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Dilbert's missing 4G phone
In an interesting experiment to see how long it takes to have a comic published, Scott Adams (the author of famed work-humor comic Dilbert) penned a pair of strips that are particularly relevant to recent events. Due to the extended lead time for comic publishing in newspapers, Adams decided that these topical toons would be published web-only. I'm a big fan of Dilbert, and I read the strip on a daily basis. Thanks to John Gruber for pointing out this excellent work on the official Dilbert blog. I've provided the first frame of the series to the right, but you'll have to visit the source if you want to see how Wally's story ends -- if you think you know, you're probably right.
Netflix Watch Instantly adds closed captioning support for the PC, Mac
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/tech_news/Netflix_Watch_Instantly_adds_closed_captioning_support'; We'd like to welcome the hard of hearing to the internet delivered video party, now that Netflix has begun offering optional closed captioning on a limited number of Watch Instantly titles. Currently only available through the Silverlight player on Mac or PC, Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt promises it's in the works for other platforms and should arrive there around fall along with the long-awaited support for 5.1 surround sound. Of course we're also still waiting for HD streaming on the PC but we know this is a big deal for specific communities and situations. For now, you can test out the feature on seasons 1-4 of Lost, part of about 100 titles so far with others being filled in "over time." Now excuse us, we need to watch some old episodes with CC switched on and make sure our Lostpedia entries are correct before the finale.
TV's Lost is most requested Telltale adventure game project
We've all got our own dream projects we'd like adventure game studio Telltale to make, heaven knows we've fanned those flames ourselves. But as for the most requested project, you need look no further than your nerdy friend's Tuesday night Twitter feed, according to company boss Dan Connors. "You know it's funny, because I have a survey with the actual requests on it, or the actual things that people that we surveyed said they would like to see," Connors told us in an interview you'll see in full soon. "If I can recall correctly I think Lost was number one. I think that Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was number two ... or maybe number three. And I know that Dexter was in there somewhere. And of course the LucasArts stuff was in there as well." Lost as adventure game makes perfect sense, especially since The Island is one of the few places where making a mustache out of cat hair, masking tape and syrup makes perfect sense.
9 41 9 42: The secret of Apple's recurring numbers
For years, Apple has featured a recurring number in all of its iPhone ads and screen shots. The time in the status bar always reads 9:42. What's more, since the debut of the iPad, the time in every iPad ad and screen shot always reads 9:41. 9:42 or 9:41. Every single time. What can those specific times mean? Well since Locke isn't answering my pleas for help (you'd think he was dead or something), I'll just have to turn to another Jon. Apple's iPhone number question has bugged Jon Manning, lead developer of Secret Lab, for years. Did the numbers have some sort of cosmic significance or were they just randomly selected by an Apple graphic designer with a thing for the 9:40ish time slot? Jon dug around for answers, but after the search led nowhere, he eventually all but gave up on finding out what the numbers meant. Then, this past January, he began noticing the iPad's reoccurring numbers and knew it couldn't be random chance -- these numbers did mean something. How would he find out what that something was, though?
Interview: Greg Grunberg at the Battlefield: Bad Company 2 celebrity challenge
Lots of the celebrities at last night's Battlefield: Bad Company 2 celebrity benefit tournament didn't know much about gaming, but Greg Grunberg is the exception. Even if he can't dive deep into the differences between next-gen shooters, he at least knows the audience, having appeared on Lost and Alias and controlled minds as Matt Parkman on Heroes. He was at the benefit in West Hollywood promoting the Epilepsy Foundation (his son deals with epileptic seizures, and Grunberg has done some advocacy work on his own as well), and right before he sat down to play BFBC2 alongside Chad Ochocinco and Marshall Faulk, he sat down to chat with us. Read on to hear about what Grunny is doing for Halo: Reach, his favorite iPhone games and why he's so sure there should be one more full season of Heroes.
