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3 Jul 2009 04:37:03 GMT

According to video game analyst Todd Mitchell, Take-Two and Rockstar will be releasing two new DLC episodes for the blockbuster game Grand Theft Auto IV in 2010, and will then release GTA V in 2011. In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Mitchell added that the DLC may not necessarily be Xbox 360-exclusive like the previous episodes and could be available for the PS3 as well. "I would expect that there would be two more pieces of downloadable content for GTA IV, that's what has been indicated to me, although formats are unsure. It's been indicated to me to me that would be the case," said Mitchell. As for GTA V, Mitchell expects a 2011 release date, alongside a new GTA title for the aging PS2. "Coming out of E3 there was no commitment to a new Grand Theft Auto, and I think that's because of Rockstar's track record with delivering on time," added Mitchell. "Of the three, I'm least confident in saying for sure there will be a new GTA for PlayStation 2, but the track record shows that PSP titles have been repositioned [on PS2]," he finished.

3 Jul 2009 05:46:03 GMT

A long standing court case in which Microsoft has been sued for patent infringement over its Xbox Live service, is coming to a conclusion soon, with a settlement looming, says new reports. The patents, filed in 1994 by Peter Hochstein and Jeffrey Tenenbaum, are specifically for "communicating live while playing the same videogame in separate locations". Sony recently settled a similar lawsuit with the two men, over the PlayStation Network. The amount of the settlement was undisclosed. You can read about the patents and the dispute here: Case Update: Hochstein v. Microsoft

03 Jul 2009 01:26:00 EST

We're used to seeing nettops from the likes of Asus and Acer, but EMTEC's the newcomer in this field and let's see what we're working with. At about one inch thick by TechDigest's estimates, the G Box (working title) certainly compact, and we definitely give points to it running NVIDIA's Ion platform, Windows XP, at least six USB ports, and a 160GB hard drive. Unfortunately, there's no HDMI port -- that's coming in a later model -- and at £179 ($293 US), we'd be hard pressed to pick this over the HDMI-equipped AspireRevo, but we'll await judgment until we can try this thing out for ourselves. In the meantime, hit up the read link for a brief video hands-on.Continue reading EMTEC dips toes into nettop market with Ion-based G Box DesktopsEMTEC dips toes into nettop market with Ion-based G Box originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

2 Jul 2009 20:30:35 GMT

The British Video Association has said today that despite a few recent good sellers such as Quantum of Solace, DVD revenue had fallen 14 percent with total sales volume falling 7.7 percent. If the trend continues, the BVA says the UK will have its worst year for home video revenue since the 1980s. Lavinia Carey, spokesperson for the BVA, adds that the high revenue drop can mainly be attributed to the recent bankruptcies of retailers Woolworths and Zavvi. “We’ve just seen 15 per cent of the retail market disappear,” says Carey, via Times Online. Blu-ray was a bright spot in an otherwise dreary report, seeing a 231 percent increase in units sold. The BVA does add however that Blu-ray still only accounts for 3.1 million units sold, compared to 99.6 million for DVD (during the period).

2 Jul 2009 21:08:20 GMT

Jammie Thomas-Rasset will be appealing the $1.92 million judgement against her in the first RIAA file sharing case ever decided by a jury. At issue will be the constitutionality of awarding $80,000 per song. US copyright sets minimum damages at $750 per song, but allows up to $150,000 for "willful infringement." Attorney Joe Sibley told CNET News "She wants to take the issue up on appeal on the constitutionality of the damages. That's one of the main arguments--that the damages are disproportionate to any actual harm." Although the courts have previously ruled that punitive damages in excess of ten times the actual damage caused are a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution, there's no precedent on whether statutory damages are similarly limited. The Department of Justice has already shown they are willing to defend the damages. Earlier this year a lawyer from the DOJ Federal Programs Branch, which is headed by former RIAA lawyer Ian Gershengorn did exactly that in another case. Assuming Ms. Thomas-Rasset can afford to continue her defense, this case could go as high as the US Supreme Court. Whether they will agree to hear the case is anybody's guess.

