“DJ Hero”: Where DJs become Rock stars
Oct 28th
DJ Hero, the newest addition to the family of peripheral-based video games, makes its debut on Oct.27, 2009. If it looks like Guitar Hero but with turntables – that’s because it essentially is. DJ Hero is a single-player mixology simulator which in itself already sounds very, very cool. While Guitar Hero is focused on performing music, DJ Hero allows players to perfect their mash-ups.
The usual guitar is substituted by the plastic likeness of a turntable – the necessary tool of any DJ. Created by RedOctane, this is not some cheap plastic box – it’s solid, functional and even pretty to look at. The turntable platter has three buttons and spins freely, which allows the player to scratch and rewind tracks just like pro DJs. It spins and clicks where it’s supposed to and includes a mixer on the side that houses the fader switch and euphoria button among other features.
Whereas Guitar Hero focuses on rock songs, the heart of DJ Hero is the mash-up. These are songs that have been mixed and mashed to an almost indistinguishable track, but that’s part of its allure as a very challenging peripheral-based rhythm game.
The game’s original soundtrack is definitely one of the highlights. You get to play and listen to the work of skilled DJs like Grandmaster Flash, DJ Shadow, Daft Punk, and the late DJ AM. The tracks they will be mixing up are numerous and from artists like Gwen Stefani, Beastie Boys and Public Enemies just to name a few. The game gives the player access to more than 100 licensed songs in 93 tracks. Players get to really experience the creative mind behind the world’s top DJs. (And on a more sentimental note, DJ Hero has made their game a tribute to DJ AM’s passing since his visionary work is a good chunk of the mash-ups.)
Magic Mouse feels your touch
Oct 22nd
Apple came out with a wireless “Magic Mouse” a couple days ago since consumers seem to be in love with touch devices nowadays. It’s similar to a Macbook trackerpad where you have the entire surface to click on. Slide your fingers down the surface and it will scroll down – you can also slide through successive web pages by sliding fingers left and right. If these capabilities sound familiar, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to buyers that the Magic Mouse has very similar touch features to the iPhone.
Like all Apple products, the mouse is sleek, simple and elegant to look at and use. In addition to the touch surface, the mouse has a simple laser tracking engine and is connected to Macbooks by Bluetooth. This means you can use your mouse from up to 30 feet away from your laptop. The laser tracking feature increases precision on surfaces which makes it a far more sensitive mouse than others that are currently available. What’s the perk? You won’t ever have to use a mouse pad again with this Magic Mouse.
The Magic Mouse is included with every new iMac and is on sale on its own for $69. Own it now.
Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” offers memories
Oct 13th
Passionate King of Pop fans can get excited for MJ’s “This Is It” album release arriving in stores internationally on Oct.26 and in the U.S. on Oct. 27. The album is available for fans to purchase just a day before the worldwide release of the documentary/concert film of the same name. The “This Is It” film hitting theaters on Oct. 28 will chronicle MJ’s rehearsals and preparations for his London concert series which sadly never happened due to his untimely death. Columbia Pictures acquired rights to the footage of the “This Is It” concert series’ rehearsals and created the film tribute to give MJ fans something to hold on to, as well as creating a historic pop culture milestone.
This posthumous full 2-disc deluxe album release from MJ is meant to be a companion piece to the film and features music that inspired the film, meaning it’s primarily a compilation of Jackson’s greatest hits in their original mastered versions. New material includes previously unreleased demo recordings of classic hit tracks, a never-before-heard spoken word poem titled “Planet Earth” read by MJ and 2 versions of the previously unreleased song, “This Is It.” The album arranges the songs in the same order as they appear in the film.
The title track, “This Is It,” first emerged in 1983 when it was co-written by Michael Jackson and former teen star from the 50’s and 60’s, Paul Anka. The song was recorded by Jackson backed only by a piano accompaniment right around the time that “Thriller” was a billboard smash. The recording was found in an old box of Michael Jackson’s tapes. Studios added strings to the recording as well as back-up vocals from Jackson’s brothers. For added flavor, fans can catch finger-click percussions performed by MJ himself that were borrowed from his recording of “The Girl Is Mine.”
