2007
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This day in Engadget history: The iPhone jailbreak era begins
Engadget has been around for 14 years and counting, which means our archives contain a veritable treasure trove of technology history. From notable reviews and news to the more mundane or ridiculous finds from across the internet, there's a lot to explore here. "This Day in Engadget History" will take you on a historical voyage as we look at what made the headlines in years past. Join us, won't you? It's definitely been a while since anyone seriously needed to jailbreak their iPhone. While undoubtedly some people still do, it seems like there's little need now that we've seen the tenth anniversary of the iOS App Store. There are plenty of apps these days and a whole different OS (Google's Android) for those who want something a little more customizable.
AMD wins race to 5GHz CPU clock speed, in which it was the sole participant
AMD has refreshed its lineup of eight-core FX chips in what sounds like some straightforward overclocking of last year's products. The FX-9590 claims a clock speed of 5GHz in turbo mode, making it the "world's first commercially available 5GHz CPU processor," while the FX-9370 lags slightly behind at 4.7GHz, as compared to the 4.2GHz top speed of the current FX-8350. Both new CPUs are based on the familiar Piledriver core, which has a reputation for being relatively cheap and easily overclockable (honestly, the 5GHz barrier was obliterated long ago), but far behind an Intel Core i5 in terms of all-around computing. This is especially true since the launch of Haswell, which largely avoided clock speed increases in favor of architectural tweaks that didn't compromise efficiency. Maingear plans to pick up the 5GHz part for use in a gaming system coming this summer, but there's no word yet on pricing or even general availability for DIY upgraders. Now, we're just speculating, but with AMD increasingly focused on APUs, it's possible that today's chips will represent the FX's lap of glory.
Players vote for 2007-era RuneScape server
Believe it or not, an "old-school" RuneScape server may be in the making. The crazy developers over at Jagex discovered a complete backup of the game from August 2007 and are allowing the community to vote on whether or not there's interest in playing this five-and-a-half year-old copy of the game. The poll will go live on Friday for the following two weeks, but Mod Mark wanted to explain the hows and whys of this potential project in advance. He also set milestones for voting, with the minimum for the old-school server to become a reality being 50,000 votes for a maintenance-only version. If the server project gets enough votes, Jagex will actually hire a team to develop for it. Mod Mark did want to clarify that possibility, however: "If this idea gathers sufficient support, then we will not need to take our current talent away from all of the exciting updates to be implemented into the current version of the game, as we will be able to hire a new dedicated team to work specifically on this project." Tell you what: Why don't we have our own unofficial pre-poll poll right now? Vote on whether you'd play on a classic server after the jump!
iPhone 5th anniversary: I stood in line all day for an iPhone and I also got this lousy t-shirt
Five years ago today, on June 29, 2007, I spent the entire day sitting in front of the Aspen Grove Apple Store in Littleton, Colorado. My mission? To be one of the first people to own an iPhone. I got the iPhone, and also a little souvenir that fortuitously appeared in my dresser this morning. I remember getting to the store shortly after 7 AM and being surprised by the length of the line already. About eighty people had made it into the line ahead of me, so not knowing what Apple's plans were for the new device, I was worried that I wasn't going to get one. I had my trusty Palm Treo 680 with me, and my major concern was that I was going to have to shut down my T-Mobile service. It was hot in the morning, as the front of the store faces east and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Many of us in line became friends as the day wore on, holding places while people skipped away to get food and beverages, go to the bathroom, or just alleviate boredom by going somewhere else. Looking back, Apple wasn't very prepared. Unlike today, when an iPhone line usually means that you're going to get a few free bottles of water and/or a muffin, I don't believe they handed out anything. However, there was a company (FastMac) that apparently saw something in this phone that Apple was creating, and they were handing out the t-shirts you see in the image above. I didn't even remember having that t-shirt, and by some quirk of fate it bubbled up from the depths of a drawer this morning, so I'm wearing it honor of that long, hot day. Did I also get an iPhone? Yes, but 6/29/07 was also the day that another Steve Jobs product -- Pixar's Ratatouille -- came out, and since we had to go stand in line at the theater for that movie, I didn't get to activate my iPhone until the next day. That actually ended up being a blessing in disguise, since Apple and AT&T had some real problems for the first few days getting phones activated. I'm now on my sixth iPhone -- each generation, plus a second iPhone 3GS to replace one that I lost -- and they keep getting lighter, slimmer, and more powerful. I wish I could say the same about myself, as this t-shirt seems a bit tighter than it did five years ago...
