"Money, that's what I want"

Stock market not working out for you? Try investing in your favorite tune with Songvest, a new online auction that lets you buy pieces of songs and share the glorious royalties. They call it "memorabilia with a paycheck." What's the catch? Well, you don't get say in major decisions, but sometimes those are best left to the experts anyway. Successfully speculate the tune in Apple's next commercial and it won't be long before you'll be doing the McDuck-dive into a pool of gold. Good luck. Check it out here.

Live it up

In 1998 Ben Affleck and Bruce Willis led us to believe we had the power to stop an asteroid from hitting Earth. After watching Armageddon I happily took that fear, which had entered into my mind as young boy (I miss you, dinosaurs), and completely forgot about it. However, a new scientific-looking simulation (minus the spelling mistakes) has once again scared the shit out of me. It basically shows that: a) the asteroid would be way to big to blow up, b) no matter where it hits, we're all dead within 24 hours- even cockroaches, and c) we know that it's already happened six times. Plenty of reasons why you should start living like there's no tomorrow. I just hope there's enough time to run to In N Out one last time.

Where's the wow?

OK, before I crap all over their latest announcements, let me preface by saying: "I love Apple" and "Steve Jobs is the man (I'm glad he's still alive)." Like most people, I look forward to Apple announcements because I know that somehow, someway, Apple is going to come up with something new and amazing that was previously unimaginable. They set the bar for innovation and then consistently raise it. But today was a different story. Today's Let's Rock event in San Francisco was barely newsworthy (almost not even blogworthy). As you'll notice in the picture below, Apple is rolling out a new Nano that looks suspiciously similar to the one they had a two generations ago. There are some small changes- the body is more round and there are a whole slew of new colors, but who likes small changes. The same is true for the iPod Touch which is now slightly slimmer but is still pretty weak since it's not the iPhone. Is there even a need for the Touch now that the iPhone is only $199? Probably not. Anyway, I'm hoping this doesn't become a trend. Given Apple's track record, I don't think it will be.

What's the fuss?

So the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) is all up in arms about the new movie poster for Zach and Miri Make a Porno. Personally, I don't see what all the fuss is about. Yeah...ok, it kinda looks like Seth Rogen's getting a BJ...and that Seth is reciprocating (what a gentleman), but let's be honest- it could be any number of things. Maybe their shoes needed tying? Shining? Or maybe they were getting their pants tailored (see Van Wilder opening credits). All I'm saying is that the people over at the MPAA need to get their minds out of the gutter. Until an official trailer is released where we can judge the actual content of the movie, I don't think the they should make such a big deal about it. For now, maybe the teaser can shed some light.

LEGO man turns 30

Yep, its true. That swashbuckling, ambulance-driving, princess-saving childhood friend of yours who you swore would never live through another pirate attack has made it to 30. In honor of his birthday, LEGO and Gizmodo have teamed up to create a pretty cool blog called GoMinimanGo.com, which features everything you could ever want to know about the LEGO Miniman (like for instance that it's called a Miniman). You can also upload your own stop-motion LEGO video and prove to the world that you have way too much free time. Here's one of the better ones:


30 Years of Music — Gizmodo and Lego Go Miniman Go Contest from Jesus Diaz on Vimeo.

We ride on Chrome

In their latest move towards (virtual) world domination, Google has launched a new web browser for PCs called Chrome. While not a huge leap in browser functionality, Chrome is the next step in an interesting evolution. They've "borrowed" the best features from their competitor's browsers like a snapshot of your most visited sites (thanks Opera) and "Incognito" mode (rumored to be part of the next Internet Explorer) which allows for browsing without information being recorded/watching porn at work. They've also added new ones like dynamic tabs and crash control. Given Google's credibility, I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes the browser of choice for PC users pretty quickly. Learn more here.

