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Nintendo ready to take 3-D gaming to mass market

With the Nintendo 3DS, the Japanese video game company is betting that it can once again nudge mass entertainment in a new direction, just as it did nearly five years ago when it launched the Wii with its innovative motion-based controller.

This time, though, the competition from other devices is tougher.

The handheld 3DS, which goes on sale in the U.S. on Sunday for $250, lets users play 3-D games without wearing special glasses. It also takes 3-D photos. This summer, the 3DS will play 3-D movies streamed from Netflix on its 3.5-inch screen.

Reggie Fils-Aime, the president of Nintendo's U.S. arm, calls it "the first mass-market 3-D device."

Nintendo's handheld gaming systems have been wildly popular since the days of the Game Boy, but in recent years people have grown accustomed (and sometimes addicted) to playing games on their smartphones. "Angry Birds," for example, is played by 40 million people a month.

And both AT&T Inc. and Sprint Nextel Corp. have announced they'll be selling smartphones with 3-D screens soon.

Fils-Aime acknowledges that consumers have a wide range of entertainment options. Nintendo, he says, must provide better entertainment experiences so that people keep flocking to its games and devices.

So far, they are. While demand for the handheld DS has slowed over the past year, video game analyst Jesse Divnich of Electronic Entertainment Design and Research said that's only because people have been holding out for the 3DS. As of Dec. 31, Nintendo had sold about 145 million units of the DS in all its iterations worldwide. Divnich thinks demand for the 3DS will be more brisk during its first year on sale than for previous iterations, such as the DSi, which went on sale in 2008.

The Wii, which hit store shelves in 2006 for $250 (it is now $200), was often sold out or in short supply as recently as last February. It's not clear yet whether this will be the case with 3DS, but retailers say demand has been strong based on the number of pre-orders they received. Tony Bartel, the president of GameStop Corp., the world's largest video game store chain, said the company is "working every day with Nintendo" to ensure that they can meet demand.

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter said Nintendo will sell "as many as they can make" over the next 12 months. While the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan will likely affect supplies, he called an estimate of 16 million units "very fair."

The 3DS isn't Nintendo's first foray into 3-D gaming. In 1995, it launched the Virtual Boy, which required bulky headgear and displayed all images in red. It bombed and Nintendo soon discontinued it. But it didn't give up on 3-D.

The technology used to create 3-D images on the 3DS is not new. Called a "parallax barrier" LCD screen, it works as if two sets of thin blinds were laid over the screen, so that your eyes each see a different version of the image. Your brain then puts them together, creating the 3-D effect. Because it only works if the viewer is at a certain place in relation to the screen, this technology is better suited to hand-held devices than TV sets.

As entertainment technology, 3-D doesn't have a long track record of appeal to the mass market. It's been possible to play computer games in 3-D for years, with the help of glasses, but they have never caught on. People are willing to pay extra to see 3-D movies, but they haven't helped overall box office receipts.

Veteran game designer Hideki Konno, who helped develop the 3DS, said being able to see games in 3-D makes it easier to comprehend distances while playing.

"You will find it easier to grasp the width, height and the depth of the gaming world," he said in an email message translated from the Japanese.

Ji Soo Yim, 20, is a fan of Nintendo but she said she might wait to buy the 3DS. She tried it out recently at the Nintendo World store in New York City while visiting on spring break from Grinnell, Iowa.

"It was supposed to be 3-D, but it looks like it's going to be a headache," she said.

Nintendo notes that the 3-D effect is adjustable (and can be turned off completely, too), which could help those prone to headaches from 3-D. Nintendo hopes that, along with the lack of glasses, will make the 3DS appealing to a broad range of people.

It also helps that people are familiar with 3-D technology from movies. Ross Rubin, an analyst for market research firm NPD Group, thinks consumers will eventually adopt 3-D TVs in their homes just as they bought high-definition screens. The 3DS is one sign that the use of 3-D is spreading through the electronics industry, he said, though he noted that 3-D TV sales haven't been as strong as some manufacturers have expected.

