The CEO of Amazon Web Services (AWS) has asked companies around the world to further strengthen the status of the cloud.
Speaking at the keynote address for the company’s AWS re:Invent 2022 event in Las Vegas, Adam Selipsky highlighted how the use of the cloud can be useful for companies concerned about their economic situation.
“When it comes to the cloud, many of our customers know to trust it,” said Selipsky. “The cloud is more profitable, with many customers saving 30% or more – if you want to tighten your belt, the cloud is the place to be.”
Cloud targets
In a wide-ranging speech that spanned from the vastness of space to the depths of the ocean, and the world of imagination, Selispky outlined how AWS can be a vital partner for businesses at every stage of their cloud journey.
“Managing the scale and growth of data is both a huge challenge and an opportunity,” he noted. “You need a complete toolkit that takes into account the scale and diversity of your data. AWS is focused on building all these capabilities.”
Admitting that “working with data is hard,” Selipsky noted that the world will more than double the amount of data it generates from the dawn of the digital age.
Data is “the cornerstone of nearly every organization’s digital transformation,” said Selipsky, and the company’s wide range of databases, analytics and other tools are ideal for helping businesses of all sizes make the most of this mountain of data.
Elsewhere, Selipsky addressed sustainability issues, which he described as “our generation’s issue.”
In recent months, AWS has shown a significant focus on sustainability, with the company announcing on re:Invent that it intends to work towards 100% renewable energy by 2025 – a goal that Selipsky says is already 85% met. The company is also aiming to achieve “positive water” by 2030 as it aims to help fight climate change, which Selipsky notes is “an issue for all of us.”
“We are determined to be inventive and relentless as we work to make the cloud the cleanest and most energy efficient way to manage all infrastructure and operations,” said Selipsky.
Audio-Technica’s classic 60th anniversary celebration is in full swing as the Japanese brand introduces the world’s first wooden wireless headphones that also offer the world’s first hi-fi capability.
The company resurrected its iconic Sound Burger portable turntable as well as unveiling a high-end transparent deck set last week as part of its birthday celebrations, but these groundbreaking new ATH-WB2022 cans may be the most interesting of the three iterations.
The limited edition headphones have built-in balanced stereo, a feature beloved by audiophiles that until now has only been available in high-end wired cans, which would also need to be used in conjunction with similarly balanced headphones.
Balanced stereo means the cans have a completely separate signal path for each earcup, resulting in limited interference and no crosstalk.
The ATH-WB2022 achieves this with two built-in ESS DACs ES9038Q2M, one for the left channel and the other for the right.
The headphones also support Sony’s high-definition LDAC codec and AAC and SBC compatibility, while built-in multipoint support allows the ATH-WB2022 to connect to multiple devices via Bluetooth and seamlessly switch between them.
The striking wooden ear cups aren’t just for aesthetics, the solid Flamed Maple, Walnut and Mahogany materials used in the construction of the cabinets absorb acoustic vibrations and thus minimize distortion.
It’s no surprise that this feature set comes at a price, with the ATH-WB2022 set to retail for a hefty $2,700 / £2,599 (around AU$4,200) when they launch next year.
Analysis: The ATH-WB2022 is a great breakthrough in wireless headphones … at a high price
(Image credit: Audio-Technica)
Anyone who has listened to music on headphones with a balanced audio setup knows how the sensational extra clarity makes it difficult to go back to the usual set of cans afterwards.
A wireless headset capable of handling this feature has long been the holy grail for audiophiles looking to ditch wires, but the closest we’ve gotten so far is cans with a single higher quality DAC.
Make no mistake, Audio-Technica has pulled off a great feat here, but this sonic goodness comes at a considerable payoff – we may be looking at some of the best over-ear headphones available, but we’ll have to test them to make sure, naturally.
As you might expect, powering the dual DACs takes a lot of juice, and despite having separate batteries for each channel, the ATH-WB2022s are only able to offer nine hours of playback on a full charge – a huge drop from the over 60 hours they run Sennhesier Momentum 4 Wireless.
This is probably a compromise many audio purists will be happy to consider for sonic nirvana alongside the staggering price tag.
Taylor Sheridan’s neo-western drama series Yellowstone started slowly to become television dynamite. It broke cable television records with its season four finale garnering over 10 million viewers. Fans tuned in to watch the Dutton family’s latest move on those responsible for their assassination attempts. Yellowstone Season 5 is on its way, but hold on, partner. Falling behind in the drama at the Yellowstone-Dutton ranch? Here’s how to watch Yellowstone seasons 1-4 online and get hooked quickly.
In this blockbuster series, Kevin Costner plays the aging patriarch John Dutton, a man embroiled in violent struggles for control of Yellowstone. It’s a goldmine for billionaire developers and equally coveted by the neighboring Native American community.
John’s fiercely loyal children help him prevent such takeovers, including former Navy SEAL Kayce (Luke Grimes), attorney Jamie (Wes Bentley) and no-nonsense financier Beth (Kelly Reilly). Together, they do some irresponsible things to keep their beautiful, austere home safe.
