games news

Head shots and artwork.

2009-06-27T20:02:00.000-07:00

Anxiety object cult game and community projects: "Counter-Strike" is probably the most controversial games of all time - and also one of the most popular. Until today the games industry learns from the success of the hobby project that is now ten years old.

Between 19 and 27 June 1999 was a piece of software released to the world that until now the attention of millions of people bind: "Counter-Strike." At the beginning there are six maps, nine weapons and a mission - to free hostages. Today the former hobby project of two students on cultural cipher has become the object of fear politicians and educators, the football of the E-Sport - and the inspiration for plans and hopes of the games industry, its clients work for it.

"It grew by itself," said Counter-Strike "creator Le Minh the success of the first true web-2.0-game in a
Interview with the developer site Gamasutra. The two inventors had actually broken any rules at the time of successful computer games seemed to apply.

The story of "Counter-Strike" is also the story of a new
Generation of media consumers. Jess Cliff of Americans and the Vietnam-Minh Le Canadians get to know over the Internet. Together, the computer science students "Counter-Strike" - actually a reconstruction, a so-called mod, the ego-shooter Half-Life. " Soon after conducting the two already have a whole team that is always new versions developed.

2.0 Gaming, Community, Mulitplayer - all in 1999

The "Counter-Strike-maker is an example of a vanguard in the network not just consume, but organized and produced. "Counter-Strike", one could also say, is for computer games, what Wikipedia for encyclopedia and Linux operating systems is a large, successful community project. Until today, players develop new "Maps", playing the 'Counter-Strike community is alive after ten years than ever before. For a computer game, this incredibly life, certainly for one, it's not from professionals has been developed. Today, many are trying
this effect to make use - including titles such as Sony
"Little Big Planet" or Will Wright
"Spore" is the creativity of the player to tap.

Cliff Le Minh and modified a given computer game, not only in appearance, but fundamental: "Half-Life" sent the players alone in an underground high-tech laboratory in the fight against alien monsters. The modification leaves but teams of "policemen" and "terrorists" against each other. The host of players are using network cable or Internet connection. "Counter-Strike" is still one of the most popular multiplayer games of all time - and in turn model for all that, bringing industry giants like Sony, Microsoft and Electronic Arts are trying to player consoles and PC tie.

70 euros per month for Internet Flatrate

Modifications were disseminated in 1999 - new to Counter-Strike "was that the players not only against each other, but play each other. Also the "Co-op Gaming," Industry is now mainstream. And team-Shooter have been established as a separate genre. " 'Counter-Strike' was the first working team game," says "Counter-Strike" veteran David Hiltscher. He now works for ESL league games in Cologne, and knows the shooter since nine years. Cost him his hobby was 70 euros a month - so much he paid for telephone connection with Internet flatrate.

Multiplayer over the network, which was an expensive fun. The first users were thus from the IT professionals or are children of bourgeois parents. Nevertheless, play together brings people together, "we played with bankers and students together, and sometimes took us to the barbecue," explains David Hiltscher overcoming layer and age barriers.

The "Half-Life Valve manufacturer offering in 2000, a retail version of the modification" Counter-Strike "and land so that every year in the Top Ten. The creators of Minh Le and Jess Cliffe is Valve On. There are always new versions, the game finds the path to the disks of student PC.

"Counter-Strike" is code word and the fight

Also on the stone houses of Robert, on 26 April 2002 in his former school in Erfurt 16 people and then shot himself. At least since then is "Counter-Strike", a code has become a battle cry.

It is considered the prototypical violent game, before the politicians and educators warn. Although the investigation commission, the mass murder should be aware, though is that Robert Stone Houses "killing routines games" pursued,
but also makes clear that "Robert stone houses are not the nights by" Counter-Strike "has played, and" Counter-Strike "is not a long-running house by Robert Stein has been." For critics, the game does not matter: The fact that virtual head hits in "Counter-Strike" as a special ability card apply them enough to make it as "Killerspiel" to blame.

The popularity of the classic does not detract. To Counter-Strike "around is a huge subculture emerged on YouTube alone there are over 120,000 videos on the topic. Some fans even modify the modification, you can instead masked policemen and special forces
The Simpsons compete.

Others bring the art phenomenon
Street Art comes into play: In their version of grace subversive graffiti artist Banksy as the walls of the battle arenas: "This map is soon hot Nike map." That the alleged scene of potential killers perfectly on self-irony has shown again and again: whether in comics, like those
that of the "Counter-Strike" Bender cartoonists, now also produces animated films, or in the numerous real films, in which the player
absurd pages of "Counter-Strike" satirize: The jerky movements of the characters in the game, always the same TÃ¼rquietsch noises from scratch respawning enemies. To Counter-Strike "humor can laugh at you, no surprise, even his players. Gamer jokes are inside jokes.

"Counter-Strike movie with hundreds of thousands of spectators

Other caricature prejudices. As Daniel Roth and Alexander Schenk, and its film
"A Gamer's Day" exaggerates the clichÃ©s: A boy wakes up in the midst of chip debris and flees into the world of the game. Hunger feelings slakes it with the exclusive food pizza, friends and parents can not hold on escapism, sometime mixed reality game world and he brings suit in the fight with gun and Tarnbewegungen waste to dustbin.

"The costume, we can tailor," recalls Alexander Roth. The high school student and his friend Daniel Schenk invested $ 1000 and from 2003 to 2005 two years of their leisure time in the strip. At 323 pages later, she documented the resonance of their work: Instead of the expected ten thousand of spectators, they reached hundreds of thousands. Their analysis also shows the generation of the media "Counter-Strike: Only three reports of print media about the film, and Giga, the only television station for computer. His audience will find "A Gamer's Day" on the Internet.

Like other youth cultures also creates the "Counter-Strike community their own rooms. Their subculture is differentiated from it, makes their characters and codes for unity and distinction to the outside. Punks gathered in a park, developed in small fanzines printed edition - the generation of "Counter-Strike" is completely on the Internet, their community is a digitally networked.

Computer games is now a sport has become, "Counter-Strike" with its
Hundreds of thousands of football fans is the E-Sports
World Championships five different sponsors and prize money.

And the Creator? They have retired, Minh Le does not respond to inquiries, just like Jess Cliffe. Auszuschlachten your glory, as the two apparently never quite considered.

To say it with a
"Counter-Strike" artists to say: "We can entertain ourselves, walking around, a bit of street art, and photograph them. We can even follow the rules and try to each other equally. But damn it all, it makes it more fun to break. "

Hot bees and diabolical surfers.

2009-06-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the beginning of summer, besides dramas also taken fresh teen comedies and turbulent Filmbeileger popcorn entertainment as on the title sheets of the public press. ONLINE blogs helps you spoiled for choice.

Computer Bild

"Bandidas", F / MEX / USA 2006. Director: Joachim RÃ¶nninge, Espen Sandberg. Cast: PenÃ©lope Cruz, Salma Hayek. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). FSK: 12 years. Issue price: 3,70 euros.

When the light kratzbÃ¼rstigen figures PenÃ©lope Cruz ( "Volver") and Salma Hayek ( "Frida"), together with a screenplay by Luc Besson ( "The Fifth Element") in front of the camera, nothing more should go wrong. Up to a few bad puns in prepubertal infantile atmosphere we see is also an unambitious, but quickly made all the adventures of two RÃ¤cherinnen disinherited before hÃ¼bscher Western scenery, which is mainly at a male audience.

Core of the event is the battle of Sara (Salma Hayek) and their complicity Maria (PenÃ©lope Cruz) against a New York bank, whose unscrupulous business practices, the two fathers took. Their common goal, as many branches auszurauben to the evil Garaus the company to make, provides all sorts of entanglements with idiot detectives, cool professional bank robbers and nasty villains. The stars of two hours is largely painless popcorn entertainment - but not do anything else.

To 5 July in the trade

SFT

"Perfect Deal", USA 1998. Directed by: Georges Chamchoum. Cast: Michael Dudikoff, Lee Majors. Format: 1,33:1 (4:3). FSK: 16 years. and "River Queen", GB / NZ 2005th Director: Vincent Ward. Cast: Samantha Morton, Kiefer Sutherland. Format: 1,85:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 4.50 euros.

Friends of the TV series "A Colt for all cases" can be happy, because her old star Lee Majors was 1998 in the thriller "Perfect Deal" on the entire feature length sympathetic warhorse mimes. In the role of the poker player Ben O'Conner, he along with two comrades from his military time a country club near an Indian Reservation.

But shortly after the inauguration party is anger at the door: His bartender D'Artagnan (Michael Dudikoff) verknallt is going to be in the chief subsidiary, while corrupt cops and mafia fiese the land of Indians to build a gigantic casino ergaunern want. Although the Lebanese director and producer George Chamchoum bravely tries, his second feature film with a bit of Indian folklore and veterans upgrade, so that he lands on the hard ground of the low-budget action, the only one of the fights alcohol pubs heroes blessed lives. Despite the good humor and good music to them at the end just shallow entertainment beer belly level left.

In "River Queen" is the Irish-immigrant New Zealand Sarah (Samantha Morton) at the end of the 19th Century by a young Maori pregnant, who died shortly afterwards. Against the opposition of her father brings them into the middle of the bloody turmoil of the New Zealand colonial wars of her son to the world, but already in childhood by his Maori grandfather, is kidnapped. As Sarah years later given the chance, to meet him again, she breaks down all the bridges and can be integrated into the unknown, from the indigenous-dominated hinterland lead.

Based on a true story and only after lengthy negotiations with the MaoristÃ¤mmen at the Whanganui River in the west of New Zealand realized tugs the ambitious, multi-award winning drama with impressive images include a chapter of colonial history on the canvas, which is hardly known here. Like "The Navigator" (1987) and "Escape from the Ice" (1992) director Vincent Ward has also here a magical film created, one in Germany, despite its visual splendor on DVD, unfortunately, only got to see. With the "SFT" he also without subtitles, therefore, given a long, non-synchronized scenes in the Maori language a bit irritated. Nevertheless, Friends of dramatic cinema here safely accessed.

Published on 24 June in the trade

Super Illu

"Hans Roeckl and the Devil", GDR the 1974th Director: Hans Kratzert. Cast: Rolf Hoppe, Peter Aust. Format: 4:3. FSK: unlimited. Issue price: 2.99 euros.

This month shows us the "Super Illu" a fantastic fairy tale art. The creative puppeteer Hans Roeckl (Rolf Hoppe) receives is from the devil FlammfuÃŸ (Peter Aust) infinite imagination, however, needs all seven hours Useful created, otherwise he would eternally damned. When he was with his inventions is just the opposite of achieved what he intended, Roeckl need of something else that made him neither the devil drives in arms, nor the human damage.

The Ilse and Vilmos grain in 1968 to a children's fable about a manufactured rivalry between the devil and of man is Karl Marx himself had been invented, as his daughter, Eleanor wrote in her memoirs. In the seventies, evolved from the substance, then not only the special effects were great up in DEFA film, but also the most successful opera by the composer Joachim Werzlau, which until 1989 at a fixed program of the Berlin Staatsoper, and belonged to several stages after the GDR has been played. To the west is the eastern classics virtually unknown - all the more reason, a look at it.

From 2 to 8 July in the trade

TV Movie

"Nix wie raus aus Orange County, USA 2002. Director: Jake Kasdan. Cast: Colin Hanks, Jack Black. Format: 1,85:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 3.50 euros.

Just in time for the official beginning of summer is also the first summer movies angespÃ¼lt, here in the shape of the slightly oblique coming-out comedy about the Californian teenager Shaun (Colin Hanks). With the death of his buddies in a giant wave comes from the path of the Surfers dauergutgelaunten and opts for a highly symbolic book to find a career as a writer, in his opinion, only at the university in Stanford can begin. But surely the dream of lost study breaks, desperate attempt Shaun, the fate of a Snip Chen to beat.

Elegant meets Colin Hanks in the footsteps of his famous father Tom, but without the impressive number of game joyful Supporting Actor - especially Jack Black in the role of Feist, vollgedrÃ¶hnten brother - would be the thing about not become. Probably for this reason, like Jake Kasdan second feature film after a failed start with "Zero Effect" anno 1998 now also the audience for a nice profit at the box office provided. As a successful alternative to the usual TeeniekomÃ¶dienkram he avoids a moral message, despite all the raised fingers and ensures up to the beautiful conclusion of intelligent entertainment.

By 25 June in the trade

As the Prussian military role-playing ancestors invented.

2009-06-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

200 years before the "Warcraft" was born in Prussia, the war game: the officers, barons and the king drew detailed maps than playing roller chances for success, and were deciding game. Without their hobby of war there would be no fantasy RPG.

Pride was the Prussian War Georg Leopold of rice joke already on his invention, a game table that lets you "memorable battle theater" in his room magic "could. Sun Rice praised his joke made of wood, paper and metal designed virtual reality 1812 in the instructions to. A war game he had designed to battles at home to be able to play. And rice joke incidentally even game developed mechanisms that are still in strategy games like "Warcraft" and online RPGs like World of Warcraft "was discovered.

The 200-year development of the Prussian war-chest of the game up to "World of Warcraft" is extremely shortened so: Only trained Prussian soldiers in war games commodes, then simplified the British author HG Wells ( "The Time Machine") 1911, the war-game concept to a tabletop game in the sixties developed some tabletop players the rules and regulations continue to roll in the characters devised by the fantasy worlds to roam. And as the computer quickly and cheaply enough, digitized a few fantasy fans the RPG mechanics.

The first simulated game world

The game elements, the Prussian war game anticipation, today at Pen & Paper RPGs and computer self-evident. For example, the possible importance of a detailed map as a playground. In Fantasy RPGs detailed maps are so important because it also makes the simulation of an imaginary game world. War Georg Leopold of rice joke wanted simulate battlefields.

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Before rice joke military use abstract, like chess playing. The War designed for 1812-King of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm III. an analog simulator game worlds. Today, you can tactical war game apparatus, as he closed in
Schloss Charlottenburg, on the ground floor of the New Wing is confused with a commode.

The cover can be opened and rotate so that one in 15 times 18 square playing fields are given. In eleven drawers of the dresser are Holzbautsteine square from which you can assemble a playing field. There are mountains, hills, meadows, forests, villages, rivers, as historian Philip Hilgers (
PDF document) describes the battlefield simulator once could see from the inside.

New rice was a joke 'idea, to scan a landscape and thus to make playable. As the media scholar Claus Pias (
PDF document) in his analysis of the war game, said based on this modularization procedure "in the broadest sense, nor any modern strategy games." Rice drove to his wit extremely detailed maps work (pitch-scale 1:2373) of the desire to replicate reality.

RPG? THE MAIN CONCEPTS IN FEW WORDS

Click on the term to the statement to read

Pen & Paper RPG

Bereichnet with dice, paper, pen and regulations played RPGs. Describes a human game players the world in which their characters are. He embodies all the characters to which they meet, told the players, like the fantasy world reacts to their actions. A control system, several cubes and set numerical strengths, knowledge and skills of the characters give the game an objective basis and some random moment.

Tabletop

These so-called conflict simulations, the participants play with miniature armies on three-dimensional, lovingly reproduced battlegrounds for comprehensive regulatory battles? in historical settings, fantasy or science fiction worlds.

MUD

Abbreviation for Multi User Dungeon. A text adventure game in which several players at the same time from different computers from each other and move instead of just using the software can play. The first MUD played in a fantasy world with forests, secret passageways, monsters and magicians. In October 1978 began at the University of Essex Students Roy Trubshaw, the text-game program - and put, without knowing it, laid the foundation for an entire industry.

The same impulse can be in the 20th Century in many fantasy creators observed: The Linguist John Ronald Reuel Tolkien began around 1917 during a convalescent leave, in a note book a place called Middle-earth to sketch. He wanted to write not a novel, but history. He invented languages for his world, he drew family trees and maps sometime. "The Lord of the Rings" was just a by-product of this creation, in Tolkien feilte decades.

Playable made such fantasy worlds in the sixties, a few students who have an obvious idea implemented: they designed along the lines of the war game (in the 20th century as tabletops or conflict simulations known) rules, which force a player instead of a single figure in a fantasy world could.

War game Dungeon Master

With pen & paper RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons, it is since the sixties commonplace that a so-called Dungeon Master game as the interface to the game world - and told he determined what effects the actions of the players have. Since 1974 the game spread rapidly throughout the Western world: Because there was Dungeons & Dragons as a commercial parcel on the market.

The first Dungeon Master's history should probably Georg Leopold Baron of rice have been a joke: His war game was playing next to two parties (two to ten players in total) is also a third function: the so-called confidants. He calculated and evaluated as a "game instance and computing the impact of each round moves made," as Claus Pias rice joke 'rules together.

Rules for more realism

The rules under which rice wit 'game the game had to be calculated, are designed to be in the game world is a reality as credible as possible to simulate. Rice wit 'approach is reminiscent of today's RPGs.

Since the first test well in a role-play the concept of rules in the manner. In rice wit 'war game was a team in a generic commander several commanders command. But when a view on the game revealed that the river as a command to be interrupted and the communication was only to be restored, as historian Hilgers rice wit 'instruction quoted the players could not order exchange - it would have the situation of its characters denied.

Rice also requested joke that the members of a team with brief notes on cards to enable the opponent none of the internal arrangements mitbekamen (In-Character name role players such details today).

Rice joke worked very detailed rules for certain processes with reproducible results can be simulated. Some details of 1812 look a lot like today's role-playing elements such as movement concepts factor, hit points and armor class. How quickly some units can move, gave rice for every single joke in "Step per minute" - with special circles measure the distances the players on the pitch from. Other limitations:, an infantry unit is a round long step in the storm, it must be on the next train at least a slower pace moving.

Dice as a simulation tool

The son of war-game inventor Georg Leopold of rice wit the game system developed by his father more. The young lieutenant Georg Heinrich Rudolf systematized rice joke especially the use of dice. He presented after trials on the Berlin shooting range for average effect of weapons, that had in its new edition of the war game, but also that deviations from the reference value has to erwÃ¼rfeln. To simulate the most similar to role-playing systems is still the chance. AuswÃ¼rfeln had the players then and now everything imaginable - on rice wit junior, for example, as a sort Cavalry Regiment still has after it has a slope hinabgeritten.

The young Rice was a joke with his war game quite successfully - Friedrich Wilhelm III. played it well like the previous model, his son William I recommended it to him and pushed until it Prussian officers officially 185 years ago as a training tool has been recommended.

Has benefited the young rice joke of the popularity of his little game - it was in the army probably bullied, moved into the province. He shot in 1827 at the age of 33 years, his father died in the 1829th Survivors, they have an approach that imaginary worlds with rule books, dice, paper and playable characters to make. For the first time was in the 20th Century after the first world, creator of fantasy worlds were created.

At that time, to wit rice 'time, appeared very few people in game worlds. The King of Prussia, for example. The military reported Wochenblatt 1874 hindsight, Friedrich Wilhelm III. have worked with sons, officers and adjutants often played into the night, so that "otherwise go to the divergence of the high fixed family hour, 1 / 2 11 clock, far exceeded" (
Google Book) was. The fictional worlds developed such a wake, that the players the night to beat the ears.

And this is so remains.

RPG

We report in the series of roleplaying - the true virtual reality "in a loose series about the history of the RPG - what grade are you interested in? How was the "Black Eye"? What makes Steve Jackson today? What is PBM? We welcome your suggestions via e-mail.

World's largest video game manufacturer threatens to boycott Sony.

2009-06-22T19:16:00.000-07:00

The head of the video game giants Activision threatens the long-standing console market leader Sony open. If Sony's latest console is not selling better soon, you will no more games for the device.

"I started to worry me for Sony to make," said Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision, the London "Times". The Playstation 3, Sony's latest high-end console, "loses a little momentum," said Kotick continued, it will also independent manufacturers such as Activision difficult, "the platform to support:" It is expensive for the console develop, and Wii and Xbox (360) simply sell better. " It is therefore simply worth more games for the consoles from Sony's competitors to market.

Playstation 3: Game producer is pushing for price cuts

According to the "Times" is Sony's games division in the past year 597 million U.S. dollars loss retracted. Kotick said the newspaper, but Activision had to Sony 500 million U.S. dollars off, inter alia, to royalties, the manufacturers of console software is always on the manufacturers of the consoles have to pay.

Activision has since last summer's largest video game manufacturer in the world: then merged the company with the division of Vivendi Games, which among other things, the "World of Warcraft" developer Blizzard Entertainment under the Activision umbrella brought. Previously, Electronic Arts, the number one among the manufacturers have been games.

Kotick uses the new power market is now obvious to Sony massively to put pressure on. The manufacturer should the price of the Playstation 3 cut, he said the "Times". Only if the PS3 will sell better, whether it still makes sense for the console games to be developed. It would be "2010 or 2011" re-consider whether you Sony would continue to support - and this applies to the living room console, the PS3 as well as for mobile PSP console.

GAME CONSOLES: THE LATEST GENERATION

Wii

obs / Nintendo of Europe

The small competitor is in contrast to the rival consoles, not high-resolution graphics, but delivers traditional television resolution. Nevertheless, the device is so popular that the manufacturer has not announced prices. In the United States overtook the Wii in July 2008 Microsoft's Xbox 360, what the sales figures are concerned. The console features a motion controller and bewegungssensitiven oriented accessories, such as the "Balance Board" from. With simple sports and fun games, it has for the industry, captured new audiences. A detailed test Wii can be found here.

Playstation 3

DDP

The direct competitor to Microsoft's Xbox 360 - the two consoles to compete with the hardcore gamers who are also prepared for high-resolution graphics to a TV buy. In March 2007, the console on the market in Europe. In July 2008, there were either 40 - or 60-GB hard drive - will also soon have a version with 80 GB on the market. It is the most expensive among the current models and gives a high-resolution video via an HDMI-out output. As the only game currently available, it contains a Blu-ray drive, which is also high-resolution Blu-ray discs can play. A detailed
Test of the PS3 can be found here.

Xbox 360

Microsoft's high-definition console is of the three longest current competitors on the market, namely since the end of 2005. Microsoft has repeatedly screwed on price and features. The 360 has a normal DVD drive in its basic version, but no hard drive. In July 2008, there were a model without a hard drive, a 20 gigabyte model and the black "elite" with 120 GB hard drive. The current models of HD images on an HDMI-out output. A comprehensive test on the Xbox 360 can be found here.

Sony PSP

The Playstation Portable, on the market since 2005, is Sony's first attempt, which traditionally used by Nintendo (Game Boy) dominated the market for mobile games a bit abzuzwacken. Since 2007, there is a slightly thinner version, called Slim and Lite. The mobile console can not only games, but also movies and music. Moreover, it can be via W-LAN to the Internet. Movie downloads and other content may differ from the PS3 to the PSP will be delayed, and the Mobile Console can have Internet access as a kind of remote for the PS3 to be used. The PSP is on the market for mobile games second rear Nintendo DS. A detailed
Test of the PSP can be found here.

Nintendo DS

The Nintendo DS is since 2005 in a first version on the market since 2006 in an edition called slimmer DS Lite (pictured). DS stands for "dual screen". The console has a normal and in the bottom half of a touch-screen. Games will be on buttons or a stylus, the touchscreen with the edited, played. The DS is the PSP over Wi-Fi to connect to the internet, including online games and gimmicks such as pictures chat are possible. With games like "Nintendogs" and "Dr. Kawashimas brain-jogging" tapped the DS new target for mobile consoles. The DS is currently the best selling mobile game. A test report on the first version of the Nintendo DS can be found here.

Meanwhile, Sony Computer Entertainment of America with an opinion on Koticks words responding. The Playstation brand is
after the E3 video game trade show in Los Angeles a few weeks ago "with tremendous momentum" that we see "good growth". 350 titles were for "all platforms" (including the Playstation 2 console and the mobile PSP) announced, including many by independent partners. With these partners, we maintain healthy business relations. "

According to industry service Gamesindustry.biz Sony plans but actually a reduction in prices - the U.S. electronics chain, Game Stop had therefore recently, we expect a value around $ 100 a reduced price.

In Germany the price of a PS3 with 80 gigabyte hard drive and some accessories are currently around 370 euros, including Nintendo's Wii game around 235 Euro and Microsoft's Xbox 360 in a version with 60-GB hard drive nearly 240 euro.

Why video games are not (yet) smell.

2009-06-14T19:06:00.000-07:00

Time and again, on new technologies spectacular discussed the intense gaming experience yet to make. In recent years there has been a lot of smells as a supplement for the game experience is cited. The British researcher Bob Stone is currently investigating the possibilities.

British researcher Bob Stone: "world full of sensory stimuli"

A soldier is running somewhere in the Middle East through a market. The weapon in the attack, he must the people in mind and to concentrate on his mission. Only not distracted - from the exotic spices, sweat or his fear of the tires, the nearby burn.

Situations like these are in video games easier to master than in reality. Because the game is limited to our perception of what we see and hear: We are witnessing the environment without their specific odors.

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June 2009

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What impact it would have if we are digital environments could also smell asks Bob Stone of Birmingham University: The researchers, commissioned by the British Defense Ministry has already diverse Serious Games has developed, is currently investigating whether soldiers by scent technologies to better operations can be prepared. "We live in a world full of sensory stimuli, in addition to vision and hearing also Keys, smell and taste to determine how we react to the environment," says Stone. How to behave in the virtual, he wants to with the help of freely available hardware "Scent Palette" check a device about the size of a shoebox.

But the system, embedded in paraffin wax scents with art fans blow in the direction of players, is still not mature: "While we can already smell manually hundreds with scenes related to the 'Far Cry' or' Quest 3D'-based Engine . And, for example, the odor of sewage, burning rubber or explosives solve strong reactions in the trial, "says Stone - but the lab needs to always be free of drafts and the players very close to the smell sit unit. Also could be released fragrances are difficult to replace by new.

THE LARGEST HARDWARE flops HISTORY OF VIDEO GAMES

Power Glove: The "unbelievable feeling" of the Nintendo Power glove of 1989, it was never set. Due to the lack of precision task is for him only two NES games, more were never programmed.

Virtual-reality glasses: From the hype of the nineties, one hears today only rarely. Despite increasingly sophisticated technology experienced VR glasses never their breakthrough.

Video Game Chair: Major announced today almost exclusively in arcades or GEE editors present: chair with speakers, vibration and beverage holders.

His results are therefore been sobering: "The volunteers did it all in good fun, but their training was not improved." But what of soldiers does not help, might at least make games attractive? Stone is too skeptical: "Is it important that the powder may smell of a gun? Bring one of the odor of a parasite in the game 'Half-Life 2' to jump from the chair - more than the Viecher alone would create ? I do not think so. This is just spectacular, but it very quickly. "

Perhaps he also has another reason right with his doubts: Who wants to know that his room the next morning still under the ruins of bosses smell?

Virtual worlds for children in the test.

2009-06-13T19:14:00.000-07:00

Besides all the Orc and ElfenbrutstÃ¤tten for adults, there is now an impressive number of virtual worlds, exclusively designed for children. The magazine GEE has visited five of these refuges, and tested how expensive, safe and fun they are.

Children and the Internet - this is a highly acclaimed and hotly-debated topic. Never before had children the opportunity to get together with people from all over the world, learn from and play with them.

Virtual World Papermint Children: anonymity of the network also introduces risks

But at the same time poses the anonymity of the network threats, and it was just the uncertainty, not knowing who is behind a pseudonym really is.

Parents are now in a dilemma: on the one hand, they fear for their children, on the other hand, they want to give them confidence and they do not watch the whole time. A general ban would not be useful: It would take the kids not only about the slight chance of playing on-line entry will - it could also isolate the class community.

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GEE

Love For Games

June 2009

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Currently appearing more and more online worlds, which want to solve the problem by focusing specifically on children. They said the operator, they may, among themselves, undisturbed surf, chat with peers and familiar with the network, without its dangers to be.

Such protection zones for the smallest user of the Internet jungle are a great idea - but how to finance these worlds with item sales, advertising, AbogebÃ¼hren? What control options are the guardians of action? And most importantly: how is good, besides all the security measures, the actual game world?

Electronic Arts paid wrong fundamentalists.

2009-06-09T20:20:00.000-07:00

The video game manufacturer Electronic Arts must admit questionable advertising methods: A supposedly fundamental Christian demonstration in Los Angeles against a game of the group was in fact a marketing campaign.

Sven Stillich
Purchased demonstrators: "Hell is not a game!"

The whole thing was just too strange to be true: The approximately 20 demonstrators who last week before the entrance to the area of video game trade show Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles signs such as "Hell is not a game!" hochhielten (
ONLINE blogs reported), was not a real Christian fundamentalists. The group, which also pamphlets against the development is to game called "Dante's Inferno" distributed, consisted in reality of paid employees of an agency for viral marketing. That is what the producers of the game, Electronic Arts, now acknowledged. The whole was a marketing gag.

True Christian fundamentalists are likely to benefit from the methods of the videogame company little thrilled - remains to be seen whether the action still has a post game. The small group of demonstrators had ostentatiously excited about the fact that in the game, very loosely on Dante's "Divine Comedy" is based, for example with a cross as a weapon will be fought.

Both the posters and flyers and web page of the group, however, seemed unintentionally funny too - also referred to the links on the page exclusively designed horribly directly on advertising material for the game. Very early were therefore doubts about the authenticity of the protest loud. A demand of online blogs on the topic last week was no comment from Electronic Arts Germany - now clarified the Speaker of the U.S. parent company on the matter.

The fact that video game producers to use unusual means to draw attention for their titles to produce and there is gang - but this action marked a new level of public deception. Especially as Christians about the real thing could be quite acidic.

Romantic bank robbers on the HÃ¶llentrip.

2009-06-09T19:18:00.000-07:00

Beginning of the month can film fans back into the full draw: From Paul Newman to Liv Tyler, of rapid action to experimental art cinema extends the offer of the journal DVDs. ONLINE blogs shows where film beads stick to the current periodicals.

Audio Video Foto Bild

"88 Minutes", D / CDN / USA 2007. Director: Jon Avnet. Cast: Al Pacino, Neal McDonough. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 3.90 euros.

Self-love and of women umschwÃ¤rmt enjoys the respected psychiatrist Jack Gramm (Al Pacino) his life as a day to doubt the guilt of the serial killer Jon Foster (Neal McDonough) show up, against the nine years earlier expert had claimed. Shortly before his execution is now imminent Jack call a life time of 88 minutes rest prophesied. A hectic race against time begins, because everyone seems to be suspicious.

The already announced for 2005 thriller from the house of Millennium Films has a long pre-and post-production behind him. After he experienced multiple Neuschnitten despite prominent occupation until the beginning of 2007 almost secret premiere on DVD in Brazil. Hollywood star Al Pacino ( "Heat") is unfortunately a bit tired, but the script still desert some entertainment value abringen and surprised, at least visually with some incredible FÃ¶hnfrisuren. Nevertheless, the role brought him his second 2009 nomination for a Golden Raspberry as worst actor of the year.

Until 30 June in the trade

Computer Bild

"Where the Money Is - A hot Coup", USA 2000. Director: Marek Kanievska. Cast: Paul Newman, Linda Fiorentino. Format: 1,85:1 (16:9). FSK: 6 years. Issue price: 3,70 euros.

As you well over the age of 75 years still on the screen is brilliant, the last year deceased Paul Newman ( "The Sting") in the guise of charming bank robber Henry Manning. A stroke pretends he flees the prison everyday, but by the busy nurse Carol (Linda Fiorentino), and caught at a recent raid persuades. These are all smooth, but Carol underestimated the jealousy of her husband who is not so easy abservieren leaves.

Together with Linda Fiorentino ( "The Last Seduction") feixt the Hollywood veteran Newman skillfully through a varied rogue fairy tale, the bit with the reality, but with the more successful entertainment cinema has to do.

It plays the movie with its title on the very real, legendary bank robber Willie Sutton to a total of about 600 million U.S. dollars captured, before he was taken 1952. His raids, he once explained, that he simply go there "where the money is" - what now for the winged word for banks. Conclusion: fun entertaining movie with convincing crew.

To 21 June in the trade

DVD Magazine

"Ambulance", DN 2005th Director: L. Munch-Petersen, L. A. Pedersen. Cast: Thomas Bo Larsen, Paw Henriksen. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 3,99 euros.

Even more bank robbers are from Denmark in the coming stripes that the "DVD Magazine" distributed in June. Here, however, significantly more dramatic for the case when the two brothers, Frank (Thomas Bo Larsen) and Tim (Paw Henriksen) after a bloody raid inadvertently chosen an ambulance snap to move the police to escape. As they are far too late in the pretty SanitÃ¤terin including emergency patient load discover their beautiful plan gets completely out of kilter and you already guess that this is not good end.

In real time gives us the Regieduo Munch-Petersen & Pedersen in her film debut 76 minutes long to the fate of two brothers of unequal participation, which has been established roles as appetizers crumbles. These alternate with rapid chases and even quirky romantic moments, in which not only Thomas Bo Larsen ( "The Celebration") in his role as master of desperate Peter Mies convinced. A typical case of "Friends of the demanding action comedy" (video week) - and all who want to be.

Until the 8 July in the trade

Galore

"La Antena", ARG 2007th Director: Esteban Sapir. Cast: Rafaelo Ferro, Alejandro Urdapilleta. Format: 2,16:1 (16:9). FSK: 12 years. Issue price: 6.90 euros.

After over five years, adopted the Dortmunder Interview magazine "Galore" as a further
Victims of the industry crisis of the magazine market. On the DVD of his recent print edition, we find the very special, Argentine experimental film "La Antena", will take us into a city of mute leads. Through skillful television sprinkler there the dictator, "Mr. TV" (Alejandro Urdapilleta) his subjects speaking quit - only a gifted singer and her eyes still loose son know how to use a voice. As Mr. TV, the singer for a huge mass hypnosis to abuse, an engineer fired TV (Rafaelo Ferro), the diabolical plan with the help of her son and an old antenna system to thwart.

All in black and white, and largely only musically accompanied fetches the Argentine cameraman Esteban Sapir here visually and acoustically the expressionist silent film of the twenties to the present. With all sorts of modern assembly technology he creates a surreal scene in which every little thing seems symbolically charged. The story is in addition to these whimsical imagery somewhat on the route, but you always know exactly but then again amazed when it threatens to become boring. If you'd like, once again what the eye and the head to do this film should not miss pearl: Our Tip of the week.

Published on 10 June in the trade

PC Action

"Destination Hell", South Korea, the 2006th Director: Kim Eun-Kyeong. Cast: Yoo Joo-hee, Kim Ri-na. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 7.90 euros.

To their versemmelte Uniqualifikation yet to get land a troop of young girls for a crash course in the tough-Younghwa Internat. There is all banned, what fun, and the teachers punish even the smallest deviation with cold terror. When the rebellious Yoo-jin (Yoo Joo-hee) durchdreht slow and strange visions has examined the psychological pressure his own deadly way.

With a small budget horror film produced specialist Ahn Byeong-ki in 2006, after submission by the author Yoo Il-han a four-horror film series, whose third episode "Destination Hell" with the dark sides of the Asian education system employs. The short film director Kim Eun-Kyeong kÃ¶chelte thereof up to the showdown rather bloodless piece of psycho-horror, although it offers no great surprises, but thanks to its dedicated actresses as fairly credible criticism across society. Conclusion: Can you see, you did not.

Published on 10 June in the trade

PC Go

"In Your Eyes", USA 2004. Director: Trae Briers. Cast: Caleeb Pinkett, Angie Ruiz. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: 12 years. Price: 6,99 euros.

