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MacTech Boot Camp coming up on July 27, tickets still available
Neil Ticktin of MacTech magazine sends word that the upcoming annual MacTech Boot Camp in Los Angeles on July 27 is coming together quickly. Both this camp (which we visited last year to meet and greet some of the biggest names in the Mac community) and the one in Chicago on August 31 have nearly sold through on early bird pricing already, but if you still want in, you can follow this link to get $200 off the registration thanks to sponsor TidBITS and TUAW. Speakers for the LA event include Ric Wilson, Chris Keller, and Peter Linde, so anyone interested in IT and/or consulting for the Mac platform would definitely do well to come by this event and check out the goings-on. Last year was very informational for attendees, and a lot of fun as well. Again, registration is still open for Los Angeles and Chicago, so if you're thinking about coming out, now's the time to sign up. Hopefully we'll see you there!
Pictures from the new Apple Store, still in progress at The Americana at Brand in Glendale
The pictures in the gallery below from a tipster show you the location of the new Apple Store being built in the Glendale Galleria in Los Angeles. This new store isn't that far from the old one in the mall, but appears to enjoy a much better view. If you've got pictures of the store under construction, let us know! Update: Commenters point out this is in The Americana at Brand in Glendale, not actually at the Galleria. Thanks, Devin %Gallery-127491%
Apple II owners assemble for concert
Apple II owners and enthusiasts in the greater Los Angeles area must clear their calendar this Saturday night. The folks from the Machine Project are trying to organize an evening concert featuring the iconic Apple II. Starting at 8 PM PT on June 25, a 16-step sequencer developed by Jason Torchinsky will be used to elicit beautiful music from a group of Apple II machines. The original Apple II did not have a built-in sound synthesis chip and sent a precision click to the speaker to generate sound. The result is a very mechanical tone that many find annoying. As you can imagine, the music should be... interesting. [Via Make Magazine]
Free concert in LA this weekend, bring your Apple II
Following the only logical path one can take after building a working 15x scale Atari joystick, Jason Torchinsky is pulling together all the Apple IIs that can be had for a quick concert. Those not already entranced by chiptunes will want to give LA neighborhood art space Machine Project a wide berth on Saturday, where participants will use a 16 step sequencer to get something like music out of the system's timer circuit. Those interested in checking it out can check the source link for details, but if you actually have an Apple II laying around (and aren't in the middle of a game of Oregon Trail, that's serious business) you'll want to show up around 6 p.m. to get things arranged.
How the E3 sausage gets made: Our gear
As the Joystiq staff barrels toward Los Angeles over the course of today, each staffer will come packing his own set of tools to tackle the coming week. As you already know, the E3 festivities begin Monday morning and go strong for four days, so it goes without saying that these gear pictures don't include the countless gallons of caffeinated beverages which will be consumed -- chock 1.5 iced coffees to me thus far today -- not to mention other precious energy-providing items. Head into the gallery below for an in-depth look at how the sausage gets made. If you're into that kinda thing, of course.%Gallery-125330%
The Witcher 2 casting spells on Xbox 360 by the end of 2011
During its "Summer Days" presentation in Los Angeles this afternoon, developer CD Projekt Red announced intentions to release critically acclaimed The Witcher 2 on Xbox 360 by the end of 2011. The confirmation comes after months of back-and-forth over the possibility of a console release, and hot off the bewitched heels of an ESRB rating for the game on Xbox 360. Little is known about how exactly the title's gameplay, not to mention its impressive graphics engine, will translate to 360, but we're sure to find out more in the coming weeks. We'll keep an eye ... er ... ear on the streaming press conference as well and update this story as it develops. Update: During the stage presentation, CD Projekt Red representatives pointed out that the Xbox 360 version will include all PC updates that have taken place since the game's launch. A teaser was also shown off (which we'll have for you soon), though no gameplay has been revealed as of yet -- it'll be shown off during E3. The reps also pointed out that the 360 version will look close or on par with the PC version, and also called it an "adaptation, not a port." Update 2: The teaser is now live after the break!
