UPDATE: TV Guide reports that the X-Files revival is planned to air this summer on FOX network and will consist of a six-episode run.

Original article is as follows.

Special Agent Dana Scully and Fox “Spooky” Mulder are arguably two of the most iconic characters in television history.

Scully and Mulder’s escapades in unraveling hidden extraterrestrial conspiracies in The X-Files have since become the stuff of legend, and defined a good portion of 90’s pop culture.

After thirteen years of being off-screen, they’re coming back.

FOX today reveals that The X-Files is coming back on air with David Duchovy and Gillian Anderson reprising their original roles.

To assure things feel authentically weird, FOX has tapped Chris Carter to be intimately involved in the project.

“I think of it as a 13-year commercial break,” Chris Carter said in a recent statement. “The good news is the world has only gotten that much stranger, a perfect time to tell these six stories.”

The network has approved a limited six-episode run so far, which is considerably smaller than the show’s original titanic 20-odd episode seasons.

No plot details have been discussed, but the news alone has just about everyone who grew up in the 90’s eagerly speculating on possible storylines, occult episode premises and the possibility of the show being picked back up for a full run.

We’re not sure of the convoluted overarching conspiracy motif will return (it just wouldn’t be X-Files without it!) or if the series will focus on re-kindling the magic in the “monster of the week” type episodes that saw Mulder and Scully investigating bizarre phenomenon.

I’m personally hoping for the latter. Thirteen years is a quite a long time for strange occurrences to rack up, and who knows what new themes Carter will tackle next.

Also we’re not sure when it’ll premiere, as FOX has yet to outline an official airdate for the show.

It looks like the network is trying to gauge excitement and test the waters with the news, and perhaps react accordingly. If there’s enough interest–and I can’t see how there wouldn’t be–we might see Mulder and Scully back on TV for good, or maybe an exclusive run on Netflix.

The X-Files isn’t the only 90’s cult hit that’s to be resurrected; David Lynch’s campy/otherworldy drama Twin Peaks will get its own limited nine-episode run on Showtime.

Lynch will be directing every episode with original screenwriter Mark Frost penning the series.

The post Scully and Mulder Return For New X-Files Run appeared first on VR World.

After four successful entries in the franchise, it’s time to reveal yet another showcase of spy stuff, gadgets, vehicles, characters, technology and explosions, all wrapped into approximately two hours of great fun.

Mission Impossible Rogue Nation heads to theaters on July 31st. It will feature Tom Cruise playing the lead role, the Ethan Hunt man of danger, spearheading the Impossible Mission Force (IMF) which was disbanded and neglected by vengeful Washington bureaucrats such as the CIA chief.

The plot revolves around Hunt and his team of spies (Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames and newcomer Rebecca Ferguson) taking on the secretive and shadowy organization called the Syndicate, lead by the yet even more shadowy type of a main character – played by Sean Harris (we don’t know his character’s name for now). The trailer is actually a teaser for a trailer that will be released later today.

The release date for Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation has been pushed forward by a few months. The movie was supposed to be released on December 25th but that would battle the new installment of Star Wars saga, creating a rather difficult situation for both movies it seems. The July 31st timeline is fine by us though! It gives this summer yet another blockbuster to look forward to. Check out the trailer below.

UPDATE – Full trailer has been released, check it out down below. Enjoy it!

The post Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation Trailer Is All Kinds Of Awesome appeared first on VR World.

PlayStation Vue, Sony’s (NYSE: SNE) web-based service that brings live TV broadcasts to PlayStation consoles, is now available today in New York City, Philadelphia and Chicago.

PS Vue “aims to take the burden out of watching television”, and essentially unifies all the functionality of a cable set-top box with a customized Netflix-like subscription model.

Subscribers can schedule, record and save their favorite TV shows thanks to Vue’s DVR, and since the content goes directly to Sony’s cloud network, you won’t have to worry about all that HD video eating up your precious hard drive space.

The service also has a considerable on-demand presence that taps into Sony’s established PlayStation Store content. “Vuers” get the further benefit of a “smart customization” feature that learns what you like and adapts to your preferences, tailoring to your specific tastes.

Subscription fees are on a month-by-month basis, and there are three different plans: $50 a month for Access, $60 a month for Core and $70 monthly for Elite.

Each successive tier delivers more channel options, and Core brings a dedicated sports package whereas the Elite plan includes everything in the previous tiers along with extra lifestyle, music and family channels

If you live in the trio of launch cities you can get a free 7-day trial to PlayStation Vue.

The service launches today with “over 75 channels” including major content providers like Fox, CBS, Comedy Central, Bravo, Nickelodeon and even AMC, which will be available next month. Below we have a handy list of what you can expect from the service:

• CBS – At launch, PlayStation®Vue will offer the live linear signal from CBS Television Network’s owned-and-operated TV stations in select leading markets in addition to on-demand prime-time programming.

