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Blizzard doesn't deliver on Pandaren Express
While I was attempting to sort out the truth for The Great Panda Debate, I came across Pandaren Express. It sounded too good to be true. Just type /panda in your UI and you'd be rewarded with an interactive menu of Oriental-inspired delights. It was too good to be true, it was a crafty April Fool's prank. I hadn't seen it before, so I thought I would share the link with our readers. The prank was criticized for supporting the belief that World or Warcraft players are lazy and obsessed. I can understand the complaint, but I admit to tabbing out while waiting for arena queues to order pizza online at least once or twice.
Comic Watch: World of Kung Fu
This is a little off the beaten path, as far as this series of posts go. What's being highlighted here isn't an ongoing webcomic in the usual sense, but in the same vein as all the in-game comics that fans of WoW put together comes the first World of Kung Fu comic!Personally, I think they should have combined the dialogue from panels 3 and 4 into the third panel and made that the punchline, but hey, I've never written one, so what do I know? However, if this is merely the first in an ongoing series (as the comic's title suggests), then it makes more sense. But I do like seeing companies stretch out a little bit with their properties. Who knows? Maybe someday we'll be able to buy costumes like the ones in the comic!
The great Panda debate
On Wednesday, March 5 we asked readers what races they would like to have added into the game. Pandarens seemed to be the most desired playable race along, with Worgen, Goblins, Murlocs, Furbolgs, and Naga. It was fun to dream of new races and places, but the rebuttals for why different races wouldn't work were equally as interesting. In the comments Censorman said, "I've heard China won't allow Pandas to be killed in games." Fanryn responded that "no one has ever found any reference of an actual Chinese law that forbids 'depictions of violence against pandas.'" I decided to investigate and see what I could come with for a reliable resolution to this debate.
Check Mii Out -- I've got a panda for a face!
Siliconera posted a video of some popular Japanese Miis, taken from that region's Check Mii Out Channel. Of course it's interesting to see a Japanese take on the ubiquitous Michael Jackson Mii, and we are probably going to go make our own Oshiri Kajiri Mushi Mii now, but we were taken by this Mii, called P.D. His hobby is eating. We are humbled and embarrassed now that none of our Miis have face-panda.We'd be remiss if we didn't mention the exceptional Doraemon, Snoopy, and Diddy Kong Miis as artistic achievements in the field of Mii, but we know who the new star of the Check Mii Out Channel is. It's that Mii's face.
Poll: iPhone, the hot new neckwear?
Kross of the group Panda sported his iPhone on a chain at last night's MTV Latin Awards, giving the already legendary device yet another new function. So what's the deal, ladies, gentleman, players, pimps: is the iPhone destined to hang 24 inches low from some of the best-accessorized necks around, or is Kross just trippin with his unique showpiece? %Poll-4492%
Hidden Panda on SSC floor
Astela on Maelstrom sent us this shot of the floor in Morogrim Tidewalker's room in Serpentshrine Cavern. It took me a second to see it, but right there in the designs on the floor, you can see a Panda, calling card of one Samwise Didier, one of Blizzard's lead developers (and lead singer of L70ETC).He's also the creators of the fan favorite Azerothian race we haven't seen in Azeroth yet, the Pandaren (I'm a little disappointed that they didn't show up during Brewfest, actually). Obviously, this is just a hidden Easter Egg done by one of the artists, right? Clearly, this isn't proof that the Pandaren helped build the Coilfang Reservoir or anything like that. Right?Thanks, Astela!
HTC self-brands retro Panda as P6300
If you're still hung up on 2.5G data and Windows Mobile 5... well, first, we recommend you consult a professional. Failing that, though, check out HTC's P6300, the self-branded version of the throwback "Panda" that looks straight outta 2004 and has a feature set to match: tri-band EDGE data, Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC Phone Edition, and SD / MMC slot. Mercifully, internal Flash is a more 2007-ish 256MB, and the WiFi and 3.5-inch QVGA display certainly helps round this one out. You can already grab this one on O2 as the Xda Argon, but it looks like folks elsewhere should be able to pick it up now too -- if you're into that sort of thing.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
Ecolis boxart reveals WiFi and panda support
Online support seems like a prerequisite for any decent RTS release, but it's never safe to assume with DS and Wii games. Thankfully, the boxart for Ecolis indicates that the InterChannel title will make use of Nintendo's WiFi connection in addition to its "download play" features. We're not sure if that means online duels, item shops, or a near-useless messaging system, but it's something -- a quantity that's arguably better than nothing. If you haven't been properly introduced, Ecolis is a strategy title in which you command an army of woodland creatures against the pollution and deforestation taking over their homes. You'll also be tackling issues like global warming and recycling while you plant new trees to restore damaged forests. The eco-friendly message doesn't end there; as evidenced by the panda stamped on the game's packaging, a portion of Ecolis' proceeds will be donated to Japan's World Wide Fund for Nature.%Gallery-4106%[Via Ruliweb]
O2 gets HTC Panda as "Xda Argon"
If this wasn't actually on O2's website, we'd think it was just a late (really late) April Fool's joke; alas, it now seems that the HTC Panda is the real deal in all its throwback glory. Looking pretty much like an HTC Himalaya or Alpine, the Panda reminds us of everything that was great about 2004 -- and thankfully, O2 has decided in its infinite wisdom to pick up the device as the "Xda Argon." Don't get your hopes up for modernized guts, though -- those are throwback, too, with EDGE data and Windows Mobile 5 leading the charge. On the other hand, Bluetooth, WiFi, a 2 megapixel camera, and a gloriously large 3.5 inch display all help make the Panda's case for a place in the sentimental Pocket PC user's pocket. Get it now on O2 for as little as... well, nothing, depending on the contract you select.[Via the::unwired]
HTC's throwback "Panda" in the wild
Ring any bells here, folks? This one goes way back -- think back to the early days of all-in-one devices, when Windows Mobile 6 was nothing more than a twinkle in Microsoft's eye, GSM 1900 was all you needed to get a decent signal in North America, and telephony support was a hacky graft in the form of Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition. That's right: the "Panda" from HTC appears, for all practical purposes, to be the true successor to the one and only "Space Needle" released on T-Mobile many, many moons ago (and later, the "Alpine"). Features are said to include a generous 3.5 inch display, 256MB ROM / 128MB RAM, 802.11b / g, Bluetooth 2.0, EDGE data (no 3G here -- throwback, indeed!), and a 2 megapixel cam. The release schedule is unclear -- in fact, it's not even clear whether HTC will release it at all -- but for once, that's not breaking out hearts.