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Emo boyfriend breaks into girlfriends house, urinates in her wine bottle

Read more stories from The Daily Caller

A Michigan home builder released his emotions, and then some, when he broke into his girlfriend’s apartment and urinated in various containers in her refrigerator, the Grand Rapids PressThursday.

Richard Ted Bloem of Jenison, Mich. was charged with second-degree home invasion and placing harmful objects in food.

Bloem urinated in a pitcher of Crystal Light, a carton of Land o’ Lakes half-and-half creamer, and a bottle of wine in his girlfriend’s refrigerator.

The woman drank some of the Crystal Light and detected an odd taste. She also experienced queasiness upon drinking a cup of coffee with the creamer in it. She suspected he poisoned her when she noticed her wine bottle was fuller than it had previously been.

Bloem pleaded no contest to the break-in, the Grand Rapids Presslater on Thursday. His lawyer planned to have him testify that drinking urine is not harmful and even endorsed in some cultures. Bloem still faces a felony prison sentence of up to 15 years if convicted.

Detectives said he admitted to relieving himself in the woman’s refrigerator.

Bloem’s recent bizarre act of harassment toward his girlfriend is the latest in a long line of psychological attacks. Bloem also stalked his girlfriend, called her parents, and left her sexually demeaning voice mails.

Olbermann and MSNBC: a failing relationship

NEW YORK – Keith Olbermann's exit from MSNBC appeared abrupt to viewers of his show, but the talk-show host and his network were involved "in a relationship that's been failing for a long time," an NBC Universal executive said Saturday.

Olbermann's announcement at the end of Friday's "Countdown" that it would be his last show quiets, at least for the moment, the most dominant liberal voice in a cable-television world where opinionated talk has been the most bankable trend over the past several years.

As Olbermann read from a James Thurber short story during a three-minute exit statement Friday night, MSNBC simultaneously e-mailed a statement to reporters that the network and host "have ended their contract." Neither indicated a reason nor addressed whether Olbermann quit or was fired.

But the NBC Universal executive characterized it as a mutual parting of the ways, with Olbermann taking the first step. The executive spoke on condition of anonymity because settlement talks were kept confidential.

Olbermann was nearly fired in November but instead was suspended for two days without pay for violating an NBC News policy by donating to three political campaigns, including the congressional campaign of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. He returned and apologized to his fans, but not the network.

Last fall, Olbermann saw his role on NBC's `Sunday Night Football" eliminated. Olbermann, a former sports anchor, had willingly worked six days a week to be involved with the highly rated football telecast. NBC said he was removed so he could concentrate on his MSNBC job.

MSNBC spokesman Jeremy Gaines insisted Olbermann's exit had nothing to do with the acquisition of parent company NBC Universal by Comcast, which received regulatory approval Tuesday. That deal marks the exit of NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker, who saw Olbermann's value in turning around a once-unprofitable network, despite headaches the mercurial personality sometimes caused his bosses.

Olbermann and his manager did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Saturday.

One clue Olbermann offered in his goodbye statement was that he'd "been told" that Friday was his last show. But Olbermann also said that "there were many occasions, particularly in the last 2 1/2 years, where all that surrounded the show — but never the show itself — was just too much for me. But your support and loyalty and, if I may use the word, insistence, ultimately required that I keep going. My gratitude to you is boundless."

"He did more than anybody to establish the credibility of progressive views through market-driven success," said David Brock, founder and CEO of the left-wing media watchdog Media Matters for America.

Olbermann's show was also an incubator for left-wing talent on the air, he said. Two-thirds of MSNBC's prime-time lineup, Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O'Donnell, got their own shows after successfully subbing for Olbermann. His show also gave platforms to bloggers like Josh Marshall and Markos Moulitsas, as well as his own organization and the Center for American Progress, Brock said.

"Countdown" took off at a time when there was a large imbalance toward conservatives in radio and television political talk, Brock said.

