There is still quality, you just need to find it.

Posted on January 20, 2014 by davynr

 

In this generation we are bombarded with movies, TV shows, webisodes, and clips from every angle. It is sometimes can be hard weed through all the information and find quality things. There is something for everyone. Much like music, there are different genres to fit different people and different moods. A song can have a beat that energizes you or calms you down, or lyrics that make you think, and we often forget that movies are the same. I recently saw a movie that accomplished its mission of making me feel. It was an independent film called Short Term 12. It centers around a group home for teens, and a couple that works there. You learn about some of the children and the struggles that each person goes through. It was a well crafted film, in my opinion, and had some very real moments. After I watched it, I was pleased to realize how much it made me feel.

I think we forget sometimes how artful a movie can be, because there are so many films made today that aim to get the highest profit. Not to say that those cannot make people think and feel as well, but you do not always need big flashy lights for that. Another movie I watched recently was Spike Jonze’s latest film “Her”. While I did not particular enjoy the plot of the film, it was very well done, there was a great production value to it. There were parts of the film I did not care for, but overall it was an interesting concept, executed well. I really felt for the character. I think there are some movies that just take a little longer to sell and you end up thinking about them later, realizing more about the movie than you originally thought. Those are just two of the most recent movies I have seen and left a lingering thought with me after they were over. Different things effect different people, and I think that is one of the great things about movies.

I believe people still want to feel, and think. There is still quality out there amid the mass production, and I think it is worth search a little to find something that will make you feel and think.

Posted in Entertainment | Tagged , , | Comments Off on There is still quality, you just need to find it.

Nintendo Is Struggling to Compete, Mobile Devices Could Come to the Rescue

Posted on January 20, 2014 by bri yost

Nintendo announced 2 days ago that they are looking at a loss of over $240 million due to the lack of success generated by the WiiU. In the competition between the three powerhouses of gaming, Playstation, Xbox and Nintendo, most consumers have chosen the PS3 and Xbox One. It’s Nintendo’s largest decline since 2001 and the future looks dim. Or does it? Nintendo released plans to develope a new business strategy, a plan involving mobile devices. Nintendo even considering mobile devices in its strategy has many gamers excited.

The reason? Nintendo, though currently struggling, is responsible for some of the most influential video game franchises in the history of gaming, such as Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Metroid, Pikmin and The Legend of Zelda. None of these games require high specifications incapable of being platformed on mobile devices. With the rise of mobile gaming, this could be a big change of direction for Nintendo.

Today more and more young people are getting involved in the gaming world through ipads, iphones, and tablets. Nintendo is a fan favorite for simple, yet addicting and fun entertainment and not only do kids love it, but previous and current adult fans could pick up their mobile phone and enjoy the old magic of Nintendo.

The future is unknown for Nintendo but with a new business opportunity, a committed team of developers, and a big fanbase of adoring fans it looks like things may be bright after all.

 

Posted in Entertainment | Comments Off on Nintendo Is Struggling to Compete, Mobile Devices Could Come to the Rescue

Instashopping: For the Girl Who Has It All, But Wants More

Posted on January 20, 2014 by rhinopm

Keep.com has successfully integrated women’s two favorite things: Instagram and shopping. The website has assembled a list of the top hundred or so of Instgram’s most influential fashionable users. What they do is follow these users to see the products and clothing they use and wear, then they locate such items and connect their customers with ways to purchase them online. They have yet to find a way to streamline their data collection so the process needs work in my opinion. Currently, if a woman posts a picture of her purse on Instagram, Keep.com  employees are simply asked to identify the brand or something similar. The goal of the website is to make Instagram “shoppable.”

I think if the company really wants to be profitable, they need to work with the Instagram users. If they directly contact the users, they can get more exact information and also encourage promotion of their own brand. For instance, if I were a user working with Keep.com, I would post a picture of my #ootd (outfit of the day in Instagram jargon) and caption, “Like this look? Check out Keep.com for outfit suggestions and styling tips.” They would get the clothing information direct from the me and save a lot of time that would be otherwise spent scouring the internet for a similar pair of shoes.

