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The week in reviews: Dell Venue Pro, Samsung Wave 2, Dead Space 2 and LittleBigPlanet 2

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 05:00 AM PST

This week we’ve reviewed a couple of credible handsets in the shape of the Dell Venue Pro Windows Phone 7 handset and the Samsung Wave, and two of the most highly anticipated games to launch so far this year – Dead Space 2, and LittleBigPlanet 2. Two super sequels. Read on for a bite-size roundup of our thoughts on each.

Dell Venue Pro
The Dell Venue Pro is one smart looking handset. Our reviews editor, Ben Sillis praised its looks, its “Gorgeous screen”, QWERTY keyboard and great call quality. “The best Windows Phone handset?” In his words: “Yup.”

However, according to Ben, It does have its limitations: “For all its apps and pinch to zoom skills, we suspect the lack of basic things like third party multitasking and cut and paste will put productivity types off. Windows Phone 7 is still best for casual phone users who enjoy gaming and media more than email.” Still, its four-star rating was still enough to win our Best Buy and Editor’s Choice award.

Dead Space 2
The original Dead Space was hailed for its scary atmosphere and great storytelling. Dead Space 2 manages to take everything from the prequel and make it better, scarier, faster and more enjoyable. The story revolves around an engineer named Isaac Clarke, who wakes to find himself trapped in a space city infested with flesh-eating mutants. Yes, the sequel is even scarier.

The tweaked controls this time round also mean that controlling protagonist Isaac Clarke is even more fun than the original. Having reviewed it at the start of the week I loved it. Whether you’ve played the original or not, Dead Space 2 is an essential purchase, scoring a full five stars in our Dead Space 2 review.

Samsung Wave 2
It might have arrived with little fanfare, but the Samsung Wave 2 is well worth a look at. It has a great Super AMOLED 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen, records 720p video, strong build and a fast 1GHz processor to make apps load up fast. Unfortunately the Bada OS has barely changed from the original Samsung Wave. our reviews ed’, Ben Sillis says.

“If you're a casual phone user who only wants the joy of a touchscreen web browser, without the expense of iPhone and apps – and have big hands – then the Samsung Wave 2 is for you. If not, you'll get along just as well with the first Samsung Wave.”

LittleBigPlanet 2
On first glance it would be easy to suggest that LittleBigPlanet didn’t’ need a sequel. The original game already lets players make their own levels, so what is the point of LittleBigPlanet 2?

For a start, LittleBigPlanet 2 features an all-new story mode that actually feels like a proper campaign – its levels offer up some of the best platforming action around. LittleBigPlanet 2 now lets players make their own games as well as levels. Music too, thanks to the addition of a music sequencer.

“You won't immediately notice the difference between LittleBigPlanet and LittleBigPlanet 2, but once you do you'll find there's no going back to the original,” we said in our review.

Agree or disagree with any of the thoughts above? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Top tech stories this week: PSP 2, Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, Intel sign a pop star, Sky 3D and more

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 01:00 AM PST

Now that the weekend has arrived, it’s time to forget about spreadsheets and time to sit back and catch-up on the best tech news you may have missed this week. It’s been an exciting seven days in which the new PSP was unveiled, we got a closer look at the PSP phone, Intel signed Black Eyed Peas singer Will.i.am and much more.

Android Honeycomb previewed – see the pics
Android Honeycomb – the especially built OS for Android tablets has been given a public runaround. Take a look for yourself. We’ve got the preview shots over here.

Pandora gaming handled makes a comeback
Back in July we reviewed the Pandora gaming handheld. You can play all sorts of retro games on it. It’s now on sale. You could be playing it in just a week’s time.

Amazon Kindle ebooks outselling paperbacks
For every 100 paperbacks bought on Amazon, the online store sells 115 Kindle ebooks.

Nokia Android phones looming?
Nokia CEO Stephen Elop hinted that Nokia should join a competitive “eco-system.” Could that mean Nokia may go Android?

PSP 2: All you need to know
“What?” You say. Yes. Sony officially announced the PSP 2 in the week. It’s currently known as the NGP. Yes, really. All you need to know about it, this way.

Intel signs Will.i.am as director of Creative Innovation
Polaroid signed pop singer Lady Gaga for pretty much the same role, so why not, eh? He, from the Black Eyed Peas is going to remix the Intel jingle too. Full story, this way.

Duke Nukem Forever trailer blasts out of nowhere
Well, not quite out of nowhere. We’d already seen it months ago when we got to play it! It’s now out in the open. Watch it. It’s ace.

Sky 3D: over 70k customers
Over 70k Sky TV subscribers have gone 3D. Are you one of them?

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Otherwise known as the PSP phone. Read on for everything you need to know about the phone/gaming handheld hybrid.