02 Jul 2009 11:16:00 EST

Everybody's favorite fuzzy little Apple clone maker is back from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection (we're still waiting on that revelatory outing of creditors that Apple is so hungry for), and already has a new product in the offering. Psystar's new Open(7) hardware runs Intel Nehalem Xeon, which should provide a nice performance jolt to hackintosh land. Psystar is also going to start using a new bootloader called Darwin Universal Boot Loader, which will eventually be released to open source. Oh, and just in case you were wondering: a little bit of bankruptcy hasn't softened the company's confrontational spirit: Psystar says it's ready to "emerge and again battle Goliath," and that when "life gives you apples, make applesauce." It's kind of cute, really.[Via TUAW] DesktopsPsystar bounces back from Chapter 11, intros new high-end hardware originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

2 Jul 2009 06:39:51 GMT

The RIAA has won a case against Usenet.com, the popular company used for file sharing via newsgroups. The federal ruling, by Judge Harold Baer Jr. of New York, found Usenet.com liable for copyright infringement, and passed the ruling unto a magistrate that will either impose a fine or start a cease and desist on all infringing activity. The suit was filed by the trade group in 2007. Says the RIAA: "This decision is another example of courts recognizing the value of copyrighted music and taking action against companies and individuals who are engaging in wide scale infringement. We hope that other bad actors who are engaging in similar activity will take note of this decisive opinion." "We're disappointed in the outcome," notes Charles Baker, the lawyer representing Usenet.com. He did add however that the precedents set in the case will not "adversely affect future Usenet defendants."

2 Jul 2009 06:49:15 GMT

The HTML 5 standard won't include requirements for browsers to support particular audio or video standards according to Ian Hickson, editor of that standard on behalf of the Worldwide Web Consortium (W3C). Hickson's comments were posted on the Web Hypertext Application Technology Working Group mailing list. He attributes the decision to a lack of consensus among browser makers. Previously there had been talk of making either MPEG-4 AVC or OGG Theora the officially supported video codec for use with the tag. Although Google has implementations of both included in their Chrome browser, Apple has apprently decided potential patent issues make Theora support risky and Neither Opera Software or Mozilla are interested in licensing MPEG-4 support. Microsoft simply hasn't announced any decision on what standards they plan support. If you're disappointed by this decision, the news isn't necessarily all bad. He was clear that he would like to revisit the decision when either Theora or H.264 manages to become a defacto standard. Of course if that happens making it part of the standard is just a formality. But as Hickson pointed out, no one is likely to implement a particular codec just because the HTML standard says so.

2 Jul 2009 06:59:02 GMT

According to the Taiwanese website UDN, and translated originally by Engadget, it appears the upcoming rumored PS3 Slim will be ready to ship by the end of July. The report says the companies Foxconn and Pegatron are already working on the new model and will have the system built and ready to ship by the end of the month. Last week, Arstechnica revealed they had information on an upcoming PS3 price cut set for August which would come alongside the launch of the PS3 Slim. The PS3 Slim, if true, would only be marginally different than the current PS3, however sporting a much thinner body.

01 Jul 2009 03:49:00 EST

You're not still running Windows 7 Beta are you? Tsk tsk, better get your RC build before your system starts spontaneously shutting down every 2 hours. As Microsoft has warned repeatedly, Windows 7 Beta builds will begin bi-hourly shutdowns starting on July 1st in a bid to move you over to the latest release candidate. RC user will suffer the same treatment starting March 1st, 2010 on the way to a June 1st expiration -- well after the October 22nd launch date of Windows 7 to retail. This concludes this Engadget public service announcement, your regularly scheduled snarkiness will return in a moment.[Thanks, Kyle] Desktops, Laptops, Tablet PCsWindows 7 Beta automatic shutdowns begin today, RC users safe until March 1st originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

