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Hotmail revamp takes on Gmail
PSP 2 specs: two cameras, touchscreen and 3G incoming?
Lovefilm Samsung TV streaming now activated
Google Smart TV to be revealed this week
Sky+ HD World Cup box hat trick unveiled
HTC Mondrian: first Windows Phone 7 phone?
HTC Wildfire hands on photos!
HTC Wildfire budget Android phone official: photos
Nintendo 3DS widescreen spotted
Lunchtime Lowdown: New MacBook leaks, a satnav with a camera and new Eee PCs aplenty

Posted: 17 May 2010 09:00 PM PDT

Hotmail, Microsoft’s long running webmail service, is set to get a facelift, with new features aplenty. Some are smart, some are half baked, and more than a few seem to have been cribbed straight from Gmail, but they’re all aimed at making Hotmail your number one address. Read on for what’s coming.

The new look Hotmail will be rolling out gradually this Summer, bringing several features Gmail users will recognise. There’s a new Conversations view to show email conversations, though you can toggle it on or off thankfully, as it’s a divisive but mandatory feature of Gmail. There’s also a Windows Live Messenger chat window on the left hand side that can be set to login by default – just like Google Talk in Gmail, in fact, though you can have conversations with more than one person, it being Windows Live Messenger.

The new Hotmail design also integrates with the online Office suite. You can view documents, PowerPoint presentations and spreadsheets in the relevant online Office app, amend them and then reply with the changes straight from the document. Disappointingly however, this feature won’t work with .doc files, just the newer .docx format.

Our favourite touch has to be Hotmail’s new integration with other online services. Links to Flickr albums and YouTube videos automatically embed slideshows and videos in messages. Gmail already does this for YouTube of course, but only with clips the size of a postage stamp.

What the new Hotmail does beat Gmail with is a well thought through option to attach data heavy photos as a temporary SkyDrive link. Where once you’d have to faff around registering for a YouSendIt account to send a handful of full resolution snaps, you can attach them as normal, safe in the knowledge they won’t clog up the recipient’s inbox, appearing instead as thumbnails until they choose to download them. It’s an incredibly useful tool if you regularly chat with anyone who can’t open picture attachments with their work email.

Finally, Microsoft has also revealed that a dedicated Hotmail iPhone app is due out at the same time. The company hasn’t provided any images or many more details, but David Laws, Windows Live Marketing manager, did confirm that it’ll be a native app, rather than an iPhone optimized site. However, unless it adds all these features and runs in the background on iPhone OS 4, we’re not sure why it’ll be preferable to using the regular Mail inbox.

What do you think of the new Hotmail features? Will they make you switch from a desktop client, or even Gmail? Let us know in the comments below.

Out Summer | £Free | Microsoft

PSP 2 specs: two cameras, touchscreen and 3G incoming?

Posted: 17 May 2010 09:00 AM PDT

The PSP 2 jumped back onto the agenda last week with rumours that publishers were prepping publicity for the new Sony portable. But now PSP 2 specs are leaking out into the world with tales of finished units in the UK. It could all be hot air but the whispers about PSP 2 features have got us hoping…

According to VG247, a smattering of UK sources have confirmed that the PSP 2 is already in the UK with a forest's worth of non-disclosure agreements handed out to publishers and developers.

The PSP2 is rumoured to be packing two cameras – one front-facing and one backward facing – which would support the idea that Sony is gunning for the Nintendo 3DS. It's also claimed to be packing a touchscreen and physical PlayStation buttons to please hardcore gamers.

Like the PSP Go, the PSP 2 will ditch physical media but rather than being restricted to WiFi, it could be 3G-enabled. That would definitely help it tackle the threat from the iPad and iPhone 4.0.

There's also talk that the PSP 2 will deliver seriously improved graphics thanks to a four-core Cell CPU. That'd be dynamite (aka "f*cking powerful" as one source put it) given that the PS3 packs an eight-core version.

Though last week's PSP 2 rumours suggested we could see it at E3 next month, the new batch claims that it may not arrive until early 2011.

With all these PSP 2 details bouncing around the web, we'll still be watching the Sony E3 press conference on June 15 very carefully. Springing the PSP 2 on us could be the perfect way of wiping away our disappointment over the PSP Go.

