Whatever else I do this week I will feel safe in the knowledge I have done my bit (albeit a very small minute bit) for the environment.
This week I am planning to go shopping at Sainsbury's without leaving my home. I won't use my car, I won't unnecessarily pack a few items into a large carrier bag and I won't add to the stress of a checkout queue.
This week I have been learning all about the delights of online grocery shopping.
I've never been sold on the idea really. What if they get my order wrong? What if they haven't got what I want? What if I don't know what I want?
Most of all I've feared being called a slack b****** by my nearest and dearest.
Okay, I understand the benefits if you live in London and your nearest Tesco is three tube stations away, but in Plymouth you can't go 100ft without being met by the luring supermaket signs.
So why shop online at the Sainsbury's website? Well, as my friend Lisa explained to me last night:
a). If 20 people order groceries to be delivered on one evening they'll all be served by one man in one van which equals 19 less vehicles on the road;
b). The delivery man will pick up your discarded plastic shopping bags when he redelivers your groceries which he will then re-use; and c). (And not SO environmentally friendly but still a benefit) the delivery man will give you a £10 off voucher if he is even 30 seconds late. He won't even argue, he'll just hand it over (apparently).
So sure enough, within minutes of her mentioning that her shopping would be delivered soon, the doorbell went. And there he was in all his home shopping glory.
While I have to admit I actually LOVE food shopping in supermarkets, I do have an annoying tendency to always go shopping when I'm hungry.
Bad idea huh? A £20 shop turns into a £50 shop and you end up returning home with £30 extra pounds worth of goodies that seemed more desireable on the store shelf.
I've also just been reminded by a colleague that that way of thinking "destroys town centres and local shops".
Okay, while I appreciate the sentiment, surely it's Mr Tesco and Mrs Sainsbury who have done just that. They provide a service that people want ultimately. Blame the fools not the fools that follow.
In my childlike way of thinking I also actually like the idea that fresh yummy things are being brought to me... like takeaway pizza.
Oh, and delivery only costs £2.50 (or so Lisa said).
I have to say I'm sold on the idea. Now it remains to be seen whether I receive 14 tins of cat food for the moggy I don't own, hair nets and countless boxes of Tampax.
So anyway... Radiohead... how's that for changing the subject?
Has anyone seen the video for their latest single House of Cards? No cameras or lights were used in its creation.
Instead, 3D plotting technologies collected information about the shapes and relative distances of objects to create what is a unique art project in itself.
Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyQoTGdQywY&feature=user for the making of the video.
Here's the best of this week's games:
Title: Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: RPG
Price: £29.99
Hit Count: 4/5
Final Fantasy tactical RPGs have been delighting gamers for years and Grimoire of the Rift is another supreme instalment on Nintendo DS.
It casts you in the role of high school student Luso, whose summer studying inadvertently catapults him into a fantasy world called Ivalice.
This is where the real adventure begins - with more than 300 quests to complete, this is a monster of a game with some damn tough challenges for you and your clan to conquer.
Cute, pin-sharp 3D graphics are perfectly executed on the dual screen, as is the sound. It’s a must-have for your handheld collection.
Title: Guitar Hero: On Tour
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: Music
Price: £44.99
Hit Count: 4/5
Get ready to transform your traditional DS into a full-blown musical instrument with an ingenious add-on that allows handheld gamers to experience the musical fun of the Guitar Hero series.
With a mini fret board slotted into the Gameboy Advance cartridge slot, you can start strumming away in the same way the big consoles have done things over the last couple of years.
Make sure you watch out for some serious wrist cramp though – and take regular breaks! Guitar Hero: On Tour features some great pop and rock tracks and the developers deserve kudos for turning this big living room event into a superb showing on the small screen.
Title: Stronghold: Crusader Extreme
Platform: PC
Genre: Strategy
Price: £19.99
Hit Count: 3/5
Fans of Stronghold: Crusader won’t be surprised by what’s on offer here. Calling it 'Extreme' may be pushing things a bit far – this is essentially the same game, albeit with some new maps and the added capability of being able to take part in 10,000-unit battles.
The intelligence of your opponents doesn’t appear to have improved in the passing years, nor have the graphics, which are below par by 2008 PC standards.
This will satisfy your thirst if you’ve been crying out for more Stronghold action, but it’s not the best.
