type as me

It's that time again when I get to upgrade my phone, and after much thought I've gone for the Sony Ericsson C905. As I have an iPod Touch, I didn't think it would be worthing getting an iPhone, or similar, and the lure of the 8.1 mega-pixel camera, Wi-Fi, and GPS was too much to resist. And hey, I'm a Sony Ericsson lover, and it would take a lot for me to look somewhere else.

First impressions are good - the camera is great, though obviously not as good as a stand alone camera with a decent lens. Not only are the photos of high quality, but the video is nice and smooth. I had contemplated getting a video camera, but I won't bother now, as the C905 does the job very well. I have noticed that due to the size of the photos, when they get compressed for media messages, they become pretty unusable. This is putting a dent in my Twitpic addiction, and I'm not sure there's a way around this without taking the photos in a lower resolution, which kind of defeats the object of getting this phone...

The phone does link well with Blogger, and I may have to start using this for posting photos and videos from my phone. You can add other blogs to the phone, but it doesn't seem to like MyOpera It just sends it an MMS (which has arrived at the time of writing this post), and as my MyOpera cannot remove the operator message, I'm reluctant to do this.

The Wi-Fi on the C905 is excellent, and using Opera Mini with it is superb. The GPS, on the other hand, is not so good, and it doesn't help that the Java version of Google Maps doesn't seem to be compatible with it. It appears to be a known issue, so hopefully there'll be an update to fix this at some point. I didn't expect much from the GPS, but at the moment I'm struggling to see that it'll be useful at all!

Apart from a few niggles, I'm happy with the choice. The camera alone makes it worthwhile for me, as I'm finding myself wanting to take my camera with me more and more. This way, I can carry less, and still take some decent pics. Hopefully the GPS will improve, but this phone should keep me going for a while!

Opera Mini 4.1 was available for download yesterday, and having been impressed with the beta version, I downloaded it sharpish!

Just before I went to synch my Opera Mini, I noticed that one of the Speed Dials was "Live Scores". Intrigued, I clicked the link, and it took me to Opera Live Scores, a handy little portal that displays the latest scores for a variety of sports.

As one of my main uses of Opera Mini is to keep track of the FUSSBALL scores when I'm out and about, this little site is a lifesaver! I usually use the BBC Sport page, but it's great to have all the scores in a simple, single page. It's now made itself a permanent fixture at number 9 on my Speed Dial.

How long has Opera Live Scores been around? Why have I only just found it? Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? I demand answers!

I saw this in London, and had to take a pic.

Above is apparently a picture direct from the Leipzig Games Convention brochure. This seems to be an official Nintendo product, though I cannot find anything else about it anywhere!

Loosly translated, the German text says:

Use your mobile nintendo to the complete appareled MP3- playback. Lower grade become SD cards at up to 2GB capacity. With it you can store up to 500 songs and in crystal clear quality. The graphic interface shows all vital information to the title.

Thanks Inter Tran

I'll await confirmation, before I get too exited, and I doubt it would replace the old iPod anyhoo.

Atlus, the company behind "Trauma Centre", release their new DS title "Touch Detective" in October 2006 (US).

Nintendo® The Official Magazine have new screenshots, which can be found here.

The game looks lush, and is made up of four episodes. You control Rina (or Mackenzie - there seems to be a bit of confusion about this. Rina is the name of the heroine in the Japanese version of the game, which is known as "Osawari Tantei"), who must solve each mystery by talking to people, and searching for objects. Not doubt there will be lots of puzzles to solve too. Throughout the main game, the top screen is only apparently used to display a picture of Rina/Mackenzie. She will, however, give you clues via speech/thought bubbles and expressions. To me this seems a waste, but then, what else would you use it for?

The official site can be found here, and the details of the game are as follows:

GAME SUMMARY:

After her father unexpectedly passes away, Mackenzie inherits the family business: a renowned detective agency in a fantastic world of mystery and intrigue. With the aid of her investigative assistant Funghi and her faithful servant Cromwell, Mackenzie sets off to prove herself worthy of being called... the Touch Detective!

FEATURES:

* Gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and use items to further the investigation!
* Four bizarre cases! Find a missing person, track down a stolen dream, and more!
* Touch-screen, dual-screen puzzle-solving that takes full advantage of the Nintendo DS!

The Japanese site is here, and it gives a good impression of the style of the game (complete with a wierd mushroom fella - presumably Funghi - that you just can't catch!). A video taster can be found here (eventually...)

Sadly there is no confirmed UK release date yet.

Ubisoft have announced details of a new Star Wars game for the DS. Star Wars: Lethal Alliance is set to be released in December, on both the DS and Sony's PSP. Although both games are being developed by Ubisoft, the two versions of the game will differ in many ways.

Gamespot state:

Although Lethal Alliance will appear on the DS and the PSP at the same time, the two versions weren't made by the same developer: Ubisoft's Montreal division handled the PSP game, while the publisher's Casablanca studio produced the DS version. Each game will be tailored to take advantage of its host system, but Ubisoft didn't say how.

Along with the story mode, there will be a mutliplayer feature too, although Ubisoft have not yet released details of this.

In an interview with Gamespot, Bertrand Helias (Senior Producer) stated that:

The game takes place just a few months before Episode IV. You will play a Twi'lek mercenary named Rianna Saren. The game marks her first appearance in the Star Wars universe. Early in the game, she is recruited by the alliance to infiltrate Empire-controlled planets and ultimately steal the plans of the Empire's most powerful weapon: the Death Star. I suggest gamers watch the beginning of Episode IV again to understand the link between this game and the saga.

The full interview can be found here.

Sources:Gamespot and Nintendo® The Official Magazine

Natsume have released a flight sim for the DS. The creators of "Harvest Moon: DS", bring you "Freedom Wings". The story and details are as follows:

It was the age of aircraft. Due to the necessity of travel between the great many islands of the South Sea, aircrafts were the main choice of transportation. Some flew for adventure...Some flew for wealth...For whatever the reason many took to the air.

And there were those that used aircraft to prey upon them...

The government had to put a stop to these evil pirates. They selected the world's top pilots and set up the Air Patrol Association (A.P.A) in hopes of making the skies safe once again.

* Innovative combat system – beginning players can use AI COMBAT where the system will help lock on and fly the various planes or experienced players can use the MANUAL COMBAT where they control all the action!
* Use the Touch Screen to control your plane, lock-on to various enemies or plan your flight path!
* An assortment of aircraft to purchase!
* Upgrade your plane with new parts and weapons!
* Tons of missions and submissions to complete!
* Up to 4 players can play in the ultimate dog-fight!

It doesn't look too bad, but with the lack of WiFi, I can't see it competing with the likes of StarFox Command, or the forthcoming DS Air.

There are screenshots below, and a teeny tiny clip can be found here




Pictures from Natsume