iPad 3 is the one to watch, says Apple insider
An anonymous Apple staff member has described the iPad 2, due to launch today, as 'a ho-hum update', while tipping iPad 3 as the tablet to watch from Apple. While we're counting down the hours and minutes until Apple whips the cloak of mystery off the new iPad 2, which we're expecting to feature a super-skinny screen and more processing power than its predecessor.
The Apple employee told CultofMac, "For the iPad 2, don't get your hopes up too high. That's all I'm going to say."
It's not quite all he's going to say…
Immediately going against his previous statement, he then went to clarify, "They've had a number of problems along the way, and the third-generation iPad is the one to make a song and dance about."
There have been rumours that we'll see a third iPad hit the stands later this year, and this particular source told the website that the iPad 3 is indeed on track for a launch later this year.
Hopefully we'll see all the rumours we were hoping for on the iPad 2 - like the higher resolution screen and SD slot - which have seemingly been cast aside from the new iteration.
The Apple staffer also 'confirmed' that we'll see a relaunched MobileMe this afternoon, complete with cloud storage for your iTunes music and videos.
All in all, you could say it's not looking too brilliant for the iPad 2 right now – we all love a good gadget bashing session, but let's reserve judgement on the iPad 2 until it's officially revealed by Apple, shall we?
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Facebook 'will look different in a year'
As well as the news that Facebook is used by half the UK population, Facebook also laid bare its vision for the future of the social web in a keynote at the UK's largest digital marketing event, TFM&A. Stephen Haines, commercial director for Facebook in the UK, said that the site would continue to evolve.
"There have been eight iterations of the [main] Facebook design over the last few years... [and] it will look different in a year" he said, clearly intimating that the site would continue to change to enhance its commercial succcess.
The site has never been slow to change fundamentals of its design and approach, most recently with the redesign of the Like button.
"The average Facebook user has 130 friends [and] the average time spent on Facebook is 28 minutes a day."
Haines also showed impressive figures showing the effectiveness of brand pages. The official Starbucks page on Facebook boasts 21.1 million users compared to 1.8m website visitors. Coke's page is even more extreme – 20.5m users compared to 270,000 website visitors a month.
He hailed the success of Facebook Deals, which had even crashed the Alton Towers website. Then Haines talked up the value of social advertising. "There's a 68 per cent increase in recall when an ad has a social context," said Haines. Ads with a poll are currently some of the most popular, he suggested.
Haines also suggested the social network could look to keep users within its walls by offering branded stores for buying goods online. He also talked about the idea of "social by design", saying that GM was now even introducing Facebook streams within some of its car models.
And Facebook also seems to be on the rise for display advertising. According to eMarketer research, the social network's share of ads will rise to nearly 22.6 per cent of its total revenue.
From browsing to discovery
Haines also surprised the audience by saying that "the fastest growing Facebook audience is the over-35s". However, we guess it's not so surprising when you consider that practically everybody younger than that has an account.
Haines also explained that there are now more over 40s than 13 to 18 year olds on Facebook and talked up the opportunities for marketers within this demographic.
A slide was shown, which Haines explained as the fact "the web is now organising around people and their connections". He explained this by showing the 90s as a "browsing" period, the 00s as the "searching" period and the current decade as a time to "discover".
Messages boost?
In a busy day for the social network, Facebook has also announced the purchase of private group messaging startup Beluga – it's a bit like Google Wave in that it's effectively private messaging inside a selected group. Indeed, the founders of Beluga previously worked at the Big G. Beluga could be incorporated inside Facebook Messages.
The web is also rife with speculation that Facebook is pushing ahead with its controversial plan to allow developers access to users' personal information if permitted, such as their phone numbers. The plan was originally dropped after an outcry, but now appears to be back on the cards.
Facebook now has 30 million UK users and boasts more than 500 million users worldwide. What's perhaps most impressive is the site's stickiness. Over 15 million of Facebook's UK users visit every single day. Amusingly, Haines confessed that he didn't use Facebook four years ago when he was interviewed for his current post.
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Intel 510 Series SSDs go on sale
Intel is now selling the 510 Series SSD – with the latest solid state drive coming in 120GB and 250GB versions. The latest drives bring the SATA 6Gbps interface – which delivers read speeds of an impressive 500MB and write speeds of 315Mbps.
The benefits of SSDs are becoming increasingly well publicised, with the drives providing much faster read and write times than traditional HDDs.
Faster
There is, of course, still la huge difference in price per GB of storage, with SSDs still primarily used as boot drives and either the cloud or HDDs used for mass storage.
The drives are already on sale – with a UK price of £224.54 for the 120Gb version and £426.30 for the 250GB version.
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MSI launches new Android 3.0 WindPad
MSI has released yet another flavour of its new WindPad tablet, featuring Android 3.0 Honeycomb OS and powered by Nvidia's Tegra 2 processor.MSI has still to announce UK pricing and release plans for the new WindPad 100A, which we expect to hear about very soon, suffice to say that the specs of MSI's latest tablet PC have finally been unveiled at CeBit 2011 in Hanover this month.
Tegra 2 and Android 3.0
So what do you need to know about the MSI Wind Pad 100A?
Firstly, it will be powered by Nvidia's dual-core Tegra 2 processor, so it should run quicker than Usain Bolt (if he were a touchscreen-controlled computing device instead of a fast-moving human male). Essentially, it will be a superb device for playing the latest high def 3D Android games.
Secondly, the MSI Wind Pad 100A tablet will have the Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system, specifically designed to help users get the best experience from their tablets.
Stay tuned for further hands-on impressions, as well as pricing and release details on the new MSI Wind Pad 100A tablet as and when we hear more.
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Review: Canon IXUS 220 HS
Canon IXUS 220 HSOur test is now underway, but we've already completed our resolution, noise and dynamic range tests, the results of which we would like to share with you here.
Canon's 12.1 million pixel IXUS 220 HS has a 5x optical zoom which starts at a wider-than-average 24mm and extends to 120mm, perfect for everyday photography. Canon also promises that its HS system enables the 220 HS to turn in good low-light performance.
Canon IXUS 220 HS: Image quality and resolution
As part of our test we shoot our resolution chart at every sensitivity setting.
The higher the value quoted in the caption score, the greater the level of detail being resolved and the better the image quality.
ISO 100: score 22
Full resolution chartISO 200: score 22
Full resolution chartISO 400: score 20
Full resolution chartISO 800: score 20
Full resolution chartISO 1600: score 18
Full resolution chartISO 3200: score 16/18
Full resolution chartCanon IXUS 220 HS: Image quality and dynamic range
These graphs were produced using data generated by DXO Analyzer.
We shoot a specially designed chart in carefully controlled conditions and the resulting images are analysed using the DXO software.
Signal to noise ratio
A high signal to noise ratio (SNR) indicates a cleaner and better quality image.
Dynamic rangeA high dynamic range indicates a better ability to reproduce a wide range of tones. These cameras do not produce raw files, only JPEGs which are automatically processed in-camera to produce the best image possible in the view of the manufacturer.
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Nikon D5100 photo suggests release date near
The Nikon D5100 could soon be officially announced if an image showing stacks of boxes containing the DSLR is to be believed.The image, revealed by the Nikon Rumors website, shows stacks of boxes marked with the official Nikon logo and stamped D5100.
The Nikon D5100 would serve as the Nikon D5000 replacement, and it is thought that the D5100 would sit between the Nikon D3100 and D7000 models in the Nikon DSLR lineup.
Nikon Rumors also reports that the source who provided the image claims the Nikon D5100 specs will include the same Nikon D5000 body, an articulated LCD screen, 1080p HD video capability, 11 AF points and possibly the 16.2-megapixel sensor from the Nikon D7000.
Recently, Nikon announced a range of new compacts, including the Nikon Coolpix P500 and Nikon Coolpix P300. Our colleagues on PhotoRadar asked Nikon officials about any impending DSLR announcements, but the company said it could not comment.
PhotoRadar also recently reported rumours that some Nikon staff were asked not to take holidays in the weeks leading up to CLiQ (formerly known as PMA) in late summer, which some have interpreted as a sign that Nikon could launch the Nikon D800 or D5100 around this time.
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In Depth: Best browser 2011
It's 2011, and browsing is better than ever: the big-name packages deliver seriously speedy browsing on every conceivable kind of kit. But there are big differences in their approach, in their expandability and in some cases, in their performance - so what's the best browser for 2011? Let's find out.
The best browser for speed
On the PC, the major browsers use hardware acceleration to boost performance and they promise super-speedy browsing and JavaScript, so we put the latest versions to the test: the IE9 release candidate, Firefox 4 beta 12, Chrome 10 beta, Opera 11.1 and Safari 5.0.3.
The numbers are impressive. On our test machine running Windows 7, Safari took 424.0ms to run through the Sunspider benchmarks, with Chrome managing 367.9ms and Firefox 328.7. Opera was nippier still - 312.2ms - while IE9 led the pack with an astonishingly quick 286.6ms. So the best browser for speed is IE9.
That's on the PC. What's the fastest browser for the Mac? IE9 and Opera don't play in this game, and we found that Firefox, Chrome and Safari all achieved similar results on our MacBook Pro: 330.3ms for Firefox 4, 341.2 for Safari and 357.5ms for Chrome. Firefox has almost doubled in speed since beta 6, taking it from laggard to leader.
