Apple release iPhone Firmware 2.2

Improved Safari performance, podcast support, and more.

November 21, 2008 - The highly anticipated 2.2 update for iPhone and iPod Touch launched late Thursday night, bringing a wealth of major additions and bug fixes to users. The update is a meaty 250 MB and contains the following new features and updates.

Safari
With the 2.2 update, Apple set out to improve the "stability and performance" of the Safari web browser. In addition, the interface itself has seen a quick redesign so that the URL and search boxes appear on the same line, clearing up some of the clutter. The http:// preface of the current URL has also been hidden.

Podcast
One of the most sought after addition users have been eagerly waiting to be included in a update, the ability to download podcasts directly to their iPhone with connecting to a computer that was running iTunes, was finally included with last night's package. Functionally similar to purchasing music, except of course that all podcasts are free, the new podcast support sends all downloaded content to your podcast list in the iPod app on the iPhone, finally creating a streamlined method for obtaining some of the best free content the web has to offer.

Maps
Overall, the Maps app appears to have received the largest upgrade, such as support for Goggle Street View, the cool Google function that enables you to see real photos of various locations that also contain map data. An orange icon alerts users if a Map search location has the Street View option. Simply tap the orange icon and you are immediately taken to panoramic views of the area. Keep in mind though that Street View only works in landscape orientation with your phone.

Additional features added that were previously only available on the Goggle's map website include additional transportation directions. When in Directions mode you'll now find three options at the top of the screen to choose from: driving directions, transit directions, and walking directions. Tap any of the buttons to see all your available methods of getting to where you need to go.

Other New Stuff
On top of software improvements, 2.2 also brings changes to the iPhone's telephone functionality. Apple claims that the update should bring a dramatic decrease in "call set-up failures", which are the times when you attempted to call someone and get a "Call Failed" message, which personally I've experience way more than I would like, so this is definitely a welcomed addition.

Time saving in app navigation has seen a small boost, as now the home button will return you to your first page of apps regardless of what page your on. It's a very minor addition, but again adds to overall iPhone efficiency. Perfect typists can also now choose to turn off the auto-correct function so that you can be in full control of your sentences.

Wrapping up 2.2 are some very small Easter eggs, including being asked to rate a app upon deletion, the ability to view multiple screen shots for apps in the App Store, and also the opportunity to view previews of screen shots in iPhoto, which originally appeared as just blank images until they were imported.

Haven't grabbed the 2.2 update yet? Just plug in your iPhone/Touch into your iTunes preferred computer and click the "Check for Updates" button, and enjoy the new features.

Source : www.ign.com

PSP-3000 Entertainment Pack Cancelled

October 27, 2008 - Way, way back in August, Sony announced plans to bring two PSP-3000 bundles to the United States. One was the Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters Entertainment Pack that's on store shelves as you read this. The other was the 4GB Entertainment Pack that featured a voucher for Everyday Shooter, a Piano Black system, and -- you guessed it -- a 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo.

This evening, Sony Computer Entertainment America Director of Hardware Marketing John Koller announced on the PlayStation Blog that the 4GB bundle is no more.

"Based on ongoing discussions with our retail partners and the feedback they have received from their customers, SCEA has seen significant interest in the Ratchet & Clank Size Matters PSP Entertainment Pack in North America, which includes the updated PSP-3000," Koller wrote. "As a result, we will be streamlining our PSP hardware lineup and will no longer be offering the previously announced 4GB Memory PSP Entertainment Pack."

If you want the bigger stick, you can pick it up on its own from any number of fine retailers, and if you're in the market for a Piano Black PSP-3000, Koller wrote that the standalone unit should be available in December.

source : www.ign.com

NBA 2K9 Announced for PC

NBA 2K9 is coming to the PC, publisher 2K Sports announced in an official statement. While NBA 2K9 is the tenth iteration in the series, it will mark the first NBA 2K installment for the PC.

"We are excited about the growing popularity of basketball and are eager to get NBA 2K9 in the hands of PC fans," said Greg Thomas, senior vice president of sports development at 2K. He added, "The PC version will please even the most dedicated basketball fans with the same level of quality simulation we've become known for in the console versions of the NBA 2K franchise."

