Maxim's Movie Reviews and Opinions Blog

Sony just released news that it will slash prices on its PS3 consoles by $100 (100 EUR in Europe) on all versions of PS3 consoles. Some retailers have dropped prices a few days earlier, probably due to the rumor that a price cut was imminent. Apparently, Sony is trying to improve sales of its console, which was underselling compared to Microsoft XBox 360 and Nintendo Wii. Another news is that PS3 Slim console has been unveiled at last, at shipments will begin approximately in September 2009. Amazon customers can pre-order the new PS3 Slim console already for $299 with free shipping. How different is PS3 Slim console from the previous versions? First of all, it has 120GB hard drive – 50% more space then the most popular of PS3 systems, the 80GB model. Slim model is also 33 percent smaller and 36 percent lighter then the 80GB and 160GB models. And it’s still a fully-features PlayStation 3 model, with Blu-Ray player, USB ports, Wi-Fi adapter and 1 gigabit ethernet connectivity. No luck with a memory card reader or compatibility with PlayStation2 – just like in the year-old “fat” models. ** UPDATE ** Although officially shipments of the new PlayStation 3 Slim console were not supposed to begin until August 31, 2009, the system I pre-ordered on Amazon a week ago has been shipped to me today (August 26, 2009) via USPS.  The suspense of waiting for the precious package has begun… (2)

I already uploaded the pictures to Facebook, so here’s the link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2029903&id=1198149366&l=d18f0eccf2 The photographs were taken with Canon EOS 20D attached via T-mount to the T-port in the rear of Meade ETX-125 telescope. The videos are on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spb5083Wq5U and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKTxx9yxw3M The videos were taken using a-focal focusing through the 26mm eyepiece with Canon SX 200 IS new camera that came out in April. It can shoot HD videos in 720p, but the sensor is not sensitive enough for sharper pictures. By adding the 3x Barlow lens I was really able to bring the details of the planet, but due to Earth’s fast rotation it was very hard to keep up with the planet as it moves out of the view in a matter of seconds – a big challenge without auto-tracking feature of the telescope engaged. Enjoy and leave your comments! LMK if you have any questions! (0)

Few movies don’t have songs in them. Music and songs convey strong emotions and set or help to set the mood for a particular scene. Many bands and artists propelled their popularity when their songs were played in movies. Who have ever heard about Goo Goo Dolls before “Iris” was played in “City of Angels”? Who heard about “Phoenix” until “I’m too young” was played in “Lost In Translation”? Many movies would not be the same without music in them or without this particular music. Then again, how many movies we’ve seen where the plot and music don’t connect at all… Anyway, AOL Radio compiled a list of top songs from movies and this article on their blog shows top 10 songs as chosen by their users. http://www.aolradioblog.com/2009/06/23/top-10-movie-songs/ (0)

