Bitcoin reaches new heights, surges beyond $7,000 in value

Why it matters to you

While it’s difficult to project what’s in store for Bitcoin long-term, its value continues to rise and rise.

Bitcoin has broken yet another record, having steadily risen in value throughout 2017. Earlier on Thursday, November 2, its price rose above $7,000 for the first time, peaking at $7,355.35, but it has since fallen by a few hundred dollars.

As a result, the total market value of all cryptocurrencies hit $189 billion for the first time earlier on Thursday, according to CNBC. Bitcoin alone comprises some $121 billion of that amount.

Bitcoin has been surging over the last several months. The value of the cryptocurrency passed $4,000 in August, then broke the $6,000 mark in October. It’s an incredibly exciting time for investors, but the question is when this upward motion will begin to tail off.

We’ve seen various different competitors enter the arena, from promising alternatives like Ether, to forks of Bitcoin like Bitcoin Cash. Despite this, Bitcoin remains bullish, thanks in no small part to the fact that it is a known quantity.

Cryptocurrency is still a very new concept and it has yet to reach the mainstream in any significant sense. Some retailers are starting to accept Bitcoin but they are still in the minority at this point in time.

Since Bitcoin is seemingly on the up-and-up and showing no signs of slowing down, it might be tempting to try to get in while the going is good. However, it’s far from a safe bet. It’s still very difficult to project what the future might have in store.

There are big questions to be asked about the legal status of Bitcoin. The cryptocurrency is founded on a decentralized platform, which could be undercut if governments start to introduce restrictive legislation. Its value could potentially fall just as quickly as it’s risen if key markets enforce new regulations that affect its usage — and since the field has become very crowded, a rival coin could perhaps take its place at the top of the tree.

Still, it seems that the Bitcoin success story is set to continue, at least for the time being. It’s probably too late to get started as a miner unless you have a high-spec system that is not being used for anything else, but if you bought in years ago when cryptocurrency was still a novelty, you might have a significant return waiting for you.

Editor’s Recommendations

• Everyone is crazy for Ethereum, but Bitcoin is still the beast to beat
• Bitcoin’s latest boom sends it scorching past $6,000
• Bitcoin breaks cryptocurrency records as valuation passes $4,000
• Smile! Dentacoin wants to become the Bitcoin of the dental industry
• SEC warns all of us that publicly endorsing Bitcoin may be illegal

Some Google Pixel 2 XL phones are shipping without Android

Why it matters to you

If you get a phone without an operating system, it’s basically a paperweight. Hopefully this will serve as a wake-up call for Google to tighten quality control.

The Google Pixel 2 XL has gotten some pretty rave reviews since launch, but the launch has not been without its issues. First, the Pixel 2 XL suffered from screen burn-in issues that frustrated some users. Now, perhaps even more frustrating, is another issue — some Google Pixel 2 XL handsets are shipping without operating systems whatsoever. It does not seem as though the issue has affected any users of the standard Google Pixel 2.

Yes, that means that you could get your Google Pixel 2 XL, try to turn it on, and be greeted with a message saying that the phone “can’t find a valid operating system.” The issue was first reported on Reddit. As some reports note, it may be possible for the more tech-savvy users to salvage handsets by flashing a factory image of Android on the phone — but others may not be so comfortable with the inner workings of their $850-plus device.

Now, before this gets blown way out of proportion, we should note that the issue likely affects a very small percentage of Pixel 2 XL units being shipped, and Google is offering to replace phones that ship without Android, meaning the only real penalty to users is that they have to wait a few more days for their shiny new phone.

Still, there’s really no excuse to ship any phones without an operating system. The issue essentially renders a device totally useless — no calls, texts, Facebook — nothing. On top of that, the message prompts users to visit a Nexus support page about operating system warnings, but it doesn’t really specifically focus on this particular issue, which could leave some users confused about what their next steps should be.

So what should you do if you get a Pixel 2 XL without an operating system? We would suggest simply reaching out to Google support and returning the phone for a replacement device. If you got your device from Verizon that makes things even easier — just head down to your local Verizon store and tell them what’s going on. Best case scenario is you’ll get a replacement phone immediately. Worst case is that you’ll have to wait a few days for one.

