Microsoft Reveals New Xbox Entitled "Xbox One"
Microsoft recently unveiled their new console system, Xbox One. Described as a console "where all of your entertainment comes live in one place," Xbox One is shown to be a huge next step for Microsoft in the next generation of console gaming. Kinect functionality has been streamlined with almost 1:1 voice command recognition. The presenter demonstrated this with simple voice commands, including "Xbox: on."
Furthermore, the console streamlines video input channels by connecting the Xbox with Comcast functionality. For example, with a simple voice command of, "Switch to TV," the video input automatically switches from the Game input to TV input. Of course, this function might be limited to TV/satellite/cable providers who partner with Microsoft for the functionality.
Xbox One is aptly titled, building up its functionality as an "all-in-one home entertainment system... one system for a new generation." Of course, this is a gaming console first and foremost. Gaming hasn't been discussed just yet, but keep your eyes peeled on this post as I update it during the Xbox One press conference, complete with screen shots and specifications.
Update 1: Below are the hardware specifications for the Xbox One. According to the presenter, around 300,000 servers will power Xbox Live for Xbox One, amounting to more than the number of personal computers in use in 1999. That's a lot of computers.
Update 2: EA Sports announced their Infinity Engine as being an Xbox One exclusive, meaning the next generation of Madden, FIFA, NBA Live, and UFC will run on the new engine exclusively for Microsoft, whereas PS4 ports will run on a separate engine. Whether this will be a good financial move for EA will take time to tell. However, I feel like the art direction looks too cartoon-ish. Screen shots are below. (Note: Screen shots look a little blurry due to my internet connection.)
Update 3: Building on the connectivity between the Xbox One and TV, Xbox Entertainment Studios was formed to touch upon an immersive experience uniting Xbox and TV. Halo: The Television Series was announced, complete with a partnership between 343 Industries and one of the greatest names in sci-fi/fantasy, Steven Spielberg.
An exclusive partnership was also announced between Microsoft and NLF to include live fantasy football updates displayed on-screen during NFL games. For example, if Jay Cutler was on your team and scores a touchdown, an update would pop up on screen showing all of his stats.
Yahoo Buys Tumblr for $1.1 Billion
In an attempt to appeal to younger generations, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer confirmed the purchase of blogging service Tumblr for a startling $1.1 billion. Tumblr, a site known for its assortment of GIF-heavy blog posts, is popular amongst younger crowds. Mayer wrote a Tumblr post herself, promising "not to screw it up." A good sign of Yahoo's promise is retaining Tumblr founder David Karp in the same role as CEO. Karp also assured no major changes would be made, stating, "Our team isn't changing. Our roadmap isn't changing. Tumblr gets better faster with more resources to draw from."
However, what does the acquisition mean for both Yahoo visitors and Tumblr loyalists? Tumblr might see an increase in advertisements as a way for Yahoo to monetize the site. However, a huge problem potential advertisers face is the large number of Tumblr accounts sharing pornographic material. Yahoo might claim to act as transparent as possible, but I wouldn't be surprised if they begin to come down on the more adult-driven blogs. On the plus side, popular Tumblr blogs could be displayed on Yahoo's front page.
Only time will tell exactly how the acquisition will affect either party, but one thing's for sure: Yahoo's ready to jump back into the fray alongside Google. Who knows? Maybe we'll hear the classic "Yahooooo!" yodel from yesteryear once again.
[via CNN Money]
The Weekly Swarm: 5/13 - 5/19
It was a pretty huge week for Ruby Hornet. We had a lot of notable drops, including Tree's Sunday School 2, Grade Aplus' "Nate Robinson," Calez' G-Unit Bundle Pack, Pyyramids' performance of "Paper Doll" live on Jay Leno, and the made-for-summer jam, "Good Vibes" by Netherfriends featuring ShowYouSuck and ELEEX from Impolite Society. In movie news, there's the possibility of Christopher Nolan directing Bond 24, the new trailer for V/H/S/2, and special closed-captioning glasses for the hearing impaired coming to theaters, amongst other awesome stuff that happened last week.
