Who controls the KillCam? New Call of Duty Advanced Warfare trailer shows all
Activision has released yet another trailer for their upcoming Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare DLC pack, known as ‘Havoc.’ The new pack is due for launch on the Xbox One and Xbox 360 on January 27. This time, the trailer features a humorous live-action clip that shows us who really controls and creates those cool KillCam shots.
The music industry’s best-known production app will soon be free
You’ve probably heard the output of Avid’s Pro Tools audio production software, even if you don’t know what it’s like — it’s virtually a staple of the music industry, and spawned now-famous (or infamous) effects like Auto Tune. There hasn’t been a cheap way to try it for nearly 15 years, however, so it’s not exactly practical for crafting songs in your basement. Thankfully, Avid’s about to lower the barriers to entry. It recently unveiled Pro Tools First, a free version that lets you get your feet wet. It includes a “subset” of the usual features (you’re mainly missing extra tracks, score editing and video playback), but it otherwise behaves like the paid version. You won’t have to relearn anything if you hit the big time and start using the full software.
The real catch (besides the lack of a release date) is Avid dependence on after-the-fact purchases to make money. You’ll get 21 audio effect plugins from the outset, but you’ll have to pay for more. Also, First only lets you keep three projects in the cloud for free. While you can export finished tracks when you’re done, you’ll have to fork over cash if you want permanent offline copies or more online space. All the same, this junior version of Pro Tools may be enough if you want to spruce up your indie band’s sound without spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to get started.
Filed under: Software
Via: Gizmodo
Source: Avid
Apple’s missing spark, hands-on with HoloLens, the end of Skymall and other stories you might’ve missed this week
Microsoft dives head-first into augmented reality, President Obama addresses the State of the Union — and the internet– and (say it ain’t so!) Skymall files for bankruptcy. Get caught up on these stories and more in this latest edition of Weekends with Engadget.
When did Apple become the boring one?
Apple has made some tiny tweaks and several size adjustments to its arsenal of gadgets lately, but the company is lacking the unique ideas it had in the 2000s. Read why Aaron Souppouris thinks Apple is falling behind among the likes of Microsoft and Google.
I experienced ‘mixed reality’ with Microsoft’s holographic computer headset, ‘HoloLens’
Microsoft’s “mixed reality” holographic headset is still a bit rough around the edges, but its potential is pretty amazing. Read what augmented reality buffs have to look forward to when this device hits the market in Ben Gilbert’s hands-on.
Microsoft isn’t saying much about what’s inside HoloLens
What is the HoloLens packing under its hood? Microsoft is keeping its specs pretty vague, but here Tim Seppala sums up what we’ve been able to confirm so far.
Can Microsoft make HoloLens more than a mirage?
Now that Microsoft has all eyes on Project HoloLens, will it be able to launch it without screwing things up? We revisit a list of Microsoft gadgets that sounded great at the time, but didn’t quite live up to the hype.
Obama pledges to ‘protect a free and open internet,’ tackle climate change
Net Neutrality made it onto the President’s agenda during his State of the Union address Tuesday. He pledged to not only keep broadband internet “free and open,” but also to make it more accessible to underserved communities.
How a queer black filmmaker made virtual reality a reality at Sundance
Virtual reality is coming to Sundance film festival courtesy of filmmaker Shari Frilot. Her New Frontier exhibit will feature 11 movies that blend art and technology in a format that’s already grabbing the attention of big names like Joseph Gordon-Levitt and James Franco.
What’s new in Windows 10 for PCs? A lot.
Sure, we’ve known Microsoft’s new OS was coming since September, but the company still managed to surprise us with news of universal apps, Project Spartan and its move into augmented reality. Read on for the full breakdown of this week’s Windows 10 event.
Here’s a closer look at the latest build of Windows 10 (video)
We got to take a test run of Windows 10 in its more final form on a Dell Venue Pro 11 tablet. Watch the video in this story for a peek at the notification center, the “revamped Photos and Settings apps,” Cortana’s new desktop voice search and more.
Crapgadget purveyor Skymall is filing for bankruptcy
In completely unsurprising but strangely disappointing news, Skymall has filed for bankruptcy. The company’s CEO blames in-flight WiFi for its demise, which we assume means passengers are no longer forced to browse this beloved catalog of ridiculous gadgets as their only source of entertainment when they forget to bring a magazine.
Please don’t use these passwords. Sincerely, the internet.
C’mon, guys. If you’re using one of these passwords you’re practically begging for someone to hack you. View the full list of the most popular passwords of 2014 to feel a little better about that time yours was abc123.
Closer look: Windows 10 January Preview includes new OneNote for Office Touch
Yesterday, Microsoft let loose the latest overhaul of the nascent Windows 10 operating system aka build 9926. There are hundreds of changes throughout – some big, some small – but one interesting find you may not yet have noticed is the new OneNote for Office Touch.
Although it was known that the new Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint would not be in this build, the status of OneNote was not heavily discussed. Most of us presumed that the same touch-friendly version of OneNote would be included, but instead we are getting a peek at the new Touch Office version.