Why Apple has a split personality when it comes to keeping iPhone owners happy
After shelling out top dollar, the customers felt betrayed and angry. The shine on the company's new flagship product was tarnished. The remedy wasn't cheap... and the CEO stepped up and spoke to those irate early adopters. "We want to do the right thing for our valued customers. We apologize for disappointing some of you, and we are doing our best to live up to your high expectations of us," he said, responding quickly after the first complaints came in. Within a few weeks, the PR hiccup was calmed, and the new product went on to glory and success. Looking back on that experience is illuminating. With the rapid response, the willingness to pay for customer happiness, and the frank handling of the situation, it's a bit surprising to be in the midst of the current stressfest and see how things have deteriorated. Where's the corporate responsibility and the can-do attitude of 2007 when we need it? Let's take a look at how the two scenarios diverge, and why Apple didn't -- or couldn't -- step up to the plate now like it did then.
Another exhaustive list of Japan's best-sellers of 2007
Remember that haaauuuuge list of Japan's 500 highest-selling games of 2007? Well, sorry, but you'll have to forget them all. Yep, every last one of 'em. That's because we now have a new list which is also claiming to feature the 500 best-selling games of 2007 in Japan. This one has been compiled by Enterbrain (the original was from rival data-gatherers Media Create), and it's ever so slightly different. The good news is that, despite the origins of each list being different, the overriding message is still the same, and that message is: DS rules all yaaay. Both lists agree that Wii Sports was top dog, but the top DS games have been jumbled about. Now, for example, it is the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Explorers games that are top of the DS pile, while Mario Party DS drops to second. The changes are subtle, but definitely exist. Hit the break to see the top ten DS games!
EverQuest's senior producer talks live events, server merges in 2008
Senior Producer for EverQuest Clint "Jourdian" Worley laid out a letter to the dedicated playerbase this week, looking back on developments in the game last year. He also looks ahead to the rest of 2008, teasing some of the updates to the game we can expect to see this year.The big deal for 2007 was, obviously, the release of the Secrets of Faydwer expansion. Worley sees the expansion as a great success, with particular emphasis on the benefits reaped from their three-month-long Beta period. He states that this year's unnamed expansion (which they're already hard at work on) will receive the same treatement. He found the April Fool's day joke absolutely hilarious, and states that they're looking forward to a new, similarly in-depth quirk in a few months ... though he does note an on/off command will be available for players without a sense of humor. Read on for more from Worley, including news about live events, bug fixes ... and server merges?
Brain Training rocked the UK in '07
A list of the top fifty best-selling games in the UK last year has surfaced, and the DS snagged six of the spots, though you may be somewhat surprised by what made it. Of course, considering that there are a lot more regular folks than there are "hardcore gamers" (and even the hardest of the hard like a little break now and again), you may not be that surprised after all.The original brain game, Dr. Kawashima's Brain Training, took the number two spot as the second best-selling title overall, and the sequel, More Brain Training, slid in at number five. Considering that Big Brain Academy turned up at number 37 (along with its console cousin at number 24), there must be a lot of healthy and exercised brains trundling around Dear Old Blighty these days. The other games that turned up were New Super Mario Bros., at number 13, Cooking Mama just above it in twelfth place, and way down near the bottom, Pokémon Diamond turned up at number 44. Perhaps our friends in the UK have already caught them all.
