Google will soon break ground on its new Mountain View headquarters

The City of Mountain View has officially given Google the go-ahead to build its new futuristic-inspired campus in the South Bay.

The Silicon Valley is as territorial as any empire and with Apple throwing its own fanfare in honor of itself with the nearly-completed construction of its space-like circular campus, Google is next with its own circus-like structure that’s sure to cause a few passersby to do a double-take.

Google will soon have its own fascinating architecture on display at its Mountain View headquarters. The company has officially received approval from the city of Mountain View to construct the 595,000 square foot building. The structure will be nestled between some of the company’s older buildings on its campus and Google I/O’s latest home, the Shoreline Amphitheater. Ground will be officially broken in April and it’s expected to be completed by 2019.

As Business Insider points out, the plans call for the removal of almost 200 trees from the building site. However, Google will plant new trees in place and incorporate plenty of green space to populate the common areas.

You can peruse through the entirety of the proposal at Mashable.

Verizon’s Fios Mobile app offers data-free streaming for all-in subscribers

The company wants to incentivize new converts by offering free streaming to both Verizon Wireless and Fios customers.

Good news for those of you who’ve gone all in with Big Red. If you’re both a Verizon Wireless and Verizon Fios subscriber, you can now use the Fios Mobile App to watch your shows from home without using your data.

Per the official release:

Fios Internet and TV subscribers can now use the Fios Mobile App to watch thousands of live and recorded shows without using their data when they also have Verizon for their mobile phone service. The Fios Mobile App allows you to stream 140+ live channels outside of your home, watch your recorded DVR shows and movies while on the go, and access thousands of On Demand titles.

The company is offering up to $500 back if you concurrently sign up for both Verizon Fios and Verizon Unlimited. If you’re interested, you can contact Verizon for more details.

Trippy rhythm-action game ‘Thumper’ is coming to Xbox One

No matter what platform you own, you’ll be able to play last year’s excellent rhythm game, Thumper. Developer Drool writes on Xbox Wire that the equally trippy and violent music game will make its way to Xbox One sometime this spring, teasing that more details will soon follow. And, in related news, if you want something to play on your shiny new Nintendo Switch, Thumper will make its way there as well in the same vague time period. Who said you needed VR to enjoy what the game has to offer, anyhow?

Source: Xbox Wire

‘Uncharted 4’ leads this year’s BAFTA game nominations

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is a big Naughty Dog fan, apparently. It announced the nominees for this year’s video game awards, and Uncharted 4 leads the way with eight nominations, including Best Game, Music and Narrative. The AAA blockbuster makes up half the total nominations in the Performer category alone, with Nolan North (Nathan Drake), Troy Baker (Sam Drake) and Emily Rose (Elena Fisher) all receiving nods.

A number of indie games were academy favorites this year as well. Playdead’s dystopian puzzler Inside grabbed seven noms, while Campo Santo’s first-person adventure Firewatch received six and Jonathan Blow’s The Witness got four. A total 50 games are being recognized this year from a broad range of UK and international development teams.

The 2017 British Academy Games Awards takes place on Thursday, April 6th in London. It will be hosted by British writer and presenter Danny Wallace.

You can check out the full list of nominees below:

ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT

ABZÛ Development Team – Giant Squid/505 Games
DISHONORED 2 Development Team – Arkane Studios/Bethesda Softworks
INSIDE Development Team – Playdead/Playdead
THE LAST GUARDIAN Development Team – SIE Japan Studio, genDesign/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe
UNCHARTED 4 Development Team – Naughty Dog LLC/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe
UNRAVEL Development Team – Coldwood Interactive/Electronic Arts

AUDIO ACHIEVEMENT

BATTLEFIELD 1 Development Team – DICE/Electronic Arts
DOOM Development Team – id Software/Bethesda Softworks
INSIDE Martin Stig Andersen – Playdead/Playdead
THE LAST GUARDIAN Development Team – SIE Japan Studio, genDesign/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe
REZ INFINITE Tetsuya Mizuguchi, Takako Ishida, Noboru Mutoh – Enhance Games, Monstars Inc., Resonair/Enhance Games
UNCHARTED 4 Development Team – Naughty Dog LLC/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europs

BEST GAME

FIREWATCH Development Team – Campo Santo Productions/Camp Santo Productions, Panic Inc.
INSIDE Development Team – Playdead/Playdead
OVERWATCH Development Team – Blizzard Entertainment/Blizzard Entertainment
STARDEW VALLEY Eric Barone – ConcernedApe/Chucklefish
TITANFALL 2 Development Team – Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts
UNCHARTED 4 Development Team – Naughty Dog LLC/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe

BRITISH GAME

BATMAN: ARKHAM VR Development Team – Rocksteady Studios/WB Games
FORZA HORIZON 3 Development Team – Playground Games/Microsoft Studios
NO MAN’S SKY Development Team – Hello Games/Hello Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe
OVERCOOKED Development Team – Ghost Town Games/Team17 Digital Ltd
PLANET COASTER Development Team – Frontier Developments/Frontier Developments
VIRGINIA Development Team – Variable State/505 Games

DEBUT GAME

FIREWATCH Development Team – Campo Santo Productions/Campo Santo Productions, Panic Inc.
OVERCOOKED Development Team – Ghost Town Games/Team17 Digital inc.
OXENFREE Development Team – Night School Studio/Night School Studio
THAT DRAGON, CANCER Development Team – Numinous Games/Numinous Games
THE WITNESS Development Team – Thekla, Inc./Thekla, Inc.
VIRGINIA Development Team – Variable State/505 Games

EVOLVING GAME

DESTINY: RISE OF IRON Development Team – Bungie/Activision
ELITE DANGEROUS: HORIZONS Development Team – Frontier Developments/Frontier Developments
EVE ONLINE Development Team – CCP Games/CCP Games
FINAL FANTASY XIV: ONLINE Development Team – Square Enix/Square Enix
HITMAN Development Team – IO Interactive/Square Enix
ROCKET LEAGUE Dave Hagewood, Jeremy Dunham, Corey Davis – Psyonix/Psyonix

FAMILY

LEGO STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Mike Taylor, Jamie Eden, James Norton – TT Games/WB Games
OVERCOOKED Development Team – Ghost Town Games/Team17 Digital Ltd
THE PLAYROOM VR Development Team – SIE Japan Studio, Team ASOBI!/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe
POKÉMON GO Development Team – Niantic Inc./Niantic Inc.
RATCHET & CLANK Development Team – Insomniac Games/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe
TOCA HAIR SALON 3 Development Team – Toca Boca/Toca Boca

GAME DESIGN

BATTLEFIELD 1 Development Team – DICE/Electronic Arts
DISHONORED 2 Development Team – Arkane Studios/Bethesda Softworks
INSIDE Development Team – Playdead/Playdead
OVERWATCH Development Team – Blizzard Entertainment/Blizzard Entertainment
TITANFALL 2 Development Team – Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts
THE WITNESS Development Team – Thekla,Inc./Thekla, Inc.

GAME INNOVATION

BATMAN: ARKHAM VR Development Team – Rocksteady Studios/WB Games
FIREWATCH Development Team – Campo Santo Productions/Campo Santo Productions, Panic Inc.,
POKÉMON GO Development Team – Niantic Inc./Niantic Inc.
THAT DRAGON, CANCER Development Team – Numinous Games/Numinous Games
UNSEEN DIPLOMACY Development Team – Triangular Pixels/ Triangular Pixels
THE WITNESS Development Team – Thekla, Inc./Thekla, Inc.

MOBILE

THE BANNER SAGA 2 Development Team – Stoic/Versus Evil
DAWN OF TITANS Development Team – Natural Motion/Zynga
DEUS EX GO Development Team – Square Enix Montreal/Square Enix
POKÉMON GO Development Team – Niantic Inc./Niantic Inc.
POKÉMON SUN AND POKÉMON MOON Development Team – Game Freak/The Pokémon Company International
REIGNS Development Team – Nerial/Devolver Digital

MULTIPLAYER

BATTLEFIELD 1 Development Team – DICE/Electronic Arts
FORZA HORIZON 3 Development Team – Playground Games/Microsoft Studios
OVERCOOKED Development Team – Ghost Town Games/Team17 Digital Ltd
OVERWATCH Development Team – Blizzard Entertainment/Blizzard Entertainment
TITANFALL 2 Development Team – Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts
TOM CLANCY’S THE DIVISION Development Team – Ubisoft Massive/Ubisoft

MUSIC

ABZÛ Austin Wintory – Giant Squid/505 Games
DOOM Mick Gordon, Chris Hite, Chad Mossholder – id Software/Bethesda Softworks
INSIDE Martin Stig Andersen, SØS Gunver Ryberg – Playdead/Playdead
THE LAST GUARDIAN Takeshi Furukawa – SIE Japan Studio, genDesign/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe
UNCHARTED 4 Henry Jackman, Jonathan Mayer, Scott Hanau – Naughty Dog LLC/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe
VIRGINIA Lyndon Holland – Variable State/505 Games

