AFFORTABLE TABLET PC FROM ASUS?

Althoug the iTablet is still a rumor, it looks like Asus is working on the next revolutionary breakthrough in affordable technology. The Asus eeePC T91 convertable tablet netbook (wow that's a mouthfull), already has a US product page on their site. It'll be the first netbook from Asus that will have a touchscreen display and an option for tablet mode. Unfortunately the initial version will only have Windows XP, and the tech specs include an 8.9 in screen with a 1024x600 pixel display.

HOWEVER. There are rumors that the next version will ship with Windows 7 later next year, complete with capacitive display that can recognize multiple inputs, taking advantage of Win 7's gesture and multitouch support.

But wait, there's more! Aside from that there are rumors that they're working on a full Eee Pad Tablet. Hopefully it'll be just as epic. >:)

PHYSICAL STORAGE VS. DIGITAL STORAGE

And because I sadly have a lot of crap to deal with over the next few days, I must leave you with a self-explanatory image for now. However! I am also (not so proud) to announce that I have once again succumbed to the evil that is Plurk, SO if you'd like me to feature something or if you wanna go and say hello, send me a shout-out on Plurk (Aoi Himezaki) or Twitter (yourantihero). As of now, my Plurk's set to private, though, but if you add me chances are I'll probably add you back. ;p

(click to enlarge me, pl0x)

PLAYSTATION HITS ITS 15TH BIRTHDAY

I'll be taking a cue from the Timster for this post and take you back to a time when casual gaming meant playing half-naked and games did not start out in "easy mode" as a default level. Yes, it's been 15 years since Sony launched the first true global console that had kids doing more than just watching wrestling at each others' houses and gave us the joy of "please insert disc two". And 15 years later, even with the XBox 360 and Nintendo Wii around, the Sony Playstation is still going strong.

So if you remember:

1. Hooking up a dancepad to play DDR on your TV.
2. Discovering the sweet, sweet joys of using analog controllers and force-feedback at the same time.
   
3. Being blown away by the graphics of Final Fantasy 7.
4. Playing Crash Bandicoot instead of Mario Kart.
5. The first zombie cut-scene of Resident Evil.
6. Playing Twisted Metal before the PS2 release ruined it.
7. Believing that racing games had hit their peak with Gran Turismo.
8. Trying to get King's Death Roll just right in Tekken 3.
   
9. Getting used to seeing a lot of CGI cut-scenes in your games.
   
10. The nightmares that followed your first attempt(s) at "beating" the monsters in the opening of Silent Hill.
11. Actually getting to play your favorite wrestler and seeing their entrance video "as seen on tv".
12. Metal Gear Solid.
13. Trying out multitap for the first time with WWF Smackdown!
    
14. The short-lived awesomeness of Rival Schools.
15. Getting creeped out when Psycho Mantis told you what games you liked and what kind of person you were.
    
16. "What is a man?"
17. When Eddie was still Zato-1.
18. Using the attachment that could let you watch VCDs on your console.
19. RPG Maker using up your entire memory card.
    
20. Playing Time Crisis at home with a GunCon.
    

Then get a round of Mountain Dew for the boys and clink those glasses to the console that revolutionized gaming history. Happy Birthday Playstation! This one's for you.

UPPER EAST JUST FAILED

And now, for a slight change of pace: A new term just got properly coined on the blogosphere today: Trendstomping, which can only be described as "the collective mocking of a target through social networks, a groundswell of ridicule via Twitter or Facebook."*. What started out as a poorly- worded press release immediately became the source of amusement on Twitter as micro-bloggers took a crack at Upper East, a relatively new restaurant in Makati City.

It doesn't come as a surprise that the hashtag #UpperEastFail gained popularity amongst Filipino Twitter and Facebook users within less than two hours. With such phrases as "a restaurant that may just be too chic for its clients." littered amidst the website, what may have been intended as high-class just became downright snobbish. "...It's like they don't want you to go to their restaurant" tweets Budjette Tan, writer for local comicbook Trese.

Whoever said that bad publicity is still publicity may have been right in the day of printed media, but in this day and age where the internet reigns supreme, Upper East may not realize just what they've done for their reputation. Reactions have gotten so severe that Our Awesome Planet, a website that had recently reviewed the restaurant was forced to close down their comments section on the article.

The saddest part, perhaps, lies in the fact that Upper East has no online contact details and is probably missing out on the media frenzy that they've created. Of course, other people such as Bryanboy believe that it's a viral marketing stunt, which, in that case would be absolutely fitting. The way that the trend is going is like an internet trainwreck. It's bad, but that doesn't mean that you can stop watching it.

If it's not a viral marketing stunt, however, then hopefully, the culinary students and teachers of AHA realize their marketing mistake and do something about it. Until then this is definitely one moment in Philippine internet history that PR companies have to take note of.

* credit goes to Karlo Samson for the terminology

Edit:

And you know that it's not a well thought out viral marketing strategy when the same people who featured the place are now saying this via Twitter:

DaphneOP RT @EWWS: hahahahahayayayyaya #uppereastfail. -- this is too funny. I blogged abt it, I was being nice. Food was less than so-so & expensive

DaphneOP @divasoria lol at upper east. had no idea they had that write up. It's a casual place. Where'd all that attitude come from

IF YOU DON'T WANNA BE RONERY NO MORE

Feeling lonely during the holidays? Wish you could cuddle up with someone and make that vacation time more meaningful? If you're one of those gents just looking for the right boyfriend-free girl and you just happen to have a Nintendo DSi and no sense of respect left, then it's about time you checked out Love Plus.

This dating game simulator is made by Konami, the same people who brought you videogames of such epic proportions that have taken away most of your life as Metal Gear, Silent Hill, Castlevania and, let's not forget, Dance Dance Revolution.


The way that Love Plus works is that you start courting three girls, and if you play your cards right, you're going to get one of them to be your waifu. But wait, it doesn't end there. Love Plus then goes on to let you try and keep the girl of your digital dreams -- from holding hands, to kissing, to whispering sweet "I-Love-Yous" on the DS microphone. That's real-time dating minus having to take her out to the movies and actually paying for her meal.

Gents can also set how they'd like their lovely new girlfriend to call them, and over time, she will eventually match your likes and dislikes. That's more than the average flesh-and-bone female will promise you that she'll do for you in a relationship! Even the way your digital babe speaks will change over time.

The best part? The game is packed with over 5,000 scripts, 150 CG events and 25,000 voice expressions. See? You won't even be dating the same girl in case you and your buddies all decide to get the game! No more having to fight over "bros before hos".

Right now, there's no word as to whether or not there'll be a version for the ladies, but since someone's already gone out and married his Love Plus Girlfriend I'm sure that it won't be long before Konami notices all the ronery people out there. If they really wanted to cash in, they could also adapt it to a touchscreen PC format with a USB fleshlight or dildo attachment. If only Nintendo wasn't so wholesome. :(

Still, the game's great for those cold, lonely nights when you go home to your bare-neccessities condo only to realize that all that IKEA furniture that you've been filling up your room with is just an analogy for you constantly trying to fill up your empty and shallow existence.

And you don't have to worry about having to introduce her to your parents.

Update: Yes. You can download the pirated version. No, they don't have any translations yet (and the translation group is nowhere near done due to the amount of text that has to be translated). But I think that'll just make the experience more interesting -- You know. Trying to date a REAL!Japanese girl. ;)