Toyota commercial tries to give Sienna minivan some "swagger"

Toyota has been really struggling lately, with as much bad press as Tiger Woods.

During all the stories about recalls and brake problems, the (former) No. 1 automaker has released a dramatically updated version of its Sienna minivan, dubbing it the "Swagger-Wagon" in a series of uproariously funny commercials.

The latest, which features the sport model Sienna (bigger tires, aggressive rims, funkier styling) is the best one yet.

As for the car, I've not driven it, but it looks better than any other minivan on the market right now, though the new 2011 Honda Odyssey, which is totally redesigned, looks funky as well.

Call it Swagger-Wagon 2.

And now the new rap video/spot for the Sienna SE.

Netflix-like subscription service for audiobooks is neat idea

Simply Audiobooks ( simplyaudiobooks.com) claims it has enough listening material to take a 90-minute daily commuter through 47 years of daily driving (radio programmers might not want to hear that). But the Web storefront has a good idea: Create a Netflix-like subscription service for audiobooks.

You set up a queue online for books of interest. There are more than 22,000 books on disc in 33 categories. There are no due dates or shipping fees. Simply return a book when you're done. You can also download books. There are annual and monthly billing options.

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/05/07/1420387/iron-man-2-is-here-for-gamers.html#ixzz0nHI6D5N3

Iron Man 2, the game, lets you fly around as two superheroes

With any big blockbuster movie nowadays, you get the companion video game. Such is the case with "Iron Man 2" - which hits theaters today - and the video game of the same name, which also debuted this week for major videogame console systems.

To play, you choose between Tony Stark's alter ego or the War Machine, and you battle villains who can be as tall as skyscrapers. As with most hero games, your mission is - cue the dramatic music here - to save the world.

SEGA of America promises gamers will be able to customize their armored Iron Man suits in Tony Stark's secret lab and battle bad guys who are exclusive to the game, such as Crimson Dynamo and Ultimo.

Academy Award-winning actors Don Cheadle and Samuel L. Jackson voiced their characters from the film, War Machine and Nick Fury. Two-time Grammy-nominated heavy metal band Lamb of God created an exclusive song - "Hit The Wall" - for the game.

The game is rated T for teen.

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/05/07/1420387/iron-man-2-is-here-for-gamers.html#ixzz0nGawxiso

And the most popular videogame series of all time is....

Halo, according to the Guinness World Book of records, which surveyed gamers online for nine months.

Call of Duty and Legend of Zelda were No. 2 and 3.

Here's the rest:

Guitar Hero (#4), Metal Gear (#5),Super Mario Bros. (#6), World of Warcraft (#7), Gears of War (#8), Super Smash Bros. (#9), Grand Theft Auto (#10), Pokémon (# 11), Resident Evil (#12). Fallout(#13), Half-Life (#14), Sonic the Hedgehog (#15), Counter-Strike (#16),Runescape (#17), FIFA (#18), Kingdom Hearts (#19), Final Fantasy (#20), Pac-Man (#21), Madden NFL (#22), The Sims (#23), Tomb Raider (#24), WWE Smackdown Vs. RAW (#25), Rock Band (#26), LIttleBigPlanet (#27), Saints Row(#28), The Elder Scrolls (#29), (#30), God of WarGoldenEye 007 (#31), Bioshock(#32), KillZone (#33), Skate (#34), Left 4 Dead (#35), Need for Speed (#36),Chrono Trigger (#37), Gran Turismo (#38), StarCraft (#39), Ratchet & Clank(#40), Pong (#41), Tom Clancy's (# 42), Star Wars: Battlefront (#43), Battlefield(#44), Diablo (#45), Lego Batman (#46), Mario Kart (#47), Burnout (#48), Crash Bandicoot (#49) and Pro Evolution Soccer (#50).

New FIFA soccer game debuts Tuesday, Guinness celebrates

Tuesday, one of the most popular sports videogame series renews with 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

The Guinness World Records 2010 Gamer's Edition (yes there is a "world book" for videogaming) has highlighted some soccer records.

