Here’s our closest look yet at Will Smith’s ‘Bright’ for Netflix

Bright, from director David Ayer and starring Will Smith and Joel Edgerton, is probably Netflix’s highest profile movie release this year. Will Smith stars as a policeman on an Earth that’s inhabited by orcs, elves and other creatures. Edgerton is the first orc on the police force and becomes Smith’s partner. The movie releases on December 22nd, just in time for the holidays. The second trailer came out today, and you can take a look at it below.

Netflix reportedly paid $90 million for the movie, and from this second trailer, the quality looks to be the same it would be if Bright were produced by a traditional studio. Netflix released the Brad Pitt movie War Machine earlier this year, but it fizzled out as reviews were generally negative. It’s safe to say that the streaming service is looking for a hit with Bright. If it does well, the streaming service has expressed interest in making Bright a franchise.

Via: Twitter

Source: YouTube

Microsoft opens a studio for mixed reality

Microsoft has really been hammering home its commitment to mixed reality lately, debuting its headsets earlier this month and holding an entire event dedicated to the concept. Now, and in time for the holidays, the company has launched the Microsoft Reactor in San Francisco, home to its Mixed Reality Capture Studios and Mixed Reality Academy. Here, creative agencies and application developers will be able to invent and create a huge range of mixed reality content, drawing on the thousands of performances the studio has captured over the course of seven years.

Musicians, athletes, actors and even animals have helped Microsoft develop the format (including the likes of Buzz Aldrin and George Takei), creating content that can be used for mixed reality experiences ranging from fully-immersive VR down to plain old 2D screens. The Mixed Reality Academy will offer a range of courses, workshops and, naturally, hackathons, although a focus on supporting those already in the creative industry means it’ll be a while before you’ll be able to have a play.

Source: Microsoft

Apple Expands TV Efforts in Europe With Hiring of Channel 4 Alum Jay Hunt

In the wake of Apple’s hiring of Jamie Erlicht, Zack Van Amburg, Matt Cherniss, and Morgan Wandell for its ongoing push into premium television content, Variety reports today that the company has now hired Channel 4 alum Jay Hunt as creative director for Europe under Apple’s Worldwide Video service.

Hunt will start work in January as part of the international content development team that reports to Erlicht and Van Amburg, the two executives spearheading all of Apple’s new TV ambitions. Hunt’s arrival at Apple follows her exit from a chief creative officer position at Channel 4 this past June. She was there for the last seven years, and helped develop shows like Black Mirror, Luther, Sherlock, Humans, and more.

Image of Jay Hunt via Variety
Hunt’s joining of the team follows news of other international expansions for Apple’s premium TV plans, with a report of the company hiring Morgan Wandell hitting last Friday. Wandell will be in charge of international creative development for worldwide video at Apple, and comes from Amazon Studios.

On the content side of things, Apple is said to have set aside a “$1 billion war chest” for its new TV initiative, and has become “inundated” with spec scripts and projects since it made its home at The Culver Studios in California. The first big project coming out of Apple’s Worldwide Video service will be new episodes of Steven Spielberg’s science fiction anthology series “Amazing Stories”.

Tag: Apple’s Hollywood ambitions
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AT&T looks to DirecTV Now as customers ditch satellite

If you were wondering why AT&T is in such a hurry to reshape its TV business, the third quarter earnings report may provide some clarity. In the three months it covers, which are usually strong growth months with the arrival of subscribers seeking out NFL Sunday Ticket, things went in the opposite direction.

The DirecTV satellite business lost 251,000 subscribers, while the U-verse TV base shrank by an additional 134,000, which AT&T attributed to “heightened competition in traditional pay-TV and over-the-top services, stricter credit standards and hurricane disruptions.” On the other hand, AT&T notes it added 296,000 people for its internet-delivered DirecTV Now package, which now counts 787,000 subscribers.

AT&T has 25.1 million video customers right now, so DirecTV Now is still a small, but increasingly important part of its video business. Most importantly, CEO John J. Stephens said that 700,000 or so of those streaming customers are new to AT&T, so they’re not downgrading from other video services, as they’re cord-nevers or apartment dwellers it couldn’t reach before. That probably also explains the DirecTV Now-ready Android TV box that just passed through FCC testing.

Source: AT&T Q3 2017 Earnings

Amazon Key opens your home for indoor deliveries

Amazon’s gone to a lot of effort to make its services as convenient as possible — free delivery, lightning fast delivery, delivery from the sky (well, soon, probably) — now it’s eliminating the need for you to even be at home to receive your packages (or to have a designated safe place), because its couriers can now simply let themselves into your property.

It’s not as sinister as it sounds, of course. The Prime members-only service, called Amazon Key, uses a smart lock and connected camera. When a delivery is made the courier scans the package’s barcode which sends an access request to Amazon’s cloud. When it grants permission, the camera starts recording, the courier swipes a prompt on their app and then your door unlocks. They leave the package by the door and relock it on their way out. You’ll get a notification that the delivery has been made, along with a video of the drop-off to reassure you everything was done above board.

