Recent Comments:
Amazon leaks specs, delivery, and price for Canon's EOS 40D {Engadget}
Aug 19th 2007 11:06AM Its a far superior spec to the D80 and given Canons reputation, the image quality will be superior also.
The PlayStation 3 "probably" won't be last in console race {Joystiq Playstation}
Jul 1st 2007 7:32AM My take is that the 360 will take it by a nose but there won't be a clear winner this generation like the previous two. A few points I feel true;
a. Yes, the PS3 will get a price cut but so will the 360 and a heavier one given its interior redesign due soon. Only the increased availability of the blue laser has lowered Sonys costs significantly.
b. The Wii will run out of steam big-time. Like many here believe, its running on hype not content and its going to look poorer and poorer. Like the Gamecube, it'll trundle along on sporadic first-party releases and will suffer from a very low game attachment rate. Third-party publishers will shy away outside of Japan. Inside Japan they're pulling titles away from the PS3 and not harming the 360 at all.
c. Sony have real problems. The PS3 is drawing criticisms in all its markets and underperforming everywhere but they can't afford a big price cut due to the corporations current finances and any price cutting will need to be justified by reduced component costs. Unfortunately, MS may not have the flashy bits inside but they're devestatingly effective, well balanced and cheap to manufacture. Kutaragi got it plain wrong and is prime proof that an engineer shouldn't be left in total control of a consumer product.
d. Is the PS3 really capable of bettering the 360's games performance anyway? Its common knowledge the 360's graphics chip is superior and as any PC gamer knows, thats far more important than a few extra bhp on the cpu. Sony have positioned the PS3 as a gaming powerhouse but where's the evidence?
For what its worth (not much I know), I believe the Wii will still come last and the PS3 will pick up when its price drops heavily, but the 360 will deservedly come home. As much as many hate Microsoft, they've specced a great machine, tailored to the market, cost-effective, provided excellent developer support and nurtured an enthusiastic fan-base. Basically, its a complete package.
Panasonic Prez Sayz: Small market for high-def DVDs {Engadget HD}
Aug 22nd 2006 12:13PM Dual play HD-DVD/DVD discs will be the killer. Paying a dollar or two more for a DVD that has a HD-DVD version on it for later use will allow continued high sales of DVD and a nice base for HD-DVD to build on with continuing generations of cheaper players.
For me, looked at like that, Blu-Ray with its fixed-format discs and $1000+ players is looking a little shakey. HD-DVD needs an influx of top titles now to seal a win.
Sony to halt plasma TV production {Engadget HD}
Aug 3rd 2006 11:21AM Nice? Really?
Sony's plasmas have always been considered in the UK to be second-tier behind Panasonic, Pioneer and Hitachi and generally fully in keeping with Sonys corporate arrogance of believing the Sony badge was good enough to make up the shortfall. Selling 42" plasmas with a fancy surround for double the superior competition is a tactic designed to ensnare the vain and the stupid. It isn't working and won't be in future either as the Sony name has no more cachet than any of the other top Japanese brands any more. Goes some way to explaining Sony's current general position in my opinion.
King Tut and The Pink Panther: Only one involves Steve Martin {Cinematical}
Mar 9th 2006 8:54PM The original Pink Panther films were damn funny, especially from the middle of the series. Sellers, Kwouk and co. made some of the funniest movies ever with some scenes that will go down in comedy history.
Martin, however, has sucked for years and with the exception of the excellent Bowfinger, has shown no signs of getting out of the rut. If you're getting a rep for not being funny don't take on roles previously played by geniuses like Phil Silvers and Peter Sellers. You were close in your prime but they're well over the horizon now mate.
Apple Intel Mac mini hands on {Engadget}
Feb 28th 2006 6:27PM To be honest, my main issue is what its always been with these; value.
With Aopen and now Shuttle bringing out similar boxes, why bother with the Mac? Exactly what does this do that a PC can't? Nothing.
Add a 17" LCD to one of these and you're well north of a grand. Its inexcusable to offer such low spec components at this level in the name of aesthetics. I mean, would anybody really be bothered if this thing was just 50% bigger? Bit of space for a graphics processor on a riser card, or a 3.5" hard drive or a mini digital tv tuner.
IMHO, a wasted opportunity to improve the overall concept. What with Canons 30D camera, its twice i've been let down this week by unambitious sucessors.
