The reason is this, tomorrow sees the beginning of Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference, or WWDC (Don’t ask us where the extra W came from). This conference brings some of the top developers in the world, as well as those just starting out, into one place for a few days of workshops, seminars, lunches, and I assume parties. But of recent years it has become a very important event for all Apple fans over the world. As the keynote that it opens with, normally pesented by Steve Jobs but opened this year by Phil Schiller, is the couple of hours where we get a first look at the ew Mac OS and… the brand new iPhone.

Now unless you have been hidden under a rock, inside a faraday cage, in the amazon rainforst; you will have probably heard one or two or 20 rumours about what people are expecting in the new iPhone. Video recording, front facing camera, magnometer (compass), repositioned speaker and headphone socket, camera button, video calling, matte/rubberised back, no more chrome frame, and coffee dispenser (I admit I made that one up myself); are all just a taster of what rumours are flying round the internet at this moment in time. There is even a rumoured name floating around: the iPhone Video.

As an iPhone fan, and owner, I am currently counting the hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds until the keynote starts (6pm GMT, Monday 8th June) so I can watch it online and drool over the iPhone if it is announced.

Now some of you are problably thinking “How can you be sure there will even be a new announcement?”, well there are a few clues:

1. Apple are very predictable when it comes to when they announce product refreshes, with Phil Schiller himself saying at Macworld in January that the iPhone’s refresh cycle is June/July each year
2. O2 has started to withdraw current iPhone 3G avertising here in the UK. Stores are replacing iPhone POS with adverts for the new O2 Joggler, where iPhone adverts have been for almost a year, national newspapers are no longer carrying the iPhone 3G ‘There’s an app for that’ advertising on the backs of some of their supplements, again replaced with the O2 Joggler.

This second point is the biggest hint. O2 have actively advertised the iPhone 3G since before it’s July 11th launch last year. With adverts in stores, newspapers, television, the internet. For them to start to retract some of these means that something must be happening in the world of the iPhone.

We will be taking photos and video throughout the two days we are at the event, as well as trying to secure some cool interviews with tech companies, and hopefully the presenters themselves. bitcolumns will also be bringing you the latest news and product information that we can get from the show floor, and presenting this on the site as soon as possible. Photos and audio will be uploaded at the end of each of the two days, with video being onto the site as soon as we can edit and compile it.

You may remember the distaster that happened with Stuff Live, pretty much nothing,. But I guarantee we have learnt from our mistakes and have made sure we have much lighter kit (easier to carry around and use) as well as computers and a room with internet access.

We will be at the show for the Friday (Press Day) and Saturday, so will have plenty of time to get as much information and news as we can from the stands. Images from the stands, press releases, etc will all be uploaded as soon as they are taken.

We will be video recording at the event.  We are hoping to get a good look at the latest gadgets at the press releases, and looking at some of the cool tech on show.  Hopefully we will also be getting some interviews done. All the video will be compiled and released as a special edition of the bitcast.

Sam and Ian will be wearing their brand new bitcolumns hoodies and t-shirts, so if you see us walking around the event feel free to come up to us and say hello. Would be awesome to meet some of our readers.

And if this is not all exciting enough, here is a video of what you can expect to see at The Gadget Show Live:

Here’s how to fix it in byte size easy steps!

Step one:

With no images/files open in PS, go to Edit / Color Settings. Change the top drop-down setting to Monitor Color, and uncheck “ask when opening” too.

Step two:

Go to View / proof setup / and click Monitor RGB.

Step three:

Open up any random image in photoshop.. Go to File / save for web. But we aren’t actually going to save anything. Uncheck “Convert to sRGB” (depending on versions of photoshop this will be either in the save for web settings as a tickbox or only visable after you click a dropdown arrow next to the preset option).

Step four:

close photoshop and restart. Go to the comments section and thank Bitcolumns.com for sharing the love!

ASUS will be providing six bloggers with an ASUS computer. For 4 weeks, the users will use their product and write about their experiences to a dedicated blog on the Mobile Computing website (a minimum of three 200 word+ posts per week). ASUS are seeking users who will give as much feedback as possible, but all responsibility for blog content will be held with the blogger and Mobile Computing.

At the end of the period, ASUS will give each blogger an Eee PC 901 as a special thank you for their time – except the owner of the blog which attracts the highest number of readers, who will be able to keep the notebook they have been writing about.