Amazon has designed the service with deliveries in mind, but Key has a bunch of other uses, too. For example, you can use it to give permanent access to people you trust or temporary access to visitors such as dog-walkers, cleaners or guests (this could be especially helpful for Airbnb hosts).

The service can only be used with a connected camera (which makes sense given the potential privacy issues at hand), but not just any camera: it has to be Amazon’s Cloud Cam. The good news is that it’s a decent bit of kit in its own right, acting as a home security device, responding to voice commands and integrating with other Alexa devices. It also boasts night vision and two-way audio.

A smart lock, Cloud Cam and installation will set you back $250 (Prime customers can preorder the camera today, the Key service becomes available on November 8). There are no extra charges, but a forthcoming subscription service will give you access to additional features such as footage archiving, motion detection and zone monitoring.

The service — while set to revolutionize the delivery market — feels like a huge test of trust. Are people prepared to let strangers into their homes while they’re not there, just because it makes getting packages a bit easier? How do security concerns stack up against ultra-convenience? Some might argue the service launches us ever further into a sci-fi-like existence where computers monitor and guide our every move. But as Amazon has already demonstrated with its futuristic drone delivery aspirations and super-connected, Alexa-managed homes, we’re not too far away from that reality already.

Source: Amazon

UK watchdog calls out unlabelled Snapchat ads for the first time

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has its work cut out for it as the line between legitimate online content and ads gets ever blurrier. Social media “influencers” regularly flout the rules and despite the sheer volume of posts across different platforms, the ASA occasionally issues slaps on the wrists for offending Tweets and Instagram campaigns. And today, the ASA has wagged a stern finger at Snapchat posts that weren’t appropriately labelled as ads for the first time.

The ASA received complaints about the June 20th Snapchat Story of Marnie Simpson, of Geordie Shore and Celebrity Big Brother fame. In one update, the TV personality promoted a 50-percent off sale for Diamond Whites tooth polish. The company argued Simpson had been a brand ambassador for many years, and thus the commercial relationship was well established. Despite the post obviously being promotional in nature, the ASA effectively concluded that it didn’t matter and it still needed an “#ad” tag, making it clear to her followers it was a paid-for post.

In a less cut-and-dry case, another update showed off a new, unreleased colour “coming soon” to Simpson’s iSpyEyes brand of tinted and novelty contact lenses. On the basis that the product was not available to buy and the brand itself was not specifically mentioned, Simpson’s PR agency argued it wasn’t exactly promotional in nature. The ASA disagreed.

In cases like this, the ASA typically demands that offending posts are amended or deleted, but since Snapchat Stories self-destruct after 24 hours, there’s nothing to be done at this point. Diamond Whites and Simpson’s PR agency have graciously promised, however, to be stricter regarding their client’s application of the #ad identifier in the future.

It’s unlikely the ASA will be able to divert too much resource towards policing disappearing Snapchat posts. On the other hand, it’s important complaints are followed up considering the social app has a primarily young and arguably impressionable user base — as well as no built-in feature that clearly labels ads, as yet.

Earlier this year, the ASA complained that “hidden” advertising on social platforms was “taking up more and more of our time.” And you’d have thought the lengths the regulator went to a few years ago to explain to vloggers what an advert was would’ve done the trick.

Via: BBC

Source: Advertising Standards Authority (1), (2)

Apple acquires wireless charging company PowerbyProxi

Since Apple made wireless chargers to go with its latest iPhones, it’s safe to say that it already has a team working on the technology. It sounds like the tech titan wants to expand its presence in the space, though, because it has just purchased New Zealand company PowerbyProxi. The Auckland firm is best known for creating the Proxi-Module platform, a modular wireless power and data system that can be adapted and incorporated into various types of devices to give them wireless capabilities. A few years ago, Samsung also invested $4 million into the firm but clearly didn’t snap it up completely.

Apple senior vice president of hardware engineering Dan Riccio has confirmed the acquisition to Stuff New Zealand, saying that the company wants “to bring truly effortless charging to more places and more customers around the world.” He didn’t say how much money changed hands, but according on the investor info Stuff gathered, it could be in the upper tens of millions of dollars. PowerbyProxi chief Fady Mishriki revealed, however, that his team is joining Apple but will continue working from their native country.

Cupertino added Qi compatibility to the iPhone 8, the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X, so future phones will definitely inherit the feature. It’s unclear what Apple is planning to do with PowerbyProxi’s team and technology, but we’ll likely see the results in future hardware reveals.

Via: MacRumors, 9to5mac

Source: Stuff

Xbox One consoles could support premium wireless speakers

Xbox is jumping aboard the WISA train. Microsoft’s console is the first gaming brand to become a member of the trade group known as the Wireless Speaker and Audio Association. That makes it the odd one out among audio and electronics manufacturers like Bang & Olufsen, Gibson, Harman/Kardon, and LG. By signing up, Xbox will be able to partner with its WISA cohorts to provide support for more high-end wireless hardware.

In case you’ve never bought a premium wireless speaker system, WISA offers a 7.1 channel audio standard that operates in the “relatively unused” 5.2-5.8 GHz radio frequency spectrum. Plus, you get the advantage of a one-touch setup of what is essentially an audio WiFi network, only with better sound quality than, say, Bluetooth. But, WISA-certified products don’t come cheap.