We’ve reached out to Google for comment and will update this story if we hear back.

Editor’s Recommendations

• With the Google Pixel 2, Bluetooth connectivity issues may finally be resolved
• Google confident Pixel 2 XL screen is fine, but extends warranty to two years
• Everything you need to know about the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
• Huawei Mate 10 Pro vs. Google Pixel 2 XL: Can Huawei top the Android powerhouse?
• Here’s where you can buy a Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL in the United Kingdom

Sprint buyer’s guide: Everything you need to know

Find out what Sprint has to offer.

Sprint may be fourth amongst America’s top four carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint), but it’s still a big player in the national wireless market, with nearly 60 million subscribers across the country. It was the first carrier to offer “truly unlimited” plans for data, which are still a cornerstone of its mobile business. Sprint operates a nationwide CDMA network in the 800,1900, and 2500 MHz frequency bands, and even combines the three to provide higher throughput with its “LTE Plus” service on certain devices and plans.

Sprint offers unlimited talk, text, and data plans that can be configured for individuals or with multiple lines added for families. They offer deals on the latest phones, including the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8 and LG G6.

Sprint has a lot to offer, so read on and find a plan that works for you!

• Best Individual Plans
• Best Family Plan
• Best Phones
• Best Deals on Sprint
• How to cancel Sprint
• How to unlock a Sprint phone
• Finding an alternative carrier that uses Sprint’s network

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Best Individual Plans

All of Sprint’s contract plans include unlimited talk, text, and data, and start as low as $50 a month for a single line. Sprint also offers prepaid plans for those looking to avoid annual contracts and wanting to avoid credit checks and late fees.

• Unlimited plans
• Sprint Prepaid

Unlimited plans

Sprint offers some of the most competitive pricing for Unlimited plans amongst the Big Four carriers, as it prominently displays on its website with a comparative graph. According to Sprint, you could get an unlimited plan for two lines at a better price than AT&T and Verizon’s unlimited plans for just one line.

You can get a single line with unlimited data, talk, and text for $60 a month. That’s before any taxes, fees, or device leasing costs, but it’s still a great deal. Enjoy unlimited video streaming in 1080p and take advantage of 10GB of high-speed mobile hotspot access for your tablets and laptops.

Sprint’s advertised prices do not include monthly surcharges, taxes, fees and other charges, which you can learn about on Sprint’s website.

Learn more

Sprint Prepaid

Sprint offers prepaid plans for individuals and families, which start as low as $45 a month for unlimited talk and text and 3GB of high speed data, with a $5 discount per month for signing up for AutoPay. There’s an option for unlimited data if that’s important to you, for $60 a month with the AutoPay discount before surcharges and fees.

Prepaid plans include a free mobile hotspot (tethering), which you can use with tablets, laptops, or other Wi-Fi connected devices. There’s no credit check required for a prepaid plan, and if you make 12 consecutive on-time payments, you can upgrade to a Sprint postpaid service with no credit check and upgrade to a new device with no activation fee.

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Best Family Plans

Sprint offers an Unlimited Freedom family plan that gives you unlimited data, talk, and text for your family, along with 10GB of hotspot data per line for any tablets, laptops, and other connected devices you or your family may own. Right now, they’re currently offering a great deal for plans with multiple lines.

Pricing starts at $60 a month for the first line, $40 for the second, and for a limited time you can add up to three any additional lines at no additional cost. Sprint is advertising this as 4 lines for $25 a month with the 5th line free. Other monthly fees will be applied, including any lease agreements for new phones, and the advertised pricing includes Auto Pay discounts.

Sprint also offers a similar deal for prepaid family plans, which start at $100 a month for three lines and include unlimited talk and text and 3GB of high speed data. Prices will vary depending on how much data you require on each line.

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Best Phones

Sprint has a very particular network that doesn’t let you bring your own device from another carrier, so your best bet will be buying your next phone through Sprint and paying for it on contract. The good news is that Sprint offers many of the latest and greatest Android phones:

• Samsung Galaxy Note 8
• Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+
• LG G6
• LG V20

If you plan on buying a phone from Sprint, you have a couple payment options to consider. If you have good credit, you can lease or buy the phone via monthly contracts with no money down — if you’re still building your credit or have credit issues, you’ll have to put money down on the phone (typically around $200). If you’ve got the cash to buy a phone outright, that option is also available.

If you opt to buy the phone outright or on a 24-month installment plan, Sprint often bundles accessories with its biggest selling phones. For example, if you were to get a Galaxy S8, you’d get a free “entertainment kit” for the Galaxy S8, which includes Samsung’s Clear View Standing Cover along with a 64GB EVO+ memory card. Buy the LG G6 and Sprint will throw in a free Google Home.

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Best Deals on Sprint

Sprint has a section on its website with all of its latest deals, mostly for customers opening new accounts, subscribers upgrading their plans, and deals on leasing brand new devices.

As of October 2017, the best deals Sprint is offering for Android devicesinclude:

— Save 50% instantly on a brand new Galaxy S8 when you switch to sprint and sign up for Sprint Flex Lease. This also lets you upgrade to the latest Galaxy phone every year after 12 lease payments.
— Save 50% on the Essential Phone with a Sprint Flex Lease.
— Lease a LG V30+ with Sprint Flex Lease and get a second LG V30+ for Free. Sprint will als othrow in a new Google Daydream VR headset and a VR content bundle.
— Save 50% off the Moto Z2 Force Edition when you sign up for a Sprint Flex Lease and Sprint will als othrow in the Moto Insta-share Projector (while supplies last)
— Save $100 on any tablet Sprint sells (iPads and Samsung Tab A/E)
— Sprints Unlimited plans.

There are more deals to be had. Check out Sprint’s site or head in-store to find out more information!

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How to cancel with Sprint

You can cancel your Sprint service at any time, but if you cancel it before your contract is done, you’ll have to pay early termination fees on top of the balance remaining on your cell phone bill.

You may be able to get out of paying them if you don’t think you received the service you paid for (might be your reason for cancelling), or sometimes your new carrier may have a deal to pay them on your behalf. Whichever way you deal with it, you are the one who is ultimately responsible for paying them.

You’ll need to call Sprint Customer Service to cancel or change your plans. Call 1-888-211-4727 or dial *2 from a Sprint phone. When you get on the line, ask to speak to someone from the retention team. They may try to offer you deals to keep your business, but will also have the authority to cancel or change your service.

How to unlock a Sprint phone

Not all Sprint phones are available to be unlocked, and even when they can be unlocked, Sprint does not guarantee that they will be fully compatible with other networks. Only Sprint phones released after February 2015 are eligible for domestic unlocking. Of those, the only Android phones that are confirmed eligible for domestic SIM unlock on Sprint’s website are the HTC One M9, LG G Flex2, Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, and Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. If your phone is not eligible for a domestic SIM unlock, Sprint may be able to provide a Master Subsidy Lock code.

To get your Sprint phone unlocked, your phone and/or Sprint account must meet the following criteria:

• Your phone must be Domestic SIM Unlock capable.
• The device must be or have been active on the Sprint network for a minimum of 50 days.
• If you have any outstanding lease payments, bills, or early termination fees, you’ll need to settle up with Sprint before it will unlock your device. Depending on your contract, you may need to buy out the remaining cost of your Sprint phone.
• Your Sprint account must be in good standing.
• The phone hasn’t been reported as lost or stolen, or ‘otherwise flagged as ineligible to be unlocked’. Basically, as long as you can prove that it’s yours and there’s nothing sketchy about it, you should be good.

Sprint offers temporary unlocking for international travel — and most devices they sell are compatible. Same rules apply above, except the phone must be currently active on a Sprint account. This will allow you to use a SIM card from the country you’re travelling to.

Even if Sprint unlocks your phone, Sprint will not guarantee its phones will operate on another network. You may get limited functionality, such as voice services but no data services. It’s the risk you run when you buy through Sprint.

