Amazon Acquires Video Game Streaming Service, Twitch, for Almost $1 Billion
Back in May, Google engaged in talks with Twitch to acquire the video game streaming site for over $1 billion. Over the past three months, however, those talks died down enough to where Amazon was able to swoop in and purchase the site themselves for an all-cash buyout of $970 million. For those unfamiliar with Twitch, the website offers video game streaming service in which gamers can stream their gameplay to a live audience while offering commentary, insight, jokes, etc.
With the native implementation of Twitch to the PlayStation 4, the service experienced a huge boost in traffic and new members as PS4 fans wanted to share their gaming videos with their friends and the world. As of January 2014, PS4 users made up 20% of Twitch's channels alone, which is a stunning number considering how many pre-established channels had been created since the site's launch back in 2011.
Twitch CEO Emmett Shear had this to say about the Amazon acquisition:
Today, I’m pleased to announce we’ve been acquired by Amazon. We chose Amazon because they believe in our community, they share our values and long-term vision, and they want to help us get there faster. We’re keeping most everything the same: our office, our employees, our brand, and most importantly our independence. But with Amazon’s support we’ll have the resources to bring you an even better Twitch.
The future's looking bright for Twitch, especially with last week's news that Sony has sold more than 10 million PlayStation 4s since last November, the install base of Twitch users is only going to continue to grow. Side note: Twitch is also available on the Xbox One, but who really cares about that?
[via Destructoid]
Google's Panorama App Photo Sphere Now Available on iOS
I really love Google's Street View. It allows you to walk around mapped cities and even explore certain interiors of buildings, creating a wholly immersive experience that, really, was only meant to help people get their bearings in new areas. For the past year, Android users had exclusive access to Google's photo app, "Photo Sphere," that allowed users to create interactive 360 panoramas of their locations that could be shared with other users over Google Maps. This week, iOS users can now share the experience as the year-long exclusivity period has expired.
As somebody who's had one iteration of the iPhone for more than four years, I can't wait to test this out. I think some very innovative and creative panoramic shots can be made that go beyond the normal panoramic photo. Google created a video last summer detailing how Photo Sphere works if you're still a bit confused about the new app. If you create any cool ones, send them our way so we could feature them in the near future!
[youtube id="NPs3eIiWRaw"]
[via PetaPixel]
Javier Laspiur's Controllers Photo Series Focuses on Video Game Controllers
Photos by Javier Laspiur
Gamers know how important controllers are. After all, they're our entry into these beautiful, inspiring worlds that we have devoted a large part of our lives to. For better or worse, the wrong controller or controller input can ruin someone's experience with a game; just ask people who've thrown controllers at walls in a fit of anger. Javier Laspiur, a photographer from Madrid, Spain, has decided to pay homage to video game controllers in a new photo series entitled Controllers.
Controllers is a first-person styled photo series of presumably Laspiur's hands on various types of video game controllers (and handheld systems) with the date he first used them, which should not be confused with when each respective video game system was launched. Below, you can find a few of my favorite photos from the Controllers photo series featuring the Atari 2600 joystick, NES controller, Sega Genesis (Mega Drive in foreign markets) controller, Sega Game Gear, PlayStation controller, and PlayStation 2 controller.
You can find more from Laspiur's Controllers series on his Behance page.
Sony Xperia C3 Smartphone Is Built For Selfie Lovers
I guess it was only a matter of time before a company would make a smartphone aimed directly at those that love taking selfies. It seems like nowadays, taking selfies has just become the norm and has become part of the culture we live in. If you enjoy taking selfies, the Sony Xperia C3 might be a match made in heaven. What Sony has created is a smartphone that sports a wide angle 5 megapixel front-facing camera with a built-in soft LED flash, making it very easy to capture those special moments.
Not only does the Sony Xperia C3 have front-facing flash, there are some other software features that should help make the selfie-taking process a little easier, like a Smile Shutter, AR effects, and a feature that lets you tap the back of the phone to take a picture. Now, this smartphone probably won't change the digital photography game, and it won't be for everybody, but if you really like taking selfies you might want to give this a try.
