Coffee Talk #172: Counting Down to Digital Distribution

In the last ten days I spent two hours waiting for a PSP game to download and four hours waiting for an Xbox 360 game to download. In both cases I was annoyed and agitated that it took so long to download a relatively small amount of data. Six hours for a little over six GBs?!? That’s a step above cavemen banging two rocks together to start a fire!!! But you know what? It beats the crap out of the alternative.

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 NY Knicks signing Amare Stoudemire, Team Armstrong vs. Team Landis, or the the super pretentious Paris Apple Store, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

In the last ten days I spent two hours waiting for a PSP game to download and four hours waiting for an Xbox 360 game to download. In both cases I was annoyed and agitated that it took so long to download a relatively small amount of data. Six hours for a little over six GBs?!? That’s a step above cavemen banging two rocks together to start a fire!!! But you know what? It beats the crap out of the alternative.

Waiting two hours for a PSP is much better than going to a mall, dealing with crowds, and interacting with funployees. The four hours the Xbox 360 download took is much better than waiting for a package to arrive. I’m so ready for digital distribution to be the norm. I can’t wait for console companies and crap-bag ISPs (like my friends at Time Warner Cable) to get their acts together so that digital distribution can happen now.

I know that some of you still have issues with digital distribution and that a few of you still love boxes (I don’t get it). Are you anxious for digital distribution to hit? Or is waiting okay with you?

His Name is Prince…and He Hates the Internet

In a recent interview with The Daily Mirror, international music superstar Prince said some really dumb things about the Internet. His comments were ignorant, bitter, and…well, just flat-out stupid. Check it out:

The internet’s completely over. I don’t see why I should give my new music to iTunes or anyone else. They won’t pay me an advance for it and then they get angry when they can’t get it.

The internet’s like MTV. At one time MTV was hip and suddenly it became outdated. Anyway, all these computers and digital gadgets are no good.

They just fill your head with numbers and that can’t be good for you.

I realize that Prince lives in his own little world, but claiming that the Internet is over is just moronic. It’s a communications medium. Saying telephones and television are “completely over” would be just as stupid. Sure, he was talking about the Internet in terms of his music but even in that context his comments show out of touch he is with reality. I suppose I’m disappointed that one of the most creative and forward-thinking musicians of my generation hates the Internet.

What do you think of Prince’s comments?

Source via CrunchGear

LG Getting Into Android with its Optimus Line of Phones/Tablets

Samsung has been getting a ton of attention with its various Galaxy S Android phones and Korean competitor LG Corp isn’t happy about it. To strike back, the company has revealed details on its upcoming Optimus phones and teased an Android tablet. Here are some details from the press release:

LG Optimus One with Google offers the latest in Google mobile features and connects seamlessly to the world. Its ability to connect effortlessly to Google’s Android Market delivers an unfiltered and genuine smartphone user experience. Also, a convenient user interface and diverse multimedia options ensure a mobile environment that makes this device one of the easiest to use on the market.

The LG Optimus Chic caters to fashion aficionados with its tasteful design incorporating soft and smooth lines. The handset’s sleek curves set a new standard for smartphone design, challenging the perception that advanced Android devices need to appeal to a hardcore tech crowd to gain widespread acceptance.

Yes, this post was mostly written because I thought it would be funny to use Optimus Prime on the home page. The cute Korean models picture above was just a bonus. Seriously though, I’ve loved the design of past LG phones. The company’s use of brushed aluminum made for some handsome handsets.

The Optimus line is great news for the Android platform too; LG does reasonably well in America and is super popular in Asia. The Optimus line should help Android up its game internationally. I love that the Android market is getting crowded and competitive. The result will be more interesting phones to choose from. Go Lucky Goldstar!

This Week’s Videogame Releases

There’s only one interesting game coming out this week — Crackdown 2. So…anyone planning to pick this title up? I enjoyed the first one and like what I saw when I previewed the sequel in April. The game is actually on my Xbox 360 now and I need to fire it up later today. You guys want a not-a-review for this?

Coffee Talk #171: M. Night Shyamalan Exposed

I am thoroughly enjoying the reviews for The Last Airbender. I love that M. Night Shyamalan is getting called out for some shoddy and expensive work. I’ve always resented him a bit (I’ll explain shortly). At best, I thought he was a one-trick pony with good directing skills and poor writing skills (which makes him Bizarro Kevin Smith). At worst, I thought he was an overrated hack. So yeah, I’m enjoying the skewering he’s getting for ruining Avatar.

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, MLB all-star snubs, the best fireworks you saw last night, or Alton Brown’s grilling secrets, Coffee Talk is the place to do it.

I am thoroughly enjoying the reviews for The Last Airbender. I love that M. Night Shyamalan is getting called out for some shoddy and expensive work. I’ve always resented him a bit (I’ll explain shortly). At best, I thought he was a one-trick pony with good directing skills and poor writing skills (which makes him Bizarro Kevin Smith). At worst, I thought he was an overrated hack. So yeah, I’m enjoying the skewering he’s getting for ruining Avatar.

You see, I had to like Shyamalan. One of my best friends and former roommates, Steve, is Indian-American. I championed famous Indian-American celebs on his behalf (all three of them) and he championed famous Filipino-Americans on mine (all four of them). For a while, Shyamalan was a press darling — not liking him would’ve broken this sacred covenant Steve and I had. Besides, I enjoyed Unbreakable.

The good news is that the rise of Aziz Ansari has made it okay to dislike Shyamalan. I’m pretty sure that an up-and-coming comedian that’s cool and edgy allows me to knock off a hack film writer. I’ll have to check with Steve. Anyway, let me know what you think of M. Night Shyamalan’s work. Are you fan? Do you think he’s overrated? Are you pissed that he’s butchered Avatar: The Last Airbender?

LEGO Harry Potter Collector’s Edition Behind-the-Scenes Video

Just in case you didn’t buy the collector’s edition of LEGO Harry Potter, here’s one of the behind-the-scenes videos from the set. It’s a cute clip that contains several moments of the cast goofing off while making the first four movies. It’s kind of crazy that these kids have been working on these movies for a decade…and that Hermione has gotten really hot.

Anyway, it’s a fun video for you Harry Potter nerds (like me!) out there.

Can Google Compete With iTunes and Facebook?

Google already has its finger in dozens of pies. It rules the Internet advertising and search kingdoms, while competing in mobile operating systems, VoIP, social networking, and more. If the rumors are true then Google is about to go head-on with Facebook and iTunes with Google Me and Google Music, respectively.

Google has attempted two major social networking projects that never really went anywhere: Orkut and Google Buzz. While it’s still supporting Buzz, the company realizes that it has to do more. Will the third time be a charm with Google Me? Perhaps…but I seriously doubt it can put a significant dent in Facebook. Maybe being a strong number two — and serving tons of targeted ads — is more than enough for the company.

I believe Google has a slightly better opportunity with Google Music. Although iTunes is immensely popular thanks to millions of iPod and iPhone sales, Apple has never been good at leveraging cloud computing. Google, on the other hand, has been great at it. There are rumors that there’s a cloud-based iTunes in the works, but I wonder if Apple can pull it off. While Google has a ton of work to do in order to match the elegant iTunes experience, at the very least I expect it to get the cloud part right.

What do you guys and gals think? Can Google compete with Facebook and iTunes? Or are Google Me and Google Music destined to fail?