Category Archives: News

The fourth ‘Jurassic Park’ movie named ‘Jurassic World’ coming in 2015

September 11, 2013Movies, NewsColin Trevorrow, Jurassic World, movie title, theatrical release dateScott Meisner

Ten years after the original Jurassic Park stormed into theatres we are talking about a fourth movie being added to the franchise. Famed director Steven Spielberg, who helmed Jurassic Park (1997) and The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1993), will serve as producer on Jurassic World with Colin Trevorrow calling the shots and Derek Connolly penning the script. This marks the second time Trevorrow and Connolly teaming up to make a movie; previously they collaborated on the critically acclaimed Safety Not Guaranteed. Plot details are non-existent at this point, but if the newly announced title says anything it’s that the dinos will be back on a much larger scale.

Universal Pictures pegs Jurassic World with a June 12, 2015 release date. And yes, it’ll be in eye-popping 3D.

Sony shows off updated PS Vita and new game console/media streamer for Japanese market

September 9, 2013Images, News, Technology, Videoconsole, hardware, Japan, Japanese market, launch date, media streamer, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, PS Vita TV, PS4, Sony, Video gamesScott Meisner

Sony Computer Entertainment held a press conference in Japan today and although all the announcements pertain directly to the Japanese market it’s very likely that some of the announced hardware may make their way to the States and other parts of the world.

First up, Sony made it known that the PS4 will release in Japan on February 22, 2014, almost three full months after the console launches in North America. Yeah, that has got to sting, especially since Sony is based in JP. But remember, the PS3 had launched in Japan six days before it did in America…so…yeah.

Next let’s turn to hardware. Sony flashed a new PS Vita (WiFi only) that is 20 percent thinner and 15 percent lighter than the OG Vita and promises six hours of battery life. The design is mostly the same–you’ll noticed a slightly rounder look. Inside the LED screen has been swapped out for an OLED display, there’s now 1GB of onboard storage and a micro-USB has been added for syncing and charging. The new Vita will come in a bunch of colors such as black, white, lime green, light blue, pink and grey. The proprietary memory cards have fallen in price and a 64GB size has been introduced to the fold. The updated PS Vita releases in Japan October 10 for 18,980 yen (or about $190).

And now to the unexpected. Sony outed a new box to put in front of your television and it’s called the PS Vita TV. It looks like a mini console and allows gamers to play Vita titles on their TV. It comes complete with slots to insert Vita cartridges and memory cards and you control gameplay with a DualShock controller, not the Vita. The Vita TV will support 1,300 Vita games; in other words this “console” will launch with an impressive games lineup. Note, however, that it will not support all Vita titles; big ones like Gravity Rush, Wipeout, and Uncharted are not included on the compatible games list for some reason. In addition to playing games, the Vita TV will also act as a media streamer with access to Sony’s Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited services, Hulu, and more. And when the PS4 comes out, a software update will turn the Vita TV into a Remote Play device akin to how the Vita will become one as well. Vita TV comes to the Japanese market on November 14 with a 9,954 yen price tag. That converts to appox. $100. Should it enter the US market at some point it’d fare as a worthy competitor against Apple TV, Roku, and the like.

Pop into the gallery below to check out the updated PS Vita and the new PS Vita TV. Video after the break.

[Via Engadget 1, 2, 3, 4; Joystiq] Continue reading Sony shows off updated PS Vita and new game console/media streamer for Japanese market →

Xbox One will release on…

September 9, 2013News, Technology, VideoMicrosoft, release date, Video games, Xbox OneScott Meisner

At last, Microsoft has revealed the launch date of their next-gen video game console. Xbox One will release on November 22, 2013 at $499. That is exactly one week after Sony drops PS4 on November 15 at $399, if you’re keeping score. On the 22nd, the One will launch in 13 markets: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, UK, and USA. More countries will follow in 2014.

