We always loved us that Voodoo-designed HP Blackbird 002, but it was certainly a behemoth. Now it looks like the duo are going for a more realistic size — and hopefully pricepoint — with the all-new HP Firebird PC 803 that just fell in our lap, a gaming tower which flips the disc drive and most other components on their sides to save on space. The resulting kit seems to have more in common with gaming consoles than desktop PCs in terms of design, with very little configurability or expansion available, but the leaked specs are still quite palatable to the modern PC gamer:

* NVIDIA nForce 760i SLI chipset
* Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83GHz processor
* 4GB of RAM
* Dual NVIDIA GeForce 9800S cards
* Two 320GB SATA drives
* Blu-ray
* 5-in-1 card reader
* 6 USB, 1 FireWire, 2 eSATA, 1 S/PDIF and 1 DVI dual-link
* Bluetooth
* 802.11n WiFi

To save on space (and heat), the Firebird actually uses an external power supply, but we suppose the included wireless keyboard and mouse should help to make up for that clutter. As you’ve probably gleaned from the specs, those small form factor 9800S cards aren’t going to be putting away the frame rates quite like the cutting edge cards from NVIDIA and AMD, and the seeming lack of expandability makes the (theoretical) up-front cost savings seem a bit less exciting, but for a certain type of gamer the Firebird could be a welcome respite from monstrous, unrealistic and just-as-quickly-outmoded performance towers.

P.S.: Rahul’s dubious rant about the boutique gaming industry — which Voodoo still serves — makes a lot more sense in this light. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Mad Catz has introduced a new pair of joysticks for Sony’s PlayStation 3: the Street Fighter IV FightStick Tournament Edition and the Street Fighter IV FightStick.
There is a special edition, Street Fighter IV FightStick Tournament Edition that is available in very limited quantities. Other than Street Fighters, the FightSticks are also compatible with most PS3 fighting games.

They will be released on February 20, 2009 for $69.99.

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Seriously, how many spare Xbox 360s does Benjamin Heckendorn have laying around? By our count, this is the third instance where the modder extraordinaire has shoved Microsoft’s latest console into something that’s theoretically playable on one’s lap, and obviously, this one is the best one evar. Dubbed the Xbox 360 Portable, the unit is said to weigh almost as much as his sister’s cat, and it differs from most other on-the-go 360s by featuring a removable standard Xbox 360 hard drive, two accessible memory card slots, no keyboard (use the chatpad!), an internal WiFi module and beveled edges for extra safety.

We’d ask what crazy mod he’s planning with all the free time coming up over the holiday break, but honestly, we’d prefer to be surprised.

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Microsoft have confirmed that the Xbox 360 Arcade consoles will from now on be shipping with 256MB of memory fitted internally. In a statement made to Xbox 360 Fanboy, an unnamed Microsoft spokesperson described the move as part of “constantly updating” the console’s hardware, confirming that the new internal storage is the same size as the external memory cards that were previously supplied.

“We are constantly updating the console’s more than 1700 internal components. We can confirm that we are moving to internal memory for the Xbox 360 Arcade. The physical internal memory is the same size as the previous external memory units - 256MB” Microsoft spokesperson

The new memory was first spotted as part of the Jasper 65nm update. Xbox 360 Arcade consoles previously came with only 16MB inside the box, relying instead on a removable memory card; however the New Xbox Experience now requires more storage to load, and it seems this switch is in part an attempt to reduce errors where users lose their memory card or remove it an an untimely moment.

Of course, on the flip-side it means that new Xbox 360 Arcade buyers will not be able to take their saved games and downloaded content elsewhere, at least not as standard. The memory card is still available as an aftermarket accessory.

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The Psyclone TouchCharge is wireless in the same way that track lighting is wireless–which is to say that it really isn’t. The contact-based charging device is available for Xbox ($69.99), Wii ($59.99), and PS3 ($49.99) controllers, with attachments for the BlackBerry Curve and Pearl, and Motorola RAZR V3 offered as well for an additional $34.99 each.

With attachments for charging two controllers, the TouchCharge cuts cable clutter in half, requiring only one AC adapter in place of two USB charging cables for a PlayStation 3. The PS3 version is compatible with the built-in rechargeable batteries included with each controller, though Xbox and Wii users will have to shell out some extra cash for rechargeable batteries (included in the elevated price of respective TouchCharge units).

To receive power from the TouchCharge, controllers and cell phones can be in contact with any section of the charging pad, so with some fancy maneuvering, you could in theory charge more than two devices simultaneously.

Starting at $49.99, the TouchCharge is not a huge investment, but until it can charge my devices completely wirelessly without the need for attachments, I’m going to stick to the included power cables. Psyclone TouchCharge models for gaming controllers are available at Best Buy, while cell phone charging pads and attachments can be purchased through WildCharge.

