Microsoft, Intel, Samsung team up for smart home alliance

One of the biggest hurdles for a truly smart home is that your appliances and devices don't really talk to each other, so to speak. There are competing protocols and proprietary ecosystems by different companies, which make it hard for the devices to communicate, if they aren't from the same brand. But some big tech brands are banding together to hopefully solve this issue. The Open Connectivity Foundation includes members like Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, Qualcomm, Cisco, and GE Digital, to name a few. They want to create open-source protocols that can be implemented by any manufacturer, regardless of chipset or operating system. So, in an ideal world your different appliances from different brands can talk to each other.

A big challenge for the alliance though is that key players in the industry like Apple, Google, WeMo, and Philips are not members. Apple is pushing its own HomeKit system, which, of course, only works for iOS devices. Google hasn't gotten Brillo off the ground yet but it has its own implementation, too. We can't really say if these companies will even be willing to consider to partner up with OCF, it would be quite helpful though if they do.

Source: Engadget

'Star Wars' launches Fan Film Awards 2016

Think you can make a better Star Wars film than JJ Abrams? Lucasfilm wants you to prove you have what it takes to recreate and reimagine that galaxy far, far away with the annual Fan Film Awards. Check out the Star Wars Fan Film Awards page to download the sound asset pack of official sounds from the franchise, do's and don'ts of the competition, and other things you need to get started. You can also check out the official rules here.

Submissions will be accepted until April 24, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can win a "Fett-worthy bounty" that includes the award and a Star Wars Price Pack. The Star Wars Fan Film Awards welcome films of varying genres, styles, and tones; award categories include Filmmaker Select, Best Animation, Best Non-Fiction, Spirit of Fandom, Best Comedy, Best Visual Effects, and Audience Choice, and winners will be announced in a special ceremony at Star Wars Celebration 2016. Those ages 13 and up from the US, District of Columbia, and Canada (except for Quebec) and residents 18 years of age and up from the UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico are eligible to join.

Source: Star Wars.com

Facebook Messenger app can now handle multiple accounts

Addressing the needs of some users who share devices, Facebook is now allowing multiple accounts on its Messenger app. The feature is initially available for Android users. If you worry about privacy, the new feature doesn’t allow users to get into each other’s accounts. It can be set with all accounts locked down and needing a password. Or if you have kids that you want to supervise, you can opt to not lock those but keep yours locked so your kids won’t see your messages. The only thing you’ll be able to see is notification count when a message comes in.

Source: Tech Crunch

Tesla finally owns Tesla.com domain

The domain Tesla.com has been owned by a Nikola Tesla fan and engineer named Stu Grossman. He’s held the rights to it since 1992. But it seems Tesla Motors has finally gotten their hands on it. If you visit Tesla.com, you’ll be redirected to Teslamotors.com. And this certainly comes at a time when Tesla CEO Elon Musk wanted to change its name to reflect the change in business scope of the company, like the Tesla Energy wing of the company. It’s not known how the change came about or if Grossman got a big payout for it.

Source: The Verge