George R. R. Martin has even more money coming his way, public domain books clean up nice, we love the Locus Award winners, and why Veronica is not allowed to let a bear eat her.
Daily Tech Headlines – July 6, 2017
Snap gets links, Nokia partners with Zeiss, and Amazon and Dish may partner on IoT.
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Show Notes
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DTNS 3066 – Amazon Echo Show And Tell
The last gas engine car? Ticketmaster wants to track your phone with ultrasonics, Scott and Tom’s review of the Amazon Echo Show.
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Show Notes
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Daily Tech Headlines – July 5, 2017
Nokia partners with Xiaomi, Volvo ends gas car production, Ticketmaster wants to track your phone by sound.
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Show Notes
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Daily Tech Headlines – July 4, 2017
500 Startups CEO Dave McClure Resigns, Apple working on 3D face scanning, and Amazon’s got mad Alexa Skills.
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Show Notes
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Cordkillers 177 – It’s Not That We Don’t Love You
The strange experiments of networks to lure cord-cutters. Plus, why Roku just got banned in Mexico.
CordKillers: Ep. 177 – It’s Not That We Don’t Love You
Recorded: July 3 2017
Guest: None
Intro Video
Primary Target
- AMC wants to charge you an extra $5 a month to watch its shows without commercials
– AMC Premiere for Comcast Pay TV subscribers
– $5 a month ad-free AMC shows on AMC app while logged in with Comcast ID
– Has more deleted scenes and may have originals. - NBCUniversal will stream Premier League soccer games, no cable subscription required
– NBC offering $50 Premiere league pass, no cable sub necessary
130 live games in US as well as studio shows
– Games shown on NBC broadcast and cable will not be available
How to Watch
- Roku banned in Mexico over piracy concerns
– Roku has been banned in Mexico
– Televisa-owned Cablevision sued Roku because users were hacking it to watch pirated TV
– Cablevision’s complaint: “We would also like Roku Inc to better supervise the use of its software so that it’s not used inappropriately.”
– Roku says it’s not enabling the channels distributing pirated content on its platforms, and is taking them down when found.
– Non-certified channels that are added to Roku through a system the company had set up with the intention of allowing developers to test channels without publicizing them to the entire Roku audience. These channels are not available in the Roku Channel Store
– Roku plans to fight the decision. - Cinesift
– Movie database site that combines Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, Letterboxd and Metacritic scores, with Netflix and Amazon Prime availability (Updated to include more Reddit suggested features) [OC]
What to Watch
- Watch the trailer for Rick and Morty season 3, streaming from July 30th
- Netflix is going to make a two-hour episode to wrap up the story of Sense8 to be released next year.
- The first episode of Forces of Destiny is out on the Disney YouTube channel. It features Rey on Jakku with BB8.
- Netpicks for July 2017
What We’re Watching
- Brian: Justified, Okja, Preacher part 2 premiere, Robocop
- Tom: Justified, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Doctor Who, Okja, Preacher
- On the Lookout: Beyond
Front Lines
- Tablo easily turns Android TV boxes into standalone DVRs
– The Tablo USB dual-tuner dongle is available for $70. The device plugs into an antenna and an Android TV box like the Shield TV to create a DVR. The guide data is free for the first six months and after that costs $4 a month or $40 a year. - Twitter to stream live coverage of Wimbledon and Comic-Con
– Twitter will broadcast the opening preview night from San Diego Comic-Con in partnership with IGN. Twitter is also streaming Wimbledon coverage like interviews and highlight reels, but no live matches this year. - Streaming service Boomerang is now available on Apple TV. It also added its first original series, Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz.
