Add some color to somebody's holiday with a coloring book

Filed under: Software, Holidays

What better way to add some color to someone's holiday than with a coloring book? With Kalle Svenson's Colorize your photos, converting your existing photos into ones with a coloring book effect is a simple drag and drop away. After dragging in your photos, you can make granular adjustments to the levels (fewer or more) of detail, as well as black and gray levels. In the above photo, my man Tobias Funke, originally covered up in Blue Man Group blue, has been colorized so that I can color him into whatever hue of blue my heart desires.

One thing missing in the app that I'd like added is the ability to compile a coloring book. But this isn't that big an issue, as one can compile PDFs using Preview.app. Also, if you already own Adobe Photoshop, you may find that some of its built-in filters achieve a similar effect.

These things aside, Colorize your photos is a straightforward and easy-to-use app suitable for both kids and the kids within us. Colorize your photos is available for purchase for USD $24.95, and as a free download trial.

TUAW has 2 free licenses of Colorize your photos to give away to TUAW readers. To enter, leave a comment about the pictures you'd most want to turn into a coloring book.

The rules:

• Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
• To enter, leave a comment below.
• The comment must be left by Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time.
• You may enter only once.
• Two winners will be selected in a random drawing.
• Prize: One free license of Colorize your photos (retail value USD $24.95).
• Click here for Official Rules

TUAWAdd some color to somebody's holiday with a coloring book originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Age of Conan launches unlimited free trial offer; offer ends January 1

Filed under: MMO

Funcom is trying to do all it can to get new customers to try their fantasy MMO Age of Conan and today they are giving new players a chance to play the game for free for an unlimited amount of time instead of the typical seven or 14 day trial offer.

Starting today anyone can download and play the game for free from level one to level 20 which Funcom states covers the entire Island of Tortage. Players can stay and play up to that level for as long as they want with as many characters as they want. The catch? You must download, register and begin playing the game before January 1.

Gallery: Age of Conan Screenshots

Age of Conan launches unlimited free trial offer; offer ends January 1 originally appeared on Big Download Blog on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spike VGA 2009 Wrap-up: The awards, the trailers, the premieres

As you can probably tell by looking at our front page, last night's Spike Video Game Awards show was a pretty prolific source of gaming news. From the big reveals of games like Batman: Arkham Asylum 2 and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2, to new trailers for Crackdown 2 and Halo: Reach, to ... well, the actual awards, it was a pretty busy night for all parties involved.

We've collected all the stories, trailers, and winners of each award in this post to prevent you from hunting through our archives -- or our hateful, hateful liveblog -- to find what you're looking for. You'll find them all listed after the jump!

Continue reading Spike VGA 2009 Wrap-up: The awards, the trailers, the premieres

Spike VGA 2009 Wrap-up: The awards, the trailers, the premieres originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gingrich Launches Spanish-Language Conservative Webmag - The Washington Independent

Gingrich Launches Spanish-Language Conservative Webmag The Washington Independent Here's a new conservative magazine you probably haven't heard of: The Americano, a product of Gingrich Communications. ... and more »

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Create a fluid transition from login window to desktop in two easy steps

Filed under: OS, Software, How-tos, Leopard, Snow Leopard

I always thought it would be cool if you could customize the background image of the Mac's login screen. That's the image you see behind the login panel when you turn your Mac on (if you have disabled Automatic Login in System Preferences). Why? Because if I could have the login image match my desktop image it would create a more fluid transition if, when I entered my password, the login box would fade away and my desktop and all its items would seamlessly appear. Necessary? No. Cool? Heck, yeah!

Until Apple gets around to building this functionality into the OS, I'm going to show you how to do it on your own.

Step 1: Set your desktop background image. Open up 'Desktop and Screen Saver' in System Preferences and select your desired desktop image.

Continue reading Create a fluid transition from login window to desktop in two easy steps

TUAWCreate a fluid transition from login window to desktop in two easy steps originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple patents recap, universal docks, iPod motion controls and more

Filed under: Rumors, Apple

Over the past few days, several patent applications by Apple have been unearthed -- here's a recap.

Universal Dock
Apple flied a patent for a more "universal" dock for iPods and iPhones. This dock would be made of an elastic, sponge-like material, and would conform to any shape, instead of having to find a dock adapter. Silly putty? Spage-age memory foam? We're not sure what the magical morphing material would be, but not having to deal with bunches of little adapters for each iPod would be terrific.

