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The gquit macro
Yesterday my guild was getting ready for our nightly foray into the Black Temple (we downed the first five bosses in 3 ½ hours, not too bad). Out of the blue, a member who has been having some "issues" as of late decided it was high time to leave the guild. And he didn't just stealth gquit, he went out in style.Instead of being adult about it, which everyone in my guild is, he posted a long winded and rambling message to the guild and then left. His tantrum was quite good, one of the most epic I've seen. But the epicness of his lack of class wasn't the best part. The best part was that he had enough foresight to do it all with a macro. So after a bunch of us got done laughing about him leaving on ventrilo I thought to myself, "Self, I should post this on WoW Insider tomorrow. After all, a gquit macro sounds like a good idea!"Take a look after the break to see some screenshots of this ex-guildie's gquit macro, and how you too can make your own gquit macro!
LED Dog Tail Communicator gives Fido a voice
Not like we haven't seen a similar idea passed around before, but James Auger and Jimmy Loizeau have apparently taken things one step further with their LED Dog Tail Communicator. As the title implies, the device would simply be affixed to your favorite canine's tail, after which it could broadcast actual words based on the speed of the tail wag. There's no telling just how many phrases the thing could spell out -- and honestly, we have no idea how accurate the statements would actually be -- but this may be just the thing to keep Rover quiet while still letting him get his point across.[Via Coolest-Gadgets]
PETA's fur-hating, law-skirting, super-cute animal game
Spurred on by the apparent success of anti-KFC game Super Chick Sisters, PETA is once again entering the Flash-based interactive activism arena with Bloody Burberry: The Fur Fighters. This time, the action focuses on controlling cute animal critters who are trying to raise awareness of the cruel, fur-coat-selling ways of the Burberry clothing stores. They complete this goal by freeing caged bunnies, protesting at fashion shows and spray-painting coats, all while avoiding some shadowy, black-clad security agents.You might think a game that encourages spray-painting private property might be a little irresponsible for an activist group, but an in-game disclaimer notes that it's all right because the animal characters are "not subject to human laws." It's like the ultimate diplomatic immunity! This gives us an idea for a crime spree involving trained penguins that the courts can't touch ... but perhaps we've already said too much ....
Verizon upping per-text rates
Verizon has recently told its subscribers to expect a healthy bump in their text messaging rates, going from 15 cents to 20 cents this March for domestic texts to match Sprint's numbers. The change only affects postpaid customers; prepaid dudes and gals soldier on at 2 to 10 cents per, depending on plan. Incoming international texts go up from 15 to 20 cents, too, though the outgoing rate remains unchanged at 25 cents. Whether that'll hold if some random patent holding firm wins bazillions from Big Red, well, that's another matter entirely.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Sprint Nextel first national to test emergency alerts
At first, we sorta thought those air raid sirens (you know, the ones that are freakin' loud enough to wake the dead) were enough of an "emergency alert" as it was, but consider this: they usually don't tell you the nature of the emergency or give you instructions on exactly how you're supposed to proceed. That's not the sirens' fault -- a mind-numbingly loud "whoop whoop" really doesn't have the bandwidth to reveal that kind of information to the human ear -- but now that SMS-capable phones are ubiquitous, it's time to smarten things up just a tad. The government's Emergency Alert System has had just such a plan in the works for a while now, and Sprint Nextel is becoming the first national carrier to trial a system capable of sending targeted, location based alerts when bad stuff goes down. The trial is taking place in scenic Contra Costa, California; no word on a national rollout, but if you find out about your next tornado, earthquake, or other scary sitch via text, your area have just gotten swept into the craze.
