With announcements from Nintendo and Sony this week on the release of the next generation of handheld gaming machines, namely, the Nintendo 3DS and the Sony PSP2, is upon us, but the big question on most gamers’ lips at the moment is: will the next generation of super-phones and tablets spell the end of the handheld gaming console?

Is it Game Over for the Handheld Games Console?

Today’s super-charged Smartphones and tablets are just as powerful as any handheld gaming console on the market at the moment. And with the first dual core phones going on sale this year, your average Smartphone could very well end up packing more punch than the new offerings from Nintendo and Sony by the end of the year. Even the Smartphone’s big shortcoming, a distinct lack of controllers or joysticks, has been solved by cheap gamepad add-ons, such as the Game Gripper.

Game Gripper

Both Nintendo’s and Sony’s consoles have a long and prestigious heritage dating right back to Nintendo’s progenitory Gameboy. But with high-end processors and 3D capabilities, prices for handhelds are becoming prohibitive. And let’s face it, where else can they go from here? Has the handheld gaming device come to an evolutionary dead-end?

The Handheld Console Killers..

Without doubt, it was Apple’s iPad that struck the first nail into the coffin of the handheld gaming console. A wave of game releases over the past few months demonstrated that the iPad could play the most popular games just as well as the average home console and there’s plenty more on the way. The turning point was probably the release of Infinity Blade with graphics that were noticeably better than those on the Xbox 360 or the Playstation 3, and arguably one of the best games of 2010.

The latest big budget release for the iPad is set to take things even further. Dead Space is the prequel to the Xbox’s blockbusting sci-fi horror, Dead Space 2. But rather than being a simplified version of Xbox’s offering, it mimics every detail of the original. Likewise, Real Racing 2 is taking on Gran Turismo 5 in terms of graphic excellence. And Fifa 11 for the iPhone, despite its simplicity, is probably the best portable soccer game ever.

With all this going on, the lines between Smartphone and handheld gaming console are becoming more and more blurred. Now, with talk of a Sony PSP phone on the way, things are to set to become even more confusing. Is it a phone or is it a handheld gaming station? You decide.

Sony PSP Phone

See Also

• Video Game Consoles
• Mobile Phone Shops

On the same week that Sony unveiled its PSP2, or as it has been codenamed, the NGP (Next Generation Portable), Nintendo has announced the launch dates and pricing for its eagerly awaited 3DS handheld console after failing to get it to market in time for the Christmas rush.

Another First For Nintendo

The games console pioneers who were first to market a touch-screen gaming device in 2004 (Nintendo DS) and also first with motion control in 2006 (Nintendo Wii) have said that 26 February 2011 will be the date that the first ever 3D handheld gaming device can be purchased. The Nintendo 3DS console will initially only be available in Japan before its release stateside and in Europe the following month on 25^th March 2011.

The Price Of Innovation

The Nintendo 3DS pricing for North America has been set at one cent shy of $250. That’s a little less than what the device will sell for in Japan and less again than what Europeans will pay. Local pricing will determine the exact price tag in the UK and Europe, however Nintendo has indicated a RRP of between £220 and £230 for the Nintendo 3DS. Nevertheless, Asda has already stated that they will be the cheapest retailer of the Nintendo 3DS in the UK. The supermarket chain has set the price at £202 online, as long as purchasers use the discount code 15OFFDS. (£217 minus £15 discount).

Nintendo 3DS Games

Anyone planning to travel to Japan to get the 3D marvel early or hoping to pick up a discount in the US will be disappointed as Nintendo 3DS games bought in one region won’t be compatible with a 3DS purchased in another region.

Big Specs Without The Spectacles

The company is anticipating sales of 1.5 million of the Nintendo 3DS in the first month in Japan alone. And with a quick look at the specifications, it’s not hard to see why it’s going to be so popular.

Featuring three cameras to deliver the 3D effect, as well as capture instantly-viewable 3D pictures (albeit at a resolution of just 0.3MP), the latest 3DS console is fully compatible with older Nintendo DS games and comes with a motion sensor, gyro sensor and full Wi-Fi. A specially designed circle pad offering 360-degree movement has also been included to help you travel through Nintendo’s 3D world. But, of course, the big selling point is the fact that you won’t have to wear those clunky spectacles to enjoy the 3D effect.

