Kevin W.
E-Mail: kevin@altgn.com
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Web Page: http://kwummy.com
Registered Since: 2007-09-19 21:43:24
Profile: Kevin resides in Chicago where he spends most of his day avoiding Cubs fans and the homeless. He works in marketing for an financial services company.
Posts by Kwummy:
- Large touch screen (but smaller compared to that of the iPhone)
- Camera
- “Extensive” multimedia
- Web-browsing
- Folds open to reveal QWERTY keyboard and second non-touch screen
- Direct access to Verizon’s wireless music store
- Faster network speeds compared to AT&T
- No large built-in storage for songs or videos (will include slot for memory cards up to 8 gigs)
Rare T-Rex footprint found?
October 12th, 2007I know this might not be considered “geeky,” but I thought it was too cool not to post. 
A scientist in Montana has discovered what appears to be a giant footprint that may have been left by the infamous T-Rex dinosaur.
The print measures three feet wide (!) and is an estimated 65-million-years-old.
Said scientist Phil Manning who found the print:
We have two large theropods to choose from [in this region], Nanotyrannus and T. rex. So either [dinosaur] (or an unknown) could have generated the track.
According to National Geographic, if this is a T-Rex print it’s only the second one to ever be confirmed. The other was found in New Mexico in 1983.
A larger picture of the print after the jump.
Wii price tag staying put for the holidays
October 12th, 2007Not that you can find any, but the Nintendo Wii’s price tage will remain at $249 (plus any 
applicable taxes) throughout the holiday season according to a Reuters report.
Nintendo Co Ltd. expects to keep its Wii video game console priced at $249 for the time being since it is selling all of the units it makes, a senior U.S. executive said on Thursday.
“We’ll stay at $249 for the foreseeable future. We are still selling everything we can make,” George Harrison, senior vice president of marketing at Nintendo America, told Reuters in an interview.
Although the 360 isn’t that much more expensive than a Wii, I can’t really say I disagree with the decision. Some people have reported that stores in their area have “plenty in stock” but every store in my area is completely sold out, and when they do get them in they’re gone within a matter of days if not hours.
I’m not sure people who want a Wii even care about the price at this point. They just want to be able to find the damn thing. There’s no need to consider a price drop until stores have no choice but to put their overstock in the middle of the sales floor, like they do with the PS3.
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What’s next for the Mass Effect series?
October 12th, 2007After news came down that Electronic Arts had acquired Bioware and Pandemic, worry 
spread through the tubes about what would be next for Mass Effect, an RPG developed by Bioware and published by Microsoft Game Studios.
First, the good news: Shortly after the announcement of the acquisition, Microsoft released their own statement saying that next month’s release of Mass Effect, an exclusive to the Xbox 360, would in no way be affected by the deal.
However, the issue is with the series as a whole. Mass Effect is a trilogy that was supposed to appear exclusively on the 360. Now, Microsoft isn’t even sure what will happen:
Microsoft has not yet announced specifics regarding sequels to “Mass Effect” but we’ll be talking to EA and BioWare in the weeks to come. “Mass Effect” is the most anticipated role-playing game of the season, on any platform, and we are committed to the franchise’s long term success.
Unlike titles such as Halo and Project Gothman racing, in this case, the IP for Mass Effect is owned by Bioware, not Microsoft. Time will only tell what will be the result of this acquisition.
Mass Effect will releaese for the 360 on November 20.
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Could we see a Zelda DS Lite?
October 11th, 2007Engadget sure thinks so: 
Apparently, the gold DS Lite you see tucked away in the lower-left hand corner of the picture above could soon be coming to retail stores, which to be honest, wouldn’t shock us considering the smorgasbord of colors already out there. Reportedly, the photograph was snapped at the Nintendo World Store as Phantom Hourglass launched, and to make things even more interesting, a certain individual has also claimed that his company has received orders from the Big N to design graphics for a “BOX, SYST GOLD W/ZELDA: HOUR USG.” Even if legitimate, it remains to be seen if the elusive new portable will simply be a limited run for contests or if it’ll hit shelves en masse, but it’s hard to argue how well a gilded Zelda DS Lite bundle would sell this holiday season.
I agree in that it wouldn’t really be all the surprising. But there’s no real proof that this wasn’t just a one-time mock up done to help promote the launch of the game.
With that said, I’m not sure how a Zelda DS Lite would fair here. People eat up new colors like they’re candy, but even though Zelda itself is extremely popular, the design of this supposed Zelda DS makes it look more like something that should be stored on your shelf and never played.
Who am I to question the Big N, though?
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Apple, AT&T sued for unfair business practices
October 11th, 2007According to Wired, Apple and AT&T have been slapped with two lawsuits accusing the 
companies of participating in an illegal monopoly.
By not allowing consumers to modify their iPhones to work on other carrier networks, the two companies conspired from the beginning of their partnership to maintain a monopoly, the federal lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit comes in the wake of an Apple software update that “bricks” most iPhones rendering the phone completely useless on another carrier’s network. Currently it is unknown just how many people were affected by the update.
Some hacker communities estimated that thousands of people have downloaded their “unlocking” programs, while AT&T’s Siegel says the company has heard from “very few” customers that have done so.
If you were one of those affected by a “bricked” iPhone, Paul explains some steps you can take to try and un-brick it.
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New DS stuff: Demos, Advance Wars 2 and Fire Emblem
October 10th, 2007Lost in the hustle and bustle of all the Wii announcements made at a Nintendo press conference 
in Japan, there were a few nuggets of information that should appeal to the bazillion of people that own a DS.
The biggest announcement was that a new channel for the Wii will allow Wii users to download DS demos. Nintendo was (intentionally?) vague on how the process would work.
Also, the popular strategy game, Fire Emblem, was also announced for the DS and IGN has some exclusive screens up. Other than the screens absolutely nothing is known about the game.
While on the topic of first looks, IGN also has some exclusive screens up for Advance Wars 2. Sporting a more “mature” look and feel, Advance Wars 2 does not currently have a release date for the U.S.
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Wired’s Halo 3 supergeek giveaway
October 9th, 2007Calling all Halo 3 fanboy, nerds and geeks! Wired is on the search for “the most hardcore Halo 
3 fan.” All you have to do is submit a photo proving you’re the biggest Halo 3 fanboy.
For a complete set of rules and the privacy policy head on over to Wired.
Here’s a list of what you can win:
Grand Prize: one Halo 3 Special Edition Xbox 360 Game Console, one limited edition Xbox 360 controller, one limited edition Halo 3 wireless headset, and one Xbox Live gold 12 month subscription card.
First Runner Up: one limited edition Halo 3 Xbox 360 wireless controller, one Xbox Live 1600 point card, one Xbox Live Gold 12 month subscription, and one Army-style MRE.
Second Runner Up: One Xbox Live 1600 point card, one Mini first aid kit, and one Army-style MRE.
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Phoenix Wright: Trials & Tribulations pre-order bonus
October 9th, 2007Everybody’s favorite gaming lawyer, Phoenix Wright, is set to return to the Nintendo DS this 
fall in “Trials and Tribulations.” And right now, if you pre-order the game you get a cool little plush Phoenix Wright doll.
The offer is exclusive to Capcom or Gamestop. Depending on where you live, ordering through Capcom might save you a couple of bucks. If you’re impatient and want your stuff right away, the overnight option on Gamestop appears to be cheaper than getting the same shipping choice from Capcom.
The game releases in the U.S. on October 23.
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New 360s to have Forza 2 and Marvel: UA as pack-ins
October 8th, 2007Yay! More 360 skus! It’s being described as a holiday bundle, so I’m assuming it will be 
available throughout the end of the year, but most likely will disappear as we move into 2008.
Both games are pretty decent and would appeal to a much wider audience than the original Xbox holiday bundle that included Sega GT and Jet Set Radio Future did.
