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Daily Wrap-Up 12.09.07

Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, December 10, 2007 6:01 PM

Watch the large version of this video

Here's what went down today in the world of videogames, popular culture and technology!

The winner of the best game of the year according to the Video Game Awards: Bioshock!
The 48-Hour Film Project is holding a machinima contest in Second Life.
An interesting dust-up happened recently over pictures of Street Fighter 4.
The Wii is getting Pokemon Snap, a gift channel and picture sharing.
Gary Dale has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Take-Two Interactive!
Check out the Toshiba Protege.
Masaya Matsuura and Rodney Alan Greenblatt, the two masterminds behind seminal rhythm game Parrappa The Rapper, are working on a Wii title.
2K Sports has announced that they will release Don King Presents: Prizefighter for the Xbox 360.
The question of why you can't pay for Xbox content with exact change has been answered.

Vivica "Drunk Like" A. Fox

Posted by Frank Meyer - Monday, December 10, 2007 5:20 PM

Foxy actress Vivica A. Fox entered a plea deal with prosecutors on Friday to settle her drunk driving case.

Fox pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of driving with a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit of .08, so a Superior Court judge sentenced her to three years probation and ordered her to enter a 90-day alcohol education program. She also must pay a $390 fine (which I don’t think will dent her pocketbook).

A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt but means the defendant won’t fight the charges, by the way.

--Read More--

Permalink | 4 Comment(s)
TAGS: Girls

Porn Pops Up In The Strangest Places

Posted by Frank Meyer - Monday, December 10, 2007 4:26 PM

Various, Inc., the parent company of AdultFriendFinder ("The World's Largest Sex & Swinger Personals Communit"), has been targeted by the FTC for using spyware to serve up X-rated ads to innocent porn surfers.

Hey, is there even such a thing as “innocent” porn surfers?

But I digress…

According to the FTC, the ads popped up when users did online searches for innocuous terms such as "flowers," "travel," and "vacation." Some ads were even served up to children.

Those sick bastards…

Nokia Has a Self-Sensing Concept

Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, December 10, 2007 4:16 PM

Nokia has a wacky new concept phone that could just save your life, mister. The dual device would function as a cell phone (like most of Nokia's products) and a sensor that could monitor the user's health and environment.

The monitoring device would most likely be worn around the wrist or neck.

With this device, it will be possible to detect exactly how stressful it is to talk to certain people based on the changes in heart rate and perspiration.

Engadget: Nokia's Eco Sensor concept gets right with the greens

Permalink | 2 Comment(s)
TAGS: Products, Prostate Health, Tech

'Amazing Race' Gets Picked Up Again

Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, December 10, 2007 3:50 PM

Amazing Race has been picked up for a 13th "season," according to executives at CBS. Since the show airs usually twice a year, this means that it's been picked up for what amounts to a 6 1/2th year. The 12 iteration, currently running on CBS, was supposed to air later this year, but, due to the cancellation of Viva Laughlin, had to come early.

Now, due to the writers' strike, the 13th version might be rushed into production as well. Still, any Amazing Race is good Amazing Race, and we're happy that it will be coming back, because why else would there be a reason to thrill over the name Bertram Van Munster each and every week?

IGN: Lucky Number 13 for Amazing Race

Permalink | Post a Comment
TAGS: TV

'Superbad' DVD Pulled From Wal-Mart

Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, December 10, 2007 3:33 PM

Remember Superbad, and how that McLovin dude got a fake Hawaiian ID? Yeah, well, apparently the Hawaiian gentry aren't too happy about that ID being on the cover of the DVD, so they got it pulled from Wal-Mart in their state. See, they don't want kids to know what a Hawaii driver's license looks like, so they can't replicate one.

This is, perhaps, the dumbest rationale we've ever seen for pulling something from a store. Do they not imagine that their children will, somehow, be able to find out what a Hawaiian driver's license from some other method, like, I don't know, LOOKING AT ONE? And the fact that Wal-Mart caved to this pressure, while completely unsurprising, is reprehensible.

