Category Archives: Images

Flight of the Conchords releases second studio album

Bret McKenzie & Jemaine Clement, the comedic folksy duo that comprise Flight of the Conchords, have released their second studio album with I Told You I Was Freaky.  This follows their hilariously successful first hit, their self-titled Flight of the Conchords.  Just like their first album, I Told You I Was Freaky contains all of their songs performed during the second season of the hit HBO series Flight of the Conchords.  Some stand-out, personal favorites include “Hurt Feelings,” “Sugalumps,” “Too Many Dicks (On the Dance Floor),” and “You Don’t Have to be a Prostitute.”  You can purchase the new album at Amazon or on iTunes.  While the iTunes version contains a bonus track with “Pencils in the Wind,” the hard copy version packs a poster and a songbook that features the lyrics and chords to each song.  (Read: get the hard copy version.)

If you haven’t heard of Flight of the Conchords, do yourself a BIG favor and watch the first two seasons.  Get Season 1 here and Season 2 here.  The New Zealander’s perfect blend of comedy and music takes you on fun, stupid, and sometimes trippy worthwhile ventures.  Bret and Jemaine are laugh-out-loud hilarious.  But please, don’t take my word for it.  Check out Seasons 1 & 2 on DVD.  And once you become fans of these relevant off-beat musicians, go ahead and enjoy their CDs.  It’s a riot.

Though the duo has gone on the record of saying that this is the end of the road for the Flight of the Conchord HBO series, they do leave room for a possibility.  Check out an old but good interview that took place during the production of Season 2 after the break.  Good news is that Flight of the Conchords was a “folk” music group before it was a TV series.  So even if the show does not air a third season, there is much hope for another studio album or tour.  Also, we can’t forget that a few FOTC tracks will be making their way to Rock Band soon!

[Via Wikipage]

Continue reading Flight of the Conchords releases second studio album

Gleeks: Glee Season 1 DVD & soundtrack up for pre-sale; broadway reunion is coming

News Graphic

It looks Glee: Season 1 will be split up into two volumes, and it makes sense.  Firstly, when the 4-disc 13-episode DVD box set was made FOX had not yet renewed the show, thereby granting it 9 additional episodes.  Second, although this might sound unfair (but, in fact, it kinda is), FOX has a ton of music rights to pay for; by shipping two volumes of DVDs and soundtracks the network can recoup its money for all the rights it had to pay for over the length of the season (and gear up for Season 2 (which has not been confirmed yet, but still)).  So, in sum: Glee Season 1: Volume 1 – Road to Sectionals DVD will pack the initial 13-episode run.  (It will also include bonus material (ie. behind-the-scenes, audition tapes, performances, etc..)  The soundtrack, Glee the music Season 1: Volume 1 will include all of the main performances debuted during the first half of the season.  Look after the break for the full 18-track listing.

There will be a full season DVD released after the entire first season airs, and purchasers of Volume 1 will receive a voucher that can be applied to that full set.  Glee will be going on a haitus during the holiday season and will return just in time to make sure it finishes in mid-May during the usual TV sweeps period.  The Volume 1 DVD and CD would make great holiday gifts, giving Gleeks and non-Gleeks the chance to watch (or re-watch) the first half of the season.  Purchase the DVD and CD on Amazon and preorder the CD on iTunes.

Now on to the next bit of news.  Lea Michele’s (Rachel’s) Spring Awakening co-star Jonathan Groff will be joining the cast of Glee in the near future.  According to EW, he will be featured in “five or six episodes” and will play the lead male singer of Vocal Adrenaline, our Glee club’s arch-nemisis and biggest competition.  Glee’s co-creator Ryan Murphy calls him a “miva” (or “a male diva”).  I’m not really a spoiler type but I’ll give you this: EW also claims that Groff “will also serve as a potential love interest for Michele’s Rachel.”

[Via TVShowsonDVD; TV.popcrunch; EW]

Continue reading Gleeks: Glee Season 1 DVD & soundtrack up for pre-sale; broadway reunion is coming

Halo Waypoint launches November 5, let the games begin

As we have known for quite some time now, Halo Waypoint (HW) is going to be the one-stop destination for all things Halo on Xbox Live.  According to IGN, HW “seeks to bring together the entire Halo universe in one place and provide a sort of string that ties each game together.  Included will be an assortment of screenshots and videos — some official and some fan-made – a career system that links the achievements for all Halo games together, and the latest in Halo news.”

HW creative director Jason Pace on the acheivement system and how it differentiates from Xbox Live acheivements: “The career milestones are a little different from achievements.  As you earn new [Halo] achievements… you will level up your career milestone.  There will be 40 milestones, or levels, available at launch.  With 3950 possible achievement points to unlock through three Halo titles on Xbox 360, there are plenty of ways to reach that level cap.  It will take about 60% of the total achievement points unlocked to reach the highest milestone, a percentage that was chosen with care.”

