So Verizon has announced their loaded holiday phone lineup a few days ago, but what about AT&T and T-Mobile? For sure they got some new phones ready to spend some holiday cheer with right? Of course they do, and we’re talking some really nice ones– like new BlackBerrys,  and even a new Samsung Behold 2 and LG Shine 2. What you waiting for, hit the link and get to it!

Ok, so let’s start with T-Mobile’s new phones first, and let’s start with the brand new, Google Android packing, Samsung Behold 2.

Samsung Behold 2

The Samsung Behold 2– with this cool looking cube

So the myTouch 3G just isn’t what your looking for in a new all touchscreen Android phone. You want something different, something more sleek and customized while still keeping Android. If so then this is gonna be the phone for you. Samsung and T-Mobile are bringing out the next version of the popular all touchscreen Samsung Behold, and boy is this some major upgrade. Not only are you now getting a clear, awesome 3.2 inch AMOLED screen that Samsung loves to use on new devices (see Sprint’s Android powered Moment, AT&T’s Impression, and Verizon’s Rouge), but also adding WiFi AND Android. Now this is what we call an upgrade to a device.

Samsung even customized Android further (like what HTC and Motorola have done with HTC Sense and MOTOBLUR respectivly), giving a nicer look to Android, while even throwing in things like TouchWiz for more widgets, and a very cool looking 6-way “cube” for accessing the multimedia features of the phone like YouTube, the internet, the Amazon Mp3 store, as well as your pix, music and videos.

Other specs on the phone include 3G, GPS, 5 megapixel camera with flash, auto focus and video (like the first Behold), Android 1.5 (sadly this isn’t the new Android 2.0 like on the Droid) with apps like Google Maps, Android Market, Google Talk etc., and up to 16 GB of memory through microSD card.

All in all, a pretty solid phone that if priced right (below $200– though price is currently unknown), could be a solid phone for T-Mobile users when it launches tomorrow on November 18th.

Ok, now let’s go to AT&T’s side of things, but before we do that, let’s take a look at the all the new 3G BlackBerry Bold 9700 that will be coming to BOTH T-Mobile and AT&T over the next few days.

BlackBerry Bold 9700

The T-Mobile version of the Bold 9700

The new Bold is just sick, a pretty much perfect upgrade to the first AT&T-only Bold. You got a design similar to that of Verizon and Sprint’s Tour (it also is no where near the massive size of the first Bold), which has a great feel in the hand, while also giving you that new optical trackpad found on the Curve 2. Specs wise, you get everything you’d expect in the highest end BlackBerry:

• 2.44 inch display– A tad smaller than the first Bold’s, but still a nice, big screen.
• 3G–  on both AT&T and T-Mobile’s versions.
• WiFi– And when on T-Mobile you can use this with Hotspot @Home
• GPS
• 3.2 megapixel camera with flash, auto focus and video– Up from 2 megapixel on the first Bold.
• Visual Voicemail
• microSD slot
• BlackBerry OS 5.0 with BlackBerry App World for apps.
  

If your on T-Mobile or AT&T and need/want a new BlackBerry, then we gotta say you’ll need to check this out.

T-Mobile users can pick up a Bold 9700 now for $200 with a new 2 year contract and an Even More plan, and AT&T users can pick their’s  up this coming Sunday the 22nd, also for $200 (and can check it out now at AT&T’s business preview site).

Now let’s go to some new phones AT&T is bringing out over the coming days.

BlackBerry Curve 8520

AT&T’s BlackBerry Curve 8520

Ok, so this is pretty much the AT&T version of T-Mobile’s Curve 2 that they released over 3 months ago (hey, better late then never we suppose), and is pretty much the same phone, specs wise:

• Thin design– Like all the latest BlackBerry’s, this thing definitely looks nice and should be easy to carry around.
• Touch Sensitive Optical Trackpad– Like with the new Bold 9700.
• Full QWERTY keyboard– Wouldn’t be a BlackBerry without it.
• Dedicated Media keys– This is also new for BlackBerry’s, as you now have dedicated play/pause, rewind and fast forward keys like you find on most non-smartphones. This should be great for controlling your music while your phone is in your pocket and is about time BlackBerry added this.
• 2 megapixel camera with video recording– Decent camera, but not as great as the Curve 8900 which is 3.2 megapixel with flash and video recording.
• BlackBerry App World– For downloading apps.
• Mp3 player with microSD card slot
• WiFi– Though no 3G.

