PlayStation Now to stream old PlayStation games to PS4, PS Vita
When Sony bought Gakai back in the summer of 2011, it was always assumed that they would use the cloud service to stream PS3 games for the upcoming PlayStation 4. Today, the Japanese company confirmed their plans with their announcement of PlayStation Now. Currently, PS3 games are confirmed to be a part of the service, allowing PS4 owners to stream PS3 games to the PS3, PS4, PS Vita, and select Bravia TVs with additional devices planned for the future. PS2 and PS1 games are also rumored to be available through PlayStation Now, although the official press release hasn't addressed their availability. A beta run for the service is set to begin at the end of the month with a roll out scheduled for the summer.
There are no details as to how the service will function, but Sony has noted that a subscription plan is in the works for gamers to choose from an assortment of games, as well as the ability to stream individual titles. There's no word on whether or not gamers who already own copies of the game will have access to them or have to pay a fee (much like the PS3 to PS4 upgrade service). One thing's for sure: it won't be long before us PS4 owners can get rid of our PS3s collecting dust.
[via PlayStation Blog]
Polaroid Socialmatic Camera to Officially Launch at CES 2014
With CES 2014 well on its way in Las Vegas, one product that many people have been anticipating is Polaroid's Socialmatic Camera AKA the Instagram camera. It will officially launch this week at CES, so that means we can see it for sale within the next month or two. ADR Studio are the geniuses behind the camera. Housing a 14 megapixel digital camera (front and back), the camera can also print a 2x3 full color photo thanks to ZINK Zero (the guys behind the ink printing technology). Good news for us photo nerds who can't wait to get their hands on this guy. Be sure to check out this overview video from ADR Studio about the camera, as well.
[youtube id="P75rw0bgBkk"]
Alex Wiley Releases Four New Tracks
One of the more impressive debut projects from last year was Alex Wiley's banger-heavy Club Wiley, distributed by Chicago independent label, Closed Sessions. Released at the beginning of the summer, a steady stream of videos and support shows both in and out of his hometown have brought Wiley to the forefront of the next wave of artists to leap from the bubbling scene in the Midwest. With little new music hitting the Internet since the release of the project, Closed Sessions celebrated a new year by pulling a Beyonce, unexpectedly dropping four songs via ClosedSessions.com. The short project sees Wiley demonstrate all sides of his rhyming capabilities, spitting verses over Master P's "Make Em Say Uggh", as well as an eclectic gathering of beats courtesy of The Odd Couple that show Wiley is an artist to be reckoned with in the Second City. The recently released songs, which you can stream and download below, are also a bit of promotional fodder for Wiley's show on January 18 at Reggie's Rock House in Chicago's South Loop neighborhood, tickets available here.
Behind The Scene Photos of Emily Ratajkowski at Terry Richardson's Studio
A couple months ago, we posted Terry Richardson's shoot with Emily Ratajkowski for GQ Magazine. "Emrata" pretty much took over last year with her role in Robin Thicke's smash hit "Blurred Lines;" Em was the star of the show, and it catapulted her to the main stage. At that point, it was hard to turn a magazine page or scroll a blog without see her gorgeous assets (she loves being naked and with good reason). Yesterday, Terry released some BTS photos of the shoot via his personal site. The photos are what we come to expect from Terry and Emily - glasses: check; flannel: check; more than half-naked bombshell: check.
[via Terry's Dairy]
[Video] Michael Bay succumbs to stage fright at CES
We've all had our moments where we shrink in the spotlight in some capacity. However, when you're an illustrious Hollywood director, you would think the spotlight would be the least of your problems. Unfortunately for Michael Bay, he discovered his stage fright at the worst moment. During Samsung's press conference yesterday as part of this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the Transformers director fumbled with his lines, eventually getting frustrated to the point where he walked off stage awkwardly.
Following the abrupt appearance, Bay turned to his website to address the situation, chalking everything up to a teleprompter error:
Wow! I just embarrassed myself at CES – I was about to speak for Samsung for this awesome Curved 105-inch UHD TV. I rarely lend my name to any products, but this one is just stellar. I got so excited to talk, that I skipped over the Exec VP’s intro line and then the teleprompter got lost. Then the prompter went up and down – then I walked off. I guess live shows aren’t my thing.
But I’m doing a special curved screen experience with Samsung and Transformers 4 footage that will be traveling around the world.
Michael
I bet the huge reveal would have involved the 105" TV turning into the next Decepticon. Thanks for ruining the moment, Michael!
[ign id="http://www.ign.com/videos/2014/01/06/michael-bay-freaks-out-at-samsungs-press-conference-ces-2014"]
[via IGN]
Common: "War"
Chicago hip-hop legend Common unexpectedly dropped this No I.D.-produced gem, "War" yesterday via the Internet. Long regarded as one of the more influential and insightful artists of his generation, the conscious rap king delivers what amounts to an address of the current state of affairs in Chicago right now. Throughout the track, Common takes ownership of his hometown's issues, asking the questions that need asking and prodding for something to be done. It's refreshing to hear Common release something socially and politically aware once again, in a tasteful manner that is both a call for change and a careful look at how and why things are the way they are ("politicians ain't did enough, wanna get rid of us"). There are rumors of a new Common album, Nobody Smiling, produced entirely by No I.D., as well as projects with Cocaine 80s and G.O.O.D. Music due out this year, so expect plenty more Common Sense. Stream below.
St. Vincent: "Digital Witness"
St. Vincent had a bit of a quiet 2013 after making a splash a year earlier with her critically-acclaimed release, Strange Mercy, which got her signed to Republic Records. This past year was spent recording, and a couple tracks eeked out before the end of 2013 as a lead-up to the British songstress' upcoming, self-titled project due out on February 25, for which she will head off on several European tour dates, listed below. "Digital Witness" is a markedly upbeat track, with a sort of swinging, southern jazzy vibe to it. Different from what we've heard in the past from St. Vincent, "Digital Witness" definitely ups the ante for the upcoming full-length. Check out the track below.
[youtube id="-7LsBjrqqHA"]