(Credit:
Chariot Skates)
If you can imagine "wearing" a bicycle on your feet, it might look something like Chariot Skates, the name of a novel form of roller skate that lets you go off-road and downhill with greater ease than inline skates.
Australian Michael Jenkins created his Wheelskates to bring skiing and cycling together in one product. The user's feet are suspended below the axles of knee-high wheels in hinged leg and foot support struts; smaller rear wheels add stability. The mechanism helps create the impression of skiing and skating when moving forward.
Jenkins says the low center of gravity in his skates allows users greater speed and maneuverability than traditional inline skates, adding that he travels around 12 mph without traffic.
It's also possible to go down grassy slopes and traverse rough terrain on them. Stopping is achieved by gripping the wheels with special gloves, or doing a T-stop.
People have been tinkering with wheeled footwear for more than a century, but Chariot Skates brings modern materials know-how to the dream of effortless motion.
The prototype skates are made of expensive carbon composite material, and estimated production costs are comparable to those of "first-class carbon fiber bicycles," according to Chariot Skates, which is based in Hong Kong.
Jenkins has said they may cost several thousand Australian dollars when they hit the market, expected next year.
(Via Gear Junkie)
Wayne A. Spring might be wishing he had better privacy settings on his Facebook page.
According to the Associated Press, Spring, in an attack of hubris, madness, or merely Saints fandom, told his socially-networking nearest and dearest that they could come and shoot his TV if the Saints beat the Washington Redskins last Sunday.
Yes, I said "beat," because Spring is a longtime, long-suffering fan of one of the NFL's more spirited and unfortunate franchises.
"I was a Saints fan, but used to be they never could win, and I admit I was a fair-weather fan," Spring told the AP.
The Saints won in overtime, 33-30. And as soon as the winning field goal pierced the uprights, Spring's ears were pierced by the sounds of his ringing phone.
Around a dozen equally sane Saints fans turned up with beer and guns. The resulting video has already caused something of a stir on YouTube. So please enjoy the merriment and the fact that Spring, who owns a medical staffing company, will apparently be watching the Saints on a small black-and-white screen this weekend.
Sometimes, it seems, electronics just don't get the respect they deserve.
Madden NFL Arcade: The heir to arcade games past.
(Credit: EA Sports)Football is a team sport. Alas, that goes counterpoint to a lot of the superstar worship and smack-talking that gritty sports video games are made of. To satisfy the casual fan, EA has launched a surprise on Xbox 360 and PS3 owners with Madden NFL Arcade. A five-on-five football game, it borrows heavily from previous arcade football games like NFL Blitz and EA's own dearly departed NFL Street (and less remembered NFL Tour), while offering a few new wrinkles. It's also a download-only title, available through Xbox Live Arcade and PSN for a price of $15 (or 1,200 Microsoft points, which are always hard to do conversion rates for).
The game's not coming to the Wii, most likely because Nintendo's version of Madden 10 already incorporates an easier play mode that embodies a lot of what this new Madden game is about. And what, exactly, is this game about? From what we experienced, that would be man-on-man competition, quick scoring, and random fun.
(Credit:
EA Sports)
We approached NFL Arcade from a serious Madden-playing angle, and needless to say, this game doesn't employ much strategy. Players select long-, medium-, or short-pass plays or runs and basic defensive packages, then face off in quick, hit-happy plays. With only five teammates, there's basically no offensive line, so the aesthetic is schoolyard chuck-around, not first-down making. In fact, one clever twist is that each possession is simply a four-down challenge to either score a touchdown or turn the ball over trying.
There's no play clock at all, and in our sampled game mode, the first to 30 won. Game settings can alter the points goal up to 48 and down to a handful of points, and the number of downs, length of the field and starting position can be toyed with, but the clockless format is a constant. We actually liked it at first, since it focused on scoring drives and points rather than artificially accelerated quarters. However, especially in games versus the computer, games can end up lasting forever if no points are scored on drives, prompting a tired gamer to give up a play just to end the experience already.
Another maddening (forgive the pun) addition is a randomized slot machine for each team that brought up certain power-ups, called game changers, on various plays. Whether you receive something or nothing is completely beyond your control, and some of the effects (instant fumbling, slow-motion, or a flipping of scores between you and your opponent) are insane and devastating. Perhaps too much so for my taste, since they almost completely eliminated any real strategy or skill from the showdown. On the other hand, they're purely meant for fun, and can be turned off if you're more of a game purist. In subsequent games with the final version, we got used to the power-ups and grew to like them, especially since they can be saved and activated at appropriate times, or countered with other game-changers.
All NFL teams are included, and the models for the NFL players are less cartoonish than Blitz and Street games of the past, while still being more stylized and over-the-top than standard Madden. On the other hand, rosters can't be edited or retooled (although roster updates are downloaded during online play).
We lost our Jets-Texans match-up, but we're looking forward to the rematch. We do appreciate the price point--this game's a more affordable pickup than full-priced disc-based games that preceded it, and we welcome this move for future "extreme" arcade sports titles. It may seem like double-dipping for EA, but it's a smart way to reach those who are intimidated by Madden's intricacies, as well as a quick fix for NFL addicts who can't be bothered for a full four-quarter ordeal. On the other hand, the term "arcade" never fit a game better- this is a simple package, but a great game to whip out on a lazy Thanksgiving afternoon or quiet holiday morning during the thick of winter football.
Correction at 4:50 a.m. PDT November 18: Cammie Dunaway incorrectly described Wii's October sales figures compared with other next-generation game consoles. Wii sales were nearly the total of its rivals combined.
Stung by lower Wii sales and a couple of down quarters, Nintendo may be a bit off its game this year. But Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales and marketing, keeps focused on the company's strengths and positive numbers.
The recession and a paucity of blockbuster titles have taken a bite out of the overall video game industry this year, with revenue down from record levels in 2008. Nintendo certainly hasn't been immune. For the first half of the year, earnings fell about 50 percent from 2008, while Will sales dipped.
In the midst of this atmosphere, I spoke on Thursday with Dunaway, known to many video game buffs for her high-spirited appearances at E3.
Though I asked Dunaway about the company's revenue decline, lower console sales, and potential competition, she continually championed Nintendo's assets, including its Wii and DS consoles and recent popular games like Wii Sports Resort and Wii Fit Plus, as well as new titles like Super Mario Bros.
Dunaway's optimism about Nintendo may have been borne out by the latest results. Though overall video game revenue fell in October, the Wii bounced back to recover its spot as the top selling console, according to NPD.
Last month, Nintendo sold 507,000 Wiis, compared with 320,600 Sony PlayStation 3s and 249,700 Microsoft Xbox 360s. Coming in second in video game hardware sales was Nintendo's portable DSi and DS Lite, with gamers scooping up 457,000 units.
Four of Nintendo's titles also did well in October, finishing in the top 10. The company sold 232,000 copies of Wii Fit Plus alone, and 209,000 of Wii Fit Plus bundled with the Balance Board. Wii Sports Resort scored with 179,000 copies sold, while Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days for the DS found 169,000 new customers.
I spoke with Dunaway by phone before before NPD released the October sales figures. But she certainly knew ahead of time that the numbers would look good for Nintendo.
Q: The question on everyone's mind is Nintendo's performance this year. For the first half, earnings were down about 50 percent. Sales for the Wii have dropped. Your president, [Satoru] Iwata, recently admitted that sales of the Wii have stalled. What do you pin as the reasons for this downturn, both for the company and for the Wii itself?
Dunaway: Let's talk about the U.S., and let's break it down into the separate platforms. So, speaking first about the Wii--what's important to understand is that in 2008, we sold 10 million units of the Wii, which was a record for any console ever in history. And so it's a high mark.
What's also important to understand is that the pacing of our software this year was quite different than it was in 2008. In 2008, our big titles were released early in the year. And this year's huge title, released a few weeks ago in October, Wii Fit Plus, is doing quite well. And then arguably, the largest title of the year, New Super Mario Bros. for the Wii, only releases Sunday [November 15]. So we believe that going into the holiday season, consumers will continue to look for the products they see as representing the best value and the most fun.
Now on DS, we also had a record setting year last year, selling over 10 million units, and we are actually 16 percent above that pace year-to-date in 2009. So the combination of DS Lite and our new product DSi is really resonating with consumers.
Then on software, here in the U.S., our software for both Wii and Nintendo DS is actually up over a year ago. So despite the fact that our big titles are yet to come, we still have had a good year overlapping a tremendous year with our software.
Can you talk about some of the new titles Nintendo has in store for the holidays and next year? You mentioned Super Mario Bros. is a key title for the holidays. Are there others?
Dunaway: Looking to some of the additional titles for the holidays, New Super Mario Bros., for the first time enables four people to play a Mario game together. And it is going to be something that provides tremendous challenge to experienced gamers, and something a brand new gamer can jump in with their friends and family and enjoy. So that one will be a monster hit.
We also on the DS side have a new Zelda title--Zelda Spirit Tracks--coming on December 7. And Zelda titles are always strong performers, and it's a franchise that loyalists look forward to, line up to get copies of. And it's a title that we also think expanded market consumers will enjoy because of its heart. It's really about solving puzzles and going on an adventure, which is something that really anyone can have a good time doing.
Then as we go into next year, while we haven't announced timing, we have announced that we'll be launching a new Pokemon Gold and Silver, which has broken all records on its launch in Japan. [We're also launching] a title that will be great for loyalists called Sin & Punishment and a title called Endless Ocean that really provides a wonderful family experience on the Wii.
... Read more
NBA 2K10 is still on top--but only by a hair.
With the NBA season in full swing, we thought we'd take a moment to check out this year's offering of digital hoops games, which really boils down to 2K Sports' NBA 2K10 vs. EA Sports' NBA Live 10.
Last year, the contest wasn't even close, with 2K9 trouncing Live in a blowout that made it easy to choose which game to buy. However, this year EA Sports' Canada-based development team delivered a much more compelling game. At the same time, while 2K10's developer Visual Concepts has definitely made some improvements, including a new My Player mode and the usual upgrades to player models and animations, this year's installment hasn't introduced anything truly eye-opening. The net-net is you have two solid games that are hard to choose between.
Here's the skinny:
... Read more
Molly's out of the office with the swine flu. In her honor, we cover the tech that allows you to keep yourself germ free. Don't worry. Even if you end up with the flu, we also cover the tech that will keep you entertained while you recover.
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EPISODE 160
Want to steer clear of N1H1? Stay off the couch
Self Sanitizing Keyboard (thanks David!)
Keep your arms dry while you wash dishes (or while you wash everything in your house.)
Ericsson’s Spider PC projects the keyboard, screen
Driverless car takes you to the doctor
Time-lapse photography on your iphone
Make your iphone photos look like miniatures with tiltshift
If you’re tooly, pass the time with sports:
Football
(Credit:
EA Sports)
EA Sports is one of the few game companies that's managed to successfully charge $9.99 for a game in Apple's App Store. Madden NFL 10, priced at 10 bucks, remains a top seller, and now FIFA Soccer 10 has hit the App Store for $9.99 and seems destined to make a run for the top spot in the games category.
While we thought Madden didn't play quite as well we'd hoped it would on the iPhone (and iPod Touch), we think soccer, with its top-down view and simple control scheme, should make a better transition to the iPhone.
FIFA Soccer 10 does face some stiff competition from Gameloft's Real Soccer 10, which we have to say plays very well--and Real Soccer 10 sells for less ($6.99) and has a loyal following (while this is EA's first soccer game for the iPhone, Gameloft's Real Soccer 10 is in its second season). That said, on the surface at least, FIFA Soccer 10 appears to be the more robust of the two games, offering more licensed teams and players as well as a "Be a Pro" mode that allows you to create a player and track his play over multiple seasons.
If you don't have an iPhone or iPod Touch, EA Sports is also releasing FIFA Soccer 10 on all dedicated game consoles (PS3, PSP, PS2, XBox 360, Wii, and DS) and the PC on October 20. However, those versions cost significantly more than $10.
We'll let you know our impressions of FIFA Soccer 10 for iPhone and iPod Touch after we've played the game. But in the meantime, feel free to make your own comments.
Gameloft's Real Soccer 10 is impressive and costs 3 dollars less ($6.99).
(Credit: Gameloft)
This is the way Wii Sports Resort should have been packaged in the first place.
(Credit: Nintendo)Now that the Nintendo Wii is $199, there are two ways to go about using your savings: putting it in a low-risk bank account, or buying the rest of the peripherals Nintendo wants you to have to complete your Wii experience. Wii Fit notwithstanding, the biggest new plug-in Nintendo has is Wii MotionPlus, the motion sensor enhancement that plugs into the back of every Wii remote. And, sadly, they're still not included with the Nintendo Wii.
In an attempt to make amends, Wii Sports Resort is now selling a $59.99 bundle that includes two MotionPlus accessories instead of just one. It's a $10 savings over getting the $49.99 Wii Sports Resort and a second $19.99 MotionPlus separately. Honestly, it's a wise investment if you're going to buy Wii Sports Resort, since many of the games are two-player and require two MotionPlus accessories anyway.
These little discounts are appreciated, but it's still surprising that Nintendo's not simply releasing a Wii bundle that includes Wii Sports Resort and Wii MotionPlus inside. $250 for a Wii bundle that has both versions of Wii Sports and two controllers with MotionPlus...how about it, Nintendo? We can always dream.
Meanwhile, get your Wii Sports Resort bundles while they last.
Streaming video continues to be largely MIA on the iPhone, but streaming audio? Ho, boy--it's an embarrassment of riches. Pandora, Slacker, Rhapsody. NPR News, Public Radio Player. The only thing missing? A killer sports app.
It's missing no more. ESPN Radio streams ESPN shows, podcasts, and even live college football games from stations around the country.
This is sports radio done right. ... Read more
Before 2007, the 2K series of hockey video games was tough to match. It seemed 2K had a perfect sense of gameplay, physics, and true-to-life NHL action. When EA Sports revamped its franchise in NHL 07 by introducing the Skill Stick and a new game engine, the tide immediately turned.
With the 2009-2010 NHL season fast approaching, both hockey games look to improve on their respective formulas. While each game tries to create an accurate hockey simulation experience, only one title is able to deliver a winning combination.... Read more
