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It's sounding like the only "megatons" at Microsoft's CES 2009 keynote will be the volume of hors d'oeuvres served beforehand. According to TechCruch, the company will focus primarily on Windows 7, mobile devices and home networking, while Xbox 360 will barely get a mention.

It's sounding like the only "megatons" at Microsoft's CES 2009 keynote will be the volume of hors d'oeuvres served beforehand. According to TechCruch, the company will focus primarily on Windows 7, mobile devices and home networking, while Xbox 360 will barely get a mention.

What would the ultimate full-size laptop need to include to convince you to ditch your desktop for good? Our dual-screen laptop concept merges some of the best tech from Apple, HP, Intel, Lenovo, Toshiba, and others, along with some old-fashioned "if only" whimsy.

What would the ultimate full-size laptop need to include to convince you to ditch your desktop for good? Our dual-screen laptop concept merges some of the best tech from Apple, HP, Intel, Lenovo, Toshiba, and others, along with some old-fashioned "if only" whimsy.

The biggest news at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last January was not the birth of a new product but the death of one.

A decision by Warner Brothers to withdraw support for the HD DVD video disc format sent shock waves through the electronics industry and appeared to hand the future of home entertainment to Blu-ray, a rival format.

The move set the stage for this year's Consumer Electronics Show, which starts Wednesday under the dark cloud of a recession and a sharp downturn in consumer spending. Nearly two million square feet of convention hall will be stocked with the latest mobile phones, portable music players, digital cameras and expensive flat-screen televisions.

But many eyes will be on Blu-ray, which for the first time has the floor largely to itself as the heir apparent to the DVD.

While NCSoft remains mostly silent about the upcoming patent "war", they have stated that they will defend themselves vigorously against the patent "troll".

Hoping to capitalize on the success of Nintendo's motion controlled Wii system, PC manufacturer Lenovo plans to release the "IdeaCentre A600?–an all-in-one PC that comes packaged with a motion-based gaming controller.

Hoping to capitalize on the success of Nintendo's motion controlled Wii system, PC manufacturer Lenovo plans to release the "IdeaCentre A600?–an all-in-one PC that comes packaged with a motion-based gaming controller.

Format War Central writes: "With just a few days to go before the one year anniversary of Warner's shocking decision, we figure it would be a good time to highlight why those still holding onto HD DVD.."

Ravi Sinha writes: "The SixAxis controls on the PS3 were brought back into focus for me while discussing Mirror's Edge with another gamer, and anyone who's tried to actually play a level using that god-forsaken system, knows what an exercise in self-debasement that is. It only complicated things and the question was asked: If you're going to include a control scheme that (a) Is not the least bit of fun to use, or (b) Will doubtlessly be toggled off in favour of a better one, why include it at all? Why not focus on making the game itself better, maybe some more exclusive content or some extra sheen?

"There are 'bashings' and then there are hard truths. If Sony wants to succeed, it should take half-baked efforts like the SixAxis to task."

Reporting its happiest Christmas yet, with console sales almost double last year's.

Press Release:

Xbox today revealed sales data showing Christmas 2008 was the biggest sales period ever in the brand's six-year European history, with sales of Xbox 360 almost double those of Christmas 2007[1].

Eight million Xbox 360 consoles have been sold in Europe, the Middle East and Africa up to the end of 2008, widening its lead over PlayStation 3 in the region to more than one million and setting the scene for further growth in 2009.

For the second year running, the Xbox 360 is the king of consoles. Barely edging out the impressive PS3, the swanky new dash and the amazing exclusives like Gears of War 2 and Fable 2 put Microsoft over the top. The Wii's casual focus didn't garner it any votes this year.

For the second year running, the Xbox 360 is the king of consoles. Barely edging out the impressive PS3, the swanky new dash and the amazing exclusives like Gears of War 2 and Fable 2 put Microsoft over the top. The Wii's casual focus didn't garner it any votes this year.

For the second year running, the Xbox 360 is the king of consoles. Barely edging out the impressive PS3, the swanky new dash and the amazing exclusives like Gears of War 2 and Fable 2 put Microsoft over the top. The Wii's casual focus didn't garner it any votes this year.

Couldn't get enough of Mirror's Edge for the 360 and PS3? Little Effie still has our heart-strings all tied up (maybe that explains why she was always on the run) and Electronic Arts knows it. Borne Games has collaborated with EA DICE and released a one-level beta of Mirror's Edge 2D.
It's pretty much what you'd imagine: You control Faith from a 2D side-scrolling perspective, using the arrow keys to perform wall-walks and slides with the S key used for jumping. Despite the short length, the character animation and details are top-notch, and the controls are easy to get a grip on after some practice. That's one definite improvement over the console version.
Mirror's Edge 2D is still in it's infant stages but it's easily comparable to the addictive Portal flash game. We look forward to more details…and of course, more time with Faith. After playing the beta, feel free to leave your feedback at Borne Games' site.

Eight million units sold by end of 2008, as Xmas sales almost double 2007

CVG Write: Company prepares to take legal action.

Big name companies including Microsoft and EMI are preparing legal action against Woolworths' administrators in a bid to reclaim millions of pounds of stock.

Woolworths' distribution arm, Entertainment UK (EUK), still has tens of millions of pounds worth of games, CDs and DVDs in its warehouses, despite the fact that the last operating Woolies stores are due to shut tomorrow.

Reduced price on all tickets to be withdrawn on January 9, for the event set to take place at GDC in San Francisco

PSU Writes:

To this day, it is still unknown whether or not the Helgan attack dogs from Killzone: Liberation will make a comeback in Killzone 2. However, we can reveal that one organic players will be facing off against is the giant spider.

UK publisher pulls out of internal development