HBO Now Adds Google Chromecast Support
HBO Now, HBO's $15 per month streaming service, has just added support for Google's Chromecast hardware.
The Google Chromecast blog made an official announcement regarding the newly added support, which comes alongside other apps like Watch Food Network, Watch Travel Channel, and Pokemon TV.
Initially, HBO Now was tied to Apple products as part of a timed-exclusivity deal, but the service eventually made its way to Android devices as well. Now, as promised, it's come to the Chromecast, thereby giving users the ability to stream popular HBO shows like Game of Thrones, True Detective, and Silicon Valley, but without a cable subscription.
Cruise Surface of Mars Virtually With New NASA Simulator
If you've ever dreamed of exploring Mars, but don't feel like waiting for technology to progress to a point where human travel to the red planet is a reality, you can now explore our second-nearest neighbor virtually.
NASA has two different apps that allow armchair astronauts to explore the surface of Mars from their computers. Mars Trek is a web-based application "that provides high-quality, detailed visualizations of the planet" built from fifty years of data gathered by exploration of Mars.
Photo: NASA
Xbox Live Officially Confirmed for Microsoft Hololens
Microsoft's Hololens is officially getting Xbox Live support as part of the Universal Windows Platform.
During a Gamescom conference, Microsoft games evangelist Jaime Rodriguez confirmed the service will run across all of the Windows 10 platforms, of which Hololens is a member.
According to VR Focus, Rodriguez said the Xbox Live API is integrated into any device that falls under the Universal Windows Platform, giving the devices Xbox Live functionality.
This means that multiplayer functionality for future Hololens games will be built right in simply by being part of the Windows platform. But multiplayer gaming experiences on Hololens won't be hitting the device when it first becomes available. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said recently Hololens won't initially be used for gaming. The primary aim of the device will be more about "developers and enterprise scenarios."
Spielberg’s Ready Player One Coming Holiday 2017
Warner Bros. has revealed the release date for the Ready Player One movie.
According to Variety, Ready Player One is slated to hit theaters on December 15, 2017.
Steven Spielberg will be directing the adaptation of Ernest Cline's novel in which humans spend the majority of their days in OASIS, a massive multiplayer online simulation, in order to escape the dystopian real world.
"Any film from Steven Spielberg is an event film, so it felt right to date this thrilling new project from one of our greatest filmmakers for the holiday season," said Warner Bros. president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman.
Samuel L. Jackson Up for Kong: Skull Island?
Legendary Pictures is reportedly in early talks with Samuel L. Jackson for a lead role in Kong: Skull Island.
Deadline reports Jackson would fill the role left vacant by J.K. Simmons' departure from the film earlier this year. Meanwhile, John C. Reilly (Step Brothers) is said to be the top choice to replace Michael Keaton, who also recently exited the film. Neither actor has officially been offered a role, according to the report.
Samuel L. Jackson as Mace Windu in Star Wars
Next 24 Season May Focus Entirely on New Characters
We knew the 24 spinoff/continuation currently in development at FOX wouldn't star Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, but now it seems it may feature an entirely new cast of characters, according to FOX Chairman and CEO Gary Newman.
"Honestly I don’t know whether we’ll see any old characters or not," said Newman at the TCA (Television Critics Association) press tour (via Entertainment Weekly). "It would not surprise me if it’s a total reset in terms of the characters.”
As for whether or not Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer will make an appearance in the new series -- something that was seemingly up in the air as of June -- Newman says it's just not the right time for Sutherland. "Obviously we would love to have Kiefer
App Store Update: August 6
Every day hundreds of new apps make their debut on the App Store, and hundreds more are updated or reduced in price. We have sifted through the noise and highlighted those select few that might be worth your attention.
Note: The prices and deals compiled below are accurate at the time we published this story, but all are subject to change.
Spider: Rite of the Shrouded Moon – ($4.99)
The Spider series continues with this new sequel in which your intrepid arachnid explores a mysterious haunted mansion and uncovers the truth of what happened within its walls.
Toy Story TV-Movie Coming to Blu-ray
Pixar completists, rejoice! Toy Story That Time Forgot -- last year's ABC special that sprung from the events of Toy Story 3 -- is getting a home video release on November 3. The set will include the full 22-minute special on Blu-ray, DVD and in Digital HD, along with a commentary, deleted scenes, sing-alongs (oh yes), and a slew of other extras.
Check out the exclusive trailer for the Toy Story That Time Forgot home video release below:
And just so you know what you're getting, here's a detailed breakdown of the extras on the set:
Blu-ray, Digital HD*, Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA)
- Reptillus! - In this behind-the-scenes look at Toy Story That Time Forgot, the filmmakers share a peek at the origins of the Battlesaurs world and culture, and explain the character design and development of its greatest hero, Reptillus Maximus.
Google Fiber Network Expanding to San Antonio
Google announced today that it's bringing its Google Fiber network to San Antonio, Texas.
In the announcement post, Head of Google Fiber in Texas, Mark Strama, stated that implementing their fiber network in San Antonio will make it "the largest fiber city to date," due in part to the 1.4 million people currently living there.
There's no set date as to when Google Fiber will be fully operational in the city, but the design phase will begin "soon." According to KSAT, Strama also noted that it would be a few years before work was completed.
Daily Deals: Wii U Discount, Chromecast and Apple TV Deals, Alienware Alpha
It's back, save $40 on a brand new Wii U.
Save $50 On A PlayStation 4, Get Borderlands: The Handsome Collection For Free
A $350 PS4 Borderlands: The Handsome Collection is the best PS4 deal I've seen in a while.