Also the computer magazine "PC World" is this month with the drama society and submit to the tragic love story about the African-American Yusef (Caleeb Pinkett) and his love of Mexican sandbox Cece (Angie Ruiz) on the disc. The infancy is their love for the beginning of their college time conscious, and they come in the middle of the firing line of bloody gang warfare between Latinos and blacks.

Somewhere between "Romeo and Juliet" and "West Side Story" tried Trae Briers as a young director not only his experience as a production assistant in TV series "Charmed", but also from his own youth time. That works pretty well even, because it still managed Briers, all kitsch cliff successfully circumnavigate and so sometimes romantic drama race without raised fingers deliver.

To 2 July in the trade

PC Magazine

"Lonesome Jim", USA 2005. Director: Steve Buscemi. Cast: Casey Affleck, Liv Tyler. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: 6 years. Issue price: 6,99 euros.

Also on the basis of an autobiographical story of primarily as an actor well-known types of tragic loser Steve Buscemi ( "Fargo") in his third feature film own the fate of the small towns of Jim (Casey Affleck), who after the failed attempt of a writer after years of career in the city again in his parents' house back in order. Once there, he wants to leave again as quickly as possible until it is the beautiful Anika (Liv Tyler) learns, and with it a reason, the whole thing again to ponder.

Meanwhile you can see Casey Affleck ( "Ocean's Eleven") are increasingly without his big brother Ben, even though he likes his film partners over here like Liv Tyler with a very similar role a year earlier with Ben Affleck in "Jersey Girl" played . That was Steve Buscemi, perhaps not so inconvenient, because with a budget of only half a one million U.S. dollars is probably also on proven research. Nevertheless, he has at the end of a fine, subtle indie film out of the hat gezaubert of this country a little more attention deserved.

To 2 July in the trade

Widescreen Vision

"Kidnapped - Lethal swamp", USA 2000. Directed by Lee Stanley. Cast: Dennis Hopper, Kam Heskin. Format: 1,33:1 (4:3). FSK: 16 years
and

"Gunshy", USA 1998. Director: Jeff Celentano. Cast: William Peterson, Michael Wincott. Format: 1,33:1 (4:3). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 6.50 euros.

A handful of supposedly rich high school teenagers from the unpredictable rogue JD (Dennis Hopper), including school bus and kidnapped in the swamps of the Everglades krokodilverseuchten chartered. While his accomplice takes care to collect the ransom, but JD is running for something wrong, and quickly becomes clear that eventually the blood will flow.

In just three weeks Lee Stanley turned these little abduction thriller, for his screenplay, he is probably less than three days has taken. From the novel "Ransom" by Lois Duncan ( "I know what you did last summer") he has not done much, and so we only met once again Dennis Hopper ( "Blue Velvet") in his standard role as a slightly wacky, tragic villain. Since there is little wonder, if this is just passable entertainment strip his German DVD premiere at the end of 2008 as Filmbeileger on the "SFT" had to celebrate.

Only marginally more convincing us meet William Petersen ( "CSI: Las Vegas") until the first half of the TV thriller "Gunshy". In the beautifully filmed, but a little tough starting triangle story he comes in the role of the failed Star journalist Jake Bridges peculiar reason in the hands of the brutal, but to itself Geldeintreibers doubts Frankie (Michael Wincott). For thanks, he is to his girlfriend Melissa (Diana Lane) ran. But what is considered unsuccessful film noir begins, takes a surprising twist in the second half unexpectedly ride on and then again really exciting.

Above all, Michael Wincott ( "1492"), otherwise a subscription to evil, but tragic supporting roles keeps its flavor shady character with an almost sympathetic trains. Overall, one finds in the year-to-date with regular re-equipped media Filmbeilegern magazine this thriller a rather mixed-doubles, which is his B-movie origins are clearly committed, but at the end but surprisingly entertaining show.

Until 30 June in the trade

Apple on Speed.

2009-06-09T01:08:00.000-07:00

Tempo, Tempo, Tempo: Apple presents a new iPhone with the name "Speed", promises to speed up the operating systems and equips its laptops. Actually receives the mobile phone especially many new features - some like video, copy & paste were overdue, but some are truly innovative.

You have made it exciting until the last.

With hardware announcements began Monday evening at the Apple developer conference WWDC in San Francisco. First presented marketing chief Phil Schiller a lively new MacBook, then had more than one hour, new operating systems for Macs and iPhones demonstrate - before he came to the product, on the Apple fans had been waiting for.

The iPhone 3G S.

Visually, it is by his predecessor hardly be distinguished. But it should be about twice as fast as a working iPhone 3G and also twice as fast wireless network connection as before. Instead of 3.6 Mbps HSDPA, it links with up to 7.2 megabits per second to produce. Faster wireless networks can not.

The camera was as expected on 3 megapixel refined and now has an autofocus lens, a white and a macro function for extreme close-ups. To set the lens to a specific area scharfzustellen you type this on the screen. In addition, the iPhone 3 GS videos in VGA resolution and offers opportunities to record these movies directly on your mobile screen to edit.

A function of the advance was nothing to read, the voice control. Both the phone function as well as iTunes to deal with voice commands to manage. The device responds even in spoken language. It is understood the question, what song is played straight, and it identifies the artist and title. A similar function is also available in the iPod Shuffle, but there no voice control.

MOBILE BROADBAND FORMATS

UMTS

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System - is often referred to as standard for third generation (3G) that it takes much higher data rates than its predecessor, enables GSM. German UMTS networks typically create a bandwidth of 384 kbit / s for data transmission from the terminal Mobilfunkmast. Regular DSL connections offer today Ã¼brlicherweise 1024 Kbit / s. (more on blogs KNOW)

HSDPA

High Speed Downlink Packet Access - is based on UMTS to achieve but significantly higher transmission rates in the transmission of Mobilfunkmast to the terminal. The practically achievable data rate is currently at 1.4 Mb / s. Through technological improvements, it gradually to 5.1 Mbit / s rise. (more on blogs KNOW)

GPRS

General Packet Radio Service - this standard decomposed data at stations in individual packets, transmits them gestÃ¼ckelt and puts them back together at the receiver. By bundling multiple transmission channels is theoretically a transmission rate of up to 171.2 kbits / s possible. In practical operation, it is usually 55.6 Kbps - modems were so slow in the days before DSL. (more on blogs KNOW)

Edge

Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution - technology to increase the rate of data transmission in GSM mobile networks. Through more efficient modulation techniques are in the sum up to 384 kbit / s can be achieved - that is UMTS speed. Edge has been accessed in 75 countries. (more on blogs KNOW)

WiMax

The WiMax technology includes several standards, data on different radio frequencies. Some WiMax standards need sight between the transmitter and receiver, other signals can also penetrate walls. Tests WiMax will have data transfer rates of more than 100 Mbit / s has been achieved. Hermann Lipfert, an expert in wireless networks at the Munich Institute for Broadcasting Technology (IRT) estimates that in a regular-WiMax wireless cell Tranferraten from 50 Mbit / s are realistic - under ideal conditions and with application of all presently available technical tricks. This range would need to be as in UMTS all users share in the respective cell line. (more on blogs KNOW)

DVB-T

The DVB-T standard provides for the distribution of digital television signals by radio. The DVB standard is also designed to evaluate Internet content to transfer - in the frequency range of a single analogue television channel (about 7 MHz) fit, but just 13 megabits per second into it. If a single broadcast station that is 20 users hanging around the same time, a file download attempt, it is already tightly - the data rate for each user would be less than one Mbit / s, ie lower than the cheapest DSL connections that are currently on offer are. "The greatest danger to this technique is different from the present to be overhauled," said Sven Hansen from the computer magazine "c't". Applying the content via DVB, which also goes in only one direction - just like in television. The return channel must then be produced by other means, such as through a conventional telephone line. Mouse clicks in the browser went with this method over the telephone line to the provider, the req!
uested pages would be of the DVB broadcast station back to the receiver gefunkt. This is cumbersome - and slow. (more on blogs KNOW)

LTE

Long Term Evolution is the name that a number of mobile phone companies a broader standard of the fourth generation mobile phone has been given. LTE is basically an evolution of UMTS - but requires completely new hardware, including new stations. LTE competes with the WiMax standard to the market leader in the mobile Internet of the future - between the two standards may be a new format war. LTE has been estimated by experts to WiMax, however, about two years behind in terms of technological development. (More at blogs KNOW)

Specially designed for business customers (but not limited to) get the new iPhone now available on a chip integrates hardware encryption. That there is also a compass function, was to be expected - by typing on a map to his current position, even turning the map in the direction in which you just look.

For the everyday, but most likely the improvements in his lifetime. The device with built-in battery is fixed up to five hours talk time in 3G network, or up to nine hours wireless internet offer - three hours additional Internet usage so that Apple promises to its customers.

As can be extremely friendly, the price of Apple call: $ 199, the iPhone 3G S with 16 gigabytes of storage cost, the 32 gigabyte version is $ 100 more expensive. From the fabled base model with 4 gigabytes of storage to $ 149 on the other hand, is nothing. Instead, the company retains the current iPhone 3G in the program - for $ 99.

All these figures relate clearly to the U.S. in the package with a mobile phone contract from AT & T. How many people here for the new device will have to pay will only be revealed shortly. It is clear, however: you have a long wait from the iPhone is not fast. As early as next week in Germany should have to be on 19 June, Friday.

Also: Apple iPhone pimpt the software and finally leads Copy & Paste a cheaper and better Announces MacBook, the new OS "Snow Leopard" before - all the details on blogs ONLINE:

Hollywood plays with.

2009-06-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

In the Shadow of the struggle for the latest and best hardware will be held at the E3 video game trade show in Los Angeles, a quiet revolution: video games are for film and music industry as equal partners adopted.

Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison and Steven Spielberg. The last survivors and administrator of the heritage of the Beatles are on the same stage as the star director. They are all here because a fair game after them. The Beatles, because it is a game about it, Spielberg, because he is a new control technology for games should imagine that his film "Minority Report" could be arisen.

A few streets away James Cameron declared a part of his new project "Avatar". Not the movie, but the associated game. Its producer, Jon Landau wedges for three days in a stuffy room in the narrow Convention Center in Los Angeles to win the game and its history in detail to present. Evening give Jay-Z and Eminem concert with a music game will be advertised.

The E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, as it is issued, is back after last year was almost buried. Because dance was dead in the corridors of the convention center. Few people flits 2008 through the corridors. The theme of the fair, the games, was hardly something to see. The once important trade fair for interactive entertainment was almost done.

Game developers and filmmakers fertilize each other

Some rubbing dreamer is already in the hands of Germany: The German trade fair gamescom, so they hoped, could be the crown of the main video of the E3 trade show take over. These ideas are unrealistic now wiped aside. From a new E3, which is not so much on size but on quality. And precisely there, where it interfaces with the two other major entertainment industries, music and film, are in Los Angeles. Probably the best place in the world to mutually fertilize.

ON TO ONLINE blogs

Electronic Entertainment Expo: Christians condemn Hell game (04.06.2009)

Video: The most important announcements of E3 (04.06.2009)

Console battle: Wii all want to be (03.06.2009)

Video game trade show E3: Microsoft, the Wii competition (02.06.2009)

Video Game-Show: The E3 wants her fans back (28.05.2009)

That the works, including James Cameron report and Jon Landau. How strange beings and vehicles from the filmmakers developed, from the movie cut, but were integrated into the game, and vice versa, as drafts of game developers in the movie ended. They tell of meetings, where not only the game, but the film was discussed. Changes in the film inspired by the game designers were.

More than a hundred scenes were computer generated by Ubisoft, the producer of the video game, for the film produced. By Peter Jackson is reported with the same game studio is already the game for its "Tintin" movie plans. Games for Hollywood movies are no longer just a waste of money, because you can sell expensive licenses. Directors like Spielberg, Cameron and Jackson have games as a new creative form recognized their stories from a different perspective to tell.

Heavy Metal and Hardrock sell well

See musicians playing alongside new creative possibilities also an opportunity to find new audiences. Above all, music games like "rock" or "Guitar Hero" bands have considerable fame negotiations, which previously were as hopelessly outdated. Especially those that heavy metal and hard rock playing. And besides the fame to open new avenues games, music for sale.

More than 40 million songs to be alone for "rock band" per download have been sold. Was there initially fierce battles for the licensing of music, so bands now are trying their own editions of the games to get, like AC / DC, Metallica or Aerosmith.

Or even the Beatles, which is now a separate edition of the game "Rockband" get. This leads playfully through the history of the Fab Four and is selling well technically a self-goers. It was initiated not by the games company, but by George Harrison's son Dhani. He has joined forces with Giles Martin, son of the legendary Beatles producer George Martin, the project support.

"The Beatles are totally normal people"

Even the Beatles and other heirs have helped. Josh Randall, the producer of the game, says excited about his visit with Olivia Harrison, who wanted to help him, George really possible in the game manner. Together, they have photo albums in leisure and vacation pictures of Harrison viewed. "The Beatles are very normal people," he said emotionally, "helpful and incredibly nice." And she found the idea of the game to make, not strange. But quite normal.

And this tacit agreement between music, film and game, this curious collaboration, mutual fertilizing, you can feel at E3 in many places. It shows above all: the games are within the entertainment industry like any other business has become. And they have become a medium through which the other is no longer laughing, but they look curious.

The highlights of Computex.

2009-06-04T21:20:00.000-07:00

Unconventional mini-notebooks, mass electronic gadgets and new high-tech developments: At the Computex exciting innovations were introduced. blogs ONLINE has collected the highlights.

There was something going on in Taipei. Like every year at this time tummelte the high-tech industry in Taiwan's capital to each other with new products to outdo. Included were the dozen Netbook, most mutually similar than the producers wanted. Some, but thrust out from the crowd, showed that the trend to a new direction. Instead of the long cherished Intel / Microsoft Einerleis more and more companies have the courage to be unconventional mini-laptops to develop.

Ever dominate in Taiwan in addition to original gadgets, such as a PC in a flower vase, especially the scene chips. Nvidia drummed vigorously for devices in which the new Tegra-Ion technology and is constructed with more multimedia for small devices promises. Mobile phone chip specialist Qualcomm reported successes in the process itself in more and more mini-computers einzuschleichen.

Future Graphics, DIY Notebook and Netbook-Android: An overview of which highlights the Asian computer fair had to offer, click on the following pages.

Christians condemn hell game.

2009-06-04T20:16:00.000-07:00

"The sky is the hall of fame, hell has no reset button!" With Christian slogans clamor of the protesters at E3 video game trade show of the Game "Dante's Inferno", the whip manufacturer Electronic Arts as an electronic anti-Christ - so radical that some guerrilla marketing scents.

"Hell is not a game!" scanned the group in front of the Fair Grounds in Los Angeles, "the cross is not a weapon!" call and time again "we say no, inferno!". Young people walk past them, they wear T-shirts on which the titles of video games are. Some grin, many zÃ¼cken their digital camera, because it is good fodder for Flickr, Facebook or Twitter.

But for the handful of protesters outside the entrance of the Exhibition Games' Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) here is no joke: they are outraged about the new video game "Dante's Inferno," and one of its in the gray sky of Los Angeles stretched plates have it was written, to whom they are here on the streets against the company Electronic Arts, the producer of the game - against the "Electronic Anti-Christians".

Disgusting and sometimes extremely distasteful

Inside the exhibition hall, the visitors in the mean time queuing up to behind closed doors at a first glance "Dante's Inferno" to be allowed to throw. In the game, which should have been inspired by Dante Alighieri "Divine Comedy" - or at least a fact-like name, because "in the comedy itself is, unfortunately, hardly any action against," as producer Jonathan Knight says to the audience. What he says of course action, because this live his game.

So he has a little story hinzuerfunden. The hero has to Dante through the circles of hell to fight to his beloved Beatrice to save. And by monster aufspieÃŸt them a Holy Cross in the body is pushing, while the brightly lit by giving them the aufschlitzt abdomen or the head abreiÃŸt. "He goes through his inner hell," says Knight, and the visitors nod. Nobody is appalled when Dante kills babies who attacked him with blades. The audience will not bother, that the game is very brutal, disgusting in many places and in some extremely distasteful.

The demonstrators, before the show, the "preacher of salvation and eternal damnation virtual" call to decry their leaflets also said that the babies are not baptized. In addition, Electronic Arts accuse them of witchcraft, among other things, the homage of Satan and sexual perversion. "Share your Playstation against Praystation" stands on the leaves of the young visitors as a souvenir like to be taken. "Our high score is in heaven", called on the group and "all hell has no reset button," while Christian Kidd explains why they are here: "We do not want anyone to hell as a place glorifies that could be made fun visited, "says the 36-year-old to blogs ONLINE and asks:" Why does it need a video game which is my religion defiled? Why Satan superheroes to do? We have nothing against players, but who needs such a game? "

The producer must be grinning

Inside the hall, the producer of "Dante's Inferno" a little grin when asked if he already covered by the protests against his game have heard: "Is it already", he says, "but comedy Alighieri is 700 years old and a fictional work - in other words exactly what our game is. I see no controversy. " It is his grin even wider - a little too wide even as if the demo in front of the hall just a campaign by Electronic Arts in order for a little hype, and to ensure that over the next year until the game is being published.

The
Web address on the leaflet of the demonstrators was a U.S. company acquired, based on domain Reservations specializes - in August 2007. In development is "Dante's Inferno", according to EA only been about a year. A bit suspicious seems too horrible-looking Web site but the group - there is both a trailer for the game as well as the official promotional page of the game links.

YOUR OPINION IS ASKED

Discuss about this article

Christian Kidd would be the accusation that secretly for EA to advertise, outraged by the show. And also that it would be worthwhile, with the producer about his reservations to speak. The activist is a realist. He does not believe that many video player understand what he is. "But a single soul to be saved," he says - "that it would have been worthy to be here."

Electronic Arts Germany wanted to demonstrate on request from blogs ONLINE not comment on it.

The major announcements of E3.

2009-06-04T19:12:00.000-07:00

Play games on the E3 video game trade show is in full swing, and manufacturers outdo itself with announcements. ONLINE blogs pointing the way through the jungle of publishing and represents the most interesting NeuankÃ¼ndigungen before.

The first few days of E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles are traditionally the press conferences of the major consoles and games manufacturer reserved. They try to keep each other with announcements to outdo.

One after the other is the biggest, the best and the most innovation. We give an overview of the things that actually make curious.

Wii all want to be.

2009-06-03T20:18:00.000-07:00

Now even Sony: At the E3 video game trade show, the group had a body-controller for the Playstation presented - one day after Microsoft with its Xbox 360 The console rivals take model Wii Nintendo's success in the pliers.

Nintendo has set the trend - but now get the console pioneers competition.

Video games no longer protected by button and joystick movements to control, but with movements of the whole body: That was the brilliant innovation of the Nintendo video game market in recent years has durcheinandergewirbelt. And now after competitors made.

At the E3 video game trade show in Los Angeles on Monday, Microsoft introduced its "Natal Project": a technique, the movements in space in front of the screen accurately recognize and be transferred into the game. In addition,
"Natal" and voices, faces and even facial expression capture, a controller is no longer necessary. Sony will not stand by - and now presents an approach, although at first sight a little less far.

At the E3 press conference on Tuesday evening, German time, the Sony researcher Richard Marks a prototype of a device that the Sony "Motion Controller" has christened. "His conspicuous feature is a glowing ball at the end of the console Playstation 3 Eye camera can follow," said Marks, a helper while moving two objects that look like plastic tubes with lights at the ends effect. The system was previously just a technical demonstration, but will be early next year.

The camera can the movements of the player accurately understand promised Marks. Software to translate the movements into the game then - be it as a sword swings, tennis strokes, or simply the movement of a flashlight in the virtual space. Also available as a virtual weapon can use the controller. Was demonstrated, inter alia, an arrow-and-arm game.

Man wanted for games accessible to more people, said Marks. With the same slogan had its Nintendo Wii console, which also has fernbedienungsfÃ¶rmigen controller, in the year 2006. The success of the innovative principle had Nintendo consoles in the three-fight in a short time led to the top. Sony had
in 2006 a kind of short-lived PR success when the company announced that the controller of the Playstation 3 will, like the Wii controller, motion and position sensors. The technology that is actually delivered with each PS3 is called SIXAXIS - but was actually marketed in the games never really profitable to use. So it seems to dare a new start.

Sony, the Playstation and the Playstation 2 a long time in the industry Primus, is now the last of the three major competitors, with a room-filling operation variant imagine. Computer Entertainment boss Kaz Hirai told the BBC, of course, had Microsoft's "Project Natal 'own demonstration of some of their power taken. But in truth it was in this area longer leader: "With the PlayStation 2, we have the EyeToy camera in the market, we have the art of playing only with their hands already perfected." The new Motion Controller lift "precision in three dimensions to a new level. Accuracy and tracking are the most important thing."

Nintendo manager David Yarnton said however the service sector Gamesindustry.biz, it was not overly concerned about the developments of the competitors: "We can not really comment because we have yet seen nothing really running. We have our products out on the market , has for some time. "

Nintendo had its own press conference as the only new hardware product is a kind heart rate monitor for the console called "Vitality sensor presented. The device is in sports and fitness games for the Wii to use.

Sony stated at his press conference a new mobile version of its PSP console before. The PSP Go is only half as large as the previous model. It is a portable multimedia player designed with the capability built in, pictures, videos and games to download and save. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are Hirai, according to the new device installed. Nintendo also recently had a new mobile console was launched, which is also significantly stronger as a multimedia device is designed.

The console war is going in the next round, both mobile as well as in the living room. There, in the battle zone between the couch and TV, he will probably decide. And on the way will probably be some ceiling lamp the whole new gaming fall victim.

GAME CONSOLES: THE LATEST GENERATION

Wii

obs / Nintendo of Europe

Playstation 3

DDP

Xbox 360

Sony PSP

Nintendo DS

Closing command for Counter-Strike.

2009-06-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

The computer-ESL league says a tournament in Karlsruhe, which CDU triumphs. A victory of the values on the Ballerkram? Or rather despicable campaign province theater? We look behind the scenes of a political decision-making process - and in the shallows a new generation conflict.

First AktKarlsruhe, 5 May, Main Committee of the Municipal
Actually, no special events. Mayor Heinz Fenrich promulgated under the item "Other", that the urban Black Hall on 5 June for a computer game tournament will be used.

aktion-jugendkultur.de
Success: Just in time for the local election, it has the CDU Karlsruhe done, parts of the young voters to mobilize - but against them

Fein is because municipalities need the money. But since the 11th March, since the Amoklauf of Winnenden is a lease for an e-Sports event no decision is more routine, but political dynamite. Fenrich leaders of party, the CDU, BÃ¶ll just after nationwide bans all sorts of things except weapons. They are okay, because certainly in shooters and hunters hand - and the wood to hunt birds or know everything that moves in the woods, but usually no people. Unlike computer?

The 64-year-old Heinz Fenrich see games like Counter-Strike criticism, but on discussion events bans. Fenrich, "representatives of all political groups have encouraged me."

His CDU Group. ONLINE blogs are public, the minutes of the meeting at which the decision was made. It says: "The CDU believes that the proposed route for the right."

Second AktBerlin, 675 kilometers from Karlsruhe, German
Ingo wave Reuther, Karlsruhe council member, but as a member of parliament this week in his home, learns from the planned tournament. "I am immediately excited," recalls the former prosecutor and judge. Because games like Counter-Strike "are killer games and where we want in Karlsruhe no forum." Especially not in a municipal hall.

What a Killerspiel, we want to know. Reuther wave can explain: "This creates a great feeling of power, there is about as many people as possible to kill a player carries out vigilantism."

On this definition, disturbs the Mayor Fenrich. It provides: games after wave Reuther definition are already prohibited. Counter-Strike, however, is allowed, for players aged 16 years. Fenrich appears the shooter as an action game. It reminds him to a Schwarzenegger movie.

The disputes Ingo Wellenreuther not. He wants to command the closing of the event. The problem: His own group has recently supported the Lord Mayor. For wave Reuther apparently one of the unfortunately side effects of democracy, if not to watch it: "That can happen, and they were overwhelmed with the agenda and I was on the day not there."

A mistake that is somehow understandable - but keep the values of the party because it was not the same, no matter where Mr. Reuther shaft is straight?

To do this he says nothing. But his group has meanwhile, in order to clarify the Interior of the country colleagues, Heribert Rech, CDU. Also wants the closing command for the event.

Short Game for bridging between the renovation break
Doris Baltinger, Group leader of the SPD in Karlsruhe: "Mr. Reuther wave but in the Bundestag should the laws change if he wants to ban the games." Here he sits in the interior and justice committee. His answer: "That I am working."

Third AktImmer still Karlsruhe, but now felt only 67.5 kilometers from Berlin
On 14 May, the mood turned, the CDU Karlsruhe in a press release calls the ban on the event and would like the mayor to help these "killer games to prohibit."

A clear formulation oblique than it did in the previous week, when it stated: "You can not scold the municipalities, if on the part of the country and the federal government is not the legal requirements are."

Because the OB games can not even ban and he wants to forget. Especially the concept of parent-Lan in advance of the tournament, convinced the 64-year-olds,
there could be teachers, parents, skeptics about the games of youth information. The patron of the parent-Lan events Armin Laschet means that he is education minister in North Rhine-Westphalia, and of course by the CDU.

Others do not believe in prohibitions: Ouaquasse Younes, president of the Student Union, is on the other hand, as Philip Miss Fields, the head of the Junge Union, the Bureau and member of the CDU member of parliament. The Cologne Fritz Schramma OB (CDU) opened last November, even the World Cyber Games. The Olympics of the self-Ducats Daddler invited the best Counter-Strike in the world to a duel.

"Because I am so happy that I am of the CDU in Karlsruhe am," replied Ingo wave Reuther, as we see it on the phone to point out how inconsistent his party presents. Strong words. A man with a mission?

Doris Baltinger of the Karlsruhe SPD seems to believe: "Mr. Reuther wants to wave the next mayor, and uses this matter to his rival Margret Mergen off."

For the controls the company, which manages the Stadthalle. So you would first need to yelp when the lease was signed. "He proposes several birds with one stone," says Doris Baltinger, "he differentiates itself from the OB, the CDU its own profile with conservative values and urged his rival to the sidelines."

"Nonsense," replied Ingo wave Reuther, "I would like to return in September in the Bundestag."

Moreover, it makes the thing. 2007, the Bundestag deputies Ingo wave Reuther incidentally in Mannheim as a candidate for the chief seats in the town hall to. He landed at around 32 percent.

Fourth AktKarlsruhe, behind the scenes
Representatives of the tournament organizer ESL travel to Karlsruhe and seek dialogue. Christian Brand, in wages and bread at Turtle Entertainment Games producer and spokesman for the ESL, recalls: "There were all the groups, many have asked critical questions."

Only by the CDU were not as many as: "But we have tough words: they are not the tournament."

Only Mayor Fenrich opposed at this time against his own group: "The ESL does the past seven years, in numerous other cities."

As recently in Offenbach, then stated the Youth "
A Rapkonzert aggressive acts. "

Nevertheless, the trend of Karlsruhe. As always, if somewhere a murder Waffennarr on tour, there is growing pressure to ban media content. Previously, it was films and videos, to video games today. Karlsruhe for the tournament was originally scheduled take place in Stuttgart. Even then it was banned.

Fifth AktSondersitzung CDU Karlsruhe
The air is thin for OB Heinz Fenrich, dark clouds gather over the Schwarzbach Hall: The CDU Karlsruhe convene a special meeting of the municipal one. The will decide the lease for the event to cancel. Turtle Entertainment, the organizers but did not want to lock this command, and on to the feed for a "city successfully defends itself against Killerspiel event" message to be. She says her from the tournament.

"Meeting canceled for Shooter games," reports the "KÃ¶lner Stadt Anzeiger" the next day. Because of the "mood in the population," explains Heinz Fenrich OB there, had been agreed with the organizer of the event in sight. "We are at the mercy of the politicians," the paper cited on the other hand, Christian Brand, spokesman for the organizers prevented. In a press release his company states: "It is clear that the great distance to our youth and the new media a serious generational conflict disclose."

After Game
Behind the scenes is Fenrich with SPD-wife Doris Baltinger quite agree. Both are wondering: If we start with Forbid, where we hear that on?

Good question. We make the Municipal Council and Members of the Bundestag Ingo Wellenreuther a few suggestions: How about, for example with the shooting galleries at the fair at the weekend? What about the Shooting of the city, the grants from the City Treasury will receive?

"That," says Ingo Wellenreuther, "is an entirely different matter."

Perhaps even other voters? On 7 June Karlsruhe elect the new council and the European Parliament.

YOUR OPINION IS ASKED

Discuss about this article

Before the local elections but there is sentiment at once, a "youth action" has a demonstration near the city of Karlsruhe registered. The organizers of the self-proclaimed "e-sports enthusiasts" Schlorke Norman (19) expect 500 to 1000 participants. So much political engagement of young voters Karlsruhe has long experienced.

On Friday, the original date of the tournament gamer, march them through Karlsruhe.
On its website the initiators write: "We do not want to be saddled with as scapegoats so that the policy is a nice theme for their campaign has!"

Let's go by 18 clock.

Gaming with full deployment.

2009-06-02T22:08:00.000-07:00

Tough competition for Nintendo's Wii: Microsoft presents a new way to control video games and interact with them. Without a controller, without a keyboard, just with gestures, facial expression and voice. The professional world is fascinated - ONLINE blogs has tried the system.

Los Angeles - wedeling, kick, throw, gesticulate, grimaces cut: Microsoft wants to ensure that video games will be operated very differently than with analog joysticks, and many colorful buttons. In an industry where every small step, every new game with words such as revolutionary, visionary, or at least stunning behÃ¤ngt is also historically the word with caution. If it is on the E3 video game trade show falls, you should still be cautious. Because this is a place where superlatives with gegeizt will not.

That is why we tried to do something with the shoulders to twitch when Chris Lewis, chief of the Europe-Entertainment Division of Microsoft, from a historic step speaks of the "Natal Project" will be made. But this is probably true.

"Project Natal" is a new technology, accessories for the Xbox 360 And the can, the idea is when you try it to create something that not only the world of video games could fundamentally change. The technology allows new ways of interacting with the console from which you previously could only dream of. One could also say: You think innovations like Sony's EyeToy camera and furious successful Nintendo Wii console is consistently - and raises them to a new level.

The system detects the movements of the skeleton

"Project Natal" is a technique for the controller to be superfluous, the only boundary between game players and the surface of the screen can be - and even the sometimes seemingly disappears. It is the controller that eliminates the controller: a small box in which a camera, microphones and a sensor plug. With this sensor, the console, any person who enters it, to clearly identify.

And not only on the face. It recognizes different voices, the size and body size measure, and yet this makes the things in the cinema today, often as a technique is used: Motion Capturing. It detects movement by means of displacements of the bones. It scans the skeleton and translates these movements to the screen immediately. And not just two, but in the whole depth of the room.

There are also programs that can recognize emotions. Based on the facial expression to know whether the player rather sad or cheerful looks and recognizes the same emotion in his voice. It detects whether Jokes tears or sad story.

During the presentation in a hotel room away from the show will quickly realize how amazing the new technology really is. Without the device in hand, we are in front of the TV and can influence what is happening yet. Through the movement of hands, legs or face, by voice or gestures.

Once in one of the games shown a ball on a zugeflogen comes, can I propose with the hand or on the other hand, it occurs. Shoot with the ball slowly destroy a wall, until it finally won. After a few moments you are in the room and no longer remembers that one stares at a screen. The ball, which served on the screen, is in the imagination actually exists. Man turns his head to the side when it comes to him zugeflogen, rotates the leg to make it easy to catch and protects the soft parts with his hands when he served in dangerous height comes.

More than a Gimmick

"Only with the help of one's own life experience to control," says one of the developers and establishes a racing one. "Burnout", a fast game, good reactions and the willingness to spectacular crashes requires. The developers have modified it slightly. Actually is "burnout" with the controller played by pressing a gas or slowed, with a small joystick steering.

Now, the whole body: the foot in front - gas, walk back - slow down. The hands hold the body, as if you have a steering wheel in his hand and would steer. The Surprising: It works. And so intuitive that you be a flawless round of lies down. Up here, however, is "Project Natal" little more than a gimmick, a beautiful and well-functioning, but basically superfluous control variant, which differs from the competition at first glance hardly differs.

What a difference to the traditional game controller really makes clear, is called "Milo" and is a short excerpt from a game, the legend developer Peter Molyneux is currently developed. Milo is a small boy, who responded, if you look at the TV is approaching. He talks with us, looks after us when we in the room and go off and remember, if we look sad or happy. He asks what is going on, tries to bring us.

Then he asks us to do things. Throws Us a mask, which we unconsciously "catch" or at least try. Moreover he is pleased and invites us to take it up with your fingers to form circles, she holds in front of the eyes, plays "mask". Now we are approaching a pond, a water surface and see fish in the water and its mirror image. Once you close with your hands, blurred the water surface. You play in the water, away fish and destroyed the mirror image. It surprised quite a regular: The hands are not wet.

"Project Natal" works now - and answered some dreams of video gamers and Star Trek fans. It is the first step on the holodeck in a truly virtual world. The most beautiful in this technique is: it no longer plays with the controller, but with the game.

The Netbook future loves Linux.

2009-06-02T20:20:00.000-07:00

Netbook be shipped with Windows XP - at least so far. That could soon change. At the Computex computer trade show in Taiwan are mini-notebooks to see which cell phone chips and running Linux versions running. Nevertheless, Microsoft could be the future Netbook secure.

The first Netbook, the Asus EEEPC 901, yet it looked as if the little light on low-cost laptops will always be running Linux. Asus had a Linux system to the small screen and the processor adapted slippers. Vista to install it, it would have been impossible, because Microsoft's current Windows too high demands on the hardware.

The solution came in the form of an oldies: Especially for the Netbook, Microsoft Windows XP, which actually has long disappeared from the range should continue to retain its sales lists. However Netbook exclusively for and under the condition that certain low-priced computer maximums do not exceed. Because of these limitations have Windows Netbook never more than a gigabyte of RAM and 160 GB of disk space.

Hopes, these limits may, with the introduction of Windows 7, could be a report of the industry Web site "
Digitimes' nullification. As a result, both Intel and Microsoft to extend the screen size for Windows-7-inch Netbook to 10.2 only. Confirmed this is not, both companies said to mention the rumors.

A smartphone chip in low-cost laptop

A restriction to a maximum of 10.2-inch screens could be the manufacturers, however, also make tasty, again alternatives to Windows on it. The fact that several manufacturers are already in the process, which is based on Linux-based Android mobile operating system to adjust the small computer, has long been no secret anymore. At Computex, but is now actually a Android-Netbook to see.

Issued, it is calculated from Asus, the company, its Netbook Linux in favor of Windows XP again einstampfte. On a Netbook, which just presented EEEPC 1008HA striking looks similar, is also designated as a Google OS operating system. What the system is still out: The device is not the normal Intel hardware, all else equal Netbook makes. Instead, the Android-Netbook Snapdragons by Qualcomm chipset driven.

The same chips potter in TG01 Toshiba smartphone and will be in a pbook designated as Wistron Widescreen Netbook work. If they stick to what Qualcomm promises - and the first video evidence of the Netbook Asus Snapdragons-out - they should be exactly the right mix of multimedia performance and power management technology are united, the one from a counterpart to Intel's Atom Netbook processor wishes.

Microsoft makes the Wii competition.