NARRATIVE

DISHONORED 2 Development Team – Arkane Studios/Bethesda Softworks
FIREWATCH Development Team – Campo Santo Productions/Campo Santo Productions, Panic Inc.
INSIDE Arnt Jensen – Playdead/Playdead
MAFIA III Development Team – Hangar 13/2K
OXENFREE Development Team – Night School Studio/Night School Studio
UNCHARTED 4 Neil Druckmann, Josh Scherr – Naughty Dog LLC/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe

ORIGINAL PROPERTY

FIREWATCH Development Team – Campo Santo Productions/Campo Santo Productions, Panic Inc.
INSIDE Development Team – Playdead/Playdead
THE LAST GUARDIAN Development Team – SIE Japan Studio, genDesign/Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe
OVERWATCH Development Team – Blizzard Entertainment/Blizzard Entertainment
UNRAVEL Development Team – Coldwood Interactive/Electronic Arts
THE WITNESS Development Team – Thekla, Inc./Thekla, Inc.

PERFORMER

ALEX HERNANDEZ as Lincoln Clay in Mafia III
CISSY JONES as Delilah in Firewatch
EMILY ROSE as Elena Fisher in Uncharted 4
NAVID NEGAHBAN as ‘Hajj Agha’ in 1979 Revolution: Black Friday
NOLAN NORTH as Nathan Drake in Uncharted 4
TROY BAKER as Sam Drake in Uncharted 4

BAFTA ONES TO WATCH AWARD IN ASSOCIATION WITH DARE TO BE DIGITAL

AMONG THE STONES Lukasz Gomula, Alberto Taiuti, James Wood, Roberton Macken, Kevin McKenna, Rory Sweeney – Bluedoor Games
PENTAGRAB Andrew Fullarton, Thomas Slade, Nick Kondylis, Cari Watterton, Dale Smith – Ludico
REBOUND Kieran Gallagher, Isaac Pringle, Mark Tempini, Andrew Graham, Alexander MacDiarmid, Vladislav Veselinov, Craig Russell, Alexandra Donaldson – Hexterion

AMD ESPORTS AUDIENCE AWARD (public voted)

CLASH ROYALE Supercell/Supercell
COUNTER STRIKE: GLOBAL OFFENSIVE Hidden Path Entertainment/Valve
DOTA 2 Valve/Valve
LEAGUE OF LEGENDS Riot Games/Riot Games
OVERWATCH Blizzard Entertainment/Blizzard Entertainment
STREET FIGHTER V Capcom, Dimps/Capcom

Via: Gamasutra

Source: BAFTA (press release)

Twitter’s next anti-abuse measure cordons off ‘offensive’ profiles

Twitter is taking another step toward curtailing abuse on the platform. But, it seems like the microblogging service is being a tad overzealous. Now, rather than just marking certain attached media as potentially offensive, it’s doing so for entire profiles. Mashable first noticed it with tech analyst Justin Warren’s profile. Everything was greyed out (header and profile pictures included) with a message reading:

“Caution: This profile may include sensitive content. You’re seeing this warning because they tweet sensitive images or language. Do you still want to view it?”

Warren wasn’t notified of the change, but he jokingly said that maybe it was because “Americans struggle with swearing as punctuation.”

Twitter tells TechCrunch that a profile will be flagged based on your individual settings. Meaning, if you have the box checked that you’re cool with seeing potentially offensive material, you likely won’t see any of these greyed out profiles. I have that box checked, for instance, and Warren’s timeline was totally accessible to me.

We’ve reached out to Twitter for more information and will update this post should it arrive.

Update: A Twitter spokesperson responded saying that this is a test as part of the company’s efforts to make the site feel safer. No further explanation was given for what will lead to a profile being flagged or how widespread the test is, but we were given a few links to peruse regarding sensitive media.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Mashable

Telltale’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ game premieres this spring

Telltale Games announced it’s working with Marvel on a Guardians of the Galaxy game last year. Now, we’re getting a sneak peek at the episodic adventure, along with details about its launch date and voice cast.

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series will premiere this spring on console, PC and mobile devices. It’ll also be available at retail as a special season pass disc. There’s no word yet on what the episodes or season pass will cost, but other Telltale series like The Walking Dead and Batman are typically between $25-30.

