smartech

Windows OS users, this is your day, as Pwnage 2.0 version for your PC (AKA: WinPwn 2.0) has been released, allowing iPhone 1st Gen, iPhone 3G and iPod Touch users to jailbreak their devices and unlock their sim cards if necessary. Although it was already available, for early adopters, only 24 hours after the official Dev-Team Mac release, this one is much easier, especially with the ability to make your jailbroken handset - Sim Free - in one click. Mind you, this is only a preliminary version and it might have some bugs, so stay cautious while updating your device.

You can download the software from here or here or here.

read the instructions after the break.

[via WinPwn]

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I’m sure Microsoft is planning a portable Xbox 360 device; after all, if Sony can develop one, Redmond can do it as well. Meanwhile, until it happens, we have a chance to look at an interesting portable concept that was emerged on T3 magazine, opening our appetite and our gaming imagination. This handheld concept features an all-in-one device, including a Microsoft Zune, XBox 360 and a mobile phone, packed in a sexy slim and sleek case, with gaming buttons on the right side and directions pad to the left. Honestly, I will be stoked having only an Xbox 360 portable device without the phone or the Zune included, so if people from Microsoft are listening, we do yearn for one of those.

[via yanko]

Microsoft has revealed a very nice demonstration, at the All Things Digital conference, showing some snippets of the next windows 7 OS (coming up in 2009) with amazing multi-touch capabilities that were shifted from the Microsoft Surface to a Dell Latitude XT tablet PC. The images undoubtedly prove that Microsoft wants to change the user interface experience by assimilating finger gestures that let you move, rotate or shrink images, navigate maps, play the piano and a lot more, with a simple touch of a finger. Checkout the video to see the future:

[via windowsvistablog]

I must admit, i’m not a modding aficionados, but this new glowing green Xbox 360 neon case from XCM looks great, specially with the semi-translucent look that provides inner glance at the console itself. There’s no word on price but it should be available soon, so if you’re looking for a unique design for your gaming box, this might be a nice solution.

[via Technabob]

I don’t want to put you into panic, but i guess it is important for gamers to be aware of the possibility that game consoles might contain some hazardous chemicals with an impact on their memory and learning capabilities for the long term. The source for this latest alert is Greenpeace, who tested 3 major gaming consoles, including Xbox, PS3 and Nintento Wii. The organization has found those dangerous materials, like phthalates and bromine, in each one of the consoles, on different parts, so next time you crash your car on GTA IV, just think of the consequences. Mind you, Greenpeace offers a direct contact to the manufacturers in order to put some pressure and demand a clean up consoles. Interestingly, only Nintendo’s email has worked out.

[via slashgear]

Zune 2.5 spring update goes live with some cool modish features, including a video store that houses 4,800 music videos and a wide vriety of TV shows (no movies yet), available to download for $2 each or 160 MS Points (from the libraries of NBC, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and Cartoon Network). In addition, Microsoft has integrated the Zune Card sharing, which allows you to build a social network, present your dynamic friends’ list and automatically grab their recent playlist, albums and favorite artists, as long as you subscribe to Zune Pass (similar to last.fm). Furthermore, the new update integrates Windows Live Messenger “now playing” function, album review fields, to let you express your personal opinion on different albums and publish it to the world, Auto Playlists, meta data editing, easy syncing controls and finally, Gapless playback support. Needless to say, the new 2.5 Spring Update is free of charge and ready for your downloads. Check the video after the break.

[via engadget]

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Alright, so Microsoft has officially backed off from bidding on Yahoo, after a roller coaster of ups and downs, that started with an official offer to buy the company for $44.6 Billion, price that reflected $31 per share, back in February. The generous bid has never made any impression on Yahoo’s management, as the company’s directors has officially decided to turn off Microsoft’s hostile acquisition, claiming the bid is substantially lower than its real value, and whoever wants to buy them should hit $40 per share, meaning extra $9 to Steve Ballmer’s offer. Still, Microsoft clutched to its original bid (desperately trying to stay a major internet player in the growing online advertisement and searching markets) and considered an hostile takeover, by pursuing Yahoo share holders, but at the end of the day, after taking off their threatening suit, the Redmond’s were willing to raise the bid to $33, which was rejected by Yahoo as well and lead to today’s proposal withdraw announcement.

“Despite our best efforts, including raising our bid by roughly $5 billion, Yahoo! has not moved toward accepting our offer. After careful consideration, we believe the economics demanded by Yahoo! do not make sense for us, and it is in the best interests of Microsoft stockholders, employees and other stakeholders to withdraw our proposal,” said Ballmer.

Again, that wasn’t much of a squall to Sunnyvale, as Yahoo’s CEO, Jerry Yang, has apathetically responded:

…”With the distraction of Microsoft’s unsolicited proposal now behind us, we will be able to focus all of our energies on executing the most important transition in our history so that we can maximize our potential to the benefit of our shareholders, employees, partners and users.”

End of story? I’m not so sure, Temporary cease-fire? definitely yes.

