Nope, I still don’t want an iPad. The iPad 2 does nothing to address the glaring accessibility flaws of the first iPad. In fact, most tablet manufacturers seem to be devoting little time to improving the accessibility of their devices. And that’s disappointing. People with disabilities can choose from a rich ecosystem of alternative input devices for standard computers, but tablets simply don’t allow for much in the way of modification. Perhaps that will change in time, but I’m not sure how you make a touch-based interface accessible without changing the user experience for everyone else. I’m beginning to wonder if those of us with significant disabilities may have to sit out the tablet phase of computing and wait for the next big leap in interface technology, whether that’s speech or thought or something else entirely.

In the meantime, I’d like to remind content producers that there are plenty of us who would still like to be able to consume your product on devices other than iPads. I’m looking at you, BBC.

Like most geeks, I’ve watched Blade Runner more times than I care to count. And not once in the course of those innumerable viewings did I ever think “What this movie really needs is a sequel. Or maybe a prequel.” But that’s the difference between me and the Hollywood producers who are planning on turning Blade Runner into a franchise. I have no interest in watching Blade Runner: The Early Years. I have no interest in watching Blade Runner II: The Wrath of Deckard, in which our grizzled protagonist takes on a whole fleet of attack ships off the shoulder of Orion. Actually, that might be a fun movie, but it wouldn’t be Blade Runner.

I don’t have anything against franchises. I’ll gladly pay money for the next Star Trek sequel. But Blade Runner works well as a self-contained story. It doesn’t need a continuation or a prelude.

Now, Galaxy Quest, on the other hand…

There’s another competitor in the race to develop a sophisticated hands-free computer interface. While there are already eye-controlled computer interfaces on the market, an eye-controlled laptop is on display at a technology show that’s aimed at the general consumer market. According to the article, the eye interface is designed to complement existing controls. I’m not sure how useful it would be to someone with a severe physical disability, but I’d be interested in knowing more. Perhaps the manufacturer would consider flying me to Germany so I can check it out.

Den of Geek looks at the rise and fall of the Sci Fi–now (gag) Syfy–Channel. The niche network that once aired some pretty great science fiction series (Farscape, Battlestar Galactica) now relies on a heavy rotation of cheesy reality series and wrestling. The few original series that remain on the schedule can be called science fiction only in the loosest sense of the term, much in the same way that Kraft Singles can loosely be called cheese. The blandification of the Sci Fi Channel was probably inevitable, given the brutal economics of cable television and the inherently small audience for true-blue science fiction. The rise of reality TV simply hastened its demise.

It’s not as if geeks have nothing to watch. Quality genre shows like Fringe continue to attract rabid followings (even if the ratings aren’t great). And through the magic of streaming video, we’ll eventually be able to drown ourselves in the cult classics from decades past. But at a time when just about every niche interest has found a home on the entertainment spectrum, it’s a little sad to note that we nerds have to content ourselves with the bones pop culture tosses us.

The owner of the downtown Block E development is proposing to build a high-end casino on the site. The idea probably won’t go anywhere, which suits me just fine. Any plan that takes away the conveniently located movie theater currently located in Block E would be a crushing blow to my weekend entertainment agenda.