- You only have to log into NBC’s app once across Apple devices
– NBC’s iOS app now works with Apple’s single sign-on in addition to its Apple TV app. Users only have to sing in once to be signed in across all devices linked to their Apple ID. - Netflix is bringing Dolby Atmos surround sound to its original content starting with Okja
– Netflix announced Okja is being presented in Dolby’s High Dynamic Range with Dolby Atmos sound. Some LG TVs as well as the Xbox One and Xbox One S can stream Atmos content. Netflix original movies, Blame! Death Note and Bright will all be released in Atmos as well. - Seeso Is Selling Two of Its Shows to AT&T-Backed VRV, May Be Preparing to Shut Down
– Seeso has sold two of its original programs, My Brother, My Brother and Me and Harmonquest; to Otter Media, which runs streaming service aggregate VRV. The shows will appear on VRV, but details of where/what plans the shows will appear on have not been confirmed. Decider’s sources said that other original Seeso programs could be up for sale.
Dispatches from the Front
The idea of “interactive TV” has been floating around for some time and really only becomes a legit possibility with streaming or internet-provided content. Only recently has cable TV had the ability to achieve this but also via an internet link to process viewer input. But streaming makes the most sense I believe.
I can certainly see this progressing to the point you’re watching a show or movie and are able to actively interact with the characters on screen especially by voice. We tell our Apple TVs, Amazon Fire TVs, Siri, Alexa etc. what we want now so why couldn’t we just yell “Look to the left!” or “Watch out behind you!” or “Turn right” at key points in a show (possibly whenever an interaction icon appeared on screen). The possible increased level of engagement with the audience might help keep viewers watching more so than otherwise. So these first baby steps do make sense if it hopes to catch on. And why not start with the kids? Get them comfortable with the simple versions now so that as they grow, and the tech develops, they grow right along. There’s also less of a need to take it to big screens now since these shows are being watched close-up by the kids and they can just press their screens to direct the action.
The other question on this is where does the line between interactive “show” and video game get drawn? If we just start directing all the action, or most of it, aren’t we just playing a fancy video game with great, albeit realistic, graphics? Video game graphics have also improved tremendously as have the non-controller methods of interaction such as motion and voice.
Then lets mix in VR and AR and 360 (or 180) and, and, and …. Ahh hell, just beam me on to the holodeck already. Isn’t that where we all want to go anyway?
– Armando
Brian
Just one quick thought on the Netflix Interactive stories. I agree with you that traditional video doesn’t make for a compelling interactive viewing experience, HOWEVER – what if you apply interactive storytelling to the VR experience? What if Netflix takes their learnings from this flat/2D viewing experience, and commissions 360 degree storytellers to make a series of short films with multiple overlapping storylines where the viewer drives the plot forward through there interactions?
Does this make you more or less interested?
– Andy
I want to offer a suggestion as to what might be the potential service that could dethrone Netflix. As I was listening to your discussion one thing that kept being mentioned as a reason for the success for some of the current streaming services was their access to Disney content. So what happens if Disney – ABC pulls all their content from existing services and instead launches it exclusively on their own product?
And to make this even a more intriguing proposition, this service could also include new original content focused around some of their most popular properties such as Marvel and Star Wars. Just imagine if they took a similar approach that they have used for Daredevil and applied it to the Star Wars Universe. I could see a lot of people signing up for this new service just for that prospect alone.
For me, a service that included the entire range of the Disney Vault, access to ABC properties like Modern Family and Once Upon a Time, plus all of the ESPN sports programming would be an absolute must buy. Without a doubt it would have something that would be of interest to every member of my household.
I hope this adds to the conversation. Love the show! Keep up with the good work!
– Tony
Been wanting to see some of the YouTube Red content, Rhett and Link and Game Lab at least, and kids watch YouTube a lot, as well as our typical family TV time is watching the YouTube channels we follow.
So, I bite the bullet for the free YouTube Red trial, and I want to make it a family plan sorta deal … and you can’t.
There’s YouTube Red, which gives you Play Music, but no Family option … but you can get Play Music Family, which gives you YouTube Red.
Because … [reasons].
Short term solution, get all accounts on free trial and then cancel where needed and sign up for the Family Play plan in three months. I was hoping for a ‘pay the difference’ plan, but, doesn’t look like that’s an option.
I did email support, and got a quick reply which actually answered the question first go, so that’s a plus!
