I have decided to hit the loyal readers with TWO posts since I have been away a while.
Alright, I picked up and finished Mass Effect. The first one, not the second. Wow…..this is all I can say.
I know I am probably behind the curve about this one, but I was just blown away by the graphics, the story, and the combat system! It’s all amazing. I will start at the beginning:
You start as Commander Shepard, which can be a female or male depending on your choice, who is sent to investigate a distress call on a colony world. What ensures afterwards is a scaling story or survival. I won’t get into detail; I absolutely refuse to get into details. Shedding even a couple do not do the epic space story justice. We can just cut to the combat. It’s an action RPG type of combat system, so you control mainly yourself and tell you squad mates advanced commands, like to use their powers, take cover, or assign which weapon they should use. That last one is pretty important because your squad mate will not do AI weapon switching, no matter what. That’s more a good thing than anything else. The AI is smart enough to handle most combat without you holding their hand, but when you’re surrounded, it helps to have some set combat tasks assigned.
So, will you die during combat? If you’re anything like me, then the answer is, yup. I died at least 20 times throughout the entire game. That’s nothing compared to the amount of deaths I incurred while playing any Halo, but the load times in the game are long enough that an death is quite annoying. But, no battle is impossible with a set number of commands and some proper use of the hiding system. I would actually like to think the combat is something like that of Gears of War, except no reload minigame you have to do and there are 3 as opposed to 2 of you. Also each squadmate has their strengths and weaknesses, thus before going into each battle it’s good to have a proper balance of each characters powers. Here is where the concept falls, though…I admittedly beat most of the game using nothing but combat heavy characters. I even beat the final boss using just brute force as opposed to any real tactics. This is not to say I went through the entire game this way, but something tells me I could have just picked my most combat heavy characters and dropped the hammer on anything I saw. I still had a great time with it though.
After beating the first game, I went to my local GameStop the next day and got Mass Effect 2 (note: I haven’t beaten the game, but have logged in 7 hours) and having played it a bit…I am hooked. It picks up right were the first one leaves off and thrusts you straight into the action. What the first game had was a ton of downtime, but this one is a constant stream of action and story. Where in the first game I still say straight brute force is king, this one makes using your tech and biotic powers an absolute necessity to survive. I will give my full thoughts on it later….
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Sprint finally made some kinda iPhone killer
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!!!!!
Now on to the tech!
A couple weeks ago I used my Sprint upgrade to buy an HTC EVO 4G about one week after it’s release. My wife wasn’t too pleased with the idea at first, but after I bought it I let her play with it for one night, and now she hates her Palm Pre and absolutely demands that I buy her an Evo. I will make this brief since I have several things to speak about.
-It’s fast. Very fast. It’s 1GHz SnapDragon processor combined with Android 2.1 and HTC Sense 2.1 overlaid on it makes the device absolutely seamless in just about every task.
-The 8MP camera on the back takes absolutely gorgeous pictures, and the 1.3MP camera is good for video chat, though it’s a feature I have yet to even use.
-The 4.3 inch screen just makes me a happier person. Anything I want to do, from web browsing to texting to writing blog posts (The last blog post I wrote was made using the Android OS with Docs To GO), a big screen is more a bonus than anything.
-Whether you love Android or hate it, no one should shun its absolute versatility, for when you need it. I have already tethered with my phone with my computer and used the internet, albeit at slower speeds than I’m used to, it’s useful in a pinch. I also have used Google Navigation to find my way around Orlando. Heck, I used my Evo with Google Navigation the ENTIRE way from Xenia, OH to Orlando , FL. It took 18 hours and was very hectic (got lost only once in Atlanta).
- Multi-Tasking is a giant benefit. If I am not using the navigation, surfing the web, or listening to podcasts, the ability to switch between any of them at any time is just awesome.
In short, everything you read is probably the same across the board no matter what cell phone review site you go to. It’s an awesome device capable of many things. If you have Sprint and are ok with the $10 premium data plan, I say go for broke.
Now on to the tech!
A couple weeks ago I used my Sprint upgrade to buy an HTC EVO 4G about one week after it’s release. My wife wasn’t too pleased with the idea at first, but after I bought it I let her play with it for one night, and now she hates her Palm Pre and absolutely demands that I buy her an Evo. I will make this brief since I have several things to speak about.
-It’s fast. Very fast. It’s 1GHz SnapDragon processor combined with Android 2.1 and HTC Sense 2.1 overlaid on it makes the device absolutely seamless in just about every task.
-The 8MP camera on the back takes absolutely gorgeous pictures, and the 1.3MP camera is good for video chat, though it’s a feature I have yet to even use.
-The 4.3 inch screen just makes me a happier person. Anything I want to do, from web browsing to texting to writing blog posts (The last blog post I wrote was made using the Android OS with Docs To GO), a big screen is more a bonus than anything.
-Whether you love Android or hate it, no one should shun its absolute versatility, for when you need it. I have already tethered with my phone with my computer and used the internet, albeit at slower speeds than I’m used to, it’s useful in a pinch. I also have used Google Navigation to find my way around Orlando. Heck, I used my Evo with Google Navigation the ENTIRE way from Xenia, OH to Orlando , FL. It took 18 hours and was very hectic (got lost only once in Atlanta).
