EVO: Phase One is a computer, media center, and PC gaming all rolled in one sleek package. The system's Sapphire RADEON HDMI X1600 Pro graphic card gives it 12 pixel pipelines for the highest graphics performance in its class making it suitable even for intensive gaming. Evo: Phase One has 128MB DDR3 memory and clock speeds of 500MHz (core) and 800MHz (memory). The unit also includes customized liquid cooling system, built-in biometric fingerprint reader and digital video recording features.

Because EVO is designed much like a PC, customers can purchase extended warranties and avail of next day onsite assistance or 24/7 IT phone service and remote access service packages. EVO systems can also be upgraded separately but will initially offer one package option (with customized paint applications vailable upon request) for about $679.99. The package includes80GB HDD, one wireless PC game controller and an EVO: Direct discount card for over 1600 games purchased at EVO: Direct Store. Other accessories will be sold separately.

The system’s online and networkability will be more apparent in phase two and customized games will be available as the systems continue to expand. Envizions Computer Entertainment Corporation announced availability of EVO: Phase One media entertainment console will start via the internet on October 20, 2006.

A video has emerged on YouTube of a self-parking BMW 7-series. The video calls the self-parking BMW "remote park assist", and shows the BMW 7-series driving forward into quite a tight garage space with no driver. All you (the driver) have to do is press a button on the remote, and voila! Watch it park! No longer do you have to worry about being in a parking space too small.

This is just a concept, and might not make it onto real cars. The problem with it is that it actually takes longer than parking it yourself, as I'm guessing it uses slightly modified parking sensors in order to 'sense' how far it is away from objects (i.e. the back of your garage). Also, if your using it because there isn't enough room to get out of the car if you park it, how do you get back in... unless it can back out on its own as well? If this technology develops, chances are it'll become standard on new cars within 10 years time, just like parking sensors on large cars recently.

Yesterday we posted an article on the upcoming NEO2-TF from Team Neo Flash. Today we got word on the specs of the NEO2-TF and the NEO2-SD flash carts which, according to the team, will allow you to combine MK4 and NEO2 for the DS Lite.

NEO2-SD/NEO2-TF Common Specs:

• Run the clean rom from TF(SD) directly,not need any patcher
• Support all clean rom (100% compatible), included the "Ultimate Spiderman (japanese)"
• Support multi-clean rom
• Built-in the SD/MMC slot
• Built-in battery AD monitor
• Built-in universal IR remote,can support TV/HiFi/PS2/XBOX,and the remote code is upgradable
• 100% GBA hardware save
• Built-in 3 set separate RTC
• Built-in 16 bit DMA
• Built-in 8Kb inner high-speed buffer
• Built-in 2M sram
• Built-in 16M flash menu
• Built-in 128M Zip RAM,support compressed ROM
• Built-in 256M flash memory

So what's the difference between the two?

NEO2-SD:

• Supports SD/Mini-SD/MicroSD(TF)/MMC/RS-MMC, up to 4GByte
• Supports GBA/SP/GBM/NDS/NDS-lite all platform

NEO2-TF:

• Supports ONLY MicroSD(TF), up to 4GByte
• Supports DS-lite only

Team Neo Flash said the NEO2-SD and NEO2-TF will be available within a month but they didn't say how much it would cost.

ATI and Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS), makers of chips for game consoles including Xbox 360 and Wii, disclosed that orders are picking up. This according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report.

Based on the report ATI, which supplies the graphics chip for Nintendo's the Wii, was said to have achieved a 5% growth in the sales of its consumer electronic chips. Meanwhile, Pixart Imaging which supplies the Wii remote sensor chipset, reportedly said its chip shipments may reach a million units in August.

SiS, the southbridge chip supplier for the Xbox 360, is also cited in Commercial Times report as saying that orders for their product started picking up from July. This could mean Nintendo is gearing up for an all-out Next-Gen Console War and MS isn't going to roll over and play dead!

We thought cassette tapes died with Punk Rock but we are wrong. Or maybe Marantz is just now coming out of a time warp? Anyhow, Marantz is one of the legends of audio equipment and any product they have to offer, antiquated as they may be, deserves to be featured.

Like the Marantz SD4051, a full-featured dual-transport cassette deck with full remote control. It has auto reverse function on both transports and an auto reverse recording feature on the record side. In case you're wondering, "auto-reverse" means you don't have to pop out the cassette tape to play the other side. The auto reverse recording works even when dubbing at high speed.

The Marantz SD4051 has the Dolby HX PRO automatically adjusting the sound recording bias. The Dolby B decreases the hiss noise both in the playback and record deck. If you're making compilation tapes, the SD4051 has pitch/speed control of the playback transport. This deck makes excellent recordings which is what you'd expect from Marantz. Its durable tape heads keep the recordings and playback performance crsytal clear.

The Marantz SD4051 Dual Transport Cassette will be available next month in Japan for $320. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're setting our time machine back to 2006.

Booster has updated his firmware launching tool, DevHook for the PSP to version 0.42 today. For those of you who don't know (i.e. 2.5/2.6 users who have just downgraded), DevHook allows you to launch another firmware version up to 2.5 and use all of its features, enabling you to use the web browser and LocationFree player, and run UMDs that require firmware version 1.5. The firmware remains loaded in the PSP's RAM, so after a simple reboot of your PSP, it will return to firmware version 1.5 like magic.

Here's the changelog:

• Menu looks sharper with a better resolution.
• No UMD bug fix
• UMD Emu's semaphore bug fix
• Changed Clock reset timing
• Changed contents of configuration data
• Changed loading & setting method from launcher
• Changed the config load at the time of starting into a memory course from a file.
• XMB's UMD change feature is now in an external module.
• Added a CLOCK change function to the XMB shortcut.
• Clock frequency is displayed on the XMB
• Remote control compatibility with Kprintf.
• Added Japanese localization launcher version by mok

Todo:

• FW2.00 No-UMD loading
• FW2.71 reboot
• NAND driver emulation

Most of these changes are to the core of DevHook, and they improve the stability and compatibility of this program. The main differences the average user will spot are the menu resolution enhancements and the addition of Remote control compatibility with Kprintf. Those who have downgraded from 2.5-2.6 now know why 1.5 is known as 'the magic firmware.' You can do almost anything with it: defy the Update Machine; play 2.5 UMD's; and, browse the Web with 1.5 Firmware!

Note: Dumped firmware files are required in order to emulate that firmware version. We cannot provide these for legal reasons, you must obtain them yourself.

Download: [DevHook v0.42]

UPDATE: These developers sure work fast. Barely two days after releasing v0.42 of DevHook, Booster has another update for all off us. V0.42a fixes a bug for NOUMD. The return value of dhGetVersion () has changed from 0x00004200 to 0x00420001 in this update. Get updated version of DevHook below.

Download: [DevHook v0.42a]

UPDATE No. 2: Booster is not only one smart guy to have come up with DevHook, he's also one fast worker as well. In a span of two days, he was able to give us not only one but THREE updates to arguably one of the most exciting homebrew app to cross our ways.

Thanks to AkiraPsychic, we got to know of the latest version to Bosster's DevHook. V0.42b has the following changelog (as always, thanks to the amazing Jeff Chen for the translation):

- Memory drain improved when rebooting.
- DevHook resident task stack changed from 4KB to 8KB.
- The return value of dhGetVersion() changed from 0x00004201 to 0x00420002.
- When set CPU CLOCK=0, the CLOCK manipulation of DevHook will be disabled (launcher is not supported yet)

Download: [DevHook v0.42b]

We know Sony's developing some sort of counter to Microsoft's successful Xbox Live Arcade program, we've known for a while now, unfortunately we still don't know what it's called, what sorts of pricing plans will be included and what kind of content to expect. Thankfully, Gamasutra sat down with SCEA Santa Monica's John Hight, Director of External Production for a quick interview, and helped shed some light on the subject.

Speaking on the possibility that E-distribution would increase coverage and might help reduce piracy, Hight said the following:

"Certainly being able to sell globally on-line makes it easier to reach international and remote markets. On the business side, it also lowers our cost of sales and eliminates inventory risk. It should help curtail used game sales and piracy."

His statements that "This new form of distribution will lower the barriers of entry for new developers. We can try out new ideas in a low risk, quick feedback environment" are encouraging to indie devs who've been confined to PC releases for a while now, and heartening to smaller developers who might find it difficult to source funding for their projects. When pursued on the topic of whether Sony provides funding for third party developers, Hight responded that "We fund development for 1st party games and we are open to self-funded games."

Height goes on to speak about the kinds of games we'll see on the platform, and speaking as to whether we'll be seeing ports of Xbox Live Arcade games, he remarks, "We're looking for fresh, new ideas that fully exploit the power of PlayStation 3. Our 1st party projects are all unique to PS3. Some of our games, by virtue of their design and hardware demands, simply couldn't work on Xbox 360."

So how would an indie developer with a bright idea or proof of concept contact Sony about getting their title included in the PlayStation library? According to Hight, "Create a high concept or, better yet, build a working prototype of their game. Then register on our developer website www.playstation.com/beyond."

If you're a gamer, this is exciting news because it gives us an idea of the kinds of games we can expect on Sony's version of Xbox Live Arcade, and if you're a potential game designer, the thought of actually getting your ideas manifested probably has you even more excited, so what are you waiting for? Register now!

HAVA is the new wireless wonder that people who hate wires have been praying for. It allows wireless streaming of DVD quality home viewing, multicasting and remote viewing. With HAVA you can watch TV on a PC/Notebook from anywhere withing its 300 feet range. Hooked to a broadband Internet, it transmits and plays video from around the world.

But HAVA's capabilities go beyond video streaming. You can store, record, and burn TV content onto DVDs on your PC through HAVA! For all HAVA's functions, you'd think it requires some kind of skills derived from NASA. It is as simple as connecting the HAVA Box to the TV or set top box with no danger of strangling yourself through miles of messy wires to your Access Point/Router.
        
HAVA's partial features include:

• Streams television programming in DVD quality anywhere in your home, wirelessly.
• Supports multiple users who can each watch/record the same program simultaneously over the home network through our patent-pending VBooster Multicast technology.
• Eliminates the installation of TV connections and the expense of set-top boxes in every room.
• Quality of Service algorithm ensures smooth delivery of video and audio to all clients, or any priority client the user may select.
• Steams television programming from anywhere in the world with a broadband internet connection.
• Supports simultaneous multiple viewing of the same programming at DVD quality on the wireless home network.
  
• Out-of-Sight Remote Control provides full control from the PC for virtually any type of A/V device, including PVRs, digital cable boxes, and satellite TV receivers.
• Support for MCE users with no tuners, delivering video streams that allow the MCE PC to treat HAVA as a wireless tuner.

HAVA normally retails for $299 but for a limited time only, you can get one for $199!

Symantec the Virus Slayer reported sighting a Trojan horse that exploits the Apple Mac OS X LaunchD Local Format String Vulnerability. It provides root access on the Macintosh OSX version 10.4.6 or earlier.

When OSX.Exploit.Launchd is executed, the malicious bug performs the following actions:

1. Exploits the Apple Mac OS X LaunchD Local Format String Vulnerability which may elevate the privileges of a remote attacker's local account on an Apple Mac OS X computer.
2. Uses a crafted .plist configuration file for LaunchD service. In order to exploit LaunchD the attacker must execute the command: launchctl load [MALICIOUS FILE NAME]
3. Runs inside the process of LaunchD which runs with root privileges.
4. Opens a shell with full root privileges which is controllable by the attacker.

However the company also said the Apple Trojan as a minor threat as it has not spread widely and easily removed. To help minimize attacks Symantec gave the following recommendations:

• Always keep virus protection program up-to-date, especially on computers that host public services and are accessible through the firewall, such as HTTP, FTP, mail, and DNS services (for example, all Windows-based computers should have the current Service Pack installed.).
• Enforce password policy to prevent or limit damage when a computer is compromised.
• Configure email server to block or remove email that contains file attachments that are commonly used to spread viruses, such as .vbs, .bat, .exe, .pif and .scr files.
• Isolate infected computers quickly.
• Train employees not to open attachments unless they are expecting them.

If your Mac is already infected, you may download the removal tools from Symnatec.

Being a firm believer in recycling everything that doesn't start to smell with age, we thought this TV Fishtank is destined to be a top-rating attraction in any corner it occupies. Best of all, we counted the How-To steps and it only takes nine to turn your idiot box into FishTV. Of course it starts with an old TV. If you don't have one, we don't suggest you try this on your HDTV.

1. Rebuild the cabinet out of MDF/Craftwood and make a flip top lid.
2. Give it a make-over with an acrylic estapol satin stain.
3. Attach the original legs to the new cabinet.
4. Stain or lacquer all the surfaces multiple times to protect against condensation in the enclosed space.
5. Add holes at the back for ventilation to discourage condensation within the cabinet.
6. Get a custom-sized tank slightly wider and taller than the screen. Leave about 6cm space for the reflector/light. A remote ballast light is a good idea.
7. Mount the powerboard at the back but outside the cabinet in case of water spillage or condensation.
8. Place the air pump inside the cabinet to minimize the damn noise but you can leave it outside if space does not permit.
9. Fill in the details - plants, rocks, and, water and the fish!

Now for the warnings:

• Best to get a repairman to remove the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) since capacitors may retain  enough energy to seriously hurt or kill you.
• Make sure the TV stand is strong enough to cope with the weight of the water
• TV tubes up until about 1960 do not have "integral implosion protection. These can be extremely dangerous, because they can explode very violently. If you don't see a sign that says something like "This tube provides integral implosion protection" better leave it alone.

Assuming you survived the project, remember you can't clean the tank by simply clicking the remote to another channel. The tank requires regular cleaning if you want to keep the show's stars  bright and peppy!