Gizmodo: Superbad DVD Pulled From Wal-Mart

Permalink | 24 Comment(s)
TAGS: Movies

Nugget From The Net

Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, December 10, 2007 3:19 PM

As always, TheFeed reminds you to spay and neuter your cats, dogs and wombats.

Permalink | 25 Comment(s)
TAGS: Nuggets From The Nets

Toshiba's New 128GB SSD Coming

Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, December 10, 2007 3:13 PM

Solid State Drives are the bee's knees as far as internal storage goes. Their flash based tech runs a lot faster than current drives.

The only downside is that they are way more expensive and the capacities are still smaller.

The larger drives should enter production in May 2008 so you'll have to be patient.

Engadget: Toshiba's new 128GB SATA SSDs -- hello, SanDisk?

Permalink | 5 Comment(s)
TAGS: PC Gaming, Products, Tech

FARK To Trademark NSFW?

Posted by Frank Meyer - Monday, December 10, 2007 3:12 PM

Drew Curtis, the man behind funny link portal site Fark, recently filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office to get dibs on the acronym NSFW ("not suitable for work").

The trademark rights would cover websites featuring photographic, audio, video and prose presentations featuring comedic captions regarding current events and online discussions and/or reviews of web materials of an adult nature, websites featuring musical performances, musical videos, related film clips, photographs, and other multimedia materials, and on-line reviews of photographs and /or web postings of an adult nature.

Tech Review: Wolfking Warrior XXtreme

Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, December 10, 2007 2:54 PM

G4tv.com gets to play around with all the cool new gadgets and tell you what to think about them. Here’s the scoop on the…

Wolfking Warrior XXtreme Game Pad
Available: Now (from Dell.com)
Price: $79.99 MSRP

Looking to get the competitive edge on the PC game competition? Are you having trouble reaching all the keys on your standard keyboard? Tired of not having access to all the keys on a PC game pad? Wolfking has a new product that could fix all that…

PROS:

Portable, Great With a Laptop
No Drivers Required
Custom WASD-Layout Works Well

Cell Providers Complete Bastards?

Posted by Frank Meyer - Monday, December 10, 2007 2:49 PM

A recent report by the Consumer Reports National Research Center says that cellphone providers are among the least liked in all of the service industries.

DUH!

Yes, it was discovered that "fewer than half of respondents were completely or very satisfied with their cellphone service," with the biggest complaints being high prices and mandatory contract extensions.

The actual results found Verizon and Alltel scored higher than the pack, with Sprint was at the bottom of the list.

Of course, my carrier -- Rick’s Awesome, Rad Cell Service -- didn’t even make the list!

Boy, is Rick gonna be pissed!

Engadget.com: People Hate Cellphone Carriers

Permalink | 4 Comment(s)
TAGS: Tech

'Time' Magazine Names 'Halo 3' GOTY

Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, December 10, 2007 2:41 PM

The holiday season: is here, giving us all time to reflect on the year that's gone by and make a top ten list!

According to Time Magazine's top ten list, the game of the year is Halo 3. Not too surprising... Halo 3 is followd by The Orange Box...which is not surprising...and then comes to the totally unsurprising Rock Band.

This year of mind-blowing videogames has spoiled everyone, even Time Magazine... in what other year in gaming history would Bioshock comes in number 5, and God of War 2 at number 10?

Check out the whole list yourself at Time Magazine's official site... and while you're there, check out who won top ten gadgets. Hint: It's the iPhone.

Permalink | 40 Comment(s)
TAGS: Halo 3, Videogames

Robo-Dog 2: Electric Boogaloo!

Posted by Frank Meyer - Monday, December 10, 2007 2:25 PM

Hey, do ya remember when Sony introduced us to AIBO, a cute little robot puppy they expected us all to buy in droves? And remember when none of us bought one, because…you know…it’s a really stupid, useless invention?