• Best-Selling Soccer Franchise: FIFA (EA, 1993 to present) EA has shipped more than 65 million copies, well ahead of Konami's PES (48 million). PES, however, debuted in 2001, eight years after FIFA.
• Largest Multiplayer Sports Game: FIFA 09 (EA, 2008) Allowing up to 20 gamers to play a match together, EA's FIFA 09 can accommodate more players than any other sports game. In online 10-versus-10 matches, each player assumes one of the 10 outfield positions on his team and plays there for the duration of the game. The only player not available is the goalkeeper.
• Fastest-Selling Title in the FIFA Series: FIFA 09 (EA, 2008) EA's FIFA 09 sold 1.2 million copies in the game's first week of release in October 2008.
• First Videogame to be Licensed by a Soccer Club for Recruiting Purposes: Football Manager 2009 (SEGA, 2008) In November 2008, the English Premier League's Everton Football Club signed a deal with game developer Sports Interactive to make use of the Football Manager 2009 database. Everton wanted to use the database to help with the scouting of new players, making the game the first to be officially used by a major soccer club for recruiting purposes.
• Most Real-Life Players to Appear in a Sports Game: Football Manager 2009 (SEGA, 2008) When Sports Interactive and SEGA released Football Manager 2009in November 2008, it featured over 5,000 playable clubs from over 50 countries, and at least 370,000 players and staff from around the world. Sports Interactive believes it has accurately predicted the rise of several world soccer stars, including Argentinean Lionel Messi.
• Longest-Running Soccer Series: Championship Manager (Eidos, 1992 to present) Management-focused soccer game Championship Manager has enjoyed an unbroken run of annual updates since its first release on September 1, 1992, a year before EA launched the FIFA series.
• First Soccer Game to Use the "Stadium" Viewpoint: NASL Soccer (Mattel Electronics, 1982) The first soccer videogame to offer a side-on, or "stadium", viewpoint was Mattel's pioneering NASL Soccer, which arrived on the Atari 2600 in 1982. This viewpoint has since become the default perspective for many of the leading action-focused soccer games, including the two genre-defining series FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer.

Man loses part of finger in iPad mall robbery

Be careful coming out of the Apple store with your iProducts.

Tim Tebow cover athlete for NCAA Footballl 11 videogame

Former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow will be featured on the cover of EA Sports' NCAA Football 11, which hits stores July 13.

Tebow was the first sophomore in history to win the Heisman Trophy following his 2007 season as the Florida Gators’ starting quarterback. In that season, Tebow became the first player in NCAA history to rush and pass for at least 20 touchdowns in a single year. Tebow is one of the most decorated college quarterbacks in history, winning the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s best quarterback in 2007 and becoming only the second player in NCAA history to earn the Maxwell Award, given to the nation’s top football player, which he won twice.

As for the game, NCAA 11 will, for the first time, reflect the real playing style of every NCAA Division I school. So running teams will run. Passing teams will pass.

The game, being developed in Orlando, will be available for PS3, PS2 and Xbox 360 at launch.

Get online Masters coverage early today (Woods in featured group)

Can't wait for ESPN's second round Masters coverage to sign on at 4 p.m. today?

Online coverage begins this morning at 10:45 a.m. with live coverage from Amen Corner. At noon, Masters Live will follow today's featured grouping of Tiger Woods (-4), K.J. Choi (-5) and Matt Kuchar (-2).

The Featured Group channel on Masters Live provides live video of selected pairings as they play at Augusta National. With the Woods, Choi & Kuchar pairing set to tee off Friday at 10:35 a.m, they should reach Hole No. 10 sometime between Noon and 1 p.m. ET. Viewers should be able to see at least half the round online.

Schedule for Masters Live Video on CBSSports.com and Masters.com for 4/9/10

Featured Group*

Friday, April 9: 12:00 Noon - 7:30 PM

Amen Corner Live*

Friday, April 9: 10:45 AM - 5:45 PM

15 & 16 Live*

Friday, April 9: 11:45 AM - 6:45 PM

Masters Extra

Friday, April 9: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

The Masters in 3D and bonus coverage options

Masters Golf fans will get multiple TV treats during this week's tournament.

-- The tournament will be streaming live in 3D at masters.com/3D

To view it, make sure to get all of the latest drivers and 3D Vision Video Player that supports video streaming. Check here for a quick guide on how to fire up the player.

2010 Masters Tournament 3D Live Broadcast Schedule (from www.masters.com/3D)

• Wednesday, April 7: 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Thursday, April 8: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, April 9: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m
• Saturday, April 10: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m
• Sunday, April 11: 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Note: replays of the live 3D broadcast will be available throughout the week.

Time Warner Cable customers throughout the Carolinas can view daily highlights in 3D on Demand. To see it, you must have a 3D TV and an Time Warner HD box with an HDMI output.

-- DirecTV is offering dedicated Masters Channels 700-705 all week, free to customers. HD version are also available. One channel will show the main network feed. Another will focus on Amen Corner, and a third on a featured group (think that might be Tiger's?).

--

Tiger Woods online video game out today

One day after Tiger Woods' official return to golf at the Masters, EA Sports has released the online version of his new video game.

The console versions (Wii, Xbox, PS3) will hit stores June 8.

EA Sports says "Tiger Woods PGA TOUR Online is the most authentic and feature-rich golf game you can play through a web browser." The game features HD graphics and requires no installation of software.

