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Droid RAZR now available in blue from Verizon
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Design, Google, Handhelds,
Not feeling all the black and (sometimes) white Android devices out there? Well, prepare yourself, because Verizon has announced that a blue version of the Motorola Droid RAZR is on the way. Just to be clear, the only thing changing here is the color, so you'll get the same 4.3-inch display and Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS that all the other RAZRs are rocking. The blue model officially goes on sale next week, but you might be able to find it at physical Verizon stores a little sooner than that.
Internet Explorer coming to Xbox 360, to be revealed at E3?
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: E3, Internet, Kinect, Microsoft, Rumors, Xbox 360,
Looks like Microsoft is finally ready to bring Internet Explorer to the Xbox 360 after many years on the market. It turns out that the company has been testing an Xbox-optimized version of Internet Explorer 9 that supports the Bing voice search feature that's currently available on the platform. As with most things that Microsoft builds for the Xbox 360 these days, IE will have deeply-integrated Kinect integration, allowing users to speak web pages into existence, and wave to navigate. No word yet on availability, but E3 is just a few weeks away, and we'd bet that we'll see it in all its glory there.
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| The Verge
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Complete Harry Potter book series available on Kindle Lending Library starting June 19th
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Handhelds,
Amazon and Pottermore have announced that the entire Harry Potter book series--all seven books--will be available on the Kindle Lending Library beginning June 19, bringing a huge slice of legitimacy to the service.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have reached this agreement with Pottermore. This is the kind of significant investment in the Kindle ecosystem that we’ll continue to make on behalf of Kindle owners,” said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com. “Over a year, borrowing the Harry Potter books, plus a handful of additional titles, can alone be worth more than the $79 cost of Prime or a Kindle. The Kindle Owners’ Lending Library also has an innovative feature that’s of great benefit for popular titles like Harry Potter -– unlimited supply of each title -– you never get put on a waiting list.”
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Who wouldn’t want to work in New Zealand (that’s the place where Peter Jackson filmed Lord Of The Rings).
Oktobor Animation is now accepting “portfolio and reel submissions for super-cool digital concept artists for pre-production including character, prop, and environment design on interactive, transmedia and CG animation projects.”
That’s fine, but what kind of thing are they looking for? They’d “love to see fantastical and epic environments, creatures, stylized characters, robots, vehicles, etc.”
If that sounds like a lot like comic book work, you’re not far off. Concept art for movies, TV shows and animation looks a lot like comic book art. And what are comic book artists if not conceptual artists?
Applicants need to be self motivated, and able to adapt to different styles with a great sense of lighting, color and composition. But my favorite is this: “a strong knowledge of anatomy and proportion, human and creature.”
Click to continue reading Comic Book Jobs: Concept Artist
Read More | Concept Artist
My local newspaper never carried Quincy by Ted Shearer, but I would occasionally see the strip in The Baltimore Sun when visiting family. I liked its “urban Peanuts” vibe, and I really liked Shearer’s artwork.
I recently snagged - thank you library book sale - a long-out-print copy of Quincy’s World, one of the type of once-ubiquitous reprint paperbacks that used to pop up in drug stores and newsstands back in the day. I read through it in one sitting and it was just as good, perhaps even better, than I remembered.
Quincy is a sort of “everykid” in the tradition of other comic strip archetypes like Skippy, Charlie Brown and Tiger. What makes him unique is his optimism, and his light-hearted outlook on his downscale urban setting. Quincy, the strip, is set in a city environment, in a low rent neighborhood populated by rundown buildings, broken fences, and abandoned lots.
Click to continue reading Forgotten Comics: Quincy by Ted Shearer
One way to get discounted printed comics is to actually work for a comic book store. And there's at least one job available.
G2K Games in Abingdon, Virginia is looking for an Assistant Store Manager. You'll be responsible for helping the Store Manager in every aspect of the store operation: "merchandising, inventory control, staff development, driving sales, ensuring company policies and procedures are followed in addition to providing exceptional customer service." You'll need a high School diploma or equivalent, and will need to be at least 18-years-old.
And, of course, a love of comics and/or video games is preferable.
Good luck, job seekers!
[Artwork: Comic Book Guy #3, from Bongo Comics]
Read More | Retail
Cadillac XTS buyers will get iPads pre-loaded with CUE tutorials
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Software, Transportation,
If you're planning on picking up Cadillac's new flagship vehicle this summer, the XTS, and you're also considering picking up an iPad, you'll wanna wait on that tablet purchase. In an effort to help new XTS buyers get familiar with the new Cadillac CUE infotainment system, the company is going to be throwing in an iPad with the purchase of each XTS sedan. The tablet will come preloaded with interactive manuals and tutorials that show off and explain all the features that CUE has to offer.
Apps that will be preloaded include OnStar RemoteLink, MyCadillac, and a custom app that specifically teaches buyers about the new CUE infotainment system. Check out a preview of Cadillac CUE that we shot, below.
Click to continue reading Cadillac XTS buyers will get iPads pre-loaded with CUE tutorials
The latest update to Mac OS X Lion is now available in version 10.7.4. According to Apple, here's what you should expect:
The 10.7.4 update is recommended for all OS X Lion users and includes general operating system fixes that improve the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac including fixes that:
- Resolve an issue where the “Reopen windows when logging back in” setting is always enabled
- Improve compatibility with certain British third-party USB keyboards
- Address an issue that may prevent files from being saved to a server
- Improve the reliability of copying files to an SMB server
You can grab the update now by using Software Update!
How to install Flipboard for Android right now
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Features, Google, Software,
As we reported, Flipboard for Android has leaked and is now available for download to pretty much any Android device, obliterating the Samsung Galaxy S III limited exclusivity window. Want it right now? Sure you do. Here's how to get it:
Click to continue reading How to install Flipboard for Android right now
Flipboard for Android leaks, available to all
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Google, Software,
When Samsung launched the Galaxy S III, one of the little touches of the presentation was that Flipboard would finally be coming to Android, with limited exclusivity to the Galaxy S III. Well, it looks like that's out the window. Now, if you're looking to pick up the Galaxy S III, no worries, you still get Flipboard. However, the app has leaked, and pretty much anyone running an Android device can install it, right now, long before the Galaxy S III even ships. You can grab the APK (Android installation file) over on the XDA-developers forum. We've got full instructions on how to install Flipboard for Android as well.