Get a free episode of Demetri Martin, Sarah Silverman shows on PSN
Comedy Central is promoting the return of two of its most popular original titles on PlayStation Network. Rush to the PlayStation Store to get free downloadable episodes for your PS3 or PSP: the first episode of Important Things with Demetri Martin and episode seven of The Sarah Silverman Program's second season, "High, It's Sarah." If you're having trouble finding these programs, look for the "Free TV" section of the PlayStation Store. Other free TV offerings on the PlayStation Store include seven Lost "Season Catch-Ups" which futilely attempt to summarize the events of all the seasons of ABC's drama. The first episode of Bravo's Kell on Earth is also available for free.
Disney CEO calls iPad "a game changer"
While discussing the iPad with the Associated Press on Tuesday, Disney CEO Bob Iger hinted at his company's plans for the iPad, and called it "a game changer." He gave brief examples of ideas they're throwing around for the iPad, including ESPN ScoreCenter and an interactive app for the ABC drama "Lost." ESPN ScoreCenter is currently an iPhone and iPod touch app that provides real-time scores and updates from the world of sports. Iger says that the iPad gives them an opportunity to "...really make the scores come to life." I think of the demo of Major League Baseball's At Bat for the iPad and see how the ESPN app could do the same -- provide gorgeous, full-screen video and stats plus chat and trash talk with other fans during the game of your choice. Multiple camera angles, locker room interviews, fantasy leagues, and so on, could all enhance the fun of watching the big game. Likewise, a Lost app could provide a similar experience. "When you think about ABC," Iger said, "you think about a program like Lost and not just being able to watch the program, but all the other things that viewers like to do with that program." As a leisure content device, the iPad could be a killer with the right apps in place. Iger went on to say, "We think [the iPad] could be a game changer in terms of enabling us to create essentially new forms of content." No, it's not the same as watching your favorite show on that big, shiny HD TV, but the iPad might further synthesize the TV and computer into a single device. [Via MacDailyNews]
Poll: How did you watch Lost?
Lost has been one of our favorite shows since it first started airing and a mainstay on more than one HDTV. As the first episode of its final season has just ended on the East coast, we're wondering how your TV habits are affecting how you watch it. So let us know, are you following along with liveblogs to get every second of action just like everyone else, or choosing to go at your own pace? %Poll-41129%
Fallen Earth loses and promptly recreates fan page
Apparently, it's possible to misplace a fan page. No, really. We were a little dubious about it at first ourselves -- after all, how can you lose part of the worldwide series of tubes -- but if Fallen Earth has managed to do it, then it can be apparently done. The official site has broken word that while attempting to update the game's fan page on Facebook, the page apparently... vanished. Never to be seen again. Which might come as a shock to the many people who are fans of the game on the popular social networking site. Fortunately, the minor hiccup is being taken with a good sense of humor by the staff, as evidenced by the first official post on the recreated fan page. What exactly happened to the original page? No one is certain, although perhaps it'll show up in a few months with a large beard and a drug problem... but hopefully not. In any case, if you're one of the many who has found something to enjoy about Fallen Earth, point yourself toward the newly recreated fan page to reconnect with the game's official Facebook feed.
Poll: What winter TV premiere are you waiting for?
Of course the big daddy Lost is preparing for a February return and its final season, but there's going to be plenty of new shows to watch on our HDTVs over the next few weeks, plus the return of some other familiar faces. So let us know, what are you most ready and waiting for? %Poll-39212%
The Daily Grind: Do you like getting lost?
In everything from fantasy to science fiction, maps are important. Frequently, navigation comes down to a character picking up a compass, or a sextant, or activating the cross-subspace differential beacon scanner, picking a direction and then heading that way with all the certainty of an indecisive ferret. But that isn't usually a problem in most MMOs. Hitting the "m" key is frequently pre-bound to bring up your map, and you usually have a minimap as well, in addition to a dot on your map representing exactly where you are and arrows pointing you out where to go. In games that support modifications, you usually have several of them devoted to making navigation even easier for players. Every so often, however, you wind up underground or in an area where your map doesn't work for whatever reason. And there's something to be said for that sense of adventure, that lack of a map and a clear picture where you're going, to have to just strike off in what you think is the right direction. Today, we ask: do you like being lost and having to find your own way? Does it make the game more invigorating for you? Or is it an obnoxious gimmick designed to frustrate players and force them to take more time for simple objectives?