As a result, they have made many enemies: the murderous Beck Brothers, the disarmingly charismatic farmer played by Josh Holloway, and more recently the fierce Market Equities CEO Caroline Warner (Jacki Weaver), who is poised to nuke Dutton’s after Beth sabotaged her company.
Whether you’re new to the Dalton saga or just catching up, read on as we explain how to watch Yellowstone online from anywhere – stream every season and episode of Kevin Costner’s hit drama wherever you are right now.
How to watch Yellowstone online: stream every episode of season 1-4 in the US
How to watch Yellowstone from outside your country
The best option for watching Yellowstone online is NBC’s Peacock streaming service – but unfortunately, it’s a US-only service. So keep in mind that Americans registered on the platform will not be able to access it abroad through geo-blocking.
A virtual private network – or VPN – is a way around this. It changes your IP address, allowing you to watch content from home when you are anywhere in the world.
How to watch Yellowstone online: stream seasons 1-4 in Canada
How to watch Yellowstone in Australia
How to watch Yellowstone online for FREE UK
How to watch Yellowstone online for free in the US and abroad
US viewers who are hesitant to go with a Peacock subscription have a few ways to stream Yellowstone seasons 1-4 for absolutely nothing.
The entire season 4 is currently available to stream on Paramount Network website. Simply sign in with your cable provider details or sign up for a 24-hour viewing pass. The latter option only requires you to enter your email address, password, and date of birth. Then just get ready to overeat.
Alternatively, an IPTV service FuboTV (opens in a new tab) has seasons 1-3 for on-demand streaming. And if you haven’t tried this live TV service yet, you can sign up 7-day free trial (opens in a new tab). That should be enough to catch up on the Yellowstone episode.
As detailed above, both Paramount Plus in the UK and Amazon Prime Video in Canada offer free trials and have every previous season of Yellowstone in their content libraries.
For those of you out of the country trying to access the regular platform or sign up for its free trial, buy VPN (opens in a new tab). It will change your IP address so you will appear in your country and let you stream your favorite shows from anywhere.
Yellowstone season 5 release date: Will Yellowstone return this year?
Oh yes! The two-hour season 5 premiere is set to land Sunday, November 13 in United States.
Consisting of 14 episodes, it is the show’s longest season to date. Expect even more drama as John Dutton becomes governor of Montana, and he and his family engage in a political – and no doubt physical – battle of wills with their enemies for Yellowstone.
Star Wars: The Acolyte has officially gone into production – and some big names have been added to its impressive cast.
Revealed in a press release, Lucasfilm has confirmed that filming has begun on the next major Star Wars television series. The Disney subsidiary also confirmed which actors will join lead star Amandla Stenberg (Bodies Bodies Bodies), who joined the project in December 2021.
Of the big names joining the cast of The Acolyte, Lee Jung-Jae (Squid Game Season 2), Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix Resurrections) and Dafne Keen (His Dark Materials) are the most notable. Jung-Jae was photographed alongside Stenberg listening to showrunner Leslye Headland in the first behind-the-scenes photo of the show’s production, which can be seen above (and in the tweet below):
Production has begun on ‘The Acolyte’, Lucasfilm’s upcoming Star Wars original series coming to @DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/g6apnGXSmrNovember 7, 2022
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Here’s a quick rundown of the rest of the actors who have joined the cast of Acolyte:
There is no word on the identity of the characters of this acting contingent, including Stenberg. However, thanks to an article published on StarWars.com (opens in a new tab)we have some idea of what the story of the Acolyte entails.
“Acolyte is a mystery thriller that takes viewers into a galaxy of dark secrets and the emerging powers of the dark side in the final days of the High Republic era,” the article reads. “A former Padawan reunites with her Jedi Master to investigate a series of crimes, but the forces they face are more sinister than they expected.”
For those unfamiliar with the High Republic era, this is the period in the Star Wars universe when the Jedi Order was at its height. It is a historical epoch that has lasted for centuries, and this particular epoch ended around 82 BBY (before the Battle of Yavin) and preceded the events of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. If you want to know more about the Star Wars timeline, you can read our guide to watching the Star Wars movies in order.
Headland (Russian Doll, Heathers) is the creator and executive producer of The Acolyte and will direct the pilot episode of the series. Lucasfilm CEO Kathleen Kennedy, as well as Simon Emanuel, Jeff F. King and James Micaleff are also executive producers on the Disney Plus series.
Acolyte has no release date, but is expected to arrive on Disney Plus in late 2023 or early 2024.
Analysis: Expanding the Star Wars Mythos
Acolyte is set in a largely unexplored era in Star Wars history. (Image credit: Lucasfilm)
Acolyte has the potential to be one of the best Disney Plus shows. Well, at least from a Star Wars perspective.
how is it? Set in the era of the High Republic, it will explore an oft-overlooked period in the history of the epic sci-fi series where, as we explained earlier, the Jedi Order is at its peak.
