jedi

Crave 21: Do robots count? (podcast)

This week on Crave, Donald and Eric go gaga for a robot that sings and dances, provoking the question: does it count as an extramarital affair if the woman in question is made of metal and microchips? Also, we take a look at a cozy Jedi bathrobe that would make a great gift for the man in your life, and Jasmine sings the praises of a stylish gadget bag for the ladies. (Donald, meanwhile, susses out its kid-friendliness.) Then, Old Man Donald goes on a crazy rant inspired by popular mobile game Angry Birds, which enjoyed 2 million downloads in just over two days on the Android platform. Finally, a very special This Is Why You're Fat probably won't make you fat at all...but it's still pretty gross.

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Jedi Mind changes its name amid Lucas pressure

Not even the Jedi Mind trick could get LucasFilm to change its opinion on Jedi Mind's name.

The small software developer announced on Tuesday that it has changed its name to Mind Technologies. In a statement, the company said it decided to change its name "to avoid potential infringement of trademarks owned by LucasFilm."

Mind Technologies has also redirected its former Web site, JediMindinc.com, to its new MindTechnologies.com.

Mind Technologies' name was just one part of the issue LucasFilm had with the company. It also didn't like that it used "Jedi" in … Read more

LucasFilm sues firm over 'Jedi Mind' trademark

George Lucas' film company has filed a $5 million trademark-infringement lawsuit against Jedi Mind, a company that markets itself as allowing people to control computers with their brain waves.

The hostilities between LucasFilm and Jedi Mind began more than a year ago. According to Reuters, LucasFilm sent a cease-and-desist letter to Jedi Mind in May 2009, asking the company to change its name and to stop referencing the "Jedi Mind trick" when describing its products such as Master Mind and Jedi Mouse. The "Jedi Mind trick" first appeared in the "Star Wars" films.

At … Read more

The 404 645: Where no one will buy this (podcast)

During this year's Celebration V fan convention, director George Lucas announced that all six of the original "Star Wars" films will be released on Blu-ray in 2011 as a box set. The films and the much-criticized prequels were previously released as DVD box sets, but this is the first time fans of the series can see them in HD.

The Blu-rays will also include new documentaries, special features, and behind-the-scenes moments that both Jedis and Imperialists can appreciate. Lucas also announced the inclusion of a lost scene from "Return of the Jedi" that shows Darth Vader calling out to Luke as he builds the green lightsaber you see in the film. Good news, though: if you can't wait a year for the box set to come out, the clip is also available on YouTube--with George's approval, of course!

Good news for Android users: Last week Google re-released the app formerly known as Voice Search for its mobile operating system. The app is called Voice Search, and it lets you dictate text message, write e-mails, map directions, play music, and make phone calls--all without ever touching the phone. It's free, so we can't pick it apart too much, but once the initial "cool factor" wears off, we're not sure we'd ever use voice commands outside of a car. More importantly, when the heck is Angry Birds finally coming out for Android?

In line with today's Star Wars theme, check out these custom 404 Podcast squadron helmets made exclusively for our show by Props Guy Jim! Dedicated fans of the show will remember Jim's work with the Yu-Be-Gone Bug Spray, The 404 temporary tattoos, and, of course, The 404/Mattel hoverboard from "Back to the Future"!

Click through for more pics of the X-Wing helmet after the jump! Thanks Jim!

With kids, the future of 'Star Wars' is rosy

ORLANDO, Fla.--You might think that 33 years after the original "Star Wars" film was released, George Lucas' science-fiction universe might be getting a little long in the tooth.

But if the countless beaming kids at Celebration V, the huge "Star Wars" fan fest being held here, are any indication, the future is very bright for the multibillion-dollar franchise. And it's not just because of the many "Star Wars" video games, books, comics, and toys that have come out in recent years, most of them clearly targeting a young audience.

In fact, when … Read more

Save the sushi, save the world

You know how sometimes when you're eating sushi, you suddenly get word that the universe is being attacked and it's up to you to defend it? Well, get yourself some Chop Sabers from Kotobukiya, and you'll be ready.

The Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader lightsaber-style chopsticks are about 9 inches long. Their eye-catching translucent look is a nice complement to any table. For the younger Jedis, the Yoda saber is just 8 inches long.

Currently, you can preorder a set of two pairs--an adult and a child-size pair--for $20. And every set includes translucent Star Wars logo … Read more

Policemen declare that their religion is 'Jedi'

Is there an exalted life force breeding among the fine, uniformed officers of the U.K. police?

I ask only because the redoubtable sleuths of a publication called Jane's Police Review decided to perform a little analysis of the religious leanings of police officers.

Strangely, the United Kingdom actually has a Freedom of Information Act, which means that you can find interesting jewels of fact about public officials.

And so it has transpired that eight members of the Strathclyde police, Scotland's biggest force, are, spiritually, members of a slightly more exalted force: The Jedi Church.

Well, it's … Read more