If you weren't around or missed them as they happened, everything we posted this past week is linked below for your convenience.
Movie News
[Trailer] Ghost in the Shell: Arise
[Trailer] Arrested Development Season 4 (Not a "movie," I know.)
Closed-Captioning Glasses for the Deaf being Distributed to Regal Cinemas
World War Z Viral Video, Crisis Zero
[Trailer] Riddick
Christopher Nolan's "Interstellar" Could be the Last 70mm IMAX Film
[Trailer] V/H/S/2
[Trailer 2] Pacific Rim
Next James Bond Film Offered to Christopher Nolan
[Trailer] The Hangover Part III
The Bruce Lee Legacy Collection Available for Pre-Order
Music News
Chance the Rapper: "Juice (gHETTO aCID Trip Remix)" by MikeJaxx
[Video] Kendrick Lamar: "B*tch Don't Kill My Vibe" (Director's Cut)
Impolite Society: "Look of Hate (Remix)" (prod. by Nunca Duerma)
[Video] Rockie Fresh: "Life Long" (feat. Rick Ross and Nipsey Hussle)
Free iTunes stream of Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories" is Live
Solange: "Looks Good With Trouble" (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
Lollapalooza 2013 Schedule is Out
[Mixtape] SolarFive: "Say No More"
PHNM: "This Is It (Original Mix)"
Manny P: "Crumbled" (prod. by Savier)
YP: "Black Sheep"
Alex Wiley: "Creepin" (feat. Freddie Gibbs)
[RH Premiere] Grade Aplus: "Nate Robinson" (prod. by MikeJaxx)
[Mixtape] Calez: "G-Unit Bundle Pack"
[Mixtape] Tree: "Sunday School II"
The Riot Fest 2013 Lineup is AMAZING
[Video] Pyrramids: "Paper Doll" (Live on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno)
[Video] Talib Kweli X Chance the Rapper X Cory Mo Freestyle
Naledge: "Love Not Personal" (feat. Saba and Vic Spencer)
[Mixtape] The Hood Internet: "The Mixtape Volume Seven"
Sidewalk Kal: "Non Believers"
Wu-Tang Clan: "Execution in Autumn"
Jambalaya Fest Austin Changes Venues from The Backyard to Austin Music Hall
[RH Premiere] Weasel Sims: "Ride Out" (feat. Tae Butch) (prod. by MikeJaxx)
[RH Premiere] Netherfriends: "Good Vibes" (feat. ShowYouSuck and ELEE X)
The Bruce Lee Legacy Collection Available for Pre-Order
I know we have at least a few Bruce Lee fans reading Ruby Hornet; I can name at least one person with a jumpsuit similar to the one Lee wears in Game of Death. I hope that person and all Jeet Kune Do fans out there get their wallets ready, because Shout! Factory, the people behind the amazing Freaks and Geeks DVD collection, are preparing a DVD and Blu-Ray collection of Bruce Lee's films and documentaries.
Entitled The Bruce Lee Legacy Collection, the anthology will feature The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, Way of the Dragon, and the aforementioned Game of Death, as well as documentaries Bruce Lee: The Legend and I am Bruce Lee. There will also be a disc full of special features. The four films will also be transferred on to Blu-Ray for the first time, too, so we can all finally see Bruce Lee in high-definition.
You can pre-order The Bruce Lee Legacy Collection on Amazon here or from Shout! Factory here. It will become available in late summer.
[via IGN]
Next James Bond Film Offered to Christopher Nolan
After Skyfall came out last year, director Sam Mendes stepped away from the franchise, choosing not to direct the next entry in the vast 007 franchise. Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, in their search for the next potential director, have begun informal talks with The Dark Knight Rises director Christopher Nolan.