01 Jul 2009 10:47:00 EST

Just a few short weeks after eMachines outed its EL1300 line of SFF PCs, the company is hitting us up again with a new trio of full-size desktops. The ET1300-02, ET1810-01 and ET1810-03 are all encased within a luminous white mini-tower and ship with a matching LCD monitor, speakers and a keyboard. As for specs, the $449.99 ET1300-02 checks in with an AMD Athlon X2 4850e (2.5GHz) CPU, Vista Home Premium, NVIDIA's GeForce G100 (512MB), 3GB of DDR2 memory, a 160GB hard drive, 18x SuperMulti DVD burner, multicard reader, HDMI / DVI / VGA outputs and an 18-inch E182H display. The $369.99 ET1810-03 steps to a 2.2GHz Pentium E2210 CPU, GeForce 7500 integrated graphics and just a single VGA port, while the $299.99 ET1810-01 cranks it down to a 1.6GHz Celeron 420 and 2GB of DDR2 RAM. The trio should be filtering out to respected retailers as we speak. DesktopseMachines intros ET1300-02, ET1810-01 and ET1810-03 desktop PCs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

01 Jul 2009 15:38:00 EST

NVIDIA obviously isn't doing much talking about it itself just yet, but Fudzilla apparently has it on good authority that the company is indeed already hard at work on Ion 2, which promises to bring with it plenty of improvements over the already impressive Ion chipset. Chief among those is a decreased die size, "much faster graphics," and more than twice the shaders of the original Geforce 9400M /MCP79 chipset that the current Ion is based on (which uses 16 shaders). Not many more details than that, unfortunately, but NVIDIA is supposedly looking to launch Ion 2 by the end of this year -- although not before it sells plenty more Ion 1s, of course.[Via SlashGear] Desktops, LaptopsNVIDIA said to be prepping Ion 2 for late 2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

01 Jul 2009 16:33:00 EST

Nearly a month to the day after iBUYPOWER launched its gamer-centric M865TU gaming laptop, the outfit has now given the desktop gamers in attendance something to consider. The liquid cooled Paladin XLC series is comprised of three well appointed models, the XLC V1, XLC V2 and XLC V3. All three of 'em are stored in the monstrous Coolermaster HAF 922 (the V3 gets a HAF 932), while even the lowest end model gets a Core i7-920 processor. Other specs include up to 12GB of DDR3 RAM, as many as three NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285 GPUs, upwards of 1TB of HDD space, optional Blu-ray support and Windows Vista Home Premium. The trifecta can be ordered now for $1,399, $2,159 or $4,299 in order of mention., Gallery: iBUYPOWER launches Core i7-packin' Paladin XLC desktops DesktopsiBUYPOWER launches Core i7-packin' Paladin XLC desktops originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

30 Jun 2009 07:56:34 GMT

In 2006, the popular online movie rental company Netflix started a contest to see who could improve its recommendations by 10 percent. Today, a "multinational group of researchers, scientists and engineers" has submitted their entry, and are well on their way to winning the $1 million dollar prize. Because the team was the first to submit, competitors now have a 30 day window to get better solutions in or the contest is over. The group says their solution improves predictions by 10.05 percent, just over the threshold. BellKor's Pragmatic Chaos, as the group dubbed itself includes researchers at AT&T, a research scientist at Yahoo, and two Austrian engineers.

