Say goodbye to the days of meticulously crafting offline playlists in anticipation of limited internet access. Offline Backups streamline the process by automatically populating a playlist with your most recently played tracks. This eliminates the need for manual selection and ensures you have a readily available selection of familiar favourites, even when data is unavailable.
How Does it Work?
In the background, Spotify tracks your listening habits. Whenever you’re online and have streamed at least five songs, the app automatically generates your personalized “Offline Backup” playlist. This playlist is then accessible for offline playback, providing a seamless listening experience regardless of your internet connection.
Source: Spotify
In addition to the obvious convenience it offers, the new feature will allow Spotify Premium users to access their playlists and most frequently listened-to songs without the need to manually download and organise their music. It could also potentially resurface songs long forgotten as well. However, the feature will need space to do this, so you might see storage usage of the Spotify app increase significantly.
Offline Backups will undoubtedly be a boon for Spotify users who are frequently travelling or commuting in areas with unreliable internet or those who want to avoid data charges associated with music streaming.
Offline Backups vs. Downloaded Playlists
While both Offline Backups and downloaded playlists cater to offline listening, they serve different purposes. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Feature
Offline Backups
Downloaded Playlists
Functionality
Automatically generated playlist of recently played songs
Manually curated playlists of chosen songs or albums
Customization
Limited
High (can add, remove, edit songs)
Offline Accessibility
Available with minimal internet usage for initial playlist creation
Apple TV has become a central hub for many home entertainment setups, offering a convenient way to stream movies, shows, and music. This year’s tvOS 18 update promises to take your viewing experience to the next level with a focus on intelligent features, improved accessibility options, and a seamless connection with other Apple devices.
InSight – Making that Rabbit Hole Easier to Dive In
Imagine getting more out of your favourite movies and shows than ever before. tvOS 18 introduces InSight, a groundbreaking feature that displays real-time information about the actors, characters, and music on screen. With a simple glance at your Apple TV remote or iPhone acting as a remote, InSight reveals details about the actors you see, allowing you to learn more about their filmography with a tap. Similarly, InSight can identify and display information about musical pieces playing in the background, enriching your understanding of the soundtrack that complements the visuals. This intelligent feature goes beyond passive viewing by offering a more interactive and informative experience.
Enhanced Dialogue
For those who struggle to hear dialogue amidst background noise or music, tvOS 18 offers a solution: Enhanced Dialogue. This feature utilizes machine learning and computational audio to isolate and amplify dialogue, making voices clearer and easier to understand. Imagine watching a movie with a complex plot or characters speaking in accents, and having the dialogue cut through any distracting background noise. Enhanced Dialogue is a boon for viewers with hearing impairments or those simply seeking a more focused listening experience. It’s important to note that while initially available on Apple TV 4K, Enhanced Dialogue is expected to be compatible with built-in TV speakers, HDMI-connected speakers, AirPods, and other Bluetooth-connected devices in the future, offering wider accessibility.
Automatic Subtitles
Subtitles are a valuable tool for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, those learning a new language, or simply those who prefer to follow along with on-screen dialogue. tvOS 18 introduces automatic subtitles that appear seamlessly, ensuring viewers never miss a beat. Imagine watching a foreign film without needing to manually activate subtitles, or having subtitles automatically appear when the language in a show or film doesn’t match your device language. Additionally, tvOS 18 automatically displays subtitles when you mute your TV, ensuring a smooth viewing experience regardless of the audio setting. These automatic subtitle features enhance accessibility and cater to diverse viewing preferences.
Other Minor Enhancements
While InSight, Enhanced Dialogue, and automatic subtitles take centre stage in tvOS 18, there are additional refinements worth mentioning. For movie buffs seeking a more cinematic experience, tvOS 18 offers 21:9 support for playing movies and shows on projectors. Imagine enjoying a widescreen cinematic experience in the comfort of your home with compatible projectors. Additionally, tvOS 18 introduces a range of new screen savers, including options that showcase stunning portraits, iconic movie and TV show imagery, and even a delightful animation featuring Snoopy and Woodstock.
