Grammy Awards 2019 Nominations: Sad Representative for Pop

by HN Porter of tech4today.net

On Dec 7, nominations for Grammy Awards 2019 was unveiled at the Recording Academy. The awards scheduled for Sunday 10 February 2019 in Los Angeles, has people questioning whether the nominations give a fair representation of Pop music.
The genre which already seems to be going through an identity shift has been struggling to keep its share of the pie in the industry as compared to other genres.

This year even the more pop-specific categories such as The Best pop solo performance is mainly a combination of songs/artists that don't give Pop much justice with the exception of one, (Ariana's Grande's "God is Woman"). Most of the big names that usually make up the category have been left out.
Despite the fact that in recent years most of the top categories have been won by big Pop names like Taylor Swift, Adele, Ed Sheeran, this year most of these names are nowhere to be found. In fact, one of the biggest names in Pop, Lady Gaga, is represented by a duet with Bradley Cooper a song which falls in the genres of ‎country‎ and ‎folk-pop.
The decline in Pop has led to a rise in Hip-hop dominance with the two most-nominated people at the 61st annual Grammy Awards both being in Hip-hop.

In recent years the same thing has gradually happened to Rock music. There's little to no representation of rock music in The Grammys and leaves one to wonder if perhaps it's time to redefine what passes for Pop this days in order to save its presence and inclusion in the Grammy Awards. After all, pop has never really been a fixed culture but rather a forever evolving trend depending on the era and whatever passes "popular at the time. Either way, congratulations are still on the plate for each nominee as the mere fact of just being nominated serves as a major recognition.

Below is the list of Nominees for the Top 4 categories:
1. Album Of The Year
(Award to Artist(s) and to Featured Artist(s), Songwriter(s) of new material, Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s), Mixer(s) and Mastering Engineer(s) credited with at least 33% playing time of the album, if other than Artist.)
• Invasion Of Privacy
      Cardi B
      Leslie Brathwaite & Evan LaRay, engineers/mixers; Belcalis Almanzar & Jorden Thorpe, songwriters; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer
• By The Way, I Forgive You
      Brandi Carlile
      Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings, producers; Dave Cobb & Eddie Spear, engineers/mixers; Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters; Pete Lyman, mastering engineer
• Scorpion
      Drake
      Noel Cadastre, Noel "Gadget" Campbell & Noah Shebib, engineers/mixers; Aubrey Graham & Noah Shebib, songwriters; Chris Athens, mastering engineer
• H.E.R.
      H.E.R.
      Darhyl “Hey DJ” Camper Jr, H.E.R. & Jeff Robinson, producers; Miki Tsutsumi, engineer/mixer; Darhyl Camper Jr & H.E.R., songwriters; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer
• Beerbongs & Bentleys
      Post Malone
      Louis Bell & Post Malone, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Louis Bell & Austin Post, songwriters; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
• Dirty Computer
      Janelle Monáe
      Chuck Lightning & Janelle Monáe Robinson & Nate "Rocket" Wonder, producers; Mick Guzauski, Janelle Monáe Robinson & Nate "Rocket" Wonder, engineers/mixers; Nathaniel Irvin III, Charles Joseph II, Taylor Parks & Janelle Monáe Robinson, songwriters; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer
• Golden Hour
      Kacey Musgraves
      Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian, producers; Craig Alvin & Shawn Everett, engineers/mixers; Ian Fitchuk, Kacey Musgraves & Daniel Tashian, songwriters; Greg Calbi & Steve Fallone, mastering engineers
• Black Panther: The Album, Music From And Inspired By
      (Various Artists)
      Kendrick Lamar, featured artist; Kendrick Duckworth & Sounwave, producers; Matt Schaeffer, engineer/mixer; Kendrick Duckworth & Mark Spears, songwriters; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer

2. Song Of The Year
(A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.)
• "All The Stars"
      Kendrick Duckworth, Solána Rowe, Al Shuckburgh, Mark Spears & Anthony Tiffith, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar & SZA)
      Track from: Black Panther The Album Music From And Inspired By
• "Boo'd Up"
      Larrance Dopson, Joelle James, Ella Mai & Dijon McFarlane, songwriters (Ella Mai)
      Track from: Ready
• "God's Plan"
      Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Brock Korsan, Ron LaTour, Matthew Samuels & Noah Shebib, songwriters (Drake)
• "In My Blood"
      Teddy Geiger, Scott Harris, Shawn Mendes & Geoffrey Warburton, songwriters (Shawn Mendes)
      Track from: Shawn Mendes
• "The Joke"
      Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)
      Track from: By The Way, I Forgive You
• "The Middle"
      Sarah Aarons, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Marcus Lomax, Kyle Trewartha, Michael Trewartha & Anton Zaslavski, songwriters (Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey)
• "Shallow"
      Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando & Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper)
• "This Is America"
      Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson, songwriters (Childish Gambino)