2009-06-02T19:16:00.000-07:00

Microsoft has in the E3 video game trade show in California, the trade with a technical innovation perplexed. A new input device for the Xbox 360 game should not only can recognize gestures, but also to facial expressions and voice of the players react.

Peter Molyneux is a legend - but one with a reputation for being occasionally mannen of enthusiasm about it. His game projects, such as "Black & White", "Fable" or "The Movies" teem always good ideas, but sometimes can not quite believe what their creator promises - and often much later than originally announced. Whether this is an omen for this is what Molyneux, on behalf of Microsoft at the E3 video game trade show in Los Angeles demonstrates?

AFP
Microsoft's "Project Natal" games only with movements controlled

How Microsoft plans because, in fact, would be a revolution, not just for games, but for entirely different applications. The "Project Natal" baptized input, not only should recognize the player movements - movements of the whole body, not just one herumgeschwenkten controller - but also facial expressions and voice capture and process.

In a video demonstration Molyneux is a young woman named Claire, which with a little boy named Milo speaks and plays. Milo, it is embarrassing, as Claire him about his homework asks Claire appals hand movements with a few fish in the pond. But Claire is facing the screen, Milo looks out - he is an impressive computer animated creature that reacts to what Claire says and does.

Works well on old consoles

Cameras, microphones and a depth sensor, according to Microsoft it should be also possible, such as sports games such as car racing, boxing or football, the figures standing in front of the screen with natural movements to control. That would be a bit like Nintendo's highly successful Wii console - only that there still a motion controller in the hand in order to control the game. Also about what Sony's console with a camera "EyeToy" is possible, even the movements in front of the screen can see, the possibilities seem far to go out of Natal.

GAME CONSOLES: THE LATEST GENERATION

Wii

obs / Nintendo of Europe

The small competitor is in contrast to the rival consoles, not high-resolution graphics, but delivers traditional television resolution. Nevertheless, the device is so popular that the manufacturer has not announced prices. In the United States overtook the Wii in July 2008 Microsoft's Xbox 360, what the sales figures are concerned. The console features a motion controller and bewegungssensitiven-oriented accessories, such as the "Balance Board" from. With simple sports and fun games, it has for the industry, captured new audiences. A detailed test Wii can be found here.

Playstation 3

DDP

The direct competitor to Microsoft's Xbox 360 - the two consoles to compete with the hardcore gamers who are also prepared for high-resolution graphics to a TV buy. In March 2007, the console on the market in Europe. In July 2008, there were either 40 or 60 GB hard drive - will also soon have a version with 80 GB on the market. It is the most expensive among the current models and gives a high-resolution video via an HDMI-out output. As the only game currently available, it contains a Blu-ray drive, which is also high-resolution Blu-ray discs can play. A detailed
Test of the PS3 can be found here.

Xbox 360

Sony PSP

The Playstation Portable, on the market since 2005, is Sony's first attempt, which traditionally used by Nintendo (Game Boy) dominated the market for mobile games a bit abzuzwacken. Since 2007, there is a slightly thinner version, called Slim and Lite. The mobile console games can not only present but also movies and music. Moreover, it can be via W-LAN to the Internet. Movie downloads and other content may differ from the PS3 to the PSP will be delayed, may also mobile console to the Internet as a kind of remote for the PS3 to be used. The PSP is on the market for mobile games second rear Nintendo DS. A detailed
Test of the PSP can be found here.

Nintendo DS

"Natal" is the basis of faces and voices even recognize who is currently playing. The catch: When the new system on the market, remained unclear. Microsoft, however, now provides the necessary software for developers to make games for the new technology to be developed. The system should be on all models of the Xbox 360 work.

Zune is coming - a bit, Xbox 360 will be social

In addition to the spectacular "project Natal", Microsoft has announced that it will be the Xbox 360 make social. Users of the online service Xbox Live starting in autumn 2009 the Twitter status of friends and retrieve directly from the console new articles in their own account can post.

The access to Facebook profiles will also be possible, in addition to manufacturer some updates are carried out, including the provision of photographs. In addition, Xbox Live users about their music listening consoles, which allows the new partnership with the Netzradio portal Last.fm "(which also cooperates with blogs ONLINE).

And the Xbox Live video market Microsoft wants to expand. From autumn will offer Zune video internationally in the online video of the Xbox 360 system. Moreover, according to the manufacturer, then movies are in full 1080p HD resolution and 5.1-channel surround sound ready. This leads Microsoft's Zune brand into the European market, before the Zune media player this country ever is available.

Recipients for the future of radio.

2009-05-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

Hinterm radio horizon to go: By Internet radio you can from the narrowness of the antenna broadcasting free up thousands of network stations to choose. A computer is not needed. blogs ONLINE, the main Netzradio receiver tried.

The greatest hits of the seventies, eighties, nineties and the best of today - because of: listening to the radio today is not fun anymore. At least if you have something else in my ear wants to have as the top-40-Einheitsbrei that the vast majority of radio stations on the radio airwaves. But there are the Internet, fortunately. About the global data networks to send thousands of radio stations in your program in the world, free, live and with a choice that each analog broadcasting methods far would overburden.

Matthias Kremp
Analog radio from the thirties: Via the Web, you can narrow escape of terrestrial broadcasting

The fact that Internet radio is still not a standard music, is likely on a global misunderstanding is the assumption that we can the Internet Channel is received by PC only - but this is far from the truth. For years, there are recipients who are on Web-radio specialized, terrestrial radio stations tend to ignore completely.

Such radio devices may again be fun, because they extend the radio horizon. The program can be determined largely by supply from the tens of thousands of transmitters operated. From small one-man hobby music channels with jazz songs from the twenties through sport and culture radios to large nation-wide broadcasting of public-broadcasting stations, is pretty much everything to be found.

That constitutes the biggest hurdle for many web radio producer is: What makes you such an overwhelming offer reasonably intuitively how to create it, how to get quickly to those stations whose job it just looks perhaps without them know? And as if that were not enough, the radio manufacturers equip their devices with additional functions mostly on. Around to the music collection from your PC via the device to be heard or to make songs from external devices such as MP3 or CD player play.

On the following pages we present five devices, which typically is totally different usage scenarios and purses are.

The E3 want their fans back.

2009-05-28T19:10:00.000-07:00

As the E3 trade show flopped. Now, the U.S. video game trade show as a spectator again Daddelparadies masses attract. New game concepts and a mobile player are among the highlights, the next week in Los Angeles show.

Los Angeles - America's largest computer trade show E3 to the radical AbwÃ¤rtssog escape the past years. In the coming week will show once again the powerful Right and a glossy, at least comparatively reach full size - with around 40,000 visitors. World premieres like the new iPod challenger Zune HD from Microsoft to help provide the E3 to a successful comeback to pay.

Finally in 2006 were 60,000 fans to the games come E3. But after a radical conversion of the exhibition concept, which only provided professional audience, the former leading last only counted 5,000 visitors, a year earlier, only about 3,000 experts arrived.

The major console manufacturers will be on 2 to 4 June, the focus primarily on new game titles set. "The contents of part of our business," said Uwe Bassendowski, Germany boss of Sony Computer Entertainment. Thanks to new game ideas and party games like Singstar and Buzz "is the target for the Playstation in the past years already considerably younger - and female - have become.

The Japanese games specialist Nintendo, with its successful Wii the star of the console manufacturers, will be significantly more external developers win. In Los Angeles, the world's largest game publisher Electronic Arts, therefore, among other things, new sports titles like "Grand Slam Tennis" and "Tiger Woods PGA" for Nintendo Wii show.

Whether the visitor to the E3, but actually a firework of news experience, is still unclear. New consoles, they can at least in this year's expected. "We are in the midst of current-generation hardware," says Stephan games specialist Freundorfer. "But there are expectations that Sony and Microsoft on the huge success of Nintendo's Wii with its own developments will react." Even Sony could be a first flop bewegungssensitiven with a control unit with a new edition bring to Los Angeles, estimates Freundorfer. "I think that all console manufacturers in the direction will go."

Yet all densely

Nintendo was after the start of the new generation of devices with its much cheaper then, but also technically Wii slimmed-down and surprisingly effortlessly in two major competitors passed.

Nintendo continued not to faster chips and better graphics cards, but clever game concepts and a bewegungssensitiven controller that is now a variety of sports games support. Last year sales of Japanese games specialist in the U.S. market almost as many devices such as Sony and Microsoft.

GAME CULTURE QUIZ

blogs ONLINE

Tetris, Elite and the Infocom adventure - the eighties were the time of some legendary games. How well do you know the classics? Try their game culture knowledge in quiz games of blogs ONLINE. More ...

Still, the company their innovations largely under wraps. But before around fourteen days to the public was urged that Microsoft for its Xbox 360 game console, a new 3D video camera in the quiver, which is similar to Nintendo's Wii controller to control games with body movements could be used.

Back to "shine and Gloria"

One of the highlights in Los Angeles, however, Microsoft's new Zune media player will be HD. The Zune was a few years ago as a possible challenger to Apple's iPod begun, however, it has until now not on the North American borders and fristet also managed in the domestic market more of a niche. The new model with integrated HD radio reception and high-resolution display now Microsoft wants mobile access for its online gaming platform Xbox Live to expand and the first time at E3 to the public imagine.

Microsoft Zune Players HD: At the E3 video game trade show to see the first live

The world is currently around 17 million users of online gaming platform Xbox Live will also fall from mobile to TV and feature films as well as games and music on the move, announced at Microsoft. Among the major console manufacturers Microsoft was so far the only company that does not offer mobile player had.

With the set of innovations could be the E3 for a lot of stress in the care sector. The fair will be after three lean years back to the original "shine and Gloria" to return, said Bassendowski. In any event, the exhibition will show the way, where the industry is said Freundorfer.

E-sport tournament in Karlsruhe canceled.

2009-05-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

It was long argued until one side gave. For the 5th June announced Intel Friday Night Game in Karlsruhe does not take place. Turtle Entertainment Organizers said the tournament which sees itself as a victim of a political controversy in the local struggle.

Karlsruhe, among other things, always appears in the media, if a decision of the Federal Constitutional Court is to report, so if the judges on civil rights and liberties of citizens to decide. Now it can be reported that the e-Sports tournament Intel Friday Night Game of Turtle Entertainment organizer has been canceled. He referred to his own words in the preceding discussion by little liberal tolerant spirit felt.

DPA
Intel Friday Night Game (here a picture of an earlier event in Stuttgart, Germany) The eSport event in the city of the Constitutional Court does not take place

After a meeting with Mayor Heinz Fenrich (CDU) Turtle Entertainment has decided that for 5 June in Karlsruhe scheduled to be deleted. Previously, it had to in the local politics into a harsh discussion about the event, where. Fenrich had approved the event.

For the general population and the policy is, however, repeatedly had reservations about the event, where - because of Amoklauf a student in Winnenden not long ago. Turtle Entertainment was accused by opponents of gaming have been in the e-Sports tournament for non-compliance to ensure the protection of minors. The company had rejected.

"We have the impression in Karlsruhe Local instrumentalized to fight," said Ralf Reichert, CEO of Turtle Entertainment. The company had a dialogue with the local policy sought. "Any constructive discussion on how to deal with computer games and new media will, however, the basis withdrawn if the democratic parties of the termination of public legal contracts will be encouraged," said Reichert continued.

Not only the Intel Friday Night Game but also the parents at the same time set-Lan has now disappeared. With this Informationsveranstaltung wanted Turtle Entertainment, in collaboration with partners such as the Federal Agency for Civic Education for parents and teachers to understand educational guide for the media world for their children and students easier.

Turtle Entertainment has its own figures of European Industry Leader in e-sports organizers. The company operates, inter alia, the Electronic Sports League (ESL). During his events in Germany, the company counts 900,000 active participants each year.

From desert worms and fairytale cats.

2009-05-26T19:16:00.000-07:00

For cumulative stress on warm summer evenings provide the Filmbeileger magazines: blogs ONLINE feels Hollywood action-packed entertainment, fantasy cult classic and refreshing comedies to crooks.

Computer Bild

"The hour of the patriots', USA 1992. Directed by Phillip Noyce. Cast: Harrison Ford, Sean Bean. FSK: 16 years. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). Issue price: 3,70 euros.

In the heavy classics, we see the ex-CIA agent Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) again in a disastrous adventure with unscrupulous terrorists slip, but this is his heart to blame scouts.

During a lecture tour to London, he avoided more or less randomly, the abduction of the State Minister of Northern Ireland, but kills the brother of the IRA terrorist Sean Miller (Sean Bean). The thinking now only of revenge, escapes from prison and violated with a first stop Jacks daughter hard. Ryan returns to the CIA and uses all means to Miller and his men to find.

Quite unlike the title suggests, has Phillip Noyce ( "The Cartel"), the overdose of patriotism from the book of the American Star-author Tom Clancy by some fine Clearance weakened. Perhaps the author has, therefore, production from the early withdrawal? It has harmed the film in any case not, and the CIA has even for the first time ever a film crew in their headquarters to rotate. Therefore we get the best Hollywood entertainment to which you sometimes open up a bag of popcorn can.

Until 7 June in the trade

SFT

"Dune - the desert planet", USA 1984. Directed by David Lynch. Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Sting. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 4.50 euros.

In an unimaginably distant future, mankind lives everywhere in the universe, but will still be caught by the power struggles of powerful noble houses shaken. Especially around the desert planet Arrakis erupt in the dispute, as here, "Spice" is cut back, a great drug, without which no interstellar travel possible. When the feudal lord of the planet from the warring clans of the Harkonnen murdered, can his son, young Paul Atreides (Kyle MacLachlan), to flee. With the help of the desert dwellers and gigantic sand worms build his resistance against the evil oppressors on.

Hardly any film project has so many false starts behind the filming of the famous science fiction novel by Frank Herbert cycle. From 1963 until shortly before his death in February 1986 Herbert presented a total of six novels, which is commonly as much too complex for a movie adaptation was, as they have long stretches of her characters' inner monologues exist. Nevertheless tinkered before completing the cycle of the producer Arthur P. Jacobs ( "Planet of the Apes") in the seventies to initial ideas. After his death they were weitergeformt, but only in 1984 by director David Lynch ( "Blue Velvet") on celluloid spellbound.

The more than three hours long for the cinema version was on two hours, but in spite of the criticism of the fans as a visual and dramatic experimental adventures in film history. Conclusion: Surrealist cult, you should have views.

Published on 27 May in the trade

Super Illu

"The Adventures of gestiefelten Katers" SU 1958th Director: Aleksandr Rou. Cast: Maria Babanowa, Anatoli Kubazky. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: unlimited. Issue price: 2.99 euros.

Since the autumn of 2008 the fairy tale series "Super Illu" shows in May for the third time, a fantastic-dramatic adaptation from the work of Russian director Aleksandr Rou ( "Father Frost"). This time he presents us the story of the young miller's son Vanya (Anatoli Kubazky), after the death of his father, inherits only the hangover and impoverished in the wide world, must move. The supposedly despicable domestic cat, however, soon reveals itself as a rich list of creatures from the fairy tale land and Vanya is helpful to side when it comes to the kidnapped princess from the kingdom of the evil witch to liberate.

Part shrill, sometimes scary, the Russian film forge again the audience into its spell, provided it has some historical effects hinwegzusehen interview. This is the classic hangover tales slightly imagination as a little girl tells that is so about his own illness hinwegtrÃ¶stet. A nice trick screenplay, certainly some of the child can feel quickly. From the Deutsche Film AG (DEFA) 1958 in German rhymes into synchronized, so again there is even a fun diversion from the usual television circus.

From 4 to 10 June in the trade

Direct TV

"Crime Spree", F / GB / CDN / USA 2003. Directed by Brad Mirman. Cast: GÃ©rard Depardieu, Harvey Keitel. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 3,30 euros.

With a fuzzy mystery comedy loosens the TV directly to the end of the month the otherwise rather gloomy Beilegerprogramm something: the reason of his faithful, but idiot accomplices been unsuccessful thug Daniel (GÃ©rard Depardieu) is to get back money in the fund of his boss, rinse and therefore in Chicago to steal jewels. Despite hand-crew work there again nothing, precisely because they break in the house of the mafioso Frankie Zammeti (Harvey Keitel) and can also be caught by the FBI. After the fiasco lies a knotty history in which all parties of their own interests.

Despite the two superstars in the leading roles are the living in Paris, screenwriter Brad Mirman ( "Knight Moves") in his directing debut especially the side actors and their characters, colorful space. They also keep the film hardness with some still at a level not too serious. Thanks to imaginative camera work, good editing and original screenplay ideas, there is a really good rogue comedy, with the "Direct TV" their small series Filmbeileger probably until autumn worthy conclusion.

Published on 29 May in the trade

TV Movie

"Project Peacemaker", USA 1997. Directed by Mimi Leder. Cast: George Clooney, Nicole Kidman. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 3.50 Euro

Before the U.S. director Mimi Leder in 1998 with "Deep Impact", a three-million profit, import, she had in her cinema debut showed that women in the directing chair in action-thriller genre really does not need to hide. In the rapidly told Hunt Project: Peacemaker "rush of Army Colonel Thomas Devo (George Clooney) and the scientist Julia Kelly (Nicole Kidman) around the globe stolen a shipment of Russian nuclear bombs behind. This is obviously something wrong, and all abundance is missing at the end is still one of the bombs, the terrorists anywhere in the U.S. planning an attack.

The result is a classic race between bombers and Bombenfindern, thanks to the imaginative and breathless action can hardly bored, especially as today to world stardom couples adult actor Clooney / Kidman also in his younger years for the necessary care blockbuster effect - the way, perhaps without the expected Knutscherei. Conclusion: Clear glass popcorn movie for friends bold explosions, evil threats and smarter in the last savior distress

To 28 May in the trade

TV Movie

"Civil", USA 1998. Director: Steven Zaillian. Cast: John Travolta, Robert Duvall. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: 12 years. Issue price: 3.50 euros.

By the end of the week, the next "TV Movie" - this time with the two court thriller "civil", in which a grown-up John Travolta ( "Pulp Fiction") as a small lawyer Jan Schlichtman first examined the money, until he was finally unable to take care Justice to fight begin. In a small town, he encounters a strange combination of cancer, whose cause of contaminated drinking water seems to be. When he was the responsible companies at the collar will be Schlichtman continues its entire existence in jeopardy.

Behind the film is a true story: in 1982 the U.S. gained small fame Woburn sad in an action brought against two companies, in the early seventies poisoned the groundwater and thus the cancer death of eight children caused. Despite later were proven guilty, the company initially lenient draw from the affair. Furthermore, since the most money from compensation payments for attorneys fees and lost, went to the court case as a scandal in history, was founded in 1995 by Jonathan Harr fact in a novel process and shortly thereafter filmed.

John Travolta shines here in the rare role of the tragic hero who desperately against his cynical adversary - brilliantly played by Robert Duvall ( "The Godfather") - trying to enforce. Not an easy meal, but a drama worth seeing for silent hours.

Published on 29 May in the trade

The Mac, which comes from Wolfsburg.

2009-05-25T19:18:00.000-07:00

A Mac want to have many, the price for a Mac but do not pay. A small company wants to exploit this loophole, miserly Apple aspirants with cheap pseudo-Macs to supply. The look is not as good as the originals, but they are fast - and sometimes come into stumbling.

On this machine is a delight. Short is the fan when to turn to eavesdrop, but soon calmed down again, are now only a gentle noise of itself. So quietly, a PC before it a non-acoustic nerve on the go. But this is not a PC, although it is completely made of PC components has been composed. This is a Mac, at least, almost, because Apple has with the construction of this machine had nothing to do. Only the software, operating system, actually comes from Steve Jobs company from Cupertino.

All others have two young entrepreneurs from Wolfsburg together. With her company Hypermeganet UG they offer under the brand name
Pearc.de since February, "PC with Mac OS X" on a computer, from the cheap standard components exists, but on the Apple Mac OS X is running. Actually, Apple prohibits such replicas, prohibits in its license agreement to use its software on other than Apple computers.

This passage was in Germany but not valid, Dirk argues BlÃ¶ÃŸl of Hypermeganet. The reason: From Apple's restrictions can be found only after one has bought the operating system, since the terms of use in the software package insert and before the opening could not be inspected. BlÃ¶ÃŸl assumes, therefore, that the sale of PCs with Mac OS X in Germany is legal. So far this works well. Although the company their computers for months and sell offers, is not a head wind of Apple to be felt. In the U.S., however, Apple is currently trying, against the clone vendor Psystar approach. So far without result.

A rapid calculator

The equipment of the test device can be clearly seen. As the processor is a quad-core chip from Intel with 3 GHz built. The side 8 GB of RAM and a hard drive with 750 GB. In addition, a DVD burner, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, several USB ports, Firewire, dual Gigabit network jacks, and a fast graphics card with 1 GB of graphics memory. Complete Price: 1358.96 Euro 11.99 plus shipping.

Since Apple can not keep up. A roughly equal equipped Mac Pro would cost twice as smooth. Really is comparable but not. So plug in Apple's computers, for example, server processors, instead of desktop chips and instead of conventional memory is called ECC memory with automatic error correction is used. So what is expensive.

No problems with foreign software

Nevertheless, it is necessary to clone the credit that he and exceptionally high performance shines. In Cinebench test program of the German-3D software
Maxon he reached around 12,000 points, which almost exactly correspond to what in any such hardware to be expected - and also quite fast - is. That is why is the Mac-clone from Wolfsburg apparently for professional users, popular with a number eater looking for. A large part of the sold-Pearce computer is ordered by such customers, says company founder Dirk BlÃ¶ÃŸl.

My attempts, the pseudo-Mac with different software from the kick to make were all unsuccessful. Whether expensive professional image, Disney adventure game, Apple or free software, freeware tool: Apparently running everything on a Macbook running, Pearce also on the computer, only much faster. That feels good.

Update Desaster

A little adventure but then heard about such a clone instead of the original use, as against the end of the test shows. Just in time, Apple releases a system update for the Mac OS X. I boldly let the automatic software update grant shortly after the publication of the update with the download and installation began. The receipt for this audacity, I got prompt: At the subsequent restart of hung Pearce PC irretrievably on.

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The update apparently had some of those program files zerschossen the Apple system on the standard PC only run made. The man had apparently also noticed from the manufacturer. Instead of an alarm, but to beat all users before the update to warn you in Wolfsburg to resolve the problem tried. As the afternoon in the form of a patch-program are published and made known by e-mail was, for me it was already too late. Long was the Wolfsburg-Mac back in the carton zurÃ¼ckgewandert.

Conclusion: A nice, fast computer, without question. And cheap bargain. However, if you are with every system update must wait until the manufacturer is investigated and declared safe, or just a patch program has brought, he is nothing for me, I am too impatient. If you are not waiting for such a bother, may access. The courageous, the world - and can save even more.

The Never-Ending Story.

2009-05-22T19:16:00.000-07:00

For over a decade waiting for gamers at the return of Duke Nukem, the muskelbepackten Desperado and dubious hero of a series bluttriefender games the same name. But instead of continuing forever longed now come the lawyers.

The endless story begins twelve years ago, in April 1997. Straight is the comet Hale-Bopp at the spectacular vorbeigerast Earth and humanity has spared because Announces American Games 3D Realms zivilisationsvernichtende the next potential disaster.

Duke Nukem Forver: The game is promised for years and will probably never appear

Duke Nukem, blonder as bÃ¤rbeiÃŸiger daredevils and title character of three violent computer games, is a fourth time to the effective elimination of alien with large caliber weapons Outdent and save the Earth. Dramatic title of the proposed Ego-Shooters: "Duke Nukem Forever." At the time, the gamer world is still ecstatic from the previous title "Duke Nukem 3D", a crude mixture of blood, Ballerei and strippers.

Technically, the violent game set standards: So chic saw 3D on the computer had not been made so effectively turned virtual monsters in red pixels lumps. In addition to the Arnold Schwarzenegger-like character, the hostile actions with caustic comments escorted - the game was a hit.

First spectacular scenes

The young people's nightmare with the macho sayings is also financially a great success for 3D Realms. Under the direction of Scott Mills and George Broussard made the developers so a sequel, it will be the beginning of 1998 so far, two years after the "Duke Nukem 3D," the fourth part in the shops are. Much more spectacular.

As a basic framework for programming the studio licensed the Quake 2 engine. What so phenomenal in deconstruction is possible, the lead developer at the E3 game exhibition in March 1998. Three and a half minutes of video with the first scenes from "Duke Nukem Forever" will be shown - spectacular, bombastic stuff. Virtually all objects and buildings can be broken shoot - then powerful revolutionary.

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Only a few days after the release of the trailer but the decision falls on a different game engine switch. Better technology for more ways that one relies on the Unreal engine. The schedule should not upset, Broussard calmed the fans. Despite the bill could "Duke Nukem Forever" in the coming year seem to be rich totally new standards for the genre promised.

The expectations rise

But 1999 is not the game. It seeps through, that there are problems in programming with the new engine there. In the following year to change the rights to the owner of the pub game, GT Interactive sold "Duke Nukem Forever" of Take-Two. 12 million U.S. dollars is the publisher of the digital apocalypse cost. Expectations rise of 3D Realms. But the game is and is not ready.

A second trailer will be published in 2001, back to the E3 gaming convention. Bunter, wicked, and with more details, but shorter than the first video. The gaming side "Shack News" bows in front of the factory: it was epic. 2002, the earliest the game on the market, says the new publisher Take-Two.

Beginning 2002, the American magazine "Wired" the game as an air number of the year. "Duke Nukem Forever" is already four years overdue. Re-raises a fundamental decision about the bunch: The developers Kloppe a large part of the already completed game, and a ton of work on the game engine thoroughly. With the rising expectations of them, the claims of the maker.

Where is the Tumbes Proll?

Meanwhile, around 30 developers working with 3D Realms on Duke Nukem Forever. " It is 2003, again derided "wired" the game as "Vaporware," as an air number. Early 2004 following the award as the largest number of all air times. In the mean time, the third part of "Doom", the sequel to "Half Life" and a whole series of intelligent and well-produced action Kracher, elaborate apocalyptic fantasies with sophisticated story lines, each screenplay demanding better than three previous series. Only the Tumbes Proll Duke can continue in coming.

A half million dollar bonus payment, the developer drive. Take-Two promises in March 2005 the sum, if the game until the end of 2006 is finally ready. The promised money but the programmer can not seem to detract from their perfectionism - except a few screenshots, which seep into the internet and the fans hope, if there are any rumors.

Shortly before Christmas 2007 then a third video: Even shorter, this time without a game scenes, animations only previously calculated. Duke with a barbell and a cigar - a bitter disappointment. Once again, the appearance of the games announced this Christmas Break 2008. Almost needless to mention that the game does not appear naturally. 3D Realms just released a desktop background with the nasty looking monsters.

Patience, and money comes from

3D Realms has now three games in the semi-finished cabinet. While other software companies regularly ill beta versions released to the user - and with the current web applications will be happy - the "Duke Nukem" developers the opposite way and always chosen to continue its vision of a perfect game worked. Without compromises.

During the eternal development has not only the ever-changing technology. Also the question KÃ¤mpe Klopp is something from the zeitgeist: heroes right now are rather milchgesichtige BlackBerry makers with serious self. Then, just the game engine a few times reprogrammed, a few years more pass, it already fits well with the action-hero mode again. Initially, there are more immediate problems.

3D Realms has apparently no more money for further development. On 6 May, the studio for the project and dismisses entrusted with the game people. After years of losing hold Take-Two's patience finally final - now it's in court. Because the 3D Realms Release Date again and again postponed has sued Take-Two studio. The millions for Duke should not be in vain.

Another new video

When the news of the scheduling in the network made the rounds, fled to loyal fans in desperate theories. Who more than ten years of waiting and hoping there is not as fast. The developers, so their idea of a joke would have allowed, wanted a viral advertising campaign for the game start, then suddenly it would still appear.

Shortly after the bad news is after eight years of new video material. In the search for a new job has dismissed one of the developers a clip with scenes from the "Duke Nukem Forever" together, as a demonstration of his ability. The animation found their way into the net - and gave the fans in delight. In the video are Duke, a monster jumping and a barely clothed dancer to be seen.

Technically on the amount of time, the dark gloomy atmosphere close to the predecessor. The game, as the unanimous opinion was on a good path. Thereafter, however, it does not. A broken team and a legal change is nothing in the eternal motto, after which the game will stop when it is finished. More likely, however, there will not even straight.

Netbook Dell wants to send to school.

2009-05-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

Rugged outfit, bright colors, small prices: The PC manufacturer Dell Netbook wants to make standard in schools. Before this can succeed, but they are still a few hurdles to take - because the idea of a student Netbook is not new.

With a fancy calculator you just learn better. Of these Quarel James, Director of Solutions at Dell, with conviction. "Nowadays, students have the feeling that they were in the era of industrial revolution go back if they go to school," says the man to blogs ONLINE. Allen, despite technological developments, they should be in the classroom mostly still use chalk and paper, while at home naturally with computers, mobile phones and the Internet bypass. The school is going to break into the media.

That will now change Quarel, with a Netbook that is specifically for students and teachers has been developed. Equipped with such a device, as is Quarel sure students would prefer to go to school. Finally made it to the kids today have more fun if they are compatible with modern technology, fully networked flat, can learn. This infrastructure could also provide.

We have worked with hundreds of students, parents, teachers and IT administrators worked together to set the device on Tuesday proposed to develop, says Quarel. The result is a Netbook that is based on size, weight and equipment primarily for use in schools and universities is suitable. One might believe, for a mega-company like Dell. The result of all these efforts is still little from what other manufacturers have long been in the Netbook category offer.

Rubberdized instead Ruggedized

The ingredients are well known: Take Intel's efficient and cheap Netbook Atom processor, preferably in the current version of N270, including Intel chipset and graphics card. The pack is accompanied by a hard drive, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in a small enclosure with 10.1-inch screen, put a little more RAM and games to Linux or Windows XP to it - the Netbook is finished.

These blueprints Dell has also held - at least largely. Indeed, the Group has some of the details can invade the Latitude 2100 stand out the crowd. That's first and obviously the rubber of the housing. Dell Quarel manager described the protective sheath in accordance with the concept Ruggedized, for the most stable of the notebook is used as rubberdized, so gummed. Display lid and housing base are completely covered with rubber cushions.

The giblets should be sensitive to all hard blows to protect the device insensitive to the rough treatment, which his school life threatening. Under the rubber layer, however, the Latitude from the same plastic as other Netbook too.

A lamp entlarvt cheaters

But the rubber coating offers the possibility of Dell, the Netbook-students in five different colors to be able to offer by simply varying rubber protectors on the same chassis respect. It is likely that at least the students like: Colorful is beautiful. And anyway Personalization: Depending on how students and schools want it, can be either the name of the educational institution or the name of each student on the battery can be entered.

While this is purely cosmetic, have developers in the Dell-Netbook students actually built a couple of features that are unique. Above all, this is an on-line warning. The lights always on display lid on, if the user so that the Web is underway, whether via cable or wirelessly. Teachers, says Quarel the small lamp can thus immediately see if a student is online, if he's not to be. Cheaters should be so made life difficult.

Where is the money come from?

Above all, however, is the Latitude 2100, according Quarel Netbook probably the only one, which makes it a touch screen there - but only optional, but it exists. Ever the student Netbook many options - and really expected the low base in the fast increase. Knappe 279 Euro, then Dell advertises, the basic configuration will cost. This, however, excluding VAT and delivery.

In addition, each will cost extra money. The initial model will probably - we can only guess, since Dell has not exact technical data herausrÃ¼ckt - probably with only 512 MB of RAM and Ubuntu Linux on board delivery (because then it fits into the current Dell Netbook for pricing). For an additional charge are Windows XP and even Vista available. Software Group offers the gifts from his usual range. So, for example, Microsoft Office - if you can afford it.

Because money is likely one of the crucial factors when trying to Netbook in the education sector to pump. Before schools really are in great style in portable computers for their students to invest the company is likely still some persuasion to make. First, are schools, especially in Germany, not necessarily blessed with fat budgets. Especially not what IT purchases are concerned.

Reboot for education Netbook

Above all, however, makes unlikely a school IT administrator who is interested in the management of devices, software and networks running. This job usually take on teachers who are out of this one reason or another, the technique arrested or feel the order simply assigned.

ON TO ONLINE blogs

Touched: Plush computers for a small price (13.11.2007)

Netbook-Android: Google's laptop will cost $ 250 (27.04.2009)

Small Computer Trends: What the new generation of Netbook can really (03.04.2009)

But at least Dell ventured here and try a restart with Netbook price barrier, at least to lay down. "Six-year-olds has been because of the price barrier so far bought a PC, the Latitude, the 2100 change," argues Quarel. A good plan. But the idea had another company already.

As the end of 2007 Asus EEEPC the first was presented as a computer specifically for the little ones who should make the learning easier, in the classroom failure. Installed software from the manufacturer the same plant, placed first entirely on Linux. The success of the now designated as Netbook device class and the introduction of Windows XP as OS Netbook prevented but the success in the education sector, made the devices Jedermann-toys.

Since it will be interesting if Dell at the helm again herumreiÃŸen, the concept of Netbook back into the classrooms can bear. Send enough of this is the Latitude 2100 all - but this is not necessarily.

Back to the lot.

2009-05-18T19:18:00.000-07:00

On the ascent to the most successful exhibition games in Europe followed the departure of the largest exhibitors. Now dares the Leipzig Games Convention line with the new GM concept - saves and striking with lace against the new trade fair in Cologne Gamescom rivals.

The sector sizes have emigrated, the name has remained. In this unfortunate situation, the Leipziger Messe to restart the game fair Games Convention. The attached word line shows the new direction: From 31 July to 2 August are browser games and mobile games in the spotlight.

DPA
So it was at the "Games Convention" 2008: This year daring the Leipziger Messe with a modified approach to reboot.

"It is always interesting, the first movers to be, and that we are", announced Wolfgang Marzin, Chairman of the Managing Director of Leipziger Messe. Because so far there is no European games trade fair, which is purely the last fast-growing online games market and the dedicated console Daddler outside leaves. Who wants to have both together, must be in Cologne this year after switching, where three weeks of the Games Convention online Gamescom opens.

At the instigation of the sector size of the Bundesverband Interactive Entertainment Software (BIU) - including Nintendo, Sega, Konami, as well as in Cologne, Germany-based company Electronic Arts and Microsoft - is the big game exhibition drawn westward. Only the name of the industry were allowed to review the emigrant, for legal reasons not to take - but also can be formulated as Gamescom Games Convention with the letters GC abbreviate.

But hostile tone against the new competitors are in the presentation of the Leipzig program can hardly be heard. Rather, the impression that they had a part of the industry temporarily leave that one in a few - perhaps five, perhaps ten - years, wants to retrieve. "It may be that the platforms come back together," says Marzin.

No forces with Cologne Trade Fairs

Initially one sees in Leipzig apparently the new Kleinsein as an opportunity to avoid Clearance and comparisons with the second trade show. "We measure ourselves not with Cologne," says Marzin. In a sober comparison of the figures, the Leipzig trade fair would probably even before the start are lost. With 50 to 60 exhibitors - including Bigpoint Gameforge and sizes of the two German online gaming market, but also many small providers - want the Leipzigers 50,000 to 70,000 visitors attracted. The "Gamescom" self-confident, however, has spent the hurdle of 200,000 to try to overcome.

