Latest news

Sony has announced an "Extended Play Sale" offering hundreds of TV episodes and games at discounts up to 60 percent.

Some of the titles are deluxe editions (game + season pass) and others are just season passes.

On the TV side, there are full catalog seasons available and seasons passes for current seasons that allow you to binge the episodes while they are still on TV including popular shows like Gotham, Arrow and The Flash.

The sale is good through Monday, May 25th. If you are a PlayStation Plus member, the discounts are extended to up to 80 percent off.

Check out the huge list of sales items here: Sony

The Chinese State Council has said today that the government will invest $182 billion to boost Internet speeds in the world's most populous nation by 2017.

This year alone, the government will invest 430 billion yuan ($69.3 billion) on network construction.

Overall, the goal is to jumpstart development of fiber optic broadband and mobile 4G networks in a country that currently ranks 82nd in the world in average Internet speeds.

Chinese premier Li Keqiang says the Interner and technology are "vital catalysts" for the country's shift to a services-oriented economy.

LG has created two variants to its newly launched G4 flagship, the G4 Stylus and the G4c.

The Stylus has a larger 5.7-inch display and comes with high-end stylus while the G4c is considered the 'budget' model and has a 5-inch display. The G4 flagship has a 5.5-inch screen.

Both phones look just like the G4, but under the hood, there are some differences. The phones have 1.2GHz quad-core processors, and 13MP/5MP cameras, slightly worse than the G4. The batteries are also different sizes.

The two phones will go on sale in the coming weeks across the world, including a 3G-only model of the Stylus which will be "exceptionally priced."

When Microsoft launched the Xbox One it included the Kinect motion control system with every console, forcing gamers to pay a $100 premium compared to the Sony PlayStation 4.

Ever since Microsoft dropped Kinect from its Xbox One as a necessary peripheral and dropped the price of the console, the company has managed to outsell its rival a number of times and that has led to a simple question: Is Microsoft dropping support for Kinect altogether?

According to Xbox head Phil Spencer, the company is not abandoning the Kinect, but the company will not focus at all on Kinect functions for gaming.

"It's not abandoned. We just developed Upload Studio 2.0, which has green screening that you can do with Kinect. We'll continue to build functionality to make it a valuable part of the ecosystem. That said, price point's really important for the console – we saw that over the holidays in the UK and US, where we did well when we dropped the price, which was great," said Spencer. "And I want to make sure consumers have choice on how much they value the functionality of Kinect when they buy a console. If you want to go buy a Kinect console [bundle], then they're still available."

Spencer continued: "[Kinect's] place will be earned through the experiences that are out there and the developers that show interest. We will continue to build functionality through voice and using the RGB and depth cameras, and we'll stay focused on that, but giving the consumers choice is pretty critical."

Eleven years after the release of Doom 3, we have the first very brief teaser trailer of the upcoming 'Doom' sequel.

Publisher Bethesda has confirmed a gameplay reveal at their E3 showcase on June 14th.

The trailer reveals little about the game, but we do get to see the super shotgun and a Revenant demon with its gun backpack.

'Doom 4' or whatever it will be called, was first announced in 2008, but clearly development has been delayed.

Xbox One gets broadcast TV with an Hauppauge Over-The-Air TV Tuner, delivering subscription-free live TV, 30 minute live TV pause and TV streaming to other devices using the Xbox App on Windows 10.

Redmond's plan to turn the Xbox One into the living room's favorite entertainment hub advanced today with the announcement of an Hauppauge Over-The-Air TV Tuner that will cost $60 for U.S. and Canadian customers. With the tuner, the console can access local broadcast networks and use the live TV content in many different ways.

Users can view live TV on one side of their screen while continuing to game for example, or if you need to go grab something to eat the Xbox One can pause live TV up to 30 minutes. Additionally, live TV can be streamed to other devices in the home either using the Xbox One SmartGlass app on Windows, Windows Phone, iOS and Android, or the Xbox App on Windows 10 (uninterrupted by gaming activity on Xbox One).

If you are interested in getting the TV Tuner for Xbox One, you should remember that you will also need a HDTV antenna to use with it. Microsoft Stores (including microsoftstore.com and brick and mortar locations) will sell a $99 bundle that includes a Hauppauge Digital TV Tuner for Xbox One and a Mohu Leaf 50 antenna, saving you about $30.