Get ready for an animated adventure with Lara Croft! Netflix is gearing up to premiere its highly anticipated series “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft” this October.
This anime-styled series, co-produced by Crystal Dynamics, Legendary Television, and DJ2 Entertainment, marks a new chapter for Lara Croft in the realm of animation. Slated for release on October 10th, 2024, details surrounding the plot remain under wraps, but whispers suggest the series might pick up after the events of the recent video game trilogy. This could potentially bridge the gap between the core Tomb Raider games and the original titles, offering a fresh perspective for fans.
Hayley Atwell, known for her role as Agent Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, lends her voice to Lara Croft in this series. With a talented production team and a beloved character at the helm, “Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft” promises an action-packed and visually stunning adventure for fans of the franchise.
While the spotlight is currently on Netflix’s animated series, it’s worth noting that Lara Croft’s adventures extend beyond this platform. Rumors of a potential new Tomb Raider live-action film have been circulating, suggesting the tomb raiding heroine remains a popular figure across various media formats.
Whether you’re a seasoned Tomb Raider enthusiast or just discovering the thrill of the franchise, there’s plenty to look forward to! With the upcoming animated series and whispers of a live-action film, Lara Croft’s legacy continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
The trend of video game adaptations continues to gain momentum, with the iconic sandbox phenomenon Minecraft being the latest to join the ranks. Buckle up, block-loving fans, because an animated Minecraft series is officially in the works at Netflix!
This exciting announcement comes hot on the heels of successful video game adaptations like Netflix’s own “The Witcher” and “Arcane” on the same platform. It seems the lines between gaming and mainstream entertainment are blurring faster than a Steve sprinting away from a Creeper.
Minecraft, developed by Mojang Studios and acquired by Microsoft in 2014, boasts a unique, blocky aesthetic and a focus on creativity and exploration. It’s no surprise this beloved title has captivated players for over a decade, selling a staggering 238 million copies as of 2023.
The upcoming Netflix series will be an original story featuring new characters, all set within the familiar world of Minecraft. The animation will be handled by WildBrain, the studio behind popular shows like “Carmen Sandiego” and “Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu.” Details about the plot, characters, and release date are still under wraps, but one thing’s for sure: this is a major move for the Minecraft franchise and a potential game-changer for the animated series landscape.
However, not everyone is celebrating with a bucket of lava and a diamond pickaxe. Some have expressed concerns about the timing of this announcement. Minecraft’s core audience skews younger, and some viewers worry that a Netflix series might not capture the essence of a game known for its open-ended creativity and player-driven experiences.
Despite the concerns, the potential of a Minecraft series is undeniable. In the right hands, it could introduce a whole new generation of players to the joys of building, exploring, and battling creepers. Only time will tell if this adaptation lives up to the hype, but one thing’s for certain: the blocky world of Minecraft is about to take centre stage on Netflix.
Technology wouldn’t be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to the Olympics. However, the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games promises not only to be a spectacle of athletic prowess but also one which showcases technological innovation. One of the companies at the forefront of bringing technological innovation to the Olympics is Alibaba Cloud. The digital technology backbone of Alibaba Group is collaborating with Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) to introduce an AI-powered multi-camera replay service. This cutting-edge technology, piloted successfully at the recent Olympic Qualifier Series in Shanghai, aims to revolutionize how audiences experience the Games.
Alibaba Cloud’s solution outperforms traditional multi-camera replays, offering a true 3D viewing experience. Leveraging machine learning and deep neural networks, the system processes video footage captured from strategically placed cameras around the venue. This data is then transformed into cloud-based 3D models with high-quality textures. The magic lies in the ability to generate virtual frames from entirely new viewpoints, enabling smooth and realistic rotations. Imagine viewing a game-winning goal from behind the net, or a breathtaking diving catch from the athlete’s perspective. This 3D reconstruction promises to immerse viewers in the heart of the action.
Alibaba Cloud’s robust cloud infrastructure serves as the backbone for this innovative service. Powerful computing architecture ensures near real-time processing of high-precision 3D reconstruction and video rendering. This facilitates seamless integration with OBS’s production system, making the multi-angle video content readily available to global Media Rights Holders. As a result, audiences worldwide will be treated to dynamic and lifelike replays, enriching their Olympic viewing experience.
