G.O.O.D. Friday: Child Rebel Soldier – “Don’t Stop!”

Audio, Download link, Music, , , , , ,

A G.O.O.D. Friday song without Kanye West on the track?  Not so fast, pard’ner.  Child Rebel Soldier, a rap group formed in 2007, consists of Pharrell Williams (of N.E.R.D.), Lupe Fiasco, and Mr. West.  Up to this point CRS has collaborated on two other songs: “Us Placers” (off the Can’t Tell Me Nothing mixtape) and “Everybody Nose (Remix)” (off N.E.R.D.’s album Seeing Sounds).  And now you know.  Preview and download the latest CRS cut below.

Download: Child Rebel Soldier – “Don’t Stop!”

[audio: Child Rebel Soldier – Don’t Stop!.mp3]

[Via KWBlog]

FOX orders full season of ‘Raising Hope’

News, Television, , , ,

Fantastic news, TV junkies!  Today FOX ordered a full season of the breakout comedy Raising Hope.  It’s the first new fall series to be granted additional episodes.  With a full back-nine order in effect, Raising Hope will air a total of 22 episodes this season.  The decision was made based on the high ratings the show has received thus far.  It’s is the highest rated new FOX series, #1 new comedy among teens and young women, the #2 new comedy among adults 18-34, and one of the top 5 new comedies among adults 18-49.  In other words, it delivers the goods.  The writing is impeccable, the characters are relatable, and the show carries an air of wacky, endearing working-class familial values that draw you in week after week.  Breakout star Martha Plimpton (the mother) embodies all of this.  If you’re not watching this show, catch up on Hulu and quit slacking!  Obviously this is comedy gold in it for the long haul.  Raising Hope airs Tuesdays at 9PM on FOX.

[Via Deadline]

Trailer #2: The Walking Dead

Television, Video, , ,

Sure this 30 second spot may not reach the epicness that was the original (nearly) 5 minute sneak peek into AMC’s upcoming horror series The Walking Dead.  But it does include new footage and enough zombies to whet your appetite.  Mash play and shower in the anticipation of the series premiere.  The zombie apocalypse begins October 31 at 10PM on AMC.

[Via IGN]

Google TV ready for primetime (part 1): Logitech Revue

Images, News, Technology, Video, , , , , , ,

Today Logitech held a press event to unveil the Logitech Revue with Google TV companion box.  But before I go into the specifics of the box, allow me to refresh your memory concerning what Google TV is exactly.  Back in May Google held its annual Google I/O developer conference; it was here where they detailed Google TV.  In essence, Google TV is software that integrates TV and the web on one screen.  GTV’s most prominent feature is search.  Typical situation: You’re hanging in the living room and want to watch an episode of Top Gear but you have no idea when and where it airs.  Simply tap the search button on a compatable keyboard (more on the hardware later) and type “Top Gear” into the search bar.  Within seconds GTV will provide you with all kinds of relevant information about the show.  In addition to letting you know at what time and what channel it airs on, you will be provided with the show’s web page and YouTube videos.  That’s right–GTV searches live television, your service provider’s guide listing, and the world wide web.  But it does more than this.  GTV comes installed with the Chrome web browser giving you access to virtually every website on your HDTV.  And yes, the browser supports Adobe Flash Player 10.1.  With the DualView function, you can enable picture-in-picture only this time that means you can browse the web and watch TV simultaneously.  Typical situation: You’re watching a baseball game and want to check on your fantasty team and player stats.  DualView is your friend here.

Watching TV and searching the web for TV-related content (or just for fun) is only the beginning.  GTV also supports apps.  Though the Android Marketplace won’t be ready for the service until 2011, GTV will come preloaded with a bunch of useful apps.  Twitter, Pandora, Napster, VEVO, blip.tv, The New York Times, USA Today, CNBC, NBA GameTime, Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, HBO GO.  Google is reportedly in talks to bring Hulu Plus to the service as well.  Google provides YouTube and a media gallery to browse your photos and video.  In addition to app and developer support, TV networks have agreed to optimize their web portals for viewing on GTV.  For example, Turner Broadcasting has been hard at work tweaking GTV optimized sites for TBS, TNT, CNN, Cartoon Network, and Adult Swim.  No doubt more networks will follow suit.

So I think you get it by now.  Google TV brings TV and the web together in one space–your HDTV.  Cross-platform search, web browsing, and apps.  Now you must be thinking how can I get Google TV on my television?  Here’s where today’s news enters the picture.