The best browser for add-ons
All of the big browsers can be enhanced to a greater or lesser degree, but the king here is undoubtedly Firefox with its extensions and Greasemonkey scripts. IE9 and Chrome lag behind but are catching up fast, while Safari and Opera have the fewest available add-ons - although Opera also has Unite, which turns your PC into a media server, and Widgets, which resemble Dashboard widgets in OS X or Sidebar Gadgets in Windows.
Firefox, Chrome and Opera are also skinnable, with Opera enabling you to move toolbars around the place, while IE9 and Safari use so little browser chrome skinning wouldn't be worth the effort.
We'd give Firefox the gold here, although it's largely a matter of taste: you'll be able to do the basics, such as ad blocking, flash blocking and Twitter monitoring, no matter what browser you choose.
FIREFOX: Firefox on PC looks great, runs fast and has a mind-bogglingly big collection of add-ons and themes
The best browser for HTML5
A quick look at When Can I Use (http://caniuse.com) shows that the major browsers' HTML5 support is very good, but there are distinct differences: if you click on Browser Comparison you'll see that Chrome leads the pack, with Firefox in hot pursuit and the others trying to catch up.
Video is a particular sticking point: HTML5 video doesn't specify a particular video format, so a schism is developing: Chrome, Firefox and Opera support Ogg/Theora video and WebM/VP8 video, while IE and Safari have plumped for H.264.
CHROME: The pace of Chrome development has been staggering, with new versions seeming to appear every five minutes
The best browser for privacy
Chrome has Incognito mode, Safari, Firefox and Opera have Private Browsing and IE9 has InPrivate browsing. IE also has Tracking Protection, which can help you block third-party tracking systems that might infringe your privacy.
Chrome can block third-party tracking via an extension ("Keep my opt-outs") while Firefox has a slightly different implementation: its "Tell sites I do not want to be tracked" feature assumes sites are honest, ethical and will honour that setting. We're not optimistic about that.
IE's solution is the most interesting, as it will enable any organisation to create a "do not track" list that you can subscribe to.
The best browser for Windows 7
If your priority is speed, then the best browser for Windows 7 is IE9: it's the fastest here by a considerable margin, and its Windows 7 integration - in particular, its ability to pin sites to the Taskbar to make them more like applications - is well executed.
If sheer expandability matters then Firefox is the best bet, with Opera and Chrome close behind. And Safari? It isn't a bad browser, but there's nothing about it that really jumps out.
SAFARI: We're not sure about Safari on Windows at all. It does the job its supposed to, like dishwasher tablets or bleach
The best browser for Windows Vista
Vista users don't get IE9's ability to pin sites to the taskbar - that's a Windows 7-only feature - but they get the same speedy browser, which makes IE9 another winner here. Once again if you'd rather shed a bit of speed for more extensions then Firefox is the one to go for.
The best browser for Windows XP
There's no IE9 for Windows XP users, but you can still get Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Opera. They're all perfectly good browsers on XP, although Safari once again is the least compelling: its rivals are all faster and more expandable, and the lack of a full screen mode will annoy netbook users.
The best browser for OS X
Here's a surprise: on OS X, Apple's own Safari can do a pretty good impression of the worst browser imaginable. The problem is that some extensions can cause performance problems.
On our machine the AdBlock extension slowed Safari down by so much that Sunspider didn't take 300ms to complete; we watched it crawl for 30 minutes before we got fed up and shut it down. The difference was extraordinary: simply clicking Extensions on and off in Preferences enabled instant switching between a merry browsing experience and a miserable one.
Assuming you don't install an errant one, Safari's extension gallery covers the essentials - Gmail, Twitter, Flash blocking and so on - although it's not as customisable as Chrome or Firefox. Then again, rivals don't have Safari's excellent Reader mode, which strips out adverts and other on-screen clutter to deliver a distraction-free reading experience.
Of the three, Chrome has the edge: we haven't encountered errant extensions on Google's browser, and it's a much nicer place to spend time in than Firefox.
The best browser for Android
If you've ever wished sites would stop bouncing you to their mobile versions, Opera Mini may well be the best browser for Android: it syncs with your computer, crunches files down for speedier (and cheaper) mobile browsing, and it hasn't been repeatedly beaten with the ugly stick. There's an Android Firefox too, but for the time being it's a hefty app that requires fairly hefty hardware to run happily.
The best browser for iPad
Purists would argue that the best browser for iPad is Apple's own, but we beg to differ: if you like opening links in separate tabs when you're browsing, Safari's interface can be infuriating. Unfortunately most alternatives are crashy, ugly or both. iCab Mobile 4.5 (£1.19) is the exception. It's fast, powerful, handles tabs beautifully, has a nifty full screen mode and only tends to crash if you try and open a billion tabs at once.
ICAB MOBILE: We wished Mobile Safari handled tabs like iCab Mobile does. The £1.19 browser is surprisingly powerful too
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Facebook set to unveil new group chat features
Facebook group chats should soon be arriving, following a deal which sees Facebook acquiring group chat specialists Beluga this month.Is this the start of Facebook moving into the real-time group chat market currently owned by Twitter? Or might it be more about slightly more 'closed' group-chats between groups of close friends?
Chat pods on Facebooks
With Beluga's track record, it would seem to be more likely to be the latter, as the company provides closed group messaging areas in which users can create virtual 'pods' in which they then invite known friends to join them for a group chat.
"We are happy to announce that Facebook has acquired Beluga!" write founders Ben, Lucy and Jon at
Team Beluga on the company's website.
"Since launching Beluga, we've appreciated all the enthusiasm and positive feedback from our users. We're excited to continue to build our vision for mobile group messaging as part of the Facebook team. Beluga and Facebook are committed to create new and better ways to communicate and share group experiences.
"For now, Beluga will continue to function as it does today. Your Beluga account and data will not be lost. We'll be providing more details on future plans for Beluga in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!"
All three founders have previously worked at Google and will no doubt add a great deal of knowledge and experience to the Facebook team. We expect to hear more on Facebook's latest plans for group chat features from next week's South by Southwest Interactive Festival.
Beluga already has iPhone and Android apps to communicate with pods of people via traditional text message functions on your smartphone.
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MSI launches new AMD-powered Windows 7 tablet
MSI has launched its latest Windows 7 tablet PC, powered by AMD's new C-50 processor and AMD Radeon HD 9250 graphics at CeBit this week.The MSI WindPad 110W boasts the latest low-power processor from AMD, in comparison with its predecessor, the MSI WindPad 100W, which sported an Intel Atom netbook CPU.
WindPad or iPad 2?
Of course, releasing a tablet PC in the same week that Apple is set to reveal its latest plans for iPad 2 might not be the best marketing move in the world, yet this is still one of the more interesting consumer tech products to emerge from CeBit in Hanover so far this week.
TechRadar expects to get a MSI WindPad 110W hands on very soon, with the manufacturer set to update us on UK pricing and release details shortly.
In the meantime, what we do know already is that the WindPad 110W features 1 USB port, an HDMI port to hook up to your HD TV at home, a rear-facing camera and a SIM card slot.
Screen size is 10.1 inch, with a 1024 x 600 pixel display running Windows 7 Home Premium, which can be controlled via capacitive touch buttons on the side, and an optical touchpad on the new WindPad.
MSI claims the tablet will run for up to eight hours, which we will test out when we get a unit in for review.
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iPad 2 release date and spec outed on Amazon Germany
Amazon Germany could have made a massive slip up and accidentally let slip the price and release date of the forthcoming iPad 2.According to a screengrab sent to YourAppleDaily.net (the Amazon page has since been taken down) the new iPad sadly will be more evolutionary rather than revolutionary if the specs are to be believed.
The processor has been boosted to 1.2GHz (no mention of whether it's dual core, although we'd guess not) and Thunderbolt connection, as expected, has been added in to additional storage and accessories.
Evolution/revolution
It will also come with a camera (we assume both front facing and rear) although will still be rocking a 9.7-inch screen.
The possible iPad 2 UK release date has been set at 17 March according to the German site, which would tie in with Apple's rapid launch cycles following announcement.
However, as ever, such 'leaks' should always be taken with a pinch of salt - for instance, the picture on the site isn't different, and the price is still the same as the current version - both could be feasible, but then again, would Amazon make such a mistake?
It's less than 6 hours until we find out the answer, so keep your eyes glued to TechRadar today as we report live from the Apple press conference for the new iPad 2.
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Review: One For All URC-7140
Also known as the Essence 4, the One For All URC-7140 4-in-1 universal remote may come in at under £20 but offers copious ways of setting up macro and micro commands to suit your needs. It accommodates up to four device types/modes: TV, Sat, DVD, and AV (e.g. a home cinema speaker system) which can be switched between or used in combination with each other. Cable and Freeview boxes are classed as 'satellite', which could be problematic if you want to switch between several receivers (and a TV and speaker system too). If you have a 'spare' mode other than 'Sat' you can assign them to that instead to avoid conflict.
Solidly constructed, it's easy to hold, with a button layout that mirrors most conventional remotes of recent years. Programming it usually requires pressing 'Magic' before entering a string of commands.
