Nerd News Roundup – 2.10.2009

- The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood is at it again. This time they're accusing Scholastic (who was recently convinced by the CCFC to stop selling Bratz books at school book fairs or clubs) of pushing too many non-book items through their school book clubs.

- Thrill your kid and annoy your wife with the latest iPhone App - the Sci Fi channel's Cylon Detector. Using the latest in Cylon detection technology, you "Just snap a picture of them with your iPhone or use a stored image from your camera roll in the "Photos" section on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Drag and size the "face outline" provided until it matches the eyes and face size of your subject. Select either "Scan Male" or "Scan Female" and testing will commence."

General consensus on the Apps Store? It's overpriced, but it does what it advertises...a statement we're not quite sure how to interpret.

- A 9-year-old super nerd from Singapore has created a popular iPhone app called Doodle Kids. Personal note to child genius: please invent a jetpack and/or matter transport device. Thanks. Also, when you earn an early admission to a college/university, don't trust this man.

- Nice little article about common child illnesses and when to keep your kid home from school or daycare.

- Neil Gaiman's CORALINE just debuted in theaters and will be making the jump to the stage next. We're assuming it will be a pretty unconventional production considering the NY Times is reporting that "Jayne Houdyshell, 55, who was nominated for a Tony award for her performance in “Well,” will play the 9-year-old Coraline, who wishes for a better a life and finds a parallel universe that holds great promise (until she gets to know her new parents)."

- Sony has once again gained the rights to making video games based on the Olympics, this time the Winter Games in Vancouver. In other news, people actually buy games based on the Olympics.