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Today's big stories on Megawhat TV NEWS
Catch up with the tech news web tv show 31 January 2008 19:20 GMT
Switch on Megawhat TV now for the biggest stories of the day from the world of gadgets and technology.

In the headlines today: A newcomer to the mobile phone market; Guitar RockStar for your air guitar needs; Leapfrog announce Tag Reading System and last up...
Daily news roundup - 31/01/08
What's been hot news in the tech world today? 31 January 2008 18:11 GMT
Haven't had a chance to read all the news and reviews we've posted on the site today?

Here are the top 10 stories of the day.

Highlights include the launch of the nüvifone, and deals on the PS3 from Asda.

The top stories are:
NEWS
Two new lenses for Sony and Pentax cameras
Telephoto and large zoom on their way 31 January 2008 18:02 GMT
Sigma has today announced two new lenses for Sony and Pentax cameras.

The 50-150mm f/2.8 EX DC HSM II is a compact, large aperture telephoto zoom lens.

This large aperture telephoto zoom lens is designed to match APS-C size image sensors.

It delivers...
Virgin Mobile announces new "Daily Bonus" tariff
Sounds remarkably like old "Bonus Minutes" one 31 January 2008 18:00 GMT
Virgin Mobile has announced the launch of a new Pay As You Go tariff called "Daily Bonus".

Claiming no confusing jargon, just a "straight-forward, simple, value for money pricing structure" both new and existing PAYG customers can hop on the deal.
National Geographic goes Blu-ray only
Warner-distributed company takes the blue pill 31 January 2008 17:36 GMT
National Geographic has revealed that it too will drop HD DVD support in favour of Blu-ray releases from now on.

Distributed under the Warner umbrella along with New Line Home Entertainment, HBO Home Video and BBC Home Video, National Geographic has released...
Amazon announces Audible acquisition
Brought to you by the letter "a" 31 January 2008 16:33 GMT
Amazon.com has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Audible for $300 million.

Audible.com is an online provider of digital spoken word audio content, specialising in digital audio editions of books, newspapers and magazines, television and radio...
Customisable, personalised wooden mice
Make your mark 31 January 2008 16:07 GMT
Not only is this mouse made of wood, it's also customisable.

A range of wood finishes, carved designs and up to ten letters can be combined to make your very own personalised peripheral.

$60 from Depuz, available to order now.
Sigma DP1 may finally be on its way
Digi compact arrives 16 months after launch 31 January 2008 16:00 GMT
Sigma first unveiled its DP1 digital compact to the world at Photokina way back in September 2006.

The camera has been beset by delays but now Sigma promises that it will arrive this Spring, although hasn't been tied down to an exact date.

The compact features...
Sigma updates two favourites for FourThirds system
Both to arrive in April 31 January 2008 16:00 GMT
Two new lenses will soon to available for Leica, Panasonic and Olympus FourThirds DSLR owners.

First up is the £369.99 Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM, which is a super wide-angle zoom lens designed exclusively for DSLRs.

Claimed to be a powerful tool...
Sigma unveils APO 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG
A world first? 31 January 2008 16:00 GMT
The APO 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG lens, which will arrive in April, is claimed to be the world’s first ultra-telephoto zoom lens that offers a fast aperture of f/2.8 at 500mm focal length.

It covers widely used focal lengths from 200mm to 500mm and has a large aperture...
Sigma announces ultra telephoto zoom
New optic covers focal range up to 500mm 31 January 2008 16:00 GMT
Introducing the whopping Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM.

This new ultra-telephoto lens is built from 21 Elements in 15 Groups, including three SLD glass elements, which correct chromatic aberration. The super multi-layer lens coating reduces flare and ghosting....
Sigma announces 70-300mm lenses
Designed for Nikon cameras 31 January 2008 16:00 GMT
The Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro and 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG Macro both incorporate a built-in motor, which allows autofocus with all Nikon cameras.

Sigma explains: "The Nikon D40, D40x and D60 cameras cannot fully support the original Nikon lenses, as there...
Introducing the Sigma 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM
With Optical Stabiliser 31 January 2008 16:00 GMT
Arriving on these shores in April will be the 120-400mm f/4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM lens from Sigma.