Sprint does partner with a wide variety of alternative carriers. They use Sprint’s network, which allows you to easily bring your own Sprint device over to their carrier.

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Finding an alternative carrier that uses Sprint’s network

Sprint offers its network up to a whole bunch of alternative carriers. Alternative carriers — also known as MVNOs — work by partnering with one or more of the Big Four carriers to piggyback on their networks. This allows them to offer better deals to consumers without needing to worry about infrastructure upkeep.

They’ve become increasingly reliable over the years and offer the cheapest plans in the mobile industry. There are 26 MVNOs that operate on Sprint’s network, including Boost Mobile, Straight Talk, Project Fi and Virgin Mobile USA.

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Updated October 2017: Included the latest deals and phones offered by Sprint.

HTC U11+ started life as a Google Pixel 2 XL project — but the story isn’t that simple

Oh how things could’ve gone differently.

If you think back to the original rumors surrounding the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, you’ll recall there was a third Pixel 2 family design supposedly in development. That project, designed by HTC and codenamed “muskie,” was eventually canned in favor of what became the LG-made Pixel 2 XL. It was a big phone, with a 6-inch 18:9 display and of course similar proportions and design elements to the eventual Pixel 2 XL.

As it turns out, that original muskie project, after winding down as a Pixel 2 variant, was carried on to eventually be the HTC U11+ that was just announced.

The similarities between the HTC U11+ and Google Pixel 2 XL are pretty easy to see (although most of these features are shared by many modern phones). The proportions are similar, and the aforementioned larger, taller display fits the bill — as does the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, which HTC has rarely used on its own-branded phones. And then, of course, we have the data point that HTC is the manufacturer of the smaller Pixel 2 — and making both phones, as it did with the Pixel and Pixel XL last year, would have made just as much sense.

To say that the U11+ is a re-badged Pixel 2 XL project is too simplistic.

But considering the substantial hardware and design differences here, it’s clear there was a split away from Pixel 2 XL development into making the U11+ its own phone quite a while ago. HTC has fully applied its own design and features to the U11+, keeping it far closer to the family of the original U11 rather than being some “re-badged” Pixel 2 XL. The full glass back, differently sculpted sides, larger battery and of course decision to use an LCD screen all set it apart as its own distinct device.

So this also isn’t to say that what we see today in the HTC U11+ would’ve translated over in terms of hardware if HTC had been chosen to make the Pixel 2 XL, or that the U11+ wouldn’t have been released anyway. As we see in the Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL today, the phones share many design elements and features despite being made by two different companies — and there’s no doubt this so-called muskie phone would have looked like the Pixel 2 XL we know now, rather than the U11+ we eventually got later.

HTC U11+ hands-on preview

But still, it’s fun to think about what could have transpired if the muskie project went on and eventually became the Pixel 2 XL. Who knows if the screen may have been different, or what other subtle tweaks HTC would’ve had up its sleeve with more development time up to a final release.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

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Project Fi
Verizon
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YouTube Kids overhauled with kid profiles, customizable interface

A heap of new features to make YouTube Kids more enjoyable and safe for your young ones.

YouTube Kids launched in 2015 as a way for youngsters to watch all of their favorite content while filtering out the bad stuff, and the app is now receiving a fairly large update that makes the service more personalized and secure.

The biggest addition this time around is the ability to add multiple users/profiles to YouTube Kids. Now, each of your children can have their own custom profile so they’ll only see the shows they want to watch and not what their brother or sister is interested in. Better yet, kid profiles will work across all platforms that YouTube Kids is available on – including your phone, tablet, and TV.

Along with kid profiles, the latest YouTube Kids update also includes a new feature that will tailor the look of the app depending on how old your child is. You can set the age of your kid when creating their profile to determine what the interface will look like for them, and with this new system, older kids will see more text and content at once whereas your younger ones will see larger images with less displayed at one time to keep things as simple as possible.

Kid profiles on YouTube Kids.