The multi-camera replay system isn’t entirely new. A version was successfully implemented for select events at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. However, the Paris 2024 iteration boasts additional AI features and expanded deployment across twelve competition venues, encompassing sports like beach volleyball, tennis, judo, and rugby.
August has come and gone… and with the strikes happening in the U.S., it can seem like there’s not many things that you can add to your watchlist – whether it’s offline or on one of the growing number of streaming platforms. But, don’t be down in the dumps, we’ve got a rundown of a few shows that should be on your watchlist, if they aren’t already.
If you missed the first season, what have you doing with yourself!? This is arguably one of the best epic high fantasy series on streaming right now. The series is based on a series of 15 books called “The Wheel of Time” and follows a group of young people, an Aes Sedai and her warder as they try to stave off the Dark One.
Source: Amazon Prime Video
Season 2 picks off where Season 1 left off with our main characters scattered to the winds as the end of the world quickly approaches. After the events that happened in Fal Dara, we see Nynaeve and Egwene learning the ways of the Aes Sedai while maneuvering the politics that have seeped into the White Tower. Meanwhile, Moirraine and Lan are in a remote hillside as she learns to navigate the realities of being sealed off from the Source. Her inner turmoil straining the bond between her and Lan. Perrin continues the search for Padan Fain as he seeks revenge for the death Fain has wrought.
While all of this is happening, we are left with the threads from season 1’s finale as new, unknown forces have begun to invade from the ocean. Don’t forget, the Dark One is still out there.
Season 2 kicks off on September 1, 2023 with 3 episodes being released simultaneously on Amazon Prime Video. The season will consist of 8 episodes in total. The series stars Josha Stradowski, Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Zoë Robins, Madeleine Madden, Marcus Rutherford, Dónal Finn as Mat Cauthon, and Ceara Coveney.
Based on the popular manga and anime series, One Piece brings the adventures of Luffy and band of misfit pirates into live action. The series follows Monkey D Luffy as he quests to find the “One Piece” to become king of the pirates. Luffy’s journey begins in the East Blue Sea, driven by a quest to uncover the legendary “One Piece,” the ultimate treasure left behind by the late King of the Pirates, Gol D. Roger. His ambition is to claim the title of Pirate King for himself. To achieve this, Luffy seeks to build his own crew, known as the Straw Hat Pirates. Along the way, they are joined by a diverse group of individuals, each with their own unique talents and quirks.
Their journey is anything but ordinary as they cross paths with fellow pirates, bounty hunters, criminal organizations, and revolutionaries. They also face off against enigmatic scientists, soldiers of the morally ambiguous World Government, and a host of both allies and adversaries. As they navigate the vast seas, they inch closer to realizing their dreams and ambitions.
“One Piece” is a tale of adventure, friendship, and the pursuit of one’s destiny, offering a rich and immersive world that continues to captivate audiences around the globe. But then again… you already knew this… right
The series stars Iñaki Godoy, Mackenyu, Emily Rudd, Jacob Romero and Taz Skylar.
Star Wars fans will undoubtedly already be devouring this series. The new series in the Star Wars franchise follows one of the most popular characters to come from its animated Clone Wars series – Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker’s Padawan.
Source: Disney+ Hotstar
Having forsaken the Jedi order after the events of the Clone Wars and slowly become a figurehead in Rebel movement, Ahsoka finds herself looking into an emerging threat after the fall of the Empire.
The series premiered back in August and stars Rosario Dawson as the titular character.
Astro – Malaysia’s largest satellite TV provider – has been diversifying its offerings with partnerships with OTT providers like Netflix and Disney+. These partnerships have seen an increasingly diverse pool of content offered to subscribers via its Ultra Box and Ulti Box. The latest to join that pool is Qalbox.
(Source: Astro/Muslim Pro) From left to right Co CEOs of Bitsmedia Nik Emir Din and Fara Abdullah together with Astro Director of Content Agnes Rozario and Group Chief Financial Officer Shafiq Abdul Jabbar
Qalbox is a streaming service by Muslim Pro. The app offers diverse, global content catered to Muslims of all ages. The app will provide an even more diverse, global view for Muslims in our increasingly globalised world that will complement existing channels like Al-Jazeera, Al-Hijrah, Naura and Astro Oasis.