The 6 blogs will be focused on each of the following:

• ASUS G71V quad-cre gaming notebook
• ASUS M50 multimedia notebook
• ASUS N80V business notebook
• ASUS Bamboo U6V eco-friendly notebook
• ASUS Eee PC S101 fashion netbook
• ASUS Eee Top All-in-One PC

ASUS and Mobile Computing are inviting users to apply to take part by
completing an application on the Mobile Computing website no later than
the 15th March 2009.

We are hoping to secure an interview with Jason Bradbury, one of the show’s presenters. He is someone who is mad about tech, gaming, and what is coming out in the future (reminds us a bot of bitcolumns, to be honest). But we dont wanna be the only ones asking the questions, so we want you to submit your questions. Whether it be as a comment here, in an email to sam@bitcolumns.com, or via twitter (just @bitcolumns us with your questions).

We will bring you more news on the event as we get it, but to start with, here is the press release we recieved today.

THE ULTIMATE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS EVENT

FIRST EVER GADGET SHOW LIVE COMES TO BIRMINGHAM

Do you have a thirst for new technology, an obsession with the latest gadgets, or simply can’t get through the week without researching the latest must-have kit? Why not head down to the first ever Gadget Show Live (NEC 17-19 April 2009), set to be the UK’s largest interactive technology event. Based on Five’s successful TV programme, gadget hungry visitors will all get the chance to see, try and buy the very latest in consumer electronics.

With a wide range of exciting, interactive and informative features, expert advice, how-to sessions, demonstrations and exhibitors, the event showcases over 120 of the biggest names in computing, photography, mobile communications, gaming and home entertainment under one roof.

The Gadget Show Super Theatre will bring to life all the high-energy features from the TV show, with spectacular action packed live performances, world record attempts and challenges hosted by The Gadget Show’s very own Jason Bradbury, Suzi Perry and Jon Bentley.

Suzi Perry says; “The Gadget Show Live builds on the excitement of the TV programme and develops it into a creative, dynamic and fun-fuelled event. Packed with top class exhibitors and a raft of innovative features, it’s an unrivalled opportunity for anyone with an interest in gadgetry to have hands-on access to the very latest technology on the market, all in one place.”

Those who know their Spore from their GTA should head to the Game Zone which features both new launches and classic games, giving novices the chance to compete for prizes whilst showcasing the talents of top international competitors. Technophiles looking for here-and-now answers to their gadget questions should head to Geek Squad Counter Intelligence which features one-to-one advice offering immediate solutions on any technical issue.

Providing advice from independent experts, the How to Theatre will give practical tips on getting more out of your tech – from guiding you through the latest in 3G mobiles to creating an online video blog. In Car is a must visit for anyone looking for the latest gadgetry on the move, where you can view and access a range of customised vehicles fitted out with the latest in in-car kit.

Other features include; The Gadget Hall of Fame, a gallery of 20^th century design icons; a Future Home Feature showcasing state of the art technology for the home, and the Gadget Test Track where visitors can test ride the latest in personal transportation.

Jason Bradbury adds “I’m really excited about The Gadget Show Live. It’s going to be packed with cutting-edge exhibits and really interesting ‘hands-on’ interactive features. Most of all, it will be a great opportunity to meet the viewers who share our passion for technology.”

The Gadget Show Live will be taking place at NEC Birmingham from 17-19 April 2009. For further information and to book tickets visit www.gadgetshowlive.net. Tickets cost from just £12.95 (+ £0.95 booking fee). Entrance to The Gadget Show Super Theatre costs just £4.

Notes to editors:

Advanced adult ticket price: £12.95 (+ 95p booking fee)

Advanced child (under 12) ticket price: £5 (+ 95p booking fee)

On the door adult price: £16

On the door child (under 12) price: £6

There will be three performances per day in The Gadget Show Super Theatre; 11am, 2pm and 4pm. Tickets will be priced at £4

Over the last 2 months the guys behind the scenes at bitcolumns (James and Martin, the ones you dont hear about much) have been working their asses off to bring us a brand new design and brand new code. Although we have had problems with servers, illness, and internet connections; we are now very happy to present it to you.

So what have we added?

Today sees the launch of the bitcolumns’ ‘bitcast’ our video podcast (available on Vimeo, Youtube, and iTunes). Through the ‘bitcast’ Sam and Andy bring you the latest news, reviews, and gossip from the world of technology; whilst keeping you up to date with the happenings at bitcolumns.

