Episode 14 – Apple, Oculus, and the death of a Legend
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Welcome to another episode of Geek Bytes Podcast. The podcast that brings you all this week’s tech and geek news.
Remember to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @geekbytespod
I’m Ramon Mejia…….I’m Edgar Acosta
This Week in Geek News we talk about the FTC ruling on a failed Kickstarter, Computers creating scientific theories, Apple news, the messaging app Jott, Samsung’s unusual displays, Microsoft’s wall computer, The oven that can identify your food, Steam’s “Monster Summer Sale”, Oculus announcements, the New Xbox One, Justice League: Gods and Monsters, new cast reveals for Dare Devil and Ghostbusters, the trailers of the week, and more
In Discussions we’ll talk about our impressions of Jurassic World
We Begin our show with Geek News
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Geek News
For The First Time, FTC Takes Action Against Failed Kickstarter
· The Doom That Came to Atlantic City hit Kickstarter in May 2012, looking for $35,000.
· The Lovecraftian board game received funding at $122,874 with a Nov. 2012 ship date
· In July 2013, more than a year after the Kickstarter had finished, creator Erik Chevalier announced it was being cancelled and refunds would be given.
· In 2015, still not having fulfilled all refund requests, the FCC steps in
o The FTC says Chevalier “spent most of the money on unrelated personal expenses such as rent, moving himself to Oregon, personal equipment, and licenses for a different project.”
· According to the FCC, Chevalier still owes $111,793 to his backers, he doesn’t have the ability to pay any of it.
· FCC penalty: “Under the settlement order, Chevalier is prohibited from making misrepresentations about any crowdfunding campaign and from failing to honor stated refund policies. He is also barred from disclosing or otherwise benefiting from customers’ personal information, and failing to dispose of such information properly.”
Computer solves 120-year-old biology problem that had scientists stumped
· Michael Levin and Daniel Lobo, two computer scientists at Tufts University, have programmed a computer to come up with its own scientific hypothesis on one of biology's most well-known mysteries.
· The mystery in question: how the genes of a sliced-up flatworm regenerate into new organisms
· The computer program was designed to repeat real-life studies over and over again, making small tweaks each time
· The computer was guessing how a worm's genes connect together, and simulating a new theory each time - if the end results were closer to data obtained in the real world, it took another step in that direction; if not, it changed course.
· After three days, the software came up with a core genetic network code that matched all of the hundreds of actual experiments in its database.
· Next up, the computer scientists are tackling the question of metastasis: how cancer begins to spread through the body.
· http://www.sciencealert.com/computer-solves-120-year-old-biology-problem-that-had-scientists-stumped
Apple news
· New iOS 9 features
· Proactive-Intelligent digital assistant that will learn what you need by monitoring what you do.
o Similar to Google Now on Tap- contextual understanding
· Multitasking for ipad
o Android has had this feature for years but now Apple users can enjoy it too.
· Apple announced their new OS X: El Capitan available this Fall
· Apple Music: streaming music competitor
o Launches June 30th
o On demand streaming of music
o Three month free trial then $9.99/month
o On Android too
· ApplePay adds square-based reader
· Apple Watch will finally have native apps
· HomeKit lets you access your smart home from the cloud
· Apple maps adds transit directions
o Many other map services already have this feature too.
· http://gizmodo.com/the-10-most-important-things-from-apples-wwdc-keynote-1709889032
Messaging App Jott Is Blowing Up Among Junior High And High Schoolers
· Jott, a messaging app that works without a data plan or WiFi connection, has caught on among junior high and high school students, according to co-founder Jared Allgood. He says the app more than doubled to half a million active users in March, up from 150,000 active users previous.
o Text messages usually travel by way of your phone to the nearest cell tower. Then they get routed to other cell towers to reach the person you are texting.
o However, Jott can send messages from one device to another without any cell service as long as those texting are within close enough proximity to each other.
o It does this by using something called a mesh network that operates on Bluetooth low energy or using a router that can reach within 100 feet of each user.
Samsung unveils Transparent and Mirrored Displays
· Samsung has unveiled a pair of new 55-inch OLED displays — one of which is transparent, and the other functions as a mirror.
· Target the retail market.
