Star Wars StarSpeeder 3000 set recreates the thrill of Disney’s iconic theme ride

The StarSpeeder 3000 attraction of the Star Tours at the Disney theme parks takes riders on an exciting journey of the Star Wars universe. For those who have experienced the thrill of this intergalactic ride, the limited-edition Star Tours StarSpeeder 3000 makes complete sense.

The play set limited to just 3,000 units debuted at the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event and for Star Wars fans the set will be available for purchase at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World starting 13 September. This set will be available via Tatooine Traders and interested buyers will have to get the park reservations to get one. Those who’ll go with the online purchase option can buy the StarSpeeder 3000 set exclusively from the Disney Store for $300 starting today.

Designer: Disney

The limited edition set comes with an LCD screen to play the original attraction footage with matching audio. The real ride is emulated with the scale seats having seat belts and opening doors that are activated with a chime sound. It comes with blasters, cannons and thrusters that have sound effects. To display it on your shelf, the set comes with a light-up display stand, along with the 3.75-inch minifigures of Captain Rex and R2-D2.

There’s an extendable landing gear that retracts when it’s time for action and locks in place. Those side panels are removable, and so are the rooftop carrier and roof panel. To keep the realism effect going, the set has exterior light effects too. This Star Wars playset requires six AA batteries to run and it would have been better off with an internal battery charged via a charging cable. That said, the batteries should last a long time unless you’re obsessed with playing around with the play set.

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LEGO Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ Cottage set is made for Disney fans of all ages

Disney fans are definitely upset with the delayed release of Marc Webb’s upcoming remake of the 1937 classic. They had been waiting to see Rachel Zegler bite the forbidden fruit in the new Snow White movie, which is now pushed back by almost a year from its original March 22, 2024 release date to March 21, 2025. That is not a reason for LEGO to fall back and procrastinate.

The passionate brick builders have released a gorgeous, and immensely detailed, LEGO version of the Seven Dwarf’s Cottage from the iconic Disney animation. This build comprises 2228 pieces and 10 mini figurines – slated to go on sale starting March 4, 2024 for $220. If you’re a LEGO Insider, you have a chance to get early access to this set beginning March 1.

Designer: LEGO

Created to allow Disney buffs bring the sweet story home in LEGO bricks; it is not a simple layout. The build is intriguing and effectively detailed to remind us of all the interesting aspects of the lore. In that breath, the LEGO Disney Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ Cottage comes complete with Snow White’s glass coffin, the Evil Queen with the forbidden red apple, all Seven Dwarfs, and the Prince to revive the Snow White out of the death bed with his kiss.

This quaint forest cottage with a straw-roofed structure is nestled in a bounty of green vegetation, close to the wishing well, and has animal friends for company. The open layout of the cottage with a removable side of the roof features other highlights like the bedroom with seven beds, dining table, and a room with a pipe organ.

The LEGO’s new Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs set – measuring 8 inches high, 14 inches wide, and 7.5 inches deep – is a pretty exciting deviation for the disappointed aficionados. And even if you are not a fan, this set for adults can be a distinctive themed gift for movie lovers in your circle!

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Disney’s intuitive solution to physically moving around in metaverse is the HoloTitle floor

Virtual reality and augmented reality are going to set the tone this decade without a semblance of doubt. Moving around your avatar in larger-than-life worlds tickles your visual senses but you always realize it’s not the real thing since you are sitting or standing still while the character moves around in a virtual environment.

The Virtuix Omini was a good attempt at elevating your multi-dimensional experience in the metaverse but it didn’t fare well owing to its hardware and software limitations. After that things went back to square one, that is till now. The legendary Disney legend Lanny Smoot who’s got over 100 patented inventions has finally created something that’ll interest the most finicky of geeks.

Designer: Disney

This HoloDeck-inspired VR accessory is that’s an omnidirectional treadmill project that’s going to change how virtual reality is experienced. Dubbed the HoloTile, this creation has individual rotating tiles that actuate the real moment of the user corresponding to the movement in the VR world. The modular, expandable treadmill floor lets the user move in an infinite direction without walking off the surface. Lanny who’s currently a Disney Research Fellow has developed this system to create a deeper connection between the VR world and the body movement.

The treadmill can be expanded if multiple users want to use it, without bumping into each other. A good example of this would be several people in a room able to “be somewhere else collaboratively and moving around, seeing, doing sightseeing,” according to Smooth. Another application would be in theatrical stages, where multiple artists can collaborate in virtual worlds for a spectacular performance.

The HoloTile floor is still a work in progress and as we can see from the video it looks promising. Smoot walks in VR wearing the Quest Pro headset, as if walking on a real tarmac. The technology aims to address the locomotion problem without hitting obstacles or feeling clumsy enough to not walk naturally on the surface.