Verizon reports strong Q4 '07 earnings, champagne importers now short on stock
Here's hoping you own some Verizon stock, readers. According to the company's Q4 '07 earnings call which took place this morning, the massive telco finished out the year on an up note, with a sizable boost in subscribers, and consequently, profit. The company saw a net income boost of 3.9-percent ($1.07 billion, or $.37 a share) year-over-year, and a rise in revenue at 5.5-percent to $23.84 billion, including a 13.3-percent gain (or about 2 million new customers) in wireless sales. Analysts expectations were right on mark with the company's earnings, at $.62 a share, and the company saw growth in both its aforementioned wireless division, as well as big jumps in FiOS users. That's right kids, the rich do get richer.
U.S. DVD sales slip 3.6% in 2007
Even as Blu-ray celebrates the future, our present format leader, DVD, had a noticeable sales slippage in 2007. Following a slide in the amount of DVD player sales this should surprise no one, but may give insight to Warner Bros. reasoning in abandoning its dual-format release schedule. A drop in U.S. spending on DVD purchases by 3.6% according to DEG wasn't as bad as expected but studios are definitely looking for the next big thing to make up for DVD's lack of growth.
WoW Insider Weekly
We're five days into the new year-- feel different yet? Here's your weekly look at our features from the past week. Many of them took a look at WoW in 2007, so here's one last chance to see the year that was before we move on to the year that will be.Sunday Morning Funnies: What's cooking?The best of the week in WoW comics.All the World's a Stage: The past, present, and future of roleplayingDavid takes a look back and forward at RPing.Officers' Quarters: When your mate is a memberDealing with relationships in a guild setting.Encrypted Text: A stealthy year in reviewThe year in Rogues and roguery.WoW Insider Show Episode 18: New Year's resolutionsOur weekly podcast covers all the news that fits in an hour of audio.Two Bosses Enter: Kel'Thuzad vs. ArchimondeShadow and ice-- tell us who would win.The Light and How to Swing It: Your Epic mount quest-- for the Horde!Getting the pally pony, Hordeside.Shifting Perspectives: New Druid leveling 6-10The most fun levels you've ever played as a Druid-- at least until you hit 20.Raid Rx: Healing assignmentsAssignments for trash? If Marcie says so, it must be true.Guildwatch: Too much holiday cheerA little less cheer, a little more drama, thanks.Tales from the Lion's Pride Inn: The SentinelByron might not be as concerned as he should be.Blood Pact: Looking back at locksThe year of the nerf?World of WarCrafts: HealthstoneHow to make your own Healthstone soap! Clean and magical.Totem Talk: PersonallyEver stand over a main tank and scream "WHY!?!!?" into the sky? This column is for you.Blood Sport: Arena nostalgiaIt's wild to me that when this year started, Arenas didn't even exist, and now they're a huge part of the game.Gamers on the Street: This year, I resolve...We speak directly with some of you to find out what's in store for 2008.WoW, Casually: Darkmoon Faire profiteering, and Arathi Basin revisitedHow to take advantage of that traveling faire, and how to run AB.The Care and Feeding of Warriors: This is the year that wasWarriors in 2007: both roistering and boistering.Insider Trader: A year in the making (err, crafting)Lisa looks back at the year in making stuff.Phat Loot Phriday: Dory's EmbraceWas it really named after Kaplan's girlfriend? We may never know.
