Another notable trend becomes clear when comparing brands. Here’s the list of nine different brands, ranked from most reliable to least, in terms of malfunction rate:

1. Asus
2. Toshiba
3. Sony
4. Apple
5. Dell
6. Lenovo
7. Acer
8. Gateway
9. HP

Looks like Asus‘ marketing department have a new talking point to advertise, while Apple has another reason to stick its nose up at Dell. I’m also sure Sony would like to mention being second in reliability while pimping its stylish VAIO lines.

The most depressing trend noted, while somewhat obvious, is still a bit depressing: From an average of 7.2% after 12 months of ownership, the average rate of “total failure” rises to 19.7% after 24 months, and steadily rises to 31% by the third year.

Great info from Squaretrade, relevant to makers and consumers alike. What I’d like to see though is a survey on the reliability of desktops. In any case, do you own a laptop? How reliable (or not) has it proven to be?

Post from: The Gadget Blog

“Lucky in Love” mainly involves a Flash-game where players have to drag and rotate a series of photos to create a panoramic shot. It’s a pretty straightforward yet cumbersome game: not only do players have to properly align images as much as possible, they are also under time pressure. Obviously, the point of the game is to show how the auto panorama of the TX1 is way easier than manual photo-stitching (and, having used the camera, I agree). Whoever gets the highest score once the contest ends this December 30, 2009 will a Sony Cyber-shot TX1, so if you’ve got a fast mouse hand, try the contest here.

Not based in Asia but in the US? Not sure if Sony has anything planned for you guys, but the Sony Cyber-shot TX1 is currently available from NewEgg.com for $380:

SONY Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 Gray 10.2 MP Digital Camera

SONY Cyber-shot DSC-TX1 Silver 10.2 MP Digital Camera

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Gizmag was on the scene during the production of this unique and cringe-inducing (for gadget lovers) video. Full details are available here.

Post from: The Gadget Blog

• Instruction manuals in 4 different languages (region-dependent)
• Warranty card
• Software CD
• Catalog of Cyber-shot TX1 accessories
• USB / TV-out cable
• NP-BD1 battery in a plastic case
• Changing dock and power cord
• Wrist strap (already attached to camera
• Paint pen (attaches to wrist strap, used to operate touch-screen

At first glance, that seems like a lot. Yet Sony could’ve done a little better with the bundle, including a Memory Stick and a basic camera case at the very least. I totally understand Sony wants customers to spend more on accessories (the included catalog makes this marketing push very obvious). But what’s wrong with whetting the new owner’s appetite right away? A 1GB memory stick provides enough capacity for decent use, while a cheap camera case would provide basic protection for the TX1’s stylish (and fingerprint-vulnerable) exterior?

In any case, watch out for updates as we put this camera through its paces. If you’re eager to own a Sony Cyber-shot TX1, B & H is selling this baby for $380. Available range from feminine pink to the understated gray.

c/o Technograph

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Size-wise, the PlayStation 3 Slim isn’t really a revolution compared to its predecessor—despite the 33% profile reduction, both consoles are meant to stay stationary for most of their operational lives anyway. The Slim is still a more attractive option though because of its roomier 120GB hard disk, a definite step up from the original PS3’s 20 & 40GB default offerings. You basically get more hard disk space per dollar from the get-go.

Other advantages include significantly lower power consumption, made possible through a processor redesign that provides the same computing power through a smaller chip and thus less heat. The PS3 Slim also supports the BRAVIA Sync interface, which allows remote control via the console’s HDMI port.

The PlayStation 3 Slim is available from NewEgg for $299. Each console comes with one Wireless DualShock 3 controller, so you may want to buy an extra controller while you’re at it. Shipping is free.

How to Get a PlayStation 3 Slim and an extra controller:

• Visit the Wireless DualShock 3 Controller ($42.99) product page at NewEgg
• Click on Add to Cart
• Visit the PlayStation 3 Slim 120GB ($299.99) product page at NewEgg
• Click on Add to Cart
• Click on View Shopping Cart
• If you’re satisfied with the total (it should read $342.98, unless you already have items in your NewEgg cart), Click on Checkout

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Functionally, this new PS3 variant is practically the same, but it uses a smaller, more power-efficient version of its Cell processor—45nm versus the original’s 60nm. Every new PS3 Slim will come pre-installed with Firmware 3.0. Sony will of course phase out the original PS3, selling any remaining 80GB and 160GB units for $299 and $399 respectively.

