Apple has acquired Zurich-based startup Faceshift, which could further Apple’s role in the virtual reality tech space. Faceshift’s motion capture technology creates animated avatars and figures in real-time that reflect an individual’s facial expressions. While Apple has confirmed the acquisition, specific plans have yet to be announced. However, TechCrunch points to three possibilities: for use in gaming avatars “for a more immediate and realistic experience,” as a tool in film production for “animating characters to more closely mimic the actors’ facial movements” (it was used in the latest “Star Wars” film), and even as potential enterprise applications that could incorporate “facial recognition for identification or security purposes.”

Juniper Research forecasts 1 billion people will access their bank accounts via mobile devices by the end of this year. The researcher suggests that banks should start directing their efforts toward wearable devices such as smartwatches, which are expected to reach 100 million banking sessions in five years. While the number of mobile banking sessions via wearable devices is expected to grow tenfold by 2020, Juniper predicts the number of mobile banking users will double to 2 billion. The Wall Street Journal reports: “Banks hoping to gain customers under the age of 30, or to prime the population younger than that, must expand into wearable devices, as well as develop a substantive social media strategy, said Nitin Bhas, head of research.”

ETC coverage of the upcoming 2016 CES begins on December 7 with a 3-week series of previews on the top trends and technologies expected to be on display. CES, presented by the newly re-named Consumer Technology Association (formerly CEA), runs from January 4-9 in Las Vegas. At CES, ETC will have a team of dedicated reporters and analysts preparing twice daily email briefs and delivering breaking news as it happens. Following the show, ETC publishes a comprehensive report that distills from the massive trade event the key themes most likely to impact the media and entertainment industry. Continue reading CES 2016: ETC Begins Show Coverage with December Previews

Starz announced that its authenticated TV Everywhere service for Encore subscribers, Encore Play (which launched September 1) is now available via the Roku Channel store for Roku players and Roku-enabled TVs, providing access to a VOD library of movies and TV series. The service is also available for iOS and Android devices, Web browsers, Amazon Fire TV and Fire tablets, and Xbox 360 and Xbox One consoles. Meanwhile, Roku announced “channel launches for CW Seed, the CW’s digital comedy hub,” reports Multichannel News, and Smithsonian Earth, a “new standalone, ad-free subscription streaming app that offers nature and wildlife documentaries and videos shot in 4K format.”

Disney has launched its subscription-based streaming service, DisneyLife — which offers Disney movies, television shows, music, audiobooks and e-books — in the United Kingdom (with plans to expand to other European markets). Families can stream to their mobile devices or TV sets via Apple’s AirPlay or Google Chromecast. According to TechCrunch, “Disney is rethinking how it manages the digital rights to its extensive library, which today includes not only the Disney brand itself, but also Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars.” While much of Disney’s library is presently tied up in deals domestically, the company “has not ruled out bringing similar streaming services to the U.S. in the future.”

The television industry is experiencing an unusually long cancellation-free streak for its current season, as networks struggle to adapt to a changing landscape with more viewing alternatives than ever before. Network execs are being extra cautious not to drop a series that may have potential as consumers turn beyond the major broadcasters to cable, on demand, and online streaming alternatives. In addition, overall TV ratings are down and there are more shows than ever before (more than a record-setting 400 are expected by the end of the year across broadcast, cable and online services). Continue reading Networks Cautious of Canceling Shows as TV Viewing Evolves

Although it was not revealed how many Samsung Gear VR devices would initially be made available once they went on sale yesterday, Amazon and Best Buy are already posting messages online that read: “temporarily out of stock” and “sold out online,” respectively. For those anxious to order the $100 virtual reality headset, it looks like they are still available directly from the Samsung site. “We are delighted with the overwhelmingly positive response Gear VR has received from reviewers and eager buyers alike,” a Samsung spokesperson told TechCrunch. “We are working hard to fulfill all orders as quickly as possible.”

