Luke Judge

The verdict is in: kids love tablets. There’s something ultra-natural about the tactile nature of a touch screen that drives kids wild, even though these devices weren’t really made for them.

iPads are great for kids and toddlers, but they simply aren’t “kid proof.” this is where the emergence of special, soft and friendly cases come to play. Those have been around for a while and can be found at many Apple Stores, but one company, Totoya Creatures, is taking this kidification process further than ever before.

YetYet is the company’s first creature (along with the Robotto), and it works simultaneously as a soft, fuzzy case and an integrated app. Parents simply launch the app, zip their iPad or iPhone into the case and hand it over to their kids. 

When kids interact with Totoya, it reacts to everything they do. it blinks, makes sounds and even talks back. As the iPad is safely protected “in the belly of the beast,” kids can throw and punch the creature and not only will it withstand the ordeal, it’ll also communicate its feelings — like a next-generation Furby that actually shuts off.

There’s also a strange backstory to the make-believe species (like Furby), which “came to the Totoya island many-many years ago. Maybe from outer space, nobody remembers.”

According to the creators:

Totoya Creatures is a digital / physical hybrid app-cessory toy that we designed and developed in-house. Imagine a furry plush toy for toddlers, a friendly monster, that’s the body. Encased inside you have an iPad, running a specially designed app, that’s the soul.

Overall it’s a weird, charming and cuddly toy that’s likely a much better alternative for kids than a bare iPad. the whole package isn’t all that expensive, but you can also try out the app for free to see what you think!

?  YetYet, by Totoya Creatures (free app, $50-80 case)

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The “5 Ronin” mini-series, purportedly a story of five Ronin (Wolverine, the Hulk, Punisher, Psylocke, and Deadpool) on quests of revenge, is a bit of a mystery to me, even after reading the first issue. It’s unclear if these are stand alone books each featuring separate characters that will tie together into a complete narrative, or if the only tie is that they’re all seeking vengeance as the preview seems to suggest. this in and of itself is a problem, though depending on what the answer is, it may be less of a problem next week when “5 Ronin” #2 shows up.

On its own, this is a strange and unfortunately unsatisfying tale. though it has some mystery and intrigue to it, the plot twist is too obvious and there are no emotional touchstones to deliver any punch. As part of a series, however — a series about this “Wolverine” — it probably wouldn’t be a bad start.

The story is essentially the tale of a Ronin in 1600 Feudal Japan as he searches for revenge after the death of his master, while another of his brothers has left the path and is searching for something else (perhaps honor, it’s hard to say). Early on it’s suggested that brother number one is “a Ronin who cannot die” and when we meet his brothers –who look exactly like him — we understand why that myth has such power. the brothers fight and kill each other, but it’s hard to care much about who lives or dies because we don’t have a connection to any of them. In fact, we don’t know any of these men except for through the most tenuous of ties to a character named Wolverine that we maybe know in another world, another time. All of this makes it impossible to connect with the story, leaving us only with “boy that’s cool” as our barometer, which would maybe be okay, but nothing is really THAT cool to make up for the other failings.

The writing is occasionally lovely, though the traditional Wolverine voice that pops out (“ain’t”!?) feels out of synch with the rest of the piece. while the art is quite beautiful and effective for the tone Milligan seems to be going for, the storytelling overall is a bit convoluted and in places legitimately difficult to follow. the palette is dark and broody, bathed in sepias mixed with pungent reds and soft greens, but on the whole it’s frequently far too dark and confusing. It certainly doesn’t help the confusing aspect that there are three characters that look exactly the same.

While there are definitely things to appreciate in this first issue of “5 Ronin,” from evocative art to Milligan’s sometimes beautiful writing, in the end it feels a bit soulless. an emotional connection of some kind could have made something as blasé as revenge a bit more engaging.

SIMILAR REVIEWS

5 Ronin #4 Posted Fri, March 25th

5 Ronin #3 Posted Mon, March 21st

5 Ronin #2 Posted Wed, March 9th

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: Works just dandy, August 28, 2010 This review is from: Smart Battery Adapter for DeWalt 12 Volt to 18 Volt Batteries (TNC10C-AD02) Category: Cordless Tool Battery Chargers (Misc.)