The story revolves around an artifact of unspeakable power the Guardians all desire for their own reasons, as does the series’ unnamed female villain. So, it’s basically like the plot of the first movie, although it seems likely the game won’t tie-in with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actors who portrayed the Guardians on the big screen won’t be reprising their roles. Instead, the series will feature the voice talents of Friday Night Lights actor Scott Porter (Star-Lord), The Young and the Restless’ Emily O’Brien (Gamora), veteran voice actor Nolan North (Rocket), Watch Dogs’ Brandon Paul Eells (Drax) and The Wolf Among Us’ Adam Harrington (Groot).

Telltale will offer more details about the game during a PAX East panel in Boston on March 10th. One week later, fans at SXSW can play an early version of the first episode during a premiere event at the Paramount Theater where audience members will be able to control the game’s story from their seats using their mobile devices.

Via: Polygon

Source: Telltale Games

‘Many’ Android exploits in WikiLeaks CIA files are already fixed

Apple isn’t the only company scrambling to reassure the public that it has fixed most of the CIA exploits revealed in WikiLeaks’ latest disclosure. Google tells CNET it’s “confident” that security patches and safeguards already protect you against “many” of the exploits in both Android and the Chrome web browser. The internet giant will also “implement any further necessary protections” for flaws that have yet to be patched.

The statement isn’t completely shocking, as some of WikiLeaks’ data goes back as far as 2013. Even if you have an older Android phone, there’s a chance that Google patched at least some of the security holes in an update you received a long time ago. The problem, as you may know, is that Android vendors are inconsistent in delivering operating system updates, let alone Google’s monthly security patches. There’s a chance that older devices will remain vulnerable simply because their manufacturer ended support too soon or decided to skip a relevant security update.

The good news: WikiLeaks has offered to cooperate with tech companies wanting to plug any remaining CIA holes. Provided Assange and crew live up to their end of the bargain, Google will breathe a little easier. It won’t have to worry so much about its own flaws as it will convincing its hardware partners to step up their security efforts.

Source: CNET

Contact your Senator with a fax-sending bot

The rallying cry to contact your member of Congress is louder than ever these days, but actually reaching them isn’t very easy. Even if they accept email, they’re far more likely to acknowledge a faxed message — but who actually has a fax machine in the 21st Century? Thankfully, you no longer need one to get your point across. A volunteer group has launched Resistbot, an automated system that turns your cellphone’s text messages into faxes to your representatives and senators. Once you’ve offered your name and ZIP code, you just have to type in a message to send it to the appropriate officials. Your first message will go to your senators, but the bot will eventually collect info that helps you reach the House.

As you might have gathered from the name, Resistbot was designed by those who oppose President Trump’s administration. However, the team stresses that it won’t tell you what to say. Form messages are “totally ignored” by Congress as it is, the developers note. In that sense, Resistbot isn’t so much a partisan tool as a general-purpose facilitator. So long as you’re not hung up on the name, this should help you voice any concern to your state reps, regardless of where you sit on the political spectrum.

Via: Recode

Source: Resistbot, Product Hunt

Apple may have ditched on-site California training for new ‘Genius’ hires

Why it matters to you

It may be worth asking for senior Geniuses to repair your hardware in the future, if new hires lack much hands-on experience.

Apple will reportedly be replacing its longstanding Cupertino, California, campus training system for new Apple store ‘Geniuses’ with in-store, self-guided training. Web-based seminars are replacing hands-on, guided training, suggesting future new employees may have far less real world experience than their predecessors.

Traditionally, Apple has invited newly hired Apple store Geniuses to its Cupertino headquarters, where its mock Genius Bar featured test Macs for them to practice standard repairs on. Considered a life-changing experience by many who partook in it, the training trip was considered somewhat of a rite of passage for new hires, but that may not be possible in the future.

Although not confirmed by Apple, sources close to the matter cited by MacRumors, say that all training for new Genius Bar employees in the future will be handled in-store. They won’t even have much in the way of hands-on repair experience either, with much of the new training regimen based on reference materials and self-guided seminars.

More: Steve Jobs hated the idea of the Genius Bar, according to Apple Store creator

The concern, among the source and analysts, is that this could result in Apple products being repaired by people who have never actually opened up a Mac before. While we think it’s perfectly possible to build your own PC with a little help, when it comes to professional repairs, most people would prefer an expert — or a ‘Genius’ — to be involved, not someone whose experience may be lacking.

