A Revolution in 3D gaming: The Nintendo 3DS

     In 2004, Nintendo brought us the first portable gaming device with a touchscreen with the Nintendo DS. The DS was a dual screen gaming device that opens like a clamshell laptop. The upper screen was an ordinary LCD. The bottom screen, on the other hand, had a resistive touchscreen, which brought a more personal gaming experience. throughout the years the DS evolved to include the DS Lite, DSi, DSi, and finally, the Nintendo 3DS.
    The 3DS is avalable for preorder at the nintendo website, and will be available on the 27th of March. At $249.99, the 3DS is about $100 more than any of it's predecessors. At that price, Nintendo had better be giving us something high quality.
    The 3DS had the regular resistive touchscreen of its predecessors, but the top screen uses a special stereoscopic display to deliver 3d quality images without any bulky glasses. The idea of 3D media is extremely popular currently, and Nintendo getting 3D mobile gaming out to the public as soon as possible is a very smart business move.
    The  device is 5.3 inches wide, and 2.9 inches in length, and with a weight of 8 ounces, the device is okay for bringing with you on the go.
     Besides for the ability to flay 3D games, the 3DS gives you two cameras on the back for 3D photos, and also introduces StreetPass, which connects you wirelessly to other 3DS owners and swaps information.
     Another cool feature of the 3DS is the newly added gyroscope and motion sensor, which adds a whole new way to play. Normally you would have to control the device solely with the physical buttons, now you can just move the device and, viola, the image on the screen changes. (Okay, it's not as cool as I make it sound. But still, that's awesome.)
     The hardware isn't the only thing that has changed. With it's 3DS, Nintendo introduces it's new preloaded system. The 3DS now comes with a web browser, an activity log that tracks what games you've been playing and for how long, as well as physical movements, and some games will even reward you for how much you walk. The device will also allow you to play music and even 3D video, but Nintendo has yet to announce the exact specifications of 3D video playback.
    Nintendo also brings it's Mii system from the Wii to the 3DS, allowing you to create an avatar for use in games, and will also be used with the StreetPass system mentioned above.
    The 3DS will also integrate some interesting augmented reality games, letting you smash monsters on your kitchen table.
    For $249.99, the 3DS is pretty pricey, but it introduces many more features, and is pretty much a completely different and improved device. With added 3D, a web browser, and a lot more, the 3DS might just be worth the almost $100 difference between earlier DS models. Is this device worth the $250? Maybe. Is it a very cool and compelling looking device? Definitely.

Dubai

I am in Dubai for a Mobile Broadband Conference in Emerging Markets held at Traders Hotel.
Last year, I bought a Camry for my Bitrhday (today), and since today I am in Dubai, I decidedto get a couple of things for myself. See next Blog entry.

Specs and Speculations: Blackberry Bold

     The email phone. The business phone. The first successful smart phone. The Blackberry. Is it really all that good? The Blackberry Bold came into my house, and I jumped at the opportunity to review it (Although I'm not so sure the phone's owner really wanted me to use it).
     At first glance, the Bold looked nice. Unlike many phones, it's straighter angles make this a sleek looking business smartphone. You get a full physical QWERTY keyboard under the 2.45 inch LCD screen. Being used to the big touchscreen smartphones common today, the Bold's small, "regular" screen seemed strange. The Bold's Bluetooth capabilities are also important for the business user.
    On my Samsung Intensity, I made a call to the Bold. The voice quality was okay, but when the caller was not talking, there was a lot of background white noise, even though they were in a completely quiet office. The Bolds ear-piece seems to work well.
    Using the mini trackpad on the phone was a lot harder than using the touchscreen on say, the iPhone. Having a physical keyboard can sometimes be nice, especially for heavy email users. The Bold sounds good so far, but the user experience on the OS is a real drawback. For instance, in the maps app, you have to click the trackpad to change the mode from "Pan" mode to "Zoom" mode, and then move your finger on the trackpad.
     The picture quality on the 3.2 MP is better than one you'll find on a feature phone, but doesn't come close to the iPhone 4's almost point and shoot like quality. It's nice to have a flash on the phone, but with this camera I would definitely bring along a point and shoot camera on a trip, because the Bold's Camera  doesn't really do the trick.
     Our Verizon phone came preloaded with icons for Skype, NFL Mobile, along with some games, but clicking on most of them just brought up a webpage for downloading them. Verizon also adds it's VCast and a few other programs, along with (annoyingly) making Bing the default search provider. The calendar app works fine, and is actually more advanced than the one on Android and iPhone, but has a very plain and old fashioned looking interface.
     Email setup was easy, and I set up my Gmail account on the phone in seconds. Blackberry users are crazy about how the email system is better than anything else, but I don't see how it outshines the iPhone or Android. The one drawback with email is  that it takes twenty minutes fo rthe mail to start coming into your inbox.
     Gamers, stick with an iPhone or Android device, because gaming isn't really going to work that well on the Blackberry Bold. The Bold comes preloaded with five games, including a not so well designed Brick-Breaker, a pretty fun casual game called Word Mole (so that's where the enter button is), and Sudoku, which seems okay. Medal of Honor and Assassin's Creed II, for $6.99 and $1.99, respectively. Although these are popular titles in the gaming console world, I don't know how good Assassin's Creed II could look on a 2.45 inch screen.
     Once you start to understand how the operating system works, everything becomes easier to understand, until then the OS really is not as self explanatory as iPhone's iOS or even Android. The whole Blackberry system works, but is almost completely any missing any eye candy you'll find on other phones.
     The Blackberry Bold seems to be for the business user who definitely does NOT use this as their primary computing device. For those, I would definitely recommend the iPhone, or maybe for a more sophisticated user, an Android device. As usual, you definitely should play with all your options before you make the decision.