Initially, the Nintendo 3DS console will come in just two colours, Aqua Blue and Cosmos Black, but if its predecessors are anything to go by, you can expect more colour choices to be added soon. With Sony’s PSP2 not due until the end of the year and expected to cost more than the 3DS, it would appear that Nintendo could already have the advantage on their rivals as the world eagerly awaits the launch of the world’s first 3D handheld gaming console.

Nintendo 3DS Console

Related Sites

• Nintendo 3DS Official Site (Nintendo.co.uk)

The CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is without doubt the event of the year if you’re into gadgets. It’s where techheads go to get the lowdown on what’s hot and what’s not in the world of consumer technology. More than that, it’s the place where you’ll find all the movers and shakers, i.e. what’s going to be big the coming year and beyond. This year’s CES 2011 show took place in Las Vegas at the beginning of January and from the products on display, it was clear what the big three consumer trends are going to be this year: Internet TV, 3D and PC tablets.

Internet TV

Sony was there showing off their Google TV, demonstrating that Internet TV has finally come of age. Certainly, we will be seeing media streaming, iPlayer and all sorts of apps appearing on TVs this year. But it won’t be just on TVs, these new services will be shared across phones, media players and Blu-Ray players. And what will be crucial will be a way of sharing information across all these devices. So it’s just as well that Netgear was there with their latest home Wi-Fi router on display, specially designed to handle all the new technology and devices that we’re connecting to the Internet from our homes.

3D or not 3D? That is the question

While many of us are still considering whether or not to invest in a 3D TV, it came as no surprise to anyone that 3D dominated many of the stands at this year’s exhibition. As well as the latest range of 3D TVs from Toshiba and Sony that don’t require glasses, the big trend this year was in 3D camcorder and still camera launches from all the big names, as well as a 3D mobile phone. The first 3D laptops from Toshiba and Sony even put in an appearance.

Take a Tablet

The final big trend at this year’s CES was Tablet PCs. Around 100 tablet devices were launched at this show alone. Blackberry’s Playbook seemed to be the one that most were eager to queue up to see. With a seven-inch display, a dual core processor, front and rear cameras, as well as a HDMI port, it’s not hard to see why Apple has their work cut out with iPad 2.0.

Lenovo came out tops in terms of innovation with their device that could be transformed from a laptop running Windows into a tablet running Android. Tablet computing might have been born in 2010 with Apple’s iPad, but 2011 is certainly going to be the year it comes of age.

What was increasingly evident at this year’s show was technology is now all about getting access to information wherever you are. As our lives become increasingly linked to technology, more and more electronic manufacturer’s seem to be putting the focus on getting all the devices in our lives talking to one another. And from this year’s show, clearly, 2011 is going to be a very big year for technology in the home.

Killzone 3 is an 18-Rated first person shooter game for the PlayStation 3 console with a release date set for February 25 2011. Killzone 3 is the first game of the series to be displayed in 3D and makes use of the motion control gameplay capabilities of the PlayStation Move system.

Killzone 3 Game Cover

Killzone 3 Game Description

Killzone 3 is the fourth release overall in the PlayStation 3 exclusive first-person shooter franchise, and contains the first integration of the PlayStation Move system into its gameplay. In it players continue the fight by a futuristic special ops team against the seemingly unstoppable Helghast Empire. Along the way players will learn more than ever before about the rabid Helghan culture, as well as become aware of an internal struggle in their ranks that may prove to be an important weakness. The game features full Playstation Move system integration throughout the game — including the Move and Navigational controllers. Additional features include: the ability to carry two primary weapons, new melee and jet pack functionality and online multiplayer support.

