MacOS High Sierra 10.13.1 adds 70 new emojis for more expressive conversations

Why it matters to you

The latest High Sierra update isn’t going to change your life, but it’s important to stay up-to-date for security and stability improvements.

As much as Apple’s recent High Sierra update for MacOS wasn’t exactly a barn burner, it did bring with it a few neat innovations. That’s also the general feeling behind the High Sierra 10.13.1 update, which improves security and stability of the Apple operating system, while adding support for a bunch of new emojis.

Released alongside the iOS update to version 11.1, the High Sierra patch brings MacOS to version 10.13.1. Considering its impact on the security of the operating system, Apple recommends it for all users. If you haven’t downloaded High Sierra yet, get that first and then head to the “Updates” tab in the App Store to get access to the latest update.

Included in this update is a fix for Bluetooth which would occasionally show up as unavailable during Apple Pay transactions, a cleared-up issue with Spotlight not accepting keyboard inputs, and an improved reliability of Microsoft Exchange message syncing in Mail.

The addition of 70 new emojis is a pretty sizeable feature update with this release. It includes the addition of new food types, animals, mythical creatures, clothing choices, more expressive smiley faces, and more. MacWorld reports that you’ll need the iOS 11.1 update to take full advantage of them.

In terms of security, this update addresses an existing flaw that could allow a Wi-Fi bug to be exploited using the KRACK (Key Reinstallation Attack) method. Other security improvements include shoring up the Dictionary widget so it cannot compromise the user’s information and a fix for a flaw that made it possible for malicious Thunderbolt adaptors to steal unencrypted filesystem information.

The High Sierra 10.13.1 update also adds a few improvements for enterprise users. The “reliability” of SMB printing has now been improved, and Touch ID preferences are now accessible while logged in as a mobile user on a MacBook Pro with Touch Bar. The final improvement in this update is added support for unlocking a FileVault-encrypted APFS volume using a recovery keychain file, should you otherwise lose access.

Once you’ve downloaded the patch and you’re all up to date, don’t forget to check out our guide on the best MacOS apps.

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How to get rid of the ads on an Amazon Fire HD tablet with ‘special offers’

If you decide you can’t stand the “special offer” ads on a Fire HD tablet, $15 and a few mouse clicks will take care of things.

So you bought yourself a shiny new Amazon Fire HD tablet. And because you’re the frugal sort, you bought one at the lowest price you could — the kind with “special offers.” Ads, in other words. Ads on the lock screen and in the notification pull-down.

And you’ve decided you chose poorly. So is there any way to get those ads off an Amazon Fire tablet after you’ve bought it?

There sure is.

You’re going to be doing this from a web browser, either on the tablet itself or on a computer. You’ll just be diving into your Amazon account settings is all. Here’s how to do it.

First, hit up this link to go to “Manage your Content and Devices” in your Amazon account. (I’ll leave it to you to figure out how to log in, because you’re an adult.)

This is what you’re looking for.

Once you’re in there you’ll see a messy page with three tabs — “Your Content,” “Your Devices,” and “Settings.” Click on “Your Devices.”

This next part gets a little tricky, because the page could look a couple different ways.

If you just see a list of devices — without pictures of the devices — do this: Find the device you want to kill the special offer ads from. In my case, my Fire HD 10 is “Phil’s 4th Fire.” Now hit the three dots to the left of that name. That’ll pop open more information on that device.

The other view will show you thumbnails of all your devices, so all you have to do is choose the proper one. Click or tap on it.

Now look for the line that says “Special Offers/Offers and Ads.” If you’re “subscribed,” that means you’re seeing the lock-screen ads. If it says “unsubscribed,” you’re already good and don’t see those ads.

To change things one way or the other, hit the “Edit” button on that line. If you unsubscribe to the ads, Amazon will charge your account $15 as a one-time fee. (That’s the same amount you’d pay you bought the tablet without the ads in the first place.)

So good on Amazon for not charging a little extra to remove the ads later. My advice? Buy the cheap one and see how much the ads bother you. Because you can always get rid of them later.

