Summer Movie Draft starts, 11.22.63 (107), Better Call Saul (206), Zootopia, Justified (111)
00:32 – Summer Movie Draft
07:17 – 11.22.63 (107)
11:26 – Better Call Saul (206)
22:04 – Zootopia
29:37 – Justified (111)
Today in Tech History – March 30, 2016
In 240 BC – Chinese astronomers observed a new broom-shaped “star” in the sky. It was the first confirmed sighting of Halley’s Comet.
In 1950 – Bell Telephone Laboratories announced the invention of a new kind of electric eye called the phototransistor. Dr. John Northrup Shive invented the transistor, which operated by light rather than electricity.
In 1951 – The Census UNIVAC System was accepted and subsequently devoted almost exclusively to tabulating results of the 1950 Census of Population and Housing. It was the first UNIVAC and was capable of completing 1,905 operations per second, which it stored on magnetic tape.
Like Tech History? Get the illustrated Year in Tech History at Merritt’s Books site.
#249 – Secrets Of All The Birds In The Sky W Charlie Jane Anders
We’re joined by Charlie Jane Anders to wrap up her book, All the Birds in the Sky. Did you know Kevin has a secret history? What anime inspired Ernesto? These things, as well as all the winners of all the awards on this episode.
DTNS 2723 – FBI Says “Nevermind, We Got It.”
In-game purchases are made by almost nobody. So how do the games make $10 billion a year? Patrick Beja and Tom Merritt discuss whether the same thing that made spam a success works for mobile games.
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Multiple versions (ogg, video etc.) from Archive.org.
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A special thanks to all our supporters–without you, none of this would be possible.
If you are willing to support the show or give as little as 5 cents a day on Patreon. Thank you!
Big thanks to Dan Lueders for the headlines music and Martin Bell for the opening theme!
Big thanks to Mustafa A. from thepolarcat.com for the logo!
Thanks to our mods, Kylde, TomGehrke, sebgonz and scottierowland on the subreddit
Show Notes
To read the show notes in a separate page click here!
Today in Tech History – March 29, 2016
In 1941 – 80% of US AM radio frequencies were reassigned to new channels as part of the North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement.
In 1945 – German soldiers blew the launch tracks for the V-1 rocket site near Letelle, Netherlands, ending the rocket attacks.
In 1974 – NASA’s Mariner 10 became the first space probe to cross the orbit of Mercury about 704 km from the surface.
Like Tech History? Get the illustrated Year in Tech History at Merritt’s Books site.
Cordkillers 114 – Shill for Big Indie
Why Netflix should have made us mad, why Redbox should try again, and why Vizio won Brian’s heart.
CordKillers: Ep. 114 – Shill for Big Indie
Recorded: March 28 2016
Guest: Lamarr Wilson
Intro Video
Primary Target
- Netflix is going to help you stop rinsing your mobile data
– Netflix admitted Thursday it reduces the default bitrate of its streams to viewers using AT&T or Verizon in the US to 600kbps. Netflix normally streams at 3-5 Mbps. In May Netflix intends to release a ‘data saver’ application that will let customers choose what video quality they receive on mobile. T-Mobile limits streaming of its partners like Netflix to 1.5 Mbps. Sprint restricted all streaming video to 600kps until last year.
Signal Intelligence
- Redbox is reportedly trying again at building a video streaming service
– Redbox tried to launch Redbox Instant with Verizon in 2013 and shut it down in two years
– Variety says Redbox is testing Redbox Digital
– Variety says it will offer rentals
Gear Up
- Vizio’s new TVs sport Google Cast, HDR and Android tablets
– Android tablet remote
– First Google Cast TVs with 4K and HDR
– No TV Tuner
– 50-inch Vizio P-Series TV for $1,000, a 55-inch model for $1,300 and a 65-incher for $2,000. And if you really want to go all out, there’s a 75-inch version for $3,800. - Google is renaming its Chromecast application to “Google Cast” to better reflect how the technology works across different devices.
– The updated app rolled out last week.
– Google also announced that VIZIO’s SmartCast P-Series HDTVs and sound bars will support Google Cast.
– A full list of supported devices can be found at google.com/cast.”
Front Lines
- This Chrome extension solves one of Netflix’s most annoying features
– Two Chrome browser extensions to help you with your Netflix viewing. One called Flix Assist clicks the “Continue Watching button for you and removes the 30-second countdown to the next episode. The other called Netflix Party lets you sync up your Netflix watching with someone else on the Internet and adds group chat. - Vimeo for Roku now lets you buy on-demand content straight from your TV
– Vimeo’s Roku app can now handle transactions meaning you can pay for Vimeo’s on-demand shows without having to use another device. Vimeo also added adaptive streaming support. - Nielsen starts breaking down TV streams by device next month
– Starting April 25, Nielsen will break down viewing by device. Devices tracked will be Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast, Xbox will be tracked.