- Multi-Tasking is a giant benefit. If I am not using the navigation, surfing the web, or listening to podcasts, the ability to switch between any of them at any time is just awesome.
In short, everything you read is probably the same across the board no matter what cell phone review site you go to. It’s an awesome device capable of many things. If you have Sprint and are ok with the $10 premium data plan, I say go for broke.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Stolen iPhone's and How Streaming Killed the Movie Star
And here I go again! Sorry for the hiatus, been playing with my new iPad. JUST KIDDING! I honestly see no viable reason to get one. I still stand by my word that, while pretty, yes, it is just a product with Apple's logo on it and would serve zero purpose for me, not now and possibly not even in the future. Get some USB ports, maybe some flash support (I go to TONS of websites that use Flash and flash video, so suck it), I like having a physical keyboard, I like my sturdy wi-fi connection, oh, and I guess unlike several thousand people, I love to multitask. I am doing it right now. Not a hard concept, Apple, since Microsoft has been letting me multitask, on any product since I was in grade school.
On to more important things: I just wanted to rapid-fire about some things I felt were important then I am going back to the real world.
APPLE vs. GIZMODO
-Gizmodo, you're wrong, as a company whole, for purchasing what would clearly be constituted as stolen goods. You're also wrong for showing the employee (and posting his Facebook page and Flickr page) of the person that lost it. For shame, Gizmodo...for shame.
-Apple, there is some serious egg on your face for one of your employees, in a drunken stupor I am sure, lose one of your valued prototype products. Then raiding that one guys house for information? WHY????!!!! You already had your iPhone prototype back? Was stealing all of his computers (even his iPad) necessary? And busting down the door? Perhaps asking him to relinquish his items first might have worked, or am I thinking too much that a human being might wanna be treated with some da** respect? And yes, I realize that it wasn't an official order from Apple to charged the reporters house, but really, who do you think gave them the idea to do so?
FACEBOOK
Seriously, stop fu**ing with my privacy settings. Resetting them is a headache enough without you jerks making it so everyone can see everything....again!
NETFLIX AND REDBOX
It is because of you two companies that I haven't set foot in a video rental store for over a year now. I can't even find my Family Video card. I haven't purchased a movie since Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (note: I regret nothing!). As a matter of fact, because of you two companies I may never purchase a movie, ever again. I am going to donate my movie collection, except for some choice titles, to a Goodwill, just because I never watch them anymore. It is because of you two companies, that I could justify the purchase of a new TV because me and the wife can watch just about anything at almost anytime for (combined) less than $20 a month, the cost of a single movie! As a matter of fact, this month I have watched at least 8 movies for about $13, less than the cost of buying them, I assure you. It is because for you two companies that here soon, the movie industry is going to be forced to rethink their business strategy on the consumer level, or suffer losing literally billions of dollars per year to everyone that is adpoting streaming and cheap movie rentals. And for this, Netflix and Redbox...I say thank you, and keep up the good work!
PS3 vs Xbox 360
Alright, I was an early adopter to the Wii and have a decent collection of titles to it, both fun and innovative. But when it comes to sheer title selection, the Xbox 360 wins. Recently though, I got a new HDTV with 1080p, so I figured it's time to get a Blu-ray player to complement it for HD movies. So, I finally justified a purchase pf a PS3. You know what, I am impressed. As a DVD/Blu-Ray player, it's so da** sexy. As a gaming system, my one compliant is the complete lack of a huge library of good games urks me. I bought MAG and LittleBigPlanet, and recently got Super Street Fighter IV with it, but after that I am lost what else to get (note: I realize that Street Fighter is also on the 360, just wait a bit....). One thing that does disappoint me is the hardware comparisons to the XBox 360 and the PS3. My X360 has broken down once, had to use the MS warranty to get it fixed, and the intial one I have does not have HDMI support (“FU** YOU EARLY ADOPTERS,” Microsoft I guess said to X360 Pro owners). The PS3 Slim I have didn't come with the HDMI cable, but the support was always there. The X360 also doesn't have built-in WiFi. Heck, even the Wii has built-in WiFi, let alone the PS3 having it. Normally this wouldn't be too much of a complaint, except Microsoft barely sells their network WiFi adapter anymore, but my current hardline connection is sporadic that some online matches were not worth having (read: Street Fighter IV). If I had a nickel for everytime a match shut me out of a game....anyways. I connected my PS3 online, and I don't know what those network engineers at Sony did, but even with WiFi I am able to maintain a solid connection with a seamless online experience, using a G-MIMO router, too! The cherry on the sundae: the PS3 Network is Free, where as for Xbox LIVE I have to pay $40-$50 a year, or $3-$4 dollars a month, depending on how you cut it up. I have played 256-player online matches on my PS3 without only one disconnect in the last two weeks. ONE! I have played, and payed, 18 player Modern Warfare matches with many, almost regular disconnects and hiccups during gameplay. The PS3 using Bluetooth headsets and controllers is also a bonus, as opposed to Microsoft's proprietary headsets and USB controllers. Complaints aside I was just surprised at how much I get out of my PS3 when for the X360 I have to pay more to get the same.
