Hold onto your phasers — the dream of many a Trekkie is about to come true. Star Trek: The Next Generation will be released on Blu-ray starting in 2012. Every one of the show’s 178 episodes will be released eventually, though not all at once. Why such a slow release? Well, it turns out that instead of upconverting and selling for a premium, the producers of this new version are doing it right. How right? They’re scanning the original 35mm footage, cutting together the shows from that, and re-creating the original effects in high definition.

Now that’s what I call a proper remastering. George Lucas, take note.

They’re leading the whole project with a sort of proof-of-concept disc comprising the pilot episode and two fan favorites, “Sins of the Father” and “The Inner Light,” from seasons three and five respectively. Perfect for fanboy screenings, and it alleviates the inevitable problem of the weak first two seasons of the show arriving as the vanguard of this new release.

While high definition occasionally reveals details mercifully obscured by videotape transfer and SD resolution (flaws in makeup, costume, and set design), it’s generally a positive thing and with a big-budget show like TNG (I learned today that its budget was over $1m per episode) chances are those aesthetic flaws will be minimal, and with luck it’ll look like this:

The release will be full 1080p with 7.1 DTS audio reconstructed from the show’s original tracks. I’m guessing it will be widescreen, since they weren’t shooting on a “flat” 1.85:1 Panavision setup. Whether they composed for that, I don’t know (i.e. you might be able to see the edge of the set on the full 35mm frame), but either way it should be a widescreen image.

Expect the first “sampler” Blu-ray, entitled The Next Level, to hit on January 31 of next year for $22, and the rest to follow.

Nothing says selling out your brand than a Potato Head modeled after your star characters. I say that but I’ll still buy one of the TOS-themed toys “for my son” next Christmas. $30 and coming in August. [Star Trek via io9]

This is a Boba Fett Spartan Helmet. No, you can’t have one. The guy who made the helmets for 300 painted this one to look like the Boba Fett helmet in Return of the Jedi. You will see nothing cooler than this today nor would you even want to.

via Technabob

When we stop for a moment and look around, it’s easy to see that we are living in the future – today. I can remember watching Captain Picard of the Enterprise playing around with a small touch screen device, kind of like an iPad. Today, most all of us have a similar touch device, whether iPad or mobile phone.

Back in the early 1990s, the tech was not yet available, so the prop looked like a kids toy: a flat screen with a colorful graphic on it. It only took another 20 years to make the PADD, or Personal Access Display Device, a reality. Next we’re waiting for Marty McFly’s hoverboard.

Another interesting thing that popped up on the Internet mixes present with the past. This is the iPad TV. Created by artist Jonas Damon, a creative director with Frog Design, this docking station mounts the iPad flush in its cathode ray style TV box. Just make sure to add snowy screen saver when you’re not watching video in HD and you’re golden.

[via 9to5Mac]

I have NO idea how the text from the opening credits of Star Wars made its way to our galaxy. It’s supposed to all be far, far away! And what are the odds that it’d find its way into Earth’s gravitational pull, only to come raining down on an unassuming suburb? If only the Starship Enterprise would emerge and blast some of the letters out of the sky.

The video was shot in 30 minutes, followed by 3.5 weeks of special effects editing. Well done.

[YouTube via Topless Robot]

Okay, quick inventory check. You’ve got the Star Trek wetsuit, remote-controlled underwater Enterprise thing, perfume, lamp, cologne, Blu-ray, onesies, Tricorder media player, USB phone, handmade clock, iPhone mod, Pez dispenser, the animation studio, Captain’s Chair, light dimmer, and you’ve signed up for the open beta of Star Trek Online. Yep, that should just about do it. There’s not a single thing left to get.

Whup! Spoke too soon.

Here’s a Star Trek USB webcam. It’s $30 from Brando. Video is captured at a relatively pedestrian 640×480 and there’s a “stylish bendable gooseneck mount” for good measure.

Star Trek USB Enterprise Webcam [Brando]

That’s right, despite the fact that JJ Abrams pretty much made the Star Trek relaunch work through pure force of will, he will not be returning to direct. That’s a bit worrisome, considering the quality of the script that he was able to polish up a bit. Of course, it’s just a little bit early to start being cynical so we should probably just sit back and wait it out.

[via ScifiSquad]

These wetsuits are not novel gimmicks, they are the real deal, made using the highest quality materials and expert craftsmanship. Each individual wetsuit is custom made and tailored to your exact measurements for a perfect fit and unmatched performance. This is the ultimate in warmth and exposure protection when exploring strange new worlds!

At $469 each, you can be pretty sure that you’ll be the only one sporting a wetsuit like this.

Take a scene from Star Trek: The Next Generation, replace the actual spoken words with words that match the movements of the actors’ mouths pretty well, and you have this.

It’s actually entertaining, I promise. There’s some NSFW language – just an FYI.

Happy in Paraguay [YouTube.com via Topless Robot]

When Star Trek cologne was unveiled to the world in late July, the odds were officially stacked against females. How in the world would they be able to resist any man wearing Star Trek cologne? It can’t be done. Well, that playing field has been absolutely leveled with the recent introduction of Star Trek perfume.

