Monthly Archives: June 2015
The US is Going to Open a Space War Center
The US Department of Defense is planning to open a new space-war center in order to fend off attacks on US military and government satellites.
According to Defense One, Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work spoke at the GEOINT intelligence conference about the plans. "The ugly reality that we must now all face is that if an adversary were able to take space away from us, our ability to project decisive power across transoceanic distances and overmatch adversaries in theaters once we get there… would be critically weakened."
The new center is scheduled to open within six months, and it will be backing up the Joint Space Operations Center in California by helping the military coordinate preparations for and responses to any attack.
Netflix Probably Can’t Save Hannibal (But Will Amazon?)
Hannibal executive producer and the show’s creator, Bryan Fuller, has confirmed that discussions to find the show a new home are indeed happening.
Speaking to Variety, Fuller explains that while nothing is concrete as of yet, “I know there have been discussions on a couple of fronts with Netflix and Amazon. But I believe our deal with Amazon precludes a Netflix component so I think Netflix, who has expressed interest and has expressed great enthusiasm for the show… I don’t think contractually with our Amazon contract, they can pick up the show.”
One of the hurdles Fuller and co. have run into is the previous deal with Amazon, which sees the first three seasons of Hannibal locked into an exclusive streaming contract with their Amazon Prime service in the United States. In short, while a deal with Netflix or an NBC-owned cable station like Syfy, USA or Esquire seems like an obvious fit, pitching new seasons via Amazon makes even more sense as that’s where Hannibal already calls home.
New Patch Arrives For The Witcher 3
The Witcher 3 is getting a new patch today on PS4 and Xbox One, bringing a host of bug fixes and to the open-world RPG.
Patch 1.05 solves a number of problems that the game has been having, with community lead Marcin Momot adding a bigger update is also in development.
The full list of changes are below:
- Gold will no longer reset beyond 65535
- Fixes lack of interaction with Roche on Oxenfurt Bridge in the quest 'Get Junior'
- Geralt's clothes will no longer be wet after leaving the menu
10 Indie Games to Put on Your Radar in 2015
The final ten games still in the running for the People's Choice award at this year's Develop Indie Showcase has been revealed.
For those not in the know, the Indie Showcase is an annual part of Develop: Brighton, where experienced judges select the titles they feel highlight the most exciting indie games currently in development. If these titles weren't on your radar before, they should be.
Last year's list contained titles like Ether One and Among the Sleep, while many of those that launched shortly after the showcase went on to receive favourable reviews. With that in mind, here are this year's finalists.
iOS 9 Will Clear Space for System Updates by Deleting Apps
The iOS 9 beta 2 sports a new feature that temporarily deletes apps from devices with limited space to make room for system updates.
Discovered by developer beta users and posted on the Mac Rumors forum (via Engadget), the new feature first prompts the user for permission to delete apps before proceeeding with the installation. It will then automatically reinstall deleted apps on the device after the update is safely installed.
Lexus Claims It Has Created a Rideable Hoverboard
Car manufacturer Lexus claims it has created a rideable hoverboard powered by magnets and superconductors to achieve frictionless movement above a surface.
Omitting a rider actively riding the hoverboard, the teaser video released earlier today instead shows a stationary board as it bleeds what’s seems to be liquid nitrogen. Annoyingly, the video stops as a rider places their foot on the device.
According to the official website, the hoverboard is equipped with liquid nitrogen cooled superconductors and permanent magnets that allows it to hover off the ground.The technology doesn't seem to require a special surface to operate. Its design features materials found in Lexus cars, “from the high tech to the natural bamboo.”
Grimm’s James Frain Joins Gotham Season 2
The villain count for season two of Gotham just got bigger.
James Frain (Grimm) -- who's recently appeared in True Detective, Orphan Black, and Agent Carter -- has been cast in a regular role as Theo Galavan, according to Deadline.
His character is the billionaire brother of Tabitha Galavan, who DC aficionados will know goes on to become Tigress.
James Frain as Eric Renard in Grimm.
Destiny: Bungie Apologizes to Fans
Apologizing to fans in a Weekly Update following The Taken King controversies, Bungie revealed that Destiny players don’t need to re-purchase the game and its expansions to receive the exclusive items included in the Collector's Edition.
Players who already own Destiny and both expansion packs will now be able to pick up the content in a US$20 upgrade bundle on September 15. Those who grab the stand-alone version of The Taken King or the Legendary Edition at retail can also get the content pack.
Jason Statham Confirms Furious 8 Return
Jason Statham is coming back for another round of The Fast and the Furious franchise.
Speaking with Access Hollywood, Statham revealed he'll be returning for the inevitable next entry in the series.
"We're already talking about doing another one. Part eight. I'm a newcomer. I just got invited to the party in this last one, so it's nice to know I'm going to be doing another."
Furious 8 has been talked about a bunch since the box-office success of Furious 7, which has grossed more than $1.5 billion worldwide.
Clarkson, Hammond, and May to Announce New TV Show Within Weeks
Former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has confirmed to The Sunday Times that he will be returning as host of a new motoring show alongside his former co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond. The paper reports that the new show is likely to be revealed inside the next few weeks.
The show will reportedly air before Top Gear itself returns around March next year with its new line-up of presenters, including UK TV and radio personality (and occasional Top Gear guest star) Chris Evans as host.