App Highlight: ZHED

The App

Developed by Ground Control Solutions, ZHED is a new app with only 1000 installs. Having been updated on May 14, 2017, the developer is constantly fixing various bugs with the latest being some gesture fixes. The game is a brain-teaser puzzle that will be sure to challenge you intellectually.

What it does

With no timers, no stars, no clocks, ZHED is a brain-teaser in its purest form. With a simple mechanic, the puzzle game builds into increasingly complex levels that aim to provide a continued challenge. 

Playing ZHED is simple. Tap a square and select a direction (upwards, downwards, to the left and to the right). See how the square reacts when they intersect with each other, and build a path to fill the goal square. When you finished, the next level will show up! You can undo moves or restart levels as much as you want.

Why we like it

As someone who travels a lot I often find myself with periods of no connectivity and puzzle games are a great way to pass the time. ZHED is one of those puzzle games that you’ll always come back to as the concept never gets old and is very challenging. What’s more is you can play it completely free without the need to pay to progress. For those who like a mental challenge, ZHED is definitely one to try out.

How to get it

ZHED is available for free from the Google Play Store. You can download it right here.

5 reasons why the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus is my daily driver

As you may already know, we, as reviewers, tend to get our hands on numerous smartphones throughout the year simply due to the nature of our job. So while we technically don’t have daily drivers in the traditional sense, my definition of a daily driver is the phone that I always return to once I’m done with a review of another device. In that sense, my daily driver for the foreseeable future is the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, and here are five reasons why.

See also:

Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus review: Almost to Infinity

April 18, 2017

Reason #1 – Display

Samsung’s prowess in this department continues to shine through with what is easily the best display on a smartphone right now

It certainly wouldn’t be a post about the latest Samsung flagships without a mention of that gorgeous display, and it is one of the reasons why the Galaxy S8 Plus is my daily driver. Everyone has raved about this display, and Samsung’s prowess in this department continues to shine through with what is easily the best display on a smartphone right now.

The colors are amazing, it is extremely bright, vibrant, and full of contrast, and I love the way the glass spills over on the sides. Samsung has definitely come a long way from the experiment that was the Galaxy Note Edge, and on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, it is something that you have to see in person to truly appreciate.

I personally prefer the larger screen of the Galaxy S8 Plus because I think it’s more immersive when it comes to gaming or video consumption. Some people may feel differently though, particularly because the larger display makes for a size that could be too big for some.

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What I don’t like about the Galaxy S8 Plus

3 weeks ago

That said, the difference isn’t significant when compared to devices like the Google Pixel XL, the iPhone 7 Plus, and the LG V20. These are all definitely big phones, but in terms of handling, the Galaxy S8 Plus is actually narrower than the lot (due to its 18.5:9 display). The really impressive part is that despite similar sizes, the Galaxy S8 Plus features a much larger display. The S8 Plus is definitely worth it because of the larger screen, even if the handling experience isn’t as comfortable as it is with its smaller sibling.

Reason #2 – Design

The design of the phone is what allows that display to really stand out and complements the phone extremely well, which leads me to my second reason. The curves look and feel very sleek, and it’s a perfectly symmetrical design all the way around.

The curves look and feel very sleek, and it’s a perfectly symmetrical design all the way around

What I really love about this phone though is the way it looks from the front. The super thin bezels are fantastic, but what is also great is that there are no logos, branding, or buttons that ruin the front. It’s a super clean design that looks fantastic, and it certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing if more OEMs went down this route.

Reason #3 – Software

I never thought that the software experience would be a reason why I love a Samsung smartphone, but that is surprisingly the case with the new interface the company has introduced with the Galaxy S8 series. For years, Samsung’s software package has felt like a cluttered mess, but since the Galaxy S6, they have been making tons of improvements and it is finally at the point where the software matches the great hardware.

See also:

Is TouchWiz on the Galaxy S8 the best Android skin?

2 weeks ago

The new Samsung experience complements and meshes well with Android, whereas older versions felt like they had unnecessary layers that made everything clunky, overwhelming, and cumbersome to use. I love the new clean and minimalistic approach that Samsung is going for here.

The new icons sport a refreshing new design, and everything is mostly black and white with just a splash of color in areas like the notification shade and Settings menu – a stark contrast from older iterations of Touchwiz that were heavily coated in greens and blues.