HTC EVO 4G
I won't call this phone, Sprint's savior device, but I will say I will buy it the day it comes out. Is it an iPhone killer? Nope. The iPhone is a market all it's own, for people that want a simple smartphone that's easy to use. Android phones are more complex, but not so much that it takes a a super tech to know how to work them (like Windows mobile 5.0 was). What are the main reason I will buy one?
-8 MegaPixel camera
-1.3 MP front facing video camera
-WiMAX 4G support
-4.1” screen
-It's made by HTC
-Android 2.1
-Enough said.
Or you could just go to www.sprint.com/htcevo to see it for yourself.
That's all I got's have yourselves a good one!
On to more important things: I just wanted to rapid-fire about some things I felt were important then I am going back to the real world.
APPLE vs. GIZMODO
-Gizmodo, you're wrong, as a company whole, for purchasing what would clearly be constituted as stolen goods. You're also wrong for showing the employee (and posting his Facebook page and Flickr page) of the person that lost it. For shame, Gizmodo...for shame.
-Apple, there is some serious egg on your face for one of your employees, in a drunken stupor I am sure, lose one of your valued prototype products. Then raiding that one guys house for information? WHY????!!!! You already had your iPhone prototype back? Was stealing all of his computers (even his iPad) necessary? And busting down the door? Perhaps asking him to relinquish his items first might have worked, or am I thinking too much that a human being might wanna be treated with some da** respect? And yes, I realize that it wasn't an official order from Apple to charged the reporters house, but really, who do you think gave them the idea to do so?
Seriously, stop fu**ing with my privacy settings. Resetting them is a headache enough without you jerks making it so everyone can see everything....again!
NETFLIX AND REDBOX
It is because of you two companies that I haven't set foot in a video rental store for over a year now. I can't even find my Family Video card. I haven't purchased a movie since Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (note: I regret nothing!). As a matter of fact, because of you two companies I may never purchase a movie, ever again. I am going to donate my movie collection, except for some choice titles, to a Goodwill, just because I never watch them anymore. It is because of you two companies, that I could justify the purchase of a new TV because me and the wife can watch just about anything at almost anytime for (combined) less than $20 a month, the cost of a single movie! As a matter of fact, this month I have watched at least 8 movies for about $13, less than the cost of buying them, I assure you. It is because for you two companies that here soon, the movie industry is going to be forced to rethink their business strategy on the consumer level, or suffer losing literally billions of dollars per year to everyone that is adpoting streaming and cheap movie rentals. And for this, Netflix and Redbox...I say thank you, and keep up the good work!
PS3 vs Xbox 360
Alright, I was an early adopter to the Wii and have a decent collection of titles to it, both fun and innovative. But when it comes to sheer title selection, the Xbox 360 wins. Recently though, I got a new HDTV with 1080p, so I figured it's time to get a Blu-ray player to complement it for HD movies. So, I finally justified a purchase pf a PS3. You know what, I am impressed. As a DVD/Blu-Ray player, it's so da** sexy. As a gaming system, my one compliant is the complete lack of a huge library of good games urks me. I bought MAG and LittleBigPlanet, and recently got Super Street Fighter IV with it, but after that I am lost what else to get (note: I realize that Street Fighter is also on the 360, just wait a bit....). One thing that does disappoint me is the hardware comparisons to the XBox 360 and the PS3. My X360 has broken down once, had to use the MS warranty to get it fixed, and the intial one I have does not have HDMI support (“FU** YOU EARLY ADOPTERS,” Microsoft I guess said to X360 Pro owners). The PS3 Slim I have didn't come with the HDMI cable, but the support was always there. The X360 also doesn't have built-in WiFi. Heck, even the Wii has built-in WiFi, let alone the PS3 having it. Normally this wouldn't be too much of a complaint, except Microsoft barely sells their network WiFi adapter anymore, but my current hardline connection is sporadic that some online matches were not worth having (read: Street Fighter IV). If I had a nickel for everytime a match shut me out of a game....anyways. I connected my PS3 online, and I don't know what those network engineers at Sony did, but even with WiFi I am able to maintain a solid connection with a seamless online experience, using a G-MIMO router, too! The cherry on the sundae: the PS3 Network is Free, where as for Xbox LIVE I have to pay $40-$50 a year, or $3-$4 dollars a month, depending on how you cut it up. I have played 256-player online matches on my PS3 without only one disconnect in the last two weeks. ONE! I have played, and payed, 18 player Modern Warfare matches with many, almost regular disconnects and hiccups during gameplay. The PS3 using Bluetooth headsets and controllers is also a bonus, as opposed to Microsoft's proprietary headsets and USB controllers. Complaints aside I was just surprised at how much I get out of my PS3 when for the X360 I have to pay more to get the same.
HTC EVO 4G
I won't call this phone, Sprint's savior device, but I will say I will buy it the day it comes out. Is it an iPhone killer? Nope. The iPhone is a market all it's own, for people that want a simple smartphone that's easy to use. Android phones are more complex, but not so much that it takes a a super tech to know how to work them (like Windows mobile 5.0 was). What are the main reason I will buy one?
