Fancy a night out than these are the towns to visit if you like theatre.

New York City, New York, United States

theatre cities

New York city is one of the most famous and well-known cities in the world. The city holds a special appeal to many people the world over and they come to the Big Apple for various reasons. The city is as much a romantic place as a place of history and because of the many movies filmed here it often has a familiar feel to it. But New York is also a destination for the theater-going public. The world famous theaters on and off Broadway show some of the most famous plays in the world and have done so for many years. Some of the most famous shows are The Lion King, Mama Mia, The Phantom of the Opera and Chicago. So whether you are in New York on holiday and are looking for a good night out or if you came especially for the shows on Broadway, the entertainment will always be first class.

London, Great Britain

London is the capital of Britain and is one of the cities in the world that people dream of visiting. The romance of the Victorian buildings, first class museums and the numerous landmarks are the main factors which attracts people to the city of London. Another famous attraction of London is its renowned West End theater district. One of the main boasters of this district is Andrew Lloyd Webber, who made it famous with his many musicals. Just like in New York, this district plays some of the most famous shows around and you can also enjoy some of the classics. Shows on at the moment are Les Miserables, Oliver, Hairspray and Dirty Dancing. Come and visit London and enjoy not only the city but also one of the shows on offer in the West End.

Los Angeles, California, United States

When you think of Los Angeles, and especially Hollywood, you think of blockbuster movies and the rich and famous people that flock to its hills. The town is not a well known theater hotspot but it is most definitely a top-notch destination for a theater trip. Los Angeles has a vibrant theater and performing arts scene that is often overlooked. The city has a wild array of different theater companies that make sure that there is always a play on somewhere in this immense metropolis. So whether you came to Los Angeles for the movies, the beach or the movie stars, it would be a shame to miss out on one of the great plays that are on show throughout the year.

Toronto, Canada

Toronto is one of Canada’s main theater cities and is a reason for many Americans to cross the border and see their northern cousins perform. The Toronto theater district has many of the same shows you could find on the stages of Broadway, or in the British West End for that matter. The catch of Toronto is that the tickets are a lot cheaper here than in the US or Great Britain. This has lured many Americans from nearby northern states to come over and see a show in Toronto. The best theater to go to is the North York Performing Art Centre.

Chicago, Illinois, United States

The city of Chicago is probably best known within the scene as being a musical itself. The show Chicago has been breaking box office records since it was first released and has even been made into a motion picture. But the city of Chicago also has its own theater scene. The Chicago scene is not one of the most well known but it is well worth a visit. The many theaters in the “Windy City” have shows from big companies but the smaller independent groups also have some great shows, some of which are a marvel to watch.

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

This desert town was made famous by gambling, casinos, mafia and extravagant hotels, but also offers first rate theaters these days. The casinos have always been thinking of new ways to attract visitors to its slot machines and gambling tables and fantastic late night entertainment is one of them. The Las Vegas strip has attracted many famous Broadway shows to its casino theaters. These shows provide you with some well-needed entertainment after a winning or losing streak in one of the casinos, or perhaps the sole reason to go to Las Vegas, if you’re not that into gambling

Sydney, Australia

This famous city in the great Down Under has one of the most famous opera buildings in the world but you can also find musicals and other forms of theater in this city. Beside the iconic opera, this city has turned out to be one of Australia’s centers for the performing arts. Sydney is aiming to enlarge its theater and performing arts scene through endorsing upcoming artists and theater groups. But don’t worry, the city already has some major names and big shows to go to. The prices for the big shows are standard but could be considered by some as pretty steep. Alternatives are offered by smaller and upcoming groups that organize “pay what you can” nights. Although Sydney is a far off destination it does have a lot to offer so why not enjoy some theater while you are there?

Paris, France

Paris is one of the most iconic destinations in the world. The city has a long and turbulent history which dates back hundreds of years. The city is filled with many eye-catching monuments such as the iconic Eiffel tower, the Louvre, the Sacre Coeur and Center Pompidou. Besides these, and the many other attractions, a trip to Paris is not complete without a visit to the theater. Who wouldn’tt like to see Les Miserables in the city the story is situated in? This added bonus is just another reason to go and see a show in Paris and what better than to end a romantic trip to Paris with a visit to the theater.

Berlin, Germany

Berlin is a city that has been engraved in the collective mind of many as the capital of Germany was split in half by the Berlin wall. But Berlin has always had a vibrant performing arts scene, even during WWII and the years of communism. Today, the city is working on reviving its former glory years. A large part of the city has been under construction for many years but most of it is done now and Berlin has started to attract young and talented artists to its theaters. You can find big productions here in but there’s also plenty of choice concerning small independent plays. Come to Berlin and experience it yourself!

Cedar City, Utah, United States

This former mining town in Utah probably isn’t the first name that springs to mind when you think of theater but it’s on this list with good reason. The reasonably small town lost a lot of its former glory when the mining industry slowly came to a halt and is now mainly kept alive by Utah State College. This college gives the town an influx of young people and necessary finical means. The other attraction of this town is the Utah Shakespeare Festival, which the College Campus facilitates each year. This summer attraction is the main reason for many theater fans to flock to Cedar City every year so why wouldn’t you?

Reference:www.greenbookings.com

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According to our writer these are the 10 best places in teh world to go shopping.

1) New York, United States

New York, United States

This city is renowned worldwide for its fantastic shopping opportunities. Because of the vast amount of stores in this enormous city, it’s difficult to decide where to begin. A good starting point is at the top of 5th avenue. This street is home to famous stores such as Tiffany’s, Brooks Brothers, Bloomingdales and Macy’s. This walk should satisfy even the most hardened shoppers, but if you consider yourself a diehard shopaholic then you should try shopping in New York during the Christmas period.

2) Paris, France
Paris has always held a special position within the world of fashion. It is home to a few of the world’s biggest labels including Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel and Louis Vuitton, which all have their own flagship store. Of course, Paris also has shops for people on a smaller budget. The city is filled with small boutiques and department stores. Paris is shopping heaven in Europe and has something on offer for every taste and budget.

3) London, England

This lively financial metropolis, and capital of Great Britain, offers a stunning array of shops and boutiques suited to all tastes and budgets. For designer labels, you should make a stop at Bond street. All of the well-known brands are present in this city, as well as quaint little boutiques. A shopper visiting London won’t be satisfied without visiting the world famous department store, Harrods. On the whole, London is a very complete shopping destination that can’t be covered within one visit.

4) Milan, Italy

The city of Milan is another focal point in the world of fashion. Milan is home to the labels such as Versace and Armani and they have a strong presence on the streets of Milan. If you feel like going on a shopping spree, it won’t take you long to find a store to your liking. But if you’re short on time, head to the Quadrilatero Della Moda. This is the fashion district of Milan and you’ll be well surprised by the amount of well stocked shops

5) Dubai, UAE

This city in the United Arab Emirates will not disappoint. The most impressive shopping mall in Dubai has to be the Dubai mall. This mall is one of the biggest malls in the world. If you are looking to buy jewellery, you are also in the right place. Deira Gold Souk in Dubai is the largest gold souk in the world, selling a stunning array of gold, diamonds, precious stones and wonderful pieces of jewellery.

6) Hong Kong

Although small in size, Hong Kong is big in shopping. The city state has it all; from big posh malls to open air markets. The main shopping centres are Pacific Place, The Landmark, The Galleria, Prince’s Building, Alexandra House and the IFC. All these places are definitely recommended. The quarter of Admiralty is known for its shops that sell luxury goods, so if you’re looking for something up-market, this is the place to go. As you can see Hong Kong has a lot of good shopping spots and something for every type of shopper.

7) Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is another shopping paradise within Asia. This city never sleeps and offers great opportunities to the budget shopper and exclusive shopper alike. From big malls to street markets, floating markets to wide avenues, It is guaranteed that will find something to your liking. Bangkok is a shopping experience you can’t afford to miss.

