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Can 4DX motion seats and sensory elements get you to return to the movie theater?

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Can 4DX motion seats and sensory elements get you to return to the movie theater?

The onset of the pandemic changed the moviegoing experience for most Americans. Once a regular part of most Americans’ weekend plans, people quickly replaced it with streaming content at home. 

A new type of moviegoing experience might bring people back to the theaters. It’s called 4DX, and it marries the cinematic experience with real-life elements. 

So, in essence, you’re not just sitting there watching a movie; you’re part of it, engaging all of your senses.

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Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

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What is a 4DX movie experience?

While options like Imax have been around, 4DX creates a multi-sensory experience that coincides with the film’s story. 4DX combines seat movements, effects and sensory elements to complement or enhance the movie being watched. 

For instance, if the character in the film is traversing a foggy landscape, the fog would be released in the actual theater. If the movie shows certain movements, those movements might be echoed by the motion of the seats. If the characters are experiencing certain smells, scents might be released to give viewers a sensory experience as opposed to just a visual one.

HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN HOME MOVIE THEATER

16 effects of 4DX movie theater technology

1. Roll: The motion seats can roll side-to-side, immersing you in the action as vehicles turn or objects tumble. This rolling motion creates a visceral sense of centrifugal force and inertia.

Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

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2. Pitch: The seats pitch forward and backward, recreating the sensation of acceleration, braking or falling. Pitching downward simulates the stomach-dropping feeling of rapid descents or free-falls.

Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

3. Sway + twist: The seats can sway from side to side and twist, allowing you to feel sharp turns, spins and other dynamic movements. The twisting motion enhances the realism of tight corners, corkscrew loops and other spiraling action sequences.

Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

4. Tickler: Built-in ticklers in the seats provide gentle sensations on your legs and ankles, mimicking crawling creatures or environmental effects. These tickling effects can startle and delight, adding an extra layer of tactile immersion.

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Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

5. Vibration: Precise vibrations in the seats deliver realistic impacts and tremors, heightening the intensity of crashes, explosions and more. From subtle rumblings to jarring shakes, the vibrations make you feel deeply connected to the on-screen events.

Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

6. Warm air: Heated air blows from vents, recreating environments like deserts or conveying a sense of warmth. The warm breezes envelop you, making hot and arid scenes feel palpable.

Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

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7. Rainstorm: A combination of rain, wind and fog effects envelop the theater during storm scenes for an immersive downpour experience. You’ll feel like you’re caught in the midst of nature’s fury as the tempest rages around you.

Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

8. Rain: Water nozzles simulate rainfall, whether a light drizzle or a heavy shower. From a gentle patter to a torrential onslaught, the rain effects soak you in the atmosphere.

Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

9. Snow: A snow simulation system produces realistic-looking snowflakes that appear to float down from above. You may find yourself mesmerized by the drifting flurries, chilled by their wintry presence.

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10. Wind: Powerful fans generate gusts of wind that can range from gentle breezes to intense gales. The forceful winds whip around you, heightening the drama of storms or aerial sequences.

Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

11. Fog: A fog machine fills the theater with a misty haze to establish moody atmospheres or obscure visibility. The swirling fog enhances the tension and mystery, limiting your sightlines just like the characters.

Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

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12. Strobe: Intense strobe lighting flashes in sync with events like lightning strikes, gunfire or explosions. These blinding bursts of light amplify the shock and awe of high-impact moments.

Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

13. Bubble: Bubble effects create a buoyant underwater ambiance for aquatic scenes. You’ll feel immersed in the underwater realm as the bubbles float around you.

Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

14. Scent: Scent emitters release various aromas matched to the environments and situations on screen. From the earthy smell of a forest to the acrid odor of smoke, the scents deepen your sensory connection.

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Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

15. Water: Water jets can spray the audience, mimicking splashes, waves or characters getting wet. Prepare to get a little damp as the water effects make you feel like you’re right in the thick of the action.

Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

16. Face air: Focused air nozzles blow air bursts directly at viewers’ faces for sudden, startling sensations. These in-your-face blasts of air will catch you by surprise, amplifying jump scares and intense moments.

