Though Playstation’s Slim PS3 has not yet been released, it’s already being discussed and available for preorder on Amazon.com for $299.99!

The PS3 has been suffering here and there with sales. It’s running in third place, trailing behind the Nintendo Wii and the XBOX 360. Sony is hoping that the PS3 Slim will inspire the same excitement as the PS2 did when they released the smaller version of it.

The Slim is more affordable than the normal-sized PS3, and not to mention easier to shimmy into smaller places with entertainment centers. Like its father-system, it has a Blu-ray player, and comes packed with a 120GB hard drive. It has built-in Wi-Fi and a web browser for those who want to browser the internet on their system.

Like the newer releases of the larger PS3, it is unable to play PS2 games, which is part of Sony’s downfall with this system. This could very well have something to do with it running in third place. Backwards compatibility is important with these new systems since they first introduced the concept. It has come to be expected and is disappointing when it is not available. This may or may not continue to keep people away. You can still get the PS2 compact version for $99 if you’re interested in it.

No matter what, this system seems to be a better buy than the currently available PS3. You can save some space with this guy, either laying it down horizontally, or standing it up on its side with the purchase of a stand. Either way you look at it, it’s still one sleek machine.

Cnet Reviews

If you’re a PC gamer, you’ve likely wished that you had a controller as versatile as the Nintendo Wii. Look no further, the developers at Cywee (sigh-wee) have created just that!

Check out this video from WebProNews at the CES 2009:

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Cywee Z is a versatile 3-D motion sensor game controller that can be adjusted to accommodate several styles of games. According to the Cywee blog, you can use it in 4 different ways.

• Stick position: for tennis and golf type games.
• Gun position: for shooter and combat games.
• “Inverted” Z, Rotated position: for use as a steering wheel, or a slightly different angle for aviation games.

It seems that no matter the style of your game, this controller will be able to deliver.

The Cywee Z is not just for gamers! It can be used as a mouse as well. You can move away from your desk and the confines of traditional mouse-use to relax. How wonderful to not have to sit in a desk chair! Of course you’ll need a larger monitor for this functionality to be useful at a distance. No sense in stepping back from your monitor if you can’t see it anymore. You’ll also need some place comfortable to sit that is strategically placed in view of your computer.

So, you can be comfortable and use it, and move around and use it, but what about cost? Well, if you don’t have a large monitor then you’re going to have to get one if you want to move away from your screen. This doesn’t sound like a big deal for the more intense technology buffs/gamers/computer users, unless of course you’re strapped for cash. Most people are struggling with money nowadays, given the state of the economy. Even though prices have dropped, large monitors or televisions with monitor capabilities are still not cheap. In fact, the Z itself is not cheap either. At about $120 (NT$3990), it is likely one of the most expensive controllers you’ll buy. Although, if you’re willing to spend a chunk of money on a new game, or drop a couple grand on a superb monitor/television, then what’s another 120 bucks? That’s a drop in the bucket if these electronics are important to you.

As fun as this controller would be to have, the current financial state of everyone really hinders excess purchasing. It’s really hard to say how well the Z will do. Although, since it’s not just for use with one game or system, perhaps people will decide that it is worth buying. As long as the Z is as fluid and easy to use as it looks, I’m sure it will get a lot of hype, and become quite the popular little PC controller.

Good luck to you, Cywee Z!

Trying to capitalize on the current buzz around the HTC/T-Mobile Android G1, a wholalotlot fake Android G2 phones are popping everywhere. Some of them even come with fake screens that include Mac OS X widgets.

Most probably, these cellphones are real Android-based terminals, but they are certainly not the droids you were looking for, even while some say “HTC” on top. But then again, maybe the alleged spy shots we published the other day are not the real deal (although the styling on that G2 is in line with the current G1). [Phandroid]

source pc.qj.net

An MP3 player purchased for $14.50 (brown Zune?) at an Oklahoma second-hand store had an extra surprise inside—60 files containing Iraq- and Afghanistan-deployed soldiers’ personal info, a mission briefing and base equipment manifests. Score!

Chris Ogle, who hails from the Kiwi town Whangerei, says the device (sadly unspecified) never worked as an MP3 player, and when he plugged it in to diagnose why, said military files were found. Included in the dump are large lists of deployed soldiers with their SSNs, cellphone numbers and health info, as well as lists of equipment deployed to various bases and mission details.

Chris says he will return his new found treasure to the DOD if they so request, and in the mean time, is honing his skills at providing soundbytes in rhymed verse:

“The more I look at it, the more I see and the less I think I should be!” he says.

[TVNZ via /.]

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Google Maps’ satellite imagery has shown us clear shots of the White House, the Capitol and even the Pentagon. But one thing it never displayed properly was Dick Cheney’s house.

The Vice President’s quarters, located at the Naval Observatory since 1974, have been pixelated ever since Google has given the public an easy way to check them out—coincidentally ever since Dick Cheney has lived there. This censorship wasn’t by Google but those supplying Google the source images, the U.S. Geological Survey.

Now on the same week of Biden’s arrival, we’re suddenly allowed to see the VP’s house as clearly as the President’s. Who knows the exact reason for Cheney’s extra security…maybe he’d been nervous about the public catching wind of his Mini Cheney clone farm, or maybe he’s just prone to gardening in his shorts despite being self-conscious about his varicose veins. [Valleywag]

source pc.qj.net

We’ve seen plenty of pics of the plane that landed in the Hudson, but none quite like these, which were taken by the crane operator who lifted the downed craft from the chilly waters.

Thanks to Travis Cole for the pics and to the crane operator for taking them!

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If you didn’t catch this month’s delightfully ad-light issue of Wired, check out their profile of “the Dark Lord of broadbrand,” Comcast CEO Brian Roberts. His calm demeanor reminds me of Palpatine, the Chancellor. [Wired]

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Nobody asked for it, but it’s coming anyways: 3D porn. Yes, Hong Kong filmmakers are hard at work on the first 3D adult film, shooting with a budget of $4 million.

The movie, which will be in Chinese, is called “3D Sex and Zen” and begins shooting in April.

Just imagine that you’ll be watching it as if you were sitting beside the bed. There will be many close-ups. It will look as if the actresses are only a few centimetres from the audience.

And if lots of close-ups didn’t sell you, get this: only 25% to 30% of the movie will be sex scenes. This sounds like a terrible porn. But hey, 3D guys! You’ll get to watch it with headache-inducing glasses! The future! [LiveNews via The Daily What]

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Warning: If you are bald, there’s a good chance that you will receive the Male Pattern Baldness Mousepad as some lame office joke. And if that happens, here’s what you do:

Smile graciously and say “thanks.” Immediately set up the mousepad on your desk, finish your work day and leave.

On your way home, pick up one of those hats with the dreadlocks coming out of the back. Wear said toupe/hat to work the next day, sit down at your desk and go about your business.

Now if any jerk so much as cracks a smile, tear up immediately. Then return to your spreadsheets with the knowledge that you have made the coming months a guilty, miserable hell for all of those around you with full heads of hair. Plus you can finally wear a Rasta hat without anyone laughing. [hoopla via Nerd Approved]

source pc.qj.net

This new Funny or Die video, featuring Paul Scheer, takes a good hard look at the unforseen crappy things that can happen when you try to travel through time. Spoiler: hilarity ensues.

[Funny or Die]

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