The Log On Daily

Hibernating....

2007-09-01T12:22:00.003+01:00

Zzzzz, this will take a while... you're better off following me on Twitter ...

Speaking of music

2007-08-07T10:49:00.000+01:00

Sometimes you just want to share your music (and we don't mean in the slightly illegal Kazaa kind of way). Instead of carrying a separate portable speaker system with you, the Samsung K5 could be the answer. Behind the MP3 player's screen lies a hidden speaker that folds out to supply your sounds. Read the full Samsung K5 review in today's paper.

In games, Rainbow Six: Vegas, which lit up the 360 with its tense firefights, becomes the PS3's first shooter of real quality. Sure, it's "just" a port but for Sony owners starved of action, RS6: Vegas hits the spot.

Call of Juarez (X360) gives the Wild West its annual outing on games, with mixed results - the shooting sequences (complete with slow-mo) are fun but the stealth levels feel limp. Metal Slug Anthology (PS2) gathers all the bonkers MS arcade shooters under one roof - great value, and the impossibly hard gameplay is leavened by infinite continues. King of Fighters XI (PS2) revives the revered 3-on-3 beat-em-up for one more go - it remains exquisitely playable even if the graphics are a nostalgic throwback.

Back in the groove

2007-07-31T11:59:00.000+01:00

You might think everything Apple touches turns to gold these days but you only have to look back to 2005 at its disastrous collaboration with Motorola on a music phone for evidence to the contrary - though the phone maker must take most of the blame. For its latest music effort, Moto has gone it alone and the lessons learnt serve the new Z6 well.

Its shiny design and (hallelujah!) updated menu system make for a worthy mid-market contender. Shame Moto doesn't include a standard headphone jack and boo to O2 for not supplying any memory card with it.

Update: 02 tells me now there's a 1GB card in the box - though customer support and their brochure insisted there wasn't at the time of the review.

Read the full Motorola Z6 in today's paper.

In games, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (all formats) successfully recreates the look and feel of Hogwarts but gameplay devolves constantly into repetitive fetch quests.

Mortal Kombat: Armageddon marries bloodthirsty beat-em-up to Wiimote-waving, with slightly unpredictable results. Brothers in Arms DS has little to do with the PC/console versions of WWII warfare and though its first-person shooter schtick is technically impressive, the handholding linearity of its levels sap its enjoyability. Finally, Wartech: Senko No Ronde (X360) feels as if it's escaped from some crazy Japanese experimental lab, melding 2D shoot-em-up with 3D beat-em-up, and none of it making sense.

See the world in Parallels

2007-07-24T11:18:00.000+01:00

Apple's switch to the same Intel CPUs that power Windows has created the delicious irony of Macs that run the Microsoft operating system as well if not better than machines from Dell, etc. You have two choices for running Windows on a Mac - natively via Apple's Boot Camp or virtualised with enabling software such as Parallels Desktop.

The experience of running Parallels for almost a year on my MacBook Pro has been uniformly excellent, with each version getting better and better. The latest version, 3.0, makes operating Mac and Windows side by side even more seamless. Read the full Parallels Desktop 3.0 review in today's paper.

In games, the Pokemon franchise unveils its latest two-headed monster with Diamond/Pearl, destined no doubt to dominate the charts for months. Gameplay is laregely unchanged since the series debut in 1997 but this DS version has charm to spare and, in a nod to the 21st century, sports some nifty online sharing/chat options. You may fondly recall PaRappa the Rapper from his PS2 incarnation 10 years ago but a new PSP edition does the music rhythm original a disservice with questionable timing and a meagre song selection.

Star Trek in your ear

2007-07-17T11:00:00.000+01:00

Remember the original Star Trek in which communications officer Uhura had a cool earpiece resembling a small pine cone that contained both microphone and speaker? That was 1966 but, finally, 41 years later fiction has become fact.

The Motorola H9 Bluetooth headset, promised and delayed for nearly 12 months, could be mistaken for an oversized earplug but miraculously stuffs in all the required gadgetry for handsfree calls. Read the full Motorola H9 review in today's paper.

In games, Elite Beat Agents (DS) slots into that rare but beautiful category of music rhythm. In typical histrionic style, it mixes comic-book melodrama with touchscreen timekeeping as you attempt to save the world by tapping the DS stylus.

Megaman ZX (DS) remains true to the series' old-school roots, a 2D platformer with rock-hard difficulty, which could have been more enjoyable with a usable map system.

I can take time off? Cool

2007-07-10T10:59:00.000+01:00

Annual holidays ... back soon.

None so blind...

2007-07-03T12:32:00.000+01:00

When Apple introduced the iPod Shuffle in 2005, rivals sneered that it wouldn't sell because it lacked a screen and was unsophisticated. Millions of sales later and Creative seems to have had a rethink, giving birth to the Zen Stone. Clearly aimed at the Shuffle, its chief weapon is price - half the cost for the same amount of storage. Read the full Creative Zen Stone review in today's paper.

In games, Marvel Trading Card Game (PSP) does what it says on the tin - Top Trumps for the new generation - but suffers from excessive complication and tiny type on-screen. Super Rub-a-Dub proves the PS3's motion control lacks subtlety as it essays a Super Monkey Ball effort with water - it's downloadable only from the PlayStation store.

You get what you pay for

2007-06-26T13:00:00.000+01:00

Sony's T100 digicam exhibits all the usual traits of its handsome siblings - great pictures, light weight and stellar battery life. But for many people its €490 price tag makes it overkill unless you've simply must have the latest fashion. Read the full Sony T100 review in today's paper.

In games, Halo 2 jumps to the PC from the Xbox - to the sound of near-total indifference. A three-year-old game, it looks and plays its age. To add insult to injury, you need to run it on Windows Vista. Virtua Tennis 3 has been translated to PS3 and PSP without some of the X360 version's goodness - but remains huge fun. Metroid Prime Pinball is a weird one - released two years in the US, its sole purpose seems to be to introduce the Rumble Pak to the DS. Neither that nor the game are worth the effort. Japanese RPG Enchanted Arms proves no more interesting in this PS3 version than it did on X360.

Lost in translation

2007-06-19T12:45:00.000+01:00

German gadget maker Mio isn't a well known brand round these parts so we had no expectations when picking up its new GPS receiver, the C520, a mid-range device. Although it looks similar to competitor products from Garmin and TomTom, the real letdown was the outdated maps. That can be corrected but its interface still lacks something compared to its rivals. Full review of the Mio C520 in today's paper.

In games, Forza Motorsport 2 (X360) retools the excellent racer sim with many worthy upgrades and an appeal spanning petrolheads to casual gamers. Mercury Meltdown Revolution hits the Wii and feels instantly at home thanks to responsive tilt controls. Meteos: Disney Magic (DS) simplifies the falling-blocks puzzler and adds layers of cuteness, neither of which improves on the original.

Pervert's dream

2007-06-12T21:23:00.000+01:00

The zoom lens on practically every camera is highly visible. When the zoom gets hidden inside the body, there's not much to play with - usually 3x. So the Casio Exilim EX-V7 could end up the pervert's choice of camera, with its 7x zoom tucked away invisibly.

The €450 cost counts against it (versus other compacts in this class) but there's a lot of good things going for this little beauty. Read the full Casio Exilim EX-V7 review in today's paper.

In games, Shadowrun (X360) has a great set-up (mixing technology and magic in an FPS) but fails to follow through, particularly in its poor single-player effort. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (released on many formats but reviewed on 360) raises the bar for many movie tie-ins with some ace visuals and an engaging opening chapter. But it quickly degenerates into inoffensive but routine hack'n'slash. Finally Full Auto II: Battlelines essays the chaotic next-gen racer on PSP but asks too much of the little machine.

Well in-bred

2007-06-05T11:21:00.000+01:00

The Razr clones keep on coming. The latest offspring from the Motorola labs/photocopying machine goes by the name of MotoRizr and, yes, it shares most of its DNA with much of the rest of the Moto range.

That's not to say it's bad, it's solid and not unattractive ... just oh-so-familiar. Read the full MotoRizr review in today's paper.

In games, Mario Strikers Charged Football risks a complaint from the Advertising Standards Authority. Not much football, just lots of wacky cartoon action, and the Wii's first online multiplayer game.

Picross DS could be another crossover hit for Nintendo, aimed at the Sudoku crowd. Part Battleships, part numbers puzzle, it may just end up in newspapers too as the next craze. Smash Court Tennis 3 plays the PSP's straight man to the light comedy of the Virtua Tennis series. Rather too straight-laced for its own good, it still packs a decent game of racquet and ball.

Finally, Buzz Junior RoboJam (PS2) will please the little 'uns, employing the big red buzzers for more silly fun. No one over eight will be impressed, though.

Dick Tracy dream dies

2007-05-29T11:22:00.000+01:00

We had high hopes that Sony Ericsson's Bluetooth Watch would fulfil everyone's dream of a phone in a timepiece. Sadly, that's not to be. The chunky watch connects to your phone and tells you about incoming calls and texts, but that's about it. Presumably, the intention is that you can keep your phone in your pocket in a meeting or whatever and still get discreet notification of communications. A rich man's toy if there ever was one, read the full Sony Ericsson Bluetooth Watch MBW-100 review in today's paper.

There's also a brief look at the Logitech FreePulse Wireless Headphones, a transmitter and 'phones combo so you can listen to your iPod without cables. Not a bad performer but prone to annoying audio dropouts.

In games, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops does for the PSP what it did for the PS2: create the definitive stealth-em-up, though its camera flaws spoil the party somewhat.

Submarine sim Silent Hunter 4: Wolves of The Pacific (PC) can be safely ignored if long periods of obsessive hunting followed by a few minutes of intense chase sound like your idea of hell. Intriguing, yes, but widely appealing, no.

Socom: Combined Assault (PS2) needs no introduction: squad shooter with murky graphics but a great online multiplayer. This instalment springs no surprises.

Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom (PS3) pales beside an RPG with real brains such as Oblivion.

Tablet ecstasy

2007-05-22T12:30:00.000+01:00

We should be grateful that Nokia likes to experiment so much, even if many of the crazier ideas (N-Gage, etc) fall by the wayside. The 770 web tablet appeared on the surface to be another wacky failure, a pocket-diary sized device purely for browsing the web using WiFi.

Now Nokia's back with a new, improved version, the N800. It's still hardly what you'd call crucial to the survival of the human race but it has a curious charm. Read the full Nokia N800 review in today's paper.

In games, Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters crams the riotous PS2 guns+platformer into the PSP, with minimal compromise. Shame the minigames are such a bitch, though.

The PS3 conversion of Splinter Cell: Double Agent proves that developers still struggle to master the console's programming. Though the heart of the stealth-em-up remains the same engaging adventure that graced the 360, the technical glitches and lack of polish frequently become distracting.

Almost two years after Prince of Persia: Two Thrones comes the PSP port, called Rival Swords for no good reason. Essentially the same title, that doesn't mean it should be overlooked if you're looking for some acrobatic puzzle fun.

