T-Mobile myTouch 4G Sizzle Video

T-Mobile has released a sizzle reel for its upcoming myTouch 4G phone. The video is snappy and cute, but I’m mostly unimpressed with the phone. It looks plastic-y and I detest the “Genius Button”. Then again, I was unimpressed with the T-Mobile G2’s announcement and the phone is one of my favorite Google Android handsets of 2010. Check out the clip and let me know what you think (please)!

Coffee Talk #240: Thank God for Zackery Morazzini

After reading the transcript of the Schwarzengger vs. the EMA Supreme Court case, I believe that gamers across the nation should be immensely thankful for the ineptitude of California deputy attorney general Zackery P. Morazzini

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 Derek Jeter contract estimate (years and dollars, please), Stumptown’s Guatemala Finca El Injerto Pacamara Varietal, or Demi Lovato hitting the triumvirate of hotness (cute, rich, and vulnerable), Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

After reading the transcript of the Schwarzengger vs. the Entertainment Merchants Association Supreme Court case, I believe that gamers across the nation should be immensely thankful for the ineptitude of California deputy attorney general Zackery P. Morazzini. For the most part, he came across as an ineffectual litigator that got his JD from Legal Hut. For the most part, the Justices made him look silly. Here are some of my favorite quotes.

Justice Ginsburg: What’s the difference? I mean, if you are supposing a category of violent materials dangerous to children, then how do you cut it off at video games? What about films? What about comic books? Grimm’s fairy tales?

Why are video games special? Or does your principle extend to all deviant, violent material in whatever form?

Justice Sotomayor: One of the studies, the Anderson study, says that the effect of violence is the same for a Bugs Bunny episode as it is for a violent video. So can the legislature now, because it has that study, say we can outlaw Bugs Bunny?

There are people who would say that a cartoon has very little social value; it’s entertainment, but not much else. This is entertainment.

Justice Sotomayor: Could you get rid of rap music? Have you heard some of the lyrics of some of the rap music, some of the original violent songs that have been sung about killing people and about other violence directed to them?

Justice Scalia: I’m not concerned about the jury judging. I’m concerned about the producer of the games who has to know what he has to do in order to comply with the law. And you are telling me, well a jury can — of course a jury can make up its mind, I’m sure. But a law that has criminal penalties has to be clear. And how is the manufacturer to know whether a particular violent game is covered or not?

Does he convene his own jury and try it before — you know, I really wouldn’t know what to do as a manufacturer.

pwned.

Check out the transcript (posted below) if you have a chance. It’s hard to say for sure without hearing how the lines were delivered, but from reading it, Morazzini is surely the Glass Joe of the California Attorney General’s office. I encourage all of you to drop Zackery P. Morazzini a line to thank him for sucking.

Schwarzenegger v. EMA

Kevin Garnett Allegedly Uses “Cancer Patient” in Trash Talk

The Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett — a player known for his trash talking — allegedly called the Detroit Pistons’ Charlie Villanueva a “cancer patient”. Villanueva has a condition called alopecia universalis, which prevents his hair growth. He recently posted two tweets that said:

KG called me a cancer patient, I’m pissed because, u know how many people died from cancer, and he’s tossing it like it’s a joke,

I wouldn’t even trip about that, but a cancer patient, I know way 2 many people who passed away from it, and I have a special place 4 those

Calling the whole situation a “miscommunication”, Garnett released a statement that said:

My comment to Charlie Villanueva was in fact ‘You are cancerous to your team and our league.’ I would never be insensitive to the brave struggle that cancer patients endure. I have lost loved ones to this deadly disease and have a family member currently undergoing treatment. I would never say anything that distasteful. The game of life is far bigger than the game of basketball.

That’s the lamest explanation I’ve ever heard. “You are cancerous to your team and our league,” doesn’t sound like anything a world class trash talker like Garnett would say. I hope someone posts tape of him using the term “cancer patient” and exposes his sorry ass.

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Microsoft Ups its Kinect Estimate to 5-Million Units

Microsoft is feeling pretty good about Kinect for Xbox 360 — so good that it has upped its estimated units sold this quarter from three-million to five-million. According to Bloomberg, Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business president Don Mattrick has revised the company’s estimates.

Microsoft Corp. boosted its forecast for the Kinect motion-control device for the Xbox gaming system to 5 million units this quarter, predicting the most successful Xbox product debut by sales.

Based on pre-sales, retail orders and consumer interest, the company expects to exceed a previous forecast of 3 million units, Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, said in an interview today. The device, which lets players control games with motion and voice, goes on sale tomorrow.

It looks like this will be one of the rare times that Michael Pachter is correct (I kid, I kid). What do you think of Microsoft’s numbers? Is the company being overly optimistic? Or is Kinect going to take over the world?!? Will Sony’s PlayStation Move come close to matching Kinect’s numbers?

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Harry Potter Linked to India’s Dwindling Owl Population

The Harry Potter books and movies have been blamed for the dwindling owl population in India. Jairam Ramesh, India’s environment minister, told BBC that along with black magic rituals, Harry Potter was to blame for owl poaching. Here’s the skinny:

He said that Harry Potter books and films featuring his feathered friend Hedwig are popular in India and had contributed towards the demise of owls.

Mr Ramesh said there had been an increase in people wanting to buy them from illegal bird traders.

Accio owl!!! So along with the death of millions of trees, JK Rowling is responsible to owl poaching. Nice going Jo!

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LittleBigPlanet 2 Creatinator Video Feature

Here’s a super cute LittleBigPlanet 2 video on the new creatinator item. From the single-player perspective, it’s simple — the creatinator shoots stuff. From the level-creation perspective it gets more complex — it can shoot whatever the creator can think of and be used for puzzles, platforming, and more. I’ve spent a bunch of time with the creatinator and I’m really impressed with its creative possibilities.

After you check out the vid, kindly let me know what you think of the creatinator and share ways that you’d use it.

Dragon Age Legends Brings DA to Facebook

BioWare has announced Dragon Age Legends for Facebook. The game is a teaser (enabler?) for the upcoming Dragon Age II, giving players a feel of the game’s world and rewarding them with unlockable items that can be used DA2. Here’s a clip from the press release:

The new game is inspired by the award-winning BioWare franchise but custom-designed for the casual and social play style for Facebook users of all ages. Dragon Age Legends blends accessible and engaging tactical combat with compelling co-operative gameplay perfectly suited for social networks, making for a unique offering on the platform. Launching in February 2011, Dragon Age Legends will also give gamers the chance to earn exclusive unlocks for Dragon Age II, one of the most highly anticipated video games of 2011.

Dragon Age Legends will give players their first taste of the Free Marches, the primary setting of Dragon Age II. Alongside their Facebook friends, players will take on challenging quests within an engaging storyline, earning loot, sharing rewards and growing their kingdom. The game will include a gratifying character customization and upgrade system that will allow players to tackle demons and darkspawn to become a legendary hero within the Dragon Age universe.

Yeah, I’m going to be playing the hell out of this one. It’s a clever way to attract gamers that are on the fence or new to Dragon Age. It’s also another way to keep BioWare marks (like me) addicted. Check out the screens below and let me know what you think of Dragon Age Legends (please!).

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Hulk Hogan Plays Def Jam Rapstar, Flashes His Schlong

In this video, the immortal (not really) Hulk Hogan plays some Def Jam Rapstar with his slut daughter and “The Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart. For some reason, The Hulkster flashes his junk at the camera…which is a really weird thing to do in front of one of your oldest friends and downright creepy to do in front of your daughter. The whole thing is rather…disturbing.