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Because of the enormous financial crash a few years ago, this is arguably one of the best bargain shopping destinations in the world. This might sound like the products here are of a lesser quality but you would be mistaken as it is just as good as anywhere else. Most of the stores are centred around Calle Florida, a pedestrian area in the city. So if you are looking for quality at a normal price, Buenos Aires is the town for you.

9) Madrid, Spain
The heart of Spain, Madrid, offers a wide array of shopping possibilities. The place to go in the capital is the quarter of Salamanca. The designer shops and little boutique style shops make it a true shopping delight.

10) Cape Town, South Africa
Whether you like big bustling malls like you can find anywhere in the western world or more intimate shopping areas, Cape Town has it all. This city on the Indian and Pacific Ocean catapulted itself out of the grip of apartheid and quickly became a hip, modern city with ample shopping opportunities. So pick up your bags and make your way to this fantastic African metropolis.

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iPod nano now has a built-in video camera that lets you spontaneously shoot video wherever you are. And that’s just the beginning. It has a dramatic, polished anodized aluminum finish and a larger screen. The new Genius Mixes feature acts as your personal DJ, automatically searching your iTunes library, then making mixes you’ll love. Take iPod nano anywhere and the new Pedometer counts your steps. Also making its debut: a built-in FM radio with two amazing features–iTunes Tagging and Live Pause. So the world’s most popular music player now has more to play with.

nano Shoots Video

Video a-Go-Go
iPod nano now has a built-in video camera that lets you record fun as it happens. Then share it with friends on the Internet. It’s the video camera that’s small enough to take with you everywhere.

Video Recording–a Whole New Way to nano
A quick scroll through the menu takes you to the video camera. Then you’re ready to record video in portrait or landscape–perfect for emailing or posting on Facebook or MobileMe. A built-in mic lets you capture audio, too. And when you play back your video on iPod nano, you’ll hear the recorded audio with it. All of which means your indispensable music player is now your indispensable video camera.

Special Effects Department Included
Fifteen fun video effects let you add a little Hollywood to your video. Just scroll through, choose the effect you want–such as film grain or motion blur–and start recording. When you’re done, sync iPod nano to your computer and iPhoto (or your favorite photo software) opens. Then email your miniblockbuster or post on YouTube or Facebook.

Sync, Share, and Put More You in YouTube
Connect iPod nano to your Mac, and iPhoto opens and syncs all the video you shot on iPod nano to your computer. It’s just as easy on a PC when you use your favorite photo software. On a Mac, you can browse and edit your videos in iPhoto, too. The video file sizes are perfect for sharing on YouTube or emailing to friends.

Design Makes Rock More Glam
iPod nano now has a polished anodized aluminum finish in nine electrifying colors. And a larger 2.2-inch color display for your viewing pleasure.

This Is Genius
Control your Genius. Or leave it to its own devices. Either way, Genius explores your library and finds songs that go great together.

Genius Playlists
Say you have one song you really love and want to hear other tracks that go great with it. A few clicks on iPod nano, and Genius uses that song to find other songs in your library and makes a Genius playlist for you. You can listen to the playlist right away, save it for later, or even refresh and give it another go. Count on Genius to create combinations you wouldn’t have thought of yourself.

Genius Mixes
Now there’s another great way to get a customized set of songs on iPod nano–have Genius do all the work. Introducing Genius Mixes. All you do is sync your iPod nano to iTunes, and Genius automatically searches your library and finds songs that sound great together to create up to 12 Genius Mixes. These mixes are like channels programmed entirely with your music. It’s a great way to rediscover songs you haven’t listened to in forever, and some you even forgot you had.

Go with the Cover Flow
View your album art in Cover Flow for a faster way to find the song you want to hear. Or just press and hold the center button to flip the album cover art over so you can see the songs. When you find the right song, press the center button to add it to your on-the-go playlist.

Shake to Shuffle Your Music
Hear songs in a totally random way. Just turn on Shake to Shuffle, then give iPod nano a shake and it shuffles to a different song in your music library. You never know what iPod nano will spin for you next.

Don’t Just Listen to the Radio, Pause it and Tag it, Too
The new FM tuner lets you see the names of songs and artists. And two amazing features–iTunes Tagging and Live Pause–make listening to the radio nothing like listening to the radio.

FM Radio–it Gives You Yet Another Way to Rock
There’s always something great on the FM dial. And now the FM tuner lets you hear your favorite morning shows on your commute and discover new music while you work out. It even shows you what and who you’re listening to.1

With Live Pause, You’ll Never Miss a Beat
Say you need to take a quick break from listening to your favorite radio station. iPod nano lets you pause it with a click. Another click and you’re listening to your station again. You can even rewind as far back as 15 minutes, then fast-forward to catch up to the live broadcast.

iTunes Tagging–the New-Fashioned Way to Discover Music
It’s quite a dilemma: You’re listening to the radio and you hear a song you like, but when you go to iTunes, you can’t remember the name or even who sings it. Enter iTunes Tagging. Now, you can use the Click Wheel on iPod nano to tag the song. iTunes creates a list of all your tagged songs so you can easily preview or purchase them when you sync iPod nano to iTunes.

VoiceOver–the Talk of the Music World
VoiceOver tells you the title and artist of the songs you listen to. And does it so seamlessly, you’ll be surprised at how brilliant it is.

Let’s Talk VoiceOver
What if you’re listening to a song and want to know the title or the artist? Just use the Click Wheel or the controls on the optional Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic and VoiceOver tells you the song name and who’s performing it without interrupting your music. So you’re never distracted from your ride or run by looking down at your screen.

How it Works
You’ll notice how smoothly and easily VoiceOver works. A lot of thought went into creating an iPod nano that not only talks, but says the right things. It all begins with iTunes and its seamless integration with iPod nano. First, iTunes reads your song information, then uses the VoiceOver Kit to generate the announcements for the songs, artists, and playlists. Just sync your iPod nano to your computer and it really speaks to you.

It Speaks Multiple Languages
Your music library has songs from all over the world–a love song from France, a bolero from Spain, a pop tune from Japan. Luckily, VoiceOver speaks fluent song.

iTunes selects the language and best voice for your song titles and artist names. It looks at song data, like the title, artist, and album information, then applies intelligent algorithms to choose the right language. For example, iTunes recognizes the song “Ya Viene el Sol� by Ozomatli as a Spanish song, so your iPod nano will automatically speak that song title and artist in Spanish. If you prefer to hear that information spoken in another language, you can change the designated VoiceOver language for that song in iTunes.

Hit the Ground Running–Or Walking
With the Nike + iPod Sport Kit (sold separately) and a built-in pedometer to help keep you motivated and track your fitness progress, iPod nano makes working out less routine.

Step it up with the New Pedometer
You take your iPod nano with you everywhere. Why not use it to stay fit? iPod nano now doubles as a Pedometer. It uses the built-in accelerometer to keep track of your steps and help you meet your fitness goals. You can create a daily step goal or set it to Always On so it counts all the steps you take, all the time. Which makes iPod nano the ideal exercise partner.

Rock and Run
Your shoes and your iPod nano team up to maximize your run. See the minutes tick by. Watch the miles unfold. Hear real-time voice feedback. All to your favorite music, including your chosen Power Song–that one song that always gets you through the home stretch.

Rock the Gym
Take Nike + iPod to the gym and minute by minute, mile by mile, you’re motivated by more than music. Connect your iPod nano to a Nike + iPod compatible cardio machine. Record your pace, time, and distance as you work out. With iPod nano, every trip to the gym becomes a new challenge.

Sync
When you’re finished, connect your iPod nano to your Mac or PC. iTunes automatically sends your workout data to nikeplus.com. Every workout and every run is there, ready for you to review. Get pumped for your next run with recommended challenges, custom training programs, and maps of new routes to try. Or share motivation with runners across the world.

Note to Self: Voice Memos Are Here
The built-in mic lets you capture a thought, a reminder, a class lecture, or any audio recording you want with Voice Memos.

iTunes: Your Greatest Hits
It’s even easier to organize, browse, grow, and share your digital music and video collection with the new iTunes. And now you can save items with a wish list and enjoy iTunes extras–bonus features on select albums and movies–like lyrics, photos, interviews, and behind-the-scenes media.

