Category Archives: News

Microsoft Kin now available online, in Verizon stores May 13

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Generation Upload, listen here: Microsoft Kin devices are now available to purchase online and you can pick one up in a Verizon Wireless store near you come May 13.  The Kin One goes for $49.99 and the Kin Two sits at $99.99, both after a $100 mail-in rebate and a new two-year customer agreement, of course.  Big Red reminds us that “to get the most from Kin” you must subscribe to the Verizon Wireless Nationwide Talk ($39.99) and an Email and Web for Smartphone($29.99) plans.  A bit pricey for a smart dumbphone that’s limited in functionality if you ask me.  But alas, it won’t be long until you can get your Kin Loop, Spot, & Studio on; it’s just a mere three days away!  PR after the break.

[Via Verizon; Engadget] Continue reading Microsoft Kin now available online, in Verizon stores May 13 →

‘Super 8’: Top secret movie from J.J. Abrams & Steven Spielberg gets a teaser trailer

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Those of you who have seen Iron Man 2 in theatres were treated to a first glimpse into the next cinematic project from J.J. Abrams.

Here’s what we know so far about Super 8.  It’s a sci-fi film set in 1979 written and directed by J.J. Abrams (M:I3, Cloverfield, Star Trek).  Abrams, Steven Spielberg, and Bryan Burk serve as executive producers.  It’s being distributed and promoted by Paramount Pictures and produced by Abrams’ Bad Robot and Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment teams.  According to Deadline,  Super 8 is “a personal passion project for Abrams, an homage to the films he loved as a teen.”  Abrams recently squashed rumors by confirming that it has no relation to Cloverfield.  It will cost around $45 million to shoot and it will be shot in traditional style (unlike Cloverfield‘s shaky cam ways).

So what’s it about?  Well, up until today zero plot detail was spilled, just the way Abrams likes it.  But now that there’s a teaser trailer out in the wild there are some pertinent facts to be divulged.  Please watch the trailer I’ve posted above; it’s good for your health, really.  Here’s what we get.  There’s a truck, it veers onto a train track and heads straight towards an incoming train.  We get these words: “In 1979, the US Air Force closed a section of Area 51.  All the materials were to be transported to a secure facility in Ohio.”  Truck slams into train, big explosion.  The camera looks at a train car that seems to contain some sort of destructive beast, erm, alien?  “Next summer, it arrives.”  End scene.  Yup, I’m salivating.

Production for Super 8 begins this fall and it’s expected to hit theatres Summer 2011.

[Via Deadline]

New Glee soundtracks up for preorder

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With the second half of Glee season one in full force, there’s no better time than now to preorder the next soundtrack titled Glee: The Music, Vol. 3 Showstoppers.  Two versions are up for preorder; the deluxe edition contains 20 tracks, while the standard edition has 14 tracks.  All these tunes will be performed during the remainder of this season.  Both versions will release on May 18.  Order physical copies at Amazon (standard/deluxe) or digital ones at iTunes (standard/deluxe).  Note that these soundtracks do not contain any of the Madonna songs performed during the “Power of Madonna” episode.  For those you’ll have to pick up the Glee: The Music, The Power of Madonna EP (Amazon/iTunes), available today.  Check out the track listing for all three soundtracks after the break.

Glee airs Tuesdays at 9PM on FOX. Continue reading New Glee soundtracks up for preorder →

The first still from the next Marvel movie, Thor

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Sure, Iron Man 2 has not been released to theatres yet (this Friday, woo!), but that doesn’t mean Marvel can’t flaunt their next venture into the world of their next super hero flick.  That is Chris Hemsworth who will play Thor the thunder god.  Marvel shares this short but sweet synopsis for you to chew on:

The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

Thor also stars Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, and Anthony Hopkins.  Kenneth Branagh directs.  It’s scheduled to release May 6, 2011.

Update: Go see Iron Man 2 and sit through the end of the credits for a nice little treat!

[Via ComicVine; Wiki]

The final Lost episode gains 30 extra minutes

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Lost finale night just keeps getting longer, doesn’t it?  Bring it on ABC!  It was just let loose that the final Lost episode titled “The End” will run an extra half hour.  It will run from 9:00PM to 11:30PM.  At two and a half hours in length, this will be the longest episode of Lost ever produced.  According to MSNBC, “The producers of ABC’s hit drama have shot so much crucial material for the show’s hugely anticipated series finale that the network has agreed to extend the last episode.”  So how does this affect the rest of the night?  Late local news get pushed back, so the Jimmy Kimmel Lost special (“Aloha to Lost”) will air immediately after that at 12:05AM.  And don’t forget the two hour retrospective show “Lost: The Final Journey” that airs before the finale from 7PM to 8PM.  It all goes down Sunday, May 23 on ABC.  And it’s going to be EPIC.

And for those of you who are uber-Lost fanatics, be sure to tune into the day before the finale on May 22 to rewatch an enhanced version of the original two hour pilot at 9PM.

Update: Here’s the list of actors that will appear on the Jimmy Kimmel Live: Aloha to Lost special: Naveen Andrews (“Sayid”), Nestor Carbonell (“Richard”), Alan Dale (“Charles Widmore”), Jeremy Davies (“Daniel Faraday”), Emilie de Ravin (“Claire”), Michael Emerson (“Ben”), Matthew Fox (“Jack”), Daniel Dae Kim (“Jin”), Terry O’Quinn (“Locke”) and Harold Perrineau (“Michael”).  There will also be “special appearances” by Jorge Garcia (“Hurley”), Josh Holloway (“Sawyer”) and Evangeline Lilly (“Kate”); these appearences will likely be broadcast with pre-taped recordings or live satellite feeds.  Also there’s going to be three “alternative final scenes from the minds of executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse.”  Since Darlton has previously stated that they will go “radio silent” after the airing of the finale and let it speak for itself, these pre-taped scenes will likely turn out to be funny gags. [Via IGN]

[Via MSNBC]

NBC picks up J.J. Abrams’ Undercovers

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And the first new scripted TV program of the fall is… J.J. Abrams’ spy drama Undercovers.  NBC pounced on this back in December, and now it has been made official.  NBC ordered an inital 13 episode run set to start in September.  Undercovers is about a married couple (Boris Kodjoe & Gugu Mbatha-Raw) who play ex-CIA agents that are pulled back into the “into the world of espionage.”  That’s right people; Abrams is going back to his roots (Alias, MI:3).  Here’s the synopsis:

Outwardly, Steven Bloom (Kodjoe) and his wife, Samantha (Mbatha-Raw), are a typical married couple who own a small catering company in Los Angeles and are helped by Samantha’s easily frazzled younger sister, Lizzy (Jessica Parker Kennedy). Secretly, the duo were two of the CIA’s best spies until they fell in love on the job five years ago and retired. When fellow spy and friend Nash (Carter MacIntyre) goes missing while on the trail of a Russian arms dealer, the Blooms are reinstated by boss Carlton Shaw (Gerald McRaney) to locate and rescue Nash. The pair is thrust back into the world of espionage as they follow leads that span the globe — and Steven and Samantha realize that this supercharged, undercover lifestyle provides the excitement and romance that their marriage has been missing.

Jeff Gaspin, Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment: “We have tremendous confidence in this promising series and feel this is a great way to kick off our upcoming Upfront development announcements. J.J. has delivered another signature series along with our partners at Warner Bros and we couldn’t be happier.”  NBC President Angela Bromstad: “Having J.J. on our creative team is a great reason for celebration. In Undercovers, he’s found a breakout couple that is rich in character and brimming with romance and action. We feel he’s found the perfect cast.”

Abrams will servce as co-writer, executive producer, and co-creator (with Josh Reims).  He also directed the pilot; this is the first time he’s directing a TV show episode since the Lost pilot.  This should be good.  Keep it on your radar.

[Via EW-Ausiello Files; IGN]

Sarah Waynes Callies joins AMC’s The Walking Dead

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So we already know–AMC is taking Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead, a highly acclaimed comic book series about a world run by zombies, and bring it to television.  Main protagonist Rick Grimes and his partner Shane have already been cast with Andrew Lincoln and Jon Bernthal filling in their shoes, respectively.  And now Rick’s wife has been chosen.  Prison Break‘s Sarah Waynes Callies will be Lori Grimes, the female lead.  It’s all starting to come together now, and man did I just get even more excited about this show!  Callies rocked it as Dr. Sara Tendredit on Prison Break and I can’t wait to see her become a zombie killin’ machine come this October.

Other cast additions include Laurie Holden who will play Andrea, one of the human survivors, and Steven Yeun as Glenn.

[Via EW-Ausiello Files; IGN]

Jimmy Fallon to host the next Emmys

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It was just announced that Late Night host Jimmy Fallon will host the 62nd Primetime Emmys.  Paul Telegdy, NBC executive VP of alternative programming, shares his excitement about the decision: “Jimmy was the natural choice as one of the most promising and likable young entertainers who will now have the chance to display his many talents on television’s biggest night.  His proven skills as a comedian and host — as well as his openness to new ideas — will fully engage audiences and ultimately deliver a lively Emmy telecast.”  And here’s what Jimmy had to say about it: “Hosting the Emmys has been a dream of mine ever since they told me I was doing it.”  Ha!

The Emmys will air August 29 at 8PM ET on NBC.

[Via EW-Hollywood Insider]

The 2010 TIME 100 List

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Every year TIME Magazine puts together a list of “the people who most affect our world.”  People are sorted into the following categories: leaders, heroes, artists, thinkers, and the TIME 100 Alumnae.  Some notable names include… Leaders– Barack Obama, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, and Scott Brown; Heroes– Bill Clinton, Ben Stiller, Phil Mickelson, Jet Li, and Serena Williams; Artists– Lady Gaga, Conan O’Brien, Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker!), Neil Patrick Harris (Dr.H!), Carlton Cuse & Damon Lindelof (Lost!), Lea Michelle (Glee!), Neill Blomkamp (District 9!), Ricky Gervais, and James Cameron (Avatar!); Thinkers– Steve Jobs (Apple!) and Sonia Sotomayor.  Head over to the official website to find the full listing; you can click on every person’s name to read more about them.  There’s also a list of the Least Influential People of 2010 if you’re interested in that, too.

[Via Time]

28 days later…Apple sells 1 millionth iPad

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April 3 to May 3.  28 days.  1 million iPads sold.  The “revolution” has begun, wouldn’t you say?  The “magical” device Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced to the world back in January now sits in the hands of over one million people.  This impressive feat surpassed the rate at which the iPhone flew off store shelves, and Jobs was quick to make this fact known: “One million iPads in 28 days-that’s less than half of the 74 days it took to achieve this milestone with iPhone.  Demand continues to exceed supply and we’re working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more customers.”  Also within this time frame, over 12 million apps from the App Store and over 1.5 million ebooks from the iBookstore were downloaded to iPads.  Read the full PR after the break.

[Via Apple] Continue reading 28 days later…Apple sells 1 millionth iPad →

Nintendo Wii gets a new coat of paint, beefier baseline package

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Nine months after being released in Japan, a black-coated version of the Nintendo Wii console is coming to America.  Come May 9 consumers will have the option to purchase a white or black Wii console.  Both models will remain at $199.99.  But get this–the baseline package now includes a copy of Wii Sports Resort and a Wii MotionPlus accessory.  These new additions bundle with the standard fare that includes the Wii console, one Wiimote, and Wii Sports.  Now you can finally match your black Wiimotes and nunchucks with a console of the same shade.

[Via Joystiq]

Boy Scouts can now earn video games badges

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The Boy Scouts of America recently announced the addition of two new badges scouts can earn, and they both involve video gaming!  The belt loop is awarded by “explain[ing] why it is important to have a rating system for video games”;  “creat[ing] a schedule for you to do things that includes your chores, homework, and video gaming”; and “learn[ing] to play a new video game that is approved by your parent, guardian, or teacher.”  Earning the academics pin is a bit more involved.  Scouts must “create a plan to buy a video game that is right for [their] age group”; compare and contrast two game consoles; play a video game with a family member and friend; teach an adult how to play a video game; come up with tips on how to play a game; play a game that practices a skill that helps with schoolwork; decide the best place to purchase a game; and install a game console.  Man, if they had these badges back in the day I would have been inaugurated as the first scout to pick them up.

[Via Scouting]