No...Blog U!

Geek Aggro #37

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:27:00 +0000

We took a week off to recover from "J409", but the geeks are back. Matt called in from the Skype app on his iPhone because he forgot that's why his voice is muffled in this episode. So bear with him a bit.

We forgot to mention the names of those who submitted the stories to us. So I've included them in the show notes. Thanks guys.

Show Topics:
Disabled student sues Abercrombie & Fitch for discrimination - submitted by Trophywife
World of Warcraft Faction-Change Service in the Works - WhisperWindz
Pirate Bay Users Jump Ship Over Site Sale

LoLTards of the Week:
How One Man Spent $17,500 On A Video Game
Kids Steal Wii, Mom Arrested After Pawning It

Google Chrome Moves Beyond Browsing To OS

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:06:00 +0000

I've said it many times before and I'll say it again. Google is gearing up to be the next Skynet. They have taken steps to transend mere email, search engine, and mobile OS. Google now wants to encompass your entire computer with their official operating system, Chrome OS.

I've said it many times before and I'll say it again. Google is gearing up to be the next Skynet. They have taken steps to transend mere email, search engine, and mobile OS. Google now wants to encompass your entire computer with their official operating system, Chrome OS.

Google's OS will be based on their Chrome browser and will first appear on netbooks sometime in the second half of 2010. Developers will be able to use ordinary web development tools in conjuction with the OS. Google is already in talks with netbook manufacturers and plan to open-source the software before the ending of 2009.

Chrome OS promises a quick boot up and to be secure. How many times have we heard that before? On the other hand, if it can beat Vista's occasional three minute boot up time, then I'll be satifsfied.

Sundar Pichai, VP product management and Linus Upson, engineering director, made it very clear on the Official Google Blog that Chrome OS will introduce a more pleasant and stress-free experience.

"We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear — computers need to get better. People want to get to their email instantly, without wasting time waiting for their computers to boot and browsers to start up. They want their computers to always run as fast as when they first bought them. They want their data to be accessible to them wherever they are and not have to worry about losing their computer or forgetting to back up files.Even more importantly, they don't want to spend hours configuring their computers to work with every new piece of hardware, or have to worry about constant software updates. And any time our users have a better computing experience, Google benefits as well by having happier users who are more likely to spend time on the Internet."

It will definitely be a challenge for Google to turn consumer heads away from what they're used to in terms of computer OS, namely Microsoft who has, without a doubt, dominated the operating system market. Google definitely has the name recognition and deep enough pockets to be a contender. I think it's extremely wise that they're introducing the OS to the netbook market before jumping into the desktop and laptop market.

It's going to be interesting to see how Chrome OS stands out from other platforms in the future. They're definitely going to need lots of marketing, because not many will go out seeking a new OS. It will have to have to be thrown in their face along with its' benefits and usefulness Flashy apps, stability, security, and ease will play a huge factor as well in regards to those that have kids who will be using the OS.

Thanks go out to Vichus Smith for the heads-up. I'll keep you posted on Google's future steps into the OS market as more info is released. So keep checking back.

New Tales of Monkey Island Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:59:00 +0000

This is one of my favorite series on the PC and I can't wait to take control of Guybrush Threepwood again on July 7th.

Tales of Monkey Island will be the first of five monthly episodes. Check out the new trailer BEFORE I MAKE YE WALK THE PLANK! Sorry. I couldn't resist.

Geek Aggro #36

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:34:00 +0000

So this is the last of our cell phone talk for a while...maybe. It's not all about the mobile phone though.

Matt and I spend a little time on Google Voice as well as a listner's email. Check it out and enjoy!

Show Topics:
Gizmodo - HTC Debuts Hero, With Fresh Face for Android - HTC Hero

Google Voice- 5 Reasons to Use It, 5 Reasons to Think Twice - PC World

Cable departs from Hulu model with 'TV Everywhere'

LoLTards of the Week:

Burglar Enters Store Through Roof, Becomes Trapped - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

Consumerist - RadioShack Sells Defective Pre As New, Gets Caught - Palm pre

Cancelled WoW Account Meltdown

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:21:00 +0000

Leaving World of Warcraft on your own terms can be a hard task to deal with. Having your account forcefully shut down against your will can possibly cause something to snap in the brain.

I don't even know what to say about this video, courtesy of Mossimo, a World of Warcraft player. Is it real or is it fake? You decide.

Cancelled WoW Account Meltdown - Watch more Funny Videos

HTC Hero Could Save the Smartphone Market

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:34:00 +0000

At this stage of the game, we pretty much know what Android is, but in case you don't, Android is Google's mobile phone operating system that was released on on HTC's G1 or "Dream" phone through T-Mobile last year. The OS is stellar but "I need a Hero!"

As of yesterday, I made up my mind that I was dumping my iPhone for HTC's MyTouch after seeing that Apple's iPhone 3G S was nothing more than an expensive spec bump. I was set to order one today until I woke up this morning to find news of the HTC Hero in my feed.

