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  • Android Pie Available Now on Pixel Phones

    Android Pie Available Now on Pixel Phones

    Android P, now officially named Android Pie, is available now on Google’s own Pixel phones. It will be rolled out to other phones near the end of the year, or maybe early in 2019. In any event, the Android OS powers around 90% of all smartphones on Earth, so any updates to it will affect a huge portion of the population. Today, we’re looking at the new features and characteristics you’ll find in the newest Android OS.

    Notch Support

    This one’s a big more of an under-the-surface upgrade, but you’ll notice it if your phone has a notch at the top. The top notch, popularized by Apple’s phenomenal iPhone X, is a divisive design feature, but it’s here to stay. The support for notches is baked into the new Android OS, allowing apps to be made with a few different notch styles in mind. These easy designs will make the apps cleaner, clearer and have less information lost by the notch placement. Win-win!

    Gesture Control

    In another iPhone X-inspired upgrade, Android Pie allows for gesture controls. This is likely to preempt the removal of a home button from various upcoming Android phones. Home buttons are likely to go the way of the headphone jack: eliminated for space. Home buttons take up valuable front-space, taking away from full-screen displays that run edge-to-edge.

    Android Pie: The AI Operating System

    AI is the future of smartphones. Android Pie is leaning into this future with several functions that will help make your phone more efficient and save your battery. The first of these is “slices” of apps appearing when you need information. For instance, if you’re looking for movie showtimes, Android will show you slices of the Fandango app for ticket prices and showtimes without opening the app itself. This saves you time and saves your phone’s battery.

    Another functionality that is AI-powered coming to the Android OS is app suggestions. These suggestions follow your trends for when and where you open different apps. By intelligently spinning up apps you often use before you need them, the OS will be more efficient, battery-saving and modern. What’s not to love?

    Availability

    Android Pie is available on Google Pixel smartphones now. It will be rolled out to other smartphones that use Android over the next few months. Stay posted for updates, we’ll bring them to you as more information is made available!

  • 10 Marvel Stories that Need to Be Brought to the MCU

    10 Marvel Stories that Need to Be Brought to the MCU

    As the MCU captures the hearts and minds of movie fans all over the world, fans of Marvel comics couldn’t be happier. What’s even better than reading your favorite character’s comic book? Why, watching them kick butt on the big screen! Now that Marvel has even gotten the rights to the X-Men and Fantastic Four, we’re more excited than ever to see what kinds of stories they’re looking to bring to the big screen. With that in mind, we’re looking at the ten Marvel stories that need to be brought to the MCU!

    10 Marvel Stories that Need to Be Brought to the MCU

    World War Hulk

    Photo Credit: Comic Vine

    Thor: Ragnarok gave us a great glimpse into the cosmic potential of the Incredible Hulk. Banner’s green alter ego is a huge force in the Marvel Universe, and it shows in the World War Hulk arc. The arc’s name is pretty self-explanatory: Hulk leads a force of aliens to Earth. A huge war erupts, involving all the superheroes on Earth. It’s downright awesome, and we’d love to see the Hulk smashing through all of his Avenger pals. Korg and Meek even appeared in Ragnarok, and they both act as supporting characters in the comic arc of World War Hulk.

    Secret Invasion

    Photo Credit: Comic Book

    As it turns out, the villainous Skrull race is really good at shape-shifting and masquerading as your friends. The Secret Invasion arc told of an invasion of Earth by the Skrull that no one even noticed. How could they? Anyone could be a Skrull! 2019’s Captain Marvel film is set to feature the Skrull as antagonists, which may set up for a future Avengers film to adapt the story to the big screen. What better way to follow up the bombastic Thanos than a subtle, intrigue-filled conflict with the Skrull?

    Sinister Six

    Photo Credit: Spider-Bob’s

    No one in the Marvel Universe has a rogues’ gallery as deep and interesting as Spider-Man. Doctor Octopus, Vulture, Electro, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio and Sandman formed the original Sinister Six to try to kill Spidey. In the MCU, we’d love to see a variation on this story after Spidey hurts some more feelings among his existing enemies. Tom Holland’s Spider-Man is a delight, and we’re honestly just excited to see him on the big screen some more. Seeing him pushed to his limits as he overcomes villain after villain would be an awesome way to grow his character.

    House of M

    Photo Credit: CBR

    Scarlett Witch is very, very powerful. It’s a little absurd just how strong she gets as the comics go along. Look no further than the tale House of M to see just how deep her well of powers runs. Wanda decides through a complex series of scenarios that there aren’t enough mutants in the world, and they’re all treated too poorly. She rewrites reality with mutants on the top of the food chain, resulting in a society that is racist to non-mutant individuals. Wolverine, however, has some memory of the world as it was, and helps lead a group of heroes to set things right.

    This would be an excellent tale to explore the nature of mutant-kind. It might even be a good way to introduce them to the universe, having Wanda create them as part of an alternate reality. The events of the film could merge the “real” world with the House of M world, thus explaining why there haven’t been any mutants in the MCU yet.

