Daniel Whitehill

Actual lab tests have revealed that the commonly-cited five-second rule doesn’t hold up. And yet, they still can’t stop me from eating this piece of floor candy! Who’s in charge now, Science?

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We may have lost our beloved headphone jack, but it’s human nature to find an iota of hope in even the worst tragedies. Thanks to a host of different technological innovations and the beautiful creativity of the human brain, we can express those small, but mighty sentiments of hope using the power of memes. As it turns out, Apple’s complex system that allows you to charge your phone while plugging in your headphones is the perfect metaphor for the complex nature of human sexuality, love, and desire:

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Lady Gaga has released the first single from her forthcoming fifth studio album. The track, intended to be about “modern ecstasy” (one of the lyrics) according to Mother Monster herself.

The track was co-produced by Gaga, Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, BloodPop, and Mark Ronson.

Mark Savage at the BBC describes the track as “a propulsive disco-rock track, built around a perpetually building chord sequence that lends the song a compelling sense of urgency.”

Said Gaga to Savage:

“I believe many of us are wondering why there are so many fake things around us. How do we navigate through social media? How do we look through these images that we know are filtered and altered, and decipher what is reality and what is a perfect illusion? There are also a lot of things on the internet that are not reality. And I think people are pressured to keep that personal illusion going on in their real lives. So this song is about raging against it and letting it go. It’s about wanting people to re-establish that human connection.”

NME calls it a “formidable return”.

Richard He at The Guardian isn’t impressed:

The song aspires to the heartbreak and triumph of a classic disco record. But Gaga lacks the grace of a true disco diva. Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Gloria Gaynor – their voices were smooth, not jagged. Nor is there any sense of camp, or a knowing wink, to defuse the tension – no, Gaga’s deathly serious. At its most transcendent, disco was about dancing joyfully through your tears. Perfect Illusion sounds more like heaving sobs, flailing about in search of a melody.

Listen:

What do you think of “Perfect Illusion”?

The post Listen to Lady Gaga’s New Single ‘Perfect Illusion’ appeared first on Towleroad.

One of the focal points of today's PlayStation Meeting event was on HDR, or high dynamic range. While it was shown off primarily with regard to games running on the newly revealed PS4 Pro, it's actually something that all PS4s will soon be capable of.

Sony revealed it plans to release a firmware update next week that introduces HDR support on all existing PS4s--even the standard PS4 model. No further details were shared regarding exactly how this will work or if there's some caveat that applies to HDR support on standard PS4s.

Sony Worldwide Studios chariman Scott Layden reiterated this immediately after the event, stating, "We will have a firmware update which will take every one of the 40 million-plus PS4s across the world, make them HDR-ready, make them compatible. Of course, Slim will do that--the new form factor for PS4--and PS4 Pro. So right across the board, anything that has PS4 on it will support HDR."

We'll have more details on this update as it's announced.

More than three and a half years ago, I stood on stage in New York to unveil PlayStation 4, which captured our vision for the future of gaming. That vision placed the gamer at the center of the PlayStation ecosystem and empowered developers to create transformative experiences. This afternoon I returned to New York for another PlayStation Meeting to discuss the evolution of the PlayStation 4 platform and introduce PS4 Pro. This new high-end PS4 will sit alongside the new slimmer, lighter PS4, which we officially unveiled today.

The new standard PS4 is starting to ship to retailers now and will be available by September 15 for a suggested retail price of $299.99 USD ($379.99 CAD), representing great value for gamers who haven’t joined the PS4 community just yet. Our engineering and design teams collaborated to consolidate PS4’s high-performance technology into a smaller, more energy efficient form factor. When comparing the new PS4 model to the current model, we’ve reduced volume by 30 percent, weight by 16 percent, and power consumption by 28 percent. Despite the sleek design, the new model packs all of the same powerful components that have made PS4 the best place to play.

With PlayStation 4 Pro our goal is to deliver innovation in the form of cutting-edge visuals and graphics while in the midst of the PS4’s lifecycle. PS4 Pro, which launches November 10, 2016, for a suggested retail price of $399.99 USD ($499.99 CAD), enhances PS4 games by supporting the latest in imaging technology through 4K resolution and High Dynamic Range (HDR), as well as smoother frame rates. Games that already look extraordinary on PS4 will look richer and more detailed, thanks to the more powerful GPU and faster CPU at the heart of PS4 Pro.

With more pixels, 4K’s higher resolution delivers graphics that are sharper and have greater detail than ever imagined. HDR enables visuals to look much closer to the way your eyes see the real world.

Some developers are updating previously launched PS4 games to add PS4 Pro support, while other developers are building PS4 Pro support into upcoming releases. At launch, you’ll be able to download patches for games – such as Uncharted 4 – which are enhanced when playing on the new console. Future releases that will have PS4 Pro enhancements built-in include Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Mass Effect: Andromeda and Days Gone.

