Paul Smith's Blog

My sister got her Zen Micro on Monday, after Creative released the new firmware for the device to add MTP/PlaysForSure support that was it, I had to get it - technically speaking it's mine as I paid for it - she's not paying me back until January 2006. Quick to charge up in about 3 hours, I installed the software, installed the latest firmware to update it for MTP support so I didn't need Creative's software, which was promptly removed, I'll let Microsoft handle the software thank you....

Bill Gates: I've toyed with doing a blog myself, but I don't want to be one of those people who start and then don't finish it, and again I'm thinking maybe I could do one a month or one every six weeks--something like that. Come on, you know you want to! But let's make sure it's a real blog, and not some snazzy monthly press release. Just make sure to include the opinions and view points expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of the Microsoft Corporation or it's partners....

The problem of iPod and iTunes only working together has been highlighted again, this time by legal action taken against Apple by an iTunes user. From the BBC: A user of Apple's iTunes music service is suing the firm saying it is unfair he can only use an iPod to play songs. He says Apple is breaking anti-competition laws in refusing to let other music players work with the site. Apple, which opened its online store in 2003 after launching the iPod in 2001, uses technology to ensure each song bought only plays on the iPod....

MacCentral: "The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2005 has yielded dozens of news items and product announcements. Microsoft's Bill Gates' keynote showed his vision of his company's products as the center of a "digital lifestyle" (echoing Apple CEO Steve Jobs' pitch from 2001)." What the hell? Echoing Steve Jobs? Microsoft made their announcement of a "digital lifestyle" back in 2001, January the 6th at the CES during Bill Gates' keynote. When did Steve Jobs do his little speech on the "...

The Creative Zen Micro has now got a new firmware release which updates them to support MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) this also includes PlaysForSure logo support. This all means you don't need to install any software, any drivers. Windows Media Player 10 will auto-detect the device and you'll be able to sync from there. The new firmware can be downloaded from Creative's download page.

I don't think we're seeing trendiness here," Jobs said of the iPod. "I think we're seeing a product that's truly revolutionizing the way we listen to music." What a total lying bastard. Revolutionary? I had an MP3/WMA player before the iPod even existed. Steve Jobs has done nothing but steal other people's ideas since he rejoined Apple in 1996. Here's a hint Jobs - stop ripping off other people's ideas and claiming them as your own....

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=57442 The Salt Lake City based development studio behind titles including Top Spin, Amped and Links has been sold to Take Two Interactive. Those were the best sport games on the Xbox!!! Now they're going to be reduced to PS2 garbage. Worst of all this all started falling apart because of the EA Live deal - which Microsoft should NEVER of made. Thanks a lot EA, I'll see you hang....

Well it looks like my prediction for the Xbox version of GTA: San Andreas was dead on, early June, the 10th of June to be exact for those of us in Europe. Here's the actual press release from Rockstar: NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 2004--Rockstar Games, the world-renowned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), is pleased to announce that Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is making its way to the Xbox(R) video game system from Microsoft....

Well with Mark informing me that Microsoft have rolled out a beta version of MSN Messenger 7, I thought it was time a give my opinions on it after using it for a couple of hours. It is only the beta version so of course all of these things could be rendered obsolete with the arrival of the final version. Things I like: Very snazzy, now displaying the users image file along with it!...

It's nice to see Catherine having fun on her trip to London for her Law student type stuff she went to see the Royal Court of Justice and the Old Bailey. I wonder if that giant teddy bear was involved in some kind of murder. It's definitely very strange evidence to have at a trial and has a very shifty look. I think whatever it is, it's guilty and should be executed any teddy bear with a £100 price tag obviously has great experience with armed bank robbery....