My 2008 MMO hopes and wishes
2007 was an incredible year for MMOs, with tons of updates to existing games and a benign rash of new titles as well. I'm not much for predictions, but I'll tell you what I'm hoping for in 2008, since you all asked so nicely:Blizzard to out-Diablo Mythos with their new MMO -- Let's face it, playing Mythos is ten kinds of fun, and most of that fun revolves around the type of gameplay that the original Diablo invented, and Diablo II refined. Mythos currently fills the gaping void left behind by Blizzard's continuing not to update the Diablo universe with a new game, but wouldn't you like to see it done up properly?Google to provide some real competition for Linden Lab -- Right now, Second Life is the only cat of its breed, and it's snoozing in the sun. The ability for users to create their own content is arguably SL's biggest draw, and it's fueled many careers, but the interface issues, rolling restarts, updates that fix things only to break other things, and age verification problems leave me wanting someone to learn from these mistakes and bring us something better. We know Google's working on something ... here's hoping it's a Third Life.A new genre -- So far, we've had Fantasy MMOs rule the day, with Science Fiction a close second, and a hodgepodge of other titles kind of experimenting with concepts a little bit. And pirates. But I'm looking for something new. Something that combines my love of cryptography with Cthulhu, perhaps. Or something that lets me relive my days playing cops and robbers. Whatever it is, this is the year to strike!Resolutions? Hmm. I guess I resolve to keep playing those smaller MMOs and telling you what I think of them, and trying not to be too dismissive of those I find lacking. Ooh, that's gonna be difficult -- I'm quite fond of the snark, I am. What are your New Year's MMO hopes and wishes?
WoW TCG 2007 reviewed, 2008 previewed
Our friends over at Upper Deck's WoW TCG site have been running a little review of their biggest stories from 2007 over the last week (including this terrific piece about the Lady Kath card), so if you haven't been keeping up over there all year, or just want to look back at what happened in the trading card game, go check them out.They've also posted two pieces looking forward as well. The first is a look at what the Organized Play schedule looks like for 2008-- they're going to have a new award to honor the Player of the Year, starting with the just-finished World Championships, and they're also going to have a Group Championships tournament as well. They're also looking for names for both events, so if you'd like to win a Wraith Scythe card, check the bottom of that page.And there's a preview of what's coming in 2008 as well-- an art book is due out soon, and the Magtheridon's Lair raid deck is coming out soon also. We'll keep an eye on what else they've got planned over there-- while the online game is headed to the Sunwell, they've only just scratched the surface of possibilities on Burning Crusade content.
iPhone Doom updated, close to playable
Here's the latest build of iPhone Doom, sent to us by Stephen T a.k.a. psychochromatic, who recently took over the application from stepwhite. Last night on the Talkcast we were chatting about the biggest stories of 2007, and I totally should have mentioned iPhone NES and iPhone Doom-- these were two huge projects we heard about in the early days of iPhone hacking that really set the pace for putting third-party applications on there.Psycho says that this build is not quite playable yet, but he's got it faster than ever and working in widescreen mode. The control scheme is definitely interesting, too, although not quite as intuitive as you might hope. At any rate, steps are being made. I continue to be impressed with the potential of the iPhone in terms of gaming-- here's hoping, yet again, that the official SDK will let us do this stuff as well.
Your 2007 year-end review
Well, there are less than 11 hours left in 2007, and we're going to be telling you what we thought about the year really soon. But we wanted to take a moment to ask you what your 2007 was like. We want to hear your own personal critique of the year in video games.What were the best titles of the year for you? What were the biggest stories? What games disappointed you or surprised you? And, perhaps most importantly, how will 2007 shape the face of gaming in the years to come? Nothing is off-limits, we just want to know what your 2007 was like and what your hopes are for 2008.
The good, the bad, the ugly - MMOs in 2007
The indelible Michael Zenke, who you might recognize as one of our more frequent writers and the winner of a Gnomey for his work on his personal site -- MMOG Nation, recently wrote a piece recounting the top 5 most significant moments in MMOs for this year over at Gamasutra. Among the things that Michael focuses on are the overwhelming success of free, simply coded games like Maple Story, the spectacular failure of a number of larger budget titles like Auto Assault, the way that World of Warcraft has blitzkrieged mainstream culture with the Mr. T commercial spots and South Park episode, the shift in the marketplace that is poised to see EA and Activision Blizzard take broadside shots at each other, and the battle over RMT price models.It's about the right time for this sort of macro-analysis of the year that, unbelievably, has already passed us by. The editorial piece is a great overview of the industry as it's developed this past year, and Michael approaches the subject with the appropriate mix of skepticism and cautious optimism. He also posted a few follow-up notes over at MMOG Nation that are certainly worth looking at if the Gama article strikes your fancy. Definitely give it a look.
