Michael is a posthumous album of unreleased tracks by Michael Jackson. Set to be released by Epic Records on December 14, 2010 in the United States, Michael features previously unreleased music. The first full track to be released by Sony Music is the song “Breaking News”, which was originally recorded in 2007 in New Jersey and completed after the singer’s death in 2009.
Ahead of the album’s release, lawyer Brian Oxman claiming to speak for Jackson’s father Joe said Jackson “would never have wanted his unfinished material to be released.” Will.i.am, who collaborated with Jackson for the album prior his death, also criticised the release, saying it was “disrespectful” to release the unfinished material because Jackson was not able to give it his blessing. Allegations by unnamed sources in the press, claim Katherine Jackson and Jackson’s two eldest children believe the vocals are not genuine, an allegation denied by Sony Music Entertainment. Jackson’s sister La Toya has said that the song “Breaking News” doesn’t sound like Michael.
Call of Duty: Black Ops is a FPS video game developed by Treyarch, published by Activision and due for release on November 9, 2010. The game is the seventh installment of the Call of Duty series and the third game in the series to be developed by Treyarch. It is a sequel to the developer’s previous title in the series, Call of Duty: World at War.
Call of Duty: Black Ops takes place during the Cold War. The player mainly controls two characters: Special Forces operative Alex Mason and CIA agent Jason Hudson, both members of the Studies and Observations Group, a clandestine black operations unit tasked with carrying out critical missions behind enemy lines.
The single-player campaign will revolve around an experimental Soviet chemical weapon code-named “Nova-6,” whilst trailers have shown Mason being interrogated by an unseen tormentor. The game will include locations such as the Ural Mountains in central Russia, Cuba, Laos, and Vietnam. Black Ops also allows the player to enjoy the experience of piloting a Hind helicopter and guiding friendly troops from an SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft in single player mode.
Viktor Reznov, a key character from the Soviet campaign in World at War has been confirmed to return for Black Ops, joining Mason and the Studies and Observations Group in Vietnam.
The game features a star-studded voice cast, with notable actors such as Gary Oldman (Reznov), Sam Worthington (Alex Mason), Ed Harris (Jason Hudson), Ice Cube (Corporal Bowman), Emmanuelle Chriqui (unnamed character), Topher Grace (Special Agent Harris), and several others lending their voice.
The online multiplayer mode of Black Ops retains the experience points and unlockable reward system that has been kept since Call of Duty 4. The game’s multiplayer focuses on socialization and customization.
Here is an unbelievable one hour long overview of Black Ops multiplayer mode, courtesy of Gamespot:
“Create-a-Class 2.0″ will allow enhanced personalization with appearance items as well as upgradable perks: weapons will be extensively customizable with clan tag writing, emblems, attachments and camouflage painting. Even reticles can be modified. There will be more than one style for an attachment, which allows for a lot more personalized weaponry; for example, the player can choose between a Red Dot Sight or a Reflex Sight, both of which share the same traits only visually look different. Character models will depend on the first tier perk instead of the weapon’s type. Furthermore, face paints can be unlocked.
A currency system has been implemented allowing players to buy weapons, accessories and clothes. Players can gamble with their “COD Points” in a free-for-all based playlist called “Wager Match”, which is composed of four game modes. Time limited objectives known as “Contracts” can be purchased to gain more currency and experience points. New custom killstreak rewards include RC explosive cars, guided missiles and controllable attack helicopters.
For the first time in the series, clips from online gameplay can be recorded. Players will be able to play alone or with friends against AI opponents in “Combat Training” with a separate progression system.
Online split screen (which was featured in Call of Duty 3) is re-introduced on Xbox 360 and PS3. The guest account can rank up but will be reset after each sign out.
The zombie mode of World at War will return as a four-player online and two-player split screen co-op mode in which players take the roles of John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Robert McNamara, and Fidel Castro as they fight zombies at the Pentagon. Limited editions of the game will offer four zombies maps from World at War.
Are you going to buy Call of Duty: Black Ops? Let us know in the comments!
