Cybershake: Picks of the Week
May 21 -- A collection of news and reviews of computers, technology and gadgets as reported by ABCNEWS Radio.
What’s Hot in Video Games
The Electronic Entertainment Expo, a gathering of video game makers and other digital distraction delights, concluded in Los Angeles last week. And the types and quality of games that will be available to consumers by the end of the year will be amazing.
“Online gaming is unbelievable,” says Robin Raskin, editor-in-chief of Family PC Magazine. “Imagine being able to play games as beautiful as if they were on your CD, but playing them with other people while you’re chatting [over the internet].”
The talk of the show is a game called Majestic by software maker Electronic Arts. It’s a suspense game “that uses everything you own — faxes, telephones, Internet sites, e-mail — everything,” says Raskin, “to communicate things to you.” The game play is as engaging, if not more so, than a well-produced movie thriller."
And of course, the big newsmakers are the new game machines Xbox and GameCube, both introduced at the show, by Microsoft and Nintendo, respectively. “My take is that Microsoft has a ton of great-looking titles,” says Raskin. “But Nintendo may have a shot at a technology that apparently does some ‘wow’ things.”
Fight on!
Also, see: Battle of the Game Machines
By ABCNEWS' Larry Jacobs
‘Smell-o-Vision’ Returns
Recent developments in high-speed Internet access and new video game consoles are beginning to spawn all sorts of new computer entertainment possibilites. Sharp computer game graphics catch your eyes while digitally clear online music appeals to the ears. But what about your nose?
Joel Bellenson is CEO of Digi-scents, another company that is working to bring odors to the computer.
Its iSmell device plugs into your computer or video game console like a printer. Inside is a cartridge that can reproduce thousands of “naturally based vapors” based on software developed by Digi-scents.
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