Geek News

Refusing to slow its pace of dealmaking, Netflix announced tonight that it has a new "multi-year" agreement with producer Ryan Murphy, starting in July. Murphy has produced a string of hit series over the years, including Glee, Nip/Tuck, American Horror Story and Scream Queens . His contract with Fox is about to expire, and according to reports from the New York Times and Deadline , this began a bidding war that put the price of his five-year agreement at as much as $300 million. Source: Netflix via Engadget RSS Feed "http://ift.tt/2EHAj3J"

To say Faraday Future has had a rough time would be an understatement between its financial crisis , executive exodus and CEO troubles . However, things might be looking up for the electric car maker. A Business Insider source has claimed that an unnamed Hong Kong backer has promised a $1.5 billion investment, $550 million of which is "already in the bank." That only goes so far with an automaker, but it's reportedly enough to speed up development of the FF91 and get it on the market by the end of 2018. Accordingly, the company's Hanford, California factory should soon be on track. Work on it is believed to be starting in "30 to 60 days," with production underway by December. The company's second car , the FF81, is now expected to get an unveiling at a showcase in Beijing. We've asked Faraday Future for comment, although it's no secret that it has been holding a global supplier summit to reassure partners. If there was any time to discl...

If you've wanted to use Google's canned Smart Replies in chat apps, you've been limited to using Allo or (if you're on the right carrier) Android Messages . But what if you're one of the many, many people using something else? Don't fret: Google's experimental Area 120 group is working on a Reply project that, as the name implies, will bring Smart Replies to many messaging clients (currently just for Android). Hangouts is logically on the list, but so are third-party apps like Facebook Messenger, Skype, WhatsApp and even Twitter's direct messages. You'd only have to tap a button in your notifications to confirm that you're on your way or say you're doing well. Reply should have some intelligent features as well, such as a "sorry I can't talk" driving mode and a vacation responder to stop coworkers from bugging you when you're off the clock. It should also punch through silent mode if there's an urgent message demand...

It's easier to appreciate nature when you witness it first-hand, but that's rather difficult with the ocean unless you have a submarine at your disposal. The BBC and Google have a more practical solution: they've launched a BBC Earth: Life in VR app that illustrates the underwater ecosystem on Daydream View headsets and compatible phones. You can explore environments ranging from kelp forests to deep sea trenches , and life as large as whales or as tiny as plankton. Yes, you could sit down to watch Planet Earth II without donning headgear, but the two companies are betting that the advantages of VR will make all the difference. It's not just that you're engrossed in situations that would be difficult or impossible to record on camera -- it's that you're an "active participant" rather than a mere bystander. If all goes well, you'll have a better understanding of the aquatic ecosystem than you would by watching an ordinary documentary. So...

If you use an ad-blocker, you'll now be met with a pop-up when you visit Salon's website, the Financial Times reports. It will offer you two choices -- turn off your ad-blocker or let the website mine cryptocurrency with some of your computer's extra processing power. Salon says on its site that it makes its money off of advertisements, but because more and more readers are now using ad-blockers, it has seen a large drop in revenue. Cryptocurrency mining is its way of recuperating those losses. "Like most media sites, ad-blockers cut deeply into our revenue and create a more one-sided relationship between reader and publisher," Salon says. "For our beta program, we'll start by applying your processing power to mine cryptocurrencies to recoup lost ad revenue when you use an ad blocker. We plan to further use any learnings from this to help support the evolution and growth of blockchain technology, digital currencies and other ways to better service the...

Samsung's ambitions in services just took a bit of a blow. ZDNet has learned that Samsung's software research CTO Injong Rhee has left the company to become an "Enterpreneur in Residence" at Google. The 7-year veteran was important to the development of Samsung Pay and the company's Knox security platform . He also led the initial deployment of Samsung's in-house AI assistant, Bixby. Whatever you think of those products, he made them stand out -- no mean feat in a company better-known for its cutting-edge displays and processors than its software. Rhee said he'll be leading Internet of Things projects at Google, although it's not certain exactly what that entails. He'll be reporting to Google Cloud CEO Diane Greene, however, and will be aiming for a "concerted" strategy with separate home and business IoT lineups. In other words, you may see a clearer effort emerge than what you've seen so far . This likely won't put the...

Canary introduced a livestream-ready browser interface for its home cameras last August, but now you can command them with your voice, too. The platform now has its own Amazon Alexa skill, permitting users to give directions and watch live streams through the Alexa app on certain devices. The skill currently works only on the Echo Show, Echo Spot and compatible Fire TVs. To start, users pop open the Alexa app on their device and search for Canary under the skills tab. Once they sign in with their Canary credentials, they can use the app to flip through the different views in their camera setup. Then users can give voice commands, like "Alexa, show the Front Door" -- though cameras set to private won't be able to stream through the Alexa app. It's supported on Canary's All-in-One or View devices running firmware at v3.0.0 or higher, or Canary Flex running v2.3.0 or higher. Source: Canary via Engadget RSS Feed "http://ift.tt/2CiWnfJ"

For years , Elon Musk has been talking about his plans to launch thousands of low-orbiting satellites that will be able to provide high speed internet to people around the globe. While the details of those satellites have been kept largely under wraps, we've known that the first round of prototypes were nearing a launch date, and according to a letter posted on the FCC's website yesterday (and spotted by CNET ), the first two test satellites will be placed into orbit this weekend. SpaceX's vice president of satellite affairs told Congress last year that the company planned to launch its first two demo satellites at the end of 2017 and the start of this year, and if everything went well, the first operational satellite could be launched as early as 2019 . In its recent letter to the FCC, SpaceX says that two experimental satellites -- Microsat-2a and -2b -- will launch on one of its Falcon 9 rockets, which will also be carrying Paz, a radar observation satellite belon...

