Muppets: The Green Album Totally Rocks!

The soundtrack for The Muppets, titled Muppets: The Green Album, looks fantastic! It’s a bunch of contemporary artists doing updated versions of classic Muppets songs. The talent includes Weezer, My Morning Jacket, Brandon Saller (Atreyu), and OK Go. I’m completely psyched that Rachael Yamagata is in the mix too! Her 2004 album Happenstance is one of my favorites of the last decade.

The initial trailer for The Muppets had me looking forward to the movie. The soundtrack just sealed the deal!

If you have a chance, head on over to the track listing page and listen to the samples. Let me know if you’re digging any of the songs on Muppets: The Green Album. Mahna mahna!!!

[I wanted to post this story yesterday, but my crap web host decided to take the day off. Never use AnHosting.]

BlackBerry 9900: Has RIM Given Up on the Consumer Market?

RIM and its American carrier partners have announced pricing for the upcoming BlackBerry Bold 9900…and it’s ridiculous. On AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon, the 9900 will cost $249.99 after a rebate and a two-year contract commitment. On T-Mobile, it will cost $299.99 under the same conditions. That’s frickin’ hilarious!

While the BlackBerry Bold 9900 looks like a nice piece of hardware, its internals are outdated and it runs a pathetically archaic operating system. Tech specs include a single-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor, 8GB of internal storage, 768MB of RAM, and a 2.8-inch screen (640 x 480). Those specs look like a joke compared to current high-end Android phones, all of which are priced at $199.99 under the same terms. The only exceptions are some of Verizon’s LTE Android phones, which cost $249.99, but those models offer unmatched Internet speeds. The point being that the Bold 9900 is way too expensive for what it offers.

To me, the pricing can only mean one of two things. Perhaps RIM has given up on the consumer market in 2011. Outside of corporate use — specifically BlackBerry Enterprise Server — I can’t see how a sane person would pay a premium price for such a weak (though certainly handsome) phone. Sure, there are some BlackBerry addicts that will snatch up the 9900, but being a BlackBerry addict in 2011 is akin to insisting that Jenna Jameson is still one of the sexiest women in the world.

My initial feeling is that RIM is waiting for its QNX-based version of BlackBerry OS to hit in 2012 before aggressively attacking the consumer market again. My other feeling is that this is just the latest of a series of idiotic decisions made by RIM executives.

What do you think of the BlackBerry Bold’s pricing? What is RIM thinking here? Do any of you still believe that Jenna Jameson is still ultra-hot?!?

[I wanted to post this story yesterday, but my crap web host decided to take the day off. Never use AnHosting.]

PSP Vita Will Have Facebook, Foursquare, Skype, and Twitter

Sony has confirmed that its upcoming PlayStation Vita will have native Facebook, Foursquare, Skype, and Twitter apps. Do you guys and dolls care that the Vita will have extensive social networking capabilities or…

Sony has confirmed that its upcoming PlayStation Vita will have native Facebook, Foursquare, Skype, and Twitter apps. Each app adds a layer of social networking, communications, and location-based entertainment. Of course what I really want to know is are you going to go my way, do you care?!?

I think it’s fantastic that the Vita will have these apps. As many of you know, I’m a frequent user of all four. I love that Sony is making the Vita social. More importantly, the Vita will be social in a way that fits in with most of the online world, as opposed to an insular method like Street Pass on the Nintendo 3DS. Similar to how how consoles are no longer just about games, these apps will ensure that the Vita is far more than a portable gaming device.

Having said that, I don’t see myself using them (much) on the Vita. I use all four services on my mobile phones (yes, plural). For the most part, I don’t see how using one of these services on the Vita will be better than using them on my phone. Perhaps viewing Facebook pictures or making Skype video calls will be better because of the larger screen, but I can’t think of any other reasons.

How do you feel about Facebook, Foursquare, Skype, and Twitter on the PlayStation Vita? Does it make the device more interesting for you? Can you think of a case where it would be better to use one of these services on a Vita than on a phone?

Coffee Talk #386: Do Gamers Want Art?

First off, this isn’t one of those “Are videogames art?” columns. You’ve read too many of those already, I’m sure. What today’s column is about is whether there’s a high demand for videogames that are artistic. I’m talking…

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, naughty thoughts about Courtney Stodden, Claudio Castagnoli and Chris Hero making it in WWE, or dreaming of VPS, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

First off, this isn’t one of those “Are videogames art?” columns. You’ve read too many of those already, I’m sure. What today’s column is about is whether there’s a high demand for videogames that are “artistic”. I’m talking about games like Ico, Okami, Elite Beat Agents, Child of Eden, etc. Secondly, I want to discuss gamer apathy and journalist snobbery regarding these games. Let’s get to it!

You see, it all started innocently enough. I was hanging out with my friend EGM Paul, getting ready to devour some outstanding pastrami. We started talking about games like the ones I mentioned above. We discussed if games like these are similar to their theatrical counterparts. While there are certainly some gamers that are thrilled by games like Ico, there are simply more that are dazzled by Call of Duty or Madden. It’s kind of like how The Wedding Banquet is one of my favorite movies of all time, but I understand why Transformers is more popular. A lot of people are passionate about “art house” games and want them to take over the world, but the reality is that they’ll never be blockbusters.

