Today’s software update for the Apple TV brought two new features: support for NHL and WSJ content. In the release notes, Apple touts the new National Hockey League feature, which offers live games, highlights, scores, and more, as well as Wall Street Journal Live, which offers on-demand streaming of video content from the Wall Street Journal. In addition, the update also brings with it a new interface for movie trailers, which is highly similar to the prior interface for movies. The latest Apple TV Software Update—listed as software version 4.4 (3140) and iOS version 5.0 (9a334v)—is available now via the Update Software option in the device’s general settings menu.
Apple TV Update Adds NHL, Wall Street Journal Content & New Movie Trailer Interface
October 12, 2011Apple Releases iOS 5 For iPhone, iPad & iPod touch
October 12, 2011As expected, Apple today released iOS 5 for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The anticipated update offers over 200 new features, including a new Notifications system, Reminders app, Twitter integration, Camera enhancements, full support for iCloud, Wi-Fi Sync, PC-less setup, and more. iOS 5 is available now for the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad, iPad 2, third-generation iPod touch, and fourth-generation iPod touch via the Update feature in iTunes 10.5.
Apple Releases Airport Utility For iOs
October 12, 2011Apple has released an iOS version of its Airport Utility for configuring and managing Airport and Time Capsule wireless devices. The free universal app provides similar functionality to the Mac version, allowing users to manage Airport Express, Airport Extreme and Time Capsule devices from an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch. Users can see a graphical overview of the Wi-Fi network and devices, get more information about a connected Wi-Fi device and view and change base station and network settings, including restarting devices and updating firmware versions and configuring passwords, DNS and router addresses and DHCP reservations and port mappings. AirPort Utility requires iOS 5 and is available from the App Store as a free download.
Apple Releases Cards
October 12, 2011Apple has released Cards, its new app designed to allow users to create and mail their own personalized, professionally crafted cards directly from an iPhone or iPod touch. Cards is a free app whereby users can choose to create their own personalized, physical greeting cards from a selection of 21 different designs. Users add personalized messages and photos from the camera or iOS photo library and then choose a recipient from their iOS Contacts and submit the order to Apple which then prints the greeting card and mails it out to the recipient. Printed cards use a professional letterpress technique and are crafted from 100 percent cotton paper with an elegant debased design.
Available card designs are grouped into six themes for different occasions: Thank You, Holiday, New Baby, Birthday, Love and Travel. Location integration can automatically fill in the users’ current location when choosing a card from the Travel category or insert the location that a photo was taken when adding a photo to a card. Cards mailed to U.S. addresses can be tracked via the U.S. Postal Service Intelligent Mail barcode system and push notifications are used to provide the user with delivery status and other tracking information. A history of cards is also saved automatically making it easy to send the same card to more than one recipient. Cards is available from the App Store as a free download; users are charged via in-app purchase to send individual cards at $3 per card for U.S. destinations or $5 per card for international destinations.
Apple Releases iTunes Movie Trailers For iOS
October 12, 2011Apple has released iTunes Movie Trailers, a new iOS app that allows users to access new and exclusive movie previews in HD on their device. Users can browse trailers, clips and featurettes for both major Hollywood films and independent cinema along with high-resolution photos, a year-long calendar of movie releases and location-based showtime info. The application also allows users to purchase movie tickets directly from their iPad or iPhone. Favorite movies and theaters can be saved for quick access and images can be saved to the iPad photo gallery to use as desktop wallpapers or share with friends. AirPlay is also supported allowing users to view trailers on their Apple TV, and favorites can be pushed to multiple iOS devices via iCloud.
iTunes Movie Trailers requires iOS 4.3 or later and an iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad, iPad 2 or third- or fourth-generation iPod touch. iCloud sync requires iOS 5 or later and a valid iCloud account. iTunes Movie Trailers is available from the U.S. App Store as a free download.
Apple Releases Find My Friends
October 12, 2011Apple has released its new Find My Friends app. Find My Friends expands iCloud’s “Find My iPhone” option into a social app that allows users to easily share their location with a circle of friends. To use the application, users simply sign in with their iCloud Apple ID and can then send requests to friends to see their location which can be accepted using the Find My Friends app on the other device. Users can also choose to share their location with a group of friends for a limited period of time. Friends’ locations are presented within the app as either a list, ordered by proximity or on an integrated map view. The application also provides simple privacy controls and the ability to set parental restrictions. Find My Friends is a universal app requiring iOS 5 and is available from the App Store as a free download. Users can also find the app by visiting iCloud.com from Safari on their iOS device.
