EA launches Steven Spielberg's 'Boom Blox' | Geek Gestalt - A blog by Daniel Terdiman - CNET News.com

 

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May 6, 2008 2:38 PM PDT

EA launches Steven Spielberg's 'Boom Blox'

Posted by Daniel Terdiman Post a comment

'Boom Blox,' Electronic Arts' first game under its partnership with Steven Spielberg, launched Tuesday. It is a casual, level-based puzzle game.

(Credit: Electronic Arts)

The box cover for 'Boom Blox.'

(Credit: Electronic Arts)

Electronic Arts on Tuesday officially launched Boom Blox, the long-awaited first game under its partnership with Steven Spielberg. It is now available in North America, and EA plans to have it on shelves in Europe on May 8, in Asia on May 13, and in Japan on May 22.

The first details about the game, which is from EA's casual games unit, were released in February. Now, the game, which will be available only on Nintendo's Wii and on major carriers' mobile phones, is out and the world can finally see what happens when you put someone like Spielberg together with top-level game designers at a company like EA.

Boom Blox will task players with navigating nearly 400 levels of "strategic destruction."

In addition, players will be able to use the game's editor to craft their own levels. The best part of this sounds like it will be the way the editor lets players take existing levels and elements from the game--props, characters, blocks, etc.--and incorporate them into all-new levels.

Essentially, Boom Blox is a strategy game that confronts players with no end of puzzles and challenges, all of which they can solve in single-player or multiplayer modes.

The game will cost $50.

Steven Spielberg and 'Boom Blox' executive producer Louis Castle play their new game.

(Credit: Electronic Arts)

It's smart that the game is coming out on the Wii, because it will give EA a chance to leverage the huge Wii install base, and it's likely that its casual nature will appeal to the many owners of Nintendo's hit console.

But the game also gives EA a chance to see how much value Spielberg's name brings when trying to market a new game. Spielberg, of course, has been behind other video games in the past for many of his films, but this is the first time he has entered into such a close working relationship with a publisher on the creation of all-new titles.

EA has said the partnership arrangement--which was first made public in 2005--is for at least three games, and the next one will be for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

EA launches Steven Spielberg's 'Boom Blox' | Geek Gestalt - A blog by Daniel Terdiman - CNET News.com

Win tickets to see Roger Waters perform The Dark Side Of The Moon | the Mail on Sunday

 

Win tickets to see Roger Waters perform The Dark Side Of The Moon

Last updated at 13:18pm on 7th May 2008

Comments

It is one of the most influential albums of all time – and two lucky winners will get the chance to see Roger Waters perform The Dark Side Of The Moon in its entirety for one last time.

The former Pink Floyd frontman has added an extra date to his world tour and will be appearing at London's 02 Arena on May 18 and 19. To mark this legendary occasion, MailOnline is giving away two pairs of tickets to what promises to be a gig of spectacular proportions.

These eagerly-awaited shows will combine an evening of music – comprised of two sets plus encores, with state-of-the-art staging, lighting and sound.

The first set will be a comprehensive overview of Waters' music including early Pink Floyd material; classic compositions from the masterpiece The Wall; beloved pieces from Animals, Wish You Were Here, and The Final Cut; and songs from Waters' solo tour de force: Amused To Death and The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking.

Set two will consist of Roger Waters and his band performing Pink Floyd's 1973 album, The Dark Side Of The Moon, one of the defining works of rock music history.

To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets, simply answer the following question and email editorial@dailymailonline.co.uk by May 14 at 5pm, making sure you clearly mark the email 'Roger Waters tickets'.

What year did Pink Floyd release The Dark Side Of The Moon?

Usual competition rules apply. The editor's decision is final.

