Author / Xavier Voigt-Hill

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Posts by Xavier Voigt-Hill

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by Xavier Voigt-Hill

April Fools: The new Sony Vaio Q is the world’s smallest Ultrabook

Sony has today unveiled the Vaio Q, the world’s smallest Ultrabook with a 0.75″ x 1.25″ 1080p display at 1511ppi, the highest density display ever seen on a Windows PC. Equipped with a 3.66GHz quad-core Intel Core i9 processor, 8GB RAM and 256GB of solid state storage, the Vaio Q promises to provide a balance of power and portability with no compromise. To find out more, visit the Sony Store and watch the announcement video below.

by Xavier Voigt-Hill

April Fools: Conan O’Brien becomes Mashable CEO, steals Apple iTV and makes paper-based Twitter

Comedian and talk-show host Conan O’Brien has replaced Pete Cashmore as CEO of Mashable, having bought the site for $3500. O’Brien went on to steal a prototype of the Apple iTV and propose a paper-based Twitter. Watch the videos below.

by Xavier Voigt-Hill

April Fools: Toshiba unveils new tablets that inspire individuality

Not content with the wide range of Android tablets on the market today? Toshiba may be able to answer your prayers, with the announcement of tablets in three new form factors. The Oblong, Amore and Rhombus slates will hit the market soon, and the unveil video can be seen below.

by Xavier Voigt-Hill

April Fools: Virgin Volcanic will take Richard Branson to the centre of the earth

Richard Branson has been known to take the Virgin brand to the extreme, and his latest venture is no exception. The Virgin Volcanic project promises to take people through active volcanoes to the centre of the earth by 2015. Initial earthports will be built in 5 locations:

  • Etna – Sicily, Italy
  • Stromboli – Aeolian Islands
  • Yasur – Republic of Vanuatu
  • Ambrym – Republic of Vanuatu
  • Tinakula – Solomon Islands

In a press release about the project, eccentric billionaire Branson said:

I have a long held a fascination with volcanoes having read Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth as a young boy. I decided that one day I would go there too. Alongside our adventures with Virgin Galactic and Virgin Oceanic, volcanoes are the next great unexplored terrain. What can I say, I lava challenge!

On the first journey, Branson will be joined by actors Tom Hanks and Seth Green, filmmaker Barbara Kopple and ‘musician‘ will.i.am, who is set to make the world’s first soundtrack recorded in an active volcano during the voyage. To find out more about the project, and how you could get involved, visit the website.

by Xavier Voigt-Hill

April Fools: Mojang confirms new game Mars Effect

Mojang, the Swedish studio best known for Minecraft, has today unveiled its new game, entitled Mars Effect. In a post on the game’s website, Notch explains how the company came up with the name:

After several weeks of trying to come up with a good name for the game, we finally decided not to learn from previous experiences and pick a name that’s already kind of in use by a huge existing franchise. After playing around with names like “Elight”, “Wind Commander”, and “Steve Online”, we finally settled on the very catchy name “Mars Effect”.

While not much is currently known about the game, Mojang has released a list of features:

  • Hard science fiction
  • Lots of engineering
  • Fully working computer system
  • Space battles against the AI or other players
  • A game ending that makes sense
  • Abandoned ships full of loot
  • Waist high walls
  • Seamlessly landing on planets
  • Advanced economy system
  • Mining, trading, and looting

More information about the game can be found on its website, and with the hashtag #marseffect on Twitter.

by Xavier Voigt-Hill

April Fools: The YouTube Collection gives complete offline access to YouTube

The YouTube Collection, announced online this morning, lets YouTube fans own the entirety of YouTube on DVD or even Betamax. Due to the heavy demand, however, some viewers, such as myself, may be forced to wait 43 years for delivery. Watch the video below.

by Xavier Voigt-Hill

April Fools: Google unveils 8-bit Maps for NES

In a video posted on YouTube, Google has unveiled an 8-bit version of its popular Maps service. In addition to a ‘Quest’ view on the web page, NES users will soon be able to purchase a cartridge with built-in dial-up internet support to access the service. Watch the video below.

by Xavier Voigt-Hill

Amazon’s Appstore generates more revenue than Google Play according to research from Flurry

Research from Flurry suggests that Amazon’s Appstore, currently US-only, generates more revenue per daily user than Google’s own Play Store, formerly known as the Android Market.

by Xavier Voigt-Hill

Android phones caught stealing names from condoms

We all know how ridiculous Android device names can be, but this chart from the Intercom Blog really alarms me. To quote the author:

If your product isn’t a condom then don’t name it like one

Don’t know what I mean? Have a look below.

