trust.
Most Blu-ray buffs will aim for a set much bigger than this one, so we're going to be scoring the 32SL8000 on its ability with Freeview, DVD and broadcast HDTV channels – as well as user-friendliness – as much as we are on its treatment of Full HD images from Blu-ray.
And although the 32SL8000's picture quality isn't benchmark, its failings actually seem to help its versatility – and widen its appeal.
Take its HD performance. The fabulous colours of the re-mastered Baraka on Blu-ray are handled well, and although we've seen better contrast levels, the pictures hold up.
The skin tones of worshippers at Jerusalem's Wailing Wall are spot on while a panoramic shot across the Ghats of the Ganges shows a host of colourful characters in cinematic spendour.
Soft picture
There is, however, a slight softness. An aerial shot of Iraq's burning oilfields lacks a little sharpness and contrast, and the flames shooting up from the desert seem stilted. A brighter shot swoops over an aeroplane graveyard near Phoenix, with more detail on show and – with TruMotion 200Hz set to low – no sign of judder or blur.
It passes a more serious test well, too; as a camera pans across a shop front in The Matrix Reloaded, Real Cinema and TruMotion 200Hz (again used on its low setting) remove all judder.
Ramped-up to 'high' for the high-octane fight scene between Agent Smith and Neo, TruMotion 200Hz does, though, produce some flicker around moving edges. Where it's most effective is on slow camera pans; toned-down TruMotion 200Hz ably removes virtually all judder and helps create a much more lifelike picture.
But the 32SL8000's slight lack of sharpness (and it really is slight) actually proves its making when it comes to digital TV and DVD.
Solid and well saturated, there's few LCD TVs out there that can match the 32SL8000 for sheer watch-ability during the low bitrate of digital broadcasts on Freeview.
A broadcast from BBC News looks far cleaner and more colourful here than on most LCD TVs. The image is a tad soft, but perhaps that's helping hide the digital blocking and artefacts that we know exist in such broadcasts.
Decent upscaling
DVDs also get treated well – there's obviously some good internal upscaling circuitry inside 32SL8000 that make it just as effective as most dedicated DVD decks that claim to ramp-up resolution to 1080p.
DivX HD trailers played straight from a USB stick play quickly and proves a nice extra feature, though there is a little more judder to contend with when compared to Blu-ray.
One failing that doesn't add to the TV's overall appeal is its design. Classy it may be, but the pane of glass that stretches across the whole screen can cause some unwanted reflections and a sense of a 'double image'.
Watch from straight on and it's not a major issue, but from an angle it can be distracting. That's a shame because the 32SL8000's viewing angle is wider than most, with little discernable loss of colour – though areas of black aren't as convincing when watched from the wings.
A set this small was never going to produce audio excellence. In line with almost every single flatscreen TV on the market, the speakers on the 32SL8000 have been scarified at the altar of aesthetics.
Hidden away underneath the 32SL8000's slinky one-pane frame are two 10W speakers. They do a reasonable job with everyday TV and movies thanks to plenty of modes.
Easy to toggle through while watching TV, presets are provided for sport, cinema, games and music, alongside a 'standard' mode. That roster almost completely mirrors the picture modes available – another example of LG keeping things simple.
Sound settings
Finding one that suits is a quick process, but trouble producing decent stereo separation (not this small TV's fault) and a lack of quality in the low frequency part of the spectrum (par for the course on flat TVs) make the 32SL8000 an average performer with audio.
Clear Voice II helps out with dialogue-heavy TV, and even the oft-ineffective SRS TruSurround XT can impress with movies, though it's best to stick to the standard setting to keep all frequencies clearly audible in the mix.
High volumes don't produce distortion and TV is dealt with acceptably, but for movies a decent soundbar or home cinema is required.
Very few flatscreens TVs roundly impress in this area (pricey Loewe TVs and some Philips TVs prove rare exceptions) – and almost never at this price point – so we're not going to mark down the 32SL8000 too harshly. If you want a flat TV, it seems, you have to settle for flat sound, too.
