Monday, April 30, 2012

EA?s PopCap Heads Into Merchandise With Plants Vs. Zombies Toys, Underwear (!) & More

popcap-toysWant a zombie on your underwear? Good, because soon, you will have that opportunity. Today, there comes more proof that mobile gaming is the entertainment franchise opp of the future as EA-owned PopCap, makers of Plants vs. Zombies and the "Bejeweled" series of games, announced a number of new partnership deals that will see its game brands turned into merchandise - much like Rovio's Angry Birds has already done to great success. The company has six new partnerships on tap which will see its properties featured as everything from plush toys to branded headphones. And yeah, boxers, too.

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Kelly Osbourne Ends Feud with Christina Aguilera?

Is the long-simmering feud between Kelly Osbourne and Christina Aguilera finally cooling down? During a visit to Watch What Happens Live on Sunday, Osbourne, 27, actually had something nice to say about her pop-star nemesis. Three things, in fact! Watch the clip below.

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The Real Housewives of New Jersey Recap: Poker Face


The Real Housewives of New Jersey made their way back from the shore this week to play a little poker and kick one little Jersey girl out of the her luxurious nest.

We break down all the drama in our patented THG +/- recap below!

Say bye bye. That was Jacqueline's response as Ashlee whined about packing to leave for Vegas. Plus 10 because it was so pathetic it was funny.

They sent her off with Albie to avoid a family meltdown at the airport hoping that she'd get on the plane without incident. It sounds good…in theory.

Jersey-ites

Minus 7 because Albie couldn't be bothered to park the car and walk his wayward cousin to the security checkpoint. Instead he drops her at the curb and there's no doubt she'll be home by dark.

Sure enough, Albie gets the call as he's driving home. Somehow Ashlee missed her flight. Minus 12. This girl is pathetic. I know it's because she doesn't want to go but it is sad when a 20-year-old can't check herself in at an airport. 

Chris is right, his step-daughter has no common sense. Her answer to stress is wishing she could buy herself a drink. Ashlee may be headed down a hard road all of her own making. 

This time Chris drives her to the airport to make sure it's done right. Plus 10. At home Jacqueline looks at pictures of her little girl and cries. I understand she's upset but it's not like some awful tragedy has befallen her daughter. Ashlee's a spoiled brat and when people stop handing her stuff maybe she'll grow up.

Apparently Ashlee isn't the only Jersey girl having issues. Lauren's cosmetic business is a bust. She says she wasn't getting the respect she deserved so she packed up her kiosk at Chateau and walked away…the day after her grand opening party! Minus 15. Seriously, don't you have to at least put some actual work into the business to earn respect?

Sorry About the Book ...

The diet she's going on looks ridiculous. Minus 5. Although I have no doubt if she sticks to it she'll lose weight, I'll also bet she'll gain it right back once she starts eating real food again. 

Speaking of failed businesses, Joe Guidice's pizzeria has a closed sign on the door. Well, that didn't last long. Now he's planning to buy the gas station across the street and turn the property into an over 55 residence. When Teresa asks if the gas station owner knows he'll be evicted, Joe says no but it's no big deal. Minus 15! I think it will be a big deal for the owner.

Across town, Kathy and Rich's son is e-mailed a topless picture of a girl. Plus 8 for Kathy's response. I thought she handled it well. Minus 10 to Rich. There are times when his jokes are just a little too sleazy.

Finally the whole gang gets together and Teresa takes the moment to once again apologize for her book…or sort of apologize. It never really comes across that she's sorry for anything. Minus 7 Teresa can't seem to let it go and then she's begging people to read the book because once they do they'll really get into it. Um…it's a cookbook, right? How into it can you be?

The boys head into the next room to play a little poker and most of the fun occurs off camera. Rich and Joe Guidice end up having a wrestling match over something vital like who's the taller Joe. Then Guidice makes a grab at Rich below the belt and later jokes that there was nothing to grab. 

Uh, is that normally where guys grab one another during a fight?  Well, maybe short guys. Minus 13.

Melissa Gorga Singing

In the end Joe ends up with a candlestick holder in the eye. Yeah, I don't get it either.

But Joe's stuck at home now playing Mr. Mom while Teresa's doing her book signings. As usual the kids are little terrors but at least Milania only called Gia a hooker this week. Plus 8. That's a step up from calling her sister a stupid whore.

Finally. Melissa tries to have a romantic dinner but Joe can't stop thinking about babies and sex. Then Melissa tells him she recorded a love ballad for him. It's actually not bad. Joe says the song turns him on. No kidding. What doesn't turn him on?

So who thinks we'll see Ashlee back again before the end of the season? Who thinks we'll see her back next week? Something tells me that Jersey girl will be back before we know it.

EPISODE TOTAL: -48! SEASON TOTAL: -111!   

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Start your week with the Greatest Android Podcast in the World!

Android Central Podcast

Where the heck were you on Thursday night? If you weren't with us for the live recording of the Greatest Android Podcast in the World, you definitely missed a good one. We've got our bags packed for Thursday's Samsung event in London. Plus we break down the all-new (sort of) Google Drive, talk even more about the HTC One line (you know we couldn't resist), plus we answer your e-mails and voicemails! 

