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Fan Expo 2010 – The Anthology Project

By Doug Groves | Published: September 2, 2010

Last year at Fan Expo, we spoke with Nick Thornborrow of The Anthology Project, which was aiming not just to put out a quality collection of shorts from a variety of artists, but to really care about the physical quality of the book itself… to make a beautiful “artifact” as Nick put it.

Well, the book was released a few months ago, and he has no worries in that department.  The artwork from each of the contributors really pops in this hardbound, and really does them justice.  Nick also mentions that they are working on a second volume, and hints that it might be out in about a year’s time.  As an added bonus, Nick and a couple of the other creators involved signed a copy for us (well, for you gentle viewer), and it will definitely be one of the highlights of our “SwagBag 2010″ Fan Expo giveaway once we roll a few more of the interviews out of the door.

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Posted in Arts, Comics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Telus and Bell also releasing the Torch on the 24th

By drsquid | Published: September 2, 2010

Telus and Bell have joined the Blackberry Torch party and also announced that they will be releasing the Blackberry 9800 Torch on September 24th. No official price has been announced by Telus, and Bell has said it will be $199 on a 3-year contract.  I think it’s safe to predict the Telus price to be the same.

The 24th is a big day for Canadian RIM fans.  However, it remains to be seen if RIM and the carriers can generate the same level of excitement for the Torch as the iPhone 4, or even the Samsung Galaxy S. Considering the Torch’s flame did not burn too bright when it launched on AT&T in the US last month we would have to say ‘no’.

However, as they say, the proof is in the pudding, so we will hold our final judgment until we go hands-on with one.

For more info about the Torch on Telus you can visit their page here, and yuo can sign up for more info about the Torch on Bell here.

[UPDATE] Virginmobile has also tweeted that they will be launching the Torch on the 24th.

[Source Telus press release, and Bell Tweet]

Continue for the official Telus press releases

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Posted in Mobile | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fan Expo 2010 – Lar deSouza Interview

By Doug Groves | Published: September 1, 2010

Lar deSouza, the rather prolific artist of Least I Could Do and Looking For Group, let us sit down with him ‘in booth’ during Fan Expo this year.  Despite almost constantly drawing and signing, something I gather he does all the time no matter where he is, he found the time to talk about the different approaches he takes for each of the webcomics he works on, and the value of trying to copy another artist’s style, not for the end result, but to figure out their process.

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Posted in Arts, Comics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Rogers first Canadian carrier to announce release date for Blackberry Torch 9800

By Doug Groves | Published: September 1, 2010

The Blackberry Torch, which represents a new large screen form factor and updated operating system, is coming to Rogers on September 24th, with pricing starting at $199.99.

When the Blackberry Torch was first revealed running the new Blackberry OS 6, it seemed like a step forward for the Waterloo company.  The Torch has a slide out portrait keyboard, much like the Palm Pre, and its name comes from RIM’s acquisition of Torch Mobile, a Blackberry developer that was working on a Webkit based browser for the operating system.  RIM also eliminated the SurePress screen technology found on the Storm and the Storm 2 and are now rolling with a capacitive touchscreen without the clicking screen.

It’s clear from the design that Blackberry OS 6 and the Torch are representative of what RIM are trying to do to remain competitive in the consumer smartphone market.  Whether it will be an attractive option for those not already immersed in the Blackberry ecosystem (and BBM) remains to be seen.

You can catch the Rogers Redboard announcement video after the break.

Read More »

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Posted in Mobile | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fan Expo 2010 – Jeff Lemire Interview

By Doug Groves | Published: September 1, 2010

Peter B. sits down with Jeff Lemire, creator of Sweet Tooth (see Peter’s review) and Essex County, to talk about his influences, and the recurring theme of small town life in his work.  The next chapter of Sweet Tooth will give readers more insight to Jepperd’s background.  Jeff also mentions that the mysterious event that led to the current day situation will get an explanation, though he drops no hints.

