This podcast will be discussing plot points which may be considered spoilers. Consider yourselves warned.
In which, Andrew has a conversation with Santana Perez and Andrew Piovane about the hottest comics on the shelves this fall. Of course, Death of Wolverine is the big one, but there is a lot that is happening in the comic book world. There is also a discussion of up-coming comic book movies–especially Marvel’s Age of Ultron. As always, hilarity ensues. Continue reading →
Since its IPO, Facebook has been picking up smaller companies on a fairly regular basis in an attempt to improve the company’s profitability. The latest aquisition is Oculus, a company which makes VR headsets for gaming and 3D movies. Sure this is cool technology, but Facebook seems to be stretching a little too far outside its comfort zone with this one. In this article, Mark Zuckerberg talk at length at where they see the technology going in five or ten years, but the reality is that the tech isn’t that advanced yet and since the Oculus Rift isn’t widely available, it is not clear whether people will even adopt the device in any great numbers.
Oculus Headset
When it comes to wearable technology, I think Google Glass is the way to go.
One of Hollywood’s biggest fanboys, Patton Oswalt is going to be guest starring on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Oswalt, whose standup routines frequently feature references to geek culture, will play Agent Erik Koenig. Details about the character’s role in the show are still unclear, but Koenig as a comic book character dates back to 1966 with Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos.
Oswalt’s rant from Parks and Recreation is one of the funniest things I’ve ever heard, so I’m looking forward to seeing him on Agents, especially now that I’ve found my cable remote and have caught up on the show.
Slowly but surely Marvel has been leaking out little bits of information about 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron. Fans have recently gotten some nice clues, including what Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver will look like and a brand new teaser trailer that shows Iron Man’s helmet turning into Ultron’s head. One can only assume this is some hint at how Ultron will come into being.
I’m really glad Marvel is putting out a couple of movies a year now, because I don’t think I could wait till next summer without losing my mind if there weren’t other stuff to keep me occupied.
Wrapping things up is today’s Follow Friday (#FF): Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys). Eddie has provided us with his list of Steven Spielberg’s ten greatest films. I’ve got to say I agree with Eddie for most of this list. I don’t know that I would have included A.I.: Artificial Intelligence–though it’s been a long time since I’ve seen that movie so I may not remember how good it is. I also didn’t realize exactly how often John Williams composes for Steven Spielberg.
I would also like to know where The Animaniacs would fall on Eddie’s list.
For those of you, like me, who are stuck at home due to the snow, we have some Winning Science here to keep you company.
It’s said that every generation has it’s war. For my generation, it’s the War on Terror, specifcally the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Whatever your political views might be, I think we can all agree that we must take care of those returning home from these wars, especially those who’s wounds have caused serious changes in their life. The FDA, in association with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, has entered into clinical trials for a new prosthetic that will help these veterans, and all other amputees for that matter, take a step closer to their previous lives. The prosthetic requires the implantation of small sensors in the limb which read signals the signals coming directly from the brain. These signals are then transmitted to a belt pack which in turns controls the prosthetic.
The device is capable of 3 degrees of motion: wrist rotation, finger closing and extension, and lateral thumb movement. It does not yet allow a full range of motion, but is a significant step forward.
Generally speaking, it’s common knowledge that well ordered systems are more efficient that chaotic ones. Well scientists at the Brookhaven National Laboratory are turning common knowledge on its head. During experiments on lithium ion batteries, scientists discovered that batteries with less order, but excessive amounts of lithium performed equally as well as ordered batteries after 500 to 1000 charge cycles. Another benefit of more chaotic construction is volume stability (battery won’t expand as it ages). Researchers are now investigating what happens after even more charge cycles and exploring what other materials they can use.
Turns out my room wasn’t messy when I was a kid, it was more efficient. If only my mother had known that.
Who here doesn’t want a transparent computer screen, just like in the movies? I know I do. Thanks to MIT, that desire is a step closer to being reality. Not only that, but MIT managed to do it for about ten bucks. I am all about cheap cutting edge technology. The other fascinating part is that MIT’s screen, unlike many others, is visible from almost any vantage point.
I may not be Iron Man, but a man can dream can’t he.
Therefore I Geek 