1UP Acquired by UGO; EGM to end print run
This is quite sad, yet expected news, coming out of Ziff Davis media. 1UP, the gaming section of ZD and parent of Electronic Gaming Monthly, has been acquired by UGO Entertainment. In addition to this, Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine will be ending it’s 20 year run.
I had a feeling something was up since 1UP hadn’t put out a new podcast over the holidays and since then. No Retronauts, no 1UP Yours, no 1UP FM.
Joystiq has posted a list of the 1UP staff who have been let go after the acquisition, many of them were 1UP’s top guys. You can find the list here.
My suggestion if you were a fan of 1UP’s podcasts. DOWNLOAD ALL OF THE PAST EPISODES YOU CAN!!!
iTunes goes DRM Free; Adds new pricing tiers
Announced today at MacWorld by Phil Schiller, Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing, Apple’s iTunes Music Store has gone DRM free and will have it’s entire catalog of albums DRM free by April 1st.
Starting now, however, you can upgrade your 128Kbps AAC Protected songs to iTunes Plus 256Kbps AAC non-DRM files for a small upgrade fee of 30¢ per song.
I have already upgraded all of my iTunes purchased songs to the higher quality and flexible format, total cost for the 40-something tracks came out to around $12.
Apple has also added new pricing tiers to their music selection. Songs will now be available for 69¢ and $1.29 in addition to the current 99¢ pricing.
Loading ...$2500 idea bounty
- Image by khilwat via Flickr
I have a ton of ideas – most of them are just plain nuts. But when I rea this post from andydrish.com – I got mad. I had this idea about 1 1/2 years ago – and don;t et me wrong, I know it wasn’t revolutionary at the time…but it’s the point.
Here’s an opportunity that any twenty-something should be checking out… Ramit Sethi is giving away $2500 to a twenty-something with an entrepreneurial idea. I started reading Ramit about a month ago. He’s a genuine guy that is truly interested in helping others reach their dreams.
This scholarship is looking for someone with past entreprenurial experiences, a socially innovative idea, and lots of passion. The winner will get a one time donation of $2500 and Ramit will mentor them as their projects begins to grow.
What I really want is a better way to track my brainstorms, I need to find a guy who knows flash. I know of a cool wiki plaform which had a killer API and would work perfectly.
Related articles by Zemanta
Consumers Union Buys The Consumerist
The Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, have acquired internet site The Consumerist as of today. Ben Popken of The Consumerist has stated in his news post,
What doesn’t change?
- Our voice, content, or independence.
- The blog stays free and open, no paid-subscription required.
- You keep your same commenter login and name.
We look forward to to serving you for years to come with the info and news you need to stay savvy. Onwards and upwards!
Read the full report.
Software Issue With 30GB Zune Confirmed
An article up on neowin.net has confirmed for the public that the 30GB Zune MP3 player has a major software glitch, stemming from a recent software update and the new year. Many are calling this the “Z2K” bug, jokingly, althought it partially fits the problem. According to Microsoft, they’re working on a fix for the software issue and should have it out as soon as it’s tested and confirmed. Apple has released that they shouldn’t have any issues with the coming new year and their MP3 players. You can read the full story Here.
FCC Chairman Alright with Porn
Just heard this over on Truemors, hopefully it’s the true part and not the rumor part. Apparently the FCC’s chairman, which is working on some form of free broadband, removed the requirement for a porn filter on the software. We’ll have more on this one as it developes.
New Round of Plushie Companion Cubes! Buy Nao!
This was released last friday, and I was stunned we didn’t have a spazmodic post on this right away! Valve and Aperture labs is pleased to announce the birth of a new round of plushie Companion Cubes! They were sold out so quickly last time that the good people of Valve wanted to sell a holiday round of them, and you can buy your very own lovably Companion Cube right here! Go buy one! Right now!
Loading ...Traditional Workplace is broken?
Image via Wikipedia
Trying to get back the 6 months of google reader starred content and I found a link to an article that hits way too close to home this week…the traditional workplace is broken. It was a 37 signals post, which referred to an azcentral post:
…employers need to rethink their rules a bit. Forget rigid 40-hour workweeks. Forget traditional company hierarchy.
Now, without a doubt this utopian wave of change might not be possible in all work environments, but the way we approach the workplace, and how these post-college employees are challenged, might set the tone for a much more symbiotic relationship when it comes to bringing them aboard.
This really hits me in the gut this week after a moderate company “workforce development” plan has seemingly left the company I work for in a bit of a re-org stupor. Kind of like a mashup of “who moved my cheese” meets “musical chairs”.
