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Blizzard tells Oceanic realms they're fixing it
Here's the situation: Many people are experiencing problems with Oceanic realms being offline, having heavy lag, or just general stability issues. These issues have principally appeared after patch 2.4 hit, and are a major pain for those playing over there. Players cannot loot items in a timely manner, they lag out during raids, and playing the new content (or any instance) is sometimes impossible.Players have, for the most part, provided excellent documentation to Blizzard concerning the stability. They have done so in a massive thread over on the Customer Service Forums, and it is actively being monitored and commented on by Syndri, a Blizzard representative. The thread was started on March 31st, with the issues appearing a couple weeks before that, and is still active today. The analysis: There is a lot of Blizzard hate going around about this issue. We've received numerous emails on the subject, and taking a look around the internet and the official forums show the same feelings. This is, in my opinion, unfounded.Blizzard has came out and said that they know the issue is happening, that they're looking into it, isolating it, and attempting to fix it. They're well aware that people are having issues playing the game – and they want to fix that. It's in their best interest as a business, and as good people (the folks working there are good people, remember). However the acknowledgement by Blizzard doesn't seem to stop a horde of people from saying they're being ignored: they're not. Syndri even makes an appeal to the masses: "By all means, vent your concerns and experiences herein; that's what this thread is here for. But don't-and I do ask this sincerely-ignore the attention that this matter has truly received."
All the World's a Stage: Wearing the right mask
One of the most common difficulties many roleplayers face is that of finding other people to roleplay with. To help overcome this challenge, All the World's a Stage presents a guide to finding roleplayers in three parts: "finding the right realm" for roleplaying, "joining the right circle" of roleplaying friends, and "wearing the right mask" to attract other roleplayers to you. Your face is the first thing people notice about you when you go out into the world. Quite rightly, most of us put a lot of effort into making our faces look clean, healthy, and happy much of the time. Some people even go so far as to think of their faces as masks which they can use to alternately hide or reveal their true feelings to the world as each situation requires.When you roleplay, your character is the mask you wear in a world where your real face doesn't matter at all - it defines who you are within this fantasy world and it determines how others will react to you as one of its denizens. Likewise, it deserves its proper amount of attention, like the care you give your outward appearance for your real life interactions. The method of caring for it is different of course, but the spirit and intention is the same.Roleplayers have certain conventions you can use to quickly identify yourself as one interested in interacting with them. But more important than these is your attitude: just as the way you stand, smile, or keep yourself clean are all more important than the actual look of your face in real life; so, in roleplaying, a humble manner, a friendly approach, and a confident integrity are all essentials, whereas things like race, class, funny quirks and accents are all merely supporting elements.
Helio Ocean 2 breaks cover, FCC style?
In light of the fact that the original Ocean's model number was OZ, it seems pretty obvious that an "OZ2" passing through the FCC by way of Pantech would be -- you guessed it -- the Ocean 2. It helps that the label diagram's depiction of the phone is clearly Ocean-esque in nature, too. So let's use this opportunity as a springboard for discussion: what does everyone hope to get out of the dual-sliding Helio Ocean's successor?
The DS Life: A room to play in
The DS Life is a weekly feature in which we scour the known world for narrative images of Nintendo's handheld and handheld gamers. If you have a photo and a story to match it with, send both to thedslife at dsfanboy dot com.Every gaming or technology forum has them, discussion threads devoted to posters sharing photos of their entertainment centers and gaming setups, dozens of pages bloated with uncropped photos and e-wang exchanges of congratulations or criticisms.After a while, you begin to notice recurring themes -- overpriced flat-screen televisions, dual-monitor systems, mismatched Ikea furniture, shelves packed with games and DVDs, and desks cluttered with gadgets and gewgaws. For a laugh, someone might have a framed photo of Nintendo president Satoru Iwata visible, but that's as creative as these arrangements usually get.Thankfully, with the Nintendo DS and other handhelds, you don't have to spend tens of thousands of dollars for the "perfect gaming setup." Other than a fun game and a free afternoon, you don't need much. Of course, it helps if you have a cuddlesome puppy, a good friend, or an ocean view ...
A trip down Helio's memory lane
Back before there was Helio, there was Earthlink, South Korea's SKT, and a dream. Heliocity managed to score some shots of just what that dream looked like in the early days, a similar -- yet decidedly different -- vision than what the MVNO ended up bringing to market. Not only are the prerelease versions of Helio's first two models to market (the Kickflip and Hero) "SK Earthlink" branded, but check out that super trippy Kickflip proto, complete with aerial antenna and secondary LCD for self-portraits. The Ocean obviously came along further down the road, and while we like the all-black finish Helio decided on, we think the two-tone action here would've made for an interesting second choice. Read on for all the visuals.
