Creative are back in the limelight once again today after previously announcing both the ZEN X-Fi3 Bluetooth Touch MP3 player and Sound Blaster Recon3D. The company has also rolled out a new line of PCI-Express sound cards that, while impressive by design, may bring on a bit of a sad panda face for some due to the obvious end of the X-Fi generation for good after its over half decade presence since August 2005.

The new line-up is called Sound Core3D and it has one major difference to the X-Fi family of cards. Where X-Fi used high-performance native audio processing (through hardware) by making use of the processors on the card such as the CA20K series, the focus is now on the set of DSPs (digital signal processors) resident on the Core3D; there being four of these that give it a "quad-core" moniker, but this is not in the sense of there being four actual processing cores. These four DSPs are also not necessarily hardware-accelerated, but due to the presence of four of them, they work together in order to produce the best overall audio output.

So far there are three models making up the new lineup; the base model Sound Blaster Sound Core3D, the Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Professional and the Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion. The base model is easy to spot without the inclusion of a fancy EMI shield. It sticks to a simple PCI-E audio processor that is void of most of the RISC processor components of the CA20K series audio processors. It gives common HDA front-panel output connectivity, Fatal1ty Champion front-panel IO capability and a regular batch of 7.1 channel analog jacks that reside next to a pair of TOSLINK digital input and output connectors.

Three new models have entered Toshiba's long time running Camileo range of palm-sized camcorders this week, the Clip, X200 and X400. Focusing on the Clip to begin with, this is perhaps the more interesting of the refreshed Camileo trio with the clip on the back of the camcorder (hence, the name) allowing it to be clipped onto various objects for hands free shooting. The Clip runs measurements of just 46.5 x 80 x 16 mm, weighing about 85 grams. It sports a ruggedized, splash-proof casing and 1.5-inch LCD.

Getting a bit deeper into the specs, it does Full HD (1920 x 1080) video recording (at 30 fps in H.264 HD format), has a 5-megapixel CMOS sensor with BSI (back side illumination) technology, an electronic image stabiliser, 10x digital zoom, SD/SDHC/SDXC compatible memory slot and gives connectivity via both mini-HDMI and mini-USB 2.0 ports. The camcorder is capable of taking up to 16MP still shots and comes in four color choices - dark blue, hot red, bright yellow and snow white.

As for the X200 and X400 models, these also pack the aforementioned 5MP CMOS sensor with BSI tech, image stabiliser, mini USB and HDMI ports, SD/SDHC/SDXC memory slot, but both offer a double sized 3-inch LCD. What separates the models is the 12x optical zoom capability on the X200 versus the whopping 23x on the X400.

Think you'll be able to make good use of a neat, compact portable Blu-ray writer? Samsung has just launched one dubbed the SE-506AB. It features a sleek, slim design using a hi-gloss anti-scratch coating.

While Samsung's announcement does not mention exact dimensions, they say it's a good 12% smaller than their conventional Blu-ray drive, making it a much more friendly Blu-ray partner on the go. Conveniently, the drive only needs USB connectivity, also sourcing its power from the same cable.

Samsung has implemented error-safe features such as Buffer UnderRun technology to prevent errors regardless of any possible heavy multi-tasking going on during the burning phase that may otherwise result in a coaster. Samsung ODD's exclusive AV connectivity tech is also featured on the SE-506AB that gives users the ability to plug it directly into a multimedia TV's USB port for direct playback of content.

MeeGo's future is looking a little grim at this time with little to no takeup from partners which has resulted in Intel apparently putting its in-house OS on hold well into 2012, if not eventually choosing to bomb it entirely.

With Nokia choosing to stick to variants of Symbian (Belle being a newly launched revision) and setting its sights ahead on Windows Phone (apart from the N9, the only phone Nokia chose to use MeeGo on), and most other smartphone and tablet makers opting for Android or WP7, it's become a case of 'can't beat 'em? Then join 'em' for Intel which Digitimes reports is looking to transfer efforts into Android and WP work.

However, with that said, Windows Phone raises a question in that it currently only runs on ARM processors; even more specifically, due to chassis guidelines from Microsoft around what WP7 partners are allowed to use, a Qualcomm Snapdragon.

Today brings reason to celebrate for Google, marking Chrome's third anniversary since the open source web browser was first launched. This is a browser that needs no introduction with it being a widely favoured choice across the globe, in businesses, at home and on the go.