Android Condom Chart

NB: There is actually a phone called the LG Rumor Touch, but it is a dumbphone so it doesn’t count here. This is an advert for it:

Eva Longoria LG Rumor Touch Advert

by Xavier Voigt-Hill

277 Game and Gamestation stores shut and 2,104 jobs lost as group enters administration

Last week, we reported that the Game Group was set to enter administration, and now the company has confirmed the inevitable. 277 of their 609 UK stores have now shut, and 2,104 jobs have subsequently been lost, amounting to roughly 40% of the workforce. Reward Card/Elite points can still be collected but not redeemed, and gift cards are also useless for the time being. No trade-ins, exchanges or returns will be accepted, and there is a halt on pre-orders until further notice. A full list of the closed stores from MCV can be found below, so have a check there to see whether your local branch is facing the chop. Thankfully, my local Gamestation in Haywards Heath is still open, so I can breathe easily for the next couple of days at least, but let’s hope that somebody steps in to rescue one of the few retailers that people actually like. The group’s press release follows:

Further to our announcements of 21 March, the Board of Game has completed its discussions with lenders and third parties without resolution, and has therefore today appointed PWC LLP to act as administrators for the Group. This decision is taken after careful consideration and ceaseless interrogation of every possible alternative. The Board would like to thank the teams of Game and Gamestation colleagues around the world for their exemplary dedication, passion and professionalism.

