Asphalt 8 mobile racing game unveiled its "Dubai update"

Asphalt 8 Airborne's Dubai update

It's been a year since Asphalt 8: Airborne hit the smartphones on the App Store and Google Play and most racing game fans still won't stop playing the most extreme installment of the Asphalt mobile game franchise from developer Gameloft.

Now, they've released a brand new Dubai Update on A8! This update features a brand new Dubai location with different variations ranging from DUBAI, THE ROSE OF THE DESERT, and THE MIRAGE.

Also, keep an eye out for time-limited special events featuring 5 brand-new cars to this update such as the Nissan GT-R NISMO, Jaguar F-Type, SSC Ultimate Aero XT, the Mercedes-Benz Biome Concept, and the unsung Dutch supercar known as the Savage Rivale Roadyacht GTS. As A8 rules apply, the fastest in the special events will earn an early access to this car before its available for almost everyone in a couple of days or weeks.

A new season is added and for this 9th season called BEYOND, only cars tuned to the max are allowed to take on the toughest challenges yet. These challenges are made specifically to the car, which is tuned to the max, and if you want to beat those, get yourself ready with your car armed to the highest potential!

If you have a Twitch account, you can stream your A8 action but this Twitch feature is only available for those who owned the latest-generation of smartphones and tablets (for example, the iPhone 5/5c or the iPad 4th gen). A Twitch account is required to access this feature.

Asphalt 8 is available to download for free at the App Store or Google Play now.

THE iDOLM@STER MASTER ARTIST 3 Prologue ONLY MY NOTE

THE iDOLM@STER MASTER ARTIST 3 Prologue
ONLY MY NOTE

With the PS3-exclusive THE iDOLM@STER ONE FOR ALL getting along smoothly with iM@S fans new and old and with thanks to the 9th anniversary concert they've been saving with, looks like the folks from NIPPON COLUMBIA had better way to celebrate these occasions with a brand new chapter of the iM@S MASTER ARTIST chapter of CDs.

To set things off, MASTER ARTIST 3 kicks of with a Prologue titled "ONLY MY NOTE" and at first glance, you might think that this is a 5-track CD but oh no because on track 3 of this brand new CD, there's a non-stop medley featuring the songs you might heard from this month's DLC. We're talking the solo songs scenario stuff and the new DLC solo scenario songs can now be listened for the first time as a non-stop medley featuring all of 765 Production idols! You name them! Harkua, Iori, Makoto, Takane, Azusa, Miki, Ami and Mami, Yayoi, Hibiki, Yukiho, Ritsuko, and Chihaya!

This CD comes with two brand new M@STER VERSION tracks on never-before-heard songs like ONLY MY NOTE and アクセルレーション and with this CD, this will surely kick off the new chapter in the history of iM@S.

Look forward for the arrival of THE iDOLM@STER MASTER ARTIST 3 CD range very soon!

TRACK LISTING:
01. ONLY MY NOTE（M@STER VERSION）
02. アクセルレーション（M@STER VERSION）
03. アイドルマスターOFA・DLC2014年8月ソロ新曲メドレー
04. ONLY MY NOTE（M@STER VERSION) オリジナル・カラオケ
05. アクセルレーション（M@STER VERSION） オリジナル・カラオケ

Let's Do The News! (August 27, 2014)

The big scoop today...

- Four strong aftershocks occurred in the San Francisco North Bay Area early morning including a 3.9M aftershock that caused extensive damage to Highway 29. According to the USGS, the first aftershock occurred at 5:33AM with M3.9, then a second aftershock occurred at 5:35AM with M2.7. A third one occurred at 6:12AM with M2.8, and the last occurred at 6:45AM with magnitude 3. So far, no casualties are reported.

- The president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, told that the "roadmap" to end the lingering conflict between the Russians and the Ukrainians will be prepared after holding his first direct talks on the crisis with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Belarusian capital city of Minsk.

Photo courtesy of AFP

- An American man, who is believed to be fighting alongside the Islamic militants in Syria, named Douglas McCain, was killed in battle. This report was confirmed from the White House.

- Despite the LPA has left the Philippine Area of Responsibility, expect cloudy with a high chance of rainshowers in Metro Manila, according to PAGASA.

- After numerous animals died for unknown reasons, a zoo located in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia was closed, as told by city mayor Yordanka Fandakova. Three Indian bisons, two yaks, and a camel were found death and the cause of death remain unknown.

- The second-generation Volvo XC90 was finally revealed and this new model will spark a new milestone for the Swedish carmaker. Because all Volvos are heavily focused on safety, the new XC90 is beyond compare as it gains "the most comprehensive and technologically sophisticated standard safety package available in the automotive industry", such as automatic braking, self-driving on the stop-start traffic, "run off-road" protection package, pre-crash protection, whiplash protection, blind-spot info, and road-sign reading. Two engines are available such as a brand new 2.0L turbodiesel and a PHEV model which comes with a twincharged 2.0L engine connected with an electric motor that churns a combined output of a mighty 395HP.

2015 Volvo XC90

- It's almost back-to-school, and G. Hannelius shows off some back-to-school inspired nail art for you to try on the latest G. Nails clip presented by SweetyHigh and M Magazine.