There’s a lot of attention to detail here, and it’s the little things that make the biggest difference

There’s a lot of attention to detail here, and it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. For instance, you can swipe up from anywhere on the home screen to launch the app drawer, and you can also change the order of the navigation keys, which is great because Samsung’s implementation always felt completely backwards when they were using hardware keys.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that the software isn’t still chock full of features. While some of them are useful, none of them ever feel invasive as you have the option to disable the features you don’t plan on using.

A lot of customization options are also built into the software, including a Themes engine that lets you tweak everything from the icons, wallpapers, and general color scheme of the interface. The Always On Display is also more robust than ever, and even this can be customized with high quality themes or an image from your gallery.

Reason #4 – Hardware features

The next reason why the Galaxy S8 Plus is my daily driver is the hardware. Samsung always does a great job of including a lot of extra hardware features on their phones, and while I may not use every single one of them all the time, I do appreciate their inclusion and rather have them and not use them often than not have them at all.

• The truth about Bluetooth 5 – Gary explains
• Bluetooth 5 is finally here, bringing 4x the range and 2x the speed

Features that everyone will find useful right away or at least at some point during their time of owning one are the IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, wireless charging, and expandable storage. We don’t usually mention Bluetooth as a special hardware feature, but it definitely warrants a mention this time around, mainly because the Galaxy S8 devices are some of the first to ship with Bluetooth 5, which comes with improvements like twice the speed, four times the range, as well as the ability to connect two Bluetooth devices at once.

Reason #5 – Camera

It’s not the fanciest camera out there, but you can always rely on it to deliver a good picture in almost every situation

Last but not least, the final reason is the camera. Samsung isn’t doing anything fancy with the Galaxy S8’s camera, but you can always rely on it to deliver a good picture in almost every situation. The dual pixel autofocus is easily still one of my favorite features about this camera, simply because of how fast and accurately it can focus on a subject. Plus, a faster autofocus means you’ll snap photos much quicker and take a lot more of them.

See also:

Results are in: The best Android smartphone camera is…

2 weeks ago

Speaking of autofocus, the front-facing camera also comes with this feature. While I don’t think this shooter is amazing in terms of quality, it is a nice feature to have. I also like the Snapchat-esque filters that are built in which make the front camera a lot of fun to use.

So, those are some of the reasons why the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus is going to be my daily driver for the foreseeable future. I love the look of this phone, and I don’t mind the bigger size in favor of the extra screen real estate. It also checks all the right boxes in terms of specifications, performance, and overall features. Despite a hefty price tag, it certainly lives up to the hype and is worth every penny. It’s not perfect, but the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus fulfills the majority of my needs.

What is Google Jamboard, how does it work, and when can you buy it?

Google has announced you can now pick up its new Jamboard.

You probably won’t need this thing unless you’re a teacher or a company executive, as it’s a powerful collaboration tool used to enhance meetings or presentations. It provides a 4K whiteboard experience – and it’s all about “moving the whiteboard to the cloud”, according to Google. Here’s everything you need to know about it.

What is Google Jamboard?

Google Jamboard is a whiteboard-like 4K touch display you can use for meetings and presentation purposes. Turn it on, draw on it, flip through slides on it, whatever. Google has added G Suite support to Jamboard, so users will be able to directly access and edit Docs, Sheets, Slides, and photos stored in Drive. There are no plans to make these apps run natively right now, as they’ll use companion apps that let you and your teammates “jam”.

When you “jam” with your teammates, whether that includes sketching, adding images, writing notes, pulling from the web, etc, your work lives in the cloud in Google Drive, where you can easily share what you’ve created or edit it at anytime. You can work with teammates from across the world using Google Hangouts and Google Cast for setting up broadcasts and collaborations, or you can work remotely using the companion app.

What does Google Jamboard feature?

Google

The Jamboard has a “plug-and-play” design with no batteries or charging. It features a 55-inch 60Hz Ultra HD 4K touch display (supports passive stylus and finger recognition, with 16-touch points), a built-in wide-angle HD camera, mic, speakers, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB Type C, HDMI 2.0, Bluetooth, NFC, and Wi-Fi. It also runs a variant of Android Marshmallow. Google has not yet revealed its processor.

Google Jamboard also comes with two, thick white stylus pens for drawing and another white, mouse-like device that acts like an eraser. The rolling stand is an additional accessory.