Also, “Total Use of Television” will track smart TV use along with over-the-air or cable viewing metrics. - TCL’s 4K Roku TVs are available today from $599.99
– TCL started selling their 4K TVs with Roku built in on Amazon last week. The 55-inch TV is $600 and the 65-inch one os $1,000. Four more sets were announced but no release date was given. Those will come with a headphone jack in the remote. That series starts with a 43-inch set for $499.99, a 50-inch model for $599.99, a 55-inch set for $699.99, and a 65-inch one for $1,099.99. - Hulu now has an app for Samsung Gear VR
– Hulu launched an app designed for the Samung Gear VR headset available in the Gear VR Oculus Store. It includes normal content as well as 25 exclusive original VR shows and films. Those are available even if you’re not subscribed to Hulu. Hulu says its the first of several VR apps for different platforms.
Under Surveillance
- Netflix’s Voltron Series Looks Awesome, And it’s Coming June 10th
- Some of you watched Sony’s original series Powers on the PS4. And you will both be pleased to know season 2 returns May 31st.
- Netflix has ordered 10 episodes a remake of Norwegian series Maniac starring Jonah Hill and Emma Stone directed by Cary Fukunaga.
- Amazon Video gets an NFL reality show this summer
– NFL Films is making an 8-episode documentary series called “All or Nothing” for Amazon. It follows the Arizona Cardinals through the 2015 season. Coming this summer. - Apple is making a TV series with Will.i.am about the app economy
- – Apple SVP of Internet software and services told the New York Times Thursday that Apple is working with Will.i.am, Ben Silverman and Howard T. Owens on a TV series documenting app makers. Apple has previously worked with partners like Vice to make series related to music. Silverman brought the idea to Apple. Cue said, “This doesn’t mean that we are going into a huge amount of movie production or TV production or anything like that.”
- Vice and Apple Music launch The Score, a docu-series about local music scenes
– Apple is also teaming up with Vice for a six-episode documentary series called The Score that looks at local music scenes around the world. Examples include techno in South Africa and hip hop from native Americans in Minnesota. First episode is available to stream now on iTunes. - Brian: Better Call Saul 206, Justified 111, 11.22.63 (Soldier Boy), Zootopia, started Daredevil 202
- Tom: Venture Brothers, Daredevil (206-207), Better Call Saul (206), Justified (111), Supergirl, The Walking Dead, Vinyl, 11.22.63 (107), Zootopia
- Lamarr: Supergirl, Flash, Arrow, Agents of Shield, Once Upon a Time (why?), 3 episodes into House of Cards
- On the Lookout: The 100
Dispatches from the Front
Great podcast guys… yours is the first one I’ve supported, count me amongst the hopefully now 2000 Patreons.
Just a note on Playstation Vue. Someone on the show a few weeks back mentioned you can’t move your PS4 from location to location. Just as a warning, according to their FAQ this applies to ANY TV-connected device. I’m sitting in a hotel with my Fire TV Stick and just looked this up.
Other than that, this really has been a great experience. I’m in Miami, so after AT&T kicked us off their network and credited our ETF (they chose not to send tech #5 to try to get service working well), we signed up. In Miami, I have CBS, FOX, NBC live, but just on demand for ABC. I have both local Fox Sports channels, and unlike Sling, five streams at a time not one. For 75mbps cable modem service at $49.99 and $55 for Vue, I’m saving a FORTUNE. And unlike U-Verse 45mbps service that was often 3 mbps, Comcast has been delivering 90mbps at 75mbps pricing.
This is the future. I never wanted to cut the cord because I had bundles. I wanted to cut the cord because I hate cable boxes. A couple of Fire TVs I wanted anyway, is a different story.
– Scott
“Those Bastards at Sony Vue finally cracked the code!”
I signed up for the 7 day trial and naturally dove in wallet first choosing the “”Elite”” plan $54.99 for 100+ channels with Machinima and EPIX Hits included, but the basic plan provides everything a boy or girl could dream of, AMC, HGTV, the FXX, FX, Cartoon Network AKA Adult Swim plus much more.
Screen shots of plans attached. Link to plans: https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/vue/
I left out Showtime ($10.99) because it’s less expensive through Amazon Prime ($8.99) or Hulu.
I live 90 minutes outside of the city, (New York City) in a dead zone that makes it impossible to get Fox, NBC, ABC and CBS with an OTA antenna. The death of Aereo was painful. (http://www.aereo.com/)
With Playstation Vue, I get the major local networks ABC, CBS, NBC FOX, and a clearer more focused lineup than my sole option for cable and high-speed Internet Cablevision/Optimum. Broadcast channel availability will be different based on your region.