30 Jun 2009 09:42:00 GMT

Software company Global Gaming Factory X is about to acquire The Pirate Bay for 60,000,000 SEK or 7,8 million USD, says GGF press release. The acquisition which is deemed to be completed in August will have an effect on the business model of one of the most visited sites on the Internet, says GGF. GGF, a publicly listed company, will "launch new business models that allow compensation to the content providers and copyright owners," states the press release. "The Pirate Bay is a site that is among the top 100 most visited Internet sites in the world. However, in order to live on, The Pirate Bay requires a new business model, which satisfies the requirements and needs of all parties, content providers, broadband operators, end users, and the judiciary. Content creators and providers need to control their content and get paid for it. File sharers need faster downloads and better quality," GGF CEO Hans Pandeya added. Half of the 60,000,000 SEK will be paid in cash and the rest in newly issued shares. GGF will take over the sites and domains of TPB, including hugely popular thepiratebay.org. The company also told that it is acquiring Peerialism, a company which has developed next-generation file-sharing technology. The company will pay a total of 100 million SEK for Peerialism, again half in cash and half in newly issued shares. "Peerialism has developed a new data distribution technology which now can be introduced on the best known file-sharing site, The Pirate Bay. Since the technology is compatible with the existing it will quickly allow for new values to be created for all key stakeholders and facilitate new business opportunities", said Johan Ljungberg, CEO Peerialism. Update: The official TPB Blog now states, "The profits from the sale will go into a foundation that is going to help with projects about freedom of speech, freedom of information and the openess of the nets."

30 Jun 2009 13:30:44 GMT

As we reported earlier today, The Pirate Bay is being sold to another Swedish company Global Gaming Factory X (GGF). The publicly listed software company stated that the acquisition will have an effect on the business model of The Pirate Bay which has been known to be the most popular BitTorrent site on the Internet. In addition to these changes some less expected changes are going to happen too. Peter Sunde, co-founder of TPB, has told TorrentFreak that The Pirate Bay will be shutting down their tracker and remove torrent files from their servers. After closing the tracker The Pirate Bay will use the torrents of an upcoming third party service which will introduce an API accessible by other torrent sites as well. It's still unclear how GGF intends to compensate the content providers and copyright owners. Neither has the company revealed further information how the acquisited Peerialism and its file-sharing technology will affect The Pirate Bay.

30 Jun 2009 18:35:06 GMT

The popular all-in-one CDR / DVDR / Blu-ray application Nero has updated to version v9.4.13.2b and with it brings alot of new changes: * InCD (6.4.11.1) * InCD features operate with Administrator logon rights only. * InCD 5.5 is able to write onto DVD-RW formatted by itself. * Nero Burning ROM (9.4.13.2) * The error message: "could not get ClassID" is no longer displayed after launching Nero Burning ROM. * "Continue multisession" projects are displayed in the correct size. * Volume is correct when using the "Save Tracks" option (MP3 only). * Nero CoverDesigner (4.4.8.0) * Nero CoverDesigner startup icon is available in both Nero Burning ROM and Nero Express. * Nero CoverDesigner can be started after updating Nero 9. * Nero CoverDesigner can be started through Nero Vision. * Printer paper size options are displayed in Nero CoverDesigner. * Nero Live (1.4.41.0) * Nero Live starts as expected. * Live TV starts as expected. * Intermittent problems with receiving some TV signals is eliminated. * Nero Recode (4.4.22.0) * The option "Shutdown down computer when finished" works correctly. * *.TS files can be opened. * The error message "Out of memory" is no longer displayed during the burn process. * The error message "DirectShow error" is no longer displayed when encoding to an iPod® format. * Nero ShowTime (5.4.14.0) * The error message : "Unable to send message to parent Window" is no longer displayed during play back. * Nero StartSmart (9.4.11.6) * Volume plays as expected when using the "Save Tracks" option (MP3 only). * Nero Vision (6.4.9.0) * New Features: * Import your PowerPoint® presentations and convert to DVD-Video or BD for TV playback (requires installed Microsoft Office PowerPoint® 2003 or 2007) * Archive HD movies in highest quality AVCHD format to HDD including USB stick and flash memory card, SD Card and Memory Stick(TM), even without the use of an optical recorder * Changes/Bugfixes: * After exporting files from Nero Vision, it is possible to return to the original file. * Text effects in Nero Vision work properly after using the "static" effect. * Support for *.m2v files added to Nero Vision. * Nero Vision supports previous version project files. * *.wmf files are displayed correctly in preview window. * Nero Vision no longer prompts for DTS Plug-in when adding *.m2ts file with both Dolby and DTS audio tracks. * All *.mov files play back with audio in the preview screen. * The text effect "Space Scroller" no longer inserts white squares when line breaks are in the text. * Temporary files are removed automatically after burning to disc or to Image Recorder. * Smart3D menus play back correctly on DVD+VR. * Eliminated "runtime error" when burning large AVCHD projects. * Nero Webinstaller (4.4.8.4) * AskToolbar is only installed, when selected for installation. You can try the software here at AfterDawn: Nero v9.4.13.2b As reported yesterday, Mozilla Firefox 3.5 final is now available, bringing with it substantial changes as well: Firefox 3.5 is based on the Gecko 1.9.1 rendering platform, which has been under development for the past year. Firefox 3.5 offers many changes over the previous version, supporting new web technologies, improving performance and ease of use. Some of the notable features are: * Available in more than 70 languages. (Get your local version!) * Support for the HTML5 and elements including native support for Ogg Theora encoded video and Vorbis encoded audio. (Try it here!) * Improved tools for controlling your private data, including a Private Browsing Mode. * Better web application performance using the new TraceMonkey JavaScript engine. * The ability to share your location with websites using Location Aware Browsing. (Try it here!) * Support for native JSON, and web worker threads. * Improvements to the Gecko layout engine, including speculative parsing for faster content rendering. * Support for new web technologies such as: downloadable fonts, CSS media queries, new transformations and properties, JavaScript query selectors, HTML5 local storage and offline application storage, text, ICC profiles, and SVG transforms. You can try the software here at AfterDawn: Firefox 3.5

