[News] Firefox 3.5 Is Here

Yup. it's just been released. And the Mozilla site has already crashed. Luckily I got it just as they updated the site; so yippee! I'm already seeing an improvement. It loaded faster, everything is much smoother and I can actually access my bookmarks now. So head to the Mozilla site if you can and download it now!

[Anime/Manga] Haruhi Makes Triumphant Return

If you didn't know it yet, you soon will: Haruhi is back. Currently in Japan, the first season of The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya is airing in chronological order inter cut with brand new episodes. The first two new episodes have already aired, with the third apparently airing today. The first new episode "Bamboo Leaf Rhapsody" sees the SOS Brigade take on Tanabata festivities, only for Mikuru and Kyon to get stuck in the past! The second, "Endless Eight" sees the SOS Brigade doing tons of summer activities in the last two weeks of the summer break. Both are very good and stick with the high quality of the previous series.

The new series also sees a new opening and ending, which are excellent, but not as fresh and iconic as the first series (what can beat the Hare Hare Yukai??).

So, I'm watching this online currently at the moment, but I'll be getting them on DVD as soon as they come out in the UK, most likely next year.

'Till then, keep the Haruhiism faith!

[F1] Is F1 doomed?

Again making the headlines is the continuing rules row between the FIA and FOTA. With the final entry deadline fast approaching, we have to ask, is F1 doomed?

There is a possibility that it might be. Felipe Massa has renewed calls for a breakaway championship, while British fans still have a fear at the back of their minds of no British GP, and FOTA teams are still not happy with the rules.

The fact that this row is still continuing is really disturbing. FOTA is there to see that the rules are created in the right manner, so why are they still not happy? Most of the rules that were going to be brought in next year have been put back to 2011, with cost cutting measures gradually being introduced. So that's all fine and dandy, but what do FOTA want? It seems very likely at this stage that Formula 1 will be borught into disrepute and thusly the FOTA teams being banned from racing or whatever. Which will leave us with a Formula 1 that has never before been seen, with it being a F2 or GP2 style championship with teams competing on low budgets.

F1 is supposed to be the cream of the crop, and with that does come high prices; but in times like these, in the middle (or even possible 3/4 of the way through) a recession, all of the manufacturers are tightening their belts. And right they should. But can't they just agree on the rules so we (the fans) can have some good racing between the best drivers in the world and the best teams in the world. That's what Formula 1 is supposed to be about!

[Games] Microsoft@E3 2009

So, Microsoft's press conference has been and gone, and things are looking good for the 360 with a whole host of new games, an expanded Live service, and motion control. Even though i don't have a 360 the things that caught my eye were Final Fantasy XIII and Forza 3 as well as Project Natal.

Full rundown of announcements:

• Beatles Rock Band - Opened show and was very hyped up
• Tony Hawk Ride - New skateboard controller
• COD Modern Warfare 2
• Final Fantasy XIII - Looking good and will be released Spring 2010
• Shadow Complex - Live shooter inspired by the likes of Metroid and Castlevania
• Joy Ride - Avatar based Live kart racer
• Crackdown 2
• Left 4 Dead 2
• Splinter Cell Conviction -Looking like the best SC for ages
• Forza Motorsport 3 - A solid challenger to bring the fans of the PC racing games to the 360
• Halo 3 ODST
• Halo Reach - Prequel to the first game
• Alan Wake - nice little atmospheric horror game
• Last FM coming to Live
• Sky partnership looked at
• Relaunching the Live video service as ZuneTV
• Partnership with Facebook and Twitter
• Metal Gear Solid Rising - New MGS on 360
• Project Natal - No controllers; just pure fun!

So far I think that Microsoft won't be beaten. There's plenty of rumours going around on the Nintendo side of things, but I think that Microsoft has the best announcements so far.

[Games] E3 2009

E3 kicks off with the Microsoft press conference in just over an hour; with Nintendo and Sony's tomorrow. After each show I'll post some of my views on them, looking at them from an unbiased viewpoint (although I most likely won't get to see the Sony one). For those that want to watch you can see it :

Here

Here