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The Great War of Rock Continues to Rage: Rhino Records Tells Level Up That The Cars' Debut Album Was a Rock Band Exclusive

3:01 AM, August 5, 2008 | Comments (3)
The Cars' 1978 debut album, "The Cars" As the Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises compete for the hearts and minds of ersatz rockers around the world, both sides are doing their best to lock up exclusives. For instance, there's the recently released...

PS3 Now Dominant Based On Third Party Publisher Earnings Reports? Not So Fast, Says Analyst

2:54 AM, August 4, 2008 | Comments (5)

Welcoming Our New Sweatshop Overlords, Part III: Media Molecule's Alex Evans On the Complex Power of Simple Tools

12:44 PM, July 28, 2008 | Comments (3)

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  • CES Blog: Welcoming Our Robot Overlords

    Editors | Jan 11, 2008 02:46 PM

    Brian Braiker files this report from NEWSWEEK's CES Blog:





    What is it?
    A new line of interactive robots

    How much will it cost me?
    $100-$300, depending on the model.

    Who makes it?
    WowWee

    Why should I care?
    Because they're robots! Befriend them now before they enslave us all.

    How would you describe it?
    Mr. Personality has a color LCD screen where his face ought to be. It tells jokes, plays games, and has a personality you can reprogram through a USB connection. If the writer's strike is still underway by the time Mr. Personality hits the market this summer, you'll be happy to plunk down the $250.

    The three-wheeling Tri-Bot also yukks it up--at half the price ($100)--with eyebrows that jag up and down as he tells his goofy jokes. He also plays games that require you to maneuver him in certain patterns. The Tri-Bot takes a page out of the Wii playbook: you steer him with a motion-sensitive remote control that that you simply tilt from side to side.

    Also slated for release this summer is the Femisapien, the voluptuous fembot. At just $100, she'll be marketed to women and girls--especially women and girls who dig wicked bellbottoms, platform shoes and Daft Punk.  She responds to voice commands and even dances when she hears music.

    Slightly more sinister looking--and definitely much cooler--is the Rovio ($300), a surveillance bot with a video camera, microphone, and Wi-Fi capabilities. The three-wheeled Rovio can stream video from its camera to remote locations with a broadband-connected Windows PC or smartphone. Unfortunately it's not invisible, so it's unlikely your mark won't notice he's being spied on.

    When can I get my hands on it?
    The full line of robots will be on sale by late summer.

    What's your verdict?
    Good clean pointless fun.     More
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  • The 'Sandbox Summit:' Tech Toys for Tots

    Editors | Jan 11, 2008 02:43 PM

    Newsweek's Brian Braiker files this report on targeting the younger demographic at the Consumer Electronics Show:

    The Consumer Electronics Show has always been geared to appeal to the little kid in us. Oooh, new toys. Drool. I want. But at this year's CES, 14 companies as well as children's groups are gathering for the first annual "Sandbox Summit." The goal: to figure out how kids—as young as 3—play with technology and what gadgets they're going to gravitate toward as they get older.

    Read the Full Story Here

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  • Level Up's Top Five Gaming Tidbits for Jan 11th, 2008

    N'Gai Croal | Jan 11, 2008 04:57 AM
    1. CON...tempt for enthusiast media continues, unabated 
    2. DO!...want: Rock Band drum kits that take things to next level
    3. RAP...the Vote: Level Up nominates Eric B. for President
    4. ONE...console future plea rears its futile head yet again
    5. RND...Why digital distribution isn't ready for its close-up
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The Peek
 
 
PROJECT GREEN
NWK Caption: At the Excel High School in Oakland, California a group of students, their teacher and members of community groups pose with air pollution monitors in front of a mural at the school. July 26, 2008. Left to Right: Randy Colosky, a member of Global Community Monitor wearing brown shirt ,Juan Hernandez, student (seated) , Ina Bendich, teacher Danyale Willingham,student in blue top).Elizabeth de Rham far right, member of the Rose Foundation.
Anna Kuchment

Young pollution sleuths and community activists fight for healthier air.

Sponsored by
 
 
 
 
ANTHRAX
Michael Isikoff
Sponsored by
 
 
 
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