    Original Sin

    Photo Credit: Hollywood Reporter

    Something of a noir-style gumshoe tale, Original Sin is a “whodunnit” story with a cosmic setting. The tale follows several superheroes who are seeking to solve the murder of Uatu the Watcher. The tale is intriguing, engrossing and entertaining, showing off the best parts of Marvel’s cosmic storytelling. In the MCU, this story would likely work best as a standalone film crossover, likely leaning heavily on the Guardians of the Galaxy to lend it levity. It would also be a great send-off for Nick Fury, but we don’t want to spoil too much about this excellent tale.

    Secret Wars

    Photo Credit: Nerdist

    Secret Wars is another tale that would be an excellent way to introduce the Fantastic Four and X-Men to the MCU. The more recent Secret Wars, the 2015 event, would be a particularly excellent bridge for the new heroes to appear in the universe. The event has a collision of multiple universes result in the creation of a patchwork world called “Battleworld.” Battleworld is home to every hero from across the Marvel multiverse, all of whom fight and struggle against one another for supremacy. A story in this vein would be delightful to see on the big screen. It could even allow for a reset of the status quo some time down the road, in case the MCU gets too convoluted.

    Born Again

    Photo Credit: ThoughtCo
    While Frank Miller’s politics are repulsive, and his sexism is overt and problematic, he did write a pretty solid Daredevil tale called Born Again. The bones of a really good story are here, hinting that at one point in time Miller may have been a competent storyteller. The arc has Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime, systematically tear down Matt Murdock after discovering the lawyer is Daredevil. Once the Man without Fear has nothing left, he gets back up and proves himself as the Defender of Hell’s Kitchen. The comic’s tone influenced the Netflix series, so a season based on it is quite likely. As the show has been stellar so far, we’re excited to see what they could do with this classic story.

    Galactus

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    Fox didn’t do Galactus right, so we’re very hyped that Marvel has the rights to the Fantastic Four back. The Silver Surfer and Galactus are a fascinating, excellent part of the Marvel mythos. After the Fantastic Four are introduced into the MCU, they could face Galactus. Having them tested by fighting the Eater of Worlds would be an excellent chance to show off just how awesome they are. Marvel’s First Family deserves a decent movie, and this is one way to do it!

    Annihilation

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    The epic cosmic crossover event Annihilation would make an incredible follow-up for the Infinity War story. This event tells the story of Annihilus, a dangerous alien hellbent on the destruction of the Galaxy. He arrives with the Annihilation Wave, a legion of soldiers loyal to him. This story is unique in that all the action takes place far from Earth, and it relaunching Marvel’s cosmic heroes. As the Guardians of the Galaxy have proven, cosmic Marvel translates very well to film. We’d love to see the introduction of heroes like Nova and Adam Warlock through an Annihilation film.

    Avengers vs X-Men

    Photo Credit: Marvel

    An immutable law of comic books holds that any two sufficiently awesome groups of superheroes have to fight when they first meet. This extends to the MCU. When the X-Men get their proper introduction in the MCU, they need to follow that with a brawl. A knock-down, drag-out brawl with the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Because that’s the rule. The X-Men are awesome, the Avengers are awesome, and they need to battle to show off just how cool they both are. The comic event was huge, exciting and adrenaline-pumping, and it would translate beautifully to the silver screen.

  • FCC Rules with Google on Fiber Anti-Competition Rules

    FCC Rules with Google on Fiber Anti-Competition Rules

    In an odd development that shows that the FCC is uncertain of the types of policy it wants to enforce, they’ve ruled in favor of Google in a recent turn of events. The rule is called One Touch Make Ready, and it’s a bit of a complex issue, especially given the FCC’s stance on Net Neutrality. The main aspect of OTMR rules holds that broadband providers who are adding new lines to utility poles can move competitors wires themselves to make room for their lines. This encourages competition, as previously telecom companies were in no hurry to roll their trucks out to move their wires for their competitors.

    FCC Rules in Favor of Google

    This OTMR ruling is beneficial for Google, who have been slowly rolling out their fiber broadband network to various cities. They encountered a significant slowdown when competitors like Comcast and AT&T proved very slow in making room for them on utility poles. While this foot-dragging is certainly in poor spirit, it’s understandable. If you were in charge of a business, would you be in any hurry to accommodate your competition? As such, rules allowing newcomers to simply move the existing lines themselves make sense from the stance of anti-competition.

    Mixed Signals

    The FCC last year voted to take away Obama-era protections for broadband internet. The Net Neutrality vote is called the “Restoring Internet Freedom Order,” an ironic (and erroneous) name. Under the previous definition, Title II protections extended to broadband internet. This meant providers had access to all utility poles for broadband. However, since Pai led the gutting of these protections and defined broadband internet as not being telecommunications (no, seriously) these protections no longer apply.