What’s in the Box
Apple iPod nano 16 GB Purple (5th Generation), Earphones, USB 2.0 cable, Dock adapter, Quick Start guide

Product Details

• 16 GB capacity for 4,000 songs, 14,000 photos, or 16 hours of video
• Up to 24 hours of music playback or 5 hours of video playback when fully charged
• 2.2-inch color TFT display with 240 x 376 pixel resolution
• Supports AAC, Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV audio formats; H.264 and MPEG-4 video formats; JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PSD (Mac only), and PNG image formats
• One-year limited warranty with single incident of complimentary telephone technical support

Customer Reviews

Night Time Video Quality

Review Date: September 30, 2009

Reviewer: Neil Gandhi, Dublin, CA

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1F8Z28QX1WK6O This should give you guys a pretty good idea of the night-time video quality of the 5th Generation iPod nano. The quality isn’t great, but it is really handy when you don’t have a dedicated camera on hand. Another note is that conversion into a file format that Amazon accepts also degraded the quality slightly. Amazon does NOT accept the MP4 format that iPod nano records in. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Awesome!

Review Date: September 17, 2009

Reviewer: S. K. Plante, Pinckney, MI USA

Let’s face it…we are not all clones and look for different features when it comes to an MP3 player. I wanted a small, portable player for the gym. The FM Radio feature is what I have been hoping for for a very long time! I don’t need apps. I don’t need to surf the web. I need to play my tunes. Genius is a great way to create a mix for the gym. The fitness tracker is incredible. And finally I can tune in to the TVs in the gym. Love it! This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for. Perfect device for my needs. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Best iPod Yet

Review Date: September 15, 2009

Reviewer: Electronic Gadgetphile, St. Paul, MN

I really didn’t need a new iPod as I currently own an iPhone 3G(S), two older Nanos, an older 1 GB Shuffle and two iPod Classics in 15 GB and 30 GB configurations that I recently installed new batteries in. But I HAD to have the new one and justified it to myself by Apple’s seductive inclusion of an FM radio in this 5th generation edition. Having said all of that, I am really impressed with this new 5th generation iPod Nano. I find that the FM radio has great reception and is easy to use, unlike the Apple dongle radio attachment I use on my previous generation Nano. The radio software integration is nicely done and very simple to use, set favorite stations and pause as necessary to talk on the phone and then quickly resume where the music or talk show left off for up to 15 minutes. The playback of pre-recorded movie video is clear and the sound is very good as with earlier iPods. The video recording is point and shoot simple to use but not of very high quality – about what you would expect from a cell phone- but I really don’t plan on using this as a video camera. Would have been nice if Apple had included a still camera as well but I suspect the quality would not be acceptable without adding more componentry requiring more space and cost. I did note that this iPod has a speaker built in (which I assume is the microphone as well) but its sound quality is not good. The pedometer function (Fitness) is interesting and can be used without any external attachments. It only counts steps and not distance so I assume that I will need to multiply the counted steps by stride length to come up with distance walked. Ironically, it does have you put in your weight but I’m not certain how this is used. The build quality is superb, the unit is very compact and light weight with Apple’s customary intuitive user interfaces that make it easy to use right out of the box without reading the instructions (which I dread resorting to anyway). In summary, I am very pleased with my new iPod and am rapidly working on irrefutable justifications for its purchase before the credit card statement arrives and my wife asks, “Did you buy ANOTHER iPod?”. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Amazing Device – More Features Than I Need

Review Date: October 5, 2009

Reviewer: Rarkm, Camp Hill, PA USA

I previously owned a Nano 3rd Gen, and liked it well enough. My only major complaints were Itunes (buggy and annoying interface) and the 8 GB limit. I have quite a large music library and was constantly juggling it trying to fit everything I wanted to carry around. Otherwise, I liked the Touch 3rd Gen, and liked the compact form factor. I liked the video ability too, which I found astonishigly useful. Alas, somehow it was lost/stolen. Ipods are enough of a luxury for me that I didn’t replace it immediately. The 4th Gen Nano was an improvement (except for the forrm factor — I’m one of the few who liked the more compact form of the 3rd gen). The 5th gen Nano finally sucked me in with amazing new features and teriffic design. Below are the things I really liked and which caused me to shell out for the latest version: 1. Better screen. Sure the screen is tiny, but I can see it very clearly with my glasses off, I’m nearsighted, but have good closeup vision. 2. FM radio – This is something available in other mp3 players, but finally Apple has decided to join the world on this feature. It works pretty well. As noted, the radio uses the earbuds cord as an antenna. While that is a problem for some, it is actually a plus for me, as my office is in the center of a large building and FM reception is iffy. I can position the cord in such a way that I get better reception than my table radio. YMMV. 3. Video – It’s amazingly decent for such a tiny device. I don’t need video — at least at present, but adding features like this inspires new uses that no one ever predicted (SEE UPDATE BELOW). 4. 16 GB. I can fit more stuff in it now (yes, this was available in the 4th gen, but it is a big plus for me — I did not want to buy another 8 GB ipod.) Additionally, I really don’t care about the unavailability of still pictures. I have a Blackberry that takes fairly good pictures already, and I can send them via email immediately — much more useful than if I relied on the Nano. 5. External Speaker – very useful, enough said. 6. Voice recording — I understand that you can add a decent directional mike, but haven’t explored this yet. If it works, it’s a real plus, digital recorders are expensive and carrying them is a PITA. Things I don’t much care for – 1. Itunes continues to be basically proprietary, although I actually like the good integration with the Apple Store. I always have the feeling that Itunes is doing something with my music and data that is for Apple’s benefit, not mine (the Genius feature is interesting, but I’m certain that Apple is doing something profitable with the “non-identifiable” data it collects). I know there’s no more privacy on the net, but that doesn’t mean I like the trend. If I’m going to be part of someone’s business model, I’d like to be able to opt out or receive some share of the dough from the data harvesting. This is not an Apple-specific complaint — they all do it. In addition, when Itunes works, it’s fine, but when you have a problem with it, you better be have a black belt in Google searches for the answer. The Apple support site requires much more time and trouble than it should. 2. I have damaged hearing in one ear. The quick fix would be for me to adjust the right/left balance in the equalizer, but Apple has never put such an adjustment in, and the Apple store personnel were surprised by this. I sent in a suggestion to Apple. No response. This is an issue I do not understand. Why hasn’t Apple fixed this 5 years ago? UPDATE 10/19/2009: I am surprised by how much I enjoy the Genius feature on this thing. One of the minor “problems” on .mp3 players is the time it takes to program in a playlist of favorites — alternatively you can simply randomly listen to everything. Genius will look at any song selection you make, and construct its own playlist (which you can save if you like it) based upon some kind of criteria (not sure), but I think it includes data from user selections. This is remarkably like litening to a very good radio station with good programming, no commercials and no DJ blab. Of course, you have to own the music first (you did BUY all the music in your library, right?) but if you have a large music library, you’d be surprised how much of it you’ve forgotten you owned. Unlike many groovy dudes and dudettes, I don’t have the time or inclination to put together a lot of mixes and Genius is in some ways better, as you won’t know what’s being played or in what sequence. Additionally, I have found that nano video is better than I thought it would be. I have video on the Blackberry, but it is encoded in some kind of horrible lossy format that looks like mush when you enlarge it (.3GP, I think). Nano’s video looks good even when enlarged full screen on the desktop. The only issue I’ve seen is that while the microphone is quite sensitive, it is not buffered against wind noise. I am still looking for a good external mike and if I find a fix for this, I’ll update. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

A Must Buy!