The NBA 2K series is highly regarded for its realistic approach to basketball games. PC gamers can get their hands on NBA 2K9 when it release on October 21.

source : www.ign.com

Sony Brings New PS3 Bundles to Japan

One of Sony's big Tokyo Game Show announcements has leaked out early through Famitsu. Sony will be releasing the 80 gigabyte PS3 model to Japan, the magazine reveals in its latest issue. Bundled with a Dual Shock 3, the new high capacity model will sell for 39,800 yen, the current price of the 40 gigabyte model. Sony will offer the system in black, white, and silver color varieties.

The deal gets better, though, as for a limted time, Sony will be including Gran Turismo 5 Prologue Spec III with the system, turning this into an effective 4,500 yen price drop for those who were interested in buying the racer anyway.

Spec III, which became available as an online update late last week for current Prologue owners, will also see its very own full release in Japan. GT5 Prologue Spec III will be released in Blu-ray disc and downloadable form on October 30, costing, respectively, 4,980 and 4,500 yen. These are the same prices as the current rev of Prologue.

In other PS3 bundle news, Sony will be bundling the 80 gigabyte model with two Dual Shocks and a copy of LittleBigPlanet as part of the "PlayStation 3 LittleBigPlanet Dream Box." This bundle, which comes in a special box featuring artwork of Sack Boy, will sell for 44,980 yen. Black, white, and silver models will also be on offer.

Sony is also planning on pushing LittleBigPlanet through a DualShock 3 bundle. A copy of the game will be bundled with a DualShock 3 at 7,980 yen, representing a savings of some 3,500 yen over buying the products separately. The controller bundles will also be available in black, white, and silver varieties.

Those who just want LittleBigPlanet on its own have a bonus item to look forward to as well. Sony will include a code with first print copies of the game that can be exchanged for a Piposaru costume for Sack Boy. Poposaru is the name of the brainwashed monkeys from the Ape Escape series.

All this bundle news applies only to Japan at the moment.

source : www.ign.com

Welcome Ronaldinho Gaucho

Ronaldinho in San Siro.

Ronaldinho agrees Milan deal

Ronaldinho has agreed initial terms with AC Milan and the Serie A club will now speak to Barcelona about a deal, Milan and the player's agent have said.

The 28-year-old Brazilian has had a difficult few months at the Camp Nou because of injury and loss of form and a move has long been mooted. The forward is out for the rest of the campaign with a leg injury and a transfer can not officially go through until the end of the season.

"In general Ronaldinho and Milan are in agreement," his agent and brother Roberto de Assis was quoted as saying on the Gazzetta dello Sport website on Saturday. The Gazzetta said a deal up to 2012 worth eight million euros ($12.6 million) a year was in the pipeline with a few clauses to be agreed.

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani said: "There is a general agreement with the player. Now a deal has to be reached with Barcelona. Give us time."

Former Barcelona coach Johan Cruyff, who remains an influential figure at the club, said Ronaldinho should leave at the end of the season.

"If things aren't working out and one person doesn't want to stay and the others don't want him then it is the best solution," the Dutchman told reporters on Saturday. 

Spanish and Italian media reports have speculated about a transfer fee of between 20 and 30 million euros while some newspapers have talked about Ronaldinho buying up the rest of his contract at Barca. Milan are fifth in Serie A and in danger of missing next year's UEFA Champions League after a poor season. They were dumped out of this year's Champions League as holders by Arsenal in the first knockout round.

Carlo Ancelotti's men have struggled to score and create goals with Brazilian Ronaldo playing just a handful of games before being ruled out long term with a knee injury. Fellow striker Alberto Gilardino has been lacklustre and world player of the year Kaka has been far from his best.

Despite Milan's troubles, Ancelotti has been assured of his job next term.

source : www.fifa.com

Spain Clinch Semi Final Spot

Spain reached the semi-finals of Euro 2008 after a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over world champions Italy at the Ernst-Happel Stadium on Sunday.

Iker Casillas saved spot-kicks from Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Di Natale after a goalless 120 minutes before Cesc Fabregas slid the winning penalty past Gianluigi Buffon.

