Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Video Games, TVWith Microsoft's Xbox Live service turning 5 years-old this week, the folks in Washington are celebrating with original Xbox games like 'Halo', 'Fable', 'Crimson Skies' and the underrated 'Psychonauts'. Taking a cue from Nintendo, Microsoft is making these old gems downloadable. Xbox classics will run you 1,200 Microsoft points ($15) and will be available beginning December 4th. Microsoft has stated that this is only the tip of the iceberg and that we can expect many more "Xbox Originals", as they are calling them, very soon. Not only will offer those golden oldies but they are giving away the popular Xbox Live Arcade game, Carcassone, free for 48 hours beginning at midnight Wednesday (last night) until 11:59pm on 11/16.From Ars Technica Related LinksSuper Mario Galaxy is Heavenly, According to ReviewsPlayer-Created Xbox Live Games Look Like AdsESPN Games and Shows Now Available on Xbox Live Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: ComputersJon Hart, a Californian who has filed a suit against Comcast, is claiming that not only is the company violating its own "Crazy Fast Speeds" advertising, but is breaking federal computer fraud laws.When it was speculated that Comcast was doing shady things to limit and even block its subscribers' use of bandwidth-hungry applications, the company responded that the accusations were largely untrue. It then admitted to taking steps that were "temporary and intended to improve surfing for other users." Hart's accusations stem from claims that Comcast is actively blocking peer-to-peer network traffic. Peer-to-peer traffic is most often used by file sharing applications like Kazaa or BitTorent for sharing music or videos. Comcast is allegedly sending fake signals to these applications that make them stop transmission of data, effectively shutting them down. It could be argued that such fake signals are not altogether different from a hacker taking control of your computer.Beyond that, the suit mentions that nothing in Comcast's user agreement bars file sharing, and that their advertising claiming "unfettered access" to all of the Internet is misleading. For its part, Comcast has denied blocking peer-to-peer applications, yet also says:We have a responsibility to provide allof our customers with a good Internet experience and we use the latest technologies to manage our network so that they can continue to enjoy these applications.We'll be watching this story very closely going forward. From WiredRelated Links: Comcast Blocking Certain Types of Internet Traffic Comcast Admits It Crippled Internet Traffic AT&T Admits Error In Censoring Pearl Jam Song  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Video Games, Celebrities, Top ListsNew York Magazine has put together a list of games that it thinks deserve the cinematic treatment... with several grains of salt. The writers of the piece have Wes Anderson directing an adaptation of Duck Hunt (pictured, above), where Bill Murray seeks to reconnect with his adult sons on a duck-hunting expedition through Europe. Or Michel Gondry doing a Tetris remake, directing a Z-shaped Elijah Wood with dreams of becoming a painter, "even though his awkward posture makes it really hard to set up an easel" -- until meeting a beautiful L-shaped piece named Virginie. Unfortunately, their love can never be because she's engaged to a square who seems her perfect fit. All in all, a pretty entertaining read. Best idea?"World of WarcraftDirector: Lars von TrierThe pitch: Near the three-hour mark, an elf is briefly glimpsed in the background of this Danish morality play about a factory worker who loses his legs in an industrial accident on the way home from the hospital, where he's just learned that he is blind."From NYMagRelated Links:Super Mario Galaxy is heavenly, according to reviews30 years of video games up for sale Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/Video, iPodA recent survey of 3,000 undergraduate students at New York University shows that most kids are willing to sacrifice their right to vote for an iPod, among other things.Sixty-six percent said they would be willing to give up their right to vote in the next presidential election for a year's tuition. But don't start shaking your head just yet -- it gets worse: Twenty percent said their right to vote next year could be bought for an iPod Touch. That's right, 600 of those surveyed said they would sit out the historic 2008 election for a $300 media player. For $1 Million, says the poll, half would give up their votes... forever.The most bizarre part of the survey? 70.5 percent said that they believed that one vote could make a difference, including 70 percent of those who said they would sacrifice their right to vote. How these contradictory ideas could be held in one privileged child's head, we're not sure.We understand that technology can drive people to do ridiculous things, but giving up the right to vote for an iPod is a new low. Check out this list of other insane things people have done for or because of technology:Sex Less Important Than the Web for Many Americans Gamers Still Lining up for the Wii iPhone Camper Interviewed by Switched Weirdos Begin to Queue Up for Halo 3 PS3 Crime Spree From Politico (via Washington Square News)Related Links:One Third of Women Who Meet People Online Have Sex on the First Date Toilet Surfing Office Workers Electronics Causing Teenagers to Get "Junk Sleep"  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Video Games, Celebrities, eBayWe're hoping that Gary Coleman isn't in serious financial trouble, but this can't be a good sign for the former 'Different Strokes' star. Gary Coleman auctioned off his Nintendo GameCube and all six of the games he purchased for it -- we guess he's not a big gamer.The GameCube and all six games are signed by the diminutive actor and reality TV star. We somehow managed to miss this when the auction began, and sadly it's too late now to get in on the action. The auction ended on Saturday, November 10, and the pile of signed, celebrity-owned gaming gear went for an absurd $510.Check out the gallery to see Coleman signing the goods, just in case you doubted its authenticity.