New Gaming Consoles

You all know the new gaming consoles that have come out such as the Microsoft Xbox 360 Kinect and the PlayStation 3 Move, but did you know that there are other new gaming "consoles"?

It's true! While these big name companies, known for producing great video games and video game consoles, have made new motion-activated improvements to their already released consoles, Apple has slipped under the radar and has converted it's popular products such as iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and iMac into video game consoles as well!

You may be telling yourself, "This guy's lying through his teeth. I can play video games on my iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and iMac..." See the contradiction there? You've always played video games on your Apple gadgets, you've just never seen them as the same video games as you play on your Xbox or PS3. And people have payed good money for all the games they put on their devices. Apple has made such a profit off of these people.

And now, Apple is finally unveiling it's products as video game consoles. If you would direct your attention to this link: http://www.backtothefuturegame.com, you'll see something you've likely never seen before. The "iPad" logo on a video game. That's right. Telltale Games is releasing a Back to the Future game for PC, PlayStation products, iMac, and iPad. But that's beside the point. The point is, this is revolutionary. Apple has now been recognized as a real gaming console company!

And who knows what the future will bring for this? Could more of our favorite titles be released on Apple devices? Would you be able to play as Master Chief from Halo 3 on an iPod Touch? Will new companies we've never expected to go into gaming... well... go into gaming? Video games are now a relatively big part of the economy when it comes to what kids want. Maybe there will be more video games instead of physical toys by Christmas 2012? Only time will tell. Great Scott!

New Stars

It's said that many new movie and TV stars are developing and are developed, but does one generation see the next generation of stars as new stars?

I guess that would be up to them, but I know that when I walk into the living room and see Disney Channel on the TV screen, I think, "Who is this Demi Lavato person, and why is she praised when she's not as good at acting as Gwyneth Paltrow?" I'm not saying I'm right, that's just an opinion. But still, why're big movie parts going out to actresses like Miranda Cosgrove when they could go out to an experienced actresses like Jennifer Anniston?

There are many reasons, and I will list some.

There's always the factor of what the current kid generation wants. If they have a Barney toy in stock at Toys R Us and it catches little Timmy's eye, he's going to ask his mommy if they can get it and not stop until he does. Why? Barney is on TV. Barney is what he loves. Barney is the definition of entertainment for him at this age. Therefore, if 8-year-old Lucy sees Hanna Montana on TV and Miley Cyrus is casted in a movie, guess what? Lucy's going to beg and plead until they see that movie. And if millions of little girls beg their parents to see the movie just like Lucy did, the profit for that movie will skyrocket, and the movie will end up making way more than they spent. Which is just what the makers of the movie planned, of course.

Then we have the fact that these legendary actors and actresses aren't going to live forever. The entertainment industry has to expose these "rising" stars to as much show business as they can so they get the experience they need to replace the old generation. Robert Downey Jr. wasn't always a big star. No, he rose to stardom just like all stars do. Before him, there was Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, and Clark Gable. That's who Grandma and Grandpa considered, "A Big Star." And Mommy and Daddy liked Farrah Fawcett, Sean Connery, and James Dean. And now this generation likes some people I couldn't name unless I googled who was popular nowadays.

Finally, we have the fact that most older people think the stars of their time are the best ever because they were who's popular during their time. The time you're born in is the time you start experiencing everything. What you need to live, what you want, and who's popular at the time are most likely going to be how you define survival, wanting, and the best actors/actresses/music stars/etc. for the rest of your life.

So if you see that some kid is enjoying watching the actors you think are horrible in comparison to what you define is good, remember that your definition of good acting is different from theirs'. It's all about what you experience.

Kid Franchises

How many times have you looked at a new installment of a cartoon that was on when you were younger, and you think to yourself, "This isn't as good as I remembered..." and you wondered how that franchise has stayed alive so damn long when it's not good anymore?


The answer is simple. You may think that the new installment of this cartoon saga sucks, but kids don't. Kids from 3-12 are set to think that this series is just as good as the original, just like you thought the original was good. This is the original to them. And when they're older, they'll experience the same mindset as you, and remember the good old days when they watched their cartoon, then compare it to the current installment. And you know what they'll say? You guessed it. "This crap sucks!"


That's how Transformers has been around since 1984. They keep making new series's with new animation styles and new characters and especially new plots. The new generation of viewers (kids)  - and in some cases, die-hard fans who will follow the series and buy the products no matter what - are the main source of "keeping the fire burning."


Speaking of products, that's the other main source of income for the series's. Action figures, DVDs, video games, and even accessories to make you look more like the main characters: they all make the money. How're you going to pay everyone? Product sales money. How're you going to get money yourself? The rest of the product sales money... after you give a percentage to taxes... *grumble* *murmur*


Of course there are other sources of income. Advertising space during commercial time pays good. Companies might even pay you to put their products in the show! "Quick Optimus! Use your McDonald's Happy Meal® to gain the strength to beat the Decepticons!" "Thanks, Bumblebee! I'll also use my Happy Meal toy to defeat Megatron with friendship!" "Hahaha, not a chance, Prime! I don't believe in friend sh-- OOH! Is that the Megatron toy? I love these!" "Optimus you've saved the day again!" "Don't thank me, Bumblebee! Thank McDonalds! Badabababa, I'm Lovin' It!™®™®™®™®" ...Ok, so that didn't happen... but it might as well have.


So in conclusion, the reasons that these certain franchises are still alive are:

1. New Generations of Children
2. Die-Hard Fans
3. Advertising
4. Products
5. Nothing else good was on.

Mobile Blogging

I just got an app on my phone that lets me blog.

The typing is a pain on an iPhone, but the idea of blogging on the go is pretty appealing, don't you think? It makes one wonder, is this the future of blogging? Will people in the future blog with their mobile devices instead of on their computers? Will a tourist want to blog about seeing the Eiffel Tower while they're still there and they wtill have the inspiration to do it? Will mobile blogging become a new way to share what you're doing, while you're doing it?

My answer is yes and no. Yes, because some people actually like to share their full thoughts on the subject and not be limited to 140 characters. Therefore, this will be a major part of the "intended audience" so to speak. But also, No, because people these days have shrinking attention spans and want to say what happened to them as quick as they can, then go on to the next thing they'll tweet. That being said, they won't take the time to actually write about the whole situation if they can help it. They'll just say what they did, then get on with their "exciting" lives.

So I'm going to have to call it a mix, depending on who you are. If you like telling people about what you did in detail and really get into how you felt and your experience as a whole, blog about it. Or if you want to tell people what you did, but make it quick because the next exciting thing is starting soon, stick to Twitter or Facebook or whatever you use. I, personally, will take both roads. I'll blog if I have the time, but if I'm in a hurry, I'll just tweet it. I think it's the best of both worlds.

By the way, I typed this whole thing on my phone in 18 minutes.