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Joshua Topolsky

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New Microsoft Laptop Hunters Ad Proves Macs Are Just for Children

by Joshua Topolsky on April 10, 2009 at 12:40 PM


Microsoft's latest installment in its popular series of ripped-from-the-headlines, "real America" style 'puter-buying adventures follows a mom and son duo -- Lisa and Jackson. We learn during the commercial that the two need a computer which is "fast" because they need to "look up stuff" before they "get to baseball." Luckily for them, there are plenty of great PC options for their under-$1500 budget. Sure, they veer off in the middle there, almost buying a Mac -- which Lisa notes are "popular at this age" (we guess what she meant to say is that they're for children). Regardless, they're both so turned off by the cute-but-small computers that they hurry back to the affordable VAIO section and make off with a sweet 16-incher. But hey, don't take our word for it -- check out the really real mother and son for yourself in the full video after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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President Obama Offers iPod to the Queen of England

by Joshua Topolsky on April 1, 2009 at 04:30 PM


No, this isn't an April Fool's joke. President Obama met today at Buckingham Palace with the Queen, and our forward thinking commander-in-chief brought along a little tech for gifting purposes. Obama presented Elizabeth II with an iPod containing video from her 2007 visit to the States. In return, the first family received what is apparently a standard present for visiting dignitaries to the Palace -- a silver-framed photo of the Queen and her husband. At a glance, it seems like Obama has a thing for gadgets (and related media); he recently handed off a set of DVDs featuring classic American films to Prime Minister Gordon Brown... who was unable to play them due to incorrect region encoding. Regardless, the Queen appears pleased with the music player, telling the President during their 25 minute tea that she "Finally has something to listen to [her] Pantera records on."
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Next Gen iPhone Operating System Gets Previewed on March 17th

by Joshua Topolsky on March 12, 2009 at 03:10 PM


We just got the announcement, iPhone OS 3.0 is coming. Set your clocks, mark your calendars. It's going down March 17th. Apparently, we'll get a sneak peak at the new OS, as well as a look at a brand new version of the SDK. Exciting stuff indeed, and we'll be there live at 10am PST (1pm EST) with the liveblog. Apple's calling this an "advance preview of what we're building," so we're not expecting anything ready to go as of the 17th, but hopefully this will allow developers to start building toward future functionality (hey, how about some push notifications?), and presumably users won't have too many months to wait after that for the real deal.
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The Beatles Come to 'Rock Band,' Instruments and All

by Joshua Topolsky on March 5, 2009 at 12:35 PM

Do you love The Beatles? Do you love 'Rock Band?' Are you ready to totally lose it? If you said yes, that's good -- because MTV Games and Harmonix have just announced a partnership with Apple Corps, Ltd. to bring the band's music and instruments to the 'Rock Band' universe. According to the PR, the game (which apparently lets you do all kinds of awesome Beatles-related rocking) will also premiere with a set of new hardware "modeled after instruments used by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr throughout their career." Right now they've just got a holder page up with a launch date of September 9th, but as soon as we get our eyes on the gear, we'll let you know.
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Red 'Resident Evil 5' Xbox 360 Unveiled!

by Joshua Topolsky on February 24, 2009 at 05:09 PM


Looks like that red Resident Evil 5 Xbox 360 bundle wasn't just some tripped out figment of your imagination. Just moments ago, the package popped up for Xbox Live subscribers, detailing a handsome red Xbox 360 Elite with a 120GB hard drive, 'Resident Evil 5,' 'Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix,' and a few other odds and ends (like a handful of cables). There's an indication that you can pre-order the kit, but at this point, we're not aware of any place to follow through. We'll keep our eyes peeled, of course.

Update: According to the German press release we just received, the limited edition bundle will hit Europe on March 13th for €299 -- likely $399 Stateside. Gallery updated with official press pictures.

Update 2: Boom! Pre-order at Best Buy for $399. [Thanks, Ivan]

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Nintendo DSi Coming to North America on April 5th

by Joshua Topolsky on February 19, 2009 at 10:53 AM


According to the good chaps over at Joystiq (and, you know, Nintendo), you can get your grubby mitts all over the DSi in North America come April 5th. The system will launch for $169.99, will include all the goodies you've been reading about -- like those dual cameras and downloadable content called DSiWare (starting at the totally mysterious price point of 200 DSi Points). The handhelds will come in either blue or black, and while we can't quite explain why they've omitted white, we can be pretty sure we'll see some more colors join the fray before too long. Anyhow, this is Nintendo, so remember: it's never too early to get in line. [Via Joystiq]
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Apple Founder Steve Wozniak Comes to 'Dancing With The Stars'

by Joshua Topolsky on February 9, 2009 at 03:01 PM


Yes, your greatest / worst dream has come to fruition: Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak will be featured on the next season of 'Dancing With the Stars.' There's not much we can tell you right now about his upcoming moves, though we will be watching with bated breath, quietly hoping for a double Lindy, the Sugarfoot, and Denise Richards being dipped on a Segway. [Thanks, Ethan]
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Obama BlackBerry Alert: It's a BlackBerry

by Joshua Topolsky on January 30, 2009 at 10:23 AM


Guess what? Obama isn't using the Super Phone 6000. He's using the BlackBerry 8830, by Research In Motion (the photo above was taken yesterday) So much for your shot at the big leagues, Sectera Edge. Maybe next time.
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Amazon Kindle 2 Out on February 9?

