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Friday 3 May 2019
Slim Cinema: A vertical film festival
The festival includes DJs and artwork as well as films shot in a vertical format.
from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2GXwWpG
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from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2GXwWpG
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University of Manchester students reveal experimental plane
A project which could revolutionise air travel and make planes cheaper and greener is unveiled.
from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2IV0feS
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from BBC News - Technology https://bbc.in/2IV0feS
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5G depends on Kubernetes in the cloud
If we're to ever have 5G in the real world, it's going to be running on Kubernetes.
from Latest news https://zd.net/2V7yaqW
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IDC report: Huawei increases lead over Apple, with Samsung in its sights in battle for top spot
First quarter 2019 results reveal that smartphone shipment volumes are down 6.6% compared to 2018. Four of the top six companies show declining results, but Huawei had a 50% increase over the past year as it approaches the top spot.
from Latest news https://zd.net/2XXqpAM
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from Latest news https://zd.net/2XXqpAM
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Mozilla announces ban on Firefox extensions containing obfuscated code
Mozilla also plans to be more aggressive towards taking down extensions that break its policies, with a focus on security issues.
from Latest news https://zd.net/2GXNPAu
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from Latest news https://zd.net/2GXNPAu
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Why making is so important to IT professionals in small and large-sized businesses
The maker movement has gotten the bulk of its attention from hobbyists, garage makers, and educators. But making is also incredibly powerful for fostering growth, flexibility, and the innovative spark among small and large businesses alike.
from Latest news https://zd.net/2GQTiYB
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from Latest news https://zd.net/2GQTiYB
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Uber and Facebook: Partners in crime
Uber's IPO will probably be the biggest since Facebook's. It's remarkable how similar the companies are.
from Latest news https://zd.net/2UWJ5iq
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from Latest news https://zd.net/2UWJ5iq
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Stratasys Q1 above target as company works to control expenses
Interim CEO Elan Jaglom said the company was encouraged by Stratasys' performance in North America.
from Latest news https://zd.net/2J90SR7
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from Latest news https://zd.net/2J90SR7
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50,000 enterprise firms running SAP software vulnerable to attack
9 out of 10 SAP production systems are believed to be vulnerable to new exploits.
from Latest news https://zd.net/2J9PKDr
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from Latest news https://zd.net/2J9PKDr
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Netflix now streaming with 'high-quality audio', because your ears matter, too
Bitrates will now adapt depending on your bandwidth on 5.1 surround and Atmos-enabled content.
Netflix today in a blog post announced that it's revamped its audio streaming for all content that use either 5.1 surround sound or Dolby Atmos. It's calling it "high-quality audio," which is a pretty unassuming name given the big deal it's making about all this. And to be clear, it is a bit of a big deal.
It all comes down, as it so often does, to compression. Just like video, audio also gets compressed when it's fired off through that series of tubes we call the internet. And that means you don't the the same "studio-quality" sound at home as you do when the folks making the shows are perfecting the audio.
So Netflix wanted to work on that.
The end result is twofold. First is that they're streaming better audio, full stop. That's important unto itself. The second part of the equation, though, is that they're able to adapt the audio stream depending on how much bandwidth you have — just like they already do with audio.
So for 5.1 surround sound (and for the uninitiated, that means five channels up front and behind, and a subwoofer for the low end) audio will start at 192 kbps and ramp up to 640 kbps if you've got the speed for it. (Higher bitrates mean better audio.)
And for shows that are streamed in Dolby Atmos (which already requires more bandwidth and requires Netflix's Premium plan) the range goes from 448 kbps on a slow day up to 768 kbps.
Netflix also says it's tested this new scheme across pretty much any device you can watch Netflix on.
Here's how Netflix puts things in its technical blog on the matter:
Our high-quality sound feature is not lossless, but it is perceptually transparent. That means that while the audio is compressed, it is indistinguishable from the original source. Based on internal listening tests, listening test results provided by Dolby, and scientific studies, we determined that for Dolby Digital Plus at and above 640 kbps, the audio coding quality is perceptually transparent. Beyond that, we would be sending you files that have a higher bitrate (and take up more bandwidth) without bringing any additional value to the listening experience.
In addition to deciding 640 kbps — a 10:1 compression ratio when compared to a 24-bit 5.1 channel studio master — was the perceptually transparent threshold for audio, we set up a bitrate ladder for 5.1-channel audio ranging from 192 up to 640 kbps. This ranges from "good" audio to "transparent" — there aren't any bad audio experiences when you stream!
