Blog

Apple TV+ posts a full trailer for ‘Beastie Boys Story’

[ad_1]

The trailer gives some insight into what its “live documentary experience” is like, with the two telling their stories on a stage in front of pictures and videos of the group’s heyday. 25 years after directing the video for Sabotage, Spike Jonze once again helms this documentary, which will arrive on Apple’s service as it continues to try to find a footing as competition from other streamers grows. Netflix released a documentary a day just this week, while Disney+, HBO Max and others are also pushing forward.

Beastie Boys Story will premiere first in IMAX theaters on April 2nd — assuming we’re still doing that — and is scheduled to start streaming on Apple’s $5 per month premium service beginning April 24th.

[ad_2]

Source link

Netflix rolls out its cheaper mobile-only plan in the Philippines and Thailand

[ad_1]

According Filipino publication BusinessWorld, the company announced the plan’s rollout during a video teleconference from Los Angeles, California. Patrick Flemming, Netflix Director for Product Innovation, told reporters that Filipinos watch Netflix on their mobile devices over three hours a day and twice as much as the rest of the world.

Budget-friendly smartphones are common in the country, so that doesn’t come as a surprise. And while most Filipino users don’t have access to postpaid plans with unlimited mobile data, they can easily download episodes and then watch them on the go. In fact, Flemming said two out of three Filipino users download shows on their phone.

Like the mobile-only plans in other countries, the option costs around US$3 per month — 149 Philippine pesos and 99 Thai baht — and allows users to watch shows in standard definition.

Netflix



[ad_2]

Source link

US House votes to extend FISA surveillance

[ad_1]

But the bill would do more than just extend the provisions’ validity. Since surveillance laws tend to raise privacy concerns, the bill would add new restrictions to the FISA court overseeing requests for surveillance warrants. It would also bring changes to FISA wiretaps in response to the backlash the feds got for wiretapping former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page during the Russia investigation.

In addition, the bill would prohibit the government for using FISA business records to collect information that typically requires a search warrants, such as phone location data. The penalties for misusing FISA would also be harsher and would raise prison sentences for using electronic surveillance improperly from five to eight years.

The legislation’s fate is now in the hands of the Senate. Both House Democrats and Republicans were divided in their support, so it remains unclear if the bill would make its way to the President’s desk.

[ad_2]

Source link

‘Call of Duty: Warzone’ racks up 6 million players in 24 hours

[ad_1]

The new battle royale mode for Call of Duty Modern Warfare has been popular, and not just with Engadget editors. According to Activision, after 24 hours the game has already seen some 6 million players across various platforms. We’ll have to wait a few days to see if that number keeps growing, as it attempts to match or exceed the pace of previous Fortnite challengers like Apex Legends, which announced 10 million players after three days.

Given the current situation keeping many people home unexpectedly, it seems reasonable that the numbers will continue to climb. As Matt Brian explained, the game adds a lot of new wrinkles to the battle royale formula, and while it has some kinks to work out, it should pull some fans away from other games in the genre.



[ad_2]

Source link

Google is working on a native printing and scanning app for Chrome OS

[ad_1]

Print Management App

Enables the print management app that allows Chrome OS users to view and manage their native print jobs.

#print-job-management-app

The app’s development is still in its very early stages, but it will apparently show you your recent print attempts, a job’s name and which printer it was sent to, as well as if it was successful. In addition, the app will include the capability to scan documents based on another flag that describes a scanning UI:

Scanning UI

An experimental UI that allows users to interact with a connected scanner.

#scanning-ui

It’s unclear when the feature will be available. Hopefully, Google rolls it out before Cloud Print follows Reader and the tech giant’s other scrapped products to the trash heap.