Here’s a full spec rundown:

• 55-inch 4K UHD display
• 120Hz touch scan rate / 60Hz video refresh rate
• 16-simultaneous touch points
• Handwriting and shape recognition
• Built-in tilt support / Built-in wide-angle camera
• Down-firing speakers / Built-in microphones
• NFC
• HDMI 2.0, USB Type C, 2 X USB 3.0
• SPDIF audio out
• Wi-Fi 802.11ac 2×2 / 1 Gigabyte Ethernet
• Google Cast
• 2 x Fine tip passive stylus, Eraser, Microfiber cloth

Does it work like Surface Hub?

Microsoft

Microsoft unveiled a similar product, Surface Hub, in 2015 and began shipping it in 2016. The 55-inch Surface Hub model starts at $9,000. In October, Microsoft said it shipped Surface Hubs to 600 customers worldwide. The device runs custom Windows 10, offers custom versions of OneNote, Skype for Business, and Microsoft’s Office apps, and can download custom apps from the Windows Store for Business.

The Surface Hub also comes in an 84-inch model. While the 55-inch model features an Intel Core i5 processor, the larger model has an i7 processor. Both models offer a display with 100 multi-touch points. Other Surface Hub specs include two wide-angle cameras, mics, speakers, Wi-Fi, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Ethernet 1000 Base T, 128GB of storage with 8GB RAM, and two powered pens.

Unlike Surface Hub, you can’t install third-party apps on the Jamboard. But it does come with a companion app, which will be available for Android and iOS, allowing users to work on the whiteboard in real-time. The Surface Hub doesn’t have companion apps, but you can collaborate on via Skype for Business. Surface Hub is positioned as a standalone touch-computing device, while Jamboard is a touch display.

When will Google Jamboard be available?

Google opened applications for Early Adopter versions of Jamboard on 25 October 2016, allowing select applicants to receive Jamboards by late early November. On 23 May 2017, Google began selling Jamboard in red, blue, or gray colours through its website. There’s no word yet on UK availability or pricing, but we’ve contacted the company for more information.

How much does Google Jamboard cost?

Google said Jamboard costs $4,999 (about £4,110) without a stand. The stand costs $1,199 and is sold separately from the Jamboard display. For comparison, Microsoft’s Surface Hub starts at $9,000 and goes up to $21,999.

Wikimedia is clear to sue the NSA

A federal appeals court has ruled the Wikimedia Foundation does have grounds to sue the National Security Agency over its use of warrantless surveillance tools. A district judge shot down Wikimedia’s case in 2015, saying the group hadn’t proved the NSA was actually illegally spying on its communications. In this case, proof was a tall order, considering information about the targeted surveillance system, Upstream, remains classified.

The appeals court today ruled Wikimedia presented sufficient evidence that the NSA was in fact monitoring its communications, even if inadvertently. The Upstream system regularly tracks the physical backbone of the internet — the cables and routers that actually transmit our emoji. With the help of telecom providers, the NSA then intercepts specific messages that contain “selectors,” email addresses or other contact information for international targets under US surveillance.

“To put it simply, Wikimedia has plausibly alleged that its communications travel all of the roads that a communication can take, and that the NSA seizes all of the communications along at least one of those roads,” the appeals court writes. “Thus, at least at this stage of the litigation, Wikimedia has standing to sue for a violation of the Fourth Amendment. And, because Wikimedia has self-censored its speech and sometimes forgone electronic communications in response to Upstream surveillance, it also has standing to sue for a violation of the First Amendment.”

The ACLU brought the lawsuit on behalf of Wikimedia and a handful of other organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. However, only Wikimedia moved forward with the appeal.

The NSA recently changed its surveillance practices. In April, The New York Times reported the NSA would halt its “about the target” collections because they violated the Fourth Amendment. Essentially, domestic messages unrelated to any investigation were being bundled with suspicious communications and sent off to the NSA. This aspect of Upstream is apparently no longer in practice, but the overall surveillance system is still live.

Today’s appeals court decision does not suggest Wikimedia has proved the NSA is collecting all communication that leaves the US.

“We hold that these allegations, even when supplemented by the Wikimedia Allegation, including that the NSA is conducting Upstream surveillance on at least seven backbone links, are insufficient to make plausible the claim that the NSA is intercepting ‘substantially all’ text-based communications entering and leaving the United States,” the court writes.

