This upcoming weekend sees the 2025 edition of Star Wars Day (May 4, just in case you had forgotten) and there's big news for fans of the franchise. And also Fortnite.

The new Disney+ show, Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld, is having its big premiere not on the TV, but inside Fortnite. Two whole days before Disney+ viewers get to tune in.

"Jump into Fortnite’s Star Wars Watch Party island on May 2 starting at 10 AM ET to watch the first two episodes of Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld. Experience the breathtaking story before the show debuts on Disney+, with episodes featuring the fan-favorite Asajj Ventress."

The viewing island will be available until May 11, and players who watch both episodes will also unlock a reward in the form of the Asajj Ventress Loading Screen within 72 hours of completion.

In addition to the viewing party (of which streamers are reminded NOT to share with the audiences, lest ye be hit by the might of Disney's lawyers) there is also a little game mode to have a play around with.

It sounds like a pretty straightforward horde mode, but with Star Wars Lightsabers and blasters, and apparently players don't take damage so, go nuts. Live out your Jedi fantasy.

The goodies don't stop there, either. Simply by connecting an Epic Games and myDisney account, players can snag a free First Order Stormtrooper skin to play with in-game. It also has a Lego style, if that's more your thing.

The Star Wars themed Galactic Battle season for Fortnite also goes live on May 2, and Epic Games promises that "this is just the start of something big from Epic and Disney!"

Color me intrigued.

I admit, I was late to dig into which streaming services are offering the most aggressive promotions for Cyber Monday, and we're all running out of time. So, let's keep this short — here are the best Cyber Monday deals on the most popular streaming services that you can still take advantage of (at least for a few more hours), including getting both Disney+ and Hulu for only $2.99/month for the first year at Disney.

🔥The hottest post-Cyber Monday deals🔥

• 💻HP EliteBook 14 (Ryzen 7 PRO) | $899 at HP (Save $2,023!)
• 🎮Xbox Series X Digital Edition (1TB) | $398 at Walmart (Save $52!)
• 🕹️Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (3-months) | $29.29 at CDKeys (Save $11!)
• 🎮Lenovo Legion Go (Z1 Extreme) | $534.44 at Amazon (Save $166!)
• 💻Surface Pro 11 w/ keyboard (X Plus) | $999.99 at Best Buy (Save $350!)
• 💽Seagate Xbox Series X|S Card (2TB) | $199.99 at Best Buy (Save $160!)

💽More Cyber Monday deals that won't quit💾

• Dell: Lowest PC prices of the year for a little longer after Cyber Monday
• HP: Aggressive "Cyber Week" deals on laptops while supplies last
• Lenovo: Still save up to 68% on laptops, desktops, and select doorbusters
• Samsung: Week-long holiday deals on laptops, TVs, phones, and more

I think many gamers of a certain age have an ingrained skepticism when it comes to video games based on existing franchises. For as many movies, books, and TV shows that could potentially make a great video game, there are as many attempts that bore staggering failures. Whether it's classic cock ups like Superman 64 from the late 90s or more recent failings like Suicide Squad, there seems to be no shortage of license holders who want to make a quick buck without giving the source material the love and attention it deserves.

That's where Machine Games steps in with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, taking the reins over one franchise that has quite recently seen its fair share of mismanagement. The classic trilogy helped propel Harrison Ford to immortality, playing the titular Indiana Jones, an archaeologist whose devotion to history lands him in the firing line between supernatural apocrypha and evil dictatorial regimes that seek their esoteric powers. Indiana Jones inspired a huge wave of creators and video games, too. Tomb Raider, Uncharted, and various others lend their roots to the famed trilogy. I think recent memory of Indiana Jones revolves around the subsequent two additional movies that, at least, failed to live up to the legacy set by their predecessors, to put it nicely.

As a fan of Indiana Jones, it was with all this cynicism and doubt for the franchise that I donned a high-def classic fedora and took a leap of faith into Machine Games' Indiana Jones and the Great Circle.

I left the preview event humbled and repentant, having my effrontery to doubt the creators of Wolfenstein: The New Order crushed beneath a gigantic rolling prop boulder.

With Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Machine Games proves beyond doubt its capacity to take the essence of a classic and reinvigorate it for a modern audience — a skill that seems wholly lacking in modern Hollywood, I might add. Wolfenstein was no fluke, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle went from being a vaguery in my personal upcoming Xbox games list to sitting right up there with Stalker 2 among my most anticipated games.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be released exclusively for Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and Windows gaming PCs on December 9, 2024, with a PlayStation 5 version arriving a little later in 2025.

Machine Games understands the essence of Indiana better than Hollywood does

In my 2 to 3 hours with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, I felt a sense of authenticity and nostalgia that was almost completely missing from the fourth movie. I mentioned in the intro that Indiana Jones has been a bit of a mishandled movie franchise, with the two more recent movies not reaching the heights of the classics for whatever reason. Capturing that sense of magic and adventure for something that means so much to so many must've been a daunting task for Machine Games, but I'm happy to report that they've absolutely nailed it — at least so far.

The game is set between the events of Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade in 1937. In Machine Games' traditional fashion, the central antagonists are the forces of fascism, with the Nazi regime and Mussolini's PNF taking up their roles as well-deserving punching bags.

The game's intro sets the scene with style and confidence as Indiana wakes up in the iconic Marshall College to the sounds of a break-in. Assuming it to be wayward students, Indiana happens upon a leather-clad 8-foot titan of a man who has taken to smashing up an exhibit of some of the college's displayed artifacts.

After being on the receiving end of a stiff beat down, Indiana Jones teams up with Marcus Brodie to discover that the mysterious colossal stole an unassuming burial vase from ancient Egypt depicting a cat. In the mess left behind, Indiana discovers evidence that the Vatican's archaeological commission might somehow be involved. Intrigued, Indiana Jones packs up for another adventure.

It was during these initial stages of the game that I really got a sense that Machine Games knows exactly what they're doing with Indiana Jones and that the company truly understands the essence of the franchise. Marshall College was recreated in loving detail, and Troy Baker's delivery of Harrison Ford's iconic tones is nothing short of dark vocal wizardry.

We'll get into combat a bit more in the next section, but here I want to talk about how Machine Games develops Indiana Jones' immersion beyond beating Nazis to a pulp because so much of what makes Indiana Indiana can be found in the archaeology and investigative aspects of the game. And I think, well and truly, it might not appeal to everyone here, but this is absolutely what an Indiana Jones "simulation" game should look like, in my view.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is an incredibly interactive game. Machine Games seemed to be acutely aware of the expectations some might have for a studio known for the blisteringly paced violence of Wolfenstein: The New Order while also being careful to stay faithful to what Indiana Jones represents. He's not a super soldier, but ultimately, he's an archaeologist. The game revolves heavily around investigation, but that doesn't mean it needs to lack interactivity.

Everything from turning keys in a door lock to manipulating your in-game map feels tactile and intended to bring you into Indiana's world. The first-person viewpoint feels exceedingly deliberate and well-adopted to that end since a lot of what you will be doing is manipulating objects, reading manuscripts, and getting up close with puzzle details. Light and shadow play a huge role, too, since you'll be stalking catacombs and sneaking into military bases in the moonlight. The simple act of acquiring your lighter felt like a big moment while playing, opening up many optional areas and puzzles that were previously shrouded (literally) in darkness, almost with metroidvania-style backtracking.

Indeed, completionists are looking at around 30~ hours for a single playthrough, uncovering every secret the game has to offer, and there are tons. The demo space took us to the Great Pyramid of Giza, where the Nazis and their allies are, once again, looking for (potentially) supernatural artifacts. Even in this single area, there were tons of hidden objectives, mini-puzzles, side quests to find, and NPCs to talk to. The puzzles are genuinely puzzling, too. I'm embarrassed to admit I wasted about 15 minutes on one of the game's lockbox puzzles, but I was rewarded with collectibles and ammo for my cognitive turmoil.

The game definitely gave me a vibe of L.A. Noire when I played it, where combat is exciting and tight when it emerges — but ultimately doesn't represent all the game is. L.A. Noire, too, revolved largely around investigative play and the overarching mysteries woven expertly throughout the central narrative. You're not exactly forced to constantly wrap your head in knots trying to figure out complex puzzles, though. If you fancy it, Indiana's vintage pocket Kodak camera can offer hints to help you when you get stumped. But figuring things out on your own gives you that Indiana-like "eureka" moment that is well worth spending at least some time chasing. It also ties well into the game's camera mode as well, of course.

Indeed, I get the impression there will be plenty of opportunities for scenic photography sessions through Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. I haven't visited the Great Pyramid in real life, but the vista the demo build introduced to me really made me want to call up a travel agent. Each area will have a centralized main story mystery to solve, which may include sneaking into military outposts to acquire special artifacts, which then give you access to tombs replete with deadly traps, puzzles, and maybe even snakes. While moving between the main points of interest, new side objectives may present themselves, offering opportunities for hunting down collectibles or magazines that can reward you with new perks and combat skills.

Beyond the main "hub" type of small open-world areas, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is connected with linear sections that can foster those more scripted, epic setpiece moments. The Great Pyramid area was more open, with archaeological dig sites, Nazi military outposts, and village hubs dotted around for exploration. Traversing these areas isn't always safe to do, however. But much like in Raiders and the Last Crusade, Indiana can acquire disguises to slip between the cracks. Even the game's connective, cinematic linear areas were quite wide with opportunities for stealthy play and creative combat highs — which we'll get into in more depth shortly.

Executive Producer Todd Howard (of Fallout and Elder Scrolls fame) reportedly had the plan for this game down for some years, and what I've experienced so far represents a clear love letter from a team that quite intimately knows what Indiana Jones truly is.

If Tomb Raider is Indiana Jones as action adventure, The Great Circle is Indiana Jones as an immersive action simulator

Video games don't always translate well to film, and films don't always translate well to video games. For Indiana Jones, you could argue this is particularly true.

Indiana Jones is not a super soldier; he's not B.J. from Machine Games' Wolfenstein series. He's not known for carrying an arsenal of different types of guns, and he doesn't have super-human powers nor supernatural abilities. He's just a dude with a history book or two memorized, accompanied by a bullwhip and a 1930s revolver. On paper, you'd think this wouldn't make for a game that featured dynamic, varied gameplay on par with modern expectations, but against all the odds, Machine Games pulled it off.

At its core, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a stealth game, I would say, but it borrows from the dynamism of immersive sim titles to give you a wealth of environmental options for how to approach combat and enemy groups. Your typical stealth game staples like throwing objects to lure enemies take center stage, but beyond the basics, Indiana Jones rewards players' creativity for utilizing the environment to their advantage. Each area is crammed with objects, items, pitfalls, traps, and other potential solutions to overcoming the various fascists that stand between you and your prize, and I felt like I'd barely scratched the surface of the creative combat canvas unfolding before me as I played.

Indiana is essentially just a dude, hardly a trained soldier or spy. As such, he brings the swagger and elegance of a barroom brawler with him into combat, much as he does in the movies. The game captures the essence of this deftly.

Your weapons won't be silenced. You don't get a bow and arrow or ninja shurikens to take down enemies from afar. You will be sneaking up behind them, luring them into compromised positions, and smashing them in the head with whatever blunt objects you can find. Indeed, I dispatched enemies using shovels, umbrellas, wooden forks, frying pans, random bottles, busts, statues, and various other everyday utensils — many of which came with their own brutal and uniquely Indiana execution sequences. There's no splattering of brains or craniums here, but the unrelentingly satisfying clang of steel on skulls never gets old.

Indeed, sound plays a big part in really slamming home the Indiana feel here. The iconic snap of Indiana's knuckles on cheekbone is unmistakable when you do get into fisticuffs (and you will), and the nostalgic tones of John Williams' Indiana Jones theme roll in and roll out dynamically as combat ebbs and flows. Many of those classic 1980s sound effects return, and they'll put a huge grin on your face if you have, like I do, a ton of nostalgia for the original trilogy.

It's not all fighting and melee combat, though. Indiana Jones does get other tools, both on his person and within the environment, to dispatch nazis with increasingly hilarious creativity.

The game seems quite adept at preventing its combat loop from getting repetitive, although my time with the game was admittedly only 3 or so hours in what should be roughly around 20 hours of campaign gameplay (or anywhere up to 30 for completionists). But in the slice I experienced, there was a ton of variety offered in terms of enemy types, environmental tools, and terrain opportunities to deal with dangerous situations.

Much like in the movies, a simple violent shove can be enough to quietly and deftly remove an enemy combatant from the field. I found myself shoving nazis off balconies and ramparts and into archaeological dig ditches to remove them from play. Not every enemy is so easily beaten down, though. There were more often than not "heavies" wandering around, sometimes with dogs, too, which aren't as susceptible to simply being punched in the face. You have a number of tools to deal with these situations, too, with some being more violent than others.

Indeed, you have a revolver of your own with limited ammo, but using it will create a loud noise that will trigger other enemies to investigate your vicinity. The revolver is perhaps best used either as a last resort or in situations where you've already been discovered — and you need to quickly even the odds by leveling the playing field. There are also rifles you can find on occasion lying around too, or scavenged from your quarry. In keeping with the game's highly interactive design, these can be used as rifles but also as a makeshift baseball bat, flipped over so you can smash enemies in the head with the stock. They have a much longer range than the revolver, too, and given that some of the game's locations are very, very open, they could come in handy in certain situations.

Then, there's the whip. Indiana's iconic bullwhip is a tool used for various purposes. You can use it to ascend to higher vantage points to get a drop on or avoid enemies. You can use it to traverse gaps, trigger traps, and recover items. You can also use it in combat, ripping enemy's weapons from their hands or just beating them down with it. I didn't get the opportunity to experiment with it as much as I would have liked, but I was amazed by how many options that single weapon presented to me as a player.

Indeed, I found it difficult to pry myself away from the event when our time was up. It felt like there were so many interactions between the game's tools, environment, and enemies I had still to experience and experiment with. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle approach combat with similar traditions as immersive sim-type titles, where your creativity converges with the game's tools and physics to give you that sense of cinematic realism in a dynamic, emergent way, as opposed to something more scripted and formulaic. In The Great Circle, you are Indiana Jones, and to get the most out of the game, you better act like it.