The website is still up and coming so I think over time, they will become more streamlined as their popularity grows. In my opinion, it’s a great idea to integrate the billion dollar mobile application and the multi-billion dollar industry of online shopping.

Posted in Business, Entertainment | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Instashopping: For the Girl Who Has It All, But Wants More

Google buys Nest, Bringing the ‘Smart Home’ and ‘The Internet of Things’ One Step Closer to Reality

Posted on January 20, 2014 by wnmcelveen

Last Monday news broke that Google had acquired Nest Labs for $3.2 Billion. Creators of the Nest Learning Thermostat, and more recently the Nest Protect Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector, Nest Labs specializes in making your home smarter. These appliances  learn your patterns and lifestyle, and make adjustments accordingly so you don’t have to. Even more interestingly, Google says Nest will remain intact as is, running completely independently of Google. Co-founder and CEO of Nest Tony Fadell, who is most famous for creating the iPod for Apple, will remain in his current position, which was quite surprising given Apple and Google’s long standing rivalry.
Google is most certainly no stranger to technologies that learn from their users habits, nor the idea of a connected home. In 2011, Google announced it’s ‘Android@home’ project, in hopes of getting it’s Android mobile operating system in many other devices aside from phones and tablets in order to create an ecosystem of household devices that all talked to each other seamlessly. However, aside from a few prototypes, and one failed project (the Nexus Q home media device that sold so few units it was pulled from Google’s store only a few months after release and was never mentioned again), nothing’s come of this ‘Android@home’ project. However, Google’s software is well known for it’s learning capabilities, most notably Google Now, Android’s personal assistant and competitor to Apple’s Siri. Google Now tracks your behavior and gives you relevant information based on what it thinks you will do next, and does this well.
One can only think that between the brilliance of Google’s learning software technology, and Nest’s award winning smart devices, the two companies sharing information, even with Nest working independently, will create a new smart ecosystem of devices that all talk to each other. Many people say that “the internet of things” will never work because all these manufacturers are basing their hardware on different technologies that don’t talk to each other. But my personal opinion, this will help solve that problem, as Android is an open operating system that anyone can use, allowing one manufacturer to create devices that talk to another manufacturer’s devices seamlessly. It may take some time, but I see the “Smart Home” and the “Internet of Things” becoming reality in the next 10 years or so, with all these devices talking to each other, and maybe the Nest devices become the ‘pure Google experience’ of home automation, similar to the “Nexus” brand for Google’s current Android ecosystem.

Posted in General | Comments Off on Google buys Nest, Bringing the ‘Smart Home’ and ‘The Internet of Things’ One Step Closer to Reality

Sochi Security: Putin’s Pet Project

Posted on January 20, 2014 by lauren gould

Vladimir Putin’s reputation is at stake when it comes to the Winter Olympics this year. Putin has promised security for the athletes and visitors this Olympics while under the threat of terrorism from Muslims extremists. This coming after bombings killed scores of people in Volgograd. Unlike most heads of state, Putin has personally assured the safety of the Games on behalf of the entire country, arguably making the games a bigger target as Putin’s reputation and image would be harmed if an attack were to take place against his behest.

Putin continuing to be the head of state despite accusations of fraudulent voting and murky political movements have put the Russian Governments legitimacy in doubt. Corruption seems to run rampant under Putin’s leadership, though it comes to no surprise as ex-KGB personnel continue to run the government. Separatist extremist continue to operate all over Russian in a vein attempt to gain independence from the former USSR. Putin’s interest personal interest in the games has only intensified the separatist objective by giving them a target to erode Putin’s already waning support as the head-of-state. Hopefully the world’s athletes and supporters will not be in the line of fire in what should be a politically internal matter.

Posted in General, Politics, War and Conflicts | Comments Off on Sochi Security: Putin’s Pet Project

Is FIFA the world’s soccer institution or a private company?

