Byte size news: Telly's exciting little flutter

Dunedin-based television production company NHNZ is hoping it's butterfly-themed Facebook game "Flutter" has the wings to go the distance.
Set in the Amazon Rainforest, the game allows players to investigate one of the most bio-diverse regions on the planet. The concept sees Facebook gamers nursing a butterfly through its lifecycle and soaring through the trees checking out resources, treasures, and solving mysteries. You can even set up your little virtual spot in the forest and check out the critters that come for a visit.
But why a television production company? NHNZ general manager John Crawford says: "Many of our broadcast clients now have video games on their websites as a means of enhancing viewers' experiences with a particular TV programme or series, so there were strong reasons for NHNZ to launch its own gaming division."
Though their Flutter project doesn't have a broadcaster associated, it is being launched as a stand-alone social networking game as its first high-flying foray into gaming but future plans are to develop games alongside television documentaries.
Launched earlier this month, the game has already attracted more than 3000 explorers.
Play Flutter on Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/fluttergame
Nordic Noddy car for misers
The Swedes are famous for vikings, Bjorn Borg and Abba - now it's time to add a fantastically efficient car to the list.
The Baldos II weighs 155kg and can travel 152.2km on a litre of fuel.
Team Baldos comprises 20 engineering students from Sweden's Lulea University of Technology and the Baldos II is ready to roll on the open road - well only in Sweden at this stage.
It's seen as a green, little, run-about car, unfortunately long distance trips could take a while with its top speed of 35km/h.
But best of all, it's got gull doors.

Attend art academy
Two fun new game offerings for the Nintendo DSi XL are on their way: one's a fun twist on a classic hobby; the other tackles a classic game.
Launching on September 23, Art Academy sounds like a fun way for artists to learn technical skills. It lets gamers create their work of art and has tutorials that cover colour, shading, perspective and movement plus more than 80 motifs that can be used as reference to help find your artistic voice.
For fans of classic games, they didn't come any better than Tetris, so Nintendo is repackaging, refining and releasing it as Tetris Party Deluxe. It will have over 20 modes and online capability.
You can connect over a Wi-Fi to take on up to three other players and host a local multi-player game for up to 8. It's out October 14. Nintendo is also helping mobile gamers make a style statement with the DSi XL being released in two new colours Burgundy and Bronze.
Got any news, gadgets or queries? Contact Lindsay.harvey@apn.co.nz