For several months now I've been feeling like I've got all I can get from my ageing Canon Ixus 500/PowerShot S500. Don't get me wrong the Ixus 500/PowerShot S500 is a fantastic little camera (my only minor complaint being over-exposure sometimes). I've been extremely happy with the photos the Ixus has come out with and I know that the Ixus models are just getting better and better and with any luck I'll always have an Ixus on hand. But as I say I don't think I can get anything more out of it and since I've had great experience with Canon I've decided to upgrade. Enter the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi (EOS 400D here in Australia).

I've only heard good things about this camera and I've been looking at it for a few months now.

Now I haven't bought any extra lenses but I'm hoping to try and pick up a new one every 1-2 months (longer for ones I already want like the expensive MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro Photo).

One of the major annoyances I've always had is the inability to get transport and photograph different places because I don't drive. Tonight I've put my bike bike together after a 6 month riding hiatus due to it being in storage or on a boat travelling the world. I'm hoping that I can get back into riding and combine it with photography (this plan might just work).

I want to take note of everything I learn about using the DSLR and write it down here for all y'all who are interested (Daz will be able to give me a few pointers on using the new camera I hope!).

Just downloaded the Ace Combat 6 demo from Xbox Live Marketplace. Wow. This is one of the most impressive games I've seen for the 360. This game looks real and it sounds real. Not only that but the frame rate didn't appear to drop at all.

The demo mission is pretty much a giant air battle and you get an F-16C to take on your foes, which is a step up from the F-4 that the other games start you off on (although this could be a level from later on in the game).

Surprisingly the secondary weapon had quite a large capacity (around 40 missiles) and previous ACs had around a 6-16 capacity so there is no step away from its arcade origins. Even on the normal difficulty though most enemies only took 1-2 missiles to down so maybe the damage model is slightly more realistic this time around.

There are some great new features. For example when you blow up a target debris flies out everywhere and you can hear it cut through the air if you fly close enough.

I can't wait to play the full game!

Even though E3 isn't quite what it used to be it's still quite an exciting time for games and consoles.

Microsoft have officially announced the new QWERTY Xbox 360 controller "snap-in". This slots into the 360 controller where the headset would go. This is a simple thing, but really great especially since Live Messenger is now available on the 360. Combined with the Xbox 360 camera and headset gamers should be able to easily communicate with all of their online contacts and arrange games a heck of a lot faster.

Other good news is that there should be a demo of Ace Combat 6 out this week.