Trends with Benefits: Drone zappers, alien megastructures, #FrozenChook

By DT Staff Published October 16, 2015

Streaming services are moving past ’80s reruns and finally figuring out live TV. Rumors abound that Apple may work with CBS, and Amazon is discussing live services of its own. How will this effect the big cable companies? Also, how does everyone stay competitive with P2P sharing?

In odd news that seems like it should be from the future, Google has plans for a solar-powered contact lens, that could be a step towards making us all cyborgs. Battelle Innovations also has a product called the DroneDefender, which uses radio pulses to take down drones on the spot.

Some people think scientists just discovered an alien megastructure on the distant star, KIC 8462852. Is it an actual Dyson sphere? This could be the nerdiest discussion ever had on this show.

We shot a segment for Good Morning America last week, and Editor in Chief Jeremy Kaplan tells us all about their visit to our New York offices to “torture test” different iPhone cases.

Finally, Caleb explains what #FrozenChook is. It’s probably not what you were thinking.

Today’s episode features Jeremy Kaplan, Caleb Denison, Ryan Waniata and Greg Nibler. Please subscribe, share Trends with Benefits, and send in your questions to podcast@digitaltrends.com. We also broadcast the show live on Periscope every Thursday at around 2:30 p.m. Pacific. Join us next week!

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Entertainment

The best scary podcasts to keep you up all night

amazon lumberyard game engine spooky

It doesn't feel like long since the start of summer, but believe it or not, Halloween is right around the corner. As the dark nights roll in, fall is the perfect time for Gothic novels, spooky horror movies, and, of course, hauntingly good podcasts -- mug of pumpkin-spiced chai optional. There are plenty of scary podcasts to choose from, whether you're looking for fictional dramas or strange-but-true tales of things going bump in the night. Whatever you're h(a)unting for, you'll find something in our list of the best scary podcasts. And if you're looking for something that won't leave you cowering under the covers, check out our roundup of the best podcasts.
Audio drama/fiction
The No Sleep Podcast

This award-winning anthology of short original horror stories is now in its 18th season, with over 500 episodes to listen to. Each episode has a haunting, atmospheric soundtrack that ensures you're truly immersed in the tale. Be warned, though -- as the name suggests, this is definitely not a podcast to listen to in bed unless you plan on staying awake all night.
Apple Podcasts Stitcher

Audio / Video

Spotify looks to lure podcasters, listeners away from Apple with polls, Q&As

Spotify app icon on iPhone.

It's no secret that Spotify has its sights set on total podcast domination, given its high-profile acquisition of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, along with several exclusive launches like The Michelle Obama Podcast and one that features the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, better known as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. But the streaming music giant is still looking for additional ways to attract both listeners and podcast creators to its platform, and its latest move is the introduction of podcast polls and Q&As.

If you're a podcast creator, polls and Q&As give you a free way to increase your engagement with your audience. Normally, a listener has few ways to directly interact with their favorite podcasts, given that most platforms like Google Podcasts and Apple Podcasts are essentially no more than a way to find, subscribe to, and play podcast episodes. With Spotify's new tools, podcasts become interactive, with polls and the ability to ask listeners questions, right on the episode page.

Podcasts

Apple’s Podcasts+ subscription service makes debut at Spring Loaded event

apple podcast subscriptions

Apple will make podcasts a more integral part of its ecosystem with the launch of Apple Podcasts+, a subscription-based service that will offer exclusive podcasts only available to subscribers, along with the wider library of shows available on its existing podcasts app. The entire Apple Podcasts app will also get a redesign, as announced during the Spring Loaded event on April 20.

The premium Podcasts+ service will launch in May with several new shows only available to Podcasts+ subscribers. Along with receiving additional curation options and recommendations for subscribers in the redesigned app via Channels, Podcasts+ subscribers will also enjoy ad-free listening settings, early access to certain shows, and more, yet-to-be-announced features.