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The best special edition consoles ever!
Facebook Places Twitter account: is it really real?
Google Chrome OS tablet prepped by HTC, out by Christmas?
Portal 2 release date revealed and Stephen Merchant gets a starring role
Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse spotted
The HTC Desire HD will show the iPhone 4 that size does matter
Samsung Galaxy S: white version UK bound?
Best gadgets of 2010
New iPad ad stars Flipboard and Twitter
Panasonic adds Twitter to VIERA CAST HDTVs

Posted: 18 Aug 2010 09:44 AM PDT

The unveiling of the ultra-cool blue PS3 Slim to tie in with the impending launch of Gran Turismo 5 got us thinking about the best special edition consoles we’d ever clapped peepers on. There have been lots of pimped out consoles over the years, usually released to celebrate new titles with a re-skinned machine to play them on. Some have great looks, others look simply ludicrous, but they’re all undoubtedly lust-worthy. We’ve rounded up some of the most memorable here.

We’ve dug deep to unearth some of the best collectors edition consoles around. Have you got one? It might be worth holding onto, with some of the below sure to end up on the Antiques Roadshow in the (very) distant future. With so many around we haven’t been able to list every special edition console ever created, but hopefully we’ve nailed the best, and a few surprises too. Let us know if we’ve missed a favourite of yours.

Blue PS3 Slim
We’ve already mentioned it, but surely it deserves another. Unfortunately this PS3 Slim is only going on sale in Japan in November 2010. We’d love to see more colours on this side of the pond, but for now the blue PlayStation is beyond our reach.

Halo: Reach special edition Xbox 360
Coated in fresh Halo Reach livery, this special edition, new design Xbox 360 comes made up and etched in silver, complete with a matching Xbox 360 controller. It was one of the first new Xbox 360 special editions to arise, meaning there’s Wi-fi and 250GB tucked inside, as well as support for Microsoft Kinect when it’s released nearer Christmas.

Limited Edition Pokemon N64
This barmy limited edition N64 from yesteryear, when waggle control was all but a Nintendo wet dream, features a yellow and blue splashed N64 with a raised Pikachu that looks like it’s about to jump out of the console. Power it up and Pikachu’s rosy cheeks light up, press the critter’s feet to reset. If you’re a Pokemon fan you need this in your life.
(Image source)

Final Fantasy XIII PS3 bundle
This Japan-exclusive PS3 Final Fantasy XIII bundle had us in fits of jealousy when it was announced at last year’s Tokyo Game Show, it’s a 250GB white PS3 emblazoned with a faded-red painting of FFXIII protagonist, Lightening and a matching white pad. Further proof that the lucky Japanese get all the best console special editions.
(Image source)

Coca Cola bundle for Game Gear
Back in 1994 this Coca-Cola themed Game Gear arrived in Japan. It came bundled with the game – Coca-Cola Kid. Is it a shameless promotion exercise or a genuine collectors edition? Whatever you think, it still looks pretty cool if you ask us.
(Image source)

Game Boy Advance: Zelda Limited Edition Pack
Nintendo gave Zelda fans something to add to their wishlist in 2004 with this gold Zelda Limited Edition Pack adorned with the fabled Triforce – perhaps the most recognisable symbol in Nintendo gaming history to celebrate the forthcoming Zelda title, The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap.

Mario Limited Edition Pack
As if the Zelda Limited Edition Pack wasn’t enough of a treat for Nintendo fans, they were soon spoilt for Special Edition choice when Nintendo announced the Mario Limited Edition Pack – a red skinned Game Boy Advance with the familiar Mario ‘M’ sign splashed across it, sort of like Super Mario’s version of the bat signal.

Sakura Wars Special Edition Dreamcast Bundle
The Dreamcast might be long dead but its memory lives on, not least with special editions such as the Sakura Wars Special Edition Bundle knocking about in treasured game collections and attics across Japan. Extra points go to Sega for creating a special pink Visual Memory Unit to go with the console.
(Image source)

Winning Eleven 2010 PSP-3000
To celebrate the launch of Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 in Japan, or Winning Eleven 2010 as it’s called over there, Sony launched This PSP-3000 plastered with UEFA Champions League livery. Shame it’s on the back, but at least you could show it off to everyone while playing a quick match on the train into work…right?

