Twitter buys into geo-location
Twitter has forked out to buy Mixer Labs – a start-up company that specialises in geolocation.
The popular micro-blogging service has bought the company for an undisclosed sum, to bring an efficient geo-location system to Twitter.
"When current location is added to tweets, new and valuable services emerge—everything from breaking news to finding friends or local businesses can be dramatically enhanced, explains founder Ev Williams on the company blog.
"Our efforts in this area have just begun. Today, we're excited to announce a major new step into the location-aware future. Twitter has acquired Mixer Labs, creators of GeoAPI."
Contextual real-time information
The Twitter team explains why location is such an important part of the future of the service:
"We want to know 'What's happening?', and more precisely, 'Where is it happening?' As a dramatic example, twittering "Earthquake!" alone is not as informative as "Earthquake!" coupled with your current location.
"As of today, [Mixer Labs is] part of Twitter and will be working to combine the contextual relevance of location to tweets."
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Competition: WIN! A Samsung Genio Touch with آ£100 of credit
Did you forget to buy your other half a present this year? Running round the shops at 5PM on Christmas eve ended with you leaving empty handed? Are you reading this from the dog house?
Well, we've got something that might just get you back in their good graces - We've teamed up with Vodafone to offer you the chance to win a Samsung Genio Touch.
And what's more, you can add a little bonus on top of that: آ£100 worth of credit for text and calling!
The Samsung Genio touch puts all your favourites at your fingertips, including websites. You can even customise the layout - taking you straight to goodies like the camera, mp3 player or FM radio. And for those of you that love a bit of retro customisation - you can simply buy a new cover and snap in on.
To be in with a chance of winning this great prize of a tip top new mobile and آ£100 of credit, courtesy of Vodafone, all you have to do is head over to our competition site and answer the question below.
What is the Samsung Genio known as in Italy?
a) Il Parmesano
b) The Corby
c) Jeff
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Please note that this competition is only open to UK residents over 18 years of age.
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Opinion: Online video: the end of an awkward adolescence
2009 was the year that Online Video truly came of age. In its youth, it gave us dramatic chipmunks, soap in a microwave, and otters holding hands, before stumbling into adolescence with Rickrolling and LonelyGirl15.
This year, however, we experienced a sea change: Obama's inauguration drew 70 million viewers online (Nielsen); global web traffic shot up 33 per cent as the world logged on to watch the funeral of Michael Jackson; and half a million people paid to watch the England vs Ukraine football match streaming live over the Internet.
In 2009, web video evolved into online television, Hulu and the BBC iPlayer hit the mainstream, our PCs became TVs and suddenly, we had prime-time online.
So what does 2010 hold?
Content wars and Walled Gardens
From music to movies, from TV episodes to newspaper editorials, media companies are struggling with how to distribute their content online.
There's no doubt that the fragmentation of content across the web will continue, and we'll continue to see the volume of both video and text that's available online grow exponentially.
Some of this will be locked down in Walled Gardens, but a great deal of it will always be open and free to Internet users, supported by advertising. Either way, audiences will need an efficient, effective way to find that content so there's tremendous value in tools like blinkx that help make that connection.
Online video shakeout
IPTV and online video stories were rarely out of the headlines in 2009. The proposed launch of Project Kangaroo, and later Project Canvas, underlined how TV viewing habits has evolved and also the intense competition within the VoD industry
We saw some high-profile casualties this year (Joost) as a result of increased competition, but expect further shakeout in online video landscape in 2010.
Defection to digital
In 2009, a struggling economy forced brands to scrutinise the value of every penny of their ad spend, and, for the first time, online ad spend surpassed TV spend in the UK.
As we move out of the recession, and budgets bounce back, the defection to digital will continue, with the most aggressive growth seen in the online video advertising sector, as more and more brands recognise the potential of combining emotive, TV-style advertising with the interactivity of the web.
Blinkx is the world's largest video search engine. For more information visit www.blinkx.com.
