Facebook’s Instant Games now offer in-app purchases

Facebook’s Instant Games are about to add a cornerstone of the modern gaming experience, although it’s not necessarily the one you’d hope for. The social site is adding support for in-app purchases to Instant Games on both Android and the web, letting you buy extra goodies (no doubt including a ton of in-game currency) in titles that don’t require lengthy downloads. The tools are available now, although game creators can only start submitting apps on May 7th.

The company hasn’t made mention of iOS, although it is “exploring” options on other platforms. Revenue might have something to do with it — Facebook gives developers 70 percent of the money on the web, but that number shrinks on Android (where Google and other stores take their own cut). Apple takes 30 percent of in-app purchases as a rule of thumb, so Instant Games that offered them might leave developers with just a small chunk of change.

This may create headaches if you saw Instant Games as a refuge from the constant nickel-and-diming found on other game platforms. At the same time, this could also lead to more developers creating Instant Games versions of their work. That could be good news if you find Facebook’s selection relatively thin.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from F8 2018!

Source: Facebook Developers

Standalone VR Headset ‘Oculus Go’ Now Available for Purchase for $199

During the F8 Facebook Developer Conference this morning, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the launch of the Oculus Go, the latest virtual reality headset from Oculus, which is owned by Facebook.

Priced at $199, the Oculus Go is Oculus’ first standalone VR headset, which Zuckerberg said represents the “first really affordable standalone virtual reality headset.”

It’s shipping with more than 1,000 apps, and it features the “highest quality lenses and optics” that Oculus has ever built into a VR device. Given its affordable price point, Zuckerberg says that it’ll be the “easiest way to get into VR,” and that the company expects this is how many people will experience virtual reality for the first time.

Design wise, the Oculus Go looks similar to the Oculus Rift. It’s a VR headset that fits over the eyes and attaches to the head with adjustable straps and breathable fabrics. It is a standalone device, which means it does not require a connection to a computer or a gaming system to operate.

Oculus Go features a 5.5-inch display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution (1280 x 1140 per eye) and it runs using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 821 processor.

There are spatial audio drivers built into the headset to provide immersive sound, but it also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack to allow users to connect headphones if desired. The included controller translates natural movements into VR using a touch surface and a trigger button.

In a review, The Verge said that while the Oculus Go is not the “flashiest or most high-tech” headset on the market, it’s the “best that simple mobile VR has ever been.”

The Oculus Go does not feature a full motion controller or inside-outside tracking to allow users to walk around rooms sans external cameras, and it can be likened to the Samsung Gear VR but as a dedicated piece of hardware. Looking through the Oculus Go “isn’t that different” than using a Gear VR, says The Verge, and the app library is similar.

The Oculus Go makes improvements to the Gear VR, but its biggest achievement is just making mobile VR content easier to access. It’s a reasonably priced device that doesn’t require having a specific phone, doesn’t force you to clumsily lock that phone into another piece of hardware, and doesn’t drain the battery that you might need for more important tasks. And as long as VR is still a labor of love, anything that reduces the “labor” factor is great news.

In other virtual reality news, Zuckerberg says Facebook is working on a new feature that would allow customers to recreate their childhood homes using computer vision and referencing old photographs. Facebook plans to work on mapping out immersive spaces and “creating a real feeling of presence.

Later this month, Oculus will also launch Oculus TV, allowing Oculus Go users to watch entertainment from services like Hulu, ESPN, Showtime, and more.

The Oculus Go can be purchased today from the Oculus website or from Amazon for $199 for 32GB of storage. 64GB of storage is available for $249.

The launch of the Oculus Go comes just days after rumors suggesting Apple is working on its own high-powered virtual and augmented reality headset that would be untethered from a smartphone or a traditional computer.

Apple’s device will reportedly include 8K displays and a custom Apple-designed processor that’s more powerful than anything currently available. Apple is said to be aiming to launch its AR/VR product in 2020.

Related Roundup: Apple VR ProjectTags: Facebook, Oculus Rift
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Apple Reports Q2 2018 Results: $13.8B Profit on $61.1B Revenue, 52.2M iPhones

Apple today announced financial results for the second fiscal quarter of 2018, which corresponds to the first calendar quarter of the year.

For the quarter, Apple posted revenue of $61.1 billion and net quarterly profit of $13.8 billion, or $2.73 per diluted share, compared to revenue of $52.9 billion and net quarterly profit of $11.0 billion, or $2.10 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. The revenue, profit, and earnings per share numbers were records for any second fiscal quarter in the company’s history.

