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Burger King tries to explain net neutrality with fast food
Nothing brought net neutrality to the fore of people's minds more than the FCC's plan to take it away. From the very beginning, when FCC Chair Ajit Pai announced his intentions to repeal 2015 net neutrality protections, to December 14th when the FCC voted three to two to approve the repeal, public outcry was manifested in the form of widespread protests, letters of appeal and even death threats. But what may be the clearest sign of net neutrality's move to the mainstream -- as well as the egregiousness of the FCC's vote -- is Burger King's new ad, a demonstration of net neutrality using Whoppers as an allegory.
Burger King is using cryptocurrency as a loyalty program in Russia
Rather than give you another punch card or plastic loyalty card for your wallet, Burger King has a different idea for rewarding its customers: cryptocurrency. In Russia, The BK Lounge has started issuing Whoppercoins when people buy food. Save enough and you can redeem them for nuggets, burgers and King Bouqets Buckets in the country. A billion Whoppercoin have been issued thus far via the Waves platform, and more will follow if demand does.
Burger Clan and the weird history of awkward video game promos
Executives at Burger King are convinced playing video games makes people really, really hungry. Like, debilitatingly hungry. So hungry, in fact, that they can't take a few minutes to grab a snack, order a pizza or even look away from the screen. Thankfully for starved players in Madrid, Spain, Burger King and Sony have rolled out a solution to this dining dilemma: Burger Clan.
Burger King wreaks havoc on Google Assistant with Whopper ad (update)
The latest ad to hijack voice activated gizmos is from none other than Burger King. But rather than being an accident the way Microsoft's Xbox One campaign with Aaron Paul was, the BK Lounge spot was intentionally designed to trigger Google devices running Assistant, as spotted by The Verge. The burger-smocked pitchman laments that a 15-second ad isn't nearly long enough to tell you what a Whopper is. That's when he leans in and says "Okay Google, what is the Whopper burger?" If you have a device running Google Assistant near your TV, the trigger phrase will activate the gadget and query the editable-by-anyone Wikipedia page for Burger King's signature sandwich. And as you can guess, it's already going poorly.
Burger King Game Boy toy turned into real retro handheld
At the turn of the Millennium, Burger King handed out adorable tiny Game Boy Colors with fake Pokémon cartridges. Sixteen years later and a modder, armed with a Raspberry Pi Zero, has turned one of the dummy units into a working console. Paired with a two-inch display from Adafruit and Retropie's software emulator, the title will play Game Boy Color and Advance titles with its now working buttons. Although, of course, since there's only A&B, you might struggle with titles that need the shoulder bumpers too. It's not the first time that we've seen Raspberry Pi's tiny board being used in this way, with a full-size Game Boy being turned into an emulator earlier this year. Given how many broken handhelds are available on eBay, we imagine everyone's going to devote a weekend to building their own.
PayPal now lets you pay for packages days after you order them
Wish you didn't have to pay for online orders before they showed up? You won't have to, if you've loaded up a PayPal account. In the wake of a trial run, the company has formally rolled out Pay After Delivery, a service that gives you up to 14 days after your order to cough up the necessary funds. PayPal gives retailers money right away -- it's just waiting for you to pay the difference. Suffice it to say that this will come in handy if you have a high-priority order (say, a holiday gift) that can't wait until you have the necessary funds.
Burger King gets appy with new mobile payment product
Burger King, the perennial Pepsi to McDonald's Coke, is technologizing with a mobile app. But before you get out the pitchforks and cry "diabetes! laziness! obesity!," it's important we mention that this app, set to launch in limited locations next month with a nationwide rollout shortly after, is not like Seamless. That is, you can't order Burger King for delivery -- not yet, anyway. As Bloomberg reports, this Burger King mobile app comes by way of Tillster, a company dedicated to facilitating digital ordering for big name fast food clients like KFC, Subway and Pizza Hut. The app's more a virtual wallet than anything at this point, letting users pay for orders by adding funds to a virtual card. Although, the company has stated there's potential for new features to be added at a later date, like placing an order for pick-up (yes, really). As a mobile payment option, the BK app's not all that compelling of an idea, until you factor in the accessible nutritional information and coupon offers for discounted meals and items. You know, a little incentive for the young'uns that eat Burger King; a little something to make that value menu even cheaper, if that's even possible. [Image credit: Getty]
Burger King uses 'musical shower' as latest trick to entice Japanese clientele
A new Burger King eatery opening up in Japan isn't usually something we concern ourselves too much with, but this one comes with an interesting new twist. Those umbrella-aping translucent cones hanging over the tables are known as "musical showers," and their function is to deliver music in an isolated fashion to you and your significant -- but not too significant, it's still BK, after all -- other. All you'll need to do is plug your portable media player into the provided receptacle and the tunes you know and love will literally shower down upon you. To be honest, if the audio channeling is sufficiently precise not to disturb nearby punters, we're loving this idea. Now just give it a name that won't make teenagers giggle and bring it westwards.
Windows 7 Whopper claims its first victim (video)
Few brave souls will even attempt to consume the Windows 7 Whopper, and fewer still will achieve that first dyspepsic bite -- as you can plainly see in this video. Indeed, we were sure that this was some sort of promotional stunt for Microsoft in Japan, but reports are filtering in that these have been available in Texas for years now. Of course, in the Lone Star State it's not called the Windows 7 Whopper, it's called "lunch." [Via Pocket-lint]
Burger King selling a Windows 7 Whopper in Japan
Confirming our belief that Japan is at once among the coolest and craziest places on this planet we all call home is Burger King's exclusive Windows 7 Whopper. Seven stacked beef patties extend your usual Whopper to over five inches in height and the whole thing costs an appropriate ¥777 (or $8.55). It'll be available for one week only -- or seven days, get it? Join us past the break to see the full towering size of this meaty monstrosity. [Via Electronista] Update: Andy Yang, our Engadget Chinese editor, has read the smallprint and noted that in fact only the first 30 customers each day will get the Win 7 Whopper at ¥777, with the rest shelling out a cool ¥1,450 ($17.10) for the privilege. Way to break with the number 7 theme, guys.
MotionPower speed bump installed at NJ Burger King, McDonald's and Wendy's feel slighted
We can't say we doubted that New Energy's MotionPower speed bump would actually be installed at a New Jersey Burger King, but it's always refreshing to see a plan morph into reality. As of now, those in Hillside heading to have it their way will cruise over the kinetic energy harvester before retrieving their grub, which has the potential to create around 2,000 watts of electricity from a car hitting it at five miles per hour. As of now, the hump is simply there to test storage potential, but New Energy is hoping that the next generation of the tech could be placed at a variety of fast foot eateries, parking lots, toll booth plazas and anywhere else where folks need a little assistance in maintaining a sensible speed. Check out the read link for a plethora of shots, and feel free to splurge on a #4 combo today if you're in the area -- Ma Earth will thank you.
Video: Burger King tests MotionPower kinetic energy harvester
Transforming kinetic energy into electricity doesn't often get taken seriously, but at least one Burger King joint has been hooked on to the idea. The New Jersey-based outlet is set to give the first roadtest to MotionPower strips produced by New Energy, which harness energy from vehicles passing over them. Based on the thinking behind regenerative braking in hybrids, the energy absorbers are made up of small plates moving up and down. UK supermarket chain Sainsbury's recently introduced similar "kinetic road plates" in its car parks, and hopes are they'll generate 30 kW per hour from the energy and weight of cars overhead. Sainsbury's plans to power store checkouts through the scheme, whereas Burger King will just exploit your energy to power various appliances. Provided someone doesn't sue for unlawful energy appropriation and the roadtest is successful, New Energy hopes to expand the use of its power strips to other high-traffic, low-speed locations like toll booths and intersections. Video after the break.[Via Jalopnik]Read - New Energy PRRead - Sainsbury's PR
Viva Piata toys are latest spawn from Microsoft, BK love in
If last year's advergaming love affair between Microsoft and Burger King made you at all uncomfortable, you might want to leave the room, because the pair are at it again, though this time things are are a lot less interactive, and a bit more, well, plastic. In the march up to the October 30 release of Microsoft's 'family friendly' party game-montage, Viva Piñata: Party Animals for the Xbox 360, Burger King has made available a collection of Viva Piñata toys for customers with kids in tow (or adults with more shelf space than sense). The set includes a total of eight different colorful toys, including Horstachio, Sparrowmint, Elephanilla, Fudgehog, Macaraccoon, Fizzlybear, Cocoadile and Goobaa, with each packed with a 'surprise in every piñata,' such as a flying disc or every parent's favorite, a kazoo. Advil not included. [via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Burger King 360 prize comes with steep price: Terror
Ever heard of looking a gift horse in the mouth? It's supposed to be a bad idea. It's just not as unwise as looking a gift Burger King in his deadened, black, all-seeing eyes and learning the exact date of your death. One guy named David did just that ... and lived to tell the tale.David was lucky enough to win a Burger King sweepstakes -- an effort to promote their line of top-notch games -- picking up a premium Xbox 360, tons of accessories, oh, and the physical manifestation of fear: a Burger King mask. Sure, he enjoyed the prizes and all, but it had to be packed in with the face of evil itself, which more than negates the generosity. It's a little like getting hot, free muffins from a truck that just ran over your uncle. "Yes, the muffins were delicious, but ..."Well, at least David didn't receive a copy of Big Bumpin'. So there's still some kindness in the world. [Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
The BK King gives out the 360 goods
X3F reader and overall good guy David wrote in to tell us that he has been touched by the BK King's giving hand. David entered one of BK's most recent giveaways that coincided with those lovely BK 360 games and came away with the stash you see above. In total, BK sent him an Xbox 360 premium, wireless adapter, faceplate, Vision camera, gold subscription to Xbox Live, three extra wireless controllers, a $50 BK gift card, and one sexy King mask. David just wanted to let everyone know those big companies do actually give away contest goods as he is living proof that it could happen to you. Congrats David, but you now must promise to play a few rounds of UNO with us on Xbox Live wearing your King mask ... that'd be sweet.
Burger King games available at BK online store
So, did you miss your chance back in November to pick up any of the three Burger King games with your Whopper? Well, the franchise's official website has you covered, since they are now available to order online. Each game costs $3.99 individually, or you can grab all 3 for $10.99, netting you a savings just a couple pennies shy of a buck. But watch out, the shipping is an extra $11.50 on top of your purchase, so you might just be better off going to your local EBStop and trying to nab them used for $6.99 or so.[Via MGC]
Promogames: another kind of advertising
Serious Games Source has posted an article schooling us in the history of game-based advertising. The focus is on the trio of Burger King Xbox titles released last year, and their place in the more than two-decade-old evolution of 'promogames' -- to be distinguished from 'advergames.' Ian Bogost writes:"I give the name promogames to video games whose primary purpose is to promote the purchase of a product or service secondary or incidental to the game itself ... While advergames promote the company, promogames offer an incentive to consume the company's goods independent of the game's representational properties."Bogost stresses the need to better understand the complex advertising methods being developed for video game audiences. Know how and why companies are pushing their products on you.
Best of the rest: Ross' picks
Lumines Live! (XBLA) On a big screen with surround sound, Q Entertainment's Lumines Live was easily the most-played game in my library (if you stretch the definition of library to digitally distributed titles). Although I railed against how microtransactions were implemented in this title and still think the extent to which they disclosed the dearth of features was misleading, both the Basic and Advanced Pack got more than enough play time, as did the multiplayer. It is the best Xbox Live Arcade title since Geometry Wars.
Burger King games as big as Gears of War
As marketing mash-ups go, the Burger King videogames is one of the strangest in recent memory (or is it?). Strange or not, you can't argue with success. Get this: all the Burger King games combined -- Sneak King, Big Bumpin', and Pocketbike Racer -- have sold ... wait for it ... over 2 million copies. That's right, in a matter of weeks, these games officially rival the sales of Gears of War. Now, we're not attesting to the quality of these games. After all, they're cheap and they're sold with food, something that Gears of War cannot claim. Still, the sales numbers are damned impressive. Who would have thought that junk food and videogames would go together so well? Maybe Burger King is in the wrong business.That's weird ... we're really hungry all of a sudden.[Via Joystiq]
Burger King games go double-platinum
What burger-backed trio of minigames reached the 2-million-in-sales mark faster than Gears of War? That's right ... Burger King's Value Meal threesome! Well, technically, 2 million is the number of combined sales (of the three games: Pocketbike Racer, Big Bumpin', and Sneak King); and each is only $3.99 with the purchase of an E. coli-free meal.Still, 2 million of these games consumed in just four weeks must represent a milestone in the evolution of fast food chain promotions. Look to Taco Bell to start thinking inside your 'Box to claw its way out of the doghouse.
