‘World of Warcraft’ keeps growing with ‘Legion’ in August

Blizzard will launch World of Warcraft’s sixth expansion, Legion, on August 30th, unleashing hordes of hellish beasts and fresh quests into the game world. Legion adds the Demon Hunter hero class, customizable artifact weapons and a new continent called the Broken Isles, among other updates.

Pre-orders are live now in two flavors: the $50 Standard Edition or the $70 Digital Deluxe Edition, which includes an adorable demon dog as a pet, the Illidari Felstalker mount, and in-game goodies for Heroes of the Storm, StarCraft 2 and Diablo 3 (all of which are Blizzard properties as well).

Pre-ordering the Standard or Digital Deluxe versions of Legion grants players the ability to boost one character up to level 100 and early access to the Demon Hunter class. Plus, there’s one more way to give Blizzard your money: The $90 Collector’s Edition includes everything from the Digital Deluxe version plus a hardcover art book, a two-disc behind-the-scenes Blu-ray / DVD set, a CD soundtrack and a Legion mousepad. This bundle will be available at retail only.

World of Warcraft is an MMO that debuted in 2004 and quickly evolved into one of the most popular video games in the world. It hit a player-count high in 2010 with 12 million subscribers, but that number fell to 10 million in 2014 and finally 5.5 million in September 2015. That’s still millions of players, but the decline has fueled whispers of WoW’s demise — something that Blizzard will surely try to silence with Legion. Starting in 2016, Blizzard will no longer report subscriber numbers for World of Warcraft, so we’ll have to rely on gut feelings going forward.

Source: BusinessWire

‘PS4.5’ report: 4K output, will play nice with older console

The PS4.5 rumors have gotten a bit juicier. The “NEO,” as it’s being referred to internally, features upgraded specs (an 8-core processor running at 2.1 GHz versus the standard model’s 1.6GHz, a stronger GPU and faster RAM) and 4K image output, according to documents obtained by Giant Bomb. But from the sounds of it, Sony is adamant that the NEO should not divide the 35 million-plus userbase of the original PlayStation 4. Specifically, that means the console will use the same PlayStation Network store, same user interface and any purchases made on the base system will carry over.

There apparently won’t be NEO exclusive games or features within games, either, nor will there be a separation between when playing the system online against folks on the standard PS4. That first bit is a direct contrast to how Nintendo has handled the incremental 3DS hardware updates. If a game offers four-player local co-op on PS4, however, it could double that on the NEO thanks to the improved specs. More than that, by this October, every game released for PS4 will have to support both consoles, with games launching the month prior requiring a patch to run on the new hardware.

However, developers can release any NEO-ready games well before that if they so desire, and any previous game could take advantage of the stronger internals too. That’s so long as the developers release a patch for the software. So, perhaps playing Need for Speed at 60 FPS like you’ll be able to on the PC version could actually happen.

The beefier specs come with a mandate from Sony to developers: Games running on the NEO need to “meet or exceed” the frame rate of the game when it ran on the standard PS4 hardware. Pricing is unknown, but the possibility of this releasing for $400 while the base model finally gets a price cut to match the Xbox One doesn’t seem too far fetched. With E3 coming up in June, we likely won’t have long to wait for official details (release date, how this will affect PSVR, Ultra HD Blu-ray support) to fill in the gaps from this report. This has been your PS4.5 update for the day.

Would you upgrade to a PS4.5?

Source: Giant Bomb

Harvard-made robot can teach kids how to code

If you want to get kids’ full undivided attention, you’ll have to think of a fun way to do things. That’s why a group of roboticists from Harvard’s Wyss Institute created Root: a small hexagonal robot designed to ignite their interest in coding. Root was designed to crawl on a white board, using the markers and erasers it carries on command. Kids can control it by moving icons around in its accompanying app called Square (get it?). They simply have to make if-then statements using the icons, so even very young children can make the robot draw doodles and erase them afterwards. Older kids (and adults), however, can easily switch to the app’s more advanced, text-based interface.

Since the robot can show what coding can do in real time, it could spark a genuine interest in pursuing a career in the field. Wyss Institute’s lead robotics researcher Zivthan Dubrovsky said:

We’re in the digital world, but schools don’t teach coding. America needs computer programmers to be competitive — 71 percent of new jobs in STEM are going to be centered around coding. If we can solve this problem, this will be a big step forward for our country.

The team’s still looking for partners that can bring Root to classrooms at the moment. If and when they succeed, they plan to develop a curriculum that will get children exploring all the robot’s capabilities.

Source: Harvard Gazette, Harvard Wyss Institute, Wired, Root robot

5 tips every Snapchat user should know – CNET

Alina Bradford/CNET

If you’re new to Snapchat, you’ve got a lot to learn. The app does little in the way to help new users navigate the platform, leaving you clueless about tools and features seasoned snappers use daily.

Here are five features and tips every new Snapchat user should know.

