Mercury
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Ford shows off Sirius Travel Link: real-time data for your navi
Sure, Microsoft's Sync isn't a half bad addition to the motorcars equipped with it, but this inclusion really gets the saliva glands working. Debuting at CES, the Sirius Travel Link system will enable owners to obtain "up-to-the-minute information and entertainment content through the vehicle's navigation system." More specifically, motorists will be able to fetch current gas prices from a database of stations, local, real-time traffic information in 78 markets, coast-to-coast weather information, sports scores and even movie listings. The system will officially launch in the 2009 Lincoln MKS, and while specifics (like pricing) aren't mentioned, we do know that it'll be offered in "multiple" Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles by the year's end.[Via AutoblogGreen]
Matchstick puzzling hits Europe next year
Ignoring the fundamental silliness of paying $20 or more for a game that can be played with a fifty cent box of matches, we're actually quite looking forward to Matchstick Puzzles by DS. Which is a good thing, really, as publisher Mercury Games has just confirmed that its puzzler is on its way to Europe next February, for a wallet-pleasing budget price of £19.99 / €24.99.No news on a U.S. version just yet, though a European release bodes well for those who bought a DS to rearrange little pieces of virtual wood. There's a video of the game in action past the jump, and the first English language screens in the gallery below.%Gallery-11690%
Aquarium by DS is Zen gaming at its mellowest
For an aquarium game, Aquarium by DS has a nice suite of features. Containing over 30 species of fish, it gives you control over the type and number of fish in the tank, as well as food, temperature, water salinity, and decorative items. It even provides information about each species of fish, along with in-game information about each individual fish's physical and emotional state. So it's a pretty good aquarium game that actually gives you stuff to do. But it's still an aquarium game. The relative sedateness of the thing is, in fact, a selling point -- Aquarium by DS is part of the same Zen series as Paint by DS.It's joined by Fantasy Aquarium by DS, which allows you to fill your tank with creatures that you would not be able to keep at home, like penguins, killer whales, and the noble platypus. Both games allow you to visit others' aquariums via Wi-Fi. But even with penguins and Internets, it's still looking at some stuff in a tank. The games come out in Europe in February, in case you will need calming down then.%Gallery-11048% %Gallery-11049%[Via GamesPress]
Ford to make HD Radio available on almost all new vehicles
Just when you thought your radio carrier headaches had gone away -- bam -- Ford starts offering HD Radio on almost all of its new vehicles. That's right, according to a recent press release, the automaker -- which just showed off its new Sync system -- has plans to equip (should you so choose) a large percentage of its 2008 Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles with the new high definition "standard." HD Radio -- if you'll recall -- is free, and broadcasts on about 1,500 stations in the US, but offers higher quality audio than standard FM, in addition to features like track ID and extra "piggybacked" channels (called HD2). On top of the inclusion of the systems in new vehicles, Ford says that its 2005, 2006 and 2007 models can be retrofitted with the receivers, thus giving your old jalopy a sheen of newness heretofore unseen.[Via Autoblog]
Mercury Computer Systems looses MultiCore Plus SDK for PS3
Those looking to squeeze a bit more utility out of their PS3 need look no further than Mercury Computer Systems, which has just released its MultiCore Plus SDK for Sony's latest console. The kit aims to enable application developers to harness the power of the Cell (relatively) inexpensively, and the firm is marketing the product to research labs, universities, and other businesses that delve into electronic data automation, video compression, and biotechnology. Apparently, the software was designed to work hand-in-hand with Terra Soft's Yellow Dog Linux operating system, and it can be snapped up now for slightly less than a PS3 itself (in other words, $399 per seat).[Via TGDaily]
Mercury "Black Eagle" GPS unit boasts built-in black box
While GPS units seem to be getting increasingly indistinguishable from one another these days, Korea manufacturer Mercury's latest device looks like it won't have much trouble standing out, with it boasting an integrated black box to record the final moments before an accident (GPS induced or otherwise). Apparently, the system uses a camera to track vehicles in front of you, with it able to detect when a car's break lights go on. If there's an accident, the system kicks in to store 12 seconds of video before from the accident and six seconds after -- it'll also try to warn you if it thinks you're headed for an accident. Otherwise, you'll get pretty much all the other features you'd expect, including the usual array of PMP functions and built-in DMB TV capabilities, which should make that black box all the more important.[Via Navigadget]
Find painting zen on the DS
Mercury Games is planning to release a series of Ertain's non-competitive DS games in the West as "Zen Games." The first game scheduled is something that recently popped up at the Renchi sale, in its Japanese incarnation as Kokoro wo Yasumeru Otona no Nurie DS. It'll be called Paint by DS here, and its user interface appears to have undergone a cosmetic makeover. Since it obviously has the same pictures, we assume that the minigames and puzzles are still there as well.We were pretty interested in the Japanese version (as some of you seemed to be), so we're pleased to have the chance to check this out whenever it comes out in the US. It'll be out in Europe on the 24th of August.[Via Game|Life]
Edge's July cover: Wii remote winged and gilded
We try to tip our hats whenever we spot a magazine cover that catches our fancy, but after having received numerous complaints from the jerks in accounting, upper management recently revised our office dress code to prohibit the wearing of sombreros, bowlers, and Davy Crockett caps. Our heads have been bare ever since the decree was passed down, and we haven't been doing much hat-tipping as a result. Needless to say, we really miss our silly hats.Edge's cover for its July issue is just what we needed to lift our spirits. The UK magazine has a reputation for attractive layouts, inside and out, and this month's artwork is no exception, heralding Nintendo's victory run on gold. Though the image pasted above captures the basic gist, you can see a shot of the full cover after the post break. Ironically, only one Wii game made Edge's review pages this time around -- Mercury Meltdown Revolution. Ignition's labyrinthine title garnered an 8 out of 10; quite impressive considering the magazine's traditionally tough scoring.