Posted on January 20, 2014 by samsheres

As the world media but specially the European media has been announcing for the past months over and over, the FIFA Balon d’Or 2013 awards was celebrated the past week on January 13th in Zurich, Switzerland. The European media kept on commenting about the duel between the three biggest soccer players at this time, but specially focusing on Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi.

The Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo and current player in Real Madrid F.C got elected as best player in 2013 over the two earlier mentioned players who play for Barcelona (Messi) and Bayern Munich (Ribery).

Cristiano Ronaldo already won the Balon d’Or in 2008, and apart of that arrived second on the world voting behind Messi during 2009, 2011 and 2012. The trophy was given by the soccer legend Pele and very excited with his son next to him, Cristiano received the prize.

Now I will analyze this event from my point of view and how I see it (As a Real Madrid fan, but also investigator of the media and the “mafias” that are involved with, and the benefits behind it, essentially…money)

So a few months ago, there was a huge issue made by the media but that actually happened. This event was based when Blatter (President of the FIFA) was asked to say which player was the best according to his opinion among Cristiano and Messi. He decided to make a “weird” imitation of Cristiano as a soldier, and compared with Messi saying he was the best. Of course this was not good for Blatter and FIFA’s reputation, so he apologized several times in front of the cameras. When Cristiano reacted by saying “yeah that is how the FIFA treats me…”

Nowadays, a few months after that happened, by coincidence or maybe not that coincidence, Cristiano is elected the best player in 2013. But I am sure they did not do this in order to improve the scratched image of the Blatter and the FIFA……

A few hours later Cristiano was elected as the champion, an interview realized by ESPN to Qatar’s national soccer coach undiscovered that some manipulation was done regarding the voting process for the Balon d’Or award.

According to the Qatar’s coach “I was told by my president to vote for Ronaldo to help Blatter clean up his image as a token of apretiation for bringing the world cup here”

So until here you make your own thoughts about it…my own thoughts are that the FIFA is just a private company that uses soccer as its product in order to catch the most bills possible!

 

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on Is FIFA the world’s soccer institution or a private company?

Collegiate Canine: A Student’s Life with a Pup

Posted on January 20, 2014 by felicia saunders

Sam… She’s about as rowdy as they come. Samantha or “Sammy” as my friends affectionately refer to her; she’s my German Shepard. Samantha is one of my biggest stresses, and my biggest joys all at the same time. She’s my roommate.

Five years ago she showed up in my living room. I was in high school at the time, still living at home with my parents. She was just a little ball of fur with paws bigger than her head. My parents were just as taken by her as I was. But soon, the New Puppy Syndrome had worn off and they decided that it was better if Sam was an outside dog. She was sent outside, against my wishes, and I went out twice a day to feed her and keep her company.

Freshman year of college brought about all the bad Ju-ju and the household I once knew came crumbling about as fast as my parents’ 20 year marriage. Everything was to be moved, including the dog; except…she had nowhere to go. All in one day I drove back home, took Sam to the vet and together we found a new home.

We found a suitable apartment and settled in…after the $300 pet fee (non-refundable of course). Other expenses included Heartworm preventative ($60), Flea preventative ($40), and a 50 pound bag of dog food ($22. Say goodbye to that in a few weeks). It’s amazing how quickly living on your own teaches you responsibility. Living with a dog puts that feeling on steroids. It’s filled with many nights of trying to get home early to walk the dog and wipe the hair off the bed. While I would never suggest this life to any other college student; it’s worth it to have her safe and happy with me.

Posted in Education, General | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Collegiate Canine: A Student’s Life with a Pup

Ever wanted to see your baby before it’s born? Well, now you can..

Posted on January 20, 2014 by jfishpaugh

Yep, you saw correctly. A California company is now creating fetus figurines so you can meet your unborn baby before it is born. These ‘real dolls’ are being created by Indigogo and their website claims that the dolls will be a “treasured family heirloom”. Does anybody else find this strange? Imagine your delight when your parents bring our your model of when you were unborn baby at your 21st birthday party. And there I was thinking baby photos were embarrassing.

