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5 Of The Best Gaming Chairs From Wired Magazine

Posted on 11. Aug, 2010 by Matt.

If you’re a regular Call of Duty multiplayer or have a serious addiction to Toy Story 3 on the PS3 then you’ll probably have come across the phenomenon known as “don’t know quite where to sit while I’m playing” syndrome. Sitting in the sofa attracts an all too relaxed posture for serious gaming and the arm of the chair tends to get in the way. Gaming chairs aren’t necessarily cheap but they are perfect for the plight of the living room gamer and Wired magazine has a list of 5 of the best.

The GamePod is the stand out pick of the bunch and is actually a lot more than a simple rocking game chair. It is quite literally an entire pod that offers everything from a chair to a handy little space for your monitor. In actual fact, it’s designed very specifically for the racing gamer. The seat is an FIA approved bucket seat and it offers room for a screen or monitor and your favourite console. It isn’t cheap at just under GBP500 though.

Of cousre, if budget is no option and you want something more than a comfortable place to play games then the La-Z-Boy Cool Chair is the ultimate in seating. Having produced various incarnations of this leather armchair, La-Z-Boy have got it just about perfect. It has a fridge for drinks, compartments for TV and other remotes and a 6 point massager to keep you limber for those heads up encounters. GBP1,400 will buy you one of these beauties.

Have you got a gaming chair?

Would you justify spending GBP1,400 on a chair to play your Xbox 360?

Wired Magazine

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Virgin Media Adding Comedy Central HD Channel

Posted on 10. Aug, 2010 by Matt.

The ongoing feud between Virgin and Sky (BT tries to get involved occasionally but it does things a little differently so isn’t really a true competitor for this one) is hotting up a little more as Virgin has announced that its XL package customers will be receiving free access to the Comedy Central HD channel which will include a whole host of programs including the brilliant Two and a Half Men and the critically acclaimed 30 rock.

In all honesty, Sky does rule the roost in terms of HD channels with a current list of 46 compared to Virgin’s now ample list of 26, soon to be rising to over 30 apparently. However, that doesn’t mean that Virgin isn’t without its benefits – not least cable broadband (if you’re lucky enough to get it in your area, of course).

Comedy Central is already a popular channel and the addition of the HD version will help to increase the number of viewers it receives as more and more people turn their televisual attention to HD channels and programs.

Virgin now offers a host of free HD channels for XL package customers as well, according to Home Cinema Choice Magazine, as a number of not so free channels like Sky Movies HD and Sky Sports HD.

Sky itself recently announced a deal with ITV, who are apparently changing their advertising based business model over to one that is more reliant on pay TV income, to offer 3 more HD channels and definitely has the greater choice at the current time.

Are you HD mad?

Are you Virgin or Sky?

Home Cinema Choice Magazine

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Social Networking Sites The Best Tools For Procrastinators

Posted on 09. Aug, 2010 by Marie.

When it comes to finding ways to avoid doing the job you’re paid for, it comes as no surprise really to learn that social networking websites like Twitter and Facebook pick up the award for best procrastination tools. According to research by MyJobGroup and reported by T3 more than half of us spend time every day while we’re at work on such websites – small businesses may see the sites as being a useful business tool but clearly not under these circumstances.

It is reported that around 5% of us admit to spending an hour or even more updating our statuses on sites like Facebook when we should be working. It may seem like a bit of harmless online fun but realistically it is costing businesses many millions of pounds a day on lost productivity and if businesses do nothing to curb its use then they will ultimately pay the price of this procrastination.

Some companies have the foresight to block sites like Twitter and Facebook but many others are either unaware that it’s a problem or unaware that they can block employees from visiting such sites. Some companies are more liberal than others when it comes to allowing their employees a completely free reign over the sites they visit while at work.

Social networking sites have grown in popularity and more and more people are using them as a means to stay in touch. While many users do some from the comfort of their own home it is clear that others are doing it at work.

Are you following us on Facebook and Twitter?

We can help you pass the working day a little quicker.

T3 Magazine

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Could You Get Free Solar Panels?

Posted on 09. Aug, 2010 by Paul.

The government has made quite a fuss over our reliance on fossil fuels and our contribution to the global warming problem but there’s seemingly very few options when compared to buying your electricity and gas through standard means. However, one firm has undertaken an impressively massive project costing them GBP1bn that sees them offer free solar panels, maintenance, and upgrades for the 25 years. The offer lass for 3 years and is available to anybody that meets their criteria.

