Hulu without the ads is here, for $4 more per month
Just as rumored, Hulu has finally decided to offer a version of its subscription without the ad breaks. Ad-free Hulu will cost $12 per month, as opposed to the regular $8 subscription (or the shows it offers for free), and of course it will soon include more movies (that Netflix doesn’t have) thanks to the company’s deal with Epix. One small catch however is revealed by the FAQ, which indicates that due to licensing, a few shows will still have ads before and after (but not during) episodes. Hulu’s ads have always separated it from online streaming competition like Amazon and Netflix, and even though ads are a way of life on cable and broadcast television, its annoying tendency to repeat the same few selections always drove me crazy. Now, with more original content (Seinfeld, The Mindy Project, the just-renewed Difficult People and others), it’s a serious, although slightly more expensive, competitor for our attention.
Developing…
Will all shows and movies be commercial free?
In response to feedback from our viewers, we started offering a commercial-free experience on Hulu. For a small number of shows, however, we have not obtained the rights to stream commercial free and they are not included in our No Commercials plan. You can still easily access these shows with a short commercial before and after each episode with no interruptions during the episode. Specific shows that still have commercials accessible through the No Commercials plan will be noted throughout the signup, switching, and playback experience. While the list of shows may change, these shows are currently: Grey’s Anatomy, Once Upon A Time, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Scandal, Grimm, New Girl, and How To Get Away With Murder.
Filed under:
Home Entertainment, Internet, HD
Source:
Hulu
Tags: ads, breaking news, hdpostcross, hulu
Grab Tom Clancy’s best games for a $10 donation to charity
Tom Clancy is gone, but Ubisoft definitely hasn’t forgotten the military-centric author or his legacy of branded video games. Neither have the folks at Humble Bundle for that matter. Pledging at least $1 will get you Rainbow Six, Rainbow Six 3 Gold, Rainbow Six: Vegas, access to the Rainbow Six Siege multiplayer beta, the original Ghost Recon and Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory on PC. Drop more than the average price (currently $7.99) and you’ll pick up Rainbow Six Vegas 2, the first Splinter Cell and the one that changed things up considerably, Splinter Cell: Conviction. But wait, there’s even more: A $10 donation adds the latest Sam Fisher adventure, Splinter Cell: Blacklist, and Ghost Recon: Future Soldier to the mix.
Lastly, $75 nets you a pre-order for Siege, a T-shirt and 66 percent off any three Ubisoft games in Humble’s web store. The outfit says the grand total is $179 in games and you can get all but one of them for $10. Need something to listen to while downloading? Give the song below from the incredible Chaos Theory soundtrack a spin.
Filed under:
Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD
Via:
Ubi Blog
Source:
Humble Bundle
Tags: gaming, ghostrecon, hd, hdpostcross, humble, humblebundle, rainbowsix, rainbowsixsiege, splintercell, tomclancy, ubisoft
Acer’s Predator 8 gaming tablet will officially be available in November for $299
Acer’s anticipated Predator 8 gaming tablet finally has an official release date and pricing, and it’s pretty reasonable for something that’s designed primarily to play games.
The Predator 8 sports an 8-inch 1080p display with an Intel Atom CPU and 2 GB of RAM, plus options for 32 or 64 GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot. The screen is touted as being incredibly precise with a 100% NTSC color gamut rating, too. Acer has included four front-facing speakers on the aluminum frame of the device, plus enhanced tactile feedback for gaming.
The Predator 8 will go on sale on November 6th in the US for $299, with Newegg carrying it exclusively for the first two weeks. Other countries will get a head start on purchasing the device, as it’ll be on sale in Europe and China for €349 and ¥2499, respectively, in October.
Thinking about picking one of these up over an NVIDIA Shield or something else?
Be sure to keep up with the rest of our IFA 2015 coverage.
Acer Introduces its First Dedicated Gaming Tablet with the Powerful Predator 8
- Game play comes to life with Predator Quadio, a combination of four front- facing speakers and virtual surround sound, while tactile feedback is delivered through Predator TacSense
- Exceptionally realistic visuals are delivered on the 8-inch FHD display (1920 x 1200) featuring Predator ColorBlast technology.
