Gizmodo: backwards

Blockbuster Planning In-Store Movie Download Kiosks

Matt Buchanan — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 03:30:42 EST

Blockbuster really is falling back hard on its B&M outlets, so hard they're missing half the point of digital distribution, which is not having to drive to the store to grab a movie. Part of their revival plan is to install kiosks at B&M stores where you can download movies straight to your portable media player. Awesome! Except that I have one of those at my house: a computer.

I wouldn't really call having to trudge all the way to a Blockbuster location to jack my iPod or whatever player into a big blue box to download a movie "bypassing the need for...transferring videos from a computer." It takes the worst aspect of each form of distribution—leaving your easy chair and middling quality video that's not easy to throw up on my TV—and combines them into one totally not ideal experience. Better idea on Blockbuster's part: integrating MovieLink's direct download store with the Blockbuster site and services. That's the way digital distribution is supposed to work. If I come to your store, I expect to walk out with a piece of shiny plastic. [Electronista, Flickr]

Backward Clock Confuses Guests, Toddlers

Jason Chen — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 16:00:47 EST

Not only are the numbers in this backward clock arranged backwards, but the actual hands move in reverse as well. At only $13, it's a cheap way to confuse the hell out of your dates, making sure they never know when it is they have to leave.

At a price of only $13, you can buy a bunch and mount them on doctor's offices, schools, hospitals, and train stations. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Timenwatch via New Launches via uber gizmo]

My PS3 Scratched In 10 Seconds

Brian Lam — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 14:17:24 EST

I'd forgotten to mention this interesting fact. Friday, when Jason and I took the retail PS3 out of its box and within a few seconds it was covered in dust.

I wiped some off with my hand, and lo and behold, it was scratched up to hell.

You'll want to keep yours in an oxygen bubble for maximum shinatude. –Brian Lam
Wii and PS3: Complete and Synchronized Unboxing [Gizmodo]

PlayStation 3's Backward Compatibility Demoed

Jason Chen — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 14:15:57 EST

Eager to find out how the PS3 will play your old PS2 games? Here ya go. Here we take you on a tour of how the PS3 will make a new memory card, how the game loads up, and how you can reassign different SIXAXIS controllers to different "slots" on the virtual PS2.

Bonus: you'll even get a few seconds of the Final Fantasy XII title screen. – Jason Chen

Further Viewing: PS3 Interface Walkthrough [Gizmodo]