Casillas, who had kept his side on level terms with a fine save with his feet from Mauro Camoranesi, helped Spain end a string of three straight penalty shoot-out defeats on June 22 in major tournaments - in the 1986 World Cup, Euro 96 and the 2002 World Cup.

Luis Aragones' men now take on surprise package Russia on Thursday in Vienna.

Aragones praised Spain's attitude after the match.

"I would like to congratulate first of all my players for their remarkable behaviour and maintaining their morale during the match," said the 69-year-old.

"It was very difficult because the Italians closed down all the spaces, which made it difficult to play our natural game."


Arsenal midfielder Fabregas was delighted after the game and admitted the players owed it to themselves and their fans after so often falling at the quarter-final stages.

"This is wonderful, it is impossible to find the words to express such an emotion," said Fabregas.

"We are just simply delighted. This is an important victory for this young side. We have been waiting for this for a long time."

Italy coach Roberto Donadoni was understandably disappointed after seeing his side crash out of the tournament.


"Clearly losing on penalties after working so hard doesn't leave us happy," said Donadoni.

"We all spent a lot of energy. You've got to recall those who didn't play tonight. They've got to be the most disappointed, and I'm sorry for them."

Donadoni denied suggestions his side played negatively throughout the game saying he was happy with the contribution of his forwards.

"The forwards did their jobs," Donadoni added. "Even though they didn't score goals, they did some positive things."

source : www.sportinglife.com

MGS4, PS3 Tops in Japan

A rare one-two punch for the PlayStation 3 in its home territory this week as Media Create reports that Metal Gear Solid 4 and the PlayStation 3 hardware topped their respective charts for the week covering June 9 to June 15.

According to the tracking firm, MGS4 sold 464,926 units in its first week. This figure mirrors numbers that were handed out earlier in the week by rival tracking firm Enterbrain.

Media Create also noted that MGS4 is now the number one selling PS3 title of all time in Japan. The previous record holder was Minna no Golf 5 (Hot Shots Golf) which has managed to sell 437,000 units over its lifetime.

Following MGS4, the software chart was a mix of old and new. Mario Kart Wii placed second this week with 38,430 units. Following it were Wii Fit (Nintendo, Wii, 36,835 units), Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball Portable 3 (Konami, PSP, 27,260) and Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (Konami, PSP, 26,280). A new title came in at sixth place as D3 Publisher's Evangelion-themed DS pachinko game, Evangelion Shito Futatabi, sold 21,899 units in its first week. The top ten closed off with Dragon Ball Z (PS3, Bandai Namco, 18,262), DS Bimoji Training (Nintendo, DS, 17,274), DS Misa Yamamura Suspense (Tecmo, DS, 17,191) and Fuurai no Shiren 3 (Sega, Wii, 13,553).

With MGS4 selling so many copies, it shouldn't come as a surprise to learn that the PS3 hardware got quite the boost. PS3 was the number one selling system this week with 75,311 units, besting even the mighty PSP's 64,675.

The remaining hardware stayed in order: Wii at 45,564, DS Lite at 39,201, PS2 at 7,297, and Xbox 360 at 2,163.

source : www.ign.com

Alone in the Dark PC Requirements

Atari has stated its single-player adventure game Alone in the Dark will require an Internet connection for activation. Alone in the Dark will use SecuROM copy protection, making players download a one-time online component before they fully install the game. Afterwards, players will be able to play the game offline. An Internet connection isn't the only thing you will need to play the game; Atari has released minimum technical specifications for the PC version:

Operating System: Windows XP/Vista 32-bit & 64-bit
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz or Athlon X2 +3800 (Intel Pentium 4 3.4 GHz or AMD Athlon 64 +4000 recommended)
Memory: 1 GB RAM (2GB recommended)
Hard Disk Space: 9.5 GB free
DVD-ROM Drive: 4X speed or faster
Video: NVIDIA GeForce 7600 or ATI Radeon X1950 or better (NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX or ATI Radeon X1950 XTX or better recommended)
Sound: DirectX version 9.0c-compatible sound card
DirectX: DirectX version 9.0c (included) or higher

source : www.ign.com

London Games Festival Announced

Following two successful previous outings the London Games Festival is back, with this year's event promising to be the biggest yet and scheduled to take place the week commencing October 25.

