Information Overload

Firefox 3.5

Firefox 3.5 is fast, but not hella fast like Safari 4. Apple's web browser significantly outpaces the fox on Mac, and Windows. Safari scores perfectly on the Acid3 test, and is generous enough to support H.264 video. Firefox does support third-party Add-ons. Mozilla's own Firebug, and the Web Developer toolbar are quite useful. Of course, Safari 4 has built-in developer tools of its own...

Bolt

Awesome! Ed Catmull and John Lasseter infused some Pixar DNA into Bolt, a film which may mark the triumphant return of Walt Disney Animation Studios after a dark period under Michael Eisner... Bolt is a somewhat naive canine who embarks on a cross country mission to find his "person" (voiced by Miley Cyrus, the performer with a cool name). Along the way, he encounters a streetwise feline, a fanatical hamster, and a variety of pigeons who fit regional stereotypes to comedic effect. The movie is custom tailored for someone who used to have a hamster, dog, and disdain for cats. It's an experience that every kid should have!

Valkyrie

Valkyrie is director Bryan Singer's dramatization of Claus von Stauffenberg's failed military coup against Adolf Hitler during World War II. It involved perhaps one of the most famous assassination attempts on Hitler's life. Tom Cruise plays Colonel Stauffenberg sans German accent, which was probably a wise decision given Hollywood's lousy track record of fake accents. The film itself comes off like a really good HBO production. It might be worth revisiting sometime to get color commentary from a WWII history buff who will be sure to point out any historical inaccuracies.

Pre-order Windows 7

In a minor mea culpa, Microsoft is offering upgrades to Windows 7 Home Premium for $50 through July 11th, or until supplies last. Windows 7 Professional, and Windows 7 Ultimate upgrades are also available at a reduced price. Vista users who are stuck with a PC should benefit from upgrading to Windows 7 based on initial reports.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a long combo title for a lengthy movie that flows more easily than Transformers 2; granted, it's 12 minutes shorter than the robot action flick. Russell Crowe plays a gladiator-like, British war ship captain obsessed with destroying a French frigate of superior class during the Napoleonic Wars. Director Peter Weir's sea saga successfully recreates a captivating atmosphere of what global sailing voyages must have been like during that historic time period. It's surprising that Hollywood has yet to harvest a sequel from the acclaimed Patrick O'Brian book series.

Apple Remote 1.3 For iPhone

Apple's Remote app for iPhone, and iPod touch has been updated with advanced gesture controls for Apple TV. It's a great alternative to Apple's physical remote, which can get lost in the dark due to its diminutive size. The touch gestures allow for fast, intuitive navigation, and the soft keyboard appears whenever data entry is required (e.g. Search). Hopefully, a future update will make the landscape keyboard available too.

P.S. It would be awesome if Logitech made a Harmony universal remote kit for the iPod touch.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is about a half hour too long. The story is half-ass, but the eye candy is badass! Guys are treated to Megan Fox, Transformers (brought to life by ILM), and even a sexy hybrid of the two species. The U.S. Armed Forces lands a feature-length advertisement, as does Chevrolet. Ironically, the most awesome Autobot transforms into a Peterbilt truck, which GM does not manufacture. Critics may pan Michael Bay for creating a sequel devoid of anything other than action and lens flares, but he does preserve some semblance of an emotional connection between man and machine. There's actually a touching moment in the movie between Optimus Prime, and Sam that taps the inner 80's child. Fans in the midnight showing seemed to agree judging from their childlike reactions.

Sling Player Mobile for iPhone

Does anyone know why AT&T lets MLB stream live baseball games over their 3G network, but asked Apple to cripple Sling Player Mobile for iPhone so it only works via Wi-Fi? WTF? AT&T's targeted discrimination of EchoStar's Sling Media lends credence to the conspiracy theory that AT&T plans to eventually bring their Mobile TV $ervice to the iPhone.

RIP Clear Card

WTF? Received a Father's Day promotion from Clear on June 18th only to learn today via Twitter that Clear's parent company, Verified Identity Pass, Inc. has ceased operations. (Feeling pretty good about not buying dad a Clear membership now.) Tonight's email to members is vague on details other than stating that all of the Clear lanes are no longer available. Suppose Clear's weakness was that the people who benefitted most from the program probably were frequent flyers who already got to use their airline's VIP security lanes.

Radio & TV Correspondents Dinner 2009

Here's some humor from Friday night's Radio & Television Correspondents Dinner.
Happy Father's Day!