It is believed that the solar panels will be installed in around 2.5 million homes and would certainly help the country meet its green energy quotient. The company responsible for this move is HomeSun and they say that Germany currently leads the way being responsible for around 50% of the world’s solar energy production – if there’s no other incentive for you to go green then surely beating the Germans at something is good enough reason, and if it isn’t then remember that you could be getting thousands of pounds worth of solar panels fitted to your home for free.

According to T3 magazine, in order to see if you’re eligible for the scheme, you can fill in the HomeSun questionnaire (on the HomeSun website) which calculates how much CO2 you currently use and how much you would be able to save by having solar panels fitted.

Solar panels can be used either as a method of producting hot water or warm water or they can be connected directly to your mains supply and provide you with a portion of your annual energy usage.

Are you elgibile for free solar panels?

Do you already do your bit?

T3 Magazine

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Phishing Emails Targeting UK Mobile Users

Posted on 06. Aug, 2010 by Kate.

Internet security company Symantec has announced that mobile users in the UK are being subjected to phishing email attacks. These have been a problem for some time on home and office computers but this new method of delivery, via mobile phone, takes it to a new level and users are being warned of the potential dangers and advised of the best action to take in order to avoid having their information stolen.

Successful phishing emails appear to be legitimate and it is this appearance that makes them successful. The email will contain a link either to a spoof website that is designed to look like a major brand’s website but collects personal data, or to a compromised page of a legitimate site. Either way, the page will ask for account log on details or ask the user to confirm their personal data. Enough data will usually be provided so that the third party that steals the information can commit fraud or steal the user’s identity.

According to Computer Weekly magazine. this most recent phishing epidemic sees emails that appear to be from mobile phone companies. Symantec has warned users to type URLs into browsers rather than follow links, stringently check any links they might click, and to update Internet and mobile phone security in order to avoid receiving or falling prey to these emails.

The security company saw several of this new type of attack in July so all mobile Internet and email users are being advised to display extra caution.

Have you received a phishing email on your mobile phone?

Do you know what phishing is?

Computer Weekly Magazine

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Nintendo Announces Announcement Date For 3DS Plus Other Gaming News

Posted on 30. Jul, 2010 by Marie.

Nintendo has announced that it will be announcing the launch date and price for the highly anticipated 3DS. There’s nothing like drawing the suspense out as much as possible is there? What’s Next? On Tuesday we’ll be announcing the date when we will announce the launch…

Seriously, though, 29th September is the date to mark in your diaries if you’re interested in 3D gaming without having to wear those rather uncomfortable glasses because this is the date that Nintendo will offer cost and launch details for the UK market. Current expectations are that it will be around March of next year that the device is launched.

Meanwhile, Sony has actually managed a proper announcement. The Playstation Move, which is the motion control peripheral for the PS3, will be released in September and the controller itself will set you back GBP35 but you will also need to buy a Playstation Eye camera costing another GBP25. Alternatively you will be able to buy the 2 for GBP50 in a single pack. All in all, that’s a promising ticket price for the Wii like device.

Finally in gaming news, Halo Reach hasa new gaming trailer out and it’s a good one. What’s more, the game is also soliciting adoration from some big name stars like Rio Ferdinand. You can view the full trailer on the T3 magazine website or on the MagazineSubscription Facebook page where we’ve uploaded a copy for you to view at your pleasure. You can also see a picture of the Playstation Move (it doesn’t look quite how you’d imagine).

Are you wetting yourself in excitement waiting for Halo Reach?

Is that really a motion control?

T3 Magazine

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3D Three Times More Popular Than Expected

Posted on 28. Jul, 2010 by Kate.

3D TV has taken off at a very good rate. While some new technologies can struggle to capture the imagination of consumers, that’s not an accusation you can throw at 3D. it may have something to do with the fact that viewers can already experience it by watching some of the latest movie releases at their local cinema in full 3D. It could be the release of incredible titles like Avatar. It could possibly even be the staggered trialing of 3D football and sports events at pubs across the country.

Whatever it is, according to Panasonic and as reported by Home Cinema Choice Magazine, the demand for 3D is triple what it was expected to be. Panasonic were talking about the new tech during the release of their HDC-SDT750 3D camcorder (imagine the possibilities) and they touted a few of their other more popular 3D lines including the 50 inch plasma which has pushed the company into releasing a range of different sizes and models in the near future.

One of the less accessible solutions that was being touted was the commercially available 153 inch 3D plasma TV. The company has already taken orders for the mammoth plasma screen and if your small business wants one then you can pick one up for a reasonable 400,000 GBP.

