New Vaio gets Transmeta

Sony has some new editions to the Vaio stable, one of which has at its heart the new low-power, low-heat Tranmeta chip. Unveiled yesterday, the Vaio QR (PCG-QR1/BP) boasts a similar spec to its predecessors, retailing at ?1,850, but has come in for a complete makeover and now sports a blue-black translucent plastic case that is so dark it appears opaque. More exciting is the Vaio GT (PCG-GT1), which, at first glance, could be mistaken for a camcorder. ...more

Dial 056 for broadband, says Ofcom

Users who wish to make phone calls via their broadband connection will be able to have their own 056 telephone number according to draft proposals by the communications regulator OfCom. The document suggests that VoIP services differ from normal PATS (public access telephone services) as they are not always connected to the emergency services and should be treated differently. The watchdog also considers that a single 05x number is sufficient at present and there is no need - at least for the time being - for some kind of geographical identification as there is with landlines. ...more

Microsoft unveils Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac

Microsoft has unveiled its Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac, its first Mac-specific desktop combining a wireless Comfort Curve Keyboard with a wireless high-definition laser mouse. The keyboard is the first that has been designed specifically for the Mac. The key layout is consistent with Mac-only keyboards; it is, for example, the Microsoft keyboard without the Windows Start button. ...more

Movie and games crossovers

It's not the first time that the worlds of the silver screen and the sweaty joypad have crossed over, but we have news of two up-and-coming projects that may be of interest to gamers and movie-goers alike. The game rights to that bastion of Christmas movie treats, The Great Escape, have been bought by SCi Entertainment and they plan to develop the game in time for 2002. The action-adventure will debut on next-generation consoles and will mirror the classic film. ...more

UK games chart: Mini revival for Halo 2

It's very much 'as you were' for this week's ELSPA UK games chart - we are still in the shadow of Christmas. For the top five there is little movement, except that Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer 4 inches in at number five, swapping places with Ubi Soft's Prince of Persia: Warrior Within. Need For Speed: Underground 2 and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas continue to top of the pile The major mover and shaker is Microsoft's Xbox console game Halo 2 (pictured), which jumps back in to the top twenty. ...more