These are Samsung’s Qi charging backs for the Galaxy Note 4
Qi doesn’t come free on the Note 4 — get ready for a couple of compromises
Samsung put a big ‘ol battery in the Note 4, and didn’t even cover up the USB port with a flap like the Galaxy S5 — but that doesn’t mean many of us aren’t still wishing that the phone came with wireless charging capabilities out of the box. Just as it’s done for the past few flagships, Samsung instead sells replacement back covers for the Note 4 that add Qi charging capabilities.
Both a standard back and S-View Flip Cover style are available — coming in at $30 and $60, respectively — that each add a little extra bulk but get your Note 4 charged up without any wires involved. There’s a trade-off to be had here in either case, but for most folks it’ll be worth it to forego plugging in every night — read along for a review of these two replacement charging backs.
ICYMI: January 24, 2015
A lot can happen in a week. New apps join the Windows Phone Store or Windows Store. Your favorite apps can get a big update with a new look or new features. Device rumors come and go. Seven days might not seem like much, but it can be an eternity in the tech news cycle.
Every week we’re going to compile the biggest stories into one post, so you never fall behind – In Case You Missed It (ICYMI).
This is the special golden edition Nokia Lumia 930
In early January, Microsoft officially announced special golden editions of its Lumia 830 and Lumia 930 smartphones for various markets, including Europe, Asia Pacific and China, and India, the Middle East and Africa. Coming in either matte black or glossy white, the gold-framed versions of the latest Lumias add a little sophistication to the previously colorful devices.
I managed to get my hands on the matte black gold Lumia 930, which can be found unlocked for around $430, including on eBay. Here are some photos and a video to show you what it is all about.
Watch us play Saints Row IV: Re-Elected on Twitch tonight
Every weekend, Windows Central streams an Xbox One game or two on Twitch for 1-2 hours, showing you some of the wide variety of games available on Microsoft’s latest console. Last week, we streamed Sniper Elite III and dished out codes to 23 lucky viewers.
Tonight, we’ll be playing Saints Row IV: Re-Elected from High Voltage Software and Deep Silver. We want you guys there, chatting along. So we’re giving out a variety of codes as prizes – mostly for Steam this time.
Just follow me on Twitch.tv/Eastxtwitch, watch along, and participate in chat for your chance to win. You can also watch the event right here live or after the fact.
Apple Reported to Begin Shipping Apple Watch in March, 12-Inch MacBook Air in Early 2015
Apple will begin shipping the Apple Watch in March and will also look to launch its new 12-inch MacBook Air during this quarter, according to a new report by KGI Securities analyst Ming Chi Kuo. The analyst also predicted that iPhone shipments would beat expectations for Q1 2015 with over 61 million units shipped, while iPad shipments are expected to total to 10 million units.
Kuo notes that Apple may reveal more details about the Apple Watch before its official launch, revealing specifics on battery life and the start of pre-orders. Most components of the Apple Watch will see high shipments during the quarter, but other key components are expected to see low production yields which may cause a constrained supply. Kuo predicts that Apple will ship 2.8 million Apple Watch units in Q1 2015, and his estimate for a March launch falls in line with previous reports.
Rendering of 12-inch MacBook Air done by Martin Hajek
Kuo’s estimate for a Q1 2015 launch of the new 12-inch MacBook Air falls in line with a report earlier this month which stated that Apple supplier Quanta Computer was ramping up production of the notebook for a release this quarter. The 12-inch MacBook Air is expected to feature a new ultra-thin, fan-less design with a high resolution Retina display and a low-power Intel Core M processor. The notebook is also said to be one of the first to take advantage of the new reversible USB Type C connector, which may also be used for charging.
Apple’s TestFlight winning over devs and testers
Last year Apple bought TestFlight, the popular beta distribution app, and relaunched it WWDC 2014 in a more focused, integrated form, but one that also required App Store approval for major feature changes. Since then developers and testers alike have been trying it out. The verdict so far? Supertop really likesit:
None of these issues come close to negating the benefits of TestFlight for us as we work on updates Castro and Unread. We’ll be excited to beta test Castro 2 this way as well. App developers should take the time to try it. The availability of a much larger test audience, far better install rates and simplified IAP testing should help you release higher quality apps on the store.
Federico Vittici of MacStories does too:
In the past few months, I’ve been testing about 50 apps with TestFlight, and, as a user, I think the system is way better than the old days of beta testing with Hockey and the original TestFlight. I don’t need to give developers my device UDIDs; all my betas are in the TestFlight app; I get notifications for updates; and, I can easily unlock In-App Purchases in beta builds with my Apple ID. Apple has built the new TestFlight with simplicity in mind, and I appreciate the time it has saved me so far.
I’m apparently not testing anywhere nearly as many betas as Ticci — hey, devs! — but the ones I have been testing have worked really well, and for exactly the reasons he states.
Hopefully crash reporting and other useful features are in the pipeline.
AIVAnet 