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Coffee Talk #159: The Stereoscopic 3D Conspiracy

During my lunch meeting yesterday, one of my friends dropped this conspiracy theory on the big push behind 3D movies and 3D gaming. He said that television technology has gotten so good that early adopters have nothing to adopt. Televisions purchased in the last year or so will be good for at least another four. Considering there are some people that buy new televisions every two years, this is unacceptable for TV manufacturers. Ergo, the push for stereoscopic 3D content.

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, the Mix Me In2 Taylor Swift iPhone app, AT&T giving out your email, or Malfoy vs. Edward, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I’m usually not big on conspiracy theories…but this one actually makes sense. It’s getting harder and harder for TV manufacturers to entice consumers with new products. In the last year, it seems like biggest differentiating factor was whether a television ran at 60Hz, 120Hz, or 240Hz — a factor that most general consumers don’t understand or can’t even discern. 3D?!? That’s easy to understand! Look at Avatar. Look at all the cool games Sony will be showing at E3 2010.

What do you think of the big stereoscopic 3D conspiracy? Is it really a push towards the future? Or is it a gimmick being exploited by consumer electronics companies in order to sell more televisions?

Coffee Talk #157: E3 Games That Excite You

E3 is next week! There are going to be oodles and oodles of fantastic games at E3 2010 — some of them you know about already and others are sure to surprise. I want to know what games you’re looking forward to learning more about at this year’s show. Shoot off one game you know about and one game you’re hoping for.

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, the NXT invasion, Elton John singing at Rush Limbaugh’s wedding, or your prediction for the NBA finals, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

E3 is next week! There are going to be oodles and oodles of fantastic games at E3 2010 — some of them you already know about and others are sure to surprise you. I want to know what games you’re looking forward to learning more about at this year’s show. Shoot off one game you know about and one game you’re hoping for.

As for me, I can’t wait to see more of The Last Guardian for PlayStation 3. I loved Ico and really liked Shadow of the Colossus. I can’t wait to see what Team Ico does next! As for surprise titles…I can’t really say right now. The one I’m looking forward to the most is something that was told to me off the record. *tease*

So let me know what E3 2010 games you’re looking forward to (please)!

Sprint HTC Evo 4G Review Center

The HTC Evo 4G for Sprint is available now! It’s an excellent phone and in my opinion, the best Android handset available today. That said, it has some drawbacks, like any other phone. Is the Evo 4G right for you? Read my extensive (not a) review to find out! This six-part series covers the phone’s battery life, WiFi hotspot functionality, software, gaming capabilities, camera, and more. Check it out!

Coffee Talk #155: Worst Addition to Gaming in the Last Five Years?

Yesterday we had a fun discussion about the best thing to happen to gaming in the last five years. Today I want to talk about the worst thing. While EA’s Online Pass has been making the news lately, I’m sure there are worse things we can think of, right?

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, Drogba missing the World Cup with a broken arm, Miley Cyrus getting in touch with her lesbian side, or Rasheed Wallace being the only Celtic thay played last night, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I’m actually having a hard time thinking about the “worst” thing. Perhaps I’m a generally positive person (at least, when it comes to this business). Some people think Bobby Kotick is gaming’s anti-Christ, but I love him simply for giving me so many things to write about. A lot of people hate DRM, but I’m not much of a PC gamer anymore so the problem doesn’t bother me. I guess the thing that bugs me the most is that game creators still aren’t recognized for their awesome works. Things have gotten a little better, but this business is still more about the publisher than it is the developer, sadly.

Now it’s your turn! What’s the worst thing about the last five years of gaming?

Coffee Talk #154: Best Addition to Gaming in the Last Five Years?

Gaming evolves at a ridiculous pace. Thinking about the videogames I played as a kid and what I play now…it’s just crazy! The improvements made in the last couple of years — just a few years! — are also impressive. Today I’d like to know what your favorite gaming innovation is from the last five years.

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, having a perfect game ruined by a bad call, Japan’s prime minister resigning and asking people to keep following him on Twitter, or the possibility of foul play in Gary Coleman’s death, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

For me it’s definitely digital downloads. I love that I can download games for $5 to $10. Whether it’s a board game, a new arcade title, or a treasured classic, making impulse purchases from the comfort of my couch is just powerful and awesome (and sometimes financially dangerous). Before digital downloads proliferated, I had to order games or go to a store — often spending at least $40 for a title. The cheapness and immediacy of digital downloads rule!

