Web Designer and Developer
Matt
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Posts by Matt
Google Preview: View Before You Visit
Nov 16, 2010
Once again Google has taken another step towards creating the perfect search engine. They have released a new feature called Google Instant Previews, an easy way to preview a website in your search results before you actually visit the site. I’ve seen it done before but never as well as Google is doing it now. I can see this developing into a full blown fully functional site preview with a simple hover over search results in the future. Right now however the average person doesn’t have enough bandwith or monitor resolution for something like that.
More at Google Instant Previews.
Google Treasure Map Logo
Nov 13, 2010
Today Google changed their logo to celebrate the 160th birthday of Robert Louis Stevenson. Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
More @ Wikipedia.
New Bejeweled 3 Will Be Available 12/7/2010
Nov 1, 2010
Just over 10 years after the original Bejeweled was released, Popcap has announced Bejeweled 3. It will be available later this year on December 7. Some of the new features include collecting up to 65 badges, hi-res graphics, ultra smooth action and new gems. There will be 4 game modes to choose from. Chances are that the gameplay won’t be too different but if you ask me that’s a good thing. How do you fix something that isn’t broken? Bejeweled is one of my favorite game series and I can’t wait to see what Popcap has in store for us.
More @ Popcap.
Google's Scooby Doo Halloween Story
Oct 31, 2010
This Halloween when you use Google, you may notice something a little different. Okay so maybe it’s a little more difficult to make out the Google logo in these but they’re still a lot of fun and the story plays out like a typical Scooby Doo cartoon:
- The gang comes rolling down the street in the Mystery Machine and stumble upon a crime that needs solving.
- Everyone starts looking around for clues. Scooby Doo may need a Scooby snack to get himself motivated to do his part.
- Velma says ‘Jinkies!’ which signals a major clue being found.
- The characters have a run in with the bad guys and find out the key to unlocking their secret.
- The gang finds a way to capture the so called ghosts who turn out to be people dressed up in costumes.
And they would have got away with it if it wasn’t for those darn kids!
New Apple Products For Fall, 2010
Oct 21, 2010
Yesterday, Apple announced a bunch of new products and updates. To start off they introduced a new slimmer and smaller Macbook Air 11″. At 2.3 pounds, the 11″ MacBook Air is Apple’s lightest, most mobile notebook ever. The new MacBook Air’s (11″ and 13″) now use only solid state hard drives and gets up to 7 hours of battery starting at $999.
In addition to the new MacBook Air, Apple also showed off:
- iLife ’11 with New iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand
- Sneak Peek of Mac OS X Lion
- FaceTime on the Mac
More @ Apple.
Mario-Red, Limited-Edition Wii & Nintendo DSi
Oct 21, 2010
To celebrate 25 years since Super Mario Bros., Nintendo is releasing a limited edition red Wii and DSi XL. The systems will cost their usual price of $199 and $179 but will also come with a game (The New Super Mario Bros. or Mario Kart DS). I say grab a couple each. Two for you to enjoy and two to store in your closet for a few years and score big cash on eBay. In addition to buy the systems on the 25th anniversary site there are also some great videos to check out.
More @ Nintendo.
Netflix Streaming Now Disc-free on PS3, Wii
Oct 18, 2010
I love Netflix. For under $10/month you get tons of movies and TV shows delivered directly to your computer or DVD via mail. The most convenient thing for me however is Netflix’s streaming service via Wii or PS3 because it lets me watch my favorite movies right on my TV, where they belong. The only problem I had been having with the old Netflix streaming system was that the service could get lousy due to the disc having to be in in order for the Streaming service to work. I had to order 3 new discs over the past 6 months due to them simply not working.
Today however Netflix has gone disc-free for Wii and PS3. It’s been a long time coming. As I type this I’m watching “The Brady Bunch Movie” on my PS3 in my living room and in a few minutes I’m going to retire to my bedroom and maybe turn on the Wii and see how the disc-free service works on it. Thank you Netflix for continuing to be awesome and so reasonably priced compared to how much the cable company wants to deliver me cable TV.
More @ Netflix.
NES Turns 25 Today
Oct 18, 2010
Exactly 25 years ago today, on October 18, 1985, NES was first available in the US. The NES was so popular that it wasn’t until 1995 that they games were stopped being made for the system. During those 10 years over 60 million units of the popular console were sold worldwide.
Bejeweled 2 Free Today Only!
Oct 10, 2010
On October 10, Popcap is celebrating 10 years of Bejeweled, and have you a little something for us: Free Bejeweled 2! Hurry up and download it as the offer is good for today only (10/10/2010).