Maybe not absolutely leveled since the launch of the perfume was accompanied by a new cologne scent as well but, still, there’s definitely going to be something “long” and “prosperous” happening any time an able-bodied male catches a whiff of this perfume.

The two newly available scents are, according to ThinkGeek:

Tiberius Cologne – Sweet citron zest, black pepper, and cedar create refreshingly clear top notes layered over warm vanilla, white musk, and sandalwood base notes.

Pon Farr Perfume – Light, clean top notes of citrus, blackcurrant, lotus blossom, and water lily, with base notes from sandalwood, peach, and mulberry.

They’re $30 each, available at ThinkGeek.

Pop open a couple of juice boxes, light some candles, and then fire up the old lamp to let Shatner’s voice and the Star Trek theme accompany all 2-3 minutes of awkward, lanky lovemaking.

Per the product description:

This is the lamp that plays the iconic Star Trek theme song, including the entirety of the famous prologue: “Space… the final frontier…” spoken by William Shatner. As the music plays, an 8″ die-cast replica of the Starship Enterprise rotates on the the base of the lamp. The Starship Enterprise has authentic details like Bussard intake collectors and a sensor array platform that are illuminated by four color-changing LEDs. The shade has an image of the NCC-1701 flying at warp speed through the Final Frontier.

Set phasers to FUN!

The Animated Musical Starship Enterprise Lamp [Hammacher Schlemmer]

William Shatner did have a part in the new Star Trek as it turns out. It wasn’t a major role like Leonard Nimoy’s, but rather a recording that Nimoy’s Spock would give to the younger Spock at the end of the film. It obviously never made the film but I somewhat wish it had.

Head over to TrekMovie.com to read the script excerpt from the removed scene. Just make sure to include dramatic pauses like Shatner to complete the effect. The scene is very nostalgic but yet logical to the story line. At the same time though, it’s also a classic Hollywood voice over scene and really doesn’t fit with the tone of the whole movie. But I would still like to see it.

We all know that the new Star Trek was the best movie of all time – I’m serious – but how about the upcoming Blu-ray release? Well,  Blu-ray.com takes Blu-ray releases and grades them on four levels: Movie, Video, Audio, and Extras. The upcoming Star Trek release scored a perfect five out of five in each category. Yeah, it’s that awesome.

Normally I would encourage you to jump over to the source website and read the whole review yourself, but the damn thing is over 4,000 words so let me summarize it for you: the Blu-ray release is tits. Buy it.

There’s two new Xbox 360 bundles coming your way, UK. To mark the arrival of Transformers 2 and Star Trek to DVD (and Blu-ray), Gem and Paramount pictures have put together these blurry bundles.

The bundles are largely identical, and both include an Xbox 360 Elite, an extra controller, and the movie on a USB drive. No DVD for you, friends.

Paramount hasn’t said whether or not these bundles will be released outside of the UK.

And if you do live in the UK, keep your eyes peeled because the release date hasn’t been revealed, nor has the the price.

I’ve seen neither movie, but I’m going to assume Star Trek is better, just because Transformers 2 is, by all accounts, garbage.

via Kotaku

There was one race conspicuously missing from the J.J. Abrams Star Trek film: the Klingons. They were filmed, but the scene with them questioning Nero was cut for whatever reason. The good news is, in this day and age deleted scenes rarely stay deleted for long. Case in point, SpikeTV just revealed a deleted scene where we do get to see the Klingons, and they ain’t happy with Nero. This is of course a marketing ploy, since there’s a special edition coming out on two DVD’s and Blu-ray this November 17th.

[via Movieweb]

Nerdy kids are smart, they develop loyal friendships, and they laugh hysterically at various factoids and inside jokes that most of the rest of society will never understand. Plus if you happen to be around during your freshman year of college for the first time a nerd gets drunk, don’t walk away. Picture child-like wonderment mixed with double-jointed limb flailing and uproarious laughter, and you’ve got the makings of a good night.

As for these onesies, they’re available in several styles and sizes for $16.

Star Trek Uniform Onesies [ThinkGeek]

Finnish company Patria Aviation Oy has developed a type of cloth that’s capable of working as an antenna for the Iridium network and GPS frequency bands, making it possible to actually create a communicator style system similar to the type used in ST:TNG.

The company said the most difficult of the process was choosing the correct fabric with the proper characteristics. Many fabrics change their electrical properties when bent, which would render the them useless as a antenna materiel. The material also contains an insulating layer that protects you from excess radiation coming from wearing an antenna as a shirt.

The first antenna will be made into a shirt, however there is no word on when this product will be made available (if ever) to the public.

