2006 is finally upon us. Contrary to 1930s predictions of flying cars, robots and soap, we unfortunately only have a third of what has been forecasted. After much deliberation and several black eyes, the Daily has compiled everything in movies, music and technology that will be awesome this year – with maybe a few things to round it to an even number. Prepare to be awed.

1. “Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny”

Tenacious D fans: This is the year when D, Jack Black and Kyle Gass, not only have a new album coming out, but the album is also scheduled to be the soundtrack to their feature film, “Tenacious D in: The Pick of Destiny” will tell the story of the infamous duo as they journey to become the greatest band in the world.

2. Playstation 3

If your wallet was crying after the Xbox 360 launch, you might need a miniature wallet defibrillator when Playstation 3 is released this spring. With what analysts predict will cost $500 and up, the PS3 is capable of playing Blu-Ray discs, the next-generation version of the DVD. Returning to Sony’s latest and greatest will be all your favorite franchise players, from Capcom to Ubisoft and everything in between.

3. Veishea (it’s back)

Founded in 1922, the week-long celebration that the younger half of ISU undergrads only know about from legend, will be back this semester. Scheduled for April 17 to 23, the theme for the event will be “Celebrate Iowa State.” The campus will be wet, and the celebration should be grand – unless, of course, drunken students uncontrollably trash campus. Don’t screw it up, kids; we like Veishea and we want it to stay.

4. Nine Inch Nails comes back to Iowa

Nine Inch Nails is returning to Iowa after years of being absent, and it’s ready to, well, do you like an animal. Promoting their best-selling album, “With Teeth,” Trent Reznor and the gang are bringing their industrial rock sound to Wells Fargo Arena for a night of loud, experimental sounds. The Beach Boys never used an electro-therem in this well.

5. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest”

Haul in the gangplank me hearties! A sequel to 2003’s surprise hit of the year, “Dead Man’s Chest” will feature enough swashbuckling to make it one of the biggest movies this summer. Johnny Depp returns as the eyeliner-wearing seafarer, alongside reprised roles from Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley and Geoffrey Rush. Expect it to dock in July. Yarr.

6. Beards

Although often unattractive when on women – with the exception of circus performers – beards are furry, warm and, most importantly, beardy. We’re forecasting them to make a big comeback this year.

7. Windows Vista

As Microsoft gears up to replace Windows XP with the oft-delayed Vista by year’s end, many changes are in tow. For starters, it has a redone interface featuring a sleeker visual style and Windows Flip 3-D, an easy way to cycle through open windows in a 3-D fashion. Microsoft also promises tighter security from viruses and spyware, including an improved search function called Quick Search.

8. OutKast

Delayed from its December release date, “Idlewild,” Andre 3000’s and Big Boi’s foray into the movie world, is looking ready for a Valentine’s Day release date. Taking place in the Prohibition-era South, “Idlewild” is a musical with an accompanying music CD from the boys. After that goes on to sell millions, OutKast plans to release “10 the Hard Way,” a return to their Southern hardcore hip-hop roots. Chances are if you can’t say “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik” ten times fast, you probably don’t remember what OutKast used to sound like.

9. Prince

The Purple One is back after his highly successful Musicology tour and a full two years since his album of the same name. Signing a one-album deal with Universal, Prince is coming out with his latest, 3121. With a release date labeled as “early this year,” Prince has released the first single from the album, “Te Amo Corazon.”

10. James Bond in “Casino Royale”

Bond is back. When director Quentin Tarantino expressed interest in the film and sought Pierce Brosnan as James Bond and Uma Thurman as a Bond girl, the minds behind the movie series decided to instead move in another direction, casting Daniel Craig (Layer Cake, Munich) instead. In “Royale,” Bond attempts to take on a casino owner who is using his winnings to fund terrorism. Whether the film will be good or not is a crapshoot.

11. “The Da Vinci Code”

Director Ron Howard will soon be bringing his film adaptation of Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” to theaters nationwide. If the newly-released trailer for the film is any indication of what is to come, the film will easily be one of the year’s biggest. Starring Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou and Ian McKellen, it’s shaping up to be as big as the book. It opens May 19.

12. John Basedow

We’re not sure what attracts us to John Basedow so much – maybe it’s his frosted hair, his charming-yet- exceptionally-tiny head, pecs that could crush a small Honda, his unnaturally neon tan or perhaps his pepperoni-sized nipples – whatever the case, fitness celebrity John Basedow truly makes fitness simple.

13. UNLUCKY 13

14. Nintendo Revolution

Due out sometime in 2006, Nintendo has emphasized the Revolution’s ability to play classic games online, and announced a revolutionary controller that they say will change they way games are played. The controller uses motion sensors to interact with objects on screen. This makes it much like “The Wizard” starring Fred Savage, only cooler.

15. Third Day and David Crowder

Third Day has been near the top of the Christian charts since forming in 1993. In February they will be bringing their lively music to Hilton Coliseum. Alongside Christian rock chum David Crowder, the band will be touring in support of their new release “Wherever You Are.”

16. Nickelback and Trapt

Gravely-voiced Chad Kroeger of multi-platinum Nickelback will be groaning up Iowa this February with “Headstrong” singers Trapt at Wells Fargo Arena. Yes, they suck. But we’ve been informed that some people like them. Our condolences.

17. Next Generation iPod

Apple hasn’t officially announced another iPod, but several websites have posted unofficial speculation as to what the new device will entail, including downloadable games, a built-in FM transmitter and more focus on video-playing capabilities. With 14 million iPods sold in the last quarter of 2005 alone, we can expect to see an updated iPod in the near future.

18. Squirrels

Shunned for decades, squirrels are looking to make a prominent comeback in 2006.

19. Apple’s faster, sexier computers

Beating PCs to market with computers running on Intel’s new Dual Core processors, Apple says its new computers will be up to four times as fast as their current line when they ship in February. Dual Core PCs are also set to hit the market later on in the year, helping make the computer we all bought for college as obsolete as the Oregon Trail-playing green-screen computers we used in elementary school.

20. “Cars”

Nemo is no more, but Pixar is looking for another box office explosion with their newest film, “Cars,” starring Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen, a stock car with a big ego. Lightning gets sidetracked from a big race and adventure ensues. Other notable roles are Bob Costas playing Bob Cutlass, Paul Newman and yes, Larry the Cable Guy. We’re going to assume he’s an IROC-Z.