Amazon Fire tablets

• Amazon Fire 7
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This is why the Pixel 2 XL’s $200 premium is worth it

Are slimmer bezels, a bigger display, and larger battery worth the added price?

Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are very similar in a lot of ways. The camera package is the same, the software experience is identical, both phones come equipped with front-facing speakers, and even the design remains mostly unchanged from phone-to-phone.

Even with this being the case, there are still a few key differences between the devices. The Pixel 2 XL has a considerably larger display with much smaller bezels compared to the regular Pixel 2, and thanks to its bigger footprint, there’s also room for a beefier battery.

The Pixel 2 XL is the more impressive of the two phones, but is it really worth the extra $200 over its smaller brother?

Here’s what some of our forum users had to say.

N4Newbie
10-30-2017 09:31 AM

“

I agree with the bigger screen; having had several “big screen” phones in a row now, I don’t think I could go back to a small one.

OTOH, I was getting an old Nexus 5 ready to list on Swappa the other day and I was pleasantly reminded of just how great the 5 fits my hand.

Reply

Richard Servello
10-30-2017 09:22 AM

“

bigger screen, bigger battery.

Reply

bhatech
10-30-2017 09:49 AM

“

I have both the 2 XL and 2, honestly the Pixel 2 screen feels very small to me. Screen is better and feels great and all I agree, but I think I’m used to bigger screens now and the Pixel 2 screen feels small. Battery life has been surprisingly good on the Pixel 2 as well even with smaller battery size. I’m still torn which one to keep, most likely will keep the 2 XL and return the Pixel 2. But if…

Reply

Guto Aaron
10-30-2017 12:32 PM

“

I ordered both at one point too, but cancelled my Pixel 2 in favour of 2XL. For me the big screen and big battery was nice, but the better design was the deciding factor. Pixel 2 and iPhone 8 just look unimpressive by now!

Reply

Whether it be for slimmer bezels, a bigger display, or increased battery capacity, we want to know – What are your reasons for choosing the Pixel 2 XL over the regular Pixel 2?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

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Cheapest Way To Try T-Mobile Service Without Porting Your Number

Just $25 will let you test T-Mobile’s network for a month through Walmart Family Mobile.

You should always do your homework before you switch carriers. Start with the online coverage maps, even though you know they can be a little optimistic — especially at the fringes, but a better option is to ask the people you know and trust what they think. There’s only one problem with that: what if you don’t know anyone using the carrier you’re thinking of switching to? If you’re thinking about jumping to T-Mobile, or any carrier, really, you need to make sure you know what to expect.

Forums and blog comments can be helpful to get an overall picture of things. If everyone says T-Mobile has great coverage in Miami, FL. north to Pompano and west to Opa-locka, it probably does. (It really does.) What you won’t know is where those pockets of bad service are and if the places you spend time in are one of them. Sometimes, you just have to check for yourself.

Thankfully, that’s actually pretty easy to do.

An MVNO to the rescue

There’s a lot of talk about T-Mobile’s unlimited One plan, but T-Mobile also does the same thing every other U.S. carrier does — it sells service to MVNO providers. One of those providers is Walmart, and they have just the ticket if you need a cheap way to try out T-Mobile service through their Walmart Family Mobile plans.

For $25 you’ll 1GB of LTE data (ignore that “unlimited” bit because they mean 2G data there) and unlimited talk and texting. A SIM card will cost you $1.68. Walmart Family Mobile uses T-Mobile’s network for 100% of their service so you’ll know exactly what T-Mobile is like where you are.

A gigabyte of LTE certainly isn’t a lot of data, but it’s more than enough to do a handful of speed tests in different places or try streaming some video. T-Mobile still offers prepaid service, but its plans start at $45 and a SIM card costs $25 on its own before any discounts, so using Walmart Family Mobile to take a test drive is a complete no-brainer. You can buy both a SIM card and the $25 starter kit at any Walmart store or you can order them online. Walmart also has a selection of inexpensive phones if you’re looking to buy a budget model once you know things work.