Finally, Singstar Pop Hits follows the one step forward-two back pattern of the karaoke series - no gameplay improvements and a limp bundle of tunes make it an also-ran.

Into Orbit

2007-05-15T11:40:00.000+01:00

Is there no limit to the ambition of mobile phone makers? What will they build in next? A kitchen sink? The O2 Xda Orbit won't be the last to incorporate GPS but it's definitely the first to go on general sale in Ireland. Maybe one day all phones will have some form of location tracking but, like many other extra functions (camera, calendaring, etc), will it be good enough to forego a standalone device?

On the evidence of the Orbit, the answer is still only a maybe. It works, quite well sometimes, but never quite nails the experience of a full GPS device. Read the full O2 Xda Orbit review in today's paper.

In games, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion hits the PS3 with the same eye-popping impact it made on PC/360 last year. A vast, open-ended RPG, it manages to be accessible and deep all at once. Pokemon Ranger attempts to eke a lot of mileage from the DS stylus and touchscreen for this monster-grabbing adventure but repetition and simplistic gameplay won't impress anyone over the age of 7.

F1 Championship Edition does little to quell the suspicion that Formula One ain't cut out for videogame fodder. This version for PS3 shines shinier than a very shiny thing but if your idea of fun is concentrating for hours at a time to avoid making a single mistake, then be my guest.

Finally, Wing Island does some nice motion-sensing stuff with the Wiimote but the half-baked arcade flight-sim game to go with it isn't worth the effort.

Capture that high

2007-05-08T11:26:00.000+01:00

Entertainment companies have been feeding us high-definition media for quite a while but it's now becoming affordable to create your own HD footage where before you used to settle for crappy, blurry video.

At the second attempt, Canon has got HD right in its new HV20 camcorder (the HV10 wasn't bad but its unergonomic form and other niggles did for it). The video captured by the HV20 could easily be mistaken for studio broadcast quality (or even better).

Read the full Canon HV20 review in today's paper.

In games, Buzz The Mega Quiz reverses the fun trivia game out of the cul-de-sac down which it had headed. Freshening up the questions and polishing the presentation have made BTMQ a hilarious party game. Just add booze.

Earth Defence Force 2017 (X360) indulges in every cheesy shooter cliche known to man but somehow its giant bug hunt ends up frighteningly addictive, especially at a budget price. Def Jam Icon (PS3/X360) looks and sounds the business but its urban brawler schtick gets undermined by sluggish combat controls.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance (PS3) revisits the Gauntlet team-brawler genre, with all the inherent confusion and button-mashing that entails. Finally, ropey arcade flight sim Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII hasn't got any better in its port to Wii and PS3.

Digital photo finish

2007-05-01T11:02:00.000+01:00

Visions of the future home always include banks of TVs, some informative, some just decorative. While it's hard to imagine shelling out for a telly just to display family photos, a more realistic option can be found in the burgeoning range of digital pictures frames hitting the market. One of the better options, though exceedingly pricey relatively speaking, comes from Philips.

A crisp 9" display hides behind the imaginative name of PhotoFrame 9FF2M4/00 (c'mon, Philips, try a bit harder). Plenty of features and a bright, high-res screen go some way to justifying the steep price, but wireless functionality would be welcome in this class.

Read the full Philips PhotoFrame review in today's paper.

In games, God of War II lights up the ageing PS2 in a way nothing has done so far on the PS3. A sequel to the epic hack'n'slash of 2005, GoWII may not be terribly innovative but what it does, it does brilliantly.

Ridge Racer 7 (PS3) sticks to the surrealist racing line that has served it so well in the past, with little change from the X360 version but enough to keep fans in thrall. Medal of Honor Vanguard (Wii) retreads very old WWII ground with very little new to say, even with the Wiimote motion control.

Fight Night Round 3 hits PS3 with a new first-person mode to emphasis the bone-crunching punches but rumble would have been better. Still a very nifty boxing sim, though. Finally, Tony Hawk Project 8 limps on to the PS3 missing some features of other versions and technically unpolished.

My, what a big zoom you've got

2007-04-24T11:52:00.000+01:00

Paparazzi often get their shots with enormous lenses costing tens of thousands of euro but the new Olympus SP-550UZ puts consumer cameras in the same league - well, nearly. Its headline feature is a whopping 18x zoom (equivalent to 500mm lens, fact fans), all in a slim body bursting with features. Naturally, some compromises sour the pot a little but read the full Olympus SP-550UZ review in today's paper.

In games, you can live out the rock'n'roll dream with Guitar Hero II (x360), a spectacular effort employing an imitation geetar, some headbanging tunes and a sense of rhythm. Genji (PS3) comes off as more of technology demo than a fully realised hack'n'slash, with the camera a particular problem. Hotel Dusk: Room 215 fits among that special breed of DS adventure that requires more reading and thinking than action, and its intruiging murder-mystery is all the better for it.

The Godfather comes to Wii and PS3 with some tacked-on extra missions and motion-control afterthoughts but the original flaws in this GTA-lite still shine through. Need For Speed Carbon similarly fails to exploit the next-gen potential of the PS3, offering nothing more than what we didn't really want on other consoles.

Get sporty, go wireless

2007-04-17T13:10:00.000+01:00

The S9 headset from Motorola solves a problem for sporty types - doing away with the wires of headphones from your phone or music player. It can be painful to wear for long periods but it beats the clutter of trailing cables. Read the full Motorola S9 review in today's paper.

In games, Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (PC) returns with extra cheese visible in the trademark live-action cut-scenes. But the gameplay remains as tasty as ever. Call of Duty 3's tour on the PS3 lacks something compared with the superior 36o version and reminds us the whole WWII schtick has worn a bit thin.

PacMan Rally (PS2) apes Mario Kart with a crazy cast of pill-chompers and monsters, though the kart racing itself runs out of steam fairly quickly. Diddy Kong Racing (DS) does the same, only it wears out its welcome even faster.

Na-na to the Nano

2007-04-10T12:56:00.000+01:00

Sony's been way behind the 8-ball on the portable music front since blindsided by the iPod. Every effort shows something worthy but the whole package never gels. Its new Video Walkman (the NW-800 series) certainly has the Nano licked on several fronts, notably the largish screen. Inevitably, though, it's let down by the godawful SonicStage software and the price. Read the full Video Walkman review in today's paper.

In games, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. (PC) emerges from development hell (six years in the making) as a likeable mutant, a hybrid shooter/RPG-lite centred on the Chernobyl explosion. Burnout Dominator (PS2) tries for last one gasp with an old formula of dangerous racing that might satisfy fans unwilling to wait for the next generation.

TMNT (360, PC, PS2) won't win any awards but won't be nominated for worst turtle-related movie tie-in either. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 hits the PS3 with nothing new to show for its extra few months' wait after the 360 version - good golf but no surprises.

High on HD

2007-04-03T12:49:00.000+01:00

Sony took 400 hacks to Greece last week to tell us how much it loves high-definition - virtually every product showcased at this bi-annual event was somehow linked to HD, from cameras to camcorders to PS3.

Will the punters be convinced? Read the rundown in today's paper.

In games, Log On finally got the chance to fire up the PS3 properly and try out some of the launch titles. MotorStorm is the best of an average lot, a mud racer with awesome visuals but not a lot of game to back it up. Shooter Resistance: Fall of Man comes off poorly versus rivals such as Half-Life 2 and Call of Duty 3, not surprisingly because it's an uncomfortable amalgam of the two.

Apple TV missing video core

2007-03-27T12:34:00.000+01:00

You can trust Apple to do a Media Center style machine with great style but, unfortunately, its Apple TV device lacks substance, for European users at least.

While US customers can buy lots of video content from iTunes (movies, TV episodes, etc), here in Europe there's precious little on offer yet. So to use the Apple TV as a bridge between stuff on your computer and your TV set, you're going to do a lot of manual conversion. That's because Apple TV handles very few video formats by itself. That could change but in the meantime, it's a missed opporunity. Read the full Apple TV review in today's paper.

In games, the Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter series shows indecent haste by producing a follow-up barely a year after the first Xbox 360 stunner. But remarkably GRAW2 works, even if its chief achievement lies in correcting the flaws of the original.

Phoenix Wright, Ace Attorney: Justice For All (DS) ducks the usual gaming cliches, producing an engrossing courtroom drama full of wacky characters and zinging dialogue. The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy (Wii) is one of those hyper-kinetic cartoon conversions that only kids can (and should) understand. But it's still to hectic for its own good. Finally, EA Replay (PSP) goes all nostalgic on us but this trawl through the vaults gets old quickly

PS3, I sort of love you

2007-03-20T12:28:00.000Z

Sony's taking a huge gamble with the PS3, almost betting the farm that Blu-Ray (cause of the console's delay) will win the next generation battle. From playing with the machine ahead of its launch, it certainly impresses off the bat, from the slick music and video handling to the desirable curves of the PS3 itself.

But. And it's a big but. The games don't yet convince us Sony has landed a killer blow. And then there's the price... Read the full PlayStation 3 review in today's paper.

As for the other games reviewed this week, Sonic's comeback continues apace, with Sonic and the Secret Rings (Wii) returning to high-speed form, cleverly using the Wiimote motion-sensing controls. God Hand (PS2) hams it up while offering a tough-as-nails brawler that eventually gets repetitive. Finally, Rampage: Total Destruction hits the Wii with the same problems of other editions, namely boring gameplay and crude graphics.

Ties that bind

2007-03-13T11:31:00.000Z

New Irish brand Jivo concentrates its efforts on rebadging cheap Taiwanese gear, usually for iPods. Its latest yoke is a Skype phone but it fails to make the grade because a) it's too expensive compared with other brands who sell the same unit for far less and b) because its short USB cord makes you realise spending a few more bob on a wireless version from someone else is a better idea altogether. Read the full Jivo VoIP Skype phone review in today's paper.

In games, if you're a PS2 owner, you must rush out now and buy Okami. A welcome relief from a turgid diet of remakes, knock-offs and movie tie-ins, Okami resembles Zelda but has an identity all its own thanks to the signature twist of giving the player a paintbrush to solve problems. Need a bridge? Draw one in. Need light? Sketch a sun. Brilliant stuff.

Magical Starsign attempts to replicate Final Fantasy on the DS but totes too much schmaltz for its own good. Far Cry Vengeance bears little resemblance to the visually stunning, intelligent action of the PC/Xbox/360 series. Murky textures and dumb AI spoil what could have been a fair stab at the Wii's first decent shooter.

Finally, Little Britain (PS2/PC) deserves a paragraph to itself for sheer awfulness. Even the official website is broken.

No direction home

2007-03-06T11:14:00.000Z

Motorola's SoundPilot feels like a solution to a problem you didn't know you had. Its purpose seems to be to allow you use any set of headphones you like with a Bluetooth stereo phone. It hangs around your neck and receives the audio wirelessly from your moby which it then pipes into your headphones.