Apple Releases iTunes 10.5 With iOS 5 Support
October 11, 2011Apple has released iTunes 10.5, ahead of tomorrow’s launch of iOS 5 and iCloud. According to the release notes, iTunes 10.5 offers support for iTunes in the Cloud, Automatic Downloads, the ability to download previous purchases, the ability to sync with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices running iOS 5, and support for Wi-Fi synching. iTunes 10.5 is available now via Apple’s Software Update utility or as a direct download from apple.com/itunes.
iGenius: How Steve Jobs Changed the World Documentary To Air On The Discovery Channel On October 16, 2011
October 11, 2011Discovery has ordered a documentary on the life of the late Steve Jobs, with the Mythbusters duo, Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman on board to host.
“Someone once said that to follow the path that others have laid before you is a very reasonable course of action, therefore all progress is made by unreasonable men,” Savage said. “Steve Jobs was an unreasonable man. He didn’t simply give the public what they wanted, he defined entirely new ways of thinking about our lives in the digital space: productivity, creativity, music, communication, media and art. He has touched, directly and indirectly, all of our lives.”
The special has already lined up interviews with several key names to talk about the Apple co-founder and CEO, including: Lee Felsenstein, founding member of the Homebrew Computer Club, Daniel Kottke, who traveled to India with Jobs and who later become an early Apple employee, and John Draper, an engineer who gave Jobs his start. Musicians Stevie Wonder and Pete Wentz will talk about how Jobs’ innovations impacted their careers.
The one hour documentary, iGenius: How Steve Jobs Changed the World premieres Sunday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. and will air across Discovery’s portfolio of networks in 210 countries and territories.
More Information About Stephen King’s Limited Edition of The Dark Tower: The Wind Through The Keyhole
October 11, 2011Donald M. Grant is currently scheduled to release the limited edition of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower: The Wind Through The Keyhole in February 2012. The edition will have 6 full color plates and 11 black and white illustrations by acclaimed artist Jae Lee.
Stephen King has agreed to sign only 800 copies of a Deluxe Edition. In keeping with Grant’s policies of supporting long time customers, owners of Deluxe Edition copies of The Little Sisters of Eluria numbered 1-800 will have the first option to buy this Deluxe Edition.
The publisher will initially have a “postcard lottery” for unclaimed copies (which they expect to be very few) eligible for those who have a Deluxe Edition of The Little Sisters of Eluria numbered higher than 800.
There will be a 5,000 copy limited “Artist” Edition which will be signed by Jae Lee and will be issued in a slipcase. There will be no limitation for purchasing this edition.
Scribner has announced their release of a trade hardcover edition of Dark Tower: The Wind Through The Keyhole on April 3, 2012. Donald M. Grant will be producing a slipcase for the Scribner Trade Edition which will match the three slipcases they produced for the first seven Dark Tower books:
Grant is not taking orders at this time and the book prices are still yet to be determined. Updates will be announced in future issues of the Grant newsletter or at Stephen King’s newsletter which is available at stephenking.com.
The Trailer for The Avengers is Here!
October 11, 2011Marvel Studios has revealed the first full trailer for writer/director Joss Whedon’s The Avengers, starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård and Samuel L. Jackson.
Continuing the epic big-screen adventures started in Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger, the May 4 release is the superhero team up of a lifetime. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as SHIELD, finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.
Spend The Day At Pixar Animation Studios Annual Cartoon Art Museum Benefit On Saturday, December 10, 2011
October 11, 2011The Cartoon Art Museum, the only museum in the western United States dedicated to all forms of cartoons and comics, is delighted to host its eighth annual benefit at Pixar Animation Studios on Saturday, December 10, 2011.
From its inception in 1986 with the premiere of its iconic short film Luxo Jr. to its most recent full-length feature Cars 2, Pixar has charmed the world with its incredible computer animated creations. This year, there are two new ways to experience the magic of Pixar up close and personal at the studio’s Emeryville home:
The Fan Tier (11 a.m. — 4 p.m.)