See at Walmart

You’ll need a compatible phone, of course. The good news is that most unlocked phones will work just fine, and all phones made for T-Mobile will work even if they aren’t SIM unlocked. You’ll even be able to test Wi-Fi calling routed through T-Mobile’s service and using the Walmart Family Mobile number.

More: The best unlocked phones

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You can, of course, continue to use Walmart Familt mobile if you like the pricing, but they don’t offer some of the extras you’ll get from T-Mobile or other T-Mobile MVNO partners. But you don’t need international calling or bulk discounts to test things.

We always say that having the right service is the most important part of enjoying your phone; maybe even more important than the phone itself. Knowing what to expect before you port out your number and sign into any financing agreement or contract means one less surprise down the line.

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HTC U11 Plus and its translucent back revealed in hands-on video

HTC’s U11 Plus gets the full hands-on treatment just a day before its official announcement.

On November 2, HTC will be holding a press event where it’ll likely be unveiling the HTC U11 Plus – a more powerful and modern version of the U11 that came out earlier this year. We’ve already seen renders and official teasers from HTC itself, but thanks to a new hands-on video that was leaked, we now have an even better idea of what to expect from the U11 Plus when it’s announced tomorrow.

Originally seen by the folks over at Phandroid, a hands-on video of the U11 Plus was uploaded to Facebook, but then quickly taken down as it wasn’t supposed to have gone live as early as it did. However, you can still check out the video below because this is the Internet and nothing is ever gone for good.

For those that speak English, the man in the video confirms that the U11 Plus will come equipped with a 6-inch display, 128GB of internal storage, and a large 4,000 mAh battery that should allow for truly impressive stamina. The U11 Plus in the video also showcases a translucent backside, and this is something that was recently confirmed by Evan Blass and an earlier teaser image from HTC.

The translucent back shows a coil of some sort below the HTC logo in the middle, and although not yet confirmed, this is believed to be a look at the phone’s wireless charging system.

Also revealed in the video is a hands-on look at the U11 Life, and while we already know everything about this device thanks to a leak on T-Mobile’s website, it’s still fun to see how the phone looks outside of renders ahead of its announcement.

HTC U11

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‘Halo 5’ Overtime update adds 4K and brings back Oddball

We knew Halo 5 was among the chosen titles due to get the 4K treatment for the Xbox One X, and now we know when the upgrade will land. Tomorrow, the Overtime update will bring with it the resolution bump, along with the return of fan-favorite Oddball multiplayer mode. More content will continue to roll out over the coming days and months, including skins for Halo Championship Series eSports teams and fine-tuning for select items.

The Overtime update will also see the launch of a Local Server app for Windows 10 PC, allowing players to host low-latency LAN parties or local tournies. Among the bug fixes is a remedy for the black screen load failure that’s been infuriating some people. You can get the lowdown on all the new stuff via the source link below.

In terms of 4K support, 343 Industries’ Frank O’ Connor recently clarified on NeoGaf that the title has limited HDR benefits since it’s now two years old. Of course, Halo 5 will still leap to 4K gaming at 60 frames-per-second, just don’t go expecting the same amount of enhancements that some newer games are set to receive.

Source: Halo Waypoint

Vodafone’s paid zero-rating Passes are now available

Attention social media butterflies, chatterboxes and serial streamers: Vodafone Passes are now live. If you’re catching up, Passes are Vodafone’s take on a zero-rating scheme. Unlike Three and some other networks that help you preserve your precious monthly allowance by including, as a standard plan perk, “free” data towards a few services, Passes are paid bolt-ons. Buy the Chat Pass for £3 per month, for example, and you can use WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Viber Messenger as much as you want without touching a kilobyte of your regular data ration.

Similarly, the £5 Social Pass covers the most popular social networks and the £5 Music Pass affords you unlimited streaming on all the major providers. There’s also the Video Pass for £7 per month (rising to £9 for new customers come April 2018) that zero-rates services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and YouTube, and the £15 Combi Pass that comprises all of the above. All Passes are available to new and existing Vodafone customers from today, though only those on a pay-monthly contract, whether that be a handset or SIM-only plan. You will also have had to sign on the dotted line on or after April 12th this year.

