Netflix picks ‘Stranger Things’ scene for first 360-degree video

Netflix has shown an interest in creating virtual reality content, from releasing a dedicated VR app that creates a screen inside a virtual environment, to experimenting with a virtual video store. Now, Netflix has released its first 360-degree YouTube video that’s compatible with 360 VR viewers, like Google Cardboard, the company confirmed to TechCrunch. The clip, which lasts under two minutes, is a recreated scene from Netflix’s latest hit, Stranger Things.

The show has quickly become a fan favorite since it was released in July, and its spooky atmosphere lends itself well to VR. The eight-episode series is a love letter to supernatural 1980s classics, with inspiration from films like Poltergeist, The Shining, and E.T. Minor spoilers ahead.

Stranger Things follows the story of a young boy, Will Byers, who mysteriously vanishes due to supernatural forces, and his friends’ and family’s attempts to find and save him. The scene in question is when Will’s mother Joyce, played by Winona Ryder, finds an unusual way to communicate with her son using Christmas lights in her house.

While Joyce is trying to figure out what Will’s saying, a monster appears out of nowhere and begins chasing Joyce. That’s where the 360 video begins, allowing you to fully look around the dimly lit living room and hallway while keeping an eye out for a deadly creature.

A 360 video is an interesting way to promote a series like Stranger Things, as it allows people who’ve yet to watch the show feel like an active participant in its eerie world, enticing them to further check out what else it has to offer. It’s a well-executed video, and is a sign that Netflix is interested in VR storytelling moving forward.

Source: TechCrunch

‘Brand New Subway’ game lets you redesign NYC transportation

Despite the robustness of New York City’s famous subway system, every rider will lose their patience at some point or another. High fares! Inconveniently distant stops! Irregular schedules! Good news, grumbling commuters: now you can redesign the city’s public transportation with the Brand New Subway game.

As expected, the game is a balancing act: every extension ups the fare cost while taking a variety of data (census, jobs, and existing demand) into account to determine how many commuters would benefit. Ridership and single-use Metrocard cost are evaluated and earn you a letter grade from A to F based on how useful and efficient your fantasy subway network would be. Hard as it might be to accept, the existing MTA setup earns a solid ‘B’ rating.

Brand New Subway lets you start from scratch to build your own fantasy map or load up several premade layouts from today or years past. While it’s fun to see just how easy it would be to plop a new station right in front of your apartment, keep in mind how quickly that convenience ratchets up cost the next time you grumble about a MetroCard single-ride fare hike. Lest you despair about the actual increases coming in the next few years, the game helpfully gives you a look at how the subway system will look in 2025 with the 2nd Avenue line and Astoria-to-Sunset-Park BQX Connector included — and bumps up the MTA’s grade to ‘A.’

Brand New Subway was created to enter The Power Broker contest, a competition for designers to make games adapting the themes of the book, a biography of the famed and powerful NYC urban planner Robert Moses. While he notoriously preferred car parkways to public transportation, players can experience the authority and necessary compromise that comes with controlling the lives of millions of commuters.

Via: FastCo Design

Source: Brand New Subway

iPhone 7 Display Features Dual Sensor Cutouts and Longer, Wider Earpiece

With the launch of the iPhone 7 fast approaching, images of device components are leaking out at a rapid pace. This morning, we saw what appeared to be a functional iPhone 7 model running Apple’s SwitchBoard prototyping software, and now an image depicting what’s said to be the front panel of the iPhone 7 has surfaced on Weibo.

The panel looks distinctly different than the front panel of the iPhone 6s, with a longer and wider earpiece that’s closer in proximity to the camera cutout and two sensor cutouts towards the top of the device. Also included is a home button cutout at the bottom of the panel.

Curiously, the alleged front panel does not look like the front panel that was seen in the photos and video of the fully assembled and functional iPhone 7 that was leaked this morning, but it is in line with past rumors about the iPhone 7.

Back in June, Japanese site Mac Otakara said the iPhone 7 would feature a redesigned front panel with a longer earpiece cutout and dual proximity sensors. That rumor and the front panel image both conflict with the full device images, so either the front panel is fake or the full device images are fake.

Conflicting rumors have been surfacing about the iPhone 7 for months, making it difficult to suss out concrete details about the device. On top of that, many leaked dummy models said to be based on iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus specifications have been floating around, and not all of them are the same.

As we get closer to the launch of the iPhone 7, we’ll undoubtedly see additional parts that will allow us to get a clearer picture of what to expect, but right now, there are a few features that are up in the air.