- Sebastian Vettel tries out the Infiniti Q50 Hybrid, better known to you and I as the Nissan Skyline V37, on Russia's newly-completed Sochi Autodrom, the venue for the first ever Russian GP on the F1 2014.

Sochi Autodrom meets Skyline and Vettel

- Actor Dennis Roldan is found guilty as charged from allegedly kidnapping a young Filipino-Chinese boy nine years ago.

TTFN!!!

Gotta Get Ready For The Next Battle?! Pokken announced

Pokken Tournament

Pocket Monsters (or PokeMon from all over the world), a famed video game franchise loved by kids from all ages worldwide since 1996. Tekken, one of Namco's flagship titles which involves hardcore fistfights and white-knuckle thrills and this franchise is on its 20th birthday this year.

PokeMon and Tekken, not two words you often hear in the same sentence and that's because PokeMon are targeted for the little kids while Tekken are targeted for the grownups who love fighting games and it's gonna be a good thing because last night, Bandai Namco Games collaborated with Nintendo and The PokeMon Company to create next year's arcade fighting game featuring some of the roughest and toughest PokeMon assembled and it's forged by the creators of the Tekken and Soul series. What do you get? Pokken Tournament.

Like it said, this arcade fighting game is set for its 2015 debut and it's targeted for PokeMon fans in their 20's. We're not sure if this is going to be a Japan-exclusive arcade game like the PokeMon Tretta but still, PokeMon fans are surely "ready for the next battle".

Scoop: http://www.pokemon.co.jp/ex/pokken/?a001=news

Let's Do The News! (August 26, 2014)

Things we learned today...

- On the issue of the Ukrainian Conflict: Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko will hold talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin at a summit in the Belarusian capital of Minsk despite the escalating tensions between the two countries over the fight against pro-Russian separatists.

- Back at the Libya Crisis: There was a report stating that the United States was caught "off guard" by multiple air strikes against Islamic extremists around Tripoli. The attacks were reportedly carried out by the UAE from Egyptian bases.

Photo courtesy of: EPA

- North Korea threatens the United States once again by launching a preemptive strike following America's involvement with the military exercise with South Korea.

- US and Chinese officials will hold talks about the rules of conduct after the US alleged a Chinese fighter plane got too close to one of its planes. The US Defense Department sparked fury against the Chinese military after a Chinese fighter jet done a "dangerous" intercept on the US patrol aircraft in the South China Sea last Tuesday but the Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson denied the claim. There has been four cases of Chinese aces acting dangerously in the skies this year according to US officials.

- Yoshihide Suga, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary, remains undecided about Russian president Putin's visit to Japan this fall. The Asian country will have to consider different factors including the Ukraine situation before giving Putin's visit the green light.

- Japan's professional soccer league, J-LEAGUE, is considering a punishment over a top-division team over a discriminatory gesture by a fan. Last weekend, a teenage fan of the Yokohama F. Marinos team waved a banana at an "import" player of the Kawasaki Frontale team. It is believed that in other soccer leagues, waving monkey food, like bananas, on black players is considered an act of racism.

- The Ford Highboy Roadster from 1932 is the latest highlight from the Jay Leno's Garage webisode! Check it out!



- COMELEC rejects the idea of not having an elections this 2016 following the issue regarding Philippine President Benigno Aquino III's re-election.

- Don't worry. Studio Ghibli won't be gone to the history books but the madmen from FOX's Animation Domination High-Def mashed up some Ghibli stuff for parodic reasons and for parodic reasons, FOX ADHD bids goodbye to Studio Ghibli. Take a look... (STOP: The following video has scenes not suitable for all audiences. STRONG PARENTAL GUIDANCE is advised)



TTFN!!!

Toyota Land Cruiser 70 - 2014 reissue

If you're asking any Land Cruiser fan in the world what is the best Land Cruiser of all time, more and more offroad enthusiasts believe that it was the LC70 that is by no means the best Land Cruiser ever made not only because it's off-road worthy than its luxury-focused successors but it's one of the most longest-running cars ever made and even though Toyota stopped making one for the Japanese market in 2004, you can find the LC70 roaming around the Middle Eastern desert or the Australian outback or whatever the LC70 lives on.

Due to inconsistent public demand, the Land Cruiser 70 has been given another year of living as the most off-road-worthy Land Cruiser returns to celebrate the LC70's 30th birthday.

2014 Toyota Land Cruiser 70

For the first time in Japan, the Land Cruiser 70 can be offered in two different body styles; a 5-door van or a 4-door pickup truck. This is the first time they've offered a pickup truck in Japan since the Hilux stopped selling on the Japanese market in 2004. For the 2014 reissue of the LC70, the once ancient body 30 years ago has been sprinkled with modern touches to keep the legend refreshed and renewed to take on a whole new chapter of life...that is when this tough fella knows that it has one year of living in this world.

2014 Toyota Land Cruiser 70

2014 Toyota Land Cruiser 70

The classic body is now festooned with a new front face and its new headlamps come with turn indicators. The inside looks new even though it still comes with remnants of its past and it can seat from two up to five people. The rear seats can be stowed for extra luggage space fit enough for all your adventure-related stuff needed for your last-minute summer vacation. And to top it all off, there's a commemorative "30th Anniversary" emblem placed on the sides.

