Twitch starts selling the games it streams
We already new Twitch planned to start selling its viewers a selection of PC games directly through the streaming site. Starting today, the service allows users to purchase a variety of different titles from the site while watching related streams. Over the next week, around 50 games and various add-ons will be available to purchase mid-stream, including Ubisoft’s recent big hitters — For Honor and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands.
As well as simply selling their games at full price, developers can also use the service to award fans with special offers for watching streams at certain times. It’s not just developers who will benefit from selling games, however, with partnered Twitch streamers also set to earn 5% of sales generated through their channels.
Opting to bypass Steam completely, games bought through the site can be downloaded and played through the Twitch Desktop App. Alternatively, users can opt to load games through existing publisher specific game launchers like Uplay. In a bid to get viewers to choose Twitch over the competition, the streaming site is rewarding buyers with free Twitch Crates. These digital boxes will award recipients with a randomized drop of items, including exclusive emotes, chat badges and Bits for Cheering. To entice initial purchases, until the end of April buyers will be entered into a raffle — giving them the chance to win $500 worth of pro streaming gear.
While the move certainly makes sense, having streamers take a cut of game sales arguably blurs the line between genuine content and paid advertisements. With partnered streamers more likely to make more from the big releases, this could see many content creators streaming games purely to make a buck rather than to entertain viewers. With many YouTubers caught up in similarly shady practices, Twitch will have to moderate partner streams carefully if they want to keep content feeling genuine.
Source: Twitch
Kanye West album is the first to go platinum from streaming alone
Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo may have had excessive hype between the initial Tidal exclusive, the expansion to other services and the changing tracklist, but it’s definitely a commercial success. The RIAA has confirmed to Engadget that Pablo was recently certified platinum, making it the first-ever album to get the honor based solely on listens through streaming-only services. While it’s not exclusively a streaming album (Kanye sells it as a download on his site), its 1.5 billion US streams were enough to achieve platinum status by themselves. Downloads represented less than 0.1 percent of Pablo’s performance back in May 2016, and it’s safe to say they didn’t climb higher without availability in iTunes and other download stores.
There were claims that the album went platinum in October, but those were never validated.
To some extent, Chance the Rapper has stolen Kanye’s thunder by having the first truly streaming-only album to both hit the Billboard 200 and win a Grammy. Still, this is an important milestone — it shows that you can achieve massive commercial success in music without having to offer permanent copies. Although it’ll likely be a while before artists are regularly managing this feat, it now seems more like a matter of time than anything else.
Via: The Verge
Source: Pitchfork
Mac Pro CPU and GPU Upgrades See Significant Price Drop
Apple today announced price drops for its Mac Pro lineup ahead of a major revamp coming in the future, dropping the 4-core option and significantly lowering the prices of its new baseline 6-core and 8-core machines.
Apple has also made Mac Pro build-to-order processor and GPU upgrades much more affordable for pro users who need higher-end specs than the base machines provide.
Upgrading the new 3.5GHz entry-level 6-core Mac Pro to the 3.0GHz 8-core processor now costs $800, while upgrading to the 2.7GHz 12-core machine costs $2,000. Prior to today, the 8-core upgrade was priced at $1,500, and the 12-core upgrade was priced at $3,000.
GPU upgrades are also more affordable. With the 6-core machine, upgrading from the stock dual AMD FirePro D500 to the FirePro D700 now costs $200, an upgrade that was previously priced at $600. The GPU upgrade isn’t necessary on the new stock 8-core machine, as it ships with the D700s.
RAM and flash storage upgrade pricing has not changed, however. It continues to cost $400 to upgrade to 32GB RAM and $1,200 to upgrade to 64GB RAM. 512GB flash storage is available for $200, and the 1TB flash storage upgrade costs $600. Prices on flash storage were lowered back in October alongside the launch of the new MacBook Pro.
All in all, a maxed out Mac Pro machine with a 12-core processor, 64GB RAM, 1TB flash storage, and dual AMD FirePro D700 GPUs will now cost $6,999 instead of $9,599.
The Mac Pro lineup has not gained any refreshed or updated hardware — all that’s changed is configuration and price. The machines continue to use Ivy Bridge E Xeon processors, dual AMD FirePro GPUs, and Thunderbolt 2.
Apple’s reconfigured Mac Pros are available starting today from the online Apple Store and Apple retail stores. The 6-core model can be purchased immediately, but the 8-core model is listed as “currently unavailable.”