-8 MegaPixel camera
-1.3 MP front facing video camera
-WiMAX 4G support
-4.1” screen
-It's made by HTC
-Android 2.1
-Enough said.
Or you could just go to www.sprint.com/htcevo to see it for yourself.
That's all I got's have yourselves a good one!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
iPad. Not really, Imma a guy, but anyways...
You know, I have been meaning to tak about the iPad, Apple's newest tablet, for some tiime now, but got so busy with school (apparently I am not good at College Physics) and work I forgot to rant about it. Well, it's release is coming up on our heels and the question I have been asking myself is, "Do I need this?" As with 90% of the electronics I own, the answer is a resounding no. So the next question is, "Do I want this?" Now that is a good question that deserves explanation before I come to it.
So the product, which costs $499.99 for the most basic 16GB model ($599 for the 32GB and $699 for the 664GB) is laced with features. I won't talk about the specs of it too heavily because Apple's site (www.apple.com/ipad/specs/) lays it out pretty well, buthere's the down and dirty: 9.56" LED capacitive screen, a custom made 1GHz processor, 3.5mm jack (as far as I'm concerned, that should by standard on all portable electronics), it's running the newest iPhone OS, etc. So, let me start with all the apps it will support, which is pretty much the same as the ones found on the iPhone and iTouch. Also, special hand-picked dev teams are working to make iPad specific apps. It will even have Kindle and Apple Bookstore (iBook) support to function as an e-reader. For your internet browsering it will have an "N" Wi-Fi radio built in, or you could drop an extra $130 per model to get AT&T 3G data support (no contrat, $15 a month). So, what could be wrong with this device?
Here's what I think is wrong; I have no use for any of the above mentioned. And no, and am not against technological advancement nor do I hate Apple (I own an 8GB iTouch and love it), heck I'm not even against tablets seeing as how I used to own an 8GB Archos 5. What I am against is how much hype this product has gotten. I mean this thing has over 120,000 pre-orders so far, and next to none of those people have seen or held the dang thing. For literally half the price of the entry level iPad, I could instead get a decent netbook, pre-loaded with Windows 7, larger screen, physical keyboard, and a plethora of possibilites for programs and support without worrying about a seperate app catalog. I admit, I maybe in a seperate demograpic of consumer because I have a decently powerful home computer, a netbook for me and one for my wife, and both of us have relatively new smartphones. So, when it comes to data access, we are pretty much covered, but I understand that we may just be the exception, not the rule to how many people are for data access...or are we? Of those 120K pre-orders, how many of those customers do you think already have not only a smartphone but also a laptop and\or a computer of some sort?
In the interest of full disclosure, I admit when I first saw the thing, after years of hearing about it's possibly existence, I snickered at it and deemed it DOA saleswise. Upon further thought of it, I still say it's useless to me and anyone else, except maybe as an e-reader. Heck, even for an e-reader it's kinda pricey (Amazon's Kindle is $279 or less and a Sony E-Reader is $199 or more).
Am I being prejudice? Let me say about Apple, they make great products. They literally defined and dominate the MP3 player market with their iPod Classic, Nano, and Touch's. They practicularly reinvented the smartphone market with the iPhone and gave all competitor's a goal to shoot for and supercede. Their Macs and MacBooks, though expensive, are incredibly fast and intuitive machines. But, where does a tablet fit into this picture? Computer = home computing, documentation, and productivity. MP3 player = Music, videos, podcasts, and games if you want. Smartphone = same as the last two except in pocket-sized form and able to make calls and text, and a data network is usually included (required in most cases). So what does the iPad do that should intice me to say "I want it!"? Well, and maybe I truly am the exception, but I think it's a more reliable though to say there are more Apple Kids willing to pre-order a half thousand dollar piece of hardware that to say its more hiddenly useful than I am not willing to find.
Comments? you know where to leave them.
So the product, which costs $499.99 for the most basic 16GB model ($599 for the 32GB and $699 for the 664GB) is laced with features. I won't talk about the specs of it too heavily because Apple's site (www.apple.com/ipad/specs/) lays it out pretty well, buthere's the down and dirty: 9.56" LED capacitive screen, a custom made 1GHz processor, 3.5mm jack (as far as I'm concerned, that should by standard on all portable electronics), it's running the newest iPhone OS, etc. So, let me start with all the apps it will support, which is pretty much the same as the ones found on the iPhone and iTouch. Also, special hand-picked dev teams are working to make iPad specific apps. It will even have Kindle and Apple Bookstore (iBook) support to function as an e-reader. For your internet browsering it will have an "N" Wi-Fi radio built in, or you could drop an extra $130 per model to get AT&T 3G data support (no contrat, $15 a month). So, what could be wrong with this device?
