A website called Advanced MP3 Players released some information about the new StormBlue A9+ Bluetooth portable media player. Like most new DAP and PMP players (and the Wii), you will be able to expand the memory with an SD memory card, which can go up to 4GB.

The most innovative/cool thing about StormBlue's A9+ though, is that you'll be able to make and receive calls through your cell phone because of its Bluetooth support. Obviously there is also Bluetooth headphone support. Besides that, it'll have your standard 7 equalizer modes plus a custom one.

Not much is known about video playback (it must be simple), although it has a 2" 220x176 LCD screen that can produce up to 20 FPS. The software that will be included can convert MPG, ASF, DAT, AVI and WMV files into a format compatible with the A9+. It also has an FM radio, voice recorder, alarm, a text file and a JPG viewer.

The 2GB version carries a price tag of £109 (US $207), while the 4GB one costs £149 (US $283). Launch date is still on "To be announced" status.

In a recent press release, Belkin has once again amped its already wide-selection of iPod accessories. They recently introduced  eight new cases for the updated iPod 5G (fifth generation) and the new iPod nano. The new iPods were released about a week ago at a special Apple event. They're a bunch of new and standard types of cases, namely acrylic, flip-top hard, neoprene, armband, kickstand and slider. If that doesn't ring a bell, it's basically anything you need.

Belkin also revealed the pricing. Most of the cases cost around 20 dollars, but they start at $14.99. Here is the list:

• Acrylic Case for iPod nano (F8Z116) - $29.99; video (F8Z115) - $29.99
• Flip-Top Hard Case for iPod nano (F8Z124) - $14.99; video (F8Z123) - $19.99
• Neoprene Holster for iPod nano (F8Z124) - $14.99; video (F8Z123) - $19.99
• Canvas Flip Case for iPod nano (F8Z120 and F8Z117) - $19.99
• Canvas Holster Case for iPod nano (F8Z119) - $19.99; video (F8Z118) - $24.99
• Sports Armband for iPod nano (F8Z105) - $24.99; video (F8Z095) - $29.99
• Slider Case for iPod nano (F8Z084) - $29.99
• Kickstand II (F8Z112) - $29.99

The Kickstand had the following description: "The Kickstand II integrates a convenient stand display so you can comfortably and easily watch video from your iPod video. Enjoy hands free viewing at adjustable angles. Its versatile, detachable belt clip lets you safely carry your iPod anywhere, and the ports remain easily accessible to you."

A new school, sponsored by Microsoft, named the 'School of the Future' opened in Philadelphia, USA on Thursday. It's actually a collaboration between Microsoft and two other schools. What has been tagged as "one of the most advanced high schools ever conceived" opened its doors at 8am on 7th September thanks to a collaboration between the School District of Philadelphia, Microsoft and the West Philadelphia community.

The school is designed to show that tomorrow's schools are perfectly achievable even with a typical, and at times meager, budget of today. Each of the 170 new students at the school are given tablet PCs, have smartcard-accessible lockers and get broadband internet at home to name just a few of the perks their entitled to.

The building is also a high-tech wonderland, made up of such features as photovoltaic panels in the glass windows and a roof that convert sunlight into direct current to contribute to the electricity supply. The data is even relayed in real-time so students can see the positive effect.

"The School of the Future shows how public and private partnerships can yield new thinking and sustainable change in educational systems around the world," said Craig Mundie, chief research and strategy officer at Microsoft.

Vibe Magazine (which is not your usual source for news like this) has a $150 price under a brief description of the Nintendo Wii in their latest issue. As you can see in the image, they also had to explain to their readers how to pronounce 'Wii', but nevertheless it's interesting. The page in the magazine has the following on it:

"Nintendo's Wii (pronounced Wee) has a crazy name and an even crazier premise--motion-sensitive wireless controllers that require you to flail about to control gameplay. But once you start whacking a virtual tennis ball using an actual swinging motion with your arm, you're hooked. Small, sexy-looking, and affordable, Nintendo's newest gaming system, which promises such motion-activated titles as Excite Truck and Wario Ware to Metroid and Madden 2007, is a winner. $150; www.nintendo.com"

We have been reporting a smorgasbord of Wii price rumors, the most recent one came from MCV and they were saying that it will go for $280. So what is Vibe magazine doing? Are they making stuff up hoping to amp magazine sales? What do you think is going on!?

Here are some buying tips for gadget skins. You've had your Sony PSP or Apple iPod for a year now, and you've finally got all those cool accessories, but you're tired of that dull glossy look? Well then, we'll help you change it! Believe me, if I had the money I'd buy those gold encrusted casings, but I don't, so we'll stick to those nifty PSP and iPod skins. You can buy them online at sites like DecalGirl and GameConsoleSkins, and they're usually just around 8 or 9 bucks.

So, what are you looking for? A trendy look? A hardcore look? It doesn't really matter, because when they're pasted on your gizmo you can remove them just as easily.

When going for a small skin like one for the Shuffle I'd go for something simple and stylish, so it keeps the device's look and brand image. The PSP skins are a little different because it's harder to make a flat skin for all those edges and holes. Nevertheless the front looks great and maybe I'll even buy it.

