New Biracial Spider-Man?

There have been plenty of upgrades to the Spider-Man franchise lately: Andrew Garfield has replaced Tobey Maguire in the 2012 movie reboot, "The Amazing Spider-Man." Over in the comic book world, the change to the Spider-Man character has been rocking the Web. Meet Miles Morales, the half-black, half-Latino teenager who takes over when (spoiler alert!) Peter Parker is killed.


Before anyone gets too upset, keep in mind that, first, the September relaunch of "Ultimate Spider-Man" is an alternate universe from the Marvel comic book series in which the original Peter Parker is alive and well. Second, these characters are just that -- not real. But try and tell that to the blogosphere. News of the new, ethnic Spider-Man rocked the Web. Searches spiraled upward in just one day on "new black spiderman," "miles morales," and this mouthful: "miles morales the multicultural spiderman." 

The creator of Miles Morales is one Brian Michael Bendis, who was inspired to develop a biracial character when he heard "Community" actor Donald Glover was campaigning for the movie role of Spider-Man. He thought, "Oh, I would so like to read that book." And then remembered that he could -- if he wrote it. The writer added, "Even though there's some amazing African American and minority characters bouncing around in all the superhero universes, it's still crazy lopsided." It seems the time for Miles Morales has come. MadOne

Justin Timberlake buys ownership stake in MySpace

The actor and singer has reportedly purchased an ownership stake in MySpace, along with fellow buyer Specific Media. The former N’SNYC member, who played Facebook president and Napster co-founder Sean Parker in The Social Network, will help revamp the diminished website, which the pair just purchased for a mere $35 million from News Corp. According to the Associated Press, Timberlake will take an office at the MySpace headquarters in Beverly Hills, and have a staff of about six people working for him “around the clock,” as Specific Media CEO Tim Vanderhook put it. Specific Media hopes that Timberlake’s celebrity and sway in the music community can help MySpace build upon its success with musicians.

MySpace has been on a downward spiral for years, driven deeper as Facebook skyrocketed in popularity. The $35 million deal is a bargain compared to the $580 million News Corp paid for the site in 2005. (Facebook first launched in 2004.) That’s a loss of $545 million, or 94 percent of the company’s investment. Despite this, News Corp will retain a 5 percent stake in MySpace.


Vanderhook says that, with Timberlake’s help, they can breath new life into the website by focusing on video content, including original shows. The new MySpace will also involve a major upgrade in technology, as well as the an effort to maintain the rights to music that was posted to the site through its partnership venture with major record labels, MySpace Music. MadOne

News Corp sells Myspace

NEW YORK (Reuters) - News Corp has sold social media site Myspace for about $35 million to online advertising company Specific Media, according to a source familiar with the transaction. The deal, announced on Wednesday, calls for News Corp to retain a minority stake in the website that it purchased six years ago for $580 million, the companies said. 

The sale of Myspace caps six years of ownership under Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, which swooped in to buy Myspace beating out rival Viacom for what was then one of the world's hottest social networking sites.

Francesca Frigo is Mars Blackmon ( Jordan's )

And you thought Michael Jordan made these look good. Miss August 2010 Francesca Frigo channels Mars Blackmon for Playboy’s Top 23 Air Jordans of All-Time. Mark your calendar for May 31st as Playboy and Francesca will reveal more than just their favorite Jordans. MadOne

Stars at theTime 100 Gala

 

Mark Wahlberg,

After making Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world, Mark Wahlberg attended the black tie Time 100 Gala at New York's Lincoln Center. 

 

Amy Poehler, 

Former "Saturday Night Live" castmember and current "Parks and Recreation" star Amy Poehler also made the list. And as expected, the funny lady had a witty quip about the honor: “I have so much influence. I am lousy with influence, " she was quoted as saying. "If you shook my hand tonight you may not want to drive home because you may be pulled over for a DUI.”

 

Kerry Washington got glamorous on the red carpet. "Inspiring night. Thank you TIME!" the actress tweeted at the end of night. 