While some details are still murky, there are rumors that have surfaced time and time again, allowing us to reliably predict some iPhone 7 changes. The device is expected to include a slightly redesigned body with relocated antenna bands, no headphone jack, camera changes (larger camera in the iPhone 7 and dual cameras in the iPhone 7 Plus), and an improved A10 processor.

Related Roundup: iPhone 7
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Revamped Apple Store iOS App With ‘For You’ Recommendations Now Live

As expected, Apple has just released its revamped Apple Store iOS app, bringing along a new “Discover” tab that takes into account each user’s previous purchases so it can curate content from the company’s online storefront in order to recommend what to buy next. The update for the Apple Store app introduces a universal functionality for both iPhone and iPad devices as well, along with a redesigned interface.

The newly redesigned Apple Store app is a more personal way to shop for the latest Apple products and accessories. Get recommendations based on the Apple products you already own. Find out which accessories are compatible with your devices. Easily upgrade to a new iPhone from your current one. Keep track of your orders wherever you go. And reserve a spot in an upcoming workshop or event.

Word of the revamped app surfaced last week, with Apple seeking to leverage the success and user feedback from similar “For You” sections in its other services, like Apple Music and Apple News. Based on your previous activity, the Apple Store app will automatically go to work in putting forth purchase suggestions when users begin placing orders in the store.

– Get recommendations and shop for new products based on what works with the Apple devices you already own.
– Manage your Apple account at a glance with the updated, easy-to-use Account tab.
– Learn about helpful workshops and exciting events happening at your nearest Apple Store.
– Stay on top of your in-store activities. Find out when your order is ready for pickup and see what time your reservation starts.
– Scan a product at a participating Apple Store to get more information, make sure it’s compatible, and buy it from your iPhone.
– Find out if a product you’ve added to Favorites is available when you visit a participating store.

You can download the new update for the Apple Store app from the iOS App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Tag: Apple Store
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Apple Working on Digital Television Guide for Apple TV

Apple is working with television content providers and video companies to create a universal digital TV guide for the Apple TV and iOS devices, reports Recode.

Apple’s goal is to help users discover all of the different television channels that are available through dedicated apps from companies like HBO, Netflix, and ESPN without the need to open up each app. The digital TV guide would also include a feature allowing users to play TV shows and movies with one click.

Last year, after Apple shelved its plans for a streaming television service, it shifted its strategy to the tvOS App Store, positioning it as a way for content providers to share their own content on Apple’s platform. Apple CEO Tim Cook has said in the past that he believes the future of TV is apps.

Industry sources say Apple’s plans are an outgrowth of the TV service it wanted to launch last year. The difference is that in 2015, Apple wanted to sell TV programming directly to consumers, and provide them with a new interface that would make it easy find the stuff they paid for.

Now Apple is just working on the interface. It is letting programmers, distributors and customers work out the money part among themselves.

According to Recode, the single sign-on feature that’s bundled into tvOS 10 is the first part of Apple’s TV guide plan. Single sign-on will allow customers with a cable subscription to sign into the Apple TV once and access all of the apps that are available through cable authentication.

Apple already has access to information about the television content within apps to power Siri’s Apple TV search features, but the company is said to be speaking with content providers about additional metadata for its full guide.

It’s not clear what an Apple TV guide might look like, but it could perhaps work similarly to the App Store, with editor-based show recommendations, custom “For You” recommendations based on watched shows, lists of popular television shows, and more, making it easier for customers to discover new television content.

There is no word on when an Apple-designed television guide could be added to the Apple TV and iOS devices, but TV execs that spoke to Recode expressed some hesitation about the idea because it would eliminate their ability to draw customers to their own guides and channel promotion efforts.

Related Roundups: Apple TV, tvOS 10
Tag: recode.net
Buyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Neutral)
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What color Galaxy Note 7 should you get: Black, blue coral, silver or gold?

Things to consider when choosing a Galaxy Note 7 color to buy.

Since moving to a new metal-and-glass design with its modern phones, Samsung has done some very interesting things with colors. For the Galaxy Note 7, we’re looking at four different color schemes, with each one having its own draws. While we know that a large portion of the decision of what color to get is simply personal preference about style, we wanted to give you a few tips and things to consider when making your decision. Let’s discuss.

Who should get the black Galaxy Note 7?

We’re going to start with the black Galaxy Note 7, because that’s probably the default choice for most people when they walk in the store. The black color is far more understated than the previous bluish-black color on the Galaxy Note 5, and while the back is reflective due to its glass it doesn’t have any sort of pattern or reflectivity in the color underneath. You’ll still see swirls and light come off of the glass — particularly in the curves — but they won’t be so distracting. The lower reflectivity helps it hide fingerprint smudges and small scratches as well, which is always a plus.

