iTunes Hits 10 Billion Song Milestone

Apple has just hit another milestone, and for once it doesn’t involve apps. The company has proudly announced it has now sold more than 10 billion songs through iTunes.

And because apps are all the rage right now we’ll give you an update on that front as well. In case you’re interested more than 3 billion apps have been downloaded to date.

RD-D2 Is Not Steam Powered, He’s A Humdifier

Oh, George Lucas. I despise your constant tinkering with the original trilogy. And let’s not talk about the prequels. However, the new Star Wars merchandise that shows up at Think Geek is increasingly delightful. I’m almost 30 years old and I’m looking for excuses to buy the Tauntaun sleeping bag… and to have a sleepover. Now, I’m seriously considering purchasing the R2-D2 USB humidfier.

That’s right, folks. By taking the futuristic technology of moisture vaporators (but not their basic binary language) and adding it to your favourite astromech droid, we now have a robot able to soothe your dry nasal passages and chapped knuckles.

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New Metroid Game to Switch Between 2D and 3D

Nintendo has been working along side Team Ninja on a new Metroid title called Metroid: Other M. We still don’t know a lot about the game but Nintendo is slowly letting some details slip out. Today it confirmed the latest installment will reflect the earlier games in the series which are mainly side scrolling 2D games. But there is a twist. Players will be able to switch into 3D mode any time they choose.

As for as controls go, Nintendo says players use the Wii Remote controller held sideways to battle enemies and navigate environments in classic Metroid fashion, then aim at the screen with the Wii Remote pointer to blast foes in in 3D mode. Nice!

Metroid: Other M hits stores June 27th.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 To Hit Stores In May

Are you ready to explore the galaxies with Mario all over again? If you are, you’ll be happy to know you won’t have to wait much longer. Nintendo has announced Super Mario Galaxy 2 will hit stores May 23rd.

Nintendo says the basic game mechanics will be the same but a few new features will be added. You’ll be able to pair up with Yoshi as you hop from planet to planet this time, using his tongue to grab items and spit them back at enemies. You’ll also get a few new tools such as a drill that is used to cut through solid rock.

Nintendo DSi XL Hitting North America in March

Nintendo has officially announced the Nintendo DSi XL will indeed be coming to North America in March. The handheld which has been available in Japan for some time, boasts a screen which is 93 per cent larger than those on the Nintendo DS Lite.  If that’s not enough the new system will also come with a larger pen-like stylus!

The system will set you back $199.95 ($190 US) and you’ll get a few games with it. Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Math and Photo Clock, as well as two free applications: the Nintendo DSi Browser and Flipnote Studio will all come preloaded.

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Another Phishing Attack on Twitter

Yet another widespread phishing attack is targeting Twitter. This time it’s spreading via a message asking “This you????” followed by a link. When you click on the link you are asked to “sign in” to Twitter. Don’t do it folks! Once you type in your username and password…it’s game over. Your account will be taken over.

If you’ve received a message like this from a friend, chances are their account has already been compromised by the “bad guys”. Spread the word people, spread the word.

[Via Sophos]

The Original Rickroll is Dead

Somethings never seem to die. People are still Rickrolling online, yet the original Rickroll video that started it all has been finally been laid to rest. Sony BMG has asked YouTube to yank Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” video that started the craze. Now when you click on the original video you get a message saying “This video has been removed due to terms of use violation.”

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Seeing The Forest For The Trees

Ever since animation started as an art form, the backgrounds have always remained static. Sure you might have a variety of doorways, end tables, and lamps, but, inevitably, as the cat chased the mouse, you’d see the same background loop around and around.

But with a new computer animation program from the University of Bath, perhaps we’ll soon see very dynamic backgrounds. Dr. Peter Hall and Chris Li in the university’s computer science department recently developed a program that allows a computer to capture a real tree’s movement animating the tree and then easily cloning it to make a full forest of unique trees.

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Grow Your Own With Grass Lamp

This new lamp design seems inspired by the Eye of Sauron, Oakley, and 4:20. Curvaceous and modern and pretty dang big, this fancy planter helps to bring a bit of permanent greenery into your home–something that should appeal to those socked in by winter or who live in a condo without a garden or yard to call their own.

It may also appeal to those who are considering a stylish and unobtrusive grow-op.

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Rogers Gives Frequent Wireless Roamers A Break

Canadians who travel south to the U.S. know they should turn the data service off on their iPhones or face a hefty cell bill when they return. Roaming fees in the U.S. are killer for Canucks, but Rogers is aiming to change that with a newly announced North American One rate plan.

For an extra 10 dollars a month, Canadians will be able to use as much data as their plan allows without being charged hefty roaming fees.

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