This adapter worked just greatMy Firestorm battery also worked with it along with my older De Walt batteriesand my new ones

This particular adapter I’m pleased as punch withand if you have a few De Walt batteries like I do….15 minutes and you’re ready to goand my old batteries got a bit of new life injected into them with the new chargerso I was glad I bought this adapter….

It’s a little sticky to remove once you’ve used it.I’m thinking a little Silicone spray will solve that.

On the box the Charger itself comes in that you use this adapter with, it shows color codes for these Dewalt adapters being the same as a Ryobi

That is Wrong. This adapter will NOT work for a Ryobi BatteryGood luck finding the adapter for a Ryobi….I haven’t found it yet

batteries For Hp dandy, punch, silicone spray

Star Wars undoubtedly owes the Western gunslinger for helping to shape the characters that populate its universe (see Five Westerns every Star Wars Fan Should See) — a debt that artist figure customizer Sillof has paid in spades.

A recent update to Sillof’s Workshop includes five entries to his “West Wars” series of custom figures, which marries the Star Wars universe with the design sensibilities of the old West. from the site:

West Wars is a line of custom figures that continues my experiment of breaking down Star Wars many elements and emphasizing them individually. The original trilogy, especially A New Hope, were influenced by westerns. The dusty small frontier towns, the seedy cantina, the quick draw shootouts, etc. this line is intended to be fully western with no other elements. for further authenticity all the names are actual combinations of historical lawmen and outlaws of the American West.

Head on over and have a look-see (via Super Punch)

this entry was posted on January 18, 2011 at 1:41 pm and is filed under Collecting, fan fun, in the media. you can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. you can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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This vibrant wreath adds instant color and dimension to its surroundings. Swirling wisps of grass and ivy combine with the vivid punch of pink Gerber daisies for a brilliant display. Lavender-pink hydrangea blooms and mini daisies add depth of color and texture. Silk flowers and leaves are set on a handmade natural twig base for years of beautiful decoration. Use indoors or on a protected outside door. Size: 18″ diam. Found in Home Furnishings , Home Decor , Decorative Accessories , Wreaths..

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I’m John Struan. Contact me at jstruan at gmail.com

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Transformers Fans! BotCon registration to get your Disney On!

Transformers Collectors Club – Cyclonus, Dion & Punch/Counterpunch now available!

Disney Pook-a-Looz are Too cute for their own good

Tags: BotCon

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Last month, Intel released its new Core i7-980X Extreme six -core chip. It’s fast as hell, it’s the first 32NM six-core ever, and it’s spendy like a MoFo, as in upwards of a grand. Plus all you socket 775 users will need new boards. And RAM. And stuff.

Which makes the impending release of the new AMD six-core chip, code named Thuban, so impressive. First of all, the chip, which will come to market called the Phenom II X6, is backward compatible with older motherboards. Which means if you’ve got a jones for the fastest AMD chip around and you’re running a Socket AM2+ or Socket AM3, you’re in luck.

Even better, though, is the pricing. The top-of-the line X6 Black Edition (1090T) is priced at only $295 bucks. And while it may not pack the punch that the Intel six-core does, it’s less than a third of the price, and appears to be a solid competitor when put up against the currently dominant Intel i5 and i7 chips, as Techreport shows in its in-depth article on the new proc.

Competition is good.  Upgrading without swapping your entire motherboard is better.  It will be interesting to see what sort of boost AMD ultimately gets from its latest and greatest release.

motherboards For Intel 1090t, chips, depth article, punch, socket 775

Last updated at 14:37 20 April 2008

A blonde-haired girl with her hands strapped into boxing glovessobs at the side of the ring.

In another image her twin brother takes a direct hit to the facefrom a sparring partner.

Miah and Kian Flanagan are just five years old.

But already they are seasoned fighters, taking part in analarmingly fast-growing ‘sport’ that pits children againstother children in the terrifying public arena of the boxingring.

Scroll down for more…

Five-year-old Miah’s face crumples in tears as she fights inthe ring

The opponents – some of them barely old enough to be at school -kick and punch in chilling scenes, while parents shout impassionedadvice from the sidelines.

Incredibly parental ‘advice’ includes encouragement to”come on Princess, go forward, kick ‘em, kick’em.”

Welcome to the world of child Thai boxing, one of the fastestgrowing martial arts in the UK with now over 500 registered clubsteaching this sport.

Children as young as four or five are becoming the latestrecruits to organised fighting, where some people’s attitudeis: “If you’re good enough to fight, you’re oldenough”.

