Netflix brings HDR support for 'Marco Polo'

Netflix is pushing TV technology to the max for its original shows. The streaming service giant is quietly updating its original series with high dynamic range streaming support starting with the first season of Marco Polo. This promises better contrast ratio and color accuracy. They plan to bring it soon to Daredevil, too. To access HDR content, you'll need to be subscribed to Netflix's most expensive tier, the $11.99 per month Ultra HD option, and an HDR-equipped TV.

Source: The Verge 

Apple's WWDC to kick off on June 13th

Apple will be holding its 27th annual Worldwide Developers Conference on from June 13 to June 17 in San Francisco. At this year's WWDC, the tech giant will tackle the next big thing for its four major software platforms: iOS, OS X, watchOS, and tvOS. The kickoff event, including the keynote address, will happen at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, while the rest of the conference sessions will happen at Moscone West.

Those interested in securing tickets can apply via the WWDC site from today until Friday, April 22nd 10:00 a.m. PDT. The tickets will be given away through random selection and you'll be notified of your application status by Monday April 25th 5:00 p.m. PDT. This year as well, Apple is giving away 350 WWDC Scholarships for students and STEM organization members who want to meet an collaborate with developers at WWDC. Up to 125 of these scholar recipients will be issued travel assistance in case financial limitations keep them from participating. You can find out more about that here.

Web-based Skype calling now available on Microsoft Edge browser

Users of the Microsoft Edge browser on Windows 10 can now use a wev-based version of Skype calling. Starting today, you can preview the Skype free voice, video and group video calling in the browser.

“We want to make it easy for anyone to connect on Skype,” The Skype team writes in a new post to the Garage & Updates blog. “We know people don’t want to worry about what device the person they want to speak to has close by – they just want Skype to work.”

Starting today, you can use Microsoft Edge to visit Skype for Web,Outlook.com, Office Online and OneDrive and engage in Skype free voice, video and group video calls without first installing a plug-in/extension.

“Skype calls on the web are hassle free,” Microsoft explains, “for the hundreds of millions of you that use Outlook.com every day, to those that visit Skype.com wanting to make a call or anyone preparing a presentation on PowerPoint online; plugin free calling enables quick-fire chat and collaboration, making it easier to get things done together, with anyone, anywhere. No matter where you are, Skype calling on the web is now just a tap away, right there, ready to go.”

For users of Chrome and Firefox, you will still need a plug-in to perform some Skype calls from the browser.

Source: Thurrot.com

YouTube going hyper immersive with 360-degree live streaming and spatial audio

After years of livestreaming Coachella for fans around the world who can’t attend the festival, this year we’re bringing you the festival like never before by live streaming select artist performances in 360-degrees this weekend

YouTube is offering viewers 360 degree live viewing on certain videos now complete with spatial audio.

"We first launched support for 360-degree videos back in March 2015. From musicians to athletes to brands, creators have done some incredible things with this technology. Now, they’ll be able to do even more to bring fans directly into their world, with 360-degree live streaming. And after years of livestreaming Coachella for fans around the world who can’t attend the festival, this year we’re bringing you the festival like never before by live streaming select artist performances in 360-degrees this weekend," YouTube explained in its blog.

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