Music video: Maurissa Tancharoen & Jed Whedon – “Remains”

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FOX cancels Dollhouse.  Season 2 DVD and Blu-ray sets are announced to include a comic book issue titled “Epitaphs” penned by husband and wife team Jed Whedon and Maurissa Tancharoen (of Dr. Horrible fame).  To celebrate the release of season 2 (it’s available for purchase today) Tancharoen shared with her Twitter followers (and Dollhouse fans worldwide) a music video for the song “Remains.”  The track, written by Whedon and Tancharoen, was played in the season one finale.  The beautifully shot video was directed by Anton King and stars Tancharoen, Caitlin Stasey, J.R. Starr, and Fran Kranz (he played Topher in the show).  I miss you Dollhouse, but this was nice.

[Via @MoTancharoen]

La Roux teams up with Kanye West for “In for the Kill” remix

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Awwww yeah.  Eccentric UK electro/synth pop duo La Roux has teamed up with arguably the hottest rapper in the game right now–Kanye West–to create the remix for “In for the Kill.”  Not only does the enhanced beat off the popular single from La Roux’s self-titled debut album have Ye’s fingerprints all over it, Kanye also spits a wondrous verse about halfway through the track.  A music video will accompany the remix soon.  Says La Roux frontwoman Elly Jackson to MTV News about working with Kanye: “He’s a very exciting person to be around.  He’s a special breed of person.  He’s not quite like anyone I’ve ever met before.  He’s very, very, very creative.  He comes up with ideas every five seconds.  We’ve had a very interesting three days.  It’s a very interesting mix of things.”  And as for the upcoming music video?  “[The setting is] very slick but quite seedy.  [You’re] not quite sure what is going on in a lot of it, but it’s got some amazing visuals, some amazing characters.”  You know where to look when it drops.  For now, preview and download the remix below.

Download: La Roux – “In for the Kill” (Remix) (Featuring Kanye West)

[audio: La Roux – In for the Kill (Remix) (Featuring Kanye West).mp3]

[Via RealTalkNY; MTV]

Music video: Kid Cudi – “Erase Me” (Featuring Kanye West..& McLovin)

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The first official single off Kid Cudi’s sophomore album is “Erase Me” and embedded above is the brand spankin’ new music video for it.  In it Cudder channels his inner Jimi Hendrix and is joined on stage by featured guest Kanye West (donning the gold crown from his epic SNL performance) and none other than Christopher Mintz-Plasse (aka McLovin from Superbad).  Go on, enjoy.  Available for download at iTunes.  Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager drops November 9.

Google TV ready for primetime (part 2): Sony Internet TV & Blu-ray Disc Player

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Yesterday Sony held their own event to reveal their Google TV initiative.  Unlike Logitech’s companion box (the Revue), Sony is incorporating Google TV into a new line of HDTVs and a Blu-ray player.  The Google TV experience on the new Sony TVs and BD player is exactly the same as it is on Logitech’s Revue, so I will spare you another Google TV explanation and jump right to the hardware announcements.

The Sony Internet TV lineup includes 4 HDTVs: the 24-inch NSX-24GT1 ($599.99), the 32-inch NSX-32GT1 ($799.99), the 40-inch NSX-40GT1 ($999.99), and the 46-inch NSX-46GT1 ($1,399.99).  They all feature a full HD 1080p display with edge LED backlighting except for the 24-incher; that one’s fitted with CCFL backlighting.  They all include built-in WiFi and around back there’s 4 HDMI ports, an Ethernet port, 2 USB ports, component and composite video inputs, optical audio output, 2 IR blasters, a headphone output, and power of course.  Every TV will come bundled with an bizarre-looking QWERTY keypad remote.  Though it appears large in pictures, the remote is about the size of the small Logitech Mini Controller and it takes design cues from the PS3 DualShock controller (it’s got left and right triggers).  In addition to the QWERTY buttons, the remote also has a D-pad and an optical mouse built-in.  The whole contraption does not look entirely intuitive; there’s definitely going to be a learning curve with it.