• Discovery Communications – Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, Discovery Family Channel and 11 more brands.

• Fox – FX, FXX, FXM, National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD. Additionally FOX Sports’ national and regional programming services – FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, BTN, Fox’s regional sports networks, including YES Network and Prime Ticket. The agreement also covers Fox’s owned and operated television stations.

• NBCUniversal – All local offerings from NBC, Telemundo and regional sports networks as well as Bravo, CNBC, E!, NBCSN, Oxygen, Sprout, Syfy, USA Network and more.

• Scripps Networks Interactive – HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network and Cooking Channel.

• Viacom – BET, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, PALLADIA, Spike, VH1 and more.

Sony’s bold gambit to circumvent cable and satellite providers might pave the way for other console-makers to follow suit. With PlayStation Vue, Sony’s home consoles become decidedly all-in-one style systems that embrace a new frontier of TV-over-internet streaming on a games console.

It’ll be interesting to see how the market responds to the service, and what kinks and follies arise on the way. First and foremost is Sony’s problem with securing customer’s credit card info with it’s shaky online framework, whose security has been make a mockery of time and time again.

It might be possible to use prepaid PS Store cards to pay for the recurring monthly fee, but odds are that you’ll need to use a credit card, and that means entrusting Sony with a responsibility it’s proven it’s not so ready to handle.

Be sure to drop by the official PS Vue website for more info.

The post Sony’s PlayStation Vue Live TV Service Launches In Select Cities appeared first on VR World.

It’s the end of the year once again, and it is during these times when companies release data and trends pertaining to the year that has gone by. In the music industry, with trends, artists and genres oft undergoing rapid peaks and declines, new and obscure tracks often pique the curiosity of listeners. And what better way to appease one’s musical curiosity than an app that accurately guesses information about a song after just a few seconds of listening?

Shazam is a wonderful piece of technology. When you hear a song on the radio, at a friend’s place or in public and don’t know the title or artist, you can simply fire up the app (on iOS, Android, Windows Phone and elsewhere), and it will tell you the details in a few seconds. The app actually has roots in a decade-and-a-half old technology, back when mobile phones only did voice and text. Back then, you had to call the service, point your phone’s mic, and then wait for the results.

Now, Shazam is much simpler, as the app works over data connections (no need to dial in). What’s so special about the app is that it recognizes audio signatures, so you don’t have to have it listen to a significant length of music in order to recognize.

The company regularly publishes its top lists near the year end, which includes the top songs and artists, or so-called most-“Shazamed” list. These are songs that are likely to have popular airplay, but users struggle to determine the singer or title. These can either be very new or very obscure. Or at the very least, the title is at the tip of your tongue, but you can’t bring yourself to mention who the artist or what the song name is.

In 2014, the top Shazamed song was Clean Bandit’s (feat. Jess Glynne) “Rather Be”, with John Legend’s “All of Me” as runner up. As for the top Shazemed artists, the list is led by Avicii, followed by David Guetta, Ed Sheeran and Katy Perry, among others. The lists are populated mostly by new songs and pop artists, so this might have a reflection on the preferences of people who use Shazam or their demographics.

Shazam does publish weekly charts, which include global lists and country-specific ones. It’s interesting to learn the differences in musical tastes and genres according to country. For the year’s top tracks and artists, here’s the complete list:

Top 2014 Shazamed songs

1. “Rather Be” by Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne
2. “All of Me” by John Legend
3. “Prayer in C” by Lilly Wood & The Prick and Robin Schulze
4. “Waves” by Mr. Probz
5. “Am I Wrong” by Nico & Vinz
6. “Rude” by Magic!
7. “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry feat. Juicy J
8. “Happy” by Pharrell Williams
9. “Stolen Dance” by Milky Chance
10. “Hideaway” by Kiesza

Top 2014 Shazamed artists

1. Avicii
2. David Guetta
3. Ed Sheeran
4. Katy Perry
5. Jason Derulo
6. Clean Bandit
7. OneRepublic
8. John Legend
9. Calvin Harris
10. Pharrell Williams

The company has also made predictions as to which artists will make big hits in 2015. The list mostly includes up-and-coming artists and producers that have become popular among Shazam users in the past months.

The post ‘Rather Be’ And Other Top 2014 Songs According to Shazam appeared first on VR World.

There’s been an awakening. Have you felt it?

The new Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer is live, and it’s spectacular.

The 88-second teaser was originally planned to be exclusively showcased in 30 theaters across the United States, but to the delight of amateur Jedis and ewok-lovers everywhere, the footage went viral.

