A couple of days ago, Microsoft released the betas of the latest versions of its Windows Live Suite – dubbed “Wave 3”, which will also encompass a huge redesign of all the entire Windows Live product line, online and offline.

Part of the new beta were Windows Live Messenger 9, Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Writer, Windows Live Toolbar, Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live Movie Maker. All of them have had a redesign, but the biggest has had to be Windows Live Messenger 9.

And now, TECHGEEK.com.au is now presenting the first review out of the Windows Live Betas, with the review of the beta version Windows Live Messenger 9 Beta.

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The Wordpress App for the iPhone and the iPod touch is a brilliant application; however, it might not be a good way to blog if you are a serious blogger - like me. This application works for both Wordpress.com and your self-installation on your server, but you will need Wordpress 2.5.1 or higher to make this work.

Like Wordpress, this is a community driven app, where you can contribute. And just like any app, there are some flaws, like several plugins won’t work with this - or a host like GoDaddy could break it. Also, if your site has invalid UTF-8 encoding, that can also make this app useless, unless you have multiple blogs with Wordpress.

The good thing is that you can write, edit and delete posts from your iPhone or iPod touch. Also, you can upload photos from your iPhone, and iPod as well. If you have the iPod touch, you will need a Wi-Fi connection to sync it with your blog, but your iPhone would use the 3G or EDGE connection.

You will not be able to edit any settings, approve comments or add new links to your blogroll on your blog from the application, or edit your user information. While the fact that you can’t change your user information is good (for security purposes), the fact that you can’t approve comments or add new links is a feature I would like to see.

Like I said before, this is not good for a blogger who writes long reviews - but good for breaking news, if you have a Wi-Fi hotspot nearby, or your 3G/EDGE connection. But, it is great as well for people to start a post on Wordpress on your iPod, go to a nearby hotspot and upload it as a draft on your blog, then go home and finish it with a normal keyboard (which is what I’m doing right now).

But while I have a little grievence over it, it is a very good application. I highly recommend this application for those who use Wordpress.

If you are like me - an addict of social networking sites - then this site is a must-look.

Ping.FM will allow you to post the same message on your friends over at Twitter, Jaiku, Facebook, MySpace, and many other services. While it does not say anything to cure that crippling addiction to social networking - well for me at least - it is a very good Web 2.0 service.

You might want to read the review, because at the end of the review, we will give you the invite code to sign up and start using this excellent service.

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BlurbEM! - Another Twitter wannabe? (Screenshot: Terence Huynh/reawaken Media)

BlurbEM! is one of the sites that have submitted itself to a recently announced, non-backed by CNET (or CBS), competition by Molly Wood for a Twitter alternative.

Some short information about the competition: She will use the service for 30 days and will get all of her friends and Buzz Out Loud listeners to try it out. Tom Merritt and Leo Laporte have also said that they will get their friends to the chosen winner.

Anyway, we have decided to review every single entry since we like to be harsh to some sites. Our first victim/reviewee (is that even a word?) is BlurbEM!

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The ABC launched its IPTV service in February, but it took us forever to get an invite to this beta; and our reviewer is not impressed at all. Is this what we are paying in taxes for this kind of crap???

Terence Huynh, the Editor in Chief of TECHGEEK, presents this review of the ABC Playback service to the masses, with images!

APC done a review about it first, but this time, we get our chance for fun. TECHGEEK has managed to get into the list of users who would be able to access the beta, and don’t get your hopes up just yet.

First, you will need to sign in or sign up to the ABC Message Boards and then wait awfully long to gain an invite link. We signed up in February, but it took us until a few days ago to have that prized e-mail telling us we have now got access

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A WEIRD CROSSOVER: Twitter and Flickr elements in one service - Twitxr

We are back into reviews, kind of. This is another website trying to take the success of Twitter but has added geotagging and allows you to add photos, and this time it is called Twitxr (just drop the e and put an x on it).

The design does need a makeover, but that is my opinion; but it is easy to navigate. However, the only problem is that there is no text box on the page, unlike Twitter, Jaiku and Pownce. Posting is still 140 characters, but it does allow you upload photos to your own posts - so it also makes it a photoblog-like tool.

The service also allows you to have the posts updated on Twitter; but it has a link to the post as well, which is pointless. It also links to Facebook, but we haven’t checked it out. There are other features, but this is the 24 hour review, but it looks promising.

According to TechCrunch, it was supposed to be for the iPhone, which could explain why there is a separate page for the text box.

In conclusion, this is a really good service but I don’t think you might want to switch over from Twitter just yet. It does not allow you to customize, except your avatar. Also, you might be put off the design. There is not a lot of people yet, but we will just watch and see. Meanwhile, when you do sign up… don’t forget to add me on your friends list.

Please Note: This is a 24 Hour Review. This means we reviewed it just anywhere between 2 to 24 hours in the service. We do not take any responsibility in misguiding or a judgemental way.

Need for Speed was one of those automotive franchises that was really starting to wear out its charm throughout the years. The last entry in the series, Need for Speed: Carbon, definitely left a lot to be desired. But Black Box and EA have completely overhauled a redesign of the series in the form of Need For Speed: ProStreet. Of course it was a little bit of a gamble, but it paid off. Need for Speed: ProStreet is, to say the least, an awesome game.

