Tech and Amusing Stuff

PlayStation Blog quotes:

“A new PLAYSTATION 3 firmware update (v2.36) will be launching soon, improving system stability when playing select PlayStation format software titles. We’re also happy to officially report that the 2.40 system software update for PS3 will include “XMB” access in-game. The update will also include “trophies,” an exciting new feature that we’ll be providing more details on soon, as well as some other new enhancements. We’ve talked about some of this on the blog previously and know that many of you can’t wait to get your hands on these features. You can expect us to share all of the official details shortly.”

UPDATE: Firmware update v2.36 has been released.

Via PlayStaion Blog

Gizmodo got their hands on the new Dell Mini Inspiron, an Eee-PC-sized mini notebook, details are scarce since Dell hasn’t officially announced it yet. Stay tuned for new information.

Via Gizmodo

This is the BlackBerry Kickstart, the first ever clamshell phone coming out of RIM. The phone sports a Pearl-like keyboard, trackball navigation, and apparently utilizes both an internal and external LCD screen. No word on specs, carriers, or a release date, but Boy Genius Report says it will be coming out “within the year” so we don’t have long until we see this puppy out.

Via BGR

You can now walk into your local Best Buy and snatch one of those coveted Eee PCs, the only catch is that you will be getting XP no matter what (even though they show it running Xandros on their website). White and Black are the only colors available and $399 is the price to take one of these puppies home.

You can still buy the Eee PC with Linux and different colors at Amazon

Via Engadget

This Sonic game looks amazing, great way to reinvent such an awesome classic.

Via Nokuda

Portable Copy lets users create standard-definition versions of Blu-ray movies and transfers them to the PSP. This is huge since UMDs have not really been rocking the on-the-go movie watching arena, this means you could take your 4.3 inch screen PSP and be able to watch the movies you have at home anywhere you go.

Check back here for any developments.

Via PC World

TUAW got an e-mail from a reader containing these screenshots, there’s no confirmation whether these are real or not but we’ll keep you posted.

More pix after the jump

Via TUAW

GameStop’s massive video games store chain managed to hit a nice number of $7.09 billion in sales. The company saw a 33% increase in sales over last year and the company’s net earnings blasted off with an 82% increase to $288.3 million. They also saw a 50% increase in operating earnings and continued its expansion with 586 new stores in the last fiscal year.

R. Richard Fontaine, CEO of GameStop said: “Our performance in 2007 was impressive from many perspectives. But what is particularly noteworthy is that 2007 was a transformative year with hardware sales setting records and the installed base of users reaching an all-time high. Likewise, the expanding demographic profile of the video game player has moved this business into the mainstream of entertainment. This will be compounded by a strong 2008 video game title lineup and the value aspect of GameStop’s used model that appeals to a broad base of budget conscious consumers.”

GameStop also added that the top five selling games last quarter were: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Rock Band, Assassin’s Creed, Super Mario Galaxy and Guitar Hero III.

Via Joystiq

Despite what Steve Jobs said last week, Adobe is still planning to develop a Flash player for the iPhone. Whether it will be nicely integrated with Safari or it will be it’s own browser (which Apple will be rejecting i’m sure) is still up in the air.

Here’s a quote from the Chief Executive of Adobe:

“We believe Flash is synonymous with the Internet experience, and we are committed to bringing Flash to the iPhone. We have evaluated (the software developer tools) and we think we can develop an iPhone Flash player ourselves.”

We’ll see what Steve-o has to say about that statement….

Via Engadget

(This picture is just a mock up)

Via Unwired View

• 1.5 inch OLED touchscreen.
• GSM
• SMS and MMS.
• MP3 and video player.
• Bluetooth.
• Voice recorder.
• 128MB of built memory.
• Available 2Q of 2008 (not in the states of course).
• €599 (approx. $915.39).

Via AVING

WTF?!?! This color is hideous. Good thing this is gonna be a Japan only release and that only 60,000 units will be made, the upside is that you get a TV out cable in this bundle for ¥23,800 ($230). But i would just spend the extra 29 bucks for the cable and get yourself a hot red God of War PSP.

Via Engadget