Xbox 360 (Slim)

The new, slimmer, quieter Xbox 360 ($300) was announced today. In addition to a gorgeous, angular new case, the new 360 features a whisper-quiet design, built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi, a 250GB hard drive, and an included wireless controller and headset.

Starbucks to Offer Free Wi-Fi at All Stores Nationwide

Starting July 1st, Starbucks will offer free Wi-Fi nationwide, with no registration or account required. Even better, Wi-Fi will not be time limited.

Starbucks joins an increasing list of brands and chains to offer free Wi-Fi in its stores. For example, last December, McDonalds rolled out free Wi-Fi to nearly all of its restaurants across the country. Panera Bread also offers a similar program.

McDonald’s and Starbucks both have partnerships with AT&T, which, while often criticized for the quality of its wireless data network, is one of the largest Wi-Fi hotspot providers in the United States.

Starbucks was one of the first chains to offer Wi-Fi access to its patrons, first via an agreement with T-Mobile and then with AT&T. Starbucks visitors have been able to enjoy up to two hours of free Wi-Fi from their favorite coffee house, provided they are either an AT&T customer or they use a Starbucks Card to login. The new program will do away with any sort of registration, which will make those of us who always forget either our AT&T account information or can’t find our Starbucks cards extremely happy.

In addition to the new free Wi-Fi program, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz told Wired’s Chris Anderson that the company is also planning on rolling out a new Starbucks Digital Network in partnership with Yahoo later this fall. This network, which will only be accessible in U.S. company-operated stores, will offers customers free and unrestricted access to paid sites and services like WSJ.com and other content providers on their phones, tablets or laptops. (Thanks for the tip Don)

America, Meet Zach Anner

Oprah Winfrey and reality TV producer Mark Burnett (Survivor & The Apprentice) are joining forces in search of the next big TV star. People can upload their video audition or go to an open casting call if they feel they have that “IT” factor or think that they have something important to share. America can vote and help decide who should win.

Last week, wheelchair-bound lady magnet Zach Anner, posted his audition tape and discussed his many talents and an idea for a TV show designed to inspire people who never thought they could travel. The premise is fascinating; join Zach as he globe-trots to some of the most notoriously inaccessible locations and embraces the spontaneous nature of world travel! No matter what the obstacle, he’ll face every bump in the road with a smile.

The video has since gone viral and Zach’s campaign to get his own show has picked up quite a bit of interest. In this video he thanks everyone who’s supported him and offers to be in a Facebook relationship with you.

In a world where it seems like almost everyone has a reality show but no one has anything to really say, I think it would be refreshing to watch Zach’s travel show.  I would rather view that program than one where wealthy catty housewives constantly bicker or gelled Jersey teens get plastered every night.

I voted for Zach and you can too right HERE!

Kellogg’s Should Consider The Canister

The cereal box has not changed its design in over 70 years. Consumers have complained for years about their dislike in opening the bag inside the breakfast boxes because cereal frequently ended up everywhere but in their bowl. The bags couldn’t be securely closed, resulting in stale product and once the bag was opened the cereal amount was much less than the box size indicated.

The retailer Target took all of this into account for their Archer Farms Linearpak cereal container which has a unique oval tubular shape with a custom-designed polypropylene hinged overcap for easy pouring. The cap hugs the rim of the container keeping the cereal fresh after the package has been opened.

Sonoco, a global manufacturer of industrial and consumer products began work to develop the package after Target asked the Company for a newly designed cereal package to address customer’s concerns about traditional cereal containers.

In my opinion, other cereal manufacturers should take note and create similar packaging. The benefits would include honesty in packaging, longevity of product, cost savings in shipments and ease of pouring.

Microsoft Unveils Kinect For Xbox 360, A Controller-Free Gaming Device

Microsoft today unveiled Kinect for Xbox 360, a controller-free gaming device that Microsoft is positioning as an entirely new way to experience entertainment in the living room.

Previously code-named “Project Natal,” the Kinect label was released before the start of the Electronic Entertainment Expo in Los Angeles (E3) as part of a Cirque du Soleil performance that was inspired by Kinect’s technology.

