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Angry Birds Rio Trailer

July 10, 2023 by noemi

That little game that pitted irate birds against green pigs has reached such proportions that everyone around the world knows about it by now. Angry Birds, the game, has converted many a self-proclaimed non-gamer into chronic casual gamers. From the iPhone to the iPad, you will see people swiping and cursing just to get those irritating viridescent hogs out of the way. And, I bet you know just how tough those pigs can be!

There have been several versions of the game, but now, the birds and the pigs are coming to the big screen! In a few months, we can all queue up at the theater to see Angry Birds Rio the movie. The plot – if it can be called that – is ridiculous, I think. Still, the game itself is so ridiculous that it is good, isn’t it? So anyway, the birds are shipped off to Rio for a “vacation”. READ: They are caged and kidnapped. Of course, the protagonists escape from their cages, and that’s when they discover hundreds of other captive birds.

Angry Birds Rio will also be released as a game to complete your avian experience. Here’s the newly released trailer to get your adrenaline going.

Oh, and if you are impatient and cannot wait till March, you can get the Valentine’s Day edition in a week or so. Of course, it goes without saying that this version will have lots of pink in it. 🙂

Theo Jansen’s Strandbeests

July 9, 2023 by noemi

What in the world is a strandbeest? It is an animal created by Dutch physicist, artisit, and kinetic sculptor Theo Jansen. While it may not be a living form in the strictest sense, the strandbeest might very well fool you.

Jansen has gotten a lot of attention by creating beach animals which are self-propelling. That succinct description may not pique your curiosity enough, but trust me, watching a strandbeest in action definitely will. Jansen created his strandbeests using simple materials such as recycled water bottles, plastic tubing, rods, and rubber rings. Glancing at a beest, you wouldn’t think much of it – just another piece of installation art, probably. Once it starts moving on its own, thanks to the wind that has been “caught” in the water bottles, you probably will find your lower jaw dropping involuntarily. See it for yourself.

In his web site, Theo Jansen gives some details on how he was able to make these things work. You can find concepts, theories, and math – even details on the 11 Holy Numbers. If you’re the sort who wants to figure out exactly how things work, then you ought to read what the mastermind himself has to say. In case you get converted and become a Jansen fan – which is likely to happen – you can also get his books and DVDs from the web site.

Mr. Potato Head Takes On Star Trek

July 9, 2023 by noemi

Mark your calendars, Mr. Potato Head lovers. The guys behind these adorably hilarious toy figures have come up with a brilliant idea – Star Trek Mr. Potato Heads. Everyone loves Mr. Potato Head. I think that’s why some of my friends have decided to “drop their interest” in them, actually. You know those kind of people who decide not to like something because everyone else likes it?

Anyhow, this development is something that one really cannot help but get excited about. A mash up of your favorite Star Trek characters and Mr. Potato Head. Pardon me, but it is an epic win! The series is going to kick off with none other than Captain Kirk and his original Klingon nemesis, Kor. This first set is going to hit the shelves in August of this year, but they are accepting pre-orders to cater to those who want to make sure that they are among the first to receive Potato Head Kirk and Potato Head Kor. For $30 – which will only be charged on your credit card once the delivery details have been confirmed – you can be among the first to receive this signature line.

I have to be honest and say that the first time I saw the image above, I was not sure how to react. One part of me was thinking “Hilarious!” while another part was saying “Oh, Kirk. That is so NOT you.” Then again, this is NOT Kirk. It is Potato Head Kirk. I guess the designers actually did justice to both brands.

Star Trek fans: what are your thoughts?

Guinness World Records 2011 Gamer’s Edition

July 9, 2023 by noemi

So you think you’re the best Guitar Hero player ever born? Think again! You’ve seen all those YouTube videos about little kids kicking the butt of everyone else – never mind that we are twice or three times his age. If you want some “light reading” that is all about gaming, then Guinness has the perfect thing for you – the 2011 Gamer’s Edition. Just to give you an idea, here is an interview with the record holder for the highest scoring female Guitar Hero player. Hats off to you, Annie Leung.

It’s not all about “serious” records, though. In case you have ever wondered about all that swearing in video games, you can read up on that in this edition. Other pieces of trivia that you can start memorizing (to use as pick up lines, conversation starters, or whatever):

The oldest gamer included in the book is John Bates of Onalaska, Wisconsin. He is 85 years old, a former high school principal, and is a certified Wii Bowling addict. His feat? He has the highest number of perfect games on Wii Sports Bowling: 2,850.
Mitsugu Kikai from Tokyo is only 25 years old and has 5,400 items of Super Mario-related memorabilia. Does anyone out there have more? Let Guinness know!
Angry Birds is the Top Paid-For Apple App Store Game. But then again, we already know that, don’t we?

Find out how to get your hands on the book from the Guinness web site. If anything, it will be a good way to pass the time when you don’t have anything else to do.

Darth Vader Does the Blues

July 8, 2023 by noemi

We all feel the blues sometimes. There is no need to be embarrassed or ashamed when you don’t feel 100 percent. Heck, apparently, even the supposedly indomitable Darth Vader felt the blues! I guess that with a life story like that of Darth Vader’s, one really will feel down every now and then.

What do you think the father of Luke Skywalker does when he is down? He plays the harmonica like you may never have heard before! (What? You didn’t know that Darth Vader can play the harmonica?) This is a perfect example of how music spans cultures. 😉

Here’s a funny video that can get you through the mid-week slump. It’s several years old, but it should still do the trick for those who live in 2011. 😉

White Google Nexus S in the Horizon!

July 8, 2023 by noemi

Take that Apple iPhone! Apple fanboys and fangirls have been waiting for what seems like forever for the white version of the iPhone, and it doesn’t seem like their yearning is going to get satisfied any time soon. In the meantime, the boys at Google (and Samsung) have been busy and are taking things one step further.

The online rumor mill is now abuzz with news about a white Google Nexus S. According to BestBoyZ, the white version just might be hitting the shelves in the very near future. The new Android phone from Google has been out in the United States and the United Kingdom for a while now. If you visit the Google Nexus S page, you’ll be redirected to Best Buy to purchase the phone. However, the only available model right now is the black one. With a new 2-year contract with T-Mobile, you can get the phone for only $199.99 (instead of $529.99).

So anyway, if a white phone is what you want, you might want to consider the Nexus S instead of waiting – indefinitely – for the white iPhone. I am not sure if the white version is going to be available worldwide or if it is only going to be released in Germany. The guys at BestBoyZ say that they have a “confidential and trusted” source. (I hope I got the words right as the site is in German and rely on Babelfish for translation accuracy.) They also say that the phone will come with Super AMOLED.

Without any further ado, here are the leaked photos.

Unfortunately, the front still comes in black, so the whole thing will not be white. Half white is better than no white at all?

Source: BestBoyZ