Already have a perfectly fine HDTV in the living room?  Skip the TV and go for the new Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player.  At $399.99, the BD player sounds like a pretty good deal when it compare it to the Logitech Revue.  For an extra $100 you’re getting Blu-ray disc support; something to think about.  The player includes built-in WiFi, 1 HDMI input, 1 HDMI output, and 4 USB inputs.

I said I wouldn’t talk about software, but there’s one Sony addition on this front.  In addition to the Google TV apps, all Sony Internet TV products will come preinstalled with Qriocity, a Sony video on-demand app.  Sony also reminds you that more apps are on the way when the Android Market hits Google TV in early 2011.

The Sony Internet TV and Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player are currently on pre-sale at SonyStyle and Best Buy.  They will be available to purchase this weekend starting October 16 at Sony Style stores, and they’ll make their way to Best Buy outlets on October 24.

Google TV has arrived.  Will it be the Logitech Revue or Sony Internet TV?  The choice is yours.

[Via Sony; Engadget]

Windows Phone 7: 10 devices, 4 launch hardware partners, 60 mobile carriers in over 30 countries worldwide; coming 10/21 in Europe & Asia, early November in U.S.

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Today Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer took the stage in New York City to reveal the final details surrounding the launch of Windows Phone 7.  Microsoft first unveiled their new cell phone operating system in February at Mobile World Congress; next they spotlighted developer support at MIX’10; and most recently they detailed Xbox Live integration.  All there was left to do is reveal launch harware and mobile operator partners and device release dates and pricing.  And that’s exactly what went down today in NYC.

Let’s start with the Windows Phone 7 launch hardware partners and the actual devices you might potentially pick up come this holiday season.  Samsung, LG, HTC, and Dell are collectively bringing ten new devices that will run WP7.  The Samsung Focus (codenamed Cetus) features a 4-inch (480×800) Super AMOLED display, 1GHz processor, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, and 8GB of onboard storage with microSD expansion up to 32GB.  It’s the thinnest WP7 launch device measuring at 9.9mm (or .3 inches) thin.  It will launch exclusively with AT&T in the U.S.  The Samsung Omnia 7 features the same 4-inch (480×800) Super AMOLED display, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, and 8GB of onboard storage.  It will launch with Orange (France and UK), SFR (France), Movistar (Spain), and Deutsch Telekom on November 8.  The LG Quantum (or Optimus 7Q outside the U.S.) features a 3.5 inch (480×800) display, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, 8GB of onboard storage, a slideout QWERTY keyboard, and it comes preloaded with PlayTo, an app that allows users to wirelessly stream content to DLNA-enabled devices.  It will launch exclusively with AT&T in the U.S. and with Telstra in Australia.  The LG Optimus 7 features a 3.8 inch (480×800) LCD display, 1GHz processor, 5 megapixel camera with LED flash, and 16GB of onboard storage.  It will launch with Telus (Canada), América Móvil (Mexico), Movistar (Spain), Vodafone (Germany, Italy, Spain and UK), and SingTel (Singapore).

HTC is launching five WP7-powered devices.  The HTC HD7 features a 4.3 inch (480×800) display (it’s the WP7 launch device with the largest display), 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 576MB of RAM, 5 megapixel autofocus camera with dual LED flash (supports HD 720p video recording), 16GB of onboard memory, built-in kickstand, and it comes preloaded with Netflix, Slacker,  T-Mobile Family Room (a note-taking sharing app), and a T-Mobile TV entertainment app.  It will launch exclusively with T-Mobile in the U.S. in mid-November and with O2 (UK, Germany, Ireland), Movistar (Spain), SingTel (Singapore), Telstra (Australia), and Bouygues Telecom (France) on October 21.  The HTC 7 Surround features a 3.8 inch (480×800) display, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 576MB of RAM, 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash (supports HD 720p video recording), built-in kickstand, and 8GB of onboard storage.  What makes this device standout from all the others is the slideout speaker that features Dolby Mobile and SRS Surround Sound technologies.  It will launch exclusively with AT&T in the U.S. and with Telus in Canada.  The HTC 7 Pro will be the first WP7 CDMA device and will launch exclusively with Sprint in the first half of 2011.  It features a 3.6 inch (400×800) display, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 576MB of RAM, 5 megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash (supports HD 720p video recording), 16GB of onboard storage, and a slideout QWERTY keyboard.  Update: The 7 Pro will arrive in Europe “early next year.”  The HTC 7 Mozart and HTC 7 Trophy are two WP7 handsets that will not (initially, at least) not make it to the U.S. market.  They both feature a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 576MB of RAM, 8GB of built-in storage, and HD 720p video recording.  Here’s where they differ.  The Mozart features a sleek aluminum unibody construction with a  3.7-inch (480×800) display and 8 megapixel camera with a Xenon flash.  The Trophy, on the other hand, features a slightly larger 3.8 inch (480×800) display and a slightly lesser 5 megapixel camera with LED flash.  The Mozart with launch with Orange (France and UK), Deutsche Telekom (Germany), Telstra (Australia) and the Trophy will launch with Vodafone (Australia, Germany, Spain and UK) and SFR (France).

