"Leaked" Fido 2009 Roadmap Points at $99 4GB iPhone with iChat

We talked about 4, 8, 16 and 32GB models for the iPhone 3G (3rd-Gen) Summer 2009 line before, and now BGR is pointing at a new $99 iPhone 4GB with iChat AV.

They claim that this image comes from an allegedly leaked Fido network presentation. According to their source, the Canadian network provider will sell a three-year contract $99 iPhone with 4GB, Quadband GSM, HSDPA 850/1900/2100, 2.0MP camera, and video calling via iChat. The slide actually says that the image is "not the actual product."

While I have no problem in believing that the iPhone 3G Summer 2009 screens are real, I have a hard time believing this. However, the news are in line with Engadget's "trusted" source, so maybe something is cooking.

Like always, follow our first rule of rumors: Never believe in them. We all will know soon enough. [BGR]

Sony announces new PS3 motion controller

Sony just announced the rumored new motion controller for the PS3 -- the prototype looks like a wand with a color-changing ball on top. It's designed to work in conjunction with the PlayStation Eye, with the wand overlaid on-screen with a weapon or tool. Unlike Microsoft's Project Natal, Sony says they've learned "some experiences need buttons," which is why there's still a controller involved. The system is said to be "sub-millimeter" precise, and it was demoed drawing and playing a shooter -- it's sort of the middle ground between Natal and Wii Motion Plus. Sony says it'll launch in the spring of 2010, but we don't know what pricing will be like yet.

1+1=3 Design

09 Stockholm Furniture Fair / photo © Peter Teigene

(detail) 09 Stockholm Furniture Fair / photo © Peter Teigene

1+1=3 A Meeting Between Two Creates Something New
Beckmans School of Design showcase

This year, the final-year students in Product Design at Beckmans College of Design have created an alternative meeting place in Greenhouse at the Stockholm Furniture Fair.
The students have created a space to inspire informal gatherings of people, in the same way as you would meet spontaneously about town - sitting at the edge of a monument, on a front porch or a flight of stairs. The furniture in the showcase are based on indivdual briefs to create a specific type of furniture. In contrast to what is usually the case in Greenhouse, where many prototypes are for view only, the students have encouraged the visitors to interact with the furniture and the space. As a a bonus this year, the third-year students have collaborated with the second-year Advertising and Graphic Design students in creating a catalogue and a film.

09 Stockholm Furniture Fair / photo © Peter Teigene

(detail) 09 Stockholm Furniture Fair / photo © Peter Teigene

Sandra Gustafsson / photo © Peter Teigene

Karolina Lagerkvist / photo © Peter Teigene

Karin Widmark / photo © Peter Teigene

Helena Svensson / photo © Peter Teigene

Evelina Johansson / photo © Peter Teigene

Emma Mierse / photo © Peter Teigene

Microsoft's Project Natal demo video has us jumping with anticipation

We're itching to get our own, uh, body time with Microsoft's Project Natal real time motion-capture accessory for the Xbox 360, but until that happens we're eagerly soaking up every last bit of footage we can -- like this teaser video shown during this morning's keynote. Lots of little tidbits here, like voice and face recognition, custom texture scanning and mapping, video chatting, and all sorts of use-your-whole-body gameplay applications. Of course, we don't know how much of this is real and how much is TV magic, but it certainly seems like Natal's got tons of potential -- check the video after the break.

Portable Size-Off: How The PSP Go Measures Up

The new PSP Go, leaked just before E3 thanks to the June issue of Sony's own Qore, is tiny little thing. Bigger than an iPhone—but not by much—and slimmer than the original PSP.

When placed side-by-side against some of the current portable gaming competition, the PSP Go illustrates just how different it is from its peers and predecessor. The screen ratio looks similar to older PSP models, but is considerably smaller in size—3.8 inches versus the PSP-3000's diagonal size of 4.3 inches or 11% smaller.

On par with than Sony's other slide-out device, the Mylo 2, from which the PSP Go looks to have borrowed some of its design choices.

The PSP Go is also pretty efficient on overall hardware footprint. The LCD screen is 0.3 inches larger than the iPhone, but thanks to the slide-out controls, doesn't have nearly the same amount of extra plastic flanking each side.

The removal of some of the PSP's original buttons (display, sound, volume) go a long way to keeping the look more efficient than earlier models.

Versus the Nintendo DSi and DS Lite, however, we see just how much smaller the device is in its open position compared to its dual-screen competition. Screen-wise, the DSi and PSP Go are closer than ever, as the former got a quarter-inch boost over the DS Lite's screen, with the Go shaving off a half-inch.

Weight-wise, the PSP Go sounds pretty light—approximately 3.8 ounces, if the 43% lighter than the PSP-3000 figure (and our math) is accurate. That makes it lighter than the iPhone (4.7 ounces) and Nintendo DSi (7.5 ounces).

Keep in mind that these PSP Go figures aren't official, so things may be slightly off. But if you need to budget pocket space for the Fall, it might be handy.