Tamper-resistant indicators
Apple also filed a patent for a "sticker" which would show evidence of tampering. If you would open the casing of an Apple product, the casing could be attached to a sticker, which would also be attached to a part inside the casing, and would indicate if the casing had been opened. This would be similar to the liquid sensors that Apple has been putting in iPhone and recent iPod models. It also sounds similar to the same sorts of stickers you see warning you that you'll violate your warranty if you break the seal. This warning is seen frequently on hard drives, but would Apple use this to preclude 3rd-party battery replacements? We hope not.

iPod motion controls
Apple also filed a patent for controlling an iPod with motion. It would use an accelerometer, which is currently found in the iPod nano, iPod touch and iPhone. There's the "Shake to Shuffle" that's been a part of 4th and 5th generation iPod nano models, and the iPhone and iPod touch since iPhone OS 3.0, which allows to skip to a random song by shaking the device. Further motion-based controls may allow you to scroll by tilting, or move to the next song by "flicking" the device in your hand. Either way, you'll want to turn it off before you go dancing in an iPod ad.

As with all patent applications, it doesn't mean that these features could be released, it just gives a general idea on what Apple has been focusing on.

[Engadget and AppleInsider]

TUAWApple patents recap, universal docks, iPod motion controls and more originally appeared on The Unofficial Apple Weblog (TUAW) on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Batman Arkham Asylum 2 announced at the VGAs [update]

Before the dust settled on the beginning of this year's Video Game Awards on Spike, the first surprise announcement was the revelation that Batman: Arkham Asylum would get a sequel.

Batman: Arkham Asylum 2 -- which is what we'll call it until an official title is revealed -- presumably continues where the original critically acclaimed Rocksteady title left off, and was revealed via diabolical plot from Batman's Nemesis The Joker. Attempting to gas those in attendance, Mark Hamill's threatening vocals reverberated throughout the audience revealing a sequel people "didn't expect." After smashing through sales charts and the assumptions that all licensed titles are crap, we expected nothing less. Take that, Joker!

Update: Hi-res video has been added above! Also, the official site is up at arkhamhasmoved.com.

Batman Arkham Asylum 2 announced at the VGAs [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Remaining Madoff Homes Already Discounted

Bernie Madoff's last home may have sold strong, but it looks like the momentum is fading. His home in the Hamptons beat the listing price and ultimately moved for more than $9.4 million. Unfortunately for his victims, interest in his Manhattan penthouse and Palm Beach estate isn't as strong. The prices for both have been cut, as the Ponzi schemer moves from news to history. Both homes have been on the market for only two months.

The Manhattan home, on the Upper East Side, offers 4,000 square feet which the broker, Sotheby's International Realty, says is "perched atop a distinguished white-glove prewar cooperative." Originally offered at $9.9 million, the asking price has been slashed by $1 million. So, if you're looking for some new digs in the city, this should be perched atop your list. A 10 percent price drop after only two months in the game means that you could probably work the price down a little bit further. If you were a Madoff investor, think of it as recouping some of what was so wrongly taken from you.

The situation in Palm Beach, Florida isn't much better. The discount is only 7 percent, with the price plunging from $8.49 million to $7.9 million according to the Corcoran Group, which is handling the sale. This home is billed as "a return to classic Florida island living ... when Palm Beach was a less manicured tropical paradise." What does that mean? Does classical Florida island living have anything to do with defrauding the neighbors?

Madoff, now a resident of Butner, North Carolina, believed that the Manhattan apartment was worth only $7 million. He pegged the Palm Beach residence at $11 million.

When both properties move, the proceeds will go to Madoff's victims. Of the $65 million, roughly, that he took, $1.4 billion is said to have been recovered. Even when compared to the investor losses identified, $21.2 billion, it's but a drop in the bucket. The auction scheduled for Saturday may help a little bit, with Bernie's Mets jacket and Ruth's golf clubs going under the gavel.

Gallery: Bernie Madoff In New York City

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Remaining Madoff Homes Already Discounted originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Fashion Statement: Waist Not Want Not

About a month ago, my sister dressed my niece in a denim-blazer-and-high-waisted-Capri set. The seven-year-old -- a Project Runway addict -- looked at herself in the mirror and groused, "I look tucked in like an old man. That's not usually how I roll."

High waists, however, are where the fashion industry seems to be going as evidenced from a few pre-fall shows this week. Above is a look from Oscar de la Renta's vision of the end of summer, 2010. And, after years and years of how-low-can-you-go jeans and pants, we might be soon hearing that's-not-how-I-roll cries from consumers.