Sony Optiarc America has revealed its next-generation half-height internal Blu-ray Disc (BD) rewritable drive (BWU-500S/BD-5300S) for after market computer enthusiasts. The specs are pretty impressive with the ability to write single BD-R media at up to 12X and dual layer BD-R media at up to 8X speeds, recording a full 25GB disc in about 10 minutes. The 12X recording speed can be used with 6X compatible BD-R media.
The new drives can record up to 50GB of data for random access storage and backup on BD-R (write once) or BD-RE (rewritable) discs, or up to 220 minutes of high-definition 24M bps MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video on a BD-R/RE 50GB disc. The drives also record standard 4.7GB DVD+/-R discs at up to 16X speeds, 8.5 GB DVD+/-R Double/Dual layer at up to 8X, DVD+RW at up to 8X, DVD-RW at up to 6X, CD-R at up to 48X, CD-RW at up to 24X, and support DVD-RAM recording at up to 12X speeds.
The internal drives feature a Serial ATA (SATA) interface and standard 5.25-inch form-factor for easy installation inside a desktop PC. They also incorporate intelligent monitoring for consistent recording, and adjusting read-speed technology which enhances smooth playback.
The BWU-500S retail branded model comes with CyberLink’s Media Suite 8 software for capturing, authoring, editing, backing up, viewing high-definition personal content and playing back Blu-ray Disc movies including 3D Blu-ray movies. Also included in the retail box is one 25GB Sony BD-R blank disc.
Interestingly enough I found both versions (retail, OEM) of the drive on Google Shopping. The BWU-500S was $167, and the BD-5300S was $139 at the time of this writing.
PlayStation Move is a motion-sensing game controller platform for the PlayStation 3 (PS3). Based on a handheld motion controller wand, PlayStation Move uses the PlayStation Eye camera to track the wand’s position, and inertial sensors in the wand to detect its motion. Hardware available at launch includes the main PlayStation Move motion controller, a supplementary PlayStation Move navigation controller, and an optional PlayStation Move charging station and other form-fitting accessories. The PlayStation Move competes with the Wii Remote (with MotionPlus) and Kinect (the system formerly known as Project Natal) motion control systems for the Wii and Xbox 360 home consoles, respectively.
Although PlayStation Move is implemented on the existing PlayStation 3 console, Sony states that it is treating Move’s debut as its own major “platform launch,” planning an aggressive marketing campaign to support it. On the boxart of PlayStation Move games, underneath the PlayStation 3 logo banner, a blue bar with white letters indicates when a game supports the PlayStation Move. When a game can only be played with the PlayStation Move, it will say “PlayStation Move Required”. When a game supports traditional DualShock 3 controls and PlayStation Move controls it will say “PlayStation Move Features” (or “PlayStation Move Compatible”).
One of the biggest questions about the PlayStation Move is what games are out there for it? There are actually quite a few games already available and more are on the way. Alongside Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios and its second-party partners, a total of 36 third-party game development companies have confirmed that they will support the PlayStation Move. We have spruced up a great list found on Wikipedia have embedded it in this blog entry for easy reference:
Sony Music just announced the greatly anticipated album of newly completed recordings from Michael Jackson, MICHAEL, will be released on December 14th. The album is being released by Epic Records in association with the Estate of Michael Jackson. Tomorrow, October 5th, an exclusive teaser for the project will appear on Michael’s official website; on Monday, November 8th the world premiere of “Breaking News,” a full track from the album recorded in 2007, will stream on the site for one week only.
The King of Pop recorded numerous songs in the years leading up to his death, including with a friend in New Jersey and studios in Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
There has been great controversy regarding the legitimacy of several songs in the album, with TMZ reporting a rather scathing story about the matter called “Michael Jackson’s Kids: It’s Not Daddy’s Voice!“:
Sources tell us Paris and Prince now believe some of the songs on the album are fakes — not Michael’s voice. Sony, we’re told, is convinced all of the songs are the real deal. Howard Weitzman, lawyer for the estate, tells TMZ he had experts listen to the tracks and all of the experts concluded it’s Michael’s voice on all the tracks.