YouTube Kids is also gaining a reworked setup process that will make it easier to select what types of shows and content you’re okay with your children viewing, as well as a passcode your kid can create for themselves so they’ve got some protection from their siblings. However, as you’d probably expect, parents can still override this if necessary.

All of these new features are rolling out to YouTube Kids starting today.

YouTube TV finally gets a proper Android TV app

Razer Phone: Specs, pricing and availability!

Razer is ready to take on a new market: high-end smartphones.

After acquiring Nextbit in early 2017, Razer has announced the end goal of this project: the Razer Phone, a high-end phone targetted towards gamers. The Razer Phone has high-end internals, a super-smooth screen and a low key design that matches with the company’s subdued gaming laptops.

Watch our hands-on preview

Before getting ahead of ourselves, you’ll want to bring yourself up to speed with the Razer Phone by watching our hands-on preview! Then, you can read all of the details in the written preview as well.

More: Razer Phone hands-on preview: The gamer phone

Those specs

Any device designated for gamers needs to have high-end specifications, and the Razer phone more than meets that standard. Highlights inside include a Snapdragon 835, 64GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD) and a 4000 mAh battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0. More notable are the 120Hz screen, a first for smartphones, the whopping 8GB of RAM and the stereo front facing speakers with dual amplifiers.

More: Razer Phone specs: Top-end everything

It’s running Nougat

One downside is the software: the phone ships with Android 7.1.1 Nougat, rather than the newer Android 8.0 Oreo. An update to Oreo is promised for early 2018, but it’s a shame it couldn’t come along for the launch of the phone.

More: Android Nougat: Everything you need to know!

It includes Nova Launcher Prime

Nova Launcher is our favorite launcher at Android Central, and it’s a fan favorite as well. Razer was wise and decided to enlist Nova’s help for the Razer Phone, and to that end the phone includes a special version of Nova Launcher Prime out of the box. Because this is running as a system application, it includes the Google Feed without the user jumping through hoops.

More: Top 5 things to do after switching to Nova Launcher

There isn’t a headphone jack

Pour another one out for the audiophiles: Razer has embraced the #donglelife and decided not to include a headphone jack. On the bright side, the included dongle is THX-certified, which is … something. But remember you also have those huge stereo speakers as well.

More: Does my phone have a DAC? Explaining DAC and Amps in smartphones today

The screen will automatically adjust to what you’re doing

Running a 120Hz screen 24 hours a day would quickly drain any battery, but Razer has thought ahead: just like the iPad Pro, the screen will automatically detect what you’re doing and adjust the refresh rate accordingly. Playing a fast-paced game? You get the full 120Hz. Watching a movie or TV show? The screen will refresh at 24Hz instead.

You don’t have to know what the refresh rate is at any given time, but you’ll sure notice how smooth everything is.

More: Apple’s ProMotion is going to change how we use our devices

Some games will be optimized for the Razer Phone

A 120Hz display doesn’t do much good if game developers don’t take advantage of that, but Razer has worked with some developers to make sure their games are optimized for the high refresh rate display. At launch, those games will be:

• Arena of Valor
• Final Fantasy Pocket Edition
• Tekken
• Runescape
• Lineage 2: Revolution
• Gear.Club – True Racing
• World of Tanks Blitz
• Shadowgun Legends
• Titanfall: Assault

More: Razer Phone hands-on: A phone for gamers (but not a gaming phone)

It will be on sale soon

The Razer Phone will be available beginning November 17 in North America and Europe for $699/ €749 / £699. The phone will launch on Three in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark and Sweden, Razerzone.com in North America, the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Denmark and Sweden, in select Microsoft Store locations and lastly on Amazon in the U.S.

See at Razer

Qualcomm sues Apple for giving rival Intel classified information

Holy crap.

For the better part of the year, Apple and Qualcomm have been at each other’s throats. Apple initially claimed that Qualcomm was charging manufacturers too much for its processors and modems and taking advantage of its massive leverage throughout the mobile landscape, and this spiraled out into a multitude of different issues.