Unlike Sling (which I left 2 months ago) this service has polish no bloat, level commercial volumes and smooth DVR playback. If you designate a show as “”My Show”” it automatically DVR’s the program which was a pleasant surprise the following day. This truly feels like the future of TV.
After the trial I will likely drop to “”Core”” ($44.99) to keep IFC and Sundance, which are not included with “”Access”” $39.99. Currently all channel plans are discounted by ten bucks.
The standalone channels are discounted $1-2 if you are a Playstation Plus member. (Showtime, EPIX Hits, Machinima, & Fox Soccer Plus)
I do not own a Playstation, however I created an account on the Playstation website and downloaded the app via a banner add on my Fire TV. Finally a banner ad worth clicking on!
I was on the fence about whether or not to buy a PS4 of Xbox One, now I’m leaning towards the PS4, because of this and the fairly reasonable price of their VR bundle.
Lastly this might work for my parents, my Dad watches daytime court, the news and wrestling. My mom watches the 4 major broadcast networks, Netflix and Amazon Prime. I think a Fire TV w/ PS Vue and the continued sharing of my Netflix and Amazon Prime will convert my retired parents into cord killers before the year is out.
Between my Roku, Mac Mini HTPC, Xbox 360 and Fire TV, I never though that I’d only ever really need an Amazon created streaming device to consume nearly everything under the Sun.
By the way it only cost me $0.00 after the 1st unit I got for $89.99 (Amazon Black Friday Deal) malfunctioned and they refunded my original purchase price.
Unfortunately if you want it all, things can get costly. With HBO Now, PS Vue, Netflix, Showtime, Prime and Internet you hit about $146.20, if you choose the top tier plan. Knock of $10-20 if you choose one of the lower plans. I left out Hulu as DVR and broadcast network channels are included in PS Vue service. Either way all of this is way too much content for one person to consume, watching TV has become like a second job.
Oh, and chrome cast support is limited to IOS. Apple could forgo their own deals and simply have the PS Vue app in the Apple TV store
Potential Monthly Costs for me using only the Amazon Fire TV:
Optimun/Cablevision Standalone Internet: $49.99
Playstation: $39.99-$54.99 plus standalone channels
Amazon Prime: $8.25/month
Netflix: $8.99/month
$122.22
Optional addition KODI with Repositories: Free
Any insight into how Sony managed to out do Dish owned Sling would be great. Did you all watch the latest episode of Black Mirror? You will never look at your personal/spousal relationships the same again.
Apologies for being verbose. I look forward to becoming a Patreon soon.
Keep up the good work, guys. Great Job!
– Noel
Hi Brian and Tom,
When Brian said Fandango is NEW movies and FandangoNow is OLD movies, I was thinking maybe they should have called it FandangoThen.
– Alan
DTNS 2722 – Always Bet on Bot
Chat bots are getting a lot of buzz. Are they for real? Are the better for consumers or developers? Matt Hartman shares his insights with Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt.
Using a Screen Reader? Click here
Multiple versions (ogg, video etc.) from Archive.org.
Please SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Follow us on Soundcloud.
A special thanks to all our supporters–without you, none of this would be possible.
If you are willing to support the show or give as little as 5 cents a day on Patreon. Thank you!
Big thanks to Dan Lueders for the headlines music and Martin Bell for the opening theme!
Big thanks to Mustafa A. from thepolarcat.com for the logo!
Thanks to our mods, Kylde, TomGehrke, sebgonz and scottierowland on the subreddit
Show Notes
To read the show notes in a separate page click here!
Today in Tech History – March 28, 2016
In 1905 – Cornelius Ehret of Rosemont, Pennsylvania received a patent for the “Art of Transmitting Intelligence.” It was the forerunner of the modern fax.
In 1935 – Robert Goddard launched the first rocket equipped with gyroscopic controls near Roswell, New Mexico. The rocket reached an altitude of 4,800 feet and flew 13,000 feet at a speed of 550 mph.
In 1979- A combination of equipment malfunction and human error caused a partial reactor meltdown at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant near Middletown, Pennsylvania. While no injuries or deaths have been attributed to the accident, it changed US nuclear attitudes significantly.
Like Tech History? Get the illustrated Year in Tech History at Merritt’s Books site.
DTNS 2721 – WeChat is Everything
A very long show from two chatty Australians, talking news, rumours, and a recent trip to China.
Please SUBSCRIBE HERE.
Follow us on Soundcloud.
A special thanks to all our supporters–without you, none of this would be possible.
If you are willing to support the show or give as little as 5 cents a day on Patreon. Thank you!
Big thanks to Dan Lueders for the headlines music and Martin Bell for the opening theme!
Big thanks to Mustafa A. from thepolarcat.com for the logo!
