Been Sick/Music Monday/Tech Tuesday

Sorry about the lack of posting for the past few days, I've had a rather nasty cold/sinus infection. Computer screens aren't a fun thing to look at.

Anyway, I'm back with a mashup of World Music Monday and Tech Tuesday.

Brazillian native Aline de Lima is first, with her fresh arrangements of smooth bossa nova, influenced by samba and tropical music.  Her voice is simple and sweet, while carrying that quality that's a staple of bossa nova music.  I am a big bossa nova fan, and Brazillian bossa nova in particular.  I love the way Portuguese vocals blend nicely with the music. Definitely check this one out.

Next is another French singer, Daphné.  Her music is a bit pop-ier than Coeur de Pirate, but at the same time much more intimate.  Her piano player adds much to her act, and overall it's a beautiful listening experience.

Onward to techie stuff!

First up is a new PSP game, Resistance: Retribution.  There's been a dearth of PSP games in the past months, which I think is a real shame. The PSP is a damn good portable system.  CNET had this to say:

"Because the PSP lacks a second analog stick that would really help with aiming, Sony's touting the game's "advanced third-person targeting system designed specifically for the PSP system." However, the highlight of Resistance: Retribution is its robust eight-player multiplayer mode with five game modes (Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, Containment and Assimilation).

We've been playing with an early release of the final version and, all in all, we're finding it pretty fun, though the advanced-targeting system does make killing computer foes a little too easy at times, so you'll probably want to ratchet up the gameplay setting to hard in the single-player campaign mode."

Sounds like it'll be a good game. Developers manage to get around the lack of a 2nd analog stick just fine.

I'm looking to get a new phone soon, and I've narrowed it down to two:  The Samsung Omnia and the LG Voyager.  Both feature large, haptic feedback touchscreens, and the Voyager flips open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard.

The Omnia, however, HAS to have a data plan through Verizon, which is an additional $30+ a month on top of the already big bill.  The Voyager has VCast and the other typical VZW features, but no EVDO or Wi-Fi.  

I'm fairly torn, because the Omnia would be well worth the money, but the Voyager is a cheaper and just as good phone.  Sometime before the end of the month I'll go and test them out, see which I like better.

All right, that's all for tonight.  I've got to finish sleeping off this cold.

-Shawn