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iPhone Unlocked UK and US Users Rejoice!

This afternoon a new hack was released for the Apple IPhone that essentially makes it possible now for someone to get one, and use any cellular provider rather than being locked into ATT.

The iPhoneSIMfree.com team called us up to prove their claim that they cracked Apple’s iPhone SIM lock system, and prove it they did. (No, we don’t have a copy of the unlock software, so don’t even ask us, ok?) The six-man team has been working non-stop since launch day, and they’re officially the first to break Apple’s SIM locks on the iPhone with software. It’s done. Seriously. They wouldn’t tell us when and how they would release it to the public, but you can certainly bet that they’ll try to make a buck on their solution (and rightly so). We can hardly believe the iPhone’s finally been cracked. No, scratch that — we just can’t believe it took this long.
Notes on the install

• The unlock process took only a couple of minutes. From our end it was totally painless.
• Once you put your new, non AT&T SIM in the device, you have to go through the usual activation process. This can, of course, be done by anyone anywhere with the right tools (like iASign or iActivator)
• We tested with an active T-Mobile SIM — after the hack was finished and we reactivated we immediately got full bars and the T-Mobile carrier info popped up in the top bar.
• Everything is otherwise the same, except the menu system now has a couple more options. The root menu has Carrier settings where you can select your preferred network if you don’t want to roam.
• The General -> Network menu now has an EDGE network settings area where you can input your carrier’s APN and username / password. We put in our T-Mobile info, and were immediately online. (Apparently these hidden menus were added in the 1.0.1 update, they tell us. How convenient!)
• Visual voicemail isn’t in the cards — sorry. That was, of course, to be expected because it’s a special AT&T network-specific feature right now. When you hit the voicemail button you are taken immediately to your carrier’s default voicemail line though, and that works just like it would on any other phone.
• Everything is confirmed as working on a non-AT&T network: SMS send / receive, internet (including Safari, Mail, Google maps, etc.). YouTube doesn’t work out of the box, but that’s to be expected. If you’re not on AT&T you have to manually activate YouTube — here’s the guide on how to do that. (YouTube is the only app you have to activate like this.)
• We know, it’s kind of crazy, but this isn’t a hoax.
• No, sorry, you can’t have our unlocked iPhone.

Source: Engaget

Smokin SteelSeries Ikari Laser And Optical Mice

SteelSeries, a leading manufacturer of innovative professional gaming gear, today announced the SteelSeries Ikari Optical and SteelSeries Ikari Laser professional gaming mice. The new, ergonomic right-handed multi-grip mice mark the company’s entry into the market for gaming mice. Adding the gaming mice line compliments an existing portfolio of professional gaming gear that consists of headsets, keyboards, surfaces, accessories and security software designed for competitive gamers.

The SteelSeries Ikari chassis is shaped to accommodate the three predominant methods of grip utilized by gamers today: Swipe, Claw, and Palm. The chassis features five buttons with high quality gaming grade contacts. The SteelSeries Ikari mice also have an anti-sweat and slip-resistant surface coating to improve mouse control during intense gaming sessions. The SteelSeries Ikari mice boast the largest SteelSeries Glide surface ever utilized on gaming mice (more than a 300% increase over traditional gaming mice) that is specifically designed to reduce friction between the pressure points on the mouse and the surface under the mouse.

Both models of the SteelSeries Ikari mice feature plug-and-play features that will allow gamers to play at LAN events and tournaments without the need to install specific mouse drivers. The SteelSeries Ikari mice operate at 500 Hz and feature “on-the-fly” DPI settings.

Special features of the two SteelSeries Ikari models:

SteelSeries Ikari Optical

• Specific design for FPS gamers
• Driverless, plug-and-play feature for LAN gamers
• Pressure points that reduce friction for optimized glide
• Ability to toggle between 2 DPI settings

The SteelSeries Ikari Optical was designed as a no-bullsh*t, top performer for FPS gamers. The research and development emphasized a “no nonsense, no crap” approach with proven optical technology that allows gamers consistent, fast movements without technical difficulties of any kind.

