THE FIRE WIRE

Gadgets

Apple Releases iTunes 8.0.2

Apple has released iTunes 8.0.2, the latest version of its digital media management software. According to the release notes, the update addresses a quality issue creating MP3s on some computers, fixes a connectivity issue with the iTunes Store when using some internet proxies with Mac OS X, and improves accessibility with VoiceOver. iTunes 8.0.2 is available now as a free download from itunes.com or via Apple’s Software Update utility.

Tagged Apple

Advertising

Bruce Lee Ping Pong

A Bruce Lee look-alike plays ping pong with nunchucks for this Nokia ad.

Collectibles, Food & Drink

Limited Edition Star Trek Pez Gift Set

The crew of the starship Enterprise boldly went “where no man had gone before ” on their trek into the final frontier, and now they have journeyed into a new frontier – PEZ Dispensers. This attractive , limited edition, gift set ($19) includes the original crew of the Starship Enterprise as well as twelve (12) packages of assorted Pez Candy. The cast of characters includes Captain Kirk, Spock, Doctor McCoy, Scotty, Sulu, Chekov, and Uhura and the beloved U.S.S. Enterprise. Released in November 2008 with a run of only 25,000 units, this gift set is destined to become a collectors item.

Politics

Happy Thanksgiving From Sarah Palin

What an unfortunate spot she chose to conduct an interview! Saturday Night Live really should have Sarah Palin on their payroll. What will she come up with next?

Travel

The Clear Card

You don’t go to the airport to get stranded on some never-ending airport security line. You’re there to make a flight. Which is a great reason to get Clear. Clear is a high-tech card that gives you access to express security lines at airports across the country. Instead of inching along through airport security, you fly through in mere minutes, arriving at your gate stress free. If you are a frequent flyer then you might want to invest in the $199 annual membership.

Funny, Movies

Movie Anagrams

Worth1000 created this fun movie anagram contest. Select a movie, rearrange the letters in the title to create a new phrase and then alter the movie poster to show what this new movie would be like. ‘The Big Lebowski’ could become ‘Bikes Bowl Eight’ and show the the classic bowling scenes on bicycles. And who could forget the classic comedy/romance ‘Her Roommate Has Bitten Guys’ (aka ‘There’s Something About Mary’), or the action/adventure/automotive spectacular ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Used Car’? Check out the results HERE.

Gadgets

Business Week Gives The iPod Touch A Rare 5 Stars

They say sequels often fail to live up to the original. That’s not so with the second generation of Apple’s iPod touch. Apple has managed to make the touch look better, work better, and deliver more features—all for a $229 starting price, significantly cheaper than the previous entry-level $299 version. The changes, while subtle, are so significant that I give the second-generation touch a rare perfect score.

The touch, while an iPod, is close to the iPhone in lineage. It has the same touchscreen, plays music and videos the same way, and includes a wireless Internet connection that lets you access the Web from your home network and wireless hotspots, such as those set up by AT&T in Starbucks.

Apple tweaked the look of the touch, too. It’s a lot thinner than the previous touch, measuring 4.1 inches by 2.4 inches by 0.33 inches, and weighs a scant 4.05 ounces. The back sports a contoured stainless steel casing, whereas the updated iPhone switches to glossy black or white plastic.

Photograph

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60-Years-Old

A 20-year-old model was photographed as if she were 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 years old. See the results HERE.

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Politics, Video

Nobody Likes Bush

Watch as every world leader at the G20 Summit declines to shake President George Bush’s hand during a group photo op. As CNN’s Rick Sanchez puts it, this is almost sad.

Music, Video

A Collection of Songs That Get Stuck in Your Head

HERE is a collection of songs that are impossible to get out of your head. This link could be used for evil, but it could also be a resource for people who have one song driving them crazy and want to find a better one to replace it.

Event, Music

Second Annual Record Store Day Scheduled For April 18, 2009

The second annual Record Store Day takes place on April 18, 2009 and should include over 300 participating stores. To check on in store performances or coinciding release dates click HERE. Last year’s events included vinyl re-issues of Metallica albums and in-store signings from Steve Earle, Regina Spektor and Billy Bragg, amongst many others.

So here’s to helping stores spike their sales again. Find your nearest participating venue HERE.

Funny

20 Store Signs That You Just Can’t Make Up

HERE are 20 store signs that make you wonder if the owners have a sense of humor or just did not know any better.

3 Comments

Movies

The Shining Twins, Where Are They Now?

