This Week's News: The Cell Phone, Cisco, F2P Announcement, and Mortal Kombat!

This week we have several newsworthy topics.

The first public mobile phone call was made by Mr. Martin Cooper.  Mr. Cooper worked for Motorola and the phone was a really large brick looking phone.  It's amazing to see the how far mobile phones have come.  If you've done your math, that would place this iconic phone call on April 3rd, 1973.  So try to wrap your head around this, if Mr. Cooper hadn't made this phone call (and if Motorola hadn't developed the tech) than we more than likely wouldn't have the same mobile capabilities we have now.  And how did we ever get along before cell phones became all the rage?  Just something to think about.

Looks as though Cisco is closing down their Flip Camera divisions as part of a restructuring process.  If you aren't sure what the Flip Camera's are; then they are small, cell phone sized video camera's that store video in it's onboard flash storage.  These small camera's were intended for easy filming and uploading to the web.  I have not personally used the camera's for more than a few minutes at Best Buy, but I have heard mixed reviews on the quality of the devices.  No doubt a huge factor in Cisco's decision was the fact that it seems almost everybody already has a camera with them built into their cell phone or smart phone.  Not to mention competing devices like the Sony Bloggie.  Unfortunately, this restructuring will eliminate around 550 jobs from Cisco's staff.  One the upside, if you're in the market for a cheap digital video camera for your pocket or purse.  Be on the lookout as no doubt stores like Best Buy and Walmart may be trying to move these devices (just my speculation).
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-12/cisco-to-close-flip-video-camera-business-as-part-of-consumer-unit-revamp.html

In gaming/F2P news, Hi-Rez Studios online shooter Global Agenda is going free to play later this month.  For those who may remember, Global Agenda has maintained some Free to Play (F2P) aspects.  The free to play transition will bring such things to the table for F2P players as: no level restrictions, ability to earn all of the in game items without buying them, and access to all current playable zones.  Global Agenda was the game that campaigned it's extreme distaste for Elves.



Amazon decided they are trying something new with their flagship e-reader: The Kindle.  They are offering the "Kindle with Special Offers".  It's basically the same monochrome Kindle the world knows and loves.  But they will be pushing ad's and special offers to the user's devices.  The Special Offers version of the device will retail at $114 from $139.  If you don't mind looking at screensaver ad's than jump on the savings.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004HFS6Z0/tmo-20

The Mortal Kombat Legacy web series launched today.  Check it out at Machinima YouTube Channel.  This series is more or less a reboot of the Mortal Kombat story.  It features the acting talents Michael Jai White and Jeri Ryan.  This series was teased in a short video released mysteriously on Youtube by the name of Mortal Kombat Rebirth.  This take on the MK Universe looks to set a real world story to the iconic characters from the series past.  And tt definitely looks promising.  So, check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6s6UiEuCYXA

Until next time, happy surfing!