'SimpleSet' is an auto-learning function that assigns popular brands to a number key then attempts to gain control of your equipment while you hold down 'power'. If this fails, you can have the remote search for the control code by entering a button sequence, or enter the code yourself by trying out those in the supplied code list.
Alternatively, you can learn individual key controls directly from the original remote – but if that's broken or mislaid you're required to contact One For All to learn the code required for each desired function.
'Combi Control' enables control of up to three devices at once without needing to switch between modes, and allows you to power everything on off at once with one button. In addition, simultaneous macro commands (e.g. turn on receiver and TV together) can be assigned to a button of your choice.
The URC-7140 proved capable of fully controlling our Panasonic plasma TV, Pace Sky+ and ageing Virgin Media V+ box using the code entry, simple set and Macro features. A nice touch is that if you have a TV and satellite receiver set up, both are automatically linked as a combination, so you can tweak the settings on your TV and control your box with minimal programming.
Those with lots of kit would be better with something more flexible like One For All's slightly dearer Smart Control (URC-7960) unit, but there's little to grumble about here for the money.
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BT: We shouldn't have to tell people average broadband speeds
BT believes that it should not be forced to give the average speed of its broadband on its advertising – after Ofcom's latest figures criticised the practice of highly misleading 'Up to' messaging. BT were rock bottom of the 'up to 20Mb' services tested by Ofcom, but the company is angry that the communications watchdog – appointed to look after public interests – suggested that it should tell customers the truth about average speeds and give a typical speed range (TSR) for the package.
The reason? Because some people will get better than the average and other ISPs could cherry pick the best customers.
Misleading
"Moving to typical speed ranges will potentially be highly misleading as the average performance will vary depending on where people live," said BT.
"Enforcing typical speed ranges is also dangerous as it could encourage more ISPs to cherry pick customers who will increase their average, leaving customers in rural and suburban areas under-served. That would encourage digital exclusion rather than tackle it."
BT has also accused Ofcom of flawed methodology in how they gather the data.
"Broadband speeds vary from line to line and so it is meaningless to use one speed for advertising. That is why we use the term "up to", continued BT.
"The most important thing is that customers are told what speed their line is capable of supporting at the point of sale and BT does this."
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Gary Marshall: UK broadband ads are a bloody disgrace
News just in: adverts lie. That face cream won't make a 60-year-old look sixteen, Ready Brek doesn't really make you glow orange and Cillit Bang doesn't go bang.But there's a difference between exaggeration, artistic licence and outright fibs, and it seems that some ISPs aren't so much crossing it as jumping over it while dropping their trousers and showing us their backsides.
According to Ofcom, ISPs aren't just exaggerating their broadband speeds; they're completely misleading us. The average advertised speed in the UK is 13.8Mbps; the average speed we actually get is just 6.2Mbps.
The figures bear so little relation to reality that ISPs might as well say that each data packet is wrapped in magic beans and delivered by unicorns that travel at the speed of light.
This isn't like credit cards, where some people - me - get offered horrific interest rates that bear no relation to the ones in the ads; financial firms' rates have to reflect the ones offered to the vast majority of their customers. What ISPs are doing here is advertising speeds that only a tiny, tiny minority of their customers can hope to get.
Imagine if ISPs ran other kinds of businesses. You'd buy a pair of jeans only to take them home and discover one of the legs was missing. You'd go to the pub, order a pint and be served a thimble. You'd order a Quarter Pounder and get a sixteenth. You'd pay for unlimited downloads and be limited to 1GB per... hang on!
Show us the real speeds
ISPs are doing the same thing here as they do with their "unlimited" claims: they're promising something they know perfectly well they're not going to deliver.
I understand the reasoning: broadband speeds are affected by so many factors that it's impossible to accurately predict what speed each individual customer will get. But that doesn't excuse the gap between what you pay for and what you get.
Forgive me for yet another car analogy, but when car companies publish MPG figures there are strict standards they have to adhere to: Audi can't just freewheel an A5 down the side of a mountain and announce that the car does a million miles to the gallon.
That's essentially what ISPs are doing. Ofcom says that just 3% of people on "up to" 20Mbps or 24Mbps DSL get more than 16Mbps, while 69% get 8Mbps or less. That's disgraceful.
The answer is simple: TSR, which is short for Typical Speed Range. Ofcom has told the advertising standards authority that ISPs should include TSR figures should be as prominent as the "fast!" "super-fast!" "blindingly fast!" bits of the ads.
Ofcom's right. "Up to" props up bad ISPs and harms good ones: TSR provides a level playing field that we can use to tell the difference between a reputable ISP and one whose network consists of two tin cans and a bit of string.
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Review: Dreambox DM500 HD
A few short years ago, Dream Multimedia – progenitor of the Linux-based set-top box – started 'downsizing' its products. Literally. Many of the company's single-tuner receivers were shrunk to something not much bigger than an old-school videocassette, and powered by an external mains unit. They ranged from the DM100, a basic non-Linux satbox, to the DM800 HD PVR which, despite its small size, was able to handle HD channels and accommodate an internal HDD.
In the middle was the DM500, a standard-def Linux receiver fettered by its PVR non-upgradeability. Its key advantage was its basis in Linux, which opened up the wonders of web-streaming, third-party firmware support and functionality-adding 'plug-ins'. It also sported a card slot.
The DM500 has now been replaced by the DM500 HD, which redresses the limitations of the original. DVB-S2 and HD are now supported. It's PVR upgradable by plugging in an external eSATA hard drive and will work with infrared keyboards.
Loyalty to Linux, and all its benefits, is preserved; as standard, the DM500 HD runs the newer Enigma2 firmware.
Build and connectivity
Size apart, the newer model differs little in appearance from its predecessor. You still get a card reader and onboard Dreamcrypt CAM. With different firmware or plug-ins it could emulate other CAMs – just as well, given the lack of a CI slot. Other front panel features are restricted to the standby button and a couple of status LEDs. There are no menu controls or channel display.
Perhaps the most significant difference is the top-mounted cooling fan. Mercifully, this runs very quietly; indeed, its running speed can be changed in the setup menus.
Changes are also apparent on the rear panel. The DVI-D port of previous HD Dreamboxes has been swapped for a HDMI socket capable of outputting resolutions up to 1080i. You also get an RGB Scart, which represented the original 500's highest-quality option. The Scart socket can also deliver composite or component and there's an optical digital audio output.
A mini-USB port is intended solely for 'service' functions like firmware upgrades. SMS tells us the receiver can be hardware modded to support USB hubs (remember this will invalidate your warranty) but 'out of the box' you'll need an eSATA drive for PVR and media playback functions.
There is also an analogue modem which seems redundant in the face of the Ethernet port. The single-tuner input is not accompanied by a loopthrough output. The power supply is a travel-friendly 12V variety.
Internally, the DM500 HD is busy but neat. The DVB-S/S2 tuner module is soldered to the main board so it can't be easily replaced with a DVB-T or DVB-C module. The main board also contains the card reader, and the main Broadcom 'system on a chip' (built around a 400MIPS processor) is heatsinked.
Unusual is the internally accessible SIM slot, into which has been glued some kind of Dreambox security device; these receivers have, after all, been relentlessly pirated.
A second daughterboard contains the modem, while a metal bracket fitted just above the main chip sports the cooling fan.
Setup
The default Enigma2 firmware's step-by-step wizards guide you through the process of installing the receiver. They cover language, TV system, time zone, initial dish configuration and searching for channels – all parameters that can be modified later on via the setup menus.
Searching can take place on single transponders or complete satellites – all channels, or just free ones, can be found and stored. FEC and symbol rate can be specified for manual searches, but you cannot enter PIDs. It's a pity that hardware blind search is missing, although a plug-in could, in theory, add blind search.
A welcome plug-in that was pre-installed on the review unit is the satfinder, with its large signal strength/quality bar graphs and ability to select a specific satellite/transponder.
DiSEqC capabilities are good; in addition to 1.2, this receiver supports simple switchboxes (1.0) and USALS. All of the usual controls for dish movement are supported – these use the handset's coloured buttons. With a motorised dish, you'll be able to conduct automated multiple satellite searches.
Other menus branching out from the main one look after all manner of receiver functionality. In the AV menu, you can choose various resolutions, refresh rates and aspect ratio defaults – lip-sync, upscaling sharpness and audio modes are also adjustable here. We're impressed with the test pattern generator, a pre-installed plug-in that's provided as a TV contrast/brightness adjustment aid.
Other menus cater for parental controls, plug-in installation and initialising (formatting) your external HDD so that recordings can be made or timeshift engaged. The overall feel of the receiver can be changed to your tastes too; in addition to 'skins', a 'customise' menu will let you tweak receiver behaviour.
Basic use
You can sequence through channels with the joypad's left/right keys and channels are arranged as 'bouquets' (channel lists), which are accessed in a 'channel selection menu'. From here, you can sort the list by 'all' (everything, sorted alphabetically), by satellite/provider bouquets, or favourites. The latter are essentially user-defined bouquets – and it's easy to add to, or delete from these as taste dictates. Indeed, deleting unwanted channels or entire bouquets is a cinch.
