The Week's Funniest and Most Intriguing News (week starting June 27)
As the weekend gets closer and closer, your productivity goes out the window. You don’t feel like working and you’re not really willing to go over serious news about serious topics.
So, just like the weeks before, I invite you to check out 10 news that will put a smile on your face, make you laugh, and probably even make you say wow or what the f...
1. Ambition, the short film starring Jon Snow’s mom (and Littlefinger)
Game of Thrones season 6 has come to an end, and what an exciting end it was. The good news is that there will be a 7th season. The bad news is that it will air in April 2016. It’s a long time to wait, I know. Since you’ve got a lot of time on your hands, why don’t you check out Ambition, a short film that stars GoT’s Littlefinger and Lyanna Stark.
"The short film tells the story of one of the most important space exploration endeavours of this decade," says the official description. "Just as Gillen’s enigmatic Master encourages Franciosi’s Apprentice to seek out the key to life amidst a rugged alien landscape, ESA has been on a decade-long ambitious journey of its own, to unlock the mysteries of a comet and the origins of our Solar System with its Rosetta spacecraft, hundreds of millions of kilometres from Earth."
2. Microsoft created a limited edition Game of Thrones-themed Xbox One (that you can’t buy)
To celebrate the end of season 6, Microsoft created a limited edition Xbox One made to look like the Game of Thrones logo.
Microsoft isn’t selling this Game of Thrones-themed Xbox One. It’s offering 3 of them as part of a giveaway that’s available in France only.
3. Cricket Wireless brings 'Unexpected John Cena' meme to life
Earlier this week, Cricket Wireless released a prank video that's based on the Unexpected John Cena internet meme. Oh, and it actually features John Cena.
John Cena fans were invited to audition for a role as ambassador for a WWE-themed Cricket store. During the audition, Cena came smashing through an image of his likeness.
4. Would you hang up on Matt Damon? In this situation I definitely would!
The new Jason Bourne movie will hit theaters later this month, on July 29 to be more precise. The perfect time then for Matt Damon to pull a Bourne-style prank, right?
Damon is doing this for charity: to raise money for Water.org, a nonprofit dedicated to providing clean water in developing countries. Donate money via Omaze to enter a draw and have the chance to hang out with Matt Damon in Vegas at the Jason Bourne premiere.
I don’t know about you, but I think the leather jacket guy got it right. I’d throw away the phone too.
5. Apple’s former PR boss wants you to watch this video
Nine years ago this week, on June 29, 2007, Apple released the first iPhone. What do you think Natalie Kerris, Apple’s former PR head, did on the iPhone’s 9th anniversary? Kerris invited us to watch a video that features Steve Jobs losing his cool in public.
"Steve Jobs is known for his tantrums and thunderous personalty... in private. In front of a large public he usually looks enjoyable and composed. But sometimes he lets the cat out ... just a little," says the video’s description.
6. Apple’s new patent is a blessing for concertgoers
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: people who record videos at concerts are the worst! I can’t see anything because you have your hands up, shooting a video that you’re probably never going to watch anyway?!
That being said, I’m very glad Apple was awarded this patent. It describes a system that would block phones from recording videos at concert videos.
My main concern is that Apple originally applied for the patent in 2011. Consequently, I'm worried this will never become a reality.
7. Don’t hold your breath waiting for the Minecraft movie
Yes, they are going to turn the hugely, the immensely popular Minecraft video game into a movie. But it’s not going to be released anytime soon. Earlier this week, Mojang announced that the movie’s release date is May 24, 2019.
“Yes, that might seem like a long time away, but it just so happens to be the right amount of time to make it completely awesome. And we all want an awesome Minecraft movie, right?” said Mojang.
The video above isn’t a trailer for the upcoming movie. It’s just a video that answers the question "how would Minecraft be in real life?" The answer is terrifying. Minecraft would be terrifying in real life.
8. Meet Cozmo, the most incredibly cute (and smart) robot
Robotics and artificial intelligence company Anki recently unveiled Cozmo, a charismatic little robot with a brain that processes more data per second than all the Mars Rovers combined.
"Introducing Cozmo: the little robot with a big brain and even bigger personality," said Anki. "Cozmo is born to play. He is charming, a bit mischievous, and unpredictable. He recognizes and remembers you. He interacts with you, plays games, and gets to know you over time."
Cozmo is going to hit the market in October, just in time for the holiday season. If you wait until then, you'll have to part with $179.99 to get the robot. If you pre-order it now, you can get it for $159.99.
9. GTA V has a very hairy Easter Egg
Long story short, an Easter Egg has been uncovered in Rockstar’s GTA V game: collect 7 golden peyotes and you get to play as a Sasquatch and face off against a werewolf that's very similar to Michael J Fox’s Teen Wolf.
GTA V by the way, is currently on sale on Steam. As part of Steam’s Summer Sale, you can get GTA V for 40% off. But act fast, because the Steam Summer Sale ends on July 4.
10. The N in Android N doesn’t stand for Nutella
A couple of weeks ago, Google’s Senior VP for Android, Hiroshi Lockheimer, tweeted that he’s "testing some stuff out." In the image that accompanied the message we could see that Lockheimer googled the word Nutella. Naturally, we assumed that was a hint referring to Android N's name.
Turns out that the next version of Android won't be called Nutella. The version coming after Android 6.0 Marshmallow will be Android 7.0 Nougat.
And here I am, looking at my Zenfone 2, and wondering when ASUS is going to give me Android 6.0 Marshmallow. They just rolled out Marhmallow for the Zenfone 2 Laser, so I’m hoping it won’t be long now. But if it’s going to take much longer, I swear I’m going to get a Nexus.