  • Abergavenny Unit 3 Cibi Walk, Frogmore Street
  • Accrington 29 Broadway
  • Aintree Comet
  • Altrincham 97 George Street
  • Andover 49 High Street
  • Antrim Unit 42, Junction One Outlet Centre
  • Ashford 18 County Square
  • Ashington 12 Station Road, Ashington
  • Ashton Unit 28, The Arcade
  • Athlone Unit 44 Athlone Town Centre
  • Aylesbury Units 36-37, Friars Sq. Shopping Centre
  • Ballymena Unit 15 Fairhill Shopping Centre
  • Banbury 4B Castle Quay Shopping Centre
  • Bangor NI 9 Bloomfield Centre
  • Barking Unit 17 Vicarage Fields Shopping
  • Barnet Unit 10 The Spires Shopping Centre
  • Barnsley 32 Market Street
  • Barnstaple 30 High Street
  • Barrow In Furness Unit 26, Portland Walk
  • Basildon 84 Town Square
  • Basingstoke 3 Mayfair House
  • Bath SU7 St Lawrence Street, Southgate Centre
  • Beckton 19 Gallions Reach, 3 Armada Way
  • Belfast Unit 55 Castle Court Shopping Centre, Belfast
  • Belfast (Conns) Unit 20, Connswater Centre
  • Belfast (Forestside) Unit 12, Forestside Shopping Centre, Upper Galway
  • Birkenhead 35-37 Milton Pavement, Grange Precinct
  • Birmingham Unit 52, The Pallasades
  • Birmingham 138 New Street
  • Birmingham Fort Unit 3a The Fort Shopping Park
  • Bishop Auckland 59 Newgate Street
  • Blackburn Unit 7 Victoria Court, The Mall
  • Blackpool Unit 19, Houndshill Shopping Centre
  • Blanchardstown Unit 112, Blanchardstown Town Centre
  • Bluewater LO42 Lower Thames Walk, Bluewater
  • Bolton 37 Newport Street
  • Bootle Unit 7, 63 Parkside, Strand Shopping Centre
  • Boston 23 Strait Bargate
  • Bournemouth Unit 4, Avenue Centre, Commercial Road
  • Bournemouth 49 Commercial Street
  • Bracknell 39 Princess Square
  • Bradford Unit 2, The Broadway
  • Bradford 4-6 Darley Street
  • Brent Cross Unit B15, Brent Cross Shopping Centre
  • Bridgend 12/14 Adare Street
  • Bridlington Unit 11 The Promenades
  • Brighton 69 Western Road
  • Bristol SU16 Cabots Circus, Broadmead
  • Bromley 68-68A High Street
  • Burnley 68/70 St James Street
  • Burton on Trent 7 Underhill Walk
  • Bury 20 Princess Parade
  • Buxton Unit 13, Spring Gardens
  • Camden 124 Camden High Street
  • Cannock 6 Market Hall Street
  • Canterbury 14 High Street
  • Cardiff 92 Queen Street
  • Chatham 152 High Street
  • Cheltenham 100 High Street
  • Chester 39 Foregate Street
  • Chesterfield 22 Vicar Lane Shopping Centre (10 Vicar Lane)
  • Chiswick 350 High Road
  • Cirencester 26, Cricklade Street
  • Clacton on Sea 20-22 Station Road
  • Colchester 3 Shewell Walk, (Unit 13 The Culver Centre)
  • Coleraine 16 Kingsgate Street
  • Collierswood Unit 9a Tandem Centre, Christchurch Road
  • Congleton 45-47 High Street
  • Cork 6 Mahon Point, Cork
  • Cork 66 Patrick Street, , Cork, Eire,
  • Coventry Unit 22, West Orchards Centre, Smithford Way
  • Cowley 107 Pound Way, Templars Square Shopping Centre
  • Cramlington 4 Dudley Court
  • Crawley Unit 8, County Mall
  • Crawley 10-12 The Martlets
  • Crewe Unit 7, The Market Centre
  • Croydon 98/99 Whitgift Centre
  • Croydon (Purley Way) Comet
  • Cumbernauld Unit 29, Antonine Shopping Centre, Tryst Road
  • Dewsbury 12 Longcauseway
  • Doncaster 43/44 Market Place
  • Dorchester 55 South Street
  • Dublin 2 Dawson Street, Dublin 2, Eire,
  • Dublin Unit 18, Ilac Centre, Dublin 1
  • Dublin (Dundrum) Unit 10, Level 3, Dundrum Centre, Dublin
  • Dublin (Dundrum) Hamleys Dundrum
  • Dublin (Liffey) Unit 37, Liffey Valley Centre, Clondalkin, Dublin,
  • Dudley 7 Churchill Parade
  • Dudley (Merry Hill) Unit L87, Merry Hill Shopping Centre
  • Dumbarton 77/79 High Street