Pressing the 'info' button yields an EPG-derived description of the current programme. The EPG, which supports now-and-next and seven-day schedules, is also accessible from here. Presented as a basic text list, it offers two modes.
The first focuses on one channel's schedule, while the other allows you to see what multiple channels are offering within a given timeslot. If the relevant EPG data is in the machine, the name of the show being broadcast by the channel is shown adjacently, together with a running-time bar graph.
PVR and multimedia
The timer can be programmed from the EPG. Manual timer programming is also allowed, and you can specify how a recording should stop. Interestingly, you can watch one channel while another records – provided that both are on the same transponder.
The channel list shows you which channels are available – ones that can be selected are highlighted, while most that can't are greyed out. Nevertheless, this is unexpectedly flexible for a single-tuner unit. When a recording is in progress you can view either this or an existing one selected from a list.
Timeshifting is also possible. The timeshift files aren't shown in the recording list, but logging into the receiver using a network FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client reveals their presence. Like the recordings themselves, timeshift files take the form of transport streams containing all available channel data (teletext and DVB subtitles, if present, are preserved).
One of the many available plug-ins is a media player. Although the lack of a USB port reduces its usefulness, it's easy to transfer multimedia files across to the external HDD via FTP. It may be compatible with DivX/XviD, MPEG and MKV/X.264 video (as well as MP3 audio), but the scaling leaves something to be desired.
Some content doesn't fill the screen because it's being displayed at native resolution – and there's no zoom function to redress the balance. Although the media player doesn't recognise photos, a separate 'PicturePlayer' plug-in can take care of those.
Typing the receiver's address into the browser presents you with Enigma2's web interface. Channels can be remotely selected from here. You can also invoke recording, access EPG info and schedule timer events. If you have VLC Media Player installed on your computer, then you can start viewing the currently tuned channel in a window.
Existing recordings stored on the external HDD can also be streamed or downloaded via the network – even while the machine records another programme. Theoretically, you could schedule recordings and play/transfer content from anywhere in the world.
Performance
The tuner reliably held onto channels from Astra 1x and Hot Bird, received with a small (45cm) dish and multi-LNB – and so sensitivity isn't a worry. Channel selection is reasonably fast – the DM500 HD switches between adjacent services in around two seconds.
We judged the user interface and menu system to be pleasantly responsive in use, and search speeds are more than adequate. Pauses of up to a minute during the scanning process were, however, noted, though the job is always completed. These pauses are more common during FTA-only searches, thereby explaining our test results.
Audio-visual quality is superb, from HD and SD channels alike. HD channels are particularly crisp, with vibrant colours and good contrast range.
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Review: Sony Alpha A55
Sony isn't one to be left behind when it comes to the latest crazes. Its NEX cameras were released earlier in the year in response to other manufacturer's compact mirrorless camera offerings. Now the company has moved to introduce a new genere of SLR-style cameras with electronic viewfinders.This is where the Sony A55 body fits in, being an electronic viewfinder camera that can accept the range of Sony Alpha-mount lenses. It's not quite the same as the offerings you'll find from Panasonic digital cameras, Samsung et al, as it's not a mirrorless camera.
Interestingly Sony has chosen to implement a translucent mirror system in the Sony A55 body, which allows for fast phase detection autofocus during live-view, and also while recording video. Translucent mirrors are nothing new, and were first seen in Canon's Pellix 35mm SLR back in the mid-1960s, although Sony's implementation of this technology is quite novel.
As the mirror is translucent, it remains in the optical path at all times, directing a third of the light to the autofocus sensor, whilst allowing the other two thirds to pass through to the imaging sensor. The advantage of this design is that the camera can use the phase detection AF system in live view mode instead of the slower contrast detection system that is employed by other cameras when images are composed on screen. It also allows the camera to be more lightweight and avoids the problem of mirror-induced vibrations.
Unfortunately as the mirror causes a loss of light available for imaging, the design will mean slightly higher sensitivities will be required for the same exposure, which may result in grainier pictures. In addition, the loss of light would mean that an optical viewfinder would be quite dim, so Sony has opted to employ an electronic viewfinder (EVF) in the Alpha 55 and Alpha 33.
With the Sony A55 price at £800 (including the 18-55mm kit lens) at its launch, the current Sony A55 price on the high street has already dropped to around £700, which is a similar price tag to SLR cameras geared towards the enthusiast, or a beginner after a few more features. Other cameras in the Sony A55 price bracket include the Nikon D90 or the Canon EOS 550D which offer many similar features, such as a high resolution sensor and HD video, but have optical viewfinders.
Although the external design on the Sony A55 body looks very similar to conventional SLR cameras, it is noticeably smaller and lighter than similar cameras, weighing only 441g.
Sony has managed to achieve this without compromising the build quality on the Alpha 55 body. Although the Sony A55 body is constructed from high-quality plastics, they are rigid enough and feel as though they could take a decent amount of use and abuse. Soft rubber has been fitted to the rear and the finger grip on the front, which makes handling the camera a pleasantly tactile experience.
Using an electronic viewfinder (EVF) rather than a pentaprism may not be to everyone's taste but it is one of the better EVFs around, with a resolution of 921,600 dots providing a clear view of the scene. Even though the view is clear, it is no substitute for a conventional optical viewfinder when it comes to confirming focus. Rather annoyingly the rubber eye-cup, doesn't remain fitted for long, deciding to go off for a wander every time something brushes up against it.
Helpfully, a proximity sensor under the eyepiece automatically switches between the 3-inch swivel screen and the EVF, making the change from one to the other virtually seamless. The placement of the Sony A55 sensor means it is sometimes possible to accidentally trick the camera into switching to the viewfinder when adjusting the screen, or operating some menu functions.
Despite its diminutive stature, the Sony A55 body controls are well-laid out and don't feel at all cramped with most common controls such as ISO and exposure compensation being within easy reach. As the camera is optimised for live-view, the layout has been optimised for use with one hand, which is made more than possible by the lightweight Sony A55 body.
The menu system is simple to follow, with photographic functions such as flash compensation and picture styles being separated from general camera settings like image quality and GPS settings. Autofocus has its own dedicated button in the centre of the control pad, which speeds selecting one of the 15 focusing points.
Having a 3-inch articulated swivel screen is an incredibly useful tool when shooting out and about. As the screen can be adjusted to pretty much any angle it will save countless muddy knees on those occasions when you wish to shoot from a low angle. This coupled with the fast phase detection autofocus makes for a very flexible system, allowing your creativity to go beyond what can be seen at eye-level.
Fifteen autofocus (AF) points, of which three are cross-type, can either be selected individually, or set as a wide area providing plenty of options for most shooting scenarios. In use the AF system is quick and accurate, most of the time, but it can struggle to keep up with moving subjects and will occasionally miss-focus altogether. Still, for the most part it is a reliable system, making the live view feature feel truly integrated, instead of a bolt on afterthought.
Previous cameras with translucent mirrors, such as the Canon EOS 1N RS, used them to allow fast continuous shooting speeds with no viewfinder blackout. The Sony Alpha 55 certainly achieves the fast shooting, with a maximum continuous shooting rate of 10 frames per second, but during shooting the screen freezes after each frame and blacks out completely for a while whilst the images are written to the card in any of the manual exposure modes.
This blackout time can be quite considerable, especially if shooting raw images, or even worse if shooting raw and JPEG files simultaneously. The only way around this is to select the automatic 10 frames per second mode from the dial on top of the Sony A55 body. This mode reduces the screen blackout and allows continuous AF to be used. Unfortunately it also removes the ability to adjust the shutter speed or aperture, which may be an issue in some situations.
This novel mirror also allows continuous AF during Sony A55 video recording, allowing the camera to keep up with moving subjects. In principle this is a great feature for those using the camera for video, although it it worth noting that the AF speed is much reduced during video recording and that the sound made by the lens can be heard in the recordings.
The quality of the Sony A55 video is excellent, with clear, crisp footage being produced, even in low light conditions. As it is full HD, your Sony A55 video will look great on your HD television and the AVCHD format used for recording Sony A55 video is widely supported.

The usual array of scene modes and picture styles are all included as well as a few interesting additions. A sweep panorama function makes taking a wider view quite straightforward as you simply move the camera in the direction the camera requests. It then takes pictures continuously and merges them automatically. An automatic HDR function is also provided, allowing shots up to six stops apart to be merged into one image with increased dynamic range.
Metering is provided by the main imaging sensor and the image area is separated into 1200 zones during evaluative metering. Evenly lit scenes tend to be exposed a little on the bright side, leading to washed out colours, so it pays to keep an eye on the histogram and apply compensation accordingly. Centre weighted and spot metering modes are also provided. A circle showing the area the light reading is taken from is shown on-screen during spot metering, which is a nice touch.
Colours are vibrant, even when using the standard picture style. If more colour is required then the landscape and vivid styles should satisfy most. Even when not using the dynamic range optimiser feature, the Sony A55 produces images with excellent dynamic range. Where highlights do blow out, the roll off into white is smooth and subtle, giving a pleasant film-like appearance.
As the translucent mirror reduces the amount of light available for imaging by a third, the sensor really needs to be good at controlling noise, and luckily it is. There are no significant signs of noise in the shadows until ISO 1600 and even ISO 12800 should be very usable for all but the largest print sizes.
