‘MST3k’ needs Kickstarter cash to make its comeback
If there’s a much-loved but commercially unsuccessful TV show with enough of a fanbase, then someone’s probably tried to resurrect it on Kickstarter. Now, following in the success of Veronica Mars and Thunderbirds 1965, Joel Hodgson is going to use the platform to bring back Mystery Science Theater 3000. He’s looking to raise anything up to $5.5 million in the hope of producing a whole new season of 12 episodes mocking classic movies. It’s hoped that, after demonstrating that there’s enough of an audience out there, a cable channel or online service will help bankroll future episodes after that.
Source: Kickstarter
Apple Music is live on Android devices today
Apple Music launches in beta form today on Android, cementing it as the second Apple program to hit Google’s mobile platform (following the “move to iOS” app). Apple offers a three-month trial to Android users, as it does to Apple customers. Since the Android version is still in beta, it’s missing a few features and upgrades: Apple promises music videos are on their way and the sign-up process will be optimized for Android. To sign up for a family membership, you’ll need a Mac or iOS device for now. Apple Music on Android requires version 4.3 or better, and it’s a 29M download. After the trial period, Apple Music is a $10-per-month service. We gave the iOS version a spin when it launched on June 30th and found it to be heavy on features but a little disjointed. Apple announced the Android version of Music back in June, alongside a promised launch on Apple TV this fall.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Google
‘Twilight’ author Stephenie Meyer is making a show for Hulu
You may still see Stephenie Meyer as synonymous with vampire books and movies, but she’s determined to shake things up — including where she puts her big-screen productions. The Twilight writer is working with Lionsgate on Rook, a TV show that’s destined for both Hulu’s streaming service as well as a currently unnamed UK TV provider. The studio isn’t saying anything about what the show entails, although it’s clearly betting that Meyer will help the show rise above the pack. Whether or not it does is still up in the air, mind you. While Twilight was a license to print money, Meyer’s producer roles on Austenland and The Host didn’t make those movies blockbuster hits.
[Image credit: David Edwards/MediaPunch/IPX]
Source: Variety
iPhone Unlikely to Adopt AMOLED Display in Foreseeable Future
Apple is unlikely to adopt AMOLED displays for next-generation iPhones in the foreseeable future, according to often-reliable KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The analyst believes Apple will continue using TFT-LCD display technology for at least the next three years — and likely beyond.
Kuo claims that Apple supplier Hon Hai Precision Industry, better known as Foxconn, is preparing to invest in advanced TFT-LCD production lines in China for mass production in 2018, and coupled with recent comments made by iPhone backlight supplier Minebea, the analyst believes iPhones will continue using TFT-LCD displays in the future.
Based on recent comments by Minebea, one of the main iPhone backlight unit suppliers, we believe AMOLED will not penetrate iPhone for the next three years. Moreover, Hon Hai is preparing to invest in Gen-6 LTPS TFT-LCD production lines in Zhengzhou, China for mass production in 2018, suggesting the iPhone line will likely stick with TFT-LCD technology in 2018 and thereafter. […]
Minebea, major BLU supplier of iPhone, stated to investors on November 5 that it does not foresee risk of TFT-LCD share loss to AMOLED in high-end smartphone market in next three years & guides growth in TFT-LCD going forward. As Apple and Samsung are the only two brands that currently offer premium smartphones, we think Minebea’s statements imply it does not expect iPhone to adopt AMOLED in the coming three years, given that Samsung’s models are already being equipped with it.
Taiwanese website DigiTimes, citing a report in the Korea-based ET News, said in late October that Samsung may supply Apple with OLED panels for upcoming iPhone models, and past rumors have suggested an AMOLED-based iPhone could arrive in 2017 or later, but Kuo believes there is “sufficient evidence indicating otherwise.”
Samsung’s popular Galaxy-branded smartphones are equipped with AMOLED displays, as is the Apple Watch, but Apple has always used various LCD display technologies since the original iPhone launched over eight years ago. Geek provides a good comparison of AMOLED vs. LCD display technologies.
Tags: Samsung, KGI Securities, Ming-Chi Kuo, AMOLED
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Offline maps and navigation function is officially rolling out to Google Maps
Back at Google I/O this year, the ability to search for a city or specific area on Google Maps and download it for offline use was demonstrated, and it now appears to be rolling out to the masses.
