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I say smart phones should and can return, but you say they still exist. Well flash back Watson, before the iPhone came out (now lets face it, it’s not really a “smart” phone anyway) these devices had a different name and were touch phones or PDA phones. You see I’m talking about the days when the sheriff was Windows Mobile, which means things were completely different, what were smart phones? Well they were the candy bar phones you see today, however these phones were smart, they were on par with the touch devices in terms of compatibilities.

Now the world of hackers and enthusiasts of Windows Mobile will say that the operating system never really got a successor. While Windows Phone exists, the architecture is completely different and so is the direction the operating system goes in. Windows Mobile tried to do what a computer was first and phone second, so these devices had those entire nick knacks like Office, and its routes came from more legacy PDA phones from years before.

Now why am I bringing this back up? Well you see I recently had to go back to my old BenQ e72 for various reasons. Now this little phone I picked up in 2009 I’m pretty sure. So I bought it after its time, as you can tell from how I’m telling this story the e72 was a little bit older then when I bought it. I’m fairly sure the device was a 2007 or 2008 device, hold on I can only find when it was announced which was 2007. So clearly from that you can tell it isn’t a spec king, its Camera is only a measly 2 mega pixels for instance. While no doubt spec wise it wasn’t king of the hill even back then, it was a middle of the pack for the candy form factor and gave a genuine punch to previous candy phones. Now design wise this phone was in a new league of its own, it was in a era when Windows Mobile started to sunset and the world was looking for something new, which was when most of the best looking devices came out. Compare our little e72 with some older candy phones of previous years you will see it is considerably thinner and smaller. However compare it with something much closer to our time, like the Zune HD while not a phone embodies the smaller scale touch screen factor which has become very common, and you will notice that they are round about the same size with the Zune been much thinner.

So clearly this phone isn’t the king of the hill, so where does its form factor lie today? Most cheaper phones which are not “smart phones” will have this candy style form factor however they are disappearing into the dust with the past few years been less and less new announcements of phones in this form factor. Which I think is a drastic loss to the mobile industry.

Ditch the whole idea of touch and enhancements which came with it, and keep to the whole button idea. Or use touch like the Nokia Touch and Type phones use them, how it is more of an “inclusion” not a requirement. I think a form factor simular to a Blackberry could also get help from this. Something like Windows Phone 7 with its metro style would be great to a point, I don’t think that style of design would work on a phone with this style. To push my point further, simular crowded versions which appeared in Windows Mobile at the time didn’t work either. If Microsoft were to reintroduce these form factors with a Metro interface the style would have to be considerably “lighter”, heck even something like they used on the Kin could work with some tweaking.

While it is out of date now, I think a modern approach to these type phones could still work and there would defiantly be a market for them.

The whole idea of this type of set up for phones with built in number pads and a “candy” form factor seems to relate to a stigma of they are for old people. I feel as if however if a push to make cheap, but functional styled candy phones with features which many smart phones have these days while giving it a much easier to use and setup approach then people will relate to them much easier and be more inclined to buy them.

The problem with smart phones these days seems to be that while they offer lots of features, the popular smart phones like the iPhone and various Android devices give users to much options, not that is a bad thing but many of these options are just in the users face. They don’t know why they need to go to a certain area in the settings to perform a task. Or they can’t simply find the feature they want. Moving away from setting up the phones even the whole icon list approach to phones is just stupid from a functionality stand point. While you can easily see a folder or item you have to look for these items much more then use them, that is why Windows Phone nailed the icon approach in the head and simplified it a little more, it still is at its core that disgusting icon approach which smart phones have come to be related to, but it does it in a more simplified elegant approach.

All you hear these days is Internet is stealing the local stores money and other crazy stuff like that. Basically the dinosaurs are throwing their tales around and missing the point. So what would an average street be like in the future? With the adaption of internet shopping for various types of retail, will the common street front be a thing of the past?

Entertainment like movies and games will slowly disperse from retail stores to the internet. Were the upkeep is drastically less than hundreds of stores across the country. This will be good too for the consumer, with the consumer wanting more and more entertainment cheaper than the current high market price. I could see what little entertainment which does exist in the retail stores been limited to smaller selections and big releases aimed for the “right there, right now” market. However with the increasing effectiveness of postal services this too might just disappear.

