Is Final Destination real?!

MOSCOW - An Italian woman who arrived late for the Air France plane flight that crashed in the Atlantic last week, killing all 228 on board, has died in a car accident, Italy's ANSA news agency reported.

Johanna Ganthaler, a pensioner from the Bolzano-Bozen Province (South Tyrol), and her husband Kurt, were vacationing in Brazil and missed Air France flight 447 from Rio de Janeiro to Paris on June 1. The couple took a flight to Europe later that day.

The car veered off the road near Kufstein, Austria, killing Johanna.

FREAKY! Does death really chase after you?! Guess its something you really can't win. Coincidence or not? You decide!

8 reasons why a Mac is better than a PC

Great article I read, so I just wanted to share it to those non-believers. I have both a Mac and a PC and have used both for quite awhile. I've always thought that I needed to have a Windows based PC just in case for compatibility reasons, but now, I'm switching completely over to the Mac, running only the Mac OS rather than both. I find no more need for Windows and here are some reasons provided by www.pcadvisor.co.uk. I can definitely think of more than 8, but this one is a good start. Read Read...

While PCs may be the most widely used computer platform in the world, there are still lots of extremely rational reasons to choose a Mac running Mac OS X over a Windows PC.

Macs can leave you happier and more productive than you would have been if you'd bought a Windows system, and feeling you got good value for your money even though a Mac is never the cheapest option.

1. Macs are consistently consistent

Windows Vista reminds me of a haunted mansion - they type of place with endless wings and far-flung rooms connected by twisty staircases and secret passages. And every time Microsoft does a redecorating job (also known as an upgrade), it moves some stuff around for no apparent reason.

OS X's logical, minimalist interface simply involves fewer things that must be learned and relearned, and Apple messes less with it in new releases such as Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. Bottom line: it's easier to get stuff done.

2. The joy of predictability

Anyone who's ever suffered the indignity known as a Kernel Panic knows that Macs aren't bulletproof. But logging thousands of hours both on Windows PCs from multiple manufacturers and on Macs has convinced me that the average Mac is meaningfully less flakey than the average PC.

In my experience Macs crash less, suffer from fewer inexplicable slowdowns, deal better with tight memory situations, and boot up and shut down quicker and more reliably. Also I suspect it doesn't hurt that Apple is the only company in the business that writes its own operating system and designs its own hardware.

3. Who needs security headaches?

If the internet's bad guys ever decide to pummel OS X with the same intensity that they've pounded on Windows for years, the free ride for Mac fans may end. But for now, this fact is indisputable: a Mac owner who uses no security software at all runs less risk of being infected by spyware or a virus than a Windows user who obsessively protects his or her PC.

4. Crud, or the lack thereof

Windows is an infinitely better operating system when it isn't smothered by the demoware, adware, and other unwantedware that so many PC manufacturers splay onto the Start menu, the desktop, and the System Tray.

Macs are utterly free of such junk, as well as native-to-Windows irritations like word balloons burbling out of the System Tray, Windows Activation, and User Account Control.

5. Details count

You can buy a perfectly pleasing Windows PC that matches a Mac's CPU speed, RAM, hard-drive space, and other specs for a lot less money. But it won't have an AC adaptor with hooks that let you wrap up the cord for travel, or a MagSafe connector that won't get damaged if it's accidentally yanked out of the computer.

It won't have an oversized touchpad with multitouch gestures that help you navigate through documents and around the web. And it will probably be heavier and bulkier than a comparable Mac.

6. Apple is one of the world's best software companies

Forget about all those Macs, iPods and iPhones for a moment: Apple's applications are useful, enjoyable, and innovative, from the iLife creativity suite (whose presence on every new Mac is in itself an argument for the platform) to industrial-strength tools such as Final Cut Pro.

Most run only on OS X. (The Windows versions of iTunes, Safari, and QuickTime are okay, but Apple does its best work on its own operating system and hardware.)

7. The Apple Store's Geniuses rock

Buy a Mac, and you qualify for free in-person technical support from a patient rep with a deep knowledge of your system. I've had Geniuses do everything from reinstall my OS to replace broken keys on the spot.

Microsoft has announced plans to train 'Windows Gurus' to provide similar customer care at other retailers; it's worth trying, but there's no way it's going to replicate the Genius experience.

