Google has launched their own response to the popularity of social networks with Google Buzz, a service that adopts elements of both Twitter and Facebook and is launching this week within Gmail. The service allows users to create social profiles and share written posts that include rich content such as web links, videos, and photographs in a way that encourages a conversational exchange of comments. The update will start to appear through the accounts of some Gmail users starting today, followed by the rest of over the course of this week. A new box, labelled "Buzz", will appear just under the standard inbox to provide constant notifications on updates. Buzz profiles can be connected to Twitter, Flickr, and Picasa, and web apps for the service are already available for use on cellphones through Buzz.Google.com

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If you're familiar with ElfYourself, then you know where this is headed. RomanceNovelYourself allows you to upload a headshot of yourself and insert it into the cover of hot and steamy romance novel. You can choose between six different covers, each representing a different genre, and then customize the text so that the title and author to make it more personal. Thankfully it allows you to plan with the skin tones (we're not all tanned, especially in February) to make for a better match. When you're done you can send it to that special someone for Valentine's Day this weekend or send it out to your friends for a laugh.  [More]

If you've mastered sending tweets in 140 characters or telling true stories in just one sentence, I have your next challenge for you. The Ten Word Wiki is an open, editable encyclopedia where every entry has to be summarized in exactly ten words. Nothing more, nothing less. I looked up "opera" for example and received "Dramatic work involving singing - cannot terminate until fat lady sings." Humour is encouraged.  [More]

Even if you did catch the Super Bowl yesterday you may have missed the outrageous commercials as many of the companies who bought the spots did so for American broadcast only (CTV, naturally aired spots from our own sponsors). Of course all the spots are available online with AdBlitz assembling an entire YouTube gallery to make it easy to see them all in one place. Which one was your favourite? [More]

They aren't real, but I can image many wish they were. Tim Cooper is a 3D computer artist specializing in advertising imagery and when he's not putting together a piece for a client, he's playing around with his own ideas, such as this pair of street patrol stiletto shoes. Not only do they feature a police cruiser's signature colour and decals, but the emergency lights, grilles, and LED signage give the heels a sleek, futuristic looks while the slogans, "Call 911 Emergency" and "Hot On Your Heels" seem to suggest something about the woman wearing them. For more close-up views and for more of Tim's work check out his portfolio at Behance and CGSociety.

 

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A big release for the PlayStation 3 this month, Heavy Rain is a psychological thriller due out on February 23rd. The creators are Quantic Dream, known for their cinematic and experimental works; Indigo Prophecy (Farenheit) and Omikron. An official demo for the game isn't set for release until the 11th, but today Sony launched a special promo site that delivers access to those willing to play a quick online mystery. Solve the mystery and you'll get a code to download the demo early. Now word of this site has spread rather quickly across the 'net today and with it a great deal of confusion. Many of the gaming sites I've seen mention have used the wrong links or offered the wrong info, so to clear things up for those who need help, here's step-by-step instructions on getting your code, regardless of whether you're Canadian, American, or European. [More]

I’m keen on the idea of noise-cancelling being “cool”, of a company that can develop a pair of headphones that reflect the attitude and resonant styling of the music scene. You’re on a plane, your personal music is your soundtrack, there should be a sense of adventure to it. Phitek’s Blackbox M14 certainly delivers that in name as well as its design. The jet black colour hides the puffy comfort pads around the ears while an angle in the band itself along with rotating cups position the headset to fit over your ears with a caress. There’s a problem with taking the stylish path, however, and that’s making sure that your product can walk the walk as much as it talks the talk. Up in the skies, the M14 takes a dive. [More]

Brilliant, original, addictive, exceptional, Record Tripping uses the act of "scratching" a record as a control system for a series of puzzles. As you scroll forward or backwards on your scrollwheel, the record scratches back or forward.s If you hold down your mouse button, the speed of the record slows down. These actions are used both to play with the soundtrack of the game and to manipulate the puzzles featured. In the first round you must rotate a wheel in order to navigate a ball through a maze. In the second you must rotate the dial of a combination safe. In another you move the arms of a windmill. And so on. These incredible game mechanics are supported by an astounding sense of art design, with beautiful animations of cats, humming birds, and other elements. The record you manipulate is an audio book of Alice's Adventures In Wonderland mixed with Beck, Gorillaz, Spoon, and Death Cab For Cutie. Record Tripping has become one of my all-time favorite web games.

 

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If you've ever wanted to send out an update to a friend, to wish them good luck or happy birthday, but know you won't be near a computer at the right time to do so, try scheduling that update with LaterBro.com. Designed for both Twitter and Facebook accounts, the site lets you write your status update and then pick both a day from the calendar and a specific time from your local time zone to have that message sent out. You can always go back and review, change or cancel any messages you have scheduled. The controls are fairly simple and the interface is quite attractive too.  [More]

Bart Bonte serves up more complex puzzle-solving with Factory Balls 3. His wildly inventive puzzle game challenges you to alter a ball using a selection of unusual factory tools so that it matches the sample ball. You'll need to dip your ball into buckets of paint, alter its shape with plungers, and work out how to add stripes and other patterns using belts, goggles, and other miscellaneous items. An excellent brain exercise to get you thinking about the different ways to find solutions to unusual problems.  [More]