1. Those chat emojis have hidden meanings

You’ll notice emojis appear next to your friends’ names in the chat window. They seemingly show up and change at random, but there are hidden meanings behind them.

You can check out what each friend emoji means by going to Settings > Additional Services > Manage > Friend Emojis.

If you click on the default emoji in this list, a menu will appear where you can change the emoji associated with each meaning.

2. Get more out of the color picker

If you look at color picker for the pencil tool, you’ll see there are no black and white options. They exist — they’re just hidden.

To grab the black pencil tool, hold down on the rainbow tool (color picker) and drag your finger to the left side and bottom of your phone screen. Hold down on the rainbow tool and drag you finger to the top-left of the screen for the white pencil.

3. Create a blank canvas

Sometimes you just want to share cute drawings or text. For that, you’ll need a blank canvas. Use your finger to cover your camera lens and take a picture. The snap will be a red, blank canvas to draw on with the pencil tool. For a black canvas, lay your phone on a dark surface and capture a snap.

4. Flip the camera midsnap

While taking a video, tap on the camera button to switch from your front-facing camera to get some face time in your snap.

5. Get unlimited text

Work around Snapchat’s text limit by going to your phone’s notes app and creating a blank note. In the note, press the return button several times to create blank lines. Hold your finger on the screen and choose “Select All” and “Copy.”

Back in Snapchat, press and hold in the text box on your snap and select “Paste”. You just pasted a larger text box into your snap that you can fill with a bunch of text. To use it, tap on each blank line and type away.

Dozens of new emojis are headed your way soon – CNET

We’re getting a sneak peek at new emojis coming later this year thanks to Google. The latest developer preview of the mobile OS (code named Android N) includes completely redesigned emojis, plus brand-new designs for both Android and iOS that should arrive in the next few months.

Google took some design cues from iOS, redesigning its emoji faces to look simpler and more human-like. You’ll also soon be able to pick a different skin color for many of the people emoji, such as the princess, boy, girl and construction worker.

These new emojis will very likely be available with the official release of Android N, whenever that happens. Until then, let’s take a look at the most noticeable emoji upgrades and see what’s new with each.

Enlarge Image

CNET

Police officer

The strange blob police officer is gone and now we have something that looks a bit more human. In fact, it bears an uncanny resemblance to the iOS police officer. The drawback is that the original Android emoji doesn’t appear to have a gender, while the new one skews male. Come on, Google, women can be cops too.

Face throwing a kiss

The head-tilting blob gets a sleeker look here, while maintaining that classic pucker-up face. I’m a big fan of Google’s take on faces, which are far cuter than the Apple ones.

Poop

Look, I’ve never liked the poop emoji and the original Android one is the worst I’ve seen. The new Android one looks way too enthusiastic for a pile of poop, but it’s a good improvement.

Runner

The new Android running guy emoji has clothes! And he’s running in the same direction as the iOS runner. They could be twins if not for the different colored hair. While the details add a lot more the the emoji, I’m irked that we still only have a running man and not a running lady.

Information desk person

The “whoop it up lady” (not her real name apparently) gets perhaps the best makeover of them all. The original emoji looks like some kind of cartoon creature flight attendant that I never want to serve me. The new emoji is better in every way and conveys the same excitement and attitude of the iOS version.

Sushi

The differences here are subtle, but Google scaled back on the cartoonish look for something a bit more lifelike. Notice that shading in the rice and grain marks in the salmon (or is it tuna?). Those are two pieces of nigiri I’d love to eat.

New emojis, not just for Android

Enlarge Image

Clockwise from top left: bat, pregnant woman, cartwheel, nauseated face, pancakes and avocado.

CNET

The Unicode Consortium, the organization that sets the design standards for emoji across all platforms, is slated to launch a new set of emojis in mid-2016. Last year we got the much-desired taco, burrito and unicorn and this year’s emojis include an avocado, gold medal, croissant, shark and call-me hand.

These new designs will be available for both iOS and Android, and we should see them on phones with the next iOS and Android updates.

I’m already excited about the bat and avocado, plus this black heart speaks to me. Which new emojis do you want to see and which are your favorites? Let us know in the comments.

Ehang Ghost 2.0 VR Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET

Joshua Goldman/CNET

Ehang commanded attention at CES 2016 with the Ehang 184, a battery-powered octocopter capable of autonomously flying a single passenger for 23 minutes at about 60 miles per hour. Though you likely won’t see a 184 flying overhead anytime soon, the Chinese startup’s Ghost 2.0 camera drone, which was also at the show, is heading to stores by the end of April.

The Ghost 1.0 drone got its start as an Indiegogo campaign in early 2015 and although this update doesn’t look too different from the original, a company spokesperson told me there are improvements throughout, starting with how it’s controlled.

