Archive for November 12th, 2009
This post is for the few people out there that actually use the DSi’s camera. Sure, many probably snapped a few pics when they first got the device, but it’s more of a novelty feature and probably not something you would use everyday. But if you do, this $20 kit from Thrustmaster is for you.
The government mailed out 64 million $40 coupons for DTV conversion. The program ended on the 9th, with 35 million of the coupons used. How can this be? There must be at least half a billion TVs in the US, and a lot of those households or stores needed to upgrade to digital. Do they [...]
Should Nintendo fear the Apple juggernaut?
12, Nov 2009
These days, when people aren’t talking about the Apple Tablet, they’re talking about how Apple’s next target is the Big Three gaming companies. The iPhone will topple them! The iPhone is a revolutionary gaming device! Well, certainly a little optimism is warranted; the iPhone has inarguably changed the landscape of mobile phones, personal media players, and to a lesser extent personal computers. Why shouldn’t Apple extend its holy sovereignty to gaming?
It already has, in fact. But Apple has come kicking and screaming the whole way. The iPhone, you understand, was not meant to be a gaming device, and in Cupertino, Apple’s intentions are paramount. Apple could never accidentally create a platform for gaming; if it wasn’t meant for gaming (or enterprise, or medical use, or reading e-books, etc.) from the beginning, Apple doesn’t want it happening at all. Because if Apple didn’t intend it, it’s outside of the bounds they set into the platform (regardless of how well it works, much like tethering) — it breaks the mold and, ironically, that’s the last thing Apple wants. And there are plenty other reasons not to expect Apple to jump into the gaming arena any time soon.
Show your true colors with this crossbones decal
12, Nov 2009Arrrr, I be an Apple pirate. I download me OS X even though it only costs $29. Arrr [
Review: BFG Deimos
12, Nov 2009Short Version: The Deimos is the latest addition to BFG’s new line of computers. Intended as specialist gaming machine, the Deimos is big, beautiful, and very fast. Heat, bulk, and short battery life are to be expected from a gaming laptop, and aside from those it provides an excellent experience.
Pros:
Fast
Surprisingly light weight
nicely designed and set [...]
Forget Modern Warfare 2, the real action is coming out on March 16 when C&C 4 is released. Teasers and trailers have been slowly filtering out over the last few months but EA finally let released the launch date. I’m already making my construction paper chain to count down the days. Oh, and there’s good news if you’re going to pre-order the game.
The American Library Association declares this Saturday, Nov. 14, to be National Game Day
12, Nov 2009Man alive, there’s been a lot of gaming news these past few days. Continuing the trend: this Saturday, November 14, is to be hereby referred to as National Gaming Day. Thus decided the American Library Association. The day has been created in order to promote the idea that video games can be used to sharpen one’s reading ability, and to promote critical thinking.
Vitamin D turns your webcam into a virtual doorman
12, Nov 2009
When I bought a webcam for my front door – mine is the Linksys WVC54GCA – I was faced with a predicament. The built-in motion detection software bombarded my email inbox with images of an empty frame. It was set off by the motion of a leaf or a reflection, rendering one of the most important aspects – notification of trespass – ineffective.
At an impasse, I decided to build a cyberbiomimetic AI using a cockroach brain and a vat of amino acids. The resulting system, while effective at spotting intruders, eventually threatened to become self-aware and so I had to shut it down. Finally, I tried Vitamin D.
Problem, as they say, solved.
Ford’s using wheat straw in a 2010 Flex component
12, Nov 2009Here’s a little known fact: Henry Ford used natural material like hemp and stray to reinforce plastic components in his cars. Now, Ford is at it again with a small quarter trim bin found in the third row of the Ford Flex made out of wheat straw bio-filled polypropylene. Wheat straw!
Sure, it’s just one small [...]