"Last year's London Games Festival was a huge success," said Chairman of the London Games Festival Keith Ramsdale. "We've got plenty in store for 2008 and a whole host of major partners lined up with full support from the industry. We're really looking forward to bringing the gaming industry to life in the capital again."

Expect the return of large-scale events in both Leicester and Trafalgar Square, as well as the return of the Careers Fair for those keen to find their way into the industry. We'll have the full details of this year's festivities as soon as they're announced, so check back for the full run-down on the capital's biggest gaming event.

source : www.ign.com

Guitar Hero 4 Drums Shown

The newest issue of Game Informer Magazine apparently has pictures of the drum kit destined to ship with the upcoming Guitar Hero IV. As previously rumored, the GH4 drums will add cymbal pads to the package to one-up (and make incompatible) the Rock Band drum kit.

From the looks of the scanned magazine page, the drums will in fact have just one more pad than the Rock Band drums, arrayed in three main drums and two cymbal pads in addition to a kick pedal. We'd call this something of a bummer, as we're not terribly keen on having two hard-to-store drum kits kicking around the house.

source : www.ign.com

Flamini Bids Farewell to Gunners

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger must plan for life next season without Mathieu Flamini.

The 24-year-old midfielder completed his move to AC Milan on Monday, agreeing a four-year contract with the Italian club.

Flamini, out of contract at the Emirates Stadium in the summer, underwent a medical and has reached an agreement over personal terms.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani revealed the signing was imminent after his team's 2-1 triumph over Inter in Sunday's derby.

Wenger admitted on Sunday he was not "super-confident" Flamini would still be at Arsenal next season.

Despite the offer of a lucrative new five-year deal - understood to be worth around £55,000-a-week - from the north London club, his head was turned by Milan's interest.

Juventus were also reported to be tracking the France international, who formed a fine partnership with Cesc Fabregas at the heart of the Arsenal team this season having seemed to have been on his way out of the club at the end of the last campaign.

He put in a fine performance at the San Siro as Wenger's team knocked Milan out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage in March.

The former Marseille man will compete for a place in Milan's midfield alongside Brazil star Kaka and Italy trio Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Massimo Ambrosini.

Milan climbed into the final qualifying place for the Champions League on Sunday, leapfrogging Fiorentina who lost 2-1 at Cagliari.

Flamini's last match as an Arsenal player will be Sunday's Barclays Premier League trip to Sunderland, before he officially joins the Milan ranks on July 1.

Milan sporting director Ariedo Braida said: "I have to say Flamini was a player that Ancelotti really wanted and Milan is like a family, where decisions are made jointly."

New Portal Map Pack Offers 40 Levels

Portal: The Flash Version, released shortly after The Orange Box, was a fun quirky side-scroller based on Valve's game of the same name. Much like the original iteration, the flash version allowed players to solve puzzles by shooting orange and blue portals to traverse across seemingly impossible areas. Portal fans might be happy to hear that all 40 flash levels will be playable in the 3D version via a new map pack.

This map pack, created by flash game designer Hen Mazolski, puts players into the role of a different test subject and prefaces the events of the original game.

All 40 levels can be downloaded here. For more information on Portal, check out our review of the game.

source : www.ign.com

Kimi Leads Home Ferrari One-Two

Kimi Raikkonen cruised to victory in a Spanish Grand Prix that was marred by an horrendous accident involving Heikki Kovalainen.

The McLaren driver miraculously suffered nothing more than concussion after ploughing into a tyre wall nose first at 150mph at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.

The McLaren driver was eventually airlifted to a nearby hospital with his neck in a brace to undergo a series of precautionary checks.

Raikkonen, meanwhile, led from pole to flag, the eighth successive occasion that has occurred at this track to strengthen his lead at the top of the drivers' standings.

The main concern, though, surrounded Kovalainen who was heading the race on lap 21, although he had yet to pit compared to the leading trio at that stage.