Swiss send ludicrous number of texts on Christmas, Christmas Eve
Switzerland's three largest carriers have reported that their subscribers sent a grand total of 62 million-plus text messages on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, 5 million more than were sent in the same two-day period last year. Any way you slice it, that's a big steaming pile of SMSes -- especially considering that the good, neutral folks of Switzerland total under 8 million in population. Swisscom reports that a little over half of the messages were sent on Christmas Eve, a stat we can totally buy since we know we were too busy unwrapping phones and headsets on the 25th to bother firing off texts.[Via textually.org]
Zipit reveals Z2 Wireless Messenger for IM addicts
It's been quite some time since we've heard from Zipit, but the company is hitting back with a second version of its trendy Wireless Messenger. The Z2 doesn't deviate too far from the original's design, but the keyboard left a lot to be desired during our limited playtime. As expected, this handheld unit works on any WiFi network and supports AOL, Yahoo and MSN IM platforms so users can carry on multiple conversations. Furthermore, you'll find an integrated music player (dubbed MyTunez) that can play back files stored on your miniSD card or tunes streamed from the 'net, and the MyPhotoz feature lets you view photo slideshows, too. For those interested, it'll be available next month for $149.99, and if you hadn't already noticed, a host of hands-on photos are waiting below.%Gallery-7836%
Variety's Metroid Corruption review highlights message conflict
The Variety review of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption just goes to show the ramifications Nintendo's message that the Wii is a casual system can cause a title like Metroid. Just forget the debate if Nintendo abandoned hardcore gamers, or gamers abandoned Nintendo, for just a little bit. Like we went over in Joystiq podcast #14, whoever did what to whom, the two are currently experiencing what professionals might call "marital issues." The thing this review by Variety showed is that a mainstream publication notices something wrong with a non-casual title on a perceived casual system. Variety ends the first paragraph of the review saying, "Ultimately, gamers looking for a well paced, thrill-a-minute shooter with a compelling narrative are going to be disappointed. 'Halo' this ain't."The Variety review has some kind words for the game, but it seems so clearly written with the realization that the marketing of the Wii console as a casual system doesn't click with this game. Another scathing point they make is Metroid is more "tedious than epic," they say the boss battles are "exhaustive affairs requiring dedication, patience, and most importantly, a familiarity with the vocabulary of videogames: double jumping, circle strafing, shooting weak points for massive damage, etc. Those who previously used the Wii only for party games will need a 13 year-old boy to explain it all." Whether this analysis is right or wrong isn't the point, 10 million people may own a Wii, but how many of those people actually move beyond the casual titles or would purchase a game like Metroid? The Wii was sold on casual fun, Metroid is not -- to an outside consumer -- a Wii title.
Verizon's PTT plans get unlimited messaging, too
The unlimited text, picture, and video messaging that Verizon customers on plain-vanilla plans have enjoyed for a few weeks now is moving on to spread its love to other segments of the market. Push-to-talk plans are next, with unlimited messaging running $20 above and beyond the standard plan cost -- a tad steep, yes, although it includes messaging on any network. With the new feature, individual PTT plans start at $70.
International texting package in the pipe for AT&T
We've received word that AT&T is prepping a new package that should make texting outside of the US just a little more palatable. Right now, folks pay a stiff $0.20 to get their SMSes off our shores and $0.15 to get them in -- not bad, no, but still a good deal pricier than the domestic stuff. The new plan, scheduled for a June 3 launch, allegedly rocks 100 texts per month for $9.99, basically shaving 50 percent off the cost (for the first hundred, anyway). Still more expensive than a text to your friend next door -- and no, it doesn't include picture or video messaging -- but we'll take what we can get.[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Verizon rolls out unlimited messaging
Text addicts, rejoice: your plans have arrived. Verizon's unlimited messaging plans are now official, offering limitless text, picture, and video messaging to any carrier in the US on a wide variety of plans at the "America's Choice Select" level -- starting at $60 -- and above. Dovetails nicely with the release of the text-friendly u740 in black, does it not?[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Why your Wii is glowing
You could simply turn on the unit and check for yourself, but that would mean depriving yourself of that hypnotic glow that fills your soul with abject bliss. No, come to us instead! We will keep you well-informed.It's nothing earth-shattering, alas. Nintendo simply sent out a responsible message to all Wii-owners about the original pack-in wrist straps, still the subject of much debate. Along with a friendly reminder not to be a retard, the message also directs gamers to a website at which they can exchange their puny straps for the beefy, meaty kind. We love when companies take responsibility for their mistakes, but sometimes, they take too much responsibility ... damn friend codes.
Tactile display could convey signals on soldiers' backs
Although glitzy, stat-filled jerseys are certainly sufficient ways to get information off your chest (ahem), a new vibrating vest could give "body language" an entirely new meaning. Joining the air-conditioned and insulating renditions, this snazzy vest features a "tactile display" on the back, which is created by 16 small vibrating motors that are connected to an internal wireless control unit. The jacket "writes symbols and messages on its wearer's back," and while the actual writing resembles Braille more than text, it can supposedly be used to "send important commands to soldiers or firefighters, warning them of imminent danger when ordinary radios cannot be used." Commands are beamed to the vests via a wirelessly-enabled computer, and can stealthily inform platoons to stop, look in a specific direction, run, or slow down. The US Army is partially funding the research, as it hopes to investigate different ways to communicate when hand signals and / or radio transmissions aren't effective. During initial testing, results have shown nearly flawless interpretation by participants, and while we're not exactly sure when we can expect rumble-equipped gear to grace our armed forces, the problem of "excess noise from the motors" has to be quelled before hitting the battlefield.[Via BoingBoing]
Reggie's on the phone for you
NoA president (and popular photoshop subject) Reggie Fils-Aime made a special guest appearance on phones and answering machines across America yesterday. If you pre-ordered a Wii at GameStop, you got the message included after the jump. If you didn't ... you can still hear it!Nothing like getting a recorded message from Reggie to make the waiting a little easier.