And finally there’s the Dell Venue Pro.  It features a 4.1-inch (480×800) AMOLED display, 1GHz Snapdragon processor,  5 megapixel camera with flash, and a portrait-designed QWERTY keyboard.  It will launch exclusively with T-Mobile in the U.S.

And that’s a wrap on the hardware discussion.  As you can see, all ten WP7 devices are very similar in terms of internals: the 1GHz processor, the 5 megapixel camera, the 8GB-16GB internal storage, 3.5 inch to 4.3 displays, and the handful of slideout QWERTY keyboard-equipped models.  Through the end of the year, WP7 devices will be exclusive to AT&T and T-Mobile; this leaves a wide gap in the CDMA (Verizon/Sprint) playing field.  By the time Q1 of 2011 rolls around, Microsoft better have deals finalized with the other mobile carriers if they truly want to compete in the competitive smartphone market.  Also, hardware partners will eventually have to up their game with better and differentiating specifications and designs if they want to stay relevant.  HTC is doing a fine job so far with the 7 Surround speaker design the HD7’s large 4.3 inch display.  But for now, the WP7 starting lineup is quite impressive.  The stars are certainly aligning for a successful launch.

In addition to revealing hardware and mobile carrier partners, Microsoft also shared some information regarding software developments.  Though they weren’t specific about the exact number of launch apps for Windows Marketplace, they did show off bunch of promising apps.  They include Twitter, eBay, Fandango, Netflix, Slacker, IMDb, and games such as Tetris, The Sims 3, Monopoly, Need for Speed: Undercover, and The Harvest.  AT&T CEO Ralph de la Vega was on hand to show off the AT&T U-verse app.  The app will be preloaded on all AT&T WP7 devices and will allow users to download and watch TV shows on the go.  If you are already a U-verse subscriber at home, accessing and downloading content off the app is free.  You will have the ability to manage your DVR recordings, access TV guide listings and an On Demand library.  If you are not a subscriber, AT&T will offer a $9.99/month plan to watch TV on the go when WP7 launches wide in November.  (Keep in mind, “live” TV is not available; you are simply downloading content to watch now or later.)  In related news, AT&T has confirmed that Xbox 360 owners will have the ability to use their console as a U-verse receiver starting October 15.  New subscribers can order a $99 Xbox installation kit and a technician will load the software onto the console for you; current subscribers will be forced to pay an extra $55 on top of the $99 installation kit to make the switch from set-top box to Xbox.  And here’s one last software tidbit: Microsoft promises a free software update bringing copy-and-paste functionality to all WP7 devices will be pushed out in “early 2011.”  Update: In a statement Microsoft confirms that public beta software will be available for Mac users to sync “select content” with their WP7 device later this year.  Look after the break for the first two WP7 commercials!

Apple, Google, RIM…it’s on.