Review Date: September 19, 2009

Reviewer: Cary Groneveldt, New York City

GAMES Varied …. Suprisingly deep …. Extraordinary graphics …. CD quality sound …. When I think “iPod Game” I always expect the BreakOut-level stuff that is the 1st iPod easteregg. I was really really taken aback by the quality of these iPod games. TEXT Yup — you can store .TXT files of whatever you want. I’ve turned PDFs in .TXTs ta have somethin ta read now & again and it really comes in handy. MUSIC Lots of different playback modes, EQ settings, etc. IMAGES Just choose PHOTOS on the menu & hit the PLAY part of the clickwheel and you have an instant slideshow — with diffrent transitional styles! — with whatever music you want as accompaniment. VIDEO This is what sold it for *me*. The quality of the video is ASTOUNDING! Is it HD? No. BUT, is ir rocksolid crystal clear, especially when played on YouTube [in normal mode!], your computer, a DVD & so on? Oh yes — absolutely! COUNTLESS special FX, easy to play/pause/stop …. The iPod Nano with camcorder is, top to bottom, a DEFINATE Must Buy, at the price make GREAT Christmas gifts, and although lacking in InterNet & calling, is a solid rival to the iPhone & iPod Touch.

Fancy a night out than these are the towns to visit if you like theatre.

New York City, New York, United States
New York city is one of the most famous and well-known cities in the world. The city holds a special appeal to many people the world over and they come to the Big Apple for various reasons. The city is as much a romantic place as a place of history and because of the many movies filmed here it often has a familiar feel to it. But New York is also a destination for the theater-going public. The world famous theaters on and off Broadway show some of the most famous plays in the world and have done so for many years. Some of the most famous shows are The Lion King, Mama Mia, The Phantom of the Opera and Chicago. So whether you are in New York on holiday and are looking for a good night out or if you came especially for the shows on Broadway, the entertainment will always be first class.

London, Great Britain
London is the capital of Britain and is one of the cities in the world that people dream of visiting. The romance of the Victorian buildings, first class museums and the numerous landmarks are the main factors which attracts people to the city of London. Another famous attraction of London is its renowned West End theater district. One of the main boasters of this district is Andrew Lloyd Webber, who made it famous with his many musicals. Just like in New York, this district plays some of the most famous shows around and you can also enjoy some of the classics. Shows on at the moment are Les Miserables, Oliver, Hairspray and Dirty Dancing. Come and visit London and enjoy not only the city but also one of the shows on offer in the West End.

Los Angeles, California, United States
When you think of Los Angeles, and especially Hollywood, you think of blockbuster movies and the rich and famous people that flock to its hills. The town is not a well known theater hotspot but it is most definitely a top-notch destination for a theater trip. Los Angeles has a vibrant theater and performing arts scene that is often overlooked. The city has a wild array of different theater companies that make sure that there is always a play on somewhere in this immense metropolis. So whether you came to Los Angeles for the movies, the beach or the movie stars, it would be a shame to miss out on one of the great plays that are on show throughout the year.

Toronto, Canada
Toronto is one of Canada’s main theater cities and is a reason for many Americans to cross the border and see their northern cousins perform. The Toronto theater district has many of the same shows you could find on the stages of Broadway, or in the British West End for that matter. The catch of Toronto is that the tickets are a lot cheaper here than in the US or Great Britain. This has lured many Americans from nearby northern states to come over and see a show in Toronto. The best theater to go to is the North York Performing Art Centre.

Chicago, Illinois, United States
The city of Chicago is probably best known within the scene as being a musical itself. The show Chicago has been breaking box office records since it was first released and has even been made into a motion picture. But the city of Chicago also has its own theater scene. The Chicago scene is not one of the most well known but it is well worth a visit. The many theaters in the “Windy City” have shows from big companies but the smaller independent groups also have some great shows, some of which are a marvel to watch.

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
This desert town was made famous by gambling, casinos, mafia and extravagant hotels, but also offers first rate theaters these days. The casinos have always been thinking of new ways to attract visitors to its slot machines and gambling tables and fantastic late night entertainment is one of them. The Las Vegas strip has attracted many famous Broadway shows to its casino theaters. These shows provide you with some well-needed entertainment after a winning or losing streak in one of the casinos, or perhaps the sole reason to go to Las Vegas, if you’re not that into gambling

Sydney, Australia
This famous city in the great Down Under has one of the most famous opera buildings in the world but you can also find musicals and other forms of theater in this city. Beside the iconic opera, this city has turned out to be one of Australia’s centers for the performing arts. Sydney is aiming to enlarge its theater and performing arts scene through endorsing upcoming artists and theater groups. But don’t worry, the city already has some major names and big shows to go to. The prices for the big shows are standard but could be considered by some as pretty steep. Alternatives are offered by smaller and upcoming groups that organize “pay what you can” nights. Although Sydney is a far off destination it does have a lot to offer so why not enjoy some theater while you are there?

Paris, France
Paris is one of the most iconic destinations in the world. The city has a long and turbulent history which dates back hundreds of years. The city is filled with many eye-catching monuments such as the iconic Eiffel tower, the Louvre, the Sacre Coeur and Center Pompidou. Besides these, and the many other attractions, a trip to Paris is not complete without a visit to the theater. Who wouldn’tt like to see Les Miserables in the city the story is situated in? This added bonus is just another reason to go and see a show in Paris and what better than to end a romantic trip to Paris with a visit to the theater.

Berlin, Germany
Berlin is a city that has been engraved in the collective mind of many as the capital of Germany was split in half by the Berlin wall. But Berlin has always had a vibrant performing arts scene, even during WWII and the years of communism. Today, the city is working on reviving its former glory years. A large part of the city has been under construction for many years but most of it is done now and Berlin has started to attract young and talented artists to its theaters. You can find big productions here in but there’s also plenty of choice concerning small independent plays. Come to Berlin and experience it yourself!

Cedar City, Utah, United States
This former mining town in Utah probably isn’t the first name that springs to mind when you think of theater but it’s on this list with good reason. The reasonably small town lost a lot of its former glory when the mining industry slowly came to a halt and is now mainly kept alive by Utah State College. This college gives the town an influx of young people and necessary finical means. The other attraction of this town is the Utah Shakespeare Festival, which the College Campus facilitates each year. This summer attraction is the main reason for many theater fans to flock to Cedar City every year so why wouldn’t you?

Reference:www.greenbookings.com

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Grandcanyon

Grand Canyon National Park, a World Heritage Site, and one of the most well-known sights in the world. It encompasses 1,218,375 acres and lies on the Colorado Plateau in northwestern Arizona. The land surrounding the canyon is semi-arid and consists of raised plateaus and structural basins typical of the southwest. The mighty Colorado river has cut deeply through the rock, forming numerous steep-walled canyons.

Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite is home to one of the biggest tree species on the earth the giant sequoias. Besides the giant trees it is also home to nearly 2,000 varieties of plants and animals. Yosemite’s is also known around the world for its tall waterfalls and granitic rocks. American Indians also called Yosemite home for about 8,000 years, and along with early white settlers have left behind a rich history.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park is America’s first national park. It was Established in 1872. The park is located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho and it is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Besides the wildlife Yellowstone is famous for its geothermal activity. Within Yellowstone National Park you can find Old Faithful and a collection of the world’s most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier National Park is famous for its pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a hiker’s paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude. Sleep in old through historic chalets and lodges and read stories of Native Americans that lived in the area.

Acadia National Park, Maine
Acadia National Park was the First National Park East of the Mississippi River. People have always been drawn to the rugged coast of Maine throughout history. Taken with its beauty and diversity, early 20th-century visionaries donated the land that became Acadia National Park. The park is home to many plants and animals, and the biggest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast. Most visitors come to Acadia to hike granite peaks or relax and enjoy the scenery.

Zion National Park, Utah
In 1909, Then President Taft named the area in Utah now called Zion National Park a National monument under the name of Mukuntuweap National Monument. However, in 1918, they changed the park’s name to Zion. A prominent feature of the 229-square-mile park is Zion Canyon, 15 miles long and up to half a mile deep, it cuts through the reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone by the Virgin River. The park is located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions, this unique geography and variety of life zones allow for unusual plant and animal diversity.

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.
Grand Teton National Park is the second Wyoming based park in the list. The park is located in northwestern Wyoming. Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The abrupt vertical rise of the jagged Teton Range contrasts with the horizontal sage-covered valley and glacial lakes at their base, creating world-renowned scenery that attracts nearly four million visitors each year.