Supermarkets will still exist, while they are trying for that whole online push as well, like the delivery systems tried years ago they will just forget them as well. The whole idea of purchasing produce online just seems a more over presented pointless exercise. Especially when half the time the stores themselves usually have the dodgiest produce, why would an online warehouse supermarket have any fresher?

I expect the future of the shop front will be more speciality stores which are not aimed at entertainment or convince but what a consumer would need locally. For example building supply stores and other industrial setups. The corner store would probably return and the malls will be a of a relic of the past.

Bars and clubs should also evolve, not as a “this is the future” but more as “this is what I want”, stop panning for the typical Bogan and put in some sophistication to a night out. Evolve to more of a lounge style set up which is open late with various actives outside the usual rave party; give us some board and video game setups.

So this week was some kind of conference for developing for Windows products, and at the end of the day, the biggest thing sweaty nerds where waiting for- was the Windows 8 Development Preview. Which would be downloaded by more then just developers. Including me, while many people who did this looking at websites are disgusted by the operating system and comparing it along side a completed version of Windows 7 or something. I’m going to compare it to the betas of Windows 7 and Vista.

With that in mind, what the hell was Microsoft thinking releasing such a buggy produc…..I mean what?

I think for me the disappointment is the new UI which they have designed. Not for the fact it’s stupid or what ever else a frequent Apple fanboy would use to throw shit at Windows. No for the simple fact it doesn’t really work well with a laptop computer, if for example I had a touch pad- it would be the best dam thing since sliced bread. But on a laptop it just feels conflicting.

I love the metro apps, until I realised they didn’t do everything in the world, with the Twitter and Facebook applications been very limited. But I guess they are beta items. I was wondering also why the Development Preview had them to begin with, as well as why would they be included and not a simple email application. Seriously- wouldn’t an email application be more useful for a developer then checking their Twitter or Facebook?

While it is still in beta, and lets face it- its not even a beta yet, its more a preview. I understand that, but what confuses me is if Microsoft will go with this same style with the final product. Aka the new Windows “menu” thing. Because quite frankly on a desktop based computer it is the most confusing set up in the world. Especially to find various things I had to dig around to get used to their placement. If I am confused at this, what makes Microsoft think the average user would find it easy? I guess with the future been Tablets and Transforming devices, I guess it might not be that much of an issue.

On the flip side though, I’ve found it to be an enhancement to the Windows experience which once it is included will probably never leave. The ribbon in the general desktop areas also isn’t as bad as once thought either.

After using this preview, I can’t wait for the final product, simply because I can see already the backbone of so many ideas and features which would be amazing once working or finished.

I love the Tasmanian Tiger, and elusive animal which has died out long since I was born. The Thylacine is what happens when a Numbat and a Tasmanian Devil mate, okay not really- it is more of a marsupial Dingo which would rip your head off if you where to find out. Said to be extinct its long been thought that it does still inhabit the deeper regions of Tasmania feeding off the flesh of wary hitchhikers.

If you where to read up about our friend on Wikipedia, you will find it full of conflicting reports. Showing a devastating time in Australian History where a animal as awesome as it, could easily be passed out as a chicken soup. Though one interesting fact, which isn’t disputed about the legendary animal, is its pouch on all sex policy, which in the males, protects its junk when running through the trees.

So the last known wild one of these beasts was killed in the 30s, with the captive ones ending their life in the late 30s. It seems kind of disgusting, that the animal disappeared like that. However, maybe the animal still exists, with a range of unconfirmed sitings, its now got a reputation that of the Lockness monster. However this one we know existed once. So maybe it will again?

The reports of where this animal may lie range from been on one side of Tasmania, around Cradle Mountain to been on the other side, in Pyengana. Even some not even in Australia, but in Puncak Jaya in New Guinea.

However where ever this animal is, if it still exists is probably not there. However Tasmania at the end of the day is pretty much a big bad forest, which the animal could hide in no doubt if it didn’t want to be found. However in 2011, many years after it has been long forgotten, you would think if it was around, its population would of increased to a point more sightings where much more possible. Its possibly more likely, the animal exists, in a DNA test tube in some laboratory.