Most of the Star Wars movies and TV shows, such as The Mandalorian, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Andor, were set in and around the three major movie trilogies. Acolyte will be a clear departure from that formula, opting instead to explore a period of history when the Sith weren’t at their strongest and the Jedi were known (not to mention beloved) throughout the galaxy.
The era of the High Republic has begun to emerge publicly in recent times. In 2018, Lucasfilm announced a new multi-media project, tentatively titled Luminous, which became a multifaceted series featuring The High Republic. Over the last two years, a slew of comics, novels, web series, and audiobooks have been released that explore this period in Star Wars history in greater detail.
The Acolyte, as well as Star Wars: Eclipse developed by Quantic Dream, will also bring The High Republic to their respective live-action and video game media, thus extending the reach of this era in the iconic Star Wars story. After decades of playing it safe and stacking projects around its legendary film franchise, Lucasfilm is finally taking a bold, bold step into the unknown with productions including Acolytes – and it’s going to be a much richer franchise.
For more Star Wars content, check out all the new Star Wars TV shows and movies. Alternatively, find out why we think it’s great news that Andor isn’t like your typical Star Wars TV series.
Once upon a time, Disney Plus allowed new subscribers to try out the streaming service for a whole week. Unfortunately, our happy ending ended pretty quickly and there is currently no free Disney Plus trial for potential new customers who want to experience a treasure trove of content from Walt Disney Studios and its partners including National Geographic, Marvel and Star Wars.
While its free trial seems to have disappeared in a far away country, there are still ways to get the streaming platform without paying for it, as we’ve detailed below.
Given the $1.1 billion in financial losses disclosed in August, it’s also fair to say that the reintroduction of the free trial shouldn’t be entirely out of Mickey’s future plans – especially if the new ad-supported tier that is about to launch doesn’t have the desired effect. Below we explain how to get a free Disney Plus trial, allowing new subscribers to try out some of the best Disney Plus shows.
Disney Plus Free Trial: Does it Exist?
Unfortunately, there’s no Disney Plus free trial – and hasn’t been for a while.
Disney Plus Free Trials did allow users in the US, Canada, UK and Australia to fully use the service for seven days before anything is released. However, this ended in June 2020.
Even though Disney Plus has launched in other parts of the world, the new territories where the platform has launched haven’t received the same kind of offer. In any case, this has been the case since Japan, where the Disney Plus free trial entitles customers to a full 31 days, which ended at the end of 2021.
The Philippines and Vietnam are the last countries on the current rollout schedule, so it’s possible we’ll see a Disney Plus free trial there. That said, we’d be more inclined to give it our all with the Disney Plus Black Friday deal instead.
(Image credit: Disney Pixar)
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How else can I get a Disney Plus free trial?
Good news for Verizon customers in the US is that subscribers choose Unlimited plans will receive a free 6-month Disney Plus subscription (opens in a new tab). But to take advantage, you must sign the contract by November 30.
For these in UK, if you are using an existing plan from O2 (opens in a new tab) you can add Disney Plus as an add-on and get £2 off your monthly airtime. Those who are new to O2 or upgrading, however, can enjoy this family-friendly streaming service completely free for six months.
UK customers can also get 3 months of Disney Plus for free via Tesco Clubcard (opens in a new tab) steering. Convert £8 vouchers to £24 and get Disney Plus for 3 months.
Or why not ask for a Disney Plus gift card for your birthday or Christmas? Sure, someone’s paying for it, but it won’t be you.
What’s the best way to try Disney Plus without a free trial?
The Disney Plus price for a monthly subscription is reasonably low $7.99/£7.99/$11.99but if you are willing to commit to a hefty upfront payment in the amount $79.99 / £79.90 / $119.99 year, savings of less than 20% per year. Come on December 8however, that will all change.
Want even more for your money? US customers can take advantage of the Disney Plus bundle, incl Disney Plus, ESPN Plus and Hulu for just $13.99 a month (opens in a new tab) or $19.99 a month if you opt for ad-free Hulu. This, of course, gives you access to even more content, including more adult content on Hulu, while ESPN Plus gives sports fans more than just great entertainment.
What can you watch with your Disney Plus free trial?
The Disney Plus free trial gave you access to the entire streaming library, so you can watch as much as you want in seven days. Functionally, it was a weekly subscription to the service, and if you canceled before the end of the trial period, you could enjoy every TV show and movie without spending anything.
This included a load of Marvel, Star Wars, Disney, and Pixar movies, as well as originals like The Mandalorian and The Clone Wars.
For now, at least you’ll have to pay if you want to check it out, though it’s safe to say there are plenty more Disney Plus Originals and other excellent titles on the platform now, including new Pixar movies like Turning Red and the MCU and Star Wars expansions, such as Ms Marvel and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Does Disney Plus offer gift cards?
Needless to say, it’s not on the same wavelength as the Disney Plus free trial. However, like its competitors, gift cards exist for this service. For more information, see our guide to Disney Plus Gift Cards.
Phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) platform Robin Banks moved its infrastructure to a “famous Russian provider” that was rarely subject to ethics or takedown requests after being launched by a US-based CDN provider (opens in a new tab) Cloudflare in July 2022.
Cloudflare originally took action after a report (opens in a new tab) from the cyber threat research company IronNet, published in the same month, but with a new follow-up Tests (opens in a new tab) confirms that this was not enough to freeze the service.
In addition, IronNet says Robin Banks has seen feature updates such as “steal cookies” that can be used to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) checks, which they hope will make the service even more dangerous for potential victims.
Moving to Russia
According to the original IronNet report, IronNet provided cybercriminals with an easy and convenient way to steal sensitive data from companies, bank customers, and others who hold sensitive data.
Among other things, this service may have deceived users by offering fake landing pages for legitimate services offered by Google and Microsoft.
After a three-day outage, organizers Robin Banks moved the front-end and back-end infrastructure to DDOS-GUARD, a popular Russian hosting provider known for supporting cybercriminals and ignoring takedown requests.
Since then, the PhaaS platform has also introduced two-factor authentication to the service, allowing customers to view phishing information through a central graphical user interface (GUI).
As an added insult, the new cookie stealing feature is locked behind an additional subscription service, meaning there’s even more to phishing kit makers with no easy way to stop them.
According to IronNet, the Robin Banks phishing kit relies heavily on open source code and off-the-shelf tools. Packaged as a service, they significantly lower the barrier to entry for anyone interested in phishing attacks.
Phishing, a cybercrime where hackers seek to “fish” for sensitive information via fake emails, landing pages and mobile apps, is one of the most popular methods of stealing login details and other data used in identity theft cases.
Xbox Cloud Gaming is a great feature that comes at no extra cost to those who subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Allows you to play a wide selection of Xbox Game Pass titles anywhere; on your smartphone, tablet, computer, and even Xbox. If you’re considering Xbox Game Pass versus Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, then Xbox Cloud Gaming certainly speaks in favor of the latter.
Good news for those of you wanting to try Xbox Cloud Gaming for the first time. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions stand a good chance of getting a discount during the 2022 Black Friday sale period. The biggest online retailers are likely to drop the cost of a monthly subscription as part of their Xbox Black Friday deals, so be sure to bookmark our hubs to get the best first offers.
Formerly known as Project xCloud, Xbox Cloud Gaming access has only a few barriers to entry to overcome. To play games, you must subscribe to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier, have a good internet connection, and have a supported device. If you meet all of these criteria, you can get started without needing an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console, or even an Xbox Wireless Controller.
If you’re interested in the benefits that Xbox Cloud Gaming can offer you, we’ve put together a guide with everything you need to know about the cloud-based service. We’ll also explain why this is a feature you definitely shouldn’t sleep on, especially since it can be accessed via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on the latest Xbox consoles at no extra cost.
There are more than a few reasons why you should definitely try Xbox Cloud Gaming as it can be a worthwhile alternative to simply downloading games to your console or buying one of the best gaming PCs out there. First, saved data transfers seamlessly between platforms, which means once you start playing via the cloud, you’ll be able to continue playing right where you left off.
Are you giving your console to a sibling or loved one? If your game is powered by Xbox Cloud Gaming, it’s instantly available so you can resume on another device without losing your progress.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about Xbox Cloud Gaming, its requirements, and the benefits and features it can provide over a more traditional console.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: Get to the point
What is this? The Xbox cloud gaming platform that can be played on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, mobile devices and PC.
when is it coming out? leave now
How much does it cost? $15 / £10.99 / AU$15.95 per month, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cost
Xbox Cloud Gaming: What You’ll Need
(Image credit: Microsoft)
As mentioned above, access to Xbox Cloud Gaming requires an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription first. At $14.99/£10.99 per month, it’s a bit more expensive than the basic subscription tier, but the extra cost pays off by giving you access to Xbox Cloud Gaming as well as PC Game Pass.
You will also need a device that supports Xbox Cloud Gaming. These include both Android and iOS smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 or iPhone 13. But Xbox Cloud Gaming will also run on tablets such as the iPad, iPad Pro 11 and Microsoft’s own Surface Go devices. For smartphones and tablets, you also need the Xbox Game Pass app, which allows you to access supported games and stream with just a few taps.
A short list of supported devices can be found on the page Xbox website (opens in a new tab). But overall, if you have a modern iOS or Android laptop, smartphone, or tablet, you should be able to play games through Xbox Cloud Gaming. Xbox Cloud Gaming titles can also be played on your PC via the desktop app or your favorite web browser, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox.
During the Meta Connect 2022 event, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella joined Mark Zuckerberg to confirm that Xbox Cloud Gaming will be coming to Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro (formerly Project Cambria). Unfortunately, these games remain a flat screen experience, you can’t suddenly jump into VR mode for Forza Horizon 5. As such, the platform is slowly expanding to new horizons and you can plug in an Xbox controller. It also means Meta Quest can beat PSVR 2 for one simple reason.
