CES 2016: January 6 - 9, 2016

 CES 2016 is just around the corner.

The largest consumer electronic show will again be held in Las Vegas, Nevada with the following dates:

CES 2016 Exhibit Hours

• Wednesday, January 6: 10 AM-6 PM
• Thursday, January 7: 9 AM-6 PM
• Friday, January 8: 9 AM-6 PM
• Saturday, January 9: 9 AM-4 PM

Stay tuned to EonCloud.com as we bring you live coverage of the show including news on the latest in VR, HDTV, self driving cars, digital cameras and more.

Apple introduces the iPhone Upgrade Program. A new iPhone each year for a $32 montly fee.

Apple retail locations in the U.S. will soon offer the iPhone Upgrade Program. Consumers can get a new iPhone each year for use on their own selected carrier. 

The program costs $32 per month for 2 years and includes an unlocked phone with AppleCare+.

Apple Event 2015 - iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus

The iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus has 3D Touch.  Multi touch now includes force, enabling new gestures Peek and Pop. Users press lightly to Peek and continue pressing to Pop.  Apple Taptic Engine creates shorter more distinct feedback when the user presses the screen.

The iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus includes the A9 64-bit chip. It is a desktop class chip with improved CPU and Graphics performance compared with the previous A8. CPU and GPU improvement ranges from 70 to 80 percent.


The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus is built with Apple custom alloy aluminum and the strongest glass made with dual ion process. Colors include silver, gold, space grey and rose gold.

The new 12MP camera brings a 50% improvement from the previous iPhone camera. The new camera can take 4K videos. Every frame of a 4k video includes 8 million pixels. The Face Time camera is 5MP and the retina display is now also a Retina Flash offering True Tone lighting for your selfies.

Live Photo adds a few seconds of action and sound to a regular photo. It is taken like a regular photo and is seen as a 12MP still image but gives viewers the ability to see movement and hear sounds during the moment captured.

 Pricing for the iPhone 6S starts from $199 and iPhone 6S Plus starts from $299 for a 2 year contract. Pre order begins September 12, 2015.

Apple Event 2015 - Apple TV

Apple has a new Apple TV.

A powerful set top box with a new remote. The new remote has a glass like touch surface and a microphone to ask Siri questions.

Apple TV has exclusive high def screen savers which is truly captivating. Day or night shots are played based on your current time of day.

tvOS allows developers to use familiar tools from iOS on the new Apple TV. tvOS beta is available today.

The new Apple TV will be priced from $149 to $199 and available in late October 2015.

Apple iPad Pro and Accesory Pricing Revealed

Apple has revealed pricing for the iPad Pro, Smart Keyboard and Pencil.

 The iPad Pro starts at $799.

The Smart Keyboard is $169 and the Pencil is $99.

Apple Event 2015 - iPad Pro

The bigger iPad Pro has been introduced.
The iPad Pro has 12.9" diagonal screen.

The iPad Pro has a variable refresh rate. An A9x chip, 3rd generation 64-bit chip with desktop class performance delivering 1.8x faster speed than the previous chip.

The iPad Pro has a 10 hour battery and now includes 4 speakers to deliver more sound. The Smart connector allows for the new Smart Keyboard to attach to the Apple connector.

 Apple also announced a couple new accessories to be used with the iPad Pro.
The Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil.

The Apple Pencil lets you feel like you're drawing on the iPad Pro. You can use the Pencil on OS apps such as Mail, Umake, and Procreate.

Apple Event - The Apple Watch

Starting off the Apple Event is the Apple Watch.

Updates to the Watch OS2 include new apps and functions such as Transit which shows users navigation directions, GoPro now lets the Watch function as a viewfinder for the action camera, and the ability to listen to and transfer heart beats.

Watch OS2 is available on September 16, 2015.

 Apple has also partnered with Hermes to add a luxurious leather band.

Apple Special Event

Apple is expected to reveal the next iPhone today. Stay tuned for more information.

Ricoh Theta+ App Adds Timelapse Videos and Spherical Image Filters

Ricoh has updated their Theta+ app to allow users of the Ricoh Theta M15 and upcoming Theta S to create timelapse videos on their smartphone or tablet.

The app also allows filters to be applied to spherical images, trimming images to a smaller size, and view mode to be changed.

Edited images can be easily posted to external social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook.

Google Play Store Theta+ App

Theta+ on Itunes

Ricoh Theta S to be announced on September 3, 2015 including specifications.

Ricoh's updated portable spherical camera will be named Ricoh Theta S and feature faster lenses, larger image sensors and have full HD video.

The newest Theta series camera will be unveiled at IFA in Berlin on September 3, 2015.