Other Jackson family members also believe some of the tracks are phony. There is a stalemate, although at this point no one is talking lawsuit.
Fans can pre-order the album MICHAEL on the offical website, with some interesting packages such as a MICHAEL CD + Exclusive T-Shirt Package for $24.98, a regular MICHAEL CD at only $12.99, or MICHAEL in downloadable MP3 format for $10.99.
Hulu Plus (which just exited private beta and went public today) is progressively becoming available for many Sony devices that have the BRAVIA Internet Video platform. The popular video website is making a rapid expansion onto hardware to follow suit with Netflix, who has profited greatly from device integration. Sony is bringing the $9.99 a month streaming Hulu Plus TV subscription service to all of its 2010 networked Blu-ray Disc players, Blu-ray Home Theater Systems, SNP-N100 Network Media Player and the Dash.
Next week, Hulu Plus will also be available for all PlayStation 3′s, giving more than forty million gamers the opportunity to try out legalized streaming TV on their PS3. The combination of Netflix and Hulu Plus, at 9.99 each, could be the $20 bill that can could one day kill cable/satellite. Sony is also touting the fact that the PS3 will have Hulu Plus before the XBOX360, which is not slated to have the service until early next year.
Will Hulu Plus take off? It’s hard to tell – the content is great, relevant, and high quality, but even the paid $9.99 service still has advertisements.
Regardless, Sony is pulling out all the stops by piling on dozens of content providers into their machines. I feel that Sony has stepped up their game in the last year with IPTV, recognizing the value proposition, and taking a lead in some instances. It’s pretty amazing that Hulu Plus, Qriocity (Video/Music), and Bravia Internet Video are coming to PS3′s very soon, which gives the PS3 access to all of that great content, but also Netflix, the PlayStation Video store, etc.
We’ve pinged one of our contacts with specifics as to when and what Sony devices are getting Hulu Plus. Here’s what he said is compatible so far:
Any TV compatible with the old BIVL (BRAVIA Internet Video Link) box and all of our 2010 connected BRAVIA models including –
Sony Japan is releasing a new pink variant of its well-favored Alpha NEX-3 camera in several weeks. The pink version of the camera is now available in the USA (added 11/11) and will be sold in Japan on November 19th along with a slew of accessories we show off below.
The NEX-3 is a fascinating device, one of Sony’s first APS-C interchangable lens compact digital cameras and offers several interesting features. Notable features include 14.2 megapixel sensor, 7fps shooting, HD movies at 720p/30p, 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto HDR, Live View, Tiltable LCD, and a brand new interface different than any of their other cameras.
You really have to try a Sony NEX camera if you haven’t before, as it offers an interesting glimpse into the future of Sony camera technology.
The camera itself is very small and thin, and its amusing to see a large lens attached to it. Despite the appearance of a point-and-shoot, the NEX series gives the owner the ability to use many lenses (E-Mount, but LA-EA1 A-Mount converter is available).
Currently Sony sells White, Black and Red versions of this camera in the USA. It will be interesting to see if the Pink version makes its way around the world. I’m sure the ladies and dandies out there will love it.
Here is a little glimpse at the pink accessories Sony Japan has cooked up that are coming in conjunction with the release of the Pink NEX-3, many of which will work just fine with the NEX-5:
One of the most eye-catching new pink accessories for the NEX is the LCS-EML2A lens cover for E18-55mm F3.5-5.6 OSS. Sony really has gone all out this year with camera accessories, which doesn’t surprise me as I bet they see continued growth the more they experiment.
Then there’s the more general pink case package (LCM-EMA) for the NEX series, which comes with a soft felt pink pouch for lens, pink wrist strap, and hard pink case for the camera.
There’s also an all-encompassing pink accessory package (ACC-FWGA) which has many items, including a spare battery (NP-FW50), Screen Protector (PCK-LS1EM), pink wrapping/protective cloth (LCS-WR2AM), pink wrist strap..and what appears to be a smaller carrying case.
You can’t go on without a pink wrapping/cleaning cloth (LCS-WR2AM) for the NEX, which protects your camera by preventing scratches and so forth.
