Geek News

Last month, Disney filed a lawsuit against Redbox claiming that the rental company was violating Disney's copyrights. Redbox buys the Disney discs it rents at retail and when those discs come with download codes for digital copies, Redbox sells them to its customers. But Disney says that's against its terms of sale and requested an injunction, any profits Redbox made from those sales and $150,000 per copyright infringement. Redbox has now clapped back, Variety reports, filing an opposition to Disney's complaint and injunction request. In its argument, Redbox says that Disney's request has no legal basis and that the lawsuit is just an attempt to hurt its competition. "By this motion, Plaintiffs seek to stifle competition to more smoothly launch Disney's own digital content streaming service, maximize the price other services like iTunes and Amazon (and their customers) pay for Disney movies, and secure a greater market share for Hulu -- the viewing serv...

About a month ago, Apple explained that slower performance of older iPhones is intentional , implemented as a "power management" plan through an iOS update. While it was ostensibly intended to prevent phones from crashing in situations when their worn-out battery couldn't supply enough juice to support demanding functions, owners are upset they weren't notified it was happening. In fact, it was only discovered through benchmarks. In an apology , Apple lowered the price of battery replacements and promised an iOS update that would inform users when the phone detects battery problems. Tonight, in an interview with ABC News , CEO Tim Cook that not only will owners be able to check the health of their battery, but they can also turn off the performance-slowing power management, with a warning that it could lead to unexpected restarts. Cook said "maybe we should have been clearer," and that Apple's motivation is always the user, making sure their phone is ...

If you're a gamer, you know it can be difficult to tear yourself away from the screen to get in some exercise. Fitbit, however, doesn't think you have to. It's trotting out an Xbox One version of its Coach app (released on mobile and PCs in the fall) that lets you squeak in guided fitness routines after your game sessions. You'll get a range of audio and video workouts, personalized training programs and custom streaming music to keep you going. And logically, there are tie-ins if you have a Fitbit device . The app will show your heart rate on the screen, and recommend workouts based on your current activity levels. The Xbox coaching app should be available today. It's free if you're content with one personalized program and a "selection" of additional workouts. You'll need to drop $40 per year on a Coach Premium subscription if you want to access more programs and otherwise unlock the app's full potential. That's not a trivial amount j...

Apple CEO Tim Cook today shared that the next update to iOS 11 will allow users to disable battery performance throttling on their device. The move comes after Apple last month admitted it intentionally slows down iPhones as they get older to prevent issues that may arise as the batteries depreciate . In an interview with ABC News , Cook said the update will arrive next month in a developer release before a wider public rollout. “We’re going to give people the visibility of the health of their battery so it’s very, very transparent,” he says. “This hasn’t been done before.” Cook also says the update will more clearly inform users when their iPhone is automatically reducing its performance in an effort to prevent unexpected shutdowns. “If... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2FPigGy"

In 2016, Tristan Harris, whose job title at Google was “design ethicist,” left the company to focus on a new nonprofit he called Time Well Spent . The goal of Time Well Spent is to reverse what it cals “the digital attention crisis” — the brilliants minds at Google, Apple, Facebook, and elsewhere who “hijack our minds” through ever-more sophisticated manipulation techniques delivered through our smartphones. Harris has emerged as a vocal critic of Facebook, appearing on NBC this week to call the company “ a living, breathing crime scene .” You might expect that Facebook, which derives its profits from the amount of time people spend interacting with the advertisements in its apps, would reject the Time Well Spent thesis. Instead, the... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2DL4UKL"

At the tail end of 2017, Amazon announced that both its unlimited music service and Echo speaker would head to 28 more countries. This packaged expansion seems to be their theme in 2018, as the company stated both would be coming to Australia and New Zealand early in the new year. Today, it confirmed that Amazon Music Unlimited would launch in those countries on February 1st with Echoes on sale at select retailers early that month. While the rollout might be good for Australians and New Zealanders who want Echoes for themselves, it'll be harder for Amazon to wean them off other music streaming services, like Spotify, which has been available in Australia since 2012. At the least, Amazon Music Unlimited is priced competitively. Australian and New Zealand users can subscribe to all three tiers: The Echo-only $5AUD monthly entry plan, the Individual for $12AUD and the upcoming Family Plan that splits an $18AUD bill between up to six people. Australian customers can pre-order an ...