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LEGO Celebrates Disney’s 100-Year Anniversary With Iconic Vintage Film Camera Replica

16th October 2023 marks a unique milestone for entertainment and movie giant Disney, as it celebrates an entire 100 years of crafting memorable experiences for humanity. To mark Disney’s 100th anniversary, LEGO unveiled their homage to Disney in the form of the “Walt Disney Tribute Camera”, a retro film camera complete with a tripod, reel of film, opening door, and also minifigures of Disney himself, along with his greatest creations – Mickey, Minnie, Bambi, and Dumbo. Comprising 881 bricks, this LEGO build tips its hat to one of the biggest icons of the film industry, also celebrating the camera that helped Disney reach its iconic status!

Designer: LEGO

Standing tall at over 14.5 inches high, 8.5 inches wide, and 7 inches deep, the Walt Disney Tribute Camera is an intricate build that has Disney’s legacy practically woven right into it. The camera comprises adjustable tripod legs, a detailed lens, a rotating arm (which helped manually capture video), and two spools of film on top with the number 100 integrated into them. There’s also a film reel that pops out of the camera, containing frames from 20 of Disney’s most iconic animated films from the golden days.

Accompanying the camera is a director’s clapperboard, a key element of the filmmaking process. With room for three mini-figures, including the timeless trio of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Walt Disney himself, as well as LEGO animal figures of Bambi and Dumbo, this set captures the whimsical spirit of Disney. The clapperboard is also accompanied by one of Disney’s greatest inventions – its multi-plane camera, which was used to capture Disney’s short film, The Old Mill. Featuring a trio of printed screens, this ingenious mechanism provides a glimpse into the captivating world of animation and pays homage to Disney’s unwavering dedication to innovation and creativity.

LEGO and Disney have a highly intertwined relationship, dating back to 1999. LEGO first introduced sets based on Disney properties, starting with Winnie the Pooh and Toy Story. Since then, the partnership has expanded to include various Disney franchises such as Star Wars, Marvel, Disney Princess, Frozen, and many others.

The LEGO Walt Disney Tribute Camera set, a nostalgic collector’s item, can be pre-ordered for US$99.99 on the official LEGO website. This retro-inspired creation is a must-have for Disney aficionados and LEGO enthusiasts alike.

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The best streaming services in 2024

There are too many streaming services to keep track of today — and with prices steadily rising, you might be asking yourself if it’s still worthwhile at all to subscribe to these services instead of cable. We share those frustrations but have ultimately decided this oversaturated space offers much more than the basic-cable world that came before it. But now, you have to wade through all of those options and figure out which have the content you want to watch, which fit into your budget, which have the most compelling original series, movies and documentaries, and the best live TV streaming services.

We at Engadget wanted to make that process easier so we’ve compiled a list of the best streaming services you can subscribe to right now, with our favorite picks spanning across all content types and budgets. Should you go out and subscribe to all of the services listed here? Probably not, unless you’re a true cord cutter aching for content. But these are the services that offer the best bang for your buck, regardless of whether you’re a live sports buff, a classic movie lover or a general streaming enthusiast.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-streaming-services-154527042.html?src=rss

The best streaming services in 2024

Picking a streaming service these days can feel a lot like picking a show to watch — there are so many options, and each one offers something a little different. Whether you're into binge-worthy TV series, blockbuster movies, live sports or award-winning documentaries, there’s a service tailored just for you. Some platforms, like DirecTV Stream, bundle in news channels and live programming, while others like Fubo focus solely on being the ultimate sports streaming service. And, of course, there are always new shows and exclusive originals that tempt new subscribers to jump aboard Netflix, Max and the like.

But when it comes to pricing, things can get a bit tricky. While many platforms offer ad-free plans and budget-friendly options with ads, it's worth keeping an eye out for price hikes — a trend that’s becoming more common as streaming giants expand their libraries. You might also find free trials here and there, giving you the chance to explore before committing. With so many services available, each bringing something unique to the table, we broke down the best streaming options today to help you find the right one for your needs.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/best-streaming-services-154527042.html?src=rss

The best digital gifts to send your friends and family

There are way too many online services and subscriptions to keep track of these days, but the flip side is there’s a tool for just about everything. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite digital gifts and subscriptions, including time-tested music, video and gaming services as well as tools to clear your mental space and learn new skills. There are also a few subscriptions here that provide ongoing, IRL deliveries, if you think your giftee will appreciate the nostalgic charm of a physical object.

Disney Bundle

Super Duolingo

Headspace

Masterclass

Codecademy

PlayStation Plus / Nintendo Switch Online / Xbox Game Pass

Apple One

Adobe Photography plan

Max

Audible

Crunchyroll Premium

Twitch Turbo

YouTube Premium

The Sill

Gaia fitness

Field Notes subscription

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/holiday-gifts-digital-and-subscription-gifts-160041638.html?src=rss