Special episode of I’ll Be Gone in the Dark airs today on HBO GO

If you are a true crime fanatic, then you’ve probably heard of the Golden State Killer.

And if you consume television like you eat your meals, especially during the pandemic, then you’ve probably seen the docuseries I’ll Be Gone in the Dark on HBO last year. Well, folks, the docuseries is airing a special episode this 21st of June on HBO and HBO GO. It will focus on the developments of the Golden State Killer case after the true-crime docuseries aired.

Director Elizabeth Wolff will take you back to Oak Park where author Michelle McNamara interviewed residents in 2013 and conducted extensive research which led to her finding inconsistencies with police work on rape and murder cases that happened there.

Michelle McNamara, author of the book I’ll Be Gone in the Dark

Because McNamara died in 2016, before the suspect Joseph James DeAngelo’s arrest, this special episode aims to close the I’ll Be Gone in the Dark author’s unfinished investigation as the special episode follows the sentencing of the convicted DeAngelo.

De Angelo pleaded guilty to multiple counts of rape, kidnapping, and murder in connection to the East Area Rapist and Golden State Killer cases last year. Apart from the sentencing of DeAngelo, the special episode also interviews DeAngelo’s rape victims, his murder victim’s surviving family, and how De Angelo’s life imprisonment may offer some sort of closure for them.

Joseph James DeAngelo, charged with being the Golden State Killer, appears in court (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

The special episode will also have some clips of actual courtroom footage as well as CCTV footage of DeAngelo in his prison cell to show the audience that the frail old man you see in the courtroom is not the man you see when alone in his cell. Courtroom footage will also show DeAngelo as well as the victims and their surviving families addressing the court.

Given that DeAngelo’s crimes date back all the way to the 1970s, the episode leaves you wondering if there is gross negligence on the part of the police who investigated cases linked to DeAngelo. It begs to leave the audience contemplating if all the lives lost or destroyed could have been avoided if police investigators were more diligent in their police work.

It also implores the deeper question of whether more funding or resources should be allocated to police investigation to help with the efficiency in solving crime cases.

Catch I’ll Be Gone in the Dark’s special episode on HBO or stream it on-demand on HBO GO.

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vivo V25 Series: Color-changing Photochromic 2.0 with professional-grade cameras!

This is a sponsored post by vivo Philippines

Sometimes, having a phone with a dull design and only takes okay photos might leave us wanting more, especially if we value high-quality images to preserve special moments or maybe a design that reflects more who you are. 

vivo’s latest flagship offerings from the vivo V25 series not only come with a capable set of cameras, they also boast the entire lineup as the Night Portrait Master and the company promises to pull off high-quality, low light images. 

The top of the line model is the vivo V25 Pro that comes with a main camera with what the company calls Extreme Night Vision, among other notable imaging features. It also has 12GB RAM + 8GB Extended RAM, and a 120Hz display. 

The unit we have on hand, the vivo V25, is armed with the same 64MP main sensor with a 50MP Eye AF selfie camera. Finally, there’s also the vivo V25e that sports a 32MP Eye AF selfie. Apart from that, the V25e pretty much has everything the same as V25’s internals.

Let’s take a look at some of the features of V25 and how it would help you achieve those professional-grade photos while being an all-around everyday device

Lively design

Just like what we’ve seen in the V23 5G that Vikka reviewed, the V25 series comes with its Photochromic technology for its design that allows it to have a color-changing feature. Although this time, it’s now an improved Photochromic version 2.0 that features a Light Molecular material that reacts to sunlight or UV light after only seconds of exposure. 

The stronger the UV light, the faster the color will change so you can use your creativity to show off special and unique designs. Do take note that only the Sunrise Gold for V25 and Surfing Blue for V25 Pro have this color-changing properties.

Apart from aesthetics, build quality has also been paid attention to. It comes with a 2.5D thin and light body so it’s easy to hold and operate. It even slides in and out of the pocket easily. 

The V25 is available in two colors – color-changing Sunrise Gold and Diamond Black. Overall, I like how it has this sort of blocky form factor but at the same time has slightly chamfered edges that make holding it easy on the hands. 

It looks very elegant with the way the back panel looks and feels. The camera module, with its golden outlines, also exudes a classy vibe.

Quality cameras

For the camera of the V25, let’s first begin with its selfie shooter. 

Its 50-megapixel Eye AF promises ultra-clear self portraits thanks to its high-resolution sensor and autofocus that track and predict your movements. This ensures you’re in sharp focus and better preserves details.

Here are some sample shots.

Meanwhile, for the rear, the system is headlined by a 64-megapixel OIS Ultra-sensing camera. This is then accompanied by an 8-megapixel wide-angle and 2-megapixel macro sensors. 

On top of those, the mechanism is supported by a combined OIS and EIS technologies that work together for a more stabilized performance. This makes it possible to achieve better images and footage especially for its Super Night Video mode. 

There are also many other camera features to play around with to come up with different effects and look for your shots like Time Lapse, Bokeh Flare Portrait, AI HD Portrait, and more. 

Its slew of camera features including special video functions (4K video, HDR video, Multi-Style Portrait Video, etc) make this entire series suitable for content creators like us who need more creative spaces and features so we could put together content in unique ways. 

An everyday performer

As a smartphone for everyday use, the V25 is also more than capable with its combination of an extended 8GB (+8GB) RAM and 256GB storage capacity 

This allowed us to multitask and switch between apps especially when we needed to accomplish quick tasks on the go. Plus, its 6nm flagship energy-saving chip ensures that the device is as power-efficient as it can be whether we’re on social media or streaming TV shows.

Additionally, consuming content is always an enjoyable experience since the phone boasts its 6.4-inch 90Hz Ultra Vision display and an immersive sound system thanks to its large chamber speakers and an all-around audio enhancement software.

And when we needed extra power when playing games, its MediaTek D900 2.4GHz processor also supplies the required amount of kick while keeping the phone’s temperature in check using its liquid cooling system.

Not only that, its Game Boost Mode ensures that it can unleash all the potential of its processor for that performance leap needed to win your match. You’d also want to know that the company employed a Game Antenna Design found at the top left and right corners of the phone to provide full signal coverage and avoid unnecessary interference. 

In terms of topping up its battery after an entire day’s use, its 44W FlashCharge will not make you wait long before the phone is full and ready to be used again. It promises up to 35% of battery for a 15-minute charge, and up to 61% of juice when plugged in for 30 minutes to fill up its 4500mAh all-day battery capacity.

Final thoughts

With its lightweight and color-changing body, a set of more than capable cameras front and back that capture professional-quality images, video capabilities, and a solid every performer, the vivo V25 ticks the right boxes for the modern smartphone user that won’t settle for sub-par performance.

Plus, the fact that it can do all those while being able to fully charge more than half of its battery in 30 minutes is also a big plus for power users who are always on the go.

Price and availability

The vivo V25 is priced at PhP 23,999 while the more affordable V25e is at PhP 17,999. If you want to go for the Pro model, the V25 Pro comes with a PhP 29,999 price tag. 

Purchasing them comes with a free SIM card, clock speaker, and Bluetooth Neck Band until supplies last. The vivo V25 is available online starting September 24 via Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, and vivo e-store.

For those who prefer getting from offline stores, it will be available starting October 1 via all vivo concept stores and kiosks nationwide. It is also available via installment plans at Home Credit or thru major credit cards.

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