Many questions remain

There's no way I can answer all of my questions about Indiana Jones and the Great Circle in the space of 2-3 hours of play. Even in the brief slice I experienced, there was a vast toolkit to reward creative players and mountains of puzzles to entice aspiring archaeologists. With suitable villains and an intriguing overarching mystery to pursue, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle could end up being remembered as the true "fourth" entry in the Indiana Jones lexicon.

The demo build I played did have some rough edges to speak of. The LOD (level of detail) seemed to get stuck in a low poly state at times, and the delta in quality between main character NPCs and random environmental NPCs was quite large. I'm also curious to find out if you do eventually get more tools. While the demo build offered a ton of variety, I can see myself eventually wanting more options as the game unfolds across its beefy-sounding campaign. But those are questions for the full review, which we'll hopefully get to pen before the game's planned release date on December 9, 2024.

READ NEXT: STALKER 2 is shaping up to be a GOTY contender

If what I experienced is representative of the full, finished product, it'll be a big win for Xbox and Microsoft's gaming division, joining STALKER 2 and Call of Duty Black Ops 6 to close the year out on an incredibly strong note.

Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is hitting Xbox Series X|S and Windows gaming PCs first, with a PlayStation 5 version planned for 2025. The game will also drop day one into Xbox Game Pass, and it's shaping up very, very nicely indeed.

What you need to know

• Square Enix announces that it is porting the Kingdom Hearts series to Steam on June 13, 2024.
• The specific games that are coming to Steam are Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind (DLC).
• Kingdom Hearts is a long-running series of action RPGs where players go on adventures through the worlds of classic Disney movies and fight alongside Disney and Final Fantasy characters.

On May 21, Square Enix made a shocking announcement regarding its long-running Kingdom Hearts franchise. On June 13, 2024, Square Enix will be porting every major entry in the series to Steam, bringing the beloved franchise to a whole audience.

Square Enix plans to specifically bring these Kingdom Hearts titles to Steam: Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue, and Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind (DLC).

Here are the specifics you need to know for each title coming to Steam:

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX is an HD remaster compilation of the first few titles in the series that marked the beginning of Sora, Donald, and Goofy's adventures as they fought to protect Disney worlds from the Heartless and Organization XIII.

This compilation includes:

• Kingdom Hearts Final Mix
• Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories
• Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (HD Remastered cinematics)
• Kingdom Hearts II Final MIx
• Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep Final Mix
• Kingdom Hearts Re:coded (HD Remastered cinematics)

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue is a compilation that features an HD remaster of Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance and special side stories that help set the stage for Kingdom Hearts III.

This compilation includes:

• Kingdom Hearts Dream Drop Distance HD
• Kingdom Hearts 0.2 Birth by Sleep -A fragmentary passage-
• Kingdom Hearts χ Back Cover (movie)

Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind (DLC)

Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind (DLC) is a definitive edition bundle containing the long-awaited Kingdom Hearts III, an epic finale to the long-running Dark Seeker Saga that began in Kingdom Hearts I, packed together with a story expansion DLC called Kingdom Hearts III Re Mind.

This 'simple and clean' announcement is exciting news for Kingdom Hearts fans

The Kingdom Hearts franchise is the third most popular franchise in Square Enix's catalog, just Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. These action RPGs are beloved for their simple yet satisfying combat systems, endearing characters, and allowing Disney fans to explore the worlds of their favorite Disney movies while fighting alongside their favorite Disney and Final Fantasy heroes.

With this announcement, Square Enix is already making good on its promise to bring more of its titles to PC platforms and beyond. Granted, the aforementioned Kingdom Hearts titles are already available on PC through the Epic Games Store, but now that these games are coming to Steam, this will bring a whole audience to the franchise, especially for those looking to play it on the go via Steam Deck.

Not to mention, these ports will be a great way for Steam players to catch up on the series as we wait for the eventual release of Kingdom Hearts IV.

🚨ENDING SOON🚨: You have spoken — this is our most popular subscription service deal of the year, with many of you signing up for it (even we did because it's so good). But act fast, as this ends at 11:59 PM PT on November 28, ending officially on 11/29! You can check out our round-up of all the best remaining Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for more lingering sales.

If you were looking for the best deal on streaming services, then you found it! For a limited time (exactly one more day, to be precise), you can secure a year's worth of Hulu and Disney+ for just $2.99 a month at Hulu. That's thousands of shows and movies for less than the price of your average fast-food hamburger a month. Seriously, though, act fast, because Cyber Monday is rapidly coming to an end — and it's taking this promotion with it.

Looking for other deals on other streaming services? We've found some of those, too, and they're all in our round-up of the best Cyber Monday deals on streaming services.

Post-Cyber Monday deals STILL AVAILABLE!

• Walmart: Cyber Monday+ deals on practically everything
• Dell: Top deals on laptops, gaming PCs, accessories, and more
• Alienware: Up to $800 off gaming laptops and desktops
• Best Buy: Big savings on video games, accessories, and more
• HP: Up to 84% of select HP Windows PCs and accessories
• Lenovo: Up to 50% of gaming towers, laptops, and accessories
• Newegg: Save on PC gaming accessories, components, and more
• Razer: Up to 43% off laptops and accessories with free gifts

• 🚨HOTTEST Trending Deals:
• Microsoft Surface Go 3 | $339 $261 at Microsoft
• Keychron C3 Pro Gaming Keyboard: now $34 at Amazon
• Xbox Series S (512GB) + Game Pass Ultimate | $299.99 $249 at Walmart
• Xbox Series X (1TB) | $549.99 $449.99 at Best Buy
• 1TB Xbox Expansion Card | $149.99 $139.99 at Best Buy
• Stormcloud Vapor SE controller: $69.99 $59.99 at Amazon
• Meta Quest 3 (128GB) | $499.99 at Best Buy
• ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14| $1,599.99 $1,149.99 at Best Buy
• ASUS ROG Ally + Game Pass Ultimate| $599.99 $399.99 at Best Buy
• Game Pass Core (12 months) | $59.99 $44.99 at Target
• Surface Pro 9 (Certified Refurb) | $939 $639 at Microsoft

Enough content to watch until the end of time, available on all your devices

I don't think I need to spend a lot of time selling Hulu and Disney+ to you. Both subscription services let you stream hundreds of movies and TV shows, with different focuses for each. Hulu has a very impressive library of movies and shows from a ton of different studios and publishers, from sci-fi movie franchises like Predator to animated cartoon reboots like Futurama and everything in between. Disney+ is just as lucrative, but especially for the Disney fans and families. You get all of Disney and Pixar's animated movies (moderns and classics), a ton of Disney live action movies and TV shows, and practically all of Star Wars and Marvel in one marvelous service.

Both services are also available on practically every device, too, with mobile apps, a browser version, and even full-featured apps on Xbox and Windows PCs through the Microsoft Store. As long as you're willing to deal with periodic ad breaks, you're not going to find a better deal on streaming services anywhere else (especially considering how many streaming services continue to raise prices over time). Hulu by itself can be had for just 99 cents a month for an entire year, but you can add Disney+ (with ads, too) for an additional $2 a month. Your monthly subscription will return to the regular price of $15.97 a month after that year ends, but that still gives you plenty of time to binge all the shows and movies you've been missing.

You need to act fast, though, because this deal isn't sticking around long — the deadline to sign up is Nov. 28, 2023, the day after Cyber Monday. If you've been on the fence about which streaming services to pay for each month, choose these two (the deals just aren't going to get better than this).

What you need to know

• The Disney Plus Premium subscription price is being increased to $13.99/month.
• The price hike will not affect ad-supported plans and will roll out to more users and Roku devices.
• Hulu's ad-free plan also gets a $3 price hike pushing it to $17.99/month.
• These changes are expected to take effect as of October 12, 2023.
• The company will also debut a new ad-free subscription tier for users in the United States on September 6 dubbed Duo Premium, which will cost $19.99/month.

In a surprising turn of events, Disney+ users will now have to part with more money for their Premium plan subscriptions. The Disney Plus Premium subscription will bump to $13.99 monthly from $10.99. You'll have to pay an extra $3 to enjoy the company's streaming services without ads. Disney Plus is one of the most popular streaming services. It's available on a variety of devices, including Windows, iOS, and Android.

However, the ad-supported subscription plans will not be impacted. Disney+ is now rolling out the availability of these plans to more users, including those with Roku devices.

Likewise, the price hike will also affect Hulu, which is also owned by Disney. Hulu's ad-free plan currently costs $15.99 per month, but it's set to attract a $3 price hike pushing the subscription fee to $17.99.

Users with a Hulu + Live TV subscription will be the most affected by the price restructures. Disney+ plans to stretch the subscription's price by $7. These changes are expected to take shape as of October 12, 2023, for users based in the United States.

Disney+ also announced its plans to expand the availability of its ad-supported plan to more users beyond the United States. From November 1, the plan will start rolling out to users across Europe and Canada. 

The company added that users in Canada and select EMEA markets will have two additional subscription plans: Standard and Standard with Ads, which will cost £4.99/€5.99 per month for users in EMEA markets and $7.99 for Canadians. 

Disney+ listed the following as some of the perks that are included in the ad-supported, Standard, and Premium subscription plans:

• Exclusive Originals & Library Content: A collection of thousands of award-winning titles across films, documentaries, TV series, and shorts, all in one place
• Profiles: Ability to create multiple profiles per account, with the option to set profile PINs and content ratings by profile through Parental Controls
• Concurrent Viewing: Stream on up to four supported devices simultaneously, depending on your plan
• High-Quality Video Formats: Depending on your plan, formats include 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, Full HD, HDR10, and Expanded Aspect Ratio with IMAX Enhanced where supported

Finally, Disney+ announced that it will debut a new subscription tier for its customers in the US. As of September 6, at a monthly cost of $19.99, users can access a new ad-free subscription plan dubbed Duo Premium. You can stream and enjoy shows on Disney+ Premium and Hulu ad-free.

What you need to know

• Microsoft has brought back the Zune website, though it is no longer a page dedicated to the music player.
• Instead, the website has been relaunched with a focus on STEM research.
• The resurrection of Zune.net is also part of a promotion for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which comes out in theaters this week.

Fans of Marvel movies and Microsoft enthusiasts giggled when Chris Pratt's Star-Lord was given a Zune at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. The long-dead music player was given to the protagonist of the film by Kraglin, who claimed "It's what everybody's listening to on Earth nowadays." The joke being, of course, that the Zune was retired ages ago.

Microsoft turned into the skid and embraced Zune being part of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. The tech giant has restored the Zune.net website that has been inactive for over ten years. The page is now about STEM research, however, rather than selling or supporting Zune devices.

Zune.net now has articles about STEM research, including multiple links about how science is used in space. A video show Redwire engineers 3-D printing in zero-gravity. There are also guides and resources for teachers about 3-D printing aboard the International Space Station.

Star-Lord makes an appearance as well in a video about getting his Zune fixed. The hero sends a message to the International Space Station requesting help and then floats his Zune over. The astronauts then 3-D print Star-Lord a new Zune.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 hits theaters this week. We'll keep our eyes peeled for any shots of the Zune in action. The music player is thick enough to take a punch from a supervillain, so maybe it'll come in handy.

If you have a Zune laying around, it is possible to get it up and running in 2023. It requires some third-party software and technical knowledge, but it is possible. Microsoft's Scott Hanselman shared a video of how he got his Zune back in working order.

From She-Hulk using a Surface Pro 8 to Gmail being optimized for the Surface Duo, we cover a wide range of stories here at Windows Central. To kick off each weekend, we gather the biggest pieces of news mixed with some fun tidbits from across Microsoft land. Here are the highlights from this week.

Missing Windows 8 startup sound revealed

Windows 8 famously shipped without a startup sound. Well, maybe not famously in most circles, but we certainly noticed. Jensen Harris, former Director of Program Management for the Windows User Experience team, has discussed the missing startup sound at length in the past. In short, Microsoft had a chime for the operating system but decided not to ship it. Since then, the Windows 8 startup sound has lurked in the shadows, unheard by everyday users. But no more. Harris played the sound in a recent YouTube video and detailed the process of how it was created and why it ultimately never shipped.

We also learned that Microsoft had a Surface-specific startup sound. It too never shipped, joining the ranks of the canceled Surface Mini and many other products that never saw the light of day. Oh, what could have been.

In any event, both startup sounds are now available as .wav files in case you feel like using them as a notification sound or in your latest TikTok video.

Gmail for Android now spans across Surface Duo

Microsoft optimizes many of its apps to take advantage of the dual-display design of the Surface Duo, but other companies haven't been as quick to adopt to the new form factor. This week, Google finally hopped on board by updating Gmail for Android. The app can now span across both displays of Microsoft's foldable. Much like Microsoft Outlook, Gmail shows a list of emails on the left screen and the contents of a selected email on the right.

With Android 12L on the way, more apps should be optimized for foldables. That operating system centers around devices with larger displays, many of which are built for multitasking.

She-Hulk 

Microsoft and Marvel superheroes have gone hand-in-hand for quite some time. Black Widow made a call using Windows 10 Mobile and Daredevil used a Surface tablet. Even Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man used Bing. That last example was technically from a Sony film, but it was still a Marvel character. Now, you can add She-Hulk to the list of heroes to use Microsoft products.

A new web ad features Jennifer Walters, aka She-Hulk, using a Surface Pro 8 and Windows 11. There's a good chance that the commercial will also appear on television, though we haven't seen it air yet.

The brief ad also highlights that you can download Disney+ on Windows 11 through the Microsoft Store. That's noteworthy because Microsoft hasn't pushed the store as much in the past, at least with this type of partnership. The Microsoft Store was revamped recently and has seen a much bigger push over the last year.

If you keep your eyes peeled, you'll also see a Surface Studio in She-Hulk episode one.

WhatsApp Desktop now works when your phone is offline

WhatsApp Desktop received a major update this week on Windows. No longer a web app (Electron), WhatsApp Desktop looks to deliver better performance and reliability. The app also received a visual refresh, though that's relatively minor compared to a new feature that's now available. WhatsApp Desktop can now send and receive messages even if your phone is offline.