Self-propelled glider uses ocean's heat to power itself
We've seen autonomous ocean gliders before, but the team at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute has just completed the first successful run of a glider that doesn't require its own power -- instead, it uses the heat difference between the warm upper layers of the ocean and the colder depths to propel itself. Not needing an internal power source let the glider traverse the Virgin Islands Basin between St. Thomas and St. Croix at depths of 13,000 feet over 20 times when it was launched in December, and the team estimates that it could run for another six months if necessary. The ocean's heat differential is a "virtually unlimited energy source," according to one Woods Hole researcher -- hmm, beach-charger, anyone?[Thanks, Charlie]
Helio's Ocean gets a whole lotta YouTube
Helio's warm embrace of YouTube's wide world of entertainment is nothing new, but it's getting a whole heck of a lot warmer today with the release of an all-new YouTube app for the Ocean dual slider. Basically, if you can do it from YouTube's desktop website, you can now do it through the Ocean -- instant uploading, ratings, video replies, it's all here. Check out the full gallery over at Engadget Mobile, or if you're lucky enough to have an Ocean of your very own, go hook your bad self up, why don't you?
Helio outs File Viewer for Ocean, reads most of the important stuff
Helio's Ocean certainly has the hardware credentials to see some duty as a business device, but with Helio's consumer focus, the software necessary to turn the phone into a productivity powerhouse hasn't really materialized. That changes a bit today though with the introduction of File Viewer, a free application that allows Ocean users to read a variety of popular file formats, among them Word, Excel, and Powerpoint documents, PDF, plain text, HTML, and several image types in both landscape and portrait modes. Helio's commemorating the event by also upgrading its Mail for Exchange platform to version 1.2, offering a handful of improvements and providing direct integration to the File Viewer. Both are available today; follow the break for the full press release.
Enthusiasts bring 3rd party apps to the Helio Ocean, too
The iPhone isn't the only handset whose software innards are getting lovingly torn apart in the name of science this week. It turns out some intrepid users of the Helio Ocean (a device occasionally compared to the iPhone, coincidentally) have been slaving away on a method for adding extra applications outside of the carrier's walled garden. Their first success is a doozy, too: Opera Mini 3, one of the most prized jewels in the world of mobile software. The developers aren't claiming it's bug-free -- landscape mode and the QWERTY keyboard don't work, for example -- but it's a huge step in the right direction and they're continuing to work out the kinks. More custom apps are said to be on the way, and don't worry, Drift and Heat users -- support's said to be on the way for you guys, too.
Ocean gets Exchange ActiveSync -- for a price
Exchange using Helio members, your time is now: the Ocean's finally getting that Exchange ActiveSync support (for Contacts, Calendar, and email with Exchange Server 2003 SP2+) promised users, as well as bumped new version of Helio File Viewer (supporting .doc, .ppt, .xls and .pdf). But, as always, there is a catch. Although the first 60 days of use during the beta period will be free, the final version of Helio EAS + File Viewer will set you back an addition $10 per month for all-in users. If that still sounds workable with your expense account, jump on that Ocean right now and download the app that gets the corporate collaboration wheels moving. One more shot after the break.
Today's saltiest video: Forever Blue
The Wii undersea exploration non-game, Forever Blue, sure looks pretty in this trailer. (We have to imagine how the graphics will look outside of a web browser, but we'd swear this game takes at least three Gamecubes taped together.)While Japan-only at this point, maybe the SCUBA simulation will surface in other regions, with the Wii's success. See the video after the break.Update: Thanks to readers for pointing out that Forever Blue will launch in the U.S. as Endless Ocean on October 29.%Gallery-4554%
Wii Warm Up: Ever PS2
We here at Wii Fanboy are pretty intrigued about Endless Ocean, because it looks like such a unique gaming experience-- underwater treasure-hunting mixed with adventure game elements. But, strictly speaking, it is not unique at all. It is, in fact, another entry in the Everblue series of diving adventures for the Playstation 2. Well-rounded and experienced gamers though we are, there is a big old hole in our gaming history in the shape of the Everblue games. This is especially embarrassing for us, as we are possibly alone in our fandom of Arika games like Technic Beat and even the Street Fighter EX series.We figure somebody out there has played one of the Everblue games. We'd love to know what you thought of the experience. Should we stop caring about Endless Ocean? Should we be getting Endless Ocean tattoos? Also, do you think this game is the sort of thing that waggle can genuinely improve?
E307: Forever Blue crossing the pond as Endless Ocean
Forever Blue, the ocean exploration game from Arika, has been announced for a US release, with the slightly different. but thematically identical, title of Endless Ocean. We've got a short, but very pretty gallery of screenshots, and a similarly bite-size trailer. The trailer's music is as relaxing as the game looks. Look at that screen up there. It just exudes serenity even when a sea creature is bearing down on the poor diver. %Gallery-4749%
Helio pits Apple's iPhone against Ocean
Let's face it, the comparisons between (insert phone here) and Apple's handset began long ago, and now that the thing is actually in customers' hands, the potshots are likely to start flying at mach speed. Enter Helio, who has already felt it necessary to create a comparison chart essentially showing off the areas in which the Ocean is stronger (or at least more attractive) than the iPhone. Quite frankly, the chart does make a few good points, most notably around the iPhone's lack of GPS, strangely omitted MMS ability, and the obligatory removable battery; of course, we personally aren't offended nor joyous about "MySpace integration," but we suppose it could sway some folks tweens one way or another. We know you're anxious to see just what Helio has to say about the strong competition, and while the chart doesn't seem quite as hostile as the apparently bitter Helio salesman we ran into earlier today, be sure to give it a read after the break.
