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The Daredevil: Born Again graphic looks to indicate the return of two fan-favorite Marvel Netflix characters

by technovatica.com on

Karen and Foggy appear to be making the transition from Netflix‘s Daredevil series to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), despite speculations of their appearance in Daredevil: Born Again.

Following a January 12 Jeff Sneider report that the characters would return, eagle-eyed Marvel fan and X/Twitter user WingFinn48 (thanks to DiscussingFilm for the tip) noticed that Daredevil’s Disney Plus show appears to be bringing Matt Murdock’s best friends and closest allies back as part of its cast.

Unfortunately, there are no official photographs of Deborah Ann Woll and Elden Henson, who play Karen Page and Foggy Nelson in Netflix’s Daredevil series, on the New York set. However, WingFinn48, who claims the Marvel Phase 5 show is being taped on their neighborhood, captured an intriguing image that they appear to confirm they’ll play some part in Daredevil. Born Again

The third of WingFinn48’s four images strongly suggests the pair’s return. Indeed, the ‘Nelson, Murdock & Page’ sign – the name of the trio’s law firm, with whom they formed a partnership in Daredevil’s season 3 finale – is a dead giveaway. After all, why would Marvel include the group’s headquarters unless it intended to reintroduce Woll and Henson, reuniting Matt (and, by extension, Marvel fans) with them?

If the duo makes the journey from one of the best Netflix shows to the MCU, they’ll join Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio on the cast roster, who have already made the transition from Netflix to Marvel’s cinematic juggernaut. Cox and D’Onofrio will reprise their roles as Murdock/Daredevil and Wilson Fisk/Kingpin, respectively, after appearing in previous MCU productions. Cox made cameo appearances in Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and Echo. Meanwhile, D’Onofrio starred in Hawkeye before collaborating with Alaqua Cox in Echo.

I’ve contacted Marvel and Disney for an official statement on Page and Henson’s potential roles in Born Again, and I’ll update this piece if I hear back.

A second opportunity for success in the MCU

If Page and Henson return as Karen and Foggy, it will be a relief for Marvel fans and another sign that the MCU’s leadership team is making popular modifications to Daredevil: Born Again.

Originally, it appeared that Daredevil’s Disney Plus series would not be a straight sequel to the popular Netflix drama. Instead, it appeared that Marvel was cherry-picking pieces from that show to include in Born Again, making things ambiguous in terms of canonicity. Indeed, why would certain aspects of Netflix’s Daredevil be carried over into the MCU, such as Cox and D’Onofrio playing the same characters, but important individuals like Karen and Foggy, or even unresolved plot points from that show, be left in the archives?

Unfortunately, the scattergun strategy was ineffective. Daredevil: Born Again was apparently in serious peril in October 2023, with Marvel planning to redo substantial portions of the show. According to industry sources, studio officials were dissatisfied with how the series was progressing and decided to retool significant portions of its narrative, action scenes, and tone.

What was the result? A new head writer and director were brought in to restore my trust in Daredevil: Born Again. Dario Scardapane, who wrote some of the best episodes of Daredevil spin-off The Punisher, along with Moon Knight and Loki season 2 filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, are now in charge of the show’s overall vision, and they’ve already made significant changes that will connect Born Again to its Netflix counterpart.

Such changes apparently include more brutal and bloody battle sequences, Karen and Foggy’s appearances, and even the reintroduction of John Bernthal’s Punisher in a supporting role. Earlier last week, Deadline reported that Wilson Bethel’s Daredevil season 3 villain Bullseye is returning for a short story arc. Speculation continues that Born Again will involve 13 episodes (the same number as each Netflix season) rather than the previously promised 18.

All indicators point to Marvel making tremendous progress in restoring Netflix’s Daredevil in all but name. Given how incredible the event was, it’s music to my and many other fans’ ears. Here’s hoping for even more buzz-inducing Daredevil news in the coming weeks, leading up to its expected Disney Plus premiere in 2025.

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This weekend (January 26), 7 new movies and episodes will be available for streaming on Netflix, Prime Video, Max, and more

by technovatica.com on

The final full week of January is almost over, and if you’re like us, you’ll be looking forward to unwinding with a good TV show or movie this weekend.

However, there are few possibilities on the latter front, so this week’s streaming guide is jam-packed with high-quality TV-based options. Leading the push are Apple’s Masters of the Air series and Netflix’s current murder drama Griselda, but there are more options on our list if neither of those appeal to you.

So, without further ado, here are the seven small-screen options you won’t want to pass up on some of the world’s top streaming services in the coming days.

Master of the Air (Apple TV Plus)

Masters of the Air, the third part in Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks’ epic World War II saga, has launched on Apple TV Plus.

This live-action adaptation of Donald L. Miller’s book of the same name follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group, a sky-faring cousin of Band of Brothers and The Pacific. The airborne division, sometimes known as the Bloody Hundredth due to the enormous amount of losses they suffered, carried out risky bombing sorties over Nazi Germany during the catastrophic global struggle. In addition to avoiding enemy fire, they had to deal with frigid temperatures, a shortage of oxygen, and other life-threatening situations that took a psychological toll on those who survived.

Masters of the Air, which stars Austin Butler, Callum Turner, Barry Keoghan, and Ncuti Gatwa, is expected to be a smash hit and will soon join our list of the top Apple TV Plus shows.

Masters of the Air’s first two episodes are now available. New entries are released weekly until the March 15 finale.

Griselda (netflix)

Sofia Vergara is virtually unrecognizable in this gritty gangster series, which follows the story of one of Colombia’s most vicious and deadly criminals.