– Justin
Hi guys,
I’m a big fan of both Cord Killers and Spoilerin’ Time — but I’m curious as to why you guys say “Episode X Season X”, especially during Spoilerin’ Time? It is widely accepted that the most standard way to reference these is by “Season X Episode X” — in fact, that is how you write them in the podcast descriptions/notes (e.g. Leftovers 305, Justified 606, etc.), and I know you both have commented that this is how you are supposed to reference episodes in digital libraries and torrents, etc. (S03E05, etc.). It’s like version numbers in software: Major.Minor.Revision.
Maybe it’s not a big deal… but honestly it takes me a few extra CPU cycles in my brain to take what you say and then translate it into, “oh yeah, he means Season 3 Episode 5”.
Thanks,
– Marc
Links
DTNS 3065 – Investing On Thin ICO
What is an ICO? Plus why Deep Mind getting in trouble is a good thing for Deep Mind and Microsoft’s forthcoming layoffs.
Using a Screen Reader? Click here
Multiple versions (ogg, video etc.) from Archive.org.
Please SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Follow us on Soundcloud.
A special thanks to all our supporters–without you, none of this would be possible.
If you are willing to support the show or give as little as 5 cents a day on Patreon. Thank you!
Big thanks to Dan Lueders for the headlines music and Martin Bell for the opening theme!
Big thanks to Mustafa A. from thepolarcat.com for the logo!
Thanks to our mods, Kylde, Jack_Shid, KAPT_Kipper, and scottierowland on the subreddit
Show Notes
To read the show notes in a separate page click here!
Daily Tech Headlines – July 3, 2017
Deep Mind gets a slap on the wrist over health records, Alibaba creating a smart speaker and Ming-chi Kuo’s iPhone predictions.
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A special thanks to all our supporters–without you, none of this would be possible.
If you are willing to support the show or give as little as 5 cents a day on Patreon. Thank you!
Big thanks to Dan Lueders for the theme music.
Big thanks to Mustafa A. from thepolarcat.com for the logo!
Thanks to our mods, Kylde, Jack_Shid, KAPT_Kipper, and scottierowland on the subreddit
Show Notes
To read the show notes in a separate page click here!
DFP #38.5 – Twin Peaks: The Return – Inbetween Episodes
With no new episode of Twin Peaks this week, we take a time out to chat with Dave Brodbeck and Mallory O’Meara about the first 8 parts of Twin Peaks: The Return. Let’s be honest, we mostly talk about the amazing Part 8, but we also discuss the entire season as a whole and read and respond to audience e-mails!
Support us on Patreon patreon.com/damnfinepodcast.
Monthly Tech Views – June 2017
Real tech stories. Really shaky analysis.
Welcome, and thanks for taking time out from your Independence Day preparations (at least in the U.S.) to read the Monthly Tech Views. Everyone keeps calling this a holiday weekend, but most of us work on Monday, so there’s technically no holiday attached to it. Unless they’re referring to the unofficial holiday each month celebrating the release of a new Tech Views. That’s probably it.
Light up a sparkler and dive in.
Hard To Blame Him
British Airways was forced to cancel over 1,000 flights due to a massive IT systems failure affecting booking, baggage handling, check-in, and phone apps. Executives say there was no evidence of a cyber attack, an assertion backed up by a systems analyst identifying himself only as Philip, who said, “Whoops. But who wouldn’t spill their tea when, four months after updating Pokemon Go, you finally see a Sudowoodo, and it’s sitting, of all places, right there on the server?”
That’s Strike Two, Dude
Members of England’s Parliament had no email access after a suspected cyber attack.
“I wouldn’t call it an attack. I may have gotten carried away trying to contact them, but I did catch a Sudowoodo after all,” said Philip.
Would You Like To Play A Game?
Withings connected health devices are now officially being sold under the Nokia brand, including Body devices, Go activity trackers, and, most significantly, the Thermo thermometer.
Competing smart thermometer companies gathered for a somber press conference to let the world know they would fight to maintain market share, doing everything in their power to win this Global Thermo Nokia War.