- Immersive and graphically rich gaming is powered by the Intel® AtomTM x7 processor, Android 5.1, and 2×2 MIMO wireless technology for blazing-fast Internet connections
- Extremely thin and lightweight, the dark grey brushed aluminum design is just 8.7mm thin and 350 grams light
BERLIN, GERMANY (September 2, 2015) Today Acer announced its new Predator 8 GT-810 gaming tablet, one of several new gaming devices in Acer’s high-octane Predator gaming series. The sleek brushed aluminum GT-810 is powered by the Intel® AtomTM x7 processor, Android 5.1 and the latest 2×2 MIMO wireless technology, taking portable gaming to a new level of fun and immersion.
Making games, movies and videos thrilling and immersive, the Predator 8 includes a high- quality FHD display (1920 x 1200) for crystal clear viewing and incredible graphics, while Predator Quadio, four array front-facing speakers with virtual surround sound and red stainless steel mesh, deliver exceptionally realistic stereo audio. In addition, Predator TacSense makes gaming more enjoyable and memorable, enhancing game play with tactile feedback.
Thin and lightweight, the Predator 8 is just 8.7mm thin (11⁄32 inches) and weighs only 350 grams (12.35 ounces), making it highly portable and easy to hold with either one or two hands. In addition, soft texturized panels on the back make it comfortable to hold and carry.
High-Octane Performance Keeps it Real
Gamers will appreciate the raw power found on the Predator 8. The newest generation Intel® AtomTM x7 Processor with Intel HD Graphics (Gen 8 –LP) deliver extraordinary graphics and performance, while 802.11a/b/g/n wireless with 2×2 MIMO supports fast connection speeds, processing data at up to twice the speed2 of traditional 1×1 solutions. Predator TacSense provides tactile feedback which makes the gaming experience more engaging and enjoyable with a real sense of vibration. And with up to 64GB of on-board storage and expansion capabilities via a microSD card of up to 128GB, gamers have room to take their games, videos and music with them wherever they go.
Designed For Gaming
Acer has collaborated with Gameloft since the design stage of the Predator 8 to fine-tune the gaming experience. As a result, Gameloft’s Asphalt 8 racing game works seamlessly with Predator TacSense to bring a realistic and immersive experience for gamers. The Predator 8 GT 810 will be preloaded3 with Asphalt 8 and 320,000 game credits (approximately US$50 value).
Top-Notch Visuals and Audio Engage the Senses
In addition to the tablet’s 8-inch full high-definition display (1920 x 1200), it uses Zero Air Gap and IPS technology to deliver superior color saturation, making details easily seen from all angles, and movies crisp and clear. Taking the visuals up a notch even further, Predator ColorBlast technology brings high-quality color from professional monitors to the tablet, supporting 100% of the NTSC color gamut.
Extraordinarily powerful sound is delivered via Predator Quadio — four front-facing speakers that deliver virtual surround sound and amazingly realistic and dynamic audio and accurate tones that are never distorted. Quadio’s special algorithm distributes sound intelligently between each of the speakers for maximum clarity and volume, resulting in an audio experience that’s perfect for personal enjoyment or can easily fill a room for larger gatherings or social events. In addition, Dolby® AudioTM greatly enhances the overall sound quality by intelligently optimizing the audio for various situations — streaming a movie or playing music, connected to external speakers or listening through headphones, it delivers clear dialogue, clean highs, solid midrange tones and powerful bass.
Lastly, Predator MediaMaster is a unique Acer application that allows the audio and video set up to be customized for standard, album, movie and game use. For example, in game mode the radius of the surround sound, color saturation, and global contrast are increased, while in movie mode the bass is set to median level and the dark levels of the display are enhanced for more detail.