The 32SL8000's unique audio capabilities with Bluetooth may attract some; the idea of listening to TV wirelessly will appeal to those who are already forced (for whatever reason) to regularly use headphones. In pratice the feature works well and is easy to set-up.
It's not the LG 32SL8000's haul of features that dazzle us most; it's that they're executed superbly well.
Plug in a Blu-ray player to one of the HDMI sockets and that live input is automatically displayed when the input switcher is selected on the remote.
Unlike most TVs, where the inputs list is small and involves scrolling up and down in search of the right input, the 32SL8000 presents them swooping across the bottom of the screen; unused inputs are greyed-out and put to the back of the list so they don't have to be dealt with, though it's possible to label each input (DVD, Blu-ray, Games etc) to make things even easier.
USB playback
Using the USB media player is just as simple, though it is necessary to choose between movies, music and photos before accessing the files on a USB stick; things could be made simpler if the TV could decide for itself. Slideshows of JPEG photos are quick to load and display images, and can be set to music.
This also works in reverse; play an MP3 file and it's possible to choose a photo or slideshow to accompany it.
The 32SL8000 gives video files a special treatment, with sped-up thumbnails displayed for each video. It's not just the presentation that impresses; these thumbnails are processed and played almost immediately. The 32SL8000 doesn't mess around.
The same goes for the 32SL8000's file compatibility, which is more comprehensive than most, with DivX, DivX HD, AVI, MOV, MKV and MP4 files all playable, though not WMV or MPEG in our tests.
It's an honest treatment, too; the 32SL8000 puts a 'lightning strike' graphic through any files it can't cope with, so there's no last-minute frustration when a file won't play. When video files are playing, the useful and well designed remote's Pause/Play/FF/RW make navigating very simple.
Intuitive interface
Propping-up all of this are some fabulous central onscreen menus. Dominated by tasteful, muted colours and eight simple icons, these high resolution graphics lead the user round the many features and make often complex actions – such as calibrating the TV to ISF standard – a cinch.
The latter relies on an image-led Picture Wizard menu, which covers settings such as colour gain, sharpness and contrast. The resulting settings can then be applied to as many – or as few – inputs as needed.
Onscreen menus aren't everything, but it's surprising how many brands get them fatally wrong. Here they help make the 32SL8000 feel very natural to use.
Unique to LG TVs, Bluetooth presumably earns its place on the 32SL8000 because LG hasn't yet introduced Ethernet connectivity and DLNA home networking – which lets you stream music, photos and even video from a PC or Mac on the same broadband home network – to its TV range.
That, in our opinion, is actually a good thing – such systems are still in their infancy and no brand has delivered DLNA networking that's anything but frustrating to use.
We liked
Besides, networking wouldn't gel well with the 32SL8000's quite superb user interface that's defined by impressive simplicity and speed.
Its hi-def picture is very good and benefits from its effective Real Cinema and TruMotion 200Hz features. Not only does they remove most judder from Blu-ray discs and blur from fast-moving camera pans, but they do so without creating nasty artefacts.
As well as excelling with Freeview broadcasts and DVD, more nice touches come from DivX and DivX HD playback via USB and a superbly simple calibration menu. You could argue that this kind of attention to detail will be roundly ignored by a lot of consumers, but it's great to have a 'high-end' feel on what is certainly a mainstream TV.
We disliked
The 32SL8000's weaknesses are few, but could be crucial to some users. If you're planning to watch a diet that largely consists of Blu-ray, you might be a little disappointed that the Full HD image lacks a little sharpness.
Contrast is also less impressive than on some rival sets – notably those LCD TVs that use LED backlighting – and it reduces further the wider the viewing angle you watch from. Another issue could be the reflective pane of glass on the 32SL8000's front, though in practice the image isn't interfered with to any great extent.
Final verdict
HD can look soft, but this easy to use LCD TV's kindness to Freeview and DVD makes is ideal for everyday use.
With such a natural feel to its onscreen menus, this LCD TV's numerous features never feel like gimmicks.
Especially useful is its easy calibration, and while it's slight lack of sharpness and contrast means it stops short of greatness, a smooth and highly watchable treatment of any source – including digital video files – makes this unusually versatile set highly recommended.
