Tag Archive for: Funk Butcher

Netflix Movie Theatres

Netflix Movie Theatres??

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Netflix Movie Theatres. Sounds cool right? Well, that may become a reality in the near future.  According to a report from the LA Times the streaming giant were in talks to acquire billionaire Mark Cuban’s Landmark Theatre chain. However, they backed out due to the cost. Yet all is not lost it seems. As a source from Variety claim that Netflix weren’t just interested in acquiring Landmark specifically. But are considering acquiring theatrical real estate.

Netflix Movie Theatres: Why?

Sources who have spoken to the Times are reporting that the reason Netflix are interested in purchasing theatrical real estate is due to wanting to earn the respect it deserves from major theatre chains and film establishments. But why? When the streaming giant already has the most paying subscribers than any other streaming service on the planet. (125M, compared to Amazon’s 100M) Owning a theatre would make it easier for Netflix to qualify for Hollywood awards like the Oscars.

Netflix Movie Theatres: The Oscars

As having a theatrical release is one of the stipulations that you require to be eligible for the prestigious award. Yet there are problems here too, as Netflix have always stuck to a day and date structure. Meaning that the films that Netflix have produced have always been available on streaming and on theatres. This is a major reason, according to Variety as to why many major theatre’s won’t carry a movie from Netflix unless it’s an exclusive deal. Hence the reason as to why Netflix are pushing for ‘Netflix Movie Theatres’. Netflix aren’t new to the Oscar’s space, as they won their first Oscar for Icarus this year, which simultaneously debuted in theatres and on Netflix.  While they are no stranger to this scene, having their own ‘Netflix Movie Theatres’ would make life so much easier for them to put their own movies in cinemas.

Maybe there’s life in the old dog yet if the new boy still wants to hang around with the old boy!

Listen to the guys chatting about this by clicking here! 

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hellblade

Hellblade Senua’s Sacrifice

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We love our gaming here at How To Kill An Hour and we absolutely loved Hellblade Senua’s Sacrifice. More and more games are becoming more story based. This makes them feel and look a lot like movies, which is something that we feel where the gaming and movie space is moving to in the near future! This is Hellblade Senua’s Sacrifice!

Hellblade Senua’s Sacrifice: Plot

The story revolves around a young woman in a world of hurt, it’s a dark and profoundly deep narative that hooks you in from the very start of the game. The game follows Pict who is a young warrior, her task is to make her way to Helheim. Defeating all the enemies in her path. Why’s she going to Helheim? To rescue the soul of her dead lover from the evil goddess Hela. The game acts as sort of a metaphor, a metaphor for Senua’s struggle with psychosis. Your character, Senua, belives that her psychosis is a curse and is constantly haunted a dark entity called “The Darkness” , the voices in her head, which are known as the “Furies” and the memories from her past.

Purchase Hellblade Senua’s Sacrifice by searching for “Hellblade Senua’s Sacrifice” in the PS/Xbox/Steam store!

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Facebook Listening

Facebook Isn’t Tapping Your Microphone

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There’s been a lot of information and news around Facebook lately. Most of it is about data, our personal data. However, earlier on in the year, Facebook drew criticism for allegedly listening to our conversations. Facebook listening to us sounds like a crazy idea. Facebook listening to us sounds horrifying! But is it actually true? The guys over at the Verge went ahead and done some myth busting around the whole thing!

Mark Zuckerberg even had to state during his privacy hearing in congress that the whole idea of Facebook listening to it’s users was a ‘conspiracy theory’

Facebook are said to have been listening to us, as we, as users. Have seen ads for the stuff we have been talking about with friends. Yet according to the Verge it’s not down to listening at all. It’s all down to very clever ad targeting. They know everything you do. It’s all because of you too. You’re the one giving Facebook this information, so don’t be surprised when you get super accurate ads.