3. Record Of The Year
(Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s) and mastering engineer(s), if other than the artist.)
• "I Like It"
      Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin
      Invincible, JWhiteDidIt, Craig Kallman & Tainy, producers; Leslie Brathwaite & Evan LaRay, engineers/mixers; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer
      Track from: Invasion Of Privacy
• "The Joke"
      Brandi Carlile
      Dave Cobb & Shooter Jennings, producers; Tom Elmhirst & Eddie Spear, engineers/mixers; Pete Lyman, mastering engineer
      Track from: By The Way, I Forgive You
• "This Is America"
      Childish Gambino
      Donald Glover & Ludwig Goransson, producers; Derek “MixedByAli” Ali & Riley Mackin, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
• "God's Plan"
      Drake
      Boi-1Da, Cardo & Young Exclusive, producers; Noel Cadastre, Noel "Gadget" Campbell & Noah Shebib, engineers/mixers; Chris Athens, mastering engineer
• "Shallow"
      Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
      Lady Gaga & Benjamin Rice, producers; Tom Elmhirst, engineer/mixer; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer
• "All The Stars"
      Kendrick Lamar & SZA
      Al Shux & Sounwave, producers; Sam Ricci & Matt Schaeffer, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
      Track from: Black Panther The Album Music From And Inspired By
• "Rockstar"
      Post Malone Featuring 21 Savage
      Louis Bell & Tank God, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
• "The Middle"
      Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey
      Grey, Monsters & Strangerz & Zedd, producers; Grey, Tom Morris, Ryan Shanahan & Zedd, engineers/mixers; Mike Marsh, mastering engineer

4. Best New Artist
(An artist will be considered for Best New Artist if their eligibility year release/s achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and notably impacted the musical landscape.)
• Chloe x Halle
• Luke Combs
• Greta Van Fleet
• H.E.R.
• Dua Lipa
      Track from: Dua Lipa
• Margo Price
• Bebe Rexha
• Jorja Smith
The 61 Grammy Awards will air on Feb. 10, 2018, on CBS, broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

SOURCES: billboard.com
                    billboard.com

Author: HN Porter
Contact Info: hnportertech4today@gmail.com

No Tornado Warnings for Spectrum Cable Customers

by CJ Nice of tech4today.net

Jasper and Huntingburg customers of Spectrum, well known cable internet provider, will no longer receive tornado warnings through their local cable interrupter.

They will still be notified but Jasper Police Department said it will be issued from National Weather Service through their televisions.

The local interrupter gives more precise location for tornado touchdown. But due to malfunction of maturing equipment, the local interrupter haven't been working properly.
Once a test is complete users reported a few issue on TVSs failing to return to its normal broadcasting.

The Jasper police department recommend citizens to install weather apps on their phones, have an emergency alert weather radio and keep alert during weather events.

The NOAA will still be the best reference to any update on weather information as they operate 24/7. Citizens and keep updated on weather forecast, tornado watches and warnings.

SOURCE TRISTATE


      DUBOISCOUNTYHERALD

Author: CJ Nice
Contact Info: cjnicetech4today@gmail.com

AT&T Will Keep Your Money Even If You Cancel the Service

by CJ Nice of tech4today.net

The cable internet  provider just announced a ''no more prorated service'' if you cancel your service in the middle of a billing cycle. The said change will be in effect this coming January 14, 2019. They used to give credit when a subscriber cancel the service before the next billing cycle. With the new policy even if you no longer want the service even if you are 24 hours in your billing month you have to pay for the whole month itself. It means keeping and paying a service you no longer want.

According to Gizmodo the new policy will be in most states and will not apply to customers in Illinois, New York and California. U-verse TV, AT&T Phone or AT&T accounts in Michigan are included in the list too.

If you are switching between the following products the change doesn't apply.
Direct TV- satellite television
U-verse TV- cable television
DSL and AT&T Phone
Landline Phone and AT&T Phone
Moving customers to a new location and DIRECT TV for Business are not affected with the change.

It was relayed that ''certain states, a limited number of customers will continue to receive prorated credits, either as a result of local or state regulations or for other specific reasons.''

After visiting the AT&T site support it was mentioned that the new policy was to mainly keep the video and broadband services follow the same billing cycle.