Today, Vizio announced that owners of select TV models can now control displays with their voices , thanks to a new Amazon Alexa skill. All 2016 and 2017 SmartCast P-, M- and E-Series 4K models are compatible with this new feature. The 2018 Full HD and HD models will also be able to take advantage of the Alexa skill in coming weeks. The displays will respond to volume, channel, power and input setting changes with a voice command. Users can also fast forward, rewind and pause on some apps. Note that Alexa isn't built into the display; this is a skill integration, so it requires an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show or any other piece of Alexa-enabled hardware to work. To activate this Alexa skill, download the Amazon Alexa app. Make sure you're signed into the app, and that your Alexa-enabled speaker or product is set up. If your Vizio's Quick Start mode isn't enabled, you'll want to toggle that on or Alexa will not be able to turn on your display. On your Vizio r...

The Internet of Things hasn't ever been super secure. Hacked smart devices have been blamed for web blackouts , broken internet , spam and phishing attempts and, of course, the coming smart-thing apocalypse . One of the reasons that we haven't seen the same sort of encryption as the web affords, however, is that such protection is energy-intensive. MIT is working on a new chip , however, to perform this sort of public-key encryption that only uses 1/400 as much power as a software solution would. In addition, the chip uses about 1/10 as much memory and executes processes 500 times as fast. MIT researchers used a technique called elliptic-curve encryption, which relies on a mathematical function to secure transactions. The new chip sets itself apart by being able to handle any kind of elliptic curve, which, in addition to low power use and a high speed of computation, makes it much more useful as an encryption solution. "Cryptographers are coming up with curves with dif...

As Virgin Galactic gears up for commercial spaceflights and science research, the company has partnered up with Microsoft and its Edge browser to create a new website that's both mobile-friendly and WebVR optimized. The new site shows off Virgin's efforts to create a new space-based travel industry to good effect. You'll be able to explore Virgin's "fleet" via Windows mixed reality devices , too. The site will have hotspots that will present VR tours of the company's WhiteKnightTwo, VSS Unity and the Galactic team. A simliar tour, in simple 3D, is available for those without a headset. The site works well in Google Chrome, showing off gorgeous footage of Virgin spaceships, crew videos and company information. The site looks pretty great on a mobile phone, too, with the same buttons and fluid animations as in the desktop browser. Microsoft Edge isn't the only browser with VR features built in, of course. Google revealed that it has built a VR ver...

Twitch Prime only occasionally offers sweet game deals , but this one might be worth grabbing if you want to brush up on video game history. Twitch and Capcom are offering the Windows version of the original Devil May Cry (specifically, from the HD Collection ) for free to Amazon Prime subscribers starting on February 27th. In many ways, this is the archetype for stylish hack-and-slash action titles like Bayonetta -- Dante succeeds in his demon hunting saga by mixing up attacks to create an unbroken chain of death. Add in a story inspired by The Divine Comedy and it's fairly clear why the series spawned both multiple sequels and a remake , even if if they didn't always live up to the original. This isn't a selfless gesture. The Devil May Cry HD Collection is coming to Windows (and PS4, and Xbox One) on March 13th, and this is a convenient way of drumming up hype by showing what you can expect from the other two DMC games you'll get if you pay $30. Still, it...

For large gatherings, PA systems keep you from just yelling at a group of people to share your message. For musicians, a PA is necessary to amplify your voice and instrument to an audience. On the surface, Korg's Konnect PA speaker does pretty much what every other speaker with a few mics attached to it does, make things louder so folks can hear them. But look a little deeper, and you'll see the Konnect takes what Korg knows about sound and performances and shoves it into a four-channel speaker. One you can control via a companion app that's surprisingly robust. The $400 Korg Konnect is about the size of a boombox (ask your parents) with the usual volume knobs on the back. But it also has a voicing characteristics selector (male voice, female voice, guitar, etc) to help fine tune the sound. Plus it has a feedback suppressor button that reduces the annoying feedback whine that starts nearly every corporate get together and forces someone to run across the room to turn do...

Apple's slate of original shows keeps growing and growing and the latest addition is a drama based on the early life of Kevin Durant. Swagger will focus on youth basketball players, their families and their coaches and will draw on Durant's experiences playing basketball with the Amateur Athletic Union in the Washington DC area. Durant, who currently plays with the Golden State Warriors, is no stranger to the entertainment world. He has an incredibly popular YouTube channel and last month YouTube signed a deal with Durant's Thirty Five Media production company that will bring more sports-centered video content to the platform. So excited to partner with Imagine and Apple on this series...much more to come @richkleiman @thirtyfivemedia https://t.co/ZC21fSkXIe — Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 13, 2018 Though there's still no word on when we might get to see them, Apple has added a number of shows to its lineup. So far, there's an anthology series called ...

