The end of the Format War draws near?

Ahh finally, the end of the Format War could be near! Check out this article here in High-Def Digest, related to Warner Brothers' intention to pick sides after the Holiday NPDs demonstrate a leader in the war. You know what that means to Blu-ray fans don't you? Get ready to bust open a bottle of your finest...

Griffin Technology: AutoPilot

Okay, if you're like me and you've bought an iPhone recently, only to find that it's a major pain in the ass to control music playback while driving, then you need to check out the Griffin Technology: AutoPilot. It is quite possibly the best car accessory that you're going to find, if you're experiencing the same dilemma as I am.

I always predicted that this would be the biggest issue with the touch display and sure enough, I was right...until now. Okay, so the best thing about the Autopilot is it's handy track/play/pause controls that appear on the face of the power adaptor part. These controls let you control all of the necessary playback controls of the iPhone/iPod Touch that would otherwise cause you to run your car off the road. I essentially just plug this baby into my iPhone, press play on the glowing green/amber play button, and I'm done. I can then advance fwd/back my tracks or scan (by holding down either of the track buttons) without taking my eyes off the road. It also helps if you're power outlet/cigarette adaptor is within arm's reach, otherwise you might still risk rear-ending somebody.

The power unit has a line out that connects to your stereo (via aux-in) or to your cassette adaptor. When you first plug the iPod cord into your iPhone, your phone will ask you if you want to switch to airplane mode for static-free listening. I always choose not to (b/c I still want to receive calls), and somehow I'm picking up even less interference than I was prior to using the Autopilot. I'm not sure if that's due to the Autopilot or due to the fact that I started putting my iPhone inside my center console (I have an '03 Jetta). I haven't done a thorough test on that matter. Either way, I'm totally pleased with this thing. Good job Griffin. You guys continue to make the obscure, yet useful products that everyone else seems to overlook.

iTunes to PS3 Streaming finally!!!

Ever since Sony released UPnP support for the PS3, I have been wanting to somehow connect my iTunes library to my media center via the PS3. I had tried some other (not free) app that supposedly did the same thing, but it never worked for me. It was the trial version so maybe that's why. I can't even find it on Versiontracker anymore. I've been using an old PC running Windows Media Center, but that sucks because the tagging is all off and I don't ever use that computer so basically everything is out of date. Now finally, the fellas over at NullRiver have announced that they will be releasing a version of their "Connect360" app for the PS3 (assumingly named "ConnectPS3"). Seriously, this makes so much more sense from a mindshare perspective. I mean, why the hell are Mac users playing the 360? Where's your loyalty??? Okay, okay, I'm calm now. But seriously, this is going to make my life easier and probably yours. Here's another article if you want to read more on the subject.

Warning: new iPhone features coming in '08

Ok, so this guy is claiming that you shouldn't buy an iPhone right now. This is all stemming from AT&T's CEO mentioning (leaking?) that a new 3G version would arrive in '08. Well, maybe he (the aforementioned) is right, I mean, if you don't mind waiting until next Summer that is. That's right people. I seriously doubt that Apple is going to release a new iPhone in January (right after the Christmas holidays). Read that line again. They might announce one at Macworld in January, but I don't think they'll release one until at least a year after the original release (June '07 as I recall). On the heals of the European release as well as that $200 rebate debacle, I doubt that Apple wants to make any more enemies right now. Keep in mind that a new version would likely have a larger memory capacity as well, thus further agitating early adopters.

Okay, this might just be my own selfish justification for having bought one prematurely, but I think if you look back in time, you'll find that the iPods usually got released, at least, every one and a half years apart from each other. If you really need to buy one now, and I know you do, just pass it on to one of your family members once the new ones with 3G come out. Your mom or younger sibling won't know the difference between Edge or 3G will she? Heck no! I rest my case.

PS3 on fire...in sales that is.

Nice! Maybe if this trend continues, we won't have to wait 2 months longer for every cross-platform release, as we have been. At least COD4 is already proving otherwise - not to mention that it's just as purty on the PS3 as it is on the 360. Okay, now bring us Gears. We've suffered long enough...
TG Daily - Price cut triggers three-fold increase in PS3 sales

WHAT THE HELL - UPDATE - What Would Tyler Durden Do

Oh my god, this is one of the funniest posts I've ever read. The part about Kim Kardashian was especially hilarious. Wow.
WHAT THE HELL - UPDATE - What Would Tyler Durden Do

Holy Bitchin' Burnout Batman!

New Heavenly Sword video...nice.

New! Flame thrower cars!

This is awesome! I want one. Just this morning I watched as some asshole on a motorcycle smashed in another motorist's side mirror for failing to see him while passing on the white line. It reminded us of this fantastic accessory that's now popular in South Africa. Car-jackers beware!

New VW Tiguan looks hot!

