VLC for Android can now play videos from local network

VLC for Android adds a rather useful feature into its app. It now lets you watch the movies and shows you store on your local network. The latest version of the app also brings a pop-up video window to let tablets owner watch while they do other things. The Android TV version merges with the mobile app and gets a new look to accompany that. And it now allows you to create video playlists and lessened the amount of permissions you have to go through for it to work with your device.

Source: Engadget

Facebook inks deals with media companies and celebrities for Live

Facebook is taking its livestreaming initiative very seriously and have signed deals with media companies and celebrities for Live. Some of the companies they’ve signed include the likes of BuzzFeed, CNN, the New York Times, Vox Media, Tastemade, and Huffington Post. The highest value deals are with BuzzFeed at US$3.05 million, $3.03 million for the New York Times, and CNN at $2.5 million. On the celebrity side, there’s comedian Kevin Hart, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, and wellness guru Deepak Chopra. Meanwhile, the value of individual contracts varies widely, with about 17 worth over $1 million.

Source: WSJ

YouTube FanFest comes to Toronto on August 13th

The crowd gathering in Yonge-Dundas Square for YouTube FanFest

It’s that time of the year again. YouTube will be bringing in some of its biggest Canadian and international stars at this year’s YouTube FanFest. It’ll be held on August 13^th at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre. Some of the big names to appear at the event include Toronto’s own Lilly Singh (a.k.a. ||Superwoman||) alongside the likes of Mike Tompkins, Humble the Poet, and AsapSCIENCE. You can expect musical performances from the likes of Sam Tsui, Megan Nicole, Tiffany Alvord, KRNFX, and Max Schneider. Also hoping to get the crowd up on their feet is Marquese Scott (WHZGUD2) and Poppin John. Lauren Toyota, former MuchMusic VJ and host and now co-host at her YouTube channel Hot for Food, will be hosting the event alongside My Life as Eva’s Eva Gutowski.

A limited number of ticketholders will even get a chance to meet and greet their favorite starts the day before the show. If this is something you want, you have to make sure you grab your tickets when they go live. Ticket prices are at $30 for front section seats and $25 for middle and back section seats. They go on sale on Tuesday, June 21 at 10 a.m. at all Ticketmaster outlets.

UE speakers now feature Siri and Google Now voice integration

Ultimate Ears wants users to speak up and use their voice by introducing Siri and Google Now voice integration on UE BOOM 2 and UE MEGABOOM.

Music fans can simply say it to play it, allowing them to stay connected in the moment by providing faster, easier access to their music using Siri and Google Now voice directly from their Ultimate Ears speakers. The new push-to-talk feature brings even more convenience to UE’s award winning on-the-go Bluetooth speakers.

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