But few people are going to be bothered with its tangle of wires if they're interested in wireless sound in the first place. Read the full Motorola SoundPilot S705 review in today's paper.

In games, Excite Truck proves the Wii controller can handle racing admirably well (something which the lamentable Monster 4x4 World Circuit couldn't do) and it doesn't hurt that high-octane thrills and spills are in plentiful supply. Gang brawler The Warriors makes the journey from PS2 to PSP relatively intact, save for the usual camera probs. Finally, Hamsterz (DS) does Tamagotchi crossed with Nintendogs reasonably well, but with such a high sugar content only pre-teen girls may be able to stomach it.

Super 3G ... but for what?

2007-02-27T14:02:00.000Z

Both Three and Vodafone have upgraded their 3G networks to what is variously called HSDPA, 3.5G or Super 3G - anything up to 10 times faster than vanilla 3G. Using HSDPA with data cards for laptops is very effective but less certain is what Super 3G brings to phones.

Sure, it makes browsing faster and downloads noticeably quicker but the limited content on the networks' portals makes you pine for the broader internet. And with only one phone on the Irish market, the Motorola V3xx, impregnated with 3.5G goodness, the limited display and control options show that the internet on handsets has a long way to go. Read the full V3xx/Super 3G review in today's paper.

In games, WarioWare: Smooth Moves (Wii) continues Nintendo's mission to offer an alternative to gaming's stereotypes of drivin', shootin' and fightin'. The motion-controlled micro-games come fast and furious, shot through with madcap humour, and the only misgiving stems from doubts about its longevity. Arthur and the Invisibles (PS2) is that rare beast, a kids' game better than the original CGI movie. Fuzion Frenzy 2 (360) returns for more party games but somehow manages to be more pants than the original.

Pretty vacant

2007-02-21T12:16:00.000Z

The first iPod Shuffle didn't look like much and its features weren't much better - that didn't stop it selling a packet. Now Apple has revised the Shuffle with new colours and a pretty, clip-on design. It's still makes more sense as a secondary, part-time player, though. Read the full iPod Shuffle review in today's paper.

In games, think of Crackdown (360) as a giant leap for GTA. Or more specifically, a high-jumping bad-ass superhero who's taking out the trash in a gang-infested metropolis. Bodacious fun, just a little repetitive. Resident Evil 4 comes to PC with the stonking survival-horror epic intact, but is saddled with a poxy control system. Marvel Ultimate Alliance sidesteps onto the Wii, with (of course) motion control tacked on. Fans will like it.

Lost and found

2007-02-13T12:02:00.000Z

GPS navigation devices are no longer the preserve of taxi drivers and couriers thanks to falling prices, better maps and shrinking sizes. The TomTom One fits the bill if you're looking for a handy and helpful companion on road trips, both in Ireland and around Europe. Read the full TomTom One review in today's paper.

In games, the steamroller that is World of Warcraft (eight million subscribers and counting) gathers extra speed with the launch of expansion pack Burning Crusade. Kiss your (real) family goodbye and dive into a compelling new adventure with your virtual clan of warlocks, mages and monsters.

Red Steel drops hints about how the Wii could take squeaky-clean Nintendo in a new direction of murder and mayhem, but this so-so hack'n'slash/shooter hybrid has too many gaping flaws for it to be worth more than a rental. Shinobido: Tales of the Ninja brings the feudal Japan Splinter Cell schtick to the PSP, to poor effect.

Big screen on a budget

2007-02-06T12:38:00.000Z

The heart-stopping price tag on big-screen TVs larger than 42 inches puts many people off trading up but a projector offers an affordable way to get the cinema experience in your own home. Although not great in daylight and probably requiring a rethink of your living room, projectors such as Epson's TW-700 offer an impressive high-definition alternative to mortgaging your home for a 50-inch plasma.

Read the full Epson TW-700 review in today's paper.

In games, Rayman Raving Rabbids proves the Wii's motion controls do have a great future, if only in quirky/insane mini-games like these. Star Trek Legacy (X360) attempts to unite all five generations of the ST universe but its real-time starship combat sim has trouble firing on all engines. Happy Feet (Wii) is insulting dross whichever way you look at it.

Portable video's best mate

2007-01-30T12:22:00.000Z

From PSPs to iPods to mobiles, a growing array of portable devices now play video. Except getting stuff to watch onto them is far harder than it should be. Enter the SanDisk V-Mate, essentially a memory-card reader with some video-digitising hardware built in. Feed it a TV/DVD signal and voila! The video is recorded straight onto the memory card.

Read the full SanDisk V-Mate review in today's paper.

In games, World Snooker Championship 2007 (X360, PSP) brings the excitement, er, thrill, um, well, sport to new platforms. And while it never looks great, the authenticity can't be doubted (even the commentary's boring). Rocky Balboa's appearance only on PSP doesn't bode well for a big movie licence but it's a decent stab at arcade-style boxing. Dead or Alive Xtreme 2 (X360) asks you to pay €70 for creepy voyeurism masquerading as soft porn. There's plenty better of both on the net.

3G ain't just for mobiles

2007-01-23T11:23:00.000Z

Anyone frustrated by the capricious availability of landline broadband - maybe your neighbour can get it but, inexplicably, you can't - will be interested to learn of another option, from an unlikely source.

Vodafone has decided that seeing as most people can't be bothered with this 3G stuff on their mobiles - the ingrates! - why not sell it to us at home? Surprisingly, it makes sense. Voda offers a small USB modem which connects any Mac or PC to its 3G network (currently about 70pc population coverage) and gives you sub-broadband speeds (anywhere between 400Kbps and 1Mbps, in my experience). But if you can't get broadband any other way, it's easy to overlook its compromises.

If you sign up before February 28 the service costs €40 a month for the foreseeable future. But wait until March and it goes up to €50 a month. Read the full Vodafone 3G broadband review in today's paper.

In games, Splinter Cell: Double Agent comes to the Wii with a few tricks of its own but the stealth-em-up/shooter is less at home here than on 360. Heavy Weapon: Atomic Tank (X360) brings us back to a simpler time, 1982 to be specific. Available only through Xbox Live Arcade, it's a clone of coin-op classic Moon Patrol but with 2007 bling.

Buzz Junior: Jungle Party (PS2) uses the buzzers from the quiz game to capably entertain the nippers with simple mini-games. Finally, Brothers in Arms: D-Day shoehorns the PC tactical squad shooter into the PSP, with predictably unsatisfactory results.

Not pretty but clever

2007-01-16T11:27:00.000Z

Nokia's E range of handsets are aimed unashamedly at the business community but that's no excuse for the new E60's complete squareness, from its blocky shape to its lack of camera or radio, etc. But for all its ugliness it has its virtues ... read the full Nokia E60 review in today's paper.

In games, third-person shooter Lost Planet: Extreme Condition (x360) fails to live up to its huge potential but its entertaining riff on the schlock of Starship Troopers still has much to offer. Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam (Wii) feels more like snowboarding a la SSX than skateboarding a la TH but the motion-sensing controls are more help than hindrance.

Star Wars: Lethal Alliance foolishly attempts 3D shooting on the DS and the links with SW are tenuous. Finally, Football Manager Handheld 07 (PSP) doesn't look much different than the 06 version but tighter controls and slight tweaks make it better than ever,

Elements of power

2007-01-09T11:21:00.000Z

Maybe you got a new digital camera or camcorder for Christmas and have been snapping away like crazy, only to realise you've got tons of pictures/footage and don't have the appetite to whittle them down. Let Adobe's Elements bundle be your friend.

The combination of Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements has everything you need to fix wonky photos, sift the duds from the gems or trim your hours of dull tapes into slickly produced, entertaining DVDs. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Rainbow Six: Vegas (Xbox 360) escapes the spiralling descent of the squad shooter series and revitalises the franchise with a fluent blend of first-person and third-person action. Mercury Meltdown Remix transports the blob-rolling fun from PSP to PS2, with mixed results. While it's easier to control, it doesn't feel it completely belongs on the big console.

Wii Play attempts to sweeten the blow of having to buy another Wii controller (the console itself comes with only one) by including a few mini-games for a fiver extra. But unlike Wii Sports, none of the games are much cop.

NeoGeo Battle Coliseum looks like it's from another era, or part of a retro collection of beat-em-ups. But it's actually a new game, with PS1-style graphics, riffing on the SNK fighters of old. Strangely addictive and quite cheap.

Gear of the year

2007-01-03T09:39:00.000Z

Get the paper today for a quick recap of Log On's gear of the year, an item which is no way related to a desire to spend time with family and friends rather than researching and writing a whole new article.

In games, Yoshi's Island DS has much in common with New Super Mario Brothers - a sideways-scrolling platformer of old skilfully adapted for the DS. While it may not touch the heights of NSMB, the irrepressible Yoshi is hard to put down.

Still on the DS, 42 All-Times Classics miniaturises scads of card/board/pub games into one addictive package designed to appeal to anyone who bought Brain Training.

WWE: Smackdown vs Raw 2007 (X360) takes wrestling into the next-generation graphically but shows little sign of innovation elsewhere. Still good fun though.

Flushed Away (PS2) is a stain on the Aardman name, a tie-in with the movie that mines all the cliches of kids' games while under-achieving on a technical level.

Walk this way

2006-12-28T12:23:00.000Z

Sony Ericsson's Walkman phones stand head and shoulders of every other music phone - but most of the Irish networks have been reluctant to sell them (Why? Maybe not cheap enough or they make the other phones in the range look ordinary? Who knows). Happily, O2, Three and Meteor are now selling at least one Walkman on contract or pre-pay.

The latest evolution is the W850i 3G phone (available on Three). If you don't need 3G, perhaps you'd be better off with the excellent W810i predecessor but the newcomer is worthy of consideration. Read the full Sony Ericsson W850i review in today's paper.

In games, F.E.A.R. (X360) sees the paramilitary meet the paranormal in a sizzling reheat of the PC shooter from last year. Reservations about aiming notwithstanding, F.E.A.R. delivers a pulse-pounding trawl through a sci-fi nightmare.

Sonic Rivals sensibly eschews the car-crash 3D of more recent Sonics to go back to basics in this PSP outing and proves that old-school two-dimensional twitch gaming still has much to offer.

Call of Duty 3 hits the Wii with great expectations of emulating the PC/mouse aiming combo via the Wiimote - but even prolonged play shows that pointing at the screen to shoot never gets comfortable.

Superman Returns (X360) was delayed for six months due to quality reasons but should really have been shelved indefinitely.

Anything but iPod?

2006-12-19T12:05:00.000Z

The iPod remains the right player of choice for 90% of music listeners: great software, simple to use, handsome looks, etc. Don't hate it just because it's popular. But having said that, the also-rans do have something to offer, especially if you're of the geeky bent.