I just got my latest copy of VW's Drive magazine and to my surprise, they're coming out with a new sku next year. It's an SUV going by the name Tiguan, which is a combination of "Tiger" and some other German word. I love the orange on black, plus the interior of this particular combination has the orange R-style stitching on black leather, even on the dash. Now, I know this isn't a standard GenPSX posting, but I think this car epitomizes GenPSX as much as anything. Awesome. I can't wait to see one up close and to get more info on price/options.

Apple Leopard is Amazing...

Okay, okay. I know everybody and their sister is talking about the WWDC and Apple's recent announcements relating to Leopard, iPhone, and let's not forget the John Carmack announcement...
Yes, games are coming back to the Mac. Sweet Jesus is it about time, or what? You can find some info here.

New MGS4 trailer online!

Check out this new trailer for MGS4 posted on the PlayFrance site. If you're on Linux like I am, you'll need to open it with iexplore but it's totally worth the effort. It's about 10 minutes of damn purty (supposedly) engine rendered albeit heavily scripted footage. Go checkit out.

New Need For Speed...looks nice.

Wow. The latest Need for Speed: ProStreet looks really good. This looks new and unique and the gameplay sounds fun with having damage carry over from race to race, forcing you to make a decision between fixing your car, or making more performance-based tweaks instead. I'm sort of shocked. Well done EA. Way to re-think a genre. Very nice indeed.

OMG, GH2 Guy Shreds!!!

Heavy Weapons Guy (TF2) Video...

Quake Wars Game Footage & "Making Of" Interviews...

Team Fortress 2 - coming soon...

OMG this game looks so bitchin! I remember playing the original TFC back at EARS while working in their tech-support department. We used to play at the end of each and every day and at lunch. It was like going to church (for non-religious folks). Actually that reminds me of another topic that I have been meaning to write about, but will save for another day. Anyway, check out this preview from 1up.
The original version was really the last game that I played online at home for that long without ever really getting tired of. It was just that fun. I hope it's as fun to play on a console, but then, this might just be the game taht makes me run out and buy a mouse/keyboard for my PS3, if it's not. Ahh, it will be pure joy, and now with the toon-shaded classic key-stone cops feel, I will be feeling the gaming bliss.

I Want Gears for PS3...

I've just played Gears of War for the first time and now I'm pissed. No, I'm not pissed that I bought a PS3 instead of an Xbox - I'm just pissed that this game hasn't been announced for the PS3. It's just a very solid game and I refuse to think that I would have to buy a 360 for just one game. I have to admit that I was also pretty impressed by the look and feel of the 360 UI, but the intuitiveness is awful. I am extremely tech-savvy and yet, I found myself fumbling around with the 360's onscreen menus. I guess it is a PC after all. Maybe it's just the fact that I never had an Xbox, but why doesn't Microsoft have even a nano-clue about designing intuitive software?

Burnout5 will be called Burnout Paradise

God of War coming to PSP...

1up posted an article this weekend about God of War for the PSP. I haven't quite finished GOW2 yet, but I should be finished in time for this next version. Let's see how it looks on the PSP first. Do you plan on playing GOW on the PSP, or would you just as soon wait for the next version, which will be on PS3? What are your thoughts?

Ahh, Dirt...

If you haven't already seen the game Dirt. Go now to IGN and check out the screens that were posted recently. I have to say that the lighting/texturing in this game looks really fantastic. I hope it's as fun to play as it is to look at. Very nice.

Apple Media Center Musings...

So, I saw on MacRumors.com, an article related to one of Apple's newest patents. So basically it looks like Apple wants to move in to your living room permanently. They're no longer satisifed just as house-guests sleeping on your sofa and watching television or maybe listening to an iPod through your stereo. They want full access to all your shit and you know what, I'm going to let them have it. I've been waiting for a true convergence solution for a long-ass time and I think Apple is definitely the company that will do it right. Maybe they'll push Sony a little bit in the process, since the PS3 has been my convergence product of choice for a little while now. What I mean by that is, the PS3 was the product that I saw as having the most potetntial (albeit un-realized) in that area, but now I'm thinking that Apple might have the edge. Ooh-boy is it going to be interesting though...

Battlefield:Bad Company Video

Wow! Somehow I missed this trailer. This looks promising. Developed by DICE, the guys who made the Battlefield games. I'm especially proud of these guys, given that they are a Swedish company. I used to work for a Swedish game company (Termite Games) as well though our game (New World Order) wasn't quite as succesfull as any of theirs'. Did you detect any sarcasm there? Yeah, I didn't think so. Anyway, this is looking great. I can't wait to see more of this one.
There's a better looking version here, if you have an IGN membership.

I can't wait for Transformers...

Maybe it's just my boyish nature, but there's something about this movie that get's me all riled up inside. GenPSX does hit square on the nose of the transformers demographic though, I must say. I guess I'm not alone in my zombie-like attraction to this one. Anyway, this traileris nothing new, but I just felt I had to go dig it up since we're nearing its release. Yeah, this would have been a cool project to work on... Oh well. No regrets.

New lower price on Apple Cinema Displays

I saw this on Digg this morning. Good news for anybody looking to buy a new monitor for their sexy Apple Mac Pro's for instance. These babies are awesome. No I'm not being paid to say this, but I'd be happy to say more if Apple wants to throw down a little love. Ehh, what do you think guys?

Apple Cinema displays

Media downloads - Are they a waste of bandwidth?

Apple announced today that they plan to offer DRM-free music from EMI's entire digital catalog on the iTunes site for $1.29/song.
So, are people really happy with buying stuff direct to download? I've tried it of course and it IS convenient, but I have to say that it's almost more of a headache than it is a convenience. I mean, you end up having to deal with backing up the stuff that you've downloaded and you never have the compression-free version to do with as you please. Even DRM-free content doesn't seem to solve this problem, as far as I'm concerned. What do you think? It seems like the company that makes providing unlimited storage of personal music, movies, etc is really going to clean up in today's information age. If nothing else, I think the companies providing said content, should offer unlimited re-downloads of media that you've previously purrchased from them. that is, assuming you can prove you bought it in the first place. This would at least give people a safe guard in the case they've had a HD crash.
Thoughts?

OMG, GTAIV!

If you haven't played any of the Grand Theft Auto games, then come the f*** out of that hole you've been living in. Seriously man. No really, this franchise is undoubtedly one of the most successful ones of all time and until you've explored your inner psychopathic tendencies (ie: how many innocent civilians can I hit with this stolen fire-truck before the police catch me), you can't really know yourself. See it's educational. And don't go saying you "don't play games" b/c that's no excuse. It's friggin' GTA. That's like saying you don't like foreign films so you're not going to try watching Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon or Hero or something like that. There's certain cultural phenomena that you MUST try no matter what.
Well, this next incarnation looks sure to impress. I'm just hoping for the MMO capabilities. That would be "off the chizain." OMG, I can't believe I've stooped to Paris Hilton's level...

GOW2 - Theseus was a bad-ass in real life too...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theseus
Yeah, so I was playing GOW2 again last night and I finally beat that bastard Theseus. I got curious about the real Theseus though, when I went searching for a picture of him from the game (which I couldn't find by the way).
Anyway, I just wanted to say that jeezus that was a pain in ass - that guy was. It was really more about the minotaurs though, as I guess he was a bit over the hill after standing there atop of the Steeds of Time for all those years (so I presume). Oh and, while I'm on the subject... It's a brilliant game, which I've already pointed out, but what's with the lack of save points in games these days?
I'm not necessarily referring to the bosses in particular, as those points usually trigger a save automatically, although in this case I still had to run across the chain-link bridge/etc/etc again and again once re-tiring/re-starting the game. I'm more referring to longer spans of time in which you've accomplished A, B, & C and then die. Now you have to go and do that all over again. It's not just GOW2, but others as well. Actually, Resistance Fall of Man is an even better example of this. Another fantastic game, with just this one complaint. Do game developers these days take joy in knowing that you have to agonize over the same sections of a level over and over again? What's up with that? It doesn't succeed in making me want to play it more and more, except when it's 1:00am and I can't go to sleep in fear of having to do it all over again. Though, in those cases I'm just pissed-off. But, it does make me NOT as willing to play something when I'm sitting there thinking that, "if I turn it on tonight, I'm going to have to repeat a bunch of crap all over again. Ahh hell!"

God of War II is Incredible

OMG! So far I've played through about the first 2 or 3 sections of the game (trying to balance fatherhood with my gaming addiction can be rough), but what I've seen so far is absolutely amazing. This game is everything that a game should be and more. The only thing that I can say is, I can't wait for GOW3, b/c while this is visually spectacular for a PS2 game, or any platform for that matter, I would still so love to see this in HD with textures greater than 64x64. What are your thoughts? and if you haven't played this yet, what the hell are you waiting for?

You can go here for more info on GOW2.
And here's some information on GOW3.

An Odly Effective TV Spot

Bee Movie Trailer

Here's the latest trailer from Bee Movie (soon to be the greatest animated movie in history). Okay, I'm biased. So what? Take a look.

Little Big Planet Looks Awesome!

More on PS3 Home

American Idol didn't blow last night...

Exciting PS3 News

Have you people seen what Sony is doing to promote its online gaming for the PS3? This is freakin' awesome! I just have to say.
http://ps3.ign.com/objects/891/891773.html
Anyway, it's basically a virtual world where you can move around freely, talking and mingling with friends, set up online matches, share music, etc... It's a big step forward in the socialization aspect of gaming. Very cool stuff if youa sk me. Not to mention, it's going to help sell PS3s like mad. Well done Sony to capitalize on the "Generation Coldplay" gamers demographic.
What do you guys think about this announcement?

Home Ownership & "Growing Up" = Bad for Pop Culture Addictions

We're currently redoing our backyard. we're finally adding the patio that we've been wanting since we bought our house almost 3 years ago. So far it's been a little bit slow going. Are you a home owner? Do you find yourself balancing your gaming/dvd/etc obsessions with your honey-do lists? Tell us about how being an adult has impacted your childhood obsessions...