Images produced by the camera appear a little softer than images produced by other contemporary cameras and a little extra sharpening, either in-camera, or afterwards in image editing software may be required subject to taste.
Sony Alpha A55 ISO performance
JPEGs
Sony A55 Review: 0.8secs at f/11, ISO 100
Sony A55 Review: ISO 100 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 200 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 400 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 800 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 1600 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 3200 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 6400 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 12,800 (Click to view full size)
Raw Files
Sony A55 Review: ISO 100 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 200 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 400 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 800 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 1600 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 3200 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 6400 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 12,800 (Click to view full size)
As part of our review process we've implemented a new testing procedure. To test the Sony Alpha A55 image quality, we shot our resolution chart, each with the Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM kit lens.
If you view our crops of the resolution chart's central section at 100% (or Actual Pixels) you will see that, for example, at ISO 100 the Sony Alpha A55 is capable of resolving up to 26 (line widths per picture height x100) in its highest quality JPEG files. Examining images of the chart taken at each sensitivity setting reveals the following resolution scores in line widths per picture height x100:
Sony A55 Review: 0.4secs at f/8, ISO 100
JPEGs
Sony A55 Review: ISO 100 – 26 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 200 – 26 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 400 – 26 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 800 – 24 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 1600 – 22 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 3200 – 20 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 6400 – 18 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 12,800 – 18 (Click to view full size)
Raw files
Sony A55 Review: ISO 100 – 26 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 200 – 26 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 400 – 26 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 800 – 24 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 1600 – 24 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 3200 – 22 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 6400 – 20 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: ISO 12,800 – 20 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: 1/80sec at f/2.8, ISO 250 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: 1/80sec at f/2.2, ISO 200 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: 1/80sec at f/2.2, ISO 100 (Click to view full size)
Sony A55 Review: 1/320sec at f/2.0, ISO 100 (Click to view full size)
It would be very easy to dismiss this novel design as a gimmick, but for certain photographers it will provide a real advantage. Image quality is similar to contemporary conventional SLR cameras, but the size and weight of the A55 is much reduced, making this camera ideal for those who travel extensively, or just wish their SLR was a bit smaller and lighter.
Those who use live-view for general picture taking will appreciate the fast autofocus and articulated swivel screen. The phase detection AF that performs just as well when using the screen on the rear to compose images, as when using the viewfinder. In this respect the system is an improvement over Sony's Alpha SLRs with live view, and it already has the quickest live-view AF system.
The Sony A55 isn't a camera for everyone, though. Those looking for similar continuous shooting performance to the current crop of fast frame rate SLRs will be disappointed by the viewfinder blackout after shooting and the relatively small buffer. Fast memory cards are a must if this feature is to be an advantage, but even then those issues still remain.
Given the current Sony A55 price, it may still prove to be a compelling choice if the features meet your buying criteria, due to its decent image quality at high sensitivities, compact dimensions and support for existing Sony A-mount lenses.
Features: 4

Build quality: 3
Image Quality: 4
Value: 3
Overall: 4
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Sony A77 / A800 rumours: what you need to know
The Sony A77 - or possibly the Sony A800 - was one of the worst-kept secrets until a release date was finally confirmed earlier this month. We can now expect a Sony A700 replacement by mid-summer, Sony says, and company officials have been divulging the Sony A77 specs at trade shows for some time now. So while we all wait for the official release date, we have created this one-stop shop for everything you want to know about the Sony A800 / Sony A77, with spec wishlists from our head of testing, all the latest news and more.
Sony A77 / A800 release date
[Originally posted 14 February 2011]
Sony has announced a 'mid-year' release date for the new camera as well as released an image showing a prototype of it's long-rumoured Alpha 700 replacement in a translucent skeleton casing.


Thought to be called the Sony A800 - or possibly the Sony A77 to fall in line with last year's Sony A33 and A55 releases) - the Alpha 700 replacement will feature translucent mirror technology, Sony said.


Other Sony A800 / A77 specs include Full HD video recording and Sony's newly developed Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor. The Sony Alpha 77 / Alpha 800 body will also feature a new battery grip and new flash, Sony said.


The company did not confirm a Sony A800 / A77 price upon its release, nor did it reveal other specs such as how many megapixels the Sony A800 / A77 release will offer. It is thought, however, that the Alpha 700 replacement will feature an 18-megapixel sensor. A Sony spokesperson told us that recent reports that the Sony Alpha 77 or Sony Alpha 800 release would boast a 25-megapixel sensor are untrue.


The full Sony announcement, according to Google Translate, reads: "Adopted a semi-transparent mirror 'Translucent Mirror Technology' and the newly developed "Exmor" APS HD CMOS sensors will be installed in series A mid-mount machine concept model (skeleton model) on display.
The intermediate unit, will be available later this year and 2011, it works fast and accurate auto focus at all times, full HD video and still there was always the focus (AVCHD) delivers picture. The standard zoom lens suitable for intermediate unit, the flash will exhibit together with vertical grip."
Sony A800 / A77 specs
[Originally posted 13 January 2011]
Sony has revealed a a replacement to the high-end Alpha 700 DSLR, which it will release this year, according to a press report.
A spokesperson for Sony tells us the company has shown a prototype for what could be the Sony A800 at CES 2011 in Las Vegas, but adds that this is the same Sony Alpha 800 prototype shown at Photokina last autumn despite other press reports claiming it is a new mock-up and not the final design.
The spokesperson also tells us that a Sony A800 release will use the translucent mirror technology introduced with last year's Sony Alpha 33 and Sony A55 cameras. The Sony Alpha 800 will also feature "an APS-C sensor, Exmor CMOS, HD video with AVCHD format, and be targeting the EOS 60D market segment," the spokesperson said.
He added that reports that the Sony A700 replacement could boast 25 megapixels as well as high ISO settings in the hundreds of thousands, are untrue.
The Sony spokesperson could not confirm a Sony A800 release date, but indications are that a Sony Alpha 700 replacement will come this year.
UPDATE - February 2011: the Sony A77 / A800 specs got a little clearer after Sony officials revealed at an event in Spain that all future Sony Alpha cameras will feature the company's translucent mirror technology, introduced last year with the Sony A55 and A33 cameras.
UPDATE - March 2011: PhotoRadar's head of testing, Angela Nicholson, shares which 10 specs she would like to see on a Sony A77 / A800 release:
- Translucent mirror technology to allow faster phase detection AF when using live view to compose images
- Electronic viewfinder
- At least an 18 megapixel APS-C Exmore sensor (some reports have claimed 25 megapixels)
- 3in LCD screen with at least 920,000 dots, possibly more to beat the 1,040,000 dots of the EOS 60D
- Articulated screen, the Alpha 55's articulated joint movement is a little restricted, Sony may resolve this with the A77
- Full HD video with AVCHD format - a dead cert.
- Sensitivity expandable to at least ISO 25,600, but probably higher
- Sweep Panorama with 3D
- A digital level is a feature of all recent DSLRs and there's bound to be one in the A77
- Built-in GPS to geotag images in-camera, in place of the Sony GPS-CS1 external unit
Keep in mind, as well, that a spokesperson from Sony has already told us: "The [Sony A700 replacement] mock-up shown at CES was the same one used for Photkina, which I stated at the time was not a final design. It will be Translucent Mirror, APS-C, Exmor CMOS, HD video with AVCHD format, and be targeting the Canon EOS 60D market segment."
Sony A800 / A77 rumours
Sony Alpha users have been eagerly awaiting a replacement for the Sony A700 for at least a year. Announced in 2007, the A700 was - and still is - Sony's most convincing prosumer APS-C DSLR, and the closest thing to the fondly remembered Konica-Minolta semi-pro film SLRs of yesteryear.
Three years on and the Sony faithful are feeling neglected. Three years, and two full-frame DSLRs (the Sony A900 and its near-clone, the Sony A850) plus a flurry of somewhat uninspiring entry-level and midrange Alpha-series models later, and the A700 is looking decidedly isolated. So will they or won't they?
All indications now are that Sony will replace the Alpha 700. Prototypes were on display at Photokina last autumn and CES in January. And just recently a Sony spokesperson confirmed to PhotoRadar that there will be a replacement to the Sony A700, and the Sony Alpha 800 (of possibly the Sony A77) will use the translucent mirror technology like that introduced with the Sony Alpha 33 and Sony A55 (read our Sony A55 review) cameras last year.
We expect some more leaks, and then an announcement in the early part of this year. But don't hold your breath.


2011 Sony A800 / A77 release date probability: 90% - but Sony might still surprise us.
Related Links
- Nikon D800 rumours: what you need to know
- Top 10 new camera rumours for 2011
- Canon EOS 6D / 5D Mark III rumours: what you need to know
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Review: AMD Phenom II X4 975 BE
Another day, another minor variation on a familiar theme from AMD. By now you'll know our equally familiar refrain regarding the circa-2003 origins of AMD's performance PC processors, up to and including the latest Thuban sixcore models. But if AMD's underlying CPU architecture is ancient, even the latest derivatives are getting on a bit. The Phenom II X4 975 Black Edition is the newest chip in AMD's quad-core Phenom II range, but it uses the same old 45nm Deneb die first seen nearly two years ago.