A special message from Nintendo Wii Fanboy
It's here, folks. For many of us, years of waiting ends tomorrow at 12:01 AM, a mere twenty-four hours from now. And indeed, perhaps almost as fun as the Wii itself will be the camping out, braving the elements with your fellow Nintendo die-hards. But, a word of caution.As you very well may know, the PS3 launch was horrendously chaotic. Reports are still coming in from around the country on various shootings, robberies, mayhem, and general discourtesy. It's true that Nintendo will have a larger initial stock, but the demand is no less. We at the Fanboy kindly ask that you show patience and kindness during your launch-day festivities, and remember that you're all there for a common purpose. Should you fail to claim a system on the day of, please, show respect and courtesy to those around you regardless. A few days truly isn't that long in the grand scheme of the things, and the last thing we want is to see someone get hurt over something designed to bring enjoyment and fun to the masses.And with that out of the way, it's time to rock this thing. Nintendo Wii, here we come!
Posting messages on the Wii
Upon setting up the Wii, our first goal was to establish Internet access and download a ton of VC games check out the WIiConnect 24 service. Problem is, Nintendo hasn't turned on their servers yet, so while our Wii can find an access point, it can't connect to Nintendo and download the update already available for it. So, the next best thing is checking out some of the functionality of the console and this is where the video, embedded into the post after the break, comes in. Watch as Kyle Orland and myself check out how to post messages onto the Wii.
A Mail.app rule for catching image spam
It seems that I'm not the only one being inflicted with a new wave of image spam, as Bill Benson, a MacInTouch reader, has posted his rule solution for this junk that seems to so easily elude Mail.app's filters. Tim Gaden at Hawk Wings, also a victim, elaborates on how to set up this rule, as a trick is involved. To summarize: for the first condition, select 'Edit Header List...' in its accompanying option, chose 'Content-Type' (or create it if you have to) The Content-Type option will then take first place in the rule (or you might have to select it from the criteria list), allowing you to finish building the rule as pictured The rule is based off of Bill's observation that these spam emails always come from a different address, and the content type header (as you might now assume) begins with multipart/related'.Since I have been receiving around a dozen of these messages on a daily basis, I think I can say that, so far, this rule has been a success. Three cheers for the power of community -based spam filtering. If you aren't using Mail.app, however, I would imagine this trick can be adapted for other email apps. Anyone else try it outside of Mail.app?
Details of upcoming Thunderbird 2.0 release
Hawk Wings has tracked down some details on a tantalizing v2.0 update to Thunderbird, Mozilla's email client. New features at the top of my list are message tagging, a tabbed message viewer and a built-in notification system. It's great to see more developers bringing the tagging paradigm to email, as Scott Morrison has done with his MailTags plug-in for Apple's Mail.Check out Mozilla's Thunderbird development blog for the full (and lengthy) post of what's coming in this major release for Thunderbird, including plenty of Mac-specific features and fixes.
iChat Extender - tweak iTunes status message, chat bubbles
iChat Extender is a little app that lets you tweak various settings of iChat that unfortunately don't have a pref pane of their own. Features such as the format of the 'iTunes now playing' status message and the style of chat bubbles can easily be adjusted with this handy and free app.For more fun with little apps, check out the developer's other utilities such as illis, an iTunes controller and Growl notifier, as well as Star, a menubar utility for rating your iTunes tracks and notifying you when a track is un-rated.All of these utilities are free and Universal Binaries.
Hollywood Video manager rages against Sony's machine
Retail store managers (Gamestop, Blockbuster, etc,) tend to get a bad rap at E3 due to their general lack of purpose and grating tendency to smugly report their exploits to folks on the other side of the counter back home. However, Hollywood Video Manager Chris, who dispenses late fee justice in Orange County, has added some real meaning to his show floor wandering by wearing a one-off t-shirt: Just Say No to the $599.99 and $499.99 PS3 price points. Rage against Sony's machine, Chris! Looks like the Microsoft partisans at GamerScoreBlog ran into the same dude.
