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What's on your HDTV: 'Battleborn,' 'Marseille'
This week Netflix premieres its first French original production with Marseille, starring Gérard Depardieu in a political drama. For gamers, the week's biggest release is Gearbox Software's Battleborn, aka the game that definitely is not Overwatch (which, coincidentally, just allowed early access to its open beta) and has an episodic plan for its single player mode. Meanwhile the Xbox One and PS4 swap exclusives as Superhot and Shadow Complex Remastered make their respective platform debuts. The Good Wife is ready to call it a series, and Netflix has season two of Grace and Frankie. Look after the break to check out each day's highlights, including trailers and let us know what you think (or what we missed).
Safely tour Marseille's back streets after dark with Google Night Walk
The streets of Marseille are beautiful, but have something of a reputation for being a bit stabby. Fear for your safety shouldn't prevent you from seeing the sights, which is why Google and Radio Grenouille have teamed up to create Night Walk. Combining high-res Street View shots with audio from the city, you'll now be able to wander the back alleys of the Cours Julien with the warming gallic tones of Christophe Perruchi by your side. [Thanks, Daniel]
Seiki U-Vision HDMI cable promises to squeeze 4K upconversion out of 1080p video
Known for suddenly coming on the scene last year with some of the cheapest Ultra HD televisions around, Seiki is getting into the accessories game with its new U-Vision HDMI cable. The $40 HDMI cable packs Technicolor 4K-certified video processing that it claims promises the best edge restoration, noise reduction and other tweaks available, all performed by the USB-powered Marseille Networks VTV-1222 chip within. While we usually prefer that our signal pass to the TV unaltered, so far Seiki's UHD TVs haven't proven to pack the most sophisticated scalers within. Also helping its case are industry darlings like the Darbeevision Darblet that many are using to improve the quality of their HD video on passthrough. We saw the cable in action and while the demo seemed clean, the demo reel didn't give us much of an opportunity to compare what it was actually doing. The cable will go on sale sometime in the first quarter of this year, and arrive as an adapter in Q2. Dana Wollman contributed to this report.
GOWEX bringing free WiFi to French rail stations, starting with Marseille
We take free WiFi at our transportation hubs for granted here in the US. (Heck, we've even got it deep in the bowels of NYC.) In other countries, it's not a given that you'll have high-speed broadband at your disposal while waiting for a train or plane. France is working on it though, with GOWEX signing a deal with the National Society of French Rail (SNCF) to bring wireless internet to rail stations across the nation. The first part of the puzzle will be the bustling Marseille St. Charles in the south of France. At some point in 2013 (though, the company refused to specify when) the switch will be flipped and tourists in and around the Marseille station will be able to enjoy 512Kbps internet for free. For a few more details check out the PR after the break.