In addition to announcing the date, Microsoft says the system is in full production and ready for showtime. Gamers will be happy to know that it will feature an improved clock speed for enhanced performance. Specifically, the CPU has jumped from the previously announced 1.6GHz speed to 1.75GHz marking roughly a 10 percent increase in CPU performance. And in case you didn’t know, the GPU’s speed was also increased by 6 percent. Watch Xbox’s Xbox’s Yusuf Mehdi discuss the news in a video posted after the break.

Now the countdown for next-gen can truly begin.

[Via Xbox] Continue reading Xbox One will release on… →

Microsoft casts a bigger net around Nokia, acquires its business and patents

September 9, 2013News, Technologyacquisition, company acquisition, Microsoft, Nokia, Stephen ElopScott Meisner

In 2011, Microsoft and Nokia entered into a “strategic alliance” that formally made Windows Phone Nokia’s “principal smartphone strategy.” Two years later, Microsoft is acquiring “substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business, license Nokia’s patents, and license and use Nokia’s mapping services.” MSFT is ponying up 5.44 billion euros (or $7.2 billion) to gobble up virtually all that is Nokia: 3.79 billion euros ($4.99 billion) grants Microsoft Nokia’s business and another 1.65 billion euros ($2.18 billion) allows the Windows company access to Nokia’s patents.

Says Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer (pictured above, left): “It’s a bold step into the future – a win-win for employees, shareholders and consumers of both companies. Bringing these great teams together will accelerate Microsoft’s share and profits in phones, and strengthen the overall opportunities for both Microsoft and our partners across our entire family of devices and services. In addition to their innovation and strength in phones at all price points, Nokia brings proven capability and talent in critical areas such as hardware design and engineering, supply chain and manufacturing management, and hardware sales, marketing and distribution.”

It makes sense–Nokia has been hard at work pushing the Windows Phone mobile OS with their lineup of Lumia smartphones. Once this acquisition completes (it’s expected to sometime in 2014) their strategic alliance will grow into a full-blown marriage and the synergy between the two companies should result in a more streamlined product and services lineup.

Nokia’s CEO Stephen Elop (pictured above, right) has stepped down from his post and is currently being vetted to take over as Microsoft’s head honcho when Ballmer exits next year.

[Via Engadget 1, 2; Nokia]

Kanye West & Jay Z announce separate North American tours

September 9, 2013Music, NewsJay-Z, Kanye West, tour, tour datesScott Meisner

Kanye West and Jay Z are going on tour again, but this time they are going their separate ways. The rap duo known together as The Throne are ready to hit the road to promote their respective new releases Yeezus and Magna Carta… Holy Grail.

Kanye West’s The Yeezus Tour will travel to 23 cities in North America starting October 19 in Seattle, WA and closing December 7 in Houston, TX. He’s touring with rising rapper Kendrick Lamar who is set to appear at nearly all venues. The few that he’s missing promise another special guest that is listed as “to be announced.” Tickets go on sale this Friday, September 13.

Jay Z’s Magna Carta World Tour hits 33 cities in North America; he’ll be performing at the NY Barclays Center in Brooklyn for two nights in January. The tour kicks off on November 30 in St. Paul, MN and ends on January 31 in State College, PA. Tix become available Thursday, September 12 at 10AM EST.

Jump after the break to view all tour dates for Ye and Jay’s shows. Above is the image featured on Kanye’s site hyping his tour. Below is the one Jay Z cobbled together. Continue reading Kanye West & Jay Z announce separate North American tours →

Mystery, solved: J.J. Abrams’ “Stranger” teaser revealed to be a novel

September 9, 2013Entertainment, News, VideoBad Robot, book, book synopsis, Doug Dorst, J.J. Abrams, novel, synopsis, teaserScott Meisner

On the 19th of August J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot tweeted a link to a mysterious YouTube clip titled “Stranger.” The beautifully scored video narrated by an older gentleman told a brief story about a man emerging from the sea under a blanket of stars. At the very end the words “Soon he will know” appeared and then quickly vanished. Now, we know.