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Vodafone offers up free Christmas web browsing
Vodafone has announced it is allowing its customers to browse the internet on their phones for free this Christmas, via the wonderful world of mobile internet.
The offer starts on Christmas Day (which is tomorrow if you hadn't noticed) and will run all the way to New Year's Day.
Christmas offer
There are a few provisos. These include the fact that internet dongles aren't included in the deal and there is a fair-use policy.
If you go over 25MB of data, then you will have to start paying. But seeing as most people use around 2MB of data a day, you shouldn't go over that.
Voda has also noted that this service would usually cost 50p per day, making a total saving of آ£3.50. Which doesn't sound like much, but anything free over Christmas has got to be a bonus.
So, whether you are going to be watching YouTube instead of the Queen's speech or accessing Twitter while your Gran chirps away about how things were better during the war, you won't have to worry about payment.
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Exclusive: HTC claims Vodafone still offering HD2 to consumers
HTC has just been in contact with us to provide TechRadar with an 'update' to the Vodafone and HTC HD2 stock situation.
While both sides had confirmed us to earlier in the month that the HD2 will no longer be available to consumers, only those on enterprise contracts, it seems things have changed again.
An HTC spokesperson says: "Following its availability in November 2009, we have been extremely pleased by the strong sales and positive feedback from Vodafone about the HTC HD2.
"Vodafone's strategy continues to be to provide the HD2 as part of its broad portfolio. The HD2 will continue to be available through Vodafone for consumer sales via Vodafone.co.uk and for enterprise customers."
Same stance
So the only difference HTC is stating is that while consumers can't get the HD2 from shops, the phone will still be available online.
However, we've spoken to Vodafone and it has maintained its stance - it has ordered more phones for consumers and will be continuing to stock it for business users.
The consumer stock is only for existing pre-orders though, meaning that once that has run out, then that will be the end of the offering from Vodafone to consumers.
We've had a look at the site and the HD2 consumer page is down, so Vodafone clearly isn't taking any more orders from consumers at the moment, and we'd be surprised if that changed any time soon.
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Acer to copy HTC with budget phones in 2010?
Acer is apparently planning to release a series of budget phones in 2010 based on the low-cost Brew platform.
Like others in the industry at the moment, Acer is looking at the Brew platform from Qualcomm to facilitate low cost development of a feature phone (non-smartphone), with around eight to 10 other smartphones released in 2010.
This would broaden the scope of its market by allowing it to create powerful phones for possibly less than آ£100.
Native applications
INQ has been developing the likes of the Chat 3G and Mini 3G on the Brew platform for a while, as it packs a number of native applications (such as geolocation) for the user.
HTC is also rumoured to be developing a Brew-based phone, and given both it and Acer are developing both Windows Mobile and Android phones, this next step makes sense for both parties.
It's likely 2010 will not only herald a few more phones based on this platform, but also more aimed at the low end Android sector, like the T-Mobile Pulse launched earlier this year.
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Sony Ericsson U5 pops up – Kurara again?
A new filing from Sony Ericsson has hinted at a new smartphone from the company in the coming months.
The FCC has received an application for another phone from the manufacturer, with the moniker of U5i. With the Satio being called U1i in official code, it makes sense that a lower-spec version of that phone is coming out in the coming months, likely announced at MWC.
The 8MP-camera-toting, Symbian-running Kurara has been mooted for a number of months, and seems the most likely candidate for the role.
Taking Symbian forward
With Samsung seemingly taking a back seat in the Symbian game in light of its new love for its Bada platform and Nokia possibly downgrading Symbian to mid-range handsets in the future, Sony Ericsson could come in and really drive Symbian forward.
The company needs some big-hitting handsets, after the Satio and Aino came under strong criticism for firmware faults on release, so evolving the Symbian platform might be the way forward for Sony Ericsson.
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Samsung settles out of court with Kodak
Samsung and Kodak have announced an out of court settlement relating to allegations the former had unlawfully used cameraphone technology.