Instead of high target exclaim, says Marzin prefer it, "old plaits" cut off from the product fair leads the way to the modern relationship fair. The new Online Games Convention will be a meeting in which members of online communities really can reach out a hand. The Gothic Guild, with about 2000 members, one of the leading German associations have pledged their participation. How should exhibitors groups Messehalle three as a platform for financially contribute to these presentations through the sale of tickets.

In Hall, the two judges organizers topics worlds. There may be fringe are arranged to rent space to stand without pompous presence. In addition, a family planning field, where mom and dad can explain what the son just tried. For business visitors, a dialogue conference with expert presentations and discussions by industry Hamburg Hans Bredow Institute aligned. Total Games Convention draws the line with a planned 40,000 square meters of exhibition space, however, the available space in Leipzig is not enough.

Uncertain Future

Messe CEO Marzin described the show as "greenhouses of optimism." But whether an on-line and mobile-game specialist trade fair is also worthwhile for the organizers, is uncertain. Online gamers get their applications are already out of the net, they can just as well there after market products are looking for. Because of the dominant payment model in which the game start is free, and only features such as bonus levels or virtual weapons cost money, they can also try online before they pay.

In Leipzig you willing to experiment and start with the happy moment. But the outlook remains cautious. "We do not know whether we will be successes," admits Marzin A. After all, we had two years - possibly even a third year - will incorporate in the show to invest - so even if the gamers in Europe to accede to Saxony, where the meeting was not large profits return. Finally, one also with the Pre-Games Convention small.

For the fair's CEO is also the restart then look something like the prelude of the previous seven years before the fair. "We have things in 2002, not copied, but we developed," he says - and one thinks it a bit to hear gen Cologne, where a new location with a new name to be proven adequate follow.

The games market is not immune.

2009-05-15T20:02:00.000-07:00

For a while he seemed immune to the crisis, now it is so thick in April broke the e-gaming market in the U.S. a massive one. Is it the purchase of abstinence anxious consumers - or that the market is nothing they had to offer?

Everyone knows the market strong and weak periods, an ebb and flow of transactions: This is in particular true for the gaming market. Because the majority makes its sales in the Christmas business. For this period he also saves the publication of its best new games and machines - Clearly, then, that sales in April modest.

Mario: Excellent except in the rather dismal figures - with the Wii and DS, and a lot of fun games buzzing at Nintendo, while competing vigorously staggers

In comparison with April of last year but this year is a very dark month for the game industry is: Overall, sales were up 17 percent, with software as much as 23 percent. Was it because the little Spectacular Industry had to offer - or the fact that in times of economic crisis, fewer buyers 50-150 Euros in hand, a game console to buy?

Probably in both, but especially on the crisis in such a massive sales slump has not yet successful industry experience. Even Nintendo, Wii and DS, thanks in a sort of permanent intoxication of success, the record company to record bears have had feathers: The Nintendo Wii sold in the U.S. is only half the volume of the previous year. One consolation for this patch is also available: The new version of its DS portable game box provided satte sales, the DS's sales rose from around 400,000 to around one million units sold. Increases experienced otherwise only a Methuselah among the game: From the Sony Playstation 2 sold more than a year earlier (and considerably more than the Playstation 3).

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The fact that the Wii just like its rival consoles Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 less and less to settle, probably lies in the increasing saturation of the market: software Wii titles lead the sales charts continue to sovereign.

It is all of the latest market statistics from the U.S. market research firm NPD Group found that the U.S. games market for the April 2009 now at 903 million U.S. dollars estimates. That is still a lot of wood and documented the weight of the gaming market: For years, there will be more implemented than of the entire film industry.

As such, the success of the games industry mainly due to the creativity of its content producers: Hardware is only with the success of good software to make the man. This augurs stÃ¤hlernde but usually rougher times for the games industry: With rising production costs may be less demand for their titles. Because of declining sales, the customer deals with mainly attract: Compared with the previous year, says the NPD Group, was also the price of software significantly decreased - by an average of 19 percent. Ergo: we must sell more to just the level.

Playing with perspective.

2009-05-14T20:18:00.000-07:00

A color display, various special buttons and a separate power supply: Logitech's G19 has little common with ordinary keypads. If they do not, because it is designed specifically for PC players have been developed - which are also prepared, the appropriate price to pay.

The design fits ever: Logitech's G19 gaming keyboard provides robust to very robust - even though they are totally made of plastic is built. This responds to the needs of the audience: the gamers will 180 Euros expensive luxury keyboard, with a view to their virtual opponents faster - or entertaining - the route to take. What would that fit better than a keyboard that looks as if we do so in the jungle draw? A keyboard that is so stable that they can be from an SUV cargo drop, without that it will irreparably damage?

But in the real world should be of such experiments, prefer to dispense. Because the look is deceptive: From stable metal or similar materials is nothing - not even the silver-colored tube on which the axis of a rotating screen, the keyboard is mounted.

This color makes the G19 very special. At 320 x 240 pixels, the mini-screen is exactly as much as many mobile phones. Immediately after the keyboard is wired and connected to the PC has to do it, however, precious little. Only a Logitech logo indicates that current flows, all plug into the correct jack plug. Only when the software has installed, the display will awake to life. It then displays in regular information exchange on the utilization of processor and memory, it logs the time and the latest news from several RSS feeds.

Because the permanent plenty bored, it is worth considering the configuration software of the G19 screen once, but what this after every restart automatically does anyway. Here you can adjust the images show, for example, certain RSS feeds, modules completely off. In addition, the software can tell which folder on the computer one of his films has passed. If they know you can on the whole blockbuster Winz-screen.

Not every game like the game

How much fun does depend on personal preferences. So impressive is a Star Wars battle of Sternenkreuzern to 320 x 240 pixels in any case not. Surpassing even come as YouTube videos to apply to the keyboard via the Internet connection of the PC download. The tone this one has certainly continue to obtain from a PC, speakers in the G19 are not integrated.

While all this is only the side-entertainment, the G19 in some games actually provide useful services. Then on the display, for example, environment maps, games or connecting to other players appear. So the screen is a real added value, becomes the second display. Unfortunately, these opportunities do not use in any game. Logitech even keep a list of about 40 compatible games.

Macros, where the fingers of

Where the display does not help, the G-keys to the game. The software can be with your own macros show the individual automate game actions. Twelve of these keys are left from the actual keyboard. You can switch by each with three macros equip. So theoretically possible 36 macros will probably hardly anyone seriously exploited. The switch, which is the Windows key and context menu can be disabling, however, you regularly use. These two keys have been so many online games virtual hero lives.

The G19 keyboard, it could cost a maximum of life if they are to be treated rough. It is quite robust, brings few grams on the scales more than conventional keypads. Your cables are especially thick executed well tolerated rough treatment without having einzuknicken. Also depends not just a cable from the back of the unit, but two.

These keys are nothing on tap

The second blower is required to get the keyboard with its power to connect. This is unusual for a keyboard. But without its own power supply is good for the G19 as the best roofing. The lion's share of its energy appetite is expected to have the display, but there is yet another gimmick that eats electricity and happiness upon gamers will be the key lighting. In fact one has the freedom to choose, what color the buttons will be illuminated - and infinitely for each game separately adjustable.

Exactly for such gimmicks, the G19 is built. And exactly such gimmicks are their strength - apart from the strong performance in games of course. Where the gaming keyboard on the other hand, fails, is simple Tipperei. The keys on the G19 are quite obviously designed for endurance, not to Vielschreiberei. To write a long text that seems the keyboard is not ideal, has a soft and vague to defined pressure point. But that is also not the purpose of the G19. With the aim to play, play, play.

The dragon father.

2009-05-14T19:14:00.000-07:00

Dice, maps and pencils. With this tool, Dave Arneson created the late sixties, a virtual reality that shaped generations and the blueprint for games has been: Fantasy role-playing games. Inventor Arneson was the guy in the second row - and played until the age D & D.

The games, which Dave Arneson his youth in the basement of his parents' home in Saint Paul, Minnesota, spent, are today the least people understand: tabletops. These so-called conflict simulations, the participants play with miniature armies on three-dimensional, lovingly reproduced battlefields after battles after extensive regulations. Arneson came as a teenager with these games into sometime in mid-sixties. Because his parents gave him a copy of the tabletop classic "Gettysburg" of the U.S. games publisher Avalon Hill.

A few years later Arneson created with the game designer Gary Gygax from the dry dust tabletops an entirely new game genre: the dice, paper, pen and regulations played RPGs. This from a game made live games were settled and the only virtual reality, several players in the same fantasy world could live together, long before computers powerful and cheap enough for such tasks were.

The beginning of April has died with Dave Arneson
Gary Gygax in the early seventies, the first commercial RPG developed Dungeons & Dragons. D & D is up today. Computer RPGs have a lot of figures, rules, scenarios and storytelling elements from Dungeons & Dragons over, as today's strategy games still felt part of the tabletop classic influences.

Previously dispute about fame and money

But Arneson had the misfortune, as RPG's father early in the eclipse to be - even in the seventies there was an unpleasant legal battle over its share of D & D and the co-Gygax. Outcome of this dispute, although the two fathers of the game later publicly nachgegtragen have nothing more: In the official history of the D & D publisher TSR Arneson name now appears twice. 1970, stands there, Arneson had a game scenario in the sewers of a fortification "designed in 1971 by" Gary Gygax together 'is the Fantasy game' developed '.

A shared history of this time the two have never written, but the dispute was the end of the seventies probably too deep. This is regrettable, but then they laid the foundation for computer games such as the
Ultima series Richard Garriott, to all of today's so extremely popular online role playing masses Ã la World of Warcraft and incidentally also for a very special kind of paper (pen & paper in the English original) role-plays.

D & D inspired Ultima programmers Garriott

In the beginning there was a very understandable interest: Arneson was no longer a Tabeltops only when an army commander and the only motivation to win in a battle hoping to be able to. That was a little one dimensional, as Arneson US Magazine
"Gamespy" 2004 hindsight told: "We played together for several years and then tried our own game variants. We developed several pieces for their own goals, some of which even non-military nature. And at this point, I think we started with the role play. "

Arneson traveled 1969 or 1970 - just after he could not in talks to recall the year - to Gen Con, a meeting of tabletop players in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. They met Arneson - actually history student at the University of Minnesota - the organizer of the meeting, Gary Gygax. Arneson took a regulatory framework developed by Gygax named "Chain Mail" and adapted it with his fellow players for fantasy games.

He changed the rules so that each player embodied a character and has contributed - even on a single game out. The characters learned and improved their skills and of course, collected some useful things. Instead, each time starting from scratch, built in successive games Arneson. And each player devoted his entire attention of a figure, which he developed.

Arneson invented Adventure and Campaign Setting

Arneson also expanded the playing field: In the game, led by him were teammates forests, dungeons, ruins, secret slopes, caves to explore - everything Arneson out in advance and had recorded. He described the players around, embodied the essence, which they met and decided according to rules made, whether the players with their actions were successful or not.

The collection of rules, maps, figures and Location Arneson lifted up by the phrase at Blackmoor - later he published descriptions of this game world, and staging of pre-game episodes (so-called adventure). The two types of publications are now an integral part of programs from RPG publishers: There are rules and to all who are not confined to one's own creative power to leave, there are resource books on every imaginable topic.

The players today, some of this diversity of sources for debates usually use is a sad irony of history - Arneson initially rejoiced over the huge relief from overly rigid rules Tabeltop the fantasy background has brought. A few years ago remembered Arneson at the games at the table tennis table in the basement of his parents this way: "I had no desire that players with a new rule book arrived and said we would have the advantage because it is the old right and wrong. That was a fantasy world, so who could prove that a character was not displayed correctly? "

The fantasy world at the table tennis table

Arneson After the new tabletop game for a year with his friends had tried at home, decided he and Gary Gygax at Gen-Con next meeting of this game approach to make a product - a rule book for the RPG to write. The first of its kind

RPG: NEW TEXTS PER RSS FEED

The capital for the first printed edition of "Dungeons & Dragons" baptized plant shot two games authors Friends of Gary Gygax before their RPG Publisher christened TSR and sold the first one thousand or even packaged in boxes of rules for all parties surprisingly quickly. The game was fast becoming an international success - in 1975 Britain transferred Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson, a D & D edition.

After the controversy over his involvement left Arneson TSR soon, he wrote later, still works for the source of his imaginary world Blackmoor game for the publisher, but otherwise went his own way. He founded a computer company, advised software companies on program design, taught computer science at a private school in Florida.

Like many veteran RPG (Steve Jackson at Lionhead, Ian Livingstone at Eidos) Arneson was active in the field of computer game - privately, however. 2004 he told the "Gamespy" interview, that he is online role-playing games like EverQuest and Dark Age of Camelot had tried, but none so completely as a counterpart to paper RPGs could see: "The players can only in a certain frame together. It is just not the same as to sit together as a group to play. "

As long as his health allowed it, Arneson regularly played D & D rounds with old acquaintances, but also with younger neighbors, aged 12 to 35 years. Once a year, he met with his old teammates, Blackmoor, in the early seventies, the first version of D & D, yes the first RPG ever had tried.

David Arneson died on 7 April at the age of 61 from cancer.

RPG

Hot weekend in the city park.

2009-05-12T19:18:00.000-07:00

Whether refreshingly oblique B-movies, gripping thriller or judicial action-packed martial arts classics: Also in May, blogs ONLINE again the relevant journals with DVD resolution made and the current program for you.

Audio Video Foto Bild

"Twilight", USA 1996. Director: Gregory Hoblit. Cast: Richard Gere, Edward Norton. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 3.90 euros.

After the bestial murder of the Catholic Archbishop of Chicago, the medienversessene Star attorney Martin Vail (Richard Gere) the defense of the suspect Ministranten Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton). At first interested him in the case of neither guilt nor innocence, but his success in court, until the ambivalent Stampler him on the track takes a nasty truth, and the curiosity of the lawyer's callousness of war. With this gripping legal thriller celebrated not only Gregory Hoblit ( "Frequency") as director, but also the current film star Edward Norton ( "Fight Club") to be successful feature film debut as an actor, he was on the spot a "Golden Globe" brought. Once he was at casting against as many as 2100 competitors enforce, then he stole his impeccable as always, but surprisingly little jungle movie partner Richard Gere ( "Pretty Woman") loose the show. Conclusion: intelligently made character duel with dramatic end. To 2 June in the trade

Computer Bild

"The Cavemen's Valentine", USA 2001. Director: Kasi Lemmon. Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Colm Feore. Format: 1,85:1 (16:9). FSK: 12 years. Issue price: 3,70 euros.

Cornelius Gould Stuyvesant, the historical personages from various spun together name of the alleged world ruler, before the great musician-paranoid Romulus Ledbetter (Samuel L. Jackson) in the cavity of a small New York city parks escaped. When one day he discovers a corpse, he believes - contrary to all the police investigation - to a crime. Soon found in the extravagant photo artist David Leppenraub (Colm Feore) an alleged offender - or succumbs Romulus again mistaken his delusions? In its 56th Film shows Sam Jackson ( "Pulp Fiction") has once again skillfully mysterious role, even if his yard-long dreadlocks he sometimes unintentionally funny how a Whoopi Goldberg-parody look. Kasi Lemmon After its successful drama "Eve's Bayou" (1997) here for the second time the movie star under contract and therefore a safe rental retract. Because the script of the wacky Psycho Thrillers seems his audience as to some insidious twist. Without the experienced actor would have to go fas!
t also. But as we look forward once again on an exciting discovery from the edge in this full WÃ¼hlkiste DVD arrived just as Hollywood productions. To 24 May in the trade

PC Action

"Killing Ariel", USA 2006. Director: Fred Calvert, David Jr. Negrone. Cast: Michael Brainard, Axelle Grelet. Format: 1,85:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 7.90 euros.

Thirty years after the equally mysterious as traumatic death of his parents is Ricks (Michael Brainard) own marriage to a low point. Suddenly his crisp Ariel (Axelle Grelet) just fine, but when he was with her for a hot weekend in the years since the unoccupied home of his parents' travels, the beauty is transformed into the same demon that tormented his parents already. Suddenly Rick sees itself in a bloody trap from which it, the use of chainsaws and Hackebeil not seem to escape. As a cost-effective B-movie live film directing debut of the team Calvert / Negrone less opulent tricks, but more of dedicated performers and a weird film idea, however, just at the end completely unfolded. It benefited since the sixties, only occasionally in the film business working Fred Calvert from the experiences of his colleagues busy Negrone David Jr., a provider of a wide range of high-quality Hollywood productions like "Star Trek: Nemesis" or "cartel" was involved . The result convinces !
especially atmospheric horror and offers fans a fun snack. Published on 13 May in the trade

PC Go

"The Commissioner", B / D / GB / USA 1998. Director: George Sluizer. Cast: John Hurt, Rosana Pastor. Format: 1,85:1 (16:9). FSK: 12 years (total DVD 16 years). Price: 6,99 euros.

Anyone who still believes in conspiracy theories, here is wrong, because the reality is much worse. This has forced the resignation of Minister James Morton (John Hurt) experienced after him as EU commissioner in Brussels has chartered. Once there he will by the researcher Hans Koenig (Armin Mueller-Stahl) to a dubious company merger made aware that he now avoids. But that he encounters in a Wespennest, because behind the deal burst hides a tricky corruption network, which soon Mortons life threatened. Of itself as "Europe's director" George Sluizer sighted ( "trace") moves into his political thriller all the stereotypes of the genre by, to the inevitable entanglement of old Nazi cliques. Accompanied by several Drehbuchpirouetten but it is something quite different, namely the "tragedy of a ridiculous man" (Film service), whose idle ego, despite his critical tenacity is just a game ball global corporations. As Denkanregung against the background noise of the global financia!
l crisis Sluizers strip adheres well, especially veteran cinema greats like John Hurt ( "The Elephant Man") is always worth a glance. To 4 June in the trade

PC Magazine

"Last Hero 1", HK 1992nd Director: Tsui Hark. Cast: Jet Li, Rosamund Kwan. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 6,99 euros.

End of the 19th Century break in China, more and more conflicts between Western Europeans and Asians on. When the respected physician and martial arts master Wong Fei-Hung (Jet Li) to an international congress in the city of Canton travels, he is a radical sect of the "White Lotus" in the way that all Chinese residents and their sympathizers want to kill. As even the military and a group of moderate rebels to join the plan, Wong finds itself suddenly between all fronts again. With the continuation of the martial arts classic, "Once Upon a Time in China" (1991) succeeded in Tsui Hark, with almost identical cast seamlessly from his initial success adapter. It was decisively involved probably already familiar with the famous Jackie Chan action choreographer Yuen Woo Ping, who a few years later by his involvement in "Matrix" (1999) and "Tiger and Dragon" (2000) set new standards worldwide. Here he prepared the then newcomer Jet Li ( "Romeo Must Die") to his breakthrough in Holl!
ywood before. Lovers of the genre come to the now grown to six parts series hardly over, and all the others are against the backdrop of the historical story verbrÃ¤mten still furious entertainment. To 4 June in the trade

Widescreen Vision

"Yesterday," ROK the 2002nd Director: Jeon Yun-Su. Cast: Kim Seung-Woo, Kim Yoon-Jin. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 6.50 euros.

Following the example of the current "SFT" also increases the widescreen vision of "their issue price in this month at 60 cents on happige now 6.50 Euro. At the same time, sticking the DVD in the leaflet now Pappschuber printed on the front - the collectors of interesting cover to remove but can be found as usual in the magazine. Quite in contrast to its title plays Actiones "Yesterday" in the fairly near future time of 2020. In one - nowadays, however, politically more distant - reunified Korea will be the Special Agent Seok (Kim Seung-Woo) and his team on the serial killer Goliath value, which goes to high-level scientists and then the police chief himself kidnapped. Until then unsuccessfully receives Seok now unwittingly assisted by the criminal psychologist Heesu (Kim Yun-Jin) and finds out that the resolution of both cases in a 30 years past event look. Despite a fairly tight budget of only 5 million U.S. dollars of brilliant dark sci-fi thriller with a technically hÃ¼!
bsch made "Blade Runner"-setting, but unfortunately patzt also be great with his confused script. Thanks entertaining action scenes and a long series seriously intentioned movie quotes from the history of the genre are familiar with perhaps its rate fun. If they were still desperate for the mid-term after a woof look, at any time you want to simply not know what the end might be elucidated. To 2 June in the trade

SPD-Minister wants to ban games more.

2009-05-07T20:24:00.000-07:00

Saxony-Anhalt's Justice Minister Angela Kolb (SPD) called for a tougher test methods for computer games, too violent to titles from the trade ban. According to Kolb could Tester titles not completely through. The verifier contradicts this assertion.

Too many minors used computer games, only for adults released, so the diagnosis of the Minister. Your proposal to remedy the situation: The test procedure, while the games release for users after a certain age, should be better.

AP
A scene from "Grand Theft Auto IV ': Saxony-Anhalt's Justice Minister Angela Kolb (SPD) calls for more bans on computer games

And seems better in this sense but also to say that more games do not go on sale. "Games in which violence is glorified and people at the current tape are being killed, are prohibited," said Kolb. Not meant to be with their claim, however, that the child protection experts from the entertainment software self (ESRB) bad job. The auditors did not the opportunity to fully examine.

In the past year was for 3000 Games sought admission. The 50 testers ESRB then have for each game five to ten days. "Bearing in mind that an experienced player from 70 to 100 hours on a computer game is, so you can imagine that the testers do not have enough time left for a game," Kolb criticized.

The ESRB decision contradicts this statement. Ruben limbo, one of the two full-USK blogs ONLINE Tester said: "We play all the songs completely. We do not know how the minister to come to the opposite sentiment. We have not asked about our work."

In higher level games, in which the depicted violence increases, the auditors did not. In their view, the fatal: According to the authorization, once granted it is no longer possible to legally later against known facts and approach the game from the market.

Producers should fill out questionnaires

Kolb pleaded not only for the experts more time to give. She also wants to more manufacturers to account. They should fill in questionnaires in which they provide information about the content of the game that his act, his duties and violent scenes. Then the testers targeted search and the evaluators to decide. So far, manufacturers in Germany are only available to the game and pay a fee. In other countries, they are committed to greater participation.

An intensive examination of the imposition of a restriction on age alone, the Minister seems not to suffice. The approval was for the manufacturers' a kind of clean. The game will be aggressively promoted, and awakens the interest of children and adolescents ". She called it appalling that a survey ten per cent of the Ten Years' Grand Theft Auto IV "as their favorite game designated. From the ESRB, the game is over 18 years released.

Kolb announced that they wanted the youth ministers of the countries for their concern to win, which the incumbent minors. "The justice comes at the end," said the Minister. "If we do there should not be heard, I will address that issue in the Justice conference involved."

Bastel thee thy tin man himself

2009-05-06T20:18:00.000-07:00

From an electrical friend, where you tinker in his spare time can dream of many Japanese. In Tokyo has now opened a store that focuses on robot kits and specialized craft courses - even for children.

Tokyo - Many Japanese are fascinated by robots. Some even so much that they themselves in their free access to the screwdriver. Just as the crafters here at the weekend to screw their cars, they look to their electronic companions, instead of like other people to lie on the beach. On the fourth floor of a building in Tokyo's Akihabara district - known for its many electronics shops - has now opened a shop whose specialty is robotics kits.

In the shop with the name Vstone Robot Center, there is also advice on the maintenance of robots and crafts courses for children. It is the only major store in Tokyo for robots.

Plate-mates of all sizes and for various application areas are offered here. These are not just Vstone products, but also other robot manufacturers such as the Robo-Q from Tomy or pleo-called dinosaurs of the now bankrupt U.S. company Ugobe. Among the self-robots which Vstone be seen, also the 1.30 meter remote "Alcnon?". His name is a word game with the Japanese "Can it go?"

Robo-holiday shopping

One of the customers in the store VStone the teacher Naoto Osada. "Robots show the technological development of Japan," says the 30-year-old who just finished a Robo-Q has purchased. The Japanese Government has made the promotion of research on robotics a pillar of its growth strategy explains. It is expected that the business of the robots in 2025 to 6.2 trillion yen (about 47 billion Euro) is growing. Robots will then be technically mature, and be sure that they are in every house can be used.

Even tourists who share the enthusiasm for robots with the Japanese share, will find their way into the business. You see, for example, the dancing Tichno, which is moved rhythmically to the beat. "I love it. They are fantastic. And they are funny, especially the dance," says the German Christiane Ruff who, during their three week holiday to Japan next to the temples of Kyoto and the robot shop committed.

Still at least ten years

Despite the widespread enthusiasm for Robots - Nobuo Yamato, the head of the store, believes that the Government is developing robots is not enough support for future engineers in this area of interest. Vstone developed new robot kits, especially for children and adolescents. They cost of components, sensors and motors between 5,985 yen (45 euros) and 9,975 yen (75 euros). Often they are already in schools. "I love robots, because they can influence them and then move," says the nine-year-old Kazuki Azuma.

ON TO ONLINE blogs

Robot as a teacher: Ms. Saya dominated six emotions (18.03.2009)

Electric elves: Japan is building the Robo-model (16.03.2009)

Test in Tuscany: SMS calls garbage disposal robot (07.02.2009)

Handy-controlled: robot starts by burglars catchall (31.01.2009)

Robot bands: heavy metal music (24.01.2009)

Yamato acknowledges that the metal comrades currently primarily used to attention. For the often announced in the budget or use for the elderly if they were still not suitable. "The challenge lies in practical application areas to find, but that's still ten years away," said Yamato. "The 'Asimo' Honda is perhaps the best Japanese robots. But everything he can, is to work at the reception or tea is served," said Yamato. So it is still a long way before the Roboterbastlern until their devices more than just toys are.

Amazon is huge eBook before.

2009-05-06T19:14:00.000-07:00

Amazon's e-book reader get tremendous growth: With the Kindle, the online DX-mailers a model, which its predecessors and competitors in every way surpasses - even what the price.

Bigger is better? And if so, how much? Amazon's Kindle DX in any case is much larger than the others and is likely to be plenty of discussion material for lovers of electronic reading care. While the previous models, at least in coat pockets and Jack could be accommodated, is the DX model for much too large: Almost on DIN A4 format brings to the new reader.

This triggers the Kindle not only into a new dimension of size, but the price also reaches new heights. $ 489 cost of the device on Amazon's website. That's $ 13 surcharge for each additional inch diagonal screen, the DX to keep the Kindle 2. While the modest 6-inch screen (15 inches) measures, it brings his big brother on impressive 9.7 inches, then 25 centimeters.

A color, as expected by some media, is it not, however, has given: The display is monochrome, image shows how the Kindle 2, with 16 gray of. Therefore, the screen resolution strongly increased. Instead of 800 x 600 pixels at the predecessors are now 1200 x 824 pixels, representing a doubling of the smooth resolution.

Twice as much memory, just as thin as previously

Since it's no wonder that the new Amazon with the slogan "Wireless Reading just got bigger" job. It affects the DX at first glance like a Kindle 2, the man has inflated. But this impression is deceptive. At least he is not thicker become. Despite the light screen is the new Kindle is still only about an inch thick, or rather thin. This could, however, stability problems will finally be the case now VerwindungskrÃ¤fte more manageable than its predecessor.

But not only the screen, even the memory has Amazon aufgebohrt force. 3.3 gigabytes are now available for books. According to the manufacturer enough books for 3500. The Kindle 2 was not even half as much to bring reading material.

New to Kindle DX is the operating software in the integrated PDF representation. So you can without cumbersome pre-transform your own PDF documents on the device. The presentation showed Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, the PDF versions of something that we unfortunately could not decipher - the live recording of Bezos Kindle in hand blogsverkehrt was thrown against the wall. Bezos strives to several pages, then commented, according to Engadget dry: "You can see how well the screen looks even blogsverkehrt."

Large share of digital books

275,000 digitalized books now Amazon has on offer, announced company founder Jeff Bezos at the presentation of the giant Kindle in New York. That's almost three times as many as at the launch of the Kindle at the end of 2007. The sales figures of digital versions noticed Engadget Bezos, according to the Reporter on the ground in a marginal note: The titles with Kindle-edition make the digital versions are now 35 percent of sales overall.

ON TO ONLINE blogs

Digital reader: Amazon boss shows the iPod of books (19.11.2007)

E-book reader: What stories does the Kindle (11.02.2009)

E-book reader Kindle 2: Amazon's loquacious reader (09.02.2009)

So far, however, is the Kindle DX as he is now the press was shown a single piece, and a prototype demonstrator. Anyone who wants to purchase the device, you must still bring a little patience. Apple will have already been approved, a specific delivery date but not yet known. Sometime in the summer as far as it was, but it's long.

One problem remains

Other hand, there waiting prospective buyers the opportunity ever for a suitable receptacle around. Maybe a backpack or laptop bag - or one of the perennial blue plastic bags, with a Swedish furniture store where customers send back home.

German e-book, however, must be interested not in Amazon's DX waiting list even backpacks or bags to buy. So far, the sale of the Kindle, whether small or large, not provided here. Moreover, when the change could silence the German branch of the online giant persistent.

AMAZON KINDL DX: DETAILS OF THE GIANTS reader

Display Memory Interface Dimensions Price

26.3 x 18.3 x 0.97 cm
560 grams of hard

1200 x 824 pixel resolution
16 Grays with E-Ink Technology
24.64 cm screen diagonal

4 gigabytes (3.3 of which is still available for books)

SD slot for memory cards
Mini-USB connector
Headphone Jack
W-Lan

489 U.S. Dollar (approx. 370 Euro)

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In this playground children gather Highscores.

2009-05-03T19:06:00.000-07:00

The sports scientist Phil Hodgkin scaffold has a game called I Play, which just like a video game Highscores awards. Children should be motivated by their place in front of the screen with a place in the sun einzutauschen.

Question: What principle works
I. Play?

Phil Hodgkin: I. Play is a game structure, with a computer equipped. The task is to switch the struts attached successively to rotate, to press or pull. Once a button is pressed, a voice informed about what the next switch and how to be activated. That brings the children to hochzuspringen and back and forth herzulaufen. This variety of muscle groups are addressed. I. Play - an acronym for "Smart Play" - remember, what is the fastest player. And only has a chance in the highscore list on the
I.Play website "to appear.

Question: How do you get as a sports scientist to design playgrounds?

FOUND IN ...

GEE

Love For Games

May 2009

Contents
Current Issue Order
www.geemag.de

Hodgkin, I also have product and industrial design student. As a developer at Progressive Sports Ltd. I was lucky, my passion for the sport - especially football and motocross - with my work as a designer to combine. When the producers asked me Playdale, a concept for a playground design, I just had some old handheld consoles get a gift. So I had the idea that mechanisms of Games in my draft to take over.

Question: What are the mechanisms?

Hodgkin: I. Play is direct feedback through sounds, music, language, and a dot display. The informed about their own performance and motivating at the same time, its own high score or the other player to beat. Also, any subdivided lot in level, between which the children should rest.

Question: And I will play good?

Hodgkin: In the UK there have already been more than 40 I.Play-structured scaffolds. Children ten to twelve makes I. Play the most fun. And while playing they consume as much energy as during a football game or basketball.

The interview was conducted by Oliver Klatt

OUTSIDE PLAY

Already a "Metal Gear" - Hideo Kojima came Inventor 2003, the idea that children with a video game to pull out. In "Boktai" for the Game Boy Advance was the ammunition of the hero on a solar sensor refilled.

China makes blue.

2009-04-30T19:14:00.000-07:00

Because Blu-ray players are too expensive, China has its own HD-video format developed. The first player to be in these days on the market, and significantly cheaper than the western competitors. The Chinese development is reminiscent of an old friend.

If one is large enough, we should not worry about standards. China is big enough. Therefore, it is the country with its 1.3 billion inhabitants, relaxed, even when asked how HD movies at home to play his own way. The Chinese solution to this problem is called CBHD,
China Blue High-definition DVD. This week, the first matching player on the market.

Since 2007, developers in a Chinese counterpart to the west used in Blu-ray standard worked. Trigger for this was obviously a concern, Blu-ray could be used for many Chinese to be expensive. The Blu-ray royalties associated with a significant proportion of the total player costs, which have devices for users in the fourth largest country in the world can make unaffordable. Since the CBHD technology fully in their own country was developed, accounts for these costs. The goal was to make the devices about 40 percent cheaper to offer than the equivalent Blu-ray player.

The underlying technology is reminiscent in many parts of the Toshiba as a competitor to put Blu-ray HD-DVD format. As with the now largely disappeared from the market HD-DVD standard is also at CBHD the capacity with 30 GB per disk smaller than for Blu-ray (50 GB). That should be the CBHD media like HD-DVD disks on the same production facilities to produce as conventional DVDs, which is a significant cost factor represents.

As a copy protection comes in the Chinese system initially to apply the same AACS, which is also illegal copies of Blu-ray discs to prevent. However, already at a Chinese encoding system worked, at least in the future to protect Chinese productions. As the first Western film studio Warner Bros. is known for CBHD and wants this year about a hundred titles on the market, including blockbusters like the Harry Potter films and productions like "The Golden Compass".

The objective of the cost of Blu-ray devices to significantly undercut, the Chinese have, however misguided. More than $ 200, the first CBHD players manufacturers
Shinco and
TCL cost. Are more expensive Blu-ray player from the initial segment not. Until Christmas, so experts suggest, there will be Blu-ray devices, which is the magic price of $ 100 brand below. To undercut must CBHD the manufacturer to pull mightily.

The 300-euro PC with graphics turbocharger.

2009-04-29T20:24:00.000-07:00

Games, watching HD movies, videos cut: Acer Nettop new PC is almost everything you can, what big PC can do - and yet much cheaper and more economical to be. With blogs ONLINE had the device to show whether it is the marketing promise can be fulfilled.

With its HDMI socket seems to be the glittering blue computer to call: "I belong to the living room." And in fact would Acer Aspire Revo well in many a living environment fit: It is small, economical, quiet and at 300 euros even cheap. In addition, he brings almost everything that a modern multimedia PC needs. Only his processor for HD home theater to actually break down, because in the Revo is an Intel Atom, the chip that drives most of Netbook and the economy rather than performance is.

But the Revo is the atom is not alone. His side is NVIDIA Ion technology, the Acer in the first mini-computer is used. You should schwachbrÃ¼stigen Intel's Atom processor in moving him off computationally intensive tasks. Above all, however, the graphics performance atombasierter calculator to spice it up so far that they also as a game machine and HD movie player can use. Lauter things for Netbook and Nettops hitherto were limp.

The reason for their failure multimedia: the chips, Intel's Atom to set up the so-called chip set. The routine work is done smoothly, but is not a specialist for fast graphics. And even the atom itself is not exactly a rocket, but he tuckert since its introduction in 2007 with leisurely 1.6 gigahertz to go out. This situation has also not changed Aspire Revo. However, when waived Acer Revo on the Intel chipset used instead Ion NVIDIA chipset - and has a lot to offer. Above all, what the graphics are concerned, nVidia has something different here and much better made than Intel.

Fit for Windows 7

Ten times faster than Intel's integrated graphics should be Ion, nVidia sounds. Given the Revo one could believe it, because while many other games also on Netbook run if you reduced their graphic decoration, running games like Spore on the Revo is significantly faster and graphically appealing. The Games Benchmark 3DMark 06, however, makes clear that we still do not gaming PC from it. 1300 points creates the Revo. A well-equipped four-core machine achieved over ten times as many counters, an atom-Nettop Intel chipset only 35th

These graphics performance ranges from thick to semi-aero look of Windows Vista liquid over the screen to move. Accordingly, the Revo with the ollen Windows XP but with Vista Home Premium equipped. And that is not the end of his flagpole. Who wants to be the Revo betimes to upgrade to Windows 7. Absurd would be the same. The new Windows is expected in the shop, a good third of the cost for what you paid for the entire Revo.