  • Dundee 40 Murraygate
  • Dunstable 6-8 Nicholas Way, Quadrant Shopping Centre, Dunstable, LU6 1TD
  • Durham Unit SU40, Land Of The Prince Bishops Shopping Centre
  • East Ham 111 High Street North
  • East Kilbride 5 The Olympia, Town Centre
  • Edinburgh 127 Princes Street
  • Edinburgh (Leith) Unit RU4, Ocean Terminal
  • Ellesmere Port 18 Mercers Walk
  • Enfield 37 Church Street
  • Enniskillen Unit 23, Erneside Shopping Centre
  • Evesham Unit 16, Riverside Centre
  • Exeter SU19 Princeshay
  • Falkirk Unit 34, Howgate Centre
  • Fleet 16 Hart Centre
  • Gainsborough Unit 13b, Marshalls Yard, Gainsborough
  • Galashiels Unit 8 Douglas Bridge, Galashiels
  • Galway 5 Eglington Street
  • Glasgow Unit L3/22 , Buchanan Galleries
  • Glasgow Hamleys Glasgow
  • Glasgow 146 Sauchiehall Street
  • Glasgow 83 Sauchiehall Street
  • Glenrothes 42 Unicorn Way
  • Gloucester 16 Kings Walk
  • Grantham 53 High Street
  • Great Yarmouth Unit 10 Market Gates Shopping Centre
  • Gretna Unit 53, Gretna Outlet Village
  • Grimsby 24 Victoria Street West
  • Halesowen 38 Hagley Mall, Cornbow Centre, Halesowen
  • Halifax 12 Woolshops
  • Hanley Unit F, The Potteries, Hanley
  • Hanley 214-215 The Potteries
  • Harlow 8 Broad Walk, Harlow
  • Harrogate 2D Cheltenham Parade
  • Harrow 68-70 St. Anns Road
  • Hartlepool 92 Middleton Grange Shopping Centre
  • Hastings 19 Queens Road
  • Hemel Hempstead Unit 201, The Marlowes Shopping Centre
  • Hemel Hempstead Unit 12, The Marlowes Shopping Centre
  • Hereford 56 Commercial Street
  • High Wycombe 16 Church Street
  • Hounslow Unit 13, The Treaty Centre, High Street
  • Hull Unit G46, Princes Quay
  • Huyton Unit 5 Cavendish Walk, Derby Road, Huyton
  • Hyde 8 The Square, Hyde
  • Ilford 172 – 174 High Road
  • Inverness 6-8 Ingliss Street
  • Jarrow 25 Viking Precinct, Jarrow
  • Kensington 185 High Street
  • Kettering 27 Gold Street
  • Kidderminster 82 Worcester Street
  • Kingston 64-66 Clarence Street
  • Lakeside Unit 282 Lakeside Shopping Centre
  • Lancaster Unit 15, Ashton Walk, St. Nicholas Arcade
  • Leamington Spa 83 Parade
  • Leeds 50-52 Albion Street
  • Leeds 18 Kirkgate
  • Leeds (Birstall) Unit 8b Birstall Shopping Park
  • Leeds (Crossgates) 58 Crossgates Shopping Centre
  • Leeds (Crown Point) Unit 5b Crown Point Retail park
  • Leicester 42 Granby Street
  • Lewisham 68 Lewisham Centre
  • Limmerick Unit 11A, Cruises Street, Limerick, Eire,
  • Lincoln (Valentine) Unit 2a Valentine Retail Park
  • Lisburn 6 Bow Street
  • Lisburn Unit A10, Bow St. Mall
  • Liverpool Unit 43/44 Clayton Square Shopping Centre
  • Liverpool Unit 44, South John Street
  • Llandudno 46 Mostyn Street
  • Llanelli Unit 1, Llanelli Shopping Centre
  • Long Eaton 10 Market Place
  • Lowestoft 43 London Road North
  • Luton 142-144 Andale Centre
  • Luton 39 George Street
  • Macclesfield 25 Mill Street
  • Maidenhead 75 Queens Walk, The Nicholson Centre
  • Maidstone 351 Chequers Centre
  • Manchester Unit L16 Arndale Centre
  • Manchester Unit 59, Arndale Centre
  • Manchester (Trafford) 124 Peel Centre, Trafford Centre
  • Mansfield 38A Westgate
  • Meadowhall Unit 29, High Street, Meadowhall Shopping Centre
  • Meadowhall Unit 52, High Street, Meadowhall Centre
  • Melton Mowbray 14-15 Market Place, Melton Mowbray
  • Merthyr Tydfill 4 Graham Way, Tydfils Shopping Centre
  • Merthyr Tydfill Unit 3 Beacons Place Shopping Centre
  • Metrocentre Unit 112 Lower blue hall, Metro Centre
  • Middlesbrough 108 Linthorpe Road
  • Middleton G14 Middleton Shopping Centre
