‘Battlezone’ Classic Mode fulfills the promise of ’80s VR
It’s been 36 years since Atari released Battlezone and effectively created the first-person shooter in the process. The game’s immersive periscope viewer and vector graphics influenced decades of game design and provided arcade goers with an early glimpse of what a virtual reality world could look like. While we’ve argued here that Battlezone’s PSVR reboot is the ultimate fan service and a great first leap into VR gaming, it was still missing one key thing: the old-school, glowing green cathode-ray tube vibe of the original. That’ll change next week, when Rebellion Studios adds a free Classic Mode update as their “faithful homage” to the title that arguably started it all.
According to Rebellion Studios lead programmer Richard May, making something new feel retro is more complicated than it sounds and “recreating the glowing green lines using our modern in-house engine required some workarounds.” The controls, on the other hand, were a little simpler to rebuild since the team had already built out the two-track control system of the original arcade cabinets. And one more thing that’s not changing: you still can’t get any closer to that danged volcano in the distance.
In addition to Classic Mode, the free Battlezone update also adds new missions, levels and a game codex. The whole thing rolls out on December 20th.
Source: PlayStation Blog
Don’t fall for fake versions of Super Mario Run on Android
Before you go downloading a bunch of sketchy files, take a minute and think.
Super Mario Run is now available for iOS which has many iPhone users jumping for joy, but its absence on Android is leaving a lot of users out in the cold. With no official word on when Mario will be making his way to the Play Store, I know some of you are already looking for ways to obtain the game from less than legitimate sources, and I’m here to tell you — don’t do it.
“I’ll just download an APK file just like I did with Pokémon Go”
In today’s world when we want something that isn’t available, we often find ways to get it anyway. A popular way of getting Android apps that aren’t available to you is by downloading
an Android Application Package (APK) that someone has managed to rip off.
When Pokémon Go first launched, it was only accessible in a few countries, so naturally some smart folks got a hold of the APK file and put it out there into the world for Android users from all countries to download and install. So why won’t this work for Super Mario Run?
Well, Super Mario Run for Android doesn’t exist. When an app is geo-locked like Pokémon Go was at launch, the APK file is in the Google Play Store, but you can only access it from certain countries, meaning it’s possible for people upload the file to the internet. Super Mario Run isn’t officially in the Google Play Store, regardless of what country you’re in, meaning the as far as we know the APK file does not exist.
You will probably be able to find websites or other places that are offering Super Mario Run APK files, but they will undoubtedly be fake because there is no way to ensure you aren’t downloading malware to your Android device.
Again: Super Mario Run doesn’t exist on Android. Don’t be stupid and fall for fake versions.
“l can always use an iOS emulator”
It’s not like Super Mario Run is the only game to be exclusive to the Apple App Store, and you can find iOS emulators floating around out there, but seldom do they work as advertised or worth the risk.
iOS emulators are APK files that you can only get from untrustworthy sources, you won’t find legitimate ones, so the first risk is to download an unknown file from an unknown source and pray it works as expected. On top of that, then you would have to find a ripped copy of Super Mario Run and download that IPA (iOS app file), once again, from sources less than reputable. That’s a lot of risk for something that may not even work.
What’s the worst that can happen?
Malware isn’t something you want hanging around any of your devices, especially one you carry with you everywhere. Downloading infected software can have a wide array of effects on the function of your device. Some cases you may only experience minor inconveniences such as the occasion crash or failure to launch certain applications. But some malware can cause much bigger problems like rendering your difference completely useless or stealing valuable data from your phone.
What’s my best option?
Your best option is to wait until Nintendo officially releases it for Android. I know that waiting is hard, especially when no one even knows if or when Super Mario Run will be coming to Android, but for your safety and the sake of your phone waiting is the best option.
In the meantime, if you’re that desperate, get an iPod Touch and use that to download Super Mario Run.
Google shows off three new apps for Android Wear 2.0
Google gives us a first look at stand-alone apps on Android Wear 2.0
Android Wear 2.0 has plenty of improvements and changes, but one that has plenty of people excited is having apps installed on, and running from, the watch itself instead of the connected phone. In the past Google had said that this wasn’t optimal and would lead to a bad experience, but hardware improvements and Android just getting “better” have brought this change.
The three apps are Glide, Foursquare, and Lifesum. The Glide app will use the Communications API to let us do things like stream directly from the watch or initiate a conversation with someone without getting our phone involved.
