Road Warrior
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ION's Road Warrior Bluetooth speaker won't fit in your bag, costs $399 (hands-on)
ION Audio took to CES 2014 to reveal a number of new products, and the Road Warrior was among them. In typical trade show fashion, we thought it was only appropriate to stop by the company's booth to check out its not-so-portable Bluetooth speaker. As you can imagine, this thing is big and extremely loud -- we were playing Lorde at about half the maximum volume and walked away hugely impressed at the amount of noise it can push out. It wasn't exactly surprising given its 200-watt power and two 10-inch woofers, but the Road Warrior can definitely turn your tailgate party into one for the ages. ION Audio told us that the model being shown is a prototype, with the final retail version said to feature a thinner body and built-in kickstand. Priced at $399, the Road Warrior won't be shipping until June, though you can catch an early glimpse of it in our gallery after the break.
Best apps for road warriors and business users
Business Insider has compiled a list of the 10 best free iPhone apps for business and the 20 best iPad apps for business travelers. The lists are pretty comprehensive, and just because you don't fly around from one meeting to the next doesn't mean you need not check them out. From Todo and Evernote for the iPad (which has been extensively covered here on TUAW) to Yelp and Bump for the iPhone, there are some real gems to help you stay ahead of the game. If you've got a shiny new iPad or iPhone, but you're struggling to sift the good from the bad on the App Store, this is a great place to start. Business Insider even points out that, if you put the apps to good use, maybe you can claim the paid ones back on expenses. That's good thinking!
Work on Mad Max continues, game still a ways off
It's been seven long months since we last heard an update on Cory Barlog's video game adaptation of Mad Max. Now Barlog, best known for his work on a little thing we like to call God of War II, has posted an update on the project to his blog, though whether or not he had to saw through his own foot to get to the keyboard remains something of a mystery. Barlog's work on the game's story with Mad Max film producer, George Miller, appears nearly done, the pair having "put the final touches on the Mad Max story and game design structure and mechanics." However, Barlog adds that they're "working with some publishers to get a deal locked down so we can start making this bad boy," so don't go expecting to hunt gangs across the dystopian Australian highways anytime soon.
More details from Fallen Earth interview
Italian gaming site Alter Ego has an interview up with Lee Hammock, lead game designer of Icarus Studios, about Fallen Earth. It's a short piece, but chock-full of great information for those hungry to learn more about what FE is all about. Note: The first section of the page is in Italian; scroll down for the English version.Hammock dishes up some radioactive dirt on the game's factions and what their philosophies are; mentions that there might be a comprehensive hit box for attacking an enemy (for example, you could shoot someone in the foot, but a head shot would do much more damage); the state of PvP; and what sounds like a rich crafting system.The game's site says in its FAQ that "It'll be done when it's done", and as difficult as that may be to hear for those of us who are itching to get our hands into some Road Warrior-style mayhem, it's a strategy that's worked well for Blizzard; there's no reason to think it shouldn't work as well for Icarus Studios.[Thanks, Nolvadex!]
New Earthrise screenshots dawn
After weeks of the same old handful of screenies, Masthead Studios has doled out three new Earthrise screenshots to the gang at MMORPG. The one above gives me goose bumps. I love me some post-apocalyptic ruin, and this magnificent shot brings a tear of joy to my eye. It's... magnificent.And yes... I do dream of being Mad Max, zipping around the Australian wastelands in my souped up death mobile. Thank you very much.
Falling back to Earth
Fallen Earth is an upcoming MMO from Icarus Studios set in the year 2154, long after a plague known as the Shiva has killed off 90 percent of the world's population. Those who remain have divided into six factions (Children of the Apocalypse, Travelers, Enforcers, Techs, Vistas, and the Lightbearers) all struggle for dominance as they try to rebuild on the ashes of a fallen earth. I geek out at all things post-apocalyptic. One of my favorite flicks is The Road Warrior (aka Mad Max 2). My favorite book is Stephen King's The Stand. Don't even get me started on the Fallout series (so yes, I am completely geeked about Fallout 3!). And I weeped a little when Auto Assault bought the farm. Now, combine all those apocalyptic bits and pieces, roll 'em all together and you got Fallen Earth. Supposedly. Hopefully. The guys at Icarus updated the FE community a few days ago and things appear to be moving along accordingly. Seventy towns have been laid out with fifty or so functional (not polished, functional). Nearly 3,000 missions have been created and upwards of 7,500 items are locked and loaded into the database. The guys answer five burning questions (like how many weapons players have access to at one time, what recipes will be available to what factions, and so on). When is it coming out? Well, when it's done of course. For all the details check out the Fallen Earth forums.
