‘Defiance’ blends basic cable sci-fi, MMO shooter action when it launches in spring 2013

'Defiance' blends basic cable scifi TV, MMO FPS action when it launches in the spring

With shows like Battlestar Galactica, all of the Stargates and even Eureka on ice, where will Syfy go when it runs out of places and/or marginal celebrities to tell ghost stories about? One answer may be a show slated to debut next spring called Defiance, which will depict an Earth populated by humans and aliens alike trying to pick up the pieces after years of war between the two have left the planet in pieces. The twist here is that the show will run along concurrently with a massively multiplayer shooter being developed for the PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 from the makers of RIFT that takes place in the same world. The team behind it has been posting content about the making of both sides of the project recently (check out Massively by Joystiq's coverage for more info), as well as a trailer for the TV show, which you can check out after the break. We're not sure if this will go over with any more of a splash than Syfy's usual Saturday night monster-of-the-week flicks, but at least they're trying. We'll be keeping an eye out for this one in April one way or another because really what else would we do, watch Revolution?

Continue reading 'Defiance' blends basic cable sci-fi, MMO shooter action when it launches in spring 2013

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'Defiance' blends basic cable sci-fi, MMO shooter action when it launches in spring 2013 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 06:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Google Knowledge Graph explains related content, finds the six degrees with less Bacon

Google Knowledge Graph adds explanations for related content, finds the six degrees with less Bacon

We had a bit of a laugh with Google's Kevin Bacon calculator. Not everyone needs to tie their searches to the star of Footloose, though, which is partly why Google is pushing out an update to its Knowledge Graph that explains how searches turn up related items. The effort is starting with actors, celebrities and their links to any movies and TV shows they've starred in. Looking for Orson Welles and mousing over Rita Hayworth's portrait reminds us that the two luminaries were married for years, for example. We won't know when the more intelligent searches will expand, but at least we won't be quite so confused if the animated Transformers movie appears next to Citizen Kane.

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Google Knowledge Graph explains related content, finds the six degrees with less Bacon originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Oct 2012 01:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Amazon Studios expands into TV series, looks to load up on content for streaming

Amazon Studios expands into TV series, looks to load up on content for streaming

Amazon has had a content development division for some time but today it's announced plans to expand from just movies to developing (and distributing, via its Instant Video service) original comedy and children's series. The new focus follows the competition like Netflix and Hulu which have both dived headlong into developing original TV show-style content that mirrors the content consumers seem to gravitate towards on streaming services. According to the press release Amazon Studios is willing to option one "promising project" per month for $10k and pay $55k to a creator if their series is selected for distribution. Submissions of 22-minute pilot scripts for comedies and 11-minute pilot scripts for children's shows are being accepted, which Amazon will either option within 45 days or the creator can choose between pulling it back and leaving it up for community feedback. There's more info at the site or in the press release after the break, but just remember: if we see any series picked up about dashingly handsome tech bloggers and the fast-paced lives they lead, we're coming for our cut.

Continue reading Amazon Studios expands into TV series, looks to load up on content for streaming

Amazon Studios expands into TV series, looks to load up on content for streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 12:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Discovery Channel Crashes 727 for TV Show

None of us ever want to experience an airplane crash first-hand, but you’ll soon have the opportunity to learn what happens inside and outside a commercial airliner when it does crash, thanks to the Discovery Channel.

plane crash curiosity

For an upcoming episode of its popular show Curiosity, the channel arranged for a Boeing 727 to be crashed into Mexico’s Sonoran desert. The plane was crashed last Friday by a professional pilot, who ejected from the cockpit shortly before the plane hit the ground.

The plane was filled with crash test dummies and tons of cameras to capture as much information on the crash as possible. It’s expected that the footage will reveal information on the chances of survivability of a crash, as well as potentially provide ideas for safety improvements. Discovery Channel hasn’t yet said when the show will air, but you can be pretty certain that millions will tune in to see it.

[via LA Times]


Project Glass makes a TV appearance on Charlie Rose, flashes its rear for the cameras

Project Glass makes a TV appearance on Charlie Rose, flashes its rear for the cameras

Google fellow, founder of Project X and self-driving car pioneer Sebastian Thrun became the latest to publicly rock a Project Glass prototype (after company co-founder Sergey Brin) on a recent episode of Charlie Rose, and managed to show off a whole new side of the project in the process. While the 19-minute interview was mostly unremarkable product-wise with a focus on higher education and his Udacity project, we did get to see him take a picture of the host (about a minute in) by tapping it, then posting it on Google+ by nodding twice. Also, as Electronista points out, in a brief reverse shot (17:20) of Thrun we see for the first time what appears to be a small battery pack / transmitter portion lodged behind his ear. Of course, we're still not any closer to rocking the latest in bionic man-chic ourselves, but at least we can start getting fitted for one now.

Project Glass makes a TV appearance on Charlie Rose, flashes its rear for the cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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