Tag Archives: disney

The best streaming services in 2026

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With so many streaming platforms out there, it is easy to feel like you are constantly sorting through menus instead of watching something you enjoy. Every service has its own vibe, whether it is big cinematic releases, long documentary deep dives or shows you put on in the background while you unwind. Some people even swap cable for live TV streaming.

Here, we are looking at the on-demand services that deliver the most value for everyday use. Whether you are settling in for a weekend binge, watching with family or catching up on a favorite series during your commute, these are the best streaming services to keep in your rotation.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/best-streaming-services-154527042.html?src=rss

The best subscription gifts to send to your loved ones this Christmas: Disney+ bundle, MasterClass, Field Notes and more

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There are way too many online services and subscriptions to keep track of these days, but the flip side is there’s a tool for just about everything. Time is just about up to get a physical gift shipped in time for the holidays, so below we’ve pulled together some of our favorite digital gifts and subscriptions, including time-tested video, music and gaming services as well as tools to clear your mental space and learn new skills. There are also a few subscriptions that provide ongoing, IRL deliveries, if you think your giftee will appreciate the nostalgic charm of a physical object.

Game consoles are certainly among the most popular gift ideas this time of year. If you know someone who’s been so good that they’re getting a new Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S, one of these subscriptions will make their shiny toy immediately playable out of the box.

There’s no doubt that Microsoft has changed the value proposition for its Game Pass subscription service service. It recently raised the price for its most comprehensive Ultimate tier by 50 percent, to $30 a month. That’s a bitter pill to swallow — but devoted players who have an Xbox as their main (or only) console will still get a ton of value out of Game Pass.

The aforementioned Ultimate tier provides access to more than 500 games that’ll work on Xbox, PC and other supported devices. It’s also the only way to get “day one” release games like Hollow Knight: Silksong Ninja Gaiden 4, The Outer World 2, Call of Duty Black Ops 7; in recent years other high-profile day one releases have included Doom: The Dark Ages, Starfield, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Forza Motorsport and numerous others. Game Pass Ultimate subscribers also have access to the highest quality and fastest game streaming Xbox offers. For a slightly less hardcore Xbox fan, though, the $15-per-month Premium tier is also worth considering.

Nintendo’s Switch Online subscription has gotten some nice upgrades in 2025, the year of the Switch 2. As it has for years, Nintendo offers two different Switch Online plans. The basic $20-per-year plan unlocks online play and enables Switch 2 owners to use the system's GameChat capabilities. It also includes more than 100 Game Boy, NES and Super NES games, cloud backups of your saved games as well as the occasional special offers. It also includes access to the rather silly but enjoyable Nintendo Music app, so you can listen to your favorite Zelda or Mario tracks at any time.

The $50 “expansion pack” adds a collection of N64, Game Boy Advance and Sega Genesis games as well as some DLC for games like Mario Kart 8, Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Splatoon 2. But most interesting are the new additions for Switch 2 owners: there’s a small but growing library of GameCube games, including classics like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker and F-Zero GX. Switch 2 owners who have the expansion pack subscription can also upgrade to the Switch 2 versions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom for free.

A PlayStation Plus subscription is a must-have for any PS5 owners. That’s partially because you need one to play multiplayer games online, but there are plenty of other significant benefits. PS Plus comes in three tiers, but the middle “Extra” plan ($15/month or $135/year) is probably best for most gamers. In addition to cloud storage for saves, online multiplayer support and a couple of free games for your library every month, you get access to the PlayStation Plus catalog, which includes more than 400 PS4 and PS5 games.

There are a number of heavy hitters here, including The Last of Us Part I and II, Ghost of Tsushima, God of War Ragnarok, Death Stranding, Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered and Returnal alongside lower-profile hits and indie games such as Citizen Sleeper, Sayonara Wild Hearts, Dave the Diver and Humanity. If you know someone who loves older games though, the “Premium” tier ($18/month or $160/year) adds a bunch of titles from the PS1 through the PS4 as well as perks like game trials and PS5 game streaming from the cloud.

Check out the rest of our gift ideas here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-best-subscription-gifts-to-send-to-your-loved-ones-this-christmas-disney-bundle-masterclass-field-notes-and-more-141830326.html?src=rss

Star Wars StarSpeeder 3000 set recreates the thrill of Disney’s iconic theme ride

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The StarSpeeder 3000 attraction of the Star Tours at the Disney theme parks takes riders on an exciting journey of the Star Wars universe. For those who have experienced the thrill of this intergalactic ride, the limited-edition Star Tours StarSpeeder 3000 makes complete sense.

