Nintendo announces Animal Crossing Plaza

In true Nintendo fashion, the Japanese gaming giant dropped information on a few of the company’s upcoming titles during their latest Nintendo Direct. As usual, Nintendo’s Satoru Iwata was on hand to slightly awkwardly deliver information regarding upcoming Wii U and 3DS titles to hardcore Nintendo fans. The run away success of Animal Crossing: New Leaf on the 3DS has caused Nintendo to open a dedicated Animal Crossing community on Nintendo’s Wii U social network, the Miiverse. The Animal Crossing Plaza is a special version of the Miiverse Plaza that allows users to share content from the Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Players can post messages, QR codes and screen shots from the 3DS game. Wind Waker HD, a game I’m excited for because I didn’t complete the original Wind Waker on the GameCube, was also shown off. Upcoming former Wii U exclusive title, Rayman Legends was also shown off. Levels from Rayman Origins will also be included in the game. The big announcement with Rayman Legends is that characters will be able to wear Luigi and Mario costumes in the game. Rayman Legends is set for a September 3rd release date. Sonic: Lost World was also shown off during the press conference. Nintendo also showed off its Wii U version of Art Academy sketch pad, a Mario Paint like downloadable game that will let users share their art on the Wii U’s Miiverse. Pikmin 3′s photosharing feature and Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, were also discussed during the press conference. Pokemon Rumble U, the somewhat strange, hack-and-slash Pokemon title that will feature collectable NFC figures that can be scanned into the game, was also given some screen time. Oh and a little game called Super Mario Bros. 3 will be making its way to the 3DS. Nintendo also announced Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy. A Professor Layton/Pheonix Wright crossover game is also in the works.

Elon Musk details 800-mph Hyperloop

Like a giant silver bullet shot from a gun at up to 800 miles per hour, Elon Musk’s Hyperloop promises to transport people (and cars) across California faster than bullet trains -- and at a fraction of the cost. Called Hyperloop, it would entail sleek pods that travel within low-pressure tubes that are nearly airless. 'It’s literally space travel on Earth.' - Daryl Oster, CEO of ET3 Sound crazy? That’s what Daryl Oster said as well. Mr. Oster, meet the competition. Musk is the uber-brainy genius who invented PayPal, privatized outer space through SpaceX and finally made electric cars a commercial force through his company Tesla Motors. In a blog post at the car company's website, he detailed the concept -- after a long night spent dotting I's and crossing T's. The Hyperloop concept is that option, he said, a fifth mode of transportation after planes, trains and automobiles (and boats). He detailed the concept for the Hyperloop in a PDF accompanying his blog post, which explores the entire concept, from concrete pylons to the solar panels that would power the system. According to "Businessweek," which interviewed Musk ahead of his announcement, the pods could in theory travel at high speeds without breaking the sound barrier. “The pod can go just below the speed of sound relative to the air,” Musk said. It's up to Oster and others to turn the idea into reality. See 800-mph Hyperloop transportation system

Apple will launch a new iPhone next month

Apple will unveil the latest version of its iPhone on September 10, according to a new report. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Likely to be called either the iPhone 6 or iPhone 5S, the phone's release date would fit the schedule Apple has established since the first iPhone was released in 2007. The company has released a new iPhone model every year, and the release dates have all been in the summer or fall. The release date is the most recent, and probably one of the most accurate, rumors that precede this Apple release. Android-based phones like Samsung's Galaxy S4 have put a dent in iPhone sales, while some critics have said the latest updates to the iPhone and iPad lack significant innovation. READ: How Samsung is out-innovating Apple The new iPhone will run iOS 7, the latest version of Apple's mobile operating system, which includes new typography, redesigned icons and a new color palette. --The new phone will likely be the iPhone 5S and keep the same design as the current iPhone 5. --The company will also roll out a cheaper version of the iPhone, largely for sale in emerging markets. Apple Senior Vice President Phil Schiller has tossed cold water on this idea, though Apple is known for misdirection in advance of new product releases. --Since there will be a cheaper iPhone, Apple will discontinue production of older models. --There will be at least one larger iPhone model, with a 4.7-inch screen, a 5.7-inch screen, or both to compete with big-screen rivals from Samsung, HTC and other makers.