April Fools' Day roundup: Google overload edition

<P align=center><img alt="" border="0" hspace="4" src="http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/5697/aprilfools0401201113016.jpg" vspace="4"></P>Ah, April 1st. It's that time of the year again when the internet is rife with odd news and pranks. As before, news sites like us end up with a healthy stream of tips throughout April Fools' Day (thanks, by the way), so let us round up some of the best findings for your comedic appetite. Contenders include the usual suspects like Google and ThinkGeek, the former of which dominating the gigglesphere this year with some new "features." We also have some interesting submissions from Hulu, a font company, and probably plenty more to come as the day progresses, so keep watching this space as we add new entries to this post. Right, let the fun commence after the break. <br /><P><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/01/april-fools-day-roundup-google-overload-edition/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">via</A></P>

April Fools' Day roundup: Google overload edition

Ah, April 1st. It's that time of the year again when the internet is rife with odd news and pranks. As before, news sites like us end up...

Continue Reading>>

The definitive 3D Blu-ray roundup

<P>The first wave of full HD 3D Blu-rays to appear in the UK were all brand-exclusives; to get your mitts on <EM>Monsters Vs Aliens</EM> you had to purchase Samsung 3D hardware, while to get copies of <EM>Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs</EM> and <EM>Coraline</EM> and you had to shell out for Panasonic kit. </P><br /><P>Yet the situation is improving with Walt Disney and Sony Pictures both allowing titles to go straight to retailers. At present, these are <EM>Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs</EM> and <EM>Monster House</EM> (both Sony) and <EM>A Christmas Carol</EM> (Walt Disney).</P><br /><P><img alt="Ice age 3d: one for all the family" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/Ice%20age%203D-420-90.jpg" title="Ice Age 3D: One for all the family" width="420"></IMG><STRONG>Ice Age 3D:</STRONG> <EM>One for all the family</EM></P><br /><P>Confusion may arise from the fact that, while Sony Pictures adamantly won't allow any of its films to be tied into hardware, the consumer electronics wing of Sony has woken up to the idea of following Samsung and Panasonic down that route, but has had to turn to Walt Disney for material. </P><br /><P>So while Walt Disney is releasing <EM>A Christmas Carol</EM> direct to shops, its films <EM>Bolt</EM> and <EM>Alice in Wonderland</EM> are being bundled with Sony 3D kit. The good news is that the exclusivity period for these titles is only 60 days, so they should be available to buy before Christmas. </P><br /><P><img alt="Coraline 3d: neil gaiman's spooky fairytale" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/Coraline%203D-420-90.jpg" title="Coraline 3D: Neil Gaiman's spooky fairytale" width="420"></IMG><STRONG>Coraline 3D:</STRONG> <EM>Neil Gaiman's spooky fairytale</EM></P><br /><P>In our list below, <EM>Piranha 3D</EM> is schedule for December 27. Beware that, for reasons known only to complete idiots, this is also being released as an anaglyph title in the UK, and distributor Entertainment in Video hasn't yet confirmed whether there'll be a full HD 3D version. So make sure you know exactly what you're buying if you go for it, or you might end up bitten. </P><br /><P>Full HD 3D completists should check out online auction sites such as eBay, where some people are selling on discs such as <EM>Ice Age 3</EM>. But be prepared to pay over £40 for a 3D BD… </P><br /><P><img alt="A christmas carol 3d: a heartwarming tale for a family get-together" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/A%20Christmas%20Carol%203D-420-90.jpg" title="A Christmas Carol 3D: A heartwarming tale for a family get-together" width="420"></IMG><STRONG>A Christmas Carol 3D</STRONG>: <EM>A heartwarming tale for a family get-together</EM></P><br /><P>Online retailer, Amazon has listings for a range of IMAX 3D titles distributed in the UK by a little-known company called Cornerstone Media International. Many of them are listed as coming in 2011, but three titles should be available to buy now (although, as these three have already had their release dates amended once before, we wouldn't be surprised if the situation has changed by the time you read this....). </P><br /><P>Across the pond It won't surprise many home cinema enthusiasts to know that the situation in the US is better than in the UK, with more titles available for 3D freaks to wrap their eyes around. Again, though, there are some exclusivity deals. </P><br /><P>Of most interest is the initial run of Warner 3D titles that hit stores on November 16, which included <EM>Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore</EM>, <EM>Clash of the Titans</EM> and <EM>The Polar Express</EM>, plus various IMAX docs. As Warner typically makes all its discs region-free, these may be worth importing (no announcements have been made for UK releases). Double-check the region code, though, before you get your credit card out. </P><br /><P><img alt="Polar express 3d: one of the first 3d blu-rays" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/Polar%20Express-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG><STRONG>Polar Express 3D:</STRONG> <EM>One of the first 3D Blu-rays</EM></P><br /><P>One US 3D title that is definitely region-free is Lionsgate's <EM>My Bloody Valentine 3D</EM>, but it's only available in Best Buy stores, so you may have more trouble importing a copy. Again, eBay might be your best bet. </P><br /><P>Another region-free platter in the US is <EM>The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Film in 3D</EM>. Whether or not you'd want it is another matter – it runs for only 64 minutes, is presented in 720p, and England were useless in the tournament anyway. </P><br /><P>Insatiable fans of 3D should also keep a regular eye on the