Heathrow Airport Celebrates Star Wars Day

As May the 4th dawned at Heathrow, the departure screen changed at the airport to pay homage to Star Wars day. As you can see above, flights have been delayed on Hoth because of snow on the runway, the flight to Kashyyyk is numbered WOOK1E, and Flight LE1A to Alderaan has been cancelled. There’s a lot more going on in the picture above! Check it out!

[Via]

May The Fourth Be With You: Happy Star Wars Day!

fourth

I don’t want to stereotype here and say that all geeks are excited about today, but I’m willing to bet that a fair number of you have May 4th marked on the calendar, just like Grandma’s birthday and that long-awaited game release. (Half-Life 3, anyone? Sigh.)

For those of you who have a smartphone, there’s a lot of  Star Wars-themed mobile wallpapers on Pinterest. I’m pretty sure you’ll find one for your device over there!

If you want to make some Star Wars cookies or pop cakes today, here are two quick tutorials:

If you find your lack of SW knowledge disturbing, why not head to Wookieepedia and brush up on trivia? (Related: TIL that Saadoon-Kauldi was a Force-sensitive Kadri’Ra slave who was freed by members of the Twi’lek Badawzi family and eventually became a spice-dealing crime lord. The more you know, even if it’s not canon anymore.)

Get lightsaber finger tattoos! Because WHY NOT.

And if you find yourself in need of some recruits for your Star Wars-themed activities, try some of these propaganda posters.

We’ve also featured some rather sexy ones on [GAS] in the past as well.

However you spend the day, have a good one. And May the Fourth be with you.

Fan Art by Mafalda J. Barata.

Fan Art by Mafalda J. Barata.

[image sources: The Fourth Awakens, 2-4, 5, 6, 7 & 8]


Jim Henson Celebrated With Typeface

A design agency has created a typeface in tribute to the late Jim Henson. As a wonderful pun, it’s titled Kernit.

The makers, Collins, developed it for the permanent Henson exhibition at New York’s Museum of the Moving Image. They say it “is meant to capture the same imagination, fun and whimsy which we came to love in Henson’s vivid work.”

As well as Henson’s shows and the Muppet universe, they also took inspiration from 1970s culture and typography, particularly the famous “I [heart] NY” logo designed by Milton Glaser.

Ataribox Console Renamed VCS

The Atari retro console has got a new name. The former Ataribox, now the VCS, will be available for pre-order from the end of this month.

Unlike many similar retro console remakes, including several Atari models, this isn’t simply a gadget with a bunch of old games. It’s a Linux-based PC that’s designed to play modern games and also be a web browser and streamer, with 4K, 60FPS and HDR display options. In effect, it’ll be a PC alternative to a full-blown games console.

The first pre-orders start on Indiegogo on May 30. Although the full details aren’t available, it appears buyers can choose between a black model and a collector’s edition that has the retro 2600-style wood casing. Depending on the package, you can get a replica of the traditional joystick, a more modern-style controller, or both.

There’ll be more than 100 classic games pre-installed, with Asteroids, Breakout, Centipede, Gravitar and Missile Command all included.

The final retail price still isn’t confirmed, but the first batch of backers can get it at a reduced rate of $199.

CANADIAN DEALS: Save BIG on Smart Gadgets for Smart Home Day! (Smart Lights, Outlets, Thermostat, etc)

As promised a few days ago, here are some Canadian deals for all my fellow countrymen out there. Did you know that today is Smart Home Day? For the occassion, Amazon has a big sale on smart gadgets for your home!

–Philips Hue 2-Pack White Ambiance BR30 60W Equivalent Dimmable LED Smart Flood Light (Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple, and Google Assistant) – CDN$ 59.99 CDN$ 39.99

–Philips Hue White Ambiance GU10 2 Pack (Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home Kit and Google Assistant) – CDN$ 59.99 CDN$ 39.99

–Philips Hue White Ambiance E12 Decorative Candle 6W Equivalent Dimmable LED Smart Bulb (Compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant) – CDN$ 37.19 CDN$ 19.99

–Hue White Ambiance A19 Starter Kit 4Pk and Hue Wireless Dimmer Switch bundle – CDN$ 219.98 CDN$ 179.99

–2-PACK: Etekcity WiFi Smart Plug Mini, Outlet with Energy Monitoring, Track Power Usage, Works with Amazon Alexa Echo and Google Assistant, No Hub Required, ETL Listed – CDN$ 31.99

–TP-Link Smart Plug – No Hub Required, Wi-Fi, Control your Devices from Anywhere, Works with Alexa and Google Assistant (HS100) – CDN$ 39.00 CDN$ 24.99

–TP-Link Smart Wi-Fi Light Switch — No Hub Required, Single Pole, Requires Neutral Wire, Works with Alexa and Google Assistant – CDN$ 53.00 CDN$ 39.98

–Ring Video Doorbell Pro – CDN$ 299.99 CDN$ 210.99

–Nest Learning Thermostat, 3rd Generation – CDN$ 289.99 (Usually priced at $329.00 in Canada)

– A Beautiful Cover of the Distant Mountain Theme from Suikoden (1995 – Original Playstation) [Video]

A Fantastic cover of the Distan Mountain theme from the Suikoden OST (1995 – Original Playstation) by artist Banjo Guy Ollie.

Suikoden had a fantastic soundtrack, sitting halfway between celtic and eastern and drawing equally well from other genres and sources. I plan on doing more in the future for sure. Huge thanks to Mohawk Gaymer for the clarinet on this, I felt it was important to get a reed instrument as well on this and he did a fantastic job on this.

[Banjo Guy Ollie]