Daily Wrap-Up 11.26.07
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, November 26, 2007 6:00 PM
Here's what went down today in the world of videogames, pop culture and technology.
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TAGS: Daily Wrap-Up
Rockefeller X-Mas Tree Goes Green(er)
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, November 26, 2007 4:06 PM
 New York City Mayor Bloomberg has announced that the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center will be lit by LEDs this year.
This means that the energy consumption for the tree will be cut in half.
30,000 LEDs will be attached to the tree, which will be greener than ever.
Engadget: Rockefeller Center Christmas tree goes LED
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TAGS: Tech
AT&T Considers Open Handset Alliance
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, November 26, 2007 3:19 PM
 The sole provider of the iPhone in the US is currently considering joining Google's mobile phone super-organization, the Open Handset Alliance.
If they joined the OHA, they would presumably use Android, Google's new mobile platform & OS, in some handsets.
T-Mobile and Sprint have already signed up and joined the OHA legion. What would this mean for the iPhone if AT&T joins up?
The iPhone is still the best cell phone we've ever used, but it is definitely lacking in software. Android focuses on software and should see some great apps developed for it.
Hopefully the software situation with the iPhone will work itself out when Apple releases the SDK.
Engadget: AT&T in talks with Google over the Open Handset Alliance?
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TAGS: Apple, Internets Culture, Tech
Rube Goldberg Show Needs Builders
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, November 26, 2007 3:06 PM
 The Discovery Channel has a new show called Super Rubes that will feature teams of designer creating Rube Goldberg machines to complete different challenges.
If you have the skills needed to make an incredibly complex machine that performs a simple task, you could be on this show.
Check out Gizmodo for the details on how to enter.
Gizmodo: Rube Goldberg Builders Needed for TV Show "Super Rubes"
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TAGS: Tech, TV
T-Mo Goes 3G on Dec 6?
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, November 26, 2007 2:59 PM
 Rumor has it that T-Mobile will be making an announcement on December 6th that could have everything to do with the telecom's rollout of a 3G network.
Soon, millions of teens could be annoying you while you try to watch a movie at the theater at blazing fast speeds on their Sidekicks.
You won't enjoy the film, but you should take comfort in the fact that they are sending pictures to their friends 3 seats away at near broadband speeds.
Also, 3G is great for anyone else that uses T-Mobile too.
Engadget: T-Mobile USA making announcement about 3G on December 6?
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TAGS: Tech
Writer's Strike Close To Over?
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, November 26, 2007 2:45 PM
 Sources close to the Writer's Strike, which has now moved into its fourth week, say that there's a pretty good chance a deal will get done sooner rather than later, and might actually be solved before Christmas. Now, that's not what they were saying over the course of the last couple of weeks, but there has been a lot of talk of backroom negotiation and such since then, and it's entirely possible it's all worked out.
This would be great news for the entertainment industry, which has been losing money hand over fist since the strike started four weeks ago. Also, all of the shows that are affected by the strike are almost out of new episodes, and you won't believe how crappy television can be until you're watching all reality and game shows 24/7.
Deadline Hollywood Daily: Dare We Hope A Deal Has Been Struck?
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TAGS: Movies, TV
New Achievements for PC 'Orange Box'
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, November 26, 2007 2:45 PM
Gamers love achievements. It's a fact. Valve has heard this call and will be adding achievements to their back catalog of games over Steam hopefully before the end of the year.
Furthermore, they will be adding a few new achievements to the Orange Box with the first set being some new ones for the Medic class in Team Fortress 2.
TheFeed is beginning to notice a big trend of achievements coming to games outside of Xbox Live and Games for Windows Live.
We just beat Uncharted: Drake's Fortune over the long weekend and we noticed that there were "Medals" that were composed of 1000 total points that included the same type of achievements that you would find on a 360 game.
It seems that while Sony is taking their sweet time getting Home and Trophies out the door game developers are going ahead and including "achievements" anyway.
What do you think of achievements in games?
Kotaku: Valve Bringing More Achievements to Steam, Soon
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TAGS: PC Gaming, Videogames
Tech Review: Turtle Beach Ear Force X3
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, November 26, 2007 2:01 PM
G4tv.com gets to play around with all the cool gadgets and tell you what to think about them. Here’s the scoop on the…
 Turtle Beach Ear Force X3 Xbox 360 Headset
Available: Now
Price: $99.95 MSRP
Are you cursed to game in silence? Do you have an irritable roommate who can’t stand the sounds of Halo and Call of Duty late at night? If so, Turtle Beach might just have your solution.
