YouTube coming to Xbox Live

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: E3, Microsoft, Xbox 360, Xbox Live,

This morning at its E3 2011 Xbox Media Briefing, Microsoft announced that YouTube will be coming to Xbox Live this fall. They didn't go into too much detail about it, but you'll obviously be able to search and view videos from the YouTube service, and we're gonna go out on a limb and guess that you'll also be able to upload gameplay videos taken with Kinect directly to the service as well. Even without that last part though, adding YouTube is just another step Microsoft is taking in their hopes of making the Xbox 360 the ultimate living room hub.

Notification Center gets rid of pop-up messages for good in iOS 5

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds, Software,

Notifications are about to get a much-needed facelift in iOS 5. We've complained many times about how, with the growth of apps using push notifications, unlimited text messaging packages, and local notifications, the pop-ups were simply getting out of control. With iOS 5, they're gone. Instead, as announced this morning during the Apple WWDC 2011 keynote, they're replaced by a simply notification at the top of the screen that doesn't interrupt you in the middle of whatever you are doing. You can also swipe down from the top of the screen to get to a list of all your recent notifications in one spot (they call this Notification Center.) Finally, you can also choose to have your recent notifications displayed right on your lock screen. Swipe an app icon to the right, and you are opened right into that app. This definitely takes a bunch of cues from MobileNotifier, a jailbreak-only notification app (that we use and love,) and improves upon it in many ways. In fact, Apple recently hired the developer of MobileNotifier, so this all makes perfect sense. iOS 5 launches this fall.

iCloud is now live in the App Store

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Software, Storage,

iCloud, Apple's new cloud services that Steve Jobs told us about during his WWDC 2011 keynote this morning, has already made its way into the purchase history area of the App Store. Above is an image from my iPhone 4, showing apps that I have purchased, but that aren't installed on the device. I can tap the iCloud icon to download the content right from there.

iOS 5 to bring major improvements to Camera app

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cameras, Smartphones, Corporate News, Software,

During today's WWDC 2011 keynote, Apple's Scott Forstall introduced some major upgrades to the Camera app that will ship with iOS 5. Some of the features that have us excited are things like direct access to the camera app right from the lock screen. Next to the swipe to unlock is a camera button that you can tap to take a picture quickly. Secondly, when you're in the camera app, you'll be able to use the volume-up button to snap the photo, rather than having to tap on the screen. Third, you'll be able to edit your photos right in the photo app. Apple is aiming to make their Camera and Photo apps your one-stop shop for images on your mobile devices.

Apple’s iOS 5 launches this fall

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Corporate News, Handhelds, Software,

As part of the WWDC 2011 keynote, Apple's Scott Forstall announced that iOS 5 will be available to all users this fall. It'll work with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, and iPhone 5 (although they didn't mention the next iPhone, it's a no-brainer) as well as iPad and iPad 2, and the 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation iPod touch. The fall release date is a good indicator that we won't be seeing the launch of new iPhone hardware until the fall as well. We will have a wrap-up of some of the best iOS 5 features that were demoed today in just a bit!

[Photo Credit]

Mac OS X Lion launches in July for $29, Mac App Store exclusive

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, PC / Laptop, Software,

We've been updating you on the progress of Lion as the updates have been fairly often in the Developer Preview. Today at WWDC 2011, Phil Schiller announced that OS X 10.7 Lion will be launching next month, exclusively on the Mac App Store, for the amazingly low price of $29. An updated Developer Preview of the next big operating system from Apple will be available later today.

Walmart slashes price of iPhone 4 by $50

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Hot Deals,

Just about 90 minutes before the WWDC 2011 keynote is to begin, a Walmart rep just dropped me an email letting me know that they've dropped the price of the iPhone 4 by $50. Starting today through June 30, you can grab an iPhone 4 for $147. This applies to both the AT&T and Verizon models, in both black and white. Of course, this pricing requires a two-year contract. Very interesting, as we aren't expecting any iPhone 5 hardware news this morning at WWDC--does Walmart know something we don't?

Read More | Walmart iPhone 4

Comic Book Jobs: Star Wars

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Movies, Dark Horse Comics,

Lucas Licensing, that tiny little division of the massive Star Wars empire, is looking for a new Emperor, I mean, Senior Editor.

You'll be "responsible for all aspects of development, editing and approvals for the adult fiction and comics program." Sound great yet?

There's more, of course, by why bother reading when you could be dropping your resume over there Right. This. Second.

Here's some more in case you're not convinced yet: "Creatively develop new storylines for Star Wars fiction/comics to maintain and grow our readership."

Or how about this: "Work with publishers and Publishing team to identify appropriate writers and/or illustrators for each project."

You'll need some education, of course, and at least "5-7 years of publishing experience and 3-5 years as an editor" but that is nothing compared to your nerd cred: "Solid knowledge and demonstrated interest in Lucasfilm brands" and "solid knowledge of SW fiction (expanded universe)."

Good luck, job seekers!

[Artwork: Knight Errant: Aflame, a new trade paperback from Dark Horse, coming in August and © Lucasfilm]

Comic Book Jobs: Marvel Comics (White Plains)

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Movies, Marvel Comics,

And so it begins!

Marvel Comics, the Marvel Comics in White Plains, NY that works out of the Disney Publishing offices, is looking for a Designer to join the Disney Consumer Products team, in the Disney Publishing Worldwide division.

You'll need 3+ years of book design experience with the usual get-along and problem-solving skills.

And here's what you'll be working on:

Marvel Origins (Evergreen) Design work of future picture books, readers, an 8x8s, including increasing pub plans of titles based on origins original art work.

Marvel (Movie-Tie-ins) Design work of increasing pub plans for future releases: Captain America, Avengers, and Spider-Man.

Click to continue reading Comic Book Jobs: Marvel Comics (White Plains)

Weekend Reading: Reboots, Disney, Superman and Cheech Wizard

Posted by Tom Mason Categories: Editorials, Movies, DC Comics,

With all the talk of DC’s big reboot, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at something Grant Morrison, Mark Waid, Mark Millar, and Tom Peyer put together for DC back in 1998: Superman 2000. And it was. I would totally read these comics.

Now let's see what else can be read:

Euro: I always get a kick out of it when someone reads their first graphic novel. Karen at the Euro Crime blog (a terrific blog for crime fiction) read a Doctor Who graphic novel. Her verdict: “looks beautiful but doesn't take long to read!”

Halloween: It’s never too early to talk about The Halloween Legion, a new project from Martin Powell.

Bambi: It wasn’t always a classic of children’s literature as some might suspect. The Storyboard blog at the Walt Disney Family Museum breaks it down. Bonus: rabbit death.

Click to continue reading Weekend Reading: Reboots, Disney, Superman and Cheech Wizard