Things have certainly come a long way even in the three years since Chrome graced the web, making significant strides in speed, simplicity and security.

At this special time, to give insight to the evolution of major web technologies and browsers, Google has also put together a fantastic interactive infographic built using HTML5 that looks at all things web/browser wise as far back as the early 1990s when Netscape was king.

Creative have unleashed the ZEN X-Fi3 Bluetooth Touch MP3 player. The ZEN X-Fi3 sports the apt-X codec which brings superior Bluetooth transmission, and also features X-Fi technology which restores rich detail and retains high level of clarity for audio tracks. It's housed in a stylishly-designed player which delivers the best wireless audio while you're on the move. ZEN X-Fi3 also supports a huge range of audio formats inclusive of FLAC for die-hard lossless audio fans.

The player also includes video output so you can share movies and photos with family and friends on your big-screen. Bluetooth connectivity allows you to easily connect to compatible stereo Bluetooth speakers and headphones. The ZEN X-Fi3 also features responsive touch keys for easy navigation and playback control and surprisingly, a microSD card slot for additional storage. An integrated FM radio is also included.

For a more detailed rundown of the ZEN X-Fi3 be sure to check it out.

Skype have just released some new products, FREETALK® Connect•Me Home Phone Adapter for Skype and a New Skype-enabled Cordless Phone from GE. Currently Skype powers calls through a large range of devices, on computers (Windows, Mac or Linux), iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones and even Skype-enabled HDTV or Blu-ray players. Today, Skype are talking about their FREETALK Connect•Me Home Phone Adapter for Skype.

The FREETALK Connect•Me Home Phone Adapter for Skype allows hassle-free, plug-and-play simplicity that uses your existing handset to make free Skype-to-Skype calls, including low-cost calls to landlines and mobile phones worldwide at Skype's great low rates. All that is requires is to connect this to your home phone, broadband and landline and after, enjoy making Skype calls anywhere.

Next up we have the GE Digital Cordless Expandable Telephone with Skype. This is a Skype-integrated cordless handset that allows connection to Skype contacts for free, it allow lets you make low-cost calls to mobiles and landlines and manage your Skype contacts, all without the need of a PC. Both products are available today in the US and Canada.

Sony is trying to push music players in a new direction with the introduction of a prototype, Android-based Walkman. The new Walkman prototype is designed "for music lovers by music lovers," said engineer Shinichiro Torii in an interview at the IFA electronics show. The new Walkman does have a few tricks up its sleeves, unlike normal Walkman's where they only played music, the new Android-based Walkman has the ability to run thousands of Android applications from the Android Market.

This new ability pushes into line with Apple's iPod Touch which has the ability to run apps, as well as the large market of smartphones which run Android or iOS. The prototype has been dubbed Walkman Mobile Entertainment Player (for now).

General manager of digital music player product planning (what a job title!), Toshimichi Nagashima says:

IFA 2011 - Sony just got done with one of the first major press conferences of IFA 2011 in Berlin, Germany where as expected they unveiled two Android tablets.

While few hardware specs were discussed during the announcement, the Sony tablet S will go on sale in September in Europe and cost 479 euros. And a little later on in November, Sony will bring out the Sony tablet P which will come in at 599 euros.

Some of the big featured discussed is that both tablets will come with full Playstation certfication. The big nosie being made by Sony during the announcement were that Sony tablets are "simple and beautiful to use". A feature called "Simple App" was mentioned brefiedly that is a new way by Sony to organise app which is said to "help users spend less time navigating the app store and more time to just use and play wat they want".

Microsoft are finally adding native ISO mounting support to their upcoming OS, Windows 8. Microsoft have said that in Windows 8, double-clicking an ISO file will automatically mount it as a virtual optical drive. This works in the same way Daemon Tools and Power ISO work, which I have used for the better part of my life. Microsoft will also built in support for Virtual Hard Disk files that are used with virtual machines.

It is in the same fashion with a double-click, it will mount the image automatically. Instead of coming up as an optical drive, it will detect as a separate hard drive, with an eject button. I'm not only surprised, but I'm also so very happy that Microsoft are finally supporting ISOs in Windows. I have a NAS at home and for years now (5+) I have not used an optical disc. When I do, I'll get it to my HDD and make it an ISO. It's much easier to manage, much, much easier and Microsoft have impressed me by adding this support.

