Strange New World: Tech Picks of the Week
Only 64 percent of people have taken steps to keep their TV service.
July 18, 2008 — -- If we weren't sure that we'd reached the true dog days of summer in a slow year for tech news, we certainly confirmed it this week. The preview of the annual E3 video game industry show went on this week and produced very little news of substance. Then we got word that a third of the country wasn't ready for February's switchover to digital TV signals. But at least there are always cool new sites and services on the Web to check out. Here, then, are our picks of the week:
What on earth has happened to the E3 video game show? In case you missed it -- and you probably did -- this gaming event has been going on this week in Los Angeles.
Sure, this is the invitation only corporate version of the event. Public events will happen later in the fall. But still, one has to wonder what has happened to the gaming industry, which numerically speaking is bigger than the film industry. There was just no news of significance coming from the event.
The biggest "announcement" of the show was that Nintendo is working on an exclusive version of Grand Theft Auto for the DS portable system. Hey, call us nutty, but GTA is one game that just doesn't seem suited for a handheld gaming system. Meanwhile, Microsoft announced a deal with Netflix. Nintendo seems to be going after casual gamers, while Sony is headed in the opposite direction.
There was news from the PlayStation folks about downloadable custom content. And finally -- FINALLY -- they're talking about a new version of God of War for the PS3. We expect it to be nothing short of phenomenal. And mix that in with Sony's much-ballyhooed Home virtual community -- if it ever gets off the ground -- and this game could finally become the virtual world it always should have been. But honestly, what has taken so long?
But that, dear friends, is that. Unless something earth-shattering happens, this holiday season is going to be a complete no-show from the gaming world. And these are supposed to be the glory days of the video game. What the heck is going on?
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