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Promotional Consideration: Small Waves
Promotional Consideration is a weekly feature about the Nintendo DS advertisements you usually flip past, change the channel on, or just tune out.Instantly recognizable to any gamer worth their salt, Konami's bygone logo and its accompanying chime introduced more classic titles than we can count. When the familiar waves, slanted hourglasses, were retired in 2003, we felt their passing like the death of an old friend. We poured out liquor, fired 21 shots into the air from our Zappers, and bumped Master P's "I Miss My Homies" for days.Though the logo is now gone, it will certainly never be forgotten ...
6-foot neon Apple icon for sale
Macenstein points to the ultimate Mac collector's item, a 6-foot neon version of the rainbow Apple logo (which, you'll remember with the help of Wikipedia, was used up until Jobs turned the logo one solid color in 1999), up for sale on eBay. Now you too can own a gigantic neon piece of Apple's history, sure to turn even the most casual Apple user green with envy. Or at least green with something-- having colored neon lights in your field of view all day can't be that good for your health.But still, someone wants it-- there are 17 bids so far, and even at $4350 as of this writing, the reserve hasn't been met. The sign itself is in Huntsville, Alabama (at an Apple authorized dealer who doesn't need it anymore), and they're offering to ship to anywhere in the contiguous 48, or you can come by and grab it yourself.
Wii Warm Up: Across the top
We haven't talked much about this since the earliest box art pictures debuted, but now that you've had a chance to get used to them ... what do you think of the look of Wii boxes? Does the white line across the top and the simple logo do it for you? How about the white boxes? Do you feel that the look suits the system? How does it compare to similar GameCube boxes? What about to the box art designs for the other latest consoles?
CoMo's USB drive touts customizable, solar-powered LCD
Tacking an LCD onto the exterior of a USB flash drive is nothing new, but CoMo Gadget's CM-1022 is upping the ante by allowing users to customize what's pictured on the screen. This less-than-attractive device is helped out by the ability to upload a logo or picture onto the built-in screen, which then flashes to get "maximum exposure" for marketers. Additionally, there's room for 4GB of mind-numbing press releases, Java games, or one-time use coupons, and considering that the display is reportedly solar-powered, a dab of sun should keep the flashing going 'til the wee hours of the night. No signs of a pricetag just yet, but unless you've got advertising on the brain, we'd steer clear of this one.[Via EverythingUSB]
'Broad new content' on Xbox Marketplace? No kidding!
Xbox Live Marketplace will soon offer content from CMT, the nation's top country music station and Logo, the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender network, along with a slew of other content. Yeah, they're definitely going for a demographic spread -- although there is always that gay cowboy demographic (coincidentally Brokeback Mountain is available on HD DVD and not Blu-ray).MTV owns both CMT and Logo, and following the success of their MTV, Comedy Central and VH1 brands on the Xbox Live service, decided to expand. CMT, beginning June 6, will offer Comedy Stage, Foxworthy's Big Night Out and Prankville. Logo, beginning June 11, will offer Noah's Arc (pictured), Wisecrack and Curl Girls. There will also be many Anime offerings including the HD version of Anime classic Akira and other properties of ADV Films (Samurai 7, Last Exile).And you, and you, and you, you're gonna maybe love Dreamgirls, Pan's Labyrinth and other movies coming to the marketplace this month. More details can be found at the Xbox site. A demographic spread in content is always a good thing for consumers and for business.[Via Press Release]
CMT, Logo and anime coming to XBLM
Microsoft just announced that two new television networks have signed up to offer television content on the XBLM. Starting June 6th Country Music Television programming will be available on the Marketplaces and June 11th MTV's gay/bisexual/trans-gender Logo programming will go live. Microsoft also announced that starting June 12th, two of the biggest anime distributors in the US (FUNimation and Geneon Entertainment) will be offering content on the Marketplace from shows like "Samurai 7", "Trinity Blood", and "Gun Sword". And if that doesn't wet your appetite, for the month of June new movies will be available on the Marketplace in HD including Shooter, Letters from Iwo Jima, and Black Snake Moan. It's a new content jamboree! Full press release after the break.