I was able to get up and going in about three minutes. And after you download an optional piece of software for better resolution, you pick one of the available courses and you're off and running. You can see how many other golfers are "playing" your course and chat with them. The game controls are simple. There's a mouse click to start the swing and another to stop it.

It takes about five swings to get the hang of it. And this is the kind of thing that could get you into trouble at work. The graphics are very realistic and the game involves wind and rain and greens that are fast and slow -- just like real golf. If you like the sport at all, this game will grab you fast.

In addition to the free areas, players can buy a monthly membership for $9.99, or an annual for $59.99 to get unlimited access to all the courses. You can earn points in the game to buy things in the golf shop, like new equipment and clothes for your golfers, but you can also buy points, too, for $9.99, $19.99 or $39.99.

Annual members will get a package of points to be used in the virtual pro shop.

Of course, better clubs allows you to hit the ball farther and more accurately, but I think you'll be able to earn points pretty quickly, rather than break out the credit card to buy them.

In addition to single player modes, EA Sports is also offering group tournaments. You will play with others throughout the world. Group leaders can set up personalized criteria for their tournaments, like picking your course -- and your playing conditions.

You can also instant message other players

This is well executed online game. I still prefer playing on a console with a wireless controller in my hand, but this is an awful nice distraction until the new console versions come out.

HP Tablet to challenge iPad?

Hewlett Packard released a new video showing off its upcoming Slate tablet computer. The video makes a point of showing off a direct USB connections and memory card inputs, things the iPad doesn't offer.

Could be interesting.

Apple sells more than 300,000 iPads on Day One

Apple released a statement today saying it had sold more than 300,000 iPads on Saturday, when the touchscreen computing device hit U.S. stores.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs said new owners downloaded more than one million apps and more than 250,000 e-books Saturday as well.

Some analysts predicted Apple would sell twice as many or more iPads, but considering this was Easter weekend, a family event that would keep most out of stores, that's not a bad start.

Also I think potential users are waiting on 3G models to arrive later this month (only Wifi models went on sale this weekend) and others might be waiting to hear initial reviews from consumers, instead of the journalist-driven ones, which have been largely positive.

Wall Street Journal: iPhone to Verizon this year

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple's ever-popular iPhone is indeed coming to Verizon this year.

Many industry pundits and analysts have speculated that the popular touch screen phone would come to what is generally considered the country's best overall network.

This is the most solid report yet.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple is readying a model that would use a technology that would allow the iPhone to run on Verizon and Sprint's networks.

Most industry insiders predict a new iPhone, version 4.0, to be released this summer, in keeping with Apple's past release policies. The 4.0 is expected to be thinner, faster and have much better battery life.

Some industry analysts are saying the new phone, called iPhone HD, will debut on June 22 and will have a front-facing camera, enabling video chat. It also allow multi-tasking (using more than one app at once).

Losing the iPhone exclusivity could be a big blow for AT&T, which has more than 43 percent of the country's smart phone users. Verizon has 23 percent.

In the fourth quarter of last year alone, AT&T activated 3.1 million iPhone users. All those iPhone users have created a drag on AT&T's network. Users often flood message boards (and reporter's emails) with reports of dropped calls and slow service. AT&T has been active to try to revamp its network and has taken steps here in Charlotte to improve.

For Apple, opening up the iPhone to more companies could mean more money. The company has sold 25.1 million iPhones worldwide, but Verizon has 91 million customers, many of whom are wanting to try Apple's touchscreen technology.

For the customer, this could be good. Earlier this year, Verizon and AT&T cut $30 off their unlimited service plans, dropping from around $150 to $120 per month.

If the iPhone hits Sprint, with its potentially $99 everything plan, my guess is that the other two companies would have to follow.

Stay tuned.

Apple's iPad arrives Saturday

Some analysts think Apple will ship up to 10 million iPads to customers, when the device becomes available Saturday.

This much we know: the new device will be available in all 221 U.S. Apple retail stores and most Best Buy stores this Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.

The iPad, runs from $500 to $840, and lets users browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, and read ebooks on a thin touchscreen about 10 inches big. Apple says the device has a battery life up to 10 hours.

Apple retail stores will offer a free Personal Setup service to every customer who buys an iPad at the Apple Store.

Lady Gaga comes to Rock Band

Hot pop singer of the moment, Lady Gaga, has a new four-pack of songs available for Rock Band.

Also out are new singes from 3 Doors Down, Mute math, the Subways and a Gaga cover song by Comedy Central's Eric Cartman ("South Park"). Cartman covers "Poker Face."

The songs will be added to the Rock Band music store of downloadable content next week for the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii.