LaLa Vazquez posed with her hubby, NBA star Carmelo Anthony. LaLa was impressed by the evening's entertainment, tweeting from the party: "Bruno Mars killing it on stage!!!"

The Funniest People Not On Twitter

Bill Murray

Zach Galifianakis

Dave Chappelle

Steve Carell

Will Ferrell

Amy Poehler

David Cross

Bill Hader

Janeane Garofalo

Tina Fey

Larry David

Cloud Storage Is the Future of Music Services

Amazon announced cloud storage for music. Google is reportedly working on a massive music streaming service that will reside in the cloud. And new reports indicate the Apple is working on its own cloud music service that might even beat Google to market. There's a reason why these companies are aiming for the cloud even though Amazon and Apple already have healthy and successful music download services. Cloud storage is the future of media. 


The benefits for companies are clear. For instance, Apple needs only to keep a master copy of a song on their servers, and multiple subscribers can listen to that track at once. Speaking of subscribers, subscriptions are frequently more profitable than single track or album sales on a per customer basis, and streaming music helps to deter piracy. But the benefits to consumers are clear, too. Think of it this way: You don't need to ever worry about the storage capacity of your music player (be it a dedicated MP3 player or a smartphone), and you never have to worry if you've put your latest favorite songs on that particular device. It's all housed in the cloud.

The same transition is taking place in media, and it likely won't be too long before you, too, are storing media in the cloud. Technews Daily

Magic Johnson, Ron Burkle Invest In Vibe; Magic Named Chairman

(AllHipHop News) Magic Johnson and investor Ron Burkle are entering into the publishing business, as Magic Johnson Enterprises and Burkle's Yucaipa Companies have announced a strategic investment in Vibe Holdings LLC. As Chairman, Magic Johnson will utilize his expertise in developing the urban market and leverage his connections to build relationships between Vibe's brands and advertisers. According to Magic, the backing of Intermedia, MJE and The Yucaipa Companies, makes a powerful combination.

Yucaipa, is familiar with the urban landscape as well. The company, which is headed by Ron Burkle, dropped $100 million into Sean "Diddy" Combs Sean John Clothing Line in 2003. 

Google finally admits that its Street View cars DID take emails and passwords from computers

Google Street View Car

Google was accused of spying on households yesterday after it admitted secretly copying passwords and private emails from home computers. In an astonishing invasion of privacy, it admitted entire emails, web pages and even passwords were 'mistakenly collected' by antennae on its high-tech Street View cars. Google sent a fleet of specially equipped cars around Britain in 2008, armed with 360-degree cameras to gather photographs for its Street View project.

Earlier this year the California-based firm admitted that the cars' antennae had also scanned for wireless networks, including home wi-fi, which connect millions of personal computers to the internet. Google registered the location, name and identification code of millions of networks and entered them into a database to help it sell adverts. The firm was able to record the location of every wireless router and network without alerting households because wi-fi signals are 'visible' to other internet devices, including the cars' antennae.

 

The information was only gathered from wireless networks which were not password-protected. But it means the antennae potentially harvested millions of private emails and passwords around the country. It is not known how many householders have unprotected wireless networks. 'Google is fast developing a reputation as a company that cares little for privacy or data security.' Mail Online

Raz B claims that Marques Houston and Chris Stokes Molested Him!

Chris Stokes and Raz B

Wow in the only in the world of entertainment. Raz B, formally of B2K claims that he was molested by Marques Houston and Chris Stokes. He also said LIL Fizz was the first one out the group to get it in the ass. Other artist are coming out claiming the same thing happened to them. Ricky Romance and Quindon Traver. Yo real talk this is some horrible and I bet some of your nasty fools are still going download or buy Marques, Omarion, and Bow Wow's new shit. So what does that say about you. Learn more bout these so called entertainers.
Power your Mind. MadOne

Android 3 Powered Playstation Phone Prototype Unveiled

The Playstation Phone will at least be able to compete favorably against Motorola. Like that company’s Droid X line of smartphones, the Playstation Phone will also run using Google‘s Android operating system. Unlike the Droid X, however, the Playstation Phone will run on the upcoming Android 2.3, nicknamed Gingerbread, Android update. Android Gingerbread is rumored to bring with it a new Android Market music storefront, Google TV functionality, video calls, and 3D gaming support.