PROS:
- All Game Sound in One Place
- Comfortable
- Seperate Volume for Game & Voice
- No Wires
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TAGS: Tech, Tech Reviews, Videogames
Morgan Builds The Ultimate Gaming PC
Posted by Jonathan Hunt - Monday, November 26, 2007 1:41 PM
Tomorrow, X-Play's going all out and showing you how to put together the mother of all gaming PCs with their Ultimate Gaming PC Special. Check out the video below to watch Morgan Webb sort out the components and assemble the Ultimate Gaming PC.
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TAGS: PC Gaming, Products
Juggernaut Spin-Off Movie Coming?
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, November 26, 2007 1:37 PM
 Hey, bitches! The Juggernaut may well be coming back to a big screen near you, as there is a rumor that a spin-off is planned for the big guy, and the rumor is that Joe Carnahan (Narc, Smokin' Aces) might be on board as the director. Now, keep in mind that none of this has been confirmed with the studio or with Marvel, but Carnahan mentioned it himself on his personal blog.
This would be the third in X-Men spin-off films, following Magneto and Wolverine into production. Boy, that franchise is becoming a regular factory of fun, innit?
IGN: X-Men Juggernaut Spin-off?
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TAGS: Comics, Movies
Nugget From The Net
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, November 26, 2007 1:23 PM
We feel confident in saying this nine-year-old can beat you at Guitar Hero 3.
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TAGS: Nuggets From The Nets
Will Thompson Be Disbarred?
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, November 26, 2007 1:15 PM
 Game-hating Miami attorney Jack Thompson faced the start of an ethics trial this morning which could see him disbarred, prevent from practicing law in Florida and effectively pwned.
The Florida Bar is pursuing several complaints concerning Thompson’s professional conduct in court cases against the video game industry.
According to gamepolitics.com:
Over the weekend, Thompson turned to the Florida Supreme Court in an apparent effort to block this morning’s trial from moving forward. In one court filing Thompson asserted that he was willing to accept a 90-day suspension of his license to practice law. The embattled attorney claimed that such an offer had been on the table, but that the Florida Bar was now seeking his permanent disbarment.
We'll let you know more when we know more.
Gamepolitics: Jack Thompson Faces Trial Before the Florida Bar Today
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TAGS: Other People's Misfortune, Videogames
360 Update Features Open Friends List
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, November 26, 2007 1:07 PM
Do you want any random gamer to have the ability to check out our friends list on Xbox Live? Beginning December 4th, that's just what you'll be able to opt into or out of.
When the Fall Dashboard update is distributed, the new default setting on Xbox LIVE will be active enabling members to see the Friends lists of other Xbox LIVE members.
According to Microsoft, "This type of capability has largely come to be expected from consumers as a means to relate in an online community."
Members who would like to keep their friends list private can take the following steps to change their settings beginning today: Log in to www.xbox.com/fof and select one of the three options available for your Gamertag:
- Everyone (only available to members 18 and older)
- Friends only (available to members 13 and older)
- Blocked (available to all members, and automatic for anyone under the age of 13)
We'll let you in on the rest of the Fall Update details when we have them.
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TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360
Maggie Q As Silver Fox In 'Wolverine?'
Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, November 26, 2007 11:39 AM
 If you're a Wolverine fan, you know that Silver Fox is a central character in the mythology of the the Wolv'. So, apparently do the makers of the Wolverine movie, who are planning to include her in the story. Not only that, they're considering the lovely Maggie Q (Mission: Impossible III ) for the role.
What this also means is that there will be a concentration on the Weapon X story in the movie, which is just fine with us. We like our Wolvie all badass and angry, and nothing brings it out of him quite like that arc. There's not a lot of other news on the film, for now, but we promise to keep you posted.
IESB: IESB Exclusive: Wolverine Finds His Silver Fox!
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TAGS: Comics, Movies
PSP Slim Sells A Mil.
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, November 26, 2007 11:36 AM
The Sony PlayStation Portable Slim has sold a million units in Japan since its September 20th Japanese launch. This means the skinnier PSP is selling faster than the original, fat (phat?) PSP.
There you have it. Good times for Sony. Good times for the benevolent people of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Kotaku: PSP Ships A Million In Japan
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TAGS: Sony PSP, Videogames
'Warhawk' Expansion is Official
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, November 26, 2007 11:35 AM
 Warhawk remains the best multiplayer game on the PS3 and it's getting itself a shiny new expansion in December.
The expansion, titled Operation: Omega Dawn, will feature a new drop-ship vehicle and one new map that will be played at night and feature 5 different layouts.
Now, TheFeed loves us some Warhawking, but this hardly qualifies as an expansion pack. We'll be referring to it as a piece of DLC.
Kotaku: Warhawk Expansion Is Really Real
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TAGS: PlayStation 3, Videogames
The Riot Forever Silenced...