Multimedia Turbo

In some applications, the Ion as a digital graphic turbocharger. Where possible, NVIDIA graphics chip uses the Atom CPU under the arms. Unfortunately this does not always, but only if the software was adjusted accordingly. All other applications are running on the Revo, therefore, just as fast or as slow, as in other Nettops or Netbook.

WHAT IS A chipset?

The chipset is the link between the processor and other hardware of the computer. It provides links to the outside world, regulates the flow of data on the board and includes in some cases even a graphics card. While so far most chipsets consist of two separate units, as the Northbridge and Southbridge described, there are the functions of modern chipsets in part on a single physical chip housed, which lowers costs and space requirements.

For Revo owners should therefore be mandatory, in the network by applications around, with the words "nVidia GPU Acceleration" or similar identification. But then things get established, in turn, without the ion-atom technique with a chip would be unthinkable. With the free software
Media Player Classic, for example, the computer plays effortlessly HD movies in full resolution. And it works well with HD movies from Blu-ray discs. About the HDMI output of the computer provides the video in resolutions up to 1080p, including digital surround sound. To even play Blu-rays you need of course an external BD drive, with at least 100 euros to account for.

As the ion-chip processor-intensive applications on the jumps can be helpful, but other applications that are specifically geared to the abilities of the new chips have been cut, the better. One of them is the video editing program
vReveal. The software makes the graphics chip as its own, for example, blurred or noisy video images to be improved. As for the Atom chip probably would employ several minutes, is done by vReveal ion acceleration in near real time (see pictures stretch).

Quirky demons and frustrated fathers.

2009-04-29T19:20:00.000-07:00

With a rich selection of 17 films presenting the audience her Beilegerprogramm press. From dark dramas, fantasy adventures to psycho thrillers ONLINE provides blogs, which in rainy weather can forget the beer garden.

Computer Bild

"Femme Fatale", USA 2002. Director: Brian De Palma. Cast: Rebecca Romijn, Antonio Banderas. FSK: 16 Format: 1,85:1 (16:9). Issue price: 3,70 euros.

The film has story by Brian De Palma "Carrie," "Mission: Impossible" or "The incorruptibles" some real highlights to thank. His on-erotisiertes mystery piece "Femme Fatale" is because, unfortunately, only one case every knee deep Pointe, while chic and shiny comes along, after 22 clock but no one alive can.

This is actually really great release when Rebecca Romijn ( "X-Men") in the role of lascivious Laure Ash at the Cannes Film Festival as a smooth jewel thief tries. The ensuing confusion of a false identity and unemployed Paparazzi Nicolas Bardo (Antonio Banderas), the tension built up initially, but quickly verplÃ¤tschern. Thus, the strip is technically interesting, the De Palma once again as a style of his great study model Alfred Hitchcock wants to get a movie, unfortunately for incidentally.

To 10 May in the trade

DVD Magazine

"Bleed", DN 1999th Director: Nicolas Winding Refn. Cast: Kim Bodnia, Mads Mikkelsen. Format: 2,00:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 3,99 euros.

On the other hand, calls between schwarzhumorig-funny and darkly depressed fluctuating drama "Bleed" full attention when the world of violence movie fans Leo (Kim Bodnia) and Lenny (Mads Mikkelsen) is slowly but surely turned upside down. The professional declivities Leo is in fact father and looks a gloomy future full of obligations towards him. During his video guys it's not so bad place dams in the frustration meter high on him and breaks one day brutally apparent.

With a little hard to digest drama builds director Nicolas Winding Refn ( "Fear X") is only partly to his debut film "Pusher" from 1996. To impress again in the Danish star Kim Bodnia ( "In China they eat dogs") and the now internationally known Mads Mikkelsen ( "Casino Royale"). In contrast to the action-packed thriller "Pusher" shows Refn camera with his hand but this time especially profound scenes of dialogue, or Fair-comic romance, until finally, the violence escalates. The result is an entirely separate Stimmungsmix, which not only cineastes or friends of the Danish cinema at its cost. Conclusion: Attractions Independent cinema with addiction factor.

Published on 30 April in the trade

SFT

"Dororo", J the 2007th Director: Akihiko Shiota. Cast: Satoshi Tsumabuki, Kou Shibasaki. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years.

and

Battle of Kingdoms ", China / HK / J / rok 2006. Directed by Jacob Cheung. Cast: Andy Lau, Ahn Sung-ki. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 4.50 euros.

With a rich price of the issue price by 60 cents to 4.50 euros now been quite surprised by the favorable veteran Filmbeileger among its readership magazines. There are over four and a half hours running length of the current DVD Resolving perhaps as a small consolation patch.

The first half of it over itself is not taken too seriously, an anime series from the sixties recreation adventure fantasy "Dororo". This, we follow the fearless, but with various prostheses equipped Hyakkimaru (Satoshi Tsumabuki) in his struggle against 48 rather bizarre demons. From them he must piecewise those body parts back to him his father was once unknown to them has sold. Soon helps him with the equally battle-thief Dororo (Kou Shibasaki), until he one day the secret of its origin and the last reveals the demon Garaus makes.

The second half of the cross-DVD denies an equally schwertbewehrtes, but much more serious meaning Schlachtenepos with Hong Kong star Andy Lau ( "Running out of time") in the lead role. In the award-winning 16-million-dollar production he defended in ancient China as a military leader named Li Ge to the city state of Liang against conquest by the neighboring kingdom of Zhao, but arouses his early successes quickly the envy in their midst and must ultimately fight simultaneously against all . Like "Dororo" is also this strip again a popular comic to submit, but can instead acrobatic martial artist gigantic Statistenheere collide.

Both films together offer martial arts and fantasy-filled friends a long movie night with all sorts Schwertergeklirr, sirrendem arrow rain, and great costumes - fans of other genres of film, however, sometime the Vorspultaste search.

Published on 29 April in the trade

Super Illu

"Rumpelstiltskin - The magic man", GDR the 1960th Director: Christoph Engel. Cast: Siegfried Seibt, Karin Lesch. Format: 1,33:1 (4:3). FSK: unlimited. Issue price: 2.99 euros.

Little deviation from the well-known presentation of the Brothers Grimm made the Babelsberg DEFA film studios in this adaptation of a theatrical adaptation of the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale-by GÃ¼nther Kaltofen. This is the beautiful daughter of Marie Mueller (Karin Lesch) after a silly boast of her father's bad for the king is now a pile of straw into gold, but otherwise it is in danger of death. Completely desperate takes the help of a mysterious magic man (Siegfried Seibt), it pledged, however, the life of her first child. When the man his wage demands, it is still one last chance: to guess his real name.

Practical ways DEFA directly committed the ensemble rehearsed the Kaltofen performance theater at Potsdamer and introduced them to simple scenes into the studio. So for young children even today the charm of the exaggerated theatrical roles, while adults are more likely to amuse the pot hairstyles and their eyes on the striking moral twist are presented.

From 7 to 13 May in the trade

Direct TV

"The Bodyguard", USA 2007. Directed by Gerry Lively. Cast: Til Schweiger, Chazz Palminteri. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 3,30 euros.

A day earlier than usual, there is the DVD edition of "Direct TV" time before the long holiday weekend in the magazine and has also incurred by this time a Hollywood production with the German star on the disc. Til Schweiger ( "KeinOhrHasen") is reflected by a rarely seen side as tough bodyguard, his protege by false helpfulness of the professional killer Maxwell (Chazz Palminteri) and promptly loses his job hinschmeiÃŸt. Years later, it still applies and meets once again chosen to Maxwell, however, even now as a witness to be protected.

After several minor roles in U.S. films ( "Tomb Raider 2", "King Arthur", "U-Boat") was here Til Schweiger is a genuine grab the main role, however, landed in the middle of the most beautiful B-movie basement. Between the little convincing Director of learned cameraman Gerry Lively, a lousy script and many steifbeiniger "action" scenes, it creates only silence Mr Chazz Palminteri ( "The usual suspects"), the sailing time in the wind to rotate. The bottom line remains, unfortunately, only a representative of the borderline group "from the brain, ChipstÃ¼te to" left, obviously with a few postcard views of the shooting Barcelona compensated.

Published on 30 April in the trade

TV Movie

"Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow", GB / I / USA 2004. Director: Kerry Conran. Cast: Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: 12 years (movie trailers on DVD: FSK 16). Issue price: 3.50 euros.

Only for a short time friends find interesting comic-styled art high-caliber individual work of Kerry Conran on the front page of the current "TV Movie". The intrepid reporter Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow) and the smart-ace aviator Joseph Sullivan (Jude Law) is action-packed fight against the destruction of the world by all sorts of fantastic machines Gedo a mysterious Dr. Totenkopf. " With 70 million U.S. dollars play money Conran built the strip completely on the computer that was able to cast off their bluescreens at times but less well instruct. Despite these small shortcomings remain in the end a exciting piece of popcorn cinema left its visual fusion of classic science fiction and the optics of the thirties downright amaze invites.

Until 30 April in the trade

TV Movie (from 30.4.)

"Open Water", USA 2003. Director: Chris Kentis. Cast: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: 12 years (movie trailers on DVD: FSK 16). Issue price: 3.50 euros.

Like their competitor also publishes the "TV Movie" their first day working in front of the 1st May and brings us to the end of the month Beile Gera bid from a total of 17 movies. Among these could be the dramatic thriller "Open Water" is a good choice, even if the plot is quickly told. When the two married couple Susan (Blanchard Ryan) and Daniel (Daniel Travis) during their holidays in the Caribbean after a nice hour with water reappear together is their boat the crew disappeared. Disoriented in the open sea drifting first break up old wounds between the two again, until they finally understand a panic that they probably just forgot.

Unfortunately, the driving force behind the brilliant idea of looking film the true story of the 1998 at the Australian Great Barrier Reef divers lost couple Tom and Eileen Lonergan. Not only for the two, but also for the diving regional tourism, this was a disaster caused by the film "Open Water" years later
which has been around the world. Despite some devastating criticisms played with the tiny budget by director Chris Kentis in his spare twisted psychological thriller to date nearly 55 million U.S. Dollar and thereby shows how simple entertaining horror can be.

Published on 30 April in the trade

The Google laptop costs $ 250.

2009-04-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

Until now it was just a thought experiment, it will soon be in store: The first Netbook with the Google Android operating system: Its equipment can argue about the price not. At least three months should be in the shops are.

Asus Android tests on Netbook, HP plays with the idea that all low-cost laptops now with Google's mobile operating system control. But while the two ships PC Dick apparently still in the determination phase plug, a Chinese manufacturer shall submit concrete plans. At least in June, the
Guangzhou Skytone Transmission Technologies Company completed the first prototypes. One to two months later to the laptops in the shops are.

Skytone homepage: The first Android-Netbook should come no later than three months

This promises Nixon Wu, founder of the company, which currently has 50 employees still on the tiny one in the industry. The interest of the dealers seem low by the master not to be curbed. Over 300 inquiries from all over the world, he had received after the device at a trade fair in Hong Kong was first presented, Wu said the "
Computer World ".

Experts look for low-cost laptops such as the Alpha 680 Wu announced a rosy future ahead. Android allows that, instead of Intel's Netbook chip atom cheaper and more fuel-efficient chips, for example, from mobile phones to be used. Potential battery lifetimes of up to twelve hours angedichtet such machines.

Mini Equipment

From such high Skytones Alpha 680 is still far away. Approximately two to four hours are there in web surfing with a power load persevere, the company in view - a very moderate value. Likely to blame the small-sized battery in the device, which with only two memory cells will be equipped. Current Netbook voted against at least four, often six of these cells in the battery.

Also invites the rest of equipment is not to flaunt one. When driving through a ARM11 processor with 533 megahertz. Such chips are otherwise in navigation devices, mobile phones or set-top boxes used. The screen is seven inch diagonal as large as the first EEEPC, is 800 x 480 picture points. 128 MB of RAM, a mere gigabytes of flash memory as a replacement disk to the side. Nevertheless, the mini-computer to create movies in formats such as MPEG2, H.264 and WMV9 playback. This would be the device to use as an entertainer.

As a highlight of the tiny note that rotating it with a touch screen to be fitted. This can be folded over the keyboard, so that from the Touchbook is a Netbook, which can operate by finger. In addition to the standard network ports for LAN and Wi-Fi, the manufacturer promises optional wireless adapter installed, the Internet connections via EDGE or UMTS, which would allow it.

For Performance junkies, the Alpha 680 is no, this much is clear. But pragmatists and casual users could come at their expense. The even more so when Skytone abide by his own default, the device for $ 250 for sale. In the German retail sector could be so even if the 200-euro barrier for crack and the Google laptop as deadweight items for sale 199 euros.

We are curious.

Android-PROJECT: THE ADVANTAGES OF GOOGLE PHONE SYSTEM

Long range

Google's operating system is compatible with many mobile devices. The more terminal manufacturers in Google's Coalition of the Willing are, the greater the reach of Android. more ...

Free use

The use of open-source operating system is in contrast to other mobile operating systems for free, the production of mobile devices will be cheaper - the use of Android so appealing.

Demanding services for everyone

Experts say the potential for Google, the market disintegrated together. Users of very different devices could in future be able to move to demanding on-line services access. The range of available applications is expected to expand. more ...

Expansion of market users

DDP

Online service providers can thus with higher traffic and new fields expected, operators with higher capacity utilization. more ...

Each click a pleasure.

2009-04-25T19:10:00.000-07:00

The infinite Knisterfolie, Tetris for megalomaniac, the most dangerous RPG of all time: anywhere on the Internet luring great time eater. ONLINE blogs shows the most dangerous temptations and entertaining on the web.

"You have so much time, otherwise it's not backwards in the afternoon here already," sang pop singer Gunter Gabriel as part of a memorable appearance in Eisleben in September 2004 to his audience, "I have no time, I must always be in my ass movement, so that the dough is right. " The audience responded upset, TV channels reported that the Hamburg music producer DJ Koze tinkered it into a small worldwide: "Too much time." But a seemingly simple question was never asked: What is time?

Bubble wrap: This Polsterplopp game forever - as the digital film

Time is the time that remains, or even time is the time to one no longer remains? Time to finally find out! As with any difficult questions, even in this case the Internet. It eats time and other time-eater spits out. The more the Internet, the less time - every office slave can sing a song. Had he, together with all the funny gags Powerpoint, Facebook requests and joke mails round still time for that.

The Internet, however, is certainly not a stupid machine, at the time it learns to eat. And so in the last two hundred years, Internet is an incredible couple of time-eater, which is a crime to withhold the information would be. Before you can play off the stove!

The infinite bubble wrap, HD-Tetris and probably the most honest online role-playing game - blogs ONLINE slickest shows the time-eater on the web.

Two Americans sent 217,000 SMS.

2009-04-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

Tap, tap, only - as have two Americans March spent an SMS record. They sent 217,000 messages, the telephone company, then a thick bill. And the entry in the Guinness book is both not secure.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) is an SMS-known talent, and often like to send short messages. With two Americans, the head of government but certainly not keep up. The 29-year-old Nick Andes and the 30-year-old Doug Klinger from Lancer in Philadelphia to create it, on peak days is more than 6000 messages via mobile phone given.

REUTERS
Quick Tip: Most cell phone users can SMS the letter is not with Nick Andes and Doug Klinger keep from Lancer.

To boredom no room in their lives to let the two have been friends of the common high-school SMSer. In March they wanted from their everyday Tipper erupt and a permanent record in the SMS-up letter. The result sent 217,000 text messages, 140,000 of Andes' mobile phones, about half as many of Klinger.

Whether at the world record for the two ranges, is unclear. 2005, Deepak Sharma in India 182,000 SMS in one month have sent - but alone. Record-breaking, however, fell from the invoice, which T-Mobile sent Andes. More than $ 26,000 require the mobile operators of the 30-year-olds, the time when sending SMS to its flat rate had left.

The bill came in one package. With the postage this was according to U.S. media reports, $ 27. Because T-Mobile accurately detailing all the individual connections on - the stack of paper will be as thick as two phone books have been.

Unknown Limit

After an initial shock, there is a relaxed Andes and hopes for the cooperation extended by T-Mobile. The company had already assured him that he had the high bill should not settle. An explanation of why in the first amount of giants was asked, he also has at hand.

As the Andes regional television station WSB-TV said that T-Mobile informing him that the flat rate for technical reasons to 100,000 SMS per month, limited. This limit was never a problem, because so far no such customer schreibwÃ¼tig was. According to a report from the Intelligencer Journal Lancer've Andes promise of mobile phone company have such a mass-mailing is not repeated. T-Mobile announced at the request of the AP news agency that the operation will be reviewed.

A tip to reduce the number of SMS sent in the amount of driving, they have. During the record attempt was limited Andes and Klinger to mini-messages like "Hello" or "lol", the abbreviation for laughing out loud. At the same time, they used techniques to up to 45 SMS at the same time to sell. One problem, however, the incoming messages. In short intervals, the two had their Inbox folder empty, since the mobile phone memory was full. To read the received messages and then remained generally no more time.

Whether an entry in the Guinness Book or not - Andes' wife is happy that the record attempt is complete. A month long had her husband during the day doing nothing more than to his mobile phone to type. "They had enough after a few days like this," admits Andes.

Nightmares-blocks in four shades of gray.

2009-04-21T21:08:00.000-07:00

Game worlds in green and a plastic housing in elephant Color: Nintendo's Game Boy was cheap, but good enough for a world record. 20 years ago, conquered the handheld console only Japan and then the whole world - no game has been purchased more frequently than the plastic dwarf.

Simplistically, the graphics of the Game Boy, but at least not black and white: The Paperback great handheld game console, the Nintendo 20 years ago in Japan brought into the shops, the game worlds in four shades of gray on a green background dar.

The devices could rival the then much better game console Atari Legend revealed in the same year on the U.S. high-tech-show CES its own handheld console called the Lynx. Instead of four baptisms Graus showed the device Atari 4096 colors, instead of 6.5-inch diagonal screen as the Game Boy had the atari toys just nine.

A Nintendo manager defended his meager equipped toys in the "
New York Times "against the competing Atari then says:" It is as you would with a Ferrari to drive vegetable vendor. "Atari chief Sam Tramiel (son of the Atari founder Jack Tramiel) mocked:" Who would not prefer a Ferrari Toyota drive? In particular, our device does not cost as much as a Ferrari. "

20 years later it is 118 2 for Nintendo. Just two million of its technically advanced handheld consoles sold Atari, Nintendo has its own, according to statistics from 2008, a total of more than 118 million copies of the Gameboys and the first Independent Color Models sold. This is the plastic dwarf the previously best-handheld game console ever.

Nintendo's Good-Enough Principle

Simple design, comparatively low price - this combination made the Game Boy to success. And of course, Tetris, which each sold attached handheld game. When Ur-Tetris are angular, very differently shaped stones from the top into a container and must be rotated so that they place the least possible waste. When complete without a series gap is filled, the blocks disappear and make room for the top to the falling tiles. If the container is filled to the top out, you have lost.

Nintendo Game Boy strategy can be summarized as follows: Cheap, easy, creative and most players are good enough. Not the theoretical possibilities of the hardware should captivate the player, but the variety and quality of the games actually available. With the hardware after the Good-Enough method had Nintendo Game Boy at an incredible success, just as years later, with the Wii and the included Wii Sports game.

For toy dealer unknown Digitalkram

In Japan, buying in the first month after the introduction of the 200,000 people the Gameboys Player. In the United States was the first delivery of one million Gameboys, according to the journalist Steven L. Kent a few weeks after sales begin in August 1989 sold out. This success is certainly not on clever marketing and expensive advertising back - finally knew many toy merchants with little Digitalkram 1989 begin. A Toys'R'Us manager told the New York Times in 1989 still an interesting "Russian spy game" called "
Tetrus ".

Nintendo's Game Boy was a really captivating toys, no advertising, point-to-air. The company's success in Germany can be compared with a small show in 1989 established a German subsidiary Nintendo Company, 1990, this 500 million euro turnover and had a market share of 15 percent of the German toy market - in Lego.

To mark the 160 cost of a Game Boy, from 50 to 70 marks a game. Two million units Nintendo has sold in the first year. Early 1992, Nintendo had 35 German employees for off alone, on the phone to players questions to answer - a thousand letters and 12,000 phone calls came a week for the company. Most people wanted to know how they are further complicated games.

In "The devil in person" titled article called "
The time "the 1991 Game Boy then even an" electronic drug. "The device had" an almost inexplicable success, "wrote. And on the classic Tetris game:" Many addicts report that his strange falling blocks up in the dream inside track. "

Those were the days.

GAME CONSOLES: THE LATEST GENERATION

Wii

obs / Nintendo of Europe

The small competitor is in contrast to the rival consoles, not high-resolution graphics, but delivers traditional television resolution. Nevertheless, the device is so popular that the manufacturer has not announced prices. In the United States overtook the Wii in July 2008 Microsoft's Xbox 360, what the sales figures are concerned. The console features a motion controller and bewegungssensitiven-oriented accessories, such as the "Balance Board" from. With simple sports and fun games, it has for the industry, captured new audiences. A detailed test Wii can be found here.

Playstation 3

DDP

The direct competitor to Microsoft's Xbox 360 - the two consoles to compete with the hardcore gamers who are also prepared for high-resolution graphics to a TV buy. In March 2007, the console on the market in Europe. In July 2008, there were either 40 or 60 GB hard drive - will also soon have a version with 80 GB on the market. It is the most expensive among the current models and gives a high-resolution video via an HDMI-out output. As the only game currently available, it contains a Blu-ray drive, which is also high-resolution Blu-ray discs can play. A detailed
Test of the PS3 can be found here.

Xbox 360

Sony PSP

The Playstation Portable, on the market since 2005, is Sony's first attempt, which traditionally used by Nintendo (Game Boy) dominated the market for mobile games a bit abzuzwacken. Since 2007, there is a slightly thinner version, called Slim and Lite. The mobile console games can not only present but also movies and music. Moreover, it can be via W-LAN to the Internet. Movie downloads and other content may differ from the PS3 to the PSP will be delayed, may also mobile console to the Internet as a kind of remote for the PS3 to be used. The PSP is on the market for mobile games second rear Nintendo DS. A detailed
Test of the PSP can be found here.

Nintendo DS

A chic thicker anti-iPod.

2009-04-20T20:28:00.000-07:00

Competition for Apple's iPod Touch: Cowon Multimedia Player O2PMP may be some better, just as much good, but unfortunately some things are not as nice as Apple's super-music player. It cost the same amount of equipment.

Actually, the multimedia player O2PMP in November 2008 on the market, but this date is burst. The product developers at Cowon had foolishly in the name out. They had their multimedia hope O2 called - like the mobile phone companies, which also intervened. No sooner had the press release about the launch of the new player sent had Cowon pull the emergency brake and the sales begin to move.

With a few months delay, the device now but in the trade came. It has a new name, but has the same technical finesse, which was originally planned. And these are some. So is the player whose name the letters PMP has been extended to more audio and video formats than most of its competitors. In addition to standards such as MP3, AAC, WMA and DivX dominated his exotic variants such as Monkey Audio or Ogg Vorbis. The H.264 video format and music from Apple Lossless files, the player can play.

It sounds O2PMP not bad - at least on good headphones like the Shure SE530. The included earplugs succeeds, however, hardly usable to deliver sound. You too Scheppers sheets. That is the smart player is not appropriate. But this fate, the Cowon with many of his competitors.

Can shine on the other hand, the device with its display. The resolution is 480 x 272 pixels at almost eleven inches diagonal, not outstanding, but it paints a very vivid and provides good contrast. Pity that the display - the trend - with a glossy surface is supplied. That is the brilliance of benefit, but also meant that daylight lamps and annoying on the screen blogsn.

Operation over very many symbols

The user interface is nicely designed and tidy. Never more than five icons displayed simultaneously. This restriction will, however, that in the main menu times horizontally, vertically scrolling times to show a total of 17 levels spread over three symbols. The navigation is tricky especially if you through long file lists must navigate. Who, for example, a particular song will call requires tact. For those who simply go out on the screen, typing, typing too often wrong.

The main symbols on the user interface of the O2PMP are large and easy to use, but not to adjust all functions. In the music player about another eight symbols are arranged, which can erase titles or Favorites can - if you can. Because these icons are quite small advised. Not less than 30, some are very similar symbols manual lists the total. Their role should be to remember, because intuitively understandable, only a few of them.

Make me a Mickey Mouse

Music can not only play O2PMP. The device can also do some fun special features. For example, the playback speed varriieren. Sounds Rammstein accelerated after Mickey Mouse Club, and Rihanna is the Gothic-Diva slowed. It makes sense, it is admittedly, this feature for audio books to use, depending on which one faster or slower Gusto gets out.

Will you even read, sing or play music or something similar, is the O2PMP also useful. About the built-in microphone can record their own pieces. This can also be good, as long as one is not too loud. Rock concerts with the record player, on the other hand, is not a particularly good idea.

Better than an iPod, or just different?

HÃ¼bsch - especially in comparison with Apple's iPods - is the ability to not only the integrated, up to 32 gigabytes of main memory to use, but SD cards as an extension only. The card from a digital camera can be directly inserted into the player are. Images can be instantly view.

About the video output to a TV, the player to the projector - or even the VCR. But only if you need this special cable for Cowon buys. Is not included. And that is a pity, because in the tested version with 32 gigabytes of memory costs O2PMP still around 340 euros, TV-out cable with 19 other proposes Euros.

Priced O2PMP competes directly with Apple's iPod touch. The is far slimmer and lighter, has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and has additional programs extensible. However, the iPod is much less play formats. For example, can not play Divx movies. Recordings are not possible, because the iPod has no microphone.

Directly comparable to the devices from Apple and Cowon is not. What is an elegance and usability as webpads plays, makes the other by a cornucopia of formats and compatibility with memory cards competitive.

Streaming media into your living room.

2009-04-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

You want movies, photos and music from the HDD to the TV or stereo system to play? That, the industry promises to go easy today and without a PC - Streaming makes it possible. We have tried, how easy it really is.

When it comes to media files, are most of us apparently still hunters and gatherers. On the hard drives of our computers are piling up thousands of songs in MP3 format, stacked with gigabytes of digital photos, store a variety of video, digital video recording and backup files from DVDs.

Thus, the majority of media files in the wrong place, because we would actually much prefer it in the living room. No problem, says the industry, there are so called streaming client, the media data on the television or stereo system brings. Only: Which is right?

The descriptions of producer sound promising: "Simple" should proceed "without tricky settings on network." The devices have the supposedly "the finest technical refinements" and give "all media file types on the TV again." The range is almost overwhelming, the differences for laymen hardly discernible. Is correspondingly high then the disappointment when the new device files for the service failure or lack of connection options.

The tester

We have seven units under the microscope, for example, have the same functionality. Basis of selection were mainly three criteria: The clients should be networked, which means over the network data received from external sources (eg network disks). Condition was also found that the devices via the HDMI interface data in full high-definition resolution (1080 lines) to bring the TV. And the device should be as many audio and video formats support.

In the selection of this kind came streaming following clients:

The Popcorn Hour A110 from Syabas Technology (from 235 Euros)
The TViX M-7000A by DViCO (from 390 Euros)
Networked Media Player of the PX-MX500L from Plextor (from 240 Euros)
Media Station Pro from Verbatim (from 199 Euros)
The Screenplay Pro HD from Iomega (from 180 Euros)
The Movie Cube from Emtec S800 (from 270 Euros)
The Digital Entertainer by Netgear EVA 8000 (from 160 euros).

The list of equipment with the required properties is by no means complete. However, many other clients on similar hardware and / or software such as the above.

On the possibilities of the individual devices, we proceed in the extensive picture gallery On.

What problems arise? What are the demands of the technique to you and your equipment? blogs ONLINE answered the questions.

From this notebook dreamed the eighties.

2009-04-19T20:16:00.000-07:00

Had it just been given was from a Commodore C64 has Benjamin Heckendorn built a laptop that looks like fresh from the eighties-years-line. With similar modifications to the crafters already earned impressive sum - but first he wants to break.

Had ever a Commodore C64 notebook develops, it probably would have looked: beige housing, housing roughly grooved lid, large company logo, Commodore lettering underneath the keyboard. But then in the eighties,
than the C64's triumph as a home computer replayability, such a device would not have been possible.

Commodores own attempt, a mobile-C64 to build, brought laurels to the company no one. 1984, the company prior to the SX64. He was twelve kilograms in total weight is still bearable, but always needed an outlet, because it was delivered without the battery. Above all, however, prevented its small screen and the high price of nearly a thousand dollar success.

With modern tools, but it should not be a problem to fill this gap and the mobile computers to build, by the time you could only dream of. The thought that perhaps the U.S. hobbyist
Benjamin Heckendorn. He is a specialist in such projects. For nearly a decade, he builds computers and game consoles to mobile computers, has thus not only a good reputation, but also so many dollars.

"I was an Atari-type"

But his C64 laptop makes him visibly to create. "How was it again?" Asks the handyman, when he presents his new work. Almost three years, he pushed the reconstruction of the computer in front of you Seniors out. Not because of the so complicated - it just came to him constantly in between other projects. But now he is finally finished, his C64 laptop, after only two and a half weeks of construction. But like any C64 reacts only to text commands, and expects that to him with well-structured chain of command says what it should do next - and then Benjamin has his problems.

"Sorry, I was an Atari-type", says the maker. He then amused, when the C64 had its great time, with an Atari home computer, and also functioned quite differently than the bread box. For his self-portable Commodore, he had to get the old system until new teach.

And not only that, Heckendorn had to bring some ingenuity. Solely on the basis of the Eighties-year hardware had his portable Commodore hardly able to realize. The brawny floppy drive, for example, the 1541, he had little in a slim chassis can bring. So he replaced the floppy drive by a special SD card reader. The side has the advantage that it is C64 software much faster in the memory of the computer scoops than a floppy could.

It all started with an Atari Console

But replacement of the floppy still belonged to the easier exercises. In the course of the work had Heckendorn not only modify the main board, even the complete keyboard, the cabling and the power he has rebuilt. A battery is also available in its C64 laptop does not. But the device is actually bearable, and so lean that there is at least loosely fit into a backpack.

The design of the hobbyist with a graphics program developed, the housing parts professionally using a CNC milling machine to produce. With less would Heckendorn not satisfied, and finally, he is no amateur, he is Bastel professional. Nine years ago has it packed. His first project was the conversion of an Atari game.

Expensive Custom Made

Meanwhile, however, Heckendorn Bastelwut to a thriving business. "Initially, it was a hobby," he blogs ONLINE, "but then people always want more." Meanwhile, the hobbyists reach more requests for exclusive modification, are as fond of him.

Here are his designs are not exactly cheap. Smaller devices are already on it a few hundred dollars. For larger projects, but will quickly clear digit sums due. The C64 laptop around is likely one of these projects. Anywhere from 40 to 60 hours, he had worked, said Heckendorn blogs ONLINE. At his hourly rate, this alone represents about $ 3000. Then there is the not inconsiderable cost of materials, especially for the custom enclosure.

Kits for PC DIYers

The computers from which he builds up his unique creations appear on Heckendorn invoices only rarely: "Mostly I get from my customers, otherwise I can arrange on eBay," says the creator.

However, you should be one of Heckendorn computer is not necessarily designed by the inventor himself to them. Who wants to save money and knows how to create a hot soldering iron, can themselves have a unique exotic-build calculator. Heckendorn has not only written a book in which he is its most important structures in detail, together with printed designs, it provides for some game consoles, including kits to.

These include different versions of mobile game consoles based on Sony PSOne or the Atari 2600th Between 55 and cost $ 95 these kits, in which almost all the necessary parts are included. Reich has Heckendorn tinkering with his computer and the sale of kits still not. "I already have several thousand of my kits sold, JK Rowling, but I am not yet," says the modest hobbyist.

This is probably on that Heckendorn is obviously not seeking to create, to gild his ideas. On the one hand, it offers many free building
for downloading on its website. Who is not afraid of the effort, spend the whole minutiae even arrange to get because all the necessary info.

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On the other hand, it discourages potential customers from even aware. In the last four months have included a five-Xbox-360-game consoles to laptops transformed the C64 laptop and also developed some minor projects. That pretty geschlaucht. Now he needs a break once said Heckendorn.

And his C64 laptop it will probably sell very little, because that was probably his favorite project so far. In his eyes, is the beige-brown mobile computers as "beautifully ugly as he could from the eighties, an alternate reality, where he actually existed."

"An aggressive Rapkonzert effect".

2009-04-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

Immediately prohibit or only watch? The city of Stuttgart has recently started a computer game tournament prohibited. In Offenbach wanted the competent magistrate until a picture of events that sent an observer - of the scene as a very peaceful feeling.

To take this tournament to be there, Michael Koch has interrupted his vacation. The man from Offenbach Jugendamt wants the Friday game of the Electronic Sports League (ESL), which claims to largest and oldest online league in Europe, visit. He wants to make an impression, says the teacher. Him driving the concern about addiction and not the question of the potential for violence to the so-called professional Bundesliga games to visit.

On this day a match of the strategy game Warcraft III, and two lots in Counter-Strike ausgefochten, one of those first-person shooter that frequently come into the conversation when it comes to so-called killer games goes.

Two weeks earlier, the ESL
a similar event in Stuttgart prohibited because of the Amoklaufs in Winnenden. Also in Offenbach was such a ban in the room. "We have, however, with the Municipal Authority of a dialogue," says the spokesman of the ESL, Ibrahim Mazari. And it has been agreed: The ban is off the table. Instead, the games now professionally reviewed by Michael Koch.

The works like a Rock-Opa in his black suit and with miniature guitar lapel. Sure, the Amoklauf of Winnenden has its Magistrat concern, but it is not because of the violence issue here. He drives the concern about addiction, "because computer games can be addictive." This he tells a story: Last year, he was with young people in Offenbach an Indian reservation in Arizona, 800 euro had contributed his own proteges, the rest went to the state. "Since then we have the young people at the evening campfire told that they previously did not affect the machine weggekommen would be." Even in his family he knows cases of addiction border.

Is that even without violence?

This could be a topic for the "parent-Lan" his. Regularly download the ESL and the Federal Agency for Civic Education for parents, teachers and educators in advance of tournaments to this information with self-character. In Offenbach now sit 14 adults behind the PC and "
Killen, such as in the nursery "Even Michael Koch stuck behind the laptop and sponsored experienced Counter-Strike," a bit like robber and policeman. "A presenter of the ESL meanwhile tried to convey what the fascination of a first-person shooter makes.

And then talk about the visitors once again worried about violence: "Why can the industry do not manufacture anything, what tactics and has no voltage Ballerei?" Asks Michael Koch. ESL Representative, Arne buses but also by the Federal Agency for Civic Education give him no obvious answer. Could he not give? In his youth, he feasted on Italo-Western, then the new standards for the aesthetics of violence ensured.

His colleagues do with the ESL-makers on the way into the hall, where many spectators already seated and waiting for the first match. Michael Koch remains seated for a while. He wrestles with it: "It can not be that the Federal Agency, ie the state, so one-sided view on computer games has." It lacks critical voices such as that of the criminologist Christian Pfeiffer, "which may well be controversial, but he also has some law." The drug threat, for example - but that they did not talk.