Chris Rock signed a deal with Netflix in 2016, agreeing to two comedy specials for a reported sum of $40 million. Well the wait for Rock's comedy special return is finally over as Netflix has announced that the first of those two specials will air on February 14th. Chris Rock: Tamborine is Rock's first special since 2008's Kill the Messenger and Variety reports that it will cover topics that span from relationships to race. Tomorrow. Tamborine. @netflixisajoke pic.twitter.com/RPVhPv5mmq — Chris Rock (@chrisrock) February 13, 2018 Over the last couple of years, Netflix has snagged quite a few high-profile comedians. Last year, the streaming service aired three Dave Chappelle specials , one from Patton Oswalt and the first of two Jerry Seinfeld specials . Ellen Degeneres also has a Netflix special in the works. In addition to big names, Netflix also got the rights to the Def Comedy Jam 25th anniversary special and will also start airing 15-minute stand-up spe...

The video game industry is getting a wake up call over paid loot boxes. Last November, Belgium ruled that loot crates in Star Wars Battlefront II could be classified as gambling. Last month, a Washington Senator proposed a bill aimed at regulating the practice via the state's gambling commission. Now Hawaii is looking to limit these types of game systems with a couple of bills proposed by state legislators, one of which restricts sales of these types of games to the over-21 crowd. According to the Hawaii Tribune-Herald , there are two pairs of bills aimed at games like EA's Star Wars Battlefront II . House Bill 2686 and Senate Bill 3024, seek to prohibit the sale of any games that include loot boxes that can be purchased with real money to anyone under 21 years of age. The second pair, House Bill 27272 and Senate Bill 3025, want game publishers to prominently label games that have randomized purchase systems and disclose the probability rates of specific loot box rewards....

After arriving on the Nintendo Switch in November, there's few places Rocket League hasn't reached -- but soon it will hit the real world. No, not in actual rocket-boosted vehicles, which would be way cooler to watch than a show about its eSports competition. Instead, fans will soon be able to race around in Hot Wheels-brand RC car replicas of the in-game vehicles. The Hot Wheels​ Rocket League RC Rivals Set is coming later this year! Details: https://t.co/arCkOCKKKv pic.twitter.com/JgtCPRV5Q0 — Rocket League (@RocketLeague) February 13, 2018 To be fair, the toy company isn't just selling a pair of Rocket League-themed remote controlled vehicles and calling it a day. The pair of cars, mocked up like in-game models Octane and Dominus, come in a kit with an oversized ball and mat that unfolds to look like the in-game stadium. No, the boost pads don't work, but at least it should come with an LCD scoreboard. Players control their cars over bluetooth using smart ...

Fitbit is very familiar with the health care world , and its latest acquisition drives that point home. The company has bought Twine Health, whose centerpiece is a health coaching platform that helps you manage chronic conditions (such as diabetes and hypertension) and complete "lifestyle interventions" like weight loss or quitting smoking. The move will help Fitbit offer its wares to health plans and self-insured companies -- and, to no one's surprise, gives it a chance to make more money from subscriptions . The deal should wrap before the end of March. While Fitbit isn't more specific about what it would like to do, it's not hard to see where the company is going. Its Ionic smartwatch can already talk to glucose monitors , and heart rate tracking has been a staple of its activity trackers for years. Health care and insurance providers could offer Fitbit devices to help you meet your goals without as many doctor's appointments or sky-high insurance pr...

The Olympics aren't just an event for the most talented athletes to strut their stuff on the world's stage. No, The Games are where robots can find honest work and leisure, too. Some 85 robots (spread across 11 different models, humanoid and otherwise) have been serving drinks, cleaning floors, swimming around fish tanks, guiding lost visitors at the airport and even skiing according to regional publication Korea JoongAng Daily . "We applied three yardsticks in choosing the robots to use at The Games -- how stable, new and useful they are going to be," Park Hyun-Sub, of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology said. The robot skiing competition was held yesterday at an event adjacent to the Olympic village. According to The Guardian , each bot had to meet a strict set of criteria to compete. Specifically, they had to be over 50cm tall, have independent power systems, be able to stand on two legs and have bendable knees and elbows. Oh, they need to us...

Facebook's latest attempt to get you to post more original content is a feature called Lists. It lets you post a customized list such as "My travel wishlist" or "Goals for the year" and the idea is your Facebook friends will then engage with post, adding suggestions or giving encouragement. You can further personalize your list with various background color options or by adding emojis and Facebook will also provide list suggestions, though you can make up your own as well. Additionally, if someone else's list inspires you -- or infuriates you -- you can mimic theirs and add your own twist. Facebook has been leaning into the idea of pushing personal and local content over national news. The company announced earlier this year that the site would begin to promote posts from friends, family and groups over those of businesses and media. It also said that it would start to prioritize local news stories in the News Feed and is testing a dedicated local news...