The functionality, which was in beta for several months leading up to general release, helps the communication app compete with the best WhatsApp alternatives. Importantly, WhatsApp Desktop remains end-to-end encrypted in this setup. 

Review roundup:

Alongside the latest news stories, our site houses an ever-growing library of reviews from our experts. Here are all of the gadgets, games, and devices we looked at this week:

• MSI Titan GT77 review: High-end life support for the Intel Core i9-12900HX and NVIDIA RTX 3080 Ti
• MSI Optix MPG321UR-QD: This is one stunning 4K gaming monitor
• Gamevice for iPad review: Turn your tablet into an Xbox handheld
• We Are OFK for PC review: A melodic journey to the truth
• Soul Hackers 2 for Xbox review: This game has rekindled my love for Atlus JRPGs
• Madden NFL 23 review: A welcome batch of changes
• Dell Dual Charge Dock (HD22Q) review: A dual-threat dock that's most useful when connected to a Dell laptop
• PC Game Pass 2022 review: When a great Xbox service meets a terrible Windows app
• MultiVersus review: A super-smashing platform fighter

What you need to know

• Microsoft's new web and TV ad promotes the She-Hulk: Attorney at Law series along with Windows 11.
• The video replaces some of the devices in the show with a Surface Pro 8.
• The ad highlights the Disney+ app on Windows 11 and the ability to stream the show.

It's always a bit of fun to catch Microsoft promoting Windows 11. The latest ad, which can be seen on Twitter (and likely TV), partners up with Marvel and Disney to promote the new She-Hulk: Attorney at Law series, which just premiered.

The short 30-second ad shows the Surface Pro 8 used by Jennifer Walters (aka She-Hulk, aka Tatiana Maslany) as she uses Windows Hello to log into Windows 11. She then multitasks (Windows Snap) various documents and PowerPoint slides (including one on the effects of gamma radiation, natch) and taps and zooms with touch.

The short video tells people they can download Disney+ on Windows 11 to stream the new show.

It's a quaint but effective ad. It's also one of the few that explicitly highlights the Microsoft Store on Windows 11, which has had a renewed push since its launch last year.

Windows Central recently interviewed Giorgio Sardo, the General Manager of the new Microsoft Store, to talk about the goals and vision of the revamp. 

Going by previous quarterly result investor calls, Microsoft is also seeing a much higher engagement with the new store. That effect is likely due to the more relaxed requirements and less focus on native UWP apps, which are minimized in favor of progressive web apps (PWAs), classic Win32, and newer cross-platform technologies.

With the launch of Disney+ come and gone, now you have to figure out where to download all the apps — and there are so many platforms to find! We have a list here of all the places you can get the app right now, and I'm sure the list will grow over time.

On your Roku

Roku is the most popular way to stream content in the U.S., so of course, Disney would make sure there is a Roku app. It's straightforward to find too, head over to the channel store on your Roku, or click this link

A lot of Roku TVs have the Disney+ logo plastered all over them right now, so you should be able to find it easily.

On your Fire Stick

Amazon's Fire stick is used the world over and hosts all the primary streaming services, including Disney+. Happily, getting the app for your fire stick is also the same as getting it for your Fire tablet, so the process is simplified.

Just head over to the Amazon Appstore to download it to any of your Amazon-branded devices, well almost all, they don't have an Echo Show or Kindle version; yet!

For your phone

We have been using smartphones for the last decade, so I think we all know how to get apps. If you have an Android device you can download it on the Google Play Store — that works for Android TV as well as phones and tablets — and if you are using an Apple device, including iPhones, iPads, and Apple TV, then you can grab the app from Apple App Store.

One of the best parts of these streaming services is having them available on mobile. There is nothing quite like sitting on a train, with your headphones on and being able to watch the Mandalorian.

On your console

Right now, you can watch Disney+ plus on two of the big three consoles. The Nintendo Switch app isn't available yet, but hopefully, it will be in the new year. Right now you can get the Xbox app over at the Microsoft Store and if you are a PlayStation user you can grab the app from the PlayStation Store.

Where to find it on your Smart TV

Almost any smart TV is likely to have a Disney+ app. Whether it's a TV with Roku built-in, your Samsung smart TV, or your Web OS LG TV, it's likely to be one of the first things you see when you turn on the TV. Installing it depends on the TV model, but you should be able to navigate to the Disney+ logo and click install.

Unfortunately, there are no links we can give you for the Smart TVs as they don't exist outside its ecosystem, but it shouldn't be too hard to find, especially if your TV has a search function.

Casting to your Chromecast

Both the iOS app and the Android app will let you cast to a Chromecast. In case you don't know, a Chromecast is a small dongle that allows you stream services to your TV, and it's controlled through your phone. It's a simple way to get quality content, and it's cheap. You can pick up the latest Chromecast — the Chromecast Ultra — at Amazon for just $70. The Chromecast Ultra will also stream those excellent Disney+ shows in 4K so you can watch the Mandalorian the way it was meant to be seen.

To watch Disney+ through your Chromecast, make sure your phone and your Chromecast are on the same Wi-Fi network. When you load the app, you should see the cast button in the top right — it looks like a square with a Wi-Fi symbol in the bottom corner — if you tap that icon, you will see it animate as it connects. Once it's connected, a Disney+ splash screen will appear on your TV, waiting for you to choose a show.

Windows 10 Progressive Web App

Progressive Web Apps (PWA) are incredibly helpful when a company doesn't make an app for Windows 10. Strangely, Disney didn't make an app for Windows even though they already have one for Xbox, especially as the Xbox app kind of works on Windows 10.

Making a PWA for Windows 10, will create a self-contained instance of Disney+ that you can pin to your taskbar and access anytime you need.

So many options

Disney has made a concerted effort to make sure you can use Disney+ on almost anything with a screen — except for your Echo Show, unfortunately — so however you want to watch, there is likely an app for it. I'm partial to the Chromecast myself; it's simple and streams in 4K so I can get the most out of the shows I watch.

What you need to know

• The Disney+ app is now available through the Microsoft Store.
• The app works on Windows 10 and will work on Windows 11.
• A Disney+ app was already available for Xbox consoles, but it is now also available on PCs.

After being briefly teased during the official announcement of Windows 11, the Disney+ app is now in the Microsoft Store. While the app was first shown in an announcement video of Windows 11, it will also work on Windows 10.

Disney+ is a popular streaming service with a wide range of media, including Disney classics, Marvel content, and Star Wars movies and television shows. Depending on your region, it also has content from Star+. It's now a bit easier to watch that content on Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs.

Before the launch of the Disney+ app in the Microsoft Store, you could install Disney+ as a progressive web app. That remains an option, but some people will find it easier to download an app from the Microsoft Store.

Disney+ is also the first app to take advantage of a new feature in the Microsoft Store that shows a "Stream on Disney+" button when you search for content through the store. Our executive editor covers this in more depth in his piece on the new Microsoft Store.

The addition of Disney+ to the Microsoft Store is a win for the maker of Windows. Microsoft has shown a renewed interest in app development and getting apps into the Microsoft Store. Zoom, OBS Studio, and Canva recently arrived in the Microsoft Store, as did Visual Studio Code.

When unveiling Windows 11, Microsoft's Panos Panay made a point to say, "Oh, that's cool. I love seeing Disney+ in the store."

What you need to know

• A Microsoft Surface Book appears in a new ad for the Disney Bundle.
• Dave Bautista stars in the ad as "The Streamer," a man who has "streamed every stream you can stream."
• Disney Bundle includes Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+ for a flat monthly rate.

Did you wake up this morning expecting to see Dave Bautista in a ponytail advertising the Disney Bundle? Regardless of if that's how you started your day, it's what you'll see now. The movie star features in Disney's new ad for a bundle that includes Disney Plus, Hulu, and ESPN+. While the ad is, let's say interesting, on its own, our readers may be more interested in the device that Bautista uses to stream.

The ad features several devices, but the Surface Book appears multiple times. It seems that the versatility of the Surface Book appeals to Bautista's fictional character. He's seen streaming content on a log during the day and while kicking back with his feet up by the fire.

Interesting ads aside, the Disney Bundle gives people access to Disney+, Hulu (with ads), and ESPN+ for $14 per month. People can also upgrade to ad-free Hulu, though that brings the cost of the bundle up to $20.

Bautista is better known for his work as Drax in The Guardians of the Galaxy, but maybe that will change after people watch him camp while streaming Disney Plus and Hulu.

The U.S. is a mighty nation that gave the world many great inventions, including a leading role in the development of the internet, the light bulb, and of course, Windows! America has also landed humans on the moon, and continues to explore the frontiers of science with their Mars rovers, Tokamak fusion energy, and world-leading super computers. What a magical nation.

However, America's greatest contribution to civilization as we all know are twofold: Xbox, and reality TV. Thanks to new app Hayu, a singularity of pure innovation has resulted in an all-new app subscription service, giving you access to a bounty of reality TV goodness for just $6 per month. What a time to be alive.

In a press release earlier today, Hayu revealed that Xbox is its first console partnership, with a huge amount of availability. Reality TV fans in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK get access to the service initially, with more on the way later.

Hayu has a large spread of the most wholesome and the least wholesome reality TV on the market, with categories ranging from cooking shows to true crime, celebrity lifestyle shows to home and design, there are also mountains of dating shows both from the U.S. and UK, including famous series like Keeping up with the Kardashians, and The Real Housewives.

It brings a tear to my eye knowing how hard Xbox is working to deliver for fans. Great games are one thing, the world's best gaming subscription service in the form of Xbox Game Pass is another. Microsoft also gives us industry-leading hardware with the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X. Although, I'd argue that bringing us Hayu is the single greatest contribution Xbox has given us so far. God bless you Microsoft.

Windows Phone was the greatest mobile platform that ever existed, we all know that. Apparently, Marvel Studios also knows, placing a classic Nokia slap bang in the middle of the new Black Widow movie!

Black Widow is an agent working for S.H.I.E.L.D., who supports the Marvel universe superheroes in their exploits against the various intergalactic enemies threatening earth. The Black Widow movie follows the events of Civil War. Without spoiling the movie, she uses a Nokia Lumia to trick some pursuers into thinking they found her. She then subsequently tosses the Windows Phone off a boat, clearly knowing all about Nokia phone's superior ability to withstand damage. I think. Maybe.

It's somewhat hilarious to see a Nokia Lumia in a modern movie. Typically phones that feature in movies are the result of a paid product placement, although I can't imagine Nokia or Microsoft would've paid for this one.

Maybe the director is simply a huge fan of the good ol' days of superior mobile phone operating systems. Perhaps the director even reads Windows Central, and may even see this post. If she does, I would hope that she continues placing Windows phones in future movies, so we can educate the masses on the superiority of Windows Phone and all that encompasses it. Or maybe I just drank too much on Friday night, maybe.

The last time I wrote about a Lumia product placement was for Microsoft and Remedy's game Quantum Break, so this is somewhat nostalgic for me. Microsoft often places Surface devices into movies as part of sponsorship deals, although I'm not sure we ever saw the Surface Duo break cover. Perhaps Microsoft is waiting to fully nail the experience before ramping up the marketing with that one. Maybe we'll see the Surface Duo 2 in the next big Marvel movie instead.

You can catch Black Widow in movie theatres or on Disney+, which is also available on Windows 10 and Windows 11!

Thanks to @thomasthomaslai for the tip!

What you need to know

• A Disney+ app will be available on Windows 11 through the Microsoft Store.
• The app briefly appeared during Microsoft's Windows 11 announcement.
• Windows lead Panos Panay highlighted that he loves seeing Disney+ in the store.

Alongside the announcement of Windows 11, Microsoft unveiled a new Microsoft Store. For a brief moment, you could see the Disney+ app appear within the store. To make sure no one missed it, Windows lead Panos Panay highlighted the fact that the app was available.

Just as the store appeared during the presentation, Panay said, "Oh, that's cool. I love seeing Disney+ in the store." It was quick aside to highlight one of the major additions to the Microsoft Store.

Panay quickly moved on to the rest of the presentation, so we didn't get any other details about the Disney+ app in the Microsoft Store. We're not sure if it will be a progressive web app (PWA), an Android app through the Amazon Store, or an app utilizing another technology. There's a good chance that most people won't care what technology it uses, as long as it works.

You can already watch Disney+ on Windows 10, but you have to do it through a browser. You can install Disney+ as a Windows 10 app, which provides a good experience, but it's not quite the same as having a dedicated app.

Microsoft showed a new commmitment to developers and the Microsoft Store during its Windows 11 event. Other big names, including Adobe are putting their apps into the Microsoft Store.

What you need to know

• Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is Microsoft's Netflix-like subscription service, and one of the best values in gaming.
• The service also has a Perks program, which gives subscribers tons of freebies for games, other subscription services, and more.
• The latest Perk to come to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is a free 30-day trial of Disney+, the best way to watch anything Disney.
• The Perk is available starting right now to any Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers, and is available to claim until January 31, 2020.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is already one of the best values in gaming, with unlimited access to hundreds of Xbox titles on console and PC with Xbox Game Pass, mobile gaming with Xbox Cloud Gaming (Project xCloud), and online access with Xbox Live. The monthly subscription service also includes a Perks program, which gives subscribers in-game content, DLC, and trials to other subscription services like Funimation.

The latest Perk will be huge for a lot of people, giving Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers Disney+ for free. The best way to stream anything Disney like Star Wars, Marvel, the Simpsons, and much more, Disney+ is already a tempting proposition on its own, but this latest partnership with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate means anyone subscribed to Microsoft's service will be able to obtain a free 30-day trial of Disney+, at no additional cost. If you haven't tried Disney+ yet, this is a great way to dip your toes in without committing.

The Mandalorian Season 2 is now available as well, giving people extra incentive to check in with Disney+.

The Perk will be available to redeem until January 31, 2020, to anyone who isn't already subscribed to Disney+. It's just a 30-day trial, not a permanent addition to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, so keep in mind you'll be charged Disney's standard $7/month rate after the trial ends.

