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Netflix profile icons are getting a facelift
With all the money Netflix is spending on new shows, for awhile it's overlooked a small detail we all encounter before watching. The service's profile icons are soon getting a long overdue update, going from the flat minimalist versions that have been around for the last five years, to slightly embellished editions starting today. The aviator sunglasses and mustache (my personal favorite, and second most-popular among Netflix users) has gold-hued aviators now and black facial hair now, for example.
First 'Stranger Things' season 3 teaser is a perfect '80s mall ad
Thanks mainly to online shopping, malls are largely struggling nowadays unless they're willing to change with the times. But in the mid-1980s, they were everywhere, adorned with loud neon signs and welcoming consumers with even louder fashion choices and hairstyles. It seems fitting, then, that a silly ad for such a mall in the town of Hawkins, Indiana, is really the first teaser for the third season of Stranger Things.
Dark Horse's ‘Stranger Things’ comics chronicle Will's journey
There will soon be quite a few ways for you to experience the world of Stranger Things, as books, a video game and now a line of comics are all in the works. Entertainment Weekly announced today that Netflix has teamed up with Dark Horse for the new comics, the first series of which is scheduled to launch in September. "Dark Horse is known for championing stories and storytellers," Dark Horse President Mike Richardson said in a statement. "We are so excited to work with Netflix to bring the world of Stranger Things to comics."
‘Minecraft: Story Mode’ will become a Netflix 'interactive story' (updated)
Netflix has reportedly signed a deal with Telltale Games to bring simplified versions of its popular titles to the streaming service. The company confirmed to TechRadar that the first of these will be Minecraft: Story Mode, which will appear on the platform, followed at some point by a new Telltale game based on the Stranger Things series.
‘Stranger Things’ novel will tell the story of Eleven’s mother
Stranger Things is getting a prequel, but not one you'll be able to stream on Netflix. Instead, a novel is scheduled to be released next spring that will center on Eleven's mother Terry and the MKUltra program, Deadline reports. It will be written by Gwenda Bond, whose other titles include a trilogy about a young Lois Lane.
Netflix: 'Stranger Things' directors aren't leaving the show
We haven't heard much about the next season of Stranger Things, but a rumor on Moviefone.com indicated that its directors, Ross and Matt Duffer, will be less involved after season three wraps up. This evening, Netflix tweeted "Rumors that the Duffer Bros are leaving Stranger Things after season 3 are false," which doesn't exactly refute the report, but hopefully means our Eggos and walkie-talkies are safe. The reported cited a source claiming the two would step back to work on two other projects for Netflix, so this could just mean they're more spread around. Still, we'll be watching carefully to make sure the quality holds up.
Netflix brings HDR and surround sound to the Razer Phone this month
If you're a fan of mobile entertainment, the Razer Phone is about to get better. At CES, the company just announced that it's entering a partnership with Netflix and that the handset will be the first mobile phone to offer Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound. That's in addition to HDR10 video. Basically, it's the highest-quality Netflix experience you can get that still fits into your pocket.
The best movies and music to give as gifts
Not everything in our holiday gift guide is a gadget, per se. We know that media, including physical media, make good gifts, so made sure to include a few DVDs, plus some manga and a vinyl record, to boot. Depending on your loved one's taste, you'll want to buy them Blade Runner: The Final Cut in 4K, Spider-Man: Homecoming (also in 4K) or Planet Earth II -- another great way to make the most out of a UHD TV. For the binge-watcher in your life, you might consider scooping up the soundtrack to Netflix's Stranger Things, available in several volumes. And, for that person in your life who loves graphic novels, we recommend the hardcover version of Ghost in the Shell, volumes 1, 2 and 3.
Google's Pixel AR stickers are available starting today
During Google's Pixel 2 event in October, the company teased its upcoming AR stickers and starting today, Pixel users can actually get their hands on them. Those with Pixel phones running Android 8.1 Oreo will have access to AR stickers like Foodmoji, 3D text and celebratory balloons and champagne just in time for the holidays. And ahead of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Pixel users can also get a pack of Star Wars-themed AR stickers.
Netflix leads the streaming pack with nine Golden Globe nominations
Nominations for next month's Golden Globes ceremony were announced this morning and streaming services had a pretty decent showing. Netflix led the pack with nine TV nominations while Amazon and Hulu each received three.
Netflix locks down ‘Stranger Things’ producer for future series
Both seasons of Stranger Things have been colossal hits for Netflix. So it's no surprise that the company just locked down the show's producer Shawn Levy, which sources tell Variety is a four-year, eight-figure agreement. He will create TV projects exclusively for the streaming entertainment company.
