Bling bling, says Moto

The RAZR is back (yes, yes, it never went away) with a new look, a new (stupid) name and a big helping of bling. It's a pretty decent phone in its own right but by and large this will sell tons purely on its irresistible bling factor. Read the full Motorola KRZR review in today's paper.

In games, Call of Duty 3 (360) pulls out all the stops in making this the most intense WWII shooter to date but forgets to update the gameplay to go with it. Hugely entertaining but rests on its laurels too much.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (PSP) goes back to the 80s theme for the latest version of the free-roaming crime simulator. Nothing too surprising here but worth every penny if you're a fan.

Guild Wars: Nightfall is a pretty decent Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game which has been overshadowed by World of Warcraft's success. On the other hand, it doesn't require a costly monthly subscription like WoW. Possibly a bit too complicated for its own good.

Ridge Racer 2 (PSP) is a breathtakingly cheeky full-price re-release of RR1, with a few tracks and cars tacked on. Seek out the cheaper, brilliant original if you don't have it already.

I scroll, you scroll, they all scroll

LG's new U400 phone has a familiar-looking circular dial on the front. Seeing as this is sold as a music phone, there's no prizes for guessing the inspiration. But while it's no iPod, it's not a bad attempt at giving you your tunes on the move. Read the full LG U400 review in today's paper.

In games, the hype behind Gears of War (360) has built like a pressure cooker - "revolutionary", "greatest shooter ever", etc. Don't believe the hype. Sure, it looks majestic and plays really well but its macho bullshit and oh-so-familiar gameplay keeps it out of the top echelon occupied by the likes of Half-Life 2.

Killzone: Liberation (PSP) wipes the stain of the first Killzone from the mind with a cleverly pitched top-down shooter, whose only real problem is wonky aiming.

The Legend of Spyro: A New Beginning (PS2/Xbox) sees the purple dragon leave behind his kid-friendly colourful jewel-collecting worlds for intense combat with fearsome beasts. Older teens will get it.

Buzz: The Sports Quiz (PS2) exposes the diminishing returns from hawking the same quiz format without innovation. Fun after a few pints but probably the worst Buzz yet.

P-P-Pick up a Pixma

Photo printers used to be great big hulking things but now machines like those in Canon's new Pixma Mini range are not much bigger than a hardback book. Read the full review of the Canon Pixma Mini 260 in today's paper.

In games, Canis Canem Edit (PS2) upends expectations generated by the original title of Bully, making you the defender of the weak against the thugs. Coming from Rockstar, it bears a lot of similarity to the GTA series, which is a great thing.

Football Manager 2007 (PC) continues the grand tradition of making page after page of soccer stats actually interesting (well, if you're into that sort of thing). This update is better than ever, with new options to tap up players and massage their ego in the media.

Need For Speed: Carbon (PS2, 360, etc) takes a step backward from last night's cracking installment in the series. Though slick as ever, this racer lacks for real innovation.

Finally, Open Season (PS2/Xbox) opts for the lazy choices in making a game tie-in from the kids' movie. Not good.

Design rewind

The most unusual thing about the newest iPod Nano is how familiar it looks. From the company renowned for its design innovation, here's an admission from Apple that it got it wrong by dropping the iPod Mini. The new Nano is the Mini reincarnated - but with a 2006 twist. Read the full iPod Nano review in today's paper.

In games, Splinter Cell: Double Agent (PS2, 360, PC) brings superspy Sam Fisher out of the shadows - and he's all the better for it. The double agent angle is cool too. Battlefield 2142 (PC) goes all futuristic on us but really it's the same magnificent BF as always. Finally, Power Stone Collection (PSP) comprises a pair of barmy brawlers, heavy on humour and just a little hard to follow.