Farewell to the Fuelband?

View fullsize

Nike's Fuelband Device (Courtesy Nike)

CNET and Engadget are reporting that Nike has laid off a good chunk of its Fuelband hardware specific employees and is shelving plans for the follow-up device originally scheduled to release after the latest "SE" edition. The device was among the first to really start the wearable technology trend and while many other options have been released by competitors with more features and functionality, the Nike brand and style of the Fuelband continued to set it apart. Both Cnet and Engadget have received a comment from Nike that it will continue to focus on its popular exercise software.

I wore a Fuelband for the better part of six months but quickly realized how inaccurate its pedometer was and stopped. Now I mainly use it as a cool Back to the Future feeling watch. If only it could track my vital stats and sleeping patterns like other devices. Have you worn a Fuelband or similar device? Tell us in the comments! 

Orphan Black "Nature Under Constraint and Vexed" Discussion Thread

View fullsize

Tatiana Maslany stars as multiple clone characters in BBC's "Orphan Black" (Photo Courtesy BBC America)

The biggest surprise for me over the past year was just how much I dug Orphan Black. On the surface level, the show could just as easily have been one of the Sci-Fi (SyFy for those that insist on using the branding) series that gains a cult following, but it's far more than that. Tatiana Maslany is fantastic throughout the show, the way that she's able to seamlessly create multiple versions of the same character - exuding their personalities (and even having to portray one clone pretending to be another) is incredible to watch.

Another draw to the series is that I absolutely have no idea where things are going from episode to episode. There's no predictability to the plot which is refreshing. There are handlers? There's a big-bad corporation involved? Wait... did they seriously just kill that character? 

The first episode of the second season airs this Saturday on BBC America - make sure to watch or DVR then come back to SPT to discuss!

X-Men Days of Future Past Final Trailer

A few days late on seeing this one but worth posting up for comments, 20th Century Fox has released the third and final theatrical trailer for X-Men: Days of Future Past which really embraces the cross between the future and the 1970s era setting by throwing in a little Nixon and Led Zeppelin. Of course Wolverine is a big focus of the trailer because... you know... but this trailer actually has helped sell me a little more on checking out the movie. Definitely curious to see how they've "rethought" the premise from the comics to fit into the live-action universe.

Weekend Recommended Viewing: Transcendence

View fullsize

Transcendence (Courtesy of Warner Bros.)

Looking for a theater getaway this weekend? While the reviews have been mixed, SPT's recommendation for the weekend is Transcendence, the directorial debut of long-time Christopher Nolan Director of Photography, Wally Pfister. According to some of the more critical reviews, the film aspires to have the bite and thought provoking tone of a Nolan film but doesn't quite capture the same lightning in a bottle. The film tells the story of a brilliant man searching for the singularity only to be paralyzed by an anti-technology movement. His mind is uploaded to a computer and, if the trailers are to be believed, some crazy Lawnmower Man chaos ensues.

Regardless of any potential hesitations, with the talent involved across the board and the promise of outstanding visuals, Transcendence looks to be a film that should be experienced on the big screen.

Have you seen the film? Leave your thoughts in the comments after the jump!