Get ’ em while they’re free

GAMES

Those who want to capture and preserve memories no longer need to lug around both a digital camera and camcorder in order to get the best of both worlds. Sony’s new Cyber-shot DSC-M2 is a slender hybrid model that incorporates a 5.1-megapixel still camera with 3x optical zoom and a camcorder ( with stereo microphone) that can shoot 70 minutes of MPEG-4 video on a Memory Stick Pro Duo card. A large 2.5-inch screen flips up and around to display what’s seen through the Carl Zeiss Vario- Tessar lens in real time, or can be used to showcase previously recorded images with its Pocket Album feature (including the ability to play still photos in a slideshow, set to music). The Cyber-shot DSC-M2 retails for $699 and is available at Sonystyle.ca. Asking a video gamer

if they’d take a free Xbox 360 ( and before it’s available in stores on Nov. 22) is like questioning whether Paris Hilton fancies attention. Pepsi and Doritos launched their Be First to Play contest last week, which gives away an Xbox 360 premium bundle ( valued at $499) every hour for close to six weeks. To be eligible for one of the 1,000 next-generation consoles, Canadians can visit Befirsttoplay.ca and type in a PIN found on labels and inside packages of specially marked Pepsi and Doritos products. Speaking of Xbox, Microsoft Game Studios last week announced that Academy Award-winning director Peter Jackson will be executive- producing the Halo feature film in 2007, based on the mega-popular action game series of the same name.

GEAR GADGETS

Imagine being able to watch your favourite

TV shows wherever you are in the world via any Windows XP-based computer. Even if you’re in Tokyo at a wireless café, you can open up your laptop and watch your local television listings in, say, Toronto. Introducing the Slingbox (Slingmedia.com; US$250), a small silver machine that “ placeshifts” the TV signal from any cable box, satellite receiver or personal video recorder to your desktop or laptop PC. Use your mouse on the remote computer to change channels and watch what you want. Keep in mind, however, you need to have your high-speed modem in the same room as your television connection or else you must pick up a wired or wireless network bridge. But hey, it works.