    This ruling, then, is in seeming opposition of that ruling. Why would the FCC act pro-competition now when they were so anti-consumer a few short months ago? That said, we don’t want to give you the wrong idea. In broad strokes, this promotes competition, which is good for consumers. If this marks the start of a change of character for Pai’s FCC, then all the better. That said, one worries when the other shoe will drop. After all, we’re dealing someone who was recently quite eager to gut Obama-era protections.

  • Hottest Video Games for Holiday 2018

    Hottest Video Games for Holiday 2018

    The holiday season is often replete with the year’s biggest games, and 2018 will be no exception. This holiday season is shaping up to be a real doozy for fans of all the major game consoles! The biggest names are showing up in force this year. To help you keep all the big names straight, we’ve got your rundown of the hottest video games for holiday 2018!

    Hottest Video Games for Holiday 2018

    10. Spyro: Reignited Trilogy

    Photo Credit: Windows Central

    No longer content to just pump out paint-by-numbers Skylanders games, Activision is bringing Spyro back to the games that made him! We’re as ecstatic as you for the purple dragon’s return to 3D adventure gaming! This package contains the first three Play Station entries in the Spyro series, now with a gorgeous HD facelift. We’re quite excited to relive Spyro’s first adventures! Spyro: Reignited Trilogy drops September 21st.

    9. Fallout 76

    Photo Credit: CNET

    A bit of an odd entry in the Fallout series, 76 is an online, multiplayer spinoff of the main series. Every character in the game world is controlled by players, and the focus is on building bases. This is an interesting departure from the epic, single-player-only Fallout series. We’re cautiously optimistic regarding this unusual experiment. Hopefully Bethesda brings the goods when 76 drops November 14th!

    8. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

    Photo Credit: IGN

    Assassin’s Creed was circling the drain before Origins injected some much-needed life into the franchise. While Origins is far from perfect, it’s a good bit more original and fun than many of its predecessors. Odyssey’s Greek setting is intriguing, to say the least, and has us interested to see how the game shapes up.

    Confirmed to be reappearing are naval battles, which was the highlight of the excellent Assassin’s Creed 4, itself an odd outlier in the otherwise blasé series. Also confirmed for this game are heightened RPG elements and the ability to pursue relationships. For when you’re not out, you know, assassinating people. AC: Odyssey drops October 5th.

    7. Mega Man 11

    Photo Credit: Capcom

    Sure, there’ve been literally dozens of Mega Man games, and sure, we’ve seen a lot of this before. But if you’re telling me you’re skipping any of the Blue Bomber’s main series entries you’re deluding yourself. You’re going to get this one and play it until your thumbs are sore, because it’s main series Mega Man. Jokes aside, we’re excited for the storied series to return to form and bring white-knuckle platforming action to bear. Mega Man 11 hits on October 2nd.

    6. Marvel’s Spider Man

    Photo Credit: PlayStation

    While Marvel continues to dominate Hollywood with the MCU, Sony’s looking to replicate that success with their exclusive Spider-Man game. Marvel’s Spider-Man seeks to put you in the web-slingers shoes as he swings through the city, stopping criminals and generally just saving the day.

    Compared by many to Rocksteady’s exemplary Batman: Arkham series, this game is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated of the year. If you’re looking forward to getting to be your favorite superhero, you won’t have to wait long! Marvel’s Spider-Man releases on September 7th.

    5. Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate

    Photo Credit: wccftech

    Monster Hunter: World is a tremendously amazing, modernized take on the franchise. It commits only one unforgivable sin: it isn’t on the Nintendo Switch. All is forgiven, however, as an updated remaster of Monster Hunter Generations, called Ultimate, is coming for Switch on August 28th.

    If that’s not enough to get you excited to hunt some monsters, you must not own a Switch! If you don’t, some of the upcoming games on this list are going to make you wish you did!

    4. Pokemon: Let’s Go

    Photo Credit: US Gamer

    Case in point? An adorable, brightly-colored romp through the world of Kanto with your Pokemon friends is coming November 16th. Pokemon: Let’s Go comes in two flavors, one Pikachu and one Eevee. The game functions as an updated retelling of the events of the first Pokemon game and incorporates the catching system from Pokemon Go.

    As a bridge between casual fans of Go and more hardcore, main-series fans, Let’s Go seeks act as an on-ramp for Go’s millions of players. Pokemon Go has a ton of players who have never touched a main Pokemon entry, and Nintendo is seeking to fix that with these new games. Get ready to go on the greatest adventure in video games all over again!

    3. Super Mario Party

    Photo Credit: Nintendo

    It’s been a while since a proper Mario Party landed. The last few entries in the series incorporated an unusual cart system that saw all players gaining and losing ground as a group. This largely defeated the point of the Mario Party franchise, which is meant to be a competitive, head-to-head board game. Thankfully, Super Mario Party represents a return to form for the series.

