Film critics had their doubts about whether moviegoers would shell out for J.J. Abrams' more mainstream, less hardcore science fiction take on Star Trek, but those doubts were quashed this weekend when the movie took in an impressive $72.5 million; it was by far the biggest opening weekend haul for any film in the franchise.

Now branded as one of the year's biggest hits, Star Trek is causing a renewed interest in the original show, and that's good news for the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, which will try to cash in on the fervor with Star Trek: The Exhibition, opening this Saturday, May 16 and lasting through the summer. ]]> BS 2009-05-11T09:17:40-05:00 39.9587510 -75.173929 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/5/7/124058/6168

Star Trek, which is J.J. Abrams' interpretation of what happened to Captain Kirk and Spock in their formative years, finally hits theaters tonight. The movie recycled some of the original series' locations and found a few new ones, like Bakersfield, Calif. Here's where you should stay, eat and play if you want to go where the cast and crew of Star Trek have gone before.

Where to Stay:
The Doubletree Hotel Bakersfield might not give you free WiFi but they do give you a warm cookie when you check in. Rates start at $129 a night. ]]> cmb 2009-05-08T11:15:22-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/5/7/852/56368

When you’re waiting in a movie theater line for the new Star Trek movie, you’re going to need to stay in touch with your Xindi and Vulcan buddies who maybe haven't yet finished their margaritas at TGI Fridays. Of course you can just send them a text message or a tweet; however, you should really only use the latest and most appropriate technology available in this case, and it just so happens to be the Star Trek USB Communicator.

Not only is it a pretty good replica of the original device from the show, but it’s also a VoIP telephone. The built-in microphone and speaker connect to your computer via USB—they apparently haven’t heard of WiFi—and you’ll be able access Skype, AIM, and iChat. Just plug in the retrodork dohicky, flip it open, and you are living your dream of mimicking Captain Kirk. Too bad you'll have to be tethered to your laptop to use it.

Best of all, the device features three buttons that release sound effects straight from the original television series, which are sure to make you most popular in that movie line. We’d also highly recommend whipping this sucker out on your next intergalactic mission from Des Moines to Milwaukee, if security screeners don't arrest you first. Face it: it’s got more sci-fi cred than the iPhone and you'll totally get some chicks with this thing; we just don’t know what type exactly.

Related Stories:
· Star Trek USB Communicator [Official Site]
· Hailing Frequencies Open: VoIP Star Trek Communicator Engages Nerd Cred [Crave, CNET]
· Good News For Geeks: Star Trek, The Experience Will Reopen in May [Jaunted]

[Photo: Star Trek USB Official Site] ]]> kjb 2009-05-07T08:56:50-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/26/152431/854 For 10 years the Las Vegas Hilton hosted Star Trek: The Experience, an alternative for tourists inexplicably seeking something beyond Sin City's decadent cocktail of hookers, booze, and gambling.

The exhibition had Star Trek-themed rides, Star Trek-themed shops, and Star Trek-themed characters. The word "immersion" was thrown around with abandon. The world was filled with light and joy.

Then last year the stars flickered out and darkness descended. The Hilton's contract with the owners expired. The exhibition was left without a home. There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth heard throughout the Kingdom of Dorkdom Universe of Geekdom.

But now, perk up geeks.]]> Omri 2009-03-27T08:41:28-05:00 36.1358696 -115.15467 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/13/154837/645

We confess we're not all that familiar with "Star Trek," the popular sci-fi franchise that gave us William Shatner and "Beam me up, Scotty!" But we can understand the impulse to get together with megafans and geek out together on vacation -- after all, you already know you have something in common with your fellow passengers.

We can't tell you whether the Enterprise was ever used as a pleasure boat, so "Star Trek" megafans will have to settle for Royal Caribbean's Star Trek Cruise of the Mexican Riviera. ]]> egw 2009-03-17T16:31:10-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/