I want that one... and that one...

Gentlemen, start your engines... it looks like Xbox 2 is here. Or rather, Xbox 360 as it now seems to be called. Various sites around the web have images that are allegedly the "real deal" - the final design that Microsoft will be unveiling at E3 in May. And if they're accurate, then it's a distinct improvement on the current Xbox.

For a start, it's silver and shiny, rather than matt black, so they're on to a winner straight away as far as I'm concerned. Then there are the system specs - apparently, the Xbox 360 contains three (yes, three!) IBM PowerPC processing chips, which are essentially the same ones that Apple use in their G5 machines, so there is some SERIOUS power in there. The controllers are wireless as standard, as is wi-fi networking. The hard-drive will be an add-on, but seems to me to be almost essential. And word on the street says that it'll be in the shops in time for Christmas. Have a look at the Definitive Xbox 360 FAQ over at ign.com for more details and images.

Before then, however, is the Playstation Portable (PSP). The European launch date has now been confirmed as 1st September 2005, with a price of £179. Which is a bit pricey for sure, but it won't stop me buying one on launch day!

No turning back...

A friend of mine told me yesterday that he had sold his entire CD collection on eBay, as he now has them all stored on his computer as MP3 files, and therefore no longer needs the original discs.

Crikey.

I can't see myself being in that position any time soon. I think I'm too worried that technology will change to the extent that it could make my digital music files obsolete. Over the last two years, I've already ripped my CD collection twice - once as WMA files, and then (after getting my Mac) as AAC. Who is to say that next year, another (better) format won't turn up, making my AAC files out of date? If I don't have the original CDs, how will I take advantage of this new technology?

This is the same quandry which has - up until now at least - prevented me from purchasing any music from the iTunes Music Store. I have no doubt that it's an excellent innovation, and it's very convenient, but not actually possessing a physical item is slightly disconcerting for me. I appreciate that I should (as a hardcore gadget freak) be advocating the completely digital approach, but I can't do it. Not yet anyway. Follow my friend's example at your peril...

Tiger, tiger, burning bright

Looks like 29th April is the launch date for Tiger then...

Which leads me to ask myself whether I should go for the upgrade straight away (and start playing with all the lovely new features immediately) or whether to hang fire for a few weeks so some other hapless users can iron out all the undiscovered bugs!

Going, going, gone

I've been flogging stuff on eBay again. The M-Audio Fast Track that I bought a couple of months ago to use with my Mac Mini has gone, mainly because it didn't perform particularly well, and because I just don't have the time to sit around making computer music. Also, I've flogged my old Creative Labs Muvo NX MP3 player because all my music is now encoded as AAC files, which it doesn't support. If I need a little solid-state player for whatever reason, I'll get myself an iPod Shuffle instead.

One of my New Year Resolutions was not to buy any gadgets on impulse and then have to flog them on eBay, so it looks like I've failed on that one. However, some of the others are going quite well. I've bought an Apple Mac, I've been skiing and I'm half way through my Special Constabulary training. I've packed in going to the gym though - I just don't have the time any more.

Familiar?

I've got this curious feeling of deja vu...
I've got this curious feeling of deja vu...
I've got this curious feeling of deja vu...

Down a mountain with two bits of wood strapped to your feet...

I've just got back from my skiing holiday in Les Gets. It was amazingly good fun (once you get over the initial fear of falling over) and the scenery was genuinely breathtaking. We're already planning to go again in 2006!

I'll put some photos up when I get a chance.