In our new test of PC gamepads, some that have been around for a while are starting to show their age, while the newer models showed a range of surprising new features.  We've put air-cooled pads through their paces, as well as gamepads that can be taken apart and put back together again in different ways - not just reprogrammed, actually reconstructed.

Handling, and in particular, the handles themselves, has also changed, with the proof being a series of record scores in our favorite games with some of these new pads.

> Product survey: Gamepads 2008

Sony has just launched a product recall for some 440 000 of its Vaio TZ laptops.

All of the models whose serial number begins VGN TZ1 and VGN TZ2 are affected, as well as some of those whose serial number begins VGN TZ3.  According to the manufacturer, there is a problem which 'involves a limited number of units that … may generate heat around the DC jack inlet and frame of LCD screen, which creates the potential of deformation of the plastic casing.'

The models were available on the European market, as well as in Asia, but, according to the BBC, were not available in the UK.  

Free repair

Sony is offering a free repair to any customer whose laptop is affected by this problem, and users can check whether their Vaio TZ is affected by entering the model number here or by calling one of the toll-free numbers listed here.

The Japanese manufacturer has not yet revealed how the problem was discovered, or what its effects are, although sources suggest that the cable can lead to part of the case melting which has resulted in a handful of users suffering minor burns.

Whether or not this is true, a recall of this scale is bad news for Sony just a year after a massive recall of batteries it made for other manufacturers' laptops.

> Official announcement from Sony

From 2009, a simple Ethernet cable is all you'll need to plug these models to your regular Internet connection.  Samsung and Panasonic have both announced their own systems, dubbed InfoView and Viera Cast respectively.  RSS feeds, weather, news and real-time sports results are amongst the content that is promised for these new services.

Instead of a keyboard and mouse, the services are accessed using a special button on the remote control, which allows access to a menu from which different content can be selected by users.


We don't imagine it will be too long before either manufacturer releases their own keyboard to allow access to webmail and other services …

After announcing HD ready and multifunction projectors last week, Epson has now released details of its new Full HD projectors.  Three new models are on their way: the EH-TW5000, the EH-TW3800 and the EH-TW3000.  They all look a lot different: the curves that the featured in the earlier models have made way for a more sober, more professional look.  Here's what we know about the new projectors …

EH-TW5000

After announcing HD ready and multifunction projectors last week, Epson has now released details of its new Full HD projectors.  Three new models are on their way: the EH-TW5000, the EH-TW3800 and the EH-TW3000.  They all look a lot different: the curves that the featured in the earlier models have made way for a more sober, more professional look.  Here's what we know about the new projectors …

The technical specification is:

• 1080p Full HD
• E-TORL lamp
• New C²Fine D7 projection system
• 1600 lumens   
• Contrast 75 000:1, although this score is to be taken with a pinch of salt as it presumably refers to measurements for dynamic conrast mode
• 2.1 x optical zoom
• Operating noise 22 dB
• 3 year guarantee, including the lamp
• Below 3000 euros

EH-TW3800

White, and brighter than the EH-TW5000 at 2000 lumens instead of 1600, this model also displays poorer contrast.  It doesn't manage to show the same level of black, presumably because its filters are not as effective at cutting out light from the LCD.

• 1080p Full HD
• E-TORL lamp
• C²Fine projection system
• 2000 lumens
• Contrast 20 000:1 (although, again, this is presumably only achieved in dynamic contrast mode)
• 2.1 x optical zoom
• Operating noise 22 Db
• 3 year guarantee, including the lamp
• Around 2149 euros

EH-TW3000

This last model completes the range.  At first sight, it's a carbon copy of the EH-TW3800, but if you look closely, there are a few differences.   The first is the price, with this last projector costing only 1799 euros, a not insignificant difference.  Also noteworthy is the fact that this projector is not ISF certified and is missing an HQV video processor.  What practical difference will this make?  We'll see when we get all three models in our lab to test them out, although they are not expected to be available before November so a little patience will be required …

The King is dead!  Long live the King?  Well, the Panasonic Lumix FX35 has just been replaced by the FX37.  The wide-angle lens has now become a very wide angle lens (25 mm), and better battery life and continuous AutoFocus on moving subjects are also both promised.  In short, improvements all round. 

The new camera should be easier to use, and you should be able to take photos even more quickly, because there'll be no need to worry about focusing.

Before we bring you our full test, you can take a first look for yourself based on the raw results from our labs which have just been published in our Product Face-offs.

> Product Face-off: Panasonic FX35 vs. FX37