Denali National Park, Alaska
Denali National Park features North America’s highest mountain, 20,320-foot tall, Denali(as Alaskans call it) or Mount Mckinley. The Alaska Range also includes countless other spectacular mountains and many large glaciers. Denali’s more than 6 million acres also encompass a complete sub-arctic eco-system with large mammals such as grizzly bears, wolves, Dall sheep, and moose.

Arches National Park, Utah
Arches National Park is our second Utah entry in our list. It is home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, like the world-famous Delicate Arch, as well as many other unusual rock formations. In some areas, the erosion has exposed millions of years of geologic history. The extraordinary features of the park create a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures that is unlike any other in the world.

Rocky Mountains National Park, Colorado
This park is a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. The elevations range from 8,000′ in the wet, grassy valleys to 14,259′ at the weather-ravaged top of Longs Peak. This provides visitors with opportunities for breathtaking adventures. The park is split by the Continental Divide, which gives the eastern and western portions of the park a different character. The east side of the park tends to be drier, with heavily glaciated peaks and cirques. The west side of the park is wetter and more lush.

Reference:www.greenbookings.com

Paris, France

paris-france

Paris, the city of love! But not only this, it’s an amazing city that has everything you want. You name it, Paris got it! It has the ultimate mix of shopping, historical buildings with great works of architecture, and a boosting culture scene. You will sure enjoy the wonderful city centre, with historic buildings such as the Sacre Coeur and the Notre Dame. The Eiffel Tower is the city’s masterpiece, everyone should see this amazing structure at least once in a lifetime. If you are a real culture lover, Paris has many museums and numerous theatres for you to enjoy, including the one and only Moulin Rouge cabaret in the famous Red Light District. Paris is also a Walhalla for shopaholics, as it has many shopping streets and all kinds of high end boutiques and specialty shops. And do not forget about the many department stores around town, you sure can shop until you drop, for many subsequent days! You will love this city and your trip to Paris will definitely last in your memories for the rest of your lifetime!

Rome, Italy

Italian’s greatest place to be! This sweet Italian city has a great melting pot of culture, shopping and historical sights. It’s a city where you can enjoy yourself for many days and every day will amaze you even more. The most amazing showpiece of the city is the Colosseum, you will definitely love this ancient world wonder! Enjoy the beautiful walks through the city and relax while you discover all the great works of historical architecture in many different styles. You can even visit the state of the pope, the Vatican City in the middle of downtown Rome. I guess that a visit to this great Italian city must also include shopping, and we have good news for you: Rome is the place to be for serious shopping! The Italians really know what fashion is all about, so you will be surprised by the quality of shops Rome has to offer. You will be surprised when discovering the world’s greatest Italian city!

London, United Kingdom

London, a true city of the world! The capital of the United Kingdom is sure one of the world’s most beautiful cities and will sure get you off your feet! Enjoy the beautiful walks along the river Thames and be amazed by the great view of the city’s skyline. It has so many historical buildings that you need at least a week to visit them all. Get amazed by the Big Ben, the Tower Bridge and the Buckingham Palace while you visit these great sights. Save enough time for shopping as well, because London has so much great shops for you! The Oxford Street will sure satisfy your shopping needs, you can find all kinds of boutiques and department stores in this long street. You may even see some celebrities, because London attracts them because of its fashionable high-end shops! London sure is a city that will mesmerize you, so be sure that you let enjoy yourself at this city at least once in a lifetime!

Vienna, Austria

Enjoy the mysterious history of Vienna! This city will amaze you because of its incredible cultural heritage. All the museums, art galleries, opera houses and theatres will sure give you a culture boost you could never even imagine! Strolling through the city center you can enjoy the Hofburg Imperial Palace and the great Schönbrunn Palace. You will feel as a king or queen discovering Vienna. After a day of infinite discoveries you can relax and enjoy the delicious dishes at top class restaurants with splendid Austrian cuisine. Come on and taste Vienna, it will be an experience to never forget!

Barcelona, Spain

Feel the rumbles of the Ramblas while visiting the Spanish pearl! Barcelona truly is one of the most amazing cities in Europe, loved by tourist all over the world and ready to be loved by you! The Ramblas will entertain you all day long, with its street theatre, shops and gorgeous restaurants. The artist Gaudi gave this city a special charm, one of the many reasons to fall in love with this city. La Segrada Familia was his unfinished masterpiece, standing strong downtown Barcelona, waiting to be finished and to be discovered by you! You are looking for real culture, serious shopping and sunbathing at the beach? We can only say: Yes, Yes and Yes! This city has it all; Find out yourself by visiting this Spanish pearl.

Salzburg, Austria

Feel your own sound of music in this great Austrian city! Salzburg is a cultural hotspot in Europe and a perfect destination to enjoy a few days of your spare time. It’s the birthplace of Mozart and the world-famous Salzburg festival, you will hear the fine sound of music everywhere around this city. You will also feel the romance in the air, strolling around the beautiful sights, such as Schloss Hellbrunn with its pretty gardens and fountains. Romance will definitely rise even more when dining in this wonderful place, as the Salzburger top restaurants will provide delicious dishes as you have never tasted before. Be ready to find the true Austrian beauty in this cultural city!

Reykjavik, Iceland

Ever been to a Steamy Bay? Reykjavik is the steamy bay of Iceland and you might have never thought of discovering it. Think twice, as you will disadvantage yourself not enjoying the bustling capital of Iceland. Feel the colors while walking around the city center, beholding the colourful houses. You can get all hot and steamy visiting the typical Icelandic Geo-thermal swimming pools, this experience will surprise you! Of course your cultural needs can also be satisfied, by visiting the many museums and art galleries Reykjavik has to offer. Not to mention all the shopping malls and great restaurants, it will amaze you. This could be the once in your life time discovery that you have dreamed for; Chances are great that you will fall in love with this steamy city.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Find the creative heart of the lower lands! Amsterdam is a city that has countless tastes to offer, so many curiosities that you had wished you had more spare time to enjoy in this city. It’s a true shopping Walhalla, with all kinds of shops, malls and boutiques. There is really not much that you would not find in this place, and even the most luxurious items can be bought, for example at the P.C. Hoofstraat. But don’t you forget all the culture flowing around, the many museums to suit your cultural needs and the world’s greatest art collections are even housed in this city of canals. The romance slowly will catch you while walking around, enjoying all the little canals and the many boats on it. If the heat really gets up, you might want to dive into the bustling nightlife at Rembrandtplein or Leidscheplein, what is a superb idea! It has one of the finest nightlife scenes of Europe and you will be dancing all night long. If you are planning a family trip or just want to escape a few days with your date, in both ways you will enjoy your time in this European city.

Helsinki, Finland

Relax, do it! Visit Helsinki and you will be glad you took some days off for a holiday and choose one of the greatest destinations in Europe! The beautiful parks will make you feel relaxed while strolling around and enjoying nature. Surprisingly you will not find that much historical old town buildings in Helsinki, but you will find even more other delightful attractions. Top restaurants for example, waiting for you to serve the most delicious dishes. The White Cathedral in the city center will make you feel special, shining in the middle of this amazing sight. Don’t forget about all the other notable buildings as well and the numerous shops that will make you spend a lot more than you had imagined before visiting Helsinki. Find your way to Finland and enjoy this amazing city full of curiosities, you sure will not be disappointed.