My favorite line might be:
“Simply put, employees are treated like children. They are not allowed to think for themselves, and there are too many layers of approval, just too much insulation that prevents anyone from doing anything. The traditional workplace is broken, and until someone realizes that, there’s always going to be conflict.”
Some of the best stuff happens after these two posts int he comments:
Vicki H: I think a lot big part of it is hierarchy in company’s. Most larger company structures are built on layers of structure and command. To do something truly innovative most larger company’s cannot get past levels.
Tim Jahn: Couldn’t have said it better (although I tried)! -The average employers are stomping the creativity and vision of their employees through bureaucracy, processes, endless meetings, paperwork…
David Andersen: Most people don’t agitate for significant change – and most managers aren’t interested in leading such change – because doing so does not follow the path of least resistance. That’s my theory.
I really hope it all smooths itself out in the name of corporate culture change – but man…it sure feel like a bad prostrate exam right now.
ATTENTION CORPORATE BLOG PATROL – IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE – PLEASE READ THIS:
To counter the “traditional workplace…We challenge them. We give them different, interesting projects. We encourage them to do something outside of work and teach us what they’ve learned. It’s no help to our company to hire someone based on a skill or to get stuff done.”
-
-
Featured Stories
-
Is Apple Nintendo’s Problem?
Is Apple Nintendo’s Problem?
Nintendo has seen a significant drop in profits lately and most say Apple’s mobile gaming platform is to blame. Nintendo themselves are even keeping an eye on Apple. Sony and Microsoft is no longer the thorn in Mario’s side. It’s the big “little i”.
Is Apple really the biggest issue Nintendo is facing or is it a larger issue? Most likely, a little bit of both. As a hardcore Nintendo fan, I can safely say that my favorite gaming company has failed me the past few years. It all began with the shoddy release of Twilight Princess, the lack of core titles for the DS and then the Wii games that were off-shoots of “Sports” started to move through the shelves.
What’s left for us? The Moms, families and kids are only going to enjoy their Wii for so long. Then, they will put it down for a new toy that’s promising family fun. I have it on good authority to say this since I’ve sold my Nintendo Wii. Why? Because my kids stopped playing it and moved on to something else.
Nintendo has forgotten about their core audience. They have been pumping out games for a brand new audience that were quite successful. You can only go so far with the “Wii-fit-sports-swimming pool-billiards-backyard party” franchise. Frankly, you can only go so far with any franchise. I have to admit, even Zelda is in desperate need of an upgrade. -
5 Awesome Nintendo character tattoos
5 Awesome Nintendo character tattoos
Like other uber geeks, we are the beautiful people and we have awesome taste in tattoos, clothing, games, tech, gadgets and nostalgia. A generation grew up on Atari, Space Invaders, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and the Mother of video game entertainment of the 1980’s – Nintendo. We proudly wear our dorky gamer badges on our bodies for all to see.
There are probably hundreds of thousands of Nintendo tattoos out there. We scoured the web to find our 5 favorite Nintendo character tattoos.
#5. Hey. Hey Listen!
Why Navi? Of all things, why Navi?! Because you said that as soon as you saw this tattoo. She’s embedded into your brain, the constant screaming of “Hey, hey hey listen!” and this brave man has made sure everyone will remember it. The tattoo is really well done, but we all hate him just a little bit.
#4. Stars and Ghosts, oh my!
This tattoo comes complete with invincible stars and a Boo. It’s quite obvious this girl loves her Nintendo. We love her half-sleeve and her stars. The original photo by Kotaku stated this woman’s husband was the tattoo artist. We love both of them just a little.
#3. 8 Bit Mario
Memories of throwing your controller when Mario died, moving the controller with Mario to make him jump and wanting to kill Toad when your Princess was in another castle come to mind when looking at this tattoo. The original tattoo is credited to artist Jon Poulson on Flickr.
Number 2 and number 1 are after the break
-
E3 2010 Predictions
E3 2010 Predictions
E3 2010 is a couple of months away. As usual, everyone is making predictions and speculating what huge announcements are coming. A lot of talk is revolving around Sony and Microsoft this year. There are hopes of long-awaited games finally coming out in the public eye.I wonder if Duke Nukem will finally come out? Sure. Right.
For E3 this year, I have a couple of predictions of my own. I am hoping that Nintendo redeems themselves and announces a new Legend of Zelda game. I see the game releasing during the 4th quarter of 2010. Gears of War 3 is another prediction. I don’t see it releasing in the 4th quarter of 2010. I see an announcement at E3 with the possibility of release in 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2011.
I asked on Twitter what your predictions for E3 are from The Geek Media’s Twitter and my personal Twitter. The answers after the jump. next
-
Is Apple Nintendo’s Problem?
-
-
-