Today’s price drops come ahead of a promised overhauled Mac Pro that will be introduced sometime after this year. Apple is working on a high-end high-throughput modular Mac Pro system that will facilitate regular upgrades to meet the needs of Apple’s pro user base.
Related Roundup: Mac Pro
Buyer’s Guide: Mac Pro (Buy Now)
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Apple Music for Android Gets Major iOS-Style Design Revamp
Apple today updated its Apple Music for Android app with a new design that mimics the look of the Music app on iOS devices. Version 2.0 of the app includes the redesigned Apple Music experience that was introduced on iOS devices with the release of iOS 10.
Like the iOS version, Apple Music for Android features a bolder, cleaner look with reorganized sections: “Library,” “For You,” “Browse,” and “Radio.” Also included are iOS 10 features like song lyrics and a revamped For You recommendation section, plus with the redesign, there’s more of a focus on album art.
An all-new design brings greater clarity and simplicity to Apple Music:
Now Playing. Read lyrics for songs as you listen.
Library. Navigate your music easily and see the Downloaded Music you can play offline.
For You. Get recommendations for playlists, albums, and more–based on music you love.
Browse. Listen to new music first, plus playlists for any mood or activity.
Radio. Tune in to Beats 1 shows or listen to stations for any genre.
With the redesign, Apple Music customers who subscribe to and use the service on both Android and iOS devices will have a streamlined listening experience. Apple Music has been available for Android devices since November of 2015, and it continues to be one of the sole Android apps Apple has developed.
Apple Music for Android can be downloaded from the Google Play store for free.
Tags: Android, Apple Music
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Starbucks App for iOS Gains Support for iMessage Gift Cards
Starbucks today updated its iOS app to introduce a new feature that allows Starbucks customers to send digital gift cards to friends and family members using the Messages app.
To send a digital Starbucks gift card, the Starbucks Gifts app will need to be installed from the Messages App Store. From there, the app offers an interface with several different gift card graphic options and $5, $10, and $25 denominations.
Sending a gift card requires Apple Pay, which is used to pay for the gift card directly in the Messages app, charging the amount to an Apple Pay credit or debit card. Giftees can then use the digital gift card like any other digital gift card sent via email.
Along with the new Starbucks Gifts feature, today’s update also introduces new push notifications, a store location filter for the Nitro cold brew, and a new design and interface for the mobile ordering feature.
What’s New in Version 4.3.4
Starbucks(R) Gifts in iMessage
Send a digital gift card with the Starbucks(R) iMessage app and Apple Pay. Surprise someone special with an instant gift, seamlessly integrated into your texting conversation. It’s way more delightful than asking someone you love to check their email.Push notifications
If you’re opted-in to receive notifications, you may receive new messages based on how often you use the app.Mobile Order & Pay
Reviewing your order has a brand-new look and animations. Remove or duplicate items with a tap. You can now see all customizations in the updated card views. Visual updates to suggested items.Store locator
Are you as obsessed with Nitro cold brew as we are? Find it at a store near you with a new filter option.
Starbucks for iOS can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]
Tag: Starbucks
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Apple Store Set to Open at Dubai Mall as Burlingame, Palm Beach, and LA Area Stores Close for Renovations
Apple today announced that it will be opening its second retail location in Dubai, the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates.
We’re getting ready for our newest store in UAE by celebrating local artists and entrepreneurs. Excited for Apple Dubai Mall! pic.twitter.com/SIT4FeDr1x
— Angela Ahrendts (@AngelaAhrendts) April 4, 2017
The store will be located at The Dubai Mall in downtown Dubai, opposite the Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world. As we reported in February, the store will be split into two floors inside the shopping mall. Apple said the grand opening will be “soon,” but it did not provide a specific date or time.
Apple is celebrating the upcoming grand opening with an artistic display on its website and on the construction barrier covering the storefront.
Meanwhile, in the United States, Apple continues to renovate a number of its older stores with its newer retail design introduced in 2015.
Apple has announced that its stores in Burlingame, California and Canoga Park in Los Angeles temporarily closed for renovations on Sunday. Apple also temporarily closed its store at The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on March 25 for renovations. All three stores will likely reopen by the end of the year.
Apple also announced that its current North Point Mall store in Alpharetta, Georgia will be closing and relocating to Avalon, a new mixed-use development in the Atlanta suburb. The grand opening is April 13 at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Elsewhere, construction continues for Apple’s upcoming flagship store near the historic Michigan Avenue Bridge in downtown Chicago.