What you need to know

• A new Mandalorian Season 2 trailer has arrived, and with it we get a glimpse at the story for this season: bringing The Child home.
• The Mandalorian is ordered by The Armorer to reunite The Child with its kind — the Jedi.
• The journey obviously is fraught with dangers, and the trailer features a blacked-out fight scene that sounds amazing.
• Season 2 of The Mandalorian arrives October 30 on Disney+.

The Mandalorian is far and away the biggest hit on Disney+ to date, and after the first season wrapped up in December, people just can't get enough of The Child and the Mandalorian — but mostly the child, because just look at how adorable he is!! Season Two was underway when the pandemic shut down almost all film and television production back in March, but luckily The Mandalorian was able to get its filming finished on time for us to get more space western action on time.

Season 2 starts streaming October 30 — just in time for everyone to cosplay as their favorite bounty hunter turned babysitter for Halloween — and now that we're six weeks out, Disney+ has given us a new jam-packed trailer with a look at the story ahead and the action that inevitably follows our unlikely crew. The Armorer — head of the order the Mandalorian follows — orders our protagonist to take The Child across the stars and reunite it with its kind, a "race of enemy sorcerers" called the Jedi.

We don't get another peek at the darksaber villain Moff Gideon was wielding in the season one finale — a blade with deep Mandalorian history — but most of our friends from last season are back, and so are a whole lot of people to fight, as we hear the Mandalorian take out half a dozen ambushing fightings while ring-side at an underground fighting tournament.

I don't know about you, but I need more immediately. This is the way.

Disney Plus is one of the most popular streaming services on the planet. It has a vast library of content for kids and adults. But you're not here to learn what Disney Plus is, you want to install it on your Windows 11 PC. Luckily, that's easy to do.

There are two ways to install Disney Plus onto your Windows PC. First, you can install it through the Microsoft Store. This is quick, convenient, and can be done by clicking a few buttons. Second, you can "install" the Disney Plus website as a Progressive Web App (PWA). This is also easy to do, and it is the only option if your PC is locked down due to work or other restrictions.

Install Disney+ through Microsoft Store

Windows 11 and Windows 10 ship with the Microsoft Store installed. The store on your PC works similarly to the App Store on an iPhone or the Google Play Store on Android devices.

1. Open the Microsoft Store (can be found on Taskbar or through Search).
2. Locate the search bar at the top of the Microsoft Store and search "Disney+" or "Disney" in the search bar.
3. Select Install.

You now have Disney Plus installed on your PC! You can log in and view content as you would on any other device.

Install Disney+ through browser

While many PC owners will install the Disney Plus app through the Microsoft Store, this is an option to install the app as a PWA. This provides a better experience than simply viewing the app within a browser because you get just Disney Plus without having to deal with a browser interface.

What is a PWA?

A Progressive Web App (PWA) is when a site has been effectively designed to be "installed" as an app to a device. With a minimal border, a dedicated icon for the Windows 10 Start menu that can be pinned to the Taskbar, and one-click run ability, the website itself becomes the app.

With Disney+ installed as a PWA on your Windows desktop PC or laptop, you can access the service without having to launch your web browser.

How to install Disney+ as a PWA

Open the new Edge browser or Google Chrome to get started. Several other browsers support PWAs.

1. Navigate to www.disneyplus.com.
2. Log into your Disney+ account.
3. Select the browser menu '…' in the upper right corner in Edge.

4. Navigate to Apps and select Install this site as an app.

5. Name the app Disney+ and hit Install.

The Disney+ "app" will now show in the Windows Start menu like any other app. From there, you can right-click on it to pin it to the Start menu or send it to the Taskbar for quick access. Right-clicking on the icon also lets you uninstall the "app" if you no longer need it.

You now have a Disney+ Windows app!

PWAs represent the future for a lot of website experiences on Windows and even mobile phones. The ability to have one-click access to Disney+ as an app ready to stream your favorite shows and movies is much better than using the web browser.

With hundreds of films from the most popular franchises on the planet — not to mention thousands of TV episodes from our childhood — it's little wonder that Disney+ is popular. However, when errors invade your movie marathon, things are anything but magical. There's a few different errors Disney+ can spit out when things go awry, but Error 83 is by far the most prevalent error you come across. Here's a few of the reasons you may be seeing it, and what you can do about it.

Reason #1 — Server timeout

Error 83 is one of the most common errors. When the servers are overloaded and your Disney+ session can't connect to the servers fast enough to pass a DRM/account check — or can't connect at all — Error 83 is what Disney+ displays when it can't play your video as requested.

This is far and away the most common reason to see Error 83, and dealing with it can take a few forms:

• Try again. Server issues are usually intermittent, so if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Refreshing your browser page or closing and re-opening an app can usually get you past Error 83 and into the content you crave. Turning your device off for one minute and turning it back on can help fix some wonk that will trigger Error 83.
• Widespread issue? If you're hearing of widespread outages through social media or sites like DownDetector, then you might just need to go take a walk and wait for things to get back to normal. These tend to happen around the launch of Disney+ in a new batch of countries or when a big release hits the service, like Hamilton on July 3.
• On an iPhone? There has been some limited success turning off Wi-Fi and streaming over LTE instead at times, but that's not really helpful unless you have an Unlimited data plan.

• First time watching on a laptop? The first time you try to watch in a browser, you'll usually get a prompt asking to let Disney+ check the eligibility of your device for playback. By the time you click "Allow" and let the DRM check go through, it's usually timed out and will spit out Error 83. When this happens, click "Dismiss" and then try to watch any video again. It should go through the second time — and every time after.
• Getting Error 83 for days and days? Perpetual Error 83 messages could be a sign of your IP being blocked by Disney+ for whatever reason. You can contact Disney+ support to see if you can get it unblocked or contact your ISP and ask to be assigned a new IP, but there's no real easy surefire answer for this problem.

If you live in an area with congested internet that's more prone to regional server overloads, you may want to keep a few favorite shows and films downloaded on your phone through the Disney+ Android or iOS apps. Then you can still watch some Disney+ when the servers aren't playing nice.

Reason 2 — Incompatible platform

Error 83 is seen on a variety of laptop and desktop computers that can't pass the DRM check that Disney+ requires before it begins playing videos. These days, it's more likely that the DRM failure is a server-side timeout rather than a device-related one, as we saw more during the early days of Disney+, but there are a few things that can cause DRM failures on your side rather than Disney's:

• Linux support can still be flaky. Disney+ wasn't supported on Linux at launch due to how stringent the DRM restrictions were, but things seem to be working on at least come some distributions, specifically Ubuntu. You might need to double-check which browser you're trying to use, too.
• Disney+ only lists support for a couple of the more popular desktop browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Explorer, and Apple Safari. If you're not using one of these, try Chrome instead.
• Browsers on entertainment consoles and Smart TVs aren't supported. If a Disney+ app isn't available for your console or TV, try Chromecast or AirPlay instead to get it on your TV.

Unfortunately, for this incompatibility, you'll likely have to switch to a different device in order to get around it. This isn't a satisfying workaround, but it's all we got, but please, go leave feedback with Disney+ so that they have more incentive to fix things.

Where you can get Disney+ right now

• Australia
• Austria
• Canada
• France
• Germany
• India
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Spain
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States

In addition, several French territories served by telecom Canal+ have Disney+ through that provider, including New Caledonia, French West Indies, French Guiana, Wallis and Futuna, with more territories later this year.

What about the rest of the world?

The next batch of countries slated to get Disney+ on Sept. 15, 2020 includes:

• Belgium
• Denmark
• Finland
• Iceland
• Luxembourg
• Norway
• Portugal
• Sweden

Brazil has a tentative November rollout but no exact date yet. As for the rest of the world, the tentative global rollout timeline Disney shared originally is as follows, though it is obviously subject to change.

• Eastern Europe in the first half of 2021
• Latin America in the first half of 2021
• Asia and Pacific country launches throughout 2020 and 2021

The difference in media laws — and pre-existing content exclusivity agreements in many countries — also means that when Disney+ arrives in your country, it may not have all of the same content it does in the launch countries.

What if I can't wait that long?

Well, you really have two options. You can either move (which seems a bit crazy) or wait it out. Disney is moving to expand as quick as it can, but there is a lot of stuff that happens behind the scenes in order to make each new region get access.

What you need to know

• Disney+ completes the Skywalker Saga with The Rise of Skywalker joining its library on May 4 for subscribers in the US and several other countries.
• May the 4th, an unofficial Star Wars holiday, is already set for the finale of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the premiere of Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian.
• The title art for each of the Star Wars films and series will also be replaced with original concept art for a week starting on May the Fourth.

May the Fourth was shaping up as a bittersweet day for Star Wars fans, it's the day that Star Wars: The Clone Wars debuts its finale episodes and finally ends for good. I don't know about you, but I'm not ready! To help us get over the sorrow of Order 66 and the takeover of by the Empire, Disney+ is bringing Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to the service on Star Wars Day as well.

This film will be coming to most current Disney+ countries on May the Fourth. It will be coming to the Netherlands on May 5 because of a local holiday, and Disney+ France has not tweeted the announcement video, which points to the film not debuting in France yet — which isn't a surprise given France's media laws surrounding theatrical films and streaming services. This now makes Solo the lone Star Wars movie not on Disney+ in the U.S., but it will arrive July 9, 2020.

If you haven't seen how the saga ends — like me, who was too busy to see it in December — this is the movie that is supposed to wrap up a story 40 years in the making, crossing three generations and enamoring millions of fans and spawning whole legions of both casual and super fans — like the 501st Legion. Star Wars has changed fan culture and movie-making forever, and it inspired generations of nerds to build, create, and explore.

May the 4th be with you, and also with this new docu-series from Disney+.

What you need to know

• Disney has announced a new behind-the-scenes series for Disney+ called Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian.
• The eight episode documentary series will give Star Wars fans a peek behind the curtain of the viral Disney+ show.
• The first episode premieres on May the 4th, unofficially known as Star Wars Day.

May the 4th is a precious day for Star Wars fans, a day that's evolved from a pithy pun into a full-blown Star Wars holiday. This year, it'll be a bittersweet day for fans as that's when Star Wars: The Clone Wars comes to an end with its last episode ever. To help soften that blow, Disney+ is premiering a new docu-series all about everyone's favorite bounty hunter, The Mandalorian, on May the 4th.

The documentary series looks to explore the making of the show that took die-hard Star Wars fans and casual viewers alike by storm, with interviews, never-before-seen footage, and roundtable conversations hosted by the show's executive producer, Jon Favreau:

While we Americans have long-since finished the first season, this new series has fortuitous timing for the European markets that got Disney+ last month, as May the 4th will be the three days after the season one finale debuts in Europe. After the first episode on May 4, following episodes will be available each Friday, the standard release day for Disney+.

Disney today announced that its Disney+ streaming service now has more than 50 million paid subscribers globally. That number comes just five months after its launch in the United States.

The latest milestone for the streaming service that comprises not just Disney content but also Star Wars, the majority of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pixar and National Geographic, shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, given that it managed 10 million subscribers after its first day, and it closed out 2019 with just over 26.5 million subscribers.

"We're truly humbled that Disney+ is resonating with millions around the globe, and believe this bodes well for our continued expansion throughout Western Europe and into Japan and all of Latin America later this year," Kevin Mayer, Chairman of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International, said in a press release. "Great storytelling inspires and uplifts, and we are in the fortunate position of being able to deliver a vast array of great entertainment rooted in joy and optimism on Disney+."

Also helping to lift Disney+ is the mega-bundle that includes an ad-supported subscription to Hulu and ESPN+ for just $12.99 a month. That bundle also helped lift Hulu With Live TV to become the No. 1 live TV streaming service in the United States.

More recently, Disney launched in a good chunk of Europe, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austia and Switzerland. And it launched in India, which makes up 8 million of those 50 million subscribers. And we can certainly expect that number to grow.

By comparison, Netflix is expecting to close the first quarter of 2020 with 174 million subscribers worldwide. (Netflix will report its Q1 2020 earnings on April 21.)

More: Everything new on Disney+ in April 2020

DISNEY+ PAID SUBSCRIBER COUNT SURPASSES 50 MILLION MILESTONE

LAUNCHED FIVE MONTHS AGO, THE SERVICE IS NOW AVAILABLE IN MORE THAN A DOZEN COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD

BURBANK, CA (April 8, 2020) – Continuing to delight consumers around the world, Disney+ has now achieved another new milestone, with 50 million paid subscribers globally within five months after its U.S. launch.

"We're truly humbled that Disney+ is resonating with millions around the globe, and believe this bodes well for our continued expansion throughout Western Europe and into Japan and all of Latin America later this year," said Kevin Mayer, Chairman of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International. "Great storytelling inspires and uplifts, and we are in the fortunate position of being able to deliver a vast array of great entertainment rooted in joy and optimism on Disney+."

In the past two weeks, Disney+ rolled out in eight Western European counties including the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland. Additionally, Disney+ became available last week in India, where it is offered in conjunction with the existing Hotstar service, and already accounts for approximately eight million of Disney+'s 50 million paid subscribers.

From the likes of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck to Woody and Buzz, kids of all ages have enjoyed watching Disney for decades, which is why Disney+ is a great resource for parents looking to entertain the whole family. However, not everything on Disney+ is appropriate for young children. Kids Profiles help filter shows that are safe for children, and they're easy to set up.

Products used in this guide

• Disney's best in one place: Disney+ ($7/month at Disney+)

How to set up a Kids Profile

1. Open the Disney+ app or website.
2. Tap the profile icon.
3. Tap Add profile.
4. Tap the profile icon your child wants for its profile.Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central

5. Type in the name for your child's profile.
6. Tap the Kids Profile toggle to turn it on.
7. Tap Save.Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central

There you have it! You've set up a Kids Profile so your kids can enjoy Disney+ and you don't have to worry about them watching any inappropriate content.

To edit a Profile in Disney+

Wait, have you already created a profile and you want to switch it to a Kids Profile? We've got you covered.