With the release of the top-of-the-range Xbox One X on the horizon, the move couldn’t come at a better time. What could make the 4K gaming experience even more immersive? How about a set of wireless, surround sound speakers?

Source: WISA Association (pdf)

Microsoft ceases production of the Kinect

Microsoft has been slowly chipping away at the Kinect’s usefulness and features across its platforms, yet today’s news still comes as something of a shock. The company announced today to Co.Design that manufacturing for the motion sensor input device has been shut down.

That’s not to say that the Kinect was a failure in and of itself. The technology was revolutionary; the standalone product, however, didn’t take off the way Microsoft had hoped. According to Co.Design, Microsoft has sold around 35 million Kinects since 2010. The device got a boost when it was coupled with the Xbox One at launch, but Microsoft was forced to to introduce a version of the console without the camera because of price considerations and lagging sales.

The Kinect’s technology will live on in various forms, including, surprisingly, in the iPhone X. Apple acquired PrimeSense, the Israeli company that created the 3D tech in the original version of the Kinect, back in 2013. The iPhone X will use PrimeSense’s algorithms in the depth-sensing camera’s Face ID system. Additionally, Microsoft is also working on the Hololens, which was developed by Kinect creator Alex Kipman. It’s an AR headset that uses a Kinect sensor.

Via: The Verge

Source: Co.Design

Amazon Debuts New ‘Cloud Cam’ Security Camera and ‘Amazon Key’ In-Home Delivery Service

Amazon today announced its latest device, called the Amazon Cloud Cam, which keeps track of your home using an intelligent security camera that syncs up with the company’s new iOS and Android apps. Amazon said that the $119.99 Cloud Cam was built to help you check on pets while at work, monitor the front door when you’re on vacation, or look into your kids’ room from another room in the house.

Cloud Cam features 1080p full HD resolution video, night vision, two-way audio, a wide viewing angle, and activity clips from the last day synced with the Amazon Cloud Cam app. Of course, the new security camera will work with Alexa devices like the Echo, Echo Show, Echo Spot, Amazon Fire TV, and Fire tablets. You can say, “Alexa, show me the [camera name]” and the assistant will bring up the requested feed from anywhere in your house.

When on the go, the iOS and Android apps let you stay in touch with the Cloud Cam, as well as receive customizable notifications for alerts detected by the device’s motion detection and computer vision technology. When it detects motion, Cloud Cam sends out a push notification and stores a clip securely for you to review. Amazon said that the camera will get smarter over time with more advanced detection, alerts, and other new features — like advanced audio alerts and pet detection — will launch down the line.

“Cloud Cam has all the features you need to monitor your home, including a 1080p Full HD camera, night vision, two-way audio, and free storage for clips—and with the secure AWS cloud powering Cloud Cam’s advanced computer algorithms and intelligent alerts, the service is always getting smarter,” said Charlie Tritschler, Vice President, Amazon Devices. “All of this is just $119.99—Cloud Cam is a premium product at a non-premium price.”

Without a subscription, three Cloud Cams are supported in one home, and with a subscription you can have up to ten cameras in one home. Subscriptions also enable additional storage for video (beyond just 24 hours), unlimited downloads and shares of video clips, Person Detection to flag specific human activity instead of general motion, and Zones to ignore certain areas of motion (like a ceiling fan). Amazon’s Cloud Cam subscription tiers are listed below:

• Basic ($6.99/mo, $69/yr) offers access to the last 7 days of motion detection clips for up to 3 cameras
• Extended ($9.99/mo, $99/yr) offers access to the last 14 days of motion detection clips for up to 5 cameras
• Pro ($19.99/mo, $199/yr) offers access to the last 30 days of motion detection clips for up to 10 cameras

Additionally, Amazon today announced a new “Amazon Key” service that works in conjunction with the Cloud Cam. Exclusive to Prime members, Amazon Key allows you to have your order securely delivered inside your home when you’re out of the house. Amazon Key will be a new checkout option for Prime members in 37 cities across the U.S. beginning November 8, and will be available for “tens of millions of items” on the site.

Amazon Key combines Cloud Cam with one of several compatible smart locks by companies like Yale and Kwikset. The process begins with Amazon verifying that the correct delivery driver is at the right address at the right time, using an encrypted authentication process. Then, Amazon Cloud Cam begins recording once that process is complete and the door is unlocked for the driver, without giving them any access code or key, and they place the package in your home and then leave.

“Amazon Key gives customers peace of mind knowing their orders have been safely delivered to their homes and are waiting for them when they walk through their doors,” said Peter Larsen, Vice President of Delivery Technology, Amazon. “Now, Prime members can select in-home delivery and conveniently see their packages being delivered right from their mobile phones.”

You can pre-order the Cloud Cam today by itself for $119.99, a two-pack for $199.99, or a three-pack for $289.99, and the device will ship November 8. The company is also offering an Amazon Key In-Home Kit with a Cloud Cam and a compatible smart lock for $249.99.

Tag: Amazon
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