BodyGuard stun-glove leaps out of comic books, into the arms of LA Sheriff's Department
What's better than a seasoned crime fighter? How about a seasoned crime fighter packing a 300,000-volt punch? A new prototype stun-glove is poised to make such Robocop-inspired dreams a reality, integrating a non-lethal taser, LED flashlight, and laser guided video camera into a fetching piece of futuristic armor. Activated by pulling out a grenade-like pin and palming an embedded finger pad, the Armstar BodyGuard 9XI-HD01 sparks a loud and visible arc of electricity between its wrist-mounted taser spikes, a sight that inventor David Brown hopes will encourage would-be crooks to surrender. The gauntlet's hard plastic shell is even roomy enough to add GPS equipment, biometrics, chemical sensors, or other embedded additions, as needed. The first batch of pre-production superhero gloves will hit the streets of LA later this year for testing and evaluation. Need more? Check out the via to see Kevin Costner (what field of dreams did he walk out of?) take the edge off this shocker in a surprisingly dull video.
NPG, CSU partner for $49 dynamic digital textbooks
The worst part of being a college student? Pricey learning materials... they make even Ramen noodles a fancy meal. This fall, students at California State University will be at least be able to make a step up to fast food. CSU has announced a three-year deal with Nature Publishing Group for low-cost, interactive, web-based textbooks with access options for disabled students. The first to be offered is an introductory biology text, fittingly titled Principles of Biology. Students on the L.A., Northridge, and Chico campuses will each have varying payment and licensing models, but 49 bucks gets anyone a full edition starting September 1st. Professors can edit the content, which includes 175 "interactive lessons," access to a database of research papers, and assessments for students. It can all be used on any device from a slate to a computer and even printed if you prefer scribing your notes with pen and paper or won't be near an internet connection. Details are dry about future books using the system, but it looks like a promising break for college students. Still, before you get ready to ditch your books and backpack for more money and less backaches, we'd suggest skimming the press release after the break.
Probably Not the Wii 2, Part IV: Liiked footage
There's a slight possibility that yesterday, somewhere in Los Angeles, a very nervous person was holding a shaky camera in a dark room, where details on the upcoming Nintendo console were discussed. Though it's a fact that Nintendo held an event for developers in Los Angeles yesterday (as reported by Tiny Cartridge) we're highly suspicious of the YouTube video surfacing with supposed "Project Cafe" information. A black splash screen opens the video with the dubious statement, "Private presentation of 'Project Cafe' by a video games editor," before approximately 40 seconds of similarly dubious slides are shown just feet above what is alleged to be a running "Project Cafe" unit. The slides depict some things you might expect, as well as some things that we very much doubt would leak. Seeing the rumored giant screen-equipped controller in action with an unidentifiable game, for instance, is especially hard to believe. More believable is the bland presentation of the console's dimensions, as well as specs for the aforementioned controller, though the clip taken in entirety is very hard to trust. Take a look after the break and decide for yourself, then vote in our poll!
See how a 1920s daredevil inspired the L.A. Noire we know today
The methods -- that is to say, witchcraft -- used to create the eerily accurate faces of L.A. Noire's suspicious characters were previously exposed, but how did Team Bondi create the face of the game's titular city? The story is more thrilling than you might imagine: Much of the gameworld was designed using photographs taken by 1920s daredevil Robert Spence, who snapped photos of Los Angeles using a 46-pound camera while hanging out of the cockpit of his biplane. You can check out some of the images on PopSci, though really, we think the camera might have been facing the wrong way. Yes, the vintage shots of L.A. are neat, but not nearly as neat as a dude hanging out of his biplane while holding a 46-pound camera!
