insane
Latest
Guillermo del Toro working on several games with a 'big company'
Visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, whose cinematic opuses include Pan's Labyrinth and the Hellboy films, recently told MTV Multiplayer that the "next few weeks" would bring about the announcement of his first foray into game development. Del Toro, who has long been an outspoken fan of gaming, explained he's partnering with a "big company" and is planning to "do games that are going to be technically and narratively very interesting." Given del Toro's unique cinematic and storytelling style, we'd love to see what he could do behind the helm of an interactive project. We're thinking it's either going to be a twisted, fairy tale-esque story with haunting visuals and thought-provoking mature themes, or a game about throwing sports equipment at towers of Jenga blocks.
Palm Pre hits 1.2GHz courtesy of SR71 Blackbird kernel, not for the faint-hearted
Whoa! After breaking the 1GHz barrier just three weeks ago, dauntless modder unixpsycho is back with yet another insane hack for the aging Palm Pre. What's new? Why, this "SR71 Blackbird" custom kernel, which simply pushes the poor little OMAP3430 processor up to 1.2GHz -- that's twice the original clock speed, just so you know. As glamorous as it sounds, potential users are triple-warned about this mod potentially failing the webOS device in one way or another, despite the built-in speed-scaling mechanism to cap the device at 55 degrees Celsius (131 in Fahrenheit). And needless to say, don't expect your stock battery to hold up for more than a few blinks once implemented. Good luck, pilgrims.
Senator Chuck Schumer writes open letter to Steve Jobs, world is officially doomed
Look, we get it. There's a problem with the iPhone's antenna. But was the open letter to Jobs calling for a "clearly written explanation of the cause of the reception problem" and a "public commitment to remedy it free-of-charge" really necessary? What, you don't have better things to do? The full press release (and the Senator's letter) is after the break.
Choose My Adventure: Live streaming of Robinemia's insanity
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H). Robinemia is streaming right now via Justin.TV for the next hour or so. We're going to be beating up Syndicate again. You wanted grinding. You're getting grinding. I think we'll all have earned the Insane title by the end of this, whether we get the actual in-game one or not. Join us in-game if you are in the high 20s or higher or watch us on the stream. I use the audio on the stream as a kind of voice chat. Only it's just me ... babbling. If you're looking for serious business, this isn't it. Seriously. Also, I'm sorry in advance for the funsuckers. They can't help themselves. Their lives are so sad that they have nothing better to do than try to ruin other people's fun. But they can't. We're going to have fun in spite of them. They are destined to fail and therefore deserve our pity. Awwww. Please join us on Zangarmarsh (US-PvE-H) in <It came from the Blog>. Ask any member online for an invite; guild ranks of "Blog Lurker" or above have the power. You are all welcome as long as you play by our simple rules, that can be summed up with "Don't be a Funsucker!" Also, please see the guild FAQ for the most common questions.
Choose My Adventure: Robinemia's insane live stream
Choose the adventures of the WoW.com staff as we level our characters in <It came from the Blog> on Zangarmarsh (US-PVE-H). Killing humans in Hillsbrad Foothills is the only thing on the agenda for tonight's Choose My Adventure session. After all, if Robinemia is going to become Robinemia the Insane, she's going to have to kill a lot of those guys in order for the Ravenholdt people to want to hang with her. This time, I'll be streaming and babbling above and at WoW.com's Justin.tv page. The session will last about an hour and there may be some stories if I get bored slaughtering humans. There may also be a failed bedtime (The Spawn) and some raiding noise (The Spousal Unit). It's a family affair. %Gallery-89597% If you want to join in on the fun of Choose My Adventure, please join us on Zangarmarsh (US-PVE-H) in <It came from the Blog>. Ask Robiness, Robinemia or any member online for an invite. Guild ranks of Lurker or above have the ability to invite. You are all welcome as long as you play by our simple rules, which can be summed up with "Don't be a Funsucker!" Also, please see the guild FAQ for the most common questions.
