Pocket-lint daily - Disney+ with ads, HTC metaverse phone, and more

Happy Friday! By Chris Hall | Friday March 4 2022 TGIF! - If you're enjoying the email, why not get a friend to sign up too, so they can also be in the know? Get them to [sign up here.]( Disney+ considering cheaper, ad-supported membership tier Disney What's happened? Disney is mulling over the idea of launching a cheaper, [ad-supported tier for its Disney+]( service in the US. Why does it matter? It is said to be interested in following rival streaming services, such as Peacock and Paramount+, in offering an alternative to a full subscription in order to boost viewer numbers further. What's my take? Disney+ got off to a great start, not only because it had some strong content from the likes of Marvel and Star Wars, but because it launched when everyone was in lockdown and watching a lot of TV. The question is how you maintain that momentum and a cheaper tier might be the answer, relying on advertising revenue rather than subscription fees. That will appeal those those who either can't afford or don't want to take on another full subscription. It also, of course, opens the door to conversion from ad-supported to full membership in the future as viewers (hopefully) fall in love with the content they watch. If this happens it's likely to be in the US first and, if it proves successful, might then spread internationally. HTC to launch a flagship 'metaverse' phone in April? Pocket-lint What's happened? HTC is planning to [bring a new phone to market]( with a very specific set of enhancements designed to make the most of the growing metaverse market. Why does it matter? The comments were made by an HTC executive in Asia who stated that the manufacturer will be building a high-end phone and launching it in April. What's my take? I had the privilege covering the launch of many of HTC's greatest phones: the HTC HD2, HTC Dream, HTC Hero, HTC One. Those days feel like a long time ago and HTC's smartphones now invoke deep feelings of nostalgia. Which does set alarm bells ringing when we learn about plans for a metaverse phone, especially after the company's previous blockchain handset. I'm half expecting it to be called the HTC Bandwagon. But HTC does have experience in AR & VR through Vive and it also released the HTC Evo 3D in 2011, a phone that worked in 3D. Details are thin on the ground, but will this phone be designed to capture and explore virtual worlds? A MESSAGE FROM SPONSOR 5 Reasons why the REDMAGIC 7 is a sublime gaming phone Redmagic Gaming phones are more popular than ever, not least because mobile games are getting so sophisticated that they're often impossible to tell apart from their console versions. [This is what makes the REDMAGIC 7 a great gaming phone](. Kirby and the Forgotten Land preview: Kirby goes full-on 3D for the first time Nintendo What's happened? It's been a long, long time coming, but Kirby is finally getting a fully 3D game from top to bottom - something that's so surprisingly overdue that you might think it already happened without you realising. Our quick verdict From what we've played so far, we don't think you could want much more from a family game. Kirby's looking great in a game that feels for all the world like a Super Mario Odyssey spin-off. [Read our preview](. In Case You Missed it Sony and Honda are to work together on [future electric vehicles](. --- ITV Hub will be replaced by a new [ITVX streaming service]( later this year. --- Blink wireless HD cameras have [over 30% off today]( with the indoor version being priced at £39.99 and the outdoor is £54.99. Both have wireless connectivity, HD video recording, two-way audio and up to two year's battery life. From The Gear Loop The Gear Loop In search of dark skies: A Land Rover Defender in the wilds of Northwest Scotland. [Read about our adventure here.]( And finally... Netflix How to play Trivia Quest, Netflix's interactive daily trivia series. [Read all about it](. Have you checked out our weekly podcast that comes out every Friday? It's packed with news, interviews, and top things to get. You can subscribe to the Pocket-lint Podcast via [iTunes]( and [Spotify]( or access it on the web via [Acast](. This week, we talk about everything that happened during Mobile World Congress 2022 - not just the launches, but what it was like being at a trade show during the pandemic. [Listen to the new episode today.]( Thanks for reading , if you're enjoying the email, why not get a friend to sign up too, so they can also be in the know? Get them to [sign up here.]( [The Trust Project][Why you can trust Pocket-lint]( Copyright © 2022 Pocket-lint, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website Our mailing address is: Pocket-lint PO Box 4770Ascot, Berkshire SL5 5DP United Kingdom [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. [Mailchimp Email Marketing](