Apple quietly updates MacBook

New MacBook revealed today, as previously leaked on the world wide internet webby thing that we all use. It is listed as shipping within 24 hours, with a price of £849. That asking price gets you the white MacBook with a new 2.4GHz speed, 2GB of RAM, 250GB hard drive and a SuperDrive. The biggest change has to be the NVidia GeForce 320M graphics with 256MB of shared memory. This should boost performance a great deal. A great little laptop from Apple here, that'll keep you going all day with a 10-hour quoted battery life.

Of note, this is the same speed as the entry level unibody MacBook Pro. So if you can live without the aluminium body, SD card slot and extra 2GB RAM, you can save your £150. Hmmm, now that makes it a little more difficult to choose.

This also just leaves the MacBook Air and Mac Mini needing updates now. It has got me thinking that Apple may well wait a few months, then refresh these two with Core i3 processors, closely followed within six months from now with the i3 being introduced to the MacBook and 13-inch MacBook Pros.

Microsoft’s Project Natal Could Cost $200

I just read over on Mashable that Microsoft's Project Natal could cost the equivalent of almost $200, so for those of us here in the UK, that'll equate to, errr, £200 at the current exchange rate.

In all seriousness, I find the whole Project Natal thing intriguing. From the demonstrations it looked like quite a nice way to interact with a new breed of games. Certainly a step forward from the wiggle your Wii remote in any direction and it works. More of an intelligent way to move around a game and to perhaps have a sword fight with someone. It is due out really soon, but if the price is this high then they are onto a loser. I would have liked to see Natal as a £50 add-on if you are purchasing with a console, or a maximum of £79 as a standalone unit. At least that way it is within the reach of most gamers budget.

Of course Sony are trying their luck too, with their Move Motion and Navigation controllers. These are more like a direct take on the Wii controllers, but without the wire that you have connecting the two together. They certainly do look funky, I just hope that they work well and get some great game support.

So, it seems like game console manufacturers are not currently looking for the next level of hardware with improved graphics (well not telling us yet), rather they are trying to enhance their current consoles. It looks like an interesting time for gaming as we all get to try out these new control methods.

T-Mobile & Blockbuster made my night for just a fiver!

 I love gaming, my second love is a good film, something like a few rounds of COD followed by sitting down to Avatar is pretty much all it takes to make my night perfect. On some occasions though I find myself at a loose end and fancy a change, but I just hate buying a game at full price and finding it is rubbish, so rental is sometimes the way to go. So, being on T-Mobile with my HTC Desire I took advantage of their special night in deal. To keep it simple, you have to text this special number and then they text you back a voucher code. Then you head on down to Blockbuster and you get a game and a film for two nights, plus a bottle of pop, some popcorn and a bag of the sugary stuff, all for just a fiver. This is just fantastic VFM.

I went for Avatar the Game for the PS3, having watched the film I really fancied a look at the game. Actually it was pretty fun, some awesome graphics and nice gameplay. The only downside are that the controls were a little hit and miss, but both myself and my mate had a blast at it. The film of choice just had to be The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, something weird and far out to go along with the popcorn. This film is so weird, following the life and adventures of the crazy doctor who has made a deal with the devil for eternal life. They travel around with this weird sideshow that takes visitors into another world. A plus point for myself is that Verne Troyer plays the part of Percy and I really like him as an actor. Although the storyline is quite hard to grasp, there are some wonderful visuals in the film that make it a very worthwhile watch. Even if I had paid £5 for just the film and game, I would rate it a bargain. The fact that you get drink, popcorn and sweets thrown into the mix, make it a no brainer. Thanks T-Mobile !

Full details of the deal are below, or simply follow this link.

  • Rent a movie and a game, and grab some snacks – all for £5
  • Pick a movie and a game, or 2 movies – for 2 nights
  • Grab a bottle of cola, bag of popcorn and a bag of sweets
  • Get this offer every single week, between Monday-Thursday
  • Just text ‘NIGHT IN’ to 3000 for free, get your voucher code and pop in to your local Blockbuster store
  • It’s that simple – and exclusive to T-Mobile Customers
  • You'll need to be a T-Mobile customer and a member of Blockbuster to take advantage of this offer
  • Simply text 'NIGHT IN' to 3000 for free. We'll send you a voucher code by text, which you have to show on your mobile phone in your local Blockbuster store to claim your 5 for £5

Olympus PEN E-P2 now available in stylish silver

Next week the E-P2, until now only cloaked in classic black, will also be available in silver. The camera unites the power and performance of an SLR with the ease and spontaneity of a compact.
To enrich photographic potential, the E-P2 includes an accessory port to clip on accessories such as an electronic viewfinder and a microphone adapter. It also enlivens creative impulses through two additional Art Filters and supplements ease of use with further innovative options. Now available in silver, like its predecessor the E-P1, the hybrid photo and HD Movie shooting Olympus E-P2 boldly brings fun and simplicity back in SLR quality. It’s a legend in the making – and available from mid May 2010 for £699.99 including the M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm 1:3.5-5.6 lens.