Los Angeles pilot program offers up to $2,000 off EV charging stations
You can already get a pretty hefty federal rebate on an electric vehicle, and it looks like at least some folks in Los Angeles can now also save a good chunk of change on an EV charging station. LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa just announced a new pilot program this week that will provide rebates of "up to $2,000" on home EV charging stations -- to the first 1,000 applicants, that is. That will apparently be expanded soon enough, however, with the city promising to begin accepting additional applications on May 1st, and eventually cover up to 5,000 EV chargers. Those receiving the rebate will also be required to participate in the LADWP's Residential Time-of-Use Rate that offers discounts for charging during off-peak hours, and the city will monitoring charging patterns in an effort to determine how to best allocate resources. Head on past the break for the full press release.
MacTech Boot Camp revving up for Dallas, coming to Boston, LA and Chicago later this year
Our friends at the MacTech Boot Camp series of conferences for Mac consultants and IT techs are rolling right into 2011. They've got a session planned in Dallas for April 27, and then they're headed up to Boston for another event on May 18. We're told there's still room at the Dallas event, and the usual pricing has been lowered to $395, so you TUAW readers can follow this special discount link to see the show for just $295. Sessions include a packed schedule of panels and demos, lots and lots of networking, and included meals and refreshments -- if you've never been to one of these and do any consulting or IT work with Macs, they're definitely worth seeing. You can even get certified at the events -- Apple Certification Testing is taking place the day before each session, and there's also a proctor-moderated group study session included before that, so you can do some last-minute cramming with your fellow pupils. Testing for MacTech Boot Camp attendees is only $199, which is significantly cheaper than usual. Finally, early bird registration is still underway for the sessions later on this year -- the conference will be in Los Angeles on July 27, and in Chicago on August 31. If you're in either of those cities, definitely consider attending. TUAW is a media sponsor of the MacTech Boot Camp conferences.
Cut the Rope gets new 'Magic Box,' gigantic playable demo
Good news, fans of the delightful, physics-based iOS puzzler Cut the Rope! (Or, rather, bad news, if you had things you needed to do today.) An update is now available to the ZeptoLab-developed hit which adds 25 new levels as part of the "Magic Box," and also adds three new Game Center achievements. The new gameplay mechanic this time around is top hats, which serve as portals for your tethered confections -- much like the stockings featured in Cut the Rope: Holiday Gift. To celebrate the new levels, Chillingo has constructed two massive playable demo stations featuring nine touch screens a piece. If you've got business at Los Angeles' Hollywood & Highland Center or Atlanta International Airport, keep an eye out for these big, beautiful displays -- it's likely to be the most satisfying rope-cutting you ever do.
Sony offers sneak peek of new LA store - no fooling (video)
You might see a bunch of fake news on the internet tomorrow, but considering what we've seen of Sony's new LA storefront, we're fairly certain this isn't a prank. That's right, Sony's launching a newly branded retail store in the City of Angels Friday, and from the look of things, it spared no expense. The 4,200-square foot space is the first to ditch the Sony Style moniker for the simpler Sony Store, and while the aesthetics are decidedly minimal, the experience is anything but. As you might expect, the shop offers demos of a slew of devices; it's packed full of everything from VAIOs to ray modelers to 3D Handycams, and it's also rocking a fully loaded home theater setup called "The Cube." Considering the outfit's been looking to up its retail cred, we'd say the new spot has the stuff to do the job, even if that bright white modular look does seem strangely familiar. If you're in the LA area, you can check out the new digs starting tomorrow -- if not, hit up the guided video tour above.