The play set limited to just 3,000 units debuted at the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event and for Star Wars fans the set will be available for purchase at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World starting 13 September. This set will be available via Tatooine Traders and interested buyers will have to get the park reservations to get one. Those who’ll go with the online purchase option can buy the StarSpeeder 3000 set exclusively from the Disney Store for $300 starting today.

Designer: Disney

The limited edition set comes with an LCD screen to play the original attraction footage with matching audio. The real ride is emulated with the scale seats having seat belts and opening doors that are activated with a chime sound. It comes with blasters, cannons and thrusters that have sound effects. To display it on your shelf, the set comes with a light-up display stand, along with the 3.75-inch minifigures of Captain Rex and R2-D2.

There’s an extendable landing gear that retracts when it’s time for action and locks in place. Those side panels are removable, and so are the rooftop carrier and roof panel. To keep the realism effect going, the set has exterior light effects too. This Star Wars playset requires six AA batteries to run and it would have been better off with an internal battery charged via a charging cable. That said, the batteries should last a long time unless you’re obsessed with playing around with the play set.

The post Star Wars StarSpeeder 3000 set recreates the thrill of Disney’s iconic theme ride first appeared on Yanko Design.

LEGO Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ Cottage set is made for Disney fans of all ages

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Disney fans are definitely upset with the delayed release of Marc Webb’s upcoming remake of the 1937 classic. They had been waiting to see Rachel Zegler bite the forbidden fruit in the new Snow White movie, which is now pushed back by almost a year from its original March 22, 2024 release date to March 21, 2025. That is not a reason for LEGO to fall back and procrastinate.

The passionate brick builders have released a gorgeous, and immensely detailed, LEGO version of the Seven Dwarf’s Cottage from the iconic Disney animation. This build comprises 2228 pieces and 10 mini figurines – slated to go on sale starting March 4, 2024 for $220. If you’re a LEGO Insider, you have a chance to get early access to this set beginning March 1.

Designer: LEGO

Created to allow Disney buffs bring the sweet story home in LEGO bricks; it is not a simple layout. The build is intriguing and effectively detailed to remind us of all the interesting aspects of the lore. In that breath, the LEGO Disney Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ Cottage comes complete with Snow White’s glass coffin, the Evil Queen with the forbidden red apple, all Seven Dwarfs, and the Prince to revive the Snow White out of the death bed with his kiss.

This quaint forest cottage with a straw-roofed structure is nestled in a bounty of green vegetation, close to the wishing well, and has animal friends for company. The open layout of the cottage with a removable side of the roof features other highlights like the bedroom with seven beds, dining table, and a room with a pipe organ.

The LEGO’s new Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs set – measuring 8 inches high, 14 inches wide, and 7.5 inches deep – is a pretty exciting deviation for the disappointed aficionados. And even if you are not a fan, this set for adults can be a distinctive themed gift for movie lovers in your circle!

The post LEGO Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ Cottage set is made for Disney fans of all ages first appeared on Yanko Design.

Disney’s intuitive solution to physically moving around in metaverse is the HoloTitle floor

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Virtual reality and augmented reality are going to set the tone this decade without a semblance of doubt. Moving around your avatar in larger-than-life worlds tickles your visual senses but you always realize it’s not the real thing since you are sitting or standing still while the character moves around in a virtual environment.

The Virtuix Omini was a good attempt at elevating your multi-dimensional experience in the metaverse but it didn’t fare well owing to its hardware and software limitations. After that things went back to square one, that is till now. The legendary Disney legend Lanny Smoot who’s got over 100 patented inventions has finally created something that’ll interest the most finicky of geeks.

Designer: Disney

This HoloDeck-inspired VR accessory is that’s an omnidirectional treadmill project that’s going to change how virtual reality is experienced. Dubbed the HoloTile, this creation has individual rotating tiles that actuate the real moment of the user corresponding to the movement in the VR world. The modular, expandable treadmill floor lets the user move in an infinite direction without walking off the surface. Lanny who’s currently a Disney Research Fellow has developed this system to create a deeper connection between the VR world and the body movement.

The treadmill can be expanded if multiple users want to use it, without bumping into each other. A good example of this would be several people in a room able to “be somewhere else collaboratively and moving around, seeing, doing sightseeing,” according to Smooth. Another application would be in theatrical stages, where multiple artists can collaborate in virtual worlds for a spectacular performance.

The HoloTile floor is still a work in progress and as we can see from the video it looks promising. Smoot walks in VR wearing the Quest Pro headset, as if walking on a real tarmac. The technology aims to address the locomotion problem without hitting obstacles or feeling clumsy enough to not walk naturally on the surface.

The post Disney’s intuitive solution to physically moving around in metaverse is the HoloTitle floor first appeared on Yanko Design.