· Imagine walking by a store looking in a store mirror and seeing yourself dressed in their clothes automatically
· http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/10/8756355/samsung-transparent-mirror-oled-displays
Microsoft’s wall computer, Smart Hub will cost $19,999
· Microsoft’s announced Surface Hub will go on pre-sale starting July 1st and ship in September.
· The Surface Hub is a wall mounted computer with an integrated touch screen coming in 84 or 55 inches.
· The 84 inch version will cost $19,999. The smaller, 55 inch option is a $6,999
· http://www.geekbytespodcast.com/news/2015/6/10/microsoft-84-inch-surface-hub-19999
Former Apple engineers have built a $1,495 oven that can identify your food
· Smaller countertop oven that has an integrated computer and cameras that can tell the difference between pork, beef, vegetables, and cookies.
· Then adjust how it cooks based on pre-determined cooking techniques
· For example:
o Put in a chicken, the oven will know what it is, ask if you want to roast.
o It will then know to put in an extra burst of heat at the end, just on top, to give it that nice crispy skin.
· http://www.theverge.com/2015/6/9/8751947/june-oven-identify-your-food
Holus Is A Tabletop Device That Turns Digital Media Into A 3D Hologram
· Holus is a square tabletop platform which encases a glass pyramid upon which media is projected from below.
· The result is a 3D image which can be viewed from 360 degrees around the machine.
· Their Kickstarter campaign asked for $40,000 and within just a few days have over $100,000 in funding.
The successor to Castlevania, Bloodstained has become the most funded Kickstarter video game
· Bloodstained has raised over $4.8 million dollars on Kickstarter as of today.
· Previous record held by an RPG called Torment: Tides of Numenera which collected a little more than $4,188,000.
· http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-project-from-castlevania-designer-now-most-fun/1100-6428003/
Steam has started their “Monster Summer Sale”
· In addition to the regular summer deals
· Players participate in a mini game to unlock special deals on video games
· Participate from now till June 21st
· http://www.geekbytespodcast.com/news/2015/6/11/steam-launches-monster-summer-sale
Oculus at their Pre-E3 event
· Showed off the final consumer version that they’ll be shipping
· Launch Games:
o Eve: Valkyrie- Puts you in the cockpit of a spaceship
o RPG Chronos-where you try to solve a maze one a year but age in game and get new powers as you age.
o Lucky’s Tail- 3D platformer
· The wireless Xbox One controller and PC adapater to be included
· Can stream your Xbox One games to the Oculus in theater like experience
· Investing $10 million dollars in Indie Game developers to create games for Oculus
· Their input solution-Oculus Touch
o Look like Wii remotes with a special ring for tracking and extra buttons
· http://techcrunch.com/2015/06/11/oculus-rift-special-event-live-blog/
New Xbox One
· Microsoft announced that they will be releasing an Xbox One with a 1 TB hard drive
· Includes:
o their newly designed Xbox One Wireless Controller that now comes with a 3.5mm stereo headset jack, and
o in select regions for a limited time, Halo: The Master Chief Collection.
o All for the low, low price of $399.
· Their 500 GB Xbox One will be lowered to $349 permanently.
· http://www.geekbytespodcast.com/news/2015/6/9/new-1-tb-xbox-one-announced
Fortnite gameplay footage has been released
· The game is the brain child of Epic Games
· And combines base building, trap building, zombie hordes, and upgradable characters.
· Looks fun but has been in development for ages. It will soon go into Beta testing on PC and Mac.
· http://www.geekbytespodcast.com/news/2015/6/9/fortnite-gameplay-footage
Justice League: Gods and Monsters creates darker, edgier Justice League
· Bruce Timm and Machinma worked together to bring an alternate version of the Justice League to life.
· Because the project is released online, without censors, we got a much edgier take on familiar characters.
· This universe's Wonder Woman is from the realm of Ares, a pretty violent place.
· Batman is Kirk Langstrom, who transformed himself into a vampire with weird science
o http://www.geekbytespodcast.com/news/2015/6/8/first-episode-of-justice-league-gods-and-monsters
· Superman was adopted by Mexican immigrants to America, rather than farmers in the heartland, and exposure to racial bigotry at a young age has significantly altered his perspective on America as a country.