There are simply too many PCs from too many companies running too many variations on Windows for any one person to be an expert on everything.

8. Hey, Macs are PCs

By which I mean that Leopard's Boot Camp feature - and better yet theParallels Desktop and VMware Fusion virtualisation utilities - let you run Windows, and Windows applications, on a Mac.

I'm listing this last because I ultimately see running Windows on a Mac as a last resort: it's usually not necessary, and it degrades some of the other virtues of the Mac, such as protection from Windows security risks. But when it's valuable, it's really valuable.

Next iPhone to launch in June?

There has been a lot of buzz in the mobile world on a new iPhone, and it looks like it could be just around the corner! Apple has reportedly been sourcing for different parts from suppliers such as LG and other Taiwan-based companies. So far, its rumored specs include a 3.2mp still/video CMOS camera, digital compass, 802.11 wifi, more storage, MMS, copy and paste, among others. Its also rumored that the infamous iPhone nano will debut as well.

But for those who know Apple, we know that they aren't the type to announce what they are working on or what/when things are coming out, so I guess we just have to wait. June isn't that far away, but then again, a new iPhone anytime in '09 would be great. Looks like its time to upgrade again!

Looks like the iPhone is up against some coming competition this time around in the mysterious Huawei phone & Sony Ericsson's Idou. But I'm still rooting for you iPhone! iPhone FTW!

OnLive, could our console days be numbered?

The past week here at Vantage has been dedicated to the long and on going "console wars," between Xbox 360 & Playstation 3 fanboys. But new tech called OnLive has come outta no where and could make these consoles obsolete. Its basically a lil box that connects to your tv and lets you stream and play games just like when we view videos from YouTube. Tests have been done with games such as Burnout Paradise & Crysis (which require a fast frame rate and/or a high end PC) and they ran great.



Crazy right?! BUT, hold your horses as we all know, there IS always a catch. Since its based online, services will highly depend on your internet connection. Sure the people in the North America & Europe will have no problems, but what about 3rd world countries such as ours? We'll probably end up being more frustrated then impressed (because let me tell you first hand, the net in Canada is at least twice as fast as my PLDT 5mbps connection).




There has been no discussion on price and although OnLive promises to be competitive, it may be hard in my opinion based on how expensive it is now to develop AAA games. Also, will this even be available in other countries? Well, only time will tell, and we'll be here to bring you the latest news.

Follow the link for more details.


New Tech Could Make Consoles Obsolete

Transformers 3 Update!

Straight from the lion's den... a response from Michael Bay himself regarding Paramount/Dreamworks July 2011 release date for the 3rd Transformers film...

Wait a minute! I said I was taking off a year from Transformers. Paramount made a mistake in dating Transformers 3 - they asked me on the phone - I said yes to July 4 - but for 2012 - whoops! Not 2011!!! That would mean I would have to start prep in September. No way. My brain needs a break from fighting robots. Michael

So there you have it! If ever there is a 3rd, I guess we have an unofficial confirmation (is there such a thing?? haha) that it will be in 2012, not 2011. No Transformers then for at least 2 years... ahh patience is a virtue.

Movie News

Hello thy dear readers! sorry for the long absence and lack of update, but our day jobs have been quite hectic, along with me getting SOOOPER sick outta the blue. Curse you Caesar salad & Sisig! Anyways, onto some news...

What's my movie news without something about my favorite cartoon of all time, The Transformers?! So here we go, first up, seems like Transformers 3, yes "3," has been given a July 1 , 2011 release date! But sorry fanboys, this is no confirmation, no inked actors and writers, and no hint that the 3rd is already in production. Seems like Dreamworks just decided to call DIBS! There are a lot of Superhero movies coming out in the next few years, Thor, Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Spiderman 4 and hopefully a new Batman & Superman, so its also a good move on Dreamworks part to scare those other movies away. Its Transformers! So you better recognize!

Speaking of Spiderman, the 4th installment has also received its release date of May 6, 2011. In an interview with director Sam Raimi, he said that right now, they are in the early stages of working with the writers and trying to work out a story. They are also choosing a villan or villans that Spiderman will battle it out with, which will come from the comic book universe. It was also confirmed that the 5th film is NOT being filmed at the same time as the 4th, like previous reports have indicated. With regards Dunst returning as the character of Mary Jane, Raimi said, "I’m hoping she'll be in it and I'm planning on having a story with her in it... It wouldn't be the Spider-Man series without her." Err... it wouldn't be Spiderman without Toby Maguire you tool! Screw Dusnt, they should actually get a good looking girl!