Here's what I think is wrong; I have no use for any of the above mentioned. And no, and am not against technological advancement nor do I hate Apple (I own an 8GB iTouch and love it), heck I'm not even against tablets seeing as how I used to own an 8GB Archos 5. What I am against is how much hype this product has gotten. I mean this thing has over 120,000 pre-orders so far, and next to none of those people have seen or held the dang thing. For literally half the price of the entry level iPad, I could instead get a decent netbook, pre-loaded with Windows 7, larger screen, physical keyboard, and a plethora of possibilites for programs and support without worrying about a seperate app catalog. I admit, I maybe in a seperate demograpic of consumer because I have a decently powerful home computer, a netbook for me and one for my wife, and both of us have relatively new smartphones. So, when it comes to data access, we are pretty much covered, but I understand that we may just be the exception, not the rule to how many people are for data access...or are we? Of those 120K pre-orders, how many of those customers do you think already have not only a smartphone but also a laptop and\or a computer of some sort?
In the interest of full disclosure, I admit when I first saw the thing, after years of hearing about it's possibly existence, I snickered at it and deemed it DOA saleswise. Upon further thought of it, I still say it's useless to me and anyone else, except maybe as an e-reader. Heck, even for an e-reader it's kinda pricey (Amazon's Kindle is $279 or less and a Sony E-Reader is $199 or more).
Am I being prejudice? Let me say about Apple, they make great products. They literally defined and dominate the MP3 player market with their iPod Classic, Nano, and Touch's. They practicularly reinvented the smartphone market with the iPhone and gave all competitor's a goal to shoot for and supercede. Their Macs and MacBooks, though expensive, are incredibly fast and intuitive machines. But, where does a tablet fit into this picture? Computer = home computing, documentation, and productivity. MP3 player = Music, videos, podcasts, and games if you want. Smartphone = same as the last two except in pocket-sized form and able to make calls and text, and a data network is usually included (required in most cases). So what does the iPad do that should intice me to say "I want it!"? Well, and maybe I truly am the exception, but I think it's a more reliable though to say there are more Apple Kids willing to pre-order a half thousand dollar piece of hardware that to say its more hiddenly useful than I am not willing to find.
Comments? you know where to leave them.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Crap, I think I'm an Apple Kid.
So there I am, getting ready for another hardy day at work, when I remember that CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is still going on, so of course like most tech junkies I wanna hear about it in podcast form. To the Archos 5 I go to download the latest Buzz-Out-Loud. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until the Archos 5 refused to actually download the podcast. Thinking it was a fluke, I tried to download another podcast called Stuff You Should Know. The Archos 5 failed to do that, and then restarted the whole device when I tried to play an older podcast. This, as you may guess, was the final straw.
The main reason I got the Archos 5 was as a media usage, so when the device fails me in that area, then Android operating system be danged, the tablet had to go. So, if you've been following the blog so far, my Zune gave out because Microsoft refuses to update the Zune Marketplace, and now my Archos 5 which didn't support podcats out the box and I had to find a halfway decent podcast app, now doesn't play podcasts. I have been avoiding this since day one, and now the decision was made...yes, that's right. I bought an Apple iPod Touch.
Here's the thing, I have always said "fu** you" to most Apple products because Steve Jobs has convinced the world that Apple only makes premium products, thus they can charge, hmmm, whatever they want for the products these make. That makes anyone that buys into this sales pitch an "Apple Kid".
In example, a new Mac Book Pro: $2400, a new Windows 7 laptop with the same specs: at least $1500 to $1800. This is the same account for most Apple products, that being the "premium" tag never leaves. So, being a price-concious tech-junkie, I typically stay away from what I believe to be over-priced products.
End point, this was $200, my former Archos 5 was $250. Hypocrite is me. But....I admit...this is one of the best consumer electronic devices I have ever used. Yes, I realize I'm late to the Apple game, so no, this isn't a review, but rather a confession of how innovative this device is. The music loads seamlessly (I had problem with iTunes at first, but then I reloaded it and it works great now), the podcasts load effortlessly so long as WiFi is going, the capacitive touchscreen is bar none the best one I have evr used, and finally the UI is nothing short of genius. In short, I am now a believer in certain Apple products as the iPod Touch is absolutely genius.
I still will never buy a Mac, though
The main reason I got the Archos 5 was as a media usage, so when the device fails me in that area, then Android operating system be danged, the tablet had to go. So, if you've been following the blog so far, my Zune gave out because Microsoft refuses to update the Zune Marketplace, and now my Archos 5 which didn't support podcats out the box and I had to find a halfway decent podcast app, now doesn't play podcasts. I have been avoiding this since day one, and now the decision was made...yes, that's right. I bought an Apple iPod Touch.
Here's the thing, I have always said "fu** you" to most Apple products because Steve Jobs has convinced the world that Apple only makes premium products, thus they can charge, hmmm, whatever they want for the products these make. That makes anyone that buys into this sales pitch an "Apple Kid".
In example, a new Mac Book Pro: $2400, a new Windows 7 laptop with the same specs: at least $1500 to $1800. This is the same account for most Apple products, that being the "premium" tag never leaves. So, being a price-concious tech-junkie, I typically stay away from what I believe to be over-priced products.
End point, this was $200, my former Archos 5 was $250. Hypocrite is me. But....I admit...this is one of the best consumer electronic devices I have ever used. Yes, I realize I'm late to the Apple game, so no, this isn't a review, but rather a confession of how innovative this device is. The music loads seamlessly (I had problem with iTunes at first, but then I reloaded it and it works great now), the podcasts load effortlessly so long as WiFi is going, the capacitive touchscreen is bar none the best one I have evr used, and finally the UI is nothing short of genius. In short, I am now a believer in certain Apple products as the iPod Touch is absolutely genius.