This BlackBerry is expected to come out sometime over the next “couple of weeks” for $99.99 on a new 2 year contract (though seeing as you can get the Bold 9700 with more power and 3G for just $100 more, we’d recommend going for that– remember, your signing a 2 year and in the long haul that 3G is more than worth it in my opinion).

LG Shine 2

The all new LG Shine 2

Finally! Seeing as the Shine has been out since 2007, we figure it’s about time AT&T got to updating this popular phone. The aptly named Shine 2, is that successor, though sadly, minus a few new design changes it is pretty much the same ‘ol Shine. Meaning you still got a 2 megapixel camera, 3G, that miror like 2.2 inch screen, GPS and a microSD card slot.

Pretty simple and should be a solid phone, but come on AT&T– why is this $119.99 in 2009 almost 2010! The old Shine, which again had pretty much the same specs and look, was pretty much free on contract! Let’s hope this price becomes much lower and reasonable (maybe between $30 and $50 with contract) very soon after it launches with the Bold 9700 (only $80 more!) on Sunday, November 22nd.

So there you have it. All the latest on new phones for AT&T and T-Mobile coming real soon. You looking for a new phone this holiday season? Any of these on your wishlist? Let us know in the comments.

Project Gotham Racing on the Zune HD (Pic from Kotaku)

Remember back in our Zune HD review where we mentioned how the Zune HD will be getting some new free games and apps, like the hit Xbox 360 game Project Gotham Racing? Microsoft released a whole bunch of new games for the Zune HD including

1. PGR: Ferrari Edition (which is like it’s Xbox sibling, giving you 12 Ferrari cars to race all over New York, London or Tokyo either in a 33 level Career mode or in online races aginst up to 3 other cars)
2. Lucky Lanes Bowling, a bowling game where you can play either against the computer or up to 4 friends
3. Piano app which simulates a virtual piano
4. Vans Sk8: Pool Service, a skateboarding game where you aim to do the best tricks in 10 different events
5. Checkers
6. Audiosurf Tilt, a game where you pick a song from your music library on your Zune and then try to collect the colored blocks and avoid speed bumps along a custom roller coaster made for each song. Microsoft also said today that they soon will also have apps for Facebook and Twitter.

Yes, this is nowhere near the 100,000+ apps in the iTunes App Store, but Microsoft does deserve some credit– creating what looks to be some quality apps (specifically the PGR and Audiosurf games) that look to take full use of the high powered Nvidia Tegra chip inside the Zune to give some solid games all for the unbeatable price of FREE (though you do have to look at a brief ad while the game loads, something I’m more than happy to deal with if it means quality, free apps).

Now if only they’d open up a real App Store and give developers a chance to fully  tap into that high powered Tegra chip (I mean check out this video of PGR and Audiosurf on the Zune from Engadget, who they say looked as sharp as a PSP game!), and we’d be all set.

Anyone out there with a Zune HD, you like your new games?

Full info on the apps can be found on the Zune site here.

If you read our round-up posts on E3 last June, you noticed a new way to play video games on your Xbox 360 called Project Natal. Basically, Project Natal allows the player to be the controller, something that PlayStation attempted since the days of the PS2 with PlayStation Eye, but it didn’t pan out too well for them. Today reports were coming out that Microsoft was showing Natal off to some UK game publishers and they let a possible price tag slip. What is the price of this sick looking device? Try an awesome $84, that could possibly go down to $50 as Microsoft is trying to push this to be a must have or “impulse buy” for everyone. Oh, and they also let slip a possible  release date of November of next year.

For a full overview of everything that is the awesome Project Natal, see our post here.

Of course these are just rumors for now (and don’t worry, we’ll keep you updated as soon as we hear more), but what you think of Natal possibly being so cheap when it comes out? If it is, you running out on day one and picking it up? Sound off in the comments.

Info from Joystiq

Not to be confused with Halo.

And, once again, I return to that wonderful gaming platform, the iPhone/iTouch. That’s right readers, another iGame review. This time, I’m talking about Eliminate Pro, the new online 4-player FPS that just came out. Also, its free. Kinda.

