Inching ever closer to the tapeless, diskless society
G3: A GUIDE TO TECH CULTURE
GAMES
Launching a pre-emptive strike against Sony and Nintendo, Microsoft has announced that its next- generation video game console, Xbox 360 ( www. xbox. com/ ca), will be available on Canadian store shelves on Nov. 22. The sleek white machine, which features high- definition graphics and Surround Sound audio, comes in two flavours: The $399 Xbox 360 Core System includes the console, controller, removable faceplate and standard A/V cables, while the Xbox 360 Premium Edition ($ 499) throws in a 20GB hard drive, wireless controller, removable faceplate, headset microphone, component AV cables, media remote and one- year “ silver” membership to Xbox Live, Microsoft’s online network. Meanwhile, the hype is also mounting for PlayStation 3, due out in 2006, and Nintendo’s Revolution ( also due out next year), the latter of which will be controlled by a joystick that looks more like a DVD remote.
GADGETS
Computer-like hard drives
are now showing up in your TV and your cellphone so why not your camcorder? The JVC HDD Hard Drive Camcorder ( GZMG20; www.jvc.ca) doesn’t rely on tapes or mini DVDs to record video footage. Instead, the handheld unit uses an integrated 20GB hard drive that can store up to five hours of high-quality MPEG- 2 video or up to 25 hours in Econo mode. The 25x zoom camcorder also includes SD card slot for still pics ( only 1Megapixel resolution, though), USB 2.0 connection to transfer video to a PC ( Windows or Mac) and a 2.4-inch swivel LCD screen. Retails for $999.
GEAR
I’ve had a chance
to play around with the HP PhotoSmart 3310 ( www.hpshopping. the company’s latest “all in one” printer, scanner, copier and fax machine, due out in October. At $499 it’s on the steep side, but not only does it ship with two paper trays, Wi-Fi support for home networks, an adaptor for slides and negatives, multiple memory card slots and a USB port for memory sticks ( or PictBridge cameras), but it’s also the fastest photo printer on the market capable of producing a four-by-six glossy print in just 14 seconds ( or 32 pages per minute for text, 31 ppm for colour). More importantly, the Vivera 6-ink system creates lab-quality photos that can last up to 100 years on premium paper. Prints cost roughly 30¢ as a 150paper pack ( four-by-six) with ink cartridges retails for $44.99.