The city hall is full to bursting

His colleagues in the hall take on young people from Offenbach, explaining that the violence is not a real feeling that she was holding part of the game. 1300 viewers have the Counter-Strike match. The city hall is full, even at the edge have dozens on the ground, because no chair is more freely.

Michael Koch strained looks on the screen now. Red and blue Counter-Strike characters will be shown in a pixel city herumhuschen. From the boxing boom shots and the voices of the commentators: "A five on three situation, let's see if he still stands on the spot. Yes, because it is. Oh, there Headshot, he takes it out." Applause Brandet high. "In principle yes, the applause for a sporting event. But also," and he pulls into the forehead wrinkles, "because someone is killed."

Michael wants to cook with the audience talking about? "Therefore, I am not here today," he says. He wants between shots and thunderous roar of applause not a "two minutes talks" lead. "The discussion then leads me to another place," perhaps at the next youth project in the Indian Reserve. But he clarifies: "I've got people here do not expect violence after the lechzen - the wÃ¤r 'also nonsense." He is almost too peaceful. "An aggressive Rapkonzert acts," he smiles.

Others are addicted to

What would Michael Koch said if the ESL next year would come back to Offenbach? "I know not yet." ESL spokesman Ibrahim Mazari has ever invited him: "Let us look a youth project together." Perhaps even then about addiction, because it was Michael Koch but here today and this subject will also Ibrahim Mazari "very important." Then Michael goes home cooking, or rather, back to the holiday.

ON TO ONLINE blogs

Teachers at a LAN party: Killen as in the nursery (04.11.2008)

Gamer Dreamhack Festival: The Night of the Living Dead (01.12.2007)

Netzwelt-Ticker: Stuttgart prohibited Computerspiele competition (24.03.2009)

Financial crisis in the E-Sports: For the mouse (12.02.2009)

Before the hall to smoke some of the spectators, as Luca High Schmidt. The 20-year-old has the online gaming new friends, for example Sweden. For example, the computer science student last year at the
Dreamhack the biggest LAN party in the world. "He looks the ESL of interest, such as amateur chessplayers a match from Garry Kasparov. Is he actually addicted Daddler?" Yes, but these are in World of Warcraft. " he says and pulls on his cigarette. Even his buddy Felix da KnieÃŸ agrees to World of Warcraft, because he knows real junkies, or better known, because one sees no longer. "

Even World of Warcraft in the ESL program, but not today, not here.

Heartless seducer on lonely islands.

2009-04-17T01:36:00.000-07:00

Large popcorn cinema, secluded character dramas and refreshing love comedies determining the inflow of Filmbeileger in the middle of the month. blogs ONLINE examined, as evidenced by a mild spring evenings as an alternative to pay television.

Computer Bild

"My Big Fat Greek Wedding", USA 2002. Director: Joel Zwick. Cast: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett. FSK without restriction. Format: 1,85:1 (16:9). Issue price: 3,70 Euro

With a loose-fluffy-love heartwarming comedy rises the "computer image" in the spring one. The Greek Toula (Nia Vardalos) and her husband Ian (John Corbett) is encountered in their wedding preparations to the stark differences between their families. Bad enough that the handsome lover neither Greek nor Catholic, but in addition he is also a vegetarian. To evoke the love a whole series of more or less amusing cultural collisions up, not only from them a large portion of assets require adjustment, but both families are some of the test.

369 million U.S. dollars was TV director Joel Zwick since 2002 with the autobiographical story of his leading lady sings, the wife of Tom Hanks Rita Wilson discovered and brought into production. Inspired by the success brought Hanks in 2003's TV spin-off "My Big Fat Greek Life" as a continuation of almost identical composition to the starting line, but did so only seven long consequences through. The two productions accumulated stereotypes drive so many Greeks tears in his eyes, but the bottom line is all very harmless and guarantee consistently good entertainment, it is best to a nice-gyros sandwiches, should enjoy.

Until 26 April in the trade

Galore

"The Last Seduction", USA 1994. Director: John Dahl. Cast: Linda Fiorentino, Peter Berg. Format: 1,85:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 6.90 euros.

Shortly after his respect for success, "Red Rock West" (1992) John Dahl turned another thriller in the style of "neo-noir." That he's attractive, but dissatisfied with their lives Bridget (Linda Fiorentino) as a ruthless femme fatale of the men go. After her husband, she self-treated badly, they clawed the loot from a common drug deal and is now everything to him out of the way to create. Skillfully uses her feminine charms, not only its occasional lover Mike (Peter Berg) to the fingers to handle, but also a diabolical plan into action.

Re-enriched the "Galore" the program of the Filmbeileger an interesting change from the usual popcorn cinema. From a successful story, composed plays Dahl is director uninhibitedly with various elements of the classic "film noir" genre. Overall well-advised bad guys occupied while skillfully together, most notably Linda Fiorentino ( "Liberty Stands Still") in its role as parade sexy beast convinced - so good that perhaps even an Oscar nomination would have been worth, if you had the film not to be early television released. But still could Dahl - unlike "Red Rock West" - this time at least at the box office a nice balance of profit.

By 9 June in the trade

PC Action

"Slasher", CDN 2001. Director: Maurice Devereaux. Cast: Sarah Joslyn Crowder, Kieran Keller. Format: 1,85:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 7.90 euros.

In lovely contrast to the subtle "Galore" shows us the current Filmbeileger of the games magazine, what happens when the "Slasher" principle at the top is taken: l manner (film-) blood, isolated (rubber-) body parts and a synthetic video sound. The story is quickly told about this: Six candidates are fighting in an extreme reality show under continuous camera monitoring voluntarily for survival and a million-dollar reward. In first-person shooter-like backdrop, the young Dumpfbacken then three shrill, masked lunatic chased and sometimes even happy with the middle cut chainsaw. The whole thing, thanks joyful improvisation amateur performers Splatter bucketfuls as trashy fun, but to a small twist at the end and the 2006 release of the youth expressed FSK unfortunately little surprises.

Until 7 April in the trade

PC Go

"Gangs of New York", D / GB / I / NL / USA 2002. Director: Martin Scorsese. Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 6,99 euros.

In the nearly three-hour epic rises Leonardo DiCaprio ( "Titanic") as the vengeful son of band leader vallon the middle of the 19th Century in a dark world from New York. Opposing immigrant gangs write in the slums of the young metropolis of its own bloody laws and come not only himself but also the state power in the way that in times of civil war has completely different concerns.

In the so-called "Draft Riots" of 13 to 16 July 1863, finally crashing the successive fronts. Against this historical background, the bildgewaltige and sometimes quite cruel drama from master Martin Scorsese ( "Taxi Driver"), in addition to the main cast especially Cameron Diaz in an unusually earthy surroundings they can be admired: highlight of the current application.

To 2 April in the trade

PC Magazine

"Heartless - Orchids for a corpse", USA 1997. Director: Judith Vogelsang. Actors: MÃ¤dchen Amick, Tom Schanley. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 6,99 euros.

Having the heart of a murder victim was implanted, dreaming the shy librarian Anne (MÃ¤dchen Amick) suddenly passionately by an unknown man as in Alexander (Tom Schanley), the widower of the organ donor, their dream recognizes heroes, then it melts and turns increasingly in a copy of his dead wife. Here she is in mortal danger as their murderer is still sought.

Love comes from the heart but also, and not from the head. Since we are already asking what is a liver transplant - maybe the desire for a brandy bottle? The can set a few during this impressive television production may come about, would it not least MÃ¤dchen Amick ( "Twin Peaks") as lead actress for the one or the other Lichtblick care.

To 2 April in the trade

Direct TV

"The Fan - Shadows of Glory", USA 2003. Directed by Adam Goldberg. Cast: Giovanni Ribisi, Franka Potente. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). FSK: 12 years. Issue price: 3,30 Euro

For his directing work took more than the well-known actor Adam Goldberg ( "2 days in Paris") their own work to his chest when he was the story of the fictitious movie stars Gary Evans (Giovanni Ribisi) told. Heavy with the rich and beautiful, equally sought-after colleague Mia Lang (Franka Potente) married, the star feels suddenly threatened by his fans and his wife cheated. When Mia is actually more and more of it dissolves, it is becoming increasingly confused slips into a dream world from which he eventually only with a drastic solution can escape - or was at the end of it all just a dream?

Who the plot of this film quite keep a grip on it you should from the beginning closely, because Goldberg turns with the help of his fine acting stars the story again and again in new directions. Especially Ribisi ( "Heaven") and Potente ( "Run Lola Run") to play the ball skillfully and thereby the character beautifully filmed drama's final touches. All this, however, is miles away from the TV direct predicate "tough action cinema." Instead, here especially fans verstiegener psychological thriller about a rather quiet, secluded happy discovery that are only slightly towards the end of a short journey begins: worth seeing.

Until 16 April in the trade

TV Movie

"Cast Away - lost," USA 2000. Director: Robert Zemeckis. Cast: Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt. Format: 1,85:1 (16:9). FSK: 12 years. Issue price: 3.50 Euro

Ironically, the Christmas dedicated Transport Manager Chuck (Tom Hanks) his fiancee Kelly (Helen Hunt) for a business to leave. But in the short bet is a four-year ordeal, as his middle air machine across the ocean crashes. Completely alone on an uninhabited island, he survived and tries desperately, finally, with a homemade raft to escape.

Nearly 300 years after Daniel Defoe's novel "Robinson Crusoe" wrote Robert Zemeckis brought ( "Back to the Future") its modern version of this immortal classic in the cinema. They succeeded to the director together with Tom Hanks role in the skin is not as brilliant as litter in 1994 with their joint masterpiece "Forrest Gump", but for a rich profit and a few Awards gave it all. Over two years to support the constantly emerging in the U.S. film company "FedEx" with the production and logistics staff, paid for these clever advertising but no dollars in cash. Published came about two hours perfect popcorn movie theater, at any time for a successful film night provides.

Until 16 April in the trade

With the manhunt on mobile phone.

2009-04-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

One runs, the others try to find a Bremer start-up company, this ancient game with modern technology and linked to the hunting game invented the Game Boy generation. Already the first preliminary version has found hundreds of fans.

Paul Zachos, co-founder of the Bremer urban start-up team, is on the run. He runs off, passing a building, then through a meadow. Wild flit his pupils to and fro, alternately examine the environment and the cellphone in his left hand. The "radar" that shows different sized concentric circles, the radius of the largest is in reality one kilometers flies. Zachos is because the black-orange cross, which is swiftly away from the center. Indeed, there lurks a red, one blue and one green ball. "In a few seconds are swarming them," says Zachos.

The 32-year-old scientist is testing the product of urban team, the game "FastFoot Challenge". It combines the idea of "robber and policeman" with communication and navigation technology. Player is a mobile phone. If there is no GPS receiver, it must be on the Bluetooth wireless standard to be responsive. For the detection is then a so-called GPS-mouse, as they Zachos in his breast pocket bears. In the role of "X" sees his position, distance and direction of motion of his three pursuers constantly, but this it on their "mobile radars" only once every six minutes. Creates a to Zachos within 25 minutes at least 50 meters to approach, he is the winner, does not it Zachos.

FOUND IN ...

Technology Review

The M.I.T. - Magazine of Innovation

April 2009 Issue

Contents
Current Issue Order
Home Technology Review

What sounds simple, makes a lot of fun here in Bremen and also in Barcelona. It rewarded the jury of the International Mobile Gaming Award the concept with the first place and $ 5000.

"FastFoot-Challenge, the Football for the Game Boy generation's," says founder Tom Nicolai the vision together. The game should create a community which, as Nicolai, on the Internet at
www.fastfoot.mobi true. 600 players have registered and still available for free beta version of the game downloaded. The stage will offer the free program Google Earth, fed with data from the Internet. If the players agree to viewers on virtual aerial photographs the game live or on a later date follow.

Nicolai PhD currently at Technology Center computer science and Information Technology (TZI). The idea for Fast Foot Challenge came to him in 2006, but only in April 2008 he ergatterten, Zachos and two other colleagues, the one-year limited state Exist founder scholarship. To dare the spin-off from the TZI.

For Nicolai, it is the sophisticated simplicity of the game so attractive. The view on a trackable surface of the game follows a simple menu navigation. To the battery of the mobile phone to spare, renewed the show only four times per second. The positions of the other player moves to the cell phone from a central server, which also serves as the interface to the Internet platform and the live system is used, the motion information to Google Earth-compliant playback formats processed.

Urban Nicolai and his team hope that the spread of mobile Internet, the opening of so-called application stores and the provision of programming tools for mobile phones to benefit. In the spring should FastFoot Challenge Google's Android mobile platform to buy, in the summer, then turn the iPhone. Nicolai calculated with a price five to ten euros per license. In addition, he hopes on advertising revenue through its own offerings on the Internet platform.

Competition from other start-ups, the scientists have not yet true, dare to telecommunications companies after its rating has not yet approach the subject. That's why he wants to team with the lead urban use. For next year, he announced more games, and alone with FastFoot challenge he wants in the next four years to reach millions of players.

Â©
Technology Review, Heise Zeitschriften Verlag, Hannover

Better wireless calls.

2009-04-14T19:24:00.000-07:00

Freehand phone you can use any wireless headset. But otherwise there are huge differences in design, function, and especially the price. ONLINE blogs has some typical models tested and found not that good must always be expensive.

Some are chic, some high and some are just cheap: If you are a wireless headset for mobile phone growth will, faced with a huge selection compared. For Bluetooth headsets are like sand on the sea. The prices range from ten to over 100 euros. Useful are they in any case. When driving a car, for example, can be viewed by using a comparatively cheap headset mounting an expensive handsfree save. So keep both hands on the steering wheel and you can without fear of police checks (or accidents) on the phone.

Bluetooth Headset: Does it make phone calls easier and can even look good

But even outside of the car can use wireless headsets useful. Who's smartphone is not just used for making phone calls, looking forward, during a conversation, for example, an appointment into the calendar quickly or to an information on the web up.

The wireless hearing-speech devices, however, are mostly minimalist. One might think that the producers tried to work together to beat, as few as possible controls must be installed. With Five physical buttons Motorola H780 is lavishly equipped in comparison. At the Plantronics Discovery 925 on the other hand, you have to be satisfied with two buttons, as well as the Jawbone, but that they are the buttons do not even see it.

Despite this waiver of controls does not save the manufacturers of functions. Thus, Bluetooth headsets are almost always the possibility of language, in the name of the call into the headset talking, instead einzutippen number. A redial one of the standard repertoire as well as the option to reject or calls from the headset to the phone over.

To all that with only one or two key works, the course repeatedly substantiated. The solution of the manufacturer: Depending on the situation, decides the number or duration of keystrokes on what each function is triggered. Really, this is not complicated, but without a close look at the manual, you aufgeschmissen. Fortunately, who has a good memory, the various key functions to remember.

They differ in the devices of different price ranges barely, but in their equipment and processing. Technique for suppressing noise heard around the word meaning to sound good - in different ways. In almost all identical, however, is the code for the so-called Bluetooth pairing, which you must enter to make a connection between phone and headset. He is always 0000th

What are Bluetooth headsets are different and why cheap Heimer and Edel providers sometimes make the same mistake, read on the following pages.

Peta protest in online games to seal slaughterman.

2009-04-11T19:08:00.000-07:00

Animal protectors of their Peta-wide protest against animal cruelty now on the online world. On Saturday, supporters of the activists are a lot of role playing game "World of Warcraft" game - and seal-killers slaughter.

Peta's name is associated most closely with posters of half-Celebrity Pamela Anderson and Eva Mendes who confess Lieber naked than in fur. Now it is the animal welfare organization with a virtual battle in the RPG "World of Warcraft."

Hunt for the hunters: With pictures of sweet baby seals with large, sad eyes Peta calls on the online protest in "World of Warcraft" on

In her blog
The Peta Files called the organization this week for a game of the popular online game. The Peta supporters should be on Easter Saturday in the cyber world a horde of virtual seal-killer and thus a sign of the actual slaughter of the animals off the coast of Canada set.

Not that the game actually hunt for baby seals would be made. But the animal rights seem in the complex virtual reality of "World of Warcradft" a new channel for their provocative protest to be seen. "Who for the fun of killing baby seals, only the evil Lich King obey," says the blog. Whoever these lights may be - the Peta supporters in any case draw on Saturday evening, in Howling Fjord against his subjects in the battle.

Again and again, the animal rights actions with high visibility for itself: they demonstrate naked, locked up in cages or paint with color so that they look like blutbeschmiert. A campaign in which the housing conditions of chickens compared with the Holocaust, caused the world to protest - and injunctions.

Also, the current action criticize some as nothing more than a media staging. In the
Facebook group, with videos and pictures of sweet baby seals with big sad eyes, the battle for recruits, is criticized: "Peta is used all the time and money on publicity campaigns for the making, but does absolutely nothing to actually to save animals. " Another user on the board warned earlier that because of technical limitations for the game, most probably just witnessed the great seal slaughter will be without something to do.

The serious background can be the Peta campaign did not dispute it: In Canada, each year hundreds of thousands of seals are killed with permission. The hunting season has begun at the end of March, and
just has the Canadian government announced that the quota this year was even increased.

Technical highlights of the week.

2009-04-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

Electronics is getting smarter: mobile e-mails to sort by importance, drag suitcases through airports and musical instruments accompany himself blogs ONLINE has the remarkable technology news of the week together.

In Las Vegas last week met cellphone manufacturers and mobile network companies to show CTIA Wireless 2009, wireless phones were similar before and headphones. In Frankfurt Music Fair began, one of the most important events of the year for all the music not only listening, but also make, produce or market.

DPA
Miniature replica of a guitar at the Music Fair in Frankfurt: mobile phones and music dominated the technology news of the week

Among the innovations were of course quite a few mobile phones. Those who intelligently with e-mails can handle for example. Or, try the great role models to imitate. And there were musical instruments, which, though winzigklein, much more than you would trust them.

But even apart from the large landmark events was presented.

On the following pages you will find the fastest graphics card and the smallest camcorder in the world, a chip, the servers will teach savings and much more.

The suck Superzoom Compact Snap.

2009-04-03T20:28:00.000-07:00

Next, closer, better - praise the camera manufacturer lenses offbeat new compact cameras. The race around and wide Superzoom solves the megapixel madness from. blogs ONLINE has two Compact with extreme optics tested.

The compact camera is about as small as a Coladose, but the fixed lens zooms closer than many reflex lens: Nikon has the new P90 compact camera with a zoom lens 24-fold magnification built.

Superzoom, Megazoom, wide-angle - the producer just outdo itself with extreme optics in compact cameras. The advantage: The larger the focal length range, the more leeway amateur photographers in the picture composition. The higher the focal length is, the closer the object depicted zoomed (the Nikon P90 has a small-equivalent focal length range from 26 to 624 millimeters).

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Other hand, changes with the focal length and angle of image recording. The smaller the focal length, the greater the angle. Say: The more motif matches a recording (useful for facades or large groups of people from not too far up). Thus, the small camera Samsung WB500 for her cigarette packet format an astonishingly large focal length range from wide-angle optics to 10-fold zoom (24 to 240 millimeters).

Small cameras, great lenses - blogs ONLINE has the Nikon P90 and the Samsung WB500 tried and shows what can the new compact.

What the new generation of Netbook really can.

2009-04-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

Recipe for Success with fresh ingredients: HP, Sony, Asus and other manufacturers to invent the new Netbook - some built DVD burner, or cell phone chips in the mini-computer, others are experimenting with Linux and Android. ONLINE blogs gives the overview.

Netbook is the favorite. Financial crisis, poor morale and insecurity among the consumers in spite of the merchants, they are formally out of the hands torn. The market research firm Display Search expects the Netbook-paragraph 2009 by 65 percent over the previous year growth will be. Traditional notebooks nearly stagnates, however, have to deal with merely three percent growth. But what actually is a Netbook? What is different than in a notebook? And most importantly: Why are all so similar?

For Intel, and Microsoft is clearly defined: A Netbook has a screen of up to ten inches in the diagonal, a hard disk with no greater than 160 gigabytes of storage space and a gigabyte of RAM. In addition, Intel's Atom processor inside, it runs Windows XP on it and an optical drive does not exist. Manufacturers who fail to meet these limits, may have the necessary extras for microchips pay or receive from any Microsoft Windows licenses delivered.

No wonder then that the latest models from all manufacturers amazingly similar, often only by the battery differ. The more the cells has, the longer it holds such an outlet through without Netbook. Otherwise it remains the only producer, unusual design is a little individuality other sources. HP has it with bright red Netbook look in the Asia-tries, with the flat Asus EEEPC S101 and Sony with the most slender Vaio P.

Dear Linux or Windows again?

One possibility, the hardware compared to the standard to improve, it would be to use Linux. The first EeePCs advantage of such a system, a surface Ã¼bergestÃ¼lpt was. It looked good and functioned perfectly. In addition, this Linux cheaper than Windows and fit fine on the original Netbook concept. The Netbook were as cheap mini-notebooks for students advertised.

But this idea has long been obsolete. Netbook buys today everyone, be it as a second device as a mobile toy or even a company laptop. And since many users want to just have Windows on it. So they get the same, even if it is the choice of hardware or restricts the price pushes upward.

Some want the atomic-exit

In the meantime, there are Linux versions that are specifically adapted to Netbook. The
Ubuntu Netbook Remix For example, a Linux based, with four gigabytes of storage space and still merely a complete software package including Office applications, multimedia players, and Internet applications bring - all of this software is completely free.

Also, alternatives to Intel's Atom chip, which is currently almost all Netbook drives, there is no shortage. A favorable variant, for example, the
Chip manufacturers with the Via Nano processor available. Even Samsung has already tried such a device, the NC20 Netbook with Via chips. Its clearly visible distinguishing feature compared to standard devices: It has a 12.1 inch WXGA wide-screen, which is no nuclear-powered device would find.

After Burner graphics for Intel CPU

Another option would be to replace the otherwise used in Netbook and their lame verschrienen Intel Graphics Chipset NVIDIA's new Ion technology to use. Ion Netbook still need an Atom processor from Intel, are but with a relatively fixed graphics equipped.

The makes a Netbook not only for HD-video player, but in moderation spieltauglich. Above all, however, could be on Ion Netbook Windows Vista install. But yet there is no single example of such a device. And even as the price obtained for such a device would be called, there is still great guesswork.

What makes is a Netbook from? Are they really the three things you usually andichtet the devices - so that they are small, economical and cheap to be? Or, are now also other devices on the Netbook?

Read the following pages, as PC manufacturers the next generation of mobile cheap mini-calculator imagine:

Lonely hearts and great Danes.

2009-04-01T19:20:00.000-07:00

Milla Jovovich, Benicio del Toro, Salma Hayek: The offer of Filmbeileger in April enormously diverse. Film Noir, Action, oblique satires - ONLINE blogs are the full overview and to check what bargains deals are really worth seeing.

Audio Video Foto Bild

"City of Ghosts", USA 2002. Director: Matt Dillon. Cast: Matt Dillon, James Caan. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 Jahre.und
"Toy Land", D 2007, Regie: Jochen A. Frey thanks. Cast Julia Hunter, Cedric Eich. Format: 1,85:1 (16:9). FSK: o.A.Heftpreis: 3.90 Euro

Even men can purchase insurance right adventure, as Matt Dillon ( "Rumble Fish") as director and actor in his own movie so far only shows. In the role of Jimmy Cremming yuppies looking in Cambodia after his accomplices Marvin (James Caan), to share his loot to a gigantic fraud protection. Although he quickly mitbekommt that Marvin new partners balk at nothing, he goes on a surreal odyssey through the mysterious land.

With the help of a crew selected fine Matt Dillon managed to create a highly atmospheric exciting debut lie down, unfortunately at the box office failed catastrophically. It was an honest effort to Dillon, set by its reliance on local actors, "real" backpackers and magical places such as Rotary or Oudong Phnom Chisor to act authentically. Whether the use of an original 1973 Mercedes Benz vehicles from the pole plots are a good idea, but it remains questionable.

The second film on the disc is a really nice surprise, it is still only in February the Oscar-winning German film "Toy Land" in which a young mother during the Second World War through the friendship of their son with a Jewish neighbor boy a life-saving decision is brought. Absolutely worth seeing.

Published on 1 April in the trade

ON soundtrack / LANGUAGE VERSIONS ...

Most of the DVDs that are free magazines, which will have only about a German soundtrack. In addition, the publishers of information about the equipment of the DVDs very patchy.
Therefore: Where not otherwise stated, the DVD only has a German soundtrack.

Audio Video Foto Bild Sonderheft

"Lonely Hearts Killers", USA 2006. Director: Todd Robinson. Cast: John Travolta, Salma Hayek. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 5,99 euros.

Drama ends the life of the marriage swindler Raymond (Jared Leto), the one day to the unscrupulous Martha (Salma Hayek) device. Were both alone has hardly noticed, bring their passion to each other soon the first bloody victims. To lure them to the police inadvertently Elmer Robinson (John Travolta) on their track.

The beautifully appointed detective characterized the fate of a historic pair of killers after the 1947 to 1949 in the U.S. drove his mischief and in 1951 was executed. Together accounted for the "Lonely Hearts Killers" of wealthy, single women to identify their assets to ergaunern and then kill them. Director Todd Robinson, who also wrote the screenplay, which was twice filmed story particularly dear, because the policeman Elmer Robinson was his grandfather. Fortunately he overlooked all the cliffs biographical sentimentalism and instead staged a properly cool "Film Noir", which not only thanks to its prominent crew until the end fesselt.

Until June in the trade

Computer Bild

"The Cartel", USA 1994. Directed by Phillip Noyce. Cast: Harrison Ford, Willem Dafoe. FSK: 12 years. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). Issue price: 3,70 Euro

Without ever from the path of virtue to be soft, pulls the CIA deputy director Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) his investigation on a politically sensitive murder of a friend of U.S. President by and pushes on entanglements with a Colombian drug cartel. But while he was still valiantly trying to clean kind of light into the darkness to make runs behind his back long been a dirty war against the government of his alleged murderers.

The moral of the story is known: At the end wins the American legal system with the help of his steadfast servant on supposedly more effective, but also corrupt and ruthless political strategist. That is always to look cute, but rarely as exciting and dynamic over, as in this adaptation of the Tom Clancy novel "The Shadow War". This was also the American audience and introduced the film 1994 at the box office to become one of the most successful releases of the year, while in Germany, "only" about 950,000 viewers from the screen to attract them. Who was not there, and also the many TV broadcasts since missed, can now be safely accessed.

To 12 April in the trade

DVD Magazine

"The genius and madness", DN 2006th Director: Tomas Villum Jensen. Cast: Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Ulrich Thomsen. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 3,99 euros.

Surely there is in Danish cinema also quite normal movies, but here we usually reach his works rather oblique. Something very similar also experienced the choleric, released on parole Tonny (Ulrich Thomsen) at the first joint dinner with his children. Coincidentally he is in as a "masterpiece" celebrated but unbearable avant-garde art film by director Claus Volter (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) and again experienced a serious tantrum. In the search for redress, he finally landed a co-director on the set of Voltes new film, but also committed his revenge plans.

Every 14 days: Overview DVDs in ZeitschriftenSie grows, the number of resolution in film journals and magazines. ONLINE blogs, the current range of each 1st and 3 Monday of the month.

The irony come along a lot of self-satire, penned by Anders Thomas Jensen ( "In China they eat dogs") gets pleasurably on the eternal conflict between art and commerce forth in Denmark, with its world famous director Lars von Trier ( "The Idiots") to forefront. In 2002 Jensen was the scriptwriter of the Dogma aesthetic projects - in which he himself was involved - in the long term
"boring to the eye." Here he shows with his namesake in the director and two colleagues experienced in the leading roles, where the conflict lines. Here, they provide no legs beater, but a subtle satire, which mainly genre connoisseurs will be a pleasure, but also as an entertaining comedy fun.

To 29 April in the trade

Super Illu

"Aladdin's magic lamp," SU 1966th Directed by: Boris Ryzarjew. Cast: Boris Bystrow, Dodo Tschogowadse. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). FSK without restriction. Issue price: 2.99 euros

The poor Aladin (Boris Bystrow) is powerful in Princess Budhur (Dodo Tschogowadse) verschossen what the Sultan did not fit. Only for an unauthorized look at the beauty he is sentenced to death, but by a magician in the last minute saved. To let him thanks to an oil lamp bergen, but accidentally awakens the mighty spirit jinn lamp to him now to help its future.

In colorful Cinemascope sixties shines a lively Aladin as a hero of the working class in the very little known variations of interpretation of the famous Russian fairy tale of "Thousand and One Nights". Unfortunately this adaptation, in contrast to the past with the "Super Illu" distributed Russian film, the Fantastic furious, but the story is beautifully told and the effects of stress by their simplicity, still the charm of the over 40-year-old film footage.

From 7 to 13 April in the trade

SFT

"Dragon Tiger Gate", HK 2006. Director: Wilson Yip. Cast: Nicholas Tse, Donnie Yen. Format: 2,35:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 Jahre.und
"U-Boat", USA 2004. Director: Tony Giglio. Cast: William H. Macy, Til Schweiger. Format: 1,85:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 3.90 euros.

With an action-packed manga adaptation will start the "SFT" their film biplane. They will meet over the years the two brothers grew up separately Tiger (Nicholas Tse) and Dragon (Donnie Yen) in a fight one another. While Tiger is still in the fight of his father's school lives, Dragon is in a big gangster boss has become. It quickly becomes clear that the fate not in vain once again brought together, because it is above the common Fiesling Shibumi to stretch to get behind all the inconvenience is.

Wilson Yip and Donnie Yen in 2005 a huge success with the martial arts spectacle "Kill Zone SPL" and attempt to implement Tony Wong's comic book template complex "Oriental Heroes" (1970) to tie, unfortunately, only in China known enough in their allusions to be understood. If you have waived and also his brain largely on standby switches, a distance of almost breathtaking spectacle of the fight against the evil to be computer-finals with some opulent visual and choreographic ideas scores.

In a similar context-level moves in this country, the only released on DVD war drama in which the German submarine U-429 his American opponent sunk, but contrary to all commands a handful of survivors begins. During the disillusioned captain Jonas Herdt (Til Schweiger) in captivity, the Americans will want to break aboard a disease that will soon be only one way leaves open the common escape to the U.S. coast. But so are simply no friends from enemies. What sounds like a good idea to listen to silts, unfortunately at times because of the screenplay.

The cast is certainly not located, especially since William Macy ( "Fargo") in the role of the U.S. Army establishes itself neatly into the stuff. Submariner lovers bang effects come at their expense, these scenes but perhaps from films such as "U-571" or "Duel in the Atlantic to" recognize that they cut material has been taken - after all, only 2.4 million U.S. dollars budget available. Conclusion: Technically, cleanly produced war drama whose plot in the original bilingual better come over.

To 24 March in the trade

Digital TV

"Traffic - the power of the cartel", D / USA 2000. Director: Steven Soderbergh. Cast: Benicio del Toro, Michael Douglas. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 1.60 euros

At its current issue advertises the TV magazine "TV Digital", with the Supplement to the already published as Filmbeileger
Drug drama "Traffic." Who is the legally effective only because of the issue wants to buy movie, however, should look closely, because the supposed bargain works only after you have a (free) telephone hotline an unlock code has to inquire. How long the certificate remains valid, is unfortunately unclear. In itself, in such marketing campaigns, no complaints, but there is not even on the cover on the DVD or book a clear indication. Movie Collector will discuss later, perhaps angry, who, however, the Oscar-winning film a look anyway and need a program, does nothing wrong.

To 2 April in the trade

TV Movie

"Resident Evil", D / F / GB 2002. Director: Paul W. S. Anderson. Cast: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez. Format: 1,85:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 3.50 Euro

With the first film adaptation of the eponymous video game sticks to the "TV Movie" a popular and well valued differently at their film magazine cover. Like in the game is about a hidden research lab after release of a virus re-used. They attempted a rescue team with the help of security expert Alice (Milla Jovovich) in the laboratory closed ahead. Shortly after turning off the lock mechanisms of the primary computer, they, however, that all laboratory staff through to the virus mutated zombies, and a bloody race of life and death begins.

A huge success commercially and critically largely slating the film claims to present to the program schedules of TV stations and video stores. His driving force is in addition to the visibility of the game certainly Milla Jovovich ( "The Fifth Element"), also in the two sequels roll over the skin and thus - like Sigourney Weaver with "Alien" - probably their role in life is found. It offers the film in addition to a superior equipment, uncompromising action and a groovy little charms score, but maybe just like his many fans.

To 2 April in the trade

Widescreen Vision

"$ Windle - Concealed game, USA 2002. Directed by: K. C. Bascombe. Cast: Tom Sizemore, Sherilyn Fenn. Format: 1,78:1 (16:9). FSK: 16 years. Issue price: 5.90 Euro

When the cop Seth George (Tom Sizemore) in the gang of cunning Sophie Zen (Sherilyn Fenn) creeps, guess it does not, on what he is given into. At first he is in a meticulously planned bank robbery involved, but the whole thing serves only as a distraction from a much thicker fish, in which Sophie pressure data for the euro banknotes will steal.

Once again, grabs the "widescreen" a pure DVD titles on their Filmbeileger, a solid Actiones repeatedly on television's entertainment value was demonstrated. With Tom Sizemore ( "Black Hawk Down") and Sherilyn Fenn ( "Twin Peaks") beharken two experienced professionals in the leading roles and give the somewhat predictable story that needed seasoning. Conclusion: Not a huge success, but also no disappointments.

Published on 1 April in the trade

Playing for the rest of the world.

2009-03-24T19:34:00.000-07:00

Small price, small business, big goals: Cheap gaming Zeebo be in digital entertainment emerging bring. A team of only five men developed a device that soon will tap market worth billions - with a cell phone chips instead of high-end hardware.

In April it will go. Then, the console Zeebo initially be introduced in Brazil. $ 199, nearly 150 euros, they will cost. The price includes four preinstalled games, and a fifth, which the customers themselves to choose and download. If the console later this year in other countries on the market, the price to 179 dollars, in less than one years at $ 149 even fall.

Sounds like a bargain offer from the electronics supermarket, but it is not. Because here is the new technology toys not found on the shelves. Instead, the aim with the low prices, the new middle class in emerging economies to digital Playing motivation.

This target is estimated Zeebo chief John Rizzio extremely optimistic. There was "potentially a billion new consumers in the world, many of which have never been a game at home had," says the young entrepreneur. The industrialized nations in the usual models, Sony's Playstation 2 or 3, Microsoft's XBox 360 and Nintendo's Wii, for those customers would be simply too expensive. Not only because its part hochgezÃ¼chtete hardware costs a lot of money, but primarily because the associated games are much too expensive.

Precisely this problem is to solve Zeebo now - but that does not work now, without sacrificing to make. The show is mainly in the technical equipment of the console. The current competition models has nothing Zeebo oppose. Their skills are somewhere between those of the first two Playstation models from Sony, Rizzio said. This corresponds roughly to the level of 1998. Blame, however, is by no means outdated technology. On the contrary: in the potter Zeebo latest chips. Not just the usual.

The Kindle concept serves as a model

Instead of established PC or console technology to bring the Zeebo developers with the U.S. chip manufacturer Qualcomm together. His technique is otherwise primarily used in mobile phones. And for exactly this area is also the technique of Zeebo. The main feature are Qualcomm MSM chips. The acronym stands for Mobile Station Modem, roughly translated, wireless modem. And that is also shows the difference between the low-priced console in addition to their low performance of established models.

Because the MSM is the Internet access in the quasi Zeebo built. Rather than XBox 360, Wii and PS3 usual, it will be via the cellular network to the Internet. Thus, customers who either do not or just too expensive or too slow network access is available, easily and quickly be brought online.