Though HW’s focal point will be on the Xbox 360 console, Pace goes on to say that there are plans to bring aspects of it onto the web so players can view and share their achievements and other Halo-related material outside of the console realm.  “We are working on a feature right now where we’ll allow users to upload cool stuff through Xbox.com/halo.  Right now we are going to partner with Bungie on Bungie.net and we’ll do “Best of” community submissions.  And that will generally be chosen by our community manager and then featured in weekly spotlight areas for community content on Waypoint on the Xbox.”

Pace summerizes the impact HW will have with Halo fans worldwide: “We’re definitely looking at expanding career mode and really making you feel like your entire Halo gaming history is encapsulated in a meaningful way and your identity expands across all of the Halo experiences you play.”

Halo Waypoint launches on November 5 on Xbox 360.  It will initially be free for Xbox Live Silver and Gold users; on November 26 the service will only function for paying Xbox Live Gold subscribers.

[Via IGN]

Super nerd builds biggest Lego Mario

Dirk VH (I guess that’s what he goes by) is a part-time Lego sculpter who has created the biggest structure of Nintendo’s mascot.  His 40,000 piece Lego Mario stands at six feet tall and weighs 110 pounds.  It took over 16 days to build.

What is super cool about this is that Mr. VH is auctioning this masterpiece on eBay and all of the money will go to the Ronald McDonald foundation in Netherlands.  It is up for auction right now for 2.650,00, or roughly $3,700.  Happy bidding.

[Via Gizmodo; Brothers-Brick]

Lexus LF-A Crystallised Wind is out of this world

At this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus showed off its Lexus LF-A Crystallised Wind, an illuminated acrylic glass model of a real car.

Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto explains: “The term ‘wind’ addresses not only the flow of wind, but also symbolises a flow or current in a greater sense. It is a new horizon where the natural and the artificial co-exist in space.”

Check out a few more images of this beauty in the gallery below.

[Via Gizmodo; Wired]

Motorola Droid specs leak out; Droid is a brand

 

Someone over at Motorola accidently spilled with beans the other day when they accidently revealed the product specs of the upcoming Motorola Droid (codename Sholes) smartphone (of “Droid Does” fame).  Though the product page was taken down shortly after it was posted, the guys over at Boy Genius Report were able to screen capture all the juicy details: “550MHz Texas Instruments OMAP3430 processor, separate PowerVR GPU, 256MB of RAM, CDMA Rev A., Wi-Fi, GPS, a digital magnetometer, accelerometer, proximity sensors, a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with dual-LED flash, notification LED, four touch-sensitive navigation buttons, a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard, 3.5mm headset jack, microUSB port.”   It sports a 3.7 inch, 16:9 capacitive touch screen with 480 x 854 resolution, a 1400 mAh Li-ion battery (up to 385 minutes usage time/ 270 hours standby  time), and comes pre-installed a 16GB microSD card.  It weighs six ounces and has measures 2.4 x 4.6 x 0.5-inches.  Also, BGR says that the browser supports HTML5 and Flash 10 is coming in 2010.

Here’s some even more interesting news.  Apparently “Droid” is not just a device; it also represents a brand–Verizon’s Android-powered devices.  Although the discussed device here is called “the Droid” the name will be carried with other Verizon/Android phones.  In fact, the second phone in the line-up has been leaked.  According to Engadget’s source, what the tech world has been calling the HTC Desire will be the “Droid Eris.”  The source claims that the Eris will be released on November 6, shortly after the Droid will likely be released.  Speaking of release dates, an official date has not been pegged yet, but Verizon is holding a special event for the press on October 26.  More information will be relayed then.  For now, indulge yourself in BGR’s up close and personal shot of the Droid in the gallery below.

[Via BGR; Engadget]

Dell Adamo XPS is super thin, sensitive

Although the official specs and release details (date & price) have yet to be released, additional images and a revealing video have surfaced of the forthcoming Dell Adamo XPS laptop.

This thing is light.  And this thing is THIN.  At 1.5 pounds and 9.99mm thin, the Adamo XPS is the cream of the crop of stylish new laptops that will ship with the just released Windows 7.  A video has been circling the interwebs showing how one goes about opening the Adamo’s lid.  The front lip of the lid is touch-sensitive and requires the touch of a finger to lock and unlock.

“Fall in love” (Adamo translated from Latin) with the images in the gallery below, and make sure to feast your eyes on the unconventional method of opening the lid.


 

[Via LaptopMag]

Windows 7 release day — it’s all about ‘7’

The day has finally come.  Windows 7, Microsoft’s next major operating system, is out today.  Will it turn out to be the “Vista fix” and live up to its positive initial reviews?  Only time will tell.

Alongside the release there has been a handful of Windows-related news to peruse.  First there’s a slew of new Windows commercials featuring a new tagline; “I’m a PC, and Windows 7 was my idea.”  Heck, it works.  Check out one commercial here, and look after the break for two others.