While Lyft Interns Gain Valuable Experience Sitting In The Passenger Seat Yelling “Ding-Ding-Ding-Ding”
Lyft drivers now have access to “power zones.” This allows drivers to make more money when providing rides in high-demand areas. This is logical, and probably good news for drivers, yet we can’t help being a little disappointed, wanting to envision Power Zones as parking lots and closed off streets where, after a certain number of fares, drivers are given a shovel and five minutes to lean out the window and drive Super Mario-like over the coin-covered asphalt to keep whatever they can scoop up.
Sometimes Retirement Gets a Little Rocky
After sweeping three matches against the world’s number one ranked Go player, AlphaGo is retiring from event matches.
Uh-huh. Sure. Accomplished all it can here. Gonna spend more time with the family (little Annie and Ira are growing up fast, and with work responsibilities you’ve already missed them humiliating humans in tic-tac-toe and checkers championships).
And for a while, you’ll be content. Sure, you’ll miss the game, the hilarious bewildered expressions humans come up with as you consistently trump their most well-thought-out strategies, but mostly, you’ll be happy.
But meanwhile, there’s a young human who growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, with parents who don’t give a damn about Go, where his only means of survival was to join a Go gang, where Go rumbles are a nightly occurrence, the losers force fed their stones one by one, unable to play again until the pieces… reappeared. It was a brutal life, but it made him a great Go player. He stayed mad at the world, and used his hate and talent to crush any Go player foolish enough to take him on.
Then, the new number one Go player in the world, he shows up at Alphabet while you’re visiting friends, and challenges you to a match. Insulting Alphabet, Deep Mind, and your very circuitry. You want to take the high road, but when he claims your courage is AlphaGone, you snap, Eye of the Tiger starts playing, and it’s on!
Happens every time.
These Go A Lot Faster When I Read Only The First Line Of A Story
According to government sources, Japan will allow drone deliveries by 2020. While the U.S. is certainly not perfect, this story makes me appreciate just how good we have it here, because I’m pretty sure that, if I wanted one, I could get a drone delivered to me tomorrow.
What If We Gave It Wheels?
Even before the HomePod was officially announced, there were rumors that Inventec, the maker of Airpods, was working on a smart speaker. Because they wanted to make the announcement at Apple’s WWDC, production was accelerated and, though they were able to include quality speakers and Siri integration, they didn’t have time to crack the feature Apple executives most wanted—making a device twenty times bigger than an AirPod be just as easily losable.
What’s Next, Facial Recognition Scanners That Can See Through Unrealistically Realistic Silicon Masks?
Not only will Qualcomm’s new Ultrasonic fingerprint sensors work under metal or glass and through dirt, oil, and sweat, they can read blood flow and heartbeat.
“Damn it!” said every thriller screenwriter in Hollywood having to rework their cut-off-the-guy’s-thumb-to-get-past-security scene.
(It Was On The Bedroom Doorknob. As Usual.)
Amazon Echos now have intercom capability, which could prove to be a real time saver. For example, I can be standing in front of the living room closet and, via the Echo, ask my wife down in the basement if she knows where my jacket is. And she, without setting one foot out of the basement, can answer, “I put this Echo down here so I can spend ten minutes listening to music in peace, not to you whining because you can’t be bothered to use a hangar!”
Get Your Ebay Bids In Now
Nintendo is releasing the Super NES Classic in September. Demand will certainly be high, and will only boosted by the catchy new slogan: SNES—Remember, we only made twelve of the last one.
Wait, Are You Saying They Don’t Have Cars In China?
In China, users of bicycle-sharing services are expected to double to 50 million this year.
Meanwhile, here in the U.S., 50 million of us are expected to just leave that French fry on the floor because scooting forward on the couch and bending over is too much effort.
Thanks again for your time. Now, whether your weekend is two or four days, go have some fun with family and friends. But stay safe—there are a lot of injuries this time of year, and most are the result, unsurprisingly, of retaliation for trying to pass off Tech Views stories as real.
Mike Range
@MovieLeagueMike
Monthly Tech Views by Mike Range is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.