IBM Recalls 500,000 Sony Batteries

Looks like IBM is next. They are recalling 500,000 Sony batteries.

TGS 2006 Thoughts

Sony didn't really have a very good show. The only good news as far as I'm concerned is that they are adding HDMI port to the base version of PS3 as well. And they dropped the price of the base version by $80 in Japan. It's Japan only though. Because accroding to Sony, both Europe and US gamers were very accepting of the pricing point, it was only Japanese gamers that complaint about the price. So they are responding to it by dropping the price for the base model.

As far as I'm concerned, I really hope HDMI and both Blu-Ray/HD-DVD fail. They are trying to solve a problem that doesn't yet exist. It benefit the studio more than the consumers. So they can control how you watch the content you bought with your own money. But that's another discussion.

Microsoft will be releasing two Xbox 360 bundles in Japan this holiday season. For $250, you either get Xbox 360 core, PGR3 and 99 nights. Or you get a limited edition Blue Dragon themed Xbox 360 core, and Blue Dragon the game. Both Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey will also be released this holiday season in Japan. They are trying in Japan, but honestly, if this doesn't do it. It's over for Xbox 360 in Japan.

One of the thoughts I had after TGS is. What if the next-gen war happens in Japan, but no one came to the party? We already know Xbox 360 is doing very poorly in Japan. People are still feeling rather negative toward PS3 as well. My feeling toward Wii is mixed. I think the type of causal gamers they are going after, either already have a DS, or are dying to get one. It's way easier to convert causal gamers by handing them a DS and a game. Wii requires you to actaully set it up on the TV. I've always felt that the biggest compeition for Wii isn't PS3 or 360, but DS. DS is selling like hot cakes. They've sold 10 million units in 19 month, making it the fastest selling console in Japanese history. Yes, even faster than SNES or Gameboy. Japanese market is shrinking, but in the middle of all that, DS is constantly selling out and games are selling well too. I think the fact that DS games are way cheaper and have longer replayability has a lot to do with it. So, what if the next-gen war happens, but most Japanese gamers basically go "That's nice, I'll keep my DS and buy the 3,800 yen games, instead of the PS3/360/Wii and those 8,800 yen games that only last 5-10 hours."?

Long Line At Microsoft TGS Booth

At Tokyo Game Show, if you want to play the Blue Dragon, you have to stand in a 160 minute line. If you want to play Lost Odyssey, join the 90 minute line.

PS3 Japan Launch Titles List

At Tokyo Game show, Sony has announced the following titles will be avaible on 11/11/06, the day of the PS3 launch in Japan.

Genji: Days of the Blade
Mah-Jong Fight Club Online
Mobile Suit Gundam: Target In Sight
Resistance: Fall of Man
Ridge Racer 7
Sega Golf Club featuring Miyazato Family

I knew Gran Turismo HD wouldn't make it.

Dell Laptop Explodes At Yahoo

Kaboom, someone's personal Dell machine blew up. Yahoo only uses HP and Apple.

New Nano

So I broke down and got one of the 2G Nano. I really wanted to get the pink one, but it's only 4gig. That's just not enough for me. In the end, I got the black one beacuse it's 8gig. It's charging now as we speak. I also picked up the radio remote to use with it. FM radio with iPod, yay! Iz, you can stop taunting me now.

Toshiba & Panasonic Next Recalling Sony Batteries UPDATED

Toshiba is next in recalling Sony made batteries. They are recalling 340,000 of them. A little birdy told me Panasonic is next.

UPDATE: Apprently Panasonic has already announced it.

Buy PS3 Because It Will Cure Cancer?

Sony is working with Folding@Home team to produce a Folding client for PS3. Good to know my $600 PS3 + accessaries will be good for something.

Most iPod Owners Prefer CD

Less than 5% of iPod owners buy DRM tracks from iTune store. I'm one of those people. I've always had mp3 players even before iPod. To this day, I always buy CD and rip the tracks myself. Because I care about quality, and I hate DRM.

I still have about 20 of those free iTune tracks thing that Apple/Pepsi was giving away two years ago on the Pepsi bottle cap, never used any of them.

New iPods Are Here

Apple announced the new iPod and iPod Nano today. Batttery life has been increased. Apple is now selling games for iPod. I know P will go crazy over Bejewled and Zuma. The games will work on all existing 5th generation iPod. The space increase was only on the high end one though. It's still $250 for 30gig, but the $350 one is now 80gig instead of 60.

What I do care about is the 2G iPod Nano, you can get it Green, Silver, Blue and Pink now. Yay!

PS3 Europe Launch Delayed (UPDATED)

It's offical. PS3 Europe launch has been pushed back to March 07. According to K, there will be 400k units of PS3 for US on launch day. 800K units for Japan on launch day. So it's 1.2 mil units on launch. K still thinks they'll have 2.4 mil PS3 available by end of this year. So that means they'll make and ship another 1.2 mil PS3, probably again split in the same ratio of 2:1 in favor of Japan. 60 days to make, ship and sell 1.2 mil PS3 over the Holiday season, this should be interesting.

UPDATE: Actaully, only 500k units will be avilable on launch day. 400K for US, 100K for Japan. So now this means they have to make, ship and sell 1.9 mil PS3 in 60 days or less.

Word Exploit in The Wild

Latest Word flaw which already has attack code in the wild, allows remote execution of any code. No patch yet, so I guess you open word docs and hope for the best? Or use OpenOffice. :)

No Laptop For Me On The Plane

Korean Air has banned both Dell and Apple laptop on the plane. You can still take it, but you'd have to remove and check in the batteries. US Airlines are considering doing the same. Well, I currently have one Dell Laptop, two PowerBooks. Travelling with any of them will suck for me if this becomes more common.