The only caveat to this story is that it may only be a temporary measure. Apple is currently constructing its ‘spaceship’ campus and it may be that once it is finished at a later date this year, that training will be moved there on a permanent basis.

For now, though, it seems like some Geniuses may not be quite as well-trained as their more experienced coworkers.

Great deal! These are our three favorite tech bargains on Amazon today

Thursday’s Amazon Goldbox deals feature some standout computing bargains, including a Lenovo convertible laptop, a Chromebook, and a Wi-Fi access point. Score savings of up to 50 percent off, with prices slashed to as low as $60. Read on to see today’s best Amazon tech deals.

More: 6 Awesome Laptop Deals You Should Check Out Now

Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11E-G3 Convertible

The Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11E-G3 Convertible is powerful, durable, and flexible, converting from a laptop to a tablet seamlessly. It boasts an Intel N3160 Quad-Core 1.6GHz processor and SATA 128GB solid-state drive for a smooth and fast computing experience. It also has 4 GB DDR3 memory for quick multitasking power, and comes with 64-bit Windows 10 Home Edition preinstalled. 

The machine undergoes military-specific testing to ensure its lasting power. This includes testing for high pressure, humidity, vibration, temperature shock, fungus, and dust. It features a rubber bumper around the top cover that absorbs the force of side bumps and corners that are 50 percent stronger to reduce potential damage if it’s dropped at an angle. The laptop is even durable enough to withstand drops from up to 90 centimeters. Finally, it features an 11.6-inch HD LED-backlit touchscreen IPS display with 1366 x 768 resolution that showcases movies and games in stunning clarity.

The Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11E-G3 Convertible normally retails for $479, but is currently discounted to $280 on Amazon today only, offering you a $199 (42 percent) discount.

$280 on Amazon

TP-Link AC1200 Wireless Wi-Fi Access Point

Improve the Wi-Fi around your home or office with the TP-Link AC1200 Wireless Wi-Fi Access Point, which is currently discounted by 50 percent on Amazon. The access point has advanced 3 x 3 MIMO technology and AC1200 Wi-Fi, making it perfect for large homes or offices, restaurants, stores, and more.

The device features EAP Controller Software that allows for centralized control of your access points and network scaling without the need for a dedicated IT staff. The software automatically detects unconfigured EAPs, and will configure them remotely. All TP-Link EAPs are compatible with the auto-configuration feature, meaning you can invest in as many as you need, and they can all be controlled from one central location. The software allows you to easily monitor statistics, create a captive portal, manage traffic, map and run a free and customized site survey, upgrade and reboot your system, and even scale your network. The captive portal improves network security while providing the administrative tools needed to create a secure and intuitive authentication experience for Wi-Fi guests.

The Wi-Fi device boasts a load balance feature that keeps your Wi-Fi running smoothly by distributing network traffic across multiple EAPs, so a single device is never burdened or overloaded with data. With 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, the access point delivers up to 1300 Mbps of Wi-Fi speed, allowing more devices to be connected to your wireless network at once while keeping the network running smoothly.

The TP-Link AC1200 Wireless Wi-Fi Access Point normally retails for $120, but is currently discounted to $60 on Amazon for a limited time, providing a $60 (50 percent) discount.

$60 on Amazon

ASUS Chromebook C300SA 13.3 Inch

The Asus Chromebook C300SA 13.3-Inch is an affordable solution for those who want a laptop that can easily be used on the go. Chrombooks normally retail for less than standard computers, and this model is no exception — it is currently discounted to $199 on Amazon.

This Chrombook has a power-efficient Intel Celeron 1.6GHz Dual-Core N3060 processor and 4GB 1866MHz DDR3 memory, which provide noticeable speed and power. Super-portable, the Chrombook weighs less than 3 pounds, but boasts a 10-hour battery life, making it ideal to carry with you all day long without the need to find an outlet. It also comes with the latest and fastest 802.11ac Wi-Fi to deliver high-speed connectivity. Chromebooks purposely don’t come with much storage to keep the machines fas,t but you do have some options with multiple I/O ports ranging from an SD Card to a USB 3.0. The built-in HDMI port enables you to connect to a larger-screen TV to share photos or stream movies. The machine has an LCD display with 1366 x 768 resolution. 

The Asus Chromebook CS300SA 13.3-Inch normally retails for $229, but is currently discounted to only $199 on Amazon, saving you $30 (13 percent).

$199 on Amazon