So you’ve had all the family togetherness, awkward dates, spoiled sports stars and overrated high-brow writing you can take this weekend? We’ve compiled The Favs, some of the best connected entertainment stories from this past week to feed your need for intellectual growth short of going back to work tomorrow morning. Some of its original reporting, and some of it is the work of others.
[divider]Xbox[/divider]How do independent games retailers feel about the changes Xbox One will introduce to market?
A few weeks ago we brought you a story in this very column that asked ‘is the world ready for an always on Xbox 360 successor‘, penned by GamesRadar. Now that we’re inching closer to finding out all of the details about the coming changes, MCV now brings you the other side of the equation, how are independent video game retailers feeling about the changes coming? Indie Retailers Desperate for Xbox One Pre-Owned Answers
We’re more worried about your internet connection than ours, Microsoft.
While we don’t necessarily take the side of fear mongering, cloud computing haters insomuch as we value the opinions of just about everyone, The Penny Arcade Report’s Ben Kuchera fills the role of cloud computing fear monger just fine. In fact, it’s the best piece of long-form writing we’ve seen on the subject thus far. Sure, most of the points he makes are the ones everyone who fears relying on servers for everything, usually make. Still, its good writing. My Internet connection is fine, Microsoft. I’m worried about yours
[divider]Windows[/divider]
Windows device makers should probably not attempt to completely rethink everything about the laptop form factor.
You’ll no doubt be well aware of the somewhat soiled reputation Acer has seemed to have earned with American users these past decade or so. While most of the complaints we usually come across happened to be centered on bad build quality and questionable customer support, the last three years have shown that the company already has another huge issue: they do a terrible job of innovating. Case in point, following in the footsteps of a laptop with a screen for a keyboard, this past month, the company introduced the Acer Aspire R7. As it turns out a huge screen, ridiculously strange hinge, heavy case and a track pad that’s above the keyboard might not be the best idea they’ve ever had, according to The Verge. Imagine that.
Acer Aspire R7 review
[divider]Windows Phone[/divider]
The fates of Nokia and Windows Phone are tied.
All About Windows Phone explores the relation between Microsoft and Nokia, with a focus on how the two companies are working together to make Windows Phone as successful as it possibly can. The symbiotic relationship between Nokia and Microsoft
[divider]The Culture[/divider]
Behind the scenes of Nickelodeon’s glory days.
WhatCulture! has a terrific in-depth interview with some of the personalities behind the heyday of Nickelodeon including Doug, one of the most popular shows to ever air on the network. Also, did you know Skeeter was black? Yeah, worst kept secret in America. Interview: Mathew Klickstein, Author of “Slimed: An Oral History of Nickelodeon’s Golden Age”
