PcMacZone

Free satellite TV service begins

A free-to-view satellite television and radio service from the BBC and ITV is being launched across the UK.

Freesat is available to 98% of homes, including those that are unable to receive Freeview through a TV aerial.

Freesat will carry 80 digital TV and radio channels, including free high definition programmes, with that number due to rise to 200 by the end of 2008.

Users will make a one-off payment for a dish, set-top box and installation, but will not pay a monthly subscription.

"Shop around" for Wii Fit, advises Nintendo

Nintendo UK has responded to concerns over the availability of Wii Fit, insisting that "many retailers are still accepting pre-orders." Following the news that several leading vendors have already stopped taking pre-orders, the firm is advising consumers to "shop around to secure their copy" of the hugely anticipated title.

In a statement Nintendo said: "All retailers in the UK and Ireland have been aware of their Wii Fit allocations for launch since early March and as such we would see any stopping of pre-orders a sensible precaution on their part to ensure all current orders are met. Many retailers are still accepting pre-orders and we would advise people to shop around to secure their copy.

Wii Fit sells out in the UK

Stock supply for Wii Fit looks unlikely to be able to meet demand if online pre-order pages are anything to go by, with five of the top UK retailers halting further orders.

Five sites are displaying the following messages:

* Play.com: "We are currently sold out on this item. All orders will be dispatched as soon as possible.
* Amazon.co.uk: "Availability: Sign up to be notified when this item becomes available."
* Game.co.uk: "Please note: Due to massive demand we cannot take any further pre-orders on Wii Fit at the present time."
* Shopto.net: "Pre-order temporarily stopped."
* Zavvi.co.uk: "Sorry, Wii fit is temporarily out of stock, please check again soon."

GTA IV to sell $400 million in first week

Sources close to Take-Two have reported it is expecting to sell six million units of Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV.

According to Variety, the games publisher has been able to predict its early sales figures based on how many units retailers have ordered.

Analysts said the game's opening week will see earnings of USD 400 million, which would make it the biggest videogame launch ever, beating out the current record of USD 300 million held by Halo 3.

Sims reaches 100 million milestone

Electronic Arts has announced that The Sims has sold 100 million units worldwide.

The first game in the series appeared in 2000, and the franchise has gone on to become the best-selling PC game franchise of all time according to its publisher. It is sold in 22 languages and 60 countries around the world.

4.3 million unique visitors are attracted to The Sims 2 online community each month, and they have downloaded more than 70 million user-generated creations. In addition, more than 100,000 videos and movies of The Sims have been shared on YouTube.

"At this milestone, we want to thank players of The Sims everywhere for making The Sims such a worldwide phenomenon," said Rod Humble, head of studio for The Sims Label.

Court Ruling Denies EMI Access to Millions of Personal MP3 Files

A New York Judge has denied a request by EMI to force MP3tunes to turn over all music files for its 125,000 users. For now, this means the contents of personal music Lockers will remain private.

In court EMI v MP3tunes [http://michaelrobertson.com/archive.php?minute_id=251], EMI demanded that MP3tunes provide copies of the more than 100 million songs in their subscribers' personal music Lockers. MP3tunes offers a free and paid service [http://www.mp3tunes.com/locker/] for people to store their music files digitally so customer or music fans can both keep them backed-up and listen to them anywhere through a Net radio, like those from Logitech, Reciva or Terratec, or from any Net connected device, such as a Wii or PC. The newest feature allows subscribers to automatically sync [http://www.mp3tunes.com/autosync] their music files to a device of their choosing so all their music is where they want it to be, without the hassles of running software and plugging devices in via USB cables. All access to a music Locker requires a unique username and password, and there is absolutely no sharing between Lockers.

Sony warns of unauthorised access to PSN accounts

Security now restored; Affected users are being notified

In a notice posted on the company's official PlayStation website, Sony has acknowledged the possible unauthorised access of personal information on the PlayStation Store.

"Although unlikely, it is possible that the passwords of a small percentage of PlayStation Network users may have been changed through unauthorised access, making it possible to view users' personal information and/or use the wallet for the PlayStation Store," the statement read.

Byron Review backs film-style ratings

The Byron Review, commissioned by the Prime Minister last year and led by TV child psychologist Tanya Byron, has recommended the backing of a single age ratings system with a recognisable set of symbols, similar to the film industry.

That would seem to suggest support for the BBFC, given its existing remit, and a snub for the industry-favoured PEGI system.

The recommendation comes against a backdrop of turbulence at the BBFC, which saw its decision to ban Manhunt 2, and its subsequent successful High Court appeal, overturned by its own Video Appeals Committee recently.

However, the benefits of a recognised set of symbols as well as a more objective viewpoint may have influenced Byron's decision - although it's expected the Board's resources may need significant investment to increase last year's ratings tally of 258 games.

Blizzard sues MMO Glider creator

"Bots" frustrate Blizzard's design expectations

Blizzard has sued Michael Donnelly, creator of the MMO Glider program which automatically performs key tasks in World of Warcraft.

According to a BBC report, the company is alleging that the software bot both infringes the company's copyright and damages the game.

Rainbow Six sequel hits charts top spot

Ubisoft's latest Tom Clancy shooter has hit the top of the UK All Formats charts on its first week of release.

Rainbow Six Vegas 2 is the fifth in the publisher's Tom Clancy portfolio to take the number one position following success with Splinter Cell and its sequel Pandora Tomorrow, Rainbow Six Lockdown and Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2.

The game is also the fourth fastest-selling Xbox 360 game in the UK, with 77 per cent of sales on Microsoft's home console.

Despite a further jump in sales of 60 per cent, Sega's Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games drops down one place to number two this week, while Activision claims the number three and four spots with Call of Duty 4 and Guitar Hero III.