The slim black Kinect sensor plugs directly into any Xbox 360. Despite its small size, the Kinect device contains a camera, audio sensors, and motion-sensing technology that tracks 48 points of movement on the human body. It has the ability to recognize faces and voices.

With Kinect, game-players no longer need to memorize different commands for a hand-held control. “You are the controller,” said Mike Delman, corporate vice president of Global Marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business. “You simply step in front of the sensor and Kinect sees you move, hears your voice and recognizes your face.”

The Cirque du Soleil show at Los Angeles’s Galan Center included few specifics about Kinect. Instead, it focused on the new experiences that it will enable. Microsoft will share more details – including the release date, and some of Kinect’s initial game and entertainment offerings – at a Monday morning news conference that will kick off E3, the gaming industry’s annual show-and-tell event.

Marc Whitten, corporate vice president of Xbox LIVE, said 2010 could be the biggest year yet for Xbox. “It’s an amazing year just when you look at the things people are expecting,” he said. “But we’re excited to also be announcing ways that make it simpler for everyone to enjoy the things we do. People who are intimidated by a controller or game pad will finally get to unlock some of the experiences that are possible in the living room, gaming and non-gaming alike.”

Much more news is expected Monday, Delman said. He believes Kinect will help Xbox get closer to reaching its goal of becoming the hub of games and entertainment in every living room. But while hard-core gamers are and will remain the cornerstone of Xbox and Xbox LIVE, Microsoft wants to use Kinect to reach a broader, new audience.

There are upwards of 40 million Xbox 360 consoles on the market. Kinect could help significantly increase that number because it appeals to traditional non-gamers such as young children, mothers, and grandparents.

6 Fast-Food Abominations

See the worst fast-food abominations (including a shocking new sandwich from Friendly’s) HERE.

Friendly’s newest sandwich creation, released early this month, is a burger and grilled cheese in one. At 1,500 calories, the Grilled Cheese BurgerMelt features the best of all worlds — a burger in between two grilled cheese sandwiches. With 1,500 calories and 97 grams of fat, it’s hard to imagine a worse sandwich than an item that is literally three sandwiches combined.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers About To Get Their “MOJO” On

On June 15th Reprise Records will release MOJO, the first new studio album from Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in 8 years. Already the album is garnering enthusiastic reviews with Rolling Stone senior writer David Fricke calling it “one of the best ever” by Petty and the Heartbreakers.

As Tom Petty explains: “Mojo is a huge opening of a door for us. Every now and then you hit something where you find some new ground, and this is definitely one of those times.”

The first track sent to radio just 3 weeks ago, “I Should Have Known It,” is enjoying success in the classic rock and AAA formats, reaching number one and number four on those respective BDS charts.

The Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers 2010 Mojo Tour started last week with two sold out nights at Red Rocks in Denver, CO. followed by a sold out show in Oakland. CA. The tour continues until early October and includes sold out shows at Madison Square Garden in New York and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Every ticket purchased to the tour comes with a download of the new album delivered via email on its June 15 release date.

In addition to the standard CD and download bundled with tour tickets, MOJO will be available in several alternative formats.

On June 29th, (two weeks after the standard release), in a first by a contemporary music artist, the album will be released as a stand-alone audio only Blu-ray disc which can be played in stereo or 5.1 surround sound. The Blu-ray disc contains 256 times more resolution than a CD, providing greater detail and reproducing the music’s full dynamic range, from the softest to the loudest sounds. In a 14-page cover story on the album the leading audiophile magazine Sound and Vision raved about the Blu-ray while calling the album “stunning.”

Also on June 29th, a special vinyl edition of MOJO will be released. The vinyl edition of MOJOis an 180 Gram 2-LP Set pressed at Pallas, Germany and mastered at Bernie Grundman Studios from the uncompressed 24-bit 48 kHz files.

