Here’s a couple treats for you. Apple has already started the anti-ad war against Windows 7 with this latest (and in my opinion, one of the greatest) “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC” advertisement. Look after the break for two more new Windows 7 bashing ads.
Nerd alert: Remember the picture of the Windows 7-branded burger from Burger King? Well here’s proof that it existed and that people paid the premium to eat it. Gross. Look after the break for a second burger video.
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.
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).
APPLE, WATCH OUT. Verizon is taking the battle to you, not AT&T, with this advertisement that is pushing over the airwaves on major networks such as FOX.
The 30 second spot begins with a bunch of “iDon’t” phrases, clearly bashing the Apple iPhone for all the things it can’tdo. This plays alongside an Apple commercial-esque playful tune. About 20 seconds in the viral fun begins. The phrase “Droid Does” forms in a futuristic and mechanistic way and it leaves the viewer with a hint: something is coming in November. Those who closely watched the ad caught the text visible on the bottom of the screen. This is a commercial for Verizon, and, interestingly, Verizon had to state that “Droid is a registered trademark of Lucasfilm Ltd., licensed to Verizon.” (It seems as if Mr. George Lucas owns the word “droid.”)
Anyway..after further investigation, all signs point to this being a commercial for Verizon’s first Android-powered cell phone, properly called “Droid.” (For all you fellow techies, its code-name was Sholes.) This device is developed by Motorola and will run Google’s Android operating system, version 2.0. The teaser page includes an “alien counter” that has been decyphered; the timer ends on October 30. Will more information be released about this mystery device on that date? We shall wait and see…
Well, looks like we don’t have to wait thatlong for some new info. The fellas at Boy Genius Report have captured some images of the Motorola Droid. Here’s a summation of their “hands-on:” it runs Android 2.0; it’s very thin (for a QWERTY smartphone); it’s fast; it has a 3.7 inch capacitive display; it runs on a TI OMAP3430 processor; it has a 5-megapixel camera (with flash). Will report on more information as it comes. For now, check out images of the Droid below.
The WaterCar Python goes from 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds on land andin water. It is built on a Dodge Ram base and it has a custom fiberglass body. On land it uses an aluminium Corvette LS engine and in water it’s powered by a Dominator jet. The Python is on sale now and is available to the general public for $200,000. Check out additional images below and peek after the break for a video of it in action.
Here’s the story in a nutshell. Six-year-old Falcon Heene, or Balloon Boy (as he is being referred to on the interwebs), was thought to have placed himself in a family-constructed helium balloon and let himself loose to roam the dangerous skies of eastern Colorado. Network and cable TV news programs reported on the bizarre footage and quickly garnered a large audience that was captivated by such outlandishness and the hopeful safety of the young child inside. As the balloon flew at fast speeds and nearly missed hitting objects along its path to nowhere, Americans around the nation watched in awe. Eventually the balloon was tracked down and stopped. Frantic citizens, policeman, and an ambulance were on the scene hoping to find Falcon safe inside the balloon. And here’s the best part–Balloon Boy was NEVER in the balloon! The whole time this event was going on Little Falcon was hiding in a box in the attic at his house. Apparently his father had yelled at him for some reason or another, so Falcon decided to release his father’s helium balloon into the sky and hide himself in the attic.
In sum, this kid DUPED us all! He had the entire nation (there were international reports, too) believe that he was in the balloon hovering the skies. Besides TV coverage, social networking sites raged with furor over this event. Facebook users created fan pages for Balloon Boy and the term “Balloon Boy” quickly became a trending topic on Twitter and sat there for a good part of the day. Also, it’s been predicted that Balloon Boy will become a popular Halloween costume this season!
Balloon Boy, kudos to you for pulling off a spectacular stunt on the country. Now it’s time for you to get severely grounded.
UPDATE: In an interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Falcon is asked why he did not come out of hiding when he heard his parents screaming after him. Falcon admits “You guys [his parents] said that we did this for a show.” When asked for an explanation of this, his father backtracks and does not answer. Hm…this whole mess could be a construed mastermind plan that started with the parents looking for what…media coverage on the family? Look after the break for a snippet of this revealing interview. [Skip to 0:40 for Falcon’s response followed by a faint fart, as pointed out by Gizmodo.]
UPDATE 2: The entire Balloon Boy incident was a HOAX! Why am I not surprised?
Watch this comically shot video of partners-in-crime Brett Domino and Steven Peavis do work with the Stylophone Beatbox machine. Their medley of hip-hop songs are guarenteed to bring delight.
Scientists at Princeton are conducting experiments to study the neurons of mice. What better way to do it than strapping a mouse to a suspended ball and having it run through a computerized maze based on a level from Quake 2?
