Video Games + Excercise = Oxymoron

Most people associate the word gamer with someone, usually a male, who is always glued to a TV or computer screen, entranced in the virtual world they're participating in. Also, not being physically fit is a common assumption. While most times this can be the case, Nintendo has come up with a way to get those flabby, out-of-shape people off their couches.

Yesterday, the company revealed at E3 a new peripheral for their Wii console: the Wii Balance Board. Here are a couple of pics:This will come bundled with new software titled Wii Fit and it'll include a varied set of excercises for you to get in shape. I must admit I'm not into working out, but this game just might be thing I need to get off my butt!

Great! But Too Late...

While browsing my daily tech news, I came across an article that made me both happy and sad:

FDA OKs Patch to Treat Alzheimer's Dementia
The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first skin patch to be used to treat the effects of Alzheimer's disease. The drug in the patch, Exelon, can sometimes cause gastrointestinal side effects when swallowed as a pill. Delivering Exelon through the patch eliminates this side effect and provides regular and continuous doses throughout the day. More...

My grandfather was afflicted by this terrible disease and passed away in 1992 because of it. It's great that they've finally found a way to medicate it, giving those that now suffer from this a chance at a better life with their families. On the other hand, why did it take 15 years to come up with a treatment? I'm not a doctor, so I'll never quite understand the intricacies of human's mental ailments.

Now all I need is a Time Machine...

iPhone Virgin No More!

gerry LIKES the iPhone!
Originally uploaded by jidnet

I bumped into my friend José Izquierdo (Flickr|YouTube) and Wilton Vargas, of Tecnético.com fame, at the mall yesterday. They had in their hands the most desired digital device of the decade (or at least since last week): the iPhone! They let me play with it a while and I really was impressed with Apple's entry into the cell phone market. I navigated the touch-screen interface, fiddled around with the iPod, Mail and Internet features, and, of course, made a call! It was an amazing experience and I can't wait for the iPhone to finally hit our shores. The local rumor mill points toward December, but I won't get my hopes up until I see an official press release.

More Than Meets the Eye!

Yesterday morning my wife and I woke up bright and early to see the new Transformers movie with some close friends. I really enjoyed the flick! Seeing the giant shapeshifting robots in action took me back to those days when I was a kid, playing with the toys this film was inspired from. Definite thumbs up from this geek!