Berlin, Germany

Be amazed by the green city of Germany! Berlin is certainly the city in Germany that you must visit at least once, because it has such a special blend to offer that it will knock you off your feet! You can feel the loaded history crumbling in this town, especially when you visit the remnants of the Berlin Wall. This city is also definitely the cultural heart of Germany and culture lovers probably will eat their hearts out in Berlin. Museums, art galleries, music and film festivals: It’s all there, up and running! Don’t wait any longer and come to Germany, discover this amazing city with its rich history and cultural highlights

Reference:www.greenbookings.com

Product Details

• Plays two disc formats in a single, self-loading media bay
• Features a processing chip from IBM and a graphics chip from ATI
• Backwards compatible with all Nintendo GameCube games and most peripherals
• Built-in Wi-Fi access for easy connection to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection gaming service
• Wii Sports game included

Customer Reviews

An Inexpensive Gaming Console for the Whole Family

Review Date: November 19, 2006

Reviewer: Lisa Shea,

The Nintendo Wii is the most inexpensive of the current generation of gaming consoles. It provides motion sensing controllers and 480p graphics. We tested the Wii before its launch day (I’m a game reviewer), and we had our own unit in our home the morning of launch day. Here are our findings. The Wii is designed around a menu of “channels”. There is of course the game-playing channel, where the Wii will play any Wii or GameCube game. Simply load the disc in and go. There is a Mii channel where you set up a profile and avatar to connect to all your game playing. The Photos channel lets you look at photos on your TV. Other channels for news, weather, and online shopping require an interent connection; the news and weather were not actually working at launch time. The system does NOT have a regular network cable port, which both the PS3 and XBox 360 have. Instead, it works with built in wireless or with a USB network adapter. I am a firm proponent of wireless – less clutter! So I am thrilled that they offer wireless automatically. With the PS3, you have to pay extra for the 60 gig unit to get this built in. The XBox 360 requires extra hardware as well. It’s hard to generalize gameplay on any console – it really depends on what games you buy. That being said, the comes-with-it software of Sports is really quite fun and is about as basic as you can get. You swing at baseballs, lob tennis balls, bowl, box and play golf. A “fitness” mode puts you through a variety of tasks and then calculates your fitness age, sort of like how Brain Age keeps track of your mental age. If you did both every day, you could aim to be as fit mentally and physically as possible! In a world where video games = couch potato, it really is quite amazing to have a game where it natively expects you to move and be active. You don’t lounge back and gain pounds here while playing games. Boxing can be quite strenuous, jabbing, blocking and weaving in real life. Tennis involves quick reflexes and strong arm movements. Bowling might be the most relaxed of the sports, but even there you are standing, moving, swinging. You get your heart going at least a little, and get some exercise. My boyfriend had a sore arm after playing for a number of hours, in a good way, as he would from exercising. The 480p resolution is certainly not high def 1080p like the other two systems. It’s something you accept when you’re paying such a low price for the console. But really, it’s not that big a deal. I still play the old Zeldas and love them for their gameplay, even though you can’t see the pores in Link’s face. If they are going for the cartooney characters and environments, 480p is DVD quality and is quite good. If you really, really crave high definition super realism in your games, then the Wii might not be the best choice for you. However, if you’re fine with playing games with a more impressionist / cartooney look to them, the 480p can show that quite nicely. For example, there aren’t fans in the stands for baseball – there are colored blocks. Nintendo has always been known as a “Kid’s Console” – but I really do think with the Wii that they have become a “Family Console”. It’s not just kids who will enjoy this. Seniors can have fun bowling without knowing anything “Tricky” about how to use a video game unit. It’s very intuitive. Moms can easily play with their kids, each with their own Wii profile. Adults having parties can have fun passing the controllers around. Family groups can share slideshows on the big screen while hanging out and drinking wine. Every person who has come over – from 8 to adult – has instantly understood and enjoyed the Wii, without much explanation at all. With the price tag being so low, a gaming household that “needs” a higher end system can easily save up their money to get that XBox 360 or PS3 – and still be able to justify to get a Wii for the fun, casual gaming stuff to share with their non-gaming friends. Well recommended! Since I own all three systems, and am playing all three wirelessly, feel free to contact me if you have any further questions. ================ Update: One year later, and the Wii is still going strong! It’s really funny how many people said the Wii would bomb because it wasn’t as good as the PS3 or 360 – and here we are a year later and the Wii is still the system that people are really wanting to get. Hospitals are getting Wiis for their patients to play with. Senior centers are getting Wiis for their residents to play games together with. I was just on a cruise ship and they had Wii tournaments going on every day! This is a fantastically fun system that we really enjoy playing with and that literally the whole family can have fun with. There are great games for kids, great games for teenagers, great games for adults. I am really very pleased with how the Wii has held up and the game set available for it. Update 2: 2 years later! Our Wii is still adored in our household, used just as much as the PS3 and XBox 360. I was just at a bar and they had two Wiis set up for people to play with, and everybody loved them. This really is an “every person’s gaming system”. I’m running out of space here, but my nintendo.bellaonline.com site has full articles on exactly what you get in this box, and what else you should buy so you have a full system to play with. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Wii Remote (Not a Kid)

Review Date: November 24, 2006

Reviewer: ,

Since the console has been covered in other reviews, this one will be a little more in-depth about the controller, and only the controller. I hope it can convince you, because it certainly enhanced my gaming experience. —————————————————– Wow. That’s all I had to say after plugging the Wii in at my home on November 19th. After months of waiting, it is finally here, and for once, this game system actually met and possibly exceeded my expectations. Know before continuing that I’m not a Nintendo fanboy, I hated the Gamecube, own a PS2 and will be buying an Xbox 360. Well, after buying this, I don’t know if i will be needing that 360. The biggest thing about the Wii is it’s new controller. Instead of the traditional two-handed gamepad with 2-4 buttons and some analog sticks, the Wii’s input system is shaped like a TV remote control. It has a couple of buttons on it, but not nearly as many as the average controller. How can you play complex games with such a simple controller? The answer is motion control. The Wii’s controller has accelerometers inside of it, allowing it to sense when you wave, swing, punch, stab, or shake. It can also interact with a sensor bar placed on top of the television to make a pointer for the TV. For example, to select a menu option, you just point at the option with the remote and click the A button. This creates a whole new gaming experience. It’s like one of those arcade games at the local mall, but it works better, and no more 25 cents per turn! The remote is also very comfortable. For games that would need two analog sticks, such as shooters, there is a connectable perephial with an analog stick and two shoulder buttons, which is called the Nunchuk. In a shooting game, this would handle movement and the remote would handle the aiming. It takes a very short amount of time to get used to, but once you do, it is much more comfortable than the normal controller. You can spread your hands out instead of hunched up, holding your hands together. The Wii Remote is functional, efficient, comfortable, and smart. It is so much better than controllers of the past, and I hope this is a sign of things to come from Nintendo. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Wii Puts “We” Back Into Family Gaming

Review Date: June 8, 2007

Reviewer: Mel Odom, Moore, OK USA

The true battle of the gaming consoles began months before last Christmas. Beginning about October, and definitely by Black Thursday – the Friday shopping day after Thanksgiving, television, newspapers, and every advertising medium were filled with articles and advertisements for the new gaming consoles coming out just in time to put under the Christmas tree. The gaming console picked to attract the most attention immediately was the PlayStation 3. It touted the Blu-ray player that was part of the standard equipment, and that Blu-ray player was supposed to be the feature that crushed all other game consoles. Unfortunately, the PlayStation 3 – like its predecessor and the original Xbox and Xbox 360 – was underproduced. Supposedly the problem was in the blue diode chip that enabled the Blu-ray player to work. As a result, there were simply not enough PlayStation 3 units produced to fill every Christmas stocking. The Xbox 360 came out the Christmas before. It, too, was underproduced and ended up inspiring a whole new generation of campers that took up the sport outside Walmart, Costco’s, and other electronic outlet stores around the United States. The price tag of the PlayStation 3 was exorbitant, as was that of the 360 when it first broke. But the same time Nintendo released its new game system called simply Wii. At $250.00 per unit, buying a Wii seemed like a no-brainer, except that people were getting wooed in by the wowser graphics offered by the PlayStation 3. But the lack of PlayStation 3 units caused a run on the Wii at Christmas that has taken months to level off. I had been looking for a Wii since before Christmas and finally scored one at a Best Buy in May. My eighteen-year-old and I had been diligently calling the local retail stores trying to nail one down. We even called in favors from some of his friends who worked at those places to find out about incoming shipments. The problem was, those incoming units generally disappeared as soon as they hit the floor. No one would hold one back. And you couldn’t buy one over the Internet. Not even from Amazon. We got up bright and early on a Sunday morning and hauled butt down to the local Best Buy to grab a unit seconds after it was put out. My wife thought we were crazy. My son and I thought we were mission to rescue the Holy Grail. My nine-year-old came with us. It was his first time for such foolishness and he had a blast. After we got the unit, we hit the game shelves. Everybody got something. Of course, Dad got the bill. At home, we hooked the unit up to the 42-inch television in the living room and proceeded to play. The games were broken out and passed around. Then we chose up lots to see who got to play first. Everybody got to play for a little while. Even when we weren’t playing our games, we all sat around watching everyone else play their game. Of course, we made comments on the player’s form. Unfriendly comments that beggared gross retribution when our own time came to play. Admittedly, I felt like an idiot waving the controller around. If someone had been looking through the window, I feel certain that the onlooker would have believed he was tuned into Discovery Channel and was watching a presentation involving tribal rituals and the sacrifice of small animals. There’s just no way to look cool while playing a Wii. The controller is incredibly easy to use. All the new games made for the Wii are already coded to respond to the wireless controller’s motions. Button use is even at a minimum so you don’t get the sore thumbs you normally get with console systems. Whatever the programming is that allows the motion sensitivity to work with the games is amazing. In addition to the primary wireless controller, there’s also another wireless controller that plugs into it called the nunchuk. Using different configurations of these two devices allows for many permutations of movements. Since we got the Wii right at the end of school, we had time to play on the weekends and often used it as a stress reliever in the evenings. For the first time a long time, we were all gathered around the television and a gaming console. Over the years we’ve played board games and card games, but there is nothing like playing video games together or providing moral support during a hard-fought campaign. Every victory is celebrated together, and every defeat is never alone. The Wii package we got came with a collection of sports games. The collection includes boxing, golf, bowling, tennis, and baseball. We had more fun, and more laughs, playing those games together than we did playing our individual games with support. I fault the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 for not making more family-oriented games. They just don’t bring families together the way Nintendo games always have. Of course, I have to give it up to the graphics that are available on those two games systems. Nothing short of a PC matches up to them. But the bottom line is while the 360 and the PlayStation 3 look beautiful, they just don’t put families together the way the Wii does. Not only is the price tag significantly cheaper, but if you’re a family that loves to play games together, the Wii is the best way to go because there are more multi-player games that are age-friendly from parent to child. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Living up to the Hype

Review Date: November 29, 2006

Reviewer: P. Metz, Kent, WA America

By the time I was able to locate and purchase a Wii, I had read various reviews of the new console. Needless to say, the consumer reaction had my expectations set pretty high. I quickly found that the Remote and Wii combo fully lives up to everythig that I have read. I bought the Wii at a retail location with Zelda: Twilight Princess. I opened the box and 4 easy steps later, was up and running. Even on my old 27 inch CRT with the factory supplied RCA cables, the Wii menu was crisp and impressive. My Wii remote instantly and accurately displayed a pointer that seemed a little sensitive at first, but quickly became easy to control with only slightly smaller, and slower movements. I created a Mii: a fun little extra with lots of customization available. In seven minutes or so I had created Miis for me and my girlfriend that were actually pretty decent caricatures of ourselves. Torturing myself, I left Zelda in the package and popped in the game that comes with the console, Wii Sports. The Wii Sports games are very basic. Tennis requires no button pressing at all, and you don’t move your Mii character to the ball, the computer does that for you. Despite the limitations, you can control the hardness and directionality of your shot by simply altering your stroke hardness and timing with the Remote. Baseball is also rather simple. It is more like a homerun derby mixed with one-on-one baseball you might play in the backyard with ghost runners and ghost fielders (based on your hit, the batter is declared out or is given a single, double, triple, or homerun, depending on how long it took for the ball to be fielded by the AI controlled fielders). Human players only control pitching and hitting, but the Wii Remote operates flawlessly. I was even able to place my hit like real baseball, hitting it down either line or up the middle. After a few innings I hit my first couple homeruns and moved on to the next game. Bowling is as simple as real-life bowling. You can line up your Mii and put as much or as little hook on the ball as you want by simply twisting the Remote in the corresponding direction. I bowled the best ten frames of my life on my very first round. Golf is a little more difficult. If you swing too hard, you will shank the ball pretty badly, and not in a predictable manner. It doesn’t help matters that if a ball lands in the rough, your max shot power is reduced by half and there is no chance of reaching the green in two shots on a par 4. The Mii on-screen does not always match your back stroke accurately. Luckily, the on-screen backstroke doesn’t seem to affect how well you hit the ball when you swing forward. Putting and chipping are all touch. If you have shot at least four or five rounds of golf in your life, you can just look at how far away the hole is on the TV and swing accordingly. You can read the greens just by looking at them and adjust your aim to correspond to the slope. The ball responds pretty true-to-life and it is very easy to find yourself overshooting the green or putting way past the hole. This is not a fault with the Wii, however, it is a reflection of the difficulty of the real game of golf. The final game on the Wii Sports disc is boxing. Not quite Fight Night, but still rather fun; Wii sports boxing will warm you up. You can float like a butterfly, though your feet don’t control anything on the screen. Your gloves on screen mimic where your hands, equipped with the remote and nunchuck, are in real-life. You can bring your hands to your face and block and then dodge left and right. If you are trying to do a punch other than a jab, it requires a pretty specific motion of either the remote or the nunchuck (just uppercutting the air will not necessarily perform an uppercut on-screen; you have to exagerrate the motion quite a bit to see results), and don’t expect to be able to execute lightning-fast combos, at least not until fight night or a new rocky game is released. Overall, the sports games are more teasers than anything else. They show the true potential of the wii remote and nunchuck, especially for sports game applications. I can’t wait to see some of the old sports favorites adapted to the new control scheme. The potential is there and Wii Sports hilights this potential while offering replayable games that are still fun and intuitive. My girlfriend, who will only play zelda games, was up jumping around, boxing and nearly falling over returning tennis serves within ten minutes of setting up the console. Zelda is beautiful so far, but I haven’t really acquired enough items to make any firm determinations. I did, however immediately go out and buy Red Steel, which I have to say is great as well. It took a few levels to truly get the aim down and adjust to the sensitivity, even though I am still occasionally forgetting that the remote controls looking and letting the pointer wander off of the screen. The graphics are great and the control is fantastic after a little practice. Considering the high price tag and extremely limited availability of the other next-generation consoles, I definitely prefer the Wii. Graphics will continue to get better and better until reaching a level of near reality, but what then? Nintendo has taken the first big step in radically changing the way that users interact with the digital world and I glady forfeit some minute details and crispness in the graphics for the brand new control scheme. So long controllers with 15 buttons and counterintuitive, “press this button to do this,” memorization-required control schemes and hello pick-it-up and play, get-off-the-couch controls of the future. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Amazing