    A staple of late-night parties and college dorms the world over, Mario Party is one of the best reasons to own a Nintendo system. The new entry will also incorporate a two-Switch game mode where minigames will jump between the two systems. Whether that’s used for increasing the size of the game board, hiding information from other players or whatever else depends on the minigame. Super Mario Party lands October 5th!

    2. Red Dead Redemption 2

    Photo Credit: Polygon

    A sequel to one of the very best video games of all time, Red Dead Redemption 2 has big boots to fill. It’s technically a prequel, exploring the life and adventures of protagonist Arthur Morgan with the Dutch Van Der Linde gang, some of the antagonists of the previous entry. This game is Rockstar’s first since GTAV shattered world records and will be their final entry into the current console generation.

    Expectations are high, but Rockstar has yet to underperform when it comes to their storied franchises. We’re downright ecstatic to see what the studio has in store for the gaming world. We’ll find out when the game releases on October 26th! Truly, nothing feels cooler than being a badass cowboy in the Old West.

    1. Super Smash Bros Ultimate

    Photo Credit: IGN

    Well, nothing except beating the hell out of your friends at Smash Bros. This new entry in the series comes four years after the previous game, Super Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS. Super Smash Bros Ultimate will include every single character from the previous games in the franchise, including the DLC characters and guest characters. Other reappearing features are assist-trophies and Final Smash finishing moves.

    We’re incredibly excited to see the game in a finished state. Nintendo is even bringing support for GameCube controllers for this entry in the series, meaning you’ll control it in the same manner as the originals! The best part is, we’re seeing it this year! That’s right, Smash Ultimate releases December 7th.

  • Gorilla Glass 6 Unveiled for New Oppo Smartphone

    Gorilla Glass 6 Unveiled for New Oppo Smartphone

    Corning, the company that makes the ultra-strong glass Gorilla Glass, has an even stronger variant on the way. Called Gorilla Glass 6, it’s their strongest one yet, and it’s a doozy. This time around, the glass-maker will ship it first with the newest Oppo flagship phone, on that is as-yet unnamed. However, Oppo has a solid track record in China of making cutting-edge phones.

    Oppo: Chinese Innovators

    While in the West Apple, Samsung and Google are the biggest names in smartphones, China is a different market indeed. Chinese smartphone makers like Xiaomi, OnePlus and Oppo dominate the market there. While Americans tend to measure their success with the newest models of cars, in China it’s more common to see wealthy people flaunting their new phones. This is due to a number of factors, but primarily is due to the ubiquity of public transit and relative lack of usefulness of personal vehicles.

    Oppo, for their part, is a highly-respected and excellent brand. Their phones tend towards the higher-end of smartphones, and their most recent designs are reminiscent of Apple’s iPhone X. Design features like the edge-to-edge screen, minimized bezels, phone notch and glass back are mainstays in the Chinese market. In fact, these designs are even seen on mid- to low-end phones by some manufacturers.

    Corning and Gorilla Glass 6

    The name Gorilla Glass should sound familiar: it’s the screen and back of most modern smartphones. If your smartphone is mid- to high-end, has a glass back or it generally just durable, odds are good it’s Corning’s Gorilla Glass. That is to say, if you’re a fan of high-end smartphones, odds are good you’ll be seeing Gorilla Glass 6 in the US soon.

    The next Oppo flagship is due out in a matter of weeks, which means we could see Gorilla Glass 6 in the US as soon as the next few months. The newest batch of phones from Apple, Samsung, LG and Google are all due out this fall. It seems likely that many of these new phones will come with the newest, toughest material from Corning.

    The new Gorilla Glass is rated for at least 15 drops from one meter off the ground. That’s double the number Gorilla Glass 5 could handle, which inspires a great amount of confidence. One of the biggest issues with glass-backed phones is durability. As such, it’s good that smartphone manufacturers are teaming with Corning to make them more durable.

  • Ten Best Pickup Trucks for the 2019 Model Year

    Ten Best Pickup Trucks for the 2019 Model Year

    The upcoming model year is shaping up to be a big one for fans of pickup trucks. Luxury accoutrements are becoming more standard, prices are staying reasonable and competition is at an all-time high between the biggest manufacturers.

    It’s worth looking into upgrading to a new vehicle this year for those reasons alone. If you’re still not convinced, maybe today’s list will sway you. Today, we’re looking at the ten best pickup trucks for the 2019 model year. These are the biggest, the toughest and the best!

    Ten Best Pickup Trucks for the 2019 Model Year

    Honda Ridgeline

    While Honda’s truck may be lesser-known than some others on this list, it’s a solid pickup. It’s versatile, roomy and powerful, and is well worth your attention. The 2019 Ridgeline starts at $30,725, making it a mid-priced, mid-sized, full-value truck!

