Google Assistant adds new features, including Pretty Please functionality

Google is hoping to help remind your children to remember their “please” and “thank you” with the latest update to Assistant. The Pretty Please feature, which was first announced at Google I/O, is now live as an optional functionality on your Google Assistant. If you say these two magic phrases (“please” or “thank you”) to Assistant, Google says it’ll respond with “delightful responses.” For example, say something like “Hey Google, please set a timer for 5 minutes.” It’ll reply “Thanks for asking so nicely. Alright, 5 minutes. Starting now.” It’ll be enabled for all voice matched users (those who have their voices registered with the app) and it’ll work with both the smart displays and speakers.

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Debut trailer for ‘The Lion King’ breaks streaming records

Looks like lots of people felt the love, or nostalgia at the very least. The debut trailer for the upcoming The Lion King remake broke streaming records with the video garnering 224.6 million views across multiple platforms in the first 24 hours of its release. It could’ve been the most viewed Disney movie in general but that honour goes to Avengers: Infinity War with one of its promotional videos garnering 238 million within an identical time period.  

The Lion King is set to come out on July 19, 2019. It’s directed by Jon Favreau and stars the likes of Donald Glover, Beyonce, James Earl Jones, Seth Rogen, and Billy Eichner. We’re linking the trailer again above in case you haven’t seen it yet (or just want to watch it again like us).  

Source: Alt Press 

Diego Luna reprises role in ‘Star Wars’ spin-off series

Loki isn’t the only one getting his own series on Disney’s upcoming Disney+ streaming service. The company has confirmed it’ll be developing a prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story with Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor taking the lead. The prequel is being described as a “rousing spy thriller” set in the early years of the Rebellion. There is no release date yet for the series but production will start next year. Disney+ is expected to launch later next year as well. 

Source: Polygon 

Disney confirms Loki-centric limited series for its streaming service

Marvel

Sometime ago it was rumoured that a limited run series that revolved around characters like Loki and Scarlet Witch were being developed by Disney for its upcoming streaming service, Disney+. Now, the company has confirmed that the Loki series is happening. Tom Hiddleston will be reprising his role as the trickster god but it isn’t clear where this story will fit in the Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline. There isn’t a word yet either about release dates or the number of episodes the show will have.

Source: Polygon