 

 

Next up is the grand opening of the Microsoft Store.  The first MS retail store opened in Scottsdale, AZ today, exciting hundreds of Windows fanboys (and girls) who camped outside the mall overnight.  The first four people on-line received free Zune HDs and other early customers received some other freebies.  From some YouTube video footage and in-store images the Microsoft Store looks very much like an Apple Store, except with more vibrant colors and, obviously, Windows-related products such as Surface tables and Xbox 360s.  The video below is the fascinating countdown of the store’s morning launch; the countdown starts (so appropriately and to the glee of the rabid fans) at 7.  For a glimpse at the inside of the store, look after the break for a video featuring the welcoming colorful staff and see the gallery below for some stills. [Also noteworthy is that the online Microsoft Store is up and running, too.  It offers MS and third party products and services to purchase online.]

 

Two more less significant but equally relevant newsbits.  Today in Paris a “Microsoft Cafe” opened its doors to the public.  Besides it being the onlyofficial Windows-themed cafe in the world, there isn’t much else to say about it.  It offers free WiFi service to its customers and there are a myriad of Windows products for customers to play with as they sip their coffee and eat their pastries.  See the gallery below for some stills of the Windows Cafe.

 

This last bit of news is quite freaky, actually.  In Japan, Burger King introduced the “Windows 7 Whopper,” a 5-inch tall beast of a burger that packs (you guessed it) seven patties.  Customers are forced to pay a premium for this…unique treat (777 yen/$8.53).

 

Oh, one more thing.  Remember that over-the-top awesomely awkward “How to throw a Windows 7 party” ad Microsoft made some time ago?  Well the good patrons at Funny or Die have created the ultimate parody of it.  Check it out in the video below.

And that’s a wrap.  Now that Windows 7 is out…what are you waiting for?!  If you are a Vista user or looking to purchase a new PC, upgrading/adopting is a no-brainer.  If you are still using XP, hesitance is natural (thanks, Vista) but you should definitely consider jumping into the next generation OS.  If you’re that skeptical about it, it doesn’t hurt to wait for Service Pack 1.  If you’re a Mac user–I’ll just shut up.  Windows 7 is finally here.  PARTAY…or don’t.

—> Continue reading Windows 7 release day — it’s all about ‘7’

Barnes & Noble announces Nook, the coolest e-reader yet

Step aside Amazon Kindle 1, 2, DX and make way for the most innovative and stylish e-reader yet.  Barnes & Noble invites us to indulge in what they are calling the Nook, a 11.2 ounce (7.7- x 4.9- x 0.5-inches) e-reader device that will surely change the game in the e-reader realm.  Priced at a competitive $259, the Nook features two displays, a top 6 inch e-ink display from Vizplex and a 3.5 inch LCD touchscreen below it.  It includes 2GB of internal memory, a microSD card slot for expandable storage (you can load up pictures, music, and personal PDF documents), Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g), a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microUSB port for charging.  B&N claims the Nook will run for up ten days before it needs a recharge (which takes 3.5 hours).  And oh yeah, it runs Google’s Android OS.

The Nook allows you to browse the B&N e-book store and choose from over one million titles.  Browsing can be done cable-free via Wi-Fi (for free at Barnes & Noble stores, and onlyat B&N stores at launch) and over AT&T’s 3G data service.  All books can be previewed for free and most bestsellers and new releases cost $9.99.  You can also keep updated with the latest news by receiving  newspaper and magazine subscriptions.  Nook’s LendMe technology allows you to share your purchased books with others by wirelessly “lending” a copy of your book to their e-reader, PC, Mac, iPhone, iPod touch, select Blackberry and Motorola phones, and soon Windows Mobile phones.  All you need is the eReader Software (free) installed on your particular device.  A lent copy of a book expires after 14 days.

B&N is taking preorders for the Nook today and the expected ship date is November 30.  Look after the break for a video demo; see the Nook in action.

Barnes & Noble deserves a round of applause.  After waiting in the shadows as companies like Amazon and Sony pumped out e-reader devices year after year, B&N has gone and surprised us all and rocked the e-reader industry with its latest creation in the Nook.  Its dual-screen format looks like a winner; easy touchscreen navigation on the bottom and clear, glare-free reading on the top.  It’s simple yet efficient design makes B&N’s Nook a new and worthy competitor in my book (pun intended).

[Via Engadget; Gizmodo]

Continue reading Barnes & Noble announces Nook, the coolest e-reader yet

Marge Simpson in Playboy..revealed!

Remember that cover image of Marge Simpsonon the latest issue of Playboy?  If there were any doubters that it was a fake they will be silenced today.  Marge Simpson’s pictorial has been revealed.  In addition to the–..hrm..I’m not sure how to describe it..–photo above, be sure to check out the gallery below for the others.

If you like what you see, the November issue of Playboy Magazine is out on newsstands now.

[Via FameCrawler;Reelloop]