Source: ACLU

This little device turns your iPhone into a Polaroid-like instant camera

Why it matters to you

You don’t have to buy a separate camera to get instant prints with this iPhone printer grip.

Instant film cameras are seeing a resurgence — but a little device called the Prynt Pocket aims to merge that trend with the accessibility of an iPhone. Prynt Pocket is a portable, ink-free printer that attaches to an iPhone and doubles as a camera grip, spitting out instant prints that can also be embedded with video data.

Like cases from Pictar, Bitplay and Moment gives the smartphone a grip like a traditional camera, including a shutter release at the top. But that grip also houses a mini printer. The system uses Zink paper, which has embedded ink crystals that are activated by heat. Since the system doesn’t need ink cartridges, Prynt was able to keep the design small enough to sit on the back of an iPhone.

Once the photo is taken, users can edit the image inside the Prynt app using filters and text. That’s where you can also choose to embed a ten-second video inside the photo — anyone with the physical copy can then use the Pyrnt app to scan the image and watch the video. Users can then select and print photos directly from the phone, share on social media or even print photos from linked social media accounts.

The prints are a 2×3 Zink photo with adhesive backing. The inkless paper is smudge and tear resistant, Pyrnt says, ensuring a long-lasting print.

“We are thrilled to bring Prynt Pocket to market after the success we have had with the Prynt Case,” said Clément Perrot, Pyrnt COE and co-founder. “There is nothing cooler than being able to print a photo straight from your phone, and when you add in the augmented reality video feature, that takes photo-sharing to a whole new level. By turning a phone into an instant camera, everyone gets to experience the shared enjoyment of reliving fun and spontaneous moments through a printed photo.”

The Prynt Pocket, available in cool grey, graphite, and mint, is compatible with the iPhone 5 and later, including Plus versions, with Android compatibility expected to launch later this year. The portable printer retails for $149 and is expected to start shipping on May 30.

Buy now from:

Amazon

Google’s Jamboard to begin competing with Microsoft’s Surface Hub in May

Why it matters to you

You now have another option in enterprise collaborative whiteboards with the Google Jamboard.

Microsoft’s Surface Hub collaborative whiteboard has been available for purchase since July 2015, with 55-inch and 80-inch models actually shipping in March 2016. The Surface Hub has sold more units than Microsoft expected, and Google decided to jump into that market with its own whimsically named Jamboard announced in October 2016.

The Jamboard was originally expected to cost $6,000 for a 55-inch model when it shipped sometime in 2017. Google announced at its Google Cloud Next ’17 event that the Jamboard will arrive in May 2017, and will actually be priced at $5,000, as Engadget reported. Today, May 23, 2017, Google announced that the Jamboard is available for purchase in the U.S. for $4,999.

Google’s whiteboard uses a 55-inch display at 4K (4,096 x 2,160) resolution, with a soft-touch plastic touchscreen panel capable of picking up 16 touch points at once with support for an optional Bluetooth rubber-tipped stylus. That’s a higher resolution than the 55-inch Surface Hub’s Full HD (1,920 x 1,080), but Microsoft’s product supports 100 touch points at a time. The Jamboard is available in three colors; cobalt blue, carmine red, and graphite grey.

The Jamboard connects via HDMI and sports a built-in camera, speakers, and wheeled custom stand for customers who don’t opt to mount the whiteboard. Google has also packed in Chromecast support, meaning the Jamboard can easily mirror a remote device’s screen or stream content from YouTube, Netflix, and other Chromecast-enabled apps and services. Customer feedback compelled Google to add additional secure Wi-Fi network configurations, and Google implemented the Nvidia Jetson TXI embedded computer to ensure a more responsive touchscreen experience.

Android is at the heart of the Jamboard, although it’s a highly customized version that’s been optimized for the whiteboard’s large display and collaborative features. Add-on functionality includes “jam session” whiteboard spaces allowing users to sketch, draw, type, and scribble with handwriting recognition on or off. Images can be imported, a miniature web browser is available, and Jamboards can connect and communicate to enable multiple users to sketch from multiple locations.

Of course, collaboration is at the heart of the Jamboard. Google Hangouts provides chat capabilities, and iOS and Android apps let coworkers view sessions as well as add photos, drawings, and sticky notes. The G Suite productivity apps area also integrated, and a G Suite plan is required to use the Jamboard.

