Psst! The PS3 launch clock is ticking… finally

PlayStation fans rejoice! The PS3 is now scheduled for worldwide launch in early November. We say it's high time Sony did something about the Xbox juggernaut. It's a good move, too, since this announcement might be enough to halt any wavering PlayStation fans from switching console allegiances. But with Xbox 360 launch dates for Asia Pacific due this month, it might still take a little more convincing to make gamers wait out the additional seven months while their neighbors are feasting their eyeballs on the babes from Dead or Alive 4.

Meanwhile, Sony has stopped short of announcing the expected retail price for the PS3, though market analysts estimate a whopping US$725 to US$905 in manufacturing cost. Half the sky-high bill is being attributed to the Cell processor and the Blu-ray optical drive, though the latter does offer 50GB of storage capacity--useful for beefing up content and image quality. So how much will a PS3 cost the consumer? Hopefully not too much as we await more details of this much-anticipated console
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Two more BenQ-Siemens phones to head this way

Was it only January that we reported a slew of BenQ-Siemens phones heading our way?

Now two more have just been announced for the Asia market which CNET Asia had spotted at 3GSM World Congress in Spain last month (BenQ-Siemens makes HSPDA debut).

Beefing up the company's lineup will be the slim 3G-enabled S81 and MP3 player-like EF51. One gripe perhaps is the 1.3-megapixel camera that both handsets carry, in light of new range of phones now touting 3.2-megaxpixel sensors.

Otherwise, the S81 hops onboard the bandwagon of slim-built 3G phones now emerging, while the FM- and MP3-friendly EF51 comes with a flip lid which, when closed, features play, pause, fast forward and backward keys. Also underlining its music function are support features such as 3D surround sound, a six-band equalizer, Display Lyrics, and a voice-operated music selection that lets users speak the name of the song to activate it.

Both are slated to arrive in May, with the S81 available in black and silver, and the EF51 offering a choice of black or white.

The Zen Vision: Marina

Singapore is a tiny island. It's just as easy to get from A to B as it is from C to Z. But when the nation's premier MP3 darling situates its sole official showroom on the west end of the island, an area hardly regarded as a major shopping belt, it's sometimes hard to justify a visit, unless it's for one of Creative's famous sale events.

Recently, the Singapore-based company addressed the aforementioned with a swanky new store in hip shopping center, Marina Square Measuring 2,200 sq ft, it's Creative's first retail-cum-customer service store in the shopping district. Located on level 3 (#03-123/124) overlooking the atrium area, it is open everyday from 10am to 10pm.

Rumors of Dell swallowing alien confirmed

Dell has agreed to purchase gaming PC maker Alienware, in a rare acquisition designed to improve Alienware's supply chain and boost Dell's standing among PC enthusiasts.

A Dell representative confirmed the deal, but said the company was deferring comment until later on Wednesday. A Dell representative in Australia had downplayed the possibility of a deal earlier this month. The transaction should be finalized about 30 to 45 days after regulatory hurdles are cleared, Gonzalez said.
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Gold-plated USB thumbdrive

Gadget Buzz went to Hannover. Unfortunately, we never got to see White Lake's glitzed-up USB affair at CeBIT, a thumbdrive supposedly sugarcoated in either 14- or 18-carat gold. Diamonds optional. Just for numbers sake, a 1GB thumbdrive that's studded with five diamonds in a 14-carat gold shade will set you back a healthy 2,950 euros or about US$3,529. There's a cheaper version, at a mere 2,400 euros, without the diamonds of course. Just the thing to go with your blinged-out LG's DIOS diamond fridge. Is anyone's birthday coming up?

See bigger image #1 | image #2

Price: Depends on gold coating and diamonds
Availability: White Lake
Device: USB thumbdrive
Basic specs: Up to 2GB, designed by Dutch goldsmith Erwin de Vroome

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