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Acer launches Alive digital content platform and app store, plans to pre-load it onto future machines
Acer's Global press event today focused primarily around its Clear.fi content sharing system and a slew of new hardware introductions, but there's one tidbit of software news that seems too significant to ignore. Here shortly, Acer will begin pre-loading its newfangled Alive digital content platform onto its machines. Hard to say if that includes tablets and smartphones (update: Acer has confirmed that it'll eventually hit "netbooks, laptops, smartphones and tablets), but the screens we're seeing today lead us to believe this is a desktop-only affair for now. Acer's playing this up as being "more than an app store," but there's no question that an app store lies at the heart. A cornucopia of partners (Intel, Zinio, Adobe, etc.) will be providing content, and newly pushed material can be easily viewed via Twitter or Acer's own Channel concept. Five main sections will be present: Listen, Watch, Read, Play and Application. Both free and paid content will be supported, with users in the UK and Italy getting first access next month. Mum's the word on how long it'll take to spread elsewhere (a more thorough rollout will "begin" in Q1 2011), and there's no mention at all about an SDK for developers. Something tells us this will end up as more of a collection of apps from various app stores than anything else, but at least we'll know for sure in just a couple weeks. %Gallery-108112%
WowWee mixes it up at CES: Cinemin pico PJ, new Alive Cubs and more
Can you say "diversify?" WowWee can, and it's saying it loudly and proudly here at CES 2009. While the company has surely dabbled in areas outside of straight-up robotics before, it's never taken it upon itself to product a suite of pico projectors nor pets designed solely as sleeping companions. No need to wipe the sand from your eyes -- the same company responsible for Mr. Personality is dish out a Cinemin line of micro PJs (powered by TI's DLP technology) here in the desert. Moving on, we're also informed of the Spyball spy-cam, a remote controller, WiFi-enabled robotic ball that strangely reminds us of American Gladiators. The company's got plenty more in its bag of tricks too, including the Joebot and Roborover robots, FlyTech Lightstar flyer / Hoverpod racer, four new breeds of Alive Cubs and a fresh line of "pajama pals" dubbed Sleeping Cuties. Hop past the break for details on the whole crew. %Gallery-40670%
WowWee's Alive Lion Cub dissected, juggled at a Mexican carnival
Turn away before it's too late, we beg you. Don't make the mistake we did by watching WowWee's Alive Lion Cub get splayed for the chuckling amusement of ol' Pig Eye Jackson. Should you choose to proceed, choose to hit that read link then be warned: you'll never eat bot-sausage again.[Thanks, Robert O.]
WowWee lets out Alive animal bots, Fun mini-bots
WowWee continues its cuddly robo-assault today, backing up the revamped FlyTech and Robotics gear with the Alive Lion, a furry robo-pet with "lifelike responses." The Lion features realistic fur, an animated face, and several feline-like reactions, like going limp when picked up by the scruff of the neck and falling asleep when left alone for five minutes. The Lion should be shipping soon, but the entire Alive line will get bigger later this year with the addition of the Alive White Tiger Cub, the Alive Panda Cub, and the Alive Polar Bear Cub.If you're not into cuddly, WowWee's got you covered with its new Fun series, which is comprised of several miniature Bug-Bots. Coming in several wheeled and treaded version, the bugs each have different particular skills, and touch sensors will enable several to interact as a swarm. In addition to the Bug-Bots, the Fun line will also include miniature versions of Wrex the Dawg, Tribot, and FemiSapien. Check 'em all out in the gallery! %Gallery-12662%
Ubisoft looks for more female players -- Alive coming to Wii
Ubisoft is shaping up to be one of our favorite companies. Their fresh and innovative view of games and this industry as a whole has impressed us time and time again. Plus, they seem to be female friendly seeing as how their US office was headed by a woman named Christine Burgess-Quémard and they are also the parents of the lovable, kick ass gaming team, the Frag Dolls. Something else Ubisoft is doing to make us like them more is develop awesome Wii games. Rayman Raving Rabbids, Splinter Cell, Far Cry and their newest take on earthquakes and how to survive them -- Alive. Not much has been revealed about Alive and it was only recently confirmed by Yves Guillemot in an interview with International Herald Tribune. Alive doesn't focus so much on shooting as it does on character survival. How this is going to attract more female gamers we aren't certain but it is definitely something to find out. [Via IGN]
Ubisoft CEO confirms girly game: 'Alive'
Ubisoft's Alive was first revealed in March 2006, when an alleged release schedule was leaked to the public. Ubisoft had declined to comment on the title until this past weekend when International Herald Tribune writer Doreen Carvajal reported that Alive, which "features characters who rely on their instincts and each other to endure after an earthquake," is scheduled for release in 2007. Carvajal even scooped this quote from Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot: "[Alive is] more oriented toward drama, more life in characters, more depth. It's still about surviving, but you can't resolve things by shooting only."Guillemot referred to Alive as an "action plus" title, a genre that Carvajal has spun into Ubisoft's attempt to focus on what the writer deemed the "feminine side of gaming." Carvajal's recent article examines industry attempts to appeal to a mass audience, which means attracting female consumers. But will replacing rocket launchers with character development lose fans or gain them? Perhaps in a stagnant industry, it's a risk worth taking.