[Via Engadget, here, here & here; Quantum image via PhoneArena] Continue reading Windows Phone 7: 10 devices, 4 launch hardware partners, 60 mobile carriers in over 30 countries worldwide; coming 10/21 in Europe & Asia, early November in U.S. →

Disney marketing ‘Tron: Legacy’ with special countdown events and content

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Tron: Legacy doesn’t hit theatres until December 17, but that certainly doesn’t mean Disney can’t push all things Tron down our throats until that time.  Starting today Disney will initiate an official 10-week countdown to the film’s release by showcasing various Tron events.  On “Tron Tuesdays” we will be privy to exclusive new video and film content, including behind-the-scenes exclusives, trailers and artwork; they will release across various mediums including television and the Internet.  Also highlighted is “Tron Night: An IMAX 3D Experience”; on October 28 at select theaters a whole 20-plus-minute sneak peek of the movie will be screened for fans.  Tickets for the event will be free and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Update: Order them today right here!  If you happen to be vacationing at Disney California Adventure Park a nighttime street party called “ElecTRONica” featuring visuals and music from the movie will run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through April.  And lastly, new Tron merchandise will arrive in stores this month and don’t forget about the Tron: Evolution video game releasing December 7.

[Via Deadline; IGN]

Robert Knepper to revive ‘Prison Break’ baddie T-Bag in upcoming A&E series ‘Breakout Kings’?!

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Well that’s the plan, according to Breakout Kings producers Matt Olmstead and Nick Santora.  The former Prison Break producers want veteran actor Robert Knepper to play Theodore “T-Bag” Bagwell in the their upcoming fugitive-themed drama.  According to various sources, EW’s Michael Ausiello reports that 20th Century Fox, the studio behind Break and Kings has “signed off on the [character] crossover.”  All there’s left to do is get Knepper on board to play the part again.  If my memory serves me right (of course it does!), T-Bag was voted by the Brothers Scofield and Co. in the Prison Break series finale and to be forced to go back to jail.  He’s scum, and that’s where he belonged.

Though both shows revolve around the life of fugitives, Breakout Kings has a slightly altered plotline.  It’s being described as “a new action-packed ensemble drama following an unconventional partnership between the U.S. Marshals’ office and a group of convicts as they work to catch fugitives on the run.”  I really hope Knepper bites the bait (former Prison Break producers are at the helm) and signs on to revive T-Bag for the new series.  T-Bag is a dark, flawed character with quick wits and a totally creepy attitude.  He’s definitely one of the best written villains in recent TV history, so to watch his character make a comeback would be beyond awesome.  Originially produced for FOX, the A&E series will premiere in 2011; 13 one hour episodes have been ordered.  Look after the break for the first teaser trailer.

[Via EW-AusielloFiles; Deadline] Continue reading Robert Knepper to revive ‘Prison Break’ baddie T-Bag in upcoming A&E series ‘Breakout Kings’?! →

Sound sculptures are color droplets brought to life

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Dentsu London, the design studio that brought us iPad light painting, teamed up with photographer Linden Gledhill to produce an amazing array of “sound sculptures” to promote Canon’s line of PIXMA color printers.  Gledhill used a Canon 5D Mark II to capture these “dancing droplets of paint in extreme detail as they react to sound waves.”  How’d they do it?

The ‘colour sculptures’ were created by stretching a balloon over a speaker to form a membrane.  A few drops of paint were then placed in the centre of the balloon and a single sharp note was played through the speaker, causing the paint to erupt for just a fraction of a second.  We experimented with different instruments, frequencies and volumes, which each had an effect on the formations.

The color droplet experimentation resulted in beautiful imagery and video.  Look in the gallery below to see the makeshift rig and a handful of pictures; after the break you’ll find video of the droplets in super slo-mo action (5,000 frames-per-second slow) and a behind-the-scenes peek into how it was executed.  Head over to Dentsu London’s Flickr and YouTube pages for more content.

[Via Gizmodo; Dentsu London; DLFlickr]

Continue reading Sound sculptures are color droplets brought to life →

Google is testing self-automated cars on streets and highways

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Google has totally submerged themselves in the transportation industry now.  After investing over $1 million in the human-powered monorail racetrack called Shweeb, Google spilled the details concerning its latest initiative to create entirely self-automated vehicles.  Straight from Google’s mouth (erm, blog) is their philosophy on the project: Our goal is to help prevent traffic accidents, free up people’s time and reduce carbon emissions by fundamentally changing car use. .. We’ve always been optimistic about technology’s ability to advance society, which is why we have pushed so hard to improve the capabilities of self-driving cars beyond where they are today.