Bad Robot’s Twitter account spilled the beans with part 2 of the “Stranger” video titled “S. (From J.J. Abrams and Doug Dorst – Bad Robot Productions).” This clip (embedded after the break) resumes where the last left off (narrator and all) and introduces a typewriter and a murder mystery. So no, this is not a teaser for the next Star Wars movie or Abrams’ upcoming NBC drama Believe or his adaptation of Rod Serling’s The Stop Along the Way. These videos are promoting a new novel conceived and developed by Abrams and written by Doug Dorst.

“S. is the chronicle of two readers finding each other in the margins of a book and enmeshing themselves in a deadly struggle between forces they don’t understand, and it is also Abrams and Dorst’s love letter to the written word.”

Abrams told EW: “I could not be more excited for people to get their hands on this book. It is difficult to describe because while it is a compelling mystery and love story, it is also much more than that. The work that everyone has done on S. is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Frankly, I’m amazed it was even possible to do this project at all.”

The book–which comes complete with newspaper clippings, a napkin with a hand-drawn map, and other special material to enhance the reading experience–hits store shelves October 29; preorder yours SoonYouWillKnow.com. For a peek at the layered synopsis, skip after the break. Continue reading Mystery, solved: J.J. Abrams’ “Stranger” teaser revealed to be a novel →

J.J. Abrams & Jonathan Nolan set up ‘Westworld’ adaptation at HBO

September 9, 2013News, TelevisionBad Robot, HBO, J.J. Abrams, Jonathan Nolan, pilot production commitment, WestworldScott Meisner

Here is a TV project to keep a very close eye on. J.J. Abrams and Jonathan Nolan (the auspices behind CBS’ Person of Interest) are adapting Michael Crichton’s 1973 sci-fi thriller Westworld into a TV series for HBO. This marks the first foray into pay cable TV for Abrams’ Bad Robot production company. And like all things Bad Robot, the project is shrouded in mystery; this official logline will have to do for now: “Set in the amazing world dreamt up by Michael Crichton, Westworld is a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin.” The movie, which starred Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, and James Brolin, took place at a Western-themed amusement park rampant with androids who appeared nearly indistinguishable from humans. Watch the trailer here. Westworld went on to spawn a sequel Futureworld (1976) and even a short-lived TV series Beyond Westworld.

Nolan is set to direct the pilot (HBO has already agreed to a pilot production commitment!) and he will pen the script with writer Lisa Joy (Burn Notice). Abrams, Nolan, Joy, Bryan Burk, and Jerry Weintraub will executive produce.

[Via Deadline]

Michael Bay’s next ‘Transformers’ pic gets a title & poster

September 9, 2013Image cache, Movies, Newsmovie poster, poster, Transformers, Transformers 4, Transformers: Age of ExtinctionScott Meisner

The fourth movie in Michael Bay’s Transformers franchise will be called Transformers: Age of Extinction. Eye the teaser poster above.

Though plot details are still being kept under wraps, the title and poster more than hint at the introduction of the Dinobots. In addition to the good Autobots and the big bad Decepticons there are the Dinobots, robots that transform into–wait for it–dinosaurs!

Mark Walhberg replaces Shia LaBeouf as star and the rest of the cast goes like this: Jack Reynor, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, Nicola Peltz, Sophia Myles, Li Bingbing, and T.J. Miller. The pic aims for a June 27, 2014 release.

Nintendo drops Wii U price, intros Zelda bundle & affordable 2DS portable

August 29, 2013News, Technology, Video2DS, bundle, console, handheld, hardware, holiday games lineup, holiday lineup, Nintendo, Nintendo 2DS, price, price drop, release date, release date & price, Video games, video games bundle, Wii UScott Meisner

With the releases of Xbox One and PS4 fast approaching, Nintendo is making moves.

