Former US President Barack Obama is in talks with Netflix to produce content for the service

Joe Pugliese / Netflix

Netflix has had success with getting tons of big names to work for its streaming service. In recent memory we have the likes of Shonda Rhimes, David Letterman, Ryan Murphy, and Mark Millar, to name a few. This time, it looks like they want to add an even bigger personality. According to The New York Times, former US President Barack Obama is in “advanced negotiations” with the streaming service for a “series of high-profile shows.” The details are supposedly being worked out but some of the proposed shows include one where Obama will highlight inspirational people and stories and another has him moderating conversations on various important issues such as health care, immigration, foreign policy, etc. Aside from Obama, the deal supposedly also includes the former first lady Michelle Obama producing content for the service as well. It’s been reported that Apple and Amazon have approached the Obamas about creating content for their services as well.

Netflix to experiment with vertical video teasers for mobile

Netflix is hoping to hook more mobile users to consume media on its platform. The streaming service announced it will be trying to use short Snapchat-like vertical videos on mobile to show users teasers of the shows and movies on its platform. The hope is this will make it easier for users to decide which programs to watch. While within the 30-second video, you can swipe right or left to see other trailers, press play to watch the show or movie, or add the title to your Netflix list. Of course, the show or movie itself will play in standard horizontal format as that is better for extended viewing. Like everything else on the service, the recommendations will be personalized to you. Video previews on Netflix are available on TVs and PCs but now Netflix wants to turn the attention to its mobile and tablet users. The feature is coming first to iOS and will be landing on Android “in the coming months.”

Source: Quartz

Women in Gaming Panel kicks off on Mixer today

There's a Women in Gaming panel today on mixer.com/xbox today at 6:30pm EST.

The panel features a few amazing women in the games industry, including: Nicole Fawcette (Xbox Women in Gaming), Maja Moldenhauer (Studio MDHR), Sam Maggs (Bioware) and Lesley Phord-Toy (Ubisoft) – moderated by Jennie Faber (Dames Making Games).

If you can’t make the livestream, don’t worry, the stream will live on the Mixer channel for two weeks. Also, feel free to join the conversation on social using the #WomeninGamingCA.

Review: Samsung Galaxy S9

Text and photos by Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is a continuation of the path the South Korean company started last year with the Galaxy S8. Both devices are very similar and nearly identical in look and feel.

What's different this year, aside from the requisite change in colours, are various fine-tuned elements and refinements that add up to a more cohesive handset that's also more refined.

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