R2D2

With every possible entertainment entity from the NFL to M&Ms supporting cancer awareness with special themed events and products, there's no reason the Galactic Empire shouldn't get in on the act.

Stand Up to Cancer, the celebrity-driven charity, is teaming with Lucasfilm to raise research funds by selling four specially designed "cancer fighting" T-shirts with "Star Wars" themes.

Perhaps I should clarify that the shirts themselves have no particular medicinal qualities, but all hands hope the money they raise will continue the fight against all forms of the deadly disease. Each of the four shirts (featuring Darth Vader, Yoda, and Stormtroopers) sell for $24.95, with all proceeds going to SU2C. … Read more

A little golden badge isn't much of a gadget in the great scheme of things. It doesn't get online. You can't text anybody with it. It doesn't come with so much as a 1 megapixel camera. But the Star Wars Gold Heart Pin should serve its particular function of benefiting needy children well enough. … Read more

Rather than ride smelly Taun Tauns while you're looking for Imperial Walkers on the North Ridge, you can scoot over snow in "far, far away" style with limited-edition Star Wars snowboards and protective gear from Burton.

The Burlington, Vt., company and Lucasfilm have teamed up to offer a new series of Chopper Star Wars snowboards for kids and a specially designed Avid Grom R2-D2 youth helmet. And hey, what do you know? Just in time for Christmas! … Read more

ANAHEIM, Calif.--After being closed for more than a year for a major redesign, the 24-year-old Star Tours ride at Disneyland reopened this past weekend as Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. Disney and Lucasfilm have equipped the re-imagined ride with new 3D technology, HD screens, and improved audio animatronics, so CNET strapped into the simulator to test the the new attraction.

Since the original Star Tours based on the first three "Star Wars" films ("A New Hope," "The Empire Strikes Back," and "Return of the Jedi") opened in 1987, George Lucas and company released a second trilogy of films introducing new characters and locations into the Star Wars universe. Meanwhile, improved audio technology and animatronics, HD screens, and 3D imagery have made their way into popular consciousness. The new Star Tours joins of all those elements together into a more modern entertainment experience.

While I managed to get a look at the new attraction with a press pass, park visitors waited in two-hour lines. As they wove through the traditional theme park wraparound lines, new high-def screens presented themed messages about possible destinations and the ride's security procedures. A new and improved animatronic C3PO and R2D2 bicker while they prepare your shuttle for travel through a galaxy now ruled by the Galactic Empire. While the ride remains similar in feel to its predecessor prior to boarding that shuttle, its art direction and technology got a serious upgrade. … Read more

In the world of enthusiasts, there are likely few groups more passionate than those who love Lego and "Star Wars."

So when you mix the two, what you end up with is a combustible mix of passion and excitement, and that's exactly what the people behind the all-new "Star Wars" Miniland opening tomorrow at Legoland California are hoping for.

But if you're not one of the lucky few who can be on hand for the opening, Legoland doesn't want to leave you out of the fun. That's why it has just launched … Read more

SAN FRANCISCO--If you were walking down Second Street here yesterday morning, and thought you might be losing your mind, let me reassure you: Those really were life-size Lego Chewbacca and R2-D2 models and the world's-largest Lego Millennium Falcon.

On March 31, Legoland California will pull back the wraps on its brand-new "Star Wars" Miniland, an all-new interactive area at the amusement park that will feature more than 2,000 individual models from the George Lucas-created universe.

And yesterday, as part of a small tour to promote the new attraction, several Legoland personnel swung through CNET's headquarters … Read more

Links from Tuesday's episode of Loaded:

Microsoft is expected to show off new tablet computers at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show

Dell is acquiring Compellent Technologies to focus more on cloud storage

Google launches TeachParents.org to help you give the n00bs in your life simple computer tutorials

A new study shows that Americans spend as much time online as they do watching TV

Another study shows that sales of physical disc media will fall by $4.6 billion by the year 2014

The R2-D2 headphones are the perfect gift for the Star Wars geek in your life

A couple of days ago, I posted a blog about an official Lucasfilm Jedi bathrobe I was pretty jazzed about. Following that, one attentive reader, Jonny, sent me this link to a way awesome R2-D2 one-piece swimsuit called Artoo.

It's from Black Milk Clothing, an independent clothing company from Australia that normally specializes in exotic leggings. It was designed by James Lillis, goes for $85, and is made from a Polyester/Lycra blend. We're not sure if it's Lucasfilm-licensed (we're guessing it's not) but it's cool nonetheless.

I mean, if you're into Star … Read more

ORLANDO, Fla.--When you're lucky, you're lucky. And on Saturday, I was lucky.

At about 9:20 a.m. Saturday, walking into the Orange County Convention Center here, where the massive Celebration V "Star Wars" fan fest is being held, I stumbled onto a scent that could only be described as geek heaven: a group picture of dozens of droid builders and their motley collection of R2-D2s and other creations based on George Lucas' sci-fi saga.

I wasn't the only one, of course. There were many people gathered around watching the scene unfold, including an … Read more