But the closest challenger yet to the iPod comes from out of left-field: a memory-card manufacturer. Previously a purveyor of clumsy, ugly players, SanDisk got all its stars aligned when it made the Sansa e200 range, a worthy alternative to the iPod Nano. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Tony Hawk's Project 8 (X360) throws out much of the lame Jackass schtick which cluttered recent TH skate-a-thons and rebuilds the game engine for the next generation. The result: a huge helping of everything that made the series great. Medieval II: Total War (PC) takes up where real-time strategy cracker Rome left off and introduces new elements such as diplomacy and pope-electing. No, really.

LA Rush (PSP) apes street racer NFS: Carbon without ever getting close and Monster 4x4 World Circuit is a perfect example of the difficulties the Wii faces: developers desperately trying to shoehorn motion-sensitivity into very ordinary games.

Wii wii wii all the way home

2006-12-12T11:42:00.000Z

Nintendo has taken a sizeable gamble with its new Wii console, betting that the way to reach more customers (read: non-gamers) necessitates a different approach to that pursued expensively by Xbox 360 and PS3.

So the Wii is cheap (€250) and instead of concentrating on spectacular graphics, etc, offers a new way to control games: the Wii remote, a motion-sensitive "wand" akin to a TV remote control. If the enthusiastic reaction in my household from people who wouldn't normally touch a games console with a bargepole is any gauge, then Nintendo could be on to something.

Of course, Ninty isn't forgetting its heartland and one of the first titles turns out to be the awesome latest installment of the Zelda saga: Twilight Princess. But none of the other launch games comes anywhere close to greatness and that will be Nintendo's challenge: to nurture and produce many more outstanding titles taking advantage of the Wii's uniqueness.

My pet peeve for the week: the recommended retail price for the Wii is €250 but most shops are hocking it for €270 and touting the free bundled game Wii Sports (an excellent introduction to the Wii remote) as an extra. Cheeky bastards.

Read the full Nintendo Wii review in today's paper.

Finally, Nokia's N73 emerges as the Finns' first phone with autofocus to hit Ireland. Picture quality ain't too shabby but it suffers the typical Nokia shutter lag which makes it useless for moving subjects. Otherwise, the N73 shares the same lineage which has produced the 6680 and N70: good looks, cramped keypad.

IP, phone home

2006-12-05T11:21:00.000Z

Internet phones are great but many people aren't prepared to sacrifice their existing landline handset and are loathe to keep two call-making devices lying around the house. Enter the Siemens C450 IP, a dual-mode handset which works just like a conventional landline handset but also hooks into your internet connection to provide cheap/free calls (note: not with Skype, sadly).

It requires that you have a spare ethernet port on your router/wireless modem and its design is a bit clunky but at €130 it's worth checking out. Read the full Siemens C450 IP review in today's paper.

In games, Viva Pinata is Microsoft's attempt to prove the Xbox 360 is good for more than shooters and racers. A kids' game bearing the hallmarks of Pokemon and Animal Crossing, Pinata is engrossing, open-ended and gorgeous.

Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded is yet another anthology of greatest hits, this time for the PSP and, typically, housing classics rubbing shoulders with dross. Singstar Legends may just be the fabbest version yet of the PS2 karaoke game - the hot tunes almost make up for the lack of innovation in the ageing title.

Finally, Marvel Ultimate Alliance (X360, etc) serves up a dream scenario for comic fans - the chance to play a host of the famous superheroes but the sprawling brawler may be less appealing to non-fans.

Bling bling, says Moto

2006-11-28T12:17:00.000Z

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

2006-11-21T11:58:00.000Z

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

2006-11-14T10:31:00.000Z

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

2006-11-07T11:28:00.000Z

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.

Handy DJ

2006-10-31T10:46:00.000Z

Thanks to the iPod, most people's music now sits on their PC instead of on piles of CDs stacked beside the stereo. But when you want to play your tunes away from your computer on a proper hi-fi, what do you do?

(Yes, you could play the original CDs you bought and then ripped. Or you could connect your iPod to your hi-fi.)

But a better solution is to remotely access your music with something like Logitech's Wireless DJ, which sends the audio from your PC to your hi-fi - and it packs a nifty remote control too. Shame it's Windows only and subject to a little bit of wireless interference.

Read the full Logitech Wireless DJ review in today's paper.

In games, Pro Evolution Soccer 6 (PS2, 360) remains the football champion, as fluid and believable as ever. It's just the trimmings that are more shabby than before, particularly on 360, ironically.

Scarface: The World is Yours (PS2) takes a risky stab at rewriting the ending of the famous Pacino movie but pulls it off with some good writing and a strong GTA-style structure.

Mercury Meltdown (PSP) rolls out another helping of Marble Madness-style action, and it's even better than the last, introducing brain-scrambling colour puzzles while making the frustrating bits less, er, frustrating.

Juicier 'berry

2006-10-24T11:59:00.000+01:00

Anyone who's tried a BlackBerry will tell you there's something deliciously addictive about receiving and sending e-mail on the go. But jeez, do the phones have to be so fugly? Enter the BlackBerry Pearl, a conscious attempt to make a sexy phone. Read the full BlackBerry Pearl review in today's paper.

In games, Company of Heroes (PC) may retread the same old WWII battlefields but through a combination of ace graphics and clever level design, it's ended up the finest RTS game of the year. FIFA 07 (PS2/Xbox, etc) edges towards the realism of Pro Evo Soccer without ever getting there. And Lumines Live (Xbox 360) is a cheeky attempt to exploit microtransactions: offering only half the game and making the rest downloadable for more moolah.

Sling's the thing

2006-10-17T11:12:00.000+01:00

In five, maybe ten years' time, all TV will be delivered over the internet to your home. And if it's all digital all the time, you'll be able to view your TV shows away from home too. But back in 2006, part of the dream has become real thanks to the Slingbox.

A small box of electronics that sits beside your telly, it takes the TV signal (or DVD, video, radio, etc) and makes it available over the net - inside or outside your house - for viewing on a desktop or laptop. Naturally, it doesn't compare well to the big-screen experience but the power to watch all your shows in the study, in Skibbereen or Sacramento is addictive.

Read the full Slingbox review in today's paper.

In games, Just Cause (360, PS2) would like to be GTA set on a Central American island but the result is one-dimensional, albeit rather lovely-looking. Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (PS2) is a director's cut repackaging of the stealth meisterwork: lots of added value, some new online modes (as if anyone has got their PS2 online) ... and still an excellent original game. Finally, Doom has been given the Xbox Live Arcade treatment for the 360: immensely playable and atmospheric, in spite of the vintage blocky graphics.

Affordable professionalism

2006-10-10T11:53:00.000+01:00

Anyone with a passing interest in photography knows that the point-and-shoot cameras will only get you so far - SLRs provide far more flexibility and quality. Digital SLRs are only just coming down out of the stratosphere in price and Canon's entry-level products are well-specced for the money. Today in the paper we take a look at Canon's EOS 400D, which is an upgrade to the highly regarded 350D.

In games, Yakuza (PS2) exploits the almost untapped world of Japanese gangsters. It's a bit GTA, a bit The Warriors, a bit Shenmue - and highly enjoyable. Enchanted Arms (360) leans too heavily on the crutch of RPG cliches for it to be interesting. Lastly, the Xbox Live Vision Camera is Microsoft's attempt to do an EyeToy on the 360, a webcam that uses motion tracking to control the action on-screen. Short version: it suffers from the same problems as EyeToy but the bigger problem is whether Microsoft can make any decent games using it.

Shootout at the three-megapixel corral

2006-10-03T11:07:00.000+01:00

Phone-makers have slowly been upping the ante with the quality of the cameras in their handsets. Today in the paper we take a look at the first three-megapixel cameraphones to hit the Irish market: the Sony Ericsson K800i and Nokia's N80.

Neither is a real substitute for a proper digicam and both are on the fat/heavy side but they're the closest any phone has come to decent picture quality. Read the full review of the K800i and N80 in today's paper.

In games, Microsoft's annual Xbox showcase previewed some of the hot titles headed for the 360 in the next 12 months. X06, held in Barcelona, was Microsoft's attempt to increase its headstart on Sony's beleaguered PS3. The line-up was mighty impressive (Alone in the Dark, Bioshock and Assassin's Creed among them) but most won't land until 2007.

Art of Zen

2006-09-26T09:46:00.000+01:00

Good as it is, the iPod isn't for everybody. The signature of Creative's range of MP3 players lately has been the incorporation of a ton of features and the new Zen V Plus is no exception. Read the full Zen V Plus review in today's paper.

In games, Test Drive Unlimited exploits the power of Xbox Live to enhance a great 360 driving game based on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Ace Combat: Belkan Wars (PS2) reheats the arcade flight sim but its cliched dialogue and repetitive missions are no different from the past four installments. For PSP, Passport to... sounds like a great idea: travel guides from Lonely Planet to several European cities, one per disc. But the reality is there's not enough info on each city and who'd pull out their PSP on a busy foreign street?

One remote to rule them all

2006-09-19T11:20:00.000+01:00

How many remote controls you have got in your house? How often have you been unable to put your hand on the right one when you wanted it? Yeah, me too. All the time. So when Logitech's Harmony 785 supercharged universal remote came along with a promise of replacing them all, well, who'd pass up that chance?

Turns out it's largely true. My setup spans brand-new equipment and ancient gear. The Harmony handled them all, sort of. Read the full review of the Logitech Harmony 785 in today's paper.

In games, Saints Row (Xbox 360) brings a touch of next-gen sheen to the GTA formula without ever advancing the template. Still good crack though. Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy (every format known to man) capitalises on the crazy-but-inspired re-enactment of the SW universe with plastic-brick figures. This sequel is more of the same but better: a laugh a minute even for adults.

Don't go deaf

2006-09-12T11:51:00.000+01:00

The crappy headphones you get with every iPod and most other MP3 players do the music and you no favours. There's a lot of detail you're missing in the music thanks to shoddy components and external noise leaking in. And when you turn up the sound to hear more, you end up going slowly deaf. Take it from someone who's been there, done that.

But you don't have to spend hundreds on high-end 'phones thanks to Sennheiser's release of its new CX300. Read the full review of the Sennheiser CX300 in today's paper.

In games, The Ship (PC) loosely mixes Cluedo, The Sims and even Half-Life 2 to hilarious effect. It'll be in the shops shortly but it's also downloadable online through Steam. Tekken: Dark Resurrection brings a perfectly pint-sized version of the legendary beat-em-up to the PSP. Finally, Ninety-Nine Nights is a glossy clone of Dynasty Warriors but we expect far more from the Xbox 360.

Choco-loco

2006-09-05T11:28:00.000+01:00

LG is known for many things - fridges, TVs, even air-con - but attractive mobile design is not one of them. The usual LG moby is, yes, good value and usable but look as if they've been roughly hacked from a large lump of grey plastic.

The Chocolate phone is a completely fresh start and while it has its own problems, it's one damn fine-looking piece of kit. Read the full review of the the LG KG800 Chocolate phone in today's paper.

In games, Dead Rising leads the second wave of Xbox 360 titles and it's a riot. Thousands of zombies are besieging a shopping mall and you're given hundreds of ways to kills them. Smashing. Ultimate Ghosts'n'Goblins reincarnates the classic coin-op, breathing fresh life into an already fantastic platformer.