The fact that this mobile-web access to work, for the console is extremely important. For cost reasons, it was in the Zeebo on a real mass waived. Neither hard nor CD or DVD drive adorn the decorative device. Instead of physical media games via an online connection to the device. This is the Third World, modeled on the console eBook reader Kindle, via the mobile network will be supplied with reading material (this, however, stores).

Cheap games pirated copies

The advantage for the console players: Your access to the so-called Zeebonet is completely free. Neither volume nor monthly fees are due. Conversely, the system requires but a well-developed and functioning mobile infrastructure. According to the manufacturer was in the targeted markets, such as India, China and Brazil, however, already accessible and cheaper to use than wired broadband connections.

In future, this network connection of the users as a standard Internet Zzugang can be used. The Zeebo would like a modem between the PC and operating data. Until then, the network can only be downloaded games. Around ten U.S. dollars per title will be given due, considerably less than the hundred dollars, one for games, according to Rizzio on data pay.

With the low prices will Raubkopierern the water abgegraben be. The developers hope that the comfort, games for small costs directly to the console to load Zeebo customers away, resulting from illegal sources with replenishment supply. Apparently it succeeded Rizzio, a number of game developers of this system to convince. Among other things, Electronic Arts, THQ, Namco and id Software announced Zeebo games.

Replacement for ancient classics

Its graphical presentation is admittedly hardly can keep up with what some of PS3 titles is accustomed. Finally rackert in the low-cost model only faster 528 MHz ARM mobile processor. He is meager 128 MB of RAM and a gigabyte of flash memory to the side. An HD TV will be fun for the game will not need are the graphics capabilities of the integrated 3D chips are already at 640 x 480 pixel resolution exhausted.

That might be for local conditions poor to listen to, be loud Zeebo head Rizzio in emerging countries, but thick enough. As an argument there, he was in Brazil until today Segas Megadrive's most popular video game system - notwithstanding the fact that Sega console in Japan this is already 21 years ago has put in place.

But that's perhaps what the Zeebo the success could bring. Rather than do what is possible, the company has developed a device that only makes what its potential users to exploit. And they are hardly a brand new flat screen televisions and surround systems in their living rooms for you. Instead, it is expected along the banks of the Amazon or near the beaches of Goa rather old, but good tube technology prevail.

It remains only the question whether there actually his days with the game controller in your hand in front of the screen wants to spend - or can.

This coin argue.

2009-03-23T19:24:00.000-07:00

In the spring of Electronic Arts published a game with signal effect. "Battlefield Heroes" for free - but could bring in much money and video games forever. The magazine analyzed the GEE model for the future "digital distribution".

"All signs point to growth": This forecast does not come from the time before the global economic crisis, it is currently in a press statement from Karlsruhe. There sits Gameforge, a medium-sized business, and announces it to recruit 200 employees to want: graphic designers, programmers, system administrators and assistants to senior management. Because the transactions go well.

Gameforge distributes almost exclusively Browsergames, the "Gladiatus" and "OGame". This is not about casual games, but about strategy or online role-playing games. Their names rarely appear in hitlists on, but on a lot of banner ads on the Internet. They are used by many hardcore gamers laughed and still played by millions of people. You are free in principle - "Free2Play" is the model - they run on any computer no matter how old and are financed exclusively by "Downloadable Content (DLC), the sale of virtual items to tiny amounts. The player can buy items for real money, which his game, or more personal success.

FOUND IN ...

GEE

Love For Games

April 2009

Gee

Contents
Current Issue Order
www.geemag.de

And this so-called micropayment is precisely in times of crisis a success. Finally great games are always expensive games, the games from Karlsruhe, however, cost only what the player wants. You are always worth its price. The result: Gameforge grows, while the large video game manufacturer sales declines and job losses have to struggle.

Even the industry giant Electronic Arts is no longer as before any signs of growth, so the group is now responding and this spring the shooter Battlefield: Heroes "on the market is, of course, free and inclusive" Downloadable Content ". It is just a test balloon. But if he flies far, the others follow him.

The best games for the masses.

2009-03-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

Facebook is not just a social network, it is with 150 million subscribers will be the largest playground in the world. The magazine GEE has the most beautiful games in the Social Network selected.

When Facebook announced in mid-February, user data henceforth for ever to want to save, was the great outcry, and no wonder, but now have 150 million people a profile in the world's largest social network.

Gee

They inform them about their preferences, dislikes and sensitivities, maintain contact with friends and acquaintances volatile - and they play. These are mostly casual games, puzzle games or manager who very quickly found a lot of fans.

FOUND IN ...

GEE

Love For Games

April 2009

Gee

Contents
Current Issue Order
www.geemag.de

Those games do not want to captivate for hours, but always briefly entertained. They are controlled via a simple interface that rather early Windows programs as reminiscent of a computer game. The community consists of games with or against, victories and defeats notify all Facebook friends immediately.

This makes the network is obviously not disinterested: Finally, it lives on the activity of users. And there is hardly a better reason to always back in, as the hunt for a highscore.

Biker, worms and zombies.

2009-03-18T20:34:00.000-07:00

"GTA IV" is growing in "The Lost and Damned" on the motorcycle, "Resident Evil V" exchanged against panic and horror "Noby Noby Boy" turns and winds. That and more on the most important games of the month.

GTA IV: The Lost and Damned (Xbox 360) download, "GTA IV" will benÃ¶tigtFÃ¼r motorcycle rocker with matching console

Kaufhof creates movies and games for adults.

2009-03-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

In the Kaufhof department stores of the chain, there are no more movies and video games, which only people aged over 18 are released. They react with the step on the mass murder of Winnenden, said the company.

ESRB symbol: None youth released

Cologne - Movies and games for adults are present from the Kaufhof-range deleted. The industry magazine market games a spokeswoman said the company's Galeria Kaufhof, they had "due to the happenings in Winnenden decided USK/FSK-18- computer games and movies from the sale to take." Nationwide appropriate title would already cleared from the shelves.

"From April 2009, Galeria Kaufhof USK/FSK-18-Computerspiele and movies no longer in range," said the spokeswoman, according to market games. They spoke of a "further sign of social and socio-political responsibility." You also have the sellers in the stores again for the theme sensitized minors.

Other retail chains, according to market games have not been followed up. Karstadt and Saturn also offer games and movies from 18 to continue, as before Saturn in special red envelopes - as our own additional measure minors.

Dell makes on design.

2009-03-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

It's nice, nice thin and pretty expensive: Dell's super-slim laptop Adamo. But is the noble design pieces, as some experts believe, actually a Macbook Air killer?

Whether this is the right time for a premium laptop to introduce premium price? When computer manufacturers Dell seems to be convinced. While the impact of the financial crisis everywhere prices, cheap products are developed, brings Dell these days the first model of its new design brand Adamo on the market - with a starting price of 1900 euros.

This is probably a potential Macbook Air killer, orakelten several magazines after the company in early January at the CES Consumer Electronics trade show a first look at the device granted. Then
Adamo was the Phantom, advertised by its own web page, which revealed not much more than that it probably will go to design, decorated by black and white photographs pretty people.

But now, in time for the announced date, Dell has the cat out of the bag left. On the music, film and media festival South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas was now a first copy of the precious notebooks sighted. The official announcement will take place on Tuesday lunchtime, confirmed Dell blogs ONLINE.

Blogs, including vanity

What images already betrayed: Optically makes what her neatly Adamo. As Apple's latest MacBooks is the chassis of an elaborately machined aluminum block. It is light and stable at the same time. The display lid also adorns a fine pattern. The processing makes a good impression. Thus, for example, prefers the display hinge almost across the entire width of the screen, which should give additional stability.

The screen itself is so flat that it is from an LED backlight can be assumed. The resolution is supported by Dell spongy 16:9 HD as indicated, should be 1366 x 768 pixels. As it is currently in vogue, Dell will cover the screen, complete with a glossy glass from. That looks chic in effect but under certain lighting conditions like a mirror.

Not quite a MacBook Air

When the Adamo Drive serves as standard an Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 1.2 GHz clock frequency, as a storage medium is a 128 GB flash hard drive used. Two GB of RAM are available for operating system and programs. Contacts with the outside world, via USB, eSATA or Ethernet manufactured. Is wireless via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, a UMTS card, there is an option.

External monitors must be like the Macbook Air via DisplayPort angestÃ¶pselt be on the hitherto little display. As with Apple is therefore dependent on adapter to HDMI, DVI or VGA use.

Thus, the commonality of Adamo and Macbook Air, but it already. Compared with the 1.3-kilo heavy Apple flounder is the Dell laptop, with just under two kilograms already no longer lightweight. The computing power is that the Apple product a little higher, as well as the performance of the graphics. Apple uses NVIDIA's 9400M Series Dell while the integrated graphics of the Intel chipset used.

A second model is ready

In return, Dell offers more upgrade options. This allows the Apple to two GB of RAM in Adamo limited to four GB be upgraded. As external drives, various hard drives and DVD burner and a Blu-ray drive for your choice. Visually it is between the Onyx and pearl colors to choose. Black and white would have been safe to cheap belongs.

On top may Adamo Buyer with problems in a dedicated Adamo-Hotline. In addition to the more technical accessories offers Dell, however, how fashionable ladies handbags and leather KÃ¶fferchen for transporting the precious notebook.

And yet that this repertoire will grow, Dell has also been betrayed. In a diagnostic program felt "
engadget "a reference to the next model, which hopefully will be cheaper than the current 13-inch laptop. Adamo 9, read. And if the name is, is already determined what will be a 9-inch Netbook with aluminum housing, high-gloss display and hopefully a few functions that are probably not very low entry price will be justified.

Leihvideos from the Web into the living room.

2009-03-06T20:26:00.000-08:00

TV on the Internet is slowly massenfÃ¤hig. Medion adds two IPTV-enabled set-top boxes on supermarket prices on the market, such as video Buster providers deliver the right film offers. High-tech is not.

The video-on-Demand Provider
Video Buster is obviously very satisfied with the development. Previously customers had to either of the bid before the PC or put the computer into the living room to the movies from the online video to watch. Now a box web video on the TV screen, pick, quick, cheap and easy.

"There are no more than three connectors and a few seconds loading time needed" until the box for the first time on television reports said the company. Even a little later should one of the movies about a thousand of the company offer comprehensive user. It also allows the box from the TV to music, movies and photos access, on the home PC are stored.

The box itself is a product of the consumer electronics company Medion Essen. 149 Euro, the inconspicuous black box cost. In the device cost is a 25-euro voucher for the video Buster Offer already included. Unlike many currently available set-top boxes is a Medion Life S27022 device is not designated to a specific DSL provider.

Without Windows no videos

Without a computer works the settop box is not. "The films will be selected on the PC, but played on TV," says project leader Matthias Zinecker. In his view, it is easier in this way a TV program, rather than through cumbersome menus hangeln screen.

The setting on the PC as the control center for the selection of films, however, automatically locks all the Linux and Mac users. A PC with at least Windows XP with Service Pack 2 runs, a 2-megabit DSL connection and Microsoft Windows Media Player 11 are the minimum requirements to use the player.

A switch is enough

The technical equipment of the Medion Life S27022 is meager. Your processor is clocked at 300 MHz, 128 MB of RAM size. The operating system runs on the box an integrated version of Windows CE 5.0. The has also built for the Microsoft copy protection system Media DRM-10 is required. The network either via Ethernet cable or wireless LAN.

On the television is the box via Scart socket, which is the current flat-screen TVs has become outdated. For modern HD TVs, the HDMI socket as standard. The tone, the digital device via an optical SPDIF port, analog ports are not available. As the only mechanical element is an On / Off Switch available on the status LED indicating.

More opportunities with HDD and DVB-T

Some more features, however, the Medion Life S27200. These set-top box is completely self-sufficient from the computer to use, visually resembles even more like a VCR. As the S27022 is also this box wirelessly or via cable into the network involved. So, she can also media content from the PC to bring the TV. Furthermore, the most popular YouTube videos, and other selected web videos available. In addition, the S27200-Buster on Video Rental accessed.

Additionally, this box but with two DVB-T TV receivers equipped. So you can except Internet TV also ordinary digital terrestrial TV channels. A 250-gigabyte hard drive allows you to watch TV even delayed, TV shows such as pause, then continue to look, or recordings to be programmed. Up to 125 hours TV content should focus on this way on the hard disk can store.

Even with this model is specified by the manufacturer but also a Windows-based PC is required. In addition, the recorder as a useful device with 250 Euro is much more expensive than the pure streaming box S27022. Despite this extra charge, the manufacturer but also to the installation of a HDMI port waived. Under the time is no more.

Now comes the Netbook Google.

2009-03-06T19:20:00.000-08:00

Now it's official: Asus Netbook plans with the Google Android operating system. In a few months should give first device. An announcement that the far-reaching consequences might be.

Hanover - Rumors about such a project swashes through the network for months, now it's official: The computer manufacturer Asus is working on a device with the Google Android operating system. Currently, the use of cell phones to date operating system tailored to future models of the Netbook EEEPC Series tested, confirmed Asus-Europe boss Eric Chen of the Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa at the Cebit computer fair in Hanover. Still, the project in the experimental stage, said Chen. First results will be according to Chen in one to two months.

That it is possible, the Android system on a Netbook to get, it was months before been demonstrated. Already on 1 January, two employees of the news page
Venture Beat 'on their successful efforts reported on an Android EEEPC 1000h to install. Shortly before the reported Google Developer Dima Zavin, he had the system for a 701 EEEPC adjusted.

With prices from 200 to 600 euro are small and lightweight Netbook currently the only significantly growing segment in the PC market. The market researcher Gartner forecast for this year sales jump of 11.7 to 21 million units. At the same time become the overall PC market with a decline in sales from 11.9 percent to 257 million computers registered the highest drop its history.

Asus had the now booming Netbook market for about one and a half years with the introduction of the first EEEPC founded. The success of the relatively cheap equipment, said to the AP's so that many consumer mini-notebooks as second or third unit growth, while desktop PCs on average only once every two to three years would be exchanged.

"Vista is designed for mobile use too large"

The effects of Android operating system for Netbook should be drastically. So far, the devices are either with the free Linux operating system or Microsoft Windows XP shipped. For many models, buyers have the choice of operating system. For the Windows versions, however, most extras in the field from 30 to 50 euros due. In addition, Windows Netbook usually worse equipped than their Linux counterparts.

Microsoft has included in its licensing terms for the long-outdated Windows XP a limit of one gigabyte of RAM and 160 gigabyte hard disk defined. Only once, probably at the end of 2009, the new Windows 7 comes on the market, should those restrictions disappear. While the current Windows Vista due to its high standards are not compatible with Netbook has been repeatedly demonstrated that Windows 7 runs on Netbook - Microsoft at the Cebit show, inter alia, a device Acer, on the Windows 7 is installed.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has also announced that it is a Windows-7-version for notebooks will be small. From this software, Chen expects that a further upturn in the market. He said Vista is "for mobile applications are often simply too extensive."

The Netbook for mobile

If, however, Asus Android-based Netbook on the market, the cards could be the new mix. Since Android is built on Linux, it is subject to no restrictions on what the hardware is concerned. In addition, Android is already well prepared to mobile communications. This would be perfect for Netbook with built-in wireless card suitable. This new category of UMTS Netbook is still relatively young and running especially with mobile operators open door.

T-Mobile has about two Netbook with built-in UMTS card offer, from a euro - including mobile data contract - are to have. Data from firms circles is that this offer a great success, the devices are selling faster than the shelves can be refilled.

A friendly and nice UMTS Netbook with good hardware, integrated wireless card and Android operating system would be an almost secure success. And not only for the manufacturer and a potential partner from the mobile industry. Also Google should such projects favorably watch. Finally, Google Android in the deep-rooted system. Thus, each new Android-Netbook users automatically have a Google user.

Amazon brings Kindle software on the iPhone.

2009-03-04T20:24:00.000-08:00

The announcement came without warning: starting Wednesday, the online mail-order an Amazon Kindle software for iPod touch and iPhone offer. First opens the company so that its digital books treasure for devices from other manufacturers - not without deeper meaning.

The Kindle program for Apple's mobile gadgets is starting Wednesday in Apple's App Store for download. The company has argued that the software will allow Apple users, the same electronic editions of books, newspapers and magazines on their devices to look like Kindle buyers. With one big difference: While the
E-book Reader Amazon Kindle 2, that will cost $ 359, the iPhone and iPod software free of charge.

The special thing is not that there is now an e-book software for Apple products, such programs have existed for a long time. The special feature is that Amazon's Kindle for the first time produced content to another device available.

It is hardly Apple's user restrictions to the original feel. All content for the Kindle 2 special offers will also be using the new software to be usable. Since the Apple devices as opposed to Amazon's reader, however, equipped with color screens are produced according to books on the iPhone even in color. The Kindle, on the other hand has only a monochrome display.

Apple users need to read yourself

Forget the iPhone-users have, however,
the controversial ability of the Kindle, text aloud. In addition, they must be new books on the computer on the Amazon web buying, while the Kindle via the wireless network to the current 240,000 titles in Amazon's digital library can access.

Who do both devices, ie a Kindle and an iPod or an iPhone, take their digital books can synchronize with each other. So begins one example, a book on the Kindle to read can be found on the Apple cell phone exactly at the point more to the man on the Kindle is removed by the bookmarks of the devices are synchronized with each other. Digital donkey ears, so to speak.

The development of the Kindle software for iPhone and iPod touch have several months, said Ian Fred, Amazon's vice president for the Kindle. Fear that free software could be potential customers from buying Kindle-hold, the company did not seem quite the opposite. Much more will be supply to use as bait, hoping in this way, technikaffine users to the system used Kindle, and finally move to buy them.

Whether and when the software is also available in Germany, was on Wednesday morning not to know.

The Modbook is not a Macbook.

2009-03-04T19:22:00.000-08:00

Out keyboard, touchscreen purely: The Modbook is what Apple does not create. Per-screen transformation from an ordinary Apple Mac laptop computer with mobile-screen control. Matthias Kremp is the first in Germany tried copy available.

Well, that
Jamiri not seen before. Because such a Modbook, the dream of many designers, including our house draftsman's. At least, though, as Jamiri, computer mouse has long said farewell, drawings and paintings by drawing pen on the digital screen of their computer.

Photo: blogs ONLINE
Video: sac

But right on the screen is at least with the Macs, which many designers are using, are not. A touchscreen computer from Apple, there are still not, despite the rumors it cooks
already have several predicted. Even
a patent on such a Tablet Mac, Apple has already filed - without the patent a real computer to do.

In such a device would be a good thing: it writes and paints it with a pen, almost like on a canvas. Only that is just digital. Geht mal a dash next to it, simply delete it if you would like to fill a large area, use the filling as a paint bucket. A digital dreamland for creatives. And that is exactly what there is now. Although not from Apple, but almost. Modbook is the name of the device and is a Macbook, as it is from Apple so far can not get.

Where is the keyboard?

Because the screen of the Modbook is a digital canvas. A real touch screen, however, he is not. With the fingers can be pointed herumtippen as much as you want, a reaction can not trigger. To actually do something to move, one has to use the stylus, which just below the screen is pushed into the housing. By the computer can then not only as Malunterlage using it, can be made by pen also quite normal to control the operating system. The plastic pen is used here simply as a mouse replacement - and you need.

Because basically it is the Modbook nothing more than a modified Macbook. Each piece is unique, by specially trained technicians manually rebuilt. Keyboard and screen to fly out, be covered by a near-touchscreen replaced. However, is not like a normal notebook display as a protective cover on the device. Instead, the display lugt rigidly outwards.

This design is unusual. For Windows users have been around for years called the Tablet PC, also via pin can be controlled. These devices are, however, mostly with a 180 degrees rotating display. Fold has a normal notebook with a keyboard and touchpad. Only when the display on a complex hinge is reversed, the keypad disappears under the lid and the screen is swept outwards. The disadvantage of this type: Tablet PCs are often relatively thick and heavy.

Including digital eraser

But whether or tablet PC Modbook: The special Malstift to Herumkritzeln on the screen must be used. At the Modbook delivers it to the manufacturer in wise foresight equivalent in duplicate with. Because the use of interchangeable tips, not only over time, the inconspicuous pointing devices in the creative chaos can also be time lost. And even though the pen felt no more than 50 cents worth is likely to be charged replacement loose 50 euros.

This is probably due to the fact that this technology from the graphics tablet manufacturer Wacom werkelt. Anyone who has ever such a graphics tablet has worked is the typical Wacom form immediately recognize. Among other things, because the two extra side buttons to get to your mood with functions can occupy. Equally useful is the digital eraser on the head end of the stylus, which does exactly what we expected of him: It erased digital paintings back from the screen.

Hakeliges portrait

But of course you can use the Modbook also do other than just paint. But then should you look at the small luxury, keyboard and mouse. This is often faster. Not quickly, however, is the integrated GPS module, which is in the current version can be safely forgotten.

A software problem prevented in the current version is still a fast and reliable satellite tracking. Compared with USB GPS receivers and portable Navis, the Modbook great difficulty to determine its position. In the test worked only under the open sky. At one Fester behind several other GPS devices can be easily located by, found the Modbook although some satellites, but it was not finished, and their signals to a meaningful position specification to come. After all: A software update will soon remedy this.

This is also for the monitor control is necessary. As with so-called pivot monitors can display the contents at 90 degrees into portrait shoot. This works fine - but only in one direction. Once the display is turned upright, squeeze the menus of the Apple desktop (Finder), the menu entry for turning back of the screen. The only way out of this Sackgase is to create a program that has fewer features menu items, so that the monitor control again becomes visible.

The pen-Mac is a luxury item

Which brings us the price would be, and is simply too high. 1300 Euro, the Modbook conversion in
mStore cost of the device in Germany. A matching Macbook to get from 1000 euros. Compatible moment, however, is only the model in a white plastic housing. The modern
Aluminum Macbook can not be rebuilt. Similarly, there is as yet no Modbook based on the Macbook Pro. Such a Modbook Per the manufacturer wants the end of June to offer. Meanwhile surcharge over the base model Apple will, however, even at less than 3000 Euro.

In the best case cost of a pen by Macbook operate in minimum configuration that is around 2500 euros. A similar tablet PC to get on the other hand, even at prices which are just over 1000 euros, including a rotating display and an integrated keyboard. However, even including Windows Vista, with which Mac users can hardly friends.

And therefore the Modbook remains, as long as Apple is nothing comparable to offer, the only way for Apple users to a mobile touchscreen Mac to come. But only if they are willing and capable of challenging the hearty surcharge to pay for the Axiotron calculated Modbook. After a somewhat more favorable conversion set is being planned. This should be without S Modbook GPS offered and about 500 euros cheaper than the current model. Really cheap but also not.

Living room TV from the Web.

2009-03-03T19:20:00.000-08:00

The TV is at the center of the digital lifestyle back - hope its manufacturer. This is why TV sets are now webtauglich. The electronics group Philips, the technology soon in many devices installed. The whole internet to get to but can not see.

Philips wants to create what TV manufacturers have long been dreaming, the Internet, bring into your living room. Net TV is called the Dutch electronics group, and the promises the launch of a new generation of multimedia-screen televisions. " The aim of your couch from "a simple and quick access to a variety of entertainment and information offerings of the Internet" offer. And they also - but not much more.

So far, attempts to make Internet-TV, usually failed. Various problems plagued the manufacturer. It was at the time of the CRT TVs, the resolution of the devices too low to display Web pages easy to read them. This has resulted in periods of HD-TVs are changed, but remained an operator problem. By remote control can be difficult to control normal web browser, a keyboard, even if it is wireless, though not everyone on the sofa table and have a good replacement for mouse sofa surfers, there are not yet.

Is apparently aware of these problems, Philips engineers have not even tried the Internet, just as you would know from the PC to the TV to transfer. Instead, it runs on the Net-TV-sets of TV habits adapted version of the WWW. This is apparently by a modified version of an Opera browser and it works really well and easy.

The Web from the perspective of a TV

On the remote control of the device has only a Net-TV Key pointed out that there is an Internet-TV is at work. Pressing this button launches the browser and displays several rows of large icons that symbolize the various web sites - these are the bookmarks. By operating on the remote junction can be viewed by hangeln this list, pressing the OK button loads the current page.

So easy does the TV-Internet but only with websites that are sent to the Philips system were adjusted. That means, first, that these websites in the Internet-dialect CE must be HTML formatted. On the other hand, that images and text for display on TV should be optimized. About 200 partners who provide their content on this way of presenting the Dutch have so far found. Below Tageschau.de, eBay, kickers and Tomtom.

YouTube killer app

Some nice deals are in the process of the Internet but is still something larger. Conceptually, this is reminiscent of the mobile portals, which network providers and long tried in vain to make their mobile phone customers to mobile internet usage to make palatable. Popular Internet was on the phone but only when devices like the iPhone a mobile access to normal web pages allowed.

ON TO ONLINE blogs

Cinemascope-TV: The first TV in cinema format (14.01.2009)

My Personal TV Digital: TV times personally (02.10.2008)

Ifa Trends: IPTV wants out of the niche (31.08.2008)

Meets network TV: The end of living gap (09.05.2008)

And there is also on the Web TVs from Philips. Web addresses to enter with the remote a bit awkward, but reasonably well. The result is however not always as expected. Philips used the Opera browser is optimized CE-HTML, which is the navigation of a website only via remote control possible. Correctly displayed on the Philips equipment only a question of pages that the server is already a CE-HTML version offer. Otherwise - an obvious compromise - often the mobile version of a web page delivery, reflecting the wide-screen LCD but at best, strange effect.

So far there are but very few web site operator, a version in the CE-HTML offer: It hides a chicken-egg problem. Philips is the first manufacturer ever, especially for the consumer electronics devices (hence CE) optimized HTML version uses. Whether it will develop a standard, wait, most website operators, but only once: There is evidence, because as the Open IPTV Forum so decides. However the big advantage of Philips' competitors Samsung, Sony, Sharp and Panasonic CE-HTML for their Internet TV, although some of them of the Digital Living Network Alliance, who here living standards for web development and wants also supports CE-HTML . Everything seems to be still open.

What with the device really works well, is the retrieval of online video. That, however, only if they are streamed. The built-in TV cache is quite small, more movies can not accommodate. Youtube videos and movie trailers but can enjoy fine as long as the internet connection is fast enough. Here, the killer application of network TV are: In addition to the HÃ¤ppchenkram of YouTube, there are finally more and more legal, streamed video-on-demand offerings.

Net TV is standard, but not cheap

But Philips has chosen the non-exclusive basis for wisdom. Panasonic, for example, has been in early 2008 at the CES Consumer Electronics trade show a similar concept. It is now called Viera Cast, in the U.S. may already be used. In Europe, the system in spring 2009 at the starting line.

Samsung, however, is moving hintenan content, instead, wants information primarily in text form on the screen magic. Info Live is the appropriate system for retrieving RSS feeds with the TV and is in the top models of the manufacturer's. Similarly, also for Sony, whose new Bravia models on the AppliCast Service "news or weather information [...], Lifestyle News" can be consulted.

Like its competitors, the Internet TV at Philips also not extra charge, at least not directly. Starting in April, many new Philips TV set by default with the web technology. But not all. Only those models, even with Ambilight (light bars on the chassis to fit the television screen lights) are fitted, you can also go online. The starting price here is around 1400 euros for a TV set in 32-inch format.

The Web service itself is financed by advertising, is for the customer that is almost free. Almost, because of course still an Internet connection is required on the TV with the Web can connect. But do we need anyway to get the rest of the World Wide Web to look - with a computer.

My home is my data cloud.

2009-02-26T19:20:00.000-08:00

Music, lyrics, videos on private hard drives to collect data is always higher mountains. Those who are not only in the room wants to use, needs a network disk. Matthias Kremp has three very different specimens tested.

The shock comes when inserting. When I plug the hub of the media outlet in the press, immediately heard a strong noise. Sure, once he got power, has the device turned on, noise now as adult PC. Fortunately not for long. After about ten seconds of the past haunt. Only a gentle LÃ¼ftersÃ¤useln evidence yet that the device is switched on. And of course the display, which appeared in the front is.

Plate instead of the server: private network hard drives make data collection via home network and the Internet, often referred to suck as a media center

Especially, I have a central storage for my data was put into operation. And not only for my, but also for the data of my family. With us, everyone has a computer and so we are certainly no exception. The industry association Bitkom is that in three out of four German households now at least one computer. In one quarter of households, it is the Allensbach Institute found are even more computers in use.

And they have all their software packages are installed, are often very different purposes. As music collections are created, filled out tax returns, letters, movies and photos archived. Only rarely, however, which I suspect are the computers networked so that they can exchange data each other. And even though: Do I want to network via a photo on my computer that my daughter on her hard drive, it must both run. And this is rarely the case, would be mostly pure electricity wastage.

Spoiled for choice

Remedy should have a small home server create. But such devices are expensive if you buy as a complete package - and complicated, if you build it yourself. Much cheaper and simpler but there should be just a network drive in the home network to integrate. The cost only a fraction of what a server would be an important, but often offer similar functions, they have proper operating system on board.

But the selection is great. There are DIY housing, prefabricated systems and deluxe versions, which include multiple disks, and in addition such as a Card Reader, to print images directly from digicams read out.

Three very different examples, I have tried. The results read on the following pages.

Flowers instead of weapons.

2009-02-24T19:22:00.000-08:00

With "Flower" blooms on the console, with "World of Goo" verschleimt them. "Killzone 2" shoots frighteningly boring, while "Skate 2" calls for the thumb and "Pikmin" a secret classic returns. The most important games of the month

Flower (PS3) by thatgamecompanyFÃ¼r Althippies and new flower children

Alien slaughterman romanticize the World Wars.

2009-02-23T19:22:00.000-08:00

The latest sci-fi shooters like "Killzone 2" look as they played in the First World War. And its plot is about as clever as that of "Landser" booklet from the Fifties. The problem is that the adult games of today are often not only brutal, but also flat and are stupid.

The war in the nursery was right long ago no longer lobby. Since the beginning of the seventies disappeared increasing willingness to assist the children's plastic toy soldiers and tanks under the Christmas tree to place.

Today, however, again played with enthusiasm war. And with the same friend-foe schema as yesteryear. The shooter "Killzone 2", on the whole gaming world is now
For almost four years of eagerly waiting, shows once again: He is technically brilliant - and about as smart as a "Landser" booklet from the Fifties.

Tin soldiers were in the 18th Century popular, but really came in motion the business of war, played only in the 19th Century, with the triumph of the nation. The fact that boys with SoldÃ¤tchen, wooden rifles, miniature uniforms and other war material played was with pride and joy welcomed. War for his country was a good, pedagogically valuable national pastime. The emperor and his generals are delighted, and 1914 were the young men flocked enthusiastically into the trenches to send.

Planetary patriotism as a justification for killing

Two world wars and a sexual revolution later, the struggle of a nation against the other as a justification for killing then sometime unpopular. Dying for his country has lost in popularity. But look at the latest high-end production of the games industry, be it a feel that the next World War would once again imminent. Only that this time the opponents from space and not from beyond the Rhine.

In video games there is a clear friend-foe schema by then. These are games for global audiences today made it all worth it not. It has therefore two types of consensus-enemies agreed: It is either fought against evil Nazis (good shooter tradition since "Castle Wolfenstein") or against evil aliens or monsters (good shooter tradition since "Doom"). To head shots with something like pride to be able to compensate, a planetary patriotism summoned. A plot Tumbes needs a world that is so black and white is like "The Longest Day".

"Doom" meets Verdun

In "Killzone 2" (PlayStation 3), on 25 February on the market, vorwÃ¤rtsverteidigt the player with his comrades the Earth with an invasion against the Helghast, an alien race, even on their home planet with respirator masks always encountered. In "Resistance 2" (PlayStation 3), a fifties-years-to-earth against aliens move with too many eyes and teeth long defended. And in "Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360) cut bulky space marines muskelbepackte fighters from outer space. Technically, all three are brilliant: Who fun stress level of a Landser in a virtual war zone, will they like.

The many millions of euros expensive sci-fi wars of the present game show striking similarity to each other - and to the wars of the earth's past. Always comes with standard fighting arsenals: assault rifle, pistol, grenade, anti-tank rocket. Always, the space-traveling attackers most often with conventional weapons, go on two legs and use firearms, with two arms.

Aliens are just Nazis, only bigger

Sure, there are always also: radiation weapons, giant monsters, walking, rolling, giant flying robots, about opponents, bigger than the normal alien Landser, sometimes with even more eyes, sometimes with only one. Overall, however, the attackers from space Aufgepumpte versions of the evil of the war films of the good old days. Without any irony serves the industry also the iconography of the world (see pictures above line). Aliens are just Nazis, only bigger. BlÃ¶d on real World War II is from game developers view yes especially since that one bad giant robots can emerge.

In "Gears of War" was even revived the bayonet. According to Time, of course, when integrated into the assault rifle that chainsaw, with the enemy in close combat entzweischneiden leave. "Doom" meets Verdun. What, incidentally, that the reason might be that the game in Germany, not even on the market was not yet part one of the recently released part two.

The Emperor's would probably pleased

The success of the industry but are right: All those with massive production effort produced World War-with-aliens-simulations are selling. It should also cater for "Killzone 2" re-enter the game comes with the trade so far gone well. From stunning graphics and captivating atmosphere is talk.

Narrative and ideological, but these titles are on the level of a World War II movie from the fifties: evil aliens as enemies allow racist outbursts in the off-text, as John Wayne was then also against the Japanese could still afford extras. The simple good-evil scheme to make the killing a little doubt true. The action is limited to a completely arbitrary, solely on difficulty and size spectacle orderly sequence of "operations" - at the end of which is always saving the world.

The outbreak of Tumbes this scheme have been some attempts, the most successful with their Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto "series (" GTA "). It is the player to always broken heroes on an ambivalent figure whose murder is not due to global patriotism justified. In the expansion pack just released "The Lost and the Damned" for
"GTA IV" (Xbox 360), the player is a rocker, which is a drug-addicted psychopaths as chief needs mucking around - no role for John Wayne, but rather one for Sean Penn.

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Such titles will require censorship and Games enemies is always a prime example of the depravity of the whole medium is used - also because the murder victim is to look like real people. These include Rockstar titles in its satirical ambivalence to the few who step over the Tumbes "killing is good, as long as it meets the right" of most shooters go.

Kaiser Wilhelm II had "GTA" is not understood. On the other hand, if he had to "Resistance 2", "Gears of War 2" and "Killzone 2" probably had its bright happiness.

"Star Wars" Force and touch magic cube.

2009-02-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

Building blocks for consumption, pseudo telekinesis like in "Star Wars" and the analog version of the Moorhuhnjagd: At the Toy Fair in New York showed the new 7000 Manufacturer Zeitvernichter. ONLINE blogs shows the most interesting.

Finally! Finally there is a magic cube, which is itself at the touch of color maps and the Rubik's ordeal ended. This plastic cube with the 54 rotating color (6 pages with 9 fields), the agony of the eighties - it was not the individual elements of the cube rotate so long, until the nine fields one of the six colors on one side of the cube are gathered .

Touchcube: The digital magic cube is berÃ¼hrungsempfindich

Unlike the analog version of this can be the new, digital magic cube cheat. Techno Source, the manufacturer has on the U.S. Toy Fair Toy Fair in New York the "Rubik's TouchCube" presented. The new magic cube has 54 luminous color, individual rows can be rotated by one with his finger on strike - like a touchscreen phone. In addition, an accelerometer sensor determine which side of the cube straight upwards, but only when these are then the touch sensors are activated.