Google is offering some add-ons for the Jamboard as well. There is an annual management and support fee that is $300 a year if purchased before September 30, 2017 and $600 a year afterward. A rolling stand accessory is also available to make the Jamboard a more portable solution, and that has a promotional price of $1,199 through September 30, 2017 and then $1,349 thereafter. The Jamboard will be available to G Suite customers in the U.S. first and then will roll out to the U.K. and Canada over the summer with other countries getting the solution over time.

With cloud services growing by leaps and bounds, and organizations obviously attracted to digital whiteboard solutions that allow teams to work together across global distances, whiteboard solutions like the Jamboard and Microsoft’s Surface Hub are becoming popular. Now, Google will be able to take Microsoft on directly in this increasingly lucrative space.

Updated on 5-23-2017 by Mark Coppock: Indicated that the product is now available for purchase in the U.S. and clarified a few technical points.

Forget faces and hands — the binary City Clock uses windows to display time

Why it matters to you

This Paris-inspired binary clock isn’t just attractive to look at, it’ll also give your brain a workout when you use it to tell the time.

While certainly not as familiar as regular analog or digital clock faces, our inner geek has always dug binary clocks — clocks that display numbers in binary fashion,musing only 1s and 0s. Yes, they’re impractical in the sense that they require more than a quick glance to read, but they’re also neat, nerdy fun — and their use of on/off lights can make for some eye-catching timepieces.

That’s certainly the case for The City Clock, a beautiful binary decorative clock that just arrived on Kickstarter. Resembling the kind of classic Parisian building you’d spot on a stroll along the Seine, it cleverly employs the use of light-up windows to indicate time. From the impressive levels of detail, you can almost imagine the tiny French inhabitants switching lights on and off as they enter or exit rooms.

The first floor of the house equals 1, the second floor equals 2, the third equals 4, and the top floor equals 8. Using this system, it’s possible to create every digit from 0 to 9 by adding one number to another. All that’s needed is a spot of mental math!

“What is exciting in this project is that this is the first object of its kind,” co-creator Claire Protin told Digital Trends. “It’s the first time a binary clock has been put inside a little house; in this case with a Parisian style. We are also planning to develop more of them, for other cities and monuments. What is exciting also is that this is a little brain game. Children love it, and it’s a fun way to learn how to calculate.”

Designing the clock took two years of hard work, including 50 hours of laser cutting and a total of eight prototypes. The City Clock is currently available for pre-order, with pricing set at around $100 for a USB cable, the electronics kit, and instructions. A slightly cheaper version includes just the electronics kit, while a pricier version can feature a custom-engraved message of your choosing.

Shipping is set for November 2017. (No, we’re not to going to work out what that would be in binary units!)

Revolutionary wheelchair lets users move in both sitting and standing modes

Why it matters to you

A standing wheelchair lets users look their peers straight in the eye during conversations.

As much as we love covering cool tech that has the ability to make life more fun, there are few things more awesome than technology that can be used to fundamentally alter people’s lives for the better.

That is what engineers at Chicago’s Center for Bionic Medicine may have achieved with the creation of a manual standing wheelchair that does not limit its users to being stuck sitting down the whole time.

“This is the first manual wheelchair that allows users to move while in both standing and seated positions,” Dr. Todd Kuiken, who led the research, told Digital Trends. “It’s an incredibly exciting innovation that expands users’ workspace and, most importantly, enables them to look their peers straight in the eye during interaction. It offers a number of physical benefits as well.”

The wheelchair’s unique hand drive mechanism lets users manually drive the wheels while sitting or standing, along with any position in between. While they do so, they are safely secured in place using a lap belt and knee restraint to protect against falls. “This wheelchair will be transformative for people who haven’t stood in many years and have only looked up at the world,” Kuiken continued. “It will give them the opportunity to converse, directly and at eye-level, with their peers.”

While most of us take for granted simple acts like looking a coworker in the eye when we speak to them, or reaching overhead cabinets and grocery store shelves, for the 1.7 million Americans who rely on wheelchairs or scooters for mobility, things aren’t so straightforward. As a result, a wheelchair like this one could prove to be a life-changer.

“The wheelchair is ready to be commercialized and we are currently in talks with potential commercial partners,” Kuiken said. “In the meantime, we’re working to continually refine the design.”

