January 11

First there was the iPod, now there's the iPhone.

It was always going to happen wasn't it?

Where there's a will there's a way, and where there's a dollar or two to be made that will WILL be greater.



This week saw the launch of the slick new device which is sure to propel Apple to new heights of the fortune tree.

According to Apple bosses the iPhone will "reinvent" telecommunications. And reading the device's spec details it isn't difficult to appreciate why.

It will go on sale in the US in June, priced from $499 (just under £250), and should hit Europe late this year.

Just 11.6 millimetres thick, the handset has no conventional buttons but instead uses a large touch-screen.

As well as functioning as a music and video iPod it offers new services such as "visual voicemail", which shows users a list of their messages so they can go straight to the ones they want to listen to most.

A full touch keyboard is available for text messaging and there is a built in a two megapixel camera.

The phone, which runs the Mac OS X operating system, will display album artwork on its 3.5ins screen when it is being used for music.

Special sensors automatically deactivate the screen and turn off the touch pad when the device is raised to the ear.

Excuse me... but wow. I'm impressed.

Ever keen to feed the cash cow, Apple have come up with a convenient way to make sure the money flows in.

A 4GB model with a two year contract will cost $499 in the US, or punters can splash out $599 (just under £300) for an 8GB model.

Mobile service provider Cingular will be Apple's exclusive partner for the iPhone there.

Just to make its launch that little bit more of a special occasion, Apple bosses also showed us even more of a glimpse into the future.

During the event one of the hosts unveiled a wireless set-top box that will allow users to watch films they have downloaded from the internet on their TV.

He also announced that digital movies from Paramount, as well as Disney, will now be available on iTunes.

Apple anticipates bringing the iPhone to Europe in the fourth calendar quarter of the year, and to Asia in 2008.

The firm will begin taking orders for the $299 (£150) wireless Apple TV box this week and the devices will be available next month.

They will come with a 40-gigabyte hard drive that stores up to 50 hours of video.

If any proof is needed of whether iTunes downloading has truly taken off in recent times consider this: Apple has sold more than two billion songs on iTunes, equivalent to 58 songs per second, or five million a day since 2001.

Crikey...





Here's the latest releases reviewed:



Title: Wario Ware: Smooth Moves



Platform: Nintendo Wii



RRP: £39.99



Hit count: 4/5





Get ready for the ultimate party game extravaganza!

Wario Ware: Smooth Moves will have you and your friends competing in a series of wild and wonderful challenges as you use the Wii Remote in ways you would not have imagined possible.

Sequel to the hugely popular Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS games, Wario Ware: Smooth Moves is the latest in the Wario Ware franchise but this time it can make full use of the Wii Remote.

Featuring over 200 fast paced and action-packed microgames, players are challenged to hone their reactions and use the Wii Remote in an array of wonderful and wacky ways.

Each game only lasts a few seconds and requires the player to perform bizarre actions with the Wii Remote, such as sauteing vegetables, hula hooping (by holding the Wii Remote against your hip) and even slotting Grandma's teeth into her mouth.

Great fun for all.





Title: Ys Strategy



Platform: Nintendo DS



RRP: £29.99



Hit count: 4/5



This game is destined to become the real-time strategy benchmark title on Nintendo DS. Ys Strategy contains charismatic and absorbing heroes and heroines in a beautiful fantasy world.

Fight for supremacy by managing resources, building units and choosing the right strategy for real-time battles.





Title: Flushed Away



Platform PS2



RRP: £29.99



Hit count: 3/5



The creators of Shrek and Madagascar have teamed up with the makers of Wallace and Grommit to bring to life the movie, Flushed Away.

Now's your chance to get in on the action...

The game lets players relive the movie and beyond as they assume the roles of Roddy, Rita and take the wheel of the Jammy Dodger watercraft.

Manoeuvre through a dangerous underground city filled with enemies, waterfalls and traps in a struggle against the villainous Toad and his evil plans.

With lots of levels, characters and baddies, it's sure to keep the kids entertained for a while.

Sadly, not for long enough.