Like the first one, the Ghost 2.0 is mainly piloted with an iPhone or Android phone and not a traditional RC controller. You pair your device with a pocket-sized transmitter called a G-Box and using your phone’s internal accelerometer and gyroscope you just tilt your phone in the direction you want the Ghost to fly. You can also use the Ehang Play mobile app to plot the Ghost’s course as well as have the drone follow you. Basically, Ehang fine-tuned the entire user experience — from the app to the connectivity to the performance — from the first version.

The big selling point for many, though, will be the company’s new VR goggles. Promising a zero latency video feed from the onboard camera, the goggles will not only give you a first-person view from the sky, but you’ll be able to control the camera angle just by moving your head.

The Ghost 2.0 will be available in an Aerial version for $599, which includes a three-axis gimbal for use with a GoPro Hero3 or Hero4 camera or similar style action cam. The VR version comes with the aforementioned goggles and a gimbal-stabilized 4K-resolution camera for $1,099. Both include a 12-month warranty and 24/7 customer support. Pricing for UK and Australia wasn’t available, but they convert to about £420 and £770, or AU$775 and AU$1,400.

Marshmallow rolls out to the T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+

If you’re rocking a Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ on T-Mobile, you’ll want to check for an update, as the carrier is now pushing Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow to the curved smartphone. Of course, once updated, your T-Mobile Galaxy S6 edge+ will have access to all of Marshmallow’s goodies, including Doze Mode, granular app permissions and more.

Since the update only just began rolling out, it may take some time to show as available for download. Still, if you’d like to check manually, you can do so in the “About Device” section of the Settings menu. After you update, you should see your system software version bumped up to G928TUVU2DPD1.

Have you received the Marshmallow update on your T-Mobile Galaxy S6 edge+ yet? Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments below and on our forums!

Cheers, Rob!

Apple confirms that it is no longer supporting Quicktime for Windows

Back in the day, a not-insignificant number of Windows users ended up with Apple’s Quicktime software installed on their computers, thanks in large part to iTunes. It’s been a long time since it’s been necessary for either the web or iTunes, though, and as such the software is pretty out of date — not to mention a security threat. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security recommended Windows users uninstall Quicktime because of potential security holes, and now Apple is echoing that advice. The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has confirmed it’ll no longer update or support Quicktime 7 for Windows. Details to remove the offending software from your computer can be found here.

As Apple notes on its support page, it’s been a long time since Quicktime was necessary for iTunes — that changed with version 10.5, which was released way, way back in October of 2011. And while Quicktime used to serve up a web video, it’s similarly been deprecated and replaced by technologies like HTML 5. So for most users, there’s basically no reason to have the app installed anymore. Given its status as a potential security threat and the lack of any updates coming from Apple, we’d go so far as to say you should get it off your computer as soon as possible.

We’ve reached out to Apple to confirm that it has ended support for Quicktime on Windows and will update this post with any other details.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Netflix added a record 6.74 million new subscribers in Q1 2016

Netflix recently added more than 130 countries to its world service map, and now it’s revealing the effect of that expansion: a record number of new subs.

The video-streaming service just posted its first-quarter results for 2016. And buried between a bunch of boring financial stats, Netflix announced that its customer base has reached 46.97 million in the US and 34.53 million internationally, for a total of 81.5 million subscribers. That’s an increase of 6.74 million over the three-month period that ended 30 March.

Those numbers also mean 42 per cent of Netflix’s customer base is now outside the US. Despite these results, Netflix’s share price still dived 12 per cent in after-hours trading simply because the company forecasted next quarter won’t be as stellar. It only expects to add 2 million new customers overseas, whereas analysts are expecting 3.45 million new subs.

Netflix expects to add 500,000 new customers in the US next quarter. For comparison, it added a record 5.59 million subscribers last quarter, with a majority of them coming from outside the US.

As for that boring financial stuff, Netflix reported $1.96 billion in revenue in Q1. It also recorded $49 million in operating income, a huge dip from $92 million for the same period last year.

Netflix is blaming that dip on the cost of its international expansion.

See Earth in stunning 4K from the ISS

Check out some of the most gorgeous footage ever caught of Earth. NASA astronauts have beamed down stunning 4K footage of our planet from the ISS using a RED Epic Dragon digital camera and posted it on their YouTube channel.

This isn’t the first ultra-high definition video sent from the ISS: NASA sent the RED camera up back in January 2015 and started uploading 4K video to YouTube last June. Most of the videos in NASA’s UHD archive are of experiments done inside the space station. It’s cool to watch bubbles wiggle in zero-G, but it pales compared to a carefully-framed shot of the globe spinning underneath the camera.

Of course, you’ll only be able to experience UHD if your display goes up to 4K, or 3840 x 2160 resolution. You’ll have to manually click the quality sprocket on the YouTube screen and choose 2160p to see video in its proper format. And if you want to download any footage from the archive, go nuts — but a 4-minute clip in 4K will take up half a gigabyte.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: YouTube