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iPhone-controlled marble prototype from GearBox
This is wild -- a new startup called GearBox is working on making "smart toys," and one of their first products is a prototype rolling ball that's controlled with your iPhone (or other smartphone, of course). Not only can you move the ball around on the ground with your phone's touchscreen, but the ball has gadgetry inside that can affect and monitor its motion, so you can do things like play "Office Golf" (and the ball can notify you when it's reached the hole), try some virtual curling, or play a multi-ball game. There's lots of gadgetry inside, too, so the ball could be made to travel slower or in a strange pattern, or even glow with ambient information. It's also wirelessly connected to the iPhone (and thus to the Internet), so you could have it monitor online resources like Facebook or Twitter, and then react to that data as well. Unfortunately, this is still just a prototype -- there's no information about a price or release date at all. But it's obviously a really intriguing idea, and depending on actual implementation, it could be a really amazing product. We'll have to keep an eye out for how GearBox eventually decides to put this together in the future. [via TouchArcade]
Shaw launching TSN2 HD Friday
Slightly more exciting than a 24/7 art channel, Shaw Cable is the latest to add TSN2 HD. Starting Friday September 19 subscribers can check out (hopefully sans-pixelization) all the curling, hockey, NASCAR, CFL and other sports action in high definition on channel 226 (HD Plus) or 269 (Star Choice). We know we had you at curling.
Ubisoft curls up with the DS for a winter sports game [update]
An ESRB rating has been assigned to a mysterious new game called Curling DS. This is either: a game based on the bizarre (yet popular!) sport in which players slide a rock down some ice and sweep in front of it an exercise game that focuses only on working your arms, or a hair styling game. To be honest, we would be equally amused by any of these! We are guessing, however, that it's going to be the first one. Could this be a localized version of Rocket Company's Minna no DS Curling (pictured)? Ubisoft (the publisher listed in the ESRB rating) has been known to pick up obscure Japanese titles before![Update: a news item on Rocket Company's site confirms that Ubisoft has licensed Minna no DS Curling.]
NBC may air Rockstar Curling -- but will it be in HD?
Top Gear not exactly down your alley? Fret not, as NBC has reportedly secured exclusive rights to launch ten episodes of "a proposed television show called Rockstar Curling." No need to wipe the dust off your specs -- the network actually is eying certain celebs (Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen were named in particular) in hopes of rounding one up to get involved -- possibly as a host -- in the show. Apparently, the winning contestant could eventually end up with a berth in the US championships, and perhaps a shot in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. As riveting as the idea of curling in and of itself is, here's to hoping this surefire blockbuster eventually gets broadcast in high-def.[Image courtesy of tawayama]
Deca Sporta isn't all about fun in the sun
So far, with the exception of basketball, everything we've seen from Hudson Soft's Deca Sporta is meant to be played outdoors under the glow of the summer sun. That's not all there is to the game, however -- the latest updates have revealed the colder side of the minigame collection. In both a recent Shonen Jump and official shots from the developer, they've revealed curling, figure skating, and snowboard cross, bringing the total of known games up to the magic number: ten! Things are looking good graphically, there's a wide range of games included, and Deca Sporta is set to debut in Japan this December. The only thing left we could ask for is a release date outside Japan -- and we hope to hear about that soon.%Gallery-7109%
DS Daily: If you designed a random sports title ....
So we've seen figure skating and curling, and after GameSpot's recent glut of screenshots, now there's Wiffle Ball for the DS. It's a veritable cavalcade of random sports, from the interesting to the not so much. But everyone's tastes are different, and we're not gonna be the ones to ask what's up with wiffle ball. We'll leave that to you guys.Today's questions stem from these forthcoming sport titles, and there are a few things we'd like to know. How do you feel about offbeat sports making an appearance on the DS? The five people who knew how curling was played expressed interest, but can wiffle ball spark the same reaction? What other sports might you enjoy seeing turned into a portable game?
Curling for the DS
Finally, something to play in the middle of the night when insomnia makes everything a little wiggly around the edges! At least, that's when we watch curling at the Olympics -- but maybe that's only because that's the only time it's aired in the U.S.All jibes aside, curling is a very serious game with a huge worldwide following, and since it is so intense on the strategy side (rather than on the heart-pumping-action side of things), it'll likely fit the DS like a glove.Curling DS will hit the ice in Japan this November. If the game is in any way a hit, we wouldn't be at all surprised to see it released on the Wii as well.
