Sony Ericsson has finally decided to release the name of their newest Idou, due to ship in October. This device features built-in GPS, a 640 x 350 widescreen touchscreen, video recording, a 12.1 megapixel camera with a xenon flash and up to 12x digital zoom, dual band HSPA and a microSD expansion. And more. But instead of keeping the Idou name the same, Sony has renamed the line of devices to “Satio.” Sony’s new Satio is essentially a portable entertainment system that allows users to watch movies, TV shows, or just listen to music.

In addition to the Satio, Sony Ericcson put the word out that they will also be introducing the “Yari,” a gaming “gesture phone,” the first of its kind. It would respond to user movements much like the Nintendo Wii remote in order to control the game. Other attractive elements of the Yari include built-in GPS, support for Sony’s PlayNow, and a 2.4-inch screen.

The third and final model Sony Ericcson plans to release is the “Aino.” Perhaps a cross between the Satio and Yari, the Aino will feature the capability to connect to the PS3 or PC. The Aino will also have a 3-inch touchscreen, support for Sony Remote Play, built-in GPS and an 8.1 megapixel camera.

With all the stunning features, you might forget that these are also phones. Forget the era of smartphones; we’ve now entered the age of the superphone!

Three weeks ago, we did something new. Something daring. We called our land-line phone company and told them, “Thanks, but no thanks. We’re done.” And that was it. Now, if you happen to dial our old home phone number, you will get nothing but that familiar tri-tone error message along with a recorded message telling you “This number is no longer in service.”

We’re exclusively a cell-phone household now.

But apparently, our move wasn’t exactly so new or so daring. In fact, as AP reports today, “In a high-tech shift accelerated by the recession, the number of U.S. households opting for only cell phones has for the first time surpassed those that just have traditional landlines.” Many households, 60%, still use both landlines and cell phones. But even that number is changing.

Although the article cites the ‘recession’ as a motivating factor for the wireless-only switch, many are doing so for other reasons. I saw a few dollar decrease in my monthly bill (we weren’t about to cut our high-speed Internet access), but I have not noticed any set-back from not having a land line. In fact, it is more of a convenience issue for me. It’s one less voicemail that I have to check. Besides, if I ever called from my land line, I ended up having to pull the number from my cell phone address book anyway.

If someone has a cell phone, why increase the work, the hassle, and the costs by throwing a land line in the mix? Many land line owners claim that their land phones serve as a call-collection center for telemarketers, little more. Another strike against land lines has to do with housing situations. If one is in a mobile situation—renting or living in temporary housing—it makes little sense to set up a permanent land line.

Obviously, there are compelling reasons for hanging on to the land line. However, as the numbers suggest, our society is going more and more wireless—exclusively.

There’s always been this affinity for secret hidden messages inside music, or electronics. I believe it all started when someone played their Beatles album backwards, which was supposed to reveal secret satanic messages.

The new trend in subliminal messages is releasing electronics, or in this case video games with hidden Islamic messages.

According to a woman who purchased ‘Baby Pals’, the Nintendo DS game has a baby uttering the message, “Islam Is The Light”.

If you go into the video knowing that the phrase is said, then it does sound close to that wording. Of course, it really just sounds like gibberish. But who knows, maybe there’s a secret Islamic phrase making cult out there. Trying to brainwash kids through robotic sounding baby voices planted in toys, and video games.

The internet has effected so many facets of our lives that it’s impossible to think of where we’d be without it. Video games are a primary example of how the internet has made an impact on a particular industry. If you read game reviews, it’s almost considered a faux pas if a game doesn’t have some kind of online functionality.

As we move forward with integration of video games and the internet, what other changes can we look forward to?

In a recent Joystiq article, one aspect of gaming that is quickly becoming network integrated is the distribution of the games themselves

I think as we move forward to online distribution, it’s important that we look at every angle to make sure that what we’re doing is really helping the industry. Just like any kind of change, it’s important to realize that with the good, there’s always the bad.

For publishers, and developers the greatest advantage for online distribution is cost. It’s much cheaper to put your content online for downloading then to produce cases, instruction manuals for physical copies. I think that the idea of cheaper costs, effects the smaller developers and publishers much more so than the powerhouses. If you have created a game, and are thinking about trying to get it released then making it available online is a much less daunting venture.

Some things that I think publishers, and developers should look out for when looking to distribute online is how overpopulated the landscape could get. There’s already one platform that is a prime example of this trend; the iTunes App Store. There’s already over 3000+ games available for download on the App Store. Which makes it hard to have the worthwhile titles to be more known.

Depending on what kind of consumer you are, digital distribution is a godsend or a nightmare. If you’re a person who’s looking for the most convenient option, then downloads are the way to go. You don’t have to leave your house, deal with annoying salespeople etc… There’s also less physical clutter with purchasing games through downloads compared to physical copies. Accessibility, is another benefit for downloading content. The Steam service that Valve uses is a perfect example of greater accessibility through online distribution. With Steam, once you have installed a game then it is linked to your account rather than the actual game itself. That way, wherever you go, aslong as you have your Steam account you can install your game on any PC.

I think that the negatives for online distribution are a little more subtle than the positives. The greatest risk for looking towards online distribution over physical property is the economy. Publishing, and creating physical media provides jobs to millions of people around the world. People that rely on physical media distribution to help pay the bills. If content goes solely online, then what will happen to these people? If you’re looking for a more personal concern, then how about the idea that it’s fun to own physical property over a file. I think that consumers still like the idea of holding a product in their hands, compared to owning a file. It will take sometime to ween people off of that mindset as well.

As Xbox Live, Playstation Network, and WiiWare all become more viable resources for gaming, this trend will continue to grow. Sony has moved ahead the fastest, already offering downloads of full PS3 games on their network.

It’s very important that we continue to discuss the consequences of moving towards online distribution. There’s great advances to be made, but it’s important to realize what we’re completely effecting with the transition.

I’d say about 1 in 2 people reading this either play World of Warcraft, know someone that plays it, or has completely lost their lives to it. The reason I know that is because the expansion pack to WoW, Wrath of the Lich King set record numbers for sales its first 24 hours upon release.

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King sold 2.8 million copies in its first 24 hours of release. Although all the markets are looking down because of the economy, video games, WoW in particular are looking like everything is gravy. The main reason being is that during turbulent economic times people still want to be entertained. Even more so than when times are good.

The Lich King Is Laughing Maniacally At All The Gold

So, just how much money has Blizzard, now Blizzard-Activision made off the WoW franchise? Well, it’s estimated that around 11 million subscribers play WoW. Most of those people have upgrade to the Burning Crusade, the expansion that came out prior to Wrath of the Lich King. Then tally up those software totals, with the $15/month that WoW players must pay in order to play their game everymonth. Financially it estimates to about a $1 billion/year industry.

Just think of how much money you’d have right now if you had invested in Blizzard back when their big release was Lost Vikings on the SNES.

The Thanksgiving Holiday season is now behind us, which means it’s Christmas time. I like to think the official start to the Yuletide begins the Friday after Thanksgiving. To most of the English speaking world, it’s know as Black Friday. It’s especially black, and depressing if you happen to be the someone who works at a retail store.

If you’re a huge Nintendo Wii fan, then Black Friday was the bearer of good news. It is being reported, that the Nintendo Wii was the most heavily searched item on Black Friday. On eBay, 3,171 Wiis were sold. The average price was around $349, which is after two years a $100 profit.