Monument Valley is free on the Play Store in certain countries

The United States and Canada need not apply.

The first Monument Valley made its debut on Android in 2014, and despite its age, is still a ton of fun to play in 2018. Its sequel was finally released this past November so that fans could jump back into the beautiful puzzle-solving world, but if you’ve never experienced the magic that ustwo games created with Monument Valley, now might be the time to do it.

Spotted by Android Police, the first Monument Valley is free on the Google Play Store in certain countries. Markets where the game is free are apparently ones where prices in the Play Store have not be localized to match the currency of those areas, and countries that have been confirmed to offer this deal include:

• Argentina
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Brazil
• Iceland
• India
• Indonesia
• Mexico
• Russia
• Taiwan
• Venezuela

There are possibly many other countries where the game is also being offered for free, but ones where it’ll still cost you $3.99 include the likes of Australia, Canada, various countries in Europe, Japan, Korea, multiple regions in South America, and the United States.

Monument Valley 2 is now on sale for $4.99

These are all the phones Sony is launching in 2018

Here’s a look at Sony’s smartphone lineup for 2018.

Sony has an…interesting…position in the Android smartphone space. Sony produced some darn good phones in 2017, such as the Xperia XZ Premium and XZ1, but compared to handsets like the Galaxy S8, Pixel 2, and even the OnePlus 5T, Sony’s offerings usually fall flat in one area or another that hold them back from true greatness.

We’re just now getting started with 2018, but we’ve already got a good idea of what to expect from a few of Sony’s Xperia handsets later this year. A lot of what we’re seeing so far looks to be more of the same, but there are a few interesting bits here and there. Let’s take a look.

Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium

As great of a phone as the XZ Premium was, there were more issues than we usually like to see for devices that cost $799 USD. We’re expecting Sony to release a sequel this year, and while exact details are still quite sparse, Concept Creator has created a video showing their idea of what they’d like to see in the XZ2 Premium.

The video shows a phone with the slimmest bezels we’ve ever seen on a Sony phone, front-facing speakers, glass back, and dual cameras. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Sony finally get on the dual camera bandwagon, and as great as it’d be to have a flagship Xperia handset with bezels this slim, we aren’t all that sure if 2018 will be the year Sony makes this jump.

Sony Xperia XA2/XA2 Ultra

If you’re going to be in the market for a small mid-ranger this year, Sony’s Xperia XA2 might be worth checking out. The phone is expected to have the same 5-inch display as its predecessor, and it’ll be just a bit shorter and wider at 141.6 x 70.4 x 9.6mm.

As for the XA2 Ultra, this will once again be a large phone with a screen that measures in at 6-inches. It’ll be slightly shorter than the XA1 Ultra with dimensions of 162.5 x 80.0 x 9.5mm, but it’ll retain the same screen resolution of 1920 x 1080. The XA2 Ultra will be powered by the Snapdragon 630 and 4GB of RAM, and you’ll have 64GB of storage for all your local files.

Both the XA2 and XA2 Ultra will keep the traditional 16:9 aspect ratio and large top/bottom bezels, but what’s interesting is that Sony is ditching the side-mounted fingerprint sensor for one that’s on the back. This would mark the first time Sony’s had a fingerprint sensor on the back of its phones, and while the implementation of it on the power button was cool, hopefully this will enable customers to finally have a fingerprint sensor on a Sony phone in the U.S.

Sony Xperia L2

The Xperia L2 falls in between the XA2 and XA2 Ultra size-wise with a 5.5-inch screen, and it features the same Snapdragon 630 processor and 4GB RAM. There’s no word just yet as to what the resolution of that display will be, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see it stay at 1280 x 720 like it is on the L1.

Android Nougat should be shipping on the L2, but considering Sony’s track records for past software updates, we don’t imagine it’ll take too long before Oreo arrives on it.

Samsung’s latest C-Lab projects include private portable speakers

Samsung is making a tradition out of unveiling C-Lab projects at major trade shows, and CES 2018 is no exception. The tech giant is introducing a trio of experiments, starting with its unique S-Ray speaker (above). The makes directional audio portable — you can listen to your tunes anywhere you go without the potential discomfort of headphones or subjecting everyone to your musical tastes. Samsung is teasing multiple models, including a smartphone cover and a neck-worn speaker that comes across as a less intrusive version of LG’s Tone Studio.