Suddenly, Kovalainen flew off the track at turn nine before burying the front half of his car in a tyre wall.

On-board camera footage showed what appeared to be a part of the car breaking off, which instantly led to the front-left tyre deflating, and with Kovalainen unable to turn out of the smash.

Not only was the safety car immediately deployed, but also the medical car such was the severity of the impact.

When Kovalainen's car was eventually hauled out of the tyres by a tractor, there was nothing left of the front of the McLaren.

Kovalainen at least gave a thumbs-up sign as he was taken away on a stretcher to the track medical centre before being moved to the hospital.

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren F1 CEO, remarked: "He banged his head and has concussion, so as a precaution will undergo tests.

"There are no other visible signs of injury, although he says he is aware he has hurt his elbow."

When asked as to what caused the accident, Whitmarsh added: "There was a sudden deflation of his tyre.

"Part of the rim was machined off, potentially by some debris or by something that got lodged inside the wheel.

"Until we get the data back then we don't really know at this stage."

Either side of Kovalainen's accident, it was a race of attrition such was the casualty rate as a spinning Adrian Sutil took the Toro Rosso of Sebastian Vettel out of the race on lap one.

That led to the first introduction of the safety car as marshals cleared debris off the circuit.

The second Toro Rosso of Sebastien Bourdais was bundled off the track on lap six by the Renault of Nelson Piquet who had tried to dive down the inside at turn 10.

Piquet, who had dropped towards the rear of the field due to an earlier spin, retired immediately, and although Bourdais made it back to the pits, his race was also run.

Anthony Davidson then retired after a stone punctured the radiator of his Super Aguri, which was a sad way to exit in what may be his last race if the cash-strapped team are unable to saved from their financial crisis over the next few days.

Rubens Barrichello suffered a collision with the Force India of Giancarlo Fisichella as they exited the pit lane, dislodging the Honda's nose cone.

For an entire lap, and with the safety car on track in the wake of Kovalainen's smash, Barrichello was forced to trundle back to the pits again with the nose lodged under his front-right suspension.

Although the veteran Brazilian was given another new nose, it was clear his car had also suffered further damage as he too retired soon after.

The biggest disappointment for the majority of the 120,00 crowd was the sight of Fernando Alonso's Renault engine blowing on lap 35.

Alonso had started second on the grid, but off the line was unable to defend his position as Massa passed him.

Although he was also predictably running light on fuel, he was on course for a decent points finish as he was running in fifth when he pulled off the track, as did Nico Rosberg in his Williams that also sustained a blown engine.

At the head of affairs it at least proved a close run thing, but on a track where it is notoriously difficult to overtake there was never a chance for the top order to be reversed in any way.

Raikkonen now has a nine-point lead over Hamilton, with BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica a further point back in third after he came home fourth.

Red Bull's Mark Webber was fifth, with Jenson Button picking up Honda's first points of the season in sixth, while Kazuki Nakajima broke his duck for Williams in finishing seventh, followed by the Toyota of Jarno Trulli.

source : www.sportinglife.com

Guinness World Records Eyes Release of Grand Theft Auto IV as a Potential Record Breaking Giant

As part of its continued interest in chronicling the world of video game achievements and accomplishments, Guinness World Records will be closely watching the release of Grand Theft Auto IV as a potential record-breaking phenomenon. Easily one of the most anticipated games of the year and biggest releases in the entertainment industry, the GTA franchise is no stranger to the famed pages of Guinness World Records. Ever since the franchise released its first third-person game with Grand Theft Auto III, the series has been racking up record after record.

First Full "Sandbox" Action-Adventure- GTA III
Biggest Selling Game of 2001- GTA III
Biggest Selling Game of 2002- GTA: Vice City
Best-selling Playstation 2 game of all time- GTA: Vice City
Best-selling PSP game of all time- GTA: Liberty City Stories
Largest in-game soundtrack- GTA: San Andreas
Largest Voice Cast in a video game- GTA: San Andreas
Most Guest Stars In A Video Game Series- Grand Theft Auto Franchise

With fans counting down the hours to GTA IV's debut, it will only be a matter of time until a new record is added to that impressive list.