"Keith led the way in correcting that," he said. "Now we're back to some degree of the balance going the other way."

After Giffords was shot in the head on Jan. 8, Olbermann came into the studio and took to the air on his day off with an emotional editorial saying politicians and talk-show personalities — including himself — need to swear off any kind of violent imagery so as not to incite anybody into acts like the Giffords shooting. He said on Jan. 10 that he was ending his "Worst Person in the World" feature because some viewers took literally a feature that was "born in humor."

The aftermath of the Giffords shooting led to a discussion about the need for more civility in political talk, but Olbermann made no mention of that issue on Friday night. MSNBC is replacing him with O'Donnell and moving anchor Ed Schultz into the 10 p.m. time slot and, along with Maddow, all of them swing left politically.

Phil Griffin, MSNBC's chief executive, expressed confidence in his new lineup Saturday while declining to talk about what happened with Olbermann.

"They're tested," he said. "We didn't have to bring anyone here who is new. We brought in people we know and who will succeed and that's why we're confident going forward."

Anyone who expects the volume of political rhetoric on MSNBC will go down will be "rudely surprised" in about a week, said Brent Bozell, founder of the conservative watchdog Media Research Center.

O'Donnell "is every bit as mean-spirited (as Olbermann), but not as creative," Bozell said. "I don't think the philosophy of MSNBC will change one iota."

While he disagreed with most everything Olbermann said, "he had probably the best-produced show on television," Bozell said. That's the danger for MSNBC and liberals — Olbermann may be replaced by someone who has the same viewpoints, but not necessarily with a show people are as eager to watch.

"I'm not in the slightest bit surprised" by Olbermann's exit, Bozell said. "I've been expecting this to happen for a long time. But I was expecting a more spectacular blow-up."

Olbermann's peripatetic career landed him at MSNBC eight years ago — his second prime-time stint on the network — with a humorous show counting down the day's top stories. That changed on Aug. 30, 2006, when Olbermann aired the first of a series of densely worded and blistering "special comments," this time expressing anger at then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's criticism of opponents to the war in Iraq.

More anti-Bush administration commentary followed. Olbermann dropped any pretense of journalistic objectivity, and he became a hero to liberals battered by the popularity of Fox News Channel and its conservative commentators. Olbermann openly feuded with Fox, often naming personalities like Bill O'Reilly and Glenn Beck "worst persons in the world" for some of their statements.

"Countdown" became MSNBC's most popular show. Instantly, a network that had often floundered in seeking a direction molded itself after Olbermann.

The Cornell graduate first became known for his work on ESPN's "Sportscenter," where he also cultivated a reputation for being talented but difficult to work with. His first MSNBC stint ended in the late 1990s when he quit, complaining his bosses were telling him to talk too much about President Bill Clinton's impeachment scandal.

Olbermann's plans are unclear. He signed a four-year contract with MSNBC two years ago; contract buyouts typically include noncompete clauses that keep a personality off TV for a period of time.

Violent Pornography Linked to Sexually Aggressive Behavior in Children and Adolescents

SANTA ANA, Calif., Nov. 18, 2010 – Internet is not the most common source of x-rated material

SANTA ANA, Calif., Nov. 18, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Viewing violent x-rated material may contribute to sexually aggressive behavior among 10-17 year olds. љX-rated material without violent content does not appear to have the same impact, finds a newconducted by Internet Solutions for Kids and funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. љPublished in Aggressive Behavior, the study is expected to be highly influential. љ"Because of the obvious ethical problems of purposefully exposing kids to pornography," Dr. Michele Ybarra, the primary author of the study, explains, "little was known before about how viewing x-rated material may be related to sexual aggression in children. љWe asked kids whether they had looked at x-rated material before, and then looked to see if the kids who said 'yes' were more likely to also say that they were sexually aggressive." љThe study finds that youth who look at violent x-rated material are six times more likely to report forcing someone to do something sexual online or in-person versus kids not exposed to x-rated material. љWatching violent pornography does not always lead to sexual aggression and not all sexual aggressors have been exposed to pornography, Ybarra cautions; nor does the study prove that violent x-rated material causes sexual aggression. љ

