- Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET
It’s not Monday and we’re finally back to our original recording schedule of the Engadget HD podcast. You can tune in live at on this Wednesday edition at 5:30PM and be be a part of it. Start by reviewing the list of topics after the break, then participate in the live chat.
Japan plans to broadcast 2014 World Cup in 4K
ITU approves the H.265 video format
LG has found 300 homes for its $20K, 84-inch, 4K TV in Korea so far
Apple TV software update brings Bluetooth keyboard support, music from iTunes in the Cloud
HDHomeRun Prime beta update for DLNA streaming is live
‘User friendly’ XBMC for Android build rolls out for set-top boxes and mobile devices
Ceton Companion becomes My Media Center and is available for Windows 8
Sony Entertainment Network web store now live in North America and Brazil
Netflix and YouTube’s DIAL promises to be open alternative to AirPlay
Netflix streaming most dominant on HDTVs, more than double PC and tablets
Netflix Q4 earnings show 2 million new customers streaming in the US, 6 million total internationally
Samsung reports $8.27 billion in profits for Q4 2012
AT&T lost $3.9 billion in Q4 2012, earned $7.3 billion profit for the year
Verizon adds ‘record-high’ 2.1 million subscribers in Q4 2012, but still makes a loss
Logitech Q3 earnings reveal plans to sell off Harmony remote, video security divisions
Jurassic Park 3D Blu-ray comes home April 23rd after its one-week theatrical return
Must See HDTV (January 14th – 20th)Filed under: HD
- PBS stacks humans against all other life on Earth, discovers we’re doing okay
At just over 7 billion in number, human beings are kind of a big deal. Despite our greatness in numbers, however, there are quite a few other species sharing our little blue dot. Sadly, the one greatest in number isn’t something you see every day or … well, ever, for that matter. And say what you will about obesity in our society, but PBS’ “Life By the Numbers” Digital Short (part of its new “It’s Okay to be Smart” series) argues that human biomass (287 million tons) is nowhere near that of even a single species of krill (500 million tons). Take that, Richard Simmons!
See the full video, just below; if it does end up guilting you into weight loss with all that biomass talk, might we direct you towards the Hapifork?
- Lucasfilm postpones Star Wars Episode II and III 3D, focusing on Abrams-directed Episode VII
While Lucasfilm originally planned to bring Star Wars Episode II and III back to theaters in 3D this fall, it’s just announced that will not happen. In a statement posted on the official site, it says “we will now focus 100 percent of our efforts on Star Wars: Episode VII.” Lucasfilm is now owned by Disney, which just announced last week that J.J. Abrams (director of Star Trek and creator of TV series including Lost and Fringe) would direct the seventh installment, which is scheduled to hit theaters in 2015. The original trilogy was also reportedly on deck for 3D rerelease, but there’s no word yet whether we’ll see those again before Episode VII, just a promise to post “further information” at a later date.
Show full PR textJ.J. Abrams to Direct Star Wars: Episode VII
J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay.
“It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie,” said Kennedy. “J.J. is the perfect director to helm this. Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise. He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture.”
George Lucas went on to say “I’ve consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller. He’s an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn’t be in better hands.”
“To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor,” J.J. Abrams said. “I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid.”
J.J., his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, and Bad Robot are on board to produce along with Kathleen Kennedy under the Disney | Lucasfilm banner.
Also consulting on the project are Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg. Kasdan has a long history with Lucasfilm, as screenwriter on The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi. Kinberg was writer on Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
Abrams and his production company Bad Robot have a proven track record of blockbuster movies that feature complex action, heartfelt drama, iconic heroes and fantastic production values with such credits as Star Trek, Super 8, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, and this year’s Star Trek Into Darkness. Abrams has worked with Lucasfilm’s preeminent postproduction facilities, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, on all of the feature films he has directed, beginning with Mission: Impossible III. He also created or co-created such acclaimed television series as Felicity, Alias, Lost and Fringe.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Source: Star Wars
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