The other two projects are health-oriented. The Relumino smart glasses turn Samsung’s earlier Gear VR visual aid into dedicated eyewear. Pair the glasses with a smartphone and they’ll translate video from a built-in camera into easier-to-see pictures on their display. They can filter or invert colors, increase clarity and eliminate blind spots without requiring bulky headgear. Samsung hopes this could let those with poor eyesight venture outside or read in greater comfort.

GoBreath, meanwhile, serves as a recovery option for those suffering from either lung damage or complications from anesthesia. The combo of a breathing device and a mobile app helps teach deep breathing techniques that would otherwise be difficult, and helps you track your progress. Doctors also have access to results through the cloud, so they can tell whether or not you’re rehabilitating at a solid pace.

As with all C-Lab projects, there’s no guarantee that these will become shipping products. However, all three have very clear benefits — we wouldn’t be shocked if at least one of them goes on sale in the future.

Source: Samsung Newsroom

Apple will replace your iPhone battery even if it passes tests

Apple now has $29 iPhone battery replacements available as an apology for its approach to handset slowdowns. But do you need to wait until your iPhone actually slows down before paying for a fresh power pack? Apparently not. MacRumors has confirmed an iGeneration report that Apple will replace the batteries on iPhone 6 or newer models whether or not they pass the usual diagnostic test (which recommends a replacement if the battery falls below 80 percent of its original capacity). In other words, you can go ahead if your phone just isn’t lasting as long as it used to.

Some iPhone owners who jumped on the replacement program during its initial weekend had been denied fresh batteries, since their power packs were otherwise healthy. They shouldn’t have a problem throughout the rest of the discount period, which ends in December.

The no-strings-attached gesture is clearly part of Apple’s mea culpa: you can get a fresh power pack if you’re even slightly worried. At the same time, it’s also helpful if you know you tend to thrash batteries, or if you just want to wring out as much use as possible before you consider an upgrade.

Source: iGeneration (translated), MacRumors

Netflix’s ‘A Series Of Unfortunate Events’ returns March 30th

Fans of Netflix’s take on Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, rejoice: The show’s second season will be available on March 30th. The streaming service dropped a trailer teasing the next batch of episodes fronted by Neil Patrick Harris’ menacing and dentally-challenged Count Olaf.

Okay, that didn’t tell us much (aside from hints for eagle-eyed fans of the books). But we do know that nerd icon Nathan Fillion and Arrested Development and Veep’s Tony Hale will show up among several other guest stars, according to Deadline. And, of course, we’ll see a return of NPH and the inimitable Patrick Warburton as Snicket himself. The second season will cover books five through nine, while a theoretical (aka still unconfirmed) third season would adapt the final four novels.

Via: Deadline

Source: Netflix (YouTube)

YouTube star faces backlash over clip showing a corpse

YouTube star Logan Paul is facing major backlash over a video he recently posted on his YouTube channel. In it, he and a few of his friends who are traveling through Japan enter the Aokigahara forest near Mount Fuji claiming to be documenting the “haunted aspect of the forest,” as Paul says in the video. But the forest is well known for being a place where many people go to commit suicide. While in the forest, Paul’s group comes across a body and not only does the video show the body (with the face blurred out), Paul and his friends are shown laughing and making jokes.

Once outside of the forest, Paul says to the camera that his jokes aren’t a reflection of how he feels but are a coping mechanism and he comments that suicide, depression and mental illnesses are not a joke.

Logan Paul and his friends laughing and smiling after discovering a dead body pic.twitter.com/azY7EAiuC4

— JhbTeam (@JhbTeam) January 2, 2018

The video has since been removed, but Paul has over 15 million YouTube subscribers and the video was viewed millions of times before it was taken down. Many are criticizing Paul for the video saying it was disrespectful and shouldn’t be considered a message on mental health awareness as Paul has claimed it to be.

Dear @LoganPaul,

How dare you! You disgust me. I can’t believe that so many young people look up to you. So sad. Hopefully this latest video woke them up. You are pure trash. Plain and simple. Suicide is not a joke. Go rot in hell.

