The SOPA anti-piracy 
bill might be strongly backed by the Hollywood community, but the Consumer Electronics Association – the group behind the annual Consumer Electronics Show – wants no part of it.
In a statement to the House Judiciary Committee on H.R. 3261 – the “Stop Online Piracy Act” (or SOPA) – the organization voiced concerns about the bill, warning of collateral damage to innovation in the electronics field.
Bob Iger, 
Disney president and CEO, is joining the Board of Directors at Apple.
The company today announced his appointment to the board as well as the company’s audit committee. At the same time, long-time board member Arthur Levinson (co-founder of Genentech) has been named chairman.
The initial criticisms 
surrounding Nintendo’s 3DS handheld were pretty straightforward: The price was too high and there was a paucity of good games.
Nintendo took care of the pricing problem in August. Now, it’s taking on the quality concerns.
Super Mario 3D Land, which hit shelves earlier this week, combines elements from the classic 2D side-scrolling Mario games as well as more recent free-roaming 3D Mario titles, plus it brings back the much-loved Tanooki suit from Super Mario Bros. 3. And critics are cheering.
In this analysis, 
Gamasutra editor Chris Morris asks if this year’s post-Thanksgiving Black Friday sales will provide a notable boost for the gaming industry, and if it will actually hurt the industry more than it helps.
As happens every year around this time, circulars advertising post-Thanksgiving “Black Friday” deals from major retailers are starting to leak online – and, as always, the gaming deals are pretty phenomenal.
A Wii for $100? Batman: Arkham City and Gears of War 3 for $30? It’s enough to tempt even the most cynical shoppers to bravely venture forth into the retail madness that is Black Friday.
Sure, this app 
has a vested interest in getting people to buy a copy of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, but don’t let that distract you from all it has to offer. Blending a high-quality storybook app (you can read it yourself, listen to the narration, or record your own telling of the story), with extended song (and other) clips from the film, art opportunities, and games, it has something to interest every child. It’s also easy to navigate, a bonus considering how much there is to explore.
The only point of hesitation is the price. At $8.99, it’s an expensive app — especially for something aimed at children. The price, admittedly, is a tough pill to swallow, but the deep catalog of offerings makes it worth serious consideration. And if you see it on sale, grab it.
Twenty-eight 
years ago, Rob Gerhardt set a high score of 33 million in a single game of Q*bert. And while countless gamers have set their sights on topping that in the following decades, they’ve all fallen short.
The latest attempt came this weekend, when one gamer spent 59 hours playing the platform jumper, but still fell far short, racking up a total of just 28 million.
It’s a pretty fair 
bet that someone on your shopping list is a gadget hound. While the odds aren’t quite as good, it’s still better than average odds that you’re going to indulge them.
Nearly one-third of the money spent on gifts this year will go towards consumer electronics, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. But sorting out the hot items from the ones destined to end up in the clearance bin can be tough. If you’re looking for a perfect tech gift for a friend or loved one, here are a few can’t miss suggestions.
With mature titles 
like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3 dominating retail shelf space, it might be a little difficult finding the right gift for the younger gamer on your list.
Fortunately, there are loads of great game choices for kids this year. Even better, there are some new, very cool kid-centric gaming systems that cater to the young ones, as well as some wonderfully creative selections for your geek-in-training.
Playing video games 
can be a punishing hobby. From the grueling difficulty of old legends like Contra to the fiendish trials of new nightmares like Dark Souls, gaming is rife with moments that make even the most dedicated player wonder why, for the love of Mario, they put themselves through this.
That doubt, of course, is erased the moment you make it through a seemingly impossible segment or unlock an achievement that few others can manage. It may be fleeting, but that natural high is the stuff gamers live for. If you’re looking for such a rush — and believe you have the skills to handle any game — try testing your might against these seven insane challenges.
James Noir’s 
Hollywood Crimes isn’t a great game, per se, but it’s one that has that magical quality of wanting to play just one more round. The puzzles are intriguing and the game show motif it uses (along with lots of audio and Max Headroom-like animations) is oddly captivating. The story itself isn’t especially interesting, though — and even with the threats you’ll face, there’s not a real sense of urgency to the game. The juxtaposition of leisurely puzzle-solving and catching a serial killer is an awkward concept that never quite gels.
Chris Morris: Journalist 