Win tickets to see Roger Waters perform The Dark Side Of The Moon | the Mail on Sunday

China blocks YouTube access

 

China blocks YouTube access

16 March 2008 15:54 by Andre "DVDBack23" Yoskowitz | 12 comments

This morning the Chinese government blocked access to the popular video sharing site YouTube after over 20 videos about protests in Tibet appeared on the site.
The protests, which occurred in the Tibetan capital Lhasa on Friday, were against Chinese rule. The government has been blocking news broadcasts since the protests in an effort to control what the public knows about the events.
The videos were mainly of foreign news reports and montages of photos taken from the scene. The Chinese government has not yet officially confirmed that they have blocked the site, but Chinese citizens trying to access the site are met with a blank screen.
China has the second largest amount of Internet users at 210 million and is expected to soon surpass the US for largest population of internet users.
This news follows recent decisions by other countries to Block access to YouTube. Last month Pakistan blocked access because of "anti-Islamic" postings. Late last year Turkey made a similar move but the access was only blocked for a couple of days.

China blocks YouTube access

Are we closer to a 'Matrix'-style world? - Frontiers- msnbc.com

 

Are we closer to a 'Matrix'-style world? - Frontiers- msnbc.com

THE RACONTEURS LYRICS - Blue Veins

 

THE RACONTEURS LYRICS
"Blue Veins"
When I was surrounded by the world
You were the only one who came
And you were the only one astounded
Which kept me grounded
As the other girls thrashed my very name
Then I looked over
Just in time to see her smiling back at me
And saying everything's OK
As long as you're inside my blue veins
Your blue veins
Yeah and the feeling that you gave me
No matter what I do or where I go
It always will remain
And those who would enslave me to get to me must get past you and will have no luck
Cause you'll protect me from all pain
The most beautiful, yeah the most beautiful thing cause anything else can't compare
Must be the blood that's running through your blue veins
Your blue veins
[Strange part in reverse]
Your blue veins
And I know you won't deceive me
Like the rest and there's nothing you need to explain
You always were the first one to believe me
When I said to you girl
I think it's gonna rain
But I could be wrong
Yeah but all of these things
All these things
They're all truly nice but ain't nothing
Ain't nothing compared to the love that's running through your little blue veins
Your blue veins

THE RACONTEURS LYRICS - Blue Veins

HP Discovered "The Fourth Element"

 

HP Discovered "The Fourth Element"

By Alexandre Carst
21:39, April 30th 2008
7 votes
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On Wednesday, a group of engineers from Hewlett-Packard (HP) announced in the science journal Nature the completion of a new simple circuit element’s design, which has, until now, only existed in theory.

Leon Chua, professor at the University of California at Berkeley, came up with a mathematical theory that a fourth fundamental circuit, besides the resistor, the capacitor and the inductor, is needed in order to have a sort of scientific symmetry. This happened 37 years ago.

"He looked at fundamental circuit equations and noticed there was a hole," Stanley Williams, head of the Information and Quantum Systems lab at HP Labs, said. "There should be a device that remembers how much current flowed through a device."

The statement found in the latest issue of Nature comes to confirm Leon Chua’s words. HP’s new component, called memory resistor or "memristor," is expected to have a great impact on hardware development. According to Mr Williams, once memristors are successfully implemented in the already existing circuit technologies, they may eventually enable memory chips to store information in absence of electrical current for long periods of time and also significantly reduce power consumption.

In order to demonstrate the theory, a prototype was constructed with the use of a microscopic film of titanium dioxide which was placed between two electrodes; a charge was then applied.

However, not everyone is as enthusiastic as HP people. "It doesn't really sound like a blazing new discovery in my mind," Edward Doller, chief technology officer of Numonyx, commented. HP long-term plan is to implement memristors in computers and also in several types of hand-held devices.

HP Discovered "The Fourth Element"

Intel, Samsung, TSMC Plan Shift to 450-mm Wafers - News and Analysis by PC Magazine

 

Intel, Samsung, TSMC Plan Shift to 450-mm Wafers

05.06.08

Total posts: 1

by Mark Hachman

Intel , Samsung and TSMC agreed Tuesday to develop 450-mm wafers for semiconductor manufacturing, timing the transition away from the current 300-mm technology in about 2012.

The shift will increase the wafer size by 2.25 times versus the conventional 300-mm wafer used by most fabs today. The total area of the new wafer will be approximately 636,173 square millimeters.