Go ahead, abuse me

2006-08-29T11:16:00.000+01:00

We all have a sneaking suspicion that nothing is built to last these days. Gadgets not only have a limited lifespan in practice but are also fragile as a Middle East truce. Not so the Mju 720 SW seven-megapixel camera from Olympus.

The 720 SW lives up to its billing as shockproof (for drops of up to 1.5m) and waterproof (up to 3m), plus it's a fine camera in its own right. Read the full Mju 720 SW review in today's paper.

In games, Monster House (PS2, etc) fails to disgrace itself as a decent kids movie tie-in. If this reversal of a once-predictable trend (big movie = crap game) continues, reviewers will have to find some other easy target.

Gangs of London brings the gangster theme of The Getaway to the PSP, but not nearly as effectively as GTA. And the ways to mock Let's Make a Soccer Team! (PS2) begin with that excruciating title.

Lightweight in a good way

2006-08-22T10:53:00.000+01:00

At worst 3G phones are unwieldy beasts and at best they tend to be at least heavy mothers. Sony Ericsson's V630i doesn't fit the stereotype, coming in as the lightest 3G handset this column has ever seen. It's got plenty of goodies on board, though the much-touted Radio DJ (streaming songs according to your preference over 3G) simply doesn't work (Vodafone or SE to blame? Who knows?). It's allegedly going on sale with Voda in the next few weeks.

Read the full V630i review in today's paper.

There's also a quick look at the new Remote Record for Sky+ boxes, which enables you to send a text message to Sky and they will trigger your machine to record programmes while you're away from home.

In games, Cars (PS2/Xbox) won't hold much appeal for older gamers but the nippers will delight in this slickly produced movie tie-in which doesn't insult the intelligence. Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror brings the stealth/3P shooter to the PSP with almost unqualified success and Singstar Anthems is another expansion pack to the karaoke series, short on innovation and long on cheesy hits.

E's are good

2006-08-15T10:27:00.000+01:00

The big guns in phones were blindsided by the rampant success of the BlackBerry e-mail handsets. Only now are they beginning to get to grips with properly handling mail on the go. Nokia badges its BlackBerry-alikes as the E-series and top of the range is the new E61. There's a lot to like (the comprehensive range of applications in addition to a good e-mail client) and some things to hate (Nokia's piss-poor implementation of WiFi software and Vodafone's refusal to support the built-in VoIP client).

Read the full E61 review in today's paper.

It's a portable bonanza in games this week. First up is Field Commander, a PSP clone of Nintendo's Advance Wars but a pretty good one taking advantage of the Sony's undoubted assets. Miami Vice is a PSP exclusive tied to the new movie, a bit flawed but good fun. And Puyo Pop Fever brings the Tetris-alike to the DS with some fresh moves but mostly just sheer playability.

Send in the clone

2006-08-08T12:02:00.000+01:00

LG's U890 is a fairly brazen attempt to grab some of the action generated by Motorola's Razr range. Slimline and light, this 3G moby, available with Three, isn't a bad effort. Marketing it as a music phone, though, is a bit rich. Read the full U890 review in today's paper.

In games, Formula One 06 (PS2/PSP) probably won't win over any new fans to the series but the hardcore will respect its (fairly) up to date drivers, etc, and bulked-up sim features. Capcom Classics Collection Remixed mysteriously guts the best bits of the superb PS2 coin-op anthology for this PSP port: the results ain't always too pretty. And Ant Bully conforms to the kids movie=shit game equation.

See in the dark

2006-08-01T12:24:00.000+01:00

Pro photographers might disagree but digital cameras are now taking us places that film never could. Fuji's new F30 camera is an example, offering extremely sensitive performance in low light. Read the full F30 review in today's paper.

In games, Forbidden Siren 2 (PS2) plunges back into the nightmarish zombiefied world of the first game and while it rectifies some of the gameplay problems, it's not perfect. But the chilling atmosphere is superb. Street Fighter Alpha Collection (PS2) gathers some of the great 2D beat-em-ups of the 90s in one low-priced bundle. Untold Legends 2: Warrior's Code (PSP) is another dungeon-raiding, treasure-grabbing RPG which is too repetitive for its own good. Chromehounds (Xbox 360) does the MechWarriors schtick but is far better in online multiplayer than the rather tedious solo play.

Overtaken in the fast lane

2006-07-25T12:10:00.000+01:00

Phones are the next iPod, they say, and it was clear what Nokia was thinking when they created the new N91. Except it was designed well over a year ago and things have moved on since, in both iPods and phones. Read the full N91 review in today's paper to find out why this valiant attempt has been overtaken.

There's also a brief look at Eircon's new cordless home phone, the 7010.

In games, Pirates of the Caribbean: Legend of Jack Sparrow (PS2) is a typical movie tie-in: lazy, shoddy - and doing well in the charts. Astonishia Story (PSP) is as generic an RPG as they come and Over-G Fighters (Xbox 360) is simply muck.

Jack of all trades, master of none

2006-07-18T12:11:00.000+01:00

HP's new Photosmart R927 camera is a rum beast. The flagship of the range, it tries to be all things to all men and fails to be the king of any. On the one hand, it has the helpful built-in hints about picture-taking common to all Photosmarts, plus tons of "useful" (read: gimmicky) features such as special effects. But unlike many other compact digital cameras, it has full manual control (aperture, shutter priority, etc). So it's aimed at complete novices and keen amateurs alike.

But novices aren't going to need eight megapixels and semi-pros won't like the so-so image quality. A few other niggles (very average battery life and a poxy printed manual) mean it's hard to recommend the R927 with any conviction. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is a back-port to the PS2 of the PSP portable crime simulator - and it shows. Low-res graphics, limited missions and a general whiff of cash-in. But at only €30 it's cheap entertainment.

Super Monkey Ball Adventure (PSP) tries to make the classic puzzle game into a free-roaming collect-em-up, without much success. And 1 Streetball (PS2/Xbox) apes NBA Street but misses out on the fizz and outrageousness of the gameplay.

A telly in your pocket

2006-07-11T12:27:00.000+01:00

Nobody is more cynical than me about 3G - specifically, the networks' foolish belief that people will pay buckets of cash for entertainment on the move. But there are signs that they're moderating their expectations (and their prices).

Vodafone has just launched Sky Mobile TV and, whaddya know, it's a good 'un. Never mind that they promised us mobile TV at the launch of 3G in November 2004. This one's the real deal and, best of all, it doesn't cost a fortune. Free until the end of August, it will cost, at max, just a fiver a week thereafter. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, New Super Mario Bros may not be the most innovative game ever to hit the DS (in fact, it might be the least innovative) but this port of the classic Mario platforming adventure is stunning in its execution and thoroughly addictive.

FlatOut 2 (PS2/Xbox) revisits the Destruction Derby-style mayhem of the original racer and, bar a few glitches and over-sensitive handling, is well worth a test-drive. OutRun 2006: Coast to Coast (PS2/Xbox/PC) brings the coin-op classic back to life: nothing really new here but glorious fun in short spurts.

3G goodness, shame about the clobber

2006-07-04T11:17:00.000+01:00

Nokia's new 6280 phone (available exclusively from Three) is a punter-friendly 3G phone which gets all the basics right, except maybe the rather mundane design. A slider with a beautifully large screen, the 6280's got a useful two-megapixel camera, FM radio and expandable storage. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Shinobido: Way of the Ninja (PS2) does the Splinter Cell thing, except with ninjas. Not nearly as polished as SC but entertaining nonetheless. Tenchu: Time of the Assassins tries to pull the same stunt on PSP but fails miserably due to a very short draw distance. World Tour Soccer 2 avoids a confrontation on PSP with Pro Evo and FIFA by moving away from full matches and towards tricksy. gimmicky play (eg, get a shot in within 10 seconds of gaining possession). Not bad but hardly essential.

Wire-free stereo

2006-06-27T11:45:00.000+01:00

Motorola's Bluetooth HT820 is unusual among BT headsets in that it can deliver rich stereo sounds from your phone, wirelessly of course. But there's a caveat: few phones have the necessary on-board software to enable the function.

Find out more in today's review in the paper.

In games, LocoRoco (PSP) should be prescribed by Mary Harney on the health service as a cure for depression. A cutesy mix of Katamari and Super Monkey Ball, the killer ingredient is a bunch of hilarious tunes guaranteed to raise a smile. An instant classic.

Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends (PC) edges away from the historical accuracy of the original towards inspired fantasy: three races battling it out in standard real-time strategy style. Well worth a look.

Megapixels to the power of ten

2006-06-20T11:44:00.000+01:00

Camera makers are locked in an arms race to deliver more megapixels for your money but Casio has trumped them all by offering 10MP in a compact camera. That's three or four megapixels more than similar rivals at the same price point from Sony or Canon. Of course, the headline figure of 10 megapixels doesn't tell the full story, as the review of the Exilim Z1000 in today's paper shows.

In games, Brain Training is threatening to become a media sensation on this side of the planet after taking Japan by storm. A simple collection of quickfire arithmetic games for the DS, it's aimed specifically at people normally intimidated by games and it works surprisingly well. Sin Episodes: Emergence uses the Half-Life 2 visual engine but none of its storytelling smarts to rev up a generic shooter.

Also reviewed is FIFA World Cup 2006 for PSP, whose flaws remain uncorrected from the last version just six months ago.

Three is the magic number

2006-06-13T11:06:00.000+01:00

Three-inch LCDs seem to be the feature-du-jour in ultra-compact cameras and two newcomers from Sony and Canon sport fine examples of these luscious large viewfinders. Sony's T30 and Canon's Ixus 65 are very alike and cost the same but there is a winner on points: read the full comparison in today's paper.

In games, Half-Life 2: Episode 1 (PC) takes up right where the stonking finale of HL2 left off and though it's more like an expansion pack than an entirely new game (as seems it was intended), the brilliance of the original shines through. Me and My Katamari brings the ball-rolling, object-collecting lunacy of the cult PS2 hits to PSP - the usual control/camera PSP issues apply. TalkMan is no game and aspires to be a translator with built-in voice recognition for the PSP. But its success is hit and miss, yet it's an interesting learning tool for picking up languages.

Settle down with a good Book

2006-06-06T10:22:00.000+01:00

Following hot on the heels of the release of Apple's first Intel-based laptop, the MacBook Pro, last month comes its second, simply and logically named the MacBook. What's most remarkable about the MacBook is that though this is the low/mid-range option versus the high-end of the MacBook Pro, it has been hobbled in very few ways. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis (Xbox 360) is a long-winded title for a straightforward though highly playable game of ping-pong, at a bargain price. Tourist Trophy comes from the people who brought us Gran Turismo - truth be told, it is GT but with motorbikes and minus any sense of excitement.