[via Microsoft]

AOC has announced the release of the new X700 PMP, coming with a 3.0-inch screen (400 x 240), 2GB of internal flash storage, an FM tuner, a microphone, an e-Book reader and an SD slot to expand capacity. It is compatible with RM , RMVB, AVI, FLV, MP3, WMA, WAV file formats and supports Microsoft’s PlayFX. No word on availability but this player is priced around $60.

[via PMP Today]

Microsoft plans to launch a Joy Division limited edition version of its Zune MP3 player, courtesy for the the band’s Unknown Pleasures DVD release on June 10th. To shed more info, Unknown Pleasures is the first album by Joy Division, released in 1979. In 2000, Q Magazine has placed this great album at number 19 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever, as Pitchfork Media placed it at number 9 in its list of the 100 Greatest Albums of the 1970s, so it’s very exciting to see a company like Microsoft, making this nice gesture, by endorsing the band with a special Zune edition, that will be designed by Peter Saville, the original graphic designer behind the Joy Division album covers.

Update: There are 500 copies available in the US for $400, coming in a luxury package.

[via wired]

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Headstrong rumors claiming that Microsoft considers the opening of unique retail stores that will conspicuously market its own products. There is no doubt that Microsoft managers jealously squint at Apple’s success, thinking they can do the same, if not better. The only problem is that Apple has more hardware products to sell rather than Microsoft’s dominant software-based assortment. I mean, it’s not that Microsoft doesn’t have tangible things to offer, after all it does sell some great products like the Xbox 360 console, the Zune player, or complementary goods like video games and the accessories involved, not to mention the other peripherals such as webcam, keyboard or mouse. In addition, Microsoft sell retail software like Windows Vista and Microsoft Office, via affiliate partners and retailers. However, I’m not so sure it is the same variety as Apple’s products, including Mac, iPod and iPhone, with all the assorted accessories. Still, these are just rumors and I haven’t seen some major steps, coming from Microsoft direction, to carry out this project, but I am more than sure it crossed some Redmond minds. True or false, great or wrong, only time would tell.

[via macobserver]

Remember the Xbox 360 limited-edition version, bundled with Grand Theft Auto IV? Turns out Sony has the same thing, as a 40GB PS3 console, packed with the desired game, has popped up in a Swedish retailer’s website, offering a nice designed GTA IV case along with all the required accessories. Price is extremely high, since the Scandinavian market is very expensive, but even though, 4,499 SEK ($755) won’t deter fanatic gamers from purchasing it. No details when this special edition is set to be released in the US, but be sure it will, for a much cheaper price.

[webhallen via engadget]

I don’t really like this whitish Xbox 360 color, i think it’s dull and pale. To serve my desires (and others), XCM has created a really cool chrome Xbox 360 case, compatible with the HDMI ports. This new metallic mirrored shell will shine on your desk for merely $60, but if you want a matchable skin for your controllers, it should be $25 each, which makes this  escapade a bit expensive and very smudgy.

[via slashgear]

Now it’s official, the Microsoft Surface is coming out stateside in 2 weeks from today, and will be available in AT&T stores around New York, San Antonio, San Francisco and Atlanta. We are talking about a 30-inch multi-touch screen table that can display photos, videos, interactive coverage maps and more. At first, costumers will be able to get a demonstration of Samsung BlackJack II, by placing it on the surface, later on, AT&T is going to add more cellphones to the Microsoft Surface data, and enable visitors to make comparison between them. In addition you will be able to drag ringtones, graphics and videos to the phone, once it is atop the Surface, which is pretty amazing. To learn more about this great device, check out the video here.

[via engadget]

I’m really trying hard to hold my patient until next month,  craving for the most anticipated game of the year, GTA IV. Meanwhile, Microsoft has announced the release of a limited edition Grand Theft Auto IV, designed for the Xbox 360. The console will include a nice sided GTA IV graphics and a really really cool briefcase, packed with all the needed accessories like a remote control, a webcam, a headset, a wireless controller with an integrated keyboard, and more. Remember, it is a limited edition pack so only 500 pieces of this treasure are set to be released, don’t count on getting one.

[via slashgear]

Another picture after the break.

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Every year, Greenpeace releases the “Guide to Greener Electronics”, indicating the “green” level of electronic companies and placing them on a 0-10 analog meter scale. The guide, which rates performance based on policies and practices on toxic chemicals and electronic waste, shows that Asian companies like Samsung and Toshiba have won the highest score, gaining 7.7 points, while Nintendo has scored only 0.3 points, “earning” the most feckless e-waste company of 2008. Other 18 tech companies in the guide, include Microsoft, Sharp, Sony Ericsson, Philips, Acer, Hp, Motorola, and more. According to Greenpeace toxic waste campaigner, Iza Kruszewska, “The challenge is clear. To be truly green, the IT industry needs to commit to designing products that are free of toxic chemicals, are energy efficient, durable, and recyclable while taking full responsibility for them globally, including when they become waste“, and we say - Amen.

[via slashgear]