    Nissan Titan

    The Titan lives up to its name! A massive, rugged truck, the Titan’s 2018 model is still a fantastic value even as we move into 2019. If you’re a fan of Nissan’s quality and reliability, you can rest assured this mid-sized pickup follows suit. The Titan starts around $30,000, which is impressive given its 9,500 lb towing capacity and 390 horsepower. There’s a lot of truck here to love!

    Chevy Silverado 2500HD

    Now with a diesel engine option and a slick new look, the 2019 Silverado is a truck to watch. This year’s model is lighter while still being even bigger than the previous year’s. It’s longer, overall, too! That means there’s tons of leg-room for driver and passengers. The bed is huge, and the towing capacity doesn’t disappoint: this sucker can tow up to 14,000 lbs. The 2500HD starts at $37,500, and it’s worth every penny.

    GMC Sierra

    The 2019 Sierra 1500 is a mean machine. The price is on par with what you’d expect for a truck in this range: it starts at $33,500. It can tow up to 9,700 lbs, sports up to 420 horsepower and has a slick look to match. The interior is roomy, and the bed is as spacious as you’d like from a truck this size. While this year’s model isn’t a huge change from last year’s, the price isn’t so much higher that this is an issue. It’s still a luxurious yet rugged ride!

    Ford Ranger

    The 2019 Ford Ranger is a beast of a machine. Ford’s name carries some weight, and for good reason. You’ll probably notice that three of their trucks are on this list! The Ranger is a great midsize truck for those looking to get there in style while also hauling a load. This is the first new Ranger since 2011, so you know it’s going to be under some serious scrutiny! Interestingly, unlike its pre-revival predecessor, this is a larger, steel-body truck. The 2019 Ranger doesn’t have a set price tag yet, but we’d expect somewhere in the mid $30,000’s.

    Chevy Colorado

    The 2019 Chevy Colorado makes the list almost on the merit of its low price alone. This pickup starts at $20,500, making it one of the least expensive trucks on this list. It doesn’t sacrifice on size or power for that low price point, either! The Colorado tows 3,500 to 7,000 pounds, depending upon configuration and conditions. What’s more, it has solid gas mileage, getting 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway! That’s not too bad for a midsize truck.

    Ford F-250

    Ford’s second (but not last) entry on this list is the massive, heavy-duty F-250. If you’re looking to seriously haul some heavy stuff, this is a great option. With a seriously roomy cab and a massive bed, you’ll find yourself able to cart tons of things from job site to job site. If your friends ever need help moving, you can likely use an F-250 to take their entire furniture set to their new house. Okay, that last one is hyperbole, but you get the idea. The 2019 F-250 starts at $33,150 and can tow up to 13,000 pounds.

    Jeep Wrangler Pickup

    The distinct-looking and brand-new Wrangler Pickup is an interesting vehicle to watch for this model year. We likely won’t see this truck until early in 2019, but the combination of Jeep’s reliability with the size and power of a pickup is enough to pique our interest. There are no pricing details, but expect to hear more as 2019 grows closer.

    RAM 1500

    The storied RAM brand of trucks is a serious contender in any arguments about “best pickup.” The rock-solid brand doesn’t disappoint with its 2019 model, which can tow upwards of 8,000 pounds and starts at $31,695. It also boasts an impressive 390 horsepower! As a primary competitor of Ford’s, RAM does a good F-150 impersonation with this year’s entry.

    Ford F-150

    This is the truck you should be looking at in 2019. Ford’s reputation precedes them, and for good reason. The F-150 is a downright stellar vehicle, pickup truck or not. As you well know by now, the Limited F-150 has the Raptor V6 engine, making it the mightiest light pickup in the class. While we don’t have pricing or release info for the 2019 model yet, if you’re looking to pick up the Limited trim, it’s worth waiting to hear more about what Ford’s cooking up this year. We’re looking forward to being blown away.


  • Hori Bringing Real D-Pad to Switch this September

    Hori Bringing Real D-Pad to Switch this September

    If you’re a Switch owner who likes to play classic fighting games or platformers, you’re likely aware of how underwhelming the Joy Con’s D-Pad is. The four separate buttons with no central rocker feel very different than a traditional D-Pad. To remedy this, Hori released an officially-licensed Left-Hand Joy Con in Japan with a real D-Pad. New reports hold that Hori is looking to bring the Left-Hand Joy Con to the US in September.

    Details: Pricing and Real D-Pad

    The Hori controller is only the left-hand Joy Con, which is interestingly asymmetrical. The D-Pad is real, with a central rocker and click-y action. However, it’s missing some key features used by the normal Joy Con. For one thing, the Hori controller has no Bluetooth, so it has to be connected to the Switch in handheld mode in order to function.

    It naturally follows that it has no SL or SR button, as it can’t be used when off of the main tablet. Another no-brainer for an always-attached Joy Con is the lack of an accelerometer and gyroscope. It also has no HD rumble, which is standard for a third-party Switch Accessory.