[ad_2]

Source link

Overwatch League cancels all homestand matches through April

[ad_1]

The organizers aim to play matches “when it’s safe and logically feasible,” and wants to keep them as close to the original schedule as possible. It added that it was looking at the “various options available,” although it didn’t say whether that meant online matches or something else altogether. It’s doubtful this will only be a minor interruption, though. Several weeks is a long time to wait in the esports scene, and that’s assuming there aren’t further delays. Activision Blizzard has stressed that the health of everyone is “paramount,” and that means cancelling as many events as necessary.

[ad_2]

Source link

NCAA March Madness games will be played without fans

[ad_1]

The Association didn’t say how this would affect ticket holders, but pointed to “behavioral risk mitigation” (read: keeping people out of contact) and the risk to older adults as key factors behind the decision.

It won’t be surprising if other leagues follow suit, especially if the outbreak persists long enough to affect sports that haven’t started their seasons yet. If there are doubts, they largely revolve around how streaming services will cover games. Some services black out local games in hopes of steering viewers to traditional TV or the stadium. If you’re using one of those services, you may not have much choice but to subscribe to another provider if you want to catch a must-see game this season.

[ad_2]

Source link

Microsoft appoints its first-ever chief scientific officer

[ad_1]

Before the promotion, Horvitz had been a technical fellow and director at Microsoft’s Research Labs. He joined Microsoft in 1993 and spent the better part of 16 years as a principal researcher at the company. He also co-chairs the company’s Artificial Intelligence and Ethics in Engineering and Research (AETHER) committee.

According to Microsoft, Horvitz “will provide cross-company leadership on advances and trends on scientific matters, and on issues and opportunities rising at the intersection of technology, people and society.” Perhaps more crucially, his team will advise the company on its “scientific directions and capabilities, including standing up new initiatives, providing guidance on company priorities and assessing important areas for investment in science and technology.”

Eric Horvitz of Microsoft

A younger Horvitz toward the start of his career at Microsoft

Over on LinkedIn, Horvitz provides more context on what he’ll be doing in the role, noting that his office will focus its efforts on research relating to biology, medical informatics, physics, sustainability, economics, and social and behavioral sciences. He also says he will put in a lot of effort related to AI principles, applications, and directions.

While we’ve seen companies like Impossible Foods with chief science officers, they’re far rarer among more technology-focused firms like Microsoft. The appointment speaks the growing importance of research to Microsoft, whether it relate to augmented reality, sound or any other number of fields.

Image: Bryce Duffy via Getty Images (Eric Horvitz)

[ad_2]

Source link

NWSL soccer matches will stream on CBS All Access and Twitch

[ad_1]

Fans previously had to tune in using ESPN networks, and it was frequently limited to a game of the week.

The new coverage starts with two games on April 18th. You’ll have to tune into CBS All Access if you want to catch OL Reign (Megan Rapinoe’s team) taking on Washington Spirit, but you can use Twitch to see the championship-winning North Carolina Courage revisit the finals by fighting the Chicago Red Stars.

This could serve as a test for similar deals with other sports leagues. It’s the “first time” NWSL matches have been viewable for an audience this large, league Commissioner Lisa Baird said — ideally, this expands awareness of and interest in women’s soccer. A surge of viewership could prompt other leagues, especially those that don’t have an abundance of conventional TV coverage, to try a similar strategy.

[ad_2]

Source link

BMW will discontinue its iconic i8 hybrid sports car in April

[ad_1]

The i8 served as a paragon for BMW. The features and technology behind the car gradually made its way to other vehicles in the company’s stable — while the i8 probably wasn’t something even most luxury car enthusiasts could afford, BMW adapted its hybrid drivetrain for more affordable models. With its high-end specs, it helped legitimize the concept of an extremely powerful — yet sustainable — sports car.

BMW has sold more than 20,000 i8s since 2014 — no mean feat considering the $147,500 starting price. The company says that the model outsold all competitors in its class, combined. That said, the i8 is getting long in the tooth. Its core technology is outdated and the company is transitioning to newer designs like the all-electric i4. With all this in mind, it’s not surprising that BMW is putting turning the page on one of its greatest success stories.

[ad_2]

Source link