SteelSeries Ikari Laser

• Specific designed for RTS & MMO gamers
• Programmable macro buttons with driverless plug-and-play feature
• Pressure points that reduce friction for optimized glide
• Ability to toggle DPI range with LCD readout

The SteelSeries Ikari Laser mouse was specifically designed for RTS and MMO gamers in mind that features programmable macros and custom settings designed to increase the users Actions Per Minute (APM) count. The mouse can be programmed from home and will remember the settings for tournament use even without installing drivers.

The new gaming mice from SteelSeries will be released Q4 2007.

More on the BioShock PC Install Limitations

Word on the net is that gamers installing BioShock on the PC were limited to 2 installations per game disc. 2K has now issued their official response to the controversy.

first, let me say this. you DO NOT NEED TO USE THE INTERNET EVERY TIME YOU PLAY THIS GAME. it is only the first time.

second, you can uninstall and reinstall this game, and if, by chance, you have 2 computers you want to simultaneously play this game on, you also can do that.

if by some chance you are reinstalling this game without uninstalling it first, a lot, there is a chance you may have to call securom and get a key, or deactivate some older installations.

but if you upgrade your hardware next week, you’ll still be able to play the game. if you revamp your system and need to reinstall bioshock, just uninstall it before you go through the overhaul, and then do your reinstall.

calling it “hardware fingerprinting” is a bit alarmist. we do not transmit any of your data to any companies.

really, the only people who will be concerned about any of these security measures are those who are rapidly putting bioshock on many pcs… if you use the game as you normally do, you won’t notice this at all.

More Problems For Microsoft The Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel

Microsoft Corporation announced today the company is taking a precautionary measure and voluntarily providing customers with a free retrofit to the Xbox 360 Wireless Wheel.

The action is being taken after Microsoft was informed of a very small number of incidents of a malfunction in the Xbox 360 Wireless Wheel, where a component in the Wheel chassis may in rare cases overheat and release smoke when the AC-DC power supply is used to energize the Wheel. There have been no reported incidences of fire, personal injury or property damage due to the component failure in the Wheel.

Owners of the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel should stop using the AC-DC power supply until they have obtained their retrofit. Owners may continue to operate the Wheel using battery power.

Owners of the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel should visit www.xbox.com/support or call Microsoft at 0800 587 1102 to register for the free retrofit and protect against the potential hazard described above. Instructions, if necessary, will be provided with the retrofit. We are notifying and will be coordinating our response activities with the relevant regulatory agencies such as the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. This may impact delivery dates.

Eye of Judgment Simply Rocks, A Hands on Review

Eye of Judgment is a unique card game that works exclusively on the Sony Playstation 3 with the Playstation Eye camera. I got the chance to put my hands on the game at this years GenCon Indy and I must say I was impressed.

Eye of Judgment is played by setting the included Eye and stand, and playing field (3′ x 3′) on a flat surface, calibrating the device to the appropriate lighting, and simply playing cards. All board actions are mirrored on-screen. To summon a creature to the field or cast a magic card, which all costs mana, simply place the card on the desired zone facing the direction of your choice. Each creature has specific attack patterns and range, making facing important.

My question was: “What is stopping players from just looking their decks and picking the best cards to draw?” Well, before playing online, you must register your deck with the game, and during play it has randomly shuffled your cards and instructs you which card to you can play. So while nothing is stopping you looking at all the cards you have, the game knows what you actually have in your hand and keeps you from simply grabbing all the good ones immediately.

You can use the controller for non-summoning, non-casting actions, but it ends up being easier simply to use the cards. The game calculates all stats and figures, indicates when to draw cards, and informs players when they are attempting to perform an illegal move or do not have sufficient mana, all of which is extremely helpful given how many things are being tracked at one time by the game.

Fundamentally Eye of Judgment is about deck-building and strategy. Though the playing field is small and the goal (control five squares out of nine total) is seemingly simple, it can get a tad more involved with all sorts of secondary actions, possessing enemy creatures, dealing with alignment related effects (switching a zone’s alignment to mess with a creature) and so on.

