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Denver votes to allow M-rated games on mass transit
In a move sure to land on Jack Thompson's blunt "to do" spindle, Denver transit directors voted to allow M-rated games to be advertised on public transportation around the city. The vote was prompted by that pesky GTA series, namely ads for Vice City Stories that already earned a ban in Boston.Currently, the Denver RTD only bans ads for tobacco products, given the large number of young riders throughout the city, but don't place restrictions on R-rated or NC-17-rated films like some other transit systems do. Of course, they haven't even talked about banning ads for for Oprah's Book Club, but that's another insidious story altogether.Peggi O'Keefe from the Entertainment Software Association provided us with the most perplexing quote for the story: "Such restrictions are constitutionally impermissible." Now we want to make impermissible the word of the day.
Comcast to trial simultaneous release of DVD and films on demand
Hot the heels of Comcast's testing of TiVo comes an announcement sure to please couch-dwellers everywhere, as the firm unveils plans to release films on demand the very same day they're released on DVD. While it's no surprise to see Comcast digging deeper into the VOD closet, this plan (initially hitting Pittsburgh and Denver) hopes to seize a potential opportunity that's currently being wasted as movies hit the on-demand scenes approximately "30 to 45 days" after rolling out on DVD. Moreover, it seems that movie studios are more than willing to lend their support, as sagging DVD sales are reportedly being (at least somewhat) attributed to the skyrocketing popularity in not moving a single inch utilizing VOD. Of course, this newfangled approach could potentially hurt firms like Blockbuster, but representatives have purportedly said that studios would be "extra cautious" not to cannibalize sales in the rental and retail industries. It wouldn't be too shocking to see VOD purchases head north if flicks are released soon after their departure from theaters, but we're sure the DVD aficionados will keep piling up those collections no matter what.[Via Digg]
Denver is so close to finally getting OTA HDTV
Denver residents are so close to ending a 8 year battle in the name of digital TV. President Bush has the power to sign legislation that would allow 600,000 Denver-its to receive widespreed OTA HD signals via a brand spanking new broadcast tower on Lookout Mountain. We have a feeling that some of you need a bit of background on this crazy battle over digital signals. Apparently, there is a small group of homeowners that simply adore the four broadcasting towers currently occupying a wooded foothill by Denver. So much so that they have held up the construction of a new tower that while, yes, it will be taller, will also consolidate four towers into one. By the way, these are the same type of people that are afraid of the 'harmful' RF waves that digital towers emit. (That kind of sums it up right there doesn't) But the truth of the matter is that this new tower will emit 75% less then the total output of all four of the current towers in place and freeing up 75 acres of open space that the hippie homeowners should love. This battle needs to end sometime soon since that 2009 legislation requiring broadcasters to serve up digital OTA signals is right around the corner but we have faith in President Bush -- he seems like a casual TV watching sort of guy.
AutoDocker to make boarding and deplaning faster
Just about everyone has been in line while waiting to board a plane, and perhaps only the acrophobic have wished it wouldn't take so freakin' long. Well, if you're in Denver, you may just be in luck. Dewbridge Airport Systems is claiming that its new robotic passenger bridge, dubbed the "AutoDocker," (no relation to the khakis-bot) will halve boarding and deplaning time by placing walkways at both the front and rear entrances on a plane. AutoDocker has been using its sensors and 3D object recognition abilities on doors of different types of aircraft starting this week on United Airlines flights coming in or out of Denver International Airport. We're pretty sure that if AutoDocker were to combine with that new Airbus emergency landing robot we spotted earlier this year, then all we'd need now is robotic air traffic controllers to complete the mechanization of air travel. Yes, that was a joke about flight attendants being robots.[Via Robot Gossip]
CEDIA 2006 was a total success
We went and saw everything CEDIA had to offer but we weren't the only ones that had a great time. This years expo posted an eight percent increase in attendants over last years making it the most successful show they have ever hosted. There was more the 600 exhibitors showing off the latest and greatest they have in the custom install market signaling 100 more then last previous years and the best news is there was room for even more booths. Not many as the Denver Convention Center was packed but we are sure they could find more room for the '07 (Sept. 5-9) and '08 (Sept. 3-7) shows.
Helio to open flagship store in Santa Monica
Phone-oriented flagship retail locations seem to be all the rage these days, but who would've thought MVNOs would be getting into the action? MySpace-friendly Helio looks to gain some additional visibility when it opens its first of five dedicated stores in Santa Monica this October. If the renderings hold true, we have to admit the place looks pretty nifty -- just add some hot new devices to match the decor and Helio may have a winner on their hands. Additional facilities will be opening in New York, Denver, San Diego, and Palo Alto through late '06 and early '07. Any love for the midwest, guys?
Today's lesson: don't mow the lawn while listening to your iPod during a lightning storm
The Denver Post is reporting that Bunch, a 17-year-old teenager in Castle Rock, CO, was struck by lightning while mowing the lawn and listening to his iPod. While scientists aren't laying any money down on how likely it is that lightning sought out the teenager's iPod, the boy and his mother suspect Apple's little white player acted as a sort of lightning rod in this most unfortunate of accidents. The strike traveled all the way down his earbuds, burning his ears and the side of his face, causing Bunch to lose some of his hearing.All things considered, Bunch and his mother are just happy that he is alive.[via iLounge]Thanks Gidge.
Denver wants to watch the Super Bowl in HD
Rhode Island isn't the only place in America that is desperate to watch the Super Bowl in HD. Denver's Channel 7 is putting up a temporary antenna on top of the tallest building in the city. All we can picture is some dude climbing the building with a coat hanger so his buddies can watch the game in HD. Funny picture.We have had numerous comments over the last few months that cited Denver's poor ABC over-the-air signal. The station indicated that this tower should help with that signal. In case you were wondering why a large market like Denver is waiting to put up a ATSC tower, you can blame some local residents. According to CARE, Canyon Area Residents for the Environment, they're concerned about an unsightly antenna and the "dangerous" broadcast frequencies it emits.
