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NASA films dark side of the moon, finds no evidence of Brain Damage (video)
Take a moment to Breathe, because this one's kind of heady. NASA has just published a new video of the Dark Side of the Moon and, contrary to popular belief, it's not really all that dark. (We'd probably describe it as a subdued gray, if we had to, but feel free to go with Any Colour You Like.) Compiled into a 30-second video clip, this footage provides a cursory glimpse of the moon's hind parts (its "B-Side," if you will), panning over the rock from north to south, in all its crater-y glory. It's all part of an initiative from NASA's Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory (GRAIL), which presumably spent a lot of Time and Money to build its twin spacecraft, nicknamed Ebb and Flow. On January 19th, the lab sent the pair up to that Great Gig in the Sky, as part of the GRAIL MoonKAM mission -- a "progressive" educational outreach program geared toward middle school students. Ebb was charged with filmic duties, and did a remarkable job of shooting On the Run with its MoonKAM camera, returning high res footage to NASA's engineers, and giving both Us and Them something to think about during the next lunar Eclipse. See the video (along with its eerily sync-able counterpart) after the break, and if you've got any questions about it, please don't hesitate to Speak to Me.
iTunes version of Avatar will let users control scenes, more
Apple has just announced a special iTunes version of James Cameron's Avatar that will not only include some special extras like the film's script and a big 1,700 picture special effects gallery of pictures to browse through, but allow viewers to actually control 17 scenes as they happen, switching between different views like the finished film, rough CG cuts, and the original live action motion capture footage. Viewers will also be able to "x-ray" these scenes, moving a special view around the screen that will show off the original live action footage, superimposed over the finished movie. Sounds pretty awesome to us. Special features have obviously been a standby of disc-based movies for years, and modern Blu Ray discs offer up split-screen and onscreen special effects information and footage for all kinds of movies. But this is something that's really interactive, and it's exclusively on iTunes (Apple doesn't say yet if the special footage will work on an iPad or an iPhone, though it seems likely, right?). That's a nice get for Apple, and it might be an indication of more features like this to come (which would make for nice viewing fodder on a possible Apple TV, wouldn't it). You can preorder the movie on iTunes right now. The special edition version will cost you $20, while the regular edition itself is $15.
Lomography LomoKino Super 35 Movie Maker hands-on (video)
"Unique and precious pieces of movie art." That's what Lomography is promising to deliver with the LomoKino Super 35 Movie Maker -- the company's very first movie camera. Announced earlier this month, the LomoKino is hardly a technological game changer. In fact, it's anything but. Much like every other camera to come off of Lomography's assembly line, the Movie Maker is entirely analog. Users must spool their own 35mm film and manually operate the device's crank to capture images at a frame rate of three to five frames per second, with a shutter speed of 1/100 second. From there, you can either send the film off to get developed and digitally formatted, or cut it yourself and scan it into your movie editing software of choice. You won't find any sound, many frills, or, for that matter, a ton of convenience, but that's also the idea -- to return filmmakers to the roots of early silent cinema, with a pared down device that reignites some of the photographic mystery lost with the dawn of the digital age. For those too young to remember the analog era, just think of it as a physical manifestation of Instagram, minus the "insta" part. And the results can be pretty stunning, as many in the Lomography community have already demonstrated with collections of hauntingly silent, washed out shorts. With our curiosity piqued, we decided to stop by Lomography's boutique in Paris to learn more about the LomoKino. Check out our hands-on gallery below, and click past the break for our initial impressions. %Gallery-139288%
Apple is tops in retail dollars per square foot across US stores
A site called RetailSails has done an analysis of the top global moneymaking retailers per square feet of store space, and guess who comes out on top? That's right, it's Apple, who reportedly picks up over $5600 a year per every square foot of retail store space. There is some confusion and estimation here -- Apple is opening and closing stores all the time, and the company only releases sales numbers for retail on a worldwide level, not just the United States. RetailSails has done its best to get the numbers right, but even they admit this is designed to give more of a general insight on the scene rather than specific figures. All that said, there's no question at all that Apple is doing an amazing job with its retail divisions, designing impressive stores in all the right places and making sure that those stores deliver on sales and revenue expectations. Even a store like Tiffany and Co., which tends to be smaller but sell relatively more expensive items in general, can't keep up with the revenue Apple has flowing in. It's no wonder, then, that Apple keeps posting record sales, and opening new stores as fast as it can. If there's a ceiling to demand for these products in these spaces, Apple hasn't hit it yet.
Nintendo admits its Wii U highlight reel was spiced up with PS3 and Xbox 360 footage
Nintendo's E3 2011 keynote yesterday gave the world its first official look at the all-new Wii U hardware plus (we thought) a glimpse at the graphical capabilities of its next console. As it turns out, the impressive list of upcoming games for the 2012-bound console was just that, a list, with the visuals we saw on screen coming from PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of said titles. Nintendo of America chief Reggie Fils-Aime has confirmed that to be the case in an interview with GameTrailers, where he also points out that the eventual Wii U games will look at least as good as their PS3 / 360 counterparts. Which is why, in his eyes, it's okay to show us those games being played on the competition's (current-gen) hardware. He does remind us that the Wii U will be delivering graphics at a 1080p resolution, and points to the garden tech demo that also graced E3 as an indicator of what can be done with Nintendo's next console. That's all well and good, but maybe tell us in advance next time, Reggie?
Microdrones' flying robot films African wildlife, finds peace with nature
Sit back, relax and grab a cold one, because you're about to take an aerial tour of the Serengeti, courtesy of that flying drone you're staring at. Developed by Microdrones, this MD4-100 quadrotor was recently sent off to Kenya, where it gathered footage for a TV nature documentary produced by TBS Japan. By hovering over the terrain, the craft was able to get relatively up close and personal with zebras, elephants and other wildlife, without creating the same kind of disturbance that heavy duty, camera-laden trucks can wreak. Presumably, that's because the animals have no idea what to make of a flying robot, though part of us wants to believe there's some sort of full-circle, techno-evolutionary dynamic at work here, momentously bringing bot and beast together in some sort of pre-apocalyptic symbiosis. But that's just us. Hover past the break to see the video for yourself.
Masthead shows off Earthrise beta video
Earthrise fans are waking up to an early Christmas present this morning in the form of a lengthy new closed beta gameplay video available on the official website. While developer Masthead Studios has provided a steady stream of screenshots (and even a few interviews) over the last several months, footage of the sandbox title in action has been extremely hard to come by. No longer. Thanks to the five minute clip, we now have a clearer picture of the game's UI as well as an idea of how the PvP and PvE plays out. The footage also shows off various locales around the world of Enterra including Arcology, Autonomy, the Blasted Region, the Borderland zones, and the Hatchery. "The Masthead team is thrilled to finally offer more of our fans a window into the Earthrise beta testing environment. Our developers have been working exhaustively to fine-tune all of the game's features to deliver a uniquely captivating gaming experience, and we are very anxious for all of our fans to see it," says producer Atanas Atanasov. Check it out at the official Masthead website and let us know what you think in the comments.
Steve Jobs introduces the Death Star
This is an idea so beautiful in its execution that you wonder why it hasn't been done before -- take Steve Jobs' rapturous introduction of the iPad, and put it over the footage from Star Wars of the Death Star briefing. It's a perfect geeky mashup -- I especially love Han Solo's indifference ("It's just a big iPod touch, Chewie"), and the random jeers from the audience. Also, Google Maps on the Death Star looks a little different than on my phone, but I guess that Pac Man stuff is cool. Brilliant little short. It's funny how Apple product announcements have become almost as culturally significant as the products themselves. Of course, that's exactly the way Apple wants it, but it doesn't stop us from skewering the presentations with mashups like this. [via Cult of Mac]
PAX 2009: Dark mysteries of The Secret World
So, you may have heard: Funcom is taking famous myths, urban legends, pop culture, history and even things like the Rota Fortunae and blending it all into a game called The Secret World. We sat down with lead designer Martin Brusgaar and creative director Ragnar Tornquist at PAX 2009 to discuss the game and a few of its many secrets.The Secret World has a vibe unlike any other MMO or really game currently out there. Its premise is simple -- all the legends, myths and more are true. Atlantis is rising, vampires roam the night, 2012 is the beginning of a new fourth age and so on. The world is a dark, scary and magical place. Although, it's more of the first two than anything else.%Gallery-72395%
Canon EOS 7D 24p footage tries to make indie filmmakers / chain smokers out of us all
Want a really good excuse to spend $1,700 on a DSLR? Check out the 24fps "Dublin's People" short after the break, shot with one of those fancy new 7D DSLRs from this little company named "Canon" that you may have heard of. The verdict? Filmmaker Philip Bloom loves the new hardware, and says the rolling shutter problems of the 5D Mark II have been slightly reduced (at a cursory glance, anyway). Still, he's hoping Canon also releases a firmware update for existing 30fps-limited 5D Mark II owners -- he owns two.[Via planet5D]
Prince of Persia film footage shows up, Gyllenhaal still dreamy
It's been quite some time since we've heard anything from the folks behind the upcoming Prince of Persia movie adaptation. Lucky for us, the film's producer Jerry Bruckheimer recently decided to let some footage of the film slip during an interview (found after the break).When asked what Jake Gyllenhaal brings to the film, Bruckheimer says, "Well, he's very handsome." That being said, consider this an early warning for you and your elderly mother -- shot after shot of those stunning pecs and that dastardly smile could result in some unfortunate medical complications. You've been warned!Oh, and as for the movie itself ... we'll just have to wait and see if it's any good when it arrives on July 10th not-soon-enough.[Thanks, Sean!]
GDC09: Leaked Uncharted 2 gameplay shows urban gunplay, acrobatics
You might want to stop reading this now, and check out the video posted after the break. You see, when dealing with leaked gameplay footage posted on content-removal-friendly YouTube, time is seriously of the essence -- particularly when that footage was shamelessly yoinked (no, not by us) from a closed-doors GDC panel showing off the highly anticipated Uncharted 2: Among Thieves.In case it gets pulled before you can lay eyes upon it, here's a brief recap: The footage shows the familiar gunplay and monkey-esque environment navigation from the original, though this particular clip eschews the jungles and tombs of Uncharted the First in favor of a war-torn urban locale. The series' sleek animations are even sleeker, and the gunshootery looks a bit more responsive. Also, Nate's apparently developed the ability to survive point-blank explosions. We can't wait to see how this invulnerability factors in to the game's story.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Spacetime Studios releases fast-paced Blackstar video
Sci-fi MMO fans received some bad news when Spacetime Studios recently announced that their Blackstar IP was in jeopardy, due to needing a publisher for the title. Surprisingly, selling a publisher on the IP -- where action occurs both in space and on the ground -- has been a challenge. While they may be on the ropes, Spacetime Studios is far from throwing in the towel with Blackstar. They've announced that they will be meeting with people at the Austin Game Developers Conference in September, and are inviting business inquiries about the title. While we wait and hope a publisher will step up and make the title a reality for gamers, Spacetime Studios has given us a new video of pre-production footage of Blackstar. Check out the fast-paced video footage below the cut, for a look at what may yet be.
Check out this Gears of War 2 leaked beta footage
By the time you read this, there's a good chance the above video has already been pulled. However, if you're lucky enough to be reading Joystiq religiously (as you should), enjoy some leaked Gears of War 2 beta footage, care of Analog Hype.Update: Now with more footage, including executions and "death crawls," after the break.[Via X3F]
Today's sneak-peakiest video: Halo 3
Spoiler alert? We watched this Halo 3 footage from The Final Fight like we watch today's ultra-trendy horror-porn: with splayed fingers covering our half-shut eyes. We didn't want any big spoilers, but we wanted a new glimpse into Halo. The video includes a cinematic scene and gameplay footage showing off the Hornet, Gravity Hammer, and other new goodies. If you can handle the spoiler potential, see the video after the break. [Thanks, Phillip and everyone else. Image credit.]
E307: Crisp, clear Mario Kart footage from the Nintendo keynote
Whether you saw Reggie's announcement on Mario Kart Wii yesterday or not, odds are that the footage you saw of the game was fuzzy or distant, and that is just plain wrong. Mario Kart is a delicious treat meant to be enjoyed up close, like a fluffy, flaky, French pastry. So of course, when we need a good video, we turn to French gamers -- and Jeux France comes through with some of the best footage from the keynote we've seen so far. Sure, you could watch a blurry clip on YouTube, but this is Mario Kart. You deserve better. Go on over and give it a gander, because we can't embed it here.
Found Footage: Possible video taken by iPhone?
Could this possibly be the first video taken by an iPhone? Over at iPhone Matters, Gregory Ng posts that he received a copy of this video from an Apple Store employee in California. In the video, you can see what appears to be an iPhone appearing on the iMac screen as recorded by its iSight. The video is not the highest quality and Ng writes that the sender compressed the video before sending it over email. What do you think? Real or hoax? Thanks to Hadley Stern Real iPhone Video or not? Looks real to me It's a hoax, dudes Not sure Huh? The iPhone does video? pollcode.com free polls
It's finally here: Nintendo Wii Fanboy Times Square Footage
Sorry for the delay, folks! You know how those Mac users always muck things up, them and their video editing and whatnot.Seriously though, a very special thank you to Doug Keller, who devoted his time and effort for no real reason at all. Rock on, Doug. Expect some sillier clips from the event in the near future, but for now, sit back and enjoy the excellent and oh-so-professional reporting by yours truly. All right, so an Anchorman I'm not.(And yes, Nintendo fanboys seem to have mysterious issues with counting down. It's weird, we know.)
Found Footage: a Mac Classic booting
The Mac Classic was an early 90's 'budget' Mac running System 6 (check out Low End Mac's history and profile of this model), and I've personally never seem one in action. Since pictures are worth only so many words, I thought I'd post a YouTube video I stumbled across of a Classic starting up. The res/frame rate flicker (funny thing: I had to edit 'flicker' because I originally and instinctively typed 'flickr') and crummy Flash compression certainly don't propel this video to the top of the list in terms of video quality, but I figured this might still be a fun, though brief, look at an old school version of the Mac OS.If ya'll know of any better videos of older versions of Mac OS booting or running, feel free to link them in the comments. If we can collect enough, I'll round them up in another post.
An extensive look into Killzone: Liberation
GameVideos.com has a beautiful, lengthy video of Killzone: Liberation in action. Not only will you see some great gameplay footage, you'll get to see some truly beautiful real-time PS3 footage CG movies. If that made you long for more, don't forget to check out previous coverage of the game. The killing comes to us at the end of October.