First off, what is Eliminate? As previously mentioned, its a iPhone first-person shooter. The quality of the game is way up there – some of the nicest graphics on the iPhone, especially considering that it’s running online with 4 players. There are 5 maps and a total of 6 weapons, 5 of which need to be unlocked, as do a variety of armor types. Weapon and armor attributes, like rate of fire and speed are also upgradable. You play up to four players online, with a matchmaking system based on skill ratings to provide as fair a match as possible. Private games are also available, which is nice for when you want to play some people you actually know. There is also an offline mode, but it’s somewhat limited, allowing you to play against 3 computer opponents, but it doesn’t allow much customization.

Gameplay is awesome – the maps are pretty small, so the action is pretty frantic, and fun. A variety of powerups, including heath regeneration, invisibility, superspeed, damage increase, and the always fun jet pack are scattered around the maps, adding to the chaos. Controls work well, with your left thumb working movement, and right thumb aiming, with tap to fire. Those used to playing console first person shooters should easily adapt.

So, I mentioned before you need to unlock and upgrade things. And you do that through credits, which you earn through playing games online. And thats where the monetary aspect of the game comes it. The game itself, as I said, is free. But unless you have “energy” while playing, you won’t earn any credits, which are used to unlock weapons, armor, and upgrades. You’re given a free energy recharge every four hours for about 3 games or so, but after that, if you want to play AND earn credits to upgrade (you CAN still play for fun), you need to buy energy through the in-app purchasing system. Personally, I can understand why they run the system this way, since its the only way to support the game and keep it free, but I can’t say I’m a fan of the nickel and diming.

However, even without energy, the game is still fun, and that’s what counts in the end. And since it’s well, free, I suppose I can’t really argue against it. Check it out on iTunes here. (Note: iTunes Link)

Wow– we thought Verizon would slow up on the new products for a little bit after it just announced and released one the biggest phones of the year last week, the Motorola Droid. But we were dead wrong (I mean the Droid just launched yesterday!). The other day, Verizon took the wraps off 4 new phones for the holiday and there seems to be something for everyone. We’re talking new BlackBerry Curve, new LG Chocolate phone, new Samsung phone specially designed to withstand being dropped or spilled upon, and another Android phone– the HTC Droid Eris (Verizon’s version of the HTC Hero).

While none of these are as powerful as the Motorola Droid, there is still some sick stuff here that you’d definitely want to know about– so what you waiting for, hit the more link and get to it!

Samsung Convoy

One of those people that always seems to be dropping your phone or spilling something on it? Want that extra protection against such accidents? Then listen up as that’s what Verizon and Samsung got for you here. The Samsung Convoy, like the Casio EXILIM that was launched early this year, meets military specs, meaning don’t worry bout this phone getting dropped or wet and then breaking down on you. Unlike the EXILIM, this isn’t as loaded with features like a 5 megapixel camera– instead going with a 2 megapixel camera, 3G, GPS with VZ Navigator and push to talk (walkie talkie). The design also isn’t like the swivel screen EXILIM, instead looking like your normal flip phone.

Though a phone being this simple can be a good thing, priced at only $49.99 with a new 2 year contract. It launches in a little over a week on November 15th.

LG Chocolate Touch

The LG Chocolate Touch is the next in the hit LG Chocolate line, going away from the Chocolate 3’s flip phone design in favor for an all touchscreen one.  Of course, like all the phones in the Chocolate series, this phone is loaded with features, particularly music-based ones.

• Thin design with 3 inch touchscreen– I think the best comparison here is with the LG Dare and Versa, meaning thin and comfortable for pockets of all sizes.
• 3G with V Cast services like V Cast Music, Video….
  
• Built in apps for Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace– There even is a special social network key that will give you one touch access to update your status’.
• 3.2 megapixel camera with video and built in photo editor– So you can make your shots look nice before sending them to Facebook.
• Visual Voicemail
• GPS with VZ Navigator
• Threaded Messaging– Your texts will look like an IM conversation instead of a bunch of different replys.

Of course, like the Chocolate 3, this thing is a music BEAST! And wow, LG has bumped that up even more here.