1. Open the Disney+ app or website.
2. Tap the profile icon.
3. Tap Edit profiles.Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central

4. Tap the profile you want to adjust.
5. To convert a regular profile to a Kids profile, tap the Kids Profile toggle.
6. Tap the Autoplay toggle if you want the next episode of a TV show to automatically play when one episode ends.
7. Tap Save.Source: Ara Wagoner / Android Central

Can I adjust the level of content shown on a Kids Profile?

As it stands today, there isn't a way to get more granular controls over the type of content your child will have access to. Currently, the only way to filter the videos that are accessible by your child is by simply turning the Kids Profile toggle off or on. It is a bit surprising that there isn't a way to allow different levels of show ratings for a 5-year old versus a 10-year old. Perhaps this is something that Disney will add at a later date. For now, at least, there is some way to filter out the more grown-up shows like The Mandalorian with the Kids Profile option — I suppose it's better than nothing.

The massive amount of premium content on Disney+ easily puts it at the top of the list when it comes to best new streaming services. Whether you're a fan of animated Disney classics, Marvel films and TV shows, National Geographic content, or the Star Wars saga, the service is nearly essential for those who have cut the cable company out of their life and are looking for something to help take its place.

While Disney+ might not have as wide a selection as Netflix does, it's chock-full of family-friendly content including a large majority of Disney's TV shows and movies new and old alike. Disney+ even premieres exclusive content which you won't be able to watch anywhere else, and the best part is that with an active membership, you can watch anywhere you go by downloading the Disney+ app on your smartphone or tablet. The service is available on some smart TVs and streaming devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick as well.

How do you get a free Disney+ trial?

Scoring a Disney+ trial is easier than you might think, though it does require that you enter valid billing information so that your membership can continue automatically once the trial is over. That means you'll be charged the regular monthly price for the service once that happens. However, you can also choose to cancel your Disney+ membership at any time, including before the trial ends if you decide it's not the right fit for your family.

To snag your Disney+ free trial, simply head to Disney+ and click Start Free Trial on the homepage. The free trial offer is only valid on the standard Disney+ membership; the Disney+ package which includes Hulu and ESPN+ does not offer a free trial at this time.

How long is the Disney+ trial?

Disney+ currently offers a 7-day free trial for new customers. That might not be as long as say Netflix's 30-day free trial for example, but Disney+ is also a much safer bet for families or households with an intense love of all things Disney or Marvel. Disney+ includes such a wide selection of Disney's shows and movies that you don't necessarily need to try it out to know what's available or if you'll enjoy the content that's there. If you're a Disney fan, there's no doubt that this service is made for you.

What can you watch with the Disney+ trial?

Your free Disney+ trial gives you full access to the Disney+ streaming service, so there are no restrictions or limitations as to what you can watch or how the account works compared to when you're a paying customer. Once you've activated the 7-day trial, you can start watching movies like Marvel's Black Panther, the recently released Frozen 2, or the Disney+ exclusive film Stargirl, as well as TV shows like Boy Meets World, The Simpsons, and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

How much does Disney+ cost after the free trial?

Disney+ is one of the most affordable streaming services to date, which is pretty wild considering all that it has to offer already after just six months of being available in select countries. WIth currency conversions, there is some variation in pricing based on which country you live in ($6.99/£5.99/AU$8.99), though you can save and drop the monthly cost even lower by paying for a full year of membership instead. You can get the full rundown on Disney+ monthly and annual pricing in your country via this Disney+ guide.

Another Disney+ package bundles in Hulu and ESPN+ streaming services starting at just $12.99 per month. If you're already a subscriber to one of these services, you could save money each month by purchasing this bundled offer. The only caveat is that it does not offer a free trial like the standard Disney+ membership does.

How do you cancel the Disney+ free trial?

Cancelling your Disney+ trial is easy to do and takes just a minute or two to accomplish. On the Disney Plus homepage, simply click your user icon in the top right corner and then click Account. Underneath the Subscription heading on that page, you can click the words 'Billing Details' to be guided to where you can cancel your subscription. This page allows you to cancel whether you're currently on a free trial or if you're already a paying member, so it's helpful to remember where it is in any case.

Two ways to watch, one service full of favorites

There are two ways to watch Disney+ on a Chromebook: you can stream without an app via the Chrome browser or you can install the Android app and download videos to watch offline. The ability to watch it without needing an app can be very, very helpful — especially on school-issued Chromebooks that might have Google Play app installs locked down. On the other hand, the Disney+ Android app being availble on Chromebooks makes it an easy way to stock up on videos for offline playback on a larger-screen device for something like a cross-country flight.

While the Android app works normally on Chromebooks the same way as it does on Android tablets, with the only downside I've seen so far being that the app doesn't really want to download to microSD cards yet.

Dealing with Error 83

When you try to play a video on the Disney+ website for the first time, you're going to get a prompt asking you to allow Disney+ to check your device for DRM purposes. By the time you agree to the prompt and Disney+ runs its DRM check, it will have timed out and give you the above message, Error 83.

Don't be discouraged by this error! You should only see it the first time you try watching something. When you click Dismiss on the error pop-up, simply try to watch another video, and the video should load and play normally.

Ways to watch on a non-SmartCast Vizio TV

Disney Plus (Disney+) launched in the U.S. on Nov. 12, 2019, and is now available on nearly all any platform you could want. Though an app wasn't available initially for Vizio's SmartCast TVs at launch, Vizio has since gotten a native app for Disney+. The other option is since SmartCast televisions have Google's Chromecast built directly into it, making it simple to watch your Disney+ shows.

However, if you don't have a SmartCast-enabled Vizio TV, all it not lost. You can still get all the incredible Disney+ content onto your television with a simple piece of extra hardware like a Chromecast or Android TV box. These will let you cast the shows right to your Vizio TV with no problems.

Here are all the ways you can watch Disney+ at launch:

• Android Mobile Devices
• Android TV
• Chromecast
• iPhone
• iPad
• Apple TV
• Xbox One
• PlayStation 4
• Desktop web browsers (plugins are unknown)
• Android TV-based Sony TVs
• Roku streaming players
• Roku TV
• Amazon Fire TV
• LG smart TVs (2016 or newer)
• Samsung Tizen Smart TVs (2016 or newer)

What is Disney+?

Disney+ is a streaming service from, you guessed it, Disney, that finally answers fans cry for a place to finds all their favorite shows from Disney. While there is a pretty significant catalog, absolutely everything Disney in its castle walls for us.

Disney launched with hundreds of movies and TV series ranging from decades-old classics to recent releases like Frozen II. There are over 500 movies and 7,500 episodes of TV available to stream through Disney+.

When people think of Disney, they think of shows and movies with Mickey and Goofy, but it also has content from Marvel, Star Wars, 20th Century Fox, and National Geographic. Disney also plans to offer original movies and television series that will be specific to Disney+ like the Mandalorian, She-Hulk, Lizzie McGuire, Hawkeye, and more.

Through the Disney+ app available on the Vizio SmartCast TV app store or using the built-in Chromecast feature watching the best Disney+ shows couldn't be easier on your SmartCast TV. The same can be said for your Vizio TV that isn't SmartCast enabled — you'll only need to get something like a Chromecast dongle to plug into the set, allowing you to stream to it.

When is it available in my country?

Disney+ launched on Nov. 12, 2019, in the U.S., Canada, and the Netherlands and on Nov. 19 in Australia and New Zealand. The plans are for the service to be available globally, it's just taking some time for the rollout to get moving. As of right now, this is the tentative schedule:

• March 24, 2020: UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland
• March 29, 2020: India
• First half of 2020: Other western European countries
• First half of 2021: Eastern European countries
• Throughout 2020-2021: Asia-Pacific countries
• First half of 2020: Latin America

Catching the mouse

Disney+ is available on a variety of platforms and devices, including Sony smart TVs, specifically ones that use Android TV. Disney made a Disney+ app designed for Android TV set-top boxes as well as for televisions with it built-in. This means that you can watch your favorite Disney shows directly through your Sony Android TV without any extra hardware to plug in.

However, if you don't have an Android TV-enabled Sony TV, do not fret — there's still a way to watch. You can get all the incredible Disney+ content onto your television with a simple piece of extra hardware like a Chromecast or Android TV box that plugs right into your Sony TV. These will let you watch the shows right on your TV with no problems.

Getting a Chromecast is the cheapest and most accessible way to add Disney+ capabilities to your non-Smart TV. Just plug it in, load up the app on your phone, and hit the cast button in the top right corner. You can also cast directly through your web browser.

Ways to watch on a non-smart Sony TV

While watching Disney+ on a Sony TV without Android TV will require extra hardware, it's a relatively straight forward process. Aside from the previously mentioned Chromecast and Android TV set-top box, there are quite a few other options for watching the best Disney has to offer.

• Android Mobile Devices
• Android TV
• Chromecast
• iPhone
• iPad
• Apple TV
• Xbox One
• PlayStation 4
• Desktop web browsers (plugins are unknown)
• Android TV-based Sony TVs
• Roku streaming players
• Roku TV
• Amazon Fire TV
• LG smart TVs (2016 or newer)
• Samsung Tizen smart TVs (2016 or newer)

What is Disney+?

Disney+ is a streaming service from the "House of Mouse" that is finally letting fans into the castle to watch favorite TV shows and movies in one place. Disney+ has hundreds of movies and TV shows ranging from decades-old classics like 101 Dalmations to recent releases like the live-action Dumbo. There are about 500 movies and 7,500 episodes of TV shows available to stream through Disney+ that is constantly growing.

Most of the time, when people think of Disney, they think of Mickey and Goofy, or Woody and Buzz. However, the service also has content from Marvel, Star Wars, 20th Century Fox, and National Geographic. Disney also plans to offer original movies and television series that will be specific to Disney+ like She-Hulk, Lizzie McGuire, Hawkeye, and more. Even at launch there were original series available like The Mandalorian.

When is it available in my country?

Disney+ launched on Nov. 12, 2019 in the U.S., Canada, and the Netherlands and on Nov. 19 in Australia and New Zealand. As of right now this is the tentative schedule:

• March 24, 2020: UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland
• March 29, 2020: India
• First half of 2020: Other western European countries
• First half of 2021: Eastern European countries
• Throughout 2020-2021: Asia-Pacific countries
• First half of 2020: Latin America

What you need to know

• You can now upgrade to a Disney+ bundle with No Ads Hulu or Hulu Live TV.
• Previously, users could not bundle with Live TV and could not upgrade to No Ads after signing up for the Disney+ bundle.
• Current or new bundle subscribers can upgrade in the Account section of Hulu's app or website.

When it launched in November, Disney Plus (Disney+) offered a monthly bundle with ESPN and basic ad-supported Hulu for $12.99 per month, but you couldn't upgrade that plan to No Ads or Live TV, which hobbled the experience for Hulu subscribers who wanted to expand their options and unlock more content within the service. There was a workaround that allowed users to get the Disney+ Bundle with No Ads Hulu, but if you'd already signed up for the bundle, you were out of luck.

Until now, that is.

After opening up the Disney+ Bundle to Verizon's Disney+ on Us subscribers earlier this month, Hulu has quietly rolled out new Disney+ bundles under its Package options, including easy upgrade options to Disney+ with No Ads Hulu and Disney+ with Live TV. This allows you to get the bundle you want with the features you want, as well as allows you to modify your bundle after your initial subscription if you find out that No Ads is actually worth the extra $7 a month.

I'm happy to see Disney finally taking a more reasonable, relaxed stance on the Disney+ Bundle, as it didn't make much sense to block off bundle subscribers from Hulu's more expensive features. What media company doesn't want to take more of your money, after all? If you're a Hulu Live TV subscriber, the Disney+ Bundle just became a no-brainer, as the bundle is only $8 more than your current bill for not one but two more streaming services: Disney+ and ESPN+.

Like seriously, what are you waiting for?

What you need to know

• Disney now allows Verizon on Us subscribers to get the Disney+ bundle.
• With this combo, you're charged $6 a month for the Disney+ bundle until the end of your free "Disney+ on Us" year.
• At the end of that year, you'll be charged $12.99 a month for the bundle.

When Disney+ first launched in November, Verizon had an offer for its mobile and Fios customers to give them Disney+ for a year for free, called Disney+ on Us. Now, Disney+ on Us was the only offer that could be combined with a previous offer, allowing Founder's Circle members get four years for the price of two, but you can now combine it with another sweet offer: the Disney+ Bundle!

The Disney+ gives you Disney+, ESPN+, and ad-supported Hulu for $13 a month, but as long as your year of Disney+ on Us is active, you'll only be charged $6 a month for the bundle, which means that you're getting ESPN+ and Disney+ for the price of a basic Hulu subscription. That's pretty incredible, and it's something you should take advantage of right now, since the longer you wait, the less time you'll get to take advantage of this discount since your year Disney+ on Us is already running.

Want to avoid ads on Hulu but still take advantage of this deal? That's an option, too. So, seriously, what are you waiting for?

The Mandalorian is one of the most raved-about new shows on Disney's crazy popular streaming service, Disney+. One of the biggest reasons this highly enjoyable show has garnered a lot of attention across the internet is due to a tiny character that plays a major role: Baby Yoda. This little example of a yet-unnamed-species is one of the cutest things taking the world by storm at the moment, so of course people all over are scrambling to find out how to incorporate Baby Yoda into every facet of their lives. Minecraft is no exception.

What you need to know about datapacks in Minecraft

While you might expect Baby Yoda to come to Minecraft in the form of a mod, that isn't actually the case. A clever YouTuber named Miles Playz added the adorable space alien to our favorite sandbox title using datapacks. Datapacks use existing assets and features in Minecraft to make changes or additions to your game without altering the code of the basegame, making them invaluable for customization.

Datapacks are more limited than mods in terms of what you can accomplish with them, but are far easier to use and install, and you don't have to risk any game breaking bugs or glitches. Just like mods, though, this feature is exclusive to the Java Edition of Minecraft. So, unfortunately, Baby Yoda isn't coming to the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft (sad face).