Gross margin for the quarter was 38.3 percent, compared to 38.9 percent in the year-ago quarter, with international sales accounting for 65 percent of revenue. Apple also declared an increased quarterly dividend payment of $0.73 per share, up from $0.63. The dividend is payable on May 17 to shareholders of record as of May 14.

In addition to the increase in the dividend payment, Apple says it will start a new share repurchase authorization of $100 billion and the company says it expects to wrap up its previous $210 billion repurchase authorization by the end of the current quarter.

For the quarter, Apple sold 52.2 million iPhones, compared to 50.8 million in the year-ago quarter. iPad sales were up slightly to 9.1 million, up from 8.9 million a year ago, while Mac sales slipped to 4.1 million from 4.2 million.

“We’re thrilled to report our best March quarter ever, with strong revenue growth in iPhone, Services and Wearables,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Customers chose iPhone X more than any other iPhone each week in the March quarter, just as they did following its launch in the December quarter. We also grew revenue in all of our geographic segments, with over 20% growth in Greater China and Japan.”

Apple’s guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2018 includes expected revenue of $51.5-53.5 billion and gross margin between 38 and 38.5 percent.

Apple will provide live streaming of its fiscal Q2 2018 financial results conference call at 2:00 PM Pacific, and MacRumors will update this story with coverage of the conference call highlights.

Conference call starts at 2:00 PM Pacific – No need to refresh

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Tag: earnings
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The Sirona M car seat keeps babies safe from forgetfulness and accidents

Far be it from us to ever encourage the use of a phone in a car, but there is a new smartphone-connected safety device for new parents that benefits from its mobile compatibility. Meet the Sirona M from Cybex, heralded as the world’s first and only smartphone-synched convertible car seat available, complete with SensorSafe 2.0 technology. These car seats are appropriate for babies or children who weigh up to 65 pounds (or about four years old). While it doesn’t require you to use your smartphone while you’re driving, it will send parents useful alerts, including when a child is accidentally left in the car, or unbuckles him or herself from the car seat. Plus, the smart car seat can also detect when the back of the car has become too hot or too cold, or if a child has been sitting still for too long.

The latest car seat to come out of the Cybex Gold Car Seat product line, the Sirona M’s SensorSafe 2.0 technology is actually integrated into the chest clip of the car seat. While the technology was initially created to prevent incidents of infant hot car deaths, the usefulness of the tool has recently been expanded to aid in child safety in a wide range of situations. All the aforementioned notifications are sent both through a companion app, as well as an installed vehicle receiver for less distracted driving. If alerts to parents or caregivers do not result in quick action being taken, the SensorSafe 2.0 will send a designated emergency contact an alert with GPS coordinates of the vehicle’s last known position.

Moreover, the Sirono M boasts adjustable Linear Side-impact Protection (LSP System), which claims to reduce side impact forces in the case of an accident by up to 25 percent. And the car seat also comes with a 12-position height adjustable headrest, as well as an integrated no-rethread harness so that your child won’t outgrow the car seat (until he or she is ready to fully graduate from this safety device). The energy absorbing shell of the car seat also helps to reduce the force your child might feel during a collision, while a dual belt adjuster ensures a tight fit.

The best Nokia 7 Plus cases to keep your noteworthy Nokia untarnished

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

So you’ve got a Nokia 7 Plus, and you’re looking forward to exploring the full capabilities of your new midrange device. But before you take your shiny new pristine phone out into that dangerous world, spare a thought for protection. While the Nokia 7 Plus may have a smooth, ceramic look about it, it’s not likely to stay that way for long if hard surfaces have anything to say about it.

The Nokia 7 Plus may barely be out, but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck for options when it comes to cases. Some of our favorite brands have already released protective options for your device, so let’s check out some of the best Nokia 7 Plus cases that we have found so far.

Yiakeng Slim Full Cover Case ($7)

Protection is all very well and good, but what is the point in buying a good looking phone if you’re never going to see it? If that’s a concern for you, then we advise you to check out this case from Yiakeng. It’s completely clear, so you can always see the unique style of your device, and it’s made from flexible and shock-absorbent thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). It’s not the thickest and most protective case in the world, but it will protect against some minor bumps, as well as scratches on the body. The soft material will also add extra grip and has molded button covers to make sure that those areas are protected, too.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

KuGi Anti-Slip TPU Case ($9)

Clear cases are great, but they’re not exactly the most fashionable choice. If you’re looking for something with a little more style, check out this case from KuGi. It’s made from TPU, so should hold up well against bumps and smaller drops — though it’s a little thin to grant protection against bigger drops. The back panel is also made from TPU, but has a leather-look. This textured surface adds some extra grip for your fingers — along with the series of cuts along the side of the case — and looks really good too. It also comes in a series of colors, so you can pick a style to match your own, and it’s a great case if you’re worried about losing hold of your phone.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Wellci Flexible TPU Case ($8)