Nexus Media News Is it a breakthrough, or just a buzzword? Blockchain technology could be an important tool in solving climate change—at least according to a crop of new companies. via Popular Science "http://ift.tt/2DfzYRV"

Verizon and the NBA have expanded their digital partnership with a new deal that allows Verizon to sell subscriptions for NBA League Pass and let users stream out-of-market games through its Yahoo Sports app. League Pass subscriptions had previously been offered through Go90, but Yahoo Sports — under Verizon’s Oath brand — is an app that’s likely used by far more consumers and football fans. League Pass will cost $99 per season. In hopes of convincing them to buy in, Verizon will let viewers stream eight NBA games for free. (In-market and nationally broadcasted games that air on ESPN or Turner stations aren’t part of League Pass.) As reported by The Wall Street Journal , this new arrangement gives Verizon mobile exclusivity on selling... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2DIdjyH"

Now that Phil Spencer is managing Microsoft's broader game platform strategy, who's going to fill his shoes? Now we know: Microsoft has appointed Matt Booty, the overseer of the company's Minecraft teams, as the corporate VP of Microsoft Studios. He'll watch over all of Microsoft's own game publishing efforts, including Halo 's 343 Industries, Gears of War 's The Coalition and Forza 's Turn 10. This isn't just about handing over the keys, though -- as Spencer explained to VentureBeat , it's also about improving the company's first-party game business. Microsoft knows its list of Xbox-exclusive games leaves something to be desired , and it's committing more resources to that area. Booty's new role helps create a unified leadership structure that theoretically helps the studios move more quickly and produce more of those desirable titles. The role covers mobile and PC titles by extension, so it won't be shocking if there are m...

Space But it was gorgeous. It brightened the cold Michigan night in an instant, a brilliant burst of light that streaked across the sky. via Popular Science "http://ift.tt/2DhJ6p5"

By Jeremy Korzeniewski Yes, the 2018 Detroit Auto Show is a showcase for the latest and greatest American pickup trucks, like the 2019 Ford Ranger, 2019 Ram 1500, and 2019 Chevy Silverado. But that doesn't mean there isn't anything to interest those with nothing to haul. Mercedes brought along its luxurious G-Class SUV, Volkswagen looks to entice sedan buyers with a brand-new Jetta, and Infiniti and Lexus pulled the covers of some hot new concept vehicles. And there's plenty more where those came from. Check out all of our Detroit Auto Show coverage , and stay tuned for more as news continues to flow out of the halls of Cobo Center. This article originally appeared on Autoblog , the complete authority for news, reviews and car-buying research. via Engadget RSS Feed "http://ift.tt/2mNsm2U"

Google is always optimizing search, but has given mobile more prominence lately, including axing its long-running Instant Search feature last July to unify searching on desktop and device. Their latest tweak , which goes into effect July 2018, aims to improve the mobile browsing experience by factoring in a page's loading speed to its search rank, promising to lower slow sites. The so-called 'Speed Update' will only affect pages that 'deliver the slowest experience to users and will only affect a small percentage of queries,' according to Google's blog. While the search team was coy with exactly how this new factor will affect rankings, it did encourage developers to gauge their site's performance (hint hint ) using the Chrome User Experience Report , the automated tool Lighthouse and PageSpeed Insights . The update applies the same standard to all pages regardless of what tech it's built with. And if it's any consolation, relevance is still ki...