For more skin ideas, read on!

The UK retailer GAME is going to run a promotion on September 15th, where visitors to its Oxford Street store in London will be able to meet the voice of Mario, and win Mario-based prizes. But that's not it.

Charles Martinet, the voice behind the video game icon, will be at the store between 12pm to 4pm to sign limited edition postcards for customers. So while your friend is getting an autograph from Mario, you'll get to wait in the store for those secret Wii details. Also, the first 18 customers that received a signature will get a copy of New Super Mario Bros. for the DS (which costs around £29.99), and the 10 after that will get a Mario shirt. The details about the Nintendo Wii are expected around 1.30pm.

"Customers have been waiting a long time to hear specific details about the hotly anticipated console, the Nintendo Wii, so we've given them a recognisable industry figure to keep them entertained whilst they wait," said Robert Quinn, Sales Director at GAME.

We'll keep you up to date!

HP's latest Pocket PC, the iPAQ hw6940, is now being sold at the HP website. The device costs $599 and is available with several carriers. Apparently Cingular will also sell it in their official store soon. Some of the pictures we've seen over the couple past months actually showed the Cingular logo, so you decide.

The store has the following information: "The HP iPAQ hw6900 Mobile Messenger provides all the essentials to keep your business running even when you're away from the office -- phone, e-mail, and more secure access to business-critical information. At the same time, let your HP iPAQ keep life fun using GPS Navigation, the HP Photosmart Camera, and Microsoft Windows Media Player 10 Mobile to play your digital music and videos."

You might recall that this created a hype before, so we'll see how this turns out. No word on releases in other territories yet either. But don't worry, we'll keep you informed, so just check QJ regularly for your daily dose of Pocket PC info.

Let's face it; not every house in the world has a modem yet. But naturally, I was shocked when I found out that my vacation house in southern France had no phone or Internet connection at all. How the hell was I supposed to fill in those two weeks without surfing the web? Luckily my MacBook was brand new, so I had some stuff to check out, but obviously that wasn't going to last for a long time.

I guess that if you own a MacBook yourself, you've found out that it's loaded with features. And after I watched a bunch of movies I put on it a week before my arrival at the house, I just went searching for stuff I had not discovered yet in the Tiger OS. Well I definitely had fun with Photo Booth, although it's kind of sad to sit there making strange faces of yourself.

Then there's GarageBand. I must say I didn't really know what it was at first (I thought it was a program to make notes compose your classical music or something), so it really surprised me it was the way it was. Well... it didn't take me too long to find out I sucked at that stuff, so I abandoned it more or less.

Oh and the fun I had with the dictionary widget! I looked up some English words I didn't quite understand (I'm Dutch, give me a break), and now I know them. Handy! But that was about the only useful widget as the other ones required a connection. I had the usual fun with Photoshop CS2 but it wasn't quite as fun when you can't take pictures from the web. Also, I hoped 203 songs and a couple of (video) podcasts in iTunes were enough for two weeks. Sadly, I got bored with all of them after a while, so I had to make my own tracks in GarageBand... and they were crap.

Of course I pretty much knew there wasn't a modem in my house, but surely one of the neighbours has a unsecured wireless connection? Okay, there was one, but it was WAP protected. Too bad. After a while I gave up. I went to the pool and to McDonald's.

So kids, always check whether your new house in the mountains has a connection. If not, you better start "borrowing" some movies while you still can.

On the 27th of June, RCA brought three new MP3 player models into the market - the 4GB RCA H100 ($139), the 6GB RCA H106 and the H116 (both $169 each). All models are available to purchase right now, but lack features such as an FM tuner, recording capabilities, photo support, and video support.

The RCA H100 series is compatible with WMA subscriptions and audible files. Although it is much bulkier than an iPod Nano and lacks the flamboyance of a Creative Zen V, so those looking for an affordable medium-capacity player with no extra features at all should check this player out. That will do it for the H100, next is the H116.

While the H116 series isn't ugly, the lack of a glossy high-tech appeal and prominent branding gives the lightweight player a very generic buzz about it. Holding it in the hand comes natural, and at its thinnest point on the player the device measures 3.5 by 2 by .5 inches. It's not as skinny as a Nano nor the Creative Zen V Plus, but that doesn't take away from the overall user experience.

As RCA representatives have stated, the H100 series is "so small, that it can hide behind a business card." RCA reps have also confirmed that there isn't a difference between the H106 and H116 models- in fact, all of the series models are practically identical from the outside.

The full review awaits after the jump!

A lot of developers and publishers seem to be convinced of the superior quality of their games, but Ubisoft appear to be on top when it comes to that -- with Assassin's Creed that is. Last month Ubisoft updated their trademark of the game, along with the following description:

'Entertainment services namely television action series and the production of motion pictures'

It looks like Ubisoft wants to use the name or even the concept of Assassin's Creed for more uses than just games, namely TV shows and movies. This could mean that they're really dead serious on trying to make this a huge franchise. If so, this could only spell a better future for the game as a movie or TV branch-out could only translate to future installments and developments. Considering how rich the lore and mystery behind Altair - his missions and overall existence - is, tons of plots and story angles can be delved into. Let's wait and see.