A group of U.S. soldiers stationed in Afghanistan decided to put together their own version of Lady Gaga’s music video for “Telephone.” Prepare yourself for a fantastical journey, says their YouTube post. Glad you guys find time to have some fun. Come home safe!
The Microsoft Courier is no more
At any given time, we’re looking at new ideas, investigating, testing, incubating them. It’s in our DNA to develop new form factors and natural user interfaces to foster productivity and creativity. The Courier project is an example of this type of effort. It will be evaluated for use in future offerings, but we have no plans to build such a device at this time. – Frank Shaw, Microsoft Corporate VP of Communications
And just like that, Microsoft confirmed and, unfortunately, denied the Microsoft Courier. Back in September Gizmodo broke news that Microsoft had a magical tablet of sorts in the works; pictures and even a video of the prototype device had found its way into the mainstream. Then came October and November, and those months brought more leaked video and images. Then as recent as last month hard details surfaced; this “digital journal” running an advanced varient of Windows Phone 7 with enhanced UI features like dragging, flicking, copy & pasting, and “pocket”-ing all of a sudden started to come alive. And then the words of Frank Shaw shut it all off. The Microsoft Courier, the future proto-tablet that could, ceased to become a reality.
According to sources close to the matter Microsoft did hire an internal team to work on the Courier and there were actual plans to tranform it into a marketable device. However, Microsoft just recently ordered Team Courier to close up shop. Reasons, unknown. Although the Courier prototype we’ve come to know and love thanks to a slew of leaked renders is dead and gone, all is not for naught. We may very well see the innovative user interface deisgn come to fruition in some other Microsoft project(s) in the works. But it’s a shame, really. Microsoft–you had something BEYOND AWESOME with this thing! Oh well, Windows Phone 7 will have to fill the void.
Steve Jobs shares his “thoughts on Flash” [Update: Adobe responds, Microsoft jumps in]
Apple CEO Steve Jobs released an open letter today regarding his position on Adobe’s Flash standard for video. He breaks down his argument against Flash with the following categories: there’s “open”; the full web; reliability, security and performance; battery life; touch; and “the most important reason.” That is, “If developers grow dependent on third party development libraries and tools, they can only take advantage of platform enhancements if and when the third party chooses to adopt the new features.” Quick summation: Jobs calls Flash proprietary and closed; he shares his excitement on the rise of H.264 and the coming of HTML5; Flash makes Macs crash; since Flash decodes in software it eats away battery life; and Flash was not designed for a touch environment. His concludes:
Flash was created during the PC era – for PCs and mice. Flash is a successful business for Adobe, and we can understand why they want to push it beyond PCs. But the mobile era is about low power devices, touch interfaces and open web standards – all areas where Flash falls short.
But you should really read it for yourself, just look after the break. Pretty compelling argument, eh? Sure, H.264 and HTML5 are the future of video for mobile devices. But Flash is in the here and now. Ah, Jobs you’ve got me arguing for both sides now. Form your own opinions in the comments below!
Update: Adobe CTO Kevin Lynch formally responded to Jobs’ open letter. His short blog post is called “Moving Forward” but after reading it what he really means to say is moving past Apple. Look after the break to see the rebuttal. Continue reading Steve Jobs shares his “thoughts on Flash” [Update: Adobe responds, Microsoft jumps in]
Apple’s WWDC set to begin June 7
Once a year Apple holds its World Wide Developers Conference in San Fransisco. It’s a time when Apple opens its arms to the developer community and allows them to dip their feet into growing services like Mac OS X, iPhone OS 4, and now the “first ever” iPad sessions. In-depth sessions and hands-on working labs provides developers a place to converse with Apple engineers about their apps and other software. Oh, and it’s also the place where Steve Jobs takes the stage and presents the next iPhone! (Well, he’s done it the past three years with iPhone, 3G, & 3GS, so I’d place a bet the rumored ‘iPhone HD’ will make an appearence.) WWDC kicks off June 7 and runs through the 11th. You can be sure to check back here for the latest developments that come from the event. Look after the break for the official PR.