Apple unloading roof panels for its Chicago River store (Thanks, Steve!)
The store will include a “grand flight of stairs” going from street level to a walkway alongside the Chicago River’s north bank. At street level, the store will have an entry pavilion that’s 14-feet high. Pedestrians entering from North Michigan Avenue can reach the sales floor by stairs or elevator.
MacRumors has also received a tip from reader David about Apple possibly expanding its retail store at the Providence Place shopping mall in Providence, Rhode Island. David sent us a photo of what appears to be Apple’s typical black construction barrier taking up four units on the lower level of the Macy’s wing of the mall.
The tipster said he confirmed with multiple employees that the construction is indeed for a new Apple Store in the mall, which will replace its much smaller one down the hall. The tipster has heard that Apple is aiming to complete construction by June, and the store will likely open at some point in the summer.
Apple-like construction barrier at the Providence Place shopping mall
Apple’s newer retail layout often includes wider open spaces with some combination of large glass doors, touch-sensitive sequoia wood tables and shelves, seating areas for community events, large 6K resolution video screens, indoor trees, and light boxes extending the length of the ceiling.
Apple is similarly expanding its retail stores at Danbury Fair Mall in Danbury, Connecticut and Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Related Roundup: Apple Stores
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Leviton’s New HomeKit-Enabled Light Switch and Dimmers Now Available
Leviton’s new line of HomeKit-compatible light switches and dimmers, first announced at CES in January, are now available for purchase from the Leviton website.
The Decora Smart 1000W DH1KD Dimmer is available for $65.99, the Decora Smart 600W DH6HD Dimmer is available for $59.99, and the Decora Smart DH15S 15A Switch is available for $53.99.
Both the dimmers and the switch are HomeKit-enabled and hub free, allowing users to control connected lights and other products using the Decora Smart Home app.
Leviton’s Decora app offers customizable settings based on bulb type, allowing users to adjust fade rate, minimum and maximum illumination levels, and more.
Like all HomeKit products, Leviton’s line of switches and dimmers can be controlled using Siri voice commands and HomeKit Scenes for automation purposes based on time of day, who’s home, and other parameters.
Each of the dimmers includes rocker paddles and an embedded LED to display illumination level, and White and Light Almond color faces are included for all products.
Leviton’s new Decora products are available immediately directly from Leviton and should also be available in retail stores soon.
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Apple Warns iCloud Users Some Disabled Services Were Accidentally Re-enabled in iOS 10.3
Apple today sent out emails to a small number of iCloud users, warning them that a bug in iOS 10.3 may have caused some iCloud services that had been disabled to be mistakenly re-enabled.
The email asks iCloud users to revisit their iCloud settings to make sure to turn off any service that might have been turned on through the iOS 10.3 update.
It’s not entirely clear which iCloud services might have been affected, but MacRumors reader Karl, who sent us the email, said that he typically disables iCloud Mail. Following the update, he found the Mail option turned back on.
We discovered a bug in the recent iOS 10.3 software update that impacted a small number of iCloud users. This may have inadvertently reenabled some iCloud services that you had previously disabled on your device.
We suggest you go to iCloud settings on your iOS device to make sure that only the services you’d like to use are enabled.
Learn more about how to manage your iCloud settings or contact AppleCare with any questions.The iCloud team
iOS 10.3, released on March 27, introduced a new Apple Filesystem among other major features like Find My AirPods, plus it included an overhauled iCloud storage breakdown, which may explain why some iCloud services were mistakenly turned back on.
To check which iCloud services are enabled on your iOS device, open the Settings app and scroll down to the “iCloud” section. A list of apps and services using iCloud is front and center, and anything that was enabled via iOS 10.3 can be turned off using the toggle buttons.
A wide range of first and third-party apps and services use Apple’s iCloud feature, including Photos, Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Notes, Safari, News, Keychain, Find My iPhone, iCloud Backup, and more.
Related Roundup: iOS 10
Tag: iCloud
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New open source font could eliminate those weird characters after translation
Why it matters to you
Developers now have another font style that’s accessible to a wider number of people, while web surfers may notice less of those empty boxes after translating text online.
The World Wide Web has long been bringing ideas across cultural borders, but a new font developed by Adobe and Google aims to simplify the development of apps and websites across multiple languages, eliminating errors when translating text. Source Hans Serif is a new font containing simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English characters, each in downloads of less than 25 megabytes.