A life sized model can be purchased for $600. Alternatively, you can purchase a 2-inch mini model for $200. You can even choose the skin tone for your replica unborn baby.

The model is created with 3D printing, which seems like an excellent use of the new ground-breaking technology doesn’t it? The models are made based upon 3D or 4D ultrasound images taken during pregnancy to create it as lifelike as possible. It’s funny to imagine how mothers-to-be no longer have to post Facebook photos of their ultrasounds to share the baby news with of all their friends, instead they can upload photos of them holding their unborn baby. If you weren’t wanting a model of your own unborn child, the company sells replicas of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s baby for $250.

The company was launched through a crowd funding campaign but not surprisingly, they only received $1,225 of the $15,00 they had hoped to raise. Although that didn’t put them off continuing the launch of the product. The Indigogo website states that “the company’s ultimate goal is to bring a smile to the faces of parents, grandparents, and other family members as they recall the day they met their little one”. But I feel the most memorable day, the day the baby is actually born should be the most significant. But maybe that’s just me.

 

Posted in Entertainment, Odd News, Science and Technology | Comments Off on Ever wanted to see your baby before it’s born? Well, now you can..

The Miami Heat Might Have Found Their Secret Weapon In the Center Position

Posted on January 20, 2014 by kbowerman

The Miami Heat are looking to build on the past 2 years and are hoping that a recent acquisition will pay major dividends. After winning the NBA championship in ’12 and ’13, the Miami Heat needed to make a move that would fill a void that has been plaguing them for many years, a dominant big man or center. Last week Greg Oden (C) appeared in his first game since the ’08-’09 season and provided a spark off the bench in 6 minutes of game time. The Miami Heat are now in the “testing” phase of the big man. With multiple surgeries on his knees, Oden is a major liability if he doesn’t preform and takes up critical cap space. Oden reported no swelling or major pain after his short stint and Heat president Pat Riley is optimistic about the Heat Playoff picture. The Heat are circling the date of the Eastern Conference Finals and expect the Indiana Pacers to meet them in this covenant series. The Pacers, who feature a balance mix of speed and power down low, battled the Heat last year in the Eastern Conference Finals and was one win away from going to the championship themselves. The Pacers center Roy Hibbert, who stands over 7 feet tall, had his way with Heat Power Forward Chris Bosh and now, with the addition of Oden down low, the Heat are waiting to see how their experiment is going to plan out. Greg Oden was the first overall pick back in the 2007 NBA draft and has been riddled with injuries and has been working dusk and dawn for the opportunity to bring the Heat not the first, or second but the third championship in three years.

Posted in Entertainment, General, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Miami Heat Might Have Found Their Secret Weapon In the Center Position

American Blade Runner is the Daytona 500 Honorary Race Official

Posted on January 20, 2014 by kmart239

Most of us have heard of South Africa’s blade runner, Oscar Pistorius. For those who haven’t, he was the Paralympic athlete who shined at the 2012 London Olympic Games- the first double-amputee to perform in the Olympic games. We have all also heard about his unfortunate downfall this past summer when he was accused of murdering his girlfriend and currently awaits trial. Fortunately there is a new blade runner, American Blake Leeper that is calling for attention- the positive kind. Leeper was born without legs below his knees. He started wearing prosthetics by the time he was nine months old. This never stopped him from trying to be an athlete and by age 5 he was participating in sports. He began competing as a runner in 2008 when he received blade prosthetics. He runs the longer sprints- 400, 200, and relays. Leeper was a silver medalist at the 2012 Paralympic Games and gold medalist at the IPC World games in France where his relay team was named Team of the Year.

As of now he is training for the 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro. If he makes the team he will be the first double-amputee to compete for Team USA. It was announced this week that he was named the Daytona 500 honorary official. He will participate in the ceremonies and ride in one of the pace cars. To have a competitor of his caliber represented at the Daytona 500 is something that athletes everywhere- amputee or not- can be inspired by.

Posted in Sports | Comments Off on American Blade Runner is the Daytona 500 Honorary Race Official