José M MC

There were a lot of requests, so we made some Beard Facts shirts and other stuff.  Beard Facts comic here.

Contact me for the movie rights. -Ray

The scientific name for the downward curve on the chart is “I hate my brain.” -Will

League of Legends' Season 3 World Championship is the most watched eSports event in history, according to Riot, which develops the multiplayer game.

Riot posted an update on the official blog stating that "over 32 million fans watched SK Telecom T1 [an esports team] earn the Summoner's Cup [a tournament award] in front of a sold-out Staples Centre."

By: Philippa Warr,

Coin, the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connected card, has proven to be a hit in the crowdfunding community. Coin raised the $50,000 they requested to begin production in just 40 minutes. As a result, Coin has announced that more Coins are now available for presale. The company has also announced some new features.

As we first highlighted last week, the Coin device is approximately the size of a single credit card. It can store all your swipe-able cards, and be used to pay anywhere cards are accepted. You simply toggle through your stored cards on Coins digital display to select the one you wish to use. From there, swipe Coin like you would with any other card.

Best of all, Coin can sync with your mobile phone and alert you when youve left it behind. If it becomes lost, Coin will disable itself.

Still worried about security? Coin uses 128-bit encryption for all storage and communication. Each Coin ships with a card-swipe dongle that connects to your smartphone or tablet. This allows you to upload all of your cards onto the mobile app, which automatically stores them on your personal Coin card. From there, youll only need the app when you want to manage, add, or delete existing cards.

New features announced today include:

Coin has an alarm, that remembers how many times your Coin is being swiped, and will alert you via the app if it is being swiped fraudulently when out of your hands.

Coin can work without being tied to a phone.

Coin can lock for one particular card so it cant be changed to a different card by a merchant or waiter for example.

Not yet convinced? Coin has published over 50 answers to the most popular consumer questions about the device on its official site.

Here are some examples:

Q: Can someone upload anyone elses card onto their Coin?

A: With Coin, you can only add your cards that match your personal information stored in the app. Your full name will be printed on the Coin and your signature will be on the back.

Q: How secure is my data in the Coin App?

A: The Coin app is password protected and is 128-bit/256-bit encrypted for all storage and communication with its easy-to-use consumer app to ensure the safety of your identity.

Q: What If I lose my Coin?

A: Coin send you a push notification alerting you if you leave your Coin behind and locks automatically if you go too far away, making it unusable if anyone tries to pay with it.

Q: How do credit card companies and merchants feel about Coin?

A: We have are building relationships with major card providers and merchants and their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Kairosoft has brought a new game to the App Store. This time, Pocket Stables – the racehorse-themed game in which players must build up a ranch, train horses, and race to win – has launched for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and is available to download for $3.99.

As Kairosoft indeed explains, horse racing is the name of the game in this most recent iOS application. However, far from offering users a simple racing gaming experience, users of the app are instead charged with the task of caring for their horses, training them, and running a ranch at the same time. “Manage your very own ranch while training your racehorses to win big in exciting races!,” the developer notes.

In this sense, Pocket Stables is not dissimilar to Kairosoft’s other iOS applications, which include Dungeon Village, Dream House Days, Cafeteria Nipponica, and The Sushi Spinnery, and all offer simulated environments.

Pocket Stables.

Kairosoft explains in the app’s release notes:

Build training facilities like dirt courses and pools amidst the beautiful natural surroundings of your ranch. Increase your ranch’s fame and entice visitors to spend some dough at your ranch’s amenities, like ice cream stands and gift shops.

Find horses with the right combination of stamina and speed and intensity and train them to race. Keep winning races to earn bigger and better prizes, as well as the ability to compete in even bigger and more exciting races on an international scale.

Send once-great racehorses out to stud. Find effective pedigree combinations and breed a new generation of talented colts.

The developer adds, “Can you train a Triple Crown winner and bring fame and glory to your ranch?”

As of this writing, Pocket Stables has a solid rating of four and a half stars from users in the App Store, and judging from the comments, it seems that fans of the developer’s simulation games are pleased with this latest addition.

