The Future of Streaming

Daily Upsider on January 3, 2024

As we step into 2024, the world of streaming is set to undergo a significant transformation with the introduction of various planned service bundles. This comes in the wake of many streaming services adding advertisements to their bottom tiers in an attempt to stay, or even become, profitable. These include Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, and Prime Video.

Very few streaming services made a profit this year. Netflix, Apple TV+, and HBO’s rebranded Max being among the few to make profits.

The increase in bundles seems like a decent strategy to get more subscribers onto their respective platforms. Let’s take a closer look at some of the streaming service bundles of 2024.

Disney+ and Hulu
This bundle, which launched at the beginning of 2024 will be an alternative bundle to the current Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu trio. This partnership will bring together two popular streaming services, offering a vast collection of movies, TV shows, and original content.

Verizon, Max and Netflix
Verizon is offering a $10/month bundle with Max and Netflix. This is available to Verizon customers and is for the ads versions of Max and Netflix.

Apple TV+ and Paramount+
There are also talks about a partnership between Paramount Global and Apple. These two companies are reportedly considering a bundle that combines the best of Apple TV+ and Paramount+, giving subscribers access to a vast library of sports and news content.

If you already have have some of these streaming services. Changing to a bundle could save you some decent money.

‘Lost’ Ancient Roman Palace Reopens After 50 Years

Daily Upsider on January 1, 2024

After 50 years of closure, Rome’s Domus Tiberiana, an ancient imperial palace near the Colosseum, has reopened as an open-air museum. The first-century palace, initially built by Emperor Tiberius and later expanded by Nero, now welcomes visitors after a six-year makeover.

The site, located on Palatine Hill, showcases artifacts like stuccos, frescoes, and statues related to cults of Isis, Dionysius, and Mithras. The renovation, led by archaeologist Alfonsina Russo, uncovered well-preserved antiquities, including some of the earliest paintings of lemons and depictions of gladiators. With 400,000 visitors since reopening, the revamped Domus Tiberiana is hailed as a successful restoration, blending original materials with careful reconstruction. Archaeologist Giorgio Franchetti sees it as a recaptured jewel on the historic Palatine Hill, offering a unique glimpse into Rome’s past.

Ozone Layer to Recover Within Decades

Daily Upsider on December 24, 2023

Scientists and researchers have been closely monitoring the ozone layer since the 1980s, when alarming reports of its depletion first surfaced. Now, over 40 years later, have we gotten past this potential danger?

The ozone layer, a vital shield that protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, is on track to be fully restored within the next few decades. This remarkable recovery is likely the result of decisive action taken around world to phase out ozone-depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), following the 1989 Montreal Protocol.

In the years since the Montreal Protocol was signed, the ozone layer has shown steady improvement. Scientists and researchers have been closely monitoring the ozone layer since the 1980s, when alarming reports of its depletion first surfaced. In the years since the Montreal Protocol was signed, it has shown steady improvement.

According to the latest UN assessment, the ozone layer is expected to be completely recovered by 2040 across most of the world, with the polar regions taking a bit longer – 2045 for the Arctic and 2066 for the Antarctic.

If you liked that article, you will probably enjoy reading this article about Amazon deforestation. Don’t worry, it is good news!

These 1920 Inventions Will Shock You!

Daily Upsider on December 21, 2023

It amazes me to no end what we humans can come up with. There are many amazing inventions happening right now, but I think some of the most fascinating come to us out of the early to mid-20th century.

Some of these are seriously ingenious! Let us know if you got a favorite one. I think my favorite is the helicopter boat thing. That looks so fun.

This Smart Roof Can Cut Heating and Cooling Bills

Daily Upsider on December 16, 2023

UC Santa Barbara researchers, Charlie Xiao, Elliot Hawkes, and Bolin Liao, have introduced a solution to address the high energy consumption associated with heating and cooling in buildings. Their creation, outlined in a recent Device journal paper, is an adaptive roof tile designed to autonomously switch between heating and cooling states based on the temperature, without relying on electronics.

The breakthrough came with Xiao’s idea of utilizing a wax motor—a technology found in common appliances. The wax motor responds to temperature changes and adjusts louvers on the tile’s surface. In colder temperatures, the wax solidifies, closing the louvers and absorbing sunlight. As temperatures rise, the wax melts, opening the louvers to reflect sunlight and emit heat.

The researchers’ tests showed a significant reduction in cooling and heating energy consumption—3.1 times and 2.6 times, respectively—compared to non-switching devices with conventional coatings. Remarkably, the device operates without electronics, batteries, or external power sources, relying solely on the wax motor. Its simplicity allows for customization and potential mass production.

While still in the proof-of-concept stage, the researchers anticipate that this technology could positively impact the cost of heating and cooling our houses.