Highly Precise Touchscreen plays well with Fingertip, Pencil or Stylus
Providing one of the best touch experiences available, the Predator 8 features Predator Precision Plus technology, which incorporates touch sensors that are smaller and more densely arranged than the industry standard. With a higher density of touch sensors, greater control accuracy can be achieved, which is especially beneficial in FPS games. Also ideal for sketching or writing, the tablet can be used with any 2mm fine tip writing implement such as a graphite pencil or an optional Acer Accurate Stylus.
Accessories
Acer will offer a number of optional accessories for its Predator 8 gaming tablet, including covers, carrying cases, a stylus, travel adapter, SlimPort adapter dongle and gaming headset.
Pricing and Availability
The Acer Predator 8 GT-810 will be available in North America for $299.99 exclusively at Newegg for 2 weeks beginning on Nov. 6. After that it will be available at other retailers nationwide. It will be available in EMEA in October with prices starting at €349, and in China with prices starting at ¥2499. Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To find out about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office or retailer via http://www.acer.com.
The new products were unveiled today at the next@acer press event at IFA Berlin in Germany, where the company announced its latest devices and solutions for gamers and consumers for the holiday season. Visit Acer’s booth at IFA 2015 in Messe Berlin (Hall 12/101) or learn about the new product range on acer.com/predator.
Come comment on this article: Acer’s Predator 8 gaming tablet will officially be available in November for $299
Intel testing power efficient Core M processors in smartphones
Intel’s Core M processors are extremely power efficient processors that currently power several tablets and laptops. Apple’s latest fan-less Macbook, for example, utilizes a Core M processor, as that line is one of the most powerful chips that can still deliver fantastic battery life.
Normally we don’t see desktop/laptop make their way into smartphones, but according to Intel’s General Manager, Kirk Skagen, the company is currently testing the chips in smartphones. There’s no definite timeline for when we can expect to see Core M processors in a flagship phone, we’ll see some big performance improvements when it happens.
source: Engadget
Come comment on this article: Intel testing power efficient Core M processors in smartphones
Acer Chromebook R 11 is new convertible laptop entry
Acer announced a new convertible Chromebook option they are releasing, the Acer Chromebook R 11. Like some other units available from other manufacturers, the Acer Chromebook R 11 makes use of a hinge design that allows the screen to be flipped completely back onto the unit to effectively create a tablet device. Depending on how far one pushes the screen back and how the device is set, tent or display configurations are available as well.
The Acer Chromebook R 11 will come equipped with an 11.6-inch LCD touch screen running at 1366 x 768 resolution. Acer will make this new unit available with an Intel processor and up to 4 GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. Acer brought the size of the unit down to the point where it weighs about 2.75 pounds, which is light for a laptop but may be considered heavy for a tablet.
You can read Acer’s full press release below and then keep checking TalkAndroid for more IFA 2015 coverage.
2015-09-02
Acer’s First Convertible Chromebook Will Bend over Backwards for Work and Play
BERLIN, GERMANY
Come comment on this article: Acer Chromebook R 11 is new convertible laptop entry
Huawei announces the Mate S at IFA 2015
Huawei today at IFA 2015 announced the Mate S, which is the successor to last year’s Ascend Mate 7. While it takes a lot of design hints from the Mate 7, the all-metal handset parades its similarities to the iPhone 6 Plus.
The handset sports an AMOLED 5.5-inch 1080p 2.5D display with Gorilla Glass 4. It has the Kirin 935 chipset with a quad-core 2.2GHz and quad-core 1.5GHz processor, a Mali-T628 MP4 GPU, 3GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel rear camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a battery rated for a full day of use, and an improved, rear fingerprint scanner.
The device comes in 32/64GB storage options, however, it does have microSD support up to 128GB using the SIM 2 slot. At the bottom of the device surrounding the microUSB port are dual speakers.
Additionally, Huawei CEO Richard Yu says the Mate S has fast charging, getting a full charge “2x faster” than the iPhone 6 Plus. There’s also been some gesture improvements with the fingerprint scanner, force touch, and even Huawei’s “knuckle sense 2.0″ features.