The key feature of this new optic is its Optical Stabiliser system, which offers the equivalent of using a shutter speed approximately 4 stops faster.

In addition,...
Sigma 18-125mm to arrive in May
But no tech specs as yet 31 January 2008 16:00 GMT
The full specs may not be available yet but Sigma has announced that a new 18-125mm F3.8-5.6 DC OS HSM lens will arrive in May.

This high ratio zoom lens will be housed in a compact construction and will incorporate Sigma's OS (Optical Stabiliser) function.

Designed...
Kodak launches EasyShare Z1012 IS digital camera
Compact man-cam 31 January 2008 15:02 GMT
Kodak has launched the EasyShare Z1012 IS digital camera at the PMA photography event in Las Vegas.

Described as the "must have gadget for men this year" the Z1012 IS features some double digit specs in a slim design.

The new model boasts a 10-megapixel...
Dyson offers "Ball" and "Baby" compact cleaners
Honey, I shrunk the Hoover 31 January 2008 14:11 GMT
Dyson is launching a new range of compact cleaners, the Dyson Baby and Dyson Ball, that the company says maintain the all-round performance of full-size Dyson machines.

The reasoning behind this shrinkage is that the UK has more, smaller households than ever...
Sony lowers 11 million PS3s sales prediction
Climb-down on figures as fiscal results announced 31 January 2008 13:42 GMT
Sony has announced it has cut its PlayStation 3 sales target for the year to March 2008 to 9.5 million units from their predicted figure of 11 million.

This climb-down on the sales figures is in strong contrast to their stance at the Tokyo Games Show last September.
Interactive 8-bit gamer's Valentine's tees
Hearts light up in proximity to matching shirt 31 January 2008 12:33 GMT
Gamers know that when your red heart gauge reaches zero you die - something that the "8-Bit Dynamic Life Shirt" illustrates all too well.

These tees come in twos - during normal activities two and a half pixelated hearts will light up but get within hugging...
12 volt "Spotlight" for in-car illumination
Tiny metallic torch 31 January 2008 12:21 GMT
This tiny torch is a clever innovation for motorists.

It recharges from your car's 12 volt cigarette socket, so if you keep it in your motor (and it's certainly small enough not to take up too much space) you'll always have a light to hand.

A...
LeapFrog announce Tag Reading System
Aims to make books interactive 31 January 2008 12:19 GMT
LeapFrog has announced a new technologically advanced range of reading books that promise to engage your kids more than just regular paper.

Working with a pen, the Tag Reading System interacts directly with books via an infrared camera which recognises letters,...
Google and Dell to announce gPhone hardware?
Unlikely rumours see Android handset coming soon 31 January 2008 12:07 GMT
Marketing Week reports that "speculation is mounting that Google is plotting the launch of a mobile phone in partnership with computer giant Dell".

Citing "senior industry sources" the site says that the two companies are due to reveal their plans to the world...
Currys to stop selling patio heaters
Takes the green high-ground on enviro-unfriendly product 31 January 2008 11:39 GMT
Currys has announced it is to stop selling patio heaters.

The move, which has already been carried out online, is to be implemented across the retailer's 550 stores nationwide, with no further orders placed for the obviously not that profitable products.
Renewably-sourced wooden USB "FlashSticks" available
Twig-tastic 31 January 2008 11:25 GMT
"Having a material like wood in an IT environment is an obvious juxtaposition which could no doubt raise a few eyebrows from the casual observer."

So is the thinking behind FlashSticks' range of twig-like USB drives.

In the case of this latest...
"Zeus" PC launches for £375,000
Ye gods 31 January 2008 11:10 GMT
Zeus has launched its range of handmade "Jupiter" and "Mars" desktop PCs made of gold and white gold, that must be the most expensive desktop offerings around.

Specs for the sky-high price tags are only mildly impressive, running on Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, 2GB...
Sony launches lens duo
24-70mm and 70-300mm optics on their way 31 January 2008 11:09 GMT
Two lens launches have followed on from Sony's announcement today of two additions to its DSLR line-up.

First up is the Vario Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA, which was co-developed with Carl Zeiss.

Thye otherwise named SAL2470Z model is a wide angle 24-70mm...