Moto keeps on rockin'

2006-05-30T11:16:00.000+01:00

After a few years in the doldrums, Motorola is on a roll, churning out great phones ... and not all of them are based on the ultra-slim Razr. Take the new PEBL, designed to look (and feel) like a weathered stone. The soft outer shell invites caresses and it's a capable handset to boot. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Heroes of Might and Magic V (PC) marks a slick evolution of the turn-based fantasy combat series while Ape Escape P is a competent PSP port of the enjoyable monkey-catching franchise - marred, as is so often the case on the handheld, by a stupid camera.

Stand don't deliver

2006-05-23T20:26:00.000+01:00

Sony Ericsson has done a fine job with its Walkman range of phones, the only handsets to even come close to emulating an iPod. But some surge of overconfidence must have convinced them they could do a good job with some audio accessories. The MDS-70 is the botched result of that thinking, an attempt to create a mini-speaker system but which is bulky and ugly. Read the full review of the Music Desktop Stand in today's paper.

In games, shooter Metroid Prime: Hunters lights up the DS with its blend of tight touch-screen controls, varied characters and compelling multiplayer. RSI is guaranteed from the strain of holding and controlling, though. Monster Hunter: Freedom (PSP) revisits the PS2 curio which is one part hack'n'slash to one part RPG and one part plain weird. A dodgy camera is the worst offence.

Heavy on the hardware

2006-05-16T11:44:00.000+01:00

The annual E3 games extravaganza blew into LA last week to give us a sneak preview of the hottest games and hardware for the year to come. Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft all vied to make the biggest splash. Like last year, new hardware dominated. Read the details in today's paper.

In games, Dreamfall: The Longest Journey (PC) is an old-school adventure game of the kind "they" don't make any more. Although gameplay is relegated to little more than spectator status, watching the story unfold is its own reward.

Exit (PSP) succeeds as much because it's not a tired retread of some PS2 pap as because it's a clever puzzler with class.

Sun turns Blue

2006-05-09T11:10:00.000+01:00

The Razrwire combines a pair of Oakleys sunnies and a slim Bluetooth headset from Motorola. Result: A colour-coordinated arrangement which means you look less of a wally than usual making calls wirelessly. But it's a moot point how often you're going to need sunnies in Ireland and the headset can't be used with anything else. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Daxter successfully makes the leap to PSP, knowing the limitations of the console and exploiting them to produce a fine platformer. Condemned was an Xbox 360 launch title whose raw brutality was startling but the rest of the game wasn't as eye-opening - this new PC port is no different.

The cheesy, unchallenging gameplay of From Russia With Love feels more at home on the PSP than on the big consoles and Rampage: Total Destruction (PS2) is a lame update of the venerable arcade classic.

Brain transplant a success

2006-05-02T12:29:00.000+01:00

Apple did the unthinkable late last year and announced it would begin to use the Intel chips it had so long derided. Already, Apple has transitioned half its line-up to Intel and the news is pretty good, unless you're a graphics professional who needs to do heavy-duty work with the likes of Photoshop. Read the full review of one of the new Mactels, the MacBook Pro, in today's paper.

In games, 2006 FIFA World Cup (360/PS2/PC) has a tweaked game engine for better shooting but tackling's a bit ropey and, being a World Cup version, has fewer modes than other FIFAs. Football Manager 2006 (360/PSP) is something of an anachronism in these graphics-driven times, consisting of reams of screens of dense information. Control on 360 is a bit screwed but if you like your football fantasy-style, this could be for you.

Shooter Battlefield 2: Modern Combat reaches 360 with nothing really new bar more polished graphics but if you're online, it's a keeper.

Get in touch with your feminine side

2006-04-25T10:56:00.000+01:00

Nokia are no strangers to wacky designs but we can indulge their creativity when the end products are intended to be as much fashion statements as functional devices. The new L'Amour Collection revists the unorthodox Fashion Collection from last year: similar shapes, different duds. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Socom 3 (PS2) strings out the squad-shooter formula one more time - bigger maps and drivable vehicles but still graphically ropey so that it's hard to tell what you're aiming at half the time. Also available on PSP, creditably converted.

Ice Age 2 (PS2) gives movie tie-ins a good name, with its typical but engaging blend of platforming and collect-em-up. Splinter Cell Essentials (PSP) overreaches itself in a bid to emulate the big-console stealth classic - murky graphics are a cardinal sin on a handheld designed to be played in varying light.

Medium-Fi

2006-04-18T13:13:00.000+01:00

Apple rather unwisely branded its new all-in-one speaker system as the iPod Hi-Fi. If they had stuck to something a little less arrogant, it'd be easier to forgive its shortcomings. The iPod Hi-Fi is a good speaker set-up but the audio could in no way be described as Hi-Fi. Maybe Medium-Fi? Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (X360) is an RPG that opens a vast universe of possibilities, beautifully rendered, accessible and endlessly engaging. Driver: Parallel Lines (PS2/Xbox) almost wipes the heinous Driver 3 from the memory with its familiar mix of GTA-style drivin'n'shootin' done right this time.

SingStar Rocks (PS2) riffs on the karaoke theme again, this time visiting the school of hard licks for its choons. Good but still flawed like the others in the series. Finally, Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII (X360) has some good ideas about the aerial dogfight genre but squanders them with repetitive and occasionally too-tough missions.

Two into one won't fit

2006-04-11T12:36:00.000+01:00

Three years ago, a Nokia executive told a group of Irish journalists that soon the Finns would be the biggest camera company in the world. How we laughed. But there is a kernel of truth behind the hyperbole, if only because Nokia is now on the way to selling more phones with "cameras" in them than any dedicated photographic firm retails its own products.

But the "cameras" are mostly useless, even if they are getting better. And the new N90 is Nokia's best effort to incorporate a decent snapper. The end result proves that so far two ideas into one won't go. Read the full review in today's paper.

Also reviewed is Apple's iWork 06, the presentation/word processing/layout suite for Macs only. The long and the short of it is that the supplied templates look great but the bigger question is whether many people want presentation software bundled with a layout program.

In games, Burnout Revenge has been rewired for the Xbox 360 and the extra online tweaks enhance an already brilliant racer - but there's not enough new if you've played it to death on other consoles. Far Cry Instincts: Predator (X360) packages the original Xbox stormer with a short new campaign in a slightly retouched version - nice but a slightly missed opportunity.

Megaman Maverick Hunter X may be a SNES remake but it's one of the PSP's best lookers and plays well too. Key of Heaven is a rather dull RPG for PSP.

Camcorder for the non-geek

2006-04-04T12:18:00.000+01:00

Canon's arrived late to the party when it comes to camcorders that record directly on to DVD. But aside from the €830 price tag, the DC20 is a winner for amateur cameramen on almost all counts. The usual gotchas apply - DVD camcorder footage is not easily edited and the cost of the recordable media isn't cheap. If mini-DV is your format of choice, you could do worse than Canon's also new MV960. Read the reviews in today's paper.

In games, The Godfather (PS2/Xbox) has bags of atmosphere thanks to the participation of some of the original cast but gameplay reveals it to be a shallow GTA clone. Fight Night Round 3 (Xbox 360) showcases the grunt of the 360 but boxing's appeal is inevitably limited.

Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams (PS2) revisits feudal Japan for another bout of hackenslash but the new ideas within can't lift it above mere retread. Finally, 24: The Game (PS2) feels more entertaining during the cut-scenes than the in-game driving/shooting sequences, which is fairly fatal.

Tablet hard to swallow

2006-03-28T10:59:00.000+01:00

Nokia is daring to go where several others have failed - into the realm of the web tablet. But then the Finns are no stranger to wacky and fruitless ventures (N-Gage, MMS jewellery, etc). The 770 will never be a mass-market phenomenon but it's an interesting proposition if you're looking for internet access on the go. Read the full review in today's paper.

You can also read a little about Sky's launch of its high-definition service, which is due to go live in May. After watching a little high-def, the improved quality is clearly visible up there on the screen - but only if you've an expensive telly.

In games, Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter (Xbox 360) is our first true glimpse of next-gen gaming, a sensory assault disguised as a squad shooter. Drakengard 2 (PS2) somehow makes a dull game out of an enraged airborne dragon and Buzz: The Big Quiz (PS2) fails to build on the potential of the amusing PS2 game show, with questions wildly variable in difficulty or relying on badly designed visual cues.

Little prick that won't hurt

2006-03-21T11:52:00.000Z

Inoculation against the net's nasties is mandatory these days and a little injection of PC-cillin is one of your best bets. The latest version of the antivirus/spyware/spam suite performs its duties well without taking a toll on your PC's performance. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Fifa Street 2 (PS2/Xbox) returns with more four-on-four freestyle footy - better than last year's stunted version but still missing a few tricks. Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (Nintendo DS) revisits the GBA classic Superstar Saga for the DS. Although it fails to really take advantage of the DS hardware, it's an engaging romp, mixing simple RPG, platforming and the familiar M&L humour.

Tak 3: The Great Juju Challenge (PS2/Xbox) is another perky installment in the kid-friendly platforming series, augmented by multiple playable characters. Mark Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure (PS2/Xbox) gets points for possibly the most convoluted title in a videogame, though it fails to explain it's about a kid earning respect from gangs as a grafitti artist. While it's an intriguing mix of Prince of Persia acrobatics and Def Jam Vendetta brawling, it's undone by an unwieldly camera and tedious grafitti tagging.

Fresh slice of iLife

2006-03-14T10:49:00.000Z

Apple's iLife suite of "digital lifestyle" programs is a tremendous-value package which comes free with every new Mac but is also annually updated with new features - for a fee, of course.

The dilemma for users is whether the extra bells and whistles is worth the €80. Trouble is, if you already own iLife 05, the 06 version may not be sufficiently improved to justify the outlay. Read the review in today's paper.

In games, Star Wars: Empire At War (PC) offers a real-time strategy take on the SW universe - a slightly simplified RTS it may be but there's no denying the appeal of its sweeping style. Day of Defeat: Source (PC) revisits the timeless WWII multiplayer shooter that spawned from the original Half-Life but applies the stunning HL2 engine and a pile of gameless improvements.

ATV Offroad Fury 3 (PS2) does the motocross-on-quadbikes thing (again) and, though only moderately different from v2, retains its wacky sense of fun. Super Monkey Ball: Touch and Roll (DS) is, paradoxically, brutally unsuited to the touch-screen control but with the D-pad makes for a familiar blast of SMB action.

Portable oomph

2006-03-07T11:55:00.000Z

You've got your iPod but you don't wanna use headphones. There are plenty of portable speaker solutions but many are a bit weedy. If you want a little more oomph, try Creative's new GigaWorks T20 speakers. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Black (PS2/Xbox) has been hyped beyond belief as the shooter to top all shooters - but while it's an enjoyable romp it's not the genre-buster we'd been expecting. Tales of Eternia (PSP) does the Final Fantasy thing cleverly in portable form.

Castlevania: Curse of Darkness (PS2) has several of the right ingredients from its Ninty heritage, and even throws in some new ones, but the foot-slogging through endless samey corridors drains the fun. Finally, Zathura (PS2) is a typical lazy movie tie-in, even given its target audience of the under-10s.