One of the major features of the Huawei Mate S is how well it manages data. The handset has two SIM slots, allowing the device to seamlessly transition between LTE connections. It supports up to 13 major LTE bands in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Pre-orders begin on September 15 and will cost consumers €649 for the 32GB model or €699 for the 64GB handset. There will also be a force-touch enabled 128GB model, but similar to Samsung’s tendencies, it will be announced at a later date.
Come comment on this article: Huawei announces the Mate S at IFA 2015
New Apple TV to Start at $149, Feature Universal Search With Siri
Apple is set to introduce the next iteration of its Apple TV lineup at next week’s September 9 media event, alongside the expected announcement of new iPhones, and a previously rumored feature is gaining additional traction today with a report from BuzzFeed claiming the new Apple TV will have universal search functionality, letting users search once and get hits from multiple sources, not just iTunes.
Universal search feature will reportedly be a “cornerstone” of the new Apple TV, allowing users to, for example, search for one movie across services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and iTunes, among others. The ability to search for actors and directors will also be included in the search options, and won’t limit users to just movie or television show titles.
Sources familiar with Apple’s plans say that a cornerstone of the the company’s new set-top box is a universal search feature that will enable searches across multiple streaming video services as well as Apple’s iTunes Store. Instead of searching the catalogs of multiple video services one-at-a-time for a particular movie, you’ll now be able to search all — or most of them — at once and then choose the service on which you’d like to watch it. You’ll also be able to search for actors and directors, and run other more targeted searches as well — all with Siri.
The report also claims that the new Apple TV will “start” at a price point of $149, hinting that there could be more expensive models with perhaps the possibility of expanded storage capacities. The $149 retail price does line up with previous rumors that pegged the Apple TV of launching with either a $149 or $199 price tag. The company has been said to be keeping the third-generation Apple TV, currently priced at $69, as an entry-level option.
Along with Siri integration, the next-generation Apple TV is rumored to feature an A8 processor, a touch-pad remote, and an App Store with an SDK available for developers to create apps. The new box will be aimed at more than just video consumption, with recent rumors hinting that the newly designed remote control will include motion sensors to support “casual” gaming experiences.
Report: Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5 will launch in India on September 7th
It would seem that all the fervor over last week’s discovery of an Indian-based test ROM was not a flash in the pan. According to SamMobile, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will be launching in India on September 7th. Precise details are currently unknown as far as price and availability goes, but the report claims that a launch event will be held in New Delhi.
Samsung’s decision to release the Note 5 in another market is both a surprise, and perhaps a preface for what (might) come to pass: Many had assumed that the latest in the S-Pen equipped phablet line would see a very limited release for 2015, a sad fact that includes the denial of sale to all of Europe, at least officially: customers can import the international device at a higher cost.
While it’s unlikely Samsung will have a sudden change of heart and sell the Note 5 in Europe this year, the addition of another territory for sale is definitely a step in the right direction.
The Galaxy Note 5 is the latest installment in the venerable Note series, that which essentially created the entire phablet genre. It packs a 5.7-inch sAMOLED QHD (2560×1440) display, an Exynos 7420 SoC (4x 2.1GHz Cortex-A57, 4x 1.5GHz Cortex-A53), Mali-T760 MP8 for graphics, 4GB of RAM, and storage options of either 32GB or 64GB. Also included is a 16MP rear, 5MP front camera assortment, 3000mAh battery, Category 6 LTE support, a fingerprint sensor and both Qi & PMA wireless charging support.
Huawei Mate S is official, here are the details
After a considerable amount of teasing, the Huawei Mate S has been officially unveiled at IFA in Berlin. The handset builds on many of the foundations that made the Mate 7 such a great phone, offering high-end hardware and a couple of unique features of its own, as is Huawei’s style.
