In addition to Web browsing, the Touch Pro includes an HTC-developed, YouTube application for watching a variety of user generated video content as well as including Google Maps for mobile for mapping and traffic data.

Physically the device also introduces a new five-row QWERTY keyboard layout along with a precision finish to fit comfortably in your hands. Clicky the piccy to see a larger view.

The HTC Touch Pro will be available to customers across all major European, Asian and the Middle East markets in late summer. The North American and Latin American versions of Touch Pro will be available later in 2008.

Here is the run down for you:

* Size: 102 x 51 x 18.05mm
* Weight: 165 g
* Connectivity: WCDMA / HSPA: 900/2100MHz. HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and HSUPA
* Operating system: Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional
* Display: 2.8-inch VGA touch screen
* Camera: 3.2MP, with video calling
* Internal memory: 512 MB flash, 288 MB RAM
* Expansion Slot: microSD(tm) memory card (SD 2.0 compatible)
* Keyboard: Slide-out 5 row QWERTY keyboard

* Bluetooth: 2.0 with EDR
* Wireless: WiFi 802.11b/g
* GPS: GPS/AGPS

* Interface: HTC ExtUSBä (mini-USB and audio jack in one; USB 2.0 High-Speed)
* Battery: 1350 mAh
* Talk time: GSM: up to 8 hours
* Standby time: GSM: up to two-weeks
* Chipset: QualcommÒ MSM 7201Aä 528MHz

A nice device on paper but as always the proof will be in the pudding. We have been looking forward to this one and should have a hands on review shortly.

We are still a way off mind reading, but new technology from Philips is allowing the mega stores to get an insight into what we are thinking. The new hardware and software can track our head and eye movements. As a result it can tell what items we have been looking at longest and pass that information back to the store.

Imagine you have been outside the window staring at that new TV you quite like. Then as you set foot in the door there is already a sales person there with all the information you need ready to make the pitch. It could get very annoying very fast. Lucky for us, at the moment the aim is just to provide more detailed information about the product via a passive or interactive video display in hopes it will push us towards making a purchase decision.

The more worrying factor is will they couple this with face recognition technology too? You could pass a shop, look at something, then the next day have a direct offer in the post, or even an email on your computer by the time you get home offering a discount online?

Worse still, what about all those guys that stare at the lingerie on the models in the window… will they be labelled sex offenders, will security tackle them down, or will they just be sold the underwear along with the mannequin? (This sounds stupid, but there was a movie about a similar subject). Yeah, this is a stupid thing to say, but who knows where society is taking us. One day this may not be so stupid.

This world is changing, but sometimes we do wonder if it is for the better.

iPhone rumour rub down

- The iPhone will have a touch screen on both sides to enable extra control over games and applications. Essentially, this means that “controls” can be shown on the ‘rear’ screen and allow extra buttons and movement to be detected. This will allow for a more ‘PSP’ like experience and more comfortable holding of the iPhone during extended gaming sessions.

- The iPhone will be a folding device. Essentially, one position means the iPhone looks and feels similar to the current generation, but with a quick flip it can double in area size. This leaves it looking similar to a Nintendo DS with its dual screens on show at the same time.

- Next on the list is a tactile response touch screen that will be included. This is similar to the technology Nokia have been developing. Essentially, this allows for the touch screen to feel like a keypad, feedback click noises and movement via electronic feedback. The technology works in a similar way to farm field electric fences, only at much lower levels.

- Batteries on the new iPhone will be replaceable so you can carry more than one battery if required. Great for long trips using the iPhone as a navigation device.

- Self cleaning glass will be used all over the device. Essentially, this uses the same technology behind the Pilkington self cleaning windows that have been around for a few years on the commercial market. As a by product of this, the iPhone will also be waterproof allowing for far better cleaning overall.

- The iTunes store will be linking in with amazon to offer full book downloads. As a side effect, Amazon will be stopping production of it’s own Kindle in favour of pushing a custom branded iPhone WITHOUT any network by default. The price will at the same point as the current Kindle device and will include the option to ‘add on’ a mobile network should the customer desire. This whole move means as many books as you like on the go including the ‘read before purchase’ options.

- Amazon getting into the iTunes app also means Apple now have the resources to allow physical purchases of albums in addition to digital downloads. It also paves the wave for a pure MP3 format which is exciting news! *cough*

The above is obviously not true, or if it is then it’s a fluke but you all owe us … something. If you would like to start a rumour / add one to the list then post it in the comments below or email us and we will chuck it on. We hope we have been a bit more original than everything else out there at the moment.

You can grab a big preview rundown over at gamespy, 1up, or a selection of other bits via Google news. To keep you in the general loop, this new version sees some amazingly creative updates to the graphics which allow for a full 3D experience without losing any of the originals colour, flare and style.

Things we are worried about:
online not working as well as it should
new characters feeling “thrown together”
old characters being missed out or badly presented

This we are looking forward to:
checking out the new characters
returns of our favourite fighters
great online fights (if it works)
plenty of unlockable content
some pure “old skool” fighting fun

The real question is, how do you feel about the new version? Will it do the original justice or will it be a bastard child like the *cough* movie adaption *cough*.

Zoink’s Creative Director Klaus Lyngeled said

“KORE stands out not only for its rich gameplay experience and signature art style, but also for its wacky scenario and sense of humour. During the last years, a vast amount of work has gone into the design as well as into the story and cinematics, and I am sure the audience will appreciate the way we poured our heartblood into it.”

The game sees the Krank brothers attacking the centre of the Earth, it is then up to Pixie, Madboy and Rex who are all trapped inside robotic suits to save the earth from destruction. The areas are huge and have a unique artistic style taking advantage of the Wii’s next gen power.

To be quite frank, this game should not really be getting a second chance at all… in fact it is closer to resembling an experiment gone totally wrong. Ok, it’s not as bad as Mario is Missing back in the day, but it probably should be left to rest somewhere in a crazy games home.