One of the problems with these games is how journalists write about them. A lot of writers get way too uppity about these titles and the pretentiousness is amazing. Too many people write things like, “You’re not a real gamer if you don’t support this game!” or, “You don’t care about the gaming business if you don’t buy this title!” There’s a fine line between wanting to support games that are different and coming off like a prick. A lot of writers cross this line. What’s more alarming is that many of them feel that their stance is justified. (For any new readers, I am not a journalist, FYI.)

I understand why journos get worked up. A lot of gamers are apathetic. A lot of people say that they’re tired of sequels and want more original games. A lot of the same people don’t put their money where their mouths are. There’s nothing wrong with buying and enjoying games in the same series year after year. Games are entertainment and gamers should spend their money on whatever entertains them the most. However, people that bitch about Activision and EA pumping out sequel after sequel while doing nothing to support new IPs and original games should just shut the hell up keep it to themselves.

For my part, I try to support my favorite developers and original games that I enjoy. Even though I get games for free, I’ll go out and buy a BioWare title or an Okami game because I want to see more. My extra copy will go to a friend that I think will enjoy the game, but wouldn’t necessarily by it. In some cases, I’ve made news fans for my favorite developers and unique games. Bonus.

How about you? Do you enjoy so-called “artistic” games? Do you care about supporting original titles or small developers? Or do you just buy whatever makes you happy? How do you feel about journalist snobbery and gamer apathy concerning these games? Leave a comment and let me know (please)!

PlayStation 3 Price Cut to $250

[Updated 9:10PM PDT] Sony has just announced that the PlayStation 3 160GB model has been price cut to $250 effective immediately. I’m waiting for the official press release, but for now check out that image of the “official” tweet from the PlayStation account. For those of you that don’t have a PS3, are you going to buy one for $250?

[Update: Here’s a clip from the press release with the official price of multiple models in multiple territories.]

Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) today announced that the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system with 160GB hard disk drive (HDD), currently available at a recommended retail price (RRP) of 29,980 yen (including tax), $299 and euro 299, will be available at a very attractive new RRP of 24,980 yen (including tax) for Japan, $249 for North America and euro 249 for Europe/PAL territories. SCE will also reduce the price of the PS3® system with 320GB HDD, currently available at a RRP of 34,980 yen (including tax), $349 and euro 349, to RRP of 29,980 yen (including tax), $299 and euro 299. The new pricing will be immediately effective for North America and Europe/PAL territories, and starting August 18, 2011 for Japan.

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Noel Gallagher (Oasis) Blames London Riots on Videogames

Former Oasis lead singer Noel Gallagher knows the cause of the London riots — violent television and videogames. It’s fantastic that geniuses like Gallagher are providing astute analysis of the London riots, while Mensa members like Hulk Hogan are offering solutions. In a recent interview with Bang Showbiz Gallagher said:

We live in this age of violence — and I don’t care what other people say: Brutal TV and brutal video games are a reason for this pointless violence as well. The people are immune to violence, they are used to it.

As much as I’ve enjoyed Oasis music in the past, I’ve always thought that Noel Gallagher was a prick. His take on the London riots confirms his dickishness, as well as his idiocy. Also, he looks like Mr. Bean.

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Watch the CM Punk vs. Kevin Nash Confrontation on Raw

It was interesting to see CM Punk confront Kevin Nash on last night’s episode of Monday Night Raw. For those of you that aren’t up on the current storyline, Punk defeated John Cena on Sunday to retain the WWE Championship. Out of nowhere, Kevin Nash hit the ring and gave Punk a jackknife powerbomb. This opened the door for Alberto Del Rio to cash in his Money-in-the-Bank title shot to win the WWE Championship.

Punk was excellent last night, just as he’s been for the last few months. I was surprised that Nash was so flat. He’s usually great on the stick, but seemed a bit uncomfortable last night. It made me wonder if he got too used to the crowds at TNA (only a few hundred people) and forgot what it was like to work the mic in front of thousands.

The storyline is also…interesting. It looks like WWE is going with a , “Who done it?” plot. Nash got a text message from Triple H to pull a schmoz. I’m guessing that the message was sent from Hunter’s phone, but was sent by someone else. Stephanie McMahon is the obvious choice since she obviously has access to her husband’s phone. John Laurinaitis is another possibility. Either way my writing in the last two SmackDown vs. Raw games was much better. Ha!

Let me know what you think of CM Punk, Kevin Nash, and this current storyline when you have a chance. Who do you think sent the text message to Big Daddy Cool?

Four Games Added to $19.99 Nintendo Selects Line for Wii

Nintendo will add four new titles to its $19.99 Nintendo Selects line for Wii: Super Paper Mario, Mario Strikers Charged, Punch-Out!!, and Super Mario Galaxy. The games will be available as Nintendo Selects titles starting August 28, 2011. Doing a quick search on Amazon.com, the current prices for these games aren’t anywhere near $19.99. They should be a sweet value for Wii owners that haven’t already purchased these great games.