Nintendo rolls a 3DS Demo Pod across US, gets gamers salivating for March 27th launch
The perks of living in a big city, eh? Citizens of Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco are being treated to some three-dimensional March madness from the guys and gals at Nintendo. For the remainder of this month, Ninty's 3DS handheld will be available to try and play in so-called Demo Pods (see above) at strategic locations in each marquee city. The Mii Maker app, nintendogs + cats, Madden NFL Football, Aslphalt 3D, and a selection of other games will be preloaded and waiting for you, letting you have a taste of what's to come on March 27th. See Nintendo's PR after the break for the full details.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: ice castles, cardboard columns, and the Geneva Auto Show
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. This week Inhabitat showcased several jaw-dropping feats of architecture, starting with a series of amazingly complex computer-designed cardboard columns that boast between 8 and 16 million facets. We were also struck by a stunning new net-zero Solar Academy in Germany, and we showcased a Swiss chalet that is the world's first apartment building to be heated entirely by solar thermal energy. On the cooler end of the climate spectrum, a Minnesota man has created a series of soaring ice castles using water from his geothermal heating system. The Geneva Auto Show also kicked off with a bang this week as Koenigsegg unveiled its supercharged Agera R racer and SAAB rose from the ashes with a futuristic PhoeniX hybrid. We also heard big news from some of the world's most luxurious automakers as Bentley rolled out a biofuel-powered supercar that can go 200 MPH on ice and Rolls-Royce unveiled their all-electric 102 EX Phantom. Two-wheeled transportation also took a leap forward as Daymak unveiled the world's first wireless electric eBike and Los Angeles approved plans for 1,690 miles of bikeways. We also kept on the cutting edge of consumer tech with a look at the green credentials of Apple's iPad 2, and we brought you researchers' plans for a hot new breed of batteries made from "frozen smoke". Finally, we learned from a recent study that cellphone signals actually boost brain activity, and we shared a fresh new line of iPod nano watch straps just in time for spring.
Los Angeles Apple stores offering exclusive headphones this NBA All-Star weekend
If you're around Los Angeles and need some new headphones this weekend, your local Apple Store has a deal for you. To celebrate the NBA All-Star Game, Skullcandy is selling its NBA All-Star Aviator headphones in Apple Stores exclusively, this weekend only. At $180 they're not cheap, but they are some serious premium headphones. If you're the kind of person who likes owning exclusive gear, and you were planning on picking up a nice pair of headphones anyway, they're yours to hunt down and buy... unless you're an NBA All-Star player, in which case Skullcandy is giving you a set already, personalized with your own signature and jersey number. Most of us aren't NBA All-Stars, so everyone else will have to head out to the mall. If you do pick up one of these this weekend, let us know how it goes. This seems like a weird deal for Apple to host officially, considering the small potential audience. [via 9to5Mac]
Visualized: KIRFer's paradise
LA lovers of things that Keep it Real Fake, finding your next knockoff might be a little harder than anticipated. The Los Angeles police just busted a warehouse full of knock-offs, things like GiPhones, iPhoncs, PNPs, and Poops. Among all this junk, some $10 million worth, two dudes were found and arrested -- two dudes who had records showing more than $7 million in profits. It seems KIRFing does pay, for a little while at least.
Fake iPhones seized from LA warehouse
Police in the port of Los Angeles have seized what they say is over $10 million worth of counterfeit Apple devices from a warehouse. The fake iPods, iPhones and iPod touches were reportedly brought in from Asia recently, and they were supposedly going to be sold around CES this past year, duping customers into thinking they were buying real Apple products for cheap. Not that cheap, though -- the cops also reportedly found receipts in the warehouse, along with other stolen and counterfeit merchandise, that pointed to the whole facility bringing in around $7 million in profit. Two brothers have been arrested, and the two of them face a total of four felony counts for the sale of counterfeit goods. The seizure was the result of an ongoing stolen cargo investigation that had the Port Police looking around warehouses in Los Angeles and Vernon, CA late last year.
Record number of aircraft 'laser events' gives us one more reason to hate LA
Are you that kid aiming his father's laser pointer at people walking along city sidewalks? Yeah, well stop it -- now. What you might consider a harmless prank can have serious repercussions when aimed at the cockpit of an approaching jetliner. What seems like good fun at the time can temporarily blind a pilot attempting to land nearly a million pounds of life, metal, and fuel. According to the numbers just released by the FAA, 2010 saw a record number of reports of lasers pointed at aircraft -- "almost double" the number of reports from 2009. Of the 2,800 incidents reported nationwide, the Los Angeles area reported the most with 201 incidents, followed by Chicago (98), Phoenix (80, half of which were probably UFO related), and San Jose (80 -- nerds!). Top 20 list after the break.