I still will never buy a Mac, though
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Daft Punk forced me to buy this game...
For Christmas, I got a decent amount of gifts, but much like every year, the video games were always the ones that entice the most fun. So one of the gifts my wife got me was DJ Hero. Maybe you have heard of the game, it's published by Activision ( who is now the IP owner of the Guitar Hero series after acquiring it from Harmonix, who now makes the Rock Band series blah blah blah) and the game itself is made by Freestyle games. Now, question is if the game is good. The answer is a resounding yes and double yes.
In my personal opinion, I believe the Guitar Hero series as a whole has become as stale as the Dance Dance Revolution series (don't get me wrong, I loves me some DDR, but there has been no real innovation in the series in a while). The Guitar Hero series reached it's height with Guitar Hero 3, but then they just started making rehashes of GH3 with different band labels (Mettalica, Aerosmith, etc), and I think DDR has shown us that tactic can only last so long. So, Activision has made a whole new IP with a completely different rhythm game peripheral, which I might add is another genius game add-on by Red Octane. As a matter of fact let's talk a little about this required controller for the game:
The DJ Turntable has one "wheel of steel" (read:hard plastic, but durable) that can rotate 360 degrees with 3 multi-colored buttons. It also has a crossfader bar and an effects knob. Alright that sounds simple enough, so how does the game play? This is where the real innovation comes in, as you "tap" to the beat of the music, "scratch" the wheel to scratch up the mix, use the crossfader as a music gate for the mixes for fading and whatnot, and more time than not you will be doing these tactics at the same time. Also, much like in the Guitar Hero series, there is Star Power, called Euphoria Power in this game, that doubles you score and multiplier, plus it does automatic crossfades. It actually gets even more complex than this, but that's in the harder modes and I may cover them later.
On to the music, which is the best part of most rhythm games. I gotta stab at Guitar Hero with this, because not only are the overall controls actually more difficult than Guitar Hero's, but the game uses 120 original mixed up songs from over 90 songs. This is a breathe of fresh air compared to Guitar Hero and Rock Bands license cramming for all of their games. If you are a fan of the DJ scene, you will notice some favorites and greats maikng guest appearances in the game, from Grandmaster Flash to Daft Punk to DJ Shadow, all with their own original mixes added to the game.
I want to say the game is without flaw, but here they come. First,off, not all of the music is great, but I suppose that's going to happen wtih any rhythm game. Some of the tracks are awesome, while other mixes leave me glad I never have to play it again. Next is the failure system in the game, which is when you don't do so well in a song in a rhythm game and the game basically says "game over". So, that doesn't exist in DJ Hero, which is a good and bad thing. It's bad because it takes the credibility out of the difficulty of the game, but it's good because it lets casual players enjoy the game without being forced to become hardcore players just to play harder songs. Another bad deal is the sample effects zone that occasionally comes down on the red button side of the screen. I really wish there was a way to disable this feature, because the truth is it's pointless. It sounds cool throughing in a set of samples into the song, but it doesn't add to your score, multiplier, nothing. It really just kinda shows up as more of a distraction than anything else. Question to Activision or Freestyle Games: Why leave in a useless feature to a final product? Did the alpha testers actually agree to a useless feature being left in?
My last and final gripe is the actual price of the game. Now granted, I got the game as a Christmas present, but for everyone else that has to purchase it, you gotta pay up. The game comes with the DJ Turntable and costs $120, which equals out $60 for the game and another $60 for the controller. I have this contoller in front of me, and a $60 pricetag is maybe a bit high, but I must admit it is really durable and the button presses are spot on for accuracy. But truth is, even the gaming economy is in a bit of a recovery, so expensive games can stand the potential for not selling so well, hurting this game in the short run. Let's not get started on the Jay-Z & Eminem Special Edition pack, which may come with a stand plus some extra stuff, but $200 for a single-player game and controller (multiplayer if you buy more games and controllers)....didn't the industry try this already with both Steel Battalions, with minimal results. Truth is, average customers don't like to drop a system's worth of money on one game.
All complaints and kudos aside, it's a great game with a fresh concept. Consider this a review for the XBox 360 version, as I haven't touched the Wii or PS3 versions and have no intention to. As for those that need a numeric score for the game, just consider it an 8 or 9, 8.5 if you will, great but the price of admission, certain mixed songs and for those that like country music (btw, I hate country music), this may not be the correct game for them. I say give it a try and hope for a sequel. A Belated Happy Holidays to All!