My friend Don Thompson writes THE FIRE WIRE and asks:

“I was thinking about the twins from the Shinning and was wondering, “Where are they now?” I know there are probably tons of people that fall in this category but the twins creeped me out sooooooo bad to this day I can’t watch them in the hall with Danny. Any photos or idea what they are up to?”

To answer your question Don: The Grady Twins from the Shining were played by real life twins Lisa & Louise Burns. They doubtlessly hold the record for being on screen the least amount of time yet making the scariest impact. Neither made another movie after The Shining. Instead, the lure of higher education enticed them both. According to weht.net, Lisa Burns earned a degree in Literature, while her sister, Louise became a microbiologist. To see what the twins look like today, click HERE. Pleasant dreams…

Tagged Stephen King

Television

LOST Season 5 Poster

Tagged LOST

Quiz

Vampire Quiz

How good is your vampire knowledge? Take the quiz HERE.

Finance, Funny, Video

Scary Financial Times

Food & Drink, Technology

Turk-Nology

Holiday cooking advice from Butterballis now available no matter where you are — at home, on the road, in the grocery store, or at the stove. Sign up to have text messages from Turkey Talk-Line experts sent straight to your phone. You can register HERE.

Movies

Final Spirit Poster

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Books / Authors, Comic Books

Marvel Chronicle: A Year By Year History

Marvel Chronicle is the definitive guide to the world of Marvel Comics. Written by Tom Brevoort, Tom DeFalco and Matthew Manning, Marvel Chronicle takes the reader on an incredible century-spanning voyage through seven tumultuous decades of Marvel Comics.

From the first appearance of the Apache Kid to the first time Spider-man dons his venomous black suit, this visually spectacular book chronicles the history and development of Marvel comics within the context of the real-world events that were unfolding at the same time.

This one-of-a-kind approach is coupled with the commentary of Marvel experts, and fantastic original artwork from early comics through today, featuring the work of Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Todd McFarlane, Jim Cheung, and many more, making the Marvel Chronicle the ultimate comic book adventure.

Dig into the archives of Marvel Comics with this massive compendium. Every iconic hero and villain of the Marvel Comics Universe is chronologically catalogued in this lush celebration of Marvel’s seventy year history including Spider-Man, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America and hundreds more.

The lavish fully illustrated 352 oversized (12.6 x 10.7 x 1.7 inches) page hardcover book is enclosed in a protective collectors box and includes 2 exclusive cover art prints. The book can be ordered HERE and would make a wonderful Holiday gift for the comic book fan on you shopping list.

Comic Books, Movies, Television

Stan “The Man” Lee Receives The National Medal of Arts

George W. Bush announced today the recipients of the 2008 National Medal of the Arts, managed by the National Endowment for the Arts, at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House.

Among those presented with the medals by the president and first lady were Los Angeles comic book writer and producer Stan Lee — creator and co-creator of comic book icons including Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk and the X-Men. The award was presented to Stan, making him one of only nine to receive this magnanimous award.

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Movies

Disney’s Beauty And The Beast To Be Re-Released In 3D

Disney Studios is adding “Beauty and the Beast” to its already packed dance card of 3-D pics it will unspool over the next two years. Disney is re-rendering “Beast” using its Disney Digital 3-D technology, and will release the film in 2010. A specific release date has yet been set. The movie’s original team of filmmakers, including producer Don Hahn and co-directors Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale will oversee the process, along with Sara Duran Singer, senior VP of worldwide post production at Walt Disney Feature Animation. The re-rendering is expected to take about nine months to complete.

“By going back to the original animation files, which have been carefully archived for 17 years, and using the separate background, effects and character animation elements, we’re able to come up with a fun and unique 3-D experience for existing and new fans of the film,” Hahn said.

The studio’s release schedule already includes 10 other films bowing in 2009 and 2010 — more than any other studio. It’s bowing the 3-D version of “Bolt” this weekend. Next year’s slate includes the “Jonas Brothers 3-D Concert Movie,” Pixar’s “Up,” Jerry Bruckheimer‘s “G-Force,” and Robert Zemeckis‘ “Disney’s A Christmas Carol.” In 2010, the schedule includes Tim Burton‘s “Alice in Wonderland,” “Toy Story 3,” “Rapunzel,” and “Step Up 3.” Disney is also re-rendering “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2″ in the 3-D format to bow in 2009 and 2010. (Reprinted from Variety)

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Gadgets

Cool Spy Gadgets

People keep developing and using cool new gadgets to spy on people. HERE is a list that can help you become the next James Bond.

Comedy, Television, Video

Monty Python Strikes Back