More @ Popcap.
Introducing Google TV
Oct 6, 2010
It’s always been difficult to watch TV shows on my computer because the screen is too small but I don’t want to spend $60+/month just to have the luxury of watching TV from the comfort of my couch via cable or satellite TV. I tried hooking up a laptop to my TV but it is low-res and slow compared to faster cable or other connection. Streaming Netflix is fast but lacks a decent way to search for things unless you’re on your computer.
Hopefully Google can solve some of these issues with Google TV coming out later this fall. Google TV lets you search the web for shows and view them right on your TV. Right now Google TV only has two partners, Sony Internet TV and Logitech Revue. It would be great if it was compatible with PS3 in the future. It sounds like the Google/Sony relationship is already there. Other features of Google TV include:
- Browse the whole web
- Download smartphone apps
- Use your phone as a remote
- Customizable home screen
- Web/TV picture in picture
- Compatible with Dish Network DVRs
More @ Google TV.
Panasonic’s Jungle Portable Gaming System
Oct 5, 2010
Last night on MTV’s Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory show, a new portable video game system called ‘The Jungle’ was introduced. The mission of The Jungle was to create an ecosystem around online gaming. It is being created under Panasonic Cloud Entertainment. It’s been over 15 years since Panasonic’s last attempt at building a video game system which was with the 3DO which didn’t do too well.
Here is what they are saying about the Jungle on the Facebook fanpage:
All we can say for now is that this mean little machine features a kick ass display, touch pad, keyboard, and other gaming controls that we’ll be saying more about soon. Stay very closely tuned unless you’re tone deaf. And then you should keep your eyes open.
No information on a release date yet.
More @ welcometo.thejungle.com.
Meet The New Twitter.com
Oct 3, 2010
Today when I loaded up Twitter I noticed a whole new much needed redesigned interface. The new clean design makes it easier to navigate to the most used links right on the front page with little clicks and navigation. The new Twitter experience is going to slowly be rolled out to all Twitter users over the next few months. Some of the features include:
- New design
- View photos, videos, and other media content
- Discover related content
- Mini profiles
More @ Twitter.
Google Flinstones Logo for 50th Anniversary
Sep 30, 2010
The Flintstones is one of those timeless cartoons that would still do well today if they aired it more. Growing up I would watch it all the time on either Nickelodeon or Public Television. I also was a big fan of the not as successful cartoon: The Jetsons which took place in the future. When I heard The Jetsons Meet The Flintstones movie was coming out I was very excited. After it was released and I saw it, it was my first lesson that TV shows don’t always translate into well made movies. Google has changed their logo today in celebration of the The Flintstones 50th anniversary.
Coin Push Frenzy Arcade App
Sep 19, 2010
If you have ever been to Dave & Buster’s or other arcades, you’d know about the arcade coin pusher game. In the game, you insert quarters or tokens which fall onto an platform where there are some scoopers which push the coins onto the playing field and from there hopefully push coins to drop down into the win tray. The reason this game is so addicting is because the player always thinks that they’re about to win based on the fact that the coins look like they’re about to all tumble over the edge of the playing field. The truth is that gravity works in amazing ways with these machines and those coins are heavy, making it look like you will win every time which is not the case.
The same people that brought us the Skeeball app to the iPhone have released a game ‘Coin Push Frenzy’ based on that popular coin pusher game. The app features some great graphics and has that same addictive gameplay that made the arcade version so popular. You tap the screen where you want to drop the coin and see what the scooper has in store for you. There are plenty of mystery boxes and bonus coins to be won. One thing that makes this game different than the arcade version is that you can lose coins when they fall to the left or right of the playing field. The app is currently free although I’m not sure why as I would have gladly paid money for this one.
More @ iTunes.
Google Instant Search Results
Sep 13, 2010
The other day while searching in Google I noticed that now Google will instantly display the results as you type your search phrase. It may only save a couple seconds on every Google search you do but if you think about how often Google is use this new feature could save hours every year.
Here are some more stats regarding Instant Search from Google:
- Before Google Instant, the typical searcher took more than 9 seconds to enter a search term, and we saw many examples of searches that took 30-90 seconds to type.
- Using Google Instant can save 2-5 seconds per search.
- If everyone uses Google Instant globally, we estimate this will save more than 3.5 billion seconds a day. That’s 11 hours saved every second.
- 15 new technologies contribute to Google Instant functionality.
More @ Google.