In my personal opinion, I believe the Guitar Hero series as a whole has become as stale as the Dance Dance Revolution series (don't get me wrong, I loves me some DDR, but there has been no real innovation in the series in a while). The Guitar Hero series reached it's height with Guitar Hero 3, but then they just started making rehashes of GH3 with different band labels (Mettalica, Aerosmith, etc), and I think DDR has shown us that tactic can only last so long. So, Activision has made a whole new IP with a completely different rhythm game peripheral, which I might add is another genius game add-on by Red Octane. As a matter of fact let's talk a little about this required controller for the game:
The DJ Turntable has one "wheel of steel" (read:hard plastic, but durable) that can rotate 360 degrees with 3 multi-colored buttons. It also has a crossfader bar and an effects knob. Alright that sounds simple enough, so how does the game play? This is where the real innovation comes in, as you "tap" to the beat of the music, "scratch" the wheel to scratch up the mix, use the crossfader as a music gate for the mixes for fading and whatnot, and more time than not you will be doing these tactics at the same time. Also, much like in the Guitar Hero series, there is Star Power, called Euphoria Power in this game, that doubles you score and multiplier, plus it does automatic crossfades. It actually gets even more complex than this, but that's in the harder modes and I may cover them later.
On to the music, which is the best part of most rhythm games. I gotta stab at Guitar Hero with this, because not only are the overall controls actually more difficult than Guitar Hero's, but the game uses 120 original mixed up songs from over 90 songs. This is a breathe of fresh air compared to Guitar Hero and Rock Bands license cramming for all of their games. If you are a fan of the DJ scene, you will notice some favorites and greats maikng guest appearances in the game, from Grandmaster Flash to Daft Punk to DJ Shadow, all with their own original mixes added to the game.
I want to say the game is without flaw, but here they come. First,off, not all of the music is great, but I suppose that's going to happen wtih any rhythm game. Some of the tracks are awesome, while other mixes leave me glad I never have to play it again. Next is the failure system in the game, which is when you don't do so well in a song in a rhythm game and the game basically says "game over". So, that doesn't exist in DJ Hero, which is a good and bad thing. It's bad because it takes the credibility out of the difficulty of the game, but it's good because it lets casual players enjoy the game without being forced to become hardcore players just to play harder songs. Another bad deal is the sample effects zone that occasionally comes down on the red button side of the screen. I really wish there was a way to disable this feature, because the truth is it's pointless. It sounds cool throughing in a set of samples into the song, but it doesn't add to your score, multiplier, nothing. It really just kinda shows up as more of a distraction than anything else. Question to Activision or Freestyle Games: Why leave in a useless feature to a final product? Did the alpha testers actually agree to a useless feature being left in?
My last and final gripe is the actual price of the game. Now granted, I got the game as a Christmas present, but for everyone else that has to purchase it, you gotta pay up. The game comes with the DJ Turntable and costs $120, which equals out $60 for the game and another $60 for the controller. I have this contoller in front of me, and a $60 pricetag is maybe a bit high, but I must admit it is really durable and the button presses are spot on for accuracy. But truth is, even the gaming economy is in a bit of a recovery, so expensive games can stand the potential for not selling so well, hurting this game in the short run. Let's not get started on the Jay-Z & Eminem Special Edition pack, which may come with a stand plus some extra stuff, but $200 for a single-player game and controller (multiplayer if you buy more games and controllers)....didn't the industry try this already with both Steel Battalions, with minimal results. Truth is, average customers don't like to drop a system's worth of money on one game.
All complaints and kudos aside, it's a great game with a fresh concept. Consider this a review for the XBox 360 version, as I haven't touched the Wii or PS3 versions and have no intention to. As for those that need a numeric score for the game, just consider it an 8 or 9, 8.5 if you will, great but the price of admission, certain mixed songs and for those that like country music (btw, I hate country music), this may not be the correct game for them. I say give it a try and hope for a sequel. A Belated Happy Holidays to All!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
From Z to A.
So surprise, surprise, Microsoft gave me the finger. Allow me to explain.
I cleared my XP computer and added Windows 7 on to it (sidebar, go to Microsoft.Com and look up how to get Windows 7 for $30 if you are a student. It's legit, safe, and they mail you a back-up disc). So I had to do a clean swipe of my hardrive to install it, with hard drive back-up of course. This worked out quite well, and I am most pleased with 7, it's fast and very efficient. Unfortunately, Zune Marketplace no longer wants to work... Apparently, Zune Marketplace doesn't like to to load on to certain computers for apparently no reason at all. Worst yet, you can't load anything or take anything from one's Zune without Marketplace installed on your PC somehow.
Now, this is a known problem to Microsoft, but unfortunately, their only reccomendation to resolve this issue is to either buy a new Zune HD, which comes with the installation DISC, or buy a new computer. That's it. No other options. So my 30GB Zune I specifically bought for ease of use over anything Apple shells out, is now incapable of loading or unloading anything in it, save for the content inside it already.
To Microsoft, I say this, "You fu**ed up." I had real faith in the Zune market, but no more. So, since I like podcasts and needs me music, I decided I may as well try out an iPod Touch. The day I was going to buy one, I saw a new item that was being sold at ye olde local RadioShack, the Archos 5 Internet Tablet. After a bit of research through ye olde intarweb, it seems it's has an Andriod OS installed and apparently a decnt media player running the Linux kernal. Sold!