Black is going to be the default choice for many

In terms of distractions (or lack thereof), the black model is the best of the bunch. The bezels around the screen are small, but having them be a dark color means your eyes will focus on the content on the screen. The metal is also a matte black that isn’t reflective and melds nicely into the black underneath the glass. Together with the curved edges on the sides, the black Note 7 barely looks like it has side bezels at all, which is an awesome visual effect. The black top and bottom bezels also are less reflective when viewing the screen outdoors, and the top bezel better hides the sensors and cameras — of which there are two extra with the new iris scanner.

So who’s the black model for? Those who want a sleek, understated look that won’t be reflective or flashy, and are worried about having a front that could possibly produce extra glare and distraction around the screen. It’s a great color, and a great choice for many. It may feel a little boring at times, but you can always dress it up with a bright case if you’re feeling like you need a change of scenery.

Who should get the blue coral Galaxy Note 7?

Blue coral is going to be the most polarizing color for people to choose. It’s certainly the most unique of the four, and you can see that immediately as Samsung is using the blue coral color in tons of its marketing materials and videos. It stands out, and it’s for people who want to stand out as well — not just from other Galaxy Notes, but from every phone out there.

The blue coral Note 7 looks different from every angle

Few areas had access to the “blue topaz” Galaxy S6 in 2015, so if you lusted after that model, this is going to be the one for you. It has a hyper-reflective bright blue sheen that changes tones a lot in changing lighting situations, ranging from a deeper blue indoors to a super-bright blue outside. This helps your phone sit separate from the crowd, but it also turns into a bit of a distraction concern on the front of the phone. The slabs of bright blue above and below the screen reflecting light into your eyes on the to makes the phone a bit harder to use. Aesthetically it also reveals the bezels on the side of the phone and the sensors above the screen.

Then you have the metal band around the outside, which isn’t the standard grey color but is a matte coral color that itself changes tones depending which way you see it and what the lighting is like. It can range from a deep pink up to a bright champagne-like color, which of course creates a crazy effect with the also-changing blue of the rest of the phone. The blue coral Note 7 is practically a different phone depending on the angle you see it from.

Despite worries about distraction from the front of the phone and the interesting color-changing properties, some people will immediately gravitate to it because it’s so removed from the other colors and any other phone out there. If that’s your style, you should rock it. If it doesn’t immediately speak to you, it probably won’t grow on you over time — you should consider something else.

Who should get the silver Galaxy Note 7?

The silver (or platinum) Galaxy Note 7 is the exact same as we’ve seen with the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, though it differs a bit from the more matte-looking silver on the Galaxy S6. This color isn’t really silver or platinum as much as it’s basically just a mirror with an additional layer of glass on top of it, and as you’d expect that brings several things into consideration.

The silver model is basically just a mirror with an additional layer of glass on top of it

The silver color is extremely reflective, primarily reflecting the colors of surfaces around you. So if you’re wearing a red shirt, your phone will take on a red hue when you’re holding it in your hand. It’ll pull in colors from all around, and that means it’ll always have an interesting look — and unlike the blue coral color, there’s really no “base” color to start with … it really is a blank canvas that changes everywhere you go. That means you’ll have to be ready to deal with all of the same distractions we highlighted on the blue coral color, but to an even greater extent — it’s tougher to look at the screen in daylight, it is nearly impossible to keep clear of fingerprint smudges, and the smallest scratches are visible.

Because of those latter two issues, this is probably a phone that’s well-suited to a case, even if it’s a clear model that still shows off the bright color while cutting down on the reflectivity and smudges. The phone is unique in that it looks fantastic when in its pristine condition before you’ve used it, but the silver Note 7 isn’t likely to age quite as well as the black or even the blue coral colors.

Who should get the gold Galaxy Note 7?

Gold phones are all the rage nowadays, but Samsung does its color differently from the metal models from other companies. But right off the top, the gold Galaxy Note 7 isn’t coming to the U.S., so that cuts out a large potential audience. Considering how similar the gold color is to silver it’s not worth importing an international device just for the color. But if you’re buying outside the U.S., the gold model is back in the conversation.

Gold is often indistinguishable from silver, but is thankfully a bit less reflective

That being said, it’s just as ostentatious as the silver model, but settles in between silver and blue coral in terms of color changing. Because there’s some base color there you always have a hint of soft gold to the phone, and the lighting around makes more of a difference in what color it looks like than the actual surroundings. It can look like a deeper gold color, or in bright light is just about indistinguishable from the silver model.