He also talks a bit about his upcoming Superboy comic (the Kon-El Superboy), and that both The Phantom Stranger and Krypto will figure heavily in the first years worth of stories.

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Posted in Arts, Comics, Show | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Canadian telcos to share high speed networks with 3rd party providers

By Doug Groves | Published: September 1, 2010

Back in 2008, the CRTC ruled that internet wholesalers should have fair access to higher speed data networks controlled by incumbents such as Bell and Telus.   Partly due to growth in high speed cable internet, the incumbent telcos haves have been resisting providing the high speed access to 3rd party wholesalers, to maintain a competitive edge with their cable counterparts.  The original 2008 ruling was challenged and sent to federal cabinet, which sent it back to the CRTC.

On Monday, the CRTC reaffirmed its position, which with means independents will have access to the same high speed internet as incumbents.  Though many in the fair access camp see it as a blow to the “big guys”, it’s more of a glancing blow than a direct hit.  The incumbents will have to share the high speed networks, but will be able to charge a 10% markup beyond the wholesale (or maintenance) price.

Like most CRTC rulings, this still isn’t the the final-final decision, as a second appeal to cabinet is possible, which could mean another year of so of waiting.  I don’t think that’s too likely though, as Canadians increasingly move to high speed networks, the 10% markup is certainly better than the flat wholesale prices the incumbents have been getting in the past.  Ultimately, it’s the kind of middle-of-the-road indecisive decision we’ve come to know and love from the CRTC, and only time will tell how it really works out for Canadian consumers and competition in the ISP marketplace.

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Posted in Computing, Internet | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

New Xbox 360 controller to fix the mushy D-pad

By Doug Groves | Published: August 31, 2010

Microsoft has announced an updated wireless controller for the Xbox 360, which should fix the problems with the original controller’s D-pad.  Although it functions just fine, the design of the original left a lot to be desired, as it can be somewhat mushy and imprecise in regular usage.  I got accustomed to it fairly quick, but it has nothing on either Sony or Nintendo’s D-pads.  Of course, I’d argue that the PS3 controller is an anachronism from controller days gone by, and is only barely more ergonomic than a Colecovision controller, but that’s me.

The new controller will allow users to switch the D-pad from a precision cardinal direction input, which is often favoured by FPS type games for weapon selection to a more sweeping dial which works well in many sports titles.  To transform the D-pad you simply twist the D-pad itself, as seen in the video above from Major Nelson.  They’ve also made a few cosmetic changes, with a matte silver design, and more concave thumbsticks and the ABXY buttons are now greyscale instead of the traditional colours (I guess this is really targeting the hardcore player).

In any case, it’s good to see this coming out as an update to the Play & Charge kit, but it it would be even better if this became the default controller in new consoles in the future.  Though the D-pad isn’t the most vital point in most modern triple-A titles, I find it used much more frequently by people developing Community Games on the 360, so will probably eye picking one up myself in the near future.

The new controller will start shipping with the Play & Charge kit on November 9th 2010 in the Canada (and the US), and other regions later.

Microsoft Canada Press Release after the break…

Read More »

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Posted in Gaming | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

At X’10 – Fable III interview with Josh Atkins

By Doug Groves | Published: August 31, 2010

In our final interview at Microsoft’s X’10 event in Toronto, we talk with Design Director Josh Atkins of Lionhead Studios about what to expect in Fable III, and the importance of storytelling in video games, from the writing to the voice talent.  One of the goals was to engage the player enough to actually put down the controller and think about the moral decisions they make.

“For us, the idea of a choice, it really has to make you care.  It can’t just be so good/evil.  It’s got to be something that pulls  at you a lot more.”

They also talk about some of the new features in the game, including the ability for co-op players to actually get married in the game, differences between UK and North American design aesthetics, and how humour plays a role in storytelling.