In my experience, we'll have a little time before high waists really come back in style. A few prescient designers have and will continue to be reacting to the low-waist trend with the opposite reaction. But it will take time for most designers to catch on. And even longer still for the mainstream's eye to embrace the trend. So don't panic, you won't have to buy a pair just yet.

Even in their heyday, high-waisted pants were tricky look to pull off. In the mid-'80s, when the look was last embraced by the fashion flock, pants reaching up to the armpits completed SNL's Ed Grimley hyperactive, neurotic nerd's schtick played by Martin Short. It was the joke.

Still, pants can't get any lower. So what come down must come back up. Interestingly enough, the original low-waist culprits -- denim designers -- were the first to try out high waists a few years ago. Celebrities here and there tried it, including Fergie and Mary-Kate Olsen. Earlier this year, Jessica Simpson got skewered as much for a high-waisted denim look on her petite frame as much as her much-talked about weight gain. And, yes, I confess: Yours truly sported a pair from Radcliffe London in 2007. I put them on again this week and decided I looked positively matronly.

There's something to be said about high-waisted pants, particularly at a time when the '40s are making a resurgence. It's particularly tempting to those of us who think we have short legs. A high waist lengthens those legs. But it also lengthens the derriere, too. And there's the rub.

Sure, a super slim, high-waisted silhouette might eventually tip the scales toward becoming a full-fledged trend. In the meantime, try convincing our boyfriends and husbands this is a sexy look. I mean, they are just now embracing slim, '60's-esque suits.

What's your view?

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

The Fashion Statement: Waist Not Want Not originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One Shots: One of these things is not like the others

Filed under: Sci-fi, Screenshots, Star Wars Galaxies, One Shots

Quite possibly one of the stranger screenshots we've gotten from Star Wars Galaxies is today's image sent in to us by Obraik. While at first glance you may think "oh, a lovely town image" it occurs to you, something isn't quite right -- you just can't help but notice the enormous mechanical monstrosity stomping its way across the scene. We'll turn it over to Obraik to explain: [This] screenshot is of a recent event that was held over a weekend or two in Star Wars Galaxies. The story was that a rogue AT-AT were attempting an escape and they'd show up in random locations around the Galaxy. The screenshot shows one making an appearance outside the Theed palace on Naboo on the Chilastra galaxy. We wonder -- did the AT-AT manage to escape for good?

If you've found something strange in your favorite land, we'd love to see screenshots of it. Just email those in to us at oneshots AT massively DOT com along with your name, the game it's from, and a quick note about what we're seeing! We'll post it here and give you the credit for sending it in.

Gallery: One Shots

One Shots: One of these things is not like the others originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another Potential Foreclosure For Latrell Sprewell

Last year was a bad one for former NBA star Latrell Sprewell who saw his yacht, the 70-foot "Milwaukee's Best" repossessed and his $405,000 home in River Hills, Wisconsin facing foreclosure (Sprewell later settled this debt). This year doesn't seem to be bringing Sprewell much more luck. His Purchase, New York home is scheduled for a sheriff's sale at the Westchester County Courthouse on January 7, 2010.

LoHud.com reports that Sprewell purchased the 3.3-acre property in January 2000 for $2.3 million. He got a 30-year mortgage from Washington Mutual Bank for $1.612 million in 2004 and first failed to make payments starting in April 2008, around the time his other financial troubles began. The home was the site of an alleged domestic dispute in 2006. Sprewell was accused of attacking his girlfriend, Candace Cabbil, in front of their four children but prosecutors agreed in 2008 to drop the charges if Sprewell stayed out of trouble for a year.

A listing on Sotheby's Realty has the house at $3.8 million. It has seven bedrooms, a complete gym, pool and spa, basketball court, four-car garage and a recording studio. Listing pictures reveal large televisions, spiky metal sculptures and large open spaces.

Gallery: Latrell Sprewell in Purchase, New York

Filed under: Estates, Sports

Another Potential Foreclosure For Latrell Sprewell originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World of Warcraft Patch 3.3.0a deployed

A small patch that corrects some bugs has just been deployed on live realms this morning. This patch coincides with short realm restarts.

We're not entirely sure what the bug fix patch does right now, but we're looking into it and will update this post shortly. Hopefully it fixes at least a few of the problems that have come along with The Fall of the Lich King last Tuesday. If you notice in the image above a link to patch notes, well, that link doesn't work. Apparently something was or will be there, but no such luck right now.

This patch brings the game from version 3.3.0.10958 to 3.3.0.11159. The patch file is about five megs in size.

