These Netflix Socks Will Pause Your TV When You’ve Fallen Asleep
Netflix recognizes that it's easy to fall asleep during a long binge-watching session. The streaming service has developed a pair of socks that solves that problem, as these socks will pause your show when you've fallen asleep.
The socks use a method called actigraphy as the sleep detection system. When the accelerometer senses that you've stopped moving for a while, "it triggers a signal to your TV that pauses Netflix." A red LED light in the cuff of the sock will flash when the socks think you're asleep—a warning that the TV is about to pause. Any movement during the flashing will stop the signal from sending. Netflix notes that the accelerometer is "very sensitive to little movements, so it's good at detecting when you’re just sitting still, raptly watching Netflix, and when you’ve actually fallen asleep."
Top 10 Netflix Original Series
With the news that Netflix is nearly doubling their original series content in 2016 - from 16 to 31 shows - we thought now might be a good time to take stock of their programming so far.
Netflix changed the TV, and entertainment, landscape forever back in 2013 with their first original show they'd ordered themselves (as opposed to providing US distribution for, like Lilyhammer), the David Fincher-produced House of Cards; a pricey adaptation of a UK series that gave Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey a role he could really sink his teeth into. Eli Roth's Hemlock Grove and Jenji Kohan's Orange is the New Black followed that same year - proving that Netflix was out to corner the market in just about ever genre, be it comedy, drama, horror and more.
Marvel Bids Farewell to the Ultimate Universe
With the release of Ultimate End #5 today, Marvel has published the very last comic set in the Ultimate Universe. Read on to find out how the series said goodbye to the universe and its heroes.
Warning: this article contains spoilers for Ultimate End #5!
As with the previous four chapters, this issue brought together a huge cast of both Ultimate and regular Marvel heroes now living in the combined version of New York City that exists on Battleworld. These heroes were finally exposed to the truth about Battleworld when Miles Morales showed up and shared his memories of life as it existed before God Emperor Doom remade reality. Needless to say, they weren't pleased.
LG Unveils Next Year’s Monitors and Laptops Ahead of CES
CES 2016 doesn't kick off until January, but LG is showing its hand early to encourage people to come check them out as soon as possible.
The South Korean company will arrive at the event with a range of UltraWide monitors, 4K gaming monitors and its new Ultra PC gram laptop. All of which have been "designed for maximum productivity and entertainment for today’s demanding power users."
Among its UltraWide showings will be the 34-inch (3440 x 1440) curved UC98 and flat UM88, which include LG's picture quality enhancing IPS display technology, and Thunderbolt 2 connectivity. The UC88, meanwhile, available in 29- and 34-inch sizes, utilizes AMD's FreeSync to do away with choppiness and broken frames while gaming.
League of Legends Dev Riot Games Now Fully Owned by Tencent
Riot Games, developer of League of Legends, has been outright purchased by Tencent games.
Announced in a post on Riot Games' official site, the developer confirmed that its majority investor, Tencent Holdings Limited, has purchased the remaining equity of Riot Games – meaning the company is now in full control of Riot Games.
"As a result of our continued growth and changing circumstances, we're shifting to a new structure to recognize and reward Rioters' contributions - and that first involves a big change to our existing equity program. As part of this effort, our majority investor, Tencent, recently purchased the remaining equity of Riot Games. This allows us to move away from a Riot equity program towards a cash based incentive program that allows Rioters to share in Riot's success."
Tarantino Peeved About Star Wars: The Force Awakens
The Hateful Eight was originally going to open on December 24 at Los Angeles' Cinemarama Dome, but Star Wars: The Force Awakens has reportedly stole its spot and director Quentin Tarantino isn't too happy about it.
According to Tarantino, Lucasfilms' new space epic will remain in the theater for an extended run, stealing the spot for his film. "It was real bad news and it f---ing pissed me off," the director said on the latest episode of Howard Stern (via TheWrap). "They are going out of their way to f--- me."
Tom Hardy Mad About Losing His Suicide Squad Salary
Tom Hardy had to drop out of Suicide Squad due to scheduling conflicts with The Revenant, and according to the actor, it was a compromise he wasn't particularly happy about having to make.
In an interview with Variety, Hardy expressed his disappointment in having to pass on the opportunity to play Rick Flagg and the salary that came with it. "Was I bummed? Of course I was," he said. "I kept bemoaning that they were losing me significant money on a daily basis. Actually, it was good for my character."
Hideo Kojima Talks New Studio, ‘Edgy’ PlayStation Game, and the Future
Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima has founded a new independent game studio: Kojima Productions, which has partnered with Sony for its first project, a new franchise that Kojima told IGN will be "slightly more edgy."
We spoke to Kojima in Tokyo for his first public interview since reports that he was leaving Konami after the completion of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. He will be joined at his new studio by former Metal Gear Solid artist Yoji Shinkawa and producer Kenichiro Imaizumi. Both men will fill senior roles overlooking art design and production respectively.
Kojima Interested In Games, Anime, Film With del Toro
Hideo Kojima is still interested in working with Guillermo del Toro, his partner on the canceled Silent Hills project, but the duo could end up working on something other than a video game at the newly formed Kojima Productions.
"I have no idea what I’ll be working on with him, if it’ll be a game, a movie, anime, but someday I definitely want to create something with him," Kojima told IGN.
The Metal Gear Solid creator made no guarantees that del Toro would be involved in any future Kojima Productions projects, but emphasized that the two still discuss working together "every now and then."
Why Kojima Productions Partnered With PlayStation
Kojima Productions has partnered with Sony for its first video game project, and studio founder Hideo Kojima explains that it’s because of his great relationship with the publisher, which has developed over the course of more than a decade.
"I feel like this is an environment where I will be able to make something and feel comfortable," Kojima said, "and I believe that’s the environment I need right now."
Following his departure from Konami, Kojima received "a lot of offers from overseas companies," but ultimately chose to work with the company he admits he owes his global success to.