Panasonic also defended their choice to manufacture 3D plasma rather than LCD saying that it offers better quality and makes more sense from an engineering point of view. Expect more soon, then.

Got your hands on a 3D TV yet?

Is it as popular as Panasonic seem to think?

Home Cinema Choice Magazine

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T3 Plays With The Nintendo 3DS

Posted on 28. Jul, 2010 by Kate.

T3 Magazine was pretty much all about the 3D yesterday (much like we are for the rest of today, in fact) as they got to play with what must be the biggest thing in gaming for some time – the Nintendo 3DS. Let’s be honest, decent 3D gaming is pretty much every gamer’s dream and if you can rely on any of the console manufacturers to pull it off, it has to be the company that brought us the ridiculously popular and fun Wii.

The greatest thing about the 3DS is that it offers 3D gaming without the need to wear uncomfortable and unsightly glasses to get the most from the game. At the official press launch of the device, yesterday, journalists got their sweaty mitts on the device and the overall feeling was one of elation.

It’s also been suggested that Grand Theft Auto V will be set in Hollywood as the game’s producers, Rockstar Games have apparently been seen scouting areas of Hollywood although there’s been no official word on this yet and there isn’t even any news on a possible release date.

Meanwhile if you’re an Android phone and a Sky+ user then you’ll be pleased to hear that you can use your smartphone to record any shows that you might have otherwise missed. Yep, the Sky+ app has now moved onto the Android platform so you can watch all of your favourite shows on a quite small screen while travelling to work (assuming you don’t drive, of course).

Will you be getting Sky+ on your Android?

Or getting a bit giddy about the prospect of glasses free 3D gaming?

T3 Magazine

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Windows Phone 7 Will Be Biggest Launch This Year

Posted on 28. Jul, 2010 by Kate.

Microsoft is using the fact that their competitors have beaten them to the punch in order to try and gain a leg up on them. The release of Windows Phone 7 is set for this year before Christmas and the computer giant has said that they have the benefit of hindsight over their competitors and have promised the biggest launch this year (not necessarily the best, but definitely the biggest). You can certainly sense the fact that some of the features will have borrowed heavily from the likes of Android and iOS 4.

A brand new design for the interface will offer more of a central hub feel than has previously been offered. It will integrate directly with applications and websites such as Facebook and it can be completely customised according to the mobile phone user’s needs. However, it is in the hoped development of apps that you can sense Microsoft peeking over the shoulders of their competitors. According to Computer Weekly Magazine, Microsoft is hoping to develop a strong community of developers that will create apps and help to drive the popularity of the new system.

Windows 6.5 met with mixed reception and iOS 4 and Android have certainly taken the lead especially with regards to the mass of applications that users can download and install on their phones. Although Microsoft has stopped short of saying they want to compete with their main rivals over the app marketplace crown, they have said that they want to develop applications that will be used almost as much as Office.

Which mobile operating system do you use?

Can Microsoft hope to compete with either Android or iOS 4?

Computer Weekly Magazine

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Computer Weekly Magazine – Facebook Gets 500 Millionth User And Ebay Posts Positive Results

Posted on 22. Jul, 2010 by Marie.

Computer Weekly Magazine

There was a time when Ebay was the biggest name on the Internet with very ltitle competition; everybody seemingly went mental for broken or stolen auctioned goods but the fuss did eventually die down a little. it would be fair to say that Facebook is and has been the biggest thing on the world wide web for some years now eventually surpassing even Google’s own stranglehold.

In fact, in 6 years, Facebook has managed to acquire 500 million users according to figures released yesterday. This includes over one third of the British population and equates to roughly one in 12 people around the globe. This all comes despite the continued and apparently growin safety concerns that tend to surround anything related to Facebook.

Owner and founder Mark Zuckerberg could probably measure his own success by the size of the lawsuits that former college student friends file against him. The current one from a designer claims that they own 84% of the website (maybe they’ll settle for USD65m like last year’s claimants).

Ebay, despite not being top dog anymore, is still performing well enough. Earnings for the latest quarter were up 6% or USD2.2bn. PayPal has performed especially well bringing in 3 million new accounts in the quarter alone. Chief Exec of Ebay, John Donahoe has even predicted that the revenue earned by PayPal will surpass that of marketplace Ebay within the next few years.

Do you PayPal and Ebay?

Is it even worth asking if you Facebook (everybody does, right?)

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