Review Date: November 19, 2006

Reviewer: H. Vargas, APO, AP United States

Just picked this up during the midnight launch at Wal-mart, so far it’s 3:45AM PST and I have to say that I’m totally impressed by Nintendo’s latest effort though at first the new control may feel foreign after not more than just a few minutes it feels natural incredibly fun and after a little bit you’ll never feel like going back to a regular controller again. I asked my cousin who was w/ me during the launch if he’d get a Wii and he said “no”, but that all changed as we hooked it up and started playing Wii sports. All of a sudden it went from “no” to “what games are there” etc. Try this and I guarauntee(*sp) that you will be impressed by this revolutionary new system that places gameplay above nice shiny eye candy which unless you’ve been living under a rock should know by now that that’s not what the Wii’s all about. I just also wanted to add that I’m not just some Nintendo fanboy trying to butter this system up as I also own a 360 and also plan on owning a PS3 when the right games come out for it, pure and simple I am a gamer and don’t care for one particular system over another as long as it has the games to back it up. For those that are skeptical stop doubting this is the real deal and at a price ($250) that can’t be beat by any of Nintendo’s competitors this is something that will entertain the entire family regardless of age, gender etc. For about $350 I picked up an extra controller set(wii remote and nunchaku)and a copy of Zelda (try getting anywhere near that much w/ any other system). I’ll admit that when Nintendo had finally shared its strategy to the world a while back I was skeptical as well until I saw the videos for it and knew from than on that Nintendo was truly onto something great. Another cool note is that if you have a Gamecube controller lying around you can actually use that for playing the library of old school games that come from the Wii shop (which can be purchased w/ Wii points)instead having to go out and buy the new Wii retro controller (nice touch) some old school games can also simply be played w/ the remote. Also unlike the almighty Microsoft point the Wii points are on equal terms w/ the dollar so 100 Wii points equals $1 etc. You can purchase those online in the Wii shop by 1000 point increments(I believe) up to 5000 points. Prices for NES games are 500 points 800 points for Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo games and 1000 points for N64 games. Right now though the library is fairly limited offering no more than a few titles (no more than 5)for each console. The bottomline though is don’t miss out on this revolutionary product it is definately worth at least a try before you dismiss it as a clever gimmick and is truly one of the best systems to come out in years(IMO) and a breath of fresh air to the staleness which are controllers. Additional features include Wi-fi for wireless connection, 4 Gamecube control ports, 2 USB ports, 2 Gamecube memory card slots and extra slots for SD flash cards (doesn’t accept anything else like Memorysticks) so you can view your pictures on the Wii for instance.

Product Description

Never before has the flexibility and protection of a soft rubberized case been combined with the durability and scratch protection of a sleek hard shell in a seamless single-piece design… until now. CandyShell’s soft, colorful rubberized interior keeps your iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS insulated from life’s bumps and knocks, while the shiny outer hard shell protects it from scratches and lets you slip it in and out of pockets easily. Full access to all ports and sensors. The CandyShell case was voted “Best of Show” at Macworld 2009 by iLounge.com and iProng.com!

Product Details

• Fits iPhone 3G & iPhone 3GS
• Lightweight, flexible one-piece design combines the insulation of a skin with the durability and sleekness of a hard shell
• Glossy outer hard shell slips in and out of pockets easily and protects from scratches
• Colorful, contrasting rubberized interior offers extra shock absorption from drops
• Includes cleaning cloth and removable screen protector film for extra scratch resistance

Customer Reviews

Batwing Black

Review Date: September 4, 2009

Reviewer: Patrick Bateman, Beverly Hills

After a whole lot of research and paranoia over my new iPhone 3GS I bought the Speck Candyshell, and it’s awesome. Not only do I feel the phone is protected, but it still looks just as sleek. This case does not take away from Apple’s design quality, it merely protects it. The rubber inside doesn’t scratch the iPhone and in case you drop it, the rubber will absorb the hit so that your phone doesn’t. It came with a protective film for the screen but after applying it, I didn’t like the look and feel so I took it off. The glass screen is one of the most attractive features of the iPhone, and putting plastic over it just isn’t for me. I figure if the screen breaks I can get it replaced for about $50 at a repair store, and I can insure the device for $30 a year through my insurance carrier, which is much better than AppleCare because AppleCare doesn’t protect you from spills, drops, etc… whereas insurance does. My advice is to buy a Speck Candy Shell for protection and Insurance for peace of mind, and those two together are less than AppleCare. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

All around a great case

Review Date: September 28, 2009

Reviewer: Drale the Dragonslayer,

I got this case to replace my incase Slider (which after only a few weeks had started scratching the chrome bezel and back of my brand new 3gs). I have been very pleased so far. It has a very snug, solid fit. It is not as slim as the Slider, but provides two layers of drop protection at only a hair more thickness. Best of all it does not add new scratches to my phone. It’s not perfect, though: the vibrate switch cut-is not quite the right shape, as other reviewers have mentioned the earphone jack cutout is too small for some headphones (not a problem for me since I use the standard set), it’s not terribly easy to get out of the case (but is really much easier than some reviews I have seen have suggested), and a few other things. But really, these are very, very minor issues. The main thing is that it protects my iPhone without damaging it and is a pleasure to use. For example, a small touch that is really nice is that the part of the chrome bezel that is flush with the front of the phone is left visible rather than being hidden under dull plastic. This tiny detail makes using my iPhone much more enjoyable and more like the experience that it would be without a case. Which brings me to a more general point for those of you who may read this and are having a hard time choosing the right case: no case is perfect, and corollary to that, no case is going to beat a naked iPhone. But this case by Speck is really close to being perfect and very likely the best experience after using the iPhone itself without the absolutely necessary protective case. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Outstanding Case

Review Date: August 27, 2009

Reviewer: D. Kirsch,

Speck is what it is — in my opinion one of the best suppliers of things that keep my things from breaking or otherwise getting damaged. I bought this because I already have Spec cases on every MacBook Pro I own (or have owned) and they protect my Macs and keep them looking like new. This case is a typical Speck product — well designed, easy to use and it does exactly what it promises to do. I really like the new CandyShell because of the soft rubber interior (which I’m sure will cut down on those little scratches you get when taking a case off and reinstalling, and it will certainly provide extra protection). And the hard exterior shell seems like it will be durable and looks great. I have no problem recommending Spec cases for whatever you have, and this is no exception. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

My search for an iPhone case is finally over

Review Date: October 27, 2009

Reviewer: Michael J. Christensen, Elk Grove Village, IL United States

I will do a review by comparison, because I’ve spent a ridiculous amount of time and money on iPhone cases trying to find the right one. Here’s my exposure to other cases I’ve bought, and why I think Speck has the best case. Ifrogz Luxe: The Luxe has a nice two-tone look, but the plastic protecting the iPhone is of very low quality. The coloring on the back of the case easily wears off upon daily use. Even worse, the tabs on the plastic that snap the two pieces into place will frequently break, rendering this case by far the least durable of the ones I’ve tried. SwitchEasy Rebel Serpent: This is a nice-looking one piece heavy duty case- almost too heavy duty though, as it detracts from the phone’s sleekness. Although the silicone is high quality, my biggest problem with this case is aesthetics. The case does not form fit the iPhone, as you can see uneven slivers of chrome at the bottom left and right of it when in use. Incase Slider: Like the Luxe, this is a two piece case that snaps together. I was almost sold on this case sans two issues: one, if you put any pressure on the bottom of the phone where the two pieces snap into place, you’ll hear an annoying plastic squeaking sound. Also, as many reviewers have argued, the case is very hard on the bezel of the iPhone. If you’re constantly removing it, there’s a lot of friction when sliding off the bottom portion. Some have complained about scratches on the bezel. Which brings me to the Speck Candyshell. This case is closest to the Rebel Serpent in design. It’s a one piece fit, but unlike the Rebel, it does not add a lot of bulk to the phone, and it looks darn slick front and back. The entire chrome bezel on the front is visible and perfectly aligned. There’s a gray strip around the outer border of the case that complements the black and silver portions of the phone nicely. The volume and sleep buttons of the phone are covered by gray plastic. Like the Rebel, there’s some tactile goodness lost when pressing these buttons through the plastic, so if you prefer a cover that doesn’t protect the buttons (like the Luxe and Slider), you may want to look at a different case. Three more tiny nitpicks: The ring/silent switch, while protected nicely, is difficult to get to if you have fat fingers (like me). Second, the material is a black putty-like plastic, and while I have no qualms about its quality, if you have oily fingers, it can absorb some moisture, giving the back of the case a sticky feeling at times. Finally, the case is not very flexible, so it can be a pain if you have to remove it. I don’t see this being a problem with all my iPhone docks/cables working perfectly without having to remove the case. Minor nitpicks aside, Speck does almost everything right: sleek looks, form fitting design, high quality materials- after a long search, I have finally found my case. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

great case

Review Date: September 15, 2009

Reviewer: R. Hinkle, New York, NY United States

Great for men who keep their phones in their pockets. the case does not stick to your clothes when you try to take it out of your pocket because it has a plastic outer case. however the inside is rubber lined so that the protection is still great. very low profile case that is lightweight and doesn’t add much bulk to the phone. much better than any case that has a rubber component on the outside.