The times they are a changing….

So this is the story.  A friend of mine was in South Africa on holidays in 2002.  Having had a few too many to drink he found himself alone and drunk in area of town he didn’t want to be in.  With that he pulled out his trusty Irish mobile to get some directions.    The problem was, he couldn’t ring Ireland, because South Africa is on the same latitude as Ireland, so everybody would be in the same time zone. Instead he rang Sydney Australia, where another friend was able to get on the internet, fins out where he was, and then direct him to his hotel.  He called australia from his irish mobile to get directions in a small town in South Africa.  The thing is I used to think this was a great story.  And at the time it was.  It was a clear demonstration of the arrival of the new digital globe.  The story was revolutionary.  But not anymore…    I found myself telling this story tonight, and discovered fairly quickly, that it wasn’t a story anymore.  It was a grandads tale.  I found myself wondering why he hadn’t just accessed google maps mobile. You see even then, five years ago, (dear lord it’s that long), google maps didn’t even exist.  This was ground breaking stuff.  Of  course this is coming from someone who still qualifies stories with,  ”You have to remember that this was before  we had mobiles”. Anyway, I had to get it off my chest.  I still haven’t worked out whether this is  about how much technology has changed us, or how I’ve been generation gapped.  Time will tell….

Bungie split from Microsoft is Official. “It’s not you it’s me”

It’s been on the rumour circuit for quit a while now that Bungie, the developers of the cash cow Halo, have been talking about splitting with Microsoft.  The alleged reason cited were Bungies unhappiness with the uniquely Halo direction Microsoft were pushing them  Most of us in the know have been taking the rumours with a pinch of salt.  After all, Microsoft without Bungie is like love without laughter and tears without tissues.

However,  the unthinkable has happened.  In a press release today Microsoft and Bungie say that they are to split company, and that Bungie will become an independent company.  The Beast will still maintain a share in Bungie, and will also retain and invest in the rights to Halo.   As Shane Kim, head of Microsoft Game Studios, said in a statement. “While we are supporting Bungie’s desire to return to its independent roots, we will continue to invest in our ‘Halo’ entertainment property with Bungie and other partners,”

So what does this mean? Could we be seeing Halo on the PS3?   This hack says it’s highly unlikely.  But perhaps some heavily networked focused multiplayer could well be on the cards for the victorian waffle owners.  

Things the world can do without: Part 1: Segway Polo

The end of the world is nigh. Portents of doom of biblical proportions are occuring throughout the globe: Rivers of blood, two headed chickens, virgin births, Segway polo. Yes, you read right, Segway polo. 

Segway Polo is proudly proclaimed by SegwayHTPolo.com as just like real polo but with a Segway instead of a horse. For those of you who don’t know, a Segway is a two wheeled gyroscopic personal transport system. To make things easier, imagine a five Grand pogostick with oversized wheel and you’ve got it! The sport originated in the Bay Area in 2004, and has apparently been growing since.And get this, there is an international tournament, The Woz Challenge, where recently The Silicon Valley Aftershocks defeated the New Zealand Pole Blacks 5-0.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for international relationships. And given the current Rugby climate, it’s nice to see the New Zealanders getting beaten at something. But come on, Segway Polo? As it is, Polo is an elitest sport with strict fiscal entry requirements, and a histroy of exclusion. Like the real sport this new version requires a hefty outlay, and is accesible only to a chosen few, the technocrats.

On a seperate note, how New Zealand has enough Segways to make a team is beyond me. I do hear the soft hum of their engines do make the sheep more amourous, which could count for their popularity.

While Segway polo may just be some big boys playing with their toys, it’s glorification of geekery makes the rest of us humble pseudos look bad. Therefore BigRed says. “Segway Polo, the world can do without you.”  

Tune in next week for Part 2: Women Drivers

iPhone – £1259 before making a call – The backlash has begun.

It’s only been on the streets for a couple of days, and already the Iphone is getting the british Tabloid treatment.  Like Paris Hilton, it’s being photographed in all the right places, but no one is taking it seriously.

According to the ever reliable free morning newspaper, “The Metro” the cost of an iPhone is a staggering £1259.  Their calculations are based on a a £259 handset, the £55 a month for 18 months contract.  Of course there is a £35 contract, but that doesn’t make good reading.

I’m strangely ambivalent to the iPhone, so I won’t be breaking open the piggybank yet.  Sign me up for an iPod Touch though, I am completely sold on it.  Just don’t tell the girlfriend,  I’m pretending to be broke…