How will game companies react? Only time will tell... piracy still does, rule. Even though game revenue is higher than ever, I'm sure people like Cevat Yerli from Crytek will... cry about this news.

American internet users rejoice! YouTube requests might get delivered faster today with Google, OpenDNS and several content delivery networks announcing the Global Internet Speed Up effort. Finding ways to speed up the internet and deliver ever-increasing high quality streaming and downloads to users across the globe is getting harder. The Speed Up effort tries to dodge around this by making sure a user's request for content goes to a server near it, making delivery faster and more efficient from a bandwidth perspective.

At the center of this new wonderful speed up is the creation of a standard that attached location data to a DNS request so a user's request for content goes to a server nearby. This is definitely an upgrade as usually the content comes from the address of the DNS server and not the user's location. For example, an Austin, Texas-based customer who types in the URL for a YouTube video will share part of his IP address as part of the DNS request.

This way, the domain system server can route the request to a Google data center in Dallas, as opposed to one in Ireland. A simple solution, but would net great gains for people who have servers close to them. The new code goes into effect on Tuesday with 30 million OpenDNS users and Google's Public DNS service users visiting content hosted on the participating CDNs will immediately benefit.

Apple has seeded iTunes Beta 6.1 to developers in the US, it includes a new feature you should be on the look out for, iTunes Match. iTunes match allows users to upload music to Apple's beta service of iCloud. This will allow users to store their entire collection online in the iCloud for $25 per year. It also has something quite nifty, say you own an album and it's on your computer - but this album is also on the iTunes servers, it will shift it from the servers to your iCloud account. This saves valuable time and most importantly, bandwidth.

This also allows you to get access to the 256kbps AAC version from within the iCloud, even if your copy was in lower quality. Does this mean people can rip Apple off? How would you do that? Well, if you had an illegally obtained album of music, you could sync it with iTunes and iCloud and have it in your account. How would Apple tell between your illegal music and purchased music? Considering they're making $25 per year from potentially hundreds of millions of customers, are Apple supporting piracy?

If you want to get your mits on iTunes 10.5 beta 6.1, you'll need to be an Apple developer which is a $99 per annum fee.

Facebook for iPad has been a long time coming and between you and I, it should've been here weeks after the iPad launch 18 months ago. But, are we edging closer to social network goodness on the iPad? Possibly... It looks like we might see the iPad app unveiled at Facebook's "f8" developer conference which is being held in San Francisco on September 22. The f8 conference is aimed at getting Facebook app developers together or people who want to integrate their website with Facebook in order to showcase Facebook's newest feature additions.

At the last f8 conference, the "Like" feature was unveiled which let you spread the word about a website, brand, product, video or anything else of interest to your Facebook friends. This years f8 conference is being held at the San Francisco Design center which will be the largest stage ever used for an f8 event, which is leading people to believe Facebook is set to unveil something quite large.

As with other f8 events, the event will focus on demonstrating new tools within the site which are set to work more efficiently with the current ones, as well as a live Q&A session which will allow developers to ask questions from the Facebook crew, as shown on the f8 website:

Panasonic has announced a couple new cameras into its Lumix series today, the FZ150 and FX90.

Focusing on the higher-end FX150 first up, this is quite the zoom happy contender with its 24x optical zoom capabilities. It uses a 25mm ultra wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens and is capable of recording 1080 60p video.

Looking closer at the specs, it's got a 12.1-megapixel MOS sensor, a Venus Engine processor, Power O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), a stereo zoom microphone, 3-inch LCD and sports a 3D Photo mode which works by taking 20 panning shots and selecting two images to synthesize a 3D composite.

No matter how much you try to convince people that "the more memory, the better" when it comes to graphics cards is a somewhat fuzzy statement, the idea of having your card crammed with as much memory as possible is just too hard to pass up for some folks, hence add-in partners sometimes going a little overboard in this respect.

On that note, it seems NVIDIA card partner Point of View is looking to break some kind of record with a new GeForce GTX 550 Ti offering, packing it with not 1.5GB, not 2GB, but a whopping 4GB (!) of memory - equating to 4 times the amount on the reference model.

