birds

HP update to boost TouchPad 'functionality'

Hewlett-Packard told CNET on Monday that it will deliver a future update to boost the TouchPad's functionality. HP also said it has seen "huge spikes" in TouchPad activation in the wake of the decision to discount the tablet.

On August 19, HP slashed the price of the 16GB TouchPad to $100, setting off a buying frenzy at stores like Best Buy and online. HP's action came after announcing the shuttering its WebOS device business. The TouchPad uses the WebOS operating system.

"We expect that HP TouchPad owners can look forward to an over-the-air update that … Read more

HP offers free apps to TouchPad tablet owners

Hewlett-Packard isn't stopping at the deeply discounted $100 TouchPad tablet--it's throwing in free apps too.

The TouchPad has become a mini-sensation after HP began unloading the WebOS-based device last Friday for as little as $100. In fact, the TouchPad has the distinction of being the only tablet outside of Apple's iPad to generate long lines at stores.

And HP is sweetening the deal. "If you have an HP TouchPad...We've selected six apps that normally sell for as much as $14.99 and we're making them available at no cost to HP WebOS customers for a limited time," HP said on its Palm Web site today. The promo codes below will expire on August 31, the company said.

Without further ado, here's a sampling:… Read more

Rapid-release takes hold in Firefox 6

The bottom line: Firefox 6 is a worthy expression of Mozilla's ideals. The browser is competitively fast, sports a new minimalist look, and includes some excellently executed features. Unfortunately, that describes most of Firefox's competition, too.

Review: The second version of Firefox to come under the new rapid-release aegis, Firefox 6 follows in the footsteps of Google Chrome, which adopted the rapid-release cycle a while ago and is now up to version 13 (at the time this review was written) despite having its first release only in 2008.

Firefox 4 had a massive impact on Firefox 5 and … Read more

Rapid-release takes hold in Firefox 6

Firefox 4 had a massive impact on Firefox 5 and … Read more

Rapid-release takes hold in Firefox 6

Firefox 4 had a massive impact on Firefox 5 and … Read more

Report: Rovio funding talks suggest $1.2B valuation

Angry Birds has been a breakout success for Finnish developer Rovio, and a new report says the company is considering capitalizing on that by taking a strategic investment that would put its value at around $1.2 billion.

Citing two people with knowledge of private discussions, Bloomberg reported today that Rovio is in investment talks with "a company in the entertainment business," who's looking to get a piece of the action.

In early March, Rovio announced that it secured $42 million in funding as part of a Series A round led by venture capital firms Accel Partners … Read more

Angry Birds through the seasons

Angry Birds Seasons lets you play the popular birds vs. pigs game, but with themes that match every season. You can play among jack-o'-lanterns and white-sheet ghosts in the fall; snowmen and Santa-capped pigs during the winter; or brightly colored eggs and bunny hats when it gets close to Easter. You can play whichever season you want right away--you won't need to unlock every level in order to unlock new themed worlds. With that said, the gameplay is no different than you've come to expect with Angry Birds, but maybe that's a good thing--most people love … Read more

The 404 879: Where we remember, remember (podcast)

Today we're exploring the trend of digital vigilantes (aka digilantes) taking to the Internet for crowdsourced criminal identification and cyberjustice. The most recent example is the hacker collective known as Anonymous' YouTube video threatening to take down Facebook on November 5, otherwise known as Guy Fawkes Day.

We'll also fill you in on the London police toying with facial recognition technology on Facebook to identify looters caught on camera, yesterday's 5,000 percent spike in blunt weapons sales on Amazon.co.uk, and a woman who used an airplane to wag a giant finger at Wall Street.

The 404 Digest for Episode 879

Anonymous: Facebook's going down November 5. Will London's police officials turn to Facebook's facial recognition technology to fight crime? Sales of aluminum bats are up more than 5,000 percent on Amazon.co.uk. The USB toothbrush: Philips' device is the "iPod of toothbrushes." Angry Birds makes it onto the cover of Mad Magazine. Airplane banner circles Wall Street: "Thanks For The Downgrade. You Should All Be Fired"

Episode 879 Subscribe in iTunes (audio) | Subscribe in iTunes (video) | Subscribe in RSS Audio | Subscribe in RSS Video… Read more

Rovio to offer Angry Birds baby merchandise

The success of Rovio's Angry Birds franchise is pushing creator Rovio into new areas of business, soon to include game-themed gear for babies.

Reuters reports that developer Rovio is planning a lineup of baby blankets and clothes made by SwaddleDesigns that will feature Angry Birds art.

The new offering will join Rovio's existing lineup of wearable merchandise, which includes flip flops, shoulder bags, and backpacks. The company also sells plush toys, iPhone cases, and stationary kits aimed at those in school.

The sales of products like these has turned into a big business for Rovio, with Reuters reporting sales of some 7 million Angry Birds toys since the company began offering them late last year. In an interview with the news outlet, Ville Heijari, Rovio's vice president of franchise development, said merchandise is "one of the fastest growing parts of the company."

Angry Birds get bodacious on bra

In the grand tradition of Crave stories about brassieres, we bring you the Angry Birds bra. There isn't much more to say about this one, except...it's an Angry Birds bra!

As you'll note from the picture, a red bird adorns one cup and a green pig covers the other--and hopefully they don't go at it too much or things could get a bit uncomfortable for the wearer. The bra comes in a range of levels sizes, and despite being handpainted, it's washable.

Crafts site Etsy lists the $35 garment as sold as of today, but the maker, Etsy member SceeneShoes, takes orders for custom-painted goods. So, all you Angry Birds fans in need of an uplift, you can get one too.

SceeneShoes' other creations include adorable Mario and Luigi and Sonic and Tails shoes, so we're betting she can finagle just about any manner of geek undergarment. WoW lingerie anyone? … Read more