Either way, someone much smarter than me spent a lot of time recreating Baby Yoda using said datapacks. According to his YouTube video, he used a combination of armor stands and the base AI of a wolf to lay the foundation for his creation. After that was a ton of work individually designing parts of Baby Yoda's body, and then giving him unique behaviors and abilities to boot. Time and effort well spent.

How to add Baby Yoda to Minecraft

Now that you know a little bit about datapacks and what they do, here's how to use one to add Baby Yoda to one of your worlds:

1. Make sure you own Minecraft: Java Edition. Datapacks only work on the Java Edition of Minecraft, so you'll need to buy it before you move on.
2. Make sure it's installed before continuing.

3. Navigate to this webpage. Miles Playz stashed the datapack for Baby Yoda on Planet Minecraft, where you can go download it.

4. Click the download button. You may have to watch an ad first, but it's worth the sacrifice.

5. Find the datapack. It'll be under .zip file named "baby-yoda" and should be in your Downloads folder unless you specified otherwise.
6. Open the Minecraft Launcher on your PC.
7. Make sure you're playing the version of Minecraft you want to be, and then click the big green Play button.

Create a world for Baby Yoda to play in

Now you to create a new world. You can use an old one, but you need to make sure cheats are enabled. Here's how to make sure you set it all up properly.

1. Click on More World Options after you've created a world.Source: Windows Central

2. Make sure that cheats are enabled by toggling Allow Cheats to the on position.
   • Note: You can use one of your existing worlds, but you need to have cheats enabled in that world already.
3. Click on Create the world to generate the world.
4. Let it load fully.
5. Once you're in the game and the world is generated, go ahead and exit back to the Worlds menu.
6. Without clicking play, highlight the world that you just created for Baby Yoda.
7. Find the Edit button near the bottom and click on it.Source: Windows Central

8. We need to load the datapack to this world. On the Edit World page there's an option to actually view the physical contents of this world on your PC.

9. One of the folders you'll see inside your world is the datapacks folder. That's where Minecraft will look for any installed datapacks.
10. Copy/move the baby-yoda datapack into this folder.

11. Back in Minecraft, go ahead and save the changes you've made to this world.
12. Go ahead and load up the world you created to start playing.

Now to load the datapack up

Once you're in the game, you'll need to direct Minecraft to check for datapacks added to the world using the command line. Here's how to do that.

1. Press the T button to open the chat menu. This is where all command lines are entered. This is also where you'll see Baby Yoda's menu.

2. The Baby Yoda datapack has its own menu used to spawn and de-spawn the little green creature.
3. Click on Spawn Baby Yoda. Whenever the chat menu is opened, you can move your mouse cursor without moving in the game. That means you can click on the Spawn Baby Yoda button to bring Baby Yoda into the game!

4. After a few moments, Baby Yoda should appear in close proximity to you!

Now you're free to do whatever it is you do with Baby Yoda. Gaze lovingly at it, I suppose.

What can Baby Yoda do in Minecraft?

Baby Yoda won't totally revolutionize the way Minecraft works (except emotionally) but he is useful to have around in a pinch, and has a few unique animations to give him some extra personality as he wanders around. He has both passive and aggressive behaviors, depending on what's going on. Here's all Baby Yoda can do in Minecraft:

• Wander a lot. Whenever Baby Yoda isn't up to anything, it mostly just walks around its area. With one exception.
• Try to follow you. Baby Yoda isn't the greatest at it, but it will try to stay close. Since the base AI for Baby Yoda is built off a wolf, it knows how to navigate around as well as follow the player.
• Blink. Not particularly interesting, but the little guy can blink when he feels like it.
• Drink soup. Much like in one of the Mandalorian's most infamous scenes, Baby Yoda in Minecraft can stand around and sip soup. Awesome.
• Attack hostile mobs. Baby Yoda has three separate attacks it can use to fend off hostile mobs. It can levitate a mob and suspend it in the air for a while (giving you plenty of opportunity to kill it), levitate a mob and then damage it over time (usually coming very close to killing it), and flat out yeet a hostile mob into the atmosphere at ludicrous speeds. These attacks are chosen completely at random.
• Be invulnerable. If you were worried about watching your Baby Yoda be mauled by some cruel monster, don't be. Baby Yoda can't die, because how else is Baby Yoda going to sell more merchandise?

One important thing to note is that there can only be one Baby Yoda at a time. It's a little disappointing, but understandable. You can't have a herd of adorable invincible pets walking around your world.

That about covers it. It's not the most varied set of behaviors, but it's still more than say, a chicken, and way more helpful. There's a few more things to keep in mind about Baby Yoda:

• You can use the chat menu to spawn and de-spawn Baby Yoda. If Baby Yoda gets trapped somewhere, or you're just tired of its shenanigans, you can use the chat menu to de-spawn it for a while.
• Baby Yoda sometimes glitches out a little bit. Baby Yoda isn't flawless in Minecraft. Whenever you first spawn it, you may notice that the individual cubes that make up his body float away from him. These glitches usually sort themselves out after a few seconds.

Get drawn in by the craze

There you have it. Baby Yoda is now wreaking havoc on your heart (and maybe your wallet) and dominating your Minecraft world. Much like the rest of the world, you've fallen into its stupidly cute trap and you're probably OK with that. Because of the way Baby Yoda was added to Minecraft, it's not too much of a hassle to add it, so a few minutes of work nets you a super-famous Star Wars idol that just happens to be kind of useful to have around.

Will you add Baby Yoda to Minecraft? Or do you just not understand why everyone loves it so much? Sound off in the comments below!

When watching Disney Plus (Disney+) on your laptop during that long holiday layover or cross-country flight, you don't have to hassle with the on-screen controls when a crying kid behind you covers up the punchline to your favorite Genie joke. Disney+ has keyboard controls that are available when watching through the Disney+ website or when using the Android app on a Chromebook. Memorize these controls because they're going to make your life much easier when you're neglecting your work to watch some Winnie the Pooh.

Disney+ keyboard shortcuts when streaming on DisneyPlus.com

If you've used media apps before, a lot of these will look familiar to you.

• Spacebar — play/pause
• Left arrow — rewind 10 seconds
• Right arrow — fast forward 10 seconds
• M — mute/unmute
• F — Enter fullscreen mode
• Esc — Exit fullscreen mode

These controls work on all supported desktop and laptop computers, including Chromebooks, but if you have a Chromebook, you have two ways to watch Disney+: the Disney+ website and the Disney+ Android app through Google Play. Chromebooks are the only laptops with the ability to download videos for offline playback, and when watching watching via the app on Chromebooks, you can use the first three shortcuts listed above to control your playback.

Keyboard controls currently don't work with the Disney+ Android app on phones and tablets, which is a bit of a bummer, but for devices that come with a keyboard attached, it's nice that you can use the keyboard for quicker commands than tapping to reveal the on-screen controls.

Finding that perfect gift is a needle in a haystack, and in an age where physical gifts are losing their edge for so many of us, a subscription that can be used all year makes for a heck of a gift. Disney+ is one such gift and it's the hottest new streaming service on the block. As such, it makes perfect sense that you'd want to buy it for your niece or grandkid, but until now, you could only buy Disney+ subscription cards at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, or at Disney Store locations in the continental United States.

Now, Disney has opened up a digital storefront for Disney+ gifting subscriptions through DisneyPlus.com, allowing you to send a subscription to your friends or family via email, and you can even schedule when the gift is sent, since you can't really do a "DO NOT OPEN UNTIL DECEMBER 25" tag on an email.

A few things you'll want to remember when giving Disney+ subscription to someone else:

• Make sure your recipient doesn't already have a subscription. Disney+ subscriptions can only be redeemed by users who do not already have a Disney+ account, and you will have to create a brand new account when you redeem it. This means your recipient's email address cannot have previously signed up for a Disney+ subscription or a Disney+ free trial; if they did, they'll need to use an alternate email address to redeem your gift.
• Once redeemed for a year of Disney+, you only get the standalone Disney+ service. If you redeem a Disney+ get subscription and then upgrade to the bundle, that $70 is not applied towards the cost of the bundle; you basically throw away the gift subscription.
• Gift subscriptions are only for U.S. residents. Sorry to Canadians, Aussies, Kiwis, and the Dutch; you can't give Disney+ as a gift yet, which is a real shame.

After the long wait, Disney Plus (Disney+) is finally here. If you haven't had a chance to sign up yet, or you're looking to give somebody the magical gift of Disney streaming, there's an easy way to do it, especially if you live near a Disney run establishment. You can now purchase 12-month subscription cards. If you have one or want to get one, we can help you use it so you can start streaming as soon as possible.

Before you buy or redeem

Before you try to redeem your subscription card, here are a few things you should take note of. You can't redeem a subscription code if you already have an account. The only way to successfully redeem a subscription card is to be a new subscriber. If you already purchased a card, you can gift it to someone who doesn't have the service. Otherwise, you have to wait until your current subscription is up so you can cancel and register with a new email address.

• Buy a Disney+ gift card direct from the store

How to sign up for Disney Plus with a subscription card

If you haven't been gifted a card and you want to buy one yourself, you can find Disney+ subscription cards in Disney Stores or the Disney World or Disneyland parks. Once you've got it in hand, follow the steps below to get streaming.

1. Flip over your card for the subscription code. Once you've used the code, you can't reuse it.

2. Follow the instructions on the back by going to the website DisneyPlus.com/redeemcard.
3. Enter in your code and click Redeem.

4. After your code is redeemed, enter in your email. If you had an account previously, be sure to use a new email account.
5. Select if you want to receive offers and updates, read the terms of services, and select Agree & Continue.Source: Android Central

6. Create your Disney+ account password.
7. You've done it! Now you can relax and enjoy all the magical programming Disney+ has to offer.

After a few small steps, you can now stream Disney+ on any compatible device. Enjoy the MCU, Star Wars, National Geographic, and the best Disney movie library out there. With classics like The Little Mermaid and awesome new programming like the Mandalorian, Disney+ has a lot to offer for anyone who needs a little extra streaming magic.

Our top equipment picks

If you don't want to go through the hassle of buying a subscription card in person, or you don't happen to live near a Disney Store or any of the parks, you can still grab a Disney+ subscription online. Plus, if you don't want to commit to the entire year, you can pay monthly or test out the service with a seven-day free trial. Just keep in mind, if you do sign up and you receive a subscription card, you won't be able to use it if you already have an account.

New subscribers only

Disney+ is all the magic of the Happiest Place on Earth right on your screen, and now it's easier to gift that subscription to your favorite Mouse-house enthusiast. You can now purchase 12-month subscription cards and share the wonderful world of Disney — but don't just go buy a bunch of cards without reading the fine print.

While these cards can be great gifts, they can only be redeemed by new subscribers. Unfortunately, that means if you already have an account, you cannot use a subscription card. Not only does this apply to those who actually own the service, but anyone who signed up for the seven-day free trial is also out of luck. Before you start clearing off the kiosk with subscription cards for your friends and family, it's best to check to see if they have it first.

I already bought one. Now what?

Don't worry; you can still find a way to use your subscription card, but it takes a few steps. If you already have Disney+, you can wait until your monthly (or yearly) bill cycle is up and cancel your service. From there, you can create a new account using the 12-month subscription card.

If you already have the D23 three-year package...well, you will be waiting for some time. You can always share the magic with someone else.

Sadly, there is no digital gift card for Disney+ just yet. If you do want to pick up a subscription card, you can grab them at local Disney Stores, Disney World stores, or Disneyland stores. Before you give the gift of Disney+, however, make sure your friend or family member can use it.

Why can't I watch it now? Blame the lawyers

Disney + has been a long time coming, but, unfortunately, streaming rights and exclusivity contracts are worked out many, many years at a time. So while Disney has been preparing for this service for four years, that isn't enough time to get the rights back for everything just yet. In some cases, Disney could negotiate changes so that recent Marvel and Disney movies could still stream on Disney+, while other services still have licensing agreements in place — this is why we have 16 MCU movies on Disney+ right now instead of the four that were originally slated to be on the service at launch.

In other agreements, Disney and the other parties could not come to an agreement in order to modify the existing deal, so Disney+ and all of its subscribers have to wait for the deal to expire in order for Disney+ to legally stream them. This is why most of the recent Marvel movies like Black Panther and Thor: Ragnarok are not available now, but will be available in the next few months.

Why list it if I can't watch now? Watchlist and waitlist

Most services like Netflix and Hulu hide shows and movies that you can't watch, for example, in another country, but Disney+ is showing the listings with the date of arrival for some movies. These films might not be watchable right now, but having a listing gives users the date of arrival without making them go searching elsewhere for it.

Having a listing in the Disney+ app also allows us to add a movie to our Watchlist, so that we can easily find it once it is live. I'm hopeful that Disney+ will send you a push notification on your phone when movies on your Watchlist become available the way it does for new episodes of Disney+ originals also on your Watchlist.

Why are some missing movies listed but some aren't? Solid versus fluid situations

You may have noticed that some missing movies have listings on Disney+ right now, like Beauty and the Beast 2017 while other missing movies like Aladdin (2019) do not. If a missing movie has a concrete date for when it will arrive on Disney+, it seems to have a Disney+ listing. If there isn't currently a set date for it to arrive, the movie does not usually have a listing.

Disney+ is finally here!

Disney+ is now available in many places and platforms, including on most newer model Samsung TVs. Basically, if you have a Samsung TV from 2016 or newer that is running Samsung's Tizen OS, then you should be able to download the Disney+ app and watch it natively.

This is great news for users who have a relatively recent Samsung TV, as being able to watch natively offers a great experience and means you won't have to go digging through a secondary console device or use your phone as a remote while Chromecasting them.

What's it like watching Disney+ on a Samsung TV?

Samsung smart TVs use Tizen, which is an operating system built by Samsung itself. It features smooth scrolling, nice animations, and generally excellent performance (though that sometimes depends on your TV). The Disney+ app is downloaded through Samsung's app store pre-loaded on the TV. Because Disney+ is new and hot, it'll likely be the first thing you see when you open the app. It's also a free download.

How do I enter my Disney+ username and password in the Samsung app?