Deal or don't drive it off the lot?
Mercury Meltdown Revolution's $19.99 pre-order pricing at Amazon could be the deal we've been all been hoping for. Of course, we're suspicious about the quality of Ignition Entertainment's budget title, but it's hard to argue with a bargain like that.Like a lemon on the used car lot, maybe the price suggests a faulty engine? Or perhaps Amazon just doesn't expect to sell many copies of the labyrinthine game, and the online retailer is looking to unload as much of its incoming stock as possible? Either way, if the idea of guiding a toxic, liquid metal ball through a virtual maze interests you even a little, this isn't a bad way to spend twenty bucks.[Via NeoGAF]
Want to see your local team's tourney game in HD? Not this week
Despite many commenters complaining about extended SD-only periods of NCAA Tournament action, we've gotten a lot of HD action on our CBS feed. As it turns out, the home team (University of Michigan) being NIT-bound might have guaranteed us more HDTV action than say, North Carolina residents. A CBS spokeswoman explained to The Mercury News that a lack of capacity causes the network to ensure the local market gets its preferred game, by only sending an SD feed. Otherwise, you'll get a "flex" feed, that switches to the best action, and in high definition. Next week, once some teams have been eliminated, there will be enough capacity to get every game, to every market in HD. CBS says it's "likely" their capabilities will change for next year, but if they don't, HDTV owners might be rooting against their alma mater next winter.
Mercury Meltdown English downloadable demo
Missed the Japanese release of this demo about five months ago? Well, don't fret. It looks like you can have a trial taste of this tasty puzzle game... in English (and other European languages). You can get it off of YourPSP, or right off our site.1. Download the demo ZIP file.2. Extract the contents of the ZIP file.3. Connect your PSP to your computer using a USB cable.4. Go to the PSP/GAME folder.5. Copy ULED90018 folder into the GAME directory. Check out our new demos site:demos.pspfanboy.com
Mercury Meltdown Revolution rolls onto Wii
Ignition Entertainment has announced that the Mercury series of puzzle games will arrive on the Wii next Spring, in the form of Mercury Meltdown Revolution. As it involves you tilting the playing field in order to guide a blob of mercury to its intended destination, it doesn't take any sort of scientist to make the mental connection between the game and the Wii's unique controller. Ignition president (and non-scientist), Paul Robinson, explains that "the original game design was intended for a tilt controller. Now gamers can fully interact with the Mercury blob, navigating through the labs with precision and unprecedented speed."The press release is quick to note other key features, such as the presence of over 150 levels, "advanced rendering techniques" and most importantly, "state of the art blob physics." Admittedly, we initially read that last one as something else entirely.
Deal of the Day: Mercury Meltdown only $9
Play-Asia just keeps the PSP deals coming. Like Kangaeru Exit, the import site is offering Tama-Run (aka Mercury Meltdown) for cheap: only $8.90, plus shipping. That makes it a heck of a lot cheaper than buying it in the US. You don't need to know Japanese in order to play this game, as evidenced by the demo, so you may want to jump on this deal now, before it gets sold out.[Via IGN Boards]
Mercury Meltown sliding onto PS2
Gamers complain that too many games make the jump from PS2 to PSP. But, fanboys don't get too pleased either when a game makes the transition from PSP to PS2. Not too many games have done it in the past, but it appears that the upcoming Mercury Meltdown will also be getting a PS2 rendition, joining other titles such as Lumines, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, and the upcoming Tokobot. The PS2 version will not feature any enhancements, except for the ability to use the second analog stick to control the problematic camera. The PS2 version will come out one month after the PSP version, which comes out in October.[Via Gamespot]
i-mate rolls out JAQ and SPL models
It's official: i-mate isn't just a HTC rebrand shop anymore. Their new JAQ and SPL models have just been announced for reals, and neither relies on their ol' standby partner to provide the goods. The JAQ hails from Inventec, packing Pocket PC Phone Edition into a fairly clever looking (or different looking, if nothing else) QWERTY chassis with 128MB of ROM, 64MB of RAM, miniSD expansion, Bluetooth, and a 2.8-inch display. The SPL, on the other hand, bears a striking resemblance to a device we first saw outta TechFaith. The slim candybar Smartphone rocks stats similar to its JAQ sibling with the same 128MB ROM / 64MB RAM, miniSD, and Bluetooth, but with a more Smartphone-appropriate 2.2-inch LCD. i-mate is positioning both of these devices as mid-range, suggesting that they might be looking at non-HTC handsets to bring Windows Mobile on the cheap while their HTCs will stay positioned at the top. [Warning: PDF link]Update: We've gotten word that the JAQ will roll for $499, while the SPL can be yours for a hundie less at $399. Both prices are, of course, subsidy-free.
Mercury games Wii-bound
An updated release list from Ignition Entertainment has yielded a surprising result: the heretofore Sony-exclusive puzzle series, Mercury, will be gracing Wii consoles with not one but two games come this Turkey Day. Mercury Meltdown and Mercury Type R are currently slated along with the previously announced Metal Slug Anthology to be released this November for the Wii. Mercury has received some critical acclaim for its inventive puzzle design and play mechanics, so with any luck, the Wii will have two excellent puzzle games before long. (Author's note: actual Mercury is a deadly, poisonous liquid metal that should not be handled under any circumstances without proper supervision and care. Then again, if you're dumb enough to kill yourself with a silver blob, consider yourself eligible for a Darwin Award.)