So how about it? In your opinion, what’s the best thing that’s happened to gaming in the last five years?

HTC Evo 4G (Not) Review Part 6: The Conclusion

After nearly two weeks with the HTC Evo 4G, I’m ready to give my closing thoughts, recommendations, and all that good stuff. I enjoyed the process of using the phone and updating my (not a) review on a rolling basis. To me, it was much more useful and accurate than reviews that were based on using the phone for two days. If you don’t have the patience to read the whole thing, I’ll just say that the HTC Evo 4G is the best Android phone out there today. Now, let’s kick off the final chapter in this (not a) review with a binary list of what I liked and didn’t like about the Evo 4G.

What I Liked

The Screen: Saying I like the screen is actually an understatement. I frickin’ love it! While I would have preferred an OLED screen, the TFT LCD screen on the Evo 4G produces images that are bright and clear enough. That aside, it’s just fantastic using a 4.3-inch screen. It makes viewing web sites, videos, and photos a better experience. It makes using a virtual keyboard easier. After you’ve used a phone with a display this large, it’ll be tough going back to the 3.5-inch and 3.7-inch displays that are more common.
The Camera: This was a pleasant surprise since I had low expectations due to HTC’s history. It’s not the best camera out there, but it’s very good.
HTC Sense: Although Android has been getting friendlier with each update, HTC Sense adds a bit more polish to the experience. Some people prefer the stock Android feel and customization, but I think more people will like the little touches Sense adds.
Kickstand: I love this thing more than I ought to. I just find it incredibly useful.
Android: It’s a fantastic operating system. It’s tight integration with other Google products is perfect for me.

What I Didn’t Like

Battery Life: I’ve been averaging 12 hours out of the Evo 4G’s battery. My use has been pretty moderate (for a tech nerd) and I know that I’ll be in situations where I’ll be using the phone a lot more. I will absolutely need an extra battery for a situation like E3 2010. That said, this is what I expected from a phone with a large screen and a fast processor, but just because I expected it doesn’t mean that I like it.
Button Layout: The other Android phones I’ve used had a trackball or optical sensor at the bottom of the phone. I’ve always thought that they were kind of stupid on a touchscreen device, but I see one area where they come in handy: creating space. The Evo 4G’s four function buttons are really close to its bottom edge. When I use the phone in landscape mode, I will inevitably hit the search button by accident. This happened a lot when I first started using and while it happens much less these days, I’m pretty sure that it will always be an issue for me. It’s just annoying.
HTC Sense: The bad thing about HTC Sense — and really, any customized version of Android — is that updates take longer. Android 2.2 (FroYo) has started rolling out to select HTC Nexus One phones and should be available to all N1 users by the end of the month. As fantastic as the Evo 4G is, it would be an absolute beast with the performance gains found in FroYo. HTC has promised that the Evo 4G will be getting 2.2 in 2010, but who knows what month the update will hit.
The $10 Solution: No, I’m not talking about EA’s Online Pass, but rather Sprint’s $10 premium data surcharge for the Evo 4G. Some writers have reported that this is for 4G access, whether it’s in your area or not. That’s incorrect. According to Sprint it’s for the “richer data experience” the phone offers. It’s a bullsh*t explanation, but the way I see it, Sprint is punishing its customers for using a great phone. The one saving grace is that Sprint’s prices are very good to begin with. Even with the $10 fee, an individual Sprint plan is almost always cheaper than what AT&T and Verizon offer. Still, the $10 fee is kind of crap (though it seems benevolent compared to the garbage AT&T is pulling).

Recommendation

Like I said at the top, the HTC Evo 4G is the best Android handset out there today. I highly recommend it as long as you’re cool with picking up an extra battery or are usually near a power outlet. The screen size, form factor, and camera combined with a polished Android experience make it absolutely fabulous. As long as Sprint coverage is solid in the places you work and play, I think the Evo 4G is a fantastic purchase.

Will I Keep the Evo 4G?

To be completely honest, I’m still not sure. I’m not even halfway through my T-Mobile contract, so I’d have to pay an early termination fee to keep the Evo as my primary phone. It’s very tempting though. The decision would be a little easier and the $10 premium charge would be easier to stomach if 4G were available in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Sprint claims that it’ll hit both cities in 2010, but the exact date hasn’t been stated. It’s a brilliant phone and Sprint 3G service is very strong in Los Angeles, but it’ll be costly to switch. It’s very, very, very tempting. Perhaps I’ll make up my mind in two more weeks when my month of free service is up. Let’s see how the HTC Evo 4G survives E3 2010!