Basically, while you still have access to the internet, you can search for a city or even country and tap the ‘Download’ option on the resulting card, or you can navigate to the ‘Offline Areas’ section of Google Maps and press the ‘+’ button to begin downloading the map of your choice. Once the chosen area is downloaded, Google Maps will switch automatically between online and offline modes as need be, so when you lose internet access it will switch seamlessly into offline mode, and vice versa. As you can see from the GIF above, it really is a simple process.
While in offline mode, access to live traffic conditions will naturally be unachievable. Google says that maps will only be downloaded to the device when on a Wi-Fi connection. The updated Google Maps app is in the process of rolling out, so it may be a couple of hours before it reaches your device.
Source: Google
Come comment on this article: Offline maps and navigation function is officially rolling out to Google Maps
Google Maps can now be used offline
Google Maps is putting the nail in the coffin on standalone GPS units by making maps available for offline use for turn-by-turn navigation. Those standalone GPS units were great when you didn’t have access to the internet or when you didn’t want to use data when travelling, but their days are numbered.
There have been other apps that have downloadable maps with GPS functionality, but the reality is most of us use Google Maps and don’t want to use another GPS app on our smartphones. Google Maps is one of the most inclusive mapping apps you can get your hands on with the ability to provide traffic updates, gasoline prices, satellite images, public transportation routes, terrain and so much more. And with Google Maps we have been able to download maps for offline viewing, we just couldn’t use it in combination with a GPS signal for navigation.
You can now download areas of the map by searching for a city, county or country and then tapping “Download” or by going to “Offline Areas” in the menu and tapping the “+” button. Google Maps will then recognize when you’re in the area with spotty service and automatically switch to offline mode. Once a connection is found again, it will move you back into online mode so you can stay up to date on things like traffic conditions. A GPS signal does not require cell service to work but it does need a map to show you where you are located on a map. And of course, Google will download areas of the map to your device when you are on a Wi-Fi signal unless you specify otherwise since maps do take up a large chunk of data.
Are you ready to sail the route of Christopher Columbus? Let us know in the comments below.
Source – Google Maps
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Amazon’s Echo smart speaker is coming to retail stores
You no longer have to buy online to give the Amazon Echo a shot. Amazon will soon sell the smart, voice-guided speaker in more than 3,000 retail stores, including Brookstone, Fry’s, Home Depot, PC Richard & Son, RadioShack, Sears and Staples (which previously sold it on the web). The rollout is taking place over the next few weeks, and a few big stores are conspicuously absent in the mix — Best Buy, anyone? Still, this beats worrying about holiday shipping headaches.
Source: Amazon
Engadget giveaway: Win a GoPro Hero4 Black courtesy of Leef!
Expandable storage and iOS devices rarely go hand-in-hand, but Leef has bridged the gap with its iAccess microSD card reader. This plug-and-play accessory works in tandem with Leef’s MobileMemory app to let you quickly transfer files to and from your iPhone or iPad. It should drastically expand your capacity for large files, especially video, without maxing out onboard memory. You can even record directly to microSD with iAccess. This week, Leef has provided us with a GoPro Hero4 Black, an iAccess reader and a 64GB card for one lucky winner. Any footage you capture on the action camera can easily be flipped to your mobile device for previewing or editing on-the-fly. All you need to do is head down to the Rafflecopter widget for up to three chances at winning.
Hailo opens mobile payments to all of London’s black cabs
After ditching its private hire business and recommitting to London’s black cabs, Hailo has been pulling out all of the stops to get traditional taxi services back onside. On top of campaigning “every level of government” to protect the industry and reinforcing the benefits of the Knowledge, the company today announced HailoPay, a new service that let London’s 22,500 black taxis offer free mobile payments to customers.
Source: Hailo Blog
easyJet’s new cabin crew uniforms are covered in LEDs
Whether it’s recon drones, VR training or 3D-printed plane parts, easyJet is quick to embrace new technologies. The company’s latest experiment is a little more garish — to mark its 20th birthday, cabin crew and engineers are getting brand-new uniforms littered with colourful LEDs. With the cabin crew, you’ll notice tiny lights on their jacket lapels that illuminate to reveal flight numbers, destinations and other useful tidbits. Extra LEDs have been sewn onto the shoulders which, along with some illuminated hems, are designed to help staff and travellers in the event of an emergency. Finally, there are built-in microphones so the crew can communicate with one another and the passengers.
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