The gold model still shows off fingerprints extremely easily, and while slightly better than silver in this respect it’s still tough to keep clean over time. Scratches will also show up more than on the black or blue models, of course, so this is once again probably a candidate for a case of some sort — if only to protect that pristine look for as long as possible.

But if you’re willing to baby it and want to have some extra style, it’s a good choice for those outside of the U.S. who can’t bring themselves to try a crazy color like blue coral but also don’t want to keep it simple with black.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
• The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
• Here are all four Note 7 colors
• Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
• The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
• Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!

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Welcome back to Europe, Galaxy Note ♥

Congrats, Euros. You’re allowed to buy the Samsung Galaxy Note this year.

A little under a year ago, there was a nasty surprise for anyone in Europe wanting to buy a Samsung Galaxy Note 5. Other territories would get to choose between the GS6 edge+ and Note 5, but in Europe Samsung had made that choice for you. But forget all that — the Galaxy Note brand is back with a vengeance, and the latest Note 7 will land on European shores in early September.

So how did we get here? After four years of what had been a very European series of phone launches, with launch events at the Berlin-based IFA show, the Note 5 was replaced with its stylus-free sibling, the Galaxy S6 edge+.

Samsung’s decision, which pretty much nobody outside the company thought was a good idea, apparently came after market research revealed that European buyers didn’t use the S Pen much. The S6 edge+, it was surely hoped, would ride coattails of the successful S6 edge with its space-age curved screen.

Nobody thought excluding the Galaxy Note 5 from Europe was a good idea.

Privately, mobile operator sources admitted they’d have quite liked to carry the Note 5, but Samsung wasn’t budging. And of course legions of hardcore Note fans — some of Samsung’s most enthusiastic customers — weren’t happy either. One retailer even started up a petition in an attempt to show that there were consumers ready to hand Samsung their money.

Nevertheless, the Galaxy S6 edge+ was — and still is — a great phone. Only without that defining feature, the S Pen. Buyers in Europe rightly felt like they were being denied the latest in a popular series of phones for reasons that were both weird and unnecessary.

As we wrote at the time:

Samsung seriously underestimates the value of the Galaxy Note as a global brand, to say nothing of its importance to some of its most loyal (and vocal, and influential) customers. To simply jettison it in this way is a terrible idea for a number of really obvious reasons. For one, online and social media will make a bunch of people aware of a much-anticipated product — the latest in a long-running and popular series — that they’re not allowed to buy, and not all of them will decide to settle for the Samsung-approved alternative.

As much as consumers in different regions have differing needs, the success of the Note line has, perhaps surprisingly, been universal. Despite its quirkiness, it’s a series with undeniable global appeal. Samsung has a popular product that millions of people want to buy, if only it’d let them.

Android Central understands that Samsung briefly mulled a limited European launch for the Note 5 in late January 2016 before once again pulling the plug — perhaps a wise move given that the S7 would land less than two months later.

How will a year in the wilderness affect the Note’s brand value?

At the Note 7 event in London this week, Samsung seemed to acknowledge that the decision to skip the Note 5 launch had been a mistake. “At Samsung we listen to our customers. We disappointed our Note fans by not bringing [the Note 5] to Europe,” Samsung Europe CMO David Lowes told journalists. Lowes also praised the efforts of fans to drum up support for the Note in Europe, saying that one petition had amassed 10,000 signatures.

So the Note 7 will triumphantly arrive in Europe on Sept. 2 — a few weeks after the U.S. launch, but better late than never. Does that disprove the oft-quoted line that Europeans weren’t using the S Pen? That’s debatable. A more conciliatory interpretation would be that Samsung’s combining the best of last year’s S6 edge+ and Note 5 into a single handset.

That said, it’ll be interesting to see how a year in the wilderness affects the Note’s brand value on the continent. Sure, there are still plenty of Note 4s out there, and owners of that device will be getting a huge, significant upgrade in the Note 7. But it’s been a long time since the brand took center stage for Samsung in Europe, and that period of absence could dent its prospects against Apple’s upcoming iPhone 7.

Personally, the Note 5 is the only one of the series I’ve yet to use for any length of time — and so I’m looking forward to reacquainting myself with a line of phones that’s rooted in high-performance, big-screen, enthusiast-driven hardware. Will European buyers at large return to the Note brand so easily? We’ll have to wait and see.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
• The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
• Here are all four Note 7 colors
• Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
• The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
• Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!

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T-Mobile
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