  • They know your browsing history because of cookies and trackers. Facebook has their own inhouse one called Facebook Pixel.
  • The ‘Like’ button you may use on a news website. Information is fed back to facebook.
  • What you look like (uploaded photos)
  • Where you like to spend your free time (location data when you tag yourself in places)
  • The things you buy! (the Facebook ads you click on and then consequently purchase)

Facebook knows more than you think. It’s not down to eavesdropping that would violate a ton of wiretapping laws. It’s all down to you. You’re the one giving them this information. It may look creepy, but their just feeding back the information you gave to them back to you. Think of it as a gift from a loved one. You forget about it and then, as you forgot, act all surprised that they remembered what you wanted for your birthday. Think of Facebook ads like that.

The reason why it appears to appear on your screen right after you spoke about it? All psychological. Andreas Andrietta of the Electronics Frontier Foundation, stated in the Verge’s report something interesting. That ad may have been running there the whole time, but as you are more aware of it, after speaking about, your more inclined to notice the ad.

You provide Facebook with so much data, they don’t need to tap your microphone. Even if they could. They could. They have the tech to do it. Nigel Cannings of Intelligence Voice, states that the tech is super simple. But it requires a lot of differing factors to identify you. Such as geometric data and geofencing, which with Facebook, you give out that data. This would work simply on a very very very small scale. However, Facebook has huge numbers of people on their platform, there are just simply too many people to do this feasibly.

Even if they could do it anyway, there’s too many of us and B, it’s highly illegal to do so.

For a more detailed look at this head on over to the Verge and check out their video on the subject, it’s very interesting!

Listen to the guys chatting about this by clicking here! 

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Batman Ninja

Batman Ninja: Batman like you’ve never seen him!

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The guys recently went to see a brand new Batman movie from Warner Bro’s! However, this wasn’t just a regular Batman Movie. As this was a Batman movie that was animated and set in Japan! This is Batman Ninja! Batman has been transported from his regular stomping grounds of Gotham to fight crime. Yet he is fighting a familiar old foe. The Joker!

Batman Ninja is an animated movie from DC comics and Warner Bros that’s set in Japan. The movie is classed as an animated martial arts superhero film. While it features a lot of famous Japanese creatives on the movie. Including the creator of Afro Samurai: Takashi Okazaki acting as the character designer for the film.

So how does Batman go from Gotham to Japan? Well, Gorilla Grodd’s time displacement machine transports Batman, alongside Japanese versions of Nightwing, Red Hood, Robin, Red Robin, Alfred and Catwoman to Feudal Japan. Alongside these characters Gorilla Grodd also transports many of Batman’s worst enemies! The enemies confirmed to be of Joker’s allies in Batman Ninja are: Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Poison Ivy, Two Face, Clayface, Deathstroke, Bane and Gorilla Grodd himself. So there is some battle taking place in Feudal Japan!

Batman Ninja: Plot

The villains of the story take over forms of the Feudal Lords that divided the land of Feudal Japan. With the Joker, of course, taking the lead among the warring factions. Yet, due to Batman’s hightech weaponry becoming all but depleted immediately. The Batman must rely on his intelligence and the help of his team of allies to restore order to the land and return once again to Gotham City. In the present day of course.

 

What did we think of Batman Ninja? You’ll have to listen to the latest episode (276) of How To Kill An Hour to find out!

Listen to the guys chatting about this by clicking here! 

Purchase Batman Ninja by clicking here!

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WhatsApp ban

WhatsApp banned for Under16

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So there’s going to be a WhatsApp ban. WhatsApp are raising the age of the minimum age of it’s users to 16 across Europe. The current age limit for the messaging app is 13. However, the company are enforcing stricter rules ahead of the new data privacy rules due to be enforced in Europe in May. Yet, if you’re from outside Europe, the age is still 13.

The messaging service will ask for EU users to confirm their age before accepting new terms of service. The WhatsApp ban is unknown as to how it will affect the number of users. As the service which has 1.5billion users from January. Furthermore WhatsApp have confirmed that they will not be asking for any more rights to their personal data.

WhatsApp Ban: Facebook

Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, are introducing a similar data policy. With users aged between 13 and 15 having to get permission from a parent or guardian for them to share information on the platform. If no permission is given, the teen will not see a fully personalised version of Facebook.