Okay, we're now up to stepping C3, and a few tweaks have been made along the way, but there's no denying that AMD's chips are woofers well past learning significantly new tricks.
For the record, the 975 ups AMD's quad-core ante to 3.6GHz. That's a fairly inconsequential 100MHz increase on its progenitor, the Phenom II X4 970 Black Edition. The benchmark results are predictable to the point of monotony.
Nevertheless, it's our duty to inform you that the 975 completes the R10 version of the Cinebench 3D rendering test in precisely one minute and one second. Funnily, that's exactly the same result we recorded for the 970, which tells you all you need to know about the 975.
Put bluntly, the performance increase is within the margin of error. As for x264 video encoding, the 975 achieves a thoroughly academic increase from 19.4fps to 19.7fps. We could go on, but you get the idea.
Business as usual
One area where you might plausibly hope for the unexpected is overclocking, but here too the results proved pedestrian. Using an air cooler and stock voltage, our 975 sample isn't interested in running beyond 4GHz. Yup, precisely the same speed our 970 sample achieved.
Tweak the voltage mildly to 1.4875V and 4.2GHz is possible, if not with full stability. Give us a little longer with some of the fine tuning knobs and we reckon 4.2GHz is probably doable without crashes.
Of course, none of the above factors in the price of about £150. If AMD makes the 975 cheap enough, you're not going to care how old its underpinnings are.
That's a problem, because AMD's six-core Phenom II X6 1055T and 1075T are also priced in and around the £150. Even the range topping 1100T isn't that much more expensive.
Meanwhile, the comparison with Intel looks even less favourable. Okay, the new Core i5 2500K is likely to be £30 more expensive, but the plain old 2500 will be very closely matched on price and would absolutely hose the 975 by every possible performance metric. And it throws in a intriguing integrated graphics core, for the sheer panache of it.
Frankly, AMD's Bulldozer chips can't come soon enough. The end is nigh for Phenom II.
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Review: TomTom Via LIVE 120
The TomTom Via LIVE 120 slots into the TomTom range below the top-end Go LIVE 1000 devices and consequently it doesn't have as many fancy features. The screen isn't as roomy; there's no pinch-to-zoom and it lacks the neat magnetic window bracket. But it doesn't really matter. All we ask of our sat-nav systems are two things. First, that they guide us quickly and efficiently to places we've never been before. Second, that they help us to avoid traffic congestion, speed cameras and random road incidents that will slow us down. Get these right and we're happy as Larry. Anything else is a bonus.
So the Via LIVE 120 includes TomTom's celebrated HD Traffic technology, eco routing, speed camera alerts, Google Local Search and hands-free calling over Bluetooth. The specification puts it on a par with the Garmin Nüvi 2350LT, which features a 4.3-inch LCD, plus Euro navigation, an ecoRoute function and access to a feed of Trafficmaster road data.
Priced at just under £200 (but available for much less if you shop around), the TomTom Via LIVE 120 crams all this cleverness and pan-European mapping into 4GB of internal storage. You can get a regional version of the 120 for £20 less or stump up an extra £30 for the Via LIVE 125 edition. This includes Euro maps and a five-inch touchscreen display.
In contrast, the Via LIVE 120 comes with a decent 4.3-inch screen – the same size as an HTC Desire HD. Of course, the 480 x 272 pixel resolution is nowhere near as good, but you don't need a high-res screen to display what is essentially a triangle at the centre of a scrolling 3D map. A sat-nav is a tool, not a video game.
The unit itself is compact and neatly designed, if a little heavy. An integrated bracket balloons the weight to 183g. Around the back, there's a single on/off button and an internal accelerometer will flip the screen so you can mount it on your windscreen or dashboard. The supplied USB cable plugs straight into an adaptor for in-car charging. Simple.
Features
Much has been said about the basic nature of the TomTom interface. But it's usable enough. The main screen is split into six main options, including 'Navigate to…' and LIVE Services. The former is the bread-and-butter sat-nav option, enabling you to enter your destination as a city or postcode and narrow it down to a specific address.
Usefully, you can also find an address by simply Googling it. A Google Local Search option is part of TomTom's excellent LIVE Services package. Considering that the built-in database of POIs (Places of Interest) rarely has what you're looking for, being able to Google a restaurant or business via GPRS is often more accurate, and can save you a lot of time.
Google Local Search is part of a net-connected suite of services that also includes weather updates (take 'em or leave 'em) and speed camera locations (vital). The LIVE Services also feature the ability to correct your maps and share any amends with other TomTom users. Similarly, you can install updates from the wider Map Share community by hooking the Via LIVE 120 up to a computer.
As handy as these frills are, the HD Traffic option remains the primary reason for buying a TomTom over a rival sat-nav. Garmin models, for example, get their traffic information via RDS TMC, a method which encodes data inside commercial FM radio signals. It's a solid system – tried and tested – but traffic updates can be slow to filter through.
The HD Traffic system is more high-tech. Like a mobile phone, the Via LIVE 120 has a built-in SIM card so its location can be tracked.
In fact, the HD Traffic system brings together data from up to "80 million anonymous mobile phone users on the road", as well as over one million connected TomTom devices. The result is an unparalleled model of UK and European traffic flow, capable of showing where problems are occurring and updating TomTom users every two minutes.
The advantage of HD Traffic is that the TomTom Via LIVE 120 can dynamically guide you around problems on your journey. Traffic alerts or delays are shown in a vertical bar on the right-hand side of the display and you can set the device to automatically re-calculate and re-route your journey if a faster route becomes available.
The disadvantage? While the first year of TomTom's LIVE Services are free when you buy the Via LIVE 120, an ongoing yearly subscription will cost you £47.50. But it's arguably worth it. Especially if you do more than family weekenders and the school run.
Used in conjunction with TomTom's IQ Routes system, the Via LIVE 120 gives you an almost God-like view of road conditions. This clever routing algorithm uses the real measured speed of cars on sections of road to plan the quickest route, based on the time of day you're travelling. So not only will the TomTom Via LIVE 120 warn you of accidents and congestion, it will also be aware of rush-hour traffic and will try to avoid roads that get regularly jammed in the post-work dash for home.
Verdict
Yes, the TomTom Via LIVE 120 doesn't represent the pinnacle of sat-nav design. But it does provide a great set of features at an affordable price, although the sting of a yearly subscription might make you think twice if you aren't a regular commuter.
We liked:
HD traffic quickly proves itself to be invaluable when the TomTom Via LIVE 120 suggests a new route to avoid an accident on the M4 before you've even got into the motorway. Ditto the speed camera warnings, Google Local Search and the handy lane guidance feature, which shows a virtual representation of the junction ahead so you don't miss your turning.
While we experimented with the voice command function, we never really needed it. The Bluetooth integration for hands-free calling was far more useful, especially the option to auto-answer calls after a few seconds. Gives you time to mute the stereo…
We disliked:
Thank God for Google Local Search, because the POI database here remains poor. We also had some trouble with the 'fastest route' option, which was obsessed with directing us down single-track lanes. Switching to eco-routes seemed to solve the problem, however.
Map accuracy was also hit-and-miss. True, it was mostly hit, but we blindly drove down a small road in Bath, only for it to turn into a bridle path rather than the main road we were expecting. TomTom does allow you one free map download within 90 days of purchasing your sat-nav and the Map Share community acts as a Mapopedia, updating roundabouts and speed camera locations.
Verdict:
It's easy to be impressed by the TomTom Via LIVE 120 and you can buy it for less than its £200 RRP. Apart from a few nav-niggles, the LIVE Services are a serious advantage for regular drivers. However, it's worth keeping in mind that you'll be paying extra for the privilege. Without HD Traffic, Google Local Search and mobile speed camera locations, this device becomes much more ordinary.
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Asus gives gamers new mobo, graphics card and more
Asus has announced a slew of additions to its Republic of Gamers range - including the Rampage III Black Edition motherboard, a gaming headset , monitor, router and the ROG Matrix GTX 580 graphics card. Along with ROG laptops, Asus is also adding components to its ROG offering - including a motherboard that it is describing as the 'evolution' of the popular Rampage III Extreme.
"The ROG Rampage III Black Edition motherboard is an evolution of the award-winning Rampage III Extreme, which set new world records in overclocking," says Asus.
"Everything that made the Rampage III Extreme so great is back, but with a stylish black-themed design, plus many hardware and software improvements."
Expansion
That includes a ROG ThundeBolt expansion card that brings better LAN and audio performance, XONAR audio and the Asus GPU TweakIt allowing gamers to modify graphics card settings.
Next up is the ROG Matrix GTX 580 grpahics card - an Nvidia offering that brings "a number of proprietary ASUS iROG technologies for superior gaming performance, including TweakIt for real-time GPU voltage adjustment, ProbeIt for instant voltage readings and a Safe Mode reboot button for a foolproof overclocking experience."
The card is fitted with DirectCU cooling - putting the heatpipes in direct contact with the GPU - and twin custom made fans.
Monitor
Asus as also produced the VG278H 3D 3D monitor - a 27 inch LED backlit screen with 3D support through HDMI 1.4 and built-in infrared emitter.
