Post 015

The 21st post is dedicated to the newest and hottest in the electronics industry : E3 and WWDC. Sad I don't have anything to update in ages...

Let's start with Apple. Every single year, at approximately this time, we wait intently for the new iPhone. No....they can't do that this year, they just released the white iPhone 4. Gotta say...black iPhone 4 is still prettier.

Apple has made a big fuss of making your experience with your iOS device unbelievable. They have been amazing in terms of the little things. It's with time, that you realize how much an Apple product had made a perfect choice in design (unless you own an Apple product and love it already, then any subsequent release will have you saying : wow...nice move). Apple's latest updates are actually nothing short of spectacular. The details, are not worth going over...why have me talk about it when the entire world has coverage on it already. So....start here, then search it up on google if you're still interested.
It's very strange though..Apple has this obsession with saying "10 key features" throughout the entire keynote. Maybe it's a time thing...but I guess it makes sense to talk about 5% of all your new features to keep people on the hook.

E3, has some nice new releases, with Microsoft announcing new Kinect games, especially Forza 4, the new Tom Clancy game and their new Kinect Fun Lab...but what I must say is, Kinect was never really Project Natale. Project Natale debuted at E3 about 2 years ago, and without a doubt, it was amazing back then. Today, it is amazing for what it is, but unfortunately, it never really lived up to it's hype. Perhaps, it was a financial decision that changed the way Kinect is, but without a doubt, fans were slightly disappointed. Let's hope this changes things.

Sony debuted their latest PSP successor, called the Vita. *shrugs*

Now, here's the really amazing part about this time of year, is because we're all really anxious because we're dying for some excitement throughout these summer months. However, that's the sad part. We are so hyped and anxious right now, that by the time these products do come out, we'll be on edge and itching to buy one. We've been talking about it all summer, that by the time these products come out, we'll be so high strung. The worse part is, we're not alone, so by the time you are in the store trying to get your hands on one, you'll end up having to have to fight about 30 other hardcore fans, only to realize, it was sold out about 2 hrs ago, because the first batch sold out that quickly. Of course, unless you're one of those people who line up at midnight, in which case, well....I don't even know what to say considering I've never done that, so I'll have no words of comfort to offer.

Happy waiting!

Post 00C

The Microsoft Kinect has really changed the face of gaming for most people.  I would refer you to links here where an autistic child is now into gaming because of the Kinect.  I would even refer you to links where people are reviewing it and having fun.  Furthermore, I will not stop there, and I will refer you to the 207 Yonge St. location where they're asking people to come around and give the thing a try.  Personally, I haven't given it a try, because I've been busy, but if you honestly think about it, the technology behind it is absolutely unbelievable.  However, there is one slight (and very annoying) issue that Microsoft never addressed when they developed this technology.

Originally dubbed "Project Natal", the concept behind the technology was simple: rather than have players sit all day and have a very mind-numbing gaming experience using a simple controller that really didn't get you anywhere, you could easily get involved and actually play the game the way you want to.  "You are the controller".  Essentially, it really makes people wanna jump around and be part of the game.  It encourages that children not be couch potatoes, and that gaming need not be for the gamers.  It reduces the learning curve on playing new games, and brings people and gaming consoles that much closer together.

Microsoft had spent billions and billions of dollars working on this technology, from research, prototype at E3 2 summers ago, to final production, rounding off at about $160 dollars for the sophisticated little camera/microphone attachment.  All of the work put in here never accounted for the most crucial part of the entire gaming system : the user.

Below are a few videos that will prove my point.  All it takes to ruin a very good piece of technology, is a user who doesn't know how to use it properly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux1FZpPKh20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qafmCU4LUZ8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THv-EA4EzSY#t=165

The Microsoft Kinect actually requires that people have at least 8 feet of space between the system and the user.  Also, it is also advised that there be some space AROUND the user.  I would personally recommend that there be at least 8 feet of space in all directions.  Unfortunately, that's not the case for people's homes these days.  With the rise in cost of housing, and lack of buying power, people usually settle for smaller houses, which, in turn really are not suitable for the Kinect at all.  However, if you do buy, please exercise caution.

Blurb of the day : You know you have an Asian mum when : she can't hear you on the cell phone, and still yells at you for being unresponsive.

LG cell phones are absolutely rubbish, I know it, you know it...don't buy it.