For more information on these and other exciting video game records, pick up the inaugural, Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008, in stores now.

source : www.ign.com

Aussie GTA IV Bundle Coming

The US and the UK just got their announcements - now it's Australia's turn. SCE Australia today annnounced that an official Grand Theft Auto IV bundle is on the way exclusively for the PS3. The bundle will be available on May 1, 2008 and will come with a 40GB PS3, a SIXAXIS wireless controller (where's the Dualshock, Sony?) and a copy of Grand Theft Auto IV.

The package will retail for AU$749.95.

source : www.ign.com

World of Warcraft Patch Plans

Blizzard has revealed the latest 2.4.2 patch notes on its official WoW website. No word on when the patch will officially roll out, but here is what the patch sets out to accomplish:

Hunter
• Dire Ravens in Blade's Edge Mountains now tameable.
• Tamed Drywallow Snappers now will know Bite 5 (instead of Claw 5.)

Mages
• Talent: Improved Blink (Arcane) now reduces chance to be hit by 13/25% and the duration of Rank 1 has been increased to 4 seconds.
• Completing the quest "Arcane Refreshment" will now properly teach the spell Conjure Water (Rank 7).

PvP
• Arenas
- If a character's personal rating is more than 150 points below the team rating, they will earn points based on their personal rating instead of the team rating.
- If the average personal rating of the players queuing for a game is more than 150 points below the team's rating, the team will be queued against an opponent matching or similar to the average personal rating.

Professions
• All 23-hour profession cooldowns are now 20-hour cooldowns.
• All 4-day cooldowns are now 3 days, 20 hours.
• Enchanting
- Removed the cooldown from Void Shatter.
- Void Shatter recipe now correctly requires 375 enchanting.
• Engineering
- The Engineering supply item Delicate Copper Wire will now properly fit into engineering bags.
• Jewelcrafting
- Brilliant Glass no longer requires a forge.
- Brilliant Glass now has a small chance to make an epic gem.
- Quick Dawnstone, Reckless Noble Topaz, Forceful Talasite are now all available at the Quel'danas gem vendor.
• Leatherworking
- Completing the quest "The Journey Has Just Begun" will now properly teach how to make an Onyxia Scale Cloak.
- Greatly reduced the reagent cost for Glove Reinforcements. Also reduced the skill gain range slightly.

Quests
• The categories for the quests "Wanted: Sisters of Torment" and "Wanted: The Signet Ring of Prince Kael'thas" have been fixed to now properly read as Magister's Terrace.
• The Shadowy Disguise will no longer be applied to druids while they are in Moonkin or Tree of Life form for the quests "Who Are They?"
• Jailor Eston and Jailor Marlgen for the quest "The Rescue" should now respawn more frequently.

Dungeons and Raids
• Black Temple
- Illidan will no longer despawn if a raid group wipes during his death speech.
• Karazhan
- Nightbane's Charred Earth ability will now properly deal Fire damage.
• Magister's Terrace
- Vexallus is no longer immune to taunt on Normal difficulty.
- Kael'thas is no longer immune to taunt on Normal difficulty.
- Wretched Skulkers, Wretched Husks, and Wretched Bruisers will now reset properly.
- Sunblade Imps will now reset properly.
- The doors in Heroic Magister's Terrace will no longer respawn after a soft reset if a boss has already been killed.
• Sunwell Plateau
- Hellfire will no longer remove Dark Touched in the Eredar Twins encounter.
• Tempest Keep: The Eye
- Void Reaver's Arcane orbs now generate combat log entries.