Posted by Frank Meyer - Monday, November 26, 2007 11:30 AM
 Okay, Quiet Riot singer Kevin DuBrow’s mysterious death this weekend is strange enough. He was found in his Las Vegas home dead and no one knows why yet. But he was over 50, partied hard, had a big mouth, and pissed a lot of people off. So all sorts of things coupla happened to him.
But when Hawthorn Heights bass guitarist Casey Calvert, 26, turned up dead in his band’s tour bus Saturday night in Washington I knew something was afoot.
Two rock star deaths? On opposites sides of the coast? Both under mysterious circumstances? Hmmmm…something just doesn’t add up.
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TAGS: Music
Wolf King's Girl Gaming Mouse And Keyboard
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, November 26, 2007 11:25 AM
Third-Party peripheral manufacturer Wolf King is expanding their focus from dudes to ladies with a high-performance gaming keyboard and mouse combo aimed at the fairer sex. Check it out above. Nice, eh?
 TheFeed has never spoken to a woman before (except this one girl at this party, but she was kind of fat), so we decided this was a perfect chance to have actual contact with a for-real woman, you know ask her what she thought of the new gear. We caught up with actress, model, gamer, journalist and video host Yvonna "Coochie Dimes" Lynn, who answered our sterotypically sexist gamer-guy questions with great skill.
So, having seen the pictures of the Wolf King peripherals, what do you think?
I was offended. No unicorns, daisies, or Hello Kitty? WTH?
Seriously, I thought the mouse looked OK. But I favor the Logitech G5. It fits my hand perfectly. The keyboard looked absurd initially…but to be honest, I truly like the way the WASD keys are placed. I am the only girl gamer I know who does not use a traditional keyboard because I love my Ideazon Merc Stealth. I know a few guys who use a Zboard, so perhaps calling this a girl gaming keyboard is sexist (or simply marketing). On the other hand, it may very well be less intimidating and decrease the learning curve on gaming for girls new to PC games.
Would you like these better if they had a lilac scent?
Lilac not so much- but vanilla, you betcha.
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TAGS: G4 Web Exclusive, Girls, PC Gaming
Romantics Not Loving 'Guitar Hero' Soundalike
Posted by Frank Meyer - Monday, November 26, 2007 11:12 AM
‘80s hitmakers The Romantics have filed a federal lawsuit against Guitar Hero producers Activision Inc., saying the game infringes on the band's rights by featuring a soundalike recording of its 1980 hit "What I Like About You."
The weird part though is that the band actually granted the game the soundalike rights for Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the '80s, but feels the new version is too close to their original hit. They band claims the California-based company infringed on the group's rights to its own likeness by recording a soundalike that sound too much alike.
Wait….WHAT????
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TAGS: Music, Videogames, Xbox 360
Super Biofuel Supercar
Posted by Frank Meyer - Monday, November 26, 2007 11:01 AM
There’s one car that is the most biofuelingest of the biofuels….and it called the Koenigsegg CCXR.
Bow down to its greatness!
Yes, the Koenigsegg CCXR supercar features a lightweight, cast-aluminum V8 engine, powered by biofuel that can go 0-100kph in 2.9 seconds (that’s 1018 HP at 7200 rpm and 780 lb/ft of torque at 6100 rpm to you, bubba). This awesomeness is made possible by E85 biofuel's higher octane rating and cooler cooling properties.
Now all you need is 1.5 million euros to score yourself one of these bad boys and…oh…well, that’s me out then…
Gizmodo.com: Koenigsegg CCXR Biofuel Car Breaks 1000HP
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TAGS: Cars, Tech
LucasArts Games on the iPhone
Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, November 26, 2007 10:07 AM
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TAGS: Apple, Internets Culture, iPhone
'Rock Band' Guitars Wonky, Broken
Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, November 26, 2007 9:44 AM
TheFeed loves Rock Band, but we do not like the guitar that comes with it. While our problems are subtle (the "action" on the strum bar is sludgy and weak, and the thing just feels flimsy), other people's problems are much more concrete: Namely reports are coming in from all over the internet of strum bars that stop working after a couple hours of play, and axes that register random strokes, making Rock Band unplayable on guitar.
Yes, there are fixes, but they involve taking your guitar apart and void your warranty. But have faith: Harmonix, the game's manufacturer, will send you a new guitar if you need it, as the game is covered by warranty. Go here for details.
Just click here and get ready to go rockless for a few weeks while you wait for your new axe...or just buy a Guitar Hero 3 guitar. They come out in early 2008, and they're wireless.
EDIT: You can't currently use the GH 3 guitar with the PlayStation 3 version of Rock Band. Thanks, posters!
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