Each copy of the vinyl and Blu-ray editions also includes a code to download the album in one of three formats: 320kbs Mp3, Apple Lossless, or FLAC.

iTunes will feature a special LP edition of MOJO. A preorder of the ITunes LP, now available, gets a buyer the first single “I Should Have Known It” immediately upon purchase. In addition to the standard 15-track album, the iTunes LP edition comes with exclusive music, videos and many other special features:

- “Little Girl Blues” – bonus audio track (exclusive)
- “Good Enough” – video (exclusive)
- “I Should Have Known It” – video
- MOJO road trip photos by Sam Jones
- MOJO album package art with Lyrics
- Scans of 4 hand written lyrics sheets from Tom’s own notebook.

Three performance videos from the album are available for viewing at TomPetty.com and via YouTube.

The album kicks off a new Music section of The Life on ESPN.com, offering sports fans an exclusive, free streaming preview of Mojobeginning June 8th until the album’s release on June 15.

June 12-14th Westwood One will air throughout their North American network a 90-minute radio special hosted by Jim Ladd during which Tom Petty, Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench take listeners’ calls and talk about the new album MOJO. Check www.tompetty.com for specific stations and air times.

Megamind Trailer

From DreamWorks, the studio that brought you “Shrek,” “Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda.” “Megamind” is the most brilliant supervillain the world has ever known. And the least successful. Over the years, he has tried to conquer Metro City in every imaginable way. Each attempt, a colossal failure thanks to the caped superhero known as “Metro Man,” an invincible hero until the day Megamind actually kills him in the throes of one of his botched evil plans. Suddenly, Megamind has no purpose. A supervillain without a superhero. He realizes that achieving his life’s ambition is the worst thing that ever happened to him. Megamind decides that the only way out of his rut is to create a new hero opponent called “Titan”, who promises to be bigger, better and stronger than Metro Man ever was. Pretty quickly Titan starts to think it’s much more fun to be a villain than a good guy . Except Titan doesn’t just want to rule the world, he wants to destroy it. Now, Megamind must decide: can he defeat his own diabolical creation? Can the world’s smartest man make the smart decision for once? Can the evil genius become the unlikely hero of his own story?

The 3D family comedy directed by Tom McGrath will be in theaters on November 5th and features the voice talents of Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill.

Where To Watch World Cup Soccer Streaming Live

The 2010 World Cup started on June 11th, and one of the best ways to keep up on the soccer will be to watching it streaming live.

HERE is where you can find the World Cup soccer matches streaming online!

Transparent Canoe

Constructed of transparent Lexan the Transparent Canoe/Kayak ($1,475) measures just over 11′ in length and is designed for comfort with a wide water displacement with lower deck seating (adjustable). Carrying two people (up to 425 lbs) in high visibility comfort, the see-through skiff won’t satisfy our hard-core enthusiasts, but the Transparent Canoe isn’t just novelty – the clear polycarbonate material is the same used in jet-fighter cockpit canopies and fastened to a lightweight anodized aluminum frame that keeps weight down to just 40 lbs, not included photo model. That makes this canoe lighter than many aluminum or wood canoes of similar size.

Includes two double-headed paddles, water bailer, and two polyurethane flotation bags. If you live near Denver, CO you can save yourself the $125 delivery fee by picking it up yourself.

Some Inspiration For Your Weekend: The Day Mr. Rogers Saved Public Television

In 1969, a young Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers to you and me) appeared before the US Senate to oppose strict budget cuts for public television by President Nixon. And he won them over with, you guessed it, lyrics to a special song.

Art of McSweeney’s Book

I have been a fan of McSweeney’s books and their Quarterly Journals since the inception of the small and very creative publishing house started by Dave Eggers.  Their books are works of art – desirable, whimsical and unique. In a world where critics say that print is dead, McSweeney’s counters with wonderful tomes that need to be picked up, read and admired.

Over the past 11 years, the San Francisco based publisher has created a novel with each cover hand-illustrated by the author. Literary journals bound by magnets, or designed to look like junk mail. The sharp wit, gorgeous design, and playful why not invention of independent literary publisher McSweeney’s have earned it a large and loyal following and made its journals, books, The Believer magazine, and Wholphin DVDs collectible favorites of readers and graphic designers alike.