This also comes hot on the heels of rumored Sony Playstation 3 sku that will feature a 40GB PS3 for $399.
An MS press release regarding the new bundle touted the Xbox 360 as the system to buy this holiday season. The full release after the break.
LG/Verizon to launch iPhone-like device?
October 3rd, 2007Wired has a story up via the AP that the new LG Voyager due to release this holiday season will resemble that of the Apple iPhone.
Some items of note:
Sounds to me like it’s just an improved enV. But, you knew it was only a matter of time before a look-a-like surfaced. Check out the original story for more details.
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Nintendo is doing very well, thank you
October 3rd, 2007As a follow-up to an earlier post that the DS has reached the 50-million sold mark, IGN is reporting that Nintendo’s Japanese share value has reached an all-time high.
According to gaming site Kotaku the feat puts Nintendo just behind Toyota and Mitsubishi as the third most profitable company in Japan.
And don’t look now, but Nintendo isn’t done, yet. According to the IGN article:
Shares were also boosted by investor speculation that Nintendo is set to raise its earnings forecast, for the third time this financial year. Apparently, there’s no end to the public’s demand for Wii-mote waggling and stylus stroking.
If true, raising your earnings forecast just once in a financial year is huge. But three times? No wonder Goldman Sachs says that Nintendo is reaching “the level of Apple.”
Joke all you want about the limitations of the Wii and the lack of mature titles for the DS. Nintendo will laugh at those jokes with you all the way to the bank.
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Sold: 50 million DSesses
October 1st, 2007PC World, citing a Tech.co.uk article, reported over the weekend that the Nintendo DS has sold more than 50 million units. That includes sales of both the original (fat) DS and the DS Lite.
In Japan alone, more than 40% of the population owns a DS. That’s one in six people.
Nintendo has accomplished the feat in only three years. It could very well reach 100 million within six years. Doing so would put it on pace to that of the iPod which sold 100 million in five and a half years. Compare that to the fact the Gameboy took took over 11 years to reach 50 million, I would say that the DS is doing pretty damn well.
The new Zelda releases this week too, and I know a few people who mentioned they would pick up a DS just for that game.
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Create you own shitty horror movie with this play set
September 28th, 2007For just $14.95 plus shipping you can create your own horror movie with this little play set. 
From the description:
We provide the victims, you provide the terror! Each dramatic play set includes nine 2-1/2″ to 3″ tall, hard vinyl victims captured in utterly terrified poses! Are they reacting to the advances of a giant, man-eating alpaca or the sight of your grandma in her nightgown and curlers? The possibilities are endless!
The site has quite the variety of other action figures, too.
[Original Source: The Daily Galaxy]
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‘Bionic Woman’ pilot was hot, cheesy and average
September 27th, 2007Warning - This post will contain spoilers on the pilot episode of “Bionic Woman.” If you do 
not want the episode spoiled, do not continue reading after the jump.
The pilot of “Bionic Woman” premiered last night on NBC and while it was an average premier at best, I think the show can improve and be worthwhile for any other sci-fi geek out there.
It wasn’t any worse than a lot of the science fiction shows I’ve seen on television and it definitely wasn’t the worst pilot I’ve ever seen. Besides, the lead female is friggin’ hot and I’ll tune in just to see if I can get some side boob action or something.
“Journeyman” pilot leaves you with many questions
September 25th, 2007Warning - This post will contain spoilers. If you do not want the show spoiled for you, 
please do not continue reading the story after the jump.
“Journeyman” debuted last night on NBC and going into the show I didn’t know much about it other than the fact it involved time travel. Being a sci-fi geek it sounded right up my alley. I decided to tune in and see how much potential the show might have.
“Journeyman” stars Kevin McKidd from the HBO series “Rome” as Dan Vasser, a San Francisco reporter who can travel through time and alter people’s lives. According to NBC’s website, “Journeyman” is a “romantic mystery-drama.” Had I of read that prior to the watching the pilot I probably wouldn’t even have bothered to tune in. It’s a good thing I don’t read.
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