A jack of all trades and slim to boot, the 32SL8000 is a good value and hard-working LCD TV that would grace any living room after a catch-all digital and hi-def solution.
This review was written in conjunction with:
What Video & Hi-Def TV magazine
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Review: Samsung R720
Samsung's R series features nononsense laptops that aim to combine comfort with all-round usability. The R720 manages to do just that and, while it isn't the most powerful machine, those after a desktop replacement system at a good price will find plenty to like.
The widescreen 17.3-inch panel is crisp and detailed, thanks to the 1600 x 900-pixel resolution and this makes it suitable for everything from word processing to watching DVDs. Brightness is sufficient, but the shiny Super-TFT screen coating makes irritating reflections an issue.
Build quality is generally good but, due to its large size, many of the matt-black panels bend under pressure. Durability is lacking as a result. For home use this won't be an issue, however. The shiny lid is a magnet for fingerprints, however.
The keyboard is large and firm, providing an excellent typing experience. The dedicated numeric keypad is also handy for those who regularly input data. The whole keyboard is splash-proof and also coated in a silver ion substance which helps prevent germs from breeding.
Although not exceptionally fast, the Intel Pentium processor and 4096MB of memory provide decent performance, meaning multi-tasking office tools and running the occasional resource-intensive multimedia program won't be a problem.
The ATi graphics card is coupled with 512MB of dedicated video memory and provides sufficient power for entry-level games, as well as relatively intensive photo or video editing applications.
The 320GB hard drive will store significant amounts of data, which you can also back up using the built-in DVD rewriter.
Limited portability
Portability isn't the Samsung's strongest point, with the 167-minute battery life falling well behind the Acer's here. It's also a large machine to carry around, although the 3kg weight is surprisingly light.
A dedicated subwoofer is built into the chassis to enhance your audio experience, but we noticed little difference in sound quality from the other laptops here.
802.11g Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet are included, giving you good networking options. Four USB ports are in place, one of which allows you to charge peripherals – such as an MP3 player – even when the machine is switched off.
An eSATA port provides rapid data transfer rates to external devices, and HDMI and VGA ports round off the specification.
While not as powerful as the Acer Aspire 5739G-654G32MN or Mesh Edge15 TT, the Samsung R720 is a solid desktop replacement system that will carry out most of the tasks asked of it without issue. It's also very comfortable, usable and well priced.
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Review: Mesh Edge15 TT
Mesh Computers is one of the few British manufacturers in the laptop market and the Edge15 TT is its latest offering.
A nice all-round option, the Edge15 TT most impressed us with its staggering 3D performance, and those after multimedia functionality should certainly take a look.
The ATi Mobility Radeon HD 4650 graphics card, when combined with 512MB of dedicated video memory, makes this a powerful choice when it comes to 3D games.
Playing very resource-intensive games won't prove too much of an issue, and photo and video editing won't be a problem either.
The Intel 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo processor quite powerful and makes everyday use more than sprightly. Office and multimedia applications run smoothly – even concurrently – thanks to the 4096MB of DDR3 memory.
We really were surprised and impressed by the levels of performance, especially graphically, that this laptop offers.
The 15.6-inch, 1366 x 768-pixel resolution screen provides decent detail and is suitably bright, while colour reproduction also impresses. A shiny Super-TFT screen coating is in place, but reflections aren't too distracting.
The employment of high-end components hasn't had a detrimental effect on this machine's battery life, which, at 215 minutes is perfectly respectable. At 2.7kg, this is a lightweight option, enhancing the Edge15 TT's overall portability.
The 320GB hard drive will easily hold a whole family's data, and the optical drive will let you read and write DVDs and CDs.
Tough chassis
The chassis is built from a tough matt black plastic and it offers good protection for the machine's components.
A number of hotkeys provide quick access to various functions, including Wi-Fi, and there's a button enabling you to power USB devices even when the laptop is off – as long as the machine is running from mains power. There's also a fingerprint scanner, ensuring your data's security.
