Amazon Fire TV trumps Apple TV for $99!

For years speculation has surrounded an Amazon streaming device. Not so much if, but when. Today the company tardily unveiled its Fire TV during a live media event in New York City.

The new Android-based streaming device apes the Kindle HDX form factor sans built-in screen, boasts triple the processing power of Apple TV, Chromecast and Roku, and features voice search FTW.

Voice search works with the bundled Bluetooth remote's microphone. With Fire TV you simply speak the title, actor, or genre into the remote and you're done. It's a simpler solution to Microsoft's Kinect.

X-Ray for Movies & TV by IMDb brings second screen integration much like Xbox SmartGlass. You’ll be able to look up actors, music, or other IMDb-provided details, as the content plays on your TV. Amazon says that X-Ray will add support for iOS devices later this year.

Amazon is not only taking on Apple, Google and Roku, but has Ouya in its sights too. As rumoured, a dedicated controller accessory is available to play games on the Fire TV. The diminutive set-top-box will play games like Minecraft, Asphalt 8 and a few other games at an average price of $1.85. Thus beating Apple to the punch in offering apps and games.

Fire TV will host lots of apps aside from Prime Instant Video. Including Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, YouTube, Crackle, Showtime Anywhere and many more.

Amazon Fire TV ships from today in the US for $99. There's no word on an international release and that's where Apple TV dominates.

The streaming wars just got more intense. However, do consumers need another box?

George Lucas on how he invented the lightsaber

This isn't an April Fools' joke! Star Wars creator George Lucas, actor Mark Hamill, and sound designer Ben Burtt discuss the concept and creation of the lightsaber.



The Birth of the Lightsaber was first seen as a special feature on the original Star Wars trilogy's DVD box set in 2004, but this marks the first time the video has made its way onto the internet in an official capacity.

Karen Gillan as Nebula

Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn has posted a new photo of Nebula (Karen Gillan) on Instagram and Twitter.

Gunn describes Nebula as an interplanetary Clint Eastwood. The former Doctor Who actress looks all kinds of awesome.

Star Wars: Episode VII set 30 years after Jedi

The news was confirmed on the official Star Wars website:

"It has also been confirmed that Star Wars: Episode VII is set about 30 years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, and will star a trio of new young leads along with some very familiar faces. No further details on casting or plot are available at this time."

Surely the press release all but confirms the return of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo?

Star Wars: Episode VII will start shooting at Pinewood Studios near London in May and release in theaters on December 18, 2015.

Cosmos: The Next Generation

Last night's series premiere of National Geographic Channel's Cosmos reboot, hosted by Neil DeGrasse Tyson, was enthralling and evoked fond childhood memories of the original 13-part landmark series with astronomer Carl Sagan.

In 1980 Sagan inspired me, in the much same way as movie directors George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, with a sense of wonder and uplifting themes.

The reboot, brainchild of Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy), is tantamount to exploring the universe through the telescopic lens of Disney Lucasfilm. The "Spaceship of the Imagination" owes much to Star Trek and Star Wars. Yes, I'm in my element, as if you hadn't guessed.

There were moments of schmaltz, but I yearned to watch Cosmos on an IMAX screen and can't wait to continue this next generation voyage aboard the Spaceship of the Imagination...

Bluetooth controller for Kindle?

Much has been made of the recent Amazon Prime price hike in the UK and US! Combined with ongoing speculation the company will add a music streaming service and release its own media streamer to directly compete with Apple TV and Roku in the spring.

This has been further fueled by photos of an apparent Bluetooth controller for the unannounced streaming device. The controller could be used with Kindle Fire, which has a thriving Android-based games store. It's worth noting Amazon recently acquired Double Helix Games, developer of the Xbox One Killer Instinct and multi-platform Strider reboots.

Looks like a prototype Xbox One controller and the anthesis of ergonomic design. Please let me know your thoughts in comments.

Netflix adds Homeland and American Horror Story

Netflix has inked a deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution to bring its award-winning drama series Homeland and American Horror Story to the streaming service from 13th March.

Ted Sarandos, chief content officer at Netflix, said: “We are excited to bring both of these brilliant series, Homeland and American Horror Story, to our members in the UK & Ireland.

“These global smash series are two of the most talked about shows in entertainment, and we think that our members are going to love these latest two additions.”

Homeland, starring Claire Danes and Damian Lewis, was a huge hit on Channel 4 during its first and second seasons. However, the series' audience declined during the third season despite a high profile social media campaign with Nokia 4 Drama. Incidentally, Nokia sent me a Lumia 1020 to trial last December, but I couldn't reconcile with Windows Phone 8.

American Horror Story is an eclectic anthology series on Fox (formerly FX) and boasts an enviable cast. Jessica Lange has won Emmy and Golden Globe awards for her varied roles in the series.

Stream Game of Thrones Seasons 1-3 on NOW TV

Winter is coming! From today you can stream Game of Thrones seasons 1-3 in high definition ahead of the highly anticipated season 4 premiere this April on Sky Atlantic.

NOW TV subscribers can sign-up for the Entertainment Pack, which includes Arrow, Game of Thrones, Mad Men, Modern Family and The Walking Dead and box sets. I'm currently binge-viewing Mad Men.

Subscribe to the Entertainment Pass for £4.99 (introductory price) now.

From Dusk Till Dawn: A Netflix Original Series in UK

Cult movie From Dusk Till Dawn is reimagined in a new 10 episode series, which will be exclusively shown on Netflix from 12th March in the UK.

New episodes will arrive weekly in Europe and Canada within 24 hours of broadcast in the US, where the show will air on the El Rey Network.

"We're thrilled to premiere From Dusk Till Dawn: A Netflix Original Series exclusively in our international markets," said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer at Netflix.

"Robert Rodriguez is an amazing storyteller and we think our members will love his thrill-ride TV adaptation of the cult-classic."

From Dusk Till Dawn director Robert Rodriguez helms 4 episodes of the first season.

"I am excited about working with Netflix and Miramax to build an international audience for our series," said Robert Rodriguez.

"This property has always resonated for viewers around the globe and we believe that it will be just as relevant for this new generation of fans."

Optimus Prime vs Grimlock in Age of Extinction!

A full length trailer for Transformers: Age of Extinction premiered last night.

This TV Spot introduces Mark Wahlberg’s character Cade Yeager, a deadbeat mechanic who discovers a derelict Transformer, and culminates in a clash between Optimus Prime and Grimlock.



Transformers: Age of Extinction premieres July 10th in the UK. Let the Bayhem begin...