Huawei Mate S specs and features
Although not as large as the Mate 7, the Mate S still comes in with a considerable 5.5-inch LCD display with a 1080p resolution. At this size QHD may have offered a very slight boost to visual clarity, but it’s a minor point that you won’t notice without a size-by-size comparison.
| Display | 5.5-inch display 1080p resolution |
| Processor | 2.2GHz octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 935 Mali T-628 MP4 GPU |
| RAM | 3GB |
| Storage | 32GB expandable microSD up to 128GB |
| Camera | 13 megapixel rear camera 8 megapixel front camera |
| Battery | 2,700mAh |
| Software | EMUI 3.1 based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
The Mate S is powered by Huawei’s own HiSilicon Kirin 935 SoC and 3GB of RAM. This is the same SoC that powers the company’s Honor 7 smartphone and comes with four Cortex-A57 and four Cortex-A53 cores, just like the Snapdragon 810, which are accompanied by a Mali-T628 MP4 GPU.
For storage, Huawei will be offering the phone with 32GB of flash memory, which is reasonable. Fortunately, there’s a microSD card slot available if you want to boost your memory by a further 128GB. The battery capacity is much smaller than the Mate 7’s, coming in at only 2,700mAh, which may be a worry for the heavy user. However, Huawei says that it will still last you through an entire day.
For the photographers among you, the Mate S comes with a 13 megapixel rear camera that features a RGBW sensor, optical image stabilizer, dual color temperature LED flash, and an independent image signal processor, along with an 8 megapixel front facing camera for higher resolution selfies. Huawei has also implemented a professional camera mode that allows manual adjustment of ISO, exposure compensation, exposure time, white balance and focusing.
As for extras, Huawei has gone all out with a diamond-cut metal unibody design, 2.5D Gorilla Glass and some smooth curved edges. The Huawei Mate S also comes with the traditional fingerprint scanner located on the back of the smartphone and security features that come with it. There are a few new features included here too. The fingerprint scanner can also be used to erase unread notifications, preview pictures, and accept phone calls. Huawei also states that the scanner is twice as fast at authenticating fingerprints as its previous model.
Huawei has also built its “Knuckle Sense 2.0” technology into the Mate S. The feature was originally included with the Huawei P8 and allows for users in interact with the display using certain knuckle based gestures. For example, drawing a “C” activates a camera, while double-clicking the screen with a knuckle records a video capture of the display.
Force Touch
The big new, and heavily teased feature, with the Mate S is Force Touch. As well as regular touch control, the display in the Mate S can also sense how hard a user is pressing on the screen. Huawei is the first smartphone company to bring this technology to market.
Huawei is making use of this new technology to provide users with new gesture controls. For example, pressing harder over an image in the gallery or camera app will magnify the preview of the picture, while a strong press in the corner of the phone’s display can be used to access app short-cuts.
Huawei Mate S price and availability
The Huawei Mate S will be available in Western Europe to begin with, and will go on sale from September 15th. The phone will be available to pre-order from Huawei’s vMall website, and will come in your choice of pink, gold and silver color options. We are still waiting on price information.
What do you think about the Huawei Mate S?
Huawei Unveils the Mate S: A Luxury Smartphone that Revolutionizes Touch Technology
[BERLIN, Germany – September 2, 2015]: Today at Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin, the Huawei Consumer Business Group unveiled the Huawei Mate S smartphone, the new flagship product in Huawei’s Mate series of mobile devices. Its ergonomic, luxurious design and innovative technology deliver a premium Android experience that surpasses industry expectations once again.
“Our goal in designing the Huawei Mate S was to develop a smartphone that offers a personalized experience, rather than a commoditized one,” said Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer BG. “The Huawei Mate S is based on insights we gathered about human interaction – most notably that touch is a natural action we take to understand our world. The Huawei Mate S redefines how we incorporate touch technology into our smartphones, breaking through the conventional way of touch screen control and ushering in new imagination for human-machine interaction.”
The beauty of a curved surface: innovative design from inside out
The Huawei Mate S’ touch screen control technology offers an unconventional design that strikes a balance between the phone’s brilliant capabilities and its stunning visual appearance.
