It has long been my hypothesis that online video delivery networks would have to start getting original content if they were going to break the stranglehold that big networks have over streaming of television content. I am glad to see that Amazon is looking like they will be getting in the original television content game.
Category: Entertainment
Can I set my DVR now?
Categories
Disney Infinity
I am still trying to understand what Infinity will really be. It looks like there is both a video game component and a physical “collector” component. Regardless, with Disney’s full set of characters as a part of it, I am definitely interested.
I guess this means I will finally watch some *Adventure Time.* That should help me identify the 30% of cosplayers at various conventions that I have been assuming are wearing something Adventure Time related.
I meant to post this a couple of weeks ago, but do not think I ever did. A nice update on to a classic routine.
The [New York Times had an article today](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/07/business/media/at-disney-parks-a-bracelet-meant-to-build-loyalty-and-sales.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&) that outlined upcoming enhancements coming to Disney’s theme parks:
> Imagine Walt Disney World with no entry turnstiles. Cash? Passé: Visitors would wear rubber bracelets encoded with credit card information, snapping up corn dogs and Mickey Mouse ears with a tap of the wrist. Smartphone alerts would signal when it is time to ride Space Mountain without standing in line.
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> Fantasyland? Hardly. It happens starting this spring.
> Disney in the coming months plans to begin introducing a vacation management system called MyMagic+ that will drastically change the way Disney World visitors — some 30 million people a year — do just about everything.
This is something I have been anticipating for years[^fn1], and I am excited to see how Disney implements these changes. Part of the process will be a new “MyMagic+” experience that includes a website, a mobile app, and RFID bracelets:
> MyMagic+ will allow users of a new Web site and app — called My Disney Experience — to preselect three FastPasses before they leave home for rides or V.I.P. seating for parades, fireworks and character meet-and-greets. Orlando-bound guests can also preregister for RFID bracelets. These so-called MagicBands will function as room key, park ticket, FastPass and credit card.
It sounds like a really impressive ecosystem[^fn2]. Of course, such a drastic change will probably result in a changed experience for Disney’s guests. [The Disney Blog gives a pretty good analysis](http://thedisneyblog.com/2013/01/08/mymagic-nextgen-rollout-questions-answer-and-more-questions/) of what this new experience probably will probably be like:
> What’s probably going to happen is that the top 2 or 3 attractions for each park will essentially be ‘pre-booked’ by MM+. That means you’ll have to arrive at rope drop for any chance of day-of FP if you want to ride those, but the lower-tier FP attractions will benefit with faster standby and more availability for day-of FP. This is because the 3rd and 4th MM+ reservations will be for shows and parades for the most part.
On the plus side, that could mean I finally get to go on *Soarin’* for the first time in about 4 years[^fn3].
I look forward to more information as the new MyMagic+ system rolls out.
[^fn1]: I assumed it was inevitable once the Fastpass system was started
[^fn2]: For a fuller breakdown of the technology, check out [Skitch Kingdom’s breakdown of a recent Disney Patent Application](http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-nextgen-entitlement-58144/)
[^fn3]: Seriously, I have not seen a Fastpass return for this ride that was within 4 hours of when I went to pick it up.
Dan Moren:
> Google Maps is a very solid entry in mapping and navigation apps; those that have been waiting for it since upgrading (or holding off their upgrades) have probably already downloaded it. But given that it’s a free app, having it on your phone costs nothing but its slim 7MB download.
I have moved all of my navigation over to Google Maps. I used it extensively on my trip to Florida and never ran into any issues. The traffic and “estimated time” information seems to be the best I have ever used. Also, the voice navigation is leaps and bounds ahead of anything else I have heard. I am not wedded to using this app forever, but at the moment, it is far and away my preferred navigation app.
> Disney once said that “Disneyland would never be completed as long as there’s imagination left in the world,” and he created Walt Disney Imagineering (formally known as WED Enterprises) in order to hold true to that principle. Founded in 1952 to oversee the creation and construction of Disneyland Park, the Imagineering team is now responsible for designing and building all Disney theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, and other entertainment ventures.
I am glad that the vision for continued grow based on imagination is still present through Disney, especially at their theme parks.
> Netflix continues to scoop up whole catalogs of TV dramas for a lot less money. Netflix’s latest little deal is with Warner Bros. — not the movie studio but its television division — giving it exclusive streaming rights to completed seasons of the J.J. Abrams-produced Revolution (a big debut on NBC last year), 666 Park Avenue (another just-canceled ABC “supernatural thriller” trying to recapture Lost’s early magic), and basic cable entries Political Animals and Longmire. Warner Bros. is also licensing the full runs of The West Wing (already streaming on Netflix), Chuck, and Fringe, plus Fox’s not-yet-aired Kevin-Bacon-chases-a-serial-killer drama The Following.
Good move by Netflix. I am particularly looking forward to watching the last couple of seasons of Chuck.
[As I was saying](https://johnkiv.us/2013/01/07/rokus-streaming-ecosystem-grows-with-new-channels-from-fox-pbs-vevo-and-more/), Roku just keeps improving their product. Also, a thumbs up to Time Warner Cable for allowing its offerings to be viewed on a third party streaming box. I hope this is just the first step in Time Warner Cable expanding to various other set-top boxes[^fn1]
[^fn1]: Of course, I am hoping for an Apple created set-top box that integrates my iTunes library and replaces my current Time Warner Cable DVR.
I have been amazed at the resilience of Roku in the face of products like the Apple TV and Google TV. They just seem to keep improving their content offerings and, consequently, their devices. In fact, when my fiancé and I were looking for a Christmas gift for her parents, we decided to get a Roku instead of an Apple TV.
Categories
Jen’s Top Movies of 2012
Jen has exceedingly good taste, but we tend to differ most in our preference in movies. Her list is solid, but I think my top for 2012 would go:
1. *The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey*[^f5839]
2. *Avengers*
3. *Brave*
4. *Skyfall*
5. *The Dark Knight: Rises*
6. *Safety Not Guaranteed.*
[^f5839]: Part of why *The Hobbit* and *The Dark Knight Rises* are ranked so highly is their relation to some of my favorite moves of all time. If was discounting that nostalgia, I might have *Avengers* in the top spot.
I wonder if the Cowboys are compensating for something.
Only a few more minutes per episode, but it should end up to an additional hour over the course of the whole season. Works for me.
I am looking forward to visiting over Christmas. Of course, I imagine it’s going to be an absolute zoo.
Categories
Know your Dwarves
Just in case you need a refresher before _The Hobbit_ comes out on Friday.
I am really interested to see how this comes together.
I’m not sure when my next trip to Epcot will be, but I am looking forward to trying this out. Also, maybe it will help reduce the line at *Soarin’* to under 3 hours.
I challenge you to top that.
If this is true, then get ready for an expanded Star Wars universe to start being developed in movies, television, etc…