Raymond Padilla

Will.i.am Named Intel’s Director of Creative Innovation

Sure, he made a cool video about Twitter, but I was still surprised that The Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am was named Intel’s director of creative innovation (video above). I’m really not sure what he has to offer Intel, but both parties seem thrilled about the partnership. In a press release, will.i.am said:

Nearly everything I do involves processors and computers, and when I see an Intel chip I think of all the creative minds involved that help to amplify my own creativity. Teaming up with the scientists, researchers and computer programmers at Intel to collaborate and co-develop new ways to communicate, create, inform and entertain is going to be amazing.

You know what would be really amazing? It would be absolutely phenomenal and beneficial to everyone on Earth if will.i.am and Intel teamed up to eradicate auto-tune. That would be an excellent use of celebrity and technology. Get on it guys!

Sony Ericsson PSP Android Phone (Xperia Play) Previewed

Engadget has posted an extensive preview of the Xperia Play — the Sony Ericsson phone that combines Google Android with the PlayStation Portable. The preview covers most of the phone’s hardware and software features, but with two major caveats. The phone reviewed appears far from final and several features aren’t working. Secondly, the PlayStation Pocket app can’t be tested at this time, so the software limitations I’ve been hearing about can’t be verified.

That said, it’s definitely worth a look if you’re tempted by the prospects of a PSP Android phone. Well done Engadget!

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BioWare Reveals Facebook Unlockable Dragon Age II Content

BioWare has revealed the unlockable content for Dragon Age II that can be snagged through its Facebook game Dragon Age Legends. Players can obtain Evra’s Might (ring), Evra’s Trophy Belt, Air of Confidence (ring), the Ivo Family Crest (necklace), and Dura’s Blue Flame (necklace). Here are the descriptions from BioWare’s Ethan Levy:

Evra’s Might
When Evra gained notoriety by defeating the Blood Sisters of Vehnstel, he was wearing his signature ring. Although the massive size of the solid gold ring attracts attention, it served a more practical purpose for Evra: he used it to punch demons in the face, sometimes felling them in a single blow.

Evra’s Trophy Belt
This grisly belt is filled with monstrous teeth, chipped blades, scraps of fur, and armor fragments. Each piece is said to be a trophy collected by Evra during his many adventures.

Air of Confidence
After averting a disaster at the Circle of Markham, Evra was given this ring by the First Enchanter. Though the Air of Confidence is not as eye-catching as his other famous ring, it is said that Evra always wore it, even when sleeping. The exact magical properties of the Air of Confidence are a subject of much speculation amongst minstrels.

Ivo Family Crest
Evolving over the years, the crest of House Ivo has become much more ornate than Paragon Ivo’s original design. This ancient golden amulet bears the original crest. Though the engravings are simple, the stark lines are somehow deeply stirring.

Dura’s Blue Flame
This weathered silver amulet has passed through many hands over the years. A deep blue sapphire almost glows in a certain light. Although time has faded its intricate engravings, the amulet has a certain majesty about it.

As I mentioned last November, social gaming is a great way to get audiences on the hook for a retail game. Dragon Age Legends will whet the appetites of longtime Dragon Age fans and possibly create some new ones. Getting unique items to use in Dragon Age II is just a sharp, sharp move. I can’t wait until Dragon Age Legends is out of beta!

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StarCraft II Custom Mods Available Now

The StarCraft II mods “Aiur Chef”, “Left 2 Die”, and “Starjeweled” are available for beta testing on Battle.net now. “Aiur Chef” is a spin on Iron Chef, “Left 2 Die” is a take on Left 4 Dead, and “Starjeweled” is inspired by Bejeweled.

I totally forgot to post this yesterday! The StarCraft II mods “Aiur Chef”, “Left 2 Die”, and “Starjeweled” are available for beta testing on Battle.net now. “Aiur Chef” is a spin on Iron Chef, “Left 2 Die” is a take on Left 4 Dead, and “Starjeweled” is inspired by Bejeweled.

Check out these screens from BlizzCon 2010 if you need a refresher. If you’ve had a chance to try out these mods, please let me know what you think of them.

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Square Enix Releases Crystal Defenders for Android

Square Enix has released Crystal Defenders for Google Android phones. Already popular for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, Crystal Defenders is a strategy (think Tower Defense) game that uses characters, jobs, and art from the Final Fantasy Tactics world. The game is priced at 600 yen. Looking it up on my T-Mobile G2 shows a U.S. price tag of $7.30.

Square Enix has had great success on iOS (that rhyme was completely unintentional, btw), but hasn’t had a significant release on Android market until now. If there’s one aspect of Android that completely sucks (a technical term) compared to iOS, it’s gaming. Hopefully Square Enix does well with Crystal Defenders and brings its other games to the Android platform. With some luck, perhaps the upcoming iOS version of Final Fantasy Tactics will appear in the Android Market too! Ah, what a lovely dream….