Items
• Arcane Charges now deal arcane damage.
• Abilities and trinkets that trigger after killing an opponent that gives experience or honor will no longer activate after killing mobs during bombing quests.
• Battlecast's Garb should now properly grant pushback resistance in addition to interrupt resistance.
• Borderland Fortress Grips have had their stats updated.
• Botanist's Gloves of Growth have had their texture corrected.
• Bow of Searing Arrows and Red Whelp Gloves will no longer break crowd control effects.
• The Cloak of Swift Mending now has a level requirement (70).
• Goblin Jumper Cables are no longer a trinket item.
• Items that enchant other items no longer have tradeskill requirements (Mithril Spurs, Shield Spikes, Weapon Chains, etc.).
• The Helm of Fire has had its casting range reduced.
• The Magic Candle has had its casting range reduced.
• Many items sold by Consortium vendors are now bind on pick up: Formula: Enchant Weapon- Major Striking, Design: Delicate Blood Garnet, Design: Shifting Shadow Draenite, Design: Lustrous Azure Moonstone, Design: Thick Golden Draenite.
• Many items sold by Aldor reputation vendors are now bind on pick up: Design: Gleaming Golden Draenite, Design: Royal Shadow Draenite.
• Many items sold by the Shattered Sun quartermaster are now bind on pick up: Naaru Ration, Design: Ember Skyfire Diamond.
• The Lower City reputation item, Recipe: Flask of Chromatic Resistance, is now bind on pick up.
• Most Main-Hand weapons are now One-Hand weapons.
• Naturalist's Preserving Cinch have had their stats updated.
• Reins of the Black War Elekk spell and buff now correspond to the item name.
• Rocket Boots Xtreme and Rocket Boots Xtreme Lite now properly share the same cooldown.
• The Romantic Picnic Basket will now display the blanket properly.
• The socket bonus modifiers of some items will now properly display the bonus healing.
• The reduced cooldown of Shaman Nature's Swiftness provided by the 4 piece set bonus from the Seer's Ringmail Battlegear PvP armor will now apply properly.
• The Skyshatter Helmet's gem socket bonus will now properly reflect the plus damage in the tooltip.
• Shadowsong Panther will no longer prematurely despawn.
• Talasite Owl: This trinket will now properly restore full mana as described.
• Troll Male off-hand items are now the same size as the main hand item.
• Tauren weapons while sheathed have had their graphic readjusted to their pre-patch (2.4.0) state.
• The Winterfall Firewater buff is no longer dispellable.

User Interface
• Black Lotus will now show up under the Herb subcategory in the auction house.
• Primal Nethers will now show up under the Materials subcategory in the auction house.
• Mailboxes can now be tracked on the minimap.
• For additional notes on Lua and XML changes please visit the UI & Macros Forum.

World Environment
• Creature versions of the Polymorph spell no longer heal the affected target.
• The dragons in Blade's Edge Mountains will no longer instantly knock you off your mount.

Mac
• Fixed a bug causing ATI kernel panics; all spell effects should now be visible.
• Weather effects are again visible on systems with ATI 2x00 graphics such as aluminum iMac.
• Fixed a bug that precluded use of the FireWire iSight microphone with voice chat.
• Symlinks can be used again for Interface and WTF folders and subfolders.
• Cinematics playback is working again.

