Content and news by Rob Williams

Nintendo is not known for messing with good things, but apparently they felt the need to relocate their PR department to a different part of California and also New York, which is resulting in a lot of notable employees quitting the company.

The Minnesota-based magazine’s online arm is reporting that he and several other major figures in NOA’s PR machine have left Nintendo. Among those apparently boxing up their desks are senior director of public relations Beth Llewelyn and vice president of marketing Perrin Kaplan.

The reason for relocation is unknown, but it’s very odd regardless. It’s hard to know whether or not anything has gone awry down there in Redmond, but they are still doing great sales thanks to the Wii.

Source: Gamespot

Computex is now well underway, and so are the updates from sites around the web. For round-ups, you can visit Madbox PC, HotHardware, Phoronix, Engadget and Legit Reviews.

Excited for Quad-Core Penryn? HotHardware was lucky enough to spot some production 45nm chips lying around and took some spy photos. From their investigations, they believe these particular CPUs would be from January, so Penryn has been mature for a while it seems.

If you are more interested in pictures than anything else, hit up Hard|OCP for their huge round-up of first day pictures. As we can see, AMD knows how to get geeks excited.

That about wraps up all that hit our inboxes today. Be sure to check out all the round-ups listed above as that is where all of the good info can be had. Nothing so far has really piqued my interest, although Intel’s upcoming CPUs and Chipsets are looking good.

Consider this a PSA to all those using Dreamhost. 3,500 passwords have been leaked, and numerous sites have been compromised already. Here is the word from Dreamhost themselves:

“We’re still working to determine how this occurred, but it appears
that a 3rd party found a way to obtain the password information
associated with approximately 3,500 separate FTP accounts and has
used that information to append data to the index files of customer
sites using automated scripts (primarily for search engine
optimization purposes).”

How FTP passwords are so easily leaked is beyond me. It’s not as though they are non-encrypted, or were they? Regardless, if you are a Dreamhost user, it’s highly recommended that you change your passwords (cPanel + FTP) there as soon as possible, even if you did not receive that e-mail.

Source: Caydel

Yahoo! was deemed most risky by McAfee, with a staggering 1/20 searches returned results leading to risky websites. By comparison, AOL was the leader with 2.9%.

According to McAfee, overall, on Yahoo, MSN, Ask.com, Google, and AOL, sponsored searches returned more risky results than “organic” searches. Of sponsored searches, 6.9 percent returned risky content, compared with 2.9 percent of organic searches.

Of course, if you use common sense, generally any search engine is safe.

Source: ZDNet

The next version of Firefox might implement a blocking technology to prevent users from accidentally stumbling on malicious sites… those that house malware.

Mozilla Corp. is considering adding a tool to Firefox 3.0 that would automatically block Web sites thought to harbor malicious downloads, but the company’s security chief refused to spell out details, saying Mozilla is “not ready to talk about the feature.”

The feature looks like it will work with Google as it’s engine. Google right now, flags sites on their search engine that are marked as malicious, and warns the user before they click on it. While I am all for this, I am hoping it will be a feature that can be disabled easily.

Source: Computer World

As if those ads plastered all over boards on the street wasn’t enough of an annoyance, picture the same situation, but the paper talking to you as well.

The Paper Four project has reportedly developed a prototype digital paper that uses embedded sensors to detect touch, and when you graze over a certain spot, it actually talks back to you via “printed speakers.”

How completely bizarre, and innovative at the same time. One thing is for sure, it’s going to be one expensive piece of paper.

Source: Engadget

Imagine picking up a camera at a liquidation sale, only to find out that the box is empty weeks later. Imagine as well that the store won’t issue a refund.

Terry then wrote a letter to CompUSA’s CEO, whose “Executive Care” assistant replied and said that Terry should have been more careful to inspect the box when he purchased the camera, and that the prominent ALL SALES ARE FINAL signs around the store and on the receipt weren’t just for show.

It’s no wonder these establishments are closing a record amount of stores. You would think they’d be smart and cater to the customer in order to keep them.

Source: Engadget

In the market for a big widescreen monitor, but find 24″ too small and 30″ too big? Dell has you covered with their 27″ 2707WFP. Like their 2407WFP, this monitor offers 1920×1200 with a 6ms GTG and has a brushed aluminum look that’s unique to their entire lineup.

