Game streaming service OnLive acquired by Sony, will shut down on April 30
OnLive, a service that allowed users to stream games to their computers, mobile devices, and various set-top boxes, announced today that it will shut down on April 30.
In an email sent out to users of the service, OnLive said that Sony is acquiring key parts of OnLive and has no plans to continue the service in its current form:
After five years of uninterrupted service, the OnLive Game Service will be coming to an end. Sony is acquiring important parts of OnLive, and their plans don’t include a continuation of the game service in its current form. Your service should continue uninterrupted until April 30, 2015. No further subscription fees will be charged, and you can continue to play all of your games until that date.
OnLive, which originally launched its cloud gaming service in 2010, has faced a number of financial challenges over the years. In August of 2012, the company went through a restructuring and was sold to investment firm Lauder Partners after financial difficulties.
Sony’s purchase of the company is likely driven by OnLive’s patent portfolio. The company recently launched a cloud gaming service called PS Now for its Playstation 4 console, which gives players access to a large back-catalog of games from the Playstation 3 and is based off of technology from former OnLive rival Gaikai, which Sony acquired in 2012.
Game streaming service OnLive acquired by Sony, will shut down on April 30
OnLive, a service that allowed users to stream games to their computers, mobile devices, and various set-top boxes, announced today that it will shut down on April 30.
Protect your privacy with VPN by Private Internet Access
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VPN by Private Internet Access is a simple, but effective VPN service that you can use to make yourself anonymous online, keep you safe in public WiFi hotspots, and perform any other sensitive business like financial transactions, file transfers or anything else that you would like to keep secure online. The application is free in the Google Play Store and you must sign up for a subscription before being able to enjoy the service.
How does it work?
VPN stands for virtual private networks. What they do is essentially create a private network that only you can join. That private network then connects to public networks like your local coffee shop or airport WiFi. This added layer prevents hackers and internet service providers (ISPs) from seeing what you’re actually doing on the web. These are essential tools for those who value their online privacy and VPN by Private Internet Access provides that functionality.
The app itself is simple and effective. You have to create an account before starting and subscribe to one of their plans (which are either monthly or yearly based on your needs). Once you sign in, you can connect to servers all over the world. VPN by Private Internet Access also includes IP cloaking which allows you to circumvent blocked content (for you folks who live in countries where this is a problem).
In addition to the standard VPN services and IP Cloaking, VPN by Private Internet Access also uses a compression algorithm in the app. This can save your data if the sites you go to can be compressed (which makes them smaller) and can even make your web browsing a little bit faster depending on your connection.
The Android client is based on OpenVPN which is one of the more trusted systems to work with. With a basic subscription, you can also connect up to five devices simultaneously and the app has cross platform support. That means one subscription can cover your Android phone, Android tablet, Windows or Mac computers, Ubuntu, or iOS devices with just one subscription.
You’ll also have access to over 3,000 servers in 15 countries and over 25 regions.
The Pros
Here’s what we liked about VPN by Private Internet Access.
- They use OpenVPN for their Android application which is one of the best systems to use.
- According to their FAQ, they do not keep logs. Ever.
- The subscription service covers five devices so your Android phone and Android tablet can be covered.
- IP Cloaking and data compression are both seriously awesome features.
- There are some customization settings like turning on the VPN service when you boot automatically along with some more advanced configuration options.
- Cross platform support means that you can also use that five device subscription coverage on computers and iOS devices, including iPads, Macs, computers running Ubuntu, or Windows.
- Comparatively speaking, the VPN service is reasonably priced.
The bad
And here’s what we didn’t like so much:
- The interface is a bit bland. It gets the job done to be sure and it’s easy to figure out, but it’s not much to look at. Thankfully you only have to use it to turn it on.
- We would’ve liked a free demo. You can get one, however. VPN by Private Internet Access appears to have a 7-day money back guarantee. You have to pay up front but if you don’t like it, let them know within a week and you should get a full refund.
- VPNs in general can be a bit finicky on Android. This isn’t the fault of the application, but sometimes things do go wrong specifically with VPNs.
Overall
Overall, VPN by Private Internet Access is a solid and well done VPN service. The lack of logs, IP cloaking, and data compression are all great reasons to give it a shot. Subscriptions covering five devices is icing on the cake as well and VPN by Private Internet Access has one of the more simple payment plan structures of any VPN app which is nice for simplicity’s sake. If you want to give it a shot, check out their official website and download the application using the button below.
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Panos Panay and the Surface team will be holding a Reddit AMA on April 3
The Surface team will be available to field questions via a Reddit AMA that will be conducted on April 3 at 11AM PT.