[via Networkworld]

Theater List

Mesa , AZ – Gateway 12 + IMAX Theatre
Phoenix , AZ – Deer Valley 30 with IMAX
Aliso Viejo , CA – Aliso Viejo Stadium 20 with IMAX
Camarillo , CA – Camarillo 12 with IMAX
El Dorado Hills , CA – El Dorado Hills Stadium 14 with IMAX
Emeryville , CA – Bay Street 16 with IMAX
Escondido , CA – Escondido Stadium 16 with IMAX
Fairfield , CA – Fairfield Stadium 16 + IMAX
Fresno , CA – Fresno Stadium 21 + IMAX
Ontario , CA – Ontario Palace Stadium 22 + IMAX
San Diego , CA – Palm Promenade 24 with IMAX
Santa Clara , CA – Mercado 20 with IMAX
Simi Valley , CA – Civic Center Stadium 16 + IMAX
South Gate , CA – South Gate Stadium 20 with IMAX
Stockton , CA – Downtown Stockton 16 + IMAX
Universal City , CA – Citywalk Stadium 19 with IMAX
Westchester , CA – Bridge De Lux 18 + IMAX
Altamonte Springs , FL – Altamonte Mall 18 with IMAX
Aventura , FL – Aventura Mall 24 with IMAX
Cape Canaveral , FL – IMAX Theater
Fort Myers , FL – Gulf Coast Town Center Stadium 16 + IMAX
Jacksonville , FL – Regency 24 with IMAX
Orange Park , FL – Orange Park 24 with IMAX
Orlando , FL – Pointe Orlando Stadium 20 + IMAX
Orlando , FL – Waterford Lakes Stadium 20 with IMAX
St Petersberg , FL – Baywalk 19 + IMAX
Tallahassee , FL – IMAX Theatre Tallahassee
Tampa , FL – Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
Tampa , FL – Veterans 24 with IMAX
Tampa , FL – Channelside Cinemas Stadium 9 + IMAX
Augusta , GA – Augusta Exchange Stadium 20 + IMAX
Kennesaw , GA – Barrett Commons 24 with IMAX
Morrow , GA – Southlake Pavilion 24 with IMAX Honolulu , HI – Dole Cannery 18 with IMAX
Boise , ID – Boise Stadium 21 + IMAX
Batavia , IL – Randall 14 + IMAX
Lincolnshire , IL – Lincolnshire Stadium 20 + IMAX
Woodridge , IL – Cinemark 16 + IMAX
Noblesville , IN – Hamilton 16 IMAX
Portage , IN – Portage 15 + IMAX
Louisville , KY – Stoney Brook IMAX
Newport , KY – Newport Levee 20 with IMAX
Harahan , LA – Elmwood Palace 20 with IMAX
Boston , MA – New England Aquarium
Saco , ME – Cinemagic Saco 12 with IMAX
Detroit , MI – Detroit Science Center IMAX Theatre
Grand Blanc , MI – NCG Trillium Cinema + IMAX
Lansing , MI – Celebration – Lansing 19 + IMAX
Sterling Heights , MI – Forum 30 with IMAX
Ypsilanti , MI – Showcase Ann Arbor 20 + IMAX
Roseville , MN – Rosedale 14 with IMAX
Saint Louis , MO – Ronnies Cinemas 19 + IMAX
Charlotte , NC – Stonecrest At Piper Glen Stadium 22 with IMAX
Concord , NC – Concord Mills 24 with IMAX
Council Bluffs , NE – Star Cinema 16 with IMAX
Henderson , NV – Sunset Station Stadium 13 with IMAX
Las Vegas , NV – Brenden Palms 13 + IMAX
Las Vegas , NV – Red Rock Stadium 15 + IMAX
North Las Vegas , NV – Aliante Station 16 with IMAX
Brooklyn , NY – Sheepshead Bay 14 with IMAX
Deer Park , NY – Deer Park Stadium 16 and IMAX
New Rochelle , NY – New Roc City Stadium 18 + IMAX
Williamsville , NY – Transit Center Stadium 18 +IMAX
Columbus , OH – Easton Town Center 30 with IMAX
Springdale , OH – Showcase Springdale 18 IMAX
Bensalem , PA – Neshaminy 24 with IMAX
Homestead , PA – Waterfront 22 with IMAX
Philadelphia , PA – Tuttleman IMAX – Franklin Institute
Tarentum , PA – Pittsburgh Mills Mall 17 + IMAX
Myrtle Beach , SC – IMAX Discovery Theatre
Chattanooga , TN – Tennessee Aquarium
Knoxville , TN – Pinnacle Stadium Cinemas 17 + IMAX
Colleyville , TX – Colleyville Cinema Grille & IMAX
Garland , TX – Firewheel 18 with IMAX
Houston , TX – Gulf Pointe 30 with IMAX
Mesquite , TX – Mesquite 30 with IMAX
Sugarland , TX – First Colony 24 with IMAX
Sandy , UT – Jordan Commons 16 + IMAX
Midlothian , VA – Commonwealth Stadium 20 with IMAX
Virginia Beach , VA – Lynnhaven 18 with IMAX
Woodbridge , VA – Potomac Mills 18 with IMAX
Kent , WA – Kent Station 14 with IMAX
Lacey , WA – Martin Village Stadium 16 + IMAX

Canada

Hull , QC – Canadian Museum Of Civilization
Victoria , BC – National Geographic Theater

[pic via cinemablend]