Don’t have a supported mobile device? Don’t worry because you can also play cloud games directly from your Xbox Series X/S console. Although in this case we suggest just downloading the games you want as you will be able to play beyond the limitations of Xbox Cloud Gaming such as not being able to stream in 4K resolution.
Touch controls are supported on devices with touchscreens, but you can also use controllers connected via USB or wirelessly via Bluetooth, including the Xbox Wireless Controller, Razer Kishi Mobile Game Controller, and even Sony’s Dualshock 4.
Microsoft also recommends a high-speed internet connection for optimal gaming experience when using Xbox Cloud Gaming. You’ll need a speed of at least 20Mbps and a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection to start entry-level cloud gaming. Of course, faster speeds will give you a more solid connection to your streaming game, which will reduce lag and reduce quirks like screen tearing and occasional blank screens.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: Streaming Quality and Performance
(Image credit: Shutterstock/Allmy)
Streaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming means you can instantly play supported games on the device of your choice, without having to download the game to your device’s storage. This immediate delivery is of course not without cost.
To maintain consistent performance, Xbox Cloud Gaming streams at 1080p up to 60fps. This means you won’t be able to stream games at the higher resolution of 1440p or 4K, but the 1080p resolution is more than usable on the smaller screens you’ll likely be using for Xbox cloud gaming, be it a smartphone or tablet screen. While capping at 1080p makes streaming Xbox Cloud Gaming more manageable with your bandwidth, you’ll still need a fast connection for a consistent experience.
Fortunately, if you meet the smooth streaming criteria, you’ll find that games played via Xbox Cloud Gaming offer sharper visuals and significantly better load times than the same games played on a previous generation Xbox One console. In particular, loading times are comparable to the extremely fast Xbox Series X/S SSDs.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: What Can I Play?
(Image credit: Microsoft)
With Xbox Cloud Gaming, you’ll be able to play the huge variety of games available in the Xbox Game Pass library. Not every game on the service can be streamed, but using the app you’ll have access to a dedicated “Cloud” subsection that lists all the games you can play via Xbox Cloud Gaming.
The range of titles available to play via Xbox Cloud Gaming is also quite wide. From big-budget first-party titles like Forza Horizon 5, Gears Tactics and Halo Infinite to some of the best indie games like Hollow Knight, Ori and the Will of the Wisps and The Outer Wilds.
You’ll also be able to stream some of the best third-party games available on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, including Dragon Quest 11, Mass Effect Legendary Edition, and Mortal Kombat 11. Suffice to say, there’s plenty to play in Xbox Cloud Games. You can find the full list of games here (opens in a new tab)and you can even play them directly from your browser, provided you have a supported controller connected to your device.
Xbox Cloud Gaming: Final Thoughts
Xbox Cloud Gaming provides a very solid alternative to downloading games to storage. It is one of the best game streaming platforms available today, especially when compared to competing services like Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now.
You won’t be streaming games in 4K anytime soon, but what Xbox Cloud Gaming loses in image quality it makes up for in connection stability, fast load times, and a wide range of supported devices and controller configurations. Another advantage is that you don’t need to own the best Xbox to fully enjoy cloud gaming. This means that even Xbox Series S specs can enjoy cloud gaming equal to Xbox Series X.
There are, of course, some significant barriers to entry, such as having to subscribe to the relatively expensive Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, as well as having a fairly fast internet connection, but if you meet the criteria, Xbox Cloud Gaming could be your go-to to enjoy the best Xbox Game Pass games, regardless whether you are at home or away.
– It is expected to be launched on Peacock in 2023 – Prequel to the John Wick film series – The first season consists of three 90-minute episodes – Focuses on the young version of Winston Ian McShane – It is believed that the action takes place in the 1970s – Chris Collins stars as showrunner – Keanu Reeves among the show’s executive producers
The Continental Hotel will soon reopen its doors to fans of the fan-favorite John Wick film franchise. The series, starring beloved actor Keanu Reeves as a cult killer pushed out of retirement in search of revenge, was only supposed to be one movie. However, the John Wick universe now has three chapters, with two more on the way. Not only that, but we’re also getting a prequel to the John Wick TV series, tentatively titled The Continental, coming to Peacock, NBC Universal streaming platform.
Continental is the foundation of the franchise; a chain of hotels around the world that offer neutral territory for members of the criminal underworld, such as hit men like Wick, to do business or hide from the authorities. If you are staying at the Continental Hotel, you must follow the rules. While we know the man himself didn’t follow them in John Wick Chapter 2 – but let’s not get into that now.
We’ve gathered everything you need to know about The Continental below, including a possible release date, cast, plot details, and more. Major spoilers for the John Wick series are comingso turn back if you are not interested in three movies.