App makers and downloadable media sales will also have double the access to users on the Playstation Phone. In addition to the Android Market, the new smartphone from Sony Ericsson will also include a custom Sony market specific to the phone, one that will likely share branding and access with the Playstation Network Store already supported by the company’s devoted gaming consoles, the Playstation 3 and PSP. The Playstation Network features downloadable retail games. Given their existing partnership on the Playstation 3 and past support of Android phones, it should also be expected that the Playstation Phone will include a Netflix streaming video app. Investors Place

The Playstation phone should compete with Motorola

The Coolest Home Upgrades

Hidden, Wall-mounted TV

Photo: Electronichouse.com

It's go big or go home with televisions these days - but when you bring one of these drive-in movie-sized screens home, it can often wreck the design of the room. When a guest walks in, they won't say, "Wow, what a nice house," but rather, "Wow, what a big TV you have!"
Well now, you can have it all - a big screen and big style. Designers are increasingly choosing to hide gigantic televisions in the wall and cover them with a mirror or artwork so when they're not in use, you don't even know they're there! When it's above the fireplace, it can be a framed mirror or piece of art. In the photo at left, this Samsung 37-inch LCD is mounted in the closet behind the mirror, hidden by a removable panel in the closet.
You probably want a pro to do this - TVs require proper ventilation.

Master Control for Energy Consumption

Photo: Control4.com

You know you can control your entire house now from a laptop, iPhone or iPad. Everything from the lights and thermostat to the stereo - and even the pool. Here's taking it to the next level - a master control for energy consumption.
"This is very, very new - people are just experimenting with it," said Ron Rimawi, who co-owns Digital Interiors in Atlanta. "It helps make you more aware and more conscious of your energy usage, so you don't waste energy."
Basically, they're small digital panels that connect with the utilities and track various appliances and systems in your home. They can tell you everything from your usage to the temperature and how much it's all costing you! "We have long held the belief that the promise of the Smart Grid can only be realized if the consumer is front-and-center in the design of demand-response systems," said Control4, which makes the master control for energy consumption pictured at left.

 

Pop-up Ventilation for the Kitchen

Photo: Dacor.com

No one wants the lingering smell of smoke and cooking fumes in the kitchen - particularly with how hot the open-concept kitchen-living area is right now. But hoods, no matter what high-end materials you use, can be clunky, not to mention they get greasy and dirty. Enter the pop-up hood vent - You can sink it into an island or other countertop (of course, with an underground vent to the outside) and then at the press of a button, it comes up, sucks all the smoke and fumes out and then press the button again and - poof! - it vanishes again. This is not only great for kitchen design, but also to lure other members of the family into the kitchen to help. Make it high-tech - and they will come!

 

Cooling Drawer

Photo: Electronichouse.com

Let's face it - kitchens are getting cool. From sleek granite to smart appliances, this isn't your grandma's kitchen. One of the places where the most innovation is taking place is in the refrigerator. Maybe they have double French doors or are hidden by paneling that makes them blend in with the cabinets. One of the coolest things - literally - is a cooling drawer, like the one shown left from Fisher Paykel. These are drawers with several different temperature settings, so you can store soda, wine, snacks for the kids - even ice cream. They're individual drawers, so you can have any number of them scattered around the house.
 MADONE

The Celebrity 100

Rank	Name	Pay ($mil)	Money Rank	TV/Radio Rank	Press Rank	Web Rank	Social Rank	Category
1	Winfrey, Oprah Winfrey	315	1	1	5	5	11	Personalities
2	Knowles, Beyonce Knowles	87	11	9	13	2	15	Musicians
3	Cameron, James Cameron	210	2	21	9	20	81	Directors/Producers
4	Gaga, Lady Gaga	62	22	13	4	1	1	Musicians
5	Woods, Tiger Woods	105	7	7	6	35	34	Athletes
6	Spears, Britney Spears	64	20	15	24	3	2	Musicians
7	U2	130	3	54	18	11	28	Musicians
8	Bullock, Sandra Bullock	56	25	6	21	17	62	Actresses notv
9	Depp, Johnny Depp	75	14	34	22	16	21	Actors notv
10	Madonna	58	24	16	3	4	33	Musicians
11	Cowell, Simon Cowell	80	12	20	20	46	64	Personalities
12	Swift, Taylor Swift	45	38	8	27	8	3	Teen stars
13	Cyrus, Miley Cyrus	48	32	17	26	6	20	Teen stars
14	Bryant, Kobe Bryant	48	32	22	16	21	22	Athletes
15	Jay-Z	63	21	45	29	23	26	Hip-hop impresario
16	Black Eyed Peas	48	32	42	36	18	37	Musicians
17	Springsteen, Bruce Springsteen	70	16	48	32	47	48	Musicians
18	Jolie, Angelina Jolie	20	76	19	30	10	41	Actresses notv
19	Limbaugh, Rush Limbaugh	58.5	23	10	45	41	78	Personalities
20	Jordan, Michael Jordan	55	26	38	31	38	27	Athletes
21	McGraw, Dr. Phil McGraw	80	12	3	68	94	45	Personalities
22	Spielberg, Steven Spielberg	100	8	71	40	49	77	Directors/Producers
23	DeGeneres, Ellen DeGeneres	55	26	31	58	50	5	Personalities
24	Letterman, David Letterman	45	38	3	25	33	76	Personalities
25	Perry, Tyler Perry	125	4	56	76	82	36	Directors/Producers
26	Aniston, Jennifer Aniston	27	67	40	41	22	74	Actresses notv
27	Pink	44	43	35	35	14	18	Musicians
28	James, LeBron James	43	45	23	11	39	31	Athletes
29	Federer, Roger Federer	43	45	28	1	44	13	Athletes
30	Pitt, Brad Pitt	20	76	25	15	12	73	Actors notv
31	Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather	65	19	47	62	77	52	Athletes
32	Bay, Michael Bay	120	5	90	71	70	97	Directors/Producers
33	Trump, Donald Trump	50	30	26	57	59	75	Personalities
34	Leno, Jay Leno	35	54	2	28	29	65	Personalities
35	Coldplay	48	32	86	47	26	4	Musicians
36	Beckham, David Beckham	44	43	64	10	31	19	Athletes
37	Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfeld	75	14	51	80	86	89	Comedians
38	AC/DC	114	6	88	100	83	24	Musicians
39	Stern, Howard Stern	70	16	57	92	63	84	Personalities
40	Jonas Brothers	35.5	53	32	56	15	7	Teen stars
41	Hanks, Tom Hanks	45	38	49	44	42	46	Actors notv
42	Lucas, George Lucas	95	10	94	81	67	82	Directors/Producers
43	Beck, Glenn Beck	35	54	12	50	28	39	Personalities
44	Seacrest, Ryan Seacrest	51	29	41	83	75	14	Personalities
45	Mickelson, Phil Mickelson	46	37	24	19	88	90	Athletes
46	Stiller, Ben Stiller	53	28	72	61	68	23	Actors notv
47	Bruckheimer, Jerry Bruckheimer	100	8	94	88	89	94	Directors/Producers
48	Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo	36	51	97	2	19	8	Athletes
49	Rodriguez, Alex Rodriguez	36	51	11	14	73	83	Athletes
50	Pattinson, Robert Pattinson	17	86	53	37	7	68	Actors notv