The Ricoh Theta S will now be able to capture spherical images of up to 14 megapixels and record spherical video in full 1920x1080p HD at 30fps with a maximum recording time of 25 minutes.
The faster lens has an aperture of F2.0 which allows more light to reach the sensors. Along with better image processing and bulb mode, the S should allow for better low light still images.
Image sensor size is 1/2.3.

With the coming announcement, Google Maps will introduce the new Google Street View app that allows users to capture and publish spherical images instantly to Google Maps.

The Theta S will also have an improved WiFi module which allows for data transfers 4 times faster than the current M15 model. The Ricoh Theta S app for smartphones and tables will give users the ability to instantly view photos and video wirelessly.

The Ricoh Theta S will have a rubber coating and LED indicators on the face.  Memory has been increased to 8GB. Ports include microUSB 2.0 and HDMI micro. Live stream via USB will be 1280x720p at 15fps and 1920x1080p at 30fps for HDMI.

Retail price will be $349 (EUR 399, GBP 299) and available in late October 2015.

Alphabet has announced what the M in Android M stands for

Android M is Marshmallow

This is Android 6.0 coming soon. Official Android 6.0 SDK & Final M Preview is available for developers.

Android M developer info

WalkCar - A new electric mobile transport that fits in your laptop bag

A new competitor will soon enter the electric mobile transportation market.

WalkCar from Cocoa Motors promises the world's smallest electric car that can fit in a laptop bag. Similar to the latest 2 wheel scooters like the IO Hawk, Phunkeeduck, or other self balancing smart scooters the WalkCar is controlled by the users weight.  The WalkCar has an aluminum shell and 4 wheels which makes it easier to stand on.

Currently, the WalkCar is a prototype. Cocoa Motors plans to introduce a kickstarter on October 2015 to crowdfund a consumer release sometime in 2016. It is estimated to sell for around $800.

Stay tuned for more information about their Kickstarter and future release.

Movie Review Headlines - Ant Man

The big movie release this Friday, July 17, 2015 is Marvel's Ant-Man.


Synopsis: 
Forced out of his own company by former protégé Darren Cross, Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) recruits the talents of Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), a master thief just released from prison. Lang becomes Ant-Man, trained by Pym and armed with a suit that allows him to shrink in size, possess superhuman strength and control an army of ants. The miniature hero must use his new skills to prevent Cross, also known as Yellowjacket, from perfecting the same technology and using it as a weapon for evil.


Movie Review Headlines:

"Review: ‘Ant-Man,’ With Paul Rudd, Adds to a Superhero Infestation" New York Times - A.O. Scott

"Less is often more in this enjoyably scaled-down Marvel comicbook adaptation starring Paul Rudd." Variety - Justin Chang

"Big superhero-movie fun comes in a small package, courtesy of Paul Rudd and company" Rolling Stone - Peter Tavers

 "Even Paul Rudd Can't Save Ant-Man" Deadspin - Will Leitch

"Review: 'Ant-Man' is no small Marvel" USA Today - Brian Truitt

Those are some of the movie review headlines for this week's big movie release. Is it worth your time and money to watch the movie? You decide.

Another Destiny PS4 Bundle will be released on 9/15 for Bungie Destiny: The Taken King

With Bungie Destiny DLC The Taken King releasing on September 15, Sony has revealed that consumers can also buy a limited edition bundle.

The bundle includes a white PS4 with 500GB hard drive and Destiny graphics along with the Legendary Edition copy of the Destiny: The Taken King. In addition, consumers will get the digital collector's edition pack which contains exotic class items with XP bonuses, class specific emotes, armor shaders and early access weapons pack.

Destiny Red Bull will cost $5.33 for Two 12oz cans

Red Bull will soon sell Destiny edition cans exclusively at 7-Eleven.

Prices have been revealed for these Red Bull cans. One can will cost $3.49 or a deal for two cans can be had for $5.33.

Red Bull cans will be phased into the current stock from June 22-30 and by July 1, all Red Bull cans should be the Destiny limited edition cans.

You'll have to buy a can of Red Bull to unlock a quest in Destiny's The Taken King DLC

Destiny, a game developed by Bungie and published by Activision recently announced their next DLC named The Taken King. Players who purchased the first two DLC will have to rebuy them in order to get the Legendary edition of the DLC if they want new emotes. The emotes have not been revealed but most are expecting new dance moves.

Today, Activision has announced a partnership with Red Bull.  Players now will have to buy cans of Red Bull if they want to unlock an "Epic New Quest" in The Taken King.  The Red Bull can will also come with a bonus XP code for a 50% gain in xp for a 30 minute period.  XP codes can be used starting July 1, 2015.  The new quest will be available once The Taken King is released on September 15, 2015.