The new RT-N66U Dual-band Wireless-N Gigabit Router is "aimed at gamers looking for a lag-free experience with online gaming;and anyone who wants speedy internet and network access".
That means support for simultaneous 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections allowing HD content to be streamed over 802.11n Wi-Fi at speeds up to 450Mbps.
"The 600MHz processor ensures both snappy response times and highly capable multi-tasking performance too, with support for up to 300,000 data sessions."
Last but not least is the ROG Vulcan Gaming Headset - billed as the perfect option for noisy LAN parties or pro-gaming arenas.
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Asus demos Kinect-style gesture tech for PC
In what is one of the more interesting gaming-related announcements from this month's CeBit event in Hanover, Asus has been demonstrating its new PC-based gesture-controlled technology.Asus clearly hopes that its new PrimeSense-developed WAVI Xtion product is going to appeal to the legions of casual gamers who own PCs, but perhaps don't own or regularly play on a home console in their lounge.
PrimeSensed for action
PrimeSense is the company that collaborated with Microsoft on the development of the first generation of Kinect for Xbox 360, so the company has decent form in this field.
WAVI stands for 'Wireless Audio Visual Interaction' transmitter and receiver – with the transmitting side, which is connected to the sensor and your TV or PC monitor, pushing/pulling the signal, via AMIMON WHDI technology to a WAVI receiver connected to your laptop or desktop PC
The Xtion – 'Wave to Action' – section of Asus' new tech looks a lot like Microsoft's Kinect, and is able to track user's movements from from 0.8m through to 3.5m away.
Keep fit and racing games announced
"WAVI Xtion integrates motion-sensing technology from PrimeSense with the exclusive ASUS Xtion Portal user interface to bring consumers closer to technology through intuitive interaction with applications," explains Asus CeBit release.
"Connections to both PCs and TVs via wireless HDMI (WHDI technology) deliver smooth transfers of high definition content such as movies, games and photos in 5GHz with a range of up to 25 meters."
Initial software releases set to run on Asus' new gesture-tech include MayaFit Cardio Lite, a motion-sensing fitness training game and BeatBooster, "a multiplayer racing adventure game where users maneuver jet aircraft with their body movements."
PrimeSense CEO Inon Beracha said of the latest gesture tech: "Our collaboration with ASUS in providing a 3D sensing solution for WAVI Xtion proves to the industry that natural interaction technology is the ideal fit for living rooms, and that intuitive, gesture-based control will be the go-to route for operating all devices.
"We believe that PrimeSense solutions like the user interface used on ASUS' WAVI Xtion represent the future of the way people interact with consumer electronics, and help break down barriers of use to allow people to sync with the electronic world around them."
Asus is set to sell games and apps for its new gesture technology via its own online store and is already making an Xtion Pro developer kit ("the world's first professional PC motion-sensing toolset") available to interested third party developers.
TechRadar expects to hear more on pricing and release dates from Asus very soon, so stay tuned for updates on that front.
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Updated: iPad 2: all the latest details
The iPad 2 launch has been confirmed by Apple and is taking place today, 2 March.To keep you as informed as possible we've picked through the bones of all the internet rumours and speculation to come up with what we reckon the iPad 2 will be like.
First the details of the iPad 2 announcement: TechRadar has been invited to the UK relay of the event, which kicks off at 1800GMT at BBC Television Centre. Why there? It's a satellite relay and the BBC have some pretty big satellite dishes.
The corporation isn't anything to do with the event, it's just renting out its studio space (that makes your TV licence cheaper, don't sweat it).
As is usual with many Apple events, there probably won't be a live stream of the event online, so keep checking TechRadar for the latest news from the keynote.
We would expect there to be kit so we'll be able to get our hands on: iPad 2 review posted later this evening. But Apple being Apple, this isn't guaranteed. However, if it goes to the trouble of having a UK event there probably will be kit there.
Could it be a red herring, and not the iPad 2 launch at all? Well, the invite clearly shows the iPad and it could even be the iPad 2 - the peel isn't peeled far enough to see the middle of the device - more specifically, it isn't peeled back enough to see the inevitable front-facing camera.
New iPad UK release date
Of course, the real iPad 2 UK release date, specs and price are still closely guarded secrets, but it's clear that Apple reckons the new iPad will sell well.
Some rumours coming out of Asia suggest that Apple has ordered nigh on six million units of the new iPad per month - this compares to four million of the older iPad which have been produced on a monthly basis.
We'd expect we're now looking at a late March or early April iPad 2 UK release date although that doesn't mean you won't be able to order one before then. We'd expect the new iPad to be available for pre-order right after next week's event. Well, Apple wouldn't want you plumping for an Android 3.0 tablet instead, would it?
iPad 2 features
As we've already said, the main difference to the front has to be a front-facing camera. And that means the inevitable FaceTime support.
We also reckon the new iPad will have at least one key physical advantage over the old one. It'll surely be lighter (the original iPad was criticised for weight) and perhaps even thinner too. Perhaps it'll have a true unibody, like Apple's laptops, though, we can't quite see how this can be done.
However, the thing that will make the most difference has to be the new display. Expect a retina display iPad to blow away the competition.
Then again, such a screen would massively increase the number of pixels, increasing the demand on the iPad 2 battery life. A nine-inch Retina Display is a challenge. But if Apple has solved it, the new iPad will be stunning.
Also expect beefed up key specs. Could Apple take the A4 into dual-core territory? We'd expect so, especially since almost every other key tablet will be dual-core this year. Apple won't want iPad 2 to be inferior in any way.
The new Apple processor design, like Nvidia's Tegra 2, will be based on ARM's Cortex A9, the 1GHz dual-core processor that you'll find in the BlackBerry PlayBook.
iPad 2: what else?
We also reckon there will be a three-axis gyroscope like there is in the iPhone 4 for improved gaming performance.
The rumour is that the iPad 2 will have a USB port for importing photos and the like, though we'd be surprised if this happens - it doesn't seem like a very Apple thing to do. And, after all, it already provides the dock connection kit for uploading photos from a camera.
What would make more sense is for the device to have an SD slot. We're undecided on this one. It would be a dramatic move for Apple to go with such expandable memory, but a clever one if true.
Could the new iPad also be compatible with CDMA networks like Verizon as well as GSM? It's possible and would certainly streamline production. But it's unlikely we reckon - it would require both radios to be in the unit, which would increase weight and cost unnecessarily.
One thing's for sure, we'll find out tonight.
iPad 2 rumours pre-launch
Below are the iPad 2 rumours that we've been rounding up over the past few months.
The internet loves Apple and it loves ill-founded speculation, so it's hardly surprising that iPad 2 rumours were flying before the first iPad even reached the UK.
UPDATE: The iPad 2 launch date has been confirmed by Apple as 2 March 2011.
And with just days to go now before its unveiling the iPad 2 release date, specs and price are still closely guarded secrets, but that doesn't mean there aren't some juicy rumours, inspired guesses and possibly even Apple leaks to consider.
Reports suggest Apple is also expecting massive demand for the new device and has ordered six million units per month.
Here's our pick of the latest iPad 2011 rumours.
UPDATE: A white iPad 2? This rumour, which surfaced on 28 February, came with a photo of a supposed white iPad 2 case.
UPDATE: On 24 February 2011, a Japanese blog posted pictures of what it says are accurate mock-ups of the new Apple iPad. It's slimmer than the first generation iPad and features a front-mounted camera.
UPDATE: iPad 2 has apparently been spotted. Reuters reports on a "source with knowledge of the device" who spotted the new iPad at the launch of News Corp's The Daily.
UPDATE: On 8 February 2011 the Wall Street Journal claimed that the new iPad has gone into full production.
iPad 2 specs: cameras and a gyroscope
Gizmodo reckons that FaceTime support's a given, and that means a front-facing camera like the iPhone 4. BuzzBizzNews echoes the camera story, suggesting twin cameras. It also suggests that there'll be a three-axis gyroscope like there is in the iPhone 4. EETimes says Apple has been testing gyroscopes but decided not to put one in the original iPad.
On 10 December 2010, images of a new iPad case appeared online, suggesting that the iPad 2nd generation will feature a rear-facing camera.
On 17 January 2011, we heard word of not only a rear camera, but a front one too... it seems more likely that FaceTime will be coming to the iPad 2 as well.
iPad 2 specs: a USB port and SD card slot
Rumours suggest that the iPad 2 will have a USB port, which BuzzBizzNews says will enable users to "upload movies, documents and photos". We're not convinced it's for that, because Apple is moving increasingly to wireless. The iPad prints wirelessly. The iPad streams media wirelessly. Why add USB? More likely, we think, is a MicroUSB port or adapter so the iPad meets new EU regulations on mobile device chargers.
Images of a new iPad case have appeared online that seem to show space for an SD card slot.
On 17 January 2011, we also reported on said SD clard slot - it would be a dramatic move for Apple to go with such expandable memory, but a clever one if true.
UPDATE: On 25 February 2011, Engadget wrote that the SD card slot has been canned. So too has the higher resolution screen, according to the Engadget.