30 Jun 2009 18:50:58 GMT

In a surprising announcement today, Bsquare has said they will be porting Flash Lite 3 to Android phones by the "late Q3," eliminating the need for users to wait for the official Flash 10 port which still does not have a release date. Bsquare vice president of global sales Larry Stapleton added that the browser plug-in should be available for current Android phone owners as well. "Our intent is to try to get these guys to market faster by using this base port," Stapleton added. Flash Lite 3 can render Flash Player 8 files meaning files that require 9 or 10 will not work on the handsets. However, Stapleton says "a large subset of what's on the Web today will render in a pleasing way for the end consumer."

30 Jun 2009 19:10:48 GMT

According to a new Siliconera report, Sony has patented a new method that would allow the Cell processor of the PlayStation 3 to fully emulate the Emotion Engine, bringing full backwards compatibility for PSX and PS2 games. The patent was filed in December of last year, and Spencer Yip adds: "Figure 2 from the patent is a schematic drawing of how the system works. Figure 3A is a drawing of the PlayStation 2's chipset. Figure 3B is the emotion engine. Figure 4 is where the whole story gets interesting!"It's 'an example of a host system based on a cell processor that may be configured to emulate the target system.' The target is figure 3B, the Emotion Engine." (Source and pictures at the end of the article) Although the patent may end up being nothing, but it could also possibly mean that a new hardware model may include the backwards compatibility, possibly even the oft rumored PS3 Slim. We will certainly keep you updated. Siliconera report with original pics:

30 Jun 2009 19:56:11 GMT

According to new data from Charter Equity Research analyst Edward Snyder, sales of the Palm Pre are beating all expectations, with the number almost doubling all previous analyst estimates. The highly anticipated smartphone was launched the first week of June and analysts conservatively estimated 150,000 units sold so far. Snyder says the number is set to break 300,000 soon. Palm is producing 15,000 units every day, Snyder adds and expects one million sales in the device's launch quarter. Palm has had two straight years of quarterly losses but hype over the Palm has sent the company's stock to a 52-week high at $16.50 USD.