• Music Player with Dolby Mobile– Meaning surround sound, better bass etc., be it through optional speakers or on headphones. In other words, you’ll get a sick music experience that looks to rival an iPod or Zune. Oh, and it’s got a regular 3.5 mm headphone jack so you don’t need any special headphones.
• 1 GB of built-in memory just for songs– You got room for about 250 out of the box, with the ability to up that to 16 GB through a microSD card.
• FM Radio built in– The Chocolate 3 sadly only had an FM transmitter, which let you play your music in say, a car over the FM radio, but it didn’t give you an actual FM radio to listen to stations. The Chocolate Touch looks to fix that by giving you one built-in. (No word on whether the FM transmitter made it back in as well, though I think getting a full FM radio is a more than acceptable upgrade.)
• Join the Band Mode– This is pretty awesome, and something we’ve never seen on a phone before. This let’s you play along with the song your listening to with either a full drum kit complete with snare drum, kick drum, floor tom, hi-hat cymbal, ride cymbal, crash cymbal, and even a cowbell! Or you can go with a full 88 key keyboard. You also got the option to press “Pause” to stop the music and show off solo skills. I’m not gonna lie, this sounds pretty cool.

Best part? It’s available NOW, for only $79.99 with a new 2 year contract from Verizon’s site.

Ok, now to some of the big boys. First up, a new BlackBerry Curve!

BlackBerry Curve 8530

A couple of weeks ago we wrote about T-Mobile getting a cheaper, new BlackBerry Curve 8520 complete with a sleeker design and new trackpad. Well, today Verizon get’s their own version of said Curve, bringing all those features to Verizon with even some new ones thrown in. What we got?

• Thin design– Like all the latest BlackBerry’s, this thing definitely looks thin and nice and should be easy to carry around.
• Touch Sensitive Optical Trackpad– Instead of the trackball found on older BlackBerry’s
• Full QWERTY keyboard– Wouldn’t be a BlackBerry without it.
• Verizon 3G– 3G was something the Curve’s BlackBerry really lacked, and we’re glad that Verizon’s has it.
• 2 megapixel camera with video recording– Decent camera, but not as great as the Curve 8900 which is 3.2 megapixel with flash and video recording.
• BlackBerry App World– For downloading apps.
• GPS with VZ Navigator
• WiFi– something the Tour was sadly missing.
• Mp3 player with microSD card slot and dedicated media keys at the top– Comes with a 1 GB card out of the box, but you can always replace it with a bigger memory card (up to 32 GB)  if you want. The media keys is pretty great as seen on T-Mobile’s Curve, as you now have dedicated play/pause, rewind and fast forward keys like you find on most non-smartphones. This should be great for controlling your music while your phone is in your pocket.

All in all, another nice Verizon BlackBerry, that with the Storm2 and Tour, should give anyone looking for a new Verizon BlackBerry something that suits them perfectly. The Curve 8530 will be out on November 20th, for an also not too bad $99.99 on new 2 year contract and BlackBerry email and web plan.

HTC Droid Eris

This is the biggest news of Verizon’s new products announced today. Their 2nd Android device, and it too isn’t a bad one. Called the Droid Eris (looks like Verizon plans to name all their Android phones with some sort of Droid name), this is their version of the awesomely specd HTC Hero from Sprint, and looks to bring another solid Android experience to Verizon users. It’s even got some updates that the more powerful Motorola Droid is missing, like interface customizations such as HTC Sense (while the Motorola Droid runs the stock Android interface, you get the nicer looking and more social connected HTC Sense here), and more importantly, multi-touch (something that for a reason we can’t think of didn’t make it into the Droid. HTC made sure to put it on here, and we’re really glad Verizon kept it).