Everything is extremely detailed and brought to life in full HD. The tracks vary considerably in terrain and environment depending on location, and the cars look extremely realistic. One thing that no other Need For Speed game has is the crash mechanics. When cars bump, crash, or even swipe an object, it reacts in specific ways. Little pieces of it will ding, dent, or even fall off. The amazing look of this game is probably the first facet of this game that will impress.

One really unique feature of this game is that its career mode has somewhat of a story to it. You play as a newcomer to the professional street racing scene, and the basic idea here is to work your way up the ranks and eventually challenge the reigning champion, Ryo. To do that, you’ll have to become an active participant in the weekend culture that is professional street racing scene. You’ll participate in a series of race days which will be composed of a number of different racing types.

The best feature of Need for Speed: ProStreet, however, is not its awesome graphics, nor its fresh experience. It’s the controls. Although each series has its own feel to it, and Need for Speed is no different. The effort put into the depth of control of this game is very apparent. Each of the four modes of racing is different and has its own special feature.

Although the automotive genre has been suffering lately from games without much collective substance and flavour behind them, Need for Speed: Prostreet has hit the stands with a whole new look, a whole new control scheme, and a whole new way to race. It is a must for all racing fanatics.

The long awaited Bioshock has the distinct honour of being the first non-sports title to usher in the long awaited holiday gaming rush. Bioshock is a highly anticipated title because of its blend of incredible visuals and innovative First Person Shooting. Bioshock is a genre-bending adventure-role playing game that completely absorbs the player and doesn’t let go until the thrilling end.

Bioshock takes place in the underwater city of Rapture, built by the homicidal genius Andrew Ryan. Ryan conceived Rapture as a place for geniuses and the mentally elite to be able to separate themselves for society and flourish without the. However, something goes deathly wrong in Rapture.

The blessing and curse of Rapture is the rampant use of ADAM, a material that allows individuals to alter their own genetic code and give themselves superhuman abilities. ADAM is a hot commodity in Rapture even long after most of its inhabitants are dead.

The first and most noticeable thing about Bioshock are the visuals. Bioshock simply looks gorgeous. The underwater effects are among the best ever in a game. The character models all animate incredibly as well, and even the protagonist has lifelike movements, flexing his on-screen hands occasionally in a convincing manner for the idle animations.

Although the best quality in Bioshock is… the story. Bioshock masterfully weaves an intricate tale by allowing you, the player, to piece together the story of Rapture and its mysterious fall.

Ultimately, Bioshock is a blast and probably the best game this year. Some of Bioshock’s storytelling techniques are unprecedented and will perhaps set a new standard in gaming. Bioshock’s great story is framed by incredible visuals and solid controls as well. Overall, Bioshock is a game that you don’t want to miss out on.

Due for release September 2007, Crytek Studios has gone over the top to put out the best sci-fi first-person shooter game possible with the cutting-edge technology.

Crysis takes place after a colossal asteroid crashes on a remote tropical island in the Pacific Ocean. You are a part of an elite Delta squadron in the year 2021, and you have been dispatched by the United States government to recon what should have been an extinction level impact.

As an elite soldier in the future, you have access to the latest technology in weapons and armour. You have been equipped with a fully customizable assault rifle that uses a rail system allowing you to select between scopes, silencer, ammo type, and grenades. Or go crazy with blitzing machine guns. the choice is yours.

Adding to the intensity of the game is the impressive array of sound effects and the very well done music score, all of which will undoubtedly increase your heart rate as you fall into the world of Crysis and become fully engaged in a fight for the survival of the human race.

Using DirectX 10 which runs off the new Windows Vista and the newly developed CryEngine 2, Crytek Studios has created a world in which nearly everything is destructible and no detail is too small to be overlooked. Never has a game had such an enormous level of environmental interactivity.

The possibilities with Crysis are endless. Whether you are looking for a single-player adventure or intense multiplayer action, Crysis delivers on both ends with ground breaking innovations adding a level of complexity that has never before been seen in a shooter game. Whether tactical or run and gun, Crysis is a must have for all gaming enthusiasts.

GAME REVIEW: Move over, Laura Croft! Nariko is Here!

A couple of weeks ago, Heavenly Sword became a part of the PS3’s new library. Many of the games we have been waiting for are slowly being released, giving gamers one less thing to complain about.

The plot is quite engaging and interesting and it’s the main reason why you’ll find yourself playing the game. Somewhere in Asia they don’t actually reveal (although it’s most likely Japan), you’ll meet Nariko. Nariko is a red-haired heroine with very strong traits. She was brought up as a warrior by her own father, Shen, who also happens to be the king of the clan. Shen trained her to be one of the most powerful combatants ever known. As protectors of the Heavenly Sword, they put a lot of sweat and effort into hiding the blade from the unwanted. However, Bohan, king of another tribe, felt the urge to brandish the powerful weapon and become the feared master of the lands. This will, inevitably, provoke a bloodthirsty war. Nariko will join the army and play a decisive role as the heroine who wields the Heavenly Sword and masters it to perfection. But things are not always as easy as they seem, and it will soon become a story of vengeance, pain, and blood; lots of blood.