The keyboard is decent enough and the typing action is good. The board is poorly mounted on the chassis, however, and as a result, it rattles a lot during use.
802.11n Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet provide the fastest networking capabilities currently possible. There's also four USB ports for peripherals and VGA and HDMI ports for connecting to external monitors.
We are very impressed by the Mesh Edge15 TT. It boasts incredible 3D performance and a host of useful features all at a very competitive price. This is undoubtedly the gamer's choice.
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Google search all set to get Caffeine boost
Google looks all set to roll out its latest version of search – codenamed Caffeine – with the internet giant confirming on its splash page that a roll-out was imminent.
Caffeine brings big changes under the bonnet of Google's dominant search engine, although users will not notice huge alterations to their experience, just the results that they get.
The Google Caffeine page has now been altered to reflect the fact that the developer preview is now closed and the tests have been successful.
'Ready for a larger audience'
"Based on the success we've seen, we believe Caffeine is ready for a larger audience," says the message.
"Soon we will activate Caffeine more widely, beginning with one data center.
"This sandbox is no longer necessary and has been retired, but we appreciate the testing and positive input that webmasters and publishers have given."
So, if you are in that one data centre's reach (unlikely) then you may notice some changes to the speed, accuracy and comprehensiveness of your searches soon, and if you aren't then it will be a little longer.
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Google plans assault on mobile advertising with Admob
Google is set to expand its efforts into monetising mobile search by acquiring mobile advertising network AdMob, one of the biggest in the industry.
The firm helps advertisers place their notices on mobile web sites, as well as the technology for serving said adverts on mobiles. It also works with applications for the likes of Android and iPhone, meaning in-app advertising.
Google's acquisition of the company for آ£750 million (آ£450 million) signifies the search engine's plans to monetise a new area of searching, with consumers increasingly turning to their mobile for queries.
We'll buy one company a month
Extending the reach of its advertising network would mean a greater investment in the mobile space, which in turn would create a better experience for users on the go.
In an interview with Reuters, Google said that this deal marked the resurgence of its acquisition scheme, with plans to purchase around one company per month.
The advertising model on mobile phones is slightly different to that online, not least because screen space is at a premium.
The fact the likes of Google and Microsoft are getting behind mobile advertising will hopefully mean users aren't continually bombarded by little square ads when mobile internet really takes off in the future.
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Review: Asus UL30A
Asus' ultraportable UL range offers affordable and portable computing. The Asus UL30A is the smaller of the two machines that comprise the series and offers a lightweight solution and unprecedented battery life that will keep you productive on the move for over twelve and a half hours.
The focus of this machine is portability, and, at only 1.8kg, you won't have any issues carrying the UL30A around.
The 13.3-inch screen is bright, detailed and a pleasure to use. It also has a wide viewing angle, making it great for using in groups, although not ideal if you want to keep your data from prying eyes in public places.
Durability should be good enough for life on the road, with a brushed aluminium lid and a tough but very shiny plastic chassis.
Where this laptop really excels is battery life, however. Offering a staggering twelve and a half hours of mobile use you can leave the charger at home or in the office when out and about.
Asus has managed this fantastic battery life by compromising on power. The Intel Core 2 Duo CULV (Consumer Ultra Low Voltage) processor may be very light on the laptop's resources, but it isn't that powerful. You won't have any issues running and multi-tasking office applications such as word processors, surfing the web or sending emails, but photo, music and video editing are out of the question.
So is gaming, as a result of the use of an integrated Intel GPU.
Comprehensive storage
The 320GB hard drive offers storage for all your files and folders, but you'll need to purchase an external optical drive if you want to use CDs or DVDs, as one isn't included, to keep weight and size down.
Asus has used the isolated key style for the keyboard and it is spacious and very easy to use. There is a little flex, however, and typing can occasionally feel spongy. This doesn't detract from the overall usability of the keyboard, however.
The touchpad is large enough and features, in contrast to the smooth chassis, a textured design which you'll either love or hate.
802.11n Wi-Fi provides the fastest wireless networking possible, but 10/100 Ethernet is included instead of the latest Gigabit technology. Three USB ports are included, as are VGA and HDMI ports.