The Fan Tier allows exclusive access to Pixar Animation Studios while helping to support the Cartoon Art Museum. Guests may tour the studio’s main gallery and view pre-production artwork from Cars 2. In addition, Pixar artists will be on hand conducting drawing demonstrations. You may purchase special Pixar apparel and merchandise at the Studio Store as well as bid on original and signed art by Pixar creators and other auction prizes. The event also features a screening of select Pixar short films (including One Man Band, Day & Night, and the Oscar®-winning Tin Toy) in the studio’s state-of-the-art theater hosted by Dr. Michael B. Johnson (Pixarian and CAM board member), who will lead a Q&A session with several of the filmmakers. The Fan Tier also includes light lunchtime snacks, treats, and a chance to meet and speak with Pixar creators.
Tickets are $250 per person, $200 for members of the Cartoon Art Museum. (Become a museum member and save!) Reserved rows for ten are available for $2,500. Doors open at 11 a.m. with the screening starting at 1 p.m. Treat your friends or employees to a day of animated fun.
To order tickets, please visit http://guestlistapp.com/events/73038
The VIP Tier (11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)
In addition to all of the benefits of the Fan Tier, VIP guests will be escorted to Brooklyn, Pixar’s new facility, for a late afternoon tour and a screening of the studio’s latest animated short La Luna with director Enrico Casarosa in the Presto Theater. The day will finish with a wine and dessert reception.
Tickets are $500 per person, $450 for members of the Cartoon Art Museum.(http://cartoonart.org/join-support/) Availability for this level is limited. Doors open at 11 a.m. with the screening starting at 1 p.m. Treat your friends or employees to a day of animated fun.
Pixar Animation Studios is located in Emeryville, California. Free parking is available on site. For more information, call 415-227-8666, ext. 300. To purchase tickets online, visit cartoonart.org. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
A2 Angle Shelf
October 10, 2011The A2 Angle Shelf ($1,750) is made from white MDF (Medium-density fiberboard) and measures six feet wide. The unit offers a total of 18 differently-shaped and proportioned cubbies in which to proudly display your books, toys, pictures and keepsakes.
Facebook App Update Adds iPad Support
October 10, 2011Today’s update to Facebook 4.0 finally adds native iPad support to the existing Facebook application providing an iPad optimized user interface with higher resolution photos, improved navigation and access to Facebook apps and games. Users can also zoom in on photos, updates and stories and share photos and status updates without leaving the news feed. The update adds several new features to the iPhone and iPod touch version as well, including improved searching and browsing, similar games and app support, bookmarks and improved navigation. Facebook 4.0 is as a free download.
Daniel Danger’s Poster For Mondo’s Mystery Movie, The Mist
October 10, 2011Last night for the second Mondo Mystery Movie was a screening of Frank Darabonts ‘The Mist’, and Daniel Danger did the print for it. Unfortunately, the poster was only available at the screening itself and Mondo wont be selling them online.
The artist had been asked earlier in the year if there were any movies he’d want to do, and Danger immediately requested Frank Darabont’s The Mist based on the Stephen King novella.
Below is the haunting poster.
Click on image to enlarge
PS Publishing To Release Collector’s Limited Edition of Stephen King’s 11.22.63 In November
October 10, 2011PS Publishing is releasing a collectors edition of Stephen King’s newest title 11/22/63 ( £99.99) in November. This slipcased edition is limited to 500 copies and comes with a DVD written and narrated by Stephen King. This limited edition contains a deluxe binding, photographic endpapers with the author’s facsimile signature.
Stephen King’s incredibly ambitious dramatic time travel novel, 11/22/63 is a what if? story like no one’s ever read before—a thousand page tour de force.
Full information about the book can be found here.
Drew Struzan: Oeuvre
October 10, 2011Drew Struzan has created some of the most iconic movie posters of the last 30 years, including E.T.. Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Goonies, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Blade Runner. Steven Spielberg called him his “favorite movie artist”.
Drew Struzan: Oeuvre ($50) is a gorgeous 320-page hardcover from Titan Books. The heavily illustrated book collects a full sampling of Struzan’s career — from his work in records to his movie posters to more recent commercial work. The book even includes a rare glimpse at the paintings he produces for his own enjoyment.
