Today, Apple launches the iPad, a tablet computer that can run different applications that allow you to surf the internet, e-mail, read books, listen to music, watch movies, play games, display photos and much more.




Some people wonder why it’s called the iPad. Some say that it’s sounds similar to Apple’s iPod, so maybe it was to help people remember the name more easily. Personally, I would like to think that they named the device iPad as a tribute to the Star Trek PADD devices. PADD stands for “Personal Access Display Device”. The Star Trek PADD devices have appeared throughout the Star Trek television and movie franchise. They may have been an inspiration for the iPad and other tablet computers. Fictional future technology now available for all today.



PADD devices from the Original Star Trek TV series.


A PADD device as seen on Star Trek: Enterprise.






PADD devices as seen on Star Trek: The Next Generation and on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Tags: Star Trek

Diamond Select Toys has announced their second series of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine action figures.

This second series expands the crew of the former Cardassian space station by including the genetically-enhanced Dr. Julian Bashir, the best engineer this side of the Wormhole – Chief Miles O’Brien and the depth-perception impaired Klingon – Martok!  Also featured are the Previews Exclusive Colonel Kira Nerys in her Starfleet uniform and a limited two-pack containing Chancellor Gowron and a Season 4 style Lieutenant Commander Worf!

Tags: Star Trek, Diamond Select

With work continuing on the modern era of Star Trek products, we’re pleased to officially announce the first series of Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan action figures featuring the original crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise!  Based on their appearances in the classic film and just in time to celebrate its 25th Anniversary, the first assortment will include Captain James T. Kirk, the nefarious Khan and the limited Captain Terrel!

As former Captain of the Enterprise, Admiral Kirk returns to his ship to battle the forces of the relentless Khan.  Joined by Captain Spock and all the familiar faces, the crew of the Enterprise faces their most difficult challenge yet in this iconic film – making Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan one of the most successful movies in Star Trek history!

Sculpted by Art Asylum and featuring the same articulation and dedication to detail as past releases, these six-inch scale figures will be at home in any Star Trek collection.  Images and details will be announced along with the full lineup of exclusive figures as the Summer 2007 release date approaches.

Tags: Star Trek, Diamond Select

With the Data and Geordi LaForge figures hitting stores soon, we’re pleased to officially announce the limited exclusive “Chain of Command” Data action figure will be available exclusively through renowned Star Trek retailer, New Force Comics!

“We are very excited to bring this alternate version of an extremely popular character to fans,” said New Force Comics owner, Rick Whitelock.  “Data has always been a unique character with limitless potential and we think this exclusive helps demonstrate that.”

With Captain Picard kidnapped by Cardassians and Commander Riker relieved of duty, it falls to Data to serve as the Enterprise’s new first officer – complete with a new command-style uniform.  “Chain of Command” Data builds on the success of past Star Trek: The Next Generation releases and delivers a striking new version of the android as he appeared in the series’ sixth season. 

Sculpted by Art Asylum and in scale with past releases, the “Chain of Command” Data features multiple points of articulation and series-accurate accessories.  For more information, please visit www.newforcecomics.com.

Tags: Star Trek

Up next in the DST Star Trek line is a new action figure two-pack based on the fan-favorite STAR TREK episode – “Space Seed”!  Featuring all-new versions of Captain James T. Kirk and Khan Noonien Singh, this upcoming release will feature the same style, articulation and scale as past original series STAR TREK releases!

Differing from past action figure versions of this sci-fi duo, Kirk is depicted in his Starfleet dress uniform while Khan sports the gold tunic worn during his ill-fated dinner with the crew.  Though victorious at first, Khan’s plans to overtake the ship were thwarted by the resilient captain.  Khan was marooned for years before finally striking back at Kirk and his crew.

“We’ve focused on the Next Generation crew recently, but we haven’t forgotten the original crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise,” said Diamond Select Toys Director Chuck Terceira.  “Kirk and Khan are the perfect nemeses - both of them equally matched except for Khan’s thirst for vengeance.”

Partnering with Diamond Select Toys on this release are the renowned sculptors and designers at Art Asylum, who remain committed to delivering the very best Trek products to fans worldwide.  Each figure will be in scale with past releases and feature multiple points of articulation as well as episode-accurate accessories.

Tags: Star Trek, Diamond Select

Yes it was 40 years ago today that Star Trek first aired on television. September 8, 1966.

This three-season show became a cultural icon and would go on to spawn four live-action spin-offs, an animated series, ten movies and counting, plus a licensing empire that, to this day, embraces books, videos, toys, exhibits and assorted merchandise.