I always think it would be fun to explore Tasmania, with the goal in mind of looking for the animal. It may not be found, but it would be an amazing journey into the heart of the land.

Windows Mobile (or Windows Phone as its known now) isn’t all it seems. There was a two pronged direction which the public saw. Originally, a design just a little bit more smarter and stylish then 6.5, and then what we have now- in many ways a new way to use your phone.

The leaked version which came out years before what became Windows Phone, was a simple elegant new system for Smart Phones. Not the touch phones. It seems support for that form factor was still something they wanted to support, and the OS looked dam nice on it from what was leaked.

This article isn’t here to debate if the images where real to begin with, its to raise the question, what if this direction was taken, instead of one which lead to what we now know as Windows Phone 7.

The classic dial pad, and screen phone style is dying out in favor of a full touch screen smart phone. In one hand this is great, an no doubt Windows Mobile 7 would of had a Touch and Standard edition. But the Standard edition is a interesting thing, as we skipped a few years to 2011, devices are now in touch and tablet, no standard style phones exist in the smart world anymore.

I had a BenQ E72. It came with Windows Mobile 6.1 standard. So I know how the style is a bit out dated, and unwarranted for a smart phone style. However for the most part it worked, and its style also produced much cheaper phones then the touch screen ones at the time (however with Android, extremely cheap versions with that OS exist with the touch screen style). But that doesn’t mean the Standard Edition world should of been kicked out prematurely. It was really only Mircosoft who still had the Standard Edition Smart Phones. iPhone is only Touch, So is Android, so is Web OS. The list goes on- Standard Edition was dead, but would if of been wise to continue it?

The direction which Windows Mobile was headed before it became Windows Phone, was more of the same. It would of been 6.5.3 on steroids. But from a marketing perspective, Windows Mobile had quite a lot of bad stigma. Which technically Windows Phone still uses the same “icon” style list which we have all grown and “loved”, the way it is organized pushes it out of the corners its predecessor was headed into.

Troll don’t want to admit it, but if Windows Mobile continued on its same path, it would of been the same as everyone else. It would have the same style as Android or iOS. The brittle “desktop” widget style home menu, with the icon popup list of applications the device had. By changing the formula, the Microsoft changed the game, and while the OS hasn’t picked up much ground yet, it should have a strong future if the company sticks with it.

Who has their own Pikachu roasting away in their game, leveling it up to 100. Pretending like it isn’t Animal Slave Labor, or anything else. Not thinking to much about what Pokemon means, what happens in the world- and why.

The latest generation of Pokemon games by Nintendo, Black and White. Propose there is more to the world of Pokemon. Making a Pokemon version of PETA as the bad guys. Drilling in ideas of setting Pokemon free from Humans and all that mumbo jumbo.

However that isn’t what I’m thinking out load about when it comes to Pokemon. No I have found many less meaningful things to bitch about today.

For one thing, do Pokemon age? Yes there are baby Pokemon, and yes there are levels which the Pokemon have to strong hold themselves through. But I see the levels as more of a fitness level, a training level not an age indication. Evolving when they get stronger, not when they get older.

You don’t see Pokemon growing wrinkles, getting hair down there, experiencing love and then loosing it. Pokemon seem to disregard all nature ideals especially ones we humans see every day as we grow older. No a Pokemons age happens behind closed doors, and is secret to everyone including themselves, like a 80 year old with botox. The Pokemon aging process is highly confusing.

Which is why, it is best to leave it alone- and rattle your mind with another Pokemon conundrum. Are TMs and HMs a Human intervention to Pokemon- or do Pokemon naturally know the moves?

This riddling thought is much easier to answer. In an answer which can be researched and looked into. The answer is both. You see a Pokemon can be taught these moves, like a Dog. There you have your human intervention.

But what says you about the naturally learned ones which Pokemon experience by leveling up. Are these Human intervention? There are some movies which the Pokemon learns when it is born, these are clearly without divine intervention from the Poke’ Master. However the ones it learns as it levels up, are these moves it develops because its a little smarter then before- an ape making fire? Or is this observation more of a behind the scenes theory, one of Aliens giving man the technology to make fire- and we did nothing of the kind to understand it ourselves?