Art of McSweeney’s was created by the McSweeney’s staff and published by Chronicle Books to commemorate their 11th anniversary, this book showcases their award-winning art and design across all the company’s activities. It features hundreds of images, interviews with collaborators such as Chris Ware and Michael Chabon, and dozens of insights into McSweeney’s quirky creative process and the visual experience of reading.

The dustjacket is a double-sided poster jacket featuring Dave Eggers drawings and short stories on one side and Charles Burns illustrations on the other; the book’s casewrap underneath mimics a school yearbook.

The book measures 9 x 11 inches and is 264 pages long. You can order the book HERE.

In the video below, designer Brian McMullen and publisher Eli Horowitz page through and talk about the book, showing off the Charles Burns sketch-to-final art pages, and demonstrating the cool foldout poster jacket.

HBO True Blood TV Promo

HBO Jr. Marketing Associate Brian Fisher appologizes on behalf of his network for taking the promotion of True Blood’s third season a splash too far.

True Blood season 3 premieres Sunday, June 13th @ 9PM EST.

The Twinkie Deconstructed

The photographer Dwight Eschliman was never a health nut himself, but he was raised by one; his mom kept her kids away from meat, dairy, or any kind of processed food. When Eschilman went away to college, he loosened up a bit, allowing himself to indulge in all sorts of previously forbidden treats, but by the time he had kids of his own, he found a renewed appreciation for simple, healthy food—and a renewed skepticism of chemical-filled, preservative-laden snacks. He’d also developed a love of disassembling objects and photographing their component parts.

“Thus, this project,” he writes in his photography book 37 or so Ingredients. “It’s the product of a kid that was raised to be suspicious of foods that weren’t assembled in mom’s kitchen, and bordering on obsessive compulsive.”

Check out his photographs of a Twinkie deconstructed into its basic components and ask yourself if you will ever eat the golden cream filled sponge cake tube again?

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TIME Talks To Justin Cronin, Author of the Next Big Vampire Novel

At last, the vampire is scary again. In a world riddled with safe, even chaste, vampire stories, author Justin Cronin’s The Passage is restoring our fears of bloodsuckers. As a strange virus discovered deep in the jungles of Bolivia spurs a medical experiment with apocalyptic consequences, an ex-federal agent finds himself having to protect six-year-old Amy, who is, unwillingly, the crux of the world’s end.

Cronin’s 750-page epic is part literature, part gripping horror yarn, but most importantly it’s a vampire tale that doesn’t feel cheap. TIME talked to Cronin about his scope for catastrophe and the staying power of the vampire story. Read the interview HERE.

Inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

TIME.com posted a great gallery of photos from inside Universal Studios’ new Harry Potter theme park in Orlando, Florida., where photographer Colby Katz got a sneak preview of the Hogwarts magic come to life. The park will celebrate its grand opening on Friday, June 18. CLICK HERE to view the gallery.

LEGO Minifigure Ice Cube Tray

This silicone LEGO Minifigure Ice Cube Tray ($8) will make you eight icy Lego minifigs at a time.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Will Be Released In Two Parts

Summit Entertainment confirmed last night that it will release Breaking Dawn, the final installment of The Twilight Saga in two parts. Production will start this fall with the first movie set to release Nov. 18, 2011; no date was announced for the second film. Bill Condon will direct both movies, and Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart, Billy Burke, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Jackson Rathbone, Nikki Reed, Ashley Greene, and Kellan Lutz will all reprise their roles. Breaking Dawn is a movie adaptation of the fourth book in Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series. The third movie, Eclipse, releases June 30th.

Blue Carpet and World Premiere of Disneyland’s ‘World of Color’

Disneyland’s “World of Color” premiered last night and opens officially tonght. Celebrities at the blue carpet event included Teri Hatcher, Geena Davis, John Stamos and Jamie Lee Curtis.

This video recaps the events from yesterday, including the blue carpet, opening ceremony and even gives a brief glimpse of the show.

Enter The Stephen King Blockade Billy Sweepstakes

Simon & Schuster has announced a new contest open to US residents in the 50 states and District of Columbia who are 18 or older which will run from June 11th-30th.  Ten winners will receive a limited edition Blockade Billy poster, a copy of Blockade Billy, and a copy of Under the Dome. Twenty runners up will receive a limited edition Blockade Billy poster and a copy of Blockade Billy.

