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Sketches 2 available now for creating even better art on your iPhone
Our friends at LateNiteSoft sent word that they've updated Sketches, one of the first iPhone apps I ever picked up, to version 2.0. The app has been released [iTunes link] as an entirely new download, so even upgraders from version 1 will have to pay the current price of $1.99. LateNiteSoft tells us that upgrade price is temporary -- they plan to keep the original app on the store as "Sketches Classic" for 99 cents, and eventually the price of the new version will go up a few more bucks. If you want to upgrade, go grab Sketches 2 as soon as you can. Tthe new app offers a number of improvements, including a completely revamped UI designed to quickly run through large collections. The new UI also keeps tools handy, but out of the way, as you use them. As you can see in the screen shots above, all the tools are stashed at the bottom of the screen instead of covering up your picture while you're working on it. Sketches 2 now lets you paint using brushes, which makes for some nice choices in terms of marking pictures, canvas, maps, or whatever else you choose as a background in the app. The zoom functionality has been updated, with new gestures and a smoother shape adjustment interface. As with the original Sketches app, you can share and export your work however you like. You can use the app to create a masterpiece and then tweet about it, or just mark some notes on a map and send it off to a friend. Sketches 1 was a bargain back when I picked it up for $7 in the earliest days of the App Store, and this new version adds even more features at less than half the price. If you have any inkling about making some art on your iPhone, it's a solid buy.
Valkyria Chronicles 2 will be bigger than first game, producer promises
It may be just a handheld game, but Sega's Shuntaro Tanaka promises the upcoming PSP-exclusive Valkyria Chronicles 2 will feature more content than the original PS3 game. While the first game was strictly a single-player affair, Tanaka says the PSP's Ad-Hoc mode allowed the team to explore local multiplayer. (Dear Japan, gamers like to use the internet for gaming too!) Without going into specifics, Tanaka says the content of the game will be a "few times" bigger than the first, with battles that are "even deeper" than the original.The announcement of Valkyria's change in platform surprised many, especially those who expected a PS3 (or 360) sequel. However, PSP Hyper notes that "future games won't be focused on PSP only," leaving the possibility for a third game in the franchise (if it happens) to jump ship to yet another platform. Until then, we'll be happy with the prospect of a portable Valkyria.%Gallery-68217%
The Frame brings high-def art to Canadian HDTVs on Star Choice
We'll go ahead and say it: Canada is in desperate need of some fresh HD channels, and while we're sure Canucks will take any one they can get, we have all ideas The Frame isn't high on their list of wants. Nevertheless, the all-HD-art channel that hit Shaw Cable back in August has finally arrived on subsidiary Star Choice, and as expected, it will provide a 24-hour feed of high-def art sans commercials. From "exclusive fine art collections to award-winning photographs," The Frame promises to give your HDTV a workout when there's absolutely nothing else on. Those somehow looking forward to this can catch it on slot 268 this Thursday.[Via Digital Home]
World of WarCrafts: A gift from the embalmer
Every Thursday, Shelbi Roach of The Bronze Kettle guides you in creating WoW-inspired crafts using real world mats with World of WarCrafts. Who needs a $500 couture bag from Nordstrom when you can sport this abomination? Perfect for toting around diapers, Incriminating Documents, or your pet's favorite toy. Here is what you will need: Natural Canvas Tote Bag (8.5"x11") Felt (black, charcoal, red, pink, ivory, white) Felt Glue Scissors Wax Paper Click on the images below to view a gallery of step-by-step instructions. %Gallery-25527%
Mondolithic Studios creates oil portraits of virtual world characters
Here's another WoW/virtual character portrait studio -- we've covered a few before -- but I think it's the first place we've ever seen that will actually create an oil-on-canvas portrait of whatever character you choose. Most folks do it with digital art or illustration, but Mondolithic Studios goes the extra mile -- not only will they actually put a painting together, but they'll show up to photograph you in your element, too. Lots of artists use reference shots that you send them, but Mondolithic apparently aims for "combat photography," which means they'll have a toon in world with you to watch you do your thing.Interesting. There's only a few samples there at the moment, but they'll probably have more when and if business picks up. The style is quite interesting -- it certainly is oil paint, but rather than going realistic, it seems like it's designed more to mimic the actual look of the game, with a few weird polygon angles and designs.Unfortunately, there's no mention of price at all (you have to email them for estimates), but odds are it isn't cheap. Then again, if you're in search of a one-of-a-kind oil portrait of the character you've sunk so much time into, this just might be worth the money you put into it.[Via Massively]
Mondolithic proves the art of portraiture isn't dead
How long have you spent working on your character? Months? Years? Wouldn't you like a commemoration of all that time and effort? Mondolithic Studios has just the thing: oil-on-canvas portraits of your favorite avatar. For an undisclosed fee, the artists of Mondolithic will create a unique painting based on a screenshot you send them, or they will drop into your world and work with you to get the best shot possible.While they seem to have a World of Warcraft focus, they will gladly accept commissions for a variety of virtual worlds, including Second Life. For fees and sizes, go check out the website. The perfect gift for someone who has everything![Thanks, Kenn!]
