NationalGeographic
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National Geographic's Talk Abroad phone now on sale
So it looks like that so-boring-we-want-to-cry National Geographic Talk Abroad phone we came across a few months back is finally shipping. The specifics are actually pretty complicated -- we recommend going over the pricing with a fine-tooth comb if you think this thing is for you -- but the idea is to offer relatively inexpensive, prepaid world roaming. You can rent the handset (because let's be honest, you don't want a phone this basic in your possession for more than a couple weeks at a time) starting at $70 a week, which includes 30 minutes of talk time in 50 countries, unlimited incoming minutes in 65, and a bunch of adapters for the silly-looking sockets you may encounter in foreign lands. Then again, if you simply must make the Talk Abroad your own, you can scoop it up for $199 and recharge the plan at your leisure, or just buy the SIM (our favorite option) for $79.
Cablevision adds Discovery HD Theater and National Geographic HD
Finally. We had no idea that any HD provider nationwide didn't offer Discovery HD Theater as part of their high-def lineup. Simply amazing. This was that station HD was created for. High definition and Discovery goes together like Steve Job and black turtlenecks. Anyways, the station along with National Geographic HD is now available on Cablevision's nationwide network. They say that the channels have been added with no additional cos so check 'em out on channel 727 for Discovery and 726 for National Geo HD if you happen to have Cablevision.
National Geographic HD showing up on DirecTV ch 77?
It has been quite a drought for HD fans who subscribe to DirecTV and while DirecTV has made big promises for 2007, it would be nice if they added a new HD channel before the new birds go up later this year. It appears that it just might be happening, a few DirecTV subscribers are reporting a new channel in the lineup: channel 77 shows as NGHC which we assume is the National Geographic HD Channel. This has been reported by users of both MPEG2 and MPEG4 equipment and considering current DirecTV satellites aren't setup for national MPEG4 channels, we can assume no upgrade is required to enjoy this channel, if the guide data and channel actually show up.
National Geographic's Relentless Enemies strikes DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD in March
National Geographic has announced it's releasing its first HD title, Relentless Enemies on DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD formats, distributed by Warner Home Video on March 27. The 90 minute film, originally shot in HD, is National Geographic's highest-rated special to date. The network was pushed to release on high definition formats after surveys showed its content as what viewers would most like to see. We like watching lions and buffalo battling for survival as much as anyone, but with a $34.99 MSRP compared to the $19.99 DVD we hope they also start including some HD extras in future releases.
National Geographic's Talk Abroad global phone
This phone looks so boring, we can't actually look straight at it -- we kinda have to aim our eyes just right or left of it and take it in with our peripheral vision. Then again, gearheads don't appear to be the target demo sought out by Cellular Abroad with its new National Geographic-branded Talk Abroad candybar; the upshot here is keeping global roaming relatively cheap and simple (as in, prepaid simple) on an equally simple, no-frills handset. For your hard-earned $199, you get the phone (a quadband GSM piece -- we'd expect no less when they're playing up the global angle here), a set of plug adapters for whatever countries the average National Geographic reader might visit, a UK-based phone number, and thirty minutes of outgoing talk time. Best of all, incoming calls are allegedly free of charge in 65 countries, though the countries aren't spelled out. Look for the Talk Abroad handset to ship next month; if you've got it in your heart to accept an exceptionally uninteresting cellphone, that is.[Via Mobilewhack]
National Geographic games on Nintendo platforms
Scientific Journal and National Geographic are teaming up with Destination Software to create games based on National Geographic's films. The first project, which is a DS game based on March of the Penguins, is set to release later on this month. The other, possibly higher-profile project, is a game on the Wii and DS based on Sea Monsters, which is not to release until 2007. The film deals with extinct aquatic animals, so we honestly do not know what to expect in the way of gameplay at this point.
National Geographic games on Nintendo systems
Scientific Journal and National Geographic are teaming up with Destination Software to create games based on National Geographic's films. The first project, which is a DS game based on March of the Penguins, is set to release later on this month. The other, possibly higher-profile project, is a game on the Wii and DS based on Sea Monsters, which is not to release until 2007. The film deals with extinct aquatic animals, so we honestly do not know what to expect in the way of gameplay at this point.
National Geographic: Tips for iPod-toting travelers
The National Geographic website has posted nine great tips for travelers with iPods. Some of their tips are pretty obvious, like creating playlists and purchasing audio books that reflect your destination. Others are more clever, like downloading audio travel guides from the likes of iJourneys.com, and podcasting your adventure by making on-the-spot audio recordings of those exotic locales (provided you don't have a 5G iPod). Finally, they suggest tossing paper maps for digital versions you can get from places like ipodsubwaymaps.com and PodQuest. Sounds great...so where are we going?[Via Micro Persuasion]