The Hero has everything I love about the MyTouch, including the virtual keyboard, but wait. There's more! It's running an upgraded Android OS name "Rosie" that looks amazing! One of the functions I love about Rosie is that you no longer need to open apps to view them. They can be placed on one of the seven customizable screens or "Homes" as gadgets/widgets and run in real-time.

Before you check out the videos, I feel it necessary to explain why I'm dumping my iPhone, which I love very much and has been good to me for the past two years. Apple set the bar for every cell phone manufacturer when they released the iPhone. They showed people a new way of doing things and kind of challenged them to do better. Two years later, the manufacturers have clearly received the message and accepted the challenge. Some have failed but others have succeeded. Regardless, these companies are taking what Apple has created to the next level and are giving us some amazing things.

For example, Cut Copy Paste right out of the gate, which Apple made us wait for and hyped it up like it was something new and innovative that we've never seen before. Push notifications, again, which every other smartphone could do, but we had to wait for Apple to grace us with it almost two years later. Multitasking is what hit me the hardest. I've used many smartphones capable of multitasking in my time and was willing to turn my back on the feature for the iPhone because it's just so awesome, but then I got my hands on the Palm Pre and realized that I could have an amazing phone WITH multitasking (despite the poor battery life and cramped keyboard).

Almost two years later, Apple has not accepting their own challenge. We get the 3G S, which is undoubtedly, faster than the 3G, but instead of giving us features like multitouch and an improved UI, we get a spec bump with some new apps. When I turn on the 3G S I'm looking at the SAME UI as the 3G. The only significant difference is that my wallet is either hundreds of dollars lighter or I'm locked into ANOTHER 2-yr contract AND my wallet is hundreds of dollars lighter. Don't get me wrong. I think the 3G S is an amazing phone, but it does not justify any of the prices placed on it. So if I'm going to spend that much money on a phone, then it's going to be something different.

Enough of my rambling. Here's a few HTC Hero videos demonstrations. Check them out then look at your iPhone (if you have one) and ask yourself "Is this still ok at this stage of the game?" If the answer is "No" then ask yourself, "Why do I still have this phone?" If you come up with the same answer that I did, "It's an Apple product and almost everyone has is." then does that really mean it's still the best phone for you? It may be time to expand you smartphone horizon.

(A mid-July release date is being reported, but no official carrier announced yet.)

Push Notification At Last!

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 03:03:00 +0000

Almost six days after the Apple released firmware 3.0 for the iPhone and iPod Touch, we finally get push notification working for a couple of instant messaging apps.

BeejiveIM and AIM are the first two IM apps to utilize push notifications. So no longer do I have to keep the app open to stay notified of new messages. I can close it and I'll still get notifications like those of a text message. Here's a video I just made demonstrating push notification in action on BeejiveIM.

Geek Aggro #35

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:21:00 +0000

I know we said the iPhone talk was over, but we just couldn't help ourselves. Recording on the same day as the release of the iPhone 3G S didn't help either.

On the other hand, there was also talk of donating games to needy kids, using breasts as advertising billboards, and how being addicted to video games could land you on MTV.

Show Topics:

Do you feel like reviews ruin games for you?

Donate Your Used Games To Needy Children

LoLTards of the Week:

Japanese Muggers Confess To Stealing US$30,000 From Otaku

Porn Star Advertises World Of Warcraft Gold-Seller On Her Enormous, Enormous Breasts

MTV Seeks Gaming Addicts For Reality Show

iPhone Firmware 3.0 Worth the Wait?

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:25:00 +0000

Every iPhone user knows at this point the the big 3.0 update dropped yesterday, bringing a load of new features to the phone. Cut, Copy, and Paste, Spotlight, all-around landscape keyboard, and A2DP bluetooth are just a few of the features.

I have to say that 3.0 made me feel like I was purchasing my iPhone for the first time. I'm still pumped about the features even though MMS and push notification are still missing at this point. Are you guys just as excited? Take the survey and let me know how you feel about the update. We'll talk about the results on a future episode of Geek Aggro.

Note: It's an anonymous survey so no need to worry about ramifications if you work for an associated company.

Trooper Details From Star Wars The Old Republic

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:21:00 +0000

When Star Wars The Old Republic mmo hits the shelves, I already know I'm going to be either a Jedi or Sith. Either way, I'm going to have a light saber. But the more I see about the Trooper class, that's the more I want to wield a huge gun and just mow down the enemy.

Check out the video which gives more details into the Trooper class and explains that despite how they were depicted in the movies, Troopers are a forced to be reckoned with in this game.

iPhone/iPod Touch TweetDeck Review

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:41:00 +0000

Anyone that listens to my podcast (Geek Aggro) knows that I've become a Twitter addict over the last month. Tweetie has been my top Twitter app on my iPhone, but there's a new app in town.

I tried TweetDeck on my desktop and didn't like it, because it seemed like too much information was right in my face, which is what most people like about it removed it after about five minutes. Today TweetDeck shows up in my iPhone App Store, so I figured what the heck. I might as well try it out. Ironically, after five minutes of playing with it, it has replace Tweetie. Check out my review on the free iPhone and iPod Touch app, TweetDeck.