However, even if you own an HDTV that does not support either 4K or HDR, PS4 Pro still provides a number of benefits. All games will run in 1080p resolution, and some will even run in a higher or more stable framerate. If you’re a gamer that wants to be at the forefront of innovation, PS4 Pro is for you.

We also know a lot of our fans watch movies, TV shows, and videos on their PS4, so we’re working with our partners who offer best-in-class streaming services to build new apps for PS4 Pro. Netflix will launch a new app at the launch of PS4 Pro that supports 4K. YouTube is also developing a new 4K-compatible app for PS4 Pro.

But it’s important to note that the choice is yours. Whether you’re playing on PS4 Pro, the new slimmer and lighter PS4, or the PS4 system you bought at launch in 2013, you’ll have access to the same amazing games with the same features and same vibrant community that make PlayStation the best place to play. There won’t be any gameplay features exclusive to PS4 Pro or the standard PS4. In fact, we believe the impact of HDR on gaming and entertainment is so promising that all PlayStation 4 systems – back to the very first console sold in 2013 – are now HDR capable.

It is incredibly important for us, and our developer partners, to maintain one PS4 audience. All PS4 systems are also ready to deliver on the promise of virtual reality with the upcoming launch of PlayStation VR. Whichever system you choose, we’ll continue to give you the exclusive franchises, blockbuster third-party titles, and unique games from creative developers that you’ve come to expect from PlayStation.

I want to take a moment to thank everyone in the PlayStation Nation for the incredibly passionate support around PS4. From day one with PS4, we’ve been driven to create a system tuned to the needs of gamers. PS4 Pro builds on that goal even further, and we can’t wait for you to try it.

We've been hoping that the campaign wouldn't be the only co-op offering in Gears of War 4, and it looks like the Coalition will not be disappointing us. The developer released a new video yesterday that shows off some of the features of what they're calling "Horde 3.0."

Taking a little cue from a number of other first-person/third-person shooters, the new Horde mode will allow up to five players to select a character class - the Sniper, Heavy, Soldier, Engineer, or Scout - before facing off against 50 waves of Swarm foes. Each class will have their own abilities and skills to help the team out as a whole, for instance, the Scout can spot enemies through walls, and they'll also be to utilize another new feature: the "Fabricator." This will allow players to build defense, turrets, and weapons as you try to survive as long as possible.

The new Horde mode will be available for a hands-on preview this weekend at PAX West, so if you're headed that way, be sure to try it out and let us know what you think!

Gears of War 4 launches worldwide for the Xbox One and Windows 10 on October 11, 2016.

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With a month to go before the program premieres, HBO has released the official poster for its upcoming sci-fi/western, Westworld.

The striking poster features the double "W" logo, as well as what looks like an unfinished humanoid. There is also a vista in the background that looks like something you might see in Red Dead Redemption.

The poster also contains the unsettling tagline "Every hero has a code." As we saw in the new trailer earlier this week, the occupants of Westworld are not exactly human. They are created by a company run by Anthony Hopkins' character for the purposes of gratifying the desires of the people who pay to visit Westworld.

Westworld is a re-imagining of the 1973 Michael Crichton movie of the same name, with a high-profile cast that also includes Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, and Jeffrey Wright.

It is produced by Star Wars: The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams and Jonathan Nolan, creator of the hit crime drama Person of Interest and brother of Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan. Nolan has stated that part of his inspiration for the show came from video games such as Red Dead Redemption and BioShock.

The series has undergone considerable rewrites and reshoots since it was first announced last year. Production on the show was halted entirely in February, amidst rumors of creative conflicts and production issues.

In a recent interview with EW, co-producer Lisa Joy spoke about the delays, stating: "The show is complicated and ambitious."

Westworld premieres on October 2, 2016.

If you’ve ever wondered about the history of the gay adult film industry, you’ll want to check out a new documentary, Seed Money, that chronicles the founding of iconic gay erotic entertainment company Falcon Studios.

Seed Money tells the life story of Chuck Holmes who founded Falcon and ended up becoming a force in the gay rights movement. Before Holmes came onto the gay adult scene, gay adult films were pretty terrible in terms of quality. But Holmes, who had a background as a photographer, would revolutionize the form and also help shape gay identity (and gay preconceptions about body image) for years to come.

Later in his life, Holmes became a major contributor to gay advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign and the LGBT Victory Fund, realizing that doing so was good for business and helpful in securing a legacy for himself. However, later in life he would come to find that, while his money was welcome in philanthropic circles, he sometimes wasn’t.

Seed Money has played a host of prestigious LGBT film festivals including Frameline, Outfest and NewFest.

Watch a trailer for the film, below.

The post Witness the Birth of Gay Adult Film Giant Falcon Studios in New Doc ‘Seed Money’ – TRAILER appeared first on Towleroad.

To help promote its Video Music Awards that aired last night, last week MTV employed a novel approach to aerial advertising. Instead of having a plane pulling a large banner, it used a pair of helicopters to create a flying movie theater that the Guinness Book of World Records has confirmed as the world’s largest aerial projection screen.

