vader

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

On this week's Crave, a slew of robots--especially two undeniably creepy baby models--have Jasmine so worked up she's lost her voice. Luckily, we manage to move on from the creepy to the craveable with a new Hot Wheels track setup that mounts on the wall, a Darth Vader CD player that's more about form than function, and an LED-bedazzled surfboard that leads to some scary-but-cool nighttime wave-riding. Also, the military gets its hands on a sweet high-tech gun and Japan cranks out a DIY gummi sushi kit. And what's making us fat this week? Not pickle-flavored toothpaste, that's for sure...

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If you're a "Star Wars" fan--and who's not?--you'll want to be one of the first to check out the new Volkwagen ad that's expected to air during this Sunday's Super Bowl.

Thanks to the great mommy blog Tiny Iron Fists, I found the just-posted-on-You Tube ad today. Featuring a pint-size Darth Vader--actually a suburban kid in a Darth Vader suit who is fruitlessly trying to get "the Force" to work for him--the spot at first makes no sense as a VW ad.

But with the twist, it all becomes clear, … 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

Admit it: you've always wanted to talk like Darth Vader. Alas, your voice has all the deep, menacing bass of Justin Bieber's. Enter Star Wars: Vader Yourself, a Lucasfilm-licensed app that makes your spoken words sound like the big man's--in theory, at least.

We like the app from a style standpoint: it's modeled after the control panel on Vader's chest. To make a recording, you tap the Record switch, provide a file name, then start speaking. You're instructed to use a loud, menacing voice--meaning you should probably find a very secluded area, unless you'… Read more

Admit it: you've always wanted to talk like Darth Vader. Alas, your voice has all the deep, menacing bass of Justin Bieber's.

Enter Star Wars: Vader Yourself, a Lucasfilm-licensed app that makes your spoken words sound like the big man's--in theory, at least.

I like the app from a style standpoint: it's modeled after the control panel on Vader's chest. To make a recording, you tap the Record switch, provide a filename, then start speaking. You're instructed to use a loud, menacing voice--meaning you should probably find a very secluded area, unless you're … Read more

Simplicity is the name of the game in this side-scrolling, alien-blasting, shooter from Chillingo. The unique artistic style of InkVaders HD takes advantage of iPad's amazing screen, combining retro-inspired "doodle chic" animation and live-action hand interactions.

In this game, you get to use three different weapon styles--futuristic energy guns, everyday physical attacks, and the always exciting grenade launchers--to guide Generic Marine (or G, to his friends) in his quest to destroy Martians left and right. InkVaders HD has an easy-to-blast interface, which means you'll be working your way through aliens in no time.

Three play modes (… Read more

If you ever sat in third grade math class imagining that the doodles covering your spiral-bound notebook could come to life, InkVaders HD for iPad is for you.

Simplicity is the name of the game in this side-scrolling, alien-blasting, shooter from Chillingo. The unique artistic style of InkVaders HD takes advantage of iPad's amazing screen, combining retro-inspired "doodle chic" animation and live-action hand interactions.

You'll get to use three weapon styles--futuristic energy guns, everyday physical attacks, and the always exciting grenade launchers--to guide Generic Marine (or "G" to his friends) in his quest to … Read more

The recent popularity of GPS functionality built into smartphones and stock vehicles might eventually phase out third party portable navigation devices entirely, but folks who currently own Tom Tom systems can now hear their driving directions read by classic Star Wars characters like Yoda and Darth Vader. Tom Tom will release one Star Wars character a month, available as a $13 download- check out this hilarious promo for the Yoda version.

July 13 is the official Embrace Your Inner Geek Day so we're celebrating this annual holiday by doing...the same thing...we normally...do. And just for kicks, … Read more