Head Is A Bit Tangled...

Ok, so you have heard of Zentangle? If not, check out that link to get started… I am warning you now - it is very addictive… For me - add it to the Online Drawing Lab I am taking in 2011 - and you have stuff like this coming out:

Marsha Neal Studio Cat Drawing from DL2011 - Tangled...

Basically it comes down to drawings. Little repeat drawings. Ooodles of doodles…

I have been doodling forever. A lot of people have (our poor mothers - we came out with some sort of drawing utensil in hand at birth I'm almost certain of it…).

So I came across Zentangle through a blog somewhere (those links - they will get you every time!). Sent the link to Dave as a "check this out, looks cool - maybe a good Christmas present idea if you are looking for one"…

Marsha Neal Studio Sampler Variations from Zentangle Books

Now I'm not so sure he is happy about getting it for me. I'm addicted. Well, I guess you could say - I'm inspired and a bit obsessed. Ok - addicted is right…

I feel like I am on a mission of sorts, then I can relax a bit…
I blame this almost fully on the fact that
1. I am currently dealing with federal lawsuits of copyright infringement issues with my porcelain pendants and
2. my general way of being brought up as "do something right from the beginning".

What makes a drawing or doodle a Zentangle (insert Registered Trademark here).
Why does it seem like there is this huge rush to put a title to a drawing and your name on a doodle and say you created it (or am I just overwhelmed - and making up the "rushed" part - because I am just discovering this official business of Zentangle drawing)?
And really - other than categorization for teaching and communication (I totally dig the scientific method of naming things: KPGOFGS) and becoming known, why do this?

One thing I have come full circle to realize after cruising blogs, websites, videos, and at least 4 Zentangle books is that Zentangles - the actual drawing in the mindset of Zentangle is to use a small piece of paper. They have super sweet 3.5" squares of really nice paper (repeat - really nice - it has such a feel to it!) that are perfect for little masterpieces.

Because I feel that using a full size sketchbook page takes away from the "zen" of the "tangling"… It can take HOURS that may lead into days to complete a full sheet of paper.

Then there is the shading… (Oh, what shading can do for your drawing! It pops right off the page at you if it is well done). And add in the graphite finger prints on things (or the hurdling over toddlers to get to the sink to wash before wiping a running nose or making lunch).

I'm not saying that is a bad thing to be into drawing like this…
But when you have other things to do in life, sitting drawing obsessively will raise a few eyebrows (I had no idea the cat could do that too!) when other things are being pushed off to the side.

I just wanted to share with you a little about my mental state right now with my obsession with Zentangle and questions I have.

I want to take it to the next level too. Well, technically, full circle in a way because I want to be inspired to make new clay pieces, with textures from my drawings and carvings… But need to walk carefully because of all this business stuff. Would love feedback on this one. If you have discussed this on your blog and want to share it, maybe I'll create an inlinkz for this post…

For now I am admitting to my obsession, I have put the Zentangle books down. Put the sketch book and black gel roller pens down. And will be pulling out the 3.5" Zentangle kit I got for Christmas next week when Laura posts her next challenge and getting back to the zen of tangling again, and try to not get too obsessed until I have gotten my studio office, jewelry making area, and clay studio organized.

I put it in writing…

Head Is A Bit Tangled...

Ok, so you have heard of Zentangle? If not, check out that link to get started… I am warning you now - it is very addictive… For me - add it to the Online Drawing Lab I am taking in 2011 - and you have stuff like this coming out:

Marsha Neal Studio Cat Drawing from DL2011 - Tangled...

Basically it comes down to drawings. Little repeat drawings. Ooodles of doodles…

I have been doodling forever. A lot of people have (our poor mothers - we came out with some sort of drawing utensil in hand at birth I'm almost certain of it…).

So I came across Zentangle through a blog somewhere (those links - they will get you every time!). Sent the link to Dave as a "check this out, looks cool - maybe a good Christmas present idea if you are looking for one"…

Marsha Neal Studio Sampler Variations from Zentangle Books

Now I'm not so sure he is happy about getting it for me. I'm addicted. Well, I guess you could say - I'm inspired and a bit obsessed. Ok - addicted is right…

I feel like I am on a mission of sorts, then I can relax a bit…
I blame this almost fully on the fact that
1. I am currently dealing with federal lawsuits of copyright infringement issues with my porcelain pendants and
2. my general way of being brought up as "do something right from the beginning".