Translucent Xbox complete with Bill Gates autograph
It might look as dull as Bill Gates’ underwear drawer, but this first edition Xbox comes with a keychain featuring the signature of the Microsoft’s God himself, Billy Gates isn’t known as being a gaming hero, but his signature’s bound to up the bounty on this collectible of the future. Did we mention it’s very limited?
(Image source)

Game Boy Advance NES Edition
The coolest of the GBA special editions. Flip open the NES themed GBA and it looks just like an NES controller. Flip it shut and it looks like the NES console itself. Amazing. We want one now! Anyone want to trade with us? We’ve got a slightly soiled Pikachu gamepad and a Metal Gear Solid bluetooth earpiece going spare. No? Shame.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Limited Edition Camouflage PSP package
This awesome MGS-themed PSP comes with a snakeskin case and strap, camouflaged PSP and three special pin badges in one of the smartest special edition bundles around. With Metal Gear Solid: Rising on the way expect to see more MGS themed bundles soon.

Halo 3 Special Edition Xbox 360
Featuring an authentic Spartan green and orangey gold finish, this Halo 3 Xbox 360 comes with a matching Wireless Controller and headset, exclusive Halo 3 Gamer Pics and a theme. Just look at it, Halo fans! Will you be picking up the Halo: Reach bundle when it arrives? Not long to wait!

Gunmetal Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle
This trendy brushed metal PS3 comes packaged with a DVD of the making of Metal Gear Solid 4, official MGS4 soundtrack, DualShock 3 controller, a copy of the game and a DVD called Hideo Kojima’s Gene in what is a very generous Metal Gear Solid flavoured package filled with goodies. If only all special edition consoles came with such luxury extras.

Limited Edition Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII PSP
This collectors console comes dressed in silver and adorned with the Final Fantasy VII logo on the back. It’s subtle, but immediately much more swish than your average PSP. But with so many Final Fantasy games around we’re surprised we haven’t seen tonnes more Final Fantasy themed special edition consoles. Which is your favourite?

Yakuza 3 Limited Edition White PS3
we dare you to find a better looking PS3 special edition than this Yakuza themed PS3 emblazoned with tattoo-inspired motifs. As usual, it’s only available in Japan, we’re afraid. Shame really, our PS3 could do with some gangster attitude.

Special edition GTA IV Xbox 360
This special edition GTA-themed Xbox 360 features the artwork of the box on the side of the console, should you forget what game you got it with, a quick glance at GTA’s timeless artwork will tell you. Didn’t get hold of one? Don’t worry, we’re sure there will be lots more GTA games to come from Rockstar.

Gundam Gamecube Enjoy Plus Pack
Not only does this package have a Gundam themed console and controller, it has an action figure too! Are there any other special editions that some with their own collectible actions figures? Let us know.
(Image source)

PS3 Slim White
Black not your thing? How about a white PS3 Slim? Shame it’s not coming out over here. Still there is that blue PS3 Slim, which, erm, is also a Japan exclusive. Drat! Those lucky Japanese get all the best special editions!

Resident Evil Code Veronica Dreamcast bundle
There’s just 1,800 of these blood red translucent Resident Evil: Code Veronica Dreamcast bundles around. Have you got one tucked away in your loft? It’s pieces of nostalgia like this that make us wish the Dreamcast was still around.

The Simpsons Game PSP
The Simpsons Game was actually one of the better Simpsons titles to grace our consoles. Fitting then that it got treated to a pretty yellow PSP edition. If you’ve got the special edition The Simpsons Xbox 360 too you’re having a laugh.

Exclusive red Resident Evil Xbox 360
This Resident Evil themed, blood red Xbox was immune to the infamous Red Ring Of Death… because its lights were orange! But try explaining that one to technical support, or the scores of rival console fanboys.

Simpsons Special Edition
If you’re one of the few to have this nestling in your bedroom, count yourself lucky! Microsoft dished this out to just 100 Simpsons addicts! If you’ve got one you can expect a visit from David Dickinson. Cheap as chips? Probably not, we’d say.

Hello Kitty: Mission Rescue Xbox
There can be no greater juxtaposition than playing deathmatch while gazing at this Hello Kitty themed Xbox. Try playing multiplayer and trash talking on this console without feeling quite the fool. Ever seen a cuter console than this first edition Xbox?

Limited edition Tales of Symphonia GameCube
there weren’t too many special edition GameCube consoles around, but if you’ve got this one stashed away chances are you’re holding onto something pretty rare. Have you got any special edition Gamecube consoles we should know about? As always drop us a message.

Special Pikachu Edition Game Boy Colour
Back in the 90s handheld Pokémon games annihilated the sales charts. The gamers weapon of choice? This Special Pikachu Edition Game Boy Colour.
(Image source)

Super Mario Bros. DS Lite bundle
It takes special editions like this to make us ponder waiting to get our hands on the newest consoles. This DS Lite comes dressed in Mario red and features the recognisable Mario logo. We have a feeling poor Luigi is feeling pretty left out though.

Special Edition Blue Pepsi Nintendo DS
Coming up trumps again for the Japanese is this blue Pepsi Nintendo DS launched to coincide with Pepsi twist. We can’t think of too many more fizzy drink inspired gaming bundles. Not in the UK at least. Those Pepsi earphones might just be worth a trip to the Far East though.

Panasonic Gamecube Q
And not forgetting the Panasonic GameCube Q (we’re reliably informed by @schillingc this monstrosity never received official Gamecube branding). This frankenstein-style piece of gadgetry was a hybrid version of the Nintendo Gamecube and a Panasonic Hi-Fi – able to play DVDs, music CDs and Nintendo Gamecube games. It even had a remote, but at more than £400 it was out of the price bracket most gamers live within.

Facebook Places Twitter account: is it really real?

Posted: 18 Aug 2010 09:19 AM PDT

We’ve been anticipating Facebook’s launch of a geo-location feature, similar to Foursquare, for weeks and now a Twitter account has popped up purporting to be the The Official Twitter Account for Facebook Places, just a few hours before Facebook holds a lengthy press conference.

A single tweet on the account says “It’s true. Watch out for the Official announcement scheduled to begin at 4:30pm PT / 7:30pm ET” those times chime with Facebook’s press conference, and the account has also been set up to follow several notable Facebook employees and ex-Facebook coders, including Mark Zuckerberg and Joe Hewitt, the man previously responsible for Facebook’s iPhone app development.

The Facebook page pointed to by the account, Facebook.com/facebookplaces currently returns no more evidence, only “page missing” errors. Is Facebook Places really real? Shout up with your predictions in the comments.

Google Chrome OS tablet prepped by HTC, out by Christmas?

Posted: 18 Aug 2010 08:35 AM PDT

A Google branded Google Chrome OS tablet, made by smartphone peddler HTC, is due out in November, according to a new report. Should the iPad be scared? We’ve got the rumoured specs and details here.

According to Download Squad’s source, a Google Chrome OS tablet, made by HTC but branded as Google, will go on sale in the US on 26 November. That’s the day after Thanksgiving, when American shops traditionally slash prices on consumer electronics.

The Google Chrome OS tablet will supposedly pack Nvidia’s Tegra 2 graphics, a 1280×720 resolution screen, 2GB of RAM, 32GB SSD, GPS, webcam (Take that, iPad), WiFi, and 3G – the source says it will be sold through Verizon, a US mobile network.

None of this is confirmed at this point, but it’s not the only rumour of a Google fueled tablet on Verizon towards the tail end of the year that we’ve heard recently. Will we see a Google Chrome OS tablet here too? Fingers crossed.

[Picture from a Chromium developer concept video]

Out TBC | £TBC | (Via Download Squad)

Portal 2 release date revealed and Stephen Merchant gets a starring role

Posted: 18 Aug 2010 08:08 AM PDT

At last! Portal 2 was originally meant to be arriving this year but the release date got pushed back at E3 where we were given with the slight consolation that it’s headed to the PS3 as well as to Macs and PCs via Steam. Now Valve have finally revealed the exact date we'll be able to get our hands on the second installment of the mind-bending puzzler. Read on to find out when you'll be playing Portal 2 and just what Stephen Merchant has to do with it…

The Portal 2 release date will be February 9 2011 which means we've got a few months to wait before we can start tussling with terrifying turrets and fiendish but oddly flirty computers once again. Still, that gives Valve plenty of time to tease us with intriguing announcements.

It's big one today is that Stephen Merchant will be providing the voice of the Wheatley, the spherical robot companion, who we saw in the last Portal 2 trailer. Fans had grumbled about the character's irritating tones so they'll be glad to hear that The Office co-creator is stepping into the role.

Valve previously told CVG that the Portal 2 sidekick was just being voiced by "some guy from our office". Get it? Our Office/The Office. Oh forget it!

Are you excited to play Portal 2? Let us know what you make of Valve casting Merchant and hit the comments to let us know what you want to see from Portal’s next installment.