Japanese Wii software sales for 2007: How did Wii publishers fare?
The year is almost over, and we could probably debate for hours about which games were the best, but in the end, money talks. So, how did Wii games actually sell in 2007? A kind NeoGAFfer compiled a list that shows how much each Wii game sold this year in Japan, based on Media Create figures up until December 2nd. It's also important, though, to consider how Wii game publishers did this year in Japan (check the stats in the image above). Nintendo certainly had a great year, with over 8 million sales for 17 games. Square Enix also did pretty well for itself with Dragon Quest Swords (the only game released by the company for the Wii before the December 2nd window). As for the other third parties, however, the median game sales seem somewhat poor. Yet, considering the amount of shovelware released this year, it's hard to say that some of them didn't deserve it. Check the list of game sales here to decide for yourselves. You may notice one major disappointment (yes, we're talking about Zack and Wiki) or two, but how many other third-party games, in your opinion, really deserved to sell better than they did?
GameDaily's biggest story of '07: Record shattering game sales
The Red Ring of Death's billion dollar climax, Blizzavision, and year two of Wii Shortages were all bested for GameDaily's biggest story of the year by the gigglebucks of cash the video game industry made in 2007. Not just Nintendo, but everyone (except Atari), rolled in the sweet smell of dollars, pounds, euros, and yen this year. We already know the UK is breaking records, but leading up to November's NPD numbers, the US video game industry is up 50% to $13.2 billion, with guesstimates saying it'll cash-out around $18 billion by year's end. That $18 billion would also be NPD-tracked numbers and would not account for online subscriptions, casual games, micro-transactions and other incidentals. The video game industry is slowly catching up to the film industry and surpassing the music industry.If you're looking for a refresher on 2007, GameDaily covers most of the major incidents from the big Take-Two CEO ousting in March to recent incidents like Gerstmanngate. It's definitely worth checking out all the things that made this a crazy and profitable 2007.Read - The 20 Biggest Stories That Rocked Our World in '07 (part 1)Read - The 20 Biggest Stories That Rocked Our World in '07 (part 2)
LotRO and TBC honored in GameSpy 2007 awards
GameSpy recently released the latest iteration of its annual best-of list. The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar was ranked #6 in the best PC games of 2007 list. World of Warcraft's The Burning Crusade expansion also got some attention. It came in at #5 on the same list -- just an inch ahead of LotRO. However, LotRO also walked away with a bigger prize -- the title of PC MMO Game of the Year.Both LotRO and TBC failed to beat blockbuster first-person-shooter fare like BioShock and Call of Duty 4 in the overall PC list, but still, this was a pleasant cap to a strong year for both titles, especially LotRO, which saw promising sales figures and a warm critical reception right out of the launch bay door this Spring.TBC and LotRO are also nominees for various "gamers' choice" awards. The voting for those awards comes to a close today, and the winners will be announced tomorrow.
Top 10 MIA MMOs of 2007 - part 2
The MMO landscape for next year is already looking extremely promising for all parties involved. Even in their unfinished state, games like Age of Conan, Pirates of the Burning Sea, and Warhammer Online already appear like industry trend-setters, and its only a matter of months before we're finally able to sink our collective teeth into fresh, new, massively multiplayer meat. But as we all well know, the excitement doesn't stop with those familiar names.We return once more to deliver the part two of our list of the Top 10 MIA MMOs of 2007 -- those games which we know exist somewhere out there in the ether, but which we know ... well, basically nothing about. If you missed part 1 of the list which was posted last week, make sure to go back and read over it before proceeding any further. That way, you can know for sure whether or not we skipped that big game that you're looking forward to -- and the ensuing hate mail can, at the very least, be properly informed.