Thanks to our mods, Kylde, TomGehrke, sebgonz and scottierowland on the subreddit
Show Notes
To read the show notes in a separate page click here!
Guest Post: Why VR Might be For Real This Time
This guest post is from Travis Falstad who we met at last week’s DTNS meetup. Travis Falstad is an entrepreneur and builds new products. You can find out more about Travis at travisfalstad.com.
Recently Allison Sheridan sent me a link to an episode of Computer Chronicles about Virtual Reality from 1992. Stewart Cheifet does an excellent job summarizing the tech and breaking it down for viewers.
Allison noted that even in 1992 he was saying VR wasn’t just for games and talking about medical and educational uses and pretty much everything that we talk about today.
She said, “I love watching this but I’m also saddened that it’s so familiar to today.”
I see what she means. After all, other things have changed considerably. I really enjoyed the public service announcement to not pirate software, “Don’t copy that floppy.” Ha!
First, I would say that the persistent enthusiasm for using VR in education, medical, and many other fields beyond gaming just reinforces the fact that demand exists now that we’re starting to have supporting technologies in place that weren’t available 24 years ago.
There’s a great quote referenced from Scott Foster at Crystal River Technologies in the video. “The visual systems we’re working with today aren’t that good. It’s very difficult to build a very precise stereo imaging system.” That problem is solved! We’ve also now got inexpensive and powerful game engines with asset stores, smartphones, high resolution 360 video capture, photogrammetry model capture, high-speed internet connectivity, online payments, high resolution displays, miniature and cheap sensors like gyroscopes and accelerometers, updateable content through Content Management Systems, mobile and online payment platforms, microtransactions, and easy distribution through app stores. Each one of these puzzle pieces are critical to a tech like VR having mass adoption. Think about how the CyberGlove has changed from a bulky wired glove that tracks one hand to a Kinect that can track 6 people simultaneously from up to 20 feet away; entire bodies – including fingers and heart rate based on skin tone changes!
Also, many of the ideas weren’t that good in 1992. The ones that were good either were adopted and slowly improved by their respective segment (architectural, defense, auto manufacturing, etc). Even if the tech had existed, the standard internet paradigm also hadn’t evolved enough to know what products might work. One of the ideas I saw in the video was virtual shopping malls. I remember that was a focus in the dot com runup as well. While we were trying to figure out how ecommerce might work, people wanted to hold onto the old-world paradigm. When I was at Hot Topic in 2006, I had vendors pitching virtual shopping malls. While we did consider building a store in Second Life just as a test (why not sell a picture of a T-shirt instead of an actual T-shirt?), it always struck me as a silly shopping experience adding real-world constraints to an experience that can be so seamless online.
I’d like to use Aerosmith’s 1994 video for the song Amazing as an example. In 1994, it was just a fun “what-if” video that’s all filmed or pre-rendered graphics with some nice VR hardware (including the CyberGlove featured in Stewart’s video). I remember being 19 and watching that video thinking it would hit while I was in college and I could go Sky Surfing with Alicia Silverstone. Sadly, none of the above mentioned technologies were there to support my Alicia Silverstone Sky Surfing fantasies. I’d like to imagine if that video came out now (and the record company was willing to spend the money, which is a different topic).
A team of two or three people could use Unity 3D to build an environment with realistic physics. We could pick up models for items like motorcycles, guitars, and airplanes from the Unity Asset Store or Turbosquid. We could use photogrammetry to capture a photorealistic model of Alicia. We could use cut scenes captured with a GoPro 360 camera rig or even the Ricoh Theta S for $300. Then, we could easily export builds from the game engine to Android, Linux, iOS, Windows, and Mac and distribute those in app stores and on the web. We could even make a little bit of money for the band by including additional experiences as in-app-purchases. Then there’s the marketing element. Now, we could promote this VR product to the band’s database, the Ticketmaster list, and potential sponsors. So, we could market to millions of Aerosmith fans and use analytics platforms to fine-tune the message and segment to increase conversion, etc. We are able to reach millions of people to promote this product now with zero marginal cost. I know we’re all familiar with the marketing elements but I mention it as these innovations also drive adoption and monetization, which will be a big part of VR reaching mass appeal.
The only part in my mind that’s lagging behind is addressable market but with big publications like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal distributing millions of Google Cardboards and large festivals like Coachella giving away branded headsets to attendees, I believe that is only a matter of time. The point I’m trying to make here is that each one of the components needed to bring a fun silly product in an Aerosmith video in 1994 to an actualized product in 2016 just came into existence in the past few years.
I am a little bit contrary to the prevailing mindset in that I believe the consumer side will really be based on experiential products (tourism, porn, music, film, 360 video) in addition to gaming but not driven by gaming entirely. Not to mention, medical, eduction, and more specific cases.