Players who thought they needed to pay only $40 or $80 for the new DLC to get the complete update will be very disappointed.  The Red Bull Quest is only the first partnership announced by Activision to generate more income from their Destiny franchise.  Can we expect more partnership announcements? Based of Activision's other properties, we think there will soon be a Doritos munch for more fun quest and a Mountain Dew climb the King's Throne quest with bonus super buffs.

The Destiny Edition Red Bull cans are sold exclusively at 7-Eleven in July.

More information on how to redeem the code can be found at Destiny Red Bull Quest.

Sony To Release New Lighter Power Efficient Playstation 4

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. has announced a new Playstation 4 with model series CUH-1200.

The new Playstation 4 will be 10% lighter than previous models with a new body surface and finish.  The new PS4 will also reduce power consumption by 8%.

The new Playstation 4 will be released in Japan in late June 2015 with both Black and White color options.  A worldwide release for the new PS4 will come soon after.

Pricing for the North America new Playstation 4 will be $399.

Movie Review Headlines - Inside Out

The big movie release this Friday, June 19, 2015 is Disney Pixar's Inside Out.

Synopsis:

Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) is a happy, hockey-loving 11-year-old Midwestern girl, but her world turns upside-down when she and her parents move to San Francisco. Riley's emotions -- led by Joy (Amy Poehler) -- try to guide her through this difficult, life-changing event. However, the stress of the move brings Sadness (Phyllis Smith) to the forefront. When Joy and Sadness are inadvertently swept into the far reaches of Riley's mind, the only emotions left in Headquarters are Anger, Fear and Disgust.

 Movie Review Headlines:

'Inside Out' Review: Pixar's Latest Masterpiece Will Make You Feel All The Feels Forbes - Scott Mendelson

‘Inside Out:’ Pixar’s Convincing Argument Against Childhood Happiness New York Times - Lisa Damour

‘Inside Out’ Review: Pixar’s Brilliant Life of the Mind Wall Street Journal - Joe Morgenstern

Pixar's all-star tour of a preteen girl's head is a flat-out masterpiece Rolling Stone - Peter Travers

Follow us as we lifesnip from e3 2015

Follow us on Twitter and stay tuned as we show you live, lifesnips from the E3 expo show floor

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E3 2015: Xbox One Backward Compatibility Announced

At today's Microsoft E3 2015 press conference, Microsoft has announced that the Xbox One now has backward compatibility.

Owners of the Xbox One console and Xbox 360 game discs can now pack away their 360 and play their games natively on the Xbox One.

E3 2015: Press Conference Schedule - Bethesda 6/14 at 7PM

The first Press Conference for E3 2015 is scheduled for Sunday June 14, 2015 by Bethesda.

A live stream can be viewed from the following links:

Bethesda livestream on Twitch

Bethesda E3 livestream on Youtube

E3 2015 - Starbreeze Studios announces VR headset StarVR

Starbreeze Studios has announced their VR headset StarVR at a Pre-E3 party on June 13, 2015.

Starbreeze Studios is a game development studio which recently acquired InfinityEye VR to start their virtual reality initiative.  With their experience in game development and now VR hardware experience, Starbreeze has a mission statement of becoming

"a leader in the entertainment industry by delivering world class experiences. The landscape of entertainment is transforming and we strongly believe VR will be a big part of the story of our industry going forward. Our StarVR aims at bringing the next generation entertainment experiences to reality”, said Bo Andersson Klint, CEO of Starbreeze. “By immersing ourselves into the VR field, we aim to learn fast, position Starbreeze for the future and allow people to enter into new worlds.”

 Technical specifications of StarVr include a 210° horizontal field of view, covering
more than 75% of the entire human vision, 32:9 5120x1440pixels Quad HD panel, and position tracking.

Oculus Rift revealed at Oculus Special E3 Event

Watch the Oculus Special Event Live Stream June 11 at 10AM PST

Oculus invites you to join the livestream starting 10am PT Thursday morning on Oculus.com and Twitch.tv.

 Oculus Pre E3 2015 Live Stream

Teaser Trailer - Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 2

Watch the teaser trailer for the final Hunger Games movie Mockingjay Part 2.

Oculus Story Studio - Henry a VR hedgehog

Oculus Story Studio has created another VR experience named Henry, a comedy about a hedgehog coming July 28, 2015.

 A teaser trailer can be viewed at Henry A VR Experience

Future owners of the Oculus Rift, shipping in Q1 2016, will be able to experience Henry for free as Oculus Story Studio's mission is to inspire VR creators and filmmakers.