The Android Central Podcast is your weekly peek into the world of Android, where we break down the news that really matters, and explain what's just a bunch of hype. Plus, we answer your e-mails and voicemails. You don't want to miss it. Check out the Android Central Podcast.



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Usher Says 'Scream' Is 'Just In Time For Summer'

Following 'Climax,' singer tells MTV News his latest single 'represents the other side' of Looking for Myself album.
By Jocelyn Vena


Usher
Photo: MTV News

Bumping beats, sexy lyrics and Usher's signature R&B bad-boy swagger can only mean one thing: the singer has once again hooked up with superstar pop producer Max Martin. Their latest collaboration, "Scream," picks up where "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" left off back in 2010.

Usher used that track to convince us to go home with him after a dizzying night of partying, and for "Scream," he's got us back at his pad and he's rocking our world, one fist-pumping moment at a time. While he opted to slow it down on "Climax," Usher is back to large-scale dance tracks on Looking for Myself's second single. And, he told MTV News, both tracks reflect the sound of the album.

"This album has many different views and many different perspectives," he told MTV News while rehearsing for his one-night run as the lead in NYC's off-Broadway spectacle "Fuerza Bruta," which also served as a place for Usher to debut the album ahead of its release. "And me and Max Martin, we've had success together in the past, and this was a record I felt represented the other side of the [album]."

"Scream" and "Climax" truly are polar-opposite tracks. Where "Climax" sears and broods, "Scream" celebrates and dances. Usher is excited for the chance to show all those sides with the two lead singles from the June 12 release.

"Whereas the first song was a little bit more artistic and a little bit more soulful, and it has done everything, it probably exceeded my expectations, I mean, from the moment I was able to give it away. I was able to kind of be reintroduced in a way musically, and thank you to [producer] Diplo, but 'Scream' is really like the next step. It's just in time for summer and the type of experience that I want people to get out of the album."

But the Atlanta-bred singer notes that the album can't be defined just by "Climax" or "Scream." There's a lot there to keep fans tuning in. "It's a ton of other experiences and a ton of other walks ... as I've had this long journey over the last year [and] every bit of what I've experienced I've put into a creative, artistic way," he said.

As for the video, well, that still has to be shot, but he joked that "Fuerza Bruta" might serve as the perfect backdrop for the clip — or maybe not. "We might be shooting it while we're here," he laughed. "This is like a movie set, damn near — sh-- you don't normally see with the launch of an album. This is pretty spectacular."

What are you expecting from Usher's next album? Let us know in the comments!

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MIT develops fog resistant, glare-free glass, it's clearly amazing (video)

MIT develops fog resistant, glare-free glass, it's clearly amazing (video)

It sounds like it's not just us that spend half our sweet time with lint-free cloth in hand. Researchers at MIT have developed a new type of glass that "virtually eliminates" reflections, and is also water-repellent. By using techniques from the semiconductor industry, conical nano-textures etched into the layered surface that give the wonder-glass its fog, glare and self-cleaning properties. The hope is that the technology will find its way into our many daily screens and even windows. It's not all about gadget vanity though; solar panels lose efficiency over time through residual surface build up, and using the new glass could go some way to eliminate that issue. If they can just remember where they put the ultra-clear test sample that is.

Continue reading MIT develops fog resistant, glare-free glass, it's clearly amazing (video)

MIT develops fog resistant, glare-free glass, it's clearly amazing (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 07:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Engadget: best money no object laptop?

Image

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Chris, who simply has too much money to blow on a super-laptop. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"I sold my business and I want to replace my laptop [HP Pavilion G6] with a completely unreasonably expensive top of the line machine. I want it to do everything I do (gaming, coding, web design) all at the same time. Apart from the fact I need two hard drive bays, I'm completely open-minded, so what should I be buying? Thank you!"

Quell your gnashing teeth, members of the 99%, he's done well for himself and now he needs our help. We were able to trick out an Alienware M18x to full capacity for $6,700 -- with an over-clocked 4GHz Intel Core i7, 32GB of RAM, two 2GB NVIDIA GTX 675m in SLI mode and 1.2TB of SSD RAID storage. That's the benchmark, folks: who out there can find something more powerful?

Ask Engadget: best money no object laptop? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Obama dishes out humor at annual dinner (CNN)

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This Company Builds Some Of the Greatest Playgrounds On Earth [Image Cache]

Besides providing a safe place for kids to tire themselves out so they sleep through the night, playgrounds are one of the best places for young ones to foster their imaginations. And Denmark-based Monstrum builds playgrounds that are veritable wonderlands for make-believe. More »


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Sunday, April 29, 2012

Are These the Gates of Heaven or a Deep Space Lighthouse? [Astronomy]

It's always the same. Just when I'm thinking that I couldn't be surprised by the Hubble Space Telescope anymore, it captures another image that leaves me in awe. Like this searchlight-like beams in space. It's what I'd imagine the doors to heaven would look like if I believed in such things. More »


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