We just can’t get enough of that leather-style aesthetic. If the KuGi case didn’t really push your buttons, then this case from Wellci might. While made from the same TPU as the previous cases, this case is just a touch heavier duty, with a harder border guarding the edge of the phone. It has raised edges around the display and camera lenses too, which keeps those from resting in dirt or potentially getting scratched. It’s shock-absorbent and has a spiderweb pattern on the inside of the case to help deflect the energy from drops and knocks. Finally, the combination of anti-slip treatment on the TPU material as well as the leather texture on the back of the case aid grip and help to keep your phone in your hand.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Anccer Ultra-Thin Texture Case ($12)

But what if you don’t want to add a load of extra thickness to your slim Nokia 7 Plus? Anccer has the answer with a super-thin polycarbonate case. Apparently just 0.03-inches thick, the hard polycarbonate is great at keeping scratches and similar away from the body of your phone. Unfortunately, since polycarbonate is a hard material, it loses out against drops and knocks, since it’s not able to absorb shock in the same way as flexible TPU, but if you want seriously slim protection then polycarbonate is likely to be your choice. This case comes in a variety of colors, and also comes with textured gravel options too, which add grip while also feeling great in your hands.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Olixar Leather-Style Wallet Stand Case ($12)

We have always got time for a good wallet case, and this is definitely a good one that ticks all the boxes. Made by accessory up-and-comer Olixar, this case is made from PU leather that’s durable and easy to keep clean. It feels nice and soft in the hand, though you are unlikely to believe this is real leather after handling it. Still, it’s tough and protects the Nokia 7 Plus well, wrapping fully around the phone when not in use and working nicely with the inner shell even when in use. The wallet front folds around the back into a horizontal stand, and also contains room for some spare cash or a credit card.

Buy one now from:

Mobile Fun

Editors’ Recommendations

• Nokia 7 Plus hands-on review
• Big-screen Nokia 7 Plus featuring Android One announced at Mobile World Congress
• Nokia 6 (2018) vs. Lenovo Moto G5S Plus: Can Nokia take out the budget champion?
• Nokia 1 hands-on review
• Check out 30 of the best iPhone 7 cases and covers for your shiny new phone

Facebook’s downvote test has made its way to New Zealand and Australia

Nataliya Popova / 123RF

After using a two-question survey to crowdsource which news sites are trustworthy, Facebook could soon ask users to help determine which comments pop up first on public page posts. Facebook previously confirmed that the platform had begun testing a downvote button (not a dislike button) for comments on Pages posts for a small percentage of Android users in the U.S. Now, it seems that those initial tests went well, as Facebook is now introducing the downvote button to some of its users in Australia and New Zealand.

“People have told us they would like to see better public discussions on Facebook, and want spaces where people with different opinions can have more constructive dialogue,” a Facebook spokesperson told CNET.

“To that end, we’re running a small test in New Zealand which allows people to upvote or downvote comments on public Page posts. Our hope is that this feature will make it easier for us to create such spaces, by ranking the comments that readers believe deserve to rank highest, rather than the comments that get the strongest emotional reaction.”

While Facebook only confirmed the test feature in New Zealand, it seems that neighbors in Australia are seeing the button as well.

Comments on public posts can often number in the thousands, so Facebook’s algorithms rank the comments by the number of replies and interactions. What the downvote button does is to drive some of the irrelevant or misleading comments farther down the list, which means fewer users will see them. The button allows users to essentially report a comment, and after downvoting, users that are included in the test can say why they downvoted the comment, including buttons for offensive, misleading and off-topic.

Facebook is testing downvoting comments pic.twitter.com/SBOSQITotO

— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) February 8, 2018

Facebook says the commenter won’t see that the comment was downvoted and that the tool is instead a way to assist the algorithms in deciding which comments to show at the top of the discussion. The current system will put comments with the most reactions at the top, but the downvote would allow a comment that’s at the top because everyone responded with the angry emoji to go back farther down in the list, for example.

While the test is running, Facebook says the button won’t affect where the post itself appears in a newsfeed. The company says it doesn’t have plans to expand the test. Facebook is also stressing that downvote and a dislike button are not one and the same.

Upvoting and downvoting is a Reddit concept that allows the readers to moderate the comments themselves, crowdsourcing the ranking of each post in a discussion.