We have now also launched our “Recommended for students” initiative. Like any award system, this title is given to a product we believe to be useful to our readers; and has performed well in our tests. It is a sign of overall quality, and performance; as well as value for money.

Wherever you see this image, you can be sure it is a quality product

The new site has much more options for keeping up to date with what is happening. As well as RSS (you can choose what you want to be kept up to date with), and email notifications (completely spam free, and we never pass on details); we have added better Twitter integration. Twitter will allow you to keep up to date with the tech scene as it happens, as well as ‘stalk’ our writers.

What about my Comments?

All comments from the old website have been imported into the new one. This means you do not have to worry about reposting your comments.

What is coming?

We started this site with the aim of helping Students find the best products, and deals, for their needs; and we are continuing with this. We are working:

• with companies to secure special offers
• going to plan student based events (read: parties)
• work with universities to ensure a better understanding of consumer technology

All this, and hopefully more, throughout 2009, looks to make this a very exciting year.

Ciao,

The bitcolumns team

Based entirely on open source code, the premise of Chrome is to make a more secure and accessible browser for a new generation of the web.

Features include:

• Incognito Mode (No history, cookies, or traces are saved)
• Seperate process per tab (if one tab crashes, the program does not)

But one problem has appeared in the End User Licence Agreement, which states that any content youy create using the Chrome browser can be used by Google.

If you are interested in downloading the Beta, it is available here.

For the first 40 minutes, Wall·E plays like poetry in motion. The film drifts along with a Kubrick-esque intelligence; it reminded me of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Director Stanton’s garbage strewn netherworld invites comparison with the dusty lower levels of Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and the seedy Manhattan underworld of John Carpenter’s Escape from New York. Apart from the mixed robotic wails from our adorable Earth-Class Waste Allocation Lift Loader, the opening is largely silent. Likewise the narrative confronts its apocalyptic premise in a melancholic manner, the film has the linearity of a Keaton or Chaplin picture.

It is testament to Pixar’s genius that what would be wrongly pigeonholed as a ‘kids’ film, could press issues such as environmental decay, loneliness and the dark side of materialism. Pixar and Stanton have enough faith in their multi-aged audience to keep an intellectual edge. They delegate intuitively, adding slices of humour that break the mould of pessimism around the early stages of the film. And while the film may not be as breathlessly entertaining as Toy Story or The Incredibles for example, the sheer cuteness of our Hello, Dolly! fanbot keeps Pixar’s faithful legion of young viewers smiling.

The attention to detail applied by Pixar’s esteemed sound crew (figure headed by designer Ben Burtt) serves as a natural accompaniment to the trashy gulches of the environment. The naked winds and dry rustling of garbage emanate a feeling of nothingness, of lost hope. Wall·E delivers himself from the harsh realities that come with sacking and packing the Earth’s waste through a slew of quirky habits that include collecting miscellaneous items salvaged from the wasteland and befriending a likewise alone cockroach. We are privy to his downtrodden, domesticated existence. It is a case of beautifully executed simplicity.

Wall·E, however, takes its biggest, if only stumble during the second act. The film is at its weakest when amongst humans. The film’s vacuum-like locale houses hundreds of de-westernised humans, encased in a world of equality and peace yet shielded from the basic necessities of human existence. The humanity in the picture comes from more robotic avenues. Wall·E and EVE provide the neurotic romance and the ships computer, in true HAL 9000 fashion, adds the inevitable touch of tyranny. The displacement of humane responsibility promotes a fear over the dominance of technology; a motif explored by Kubrick in the previously mentioned 2001.

One scene in Wall·E that particularly sticks out is the rocketing space pas de deux between Wall·E and EVE. Their intergalactic dance emits a lyrical hedonism that shows how the purest forms of pleasure can become the highest goods known to man (or machine for that matter). Perhaps Pixar’s finest achievement is restoring our youth and hence our belief in a transparently defined bliss.  Mr Kane may not have dropped that snow globe with Pixar around.

This world record was for the most software downloads in 24 hours and was set at a very respectable level.

In the first 24 hours of release 8,002,530 downloads of Firefox 3.0 were completed, and as of today there have been more than 28 million downloads of the software.

bitcolumns recommends the use of Firefox 3.0, which can be downloaded here.