30 Jun 2009 22:03:59 GMT

Earlier today we reported that the infamous public torrent tracker The Pirate Bay had been sold to the software company Global Gaming Factory X, who then decided to shut down the tracker and remove its torrents. Responding very quickly to user requests for it, the admins of the Pirate Bay have now added a "user deletion" option for those users who do not want any part of the new "legal" Pirate Bay. Says the blog: "We are going to build a user deletion interface later today. Many people have asked about having their account removed and we will not force anyone to stay on of course. However, we also want to point out that we have no logs of anything, no personal data will be transferred in the eventual sale (since no personal data is kept). So no need to be worried for safety. We always care for that. It also feels a bit sad to see the comments on the previous blog entry. We understand that you're upset. But we have reasons to do this that we cannot ignore. We need to keep the site going and this is the only working alternative. We cannot finance the growth of the site anymore and we cannot back down. The only way is up and this is the only route to that place. The support we had, is support we still need. We've been fighting for years for you; and yes; you have supported us in that endeavor. We still need you, even if you abandon the site. The important thing is that you keep sharing and keep on saving the internets. We will try to do that, but right now, we need and deserve a break. Some things needs to be reborn and rebooted. Let's make this into something good!"

30 Jun 2009 11:45:00 EST

After some rather impressive RC builds, Firefox 3.5 is all packaged up and ready for public consumption. Mozilla is saying its new browser is more than two times faster than Firefox 3, but what has us more excited is the support for plugin-free "open codec" video and audio playback using Ogg Vorbis and Ogg Theora-- it's still in its infancy, but the subtle glimpse we've seen so far of a world without Flash video reducing our CPU to jelly is rather compelling. Desktops, LaptopsFirefox 3.5 arrives originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

30 Jun 2009 18:46:00 EST

Desktops, LaptopsChina delays plan for mandatory "Green Dam" internet filter originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

29 Jun 2009 17:40:22 GMT

If you have switched mobile phone brands anytime recently, you will surely have encountered the annoyance of needing to buy a new proprietary charger, either for your wall, your car, or for your PC. That problem will be coming to an end in Europe as of 2010, as 10 of the largest mobile phone companies have submitted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to the European Commission that means a new universal charger will be available, revolving around the Micro-USB connector. The ten companies are: Apple, LG, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and Texas Instruments. "I am very pleased that industry has found an agreement, which will make life much simpler for consumers," adds the EC's Gunter Verheugen, via a FAQ. "They will be able to charge mobile phones anywhere from the new common charger. This also means considerably less electronic waste because people will no longer have to throw away chargers when buying new phones." The FAQ does note that the MoU is only relevant to the EU however they hope the move will spread elsewhere. "The MoU covers the territory of the EU. However, as the market for mobile phones is essentially global, the MoU should be seen as a good model for other geographical markets. The Commission is committed to sharing this approach with its trading partners, in order to extend its benefits world-wide," adds the FAQ.

29 Jun 2009 19:15:37 GMT

Microsoft has announced the addition of Canal+ to Xbox Live in France, allowing French gamers to watch films and soccer on demand from their consoles. The move follows a similar deal with the British broadcaster BSkyB just a few weeks ago. With the deal, Xbox Live users in the nation will have access to 3000 films, dramas as well as French Ligue 1 soccer games. Microsoft says Xbox Live currently has over 17 million members globally. The company says the Canal+ deal is just a start for partnerships with Canal+ owner Vivendi.

29 Jun 2009 23:12:00 GMT

Mozilla has announced it will be releasing the final version of Firefox 3.5 tomorrow, the very last day of its own self imposed deadline. The release comes little over a year after the official release of Firefox 3.0 and the distribution was accelerated by the quick release of release candidates, most of which were sent to users running 3.0. Firefox 3.5, originally dubbed 3.1 but changed when more and more features were added to the release, will include a "faster JavaScript engine called TraceMonkey; a privacy mode, which some call "porn mode" for one of its more obvious applications; and location-aware browsing." Also notably, the updated browser will include HTML5 support and other enhanced scripting features. According to recent Net Applications statistics, Firefox owns 22.51 of current browser market share, behind the clear leader Internet Explorer at 65.5 percent but taking more share every day.