The game offers two different playing modes. The first is the actual battle mode where monsters are summoned into engagement with each other. The second mode is the view mode where you are able to see the various monsters and examine their attributes. You can even conduct mock fight trials to see how they will perform in impending battles.

There will be three ways to play:

• As a single gamer playing against your PS3
• Two players playing against each other in the same room
• Two players playing against each other online

At release, the game will come with the gear needed to play along with a regular 30-card starter set and an eight-card booster pack. Sony, in partnership with Wizards of the Coast, plans to market the game as a full-scale collectible card game. When the game launches October 07, the total set will be comprised of 110 cards. Four months later, a 100-card expansion will be released, adding new rules in addition to the new cards.

Over all I think this is the best implementation of the playstation camera system ever. (I can’t wait to see what comes next for this technology) The card game has to be overall fun game to play or the great graphics and wow factor of the technology gets lost, and it was lots of fun to play. I was more than impressed with the game. Eye of Judgment provides an splendid visual experience that adds another dimension to traditional trading card games. I can’t wait for the release and it WILL be on my list for Christmas this year.

EA Ships Four New Games for the Mac

Electronic Arts today announced that Battlefield 2142, Need for Speed Carbon, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars are now available to order for Mac users. These are the first games ever published by EA for Mac OS X, Apple’s advanced operating system. Users can go to the Apple Store (http://www.apple.com) to purchase the games today.

All games will also be available at Apple’s retail stores nationwide. Need for Speed Carbon and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be available on Tuesday, August 21, and Battlefield 2142 and Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars will be available on Tuesday, August 28.

Some Info on the Games:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Harry’s fifth year at Hogwarts is shaping up to be his most exciting yet. Fearing that Hogwarts’ venerable Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, is lying about the return of Voldemort in order to undermine his power, Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge appoints a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to keep watch over Dumbledore and the students. But Professor Dolores Umbridge’s ministry-approved course leaves the young wizards woefully unprepared, so Hermione, Ron and Harry form “Dumbledore’s Army” with the goal of preparing themselves and other courageous young wizards for the extraordinary battle that looms against Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

Need for Speed Carbon - What starts in the city is settled in the canyons as Need for Speed Carbon immerses you in the world’s most dangerous and adrenaline-filled form of street racing. You and your crew must race in an all-out war for the city, risking everything to take over your rivals’ neighborhoods one block at a time. As the police turn up the heat, the battle ultimately shifts to Carbon Canyon, where territories and reputations can be lost on every perilous curve.

Battlefield 2142 - Earth, 2142. As a new ice age depletes the planet’s resources, two massive multinational coalitions wage a brutal war for the only cause that matters–survival. Armed with a devastating arsenal of futuristic weaponry and gear, including active camouflage, EMP grenades, and sentry guns, plus Battle Walkers and vast airborne bases called Titans, you must coordinate the efforts of your teammates to win the war for Earth’s last fragile pieces of livable land. With extensive improvements to the groundbreaking Battlefield 2 ranking and upgrade system and the new Titan gameplay mode, Battlefield 2142 brings the franchise’s award-winning online warfare into a harsh and desperate future.

Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars - The year is 2047. A massive nuclear fireball explodes high in the night sky, marking the dramatic beginning of the Third Tiberium War and the long-awaited return of the most groundbreaking Real-Time Strategy franchise of all time. Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars unveils the future of RTS gaming by bringing you back to where it all began: the Tiberium Universe. With the corrupt substance Tiberium blanketing most of the Earth, the infamous Kane is back to lead his Brotherhood of Nod in a massive global assault on the Global Defense Initiative (GDI) and the few remaining livable Blue Zones left on the planet. Only you can stop him. Featuring state-of-the-art next-generation graphics, an epic story, and truly innovative features such as the ability to transform online battles into a spectator sport, Command & Conquer is about to reinvent RTS gaming … again. Welcome back, Commander.