You'll need to use your TV remote to enter your username and password into the Disney+ app on Samsung TVs. That's a pretty slow and tedious process, especially if you have a long, complicated password. Fortunately, if your TV supports Bluetooth, you can connect a Bluetooth keyboard to it, like this one, to make text input much easier (plus it has a built-in mouse, too, for easier navigation).

Other ways to watch on a Samsung TV

If your Samsung TV doesn't see the Disney+ app at launch, there are still a good number of ways to still get all the great shows Disney+ offers regardless of what type of TV you have:

• Android TV consoles like NVIDIA Shield TV
• Amazon Fire TV devices
• Chromecast
• Apple TV
• Xbox One
• PlayStation 4
• Roku streaming players

In a galaxy not so far away...

Disney has long been the home to magic and wonderment, so many people have longed to have access to it all on a whim. Well, that wait is over now that Disney+ has landed.

The list of things that make this streaming service exciting is a long one. From movies and TV shows that span decades, to some of the most recent releases like Captain Marvel, Disney+ has so much for us to consume. Aside from all the classics we know and love from Disney, there's also brand new original content available only on Disney+. Shows in the Star Wars universe like The Mandalorian and even High School Musical: The Musical: The Series are on the service, with shows set in the Marvel Universe like WandaVision making their way over soon.

Great, can I gift Disney+ to my favorite people?

You can now purchase 12-month subscription cards for Disney+ so that you can give the gift of Disney magic. Unfortunately, they aren't available for purchase online yet, so be prepared to brave the holiday rush at the mall. Disney+ subscription cards are only available at:

• Brick-and-mortar Disney Stores
• Select stores at Walt Disney World, such as World of Disney at Disney Springs and the Emporium inside the Magic Kingdom
• Select stores at Disneyland, such as the Emporium inside Disneyland and Elias and Co inside Disney's California Adventure

There isn't a digital gift card for Disney+ yet — nor are there gift options for subscribers in other Disney+ countries — but hopefully this will be added in the near future.

New subscribers only!

These gift cards are only for new subscribers; you can't use one if you already have an account — or have signed up for a seven-day trial before. When you go to DisneyPlus.com/Redeem to activate the card, you need to be a fresh user. If you already have an account — regardless of whether it's active or if you just did the free trial and then canceled — when you hit "Redeem", you'll see a progress bar spin a moment, and then nothing happens.

I'm hopeful that Disney revises this policy because that means that right now if you buy someone a Disney+ subscription card, you run the risk of giving them a gift that seemed thoughtful but can't be used.

What if I already have an account and someone gave me a subscription card?

If you were on a monthly billing cycle, the easiest thing for you to do is going to be to cancel your current subscription and make a new account with a different email address.

If you're currently on an annual billing cycle, you'll need to wait for your current subscription to end, then make a new account with a new email address. Maybe Disney will have enabled these gift cards to work with existing accounts by then.

If you're a Founder's Circle subscriber with the three-year D23 package, then you have one of two options: put the card in a drawer until your current sub runs out in 2022 (or Disney allows current subscribers to redeem them) or re-gift the card to someone who can actually use it.

With Disney+, we can now watch all of our favorite classic Disney films, as well as other content from Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel, National Geographic, and Fox, all in one place. Disney+ is still in its infancy though, so it's not uncommon to see playback issues, such as buffering, while watching your shows and movies. Luckily there's something you can do about it.

Make sure your Internet speeds meet the minimum requirements

Quality of video played through Disney+ will depend entirely on your Internet connection speed. The quality automatically adjusts itself based on the speed available at the moment, so if it's fluctuating a lot, then it'll be very noticeable as you watch.

For best video quality, Disney+ recommends the following:

• 5.0 Mbps for High Definition content
• 25.0 Mbps for 4K UHD content

Maintaining a consistent connection with those speeds will guarantee good playback quality. You should also check on how many simultaneous video streams or other high-bandwidth activities are going on at once on your Internet connection, as speeds are reduced if more devices are actively using the connection.

If you're unsure of your Internet speeds, test them with a service like Speedtest.net.

Fully close the Disney+ app

Usually, simply closing out of an app fully and restarting it will fix most issues that you have.

1. Fully close out of Disney+ on your streaming device (as well as any other apps running in the background).
2. Launch Disney+ on your streaming device again.

Power-cycle your Disney+ streaming devices

A lot of tech woes can be resolved by powering everything off and restarting it. If you've tried restarting the app with no change, then you might want to try whatever device you're using to stream.

1. Power off your modem and router through a power button if applicable, or just unplug it from the power source.
2. Turn off your Disney+ streaming device through a power button if applicable, or just unplug it.
3. Turn on or plug in the modem and router if you disconnected them.
4. Restart your streaming device.
5. Launch the Disney+ app once again.

Make sure you're using the latest software

If you are not running the latest version of the Disney+ app, then that may be contributing to the video playback issues you're experiencing. Make sure you're running the latest version of Disney+ by checking for updates in your streaming device's app store.

1. Launch the App Store on your streaming device.
2. Select the Updates tab.
   • If you're using an iOS device, updates have moved to your Apple ID Account tab, which is accessed by tapping your avatar in the upper right corner.
3. Tap Update on the Disney+ app if there is one.

Another thing that may cause issues is older operating system software. Make sure your streaming device is on the latest operating system version. To check for updates, go into your streaming device's settings menu.

Clear out your device's cached data

As you use apps and programs, temporary files get stored on your device to help with overall performance, since it means the same items don't need to load repeatedly. This results in a sped-up browsing experience. But sometimes that cached data can get corrupted and lead to streaming issues.

You can clear out the stored cache on your streaming device to help with performance and stability of your video playback. To get the steps for each individual supported device, check Disney's help page.

Uninstall and reinstall Disney+

Sometimes the app may just have issues and uninstalling it and then reinstalling it will fix problems.

1. Delete Disney+ app from your device by following the standard protocol for the device you're using.
2. Power off your device if you're able to.
3. Turn the device back on.
4. Navigate to your device's digital app storefront and search for Disney+.
5. Download the app to your device.

6. Log in with your account email and password.

Check all of your components

Disney+ recommends using individual components that support high-bandwidth digital content. This includes HDMI cables, external displays, and more. Specifically, displays should have HDCP 2.2 for 4K Ultra HD and HDR content. Other audio and video components can also impact playback quality.

Might just be high demand

Disney+ is drawing in a lot of subscribers, and some programs are seeing heavy demand, such as The Mandalorian. If you are still experiencing playback issues, especially with certain titles, it may be due to the number of people trying to watch it at the same time. Sometimes the best solution is to wait a bit and try again later.

The need for speed

If you're like me, then you've been anxiously awaiting the launch of Disney's streaming service, Disney+. There are so many franchises and stories that are under the Disney umbrella that it's hard not to be hyped. Not only can we rewatch all our favorites, but they will also get further explored through this service. Everything from Marvel to Star Wars and more are getting original content that will let us dive deeper into the worlds we love.

Now that Disney+ is finally here, we need to make sure that all of our ducks are in a row to stream away without hiccups.

Part of that process is knowing what internet speed requirements are going to be necessary to use the service. Disney has provided us with a nice simple breakdown of the recommended speeds to get started streaming.

• 5.0 Mbps - Recommended for HD quality (1080p)
• 25 Mbps - Recommended for Ultra HD quality (4K)

Should you have less than ideal internet speeds that keep you from being able to properly stream, consider downloading your shows possibly overnight or when you have a better connection. This way the speed, or lack there of, won't hinder your enjoyment of the Disney magic.

Can I improve my speeds?

Most of the time, if you are at home or on Wi-Fi somewhere, you'll get speeds high enough to get at least SD quality streaming. Aside from better speeds typically found via Wi-Fi, the signal is generally more stable, which keeps buffering to a minimum.

When Wi-Fi isn't available, and you're pulling signals in on your mobile device to stream, you're going to want to be sure you're on LTE. While you may be able to get by with a strong 3G connection, you'll get lower quality video and far more stutters in your stream. If you seem to have a stable internet connection, but there's still buffering, you can do a speed test through Fast and see what you are currently getting. You can also check with your internet service provider (ISP) to see what plan you are on and what speeds you can expect.

With Disney+ out in the wild, it's good to know these speed benchmarks to get started enjoying the magical world of Disney. There are so many fantastic movies and TV shows that Disney+ is streaming, from Iron Man to Captain Marvel and The Mandalorian to WandaVision — so I hope you have enough popcorn.

Streaming wants all the data

Disney hooked a lot of us from childhood, so with Disney finally giving all its fans a single place to find their favorites with Disney Plus (Disney+), we can, at last, indulge in the idea that we'll have it all at our fingertips. We aren't just getting the classics, but also the rest of the Disney family with Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more.

Therefore, getting devices, as well as proper data plans in place to stream, are paramount to make sure that when you're set to relax and watch your favorite show that everything is correct.

What I'm referring to concerning data plans is knowing how much data will be used up while getting your Disney fix. While we don't have anything official from Disney just yet in terms of technical requirements, we can use what another top tier service does require to help us out. Netflix has a breakdown of the average data used when streaming different video quality per hour.

• Low - 0.3GB per hour per device.
• Medium - SD: 0.7GB per hour per device.
• High - Best video quality, up to 3GB per hour per device for HD, and 7GB per hour per device for Ultra HD

There are other factors to take into consideration when measuring how much data is used, such as video compression and your device's cache, but these numbers should give us a decent idea of what to expect. For those times when you have Wi-Fi available, to save on cellular data caps, it is a good idea to download you shows for offline viewing.

So do I have enough data to stream?

This is one of those questions that comes with an "it depends" answer. Typically if you are on Wi-Fi or connected via a wire to your internet, then data caps don't apply. However, if you are like me and have the unfortunate circumstance of a data cap on your home internet, then you're going to want to keep a close eye on your streaming. This will also apply to streaming video via your cellular devices.

While there are all kinds of different data plans, the constant is that streaming video uses lots of data and in a hurry. If you're trying to minimize the amount of data used up while watching Disney+, or any streaming video service for that matter, it's best to keep the video quality as low as possible. Disney lines out how to do this within their app as such:

While this may not look the best when viewing, it does use less data than those HD videos do. You can also connect your device to Wi-Fi to limit data usage.

Depending on how you're streaming, home internet or cellular, be sure you know where you can track your data usage. Most providers have an app or website where you can log into your account and see where you are in your data allotment. The other option is that you can always give your internet or cellular provider a call to find out how much you have used and what your limit is.

Since Verizon is giving its subscribers a free year of Disney+ we've broken down the best Verizon plans for watching all that magic.

Again, these requirements are telling us what Netflix video streaming uses— not Disney+ — so these could change, but they are good starting points to lets us for gauging what to expect. While we do know what movies and TV shows Disney+ is giving us, there are a few technical aspects that aren't available from Disney.

Disney at a discount

With so many streaming services out there and each one having content unique to their service, it's not hard to find yourself with a few different subscriptions — and that means the dollars add up pretty quick. So finding ways to save a buck here and there is a great way to help out the budget while still getting the content you want, and Disney+ is going to have some content you will likely want.

As it stands now, Disney isn't offering any promo codes. However, there are a few different ways to get yourself a discount on your subscription.

Can you watch me now?

If you are a Verizon customer, then you might have the best deal of all. As the exclusive wireless partner for Disney+, it's giving customers a free year of Disney's new streaming service. It's important to ensure you have the right Verizon plan so that your Disney+ streaming comes through without a hitch.

Getting the deals

While it may not be an outright discount, there is a bundle for $12.99 that gets you Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ together. With this package, you get to catch all your favorite Disney content from Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, NatGeo, and more as well as great shows on Hulu, and all the sports you could want from ESPN. If you were to purchase each of these services separately, you'd be paying about $18.

Also, if you know that you are going to love Disney+ for at least a year, then you can pay for an annual subscription for $70 — which breaks down to $5.83 per month.

Disney has a lot to offer on its new streaming service, from classics like Snow White and Mary Poppins to new favorites Toy Story and Coco. Aside from the prominent Disney shows, there is also going to be original content made only available on Disney+, including shows like the Mandalorian, Loki, Monsters at Work, Magic of the Animal Kingdom, and so much more.

Best of all: signing up gets you a seven-day free trial so you can test the service before committing to a payment plan.

Safety first

Disney movies and their characters hold a special place in the lives of so many people. While some of us may only be a kid at heart, some fans are still actually children. A lot of what folks think of when it comes to Disney movies are classics like Mickey Mouse, Snow White, Toy Story, Up, and so many more. Though content like that is quite wholesome, not all of the shows that will be available on Disney+ will be appropriate for children.

Disney houses more than just the Mickey and the gang. Disney also has the Marvel universe, Star Wars, Fox and more, so there is going to be things on Disney+ that need to be monitored for children. Thankfully Disney has thought of a way to help sort this out for us by letting you set up profiles on your account.

How do parental controls work?

Much like you can do with Netflix, you can set up a profile for you, your significant other, and kids to not only keep your content and suggestions the way you prefer but also to filter appropriate programming for children. When you create a profile and designate it as an account for a kid, Disney is going to allow only content that falls into a predetermined rating group (G, TV-Y, TV-Y7/Y7-FV, TV-G).

It's unclear if there are plans for further controls within that group should you want to narrow that filter down further and not allow content for a seven-year-old to be available for your four-year-old, for example.

Disney is also allows up to four simultaneous streams on an account. This means that a family could have The Mandalorian playing on a tablet in one room, National Geographic's Magic of the Animal Kingdom streaming on a phone in another room, Captain Marvel on the big screen in the living room, and Finding Nemo playing in the kids' playroom all at the same time. Just make sure that you have internet connection and data available available to do it.

Putting the magic on hold

The anticipation for Disney's streaming service is finally over. Until now, it took scouring the various streaming services to see what was available from Dinsey; even then, the pickings were relatively thin. Before Disney+'s launch, we could also get our fix through DVDs and Blu-rays.

Now that Disney+ is out, the next question is how the company will handle physical media releases. While there isn't any official schedule out there from Disney as to when we can expect to see movies make it to the streaming service after discs, we do have a good idea when that could be.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter the senior VP of content, Agnes Chu gave some insight as to the plans:

The current timeline from theatrical release to streaming works a bit like this: Disney will release a film into theaters, where its run is usually 90 days. Shortly after that it shows up on digital for purchase, and then 2-3 weeks later we see it arrive for 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD. Finally, about four months after its release onto physical media, we should see the film arrive on Disney+.

