Vudu movie streaming comes to Apple TV on August 22nd

It’s not just Amazon that’s bringing an arguably overdue video service to the Apple TV in the near future. After a tease in June, Vudu has announced that its streaming movie service will come to Apple’s media box on August 22nd, or weeks ahead of the originally announced fall release. You likely won’t pay for movies directly on the device given Apple policies taking a cut of in-app media sales (we’ve asked Vudu for clarification). Still, this means you can watch your purchased or rented Vudu shows on the Apple TV without resorting to AirPlay on one of your iOS devices.

The addition isn’t completely necessary given that iTunes frequently covers the bases for purchases and rentals. All the same, it’s still closing a conspicuous gap in availability. Vudu has been available on Roku players, smart TVs, Chromecast and other devices for years — the Apple TV is one of the few gadgets that can’t access it. You probably weren’t basing your purchasing decision on Vudu (not by itself, at least), but this might help sway you if you’re determined to have as many choices as possible.

Source: Variety

D&D’s revamped RPG companion site is live

Back in March, Wizards of the Coast announced a new digital toolset for Dungeons & Dragons that would eliminate the agony of paperwork in the pen-and-paper game. Players can still gather around a table and roll their own dice, but the web-based D&D Beyond will handle all their characters’ stats, skills and modifiers to streamline play. Today, the toolset is available for everyone with both free and paid tiers. Time to assemble a party, adventurers.

D&D Beyond is now live! https://t.co/sfffwDarP5 pic.twitter.com/L9qG81DNrE

— D&D Beyond (@DnDBeyond) August 15, 2017

When we peeked into D&D Beyond, we liked what we saw: Finally, you can parse through the game’s Fifth Edition rulebooks and search for particular terms, which is a godsend for anyone who’s gotten lost in the official tomes. The step-by-step character creation process is great for players new and old, especially since you can fold in your own homebrew rules.

Best of all, you can use D&D Beyond without paying a dime — though there are benefits to subscribing. The ad-supported free tier grants most of the service’s features including the full site tools and access to the community forums, though it caps users at a 6-character roster. For $3 per month, the first paid option gives unlimited characters and allows users to load public fan-made content (spells, monsters and the like). The pricier $6 tier is for more serious party-forming players and dungeon masters, granting them bonus official materials.

While it’s currently only on the web, Wizards plans to expand D&D Beyond to mobile apps for an even more manageable experience. While the ultimate goal is to fully transition the game’s manuals and documents to digital platforms like D&D Beyond, they’ll keep printing books so long as the demand exists. After all, there’s nothing like cracking open your heavily-tabbed Monster’s Manual to find the next beast you’ll throw at your unwitting party…

Source: D&D Beyond

Blow stuff up and fight evil as ‘Agents of Mayhem’ on console and PC

In the age of online-only Overwatch, you might think to yourself, ‘I’d love this hero shooter stuff if it was in a single-player campaign.’ You might want a game that had great cartoony art as you blow enemies away. You might want it to be funny and a bit crass — say, written by the studio responsible for the bizarre sandbox series Saints Row. If you checked those boxes, Agents of Mayhem is probably right for you, and it’s available now for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.

Time to cause some Mayhem! Out now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC! pic.twitter.com/tPloAFIeTo

— Agents of Mayhem (@aomthegame) August 15, 2017

Players fill small squads of characters with different skills and unleash them on the minions of an evil mastermind. The game follows through on its cartoony setup with Saturday morning cartoon-esque intros and outros for each mission. We were beyond excited for the game when we saw it at E3 this year and favored it over the similar but less-polished-at-the-time Crackdown 3. We’ll have to wait until November when the latter comes out to truly compare, but Agents is out now — and who likes waiting?

Source: Agents of Mayhem (Twitter)

Facebook and Reddit ban hate groups in wake of Charlottesville

It’s not just domain registrars and game chat services that are cracking down on neo-Nazis in the wake of the racism-fuelled violence in Charlottesville. Facebook and Reddit have both confirmed that they’ve shut down numerous hate groups in the wake of the attacks. Reddit tells CNET that it shut down the /r/Physical_Removal subreddit for content that “incites violence” and thus violates its content policy. Users in the group hoped that people in anti-hate subreddits and at CNN would be killed, supported concentration camps and even wrote poems about killing.

Facebook, meanwhile, banned several hate groups (including Physical Removal), pulled the event page for the Unite the Right march that conducted the violence and removed most links to the (now inaccessible) Daily Stormer article trying to justify the murder of protester Heather Heyer. The only exceptions are those posts condemning the story.

A spokesperson for the social network says it will keep removing Facebook posts which include hate speech, praise violent acts or support hate groups. The site doesn’t ban groups purely for their political views, it says — it’s when they promote violence that they cross the line.

These moves won’t stop neo-Nazis and other racist groups from organizing or promoting violence, but it may push them to harder-to-find corners of the internet. Daily Stormer, for example, moved to a Dark Web site after GoDaddy and Google dropped their domain registrations. That’s a mixed bag for the anti-hate camp. While it reduces public exposure to their ideologies, it also hides their discussions; they may plan protests and attacks in secret where before they’d operate in a relatively open place. The Facebook and Reddit bans aren’t necessarily guaranteed to produce a similar effect, but it won’t be surprising if history repeats itself.

Source: CNET

Apple Adds to Video Team With Hire of Former WGN America Head

Former president and general manager of WGN America and Tribune Studios Matt Cherniss has jointed Apple to help oversee the development of the company’s worldwide video unit, reports Variety.

Cherniss will serve under Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg, two former Sony executives who joined Apple earlier this year to lead Apple’s video programming efforts on a worldwide scale. Erlicht and Amburg report to senior vice president of internet software and services Eddy Cue.

Back in June, Cherniss stepped down from his role as president at WGN America and Tribune Studios after Tribune was acquired by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Cherniss led WGN’s own push into original content and away from re-runs, overseeing the launch of shows like “Salem,” “Outsiders,” “Underground,” and “Manhattan,” so he’s well-positioned to help Apple make a deeper dive into original programming.

With the addition of Cherniss, Apple has a solid team, as its former two hires, Erlicht and Amburg, helped produce shows like “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” and “The Crown.”

Over the course of the last several months, Apple has been experimenting with original content as a way to promote its Apple Music service. The company has launched two shows so far, including “Planet of the Apps,” a series about app developers pitching ideas to investors, and “Carpool Karaoke,” a music-based show developed from the Carpool Karaoke segment on “The Late Late Show with James Corden.”

Apple is said to have bigger ambitions when it comes to original content, though, with rumors suggesting the company is pursuing deals with “triple-A-list” talent to create a roster of shows on par with Netflix and Amazon.
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Facebook Bringing Design Improvements to News Feed for Better Navigation and Conversation

Facebook today announced plans to make several changes to the Facebook News Feed with the intent of making it “more conversational and easier to read and navigate.”

The “look and feel” of News Feed is being refreshed with improved color contrast to make typography more legible, larger link previews to make it easier to read links, circular profile pictures, and updated icons and Like, Comment, and Share buttons that are meant to be easier to tap.

To improve conversations, Facebook plans to implement a chat bubble-style comment design, which the company says is aimed at making it easier to see which comments are direct replies to another person.

Facebook plans to simplify navigation with the following features:

– See where a link will take you before clicking on it
– See whose post you’re commenting on, reacting to, or reading while you’re in the post
– Return to News Feed once you’ve finished reading via a more prominent back button

Facebook says the design changes will be available users “over the coming weeks.”

Facebook is also starting to roll out several new camera features that have been in testing over the course of the summer, including the ability to create GIFs that can be shared on the social network and a new feature for starting a live stream from the camera interface.

Tag: Facebook
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FrontRow is the latest wearable livestreaming camera

The latest wearable camera to hit the market comes from mesh WiFi product maker Ubiquiti Networks. The FrontRow camera is a small device that can be worn on a lanyard around the neck or clipped on and it can snap photographs and livestream video.

FrontRow has a touchscreen display and because it’s Android based, it can run a number of apps, including native ones like a compass or third-party apps like Spotify. On standby mode, the device can last for 50 hours and it can record or livestream for around two hours before needing to recharge. FrontRow also has a story mode that snaps pictures every few seconds and compiles them into a time-lapse video. It can run on story mode for up to 16 hours.

There are two cameras on the device. The main camera is 8-megapixels with a 148 degree field of view and 1080p resolution. The second camera has the same resolution, a smaller field of view and is 5-megapixels.

FrontRow also comes with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. It allows you to livestream through YouTube, Twitter or Facebook and you can upload photographs and videos to your phone via BlueTooth or WiFi through the FrontRow mobile app.

