Google Gaffes Again

A Google map error has transformed Manukau Harbour into New Zealand's second largest lake!
The harbour, the country's second largest, sits on the SW coast of Auckland, with Auckland Airport located on the rim. The harbour's entry is squeezed between Huia and Wattle Bay but, if you're referring to Google Maps, then it's not water between those two areas...but land instead (don't tell Auckland's rabid property developers - they'd be onto that fresh slab of land like rats up a drainpipe!)
You can see the mistake right there in the standard Google Maps, while the correct image appears on Google Maps' satellite version.
It's the latest in a long run of recent gaffes by internet giants when it comes to maps. Apple's new maps unveiled in September placed Timaru Airport in Christchurch, and Dunedin Airport 30km from where it actually is.
Elsewhere in the world, it dropped the Norwegian town of Leknes into the Norwegian sea, a farm became an airport, highways led to the the middle of nowhere, and a hospital now covers the entire centre of UK city Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's home!

Hobbits CAN Fly!

Air New Zealand's latest in-flight safety video has gone where no airline has gone before: deep into Middle Earth.
Called An Unexpected Briefing, it features hobbits, wizards and elves. The video was inspired by the upcoming film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. It features Oscar-winning director Sir Peter Jackson along with various cast members (eyes open for Sir PJ about 1'38" into the vid - you can't miss him! He won't get an Oscar for his acting skills, but he's having fun nonetheless!). There's also Mike and Royd Tolkien, the great-great grandsons of The Hobbit's author, JRR Tolkien.
The release of An Unexpected Briefing marks the official start of Air NZ’s two-year global marketing programme dedicated to The Hobbit trilogy. A coming feature of the airline's support of the films will be a themed aircraft that'll be unveiled prior to the movie's global premiere in Wellington at the end of this month.
PS: 24 Nov.2012 - The Hobbit jet is revealed!

Disney Vader

First, it was Winnie the Pooh, then the Muppets, and now the beloved Star Wars franchise is following suit. Is there any end to the insatiable appetite of Disney?

"The Force will be with you
(and my bank account)...always."

The Walt Disney Company announced this week that it's buying Star Wars director George Lucas's company, and plans to revive the classic sci-fi series starting with a new movie in 2015.
Disney chief Robert Iger: "The deal combines a world-class portfolio of content including Star Wars, one of the greatest family entertainment franchises of all time, with Disney's unique and unparalleled creativity."
Lucas says it's "time for me to pass Star Wars on to a new generation of filmmakers."
If bringing the Disney touch to the next series of Star Wars sounds like just the thing to make the next trilogy better than the last, then you'll buzz to know that Episode VII is due out in 2015.
If not, you'll be horrified to know that we should expect to see a new Star Wars movie every two years from here on, even beyond the planned Episode IX (yeup, that's right: NINE!!!), and Star Wars will soon be invading resorts as well as a theatre near you.
Lucas: "Disney's reach and experience give Lucasfilm the opportunity to blaze new trails in film, television, interactive media, theme parks, live entertainment, and consumer products."

Yoda must be spinning in his tiny little grave!
The acquisition comes after Disney's takeover of animated film giant Pixar and comic book character-driven Marvel Studios. But why? Why? WHHHYYYYYY??? scream the purists. Well, NO-one in their right mind would turn down an offer of US$4-BILLION, would they??!!! And Lucasfilm is 100% owned by Lucas. Chick-ching!