Griselda follows Griselda Blanco (Vergara), an ambitious and astute drug baron who founded one of the most wealthy cartels in South America throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Blanco’s meteoric ascent to prominence was fueled by her vicious underdog status. This earned her the nickname ‘The Godmother’ among her colleagues, but her commitment to her family, which some, including the government, perceived as a weakness, ultimately led to her demise.

Griselda, a shoo-in for our best Netflix series list, should top the Netflix rankings with its potent blend of crime-laced drama, no-holds-barred violence, and Vergara’s gigantic performance.

All six episodes of Griselda are available to watch right now.

Queer Eye season 8 (Netflix)

The Fab Five are back – yes, the Queer Eye team is returning for their eighth season. This season, the trio will return to New Orleans to, according to Netflix, “jazz up the lives of their heroes – one makeover at a time”.

Queer Eye, a runaway reality success, is guaranteed to garner a large number of viewers for its latest season. Expect plenty of laughs and tears as Antoni, Bobby, Jonathan, Karamo, and Tan continue to improve more lives and demonstrate the power of compassion.

Season 8 of Queer Eye is now available in full.

Expats (Prime Video)

Nicole Kidman’s latest Prime Video offering, based on Janice Y.K. Lee’s novel ‘The Expatriates’ and directed by Lulu Wang, aims to fascinate fans with its suspense-filled mystery thriller.

Kidman plays Margaret, whose life collides with that of two other women, Hilary (Sarayu Blue) and Mercy (Ji-young Joo), after a family tragedy in Hong Kong in 2014.

Will it be relevant enough to our list of the top Prime Video shows? Perhaps, but a lot will depend on whether Expats is exciting enough to keep viewers devoted to Amazon’s principal streaming platform.

The first two episodes of Expats are now available for streaming, and new episodes will be released weekly until February 26.

Masters of the Universe: Revolution (Netflix)

When Kevin Smith’s Masters of the Universe revival debuted in July 2021, it sparked widespread controversy. Indeed, long-term fans dismissed Masters of the Universe: Revelation, infuriating Smith at the time.

Smith, along with the show’s cast and crew, will be hoping for a better outcome with Revolution. Netflix’s reinvention, set shortly after the finale of Revelation, will pit technology against magic as the newly mechanical Skeletor and his legion of Motherboard warriors battle on Prince Adam/He-Man and company.

Netflix has produced a number of highly rated animated shows in recent years, so we anticipate that this will also perform well. Sure, compared to the series we’ve covered thus far, Revolution is up against it in terms of audience, but who knows, it might surprise us.

All five episodes of Masters of the Universe: Revolution are available on Netflix today.

Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero (Max)

This week’s documentary comes from American rapper Lil Nas X, who has had viral hits like ‘Old Town Road’ and ‘Montero’.

Long Live Montero, an HBO Original that premieres on Max tomorrow (January 27), delves into the Grammy Award-winning creative’s life away from the stage and studio. Filmed as he prepares to embark on his first US headline tour, Lil Nas X reveals his spectacular career and personal journey to this point, including reflections on coming out in June 2019 and being installed as a queer Black icon.

HBO has a history of producing excellent documentaries, so Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero appears to be a surefire hit. One to add to our finest. Max’s documentaries will be listed soon.

Sexy Beast (Paramount Plus)

Sexy Beast, a Paramount Plus prequel series to the same-titled 2000 crime drama picture, may appear to be an unusual addition to this week’s streaming list. However, with few alternative options available, it has sneaked its way in.

James McArdle plays Gal Dove, a burglar who joins forces with best buddy and fellow delinquent Don Logan (Emun Elliot) to ascend through London’s criminal underground in the 1990s. When Gal establishes a sexual relationship with alluring adult film star Deedee (Sarah Greene), things get more challenging than they anticipated.

Sexy Beast may have enough going for it to make our list of the greatest Paramount Plus shows, but that’s primarily due to the streamer’s lack of ground-breaking TV series. If you’ve tried everything else, this is the one to stick with.

All eight episodes of Sexy Beast are available now.

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Porsche reveals all about its future Macan EV—and it could be the most important Porsche yet

by technovatica.com on

Porsche shares all about its upcomingPorsche has revealed the full details of its upcoming Porsche Macan EV, the first to ride on the marque’s latest Premium Platform Electric (PPE), and a vehicle that the German performance car maker claims will be “the sportiest model in its segment” while also providing “high levels of everyday practicality”.

Although the Taycan was Porsche’s first and most successful excursion into electrification, the Macan EV is perhaps the more significant vehicle. The Macan 4 costs ₹7365090.92 / ₹7574170.72(about $88,900 / AU$135,000), while the most powerful Turbo variants cost ₹ 10026903.53 / ₹10321045.94 (approximately $121,000 / AU$184,000). And the electrified SUV joins Porsche’s best-selling body styles, the Macan and Cayenne.ing Macan EV, which could be the most important Porsche yet.

Since 2014, Porsche has delivered over 800,000 examples of its small SUV worldwide, and the success of its most recent model is critical if Porsche is to meet its goal of electrifying and successfully selling 80 percent of its model range by 2030.

To accomplish this, it has developed an electric vehicle that appears to thrive in all conditions – Macan 4 versions can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds (the Turbo reduces that to 3.3 seconds), with top speeds of 137 mph and 161 mph, respectively.

The 800V design is paired with a 100kWh lithium-ion battery pack situated beneath the body. Up to 95kWh can be actively used, resulting in a combined WLTP range of 381 miles for the Macan 4 and 367 miles for the Turbo.