The chilling snapshot into a pastime that is legal is laid bareon a Cutting Edge documentary to be shown on Channel 4 later thisweek.

Scroll down for more…

‘Just enjoy yourself, baby’ shouts her father as littleMiah sobs

In the strictly governed world of conventional boxing youngstersmust be at least 11 to compete.

But in MuayThai boxing there is no such limit. There is also norequirement for protective headgear, despite regular blows to theskull.

Parents have to sign a disclaimer before a fight, relievingpromoters of any blame should their children be injured as theycompete – sometimes in front of paying adult audiences.

Miah and Kian Flanagan live with their father Darren, a quantitysurveyor, and mother Lisa, a nail technician, in Wigan.

The twins were enrolled in boxing lessons at their local gymseven months ago. Mr Flanagan is so passionate about the sport thathe has converted the spare room into a gym so he can give the twinsextra tuition.

Mr Flanagan believes that the training will help his daughtertake care of herself.

“If someone grabs Miah when she’s 15 what do you thinkis going to happen? She knows all the defence moves,” hesaid.

“If I’d never taught my kids Thai boxing how guiltywould I feel. anyway Miah loves it – she’s like a ballet dancerwith boxing gloves at the moment,” he told the the News of theWorld.

But footage from the programme shows that Miah often criesbefore going into the ring and her Dad instructing “Come onbaby just enjoy yourself” before later ordering her “stopthis now”.

“Every time she goes in that ring, there is always a worryshe will start crying,” said Mr Flanagan, who says he has toldhis daughter she can give up if she does not enjoy it.

Scroll down for more…

Children as young as five are forced to fight each other in thering as their parents look on

Such is his determination for his children to succeed that heeven alters her diet to ‘bulk’ her up if she faces an olderopponent.

Meanwhile his wife coats her daughter with glittery make-up andhairspray before she enters the rings.

Another child featured is Thai Barlow, already a veteran fighterat 10 and named after his parents burning passion for Thaiboxing.

His dad Mark is his trainer who runs his own gym and motherMaxine was herself a successful fighter. both Thai and his14-year-old sister, a double world champion, have followed theirparents’ love of the sport.

On top of school and homework, a normal week for Thai consistsof running over 15 km, doing 400 sit ups, and at least 10 hours onthe bags and sparring.

Mr Barlow will travel anywhere in the world, forking outthousands of pounds to get his son fight experience.

“My dream and his mum’s dream is for him to win astadium title,” he said. “I don’t know what his dreamis? probably to play with his soldiers.”

On March 28 Thai took part in his first cage brawl, fightinginside a 23ft metal cage in front of a huge crowd paying 335 aticket.

His opponent was nine-year-old Connor Butler, from East London.both were shouted on by their parents, but Thai eventually lost foronly the third time in 59 fights.

Despite his youth, his victories apparently include twoknockouts.

Today Conservative shadow minister for Sport and the OlympicsHugh Robertson, said he was alarmed by the fight scenesdescribed.

“If children are so upset by the prospect of doing anysport that they burst into tears before they do it then I don’tthink they should be forced to take part.

“While I support martial arts and boxing as sport Idon’t think they are sports for children below the age ofseven.”

Cutting Edge: Strictly Baby Fight Club is on Channel 4 onThursday at 9pm

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Britain, you are a DISGUSTING, SICK and DECAYING society.

- Jean, Voorburg, NL, 22/4/2008 00:53

This is nothing but child abuse! what the hell is wrong with the justice system! I would never do this to my child! some people should not be allowed to have children!

- Cheryl, Canada, 22/4/2008 00:53

This is child abuse, pure and simple.

- Jean, Voorburg, NL, 22/4/2008 00:42

This is sickening, disgusting and absolutely horrible.

- Vince, Kentucky, USA, 22/4/2008 00:30

I am absolutely horrified and distressed. I can’t believe what I am reading!
This is physical and mental child abuse.

- Lesley, Southampton, England, 22/4/2008 00:00

This is a sad and terrifying reflection on the cruel and brutal society that we now live in. I don’t care what spin the parents put on it…they are channeling their frustration and aggression through their kids. They are teaching them that violence is the only response in a “hard” world. That they need to “toughen up.” just like a certain recent cases of “child baiting.” There is no difference. It’s abuse, no matter how you dress it up.

- Oddboy, Salford, 21/4/2008 23:14

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