Tags: Star Trek, Television

Star Trek journeys to the 21st century as the Original Series returns to broadcast syndication for the first time in 16 years with brand-new digitally remastered episodes to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

CBS Paramount Domestic Television has officially announced that they are releasing digitally remastered episodes of Star Trek, with all new special effects and music, to celebrate the groundbreaking series' 40th anniversary, according to John Nogawski, president of CBS Paramount Domestic Television.

The Star Trek episodes will begin airing on the more than 200 stations that own the rights to the weekend broadcast syndication window starting September 16. (As always, please check your local listings for station and dates.) The plan is for all 79 episodes of the Original Series to be remastered, with the first batch of episodes chosen from a list of Star Trek fans' favorite shows.

With the complete running order to be determined, the syndication schedule won't follow the classic air-date order or production order format familiar to fans. The first episode to air will be the Season One classic "Balance of Terror." "That gives us a chance to really show off the 'new' Enterprise," says Mike Okuda, 18-year veteran of the Star Trek art department and one of the supervisors on this project. His comments and more can be found in next week's TV Guide.

"Star Trek redefined science-fiction and constantly pushed the envelope with concepts that were ahead of their time," Nogawski said. "By giving the series a digital upgrade using the best technology available today, it will continue to be a leader in cutting-edge television programming as we introduce the series to a new generation of viewers."

The most noticeable change will be redoing many of the special effects, created with 1960s technology, with 21st century computer-generated imagery (CGI). Upgrades include:

• Space ship exteriors – The Enterprise, as well as other starships, will be replaced with state of the art CGI-created ships. The new computer-generated Enterprise is based on the exact measurements of the original model, which now rests in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
• Show opening – The Enterprise and planets seen in the main title sequence will be redone, giving them depth and dimension for the first time.
• Galaxy shots – All the graphics of the galaxy, so frequently seen through the viewscreen on the Enterprise's bridge, will be redone.
• Exteriors – The battle scenes, planets and ships from other cultures (notably the Romulan Bird of Prey and Klingon Battle Cruisers) will be updated.
• Background scenes – Some of the iconic, yet flat, matte paintings used as backdrops for the strange, new worlds explored by the Enterprise crew will get a CGI face-lift, adding atmosphere and lighting.

The refurbished episodes also feature higher quality sound for the famous opening theme. The original score by Emmy Award-winning composer Alexander Courage, has been re-recorded in state-of-the-art digital stereo audio with an orchestra and a female singer belting out the famous vocals. A digitally remastered version of William Shatner's classic original recording of the 38-word "Space, the final frontier..." monologue continues to open each episode.

The remastered episodes have been converted from the original film into a High-Definition format, which gives viewers a clearer, crisper, more vibrant picture than before, even when viewed in standard definition. Once stations upgrade and start broadcasting HD signals, the episodes will be all ready for viewers to enjoy in HD.

Tags: Star Trek, Television

Diamond Select Toys is pleased to announce the addition of a fifth “Mirror, Mirror” figure - available only at this summer’s San Diego Comic Con!  In addition to the previously announced Star Trek “Mirror, Mirror” action figures, a limited Marlena Moreau figure sculpted by Art Asylum will be available exclusively at the Diamond Select Toys booth!

When purchasing the “Mirror, Mirror” Uhura, McCoy, Sulu and Chekov figures from their respective retailers, con-goers will be able to have a special Star Trek card punched at each booth.  Upon completing this card and returning to the Diamond Select Toys booth during the convention, fans will receive the “Mirror, Mirror” Marlena Moreau figure at no cost, completing the “Mirror, Mirror” set!

Internet retailers New Force Comics, Action Figure Xpress and Entertainment Earth will be offering their exclusive McCoy, Sulu and Chekov figures while the Uhura figure will be sold by DST.  Quantities of the Marlena Moreau figure will be limited and subject to availability, so interested fans should complete this Star Trek challenge early to claim their free prize!

Tags: Star Trek, Diamond Select

This third series of Star Trek: The Next Generation action figures Featuring Lieutenant Commanders data and La Forge, delivers all the technical expertise a starship captain could need - including the limited Lieutenant Barclay figure!

Sculpted by Art Asylum and featuring multiple points of articulation, the core assortment will include Season 7 data, Season 7 Geordi la Forge and Season 7 Barclay - each with series-accurate accessories and a transporter pad style base! Several exclusive versions of these characters will be made available, with more information released as the Fall 2006 release date approaches.

