Paramount+ orders new Star Trek series set at Starfleet Academy

Paramount+ is ordering a new Star Trek series set in one of the franchise’s most iconic locations. Star Trek: Starfleet Academy will follow a new class of recruits at the San Francisco training facility as they grapple with friends, rivalries, first loves and “a new enemy that threatens both the Academy and the Federation itself.” Production is scheduled to begin in 2024.

With Picard and Discovery winding down, the network is apparently looking to a teen / young adult coming-of-age story to invite a new generation of viewers to the franchise. The series “will introduce us to a young group of cadets who come together to pursue a common dream of hope and optimism. Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they will discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers.”

CBS studios will produce the upcoming series with Secret Hideout and Roddenberry Entertainment. No casting decisions have been announced. Deadline first reported on the series’ development last month before Paramount’s official announcement today.

Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau, who will serve as showrunners and executive producers, released an announcement in the voice of a Starfleet recruitment bulletin. “For the first time in over a century, our campus will be re-opened to admit individuals a minimum of 16 Earth years (or species equivalent) who dream of exceeding their physical, mental and spiritual limits, who value friendship, camaraderie, honor and devotion to a cause greater than themselves,” the announcement reads. “The coursework will be rigorous, the instructors among the brightest lights in their respective fields, and those accepted will live and study side-by-side with the most diverse population of students ever admitted.”

Although the series shares its name with a late 1990s PC simulation game, its creators haven’t specified whether the two are related. We don’t even know in which era it will take place, among Star Trek’s centuries-spanning lore. The Starfleet Academy has been mentioned or featured in numerous Trek properties, including the original 1960s series, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine (among many others).

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/paramount-orders-new-star-trek-series-set-at-starfleet-academy-183059826.html?src=rss

Another Major DC Cameo in The Flash Has Been Revealed

When The Flash finally hits theaters in June, it’s bringing a whole lot of the DC universe with it. In the first trailer alone, it was confirmed that both Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck’s Batmen would be in it, as well as Sasha Calle’s Supergirl ands the return of Michael Shannon’s Zod. But do the cameos end there?…

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2024 Hyundai Sonata Makes Official Debut, With Sharp New Styling

Hyundai revealed its 2024 Sonata lineup, with a very different look. In addition to the standard midsize car, we’ve also got info on the hybrid and N-Line.

New FBI Docs: Las Vegas Mass Shooter Was Angry At Casinos

A gambler whose name is redacted from documents told the FBI that Stephen Paddock “was very upset at the way casinos were treating him and other high rollers.”

10 Google Chromecast Features That Will Change How You Use Your Streaming Device

Google Chromecast is the modern-day version of what a TV remote should be — and you can optimize it to make your life much easier.

Funko CEO Explains Future Mondo Strategy, and It’s Pretty Bad

Days after several core members behind the success of Mondo were fired by Funko, Funko’s CEO released a statement explaining what comes next. And it’s not great.

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Audible is now testing ads in your audiobooks for some reason

Amazon-owned Audible has started putting ads in audiobooks, potentially indicating a sea change within the industry. The company says it is “conducting limited testing” on a select user base with the advertisements and that this step is currently reserved for non-paying members, giving them “ad-supported access to a limited set” of titles. For now at least, paying subscribers seem immune to the change.

The ads pop up while listening to traditional audiobooks, podcasts and Audible original content. The company says the providers were informed of the change and given the chance to opt out of ads. Audible notes that a maximum of eight ads will play within a 24-hour period, regardless of what you are listening to. That isn’t so bad, but does set a troubling precedent for many ad-averse consumers.

As to why this test was taking place at all, the company’s help page offers nothing but empty buzzwords. “Audible is dedicated to continuously optimizing how we deliver audio programming to listeners everywhere,” it states. “From time to time, Audible tests new products and services to gain knowledge about the evolving needs of our customers and partners.” Thanks for clarifying!

Does this mean an ad-supported subscription tier is forthcoming? Engadget has reached out to Audible for some clarification on this move but has yet to hear back. We will update this post when we do.

Customers have long grown-accustomed to paying for audiobooks in exchange for a pure ad-free experience, but maybe that is slowly changing. A couple of years back, Spotify purchased audiobook distributor Findaway for $119 million and, a year later, former Chief Content Officer Dawn Ostroff suggested that the company was “looking at bringing ad monetization into audiobooks.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audible-is-now-testing-ads-in-your-audiobooks-for-some-reason-185337088.html?src=rss

For Video Creators: Sony Unveils ZV-E1 Full-frame Camera With Interchangeable Lenses

Sony Electronics has unveiled a new full-frame, interchangeable lens camera for video creators. The ZV-E1 is part of Sony’s ZV vlog camera line-up, offering advanced technologies that allow users to capture cinematic imagery with rich colors, low noise, and high precision. The camera features a 35mm full-frame back-illuminated CMOS Exmor R sensor with approximately 12.1 effective megapixels, with the promise to deliver high sensitivity, low noise, and a beautiful bokeh effect.

