Xfire - Im & Chat

Xfire is a new, free tool that automatically keeps track of when and where gamers are playing PC games online and lets their friends join them easily. It works regardless of game type, server browser, or gaming service that a player is using. Xfire eliminates the hassles of running multiple programs like IRC, instant messengers, or in-game friends lists to keep track of when and where a gamer's friends are playing. It supports the best and the latest online PC games including server- and non-server-based First Person Shooters, Real Time Strategy, and Role Playing Games.

Xfire was founded by Dennis "Thresh" Fong (World Champion of Quake) and Mike Cassidy (former CEO of Direct Hit). Xfire is based in Menlo Park, CA.

In April of 2006, Xfire was acquired by Viacom. Viacom is one of the leading global entertainment content companies, with prominent and respected brands in focused demographics. Offering programming and content for television, motion pictures and digital platforms, Viacom's world-class brands include MTV Networks (MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, TV Land, Logo and more than 120 networks around the world), BET Networks, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, DreamWorks and Famous Music. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•See when your friends are online, what game they're playing, and what server they're on
•Communicate with your friends while playing a game
•Xfire's voice chat lets you talk 1:1 or in groups with your friends while you're in or out of game.
•One-Click Join
•Server Browser
•Profiles with Automatic Stats
•Doesn't support *all* games, but they will add the game you're missing messaging support for if you ask them by e-mail.
•Talk to your girlfriend/wife/boyfriend/husband/boss while you're playing your favorite game, uninterrupted.
•Records in-game video and screen shots and uploads it to your profile page for other people to enjoy

Cons:

•Does not support other IM networks such as MSN, AIM, Yahoo, ICQ, etc.

Wii Fit - Video Games

Wii Fit is an exercise simulation game (aka exergaming) in development by Nintendo that makes use of the Wii Balance Board peripheral. It was announced at E3 in July 2007 and has been described as "way to help get families exercising together". There will be over 40 activities included in the game broken up into four categories: (1) Aerobic Exercises, (2) Muscle Conditioning, (3) Yoga Poses, and (4) Balance games. It was released in Europe on May 8, 2008 and will be released in North America on May 21st, 2008 for $89.99 with the inclusion of a Wii Balance Board.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Innovative pressure sensitive gamepad
•Integrates Mii characters into gameplay
•Measures BMI
•Tracks your fitness progress with "Wii Fitness Age"
•Encourages people to live an active lifestyle
•Inexpensive, only $69.99 with Wii Balance Board
•Makes exercise fun
•Helps you use the proper form with animations, tips, and feedback based on the Balance Board
•Effective in-game personal trainer

Cons:

•Can only track four people's fitness ages.
•Uses BMI to determine fitness age but doesn't account for different body structures and muscle mass
•You can't input other biometric data that you've attained on your own (% body fat for example)
•May label children as "obese"

More information

Activities

•yoga exercises
•press ups
•step aerobics - done in sync with background music
•hula-hooping
•heading soccer balls
•ball-rolling mini game
•ski-jumping

Wii Fit will track your "Wii Fitness Age" in a similar manner as "Brain Age" was tracked in Brain Age and Big Brain Academy for the DS and Wii. There is speculation that Wii Fit may utilize the WiiConnect24 feature to help doctors and fitness professionals interact with patients and clients.

The Wii Balance Board will be included with the game and is expected to be reused by other games as they become available. The Balance Board is similar to a bathroom scale and includes multiple sensors that can determine its user's (1) center of gravity, and (2) BMI (Body Mass Index). These reading are used as part of the gameplay. There may be a larger "American sized" balance board released in the US after initial feedback is received from the upcoming Japanese launch.

Creative Vado VF0570 - Camcoder

The Creative Vado is an inexpensive handheld camcorder that's focus is on ease-of-use and simplicity. The camera has a USB connection built-in so that it's easy to transfer video to your computer, or even directly to YouTube or Photobucket. The Vado has 2GB of built-in memory and 2 hours of battery life, which can be recharged through USB. The Vado aims to be your everyday camcorder, with its small size and easy publishing capabilities, it is intended for YouTube-style video sharing (meaning it's not super high resolution).

Pros & Cons
Pros:

•Great value for the price
•Lightweight
•Easy to publish online
•Easy to transfer to your computer
•Built-in battery, rechargeable through USB

Cons:

•No extended memory option
•No Mac software
•No optical zoom

More information

Features

•Video resolution: 640 x 240
•Video format: MPEG-4 AVI at 30 frames per second
•Sensor: VGA CMOS
•2x digital zoom
•2" LCD
•Built-in speaker and microphone
•2GB memory - 2 hours video at good quality, 1 hour at top quality
•TV-out
•USB connector
•2 hours battery life
•Dimensions: 3.9" x 2.2" x 0.6"
•Weight: 84g