(Credit:
LeapFrog)
I've heard people say that two-thirds of Americans are not good at math and the other half just don't care. I totally agree, and we need to do something about this.
Apparently, the folks at LeapFrog think so, too. The company on Monday released its new game for the iPhone and iPod Touch called "Number Rumble" (hands-on review.)
This is the first in LeapFrog's planned series of learning games. Taking advantage of the multitouch technology, the application lets children spin and tap the devices to increase their math skills.
With the Number Rumble game, they can practice simple math skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division by themselves or they can challenge friends. The game helps them memorize math basics through three modes of play:
- Learn It mode lets the player spin the number wheels to create a math problem, then tap the equals sign to see and hear the answer.
- Quiz Time mode lets the player use their skills by choosing the problem type and spin the wheel to get a random quiz. Then they can shake the phone to select an answer.
- Random Quiz mode lets the player practice all four operations at once. For example, they can shake the iPhone to a fill-in-the-blank style questions, such as "13 + 7 = ?" or "? ÷ 2 = 11." and so on.
Unfortunately, LeapFrog is not all about education, as it charges $2.99 for the application at Apple's App Store, which is rather expensive for a simple game. But at least as far as math is concerned, that's less that $3.
(Credit:
Chip Chick)
There are plenty of ways to enjoy game simulators that have more than one seat, but they're almost always of the bucket variety for one-on-one competition. Sometimes, however, there may be an occasion to share the experience on a bench.
Enter the vibrating "RumbleSeat" from BoomChair. It's kind of a loveseat for gamers that can provide, as Chip Chick says, either double the fun or double the queasiness. One convenient feature is that it can be hooked up wirelessly, which might avoid some equipment damage if things get out of hand. And for those of you who think two's a crowd, there's always the solitary "BoomPod."
The Dual Shock 3 is a bit heavier than the existing Sixaxis controller.
(Credit: SCEA)The official announcement of the vibration-enabled Dual Shock 3 controller for the PlayStation 3 was the biggest news from Sony's otherwise lackluster Tokyo Game Show keynote address. Since the broad strokes of the original announcement, GameSpot was able to glean some additional details on the new controller--and get some hands-on testing of the unit as well. Here's what they found:
... Read more
The Dual Shock 3 will add the vibration function missing from the original Sixaxis controller (shown).
(Credit: Sony)One of gamers' biggest beefs with the PlayStation 3 will soon be a thing of the past. At the kickoff press conference for the Tokyo Game Show, Sony Computer Entertainment President Kaz Hirai confirmed longstanding rumors that a rumble-ized version of the PS3 Sixaxis controller is on the way. The Dual Shock 3--which looks essentially identical to the existing Sixaxis PS3 controller--will hit Japan in November, then make its way to North America and Europe early in 2008. Devil May Cry 4 and Metal Gear Solid 4 are two of the first 11 games that will support the new Dual Shock's vibration function, and existing titles can be retroactively updated to support rumble via online updates.
Other notable announcements from Hirai's keynote: ... Read more
The upcoming rumble-equipped controller will weigh more than the current PS3 controller.
(Credit: Sony)The last few days rumors have been circulating that Sony was preparing to announce a new rumble-equipped controller for the PS3. As you may know, the current PS3 controllers don't shake, which we assume was because Sony got slapped with a lawsuit in 2004 for allegedly stealing Immersion Corporation's rumble technology for its Dual Shock and Dual Shock 2 controllers. But after Sony ponied up $90 million, the two sides had reportedly been mending fences, and that some rumble was on the way. Now IGN's confirmed that indeed something is shaking with the PS3 controller.
IGN's report reads:
"Big shocker at today's Electronic Arts pre-Tokyo Game Show press event. While playing a demo of Burnout Paradise, we felt something that we never thought we'd feel from a PS3 controller--shake!
That's right, Burnout Paradise is the first rumble-equipped PS3 game we've ever played. Which made us think at the time, if the game is making the controller shake, the controller must be a new version of the Sixaxis!
In fact, the controller we were using to play the demo looked exactly like a standard Sixaxis, except that it had a sticker on the bottom that said 'RUMBLE.' It also felt notably heavier than the standard Sixaxis.
We presume this is a prototype of the PlayStation 3's new rumble controller, whatever it's going to be called."
It's unclear whether the new controller will be using Immersion's next-generation rumble technology, but word is Kaz Hirai will formally announce the new controller in his keynote address shortly.
This is good news for anybody thinking about buying a PS3, but current owners may not be so psyched by the idea of having to buy another controller for their PS3s, especially if they own two or three already. As far as I'm concerned, current owners should get a discount coupon or something. This may not be iPhone Pricegate or anything, but throw us like $10 or something. How 'bout it, Kaz?
(Credit:
Armchair Cruisers)
Sure, we can see some advantages to luxury travel like that envisioned in Boeing's latest VIP binge. But we really hate flying, in case you hadn't noticed, and would much prefer to travel by terra firma, or as much of it that West Coast seismology will allow.
So imagine our barely containable excitement upon seeing the "Armchair Cruiser," the ultimate in personal vehicles. These are no makeshift Barcaloungers on skateboard wheels--check out the photos of the latest "Rumble Bee" model to witness the care in craftsmanship, which explains the price range of $3,995 for a solor-seater to a $7,995 for the "gas-powered V-twin love seat."
"The chairs operate on a simple joystick system, which controls direction, speed and lets you turn on a dime," Gizmag says. The brakes are automatically applied when the stick returns to the middle, and automatically released when you're ready for more action."
We just hope owners will restrain themselves and not order some of the "bling" kits available. No word on top speeds, but we bet they'll still be able to beat Caroline McCarthy's motorized bathtub. Check out the video below for proof.
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