iRiver E100 PMP Intoduced.......

IRiver has recently launched a new PMP, the E100. This loaded player comes equipped with plenty of all round features that include memory expansion via microSD cards. It’s also a neatly designed player with dimensions like - 3.65" x 1.88" x 0.44" and weighs in at just about 2.09 ounces. Its 2.4 inch TFT QVGA display has a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels so video viewing won’t be a problem at all.

Other features, besides its music and video playing capabilities, include an FM radio with a Timer Recording feature, image viewer that supports JPG, BMP, PNG and GIF formats, a voice recorder and a .TXT viewer as well. For video it supports MPEG4 and WMV formats and audio - MP3, WMA, ASF, OGG, FLAC ((Free Lossless Audio Codec). The E100 also incorporates SRS WOW HD sound field technology for a better audio experience. The device also uses an intuitive D*Click interface which makes things easier for navigation.

The E100 also has a line in socket for recording and supports USB data connectivity for file transfer. Like some of the other PMPs being launched lately, the E100 also has in-built speakers. It’s also out in 5 color variations viz. black, white, pink, sky blue and chocolate. The E100 is available in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB capacities and are priced at approximately Rs. 4,725 ($117), Rs. 5,936 ($147) and Rs. 8,683 ($215) respectively. However, there's no news on when it'll be launched in India. Stay tuned.Source

Sony Headphones Claim 99% Noise Reduction......!!!!!

Headphones that claim to reduce up to 99 percent of ambient noise at 160HZ, which happens to be the peak frequency of a jet engine -- Sony's MDR-NC500D -- have started shipping in the Japanese market.
Touted as truly the world's first digital noise-canceling headphones, the six-ounces MDR-NC500D headphones use digital technology to more accurately reduce stress-inducing noise from planes, trains, and buses, while providing a high-quality audio experience. This is the result of a unique digital noise-canceling software engine, a set of digital filters located in the built-in digital signal processor, the company said. Using digital technology, the headphones automatically create waves that travel in the opposite direction to noise waves. Noise is eliminated by the conflicting waves canceling each other out. The company claims that this digital-based process enables more effective noise cancellation than is possible using analog filter technology. The headphones offer three distinct noise-canceling modes optimized for different environments, including airplanes, trains/buses, or offices. According to the company, each mode uses a different digital filter in the digital signal processor, which is specifically tuned for effective noise reduction in these different sound environments. By pressing an artificial intelligence (AI) noise-canceling button placed outside of the right ear piece, the headphones scan the ambient noise profile and intelligently select the best mode to cancel out the highest amount of unwanted sound, the company said. In addition, the monitor switch allows users to temporarily suspend the noise-cancellation feature and mute the music to listen to flight announcements.
The MDR-NC500D headphones are powered by an internal lithium-ion battery that can operate for up to 16 hours on a single charge. The headphones are expected to roll out Japan in April for an approximate price of 49,350 yen.Source

Haze to be a PS3 Exclusive...for always

After making us believe for months on end that Haze may eventually land up on other platforms we get word via Ripten.com that the game will in fact remain a PS3 exclusive... forever!

While playing through the game we got speaking to two independent Ubisoft reps. On asking both separately whether the game will ever come out on the Xbox 360, they said in a resolute fashion that the game is not only a timed PS3 exclusive, but will never make its way onto any other platform. This result is apparently a recent decision, but final. Sony must have paid Ubisoft/Free Radical a nice little packet to bag this one.

Truth is I was never too keen on this game so this really doesn’t affect me a lot and more importantly GTA IV releases in just 42 days so I guess nothing can upset me now.Source

GTA IV muliplayer modes.......listed.........

As you all know, GTA IV is going to be a definitive "next gen experience" in every possible way and making this experience even sweeter is the fact that GTA IV is going to be crammed with 15, yes 15 Multiplayer modes that go something like this:

• Hangman's NOOSE
• Car Jack City
• Bomb da Base
• Bomb da Base II
• Mafia Work
• Team Mafia Work
• Deathmatch
• Team Deathmatch
• Turf War
• 10. Cops n Crooks
• Race
• GTA Race
• Deal Breaker
• Free Mode
• (some other mode?)

But, for a more detailed look at the modes, you’ll still have to wait for a while.Source

LOTRO Expansion 'Mines of Moria' Declared

The first expansion to Turbine’s Tolkien based MMORPG – Lord of the Rings Online: Shadow of Angmar – was announced at Connect 08 in Birmingham. The expansion will see LOTRO players dive deep into the goblin populated underworld, and will be called ‘Mines of Moria’.

The level cap will be raised from 50 to 60, as high leveled players will get a chance to venture out of the kingdom of Eraidor, and fight bosses like the Balrog and the Watcher.Source