Meet Codemasters' new, synergistic face
Were you planning on buying Hospital Tycoon on June 7? No? Perhaps it's time to rethink that choice, because it'll be your first chance to play a game with the brand new Codemasters corporate identity. You see how that "C" just slides into the "M"? That's a little thing called synergy. Oh, you want to know more about synergy? Peep this incredibly awesome quote. "The identity can have different moods, depending on whether it is working or playing. When at work, such as corporate literature, it is very sophisticated, confident and businesslike," said director of marketing Nicola Hewitt, an actual human being. "However, when it is at play and being creative, on packaging and marketing materials, it's out to have more fun, try new things and to be enjoyed by everyone who comes into contact with it." We're serious. A human wrote that. We've got one more after the jump.
Apple Tattoo: Now that's a fan girl
In my time I've been accused of being an Apple fanboy, but this girl takes it to the next level. On celebritytattoos.org we find this lovely collection of the 32 geekiest tattoos, with our favorite company logo clearly taking pride of place. I can't say I approve, but you've got to respect the Apple devotion! You just have wonder how she's going to feel about it in a few years.[Via Digg]
Blast from the Past: Original Apple logo
This one is for all you who miss the old rainbow Apple logo. What seems to be the original Apple logo (pre-incorporation in 1976) is making the rounds of the internets today. So apparently the Apple belongs to Newton. I have to say; it's a good thing they got rid of this one early.So which version of the Apple logo is your favorite?[Via Digg]
Desktop Digital Photo Cube shows photos on diminutive LCD
Here's one from the same folks who brought you the USB Sound Flash Drive, and while eNECESSITIES' Desktop Digital Photo Cube may not adorn your wall as fashionably as a digiframe might, this piece is made for conversation. Ready to perch atop your living room table or office desk, the cube sports a squint-inducing 1- x 1-inch color LCD display, power / brightness / skip buttons, USB 2.0 connectivity, and the ability to internally store "up to 30 digital photos" for cycling through on the built-in screen. Additionally, the "mood light" should set the tone for the upcoming photo, and those looking for the ultimate party favor can toss their own logo on here for an additional charge. Unfortunately, we're not quite sure just how this snapshot showin' block gets its juice, but those looking to snag 25 or more (sorry, non-bulk customers) can find out for themselves at $51.34 a pop.[Via Everything USB]
Blast from the Past: The Story of the Apple Clover Symbol
Do you remember Andy Hertzfeld? He was the author of a huge part of the original Mac ROM and he discusses the creation of the Apple command logo in this writeup. Turns out that the logo was based on a Swedish symbol used to flag noteworthy attractions at campgrounds. Susan Kare, Apple's bitmap artist, found it in an international symbol dictionary. So why didn't they just use an Apple symbol? Steve Jobs had had enough. "There are too many Apples on the screen! It's ridiculous! We're taking the Apple logo in vain! We've got to stop doing that!" Neat story to read through, and only one of Hertzfeld's many marvelous Apple reminiscences. Although the actual proper name of the icon is the Saint John's Cross or St. John's Arms, when describing this key to others, I've called it the "butterfly icon", "squiggle icon", 'propeller icon" as well as "clover." What names have you TUAW readers given to the clover symbol?
Happy Apple New Year!
Thanks to reader Nik F. for sending in this slo-mo logo from Lars Ivar and Karl Otto. If you have a favorite logo shot, let us know in the comments.From all of us here at TUAW, best wishes for a happy and healthy 2007!