A startup called Sioeye is joining the action cam market — currently dominated by players such as GoPro, Sony, Garmin and TomTom — with its Iris4G, billed as the first Android action camera capable of live streaming over LTE. “Sioeye is capping the Iris4G’s streams at 480p to make sure they remain uninterrupted, trading quality for reliability,” notes The Verge. “Companies like GoPro, on the other hand, hang their business largely on image quality, so it behooves them to wait until users can reliably stream at least 720p HD footage before they even consider the feature.” However, the Iris4G can record 1080p video while simultaneously live streaming.

Yahoo email accounts were blocked last week for some users unless they opted to switch off their ad blockers. According to The New York Times, the move is part of an experiment to combat ad-blocking software, which allows users to browse the Web free of online advertising. “At Yahoo, we are continually developing and testing new product experiences,” said Anne Yeh, a Yahoo spokeswoman. “This is a test we’re running for a small number of Yahoo Mail users in the U.S.” The Yahoo test highlights the ongoing debate over ad blocking between publishers, advertisers and tech companies — and the need for viable alternatives to display ads (such as native advertising) for both desktop and mobile.

Smithsonian Networks announced that it plans to introduce an OTT video subscription service, called Smithsonian Earth, that will offer original nature and wildlife programming. The $3.99 per month, standalone service will initially be made available on Apple TV and Roku players (including 4K content via the Roku 4 streaming player). According to Multichannel News, Smithsonian plans to roll out new documentaries and short series each week. The network explains that one percent of subscription sales will be donated to the Smithsonian Institution’s various research and conservation initiatives.

Adele’s long-awaited new album “25,” her first in nearly five years, is scheduled for release today, but will not be made available via top streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music. Less than one day before the album’s launch, major music services were reportedly informed that the singer’s new songs would not be made available for streaming. With the music industry in flux, especially in regards to distribution platforms, most artists need to accept the royalty payments and terms of service related to streaming offerings. However, top acts such as Adele, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift may have the power to set their own terms. Continue reading Adele’s New Album to Launch Today, But Not for Streaming

In its efforts to bypass U.S. surveillance, China is said to be developing its own secure smartphones. “The effort involves both state-owned companies and some of the country’s savvier technology firms and marks the latest step in Beijing’s quest to build a homegrown tech industry that cuts out U.S. suppliers,” reports The Wall Street Journal. Since American companies have so far dominated in operating systems and processors, there has been little China could do in this space. However, rather than rely on iOS and Android handsets, Chinese companies such as ZTE and Alibaba are among those developing their own operating systems.

Hispanic media powerhouse Univision Communications has launched Univision Now, a $5.99-per-month Internet video service that features live broadcasts of the Univision and UniMás networks for Spanish-speaking viewers. The SVOD service features DVR-style replays of its live programming for up to three days after broadcast, in addition to on-demand access to primetime shows up to seven days after airing. Univision Now — offering the networks’ full slate of news, sports, telenovelas and award shows — is available via the Internet and iOS and Android apps. Continue reading Univision Launches Subscription Video with Live Broadcasts

NBCUniversal Digital Enterprises will roll out a free month-long trial of its streaming comedy channel Seeso next month. The online-only, ad-free beta will feature original series, movies and stand-up comedy, notes Variety. “It’s like the soft-opening of a restaurant,” said Evan Shapiro, executive vice president of NBCUniversal Digital Enterprises. “Everything is free, while you try out Seeso, sample our great classic comedy and get a taste of our exclusive original series. We think our stuff can help you laugh better, and we want you to Seeso for yourself.” The full version of Seeso is slated to launch in January.

Google released a stripped-down version of Google+ this week, suggesting the company may be scaling back on its social networking efforts. Launched in 2011 as a new competitor to Facebook, Google+ also served as a central hub for a number of Google products, and over time failed to gain the traction Google was seeking. According to The Wall Street Journal, the new Google+ focuses on connections via common interests rather than people, with two primary features: “Collections, which let users follow streams of content on topics like surfing or niche types of photography, and Communities, which let groups of people with the same interests join up and discuss topics like ‘Game of Thrones’ or painting.”