I’m not the first person to write this on the internet, and I won’t be the last, but good lord, DO NOT EAT TIDE PODS. Unfortunately, what started as a fairly ridiculous meme about how delicious-looking the detergent-filled gel pods are has spiraled into a dangerous meme, with people actually filming themselves eating the blighted poison packs for a shot at 15 minutes of internet fame in the “Tide Pod challenge.” That buck stops here though, with YouTube commenting that it would remove any Tide Pod challenge videos, noting in a statement to Fast Company that “YouTube’s Community Guidelines prohibit content that’s intended to encourage dangerous activities that have an inherent risk of physical harm. We work to quickly remove flagged... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2DInenO"

If you thought Minecraft was the best thing for kids on the Switch, get ready for Nintendo to (once again) blow your mind. Behold Labo , a set of DIY tools built on cardboard sheets that turns the console into a powerhouse of play. Make a piano, with the Switch's screen for music! No, wait, a motorcycle game with cardboard handelbars! A house, with the Switch displaying an interior you can customize! Now is the era of the toy-con. Labo goes on sale on April 20th, 2018. Developing... Source: Nintendo - What Is Labo? via Engadget RSS Feed "http://ift.tt/2ERIPts"

Smart Replies may be cold and impersonal, but they've been handy if you've just wanted to acknowledge a work message or answer a simple question. And soon, you might not even have to open the app. The 9to5Google crew has discovered code references suggesting that Gboard may soon get Smart Replies. When an app supports it (Hangouts, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp are a few examples), you could deliver a canned response to someone directly from a notification. As dispassionate as that might be, it could save you precious time if you just want to fire off a quick "be right there" while you're racing to a lunch meeting. The code also provides further hints of an option to create your own GIFs by recording them. Also, a "Universal Media Keyboard" may help you search for all kinds of content, although it's not clear whether this is limited to cosmetic features like emoji and stickers or will include web material like news. There's no guarantee...

Microsoft is promoting its Minecraft boss to the head of the company’s games studios. Matt Booty’s new role sees him oversee Microsoft Studios, second only to Microsoft’s games chief Phil Spencer. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella previously promoted Phil Spencer from head of Xbox to a new role overseeing all games, associated hardware, and game strategy. Spencer reports directly to Nadella, with Booty now reporting directly to Spencer. Both changes are designed to improve Microsoft’s games business. Microsoft has struggled to produce first-party games for its Xbox One console over the past year, after canceling Scalebound, Fable Legends, and Ion. Crackdown 3 was delayed until spring, and Microsoft even shut down Project Spark. Microsoft... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2ERHmTY"

The North American International Auto Show's press and industry preview week is winding down, but the show is far from over. Next week the NAIAS opens to the public and if can't make it to the Mitten State yourself but still want a peek at what's tucked inside Detroit's Cobo Center, we've got you covered. HoloLens and VR? Check. A Chevy pick-up with snowmobile treads for tires? Mhrm. Same goes for a Mercedes G-Class Wagon trapped inside a brick of "amber" resin. Hell, we even got the Michelin Man to flex his muscles for a photo. There's a lot to see, so kick back, pour yourself a frosty beverage and peep the slideshow below on the biggest monitor available. Click here to catch up on the latest news from NAIAS 2018. via Engadget RSS Feed "http://ift.tt/2DM2UCd"

Apple is giving its employees $2,500 bonuses in restricted stock units following the passing of new US tax law, according to a report from Bloomberg . The stock will be granted to most employees worldwide in the coming months, according to the report. It cites unnamed sources within Apple, who claim that Apple employees below a senior level title of “director” will be eligible for the bonuses. Apple announced earlier today that it would be bringing most of its cash back to the US from overseas (and paying $38 billion in taxes in the process), a move that would seem to be predicated by the recent overhaul of the corporate tax rate in the US. Apple isn’t the only company to issue bonuses to celebrate the lower tax rates: AT&T and Comcast... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2DHFHkr"

DoorDash announced a new project today aimed at reducing the amount of food thrown out by restaurants each year. A 2016 report released by the Food Waste Reduction Alliance found that restaurants that took part in its survey donated just two percent of leftover food in 2015 and over 93 percent of it was just thrown away. And restaurateurs consistently say that transportation is the biggest barrier to food donation. That's where Project DASH comes in. DASH, or DoorDash Acts for Sustainability and Hunger, is teaming up with Feeding America Charity and will start transporting food between restaurants and local nonprofits that could make use of it. The program is rolling out in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco and all restaurants have to do is take a pic of their leftover food with Feeding America's MealConnect app. MealConnect will then find a place for the food to go, like a food bank or shelter, and DoorDash will get a driver to deliver it. "It removes the dona...