The app, like other apps offered on Astro’s Ultra and Ulti Boxes, will be available on the home screen of the updated interface for the Ultra and Ulti Boxes. Astro subscribers with the Ultra and Ulti box will enjoy a complimentary 2-month subscription to Qalbox starting from July 27, 2023, until September 26, 2023. After this period, it will cost MYR12.90 a month to subscribe.
Source: Astro
“We are excited to announce Muslim Pro’s Qalbox on our platform, further enriching our suite of the best global streaming apps. Our Muslim viewers can enjoy Muslim-centric content with the addition of over 1,000 hours of Qalbox’s SVOD content available for streaming on our Ultra and Ulti Boxes. We now have compelling content from 12 streaming apps, including our own Astro GO app, which is complimentary to all customers…”
The announcement comes on the heels of Astro’s big content showcase where the company showcased their upcoming content and new collaborations in a two-hour spectacular show that was live-streamed on YouTube and on Astro’s Gempak channel. The showcase was directed by renowned Malaysian thespian, Puan Sri Tiara Jaquelina.
If you enjoy Chinese dramas centred around the theme of a ‘young couple separated when they were younger and falling in love again a decade later,’ then you are in for a treat!
iQIYI’s latest and hottest Chinese drama, Fireworks of My Heart (我的人间烟火), features popular star Yang Yang (杨洋) playing the role of a firefighter, Song Yan, along with Wang Churan (王楚然) as a doctor in the emergency department, Xu Qin.
In the drama, Yang Yang’s character Song Yan is a tough, passionate firefighter that offers disaster relief to people in need. On the other hand, Wang Churan plays the role of emergency doctor Xu Qin, who is burdened by the weight of familial expectations.
Forced apart by opposition from their families, the star-crossed lovers are reunited through their work 10 years later. Song Yan and Xu Qin work together to save the lives of others. It’s during this time they gradually clear the years of misunderstandings between them reigniting what was once lost.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v5FP8JJycg
The drama also features other famous stars like Ian Wang (王彦霖), Wei Daxun (魏大勋), and Yang Chaoyue (杨超越).
You can watch Fireworks of My Heart on iQIYI now for free. A Premium VIP plan for iQIYI gets you ad-free streaming, early access to episodes and more for as low as MYR6.90 with an enticing 40% off the original MYR16.90 price. You can get even more discounts when you pay using Touch N’ Go EWallet.
In addition to Fireworks of My Heart, you’ll also be able to watch iQIYI’s growing library of local, Malaysian content which includes shows like “Sorry Naik Lorry”, “Rampas Cintaku” and its first brand-integrated show with GrabFood – “5-Star Hunter Bersama GrabFood”.
iQIYI continues to push its new approach to entertainment – “advertainment” – with new shows. The latest show comes in partnership with GrabFood Malaysia and covers one of Malaysia’s most passionate subjects – food. “5-Star Hunter Bersama GrabFood” is the first branded reality show that debuted on iQIYI on 2 June 2023.
The new reality show follows Malaysian celebrity Chef Fikree and several local food bloggers as they search for Malaysia’s most authentic cuisine with one catch – the food must come from one of GrabFood Malaysia’s 5-star Restaurants. The show brings the popular format of sharing the story and inspiration behind the food and marries it with a unique approach of highlighting the services and impact of GrabFood on these humble establishments. However, Chef Fikri turns the tables on his celebrity guests as they are challenged to recreate the dish they just tasted. These recreations are then tasted by random guests at the eatery. So, will Chef Fikri come out on top? You’ll just have to tune in to find out.
The variety show is one of a growing number of “advertainment” shows that iQIYI first introduced with its show “Sorry Naik Lorry” not too long ago. The new format integrates advertising and brand awareness seamlessly into shows allowing brands to bring more awareness to services and goods offered. It also allows brands to sidestep the usual ad break and seamlessly integrate themselves front and centre in the show.