Continental release date
Continental is scheduled to launch next year. (Image credit: Lionsgate)
There is no official release date for The Continental yet. However, it has been confirmed that the long-awaited TV series will be released on Peacock in 2023. The series is also slated to launch on Prime Video in regions outside of the United States (a.k.a Deadline (opens in a new tab)) outside of Israel and the Middle East.
The show has been running since 2018 when Starz excited fans by announcing its existence. Now, however, The Continental has found a new home on Peacock – Lionsgate is selling the rights to this streamer after deciding that Starz was not a fit.
According Deadline (opens in a new tab), the show’s appearance follows the theatrical release of John Wick: Chapter Four. If true, The Continental will launch at Peacock in mid or late 2023. Also, The Continental will consist of three 90-minute episodes, so for now, consider it a limited series rather than a full TV show.
Continental cast
We will see a younger version of Charon in The Continental. (Image credit: Lionsgate)
Here are the confirmed cast of The Continental so far:
Colin Woodell as young Winston Scott
Peter Greene as Young Uncle Charlie
Mel Gibson as Cormac
Nhung Kate as Jen
Katie McGrath as the Arbiter
Jessica Allainas Lou
Jeremy Bob as Mayhew
Adam Shapiro as Lemmy
Ayomide Adegun as Charon
Claire Cooper as Mrs. Davenport
Ray McKinnon as Jenkins
Ben Robson as Frankie
Marina Mazepa as Małgosia
Mark Mushashi as Hansel
Michel Prada as KD
Hubert Point-Du Jour as Miles
Given that The Continental is a prequel, Keanu Reeves will not appear in the series on the small screen. So those of you hoping for a John Wick cameo will be very disappointed.
The Continental is reportedly set in 1975, meaning that both current hotel owner Winston and his trusted concierge Charon will be played by younger actors, Colin Woodell and Ayomide Adegun, rather than Ian MacShane and Lance Reddick, will portray the this duo.
Another of the biggest announcements of the series is the involvement of Mel Gibson, who will play a character named Cormac. Gibson’s original persona is yet to be seen in the John Wick series, so his role is now a mystery.
As for the team behind this spin-off, the series was created by Greg Collidge (Wayne, Ride Along) and Kirk Ward (Wayne). The executive producers are Albert Hughes, Basil Iwaniek, Erica Lee, Chad Stahelski, Derek Kolstad, David Leitch, Shawn Simmons, Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese, and Marshall Persinger.
Hughes will also direct the first and third episodes, while Charlotte Brändström (Rings of Power) will helm the second.
Continental plot
Continental will show the development of Winston, who claims to own a chain of hotels. (Image credit: Lionsgate)
While The Continental is a prequel series, it’s also a brand new spin-off of the usual story focusing instead on young Winston, the owner of a New York hotel mansion. The intricacies surrounding the plot itself, however, are kept under lock and key.
In an interview with Deadline (opens in a new tab)Lionsgate TV CEO Kevin Beggs went into some of the details of the story, saying: “What we’re exploring at The Continental is young Winston and how it happened that he and his team of allies found their way to this hotel that we met after first time in a series of films 40 years later.”
Continental is the focal point of the John Wick universe, providing a place of solace for those subject to the High Table’s orders. According to the show’s description, the series follows Winston as he “carves a deadly route through New York City’s mysterious underworld in a harrowing bid to take over an iconic hotel.” Sounds ominous.
Interestingly, The Continental will explore real-world events, including the Great Garbage Strike and the rise of the American Mafia. Despite being a work of fiction, it appears that the series will draw from or be inspired by real events.
speak to fandom (opens in a new tab) in 2020, Chad Stahelski, a stuntman turned director of the John Wick franchise, said, “The angles they’re working on on the Continental TV show right now are a different perspective on the whole world. It is approached from the point of view of different characters views and what is the breadth of the world. Whereas in John Wick, I follow one period, literally almost a week in one man’s life, where everything spins out of control.
It’s clear that the all-new cast will take the John Wick story in a whole new direction – we just don’t know the ins and outs of what it will be. Given its position in the timeline, as well as its alternate focus on one of John Wick’s most famous side characters, Winston, who deserves a storyline of his own, we’re sure it’ll be a thrilling ride nonetheless.
Continental Trailer
We’re also looking for that trailer for The Continental, John. (Image credit: Lionsgate)
There is no official trailer for The Continental. However, with a 2023 release date, we don’t think the trailer is too far off. We will update this section when one of them is released.
Continental Timeline Explained: John Wick
Don’t expect John Wick to appear on The Continental. (Image credit: Lionsgate)
As mentioned, The Continental is a prequel set 40 years before the John Wick movies we’ve come to know and love. speak to Deadline (opens in a new tab)Kevin Beggs of Lionsgate TV said, “Since we’ve gone back in time, way back in time before John Wick, and even before young John Wick, this character doesn’t find his way into the universe. We’re in the John Wick universe, but it’s gone back in time. Think of the Game of Thrones prequels because you know any of the players, but you know the world.”