Snapchat’s custom Stories are the newest way to share and show off

Why it matters to you

If you were getting bored from Snapchat’s current features, a new way to create custom, exclusive Stories may draw you back in.

Snapchat wants to help you make your Stories a bit more exclusive. On Tuesday, the social media platform introduced “a new way to create custom Stories,” which can revolve around just about anything. So whether you want to Snap a wedding, your vacation, or just your afternoon with friends, create a custom Story just for the ones you love.

The new Story format is meant to make sharing around specific events a more seamless process. Starting Tuesday, iOS users can create global, geofenced stories with specific friends. Just tap the “Create Story” icon in the upper righthand corner of the Stories screen, name it, and then invite the folks you want to take part in your Story. The app will automatically create a one-block geofence around your current location,

To create a custom Story, tap the new “Create Story” icon in the top-right corner of the Stories screen. Give your Story a name and then invite the friends you want to participate — no matter where in the world they live. You can choose to either geofence or story or keep it open — if you opt for the former, only your friends (or friends of friends) within a one-block radius can contribute to your story. This could be useful in aggregating all the action happening at a specific event, like a birthday party.

Alternatively, you can create a non-geofenced custom Story, in which you simply invite the people you want to be able to view and contribute content. And don’t worry — those groups can be mutually exclusive (though they don’t have to be). While you can only create up to three custom Stories on your own, there is no limit to the number in which you can participate.

If no one contributes to a custom Story within 24 hours, however, it will disappear, maintaining Snapchat’s trademark ephemerality. So if you’re in search of new ways to share your experiences, custom Stories just may be the tool you have been waiting for.

Digital Extremes is working on a free-to-play shooter that relies on card decks

Why it matters to you

Digital Extremes is taking a new spin with online multiplayer first-person shooters by introducing a card deck-based strategy.

Seems like it was just yesterday when developer/publisher Digital Extremes teamed up with Epic Games to create the ground-breaking first-person shooter Unreal and the multiplayer-only shooter Unreal Tournament. The studio’s most recent shooting effort for the PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 is the free-to-play cooperative third-person shooter Warframe. Now Digital Extremes has another free-to-play shooter in the works called Keystone.

Launching as a closed alpha on Friday, the game cleverly combines first-person shooting action with building a deck of cards. This deck is fully customizable, providing players with weapons, abilities, and gameplay benefits. And because Keystone will be a free-to-play title, we suspect that it will offer the ability to purchase in-game currency, cards, and specific card decks in exchange for real-world money.

“Keystone originates from our roots in the FPS world and mixing genres like we have done with Warframe,” said Sheldon Carter, studio head at Digital Extremes. “We believe there’s room to expand the confines of what defines a good FPS and hope our community will see the potential and get on board for the ride.”

According to Digital Extremes, the studio formed a second internal team just to work on Keystone. This team will work heavily with the community to shape the game’s eventual form much like what Epic Games and Roccat are doing with their current free-to-play alpha-stage multiplayer shooters for the PC, Unreal Tournament 4 and Sick City, respectively.

Unfortunately, the Keystone website reveals nothing about the game’s content. However, the artistic style will borrow from the 1970s’ retro-pulp era and the seven characters displayed on the website’s splash page appear to be pulled straight out of campy sci-fi movies and TV shows from the 1950s and 1960s. The site also defines Keystone as a free team-based shooter “where each move transports you into an epic battle.”

Players begin each match on a starting square of what Digital Extremes calls an “intriguing, mystical board game.” Spanning across a multiverse, each match will push players to remain resourceful and timely when using their cards, as they give each player a unique approach to the current battle, and each team a different strategy given the different cards held by every team member.

Interested PC gamers wanting a shot at the upcoming closed alpha this Friday can head over to the Keystone website now and sign up for access. The chosen participants will be notified on Thursday and provided with a link to download the client. This will be the first wave of Keystone’s closed alpha program, which will conclude on Monday. Bethesda did something similar with its closed alpha for the Quake Champions multiplayer-only shooter for the PC, offering weekend-long play tests.

The studio’s current free-to-play shooter, Warframe, first launched on the PC in March 2013. It then appeared on the PlayStation 4 in November 2013 followed by the Xbox One in September 2014. The game generates revenue by selling in-game credits called Platinum. Players can also purchase weapons, equipment, Warframes, and blueprints using real-world cash.