In the latest development to this story, Qualcomm is now suing Apple for breach of contract and claiming that the company provided Intel (one of Qualcomm’s main rivals) with access to its modem software that’s needed when creating chipsets for mobile phones.

The full lawsuit has yet to be made public, but certain tidbits are quickly making their way around the web. One particular section highlights the main reason for the suit, with Qualcomm wording the matter as follows:

During negotiations with Qualcomm, Apple exercised its commercial leverage and demanded unprecedented access to Qualcomm’s very valuable and highly confidential software, including source code.

Qualcomm then states that it granted Apple limited access to “large portions” of its software and source code following Apple’s claim that it needed this in order to tweak the code for its own hardware, but –

Upon information and belief, Apple has failed to comply with the restrictions on access and use that Qualcomm required in exchange for Apple’s unprecedented access to software and source code.

However, that’s not even the most damning part of the whole thing.

Apple uses Qualcomm’s modems in devices like the iPhone and iPad.

Another snippet states –

Qualcomm’s proprietary implementation of this communication protocol is not dictated by any standard and it contains Qualcomm’s highly confidential trade secrets. Apple, however, included in the “CC’d Persons” distribution list for this request an engineer from Intel (a competitive vendor) and an Apple engineer working with that competitive vendor.

Yeah, that’s huge.

Apple’s been using Qualcomm modems in its hardware for years now. but starting with the iPhone 7, the company started to use Intel for certain versions of the device. Furthermore, it was also reported a few days back that Apple is developing iPhones and iPads that don’t use Qualcomm’s tech at all.

Apple has yet to respond to Qualcomm’s latest allegation, but you can bet we’ll be eagerly waiting to see it has to say.

Where did all of this Qualcomm hate come from?

Google shipped some buyers a Pixel 2 XL without an operating system

How. Does. This. Happen.

As great of devices as the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are, Google’s been facing a heap of issues since their release last month. First, there were numerous complaints about the Pixel 2 XL’s display, then came reports of the regular Pixel 2 exhibiting a hissing sound due to the NFC chip, and most recently, the company is facing a possible class-action lawsuit.

Now, in addition to all of that, it’s being reported that Google is shipping some Pixel 2 XL units that don’t have Android installed.

You read that correctly. Google is selling and shipping devices that are missing the entire operating system.

It’s not clear how or why this is happening, but what we do know is that multiple users on Reddit (spotted by 9to5Google) are reporting this issue. When an affected device is turned on for the first time, a message pops up saying “Can’t find valid operating system. The device will not start.” The first sightings of this appear to date back to six days ago from the date of publishing this article, but another customer received a device like this just yesterday (November 1).

Buyers that have received a device like this are being instructed to contact Google and return it for a new model, and while it is good to see that Google isn’t leaving them in the dark, something like this really shouldn’t happen in the first place. There’s still some debate as to whether or not Google or LG is to blame here, but in any case, we hope that the two companies can work together to get their quality control issues figured out ASAP.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

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Best Buy

‘Wolfenstein II’ is definitely not ‘Doom’

Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus is experiencing a serious case of opportune timing. It’s a game all about shooting Nazis, but that’s not new for the franchise — what’s new, this time around, is the social climate in the US. Nazis are in the news and marching with tiki torches on the streets. Members of the Ku Klux Klan are donning their cloaks in broad daylight. The President has invited white nationalists into the White House. Wolfenstein II’s goose-stepping villains and its themes of a complacent, Nazi-ruled America are shockingly relevant in 2017.

But how does the game actually play? Wolfenstein is, at its heart, an action-heavy first-person shooter packed with all manner of ridiculous weapons and abilities. Shooting is its main focus — and, in the following discussion, it’s also ours.

Jessica Conditt
Novice Nazi hunter

Let’s get one thing out of the way first: Wolfenstein II is a great game.

Timothy J. Seppala
Officer of the Resistance

It is! I had an inkling it’d be good back when I played it at E3, but you never know how the end product will play at home compared to a highly-controlled preview situation at a trade show. Oh hi, Agents of Mayhem. You didn’t play The New Colossus at E3 though, so I’m curious what your thoughts are coming at it fresh.