Lastly, seems like a Johnny Quest movie is going to be in the works. For those who don't know him, shame shame! It is also still in its early stages of writing and it seems like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will be starring in it as bodyguard/friend/govt agent Race Bannon opposite Zac Efron as Johnny Quest. Again, its still really early so nothing is even inked. As much as I hate Zac Efron and how gay he is, I can actually picture him playing Johnny. So this for me is pretty interesting... and i've always been a fan of The Rock!

Thats all for now... but here are some of the release dates for the upcoming Marvel movies. Looks like we'll have one every year! SWEET!

Iron Man 2 - May 7, 2010
Thor - June 17, 2011
The First Avenger: Captain America - July 22, 2011
The Avengers - May 4, 2012

FIGHT!!!: Microsoft Vs. Sony. No Blu-ray??

Those with hopes for native Blu-ray support in Microsoft's upcoming Windows 7 operating system should flush them down the shitter because there has been confirmation the new OS won't play Blu-ray movies out of the box. Blu-ray support in Windows 7 will be provided by "PC makers or BRD drive makers," according to Steven Sinofsky, senior vice president of the Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group at Microsoft, in a statement published by windows7center.com.

Just as with Windows XP and DVDs, Blu-ray playback under Windows 7 will require the installation of third party media suites such as CyberLink's PowerDVD or Corel's WinDVD. By refusing to licence the Blu-ray playback decoder for Windows 7, Microsoft is pushing the costs onto PC makers who will generally obtaining Blu-ray licenses bundled with Blu-ray drives.

Microsoft backed the doomed HD DVD format in the high definition format war which saw the Sony-backed Blu-ray format emerge victorious. Windows has not completely turned its back on the format, with Windows 7 offers the ability to read and burn Blu-ray data discs.

Is Microsoft that little kid with a bad attitude, not supporting Blu-ray because of its main console competitor, Sony? Who knows, but this does put Microsoft in a bad light in my book and on the losing side of the battle. You have to adapt. Right now, Apple is making its mark over MS with its incredibly superior Operating System, thus basically making Apple a better software manufacturer with respects to that. And now, game producers want more space to produce their games and HD-DVD just doesn’t cut it anymore. MS, you really do need to move on and just accept the new, just like Sony knows that iPod’s reign supreme in the music player industry, thus actually making iPod compatible components and even peripherals. Pride is a terrible thing MS, and if you continue your selfish ways then SEE-YA!

WARNING: Children's Havaianas Recalled!!!

Watch out moms and dads out there, childrens Havaianas have been recalled in the US, and us in the PI are following suit. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced yesterday that certain designs for kids flip-flops are being recalled due excessive levels of lead found in the paint used for it's decorative designs. Here's the statement released by the US CPSC:

"Flip flops of the Havaianas brand containing decorative paint were sold under the following model names: Baby Estampas, Baby Pets, Kids Apple, Kids Fairy, Kids Flores, Kids Lighthouse, Kids Monsters, Kids Surf, Baby Letrinhas, Kids Sports, Kids Candies, Kids Fun, Kids Love, Kids Sereias, Kids Speed, Kids Lucky Bug, Kids Pets, Kids Rock, Kids Slim, Kids Wonder Woman, Kids Small Flowers and Kids Tropical w/Kit. A photo of a representative flip flop is provided below. Havaianas flip flops without decorative paint are not being recalled."

There have already been around 210,000 pairs recalled in the States, but none has been recalled here yet. The Philippine distributer of Havaianas, Terry S.A. are conducting tests on whether or not our children's flip-flops are also affected because as the batches are manufactured in Brazil, they are made per country, not per design. Terry S.A. has pulled out and stopped selling the same designs that were recalled in the States, but no recall has been done yet. So far, no injuries have been reported.

I applaud the quick response by Terry S.A. BUT what they should've done is follow the States and just do a recall. I know they are a business and you and I both know how businesses run here in the PI (dirty, selfish, corrupt, just a few key words), but our children's safety SHOULD be prioritized. Even though it costs you a lot to do so, it is your responsibility. Why wait for something to happen first?! Anyway, at least there was something done at all which is a surprising thing for our country.

SO TO ALL PARENTS OUT THERE, KEEP YOUR KIDS OFF THOSE HAVAIANAS & OTHER DESIGNER FLIP-FLOPS WITH DECORATIVE PAINT!!!

Here is a link to their site of kids flip-flops for your reference.

TF2:RoTF News: Like we didn't already know?!

For those who don't know, Megatron IS back in this summer's Transformers the movie sequel. There have been various leaked images, toys and theories on his return which made it blatantly obvious but now, its been officially confirmed by director Michael Bay.

Okay cat is out of the bag. Megatron is back ---- but you will only get to see him from the long lost past. We go way back in time as this movie explains the mythology of the Primes. He is not a tank like everyone suggests, but an alien vehicle. But sadly he does not has much screen time.

Michael

So we now all officially know that Megs is back, but the rest of what Bay is saying, I call BULLSHIT!!! Again, he's back to his whole misdirection-thing, but for fans like myself, who do you think you're trying to fool?! It's pretty obvious from the trailer that Megs is the one that pins down Sam, and the bio from his toy counterpart pretty much seals the deal as him being part of the present. So anyway, who will be the voice of the bad ass Decepticon leader? None other than Hugo Weaving! Yup, he's back!!! And here is what he had to say...

"I've already done it," Weaving says, adding Bay had told him to keep the news hush-hush. "He's over in LA and we were working on the video split sort of thing and I had this strange conversation where he seemed to imply it was all a big secret. So there you go, I've given you the secret scoop."

So how is Megatron resurrected?

Weaving is coy about revealing too much, but does give a tiny hint.

"I think in the last one, doesn't Optimus Prime pick up a little bit of, a little shard of the cube, or the thing that's left, and he takes it with him. Maybe there's something there... but I don't know," he laughs.

I was very disappointed that after getting Peter Cullen to reprise his role as the voice of Optimus Prime in the first and second films, they didn't get Frank Welker to return as Megatron (which he voiced in the original 80's cartoon), but after hearing his voice dubbed over to movie Megs, it was obviously a bad move to do so. So I'm happy that Weaving is back. Lets just hope he gets more screen time and lines this time around. I'm onto you Bay.

Sunday Retrospective

Ahh, computers have definitely come a LOOOONG way. The first ones I can remember were those old Apple computers we had (in public school in Canada) that had the black screens with green writing. This was even before Windows 3.1 for those who can remember. And look today how far we've come. 1 Gb of RAM is like nothing to us now, its a minimum requirement. 1 Tb hard disks for just over a hundred bucks. Free chat, music, information, movies and of course, pron (yes p-r-o-n)! You can buy a relatively good set-up for around P20k, but back in the day some may have cost $20k!

Step into my Delorian and check out what they had back in the 80's, when having a 55 pound computer was considered, portable.

IBM Portable PC (64k RAM) - 1975
Price: $19,975

Radio Shack TRS 80 Model II (64k RAM) - 1979
Price: $3,899

IBM 5120 with printer - 1980
Price: $9,340



Osborne 1 (32k RAM) - 1981
Price: $1,795



Apple III with monitor (128k RAM) - 1981
Price: $3,815


Dynabyt (64k RAM) - 1981
Price: $2,375



Otrona Attache (64k RAM) - 1982
Price: $3,995



Apple Lisa (1MB RAM) - 1983
Price: $9,995


IBM Portable PC 5155 (256k - 640k RAM)- 1984
Price: $4,225

Compaq Portable III (20mb hard disk space) - 1987
Price: $5,799

Crazy ain't it?! Just to give a quick run-down to those who don't know or arent sure about computer measurements, heres an estimate...

1TB = 1000GB
1GB = 1000MB
1MB = 1000KB
1KB = 1000b

Thats just from the top of my head. I know that measurements arent exactly in 1000 units (its like 1024 or something), so for any other mistakes, my bad!

I AM THE LAW!!!

Judge Dredd is coming back to the big screen via Rebellion and 2000 AD together with DNA Films, which also produced 28 Weeks Later. Production will start in 2009, which is pretty vague since '09 starts in just 2 weeks. Will it start THAT soon? Hopefully a 2010 summer release? Jason Kingsely, CEO and Creative Director said, "We can't give away too many details at this point but we're looking forward to working with DNA Films to bring Judge Dredd back to the big screen."

I kinda have mixed feelings for this film. But one thing is for certain, at this point, I can't think of anyone else other than Sylvester Stallone to play the lead role. Yes, he is old. Yes, he's kinda at the end of his career, but who can say, "I AM THE LAW" better than old Sly?! Or look like Dredd's jaw-line for that matter!

Who do you guys think would be a better Dredd? Voice it out! Comment Comment!

George got some moves!

Check out this journalist who threw his shoes... yes, SHOES... at former President Bush just today in a press conference in the Middle East! I was never a fan of George Bush, but this is something I'd never do unless I suddenly had the urge to get shot or have dudes tackle my ass from every angle! Bush did pull off some matrix moves though, avoiding 2 projectiles. You continue to provide us with a lotta laughs Bush, even after your term as US President. I applaud thee!




Useful fact of the day... In the Middle East, its a great sign of disrespect to slap someone with your shoe. So maybe thats why the journalist used his shoes as his weapon of choice. Very poetic!

R.I.P Knight Rider?

Is NBC's Knight Rider finally going to be cancelled? Oh God I hope so! Put it out of its misery, please! NBC hasn't officially announced it yet but by looking at the way the show is going, its going to be canned after this season. First the show was given a full season to run, then mid-season in, it was announced that the show was going to be completely revamped after ratings confirmed that the show sucks, and now, the 22-episode full-season order has officially been cut back to 17. It doesn't take a genius to put the pieces together. A show with bad acting, bad casting, bad effects, bad story and most importantly, an ugly-ass car... Sorry fanboys, but man Knight Rider really sucked balls.

The Blu-Rays have arrived!!!

Remember the news on those pirated "blu-rays" that hit China a few weeks ago?

*Drum roll please*

They have arrived!!! Just like we said they would! In the pirated-whatever industry, we in the PI can proudly say that we are one of the most proactive and quickest to receive pirated and fake goods of all sorts. Let's give ourselves a pat on the back.

Bow.

Zac Efron --> I knew it!

Like I said before, we don't really post much celebrity news here, but this is another one thats pretty interesting (not as cool as Brad Pitt being a stoner, but not bad)! Pic speaks for itself. Click to enlarge if its too small.

Zac Efron you Bakla Booooy! haha!

Pirated Blu-rays already?!

Sorry to burst your bubble guys, but not just yet. These were spotted in China and for those who dont know what they're getting into, pirates are duping customers that these copies are blu-ray discs, so watch out! The story behind this is that pirates are ripping original Blu-rays into AVCHD format (which uses 720 horizontal lines of resolution compared to Blu-ray's 1,080) and burning them into writable DVDs. They even boast the BD hologram and the iconic blue hues on the packaging!

I have a feeling these will hit our shores much sooner than later, so remember guys, there are no fake Blu-rays just yet. Why? Right now, burners and blu-rays discs are much to expensive, simple as that. So if you do see these around GH or Metrowalk, trust me, they arent real.

Brad you stoner guuuuy!!!

There are TONS of celebrity news/gossip sites out there with very interesting info, but here at Vantage, we arent really that much for celebrity news/gossip... a few here and there but nothing major. I came across this one about Brad Pitt though which I thought I just had to post. The quick run through on whats going on is that his ex, Jennifer Aniston is still pissed about him falling for Angelina Jolie while they were still together, so she's talkin smack about him now, like how he smokes up hardcore! Her friend told the National Enquirer...

“When he first met Jen, he was a ‘wake ‘n’ bake’ — the kind of guy who puffed a joint as soon as he got up in the morning. And when he wasn’t working, he was buying pipes and bongs, seeking out high grade weed. It’s weird for Jen to see Brad acting like he’s some kind of saint now. She knows his lazy side and how much dope he’s smoked.” (Print Edition - 11/10)

Beats me why Jen is just starting to say shit just now, but who cares, it makes for interesting news! But dont worry Brad, Vantage has got your back! wink wink, nudge nudge.