German software market (poke your browser at www.amazon.de). Our European cousins often get tastier BD releases than we do, and the same appears to be true when it comes to 3D. They've been enjoying the three-dimensional fun of <EM>Clash of the Titans</EM> since August, and were able to buy <EM>Street Dance 3D</EM> before UK consumers, too (even though it's a BBC Film co-production). </P><br /><P>Put simply, there are probably more full HD 3D titles available than you may have realised, you just need to know where to look for 'em... </P><br /><P><STRONG>Software stock-take A complete list of the 3D Blu-rays confirmed for release UK 3D BD: Out now… </STRONG></P><br /><P><img alt="Monsters vs aliens: a samsung exclusive" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/Monsters%20vs%203D-420-90.jpg" title="Monsters vs Aliens: A Samsung exclusive" width="420"></IMG><STRONG>Monsters vs Aliens:</STRONG> <EM>A Samsung exclusive</EM></P><br /><P><STRONG>Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs </STRONG>(Panasonic Exclusive)</P><br /><P><STRONG>Coraline</STRONG> (Panasonic Exclusive) </P><br /><P><STRONG><img alt="Cloudy 3d" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/Cloudy%203D-420-90.jpg" title="Cloudy 3D" width="420"></IMG>Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3D </STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG><img alt="Monster house 3d" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/Monster%20House-420-90.jpg" title="Monster House 3D" width="420"></IMG>Monster House 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>Bolt 3D</STRONG> (60-day Sony Exclusive)</P><br /><P><STRONG>A Christmas Carol: Super Play</STRONG> (60-day Sony Exclusive)</P><br /><P><STRONG>IMAX Van Gogh: Brush with Genius 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG><img alt="IMAX grand canyon" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/IMAX%20grand%20canyon-420-90.jpg" title="IMAX Grand Canyon" width="420"></IMG>IMAX Grand Canyon: River at Risk 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>IMAX Dinosaurs Alive! 3D </STRONG></P><br /><P>----------</P><br /><P><STRONG>UK 3D Blu-rays: Coming soon… </STRONG></P><br /><P><img alt="Open season 3d" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/Open%20Season%203D-420-90.jpg" title="Open Season 3D" width="420"></IMG><STRONG>Open Season 3D </STRONG>(Nov 22)</P><br /><P><img alt="Step up 3d" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/Step%20Up%203-420-90.jpg" title="Step Up 3D" width="420"></IMG><STRONG>Step Up 3D </STRONG>(Nov 29)</P><br /><P><STRONG>Alice in Wonderland 3D</STRONG> (Dec 6)</P><br /><P><STRONG>IMAX Volcanoes of the Deep Sea 3D</STRONG> (Dec 6) </P><br /><P><STRONG>Piranha 3D</STRONG> (Dec 27) </P><br /><P><STRONG><img alt="Resi evil 3d" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/Resi%20Evil-420-90.jpg" title="Resi Evil 3D" width="420"></IMG>Resident Evil: Afterlife</STRONG> (Jan 10) </P><br /><P>----------</P><br /><P><STRONG>US 3D Blu-ray: Out now… </STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>Goldberg Variations Acoustica 3D</STRONG> (AIX Records)</P><br /><P><STRONG>Samsung Presents: IMAX 3D Triple Feature: Galapagos/Into the Deep/Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs </STRONG>(Samsung Exclusive)</P><br /><P><STRONG><img alt="My bloody valentine 3d" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/My%20Bloody%20Valentine-420-90.jpg" title="My Bloody Valentine 3D" width="420"></IMG>My Bloody Valentine 3D</STRONG> (Best Buy Exclusive)</P><br /><P><STRONG>Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>Clash of the Titans 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG><img alt="IMAX deep sea" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/IMAX%20Deep%20Sea-420-90.jpg" title="IMAX Deep Sea" width="420"></IMG>IMAX: Deep Sea 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG><img alt="IMAX space station" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/IMAX%20Space%20Station-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG>IMAX: Space Station 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>IMAX: Under the Sea 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>The Polar Express 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Film in 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P>----------</P><br /><P><STRONG>US 3D Blu-ray: Coming Soon… </STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG><img alt="Despicable me 3d" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/home-entertainment/home-cinema/3Dblu-ray/Despicable%20Me-420-90.jpg" title="Despicable Me 3D" width="420"></IMG>Despicable Me 3D Combo Pack</STRONG> (Dec 14) </P><br /><P>----------</P><br /><P><STRONG>Germany 3D Blu-ray: Out now… </STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>Clash of the Titans 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>Street Dance 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>Schock Labyrinth Dragster 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>IMAX: Wild Ocean 3D</STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Film in 3D </STRONG></P><br /><P>----------</P><br /><P><STRONG>Germany 3D Blu-ray: Coming soon… </STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore 3D </STRONG>(Dec 13) </P><br /><P>----------</P><br /><P><STRONG>2011 3D Blu-ray discs on the radar for next year... </STRONG></P><br /><P><STRONG>Tron Legacy </STRONG></P><br /><P>Walt Disney's sci-fi sequel should look and sound great on 3D Blu-ray </P><br /><P><STRONG>Avatar</STRONG></P><br /><P>Exclusive to Panasonic at first, but someone will flog their copy on eBay </P><br /><P><STRONG>Toy Story 3D </STRONG></P><br /><P>Already out in 2D, we expect a 3D version to follow in 2011 </P><br /><P><STRONG>Saw 3D </STRONG></P><br /><P>Argggh! Splat! Shriek! Gurgle...</P>

The definitive 3D Blu-ray roundup

The first wave of full HD 3D Blu-rays to appear in the UK were all brand-exclusives; to get your mitts on Monsters Vs Aliens you had to pur...

Continue Reading>>