Feral Debuts Support for External GPUs With ‘Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration’

Mac and Linux video game publisher Feral Interactive today announced that it will begin supporting external GPUs, beginning with the recently-launched Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration. Apple first launched support for external graphics processors in March with macOS High Sierra 10.13.4.

The addition allows users to connect an eGPU to their Mac through Thunderbolt 3, powering additional performance for better gaming graphics, VR content creation, professional apps, and more. Feral notes that players can use an eGPU with “any Mac supported by Rise of the Tomb Raider,” but there could still be limitations due to the power of the Mac’s CPU, despite the boost from the eGPU.

As of now, Rise of the Tomb Raider is the only Feral game confirmed with eGPU support, but the company says that it is working to introduce eGPU support to more of its games. Announcements for these titles will take place on Feral’s social network and news feeds, which anyone interested can find on today’s FAQ page.

Feral first revealed Rise of the Tomb Raider would be coming to Mac back in February, and then it launched in April. The game is a port of the console game from 2016, and is the second part of the rebooted franchise that began with Tomb Raider in 2013.

Tags: Feral, Tomb Raider
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Net Neutrality Rules Officially End Today as Democrats ‘Less Than 50 Votes’ From Advancing Petition in the House

Net neutrality regulations officially expired in the United States earlier this morning, making today the first day of a post-net neutrality internet (via The New York Times). The expiration of the laws comes six months after the Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 in favor of repealing net neutrality, a vote that has since faced intense backlash including multi-state lawsuits and a recent move by Democrats to block the repeal.

Although supporters and opponents of net neutrality greatly disagree on how the internet will look following the repeal, without the rules internet service providers like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T now have the legal ability to throttle any traffic on their networks, and block access to sites and services completely, as long as they inform their customers of their actions. In essence, many have theorized that this could lead to ISPs bundling “packages” of internet sites and selling them like cable companies, as well as putting high-paying customers in “fast lanes” and everyone else in “slow lanes.”

Of course, all of these changes won’t happen at once, and some states won’t see any affect from the disappearance of net neutrality today due to local legislation. Washington state governor Jay Inslee signed a law in March that effectively reinstated the federal net neutrality rules for its residents, and other state governors in Montana and New York are said to have used executive orders “to force net neutrality.” A total of 29 state legislatures had introduced bills to ensure net neutrality as of May, but many failed or are still pending today as the national repeal takes place.

Democrats took to the Senate last month and won a vote to restore net neutrality rules across the country, which is now facing a major hurdle in the House of Representatives. According to Bloomberg, Democrats are now “less than 50 votes” from advancing their resolution in the House that would reinstate net neutrality protections, with a petition to force a vote at 170 of 218 signatures needed. If the measure ultimately makes it to President Trump’s desk, it’s believed that it would likely still be struck down as the President wouldn’t go against a regulation created by his own FCC chairman Ajit Pai.

The pro-net neutrality petition’s sponsor, Representative Mike Doyle, noted that many see the measure gaining momentum as customers become aware of how things could change in the future.

“If certain services are blocked or throttled, they get it,” Doyle said. “People start to understand, these are protections for consumers that no longer exist.”

In contrast, USTelecom president Jonathan Spalter said the outcry is unfounded and pointed out that “it’s business as usual on the internet today.”

“It’s business as usual on the internet today — movies are streaming, e-commerce is thriving, and advocates are using the internet to make their voices heard,” said Jonathan Spalter, president of broadband trade group USTelecom with members including AT&T and Verizon. “These positive and profound benefits of a free and open internet — among many others — are here to stay.”

FCC chairman Ajit Pai said in a press conference on Friday that today’s repeal will lead to “better, faster, cheaper internet access for consumers, and more competition.” Supporters of the repeal cite the return to an “open” and less regulated internet, seen prior to the 2015 induction of net neutrality. Multiple groups taking the FCC’s side in the debate and in numerous legal battles include wireless communications trade association CTIA, which represents AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile, and NCTA, an association representing cable carriers like Comcast and Charter.