UPDATE: The new iPad screen is also rumoured to be ultra-thin but that's not all good news - on 1 March 2011, Bill Shope, an analyst at Goldman Sachs, wrote to investors to warn that there are production delays in the new screens.
iPad 2 specs: GSM and CDMA
AllThingsDigital quotes analyst Brian Blair, who says that Apple may be readying a "world iPad" that uses both GSM and CDMA networks, enabling it to get online anywhere in the world. CDMA, incidentally, is the technology used by Verizon in the US.
iPad 2 case: thinner and more like a MacBook
Brian Blair also says: "the new iPad is thinner than the existing model and is essentially made from one piece of metal with no pins needed. We understand it requires a new type of manufacturing process as a result, similar to the company's unibody approach seen in MacBooks."
iPad 2 specs: retina display
Will the gorgeous screen from the iPhone 4 make its way to the iPad? The Apple Blog thinks so: "You can be sure that Apple's Retina Display, or something very close, will make its way to iPad".
Then again, such a screen would massively increase the number of pixels, increasing the demands on both the iPad's processor and its battery, so a nine-inch Retina Display is a challenge. If Apple's solved it we'll see you down the Apple Store the second it goes on sale.
iPad 2 specs: a seven-inch screen?
All of Apple's rivals have plumped for 7-inch displays, which means their tablets are lighter than the iPad. Will Apple follow them into seven-inch territory?
iLounge says prototypes exist, while earlier this year DigiTimes predicted not just a seven-inch iPad 2, but a 5.6-inch iPad 2. Apparently the smaller iPads would target ebooks while the current iPad would target multimedia entertainment, "sources stated". We're doubtful. Apple already does a mini-iPad with a retina display. It's the iPod touch.
The idea of a smaller iPad 2 took another knock in November, when 9to5Mac reported that the iPad 2 adverts have already been shot - with current-generation iPads playing the role of iPad 2s. The iPad 2s will be digitally added nearer the time, and of course that's much harder to do if the iPad 2 is smaller than the iPads the actors are actually holding.
iPad 2 specs: a faster processor
KitGuru "has been hearing rumours from the Far East" that the iPad 2 will be a seven-inch job with a 2GHz processor and an HD video camera. It reckons the processor will be based on ARM's Cortex A9, the 1GHz dual-core processor that you'll find in the BlackBerry PlayBook.
On 18 January, we also reported the iPad 2 will have a boosted dual core GPU, based on an upgraded graphical core from Apple. This will allow better pixel management, lending weight the theory that the iPad 2 will have a much higher-res screen.
iPad 2 specs: more memory
This is a no-brainer: the iPhone 4 has twice the memory of the iPad (512MB compared to 256MB), largely because the iPhone does multitasking. Since the iOS 4.2 release, iPads do multitasking too. 256MB already seems a little bit stingy.
iPad 2 specs: no home button
Boy Genius Report says a source has told it that Apple has employees testing iPads with no home buttons, but we're inclined to agree with ZDNet, which says "don't bet on it".
iPad 2 features: Find My Friends
On 13 January 2011 we reported that Apple seems to have a location-based tool called Find My Friends in the works for its iOS 4.3 iPhone and iPad update.
The iPad 2 release date is probably in the Spring
Rumours suggested that the iPad 2 would be rushed out in time for Christmas, but if that's Apple's plan they're being awfully last-minute about it. Early 2011 seems like a much better bet, and it fits with Apple's annual product cycle: the first iPad was announced in January and shipped in the spring.
On 7 December we reported on rumours that Apple would be shipping iPad 2 units out to warehouses in February 2011. If that date is correct, it suggests an iPad 2 release date of some time around April.
This has been corroborated by our report on 17 January, with the April UK release date backed up by 'insiders'.
On 20 January 2011 we reported that the iPad 2 release date could be 9 February, after images leaked showing that date on the home screen (the original iPad launch promotional material had a 27 January 2010 date on the home screen - the date the first iPad launched).
On 7 February 2011, Elton John, speaking on BBC Breakfast, said he is looking forward to buying an iPad 2 in April so he can make video calls using Skype. Did he just out the iPad 2 release date or has he been hearing the same rumours that we have?
On 21 February 2011, we reported that T-Mobile and Orange have dropped their iPad prices. This could indicate that a new iPad is imminent as the carriers try to clear out old stock.
On 22 February 2011, Reuters reported that Yuanta Securitues sent out a note about iPad manufacturer Hon Hai suggesting that there are production bottlenecks which could cause the iPad 2 release date to slip to June.
The iPad 2 price won't change much
Unless there's a new seven-inch model we'll be amazed if the iPad 2 price is dramatically lower than the model it replaces: Apple isn't struggling to shift units and rivals are charging similar prices. Cheapo tablets do exist, but they're rubbish.
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Asus unveils O!Play BDS-700 Blu-ray player
Asus has expanded its home entertainment range with the O!Play BDS-700 Blu-ray player. Asus has unveiled its latest media player at CeBIT in Hannover, with the BDS -700 joining the O!Play range and bringing Qdeo video pos-processing, upscaling of 480p DVD quality content and support for Blu-ray 3D playback.
Sound-wise, the O!Play BDS-700 Blu-ray player offers 7.1 channel surround sound mastered in Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD - and sports an independent audio-only HDMI port which Asus claims "guarantees improved high definition audio performance through a dedicated channel".
Smartphone support
There is also support for smartphone remote control - with compatibility for iPhone, Android, Windows Phone 7, BlackBerry and Symbian.
"Support for a wide range of video, audio, image and subtitle formats ensures the BDS-700 offers the highest degree of media compatibility available, adds Asus.
"Content can play directly from external storage devices via the included USB port, while Ethernet comes standard. High speed 802.11n Wi-Fi with DLNA support enables easy and cable-free media streaming across a network and from cloud-based content providers such as Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, Flickr and Picasa. Internet radio streaming is also available."
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Packard Bell shows off EasyNote NS laptop
Packard Bell has unveiled the EasyNote NS - a 14-inch laptop pitched at the social networking addict. PB's latest addition to the S series apparently "perfectly fits the latest trends, increasingly identifying consumer electronics with fashion accessories".
To that end, the laptop comes in three 'striking' colours - Ebony black, Garnet red or Moonstone white - with a "delicate daisy-chain pattern on the cover echoing the elegant palmrest".
Hotkeys
The 14-incher weighs in at 2.3kg and also offers one-click hotkeys and allows you to link to your three favourite social networks at the same time with a one-touch button.
There is the option of a Blu-ray player, up to 250GB of storage and an optional HDMI port.
The laptop does include one USB 3.0 port along with two USB 2.0 ports, and there's a built-in webcam and microphone and a copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements thrown in.
We're currently ascertaining the UK price and release date - but in the meantime we'll be musing about what makes white into moonstone white and whether the red truly is evocative of a garnet.
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PlayStation Home gets multiplayer upgrade
Sony is demonstrating the latest upgrades to PlayStation Home at this week's Games Developer's Conference, with the online virtual world getting improved multiplayer gameplay and a number of other improvements.Real-time multiplayer gameplay, with players being able to compete directly against each other in future games planned to be added to PS3 Home, is perhaps the biggest announcement.
Richer, better, more sophisticated
Sony reps at GCD 2011 have been promising gamers that Home is soon set to offer them "richer, more sophisticated and better connected gameplay experiences".
Lockwood's mini-MMO and futuristic racer SodiumTwo – the sequel to one of Home's most popular mini-games – is set to be one of the first titles that makes use of the new real-time multiplayer gameplay in PS3 Home.
The new 1.50 upgrade to PlayStation Home will also bring PS3 gamers "improved physics and graphics, greater control over collision detection and much more as part of a suite of new technology that developers can use to create the connected gaming experiences that PlayStation 3 owners are looking for.
"While PlayStation Home users might not notice any immediate changes on the release of version 1.50, you can look forward to playing first-person shooters, racing games and more, all in the connected online world that you are familiar with," adds Sony.
Sony is demonstrating all the latest features and improvements in PlayStation Home at GDC in San Francisco this week.
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iPad 2 set for massive sales, suggests TechRadar poll
TechRadar has been running a poll for the last four days asking if you were likely to be buying an iPad 2 - and with the launch just hours away the results are hugely positive for Apple. More than a thousand votes in just a few days have been cast, and, as you would expect with any device, the majority of you are fairly clear that this isn't your cup of tea.
In fact, at the time of writing, 53 per cent of the votes answered the question of 'Will you be buying an iPad 2?' with the answer 'No no no'.
- Catch up on the latest iPad 2 news and rumours
But, impressively, a whopping 19 per cent stated that they WOULD be buying an iPad 2 and a further 23 per cent suggested that they might if the device reviewed well.
The fact that nearly half of those that voted would even consider forking out hundreds of pounds for the latest tech from Cupertino is a massive testament to just how influential Apple technology has been in the past decade.
The original iPad has proven to be a massive hit for Apple, and the follow up will bring improvements that will no doubt add to the brand's popularity.
Alternative tablets to the iPad have also become huge business, with manufacturers like Samsung, BlackBerry-maker RIM and HTC all hoping to wrest market share back from Apple.
But, If the poll is representative of the true interest in the iPad, then it could prove to be a massive year for Apple.
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