So here is what I thinks of the device, it is a powerful media player. It has WiFi, a large ( I do mean large) 4.8" resistive touch, some pre-installed, somewhat useful apps (like Twitdroid, a music mixer, Browser, amongst others), and a video player. Now, it says the built-in speaker is supposed to play sound out-loud, I don't know if mine is not workin' but it seems the Android one just records through the speaker. It really hasn't bothered me that much since it comes with headphones and I have an auxillary cable to play it through my car speakers. Now, you can put podcasts on the thing, but you basically have to download an app for it. I have been using A-Cast, it seems to work out pretty well, but it won't find like iPod or Zune exclusive ones. Something annoying, though it is running the Andriod, Google Marketplace is not on the device, though it can be hacked on there. I tried hacking it on there, but it's a little more complicated than the instructions make it out to be. I will try again later, and give an ecstatic woo once it works. But for right now, it comes with Appslib, which I guess stands for Application Library, and there are loads of free apps on there, but it's nothing compared to the over 10,000 on the Andriod Marketplace. It's open development, too, much like the Andriod marketplace.
All in all, the device is responsive, easy to throw lot's of apps on, the 8GB internal flash drive is expanadble with a microSD card slot, so you never really loss that much space. My one complaint is the lack of speaker, but with my headphones, it's not terrible. Bonus, it has a DVR and channel tuner, but you have to pay extra for the HD DVR stand. Also, it has a GPS reciever with voice guided directions, but you have to pay an extra $39.99 for that, unforunately. You do get a seven day free trial, but I haven't tested it to give my true opinion. Extra bonus, if you don't have an auxillary port in your car, it comes with an FM transmitter built-in. As for mention of the battery life, if you only play music, you'll get about 22 hours out of it. If you listen to music while using the WiFi for web browsing, ahorten it to around 8.
All in all, I'd say it's an excellent purchase for someone looking for a good media experience, a good browsing experience, but don't rely on it it to replace your smartphone, or netbook, just for entertainment and very lite workload.
I cleared my XP computer and added Windows 7 on to it (sidebar, go to Microsoft.Com and look up how to get Windows 7 for $30 if you are a student. It's legit, safe, and they mail you a back-up disc). So I had to do a clean swipe of my hardrive to install it, with hard drive back-up of course. This worked out quite well, and I am most pleased with 7, it's fast and very efficient. Unfortunately, Zune Marketplace no longer wants to work... Apparently, Zune Marketplace doesn't like to to load on to certain computers for apparently no reason at all. Worst yet, you can't load anything or take anything from one's Zune without Marketplace installed on your PC somehow.
Now, this is a known problem to Microsoft, but unfortunately, their only reccomendation to resolve this issue is to either buy a new Zune HD, which comes with the installation DISC, or buy a new computer. That's it. No other options. So my 30GB Zune I specifically bought for ease of use over anything Apple shells out, is now incapable of loading or unloading anything in it, save for the content inside it already.
To Microsoft, I say this, "You fu**ed up." I had real faith in the Zune market, but no more. So, since I like podcasts and needs me music, I decided I may as well try out an iPod Touch. The day I was going to buy one, I saw a new item that was being sold at ye olde local RadioShack, the Archos 5 Internet Tablet. After a bit of research through ye olde intarweb, it seems it's has an Andriod OS installed and apparently a decnt media player running the Linux kernal. Sold!
So here is what I thinks of the device, it is a powerful media player. It has WiFi, a large ( I do mean large) 4.8" resistive touch, some pre-installed, somewhat useful apps (like Twitdroid, a music mixer, Browser, amongst others), and a video player. Now, it says the built-in speaker is supposed to play sound out-loud, I don't know if mine is not workin' but it seems the Android one just records through the speaker. It really hasn't bothered me that much since it comes with headphones and I have an auxillary cable to play it through my car speakers. Now, you can put podcasts on the thing, but you basically have to download an app for it. I have been using A-Cast, it seems to work out pretty well, but it won't find like iPod or Zune exclusive ones. Something annoying, though it is running the Andriod, Google Marketplace is not on the device, though it can be hacked on there. I tried hacking it on there, but it's a little more complicated than the instructions make it out to be. I will try again later, and give an ecstatic woo once it works. But for right now, it comes with Appslib, which I guess stands for Application Library, and there are loads of free apps on there, but it's nothing compared to the over 10,000 on the Andriod Marketplace. It's open development, too, much like the Andriod marketplace.
All in all, the device is responsive, easy to throw lot's of apps on, the 8GB internal flash drive is expanadble with a microSD card slot, so you never really loss that much space. My one complaint is the lack of speaker, but with my headphones, it's not terrible. Bonus, it has a DVR and channel tuner, but you have to pay extra for the HD DVR stand. Also, it has a GPS reciever with voice guided directions, but you have to pay an extra $39.99 for that, unforunately. You do get a seven day free trial, but I haven't tested it to give my true opinion. Extra bonus, if you don't have an auxillary port in your car, it comes with an FM transmitter built-in. As for mention of the battery life, if you only play music, you'll get about 22 hours out of it. If you listen to music while using the WiFi for web browsing, ahorten it to around 8.
All in all, I'd say it's an excellent purchase for someone looking for a good media experience, a good browsing experience, but don't rely on it it to replace your smartphone, or netbook, just for entertainment and very lite workload.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