This sumptuous edition, with a foreword by George Lucas, features over 250 pieces of artwork, including all of Drew’s most iconic movie images, as well as other highlights from his career. The text was written by his wife Dylan, providing an intimate look at the man and his legacy.
The definitive collection of Struzan’s work; this is an absolute must-have for any movie buff and an unrivaled slice of both art and cinema history.
Mondo’s Iron Giant Print By Kevin Tong
October 10, 2011This week Mondo teamed up with the New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles to offer their famous Mondo Mystery Movies. The 3 day event was held on October 7, 8 and 9 and two shows occurred each day. The attendees have no idea what the movie will be until 5 minutes before showtime. The surprise element creates a high level of anticipation and it’s interesting to listen to everyone’s theories while waiting in line.
On day one the theater showed 28 Days Later and Hellraiser. Last night I attended the Iron Giant screening hosted by Leonard Maltin. Unfortunately I didn’t have a ticket for the second show, John Carpenter’s Assault on Precinct 13. Tonight the first feature was City of Lost Children followed by Frank Darabont’s The Mist.
Mondo worked with a different artist to create a poster for each film as part of the $75 entrance fee. Tickets sold out in a matter of minutes.
Iron Giant (1999), directed by Brad Bird tells the story of a lonely boy named Hogarth raised by his widowed mother, discovering a giant iron man who fell from space. Hogarth, with the help of a beatnik named Dean, has to stop the U.S. military and a federal agent from finding and destroying the Giant. The Iron Giant takes place during the height of the Cold War. This animated feature has received high critical praise (scoring a 97 percent approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes). It was nominated for many awards that most notably included the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation and the Nebula Award from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Brad Bird later moved on to Pixar to direct The Incredibles and Ratatouille.
The Los Angeles based artist Kevin Tong created the fantastic Iron Giant limited edition poster seen below. Harry Knowles from Ain’t It Cool News tweeted about the print saying, “The Mondo Iron Giant poster might be their very best work yet!”
Please follow Mondo on Twitter for future poster and event announcements.
Regular Edition, 24″ x 36″, edition size 245
Variant Edition, 24″ x 36″, edition size 70
Mondo To Release Drew Struzan Poster of Stephen King’s Dark Tower
October 9, 2011According to the twitter feeds of those lucky individuals attending the Mondo Mystery Movie tonight in Los Angeles, the popular movie poster company that was featured in the New York Times today will be producing another Drew Struzan poster in the near future. A few weeks ago, Mondo presented a Frankenstein print created by the famous film poster designer.
The subject of the upcoming print will be Stephen King’s The Dark Tower! Mondo will also be releasing a Frank Darabont Director’s series of posters starting with The Mist which will be given to Mystery attendees tonight. Does this mean that a Shawshank Redemption Mondo print could be a reality, I certainly hope so!
Combining my favorite poster company with my favorite author is too much for my brain to handle tonight. I will be eagerly combing the Mondo site for tidbits of information and posting updates here at THE FIRE WIRE. Below is an existing Struzan Dark Tower image to satiate your appetite.
I urge you to follow Mondo on Twitter for future poster and event announcements.
Steve Jobs At The Pearly Gates – New Yorker Magazine Cover
October 9, 2011Ricky Gervais’ UK Office Will Be Available On iTunes On October 24, 2011
October 9, 2011According to Ricky Gervais’ twitter account, “the original Office from the UK will be available to download for the first time on iTunes on Oct. 24th worldwide.”
This is one of my top 5 favorite series of all time; if you are a fan of Extras then you’ll love the Office. Do yourself a favor and download the entire 2 seasons and Christmas special.
Sony Considering A Steve Jobs Biopic
October 9, 2011Sony Pictures has begun negotiations to turn the life of Steve Jobs into a feature film.
The project, still in the early stages, would be based on the upcoming biography, “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson, set to be released later this month. Fully authorized, the book is officially described as follows:
“Based on more than forty interviews with Jobs conducted over two years—as well as interviews with more than a hundred family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues—Walter Isaacson has written a riveting story of the roller-coaster life and searingly intense personality of a creative entrepreneur whose passion for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing.
At a time when America is seeking ways to sustain its innovative edge, and when societies around the world are trying to build digital-age economies, Jobs stands as the ultimate icon of inventiveness and applied imagination. He knew that the best way to create value in the twenty-first century was to connect creativity with technology. He built a company where leaps of the imagination were combined with remarkable feats of engineering.
Although Jobs cooperated with this book, he asked for no control over what was written nor even the right to read it before it was published. He put nothing off-limits. He encouraged the people he knew to speak honestly. And Jobs speaks candidly, sometimes brutally so, about the people he worked with and competed against. His friends, foes, and colleagues provide an unvarnished view of the passions, perfectionism, obsessions, artistry, devilry, and compulsion for control that shaped his approach to business and the innovative products that resulted.
Driven by demons, Jobs could drive those around him to fury and despair. But his personality and products were interrelated, just as Apple’s hardware and software tended to be, as if part of an integrated system. His tale is instructive and cautionary, filled with lessons about innovation, character, leadership, and values.”
Jobs’ life was previously adapted as a 1999 telefilm, Pirates of Silicon Valley, in turn based on the book “Fire in the Valley: The Making of the Personal Computer” by Paul Freiberger and Michael Swaine. That film featured Noah Wyle in the role of Jobs.
Building A Better Shopping Cart
October 8, 2011Although this video is a few years old, I thought it might be interesting to individuals that care about teamwork, good design and innovation. I have talked about IDEO to many colleagues in the past and thought this video would provide a good snapshot of how this company thinks outside of the box – in this case designing a better shopping cart. This highly respected design and innovation consulting firm’s clients include Apple, Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, Microsoft, Ford and Steelcase and they have created a variety of iconic objects such as Apple’s first mouse, the Palm V PDA and Steelcase’s Leap chair.
To demonstrate its process for innovation for an episode of ABC’s Nightline, IDEO created a new shopping cart concept. IDEO considered issues such as maneuverability, shopping behavior, child safety, and maintenance cost.
The show concentrated on the design process, recording as a multidisciplinary team brainstormed, research, prototyped, and gathered user feedback on a design that went from idea to a working appearance model in four days.
The nestable steel frame lacks sides and a bottom to deter theft, and holds removable plastic baskets to increase shopper flexibility, help protect goods and provide a method to promote brand awareness. A dual child seat uses a swing-up tray for a play surface, and a hole provides a secure spot for a cup of coffee or a bunch of carnations.
One of the unique—and potentially patentable—features of the cart is the design of its steerable back wheels. Normally fixed straight for stability and familiarity, an easy sideways effort allows the wheels to turn left or right. Pushing the cart forward puts the wheels straight again.
In just five days the IDEO team took something ordinary and made it extraordinary.
The Comic Book Art of Rafael Grampa
October 8, 2011The house is quiet today and I had some free time to surf the web. I chanced upon this striking image of Batman and immediately had to know who the artist was and see more of his work.
The rendering was created by Rafael Grampa, a Brazilian comic book artist who utilizes fantastic lines and interesting layouts to create detailed powerful art.
Grampa debuted in the American comics market with 2008′s “Mesmo Delivery,” and has since created various pin ups along with art in Hellblazer, Daredevil, American Vampire and Strange Tales.
He is definitely an artist that I will keep my eye on; enjoy some of his amazing work below.
Steve Jobs, Revolutionary: An eBook From Wired
October 8, 2011It’s hard to imagine a better subject than the life and times of Steve Jobs—charismatic and difficult, mysterious and inspiring, with a biography that might have been plucked from Greek myth. In the wake of his death Wired presents Steve Jobs: Revolutionary, an eBook featuring Wired Magazine’s best stories about him. The anthology begins with a remembrance by Wired senior writer Steven Levy, who interviewed Jobs many times over the last two decades. Wired continues with six other stories that track Jobs on his uncanny rise, his dramatic fall, and his spectacular, unlikely return to Apple. Steve Jobs: Revolutionary is available through the Wired app in the iTunes Store. Free to subscribers; single copy, $2.99.
Steve Jobs Portrait Made From MacBook Parts
October 8, 2011Mint Foundry created this amazing tribute to Steve Jobs made entirely out of MacBook parts.

Posted by Larry Fire 

















