Ubisoft has a history of premature software releases, but here's one you might not mind. The developer has confirmed that it inadvertently released its Assassin's Creed Origins add-on The Hidden Ones to Xbox One users a week ahead of its January 23rd release. A "misconfiguration" of the in-game store allowed downloads for the new content, the company said. You'll still have access if you downloaded it and entered the new region (it'd create havoc for save files), but everyone else will have to wait for the official launch. The early access was surprising, but certainly feasible. Game studios launching DLC frequently need to prepare well in advance, such as uploading the material itself, updating store pages and patching the base game. The extra time gives them a chance to coordinate the launch and catch last-minute issues. The problem, of course, is that it theoretically takes little more than an accidental flip of the switch to spoil everything. Clear...

Technology Most modern rides rank around level 2 of 5 when it comes to automation. Our cars are getting better and better at helping us drive, but it's a long road ahead until they can truly drive themselves. via Popular Science "http://ift.tt/2B8Zzdv"

Verizon isn't just obsessed with football . The carrier has unveiled an expanded partnership with the NBA that will make basketball games and related content available across Yahoo and "other Verizon media platforms." To start, it's making much ado over NBA League Pass . You'll have the option of buying League Pass on sites like Yahoo Sports, and Verizon's "It's On Us" program will let you preview what you'd get without committing to a purchase. There will be additional material for non-subscribers, too. Verizon and the NBA are promising development for augmented reality and "other new forms of content" that will take advantage of the carrier's network. There will also be a daily highlights show as well as original sports and "lifestyle" shows drawing from the NBA's deep video catalog. And while Verizon is touting how well this will work on its service, it stresses that the content won't be carrier-exclusiv...

Drunk droning is apparently a thing, and one that’s officially illegal in the state of New Jersey. Gov. Chris Christie signed the bill into law on his last day in office this past Monday, banning the use of drones while under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, or other hallucinogenics. The new regulations follow similar thresholds as the state’s drunk driving laws, which prohibit drivers from operating a vehicle when their blood alcohol content is 0.08 percent or higher. The law also bans people from flying drones to surveil a prison, interfere with first responders, or in pursuit of wildlife. Violators could face up to six months in prison plus a $1,000 fine. New Jersey is the first state that has officially banned drunk droning, but... Continue reading… via The Verge - Tech Posts "http://ift.tt/2ESU98K"

Instagram keeps updating its Stories feature lately with new additions to keep things interesting. The company recently added polls , a way to surface past Stories and has been experimenting with cross-posts to WhatsApp. Now, according to a report at The Next Web , the latest Stories addition is something called Type, which gives you a number of new fonts to type your message across a background or photo as part of your Story. WOAH!... Instagram is adding 4 NEW fonts to use in Stories (not available for all users yet) h/t @CJMacLeod http://pic.twitter.com/hQuYcrFJtQ — Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) December 20, 2017 The feature was first noticed by The Next Web 's Matt Navarro last month. According to the current report, there are several fonts to choose from. Now you'll be able to be a bit more text-focused when posting a Story on the photo sharing service. Instagram declined to comment directly on the potential feature, sending along a generic response that it's...

Apple has now landed its fifth scripted TV series and its third produced by Reese Witherspoon's company Hello Sunshine, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The latest addition is a comedy starring SNL alum Kristen Wiig and is said to be inspired by a Curtis Sittenfeld short story collection called You Think It, I'll Say It . Hello Sunshine is also producing a show for Apple called Are You Sleeping? It stars Octavia Spencer and is based on a Kathleen Barber novel about a woman whose father's murder is explored in a hit podcast. The third Hello Sunshine/Apple project is an as-of-now unnamed drama about a daily morning TV show starring Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston. Among Apple's other projects is a sci-fi drama called See , which will be directed by The Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence, and a documentary series about house design produced by Rock of Ages ' Matthew Weaver. Apple also has an anthology series called Amazing Stories in the works,...