Sarah Palin’s “Going Rogue” already Top-selling
Oct 12th
There’s a high demand for Palin’s memoir this holiday season. The former Alaska governor and Republican vice-presidential candidate’s memoir is hitting bookstores on Nov. 17, but it’s already made No.1 spot on both Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com based on overwhelming preorders.
Titled “Going Rogue” and published by HarperCollins, the book is a 400-page memoir which chronicles Palin’s personal and political life thus far in her own words. Working with author Lynn Vincent, it took the pair approximately 4 months to finish writing which was quicker than originally planned. (The initial release date of the book was set for this upcoming spring.) The memoirs were completed just two months after Palin resigned as governor of Alaska.
Currently, printing for the book is set for 1.5 million copies. It is Palin’s first book.
At the start of October, the cover for the book was first revealed. The cover will feature Palin outdoors with a clear blue sky behind her; she will be wearing a red fleece with an American flag pin as she smiles confidently into the horizon.
Outselling Dan Brown’s “The Lost Symbol” online at some points, “Going Rogue” could quite possibly be this year’s most anticipated literary release. The popularity of preorders for the memoir can be attributed in part to Palin’s overwhelming popularity with grassroots Republicans.
The listed price for “Going Rogue” is $28.99, but preorders on Amazon are running as low as $15.65 .
Below is a video from CNN Politics on how the book got its title and some details about what readers can expect:
Forza Motorsport 3: More than Point A to Point B
Oct 10th
Microsoft’s Forza Motorsport 3 is coming out on Oct.27 for Xbox 360. Third in line for this “simulation racer” series, Forza 3 emphasizes customization and introduces players to a new feature – rewinding time.
For anyone who needs second chances when gaming, this option is sure to please. Typical racing simulators like Sony’s Gran Turismo and others usually don’t offer players a second lifeline; there’s no rewind feature which means that if a racer messes up, he/she needs to start over from the beginning. Sometimes this can be frustrating, especially given long races where tracks can run up to 20+ minutes in playing time.
Now when you miss a turn and slam your Ferrari 430 into a wall, you can hit the “rewind” button and the race will backtrack for exactly 5 seconds which hopefully gives you enough time to make better decisions on tricky maneuvers the second time around. Hard-core gamers may cringe at the prospect of second chances since it takes away from the challenge and authentic experience, but no one is forced to rewind time so players can keep it ultra-demanding to test their skills if they wish.
With Forza 3’s 100 real-world race track choices and 400+ licensed cars to choose from, the game provides a realistic racing experience with ample customization options for the player. Like the first two predecessors, this game continues the tradition of allowing players to decorate and paint their cars, as well as sell, share or trade their vehicle designs online. These customization features are impeccably detailed and powerful – players can create exact replicas of famous cars from TV and film. There’s already a car with the Ghostbusters logo available for sale in the game’s virtual marketplace. More exciting replicas are sure to follow after the game is officially released.
Additionally in terms of game-related sharing, developer Turn 10 Studios is planning to launch a website where Forza players can share clips and photos of themselves in action during the game online. However, keep in mind that it’s difficult to share custom creations (cars and videos) with people who don’t own the game.
Forza 3 has 3 standard difficulty levels and a couple other sliders and switches that gives players options to customize the game’s difficulty to their particular needs and wants. The hardest level takes fuel and collision damage into play. There are also more optional cheats available for use like the “autobrake” driving assistance and the glowing guide that depicts the best path and speed a driver should take through any given race course.
Welcome Windows 7, Microsoft’s fresh and hip OS
Oct 9th
The tech world is abuzz and eagerly awaiting Oct.22 when Microsoft’s long-awaited OS, Windows 7, will make its debut. Ever since a trial version was available for users to test earlier this summer, Microsoft users have been pleased with their preliminary experience using Windows 7 and have helped build public anticipation for this product.
With Windows 7, PC users can welcome a reliable, efficient and up-to-date version of Windows OS. The last time users had this was with Windows XP which though durable and familiar, is starting to get old since first being released in 2001. Compared to the varieties of Mac OS X available in the marketplace today, using XP feels akin to living in the Stone Age. The only other option available to PC users is Windows Vista which users agree is frustrating and not fun to use.