That being said, it still runs Android 1.5, not 2.0 like the Moto Droid, and therefore doesn’t have all the awesome updates like the better web browser and Google Maps Navigation (rumors are that the HTC Hero devices will be getting 2.0, so let’s hope Verizon and HTC it here soon). It also runs a slower processor than the new Droid, and doesn’t have the slide out keyboard and better display also found on the Droid. So what you getting here? Specs:

• Verizon 3G
• WiFi
• GPS with digital compass (like what’s on the new iPhone 3GS)
• 3.2 inch touchscreen with multi-touch (as mentioned above. This brings things like pinch to zoom on pix and web sites and using more than one finger at a time on the keyboard for typing)
• an awesome 5 megapixel camera with video
• 8 GB microSD memory card in the box (upgradable to 16 GB)
• Visual Voicemail
• Android Market for downloading apps, with Google Apps built in like YouTube, Gmail and Google Maps
  

Again, as with the Chocolate Touch and the BlackBerry Curve 8530, the price is the best part. You get all this for only $99.99 with a new 2 year contract (with a data or email plan), which is a whopping $80 cheaper than what Sprint charges for their Hero! Oh, and release date? Like the Chocolate Touch, it’s also out NOW! Yes, if you want Android today on Verizon and would prefer something without a slide out keyboard like the Motorola Droid, than look right here. You can check it out and order it at Verizon’s site here.

So that raps this latest Verizon phones post, and wow does their holiday phone line up look stacked. 2 Droids, a bunch of sick new BlackBerrys and a new Chocolate! If your on Verizon, what do you plan/want to get for your next phone?

full drum kit complete with snare drum, kick drum, floor tom,
      hi-hat cymbal, ride cymbal, crash cymbal, and even a cowbell
      --  The "Join the Band" piano function allows customers to play along
          on a full scrolling 88-key keyboard.  With the option to press
          "Pause" to stop the music and show off solo s
What this is, is mode that let's you "play along" with the songs your listening to. You can do this with either the full drum kit complete with all the bells and whistles like snare drum, kick drum, floor tom, hi-hat cymbal, ride cymbal, crash cymbal, even a cowbell! Or you can go with the piano function which lets you play while scrolling an 88-key keyboard. You can also "Pause" to stop the music and show off solo skills. This is pretty sick in my opinion.
kills, the
          possibilities of fun are endless

The coolest box ever.

There are a few apps on my computer that get the honor of running full time – things like iTunes, Tweetie…. and Dropbox. As the name somewhat implies, Dropbox is free online storage– 2 GB, to be exact. After a brief sign up on the site, you now own your personal Dropbox which you can upload to and download from via the Web, as well as add and delete files.

But perhaps the coolest part is their desktop app. Available for Mac, Windows, and Linux, it’s basically a folder as well as a mini-app which syncs all info when opened. Simple, really. And, being a folder, it acts like a folder – easy to use.

This synchronization is the highlight purpose of Dropbox. Personally, I use it to keep certain files available to me everywhere – a few of my favorite songs, a couple important school notes, some of my pictures – the stuff I want to have at my fingertips at all times. Dropbox shines in this regard – because of the whole folder system. Add an mp3 to my Dropbox on my Mac, and I can get it from my Window’s netbook on the go. Need to go over those notes on my way to school? There’s an iPhone/iTouch app, so you’re covered there too. At school, and need that important essay you wrote? Just use the website. It’s pretty awesome. Also, there’s the ability to make a file Public – so you can pass a download link to your friends if they need a file from you. And again, it’s all free.

You start with 2 GB and can upgrade that to up to 3 GB by referring people. The Desktop apps are free, iPhone app’s free – its pretty sweet, and highly recommended.

Now, those of you who DESPERATELY need more then the 2-3 GB? You can upgrade to 50 or 100 GB at $10 or $20 a month respectively – if, say, you need to have your whole computer with you everywhere.

So – interested? Check out Dropbox here. (iPhone App here [Note - iTunes Link])

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is one of the most anticipated titles of the year and the sequel to the critically acclaimed Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, which was one of the launch titles for the PS3. We will be reviewing the single player and multiplayer separately. Read on for the review of the single player and some first thoughts to see if we think this is a game worth getting.

You wake up and look around. Then with a shake you are thrown out from your seat and onto the back of a train hanging off the side of a snowy mountain. Unless you want to die, you are forced to climb up the back of the train to get to terra firma. And this is only the tutorial of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.

To say that Uncharted 2: Among Thieves looks like a movie is an understatement. You feel like you are IN a movie. I haven’t played such seamless integration of game play and cinematics since Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Speaking of cinematics, they are gorgeous. The graphics in this game could easily be the best graphics in a game this year, and arguably all-time. There were times when I saw stunning vistas of mountains and my jaw dropped. It was like actually being there in Nepal right alongside Nathan Drake.