Tags: Star Trek, Diamond Select

With plans for this year’s San Diego Comic Con continuing at full steam, Diamond Select Toys is excited to announce the latest exclusive item available at this summer’s show – the deluxe Star Trek Captain Kirk and Command Chair from “Where No Man Has Gone Before”!  Featuring an exclusive action figure of Captain James T. Kirk, this set is based on Star Trek’s second pilot episode and features an all-new!

Available only from DST during this summer’s San Diego Comic Con, the Captain Kirk & Command Chair set incorporates the tiniest details from this ground-breaking premiere episode.  From the uniform to the armrest buttons, this is your chance to bring home a piece from the beginning of the Star Trek legacy!  Packaged in a deluxe window box, the Captain Kirk & Command Chair set will retail for $25.00 at the DST booth.



Sculpted and designed by Art Asylum, the Captain Kirk Command Chair set will join two others due to be released later this year – with one featuring Captain Kirk in standard uniform and Captain Pike from the series pilot “The Cage.”  Both due out in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Star Trek, each figure included in these Command Chair sets features multiple points of articulation and will be in scale with the previously released Star Trek original series figures.

Tags: Star Trek, Diamond Select

The next exciting Star Trek release from Diamond Select Toys is the New Force Comics exclusive "Nemesis" Riker and Troi twopack! These star-crossing lovers are presented in their “Star Trek: Nemesis” uniforms and together will help complete the crew of the U.S.S Enterprise-E!

Sculpted by the experts at Art Asylum, this exclusive twopack also features movie-accurate accessories and amazing character likenesses. In scale with past releases, the Star Trek: The Next Generation action figure universe is swiftly expanding to include more of fans' favorite characters and looks.

Available in Spring of 2006, fans are encouraged to visit www.newforcecomics.com to pre-order their exclusive twopack today, as quantities will be limited. Pictures of the "Nemesis" Riker and Troi action figures will be available after next month's American International Toy Fair in New York City.

Tags: Star Trek, Diamond Select

With the Star Trek franchise’s 40th anniversary celebration beginning on September 8th, we at Diamond Select Toys and Art Asylum are excited to announce plans to commemorate this historic occasion with several action figures and collectibles! Beginning at this year’s San Diego Comic Con, fans will be able to buy products specifically geared toward the original Star Trek series as well as the ongoing Star Trek: The Next Generation line.

The first of several special announcements involves the completion of a line that some fans thought would never be completed. Four exclusive action figures from the classic episode “Mirror Mirror” will be made available at San Diego Comic Con! “Mirror Mirror” Uhura, McCoy, Sulu and Chekov will round out the previous releases including Kirk, Spock and Scotty figures! Each figure will be exclusive to a different retailer, with all four making their debuts in San Diego.

Images of these upcoming exclusive figures will be available after the upcoming American International Toy Fair with prototypes displayed at several conventions leading up to the Comic Con launch. In scale with the previously released “Mirror Mirror” figures and featuring the same articulation, these Art Asylum-designed figures are sure to please fans and retailers alike. Be sure to check back during our Toy Fair coverage for more Star Trek news!

Tags: Star Trek, Diamond Select

DIAMOND Select Toys has announced some more new Star Trek figures.

Enterprise Crew Continues to Grow!

With the Riker and Worf figures hitting stores soon, we’re pleased to officially announce the third series of Star Trek: The Next Generation action figures will feature Data and Geordi La Forge! Based on their appearances in both the series and the feature films, Series 3 will contain three core figures and several exclusive versions of each character.

The first officially recognized artificial life form, Lieutenant Commander Data is much more than a machine. Developed by renowned scientist Dr. Noonian Sung, Data is gifted with super-human strength, durability and intelligence and even began experiencing actual emotions as part of his quest to become more human.

Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge, one of Data’s closest friends, has served aboard the Enterprise for years despite his handicap. Born without sight, he has overcome this obstacle thanks in part to his V.I.S.O.R. and ocular implants. Originally a flight controller aboard the Enterprise, his brilliant proficiency with the ship’s systems quickly resulted in his being promoted to Chief Engineer.

You can expect the same articulation featured in the upcoming Riker, Worf, Picard and Troi figures, with incredible attention to detail and series-accurate accessories. The core assortment is scheduled to contain Season 7 Data and Season 7 La Forge along with a limited mystery figure! Images and details will be announced along with the full lineup of exclusive figures as the Fall 2006 release date approaches.

Tags: Star Trek, Diamond Select