Infinity and Atom are the latest players in the movie ticket subscription game

Move over MoviePass: Infinity and Atom are the two newest gunslingers in the showdown that has become the movie ticket subscription business. The new services have slightly different business models, but both are squarely aiming to take a share of the box office ticket purchasing market away from embattled incumbent MoviePass and its rivals, AMC Stubs A-List, Sinemia, and Cinemark Movie Club.

Infinity, which doesn’t officially launch until later this year, appears to be a direct competitor to MoviePass and Sinemia, but with its sights set on nothing less than total box office domination. “Infinity aims to unite movie theatres across the country under one common subscription program,” a company press release said, “thereby offering its subscribers the opportunity to walk into any network cinema and claim their movie tickets.”

Infinity will offer moviegoers plans at individual, couple, and family levels, with the option to add on access to premium formats, like 3D and IMAX, for an additional monthly fee. No word yet on what these plans or add-ons will cost and Infinity hasn’t yet signed up any movie theaters to its service. If and when it does, it’s going to let these theaters control what movies and showtimes are open to subscribers, which could lead to the very same problems that have dogged MoviePass in the past.

Atom Tickets, a company that already runs its own online ticketing system, is taking a different approach with its newly minted service called, Atom Movie Access. Instead of trying to run the entire box office game under its own brand, like MoviePass, it’s selling Atom Movie Access directly to theater chains, as the underlying technology platform on which they can build their own digital ticket businesses. “There are a lot of smaller, regional circuits that would love to have subscription plans, but don’t have the technology to build it themselves,” Atom Tickets co-founder Matthew Bakal told Variety. “That’s where we come in.” This would presumably result in a white label product, e.g. Hometown Theater Tickets, powered by Atom Movie Access.

Atom’s offering will give moviegoers a variety of advanced options, like advanced seat reservation, sending invites to friends, pre-paying for snacks, and app-based admissions. However, just like Infinity, it’s still the early days for Atom Movie Access, with no movie theaters having signed up for the platform yet.

Emerging Tech

Awesome Tech You Can’t Buy Yet: Eco-friendly speakers, a cinema for your face

Check out our roundup of the best new crowdfunding projects and product announcements that hit the web this week. You may not be able to buy this stuff yet, but it's fun to gawk!
Computing

Have a file too big for email? Here's how to send lots of data for free

Need to transfer a large file to somebody over the internet, but don't know how to do it? We'll teach you how to send large files over the internet using some of our favorite cloud services.
Movies & TV

HBO Go vs. HBO Now: Which streaming service is right for you?

If you're looking to get access to HBO, you might be comparing HBO Go and HBO Now. We break down the differences between the twin streaming services and see how they compare to one another.
Home Theater

THX takes on IMAX with new large-format cinema projection standard

In what is heating up to be a battle for the big screen, THX announced a new IMAX competitor for commercial cinemas: A laser projection and immersive sound system it calls THX Ultimate Cinema.
Gaming

Twitch Prime members can snag a free year of Nintendo Switch Online

Amazon Prime's Twitch Prime gaming service typically only includes PC freebies, but now Nintendo Switch owners can get a free year of Nintendo Switch Online through the service. The process for securing the year is somewhat strange, though.
Movies & TV

The best new movie trailers: Hellboy, Scary Stories, Godzilla, and more

Everyone loves a good trailer, but keeping up with what's new isn't easy. That's why we round up the best ones for you. This week, it's trailers for Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Hellboy, and Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and more.
Product Review

The JBL/Under Armour True Wireless Flash are AirPods you can sweat in

JBL and Under Armour’s True Wireless Flash are a compelling pair of wireless in-ears with great battery life, a comfortable fit, and fantastic waterproofing, making them among the best workout headphones you’ll find.
Movies & TV

Best new shows and movies to stream: Hanna, The Meg, The Highwaymen, and more

Need something to watch this weekend? Check out our list of the best new shows and movies to stream right now. On the list this week: Jason Statham fights a giant shark, a young girl with combat training evades the CIA, and more.
Movies & TV

The best movies on Amazon Prime Video right now (April 2019)

Amazon Prime Video provides subscribers with access to a host of fantastic films, but sorting through the catalog can be a major undertaking. Luckily, we've done the work for you. Here are the best movies on Amazon Prime Video right now.
Mobile

Laugh until you vomit: The best jokes from April Fools’ Day 2019

Is there a funnier day than April 1? If there is, we'd like to see it, because we need a laugh. In the meantime, April Fools' Day will have to do, and here are the best jokes online for 2019.
Home Theater

Discovery partners with BBC on nonfiction streaming service

Discovery has unveiled its plan to launch a nonfiction on-demand service with the BBC, giving exclusive rights to stream such monster hits as Planet Earth and Blue Planet. It's expected to go live in 2020 for about $5 per month.
Movies & TV

'Prime'-time TV: Here are the best shows on Amazon Prime right now

There's more to Amazon Prime than free two-day shipping, including access to a number of phenomenal shows at no extra cost. To make the sifting easier, here are our favorite shows currently streaming on Amazon Prime.
Home Theater

Amazon will reportedly launch its own free live news app on Fire TV devices

Amazon is reportedly working on its own free — and possibly ad-supported — news offering for Fire TV, which would compete with the Roku Channel. Little is known about the plan, other than a launch window for later this year.
Home Theater

Get a free Apple TV 4K when you commit to four months of DirecTV Now

After losing 250,000 subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2018, DirecTV Now is back in the fight with a new offer: It will give you a free Apple TV 4K if you sign up and pay for a minimum of four months of service.