Facebook is reportedly talking to streaming services for its camera-enabled TV streaming device

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It isn’t news that Facebook is still developing Portal video chat devices. It also isn’t news that Facebook is working on a camera-toting device that can double as a TV streaming device. What is news is that Facebook is reportedly trying to get big streaming services onboard. And that the device is expected to be announced this fall. According to The Information, Facebook supposedly approached Netflix, Disney, HBO, and Hulu about adding their subscription services to its hardware.

Disney+ isn’t going to launch until November 12^th in the US, but with a big company that owns tons of popular characters and franchises, it makes sense that Facebook would want to work with them. Netflix isn’t part of either of Facebook’s Portal products either. But now with something that serves as a streaming device, it might be more enticing for Netflix. An important question though is whether consumers will trust Facebook to put a camera in their living rooms and in front of a product they use a lot. That’s a question for another story. But we would like to see how this product turns out.

Source: The Verge

HBO teases its upcoming ‘Watchmen’ series

Don’t expect it to be a direct adaptation of Alan Moore’s classic 1986 graphic novel or even Zack Synder’s 2009 film version. Damon Lindelof’s version of Watchmen will take place in the same world. It won’t be a sequel though. He likens it to being the New Testament to the original twelve issues being the Old Testament. But from the trailer that was shown at San Diego Comic-Con, it looks like we’ll see some familiar faces. Rorschach appears alongside new costumed heroes. There will be references to previous vigilante fighters that longtime fans of the series will recognize. Watchmen will be premiering in October, and it is setting itself up to be the next big thing from HBO.

Source: The Verge

HBO's 'Silicon Valley' to end after its sixth season

CREDIT: HBO

Silicon Valley will be the third HBO mainstay series to end this year (after Game of Thrones and Veep). Variety reports that the final season will be an abbreviated seven-episode run, making Season 6 the shortest season for the show. It's currently in pre-production with this last season slated for a release later this year. Production was delayed because of co-showrunner and executive producer Alec Berg's commitments to HBO comedy Barry. Silicon Valley follows the ups and downs of working at a tech startup in what's considered a tech haven. It stars Thomas Middleditch, Zach Woods, Kumail Nanjiani, Martin Starr, Amanda Crew, Jimmy O. Yang, Suzanne Cryer, Matt Ross, and Josh Brener. The show has been nominated for multiple Emmys, including best comedy series, and has won two of the awards to date—both in 2015.

When asked about Silicon Valley ending, Berg and fellow showrunner/executive producer Mike Judge said, "’Silicon Valley’ has been a career and life highlight for us. We’ll miss it desperately, but we’ve always let Pied Piper’s journey guide the way, and Season 6 seems to be the fitting conclusion. We are forever indebted to our incredible cast, crew, and partners at HBO. At a certain point, there’s only so much we can do to make the world a better place."

This is when it’s acceptable to start talking about the latest ‘Game of Thrones’ episode

So, you’ve kept up with all the Game of Thrones episodes, but your officemate hasn’t seen it yet. When is the best time to start talking about the newest episode? New data from NachoAnalytics suggest that Wednesday is the best day. At that point over 70 percent of viewers have reportedly already seen the episode. Not everyone gets to watch it on Sunday. In fact, their figures suggest around 40 percent get to see it when it airs. So, just hold on a bit before you talk about the latest episode of the series.

Source: Quartz