Kodak has issued a statement claiming that the two had come to an agreement, with Samsung paying a sum to cover future royalties.
"Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE: EK) announced today that it has agreed to negotiate a settlement agreement and a technology cross license with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd," said the statement.
"As part of this effort, Samsung has agreed to make a non-refundable payment to Kodak this year that will be credited toward its future royalty obligations to Kodak. The amount of that payment isn't being disclosed."
Unclear technology
The cross license agreement is also unclear, with neither company revealing which technology is being shared.
With the OLED business now in the hands of LG, it's unlikely Kodak will be interested in Samsung's patents in that area, so it seems most likely some technology from Samsung's huge camera department will be involved.
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Facebook COO joins Disney board of execs
The Chief Operating Officer of Facebook has taken a place on the board at Disney, joining one of the biggest names in the technology industry, Steve Jobs.
Jobs joined Disney in 2006 when the company bought up Pixar and now Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg will sit alongside him, bringing something of a social-networking slant to the Mouse House.
New possibilities
Speaking about Sandberg joining Disney, Robert Iger, Disney's President and CEO, explained: "Sheryl has been at the forefront of a technological revolution that's opened up a world of new possibilities for consumers and which has greatly affected the way we do business.
"Her unique insight, borne of great practical experience, will be of considerable value to Disney's shareholders."
Content anywhere
Employing such a figurehead of the online world makes sense for Disney, who are looking at myriad distribution options for its content. This includes an elaborate plan involving selling the movies on multiple formats to consumers on a subscription basis, so they can consume Disney's large collection of movies and TV shows on any device they want.
Before working at Facebook, Sandberg did a stint at Google as Head of Sales. She will join 12 new directors who have also been appointed.
News that there will also be seven dwarves, a motherless deer and a blue genie signing up to join the Disney board is still unconfirmed.
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In Depth: 15 most memorable Apple ads of the decade
Ever since that stunning 1984 Superbowl appearance Apple has always produced formidable ads even in times when you couldn't say the same about its products – the Think Different campaign of the 1990s is particularly memorable.
The last decade has obviously been momentous in the extreme for the company, so let's look back over the last 10 years to some very special ads – some more memorable than others, but all uniquely Apple.
We'll stress that these are our own favourites – doubtless there will be others that you like – as well as some of these you don't - so feel free to add links to extras in the comments below.
1. 2000- Cube cracks it
A classic Apple ad in every sense: great Hendrix soundtrack; simple visuals; forceful voiceover. Shame about the Mac though - 2000's G4 Cube was a fantastic-looking forerunner to the Mac Mini but it was eye-wateringly expensive while numerous problems beset the model, not least hairline cracks appearing in the moulding.
2. 2001- Flying iBook
Another quite bizarre ad, this time for the iBook G4 where a chap requests a middle-seat so he can edit video, spread his media out, draw in his two neighbouring passengers and then annoy the rest of the plane with Who let the dogs out? Why?
3. 2002 - Switch
Designed to encourage disgruntled PC users to give the Mac a try and appearing in the wake of the release of Windows XP and OS X, the Switch ad talked about the frustration of using a PC compared to the slick experience of the Mac. It featured 'normal people' such as student Ellen Feiss, who not only appeared by accident but created a stir, not least because of a false rumour that she was on drugs at the time the ad was shot. The forerunner to the "Get a Mac" campaign.
4. 2002 - iMac G4 shows off
The long-necked second-gen 2002-2004 design for the iMac certainly turned heads even if the fun didn't last long. The replacement iMac G5 was dull in comparison. This entertaining ad shows the iMac posing in a shop window, showing off to a passer by. Classically simple.
5. 2003 - Classic iPod
While the initial iPod ad retained the classic 'Think Different' slogan and style, it's the classic black silhouettes and white headphones imagery that still represents the iPod today. This ad for the iPod and iTunes combo coming to Windows epitomises Apple in the naughties and is the forerunner to the more modern artist iTunes ads below. As you'd expect, the soundtrack is also vibrant, Hey Mama from the Black Eyed Peas.
6. 2003 - G5 Goldblum edition
The ad is unusual for Apple as it features no music. "Introducing the PowerMac G5, the world's fastest, most powerful personal computer" drawls Jeff Goldblum after a man has been blown out of his house by the sheer power of the Mac. The machine looks unscathed and has nothing on the desktop, so we suspect some kind of terrorist action instead.
< class="pageBreak">2005-2009>7. 2005- Artists come out for iTunes
The partially silhouetted newer ads for artists such as Eminem, U2 and Coldplay appeared from the middle of the decade on, but our favourite is this slower 2007 ad featuring Sir Paul McCartney's Dance Tonight.
8. 2006 - Intel comes to the Mac
Intel's latest and remarkably clever 'rock stars' campaign is a far cry from it's previous dull 'chips in a factory' ads. But this one has been given an Apple ending to announce the arrival of Intel processors in the Mac and herald a new age of Windows being able to run on Macs as well as PCs.
9, 10 and 11. 2006 on - Get a Mac mania
The award-winning Get a Mac ads have now transcended into advertising folklore. Many people do sympathise with the PC though, not least because some of the ads such as 'Broken Promises' have an irritating snide quality to them that just makes Apple seem bitter and the Mac character seem too self important.
But when the Get a Mac series gets a bit cleverer, the ads are truly very funny. Our favourite? Probably 'Touche' but we can't ignore the cleverness of 'Restarting' - genius.
12. 2007 - iPhone says Hello
Probably our favourite of the lot, it was an absolutely inspired idea to use tens of movie and TV clips in this teaser ad for the iPhone – a device that people were simply in awe of at the time after its launch at the January 2007 Macworld.
13. 2008 - Out of the envelope
The MacBook Air's ad imagery was terrifically handled, with the manilla envelope picture not only appearing everywhere but also being much parodied. It was an inspired way to get the key message across.
14. 2008 - Funnest iPod ever
Apple decided not to market the iPod touch as the iPhone lite, instead choosing to focus on the gaming appeal of the new device. "The funnest iPod ever" has gone from strength to strength ever since – this ad shows the 2G touch.
15. 2008 - It's finally here
The 'It's finally here' iPhone 3G ad harked back to 1984 with its dark imagery, but the effect is far greater than the premise might have suggested; essentially a couple of guys carrying a secure box out of which then pops an iPhone 3G - "the first phone to beat the iPhone".
And a bonus ball from 1999
Just as the Get a Mac ads sneer at PCs now, the same was true in 1999 when Apple decided to have a go at PCs that might be affected by the millennium bug. This creepy ad features HAL2000 (a play on HAL9000 from Arthur C. Clark's Space Odyssey) "Dave, do you remember the year 2000 when computers began to misbehave?"
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VLC team to release free video editing package
If you are looking for a decent and free video editing package for your PC or Mac, then you will be glad to hear that the team behind the best free media player out there right now is working on a video editing package.
The developers behind the VLC Media Player are working on their video editing software at the moment, which should arrive early in 2010.
Free video editing
The official announcement page describes VideoLAN Movie Creator (VLMC) as "a free video editing software, offering features to realize semi-professional quality movies, but with the aim to stays simple and user-friendly."
VLMC is being developed "with the support of the VideoLAN organization," so it is not yet clear if the software is a direct product of the VLC team.
The site promises a pre-release alpha for Windows, Mac, and Linux "very soon."
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MSI Wind first with Intel Pine Trail Atom CPU
MSI's latest netbook is the first off the starting blocks to make use of Intel's latest Atom processor, the N450, or the more artfully named 'Pine Trail'.
MSI is quickly becoming the leading tech pioneer in the netbook market, offering mini computers with the fastest processors and the best battery lives months before its competitors at Asus, Acer and the like.
More to follow in Vegas
However, we expect to see lots more Pine Trail powered netbooks at CES in Vegas next month.
MSI's latest Wind U135 Windows 7 (starter) machine features a 250GB hard drive, 1GB RAM, a six-cell battery and MSI's upgraded keyboard and larger trackpad.
Intel's new lower-power, higher efficiency Pineview CPU (1.66GHz) now includes the graphics processor (GMA3150) and the memory controller.
The MSI Wind U135 is available now in the US priced at around the $330 mark.
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Adidas launches augmented reality world
Whenever a new tech trend emerges, you can be sure to see one or more leading 'aspirational' fashion brands try to incorporate it into their products or marketing.
And, almost on cue, Adidas announces 'the augmented reality sneaker'.
The shoe company has created a virtual 3-D world that can be accessed using a new range of trainers.
Stay with us on this.
"The foundation of augmented reality lies in adding a layer to the real world," says Chris Barbour, head of digital marketing for Adidas Originals. "That's what we have done. We have taken a real world item and added a fantastic virtual world on top of that."
Users have to hold up their new shoes to Adidas' website in order to access this magical fantasy world via a code embedded in the trainer's tongue. You then use your flashy sneaker as a controller to navigate your way around this world.
"We are not trying to mimic a real-world look, we have a more stylized, pop-up book creative approach," adds Barbour. "The neighborhood is displayed on a two dimensional computer screen, but you can use your shoe to control the angle and depth of view and zoom in and out, giving a 3D sense of perspective."
Adidas has plans for three augmented reality games developed by xForm in the coming months: a skateboard game, a Star Wars-like game and a music-based game.
Adidas' new augmented reality shoes will be out in February. No news yet on Nike's plans to implement touchscreen-based tech into its new running shoes in 2010...
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DDoS attack hits Amazon and Expedia
Online giant Amazon, along with Wal-mart, Expedia and a whole host of other sites, have been hit by a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack.
The DDoS attack on Neustar – which offers DNS services – affected some major hitters in the online world, with Amazon's site sluggish and even reportedly unavailable at times.
The attack started just before 5pm PST and lasted for an hour, all of the sites affected have now recovered full service.
Motivation
No motive for the attack has been uncovered, although the size of the companies involved means that this could have simply been for bragging rights.
DDoS attacks normally occur when large networks of computers – normally botnets created by hijacking PCs – are used to overtax connections.
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HDMI 1.4 to add 3D broadcast support
HDMI 1.4 is to support broadcast 3D, according to HDMI Licensing, the group behind the specification, even though no fixed standard has been reached.
The group are meeting up on January to work out a way for broadcast 3D to accessible via HDMI 1.4 leads.
This means they will be adding a 'Top/Bottom' 3D format to the spec list. By doing this, the spec can be updated when a format decision has been made.
Different 3D
HDMI 1.4 will be able to pipe a number of different 3D specifications to TVs – including 'frame alternative', 'line alternative' and 'field alternative' methods, 'Side by side' methods (full and half) and '2D plus depth' method.
It will also support 4k resolution, extend the colour spectrum and may even make you a coffee if it's feeling nice.
CES 2010 will play host to a number of devices compatible with the format. As always TechRadar will be there to bring you all of the coverage.
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In Depth: 12 ways to get more from the BBC iPlayer
The BBC iPlayer has been with us for a couple of years now and it's a very powerful way to watch catch-up TV.
Here we run through some of its lesser-known features.
1. I closed iPlayer in the middle of a programme
Don't fret, the iPlayer is an intelligent piece of software. Even if you've ham-fistedly closed the window just as Strictly Come Dancing was approaching its giddy climax, iPlayer will remember exactly where you got to.
Simply open the programme again and it should re-start from the moment you stopped watching. There's no need to wrestle with the slider and risk accidentally seeing the results before you've fully absorbed the build up, so make sure you don't touch that when you load it back up, or you might end up undoing this convenient timesaver.
2. Can I watch more than just TV programmes?
Sure. For a start, there are often full-length films found on the service. They still only appear for the seven days following their broadcast on television, and the selection is nowhere near as extensive as the number of films broadcast across the BBC's various channels.
On the plus side, though, it'll be the full film, just as if you were watching it on DVD. Simply select the categories tab and look for the Film category.
In addition there are full-length sports broadcasts in the Sports category, including, for example, entire football matches and full three-hour broadcasts of Formula One races.
3. I'm deaf, can I still use iPlayer?
The iPlayer has excellent support for deaf viewers, with an entire category devoted to the Sign Zone programming that is often consigned to late-night slots on television.
There are options for subtitling on the majority of programmes on the service, though you have to begin the show to find out whether it supports them. There is also an Audio Description category that offers programming for those with impaired vision.
4. Can I re-watch programmes I have already seen?
Yes, programmes can be watched as many times as you like within the seven day time limit. If you want to find shows you've already watched, they appear on the right hand side of the iPlayer homepage.
5. Is live programming available to watch?
You can, though for TV it's not a finalised service so might not always be available. Radio is fair game, however, and all of the BBC's radio stations, including the wide selection of digital stations that are available, are streamed live. Many of them can even be listened to abroad.
6. Can I make the interface clearer?
The iPlayer has another version of its interface, designed for when your PC is plugged in to your TV. It's available from the at the site, and is much larger and less busy.
There's quick access to a carousel of the most popular and recent programming. There are also large buttons and a text entry system for ease of control if you're using a wireless remote to interact with your computer.
7. How soon can I watch a programme?
While you used to have to wait until at least an hour after the event for videos to appear on the service, you can now begin watching items on iPlayer as soon as the programme has begun broadcasting on television. Simply click the Today tab on the schedule to the left of the homepage and you'll see items that have just been added.
8. Can I watch programmes in HD?
Selected shows are available in high-definition, and can be accessed from the link to BBC HD programming.
Because many people's broadband connections cannot cope with the amount of data needed to stream such high quality video, there is also the option to download these HD files using the iPlayer Desktop software. All HD shows on the iPlayer are also available in 'normal' quality.
9. Can I watch an entire series of programmes?
Some of the programmes available on iPlayer are designated with a "Series Catch-up" label and rather than being limited to seven days, the entire season is available to watch while that series is in progress on television.
As you'd imagine, as soon as the series is completed on television, the standard expiration after seven days is imposed. This feature doesn't apply to all shows, though, and you can find out if it's on offer by selecting the programme and looking at the filmstrip below to see if other episodes are available.
10. Can I be informed of new programmes?
Indeed. The quickest way to get updates is by subscribing to an RSS feed (do this in Internet Explorer, or use the news feed gadgets in your Windows Sidebar or desktop).
The feeds can be found below the programme guide on the left of the main screen and are broken up into categories to ensure that you're only updated with shows that you're interested in. Click on the feed name, then click the subscribe button.
11. Can I download programmes?
Yes, there's a small button below every programme that allows you to download the video to your hard drive so it can be watched at your convenience.
You'll need to install the BBC iPlayer Desktop software, which is offered the first time you click the download button, and the video file will still be subject to similar restrictions to the streamed video on the website.
The programme can be downloaded up to seven days after broadcast, and then you have 30 days to begin watching it. Once you begin, the file will expire after seven days.
12. Is regional television available?
If you want to watch regional shows from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, they can be found in the same Categories tab as the various genres of programming. You can even view the entire website in Welsh or Gaelic, should the mood take you.
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Nolan Bushnell: Pong was a feminist game
Pong creator and gaming legend Nolan Bushnell has stated that Pong helped to liberate women as part of the feminist movement in the 1970s.
When the game launched back in 1972 it caused a coin-shortage in the US, because it became – almost instantly - the most popular pastime for Americans in bars and clubs country-wide.
"This was at the time of women's liberation and things like that," Nolan Bushnell, creator of the game and co-founder of Atari, told the BBC.
"The average woman could beat the average man. In bars there started to be this whole sociology built up around the game in which it was OK for a woman to challenge a guy on one of the bar stools to come and play Pong."