First up, a price drop. The Wii U is shedding $50 and will sell for $299.99 starting September 20. This is the black-coated 32GB “deluxe” Wii U that’s seeing the price decrease. The white 8GB “standard” version remains at $300 but I wouldn’t be surprised if Ninty decided to discontinue what used to be the cheaper model soon. With an even more competitive price tag and an onslaught of anticipated first-party titles coming soon (see below) perhaps the time is nigh to finally pull the trigger and pick up Nintendo’s next-gen entry.

Also hitting shelves on the 20th of September is a limited-edition Wii U bundle packed with the anticipated Gamecube remake The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD. At the same $299.99 price point you get the deluxe console, a code to download a digital copy of the Zelda title from the Nintendo eShop (the physical disc doesn’t hit retail until October 4), one GamePad controller adorned with Zelda-inspired gold lettering, and a digital copy of Hyrule Historia, a book that details the chronology, history, and artwork of The Legend of Zelda series.

Next up: new hardware. The Nintendo 3DS is getting a new sibling and its name is 2DS. At $40 less than the 3DS, the 2DS eliminates the ability to play games in eye-popping 3D. Dual screens, cameras, and touch input remain intact, but the original hinge design is replaced with a flat look. The 2DS plays all 3DS games in 2D and it’s backwards compatible with all DS games. When it comes out October 12 for $129.99 it’ll be available in two hues: black/red and black/blue. Watch an introductory video after the break.

Lastly, the house that built Mario is pimping its upcoming games lineup as we near the holiday season. In addition to the aforementioned Zelda title, also in the Wii U pipeline are Wii Party U (10/25), Super Mario 3D World (11/22), Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (12/6), and Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games. Coming soon to 3DS (and 2DS) are The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (11/22) and Mario Party: Island Tour (11/22). For a list of third party games coming soon to Ninty’s home console and handhelds, jump after the break. Continue reading Nintendo drops Wii U price, intros Zelda bundle & affordable 2DS portable →

Eminem drops lead single off ‘MMLP2’

August 29, 2013Music, News, VideoEminem, MMLP2, SingleScott Meisner

Slim Shady is BACK. After teasing fans with “Survival,” Eminem dropped the true lead single off his eighth studio album “Berzerk.” The Beastie Boys-esque track produced by Rick Rubin hits hard and quickly reminds you just how great a rapper Em really is. The most exciting bit to come out of all this: tracks “Berzerk” and “Survival” are part of MMLP2. Do you need me to spell this out for you? Shady’s next record is a sequel to his instant-classic third album The Marshall Mathers LP; that 2000 release featured hit songs like “The Real Slim Shady,” “The Way I Am,” and “Stan.” Simply by naming his upcoming album what he did raises the stakes and the anticipation tenfold. And if “Berzerk” is any indication of what’s in store, I think fans will be plenty comfortable with the new material. And yes, there’s a street date: MMLP2 drops November 5.

Listen to “Berzerk” above and download a copy via iTunes. If this track preview video is any indication, an accompanying music video is imminent.

2013 MTV VMAs: Justin Timberlake scores

August 29, 2013Music, News2013 MTV Video Music Awards, 2013 MTV VMA, award show, awards show, list of winners, MTV, MTV Video Music Awards, MTV VMA, VMA, winnersScott Meisner

From Miley’s twerk works to Bruno Mars’ pipes, this year’s MTV Video Music Awards had a little something for everybody. But there’s no arguing that the night belonged to the Video Vanguard Award recipient Justin Timberlake. Before accepting the award from a jubilant Jimmy Fallon, JT wowed the crowd and viewers tuning in with a never-ending medley of his greatest hits including a blink-and-you-missed-it NSYNC reunion. The artist proved that he’s a true performer in every sense of the word. And if that wasn’t enough, Timberlake also went home with the most limited edition KAWS Moonmen ; his hit single “Mirrors” won Best Editing and was crowned Video of the Year. “Suit & Tie,” helmed by filmmaker David Fincher, won Best Direction. Add in the golden Vanguard statue and the count lands at four. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, who also made new fans that night with a great rendition of their track “Same Love,” came in a close second racking up three trophies.

For the full list of winners, click here.