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Google to digitally distribute games through web-based app store
[Engadget] Former Joystiqer Ross Miller is currently on the ground for Engadget at Google's annual dev conference "I/O" in San Francisco, where the company just revealed its web-based app store for Chrome and Chrome OS. Aside from a handful of regular ol' apps and an interactive version of Sports Illustrated (paper? what's that?), Google debuted games for purchase, playable in-browser. Plants vs. Zombies and Lego Star Wars are explicitly mentioned in the piece, but we can also spot Bejeweled 2 (also by PopCap), as well as Poker Rivals, Scrabble, FIFA World Cup 2010, and Who Has the Biggest Brain? (all by EA) -- a LucasArts rep clarified for us that the version of Lego Star Wars seen is actually this already available online game. We're not sure how much the games will be going for or even exactly how it'll work just yet, but we'll let you know just as soon as we do (there's a bit more info on the FAQ page). The web store is set to go live for developers "soon," but hasn't been dated for the general public just yet.
Nokia interface patent fits like an AR-enhancing glove
Okay, you know the drill by now: just because it's in a patent doesn't mean it's happening anytime soon, if ever. With that said, we'd love to see what Nokia had in mind when they concocted this one. As Unwired View recently unearthed, the Finnish phone maker has drawn up a design doc / patent application for comfortable, stretchable material that fits over your skin and is used for device interaction. Gestures and stretches are computed and signaled into nearby computers, phones, or interestingly enough "near-eye displays" -- sounds like we're getting into a bit of virtual / augmented reality territory here -- and they are also tailored to provide feedback via vibration. Again, don't hold your breath on seeing this come to fruition any point in the near (or even long) future, but still, we know what you're thinking: Nokia's gonna have to think of a ton of kooky color descriptions to accentuate any future lineup of input wristbands / fingerbands.[Via Pocket-lint]
I-O Data's new DVD player and media center - AV-LS300DW & AV-LS300D
HDMI is starting to be an everyday connector just like composite and component. I-O Data has thrown it into their new DVD player/Media Center. This DVD player can of course up-scale the DVDs to 1080i or 720p over the HDMI (HDCP compliant) but heck, a bunch of players can do that. But can a bunch of players stream media over your network then up-scale those files to the stated resolutions? Not many, but these two can. Plus, it can play nicely with DNLA products and also supports DviX and WM9 files. The AV-LS300DW comes with built-in WIFI where the AV-LS300D doesn't. We doubt that you will see this player in many stores Stateside but it seems like a decent little player. They both go on sale in July with non-WIFI one going for $308.99 and big brother for $339.99.[via Akihabara News]