Not a game, originally
The game was originally designed as an engineers' training tool, not a game.
"It was meant as a training project for one of my engineers," says Bushnell. "And we kept fiddling with it and doing slight improvements. One of the improvements all of a sudden made the game completely fun."
"We had no factory, we had no process, we had no systems in place. And we were young - we were very inexperienced.
"We were making it up as we were going along."
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JVC signs up RealD for 3D TV tech
JVC has announced it will be using RealD technology to power its upcoming range of 3D TVs - the same technology which will feature in Sony's TVs.
As we reported earlier this week, RealD seem to be the three-dimensional provider of choice at the moment. Sony was using the technology in its prototype Bravia 3D TVs, but it made this deal official this week.
Interestingly, the deal meant that the stereoscopic tech was not exclusive to just Sony televisions. JVC knows this and has decided to use RealD in its range of 3D TVs due out some time in 2010.
Unique 3D
"[This] will allow us to build on our solid track record of technological development for Hollywood and related markets," explained Haruo Kawahara, Chairman, President and CEO of JVC Kenwood Holdings, Inc, possibly while wearing some 3D specs.
"We are confident this will lead to a dramatic increase in our 3D-imaging device business."
With Avatar currently showing how 3D should be done in the cinemas, it will be interesting to see how much impact 3D will have in the home.
RealD are confident, with CEO Michael V Lewis, who may have been speaking from another dimension, noting: "Our partnership with JVC will give the market high-quality displays capable of delivering exceptional 3D visuals.
"We look forward to JVC leveraging RealD's three decades of 3D technology experience to capture the full capabilities of their unique 3D visualisation products."
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Guinness names Pac-Man as most recognised gaming icon
The latest Guinness Book of Records has named Pac-Man the most recognisable computer game character of all time, edging out rival Mario by the narrowest of margins.
Pac-Man is certainly one of the most iconic figures in gaming history, and this has now been confirmed by Guinness, which recognises the yellow circle with a mouth as number one.
This is based on a US survey which suggests that 94 per cent recognised the character; that's even more impressive when you realise that less would recognise President Obama.
It'sa me!
Incredibly, 93 per cent could pick out Nintendo's Mario as well – with the Italian plumber who started out as Jump-Man back in Donkey Kong clearly a major figure in the public consciousness.
Pac-Man was created in Japan by Namco, and first made it to the US in 1980 after the game was licensed to Midway.
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Ferrari launches the ultimate driving simulator
Forget about your plasticky driving wheel peripheral for your Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3, because Ferrari just upped the game, releasing what is arguably the greatest driving simulator yet known to man.
Ferrari's Formula 1 teams are working on developing the ultimate driving simulators to improve their practice laps in competitive races.
Ferrari launched a brand new simulator machine within the Gestione Sportiva this month, with Ferrari CEO Andrea Bertolin driving around the first virtual lap.
The simulator is made with aluminium parts and composite structures fitted inside the cockpit, all resting on a platform that weights around two tons in weight, featuring electronically controlled actuators which each weigh at around half a ton.
Ultimate driving sim
The platform itself takes up a surface area of around eight meters in width and length and six meters in height.
The whole structure weighs in at around two hundred tons, and is controlled by ten multiprocessors that have a total of over 60 GB of RAM.
The whole thing is fully kitted out with a 3500 watt Dolby Surround 7.1 sound system and is kept in a building measuring 180 square meters, with its own control room.
Suffice to say, there is no 'RRP' or launch date and you will not find one of these for sale in your local Game or Gamestation at any point before 2024.
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NASA astronauts in live Christmas video link-up
NASA is organising a live video-link-up with astronauts aboard the space station this Christmas, giving troops in Iraq the chance to talk to their men in space.
US soldiers – themselves away from their loved ones this holiday season – are being given the opportunity to talk with two NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station, NASA informs us.
Christmas in space
Station Commander Jeff Williams, a retired US Army colonel, and Flight Engineer T.J. Creamer, an Army colonel, will talk with US forces while orbiting 220 miles above Earth.