Coffee Talk #291: Your PSP2 Predictions and Wishes

I want to hear your PSP2 predictions. What do you think the system will have? What do you wish it will have? Are you expecting an OLED screen and 3G? Do you think it will pump out PS3-level graphics? Is it a lock for a holiday 2011 release?

Welcome to Coffee Talk! Let’s start off the day by discussing whatever is on your (nerd chic) mind. Every morning I’ll kick off a discussion and I’m counting on you to participate in it. If you’re not feelin’ my topic, feel free to start a chat with your fellow readers and see where it takes you. Whether you’re talking about videogames, your favorite movie robot, Kristin Bell being the new Neutrogena girl, or Rafael Nadal failing at the Australian Open (*snicker*), Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

In less than 24 hours, Sony will be holding a press conference on the PlayStation Portable 2. At least, that’s what most experts are thinking. A few believe that the company will also unveil the PSP Android phone, but I don’t think it will; that’s a Sony Ericsson product and February’s Mobile World Congress makes more sense for it. Besides, two sources have told me that the PSP phone only plays a portion of downloadable games, not every PSP game available digitally. It’s an exciting product, but I expect the enthusiast press to knock its limitations because…well, that’s what those guys are best at. I don’t think that the PSP2 should have to share a stage with its (probably) gimped cousin.

Anyway, I want to hear your PSP2 predictions. What do you think the system will have? What do you wish it will have? Are you expecting an OLED screen and 3G? Do you think it will pump out PS3-level graphics? Is it a lock for a holiday 2011 release? Put on your magic hat a predict the future (please)!

493 Pokemon Drawn as Cute Anime Girls

You must, Must, MUST check out this graphic of 493 Pokemon drawn as adorable anime girls (well, most of them are girls). Some of the interpretations are just awesome. I’m impressed with the art and admire the effort put into these drawings. To give you an idea of the art style, look at the interpretation of the three legendary beasts posted above.

Check out the drawings and let me know which ones caught your eye (please!).

Source via Geekologie

Taco Bell Being Sued For its Beef Being 35% … Beef

A California woman has started a class-action lawsuit against Yum Brands due to Taco Bell’s beef not having much…well, beef. While most reasonable people expect fast-food meat to have a certain amount of fillers, this woman believes that 65 percent of the ingredients in beef not being beef is a problem. Here are the details from The LA Times:

The class-action suit, which does not ask for money, objects to Taco Bell calling its products “seasoned ground beef or seasoned beef, when in fact a substantial amount of the filling contains substances other than beef.”

It says Taco Bell’s ground beef is made of such components as water, isolated oat product, wheat oats, soy lecithin, maltodextrin, anti-dusting agent, autolyzed yeast extract, modified corn starch and sodium phosphate, as well as some beef and seasonings.

Just 35 percent of the taco filling was a solid, and just 15 percent overall was protein, said attorney W. Daniel “Dee” Miles III of the Montgomery, Ala., law firm Beasley Allen, which filed the suit.

Hmmmm, it’s lunch time. I’m hungry. This lawsuit makes me want to go to Taco Bell for some of its fake beef.

Are any of you surprised that Taco Bell’s seasoned beef is comprised mostly of non-beef products?

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Hard Drive Enclosure Looks Like a Mini-PlayStation 3!

Do you have an old 2.5-inch hard drive that’s just collecting dust? Why not give it a new — and super cute — life with this adorable hard drive enclosure from LightTake. It looks just like a shrunken PS3 Slim!

It’s a very cute and inexpensive hard drive case…but I prefer metal enclosures that dissipate heat better…but (again) this one is too cute! Plus, I’m not sure how much longer it’ll be available; I imagine Sony’s legal team isn’t very happy about it.

Must…control…impulse…purchases.

Source via Hardware Sphere

Verizon Unlimited iPhone Data is a Limited-Time Offer

As we discussed earlier in the month, one of the key differentiators between AT&T’s and Verizon’s iPhone offerings is unlimited data. AT&T has moved onto a tiered pricing structure, while Verizon still offers unlimited data…for now. The Wall Street Journal has reported what many of us knew would happen — unlimited data on the Verizon iPhone 4 is a limited time offer. This was confirmed by Verizon COO Lowell McAdam:

Mr. McAdam said the iPhone unlimited plan will be a temporary offer and that the carrier will follow AT&T’s move to tiered pricing in the not too distant future.

It’s a smart business move. A lot of tech savvy customers know that the next iPhone will almost definitely be released in June 2011. These same customers also know that unlimited data plans are going bye bye. This is a way to snag those customers that want Verizon reliability but were on the fence about getting iPhone 4 or waiting for the iPhone 5. For some customers, being grandfathered into an unlimited data plan is worth buying a phone now and paying for another one in June.

For those of you that were considering jumping ship, does McAdam’s confirmation of Verizon moving away from unlimited data change anything for you?

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