    These cuts do allow for one good thing: a lower price point. Nintendo sells two Joy Cons for $70, but Hori’s controller sells for $25. If you really want to play hardcore platforming titles like Celeste or Shovel Knight on the go, this might be a good choice for you.

    Not All Good News

    However, the Japanese release of the Hori Joy Con hasn’t been entirely smooth. The Joy Con apparently has a bad habit of slurping the battery out of Switches it’s connected to. Whether the Switch is active or in sleep mode, the controller seems to greedily draw power from it. There are even a few scattered reports of the Hori controller disabling Switch docks when left attached to a Switch in its dock.

    Hori has promised they are looking into these problems and intend to have them resolved by the time the device launches in the US. We will recommend all Switch owners use any third-party accessories with caution. Check reviews and sites like this to see if there are any reports of hardware failure. And, as always, try to stick with first-party devices for your Switch when you can.

    Feature Image Credit: Nintendo Everything

  • The Best Sci-Fi TV Shows of All Time

    The Best Sci-Fi TV Shows of All Time

    Sci-Fi’s influence on film has been felt for nearly a century, starting with the release of Metropolis in 1927. However, the genre’s influence on TV has been a bit more start-and-stop. There have been pockets of popular interest in some decades that has waned in others. That said, today we’re looking at the ten best sci-fi TV shows of all time. Some are very recent, while others got their start in the 50’s. In any event, they’re all stellar sci-fi shows, pun intended.

    The Best Sci-Fi TV Shows of All Time

    10. Altered Carbon

    alteredcarbon

    Photo Credit: Netflix

    A gritty, dirty and mean noir show on Netflix, Altered Carbon is based on the novel of the same name. This cyberpunk thriller follows Takeshi Kovacs, an assassin in a future where human consciousness has been digitized. As a result, people’s bodies are no longer their life or death: when your body dies, your “stack,” or mind, can be “re-sleeved,” or placed in a new body. This allows the series to have multiple actors portray Kovacs as he tries to solve a high-profile murder of a wealthy megacorp owner. Of course, the murdered man, Bancroft, commissions Kovacs himself, as he has simply been re-sleeved following his murder. What follows is an intense, gripping and overall sexy cyberpunk detective story.

    9. Stranger Things

    strangerthings

    Photo Credit: Fox News

    Equal parts Steven King and H.P. Lovecraft, Stranger Things is a love letter to the 80’s. Following a group of kids in the city of Hawkins, Indiana, the show wears its influences on its sleeve. Channeling the Goonies, It and other films of their ilk, the show is as charming as it is scary. When the gang, led by plucky Dungeons and Dragons player Mike Wheeler, meet a psychic girl named Eleven, their lives become an adventure. The show is sweet-hearted but remains creepy and atmospheric in its depiction of its monsters.

    8. Quantum Leap

    quantum-leap

    Photo Credit: Den of Geek

    Starring Scott Bakula as Sam Beckett, a theoretical physicist, Quantum Leap follows Beckett as he travels through time. Beckett’s time travel brings him into the bodies of people who were alive during Beckett’s own life, seemingly at random. Upon landing in their lives, Sam must help them overcome some great challenge or adversary before “leaping” to the next life. As the show’s intro reminds: he always hopes his next jump is the jump home. This series has a genuinely warm heart and ran for a solid five seasons in the late 80’s to early 90’s.

    7. Star Wars: The Clone Wars

    starwarsclonewars

    Photo Credit: Star Wars

    The Clone Wars started as a continuation of the animated film that took place in between Star Wars Episodes II and III. The computer-animated film had negative reviews, and the show had middling reviews at best in its first season. However, as the series went on it got better and better, and eventually became one of the best ongoing parts of the Star Wars universe. The recent announcement of a revival has many fans excited for what the future holds!

    6. Twilight Zone

    twilightzone

    Photo Credit: Polygon

    Endlessly influential, the Twilight Zone was something of an anthology show in the vein of pulp magazines of the 40’s and 50’s. Each new episode followed a different sci-fi premise, often weird or unsettling. The show introduced a generation of Americans in the 50’s to sci-fi and proved quite popular in its initial run. It still sees re-runs in syndication to this day, and its influence can be felt in sci-fi the world over.

    5. Doctor Who

    doctorwho

    Photo Credit: BBC
    Nearly as influential as Twilight Zone, if not more so, this British show began airing in the 50’s. The unique premise holds that the protagonist, the titular Doctor, can regenerate when mortally wounded. This regeneration, however, greatly changes the Doctor’s physical appearance and even changes parts of his personality. This has allowed the show an unprecedented longevity, and new seasons are still airing to this very day. In the upcoming season, the Doctor will be portrayed by a woman for the first time. Actor Jodie Whittaker will play the Doctor in the upcoming season, and fans are ecstatic.