by Joshua Topolsky on January 28, 2009 at 07:53 AM


It could mean anything that Amazon is hosting a press event Monday morning, February 9th at the Morgan Library here in New York City. Maybe they just want to talk about how much they enjoy huge archives of original manuscripts and the smell of aged paper. Whatever the case may be, the last time we went to an Amazon event, they ended up launching the Kindle, so it's not crazy to speculate that we very well could see the introduction of a new iteration of the successful e-book. We've pinged the company for more solid word, but it's been radio silence thus far. Of course, we'll be there live covering any news as it breaks, so just plan on being here... or being square.
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Confirmed: Obama Gets to Keep His BlackBerry

by Joshua Topolsky on January 23, 2009 at 11:01 AM


At Robert Gibbs' first press conference as President Obama's Press Secretary, the most important and heated debate of our time has been put to rest. According to Gibbs, Obama will be able to keep his BlackBerry, though only a limited number of senior staff and personal contacts will have access to his email address, and the data on the handheld will be subject to the Presidential Records Act. There was no mention of the NSA or the Sectera Edge, though he does mention some enhanced security. In Gibbs' words:
"The President has a BlackBerry through a compromise that allows him to stay in touch with senior staff and a small group of personal friends in a way that use will be limited and the security is enhanced to ensure his ability to communicate, but to do so effectively and to do so in a way that's protected."
Finally, a clear indication that for the first time in the 21st century, the President of the United States will act like it's the 21st century. You can watch it all go down in the video after the break -- just crank it to about 45:30. Now, on to this economic stuff we keep hearing about...

[Thanks, Vipul]

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Apple Announces Final MacWorld, Steve Jobs Won't Deliver Keynote

by Joshua Topolsky on December 17, 2008 at 06:03 AM

digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/Apple_announces_final_MacWorld_no_Steve_Jobs_keynote'; Watch this space folks -- it's the end of an era. Apple yesterday issued a press release stating that this coming MacWorld in January will be its last, and Steve Jobs won't be on hand to say goodbye. Instead, Phil Schiller will be heading up the proceedings, thus marking a quiet end to a conference that's ... Read more »
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Oblong's g-speak: The 'Minority Report' OS Brought to Life

by Joshua Topolsky on November 23, 2008 at 08:32 AM

digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/The_Minority_Report_computers_become_reality'; If you've been waiting for that 'Minority Report'-style interface to really come to fruition, you can finally exhale. One of the science advisors from the Steven Spielberg film -- along with a team of other zany visionaries -- has created an honest-to-goodness, real-world implementation of the computer systems ... Read more »
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The Bacon iPhone Sleeve: For Discerning Eyes Only

by Joshua Topolsky on November 18, 2008 at 12:30 PM

Are you a classy sort of lady or gent? Looking for something understated and sophisticated to adorn your iPhone that says, 'Hey world, I've got refinement to spare'? You're in luck then, as German artist and rising accessories star Antje has created the bacon iPhone sleeve with which to adorn your precious, high-society gadget. It's the perfect thing to go with your meat iPod case, and your actual ... Read more »
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Mars Phoenix Lander Goes Silent, NASA Ends Mission

by Joshua Topolsky on November 11, 2008 at 11:10 AM

The inevitable has happened. Our friend, the loved and loving Mars Phoenix lander has gone quietly into that long, good night once and for all. Even though we joyfully joined the lander on its adventures as it Tweeted from beyond the stratosphere, and thrilled at its explorations, pitfalls, and pratfalls, try not to feel the familiar sting of humanity at the thought of our little robotic buddy ... Read more »
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iPhone 3G Overtakes the RAZR as Best-Selling U.S. Handset

by Joshua Topolsky on November 10, 2008 at 11:39 AM

digg_url = 'http://digg.com/apple/iPhone_3G_overtakes_the_RAZR_as_bestselling_domestic_handset'; According to a report from NPD, sales of cellphones have shifted in a manner which should shock and stun even a casual observer. Apparently for the first time in years, Motorola's ubiquitous RAZR has been overtaken in consumer sales... by the iPhone 3G. This is a watershed moment for handset sales ... Read more »
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