Source: iQIYI
“We are thrilled to collaborate once again with GrabFood Malaysia as our esteemed partners for the production of our first-ever local branded variety show. In the realm of entertainment, over-the-top (OTT) platforms like iQIYI have emerged as pivotal catalysts propelling the growth of the local entertainment industry while offering brands a fresh avenue to establish a relatable connection with their audience. This innovative approach allows brands to transcend traditional advertising and instead present their offerings in a captivating and profoundly influential manner that resonates more effectively with the audience.”
“5-Star Hunter Bersama GrabFood” debuted on iQIYI on 2 June 2023 and will feature six fifteen-minute episodes. To celebrate the launch, iQIYI will be giving away GrabFood vouchers worth RM50 to all their viewers. All you have to do to get your share is follow iQIYI on their social media pages and keep an eye out for the giveaway posts and answer a few simple questions about the new show.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and Netflix has new releases from the 6th to 12th of February to get you in the mood.
Asian love stories from Indonesia and Korea
Dear David. (L to R) Caitlin North Lewis as Dilla, Shenina Cinnamon as Laras, Emir Mahira as David in Dear David. Image source: Netflix
At the top of the list is the must watch, coming-of-age film Dear David which revolves around a high school girl’s worst nightmare. Depicted vividly in this teaser trailer, straight A student Lara’s risque blog about her crush gets released to everyone in school and she must face the consequences. Starring Indonesian talents Shenina Cinnamon, Emir Mahira and Caitlin North Lewis, Dear David releases on 9th February 2023. The movie is also the first of Indonesian movies and series to be released on Netflix, with upcoming ones listed here.
Enemies to friends to lovers in Love to Hate You. Image source: Netflix
There is also a new K-drama series Love to Hate You. From the trailer, the series plays on the enemies-to-lovers trope that will appeal to the romantic comedy fans. For more previews of the series, check out these character trailers for Mi-ran and Kang-ho. Netflix is also promising 2023 to be the biggest ever line-up of K-content, with the full list here.
Great exclusive content to be enjoyed alone or with a special someone
The doctor prescribes more laughs in his Ride With Caution stand-up special. Image source: Netflix
Netflix is also premiering a host of exclusive content to keep you entertained. For some guaranteed laughs, look no further than the latest stand-up special, Dr. Jason Leong: Ride With Caution. The trailer shows his hilarious insights on ageing, the absurdity of middle-aged cycling enthusiasts, and more, the doctor will see you starting 9th February. Also premiering on 9th February is You: Season 4 Part 1. Joe looks to start anew in London and bury his past, but the road ahead is rocky and a new obsession starts to take hold. Check out the trailer here. Netflix film Your Place or Mine puts a twist on the big question at the end of every date night. See what happens when best friends Debbie and Peter swap homes for a week and find a path to love.
Pay tribute to Boston Celtic’s legend Bill Russell in Bill Russell: Legend. Image source: Netflix.
Bill Russell:Legend will give NBA fans a chance to relive his life and legacy prior to his passing in 2022. Pay tribute to the Boston Celtic’s legend starting 8th February and learn more about the documentary here. Fans of Love is Blind: After the Altar will be thrilled to see the social experiment series back for Season 3. Starting 10th February, catch up with the former couples in this teaser trailer, to see their lives one year after their big decisions to stay or walk away. If you are spending the day in with the children, don’t miss My Dad the Bounty Hunter. The trailer for the new kid-friendly show, follows two kids who accidentally hitch a ride with their dad, a space-travelling bounty hunter.
Get your hearts racing, with adrenaline that is!
Catch Nobody starring Bob Odenkirk this February. Image source: Netflix
Netflix will also serve up shows to make our hearts race that does not involve romance. Action thriller Nobody follows a middle-aged everyman weighed down by life, until a lethal home invasion awakens his killer instincts. In the dark thriller M4M4, a distraught mother seeks revenge following the senseless death of her daughter at the hands of gang rapists. In the revenge thriller Promising Young Woman, a woman seeks revenge against a system that enables and protects its predators after her friend falls victim to a heinous act.