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Sony have released a new software update for the PS3. Version 2.53’s headline features are support for full-screen Flash video content, increased flexibility in controller power save settings, and “playback quality of some PLAYSTATION3 format software has been improved”. The Playstation Network account creation screens have also been reworked.

ps3_update_252

Other changes include “chroma upsampling” being added to DB and DVD playback - which apparently enhances picture quality “based on the movement of objects within the video” - and the introduction of scene search. Network printers are also supported.

Users

* You now have an option to set the PS3 system to turn off automatically after a background download or installation of content has completed. This option is available when you turn off the system under [Users] > [Turn Off System] while content is being downloaded or installed.

Settings

* [BD/DVD Settings] has been renamed to [Video Settings].
* [Under [Video Settings], the [Cinema Conversion] option has been renamed to [BD/DVD Cinema Conversion] and the [Upscale] option has been renamed to [BD/DVD Upscaler].
* [ [Sequential Playback] has been added as an option under [Video Settings].
* [ [DivX VOD Registration Code] has been added under [System Settings]. You must use this registration code to authenticate and register the PS3 system to be able to play video files that are compatible with the DivX VOD (Video On Demand) service on your system. For details, visit the DivX website.
* [ [Power Save Settings] has been added as an option under [Settings]. To save power, the PS3 system and wireless controllers can be set to turn off automatically after a certain period of inactivity.
* [Under [Accessory Settings] > [Audio Device Settings], the method for reconnecting Bluetooth devices has been changed.
* [Under [Accessory Settings] > [Keyboard Type], you can now choose the following keyboard types: [German Keyboard (Switzerland)], [French Keyboard (Canada)] and [French Keyboard (Switzerland)].
* [Under [Printer Settings] > [Printer Selection], you can now select printers that support network connectivity. You can also select HP printers using the [HP] option.

Music

* [You can now select one of nine volume output levels using the [Volume Control] setting on the control panel (or the mini-size control panel).
* [Pause] has been added as an icon on the mini-size control panel.

Video

* [You can now select one of nine volume output levels using the [Volume Control] setting on the control panel.
* [ [Scene Search] has been added as an option on the control panel.
* [You can now use the [Mosquito Noise Reduction] setting for video content that is saved on the hard disk or storage media. Use this setting to reduce mosquito noise that appears on the edges of visual images.
* [During BD (BDAV) and DVD playback, a technique known as "chroma upsampling" is now automatically selected based on the movement of objects within the video content and then applied to enhance images in the content.

Game

* [New for 2.52: The playback quality of some PLAYSTATION3 format software has been improved.
* [New for 2.52: A text entry issue that occurs when using the on-screen keyboard, USB keyboard or Bluetooth keyboard with some PLAYSTATION3 format software has been addressed.
* [ [Sync with Server] has been added as an option under [Trophy Collection].
* [By pressing the PS button while playing PLAYSTATION3 format software, you can now view information from the [Settings and Connection Status List] option under [Network Settings].*
* This feature is not available for use with some PLAYSTATION3 format software.

Network

* [New for 2.53: The Internet browser now supports full-screen mode for Adobe Flash Player content.*
* [Support for Adobe Flash Player 9 has been added to [Internet Browser].*

PlayStationNetwork

* [The way to disable the automatic sign-in option and the way to sign out from PlayStationNetwork have been changed.
* [In PlayStationStore, the design of the [View Downloads] and [View Cart] buttons has been changed, and a [Redeem Codes] button has been added.

Friends

* [You can now view information about the most recent sign-in for Friends who are on your Friends list.*
* If you do not set the correct date and time in the [Date and Time] settings under [Settings] > [Date and Time Settings], this information may not be displayed.

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Nyko presents the Charge Station Quad that is a charging dock that can charge up to four Nintendo Wii Remotes (Wiimotes). Nyko’s Charge Station Quad comes with 4 NiMH batteries designed for Wii Remotes.

Features:

• Charge 4 Wii remotes simultaneously
• Includes 4 rechargeable NiMH battery packs
• LED Charge Indicator lights
• Quad port rapid recharging dock
• 6 foot power cable
• Rubberized battery covers for superior gaming performance

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This is XCM’s Hyper Gear lite case that not only serves as a new case for you Nintendo DS but also offers overclocking options. The Hyper Gear gives a new look to your DS at the same time allows you to overclokc the DS to at 1.4x high speed and 1.7x highest speed.
[xcm]
Sourse

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Microsoft presents the new XBox 360 Red Wireless Controller for the holiday season and it comes bundled with a Play & Charge Kit and red rechargeable battery for $64.99 which provides up to 25 hours of play on a single charge.
This product is the newest addition to Microsoft’s line of Xbox Authentic Products and further reinforces Microsoft’s commitment to enhancing the way people experience games and entertainment.
[XBox]

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