---

Patch 3.3 is the last major patch of Wrath of the Lich King. With the new Icecrown Citadel 5-man dungeons and 10/25-man raid arriving soon, patch 3.3 will deal the final blow to Arthas. WoW.com's Guide to Patch 3.3 will keep you updated with all the latest patch news.

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Filed under: Patches, News items

World of Warcraft Patch 3.3.0a deployed originally appeared on WoW.com on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nintendo: Mega Man 10 teleporting down in March

Though we just found out about Mega Man 10, we won't have to wait long at all before we can try it. Nintendo's new Q1 schedule gives a March 2010 date for the WiiWare run-and-gun -- just two months after Capcom starts releasing Phoenix Wright ports. What a wonderful time to have an Internet-connected Wii and enjoy Capcom products.

With the release so close, we expect more information to come out soon, starting with character art for all the bosses and the mysterious third character. We currently only know of the delightful Sheep Man and Commando Man.

Nintendo: Mega Man 10 teleporting down in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Device That Lets You Type With Your Mind

By placing electrode grids inside patients' skulls, researchers at the Mayo Clinic have created a way for people to type words using only their brainwaves. It's a major breakthrough for brain-computer interface research.

The experiments were undertaken on patients who already had electrodes in their brain to monitor epilepsy. Readings were taken via electrocorticography (ECoG), as the subjects were shown a grid of letters and numbers. As each symbol was illuminated, the patient was told to focus on the letter or number, and data was recorded. Once this calibration data was taken, the patients would think of a letter or number, and their brain waves would be appropriately translated to the screen. The theory is that this technique will allow people to communicate and type far more easily when they suffer from Lou Gehrig's disease, MS, or paralysis.

The lead scientist on the project, Dr. Jerry Shih, says the program is able to perform near or at 100% accuracy for the patients. While this isn't far from the results from studies using non-invasive EEG, Shih believes that ECoG has advantages, as the scalp and skull distort the information coming from the brain, which means that ECoG has potential to be faster and more accurate. Shih also said that with EEG, "the accuracy isn't terribly great, and it takes a long time for the computer system to learn an individual's brain signals and to correctly interpret."

It is early days yet, and there are still numerous hurdles for the research. The initial study was only with two patients, but they're now on to the sixth, with plans for a wider study, to ensure that this technique is universally applicable. Shih's system does require a craniotomy, which is not a surgery to be taken on a whim; and an interpreter device is required, which must be tuned to an individual user. There is also the fact that EEG based interfaces don't require the invasive surgery, and are similarly accurate, even if they are slower and not quite as precise. So in terms of market adoption, the implant is at a disadvantage. Most people would be willing to deal with the speed loss to avoid dangerous procedures.

Shih is currently working on ensuring the method's effectiveness. He believes it could be used for controlling prosthetics as well as typing. It could also possibly be trained with images instead of letters. Imagine an item, and an image or word for it would appear on your screen.

The device could be available in as little as 5-10 years.

It's just a matter of time before this technology filters down from medical to elective, and we can all live out our cyberpunk dreams of plugging our brains directly into a computer.

Via American Epilepsy Society and Mayo Clinic

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Army of Two: The 40th Day demo coming in less than 40 days

Actually, according to the EA press release we just received, the demo for Army of Two: The 40th Day will be released in significantly less than 40 days. It'll arrive on the PSN and Xbox Live Marketplace on December 17, and the PSP demo will drop on January 7 (January 14 in Europe). The preview will allow players to get a sneak peek at most of the game's first level, which takes place in Shanghai -- but you know what? None of that is important. What is important is seen in the trailer for the demo, which we've posted above.

Now, jump to a little bit before the halfway mark, and keep an eye out for the strange interaction between the game's two beefy protagonists. What is that? It's like ... the future of fist-bumping technology. The forearm-bump. More subtle, yet still triumphant. Less aggressive, but still dripping with bravado. An alternative manly salutation or congratulation for the gentleman's mercenary. Study the technique, friends. This thing's gonna catch on like wildfire.

Army of Two: The 40th Day demo coming in less than 40 days originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tories defy document order - Toronto Star

Globe and Mail

Tories defy document order Toronto Star A PMO spokesperson confirmed Friday that the Conservative government does not intend to turn over the documents as ordered by Parliament in a vote on ... MacKay's tangled webOttawa Citizen Afghan detainee crisis: Conservative climbdownTheChronicleHerald.ca Tories to ignore vote on releasing prisoner reportsCTV.ca The Canadian Press -CBC.ca -Toronto Star all 546 news articles »

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