Logitech Revue is a companion box that hooks up to your HDTV, cable/satellite box, and the Internet to bring the Google TV experience to you.  Want hardware specs?  You got it.  HDMI In, HDMI out, audio optical output (S/PDIF), Ethernet port,  802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, 2 USB 2.0 ports, integrated Logitech Harmony Link IR blaster, and Logitech Unifying wireless technology.  Setup is simple really.  Connect the bundled HDMI cable to the Revue box and your HDTV, bridge together the Revue box with your cable/satellite box with another HDMI cable, and hook up the Revue box to the Internet (either direct to Ethernet or to your wireless home network).  That’s it.  And how do you interact with the GTV interface?  With the included Logitech Keyboard Controller of course!  The full QWERTY keyboard resembles a standard PC keyboard but also comes equipped with a touchpad, D-pad, dedicated search and DualView buttons, and remote control buttons.  It speaks to the Revue box (which in turn talks to the rest of your TV setup) using Logitech’s proprietary wireless technology.  Logitech Revue with the Keyboard Controller will sell for $299.99 when it releases at the end of the month. Continue reading Google TV ready for primetime (part 1): Logitech Revue →

Motorola Droid Pro is a droid for the suits

Images, News, Technology, , , , , , , , ,

It’s time to welcome yet another member into the Droid family.  This droid does business.  Droid Pro by Motorola packs the usual goodies: 1GHz processor, 5 megapixel camera with auto-focus and dual LED flash, 512MB of memory, 2GB of onboard storage, WiFi, Bluetooth, and it runs Android 2.2.  What makes the Pro stand out from the herd is its distinct look and business-oriented feature set.  Below the 3.1 inch display sits a BlackBerry-esque QWERTY keyboard that’s “designed for speed and convenience.”  The Pro is a “global ready” smartphone, packing a dual-mode CDMA/GSM chip for worldwide roaming that allows customers to enjoy wireless voice service in more than 220 countries and data coverage in more than 200 countries.  Features for the suits include: support for both Exchange e-mail and Gmail for business; corporate directory look-up and unified calendar for Enterprise and sync with Google Calendar; view, edit, and share Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel documents; and built-in security features, including AuthenTec IPSec multi-headed VPN integration, remote wipe of device and SD card, and complex password support.  Essentially this is a Droid built for the business men and women who have been fighting the urge to dump their BlackBerrys for an Android-based device.  Tempting, isn’t it?  Droid Pro releases this November on Verizon Wireless.  Pricing has yet to be disclosed, but $199 with a 2-year agreement will likely be it.  Full PR after the break.

[Via Engadget]

Continue reading Motorola Droid Pro is a droid for the suits →

OnLive monthly fees go bye-bye

News, Technology, , , , ,

OnLive, the gaming on-demand cloud-based service, is no longer requiring a monthy fee to access its features.  This is really great news, so great in fact I’ll allow Founder & CEO Steve Perlman to explain the sudden change in philosophy.

Of course, we’ve had a promotion waiving the monthly fee for the first year, so this announcement is confirming what we had hoped—that we can continue without a monthly fee beyond the first year. Although we wish we could have confirmed no monthly fee from the get-go, pioneering a major new video game paradigm is hard: we had to first grow to a large base of regular users before we could understand usage patterns and operating costs. Now that we’ve reached that stage, we can confidently say a monthly fee is not needed, which deserves a double WOOT! WOOT!

Woot woot, indeed.  The original plan was to waive the monthy fee for the first year, as Perlman explained, and then charge $4.95/month for the second year.  All that’s been scrapped.  Instant-play demos, massive spectating, brag clip videos, messaging, and friending are all absolutely free to access now.  The only time you’ll need to whip out a credit card is if you decide to buy a 3-day or 5-day PlayPass to stream a full game.  You may also decide to purchase a game for keeps.  All in all this is an exciting move forward for OnLive.  And coming this holiday season are the MicroConsole TV Adapters and OnLive Game Pad Controllers that promise to bring the games from the PC to the TV hassle-free.  So watcha waiting for?  Get your streamin’ on.

[Via Engadget; OnLive]

Emma Stone nabs female lead in Spider-Man reboot

Movies, News, , , ,

After days of speculation, Sony Pictures has confirmed that Emma Stone will in fact play the lead female role in Marc Webb’s Spider-Man reboot.  It’s just not the role you think.  Stone (Superbad, Zombieland, Easy A) is set to play Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker’s first love–not Mary Jane Watson.  That character has yet to be cast.  Director Webb shared his thoughts on the casting: “The chemistry between Andrew and Emma was stunning and made Emma the clear choice. At the heart of the story of Peter Parker is not only the amazing Spider-Man, but also an ordinary teenager who is wondering what he has to do to get the girl. Andrew and Emma will bring everything audiences expect to these roles, but also make them their own. Much to my surprise, it was fun to find out that our choice for Gwen (Emma) is also a natural blonde.”  Spider-Man begins production this December and it’s slated to release in 3D on July 3, 2012.