This is the ideal laptop for the business person or regular traveller who wants to work on the go. It's small, light and offers a truly amazing battery life. But, for those who want a little more flexibility in terms of power and performance, looking elsewhere may be a good idea.
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In Depth: Should you choose iPhone 3G or 3GS?
Now the iPhone 3G and 3GS have landed on Orange as well as O2, it's time to look at which of Apple's handsets you should plump for.
After all, you do pay a fair price premium for the extra functionality of the 3GS.
So we'll look at the features you can't get on the 3G, but that you do get on the 3GS first, before looking at the firmware upgrades to the 3G that mean you get at least some of the functionality that was originally marketed with the 3GS.
In terms of pure hardware the 3GS is essentially an improved processor (apparently up to 600MHz), a better 3MP camera with video recording and an upgrade to 32GB of memory.
At the announcement of the iPhone 3GS, a packed crowd hung on every word, lapping up every new feature Apple had deigned to bestow upon us. The thing is it didn't take long, as Apple released a new phone bearing a significant resemblance to the original version.
Indeed, the only palpable difference in the chassis is the iPhone lettering is now mirrored in the same way as the Apple logo was on the last iteration.
What you don't get on the 3G
Although the 3G has the same software version as the 3GS, the older hardware means you do miss out on a few things. You don't get autofocus on the camera – the hardware doesn't support it – and there's no Compass app because the 3G doesn't have a compass.
This means that the Maps app doesn't rotate to your current orientation, but it doesn't hamper things if you want to use the iPhone as a sat-nav. It uses the GPS chip only and that's in both models.
You can't shoot or edit video either, so your MMS messages are limited to photos, and of course you don't get the speed boost from the 3GS's faster processor or the battery life improvements.
Finally, you don't get the voice control features of the iPhone 3GS on the 3G: Apple says the 3GS has digital signal processing technology that the 3G doesn't.
An iPhone 3G running the latest iteration of the 3.0 software isn't quite as good as the iPhone 3GS, but it's good enough. Not upgraded your 3G? Now's the time.
There's a lot to like in the software, but there are a few irritations and omissions too. As cynics have been quick to point out, the big news in 3.0 is the arrival of features that lesser phone firms have been offering for ages: multimedia messaging (MMS) and cutting and pasting.
One of the big boons is massively improved JavaScript performance. In the real world, that means faster Maps and improved Safari speeds, and the browser has also been beefed up with antiphishing protection to warn you of potentially dangerous or fraudulent sites. Safari also gets Autofill, so it remembers passwords and can automatically populate online forms with data from Address Book.
MMS is now part of the renamed Messages application. The long-awaited cut, copy and paste functions are a classic case of better late than never. Apple's implementation is simple, stylish and useful, and it's nicer than the copy and paste on rival platforms.
3.0 also introduced tethering, enabling you to use your iPhone as a laptop modem. Unfortunately, O2 has taken the same approach to iPhones as it does with other smartphone customers: unlimited data only means unlimited when you're browsing from your iPhone, not using it as a modem. The latter means paying an extra آ£15 per month on top of your existing plan. Orange looks to be charging from آ£5 for the service, but it's only available on business tariffs.
Version 3.0 also brought the landscape keyboard to more applications. It was previously only available in Safari, but now it's on offer in Mail, Messages and Notes – although Apple hasn't changed the hideous font in the latter.
Collaboration has been improved – Calendar now supports the CalDAV standard and Exchange ActiveSync – and if you've got MobileMe, you can take advantage of Find My Phone to, well, find your phone. If your iPhone is stolen, you can remotely zap the data while you call the police.
The arrival of Spotlight search is also welcome. A quick swipe of the Home screen brings up the familiar search box, and Spotlight looks at everything in your iPhone – so, for example, if you search for a person then Spotlight will return their Address Book entry, relevant Calendar appointments and any emails you've sent to or received from them. Unlike Spotlight on the desktop, however, it can't search the contents of email messages.
If your kids have an iPhone, then you'll like the parental controls (in Settings > General > Restrictions). You can stop them from using Safari, YouTube or iTunes, prevent them from installing apps, disclosing their location or buying upgrades from within applications, and you can filter movies, music and apps to keep things family-friendly.
So what else do you get? iTunes now enables you to download audiobooks, movies and iTunes U content directly to your phone, and also enables you to redeem gift cards without rushing home to your computer; stereo Bluetooth support means you can get groovier headphones; YouTube lets you log in to your account; and the new Voice Memos app enables you to record spoken memos.
Last, and probably least, you can shake your iPhone to undo the most recent action or to change the currently playing song. But it's a gimmick rather than a feature, because hitting delete a few times is faster and more reliable.
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Review: Advent Roma 3000
Advent is PC world's in-house brand, and produces a range of laptops for a broad spectrum of users. The Roma 3000 represents good value for money at a competitive price, despite a few unfortunate design flaws.
The 15.6-inch screen is comfortable to view and the 1366 x 768-pixel resolution produces surprisingly detailed images.
Colours are vivid and photos and films look great, but a shiny Super-TFT screen coating is in place, producing irritating reflections in bright or changing light.
The laptop looks great, with a subtle but effective pattern employed on the glossy lid and part of the chassis.
Elsewhere, matt-black plastics are used, with a silver lip running along the front edge of the chassis.
Build quality is decent enough, but we did notice the laptop quickly gets hot, which can be slightly uncomfortable.
Flawed keyboard
The keyboard is the laptop's Achilles' Heel. It is mounted well on the firm chassis, but the action of the keys is slightly spongy. This can lead to somewhat awkward usability when typing quickly, unless you strike the keys fairly hard to register.
The touchpad is responsive, however, and there's also a hotkey embedded in the chassis for quick control of switching the laptop's Wi-Fi features on and off.
When it comes to performance, the Advent comfortably beats the Asus and MSI, despite being significantly cheaper, although it can't rival Core 2 Duo powered machines.
Nevertheless, the Intel Pentium processor and 4096MB of memory allow for office programs to run fine, but resource-intensive multimedia applications will struggle.
Graphically, an integrated Intel chip is in place. While watching DVDs or viewing photos won't be an issue, gaming and video editing are off the menu.
The 500GB hard drive is extremely rare at this price point and will hold thousands of pictures, MP3s and videos without any issues, and you can back up your data with the CD and DVD rewriter optical drive.
Despite its compact size, this is one of the heavier laptops about, hindering mobility slightly. The low 129-minute battery life also restricts use on the move.
Connectivity is good for the price, with 802.11g Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet providing decent wireless and wired networking.
Three USB ports provide plenty of space for peripherals, such as an external HDD. VGA and HDMI ports mean you can also hook the laptop up to both analogue and digital external monitors.
Despite its poor keyboard, the Advent Roma 3000 is a likeable machine that does its job well. It looks great, will run all your office software and comes with a very attractive price tag.
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Samsung launches own rival to Android
Samsung has announced its own open source mobile platform – bada – as it shows that it is embracing the move towards more flexible mobile development.
The new platform will be open to developers from December 2010, with the first mobile phones based on the system coming later next year.
Samsung says it is developing bada to facilitate applications for its future handsets – meaning it will create an application store similar to Google's Android Market and Apple's App Store. Not only does that give the Korean firm control over which applications come to its phones, but will also be a handy revenue stream as well, should a profit share scheme be implemented.
Control everything
Bada will allows developers access to many elements of the phone, such as dialler, phonebook and messaging, which means applications can interact with nearly every element of the phone.
The openness of the platform will also mean network operators can re-skin and re-develop the OS as they see fit, enabling them to offer vastly different experiences to their customers on the same model of phone.
Samsung has previously announced plans to become more open in its mobile operations, as it seeks to extend the smartphone experience to a greater number of consumers, as well as pushing applications and widgets out to those using less powerful feature phones.
The SDK for developers will be launched next month, when Samsung launches bada more fully at a global event in London.
However, we just want to see that amazing tie up with Microsoft search – Bada Bing anyone?