What makes a drawing or doodle a Zentangle (insert Registered Trademark here).
Why does it seem like there is this huge rush to put a title to a drawing and your name on a doodle and say you created it (or am I just overwhelmed - and making up the "rushed" part - because I am just discovering this official business of Zentangle drawing)?
And really - other than categorization for teaching and communication (I totally dig the scientific method of naming things: KPGOFGS) and becoming known, why do this?

One thing I have come full circle to realize after cruising blogs, websites, videos, and at least 4 Zentangle books is that Zentangles - the actual drawing in the mindset of Zentangle is to use a small piece of paper. They have super sweet 3.5" squares of really nice paper (repeat - really nice - it has such a feel to it!) that are perfect for little masterpieces.

Because I feel that using a full size sketchbook page takes away from the "zen" of the "tangling"… It can take HOURS that may lead into days to complete a full sheet of paper.

Then there is the shading… (Oh, what shading can do for your drawing! It pops right off the page at you if it is well done). And add in the graphite finger prints on things (or the hurdling over toddlers to get to the sink to wash before wiping a running nose or making lunch).

I'm not saying that is a bad thing to be into drawing like this…
But when you have other things to do in life, sitting drawing obsessively will raise a few eyebrows (I had no idea the cat could do that too!) when other things are being pushed off to the side.

I just wanted to share with you a little about my mental state right now with my obsession with Zentangle and questions I have.

I want to take it to the next level too. Well, technically, full circle in a way because I want to be inspired to make new clay pieces, with textures from my drawings and carvings… But need to walk carefully because of all this business stuff. Would love feedback on this one. If you have discussed this on your blog and want to share it, maybe I'll create an inlinkz for this post…

For now I am admitting to my obsession, I have put the Zentangle books down. Put the sketch book and black gel roller pens down. And will be pulling out the 3.5" Zentangle kit I got for Christmas next week when Laura posts her next challenge and getting back to the zen of tangling again, and try to not get too obsessed until I have gotten my studio office, jewelry making area, and clay studio organized.

I put it in writing…

Rear In Gear...

I really hoped that the Blogpress App update fixed this issue with blurry pictures - Grumble, grumble…

I wanted to share a series of photos with you that I snapped of Peeves with a choice to make about new catnip toys she received from my friend Vicki (I got a great wheel thrown vase for myself and a necklace to add to the My Mom Pattie Etsy shop)…

I can relate to her having to make a decision. I had one too yesterday morning...










































As you can see, she went back and forth a bit, rolled around on them, played with each one a bit, then decided to run around like a freak and play with them both seriously… It was great fun to watch!




So every stinking day I go into the basement studio and see this - piles. PILES of filing (my organized mess - where if I needed to grab something, I could begin in an area where I had placed it - or did I move it to a "better place"?).



I despise this. I really do.




So the entire morning was spent pulling bins and going piece by piece, business card, receipt, catalogs, magazines, notes, old pictures, all of it - PIECE BY PIECE… and into the recycle bin or shred piles (very little had to be "thrown away") if it is not something that I need to keep.

I feel like a hoarder at times. But then again - here is the excuse of all times, I'm a busy person. At least I have been. And I need to have a good plan in place to get myself re-organized to be able to keep up with it. There is a LOT of self searching going on as these piles are gone through. And after I am done with the filing - I get to the fun part - going through all my arts and crafts "piles" and bins that are stored on shelves. Going to introduce myself to them… "Hi Stuff! I'm Marsha… Wanna play?"

More pics will be posted later today or tomorrow of my progress… Stop back for more!
This big ol' rear is getting in gear...

Rear In Gear...

I really hoped that the Blogpress App update fixed this issue with blurry pictures - Grumble, grumble…

I wanted to share a series of photos with you that I snapped of Peeves with a choice to make about new catnip toys she received from my friend Vicki (I got a great wheel thrown vase for myself and a necklace to add to the My Mom Pattie Etsy shop)…

I can relate to her having to make a decision. I had one too yesterday morning...










































As you can see, she went back and forth a bit, rolled around on them, played with each one a bit, then decided to run around like a freak and play with them both seriously… It was great fun to watch!




So every stinking day I go into the basement studio and see this - piles. PILES of filing (my organized mess - where if I needed to grab something, I could begin in an area where I had placed it - or did I move it to a "better place"?).



I despise this. I really do.




So the entire morning was spent pulling bins and going piece by piece, business card, receipt, catalogs, magazines, notes, old pictures, all of it - PIECE BY PIECE… and into the recycle bin or shred piles (very little had to be "thrown away") if it is not something that I need to keep.

I feel like a hoarder at times. But then again - here is the excuse of all times, I'm a busy person. At least I have been. And I need to have a good plan in place to get myself re-organized to be able to keep up with it. There is a LOT of self searching going on as these piles are gone through. And after I am done with the filing - I get to the fun part - going through all my arts and crafts "piles" and bins that are stored on shelves. Going to introduce myself to them… "Hi Stuff! I'm Marsha… Wanna play?"

More pics will be posted later today or tomorrow of my progress… Stop back for more!
This big ol' rear is getting in gear...