    4. Futurama

    futurama

    Photo Credit: Metro

    The long-running animated sci-fi show Futurama was created by Simpsons mastermind Matt Groening. The show follows Fry, a slacker and pizza delivery boy from the 20th Century. An accident on New Year’s Eve 1999 sees Fry cryogenically frozen until the year 2999. When he awakens, the world is unlike his in every way. The series deftly uses its smarts to comedic effect but knows when to tug the heartstrings and use Fry’s plight to make us feel something. This show had a notoriously tough time staying on the air and jumped stations for years before finally being laid to rest.

    3. Rick and Morty

    rickandmorty

    Photo Credit: Adult Swim

    An excellent show with a notoriously awful fandom, Rick and Morty’s reputation precedes it. While the toxicity of its fanbase may give the show a bad reputation, the show is undeniably excellent. While occasionally oppressively dark and often grotesque, the show is still witty and hilarious in its best moments. Truly emotionally affecting when the mood strikes it, this isn’t a show to miss due to negative reactions from overly-toxic fans. Give it a shot on its own merits and ignore the conversation about its fans. You’ll be glad you did!

    2. Firefly

    firefly

    Photo Credit: The Verge

    The tragically short-lived Firefly has been talked to death, but we’ll talk about it again today. Created by Joss Whedon, famous for his show Buffy and directing the Avengers, Firefly is the definition of a cult show. The show only lasted for one season but was so full of character and originality that its fans were outraged when it was canceled. While the show got a feature film, many still feel as though the show never got its due in its own time. The stars, namely Nathan Fillion, did go on to great things afterwards, but fans still carry that torch to this day.

    The Best Sci-Fi Show Ever: Star Trek: TNG

    Photo Credit: Nerd Infinite

    While the original Star Trek is iconic, the sequel series, The Next Generation, is truly something special. Running from the late 80’s to the early 90’s, TNG revitalized interest in the Star Trek brand and kicked off a generation of new Trek fans. The cast of unforgettable characters were all portrayed with humanity and believability that brought the show to new heights of storytelling. The excellent scripts and genuinely complex moral quandaries the show explored were mature without being edgy. A perfect example of sci-fi TV done right, this is what all other sci-fi shows should aspire to be.

  • Infinite Battery? The Matrix Powerwatch X

    Infinite Battery? The Matrix Powerwatch X

    Wearable technology is at a bit of a crossroads. Most people who are interested in the tech have pretty much seen everything the field has to offer. However, technology is a notoriously ever-moving industry. Tech companies are not content to see customers hanging on to gadgets they bought four, five, even six years ago. As such, wearable tech has seen a ton of crazy innovations recently to catch consumer interest. Notably, the Ticwatch Pro recently incorporated a revolutionary dual-screen display to help cut down on battery usage. Enter the Matrix Powerwatch X.

    The Matrix Powerwatch X promises infinite battery life. No, really, as long as you’re wearing it and supplying it with body heat, it’ll last you forever. Well, until the you’re out of body heat, huh? Jokes aside, let’s take a quick look at the pros and cons of this interesting new smartwatch.

    Matrix Powewatch X Feature Roundup

    The Pros

    There’s a lot to love about a smartwatch that won’t run out of juice as long as you’re wearing it. The screen is always-on and displays simple information. Steps, time and basic notifications are all visible on the monochromatic display. While the information isn’t very detailed, it’s all easily readable and presented well. The watch is big, bulky and sturdy. In fact, if you don’t like the idea of carrying a huge watch around, don’t even bother with this one. That said, it’s rugged and tough, and will even survive in the pool. It’s waterproof and rated for up to 200 meters of depth. Not too shabby!

    The Cons

    On the flip side, this watch is pretty basic. Sure, it’ll last you forever and ever on battery life, but you pay for that functionality. Both literally and in terms of features on the watch. The Matrix Powerwatch X costs a whopping $280, which is a lot for a watch with such simple functionality. The fitness tracking is incredibly basic, tracking only steps and calories burned. The watch offers notifications but doesn’t display the content of messages. The only thing it notifies you of is the message coming in. While that would’ve been fine in 2005, this is 2018!

    The Bottom Line

    While the ever-charged technology on display here is awesome, it’s not attached to a particularly useful smartwatch. If you absolutely love the idea of an always-charged smartwatch and don’t need a ton of robust features, then maybe you’ll like this watch. However, if you already own an Android Wear or Apple Watch, you’re in possession of much more powerful and robust technology.

    It’s hard to justify spending $280 on a watch that has functionality on par with a $40 smartwatch. The question you need to ask yourself with this smartwatch is “do I find an always-charged battery to be worth $280?” If the answer is no, you can skip this (admittedly interesting) watch.

  • Ten Superheroes Who Need Their Own Movies

    Ten Superheroes Who Need Their Own Movies

    Superhero films are red-hot at the moment. You can’t turn around without bumping into a superhero movie. If you feel as though there still aren’t enough big names out there in the superhero cinematic sphere, however, you’ll love this list. Today, we’re taking a look at the ten superheroes who need their own movies.