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Multi-sensory cinema technology. (4DX)

HOLLYWOOD HIJACKED: THE AI TAKEOVER OF TINSELTOWN’S FILMS TO FAKE OUT AMERICANS  

Are 4DX movie tickets worth the extra bucks?

While more expensive than a regular movie ticket, about $8 more, so a ticket could range from $20 to $30, it seems the value proposition is there for both the theaters and the viewers. With elements that allow you to smell and feel alongside the movie, which cannot be replicated at home, it gives viewers a reason to head to the theater instead of streaming. Theater owners are able to make more per ticket than with non-4DX releases.

Regal is the largest operator of 4DX, with 50 of the 62 locations in the U.S. and Canada and 750 globally. Last year, 4DX programmed more than 100 films, 40 to 45 of which were major Hollywood titles. 

The 4DX programmers work really hard to pull this all off. They take two to three weeks to create the experience that enhances the moviegoing experience. Between the fog machines, sound systems and sensory elements, they create original and unique experiences that immerse viewers.

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HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN MARVELOUS OUTDOOR MOVIE THEATER

Kurt’s key takeaways

I don’t think I want to take a squirt of water to the face, but 4DX movie theater technology has to be experienced to understand how amazingly compelling film watching is elevated to something unforgettable. While some moviegoers may embrace this innovative approach with open arms, others might find the sensory overload overwhelming, especially during intense action sequences or startling moments.

It’s the best shot movie theater operators have to wow the audience back to the big screen. In an era where streaming services have become increasingly popular, 4DX offers an experience that simply cannot be replicated on a phone, a tablet screen or at home. The combination of motion seats, environmental effects and sensory stimuli creates a truly captivating atmosphere. As the technology continues to evolve and refine, it will be interesting to see how 4DX shapes the future of moviegoing.

After learning about the immersive and multi-sensory experience offered by 4DX, does this pique your interest? Or do you find the idea of it all could be overwhelming and potentially detracting from the movie?  Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Use this map to find the data centers in your backyard

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Use this map to find the data centers in your backyard

When Oregon resident Isabelle Reksopuro heard Google was gobbling up public land to fuel its data centers in her home state, she didn’t initially know what to believe. “There’s a lot of misinformation about data centers,” she said. “Google has denied taking that land.”

Technically, she explains, The Dalles, a city near the Washington state border, sought to reclaim that land, “and Google is just a big, unnamed power user.” The city had in fact asked for ownership of a 150-acre portion of Mount Hood National Forest, claiming it needs access to Mount Hood’s watershed to meet municipal needs as its population — 16,010 as of the 2020 census — grows. But critics, including environmentalists, say the city is trying to secure more water for Google, which has a sprawling data center campus in The Dalles that already consumes about one-third of the city’s water supply.

This controversy made Reksopuro curious about the backlash to data centers being built in other communities. So Reksopuro, a student at the University of Washington who studies the connections between tech and public policy, decided to map it out. Using information collected by Epoch AI and data scraped from legislation on data centers, she built an interactive map tracking AI policy around the world. She designed it to be simple enough for anyone to use. “I wanted it to be something that my younger sisters could play through and explore to understand what are the data centers in the area and what’s actually being done about it,” Reksopuro said. She hoped to shift their opinions that way, “instead of like, through TikTok.”

Four times a day, the map searches for new sources and checks them against the existing database Reksopuro built out. “Once it does that, it will write a new summary, add it to the news feed, and populate it on the sidebar,” she said. “I wanted it to be self-updating, since I’m also a student.”

Reksopuro isn’t against data centers, but she thinks tech giants benefit from a lack of transparency around data center policies. “Right now, it’s this really opaque thing — and all of a sudden, there’s a facility,” she said. “I think that if people knew about data centers beforehand, it would give them leverage. They would be able to negotiate: ask for job training programs, tax revenue, environmental monitoring, things to improve their community.”