Pocket Stables can be downloaded for $3.99, and is optimized for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Check out the new application now, or for more of our recent news, see:We Have Liftoff: Apple Receives Final Approval For Futuristic Spaceship Campus,Sequel To Apple’s Game Of The Year The Room To Launch For iPad On Dec. 12, andMTV Artists App Updated With Improved Lyric Search, Faster Sound ID And Pandora Support.

• Pocket Stables
• Dungeon Village
• Dream House Days
• Cafeteria Nipponica
• The Sushi Spinnery

Down tools, people. You can now be taught Spanish by cats.

Memrise, a learning platform co-founded in the UK by memory expert Ed Cooke, is today launching CatAcademy -- a 99p iOS app that uses photographs of felines to teach the linguistically curious new languages.

By: Nate Lanxon,

Amazon Web Services has announced AppStream -- a system designed to enable gaming and app use across devices by streaming them from the cloud.

The idea is that apps which would require building anew for each device or games which would be too resource intensive for mobile can be played on those devices because the actual content is being processed elsewhere.

By: Philippa Warr,

Hoy toca hablar del sistema Flattr de microdonaciones.

Básicamente la idea es que se disponga una cantidad económica fija mensual para apoyar a los creadores que prefieras en la red y que en función de tus clicks se reparta esa cantidad. Sin más… Aquí ya depende de cada uno y de la cantidad que quiera aportar, y sí, cero también es una cantidad. Así que si alguien cree que no le interesa, pues pasando, visitar el Sistema D13 es gratis y seguirá siéndolo. Otra cosa es si uno puede y quiere agradecer de forma económica lo que tanto un servidor como muchos otros compañeros estamos haciendo…

Hacer un cómic tiene unos gastos, que entre unas cosas y otras se van cubriendo. Pero vamos, no es gratis. Y es cierto que podemos dibujar nuestra cena, pero desgraciadamente no podemos comérnosla.

Y lo más importante es que por encima de todo hay un trabajo, y es tan lícito hacerlo por gusto como pretender sacar un rédito económico del mismo, y en eso estamos…  Flattr es una forma de aportar algo a unos creadores que hacen esto por placer, pero que al mismo tiempo intentan demostrar un compromiso hacia sus lectores, ofreciendo contenidos e intentando que sean de calidad. Así que ya sabéis, si alguien se interesa por el tema verá que cada tira tendrá su botoncito a tal efecto, y si le gusta… Adelante con ello.

Uno solo no cambia nada, pero unos cuantos… Por eso no estoy solo, otros webcomiqueros se han sumado a la idea porque una de las claves de su funcionamiento es el potencial diverso del mismo.

• Las Crónicas PSN
• Oseano
• Obliterast
• HTZ
• El Sistema D13
• Art 88-46
• 1 Millón de Monos
• Dragon Mail
• Odiolitos
• Vaya Juventud
• Sinergia sin control

Y no solo webcomiqueros, yo descubrí Flattr por Athal Bert del Laboratorio Friki y aquí hay un listado más extenso de creadores que están apostando por él. La idea es que se extienda, cambiar un poco la cultura en ese sentido. No es fácil, pero lo intentamos.

Otra forma por si alguien no se siente atraído por este sistema son los encargos y las donaciones (para esto último tengo un botón recién ubicado aquí a mano izquierda, ya veis, todo son facilidades XD).

En definitiva, la idea es hacer de este proyecto algo viable. Y si la cosa funciona… quién sabe… igual podemos dibujar a Padme disfrazada de Leia esclava, que de momento se nos sale de presupuesto y claro, así no hay manera.

En cualquier caso este miércoles habrá tira. Y el viernes, otra.

Más info para curiosos con nociones de inglés:

"The best people make the best games," says Ilkka Paananen, founder of Finnish gaming startup Supercell. "It sounds simple and perhaps naive, but if you truly believe it then the only thing that matters is getting those people and creating the best possible environment so they stay".