Visage Login - customize Mac OS X's login screen
If the design of Apple's Mac OS X login screen just isn't floatin' yer boat, Visage Login might be worth a look. With two separate versions - one for 10.4 and another for 10.1-10.3 - this is one of the few apps I remember where 10.3 users have some features to brag about over Tiger users. As an app for 10.4 Tiger, Visage Login allows you to alter the login screen's logo and desktop image, while a preference pane for 10.1-10.3 has the ability to run screen savers as your desktop background, personalize system alerts, randomize the login screen background, and more.Visage Login is shareware with a fully-functioning 3 day demo. A single license costs a mere $4.95, while a 50+ machine license for businesses and corporations is $29.95.[via digg]
Gears of War -- single-player cross-stitching action
[Click image to enlarge]One of our readers has the coolest grandmother ever. She cross stitched the Gears of War logo for him, and just look how nice it is all framed and ready to go next to the family photos in the hallway. Our grandmother would never have stitched this for us ... even if we'd begged her. The closest we could probably get would be a quilted gingham checkerboard.Now what we really want to know is: does your grandma play the game? Have her hit us up in multiplayer and show us if those skills with a needle translate to a chainsaw.[Thanks, Alex -- and thank granny for us too]
iColours for Apple notebooks
If the white glow of the Apple logo in your notebook isn't touching your heart the same way anymore, iColours might be just the touch-up you need to rekindle your love of all Apple things that glow (of which there aren't many). These 'high quality' filters come in a wide range of colors, and as you can see from our screenshot - they're customizable. They have a decent gallery of custom designs, and they offer installation instructions for iBooks, PowerBooks and even MBs and MBPs [Update: turns out MacBook/Pro instructions are still brewing. Take a look before you place an order if you're an MB/MBP owner.]Base price for a solid color is $3.99, including worldwide shipping. While custom designs are available, they ask that you contact them before ordering. Needless to say, installing these most likely blows any warranty you might have out of the water, but that hasn't stopped you before, right?Thanks Jason P
Haven't Seen Him Since He Went AFK Bio
See, this is exactly the kind of stuff that makes that psychologist lady think we're all crazy.Salt from Spinebreaker points us to a picture (above) that some enterprising (and extremely thirsty) player has taken. It's a bunch of cans (147, according to someone on the Forum who might actually have counted them) of Dr. Pepper, laid on the floor and spelling out the name of our beloved pasttime. At least it was all cans of Dr. Pepper, and not his less-educated brother, Mr. Pibb.Pretty impressive. But give me a call when someone does a color version of the Burning Crusade logo.
Apple logo on Sony PS3 site a mystery
Joystiq, a sister blog, has been following an odd story about an Apple logo and a Sony PS3 site. As you can see from the image, an Apple logo *blips* at the beginning of a PS3 Flash promo movie at Sony's site (it has since been 'fixed', but Joystiq links to a copy of the original movie here). Their investigation has more or less resulted in dead ends; at first the logo was thought to be a watermark left by creating the movie in a trial version of Shake. As it turns out, trial versions of Shake don't allow saving to begin with.The issue has turned into a bit of a mystery, as Apple (of course) hasn't made any sort of comment, and Sony apparently promised a statement but has yet to deliver.In the meantime, we'll forgo speculation and leave the rumoring up to you readers.[thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Apple logo appears on PlayStation 3 site
So if you hadn't already heard, when you hit the Sony PlayStation 3 home page you're greeted with the usual requisite promo animation... and a momentary flash of the Apple logo (highlighted above). Seriously. Go check it out if you don't believe us. So, what's the deal? Well, our first inclination would be that it's either a mistake, some misplaced watermark, or the designer who put this thing up was probably about to get fired so s/he decided to have a little fun. Trust us though, we definitely would put it past Sony to be all sly and leave us some clue about a possible Apple video game partnership -- that just ain't happening at this point. We'll let you know as we learn more, but we doubt there's any current cause for alarm; especially since our videogame lovin' sister site Joystiq gave Sony's PR peeps a call, and they were as surprised to discover this as we were.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Update: So from the sound of it Occam's razor strikes again. Looks like that logo flashes when you author using a trial version of Apple's Shake. So basically from what we can ascertain, Sony (or its ad agency) is too cheap to buy their people the full version of Shake, which goes for $500 list on Apple's site. Tisk, tisk!
Widget Watch: TUAW
A widget author known as tuc11 over at DashboardWidgets has produced one of the best, most useful, productive, and important widgets you could ever download: a TUAW news widget! It's pretty simple, and it checks our headlines (I believe) each time you refresh Dashboard. This way, our headlines stay front and center, so you never have to worry about where they went.Good work tuc11, and nice use of both our logo from the site and C. Robin Osborn's logo he created for our video podcasts.
The man behind the Apple logo
For many years this multi-hued logo served well for Apple, however, it has since been phased out in favor of a solid color logo (though the color of the Apple does vary). The man who created the logo (which wasn't Apple first logo) is Rob Janoff.Sync has a little story up about him, where you find out that Rob's boss wanted the logo to be a solid color, but his Steveness wanted it to be more colorful to 'humanize' the company (in stark contrast to Big Blue, I would imagine).Perhaps one day we'll see Apple products sporting this colorful logo again.Thanks, jonas.
