Galaxy Spica and Modern Warfare 2 Communicator

I got androids from a different galaxy and pixelized army men in the tech news today for you!

Samsung's Android: Galaxy Spica

I say it once and I'll say it again: Android will rule the mobile world; whether it be through smartphones, eBook Readers, or anything else. It's no surprise that Samsung is presenting its newest Android powered mobile phone called the Galaxy Spica.

Samsung Galaxy Spica provides an exceptional multimedia experience by supporting DivX for the first time on Android-powered phones to eliminate the hassle of file format conversions. Equipped with DNSe 2.0 for better sound quality and 3.5 mm ear jack, the Galaxy Spica offers the fully comprehensive multimedia feature set. Moreover, a long enough battery life (1500mAh) allows its users to enjoy all the applications and multimedia content. The phone also boasts its slim and compact design with mere 13.2 mm thickness.

Yes folks, you read it right: there is DivX support in this one. I'm expecting good quality videos once this little baby rolls out.

Xbox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Throat Communicator

I know that a majority of you techies are gamers too and with that knowledge, I know that you have Modern Warfare 2 set up. Since this is priomarily a tech blog, we'll discuss some gadgets that can be associated with the game. Here's one that we were able to check out on: The XBox 360 Modern Warfare 2 Throat Communicator.

It may look uncomfortable, but according to reviewers at Amazon, it works great!

1) The neckpiece fits nice and snug. It is not adjustable as it's suppose to be in good contact right by your throat. I'm of average build and it fit perfectly. Even if you're a bit skinnier or heavier I'm sure it will fit comfortably still.
2) The earpiece also fit nicely. Unlike most earbud headphones, these do no have different sized ear pieces to make it fit any better in your ear. The size you see on the box is the only size you get.
3) The earbud goes to your left ear which felt weird at first being that I was used to an OEM headset for the last 4 years.

Samsung Galaxy Spica Press Release
Xbox 360 MW2 Communicator

Xbox Adapter Confirmed! PS3 Gold!

What kind of tech blog would this be if I won't cover gaming platforms? I mean they are still techie items right? Okay, what I have is a confirmed rumor for the Xbox 360 and a shiny one for the PS3 Slim.

Xbox 360 Wireless Adapter is True!

If you remember last time, I posted about an accidental posting of an Xbox 360 802.11n adapter at Costco's site a few days ago. Well, it seems that it was true after all.

"After the item mysteriously appeared in a UK supermarket this weekend, Microsoft has finally offered a North American release date for the Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter -- and it's right now. Or, rather, "this week," as the announcement puts it. The new version of the official Wi-Fi adapter will retail for the same $99.99 that the first version commanded (though Amazon has it for $87.99 right now, and the old one at $76.49)."

The price was not quite what I expected (we thought it would go on $88) and I think that's the reason why it was pulled in the first place.

24 Karat PS3

For those gamers (or the parents of those gamers) that weren't that quite affected by the recession and those with extremely deep pockets may want to take a look at this one.

"Damn cool gold PS3 Slim, I should say. If you are mad for gold, this 24K goldcoated PS3 Slim edition will surely blow you away and It will eventually cost you a small fortune to own it as the Gold edition is available in limited 5 pieces only!"

No price yet but I'm willing to bet some little princes and princesses are having their butlers line up just to bid on one.

Xbox Adapter confirmed
PS3 Gold Edition 

Rumors: iPhone 3GS 8GB by Xmas and XBox 360 New Adapter

Welcome to the part of the tech blogging life where we take a look at leaks and rumors. We've got two excellent of each with the Xbox 360 802.11n adapter and the Apple iPhone 3GS 8GB.

AT&T releasing an iPhone 3GS 8GB before Christmas?

It seems that Verizon's Motorola Droid special have a lot of people in AT & T quaking in their digital boots. Although I never thought that Motorola's Droid would make such an effect on the mobile phone landscape, but I'm willing to bet it's no the hardware rather it's the Android 2.0 that's really moving and grooving the hype on this phone.

This has obviously gotten attention from AT& T, the official carrier for Apple's iPhone 3GS and as early as now, they're already making moves to make sure that people go for their phone over Verizon's. The move? As reported by BGR:

"Definitely not confirmed, but rather interesting nonetheless. We’ve heard now from two sources that AT&T, and we guess Apple, are contemplating launching an 8GB iPhone 3GS at the $99 price point before Christmas. One source said this was AT&T’s way of combating the DROID madness."