Onto game play, which is great and fun. The mix of shooting, platforming, and puzzle-solving work together perfectly. The shooting works great– I was able to land headshots on bad guys from 3 rooftops away. The cover system also works fantastically, and one thing Naughty Dog improved on Uncharted was stealth and combat. The stealth is much better and if you love Metal Gear Solid, like me, then these stealth levels will be a treat for you, just like they were for me. The combat also works great as you can go from shooting under cover to beating up a baddie seamlessly.

Three things that made this game stand out were things that make this game so unique was the voice acting, active cinematics, and the camera direction. That’s right, I said the camera direction. It was so incredible the way the camera moved, it really made you feel that you weren’t playing a video game, but instead an action-packed blockbuster movie.

And the voice acting is another thing that makes this game feel like a movie. The characters talk to each to other during fights with things that give you the feeling that these characters have known each other a long time and it gives them a backstory. The little quips and comebacks that the characters fired at each other while taking on a helicopter were funny and seemed right out of a blockbuster movie.

Lastly, what’s active cinematics you ask? Here’s an example: You are in a tall building which just got hit by a rocket and is crumbling down towards the ground with you in it. Instead of the game cutting to a cinematic, you are in full control of Nathan Drake and having that control, you have him jump to an adjacent building for safety. Instead of what would usually be cinematics, you play instead.

By itself, the single-player of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is truly an incredible experience. Add a truly addicting multiplayer and co-op, and you have a possible game of the year in your hands.  Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is a must-own if you have a PS3 and if you don’t have one, go get one, because this is an incredible game. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves gets a much deserved 5/5.

A well deserved 5

A couple of weeks ago we wrote a little preview post on EA’s upcoming successor to their hit Need for Speed racing franchise: Need for Speed Shift. Over the past couple weeks,  we got a chance to review the game, and as far as adding this racing game to your holiday wish list, we gotta say– one of the best racing games we’ve ever played. It really is a great racing game. Read on for a full review.

Graphics

This is where Need for Speed really shines. The graphics– on everything from the sick cars (we’re talking BMW’s, Ashton Martin’s, Lamborghini’s etc.) to the actually driving and looks of the tracks and other cars as you drive– is absolutely amazing. It really looks that great and is one of the best features of the game.

Gameplay

This is another fantastic part of the game. Using a racing wheel –not required (regular Xbox 360 controller works too, though not as well in my opinion) but I highly recommend for better control and overall experience–really replicates the true driver feel, the new cockpit view is fantastic (as are the other views too), and the new “Dynamic Crash” system was also put to good use here. Overall, a great racing experience.

Furthermore there’s the new Driver Profile. Kinda like Madden IQ in my opinion, giving you tougher races as you progress through the game, it really was well done and a fun incentive to play: the better, more aggressive/precise  your driving (such as bumping other riders by forcing them out of your way, staying along the green line in front of you and making smooth turns), the more points you get and the faster you increase your Driver Level.

There also is a Career mode, which I found to be just OK. It definitely was fun, but it left a lot to be desired such as more control on the driver, being able to do more things like control sponsorships etc. Overall though, the Career Mode was pretty solid, allowing you to build a nice amount of tricked-out cars to race.

Now here is my biggest gripe with Need for Speed– the load times. This was just annoying. 2 (very long feeling) minutes every time for a race to load is way to much in my opinion, and really hurt the experience. The game still played well once loaded, but still, the wait times are too much.

Wrap-Up

In the end, this is still a great racing game, and one of the best racing games we’ve ever played. From a strict racing point of view, it provides a great experience that with a racing wheel, really gives off a driving in the car experience. Whether you’re a big racing junkie or just someone look for a cool, fun game to play this holiday season, we really recommend Need for Speed Shift.

If it weren’t for the long wait times, and other minor issues like a simple career mode, we would give Need for Speed Shift a perfect 5 out of 5. But even taking those into account, we still really love EA’s next version of this hit series, are going to give it a Very Good 4 out of 5 rating.

We give Need for Speed Shift a very good 4 out of 5 rating.