Punisher added to the cast for Dare Devil season 2
· John Bernthal (Shane from the Walking Dead) will play the Punisher
· http://geektyrant.com/news/fan-art-of-jon-bernthal-as-the-punisher
In Ghostbusters News
· Chris Hemsworth, Thor, will play the secretary for the all-female Ghostbusters reboot
· https://variety.com/2015/film/news/chris-hemsworth-ghostbusters-cast-paul-feig-1201512833/
Star Wars hint
· Daisy Ridley, who plays a scavenger named Rey in the upcoming film dropped a clue about her character's parentage in a recent interview in Japan.
o “"I'm not sure how much I can say. I guess because I've said that I'm solitary, and that's how I begin, that is probably a big clue as to what it is,"
o Solitary…Solo. Get it?
Trailers of the week
· The Martian
o When a monster storm forces the early evacuation of the first manned mission to Mars, Damon's Mark Watney is stranded on the red planet and assumed dead. He has to use all his wits to survive on Mars, alone.
o The movie is out Oct. 2nd, 2015
o http://www.geekbytespodcast.com/news/2015/6/8/first-trailer-the-martian-starring-matt-damon
· Bridge of Spies
o A dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of a series of historic events, DreamWorks Pictures/Fox 2000 Pictures’ “Bridge of Spies” tells the story of James Donovan, a Brooklyn lawyer who finds himself thrust into the center of the Cold War when the CIA sends him on the near-impossible task to negotiate the release of a captured American U-2 pilot.
· Trailer for Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2
o The first trailer for the latest film in the Hunger Games series is pretty action packed.
o The series to date has brought in over $1 billion dollars at the theaters. This one looks to add even more money to the coffers. Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 2 hits theaters November 20th, 2015.
o http://www.geekbytespodcast.com/news/2015/6/9/first-look-trailer-for-hunger-games-mockingjay-part-2
· Watch Bill Murray in the trailer for Rock the Kasbah
o Bill Murray plays Richie Lanz, a rock manager on hard times in a new trailer released by Open Road Films for comedy “Rock the Kasbah.”
o Lanz takes his last remaining client (Zooey Deschanel) on a tour of Afghanistan, but she ditches him in Kabul and takes his money and passport. Now without a way home, he navigates through unfamiliar territory and discovers a girl with untapped potential and a golden voice
o Cast also includes Bruce Willis, Zooey Deschanel, and Kate Hudson.
o Rock the Kasbah premiers October 23, 2015.
o http://www.geekbytespodcast.com/news/2015/6/11/watch-bill-murray-in-the-trailer-for-rock-the-kasbah
· James Bond-Spectre TV Spot
o The latest James Bond: Spectre TV spot shows more the of movies action and bond girls.
o Synopsis: A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organisation. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.
o http://www.geekbytespodcast.com/news/2015/6/10/new-action-filled-james-bond-spectre-tv
Deaths
Legendary Wrestling Star Virgil Riley Runnels Jr., a.k.a. Dusty “The American Dream” Rhodes, died today at the age of 69.
· The three-time NWA Champion
· Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007,
· Develop the brand NXT as a creative director and booker.
· His two sons, Dustin Runnels (Goldust) and Cody Runnels (Stardust), currently wrestle for WWE.
· http://www.avclub.com/article/rip-dusty-rhodes-nwa-champion-and-wrestling-legend-220739
Legendary actor Sir Christopher Lee has passed away after suffering heart and respiratory problems, The Telegraph has reported.
· With over 281 credits to his name on IMDB, Sir Christopher Lee was nothing short of prolific.
· He is best known for his roles as Dracula, Sarumon in LOTR, and Count Dooku in Star Wars.
· He is survived by his wife Birgit Kroencke Lee and daughter Christina Erika Lee.
· http://www.geekbytespodcast.com/news/2015/6/11/sir-christopher-lee-passes-at-the-age-of-93
Articles Submitted by the Audience
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Onto our Discussion section
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Discussion
Jurassic World
Recommendations
Titan’s Grave- Internet show where you watch people Role Play a game, pen and paper style.
An original RPG world created just for the show.
Original Art and storylines created by professional writers.
https://geekandsundry.com/titansgrave-chapter-0/
That will be it for us this week.
If enjoy this podcast and can space a quarter help fund the show by signin up for our crowd funding campaign at https://www.patreon.com/geekbytespodcast
Thanks for listening folks. Now Go Geek out about something.
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Music Credits
"Happy Bee", "Movement Proposition", "Theme for Harold (var.3) ", "Take the Lead"
Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/