So, just like the weeks before, I invite you to check out 10 news that will put a smile on your face, make you laugh, and probably even make you say wow or what the f...
1. Ambition, the short film starring Jon Snow’s mom (and Littlefinger)
Game of Thrones season 6 has come to an end, and what an exciting end it was. The good news is that there will be a 7th season. The bad news is that it will air in April 2016. It’s a long time to wait, I know. Since you’ve got a lot of time on your hands, why don’t you check out Ambition, a short film that stars GoT’s Littlefinger and Lyanna Stark.
"The short film tells the story of one of the most important space exploration endeavours of this decade," says the official description. "Just as Gillen’s enigmatic Master encourages Franciosi’s Apprentice to seek out the key to life amidst a rugged alien landscape, ESA has been on a decade-long ambitious journey of its own, to unlock the mysteries of a comet and the origins of our Solar System with its Rosetta spacecraft, hundreds of millions of kilometres from Earth."
2. Microsoft created a limited edition Game of Thrones-themed Xbox One (that you can’t buy)
To celebrate the end of season 6, Microsoft created a limited edition Xbox One made to look like the Game of Thrones logo.
Microsoft isn’t selling this Game of Thrones-themed Xbox One. It’s offering 3 of them as part of a giveaway that’s available in France only.
3. Cricket Wireless brings 'Unexpected John Cena' meme to life
Earlier this week, Cricket Wireless released a prank video that's based on the Unexpected John Cena internet meme. Oh, and it actually features John Cena.
John Cena fans were invited to audition for a role as ambassador for a WWE-themed Cricket store. During the audition, Cena came smashing through an image of his likeness.
4. Would you hang up on Matt Damon? In this situation I definitely would!
The new Jason Bourne movie will hit theaters later this month, on July 29 to be more precise. The perfect time then for Matt Damon to pull a Bourne-style prank, right?
Damon is doing this for charity: to raise money for Water.org, a nonprofit dedicated to providing clean water in developing countries. Donate money via Omaze to enter a draw and have the chance to hang out with Matt Damon in Vegas at the Jason Bourne premiere.
I don’t know about you, but I think the leather jacket guy got it right. I’d throw away the phone too.
5. Apple’s former PR boss wants you to watch this video
Nine years ago this week, on June 29, 2007, Apple released the first iPhone. What do you think Natalie Kerris, Apple’s former PR head, did on the iPhone’s 9th anniversary? Kerris invited us to watch a video that features Steve Jobs losing his cool in public.
"Steve Jobs is known for his tantrums and thunderous personalty... in private. In front of a large public he usually looks enjoyable and composed. But sometimes he lets the cat out ... just a little," says the video’s description.
6. Apple’s new patent is a blessing for concertgoers
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: people who record videos at concerts are the worst! I can’t see anything because you have your hands up, shooting a video that you’re probably never going to watch anyway?!
That being said, I’m very glad Apple was awarded this patent. It describes a system that would block phones from recording videos at concert videos.
My main concern is that Apple originally applied for the patent in 2011. Consequently, I'm worried this will never become a reality.
7. Don’t hold your breath waiting for the Minecraft movie
Yes, they are going to turn the hugely, the immensely popular Minecraft video game into a movie. But it’s not going to be released anytime soon. Earlier this week, Mojang announced that the movie’s release date is May 24, 2019.
“Yes, that might seem like a long time away, but it just so happens to be the right amount of time to make it completely awesome. And we all want an awesome Minecraft movie, right?” said Mojang.
The video above isn’t a trailer for the upcoming movie. It’s just a video that answers the question "how would Minecraft be in real life?" The answer is terrifying. Minecraft would be terrifying in real life.
8. Meet Cozmo, the most incredibly cute (and smart) robot
Robotics and artificial intelligence company Anki recently unveiled Cozmo, a charismatic little robot with a brain that processes more data per second than all the Mars Rovers combined.
"Introducing Cozmo: the little robot with a big brain and even bigger personality," said Anki. "Cozmo is born to play. He is charming, a bit mischievous, and unpredictable. He recognizes and remembers you. He interacts with you, plays games, and gets to know you over time."
Cozmo is going to hit the market in October, just in time for the holiday season. If you wait until then, you'll have to part with $179.99 to get the robot. If you pre-order it now, you can get it for $159.99.
9. GTA V has a very hairy Easter Egg
Long story short, an Easter Egg has been uncovered in Rockstar’s GTA V game: collect 7 golden peyotes and you get to play as a Sasquatch and face off against a werewolf that's very similar to Michael J Fox’s Teen Wolf.
GTA V by the way, is currently on sale on Steam. As part of Steam’s Summer Sale, you can get GTA V for 40% off. But act fast, because the Steam Summer Sale ends on July 4.
10. The N in Android N doesn’t stand for Nutella
A couple of weeks ago, Google’s Senior VP for Android, Hiroshi Lockheimer, tweeted that he’s "testing some stuff out." In the image that accompanied the message we could see that Lockheimer googled the word Nutella. Naturally, we assumed that was a hint referring to Android N's name.
Turns out that the next version of Android won't be called Nutella. The version coming after Android 6.0 Marshmallow will be Android 7.0 Nougat.
And here I am, looking at my Zenfone 2, and wondering when ASUS is going to give me Android 6.0 Marshmallow. They just rolled out Marhmallow for the Zenfone 2 Laser, so I’m hoping it won’t be long now. But if it’s going to take much longer, I swear I’m going to get a Nexus.