Coffee Talk #153: What Social Networking Service Do You Use?

I was wondering what social networking services you fine ladies and gentlemen use. Out of necessity (have to promote the site and all), I used most of what’s out there. Twitter is my favorite. Facebook can be kind of fun. LinkedIn and Plaxo are boring, but necessary for business. I’m late to the party with Foursquare, but totally love it. Not only do you get to see where your friends are hanging out and discover new venues, you also get useless points for going to places and checking in on Foursquare — it’s like Achievement Points, but for living!

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, Guyism’s #7 most overrated woman, LeBron on Larry King Live, or Intelligentsia’s excellent Los Delirios Nicaragua: Finca Las Termopilas, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I was wondering what social networking services you fine ladies and gentlemen use. Out of necessity (have to promote the site and all), I use most of what’s out there. Twitter is my favorite. Facebook can be kind of fun. LinkedIn and Plaxo are boring, but necessary for business. I’m late to the party with Foursquare, but totally love it. Not only do you get to see where your friends are hanging out and discover new venues, you also get useless points for going to places and checking in on Foursquare — it’s like Achievement Points, but for living!

Please let me know what social networking service you use, which ones you love, which ones you hate, and all that good stuff.

Microsoft Announcing Hulu on Xbox 360 at E3 2010?

Here’s a hot E3 2010 rumor by way of Gear Live — Microsoft will announce a premium version of Hulu that will be available on Xbox 360. The look would be similar to how Netflix shows up on the Xbox Live dashboard. A paid subscription would also be required. Remember, Hulu was rumored to be launching a premium service in May, but that didn’t happen. Perhaps the Xbox 360 will kick things off. Here’s the deal from Gear Live’s Andru Edwards:

We’ve heard from a very reliable source (who has never been wrong before) that Microsoft is set to unveil Hulu as an Xbox Live service at E3 2010. Similar to how Netflix is integreated into the Xbox 360 dashboard, Hulu would be there as well, and would require a subscription fee.

What do you guys and gals think of the possibility oh Hulu on Xbox 360? What would you be willing to pay for premium content?

Source

Coffee Talk #152: Is Google Mobilizing a Fanboy Army?

At Google I/O 2010, I was fascinated by a number of comments delivered by vice president of engineering Vic Gundotra during the show’s keynote sessions. His not-subtle-at-all jabs against Apple were entertaining and a little curious. Here are two of my favorites.

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, Celtics vs. Lakers, Bryan Danielson taking it to The Miz and Michael Cole, or walking the bases loaded to pitch to A-Rod, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

On why Google started Android:

If we did not act, we faced a draconian future where one man, one company, one carrier was the future.

On why Android OS will support Flash in contrast to iPhone OS shunning it:

It turns out, on the Internet…people use Flash!

Although Google I/O is a developers conference, the keynotes were being covered by the press and recorded so that millions of people could watch them on YouTube. Enticing developers to create for Google platforms is certainly the primary goal, but in this day and age, keynotes have a performance element to them as well. I was wondering what Gundotra was trying to achieve.

Over the weekend I read this great article by TechCrunch’s excellent MG Siegler about Android fanboys arriving. In the tech world, you won’t find a more passionate bunch of nerds than Apple fanboys. They will rip your heart out (you know, the Internet equivalent of ripping your heart out) if you tell them that the iPhone isn’t a form of sorcery or that Steve Jobs isn’t God’s other son. No group of fanboys comes close to matching their zeal, but they certainly need competition.

With Android 2.0 and the release of the Motorola Droid (late 2009 for both), the iPhone finally had a worthy competitor. Things have just been getting better and better for the platform with the release of the Nexus One, Android 2.1, and Droid Incredible. Soon the Evo 4G and Android 2.2 will be here to add fuel to the fire. Apple and Google are competing on so many fronts these days — advertising, web browsers, mobile operating systems, television, etc. Perhaps Gundotra’s comments were made to bring fanboys into the Google fold. If so, it’s a wise move.