Let us know: can Sony steal a march on Nintendo and Apple with the PSP 2? Will the PSP2 be the portable the hardcore has been waiting for?

Due TBC | £TBC | Sony (via VG247)

Lovefilm Samsung TV streaming now activated

Posted: 17 May 2010 08:00 AM PDT

Lovefilm streaming for Samsung Internet@TV owners has gone live. We'd been expecting to see the service pop up last month but Lovefilm has just announced that it's flipped the switch. Read on to find what to expect from Lovefilm Samsung TV streaming…

If you've got a Samsung Internet@TV set and are a Lovefilm Unlimited subscriber, you can access Lovefilm streaming via your TV right now.

Lovefilm Samsung TV streaming gives you access to categories including Pick of the Week, Most Watched and Highest Rated as well as the archive of films available to Lovefilm Unlimited customers.

If you're a Lovefilm customer with one its capped packages, you'll need to upgrade to the Unlimited deal before you can access the Samsung TV streaming.

Lovefilm streaming on Sony Bravia TVs, Blu-ray players and home cinema systems has been active since March so it's great news that Samsung fans are now able to catch up.

Lovefilm's deal with Samsung only covers TVs at the moment but streaming for Samsung Blu-ray players and home cinema systems is promised. If you're far away from your living room, take a gander at our Lovefilm Samsung TV streaming hands-on and make sure you read our exclusive on Lovefilm console streaming.

Out now | £free with subscription | Lovefilm

Google Smart TV to be revealed this week

Posted: 17 May 2010 07:30 AM PDT

Google TV rumours have been growing louder form months but a new report says Google has now given the project a name – Google Smart TV – and is set to unveil it at the Google I/O conference which starts on Wednesday. Read on for the next episode in Google, Intel and Sony's Google Smart TV adventure…

The FT reports that Google Smart TV will involve the search giant tapping into the Android developer community to create apps for the new service. A set-top box packing an Intel Atom chip is on the cards as are TVs from Sony integrating the Smart TV service.

We heard all those whispers back in March when the first concrete signs of a Google TV project were revealed. But the Google Smart TV project seems to be getting nearer to arrival with Eric Kim, head of Intel's Digital Home group, telling analysts: "We're gearing up for a massive retail launch of [connected devices] this year."

Getting Android developers to create apps for Google Smart TV could give the OS a big leg up over the iPhone OS. We'd guess that Google Smart TV will cause Apple to change its tune about the "hobby" Apple TV and put the rumoured plans to add the iPhone OS to it into action.

App makers are likely to jump on Google Smart TV with gusto. Media hub maker Boxee has already called plans for Google Smart TV "a great opportunity".

Samsung has also suggested that it might build TVs incorporating Google Smart TV but we're still left wondering how it'll differ from the Internet@TV service and previous Toshiba TV widget plans.

What do you think Google Smart TV will include? Do you think it'll make Apple up its game with Apple TV?

Due TBC | £TBC | Google (via FT)

Sky+ HD World Cup box hat trick unveiled

Posted: 17 May 2010 06:30 AM PDT

Sky has punted out three limited edition World Cup themed Sky+ HD boxes. They feature prints by fashion designer Wayne Hemingway, illustrator Gerald Scarfe and actor Phil Daniels. We can't quite decide whether the tarted up Sky+ HD boxes hit the back of the net or end up looking like an own goal. Read on for details on how to score one and to let us know which of this squad you'd select…

Wayne Hemingway's Sky+ HD World Cup box design uses the date and final score of England's 1966 World Cup win emblazoned on a suitably patriotic red. Gerald Scarfe also goes for a nostalgic, 1966-themed approach with a player dressed in retro kit and a ball in place of his bonce. Meanwhile Phil Daniels has gone with a slightly headache-inducing collection of South African flags.

Sky says if you nab one of the limited edition Sky+ HD 1tb World Cup boxes, you'll be able to use the 240 hours of HD recording time to avoid missing matches. Sky+ HD will carry the World Cup on BBC HD and ITV HD but you could also just plump for Freeview HD and save some pennies on a subscription. You could also take a look at a Freeview HD recorder like the Panasonic DMR BW880.