Who no longer knows, may be different from the Streichelspielzeug step by step to demonstrate how to Farbfeldchaos eliminated. U.S. dealers will be the toy of autumn to sell - Techno Source recommends 149 as U.S. dollar selling price.

In addition to the petting dice showed the exhibitors in New York 7000 other new toys - ONLINE blogs shows the most interesting.

Blaupunkt car radio provides the Internet before.

2009-02-19T20:20:00.000-08:00

Web radio in your car: In Hanover wants Blaupunkt imagine two devices, which can be streamed behind the wheel can hear radio network. This requires a UMTS connection.

Hanover - According to information from Blaupunkt is the world's first Internet radio for your car. It will be at Cebit (March 3-8) show in Hanover. Two of the German electronics group Blaupunkt models were developed as prototypes to see shared with a company spokesman. To access Internet radio stations in the Blaupunkt was a collaboration with the Australian online portal MiRoamer On.

With the models should have the portal "tens of thousands of stations can be accessed. The connection to the Internet will have UMTS mobile phones via Bluetooth produced. So if you are flat rate with no mobile at home, will continue driving rather than FM transmitters to listen to Internet stations.

Also, the new devices can sinnigerweise: The tuner receives conventional terrestrial broadcast FM and AM signals. In addition, they read CDs, MP3s can be read via a USB interface will be played. The launch of the device is in the second half is planned. The initial unit will be around 300, the larger model for around 400 euros offered.

On a stand-alone solution, ie the ability of the radios, even a network connection, according to Blaupunkt was deliberately avoided. Since users usually every two years a new mobile device anschafften, so you stay in range up to the state of the art, said the spokesman. Moreover, data services with flatrates strong comeback.

MOBILE BROADBAND FORMATS

UMTS

HSDPA

High Speed Downlink Packet Access - is based on UMTS on, but reached significantly higher transmission rates in the transmission of Mobilfunkmast to the terminal. The practically achievable data rate is currently at 1.4 Mbit / s. Through technological improvements, it gradually to 5.1 Mbit / s rise. (more on blogs KNOW)

GPRS

General Packet Radio Service - this standard decomposed data at stations in individual packets, it transmits gestÃ¼ckelt and puts them back together at the receiver. By bundling multiple transmission channels is theoretically a transmission rate of up to 171.2 kbit / s possible. In practical operation, it is usually 55.6 Kbit / s - so slow modems were in the days before DSL. (more on blogs KNOW)

Edge

WiMax

The WiMax technology includes several standards, data on different radio frequencies. Some WiMax standards require a visual connection between the transmitter and receiver, other signals can also penetrate walls. Tests WiMax will have data transfer rates of more than 100 Mbit / s has been achieved. Hermann Lipfert, an expert in wireless networks at the Munich Institute for Broadcasting Technology (IRT) estimates that in a regular-WiMax wireless cell Tranferraten from 50 Mbit / s are realistic - under ideal conditions and with application of all presently available technical tricks. This range would need to be as in UMTS all users share in the respective cell line. (more on blogs KNOW)

DVB-T

The DVB-T standard provides for the distribution of digital television signals by radio. The DVB standard is also designed to evaluate Internet content to transfer - in the frequency range of a single analogue television channel (about 7 MHz) fit, but just 13 megabits per second into it. If a single broadcast station that is 20 users hanging around the same time, a file download to try, it will be close - the data rate for each user would be less than one Mbit / s, ie lower than the cheapest DSL connections that are currently on offer are. "The biggest risk for this technology is, from the present to become obsolete," says Sven Hansen from the computer magazine "c't". Applying the content over DVB, which also goes in only one direction - just like in television. The return channel must then be produced by other means, such as via a conventional telephone line. Mouse clicks in the browser went with this method over the telephone line to the provider, the requested pages woul!
d be of the DVB broadcast station back to the receiver gefunkt. This is cumbersome - and slow. (more on blogs KNOW)

LTE

Long Term Evolution is the name that a number of mobile phone companies a broader standard of the fourth generation mobile communications have given. LTE is basically an evolution of UMTS - but requires completely new hardware, including new broadcasting stations. LTE competes with the WiMax standard to the market leader in the mobile Internet of the future - between the two standards may be a new format war. LTE has been estimated by experts to WiMax, however, about two years behind in terms of technological development. (More at blogs KNOW)

Apple sold fewer computers.

2009-02-19T19:16:00.000-08:00

For the first time in years, Apple recorded a decline in sales figures, reported the Wall Street Journal. And against the trend: Overall, sales of computers - not only the Macintosh computers.

The sales figures in January, compared to the same month last year by six percent, reported the Wall Street Journal, referring to the market researcher NPD Group. Sales declined to be up by eleven percent, the market share from 16.4 to 13.7 percent. The sale of all brands of computers but in January compared to the same month last year increased.

Apple
MacBook Air: Bad numbers for Innovation thinner situation?

The high price in comparison to a Mac, the company had good sales so far brings. Now that the consumer their money together, these prices could adversely impact the company, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Apple fans also wait for some time been longing for genuine product innovations in the field of computers. The last major innovations in early 2008 was the MacBook Air, since there were mainly hardware upgrades in an old garment. The favorable initial Mac mini computers have been waiting around the summer of 2007 a new edition. Buying Guide to the fansite Macrumours advises on various products incantatory: "Do not buy soon, there are updates."

One analyst, who with Apple tip forces had met, chatted on Wednesday, according to "Info World" out there think we have an "ultra-portable Mac Notebok" after, say, an Apple Netbook. This renewed the man is a rumor that has been many weeks courses.

Previously, Apple products like the Mac, iPhone and the iPod, despite the economic crisis, however, very much in demand. In the last quarter of 2008, the Group's turnover continued to increase - he skipped the first time the mark of ten billion dollars - and also the profit grew by 1.8 percent to 1.61 billion U.S. dollars (1.25 billion euros).

I pull you up!.

2009-02-16T19:24:00.000-08:00

If you are not careful, will be in online games easily reingelegt. With cheap mesh fraudsters try to trick time and again, ignorant exclude newcomers. We document the tricks of the game Rogue.

In January, the police Bochumer a remarkable display on: thieves had a avatar in the online game Metin2 tears a sky band, Phoenix Footwear,
one and seven million Siamesenmesser Yang stolen.

The ad bekamt much media attention, but cyber-crime is a long life in online RPGs like World of Warcraft. The gangsters are working with very simple but also perfidious tricks.

Guilds, Gangs and gold coins - so draw gangster online players.

Just Playing against the crisis.

2009-02-13T19:26:00.000-08:00

Casual games were from the video game industry long ignored? simple games to Nintendo wohnzimmerfÃ¤hig made. Today look rezessionsgebeutelten the publisher jealous of the browser and mini-game-maker: The casual games business is running despite crisis brilliantly.

Already in one of the first discussions at the Casual Connect show, which this week takes place in Hamburg, there are the casual games industry crisis, said: "Dr. Strangelove or: How I learned to love recession in 2009" is the title of this panel in which developers and providers of the future rave. While Dick ships games industry such as Electronic Arts and THQ massive sales declines have occurred, most casual companies almost never.

The U.S. Sandlot Games, inventor of the world's one hundred million times downloaded Simpel-Daddelei "Cake Mania", 2009 with an expected payout of around 70 million U.S. dollar bonuses to their developers? twice as much as last year. Intenium, one of Germany's leading casual games providers, since 2005 increases the number of game downloads of around 70 percent per year and has since December, week after week record paragraphs.

And King.com, the leader in online social gaming (card games, puzzle games or action games in the browser against other users for small sums of money played), reported 350 million rounds a month? an increase of 84 percent over the previous year.

"People tend to stay at home during the recession," says COO-King.com Matthias Schmidt-Pfitzner the rising popularity of its platform.

Casual games are better equipped to cope with the crisis, because the business of entertaining games like "Bejeweled," "Uno" or "Mahjong" according to different rules than the work with interactive epics such as "Metal Gear Solid" or "Grand Theft Auto." While this triple-A title in a few weeks a sale many years, million-dollar development must refinance, the Simpelspiele relatively quickly and cheaply produced, are mostly online and can be distributed to different types monetarisieren.

"Nothing is safe, no platform, no genre, no game"

Social Games, or sites like King.com tipp24games.de use to about one quarter to the player inserts, browser game provider Bigpoint how to live from selling virtual goods for their games, and the big portals like RealArcade or Germany to play it? ? next to the retail sale via download? on game subscriptions and paid VIP memberships. The era of advertising-funded free games, however, is gone: In the advertising business on the Internet wants none of the casual games makers more confidence.

Despite the encouraging numbers, and positive mood in the industry, is one of the dangers of coming lean years deliberately. "Nothing is safe, no platform, no genre, no game. Diversification is the buzzword," preaches Sandlot CEO Daniel Bernstein. His company has taken this path already trod: Instead of just trusting the PC to download and browser games, you have "Cake Mania" is implemented on various consoles. Were most successful with over 500,000 units sold for the Nintendo DS versions? The touch-screen Nintendo handheld, thanks to clever product policy is the most important casual games platform next to the PC.

Riddles and puzzles, Sudoku and Brain Trainer, the former children's console to a device for the main target audience of casual games to the women. From a woman's odds of 65 percent go casual games providers today, with the classic PC and video games will be on just 5 percent.

"Women understand the game as a habitual media consumption, it is not the focus of their employment," explained Intenium manager Klaus Schmidt, the success of casual games in the female audience. "The handling of a casual games is 30 to 60 seconds grasped", and thus it is perfectly suitable, just switch off from everyday life, without which concentration and effort, the 'big' games demands.

Circumvention of trade, waiver of physical disk

The boom in mini-games and expanding the target group has also casual games for Sony and Microsoft, the manufacturers of adult technically desirable hochgezÃ¼chteter consoles made. In the Playstation Store or Xbox Live Marketplace which can be dozens of shallow skill and action games, puzzle and retro classics for a low price, too? Impulse purchases, directly and with the PS3 or Xbox 360 are made, and thanks to circumvent the trade and waiver of physical media, developers and publishers to pay more profit.

Thanks to Microsoft's leadership in the networking of their consoles to the Internet may Xbox manager Boris Schneider-Johne on the Casual Connect shiny present figures: 125 million games have been around the world on Xbox 360 consoles downloaded 220 million hours have been with them verzockt. The next step: Community Games? User-generated games. In countries such as England or the USA can any recently thanks to Xbox users free tools to program their own games and sell more than Xbox Live? only requirement is a paid membership in the XNA Creators Club. What a little of the App Store for Apple's iPhone out of the amateur professional developers also like the chance of large profits with small investments.

And here are the small, cheap games, the biggest sales driver: "The iPhone is the next handheld console," Bernstein is safe? and the casual games industry has exactly the right products for it.

From the mouse.

2009-02-12T19:22:00.000-08:00

Salary cuts, meager prize money, fewer tournaments - the economic crisis is forcing the sponsors in e-sports to save. The result: For some players is just promising career already over. Only Koreans deserve even more than before - 16,000 U.S. dollars per month.

At CeBIT 2008, two self buhlten the European computer at the same time to viewers and professional Daddler, the so-called e-athletes. A year later, there is economic crisis, therefore missing not only Samsung at Cebit 2009, but the Samsung Euro Championship.

Behind it, the World Cyber Games (WCG) as the organizer, the Korean company is not currently responding to inquiries. The e-sports experts from the scene page
fragster.de now report that the WCG tournament only move an alternate date will be mentioned.

Even in November attracted the WCG World Zasterzocker hundreds and thousands of spectators to the finals in the Cologne trade fair halls, the largest of the five self-proclaimed WMS, within five weeks took place - the conditions in the E-Sports to recall here the confusion in boxing. As it now stands at this years finals in China? Samsung spokeswoman Katja Meincke said, find the place, its sponsor companies, in any case. It is also urgently needed because of the WCG was just another sponsor flutes: Processor manufacturer AMD.

After dramatic sales drops announces AMD spokeswoman Friederike Gonzalez to: Given the economic situation of this year all the major e-sports sponsoring. These include the World Cyber Games as well as the contract with the German clan SK Gaming, home of the famous twins, Daniel and Dennis Schellhase, series winner of several cyber-football. "We knew them long and looking for new partners," says SK manager Alexander MÃ¼ller, starting in March, he wants to present new.

Salary cuts in professional players

AMD's savings club has already met with the clan mTw, whose paid Baller boys hold the world title in Counter-Strike in the version of the World Cyber Games. Formerly Hamburger contributed nor the names of the processors wrought in the title. Meanwhile, not only the name shrunk. The northern Germans have their teams a salary prescribed diet. "We are approaching again the old days, there were 500 to 600 euros a month for a good Warcraft 3 players normally," says spokesman mTw Sebastian Conrad. "Recently we were at Euro 1000 to 2000, then came to travel expenses for flights to China or Dubai." Well, in the fall of the misery salaries.

As the culprits for the wage explosion in the past, many view the clan Denmark Meet Your Makers. MYM has financial investors in the back and drew with four to five months' salary, the best players in the world. But the revenue of the clans remained behind the spending, which investors now shooting for the third time after coal and stressed the management cost.

For example, Grubby, alias Manuel Shenkhuizen. The Dutchman, the World Cyber Games 2004 and 2008 in Warcraft 3 and won as audience favorite is needed blow. His ex-colleague MYM Jang "Moon" Jae-Ho used the dismissal to the financial career. The Koreans zockt now for a home team and 16,000 U.S. dollars months salary, writes the scene website
fragster.de.

Editor-in-chief question Gerriet Ohlsen believes: "Moon is an exceptional player." Moreover reign in his native Korea, other conditions, two TV stations reported around the clock from the e-sports. The local teams to achieve more revenue, for example through merchandising. Such alternative revenue missing here. In Europe, the scene at the drip of the sponsors - a break away, are a league or clan quickly before Off.

Sponsor Intel calms the E-athletes - to Cebit

Many e-athletes look so anxious to Intel. Chip forge but praised the Electronic Sports League (ESL) loyalty: "We have as the main sponsor of a long-term strategy and this includes the long-standing partnership with the ESL," says Intel spokesman Hans-Juergen Werner. The contracts are still ongoing, but at the same time he announces that Intel Cebit after his commitment to review. Around five to ten percent could be the chip manufacturers take back its activities, the rumor scene. "I can neither confirm nor deny," says Intel spokesman.

The ESL Intel partner explained the crisis to opportunity. "Many companies will realize that with e-sport is an important target for affordable reach: young, technikaffin, consumerist sociable, influential," says ESL spokesman Ibrahim Mazari. There were even companies that have invested more.

35,000 Euro prize money less

ESL thus equal Eitel sunshine league? No way to lush 35,000 euros prize money drops for the German professional league. Instead it goes to 165,000 in the next season by only 130,000 euros. And it reduces the ESL competitions Warcraft 3 and Fifa, which the clan saving easier. The result: SK Gaming sacked nearly all of its Fifa-gambler, the Berlin of Mousesports announced four of its seven Warcraft players.

Questions-chief Gerriet Ohlsen said: "We are probably experiencing a structural correction, accelerated by the financial crisis." To shrink salaries and prize money. For some tournaments and players means the first: from the mouse.

Amazon Kindle makes it smaller.

2009-02-09T20:28:00.000-08:00

Flat, lightweight, easy-chic: reportedly, the consignor Buy online or in the course of Monday a new version of the Kindle eBook reader imagine. While the technical details are still unclear, leave the first pictures of anticipation revenue

Since Amazon seems to have learned quite a bit: The new Kindle looks schick aus. Quite unlike his predecessor, whose look of the
Tech blog Engadget as "ultra-polarizing 80s" has been described. And even that was almost a compliment. Because with all the excitement about Amazon's electronic reader: Its design is extremely controversial. Bulky, heavy and expensive, these are the attributes associated with the
Books-iPod connection. But that should be better now - almost anything.

Kindle-2-photo on engadget: Less bulky, more iPod

So much in any event, the photos reveal,
recently on the phone Mobileread appeared Blog: Slim is to become the new reader, the Kindle 2 angedichtet name is. And so there should be easier too. At least weigh less than its predecessor, the almost 300 grams on the scales brought. Only one hope of the e-book fans will probably not be met: Cheaper is not the successor. $ 359, the new model costs just as much as its predecessor, which will at least have Engadget.

But you get in this release a device with which you also like to see wants. A bit like an iPod it looks. Front all in white, with a housing recessed into the keyboard and a few buttons on the edge. A side view of the device also promises that it has become extremely thin, less than a pencil shall bid.

Top or Flop?

The back is made of metal, at least mostly. In fact, while the bottom two small speakers are installed, it will be top by a plastic cap covered. The design should not be a trick but its technical necessity. Probably are located under the plastic shell of the mobile antennas 2nd Kindle Just like its predecessor, which is likely to become a book that is over the mobile network to buy and download the device.

Whether, however, in this work, is questionable. With the first version of the Kindle you can, because of his commitment to the US-radio, books only within the U.S. invite. Accordingly, the device only from Amazon in the U.S. and sold. How successful Internet trading company that was, has never officially been announced. Estimates range from the presumption of a total flops up to at least half a million units sold.

But perhaps we know more this evening. For ten clock ET, or 16 clock Central European Time, the Amazon in the U.S. invited to a press conference. At least it should also clarify whether future European Amazon customers can read electrically. Pretty enough for export, the new Kindle seems to be yes.

Amazon's loquacious reader.

2009-02-09T19:24:00.000-08:00

Read and read out: With the Amazon Kindle 2 provides an e-book reader that in every respect - especially visually - from its predecessor has been improved. Particularly important would be the small speaker of Lesemaschine be.

Such enthusiasm is known otherwise only from Apple events. When, on Monday afternoon European time Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, the scene of a New York theater entered, applauding not only the journalists courteously. Around the globe, viewers followed the press conference via a live blog on the Internet. The minute information ploppten bites on the websites of the tech bloggers that every detail about the new reader greedy aufschnappten and online records were scarce.

There were so many new things not to hear and see. Even days before his official presentation of the photos appeared until then only as a rumor through the Web wabernden device on the network. Has also been speculation about its price. Only technical details, the network community does not serve. But Bezos has now personally replaced.

It is obvious that the design now in the current millennium has arrived. Not even an inch thick, the new e-book reader has become so abundant and slimmer than the predecessor. Has managed this trick seems, by the components to simply have less room together. Because light is not the device, still produces almost 300 grams on the scales. Nevertheless, the slimming the Kindle well received. Super flat, bright white with a brushed metal back, it really good.

Faster, sharper text

But outer beauty, which every one knows, of no use if not also the inner values. And as the Kindle 2 has over its predecessors neatly increased. Improvements were made, for example, the display. While the resolution remains at 800 x 600 pixels remains fixed, the number of displayable gray levels of four to 16 increased. This will benefit not only images that are now rich detail can be represented, but also texts, their margins will be sharply drawn. In everyday life, more important, however, should be that the Kindle 2 sides to turn over 20 percent faster than its predecessor.

The fact that the display quality of text is far better than conventional LCD screens, is beyond question. Like all e-book reader, Kindle utilizes the 2 on e-Ink display, so called electronic ink, it creates a picture perfect flicker, just like on paper, depict.

Strong aufgebohrt was also the memory of the device. For the first version has a capacity of around 200 records, which corresponds to approximately 256 MB. The new model, however, is equipped with two GB, it should be around 1500 can store digital books. Compared for example with the readers of Sony is also still puny. Because the Sony devices with memory cards can expand. Whether this is necessary, however, is another question.

Two weeks read

Unquestionably important, however, that the battery life has improved. Up to two weeks, should we now be able to read without the equipment into an outlet to stÃ¶pseln promises Bezos. That should take place only once rich. And you want to switch between the reader, for example, because you have a Kindle at home, one office and one in the cottage is, it also works via cellular network das synchronize the devices, so that at each Kindle is always the page aufschlÃ¤gt the is the last thing you read. What also would clarify that the purchase of books for the new version is well settled as before, namely, via mobile phones.

For European e-book reader Amazon's reader is still unattractive because of Amazon mobile network is used through the entire United States extends, but no meters to Europe urges. This should especially for fans of horror author Stephen King to be bad. Namely, King was the star guest of the evening, entered, armed with a pink Kindle, the stage and spoke about its advantages. Above all, he read a passage from a new book, which he on the Kindle and the Kindle and has written exclusively for the Amazon device on the market.

Read or read

And just as King from his own book, are owners of the Kindle 2 have their digital future will also be able to read aloud. Although not by Stephen King, but by their electric reader. The fact is in the new version, a reader device has become the digital texts also via speakers can give. Even Amazon describes this feature as experimental. But just reading the electric could be to the success of the device contribute, especially in the U.S., where the reading has long had a soft television.

But who will be reading texts with a sprinkle can, you need a little patience. As of February 24, the delivery of the Kindle 2 Begin. Preference will be supplying customers who already have a Kindle 1 and possess the successor to 10 February order. But anyway who just completed a Kindle appointment, you must not grieve, now only the second best, because of outdated equipment to take preference. All currently outstanding orders will be automatically transferred to the Kindle 2 as amended.

The first German Apple is a pear.

2009-02-06T20:30:00.000-08:00

The new Mac clone comes from Wolfsburg: Fight With prices and without ambitions for the design calls for a young company out Apple. The replicas, it is believed there were under German law, not to dispute.

No, a Mac is not. He does not look that he bears no apple logo and the Apple Store, you can not buy it. And yet he can exactly what Apple's Macintosh computers more than anything else, from standard PCs is different: On the device that its manufacturer Pearce has called, runs the Mac OS X, Apple's operating system and perhaps the crown jewel of the company. The Pearce is a Mac clone, a replica, built and offered, without Apple's blessing - and therefore perhaps on thin ice - constructed.

Actually there should be such Mac replicas do not exist. At least not when it goes after Apple. In the end-user license agreement, called the EULA (End User License Agreement) for Mac OS X, Apple provides the unmistakably clear. Apple does not allow it, "the Boot ROM code and firmware" his computer "to copy, modify or re-distribute," it says. In simple words, Apple's software may be used only on Apple hardware to be installed.

And it offers a young company from Wolfsburg, the Hypermeganet UG, now open to the public and apparently without Scheubeck computer that does not come from Apple and on which Mac OS X is already installed. At prices starting from 499 euros, the "
PC with Mac OS X "on the website of the company offered. A similar attempt to Apple with replicas compete with, had been in the past year the U.S. firm
Psystar undertaken - and now provides
months since a dispute with the California company. Psystar Ausgebremst was hitherto not, however, still offers its "Open Computer" called pseudo-Macs.

"In Germany, the legal"

Fear of a legal dispute with Apple also has not the young company. From the perspective of Hypermeganet is the German law on the side of the Mac clone. "End User License Agreements are in Germany only to part of the contract, if you purchase before the software have been agreed. The restrictions that Apple for its Mac OS X in the EULA does so in Germany have no legal explanation," said company spokesman Dirk ONLINE BlÃ¶ÃŸl blogs.

The core of his argument: The user experience of Apple's ban on Mac OS X on non-Apple computers to install, only after he has purchased the operating system. The Terms of stuck in the software package, you can before you open the same not be viewed. Hypermeganet assumes, therefore, that the product (meaning the Mac-clone) in Germany is legal. "

Apple keeps on the matter, as usual, covered. "The comment we do not," said Apple spokesman Georg Albrecht blogs ONLINE. So no saber-rattling, but no Kleinbeigeben.

How come Mac OS X on PC hardware?

Pearce that the Apple software on a replica up and running, is a trick to thank for. Although Macs basically on standard PC-based hardware, Apple's system is not easy to install them. Such attempts, Apple has an end, by the operating system with Apple's hardware was almost married. The most important copy protection makes the so-called EFI which (Extensible Firmware Interface), the basic program of the computer. This ensures that Mac OS X on the hardware can address.

Opportunities, such protection to be overcome, however, there is a long time. On the one patched, so additional software using modified versions of Mac OS X, its core, the kernel, with programming tricks is to persuade, not to standard hardware to disturb. These variants are just tedious to install, its components must be piece by piece from the network load. Moreover, it is Apple's automatic update feature, you have the PC with such a patch for the Mac made. Every update of the installation would be useless.

Wii are the Champions.

2009-02-06T19:26:00.000-08:00

In the first association for virtual tennis no fly FilzbÃ¤lle: The "Tennis Berliin friends" play with the Wii console, instead of rackets. Your guide to a tennis court in Berlin had been under Lithuanian clubs and bridges. Not in the main living room.

Magdalena Pohlus swinging her hips. It is available on the Center Court, their corduroy-RÃ¶ckchen flutters in the rhythm of the movements. Suddenly she blares an invisible ball back to the other side. "30:15" booms from the speakers. Respondent with your hair staggers. The presence sat. It was Magdalena until a few hours ago had never in her life played tennis.

The 24-year-old drama student is rather randomly on the mini-tennis club in Berlin's backyard "c-base" gestolpert. No problem, because there is no sporting lawn demands perfection. The "c-base Cup 2009" is a kind of Grand Slam tournament for virtual tennis. Matches will be played exclusively with the Wii console. Young men with Fellwesten are against girls with fringe leather boots and pointed at. As profit waving a bottle of bubbly and a jute bag.

Behind the unusual tennis tournament to put the late hour
"Tennis Berliin Friends e.V." The two "i" in the name are not a typo, but the reference to the gaming enthusiasts - and also serve to turn away from traditional tennis clubs to sell.

Escape from the living room, straight into life

The designer Jacob Lehr, Dennis Paul and Patrick have Kochlik sporting pushers column set up: For two years they are measured in public matches? just not with yellow FilzbÃ¤llen, but by pressing and swinging the controller, it means the Wii remote. Two crossed controller, surrounded by a laurel wreath, decorated with the logo of the 2007 club was founded - the first tennis club for digital physical exercise in the world.

VIDEO

Photo: Tennis Buddies Berliin e.V.
Video: Tennis Buddies Berliin e.V.

Virtual Tennis:
Wii conquered Club Scene

"40:15" scheppert it from the speakers. Magdalena stretches the fist in the air and loud calls "Who performs as ever?" in the smoky air of the night. To the 6 x 4 meter field about a hundred people, chat, smoke, sip beer bottles and listen to the electronic GekrÃ¤chze from the speakers. The players face each other, thanks to a structure made of canvas, video splitter and two beamers, indeed opposite - the electronic board is perpendicular between them, both sides covered with projections.

Even though the sport is tennis, the tournament is reminiscent more of a LAN party than a game with Ivan Lendl. Thirty meters of white adhesive tape, a game console, two remotes, an amplifier, a video splitter, two projectors and a screen, the "c-base" in a temporary tennis arena transforms. The whole technology fits in a small metal KÃ¶fferchen so are the tennis friends mobile.

Last year they gave a guest in Vilnius. At the invitation of Lithuanian Capital of Culture organized a tournament in the open air, they quickly moved under a bridge when it started to rain. This year, they fly to London, where they are in the "Royal College of Art" will be set up. "Those are always nice experience, I would never otherwise Lithuanian youths came into the conversation, which is also for electronic aspects of life are interested in," says Jakob Lehr.

The 33-year-old designer is wearing a white polo shirt and monitored the games from a monitor. "We wanted to use the console in the public arena," says he, "because video games has been a living culture technique was." Your club was the playful attempt to show that video to users not to make violent losers.

Commercial not part of the concept

"Tennis we previously only knew from the Black Forest Hospital," says Jacob. Because the game but is easy to learn and people together, it was ideal for the club idea. Such a theoretical superstructure does not sound after Boris Becker. The tennis friends also see themselves more as creative artists rather than as athletes.

Meanwhile, they have their new sport with a small wave is triggered. One party has already asked them whether they accept the idea of Wii during the election campaign may be copied, and opened in November 2008 at Berlin's Alexanderplatz, the supposedly world's first
Wii Lounge "Play" in which people with friends instead of karaoke for Console gaming will stop.

Those opposed to the commercial use from tennis friends. "For us this is just fun, for the price, we will once again put it," says Jacob, and picks up a fag. On their website they dissociate themselves from the manufacturer of the Wii, they are "not in any way with Nintendo of Europe GmbH connected".

Nevertheless, observed the Japanese group, which the Wii as a tool for wellness sporty seniors and fitness equipment markets, the hustle and bustle of the tennis rebels: "The idea of Wii sports clubs to establish, is very original. It is a pleasure for us if our games people new forms of animated entertainment, "says marketing manager Pascal Schmidt. The fact that his panel in a clean environment between cigarettes and beer is used, does not bother him. "I think, to move can not hurt. What some broadcasters do, but only on their own initiative."

Match Ball. Magdalena threshes an ace on the virtual network, the game is finished. Jubilantly runs it to the screen in the middle of playing. It gives her opponent's hand, thanked those with a curtsy. At least the victory ceremony is already world-ripe.

Four-core iMac and iPhone video.

2009-02-03T19:22:00.000-08:00

Apples single computer in the iMac series require an update. For nine months, the flat-screen computer to send unchanged delivered. New models are already in the queue, it says on rumor sites. Above all, they are faster, and the same twice.

The signs point to change. Not only in American policy, even for Apple. After the U.S. company for the other major product announcements utilized Macworld trade show in January with no real highlights was passing, is now the time has come to the rumors. When will the real innovations? What Apple will surprise this time? Questions to which bloggers and analysts have long answers to have found mine.

Currently high on the menus of chefs Rumors: A new iMac. This is close, finally, Apple is currently offered model since the end of April 2008 in the program. So it would be the time to replace him to stores.

That actually might be so, suggests the rumors page
Apple Insider ". You will have learned that Apple dealers have been informed that orders for the current iMac model with high-end 24-inch display and 3.06-GHz processor would no longer be met. In addition, they were forewarned that in the coming weeks as the other iMac models of limited stock will be.

Everything must go

"Apple Insider" concludes that the production of Apple's top-iMacs may already be set and the other iMacs have shut down. Such behavior can only be interpreted one way, it says on the page: Apple wants to reduce its inventory to make room for new models to create. Sounds logical.

From then on, but the rumors will become a thin soup soup. Because of how the predicted new iMacs look like, what they differ from current models differ, there are only meager projections. With the analyst Shaw Wu leans far out the window, believed to know, Apple is actually ready for the production of new devices incorporated. Only a small, yet to solve technical problems and business reasons were still at Apple, said Wu. It seems mainly to be good stock trading.

Artificial gap

WUs sources indicate that Apple will be the new iMacs with both dual-core as well as quad-core processors from Intel equip. It is cheaper in the iMacs, the dual-core chips are used, while the quad-core CPUs the upper left. In this way, Apple, better than with simple processors clocked differently, a beautiful performance gap within the range produce.

Blu-ray drives or flash disks, which many Apple users are eagerly anticipated, is so far not been mentioned. Likewise, it is unclear whether the monitors of the future iMacs with LED technology, as the 24-inch Cinema Display. Considered safe only that they have a mini-display port connector, on the one Apple's LED display can anstÃ¶pseln.

Preparing for "Snow Leopard"

On the design of the All-in-one machine will hardly change, said Wu. Only the cooling had to be revised to reduce waste heat from the quad-core chips from the housing to guide them. That should certainly only be necessary if Apple is for standard processors decide. Indeed, besides the normal quad-core CPUs, up to 95 watts of power to include, Intel has recently also variants with the symbol "S" in the name of the product on offer, which is nearly the same power with 65 watts satisfied.

Above all, however, could be quad-core chips later this year become an important marketing argument to be Apple. After sometime, probably in the summer, the operating system upgrade Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" will be published. Among its major innovations, a strong support for improved multi-core processors include, by including third-party programs can benefit. As soon as "Snow Leopard" will be released, so that Apple could advertise the post-burner for his computer to ignite. And if the iMac a good performance boost a share, would give them an alter spring upon.

Until then, however, are likely at least a few weeks.

A video update for the iPhone

Not much different from what the iPhone, which also appear to be an update to the house stands. That would be loud "
Informationweek "especially in the situation, not only photos but also video recorded. It was clear from the
iPhone patent indicates that the manufacturer only a few days ago was awarded. It was explicit video of the speech.

If Apple is now but the trouble is, a function to integrate video, why not ask the same right, namely, including video chat. With features such as this could be Apple back a bit of competitors to sell, which in recent times with models such as the
HTC Touch HD, the
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic or the
T-Mobile G1 clearly caught up and development of Apple's advantage has reduced.

An iPhone, a video conference with multiple parties can produce, the iPhone could fanaticism on the other hand, new fuel supply, believes "Informationweek" - and the gap between iPhone and non-iPhones widen again.

A nice idea is that already. It remains to be seen whether Apple's engineers also have had.

The best games for the Nintendo DS.

2009-02-02T20:28:00.000-08:00

He had no chance? and used them. With the Nintendo DS is a little stroke of genius have succeeded, while an overwhelming sales success. This is not only on the device, but also in the Games.

In the spring of 2005 was to instruct the world in their unanimous verdict: The new Nintendo handheld games is fun, but will not sell. Is what for curious players, but nothing for the masses. Thus murmured the Observer after the press conference on the Nintendo DS, short for dual screen, dual screen, for the European market was presented. Even Nintendo itself was cautious: No successor to the highly successful Game Boy, the DS, but on the parallel market.

No wonder: The Japanese came with a device that is both by design and by the graphic quality was far from a nearly simultaneously published competitors: Sony's PlayStation Portable, or PSP. Black was the one with a big screen for games with stunning graphics. The DS on the other hand, in a design no-man's-land between cigarette case and FrÃ¼hstÃ¼cksdose located, the first games were only marginally better than the Game Boy. No chance. Nintendo would be the market leader in portable game consoles lose.

Sony's competing device is far behind

Today, we know it better now approaching the sales of the DS of the 100 million-unit mark.

While many manufacturers offer on each other now with various brain-jogging-cloning, and animal Ponyhofspielen to Baby simulations, rather than new concepts. Nevertheless, there are just in the first years of the console so many new ideas that the choice difficult. We take a look back and make the twenty most interesting games for the young classics (see pictures above line).

Success of titles such as the puzzle game "Dr. Kawashimas brain-jogging" or the dogs Simulation "Nintendogs" have sold millions of times and after a design change which now sees "DS Lite" device is properly called good. The PSP is in the sales ranking far behind.

The calculus of Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata has risen. The wanted a games console that everyone understands their control. One that no longer only to hardcore gamers sets, but also appeals to other people. Therefore, the device to fold. It has two screens, one of which is touch. Contributed to him with a pen, the characters through the worlds. A built-in microphone picks up voice commands even opposite. Since then, it does not matter that the graphics are not quite as good as the competition, the control is important.

A portable synthesizer and intolerable cooking classes

The new operating concept suggested in the games maker. Suddenly able to develop ideas, which were previously unthinkable. Pleasant side effect for the designers: The development costs were in contrast to other consoles low. A game that is not sold so well, was not as bad. The increased experimentation.

And so are funny, bizarre and wondrous games emerged. From the first experiments, the capacity of the device indicated as "Project Rub" or "Wario Ware Touched" on music games, almost as a work of art can be applied as "Electro Plankton" to replicas of old music synthesizers like the Korg DS-10 is: It gives courage to take risks.

Meanwhile, the DS is no longer just games. He is a language teacher, in addition to the English and French, even Chinese can be practiced. He trained the fitness helps withdrawal cigarette or trained eyes. For almost every case, the appropriate software. How useful this really is, in each case must be decided. A DS-Kochkurs belongs in any case not to the particular application in practical applications.