Such a large increase in memory would be questionably logical on a high end model, but on a mid range card with only a 128-bit memory interface, it does very much seem overboard indeed. It also needs to be mentioned that the memory used isn't the usual GDDR5, PoV took a shortcut here and went for DDR3, clocked in at 1066MHz. Meanwhile, the core runs at 900MHz, with its 192 CUDA cores operating at 1900MHz.

Microsoft are pumping away at Windows 8 and it is not only bringing big UI changes to Windows 8 but another area they've put their magic on is the file management and this should make copying, moving, renaming and deleting files easier than ever before. One improvement in Windows 8 is the ability to view all copy tasks in a single window. This is a much more efficient design and will be welcome on all desktops.

From the single window a user will be able to pause or resume copy operations and will also get a detailed rundown of speeds achieved in each individual task and what the task is up to at a particular time (compete, paused, etc). Another feature exposed today is the redesigned Conflict Resolution dialog window, this window pops up on the event of file name collisions. The revamped window shows [in a much clearer fashion] where everything is located, the time/date and size of the file and gives check boxes and options of what to keep and what action to take.

On top of this, you can hover the mouse cursor over the thumbnail image to see the file path or double-click to open the file itself. Windows 8 is set to remove much of the confirmation dialogs such as "are you sure you want to move this file to the recycle bin?' or "are you sure you want to merge these folders?' which is set to streamline your experience even more.

Steve Jobs has officially submitted his resignation to the Apple board today, and as of this afternoon he will no longer be Apple's Chief Executive Officer. Tim Cook is set to take over as CEO. The exact details as to why he's stepping down as CEO are not disclosed, but many are guessing it's health-related. Jobs has been on medical leave since January 17 - the second time in two years. Steve Jobs' letter is below:

My good friend Alex Mihal put me onto this news, and has put his hand up to be the new CEO. I don't know how successful he would be, maybe we can start a viral campaign?

Some slightly fuzzy details on NVIDIA's upcoming 28mm mobile GPU parts have been leaked today; these being Fermi based shrinks, not based on next-gen Kepler.

It should first be noted, the chart provided by semiaccurate that you see above gives a list of the majority, but not all of the upcoming mobile GPU parts on the way, as there will likely be a few more 40nm parts entering the market in amongst this lot.

The other important attribute of what we can learn from this chart is the mass production periods noted. Sources are indicating that the much anticipated Kepler lineup of GPUs won't start being released until (at least) three months after these begin rolling out. So if we're not seeing 28nm parts hit the market until January or so, chances are Kepler will miss the boat for a Q1'12 release.

AMD has released some nifty documents which outline the architecture behind their upcoming Core i7 competitor, Bulldozer. The Bulldozer CPU architecture is one of the biggest things to come from AMD in the form of CPU technology in a long time and the slides below outline Zambezi for the Socket AM3+ platform. The AM3+ socket infrastructure adds quite a few new things and a few surprises along the way. Check out the below images for a bit of a tease of things to come from team RED.

One of the surprising things is older AM3 processors are plug-in compatible with AM3+ motherboards, which would allow people to pick up a board in preparation for the new CPUs and then upgrade as they see fit. As well as the impressive 72-bit DDR3 memory channels which will see support for DDR3-1866. Bulldozer is quite power-efficient too, as it will increase clock speeds if there is spare TDP headroom and when there is not much workload on the CPU, it will disable un-used cores.

Very impressive, AMD. If it can keep up with Sandy Bridge-based Core i5/i7's, then we'll finally see some true competition in the CPU fight.

Oh no, please leave it alone now Gearbox. We've all been through enough false promises followed by eventual (catastrophic?) disappointment that has deeply tarnished an iconic memory of our gaming past.

Would you believe guys, Gearbox is already looking to reboot Duke despite no doubt taking notice of all the negative reviews and feedback following DNF's recent launch. In actuality, they were already working on the "Duke Begins" project before they took over development of DNF; and as an agreement was made to hand ownership of the Duke Nukem IP to the studio, they can do whatever they like with it now. Once they've wrapped up development on their current title - Aliens: Colonial Marines they'll be waking the poor bastard back up for more.

Whatever they have planned, obviously they must think they can somehow make it up to us very unsatisfied, crippled fans. The real question now, however, is whether or not us fans are willing to give it the slightest of attention, after an over 15 year saga filled with broken promises and what some say was the final nail in the coffin when Gearbox offered up a rather weak result, worsened by the extended wait and frustrating hype we all had to endure.