2014 Toyota Land Cruiser 70 interior

Even though the latest reissue of the LC70 gained numerous revisions on the outside and on the inside, there is no doubt that deep down here, it's still a living legend worth remembering. Because the styling still has some old-school touches, driving one of these on your next grocery shopping looks ridiculous because most grocery shoppers think that you came from a field. While it's not suitable for your Tokyo trip because of its old looks, it's a well-suited SUV fit for your final summer vacation. If you ever thought you can take one of these on your trip to Mt. Fuji, it's your call.

2014 Toyota Land Cruiser 70

2014 Toyota Land Cruiser 70

Because the LC70 is the off-road-focused Land Cruiser, it features a range of heavy-duty specs suitable for off-road use. The body is a ladder frame, which makes them tough and strong while tackling through the roughest conditions, be it gravel, tarmac, snow, or whatever. It comes with a Part-Time 4WD System which selects different modes at the shift of the lever; be it front-wheel, rear-wheel, or 4-wheel drive.

Under the hood, the LC70 comes with a 4.0L V6 1GR-FE engine with VVT-i and Acoustic Control Induction System. It develops 231PS of power output, 360Nm of torque output, and 6.6kmpl of fuel economy on the JC08 Mode scale. Not quite good by modern standards but because it is a Land Cruiser, it's the off-roader that's still powerful and indestructible.

What about the price? The 2014 reissue of the LC70 starts at 3,500,000 Yen for the pickup model and up to 3,600,000 for the van model. It's much more affordable to own than the luxury-focused Land Cruiser 200, the Land Cruiser Prado, or the FJ Cruiser! It's definitely a smart buy for offroad enthusiasts but better hurry because the living legend has a very limited inventory this year. Better hurry though because when it's gone, it's gone for good.

It's good to have the old LC70 back on the road...

Available colors: White, Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, Dark Red Mica Metallic, Beige, Beige Mica Metallic, and Blue.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Suzuki Wagon R - Fifth Generation - 2015 facelift

Two years ago, the Suzuki Wagon R reached its fifth generation and this generation set the new standards for Japan-only kei cars thanks to the implementation of ENE-CHARGE. With numerous rivals trying to outdo its fuel economy, this Wagon R always find a way and because Suzuki wants to be the most fuel-efficient carmaker in the world, they have a brand new attempt that will have its rivals puzzled into submission.

2015 Suzuki Wagon R

2015 Suzuki Wagon R interior

Well, here it is and at first glance, it looks nearly identical to its pre-facelift model except that now, the 2015 Wagon R now comes with its new secret weapon; S-ENE CHARGE.

What is S-ENE CHARGE? Basically, an improvement from the ENE-CHARGE, the newly developed S-ENE CHARGE takes full use of the lithium-ion battery and the Integrated Starter Generator while joining forces with the improved R06A engine. The ISG provides a motor assist during acceleration and during deceleration, it stores some of its electric power.

The idling stop system has also changed. Within 13kph or less during deceleration, the engine automatically switched off and it has the capability to quietly restart the engine thanks to the implementation of the ISG. The unintentional engine restart is suppressed by implementing a brake stroke sensor.

Thanks to the new fuel-efficient technologies, the 2015MY Wagon R sets a new fuel economy of 32.4kmpl. I repeat, the fuel economy for the 2015MY Wagon R is now improved to 32.4kmpl. Suzuki fans take note of it because it's now more fuel efficient than its rivals like the Mitsubishi eK Wagon, Daihatsu Move, or the Honda N-WGN.

2015 Suzuki Wagon R Stingray

2015 Suzuki Wagon R Stingray interior

It's not just the fuel economy that the latest version stands out from the rest, it's the safety that is on par with any other kei car because the Wagon R has a host of safety features, including the very clever Radar Brake Support system that stops without the driver asking to do and you might think you are going to hit something. If this doesn't work, it's yours to blame, not the car. Be advised.

Also, it comes with a special feature that prevents unintended acceleration, a big issue that was faced by millions of drivers in history, an Emergency Stop Signal that warns drivers from behind, ESP, and so much more.

The new 2015 Wagon R starts at 1,078,920 Japanese Yen for the base model while the stylish Stingray model starts at 1,461,240 Japanese Yen. Customers can even afford one with or without S-ENE CHARGE but there are differences to these models because on the normal Wagon R, you can afford an entry-level model with a 5-speed manual gearbox exclusive to this model while on the Stingray, the 660cc turbocharged engine is available exclusively for that model.

Available colors (Wagon R):  Crystal White Pearl, Mysterious Violet Pearl, Silky Silver Metallic, Bluish Black Pearl 3, Innocent Pink Pearl Metallic, Urban Brown Pearl Metallic, and Fizz Blue Pearl Metallic.

Available colors (Wagon R Stingray): Crystal White Pearl, Phoenix Red Pearl, Mysterious Violet Pearl, Bluish Black Pearl 3, and Steel Silver Metallic.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation