‘Drive’ director debuts free streaming service for forgotten movies

Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that Drive and Neon Demon director Nicholas Winding Refn has an astute eye for style in his movies. He’s taking that and launching his own streaming service, dubbed “byNWR.” It’s different from Netflix in that its offerings will be tightly curated by Refn and others. Oh, and it’ll be free. The service describes itself as “an unadulterated expressway for the arts,” and beta sign-ups are live right now.

Per Indiewire, the website further states that “byNWR shares Nicholas WInding Refn’s passion for the rare, the forgotten and the unknown, breathing new life into the culturally intriguing and influential.” Each month will feature a different restored movie (thanks in part to Harvard Film Archive) that fits into a theme that’ll change every quarter. When it launches next February the theme will be “Regional Renegades: Exploitation Gems from the Southern USA,” and the second will be “Restored and Rediscovered Classics of American Independent Cinema.”

Vodzilla elaborates that the website will also offer essays, music and photos in addition to streaming video. Sounds a bit like what Apple wanted to do with Music at first. Want to watch the movies somewhere other than your computer? Apparently there will also be screenings for the restored films as well at select theaters across the globe.

byNWR is one of the more niche streaming services we’ve come across, but if you’re a fan of obscure movies from Hollywood’s past, it might be your best place to watch them — all it’s missing is an app.

Via: Vodzilla

Source: byNWR

Hulu’s VR content is now available on Windows Mixed Reality headsets

With its latest OS update, Microsoft has officially begun to support VR headsets from companies like Lenovo, Acer and Dell and today, Hulu announced its VR content will now be available across the lineup of Windows Mixed Reality headsets. The company has also added its VR app to the Microsoft Store.

Along with this announcement, Hulu also revealed that with Microsoft, it has developed two new VR projects — The Driver, which follows NASCAR driver Jeffrey Earnhardt and lets viewers experience what it’s like to be on a racetrack, and A Curious Mind, a pop science show hosted by Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings, Lost) that explores our planet. For the next 30 days, both The Driver and A Curious Mind will be available exclusively to Microsoft Mixed Reality headset users. Afterwards, they’ll become available on Hulu’s other supported platforms including Gear VR, PSVR, Daydream and Rift.

The Hulu VR app is available for free and users can access over 85 pieces of VR content. For those with a Hulu subscription, they can also view the streaming service’s entire 2D library in immersive 3D environments. You can watch trailers for The Driver and A Curious Mind below.

Source: Hulu

UK collected social media data as part of its mass surveillance

It’s no secret that the UK has been engaging in mass surveillance over the past few years. Since Edward Snowden’s leaks revealed the extent of their program, the UK’s security and intelligence organization GCHQ has been under fire for possible violation of privacy laws, as well as the possibility that too much data had compromised the organization’s ability to analyze it fully. Now, Privacy International, a privacy rights group, claims to have documents that show that GCHQ has been collecting social media information on millions of people.

GCHQ, which stands for Government Communications Headquarters, has been collecting this information over years, even decades, and sharing these databases with foreign intelligence and law enforcement services. Their oversight body, the Investigatory Powers Commissioner, has been out of the loop in regard to this practice. GCHQ reportedly obtained the data through access to private companies’ databases. It’s unclear what information has been collected and what it’s being used for, but it is sorted into “biographical data,” “financial activities,” “travel” and more.

The documents stemmed from the organization’s overall challenge at how the UK government is using its investigatory powers to gather mass surveillance data. In this case, Privacy International’s specific issue concerns the role of private contractors. These third-party contractors have administrator access to the data, and there are currently no safeguards in place to prevent them from misusing it.

“The intelligence agencies’ practices in relation to bulk data were previously found to be unlawful,” says Millie Graham Wood, a solicitor at Privacy International. “After three years of litigation, just before the court hearing we learn not only are safeguards for sharing our sensitive data non-existent, but the government has databases with our social media information and is potentially sharing access to this information with foreign governments.” It’s understanding why this information is concerning — oversight is necessary when it comes to intelligence operations. Hopefully Privacy International’s case has some positive results.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Privacy International

Facebook snags a Kerry Washington-produced drama

Facebook continues to add to its slate of original content and the latest show to join the lineup is a Kerry Washington-produced drama called Five Points, Variety reports. The show follows high school students living on the South Side of Chicago and covers the fallout of a life-changing event from five different points of view.

Facebook debuted its Watch tab, which hosts all of the site’s video content, nationwide last month. On it viewers can catch original shows like Ball in the Family (which was just renewed for a second season) and Mike Rowe’s Returning the Favor, a Humans of New York docuseries, sports content like MLB games, a handful of NFL-focused shows and a Marshawn Lynch reality show as well as Mitú’s Latino-geared shows Mom’s Movie Reviews and What’s Good in Your Hood. Facebook is reportedly willing to spend up to $1 billion on new video content next year.

Five Points will be written by Adam Giaudrone and directed by Rodrigo Garcia. The cast of the 10-episode series currently includes Hayley Kiyoko (CSI: Cyber) and Madison Pettis (Cory in the House).

Source: Variety

Dropbox Launches New ‘Dropbox Professional’ Account Option for Freelancers

Dropbox today introduced a new account option called Dropbox Professional, aimed at individuals who need more storage and features than are available with a standard Plus account, but don’t need a business account.

Priced at $19.99 per month, Dropbox Professional offers 1TB of storage and it includes a new feature called Dropbox Showcase.

Dropbox Showcase allows for Dropbox content to be organized into a PDF with a customized layout, visual previews, captions, and personalized branding, turning it into a portfolio of sorts.

Along with Dropbox Showcase and 1TB of storage, the new tier includes OCR and Smart Sync, a feature previously limited to Dropbox Business users. Smart Sync allows users to customize where files and folders are stored, with options for storing locally, in the cloud, or both.

With OCR or optical character recognition, Dropbox can understand the text in scanned documents, allowing for them to be searchable. The final feature available in Dropbox Showcase is an option to cause a document to remotely expire.

The introduction of Dropbox Professional comes two weeks after Dropbox introduced its revamped brand design that focuses on bright, contrasting colors, and introduces new fonts and logos to its products.

Dropbox users can sign up for Dropbox Professional starting today.

Tag: Dropbox
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Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes Apple apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest iOS app deals available from the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

iBlockify

iBlockify is a content blocker for Safari that filters and blocks ads, analytics, and social tracking with constant updates to other blocking options.

Available on:

iOS

Easy Calendar

Experience the ease of use of a weekly calendar in the palm of your hand! Designed around frequent tasks, Easy Calendar lets you create and edit events with just a few taps.

Available on:

iOS

VisuCaller

VisuCaller scans and calls printed phone numbers. It can also scan contact information which can be saved to your device’s contacts or an app list. Simply move the viewfinder over information and once scanned it appears in the list.

Available on:

iOS

White Noise

Do you have trouble sleeping at night? Do you want to relax your body and soul with peaceful background sounds? With this app, you may have better luck sleeping tonight.

Available on:

iOS

Blue Light Therapy

Blue Light Therapy App uses natural processes within your brain to help with waking up and falling asleep. With just 4 minutes in the morning you will find yourself being able to get out of bed and start doing, rather than endlessly snoozing.

Available on:

iOS

Big Ben Alarm Clock Bells

Air radio tune provides a quick and easy way to listen to thousands of streaming Internet radio stations and free music on your iPhone.

Available on:

iOS

Lenovo Moto G6, G6 Plus, and G6 Play: News and rumors

Fresh from the success of the Moto G5 and G5 Plus, Motorola parent company Lenovo is reportedly at work on the two smartphones’ respective successors: The Moto G6 and G6 Plus. Rumor has it that this time around there might be a surprise in store: A cheaper, lower-end model called the G6 Play.

It’s early, but that hasn’t stopped rumblings about Lenovo’s new smartphone lineup from ramping up. Here’s everything we know about the Moto G6, Moto G6 Plus, and Moto G6 Play so far.

Price and release date

We don’t know the pricing or release date of the Moto G6, Moto G6 Plus, and Moto G6 Play, and probably won’t for some time, but there’s a good chance they’ll launch sometime in the next few months.

According to VentureBeat’s Evan Blass, all three new phones in the G6 lineup — the Moto G6, Moto G6 Plus, and Moto G6 Play — will go on sale in 2018.

Next year will see the return of Play to Lenovo’s Moto G lineup in the form of the Moto G6 Play (alongside the G6 and G6 Plus).

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) October 17, 2017

If history is any indication, they’ll likely debut in spring. The Moto G5 and G5 Plus were announced at Mobile World Congress in February, and shipped to Asian and European territories the following month.

Specs

The Moto G6 lineup’s hardware remains just as much a mystery as its designs, but beefed-up processors are a safe bet.

Qualcomm’s recently unveiled Snapdragon 636 system-on-chip seems like a strong contender for the Moto G6 Plus. It’s several steps up from the Snapdragon 630, the CPU that powers the Moto G5 Plus, and it’s significantly more powerful. Qualcomm says the on-board Adreno 509 graphics chip is 10 percent faster than the Snapdragon 630’s GPU and supports screen technologies like Assertive Display, which optimizes the brightness for ambient lighting conditions.

If the Moto G6 Plus were to use the Snapdragon 636, it could mean faster transfers, a better camera, and louder, crisper speakers. Qualcomm’s chip ships with the X12 LTE modem, which has a peak download speed of 600Mbps, and Qualcomm’s Spectra 160 ISP, which supports cameras up to 24 megapixels and zero shutter lag. And it has Qualcomm’s Aqstic audio on-board, which supports Hi-Fi audio up to 192KHz/24-bit and the ability to play back lossless audio files.

Design

It’s not a sure thing by any stretch, but we’re expecting the Moto G6 and Moto G6 Plus to have the same screen dimensions as the Moto G5 and G5 Plus. The former is 5 inches, and the latter is 5.2 inches, and both share the same Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) resolution.

And if the Moto G6, Moto G6 Plus, and Moto G6 Play are in keeping with the G series’s aesthetic, there’s a pretty good chance they’ll have a fingerprint sensor on the front, a circular camera module on the back, and a glass-and-plastic body that isn’t waterproof. But that’s all subject to change.

The DxO One gets Facebook Live, time-lapses, and an Android version

Why it matters to you

Owners of the DxO One camera can have access to new features for free with the update, while the camera will also soon be available for Android users.

Mimicking a professional broadcast by switching between two camera views is now possible inside of Facebook Live without advanced broadcast equipment, thanks to a major update to the DxO One smartphone add-on camera. On Monday, October 16, DxO Mark released version 3.0 of the iOS app with Facebook Live compatibility and new time-lapse options, as well as announcing the upcoming arrival of an Android version of the camera. The announcement also comes with new accessories for extending the camera’s versatility.

The Facebook Live compatibility brings the DxO One’s large one-inch sensor and bright f/1.8 aperture to live video streams. Besides offering a better quality than the smartphone camera alone, the update also brings a new multi-camera mode. Using both the DxO One and the front and back smartphone cameras, users can preview each of the three views, adjust the settings or what’s in front of the camera, and then switch views in the middle of a live-stream.

The feature also allows for switching sound sources between the smartphone and the DxO One.

The camera’s Wi-Fi also allows videos to be sent from the camera to Facebook Live without the hardware connection to the phone while in stand-alone mode, which opens up more possibilities for getting different views from those three camera sources.

Along with the new Facebook Live compatibility, the update also allows DxO One owners to shoot timelapses. A built-in processing option allows photographers to set the parameters like the length of the shoot and the time between shots. An auto-ramping option automatically corrects exposure and white balance to prevent the final video from appearing to flicker as the lighting in the scene changes.

Photographers can choose the automatic processing to turn those images into a video, or they can use the intervalometer to take RAW photos and later manually stitch them into a 4K video.

DxO Mark

USB cable with waterproof housing

DxO Mark

Battery pack

DxO says that the app will warn users if the settings aren’t compatible with the camera’s current state. If the camera doesn’t have enough juice left to shoot that extra long timelapse, DxO also has a solution for that too. The new $60 battery pack gives the camera two extra batteries, each adding an hour to the performance. Or, the pack also introduces a USB port which can be used to shoot with an external power source for even longer shoots.

A new tilt stand accessory will help expand the device’s options while detached from the camera, with five different shooting angles possible from any flat surface using the stand, which will now be included with the DxO One camera.

Soon, the DxO One’s capabilities won’t be just for Apple fans. In the next few weeks, the company will launch an early access program for an Android version of the camera with a Type-C USB connector and an Android app inside the Google Play Store. The early program is open to the public but will help the company fine-tune the Android version before a full launch.

“Since its launch, we have added dozens of features to the DxO ONE, thanks to feedback from users,” Jean-Marc Alexia, vice president of product strategy, said in a press release. “Today, DxO is responding directly to one of the most frequent requests by launching the Android version, and we will continue to listen to market needs.”

The update is free for current owners of the DxO One from the App Store (and is also available to new users who pick up the $499 camera). Participants in the early access program can download the app from the Google Play Store in the next few weeks.

Chinese startup creates its own version of Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot

Why it matters to you

CEO of Unitree Robotics wants to make this dog robot every bit as ubiquitous as drones or smartphones.

When it comes to robotics companies, few can compare with Boston Dynamics, the group previously owned by Google (today by Softbank Group), whose most famous creations are its quadruped dog robots, including the likes of BigDog and Spot. That may be true, but a new Chinese robotics startup wants to take on Boston Dynamics at its own game — and it released footage of its own canine robot to showcase how serious it is.

The company, Unitree Robotics, was recently founded by Chinese roboticist Xing Wang, with help from Chinese angel investors. The startup is based in Hangzhou, near Shanghai, and has ambitious plans to make robots every bit as mass market as drones and smartphones. In keeping with the Boston Dynamics model, Unitree’s first robot is a four-legged robot dog named Laikago after the Soviet space dog, Laika, which in 1957 became the first animal to orbit the Earth.

Laikago boasts the ability to be able to navigate on a range of surfaces, and — like BigDog and the smaller Spot — is able to climb up a grass slope without a problem. It’s also built with stability in mind and promises to be able to adapt its jointed legs to external disturbances like kicks so as to avoid toppling over. There are also nifty features like thermal management for each of its 12 high-performance motors, so that if it gets over exerted it will emit a warning sound, revealing that it needs to be turned off or rested.

At present, it’s still relatively basic compared to a project like Boston Dynamics’. It can’t, for example, work autonomously, and needs to be remotely operated by way of a Wi-Fi-enabled controller. If at some point the plan is to make Laikago capable of moving around without a human controlling it, it’s going to require the incorporation of additional features such as image-recognition cameras and lidar sensors to work out which objects are nearby.

Wang has said he plans to sell the finished robot for up to $30,000, although that price will likely come down if he’s able to make this into the mass-market product he’s hoping for.

Best Tempered Glass Screen Protectors for Google Pixel 2

What are the best tempered glass screen protectors for the Pixel 2?

The Google Pixel 2 is almost here, which means it’s time to consider an essential accessory for protecting your screen. Tempered glass screen protectors are your best option for protecting your phone’s screen from drop damage and general wear and tear. And chances are you will see some wear over time.

There’s a good number of companies releasing tempered glass screen protectors, but few are currently available for purchase. Case in point, Google has a Power Support tempered glass screen protector listed on the Google Store, but it isn’t yet available for purchase.

It’s the same case for a number of good options out there, but if you’re looking to have your screen protector on-hand when your phone arrives here are your best bets so far!

• Vigeer Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]
• MP-MALL Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]
• ZeKing Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]
• Zagg InvisiShield Glass+ Tempered Glass Screen Protector
• amFilm Pixel 2 XL Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Vigeer Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]

We’ll start out with a great value pack, which gives you two screen protectors for just $7.99.

Vigeer has opted for cutouts around the front-facing speakers at the top and bottom, which will leave those bits of the screen exposed. But otherwise this screen protector will cover the entire flat portion of the screen (damn those curved edges!) and should be fully compatible with cases.

The kit comes with two protectors along with a microfiber cleaning cloth, an alcohol wipe pad, and some dust removal stickers to ensure you get a clean installation.

See at Amazon

MP-MALL Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]

The MP-MALL screen protector kit comes with two in the box that both feature a black border that matches the bezel around the Pixel 2’s screen, along with precise cutouts around the front-facing speakers and camera.

The kit includes everything you’ll need to ensure a clean installation the first time, and the design should make it easier to find the perfect fit around the display.

Get yours for just $11.99 with the confidence in knowing that this product is backed by a no-hassle lifetime replacement warranty.

See at Amazon

ZeKing Tempered Glass Screen Protector [2-pack]

If you like the price of the Vigeer option but don’t like leaving the top and bottom edges of your phone exposed, ZeKing’s screen protector i for you. Opting to provide precise cutouts around the front-facing speakers instead, this two-pack of tempered glass screen protectors will offers good protection for the entirety of the display up to the curved edge of the screen glass.

It’s a basic kit but includes all the standard features including an oleophobic coating for fingerprints along with alcohol wipes for a clean installation. At just $6.99, you aren’t likely to find a better deal on a tempered glass screen protector.

See at Amazon

Zagg InvisiShield Glass+ Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Zagg is a trusted name in phone accessories, and especially screen protectors. They’re one of the few premium brands to already be selling a tempered glass screen protector for the Pixel 2.

The InvisiShield Glass+ provides ample impact protection for your screen and is designed to withstand shattering itself. If it does, you can count on Zagg’s limited lifetime warranty in which they’ll replace the screen protector if it gets worn or damaged for as long as you own the phone (you only pay shipping and handling costs).

It’s also smudge- and scratch-resistant, too, so it will hold up nicely to daily wear and tear — and you wouldn’t expect any less from a product that costs $39.99.

See at Zagg

amFilm Pixel 2 XL Tempered Glass Screen Protector

One of the few options available for the Pixel 2 XL, this tempered glass screen protector from amFilm should do the trick. It’s been specifically designed for the larger model and claims to offer edge-to-edge protection. The glass has a black trim around the perimeter of the curved corner display, and notches cut out of the top and bottom to accomodate the front-facing speakers.

This is a case-friendly screen protector that features an invisible dot matrix to simulate fingerprint contact most accurately. It also has an olophobic coating to prevent fingerprints which is always important.

There may be cheaper options to come, but for $14.99 you’ll get everything you’ll need to ensure a clean installation and quality protection for your new phone.

See at Amazon

Which screen protectors do you trust?

Are you going to grab something off our list? Eyeing a different brand? Let us know in the comments!

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL hands-on preview
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

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