Think outside the whiteboard

With all eyes on internet start-ups these days, it's nice to know that some people are still innovating the old fashion way- inventing new products to make our lives better. IdeaPaint, the brainchild of a few of Babson grads, is a new kind of paint that transforms your walls into a boundless dry-erase board. Launching just a few months ago, IdeaPaint has already gained significant attention for winning two Best of NeoCon Awards and a Grand Prize for Innovation at the 2008 NeoCon tradeshow in Chicago. In addition to having a great product, IdeaPaint also has a great ad agency in Mullen, a Wenham-based (soon to be Boston-based) advertising agency who's work for IdeaPaint was honored as AdWeek's ad of the day yesterday. To find out more about idea paint click here. To see the ad campaign click here.

Barbershop Quartet Against the Machine

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for protesting the RNC. I'm all for getting a crowd fired up, and I'm all for listening to some good rock music. But you have to admit- what happened on Tuesday was pretty damn silly.

Rage Against the Machine, arguably one of the most intense bands of our time, stormed into a crowd of RNC protesters, armed with a megaphone, and went on to perform their hard rock anthems acapella (seriously?) while Tom Morello clapped to the beat. Personally, I can't think of anything more un-rage-like. A sad day for music, and a step back for the Dems. See for yourself.

Answer the call...

As the election is grows closer, many people are asking what they can do to help their candidate. While more ambitious people might throw a neighborhood rally or hold signs (I still can't believe people do this), the rest of us are looking for a quick and easy way to contribute (without actually giving money). One way you can help, assuming you're in the Obama camp, is to click here and download one of Barack's ringtones. What better way to raise awareness than to have Barack's voice chime in during your next client presentation.

"Hug it out" this Sunday

In case you've been living under a rock the last couple weeks and haven't seen the barrage of advertising announcing its return, make sure you tune in to HBO this Sunday night for the season premier of Entourage. Whether the show excites you by making it seem like anything's possible or depresses you by pointing out that you didn't have a Masarati by age 25 (click here for more on that), you have to admit it's pretty fuckin funny. In honor of it's return, here Ari's top 10 one liners as chosen by fans on HBO.com



For more Entourage top 10 lists CLICK HERE.

Finally, the facts you've been looking for

With the election heating up, it's getting harder and harder to find the true hard facts you need to make the right decision. For a completely unbiased look at the candidates, check out stunninglybad.com

Another win for Tiger...

Even though he's out for the season, Tiger Woods is still winning. This time however, it's off the golf course. Less than a week ago EA Sports (with ad agency Weiden & Kennedy) posted a video of Tiger walking on water and making a chip from the middle of a hazard. The video, a response to youtuber Levinator25's posting of a glitch in Tiger Woods 08, has already racked up over a million views (double that of the original video).

Kudos to Tiger, EA and W&K for doing viral the right way. They created something truly engaging and posted it to a place where their target will buzz about it.

V.I.P for Y.O.U.

Use your camera phone to record your favorite artists at VIP distance this weekened at SF's Outside Lands Festival. Join millions of others in sharing your favorite band's local performance with the rest of the world.




http://www.crowdfire.net/

Like jumping-jacks for your brain...

Chicks dig a big brain. Increase the size of yours with Lumosity. Developed by a group people smarter than you and me combined, Lumosity is a series of excercises designed to strengthen your brain for the long term. Best part about it? It works.



https://www.lumosity.com/sign_up/new

What NBC didn't want you to see...

Why splash a man while he's down?

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Mourning glory

I'm sure most of you have heard by now...big foot is dead. While sad, at least campers can sleep easy from here on out: http://ripbigfoot.ytmnd.com/

George Lucas: threat to national security?

Hmm...I knew something was going on up above all that fog.

When viral becomes viral...

This site is pretty sweet. It tracks viral videos/internet fads, when they first appeared, and a short background on them. It's a new site so it's still being populated, but it already has some great stuff on there that I'm sure you'll recognize. Content is growing pretty fast due to the fact that anyone can post, but it won't be long before big brands swoop in and plant their own content. Till then, enjoy!

http://tinyurl.com/6co9z7