3G iphone Has GPS, Other Cool Stuff

Engadget got a tip on from some reliable sources who got a chance to test the second-gen iphone, which is said to be well under the testing phase. Here are some of the bullet points and details that the tester got to see:

• The first thing people will notice: the 2nd gen iPhone will be about the same size and shape as the first gen.
• It will, of course, have 3G. And proper GPS!
• The most noticeable physical difference is back of the phone is no longer metal -- the whole thing is glossy black, from top to bottom. The volume buttons are now chrome.
• Because it's got a little less metal to deal with, it doesn't have quite as many angular edges. The battery is (still) not removable.
• The phone itself will be slightly thicker than the first gen device.
• The headphone jack will no longer be recessed, and will finally be flush with the body.
• The device itself uses roughly the same size and resolution screen as the first generation product.
• No solid word on battery life or storage capacity.

The new iphone is set to be announced June 9th, with a release as early as July.

Thanks to Engadget for this info.

Panasonic Shows Off 150- Inch Lifescreen Plasma

Panisonic unveiled their monster and world's larges 150-inch plasma TV at the CES, and it's amazing. Here are some of the details:

• 2k x 4k res, 4x the res of 1080p
• It's as big as a wall
• 50% less power use via double luminance efficiency

Thanks to Gizmodo for this info.

Xbox 360 DivX/XviD Update Tested

Xbox Live released their fall update for the Xbox 360 today, with the DivX and XviD support that everyone has been waiting for. I can't wait to be able to watch my movies and TV shows that I have on my computers (all legal of course) on my TV set. I've just downloaded the update and haven't had a chance to really play with it, but the guys at Gizmodo have. And they are very happy with it, in fact they say it's nearly perfect. Check out all the listed details that comes with the new update, some of which even Microsoft didn't even tell us about.

Thanks Gizmodo for this info.

Madden '08: Bringing Weapons To The Party!!!

Madden is one of the most additive games of all time, and it looks like nothing is about to change that. Word comes down about the new Madden '08 that hits the streets in August, that 24 new 'Weapons' have been added to the game.

The weapons really focus on the stars of the NFL, and what they do well. L.T. isn't just a great back, he has the skills to evade and slip by defensive backs, and the game will highlight that. The hit stick is back and upgraded to the 'Hit Stick 2.0' called the Big Hitter, which allows you to flatten players even more, adding strategic value to the game. New features like 'Smart Quarterback' which takes advantage of good QB's, like Payton Manning's ability to read defenses.

Clickitly clack for more deets on Madden. [ESPN]