Both variants have dual permanently-excited PSM electric motors mounted to each axle, which not only provides the Macan EV remarkable straight line performance, but also lets it to go off-road thanks to a variety of custom driving modes.

During our ride-along in an early prototype model, we witnessed Turbo’s neck-snapping acceleration on track (thanks to launch control), as well as the Macan EV’s ability to wade, climb, and control tidy slides over muddy terrain.

The 800V design, which was a feature of Taycan, also allows for quicker charging speeds, with Porsche claiming its next Macan can accept DC charging inputs of up to 270 kW. This allows the battery to be charged from 10% to 80% in approximately 21 minutes at a compatible fast-charging station.

If lower 400-volt charging stations are the sole available, a high-voltage switch in the battery allows for bank charging by basically splitting the 800-volt battery into two, each with a rated voltage of 400 volt for more efficient and timely top-ups.

Next-generation infotainment

Although the infotainment setup appears to be quite similar to that found in the current Taycan (as well as the future Panamera), Porsche adds an entirely new, Android Automotive-powered operating system that makes the human-machine interaction feel significantly more natural, faster, and competent.

The Macan EV can be equipped with up to three screens: a free-standing 12.6-inch, curved-design instrument cluster, a 10.9-inch central display, and an optional third passenger screen measuring 10.9 inches.

As we reported in our initial hands-on with a prototype infotainment system at Porsche’s Leipzig factory, the company has assured that it is lightning quick, capable of handling complicated routing requests, including bespoke charging requirements, in milliseconds.

The Android Automotive OS also gives customers access to much of the Google Play store, allowing them to download apps, games, and their favorite streaming services. The optional third passenger screen has a unique covering that keeps the driver from being distracted by whatever the front passenger is binge watching.

Finally, Porsche has integrated the latest Augmented Reality Head Up Display in Macan EV, which beams virtual instructions onto the road ahead for easier navigation and safety alerts.

Turn arrows now strobe, and virtual lane markers help the motorist stay in the correct lane. According to Porsche, the image appears to the driver from a distance of 10 meters and has the size of an 87-inch monitor. We tested it on a prototype Panamera and discovered It’s actually beneficial, but surprisingly unobtrusive.

Porsche Performance

Although the Macan EV is a technological marvel, it also incorporates Porsche’s legendary performance. It slides, drifts, and attacks a racetrack like a possessed vehicle, but it can also do some mild off-roading. Porsche rarely does things halfway.

“The new Macan delivers a true sports car feeling, thanks to its particularly sporting seat position and low center of gravity, as well as its impressive driving dynamics and steering precision,” adds Product Line Vice President Jörg Kerner.

Porsche Traction Management can detect and respond to tire slip in 10 milliseconds, while Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus smartly distributes power between the axles, directing power where it is needed.

Turbo models come standard with the Porsche Active Suspension Management system, which gives you more control over your comfort in normal driving situations but turns the Macan EV into a hunkered-down, circuit-devouring monster when the mood strikes.

For the first time on the Macan, these electrified variants can be specified with rear-axle steering, which not only provides a more compact turning radius in congested urban areas, but also improves stability at high speeds.

It’s a strong product, a do-it-all SUV that combines everyday practicality with Porsche performance – a captivating combination that has previously been incredibly successful for the Macan.

We should expect to see many more electrified Porsches in the coming years, with the Boxster, Cayenne, and Panamera all receiving battery treatment by 2026. There is also a new seven-seat SUV in the works.

However, the success of those will be determined by how well the Macan EV does, so its value to the brand should not be ignored.

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Rebel Moon Part 2: Netflix’s release date, trailer, cast, narrative, and more

by technovatica.com on

Rebel Moon Part 2 will expand Zack Snyder’s fledgling multimedia brand on Netflix later this year. The sequel to Rebel Moon Part 1 was shot alongside its predecessor, so the wait between entries in the epic sci-fi film series won’t be long.

With one of 2024’s new Netflix movies due to premiere in April, what do we know about Rebel Moon’s sequel? Below, we’ve compiled the most recent information about the upcoming Netflix film, including its confirmed release date, cast details, story summary, debut trailer, and potential impact on the franchise’s future. In short, you won’t need to look anywhere else for information about Snyder’s upcoming film.

REBEL MOON PART II RELEASE DATE

Rebel Moon Part 2: The Scargiver will premiere on the world’s top streaming service on Friday, April 19. It will most certainly have a limited theatrical release, like did its predecessor.

Not only that, but you’ll be able to see several cuts of Rebel Moon, with longer, R-rated versions expected to appear in late 2024 (according to Variety). Snyder clearly wants Rebel Moon’s director’s cut to put your movie runtime limits to the test, as some of the film’s cast expressed surprise at the length of the director’s cut in an interview with Technovatica.

REBEL MOON TRAILER

The official teaser trailer for Rebel Moon Part 2 was published just days after the first film was released, and it teases an incredible-looking fight on Veldt’s doorstep.

One of the most common criticisms levied at Rebel Moon Part 1: A Child of Fire was a lack of action, but it appears The Scargiver will compensate with lots of frenzied, fight-for-your-life set pieces. It appears we’ll learn more about Kora’s backstory – and that of each member of her assembled ragtag group of warriors, too – in the sequel, which was another significant oversight on Snyder and company’s part in Rebel Moon’s first installment.