Your camera's best friend

2006-02-28T10:30:00.000Z

A mountain of digital photos needs a friend and a master. A friend to help organise the good ones and a master to discipline the bad. One that fits the bill on both counts is Adobe's Photoshop Elements. It was good in version 3 but now version 4 is even better. It comes in flavours for Windows (XP only) or Mac OS X.

Its companion product, Premiere Elements (v2), is similarly capable with camcorder footage. The two are available in a good-value bundle for 150 notes and you can read the full review of both in today's paper.

In games, Psychonauts (PS2/Xbox) is a trip, an acid-drenched wild ride that just happens to be a platform puzzler on the side. Full Auto (Xbox 360) does the Burnout schtick - but with guns. The visual fireworks aren't matched by long-term appeal but it's fun for a while.

Rugby 06 (PS2/Xbox) continues the upward evolution of the series - it's still lacks wide-ranging appeal (maybe that's just rugby's convoluted nature) but fans will relish how it's finally getting so much right. Lemmings (PSP) is, well, Lemmings, but it feels all 1991 again.

A Vision of loveliness

2006-02-21T10:35:00.000Z

Creative was beaten to the punch by Apple in launching a standard-sized MP3 player with video capabilities but that doesn't mean the Zen Vision M is inferior to the iPod. The dubious merits of watching broadcasts on such a small screen aside, Creative has done a fine job with the €360 Vision M. Read the full review today.

In games, Shadow of the Colossus is something of a revelation, a puzzler/platformer from the people who brought you Ico. Save your soul from endless sequelitis and buy an original game for once.

Dead or Alive 4 arrives late to the Xbox 360 and the extra time was spent polishing the lush graphics rather than augmenting the gameplay significantly. But it remains highly playable. Finally, Urban Reign is a dim brawler that's taken too many punches to the head.

Squeezed out

2006-02-14T14:42:00.000Z

This week's column has been held over due to pressures of space. That old excuse... Normal service resumes next week.

Pretty dumb

2006-02-07T11:18:00.000Z

Motorola's new SLVR creates a great first impression but, like the pretty blonde who shatters illusions when she opens her mouth, the phone lets itself down when you start to use it. It's as if the last 18 months of phone development never happened. From the crap camera to the sappy Moto menus, there really is little more to the SLVR than a pretty face. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Devil Kings (PS2) appears to be mindless hack and slash but hides its subtlety in barmy characters and non-stop combat. Rugby Challenge 2006 is more than just an opportunistic 6 Nations release. It's not perfect but plays a heap better than the competition from EA. Finally, Sega Classics Collection fatally misses the point of such nostalgic trawls by rewriting originals such as OutRun and Golden Axe.

Get yourself a new Office on the cheap

2006-01-31T12:44:00.000Z

Not everybody needs to drop €150 on a copy of Microsoft Office. In fact, it's debatable whether many home users need Office at all. After all, you can download free "viewers" from Microsoft for Word, PowerPoint and Excel which enable you to open such files sent to you.

But if you want to create or edit such files occasionally, consider a cheaper suite such as StarOffice 8 - as little as €67. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Ridge Racer 6 (Xbox 360) is pulling the same moves as the original PlayStation and arcade versions from 10 years ago but the addition of nitrous (turbo-boosting) and multiplayer over Xbox Live make it worthy of your cash. King Kong's porting to the PSP shows that mammoth gorillas don't fit on such tiny handhelds. And The Sims 2 (PSP) is practically ruined by constant loading from the disc.

N is for ... Multimedia?

2006-01-24T11:36:00.000Z

Nokia created a new brand in the N-series to emphasise just how clever its new phones would be. You've got the forthcoming N91, a wannabe iPod killer handset with a hard drive for music playback, and the also-forthcoming N90, which has a high-quality lens to go with its two-megapixel camera.

Then there's the now-available N70, somewhat the runt of the N-series but still a classy successor to the excellent 6680, but this time with a 2MP camera. At €550 without contract (contract version coming soon), it's not cheap but it's a fine premium phone. See today's paper for the full review.

In games, Battlefield 2: Special Forces (PC) shifts the shooter further away from vehicular mayhem and more towards Rainbow Six-style close-quarters squad combat. Lord of the Rings: Tactics ekes more mileage out of the Tolkien franchise, bringing enjoyable turn-based combat to the PSP. And Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (PS2) wheels out the skating schtick one more time - veterans will get bored quickly but noobs should love it.

D'telly on the d'PC

2006-01-17T12:11:00.000Z

Apologies to D'Unbelievables for the title but it sums up what Microsoft is trying to achieve with its Windows Media Center software (WMC or MCE). It's been around for a couple of years outside Ireland but until late last year MS hadn't tied up a TV listings deal for this country to enable MCE to do Sky+-style recording.

The other functions of MCE - photos/music/DVD playback - are of course easily enough done with any PC or Mac but it's the remote control plus the TV recording features which set it apart. Curiously, the picture quality isn't brilliant and using it with a set-top box such as Sky or NTL is fraught with pitfalls.

Read the full review of Windows Media Center 2005 (running on a Dell Dimension 5150) in today's paper.

In games, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 is the latest EA sports epic to get the 360 treatment - but it's the same old story. Tarted-up graphics can't mask the fact that a lot of content (read: courses) is missing compared with other console versions. Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil (Xbox) does a fine job of transcending expansion-pack status, introducing enough variety to appease fans. And Pursuit Force (PSP) is that novel concept, a PSP game which isn't just a port from PS2. Unfortunately, it's also a bit all over the place but its driving/shooting mix is a good rental.

Another slice of Razr

2006-01-10T10:55:00.000Z

Motorola has milked the Razr V3 for all it's worth in the past year but never gave the technology inside the upgrade it needed, until now. The V3x has put on a bit of weight but with a two-megapixel camera, even crisper colour screen and solid 3G performance, it's a winner. The phone is available through Three and Vodafone. It's cheaper with Three but the misers don't include a memory card, whereas Voda does. Get the full picture in today's paper.

In games, Madden NFL 06 on Xbox 360 was rewritten from scratch for the new console. The effort is there but some of the familiar features are not. Looks great and still plays well though. NBA Live 06's transition to 360 is much less successful - wait for 07. Finally, Go! Sudoku brings the logic puzzle to the PSP - no more, no less. At least it's cheap.

TV on demand

2006-01-03T11:31:00.000Z

With standard broadband speeds in Ireland now comfortably able to accommodate fast downloads, video/TV on demand will become a reality. Sky has jumped in with the launch of its Sky By Broadband offering, which enables existing subscribers to download movies and sports highlights for viewing on a PC.

The selection is limited and the teething troubles mean downloads can take an age (TWO days for one movie, huh?). Check out the full review in today's paper.

Log On also takes a look at Creative's Webcam Live! Motion - which promises to use face-tracking technology to keep your mug in the frame even if you move around in front of your PC. Trouble is, it doesn't always work flawlessly and likes to focus on other stuff around you.

In games, SoulCalibur III (PS2) plays as well as ever, even if the core is largely the same as part two. Jak X (PS2) spins out the buggy-driving from Jak 2 into a whole game, not unsuccessfully. The Movies (PC) can be summarised as The Sims Do Hollywood - enjoyably loopy. Finally, Namco Museum Battle Collection (PSP) assembles some of coin-op's greatest hits (Pac Man, Rolling Thunder) - along with some relics which have not stood the test of time.

Style on a budget

2005-12-27T12:00:00.000Z

The iconic Razr V3 sold by the million but created a problem for Motorola: how could they follow it up? So they went the easy route and copied it. The result is the L6, a candybar version of the V3, but on a budget. So you get a smaller screen and a less expensively sculpted body. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Half-Life 2 survives the transition from PC to Xbox with more than its dignity intact. In fact, it's a lesson on how to retain the brilliant essence of a stunning game while porting to a console. Nothing less than game of the year on Xbox. EyeToy Play3 (PS2) regurgitates the admittedly fun motion-tracking games of Play1&2 but is starting to feel stale now. Fifa 06 (Xbox 360) is an unfinished rewrite of the footy bestseller for the next-gen console - wait for Fifa 07. And finally Shadow the Hedgehog (PS2) follows the downward spiral of the Sonic franchise, with its dodgy camera and aimless combat.

Stereo, no wires

2005-12-20T10:56:00.000Z

We've had stereo wireless headsets and we've had Bluetooth mono headsets but we've never had Bluetooth stereo headsets until now. Why should you care? Because with a Bluetooth stereo headset, you can listen to music wirelessly in high-quality audio and still be connected to your phone for when calls come in.

Very few phones (certainly none available in Ireland) can play audio in stereo over Bluetooth, so you'll still need that MP3 player handy. Plantronics' Pulsar 590A takes a clever approach by providing a little adapter to connect to devices which don't have Bluetooth - iPods, TVs, etc. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Need For Speed: Most Wanted (PS2/Xbox/360) revitalises the series, edging away from the focus on pimping your ride and putting the spotlight rightly back on the racing. Plus the cops are back! On 360, it looks astounding and plays best of all formats. Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones (PS2/Xbox) returns to the first game's roots, mercifully relegating the annoying combat of part two to a back-seat role. An exhilarating return to form.

Gun (PS2/Xbox/360) transplants GTA to the Wild West. Though it lacks a fraction of the depth, Gun is still an enjoyable romp. Finally Ratchet: Gladiator strips most of the platforming action and majors on the admittedly riotous weapons. But it seems to lose much of what made Ratchet great in the process.

iMac halfway to a Media Center

2005-12-13T10:25:00.000Z

Though it seems a logical step, Apple has steadfastly avoided going the Windows Media Center route of incorporating a TV tuner into its computers (though it did give it a whirl several years ago in its Performa range).

With the latest iMac, however, Apple takes some baby steps into home-entertainment hub territory. With some software called Front Row, the iMac can be controlled using a remote control - but only in a limited capacity, to play music, videos and photos. Apple has also built in a webcam (instead of making it a €150 extra).

Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, the unorthodox 360 launch title is Condemned, a survival-horror effort which takes full advantage of the new console's graphical horsepower but which offers only conventional gameplay. Gripshift (PSP) is an unusual puzzler/racer combo whose just-one-more-go approach needs a lot of patience. WRC: Rally Evolved (PS2) ditches the trademark lengthy stages but compensates with increased realism all round. Finally, From Russia With Love (PS2/Xbox) is a typical EA effort - all gloss (including voice work by Sean Connery) but lacking in challenge.

Round the houses with the 360

2005-12-06T11:29:00.000Z

Perhaps a review of the Xbox 360 is entirely academic given the acute shortage of units in the shops. But in today's paper, I give it a shot anyway. The bottom line is that unless you're a rabid fan with a heavy-duty TV, there's no harm in waiting a month or two anyway. On an ordinary screen, the graphics look better, sure, but it takes a €1,000-plus TV for the full effect. And you don't have broadband, there goes another major selling point.