When Google says these cars are self-automated, they mean it in the most literal sense of the term.  You see that odd-looking Toyota Prius in the image above?  That car is driving itself on Highway 101 in Mountain View, California.  Google’s seven test cars have racked up 1,000 miles without human intervention.  (Keep in mind, though, that trained operators remain at the wheel in case of malfunction.)  They use video cameras, radar sensors, and a laser range finder to navigate themselves on the road.  The tech talks to Google’s data centers to obtain important transportation information such as detailed maps and terrain mapping.  A NYT editor was lucky enough to take a ride inside that Prius earlier this week, and here’s an excerpt from his experience:

“It drove at the speed limit, which it knew because the limit for every road is included in its database, and left the freeway several exits later. The device atop the car produced a detailed map of the environment.  The car then drove in city traffic through Mountain View, stopping for lights and stop signs, as well as making announcements like “approaching a crosswalk” (to warn the human at the wheel) or “turn ahead” in a pleasant female voice. This same pleasant voice would, engineers said, alert the driver if a master control system detected anything amiss with the various sensors.”

The search giant is collaborating with brilliant minds hailing from the DARPA Challenges, a series of autonomous vehicle races organized by the government.  You’re going to want to look after the break to watch a fascinating video starring a self-automated Volkswagen created by Germany’s TU Braunschweig, a team of researchers and engineers known for the work in the Challenges.

Now don’t expect to purchase a self-automated car anytime soon.  These things won’t be mass produced for many, many year; in fact, Google predicts the advanced vehicle technology won’t be ready to showcase its mystical powers for consumers until 2018 at the earliest.  But hey–at least this dream of a safer, more efficient means of transportation is being implemented today.  If Google puts the same amount of effort into this project as they do with search, we should be manning driver-less cars in no time.

Update: A Good Morning America correspondent took a ride in one of the Google self-automated cars.  She even stepped in front of it when it was driving full speed to see its reaction time.  Look after the break for the heart-stopping video report.

[Via GoogleBlog; Engadget; NYT]

Continue reading Google is testing self-automated cars on streets and highways →

Fuller wants Kristen Bell in ‘Munsters’ reboot

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This month brought news that Pushing Daisies creator Bryan Fuller is bringing a “modern-day reboot” of The Munsters to NBC.  Today Fuller expressed interest in nabbing actress Kristen Bell, who comes from TV roots (Veronica Mars), to play the part of Marilyn, the “plain” cousin of the wacky Munster clan.  “Are you kidding me?” explaimed Fuller.  “Kristen would be perfect.”  He explains that Marilyn will have a much more pivotal role in the reboot than she did in the classic 1960s sitcom.  “She is our eyes into the world, in the sense that we all can relate to our families exhibiting some level of monstrous behavior.”  He also hinted that Eddie’s pet dragon Spot will also serve a larger purpose.  NBC has ordered a pilot to be made, and Fuller splendidly spilled some info as to what we can expect.  “This version has teeth and isn’t afraid to use them,” he said.  “For example, the story begins when young Eddie unexpectedly manifests as a werewolf on a scout camping trip and inadvertently eats two of his fellow scouts.”  Um, yes.

[Via EW-AusielloFiles]

Elton John hints at collaboration with Matthew Morrison

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Earlier this year Glee star Matthew Morrison revealed plans to produce a debut album with Mercury Records.  The album, which he promises will pack lots of “substance” and draw inspiration from Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis, Jr, will be graced with the talented Elton John.  The source of this exciting news?  Elton John himself!  “I’m supposed to be doing something with Matthew Morrison for his album,” he teased.  “[Matthew and I] had a little meeting together, so hopefully that’s going to happen when I get to L.A.”  Morrison will surely bring something interesting to the table in a debut album, but with Elton John’s legendary touch this could potentially turn out to be a real hit.  The album is expected to release before the year runs out.

[Via EW-MusicMix]