As Democrats gather votes in the House, many of the big technology companies have voiced support of net neutrality, including Netflix, Google, Amazon, and Apple. Although the company and its executives have not discussed the topic in a few months, Apple’s comment last year stated that the net neutrality repeal could “fundamentally alter the internet as we know it,” and if it passed it would be put in place to the detriment of consumers, competition, and innovation.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tag: net neutrality
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Bethesda Reveals Free-to-Play RPG ‘The Elder Scrolls: Blades’ Will Launch This Fall on iOS

During its E3 conference last night, Bethesda Game Studios revealed that a new game in the Elder Scrolls series is coming to iOS and Android devices this fall, called The Elder Scrolls: Blades [Direct Link] (via TouchArcade). Bethesda describes Blades as a free-to-play title, but the developer didn’t give any further details about potential in-app purchases.

In terms of story, players will take on the role of a member of the ancient order of the Blades, tasked with rebuilding and restoring their ramshackle hometown to its former glory after being exiled from the order. Bethesda says the mobile game “contains the many hallmarks” of the series that fans know of:

…beautifully rendered, console-quality environments, powerful magic, tons of gear to collect, upgradeable skills and of course, real-time fantasy battles!

Like other Elder Scrolls games, Blades is first person and fights are controlled by using the touchscreen to slash your sword, deflect, cast spells, and more. A fighting Arena features one-on-one combat with other players in real time, and an infinite, roguelike Abyss mode hides treasures in a never-ending dungeon.

The single-player campaign takes players through the town rebuilding process, where they will be able to customize the city to their liking as it expands and even visit their friends’ towns. In every mode, Blades supports both two-handed landscape and a one-handed portrait setup, and to switch between each all you have to do is rotate the iPhone or iPad.

During the company’s press conference, Bethesda Games Studios director Todd Howard showed a video of the game running on an iPhone X.

Those interested have until June 15 to pre-register for a chance to be part of the game’s early access program. Otherwise, Bethesda says that The Elder Scrolls: Blades will launch to the public sometime later this year. Although it’s launching first on smartphones and tablets, Howard says that Blades will eventually be available on PC and console.

On the iOS App Store, Apple has featured The Elder Scrolls: Blades today in a sneak peek article, where users can also pre-order the game [Direct Link] with an expected release date of September 1, 2018. A few other iOS gaming announcements have been made at E3 this year, one including a mash-up of the Gears of War franchise and Funko Pop toys called Gears Pop.

Tag: Bethesda
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Oppo Find X: Goodbye long battery charge, and hello long camera zoom

Oppo will launch a new smartphone on June 19, and has chosen to resurrect a name from the company’s past to attach to it. At an event in Paris on the day, we will meet the Oppo Find X. Long-time smartphone fans may recognize the Find name, which has adorned several unusual, and very high specification Oppo phones over the years, but has not been used for some time.

What will the Find X be like? Oppo says the phone will not only revive the Find name, but also, “Carry the spirit of Oppo’s continuous exploration.” What does this really mean? Oppo, if you don’t know the brand very well, has often produced phones that are technically exciting, with several industry-firsts and various quirky-and-memorable features.

Oppo is teasing at least two of these for the Find X. The first relates to the camera, a feature Oppo often concentrates on. For the Find X, it may introduce a 5x zoom camera with dual lenses, which it demonstrated at Mobile World Congress 2017. At the time it didn’t share information on when, or if, the technology would make it into an actual phone for sale. This may change with the Find X.

Oppo’s only teaser image of the Find X gives nothing away.

The camera uses a clever periscope-style construction to produce the zoom effect, yet the module is only 5.7mm thick, so if it is inside the Find X, the phone won’t be incredibly thick to compensate. Perhaps more excitingly, the Find X may finally get Oppo’s Super VOOC fast charging system. Oppo’s VOOC charge is already quick, but Super VOOC is like nothing we currently use.

When it was demonstrated at MWC 2016, Super VOOC promised to charge a 2,500mAh battery from flat to full in only 15 minutes. The low-voltage system employs algorithms to regulate the current and voltage, ensuring everything is as safe as it is fast. Super VOOC’s charging speed is way beyond any other fast charging system we see today, and if it is inside the Find X, it will be a strong selling point.

It’s not certain either of these technologies will appear in the Find X, but we’re hoping it’s more than just a coincidence Oppo is teasing them alongside the phone. The remaining specification is unknown, but a phone believed to be the Find X did briefly appear on the TENAA certification website in China, potentially showing the phone will have a 6.4-inch screen, a Snapdragon 845 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a dual-lens camera with 20 and 16-megapixel lenses, plus a 25-megapixel selfie camera.