FrontRow is obviously not the first product of this type. Other iterations include the Beoncam, Narrative Clip, and of course Snapchat’s Spectacles. And while this device does offer pretty decent specs, apparent ease of use and non-intrusive design, it also comes with a pretty hefty price tag, at least in comparison to similar devices on the market. FrontRow will set you back $399, but if you’re willing to shell that out, you can order the jet black version from Amazon now. The rose shade is coming soon.

Via: CNET

Source: FrontRow

360 dash cam reveals what’s happening around your car — even when it’s empty

Why it matters to you

Thanks to 360-degree filming and a 4G connection, this Kickstarter dash cam will keep you aware of what’s happening in and around your car at all times.

Waylens, a maker of smart dash cams, is back with a follow-up to its previous-generation product, the Horizon — and this time it’s setting its sights a little wider. Literally. Called the Secure360, the new dash cam can shoot 360-degree video and photos so you can keep an eye on exactly what’s happening around your car at all times.

Usefully, this also includes those moments when you’re not in the vehicle, with the ability to 4G livestream what’s happening straight to your phone. This feature can be accessed on-demand at any time, or will alert you if something strange is detected, courtesy of the device’s smart sensors. These include a combination of radar, 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyro and GPS, which are capable of operating when your car is turned off for up to 360 hours — with the aid of an external battery pack.

“The Secure360 concept and design began years ago when we were conceptualizing our first product, the Horizon performance camera for auto enthusiasts,” Waylens CEO Haowei Zhang told Digital Trends. “As imaging and computer vision experts, we realized we were uniquely positioned to address safety and security issues that all drivers face and to do so with beautiful and thoughtful design.”

Zhang describes the ideal Secure360 customer as, “any vehicle owner who wants to protect their cars, themselves, and their loved ones from threats and misinformation.”

“Accidents, accident litigation, thefts, vandalism, and vehicle safety issues are so common that we really think of the Secure360 as a product for every driver,” Zhang said. “Of course, the Secure360 is also a perfect security partner for Uber and Lyft drivers and others who use their vehicles to earn a living.”

If you’re in the market for a Secure360, you can currently pre-order one on Kickstarter, where a super early bird 4G model will set you back $249 — including mount, power cord, app, and six months of service. If you’re not so bothered about the “always on” connectivity, and just want the camera, you can buy a stripped-down, camera-only version for $199. Shipping is set to take place in December for the basic version, and March 2018 for the full product.

For more of the best dash cams currently available, check out our list here.

Corel video editor Pinnacle Studio 21 wields new tools, updated UI

Why it matters to you

Video editors have access to new creative tools, and at faster speeds, with Corel’s August update to the flagship program.

Corel’s flagship video editor is getting a new look and new tools. Today, August 15, Corel announced Pinnacle Studio 21 with an enhanced user interface and new effects. The software is an update to the company’s most advanced video editor, designed with a mix of advanced features and a simple interface.

The updated user interface, Corel says, allows editors to work faster with quick access to tools inside an intuitive interface. The program’s detachable panes allow editors to customize the workspace while the update also includes more control over editing parameters.

The latest version also adds a tool to correct for distortion from wide-angle lenses, as well as an option for straightening the horizon. The feature, Corel says, makes it easy to blend wide-angle shots into the rest of the footage shot from standard lenses.

Swapping between shots also uncovers another new feature — morph transitions. The new effect, for transitioning from one shot to another, allows video editors to create custom looks by morphing between two scenes.

The artistic transformations popular in mobile apps like Prisma are also coming to the latest edition of Pinnacle Studio. The new option allows video editors to drag and drop stylized effects onto the footage, including cartoon and watercolor options.

“With a smarter and beautifully redesigned UI, Pinnacle Studio 21 Ultimate offers a unique video editing environment where professional-inspired tools don’t need to be complicated or hard to learn,” said Michel Yavercovski, the senior director of product management for Pinnacle. “If you’re looking for a more powerful video editor where you can grow your skills, Pinnacle Studio takes you closer to pro, without the expense or complications. And if you’re already familiar with the Pinnacle Studio environment, you’ll be blown away by the speed, simplicity, and control of your new workflow.”

3D text and titles are also a new option inside the program, along with expanded effects from NewBlueFX, which include 100 different preset options.

The new features join Pinnacle Studio’s list of pro-grade features, 360 editing, added in the previous update, 4K compatibility, split screen, and multi-camera editing.