Killzone 3 Gameplay Images & Screenshots

Killzone 3 Video Game Trailer

Key Game Features

• Epic single player campaign with a gripping storyline and intense action
• Battle your way through huge, diverse environments from alien jungles to harsh arctic vistas shown in incredible graphic detail
• Face off against new, relentless Helghast enemies armed with more powerful weapons and abilities
• Full 3D compatibility takes immersion to new heights, delivering a “boots-on-the-ground” experience like no other
• Award-winning multiplayer mode returns, with added game modes, new vehicle gameplay, brutal close combat system, more powerful weapons, and a more accessible experience
• New brutal melee system lets you get “up close and personal” with Helghast enemies for even more intense combat
• Increased vehicle gameplay, including aerial combat action with ISA Intruders and jet packs

Related Sites

• Killzone 3 Official Site (Age 18+ only)
• Killzone 3 Open Beta Coming to the PSN on the 3rd of February

See Also

• PlayStation 3 games
• Game Consoles
• Sony Shop
• Game Shops

Internet TV has been around a while but it hasn’t really taken off. However, 2011 could be the year when that all changes. Manufacturers believe that the user interfaces  for Internet TV are now advanced enough to allow users to control the content they want to watch more easily.

Google Leads The Way

In the race to win over users, Google TV is the hot favourite. The cloud computing  pioneers will be hoping that their Internet TV technology is as popular as their eponymous search engine.

Google has teamed up with Logitech to provide the boxes that will connect users to the Internet via their TV set and Sony is integrating Google’s technology into its newest TVs and Blu-Ray devices.

What’s more, Google is incorporating the popular Android operating system along with their Chrome browser. This will offer access to applications from the Android App Store and full Flash support. Theoretically, you should even be able to use an Android phone as a user interface with Google’s set-top box. The prospect of full Internet access, coupled with Android integration on your TV could very well give Google the edge on its competitors.

Yahoo! Connected.

Yahoo! and Samsung are collaborating too. The result is the Yahoo! Connected TV. These TVs come with an integrated Yahoo! widget allowing users to view their favourite sites on the Internet. Although the service will initially only be available on Samsung’s Internet@TV range, Yahoo! has also started shipping their Connected technology in other media players, such as Blu-Ray devices, media servers and set-top boxes.

The downside with Yahoo!’s technology is that users will only be able to access certain sites, which could prove to be a barrier to some customers.

Apple TV

A quicker way to get to grips with Internet on the telly might be Apple TV. Apple’s device has been around a while and has just been upgraded with a lower price tag. However, there are drawbacks with Apple’s offering. Although the device allows you to stream content from the Internet, much of it, such as iTunes content, has to be paid for and there’s no flash support or web browsing capability. So if you’re looking for that sort of functionality, you might be better off opting for one of Google’s set-top boxes.

Ultimately, the key to success in the Internet TV arena may very well depend on how easy companies make it for users to integrate Internet TV technology with their current hardware. And right now, Google seems to be the only company with the capability to deliver the sort of functionality customers are looking for.

Nintendo’s eagerly anticipated 3DS console has been hit with a medical scare less than two months before the device’s release in the UK. The electronic games manufacturer has been forced to issue a statement to parents of children under 6, stating that they should seek medical advice before allowing their children to use the device in 3D mode.

Nintendo isn’t the first company to officially recognise the potentially ill effects of playing 3D games or watching 3D movies among the young. Toshiba, maker of the world’s first 3D TVs without the need for specialised glasses, and Sony have already made similar statements, regarding the use of their 3D products.

What The Experts Are Saying

According to a number of online medical reports, eye specialists have advised makers of 3D electronic devices that the latest 3D technologies could interfere with the proper development of muscles in the eyes in children under the age of six. Right now, the warning seems to only apply to 3D technology that does not require glasses in order to view 3D content. Those using the Nintendo 3DS in 2D mode should suffer no side effects.

However, all three companies have said that even older children should be monitored, as the technology has the ability to make some users feel sick. In fact, some viewers complained of feelings of nausea after watching the three-hour long box office smash, Avatar, in 3D. What is clear is that viewing 3D puts considerable more stress on the eyes than watching content in the traditional two-dimensional format.

Parental Control

As a result, Nintendo has said that even older players should take a break at least every 30 minutes. What’s more, the Japanese manufacturer is advising parents to make use of the on-board parental control function for the activation of the 3D mode on the 3DS. By programming a PIN in order to activate the 3D functionality, parents can control how long children use the device in 3D mode.

This latest revelation regarding 3D technology and health is certainly worrying news for parents who will have children clamouring for the device on its release. However, it could also represent a significant setback for Nintendo as the company gears up for the launch of the Nintendo 3DS in the UK in March.

