Netflix reportedly in talks with the BBC for new ‘Top Gear’

If Amazon is to be the home of new, new Top Gear, then it’s only fitting Netflix gets its hands on new, old Top Gear, right? The Guardian reports that Netflix is “in the early stages” of discussing a deal with the BBC for certain streaming rights to the Top Gear reboot, which’ll be hosted by a six-strong team that includes Chris Evans, motorsport veteran Eddie Jordan and Joey from Friends.

We have no idea what the terms might be at this point, of course. Netflix could become an exclusive streaming partner of sorts, or hold rights in countries where the BBC has exhausted other syndication options. Netflix may even serve as an archive for new Top Gear episodes in the UK once the clock runs out on the 30-day iPlayer catch-up window. But with the BBC planning to launch a subscription streaming service in the US at some point this year, who knows what structure a deal with Netflix might look like.

It’s easy to paint this rumour as Netflix wanting to give Amazon the middle finger. After all, Netflix was said to be interested in Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May for an in-house motoring show after Clarkson’s fist sparked the implosion of Top Gear as we knew it. But it was Amazon that ended up splashing the cash — far too much of it, according to one Netflix exec — to secure the trio for an as-yet unnamed spiritual successor.

We’d be way, way more surprised to hear that Netflix wasn’t having some form of dialogue with the BBC, however, since the two have a long-standing working relationship. You’ll find many a season of pre-punch Top Gear available on the streaming service, for instance, not to mention numerous other examples of content deals the pair have struck. Netflix keeps a beady eye on many high-profile UK shows, in fact, such as Channel 4’s Black Mirror, which is it become a Netflix Original in its third series.

Source: The Guardian

A Super Famicom-themed Nintendo 3DS is headed to Japan

If you were watching the Japan-specific Nintendo Direct yesterday, you would have noticed a little hardware treat for classic console fans. A special edition New 3DS XL is coming to Nintendo’s home turf with a Super Famicom design, complete with classic colors and nostalgic “buttons” on the outer shell. It’ll launch in April for 21,600 yen (about $190) but sadly, there’s no word on a wider international release. Of course, to make the jump to North America, it would need a little splash of SNES purple…

Via: Kotaku

Source: Super Famicom Nintendo 3DS

Explore Google Maps with Link from ‘The Legend of Zelda’

Here’s a little something to brighten up your day — open up Google Maps in the browser and you’ll notice that the yellow Pegman now looks like Link. The fabled Hero of Time is there to celebrate the The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD, which launches today on the Wii U in Europe and North America. He’ll be sticking around for a good five days, which makes sense given the game doesn’t come out in Japan until March 10th. In the meantime, enjoy dragging his little tunic and sword around your hometown. Who knows, maybe there’s a dungeon or two to be found?

【トワプリHD】…マロだ。海外では今日がトワプリの発売日らしいな。その記念に、Googleマップのペグマンがリンクになっているらしいぞ。3月5日の16時59分までは確認できるから、時間があったら見てみろよ。 pic.twitter.com/hFF3gKBVWw

— ゼルダの伝説 (@ZeldaOfficialJP) March 4, 2016

Source: ZeldaOfficialJP (Twitter)

Video App ‘Vimeo’ Gets Design Overhaul, iOS 9 Feature Support

Video network Vimeo has released an update to its iOS app that brings an overhauled interface to improve content discovery and added support for iOS 9 features.

The redesign offers clearer navigation and adds 16 human-curated video content categories for users to explore, including Music, Animation, Documentary and Travel.

The update also takes advantage of devices running iOS 9, with an option added for picture-in-picture viewing and the benefit of Spotlight search integration.

Elsewhere, the uploading process has been modified to help video creators share their content quicker and easier than before, with new options to password-protect videos or hide them from public listings.

The app’s sharing options have also been expanded to bring them in line with Vimeo’s desktop web interface, allowing videos to be shared publicly, with select groups or only with people you follow.

Additionally, videos in the stream view now appear as thumbnails with descriptions instead of taking up the whole screen, while the new player window offers recommendations for what to watch next, as well as a simpler commenting system and a streamlined method of viewing videos offline.

Vimeo is available on the App Store as a free download for iPhone and iPad.
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Amazon Dropped Device Encryption From Fire OS Before Apple-FBI Case

Amazon has removed the ability to encrypt data on its consumer devices in the latest update to its Fire OS operating system.

The change effectively kills local encryption on the company’s range of Fire tablets, Kindle e-readers and streaming media devices, leaving the data on these devices vulnerable to attacks and potentially accessible to thieves if the devices are stolen.

Kindle Fire, Fire Phone, Amazon Fire HD, and Amazon Fire TV Sticks are all affected after users accept the Fire OS 5 update. The Verge reports that Amazon forum members first flagged the encryption removal on February 21, before the change was picked up by Twitter user David Scovetta yesterday.