For more information about the contest, rules, and to enter, click HERE.

Free Dinner And A Movie In June

OK, I realize that the “FREE” deals are not on the same day but you could freeze your hot dog on a stick and then thaw it out 6 days later to enjoy with your movie…

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 is free hot dog day at Hot Dog on a Stick, which celebrates 60 years of being in business. Stop by between 5 and 8 p.m. Tuesday. Muscle Beach Lemonade & Hot Dogs locations are also participating in this free food deal. No coupon needed. Find details on the Hot Dog on a Stick Facebook page.

Get your very own Redbox coupon code for a free movie rental when you “like” the Redbox Facebook page. Then click on Redbox’s Fan Freebie tab to generate your free movie rental code. The code is valid only on Monday, June 21, 2010 and expires at 11:59 p.m. CST.

The Disney Premier Passport

Disney recently announced a new premium annual pass that will provide admission to both the Disneyland Resort and the Walt Disney World Resort. It’s called “Disney Premier Passport” and it will feature the same benefits you get with the “premium” annual passes for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts for $700, plus applicable- sales tax.

Here is what you will get at Walt Disney World:

- Unlimited admission for a period of one year to all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks, including the ability to visit multiple parks on the same day.

- Unlimited admission to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach Water Parks

- Unlimited admission to DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex (valid only on event days; some events require an additional admission charge) and Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course (greens fee only. Tee time reservations are required and subject to availability)

- Parking at all four Theme Parks

- Subscription to Mickey Monitor, a collectible Passholder-only publication

And at Disneyland Resort:

- Unlimited admission to both Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure Parks for a period of one year, including the ability to visit multiple parks on the same day.

- Parking at any pay-on-entry parking lot

- Subscription to Backstage Pass.

- Complimentary subscription to Disney’s Family Fun Magazine (one per household)

If you’re already holding a Premium Annual Pass for both Resorts, you’ll automatically be issued a “Disney Premier Passport” – with an expiration date based on the later of the two annual passes. You may also upgrade your annual or seasonal pass for one resort to a “Disney Premier Passport” for an additional fee.

The Passport will be available for sale at the Disneyland Resort box office and Walt Disney World Guest Relations windows.

Download The Shins Cover Of Squeeze’s Goodbye Girl For Free

The Levi’s Pioneer Sessions online series has given us free mp3s of people like Dirty Projectors, She & Him, and Nas covering classic songs. And today, Levi’s is offering the world The Shins’ cover of Squeeze’s new wave nugget “Goodbye Girl”.

This is the first new piece of Shins music that we’ve heard since their lineup shakeup last year. For this recording, Mercer was joined on guitar by longtime Shins guitarist Dave Hernandez, on drums by Joe Plummer (Modest Mouse, Black Heart Procession), and on keyboards by producer Sean Flora.

Head over to the Levi’s site to download it.

Disney’s Tangled Teaser Trailer

Walt Disney Animation Studios has released a new teaser trailer for their 50th full-length animated feature Tangled. Directed by Byron Howard & Nathan Greno (the co-director and head of story on Bolt respectively), this new telling of the classic fairy tale Rapunzel (the original title of the film), will transport audiences “to a stunning CG fantasy world complete with the iconic tower, an evil witch, a gallant hero and, of course, the mysterious girl with the long golden tresses. Expect adventure, heart, humor, and hair, lots of hair.” The lead heroine is voiced by Mandy Moore while Chuck’s Zachary Levi will play a “dashing bandit” named Flynn Ryder who hits the road with the “rebellious, teenage hair apparent.” (Thanks for the tip D.T.)

more about “Disney’s Tangled Teaser Trailer“, posted with vodpod

22 Fictional Characters Whose Names You Don’t Know

You know these characters, but you might not know their full names. For instance, did you know that Cap’n Crunch’s full name is Captain Horatio Magellan Crunch?

Read more HERE and store the information away for future trivia nights.