U.S. Senator Rand Paul is currently trying to block the renewal of PATRIOT Act provisions related to the mass collection of phone records in the United States.

The Republican is currently holding the U.S. Senate floor and speaking about the mass collection of telephone call records and other activities in the union. Under the rules, Paul can speak until midnight, which is when a new legislative day will commence.

Paul's twitter account and news outlets are reporting the senator's activity as a filibuster, which is not entirely accurate since he is not actually delaying consideration of a bill. Nevertheless, Paul is using his time on the floor to talk about why it's time to "end NSA spying".

I've just taken the senate floor to begin a filibuster of the Patriot Act renewal. It's time to end the NSA spying!

-- Dr. Rand Paul (@RandPaul) May 20, 2015

On June 1, provisions of the controversial U.S. PATRIOT Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001) will expire. Those provisions are referenced to justify the mass collection of data related to phone calls inside the United States.

It's time for America to get rid of the Copyright Alert System and replace it with the Canadian alternative responsible for a sharp decrease in piracy, an anti-piracy group has said.

Canadian Internet users that are alleged to have infringed copyright by downloading and sharing media online have begun receiving notices forwarded from their Internet Service Providers. While there are still controversial aspects of the program, a group is calling for the system to be replicated in the United States and to replace the comparably ineffective Copyright Alert System (CAS).

The Internet Security Task Force called last week for the U.S. to adopt a system more like that of the Canadian Copyright Modernization Act, citing data that shows a sizable drop in piracy activity on Canadian ISPs.

The data come from GEK-TEK International, which is a firm based in Los Angeles. GEK-TEK monitors online piracy and its business is to extract fees/settlements from alleged Internet piracy for its clients. It's main clients are Nu Image and Millennium Film and it has around 125 clients in Canada, and no doubt it would like to expand its horizons to more content owners.

Here are the figures attributed to GEK-TEK from Canada:

• Bell Canada - 69.6% decrease
• Telus Communications - 54.0% decrease
• Shaw Communications - 52.1% decrease
• TekSavvy Solutions - 38.3% decrease
• Rogers Cable - 14.9% decrease

ISTF wants CAS to be done away with entirely, claiming that it simply doesn't work.

Spotify is broadening its content distribution platform to include support for podcasts and short videos as it stares down rapidly growing competition in the media delivery space.

It's not economically feasible to rely on the volatile music streaming business these days with so many vultures in flight. If you stagnate and stand still you will fade into irrelevancy in an unforgiving market and an every-changing, increasingly demanding digital entertainment space.

Spotify is taking no risks and is squaring up to services like Tidal by adding support for videos and podcasts to its service. It won't be offering what you'd consider "full length episodes" in video, instead subscribers will have access to short videos around 10 minutes or shorter.

With commuters in mind, audio-only streams from video content will also be supported.

Spotify will of course make suggestions of what videos or podcasts you might like, just as it does with music, and content from the likes of ABC, BBC, Comedy Central, Condé Nast Entertainment, ESPN, Fusion, Maker Studios, NBC, TED and Vice Media will be available.

Also announced today is Spotify Running (video below) for those who listen to music when they go for a run. It will match your running tempo (BPM etc.) to music specifically selected for running activity, delivering music in time with your step. Some original tracks will also be available (six at launch).

Microsoft is put a white Xbox One console on sale again this month as part of a Special Edition Halo: The Master Chief Collection Bundle.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection features Halo: Combat Evolved, a re-mastered Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3 and Halo 4. For a limited time, fans can purchase an Xbox One Special Edition Halo: The Master Chief Collection Bundle, that includes a digital download code for the four Halo titles.

The bundle includes a Cirrus White Xbox One console and wireless controller.

Right now, the bundle is limited to consumers in the United States, with a price tag of $349. It will be available for a limited time at U.S. retailers, so long as supplies last.

Kim Dotcom had some more harsh words for the big Hollywood studios, as he faces charges for copyright infringement thanks to his former ownership of Megaupload.