It does sound simple and a little naive, but Supercell's incredible success hangs over Slush 2013 and is emphasised by the company's opening address to journalists the day before the Helsinki-based startup conference begins. It also doesn't hurt that Supercell is sponsoring Slush's big party and having earned €1.5 billion (£1.2 billion) for a 51 percent sale in June the two year old company is unlikely to let the bar run dry. 

By: Gordon Kelly,

When Russian company Yota Devices showed off the YotaPhone at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January, the dual-screen E Ink and Android device caused quite a stir. Now the device has finally been given a launch date.

It's quite common for companies to present outlandish ideas and prototypes at CES, many of which are never to be seen again, and it wouldn't have been much of a surprise if the YotaPhone had been one of them. According to TechCrunch though, Yota Devices has confirmed its two-faced phone will launch in December.

By: Katie Collins,

After smashing birds into pigs and motivating clans to clash, is the next mobile craze going to be a puzzle platformer that mixes Minecraft with a social twist? Industry insiders at Slush 2013 seem to think so and, if they're proved right, developer Grand Cru could be the latest Finnish sensation to stand alongside Rovio and Supercell.

The expectation is understandable. Supernauts is Grand Cru's first game, it has been in development for two years and the company received $16 million (£9.9 million) in investment even before beta tests had begun. Supernauts is now live in the Canadian Apple App Store and early indications ahead of its 6 December release from this "little America" test ground are overwhelmingly positive. 

By: Gordon Kelly,

In case you haven’t seen, the anticipated Oceanhorn has arrived in the App Store, and can be downloaded for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch for $8.99.

The console-quality title offers a Legend of Zelda-like experience for iOS, allowing iDevice owners to sail uncharted seas, discover foreign islands, explore dungeons, and do battle with foes. Along the way, of course, gamers must also upgrade their character, collect items, and continue to search for the infamous sea monster, Oceanhorn.

Oceanhorn’s publisher, FDG Entertainment, explains in the app’s release notes:

You wake up and find a letter from your father. He is gone
The only lead is his old notebook and a mysterious necklace. What happened?

Explore the islands of Uncharted Seas, a world filled with many dangers, puzzles and secrets. Fight monsters, learn to use magic and discover ancient treasures which will help you on your quest. Use all your wits and skill to unravel the mysteries of ancient kingdom Arcadia and sea monster Oceanhorn.

Oceanhorn combines captivating storytelling, breathtaking 3D visuals and exciting gameplay into one massive action adventure experience you will never forget.

Here’s a complete list of features, as outlined by FDG Entertainment:

• Music from legendary Nobuo Uematsu and Kenji Ito
• 10+ hours of story driven gameplay.
• Master magic and swordfight
• Find ancient items to help you on your quest
• Game Center Achievements
• Accurate Touch Controls
• iOS 7 Controller Support

The game isn’t compatible with the original iPad, and recommended iDevices include the iPhone 4s and higher, the iPad 2 and higher, the iPad mini and higher, and the iPod touch (fifth-generation). Graphically, Oceanhorn looks impressive and feels great running on my iPad Air.

Later today, we’ll be publishing an in-depth, hands-on review of Oceanhorn, so check back with us.

If you can’t wait, however, Oceanhorn can be downloaded in the App Store for $8.99, and is optimized for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Check out the updated application now, or for more of our recent news, see:Video: A Closer Look At Apple’s iPad mini Smart Case,Dropbox Teases iOS 7 Redesign In Blog Post About Dropbox For Business, andReal Racing 3 Revs Up With New Ferrari Cars And New Features.

• Oceanhorn

When it comes to cardio, I’m one of those people who like to get it done as fast as possible. Jogging long-distance or spending thirty minutes on an elliptical isn’t my thing. That’s why I love high intensity interval training (HIIT). The basic idea of HIIT is to alternate between periods of short, intense anaerobic exercise (like sprinting, kettlebell swings, or burpees) with less intense resting periods. You repeat this sequence of short, intense exercise and resting for as little as four minutes or as long as thirty minutes. Research has shown that HIIT improves both aerobic and anaerobic conditioning, boosts testosterone levels, and ramps up your metabolism and keeps it ramped up hours after you’ve finished exercising.

I’m always on the lookout for new HIIT routines, and I’ve recently discovered one that has become my new favorite: battle ropes.

I’ve heard battle rope exercises described as “wind sprints for your arms.”

That’s a perfect way to describe it.

In just twenty seconds of intense battle-roping, your heart rate will reach its peak and your arms will feel like battery acid is coursing through them. In short, you’ll feel great. I don’t know what it is, but battle rope exercises are incredibly satisfying. And effective: the intense anaerobic and aerobic conditioning that battle rope exercises provide has made them a staple in the training of professional athletes and mixed martial artists.

There’s not much to battle rope exercises. You just hold a thick, long rope by the ends and move your arms up and down or in circles as fast as you can. In essence, you’re “battling” the ropes.

Today, I’m going to give you the lowdown on 15 different battle rope exercises you can do, along with a suggested workout.

The Equipment

Because of the increasing popularity of battle ropes, you can easily find them online with a quick Google or Amazon search.

The battle rope I use is from Onnit.

The longer and thicker your rope is, the harder it is to battle. Go for a rope that’s around 2 inches thick and 50 feet long. That will give you a nicely challenging workout.

2″ x 50′ rope will run you around $125-$150, which isn’t cheap. Fitness companies will sometimes boost the price of something you can get at a hardware store (minus that fancy packaging/marketing), so I looked around for cheaper alternatives. But even basic manila rope of that size from contractor websites costs the same. If you know a source of cheaper rope, let us know in the comments.

I used my basketball goal post as an anchor for my battle rope.

Once you have your rope, you’ll need to find an anchor to wrap it around. Basketball goal posts, fence posts, and trees all work. You can even thread your rope through the handle of a heavy kettlebell and use that as an anchor.

The Workout

Battle rope exercises are an excellent addition to any high-intensity interval training routine. My suggested workout goes thusly:

15 rounds — each round do one of the battle rope exercises described below. Each round consists of two parts:

• 20 seconds all-out, high-intensity exercise. Don’t stop until the buzzer goes off.
• 20 seconds rest.

The whole routine will only take you 10 minutes. I use a HIIT Timer app on my smartphone to mark off my time and rest periods. You could also use something like Gym Boss.

The Exercises

Alternating Waves

Alternate moving your arms up and down as fast as you can.

Double Arm Waves

Instead of alternating your arms up and down, move them up and down together.

Double Arm Slam

Lift both arms as high as you can and then slam the ropes down to the ground as hard as you can. Go as fast as possible.

Double Arm Slam Jump

Same thing as the double arm slam, except when you lift your arms up as high as you can, you also jump.

Snakes

Swing your arms together side-to-side and make your rope slither like a snake.

Claps

Move your arms in and out like you’re clapping your hands together.

Outside Circles

Make big circles with your arms. Your right arm circles clockwise and your left arm circles counter-clockwise.

Ultimate Warrior

Turn your body to the right with your feet perpendicular to your anchor. Hold the battle rope ends together in your hands as if you were gripping a baseball bat — right hand on top of the left. Raise your arms up and down as fast as you can. Midway through the round, switch your stance and face the left, and reverse your grip so that your left hand is on top of your right hand. Continue lifting your arms up and down as fast as you can.

Grappler Hip-to-Hip Toss

This is a fun battle rope exercise. It mimics the movement a grappler makes when they toss someone over their hip. Grab the rope so the ends are sticking out from between your thumb and index fingers and hold the ends down by your right hip.  Pivot your torso to the left. During the pivot, flip the ropes over your hip as if you were throwing a grappling opponent to the ground. Pivot back and forth like this until time is up.

Alternating Waves + Squat

Just your basic alternating arm wave movement with air squats thrown in the mix.

5 Double Arm Waves + Burpee

This exercise combines my two favorite high-intensity cardio movements. Perform five double arm waves and then perform a burpee. Repeat the 5+1 sequence until your time is up.

Double Arm Side-to-Side Shuffle

Perform a double arm wave while shuffling side to side.

Uppercuts

Harness your inner Rocky with a series of alternating uppercuts while holding the ropes.