In the end, Google will not be able to get its fanboys to be as passionate or numerous as Apple’s. In the end, it doesn’t matter. It just needs enough numbers to be a strong #2 or #3. As I told RPadholic smartguy recently, Google’s core competency is advertising and it doesn’t need to be #1 as long as it has millions of customers to serve ads to.

HTC Evo 4G (Not) Review Part 4: Calls, Apps, Games, and More

I’ve been using the HTC Evo 4G for a week and wanted to update my (not a) review with more thoughts on this excellent phone. (Here are the links to part 1, part 2, and part 3 if you missed it.) This time around I’m going to talk about the phone’s call quality, apps, games and more. While some of these aspects are more about the Android platform than the actual phone, I wanted to give you a sense of what the overall Evo 4G experience is like. Let’s go!

Call Quality: Unlike most of my friends, I actually use my mobile phone to make a lot of phone calls. I know it’s crazy, but it’s true (Christopher Cross). For the last nine months I’ve been using a BlackBerry Curve 8900 on T-Mobile as my personal phone, so I’ll use that as a measuring stick. Compared to the 8900 on UMA (WiFi), the call quality is comparable. Everything sounded clear, though I wish the ear piece had an additional level or two of volume. The people I spoke with on the Evo 4G said I sounded good, but it was obvious that I was calling from a mobile phone. Compared to the 8900 on Edge, it was no contest. The Evo 4G was much, much better.

Since everyone is comparing the Evo 4G to the iPhone — rightly or wrongly — I’ll throw in that comparison as well. The Evo 4G kicks the iPhone 3GS’ ass as a telephone. It’s not even close. Overall I was very satisfied with how the Evo 4G works as a phone. Keep in mind that my calls were made in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Your experience may be different depending on where you work and play.

Apps: A lot of you aren’t familiar with the Android Market, so I wanted to discuss my experience with it on the Evo 4G. Obviously this isn’t a measure of the phone itself, but the Android platform. In terms of reference, media playing, and social apps, the Android Market has almost everything I want. Sure, the iPhone App Store has way more choices, but more isn’t always better. Sometimes it’s just more.

The two apps that I missed from my iPhone 3GS are Tweetdeck and a full Skype client. The former is on its way to Android and should be released in the next few weeks. I didn’t think the latter was coming to the Evo 4G due to Verizon’s limited exclusivity agreement with Skype, but it looks like Skype will be hitting the Android Market before the end of the year. What makes it particularly exciting for this phone is that video calls can be made thanks to the Evo 4G’s dual cameras.

Naturally, Google Apps are better on Android than any other platform. I love the phone’s version of Google Maps, Google Voice, Google Goggles, etc.

Games: Modern games is one area where Android is way, way behind the iPhone platform. The games selection in the Android Market is relatively thin and most of the titles aren’t very good. Having said that, I’m completely confident that gaming will improve on Android. Developers are flocking to the platform due to its rapid growth and comparative openness to iPhone OS. Google also hired Mark DeLoura as an Android developer advocate for gaming. DeLoura worked at Sony Computer Entertainment America’s developer relations division for a long time and was a technical director at Ubi Soft. I’ve known him for years. When I learned about his job at Google, I became way more interested in Android’s future as a gaming platform. The dude is very sharp and I know Android gaming will be much better now that he’s involved.

While current games on Android aren’t the best, the Android Market has several emulators for fans of classic games. Game Boy Color, Genesis, NES, and SNES emulators are available and it’s incredibly easy to find ROMs on the Internet. While the controls aren’t the best for games the require precision (think difficult platformers), they’re totally fine for RPGs. Considering that’s my favorite genre and the NES/SNES has some of the best RPGs of all time, these emulators will keep me busy. Just to CMA I have to note that you’re only supposed to emulate games that you own.

Voice to Text: This is one aspect of Android that I didn’t think I would care for but have come to love. The voice recognition is the best I’ve ever used. I’m astonished by how effective it is. It definitely takes some adjustment to train yourself to even think to use voice to text, but once you do it can be a real time saver. Plus, it just feels cool! It totally makes me feel like Captain Picard.

N8R’s Question: To answer RPadholic N8R’s question from the second part of this review, the Evo 4G supports a ton of file formats. For audio, MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, AMR, and MIDI work. For video, MPEG4, H.263, and H.264 are supported. I’ve viewed several MP4 and MKV files successfully on the Evo.

Next up I’m going to talk about the Evo 4G’s camera. Still images and video will be used. If you have any questions for now, fire away!