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Check out this trailer for the new Star Wars: The Clone Wars computer animated TV series.

The story takes place between Episodes II and III and it looks to be based on much of the fun and innovative work that Genndy Tartakovsky and co. did for the similarly named Star Wars: Clone Wars animated series that appeared on Cartoon Network. However it looks like they’ll be fleshing out those shorts into a full story (instead of 5 minute segments with just a loose plot). Tartakovsky doesn’t appear to be involved but it looks like they have some of the original voice talents for Yoda, C-3PO, and Grevious (who knows about the rest of the cast though).

I’m always excited to see new Star Wars but it will take me a while to get used to the CG look. I’m disappointed they didn’t keep Tartakovsky on board, at least in an advisory role. I’m also upset that they’re re-telling this story instead of moving all to new ground; I’d really like to see more post-Episode III stuff about how the Vader hunted down the Jedi and how and the Empire rose to dominate the Galaxy (but Lucas is apparently looking into creating just such a TV show so hopefully I won’t have to wait too long).

(Trailer link via

Here we go again.

The ‘Choose a Vista’ ad is spot on… even I don’t know what version of Vista to get. Though Apple does technically offer two versions of Mac OS X, the second being Server, the differences between the regular and Server version are clear (and all the versions of Windows they were counting don’t include the sever version).

‘Party is Over’ seems a bit of a low blow for Apple: Sure, you might have to upgrade your computer to run Vista, but the same is true for Mac OS X upgrades sometimes (though perhaps not to the same degree). The bit about software and peripherals not working is hypocritical too, since there are many examples of this on the Mac side. I’m thinking of particularly of the OS 9 to OS X transition and the PowerPC to Intel transition (though the later has been handled quite well considering it’s magnitude).

The ‘Genius’ spot is the best of the new bunch. The Genius Bar is a great resource for Mac owners and there’s not something comparable on the PC side unless you have a ‘PC Genius’ friend with lots of time to hep you. If only there were more cute female genii like the one in the ad!

2 new Get a Mac ads. ‘Flashback’ is kind of silly but ‘Computer Cart’ is good… I never understood those Fatal Errors either (though I think ‘Illegal Operation’ errors in IE were my [least] favorite).

I’m happy the series is staying strong.

Also check out John Hodgman (PC) on the latest episode of This American Life #329: Nice Work If You Can Get It. It’s even a free podcast download of it on iTunes or direct download MP3 from TAL (but these should only be up until April 13th and there’s only streaming downloads after that) so get them now.

(TAL link via DF)

Update (4/14/06): Looks like Apple forgot to post the third new ad, it’s called ‘Stuffed’ and it highlights all the crappy bundled software you have to pay for to actually use which is installed on most PCs out of the box. The problem is that Apple kind of does this with iWork by bundling a 30 day trial of it instead of giving it away with the computer.

New AppleTV Ad. Features Jack Black in School of Rock. Fabulous!

Here it is on YouTube. I can’t wait to see this in HD from Apple.

Update (4/10): Apple has put it up here (or in HD). Nice!

TAL Link Mania here:

The first episode of the TAL Showtime TV Program broadcast this past Thursday (3/22) night. If like me and most people I know, you don’t have cable, you can check out for free from Showtime (or maybe hit up a torrent).

The first episode, Reality Check was quite good… just the same TAL as ever really. Same moving stories, same great music direction, same Ira Glass… just now with pictures. This all makes sense since the stories for this pilot also appeared on the radio show (to save production costs before the show was picked up). I particularly liked the shots of Ira sitting in the middle of nowhere with a desk and an old mic, it looks like this will be a reoccurring theme.

The official TAL website just got a (much needed) makeover as well with lots of nice new features like RSS feeds and better organization. Be sure to check out this ‘much fuller decription‘ of what they’re trying to do with the TVs show and these previews for the first season.

If you’re still starved for TAL linkage check out this Chris Ware animated clip about using fake video cameras in grade school from Episode 4. Also be sure to listen to the weekly radio show on your local NPR station or via this iTunes podcast.

The first six episode season of TAL broadcasts on Showtime on Thursdays at 10:30 PM ET/PT (see the schedule here).

(Some links via Kottke.)