Wow

ClearChannel has been working behind the scenes in a rather unsavory way to prevent the XM-Sirius merger from happening. I know ClearChannel is “evil” because it killed local radio years ago (I ask, who still listens to local radio, and why?), but its reliance on the government to protect its business is silly. Since when was it the government’s job to ensure your business is successful?

The national radio corp says XM-Sirius would have/already has too much spectrum. It says this threatens commercial, over-the-air radio, its bread and butter. It says you can’t go around saying XM-Sirius competes with every audio device (Note: Yes you can. I say it all the time.) because then that’d put regular radio under “intense competitive pressure” because things like iPods are unregulated. The fact is, I don’t listen to FM radio because I listen to an iPod. I’m pretty sure that’s called substitution, aka competition. ClearChannel also wants the XM-Sirius spectrum to tack on a HD Radio signal. Again, bail us and our friends out, government.

If you’ve read between the lines, you’ll notice that ClearChannel has a basic problem with the XM-Sirius spectrum. It shouldn’t surprise you, then, to learn that the whole point of its complaining to the FCC is to wrest some of that spectrum away. Classy.

Clear Channel continues anti-merger blitz [Orbitcast]

Source: Surrendering spectrum is the “end game” [Orbitcast]

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Remember Alone In The Dark? If you do, you might already know that a new version called Alone In The Dark: Central Park will be released for the PS3, Xbox 360, and the PC on June 2nd. Or if you’re like me, you’ll have remembered playing the original game but have had no idea that a new version was coming out.

At any rate, there’s a site called CentralDark.com that’s been set up by Atari with more details about the game. You’ll take on the role of Paranormal Investigator Edward Carnby as he discovers that “Central Park is hiding a secret.”

If you’ve ever been in Central Park after dark in real life, you’ll know that it’s hiding more than just secrets. Am I right? Am I right? Actually, I could be way off because I’ve never been there after dark except to ice skate once and there were plenty of lights.

Alone In The Dark: Central Park [CentralDark.com] via I4U News

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Wired.com has a great and in-depth interview with Microsoft Game Studios CVP, Shane Kim. When asked how Microsoft would ramp up efforts to do battle with Sony in Europe, Kim had this to say:

“Making sure that we own the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV from a platform perspective is really important. So how do we work with our partners there?

I think it really is about marketing, right? We already own it, I believe, from a content standpoint, because we have the exclusive episodes. And so Xbox 360 is still going to have the ultimate experience for GTAIV. But we have to make sure the customers know that. Because if you look back, again, to the role of GTAIII and what that played in terms of PS2’s development — in Europe as well, because it was huge in Europe — GTAIV, first time on our platforms, so that’s a great opportunity for us. We need to take advantage of it.”

For all intents and purposes we’ll leave it at that. But you should really give the interview a good once over. It’s rather informative and gives great insight into what the heads of game studios are constantly thinking about in terms of doing battle with other platforms.

It’s on like Donkey Kong!

Interview: Shane Kim Talks Xbox In 2008 [via CVG]

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Here’s a great idea for a wearable convergence device. It’s a knee brace that generates enough electricity to power smaller gadgets like cell phones, MP3 players, portable GPS systems, and even “a motorized prosthetic joint or an implanted neurotransmitter,” according to the PhysOrg.com web site.

The brace was developed by the University of Michigan and “works much like regenerative braking charges a battery in some small hybrid vehicles.” Tests were performed on six men walking 2.2 miles per hour on a treadmill while wearing the 3.5-pound brace.

The weight of the device did affect the wearer somewhat but the actual generation of energy did not. So assuming the brace can be slimmed down a bit, we might have a winner on our hands here, folks.

Knee brace generates electricity from walking [PhysOrg.com]

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The writers strike could be over. Disney CEO Michael Eisner has been quoted by CNBC and others as saying, “It’s over. They made the deal, they shook hands on the deal. It’s going on Saturday to the writers in general… A deal has been made, and they’ll be back to work very soon.”

Rumors of a deal had been circulating since last weekend, and picketing appeared to be dwindling in Los Angeles yesterday.

I sincerely hope the writers got what they wanted. I’ll be all over this.

Deal Reportedly Reached In Writers’ Strike [Slashdot] [and the TeeVee]

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Some French students have figured out a way to use the Nintendo DS to control a small robot. The above video shows someone controlling the robot by using the touchscreen, by tilting the DS and by using Pictochat.

Longtime readers will know that I think robots, in all their forms, are silly, but this I like. Today these kids are screwing around with robots and handheld video game systems, tomorrow they’re tackling real world problems. Take the Long Island Expressway, perhaps the worst designed road here in the U.S.

Nintendo DS + robot = awesome [SlipperyBrick]

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It’s been about 10 months since we first told you that “Tron” would be coming to XBLA and I completely forgot about it as I’m sure most of you have done. Today, Disney announced that Discs of Tron will be available on the 13th of this month. Details of the game can be found here. The forum is now up and running as well. Don’t forget to hit the former link for a sweet ass flash Tron-like game. It is Friday and I know you guys are going to get bored.

Press Release

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Awww, will you look at that? Brought to you by a company named Newman (not to be confused with Newman, left), it’s two halves of a heart-shaped MP3 player exchanging a tender kiss.

You and a loved one could exchange your own tender kiss before work, split the MP3 player apart, and each listen to your half on your separate trains. Then when you get back home, reattach the two MP3 players to become one passionately beating heart again.

Details beyond that are scarce, except that I think this right here might be the product page (my Chinese is a little rough non-existent).

Newman MP3 Player Breaks My Heart for Valentine’s [Mobile Magazine]

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Seems pretty straight forward. A Blu-ray player that will never get dated and a console that will likely stay on store shelves for years to come. Might as well.

Click here

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From what I understand, Nokia cellphones are among the best out there and Windows Mobile is among the worst mobile OS’s out there. So it totally makes sense for Microsoft to put pressure on the Finnish corp to release Windows Mobile phones. Microsoft wants Nokia to move in order to extend “synergies.”

And for no reason, here’s the earliest use of the word “synergy” I could find: “They speak only of such a Synergie, or cooperation, as makes men differ from a sensless stock, or liveless statua, in reference to the great work of his own conversion.” (HEYLIN Hist. Quinquart. I. 9)

Basically, Microsoft wants its Windows Mobile base to grow beyond the 6 percent market share it has now. Nokia’s Symbian already has a 70 percent share. Could be an interesting development, to see how these two play off each other. The thought of running WM on a Nokia is a little off-putting, I must say.

Microsoft urges Nokia to offer Windows Mobile devices [iTWire]

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