Foursquare will use Android 7’s new rich notifications so that you’ll get more information — and the information you want — right on your watch instead of being directed back to your phone for it. Nougat’s notifications were built on the original Android Wear card system and should make for a better experience anytime your watch needs to tell you something.
The Lifesum app for Android Wear 2.0 is designed to track meals and water intake directly from the wrist. Cutting out the phone component means you’ll always have fresh data available and changes will be reflected instantly.
You can have a look at the latest developer preview builds of Android Wear as well as all the documentation at the Android Developer site.
You can now control Netflix using Google Home – here’s how
Now you can ask Google Home to pause House of Cards on your TV.
Google Home could easily beat Amazon Echo – if it offered more integrations and skills. The addition of Netflix support is a major step in the right direction. Google’s voice-activated speaker now recognises when you ask it to play Netflix shows. With your voice, you can ask its assistant to skip episodes, pause and resume playback, switch on captions, and even rewind what you’re watching.
- How to watch Netflix on TV: Your complete guide
Here’s how it works.
What do you need to get started?
To get started, you’ll need the $129 Google Home and the latest version of the Google Home app. You’ll also need a Chromecast device plugged into your TV (the 4K-capable Chromecast Ultra version costs $69). You’ll then need a Netflix account to link to your Google Home.
How do you link Netflix on Google Home?
In the Home app, go to Devices > Home > Settings > More > Videos and Photos. From there, link your Netflix account to your Google account. Once you’re all set, you can start controlling Netflix with your Google Home.
How can you control Netflix on Google Home?
You can say things like “OK Google, play House of Cards from Netflix on my TV” or “OK Google, pause Stranger Things on my TV” or whatever.
Want to know more?
This Google support page details how to link services to Google Home. It also lists basic voice commands for controlling TV shows and movies.
BlackBerry phones live on thanks to a deal with TCL
BlackBerry’s days of making its own smartphones are over, and that means it’s time to hand the responsibilities over to someone else. The Canadian company has reached a “long-term” deal with TCL (which repurposed Alcatel phones as the BlackBerry DTEK50 and DTEK60) that licenses both the BlackBerry name and software for future devices. TCL will design, build, sell and support the hardware — BlackBerry is just putting its security-oriented spins on the resulting handsets. You’ll learn more about the phones resulting from the deal in the “coming months.”
You could see this pact coming from a mile away: there were already expectations that BlackBerry phones would carry on, and TCL was already a close partner. Even so, it’s an important symbolic step. After years of trying and failing to turn its smartphone business around, BlackBerry is officially handing the baton to another company that has had a much better time in the modern phone market. You probably won’t see a full-on BlackBerry revival any time soon, but that’s not really the goal here. The TCL deal keeps the BlackBerry name in the public eye, and gives its remaining software business a better shot at success.
Source: Marketwired
GM starts testing self-driving Bolts on Michigan roads
GM isn’t wasting much time now that Michigan has cleared some of the legal hurdles to testing self-driving cars in the state. Effective “immediately,” the car giant will start testing autonomous rides on Michigan’s public roads — that includes modified Chevy Bolts, of course. The initial focus is on testing around GM’s Technical Center offices in Warren, but test drives will reach the metro Detroit area within the “next few months.”
It’s no shock that GM is taking action while the ink is still drying on bill signatures. GM’s driverless car efforts have been frenetic in 2016 — it started out by partnering with Lyft on a self-driving car network, and began testing autonomous Bolts in Arizona and California mere weeks after it bought Cruise Automation. There’s a lot of pressure to act, as well. Its Detroit rivals Ford and Fiat Chrysler are hustling on their own self-driving projects, and it knows that Tesla could eat its lunch if it’s not careful. Simply put, GM needs to test on its home turf in Michigan if it wants to remain competitive.
Via: Nick Bunkley (Twitter)
Source: GM Corporate Newsroom
BMW thinks holograms are the future of interfaces
You can count on BMW to introduce fascinating concepts, and many even make it into production, such as its ConnectedDrive personal assistant app. Others, like the motorcycle that balances itself so well drivers don’t need a helmet, are probably a few years off; Such is the uncertainty of showing off novel automotive designs that technology doesn’t quite support yet. But that isn’t stopping BMW from presenting another fun, who-knows-when-we’ll-get-it tech ditty at the upcoming CES 2017: The HoloActive Touch, a virtual interface for cars.