That said, it's a fine machine - capable of hooking up to iPods, cameras and computers to play back music, video and pictures - and the launch games are good without being great. If you can find a 360, make sure it's the €410 fully fledged version, not the runty €310 one missing some key features.

In games, King Kong (360/PC/PS2/Xbox) sets a new bar for movie tie-ins, an intoxicating blend of atmospheric scenery and headlong action. Capcom Classics Collection (PS2) stuffs 22 top-notch coin-op classics into one little disc. Maybe you're not old enough to remember Ghosts'n'Goblins or Commando, but at this bargain price, this is an acquaintance you'll be delighted to make.

Battlefield 2: Modern Combat (PS2/Xbox) can't hold a candle to the PC team-based shooter on which it's based but considering the limitations of the consoles it's a fair effort. Finally, X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse repeats the action RPG formula. And repeats. And repeats.

Music with balls

2005-11-29T11:03:00.000Z

Several solutions exist to untether your music from the hi-fi in the living room but Oregon Scientific's Music Sphere is one of the oddest. It consists of a small transmitter which connects to your stereo system (or iPod or TV or DVD, etc) and a large spherical speaker which receives the audio wirelessly.

It works well enough, picking up the sound from as far away as 100 feet. But the quality is only middling (stereo but murky) and the asking price is quite steep (€270). Read today's paper for the full review.

In games, Call of Duty 2 (PC, not to be confused with fairly different console version) is anything but a tired retread of the distinguished WWII shooter. Loaded with atmosphere and requiring patience and thought, CoD2 is a cracker. In a similar vein but down a notch or two, Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood (PC the best, PS2 version is muck) is far more tactical in the way you command a squad of grunts.

Sly 3: Honour Among Thieves (PS2) has an instant familiarity but is nonetheless a riot of platforming fun for Sly fans young and old. Finally, Gaelic Games Football (PS2) is a valiant but deeply flawed attempt to bring GAA to gamers.

Underwhelming iPod

2005-11-22T12:28:00.000Z

Apple was careful to say that its new iPod was not the killer video machine long rumoured to be in development. Even though it played down expectations, it was still a little disappointing to pick up the latest revision of the white icon.

You'll find it a) hard to get video content onto it (Apple charges a silly €30 for the software to convert most formats) and b) be amazed at how paltry the paid-for video selection from the iTunes Store is (even US customers aren't over-endowed with programming).

Then there's the show-stopping bug where the iPod's volume goes crazy if your mobile rings when it's close by. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories successfully recreates the GTA formula in miniature form on the PSP, right down to the wonky controls. Shooter Battlefront II (PS2/Xbox) makes more sense if played against dozens online but still evokes the Star Wars universe to grand effect in single-player. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (on every format known to man) does what it says on the tin, at least if you're a 10-year-old fan of the books. Lots to do and nothing too challenging. Finally, The Sims 2 (PS2/Xbox) is a waste of time because most of interesting stuff from the PC version has been gutted and you're left with repeated Tamagotchi-style tedium.

i-Mode gets carried away with hype

2005-11-15T10:53:00.000Z

It would be a lot easier to warm to O2's launch of its i-Mode service if the company didn't dress it up in overblown hype. The most ridiculous quote from the press release announcing what is, thus far, a fairly standard web-on-mobile experience has to be the one describing i-Mode as the "world’s most innovative high-speed internet access".

It's nothing of the sort, as you will find if you buy one of the only two handsets available. i-Mode looks almost identical to the current service, O2 Active, but besides running a little more smoothly and offering a few new merchants, it's the same old story: hard to navigate, frustrating to use and - of course - expensive to use on a regular basis. Read the full review in today's paper.

In games, The Warriors (PS2/Xbox) is another tour-de-force production from Rockstar, full of top-notch voice talent, evocative 70s tunes and violence galore. Based on the 1979 flick about gang wars in New York, it's full-on brawler with plenty of punch.

Then there's Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks (PS2/Xbox), whose back-to-basics take on beat-em-ups together with the familiar gallows humour of the series won me all over again.

Kids will love movie tie-in Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were Rabbit (PS2), a gentle romp for the under-10s. Finally, Quake 4 (PC) - definitely not for the under-10s - resembles a Doom 3 expansion pack and lacks much personality of its own.

Hi-fi comes to the PC

2005-11-08T10:14:00.000Z

In today's paper, read a review of the speccy new soundcard from Creative, the X-Fi. Oooh, 51 million transistors, 24 times more powerful than the last one, etc. Effectively, it means your games, video and music should sound a whole lot better. My favourite feature has to be the pseudo-surround effect with headphones.

In games, F.E.A.R (PC) blends Japanese horror with frenetic firefights for an exhilarating FPS. The developers could have played up the frights a bit more but thanks to the cunning AI, there's never a dull moment. SSX On Tour (PS2/Xbox/PSP) is a triumphant return for the snowboarding series - all-new courses and easier tricks make for a enjoyable ride.

Moving down the rungs of the quality ladder, FIFA 2006 for PSP plays well enough but tiny graphics and an unfinished feel make it a poor second to World Tour Soccer. Kudos for the online multiplayer, though. Finally, Dead to Rights II (PS2/Xbox) is a game that's arrived five years too late - it's dumb, lazy and dull.

TV to go, if you can hack it

2005-10-25T11:06:00.000+01:00

In today's paper, read a review of Creative's Zen Vision portable video player. Much revised from last's year pug-ugly and overweight Portable Media Center, this tasty little PVP would have a real chance of selling ... if only it weren't so damn hard to get video content into its belly. Too much geekiness is required of the common man to convert TV you might have taped with your DVD recorder.

In games, Black and White 2 (PC) is another attempt at the god game genre which doesn't quite satisfy while Spider-Man 2 (PSP) is a short-lived if entertaining rewiring of the web-slinging, thug-fighting epic from the big consoles.

Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects (PS2/Xbox/PSP) deserves a paragraph of its own for sheer awfulness. Another potentially brilliant licence is wasted by lazy programming and brainless combat.

Low-cost laser

2005-10-18T11:35:00.000+01:00

If you need the speed and quality of a laser printer but have always been put off by the cost, check out today's review of the Dell 1100, a perfectly serviceable laser for the surprising price of about €130 (though it varies by a few quid from hour to hour with Dell). Of course, it comes with a few caveats, primarily the hidden extras (no USB cable included plus cost of the replacement toner ain't so cheap).

Also reviewed is Nokia's 6101, a creditable attempt to address complaints (primarily from me!) about the Finns' predilection for crazy/unusable keypads. This phone has no airs and graces about it, it's just a straight-down-the-line clamshell handset for the masses.

In games, Far Cry Instincts (Xbox) continues the fine lineage of the FC series - ostensibly it's the same game as the PC hit, but it's been retooled and honed for the Xbox to fantastic effect. Tiger Woods 06 (PSP) plays a mean game of golf, though the swing meter is a bitch to master. And the Sonic Gems Collection is an unnecessary scraping of the barrel in the light of the Sonic Mega Collection Plus from earlier this year.

Internet, meet telephone

2005-10-11T12:08:00.000+01:00

While we wait for the inevitable day when all (landline) phone calls are free thanks to this interweb business, the gap is slowly narrowing between interim geeky solutions and punter-friendly, easy-to-use hardware which works like a conventional phone. In today's paper, read about Siemens' Gigaset S440 and M34 USB adapter.

Together they allow you to make calls via Skype (ie, cheap or even free) while using a standard cordless phone. It's a bit of a bitch to set up and it's far from idiot-proof but it does show that with a little more effort, this could be one for the masses.

Also reviewed is the Fuji Finepix F10, a six-megapixel digicam whose signature feature is its sensitivity in low light. It's not as if you'll never need the flash again but the F10 takes a lot of the heartache out of amateur photography.

In games, Burnout Legends rips up the PSP the way sibling Revenge is setting the big consoles on fire. Terrific stuff. Also reviewed is FIFA 06 (PS2/Xbox) - update may be too subtle for many - and Fahrenheit (PS2/Xbox), an inventive take on the discredited interactive movie genre which demands much patience but delivers its rewards in spades.

In and out of tune

2005-10-04T11:52:00.000+01:00

Four years ago, Log On reviewed the first mobile phone to play MP3s, the Siemens SL45. It seemed like a revolution at the time, coming before the launch of the iPod, but phones have singularly failed to improve their music-playing experience.

Now two serious contenders have come along in 2005, Motorola's Rokr E1 and Sony Ericsson's W800i Walkman moby. In truth, neither is an iPod killer but, as you can read in today's paper, the W800 does a far better job of handling the transfer and playback process. The Rokr has iTunes on board but fails to press home its advantage by making a series of elementary mistakes.

In games, Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix (PSP) is a mouthful and a handful. It's almost identical to the excellent console version but packs too much detail into that small screen. Also reviewed is Madden NFL 06 (PS2/Xbox) - the annual update adds little new - EyeToy: Kinetic (PS2) which is not a game at all but a competent keep-fit workout and Everybody's Golf (PS2), a cutesy but highly playable sim that makes for a nice antidote to po-faced Tiger.

Small but packs a punch

2005-09-27T11:15:00.000+01:00

In today's paper, read Ireland's first full review of Apple's tasty iPod Nano, causing ripples as much for its desirability as the growing backlash about how easy it is to break/scratch the screen. The verdict: it's actually a clever improvement on the already shit-hot iPod Mini (the best-selling 'Pod).

Just watch out for those scratches from day one.

In games, Burnout: Revenge (PS2/Xbox), tunes up the road racing/crash sim formula to incredible effect - massively addictive. Super Monkey Ball Deluxe (PS2/Xbox) collects the two GameCube Marble Madness-style simian classics into one huge-value and highly entertaining package. NFL Street 2 Unleashed (PSP) is another one from the endless EA stable of cross-pollinating franchises, but manages to be playable and enjoyable if you like the gridiron thing. Finally, Untold Legends is the PSP's only RPG and leaves plenty of ground to be bettered. In truth, it gets old quickly unless you're a huge D'n'D fan.

Mortally offensive

2005-09-23T12:50:00.000+01:00

Guess you can't expect good taste from the makers of Mortal Kombat but their latest promo for the next MK instalment pushes the envelope. Blood on the Carpet is a live-action spoof which manages to be gruesome but also vaguely amusing.

Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is out on September 30.

Cable banquet

2005-09-22T19:19:00.000+01:00

The hallowed triple-play of cable-delivered entertainment/connectivity - internet, TV and phone - is basically an urban myth in Ireland, with NTL's service available to only a few thousand homes around Dublin. Now a similar product from Magnet Networks is rolling out (very slowly) around the metro area.

And although it's a lip-licking banquet of 4Mbps net connection, digital TV and free phone calls, you can count on one hand the number of suburbs where it's live. In fact, it's not even complete suburbs but rather just specific housing developments.

Oh yeah, and did I mention the top-line service costs €72 a month? Eeeek. Yet it's good value, perhaps, when you consider the cost of phone rental, broadband and digital TV put together. But good luck in being in the catchment area.