All posts by Scott Meisner

Panasonic Fusion in-flight entertainment system

The Panasonic Fusion is what we all hope “the future of economy class seating and in-flight entertainment” to be.  Panasonic has integrated a tablet-like screen into the back of an airline seat.  With its supurb industrial design, the Fusion’s main goal is to give OEMs the ability to create their own user interfaces.  As shown in the video above, such UIs could include Facebook and Twitter integration, along with TV and movie watching.  If this in fact the future of airline seating, I will have to start travelling more often!  Except to see the Panasonic Fusion being installed in various airlines by November 2010.

[Via Gizmodo; RunwayGirl]

Engadget goes hands-on with new Xbox Dashboard update

This is the anticipated update that will include Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm, and Zune Video Marketplace integration.  No release date has been issued yet.

For a more detailed look into the hands-on, check out Joystiq’s in-depth coverage.

[Via Engadget; Joystiq]

Mickey Mouse to star in the dark ‘Epic Mickey’ video game

Mickey Mouse is set to take gamers on a whole new adventure with ‘Epic Mickey,’ a Nintendo Wii exclusive.  Little to no information has been released regarding the game.  Warren Spector’s Point Junction Studios is heading the project, and the upcoming cover of Game Informerreveals a very artistic, dark, and mature shade of the Mouse.  Look forward to additional information being spilt about Epic Mickey in the November issue of said magazine.  The last greatest Mickey Mouse video game I played was “Mickey Mania: The Timeless Adventures of Mickey Mouse” on Sega Genesis (1994).  This was a classic side-scroller that featured different versions of Mickey as you progressed through the game (from Steamboat Willy (1928) (my favorite) to The Prince and the Pauper (1990)).  I have high hopes for the new Mickey tale; the motion controls of the Wii and today’s enhanced graphics should do him some justice.  He’s due for another artistic and well developed game, wouldn’t you say?

[Via IGN]

Continue reading Mickey Mouse to star in the dark ‘Epic Mickey’ video game

Andy Samberg does it again

JUST THROW IT ON THE GROUND.  Directed by Jorma Taccone.  The latest SNL Digital Short rocks.

In somewhat related news, it has been reported that Andy Samberg was contacted to host WWE’s RAW.  The wrestling show will take place on October 26 in Buffalo.  Although this has not been made official, Samberg has stated that a future SNL Digital Short will include “WWE superstars.”  Looking forward to it.

[Via IGN]

Man on the Moon: The End of Day vinyl is slick

We all know Kid Cudi’s freshman album, Man on the Moon: The End of Day, is doing very well.  It sold 104,419  in-store copies in its first week!  Being added to the regular and extended editions of the CD and digital download versions is a limited vinyl edition.  The vinyl even includes the digital copy of the album.  For all you DJs and collectors out there be sure to pick up MOTM: TEOD in vinyl.  It’s available at Amazon right now for $12.99.

[Via DatNewCudi]

Michael Bay signs on for Transformers 3, welcomes back Megan Fox

Last Thursday director Michael Bay made it official that he would helm the next Transformers flick.  In a short blurb he posted on his website, Bay confirms a July 1, 2011 release date, that a “great Transformers story” is in the works, and he pokes fun at Megan Fox’s remarks she made in an interview with UK’s Wonder Magazine.

When asked about working with Bay on Transformers Fox said: “He’s like Napoleon and he wants to create this insane, infamous mad-man reputation. He wants to be like Hitler on his sets, and he is. So he’s a nightmare to work for but when you get him away from set, and he’s not in director mode, I kind of really enjoy his personality because he’s so awkward, so hopelessly awkward. He has no social skills at all. And it’s endearing to watch him. He’s vulnerable and fragile in real life and then on set he’s a tyrant. Shia [Labeouf] and I almost die when we make a Transformers movie. He has you do some really insane things that insurance would never let you do.”

And here is Michael Bay’s official statement:

Transformers 3: July 1st, 2011
10/01/2009 09:41 AM
Well its official: We have a great Transformers 3 story. The release date is now July 1st 2011. Not 2012.

Today is Day One. This morning started with an ILM meeting for five hours in San Francisco. Currently I’m flying with writer Ehren Kruger to Rhode Island to talk to Hasbro about new characters.

P.S. Megan Fox, welcome back. I promise no alien robots will harm you in any way during the production of this motion picture. Please consult your Physician when working under my direction because some side effects can occur, such as mild dizziness, intense nausea, suicidal tendencies, depression, minor chest hair growth, random internal hemorrhaging and inability to sleep. As some directors may be hazardous to your health, please consult your Doctor to determine if this is right for you.

Pain and Gain is right after shooting of Trans 3.

[Via Deadline; Justjared]

Kill Bill 3 is in the works, says Tarantino

EW reports that writer/director Quentin Tarantino (Inglorious Basterds) is looking forward to making Kill Bill: Volume 3.  On an Italian talk show Tarantino said “he will make another installment of his successful Kill Bill series, but that he wants there to be a 10-year break between the second and third film.”  This pegs the third installment for a 2014 release and, as EW notes, “star Uma Thurman at 44, just the right age to kick more ass.”

[Via IGN; via EW]

Can multitouch save the mouse?

Microsoft Research believes it can.  The video above goes behind-the-scenes at MS Research, revealing five prototype mice that are still in the works.  They include “cap mouse,” “FTIR (Frustrated Total Internal Reflection) mouse, “orb mouse,” “arty (articulated) mouse,” and “side mouse.”  Each of them use a different method of multitouch to perform on-screen action.  They are like multitouch track pads featured in laptops but converted and developed in mouse form.  Very interesting stuff, to say the least.  I’m glad to see Microsoft taking a look at unique and intuitive input methods for the future.  With word of a new multi-touch capable Apple Mighty Mouse in the works, this was a timely move for Microsoft.

[Via Engadget; Gizmodo]

Meet Esquire’s Sexist Woman Alive, Kate Beckinsale

kate beckinsale as the sexiest woman alive on the cover of esquire

In what is a surprise turn of events, Esquire has decided to name the beautiful Kate Beckinsale this year’s Sexist Woman Alive.  After filming and shooting Megan Fox with a 3K RED One camera for a photoshoot last May, director Greg Williams hinted at using an upgraded 5k Red Epic camera to shoot the Sexiest Woman Alive.  This hint misled me to believe that Megan Fox would be shot again, this time for the special shoot.  Today Esquire has released the photoshoot video, directed by Greg Williams, of actress Kate Beckinsale.  And damn does she look good in super-HD.  The 5K RED Epic camera allows the photographer to shoot video in high definition and then choose specific frames to print for the magazine cover and story.  Congratuations, Beckinsale.  We all look forward to picking up the Sexiest Woman Alive edition of Esquire this November.

[Via Esquire]