Most so-called iPhone alternatives are nothing of the sort
I think a lot of people are getting confused as to what expensive phones are actually designed for. Analysts are trying to compare the iPhone to efforts from other companies, or folks like Walt are touting the Nokia N95 and BlackBerry Curve as potential alternatives. While I might be a little biased since I write for TUAW, I still think these are bad comparisons. Just because a phone costs north of $400 or $500, doesn't mean that phone is designed for the same purposes as any other phone in the general vicinity of its price. Take the Nokia N95, for example - it's an über-camera phone (which costs nearly $800, by the way). That's what it does. It has a freaking 5 megapixel camera that is making mobile photo geeks go nuts, and that's what it should do. It doesn't have any form of a full QWERTY keyboard, and it isn't designed to be a full-featured multimedia rollercoaster ride of music, movies, and podcasts. It's an über-camera phone. Period.
Volvo treasure hunt delayed after locating $500 million instead
In an interesting turn of events, it seems like the winner of Volvo's lucrative treasure hunt won't be unearthing the $50,000 treasure anytime soon, as the automaker's hunt partner (Odyssey Marine Exploration) has happened upon an actual $500 million treasure instead. The reported fortune is located somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean -- in a secretive area known only as Black Swan -- but reports are claiming that a court in the Spanish coastal town of La Linea has "issued an order for the Spanish Guardia Civil to detain any Odyssey vessel should it leave the port of Gibraltar," which has brought about an abrupt halt to Volvo's retrieval plans. Thankfully, it sounds like the Russian winner will still be awarded the dough and a new XC70 to boot, but there's no telling how long it'll be before Odyssey is able to put aside its bigger worries and dig up the (comparatively) paltry $50k.[Via CarTechMag]
Volvo Ocean Race takes HD to the high seas
> Yacht racing is a sport normally reserved for the wealthy. However, some people do enjoy following massive boats through life and death weather conditions - sounds better already. Even if that doesn't do it for you, high-def tends to make formerly unwatchable programs such as nature shows and golf, a treat, so maybe HD will do the same for the Volvo Ocean Race. The 2008-09 race sets sail next October and will be produced in HD thanks to special rugged - and we assume waterproof - cameras. No word on which station will carry this event but we have a good feeling that it will be Versus HD.
DepthX robotic submarine maps world's deepest sinkhole
After the recent streak of robotic failures that we've seen, it's refreshing to see yet another success story come our way. Just as it did in February, the two-meter wide DepthX (Deep Phreatic Thermal Explorer) robotic submarine successfully mapped out a massive sinkhole in Mexico, but this time was quite a bit more rewarding. The cavern that it ventured into was the El Zacatón Cenote, which is better known as the world's deepest water-filled sinkhole, and the machine was able to delve some 270-meters down to "create the first map of the giant cavity." The hole itself is large enough to "swallow New York's Chrysler Building," and while the endeavor was indeed a success, researchers are hoping to get it back down there in the near future to better analyze a mysterious slope that it wasn't quite able to probe. Godspeed, DepthX.[Via Slashdot]
Engadget Mobile relaunch giveaways - Helio Ocean
Alright everybody, let's get this thing started. What would you say to a spankin' new Helio Ocean? You know it well: the very first dual slider with a 12 key and QWERTY keyboard, not to mention 3G, GPS, all kinds of messaging support, PlaysForSure, A2DP, and plenty more. Want to take one home? It's easy, just leave us a comment below, and do be sure to follow the following set of rules, won't you?A few rules (yeah, there are always rules): You may only enter this specific contest once. If you enter this contest more than once you'll be automatically disqualified and barred from all future giveaways. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) In other words, be careful when commenting and don't submit more than once, ok? You may enter our other EngMob relaunch contests, but you can't win more than once; if you happen to win more than once (which is pretty unlikely, but still) we'll ask you to choose just one of your prizes. The prize is open to US entrants only. Hey, it's a US phone, you couldn't do anything with it anyway. Contest is open until 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, May 29th. We'll be shipping all the phones to winners once all the relaunch giveaway contests are over. (Yeah, we know it bites to have to wait, but dems the breaks!) Thanks and good luck to everyone!
Engadget Mobile giving away a Helio Ocean
We told you we were giving away lots of phones at Engadget Mobile to celebrate our relaunch, and here's the first of many, many devices: a shiny new Helio Ocean. Want one? Head over to Mobile to find out how to take this sucka home.