REBEL MOON CAST

Here’s the official cast of Rebel Moon Part 2:

  • Sofia Boutella stars as Kora, while Djimon Hounsou plays Titus.
  • Ed Skrein as Atticus Noble.
  • Michiel Huisman as Gunnar
  • Doona Bae as Nemesis.
  • Cast: Staz Nair as Tarak, E. Duffy as Millius.
  • The film stars Anthony Hopkins as Jimmy and Fra Fee as Balisarius.
  • Ray Fisher portrays Darrian Bloodaxe.
  • Cleopatra Coleman portrays Devra Bloodaxe.
  • Cary Elwes as the King
  • Rhian Rees as the Queen
  • Stella Grace Fitzgerald as Princess Issa.
  • Charlotte Maggi stars as Sam, while Sky Yang plays Aris.
  • Alfonso Herrera stars as Cassius, while Ingvar Sigurðsson plays Hagen.
  • Stuart Martin as Den.

Almost everyone who appeared in Rebel Moon Part 1 will return in the sequel. Ray Fisher’s Darrian, who died during A Child of Fire’s climactic battle with the Motherworld, is the most intriguing of the characters named above. He will most likely appear in a flashback sequence, along with Elwes, Rhees, and Fitzgerald, all members of Motherworld’s royal family who were slain before Balisarius installed himself as the galactic empire’s dictatorial Grand Regent.

Kai, played by Charlie Hunnam, who betrayed Kora’s group in Rebel Moon Part 1, will not be returning. He was slain by Huisman’s Gunnar, and Snyder told Technovatica that it was “always the plan” to center the huge story twist on Kai prior to his death.

There could be new characters in The Scargiver, but Netflix has yet to clarify who they are or who will play them. We’ll keep this section updated when new cast announcements become available.

REBEL MOON PLOT: OVERVIEW AND SPECULATION

Netflix has provided the following plot synopsis for Rebel Moon Part 2: “The Scargiver continues Kora and the surviving warriors’ epic narrative as they prepare to sacrifice all, battling with the heroic people of Veldt, to defend a once peaceful town, a newfound homes for those who have lost their own in the battle against the Motherworld.

“On the eve of their battle, the warriors must confront the truths about their own pasts, with each admitting why they fight. As the whole weight of the Realm descends on the burgeoning revolt, unbreakable friendships form, heroes emerge, and legends are born.”

The second entry in Rebel Moon will mostly focus on Veldt’s final stand against the despotic Motherworld, which crushes any planets and civilizations that oppose its authoritarian authority. Given that it will be a classic David vs Goliath story, we may expect Kora’s brave band of outcasts to protect their gorgeous home despite overwhelming odds.

With Rebel Moon Part 1 creating the groundwork for all-out battle on Veldt’s fields, its sequel should be able to jump right into the fray. And it appears that will be the case, with Rebel Moon’s cast telling Technovatica “it’s going to kick off” in a variety of ways in the “action-heavy” second installment. In an interview with Total Film, Ed Skrein (who plays Atticus Noble) also claimed that Snyder “wanted the second film to feel like Dunkirk,” so prepare for a barnstorming spectacle when it arrives.

But The Scargiver will not be a continuous two-hour carnage. According to the cast, Part 2 will be focused on background, with Titus, Tarak, Nemesis, and Kora discussing their past lives and what drives them to safeguard Veldt at all costs.

On the Kora-led front, we should learn more about the Imperium’s deceased royal line via flashback sequences. The unnamed King and Queen were war-driven rulers of the galaxy-spanning realm, but, as Kora revealed in A Child of Fire, Princess Issa, the King and Queen’s only child and Kora’s bodyguard, was expected to usher in a new era that ended the Imperium’s quest to rule over the galaxy before her death. Hopefully, we will Find out when and why she was murdered (together with her parents), who was guilty (if it wasn’t Balisarius, we’d be surprised), and how it affected Imperium employees such as Kora, Titus, and Jimmy.

Jimmy, the fan-favorite android, will appear again in Rebel Moon Part 2. He only had a little role in A Child of Fire, but we believe there’s more to this rebellious robot than meets the eye, especially since he’s getting more independent despite his elite army programming.

“Jimmy has a much bigger story in those extended cuts and certainly in the second movie,” co-writer Kurt Johnstad told Variety. “It’s as if Jimmy transitions from being a sentient robot to being more human and savage. When everyone is gathered and the squad is being formed, he’s running around in the woods like a feral beast, hunting, sitting by the brook, catching fish, and doing Jimmy things in the woods, which is where the crown of antlers comes from.”

Another major mystery surrounds Noble’s reappearance. He appeared to have been murdered by Kora in the final scene of Part 1, but he was resurrected by the Motherworld’s superior technology after speaking with Balisarius via an astral portal. How did he come back to life? Is Balisarius’ consciousness the only part of him that still exists on this astral realm, or does he live here? And what might Noble’s return and Balisarius’ quest for vengeance imply for Kora and company?

“We know Noble is alive, and Belisarius has assigned him the task of finding his daughter [Kora] and bringing her back to him at any cost,” Snyder told Entertainment Weekly (EW). “So the stakes have risen for the village from ‘Hey, we want some of your grain’ Until now, ‘You’re sheltering the most sought fugitive in the history of the cosmos. In Part Two, we learn about Kora’s ‘crimes’, what she is wanted for, and why the Imperium is hunting her.”

REBEL MOON: THE FUTURE ON NETFLIX

As previously stated, R-rated Snyder Cuts are also being developed for Rebel Moon Part 2 and its sequel.

“The director’s cut is close to an hour of extra content, so I think it’s a legitimate extended universe version,” Snyder said in an interview with Netflix’s Tudum. “The director’s [cut] is a settle-in deep dive, as I have done throughout my career.