By containing multiple characters in one font, Source Hans Serif aims to give developers working on programs in multiple languages consistency across the type design. While English (and many other Latin character-based languages) only needs to span 26 letters with upper and lower case variations along with symbols, accented variants, and grammatical symbols, East Asian languages contain a much broader number of characters. When those characters aren’t part of the font family, the translated letter then becomes a little box marking missing information. The new open source font contains 65,535 different glyphs or characters.
More: Spector makes discovering fonts and colors in print easy
While fonts containing so many characters tend to be at least 40MB, Source Hans Serif is less than 25MB, with downloads available with the set as a whole or in language subsets. The smaller file size doesn’t make any usability sacrifices, Adobe senior manager Dan Rhatigan explained, but instead uses files more efficiently by mapping out each region’s shared glyphs, even with as many as four regional variations of each character within the same language.
The font complements Hans Sans, which launched in 2014 with similar universal goals. The latest font expands on the original as a serif font — or one that contains those little lines where the large line ends, like at the feet of an “A.” Serif fonts are traditionally used in body text while the cleaner look of a Sans Serif (or no serif) font tends to be favored for headings and large text.
Adobe says the font is designed to be screen-friendly, with each glyph containing a separate horizontal and vertical format. The font family also includes seven different weight and style variations (such as bold and italic). By adding a Serif font to the earlier release, the fonts can be used together in more applications, Adobe says.
Source Han Serif (or Noto CJK Serif for Google) supports the subtle differences between writing conventions in four regions.
“Source Hans Serif pushes the boundaries of what’s really capable with the font format,” Rhatigan said. “What we are able to do in combining all of these and looking how these glyphs can be shared, is that we were able to push the envelop in the size of the family while occupying a relatively small footprint compared to fonts offerings from other countries.”
While fonts containing the vast number of characters in Chinese Korean and Japanese are expensive to develop, Source Hans Serif is open source, and available free through Adobe Typekit in North America and Japan. In China and Korea, the font family is available on GitHub. Google is also releasing the font under the name Noto Serif CJK from the Google Noto page.
New open source font could eliminate those weird characters after translation
Why it matters to you
Developers now have another font style that’s accessible to a wider number of people, while web surfers may notice less of those empty boxes after translating text online.
The World Wide Web has long been bringing ideas across cultural borders, but a new font developed by Adobe and Google aims to simplify the development of apps and websites across multiple languages, eliminating errors when translating text. Source Hans Serif is a new font containing simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English characters, each in downloads of less than 25 megabytes.
By containing multiple characters in one font, Source Hans Serif aims to give developers working on programs in multiple languages consistency across the type design. While English (and many other Latin character-based languages) only needs to span 26 letters with upper and lower case variations along with symbols, accented variants, and grammatical symbols, East Asian languages contain a much broader number of characters. When those characters aren’t part of the font family, the translated letter then becomes a little box marking missing information. The new open source font contains 65,535 different glyphs or characters.
More: Spector makes discovering fonts and colors in print easy
While fonts containing so many characters tend to be at least 40MB, Source Hans Serif is less than 25MB, with downloads available with the set as a whole or in language subsets. The smaller file size doesn’t make any usability sacrifices, Adobe senior manager Dan Rhatigan explained, but instead uses files more efficiently by mapping out each region’s shared glyphs, even with as many as four regional variations of each character within the same language.
The font complements Hans Sans, which launched in 2014 with similar universal goals. The latest font expands on the original as a serif font — or one that contains those little lines where the large line ends, like at the feet of an “A.” Serif fonts are traditionally used in body text while the cleaner look of a Sans Serif (or no serif) font tends to be favored for headings and large text.
Adobe says the font is designed to be screen-friendly, with each glyph containing a separate horizontal and vertical format. The font family also includes seven different weight and style variations (such as bold and italic). By adding a Serif font to the earlier release, the fonts can be used together in more applications, Adobe says.
Source Han Serif (or Noto CJK Serif for Google) supports the subtle differences between writing conventions in four regions.
“Source Hans Serif pushes the boundaries of what’s really capable with the font format,” Rhatigan said. “What we are able to do in combining all of these and looking how these glyphs can be shared, is that we were able to push the envelop in the size of the family while occupying a relatively small footprint compared to fonts offerings from other countries.”
While fonts containing the vast number of characters in Chinese Korean and Japanese are expensive to develop, Source Hans Serif is open source, and available free through Adobe Typekit in North America and Japan. In China and Korea, the font family is available on GitHub. Google is also releasing the font under the name Noto Serif CJK from the Google Noto page.
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