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KegDroid dispenses beer with the help of a Xoom tablet and an Arduino board
Here's an instance of NFC technology that's more exciting than yet another tap-to-pay scenario. Google employee Paul Carff combined a Motorola Xoom running ICS with an Arduino microcontroller to create KegDroid, a friendly green beer dispenser. The Xoom acts as a gatekeeper to that brewed goodness, only letting the bot dispense drinks after users swipe an authorized badge. The badge is read by an NFC scanner on the bottom of the case and is then authenticated (or rejected) by the Arduino board. Once the system grants access, users can choose from two selections on tap via a custom Android application displayed on the Xoom's screen. As Android Community points out -- and as you'll see in the video below -- the KegDroid hasn't mastered a bartender-level pour (read: there's way too much foam). Still, this is oodles cooler than your average keg, wouldn't you agree?
Pandaren shaman totems revealed
Those of you who were waiting with bated breath to finally find out whether the pandaren shaman totems would be kegs, well, wait no longer. MMO Champion has datamined the totem models for pandaren shaman in the latest Mists of Pandaria beta patch, and they are definitely kegs. Hey, at least one shaman race got the beer totems they deserved, Blizzard. Check out the earth and water totems after the break!
New Shaman totems in the expansion
Good news from Kisirani for those who like a little variety in their Shaman classes -- she confirms that Dwarf Shaman will indeed get brand new totems to throw down rather than the Draenei or Tauren models in Cataclysm, and hints that all of the Shaman races, past and future, will get a little differentiation in the sticks they stab into the ground. Unfortunately, she also confirms that Dwarven totems aren't kegs (that right there would have gotten me to reroll as a Dwarven Shammy first thing), but whatever they end up being -- my guess is something rock and/or hammer-esque -- I'm sure Blizzard's artists will make them look cool.For Trolls, you have to think they're going to go voodoo (they'll probably use the Troll totems already in the game). Orcs, it would have to be something primitive -- maybe leather strung across a bone stand or something like that. And of course Draenei already have their own custom totems, and we don't really have enough of a hold on what the Goblins are like yet (trust me, we don't -- the race I played at BlizzCon was very different from the neutral race we know right now) to think what they'll have. World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it. Nothing will be the same. In WoW.com's Guide to Cataclysm you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion. From Goblins and Worgens to Mastery and Guild changes, it's all there for your cataclysmic enjoyment.
An early look at Brewfest
Blizzards nod to the German beer festival, Oktoberfest, has hit the Test server as the new Azerothian holiday event, Brewfest. Festival grounds have sprung up outside all the starter cities including Silvermoon and Exodar. Each one has a steinload of new quests. Here's a quick overview of what's in store for the drunken celebrants.Complimentary SteinAt the entrance to each festival ground is a greeter. He gives you a choice of Brewfest Steins. Each stein corresponds to a large keg that you can draw an unlimited supply of booze from. And believe me, you'll need it. He also gives you a rundown of all the activities you can participate in.Food and DrinkIn addition to the giant keggers, you can purchase holiday themed pretzels, cheeses, booze and sausages from vendors on the festival grounds.Read on for Ram Racing, Souvenirs, Quests and Dark Iron Attacks!
