I <3 DivX

DivX 7.0.0 came out recently and all I can say is I love it. Screw VLC.

Windows 7 Beta Due Tomorrow for the General Public

The title says it all. Everyone (myself included) will be able to get their hands on a “legal” version of the beta build of Microsoft’s newest OS. From what I have seen this build is rock solid, and many have said it’s just as good as Vista SP1, if not better. I guess I’ll find out for myself tomorrow, and I recommend you pick up this 6-month sneak peek.

Aaron.

WordPress for iPhone/iPod Touch

Great news, it’s now very simple to blog where ever you are with WordPress for iPhone. In fact I’m laying in bed right now as I’m typing this… Now on to the mini-review. The app is very simple and easy to use, it’s basically just touch and type. My only gripe with it is no widescreen support, but that is understandable. If you are an owner of a iPhone/Touch who uses WordPress, make sure you score this app for free in the App Store.

Aaron.

Tops of 2008 and what I can’t wait for in 2009

2008 wasn’t the greatest year for music, games, or films, but we were all lucky enough to recieve a few gems that will long be hailed as some of the best works of their time. I’m putting together my top 5 lists of my three favorite things, just because I want to be cool like everyone else…

Top Games of 2008

1. Fallout 3 (PC)
Since I first heard of the coming of this game, I was no more than excited. The trailers for the game made it look incredible and little did I know how great it would actually be to play. The gameplay was amazing, and the game never failed to keep me wrapped up in the action at all times. This game is truly a delight to play and will be one I continue to play for a while.

2. Gears of War 2 (360)
When the first Gears of War came out back in November 2006, I was a bit skeptical of how good the game actually was. I decided I would give it a try and it turned out to be one of the top gaming experiences of my life. I truly loved GoW, but I believed it would be hard to top with Gears of War 2. Gears 2 didn’t truly top the first, but it comes damn close. The story is much more epic than the first, but where the game really shines is its totally revamped multiplayer mode. It is a must have for any 360 owner on Xbox Live.

3. Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (360)
I was a big fan of the first Vegas and just like Gears of War, I thought it would be hard to top the first in the series. Rainbow Six Vegas 2 was a huge jump from the first game. The story mode was one of the best I have ever had the pleasure to play and the multiplayer that the series is known for was even better than in the first. This is one of the best games the Xbox 360 has to offer.

Sadly enough, I didn’t find any other games from ’08 that I thought were good enough to call a top. Two big titles from the year, GTA IV and Far Cry 2, were both games I played and didn’t enjoy. These games for me were definitely the two biggest disappointments of the year.

Top Films of 2008

1. The Dark Knight
Coming in at number one is none other than Christopher Nolan’s second film in his Batman series. Hailed as one of the greatest films of all time by many, and the worlds biggest flop by the same amount, The Dark Knight was definitely the biggest film of 2008. Unlike many, I am a Christian Bale fan, and I believe he is probably the best Batman from any of the modern Batman films (from Tim Burton’s Batman to now). Sure Heath Ledger’s performance as the Joker was excellent, but I believe it only gained so much attention because of his death, which all of you readers know is true as well. All in all, it was a brilliant film that I enjoyed seeing twice in the cinema and another three times on DVD. It may not have been as good of a film as Batman Begins, but it was still great.

2. Iron Man
Yet another superhero movie. I loved this movie because of Robert Downey, Jr. His acting was incredible. The whole film it seemed to me like he was actually Tony Stark, and not just an actor. This was a great film throughout, until the ending, which in my opinion was way over the top. Luckily enough, the rest of the film made up for it.

3. Step Brothers
This film was definitely the funniest one of 2008. Ferrell and Riley were both very convincing in their roles, just as they were in Talladega Nights, but this movie was a new level for them. Everything about this film was brilliant, and there wasn’t really anything in the whole film that I didn’t find funny. Boats ‘N’ Hoes is now my ringtone on my cell phone. XD

4. Pineapple Express
This was a film that I highly expected to be horrible. In the end, I was completely surprised. This movie was great. I can’t really put into words what made it so good, but it is a hilarious film that you should put on your rental list.

5. Kung Fu Panda
That’s right. It’s a good movie. Watch it.

Top Albums of 2008

1. The Raconteurs – Consolers of The Lonely
After 2006′s Broken Boy Soldiers turned out to be a brilliant piece of work, I knew it would be hard to top, but Jack White and the gang did it with 2008′s Consolers of The Lonely. Every track on the album is a masterpiece. Tracks that really stand out are Salute Your Solution, the rocking track that you would come to expect from this group, Rich Kid Blues, a very well done cover of the Terry Reid classic, and last but not least Carolina Drama, which is to me the song that Bob Dylan never wrote. This album was undoubtedly the album of the year, although it most likely won’t turn out that way at the Grammy awards.

2. Eagles of Death Metal – Heart On
2006′s Death By Sexy was an album packed full of great tracks, but Heart On easily took the spotlight. There isn’t a disappointing track on the album, which I have to come to expect from any album I buy. Jesse Hughes’ classic guitar styling and vocals are present just as always, and Josh Homme’s deep drum beats are there as well. This is a must own album, and a must hear band. They truly bring classic rock sound back into now.

3. Flight of The Conchords – Self Titled
There isn’t much I can say about this album other than, if you don’t have it, kick yourself in the face. Go torrent it NOW!

4. Radiohead – In Rainbows
The most controversial album of the year… when it comes to pricing. Everyone knows the story, so I won’t go into it. Anywho, I’m not much of a Radiohead fan, even though I have their entire discography in my iTunes library, but this was a pretty good album. If you are a fan of the band, I’m sure you have it so you know how good it is. If you aren’t really much of fan, pick it up anyway.

As for number 5, I didn’t really find anything else this year that I would call good enough to put on a Best Of list.

Ok, now what I can’t wait for this year…

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
The next Muse album.
The next White Stripes album.

That’s how I’ll be spending my ’09.