In other news, Vodafone announced that its new pay-as-you-go plan, PAYG1, launches on November 10th. It’s aimed at people that might not use their phone every day, and charges you for every text, minute and 5MB of data you use until you’ve spend £1. After that point, any other calls you make and texts you send are free, and you get an extra 500MB of data to see you through until midnight, at which point the £1 daily cap resets (need a bit more data and you can purchase another 500MB top-up for £1). Lastly, you can now add AppleCare as an optional extra on Vodafone’s in-house smartphone insurance scheme, which you might well want to do if you’re planning to pick up the extra-expensive iPhone X in a few days.

Source: Vodafone

Apple TV 4K update will fix its video output problem

Apple TV 4K saw the set-top box leap into the same league as its rivals. But, despite getting so much right, the device still had a handful of flaws — among them its one video output fits all functionality. AV enthusiasts cried foul, and it seems Apple heard their wails. According to the latest tvOS developer beta, Apple TV 4K will soon automatically switch its display settings to match the native frame rate and dynamic range of a video.

Currently, Apple TV 4K auto-configures those outputs during the set-up stage. Apple claims that this helps to avoid the irksome jittering that plagues some TVs when they switch in and out of HDR modes. The company’s solution is to strong-arm the best video setting for your set. So, if the Apple TV sets to output 4K Dolby Vision HDR, it will carry on displaying that format, even if you switch to a video made for standard dynamic range and standard definition. You can still force the Apple TV to display specific resolutions and refresh rates, but you’d expect a modern (not to mention pricey) set-top box to better handle itself.

In the near future, it will. With tvOS 11.2, Apple will introduce a new “Match Content” setting within the device’s audio and video menu. It will essentially put you in control of the video output, allowing you to choose to match the dynamic range and refresh rate — although, both will be disabled by default. There’s no ETA on when the update will arrive, and Apple warns that it will only work with “compatible apps.” But, as long as it fixes the issue at hand, customers should be pleased. Then, the only thing missing from the stellar device will be Dolby Atmos support.

Source: Apple

The makers of ‘Resogun’ are leaving arcade shooters behind

Over the past decade, the name Housemarque has become synonymous with arcade-style games. From the early PSN title Super Stardust HD to the PS4 launch savior Resogun, the Finnish studio has produced many critically acclaimed and commercially successful games. In recent years, though, good reviews haven’t been followed by strong sales.

Nex Machina, a colorful top-down arcade shooter released earlier this year, is pure Housemarque. Created in partnership with arcade legend Eugene Jarvis, it’s fast-paced, devilishly challenging and with tight controls. It received universal praise from reviewers — a Metacritic average of 88 makes it the eighth-best-reviewed PS4 game of the year.

When I visited Housemarque’s Helsinki studio last year, I described the game as “a Hail Mary for arcade shooters” — and it’s now clear that the Hail Mary failed. The company confirmed that it’s sold less than 100,000 copies of Nex Machina across both PS4 and PC. The studio has roughly 50 employees working on two games at any given moment, and doing some napkin math will quickly reveal that it lost a lot of money on the game, which it released without the help of a publisher.

Matterfall, another arcade-inspired title, arrived in August and similarly failed to set the world on fire. As it was published by Sony, it hasn’t affected Housemarque in the same way financially, but it clearly intensified the soul-searching.

“We are really proud of what we accomplished with Nex Machina,” Housemarque CEO Ilari Kuittinen told Engadget. “It was a passionate work of love, and we got to work with our hero, Eugene Jarvis. We don’t have regrets. We would have liked to continue down this path, but unfortunately that’s not possible.”

What exactly went wrong is still up for debate. “Are the audience grown up in a way that they are not interested in buying these games?” asked Kuittinen, “Or is it there’s lots of competition, lots of titles? Maybe the audience have just moved away from these kind of things.” It’s now clear to Housemarque that it’s time to move on as well. Its next game won’t be a top-down or side-scrolling shooter. It won’t be focused on leaderboards. It won’t be anything like the games the studio is famous for.