At first, Apple promised shipments of new iPhone 3G S to start by June 19th to people who pre-ordered online, and now it had shifted to “delivery by June 22″. I bet those customers whose orders got delayed are pretty anxious now. The new iPhone is a true 21st century device. However, for me the anxiety is going to last much longer. I bought current iPhone 3G in January, so I have another year before I can upgrade it with AT&T wireless at discounted price, by which time there’s probably going to be a newer updated version of iPhone. If not, I’m still looking forward to the new iPhone 3Gs for the following reasons: One. 32GB space is finally enough to put my music library onto it (still doesn’t leave much space for pics, video or apps, so I’ll be holding on to my 3-year old iPod for that). Two. 3MP camera that can also shoot video and has auto-focus. Video can be trimmed directly on the phone. It can be uploaded to youtube from the phone. Question: does a camera like this require focus? I thought that in short-focus lenses everything in the field of view is in focus… And how do you change focus without having moving parts inside the camera? Three. Magnetometer. It’s going to significantly improve navigation capabilities. Features like voice commands I never cared about. But faster chip-set on the new phone is welcome. More anxiety: Apple promised to release iPhone Software 3.0 on June 17th, and we are 10 hours into it on the West coast, and now they say it will be released at 1pm. However, now I am having second thoughts about downloading it on the first day. What if there are bugs? I don’t want my data corrupted or wiped out (even though I have backups). I’ll let others be test-pilots. If I could wait several months for the new version of software to come out, I can wait couple more days. But I know I’ll probably be refreshing the news RSS every 10 minutes like some people do with their stock prices… AT&T now says it was “listening to its customers” (who had been complaining on blogs and social networks) and is now offering full subsidized pricing on the iPhone 3G S for customers who would become upgrade eligible in July, August, or September starting tomorrow, June 18. =================================== Update. 12 hours later. Couldn’t wait anymore :) I checked for news articles concerning problems with the new 3.0 software. Apparently the most common problem was not with the software but with the download – many servers were overwhelmed with download requests and service was unavailable for hours. The other problem was that some people who lost internet connection during the installation lost all their applications (as I predicted), but in most cases were able to restore them through backups stored in iTunes application. So I figured I’d try. Backed up the iPhone again, “just in case”. Installing new OS took about 15 minutes. What’s new? This update contains over 100 new features, including the following:

• Cut, Copy & Paste with shake to undo
• Landscape keyboard in key applications
• Enhanced Messages application
• Send and receive photos, contacts, audio files, and location via MMS*
• Forward and delete single or multiple messages
• Added search feature in Mail, Calendar, Notes and iPod
• Spotlight search across iPhone
• Support for CalDAV and subscriptions in Calendar
• Improvements to Safari
• Performance
• HTML 5 support
• HTTP Streaming audio and video
• Auto-fill usernames and passwords
• New Voice Memos application
• Sync Notes with a Mac or PC via iTunes
• Internet Tethering over USB and Bluetooth*
• Browse and download movies, TV shows, and audiobooks from the iTunes Store**
• Stereo Bluetooth***
• Wi-Fi auto login
• Enhanced Stocks application
• More Parental Control options for Apps, Music, Movies and TV Shows
• iTunes account creation and login**
• YouTube account login and access to subscriptions, ratings and favorites**
• Shake to shuffle
• New languages, dictionaries, and keyboards
• Find my iPhone and Remote Wipe via MobileMe (subscription required)**
• Support for more Exchange policies
• Create and send Exchange meeting invitations
• Search mail on server (Exchange Server 2007 and supported IMAP servers)
• Search LDAP company directory
• VPN on demand and VPN proxy support
• Encrypted configuration profiles
• Encrypted iTunes backups
• 1,000 new developer APIs, including:
  • In App Purchases
  • Apple Push Notification Service
  • Accessories support
  • Peer to Peer Connectivity
  • Embedded Maps
  • iPod Library Access
  • Bug fixes

Products compatible with this software update:

• iPhone
• iPhone 3G
• iPhone 3G S

* Compatible only with iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S and requires support from your wireless provider. ** Not available in all regions or in all languages. *** Compatible only with iPhone 3G and iPhone 3G S. First impressions:

1. If you swipe to the right from the home page, you will find the search screen. It’s pretty neat and quick. Entered a person’s partial name and for matches from SMS, Facebook, emails, calendars and notes within a second.
2. Voice memos app was added to the home page. Quite useful for business, to record lectures and classes or even live music, or to record a reminder where you left your car.
3. The photo app seems to be much faster. The app loads faster, and it adjusts white balance and brightness also faster. When you press shutter button, there’s lesser delay.
4. Now can write SMS and emails in landscape mode. Awesome! So convenient with my fat fingers and poor eyesight!
5. Cut/Copy/Paste – push and hold you finger. A pop-up menu will appear and ask you to copy/cut. Paste works in emails, but didn’t work for SMS. I guess MMS support is not fully implemented or I am doing something wrong.

Stay tuned for more updates later! (1)