Author: Marcé

If you’ve heard about Kraftwerk, the German electronica group, you’ll know that their sound is bordering on extra-terrestrial communication and has many musical themes about space. Someone might have taken this too literally and invited an actual astronaut in orbit to join a live show. At the band’s recent gig in Stuttgart, Germany, Kraftwerk invited German astronaut Alexander Gerst to tune in live for their on-stage performance at the Jazz Open Festival on Stuttgart’s Schlossplatz via a satellite feed from the International Space Station (ISS). The video, posted by the European Space Agency, has already accumulated over 100,000 views, and…

We would be lying if we told you we haven’t thought about a Marvel/DC crossover streaming service recently: The two universes finally putting their differences aside to provide entertainment for the good of man-(and streaming-)kind — not probable, though not completely outside of the realm of possibility either. And we’re already part of the way there.  At San Diego Comic-Con 2018 DC Comics announced that it will be launching a self-contained media streaming service called DC Universe. We’ve already got our wallets out.  In the same breath the comic titan announced six new series that will launch with the service,…

Samsung is reportedly planning to ditch the fingerprint scanner on their next Tab release, but before you start yelling ‘security breach!’, hear them out… It’s almost certain the company will include its Intelligent Scan feature on the Galaxy Tab S4. The security feature makes use of an iris scanner and facial recognition tech at the same time, and is currently available on the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus. Samsung’s database reportedly already has the firmware for this device preloaded, and a very similar animation to the one you get when you set up the feature on smartphones was found buried…

Netflix is (almost) essential in a modern, connected society, and the platform-slash-interface plays an integral role in a user’s experience. Nothing’s more annoying than accidentally tapping the ‘Back’ button on a TV remote and being redirected back to the top of the app. Cue the sigh of annoyance at having to type ‘Breaking Bad’  into the search bar all over again with your remote control. You could’ve been watching some people make bad decisions by now, but no. You have to type instead.  In an effort to address these — and probably a few other — interface issues, Netflix has…

Collecting followers on Instagram has become a lot like collecting stickers in primary school in the 90’s, except now everyone can see your progress. The other big difference is that a high enough follower count could mean social acceptance, humanitarian reach, or even the possibility of being sponsored. Nobody ever offered a 90’s kid a sticker sponsorship.  Sometimes, though, you’d like to delete the creep who keeps leaving unnerving comments on your pictures, or the unruly amount of ‘plus9000followers’, ‘getfollowersquick, ‘buyfllwrsrightnowhere’ accounts who keep badgering you. You’re in luck, or you might be. Instagram is testing a feature that allows…

The  company behind the ultimate slide phone, the Samsung E840, might launch the future equivalent next year — a foldable phone. And we’re not talking about an updated Motorola Razr, but rather a smartphone with a 7in touchscreen display… that folds in half. There has been a lot of speculation about Samsung’s foldable device in recent months, but this is the first information received about a commercial availability timeline. An unnamed source, speaking to the Wall Street Journal, said that the device will likely be seen in 2019. The device may be codenamed ‘Winner’ (someone’s confident), and will feature cameras on the back…

If you, or anyone you know, has had a Spotify account registered outside South Africa, you’ve probably heard them enthuse about the ‘Discover Weekly’ feature that offers up a playlist of 30 tracks the service’s algorithm suspects you might like each Monday. Well, now those of us with local accounts can enjoy the feature, too. Not sure what we’re on about, and still living in mp3-land? Spotify is an online music service that not only gives you access to millions of tracks (for a R60/month fee), but keeps track of the music you’re into and recommends new music based on…

After nearly 15 years in the video-calling business, Skype has rolled out an update that’s long overdue — and it includes call/video recording and end-to-end encryption. Skype’s update is available on all desktop devices, including Linux, macOS, and Windows. It’s called Skype v8.0 and is reportedly the only version that will work after the first of September. Tell your friends, video call them, ‘Poke’ them, IG Story them, whatever it takes to get them to update. The updated Skype features HD video calls in 1080p res (if you’re display and camera are up to it) and screen sharing of groups…

Call of Duty fans… well, those willing to pay up for the Black Ops 4 pre-order, will receive access to early beta versions of two distinct game modes ahead of launch: one for the traditional multiplayer mode and one for the new battle royale mode, Blackout. Activision and Treyarch are rolling out the multiplayer beta in August, while the second planned beta, for the game’s battle royale mode, will start in September. PlayStation 4 owners enter Black Ops 4’s multiplayer beta first, from 3 through 6 August for the Early Access round. Don’t scratch all your spare change together for a…

It has begun! Season five of Fortnite, the worldwide phenomenon of a game(mode), has been launched and Epic Games has made sure that this one’s even more exciting than the rest, offering a whole host of new locations, weapons, vehicles and mechanics. After teasing a historical theme at the end of Season 4, the new update brings us viking ships, some sandy shores, ancient statues and plenty of skins to do them justice. Just look at the trailer. Look. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=63&v=4n9B19qhxHU As expected, the biggest changes are on the map. The developers have unveiled a new desert environment, which gives you…