If you were not aware, a Pac-Man World Championship took place yesterday in NYC, pitting top champions against each other. Yes, this is the same Pac-Man you are thinking of.

As it turns out, there is a new Pac-Man game being released on Xbox Live Arcade today, named after these championships. The cool thing is that the new maps were created by Toru Iwatani, the creator of this classic game.

PAC-MAN returns in this enhanced version of the all time classic videogame! PAC-MAN Championship Edition has many new and unique gameplay features, but still spotlights the big yellow PAC-MAN we all know and love. Experience the evolution of PAC-MAN and play it now!

If you are a fan of Pac-Man, this game cannot be passed up. There is a trailer available through the link below.

Source: Xbox.com

Allow me to speak for everyone when I say, it’s about time!

The defendant in a Tampa, Florida, case, UMG v. Del Cid, has filed counterclaims accusing the RIAA record labels of conspiracy and extortion. The counterclaims (pdf) are for Trespass, Computer Fraud and Abuse (18 USC 1030), Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices (Fla. Stat. 501.201)…

There are numerous reasons for the counter-claim, and we can only hope the lawyers are going to play smart and put the RIAA in even hotter water.

Source: Slashdot

IGN has the word that Fallout 3 will launch in 2008 on the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. There is a trailer to coincide with this announcement.

We’re still curious what kind of perspective the game will use. Hines refused to comment when asked, but it seems like the game will take place from a first-person or over-the-shoulder third-person perspective. We’re making such a statement based on Bethesda’ development experience with the Elder Scrolls series, a first-person RPG, and the rather high level of detail seen in the trailer.

Let the speculation commence! I have not played Fallout a great deal in the past, but after watching the trailer, I am a little intrigued. If the game is as good as the art direction, we might have a winner.

Source: Xbox 360

Our friends at Phoronix have announced that the site has just hit the three year mark… about the same amount of time it takes to install Gentoo! They are not doing much to celebrate, but have a lot of content on the way and are calling on the community for ideas of what they would like to see. Check out their site and give your input!

Happy birthday to Phoronix!

Source: Phoronix

It looks like Monolith is in a predicament and needs your help.

Monolith Productions doesn’t own the rights to the name of its 2005 paranormal first-person shooter F.E.A.R., but that didn’t stop it from announcing a sequel to the game more than a year ago. The studio and parent company Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment face a dilemma now, as their game will build off of the story and characters of the original, but will not be able to bear the F.E.A.R. name.

The downside is that this contest is open to those in the US and nowhere else. If you live in the States and the contest piques your interest, check it out.

Source: Game Spot

The popular tradeshow known as Computex takes place in Taipei each year, and is always interesting to follow. Techgage did not attend this year, but we will be relaying all of the information that hits our inboxes during the event.

Many tech sites have written up introductions to the show and also first-looks, such as techPowerUp!, Madbox PC, Phoronix and HotHardware.

HotHardware is gung ho on publishing content and has looks at ASUS Crosslinx, MSI Dual-Radeon HD 2600 and more. Our Aussie friends at TweakTown have also published a slew of content. A-Data gets funky with water-cooled ram, beat a wanker and win $100,000, Team Groups 2000MHz DDR3, AMD RD790 was on display and a C2D at 5.44GHz with LN2.

You only care about the women, you say? No worries, Phoronix has got you covered!

techPowerUp! rounds up our coverage with looks at PQI and MACS & Casetek.

We won’t post all of the press releases we receive simply because most websites will post more in-depth about the content provided. Such as DailyTech who takes a look at Intel X38 boards, including the ASUS P5E3 WS. Upset because you just bought a P35 board? Get over it holmes!

OCZ also passes along word that they have a few interesting products on display, including a thumb drive… that’s Firewire based! The benefits there would be obvious, and I am surprised it has taken this long for someone to come along with that idea. They are also showing off their Neural Impulse Actuator and HydroJet again, which I can’t wait to see in person and use. This is their first trade show after acquiring PCP&Cooling, so they have quite a presence this year.

The first Computex day was busy, as you can see. We will post similar reports each day until the conference concludes. Stay tuned.

Tero might not be a name familiar to many of you, because he works behind the scenes, mostly with the press and marketing. He has been a great friend to Techgage since our site began, and we couldn’t think of a better person to head the company.

