Tesla's new update introduces Boombox mode for some models

The new Tesla Boombox mode works as its name suggests. It can turn your EV into a boombox that can pump audio outside. But it requires a pedestrian speaker system, which is available in later Model 3 production runs. It might not be as useful during the ongoing pandemic, but the option is there for Tesla vehicles that support it. 

This holiday update will also let you customize the horn sound for the newer cars. It also adds bigger driving visualizations for Autopilot use, smarter Scheduled Departure that preconditions the cabin and battery without plugging in, and an at-a-glance view of open stalls at Superchargers.

Source: Engadget

Google Camera drops ultra-wide lens support for astrophotography on the Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G

The Google Camera 8.1 update is limiting the use of its astrophotography feature. For devices like the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G, these will lose the ultra-wide astrophotography support, which uses the ultra-wide lens. If you still want to use that sensor, it works with regular Night Sight photos (Night mode for other devices). Your Pixel will prompt you to "Zoom to 1x for astrophotography" before you can enter that mode.

Astrophotography works to help you take photos of the night sky when it's incredibly dark. You'll need to prop up your Pixel to get it to work. It isn't clear why Google introduced this change in November, but it might have something to do with overall image quality. 

Source: 9to5Google

Warner Bros. fast-tracks 'Wonder Woman 3,' Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot back on board

Source: Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. is happy enough with the response to Wonder Woman 1984 that it is fast-tracking the third and final Wonder Woman film. Gal Gadot will reprise her role as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, and Patty Jenkins will write and direct the movie again. 

“As fans around the world continue to embrace Diana Prince, driving the strong opening weekend performance of Wonder Woman 1984, we are excited to be able [to] continue her story with our real-life Wonder Women—Gal and Patty—who will return to conclude the long-planned theatrical trilogy,” Warner Bros. Chairman Toby Emmerich said in a statement.

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Sony Pictures CEO claims WarnerMedia's HBO Max move bolstered its movie business

Source: Sony Pictures

Directors like Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve have decried WarnerMedia's decision to release all its 2021 movies on HBO Max. But a rival studio is reaping its benefits. Sony Pictures head Tony Vinciquerra told CNBC in an interview that its studio is enjoying "a bit of a boom" from Hollywood creators looking for a company that is still devoted to movie theatres. While he didn't name talents, he said Sony's role as a theatrical distributor had "worked very well."

Unlike WarnerMedia or Disney, Sony doesn't have a streaming service to support, so it can either sell films to third-party series or offer titles for rent earlier than expected. But while it doesn't have much of a choice when it comes to where it can release its films, Vinciquerra argues for greater flexibility in how long a movie stays in theatres, depending on whether the film does well or does not.

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