Monthly Archives: March 2015
These Glasses Foil Facial Recognition Software
Facial recognition software is growing both in use and sophistication, which is why security firm AVG has revealed what it refers to as "invisibility glasses."
Utilizing infrared and retro-reflective technology, the glasses are designed to create interference in photographs, interference that reduces the effectiveness of image recognition software.
AVG points to three concerns for privacy. One, an increasing use of smartphone cameras means it's more likely "unsolicited images taken of us may end up online," worries over "Big Data projects such as Google's StreetView," and Facebook's "DeepFace," which AVG warns could give private corporations the ability to "not only recognize us, but also cross-reference our faces" against other online data.
Rumor: Drew Goddard to Write & Direct Next Spidey
Marvel's Spider-Man reboot may have found its director in Cabin in the Woods' Drew Goddard.
According to Latino-Review, Goddard has been tapped to write and direct the latest Spidey incarnation. Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige will produce the film along with Amy Pascal at Sony "in what is envisioned as a three part series to come out over consecutive summers." The series might also be called "Spectacular Spider-Man" after another Marvel comics series.
"So the thinking at the moment is that Sony will faze out all the Spidey Verse films they were developing. Yes even the Aunt May film (that was real!) and focus on a story involving Spidey versus the Sinister Six," the site claims. "At one point they were developing a film that was just going to be a spinoff called THE SINISTER SIX. That’s scrapped but the big news is that the director of that film, Drew Goddard, will write AND direct the Spectacular Spider Man movie."
7 Things to Watch this Week
A nice mix of new and returning shows this week - including another Netflix Original Series premiere, just one week after House of Cards.
Netflix in March: Kimmy Schmidt, 3rd Rock from the Sun, More
The Following is back for its third season, Broadchurch for its second, and Marvel's Agents of SHIELD returns to finish out its sophomore run - now with 100% more Inhumans. Plus, new shows American Crime, CSI: Cyber, and Dig debut.
Here's the rundown:
MONDAY, March 2nd at 9/8c on FOX
Heart Forth, Alicia’s Titular Character in 2016
After a successful Kickstarter campaign, upcoming Metroidvania RPG Heart Forth, Alicia is coming to PlayStation 4 and Vita in early 2016. The game will also appear on Wii U and 3DS, as well as Mac, PC and Linux.
In a post on the PlayStation blog, lead developer Alonso Martin credits the Kickstarter, which was fully funded in May 2014. Several of Heart Forth, Alicia's stretch goals were met, one of which allowed Martin to bring his project to Sony's systems. Manami Matsumae, who composed music for Mega Man 10, Mighty No. 9 and Shovel Knight, produced "a few tracks" for the game, according to Martin.
Netflix Australia Has a Launch Date
Streaming service Netflix has finally announced an official launch date in Australia and New Zealand: 24 March.
'Australian Netflix' will be available on smart TVs ( Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Philips. HiSense, Fetch TV’s second-gen set-top box), Apple TV and Chromecast, Android and Apple phones and tablets, and on all current game consoles - the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and Wii U.
As part of a deal with Microsoft, those buying Xbox Ones "at select stores" will be given a three month access pass to the service once it launches.
"Xbox has a long association with Netflix around the world, and with this announcement we’re excited to bring our partnership to the millions of Xbox owners across Australia and New Zealand,” said Jeremy Hinton, business group lead for Interactive Entertainment at Microsoft Australia. "With Xbox One we are committed to delivering the best entertainment experience in Australian and New Zealand living rooms.”
Out This Week: March 2, 2015
With so many new games and movies coming out, it can be hard to keep up. Lucky for you, IGN is here to help with a weekly round-up of the biggest releases each and every week. Check out the latest releases for this week, and be sure to come back next Monday for a new update.
Note: The prices and deals compiled below are accurate at the time we published this story, but all are subject to change.
Is This the Most Secure Smartphone on Earth?
Silent Circle, makers of smart phones and tablets with an emphasis on secure communications, announced its Blackphone 2 and Blackphone+, its entry into the tablet market.
The products were unveiled at the Mobile World Congress, along with an update to the company's secure operating system, PrivatOS 1.1. The OS, which is a modified version of Android 4.4.2, places emphasis on encryption for internet browsing, telephone calls, and instant messaging.
While the phone itself is a more powerful version of its earlier phone, the biggest improvement to the security-minded niche Silent Circle is carving out for itself is in the OS's new virtualization abilities. "It keeps enterprise and personal apps and data completely separate," the company said, adding that the managed enterprise space can be "locked and wiped" as needed by IT administrators.
Pokemon Shuffle Reaches 1 Million Downloads
Since its release less than two weeks ago, Pokemon Shuffle has been downloaded from the Nintendo 3DS eShop over one million times, Nintendo announced today.
The free-to-play puzzle game is celebrating the milestone by offering players a gift that can be downloaded throughout March. The gift, an item called Complexity -1, can be used to simplify a puzzle.
In Pokemon Shuffle, you must match three or more Pokemon on the bottom screen to clear them from the stage and damage wild Pokemon. Matching an opponent's weakness is crucial, as you must defeat them within a certain amount of moves.
HTC Hopes to Bring Half-Life to Its VR Headset
HTC is working with Valve to bring the Half-Life franchise to the upcoming VR headset Vive, an HTC executive said at Mobile World Congress today.
HTC chairwoman Cher Wang didn't specify whether this would be a new entry in the series, or a virtual-reality remake of earlier Half-Life titles. However, she did say HTC was "cooperating with Half-Life," and that she "hopes" the franchise will make its way to Vive in the future, according to the BBC.
HTC and Valve announced the partnership to develop Vive yesterday. The headset uses Valve's SteamVR tracking technology and pairs with two SteamVR base stations, allowing the platform to be played without using a controller. However, the option to do so still remains.
George Lucas’ Cult Animated Movie Coming to DVD
Warner Archive is releasing George Lucas' 1983 animated cult classic Twice Upon a Time on DVD later this spring.
Executive produced by the Star Wars creator himself, Twice Upon a Time had several future industry legends work on it, including animators Henry Selick (The Nightmare Before Christmas) and Harley Jessup (Monsters Inc.), as well as David Fincher (Fight Club), who contributed in a special effects role.
Still from Twice Upon a Time.