Going for a Sky+ HD World Cup box will set you back £249 and will be available to order on May 26. Our favourite of the three is probably Wayne's understated offering. Would you be brave enough to plonk Phil's ultra-bright Sky+ HD World Cup design underneath your telly?

If you're looking for a footie-related gadget deal, try our World Cup gadget gamble rundown.

Out May 26 | £249 + subscription | Sky

HTC Mondrian: first Windows Phone 7 phone?

Posted: 17 May 2010 06:00 AM PDT

The HTC Mondrian could be the first Windows Phone 7 handset out of the gate according to details dug out from within a leaked Windows Phone 7 ROM and a clutch of leaked specs. We've just seen HTC’s latest Android offering with the HTC Wildfire but what picture is being painted of its first Windows Phone 7 handset?

Microsoft revealed strict Windows Phone 7 hardware specs and it seems the HTC Mondrian will fit into the touchscreen only category. Leaked specifications suggest it'll pack a 4.3in WVGA screen and 1.3GHZ Qualcomm Snapdragon processor which would make the HTC Mondrian as seriously speedy device. If it follows Microsoft's guidelines, we should also see a 5MP camera, GPS and a FM radio packed in.

While we've only got a basic black and white image of the HTC Mondrian, we have seen other leaked Windows Phone 7 handsets recently including the Dell Lightning and an LG Windows Phone 7 prototype.

If you're wondering what to expect from the HTC Mondrian if it does turn out to be the first Windows Phone 7 masterpiece on the market, take a look at our Windows Phone 7 hands on .

HTC hasn't revealed whether the HTC Mondrian will be its debut Windows Phone 7 handset but we'll be keeping a beady eye on it just in case any more information slips out.

Due TBC | £TBC | HTC (via WMExperts)

HTC Wildfire hands on photos!

Posted: 17 May 2010 05:27 AM PDT

The HTC Wildfire is HTC’s latest “affordable” Android phone from the Taiwanese telephone makers, so naturally we wanted to test out its credentials for all you savvy wallet watchers out there. We grabbed one for a hands on, so read on for the first HTC Wildfire photos and impressions.

Although the HTC Wildfire is clearly aimed to replace the dinky little HTC Tattoo at the bottom end of HTC’s Android line up, you’ll be pleased to hear it has as much in common with the HTC Hero and HTC Desire.

That’s because HTC has sensibly clocked that a cheap smartphone shouldn’t have to be a small smartphone. The HTC Wildfire’s 3.2-inch screen is capacitive, so it’s bigger and much more responsive to prods than the Tattoo’s display. It’s still a low-res QVGA display, admittedly, so there’s some visible graininess, but we prefer that to having to squint anyday – plus pinch to zoom gestures work perfectly.

HTC Wildfire budget Android phone official: photos

Otherwise, the HTC Wildfire’s build is excellent, with the same feel as the HTC Hero and the optical trackpad of the HTC Desire – and shades of the HTC HD2 in the two trim backplate. You’ll also be pleased to hear that the HTC Wildfire hasn’t skimped on the connectivity, with Wi-Fi and GPS included, along with a 3.5mm headphone slot.

It’s the performance of the HTC Wildfire that has us most excited though: because it uses the processor of the HTC Hero to power a lower resolution screen, it zooms along with Sense, where the Tattoo merely chugs. We’ve never thought that slow loading times should be a compromise worth making in a cheap smartphone, and thankfully it’s not one you have to with the HTC Wildfire.

An awful lot is riding on the cost of the HTC Wildfire, granted: if it’s not available on Pay As You Go close to the £100 mark, you might simply be better off going for the HTC Hero on a cheap contract. But if it hits that sweetspot, make no mistake, the HTC Wildfire will be the ultimate budget smartphone.

Have a look at the HTC Wildfire close up in our hands on photo gallery while we wait for those all important prices, and check out some bonus shots of it stacked up against the new HTC Smart.

Out Q3 | £TBC | HTC

HTC Wildfire budget Android phone official: photos

Posted: 17 May 2010 05:16 AM PDT

The HTC Wildfire Android phone has just been made official, and it looks set to be everything we ever wanted in a low price Google mobile. Yes, it’s a HTC Tattoo replacement with a bigger, better screen, yes, it’s rocking Android 2.1 with HTC Sense, and yes, it looks like a mini HTC Desire. Read on for all the details and photos.

