Many thanks to Evil Dragon for this news:

http://GPain.com released a patch which changes the gp2x speakers from Mono to Stereo!

Just run the supplied patch with the "Utility"-Section of your gp2x and enjoy FULL STEREO. The patch needs to be applied each time before playing MP3s (as it doesn't patch the firmware), but it certainly does show that the speaker problem is only software-related!

A MUST-HAVE-PATCH!

Download via the comments ...

A great review posted at GP32X Forums by TJF Bryant:

When I reviewed the gp32 way back in 2001, I gave it a 8 out of 10. It was an innovative system but it had bugs. First off I had the non flu first edition with that "beautiful" fushia tint glare reducer on the screen, a flickery screen, loose joystick, tight left shoulder button and very unappealing and frustrating firmware. Yet the movies playing 10 fps and ok sound was something I'd never seen before. The games were no better that a game boy color or advanced at sometimes (graphically). BUT the enjoyment of playing DOOM, and SCuMMvm games AND all the homebrew stuff was awesome.
So why an 8 out of 10 for the Gp32 with all the problems.... because I know things could only get better from there. Whatta machine, that gp32...it was nearly my gaming life for 5 whole years and still is.

Now here comes the GP2x. With Bugs. And many concerns along with it. I still remain unchanged in my opinion that this system will in fact be THEE homebrew portable system of the next 5 years. I received the gp2x the day before thanksgiving. I added the sdl-libs for my homebrew gaming goodness, put War of the Worlds (800mb) on my 1 gig sd card and I was up and running.
Now lets get somethings straight. The firmware is not finished. Its not even the true official firmware release. Think of it as a beta version. Here is what works and what doesn't. First ...USE high capacity Nimh rechargables, otherwise you will have many more problems with flickering, screen dimming..etc. I get almost a full 5 hours with 2300mah nimh.
All Divx movies play fine ( I used pocket divx encoder) The screen is bright enough, good color contrast, no flickering during playback. The movie may freeze from time to time when forwarding thru the movie...but it appears just to be tempramental. This will be fixed in firmware upgrade when the Official launch comes in Jan 2006. Otherwise it plays through it its entirety. The games run perfectly on the screen, I have tried all games, ports etc, with the exception of all quake releases.

The only problems I found was just the firmware. Again like what I experienced with the first edition gp32. User friendlyness is lacking, firmware is buggy, and its just not an optimized smooth firmware release. BUT thats NOT to say the day of release you won't get a near perfect transition in firmware from this release 1.0 or 1.1 to say 2.0.

From what I feel in my hand, the Gp2x is very comfortable to hold for long periods of time. For some reason (when I compare it to my PSP) to just really enjoy holding the gp2x more. It feels lighter, and more erogonomic (yeah I know its a rectangular square) but it fits my large hands better. The joystick intially feels tight, real tight. But once you roll it around a few times it feels better on your thumbs.
Now some find a deadzone in the joystick, I do see and feel that deadzone when running the homebrew games and movies and navagating the firmware, BUT I don't get that same deadzone when playing Donky Kong County 2 on my SNES emu (which runs better 6- 15 fps depending on the game) The joystick feels and works just fine. Perhaps its an coding thing. The four buttons (ABXY) feel great to press. Some believe the buttons are too close together, I think its a very good placement. I have very large hands, and although my fingers fully cover all four buttons, they are very recognizable and tactile to my finger tips. I like the placement, quick responses for gaming. The shoulder buttons feel alot better than the ones on my gp32 and my psp. It just feels right when playing.

Overall it comes down to this folks. What an initial improvment from the first edition gp32 5 years ago. The build, and quality feels better, and its alot less frustrating that the first gp32 ever was. I am going to mention what I said 5 years ago. IF you want to notch portable gaming with major brand names, and mass produced (run of the mill) graphical eye candy games. GET A PSP. But if you truely enjoy retro gaming, homebrew goodness, movies, music, GET the Gp2x. You really won't regret it. If your the type you want things easy for you, you wanna pop the batteries in and go. Then might I suggest to wait until the official Gp2x release comes in Jan. Then perhaps the firmware wil be more optimized, and the known bugs will be fixed.

Otherwise with everything taken into account I give the gp2x a 7.5 -10 for the first edition. Once the newer firmware is released I will give this great little machine an 8.5.
Great quality build compared to the gp32, a little buggy (that was expected).

Notes:
** I used a card reader to upload all software to the Sd card. The USB port was buggy as previously reported.
** I use a 150x My Adata 1 gig card. (The firmware only allows upto 1 gig so far).
** Lik sangs article on its orders of Gp2x because of GPH. Is for lack of a better word, complete fluff. They want to take no responsiblity for the problems that could arise when shipping ...

The Xbox-Linux team have got to work on trying to port Linux to the xbox 360, in a project named 'free 60'. The Free60 Project aims to port open source operating systems like GNU/Linux and Darwin to the Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming console. Here is some interesting documentation already from their website...

