Short circuits

A brief look at new and noteworthy experiences among DVDs, video games, gadgets and the Web.

'Futurama' goes green "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening goes off "Into the Wild Green Yonder" today with the fourth direct-to-video adventure of his sci-fi sendup, "Futurama." Available on DVD and Blu-ray (Fox, $30-$40), the feature-length production promises to solve the mystery behind "Number 9 Man," a character from the animated series' early days on Fox. Guest stars include illusionist Penn Jillette and "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane. As usual, Groening piles on the extras like so much cosmic dust on a meteorite. He and his cohorts provide commentary and supplements such as a mockumentary about the production, deleted scenes and a movie-theater etiquette guide from the cantankerous robot Bender.

Also out: "Akira" (Blu-ray), "Breaking Bad" (Season 1), "Dario Argento's Four Flies on Grey Velvet," "Girlfriends" (Season 6), "Ironweed," "Just Shoot Me" (Season 3), "The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice," "My Wife & Kids" (Season 1), "On the Other Hand, Death," "Sex Drive," "Summer Heights High," "What Just Happened?"

DS gets a makeover Nintendo is going for a slimmer profile and souped-up features with the latest incarnation of its portable DS system. Available April 5, the Nintendo DSi will have two built-in cameras, one pointing away from the user and one toward. The cameras will have interactive "lenses" to manipulate photos and will offer new game-play options for developers. The system also will have a built-in voice recorder and music player, accessing songs from an SD memory card. Users will be able to manipulate the sounds by using audio filters and by varying pitch and tempo. The DSi also will be able to access an online shop similar to the one for the Wii, complete with downloadable games designed specifically for the portable system. The DSi will sell for $170 and come in blue or black. More details are expected as the release date nears.

RANDY A. SALAS