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Posted in Gaming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Movies Coming To A Theatre Beside You

By PeteChapman | Published: August 31, 2010

The folks at “io9”, a very hip geek-site, published some painfully funny and astute poster art by Sean Hartter. The premise is sci-fi movie posters from an alternate timeline. His graphic chops are top drawer and his concept is, like any good alternate reality story, better than merely plausable. My Philip K. Dick circuit got a workout on these but it was the my inner film geek that was most delighted…the man knows his history. What he’s proposing isn’t that far from the truth.

Take the David Lynch version  of Frank Herbert’s Dune. What we got was a film directed by Lynch, with Sting as Baron Harkonen’s protege Feyd-Rautha, and a soundtrack by Toto and Brian Eno, shot in Mexico. When the movie version of the book was first proposed back in 1974, it was to be directed by head picture guru Alejandro Jodorowsky with Baron Harkonen played by Orson Welles, Salvidor Dali as the Emperor with  a soundtrack by Pink Floyd. Oh yes, it was also to be shot in Mexico because no matter what reality you’re in, Mexico is always Mexico because the Mayans run everything, right?

Check it out, laugh, cringe, weep and wonder:

Scifi movie posters from an alternate universe

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Posted in Arts, Film, Science | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Pure Pwnage Android app l33t Speaker beta demonstrated

By Doug Groves | Published: August 30, 2010

At Fan Expo, Geoff Lapaire of Pure Pwnage was kind enough to give us a look at the still-in-beta app that they’re developing for Android phones (an update to the already available iPhone app).  The soundboard app, l33t Speaker, will have both basic and Pro versions, and Geoff shows it off on his Nexus One.  The soundboard is a popular app category, but sound quality can sometimes be an issue.  Since this is an official app, not only is the sound quality going to be top notch, but they’ve actually recorded audio directly for the app.

No official announcement yet as to the release date, but Geoff did say he hopes it would be in the next couple of weeks.  He also drops a hint that there’s at least one other app in the works, called Boom Headshot, but no details on that.

[YouTube version]

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Posted in Gaming, Mobile, Software, TV | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fan Expo 2010 – The Big Crunch

By Doug Groves | Published: August 30, 2010

With the end of the last weekend of August comes the end of Fan Expo, by far the largest gathering of fans from across the geek spectrum in Canada, and third largest in North America. 2010 also marks the third year that we at RGB Filter have stormed the gates with video cameras and mics in hand to interview artists, writers, game designers and the occasional geek celebrity, meaning that I’m personally looking at about 6 hours of footage to pour through.

One of the consistent highlights of Fan Expo is the small press and artist alley area, where there’s always something interesting and off the beaten track to discover. This year we talked to a number of people in artist alley, and should have those interviews up soon.

Read More »

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Posted in Animation, Arts, Comics, Computing, Film, Gaming, TV, Zombies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

At X’10 – Fallout: New Vegas

By Doug Groves | Published: August 29, 2010

Taking place about 3 years after the events of Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas spans an area about the size of the Capital Wasteland, but it’s not quite the post apocalyptic environment.  Since Vegas wasn’t directly targeted in the attacks of the Great War, they still have power, which means there’s going to be a lot more colour in the new game.

You can expect about the same amount of game play as in the Fallout 3, but they’ve introduced a few new elements, such as the Companion Wheel, which seems like a more elegant way to control your companions than the straight up dialogue box.  There’s also a weapons modification system,  and Obsidian has added iron sights to the over the shoulder view, which should improve combat in the 3rd person mode.

One of the more amusing anecdotes is how Matthew Perry ended up being a voice talent on the game.  After appearing on Ellen and Jimmy Fallon mentioning how he had hurt his wrist because he was playing Fallout 3 so much, people were asking him to sign copies of the game though he hadn’t worked on it.  After this, Bethesda reached out to him, and now he’s part of the game.

Fallout: New Vegas will be taunting you to kiss two weekends goodbye for non-stop gaming away on October

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Posted in Gaming | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment