Apple’s Show (And Tell) Time

We’ve been here before. Every time Apple - and Mr Jobs - schedule one of their big events we, the faithful, dutifully line up with our browsers, and hang on every word. Prior to the event we’ve discussed, blogged, and flamed about rumours, hopes, and desires.

And do they live up to our expectations any more? Perhaps more accurately: Are our expectations somewhat tarnished by the countless promise of “one more thing”?

Maybe the stakes are higher than they once were. Back when the iPod wasn’t “hip” and digital music was the domain of hardcore geeks and techies, these events weren’t such high profile. These days, they’re important.

And none of Apple’s recent events have been more important than this one. With mounting speculation suggesting that the iPod bubble was about to burst, Microsoft’s competing device on the horizon, and the holiday season approaching, Apple needed to reveal something big.

And, I think, they did. Not big in a “hardcore, techie geek way”, but big in a “continued dominance in the mp3 market” way. And I suppose, these days, that’s what counts for Apple. And what’s this big thing I think they’ve revealed? Coloured Nanos - that’s what.

The Nano is, as Jobs mentioned, the most popular MP3 player in the world. The best way for Apple to make it more popular is to introduce new colours - check - and to improve the range of sizes to suit a wider range of budgets - check. The new, and let’s not forget scratch resistant - Nanos are sure to be a big hit for Apple this holiday season, assuming they can meet the demand. I suspect the new Nanos are the shot in the arm required to carry the iPod line up to the true video iPod.

And what of the Video iPod? Sadly, unsurprisingly, and inevitably there was no sign of such a device. Instead, we’re treated to an updated 5G line of ipods - the iPod With Video. The new line of 5gs (so 5.5gs?) sport a brighter screen, improved battery life, and slightly tweaked hard disk sizes.

Nostalgia - Not What It Used To Be

I’ve just stumbled across Abandonia, a repository of abandoned games that are available for your downloadable amusement.

They’ve got such classics as 4D Sports Boxing, Abuse, Alien Breed, Alone In The Dark 1 and 2, Another World, Archon, Arkanoid, Barbarian 2, Battle Chess, Cadaver, California Games, Crusader: No Remorse, Dark Seed 1 and 2, Dungeon Master, Eye Of The Beholder, Flashback, Gods, It Came From The Desert, Jagged Alliance, Karateka, The Lurking Horror, Narco Police, Powermonger, Prince Of Persia, Shadow Of The Comet, Star Trek, X-Wing, Stronghold, Syndicate, UFO, Ultima Underworld, Veil Of Darkness, and the complete Sierra Police and Space quest series.

There are loads more titles on there. You’ll almost certainly come across your favourites. I’ve just stumbled across BloodNet - I missed it the first time I went through the list!

Warning: Downloading and playing these games will almost certainly destroy the great memories you have of them. Only attempt to get them to run if you’re confident that your blissful nostalgia will come to no harm! Having said that, some of these actually hold up quite well…

Enjoy.

Fido

I’ve just come across a post on Cinematical that mentions a film called Fido.

I have to see this film. It sounds like a Canadian Shaun Of The Dead, with Carrie-Anne Moss and Billy Connolly. The interesting part? Connolly plays the titular zombie, Fido. Man’s best friend, apparently.

The zombies have, essentially, been enslaved following their resurrection by freaky space dust (or something) a few years before the film is set. The origin sounds a bit silly (and has more than a little in common with Undead, by the sounds of it), but the prospect of Connolly playing a Bub-esque zombie character sounds too good to miss.

Now: How do I get hold of this before its DVD release next year?

Me And My Blog: 12 Months Of Blogging

Today, September the 6th, marks the 1 year anniversary of Is There Food.

12 months ago, that first post wasn’t massively significant; it was a simple welcome. The second post, two days later, was regarding a band called Sigur Ros that I’d just heard of Radio One. That seems like an incredibly long time ago.

Why? So much has happened since then. For a start, my son has got older. He’s started crawling, walking, talking. And while in one way it seems like that was only five minutes ago, thinking back on it seems like an age. But this isn’t a post about my son, it’s a post about my blog; my site, Is There Food.

I didn’t create any kind of success criteria for my site. What’s the point? Only a presumptuous fool would think they’ll automatically acquire readers, or recognition. I didn’t have any goals of achieving a certain number of visitors, or of coining in thousands of pounds thanks to Google adverts. At that point, I didn’t even think anyone would read my site.

On October the 12th, 2005 I posted a response to Apple’s “iPod with Video” announcement. To my surprise, amazement, and - if I’m totally honest - joy, I got linked to from C|Net’s article summarising the response. I was, as we say, massively chuffed.

I had, initially, planned on being a journalist. Maybe, in some wild fantasy, I was going to be a novelist. Throughout my more formative years, I wrote almost constantly. I can recall some of the short stories I wrote. I can even recall some of the outlines I came up with, which have never made it to written form. On certain days, I tell myself I’ll start writing fiction again.

It didn’t happen. I’ve got too much of an affinity with computers and technology. I can’t help it. Becoming involved with computers, be it support, or development, was - with that mythical 20-20 hindsight - inevitable. But through computers, I’ve returned to writing. Starting a blog seemed like a silly idea until I installed Wordpress. Writing regularly seemed like something I used to do, not something I do now. That said, the frequency of posts lately is perhaps not best described as regular. But I’m working on that.

I’ve Got Apple Sussed

So, Apple have confirmed their “special event” for September the 12th. The collective minds of the internet are predicting that said event will see the unveiling of the iTunes Movie Store, new iPods, Nanos, a humongous 23 inch iMac, a magic device that streams video across your network, and an attractive range of Apple pyjamas.

But I know what they’re actually unveiling. Oh yes. It’s so obvious.

Apple have sent out invites with the caption “It’s Showtime”. Which can only mean one thing. Forget iTunes, Apple are going to take digital entertainment in a whole new direction.

I give you: ShowTunes.

ShowTunes will feature the classic songs from all your favourite shows: Westside Story, Gone With The Wind, Guys And Dolls; you name it, it’ll be there. Steve Jobs has worked tirelessly, and endured untold horrors to deliver the most complete selection of musicals you could ever wish for.

Not only that, but ShowTunes will enable an unprecedented level of synchronisation with your iPod. You’ll be able to store song lyrics (for those important sing-a-long sessions), dance moves, and video versions of memorable performances.

Mark my words, Tuesday night will see the unveiling of Apple’s most important product yet. You’ll all want one. Now, all together now: The hiiiiiiills are alive…

Still running your 360 in SD?

Might I suggest you pick yourself up one of these?

A 19″ Widescreen monitor, for just over 100 of your English pounds, strikes me as a fantastic bargain. If anyone reading this is running their Xbox 360 on a standard definition set, I’d suggest they seriously think about upgrading.

Me? I’m tempted to get one for the bedroom…and the kitchen…and the bathroom…