The BIONZ XR image processing engine provides the camera with up to 8x more processing power than previous Sony processors. This boosts the camera’s high-sensitivity performance, gradation rendering, color reproduction, low-noise performance, and more. The ZV-E1 can record high-quality 4K video without the need for pixel binning, at 10-bit 4:2:2, and with high speed to minimize rolling shutter. As for the standard ISO range, it extends from 80 to 102400 (for both stills and movies).

Available in black and white colors, this new camera is considered a “premium content creation tool” for video creators who want to elevate their content. It offers the possibility to create standout content with Cinematic Vlog Settings allowing users to capture scenes with the cinematic look of feature movies. By choosing an appropriate look, mood, and AF transition speed, pretty much anyone can create cinematic footage that ideally matches the scene and creative intent.

It also features S-Cinetone, a unique Sony feature that can create a cinematic look straight out of the camera without post-processing (which is based on Sony’s Cinema Line technology). The feature can deliver natural mid-tones that are essential to healthy-looking skin color, focusing on the well-desired cinematic quality. To make the user experience even more interesting, a selection of new creative looks makes it easy to create great appearances for both stills and video right in the camera itself.

Sony’s new vlogging camera brings to the table a dedicated, powerful AI processing unit that leverages Sony’s technologies to overcome the challenges of self-taken footage faced by “crew of one” creators. By using AI human recognition, the camera can perform functions such as multiple face recognition, auto framing, framing stabilizer, and even auto microphone directivity. Another interesting extra is the real-time recognition AF, which incorporates an innovative AI processing unit that uses subject form data to accurately recognize movement. The AI processing unit can differentiate between multiple subjects having different postures and recognition of individual faces so that tracking reliability is achieved in challenging situations such as when a subject’s face is tilted, in shadow, or backlit.

Availability & Price

The ZV-E1 will hit the market in May 2023, and customers can purchase it from various Sony authorized dealers. The expected retail price of the camera is $2,199.99. Additionally, a kit version (in white or black) of the camera that comes with a compact full-frame 28-60 mm F4.5-5.6 zoom lens is also available for an estimated retail price of $2,499.99.

For Video Creators: Sony Unveils ZV-E1 Full-frame Camera With Interchangeable Lenses

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

Facebook Users in the EU Will No Longer Have to Suffer From Targeted In-App Ads

Meta Platform Inc’s European users will no longer have to suffer from certain targeted advertising on Facebook and Instagram, a change that’s expected to take effect on Wednesday. The company’s user base currently encounters advertisements based on their online behavior, things like the types of videos they watch and…

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The Obsidian: A Stunning Alexa-Enabled Smart Speaker With A Unique Design

Pantheone Audio, an Australian design firm, has just released its second speaker, named The Obsidian (via Yanko Design). We are talking about a high-end speaker that combines exquisite design and exceptional sound quality. Inspired by the glass-like rock that shares its name, the Obsidian’s design features a shard-shaped exterior with chiseled edges that make it stand out from other smart speakers on the market. It boasts a high-density resin cabinet that houses a powerful internal woofer and two silk dome tweeters, that promise to deliver a refined audio experience.

Available in black and white colors, the Obsidian is not only an attractive addition to any home or office, but it also features Amazon’s Alexa built-in, allowing for voice commands to control music playback and smart home appliances. With a front-firing speaker array and a built-in battery that provides up to 15 hours of playtime, it can be considered a versatile speaker to be placed anywhere in the room not to mention that it is also compatible with all leading streaming services and supports popular file formats, including lossless audio formats.

The company behind its development describes the Obsidian as “an art piece that enhances the aesthetic appeal of any space”. The speaker’s unique shape and style make it an object of curiosity that calls out to be touched and heard. Both black and white variants feature a hand-made polished resin outer shell and the front has an ABS plastic grill covered in high-quality acoustic fabric, and four backlit buttons at the bottom for manual navigation of the speaker’s functions, such as controlling volume and switching between WiFi, Bluetooth, or Aux modes.

Priced at $1,399, the Obsidian can be considered a premium speaker, offering exceptional sound quality and a striking design. The companion app enables users to control the system through their phones (or tablets) and access many extra features like, for example, sleep mode or multi-room mode (pairing multiple Obsidian speakers together).

The Obsidian is indeed an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-end speaker that is both beautiful and functional. Which color is your favorite?

The Obsidian: A Stunning Alexa-Enabled Smart Speaker With A Unique Design

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.