Category Archives: Gadgets

Gadgets, Movies

Movie Review: Quantum of Solace

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Some people are complaining out there about how Bond is a lover and not a fighter and how much they miss the campiness of the previous Bond movies.  I couldn’t disagree more with those people.  I like this new Jason Bourne like Bond.  While being a fighter, I believe this Bond is more of a lover in deeper sense than the superficial Bonds of the past.  From the past two movies it is clear that Vesper was more than just a convenient roll in the sack and it is the need to avenge her and M that motivates this Bond to be a cold and efficient killer.

Onto the movie itself … this movie combines all the things I like in an action thriller:

  • Car chases
  • Fire
  • Boat chases
  • Free running
  • Angry CIA operatives
  • A handsome leading man
  • A beautiful leading lady
  • Impossible, but plausible stunts
  • A sniveling jerk of villain who Bond curb-stomps in the end (I love what Bond does to this jerk to avenge Strawberry Fields).
  • Revenge fulfilled

The movie is fast paced and Bond operates in a murderous fashion against his enemies without mercy or remorse.  He is true to his convictions and true to his allies.  The inclusion of “Strawberry Fields” feels like the last minute addition of a convenient female for Bond to @#$%.  Her character is totally unnecessary seeing as how Bond really connects with the other “Bond Girl,” Camille, with whom he adventures with and shares a similar desire for revenge within the confines for duty.  I also like the further development and definition of the relationship between Bond and M.  Bond is M’s loyal servant and his love for her is like love that one feels toward a Mother, a Queen Mother, and a could have been lover if M were 20 -30-yrs younger.  It reminds me of the kind relationship between anime/manga partners like Alucard and Integra of “Hellsing” and Sebastion and Ciel of “Kuro Shitsuji” — faithful Demon servants who serve dogs of the British Monarchy ;).

I didn’t like the camera work in some of the scenes.  At times it was too frenetic for my brain to actually process what was going on and I had to look away a couple of times to regain my frame of reference so I wouldn’t fall out of my chair.

All in all, I felt this was an excellent action adventure movie.  If you enjoy the Bourne movies, then you will enjoy this Bond movie and the previous one.  If you are looking for camp, meaningless sex, and poor attempts at “quipping,” then this is not the Bond movie for you.  4.5/5 for great action and great main characters.

A little more: Another star of this movie for me are user interfaces.  The interactive display table M and co. use to visualize data at the fictional Mi6 office is the stuff of future-possible fantasy.  It’s retro-modern slick look harkened back the motifs of the 60’s.  The fantasy Sony-Ericsson phones also looks very cool.   All together there are some nice product placements that are very in line with the movie.

Gadgets

Step 1 on the Road to Gundam Suits

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Whaa-hahaha!!! it’s coming!!!  Honda introduced a powered frame to assist walking and squatting.  They are targeting manufacturing, but these legs can be used for so much more.  I’ve see shows on using similar devices for physical therapy for people with spinal injuries and to help increase the endurance of soldiers.  It looks kinda bulky now, but I look forward to seeing this technology evolve, culminating in a full mechanized suit :).  Whahahahaha — complete with chainsaw sword :).  By the way, I’m an ASIMO fan too!

Note:  I love the competing company’s homage to sci-fi favorites “Terminator” and “2001:  A Space Odyssey” There’s no way I’d connect myself to anything called “HAL.”  ;p  My inner geek is delighted.

Here’s some links to the story.

CNN

The Register

Gadgets

HP Leaks it’s Mini Netbook

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So cute! Now this is one way to do a mini-notebook.  Filling the entire space with keyboard makes it look like there was an effort to make the keyboard as large as possible to accomodate chubby fingers.  I think this also contrast with the smallness of the device, giving it that cute appearance — much like big eyes on a face.   I would love to see a follow-on with a screen that has very little border and that is one uninterrupted smooth and shiny surface.  No wasted space — I think that would look cool.  I also like the shiny lid.  If it’s like my big laptop, then the HP logo lights up on the back when the notebook is powered on.  The rumor is that the screen is 10-in.  It looks like it has a width heavy aspect ratio, which kinda concerns me because the menu bars of most programs eat up a lot of space along the top and bottom of the screen.  I wonder if there is a way to customize the presentation such that these menu bars run along the side, giving the viewing area a more natural look.  Well, I know you can move the main windows bar into and vertical postion.  I can’t wait to see both this laptop and the other new mini-notes in the stores this holiday season.

Gadgets

Dell’s 12-in Netbook

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Here’s a preview from the folks at Crave.  The styling looks like nothing special, but I do like the 12-in size.  I am one of those people who complain that anything below ~11-in is too small to see and to type on.  I would like it, though, if the little PC had some charming styling cues — something that would make me say “this laptop is adorable.”  (I’m still craving somthing reminencent of a stylish or a fun purse.)  This looks very utilitarian.  As for the specs and the price, it sounds decent for a travel laptop.