Windows 7 news is all over the internet lately. It seems like it’s going to make a huge splash when it finally touches down. But one of the awesomest things to come out of the headlines in the past couple of days is its streaming Netflix app. Unveiled at MIX10, the app features the Watch Instantly functionality that it currently has available on its website and various other devices that connect to your TV (such as, say… oh, I dunno, Xbox 360?) The more information that comes out about the Windows Phone 7, the better I feel about it. Being a movie geek myself, this app adds a thousand points to its win points.

There’s a video from Engadget that shows the app in action.

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According to Raymond Padilla, there are some pretty awesome predictions about Nintendo’s newest upcoming hand-held device.  The double-screened gaming experience that has become a trademark of the DS is changing in the next iteration of the popular platform. The screens will be bigger and have higher resolution, but what’s really cool is that there will be close to no separation between the two screens. This means the two screens can be used as one for some awesome cut-scenes and gameplay dynamics.

Speaking of gameplay dynamics, the new DS is also rumored to have an accelerometer. Thanks to the iPhone for popularizing this type of functionality. Think about it: two inseparable screens, one on top of another with an accelerometer built into the gameplay? Tetris will never be the same again.

All these rumors are just that: rumors. So don’t go counting on this as fact, but the best rumors are always the ones that sound both awesome and reasonable. Raymond says to look forward to some kind of announcement later in the year.

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While introducing the iPad to the world, Steve Jobs said “The problem with netbooks is that they’re not good at anything.” It’s true: netbooks come with some severe limitations. If all you’re interested in is accessing the web, then you don’t really need a lot of power for that, do you? Well, what if you want that power back? Enter the Aegis NetDock. Assuming your netbook has standard USB ports, the Aegis will plug in and give you several new options that your tiny little email reader didn’t have before. It has a built in CD/DVD drive, 4 USB ports with 2 that remain on even when you’re not connected, and an optional 500 GB harddrive.

So, if you’re feeling a little buyers remorse over your netbook purchase, or if you know someone who has a netbook but just wants a bit more of a kick, the Aegis from Apricorn Products will connect you to a whole new world of options.

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Starting at around £589, the Sony VAIO E Series boasts some impressive specs for what is essentially a computer designed to get you to the web and get there fast. Featured in the above picture, the E Series  has a button you push while the device is off to turn it on and access the Internet within a few short seconds. But don’t let its web-centricity fool you; this is no mere netbook.

A base model comes with 2.26-2.53GHz of Intel® Core™ Turbo Boost Technology, 4GB and 1066 MHz of DDR3 SDRAM, ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 5650 with 1GB VRAM and stereo audio with Dolby Home Theater v3. You’re not looking at a cheap, flimsy computer to buy for grams; rather, the device you see before you is a media beast – a veritable home theater in your own lap! And with the HDMI-out port, you can share that home theater with all your friends.

Sony is calling this fun, friendly computing, and with instant Internet and this kind of media quality, I’m hard pressed to disagree. It’s even got a built-in camera. I know, what laptop doesn’t these days? But it’s just one more feather in the friendly cap. If you’re in the market for a laptop, I know where I would go.

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Sony have recently revealed details of a new ultra-compact DSLR camera with interchangeable lenses in development for launch 2010.

In 2010 Sony will introduce a new ultra-compact camera with interchangeable lenses (Distagon T* 24mm f/2 ZA SSM 24mm, new Carl Zeiss wide angle lens and Super Telephoto 500mm f/4 G Lens) that teams “any time, anywhere” convenience with DSLR picture quality. Exhibited in early concept mock-up form at PMA, the camera features a newly-developed Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor. It will also support HD video recording using the efficient AVCHD format.

Shown in concept mock-up form at PMA is a successor to the α700, Sony’s acclaimed mid-range camera body that has found favour with ‘prosumers’ and enthusiasts. Further new α DSLR cameras are meanwhile scheduled for launch in 2010.

Find out more and view the promo video on Sony’s YouTube channel!

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Along the way, you will encounter diverse allies, who will fight alongside you – giving you the opportunity to execute powerful attacks with weapons and magic, and summon the enigmatic Eidolons with an evolved Active Time Battle system.

With seamless transitions between real time gameplay and in-game cinematics, do you have the courage to face your destiny?

Here’s a great trailer of Final Fantasy XIII – music is “My Hands”, courtesy of the wonderful Leona Lewis from her album “Echo”.

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As champions of the Windows Mobile platform at The Gadget Monkey, the world seemed to stop spinning earlier this week when the annoyingly named Windows Phone 7 Series was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Speaking as a WinMo user, I was expecting Microsoft’s promises of a radical overhaul to be fulfilled (while bracing myself for a let down) – but the UI (known as “Metro”) for the Windows Phone 7 Series is far beyond my wildest dreams, with the adoption of the Zune HD user interface philosophy with traditional WinMo elements such as Office and the address book feeling like a marriage to a very comely virgin.

Here’s a man whose stylistic influence on Metro might just inspire a cultural revolution:

The stakes are high of course – Windows Mobile’s market has been shrinking of late, and Microsoft are insisting on a high-end minimum hardware spec for Windows Phone 7 Series, with only the HTC HD2 and a future release from Samsung so far confirmed as suitable.

Obviously this is very exciting news – there is so much to enthuse about from the way social networking is effortlessly integrated in a new and interesting way to the presentation of information in easy to view, constantly updated widgets. Except they aren’t widgets as they are part of the UI.

This ultimate comparison (to date) between Metro and the Apple iPhone OSX is a good read – but whatever your feelings on the future of Apple and Microsoft’s mobile platforms, two things are clear:

1. The iPhone UI suddenly looks old
2. Engadget and Gizmodo both loved Metro

Meanwhile, get a better look at the best UI ever on a Windows Mobile Phone at www.windowsphone7series.com.

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Thanks to the wonder of reformatting, The Gadget Monkey is able to bring you coverage of some exceptional videogames – and inFAMOUS for the PlayStation 3 is the very first!

To promote inFAMOUS, Puma have released tie in footwear and several pairs of the Basket Puma training shoes. When you’re not gaming, get out of the house and get fit in these great shoes, worth £100!

You can enter by watching the video, and clicking on the appropriate link…

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The innovative Presence Sensor detects movement and body heat of anyone in front of the TV which means when no one is watching, it switches itself off!

Moreover the Sony Bravia WE5 can be tailored to suit your viewing habits, with Picture Off and sleep mode settings that can be configured to take effect based on preset times of 5 minutes, 30 minutes or 60 minutes.

These settings mean the TV won’t switch off while you’re watching, but if you can hear your TV from the kitchen, the five minute Picture Off mode can be very useful.

The Sony Bravia WE5

Check the infographic above to see just how much energy can be saved!

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From the ITP in the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, 2007

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