Dave Chappelle’s third Netflix special will premiere December 31st
Dave Chappelle's third Netflix special, Dave Chappelle: Equanimity, will debut on the streaming service December 31st, Variety reports. It's the first comedy special Chappelle has made exclusively for Netflix. Last year, the service announced that three specials from the performer were on the way and the first two -- previously unreleased material from shows performed at Austin City Limits and the Hollywood Palladium -- were released in March.
'Stranger Things 2' premiere was watched by 15.8 million people
Netflix's original shows feel like must-watch TV, but how many people are actually watching? The streaming giant won't divulge its viewership data, so it's fallen on Nielsen to plug the hole. Now, the audience-tracking firm is offering its first insights into what a hit Netflix show looks like -- and, the numbers are big. Fittingly, the initial set of Netflix ratings are for Stranger Things 2 -- the follow-up to the '80s throwback thriller that remains ingrained in the cultural zeitgeist. According to the results, the first episode of the second season was watched by 15.8 million people in the US within the first three days. Binge watchers also tuned in, with 326,000 people streaming all nine episodes on the first day.
Recommended Reading: Is 'Stranger Things' really that popular?
In Netflix's Upside Down Reality, 'Stranger Things' Is a Hit Before It Even Premieres Victor Luckerson, The Ringer The excitement around Stranger Things season 2 has been building for months. We've seen soundtracks, merchandise and all kinds of promo tie-ins with other companies along the way. As the show returns this week, the buzz is already so high that reviews probably won't even matter -- people will binge it anyway. It also helps that the first season was both really good and seemed to be really popular, despite the company not releasing any numbers. The Ringer takes a look at how Netflix creates the feeling of must-see TV even though we might not ever find out how popular its shows really are.
'Stranger Things' invades 'Minecraft' with new skin packs
Minecraft players who love the upside down of Stranger Things have a new skin pack to acquire. It's available now in concert with the new season of the hit retro-horror show on Netflix. It looks like the whole cast is represented as a Minecraft character, including Hopper, Mike, Eleven, Dustin, Lucas and Will.
Netflix will stream a 'Stranger Things' aftershow for die-hard fans
It's safe to say that the second season of Netflix's Stranger Things is pretty eagerly anticipated, and now the streaming company is capitalizing on its popularity. Beyond Stranger Things is a new aftershow for the series hosted by Jim Rash. All seven episodes of the series will premiere tomorrow, October 27th, along with the second season of Stranger Things. You can see a trailer for the aftershow below.
'Stranger Things 2' basically gives everyone a cellphone
The second season of Stranger Things takes place in 1984, in a carefully curated world of mullets, muscle cars and arcades. Pick any scene, study it closely, and the obsessive attention to detail becomes clear: Yard signs proudly read, "Reagan/Bush '84;" Family Feud plays on a bulbous TV screen beneath rabbit-ear antennae; soda cans are scrawled with the era-appropriate logos. The clothes are right, the hair is right (yet so, so wrong), and Stranger Things 2's universe works perfectly as a 1980s nostalgia bomb. It all makes sense. However, some of these details serve a purpose beyond world-building. The communication gadgets in Stranger Things 2 -- walkie-talkies, a police radio and a video camera, specifically -- aren't simply clever nods to a bygone 8-bit time. These pieces of technology drive the story and shape the main characters on a fundamental level. They're not just nostalgia. They're necessary. And, taken together, the walkie-talkies, radio and camcorder serve as a handy stand-in for a contemporary mode of communication: the cellphone. While we've tried to avoid any spoilers in this story, the following article does refer to scenes and themes throughout the season.
How Netflix keeps ‘Stranger Things’ lo-fi in a high-tech world
Netflix is still surprised that Stranger Things, a science-fiction series starring five young kids, became a worldwide sensation immediately after it was released. Unlike some of its biggest hits, like House of Cards (which is based on a British series), Stranger Things was an unknown property when it premiered in July of 2016. But it quickly captivated audiences, thanks to its '80s nostalgia and the perfectly executed homages to Hollywood classics from the likes of Stephen King and Steven Spielberg.
'Stranger Things' season 2 soundtrack arrives on October 20th
Stranger Things fans are counting down to October 27th. After all, it's when the second season of the Netflix retro show releases. But there's another date that fans need to keep in mind: October 20th. That's when the soundtrack for season 2 will be available for purchase.
Netflix is getting more expensive in the UK
Some Netflix subscriptions have just gotten a tad pricier in the UK, reflecting a similar hike announced over in the US. The most basic, £6 per month plan remains unaffected, but the price of the "Standard" tier, which adds HD streaming and the option of watching on two screens at once, has risen from £7.50 to £8 per month. The "Premium" option, which includes 4K content and lets you watch on four screens simultaneously, has also increased from £9 to £10 per month. New subscribers are being asked to pay these prices from today (after their free trial period, that is), while existing members will be formally notified later this month before the hike kicks in this November.