SOURCE GIZMODO

Author: CJ Nice
Contact Info: cjnicetech4today@gmail.com

Apple's Newbie is New Senior Vice President

by CJ Nice of tech4today.net

John Giannandrea just joined Apple last April and now declared as the SVP of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
The 53 yrs old is a Scottish computer scientist known for generating Metaweb and Freebase. Metaweb developed Freebase which is a collab knowledge base with data from members.

It was reported in New York Times couple of months ago, a day after stepping down on his role in Google that John is actually joining Apple. He was Google's former head of search and artificial intelligence. It was no doubt that his move's main agenda was to help improve Siri. After joining Apple, he was also in charge of software Core ML aside from Siri.

“John hit the ground running at Apple and we are thrilled to have him as part of our executive team,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Machine learning and AI are important to Apple’s future as they are fundamentally changing the way people interact with technology, and already helping our customers live better lives. We’re fortunate to have John, a leader in the AI industry, driving our efforts in this critical area.”

Apple is looking into elevating its profile AI. After being part of Google for about 8 years and now part of the company's executive team, there are new innovations to look forward to this coming year with the help of the new SVP.

Back to back with other members of the team includes
Katherine Adams- SVP of LGS (Legal and Global Security)

Angela Ahrendts- SVP of retail and was the CEO of Burberry for 8 years before joining APPLE

Eddy Cue- SVP of Internet Software and Services

Craig Federighi- SVP of Software Engineering

Jonathan Ive- Chief Design Officer

Luca Maestri- SVP and Chief Financial Officer

Dan Riccio- SVP Hardware Engineering

Phil Schiller- SVP Worldwide Marketing

Johny Srouiji- SVP Hardware Technologies

Jeff Williams- Chief Operating Officer



Compare internet providers for your Apple devices


SOURCE Apple


       WIKIPEDIA

       CNBC

Author: CJ Nice
Contact Info: cjnicetech4today@gmail.com

Spectrum News Now Available in Milwaukee

by CJ Nice of tech4today.net

Great news for spectrum cable internet subscribers in Milwaukee their news channel is now available for public viewing.

Is it also available for Time Warner Cable subscribers? Definitely. Spectrum is owned by Charter Communications that bought TWC.

Launching of Spectrum News also opens job opportunities to everyone. They have a couple of job openings but no date was announced last October to when it will be fully operational. In addition to that, Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin: Milwaukee Wisconsin is the 7th headquarters in US.

Channel Availability in Wisconsin will be Channel 1 for standard definition, Channel 700 for high definition in Charter Legacy users and Channel 1001 for high definition in TWC legacy users.

“Spectrum News 1 will serve the greater needs of viewers in Wisconsin through a statewide news format and the creation of original programming and content that is reliable, objective and relevant,” the vice president of Spectrum News, Alan Mason said last Monday.

Morning local news will be anchored by Sachelle Saunders starting from 6 in the morning. Jason Fechner will anchor evening news from 5 in the afternoon. JD Rudd and Craig Koplein will update the weather reports from meteorologists.

Green Bay Packers is included in the sports programming of the news channel. Packed with live post-game highlights and analysis after each game subscribers can now enjoy updates.

Every Wednesdays at 7 pm ''Packers Live'' of Channel 4 Lance Allan together with Wayne Larrivee. You will get updates from Leroy Butler himself who used to be a former Packer and Gary Ellerson every Mondays at same time 7 pm.

SOURCE BIZJOURNAL

      WIKIPEDIA

Author: CJ Nice
Contact Info: cjnicetech4today@gmail.com

Game of Thrones Producers Paranoid About Spoilers

by HN Porter of tech4today.net

It's a few months to the airing of the final season of the mind thrilling Game of Thrones and according to some of the cast members, the producers' paranoia over leaks is growing stronger with each passing day.

In an interview with Nihal Arthanayake on BBC Radio 5 Live, Game of Thrones star Iain Glen who plays as the right-hand man of Daenerys Targaryen stated that the producers' paranoia has gotten so bad that it caused issues with the cast.
“They're absolutely paranoid now about anyone finding out anything about the series and spoiling it. We weren't allowed a written word on a page. Everything was accessed through iPads with different security you had to get through to access it. Which caused a problem for the actors, I have to say.”
“But we find a way, either on phones or with pads, or different ways for it to be available on set.”

Despite all this, the actor promises fans to still looking forward to an "absolutely phenomenal" final season.
"This season was the first ever that we sat and read the entire arc of the story from beginning to end right through over the course of a day," the actor said.
"Kit (who plays Jon Snow), if he wasn't lying, had not read it, so he was reading it on that day for the first time."
Glen also revealed that the actors themselves were shocked as they read into how the shows plot twist was to be played out, but in the end, everyone was still happy with what was written

"Honestly, these six episodes are absolutely phenomenal. The writers really, really came up trumps. The way they pulled it all together was a real writing task.

"There were a lot of tears that day...and it's been a season of that because it's been a season of farewells and finishes."

Fans are still eager to know when the release for the new season will be, however, creators of the show have been tight-lipped about it thus far. Some fans signed-up for cable tv deals just to have HBO. At the moment the only thing known to fans is that the final season of the show will be aired in April 2019, as recently revealed by HBO.
US network executive, Casey Bloys from HBO, confirmed that Game of Thrones season eight would be out “sometime in 2019…first half".
He further added, “I’m not going to say what to expect (in the final season) through it’s pretty great.”

Season 8 will feature only 6 episodes, making it the shortest one yet but to make up for it it'll have some of the longest episode running times. With this, it still serves as the most time-consuming season when it comes to production.


SOURCES: express.co

                    express.co

Author: HN Porter
Contact Info: hnportertech4today@gmail.com

Apple & Charter Spectrum Starting TV's Zero Sign-on is Live Now!

by JE Cool of tech4today.net

If you are using Charter Spectrum and Apple, this is for you. Now that Charter Spectrum supporting the feature of Apple TV "Zero sign-on" is live. If you are subscribed to cable internet provider, you should now be able to access content in any app just by connecting your Apple TV to your Spectrum network as the feature, announced earlier, that it automatically signs in to apps that will require a cable tv subscription when the device is connected to the internet from the same provider.

Spectrum is the first cable internet service provider to merge with zero sign-on feature. Zero sign-on was introduced with the release of tvOs 12 as an update to Apple's single sign-on feature which was introduced a few years back.

There's no update on when it will be available for other cable providers.

Apple Insider stated that Apple's splash page for Apple TV now shows Charter Spectrum is "coming soon" on the platform while zero sign-in support for Spectrum has arrived, the cable provider's own app for Apple TV was delayed. It was shown on an archived version of the page that spectrum subscribers would enjoy live programming through Apple TV "later this year".

There was an announcement for Charter that the support would be available by December 3rd, then 13th, according to 9to5Mac, but both of those dates have come and gone without spectrum app being available. The company has not replied to request for comment when Engadget reached out to Charter.

Source: Engadget

Author: JE Cool
Contact Info: jecooltech4today@gmail.com 

Google Play Offers Discounts This Holiday Season

by CJ Nice of tech4today.net

Google Play living up with ''It's the most wonderful time of the year'' season's well-known line. They are offering varieties of discounts from top rated movies, the coolest apps you've been wanting to download, games that kills time and more. Discounts will last for 12 days for the holiday season so they called the promotional period as 12 Days of Play.

There are so much to choose from that Google Play split it up in a couple of weeks.Let's check out the games that are included in the first week of discounts. Don't miss out on battles and tower defenses with Clash Royale. Hunting begins with Pokemon Go. Rattle your brain with Empires and Puzzles together with Lineage 2.

Week 2 comes sweet puzzle solving with Candy Crush Friends Saga. Added are PUBG and Marvel Contest of Champions.

Premium games are cost next to nothing with the 80% discounts. Build mind blocks with Minecraft: Story Mode Season Two. Drive and race with Need for Speed Most Wanted. There's a list of free downloadable games that will surprise players.

If you are into movies, discounts on subscriptions is a must look into. You've had been watching them on your cable tv now Google play are offering discounts on HBO and STARZ. However, it only applies for first-time subscribers.

Fashionistas most awaited movie Crazy Rich Asians is also on a discounted price. If you are more into action and suspense John Wick and The Predator are good choices which they included in the list.

Who don't miss Game of Thrones? You can back track with season 1 great discounts. Legion season 2 fans can save during bargain season. The walking Dead and Doctor Who joins the list.

Book worms have discounts too up to 80 percent. For purchase of over $5 comes with $5 credit towards any book you buy.

Check your Google Play and find the best discounts this holiday season.

SOURCE: Digitaltrends

Wikipedia

Author: CJ Nice
Contact Info: cjnicetech4today@gmail.com

Ubisoft takes Assasin's Creed crossover event to 'For Honor'

by HN Porter of tech4today.net

As of today, December 20th, until January 10th, 2019, Ubisoft will integrate two of its games to bring fans a three-week event that will put Assasins (From Assassin's Creed) in contend with Templars (from For Honor). Assassin's Creed is an action-adventure stealth video game which depicts in the centuries-old struggle, now and then, between the Assassins, who fight for peace with free will, and the Templars, who desire peace through control. For Honor, on the other hand, is an action fighting game with a medieval, post-apocalypse fantasy setting. Gamers play the roles of historical forms of soldiers and warriors, including knights, samurai, and Vikings using a third-person perspective.