The first generation Moto X, Moto G, and Moto E phones will all upgrade directly to Android 5.1
Waiting for that Lollipop update on your first generation Moto X, Moto E, or Moto G? Well, bad news is that the standard Lollipop 5.0 update isn’t happening. The good news? Motorola’s skipping 5.0 completely and updating those three devices to Android 5.1. It makes sense for Motorola to do this instead of wasting a ton of effort getting the phones upgraded to an already obsolete OS.
While Motorola is definitely working on making those updates happen, no word on when it’ll happen. Hopefully sooner, rather than later, but we’ll keep you updated as we hear more.
source: Google+
Come comment on this article: The first generation Moto X, Moto G, and Moto E phones will all upgrade directly to Android 5.1
LG announces new 5.5-inch QHD display panel, likely to appear in upcoming G4
LG announced today that it has started mass production on a new 5.5-inch QHD display panel which is set to appear in a flagship smartphone at the end of this month (hint: G4).
Microsoft isn’t selling Kinect for Windows anymore
Given that Microsoft has consolidated so many other parts of how it operates lately, word that it’s discontinuing the new Kinect sensor for Windows shouldn’t be much of a surprise. From here on out, Redmond will no longer sell the now redundant desktop-specific version and instead point app developers toward the “functionally identical” Xbox One unit and its necessary adapter cable instead. The Xbox One sensor was apparently pretty popular amongst desktop developers and Microsoft couldn’t keep up with demand in some markets, so rather than keep producing two incredibly similar units, it’s likely focusing its efforts on producing more of one. Should you already own a Windows Kinect don’t fret — Nadella and Co. promise that support for it isn’t going anywhere. For a peek at how we put the console do-all sensor to use with a Windows PC, take a gander at the video just below.
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Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Home Entertainment, Software, HD, Microsoft
Via: WMPowerUser
Source: Kinect for Windows Blog
Amazon Echo update brings Pandora, MLB, and MLS support
Amazon’s latest update to their Echo device brings support for a handful of new services that are a welcome addition. Pandora support is now completely native to the device, so you’ll be able to talk to Echo to create stations or play and pause music. Prior to this update, you’d have to start music on a smartphone or tablet, then stream it through Echo.
Music lovers aren’t the only ones getting new features with this update, though. Major league baseball and major league soccer are both coming to the device, so you’ll be able to quickly get scores or ask when games are.
Have any of you bought an Amazon Echo?
source: ZDNet
Come comment on this article: Amazon Echo update brings Pandora, MLB, and MLS support
Galaxy Note 4 on Verizon getting Android 5.0 Lollipop update with VoLTE support
Verizon and Samsung have finally gotten around to pushing out the Lollipop update for the Galaxy Note 4, and hopefully all of the bugs that have been plaguing other Samsung devices have been stomped out.
In addition to bringing all of the updates Google introduced in Lollipop to Samsung’s phablet, you’ll also see support for Verizon’s VoLTE, plus Material Design aesthetics to most of Samsung’s interface and apps. S Health is getting three new widgets, and a new Galaxy Gifts link has been introduced in one of Samsung’s integrated widgets.
The update should be rolling out over the air, so if you’ve got a Verizon Note 4, keep an eye out for it.
source: Verizon Wireless
Come comment on this article: Galaxy Note 4 on Verizon getting Android 5.0 Lollipop update with VoLTE support
Android 5.0 Lollipop now rolling out to the Verizon Galaxy Note 4
If you’re a Galaxy Note 4 owner on Verizon, you’re in for a treat. Big Red is now pushing out Android 5.0 Lollipop, carrying build number N910VVRU1BOAF.
As is the case with most other Samsung devices, Android 5.0 Lollipop will bring a slew of awesome aesthetic enhancements and some under-the-hood changes. For starters, the UI will be updated to fit in with Google’s Material Design guidelines including some brighter colors and more fluid animations. Unfortunately the majority of the visual changes you’ll see won’t be as prominent as on a device running a vanilla build of Android, but they will definitely add a few nice touches to the UI. The Note 4 will also receive the Smart Lock security feature, priority notifications, notification interaction on the lock screen and much more.
Verizon is also bringing Advanced Calling 1.0 to the Note 4, which is essentially VoLTE, or Voice Over LTE. Advanced Calling 1.0 allows for the ability to make HD voice calls, 2-way video calls and 6-way conference calls. You can now toy with all of these changes by heading to the Advanced Calling menu in your phone’s Settings.
There are a few other nice additions that Lollipop will bring, so if you own a Note 4, take a look at the PDF that’s linked below. If you’d like to check for the update manually, head to Settings>About phone>Software updates>Check for updates. Since the update is just beginning to roll out today, it might take a few days for your device to get the OTA.
AIVAnet 