What the problem was with Vista
Mainstream consumers will appreciate Microsoft’s conscious effort to fix the flaws in Vista and Vista-associated bad experiences with the release of Windows 7. The biggest negatives with using Vista – the slowness, the constant barrage of security warnings, the many hardware requirements, and the incompatibilities with outside software/hardware – these issues are all eliminated in Windows 7. In addition, Microsoft can finally boast an OS that rivals in aesthetic appeal and friendly feel comparable with Mac’s most recent OS X, Leopard.
PC users that have previewed and tested Windows 7 agree that it’s the best version of Windows that Microsoft has produced. Not only does it improve upon Vista’s shortcomings, Windows 7 has added features and perks that are guaranteed to make the mainstream user’s experience easy, productive and satisfying.
Why Windows 7 is the best version
Windows 7 cleans up the clutter and provides new advantages in organizing the user’s files and programs. There are cool new Aero features to quickly view and launch pages and documents as well as arranging your taskbar and desktop. Compatibility with 3rd party software/hardware is improved as well as operating speed which is a big plus. Lastly, one of the more unique selling points and hidden luxuries of Windows 7 is the touch screen capability for users with the proper touch-support hardware.
Here are some of the key features and improvements to Windows 7 to be excited for:
Desktop organization: New Windows management tools named Aero will streamline the user experience.
1) Aero Snap lets users quickly expand windows full-size by dragging them to the top of the screen. You can also drag and snap your working window into place on the left or right sides of your screen for users who like having split screens to multi-task.
2) Aero Peek provides previews of your open windows; selecting one makes all other windows become transparent. There is also a button that allows you to look at your desktop by turning all windows into transparent planes of glass.
Transparent windows in Aero Peek
3) Aero Shake is probably the most fun to use since when you shake an open window, all others behind it will minimize.
Revamped Taskbar: Minimizing windows results in representative shiny square icons on your taskbar. Users can hover over the icons to see a preview of the running program. You can also “pin” frequently-used programs to your taskbar (a concept similar to Apple’s the Dock). Additionally, there’s a search bar that pops up when you click the “start” button making it easier to find what you want.
Speed: Start-up and restart times are much improved from Vista. Windows 7 runs quickly and recommences faster after sleep. Memory management is also improved since minimized windows won’t be clogging up your memory space anymore resulting in faster operating speed.
Wii Fit PLUS: The next level of Fun + Fitness
Oct 5th
Nintendo spotlighted Wii Fit Plus this week which expands on the original Wii Fit software. Gamers should not be confused since this is not a sequel to the original, but is more an expansion pack. With Wii Fit Plus, Nintendo has responded to fan requests by updating the original Wii Fit with tweaks here and there, adding six new exercise routines and adding some creative and somewhat outlandish games. A changed aspect of the game that fans will most appreciate is how the software has been streamlined to make it easier for you to go from a 30 minute exercise routine to the rest of your day. Where a lot of time was spent wading in and out of menu systems in the original, the Plus version has cut down ceremonies, presentations and waiting time.
Wii Fit Plus has a new focus on burning calories and targeted fitness routines that achieve specific results (like reducing arm flab, trimming tummy fat, etc). This feature is very useful for day-to-day use and long term exercise goal setting. They arrive in the form of Wii Fit Plus Routines where pre-made groups of exercises have direct benefits to specific areas of the body. There are 4 categories available:
1) Lifestyle which focuses on reducing stress
2) Health which reduces tummy fat
3) Youth which helps with hips and developing lower body muscles
4) Form to tone up your body
Wii Fit Plus also provides gamers with a new motivation to exercise. Whereas the original Wii Fit emphasized your Body Mass Index (BMI) as a means for setting weight loss goals, the new updated version focuses on burning calories to drive commitment to exercise. After each time you work out, you receive 2 counters – one displays your work-out duration and the other provides the amount of calories you’ve burned. These are displayed on a graph and a Food Guide will show you what the equivalent would be in snacks and food items. (For example, 50 calories is equal to one tablespoon of mayonnaise or 1 ounce of avocado.)