Geek Aggro #34

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:49:00 +0000

Apple's WWDC brought us news of the new iPhone 3GS, but the real news was how much you have to pay if you're not a new AT&T customer of if you were loyal enough to purchase the iPhone 3G a year ago.

iPhone's 3.0 firmware upgrade release date is set for June 17 bringing MMS and tethering capablities to the device, but AT&T's service won't be ready to handle it by the release date. You bet we're talking about that as well.

Geek Aggro #33

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:38:00 +0000

Another E3 has come and gone and Geek Aggro is sifting through the ashes of the remains, bringing you another video episode containing more trailers of some upcoming announced trailers. Check it out here.

New Dead Rising Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:35:00 +0000

Capcom was kind enough to give us a another trailer for Dead Rising 2 which will hit stores by March 31, 2010 for PC, Playstation 3, and Xbox 360.

The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:29:00 +0000

Behold! There's another Lord of the Rings game on the way. Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's quest will be out this fall on Wii, Nintendo DS, Playstation 2, and PSP. It's odd that there's no PS3 or Xbox 360 release. Anyway, check out the E3 trailer.

The Matrix Online Set to Go Offline

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:22:00 +0000

After four years, Sony has officially announced that The Matrix Online mmo will be shutting down permanently in July.

"On July 31, 2009, we will be jacking out for the last time," wrote Matrix Online producer Daniel "Walrus" Myers on the game's forum. "It's a bittersweet moment for everyone involved with the game; as a player or as a developer."

To be honest, I'm surprised the games lasted as long as it did. I played this game when it first released and there didn't seem to be a lot of people jacked in. I left the game and came back almost two years later and there still didn't seem to be many others online.

Myer's promises a fitting and exciting end to the mmo.

"The team will also be whipping up an end-of-the-world event," he said. "It won't be quite the same as having over 100 developers in the game as Agents like when we ended beta, but we have 4 years of tricks up our sleeve. It'll be a chance to revisit all the things that make MxO the memorable experience it is. And how could we pull the plug without crushing everyone's RSI [stat points] just one more time?"

Mafia 2 E3 Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:09:00 +0000

Check out the E3 trailer for Mafia 2. This one will be probably be out around the end of 2009 or the first quarter of 2010 on PC, Xbox 360, and PC.

The Saboteur Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:02:00 +0000

Here's the E3 trailer for Pandemic's open-world World War 2 stealth game, The Saboteur. It will be out this fall on PC, Xbox 360, and Playstation 3.

Geek Aggro #32

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:07:00 +0000

E3, E3, E3...That's all that's been on the internet this week, so that's what we've got for you. A compilation of videos showing off some of the stuff that's at's E3. Check it out here.

DJ Hero Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:53:00 +0000

I'm more excited about DJ Hero than I ever was about Guitar Hero. Mixing it up on the turntable has been one of my dreams for a long time and this is probably as close to the real thing as I'll ever get.

Check out the first official trailer (courtesy of GameTrailers). This game is going to be fifteen different kinds of awesome.

Shepard's Back in Mass Effect 2

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:46:00 +0000

Until now, it's been unclear if Shepard would be returning as lead character in Mass Effect 2. His fate was sort of unclear at the end of Mass Effect.

Well, wonder no more. GameTrailers gave us a "World Exclusive" look at Mass Effect 2 which definitely shows Shepard making a come back. We should know more about the title once E3 kicks off next week.

Bethesda's Brink Teaser Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:34:00 +0000

So Bethesda is working on a new multi-platform game called "Brink" It's due out "Spring 2010".

That's it. That's all we know at this point. Oh yeah. There's a teaser trailer as well.

White Knight Chronicles Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:11:00 +0000

Oh great. Just what I need is another sweet rpg to consumer what little time I have left these day.

On the other hand, I don't have a good rpg for my PS3 so White Knight Chronicles may be just what I need. Check out the E3 trailer below. The JRPG is expected to hit North America sometime this winter.

CrimeCraft MMO Now Best Buy Exclusive

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:52:00 +0000

It was recently announced that the third-person shooter mmorpg, CrimeCraft will be sold exclusively though Best Buy in North America.

Bestbuy.com will begin taking pre-orders on May 31 and retail locations will start June 7. As an incentive, those that decide to pre-order CrimeCraft will get early beta access, a three-day head start on the launch server, and in-game Marc Ecko shoes.

Upon purchasing the game, which is due out in August, Best Buy will give you two free months of gameplay, discounts on in-game items, and some other exclusive clothing options based on real fashion labels.

At this point, it's hard to tell if CrimeCraft is a game or a big marketing advertisement. Anyway, check out the videos if you're interested.

Sony Ericsson Aino Phone

noreply@blogger.com (Douceswild) — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:32:00 +0000

The Sony Ericsson Aino is a pretty sweet cell phone that allows you to stream media from your PS3 wherever you are.

I seriously doubt you'll be able to stream games from your PS3, but Europeans can access PlayTV I'd like to see more internet and emailing capability info on this phone before it sticks on my radar.