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Sky Mobile TV app for iPhone launches
Sky has launched it's long awaited mobile TV app for iPhone and iPod touch, allowing subscribers to stream its television stations through their Apple handsets when they are on Wi-Fi.
The Sky Mobile TV News & Sport app will allow people to watch the likes of Barclays Premier League football along with cricket, rugby golf and horse racing.
The Sky Mobile TV app will not (as yet) include film or entertainment channels, but does include Sky News, Sky Sports News, all sports channels, ESPN and At The Races.
Millions of downloads
David Gibbs, General Manager for Mobile at Sky, said: "In less than a year we've already seen millions of downloads of Sky's Apps from the App Store.
"Our new Sky Mobile TV App combines the demand for great live TV on the move with the high quality viewing experience offered by iPhone and iPod touch.
"Sky Mobile TV offers more choice, control and flexibility for customers ensuring they can access the content they want, at a time that's convenient to them, on the screen of their choosing."
آ£6 a month
A subscription to the service will cost آ£6 a month and people will need a Sky ID; TechRadar is currently attempting to find out what the pricing is for current subscribers.
The app is currently in the 'featured' section of the App store, and given the popularity of the other Sky apps it's likely to be one of the hot downloads in the coming days.
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Ricoh GXR camera does an imaging Face-Off
Ricoh has unveiled a novel approach to compact cameras, with the announcement of the world's smallest and lightest camera which has the ability to change lenses.
Instead of adding a simple lens mount to the GXR, Ricoh has created what it calls an interchangeable unit camera system.
This means that a single unit complete with lens, sensor and imaging processing chip can be slotted out and exchanged.
As Ricoh notes, the new 'Face-Off' system means "you can enjoy easy lens changes as well as amazing image quality and shooting flexibility. Concealing infinite possibilities in its small body, the GXR is a revolutionary camera system that pioneers a new realm of photography."
CCD and CMOS sensor
Looks-wise, the GXR comes with a magnesium alloy body with a 'pear-skin' coating which means it's lightweight.
Features on the camera include a 3-inch LCD screen on its back, automatic exposure modes, nine setting levels and an ISO up to 3200.
All of these settings can be viewed at a glance by using the GXR's 'Direct' button.
As the module system means you change the sensor as well as the lens and megapixel stats depending on which module you use.
The LENS A12 50 mm F2.5 Macro camera unit features a 12.3MP CMOS sensor, while the Ricoh Lens S10 24-72 mm F2.5-4.4 VC camera unit has a 10MP CCD sensor.
Each unit comes with a soft case to protect it.
With a release date of December, the GXR body will cost آ£419. Depending on which lens/sensor unit suits you, the GR Lens will set you back آ£599 and the Ricoh Lens will cost آ£329.
Go to www.ricoh.co.uk for more details.
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T-Mobile and Orange sign final agreement
Deutsche Telekom and France Telecom, the two parent companies of Orange and T-Mobile, have signed a final agreement over a merger between the two networks.
This means that the terms set out when the merger was announced in September are binding, with both sides happy with the other's business following the due diligence procedure to make sure there were no nasty surprises.
This means that both are now bound to see the merger through, although it won't be finalised until later next year, and still depends on the relevant authorities in the UK will allow the merger to continue.
Question marks
Although the two networks combining would instantly create a market leader in terms of consumer share, the Competition Commission is unlikely to stop the move going ahead as other countries, such as Spain have fewer networks and this helps keep prices competitive.
There are still question marks hanging over spectrum allocation (the frequency used to supply mobile broadband, with each network having previously bid for certain sections of said spectrum) as there may be question marks over how much the merger will consequently control.
However, it seems likely that the deal will still be completed in the future, although it may run be 2011 until all staff are assimilated into the new network (which we still hope will be called T'Orange).
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Gary Marshall: Modern Warfare 2: Buy this sick filth!
If people aren't appalled by COD: Modern Warfare 2's No Russian level, something's seriously wrong with the world. A videogame where you can mow down civilians in an airport is a BAN THIS SICK FILTH campaign's wet dream, and there's simply no justification for it.
