Verizon Launches FiOS For Xbox One

BY

For those of you who subscribe to Verizon’s FiOS service, but want a new means for watching live channels, it just provided another way to do so.

Verizon has announced that a new FiOS TV app is available for use on Xbox One. It gives subscribers access to up to 74 live channels to watch through Microsoft’s console, including HBO, NFL Network, MSNBC, Nickelodeon, G4, FX and Comedy Central. The full channel line-up is available here.

With the app, users can check out channels without the need for a cable box, and can also use gesture and voice controls to flip through their channels, using the Xbox One Kinect. It also utilizes the system’s Snap mode, enabling the ability to watch two channels at once via split-screen support.

The app is available to download free of charge, but, again, a subscription is required.

Source: Xbox Wire

Best Buy’s Shopper-Based Google Hangout

BY

If you’re a shopper who’s stuck with last-minute gift buying in time for the holidays, you’re not alone – and Best Buy certainly wants to help you out.

The retailer is currently tinkering with Google Plus-enabled ads that will assist customers via a shoppable Hangout.

Taking place this week, the Hangout will be hosted by Carolyn McCarthy and feature the likes of Austin Evans, Soldier Knows Best, Marques Brownlee and Machinima. During this time, a menu will be on the right side of the page, providing assistance with certain items, including laptops and video games.

Consumers can watch the Hangout on their PC, as well as on laptops or mobile devices. “Whichever way works best,” said a Best Buy rep.

No word yet if Best Buy will continue this service after the holidays, but it’d be a novel idea.

Source: Mashable

See Homes Recreated Birdhouse Style

BY

Airbnb created birdhouses based on 50 of their own locations, under the idea that birds are traveling all the time, but they (just like humans) like to find a home on the road. These birdhouses will be exhibited December 16 to December 22 in New Orleans’ Audubon Park.

Source: AdAge.com

{video link marked “private”}

Disney Introduces Free-To-Play Star Wars Game

BY

Disney has announced that it’s hard at work on an all new Star Wars game, one that will take advantage of the free-to-play gaming market while, at the same time, concentrating on an element that a lot of players have been waiting to see come back – space combat.

In Attack Squadrons, players can take on each other in online combat, in up to 16-player death matches and team-oriented dogfights. There’s also a base defense mode, where one team can work to try and overtake it, while the others attempt to defend.

Players can customize their ships however they please, and upgrade with additional parts available in the shop. There are also new ships and battles set to be introduced each month upon the game’s release, including classic ships from the films, like TIE Fighters and X-Wing fighters.

The game, currently in development at Area 52 games, should be introduced next year. Players that are interested in the game can sign up for a forthcoming beta here.

Source: Star Wars

 

Lego: The Hobbit Official Game Trailer

BY

Following a popular run in 2012 with Lego: Lord of the Rings, WB Games will return to the Shire for an all new adventure in 2014 with Lego: The Hobbit.

The game will feature events from the first two films in the trilogy, An Unexpected Journey and the recently released The Desolation of Smaug. It will feature “the most diverse questions of any Lego video game to date,” according to the press release.

The official game trailer is included below, and the game will arrive in 2014 for Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U, 3DS, PC, PS Vita, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4.

Source: PlayStation Lifestyle

 

Sphero’s Suggested Amazon Ground Delivery Service

BY

Not to be outdone by its recently introduced flying drone service, a robotics startup and iPhone-enabled toy maker, Sphero, has introduced a fun little concept of its own.

Sphero is responsible for small, iPhone controlled robots that can light up and play a number of app-enabled games using one or more units. In the video below, which was originally meant to be a joke, it does give an idea how ground-based delivers could work with robotics. Of course, what’s stopping someone from just kicking these little guys over and stealing their cargo is beyond us.

The Sphero is currently in a 2.0 version of its builds, and has Amazon tied in as its main retail partner. There’s no word if this could be an option in the future, but don’t be surprised if they give it some consideration.

Source: TechCrunch

This Week’s [a]list Jobs – December 18

BY

Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood… make big plans; aim high in hope and work. – Daniel Burnham

Here are this week’s [a]list jobs:

[a]list daily is your source for the hottest job openings for senior management and marketing in games, entertainment and social media.

To see last week’s jobs, click here.

Instagram Direct Detailed

BY

Last week, Instagram announced that it was hard at work on a new service called Instagram Direct, one that would allow users to send messages and images to small groups of their friends and families. At a recent news conference, the company’s CEO, Kevin Systrom, detailed the service a bit further, explaining the program’s rollout over the holiday season.

“As we enter into the holidays, it’s a perfect time to be able to share with a small group or someone you love,” said Systrom.

However, one thing the company didn’t mention was how the program would enable the sharing of data, which would benefit marketers in terms of personalized sales pitches to the fellow users.

For example, if someone talks about certain shoes, that would allow a company like Nike to prepare such a pitch to an interested party.

No word yet on the exact date of the Instagram Direct debut, but it shouldn’t be too far off.

Source: Computer World

Nanomedicine: Ninjas In Your Bloodstream

BY

Infections that are immune to antibiotics are a growing concern in the U.S. and elsewhere, but the engineers at IBM are taking the problem siting down. As illustrated in this cutesy animated ad “Adventures in Nanomedicine”, the company is developing what it calls “ninja polymers” to fight threats like MRSA.