“I’m not sure how I got into this director’s cut business, but what I will say is that, for me, director’s cuts have always been something I had to battle for in the past because no one wanted them. I was constantly attempting to put together this bastard child because they believed there was a deeper version. And with Netflix, we filmed scenes specifically for the director’s edit. So, in that sense, it’s truly a revelation because it gives large fans a second chance, like a real discovery that they would not [otherwise] receive.”

So, when might we expect the first of these new, much longer editions? Snyder appeared to confirm in January that the director’s cut of Rebel Moon Part 1 would be released in mid-2024, two to four months after The Scargiver’s PG-13 cut.

However, these are far from the only movies in development for Netflix’s expanding sci-fi franchise. According to The New York Times, Rebel Moon’s core tale will be told over three films, thus another entry may be greenlit (if not already discreetly) soon.

Snyder also disclosed to Total Film that he plans to create an animated series, an animated comic book (whatever that is), and a narrative-driven podcast, which will allow fans of all media to explore the universe. Super Evil Megacorp is also developing a cooperative action video game, and a prequel comic series featuring the Bloodaxes has already been produced. More tie-in books, such as the companion tome disclosed in this section’s first tweet, are also Coming soon. So, if you want to fully immerse yourself in Snyder’s potentially vast multimedia series, you’ll have plenty of content to enjoy between now and, well, whenever Snyder and Netflix run out of ideas.

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Netflix is dropping its cheapest ad-free package and hinting further price hikes, and I’m upset

by technovatica.com on

Netflix has stated that it will discontinue their cheapest ad-free package internationally very soon, which has enraged me.

Netflix revealed in its Q4 2023 earnings report, which was posted yesterday (January 23), that it plans to “retire” its Basic tier beginning in Q2 2024. Since July 2023, US consumers have been unable to sign up for the Basic plan, but Netflix now wants to eliminate it as an option in additional countries, beginning with the UK and Canada.

The streamer has not announced a specific date for the Basic tier’s demise in these countries, nor has it indicated which countries would be affected next. I’ve contacted Netflix, one of the world’s greatest streaming services, for explanation I’ll update this piece if I hear back.

Why is Netflix discontinuing its Basic plan?

The only reason Netflix is discontinuing its cheapest ad-free option is because of commercials. Netflix’s ad-supported plan, which went live in November 2022, was predicted to be a flop, with analysts predicting that customers would vote with their wallets and refuse to join up for a plan that required them to wait through four-minute ad breaks for every hour they watched.

However, Netflix has made its critics eat their words. Netflix With Ads has grown from strength to strength, with 15 million subscribers in the first year of its launch (according to a Netflix press release). Netflix reported earlier this month that the amount had risen by eight million since November 2023, a huge increase that contributed considerably to the 13 million additional customers gained in Q4 2023. Netflix currently has 260 million subscribers, with 40% of new customers opting for its ad-supported tier.

Given the popularity of its advertising campaign, Netflix’s choice to implement it has paid off – literally. Its income sources have never been more healthy, its profit margins are increasing, and its senior team is basking in the light of a successful groundbreaking job. What’s the point of breaking new ground? Because every other big streaming service, including Disney Plus, Max, and Prime Video, has now followed suit with their own ad-supported offerings.

With its ad plan dramatically increasing its revenue, it’s no surprise that Netflix intends to discontinue its cheapest ad-free tier and make Netflix With Ads the default membership choice for people on a tight budget – and it’s this shift away from its ad-less plan that has irritated me.

A scheduled cancelation

Netflix’s move to discontinue its cheapest ad-free service is commercially sound. Netflix’s shareholders want it to generate money, so it will entice new customers to sign up for its more expensive tiers (the Standard and Premium plans) or the most popular, or its ad-based tier.

However, as a Basic user in the United Kingdom, I do not want to be compelled to move to any of the options listed above. I don’t want to sit through advertisements while watching one of the best Netflix episodes or documentaries; I can do it on ITV, Channel 4, or any number of ad-supported Freeview channels instead.

Similarly, I don’t see the sense in upgrading to the Standard or Premium tier if I’m in the mood to watch one of the best Netflix movies. If I’m the only one using Netflix, I don’t need to stream it on two different devices (one of the benefits of these levels), nor do I care about downloading films or shows to watch offline. I exclusively watch Netflix at home, thus I don’t see the latter as an added benefit. The Premium plan’s frills, such as spatial audio and/or ultra HD, do not appeal to me.

I’m satisfied with my Netflix Basic plan and don’t want to upgrade to a higher tier because Netflix says so. And, frankly, Netflix suggests that It will raise costs across the board once more – “we’ll occasionally ask our members to pay a little extra to reflect those improvements,” according to its most recent financial report – and the ad-based tier will soon be as pricey as the Basic one. I guess I’ll have to follow in the footsteps of other angry Netflix subscribers and either cancel my subscription or go subscription-hopping throughout 2024.

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The Future of EV Batteries? Lamborghini licenses new organic, fast-charging battery technology, which could trickle down to cheaper EVs

by technovatica.com on

Thanks to new Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) research, which was partially funded by Lamborghini, we may soon see the end of difficult-to-source and often troublesome rare metal elements used in future electric vehicle batteries.

The MIT study’s goal was to replace cobalt and nickel, which are commonly used as cathodes in today’s lithium-ion battery technology, with organic materials that could be made at a considerably cheaper cost. This would also have a lower environmental impact and conduct power at a rate comparable to cobalt batteries.

“I think the substance could have a major effect because it works pretty well,” Mircea Dincă (W.M. Keck Professor of Energy at MIT) says in an MIT blog post.

“It is already competitive with existing technologies, and it can save quite a bit of cost and suffering and ecological problems related to mining the metals that currently go into batteries,” Dincă said.

Cobalt is the study’s primary emphasis, as the scarce metal is not only difficult and risky to mine, but it is also troublesome because the majority of the world’s cobalt reserves are in politically unstable countries. This also generates cost fluctuations on a regular basis, which contributes to the high price of today’s EVs.

The six-year research resulted in a unique organic substance that could be a direct replacement for cobalt and nickel.

According to recent MIT findings, this substance is made up of multiple layers of TAQ (bis-tetraaminobenzoquinone), an organic small molecule with three fused hexagonal rings.

It’s a complex subject for those who don’t wear lab coats for a living, but these TAQ layers can grow outward in all directions, forming a structure akin to graphite.

Within the molecules are chemical groups known as quinones, which serve as electron reservoirs, and amines, which aid in the formation of strong hydrogen bonds, ensuring that they do not dissolve into the battery electrolyte (something that has previously harmed organic cathode compounds), thereby extending the battery’s lifetime.

Performance batteries for performance automobiles

It’s no surprise that Lamborghini has licensed the patent on this technology, given that it funded the study and is developing a high-performance electric vehicle called the Lanzador.

According to the researchers, tests on the material found that its conductivity and storage capacity were comparable to those of typical cobalt-containing batteries. Furthermore, batteries with a TAQ cathode can be charged and discharged more quickly than conventional batteries, thus increasing the charging rate for electric vehicles.

This rapid rate of charge and discharge might assist offer something like Lamborghini’s Lanzador a performance advantage, while super-fast charging capabilities eliminate the need for lengthy charging breaks, which the Italian marque’s discerning customers are likely to dislike.

However, Lamborghini is part of the larger Volkswagen Group, and given that the primary materials required to manufacture this type of cathode are already commercially available and produced in large quantities as commodity chemicals, we may see battery technology trickle down to more affordable EVs in the future.

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What are Apple’s tablet plans for this year if there will be no iPad in 2023?

by technovatica.com on

The iPad has been a constant in the tech sector since its release by late CEO Steve Jobs in 2010. In the interim, the iPad brand has expanded to include the Pro, Air, and Mini lines, defining and dominating the whole tablet market.

2023 proved to be an unusually quiet year for fans of what has constantly been ranked as one of the world’s top tablets, as Apple appears to have failed to find the time to develop and introduce a new entrant to the series that it felt worthwhile.

Nonetheless, this unusually extended delay raises questions about what the corporation might have in store for the next generation of greatest iPads, if it leaves its renowned tablet line alone for another year before updating.

Before Apple unveils new tablets, however, some preliminary work is required. Here’s what we hope to see from Apple’s iPad ambitions in 2024.

The present state of the iPad

While there’s no doubt about Apple’s ability to attract and retain a loyal base of iPad users, the numbers aren’t where they should be, with iPad revenue more than 10% lower than the same quarter the previous year, according to Apple’s own reporting.

The obvious reason for this relative downturn is a lack of new hardware, with the arrival of iPadOS 17 and a new Apple Pencil with integrated USB-C charging doing little to entice newbies and upgraders both. At the same time, navigating the present array of Apple slates and appropriate peripherals is an unquestionably difficult and perplexing process, especially when attempting to assess which combination of features, design, and power could best suits your needs.

First, there’s the regular iPad. Apple continues to offer the ninth-generation iPad, which released in late 2021 and runs on the oldest processor in the iPad range – the same A13 SoC used in the iPhone 11 series two years earlier. The design is likewise out of date, with a front-facing circular home button with Touch ID and thick bezels surrounding a 10.2-inch display. It also uses Apple’s old Lightning port (the only iPad still doing so), and it only works with the first-generation Apple Pencil.

The 10th-generation iPad, which was released in late 2022, is the only device in the series to have a landscape-first orientation (which could be a portent of things to come). It has a larger 10.9-inch display with a straight-sided design and thinner bezels, as well as more modern USB-C connectivity instead of Lightning and a top button with Touch ID. It features a generation-newer Apple A14 chip and supports both the first-generation Apple Pencil and the most recent Apple Pencil with USB-C (however, while we’re here, this latest stylus lacks the pressure sensitivity of its elder siblings).

Before we get to the Air, there’s the sixth-generation iPad mini to consider, which was released the same year as the ninth-generation iPad but has a more 10th-generation iPad-like look and operates on a newer-still A15 SoC. In addition to an 8.3-inch display, there is USB-C, second-generation Apple Pencil functionality, and a top button with Touch ID.

While the broad tiers of the range are discernible, the nuances of whether you need an iPad with Apple Pencil 2 support, A-series or M-series performance, and which keyboard cover you need (Magic or Smart, Folio or no?) make choosing between slates that differ by several hundred dollars or pounds a difficult task, especially if you’re not well-versed in Apple jargon.

Clean up the tables

Notable Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman reported in early November 2023 that Apple “plans to update its entire iPad lineup during 2024,” but we don’t know what that update will look like. However, given the variety of features, screen sizes, and CPUs available to purchasers today, it appears that there is opportunity for improvement.

For starters, Apple could discontinue the 9th-generation iPad, leaving all models up to date with USB-C. Next, despite the recent availability of the USB-C Apple Pencil, make the second-generation Apple Pencil the standard (and reduce the price). Bring the entire range up to M-class CPUs, remove the 11-inch Pro model from the lineup, and upsize the Air to a full 11 inches to fill its place, then rationalize those chips, with M1 for the mini and normal iPad, M2 for the Air, and the latest Apple M3 for the now-sole 12.9-inch pro.

Gurman has also stated that this year’s iPad Pros will most likely include OLED panels, implying that the mini-LED screen technology in the present top-tier Pro this will also have an impact on this year’s air.

Collectively, these modifications would result in four models in four discrete sizes, all with the same connectors, Apple Pencil support from the same generation, design language, and chipset class. As long as the firm offers only one Magic Keyboard for each model (eliminating the Smart and Folio options), users will have a far more approachable lineup to pick from.

A New Focus for the iPad?

When the iPad originally came out, it promised to bridge the gap between phone and laptop while also providing a better web-browsing, email, photo-sharing, video-watching, listening, gaming, and reading experience than either device – and to differing degrees, it did. However, the methods in which we utilize all three of these items have changed dramatically since 2010.

In the years since, the iPad has found its way into the hearts and minds of digital content creators – a subset of users that did not exist when the iPad first debuted – while still failing to convince as a true laptop replacement, as Apple has attempted to market it on occasion.

Gaming is one long-neglected area where the corporation appears to be refocusing its efforts, and the iPad may play a role. The A17 Pro was the first Apple silicon with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, which went hand in hand with the company’s efforts to entice developers to migrate their AAA games, including Capcom’s Resident Evil Village, over to the iPhone 15 Pro series (It runs on the A17 Pro).

Apple has now developed the M3 series CPUs, which share the A17 Pro’s hardware-accelerated ray tracing capabilities. While they are currently only found in Apple’s most recent MacBook Pros, there is already a precedent set of M-series chips making their way into iPads – and with the current iPad Pro already sporting M2 silicon, it stands to reason that M3 chips will be included in this year’s Pros, along with more graphical grunt and tailored features that are ideal for gaming.

WHAT IS THE COMPETITION UP TO?

The iPad’s fate this year remains uncertain, not just because Apple controls the narrative that the tablet market follows, but also because, despite their best efforts, the competition continues to feel like they’re playing catch up.

Even Samsung, Apple’s most notable iPad opponent, waited 18 months before updating its main tablet line, unveiling the iPad Pro-rivaling Galaxy Tab S9 series in August of last year and, more recently, the more modest Tab S9 FE.

Xiaomi, Oppo, and even OnePlus have entered the tablet industry, with the latter launching the OnePlus Pad, putting some further pressure on Apple, but not enough to cause concern. If it were, we’d already have a new iPad; instead, we’re left wondering and waiting for what Apple’s legendary slate has in store for the rest of the year.

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How To Set Up A Gaming Monitor

by technovatica.com on

Getting your hands on the best gaming monitor is only the first step toward having the best gaming experience possible. There are numerous aspects to consider when maximizing not only the monitor itself, but also the best gaming PC to which it is connected, as well as the output cable you are using to link them.

As you learn more about these topics, it becomes evident that you need to expand your knowledge of how gaming monitors function, the many settings that work best with your gaming setup, the proper connectivity, and so on.

We’ve compiled the best tips and tricks for optimizing your gaming monitor for peak performance, whether you have the best 4K monitor with the most recent specs, the best curved monitor that squeezes the most resolution into a smaller space, or the best cheap gaming monitor deals that won’t break the bank. If you follow our recommendations, you can be confident that you will have the finest gaming monitor and gaming experience possible.

Steps for Setting Up a Gaming Monitor

  1. Check your connections.
  2. Connect the connection to your graphics card.
  3. Set the resolution and refresh rate.
  4. Enable any variable. Refresh Rate (VRR) Technology
  5. Adjust the color parameters.

TOOLS AND REQUIREMENTS

  1. To connect a gaming monitor.
  2.  A gaming PC.
  3. Use an HDMI or DisplayPort connection.

Step-by-Step Guide

1.Check your connections

Before you do anything else, be sure you have the right type of cable. If you have a 4K resolution gaming monitor, for example, an HDMI 1.2 port on an outdated PC or a non-4K cable would not suffice. Either will work, but you will not be making full use of the monitor.

It’s critical to check that both the PC port and cable match the type of monitor you have; if you don’t intend to upgrade your PC to the latest specs, it’s a better idea to buy a more budget-friendly monitor instead, otherwise you’ll end up squandering money. But if you do, make sure everything matches.

HMDI or DisplayPort? The former is commonly used for a variety of devices and will most likely be accessible for the monitor you purchase. DisplayPort has a higher bandwidth, more spec possibilities, and is primarily built for monitors, so use it if your game monitor supports it.

2.Connect your cord to your graphics card

It is critical that your HDMI or DisplayPort cable connects to your graphics card slot rather than your PC’s motherboard slot. Choosing the latter over the former results in lower performance because frames are rendered using your processor’s integrated graphics rather than your separate graphics card.

To ensure that it is the correct slot, check for a horizontal slot – generally but not always – toward the bottom of your PC’s chassis that connects directly to the card. The motherboard slot is the vertical slot at the top. Only use this port if you do not have a graphics card.

3.Set the resolution and refresh rate

Now that your monitor’s hardware has been configured, you must set the resolution and refresh rate to ensure that you get the most out of your gaming experience. To change the resolution in Windows 11, right-click on the desktop and select Display Settings, then scroll to Scale and Layout, open Display resolution, and select your monitor’s native settings.

On the same menu, select Advanced Display Settings and then Refresh Rate. Choose the maximum refers rate.

4.Turn on any variable refresh rate (VRR) technology

Some gaming monitors include VRR technology, such as Nvidia G-Sync or AMD FreeSync, which adjusts the refresh rate of your display to match that of your graphics card.