Figure Eight Circles

Make a figure eight shape in the air while holding the ropes. Feel free to reverse direction in the middle of your round.

Jumping Jacks

Just hold the ropes by the end and perform some old-school jumping jacks.

Have you tried battle ropes before? Have any favorite exercises we didn’t include here? Share them with us in the comments!

Related posts:

1. Guide to Thick Rope Training
2. How to Climb a Rope Like a Navy SEAL
3. Exercises for Gentlemen Giveaway
4. How to Make a Rope Swing and Fly Like Tarzan: An Illustrated Guide
5. Old School Workout: Daily Exercises for Young Men From 1883

As part of the 2013's BlizzCon opening ceremony, Blizzard officially announced that its upcoming MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) will be called Heroes of the Storm.

The game was previously referred to as Blizzard All-Stars, which probably gives you a better idea of what to expect: i.e. heroes from across Blizzard's gaming portfolio fighting one another. They're also not calling it a MOBA -- it's a "team brawler" -- so it'll be interesting to see if that terminology sticks.

By: Philippa Warr,

The Motion Picture Association of America is always quick to swipe at Google for pointing to a plethora of pirate sites and torrent files via its popular search engine.

Yet a month after the Hollywood studios released a study criticizing Google because 82 percent of all infringing URLs came from Google's search engine, the MPAA is ironically unveiling a pirate's-dream report of its own (.pdf) -- one listing the globe's major torrenting sites, cyberlockers and even brick-and-mortar marketplaces.

By: David Kravets,

That most virile of seasons is once again upon us. It is time for Movember.

For those of you who are new to the site, every November AoM takes part in an annual, month-long fundraiser called Movember. Started in 2003, Movember is a yearly global charitable campaign that celebrates the mustache while highlighting and raising money for men’s health issues – specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and male depression. During the month of November, men grow a mustache and raise funds for charities like the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

We’re going to be celebrating Movember here on the Art of Manliness website by inviting readers to grow a mo during the month of November. Since 2009, AoM readers have raised over $122,000 to help fund prostate and testicular cancer research. Last year the AoM Movember team raised over $33,000! I know we can top that goal this year. Ready to join us in the fight against prostate cancer? Here’s what to do.

How Movember Works:

1. Awesomely manly Aussie and Movember veteran Shaun Daws has started an Art of Manliness team on the Movember site. As team captain, he’ll be keeping an eye on the leader board and encouraging you along.

To join the Art of Manliness team, you must register on the Movember site. You must register as a “team member” so we can keep track of your progress. You can register for the AoM Movember team by clicking on one of the following links depending on where you live.

• Art Of Manliness – USA
• Art Of Manliness – Australia
• Art Of Manliness – Canada
• Art Of Manliness – UK

2. On November 1, you must start out clean shaven. You will then commence the growing of your beautiful, hairy mustache masterpiece. You cannot shave your mo until Nov. 30, and you must adhere to the following grooming rules:

• There is to be no joining of the Mo at the sideburns – that’s a beard.
• There is to be no joining of the handlebars at the chin – that’s a goatee.
• A small complimentary growth under the chin is allowed (aka The Tickler).

3. During the month, hit up friends and family to sponsor your mustache-growing and donate to the cause. Raise as much money as you can! Basically this is like a walkathon, but instead of getting people to sponsor you for doing laps in a windsuit, you get people to sponsor the growing of your manly mustache. It will be hard to restrain your friends and family from donating.

4. Shaun has created a Movember Group in the Art of Manliness Community. Join the group and encourage your brothers. Shaun will be posting news, pictures, and updates, and you should do likewise. Let everyone see how your stache is progressing!

5. If you don’t have the cojones to grow a mustache (or if you don’t have cojones, period) you can still donate to the AoM Movember Team. Ditto for those who, like me, already have an awesome mustache, and don’t want to shave it off. 

Men, this is your big chance to grow the mustache you’ve always dreamed of having but been too scared to attempt. The beauty of Movember is that during the early growing stage, the stage where the newly formed mustache’s appearance is so unsightly that men give up and shave, you have a ready and worthy excuse for why you look sort of skeevy. People will not only abstain from laughing at you, men will pat you on the back and women will kiss you with joy. Then, at the end of the month, when the awesomeness of your stache is in full bloom, people will be in such awe of your cookie duster that they will beg you not to shave it off. It’s win-win here, folks.