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The first trailer for Logo’s ‘gay Bachelor‘, Finding Prince Charming, has just been released and it looks like viewers are in for the same combination of elements one might see on Everlasting The Bachelor: Romance (with a capital R), lust, body-baring shots (as in camera shots, but also probably body shots), and (melo)drama.

RELATED: Meet Logo’s ‘Gay Bachelor’, Robert Sepulveda Jr. – WATCH

In the trailer, Prince Charming himself Robert Sepúlveda Jr. is described as a “Real life James Bond” when the suitors meet him on the beach as he emerges from the Pacific.

When Sparks begin to fly between Sepúlveda and his potential love interests, he tells host Lance Bass that he’s falling in love with several of the guys. Cut to drama brewing in the house (the suitors are all living together, per Bachelor rules) and one guy accuses another of coming on to him instead of Sepúlveda.

Then there’s a threat to call the cops. Because if unReal (Lifetime’s scripted take on unscripted dating shows) has taught us anything, it’s that calling the cops gets good ratings.

However, despite trotting out all the usual drama, Finding Prince Charming also appears to be angling at an uplifting message that the gay community can get behind.

Via People:

Judging from the show’s trailer, Finding Prince Charming will have its fair share of drama and romance. But in the wake of June’s Orlando shooting, the show seems to have a bigger purpose of bringing the gay community together.

“We are part of something so much bigger,” on man says in the trailer. “Every gay man understands what it’s like to be an underdog. We need each other more than ever.”

You can meet all the suitors vying for Robert’s attention, here.

Watch the trailer, below.

The post The Claws Are Out in First Trailer for Logo’s ‘Gay Bachelor,’ ‘Finding Prince Charming’ – WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

TV manufacturers always look for the next leap in picture quality that will make watching TV feel like you’re looking through a crystal-clear window. HDR is the latest trend in display technology and it’s here to stay. Here’s everything you need to know about how it works, and why you may want to consider it when you buy your next TV.

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Wondering what Sony might have in store at its September 7th PlayStation event? You might be getting a sneak peek. An online classified listing purports to be selling an as yet unreleased "slim line" PS4 that would be thinner, rounder and (let's be honest) decidedly plainer than the original. There's no mention of whether or not this would be the vaunted 4K-capable Neo, but that seems unlikely when Sony said that Neo would be a more expensive complement to the base system -- 500GB looks pretty basic to us.

Via: Wario64 (Twitter)

Source: Gumtree, NeoGAF

Activision and Infinity Ward have unveiled their plans for the co-op zombie mode in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. "Zombies in Spaceland" will pit you and up to three other friends against the undead menace in a space-themed amusement park. Oh, and the whole thing is set in the 1980s. We are go for Hasslehoff, people!

After magically being teleported inside a director's horror film, four aspiring actors will have to shoot all of the zombies as they take on the personas of four stereotypical '80s characters: the jock, the nerd, the valley girl, and the rapper. Together, they'll face off against zombies in Thriller jackets, 3D glasses, mohawks, and (shudder) clown outfits. Like zombie modes in previous Infinity Ward developed Call of Duty games, "Zombies in Spaceland" features the vocal talents of Jay Pharoah, Sasheer Zamata, Ike Barinholtz, Seth Green, Paul Reubens, and David Hasselhoff.

"Zombies in Spaceland" will launch with Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare when it gets released on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on November 4, 2016 (presumably, it comes with the game and will not be paid DLC). The zombie mode is the only co-op offering for the title and will support four players online.

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Game trailers tend to be forgettable things. Explosive diversions paving the way for a marketing campaign that hits you, tries to sell you something then fades into nothingness as the next hype train takes its place. ODST’s live-action clip, though, lingers long after the game has disappeared off the charts.

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Japanese pole vaulter Hiroki Ogita was trying to qualify in group A of the first round of the pole vault but his Olympic dreams were crushed — literally — when his anatomy got in the way.

The NY Post reports:

Already unsteady, the bar was dislodged from its holdings when Ogita’s old fellow decided to make an appearance and slap the metal. The vaulter’s arm then collected the bar as it began to fall.

Video footage showed the crushing moment the 28-year-old was let down by his trouser friend.

And the gif of his accident has been viewed more than 6 million times as of this posting.

As one imgur reader noted: “Man, I cringe when I do something embarrassing and no one sees. Can’t imagine what you do after billions of people see you rack yourself.”

View post on imgur.com

The post Japanese Olympic Pole Vaulter Goes Viral After He’s Defeated by His Own Pole: WATCH appeared first on Towleroad.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Hillary Clinton on Friday released her 2015 tax returns, which showed the Democratic presidential nominee and her husband had $10.75 million in income that year and paid an effective federal tax rate of 34.2 percent.

On a tiny island at the end of the world, a lonely weather station is slowly tumbling off a cliffside. It’s a perfect metaphor for the state of our planet. Say hello to Vize Island, Russia. It won’t be around much longer.

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