Ap

— Aaron Paul (@aaronpaul_8) January 2, 2018

YouTube is also facing backlash over the video as people are questioning what role platforms like it should play in managing this sort of content. Ed Petrie, an actor and maker of children’s video content said on Twitter that YouTube needs to be more active in vetting the content that gets posted on its site, particularly content aimed at young people. Francis Maxwell wrote on Twitter, “The worst part is Logan Paul’s cult fan base is little children. Who just watched their idol laugh and joke as someone ended their life. Garbage person.”

A good start? On their YouTube kids app they should vet every video before it’s posted, instead of taking things down in retrospect after they get complaints. It will cost them more money. But they make A LOT of money. And with that comes responsibility.

— Ed Petrie (@edpetrie) January 2, 2018

YouTuber Laci Green tweeted that the platform had become “a sociopathic garbage fire” and that the industry “has no soul left.”

logan paul exploiting a suicide victim in Japan to the tune of 6M+ views while youtube demonetizes students protesting in Iran is a perfect example of what a sociopathic garbage fire youtube has become. this industry has no soul left.

byeee. 👋

— Laci Green (@gogreen18) January 2, 2018

Paul tweeted an apology yesterday. In it he said, “I didn’t do it for the views. I get views. I did it because I thought I could make a positive ripple on the internet, not cause a monsoon of negativity.” He also posted a video apology today.

Dear Internet, pic.twitter.com/42OCDBhiWg

— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) January 2, 2018

It will be interesting to see how YouTube responds and whether this will lead to any changes in the way the site manages its content. Some have called for Paul’s channel to be shut down. Facebook came under fire last year for the kind of content users were able to stream on the site, including videos of sexual assault, beatings, suicide and murder. Last year, YouTube started to more strictly moderate children’s content after reports surfaced that videos portrayed as kid-friendly were actually quite the opposite and that many videos geared towards children were littered with vile comments from pedophiles. In December, YouTube said it would enlist 10,000 people to review content that might violate its policies in order to better train its algorithms.

Asked YouTube for comment on Logan Paul. This is what they sent me. YouTube has also said Logan’s video does violate its community guidelines, and the company has applied “a strike” to his channel. https://t.co/2UfCYovTFn pic.twitter.com/i3SloERMsF

— Davey Alba (@daveyalba) January 2, 2018

We’ve reached out to Google for a comment about Paul’s video and we’ll update this post when we hear more.

If you or a loved one is considering suicide or would like emotional support, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available. It’s free and confidential. You can call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or for Spanish speakers at 1-888-628-9454. The deaf and hard of hearing can call 1-800-799-4889.

Via: NPR

‘Need for Speed: Payback’ to add online free roaming mode

EA and Ghost Games know Need for Speed: Payback got a rather cold reception on launch, and they’re continuing to rehabilitate its image — in this case, by bringing back a feature from the previous game. The creators have revealed that they’re adding an online free roaming mode to the game sometime in 2018, echoing a feature from the 2015 Need for Speed release. You can technically roam around now while waiting for a lobby to fill up, but this should let you drive to your heart’s content.

The feature will be free for everyone, the team said.

It’s not certain if this was always in the cards or an after-the-fact addition. However, it is an acknowledgment that dropping a major online feature of the previous game probably wasn’t the greatest idea. NFS games aren’t typically known for deep, thought-provoking single-player storylines, so Payback only had so much to do if you’d finished (or just didn’t care for) its solo mode. While this isn’t likely to sell you on the game if you weren’t interested before, it might encourage a closer look if you’ve been at least mildly intrigued.

Online Free Roam coming 2018, Happy New Year from everyone at Need for Speed! 🎆 pic.twitter.com/Ht8cRsvQQA

— Need for Speed (@NeedforSpeed) January 1, 2018

Via: Rock Paper Shotgun

Source: Need for Speed (Twitter 1), (2)

Golden Globes red carpet show jumps from Twitter to Facebook

Last year, Twitter trumpeted that it scored the rights to livestream the Golden Globes…pre-ceremony red carpet show. You know, where all those nicely-dressed celebrities are asked pressing questions about things, and they answer, and the interviewer coos at their success/struggles/relationship/divorce/look. Well, you can still see that online this year, but you’ll have to go to that other social media dumpster to watch it: Facebook snagged the livestreaming rights to the Golden Globes red carpet pre-show this Sunday, January 7th.