"If Hollywood had some smart people working for them, they would probably have the biggest Internet company on the planet," Kim Dotcom said in an interview. "Instead, it's companies like Apple and Netflix that steal their thunder and this opportunity to monetize the power of the Internet. They completely missed the train."

Dotcom ran Megaupload until 2012 when it was shutdown by a police raid. At the time, the site was responsible for over 25 percent of all traffic on the Internet. Dotcom has been accused of copyright infringement, wire fraud and racketeering and is facing extradition to the U.S. although it is nowhere near a guarantee that he will ever leave New Zealand.

The studios are now trying to bully Dotcom out of fear, he added: "It's like the candlestick maker that didn't like the light bulb when it came along." Dotcom says Hollywood encourages piracy by not releasing films globally at the same time but rather choosing to roll it out sometimes over months. "Because people don't get that access, they are looking for the stuff elsewhere. So it's a problem created by the content creators, I'm not responsible for that."

An Internet Service Provider is working to get free legal advice for customers who are alleged to have downloaded illegal copies of Dallas Buyers Club.

iiNet is one of several Internet Service Providers in Australia that will have to identify account holders based on IP addresses allegedly used to pirate the film. In total, 4,726 IP addresses were allegedly connected to pirating the film, and a Federal Court has ordered their ISPs to identify the account holders linked to them.

Dallas Buyers Club LLC and Voltage Pictures brought the case to court in Australia and ISPs like iiNet resisted calls to identify their customers and provide their personal details. Once the information is handed over, the plaintiffs will be able to make contact with the alleged copyright infringers, but Federal Court Justice Nye Perram has stressed that letters seeking settlement need to be approved by the court, in order to avoid intimidation.

iiNet has provided information for customers who have downloaded Dallas Buyers Club and fear they might be among those identified and pursued for compensation. In the event that a customer receives a letter, iiNet recommends they seek legal advice immediately and makes a big commitment to its customers.

Randall Munroe, Richard Dawkins, Eula Biss and more make up Bill Gates' summer recommended reading list!

Bill reads a handful of books every year and reviews them, making recommendations based on his favorite books. This year he has strayed away from heavier topics like macroeconomics and finance, and is focusing on lighter alternatives that will be entertaining, informative and even humorous reads.

Among his recommendations this year is the noted "What If?" by Randall Munroe, which is a thoroughly entertaining read providing scientific answers to really bizarre questions. The book is funny to read, but still scientifically accurate and the reader can learn a bit about interesting topics (DNA, Ballistics, Ocean sciences etc).

Also from Munroe, Bill recommends "XKCD", which is a collection of material from the XKCD blog.

Evolutionary Biologist Richard Dawkins also gets a nod from Gates for his book "The Magic of Reality" which is intended for a younger audience but can still be read and enjoyed by adults. Dawkins is famed for his ability for making Scientific concepts understandable and appealing to the general public, but in recent years has been known more for his stance on religion. Gates doesn't endorse Dawkins' ideas on religion fully, but still credits him as one of the greatest science writers.

Google will show real-time tweets in search results provided to mobile devices to keep users up to the moment when searching for topics.

For example, searching for information on NASA can show the latest tweets from the organization, up to the minute. The same can be said for pop stars and celebrities, or a trend like tweets about the finale of a TV show while it is airing.

This provides organizations and publishers another way to reach a more global audience on topics that are relevant right now.

To start, live tweets are launching on Google.com in English in the Google app (on Android and iOS) and on mobile browsers, rolling out gradually.

A Popcorn Time fork that works in modern web browsers without downloading and installing an additional app has appeared online.

We really don't expect the popcorninyourbrowser.net to last very long if we are honest. Popcorn Time is a very popular torrent-based movie and TV show streaming solution that plays video content as it downloads. Since the original Popcorn Time ceased to be, there have been multiple forks of continued development.

It has captured the attention of Hollywood because it makes viewing the latest movies and TV shows, in HD, very easy using apps that work on Android, Windows and so on. It sports a very simple interface and will do all the torrenting in the background.

The new site has a responsive search that lets the user find popular films, and with a click will attempt to get the film playing. It is described only as a Mashup of YTS and Coinado.io.

Some brief testing we did showed that it does work but seems rather slow. In any case, we can't see it being online - or at least accessible at the current domain - for much longer.