Jessica Conditt

I know the moment Wolfenstein II had its hooks in me. It’s not far into the game — it’s a dramatic, cinematic scene right after a hectic round of running down spaceship corridors, shooting Nazis and trying desperately not to die. Blazkowicz, the game’s hero, emerges from a pod holding the headless corpse of one of his friends. Music swells as he carries the body, in slow motion, across the bridge.

It could have been cheesy, attempting to shoehorn emotion into a traditional, gritty first-person shooter — but, instead, it was powerful. It drew me into Wolfenstein’s world and immediately endeared me to this broken, ragtag group of revolutionaries attempting to dismantle the Third Reich’s reign.

It’s a refreshing, diverse and audacious scene unlike any I’ve encountered in a AAA video game.

Jessica Conditt

There are a few moments like this that stand out in my mind. Another crucial one, for me, involves a black woman casually breastfeeding her child while talking about the fragility of testicles — it’s a refreshing, diverse and audacious scene unlike any I’ve encountered in a AAA video game.

This is the heart of Wolfenstein, for me: The story. The people. The world. Not the actual shooting, which I actually have a few problems with.

Timothy J. Seppala

Really? I don’t mind the shooting. And I like how the game makes it clear that you should take out the ranking officers first so they can’t raise the alarm and make life living hell. It’s a stark contrast to Doom, where you had to figure out the best tactics for taking out hellspawn yourself. Sometimes I need explicit instructions.

Sure, the now-standard “left trigger to lock on, right trigger to shoot” thing is a little overzealous, but it keeps the firefights going at a brisk pace. Plus, it means I’m able to get to the next story sequence faster. And speaking of story, Wolfenstein II’s is heavy right from the get go. Moments after cowering in a closet as young BJ during a flashback sequence, helplessly watching his racist dad abuse his mom, I was a paralyzed witness to the diabolical Frau Engel decapitating beloved comrades. That’s all within the first hour.

When I played it at E3, it was clear BJ was broken both mentally and physically after years of fighting Nazis. But in context, it’s much more than a cheap character trait. Instead it’s a driving force for the entire narrative. Plenty of FPS-protagonists talk to themselves (and the player), but BJ isn’t cracking catch phrases like Duke Nukem. No, he’s wearily reminding himself that he’s fighting for a reason, pushing himself through unimaginable horrors because he’s going to be a father. The thought of his family is the the light at the end of the tunnel for him.

Jessica Conditt

I also thought about Doom a lot while playing this game, but in a very different way. I actually think Wolfenstein II could learn a lot from Doom, at least when it comes to movement and HUD layout.

In Wolfenstein, I find it extremely difficult to know where enemy fire is coming from; the lean mechanic is unwieldy and, quite frankly, I never use it; and thanks to a split health and armor system, I never know how many more bullets I can actually take. Blazkowicz feels like an underpowered glass cannon at times — especially when I’m dying on the same level over and over and over again. At least load times are fairly brisk.

Maybe I’m just really bad at shooting in this game. There were moments I turned down my difficulty (I’m playing on Do or die, the medium-hard setting for “the experienced gamer”), something I’m generally loathe to do. Honestly, I’m surprised to hear you haven’t had any similar issues, Tim! I wonder if I’m approaching the entire game the wrong way — running in wildly like it’s Doom, rather than strategizing before attacking like Wolfenstein seems to want.

I was learning the whole time and making progress, so I stuck through it and came out victorious.

Timothy J. Seppala

Timothy J. Seppala

That could be it? I’m kind of playing it like a slower Call of Duty because the control scheme allows for it. I’m finding that the best way to handle a pack of soon-to-be-dead Nazis when I’m low on health or armor is to hang back and snipe, or use short controlled bursts of fire. Which, now that I think of it, is the exact opposite of Doom, which forces you to get up close and personal with your enemies to get extra health packs or ammo.