Microsoft Xbox One Console Secret Revealed by Amazon before #E32015

Microsoft is holding their E3 2015 Presentation on June 15, 2015.

During the keynote, Microsoft is expected to reveal some surprises and one of them has been leaked by Amazon.

Microsoft will be selling a new model of the Xbox One, now with a 1TB hard drive and a new controller that has a headset input jack.  The Xbox One console will be available on June 15, 2015 for the price of $399.99.

Xbox One Pre-order

Current Xbox One consoles include a 500GB hard drive and are available for $349.99.

Movie Review Headlines - Spy

The big movie release this Friday, June 5, 2015 is Spy.

Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) is an unassuming, deskbound CIA analyst, and the unsung hero behind the Agency’s most dangerous missions. But when her partner (Jude Law) falls off the grid and another top agent (Jason Statham) is compromised, she volunteers to go deep undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer, and prevent a global disaster.

"Paul Feig’s latest movie gives Melissa McCarthy her best and realest character since Bridemaids." Slate - Dana Stevens

"'Spy' review: Melissa McCarthy goes the full Bond" Chicago Tribune - Michael Phillips

"Melissa McCarthy goes undercover in this hilarious James Bond parody from the 'Bridesmaids' team" Rolling Stone - Peter Travers

"It's no secret: 'Spy' is a hilarious sendup" USA Today - Brian Truitt

"Spy review – Melissa McCarthy, hotshot heroine" The Guardian - Peter Bradshaw

Watch the movie trailer for Spy below:

Eddie Redmayne Cast As Magizoologist Newt Scamander in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter book series will be the screenwriter for the upcoming trilogy of movies Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a book written by Newt Scamander.  The book was required reading for students of Hogwarts.

Eddie Radmayne has been cast as Newt. The movie will present some of the magical creatures that are found in the magic world of Harry Potter.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is scheduled for release in November 2016 at your local movie theater.

Fallout 4 World Premiere at E3 2015 presentation

Bethesda Softworks has officially announced the Fallout 4 game is under development.

Fallout 4 is being developed for Xbox One, PlayStation® 4 computer entertainment system and PC

The world premiere of Fallout 4 will be shown at  Bethesda's E3 showcase presentation on Sunday, June 14 at 7 PM PST.

Watch the Fallout 4 trailer below

PC Gaming Show event during E3 2015 will include Microsoft

PC Gamer has revealed that Microsoft will be attending the PC Gaming Show.

Why will Microsoft attend this event when they have their own Xbox E3 2015 Event? The reason is because of Windows 10.

The aim of Windows 10 is to unify all Microsoft products such as Windows Phone, Xbox One, Holo Lens, and Surface by using one code base. This close integration would mean an Xbox One app would be on the desktop or laptop making some Xbox One functions seamless to use across multiple Microsoft products.

"For us, the PC Gaming Show is the ideal place to speak directly to PC gamers, and it’s a great time to talk about Windows 10 - the best operating system we've ever created for gamers on PCs,” Microsoft's Head of Xbox Phil Spencer said. “With Windows 10, we’re bringing the best of Xbox with the best of Windows gaming, including Xbox Live and the new Xbox app, Game DVR for nearly every game, and DirectX 12 for better gaming graphics and performance.” - PC Gamer

Hosted by Sean ‘Day[9]’ Plott, the PC Gaming Show will take place at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 16, 2015. In partnership with Twitch, the PC Gaming Show will be streamed live, and feature new game reveals, updates on beloved series, and perspectives from key PC developers.

Demo of Mario Maker for Wii U playable on June 17 and June 20 at North America Best Buy locations

You can play a demo of Nintendo's Mario Maker game for the Wii U at participation North America Best Buy locations this June 17 and June 20, 2015.

Participants will also receive a free limited edition Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary button (while supplies last).

Mario Maker was first introduced at E3 2014. It allows players to create levels using Super Mario game objects such as green pipes and mushroom bad guys.  Levels can be shared with others to play.

Nintendo Access Location finder for local Best Buy

2K and Firaxis developing XCOM 2

2K and Firaxis Games have announced that XCOM 2 is in development.

Those interested in the Advent Administration http://www.adventfuture.org/ will find that the website will redirect to xcom.com after first displaying the "We are still vigilant" image to the right.

An announcement trailer for XCOM 2 titled "Moment of Truth" can be viewed below

Photo Essay - Nintendo World Championships 2015 Qualifier

Here are some photos of the Nintendo World Championships 2015 Qualifier.

 

view more photos of the Nintendo World Championships Qualifier 2015