Facebook calls the downvote option a “feature for people to give us feedback about comments on public page posts.” The platform also recently launched a way for users to help determine what new sources are trustworthy with a survey. The move leaves the trustworthiness marker as something crowdsourced, relieving Facebook of the responsibility as the company works to find a happy medium somewhere between the role of fake news in the last presidential election and remaining free of the liability of publishers that choose which news to publish.

Like all tests, the downvote button’s existence for a small percentage of users doesn’t guarantee the option will see a wider rollout, though now that it has made its way to two other countries, we may be on our way to seeing wider adoption after all.

Updated on May 1: The downvote button test is now live in New Zealand and Australia. 

Editors’ Recommendations

• Reddit scatters in-feed sponsored posts inside its mobile apps
• Are new iPads set to debut at Apple’s education ‘Field Trip’ event?
• Still want a Facebook ‘dislike’ button? Big blue tests ‘downvote’ option
• Will Twitter Moments get an image-focused, Snapchat-like makeover?
• Twitter is killing its Mac app, but do you even really care?

Mastercard moving to mass biometrics with new remote fingerprint scanning

Mastercard wants to help everyone move beyond traditional passwords with the introduction of a new sleeve for its biometric fingerprint scanning bank cards that allows for remote authentication of a user’s identity. The new battery-powered sleeve will mean that anyone can sign up to the biometric authentication scheme from their own home, without needing to go to a bank branch to verify their identity.

Often the weakest link in any security chain are the people involved. Whether we forget our passwords or use ones that are far too simple, it’s often easy for nefarious individuals to steal identities and the money associated with them. Using a password manager is great, but biometric authentication is something that Mastercard believes can be even more impactful, moving customers from a system of “what they know,” to “what they are.”

The biometric Mastercard cards were first trialed in early 2017 in select territories and reportedly worked rather well. They incorporated a fingerprint scanner in the card itself, which received remote power from the terminal when plugged in for payment. With no data connection, the cards compare the fingerprint with a digital imprint stored on the card itself, making remote attacks impossible.

What Mastercard now hopes to do with a wider roll out though, is make it easier for card owners to get on board with the new system. Instead of having to visit their local banking branch to register their thumbprint, Mastercard’s new “sleeve,” means they can do it from the comfort of their own home. The sleeve itself is battery powered and allows the card to scan the user’s fingerprint, before storing it on an encrypted digital template for later authentication.

Mastercard sees this as a cost-effective way of encouraging adoption of the new biometric verification feature, without having to add new equipment to banking branches around the world, nor give staff new training to help facilitate registration. Instead, the card owners themselves can complete the pre-authentication sign up process.

“Making life safer and simpler for consumers is the cornerstone of our efforts around biometrics and comes through the use of some incredibly sophisticated technology,” said Bob Reany, executive vice president of identity solutions at Mastercard. “People love the security our biometric card delivers because we put their needs first.”

Mastercard moving to mass biometrics with new remote fingerprint scanning

Mastercard wants to help everyone move beyond traditional passwords with the introduction of a new sleeve for its biometric fingerprint scanning bank cards that allows for remote authentication of a user’s identity. The new battery-powered sleeve will mean that anyone can sign up to the biometric authentication scheme from their own home, without needing to go to a bank branch to verify their identity.

Often the weakest link in any security chain are the people involved. Whether we forget our passwords or use ones that are far too simple, it’s often easy for nefarious individuals to steal identities and the money associated with them. Using a password manager is great, but biometric authentication is something that Mastercard believes can be even more impactful, moving customers from a system of “what they know,” to “what they are.”

The biometric Mastercard cards were first trialed in early 2017 in select territories and reportedly worked rather well. They incorporated a fingerprint scanner in the card itself, which received remote power from the terminal when plugged in for payment. With no data connection, the cards compare the fingerprint with a digital imprint stored on the card itself, making remote attacks impossible.

What Mastercard now hopes to do with a wider roll out though, is make it easier for card owners to get on board with the new system. Instead of having to visit their local banking branch to register their thumbprint, Mastercard’s new “sleeve,” means they can do it from the comfort of their own home. The sleeve itself is battery powered and allows the card to scan the user’s fingerprint, before storing it on an encrypted digital template for later authentication.

Mastercard sees this as a cost-effective way of encouraging adoption of the new biometric verification feature, without having to add new equipment to banking branches around the world, nor give staff new training to help facilitate registration. Instead, the card owners themselves can complete the pre-authentication sign up process.

“Making life safer and simpler for consumers is the cornerstone of our efforts around biometrics and comes through the use of some incredibly sophisticated technology,” said Bob Reany, executive vice president of identity solutions at Mastercard. “People love the security our biometric card delivers because we put their needs first.”