GalleryPlayer's HD artwork coming to Mitsubishi flat-panels
Given the last time we heard that GalleryPlayer was sinking its teeth into a major television brand was nearly two years ago, we're a tad surprised to see it actually attempting to sashay back into the limelight. Nevertheless, the company that aims to deliver "rights-protected" imagery to your HDTV when not tuning into HD programming, HD gaming or HD movies (um, and this is when, exactly?) has inked a new deal with Mitsubishi. Reportedly, the partnership will enable GalleryPlayer to embed its proprietary technology in 2008 Mitsu HDTV models launching this Spring, giving owners the ability to purchase and display 1080p art galleries from its expansive library. Still, we'd rather snap up a DSLR of our own and toss up a slideshow to be really proud of, but to each his / her own.
Incandescent portraiture in Second Life
Here's one more item to add to the list of Christmas gifts for your favorite Second Life resident. Incandenza Thorne is owner of Incandescent Artworks, a service that will provide a real-world painted portrait of an SL avatar, rendered by an anonymous artist friend of Incandenza's. From the in-world site:'When you purchase a painting from Incandescent Artworks, you receive a real oil painting on canvas delivered to you for display in your home or office. You also receive a digital picture of the painting for display in your virtual home or office, as well as digital pictures of the painting at key "in progress" stages. 'We offer different size canvases to meet different budgets: 28-inches by 22-inches, US$500. 14-inches by 11-inches, US$350.'These prices do not include delivery. Customers will pay actual freight costs to their destination. If you have more questions, please IM "Incandenza Thorne" or send an email to incandenza.thorne@yahoo.com.'While you may balk at these prices, keep in mind that these portraits are one-of-a-kind, custom pieces that represent significant effort on the behalf of the artist. A sample image from the studio is shown above (Note: the inset picture was my addition; the actual portrait will not have an inset image). I wonder if he'll do werewolves?[Thanks, Incandenza!]
See how to play Valkyrie of the Battlefield
Despite the fact that only a small percentage of us can understand a damn thing being said in this video, we think it's safe to say a large majority here can appreciate the beauty that is Sega's Valkyrie of the Battlefield. In this newly released training video, we actually get to see how the battles will take place. Swapping back and forth from a command and action mode, players choose the character they wish to control from an overhead map in the command mode and then, in the action mode, players carry out attacks against the enemy in third-person.Also shown are how command points are used, the different units available and how they can be combined together to maximize their effectiveness. We still haven't heard if this game will see a Western release, but if Sega's smart, it'll certainly push this game for all it's worth.
Sony cranks out artsy new audio gear, VAIO laptops
Those itching for something off the beaten path should certainly look Sony's way, as the firm is offering up a few funky fresh items to celebrate its Canvas @ Sony art installation. Reportedly, the outfit will be selling a trio of stylish NW-A808 DAPs, MDR-KX70LW earbuds and VAIO VGN-CR90 laptops, all of which will boast unique, art-inspired enclosures. As for prices, the A808s will be ¥26,800 ($228) while the earbuds and laptops will ring up at ¥5,980 ($51) and ¥114,800 ($978), respectively. But you'd better get a move on, as each of the aforementioned items are limited in quantity to 100. Click on for more pictorial delight.[Via Impress]
TGS07: Valkyrie of the Battlefield shows watercolors are still cool
So far in Valkyrie of the Battlefield's short life, we've only seen the occasional screen or magazine scan, but now Sega has finally taken the wraps of its newest PS3-exclusive RPG.Sega kicked off the cel-shading revolution with Jet Set Radio, but now the company is pushing the technology even further by using it to create gorgeous watercolor-theme graphics, which its calling Canvas. It really does look like a painting has come to life.While we would have loved to see some actual gameplay, there's no denying the game looks great. Let's just cross our fingers that Sega decides to ship this baby worldwide.
Silica hack "tester" perhaps too good at its job
As if we didn't have enough cause to be paranoid about WiFi hacking, Justine Aitel has worked out a way to do it completely automatically -- your ports will never be safe again. Justine's Immunity Inc. has developed a tool it calls Silica, which runs a custom version of CANVAS, Immunity's point-and-click attack tool, on a Nokia 770. The 770's touchscreen displays three simple buttons: "Scan," "Stop" and "Update Silica." As soon as you hit Scan, Silica can start hopping onto WiFi networks, search for open ports, and automatically launch code execution exploits. For instance, you could set Silica to download anything of interest off of exploitable file shares, then put the 770 in your pocket and walk through an office, gleaning all sorts of fun files to peruse later, or even have the device actively penetrate machines and have them hook up to an external listening port via HTTP / DNS at your bidding. Sounds pretty malicious, but it's all in the name of safety -- Immunity sells the $3,600 device to penetration testers to have a quick and automated way of testing network security on the spot. Once you're done running the scan, you get an HTML report of Silica's findings, meaning even a noob can get their hack on with this thing. Immunity keeps track of new exploits, and sends out updates about once a month to Silica users. Of course, Immunity also tries to be careful who they sell the device to to make sure it doesn't fall into malicious hands, but there's no way to be 100 percent sure, so we recommend unplugging your router now, selling the house and kids and moving to a mountain cave before it's too late.[Via Slashdot]
