In my previous post, I mentioned that the iPad hardware was fine, and wondered as to what people were really expecting from the iPad. Well, in his comment responding to said post, Mr Name of “Internet” clarified exactly what he was looking for, and it made sense. A lot of people were expecting some super mega-awesome tablet of sweet, sweet computing power, which admittedly would be cool. I had to consider why I wasn’t expecting this myself, considering I love my gadgets and my puty bits.
I came to realise it probably had a lot to do with the fact I have a tablet notebook at home, and have been soured on the PC-tablet as a result. Don’t get me wrong – I love it. However, I’ve also learned that – for a fully-fledged PC – touch just doesn’t cut the mustard. A PC needs a keyboard at the very least, and it doesn’t hurt to have a good sized HDD and a DVD drive. This is why netbooks work, as they are not only useful for a spot of portable internet, but also for some mobile computing, word processing, and the like. I found myself very rarely using the notebook as a tablet, as it just wasn’t as functional.
At an inauspicious event, little known start-up "Apple" announced a totally unexpected new device to add to their largely unknown set of devices. Few were there to witness. The Internets did not throb with information, and the world’s media did not report this event. The product appeared on the market several weeks later to critical acclaim, but flopped.
In the real world, however, the truth of the matter is much more interesting. Apple – being Apple – has created buzz of extreme proportions and the reactions of the good people of the Internet were… well, pretty much as expected, really.
It’s not so common for me to write about movies these days – with a baby, I get little chance to watch them. However, the wife and I decided to treat ourselves recently, so we went to see what al the fuss was about… We saw Avatar 3D, and we were duly impressed. In fact, it’s been a long time since I last walked out of a movie and was disappointed that it had ended. This is particularly impressive given the fact the movie goes for over 2 and a half hours…
With talk of the Dreamcast’s ‘Sonic Adventure’ coming to XBLA, as well as the announcement of the “Game Room” for old school arcade/console games (on PC/Xbox), my mind has wondered in recent days to the golden games of old. Well, not that old, but turn of the millennium. And I’ve come to the realisation that one game in particular (although there are many) is due for release on XBLA and PSN – Crazy Taxi.
Crazy Taxi, for it’s time, was a great game. Going back and playing it again now – it still stands the test of time, and above all, it’s virtually the PERFECT arcade game. There’s no need to invest any of your time in story or characters – you simply get in your car and drive (after, uh… choosing a character). Just drive! – In any direction – To beat the timer. The faster you can deliver your passenger, the more time you get, and the more money you make. Very simple mechanics, and much more fun than you think. It really lends itself well to the odd 20-minute stint on XBLA, and the trusty ol’ high score battle with your friends.
Hiya all, I said it was gonna happen and I just went right out there and did it. There’s time for me to play around and get things up and running, but you know what? It’s fun for things to be warped for a while. OK, OK, truth is I’m lazy and I want to catch up on an episode of Lost. So some things will work, some won’t. Comments are now working – yay! But the widgets in my sidebar ain’t happening on the home page for some reason… But screw it. Whatever… it looks much better than it used to – already!
So bear with me over the next week or so while I tweak and fix things up. Weeks may turn into months, however, so if you find something’s up, point it out to me.
Reports out of CES from all of my favourite tech sites are noting an influx of 3D-capable TVs and PCs. It seems that most manufacturers consider 3D to be “the next big thing”. Sure – 3D has always been a popular attraction at theme parks for both adults and children alike, but it’s always seemed to me to be a bit of a gimmick. However, with all the major vendors jumping on board, perhaps it will be the new form of home entertainment. But will it be? Will it really? Huh? Yes… this post is full of questions.
Just a quick post to say that I’m excited – not in a long while has a video from a gaming/electronics conference made me excited enough to post here… But here it is. Xbox Game Room – a place to buy and share old school arcade games at a fairly low cost (click here for more info direct from Microsoft). Of course, you have to have an Xbox 360… or a PC running Games for Windows Live! I’m guessing you have a PC, so get excited, too!
Update: The old video I had posted wouldn’t work for some reason. hopefully I’ve fixed this with the below Youtube video!
Well, another year is over – and a new one just begun. Who needs to think of something new when ideas from other places already say what you want them to?
So was 2009 a good year? Depends, really. Politically, and internationally, perhaps not. But I’m not here to comment on any of that. There are other places, if that’s your thing (try here, if you like – free plug, Dom). Personally, it wasn’t bad – hey, my daughter was born, for one thing! Financially? Meh. Anyway, let’s take a look at things, and the year to come.
Yep – at first it seems an uninspired and crappy name, but you have to consider the fact that ALL of the PixelJunk titles have been a simple, single word, so it’s not all that bad. In fact, I’d almost go as far as saying the name was the worst thing about this title.
Almost.
I decided to fork out the AUS$12-odd to get this title when I was on my back last week with a ‘prolapsed disk’ – otherwise known as a damn sore back. I thought I needed a game to while away the hours. And I was not displeased with my decision.
If you like games, then it’s time to get out your crusty old wallet, but don’t expect to be spending all of your savings (particularly as it is likely you don’t have much this soon after Xmas) – there are bargains to be had!
I don’t know everything out there, of course, but here are the few bargains I’ve found in the past couple of days – all of which have raised the old eyebrows here and there, and a couple even made me throw some cash their way…
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In my previous post, I mentioned that the iPad hardware was fine, and wondered as to what people were really expecting from the iPad. Well, in his comment responding to said post, Mr Name of “Internet” clarified exactly what he was looking for, and it made sense. A lot of people were expecting some super mega-awesome tablet of sweet, sweet computing power, which admittedly would be cool. I had to consider why I wasn’t expecting this myself, considering I love my gadgets and my puty bits.
Reports out of CES from all of my favourite tech sites are noting an influx of 3D-capable TVs and PCs. It seems that most manufacturers consider 3D to be “the next big thing”. Sure – 3D has always been a popular attraction at theme parks for both adults and children alike, but it’s always seemed to me to be a bit of a gimmick. However, with all the major vendors jumping on board, perhaps it will be the new form of home entertainment. But will it be? Will it really? Huh? Yes… this post is full of questions.
Well, another year is over – and a new one just begun. Who needs to think of something new when ideas from other places already say what you want them to?
Yep – at first it seems an uninspired and crappy name, but you have to consider the fact that ALL of the PixelJunk titles have been a simple, single word, so it’s not all that bad. In fact, I’d almost go as far as saying the name was the worst thing about this title.
Themocracy