Futuremark Corporation, the world’s leading provider of PC and mobile phone performance analysis software, and services announced today the appointment of Mr. Tero Sarkkinen as CEO, effective July 1st, 2007. Currently overseeing the company’s worldwide sales and marketing, Mr. Sarkkinen has worked the past 7 years directly with Mr. Risto Vehvilainen, Futuremark Corporation’s current CEO. Mr. Vehvilainen enters retirement on June 30th but will continue to contribute his expertise and contacts to the company as a Director on Futuremark Corporation’s board.

Congrats to Tero on the new position, and we look forward to seeing Futuremark continue to grow under his direction.

Source: Futuremark Press Release

The boys at CoolIT have scored it big with AMD/ATI, with the pleasure of offering the reference liquid coolers for R600. The interesting thing is that it’s slimline, so Quad Crossfire would be possible with liquid cooling on each card.

Guys from CoolIT worked with folk from former ATi HQ, now known as AMD Thermal Laboratory, and cooler utilizes micro-channel technology for highest percentage of heat-dissipation, putting the design of this cooler back to single-slot world.

We have become big fans of CoolIT over the past year, simply because their products are amazing. We look forward to seeing just how well these new reference coolers will perform.

Source: The Inquirer

Apple has just announced that they have updated their MacBook Pro line, which take advantage of Intel’s Santa Rosa platform and LED-backlit displays. 15-inch and 17-inch models are available, starting off at $1,999 for a 2.2GHz with 2GB of ram and the 15-inch screen.

The MacBook Pro’s lightweight, aluminum enclosure is just one-inch thin and is available in three models: 2.2 GHz and 2.4 GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro models, and a 2.4 GHz 17-inch MacBook Pro model. The new 15-inch MacBook Pro models feature a brand-new, power-efficient LED-backlit display and are the first of Apple’s notebooks to transition to LED backlighting as part of the company’s effort to eliminate the use of mercury in its products.

Apples “going green” program is kicking off right now. It’s unknown whether the updated MacBook Pros are completely mercury free, but they are on the road to a more environmentally friendly Apple, which is reassuring.

Each of the laptops is upgradeable to 4GB of ram ($750 option!) and includes an 8600GT NVIDIA card. The 15-inch models deliver a 1440×900 resolution while the 17-inch uses a beastly 1680×1050. Unlike those bathroom-esque styled MacBooks, the MacBook Pro has a gorgeous aluminum body. If you are planning on picking up a new Apple notebook, the Pros are going to be difficult to resist.

Source: Apple Press Release

Australia is game hungry, which is proven by the latest report that over 1 million Xbox 360 games have been sold in just over fourteen months. Surprisingly, this beats out both the PS2 and Nintendo DS.

According to Daniel Morse, Account Director at GfK Australia, “360 has reached the milestone faster than any previous console, and is currently outperforming other next generation consoles in terms of software sales. Titles such as “Gears of War”, “Saints Row” and “Call of Duty 2″, the top three selling Xbox 360 games, have played major roles in the success of the platform.”

Aussies have some good taste!

Source: IGN Xbox 360

Did you know 855,000 phones are flushed down the toilet every year in the UK? That’s both true and ridiculous. SimplySwitch, a price comparison site that apparently services the UK, came up with this number. How many people are in the UK? 60.7 million? That’s about 1.5% of the population that actually flushed their phones down the toilet.

It’s surprising, and odd. I am not sure how that many people could have that happen. Either you talk on your phone too much, or need to keep the phone out of your back pocket. Surprisingly, more people drop their phones in the toilet than they leave at the pubs.

Source: Gizmodo

Despite the lame news title, this rumor has been floating around for quite some time now. It’s no surprise, given the 512MB worth of internal storage and the fact that SD cards only hold up to 4GB of space normally. Because rumors never die, this one is back in full swing.

Lending a smidgen of credence to this latest rumor is SNK’s recent announcement that it would soon be bringing some of its Neo Geo titles to the Wii’s Virtual Console, many of which would take up a heckuva lot more space (up to 330MB) than the current crop of old school games available on the service.

I had no idea of that previous announcement, but I am hoping to see the Wii treated to some King of Fighters excitement. If an external hard drive is actually in the works, anyone care to speculate how large it would be? Unlike the Xbox 360, a 20GB hard drive could go a long way with the Wii, so my bets would be there.

Source: Engadget