Best Screen Protectors for Moto X4

Keep your Moto X4 display looking fresh and clean with a quality screen protector.

The Moto X4 is a quality mid-range phone from Motorola that falls under the Android One program, which means you’ll get Motorola’s excellent software experience along with guaranteed software updates from Google.

On the hardware side, the Moto X4 delivers great build quality with a high-quality display for a $400 phone. Be sure to keep that display looking pristine with a screen protector!

• Mr Shield Tempered Glass Screen Protectors
• Supershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protectors
• Supershieldz PET Film Screen Protectors
• IQShield Matte Finish Anti-Glare Film Screen Protector
• Spigen NeoFlex Case Friendly Screen Protector

Mr Shield Tempered Glass Screen Protectors

Mr Shield is one of the more popular screen protector brands, and they offer a couple different value packs of tempered glass screen protectors.

Featuring a black border around the screen with cutouts around the earpiece, front-facing camera, and the home button. Since these are tempered glass screen protectors, you’ll get the best protection available for your Moto X4, and since this is a two-pack, you’ll get a backup screen protector thrown in with everything covered by Mr Shield’s “No-Hassle Lifetime Replacement Warranty”.

If you think you’ll need a back up for your back up, Mr Shield offers a 3-pack for $8. Otherwise, the two pack for $6 linked below should do the trick.

See at Amazon

Supershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protectors

Supershieldz offers a comparable tempered glass screen protector for the Moto X4, with a couple notable differences from the Mr Shield option.

You still get that tempered glass hardness and a black border around the screen, but Supershieldz just cuts right around the home button at the bottom. If you’ve dealt with tempered glass screen protectors before, you’ll know those thin strips that go around the earpiece or home buttons are most susceptible to damage, and you may also prefer the hand feel of not having the home button entirely enclosed by tempered glass.

Get this two-pack of screen protectors for just $8 on Amazon.

See at Amazon

Supershieldz PET Film Screen Protectors

Tempered glass is great, but it can be expensive and maybe you don’t like adding an (albeit thin) layer of glass to your phone. In that case, a film screen protector is what you want — something to protect the display from scratches and other damage.

Supershieldz has you covered again with a six-pack of PET film screen protectors for just $6. There’s a notch-like cutout at the top that goes around the cameras and earpiece, with a cutout around the home button at the bottom to help you line things up properly for installation. These are designed for a bubble-free installation and since it’s a six-pack, if you mess up the first time you’ve got 5 extra tries.

See at Amazon

IQShield Matte Finish Anti-Glare Film Screen Protector

Looking for a screen protector that will cut down on that dreaded phone glare? IQShield has got what you need!

This film screen protector features offers full coverage for your Moto 4X display with a matte finish that cuts down on screen glare — and if you’ve never used a screen protector with a matte finish before you don’t know what your missing out on.

This is a wet installation which is typical for film screen protectors and if you do it right you’ll get a bubble-free installation every time. You can snag this screen protector for $8.

See at Amazon

Spigen NeoFlex Case Friendly Screen Protector

Want a screen protector that’s case friendly? Trust Spigen, who’s NeoFlex screen protector is specifically designed to work with cases.

This $8 two-pack of film screen protectors includes everything you’ll need for a wet installation and is a good option if you use a case with your phone — so much so that Spigen recommends installing the screen protector with a case on. While any case would probably do just fine, just to be safe we’ll recommend the reliably awesome Spigen Rugged Armor for a slim and rugged case that you’ll love.

See at Amazon

Tempered glass or film?

Which style do you prefer for a screen protector? Let us know what you use in the comments!

Fully charge your smartphone multiple times with Aukey’s $15 compact portable charger

Stay prepared for a charge no matter where you are.

Having a phone handy can truly be a lifesaver… until it goes dead and becomes useless. Save your phone and yourself from such a situation with the AUKEY 10000mAh Portable Charger. While supplies last, you can pick one up from Amazon for only $14.90 by entering code AUKEYP51 during checkout. That’ll save you $6 off its regular price.

This portable battery charger can fully charge an iPhone around three times without needing to be charged itself. It features dual USB ports allowing you to charge two smartphones at once and it also features AiPower Technology to provide the safest maximum recharge rate per device. Built-in safeguards will help to protect your devices too, such as against excessive current, overheating, and overcharging.

You’ll also receive a 2-year warranty with this purchase. So far, over 130 customers at Amazon have rated this product with 4.1 out of 5 stars collectively.

See at Amazon