So there’s our review and we wanna know your thoughts. If you have this game, you like it? Also, what kinda of games are looking to get this holiday season, be it racing or another type? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Need for Speed Shift is out now for the Xbox 360, PS3, PC, and PSP and you can order it now from EA’s site here.

The DSi XL

Well this pretty much came out of left field. Nintendo has announced the next version of the DS called the DSi XL (or DS LL for Japan). The new DS is said to be coming later this year to Japan and early next year for Europe and the US (which sadly is like what happened with the first DSi when it was first announced last year).

We got the info on the DSi XL, so let’s take a look and see what this does and how it differs from the DS Lite and DSi.

Ok, so the first thing you’ll notice is that compared to the DS Lite and DSi, this thing is huge. Nintendo has bumped up the screen size of both the top and bottom DS screens a full one inch to a 4.2 inch screen. And from the looks of it, Nintendo didn’t make this any thicker, which is definitely pretty awesome. The stylus also has been made bigger, much bigger actually since the first DS stylus’s. Check out this comparison pic of the DSi and the DSi XL from Nintendo Japan’s site.

Check out the size difference between the DSi and DSi XL– clearly you can see the DSi XL is much, MUCH bigger. (Pic from Joystiq)

We don’t yet know any other info like price or actual release for the US (or even all the differences in the two models beyond size). Don’t worry, we’ll make sure to keep you up to date on all the latest info.

Info from Kotaku

Watch out because here comes the Droid

Verizon users, today is your lucky day. Verizon , Google and Motorola have officially announced that one of the sickest phones of the year is coming to you– and very soon. Yup, the Droid is officially coming to Verizon, and brings some new Android 2.0 awesomeness that should make more companies than Apple a little nervous.

Ok, so in terms of specs, nothing we really haven’t covered in our previous Droid post– Verizon 3G, WiFi, 3.7 inch high res screen (we’re talking better than the iPhone’s screen here), 16 GB in the box (on a memory card), 5 megapixel camera with auto focus, flash and DVD quality video camera, Verizon Visual Voicemail, slide out full QWERTY keyboard with a design near the size of an iPhone, and Google’s Android 2.0… ok well that last part is a still a little new, and  where things got really interesting and plain awesome today.

This is the first of many devices to bring out Google’s next version of Android, Android 2.o. Android 2.0 brings along all the Android stuff we mentioned before– nicer looking interface, Facebook sync with contact app on the phone, built in apps like YouTube, GMail, Android Market, Amazon Mp3 store, and a better web browser.

Plus, there’s Google Maps, which got A LOT of news today, as now Google is also throwing in built in GPS guidance. We’re talking Garmin or TomTom quality GPS for FREE on your Android phone. Called Google Maps Navigation, this stuff is crazy. It brings all the latest Google Maps, Street Views, and live traffic, all constantly being updated to the latest info. This is something we’re really hoping Google brings to other Google Maps apps on other devices like Windows Mobile, webOS, BlackBerry and the iPhone.  (For right now, it probably is scaring the garbage out of competitors like Garmin and TomTom, or at least it looks like based on all the news of their respective stock prices dropping like a rock today, and can you blame them for not being scared of Google? Think bout it: $100 for the iPhone TomTom app versus a free Google app that does the same things on a bigger screen, for the perfect price of free). Motorola is also making docks for the Droid– one for using it in the car– like you would a regular GPS, and a multimedia station for syncing with your PC, showing off movies, pix and playing music, and also being an alarm clock with weather info from the GPS.

Anyways, check out this shot of the new navigation feature in action, looks pretty sweet no?

Google Maps Navigation– yeah, it’s that sick.

Now the big details: price and release. Well, you won’t have to wait long for this guy– the Droid comes out next week on November 6th, and the price is not that bad either, $199.99 with a new 2 year contract (with a $29.99 a month email and web plan) and $100 mail in rebate.

I don’t know bout you, but in my opinion this phone really looks to be Verizon’s true answer to the iPhone (we know it wasn’t the first Storm based on last year’s problems), and a device that if I were on Verizon, I’d definitely look into as it looks to be a great “do it all” phone.  What you think? You like what Motorola and Verizon got cooking here in the Droid, or you looking for something different in your next phone? The world wants to know, so let your voice be heard in the comments.

You can see full details on the Droid at Verizon’s preview site here.