Strange New World: Tech Picks of the Week
With WALL-E film set for summer release, robots could come back in vogue.
May 2, 2008 — -- Wouldn't it be great if techdom could learn a lesson or two from professional sports? Like when some idiot does something awful on the field, just turn the cameras off and ignore the dope. But here in the strange new world of technology, the more awful the better.
"Grand Theft Auto IV" made its grim debut this week, and we are sorry to say that this bloody, horrifying game is the breakout tech story of week. Sayonara to our society, right?
There was some actual feel-good tech news, though: robots are shaping up to be this summer's blockbuster. With the Pixar sure-to-be-a-smash film WALL-E gearing up for summer release, robots are beginning to get some mainstream game. West Coast retail giant Frys is discounting a robot vacuum and everyone from Fisher-Price to start-ups like Ugobe are rolling out robotic toys.
Throw in some new tweaks to Apple's line of iMacs and it looks like we have a decent set of picks for the week.
Get over it, parents and preachers. "Grand Theft Auto IV" was released on April 29 and will be the game of the summer. It's the first incarnation of "GTA" that's available for the PS3 and Xbox 360, and yhe expectation is the game will use these next-gen consoles to their fullest extent.
"GTA IV" takes place in Liberty City, a metro area based on New York City, and players will recognize many of features of the Big Apple. The main character is an eastern European ne'er-do-well named Niko Bellic who has come to Liberty City to earn his fortune in the underworld. Unlike previous versions of the game, notably "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas," you don't have to worry about Niko's diet and exercise, leaving the player more time to cause havoc all over the city.
The game is still way violent and not for the little kids — blood flows almost immediately in most any mode — but there is a lot to do in Liberty City when you're not committing heinous crimes. There are bowling alleys, Internet cafes, bars, strip clubs, all kinds of indoor activities. Niko is given a cell phone at the beginning of the game and it constantly updates when you meet new people. You can even call them and hang out, just like in real life.