- The flash is encrypted with a per-box key
- The key is stored inside the CPU
- The boot ROM is stored inside the CPU
- Also inside the CPU is a hypervisor that verifies the running state of the kernel, making sure there is no modification (RAM checksums), else the Xbox360 panics and blows up!
- The CPU contains RAM inside of it to store the checksums
- All interrupt/exception handling is done by the hypervisor
- All code runs in kernel mode
- The emulator for first generation games can be updated via an official Microsoft download burned to CD by the user, though the CDs' content will be encrypted and signed with public key cryptography.
The Xbox 360's Hard Disk appears to connect to the Xbox 360 via 7-pin SATA, internally the drive connects to the external connector through standard SATA data and power connectors. This should be of some help.

More info here --> http://www.free60.org/wiki/Main_Page ...

Although it had been confirmed in September that the Xbox 360 would be region locked for both games and DVDs, it now appears that may be only partially true. According to CVG, “word from Japan says that a handful of American Xbox 360 titles do not have a region lock, and work fine on a Japanese region console.” These titles included Call of Duty 2, Condemned, Gun, and Tony Hawk: American Wasteland.

This could be in response to the later news that Sony might allow the PS3 to be region free, like they’ve done with the PSP. Could the next generation of systems be completely free of region encoding? Probably not, CVG warns the region locking decision for 360 titles is probably being left up to publishers. So come on publishers, lets forget about that whole, silly, region thing alright? ...

Success HK are now seling Snowboard Kids



The Snowboard Kids are back, with a new look and a brand new adventure - exclusively for the Nintendo DS! Join Slash and pals as they tear up the slopes to prove, once and for all, that they're the kings of the mountain! Play with up to 4 friends at a time! Eight characters to choose from! Attack the slopes and your opponents to be the first to reach the finish line! Utilize a multitude of special items and attacks during the race to win at any cost! Use every trick in the Nintendo DS aresenal! Touch screen trick control lets you pull off amazing tricks and combos! Use points earned from any game mode to purchase new boards and other cool gear. ...

Success HK have this Xbox 360 Controller for Preorder:



Product Features of Wireless Controller (XB360-0014)

Eight-way directional pad (D-pad)
Left and right analog sticks; left and right shoulder triggers
Six pressure-sensitive multicolored analog buttons
Slots for peripherals

More Description of Wireless Controller (XB360-0014)

Official Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller. The Xbox 360 can support up to four wireless controllers. The gamepads feature built-in vibration and have voice-communication inputs that work with any standard cell phone headset. ...

SuccessHK are taking preorders on all these Xbox 360 Games, (Remember that From Hong Kong they wil be cheaper than UK for prices)

Heres the games they have for preorder:

Need for Speed Most Wanted US ver. (XB360-0009)
Pre-order
Genre: Racing
Format: US
Players: 1-2

Project Gotham Racing 3 US ver. (XB360-0011)
Pre-order
Genre: Racing
Format: US
Players: 1-8

NBA 2K6 US ver. (XB360-0007)
Pre-order
Genre: Sports
Format: US
Players: 1-4

Condemned: Criminal Origins US ver. (XB360-0002)
Pre-order
Genre: Action Adventure
Format: US
Players: 1


Ridge Racer 6 US ver. (XB360-0013)
Pre-order
Genre: Racing
Format: US
Players: 1-2

Perfect Dark Zero US ver. (XB360-0010)
Pre-order
Genre: Action
Format: US
Players: 1

Kameo: Elements of Power US ver. (XB360-0004)
Pre-order
Genre: RPG
Format: US
Players: 1

Peter Jackson's King Kong US ver. (XB360-0005)
Pre-order
Genre: Action Adventure
Format: US
Players: 1


QUAKE 4 US ver. (XB360-0012)
Pre-order
Genre: Action
Format: US
Players: 1-2

FIFA Soccer 06 Road to 2006 FIFA World Cup US ver. (XB360-0003)
Pre-order
Genre: Sports
Format: US
Players: 1-4

Madden NFL 06 US ver. (XB360-0006)
Pre-order
Genre: Sports
Format: US
Players: 1-4

NBA Live 06 US ver. (XB360-0008)
Pre-order
Genre: Sports
Format: US
Players: 1-2 ...

Winter sports sequel, SBK Snowboard Kids, is being brought to DS by Rising Star Games, with a release set for March 2006.

Clearly targeted at the younger DS owner, SBK is bright and colourful - as you can see from these new shots.

Combining Mario Kart-style power-up projectiles - like fireballs or freeze attacks - with a neat use of the touch-screen to perform special tricks while tearing down the slopes, SBK should give knee-high gamers an entertaining wintry sports fix.

SBK Snowboard Kids will be released for DS in March 2006 ...

Reach breakneck speeds, catch huge air, and become an icon with SSX On Tour. Create a rider or skier and build a career as you progress from a slope-side wannabe to a black-diamond dominating rockstar. Compete for medals or just tear up the massive new mountain, but make sure you look good doing it because your reputation is always on the line. Pull off jaw-dropping monster tricks to out-style your competitors while hurtling down the slopes at supersonic speeds. You create the hype - the hype creates a legend in SSX On Tour. The japanese edition includes Mario as a bonus character.

http://www.yesasia.com/?/info.php?pro...8&lsaid=219793 ...