[Via Apple] Continue reading Apple’s WWDC set to begin June 7
Blackberry OS 6.0 revealed at WES 2010
At this year’s Wireless Enterprise Symposium (WES), Research in Motion (RIM) showed off the latest BlackBerry OS in video form. (Go acronyms! Anyway…) RIM CEO Mike Lazaridis did not go into detail about “BlackBerry 6” but he did have these choice words to say: “It’s an all-new user experience guided by a few fundamental design principles. It had to be easy to use, yet incredibly powerful. It had to be fun and approachable. Anyone that looks at it should say ‘I want a BlackBerry.'” He also shared his excitement about the “all-new WebKit browser.” According to a leaked report from BGR, BB 6 will feature a new home screen (with customizable icons), the WebKit browser (with tab support), a redesigned media player and photo viewer, and a bunch of new keyboard commands. It’s expected that BB 6 will natively support multitouch, finding a home both on touch and non-touch screen devices. RIM confirms it will release later this year.
Also introduced at the event: the new BlackBerry Bold 9650 & BlackBerry Pearl 3G. Sprint formally announced it will sell the new Bold for $199.99 with a new two-year contract; Verizon Wireless is expected to make a similar offer. The Pearl 3G is heading to Canada first on Bell, Telus, and Rogers. Peek after the break for an image of the sleek new pair of handsets.
[Via Gizmodo; Engadget; The Street] Continue reading Blackberry OS 6.0 revealed at WES 2010
HP acquires Palm; tech world goes “Gasp! Now what?”
On Wednesday HP announced its plans to buy out Palm for $1.2 billion, or at a price of $5.70 per share of Palm common stock. This is big news, and it’s quite shocking. Palm’s existance takes the shape of a rollercoaster ride. Since its inception in 1996, Palm introduced the world to some of the first personal device assistants (PDAs) with the Palm Pilot, the Handspring Treo, Treo and Centro smartphones, and the failed experiment that was Folio. After nearly facing its demise, Jon Rubinstein (who helped invent the iPod) left Apple to help ressurect Palm. And so he replaced Ed Colligan as CEO, created a new mobile operating system called WebOS, and pushed out two new smartphones, the Palm Pre and Palm Pixi. Thanks to a downright scary marketing campaign (watch this commercial if you dare) and tough business decisions (making the Pre exclusive to Sprint), Palm’s stock took another nosedive and rumors of a buyout quickly surfaced. Tech companies like HTC and Lenovo sat at the top of analyst’s lists as possible companies to gobble up Palm. And then, all of a sudden, HP literally came out of no where to seal the deal. And look at that, we’ve made it to present day.
HP will officially acquire Palm during HP’s third fiscal quarter, or by July 31. So what does this mean for the two entities? Right now this is what Palm’s got: the Pre, the Pixi, and most important to HP, WebOS. HP’s executive VP Todd Bradley says, “Palm’s innovative operating system provides an ideal platform to expand HP’s mobility strategy and create a unique HP experience spanning multiple mobile connected devices.” Essentially, HP is going to take everything WebOS and run with it across a wide range of devices. Which means you can plan to see it running on smartphones and potentially netbooks and tablets. All this begs the question, what will become of the HP Slate now that WebOS is on the table? Only time will tell.
It’s been confirmed that Palm CEO Jon Rubinstein will stay onboard with the majority of senior team members at the company. Also, the current Palm hardware roadmap has not been affected by the merger. All signs point a happy marrige. Says Rubinstein: “We look forward to working with HP to continue to deliver industry-leading mobile experiences to our customers and business partners.” He added, “I don’t think HP would do this unless they were willing to make the kind of investment necessary to win.” What’s interesting here, though, is that HP signed up to be an initial key partner with Microsoft for Windows Phone 7. Also, HP already has their less-than-successful line of iPaq smartphones. Will Palm become iPaq or stay Palm? All of these questions will likely be answered sometime between now and July. All in all, the acquisition is a big win for consumers (and Palm, really) as it will breath new life into the emerging WebOS platform and introduce new hardware on a whole new scale of innovation.
Look after the break for the official PR and a letter written by Rubenstein to his company.
[Via Engadget, here & here; WSJ] Continue reading HP acquires Palm; tech world goes “Gasp! Now what?”