While Apple fights the good fight, @Amazon removes encryption as option from FireOS 5 | @csoghoian @normative @eff pic.twitter.com/nggBdtFG7j

— David Scovetta (@davidscovetta) March 3, 2016

It’s unclear why Amazon would choose to reduce the security of its devices, but the change is not a new development and was actually a decision made months ago, according to the company.

“In the fall when we released Fire OS 5, we removed some enterprise features that we found customers weren’t using,” an Amazon spokesperson stated to various press outlets. “All Fire tablets’ communication with Amazon’s cloud meet our high standards for privacy and security, including appropriate use of encryption.”

The news comes amid Apple’s high-profile dispute with the FBI over its refusal to comply with a court order compelling the company to create software that would unlock the phone of terror suspect Syed Rizwan Farook.

Dozens of technology companies, industry trade groups, and encryption experts have been submitting documents to support Apple, all catalogued on Apple’s website. Yesterday, Amazon also put its name to an amicus brief in support of the company’s stance.

Tag: Apple-FBI
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Simplehuman Wide-View Sensor Mirror review – CNET

The Good The LEDs in the $400 Simplehuman Wide-View Sensor Mirror adjust to mimic the lighting from any location. It looks nice, too, and did a good job approximating a variety of different white-light color temperatures.

The Bad Not many people need (or want) to customize their makeup based on the lighting in one room. The mirror only magnifies one time, it doesn’t feel particularly durable and the auto-sensing LEDs occasionally shut off when we were using the mirror.

The Bottom Line You definitely don’t need Simplehuman’s pricey Wide-View Sensor Mirror to get ready in the morning, but makeup and tech enthusiasts alike will likely enjoy this quirky smart home product.

Visit manufacturer site for details.

Mirrors don’t typically fall under CNET’s review purview, but the $400 US-only Simplehuman Wide-View Sensor Mirror is special. It comes with Wi-Fi connectivity, a companion Android and iOS app, as well as built-in LEDs that you can customize to suit specific lighting conditions and improve your selfie makeup game (yes, we’re serious). In short, this smart mirror is a big step above a cheap Conair.

The goods news is that the Simplehuman mirror worked pretty well. The lighting from the mirror was pretty accurate in mimicking settings such as daylight and fluorescent light. The app was also simple to use with the mirror. And it doesn’t hurt that this pricey hunk of glass and stainless steel is lovely to look at and clearly well made thanks to its substantial heft.

Unfortunately, beauty comes at a cost. The Simplehuman is rather fragile despite is large size. The three mirrors that make up the trifold design only magnify one time, which makes crafting the perfect cat-eye and other types of up-close makeup applications a challenge. And the mirror’s face-sensing tech that’s supposed to keep the LEDs on while you put on makeup occasionally shut off while we were still using it. And we haven’t even talked about the Simplehuman’s high price: $400.

We can’t recommend the Simplehuman Wide-View Sensor Mirror to the average makeup wearer; it’s just too expensive and doesn’t have nearly enough magnification. But the mirror is still a neat and (mostly) functional product, so it would make a novel addition to your morning routine if you have the cash and a strong understanding of makeup and lighting.

Reflect on this $400 Wi-Fi mirror by Simplehuman…
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Cozying up to Simplehuman’s smart mirror

Why would anyone ever want a smart mirror? You can grab something significantly cheaper than the Simplehuman at pretty much any store that sells personal care products. And the Simplehuman’s basic concept — a lighted, trifold mirror that imitates common lighting environments — is something we’ve seen in lower-tech versions in the bedrooms of our mothers and grandmothers. But this $400 vanity centerpiece offers a lot more than your standard tabletop mirror.

Taking a selfie using the Simplehuman iOS app.

Screenshot by CNET

First, it has three mirror panels so you can see yourself at different angles. It’s also pretty big at 20.3 inches wide by 16.1 inches tall. And its flexible base is made of stainless steel. We’d almost go as far to say that this mirror is beautiful, but then we remember its price and the fact that it only magnifies by one time (making detail work, like applying eyeliner kind of tough).

Don’t just watch BBC’s Robot Wars, fight your own Hexbug Battlebots at home

Robot Wars is no longer confined the the sentimental memories of parents. A new generation of British youngsters will be able to enjoy enjoy the carnage of metal, flywheels and pistons doing battle in a relaunched BBC 2 Robot Wars series coming later this year.

With this in mind, we were more than a little excited to see a new line of Hexbug robots at New York Toy Fair that offered a miniature version of Robot Wars-style battles. The US has a similar show called Battlebots (there seems to be some debate over which came first) and that has spawn licensed toys for the first time.

Hexbugs have long offered innovative robotic toys. Its new Battlebots range applies the company’s savvy tech knowledge to recreating the robots that appeared in the show. Happily, many of these robotic stars crossed the Atlantic in some shape and form, so will be familiar to both UK and US viewers.

READ: Robot Wars returning to the BBC after 12-year absence

The line of toys offers a variety of prices and complexity. There are push-along robots for pocket-money change and pneumatic pump action ‘bots that cost a little more.