You can stick worthy quotes on the "you're dead" screens all you like, Infinity Ward, but you're still encouraging pimply teenagers to hoot with joy as they head-shot ordinary people.
That's pretty much the Daily Mail perspective.
Now for a different version. Apologies in advance, as this is going to include spoilers.
What Infinity Ward is trying to do here is pretty brave. You're not killing people for fun; you're a double agent embedded in a terrorist cell, and you need to do what the bad guys do or you'll blow your cover. The challenge in the No Russian level, then, is to do the minimum you can get away with.
Will you do that, or will you join in the wholesale slaughter? Even if you don't join in, does watching and doing nothing to stop it make you as guilty as the men who pull the trigger? Does "only following orders" let you off the hook when you're an accessory to mass murder?
That's heavy stuff, but remember that the average age of gamers is mid-thirties. We're grown-ups. We can handle this - and it's a damn sight less disturbing than the torture films that infest the DVD racks of our local supermarket.
And yet, and yet.
I've been banging on for ages about the need for grown-up games, because I'm pretty sure that I'm not the only adult gamer who's getting a bit fed up being in charge of yet another bunch of vaguely homoerotic space marines fighting space Nazis in space.
But when I see a game with ostensibly grown-up content - not just Modern Warfare 2 but things such as GTA IV's The Lost and The Damned - it all feels a bit gratuitous, a bit depressing.
Maybe it's that games simply aren't sophisticated enough to tell big stories, or maybe it's just that the very nature of games means you can't be a participant and not enjoy it.
Shooting what?
Is there any real difference between mowing down queuing passengers in MW2 and blasting Grunts in Halo, or shooting rival motorcycle gangs in the face in a GTA expansion pack? Not to me, there isn't. These are games, not harrowing documentaries.
You're supposed to enjoy them - so of course you're going to get a visceral thrill from pulling the trigger. If anything, the taboo nature of it makes it even more thrilling.
The only way to prevent that from happening would be for the action to pause every twenty seconds and Simon Bates to turn up, telling you that killing innocent people is BAD and WRONG. I wouldn't buy that game. Would you?
Infinity Ward knows what it's doing, and I don't believe for one minute that the airport section is supposed to be gratuitous or to make you feel in any way that terrorism is a fun career choice.
What we're seeing here is something much more interesting than mere headline chasing: it's a dramatic example of how videogames are trying to grow up.
If we want our games to grow up with us, we need to be grown up in the way we react to them - and that includes dumping the "we must protect the children" crap when games come with an 18 certificate specifically saying they're not suitable for kids.
The airport bit of MW2 doesn't sound like my cup of tea, but I'd much rather live in a world where it exists than in a world where entertainment for adults is dumbed-down, tabloid approved and incapable of offending anybody.
If Infinity Ward has crossed a line, the reviewers and the gamers will tell us - and if you can't wait that long, you can give Sainsbury's آ£26 and find out for yourself. Like a grown-up.
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GPS to reduce young driver insurance by 40%
A new GPS device could help young drivers reduce insurance premiums by up to 40 per cent, according to developer Motaquote, in conjunction with RSA Insurance Group.
The i-kube is a GPS device that allows insurers to note whether 17 to 25 year old drivers are driving between 11pm and 5am, with those abstaining from the practice receiving the preferential rate.
The i-kube notes the times the car is used, and if it is shown to be on the road between the above times then the driver is charged an extra آ£45 each time to stay insured.
Stopping the non-insured
The device was developed following research showing that 20 per cent of young drivers are uninsured, with many citing the high cost of insurance as the reason for avoiding taking out a policy
Nothing to do with the fact most have saved up to buy that far-too-expensive car and reckon they can get away without paying insurance, then.
"i-kube is an innovative way of helping reduce the number of needless road crashes and deaths that are caused on our roads each year – while allowing young drivers access to insurance premiums in their own name that are affordable.
"It is not designed to be a killjoy by stopping young people going out at night. We are simply encouraging young drivers to put their cars to bed and use a different mode of transport to get to where they want to go, be it by bus, taxi or a lift from Mum and Dad."
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