Lost University opens registrations for BD-Live connected Losties
The fifth season of Lost comes home on Blu-ray December 8, and for anyone still enthralled bythe question of what exactly is the truth behind that freaky island it's packing a special BD-Live extra. Viewers can log into "Lost University" where they can further explore the mysteries of the island. Fans can check out LostUniversity.com right now to register early, word is the first 108 graduates will receive a hand-signed diploma from Lost University presidents Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse -- count us out of the annual Spring Break trip, just in case. [Thanks, Michael]
Telltale's next franchise announcements 'around October,' not necessarily comedies
Known for perfecting the episodic release, Telltale Games says it's stepping into "new genres." CEO Dan Connors told VG247 as much in a recent phone interview, and the idea for this move is coming from a somewhat expected place -- television shows like The Sopranos, Lost and True Blood. "We've already evolved the genre in a lot of ways ... but we believe there's a lot of head-room to make more dramatic advances in storytelling and drama inside of this genre [adventure games]." Considering the company's past work with franchises like CSI though, you could say this tale has already been told. (YEEAAAAAAAAAAAAH!)Though Telltale will be at PAX alongside us and everyone we know, don't expect any announcements just yet. Connors says the soonest we'll be hearing about anything is "around October," so, ya know, get comfy.
Lost, Desperate Housewives & Grey's Anatomy streaming to Netflix Watch Instantly
This weekend, the first four seasons of Lost suddenly became available for streaming (in HD even) via Netflix Watch Instantly, and now Netflix and Disney-ABC have announced an agreement (an extension to the deal that already brought Disney episodes of JONAS, Hannah Montana and more to the service the day after they aired) that will bring even more familiar content to the service. Desperate Housewives and Legend of the Seeker already have some seasons available, while the fifth seasons of Grey's Anatomy, Lost and Desperate Housewives are coming along for the ride in September. We're sure the Lostpedia heads have already bought and doubled up on the series DVD and Blu-ray releases, but for everyone else struggling to remember what the hell is so important about that island, it's easier than ever to catch up before the final season starts.[Via The Official Netflix Blog]
What If We Lost: An argument for losing a major lore-based battle
Warning: This article does contain spoilers for the Argent Coliseum Raid. If you want to be surprised, skip this article!There's a pretty long thread going on in the General Forums right now that makes an interesting request of the dev team: Let us lose. The argument goes that we've been sort of steamrolling our way through massive challenges and insurmountable odds pretty much the whole raid game, and it's just getting boring. Nothing feels like a threat anymore. We know we're going to defeat it and move on. We need to shake things up.The more I think about it, the more I like it. Why not let us be on the losing side, at least for a few patches? The Lich King himself could use a bit of help in that vein, for sure. The early leveling game did manage to conjure up a few heart-stopping moments where Arthas "let us win," but when it was time to take that to the next level, it seems like Blizzard's sort of backed off and gone stale. Now, we're holding a Ren Faire on his front lawn while his scourge mostly mills around aimlessly and doesn't make more than a token attempt to do anything threatening.There would be no quicker way to get him to burst back on the scene by having him or one of his lieutenants deal us a devastating blow, one which we will find it hard to recover from.
JBO: Joystiq Box Office, June 15 - 19
We can't be gaming all the time, despite our best efforts, and from time to time we'll actually take advantage of the movie-playing abilities on our gaming systems. JBO features our top picks for XBL, PSN, Netflix's Watch Instantly, and Blu-ray each week.Recommendation of the Week: Donkey Punch (PSN: $5.99 HD and $3.99 SD to rent, $19.99 HD and $14.99 SD to own): Despite the title, Donkey Punch isn't a zany college comedy. It's a taut thriller that takes place in the confines of a luxury yacht at sea, and the titular term plays a big part in making everything unravel. It was shot for less than a million dollars in three weeks, yet still manages to look like a slick Hollywood film. Great soundtrack, terrific performances from a cast of unknowns, and you've got the perfect summer accompaniment. This will make you think twice (or even a third time!) before getting on a boat with a stranger. Read for the full list on a system by system basis just after the break. As usual, we'll see you at the popcorn st ... well, actually we won't see you at all. But you catch our drift.
