Something I’ve been wanting to do was write companion posts to episodes we record for the Naked Tech Podcast. I do spend quite a few minutes researching and prepping for each episode and sometimes we just run out of time or there are some details I fail to mention. So why not add that here?
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Parasite taking out 4 Oscars including Best Picture is indeed the year’s highlight thusfar, and much has been said about Hollywood finally jumping over that ‘one-inch barrier’ of subtitles. However, listeners might point to something we discussed last year, which was that there appears to be a big trend, especially the younger folk, where subtitles is just accepted as part of the viewing experience, at least in the home.
Inclusion might be one thing, but from a consumer behaviour standpoint, perhaps 2020 was the perfect storm of flawless film-making, Koreans just being so damn cool, and audiences actually preferring subtitles (or closed captions in Netflix-speak) to be present while ‘watching’ something.
This leads me to a natural conclusion that one day, say within the next 3 years, I believe subtitles will be a screening option in cinemas for films that are NOT in a foreign language. You heard it here first.
Filed under ‘stories I didn’t mention because we ran out of time’
Possibly the most used, as well as useful, app in the world - Google Maps - turned 15 last week. You know an app is an essential part of your daily life when you can’t actually remember how you functioned in society without it. Google Maps is a lot of things to lot of different people, but as the Sydney-raised app transitions into adulthood, what is becoming abundantly clear is that it will be a whole lot more than what is now, in the not too distant future.
One of the new features introduced as part of its 15th birthday is ‘Contribute’. This is essentially for the every day jo blo to easily write up a review and upload photos of the establishment’s food or menu or decor. It’s basically your TripAdvisors and Zomatos of the world - all within the app. I will not be suprised one bit when they introduce the ability to ‘check-in’ to places, Foursquare-style.
Meanwhile the EU (via France) have issued a 25M EUR fine to Apple for knowingly slowing down older models of iPhones. At least that is the click-baity headline you have been reading this week. Yes, it is a fact that Apple were fined but what the mass media aren’t explaining properly is that Apple have since made it optional for the slow-down to occur and their overall goal is to extend the life of your 5 year old device. Most manufacturers, including Samsung, will not support a device that is not even 2 years’ old.