[Via Deadline]

Avatar “Extended Collector’s Edition” out on Blu-ray & DVD November 16, bonus features and all

Movies, News, , , , , , , , ,

On November 16 fans of the highest grossing movie ever will be treated to special editions of Avatar on Blu-ray and DVD.  You might be scratching your head thinking don’t I already own Avatar on Blu-ray (or DVD) already?  Let’s remove that confusion.  Avatar did release on both formats back in April; these versions, however, only included the original theatrical release.  No bonus footage, no nothing.  This second release, on the other hand, packs tons of bonus content and more.  The three-disc Avatar Extended Collector’s Edition Blu-ray and Theatrical Special Edition Re-Release DVD (yeah, those are their official titles) will include the original theatrical version, the special edition re-release, and the collector’s extended cut that includes sixteen more minutes and an exclusive alternate opening Earth scene.  They will also include 45 minutes of new never-before-seen deleted scenes.  Says director James Cameron: “I told our team — let’s do the ultimate box set of Avatar, with everything in it the fans could possibly want. There’s an extended length cut that’s sixteen minutes longer, plus documentaries, behind the scenes featurettes, artwork and over 45 minutes of deleted scenes. Everything worth putting into a special edition is in this set.”  Peek after the break for the official PR and to browse the bonus content in more detail.  And as for the 3D Blu-ray version?  That’s expected to release next year.

[Via Deadline]

Kanye West selects an album title

Music, News, ,

Using his favorite method of communication these days, Kanye West hopped on Twitter to announce the title of his upcoming fifth studio album.  “The official album title is and always was,” he tweeted, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.  It had been rumored for months that Dark Twisted Fantasy was to be the album title, but all it took was the addition of a personal pronoun and an adjective to make things official.  After revealing the album title, Kanye spilled some deets about what tracks we can expect to hear on the album.  He confirmed that the first track is called “Dark Fantasy” (produced by Kanye, RZA, and No I.D.) and that “some” of the G.O.O.D. Friday songs will in fact be on the album.  And though this next track was leaked a few weeks back, Kanye is excited for everyone to hear the mastered version of “All of the Lights”, the confirmed third single (following “Power” and “Runaway“) off My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.  The album drops November 22.  The anticipation is killing me slowly.

[Via @kanyewest]

Reminder: South Park returns tomorrow night!

Television, Video, , , ,

South Park fans, here’s a reminder that the second half of season 14 begins tomorrow night (Wednesday, October 6) at 10PM on Comedy Central.  If you happen to miss it, don’t worry; Comedy Central reairs it multiples times throughout the week (at midnight and 10:30PM on Thursday, 11PM on Sunday, and 2AM on Monday).  For now, preview the Nascar-themed episode titled “Poor and Stupid” in the window above.

[Via IGN]

Zack Snyder checks in to direct ‘Superman’

Movies, News, , , , , , ,

Zack Snyder, helmer of 300, Watchmen, and the upcoming Sucker Punch, has signed on to direct the Superman franchise reboot.  He joins a stellar creative team in the Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures backed project.  Christopher Nolan, the man famous breathing life into the Batman franchise, is producing alongside wife Emma Thomas, Charles Roven (The Dark Knight), and Zack’s wife and producing partner Deborah Snyder.  The Superman story has already been imagined by Nolan and David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight); Goyer is currently penning the script.

Deadline recently spoke with Snyder about the news.  “I’ve been a big fan of the character for a long time, he’s definitely the king of all superheroes, he’s the one.  It’s early yet, but I can tell you that what David and Chris have done with the story so far definitely has given me a great insight into a way to make him feel modern.  I’ve always felt he was kind of awesome.”  Snyder promises to get started on Superman as soon as production wraps on Sucker Punch.  Warner Bros. and DC Comics are aiming for a 2012 holiday release.

[Via Deadline]

First promo for ‘Conan’ is here!

Hilarity, Television, Video, , , , , , ,

Today TBS revealed the first TV promo for Conan!  Oh, just watch it!  CoCo returns November 8 at 11PM.

And peek after the break for more Conan O’Brien shenanigans.  He’s been answering fan questions and his response videos are nothing short of hi-larious. Continue reading First promo for ‘Conan’ is here! →