51	O'Brien, Conan O'Brien	38	50	5	46	93	30	Personalities
52	O'Neal, Shaquille O'Neal	31	61	27	33	60	9	Athletes
53	Patterson, James Patterson	70	16	98	84	97	57	Authors
54	Chesney, Kenny Chesney	50	30	70	89	91	40	Musicians
55	Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao	42	47	52	52	64	60	Athletes
56	Cruise, Tom Cruise	22	73	43	38	25	43	Actors notv
57	Sandler, Adam Sandler	40	48	65	74	66	10	Actors notv
58	Clooney, George Clooney	19	83	14	12	24	53	Actors notv
59	Meyer, Stephenie Meyer	40	48	85	59	32	87	Authors
60	Diaz, Cameron Diaz	32	59	61	54	36	79	Actresses notv
61	Williams, Serena Williams	20	76	18	8	57	32	Athletes
62	Rascal Flatts	45	38	69	90	90	42	Musicians
63	Sheen, Charlie Sheen	30	62	29	70	55	70	Television actors
64	Jeter, Derek Jeter	30	62	36	34	79	67	Athletes
65	Armstrong, Lance Armstrong	20	76	33	7	62	12	Athletes
66	Stewart, Kristen Stewart	12	92	62	53	9	69	Teen stars
67	Keith, Toby Keith	48	32	81	93	95	99	Musicians
68	Combs, Sean (Diddy) Combs	30	62	63	75	30	56	Hip-hop impresario
69	King, Stephen King	34	57	82	63	40	51	Authors
70	Parker, Sarah Jessica Parker	25	68	55	55	56	71	Actresses notv
71	DiCaprio, Leonardo DiCaprio	28	65	67	42	48	58	Actors notv
72	Sheindlin, Judge Judy Sheindlin	45	38	77	96	100	80	Personalities
73	Downey, Robert Downey Jr	22	73	60	39	45	85	Actors notv
74	Wayne, Lil Wayne	20	76	76	67	13	6	Hip-hop impresario
75	Witherspoon, Reese Witherspoon	32	59	79	82	61	61	Actresses notv
76	Urban, Keith Urban	27.5	66	50	73	78	50	Musicians
77	Roberts, Julia Roberts	20	76	58	49	37	72	Actresses notv
78	Carell, Steve Carell	34	57	78	72	84	54	Television actors
79	Streep, Meryl Streep	13	91	30	23	43	59	Actresses notv
80	Akon	21	75	92	77	27	16	Hip-hop impresario
81	Sharapova, Maria Sharapova	25	68	87	43	80	29	Athletes
82	Radcliffe, Daniel Radcliffe	25	68	90	66	58	86	Teen stars
83	Williams, Venus Williams	15.5	88	39	17	81	38	Athletes
84	Romano, Ray Romano	35	54	82	91	99	98	Television actors
85	Bundchen, Gisele Bundchen	25	68	93	94	69	55	Models
86	Klum, Heidi Klum	16	87	74	69	51	49	Models
87	Barrymore, Drew Barrymore	15	90	73	64	52	44	Actresses notv
88	Baldwin, Alec Baldwin	8.5	98	37	48	54	93	Television actors
89	Kiefer, Kiefer Sutherland	20	76	80	86	76	92	Television actors
90	Fey, Tina Fey	7.5	99	46	60	74	66	Television actresses
91	Moss, Kate Moss	9	97	89	51	34	63	Models
92	Parker, Eva Longoria Parker	12	92	65	79	65	47	Television actresses
93	Dunham, Jeff Dunham	22.5	72	99	98	96	25	Comedians
94	Lopez, George Lopez	18	85	68	87	87	35	Comedians
95	Heigl, Katherine Heigl	15.5	88	75	78	71	96	Television actresses
96	Patrick, Danica Patrick	12	92	44	65	85	95	Athletes
97	Hudson, Kate Hudson	11	95	58	85	53	99	Actresses notv
98	Handler, Chelsea Handler	19	83	84	97	92	17	Comedians
99	Hewitt, Jennifer Love Hewitt	6.5	100	96	95	72	88	Television actresses
100	Hargitay, Mariska Hargitay	9.5	96	100	99	98	91	Television actresses