Dell and Google Deal

Dell and Google have signed a deal to help take on the Microsoft giant. This new deal between Google and Dell means that all PC’s shipped by Dell will come preinstalled with Google software. The software will include the Google toolbar and also a custom Google company home page. This is to take on the default Microsoft sites you see on most pre installed Windows PC’s.

Seems like a great idea to me! Google will do well from this as 90% of PC’s ship with MS software and are pre configured to a lot of default MS products such as IE, Media Player as well as others.

Microsoft is planning to build it’s latest IE (Version 7) which will have search features built in to it.

The battle continues!! Will be interesting to see things unfold over the coming years especially with Windows Vista being just around the corner.

Barclays Bank Anti-Virus Deal

Barclays bank in the UK are now offering AntiVirus from F-Secure and also giving a 2 year subscription included. This is down to a deal for 1.6Million licences.

Also Barclays is bringing out a new service which sends the user a text message each time money is moved with their account details.

F-Secure released statistics to show that just over 55% of internet users do not have any sort of virus protection. All Barclays ibank users… check your post soon.

Playstation 3 and Card Games

Sony are introducing a cool game when the PS3 launches later this year. The games makes use of a real deck of cards and a camera (Eye Cards). The game, named “The Eye of Judgement” makes the cards come to life as mythical charachters on screen, thanks to the inbuilt camera on the PS3.

As seen above, the game makes use of the real deck of cards. I personally think this might be an excellent way forwards for some type of games although the same should be able to be acomplished on the PS2 and I wouldnt mind seeing this game appear on there. The Eye Toy on the PS2 is such a classic device that it had to take off big style.

What used to be imagined in your mind is now displayed on the screen.

The way the game works is by placing cards on to the 3 x 3 board in front of you. The camera reads a code from the back of the card which is then converted in to an onscreen charachter (see image above).

Even better news is that the game should be made in to an online game… although Sony are working on how to stop the opponent from cheating.

Keep checking back for more news on the Sony Playstation 3 (PS3) due out November 2006.

iTrip to still be banned in UK?

The iTrip is banned in the UK although it is easily obtainable over the internet. The iTrip sits on top of your iPod (or acts as a docking station) and transmits the signal to your FM radio making the connection wireless between iPod and radio.

FM transmitters have been banned in the UK since about the 40’s because of having to pay to use the frequencies. The LibDem’s have insisted that ofcom provide more details (compelling evidence) of the problems with using it in the UK.

BT to install Broadband to UK Cities. Cheap VOIP maybe??

BT have announced that they are to install wifi networks and broadband connections in several major cities in the UK. These are Leeds, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Cardiff and London’s Westminster area. As with most business decisions, this decision aims to boost revenue and push mobile device sales and use in the future. The implementation of the networks will be done in stages with an initial 12 cities piloting the scheme. According to BT,they are already in discussion with other places to install their blanket network, so watch this space for this being available near you.

BT Fusion may be made compatible with this new service allowing cheaper calls from a mobile network while connected to a wifi hotspot. The current BT Fusion works over Blue Tooth when in range of your home or office.

Other firms such as The Cloud are already operating in a few cities across the UK.

It will be interesting to see exactly how much is charged for this service. From past experience, wifi has been a tad on the expensive side. We will have to wait and see!

Current prices for Wi-Fi access on contract is £6.99/Month for a single device or £9.99/Month for multiple devices. (Updated July 2008)

Toy Tommy 20 (Tommy Gun) - Now we are Talking :)

Just been browsing around Firebox.com and came across this cool looking Tommy Gun. What a laugh

The Tommy 20 fires 20 harmless sucker style slugs and can shoot in rapid succesion with its battery powered design. It looks pretty easy to use and would be great for play with mates, kids or to pounce on that unsuspecting passerby…..either way it looks like a good laugh. Check it out with the links above!

Apple is moving ALL laptops to Intel

Apple has introduced the new MacBook laptop which is set to replace the current iBook series. All models of the MacBook will be rolled out with Intel processors. The 13-inch widescreen MacBooks feature Intel Core Duo chips, with prices starting at $1099.

Apple are attempting to cash in on the student market by rolling these out ready for the new school year, therefore they should be available by September 2006.