The Gaga songs available will be "Bad Romance," "Just Dance," "Monster" and "Poker Face."

New Tiger Woods video game, with Ryder Cup feature, due June 8

We may not know when -- of if -- Tiger Woods will return to the golf course, but we do know when his new EA Sports videogame comes out.

Electronic Arts (and, of course, Nike) are two of the few sponsors who haven't backed away from or broken ties from the World's No. 1 golfer, who has spoiled his image with a series of extramarital affairs.

The new Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11 debuts on June 8 for the Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and iPhone platforms. Woods shares the cover with European golf sensation Rory McIlroy.

The big new feature will allow gamers to select a team and try to win the Ryder Cup. The Ryder Cup bi-annually matches a team of European stars, like McIlory, against their American counterparts.

In the videogame, players will choose the U.S. or Euro squad and participate in traditional Ryder Cup formats (singles, foursomes, fourballs and alternate shot). While in Ryder Cup mode, you can swap matches, so if one of your guys is doing poorly (or doing well) you can jump in and try to secure that "point" for your team.

Players can also take their team online in Xbox and PS3 version. Online, you can allow up to 24 players to compete head-to-head in the team mode.

The Wii version has added new swing mechanics using the Wii Motion Plus controller add on that will make the game more realistic for hardcore gamers or golfers. It now will read rotation or swing angle. The new "Tour Pro" swing mechanic will even check your swing plane, making the game a little like practice for real life golfers.

The Tour Pro swing also has a first person camera angle from the tee box to the green. EA Sports is calling it the "most immersive and authentic golf experience in any video game."

We'll get to find out soon -- and it'll be interesting to see if EA Sports can do good business with a Woods-driven product.

Get your iPad....On April 3

Apple will release its heavily anticipated iPad tablet device on April 3 and will take pre-orders beginning March 12, the company announced today.

The dates available are for the Wi-Fi model only. Apple plans to release a 3G enabled model in late April.

The iPad is a touchscreen device with a 10 inch screen that will let users do many functions that they currently use a laptop or desktop computer for -- web browsing, email, games, videos, photos, music -- in a lightweight hand-held device. The iPad will also have a built-in e-reader that many publishers are creating specialized content for.

iPad will be available in Wi-Fi models on April 3 in the US for a suggested retail price of $499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB. The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in late April for a suggested retail price of $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB.

ChangeWave surveyed 3,171 consumers and found a huge demand for the iPad, saying it was greater than the original pre-release demand for iPhone.

Verizon to allow Skype usage over wireless network

Wireless carrier Verizon plans to allow customers to use Skype over its wireless network. In late March, Verizon subs who have data and voice service plans will be able to download a Skype application.

Verizon will make the Skype application available on nine phones initially. Those phones include the new Droid and several types of Blackberrys.

That will allow users to make free calls to other Skype users, make international calls at Skype's low rates. Verizon said the Skype "app" will be always on, so users can see if a friend is signed on even when a phone is in standby.

Users might also take advantage of Skype's calling plans, which allow users to call any type phone. Skype has a $2.95 plan for unlimited calls to U.S. and Canada land lines and cell phones. It has a $12.95 plan that provides unlimited calls to landlines in more than 40 countries worldwide. You can also buy minutes as you need them.

What does that mean?

Consider a Verizon unlimited smart phone customer is currently paying $119 per month. He could go to a reduced minutes package and drop his Verizon bill to $89, planning to subscribe to Skype and making most of his calls that way.

AT&T U-Verse Adds Caller ID locally

Charlotte AT&T U-verse customers can now get caller ID on their TVs.

The new Caller ID on TV app lets customers view Caller ID and voicemail notifications on their TV. A small message appears on screen for about six seconds when you get a new call or voicemail.

Here's a demo video:

Game developers choosing iPod Touch over PSP, DS?

Interesting article on developers starting to prefer iPhone and iPod Touch over Nintendo DS and Sony PSP.

Game Developer Research says 19 percent of handheld game developers are now busy building games for the Apple products, which is more than double the amount for Nintendo DS and PSP developers.

Also the company says handheld games are 25 percent of the gaming market, up 12 percent since the iPhone and iPod touch became serious players.

I think the Apple model works. Customers can download games immediately for their systems. The games are much cheaper than games for the other systems, partly because you don't need packaging or shipping.

Sony has answered with its own downloadable game playing PSP version. I think handheld gaming will continue to head that direction, and sooner than you think, most of the games in GameStop or stores like that will be for home consoles.

And I wonder who'll be first to really push downloadable games at home. It's totally possible now, but of course, it would dry up a huge revenue stream for game companies. It would be nice to just download the Madden 11 update for, say, $9.99 instead of having to spring for a new game at $50 a pop.

Wouldn't it?