The real action is with the infra-red remote controlled robots. These can be driven around an arena with a tiny controller that also triggers their various attacks. Bronko, Tombstone and Witch Doctor featured in our Toy Fair demo but we suspect that other robots will be added to the line shortly. Hypno-Disc is still a favourite of ours from the original run of Robot Wars, so hopefully Hexbug is in touch with the Beeb’s licensing department too.

There is also added novelty with weapons that simulate damage to opponents. Each robot has a range of face-plates that can be knocked off by enemy attacks. Remove them all and you reveal the inner workings of the robot-toys and have effectively won the match.

Seeing them in action you get a feel for how competitive this gets. A testament to Hexbug’s robotic product smarts is that each robot feels balanced in terms of attacks and vulnerability. Children will each have their favourites but along with a killer attack comes a variety of ways to be disabled.

Perhaps the biggest question is how much the toys will cost in the UK and how soon they will make it over here. Surely rebranded Robot Wars versions of the Battlebots toys must be part of the Hexbug plan? Either way these will top Christmas lists for sure.

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HTC’s next flagship may simply be called HTC 10

HTC didn’t reveal a new flagship handset at Mobile World Congress, instead waiting until the closing days of the show before launching its teaser campaign using the moniker “power of 10”.

So far we have had little indication as to what the new handset might be called, but now Evan Blass has ominously tweeted the name HTC 10.

You heard it here first:”HTC 10″

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) March 4, 2016

That name might come as something of a surprise to people. It fits the “power of 10” campaign nicely so it’s easy to make that link and there has been plenty of discussion about HTC not calling the phone the One M10.

We’re pretty sure that the handset has been codenamed HTC Perfume through its development and many of us have fallen into calling it the HTC One M10 simply because it fits a progressive pattern over the past few years.

When HTC launched the HTC One name, then CEO Peter Chow took to the stage to outline that this was the future of HTC. That was back in 2012. The company then launched the One X, One S and One V confusing that message, and it wasn’t until 2013 that the company launched a phone simply called HTC One.

That phone was what we now refer to as the M7 which was never meant to be a go to market name. HTC capitulated slightly with its next flagship, putting M8 in brackets, until in 2015 it launched its phone with the name HTC One M9. There’s the feeling that naming has never really been clear, and shifting to 10 might be a move to correct that. 

Whether HTC is dropping the HTC One branding, or whether this is a move to drop the M naming isn’t yet clear. However, we do know this phone is coming and we’re expecting to hear a lot more over the next few weeks.

READ: HTC One M10/HTC Perfume: What’s the story so far?

US Chamber of Commerce suing Seattle over ridesharing unions

When Seattle approved Uber and Lyft drivers organizing in December, the city did it knowing that the practice was illegal. Independent contractors aren’t allowed to do so under federal law because it basically amounts to price fixing. And now the inevitable has happened: The United States Chamber of Commerce is suing Seattle because the city allowed the on-demand workers to unionize, Reuters reports. It doesn’t sound like Emerald City is going down without a fight, though. Councilman Mike O’Brien says that there are “millions of dollars” in place for what could be a lengthy legal battle.

On the other side of the case, the Chamber of Commerce is worried that if other cities took up Seattle’s mantle and started passing their own measures that subverted federal law, it’d “inhibit the free flow of commerce among private service providers” around the country.

Reuters notes that Seattle’s move toward recognizing employment status of contracted workers prior to the National Labor Relations Board is out of order as well. As of now, the labor body has a handful of cases and will make a comprehensive decision of its own regarding whether freelancers are considered employees or not. Until then? Well, lawyer up, Seattle.

Source: Reuters

Barnes and Noble to close its Nook ebook store in the UK

Barnes and Noble has decided to lay down its arms and stop competing with Amazon for ebook and e-reader sales in the UK. The bookstore operator has announced it will stop selling digital content, including fiction and non-fiction, magazines and videos, from March 15th, passing customers onto Sainsbury’s Entertainment on Demand service instead. Until then, Nook owners can purchase and download any remaining content they wish to keep on their device — either directly through one of Nook’s e-readers, or via the Nook Reading App for iOS and Android.

The option to download purchases and synchronise Nook libraries will disappear on May 31st. At that point, customers will be asked to use the Sainsbury’s app, where the “vast majority” of Nook books are available to download and read. Existing purchases, if they’re in stock, will be instantly redeemable — customers won’t need to purchase them again — and vouchers will be available for titles that aren’t transferable. Sainsbury’s has an Android app for ebooks, so customers with a Nook tablet should be fine. What isn’t clear, however, is how Nook e-readers will be supported.

Barnes and Noble hasn’t said why it’s leaving the UK ebook market. However, we think we can sum it up in a single word — Amazon. The online retailer is the dominant brand for ebooks, with a refined suite of Kindle e-readers and a ruthlessly priced Kindle Store. It’s difficult for anyone to compete now, even juggernaut companies like Sony and Tesco. Apart from Kobo, which is backed by Rakuten, how many Kindle competitors are left? We’re struggling to come up with many names.

Source: Nook (UK)