Sony has they've obviously lost their f'in mind!

We all know that Sony has lost touch with their game customers (the same could be said of any consumer of a Sony device but that's another story) but couple their hubris (look it up) with an insatiable appetite for money and this takes the cake.

The PS3 firmware, version 1.5, includes support for swiping your credit card right on your console. Yes, Sony has plans to install a credit card reader on your "George Foreman Grill" of a PS3. Why sign up for points or whatever on line pay system to buy content on Sony's "Xbox Live" ripoff when you can just swipe your plastic? And here we thought credit card swipers had gone too far at installation in fast food joints!
As of now this aberation will only get stuck with our Japanese brethren but import to the U.S. can't be far behind. I mean really, how about just offering "free" content. So after you drop $800 for your PS3 and you still have to pay for more? Sony has lost it's mind.

Thank God for my Xbox 360 and Wii to quench my gaming thirst. And oh by the way....combined they were cheaper than a PS3. Once again, thanks for nothing Sony.

Starbucks and Apple unite, the megacorporations have begun.

Being a part of the tech generation we can't go anywhere without our laptops and iPods and we live in Starbucks. Well, whether that's the case or not it seems that's what everyone thinks.

So in response, Starbucks and Apple are joining together and setting up downloading stations in our favorite local coffee shop. While sipping our $5 Grande White Mocha's we'll now be able hook up our iPod ins and pick up the latest tunes whle getting or caffeine shot. Honestly, it has to be better than that generic singer-songwriter crap piped in over the in-store soundsystem we're forced to hear when we're getting our favorite beverage afterall.

No word yet on when this'll be implemented, where, if it will work on all mp3 players or how much or caffeine-laden tunes will cost us. Although since we're dropping 5 bucks on a coffee maybe we'll get a price break. You think?

GOW 2 is coming. Oh yeah, and its coming along nicely

Yes I've been away for a while. The reason? Well I found HD upconvertors for my PS2, Xbox and Wii so I've been stuck in all that is gaming goodness.
If you've followed my blog or know me at all you've picked up that I'm a huge fan of David Jaffe's "God of War" (GOW) game. In GOW, you take the role of the dual blade weilding Kratos (who's fallen out of favor with the Gods) and enter the dark world of Greek mythology which comes to life right before your eyes. All the classic mythological creatures and places come to life and suck you into one of the best games of all time. Believe it or not its one of the few (and I mean like 4 or 5, ever) that I went and paid retail price for the day it was available. Trust me, that's saying something!

Well after Mr. Jaffe moved onto bigger and better things at Sony, his second in command Corey Barlog has taken the helm of the sequel, God of War 2. After defeating Ares and becoming the new God of War at the conclusion of the first game, our boy Kratos is now left to dealing with all the petty jealousy that goes on among the Gods. As a result of all this Olympian jealousy and fighting, Kratos is killed and must try and find his way back to the land of the living. His journey includes a visit to the island of the Fates, who are truly the greatest deities of all because they oversee the futures of everyone.

GOW was one of those games that got everything right. The gameplay was spot on and engaging. There were puzzles but they were "rolled into" the story of the game and didn't feel like puzzles at all. The story line was fantastic and as you followed Kratos on his journey you learned more and more about how he came to be the man he is and what he was fighting for. And lastly GOW blew everyone away with stellar graphics. Now that's saying something because the game came out for what was thought to be the end of the PS2's life. Honestly is showed jsut how much power the PS2 had and had a number of people (including me) asking why did we need a next gen console when the PS2 could deliver games like GOW. The designers heard our prayers and since GOW 2 is also for the PS2 they focused on next gen TVs. Most of us have upgraded to HDTVs since the original God of War shipped so GOW 2's programming team has spent quite a bit of time on making sure the game looks solid if players run it in high definition.

This screen shot of the boss battle is just schaweet ain't it?. Oh yeah, there's more news too. Looks like there will also be a donus DVD that will come with the game and your 'ole buddy Dutch will be on it! I guess the conversations I had with Corey at E3 were worth showing. I consider myself very lucky to know both David and Corey and even more lucky to get into the bonus DVD.

Now, there is already talk of GOW 3 and I've heard that David and Corey are both working the "creative juices" to start working on it after GOW 2 hits stores (should be in March by the way) but the only question is will it only be for PS3? If so.....I will have to go out and buy one.

More posts coming, Dutch.

Nyko's thinking of the gamer in me.

We've come to expect innovation and new products from the annual Computer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas. The likes of which include new cell phones, computers, video cards, GPS systems, the iPod and this year the iPhone. But its the little products that show up (and that we the consumer will eventually see and be able to afford) that are the most intriguing. This year, for me one of those products is Nyko's new "Charge Station" for the Wii controller.
Face it, as more and more products move to wireless the need for batteries will only grow. Wireless game controllers are some of the biggest power hogs out there. So rather than spend hundreds of dollars on disposable AA or AAA batteries rechargeable are the way to go. Now yes, you could just go out and buy rechargeable batteries/charger and the plug in the wall. But the “Charge Station” includes 2 rechargeable NiMH batteries, two new battery covers that are rubberized (ribbed for your pleasure so you don’t throw the controller through the TV) so you can display and charge your controllers at the same time. Brilliant!

Nyko provides a similar set up so you can charge up to four PS3 controllers (they come with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries). Which is great for you fans of Sony’s “George Foreman Grill-like” Console but we know I’m not a fan of the PS3.

All this and an expected price point of $29.99 for the Wii Charge Station (and it comes with new battery covers and two batteries remember) and $39.99 for the PS3’s Charge Base (batteries not included) should make these fly off store shelves as soon as they arrive. I’ll be the first in line.

Now if only all commercials would be this honest.

Here's the deal, I was not a fan of YouTube and said to my friends quite snot-tily that I would rarely if ever embed a video from there but if I have to eat crow at least its over something that's freakin' hilarious.

This is a spoof G4TV did (and to be honest, other than the show X-Play this is the only thing worth watching on that stupid network) making a PS3 vs Wii commercial based on the PC vs Apple commercial. And sweet Thor's Hammer did they hit the nail on the head.

I spent a ton of time over the holidays on my Wii (see prior post) and actually spent a number of hours on the PS3 (see look on Dutch's face because he asked "you spent how much for this crap?") and this commercial is spot on. Enjoy!

There were gadgets aplenty in my stocking.

You knew that when I got back I would blog up a storm about all the cool stuff Santa brought me. I even got gadgets in my stocking (hung by the fireplace with care no less). Now we all know that USB drives are the only way to move files around from place to place but until now they drives have done anything other than plug into our machines and look all shiny or plastic. Oh, not anymore. Let me acquaint you with the new "Humping Dog USB" drive.
Fido has the USB plug right at his favorite licking spot. Just slide him into the USB port and his paws sit on the egde of your laptop and he humps your machine like tomorrow is the Apocalypse! My favorite line from the Japanese advertisement for the product? "Until he pulls out, he does not stop." You just can't make up that up, only in Japan. For $20 you can choose from White, Chocolate, and Brown or you can pick up all three for $55 through Digital World Tokyo.

Gotta go, the vibration of my humping dog makes it hard to type.

One of the numerous resolutions? Get out and see cool stuff.

It is that time of year when you drag out the pen and paper and write down all those things you're going to do different now that its a new year. Get out and travel to see more cool tech stuff and see the Grand Canyon are at the top of my list. Well I can now do both.
This is the Skywalk that will be open at the Grand Canyon this March. This U-shaped glass bottomed foot bridge extends 65 feet beyond the edge of the canyon with no support from below. So it makes you feel like you're just hanging out in the air three quarters of a mile above the canyon floor (my butt cheeks are tightening up already jsut from thinking about it!).

So we got the see Grand Canyon part so here's the cool tech part. The bridge is secured by 96 steel rods that have been drilled into the canyon wall below the visitor's center and are held by the world's largest screws. The 1.6 ton steel dampeners brace the entire building against winds up to 90 mph.

All this tech/monument gazing/nausea inducing fun for the low, low price of $35. Yes, I'll be there when it opens.