Blu-ray releases on June 16th 2009
Up this week is a big ol' slew of TV shows and catalogs, but that's ok because we're very excited to see the first season of our favorite shows on Blu-ray: Lost. But as much as we love it, we're still waiting on the super all inclusive complete season box set, and since it'll probably cost a small fortune, we'll be saving up in the meantime. That isn't the only great show coming to Blu-ray this week either, as Burn Notice Season Two also comes out, and if you haven't checked out the best action show on TV since the A-Team, you need to go ahead and at least add the first disc to your queue. The last one we'll mention because we loved it so much was John Adams, and we'll just say that we wish our teachers in school made history this interesting. Lost: The Complete First Season (Disney) Lost: The Complete Second Season (Disney) Miracle (Disney) Morning Light (Disney) The Greatest Game Ever Played (Disney) Burn Notice: Season Two (Fox) The Diary of Anne Frank (Fox) Generation Kill (HBO) John Adams (HBO) The Cell 2 (New Line) Ghostbusters (Sony) No Way Back (Sony) Striking Distance (Sony) Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (Sony) Fracture (New Line) Friday The 13th (2009) (New Line) Friday The 13th: Part 2 (Paramount) Friday The 13th: Part III (Paramount) Kickboxer (Lionsgate) The Seventh Seal (Criterion) Spaceballs (MGM)
Six things I learned from losing my iPhone 3G
A couple of weeks ago, I was on a two-day business trip to Kansas City. As usual, the moment my plane landed I turned on my iPhone and gave my wife call to let her know that I had made it to my destination safely. I told her I'd text her as I got my rental car, and then call when I got to my hotel.Heading out the door of the terminal to catch the rental car shuttle, I reached into my pocket for my iPhone only to find that it was gone. I did a quick search of my other pockets, my briefcase; anything within reach. Nothing. The next step involved running back into the terminal, talking to the folks at United to see if they could have someone check my seat on the airplane. They did, with negative results. I gave them my name and home phone number so that they could call me if it was found on the airplane when the cleaners did their job, and then I headed on to collect my rental car and go to the hotel.The next morning, I called the lost & found office at the airport, and nothing had been turned in. Since I depend so heavily on my iPhone for my work, I ended up going to the nearest AT&T store to buy another phone. Read on to see what I learned from this experience.
Lost finally has another HD Easter Egg?
It's been quite some time, but the most eagle eyed among us caught a look at this during last night's episode of Lost, showing an unidentified girl in the shadows during a key scene. It's been some time since the last Easter Egg we picked up on, it's hard to tell if they stopped putting them in or if we just stopped caring, but the debate over who this might be or if it was just a mistake has piqued our interest. So, are you still watching as closely as ever, or will it take a few more hidden secrets, characters rising from the dead or the always interesting Jack / Kate / Sawyer / Juliet romantic entanglement to get this one on the big screen Wednesday nights?
The Queue: Hawaiian Pizza edition
Welcome back to The Queue, WoW Insider's daily Q&A column where the WoW Insider team answers your questions about the World of Warcraft. Alex Ziebart will be your host today.Today, in addition to all of the questions I'm answering for you, I need all of you to answer a question for me. Hawaiian Pizza: Delicious, or Crazy Delicious? This is an important question, my friends. I need each and every one of you to contribute. It's for the good of mankind. Also, to prove my girlfriend wrong. It rules, does it not?%Poll-26965%Evaline asked...Are there any Ulduar achievements currently on the PTR? I'm guessing they aren't there yet, because we would have heard something about them if there were. Another question if I may, do the bosses on the PTR currently drop loot? Again probably not, for the same reason as above, but can't hurt to ask.