To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

Download WhatsApp here: Apple / Android

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Anvio VR

Multiplayer Madness in Virtual Reality – Anvio VR

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Multiplayer Madness VR – Anvio VR

Recently we got invited down to Anvio VR UK a brand new 'VR Playground' that has opened up in London recently. They're brand new in London and opened in early 2018, so as lovers and enthusiasts of virtual reality and all things technology, we thought we'd head down and check it out!For more information please click here: http://www.howtokillanhour.com/gadgets-tech/multiplayer-madness-in-virtual-reality-anvio-vrTo book your own tickets please click here: https://en.anviovr.com/Our website is here http://www.howtokillanhour.comOur podcast is here http://www.howtokillanhour.com/showsTwitter: https://twitter.com/HowTokillAnHourFacebook: https://facebook.com/HowTokillAnHourInstagram: https://instagram.com/HowToKillAnHour

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Thursday, 3 May 2018

Recently we got invited down to Anvio VR a brand new ‘VR Playground’ that has opened up in London recently. They’re brand new in London and opened in early 2018, so as lovers and enthusiasts of virtual reality and all things technology, we thought we’d head down and check it out!

Unlike a lot of VR games or events this is an experience in which you’re allowed to play! Hence why they’re describing it as a playground! What we mean by play is that you’re free to move around. As you’re not confined to a small play area. So you get to run around a HUGE room and experience, quite literally, a whole new world!

In the worlds that Anvio VR have created you can run, jump and even wave to your partners whilst in the game, all that and much much more! Their play area is also fully wirless so there’s no worry about running into a wall or falling over wires. Thus creating a much more realistic and immersive experience. Plus there’s guides in the room, who are there to help prevent you from crashing into any walls, if you do manage to find your way to a wall that is!

Currently Anvio have two games available to play:

Anvio VR: City Z

This game lasts 45mins and is for a team of 4 ages 12 and up. You’re provided with an assault rifle or a mele weapon to play whilst in this game. The City Z gameplay mixes close quarter combat and full blown warfare. You’ll be thrown in to dark corridors and be aware if you’re afraid of heights! What are you fighting? An How To Kill An Hour favourite: ZOMBIES!

Anvio VR: Lost Sanctuary

This game too lasts 45mins and for a team of 4 ages 12 and up. Yet instead of action, this is a puzzle game and you got to focus on the traversing environment. You’ll be transported into an ancient abandoned city, your task is to find out more about the city and look for the treasure! As you’ll too be faced with combat and some heights!

To purchase tickets of your own to go and venture in multiplayer madness please click here!

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Strange Brigade

Strange Brigade

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What is Strange Brigade?

Strange Brigade is your next favourite game! That’s what it is!

Strange Brigade takes users to places that they have never been before. The Plot? Well, simply there are four remote corners of the British Empire. What these remote corners entails no one knows as the shadows linger at their deepest. Who knows about these places the best? The servants of The Crown do and there are some supernatural beings that exist in these places!

Therefore it’s time to introduce the Strange Brigade! It is here where users are taken on an exotic safari, it’s dangerous and few dare to even embark on such an adventure. Why? As few return! As you go along this treacherous safari, you encounter civilisations that have once been forgotten by society, yet they’re fantastic within their own right, all while being shrouded in mystery! Go on adventures that take you to dark tombs and battle unimaginable evil!

Strange Brigade: Plot

You take on one of four adventurers or explorers. Each of the characters available to you have their own special powers, weapons and even tactics! The campaign takes you across a 1930’s era landscape and play with up to 4 friends along this action packed safari! However, as with many exotic plots, be aware of fighting armies of mythological characters that have been unleashed by an ancient Egyptian ruler: Seteki The Witch Queen. She’s so evil she has been wiped from hieroglyphs! So beware! To help you along the way there are secret caves around the safari. Why are these so special? Well within these caves there’s buried riches. Find these to help you along the way!