Remember the HTC naming contest from a few weeks back? Wildfire won the Facebook vote, and right on cue the new HTC Wildfire is here. Looking like a smaller HTC Desire, it packs in the same Android 2.1 with Sense social networking skin, a five megapixel camera, Wi-Fi and GPS.

The HTC Wildfire is being styled as an affordable Android phone, but it’s a major step up from the HTC Tattoo. It’s packing the processor of last year’s flagship HTC Hero, and a larger 3.2-inch screen. It’s still a low-res 320×240, but this time round it’s capacitive rather than resistive, so typing is a lot easier without a stylus.

Read our HTC Desire review now

Anyone who’s played with a HTC Desire or Legend will know what to expect from the Sense skin on top of Android 2.1 (Yes, that means it’s a free satnav with Google Maps Navigation), but the HTC Wildfire packs one extra new feature too: Facebook profile pictures and status updates that pop up on incoming and outgoing phone calls. Now if someone’s declared they’re hungover on Facebook, you’ll know before the first ring.

Unfortunately, we won’t know just how cheap the HTC Wildfire is until networks come out of the woodworks with pricing, but we’ll be watching out for it, as this could be one of the best budget smartphones yet.

Out Q3 | £TBC | HTC

Nintendo 3DS widescreen spotted

Posted: 17 May 2010 05:00 AM PDT

The Nintendo 3DS looks likely to pack a widescreen. A picture from an FCC filing submitted by Nintendo and Mitsumi, one of its electronics suppliers, seems to reveal the guts of the new portable gamer and there's a more portly panel taking pride of place. But the filing doesn't just reveal the secret of the Nintendo 3DS widescreen, it also offers more clues about the release date…

Nintendo submitted the image of what appears to be the internal workings of the Nintendo 3DS to get approval for the console's WiFi. While the picture is pretty low-res, one thing stands out immediately – the upper of its two screens is unmistakably widescreen. That's a first for Nintendo, though it did bulk up its handhelds with the Nintendo DSi XL.

The bottom screen in the Nintendo 3DS testing hardware appears to be the same as the one in the current model but that doesn't actually mean much. When the final Nintendo 3DS arrives, it's likely to have a widescreen at the bottom too. Sadly, the image isn’t clear enough to reveal any clues on how the Nintendo 3DS 2D mode will work.

The other interesting revelation lurking within the Nintendo 3DS filing is a request that the images not be made public for a period of 180 days, starting from April 2010. That gives us a pretty good clue about when the Nintendo 3DS might launch.

Count 180 days from April 2010 and you'll get to October, exactly the Nintendo 3DS launch date which was rumoured last month. Nintendo is due to reveal its new portable at E3 next month.

Let us know: are you looking forward to the Nintendo 3DS? Or does even thinking about 3D gaming make you woozy?

Due TBC | £TBC | Nintendo (via Kotaku)

Lunchtime Lowdown: New MacBook leaks, a satnav with a camera and new Eee PCs aplenty

Posted: 17 May 2010 04:30 AM PDT

Pip pip! It’s 12.30 o’clock, so stop what you’re doing and stock up on all the latest gadget stories, all served for you piping hot in one post, right here in the lunchtime lowdown. Read on and tuck in!

The big stories are in computing this morning. Up first, Apple suffered another huge leak, with a new MacBook popping up in Vietnam, while Asus quietly launched a new Eee PC, the 1015P, with a stinking 13.5 hour battery life. Want to turn that netbook into a desktop replacement PC? Find out just how it’s done using Q-waves‘ clever kit in our guide. Find out more about Q-waves.

Over in mobile meanwhile, we took a look at all the latest Android phones, and checked out what you can do with the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 smartphone in under a minute. And finally, Garmin dished out a new satnav with some odd skills: it’s packing a camera and Wi-Fi. Why on earth doesn’t it make calls?

Still want more news? You know where to find it: over on the homepage.

Check out our Android Invasion, starting with our first robot romance video below!