[via Slash Gear]
Aperture Replacement APP OS X Photos Will Offer Many Features
Last week, Apple made an announcement that they would no longer be developing the popular photo management software Aperture and have instead decided to discontinue it. The reason being was that the company wanted to focus its time and energy developing the new Photos App. Since the Photos App is still in the works, there has not been a lot of information released to the public but it is known that the app will offer "professional grade features such as image search, editing, effects, and most notably, third party extensibility."
With some of these features, it will be interesting to see what the final product will look like and if it will become a full fledged replacement for Aperture or possibly something more. What will prove to be interesting is the third party extensibility feature and what it means for the users as far as editing capabilities go, but I guess will have to wait and see what unfolds for Apple's new Photos app.
[via Mac Rumors]
Lollapalooza Introduces Lolla Cash, a Digital Way to Make Payments
Crowds are the absolute worst at music festivals. What's more annoying than being stuck in a crowd of screaming, drunk people? Being stuck in a crowd of screaming, drunk people while waiting in line to purchase something. Usually, lines are so long because people have to fuss with wallets or purses to find their credit cards or cash, then you have to swipe and sign or get change for your bills, and it's just a time-consuming, tedious process that most festival goers must go through if they want some food or drinks. However, C3 Presents, Lollapalooza's promoters, want to revolutionize the festival experience with a new initiative.
Referred to as Lolla Cash, the initiative involves implementing a chip within the Lollapalooza wristbands that can be used to purchase food and drinks from vendors. Lolla attendees simply have to register a credit card with their wristbands to take part in the Lolla Cash program. If all goes accordingly, it should help expedite the process at vendor stands while also ensuring attendees won't lose their wallets along the way. The wristbands use radio frequency identification (RFID) similar to how Ventra cards work, and considering how rough the CTA's new system launch was, there are bound to be bumps in the road for Lollapalooza this year. The wristbands will also store purchase information in case a clear signal can't be made at the moment of purchase to ensure transactions go through properly.
Lolla Cash represents the festival's full embrace of new technology that could find use amongst other major music festivals like South by Southwest, Electronic Daisy Carnival, Bonnaroo, and more. Disney launched a similar initiative last year, My Magic+, that allowed visitors to use their bracelets to make purchases, access their hotel rooms, fast entry into amusement and water parks, and more. It's only a matter of time before we go completely cashless in all areas of our lives.
For now, tell us what you think about Lolla Cash, and if you're going, will you actively use it?
[via Adweek]
Adobe Reveals Touchscreen Version of Photoshop CC At Surface Pro 3 Event
It looks like Adobe is going to make a bigger push to enter the market of touch devices with its newest offering, a touch-friendly version of Photoshop CC. Adobe showed off this new version of Photoshop CC at Microsoft's launch of the Surface Pro 3, and from what Engadget reported, the app is a fully powered version and not just simply a mobile version with basic features. The new version features larger UI elements for easy use and is designed to be used with either a finger or stylus. Like other mobile products, you'll be able to interact with the screen with commonly used gestures like tapping, swiping, and pinch to zoom. As of right now, there is no time table as to when it will be released, but with the demo that Adobe gave, it will be interesting to see what other features they will have up their sleeves.
[via Engadget]
GoPro Files For $100 Million IPO
When it comes to cameras, the conversation tends to revolve around the two giants in the camera world, Nikon and Canon. However, there are many companies out there that produce quality cameras. One particular company found their niche in the industry and ran with it, producing a product that many people have added to their arsenal of cameras: GoPro. From its humble beginnings to being one of the world's best selling cameras, GoPro has now announced that they have officially filed for a $100m IPO. Some say that this a rather odd time for GoPro to file with the uncertainty of the market and sales being lower from the previous year, but I guess we'll have to wait see how everything unfolds.
[via Forbes]