UK iPad Pre-Orders Start Today

In case you didn't know, UK (and other countries) can pre-order the iPad today, for delivery on the 28th May 2010. A very exciting day for all those who have waited instead of importing a device from the US.

So for the UK, WiFi only versions weigh in at £429, £499 and £599 for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models respectively. If you want to add 3G into the mix, then the pricing is £100 higher on all models. This makes them £529, £599 and £699 for either the 16GB, 32GB or 64GB capacity.

Some people have been complaining that here in the UK we are being ripped off. Well, just to clarify, UK prices include sales tax, whereas in the US they do not. Sales tax in the US varies from area to area, typically around 8%. If you take this into account, we are paying about an extra £40 here. However, if you import one yourself and find customs asking you to pay import duty, then expect an average bill of £60 to £70. The only way you could save some money is if you have a friend who lives in Delaware, where the current sales tax is 0%. However, even with the saving, you will still have to pay for a courier to bring you your new toy.

Orange UK Announces Data Plans For Ipad Wi-Fi + 3G

Orange today announced that it is extending its partnership with Apple to offer new iPad plans for customers in the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Switzerland. The partnership between Orange and Apple, which has already seen iPhone launch with Orange in 30 countries across Europe, Middle East and Africa, will extend later in 2010 with the launch of iPad in additional Orange markets.

Orange UK will offer tailored 3G data plans for iPad Wi-Fi + 3G, from 10th May, and will launch a pre-registration site for SIM’s at Orange.co.uk/iPad. Pay-as-you-consume, daily, weekly and monthly data plans will be available, providing the freedom to choose a type of plan depending on usage. 

Daily = £2 per day for 200MB allowance
Weekly = £7.50 for 1GB allowance
Monthly 15 = £15 per month for 3GB allowance (+ unlimited WiFi at hotspots)
Monthly 25 = £25 per month for 10GB allowance  (+ unlimited WiFi at hotspots)

iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface. iPad Wi-Fi + 3G models are just 0.5 inches thick and weigh just 1.6 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook—and deliver up to 10 hours of battery life for surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching videos or listening to music, and up to nine hours of surfing the web using a 3G data network.*

Orange, recently recognised as the best mobile broadband provider in the UK by Independent research firm YouGov, will offer micro-SIMs for iPad free of charge to consumers. From the 10th May, the micro-SIMs can be ordered from Orange shops, www.orange.co.uk/shop and Orange telesales, as well as directly from Apple. Customers will be able to register their micro-SIMs by calling Orange customer service on 07973 100 150.

iPad users will also benefit from access to Orange iPad apps, including Orange Wednesday’s, the popular 2-for-1 cinema ticket offer; Your Account, which allows users to track usage and purchase data bundles; and Orange Wi-Fi hotspot locator. 

iPad Available in Nine More Countries on May 28th

Apple today announced that iPad will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK on Friday, May 28th. Customers can pre-order all iPad models from Apple’s online store in all nine countries beginning on Monday, May 10th. In the US, Apple has already sold over one million iPads and customers have downloaded over 12 million apps from the App Store, as well as over 1.5 million ebooks from the new iBookstore.

iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface. iPad is 0.5 inches thin and weighs just 1.5 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook—and delivers up to 10 hours of battery life.*

The App Store on iPad lets you wirelessly browse, buy and download new apps from the world’s largest app store. iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for iPad and will run almost all of the more than 200,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for your iPhone or iPod touch. Developers have created more than 5,000 exciting new apps designed for iPad that take advantage of its Multi-Touch interface, large screen and high-quality graphics.

Pricing & Availability 
iPad is available in the UK for a suggested retail price of £429 (inc. VAT) for 16GB, £499 (inc. VAT) for 32GB, £599 (inc. VAT) for 64GB for Wi-Fi models and £529 (inc. VAT) for 16GB, £599 (inc. VAT) for 32GB and £699 (inc. VAT) for 64GB for Wi-Fi + 3G models. iPad will be sold through the Apple Store, Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorised Resellers. The iBooks app for iPad including Apple’s iBookstore will be available as a free download from the App Store on May 28th.

Apple plans to release iPad in Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore in July. Apple will announce availability, local pricing and pre-order plans for these nine additional countries at a later date.

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

Geekanoids May 2010 Competition

Geekanoids May 2010 Competition - win a Griffin Technology iPod & iPhone Case. Watch the video, answer the question, and one lucky winner stands the chance of getting hold of two Griffin cases. The iClear for the iPod touch and the Elan Form Graphite for the iPhone 3G or 3GS. 


Entries by message please (not via comment). Competition is open to all. Closing date is midnight on 31st May 2010. Winner will be randomly selected from correct answers. No cash or alternative prize available.

Prize Supplied by: Griffin Technology

Apple iPhone 4 Revealed - 4th Generation Video & Photos

Apple iPhone 4th Generation Leaked - Gizmodo Exclusive. So it seems as though Gizmodo got hold of a 4G Apple iPhone that was left in a bar and they published a whole set of photos and videos and a real in-depth look at the new device. Check out my video about it here.


Then head on over to the Gizmodo website for the full article here.

Apple's letter asking them to return the device is here.

Hardware manufacturer website: Apple