The Find X will launch at an event in Paris on June 19, and we’ll bring you all the details then. Oppo doesn’t officially sell its phones in the United States, but does sell them internationally outside China, so importing one will be possible.

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South Korean cryptocurrency exchange loses $40 million in hack

Tech Crunch reports that South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Coinrail has lost roughly  $40 million worth of tokens in a recent hack. The stolen currency was a mixture of alt-coins, cryptocurrencies which aren’t as big as the likes of Bitcoin.

The hackers managed to steal nearly $20 million worth of NPXS tokens which were issued by Pundi X’s initial coin offering. They also made off with $13.8 million from Aston X which is a company working to create a platform to decentralize documents. Finally, they stole $5.8 million in tokens from Dent and $1.1 million in Tron, a newer currency originating in China.

That data comes from the wallet address of the alleged hacker who also managed to get away with smaller amounts of coins from five other cryptocurrencies.

It is worth noting that the organizations which issued the coins were not hacked. Instead, the coins were taken from Coinrail’s users. Coinrail has not commented on whether or not it will refund the affected users. When a similar hack affected Japan’s Coincheck exchange, the company offered refunds to the affected customers.

While Coinrail has not commented on the matter of refunds, it has issued a statement addressing the hack. The company has taken its service offline and moved its remaining assets to cold storage while it deals with the matter.

Several of the companies whose coins were hacked have also issued statements and pledged to take action against the hacker. Pundi, which says the hacker stole 3 percent of its tokens, has frozen the stolen tokens. It has also ceased all trading of its tokens across various exchanges to help with the investigation which now involves the Korean authorities.

NPER, which lost $860,000 in the hack, says it has frozen the stolen coins and plans to incinerate them so the thief will get no value out of them.

While the coins may be of no use to the hacker, that is likely to be of little comfort to the victims of this crime. Unfourantely, as is often the case with cryptocurrencies, they have little in the way of legal recourse. The field remains unregulated meaning there is no system to insure these currencies in the event of a theft.

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OxygenOS 5.1.6 update for the OnePlus 6 enables portrait mode for the front camera

The latest OxygenOS update is packed with new features.

The OnePlus 6 is now picking up the OxygenOS 5.1.6 OTA update, which brings a host of new features to the device. The OTA update brings portrait mode for the front camera, and gives us a first look at the Light Bokeh effect that OnePlus talked about at the launch of the phone.

Aside from the camera tweaks, the update includes the ability to schedule Do Not Disturb mode, a feature that has been missing on OnePlus devices for a long time. With the 5.1.6 update installed, you’ll be able to set up a custom schedule to enable DND mode, and set up rules for what notifications and calls come through when the mode is active.

You can also view battery percentage in the status bar. This feature was missing in the initial OxygenOS builds of the OnePlus 6, but it’s now available for the device. There’s a bevy of bug fixes as well, and the update enables VoLTE connectivity for Idea Cellular users in India.

OnePlus says it optimized the call clarity as well, tweaked ringtone and audio quality, fixed stability issues with dual SIM cards, and added dual 4G options. There’s also a smart answer option for Bluetooth devices.

Like all OTA updates, the OxygenOS 5.1.6 build will start rolling out incrementally, with a small percentage of users receiving the update this week.

OnePlus 6

• OnePlus 6 review
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• These are the official OnePlus 6 cases
• The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Verizon or Sprint
• Join the discussion in the forums

Google Pixel 2 & Pixel 2 XL: News, tips, problems, specs and more!

Everything you need to know about the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL!

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are finally here, and there’s a lot to unpack.

While these devices resemble the original Pixel and Pixel XL, there are many changes both internally and externally that make them worth talking about.

Let’s dive in.

Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL review!

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are incredible phones — probably the best Android phones out there right now. Despite their different sizes, they are nearly identical where it counts, in their cameras, their performance, their build quality, and their software experience. While the Pixel 2 XL has slimmer bezels and a slightly more washed-out pOLED display, the smaller Pixel 2 contends with a more dated-looking form factor and a smaller battery. Oh, and a smaller price tag to boot.

Which one should you buy? Read the full review below!

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL review: The new standard for Android

Pixel 2 second opinion: Close to perfect

Google Pixel 2 review, one month later: Still solid, still the best

The Pixel 3 is coming this October

Concept by @PhoneDesigner

The Pixel 2 and 2 XL are still excellent buys in mid-2018, and while we’ve got no problem continuing to recommend them, it’s worth keeping in mind that the Pixel 3 series will be here before you know it.