Bug Fixes
• Fixed an issue where secondary sound effects would not work with the Use Hardware option enabled in the Sound options of the User Interface.
• Fixed an issue where attempting to use some instant cast spells with Auto-Dismount in Flight checked in the interface would fail.
• Items that have multiple charges will now properly display the amount of charges.
• Fixed an issue where chain damage spells were chaining to critters.
• Female Draenei horns will now correctly protrude through certain plate helms.
• The Vengeful Gladiator's Rifle will now play the proper sound when used.
• The Cursed Vision of Sargeras now gives the buff, "Sense Demons" which can be canceled normally. Additionally hunters and druids are able to track two things at once while using the item.
• It is no longer possible for pets to get stuck in place after exiting the Spectral Realm in the Kalecgos encounter.
• Blood Elf Priest: Consume Magic will now require the buff to be active in order to work properly.
• Undead and Blood Elf Priest: Touch of Weakness will now properly reduce the melee damage of the attacker.
• Fixed an issue where some spells had extraneous Floating Combat Text messages when using the Auras option.
• Fixed an issue where sometimes debuff icons on a target did not scale properly to indicate the spells had been cast by you.
• The hunter pet ability Growl will no longer scale with pet Attack Power.
• Druid Talent- Primal Fury (Rank 2) will now be properly unlearned when it is untalented.
• Druid Talent (Restoration)- Natural Perfection will no longer proc by normal melee attacks.
• Mage Spell - Molten Armor will now do damage while a damage absorption shield is active.
• Mage Spell - Noxious Breath (Ysondre) will no longer cause Arcane Missiles to only damage on the first volley.
• Mage Spell- Fixed an issue that was causing a pink hue to appear when a mage would phase out via Invisibility.
• Paladin Talent: Crusader Strike (Retribution) will now properly receive a damage increase from Seal of The Crusader.
• Paladin healing spells used in castsequence macros are now properly completing the cast sequence when a rank is not specified.
• The Paladin talent Precision (Ranks 1-3) will no longer improperly display daggers and staves as a weapon class in the tooltip.
• Paladins that already have Apprentice Riding skill can now properly learn Summon Warhorse from the trainer.
• Priest Talent- Power Infusion will now consume the correct amount of mana when cast on yourself.
• The rogue talent Mutilate (Assassination) will no longer incorrectly appear multiple times in the combat log when used.
• Shaman Talent: Frostbrand (Enhancement) Rank 6 will now properly do more damage than Rank 5.
• Warlock Spell- Drain Soul will no longer continue to do damage to another player after they have died.
• Ritual of Souls (Warlock) and Ritual of Refreshment (Mage) will no longer be placed on cooldown without having completed the summon.
• Priest Spell: Power Word: Shield now has the correct sound associated with it and can no longer be heard from large distances.
• Priest Spell: Fear Ward will no longer be consumed while under the effects of cyclone.
• Looting a boss while a player is outside of the instance will no longer cause the corpse to despawn in 2 minutes if the player still has loot on the corpse.
• Whirlwind now has the correct sound associated with it.

source : www.ign.com

Soulcalibur IV Gets AU Release Date

Thanks to Ubisoft Australia, we now have a firm release date for the strangely non-canonical but highly anticipated brawler, Soulcalibur IV. According to the announcement, both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions will be released simultaneously.

John Parkes, EMEA Marketing Director at Ubisoft, had this to say about the release:
"We are thrilled to be bringing Soulcalibur's successful heritage to PAL territories as it sets into motion a new echelon of dynamic gameplay and exceptional game graphics on next generation platforms.

"Offering players an ultimate fighting game experience, Soulcalibur IV will definitely be an owners 'must have' in building their game collection library."
The official date for Australian release is July 31, 2008. No local pricing has been announced at this stage.

source : www.ign.com

Resident Evil 0 Dated in Japan

Capcom Japan announced today a final Japanese release date for Biohazard 0, also known as the GameCube to Wii port of Resident Evil 0 that may or may not see international release.

In Japan, the game will hit retail on July 10. Capcom is pricing it at 4,190 yen, making it 1/3 less than most new Wii titles.

From what's been made public so far, it looks like this is a pretty bare-bones port, so the pricing may be appropriate.

source : www.ign.com

Inter join race for Ronaldinho

Internazionale are set to fight it out with city rivals AC Milan for the services of Barcelona's in-demand forward Ronaldinho after their president Massimo Moratti confirmed his side's interest.

Ronaldinho's brother and agent Roberto de Assis revealed on Saturday that talks with Milan are at an advanced stage, but that no deal has yet been reached between the player and the Serie A club.

And Moratti is not going to just sit back and watch one of the hottest talents in world football go to his arch rivals without a fight.

"If Ronaldinho goes to Milan, it will also depend on the willingness of Inter," he said to Italy's Sky television prior to Inter's 2-0 win over Fiorentina on Sunday night.

"We will evaluate our options next week.

"We have an exceptional relationship with Barcelona and Ronaldinho's management team so we will have to see.

"We will also have to see if we decide to pursue this to the end, but if the market is open to Milan it is open to us too."

Inter coach Roberto Mancini copied his Milan counterpart Carlo Ancelotti in singing Ronaldinho's praises after his side restored their four-point advantage at the top of Serie A on Sunday evening.

"He is a great player and a champion and I think such players are interesting to all clubs," he said.

"He is still relatively young and can still do a lot of good."

source : www.ign.com