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Latest by Geoff Duncan

Survey: Adults Favor Casual Games for Kids

A new survey commissioned by casual games developer PopCap finds parents prefer kids in their charge play casual games, rather than hardcore game titles.

Google Buys Micro-Blogging Service Jaiku

Continuing to expand its stable of mobile-oriented services, Google has announced it has acquired Finnish micro-blogging service Jaiku.

Toshiba Recalls Portable DVD AC Adapters

In yet another consumer electronics snafu, Toshiba is recalling about 142,000 AC adapters sold with portable DVD players due to a risk of overheating.

OnStar to Tap The Brakes on Stolen Cars

General Motors' subsidiary OnStar has shown prototype technology which can gradually reduce engine power if a vehicle is reported stolen.

Universe-Hopping for Avatars?

IBM and Linden Labs plan to develop technology which would let users take their avatars from one virtual world to another - complete with commerce information, of course!

AT&T Makes Surprise 700 MHz Spectrum Buy

In a surprise move, AT&T has purchased 12 MHz of radio spectrum in the hot 700 MHz band, potentially exempting itself from FCC open access requirements.

Top Holiday Electronics: HDTVs & Notebooks

A survey finds high-definition television sets and notebook computers top holiday wish lists, with one in six consumers considering some sort of Apple product.

Fujitsu Debuts Low-Cost V1010 Notebook

Fujitsu's new LifeBook V1010 notebook offers a 15.4-inch display, a spill-resistant keyboard, a choice of CPUs, an ExpressCard slot, and prices starting under $800.

Sony Announces 4x Internal Blu-ray Writer

Folks looking to add Blu-ray burning to their computer might want to check out the Sony BWU-200S, which offers 4x burning speeds and an SATA interface.

Gateway to Buy Packard Bell

In a move that surprises no one, at the bequest of its new owner, Acer, computer maker Gateway has announced it will be buying Packard Bell.

BitTorrent Offers Video Streaming Services

Peer-to-peer file-sharing badboy BitTorrent has launched BitTorrent DNA, a technology platform to help media companies more effectively stream Internet video.

Sony Announces 40 GB PS3 for Japan

Sony is cutting prices on its PlayStation 3 consoles in Japan, and introducing the new 40 GB version November 11 in black and white - but without PS2 compatibility.

TiVo, RealNetworks Team on Music Streaming

TiVo has partnered with RealNetworks to bring the Rhapsody music streaming service to broadband-connected TiVo set-top boxes.

Hard Disk Tech Earns Physics Nobel Prize

France's Albert Fert and Germany's Peter Gruenberg have been awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in physics work that has revolutionized hard disk storage.

Is That An iPod In Your Pocket, Or…?

An Atlanta man may have found out just how hot Apple's iPod nano can be: he claims Apple's diminutive music player caught on fire in his pants pocket.

UK Upholds Ban on Revised Manhunt 2

The British Board of Film Classification has upheld its ban on Rockstar Games' Manhunt 2, even after the company revised and resubmitted the game to censors.

Seagate Debuts Flash-Cache Notebook Drives

Seagate has its first notebook hard drives to feature an extra-large cache of NAND Flash memory which ought to assist performance....someday.

Electronic Arts Buys SCI

Electronic Arts has entered a deal to acquire Super Computer International (SCI), a developer of game client applications and tools.

Vonage Settles with Sprint for $80 Million

VoIP operator Vonage has removed one thorn from its site, settling its patent dispute with Sprint for $80 million.

Nike Adds Amp+ Watch to iPod Line

Sports brand Nike has added a new element to its iPod-empowered product line: the Amp+ watch that tells time, controls an iPod, and voice feedback about your workout.

Oppo Flips On 3-in-1 HDMI 1.3 Switch

HDMI switches are getting common on the home theater landscape...but Oppo's 3-in-1 HM-31 offers an IR remote, an RS232 port, and is fully HDMI 1.3-certified.

Asus Xonar Outsources Audio

Asus has decided to get into the audio peripheral business, offering PCI-E and USB-based Xonar, promising to outperform integrated PC audio hardware.

Sony Launching 40 GB PS3 in Europe

Sony has announced it will be launching a new 40 GB PlayStation 3 in Europe for 399 euros...but it won't support any PlayStation 2 titles.

Gateway Intros 30-inch Quad-HD Display

Gateway has introduced a 30-inch, 2,560 by 1,600-pixel "Quad-HD" LCD display with HDMI input and support for six simultaneous input devices.

BT Inks Deal with Fon Wi-Fi Network

UK telecommunications operator BT has finalized a deal that lets its customers join the Fon Wi-Fi network.

Microsoft HealthVault Keeps Medical Records

Microsoft is treading into the intensely privacy-centered arena of personal health records with a new platform and service: HealthVault.

J.D. Power Rates HDTVs

J.D. Power and Associates has rated consumer satisfaction with HDTVs in three size categories ranging from 37 to 72 inches: Sony, Pioneer, and Samsung all took top honors.

Halo 3 Tops $300 Mln in First-Week Sales

Sales of Microsoft's Halo 3 video game exceeded $300 million in its first week of availability.

AOL Rolls Out AIM 6.5

AOL's new version of AIM can stream your buddies' non-DRM music, improves sending text messages to cell phones, and taps into multiplayer casual games.

Garmin Mobile XT Aims At GPS Phones

If you have a GPS-capable phone that can handle microSD cards, Garmin Mobile XT wants to meet all your mapping and navigation needs - with no subscription fee.

Neiman Marcus Debuts iLuv iPod Video Player

Neiman Marcus is offering a portable iLuv video player with an 8.4-inch widescreen display, DVD playback, and iPod support.

Sony Updates E-Book Reader

Sony is now offering its PRS-505 digital e-book reader, featuring a 6-inch E-Ink electronic paper grayscale display and 100 free classic titles.

AMD to Supply Graphics Tech to Qualcomm

Chipmaker AMD has announced it will be licensing 3D graphics technology to Qualcomm for integration into mobile phones.

LG’s Voyager Takes on iPhone on Verizon

Verizon has launched a slate of new phones for the holiday season, including the iPhone-challenging Voyager from LG.

Pentax Introduces Optio A40, V10 Cameras

Pentax has introduced two new point-and-shoot cameras, the 12 megapixel Optio A10 and the super-slim 8 megapixel Optio V10.

New Matusushita Blu-ray Recorders for Japan

Matsushita has ann ounced it plans to offer three new Blu-ray recorders that can store up to 18 hours of HD video on a 50 GB Blu-ray disc.

TomTom Formally Launches Tele Atlas Offer

In the wake of Nokia's plans to buy Navteq, GPS maker TomTom has renewed its offer for mapmaker Tele Atlas...but are they listening?

Nintendo Offers Free Wii Remote Jacket

Nintendo has announced a free Wii Remote Jacket accessory, designed to help players keep a grip on their Wii Remote...and cushion it in the event it flies across the room.