Housemarque hopes to have more to say in the coming months, but its Head of Publishing Mikael Haveri talked about targeting more popular, mainstream genres. To me, this implies swapping the top-down or side-on views of Nex Machina and Resogun for third-person or first-person cameras. It’s also likely we’ll see a shift away from faux-retro voxels to more traditional 3D graphics. Haveri also spoke of “multiplayer- and service-centered games” being of interest, but wouldn’t be more specific.

Housemarque released this video, originally intended for a ‘Nex Machina’ update, as a thank you to its fans today.

A lot has changed since Housemarque released its first big hit, Super Stardust HD in 2007. Back then, digital downloads on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 were just starting to take off. The idea that you could spend 10 bucks on a great game without having to leave your couch was still a novelty. Now, the console market is flooded with such titles, and Steam is similarly cluttered. There are services like Sony’s PS Plus and Microsoft’s Games with Gold, which “give away” games for a small monthly fee, and Steam holds enormous sales multiple times a year.

It’s hard to argue that these changes are bad for gamers, but how good they are for developers is another matter. Reducing prices, or giving games away as part of a subscription, is great for attracting new players. But when it makes people who would already buy your games hold off for a discount or a giveaway, it can be a big problem. Some games, like Psyonix’s Rocket League, have found massive success with this model, but when I mentioned that game, Haveri was quick to point out that it’s “multiplayer and service-focused.”

“Resogun being such a breakout hit was mostly due to the fact that it was free for a lot of people,” said Haveri. “That branding does stick with us, you know. People expect our titles to be available for free.” By shifting genres, Housemarque hopes to also shed the perceived value, or lack of value, of its games.

“That branding does stick with us, you know. People expect our titles to be available for free.”

An announcement of this type is usually accompanied by the depressing news that a studio is letting a considerable number of employees go. Kuittinen said this isn’t the case, and that Housemarque is instead looking to hire additional people to pursue the more ambitious projects it’s now working on. That too is posing a problem. “Before we talk about the new projects, or this new direction for Housemarque, it’s very difficult to hire people without telling them what we would like to do,” explained Haveri. “But we definitely anticipate to expand a bit.”

Without knowing the details of its next game, it’s hard to say how “hard” or “soft” of a pivot this represents for Housemarque. It’s going to continue to target consoles and PCs, with a focus on gameplay and action over narrative or strategy. While understandably cagey about discussing business models, Haveri described Housemarque’s culture as being “very anti-exploitation,” but the talk of exploring “multiplayer and services” suggests a shift could be on the cards.

Wherever this new direction takes the studio, Haveri and Kuittinen were keen to stress that Housemarque will still stay true to its DNA. “We like fast-paced games, and we’re not going to do mobile strategy, for sure,” said Kuittinen. “They’re obviously action orientated games that we are thinking of doing, and actually working on,” Haveri added. “We’re taking what we have learned over the years and trying to move forward with times.”

“It’s bittersweet in a sense,” said Kuittinen, “but I think we’ve seen the writing on the wall for quite a long time. We were just hoping that we might be able to reverse the tide.”

Audible adds shortcuts to the ‘good parts’ of romantic audiobooks

Sexy isn’t what springs to mind when you think of big data. But, in Audible’s case, it’s providing a shortcut to the raciest audiobook passages on its service. The Amazon-owned firm is utilizing an algorithm as part of two features tied to its new romance subscription. With it, you can jump straight to the best bits from a novel (including the “hot, hot, hot” part). On top of that, it assigns a “steaminess” score — ranging from “sweet” to “O-O-OMG” — to the books, so you know exactly what you’re in for. The playful terminology seems fitting for a genre that’s as fun as they come.

Meanwhile, its algorithm is left to slog it out in search of keywords and phrases that help to categorize each title. That’s how it arrives at its “steaminess” rank and serves up the so-called “good parts.” Audible Romance costs an extra $6.95 per month as a membership add-on, and $14.95 as a standalone service. Aside from the lovey-dovey stuff, it also gives you access to the company’s short-form original content.