Apple's AppStore.com debuts "vanity links" during Super Bowl commercial

The Super Bowl XLVII commercials have featured a wide range of ads, from old Bowl favorites like Doritos and E-Trade to upcoming cinema hits. One movie's advert in particular caught the eyes of tech geeks nation-wide -- Star Trek: Into Darkness -- which was interesting not for the movie itself, but rather for Apple's AppStore.com revelation.

At the bottom of the commercial's ending scene was the link AppStore.com/StarTrekApp, which is a customized "vanity" link. This hints at a possible grab for link names, though Apple claims that methods are in place to keep congestion to a minimum. Some widely-sought names will automatically redirect to a search page for the term instead to encourage unique choices.

AppStore.com was actually a personal gift from the Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff to Steve Jobs in 2008 -- though Apple is seeing much resistance in court from companies like Amazon and others on usage of the name.
Let's see if it actually works!

JJ Abrams to direct new Star Wars Episode VII

Disney boots up the Star Wars franchise with a new trilogy, headed by J.J. Abrams

With Disney's acquisition of LucasFilms (and thus, the entire Star Wars franchise), there was an announcement that there would indeed be another movie added on to the current six. Episode VII, which has yet to be given an official name, is still shrouded in much mystery, though one integral piece of news was confirmed: J.J. Abrams will be directing Star Wars: Episode VII.

Abrams was noticeably excited by the opportunity (and really, who wouldn't be?). He is quoted on the Star Wars site as saying of the appointment to director, "To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor. I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid."

What does this mean for George Lucas, the godfather of Star Wars? Well, he's been notched down to a more advisory position, reminiscent of his time on other much-loved episodes of the series. Nothing has been said about who made the decision, but at least it's good to see Lucas is still molding his brainchild.

What will the new Star Wars: Episode VII be like?

Why I Signed the Death Star Petition

The government has been trying to narrow the gaping chasm between the People and the White House for some time now. One of their more recent endeavors is a (perhaps well-meaning) petition site by the name of We the People, where citizens can sign in to sign requests created by other regular people.

The Death Star[1]

Sound nice?

Well, then came some petitions that might be considered a bit... silly. From requesting the disclosure of contact with extraterrestrials (if they hadn't before, why would they do so now?) to the removal of Jerry Jones as the owner of the Dallas Cowboys (which was later removed), the new system was already pushing its limits.

Currently, there is even a petition out there demanding the funding and construction of a real life Death Star by the U.S. government. Many critics of the petition are claiming that this is exactly why we can't have nice things -- namely, online petition services like We the People. After all, the construction of a Death Star would take hundreds of quadrillions of dollars (you read that right) and more raw material than we could obtain in many lifetimes.

Naturally, I am eager to sign it.