Can’t forget about the pink leather hard case (LCS-EMB2A) for the NEX-3, which provides great protection for the camera in style. Here’s what a NEX-3 looks like with this case on.
Sony Japan is also offering a dashing pink shoulder strap (STP-XH1) for the NEX series.
Sony Ericsson has finally released the long-awaited Android 2.1 (Eclair) update for the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 family (including the X10 Mini and Mini Pro). Even though we are on the precipice of Android 3.0 (aka Gingerbread) coming out, and the current Android version is 2.2 (Froyo), it is still a welcome addition.
XPERIA X10 phones run on a custom version of Android 1.6, and the company has been heavily criticized for not keeping up with competitors who have beat them in providing the latest firmware to users. When choosing an Android phone, one of the most important features aside from hardware is its upgrade path, and Sony Ericsson has been slow to respond. Some are also curious as to if the device will ever offically receive firmware above Android 2.1 in the future.
Unfortunately, the update isn’t officially available everywhere yet, but will be available over the next few days and weeks. If you own one of these devices you’ll simply see an update available in your upper status bar. There is also PC software you can use, called PC Companion (by Sony Ericsson), that helps with the backup and update process. However, if you are adventurous the trustworthy chaps at XDA Developers have figured out how to immediately update the XPERIA X10 family to 2.1 very easily!
If you are more patient and would rather wait for the official roll out in your country, Rikard Skogberg of SE’s Product Launch Blog states, “the update it is now out for the first kits, Nordics since yesterday and I’ve also seen that the generic trade kits for Russia, Singapore, Indonesia and many African countries should be up now since earlier today.” He also surprisingly confirmed that the update will not enable “Multi Touch, 16M colors, and Arabic language support”.
Skogberg continues by mentioning the “upgrade will be done in a phased roll-out which means that different “kits” gets the update at different times. This to secure quality in all networks and countries. So don’t get paranoid if your phone isn’t updated in the very first days – it will come!”
Let us know in the comments when you get the update in your country.
Here is the list of changes that Android 2.1 brings for each phone. I have video by Sony Ericsson above each list to help explain the upgrade.
Xperia X10:
• HD video recording with continuous auto-focus for high quality videos
• Upgrade of the Android platform to Android 2.1
• New back up and restore application, with extended content back up
• 5 homescreens for apps, widgets, shortcuts and folders
• Social phonebook which automatically syncs contact pictures from Facebook and shows when your friends are online
Xperia X10 mini and X10 mini pro:
• Improved Bluetooth functionality with support for sending and receiving pictures, contacts and more
• New backup and restore application with extended content back up
• Automatic synchronization of your contact pictures between Facebook and your phone book
• Improved ways of handling pictures, audio, text and numbers in your messages
• Upgrade of the Android platform to Android platform 2.1
In most markets, your phone will automatically let you know
Sony fans and followers, if you like to follow closely and see what Sony has in store, you are in luck. I just came across a new Sony video blog called SGNL Sony or in another words Signal by Sony. The video content is pretty much a close up look at Sony’s latest gadgets, games, music and movies.
The site currently features three video episodes discussing in detail Sony’s NEX-5 DSLR camera, they even take it for a spin with a local pro photographer. Other videos worth checking out are Sony’s Netbox SMP-S100 and the gaming PC headset we have covered before.
I thought the videos were very professionally mastered and can relate to the viewers on many levels. The hosts Melody Akhtari and Anthony Carboni are pretty entertaining too. There was no heavy marketing push either and comparison to other non-Sony products is a huge plus.
Looks like Sony is continuing to head in the right direction connecting with its fan base in many different ways via social networking, running blogs, etc. All they need to do is get some real support for their Forums, get some Sony tech reps behind the scenes there and things will get even better.
Sony Develops “SmartAR” Integrated Augmented Reality Technology
Sony Memory Stick Gets a Speed Boost of Up to 50 MB/sec
Sony Bravia HX929 Firmware Available, New Features Abound
Sir Howard Stringer Addresses PSN/Qriocity Customers
PSP®go Phase Out
Music Unlimited Service Coming to Your PSP