"Service members will have the chance to talk with the astronauts about life on the station, their military careers and what it is like to live in space for up to six months," reads NASA's press release.
A 20-minute live video downlink will start at 8am CST on 29 December and will also be broadcast live on NASA Television and streamed on the agency's website.
Via NASA
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Apple iPhone 4 to get 5-megapixel camera?
It looks like Apple is set to bump the camera resolution in the next iPhone up to 5-megapixels, as Omnivision – a company that provides Apple with image sensors – is reporting that it has secured orders for 5-megapixel image sensors for the fourth iteration of the iPhone in 2010.
Digitimes reports that Omnivision has won the contract to provide image sensors for Apple's iPhone mark 4.
Need better cameras
The supplier says that the order is for 5-megapixel sensors, which makes a lot of sense, seeing as many users have reported the low-res camera on the iPhone to be unsatisfactory.
There is also the suggestion that Apple may consider adding some form of camera flash device on to the next iPhone.
Omnivision predicts that they will supply Apple with 40-45 million units in 2010 compared with an estimated 21 million 3.2 megapixel units for the iPhone 3GS this year.
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New 3D gaming conference announced
3D gaming is set to become a major focus for games publishers and developers in 2010, with a new conference announced to focus on business and issues surrounding the emerging tech.
The new US conference is taking place in LA in April and has been set up specifically to explore stereoscopic games, the market for such games and the emerging technologies allowing 3D gaming on PCs and consoles.
Organisers of the US conference 3D Entertainment Summit have announced the plans for the event which is set to run April 21st and 22nd at the Hilton Universal City in LA, with the objective being to "attract the brightest minds in the gaming industry to define the market opportunity for 3D stereoscopic gaming and entertainment".
Next. Big. Thing.
It is being sold as a networking event for those interested in the 'next biggest thing in gaming'.
Bob Dowling, founder of the 3D Entertainment Summit said of the new conference: "It is clear games have driven entertainment for the last many decades. Interactive entertainment is both more challenging and more satisfying.
"The advent of stereoscopic 3D only amplifies the intensity and immersion in the actual experience.
"When stereoscopic 3D is in the consumer's home through 3D enabled television the game industry will again take a significant leap forward."
The conference is also calling for speakers. More info over on the official website.
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Spotify lists top 100 tunes of 2009
Streaming service Spotify has listed its top 100 most-listened to tunes of 2009 on its website, with Black Eyed Peas at the number one spot with I Gotta Feeling.
'The Peas' (as we now refer to them) are closely followed up by Flo Rida's Right Round, Akon & David Guetta's Sexy Bitch and Lady Gaga's Poker Face.
You can see the Spotify playlist of the top 100 and the most listened-to tracks of 2009 on the company's website.
Stream me up, baby!
Spotify's chart is based on the number of streams each track got across the six countries where the service is currently running.
It is a varied list, with something surely to please everybody.
Certainly worth a gander, if you are looking for inspiration or simply just bored with the whole 'Rage versus Joe' tabloid nonsense, as we are.
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Apple to launch Tablet on 26 January?
Apple is preparing to launch a new product in January, according to emerging reports from its Cupertino HQ, with much rumour and speculation that it will mark the arrival of the much-hyped, never seen Tablet.
Apple Inc has reserved space in late January at the Yerba Buena Arts Center in San Francisco in advance of a planned product announcement.
The news emerges from reliable sources via the Financial Times blog this week.
Apple is reported to be planning to make a "major product announcement" on Tuesday, 26 January, according to the FT's unnamed sources close to the company.
iTablet rumour mill
TechRadar has contacted Apple's UK office to request further information on the event.
Meantime, let the 'iTablet' launch rumours begin! Some analysts are still pegging the launch of that device for later in the spring around March time. Only time (and Steve Jobs) will tell.
Shares of Apple were up $1.74, or 0.9 percent, at $202.10 on the Nasdaq yesterday.
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