Brain Assassin » news

PS3 Firmware v2.30 Coming Soon

JC — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:59:13 +0000

According to Eric Lempel, director of PlayStation Network Operations, the new PS3 firmware update will be made available very soon. Version 2.30 will include the revamped PLAYSTATION Store which – I have to say – looks really nice. There a video available featuring Grace Chen, Senior Manager of the PLAYSTATION Store, who will walk the viewer through the new store. The most important news here is that the new store won’t be web-based anymore. This will make it more fluid and easier to navigate, according to Chen. Well, have a look for yourself.

If you don’t want to watch a video or if you just don’t have time right now, here are a few screenshots depicting the interface of the new PLAYSTATION Store.

And here’s the video walk through:

The second big news is that he system software update will also add DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-HD High Resolution output for Blu-ray videos. I don’t own a costly audio setup so that doesn’t affect me in the least, but I’m sure that there are quite a few audiophiles out there who will appreciate the high quality audio experience on the PS3.

Now only one question remains: How soon is very soon? Grace Chen more than once mentions mid-April and she even says that GT: Prologue will be available from the PLAYSTATION Store on April 17^th. In Japan the update is specifically scheduled for April 15^th, so expect the new firmware sometime between those dates.

New PS3 Posters Hit the Web

JC — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:01:37 +0000

Browsing the web, I stumbled upon a site that claims to have new information on what appears to be a new advertisement campaign for the Playstation 3. Apparently, the two pictures in question are somewhat different from the usual ads. Both pictures portray highly stylized scenes which create an awesome and monumental impression. The ads focus on a statue of one children on each of the posters – one male and one female – that stands in the midst of what seems to be a dull scenery. Certainly skillfully and artfully done, I like it a lot. But you should take a look for yourself:

I have to admit, I definitely love this style. It is quite reminiscent of one of the very first PS3 games that ever was: Resistance: Fall of Man.

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A Rotating Home Theater

JC — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:43:06 +0000

Not too long ago I wrote about the 15 coolest geek-themed home theaters. I especially liked the Batcave because of its simple design that doesn’t compromise a certain style. Today I discovered quite a distinctive home theater. It has no special theme – at least I can’t recognize one – to speak of but it looks really pleasant to me. What sets this one apart is the functionality – it sports a rotating floor! At the press of a button the front row of seats rotates 180 degrees to face the second row, ultimately transforming the home theater into something more closely resembling a living/party/entertainment room.

The front row of seats is installed on a round steel frame 16 feet in diameter. This circle of flooring rotates to avoid having one row behind another – which is a serious party killer – creating a more intimate atmosphere. But that’s not enough. There’s a 35-foot walkway to the home theater featuring a carpet with a starfield. And there’s the fanned entryway that only adds to the style. The doors and the whole theater is controlled by one remote, ultimately placing visitors under the whim of the wielder of the RTI T2-C remote.

A full report on this theater can be found at Electronic House with full specs and a complete gallery. They even have a video I haven’t watched. One thing is sure though: I’d like to own something like that. That’s a great idea and it’s certainly entertaining and useful at the same time.

Are we tumbling into another Ice Age?

JC — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:43:21 +0000

I may seem far-fetched, especially when you think of Global Warming (the latter one being one of last year’s catch phrases). But then, I may not. Recent observations indicate that the solar activity is diminishing. To be precise: Solar activity comes in regular cycles and the latest one is refusing to start. The foresighted reader will probably wonder how that will affect us. The answer is plain and simple: A fairly cold spell will set in by 2012 and the real cold will come by 2041.

There’s probably nothing to fear. The last time this happened was about 400 years ago where it started the Little Ice Age. That means way more snow and ice and that sounds pretty cold to me. According to observational data these predictions may well come true. I think I’ll start stockpiling food, clothing, and wood in late 2010 to get a head start. And, what’s more important: if it all comes true, I absolutely have to hone my snowman-building skills. Thus, I will be able to impress the ladies in a cold world (Sunshine, anyone?) and that’s where Darwin will aid me, I hope.

Church complains about cathedral’s depiction in Sony game

JC — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 05:39:00 +0000

Seems like the Church of England doesn’t take fictitious depictions of its “property” lightly. With Resistance: Fall of Man Sony has released one of the better launch titles of the PS3. Now the Bishop of Manchester complained that Sony’s decision to recreate one of the great cathedrals with photo-realistic quality just to encourage people to have gun battles in this building is “beyond belief and highly irresponsible”. Head over to Ars Technica to see what this is all about.

Sony claimed in a prepared statement that they believed they had sought all the necessary permissions for the inclusion of the cathedral in the game and also noted that the title is “a fantasy science fiction game and is not based on reality.” This response isn’t sitting well with the Church of England’s employees in Manchester, who believe they are facing a very real gun problem and feel that the use of their holy space for such a violent scene in the gaming undercuts their work with the community.

The last time I wrote about the Church meddling with fictitious content a Vatican official called for a boycott of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. What I don’t get is that they really go ahead with something like this. What’s the problem? Neither book nor game claimed to depict the truth. I always believed in freedom of expression but it seems like that doesn’t work anymore. Whatever you say or write you should be prepared to get sued. That’s ridiculous. Hard working people who believe in honesty should support Evil Spock’s attempt of world domination. He may be able to set some things right.

Are you into art?

JC — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:37:00 +0000

I have to confess, I don’t care much about art, especially paintings. There are some kind of paintings I really like, though. Since I don’t know what I’m talking about I’ll call it contemporary art but I’m gonna hang one of these pictures on my bedroom wall, that’s for sure. I like the look of most of them. Just because of that I’d like to introduce a project to you, a very good friend of mine has been working on for some time now. It’s almost finished and it it – as you may have guessed – about art. Obviously, ART WORLD PROJECT is going to be a full success if you can believe the news posted there.

Usually, I’m not one to write about stuff I don’t understand well enough. In this case, I’ll make an exception since there is more to it than meets the eye. There’s a charity project going on in the background with the goal of donating all net profits to child aid programs around the world. Strong arguments claim that Globalization benefits those with more financial leverage at the expense of the poor. It’s the usual problem – the rich get richer while the poor get ever poorer. With this charity project they will contribute to better living conditions and better education for poor children. I wish them all the best.

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