    These are some lesser-known heroes from both DC and Marvel, characters we might not be likely to see. That said, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor and Iron Man were hardly A-listers before their films came out. Which is to say: there’s always a chance!

    Superheroes Who Need Their Own Movies

    Blue Beetle

    Photo Credit: Amino Apps

    DC’s technologically-outfitted hero Blue Beetle is a fan favorite. Three different heroes have carried the name throughout the character’s history, but the one we’re most likely to see on-screen is Ted Kord. Kord is a student of the original Blue Beetle, Dan Garret. He has no superpowers but uses technology to augment himself to fight crime. Ted would be an excellent protagonist in an Indiana Jones-style swashbuckling adventure.

    Moon Knight

    Photo Credit: Bleeding Cool

    The dangerous, multiple personalities of Marc Spector allow him to blend into normal society before striking out as Moon Knight. Moon Knight, his night-time, crime-fighting identity is outfitted with all manner of gadgets and technology. Marc’s fascinating backstory and multiple personalities would lend him perfectly to a noir-style superhero crime film.

    Booster Gold

    Photo Credit: DC

    Beginning his run in comics as a bit of an anti-hero, Booster Gold would be an ideal protagonist in a deconstruction-style movie. Born Michael Jon Carter in Gotham in the 25th century, Booster Gold grew up in poverty. Upon stealing Rip Hunter’s Time Sphere, however, he traveled back in time and now uses his advanced technology and knowledge of future events to perform superheroics. However, Booster Gold is originally motivated only by a desire to become wealthy and famous, and cares little about actually helping people. While he eventually came around and became a true hero, his origins as a wealth-seeking glory hog would make for a fantastic change of pace in superhero movies.

    Nova

    Photo Credit: Freehdw.com

    Richard Rider’s best shot at entering the MCU would have been through the Nova Corps on Xandar in the Guardians franchise. Given that Xandar has been destroyed, it seems more likely that the current Nova, Sam Alexander, is the more likely Nova to appear in the MCU. Sam’s place as a young hero trying to figure out what happened to the Nova Corps would play quite well with the current state of the MCU. It would also set Rider up to make a return from deep space, perhaps with Captain Marvel, thus explaining how he avoided death at Thanos’ hand.

    Static Shock

    Photo Credit: Comic Vine

    A fan favorite, Static Shock had a very popular Saturday morning cartoon in the early 2000’s. He would be a great, lighthearted hero to get his own film to bring some levity to the DCEU. His expansive rogue’s gallery and charming personality would make him ideal for a standalone movie. It seems DC is more focused on films of this vein after the critically panned Justice League, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see Static in his own movie in the next few years.

    Cable

    Photo Credit: Marvel Database

    He may have had a major role in Deadpool 2, but we still want Cable to get his own movie. The ultra-dark, scowling portrayal by Josh Brolin is absolutely excellent, and we’d just love to see more of him. Also, now that Fox and Disney are merging, Cable would be an excellent candidate to introduce the MCU to the X-Men. Perhaps some kind of temporal cascade or colliding reality brings the two universes together. It would also be delightfully hilarious to see Josh Brolin as Cable fighting Josh Brolin as Thanos.

    Hercules

    Photo Credit: Pinterest
    Marvel’s take on Herc is often sarcastic and parodies his earliest appearances. In the modern comics, he’s a drunk, washed-up has-been of a superhero. A version of him in the MCU who comes out of his drunken retirement to fight ancient Grecian supervillains that threaten the modern world would be a cool use of the character. In many ways, the personality displayed by Thor onscreen is a bit more akin to the Hercules of the 80’s and 90’s and could be why we haven’t seen him yet. Thor’s presence in the MCU may have been too much ancient mythology for the series early on.

    X-23

    Photo Credit: Marvel

    While she technically had a starring role as a little girl in Logan, we’d love to see the adult X-23 take to the screen. Now that Fox and Disney have merged, the odds of seeing a grown-up X-23 have gotten much better. Wolverine’s cloned daughter, Laura is a savage force to be reckoned with and an excellent candidate to star in an action movie.

    Batman Beyond

    Photo Credit: DC
    Terry McGinnis takes up the mantle of Batman in a futuristic Gotham City after Bruce Wayne becomes too old to carry on the name. Another DC character with a strong cult following due to his early 2000’s cartoon, Terry would be a great star for a cyberpunk Batman film. Given the relative age of the Batman seen in the DCEU, this could be a route DC goes in a few years. We’d love to see Terry’s iconic black suit on the big screen.

    Master of Kung Fu

    Photo Credit: writeups.org

    Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung Fu, would be a perfect fit in the MCU. For one thing, the character would be a perfect opportunity for the MCU to have a leading male Asian character. Shang-Chi’s unique backstory and powers would make him an ideal fit following the mysticism of Doctor Strange and Iron Fist. It would also be a unique opportunity in the MCU for a straight-up Kung Fu movie within the superhero setting.