Title: Unreal Tournament 3
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Shooter
Price: £49.99
Hit Count: 4/5
The Unreal series has been around for nearly a decade now, and this Xbox 360 incarnation brings gamers even more fast-paced, enemy-infested shooter action, all cranked up to a next-gen standard.
Some seriously sumptuous graphics give you all the eye candy you could ever want, but beware, the furious gameplay won’t give you a second to soak it all up.
Single player missions might feel a little too easy for experienced Unreal gamers, but once you’ve familiarised yourself with the maps, this is one of the most enjoyable multiplayer experiences yet on Microsoft’s Xbox Live service. Lock, load and lap it up!
Title: Pool Party
Platform: Wii
Genre: Pool
Price: £19.99
Hit Count: 2/5
Wii Play provided an exciting glimpse of how cue-based sports could be played with the motion-sensing capabilities of Nintendo’s interactive console.
Unfortunately Pool Party doesn’t live up to expectations – it appears to be more a case of one step forward, two steps back.
A sketchy camera, weird controls and some basic graphics let down what has the makings of a decent game. If you’re looking for the perfect antidote to a trip down to your local pool hall, this isn’t it.
GAMES CHART ALL FORMATS FULL PRICE
1.Wii Fit
2.LEGO Indiana Jones: Original Adventures
3.Super Smash Bros Brawl
4.Top Spin 3
5.Battlefield: Bad Company
6.Big Beach Sports
7.Wii Play
8.Beijing 2008
9.Kung Fu Panda
10.Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
Tuesday 22 July 2008
Tuesday 15 July 2008
Upstaged by a phone...
I think I must be one of the few remaining people in this world who has not gone ga-ga over the new iPhone.
I mean seriously, I like gadgets and all but hey... it is a PHONE. Alright... it's quite a lot more than a phone but it's still a piece of communication hardware.
I have more heart and (with any luck) more charm than this 4ins by 2ins piece of kit, but on more than one occasion in the last few weeks I've been cast into the shadows.
The last time was in New York just two weeks ago. There me and a mate were hanging out at some red neck bar on the trendy Upper West Side hoping a couple of hotties would pick up on our Hugh Grant-esque accents.
Sadly it wasn't the accent, dress sense or lure of a drink that attracted them in our general direction - it was Joe's iPhone.
"Wow," one big-eyed beauty cooed at him.
"How do you keep the screen so clean. And don't you wish it could do more?
"Hey have you heard about the iPhone and what it can do?"
My opening gambit: "AHEM".
No response.
For the next 30 minutes or so I was upstaged. A modern age man outclassed by a gadget of the modern world.
Does anyone really care enough to hold half-hour-long conversations about a phone?!
"I can get online to look at Myspace or Facebook whenever I want and wherever I am..." was entered into the conversation somewhere along the line.
Who cares, I thought. With all the means and ends to contact people all over the world at any given time, does no-one yet crave the anonymity or escape?
I know I do.
Yes, I'm happy with my Eriksson. Ok, it won't give me a pinpoint GPS position on my every move allowing me to get to places easier, ok it won't allow me to flip it over and see the cute drunken picture of a random wall at a different angle, and ok it doesn't look THAT sexy and cost some extortionate amount of money, but you know what? I really don't care.
It's a phone and a phone should stay a phone as a phone is. Ok we're a generation of consumers and what we desire ultimately determines what we're offered but somewhere along the line things have gone mad.
You know O2 phoned me last week offering me an upgrade.
"So Mr Nichols, what would you like your phone for? Its camera or its walkman qualities?"
"Er... now let me think" I replied.
"How about for A PHONE?!" Jeez...
Rant over. Apologies for the period of time since my last blog. Been away and tad poorly ever since.
Oh as a new addition I've added the weekly games chart below.
While waiting for your new iPhone give these a glance:
Title: Space Invaders Extreme
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: Arcade
Price: £19.99
Hit Count: 4/5
Would you believe that one of the all-time classic games is now 30 years old? It’s high time for a revamp and Space Invaders Extreme delivers in almost every way.
This is a serious arcade update with real 21st century polish – those 2D aliens have now got some crazy 3D backgrounds and four cheeky power-ups take the action to a whole different level.
Plus, in pursuit of top points, chain attacks and, of course, the obligatory world No. 1 ranking thanks to the wonder of wi-fi, the competitive edge will never let up.
