Camera Phones Plaza

As we all know, the iPhone is one of the most notorious gadgets in the world at this time, but since Apple's policies regarding the free use of any mobile network with their phone didn't seem to leave any other way out for the users than to unlock the device... now those that moved away from the line must pay. Unfortunately, a simple software update can cost you dearly, and here's the whole story...

The iPhone is a pretty capable device, but its main drawbacks are the support for a single mobile network and the lack of support for third party applications. Obviously, as it happens with most devices these days, when the hardware can perform a certain task, but the producer locks it, some users choose to hack that device, no matter if we're talking about modding an entry level video card (remember the GeForce 6200 cards that could be easily transformed into 6600s?) or unlocking an expensive iPhone so it's going to work with any network and allow using additional software.

After Apple issued a warning about the fact that unauthorized unlocking programs (I ask myself...there are any authorized?) caused "irreparable damage" to the software of the iPhone and once "a future Apple-supplied iPhone software update is installed", the device will stop working, users started to complain about this... so it's obvious!

I hope your iPhone isn't in this situation, and even if you didn't hack it already, you should try to avoid updating its software, because it seems that last week's update makes the unlocked devices unusable, while deleting various information from "clean" iPhones. If this proves to be the truth for a large number of unmodified iPhones, it seems Apple's going to have a really tough week, so stay tuned, and we'll let you know all about this story as soon as we can find out more!

Carnegie Mellon University is one of the top-ranked university centers, being recognized for its global research programs covering disciplines like arts, technology, social sciences, management, business and computer science.
Its researchers have recently developed an on-line game called Anti-Phishing Phil, specially designed for teaching Internet users why how to avoid phishing.



The main character of the game is a fish named Phil who shows players how to distinguish between legitimate and fraudulent URLs.
Players get tips on how to examine the URLs, how to read web addresses and understand where it is pointing to, and how to use Google to validate URLs against search results.
Players get also scoring points during each round and at the end of each round they receive feedback telling them where did they mistake and why.



People who will go to the website to play the game will first take a short quiz and then start the game.
At the end they will take the last survey having the chance to enter a raffle to win a 100$ Amazon.com gift card.



The intentions of this game are clear.
It is meant to open the eyes of the people about phishing attacks offering them the possibility of learning how to protect themselves and having fun in the same time.



The game is actually part of a larger project funded by the National Science Foundation and the Army Research Office.

It looks like a lot of multimedia device makers have anticipated Apple’s third generation of iPod Nano. The new Zen media player from Creative is the first player to offer support for AAC-encoded songs.

The sizes of the device are 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.2cm and the storage capabilities are of 4, 8 and 16 GB of storage (the 16 GB version is beyond the size of any player in its class). The player is able to play MP3, WMA, WMA DRM audio files (and AAC tracks), DivX videos, and to display JPEG photos, all rendered on the 2.5” screen of 16.7m colors. Another advantage from the storage point of view is that the new Creative Zen has an SDHC card slot (and you can use it also a card reader in this case when you connect it through the USB 2.0!) in which you could insert the card of the desired size in GB and use that as additional space for some extra videos and audio files.

The feature that makes the Zen an outstanding program is the internal FM tuner with 32 preset stations and the microphone (so you can use this as a voice/sound recorder too), and if that is not enough to beat the new Nano from Apple, let me tell that according to Creative, this player’s battery offers five hours of video play or 25 hours of music listening, so an extra hour of music listening compared to the new Nano iPod. The Zen also has an Organizer with calendar, contact and task list.

The prices are £100 ($201) for the 4GB model and £140 ($281) for the 8GB version, while the price for the 16GB model hasn’t been set yet. As accessories, you can get the precision ZEN Aurvana in-ear earphones. On the 16GB series you can tore up to 8000 WMAs (at 64 kbps) or 4000 MP3s (at 128 kbps). The included software can convert the pictures and the videos you wish to upload to the device.

The debut of widescreen iPod Nano came as expected with more colors and the new video-friendly capability that allows users to watch video in the wide screen format, and also there are more hidden features added.

<-120x240 Vertical Banner - left->The new specs include the 320x240 display (with an LED backlight) and also with a higher pixel density – 240dpi. The player is compact; it has a curved metal casing giving the impression of a smaller Classic indeed, with its size of 7x5.2 x 0.7 cm, weighing just 49g. The battery powers the player for 24 hours of music playback and 5 hours of video play.

As a new storage type, the new Nano uses 4GB or 8GB of flash memory, depending on the chosen model. The new iPod series now comes with iPod Games meant to keep you busy while you get bored of listening to music or watching videos. Just like the Classic, the Nano features an updated iPod user interface with iTunes’ Cover Flow album selection system. The available colors are silver, black, green, blue and red. The same colors have been applied to the revamped iPod Shuffle collection, which has just as the previous version just 1 GB as storage capacity.

A percentage of the sales from the Product Red version goes to the Bono-backed charity of AIDS-awareness. The Shuffle line has a 12-hour music-play time and are available now at $79. The Nano version of 4GB is available only in silver color and the price is $149, while the 8GB version comes in all the colors mentioned above at $199.

This new line of media players is more likely to have an increasing success compared the previous 2GB version of Nano because of the new storage capabilities and multimedia features. Of course I wouldn’t imagine myself watching 5 hours of iPod videos but it is quite a good thing the battery lasts a bit longer than the former model as it doesn’t need to be recharged very often.

Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party is a new Rhythm/Dancing game, developed and published by Konami Digital Entertainment Inc., and targeting everybody who owns a Nintendo Wii and has three more friends to play with for maximum experience.
But of course you can play alone too.



This game announces a combination of physically engaging, innovative and easy-to-pick-up-and-play mechanics of the Wii.
The multiplayer mode, Wii Remote, the Nunchuk support, and the hits from the last four decades of music are guaranteeing a super party.



Other features of the game are:

• Swing the Wii controller to send obstructions to your opponents while competing;
• New gameplay twists, fun minigames and other challenges;
• Great family fun with added modes and difficulties for all ages, including Friendly Synch and Kind Support Mode.



Who’s interested in this gameplay must wait until October to get it.