To enable G-Sync manually on Windows 11, right-click the desktop and select Show more options. Nvidia Control Panel > Display > Set up G-Sync > Enable G-Sync and G-Sync Compatible > Select Your Display > Enable Settings.

To enable FreeSync manually on Windows 11, right-click the desktop and select Show more options. AMD Radeon Software > Display > Enable FreeSync.

5.Adjust the color parameters

After you’ve enabled VRR technology, you need also enable HDR and color bit depth. On Windows 11, it’s as simple as pressing Windows Key + Alt + B. You may also enable it by right-clicking on your desktop, selecting Display Settings, selecting your display, and checking the Use HDR box. Make sure you enable HDR in both the monitor and game settings; else, it will not work.

Color Depth can be enabled in two ways, depending on whether the machine is powered by Nvidia or AMD. For Nvidia, right-click on the desktop and select Nvidia Control Panel > Display > Change resolution > Choose your display > under Apply the following changes Choose Use NVIDIA color settings > Select the highest color setting.

For AMD, right-click on the desktop, then pick AMD Radeon Software > monitor > select your monitor, then Color Depth from the drop-down menu, and finally the highest color option.

Final Thoughts

There are a few extra considerations when setting up a gaming display. For example, some displays include a slew of additional options. For example, some displays allow users to modify settings using a keyboard and mouse rather than just hardware buttons.

There is also an aim stabilizer, which corrects and displays motion blurring. This is a crucial feature for individuals who enjoy first-person shooters, as actions such as gun recoil, running, and taking damage generate motion blur. The black equalizer separates the screen into portions, which are then equalized to allow for clear viewing of dark areas. GameAssist allows you to generate custom crosshairs, which is useful for shooting games that do not have them.

Finally, an increasing number of monitors include eye care features that help prevent eye strain while playing or using your monitor for extended periods of time. When looking for the finest gaming monitor, consider what features each one offers and which ones will best meet your needs.

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SSD prices are set to’skyrocket’ for 2TB or larger models, so buy soon or you may regret it

by technovatica.com on

SSD price increases have been a hot topic in the rumor mill for some time, and we now have another suggestion that prices for higher capacity consumer drives may rise even further.

According to Tom’s Hardware, an industry source indicates that 3D NAND packages containing four or eight NAND modules are currently in low supply. These packages are generally used for 2TB and 4TB SSDs, and manufacturers are now battling to secure supplies.

The conclusion is that drives in this capacity range, in particular, are expected to’skyrocket’ in price (the exact word used by the source), which sounds worrisome.

As a result, if you’re considering purchasing an SSD ranging from 2TB to 4TB, you should act immediately

Price increases are already visible, but considerably larger increases are possible later this quarter, in just a few months (maybe three months at the most).

Analysis: The Weight of Rumors

This is just a rumor, of course, so we must proceed with caution as with all conjecture, but it’s entirely plausible given the current climate surrounding these PC components, as well as the speculations concerning SSD price increases that have circulated in recent times.

TrendForce, an analyst firm, has been the source of some of that thinking, and the business has just released a new study for January 2024, which predicts increased demand for PCIe 4.0 SSDs and a 15% to 20% increase in consumer SSD costs in the near future.

This is only a rumor, so act with caution as with all guesswork, but it’s entirely feasible considering the current climate surrounding these PC components, as well as recent speculation about SSD price increases.

TrendForce, an analyst firm, has been the basis of part of that thinking, and the company recently released a new report for January 2024, which anticipates greater demand for PCIe 4.0 SSDs and a 15% to 20% increase in consumer SSD costs in the near future.

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Iran’s internet is among the worst in the world, and the President is to blame

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Iran’s internet is one of the worst in the world, and the culprit appears to be the increased censorship implemented by President Ebrahim Raisi’s administration.

The Tehran Electronic Commerce Association’s recent research depicts a bleak scenario of blocked websites, everyday disruptions, reduced speeds, and IP address filtering saturation.

Experts criticize the President’s and Iranian officials’ lack of information for this “self-inflicted” crisis. Iran is leading the way for global internet disruptions, forcing individuals to rely heavily on VPN services and other circumvention techniques to get critical information online.

Leader of internet restrictions

Azam Jangravi, an Information Security Analyst at Citizen Lab, commented on the findings, saying: “Iran has one of the most restrictive internet environments in the world, blocking access to many popular websites and social media platforms, as well as surveilling and filtering online content.”

According to an analysis conducted by the Tehran Electronic Commerce Association—an independent agency that monitors and evaluates the internet situation in Iran—nearly half of all Iranian websites experienced some type of disruption in the previous nine months.

Experts also documented daily internet failures, particularly “occurring between 5pm and 11pm.” These appear to be a byproduct of new filtering equipment in the domestic network, resulting in functional disturbances and CPU overload.

All of this places Iran in the bottom 50 countries for internet quality, alongside some of the poorest and least developed nations. However, in Iran’s case, experts believe the government is to blame because “these conditions are self-inflicted.”

The research underlines the President’s role in worsening internet connectivity by increasing censorship. Even worse, due to a lack of technological understanding, Iranian officials allegedly applied indiscriminate IP blocking without presenting specific justifications.

Not only have Iranian authorities been restricting websites and slowing bandwidth, but they have also been shutting down the internet, particularly during times of political unrest such as the protests in 2019 and 2022.

According to statistics collected by VPN company Surfshark, Iran was the leading cause of internet shutdowns in the first half of 2023. Since the end of 2022, there have been weekly internet interruptions during Friday prayers in the Zahedan region.

According to Jangravi, this track record illustrates “the government’s willingness to cut off the internet entirely in times of crisis, leaving citizens in the dark and vulnerable”.

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