Well, Sony ain’t one to take “we think that’s lame” for an answer, so they’ve slapped on a new paintjob and added a bunch of new crap, and -- WA-LA! -- the new AIBO

The new model can interface wirelessly with your PSP and PS3, will have a built in headcam which utilizes a motion sensor and facial recognition, can stream its POV video over WiFi to your system, can remotely trigger the mutt with your handheld and control its movements, and even set it to "guard" your house!

Um….I’d like to meet the burglar that’s scared off by a lil’ robo-dog!

Engadget.com: AIBO Returns

Permalink | 11 Comment(s)
TAGS: Tech

GameFly's Top Ten Rental List

Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, December 10, 2007 2:14 PM

Gamefly.com's list of most requested rentals gives a down-and-dirty look at the desires of gamers. Check it out:

Exclusive: 'Princess Bride Game' Interview

Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, December 10, 2007 1:03 PM

Last week, we called for your questions to be asked to the development team behind the upcoming Princess Bride downloadable game, and today, we have the answers for you.

TheFeed: By far the most popular question from our readers about the Princess Bride game is a simple one: Could you describe the gameplay? Is it a collection of mini-games? A point-and-click adventure?

A casual, narrative adventure game (controlled via mouse and spacebar) with elements and influences such as cartoons, platformers, management systems, quests, puzzles, carnival and rhythm games, unique inventory system and lots of great characters and story.

MTV Planning Virtual World

Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, December 10, 2007 12:36 PM

Music video television network MTV is planning to create a virtual world.

Starting in 2008, MTV's multi-user 3D online world will give Internet users access to the classic content offered by the MTV Group, while offering a large number of online games.

10TACLE STUDIOS AG will handle the technical implementation and operation of the multi-user 3D online world. MTV, will be responsible for target group communication and the editorial preparation of the content.

See? Online and real world and MTV are all coming together in one virtual paradise. Surely, this will be the greatest thing that ever hit the earth! Okay, that's overstating the case, but it should be fun.

Guardian: MTV starts own virtual world

Permalink | 7 Comment(s)
TAGS: Videogames

'Indy 4' Poster, Plot Details!

Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, December 10, 2007 12:20 PM

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Krystal Skull is rapidly approaching, and, as it does, we have more information than ever before about the details of the film. Here's what we know so far. The film takes place in 1957, 19 years after the last one, which means that Indy has aged in real time. He's looking for these crystal skulls which may or may not have been carved by aliens, and taking his sidekick Shia LaBeouf with him.

Also, instead of Nazis, the villainous group in this one will be Soviet Russia during the Cold War. Cate Blanchett will play a Russian agent named Agent Spalko. Ray Winstone, who played the title character in Beowulf, will be an unscrupulous archaeologist who tangles with Dr. Jones in his efforts.

Please Messers. Spielberg and Lucas...don't show us aliens in this film...please?!?

Also, the one sheet for the movie is after the jump.

--Read More--

Permalink | 10 Comment(s)
TAGS: Movies

'Golden Compass's' Pyrrhic B.O. Win

Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, December 10, 2007 11:47 AM

Good news, bad news for The Golden Compass. Yes, it did well enough to win the weekend box office over the weekend, raking in $26 million, but it failed to reach the expectation that experts had for the film, which was somewhere between $30 and $40 million for the weekend. That's not good news for the fantasy film, which had hoped to gain some steam headed into the Holidays.

Though the soft opening is being, at least partially, blamed on the fact that the man who wrote the books that the movie is based on, Phillip Pullman, is a self-proclaimed atheist, which doesn't go over well in the neo-Christian gulag of America. Perhaps it's just because not a whole lot of people have any idea what it's about. Either way, it's a disappointment.

Did you see it, Feed readers? Is it any good?

USATODAY.com: 'Compass' box-office win is far from golden

Permalink | 65 Comment(s)
TAGS: Movies

Panasonic Offers Free Blu-Ray Player with TV

Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, December 10, 2007 11:39 AM

In the market for a new HDTV? Want to get a free Blu-Ray player at the same time? Take a look at Panasonic's models because they are offering their DMP-BD30K Blu-Ray player free with the purchase of a 42 or 50-inch plasma TV.

Here is the Best Buy offer that will allow you to get in on the 1080p movie love.

Too bad they aren't offering a free PS3, but they aren't Sony, so there's no reason to think they would.

Also, expect two new (probably high-end) Blu-Ray players from Panasonic this January.

Engadget: Panasonic to bundle Blu-ray players with plasmas at $500 discount -- 2 new players in January

Permalink | 10 Comment(s)
TAGS: Movies, Products, TV

Xbox Live Points Explained

Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, December 10, 2007 11:32 AM

One of the great mysteries of gaming has been solved, namely: "Why can't I pay for downloadable content on Xbox Live with exact change??"

TheFeed always figured it was because a certain percentage of people must never use their Microsoft points, and thus, making you buy them in a big lot means extra profit... but we were wrong. The real answer is a lot more sensible and less conspiratorial.

Microsoft's product manager Aaron Greenberg explained it thusly:

"The reason why we do that, the core reason, is around credit card transaction fees," Greenberg told 1up.com "If we do this in bulk, we don't have to burden the consumer with the transaction fees, or ourselves or publishers. It's about keeping infrastructure costs down and I know sometimes it's frustrating because you end up with odd points, but we don't have any plans to change that."

The more you know.

1up.com: Why Can't I Pay Exact Change on XBL?

Permalink | 23 Comment(s)
TAGS: Videogames, Xbox 360

2K's 'Don King Presents:Prizefighter'

Posted by Mike D'Alonzo - Monday, December 10, 2007 11:14 AM

2K Sports has announced that they will release Don King Presents: Prizefighter for the Xbox 360, Wii, and Nintendo DS in Spring, 2008. The game is described as a "combination of real-life fight scenarios, story-driven gameplay and photo-realistic graphics," so, that's nice, especially if you're into the boxing games.

We can't help but wonder how realistic this game is. For example, will there be a crushing sense of doom that earmarks the end of a sport that's been under siege for years and years? Will the fights be fixed? Will there be a mob presence in the game? Because THAT's realism, kiddies.

We will have more as it comes.

Permalink | 7 Comment(s)
TAGS: Music, Nintendo DS, Videogames

'PaRappa' creators To Make Wii Game

Posted by Stephen Johnson - Monday, December 10, 2007 11:02 AM

Masaya Matsuura, Rodney Alan Greenblatt, the two masterminds behind seminal rythym game Parrappa The Rapper are working with Majesco to create an original music-based video game for the Wii, scheduled for release in late 2008.

“Masaya Matsuura and Rodney Alan Greenblat are industry visionaries whose legacy was built on crafting groundbreaking, genre-defining entertainment experiences that everyone can enjoy,” said Jesse Sutton, Chief Executive Officer, Majesco. “We are incredibly excited to be working with talent of this caliber and believe our game shares the same broad mass market appeal as successful music-based products like Activision’s Guitar Hero and MTV’s Rock Band.”

Christmas has come early!

Permalink | 6 Comment(s)
TAGS: Videogames, Wii

New Toshiba Laptop Has Touchscreen

Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, December 10, 2007 10:30 AM

Tablet PC's are still struggling to catch on in the mainstream, but they have a lot of great uses for different jobs. This new Toshiba Protege features a touchscreen, which does not require a stylus to manipulate.

The 12.1" LCD swivels as most tablets tend to do, but also features LED backlighting.

Other features include a glare resistant screen, built-in webcam, fingerprint reader, spill resistant keyboard, and falling HDD protection.

It'll set you back about $1700, but it'll make you feel like you're on Star Trek.

Gizmodo: Toshiba Portege M700 Tablet Has Touchable Screen, LED Backlighting

Permalink | 11 Comment(s)
TAGS: PC Gaming, Products, Tech

Rockstar Exec Promoted to Take-Two Exec

Posted by Brian Leahy - Monday, December 10, 2007 9:56 AM

Gary Dale, come on down! You've just been promoted to Executive Vice President of Take-Two Interactive! Movin' on up! Time to get your D-Lux apartment in the sky-y.

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