Are the Pokemon Trainers clearly teaching the Pokemon moves as they see fit when they reach milestones? A kind of Dojo style training. For example in the Anime where Ash teaches Squirtle a move by telling it to perform a certain water based task. Suddenly the little Pokemon adapted this into a move.

So are moves learned by the master or nature? This is something I’ve riddled myself into a hole here, one with no clear answer.

Just like the aging Pokemon, the natural learning Pokemon is a myth. Grounded with theories which decide do they exist?

This editorial will talk particularly about good will towards digital distribution services. As well as for the most part ones which plague the Gaming world. Rather then services such as Kindle. But the principles will and should apply for all digital distribution services across all entertainment types.

Earlier this week a vibrant prank of implied proportions awoke the Steam community to a war. The war of a simple explanation- for not what has happened- but what would happen if the situation ever happens for the reasons believed.

The situation is simple, social media provided the outlet for someone to make a ban appear to be something more then what it could be. With users hyped and worried about the simple fact what if their traded games get them banned and their hundreds of games- suddenly cut off. With that resulting in a ramped directional thrust to find out the truth- only to find no policy change yet.

But on the other side of the coin is something interesting, what happens when digital distribution services loose their good will?

The services ravage many parts of our life; video games, movies, books and more. When good will disappears from a service- will the service die? Reinvent themselves? Or evolve?

Good will is a main priority to keep for any business. But a digital distribution service needs to make sure they are at the top of their game. A slip can cause a massive decrease in user moral and generation.

A digital distribution service has to always make sure users have high moral- and have no concerns. The major concerns been ones about if the service is stable- as everything is digital- its a huge concern if they can loose hundreds of games, movies, books—what ever.

Let’s think for a moment about the perfect game, movie or book- what do they usually get in a review? A nice hefty 10 out of 10, now everyone’s views are different but the general consensus is a true 10 out of 10 is impossible. Now think, how many actually get this legendary score? Why not a good chunk as you would fear, it’s clearly evident that 10 out of 10 gets handed out like it’s going out of fashion. There impossible score- is possible it seems.

There are a few scenarios which reviews are given a higher score then they deserve, or the other way around- giving out worse scores.

A favourite series of the reviewer will get placed in the higher bracket even though it doesn’t deserve it most of the time. A few examples of this are the latest handheld titles from Nintendo in the Zelda series- both Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks are at best a 7.5, that is the proper score when it’s not justified by any other means. I for example enjoyed Spirit Tracks way more than Phantom Hourglass, so I would then add on another 1.0 or so to show this. While I’m at it, if it’s at launch the review will get another 1.0 because of the “hype”.

Continuing to discredit my past reviews as well as everyone else’s, let’s talk about competition- as in especially gaming related- a scenario like Mario verses Sonic. While now cute and cuddly friends- in the past where never seen together- creating a rip, if a reviewer had bias towards say Mario, Sonic titles would be rated lower because of this. Also when Sonic had its huge downfall since its first few games, something like this would scale it even lower by a lot more than 1.0 points. The simple fact is while the series has rebounded in some ways from its lowest low- it has ended up disrespected because of that by the majority of reviewers, and this continues for the simple fact unless the series had a memorable moment in the persons childhood, it would never be considered a series contender until all the older reviewers die off like the dinosaurs.

Or at the end of the day does it really matter? Well I think it does, because at the end of the day- its still pretty bias, for example even if something is say a new IP- if the reviewer had no hype or thought it was going to turn out crap, the instant they play it and it turns out to be awesome- there goes its ranking through the roof. In the end the reverse occurs if it’s subpar and the reviewer had the biggest amount of hype for the game- it’s going to be slapped down pretty dam hard- maybe harder then it deserves.

Oh and with my random rabbling’s I almost forgot to include something about how the review system is flawed and no one treats the scores as what they should be so everything is automatically jacked up anyway. For example 5 should be the point of most- aka it’s the medium, it means its good but its not the best thing in the world- aka average. But instead this point is used as a “bad” average, and the average score is something around 7-8 depending on the publication.