Those who have never played the original may want to glance back through the decades for nostalgic purposes, but Space Invaders Extreme shows the series has an exciting future.
Title: Wall: E
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Action / Adventure
Price: £39.99
Hit Count: 3/5
It’s summer time and Disney Pixar’s Wall: E is looking set to top the bill when it comes to animated movies.
With the world ravaged by pollution and rubbish, little Wall:E and his pall Eve are left in charge of cleaning the planet up while humans take a space-age vacation.
These two characters provide the focus for what turns out to be a pretty enjoyable platform adventure that will be loved by fans of the film.
More discerning gamers will spot the below-par graphics and audio, but may also uncover an excellent co-operative multiplayer mode. It’s decent, but nothing out of this world.
Title: Secret Agent Clank
Platform: PSP
Genre: Action
Price: £24.99
Hit Count: 3/5
People have been booming around the Ratchet and Clank universe for some years now, so a little spice is required to keep the franchise fresh.
Taking cues from spy classics of the past, Secret Agent Clank presents their world with a spy themed twist, including Clank as the Galaxy’s greatest undercover agent dressed in a tuxedo.
With gadgets ranging from Cufflink Bombs to the Tie-arang and Clank-Fu, Clank’s very own style of martial arts, this is an absolute hoot.
Stealth, action, platforming and full-on fighting sequences will keep you entertained for hours, leaving your PSP shaken and stirred.
Title: Command & Conquer: Kane’s Wrath
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Strategy
Price: £29.99
Hit Count: 3/5
The Command & Conquer series has been a stalwart real-time-strategy selection for PC gamers down the years but has struggled to make a real impact on consoles, mainly because of the need to revise the control system in the absence of a mouse.
Kane’s Wrath on Xbox 360 does a good job of trying to rectify that with the CommandStick, although moving round maps still feels trickier than it should.
Overall, the game is what you’d expect – action-packed strategy with that familiar C&C seal of quality – but there’s little doubt it’s still best suited to PC.
Title: Naruto Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2
Platform: PSP
Genre: Fighting
Price: £29.99
Hit Count: 4/5
The original Ultimate Ninja Heroes did a fine job of bringing the fighting sensation to the handheld scene, and this sequel is equally spectacular, boasting the great anime graphics and sound snatched straight from the popular TV series.
Story mode sees you scrapping your way through a host of hefty challenges and the ever-popular multiplayer mode allows you to set up some of the must-see battles that fans will be salivating over.
All things considered it’s another strong entry to the Naruto series.
PSP owners would do well to lay their hands on one.
In the charts this week the top three held firm in the same place, while Wii Fit tumbled three places from four to seven.
GAMES CHART ALL FORMATS FULL PRICE
1.Super Smash Bros. Brawl
2.Battlefield Bad Company
3.LEGO Indiana Jones: Original Adventures
4.Big Beach Sports
5.Beijing 2008
6.Top Spin 3
7.Wii Fit
8.Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
9.Wii Play
10.The Bourne Conspiracy
I mean seriously, I like gadgets and all but hey... it is a PHONE. Alright... it's quite a lot more than a phone but it's still a piece of communication hardware.
I have more heart and (with any luck) more charm than this 4ins by 2ins piece of kit, but on more than one occasion in the last few weeks I've been cast into the shadows.
The last time was in New York just two weeks ago. There me and a mate were hanging out at some red neck bar on the trendy Upper West Side hoping a couple of hotties would pick up on our Hugh Grant-esque accents.
Sadly it wasn't the accent, dress sense or lure of a drink that attracted them in our general direction - it was Joe's iPhone.
"Wow," one big-eyed beauty cooed at him.
"How do you keep the screen so clean. And don't you wish it could do more?
"Hey have you heard about the iPhone and what it can do?"
My opening gambit: "AHEM".
No response.
For the next 30 minutes or so I was upstaged. A modern age man outclassed by a gadget of the modern world.
Does anyone really care enough to hold half-hour-long conversations about a phone?!
"I can get online to look at Myspace or Facebook whenever I want and wherever I am..." was entered into the conversation somewhere along the line.
Who cares, I thought. With all the means and ends to contact people all over the world at any given time, does no-one yet crave the anonymity or escape?
I know I do.
Yes, I'm happy with my Eriksson. Ok, it won't give me a pinpoint GPS position on my every move allowing me to get to places easier, ok it won't allow me to flip it over and see the cute drunken picture of a random wall at a different angle, and ok it doesn't look THAT sexy and cost some extortionate amount of money, but you know what? I really don't care.
It's a phone and a phone should stay a phone as a phone is. Ok we're a generation of consumers and what we desire ultimately determines what we're offered but somewhere along the line things have gone mad.
You know O2 phoned me last week offering me an upgrade.
"So Mr Nichols, what would you like your phone for? Its camera or its walkman qualities?"
"Er... now let me think" I replied.
"How about for A PHONE?!" Jeez...
Rant over. Apologies for the period of time since my last blog. Been away and tad poorly ever since.
Oh as a new addition I've added the weekly games chart below.
While waiting for your new iPhone give these a glance:
Title: Space Invaders Extreme
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: Arcade
Price: £19.99
Hit Count: 4/5
Would you believe that one of the all-time classic games is now 30 years old? It’s high time for a revamp and Space Invaders Extreme delivers in almost every way.
This is a serious arcade update with real 21st century polish – those 2D aliens have now got some crazy 3D backgrounds and four cheeky power-ups take the action to a whole different level.
Plus, in pursuit of top points, chain attacks and, of course, the obligatory world No. 1 ranking thanks to the wonder of wi-fi, the competitive edge will never let up.
Those who have never played the original may want to glance back through the decades for nostalgic purposes, but Space Invaders Extreme shows the series has an exciting future.
Title: Wall: E
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Action / Adventure
Price: £39.99
Hit Count: 3/5
It’s summer time and Disney Pixar’s Wall: E is looking set to top the bill when it comes to animated movies.
With the world ravaged by pollution and rubbish, little Wall:E and his pall Eve are left in charge of cleaning the planet up while humans take a space-age vacation.
These two characters provide the focus for what turns out to be a pretty enjoyable platform adventure that will be loved by fans of the film.
More discerning gamers will spot the below-par graphics and audio, but may also uncover an excellent co-operative multiplayer mode. It’s decent, but nothing out of this world.
Title: Secret Agent Clank
Platform: PSP
Genre: Action
Price: £24.99
Hit Count: 3/5
People have been booming around the Ratchet and Clank universe for some years now, so a little spice is required to keep the franchise fresh.
Taking cues from spy classics of the past, Secret Agent Clank presents their world with a spy themed twist, including Clank as the Galaxy’s greatest undercover agent dressed in a tuxedo.
With gadgets ranging from Cufflink Bombs to the Tie-arang and Clank-Fu, Clank’s very own style of martial arts, this is an absolute hoot.
Stealth, action, platforming and full-on fighting sequences will keep you entertained for hours, leaving your PSP shaken and stirred.
Title: Command & Conquer: Kane’s Wrath
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Strategy
Price: £29.99
Hit Count: 3/5
The Command & Conquer series has been a stalwart real-time-strategy selection for PC gamers down the years but has struggled to make a real impact on consoles, mainly because of the need to revise the control system in the absence of a mouse.
Kane’s Wrath on Xbox 360 does a good job of trying to rectify that with the CommandStick, although moving round maps still feels trickier than it should.
Overall, the game is what you’d expect – action-packed strategy with that familiar C&C seal of quality – but there’s little doubt it’s still best suited to PC.
Title: Naruto Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2
Platform: PSP
Genre: Fighting
Price: £29.99
Hit Count: 4/5
The original Ultimate Ninja Heroes did a fine job of bringing the fighting sensation to the handheld scene, and this sequel is equally spectacular, boasting the great anime graphics and sound snatched straight from the popular TV series.
Story mode sees you scrapping your way through a host of hefty challenges and the ever-popular multiplayer mode allows you to set up some of the must-see battles that fans will be salivating over.
All things considered it’s another strong entry to the Naruto series.
PSP owners would do well to lay their hands on one.
In the charts this week the top three held firm in the same place, while Wii Fit tumbled three places from four to seven.
GAMES CHART ALL FORMATS FULL PRICE
1.Super Smash Bros. Brawl
2.Battlefield Bad Company
3.LEGO Indiana Jones: Original Adventures
4.Big Beach Sports
5.Beijing 2008
6.Top Spin 3
7.Wii Fit
8.Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
9.Wii Play
10.The Bourne Conspiracy
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