%Gallery-10356%Related links:Former Dell Dude Now Works in a Mexican Restaurant90's Rap Star M.C. Hammer Launches DanceJam Video Sharing SiteTop 11 Celebrity Messes Online Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Computers, Advice, Editor's Picks, Top ListsWhen you think about Facebook applications, the first thing that comes to mind might be those obnoxious Vampire and Zombie applications where friends keep "biting you." Or maybe it's the Movie Compatibility Quiz, which asks you about an awful lot of Adam Sandler films and nothing about the films you might actually like.Now, those sorts of apps could waste a lot of time when you're at work, and could even get you fired.What you may not know is that some Facebook widgets are actually useful and might even make you more productive at the office (or while on a business trip). In fact, an increasing number of business users are taking advantage of these productivity programs to stay in contact with coworkers and associates, as well as share information, and collaborate. CIO Magazine has trolled through the unorganized mess that is the Facebook application directory and found its Five Favorite Facebook Widgets for Business Users (widgets is the term people use for these applications you can add to your Facebook page).CIO magazine's favorites include the Sticky Notes application, which mimics pinning a Post-It to your page. That rather obious app may seem short on usefulness -- and long on desktop clutteriness -- but others seem like real productivity-machines. Wikimono, for example, allows you to collaborate with other Facebook users on a Wiki (a user-generated online encyclopedia) that can even contain embedded video or images. Our favorite app on the list is the My LinkedIn Profile widget, which is simply a badge that takes you from Facebook, to the eponymous professional networking site. CIO mag thinks Facebook apps can be useful... but not useful enough to keep it from leading you away from the site loaded with drunken college girls as quickly as possible.From CIORelated Links:Lying Male Intern Busted in a Dress on Facebook Facebook Ads Raise Privacy Concerns Your Facebook or MySpace Profile Could Cost You Your Job  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: ComputersIf you've never heard of Habbo Hotel, consider yourself non-European. 'Habbo' is a simplistic, 2-D Second Life that is incredibly popular over across the pond. The teen-focused social-networking site has about 7.5 million unique visitors worldwide, but hasn't quite caught on in the Americas to the same extent. In 'Habbo,' users create their own customized Habbo avatars that wander around a cartoonish virtual world. Members can buy virtual items and use them to decorate and personalize their Habbo pads and Habbo personas. Some users, though, have turned to stealing, such as the 17-year-old Dutch Habbo user who was recently arrested for the theft of $5,800 worth of furniture and other miscellany.The teen didn't digitally sneak into other users' pads dressed in black pixels and walk off with their stuff. Instead, he stole usernames and passwords, logged into accounts, then moved the furniture to his real account. Those passwords were often stolen through phishing and imposter Web sites, which were used to trick those unsuspecting Habboites into logging in. As virtual communities such as Habbo become more popular, and thus more valuable, the virtual property created and bought on these commmunities also becomes more valuable -- and more frequently stolen. In August, for example, we wrote about a lawsuit against people accused of duplicating copyrighted genitalia in Second Life. This case, though, is just another reminder to watch where you enter your password, and, of course, to make sure that password is secure in the first place. If you're confused by what we mean when we say "virtual furniture," check out the gallery to see the cool digs you can pick up in Habbo Hotel.%Gallery-10354%From Read/WriteWebRelated Links: 'Second Life' Sexual Genitalia Spawns Lawsuit CNN Creates Second Life News Bureau Five Steps to a Safer Password  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: ComputersDell took the spolight at yesterday's Oracle OpenWorld conference to formally announce two new products, the Latitude XT tablet and the XPS One all-in-one computer. Both share the same understated styling, but fulfill very different purposes.The XT tablet is a thin 12.1-inch portable computer with a touch-screeninterface which supports multi-touch like the iPhone. The tablet ships with a photo viewer not unlike that found in Microsoft's uber-cool but wholly conceptual Surface tabletop computer, letting you scroll through photos and move them about with multiple fingers. The XPS One is an iMac-like fully integrated computer PC supporting a wireless keyboard and mouse, meaning if you have WiFi you might be able