How can I watch?

Disney+ is available for a lot of devices and platforms. Here's a complete list of devices::

• Android Mobile Devices
• Android TV
• Chromecast
• iPhone
• iPad
• Apple TV
• Xbox One
• PlayStation 4
• Desktop web browsers (plugins are unknown)
• Android TV-based Sony TVs
• Roku streaming players
• Roku TV
• Amazon Fire TV
• LG webOS smart TVs (2016 or newer)
• Samsung Tizen smart TVs (2016 or newer)

As much as we want it all, not everything is available right away. Disney+ will have hundreds of movies and television shows at launch ranging from decades-old classics to recent releases like Captain Marvel. The goal is to have at least 500 movies and 7,500 episodes of TV available to stream through Disney+ by the end of 2019. There are even going to be some new original series and films that will be exclusive to Disney+ such as WandaVision from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Waves of Disney are upon us

Disney+ is finally here, and for years Disney content has been spread across various streaming services; even then, everything wasn't out there. There was what DIsney called the Disney Vault, which is where it would put movies for some time, then bring them out for a while and then put them back.

Thankfully with Disney+ much of that is going away, and we now get access to what we love via streaming. While there is way more available now than there ever has been before, everything isn't going to be available right away. Disney+ will have hundreds of movies and TV shows available ranging from decades-old classics to recent releases like Moana. The goal is to have at least 500 movies and 7,500 episodes of TV available to stream through Disney+ by the end of 2019. There are even going to be some new original series and films that will be exclusive to Disney+, such as the live-action Lady and the Tramp.

Original movies and television series that will be exclusive to Disney+ like Noelle, Dolphin Reef, Stargirl, Loki, and many more. There will also be plenty of Disney characters like Mickey and Goofy, Woody and Buzz, and most of the other classics. That's not to mention the offerings from Marvel, Star Wars, 20th Century Fox, and National Geographic.

Maybe you want to P'See' it (get it?)

While the number of devices that have direct access to Disney+ via an app is a relatively comprehensive one, sometimes you just want to use a good ol' fashioned computer. While there isn't a UWP app for Windows yet and Mac computers haven't gotten a dedicated app either, desktop browsers will be able to stream Disney+. Now that the service is live, Disney has provided us a comprehensive list of browsers and requirements:

Windows

• Chrome 73+ is supported on Windows 7 and later
• Edge is supported on Windows 10 and later
• Firefox 68+ is supported on Windows 7 and later
• Internet Explorer 11 is supported on Windows 8.1 and later

macOS

• Safari 11+ is supported on macOS 10.12 (Sierra) and later
• Chrome 73+ is supported on macOS 10.10 and later
• Firefox 68+ is supported on macOS 10.9 and later

Other Operating Systems

• Mobile browser playback is not supported (please install the Android or iOS app)
• Browsers on Smart TVs, game consoles, and other devices are not supported
• Browsers on ChromeOS are not currently supported, including Chromebook
• Linux is not currently supported
• Any operating systems not listed are not supported

While Disney says that viewing through the ChromeOS browser isn't available, we have found that it can be done. Though there are a few hiccups still around when it comes to streaming Disney+ in a browser on a Chromebook, it can be done.

Here's the complete list of devices available for streaming Disney+:

• Android Mobile Devices
• Android TV
• Chromecast
• iPhone
• iPad
• Apple TV
• Xbox One
• PlayStation 4
• Desktop web browsers (plugins are unknown)
• Android TV-based Sony TVs
• Roku streaming players
• Roku TV
• Amazon Fire TV
• LG WebOS smart TVs (2016 or newer)
• Samsung Tizen smart TVs (2016 or newer)

Disney never looked better

With Disney+ finally live, there is a lot of fantastic content available. With everything from classics like Mary Poppins to modern hits such as Captain Marvel, we are going to have a bunch of entertainment at our fingertips. Of course, we want to see these shows in the best possible way, and right now, that is 4K. Thankfully Disney will be including 4K Ultra HD video playback in Dolby Vision ultra-vivid imaging, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos in your subscription. To find out if the title you want to watch is indeed available in 4K, look under the DETAILS section to see what resolutions will be available. Disney outlines its requirements for viewing their 4K content as such:

Now, just because the video stream from Disney+ can be in 4K doesn't mean that you can enjoy that show at full resolution. The display you are viewing the content on must be at the proper resolution to take advantage of all that ultra HD glory. If you're unfamiliar, 4K is a resolution for a display that has at least eight million active pixels, or 3,840 x 2,160 for a television. The benchmark for high definition content was 1080p, and 4K is considered an ultra-high definition.

What devices will Disney+ support 4K on?

While watching Disney+ in 4K isn't as simple as picking up any device near you and hitting play, there are a good number of devices that can make that process simple:

Streaming devices

• Roku Premiere
• Roku Premiere+
• Roku Ultra
• Roku Ultra LT
• Roku Streaming Stick+
• Apple V 4K
• Chromecast Ultra
• NVIDIA Shield TV (2017 and 2019)
• NVIDIA Shield TV Pro
• Fire TV Stick 4K
• Fire TV Cube (1st and 2nd gen)
• Xiaomi Mi Box S

Gaming Consoles

• Xbox One series
• Playstaton 4

Smart TVs

• Sony 4K Android TVs
• Samsung 4K Tizen Smart TV (2016 or newer)
• LG 4K WebOS Smart TV (2016 or newer)

Unfortunately, the number of phones and tablets that fully support 4K viewing on them is concise; the new Sony Xperia 1 happens to be one of those devices. Probably the most straightforward way to catch the 4K wonder is with a TV that supports 4K and plug in a Chromecast Ultra into it, or really go for it and hook up a 4K streaming device like the 2019 NVIDIA Shield TV to your TV.

HD is available too

Even if you don't have a 4K television or tablet, it doesn't mean that the stream you get from Disney+ won't look great,1080p is still a great picture. These are all the devices that Disney+ is available for regardless of resolution:

• Android phones and tablets
• Android TV devices
• Google Chromecast
• Apple iOS phones and tablets
• Apple TV
• Desktop web browsers
• Xbox One
• Playstation 4
• Android-based Sony TVs
• Roku
• Amazon Fire TV

Almost as important as the device you plan to watch on is the internet speed you have and how much data you have available. 4K needs a lot of bandwidth and uses a LOT of data. Whether you are getting ready to sit down to catch everything Disney+ has to offer on a Roku streaming device, an Android TV box, Apple TV 4K, and Xbox One series console, or a Playstation 4 the Disney magic is fun no matter the resolution .

The magic is now

All of the waiting for Disney to launch their all-encompassing streaming service Disney+ is over. Now that it's live we have a place to go to so we can relive the magic that is classic Disney with films from decades past, to the magnificence that is the newest films from Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and more. While absolutely everything from Disney isn't quite on the service, yet there are hundreds of movies and televisions shows that are. By the end of 2019, the goal is to have at least 500 movies and 7,500 episodes of TV available to stream through Disney+.

Can you see it?

Disney has made the service available on nearly every major device platform out there. With Disney apps made available for gaming consoles like the Xbox One series as well as the Playstation 4, in addition to Apple TV and Roku streaming devices, Disney+ easily accessible to a wide swath of folks. Disney also has an app for smartphones on both Android and iOS available, and they even include Chromecast support, so another easy way to get your shows onto your TV. Here's the complete list of devices is currently supporting:

Mobile Devices and Tablets

• Android phone and tablet
• Apple iPhone and iPad

Smart TVs

• Android TV Devices (NVIDIA Shield, Mii Box, Sony smart TVs, and more)
• LG WebOS Smart TVs
• Roku TV
• Samsung Tizen Smart TVs

Set-top Boxes and Game Consoles

• Apple TV (4th Generation and later)
• Roku
• Sony PlayStation 4
• Xbox One

Other Streaming Devices

• Amazon FireTV
• Apple AirPlay
• Chromebook
• Chromecast
• Desktop web browser

Disney also plans to offer original movies and television series that will be specific to Disney+ like The Mandalorian, She-Hulk, Lizzie McGuire, Hawkeye, and many more. Of course, Disney will still have plenty of Mickey and Goofy, Woody and Buzz, and all the other classics. Don't forget; they also have shows from Marvel, Star Wars, 20th Century Fox, and National Geographic to offer as well.

Disney Plus (Disney+) has the greatest collection of Marvel movies and shows ever available for legal streaming. Unless you've been buying up every Marvel Cinematic Universe movie over the past decade, this is likely the first time you've had a chance to have a proper marathon of Marvel's Infinity Saga, which has served as the canonical MCU up to this point. From the original Iron Man to the conclusive "I am … Iron Man" in Avengers: Endgame you can relive most of the story so far.

Disney hasn't made a proper MCU playlist in the Disney+ app — a major oversight in this humble hero-lover's opinion — but it's OK! We've put the movies in order in a handy list that will let you watch the story of the Infinity Stones according to the in-universe chronological order:

1. Captain America: The First Avenger
2. Captain Marvel
3. Iron Man
4. Iron Man 2
5. The Incredible Hulk — Not on Disney+ because it's a Universal film, but can be bought on Movies Anywhere
6. Thor
7. Avengers
8. Iron Man 3
9. Thor: The Dark World
10. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
11. Guardians of the Galaxy
12. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
13. Avengers: Age of Ultron
14. Ant-Man
15. Captain America: Civil War
16. Spider-Man: Homecoming — Not on Disney+ because it's a Sony film, but can be bought on Movies Anywhere
17. Doctor Strange
18. Black Panther — Will be added to Disney+ on March 4, 2020, but can be bought on Movies Anywhere
19. Thor: Ragnarok — Will be added to Disney+ on December 5, 2019, but can be bought on Movies Anywhere
20. Avengers: Infinity War
21. Ant-Man and the Wasp — Will be added to Disney+ on July 29, 2020, but can be bought on Movies Anywhere
22. Avengers: Endgame
23. Spider-Man: Far From Home — Not on Disney+ because it's a Sony film, but can be bought on Movies Anywhere

Technically, Ant-Man and the Wasp takes place before and during Infinity War But because the post-credits scene is "The Snap," I'm putting it after Infinity War. Not that it really matters since Ant-Man and the Wasp is one of the few MCU films that isn't on Disney+ at launch because of pre-existing content agreements that Disney simply has to wait out at this point.

As a small reminder, watching all of these movies would take more than 40 hours, so you're either going to want to add these movies to your Disney+ watchlist in order, or you're going to want to bookmark this article so you can come back throughout your multi-day Marvel movie marathon.

And of course, once you're done, I recommend:

Disney+ is finally out in the wild so we can catch-up on so many favorite Disney classics, Marvel hits, the Star Wars saga, and much more. Disney is also offering the chance to get its new streaming service bundled with Hulu and ESPN+ — which is a great deal at $13 per month. However, if you sign-up for this bundle, the Hulu you get will be the ad-supported version. So, if you prefer your Hulu minus the ads, then follow along to find out how to bundle up and hold the ads.

Products used in this guide

• Get it together: Disney+ bundle ($13/month at Disney+)
• TV Sans ads: Hulu (ad-free) ($12/month at Hulu)

How to the Disney+ bundle with ad-free Hulu

1. Go to Hulu and sign-up for the ad-free plan.

2. Enter your personal info and continue.
3. Select your payment method to finish your subscription to Hulu ad-free.

Now that your Hulu account is set up let's set up the Disney+ bundle

1. After clicking Sign Up Now you can enter the same email you used for setting up your Hulu account.
2. Click Agree & Continue.
3. After setting up your password and entering your payment method click Agree & Subscribe

What is going to happen now is that you'll get two separate bills, one from Hulu and one from Disney+. On the Disney+ bundle price, you will receive a $5.99 per month credit on your account, which is the value of the ad-supported Hulu in the standard bundle price. If you already have the ad-free Hulu, then you can simply sign up for Disney+ with the same email as you used when you first set up your Hulu account.

If you've already set up your Disney+ non-bundle account and would like to switch we've got you covered on how to get that done.

Our top equipment picks

Disney+ has finally launched to the masses, so we can all get our fix of Disney, Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel, National Geographic, and Fox all in one place. Launch week usually has some jitters and kinks with servers that need to be worked out, but what if you're still having some connection issues with trying to get to your Disney+ content? Let's fix those pesky connection issues.

How to do a power cycle

A power cycle is when you shut down your streaming device completely and restart it. This usually refreshes your connection.

1. Turn off the device you're using to watch Disney+, preferably with the power button if available.
2. Turn off your modem and router at the power button and disconnect it from the power source.
3. Restart your modem and router.
4. Restart your streaming device.
5. Launch Disney+.

How to log out and back in

Sometimes you may need to refresh the account you're logging in with. It's easy to log out and back in with Disney+.

1. Go to your Profile from whichever device you're logged in to Disney+ with.
2. Click Log Out.

3. Click Log In.

4. Input your email and password when prompted to do so.
5. Select the user profile you want to use.

How to delete the app and reinstall

If you're using a streaming device, sometimes deleting the app and reinstalling it can help with connection and playback issues.

1. Delete Disney+ app from your device by following the standard protocol for the device you're using.
2. Power off your device if you're able to.
3. Turn the device back on.
4. Navigate to your device's digital app storefront and search for Disney+.
5. Download the app to your device.

6. Log in with your account email and password.

For specific instructions for each device, check Disney's support page. You could also try force quitting and restarting the app.

How to manage Internet connection speeds

If you're having connection issues with Disney+, try these generic tips.

1. Close other programs or applications that are running in the background that may be using a lot of bandwidth.
2. Move your streaming device closer to the modem or router (or vice versa).
3. Turn off other devices that are connected to your home network that are not in use.
4. If possible, try connecting your streaming device directly to the router with an Ethernet cable instead of using Wi-Fi.

Sometimes, it's good to remember that the servers may be fully impacted, so the only option you have is to just wait it out. Don't worry, it'll come back eventually.