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Outspoken Harvard professor Jonathan Zittrain to head FCC's open internet advisory panel
The FCC has created a new forum for corporations, experts and activists to scrap over web laws: The Net Neutrality Advisory Committee. Members have been tasked with "tracking and evaluating the effects of the FCC's Open Internet rules," as well as making policy recommendations. The new group is to be led by Harvard professor and long-time defender of an open internet, Jonathan Zittrain, whose appointment echoes that of Tim Wu -- another expert in a senior advisory position over at the FTC. Harvard University is no stranger to what can go wrong when open access is stifled, so perhaps the good professor can shake things up a bit.
Windows 8 gets automatic updates, enforced restarts after 72 hours of polite harassment
Windows 8 is renaming the second week of every month. After "Patch Tuesday" comes "Gentle reminder Wednesday," "Polite yet firm suggestion Thursday" and "Automatic restart Friday". In order to keep everyone's system secure, Windows Update will download patches in the background before adding a notification on your lock screen that you're due a restart. If you haven't managed it within 72 hours, you'll be given a 15 minute warning to save your work and close up before it forces the shutdown -- unless you're watching a movie or conducting a presentation, it'll lie in wait for your next idle period to do it. With this system, you'll only have to complete the procedure once a month and can plan your schedule accordingly. The only time the system will deviate is when a security threat like a blaster worm appears, at which point Microsoft will ensure you're restarting as soon as a fix is available. What, you didn't know that "keeping end-users on their toes" was a feature?
RZA unveils branded headphone line, hopes you don't leave Shaolin without them
The other rappers probably spend a lot of time making fun of you when you don't have your own line of headphones. The Wu Tang's RZA can thankfully breathe a sigh of relief as he becomes a member of the not so inclusive club that already contains the likes of Dr. Dre, Ludacris, and 50 Cent. The Gravedigga sometimes known as Bobby Digital is teaming up with WESC to bring the world Chambers, a line of over-ear headphones with flashing LEDs that light up in time with your music. Chambers will come in two versions -- one targeted at consumers and another aimed at pros. The line is set to launch on August 26th. It's not quite as awesome as that $500 Ghostface Killah doll from a few years back, but it's a start.
Net neutrality expert Tim Wu named senior advisor to the FTC
The Federal Trade Commission just appointed outspoken anti-DRM advocate Ed Felten as its first Chief Technologist a few months ago, and it's now made another fairly bold move with the appointment of Tim Wu as a senior advisor. As any Engadget Show viewer is no doubt well aware, Wu is not only a noted net neutrality expert, he actually coined the term, and he's not exactly shy to make his opinions on the matter known. He won't strictly be dealing with net neutrality at the FTC, though -- Chairman Jon Leibowitz says that he will instead be "working on issues at the nexus of consumer protection, competition, law and technology." For his part, Wu will be taking a leave from his position at Columbia Law School to take on the new job (which he'll begin February 14th), and it seems like he'll also be a bit less outspoken on Twitter -- his most recent tweet noted that there would be "no more policy tweets" starting next week. Head on past the break to watch our full interview with Wu from last fall.
Dynasty Warriors Online set for American release by Aeria Games
The Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history is one of those settings that people just can't seem to get enough of, with other free-to-play games mining the territory with vigor. The Dynasty Warriors franchise, however, has quite a bit of pedigree, with a long tradition of character-based storytelling and impossibly large battles. American fans of the franchise can take heart, as it has just been announced that Aeria Games will be publishing Dynasty Warriors Online in North America, with the game currently accepting beta applicants. Fans of the series will be happy to know that the game hasn't lost sight of its roots, with the engine focusing on allowing player-created characters to face off against huge hordes of NPC opponents. The game will also allow players to have a direct influence on the historical setting, with the outcome of battles affecting the delicate balance between Wei, Shu, and Wu. Naturally, there will also be the same psuedo-historical personalities made famous in the series and in the source novel. Dynasty Warriors Online is set for an official launch later this year, and if you're on the fence, take a look at the gallery below to get a feel for the game's appearance. %Gallery-99390%
Kingdom Heroes shows off PvP in new screens
Aeria Games wants players to know what to expect out of Kingdom Heroes, and one of the biggest draws can be explained in three letters: PvP. More specifically, large-scale PvP that features up to 100 participants on each side, culminating in the bloody Kingdom Wars that are shown off in a new set of official screens. The first picture in the gallery is a brief moment of calm before the storm, with the subsequent images showing off just how bloody the fighting can get. Set during China's Three Kingdoms period -- the setting for Romance of the Three Kingdoms and the Dynasty Warriors series among others -- the game is still in open beta, with a variety of weekend events running to help entice new players. If you're fond of the historical setting (with some exceptions made for the sake of gameplay) or just fond of large-scale PvP, take a look at the gallery and consider giving Kingdom Heroes a shot. %Gallery-97107%
GE's 'Create by Jason Wu' camera collection unveiled, we go hands on
Keep it simple, stupid. There's no better way to describe the "Create by Jason Wu" collection unveiled at PMA by General Imaging (a.k.a. GE). The fashion designer's point and shoot could not be easier: you can shoot, choose flash, and view galleries. That's it -- and in fact, if you need a cue, the shooter reminds you to "hold still" while taking a shot. You're definitely picking this up for style over substance, but still it's pleasantly light and captures surprisingly decent images. As for the nitty-gritty specs, we're looking at 12 megapixels, 3x optical zoom, and a 2.7-inch LCD. The battery charges via wall adapter or the retractible USB plug, which is also how you movie images to your computer of choice. Color options? White, black, gold, red, yellow, blue, green for a metal finish; and white, black and grey for leather. A 4GB version is $180, and 8GB is $230 -- no memory cards accepted here, folks. Look for the camera to debut, of all places, via Home Shopping Network on March 16th. Press release after the break, shots below -- and while you're looking, we've also got an eyeful of the rest of GE's point-and-shoot PMA collection. %Gallery-86219% %Gallery-86220%
Keepin' it real fake, part CCVI: yet another Balance Board edition
Why should authentic, honest-to-goodness Wii owners be the only ones to indulge in some mindless escapism -- or a spirited virtual workout, for that matter? To this end, the heads at Chinavasion have dreamt up a two-tone, quasi-legal Balance Board KIRF for you and your game console. Sure, this is by no means the first such beast we've seen, and there's no telling whether or not this bad boy is compatible with your WÜ, MiWi2, or Chintendo Vii, but it does sport handsome light blue accents. Take one home for $67.91, or save a few shekles and buy 'em in lots of three or more. Intrigued? Take a closer look for yourself after the break.
Keepin' it real fake, part XCII: accessories for the Nintendo Wu
Apparently targeted at game shoppers with bad eyesight, these accessories for the "Wu" game console reader Jordan Perr spotted in New York's Chinatown seem like less of a product and more like the Chinese KIRF masters are playing a devious inside joke on us. Choices include what appears to be a knockoff of Brando's Wii Sports Pack, a "PEGA" version of PEGO's Airplane Controller Stand and a "Wu Combat Pack" with sword and shield. No word on whether Wu accessories are compatible with the Vii, but for a staggering $30 we expect nothing less. Peep a few more shots after the break.