Due February 9 2011 | £TBC | Valve (via CVG)

Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse spotted

Posted: 18 Aug 2010 07:42 AM PDT

Microsoft’s rumoured Arc Touch Mouse has been spotted on a German online store, confirming that it is indeed a curvy mouse, rather than a trackpad.

We have been seeing rumours about the Microsoft Arc Touch Mouse for some time and at one point the ‘Flat is where its at’ slogan was bandied about, sugesting that this might turn out to be some kind of rival to the Apple Magic Trackpad.

Not so. It looks like this is in fact what it was always most obviously going to be – an update to the original Arc Mouse which adds a touch-sensitive scrolling feature as well as the ability to fold flat as a pancake should you want to slip it in your pocket or bag.

The Arc Touch Mouse also features a battery indicator, can track on almost any surface and comes with a tiny USB transceiver that can be stashed inside the mouse when not in use.

TBC | €69.99 | Microsoft (via Engadget)

The HTC Desire HD will show the iPhone 4 that size does matter

Posted: 18 Aug 2010 07:27 AM PDT

The HTC Desire HD is coming, as soon as next month, and I for one salute it. While the iPhone 4 is incredible, it’s already starting to feel cramped compared to the lavish smartphone rivals we’ve been seeing of late. But it’s the HTC Desire HD that’s going to push these mammoth mobiles mainstream, and I for one welcome the seismic shift in phone size.

Let’s not kid ourselves: the HTC Desire HD is happening. We’ve seen it in extensive, crisply shot video, HTC has an event planned next month, and as we first revealed, it’s already been listed on Amazon. Hell, you can even see the back of the phone in the invite to the press conference, if you ramp up the contrast.

So though the specs that have been bandied about are unofficial, it’s clear that the HTC Desire HD is taking the form factor of the HTC HD2, and the US only HTC Evo 4G: a whopping 4.3-inches across.

Now I don’t pretend to claim that the HTC Desire HD (Or whatever it’ll end up being called) is the first smartphone of this size and expanse to go on sale. The 4.3-inch HTC HD2 was incredible, but running a dying OS in Windows Mobile 6.5, and was quickly dropped by one of the UK’s biggest networks. HTC’s previous products aside, other handsets have breached the four inch mark too, like the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 and Samsung Galaxy S. Then of course there’s the Dell Streak, which I love, even if it is bigger than my face.

Now all of these phones have done reasonably well (And given Samsung’s global roll out for the Galaxy S, much more than that), but I’m hopeful that here in the UK the HTC Desire HD is going to be the real tipping point, the one that makes more people than those who just define themselves as anti-iPhone, realise that bigger really is better.

I’ve long adored the vast expanse of screens this size: they make typing a doddle thanks to massive keys (Unless you wedge a numberpad in there for no reason like Dell), and browsing the web or watching videos on them is incredible. And I’m not so fussed about pixel density, a subject Apple brought ion vogue with its iPhone 4 keynote, that I object to the same number of dots being spread over a large surface area. I’m perfectly happy just to squint less.

HTC has had an incredible few years, since it backed Android and got people hooked on its Sense UI, and if even if the HTC Desire HD runs exactly the same software as the HTC Desire, I think an enormous amount of people are going to be very happy.

Why does this merit a rant at length? Because Apple, as a pioneer in the smartphone space, has shown no interest in going this direction. Just last month at the iPhone 4 antenna press conference, CEO Steve Jobs laid into what he described as phones so big “you can’t get your hand around”, deriding them as “Hummers” and even declaring that “no one’s going to buy that”.

It’s a shame a company so focused on design has written them off as such, as if you’ve seen my reviews of phones like the Samsung Galaxy S here at Electricpig, I really don’t think that’s true. They’re big, strong, beautiful, and sit right on the cusp of pocketability.

To even write off the possibility of an iPhone 4 that gets a screen any bigger than 3.5-inches is a shame, and it’s a move I hope phones like the HTC Desire HD will make Apple regret.

What do you think? Are phones like the HTC Desire HD or Samsung Galaxy S the future? Or has Apple found the right form factor already? Shout up in the comments below!

Samsung Galaxy S: white version UK bound?

Posted: 18 Aug 2010 06:35 AM PDT

The Samsung Galaxy S is one of the most desirable Android phones out there (see our best Android phone list for the evidence). Now a white Samsung Galaxy S has popped up in its South Korean homeland. While we're frustrated by the white iPhone 4 delays, could a white Samsung Galaxy S fill the gap?

Samsung has launched the white Samsung Galaxy S in the Far East but hasn't commented yet on whether the pale version of its premier smartphone will hit the UK. But it looks promising after a white Samsung Galaxy S was briefly spotted on a Spanish website by GSM Arena.

If you've been pondering picking up the Samsung Galaxy S, take a gander at our Samsung Galaxy S review for a thorough take on its strengths and weaknesses. The Samsung Galaxy S Froyo update is set to touch down in September.

The white iPhone 4 delay is reportedly down to issues with getting the colour right but that doesn't seem to be an issue for Samsung with the white Samsung Galaxy S.

Would the arrival of a white Samsung Galaxy S push you to pick one up? Or are you baffled by the strength of interested there seems to be for phones that shun the Henry-Ford-style black favoured by most handset makers?

Out TBC | £TBC | Samsung (via Engadget)

Best gadgets of 2010

Posted: 18 Aug 2010 06:23 AM PDT

Our best gadgets of 2010 list has landed. We’ve been mulling the best gizmos released so far during this rotation around the sun, and we’ve got our findings for you right here in our Best gadgets of 2010 Top 5 list, just to the right of the full post.

Cast your eyes over to the right hand side of the page, and you’ll see what we think are the very best gadgets of 2010, drawn from every category. They’re the ones that have simply bowled our jaded gadget experts over, and crucially, we come back to time and time again. You can read all about them through the Read More button, or if you’re swayed by our glowing endorsements, click straight through to buy them.

Of course, we know that the year isn’t out yet, and there’s plenty to come before Christmas. That’s why our Best gadgets of 2010 Top 5 is kept bang up to date: every new five star gadget that comes our way between now and December 31st gets a look in, and if it’s worthy, it earns a place in the list.

Disagree with our best gadgets of 2010 list? What should make the cut? Tell us in the comments below!

New iPad ad stars Flipboard and Twitter

Posted: 18 Aug 2010 06:05 AM PDT

The new iPad ad, entitled iPad is Delicious, gives a big role to one of our new favourite iPad apps, Flipboard, as well as throwing Twitter some love. But after Flipboard floundered at launch under a wave of new sign-ups, will it be able to cope with the seal of approval from Apple? Head through to see the latest perky promotional spot for the iPad and the other apps that have caught Apple's eye…

We (and most of Twitter for that matter) were pretty taken with Flipboard when it first hit the App Store but it soon had to start issuing Flipboard invites to deal with the strain on its servers. The invite system has be phased out since then and hopefully it's added enough capacity to cope with the new attention headed its way thanks to the new iPad ad.

Elsewhere in the new iPad ad, The Elements, Fruit Ninja HD, Apple's own iBooks and iWork apps and Twitter all get starring roles. Curiously Apple didn't opt for one of the many iPad Twitter apps but instead shows the web interface in action.

The Elements also appeared in the first iPad is… ad which kickstarted this series of new iPad ads riffing on the classic Apple Newton spot. It seems the folk at Cupertino can't get enough of that interactive Periodic table action. If you’re not so fussed with chemistry, try our best iPad apps list for some other gems.

It's good to see great apps getting some free advertising from Apple in the new iPad ad but what hidden gems aren't getting the attention? Hit the comments and share your favourite iPad apps with us. We'd love to hear about any unsung heroes that have made it onto your tablet.

Out now | £429 | Apple (via TNW)

Panasonic adds Twitter to VIERA CAST HDTVs

Posted: 18 Aug 2010 05:01 AM PDT

Panasonic HD TVs with its VIERA CAST features will include a Twitter client on all future models, the manufacturer has announced. Armchair-based hashtag commentary on bad TV shows.. incoming.

Panasonic has become the second major manufacturer to include a Twitter client with its flatscreen TV’s, following Samsung’s decision to include a Twitter widget with it’s Internet@TV service.

VIERA CAST is already a pretty good selection extra features, offering Skype video chat, video on demand via YouTube and Netflix, Pandora and a weather service among others. Adding a Twitter client does seem like a bit of a no-brainer, then. We do hop Panasonic has thought this through, however, and included multi-account facilities. Nothing would be more guaranteed to cause a row around our way than a TV that only one member of the household could use to check their tweets.

Panasonic say that plasma TVs in the VT25, VT20, G25 and G20 Series will have the Twitter functionality. There are also plans to roll it out to VIERA CAST compatible Blu-Ray players later in the year.

TBC | £tbc | Panasonic (via BGR)

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Thursday, 19 August 2010

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