On average, semiconductor manufacturers make the shift to a larger wafer every ten years, with the shift to 300-mm wafers beginning in 2001. In a statement, the three companies said that the shift to 450-mm wafers in 2012 was on par with the historical pace of growth.

The 2012 date represents the target date for pilot production. All three companies will apply "aligned standards, rationalizing changes from 300mm infrastructure and automation, and working toward a common timeline," the companies said.

The combination of finer manufacturing widths and larger wafers should dramatically improve the number of microprocessor dice per wafer that can be manufactured. For example, the "Wolfdale" 45-nm Core 2 Duo expected later this year is predicted to be about 107 sq. mm; under the new wafer dimensions, 5,945 processors could be manufactured from a single wafer, versus 2,642 before. At a price of $266 (the price of the current E8500 Core 2 Duo) each wafer would be worth approximately $1.58 million.

However, the manufacturing costs per die would also be amortized over a greater number of processors, reducing their cost of manufacture. Increasing the wafer size would help keep costs in line.

"Increasing cost due to the complexity of advanced technology is a concern for the future," said Mark Liu, TSMC's senior vice president of its Advanced Technology Business, in a statement. "Intel, Samsung, and TSMC believe the transition to 450mm wafers is a potential solution to maintain a reasonable cost structure for the industry."

None of the three companies revealed any of their own specific manufacturing plans or timetables.

The three companies will continue to work with International Sematech (ISMI), as it plays a critical role in coordinating industry efforts on 450mm wafer supply, standards setting and developing equipment test bed capabilities, the companies said.

Intel, Samsung, TSMC Plan Shift to 450-mm Wafers - News and Analysis by PC Magazine

Today @ PC World Microsoft's In-Car Software Now in Hyundai and Kia Cars

 

Microsoft's In-Car Software Now in Hyundai and Kia Cars

Microsoft in-car infotainment system, currently known as Sync, will no longer be a Ford exclusive as it has licensed its technology to the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group.

Microsoft's Sync is a robust car infotainment system that connects many of your gadgets into one convenient and easy-to-use system. This allows MP3 players of all types and cellphones to seamlessly integrate into a car entertainment system.

Microsoft had an exclusive partnership with Ford for Sync, but that contract is set to expire soon and Microsoft is already looking to expand its infotainment system by offering it to other manufacturers. Ford owns the rights to the name Sync, so it will undoubtedly be taking on another name for Hyundai and Kia.

Hyundai and Kia's 2010 models will be the first to incorporate this technology from Microsoft.

Microsoft's expansion of its next-generation infotainment system is great move because it will better accommodate the masses that have ditched traditional vehicle entertainment of CDs and AM/FM radio for higher tech solutions like MP3 players, cellphone media players and more.

Today @ PC World Microsoft's In-Car Software Now in Hyundai and Kia Cars

The HTC Diamond takes Windows Mobile to the next level | The Mobile Gadgeteer | ZDNet.com

 

I posted about the press release and kick-off event for the HTC Diamond this morning and after looking at some more of the videos and having the opportunity to find out more about the Diamond from a call with Jason B. Mackenzie, Executive Director, National Accounts, I think HTC has a potential big winner here. The UI is absolutely amazing and takes what you see on the latest HTC Touch to a new level that should appeal to many people looking for a rich experience from their mobile device. I was thinking about saving up for the 3G iPhone, but I think the HTC Diamond may have just knocked down the iPhone a bit for several reasons.

The HTC Diamond still has Windows Mobile at its core, 6.1 Professional this time, so it fully supports all of those great enterprise and consumer features I want from a device, such as Bluetooth keyboard and A2DP support, 3rd party application support, internet sharing with a laptop, standard USB to miniUSB charging support, video capture, cut/copy/paste, and more. With Windows Mobile at its core and HTC UI improvements and applications running on top of that the experience should be awesome.

The HTC Diamond takes Windows Mobile to the next level | The Mobile Gadgeteer | ZDNet.com

Rockline Radio - Interviews and music from classic rockers and cutting edge superstars!

 

Snakes and Arrows Live

Rockline Radio - Interviews and music from classic rockers and cutting edge superstars!