The event, titled "For the creed", will introduce Assasin's Creed tools and content, including weapons and cosmetics, to  For Honor. This will give gamers the opportunity to be on each other's throats using wrist blades, Connor’s ax from Assassin’s Creed 3 and other cosmetic tools from the Assassin’s line. 

Characters from Assasin's Creed like Ezio Auditore and Cesare Borgia will also make an appearance in the event as commanders in For Honor.

Ubisoft has also promised players of For Honor a highly Assasin's Creed themed environment, including Assasin's creed music, and environmental effects inspired by the Animus. The video game company also promises players weekly arcade quests, community orders, and limited-time cosmetic loot.

According to insights from www.polygon.com, For Honor developers teased Assassin’s Creed Easter eggs hidden throughout the game’s multiplayer during the For Honor Warrior's Den livestream video reveal.

Both games are available for PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One. For Honor's third year of content will kick off on Jan. 31, with the fourth season bringing in four new heroes for the knight, samurai, Viking, and Wu Lin factions.

Compare your internet service for better gaming experience

SOURCE: polygon.com

Wikipedia

Wikipedia

Author: HN Porter
Contact Info: hnportertech4today@gmail.com 

Top 3 Restaurant Chains in US listed by TripAdvisor

by JE Cool of tech4today.net

Here is the revealed new ranking of the United States' top 3 restaurant chains for 2019, with Ruth's Chris Steak House, The Capital Grille and Eddie V's Prime Seafood topping the bill which has been best-reviewed small, medium and large chains.

Keeping burgers aside, America is likely to have a great taste for steak houses, with restaurants which serves meaty morsels which appears as a firm favorite in TripAdvisor's latest rundown of the top restaurant chains in the U.S., based on thousands of reviews and opinions from TripAdvisors diners.

The top 3 restaurants are split up into three categories, which falls in large chains, medium-sized chains and small chains. The large chains with 101+ locations, the medium with 50-100 locations and the small sized chains with 10-50 locations. Ruth's Chris Steak house takes the top position in the category of large chains. This well-renowned U.S. chain has been established and been around since 1960s and is well known for serving delicious prime cuts of beef on Sizzling-hot plates.

Topping the bill of medium-sized chains which is located in 50-100 locations another steakhouse takes place which is The Capital Grille. And among the small chains' category, U.S., diners drives insane for seafood, which seems, with Eddie V's Prime Seafood topping the list.

Here are some facts about the Top 3 restaurants.

1. Ruth's Chris Steak House- is a chain over 100 steakhouses across United States, Canada and Mexico. Ruth's Chris Steak House is considered as an upscale fine dining establishment and is founded in the 1960s with marking a gradual elevation in its status. It is currently the largest luxury steakhouse in order for locations and gross profit. The headquarter of the group is located in Winter Park, Florida.

Website- www.ruthschris.com

2. The Capital Grille- is an upscale steakhouse, an American restaurant chain owned by Darden Restaurants. It has locations in twenty states and the District of Columbia. It was founded in the 1940s. And has a great reputation and status for a fine dine with the freshest ingredients for artfully prepared dishes.

Website- thecapitalgrille.com

3. Eddie V's Prime Seafood- is an American restaurant chain with prime quality seafood restaurant providing with the finest fresh seafood &prime steaks. If you are seafood lover, then this is a must try.

Website- www.eddiev.com

Here are some lists of other top chains in case if you want to try!

The top 10 small chain restaurants (10 to 50 locations):

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
Seasons 52
Houston’s
Ocean Prime
J. Alexander’s
Fogo de Chão
Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
Half Shell Oyster House
Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano
Maggiano’s Little Italy

The top 10 medium chain restaurants (51 to 100 locations):

The Capital Grille
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Texas de Brazil
Yard House
BRIO Tuscan Grille
Portillo’s
Morton’s The Steakhouse
The Melting Pot
Sweet Tomatoes
Another Broken Egg Cafe

The top 10 large chains (101+ locations):

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
The Cheesecake Factory
Bonefish Grill
Texas Roadhouse
Mellow Mushroom
In-N-Out Burger
First Watch The Daytime Cafe
Jason’s Deli
Corner Bakery Cafe
Blaze Pizza

Source:  wikipedia, inquirer.net

Author: JE Cool
Contact Info: jecooltech4today@gmail.com