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cambridge analytica

Cambridge Analytica: How to (Part 2)

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So, last week we said to you guys that you’d get a notification to tell you if you’d been sniped by Cambridge Analytica. Turns out, hardly anyone got that notification. However, there’s a way to see if you did actually were wrongly done by Cambridge Analytica.

Therefore, simply click here!

Cambridge Analytica: What next

That’s really all you have to do. You’ll be presented with a page like this if you weren’t affected:

Cambridge Analytica

 

If you were you’ll be presented with this page:

 

cambridge analytica

 

Yet, Facebook doesn’t share what they’re doing to resolve this, (Well what can they do, it’s already been sold) they do share what they’re doing to prevent it from happening again.

So, to listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

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viavan

ViaVan: Uber Rival

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So, it seems as though there’s a rival to Uber in London. However, it’s limited to ride shares only, no single riders here! It’s called ViaVan and it may be your next ride. It’s only available in Zones 1  & 2 in London, has a start offer of £3 a ride.

Developed by Mercedes-Benz and US start up based on Ride-Sharing ‘Via’ has launched in London to jump on the bad press that Uber has got and take some of it’s market share.

However it’s not quite what you think. It’s like Uber, but for a bus. But not a literal BUS. Like a mini version. (But not a minibus)

Instead of you opening up the app and looking for your ride. You open the app, summon a ride, like usual. However, you then have to wait while ViaVan calculates the demand for your route. Then it matches you  (Tinder anyone?!) with passengers that are also making that route at a similar time. Then instead of picking you up where your standing your told to go to a destination to wait. Then go on your ride with your new best friends! (However, we’re Brits so we won’t talk to one another and just awkwardly stare at the floor) Then your dropped off somewhere near your destination. Sounds bad ‘near’ but ViaVan promise that it won’t be a lengthy detour.

ViaVan: Value

ViaVan’s CEO Chris Snyder, told Business Insider that their drivers get a higher commission (they’re also limited in numbers) and take safety of their drivers seriously. The idea behind ViaVan is to reduce congestion and offer alternatives to public transport. He also belives that his model of riding sharing is much more sustainable than that of individual cab rides.

Drivers are said to receive 24/7 phone support and if you drive for them your driving hours are limited to 10 hours per day. Whilst also being eligible for a higher cut of the money received. ViaVan will only take 15% of commissions whilst Uber takes 20-15%.

Drivers should earn more, but that’s because their is less of them around. As it’s a ride sharing app there is less of a need for a huge number of drivers as your drivers are taking more passengers each trip. Whilst this means larger fares, depending on the amount of riders, it will be cheaper for the users but better in value for the driver.

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looping videos

Tinder 2 second videos

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This may be the best thing that Tinder have done, or the worst thing they’ve done. Tinder have announced that coming to their dating apps are a ‘looping image’ (basically looping videos)  feature that will allow users to share short 2 second videos of what they love doing.

However, as with all new technology, it may, well, will, be put to ‘uses’ – But maybe the big wigs at Tinder were aware that the ‘looping video’ feature will spawn a ton of helicopter d*ck videos?

The new ‘looping videos’ moving profile image, (much like those available on Facebook) help, as Tinder announced, show more personality. In an effort to get more right swipes. (or helicopter D*ck)

Looping Videos: Advice

But the dating app have offered advice to their users. Explaining ways in which they can show off their habits, roller skating, you could show off going up and down the rink. Football, kicking the perfect penalty. Or if you’re a dancer, maybe showing off your best robot skills?! Bungee jumper? Show off, jumping off a high cliff? Whatever people do, I’m sure people will find super creative ways to use this feature. As with Vine (ok it was 7 seconds and not 20 but the internet is creative and intelligent, so we may see some pretty cool stuff!

Even though there may be a chance that there’s going to be a ton of helicopters about, there are ways to report an account that does so. So, there may not be as many flying D*cks about as you once thought!

What do you think of the ‘looping videos’ feature coming to Tinder? Let us know via our socials @howtokillanhour across all socials!

Download Tinder by clicking here Apple / Android

Listen to the guys chatting about this on the latest How To Kill An Hour podcast (EP274) by clicking here!

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