Why we’re not ready for mainstream Tablet computing…yet

Recently I discussed (albeit somewhat crudely) the mass flood of E-Reader devices that made their debut at the recent CES exhibition and what the future holds for Joe Average. I’d like to take this opportunity to reveal that yesterday I, yes me, despite the very best restraint I could muster, purchased an Amazon Kindle 2 which I will be collecting during my visit to Miami this coming weekend.

I expect buyer’s remorse to take effect by February 1.

Amid the guff surrounding the release of a new E-Reader device every 14.27 seconds during CES one player that kept it’s cards firmly pressed against it’s chest was Apple.

Until now. Read more »

First Gundam, now Giganator invades Japan!

I’m still squealing in delight that a full life-size Gundam was constructed and displayed in Japan. But today I learned of equal, nay, even greater news. Not satisfied with the epic Gundam construction, around ¥135m was raised to construct a life-size Tetsujin 28-Go!

I’ll give you a moment to pick your jaw up off the floor.

Secretly I am hoping the trend continues and more life-size constructions are planned. I assume I am not alone in hoping Patlabor is one of the titles being considered. How about the famous space battleship Yamato? Totoro? Or even a life-size Lynn Minmay? Maybe push the line a bit and hold a concert by Sharon Apple from Macross Plus!?

Maybe the West could adopt this trend and build a life-size Stay Puft marshmallow man! For now though, enjoy the wonderful photos posted at The Mainichi Daily News website in Japan (article is in English) and at Danny Choo’s excellent blog. You may also visit the official Kobe Project web site.

NOTE: The image in this photo belongs to user cwabs and the whole series can be found on Flickr.

After the hype: District 9 reviewed

I can recall with great fondness the last movie that generally made my jaw drop and my eyes tingle with delight. In Bruges was that movie. That movie I can honestly say hand on heart is the last movie that, as the final credits rolled, left me with a genuine feeling of satisfaction. One that overwhelmed me, made me think about what I had seen, take a few moments to let it all sink in and walk away knowing I had just watched something great. Something that would not feature on my all-time top movies list, but certainly rank highly in the list of movies I love. Read more »

あれまあ! Giant robot attacks Japan!

You may have seen this on your travels across the Internet already but this is the first I have seen of it and it’s honest to God (as a huge Gundam fan myself) one of the greatest things I have ever seen in my life. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the birth of the global phenomenon that is Gundam, the Japanese government (yes you read that correctly) comissioned a life size RX-78-2 replica standing at a towering 59 feet tall complete with moving head and over 50 lighting spots and a collection of awesome audio and visual effects.

You could sit this next to Michaelangelo’s David, Donatello’s Chellini Madonna and Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa I feel it is that important. The sad thing is in 2 months time the whole thing will be dismantled. Head over to this blog and have a look at some awesome photos and a full report on this amazing exhibition. Even better if you can get to Japan or live in Japan, go take a look for yourself! In other news, enjoy this video of a man with a samurai sword slicing a baseball traveling at a million miles an hour in half.

NOTE: The Gundam photo used to create my header was used without permission but can be found here.