Consumer electronics manufacturer Sony broadens the memory card landscape with the availability of significantly higher storage capacities such as the 32GB Secure Digital memory card, providing consumers with unprecedented amounts of space to store your favourite media files with longer  videos, more music tracks and bigger than ever photo collections!

How Much Can You Save On 32GB?

Depending on the quality of the media files and factors such as compression, encoding and bit-rates, the actual amount may vary, but the following will serve as an approximate guide as to how many songs, videos or photos you can save on 32GB of space:

• Movies – Playback up to 40 hours of video on 32GB
• Music – Take 8,000 songs with you on 32GB
• Photos – Store 6,500 pictures on 32GB

These figures are based on:

• Video recorded in H.264 1.5-Mbps video at 640-by-480 resolution that is combined with 128-Kbps audio.
• Music calculated at 4 minutes per song in 128-Kbps AAC encoding.
• Photos with an approximate 5Mb file size, taken with a 10 Megapixel Camera at the highest JPG setting.

See Also

• Secure Digital Cards
• Memory Cards

Sony is now offering high definition video rentals on demand through network enabled Sony devices  on a pay-per-view basis, by Qriocity.

Sony has dubbed the virtual movie rental store: “Video On Demand powered by Qriocity™” which enables movie fans to stream content directly to compatible and network enabled  Sony 2010 BRAVIA TVs, Blu-Ray Disc Players and Home Theatre Systems.

There’s hundreds of films to choose from in the searchable library, including latest movie releases and Hollywood blockbusters from major film studios, including:

• Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
• Lionsgate
• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM)
• Paramount Pictures
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• Starz Digital Media
• The Walt Disney Company
• NBC Universal International Television Distribution
• Warner Bros. Digital Distribution
• .. plus other local studios.

A growing library of film choices includes new releases and favourite & old  classics, aswell as local language movies, offered in Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (SD) formats.

Qriocity – Movie Rental Prices

• SD – Library Content – £2.49
• SD – New Releases – £3.49
• HD – Library Content – £3.49
• HD – New Releases – £4.49

Consumers have 14 days to begin watching rented movies, and once playback has started you have 48 hours to watch the film, as many times as you like within the allotted time period.

Sony launches the new trendy and sleek Sony D830L 8-inch digital photo frame that doubles as a digital photo album, with mp3 music and video playback.

The Sony D830L is a stylish digital photo frame that looks good anywhere you place it, and supports more than just simple photo viewing, with 2GB of onboard memory storage and built in software that turns the Sony DPF-D830L photo frame into a  digital photo album that you can pass around with family and friends to browse through your most memorable moments.  This polished battery powered Sony digital photo frame has a 20.3cm SVGA LCD display and supports slideshows with built in MP3 music playback and the ability to watch standard definition videos too!  A beautifully designed digital photo frame that is portable and easy to carry, that would make an ideal gift and comes complete with a luxury leather-effect carry case.

Sony DPF-D830L Digital Photo Frame Images

Sony builds up its 3DTV offering with two new high end LED backlit TV models with 3D Readiness, and slim and stylish designs in the form of the BRAVIA NX713 and NX813.

Both Sony 3DTV models feature slimmer and sleeker designs, with smaller bezels around the edges of the screen.  The Sony NX713 comes with Motionflow 100Hz screen refresh picture processing, while the more expensive Sony NX813 has Motionflow 200Hz processing – aside from this difference in screen refresh rate, both models appear to be similar in specification and features and can be used with the optional designer TV stand which features  2.1 channel sound speakers in the base and tilts the TVs at 6 degrees – apparently the optimum viewing angle.

There’s also some built in Internet Content capabilities with video streaming from sites like Youtube, LoveFilm, picture viewing on Flickr and news updates from social sites Twitter and Facebook.

These new Sony BRAVIA TVs are 3D ready but require you to purchase an extra 3D Sync transmitter to play 3D content – with the idea that you only pay for 3D when you are ready to view it with suitable 3D programming, such as the new 3D services coming from Sky 3D subscriptions and Virgin Media.

The Sony NX713 comes in a 40 inch and 46 inch version, while the Sony NX813 is a substantial 55 inch TV model.

Sony BRAVIA NX713 and NX813 3D TV Images

See Also

• Sony TVs
• Televisions
• 3D TVs
• Sony Shop