Given that John Wick screenwriter Derek Kolstad previously revealed that Keanu’s character was originally intended to be a 75-year-old man (per Diversity (opens in a new tab)), we might as well have seen Wick appear in some disguise. However, with the character ultimately written as a 35-year-old, he would not have been born until the events of The Continental. So, as we said before, don’t expect it to show up.
Ultimately, when it comes to John Wick’s timeline, it’s the origin story of The Continental’s deep history. It’s also an opportunity for Winston and a few other characters from the series’ origin stories to explore and perhaps gain more detailed insight into how their characters came into the John Wick mythos.
It’s unclear if future seasons will be greenlit, if The Continental will remain a miniseries, or how the TV series will tie into John Wick Chapter 4. However, if it turns out to be even half as successful as the original John Wick movie, you can be sure Peacock will extend the prequel into more parts.
For more Peacock-based content, find out how much a Peacock subscription costs, or read our Peacock review. Alternatively, check out what we thought of Peacock’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot.
Will Microsoft ever make an official Xbox VR headset? It’s a question everyone’s been asking since the release of Sony’s PSVR, but so far the Redmond-based company has been reluctant to enter the realm of console-based virtual reality.
However, it is clear that VR is not a passing fad. Meta Quest 2 (formerly known as Oculus Quest 2) is one of the most affordable and best VR goggles on the market. Elsewhere, Sony has doubled its commitment to virtual reality with PSVR 2 – PSVR’s next-gen successor, a new VR headset for the PS5.
While we still don’t have any concrete information on Xbox VR, the console itself (as well as its litany of games and accessories) will undoubtedly offer discounts during the 2022 Black Friday sale period around November 25. If you’re looking for Xbox Black Friday deals, be sure to bookmark our pages to be the first to know about all the best deals during this sale period.
VR gaming has probably never been more popular, which inevitably led to speculation as to whether Microsoft would support the tech on the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. After all, the only thing more impressive than seeing Microsoft Flight Simulator running on a console would be playing it with a headset Xbox VR.
Microsoft already has experience in the VR market with its HoloLens mixed reality headsets. It’s not hard to imagine Microsoft’s idea to enable functionality with Xbox Series X | consoles S, rather than making a console-only proprietary headset like Sony did with the PSVR.
Xbox VR: is it likely?
However, at the incredibly high price of $3,500 for the HoloLens 2, the wireless headset just isn’t affordable to be viable, not to mention as a mixed reality headset it wasn’t designed for full VR immersion.
Still, can Microsoft prepare to create its own affordable gaming VR headset for the Xbox Series X|S? Below we have summarized all the information and rumors about it and whether playing Halo Infinite in VR could become a reality in the near future.
Microsoft’s VR story
(Image credit: Microsoft)
While Microsoft has not officially announced that it is making VR headsets for Xbox consoles, it has been involved with the technology in various ways. The Kinect made for the Xbox 360 used RGB cameras and infrared detectors to detect motion without a controller, which was also (albeit unsuccessfully) added to the Xbox One.
Perhaps it would be possible to implement this technology with VR, similar to how Sony adapted its PlayStation Move controllers and PlayStation camera to its original PSVR headset. Microsoft also collaborated with Valve and HP to design the HP Reverb G2 VR headset, and released its own mixed reality headset, the HoloLens.
However, the latter is staggeringly expensive, with the HoloLens 2 starting at $3,500, making it unprofitable for consumer gaming. It’s not even designed to fully immerse you in virtual reality, as it’s a mixed reality experience that relies heavily on AR: augmented reality.
However, this was also reported last month Microsoft has abandoned work on HoloLens 3, leaving his future commitment to VR in doubt. On the other hand, with more consumer interest in VR and the metaverse (something mentioned in the $67.4 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard), it could also be that the company is changing direction.
The intention may be to develop a cheaper, consumer-friendly VR headset, rather than the expensive HoloLens. This range has so far focused on business applications, including commercial contracts with the US military. If this was a turning point, however, it wouldn’t explain why it’s having trouble keeping specialist staff. LinkedIn profiles show that at least 25 Microsoft mixed reality employees left for Meta in 2021, including several long-serving veterans. Despite this, Microsoft has recently shown interest in this space.
During Meta Connect 2022, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella joined Mark Zuckerberg to confirm that Xbox Cloud Gaming will be coming to Meta Quest 2 and Meta Quest Pro (formerly Project Cambria). Unfortunately, these games remain a flat-screen experience, you can’t suddenly jump into VR mode for Forza Horizon 5. Either way, as long as you subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, the platform slowly grows. It also means Meta Quest can beat PSVR 2 for one simple reason.
Should VR come to Xbox Series X|S?
(Image credit: Microsoft)
The market for VR games can be small compared to consoles, with Sony’s PSVR only selling 5 million units as of January 2020. The Meta Quest 2 (or Oculus Quest 2) gained popularity as a wireless and standalone headset that still plugs into a more powerful computer while playing games like Half-Life: Alyx.
With Sony releasing the PSVR 2 in early 2023, Microsoft doesn’t seem to want to miss out on this emerging market by developing its own consumer-friendly headset. The potential to change the experience of her games can also be huge. Imagine how more immersive Microsoft Flight Simulator would be when you’re in the cockpit looking at literally anywhere in the world.
We’ve seen a similar impact on PSVR, though admittedly held back by less than impressive technical specs. Nevertheless, it made for an even more realistic experience in Gran Turismo Sport (and we hope Gran Turismo 7 gets VR support for PSVR 2 when it comes out). Even Minecraft supports PSVR, one of Microsoft’s biggest first-party games.
Nevertheless, this new generation of console has a lot of untapped potential. However, Microsoft would have to act fast if it doesn’t want to be left behind when it comes to virtual reality.
Why you shouldn’t expect VR on the Xbox Series X|S
(Image credit: Sony Computer Interactive Entertainment)
However, despite the potential of VR, the market remains rather niche. It’s one that Microsoft might just want to avoid, fearing a potentially small return. When it comes to power, there is no doubt that the Xbox can run VR games. However, when brought up, the main concerns of Gaming CEO Phil Spencer highlight why the platformer owner is not yet ready to bring VR to their consoles.
In 2017, following the reveal of the Xbox One X at E3, Spencer appeared in Giant bomb video (opens in a new tab) where he discussed the lack of VR on Xbox. While he said he was “a believer in the category,” he had reservations about its usefulness in the living room, especially with wires.
This barrier may have been removed over the years as the PSVR 2 only required a single cable and eliminated the need for an external camera. Meanwhile, the Meta Quest 2 is fully wireless, but when it comes to processing power, it’s also one of the weaker headsets on the market.
Spencer hasn’t ruled out that Microsoft will get to the point where it invests in VR, but Xbox owners probably shouldn’t expect a dedicated headset (or third-party headset support) any time soon. At least not until the next generation of consoles, when prices, audience coverage and the problem with cables will be solved.
Can you use VR with Xbox Series X|S?
Xbox Series X|S does not officially support any VR headset. Although the news discovered by Italian Xbox users (opens in a new tab) in 2021, there was a pop-up saying “VR headset update available” when connecting an Xbox wireless headset, Microsoft has since dismissed the rumor as a translation error. There is also currently no Xbox software that supports any VR modes.
God of War Ragnarok offers some of the most extensive accessibility features of any big-budget game of its type, including one much-requested feature that was missing from the previous title. The full list of more than 70 customizable accessibility settings has been revealed by Sony Santa Monica, though “Motion Sensor Feature Aiming Activation” stands out. Motion-controlled Leviathan Ax? Yes please.
This switchable function for God of War Ragnarok on PS5 means players will be able to use the Dualsense motion sensor to perform actions such as throwing Kratos’ Leviathan axe. Not only is this an accessibility win, but it also adds a new dimension to solving various in-game challenges in a more immersive way than simply aiming your chopsticks.
Sony gives you fine control over this feature, giving you advanced horizontal and vertical speed tracking options when aiming, with a sensitivity slider ranging from 0.1 to 3.0. This will measure the in-game camera movement, with lower numbers indicating slower reaction from behind Kratos. This also applies to acceleration; there is a zero-to-10 slider and the ability to reduce smaller movements with its own dedicated zero-to-30 slider that is calculated in degrees per second, which can help mitigate unwanted random movements.
(Image credit: Sony)
God of War Ragnarok features plenty of tricky puzzles that require Kratos to throw his ax at targets, chains, and switches – many of which are time trials. It may take more than a few tries to get it right. If you’re looking for a new way to interact with the game world, or if you think sticks aren’t ideal when time is of the essence.
This isn’t the first instance of motion-controlled aiming available in Sony’s first game. We’ve previously seen this feature available on PS5 in Horizon: Forbidden West, and previously in The Last of Us: Part 2 on PS4. This has been a highly requested feature in many of the company’s biggest releases to increase the precision available. It’s not a rival to gaming mice with high DPI settings, but it’s much faster than your everyday dual-stick setup.
Is gyro aiming faster when aiming?
Gyro aiming has seen widespread adoption in the competitive world of esports as an attractive alternative to standard gamepad controls, as the sensors are faster than moving two sticks. With less input, all you have to do is tilt the controller with the crosshair on the screen. With the right settings and a bit of practice, you’ll be able to move faster than with a twin-stick. Here is a demonstration:
Beyond the world of PlayStation, we’ve seen rival titles like Splatoon 3 on Nintendo Switch leaning heavily towards gyro/motion aiming, with this control scheme widely regarded as not only a viable alternative to more traditional means, but even better. Now God of War Ragnarok is the furthest away from a Twitch-based title, but you can save a few precious seconds by making a change here.
Are lots of other accessibility features (opens in a new tab) available in God of War Ragnarok, including the ability to scale UI text size, increase puzzle timing, and disable visual effects such as film grain and motion blur.
It’s great to see big-name developers finally digging into providing a wide variety of features to make their games more accessible to gamers.