Why would you get a PS3 Slim? I don’t have one yet, but after seeing the newer PS3 with its older counterpart, I’m wasn’t super-impressed by the size reduction. Yes, it is significantly smaller, but if I already had a PS3, I think I’d pretty fine with what I already have; unless you’re talking about the Wii or portables, home gaming consoles are usually content to stay where they are.

There’s nothing much more to say, and I want to save you from extraneous marketing boasting of “a fresh, casual look that the company hopes will make it more appealing to a wider audience”.

Source

Post from: The Gadget Blog

All Images Courtesy SCEA

Yet the focus on digital delivery means that Sony was reportedly thoughtful enough to equip the PSP Go with 16GB of onboard memory. The new slide-down form factor may be something new for longtime PSP users. That’s because controlling the portable console requires the hands to be closer together—and below the Go’s 3.8″ screen. Compare that to the thumbs-on-the-side configuration that has defined every PSP model until now.

Like its predecessors, the PSP Go features WiFi, which as you may know allows wireless multiplayer gaming, access to the PlayStation Network, and limited web browsing. Unlike previous PSPs however, the Go is also Bluetooth-capable, potentially allowing data sharing with other kinds of devices, and of course setting up multiplayer games with nearby PSP Go owners.

The PSP Go will debut in North America and Europe this October 1, at a price of $249 and €249 respectively (poor Europeans!). It will hit Japan on November 1, with a 26,800 yen price.

Given the PSP’s long history with homebrewing and piracy, I wonder if Sony will still go through the trouble of attempting to lock the PSP Go against hack/mod attempts. As anyone knows though, piracy is nigh impossible to stop. In any case, here’s a video of the PSP Go in action:

Post from: The Gadget Blog

*add about 1.8 ounces for battery and card

Most interesting about all three new models though is its support for SDHC cards, on top of typical support for Sony’s own Memory Sticks. Here’s to hoping the same happens to some future version of the PSP.

All three cameras will become available for pre-order “this week” from sony.com, for a sometime July release.

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Courtesy of Sony Computer Entertainment America

Typhoon’s hack takes advantage of a tiff exploit; viewing a carefully crafted image with the PSP-3000’s built-in viewer reboots the portable and makes it load the HEN environment. This, in the words of Boing Boing, opens the PSP-3000 up to “homebrew, customization and piracy.” Here’s the full declaratory message from Typhoon:

This is a demo of the 5.03 firmware running the tiff exploit and booting into a HEN environment on a PSP 2003 (3000 Support also) on 5.03 Official Firmware. This proves that the code survives a reboot and the system software and MAC address can be changed. This is something that only can be done with a kernel exploit. A video launching homebrew will be posted later.

Credits: Homebrew Enabler – (Davee) Team Typhoon
5.03 Tiff Exploit – MaTiAz
Video – Granite
The Community – All your support.

What demo you ask? Here (Typhoon’s currently working on packaging the exploit for the public, by the way):

All I can say is: Wow! Wasn’t it awesome how the background music cut in at just the right time? Thoughts on what this means for Sony are of course welcome below. Me? I’m still happy with my PSP-2000, thank you very much.

Post from: The Gadget Blog

Husbands, boyfriends, and sons, lend me your ears! Sony’s got a couple of promos for Mother’s Day:

• A Sony Cybershot S980BDL/P + a Pink and Black Camera Case for $150 – The CyberShot is a 12.1 Megapixel camera, features a washed metal finish, and of course, comes in pink. A 2GB Memory Stick Duo is part of the package.
• Select VAIO CS notebooks + Dooney & Bourke tote bag = $150 in savings – Or basically, you get the bag (which costs $150) for free. This promo is somewhat limited though, since it only applies to “pre-built” CS notebooks. At least you’re not limited to pink, as you can choose from the CS’ five different colors. Here are supported models: VGN-CS290JEC, VGN-CS290JEQ, VGN-CS290JER, VGN-CS290JEP, VGN-CS290JEW.

Any gadget-related mother’s day promos out there you’d like to share? Leave a comment please. Thanks to Popgadget for the tip.

(image screenshot of VAIO CS promo)

Post from: The Gadget Blog