Saddleback Leather Company Dopp Kit + Classic Shaving Gear + Art of Manliness Collection = One Awesomely Manly Prize

Besides being rewarded with a great looking mustache, the Art of Manliness team member who raises the most money for the AoM Team will also receive the following prize package:

Saddleback’s Travel Case is the ultimate man’s dopp kit. Made with thick, full-grain boot leather, it comes with a 100-year guarantee. And packed inside this manly piece of tack you’ll find the following classic shaving gear:

Merkur Safety Razor

Badger Hair Brush

The Art of Shaving Sandalwood Shaving Cream (my personal favorite)

Tweezerman’s Mustache Comb and Scissors Set

Can You Handlebar Mustache Wax

Art of Manliness Collection Boxed Set

We’re also throwing in a signed edition of our Art of Manliness Collection. This vintage inspired cigar box contains both of our books as well as six coasters bearing manly iconography and quotes.

Contest is open to men 18 years and older living in countries in which we’ve created an AoM Movember Team. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.

I hope you will join us this year in this noble and charitable cause. Last year the AoM team came in 12th place in fundraising among all the teams in the US. Fire up your mustache-growing and help us move into the top ten this year! Onward mustached soldiers!

Related posts:

1. Movember 2012: Fighting Prostate & Testicular Cancer With Mustaches
2. Movember 2011: Fighting Prostate Cancer with Mustaches
3. Fight Prostate Cancer by Growing a Mustache: The 2010 Movember Contest
4. Art of Manliness Movember 2012: Halfway Mark Update!
5. Art of Manliness Movember 2011: Halfway Mark Update!

Hiyo! Welcome to new crumbo town, population you!

App art in today’s comic based off the “Funds.” app, period included. It’s pretty great, and I’d recommend it if, like me, you’re terrible at visualizing all the ways you’re throwing your money right down the shitter.

NaNoWriMo update: The work on the book is going okay! As of this writing, I’m up to 19,718 words, five or six of which I think I might even end up keeping. You can be my writing buddy here.

<3 Mike

“Part One” –MC Chris

With the unveiling of the Lumia 2520 tablet, we've seen Nokia apply for the first time its multi-hued Lumia brand to a new product category and introduce a new operating system to Lumia. Wired.co.uk sits down with Nokia CEO Stephen Elop at a roundtable event at Nokia World in Abu Dhabi to discuss Windows RT, new product categories and Nokia's future under Microsoft.

According to Elop, Microsoft wasn't at all angry that Nokia introduced its own Windows RT tablet on the official launch day of the Surface 2. "They're not even awake over there," he jokes -- pointing to the time difference between Redmond and Abu Dhabi. He adds though that Microsoft is keen to see other manufacturers expanding the ecosystems that rely on its software.

By: Katie Collins,

It has taken a year. Probably a year too long.

Apple has finally given the iPad mini a high-resolution Retina display with today's introduction of a second model in its tiny tablet range, and it's about time. It was a surprise the first model wasn't Retina, but better late than never: it's excruciatingly lovely from all angles.

In the hand there's almost nothing to discern the new versus the old if you close your eyes (which I did at Apple's launch event today) and hold them together. The new model feels the same, weighs the same, has the same thickness. Turn the screen off and you can't tell them apart.

By: Nate Lanxon,

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we’ll be republishing one of the illustrated guides from our archives, so you can hone your manly know-how week by week.

Of all the ninjas skills, being able to walk silently through the night is arguably the most useful for the modern man. Even if you don’t need to call upon it to stealthily assassinate your archenemy, it will allow to check on your sleeping children without waking them or steal cookies from a coworker.

Inspired by Secrets of the Ninja by Ashida Kim. I stumbled upon this book back when I was in middle school. Definitely a fun read.

The post Skill of the Week: Walk Like a Ninja appeared first on The Art of Manliness.