  • Milton Keynes Unit SU 10, Midsumer Place
  • Monaghan Unit 27 Monaghan Shopping Centre
  • Newark 9 St Marks Place
  • Newbury 63A North Brook Street
  • Newcastle 8 High Friars, Eldon Square
  • Newcastle Fenwicks Concession
  • Newcastle 78 Grainger Street
  • Newport 13 Commercial Street
  • Newport Isle Of Wight 63 High Street
  • Newry Unit 12A, Buttercrane Shopping Centre
  • North Finchley 776 High Road
  • North Shields Comet
  • Northampton 17 Abingdon Street
  • Norwich 17 St Stephens Street
  • Norwich 3-4 Castle Mall Shopping Centre
  • Nottingham Unit 2, 33 Listergate
  • Nuneaton 2A Market Place
  • Oldham Unit 18, The Spindles Shopping Centre
  • Omagh Unit 5, Main Street Development
  • Orpington 79 – 81 The Walnuts, Orpington, BR6 0TW
  • Perth 9 Scott Street
  • Peterlee 21 Yoden Way
  • Plymouth 81/83 New George Street
  • Portadown Unit 6, High Street Mall
  • Portsmouth 7 Meadow Walk, Cascades Shopping Centre
  • Preston 8 Fishergate Centre
  • Preston 172 Friargate
  • Putney Unit 28, Exchange Shopping Centre
  • Ramsgate 30 High Street
  • Reading Unit 17 Oracle Shopping Centre
  • Redcar Unit 8, Regent Centre
  • Rhyl 64 High St
  • Rochdale 54 Market Way
  • Rugby 45-46 Clocktower Centre
  • Runcorn 48 Forest Walk, Halton Lea Shopping Centre
  • Salisbury 11 High Street
  • Scarborough 112B Westborough
  • Scunthorpe 58 High Street
  • Sheffield Unit 22/24, Fargate
  • Sheffield 37/41 The Moor
  • Shrewsbury 3-4 Castle Street
  • Skelmersdale UNIT 27 Upper Mall, The Concourse Shopping Centre
  • Slough N21 Curzon Mall, Queensmere Centre
  • Solihull Comet
  • South Shields 89/91 King Street
  • Southampton Unit SU8, West Quay Centre
  • Southampton 82 Above Bar Street
  • Southport 203 Lord Street
  • Speke Comet
  • St Albans Unit 32, The Maltings
  • Stafford 21 Gaolgate Street
  • Staines 54 High Street
  • Stevenage 64 Queensway
  • Stevenage 54 Queensway
  • Stirling Unit 24, The Thistle Centre
  • Stockport Comet
  • Stockton-on-Tees Unit SU32, Wellington Square
  • Stockton-on-Tees 134B High Street
  • Stratford 88 The Mall
  • Stratford upon Avon 13 Town Square Shopping Centre
  • Sunderland 251 High Street
  • Sunderland 27 Blandford Street
  • Sutton 192 High Street
  • Sutton Coldfield Unit SU7, New Hall Walk, Lower Sutton Parade
  • Swansea 12 Union Street
  • Swindon 9 Havelock Square, Brunel Shopping Centre
  • Swindon 7 Regent Sreet
  • Tallaght Unit 307, The Square
  • Tamworth Unit 18, Ankerside
  • Taunton 47 North Street
  • Telford Unit 6, 159 New Mall, Telford Shopping Centre
  • Telford 32 Sherwood Street, Telford Shopping Centre
  • Torquay 5 Union House
  • Truro Unit 2, 4/6 Pyder Street
  • Uxbridge 13 Market Square
  • Victoria 10 Victoria Place, Buckingham Palace Road
  • Wakefield 17 Kirkgate
  • Walsall 42 Old Square Shopping Centre
  • Walthamstow Unit 11A, Selbourne Centre
  • Wandsworth 61 South Mall, Wandsworth Shopping Centre
  • Warrington 46 The Mall
  • Washington Unit 30 Albany Mall, The Galleries
  • Washington 26 Albany Mall
  • Welwyn Garden City 21 The Howard Centre
  • Wembley 458 High Road
  • West Belfast Unit 4 Park Centre, Donegall Road
  • Weston Super Mare 85 High Street
  • Weymouth Unit 5, Bond Street Centre
  • Wigan 23 Market Place
  • Winchester 106A High Street
  • Windsor 21 King Edward Court
  • Woking 4 Middle Walk
  • Wolverhampton 27 Dudley Street
  • Wood Green 83 High Road
  • Woolwich 112 Powis Street
  • Wrexham 42-43 Hope Street
  • Wythenshawe 18 The Birtles, Wythenshawe
  • Yeovil 13-15 Vicarage Walk, Quedam Shopping Centre
  • York Unit 3, 5 Spurriergate