Like The New Order, even on the default/medium difficulty setting (Don’t hurt me) it isn’t a walk in the park. When I first encountered the giant armored Nazi with the laser cannon and he boost-rushed me, I died. And then I reloaded, adjusted my tactics and died again. And then I found some health and armor, lured him up a stairway and unloaded my machine gun into him while his AI forced him back into the main room. And then I died again. But I was learning the whole time and making progress so I stuck through it and came out victorious, fighting inch-by-inch from one quick-save point to the next. I guess this is why so many people like the Souls games Fromsoftware makes.

Jessica Conditt

So many people, but not me. I’m not about that sadistic video game life.

Timothy J. Seppala

You’re totally right about the split health and armor readouts, though; I can never tell how ballsy I can be when it comes to an enemy encounter and usually end up dying the first time as a result. Being able to save anywhere takes some of the sting out of that, but I wish there were more autosave or checkpoint spots. It’s not like I’m playing on PC where I can just reach up to the row of F keys and be done with it. Here I have to pause, go into the game menu and then select a save slot. It breaks the flow and takes me out of the experience. The enemy encounters are spaced pretty tightly, so it’s not uncommon that I forget to save between them and have to start over again.

I’m not having many issues with figuring out where enemies are shooting from (thanks, surround sound), but what’s been a constant source of frustration is that I rarely know where to go next. Hitting down on the D-pad brings up my next waypoint, but more often than not, the marker disappears before I can even spot it. So I have to keep spamming the D-pad to figure out where I need to go. It feels really clunky, and like the save system, pulls me out of the game.

In the early levels where you’re on the U-boat that’s especially frustrating because everything looks the same.

Jessica Conditt

I have seriously unfriendly feelings about Wolfenstein II’s waypoint system. I get lost in the game a fair amount — lost and surrounded by Nazis with automatic weapons. It’s not a great sensation.

However, none of the issues I have with the mechanics alter my main takeaway: Wolfenstein II is a fantastic game. Its guns are insane — hello, laser canon — and customizable; its enemies are vicious yet believable; its world is rich, terrifying and hopeful. It feels wonderful to destroy Nazis in Wolfenstein II. I just wish I could spot them a little easier.

Tech companies file briefs supporting challenges to DACA withdrawal

Major tech companies are still voicing their support for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), a program that protects undocumented immigrants that came to the US when they were children. President Trump decided to end DACA protections in September and while tech companies spoke out in support of DACA prior to and following that decision, many have now filed a document backing those that are challenging the president’s move in court.

Over 100 companies have filed an amicus brief in support of plaintiffs in five ongoing cases aiming to reinstate the DACA program. Those plaintiffs include the University of California, the city of San Jose, Santa Clara county, as well as California, Maine, Maryland and Minnesota. The brief, which was signed by a number of tech companies, including Adobe Systems, Airbnb, Dropbox, eBay, Facebook, Google, IBM, Lyft, Microsoft, SpaceX, Twitter and Uber, argues that the decision to end DACA protections was not based on a valid legal argument and is therefore “arbitrary and capricious.” It also states that its rescission will have a major impact on the US economy. In the brief, the signees state, ” DACA’s rescission will inflict serious harm on US companies, all workers, and the American economy as a whole. Indeed, our national GDP will lose $460.3 billion, and Social Security and Medicare tax contributions will be reduced by $24.6 billion, over the next decade.”

In addition to this amicus brief, Apple also reportedly filed its own in support of a motion put forward by California’s attorney general seeking to block the withdrawal of DACA.

Just before Trump announced his decision, hundreds of executives signed an open letter in support of DACA, many of which then went on to share their disappointment after it was dissolved. Last month, reports surfaced that companies including Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon and IBM were planning to lobby Congress to pass legislation that would continue to protect DACA beneficiaries.

Whether these efforts will have any impact will remain to be seen, but it appears these companies aren’t ready to back down just yet. In the amicus brief, they stated, “DACA is a concrete and essential example of America fulfilling its centuries-old promise to welcome people from around the world seeking a better and a freer life. And no group is more deserving of that welcome than the Dreamers.”

Via: CNET

Source: Amicus Brief