Blog

Netflix snaps up ‘Chicken Run’ sequel from Aardman Animations

[ad_1]

Little was shared about the plot, though, or how the movie would be distributed. Today, during the Annecy animation festival, Aardman reportedly revealed that the sequel will follow the lovable gang as they try to sneak back into the old farm. The heroic lovebirds Ginger and Rocky now have a child called Molly, Indiewire reports, who is keen to explore and embrace the outside world. “It’ll be fun and games seeing these chickens back in action,” John O’ Farrell, one of the original Chicken Run writers told attendees online.

As Variety explains, Studiocanal has helped finance and distribute Aardman productions since the original Shaun the Sheep Movie in 2015. The deal with Netflix reportedly covers all markets outside of China — a dramatic expansion on the licensing agreement drawn up for Farmageddon, and one that highlights how hungry the company is for high quality family-friendly movies.

Netflix has countless competitors now, including Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max and Apple TV+. The introduction of these services has slowly restricted the movie-making partners that Netflix can work with, and pushed it toward independent studios like Aardman that are keen to find new financiers.

That strategy has born some fruit. The Christmas-themed Klaus, developed by Sergio Pablos Animation Studios, was praised for its stylish aesthetic and won countless industry awards. Netflix also picked up the worldwide distribution rights to I Lost My Body, an arthouse project that received an equally impressive array of accolades last year.

Aardman, meanwhile, is currently working on Robin Robin, a holiday special bound for Netflix this year, and A Winter’s Tale, a half-hour special that will be available on BBC One in the UK and Netflix in a slew of markets including the US in 2021.



[ad_2]

Source link

Apple developers can challenge App Store rules

[ad_1]

“If you want to unlock features or functionality within your app, you must use in-app purchase. Your app requires customers to purchase content, subscriptions, or features outside of the app, but those items are not available as in-app purchases within the app as required by the App Store Review Guidelines…”

Apple SVP Phil Schiller told TechCrunch in an interview that the Hey iOS app was approved in error and that the Mac app was rejected from the get-go. He also said that the tech giant wasn’t considering any rule changes to accommodate Basecamp, but things have clearly changed since then.

Basecamp CEO Jason Fried responded to Schiller and Apple in an open letter, explaining that his real issue with Apple’s App Store payment policies isn’t the money itself but “the absence of choice and how Apple forcibly inserts themselves between [the] company and [its] customer.” David Heinemeier Hansson, Basecamp co-founder and CTO, also publicly proclaimed that the company won’t give in to Apple’s demands. Apple eventually relented and re-approved the app after Basecamp tweaked it so that it offers iOS users a free 14-day trial.

The newly announced changes to the way Apple deals with guideline issues will be implemented sometime this summer. Apple didn’t elaborate on how the process will work exactly, though, and how it will determine whether a complaint warrants a change in its App Store rules.



[ad_2]

Source link

Fujifilm’s webcam software will work on macOS in July

[ad_1]

As before, the process of using your Fujifilm as a webcam is straightforward. All you’ll need to do is download and install the new firmware, connect your camera to your Windows 10 PC using a USB cable and change the video source in the app you plan to use. The webcam feature is compatible with Zoom, Google Meet, Skype and Microsoft Teams. 

In addition to the two cameras added with today’s update, Fujifilm X Webcam is compatible with six other X-series cameras: the X-H1, X-Pro2, X-Pro3, X-T2, X-T3 and X-T4. The software also works with all three of the company’s GFX medium format cameras — if you’re fancy like that. Canon and Panasonic camera owners can also upgrade their webcam setup using the app from their manufacturer.

[ad_2]

Source link

Spotify is bringing back the Summer Rewind playlist

[ad_1]

Spotify is bringing back your favorite warm weather jams from summers past. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be able to access Your Summer Rewind — a personalized playlist Spotify first introduced back in 2017 that’s populated with your most listened songs from past summers. The playlist will go live tomorrow for the whole Northern Hemisphere and for both free and Premium customers on iOS and Android. Since it’s meant to be a collection of previous summer favorites, though, it’ll only appear if you streamed a number of tracks during the summers of 2016 to 2019.

In addition, the music streaming service is also rolling out its Summer Predictions playlist filled with tracks it believes will become the soundtrack of the season this year. The list includes DaBaby’s ROCKSTAR Megan Thee Stallion’s Savage, TKN by Rosalia, feat. Travis Scott and Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles. Spotify says its predictions are based on several factors, including a song’s streaming numbers, current trajectory and future forecasting from its global curation team. This playlist is now live on the service’s website. You can also access Summer Predictions and the Summer Rewind playlist on Spotify’s Summer hub.