Pinnacle Studio 21 starts at $60, with the Plus version for $100 and the Ultimate for $130. Users of older versions of the software also get a discount when upgrading. The updated desktop software joins the mobile Pinnacle Studio for iOS.

How to reset a Kindle Fire, and how to backup your data

Maybe you’re selling or giving away a Kindle Fire. Maybe a kid or well-intentioned friend messed up your Kindle’s settings, or perhaps your Amazon account was recently compromised. Whatever the reason you need to know how to reset a Kindle Fire, it’s easier to do than you might think.

Backing up and wiping a Kindle Fire isn’t for the faint of heart, though. A factory reset will delete everything you’ve downloaded to the device, including books, movies, TV shows, apps, and games. The good news is that all your purchases are synced to Amazon’s servers, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing items twice. But if you don’t make a copy of your data before you begin, you could lose that content.

Thankfully, it’s not impossible to safely reset a Kindle Fire — you just have to do it smartly. Here’s how, including all the precautionary steps you should take before wiping it permanently.

How to back up your account data

By default, the Kindle Fire backs up your personal settings, notes, search history, communications, call history, any bookmarks you’ve saved in Amazon’s Silk Browser, and your home screen and app layout. Any music, movie, TV shows, apps, and books you’ve purchased are automatically synced to your Amazon account, and can be viewed from the Kindle Fire’s Cloud tab.

Before you do anything, make sure your Kindle Fire is up to date. Afterward, check to see if it’s backing up your account data:

• Swipe down from the top of the Kindle Fire’s screen and tap Settings.
• Tap Device Options, followed by Backup & Restore.
• Toggle the Device Backup option by turning the switch on.

Now, once daily, when your Kindle Fire is asleep and connected to Wi-Fi, it’ll back up your account data to Amazon’s remote servers. You can also start the backup manually by tapping Back Up Now. Amazon says backup data is saved for at least a year, but warns that if you turn off the automatic backup feature by tapping the Disable Backup button, any data currently associated with your device will be deleted.

How to back up Kindle Fire files, photos, and videos

The automatic backup feature doesn’t copy photos, videos, and documents you’ve saved to your Kindle Fire, but it can be done. Amazon suggests using Amazon Drive — the company’s cloud-based storage solution — to do so, so that’s what we’ll be using in our tutorial.

Every Kindle Fire gets 5GB of free storage, but Amazon Prime members have the added benefit of unlimited photo storage. If that’s not enough to fit the files you’ve accumulated over the years, you can upgrade your storage plan from the Manage Storage page in Amazon Drive. Premium tiers start at $12 a year and net you 100GB.

Here’s how to make sure Amazon Drive is up to date with your latest photos, videos, and files:

• Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap Settings.
• Tap Sync and Check For New Items.

If you’re not an existing Amazon Drive customer, you’ll have to register your Kindle Fire with your Amazon account. Follow these steps to do so:

• From Home, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap Settings.
• Tap My Account.
• Tap Register.
• If you already have an Amazon account, enter your Amazon account information, and tap Continue.
• If you don’t have an Amazon account, tap Start Here and follow the on-screen instructions to set up a new account.

With Amazon Drive enabled, you’re ready to start backing up photos and videos.

• Tap Settings.
• Tap Apps & Games.
• Tap Amazon Applications Settings.
• Tap Photos. From here, you can upload videos, photos, or both, and choose whether or not to back up files when your Kindle Fire is charging.
• Alternatively, tap Auto-Save, which will automatically back up new photos and videos.

How to reset a Kindle Fire

Now that you’ve backed up your account settings, files, and preferences to the cloud, you’re ready begin the reset process.

Keep in mind that even though you’ve backed up most of your data and files, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to restore everything. Amazon warns that individual app settings, game progress, in-app items, account passwords, and side-loaded content might be lost during the restoration process. That being the case, don’t factory reset your tablet unless you’re willing to risk losing a few things.

Here’s how to reset a Kindle Fire:

• Swipe down from the top of the screen and tap Settings.
• Tap Device Options, and then tap Reset to Factory Defaults.
• Tap Reset to confirm.

Still having trouble with your Amazon device? We’ve put together a piece outlining some of the bigger Kindle Fire problems, along with a few potential solutions. You should also check out our Amazon Fire tablet tips for ideas on how to get more from your tablet.