At the same time, we revisited our Dolby Atmos bitrates and increased the highest offering to 768 kbps. We expect these bitrates to evolve over time as we get more efficient with our encoding techniques.
Will you notice a difference? Maybe. But even if you don't, Netflix says (and I'd agree) that better audio makes for a better experience, even if you don't say to yourself "Know what? That's much better than it was yesterday."
from iMore - The #1 iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch blog http://bit.ly/2XZF0fm
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Caavo Control Center (May '19 update) review: The universal remote innovator stuffs its system with new features
Caavo has also chopped the price of its hardware, but increased the cost of its subscription—and the whole package still needs polish.
from Macworld http://bit.ly/2DIkDeP
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from Macworld http://bit.ly/2DIkDeP
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Orro Light Switch review: This savvy smart switch bristles with sensors
This deluxe switch knows when you’re in the room and automatically adjusts the light level based on ambient brightness.
from Macworld http://bit.ly/2V7TDjt
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from Macworld http://bit.ly/2V7TDjt
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Heads up, fellow nerds: ThinkGeek's offering a whopping 75% off our favorite geeky collectibles
Not only is the popular nerd-culture site slashing prices on its clearance section, but you get another 25% off your entire cart, too.
from Macworld http://bit.ly/2LeXM0H
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from Macworld http://bit.ly/2LeXM0H
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Narwal Robotic Cleaner review: This self-cleaning robot mop/vacuum combo frees you from dirty work
This combination floor sweeper and wet mopper automates your hard floor cleaning.
from Macworld http://bit.ly/2WeWWSD
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from Macworld http://bit.ly/2WeWWSD
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How to avoid spoilers without leaving Facebook or Twitter
You don't have to completely fear social media before watching the latest episode of your favorite show—or the final movie of a major franchise.
from Macworld http://bit.ly/2ZLa5VG
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from Macworld http://bit.ly/2ZLa5VG
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That New Jon Snow Theory Sucks, and Here's Why
The latest episode of Game of Thrones bought the war to end all wars crashing down on Winterfell, with a surprisingly dramatic conclusion to one of the show’s biggest threats. It’d be exciting, if only had it not brought with it a tide of completely ridiculous fandom nonsense.
via Gizmodo http://bit.ly/2J8IOXi
Facebook's Secretive Cryptocurrency Payment System Is Apparently Code-Named 'Project Libra'
Facebookcoin, or whatever we’re calling it, is reportedly getting even closer to becoming a reality.
via Gizmodo http://bit.ly/2UWYwXE
Avengers: Endgame Was Never Going to Have a Post-Credit Scene
The Marvel Cinematic Universe was built on mid- and post-credit scenes. That’s where some of the biggest, most shocking revelations came, linking what has become 22 movies and counting. And yet, fans who see the culmination of that story in Avengers: Endgame have been surprised to find out the credits this time serve…
via Gizmodo http://bit.ly/2JbX55u
These Are Our Readers' Four Favorite Online Flower Delivery Services
The most popular advice in this week’s online flower delivery Co-Op was to just call a local florist where you’d like to get flowers delivered, and work with them to buy what you need. That’s smart advice in most cases!
via Gizmodo http://bit.ly/2WfGn94
Uber Users in Denver Can Now Buy Train and Bus Tickets Directly From the App
Love it or hate it, Denver is turning to Uber to make navigating public transit a little smoother for anyone with a smartphone.
via Gizmodo http://bit.ly/2vFNGLr
Our Chewbacca Has Passed: Peter Mayhew Dies at Age 74
Peter Mayhew, the kind-hearted, lovable actor who brought Star Wars’ Chewbacca to life for almost 40 years, died this week at the age of 74.
via Gizmodo http://bit.ly/2ZS3vN5
Say Aloha To Southwest's Lucrative New Credit Card Welcome Offers
Southwest’s Rapid Rewards credit cards aren’t necessarily the most rewarding airline credit cards out there for your day-to-day spend, but their lucrative welcome offers, anniversary points bonuses, and relatively low annual fees make them a great addition to any wallet, especially in the wake of the airline’s recent…
via Gizmodo http://bit.ly/2V8qLrs
The 10 Best Deals of May 2, 2019
We see a lot of deals around the web over on Kinja Deals, but these were our ten favorites today.
via Gizmodo http://bit.ly/2USHNFa
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