Hello, Hello?

Apprently Sony is busy working on a PlayStation-branded phone, according to company insiders.

The rumour is that the phone will incorporate elements of the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and could hit the shelves in time for Christmas 2009.





‘Sources in Japan and Korea’ say that Sony is working on converting the current PSP model into a phone. Insiders say that the future of Sony Ericcsson is in the balance – with internal conversations ‘confirming’ that Sony would “never give its PlayStation branding” to the Sony Ericsson joint venture.





Another industry source said that the relationship between Sony and Sony Ericsson had become “frosty” – and added that Sony has learned from its “strategic error” of giving its Walkman branding to Sony Ericsson. Sony Ericsson launched its new F305 gaming phone last week, which included a 'Wii-style' control mechanic. A spokesman from Sony Ericsson says the handset maker “never comments” on future product announcements.

Brain Ache

EA’s Casual Entertainment label is to release a challenger to Nintendo’s Brain Training on DS later this year.The publisher will release two titles inspired by the best-selling US education book series Brain Quest – with each designed for different age groups. The books have sold more than 28 million copies in total.

Wii Fit turns YouTube crazy!!



Wii Fit girl video has nothing to do with us, says Nintendo

'Nintendo has denied being responsible for a voyeuristic YouTube video that shows a young lady gyrating to Wii Fit’s Hula Hoop game, according to a full page report in the Metro newspaper.The video clip entitled ‘Why Every Guy Should Buy...';

Nintendo has denied being responsible for a voyeuristic video on YouTube that shows a young lady gyrating to Wii Fit’s Hula Hoop game, according to a full page report in the Metro newspaper.The video clip entitled ‘Why Every Guy Should Buy Their Girlfriend A Wii Fit’ was filmed by advertiser Giovanny Gutierrez, and has received nearly two million hits in two weeks.However, a Nintendo spokesman has denied responsibility for the film stating to the Metro:“This is absolutely, 100 per cent nothing to do with Nintendo. Nintendo did not create it and were not aware of it until it was brought to our attention. This videohas been viewed over 2 MILLION times.....not bad for the Wii!!

Sega reveals its European line-up for the second half of the year

The highly-anticipated Sonic Unleashed for 360, PS3, Wii and PS2 is set for release in November, whereas the Bioware-developed Sonic Chronicles is on course for September.The publisher has also revealed that Aliens: Colonial Marines has been delayed until the first calendar quarter 2009, along with Alpha Protocol, Empire Total War for PC and Mad World on Wii.

The line up in full The Incredible Hulk (DS, 360) –
June 13th The Incredible Hulk (PS3, PS2) –
June 20th The Incredible Hulk (PC) –
June 27th The Incredible Hulk (Wii) –
July 11thBeijing 2008 (360, PS3, PC) –
27th June Samba De Amigo (Wii) -
August Space Siege (PC) –
22nd AugustPicto Image (DS) –
September Golden Axe Riders (360/PS3) –
September Sonic Chronicles (DS) –
SeptemberYakuza 2 (PS2) –
September Valkyria Chronicles (PS3) -
AutumnSonic Unleashed (360, PS3, Wii, PS2) –
NovemberEmpire Total War (PC) –
Q1 2009 Alpha Protocol (PS3. 360, PC) –
Q1 2009Mad World (Wii) – Q1 2009 Aliens: Colonial Marines (360, PS3) – Q1 2009

Consoles and copies of Brain Training given out to UK’s educators

The organisers of this year’s Handheld Learning Conference in October will give teachers that attend free Nintendo DS systems with a copy of Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training.

The conference, now in its fourth year, explores how technologies that are becoming commonplace in the lives of young people are also being used for powerful learning experiences both in and out of the school.Graham Brown-Martin, founder of Handheld Learning, said, “Providing teachers with free Nintendo DS Lites is not intended to be a gimmick, we expect our delegates to use them during the conference and experience an environment that would typically not be allowed in a classroom”.

The three-day event, running from Monday, Oct 13th-15th, is the largest of its kind and brings together many of the world’s leading education experts, school leaders and policy makers as well as parents and children to explore the convergence between consumer electronics, entertainment software, educational technology and learning.

The event is supported by UK government agency, Becta, along with industry support from Nintendo and Apple.Darren Gorton, business development director for Nintendo, said “We are proud to be supporting this important event once again and look forward to hearing from the some of the world’s leading thinkers in the field of learning.