Video: Wowwee's RoboPanda
If the RoboQuad and RoboBoa didn't scare you enough, now we've got a video of the scariest Robo-animal of them all... the RoboPanda. The fun lil' cutesy robot sounded like it had the potential to go iRobot / Matrix / [insert favorite robots take over world scenario here] when the bot asked, "Have you ever been attacked by a panda?" It really did say that, but if you could avoid the obvious welcoming of our robot panda overlords, we'd appreciate it. [MP4] Download the video
Meet your shiny new 2007 HTCs
If the X7500 "Athena" somehow managed to fail to attract your attention and you found the Vox, Libra, Love, and Cavailer positively forgettable, first verify that you have a pulse (because we really don't think that's normal) then check this out: HTC's 2007 arsenal is shaping up to be a doozy, with several previously-unknown models stepping into the spotlight. First up is the "Kaiser" (pictured top left), a follow-on to the Hermes that adds GPS -- a feature that's becoming increasingly common in high-end Pocket PCs. The "Elf" (top right) and "Panda" (not pictured) are midrange devices; they'll lack 3G radios, but the Panda's claim to fame will be a giant QVGA display that weighs in at well over 3 inches, while the Elf makes a name for itself with a fashion-friendly design and a touchpad in place of the typical d-pad. The "Wings" (bottom left) will ultimately take the torch from the Vox -- yes, the still-unreleased Vox -- by adding 3G, GPS, and a beefier processor. Finally, a new clamshell Smartphone will pick up where the Star Trek left off, rocking a GPS receiver and more wireless radios than its predecessor. If you can't find yourself an '07 HTC to your liking now, well... that's just crazy talk, but we know a Finnish outfit that might like your business.[Via PDA247]
TCG items will come with Burning Crusade Collector's Edition
WorldofWar.net has a pointer to an article on the new Escapist, in which they talk about all the extra trinkets and junk that comes with Collectors Editions of games. I still have one of those old full color cloth maps of Britannia laying around somewhere, and working at a game store a few years ago got me a few of those Jedi Knight 2 keychains.But even more interesting, WorldofWar also points out "a comment from Upper Deck" that says what'll be in the box with the Burning Crusade Collector's Edition. If you can get your hands on one of those (and don't worry-- there's supposed to be plenty to go around), Blizz will hook you up with "2 starter decks, a full-size color rulebook and 3 foil promo cards." Pretty nice, even if you're not a TCG fan.And considering how much Blizzard pimped out the original WoW Collector's Edition-- that's where the MiniDiablo, Zergling, and Panda non-combat pets all came from-- it's not too much of a stretch to think those cards (or something else in the Collector's Edition) will end up conveying some pretty cool stuff in-game. If you're planning to buy the expansion anyway and don't mind shelling out for the extra cash, Blizzard might have some neat stuff in store for collectors.
Keepin' it real fake, part XXVIII: Another Nokia 8800 imposter
Despite Nokia's best efforts, it looks like the 8800 has gotten the fake treatment once again. The latest knock-off, which some were speculating to be the 8800's successor, sports a shiny metal exterior and a 2 megapixel camera, but still doesn't slide. It's certainly not as slick as the high-priced genuine models, or the classy 8801, but for the $200 this thing is allegedly costs (presumably out of suitcases and car trunks) you get what you pay for.
Giant Panda robots: extinction solved
Ahh Giant Pandas... cute and cuddly until they rip out your jugular with a swipe from those massive thumbed paws. What better avatar to lull us into complacency while cleansing the fields of our human scourge? Ok, ok, only the head can actually be considered robotic with 14 servo motors used to create realistic panda expressions like confusion: "has anyone seen my bamboo?" or anger: "I am not a teddy bear!" The rest is just some guy in a fancy monkey suit drunk on Billy Beer. Now isn't it about time we forget about all this endangered species crap since man clearly possesses the power to preserve these giant bears raccoons automatons forever in some kind of It's a Small World freak show? Just click the read link if you don't concur, go ahead, click.
