Crysis 2 - in 3D across all platforms

The original Crysis pc game was a groundbreaking IP that lit up pc gaming, both in terms of its story and gameplay but also in its brutal system specification needed to enjoy the game at its highest quality. Indeed the game was written with one eye on the future as very few pcs could run it at optimum levels upon release. Only when the hardware caught up could it be run as the designers intended.

Now word has emerged that the looming Crysis 2 will be available to play in 3D across all three platforms (360, PS3 and PC) which I believe is a first for gaming. Many questioned whether the 360 and PS3 will be able to handle the game as these consoles lack the scope for upgrade that the pc offers and the pc version will probably look the best but this sounds like an exciting prospect for fans of the game. I for one cannot wait to once again don my nanosuit! Maximum Game!

Droid X - phone or pc?

I find it curious that the new Motorola Droid X, a follow-up to the popular Droid ('Milestone' in the UK) phone that really took on the iPhone in terms of sales has a new security feature.
If the phone detects that its ROM has been tampered with it will brick itself, rendering it useless. It uses an electronic fuse, dubbed an 'eFuse', to check that the software has not been touched prior to booting. If it has been, it will lock out and no doubt require a pricey return to the manufacturer.

Custom ROMs are increasingly popular amongst users as they often add functionality and upgrades to devices which might otherwise be locked down by the phone's operating system. As an example, I added a custom ROM to my HTC phone that unlocked geotagging in photos amongst other features.

My main question raised by this is the legality of this move by Motorola, either moral or judicial, as it brings us to wonder whether the phone is now a pc or still just a phone? No one would accept not being able to hack and customise their computer but Motorola expects that users should accept the curtailing of this option on their phone. It is skewed further when you consider that Android, its operating system, is open-source! Surely the whole idea behind using Linux on a phone is to allow this customisation process to happen?

Modern mobile phones offer all the apps and features of a modern pc but this move to limit user tweaking seems odd. Anyone who tinkers with their phone knows the risks but surely we deserve the right to do so? It will be interesting to see if it hurts sales of the device as well.

3D Water-based display

This video of a 3d display projected on water droplets is very cool, in more ways than one!

Project Canvas – a work of art?

It is curious that the next version of the UK’s tv channels on-demand services, currently dubbed Project Canvas, will likely be powered by P2P technology, the supposed bane of all modern content providers.

The new version of services such as 4OD and iPlayer will be called YouView and will see all the main channels in Britain collaborate in an unprecedented move to save costs and promote forward thinking as the networks strive to fend off the threat of internet based viewing services such as YouTube with ones of their own.

It finally seems as if P2P will go mainstream and legitimate with this move and should ensure that users receive a quality service as the increased bandwidth required for this offering will only be possible using this file-sharing technology.

Where previously Napster was lambasted, the future now lies…the more things change, the more they stay the same!

Honda CR-Z - A very hot hybrid!

The Ninja got his first look at Honda's new hybrid sports car at the weekend - the CR-Z. I have written about this awesome machine previously but today was my first chance to see one up close and to actually sit in it and, not surprisingly, as I am a fan of the Japanese firms' cars and their green technology...it is beautiful!

As you can see from the above image, it looks incredible and sits very low to the ground. Hidden beneath this exterior is a 1.5 litre petrol engine topped up with an electric engine with the electric part kicking in to add power when needed.


The car has three buttons on the dash that allow selection of one of the three driving modes - Econ, Normal or Sport. Sport obviously being the most punchy and Econ maximising the fuel efficiency. However, even in Sport mode the CR-Z does almost 40mpg. The model I saw (above) was the top-of-the-range GT edition, replete with lots of muscular carbon fibre, which retails for c£28,000.

Needless to say, I would like one!