[ad_2]

Source link

What’s on TV this week: ‘Star Wars Episode I: Racer’ and ‘Twilight Zone’

[ad_1]

While we wait for Squadrons VR dogfighting action, this week gamers can enjoy a retro Star Wars game, as a modernized version of Episode 1: Racer arrives — after a couple of delays — for PS4 and Switch. Meanwhile, CBS All Access is streaming a second season of the new Twilight Zone series, and Netflix is about to present season three of its creepy show Dark for US viewers. Will Ferrill and Rachel McAdams are teaming up for Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, also on Netflix.

Look below to check out each day’s highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).

[ad_2]

Source link

ARM chips are inside the world’s most powerful supercomputer

[ad_1]

Fujitsu licensed the designs for the processor from ARM, which is owned by Japanese carrier SoftBank. The system cost more than $1 billion and took about six years to design and build. According to The New York Times, researchers are already using Fugaku to help with coronavirus-related research. 

In recent years, x86-based systems featuring processors made by Intel and AMD have been the most common sight on the Top500; only four ARM-based supercomputers appear on the current list. What’s also notable about Fugaku is that it doesn’t include any dedicated GPUs to help with artificial intelligence applications. 

As these things usually go, Fugaku is unlikely to hold the number one spot for long. With help from AMD, Cray Computing is building a 1.5 exaflop system for the Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Cray is also making an Intel-based exascale system for the Argonne National Laboratory. Both supercomputers are slated to debut sometime in 2021. Still, it’s a significant accomplishment for Japan in a space dominated by China and the US. They two countries have 340 supercomputers on the Top500 between them. 

[ad_2]

Source link

Apple TV will finally stream YouTube in 4K

[ad_1]

The Apple TV 4K hasn’t entirely lived up to its name — not when YouTube can’t stream beyond 1080p on the media hub. When tvOS 14 arrives, however, you won’t be held back. As 9to5Mac noticed, Apple has quietly mentioned that the new release will play YouTube videos in “full 4K.” It’s not certain what prompted the end to the years-long impasse (we’ve asked both Apple and Google for comment), but it likely comes down to a change in video formats.

For years, YouTube has preferred to stream 4K videos using its open VP9 codec. Many device makers have supported it, but Apple has balked at using the format (which has its share of patent disputes) in favor of technology like HEVC. YouTube 4K support on the Apple TV would require one side to adopt the other’s preferred video technology. It may just be a matter of who blinked first.

[ad_2]

Source link

Oculus buys developer of ‘Lone Echo’

[ad_1]

Oculus has bought Ready At Dawn Studios, the developer behind VR games Lone Echo and Echo Arena, according to a statement. Oculus, owned by Facebook, said it plans to support Ready At Dawn as it continues developing VR technology.

Ready At Dawn Studios is notable for the innovative movement mechanics it’s developed in VR, which Oculus praised in its statement. Lone Echo solved the VR problem of walking. Traditionally, walking in whatever space is around you while playing a VR game could lead to bumping into walls and other mishaps. Lone Echo, though, is set in zero gravity and allows you to move around a space station by hand, grabbing rails and pushing off bulkheads. As a result, the game feels more immersive.

[ad_2]

Source link

Find My tracking in iOS 14 will locate third-party devices

[ad_1]

This could be a boon for many hardware manufacturers, not to mention anyone who has a habit of leaving devices behind. However, it could be particularly useful for item trackers that, until now, have had to rely on third-party apps with limited iOS integration. Tile recently lodged a complaint with EU officials that, in part, complained about Find My having wider default permissions than third-party tracking apps. This doesn’t mean Tile will suddenly embrace Apple’s approach (we’ve asked Tile for its stance on the expansion), but companies like it may have a strong incentive to support Find My knowing the advantages it offers.

[ad_2]

Source link

Spotify arrives on Xfinity X1 and Flex

[ad_1]

Starting today, Comcast subscribers can stream music and podcasts from Spotify on Xfinity Flex and X1. Flex users can get started by simply saying “Spotify” into their voice remote. Some X1 customers can use Spotify as an internet app now, and it’ll roll out more broadly in the coming days. 

You won’t need to be a Spotify Premium subscriber to play tunes, playlists and podcasts on Comcast’s platforms. You can use Spotify’s free, ad-supported tier via your TV as well. If you don’t already have one, you can create a Spotify account through Xfinity.

[ad_2]

Source link