So yesterday was the big Apple Event where Steve Jobs announced the new Apple TV, the new iPod Shuffle, the new iPod Nano (with multitouch) and of course the new iPod Touch. Though the first 3 items are neat (I have no clue why you’d want the new iPod Nano), I think the item with the most improvement is the new iPod Touch. Now with features taken from the iPhone 4 (retina display, front facing camera, HD video recording), now people can enjoy all the goodies that iPhone 4 users enjoy (without the contract!). So I guess if you have been striking out with finding an iPhone 4, the iPod Touch HD is definitely a great alternative! Also, I can see more people getting into the whole “Facetime chatting” since there will be a larger user base. Plus, you can start pre-ordering these gadgets next week and have them available this holiday season. Woohoo!

-Stephen

Sometimes when I walk around downtown, you’ll see artists creating beautiful chalk pictures on the sidewalk or graffiti on the walls. However, it looks like some Mario Kart fanboys decided to draw in some recognizable items on a bike route in Portland, Oregon. I think it’s pretty neat seeing some creativity in unexpected places. I’m hoping that the city will let the images remain. Too bad you don’t get the ACTUAL power-up boost when you run over them…=)

-Stephen

Wolverine:

In this version of Wolverine, it supposed to look like the live action movie version of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and while it does have the characteristic look of Logan, the coolest feature of the figure are the retractable claws! I don’t know why, but I can’t help but smile when I see neat feature for toys.

Iron Man:

In this version of Iron Man, it looks just as shiny metallic as the past version of IM except there is one difference, you can physically lift the mask to reveal Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). I gotta say that for a simple looking figure, they are pretty spot on to replicate Tony Stark’s look.

I gotta hand it Hasbro to find ways to make comic/cartoon nerds spend their money. This is one of the reasons why I want to go to Comic Con!!!! Maybe next year….

-Stephen

So many people should be familiar with the video game franchise known as Crysis. It’s a fairly resource intensive game that many gamers have devoted to building computer rigs which can maximize the graphical capabilities to run Crysis. Well, it looks as though Crysis 2 is around the corner, but it looks like the developer Crytek has found ways to make the sequel run more efficiently. Along with the announcement of the game, there is also going to be a limited version of the the game known as, “Crysis 2: Nano Edition”. The title is pretty misleading because the packaging is anything but “nano-sized”.

Those who go Nano will get a copy of Crysis 2, an 11″ Prophet statue, an art book and the special Nanosuit backpack modeled after the in-game super suit. The Nano Edition includes the Limted Edition version of Crysis 2 (Starting player level up to Rank 5, giving access to all the preset class loadouts, a digital camo weapon skin, the SCAR Hologram Decoy weapon attachment, and a unique, in-game platinum dog tag).

For those of you who want to get the Nano Edition better save up because it is going to be sold for $150 USD. I’m not really a fan of the game itself, but I think the backpack is kinda cool! =)

-Stephen

Lara Croft and The Guardian of Light:

Shank:

Castle Crashers:

I definitely want to get all the games above and have a chance to play with a friend when they come over. Also the fact that all 3 game prices are A LOT less than regular titles, is definitely another great thing about downloadable games.

-Stephen

So yesterday was the start of the Fan Expo in Toronto and I gotta say it was PACKED! After work, a friend of mine and I decided to go and so we headed to the Convention Center. But when we got there, the line-up was huge. I’d figure that if we waited in-line at that point, we wouldn’t get in. However, I found out my brother-in-law was there with his nephew and he told me it was crazy in there. I saw that he bought a few things from the show…most were con exclusives (well they looked to be exclusives to the SDCC). He got a Transformers Blaster Re-Issue toy, Marvel’s Thor and Captain America and a G.I. Joe Sgt. Slaughter.

Though he was able to get some neat figures, the one figure which people seemed to be wanting was the Giant Galactus figure. As you can see from the video above, the toy is AWESOME! With it’s size, articulation and ability to speak, I’m simply amazed at how far toys have come from when I was a kid. Unfortunately, it was quickly sold out yesterday…but hopefully we’ll find a chance to pick one up in the next two days (keeping my fingers crossed). It’s like Christmas in August! =)

-Stephen

It’s funny when I watch trailers for games like Halo, I’m amazed at how good the live action videos turn out. I always wondered what if Bungie took the time to make a full feature length film? It’s astonishing how this short clip can evoke so many emotions at once. The music and scene shows us the desperation that was felt by mankind at the brink of annihilation. Then with the destruction of the Covenant ship…the glimmer of hope. I honestly believe that if someone could create a Halo live action movie which can generate this kind of emotion…it’ll be a hit. I guess we can only hope…for now.

-Stephen

For those whom have played Capcom’s Dead Rising, you basically go around killing zombies. You typically see weapons like guns, baseball bats, and other miscellaneous tool used to dispatch the undead. However, in Dead Rising 2, there looks to be quite a few “unconventional” means to kill zombies. Though they probably wouldn’t be as effective in real life (if there was a zombie invasion of course), but some of them are pretty hilarious. I for one like the laser sword, due to the Star Wars reference, but I can’t wait to see what other wacky weapon combinations Capcom has in store. Can’t wait till late September.

-Stephen

I’m fairly certain that most gamers out there know about Microsoft’s flagship game franchise, Halo and it’s main protagonist, Master Chief. With the release of the newest title, Halo Reach, it’s expected that we’d be seeing commercials and ads promoting the game. But in the video above, it was to many people’s surprise that the character in the beginning (looking a lot like Master Chief) was actually promoting Samsung’s new Galaxy S mobile phone. Although it does seem like Microsoft has a working relationship with Samsung, Microsoft denies giving the Korean company their blessing to use the likeness of Master Chief. Although the MC-clone is only briefly shown in the beginning, it can definitely confuse consumers (considering the phone runs Google’s Android OS…lol).

Anyhow, I guess we’ll see in the coming days/weeks whether or not Microsoft will serve Samsung a C&D order. Actually, I’m not sure why Samsung would use the likeness anyways…it really has nothing to do with the phone.

-Stephen

Well, it was revealed a little while ago that Portal 2 will include a co-op mode whereby each player Will play a robot and can create their own portals. As demonstrated in the video above, you can utilize this “teamwork” and propel your buddy to heights which defy gravity. Also, I can foresee instances where friends will find creative means to mess up your buddy. There is still some time before the February 2011 release date, so for those of you whom haven’t played the first game, check it out!

-Stephen