Per BMW’s description, the interface will let you control car functions with hand gestures and motions, enabling drivers to use “the visible and tangible driver-vehicle interaction familiar from conventional touchscreens.” Supposedly, it will project holographic control surfaces upward from the center console at steering-wheel height, allowing the driver to interact with them using their free hand. A camera will track fingertip positions and the system emits a “pulse” when a function is activated.
BMW isn’t saying when the HoloActive Touch could be integrated into its car lines. But it did cite the concepts from CES’ past that it evolved from, like the gesture control at the 2015 show that is now available in both the BMW 7 series and 5 series and the AirTouch that debuted at last year’s. Surely the HoloActive Touch on display at CES 2017 will lend a better idea of how the whole system works before we start worrying about how a holographic system with light feedback might distract drivers far more than help them.
Via: Autoblog
Source: BMW Group
Amazon plans to streamline shipping with an app for truckers
Uber may have already jumped into the logistics and trucking business with its purchase of Otto’s self-driving truck platform, but as one of the biggest shippers in the country, Amazon can’t afford to sit back on its heels. As Business Insider reports today, Jeff Bezos and company are building their own in-house “Uber for trucking” app meant to connect truck drivers with cargo and secure Amazon’s place in a massive $800 billion industry.
The app is slated to launch in the summer of 2017 and, like Uber and Otto’s own efforts, its meant to eliminate third party freight brokers and their pricey commissions — which is obviously beneficial for a high-volume retailer like Amazon. On a more local scale Amazon’s trucking app sounds similar to the expanded Amazon Flex program, which allows anyone to pick up shifts as Amazon delivery drivers using their private vehicle. According to Business Insider, the trucking app will go the extra mile for truck drivers too, offering real-time pricing, driving directions and recommendations of the best truck stops along the route.
Altogether, the app aims to streamline the shipping process and brings Amazon even closer to its goal of controlling every step in the delivery and broadening its reach as a logistics company. Earlier this year, the internet retail giant announced it was getting into oceanic freight and would lease 40 cargo planes over the next few years in order to help it boost shipping speeds. Finally, according to estimates from investment bank RBC Capital Markets, Amazon is also expected to exceed Fedex’s daily package volume in the next three years and will overtake UPS sometime in the next seven — meaning there should be plenty of cargo to keep its driver-partners busy.
Source: Business Insider
AirPods to be Available in Apple Retail Stores Starting Monday Morning
Apple will begin selling AirPods in its retail stores starting on Monday, December 19, according to a retail source that shared the news with MacRumors. Apple is currently informing stores about the imminent launch and shipping product to retail locations.
Apple previously announced that AirPods would be in stores next week, but did not give specific information on when the in-store launch would take place. In addition to retail stores, carrier stores and Apple Authorized Resellers will also be receiving stock.
AirPods first went on sale online on Tuesday, December 13, but supplies were highly limited. Delivery estimates slipped to four weeks within an hour and a half, and orders placed now won’t ship out for six weeks.
Customers who were lucky enough to be able to place an AirPods order right when they became available will start to receive shipments early next week, but for those who weren’t able to make an order, in store purchase will be the only option for getting AirPods in time for the holidays.
Given how quickly AirPods sold out online, in-store supplies are likely to be limited, but Apple says its retail locations will be receiving regular AirPods shipments going forward.
Tag: AirPods
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Apple’s Refurbished Store Now Offering Sixth-Generation iPod Touch
Apple recently updated its online refurbished store in the United States to include the sixth-generation iPod touch, offering discounts of $30 to $60 depending on model, which equates to savings of up to 16 percent.
Refurbished entry-level 16GB models can be purchased for as little as $169, a discount of $30 off of the retail price. 16, 32, 64, and 128GB capacities in a range of colors are available.
First introduced in July of 2015, the sixth-generation iPod touch features a 6.1mm thick body with a 4-inch display, an A8 chip, and an 8-megapixel iSight camera.
Though the sixth-generation iPod touch has been available for more than a year, it appears to be a new addition to Apple’s online refurbished store in the U.S. All refurbished Apple iPods include a new battery and outer shell plus all accessories and a full one-year warranty.
Related Roundup: iPod touch
Buyer’s Guide: iPod Touch (Don’t Buy)
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