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Graduation speaker praises AI, gets instantly booed

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Fox News AI Newsletter: Graduation speaker praises AI, gets instantly booed

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

 

Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:

– UCF graduates clobber commencement speaker with boos after she says AI is the ‘next Industrial Revolution’

– OPINION: DIRECTOR KASH PATEL: We brought the FBI out of the past and into the AI age

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– OpenAI backs creation of global AI governance body led by the U.S. that would include China as a member

TOUGH CROWD: During a recent commencement ceremony at the University of Central Florida, a speaker was met with loud boos from the graduating class after declaring that artificial intelligence represents the next industrial revolution. Fox News Digital reporting captures this tense cultural moment, illustrating the mixed public sentiment and skepticism surrounding AI’s growing footprint in daily life.

A statue on the campus of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. (iStock)

BADGE MEETS BYTE: Reflecting on the modernization of national security in a Fox News op-ed, FBI Director Kash Patel explores how the bureau must adapt its strategies to address modern threats and advance beyond the artificial intelligence age.

TECH DIPLOMACY: OpenAI is throwing its support behind the establishment of a new global artificial intelligence governance organization that would be led by the United States while notably including China as a member. Fox News Digital reporting examines the geopolitical dynamics and regulatory implications of this proposed framework as global powers race to set the standards for AI development.

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EQUITY ELEVATION: The massive wave of wealth generated by the explosive growth of ChatGPT and the broader AI industry is driving a sudden surge in the San Francisco Bay Area’s luxury real estate market. Fox News Digital reporting breaks down how the influx of new tech capital is reshaping local housing dynamics and fueling a high-end property frenzy.

FBI Director Kash Patel listened as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke during a press conference at the Department of Justice on April 28, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

STRATEGY RESET: Tech giant Cisco is planning to eliminate thousands of jobs as the company shifts its primary focus to accelerate its artificial intelligence initiatives, a move that comes despite the company beating earnings expectations. Fox News Digital reporting details the corporate restructuring and broader economic trends pushing legacy tech firms to aggressively pivot toward AI.

ROAD HAZARD: Waymo is issuing a sweeping recall of its autonomous vehicle fleet following a concerning incident that highlighted significant safety issues with the self-driving technology. Fox News Digital reporting outlines the specifics of the recall, the nature of the safety flaw, and what this setback means for the future of fully autonomous transportation on public roads.

BOTS IN THE BAY: A newly developed, artificial intelligence-powered robot has been engineered to seamlessly change and balance vehicle tires without human intervention. Fox News Digital reporting showcases this latest innovation, exploring how automation and AI mechanics could soon revolutionize the automotive service and repair industry.

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaks during the 2026 Infrastructure Summit in Washington, D.C., on March 11, 2026. (Kylie Cooper/Reuters)

 

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Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here.

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Microsoft’s Edge Copilot update uses AI to pull information from across your tabs

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Microsoft’s Edge Copilot update uses AI to pull information from across your tabs

Microsoft Edge is adding a new feature that will allow its Copilot AI chatbot to gather information from all of your open tabs. When you start a conversation with Copilot, you can ask the chatbot questions about what’s in your tabs, compare the products you’re looking at, summarize your open articles, and more.

In its announcement, Microsoft says you can “select which experiences you want or leave off the ones you don’t.” The company is retiring Copilot Mode as well, which could similarly draw information from your tabs but offered some agentic features, like the ability to book a reservation on your behalf. Microsoft has since folded these agentic capabilities into its “Browse with Copilot” tool.

Several other AI features are coming to Edge, including an AI-powered “Study and Learn” mode that can turn the article you’re looking at into a study session or interactive quiz. There’s a new tool that turns your tabs into AI-powered podcasts as well, similar to what you’d find on NotebookLM, and an AI writing assistant that will pop up when you start entering text on a webpage.

You can also give Copilot permission to access your browsing history to provide more “relevant, high-quality answers,” according to Microsoft. Copilot in Edge on desktop and mobile will come with “long-term memory” as well, which can tailor its responses based on your previous conversations. And, when you open up a new tab, you’ll see a redesigned page that combines chat, search, and web navigation, along with the Journeys feature, which uses AI to organize your browsing history into categories that you can revisit.

Meanwhile, an update to Edge’s mobile app will allow you to share your screen with Copilot and talk through the questions about what you’re seeing. Microsoft says you’ll see “clear visual cues” when Copilot is active, “so you know when it’s taking an action, helping, listening, or viewing.”

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