Pre-E3 2010: Nintendo

Gaming giant Nintendo is revving up for another excellent year of gaming at E3 2010. Although the Big N’s presence at the gaming convention these past few years has not been spectacular, they have positioned themselves to either blow everyone away with new software and hardware, or terribly disappoint fans and gaming press everywhere by giving another unsatisfying performance. The former is certainly more plausible than the latter, thanks to Nintendo’s own realization of previous years’ faults, and promises to right their wrongs with some great new product and breathtaking revelations.

Steps on How to Use Tethering on ANY Android Phone

I just found this really interesting (and free) way to circumvent many carriers' extra fees for tethering using an Android device. This works for both PC and Mac users, plus there is no need to root or do any modifications to the OS itself. Check out the instructions below for directions on how to accomplish this.

1. Install PDANet software (v2.11+)on your desktop and Phone. When you install it on desktop, if it doesn’t install usb driver automatically , you can use USB driver (or here) to install.
2. Make sure you have USB Debugging still enabled. Connect your Droid to the USB and on phone, launch the PDANet software. Click on “Turn PdaNet On”.
3. Once it is turned on, you can then go to your PC and “Connect” on the PDANet software on your taskbar.
4. You’re Done.

If you need Bluetooth Tethering, follow the additional steps below:

1. Pair your phone with your PC via bluetooth connection.
2. Create a Dial-up Networking Connection (DUN).
3. Select Bluetooth Modem Driver for the modem to use.
4. Leave the user/password blank.
5. Use “123″ as the phone number.
6. Dial the DUN and you should be good.

Note: Free PdaNet is trial version. Once trial expires, you can continue using PdaNet for free with limitations to http connections only or purchase the full version.

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Pre-E3 2010: Microsoft Conference Preview

Another E3 approaches, and Microsoft is preparing for one of their biggest shows yet. E3, for those not in the know, stands for the Electronic Entertainment Expo, and is one of the largest video game conventions in the world. Every year, the big game console manufacturers of the current generation – Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony – hold grand and explosive media events to hype up their future plans on their respective game systems. This year is the year of motion control, and Microsoft hopes to impress with their controller-less video capture device known as Project Natal. The question on everyone’s mind, however, is what will it take for Microsoft to amaze the media and those fans watching their press conference at home? Let’s take a look at what we know to date about their plans at this year’s show.

Still Gotta Catch ‘em All

To think that September 8^th, 1998 marked the beginning of the hugely successful Pokémon franchise in America; almost twelve years later, the phenomenon once thought fad, hasn’t gone anywhere but up in popularity. With the Pokémon video games taking the 2^nd spot in the top selling game franchises of all time, the trading card game having sold over fourteen billion cards worldwide, and the animé continuing to attract new and old audiences alike, Pokémon has never been healthier. What truly sets this franchise apart from any other “fad” like Pogs in the 1990s, or similar properties like Digimon, is the quality control put in place by both Nintendo (franchise owner) and The Pokémon Company (marketing branch) to ensure that each major component of the intellectual property keeps fans happy, and newcomers intrigued – starting with the games.

The iPhone Effect

Since Apple’s release of the first iPod a little more than eight years ago, their series of “iProducts” have slowly evolved and revolutionized the mobile device market. It has helped to establish Apple as one of the largest manufacturers of MP3 players and one of the most popular online distributors of digital music, movies, and TV shows. What makes Apple’s products so appealing is their focus on easy-to-use graphical interfaces, sleek and striking device designs, and extraordinary ad campaigns that have helped to persuade the mainstream entertainment buff and casual users alike that “iProducts” are the best choice for experiencing visual and audible distractions.

The Emergence of 3D Entertainment

If there is one movie that comes to mind as one of the most visually impressive and immersive films in recent time it is Avatar. It is in part due to its director James Cameron, and his vision to establish 3D film in the mainstream space. Not that 3D film is a relatively new phenomenon – motion pictures were produced in 3D as early as the 1890’s – but Avatar’s ability to draw the audience into its sci-fi world using advanced 3D effects is uncanny. Where most 3D films up to Avatar’s December ’09 debut normally used 3D visual tricks to scare viewers with “pop out” images and left much to be desired, Avatar proved to the overwhelming amount of skeptics that when 3D film is done well, it can greatly increase the entertainment value of a movie. And thanks to the successes of recent 3D films like Avatar and various Disney/Pixar films, 3D will soon be invading the homes of millions of Americans, with several tech giants like Sharp, Nintendo, and Sony bringing stereoscopic entertainment to the masses. Film will not be the only medium investing heavily in three dimensions: video games and even standard television programming are racing to produce enticing 3D content to further spur interest in the technology.