Exposure to Internet pornography is relatively common. љFindings from the Youth Internet Safety Survey - 2 indicate that 15% of 12-17 year olds have purposefully looked at x-rated material online. Data from the Pew Internet and American Life Project suggest that 70% of 15-17 year-old Internet users accidentally view pornography "very" or "somewhat" often. Nevertheless, Ybarra's study also finds that the Internet is not the most common source of x-rated material - even violent x-rated material. љFourteen percent looked at x-rated material in movies, 12% in magazines, and 11% online. љ "There's an assumption out there that the Internet has somehow increased kids' exposures to deviant content. љOur data don't support this. љWe're learning that just because content that we find disturbing is accessible online, doesn't mean kids will seek it out," Ybarra explains. љ She agrees that blocking and filtering software will likely prevent exposure to violent x-rated material online. љ"But, these things won't do anything to prevent exposure through magazines and movies. љThat's why it's important to talk to your kids also."

SOURCEInternet Solutions for Kids, Inc.

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Hospitality 2011: Combi Cooking Q&A

Rational’s Q&A Zone sets out to answer every combi steamer question

(PRWeb UK) November 17, 2010

At Hospitality 2011 Rational is focusing on helping caterers understand more about cooking with combi steamers.Not just caterers who have never used a combi, but also those who already have one but don’t make the most of its potential.

The Rational stand is divided into two areas.The front of house demonstration zone is where visitors will be able to see Rational’s top of the range combi, the SelfCooking Center, in action.They’ll also be able to sample a wide variety of dishes, prepared by expert chefs.The rest of the stand is devoted to the Q&A Zone, where visitors can come and talk to a team of chefs, consultants and foodservice engineers about every aspect of combi cooking.

“Even top chefs who have used a combi steamer for years often ask us for advice about different ways to use a combi,” says Vic Brown of Rational UK.“They are such versatile pieces of equipment, most owners don’t’ realise how much they can do.The combi cooking Q&A Zone is designed to help caterers understand the benefits the technology brings to the kitchen.”

From ‘can I cook chips in a combi steamer?’ to ‘can a combi duplicate the cooking characteristics of a tandoori oven?’ whatever the question, Rational’s team of experts will be able to answer it.

Energy Saving With A Rational SelfCooking Center: accessing the Carbon Trust loansRational will also have energy experts on hand to show visitors how they can finance the purchase of energy-saving SelfCooking Centers by taking advantage of interest-free loans from the Carbon Trust.

“We’re able to help customers to access the Carbon Trust loans by proving how the purchase of a SelfCooking Center will cut energy consumption,” explains Vic Brown.

For information and brochures, or to arrange to come to a free SelfCooking Center® ‘TeamCooking Live’ seminar, contact your dealer, freephone Rational UK on 0800 389 2944 or call +44 800 389 2944.For product information and contact details see .For information about Club Rational, including recipes and combi cooking tips, visit .Follow Rational UK on Twitter and Facebook.Copy ends________________________________________Hospitality 2011 Rational Preview.doc – Nov-10Press Enquiries:Toni Turner or Alison Haynes at The Publicity Works: 01263 761000; Email: rational@publicityworks.biz For more news about Rational visit the press office at Vic Brown at Rational UK: 01582 480388More information on Rational UK fromand Club RationalFollow Rational on Facebook and Twitter‘SelfCooking Center’ and ‘TeamCooking Live’ are registered trademarks of Rational.

Separations charge enquiries: offers can only be accepted by fax on 01263 761009 or by email to seps@publicityworks.biz.All offers are considered. We will call you if the answer is ‘yes’.Otherwise the answer is, regrettably, ‘No’.

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Alison HaynesRational+44 (0)1263 761000Email Information