Now you can catch the first look at J.J. Abrams’ continuation of the immortal sci-fi franchise, and bask in all of its mysterious, teasing glory.

We get to see everything from dark Stormtroopers, X-wing fighters skimming a lake, Swoop-riding across the deserts of (Tattooine?) and one very dark Sith lord with a claymore-like lightsabre. Then the Millennium Falcon pierces the heavens, soaring daringly over the dunes as the titular theme song plays echoes through your soul.

It’ll give you goosebumps in only the way Star Wars can.

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens is slated to release across theaters on Dec. 18, 2015.

Here is the official description from the iTunes teaser page, along with the cast listings.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens, opens in theaters December 18, 2015. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan & Abrams.

The film features a cast including actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o, Gwendoline Christie, Crystal Clarke, Pip Andersen, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow.

They will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker. The film is being produced by Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk, and John Williams returns as the composer. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is Episode VII in the Star Wars Saga.”

Director

J.J. Abrams

Writers

Lawrence Kasdan, J.J. Abrams

Actors

John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong’o, Gwendoline Christie, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker

Genre

Science Fiction, Action and Adventure

The post The New Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer Is Live appeared first on VR World.

After a slew of rumors, the new Ghostbusters film has finally been officially confirmed and it will apparently have an all-woman cast.

Freaks and Geeks creator Paul Feig confirmed in a Tweet that he’s writing the new Ghostbusters movie and that it’ll star “hilarious women”. Feig, who directed such acclaimed comedies as Heat and Bridesmaids, is co-writing the reboot with Katie Dippold of Parks of Recreation penmanship.

It’s official. I’m making a new Ghostbusters & writing it with @katiedippold & yes, it will star hilarious women. That’s who I’m gonna call.

— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) October 8, 2014

A new Ghostbusters film has been talked about for quite some time, but ultimately fell into Feig’s hands when the original plan of bringing the classic cast–Dan Aykryod, Harold Ramis, Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson–was dissolved shortly after Ramis’ death.

Shortly after Ramis’ passed, Ivan Reitman, the film’s original director, detached himself from the project.

Feig swooped in to save the day–but his vision called for an all-female cast set in a new, separate universe. And with Feig and Dippold on the case–along with the ensemble cast of funny women–the project is looking good so far.

While the cast hasn’t been confirmed, it’s fair to say that Melissa McCarthy will most likely be involved. McCarthy saw her breakout role in Feig’s Bridesmaids, and then buffered her comedic flair alongside Sandra Bullock in Heat.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Ghosbusters reboot takes shape over the coming months, and who lands spots as the four-women cast. Some pin Archer star Aisha Tyler as a great choice, along with 30 Rock‘s Tina Fey, but for now these picks remain speculative.

The post Ghostbusters Reboot Confirmed, Will Star 'Hilarious Women' appeared first on VR World.

Sci-Fi fans are quite aware that what is usually the realm of science fiction can eventually become science-fact. For instance, while ultra-portable video-communicators were just a novelty item on series like Star Trek in the early 1970s, video-enabled IP-based communications is now readily available to anyone who has a smartphone. It’s the same with other technologies predicted by Sci-Fi writers, which tend to become a reality once the right technology and resources are available.

One such example is OTOY’s holographic capture and display system, which is set to be out in the market within the coming year. The cloud graphics firm has announced the availability of its holographic video pipeline platform, which includes a full 360-degree holographic capture system. The platform enables content creators to capture real-world objects in full 3D, and then store or capture the content for later consumption. Content can then be adopted for use on virtual-reality headsets like the Oculus Rift. OTOY is also developing a free-standing light field display that can output the holographic content, akin to the Holodeck concept found in Sci-Fi series Star Trek: The Next Generation, as well as other fictional settings that employ holographic sequences for purposes like communications and training.

“OTOY’s breakthroughs in compression and rendering have dramatically reduced the barriers to holographic video, making it a viable media format that gives content creators everywhere a simple, cost-effective way to bring high quality, interactive 3D content to multiple platforms for the world to enjoy,” said Jules Orbach, Founder and CEO, OTOY, in a statement.

The new technology is expected to have an impact in various industries, including film, gaming, military training and other entertainment media. OTOY’s free-standing holographic equipment is set to be launched in 2015, although the company’s holographic video pipeline is already available to the industry in several components. These include the LightStage set for capture of people, objects and environments, and OctaneRender for image rendering. The platform supports the ORBX format, which delivers up to 4K and 8K video resolution, which provide 16 times the resolution of 1080P high-definition displays. The format also supports up to 32K, HDR, as well as holographic video.

OTOY’s technologies have actually received industry acclaim, particularly from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which means that there is potential for both industry and consumer markets to gain access to quality holodeck-like technologies once OTOY releases its stand-alone devices.

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