Activision Blizzard questioning PS3/PSP support in 2010 and beyond? [Gasps!]

Now before you jump off your computer chair and smash your face on the monitor, know that Activision Blizzard is not leaving Sony, the PS3, or the PSP…yet.  However, an Activision Blizzard future without Sony products may not be too far fetched or too far off.  According to Bobby Kotick, Activision Blizzard’s CEO:

I’m getting concerned about Sony; the PlayStation 3 is losing a bit of momentum and they don’t make it easy for me to support the platform. It’s expensive to develop for the console, and the Wii and the Xbox are just selling better. Games generate a better return on invested capital on the Xbox than on the PlayStation…When we look at 2010 and 2011, we might want to consider if we support [PS3 and PSP].

AT&T iPhone Tethering plans to cost $55? MMS in mid July? [Rumor]

It’s that time again folks, time to get out your trust salt shaker and place one little grain in front of you.  Gruber, the brains behind Daring Fireball, has revealed some pretty interesting if not disappointing information concerning AT&T and the drama laced iPhoen tethering plans.  Before we get to the real meat of the story, lets first look at MMS.  According to Mr. Gruber, MMS for iPhone’s and AT&T unity will start getting all lovey dovey in mid-July — not late summer like previously mentioned.  And so we get to the issue of tethering.  Oh tethering….

Technologically incompitent court pings Jamie Thomas’s wallet to the tune of $1.92 million

While the legallity of Miss. Thomas’s actions were always in doubt, the real focus of the cases, (at least in my point of view), was how many songs would she be fined for and how much?  Sadly, the judge and jury apparently don’t know the meaning of the word “reasonable” as the fine per song for Jamie climbed from the already proposterous $9,250 to a plain money grabbing $80,000 per song bringing the grand total to $1.92 million (24 songs x $80,000).  From the reactions by Jamie and her lawyer, it appears that their will be an appeal as well as a seperate trial as to the legallity of such over-inflated fines.  There is not a single piece of music anywhere that is worth more than $10 for a single song.  $80,000, your simply ridiculous and out of touch with reality.  While it is pretty obvious the Jamie download some songs, I hope she can at least get the fine down.  As she stated:

Good luck trying to get it from me… it’s like squeezing blood from a turnip

After lengthy trials and appeals with more on the horizon, I don’t think the labels are going to be able to get anywhere near the awarded amount anytime soon.  You?

Source: Ars Technica

Apple once again underclocks iPhone

The iPhone 3G S’s claim to fame was the upgraded processor, graphics chip, and support for higher speed data networks.  After the early reviews started trickling out, it was apparent that the noticable speed increases to the everyday human being were generalized as a “pleasant” bump.  To some it was a dissappointment as they were hoping to be blown away in new found speed.  That is not the case however.  The original iPhone and iPhone 3G had processors clocked at roughly 400MHz.  Though many believed it could be pushed up to 600MHz.  Instead, the 3G S ups it to around 600MHz with the new ARM Cortex A8, however, if pushed will reach up to 833MHz.  Why didn’t Apple bump it up a tad more?  Obviously battery life and heat have to be taken into consideration.  Besides the processor, the breakdown by Rapid Repair also revealed that if Apple would have so chosen, new 3G S users would have been able to record in 720p instead of the admirable yet somehow disheartening VGA resolution.  Still, it leaves me wanting more from this little wonder device.  Are you just  a tad let down that Apple didn’t tap the full potential of the new iPhone’s innards?  Does it seem like several chances to really make the new iPhone amazing were squandered?

Source: Engadget

Samsung finally lifts the veil on their 32GB DDR3 memory

While most consumers and even some mid to higher end users won’t ever come close to utilizing 32GB worth of RAM, the bragging rights alone are pretty sweet.  Besides, who doesn’t want to brag that they have 32GB of RAM inside their computer?  The feat was accomplished with 72, yes 72 4Gb nand chips layed out like ducks in a row in order to bring that 32GB threshold into reality.  Besides the higher storage, the sticks boast a lower 1.5 volt power draw which means good ‘ol mother earth can still love you.  Pricing and actual release dates are still veiled behind Samsung’s inviso-wall.  Still, the knowledge of knowing what is to come is pretty tantilizing, isn’t it?

Source: Engadget, i4U

Visto Themes releases BB Pre for 8900 & Bold

Those of you wanting the crisp style of the Pre with undertones of BlackBerry appeal will find Visto Theme’s latest “BB Pre” theme to be quite the catcher.  Featuring Corey’s trademarked slim style banner and big, beautiful icons, BB Pre will give your BlackBerry a new lease on life and a pretty face to boot.  The theme features a bottom dock with the now standard, fully user customizable icons and nice simple yet graphically intense menus.  The CrackBerry Store is beckoning you…just be sure to bring $6.99 with you. 

[Purchase BB Pre]

Source: Crack Berry

And the waiting begins – The iLife Blog kicks off iPhone 3G S line at NY 5th Ave. Apple Store

The first iPhone drew massive crowds will people coming from all walks of life: tall, short, little, fat, smart, not so smart, etc.  You name it, they were there.  When the iPhone 3G rolled around, it appeared that just as many if not more people again risked the elements and their personal health to be one of the first to grab a hold of Apple’s latest iDevice.  As the now yearly iPhone launch eve is upon us, we can sit back and reflect on the last two years and iPhone releases as to what made those previous models so darn tempting.  The original was obviously the best smartphone release ever as it was a truly revolutionary device at it’s time.  The 3G was a pretty big update bringing the speed that many requested allowing web browsing actually be useful over AT&T’s network.  And so we come to the iPhone 3G S.  On the outside it is the same beast, but the real beauty lies inside the pretty, if not slightly outdated styled case.  The biggest hardware improvements bring actual processing speed as well as data speeds.  The rest are provided by software that is available to previous 3G and 1st gen owners which begs the question, who is going to upgrade? 

Those of you eager to follow non-stop live action of the iPhone 3G S line waiting event can follow The iLife Blog and feel as if you yourself are sitting on the rain soaked concrete, umbrella in hand, and geeky smile in tow. 

The iLife Blog would like to let you know that at least one of their faithful and diligent writers will in fact be doing just that.  They are proud to be the first in line at NY’s 5th Ave. Apple Store where they have already been interviewed by the likes of Engadget, CNN, The New York Times, Reuters, Bloomberg, and Fortune.  So tell me, are the minor improvements enough to make you do the line dance a 3rd year?  Or, are you going to sit this one out.  Of course, you could always be faking everyone out by enjoying the convenience of pre-orders and instead welcoming the launch in your humble abode footed PJ’s and all…right?  Gibralter….you excited?

Source: Engadget