If this is true, they'll likely get a lot of people go for their phone over Verizon's. That is, until Verizon matches their pricing and service; then it would be a very interesting Christmas indeed.

Peek a boo, I see an Xbox 360 802.11n adapter!

We're not really sure if this one is a leak, a misprint, or the real deal but it sure is interesting: an Xbox360 802.11n was put up at Costco's site for a few minutes then eventually pulled down. Reason? No one's sure.

"After discretely showing up on US retail sites and subsequently managing to drop off into internet obscurity, the 802.11n-compliant peripheral has returned to the scene via Costco's site, this time with a November 10th shipping date and a more attractive than before $88 price tag."

We'll see on November 10 what this whole thing is really about.

iPhone 3GS 8GB Source
XBox 360 Adapter source

Xbox 360 Dashboard: Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, and Zune!

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Isn't there anything that Social Network Services (SNS) like Facebook, Twitter, etc. won't touch? It's not a surprise that tech, social, and gaming geeks have come full circle in Microsoft's Xbox 360 Dashboard coming soon.

Facebook's even better on Xbox 360!

From what I gathered from Joystick's preview is that the Facebook integration is even better on the Xbox 360 than it is on the PC!

Whereas the dot com site is plagued by a sluggish AJAX design, the Xbox app loads photos and galleries instantly, making it much faster and easier to browse through your friend's pics. On the Facebook website, you'll see ads clutter the screen as you browse individual photos. On the Xbox, however, each photo gets the full-screen treatment, with captions minimally presented at the top of the screen.

What's even better is that in the future, games will autopost via "Facebook Connect" all your game achievements and gameplay videos. Talk about bragging to the world that you've pawned the biggest and baddest boss in the game, eh?

Twitter's a small bird, Last.fm's ok, Zune Marketplace rocks!

Twitter is such a big phenomenon online but in the Xbox 360, it amounts to nothing more than a vanilla version of itself. Yes, you can post and read your friend's status and trending topics but that's it. No clicking on links nor viewing pictures. Ouch.

Another "why bother" is the installation of Last.fm. You can listen to music and view slideshows of the band/performer but there's no way you'll be playing music while playing a game. Sorry but you can't listen to your fave Barry Manilow song while killing zombies.

Besides Facebook, the saving grace of Xbox 360 seems to be the Zune Marketplace. Video and music downloaded to your Xbox 360 and then transferred to your Zune. Sorry rental lovers but this is only for purchased items only. If you don't have a Zune, you can still watch movies running at 1080p--yep streaming movies! It's not a Sony DVD Blu-ray killer (yet!) as the quality is not yet as high.

Source

Wii and Xbox 360 Elite Holidays Rumors

With the PS3 generating good news finally, it seems that the competition is reacting. Both Nintendo and Microsoft are gearing to take the thunder from Sony and be on top of every game geek's Christmas list.

Wii slashing prices?

Image by manu contreras via Flickr

Most gaming geeks I know already have a Wii and is so far enjoying it. Those who don't have one are either casual gamers or aren't interested because a $299 price is just too high for them to even try it out. If engadget's mole is real, then Nintendo's going to do something about that.

For nearly three years now, the console has sold briskly at $249.99, but beginning on September 27th at Best Buy (and everywhere else, naturally), the happy-go-lucky machine will be offered for just $199.99.

Now who else wouldn't have a Wii in the house?

Xbox 360 Elite Rumors

Image via Wikipedia

On Microsoft's side, the XBOX 360 is looking waaay towards December with the news (coming from another mole) that they'll be bundling Lego Batman and Pure with the XBOX 360 Elite!

The Mole has also chimed in with some more info on Microsoft's plans. Starting in the middle of October we'll be seeing an Elite system bundled with copies of both Pure and Lego Batman, giving you a little more value for your $300 through Christmas.

And they also have price decreasing rumors as well! The 802.11g will be going down to $79.99 and the reason is the new 802.11n adaptor coming to stores at a $100 price.

The hardware will feature two antennae for better reception, and should help deliver the bandwidth needed to stream 1080p video instantly, as Microsoft claims is possible with the upcoming Zune video store update to the Xbox 360.

There we have it, gaming companies are raring for the Holidays and here we are waiting for their confirmation. Looks like it's going to be a busy Christmas.

Source for Wii price decrease
Source for Xbox 360 Elite Rumors