Apple no-cash policy for iPad takes some by surprise
Update: Apple has now reversed the no-cash policy. As loyal readers know, Apple stores are not particularly cash-friendly; in the case of the iPhone and the iPad, they're downright cash-hostile. Both devices require a credit or debit card for purchase, although you can waltz down the block and buy an iPad with cash at Best Buy if you like (and you can use a gift card for iPhone, but not for iPad). There are some points on Apple's side for the pay-with-plastic requirement (the primary one being that it's hard to enforce the two-per-person purchase limit without some way to track buyers), but it's clear that the rule is a source of annoyance to some potential customers. Now the annoyance is getting magnified. In a post that is destined to be enshrined under the Wikipedia entry for "irate screed," David Gewirtz at ZDnet reacts to this KGO-TV story about Diane Campbell, a Palo Alto woman who tried (and failed) to buy herself an iPad using good old greenbacks. And when I say Gewirtz reacts, I mean he absolutely goes medieval about this "outrageous" miscarriage of justice.
Toughbook plummets from helicopter, narrowly misses future Toughbook user
So, check it. You're out and about with mum and dad on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, eager to get whatever's on the grill into your own grille. You're pondering the origin of wildflowers, the middle name of America's 18th president and how humanity functioned prior to the invention of Mighty Putty. You're only ten years old, but your young eyes have lived to see a lot... so much, in fact, that you're semi-seriously considering penning your own novella. Bang. Three inches to your left lies a mildly deformed swivel-screen laptop, and all you can think about is the gush of air that's still rustling your fauxhawk. Turns out, a medical helicopter departing St. Cloud Hospital in Minnesota forgot to bring their Panasonic Toughbook onboard before heading out, and if fate were feeling just a bit more cruel, that shock-mounted hard drive may have left you out for the count. But as it stands, you've got a fairly stupendous show-and-tell to deliver in class this week, and who knows -- maybe that DIMM will work in your Nickelodeon Edition Mini 10.
Strand Consult to iPhone users: You're delusional and a big, fat liar too
In a report that is sure to bring cheer to legions of Verizon Droid owners, Strand Consult is saying that all of us who have purchased iPhones are delusional liars. CNET's Chris Matyszczyk reported in his Technically Incorrect column that the Danish marketing consultants posted an article titled "How will psychologists describe the iPhone syndrome in the future?" Among other things, the article describes the similarity between iPhone users defending their (according to Strand) deficient smartphones and the psychological condition known as the Stockholm Syndrome. The latter has been used to describe how hostages often begin believing and defending their captors. Unswitchable Microsoft fans have also been accused of Stockholm Syndrome. Yep, we're all delusional, and Strand Consult offers "proof" of how we've all been taken in by Apple by listing 20 deficiencies of the iPhone platform (most of which, by the way, are no longer valid). The company even goes so far as to say: In reality the iPhone is surrounded by a multitude of people, media and companies that are happy to bend the truth to defend the product they have purchased from Apple. Not only are we all delusional wackos, but we're also liars! Strand wittily created a name for our disease -- The iPhone Syndrome -- and is glad to share this with everyone in a free report. Of course, you have to register to get the report, which most likely puts you on a marketing email list. The following quote may provide some insight into the potential customers they're hoping to reach with this report. if you are one of the many other phone manufacturers: Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, LG, HTC etc., you will most probably be very envious of the euphoria that Apple has invoked in their customers. I'm glad to be part of the Crazy Ones that Apple celebrated in the Think Different ad campaign. How about you? Do you think that we're all unable to see that the Emperor has no clothes, or is this report an insult? Do we completely disregard the mobile industry's rush to imitate various elements of the iPhone, including the App Store? State your opinion in the comments. [via CNET]
Found Footage: iPhone costumes are either genius or deeply misguided
There's a part of me that wants to tell these guys to apply their wild, inventive energy to more productive pursuits. And yet... there's another bit of reptile brain that simply sits and watches, in awe. Thanks to John for the tip! [via MacRumors Forums]
The Daily Quest: Insane in more ways than one
We here at WoW Insider are on a Daily Quest to bring you interesting, informative and entertaining WoW-related links from around the blogosphere. Matticus's UI blog, No Stock UI, takes a look at six different tooltip addons you may be interested in. We've talked about the Insane in the Membrane achievement ourselves, but The Unconventional Priest has a guide of her own that may help you out on your quest to become completely and utterly insane. Make sure you check out parts I, II, and III. Haven't gotten your hands on your epic flying mount yet? That's alright. Here are some tips on how to make that 5000g with the Art of Soloing. Many players are getting deeper and deeper into Ulduar with every passing day. Are you hybrids ready for General Vezax? Click here to submit a link to TDQ
The OverAchiever: Insane in the Membrane
Most of you are excited for 3.1 so you can start raiding Ulduar, or take advantage of the new class changes. But I know what some of you are on pins and needles for. It's the new title The Insane. Insane In The Membrane is exactly what it sounds like -- an achievement for people who are completely nuts. To earn this title you must be willing to spend a lot of time destroying and raising obscure factions in Azeroth. I mean a lot of time. It requires that attain the following:Honored with Bloodsail Buccaneers Exalted with EverlookExalted with RatchetExalted with Booty BayExalted with GadgetzanExalted with RavenholdtExalted with Darkmoon FaireExalted with Shen'dralarYep. If you want to get started on this brain-breaking journey, just follow the jump.
Maxablaster mega-flashlight is a step away from lightsaber
You thought the goggles did nothing before? Shine the 38-million-candle Maxablaster (which, we hear, has been bumped up to 52m in a recent build) and watch as faces melt Raiders of the Lost Ark style under its concentrated mercury arc plasma bulb powered by a 54 battery pack. Right now it's just the pet project of a Dutch engineer by the name of Ralf Ottow, which is probably for the best, since this would be far more effective at boring holes in concrete than lighting any scene.[Thanks, Trev]
Extravagant World of Warcraft setup includes 47 PCs, seven monitors
And you thought adding a trio of displays to your mobile gaming rig was hardcore. To be frank, calling this setup "extravagant" could be the understatement of the month (or year), but it's a tad hard to articulate how mind-blowing a 47 PC, seven monitor World of Warcraft installation actually is. According to the original poster, all but two of the machines are "diskless" to cut down on load times and energy consumption, and both he and his SO threw down for oh-so-comfy recliners to kick back and raid in. Of course, envious (and understandably skeptical) commenters have questioned the true motives behind such a momentous rig (farm much?), but it's not like this is the first time we've seen a fanboy take things to the extreme. Click on through to catch the full gist.[Via Core77]
Insanely Great Tees announces 6 new shirts to vote on
Insanely Great Tees, the clever new Mac-centric shirt shop, has announced 6 new t-shirts - but not all of them are going to see the light of day. Apparently the insanely great crew are having a tough time deciding which ones they like most, so they've put it to a vote for the rest of us. Head over to Insanely Great News (their blog) to see all shirts laid out, each with their own voting options ranging from "I'd wear it!" to "Eh..." and even "It's the worst."If you have a minute, head over and get to voting. I'm in the market for some new threads and I'd wear almost every one of these (sans the Camera Icons shirt), especially since there aren't nearly enough shirts about type in the world.
Wall o' 30-inchers
We rarely take the time to highlight someone's rig -- and when we do, it's usually not their rig, per se, but their heads. Well, step aside, oh masterful 24 display Virginia Tech workstation, you're old news with your 31,457,280 pixel array of twenty four 1280 x 1024 displays. No, the new crown goes to a man known only to us as Crazy Jon (trust us, that's no misnomer). Dude cobbled six NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GTX 512MB video cards and three 1,000-watt power supplies to take on a wall o' what appears to be Dell 30-inch 3007WFPs. Twelve, to be exact. By our math that's 49,152,000 pixels -- and about $26,400 just for the displays alone. Oh, and did we mention that Crazy Jon already had five Apple 30-inchers on his desk? We love you, Jon. Seriously though, can we come over sometime?[Via Make]
WoW Moviewatch: World of Computercrash
Alright, I get ticked off when I'm playing video games just like anybody else, and there have been dozens of times that I wanted to pound my keyboard into a pulp & toss it out the window...but unlike you & me, this kid actually does it. I haven't seen this much unbridled rage since Howard Dean; I guess Ritalin hasn't made it to certain parts of Europe yet. Have some earplugs ready for this one...