The pre-show will air live on the official Golden Globes’ Facebook page from 6pm to 8pm ET and feature additional content, like 360-degree videos. More stuff will be uploaded to @goldenglobes on Instagram, while the service’s @Instagram account will have stories hosted by red carpet host Laura Marano. It wouldn’t be a surprise if having both platforms handy to post content swung the livestreaming bid in Facebook’s favor over Twitter.

Even if you haven’t kept up on traditional network or cable shows, streaming TV had its most lauded year yet. Netflix scored nine Golden Globe nominations divided between The Crown, Stranger Things, Master of None, Glow, Ozark and 13 Reasons Why. Amazon Video got three in total for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and I Love Dick, while Hulu snagged three — all for The Handmaid’s Tale.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Variety

Apple’s 2018 iPhone Lineup May Include Second-Generation iPhone SE

Apple is planning to launch a second-generation iPhone SE in 2018 to target the mid-range smartphone market, according to a new report on predicted global smartphone production growth in 2018 shared this morning by Taiwanese market research firm TrendForce.

The first iPhone SE was introduced in the spring of 2016, and it saw no updates in 2017. For that reason, it’s been unclear if Apple plans to continue on with the iPhone SE line, but in addition to the information from TrendForce, a recent rumor from Taiwan’s Economic Daily News has suggested a new 4-inch device is in the works.

A new iPhone SE could come during the first half of 2018, and it is reportedly being assembled by Taiwanese Apple supplier Wistron at its factory in Bangalore, India. We don’t know what specs a new iPhone SE might include, but the original has hardware from the iPhone 6s, including an A9 chip, 2GB RAM, and a 12-megapixel rear camera.

In addition to a new version of the iPhone SE, TrendForce says new flagship iPhones in 2018 will include improved Face ID, more memory, and AMOLED displays for two models, in line with previous 2018 iPhone rumors we’ve heard pointing towards a second-generation 5.8-inch OLED iPhone X, a larger ~6.5-inch OLED “iPhone X Plus,” and a ~6.1-inch iPhone with an LCD display.

iPhone X sparked a heated discussion in 2017, but iPhone’s production volume increased by only 3% over 2016 due to the technical barriers in improving yield rate of innovative models. With regard to the supply chain, new iPhones in 2018 will continue to improve Face ID technology, screen to body ratio, etc., moreover, the company plans to increase the memory content and embed AMOLED display in two of its models. […]

In terms of biometric recognition, iPhone will continue to feature Face ID while other brands will use mainly capacitive fingerprint sensors in the first half of 2018 due to existing technical barriers.

Apple’s iPhone lineup will continue to focus on Face ID, according to TrendForce, while other smartphone manufacturers will stick with capacitive fingerprint sensors in the first half of 2018 due to an inability to match Apple’s technology. Later in 2018, the first smartphones using under-display fingerprint technology will enter mass production.

TrendForce believes Apple’s iPhone production will expand in 2018, leading to volume growth of 7.5 percent. Samsung won’t fare quite as well, though, due to “fierce competition” from rivals that include Apple and Chinese smartphone manufacturers. While Samsung will continue to remain the top smartphone manufacturer worldwide, TrendForce predicts a 3 percent drop in production volume.

Overall, TrendForce estimates that 1.46 billion smartphones were produced in 2017, with that number set to increase an estimated five percent to 1.53 billion units in 2018.

Related Roundups: iPhone SE, iPhone XBuyer’s Guide: iPhone SE (Don’t Buy), iPhone X (Buy Now)
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iWork for iCloud and iCloud Notes Experiencing Sharing Outage

Some customers using Pages, Numbers, Keynote, or the Apple Notes app are currently unable to share new files or add new people to shared files due to an ongoing outage affecting some iCloud functionality.

The problem started at 4:00 a.m Pacific Time this morning, and is still affecting customers, according to Apple’s System Status page.

The Notes and iWork for iCloud apps appear to be the only apps that are experiencing an outage at this time. It’s not clear when the problem will be resolved, but we’ll update this post when it’s fixed.

(Thanks, Marc!)

Tag: iCloud
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