studios

Former MySpace CEO launches a startup studio

Michael Jones was most recently the CEO of failed social-network MySpace. But that's not what he's talking about now.

In fact, Jones covers that chapter of his life quickly, in one sentence, without taking a breath.

"One of the things I learned at MySpace," he says, starting to talk so fast that I cannot understand him. I'm about to ask him to repeat what he just said, but it's too late. He's already talking, at a natural pace, about this his just-launched company, Science. He calls it a "technology studio," a … Read more

Warner Bros. adds UV downloads for 'Harry Potter' disc

LOS ANGELES--Warner Bros. has ironed out a short-lived glitch with the film studio's UltraViolet service just in time for the upcoming "Harry Potter" Blu-ray release.

Today, the updated Flixster app enables users to not only stream movies available on UltraViolet, but also download them to iPads and iPhones, a feature that was missing from Warner's initial movie releases on UltraViolet.

UltraViolet is the name of the technology standards and specifications that will enable film fans to store titles on the servers of film distributors, or what is commonly known as the cloud. From now on those … Read more

Make plenty of room for Skyrim

Bethesda Game Studios has a knack for creating enormous playable worlds that give gamers hundreds of hours worth of play time. Just like what we saw in Fallout 3, The Elder Scrolls franchise gives players an incredible amount of freedom to do whatever they want, even if that doesn't include following the main story arc.

The follow-up (though notably not a direct sequel) to 2006's Oblivion, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has easily been one of the most anticipated role-playing games in recent memory. It's the genre standout for this holiday season, and we've already been racking up the hours in the enormous land of Skyrim. … Read more

Intimacy 2.0 dress plays high-tech peek-a-boo

Fashion and technology have gotten together to catch and filter rain with a coat and create a literal cocktail dress. Now it's time for some transparency with a dress that uses e-foil technology.

Dutch design group Studio Roosegaarde and artistic research and development institute V2_ Lab have been playing around with the transparent dress concept and recently unveiled the Intimacy 2.0.

Available in white or black, this haute couture frock responds to the wearer's heart rate by clearing things up a bit. Yep, the Intimacy 2.0 turns transparent according to how you're feeling about the people around you. … Read more

Netflix, Amazon can boast new Disney deals

This is exactly how the Hollywood studios want the online video sector to look: several companies paying for and distributing their content while competing on things like convenience and price.

Disney has renewed a licensing agreement with Netflix and penned a new deal with Amazon that will give both a crack at much of the same content.

Netflix will continue to offer on its streaming service past seasons of Disney's "Hannah Montana" and of Disney-owned ABC's "Ugly Betty," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Lost." Amazon's deals also brings many of … Read more

Genelec's 'computer' speaker elevates the state of the art

Genelec isn't a big name outside the recording industry, but the company, founded in 1978, is a leader in professional monitor systems. More recently Genelec speakers are becoming known to discerning consumers. The company's active speakers have built-in amplifiers, like the tiny 6010A speaker I'm covering today, so it can be directly hooked up to an iPod, computer, or game.

I spent some time with the 6010A at the Audio Engineering Society convention held last week in New York. The listening conditions on the show floor weren't ideal, but on early Sunday morning it was fairly … Read more

Can cool-running amplifiers sound good?

I admit it, most of my favorite amplifiers produce enough heat to warm up a room and consume a lot of AC power. "Green," they are not. Class D amplifier designs (the "D" does not stand for digital) are vastly more efficient, and run cool to the touch.

For example, my Bel Canto REF500S power amp ($2,495) puts out 250 watts per channel, and it's a bona fide audiophile quality design. Bel Canto doesn't specifically refer to the REF500S as a Class D amp, but its low-heat, ultraefficient, heavily regulated switch-mode power supply … Read more

Locked up with Batman: Arkham City

Following up one of 2009's best games is no easy task. Batman: Arkham Asylum not only provided an addictive and compelling third-person action-adventure title, but it completely redefined superhero games. There was really no debating at the time: the team at Rocksteady Studios had made the best Batman--and perhaps the best comic-book-inspired game ever.

We've strapped on the Dark Knight's boots for another tour through Gotham's worst and lived to tell the tale. … Read more

HBO clears way for film studios' UltraViolet

A group of technology and entertainment companies appears to have defied the doubters and is actually launching a new cloud-video platform--thanks in large part to Time Warner's HBO.

UltraViolet (UV) is the name for a set of standards and technology designed to enable consumers to store their movies and TV shows in the cloud. Participating retailers and services will store customers' video on their servers and then users can view the films on a wide assortment of devices from member consumer-electronics makers.

UV is what most of the Hollywood film studios, as well as many others connected to online-movie … Read more

The 404 922: Where Wilson is the 1 percent (podcast)

Our guest today is Robin Yang of Toy Studio, one of Barnes & Noble's premier gaming publishers for the Nook Color tablet. She'll help us out with the rundown that includes stories about the real 53 percent, the long-awaited Facebook app for the iPad, MacBook Air competitor Ultrabooks from Asus, and how to run Android apps on a PC.… Read more