I love Punch-Out!! and Super Mario Galaxy. Those are easy recommendations. I enjoyed the original Mario Strikers and am willing to give Charged a go for $19.99. I’m actually a bit shocked that I haven’t played Super Paper Mario. I’ll have to take care of that some time after August 28.

Are any of you down to purchase any of these four new Nintendo Selects games?

Warren Buffett Calls for Higher Taxes on Millionaires

I kind of have a man-crush on Warren Buffett at the moment. He recently wrote an editorial calling for higher taxes for people that make more than $1-million. He explains things clearly and his reasoning is sound. As an example, he pointed out the absurdity of the low tax rates he currently enjoys:

Last year my federal tax bill — the income tax I paid, as well as payroll taxes paid by me and on my behalf — was $6,938,744. That sounds like a lot of money. But what I paid was only 17.4 percent of my taxable income — and that’s actually a lower percentage than was paid by any of the other 20 people in our office. Their tax burdens ranged from 33 percent to 41 percent and averaged 36 percent.

If you make money with money, as some of my super-rich friends do, your percentage may be a bit lower than mine. But if you earn money from a job, your percentage will surely exceed mine — most likely by a lot.

Firstly, I love the term “super-rich”. It makes me think that Buffett and his friends parade around in capes…because they can. I wonder if I qualify as super-poor. I’m certainly not in the middle-class at the moment, but neither am I homeless or hungry. I’m pretty this makes me super-poor. Do I get a cape too?

Secondly, I think I’m going to have to abandon Margaritaville and promote Warren to my favorite Buffett. Sorry Jimmy.

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Analysis: Google Buys Motorola Mobility

Google has announced that it has purchased Motorola Mobility for $12.5-billion or $40 a share. While that sounds like a hefty chunk of change, there are a few things to consider. First of all, Google can afford the purchase. Secondly, with all the ridiculous patent wars happening in tech, Motorola Mobility gives Google the opportunity to counter-sue and pursue cross-licensing deals with companies that claim Android infringes on their patents. Lastly, it’s just good business to have control of software, services, and hardware.

Google CEO Larry Page wrote the following on the Official Google Blog:

This acquisition will not change our commitment to run Android as an open platform. Motorola will remain a licensee of Android and Android will remain open. We will run Motorola as a separate business. Many hardware partners have contributed to Android’s success and we look forward to continuing to work with all of them to deliver outstanding user experiences.

We recently explained how companies including Microsoft and Apple are banding together in anti-competitive patent attacks on Android. The U.S. Department of Justice had to intervene in the results of one recent patent auction to “protect competition and innovation in the open source software community” and it is currently looking into the results of the Nortel auction. Our acquisition of Motorola will increase competition by strengthening Google’s patent portfolio, which will enable us to better protect Android from anti-competitive threats from Microsoft, Apple and other companies.

This deal is first and foremost about patents. Depending on which source you believe, either Motorola or Nokia holds the largest mobile-tech patent library. Technology patents are getting out of hand. Apple and Microsoft are pretty much suing everybody that makes a mobile device. It’s sad that Microsoft made more money off of Android than Windows Phones in Q2 2011. It’s also sad that Apple is able to block Samsung devices from being sold in certain countries over patent litigation. (I’ve never mistaken a Galaxy device for an iPhone or iPad, have you?) Acquiring Motorola Mobility gives Google a ton of ammo to defend and attack in the crazy patent wars.

Although Motorola has been getting beat up in the press in 2011 due to the underwhelming Xoom tablet and the comically delayed Bionic phone, it’s still one of the best Android handset makers in the world. Remember, Android didn’t really take off until the Motorola Droid/Milestone. The company has made excellent Android phones like the Droid X and Droid 2. It will be interesting to see if the number of Motorola handsets decreases after the acquisition is complete (I’m guessing it will). The acquisition also fuels the rumor that Motorola will be making the Android Ice Cream Sandwich hero phone, rumored to be called the Nexus prime.

Regardless of whether Motorola Mobility continues producing the same amount of phones, it’s important for Google to lead the way by showing how to integrate Android software, services, and hardware. Prior to the acquisition, Google only controlled the first two. Now it has a hardware manufacturer to play with. This can only be good for the future of Android.

Of course it will be interesting to see how Google’s Android partners react to the deal in the long term. Right now its partners are applauding it because of all the lovely patents. Google will have to juggle the advantages of having its own hardware arm and appeasing its hardware partners. Naturally, Motorola Mobility will have some advantages over HTC, Samsung, LG, etc., but will they be substantial enough to stifle the competition or will the competition be forced to be more aggressive with differentiation? For example, will HTC — one of the most successful Android partners — be even more aggressive with its Sense UI and HTC Watch video service in order to help its phones stand out from Motorola’s Google phones?

What do you think of Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility? How do you think it will affect the Android universe? Is Motorola now a shoe-in for the next Android champion phone and all future Android champion products? Leave a comment and let me know (please)!

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