Ben Crompton News Archive 
Reviews from Ben Crompton
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PS Vita sales crash in post holiday slump
Trails the handheld pack 19 January 2012 8:44 GMT TweetSony's PS Vita hasn't been out in Japan very long, launching in December 2011, however after a promising start its sales have plummeted, dropping to 18,361 in week five.
Although you'd expect a steady decline in sales after any big launch the...
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Nokia Lumia 800 second update rolls out: Battery improvements incoming
Over next 2 weeks 19 January 2012 7:56 GMT TweetAs promised in December Nokia has started the rollout of its second update for the Lumia 800, which amongst other things fixes issues with the phone's battery, and should hopefully reach handsets across the world in the next 2 weeks.
This comes...
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Jerry Yang resigns from Yahoo: A positive move for the Internet giant?
After 17 years at the helm 18 January 2012 10:02 GMT TweetAfter 17 years building up one of the largest web-based companies, co-founder of Yahoo, Jerry Yang is resigning from the board.
Yahoo was founded 1995 by Yang and David Filo, and for years saw huge growth as it came to dominate the web, however...
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PanicGuard for iPhone/Android: World's first police preferred security app
Shake or tap to activate 18 January 2012 8:55 GMT TweetThe new PanicGuard app is a way for you to ensure that you have the best possible chance of getting help in the event that you should find yourself in a dangerous or life-threatening situation.
Free to download and test, the PanicGuard app...
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AMD to offer cheap Intel Ultrabook alternative
Using new Trinity APU 18 January 2012 8:04 GMT TweetUltrabooks are set to make a big splash in 2012, the thin but powerful form factor clearly a huge advantage for those who need to remain portable. The one snag is the expense, however it has been suggested that AMD is looking to produce a powerful...
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Wikipedia blackout to mark protest against SOPA piracy bill
24 hours begins 5am on 18 Jan 17 January 2012 9:10 GMT TweetIn an unprecedented move, Wikipedia, the go-to web-based encyclopaedia, has decided to shut down its English-language website for 1 day on 18 January in protest against the US online piracy bill.
The decision to "go dark" came out of discussions...
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Apple to digitise classroom with 'Garageband for ebooks'
Education event rumours 17 January 2012 8:18 GMT TweetApple could be about to launch a new platform for for digital textbooks, which it hopes will bring an innovative method for students to interact with the subject matter and all linked to the iTunes platform making it very easy to access. All to be...
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APP OF THE DAY: The Sheeps review (iPhone)
Baah, baah black... 16 January 2012 18:00 GMT TweetQuite apart from anything else, a decent platformer, like the one featured in our App of the Day, goes a long way in banishing boredom during the cold winter months.
When you start adding an innovative, if characterful, design, multiple methods...
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BabyPing Wi-Fi Baby Monitor launches for iOS
CES 2012: Hear, view and monitor 16 January 2012 14:36 GMT TweetBabyPing has unveiled the latest in high security Wi-Fi baby monitors at CES 2012, which allows parents to to keep an eye and an ear on their little cherubs through their iOS device.
If a traditional baby monitor just doesn't cut it any more...
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Sky Sports Formula 1 speeds onto Virgin Media
Coming March 16 January 2012 13:04 GMT TweetVirgin Media has announced that it will be showing off the new Formula 1 Sky Sports channel, making the entire Formula 1 Grand Prix 2012 season available to Virgin Media customers.
Starting in March the new channel, Sky Sports F1, will be introduced...
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Lovefilm announces new Disney deal to stream ABC
Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy 16 January 2012 12:11 GMT TweetLovefilm has announced a deal with Disney, which will enable it to stream a wide variety of ABC programming to its members, bringing access to some popular American TV, including Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives.
Beginning this month...
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Apple reveals supplier details to quell worker mistreatment allegations
With increased factory inspections 16 January 2012 11:12 GMT TweetApple has revealed its list of suppliers in a bid to address criticism over the way it treats workers; there have also been moves made to increase the level and frequency of inspections carried out.
Previous criticism was levelled at Apple...
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Skype for Windows Phone 7 nears release
"Coming soon" 16 January 2012 9:21 GMT TweetEver since Skype was taken over by Microsoft back in October 2011, a Skype app for its Windows Phone 7 operating system has been on the cards. And now it looks as though it's nearly here after vice president of Skype division, Rick Osterloh, said:...
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Nokia Lumia 900 set for possible US March launch
No word on UK arrival 16 January 2012 7:47 GMT TweetThe Nokia Lumia 900 could be launching March 2012 according to a Nokia developer newsletter which was posted recently, it also suggests the phone will be available on AT&T.
The news comes after the Lumia 900's official unveiling at CES 2012,...
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Skype for Mac 5.5 beta update brings calling UI improvements
Available to download now 13 January 2012 9:50 GMT TweetSkype has announced its 5.5 beta update for Mac which delivers a few new features as well as a host of tweaks.
These include improvements to the call UI and tweaks to the call quality; Skype also says that its looked into the stabilisation...
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Monster Vektr headphones announced with Diesel design
CES 2012: "Personal listening solution" 13 January 2012 8:40 GMT TweetMonster, in partnership with Diesel, has announced the Vektr series of headphones and earphones, which claim to offer a "premium-quality listening solution that expertly blends the worlds of fashion and great sound."
Sadly within the press...
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New 'Send to Kindle': Non-book PC files to your Amazon ereader
No Mac as yet 13 January 2012 7:59 GMT TweetKindle has announced its new "Send to Kindle" software for the PC which attempts to make it super-easy to send PC files to your Kindle.
This has been possible previously using your Send-to-Kindle email address, but that involves a little messing...
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Casio Exilim EX-ZR200 high-speed snapper announced
CES 2012: 30fps at full-res 12 January 2012 8:50 GMT TweetCasio has announced its new flagship compact in the form of the Exilim EX-ZR200 camera, coming with Casio's Rapid Shutter feature which gives it the ability to shoot 30fps at full resolution.
Looking at the ZR200's list of features, it's clear...
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Kodak Playfull Dual Wi-Fi camera combines 12MP stills and HD video
CES 2012: All-in-one device 12 January 2012 7:57 GMT TweetKodak has had its fair share of troubles of late, but that hasn't stopped it announcing a few gems at CES 2012 in las Vegas. One of which is the Kodak Playfull Dual camera, which can not only shoot Full HD video but also snap 12-megapixel stills.
However,...
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Parrot Starck-designed Zik headphones bring NFC to your ears
CES 2012: Packed full of innovation 11 January 2012 10:13 GMT TweetParrot has revealed its new Zik headphones designed by Phillipe Starck, which bring together a massive amount of audio technology in smooth, standout styling.
And when we say packed with cutting edge tech, we mean it. First off, the Zik headphones...
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Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi scale shares weight with the web: Foursquare for fatties
CES 2012: Dishes out virtual badges 11 January 2012 8:49 GMT TweetA new set of wireless scales have been launched which allows you to share and upload information about your weight to the web, whilst also dishing out virtual motivational badges along the way.
Called the Fitbit Aria, it also measures your...
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Griffin StudioConnect and MidiConnect for iPhone play well with GarageBand
CES 2012: Hook up to iOS 11 January 2012 8:04 GMT TweetGriffin has launched a couple of iPhone/iPad accessories that should appeal to iOS music makers, as its MidiConnect and StudioConnect should bring flexibility to any musician working with the OS and its GarageBand software.
MIDIConnect joins...
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Pure Sensia 200D Connect: The second coming
CES 2012: With 5.6-inch touchscreen 10 January 2012 16:36 GMT TweetPure has revealed its update to the Sensia; coming in the guise of the Sensia 200D Connect, this followup should deliver some upgraded performance on the older model which Pocket-lint found to be just a little off the mark.
In short, the radio...
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Lenovo Yoga Ultrabook pulls some shapes: Turns into touchscreen tablet
CES 2012: Four usage modes 10 January 2012 14:30 GMT TweetLenovo has decided to mix up the laptop form-factor with the IdeaPad Yoga, a multi-mode Ultrabook, which introduces an intuitive design that optimises the user experience of both a 13.3-inch Ultrabook and tablet across four different usage modes.
These...
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Griffin draws on Crayola's expertise: New kid's MyPhones and iPad apps
CES 2012: Volume limiting tech built-in 10 January 2012 12:44 GMT TweetGriffin and Crayola have teamed up to bring the next iteration of MyPhones headphones and colouring apps, which have been specifically designed to allow your children to get the most out of their (or most likely your) iPad.
We've looked at...
APP OF THE DAY: Tom Daley Dive 2012 review (iPad / iPhone / iPod touch) Splooosh!
Sony Vaio E Series pictures and hands-on Everyday laptops
APP OF THE DAY: The Weather Channel review (iPhone / iPod touch) Tonight for the first time, just about half-past ten...
Canon EOS 650D coming in June - specs leaked About time and all
Diablo III collector's edition pictures and hands-on
Want to transfer Android apps to a Windows Phone? Microsoft would like to help Showing App-titude
Samsung Galaxy S III receives 9 million pre-orders Are you one of the crowd?
ICANN and the dot anything: do we care about domain names? The web is changing
WIN: Tickets to Ibiza Rocks to see Maverick Sabre and Labrinth live Epic prize courtesy of Sony
Olympic diving hope Tom Daley gets own iOS game Tom Daley Dive 2012
Cisco Linksys X3000 One for basic users
APP OF THE DAY: WhatsApp review (Android) Instant message, cross platform
Steve Jobs dreamt of creating an iCar What might have been
Twitter suggests who to follow according to your web history Separate the 'tweet' from the chaff
Pentax K-30: 16-megapixel weather-proofed mid-level DSLR 81 seals makes this one tough cam
Olympus OM-D E-M5 review
The compact system camera to beat all others?
Nokia Lumia 900 review
Is big beautiful?
HTC One V review
V for victory?
Huawei Ascend G300 review
Big bang for your hundred quid
FIFA 12: UEFA Euro 2012 review
Lacks polish, if not the Polish
Asus Transformer Pad TF300T review
Transforms your money in to a great tablet
BlackBerry Mini Keyboard for PlayBook review
Will this make working on the go easier?
Fujifilm X-Pro1 review
Like a Leica
Nikon Coolpix P510 review
Does the P510 zoom beyond expectations?
Volkswagen Beetle Design 1.2TSi DSG review
The bug is back. Again.
The Walking Dead: The Game review
Fleshed out zombie bonanza
HP Envy 14 Spectre review
The Ultrabook that isn't an Ultrabook
Fujifilm FinePix HS30EXR review
Can Fujifilm’s latest put the ‘super’ in superzoom?
Nikon Coolpix S6300 review
Point, shoot and scoot