Bungie announces 10-year “exclusive partnership” with Activision
Today Halo developer Bungie announced a partnership with Call of Duty publisher Activision. To be more specific, it’s a “10-year exclusive [worldwide] partnership to bring Bungie’s next big action game universe to market.” This means that for the foreseeable future, Activision will retain exclusive rights to publish all the games related to whatever Bungie has in store for us (a new Halo trilogy, perhaps?). Also noteworthy, the announcement states that Activision also has the rights to distribute these games “on multiple platforms and devices”, meaning Bungie might finally cut its exclusive ties with Microsoft. The partnership keeps Bungie an independent company and Bungie devs will continue to own their intellectual property. Over at Bungie.net the devs share their excitement: “We are still Bungie, still independent, and now we are free to bring our stories to an ever bigger audience.” With powerhouse titles under their belts, hopefully this unexpected partnership will result in some exciting new games for all major platforms. Call of Halo? Halo Duty? Guitar Halo? Sorry, I had to do it.
Look after the break for the official PR statement and a word from Bungie.
[Via Joystiq; Bungie] Continue reading Bungie announces 10-year “exclusive partnership” with Activision
Halo: Reach live action short rocks my socks
Get pumped! Halo: Reach multiplayer beta launches May 3 on Xbox 360. (All you need is a copy of Halo 3: ODST to join.)
Trailer: Jonah Hex
Jonah Hex is an upcoming horror Western film based on the DC Comics characher. It stars Josh Brolin as Hex, Megan Fox as Leila (a prostitute!), John Malkovich as baddie Quentin Turnbull, Michael Shannon as Doctor Cross Williams, and Michael Fassbender as Burke. Directed by Jimmy Hayward and written by Akiva Goldsman and Andrew Lazar. Synopsis:
Having cheated death, gunslinger and bounty hunter Jonah Hex (Josh Brolin) has one foot in the natural world and one in the supernatural realm. Jonah’s unusual nature gives him the ability to track down anyone, or anything, so the Army makes him an irresistible offer: They’ll erase the warrants on his head if Jonah will find Quentin Turnbull (John Malkovich). But Turnbull, who is preparing to unleash hell on earth, is Jonah’s oldest enemy and will stop at nothing to kill him once and for all.
Jonah Hex hits theatres June 18, 2010.
Wes Craven signs up for new Scream trilogy
It has been a full ten years since Scream 3 hit the scene, can you believe it? And with that special anniversary comes some exciting news: original director Wes Craven has signed up to direct a brand new trilogy that aims to redefine the horror genre yet again. Dimension Films will back the movies and Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette are set to reprise their roles as Sid, Gale, and Dewey, respectively. Though he couldn’t reveal Scream 4′s plot (it’s still being written!), Craven did shed some light on what we can expect:
There have been 10 years of no Ghostface, but there has been the movie-within-a-movie Stab. We have fun with the idea of endless sequels, or “sequelitis” as Kevin calls it in the script. Sid goes through these three horrendous things, and Stab was based on those horrible things. And then they’ve been taken by a studio and run into the ground in a series of sequels. She has been off by herself and living her own life, and she’s even written a book that has gotten a lot of critical acclaim. She’s kind of put her life back together in the course of these 10 years. But, certainly, there would be no Scream without Ghostface, so she has to confront him again, but now as a woman who has really come out the darkness of her past.
He also said we can expect the rated-R stamp and a classic Ghostface murder at the start of the film. Where does the line start?
[Via EW-PopWatch]
Avatar breaks Blu-ray sales records
Can’t say you’re surprised, can you? Avatar quickly became the best selling Blu-ray of all time after just four days on store shelves. 2.7 million Blu-ray copies were sold in North America alone, smashing the previous record of 2.5 million units sold by The Dark Knight. For a Blu-ray set that includes no extra features, I’d say this is quite the feat. Click here for more information about the future releases (w/ extra features, 3D support, etc.).
[Via Engadget]
If Lost were a cartoon…
…this is what a bunch of the characters would look like. Lost saturday morning cartoon spinoff, can I get a hell yeah!
[Via io9]