to run the thing with only a single power cord running out the back. It sports a 20-inch LCD and a selection of CPU and memory configurations to suit your needs.Pricing has not announced yet, but given they're expected to be available inside of a month, it shouldn't be long before we have some firm numbers to share. From EngadgetRelated Links: Microsoft Unveils Surface Tabletop Computer Former Dell Dude Now Works In a Mexican Restaurant Microsoft Caves to Consumer Pressure, Extends Windows XP's Lifespan  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  What do Kevin Costner, Jack Black, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the cast of 'M*A*S*H' have in common? If you said Kevin Bacon ... well, you're probably right. But they've also all appeared in TV ads for technology products ranging from Atari and Nintendo to IBM and Compaq. Inspired by this recent roundup of current celebrity ad campaigns, we've dredged the very depths of YouTube in search of the all-time greatest celebrity tech ads, and here's what we found.Celeb: Kevin CostnerYear: 1983Product: Apple LISASynopsis: 1983 was a rough year for Kevin Costner. First, his hopes for a big break were shattered when his part was completely edited out of one of the year's biggest films, 'The Big Chill.' Then, he appeared in this ad -- as an actor, mind you; not as Kevin Costner -- for the Apple LISA, one of the biggest flops in the history of personal computing. It's evident Costner had yet to perfect his craft. After all, look at the way he walks into his office -- is that the most unnatural gait you've ever seen? And look at the way he awkwardly holds the mouse! In his defense, though, how many people in 1983 knew how to use a computer mouse? Next >> Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Video Games, ReviewsIn 1985, 'Super Mario Bros.' defined what the next decade of 2D-platform games would and should be on home consoles. Mario did it again for 3D games in 1996 with 'Super Mario 64' on the Nintendo 64. And while we may have to wait a bit longer for 4D games, this week's 'Super Mario Galaxy' seems to have, according to a plethora of pro-plumber reviews, set the bar unbelievably high not just for Wii games but all "next generation" action titles. With a current metascore (an average of all review scores) of 97 out of 100, 'Super Mario Galaxy' is garnering critical acclaim not only for its adherence to what's made Mario great in the past, but also for its innovative use of the Wii control, outstanding visual presentation, and orchestrated score (a first for Mario games). It's not ALL good news of course as no game is perfect, but here's what the critics say: Yahoo! Games The Good: 'Super Mario Galaxy' is a reminder that games don't have to be ultra-violent, make clever social statements or ride the marketing machine to succeed. They simply have to be fun, and you'd be hard pressed to find one as genuinely enjoyable as Mario's latest. The Bad: ...a little disjointed from time to time. ...it would be nice to hear Mario say something other than 'Woo-hoo!' from time to time. Game Informer The Good: ...the best Mario game since the NES classic, 'Super Mario Bros.' It innovates in a genre that we had thought we had seen everything from, and in doing so delivers some of the most entertaining gameplay to date. The Bad: While it's nice that you rarely have to fuss with the camera, there are times where walls will obstruct your view, or you won't be able to rotate the perspective to see where you are supposed to jump next. And worst of all, for a game that puts such an emphasis on going out of your way to get an extra life, all of your lives are reset when you turn the Wii off. IGN The Good: One of the greatest platformers I have ever played, Wii's best game, and an absolute must-own experience. The Bad: Every so often ... you will find yourself in a situation where the camera isn't quite right ... When that happens and you can't center yourself, you have no recourse, which is unfortunate ... It's not perfect." 1UP The Good: 'Galaxy' proves that Mario matters just as much today as he did 25 years ago, and that makes him one of a kind in this medium. But don't play 'Galaxy' simply because Mario is the timeless godfather of gaming. No, play 'Galaxy' because it's fantastic. The Bad: With the health power meter now reduced from six sections to three, experimenting with new enemies and tactics can be a little fraught - try the wrong thing twice in a row and you're in immediately danger of dying. It's great to see Mario still kicking ass among such big titles this year like 'Halo 3' and 'Mass Effect'. Mysteriously, our copy seems to have gone missing in the mail. But, we are more than excited to see Mario return to the throne. And we don't mean that in the plumbing sense. Related LinksVideo Gaming Makes for Hit Japanese Reality TV ShowGuitar Hero for Your iPod Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Audio/VideoWho likes lasers? We do! We do!We like lasers so much we're bringing you this video of a freakin' laser pizza cutter. There isn't much to say, it's a laser, it cuts the pizza into 8 delicious slices. Although it does look like the guy at the end of the video is having a little trouble getting a slice out.From OhGizmo!Related links:Driverless Car Uses Lasers to Avoid ObstaclesResearches Kill Viruses With LasersLaser Printers as Bad for You as CigarettesHome Laser Comb Thickens Hair, Sort of... Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: Computers, ReviewsFor those of us with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), organization is often key. We develop special systems for tracking to-do's and routinely reorganize our CD collections just to make sure everything is in order: alphabetical order by artist, then chronological by release date. Some of the more extreme amongst us may even build databases and spreadsheets to track things like wines tasted, books read, and what we thought about them.Bento, a spread sheet program from Apple, is looking to tap into that audience. Bento is developed by Filemaker, a subsidiary of Apple, and is available only for Leopard (Apple's OS 10.5) as a free preview or a full version for $50.Bento integrates with with other Apple services such as iCal, Address Book, and .Mac to sync data back and forth. It can import data from Excel and CSV spread sheets, and even take stock of and help you organize files such as PDFs, Keynote Presentations, and photos.The program is designed to blend in with the iLife suite to simplify the art of record keeping. The application is more iTunes than Excel, but the functionality is similar. In addition to text and image fields, Bento has a star rating widget and check boxes to aid in organizing.Bento even has the equivalent of a smart playlist, filtering out only personal contacts in your address book, who you rate 4 or 5 stars and who you've checked off as having a bought you a birthday gift -- instant best friend list!Bento is not for every one, but if you have an obsession with organization and want your database system to be both user friendly and aesthetically pleasing, it may be exactly what you need.From WiredRelated links:Crack the Internet Whip for Kids' ChoresMicrosoft Office Served Up on the WebSeven Free and Useful Web Finds Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: ComputersThe battle between malicious software makers and computer security companies has taken a new turn. Spammers have turned users against themselves and against the security firms trying to protect them.The latest security system to undergo assault by spammers is CAPTCHA, or "Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart." CAPTCHA displays a series of letters and number that are distorted and overlaid with visual artifacts (as seen above) in order to prevent automated systems from sending spam, hijacking services, and overtaking forums and blogs. You've probably seen these optical illusions countless times when signing up for a variety of services.The new tool -- also known as malware -- in the spammers box of tricks is a PC program that shows pictures of a woman in increasingly scanty states of undress each time users correctly spell out these scrambled images of letters. This malware program arrives via e-mail and shows up on your computer as soon as you open the Internet Explorer Web browser.The woman, called Mellisa, is currently being used to help spammers break through the protection on Yahoo! Mail sign ups, but it's not hard to imagine its use becoming more widespread soon.We shouldn't have to say it, but here's how you can prevent these types of malware scams from infecting your computer: Run spyware removal software and virus scans on a regular basis, don't open e-mails or attachments from unfamiliar sources, and immediately remove any software if you don't know where it came from.From The BBCRelated Links:Porn Spammers Get Prison Time Nude Celebrity E-Mail Infects More Than Curiosity Online Videos Could Deliver Viruses, Experts Say  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

  Filed under: ComputersWhile our space agency is off roving around Mars, collecting soil samples, filming twisters, and studying blueberries, Japanese astro-scientists are engaging in more techno-centric pursuits. The Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) recently launched a spacecraft called Selene (or, confusingly, also known as KAGUYA) to orbit the moon and saw fit to grace it with a high-definition camera. With it, the agency has captured some impressive high-resolution footage of Earth rising and setting over the moon.Unfortunately for us mere Earth-dwellers, JAXA isn't making those high-resolution videos publicly available, at least not yet. The videos the agency has released are instead captured at a resolution of 480x270 (480 pixels high by 270 pixels wide), which is actually a lower resolution than your old standard definition TV. The videos show the Earth gliding upward ahead of the probe and setting behind it. So, color us disappointed on the HDTV front, but the low-res versions of the videos are still quite spectacular to watch, and the JAXA site does have two images -- Earth-rise and Earth-set -- available in a resolution that equates to HD-quality 1080p, or 1920x1080 pixels. To get the full effect, you'll need a large, high-resolution monitor, like Apple's 30'-inch Cinema Display, or the ability to output your computer to a 1080p-capable high-definition television.The photos recreate the most famous image taken by the Apollo missions, "Earthrise," which shows a tiny blue earth rising above the lunar surface. Quite a sight, but we can't help but want those vids in 1080p, too ... UPDATE: It appears Discovery HD will be broadcasting these videos tonight (11/14) at 7:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM PT. Thanks to tok for the heads up!From SPACE.comRelated Links: Wearable Antenna Uses Your Body to Get Better Reception Scientist Using Eight PlayStation 3s to Study Gravity X-Wing Rocket Succumbs to The Force (Of Gravity)  Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments