iTunes 9.2.1 Is Now Available

iTunes 9.2.1 has just arrived in Software Update, bringing a host of bug fixes and new features.

According to the update, the new version disables older versions of incompatible third-party plugins, addresses minor issues, with dragging and dropping items, addresses a performance issue when doing a first sync to some devices, addresses an issue upgrading to IOS4 on an iPhone or iPod touch with encrypted backups, and fixes some stability and performance issues.

The new features and improvements include syncing with iPhone 4, synchronization and reading books on iPhone or iPod touch with iOS 4 and iBooks 1.1, organizing and syncing PDF documents as books for reading in iBooks 1.1, organizing apps on your iOS 4 home screens using iTunes, faster backups while syncing iPhone and iPod touch with iOS 4, and album artwork improvements to make artwork appear more quickly when exploring the library.

Introducing The ‘Small Type’ Modular Kitchen – Good Things Come In Small Packages

‘Small Type’ is a modular kitchen created by German designers Kristin Laass and Norman Ebelt. The prototype is intended to fit into small spaces and accommodate the diverse habits of its users. The focus of the mini kitchen is to provide a smooth work cycle and intuitive operation to those using the appliances and workspace. At only 1m² when closed, ‘Small Type’ serves as a dining table. When the table is rolled away, the full capability of the kitchen unit is revealed with a refrigerator, sink, induction cooktop, oven and storage space.

When the table is rolled out, all features of the ‘small kitchen’ are revealed

Induction cooktop and oven

Detail of retractable storage shelf

Mini refrigerator

Compartmentalized drawer

Victorinox SwissChamp XLT Multi-Purpose Swiss Army Knife

The Victorinox SwissChamp XLT Translucent Swiss Army Knife ($250) is the ultimate pocket knife that could have been conceived by “Q” for James Bond’s next mission. This handy versatile tool would put MacGyver out of business.

The well constructed multi-tool includes familiar and traditional Victorinox tools such as a fish scaler, chisel, wood saw, scissors, pliers and screwdrivers plus many tools you would not normally find in a standard Swiss Army knife.

One unique feature of this pocket sized device is the extremely handy assortment of double sided drivers nestled in a foldable bit tray.

The knife is made from first class stainless steel and comes with a lifetime guarantee against any defects in material and workmanship.

Amongst the 50 features and 20 blades are a:

- Large Blade

- Small Blade

- Corkscrew

- Can Opener with a Small Screwdriver

- Bottle Opener with Large Screwdriver

- Wire Stripper

- Reamer

- Key Ring

- Tweezers

- Toothpick

- Scissors

- Multi-purpose Hook (Parcel Carrier)

- Wood Saw

- Fish Scaler with Hook Disgorger

- Ruler (in/cm)

- Nail File with Nail Cleaner

- Metal File

- Metal Saw

- Fine Screwdriver

- Chisel/Scraper

- Pliers with Wire Cutter

- Wire Crimper

- Phillips Screwdriver

- Magnifying Glass

- Pressurized Ball Point Pen

- Straight Pin

- Patented Mini Screwdriver

- Sewing Eye

- Pharmaceutical Spatula

- Pruning Blade

- Electrician’s Blade with Wire Scraper

- Bit Wrench with 4mm & 5mm Hex Socket

- Bit Case with #0 Pozidrive Bit, #1 Pozidrive Bit, #2 Phillips Head Bit, 4mm Hex Bit, #8 Torx Bit, #10 Torx Bit and #15 Torx Bit

Leave your hefty toolbox in the garage and grab your handy Victorinox SwissChamp XLT Swiss Army Knife to accomplish your quick repairs!

Star Wars Cereal

Lucasfilm will be handing out Star Wars-themed cereal boxes to four-hundred lucky attendees at the upcoming Star Wars celebration convention in Orlando, FL. The cereal comes in sixteen different variations including Raisin Han, Greedos and Count Dookula!

Click on the image below to see all of the different boxes.

The 5 Levels of Inception

I saw Christopher Nolan’s eye popping thought provoking new film Inception last week and absolutely loved it. After watching the film you might have a few questions that this post might help to answer.

What follows should only be viewed by people who have already seen Inception. It contains heavy, critical spoilers which will impact your viewing of the film. If you haven’t seen Inception yet, stop reading and don’t come back until you do.

Click on the image below to read further.

Stephen King Talks About Under The Dome

Stephen King discusses the inspiration and writing process for his mesmerizing new novel, Under the Dome, available in paperback.

Extraordinary Uses For 16 Ordinary Household Items

Find out helpful ways to use dryer sheets, nail polish, hair dryers, plastic cups and more. You may want to print it out for reference.

The Town Trailer

Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) is an unrepentant criminal, the de facto leader of a group of ruthless bank robbers who pride themselves in stealing what they want and getting out clean. With no real attachments, Doug never has to fear losing anyone close to him. But that all changed on the gang’s latest job, when they briefly took a hostage–bank manager, Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall). Though they let her go unharmed, Claire is nervously aware that the robbers know her name…and where she lives. But she lets her guard down when she meets an unassuming and rather charming man named Doug…not realizing that he is the same man who only days earlier had terrorized her. The instant attraction between them gradually turns into a passionate romance that threatens to take them both down a dangerous, and potentially deadly, path. The Town will be in theaters on September 17th, 2010.

The Personal Submarine

This is the two-person submersible that can descend to a depth of 1,000′. Providing access to underwater features such as coral reefs, shipwrecks, and the sea floor, a completely transparent, climate-controlled 3 1/4″-thick acrylic pressure sphere keeps explorers safe while dipping even into the mesopelagic zone, offering a chance to see exotic, bioluminescent species such as lanternfish. With a maximum speed of three knots, it is powered by a 120- and 24-volt battery bank that provide up to six hours of continuous undersea adventure. The craft is propelled by two 3-hp main thrusters that provide fore, aft, and directional control and two 3-hp vertical/translational thrusters that provide up, down, and lateral control. A centrally located joystick with independent main and vertical/translational thruster controls enables precise positioning near undersea attractions. The craft’s dual-pontoon structure and broad freeboard ensure superior surface stability, even in high sea conditions. While submerged, four external 150-watt quart-halogen lamps illuminate subjects while a xenon strobe light and RF beacon alerts others of the craft’s whereabouts. The 56 3/4″-diameter sphere’s inner diameter enables comfortable, upright seating for passengers. A VHF radio provides surfaced communication and its underwater telephone communicates while submerged. It is equipped with a suite of standard instrumentation, including a barometer, thermometer, hygrometer, depth gauges, fluxgate and magnetic compasses, mechanical clinometers, pressure gauges, and a GPS receiver. Fully classified and certified as a +A1 passenger-carrying manned submersible by the American Bureau of Shipping. Includes comprehensive training. 10 1/2′ L x 8 1/2′ W x 6 1/4′ H. (6,600 lbs.)

Price – $2,000,000

I will ask them if they can send me one to review

Patton Oswalt Performing In San Diego On Friday July 23rd, 2010

Celebrate National Cheesecake Day at The Cheesecake Factory on July 29th and 30th, 2010

The Cheesecake Factory is celebrating National Cheesecake Day on Friday July 30th, 2010 with ‘Any Slice, Half Price’!

Facebook Fans can enjoy an even sweeter deal at their exclusive Preview Day on Thursday July 29th, 2010!

Click the ‘Fan Exclusive’ Tab HERE for your invite and be one of the first to try their new Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake or any other flavor for only $1.50 a slice! One coupon per customer. Please bring valid ID.

Book Cover For David Sedaris’s “Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary”

David Sedaris’s next book will be a collection of animal fables, and he’s turning to someone with a lot of experience when it comes to pigs for the artwork. Little, Brown and Company will release Sedaris’s Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary ($19.99) with the cover and interior artwork by Ian Falconer of Olivia fame.

Featuring David Sedaris’s unique blend of hilarity and heart, this new collection of keen-eyed animal-themed tales is an utter delight. Though the characters may not be human, the situations in these stories bear an uncanny resemblance to the insanity of everyday life.

In “The Toad, the Turtle, and the Duck,” three strangers commiserate about animal bureaucracy while waiting in a complaint line. In “Hello Kitty,” a cynical feline struggles to sit through his prison-mandated AA meetings. In “The Squirrel and the Chipmunk,” a pair of star-crossed lovers is separated by prejudiced family members.

Once again David Sedaris shows us the most outrageous, tender, absurd sides of ourselves in his “profoundly funny, well-crafted stories that somehow, magically, bring home a major point about fidelity or guilt or love”.  The 112 page hardcover will be available on September 28th, 2010.

The Social Network: Theatrical Trailer

David Fincher’s new movie based on Facebook has released a new trailer. The Social Network hits theaters on October 1st, 2010 and stars Jesse Eisenberg (Zombieland, Adventureland) as Facebook CEO Marc Zuckerberg, Andrew Garfield (the recently cast Spider-Man), and musician-turned-actor Justin Timberlake.

Disneyland Adds A Third World of Color Show Through Labor Day

As Disneyland celebrates their 55th anniversary this weekend, the park is  giving guests, cast members and “World of Color” fans one more thing to celebrate.

They are adding a third “World of Color” show at 11:15 p.m. every night through Labor Day.

Disney California Adventure park hours will be extended until 11 p.m. through Sept. 6, 2010. This will give guests even more time to experience all of the exciting nighttime entertainment at the Disneyland Resort.

Toy Story Mania and Mulholland Madness will remain open during performances of “World of Color” while the park is still open to guests.

Apple’s ‘Antennagate’ Press Conference Summary

Apple has posted a QuickTime video stream of its iPhone 4 ‘Antennagate’ press conference on its website. During the roughly hour-long event, Apple CEO Steve Jobs gave a presentation explaining Apple’s view of the antenna issues. In addition, the company has posted a pair of new webpages examining smartphone antenna performance and comparing that of the iPhone 4 to the BlackBerry Bold, HTC Droid Eris, Samsung Omnia II, and iPhone 3GS, and highlighting the company’s antenna design and testing labs.

During the conference Steve Jobs revealed that due to complaints over the iPhone 4’s antenna issue, Apple will be offering a free case to all customers who purchase an iPhone 4 by September 30th. According to Jobs, users will be able to apply for the free case on Apple’s website late next week, and the case will be shipped to them free of charge. Due to the low number of Bumper cases available, Apple also said it will be offering users a choice of cases beyond the Bumpers, but did not specify which cases would be eligible. For iPhone 4 users who have already purchased a Bumper case, Apple will be offering refunds, but will not be refunding those who purchased third-party cases. If the new case or bumper still doesn’t solve the problem, Apple will provide a complete refund to the iPhone 4 owner.

Apple also claimed that a fix for the iPhone 4’s proximity sensor issue would be included in the next update. The issue, in which calls can be accidentally interrupted by button presses and hang-ups, has been reported since the launch of the device. Apple did not specify when the update would arrive, or whether it would be a small, incremental update—like iOS 4.0.1—or included in the larger iOS 4.1 update, a beta of which was released to paid developers earlier this week.

Ready, Set, Bag Trailer

Every February competitive grocery baggers from across the country meet in Las Vegas to vie for the title of National Best Bagger. “Ready, Set, Bag!” explores the lives of eight state champions, following these delightfully fun, quintessentially American characters from local contests to their moment on the national stage.

The documentary will be in theaters on August 6th, 2010.

Thor And Captain America Will Be 3-D Films

It’s official: The hammer of Thor and the shield of Captain America will fly straight at moviegoers in 3-D. On Saturday, July 24th, Marvel Studios will showcase the final studio presentation at Comic-Con’s biggest room, Hall H, and “Thor” director Kenneth Branagh will use that climactic slot not just to introduce some of his cast (a cast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins) but also to persuade skeptical fans that 3-D will add new dimensions to the 2011 blockbuster, and not just in the obvious way.

“Thor” will be the first Marvel film in 3-D. The second will be “Captain America: The First Avenger” due July 22, 2011.

Marvel is planning on dropping additional bombshell announcements in San Diego about “The Avengers,” the 2012 film that, reportedly, will be directed by Joss Whedon. The creative force behind “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” will get a long, loud cheer if he is indeed introduced during the panel.

The Salsabol

The salsabol ($12.97) is an elegantly crafted ceramic bowl which features a curved rim that pushes your salsa or dip back onto the chip for the perfect scoop, every time.

You simply can’t spill salsa out of the Salsabol!

Use the coupon code VIVASALSA at www.salsabol.com for 50% off!

Simply scoop your chip up the high side of the 'bol, allowing the custom curved edge to flip the salsa back onto your chip before you finish your scoop. This process guarantees a no-spill-scoop.

The Goonies 25th Anniversary Collector’s Edition DVD Due On November 2nd, 2010

Warner Home Video has announced DVD ($39.92) and Blu-ray ($49.99) releases of The Goonies 25th Anniversary Collector’s Edition for November 2nd. Each will include a cast commentary with director Richard Donner and all seven actors, a Making of The Goonies documentary, a Cyndi Lauper music video “The Goonies ‘R Good Enough”, deleted scenes, and the theatrical trailer. On top of all that, each Collector’s Edition will include an exciting new board game, collectible storyboard prints, a 1985 souvenir magazine with captivating behind-the-scenes stories about the actual filming in Astoria, Oregon, including the production design that transformed Astoria into the “Goon Docks,” and a reprint of a 2009 article with updates of the entire cast, as well as producer Steven Spielberg and director Richard Donner.

iOS 4.0.1 iPhone Software Update Is Available For Download

iOS 4.0.1 is now available for download. According to the release notes, the software “improves the formula to determine how many bars of signal strength to display.”

The update works with iPhone 3G, 3GS, and 4. To install, simply sync your iPhone to iTunes and click the Update button on the Summary tab for your device.

iPad 3.2.1 Update Released

The iPad software has been updated to version 3.2.1. The update notes

- Improved Wi-Fi connectivity

- Fixed an issue that stops the copy/paste of single-page PDFs in Mail

- Addressed issues that causes video playback to freeze

- Improved reliability involving the video-out using the iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter

- Added Bing to Safari’s search options

The update is compatible with both iPad Wi-Fi and 3G, and is now available through iTunes. Hook up your iPad, then click the Update button on the Summary tab to update the software.

Elizabeth Banks Is Tinkerbell

Tinkerbell is getting ready to take flight at Disney in “Tink,” a live-action romantic comedy that has Elizabeth Banks attached to star and Adam Shankman, Jennifer Gibgot and McG guiding the pic’s flightplan to the bigscreen as producers.

The concept for the project, for which the deals are being wrapped up, plays with the mischievous nature of the Tinkerbell character.

Banks will also be seen alongside Paul Rudd in ‘My Idiot Brother’ which is due out in 2011.

Warner Bros Unveils Eleven Comic-Con Limited Edition Collector Bags

For the past four years, Warner Bros Entertainment’s limited-edition, signature oversize canvas tote bags have been a must-have at Comic-Con, with tens of thousands of fans flocking to the WB booth on the convention floor to snag what is often called the Con’s “ubiquitous accessory.”

Now when you sign in to the convention thus year you automatically get one. No more fights at the WB booth for them.

On one side of the bag will be artwork created for Comic-Con. On the other side of the bag there are 11 random designs (official site is here.)

The 11 images are: “The Big Bang Theory,” “Chuck,” “Fringe,” “Human Target,” “Nikita,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” “The Looney Tunes Show,” “Scooby-Doo!”, “Clash of the Titans” and “Brightest Day”.

Entertainment Weekly’s Comic-Con Issue On Stands Tomorrow

Fanboys of the world, get ready to go green. As all of Hollywood (and many a costumed nerd) gears up for next week’s Comic-Con convention in San Diego, Entertainment Weekly provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of next summer’s highly anticipated superhero movie Green Lantern. Ryan Reynolds stars as Hal Jordan, a cocky test pilot who becomes a ring-wearing intergalactic superhero in this massive sci-fi epic from director Martin Campbell (Casino Royale). Though Reynolds has prior experience in the superhero realm from his role as Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, playing Green Lantern involved some major challenges, like getting hurled through the air on a wire at up to 60 feet per second to create the illusion of flight. “The first time you do it, you’re seriously considering an adult diaper,” Reynolds says. Still, he couldn’t resist the chance to play the beloved DC Comics hero, whose power ring can conjure virtually anything he can dream up. “Will and imagination are his superpowers,” Reynolds says. “We need a circus of Timothy Learys to think of things Hal would invent with his ring.”

For more on Green Lantern, plus sneak peeks at other geek-tastic projects making a splash at Comic-Con, from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows to Thor to Tron: Legacy and more, pick up the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, on stands July 16th.

David Finch To Write And Draw A New Batman Comic Book Series Starting In November

Starting in November, David Finch will take the reins of Batman: The Dark Knight, a new ongoing Batman title featuring the hyper-detailed and kinetic artwork Finch has become known for plus his unique and yet classic interpretation of the Caped Crusader. The series will also see him paired with legendary inker Scott Williams.

Can’t wait until November? The fun begins in October, with Batman: The Return, a one-shot featuring Finch’s masterful pencils and words by Grant Morrison, kicking off a new era for the Dark Knight and giving fans a quick taste of what’s coming up for Batman.

The new series according to Finch is described as follows:

“The Dark Knight takes Batman outside what he knows, into a world of demonology, dark arts, and mystery. He’s the ultimate detective, faster, stronger and smarter than any villain, but now he faces creatures to whom logic and mortality don’t apply.

I want Dark Knight to be true to Batman’s street level, crime fighter roots. He’ll face a rogues gallery that we’re all familiar with, but this book will take him on a darker path where he’ll be stretched to his physical and psychological limits.”

Batman: The Dark Knight #1 hits in November.