According to the Daily Mail, the two producers have approached Nolan with the possibility of directing the 24th James Bond film. Of course a few obstacles could prevent the dream pairing, the biggest of which being the shooting/production schedule of Nolan's upcoming film, Interstellar. Also, there are intentions from MGM to shoot Bond 24 and 25 consecutively, essentially booking Nolan's next few years with three huge projects.
Still, it doesn't hurt to try, and with Nolan's pedigree, just the rumors involved with his name would be enough to get Bond fans excited.
[via Flixist, via Daily Mail]
Christopher Nolan's "Interstellar" Could be the Last 70mm IMAX Film
While IMAX theaters have been around since 2002, it wasn't until 2008 when a film shot scenes natively on IMAX cameras when The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan decided to shoot some of the wide-angle skyline shots of Batman and Gotham City/Chicago. The 70mm IMAX print showed a level of quality and detail that truly separated The Dark Knight's cinematography from other films... even if the aspect ratio had to change to fully showcase the scenes properly.
However, with film stock slowly dying out as theaters begin to make the transition to utilizing fully digital projectors, it seems that the short-lived excursion into 70mm prints are dying out with Nolan's next film, Interstellar. Christopher Nolan fan site Nolan Fans, with translations from Cines Argentinos, goes deep into the quality of 70mm IMAX screens vs. normal IMAX screens. As the 70mm IMAX screen theaters begin to be phased out for traditional IMAX screens (less than 5% IMAX theaters have 70mm IMAX screens), IMAX theaters will begin to implement a new 4K laser which projects to have the same amount of pixels as 70mm screens. Of course, digital projection will never be as clear or high in quality as traditional film stock.
Now, this might not mean much to the average moviegoer, but for those interested in photography/cinematography, it's a bit of a bittersweet loss as we say goodbye to films shot on such high quality film stock. Of course, if the 4k projection system proves to be as powerful as it claims to be, the loss won't be too bad.
[via Nolan Fans, via Cines Argentinos] (Thanks to Max for the tip.)
World War Z PSA Viral Video, Crisis Zero
The film adaptation of Max Brooks' World War Z is shaping up to be a huge blockbuster for Paramount Pictures with a reported $125m-$200m budget. Starring Brad Pitt (Moneyball), the film follows Pitt's character across the United States as he attempts to find a way to stop the zombie outbreak, known colloquially as the titular "World War Z." However, based on previously-released trailers, it seems as if the Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace)-directed film strays away from the book's tone.
Of course, Hollywood never sleeps, as is proven by this latest bit of promotion. A PSA video, entitled Crisis Zero, was recently released to hype the film (and its UK Facebook page) as its June 21st release date approaches. Part of the marketing ploy is to not explicably use the term "zombie," which is an interesting path to take, considering the rampant hype and excitement for anything zombie-related. You can watch Crisis Zero below.
http://youtu.be/p7TUqP8J86o
[via First Showing]
Closed-Captioning Glasses for the Deaf being Distributed to Regal Cinemas
Going to the theater is a great experience. Outside of the comfortability of watching movies on your couch in your pajamas, nothing can really beat going to a theater, watching a movie on the big screen, and being surrounded by large speakers that make you feel like you're actually in the scene. Theaters have always tried to better enhance the moviegoing experience for audiences, such as the implementation of D-Box seats which move and react to the scene on the screen, simulating explosions, car crashes, etc. Unfortunately, theaters haven't been able to find a way to complement the basic experience of simply going to the theater for hearing-impaired audiences.
...until now. By the end of the month, more than 6,000 Regal Cinemas across the country will carry special closed-captioning glasses. The Sony Entertainment Access Glasses will sync to the digital projectors and display closed captions on the glasses, fitting properly beneath the image on the screen. The glasses also come equipped with headphones for personal volume control, as well as an additional audio channel the visually-impaired can switch to for detailed descriptions of the movie.
You can click below to see a visual example of how the glasses work, as well as an introduction video created by Regal Cinemas. You can also determine which theaters and movies support the Sony Entertainment Access Glasses on Regal's official website.
http://youtu.be/OsckbFwU2SQ
[via Flixist]