Building on the revolutionary Huawei Mate 7 smartphone, the Huawei Mate S features a 2.5D floating screen lens and a 5.5 inches screen. It is 7.2 millimeters thick, with side edges that are just 2.65 millimeters. The arched back fits perfectly into the palm of a hand, while its curved surface features solid pressure and weight, making the phone less likely to be dropped. With the AMOLED screen, Huawei Mate S presents a perfect curve.
The curved unibody of the Huawei Mate S encapsulates a laminated ladder battery and a staggered height printer circuit board layout design. Nanometer technology is being used to seamlessly connect the phone’s antenna and metal, resulting in a smooth feel. Additional cutting-edge technology, including diamond cutting, CNC carving, nanotechnology and a camera with a sapphire lens are part of the phone’s seamless metal body.
Revolutionary controls redefining user experience
Touch is a core of the Huawei Mate S, creating a new experience for users that enhances their interaction with the device.
The phone is equipped with Fingerprint 2.0, an upgraded version of the advanced chip level security and one-key unlock technology in the Huawei Mate 7. Fingerprint 2.0 improves recognition speeds by 100 percent, with more accurate self-learning functions. It can also be used to control the notification bar, double-click to erase unread notifications, slide to preview pictures, and hold and take phone calls. All of these options improve the one hand operation of the phone.
Knuckle Control 2.0 – first introduced in the Huawei P8 – simplifies how users switch between app operations and take screenshots. The feature offers users a new way to interact with their phone: drawing a “C” with their knuckle activates a camera, while double-clicking the screen with a knuckle records the screen in the form of a video. With these options, every type of touch provides an opportunity to be innovative.
A camera designed for beginners and professionals
The Huawei Mate S is equipped with a camera that considers users’ needs in everyday life: a professional camera and settings that incorporate contrast, texture, and distinctive tonality. The 13 mega pixel rear camera features a RGBW sensor, optical image stabilizer, Dual color-temp LED flash lights, and an independent image signal processor camera unit, which combine to capture higher quality pictures faster. The Huawei Mate S takes camera capabilities one step further by offering an 8 mega pixel front camera with soft front light to improve selfies. This algorithm ensures users capture the clearest, most beautifying images possible.
The professional camera mode allows manual adjustment for ISO, exposure compensation, exposure time, white balance and focusing, and functions such as the grid, and flash-assisted focusing. The real time black and white filter mode provides multiple levels of density and real-time intensity adjustment.
Technology that adapts to every environment
The Huawei Mate S takes regular recording functions to the next level by creatively implanting three microphones that support Huawei’s smart direction algorithm. The Huawei Mate S’ beam-forming algorithm allows all three mics to focus on the sounds coming from where the phone is facing, enabling a clear recording with minimal background noises.
For consumers on the go, the Huawei Mate S also supports Mopria printing general protocol, which includes 700 printer types across 29 leading brands.
Today Huawei also introduced its new Huawei G8, which is equipped with a 5.5 inch FHD screen and 3000mAh battery compatible for super low-light photo taking.
Availability
Additional to other distribution channels, the HUAWEI Mate S will also be sold via the company’s own online sales channel Vmall, starting in Western Europe. As of September 15, the phone will be available for pre-order at http://www.vmall.eu.
Watch Sony’s IFA press conference live stream
We’re live at IFA 2015 in Berlin checking out all the latest and greatest from a variety of OEMs. One of the companies announcing their latest today is Sony, which is expected to announce the Sony Xperia Z5 and perhaps as many as two other variants, the Compact and the Premium.bDespite a number of leaks, we’re still not 100% sure what to expect, though at least a few sources claim we could be getting a 4K display with the new Xperia Z5 Premium.
For those interested in following along with the action as it breaks, the press event is set to begin at 3:15PM BST / 16:15PM CET / 10:15 AM EST. You can watch the livestream here. Sony is also giving us an official liveblog so we can follow along even if we aren’t able to watch the livestream for whatever reason.
With Sony falling into hard times, they really need to hit a home run with the Sony Xperia Z5. Based on the rumors you’ve heard about so far, are you excited to see what comes next from Sony? Let us know what you think in the comments.
AIVAnet 