Further rounding out EA’s portfolio of Mac games is the release of Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 08 and Madden NFL 08 in the September/October window.

In addition to these games, other EA titles available for Mac include The Sims 2, The Sims 2 Open for Business, The Sims 2 Pets, The Sims 2 Nightlife, The Sims 2 University, The Sims 2 Family Fun Stuff, The Sims 2 Seasons, The Sims 2 Life Stories and more.

Gen Con: Pirates Constructible Strategy Game Online Screenshots

Pirates Constructible Strategy Game Online

Key features

• Collectable ships and crew. Pirates CSG offers levels of rarity in the
• collectable ships and crew from Common to Super Rare, designated on the cards by color.
• Collection management. Pirates CSG Online provides a robust, easy to use and flexible interface for viewing, searching, filtering and sorting your Treasure
• trove of collectable ships.
• High Seas Adventure. Hear the roar of cannon fire and the crash of waves as
• you sail across a beautiful 3-D seascape.
• Adventure online and play against other Pirates. Play with other buccaneers online to strengthen your fleet and uncover hidden treasures
• Fight your way to the top. Amass wealth and fame by challenging opponents
• from all over the world.
• Casual and Competitive Play for all levels of play.
• Casual Game Lobbies with user-definable game settings, including:
  • Buddy lists.
  • Password-protected games.
  • Arbitrary game type and format customization.
  • Timed or un-timed games.
  • Multiplayer Support.
  • Observer Support.
  • Quick-join Options.
  • Customizable and exclusive player avatars and playmat tokens.
• Robust League and Tournament System
• Includes both “on-demand” and scheduled events.
• Customizable leagues and tournaments.

Madden 08 On PS3 Not What It’s Cracked Up To Be?

What does this say about the PS3 as a gaming platform or was it that EA put more time and love into the xbox 360 version of the game? Could it be the devilment tools are that much better for the xbox?

USA Today states:

On the surface, the releases on 360 and PlayStation 3 look identical. However, when you stack them head-to-head, it’s clear which is better. Madden on 360 is fast and fluid, thanks to a sharp jump in frame rate that allows the game to move twice as fast.

PS3 owners, unfortunately, are greeted with a Madden that is sluggish in comparison. Action stutters far too often, particularly on injuries, penalties and turnovers. There’s also a half-second delay between pressing the hike button and receiving the ball in your hands. Even close-ups between play look dull when lined up against the 360’s sleeker cut scenes.

Maxconsole has the alleged response from EA technical support:

“Rob M.” from EA Sports technical support says he understands gamers “frustration,” but says that EA has been “developing titles for the Xbox 360 for over 3 1/2 years” and has only been working with the PS3 for over a year. He goes on to say it’s “very difficult to get it right the first time.” He goes on to say that that 30 frames per second is the same for all PS3 sports games, and they’re happy to point out that the same holds true for 2K Sports as well. He finishes by saying that “if you choose not to purchase the [PS3 version], it is a choice [they] fully understand and respect.”

Intel’s 3GHz New Quad Core Processor

Intel has introduced two quad core server chips ahead of schedule and set pricing to drive the market. The Xeon X5365 is a 3GHz quad core chip which runs at 120 watts, and has a front side bus speed of 1333MHz. The L5335 is a 2GHz chip which runs at 50 watts.

The chips include Intel’s virtualization tech and the firm said the chips have additional extensions for better interrupt handling using Windows 32-bit OS.

The chip firm is pricing the X5365 at $1,172 and the L5335 at $380.

OffTopic: Great Deal on some DVD-R Media

We just got back from vacation and took some great videos of the kids. Well you know how it goes all the family wants a copy. (They don’t want to see us it’s the kids) I went to put them onto DVD and crap I was all out of DVD’s so I run down the local store and holy cow almost .50 cents each, even in the 100 pack. I asked the sales kid if that’s all they had he said yes so I went home did a little search and came up with some Taiyo Yuden DVD-R’s real cheep as low as 24 cents a disk. They have Great deals if you just know where to look.