Google’s expected to announce the Pixel 3 and 3 XL in October, and while there’s a lot we still don’t know about the phones, early rumors have pointed at a notch and dual front-facing cameras on the larger Pixel 3 XL, front-facing speakers on both, and smaller bezels on the regular Pixel 3 compared to the Pixel 2.

Similar to past entries in the Pixel lineup, both the Pixel 3 and 3 XL will likely be exclusive to Verizon Wireless once again.

Google Pixel 3: News, Rumors, Release Date, Specs, and more!

You can download the Android P beta right now

Android P won’t officially be released until sometime this August, but until then, you can dive into the new software early as part of Google’s beta program.

Signing up for the Android P beta is as simple as going to a website, clicking a button to enroll your phone, and then downloading an over-the-air update.

Android P’s currently at Developer Preview 3 / Beta 2, meaning we’ve got two more updates to go before the final build is ready for primetime. The beta isn’t without its fair share of bugs, but in our testing, has proven to be good enough for use on a daily driver.

How to install Android P on your Pixel right now (or roll back to Oreo)

Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL specs

These are two phones of different screen sizes, screen-to-body ratios and aspect ratios, but otherwise nearly identical internal components.

Without knowing beforehand, you wouldn’t be able to tell that the Pixel 2 was made by HTC and the Pixel 2 XL by LG — they’re that similar. But when you dig a little deeper, the lineages are clear: the Pixel 2’s AMOLED display (which is actually made by Samsung) is clearly better than the washed-out, problematic LG-made pOLED display on the Pixel 2 XL.

Both phones have Snapdragon 835s, 4GB of RAM and between 64GB and 128GB storage standard, along with single rear 12MP cameras — this year with OIS. They’re waterproof (yay!) but don’t have headphone jacks (boo!). There’so no wireless charging, but the sides can be squeezed to activate Google Assistant. And though it ships with Android 8.0, not 8.1, there’s a lot new here — including an embedded eSIM to connect to Project Fi even without a SIM card.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL specs

How do they compare to other phones?

Of course, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL don’t exist in a vacuum; they are in an industry overwhelmed by choice. It’s pretty hard to buy a bad phone at this point in time, so how do the Pixel 2s stand out? We investigate in a number of comparisons with the top-of-the-line phones on the market right now.

Samsung Galaxy S9 vs. Google Pixel 2: Which should you buy?

Google Pixel 2 XL vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Big phones, big prices

OnePlus 6 vs. Google Pixel 2 XL: Which should you buy?

Google Pixel 2 vs. iPhone 8: Do these bezels make my phone look fat?

Which color should you buy?

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are available in three color options and two color options, respectively.

The Kinda Blue model is only on the smaller Pixel 2, but the Pixel 2 XL has the “chocolate-dipped” Black and White version, which we’re excited about. The Kinda Blue model used to be a Verizon exclusive, but is now available for unlocked and Project Fi buyers as well.

Oh, and about that orange power button…

Which color Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL should you buy?

Which storage size should you buy?

Last year, it was possible to buy the Pixel or Pixel XL in either 32GB or 128GB varieties; the former was too little for many people, the latter too much.

This year, the proposition seems a bit simpler because Google made it an easier choice: 64GB or 128GB.

Google Pixel 2: Which storage size should you buy?

Should you upgrade from the Pixel or Nexus lineup?

The Pixels, when they launched in October 2016, were no slouches. Featuring specs that still hold up today, including some of the best cameras on the market, it’s interesting to see how far Google came with the Pixel 2 series — especially on the larger Pixel 2 XL.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL vs. Google Pixel and Pixel XL: Specs comparison

So the question is — should you upgrade from last year’s models? That’s a difficult question to answer, but it’s one a lot of people will be considering.

Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel: Should you upgrade?

Google Pixel 2 XL vs. Pixel XL: Should you upgrade?

Then there are the 2015 models, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P. Those are a bit older, and definitely don’t have the same quality of experience. It’s easy enough to suggest upgrading from to the Pixel 2 from the Nexus 5X — the price jump is significant, though — but it’s a less obvious move from the Nexus 6P to the Pixel 2 XL.

Is it worth upgrading to the Google Pixel 2 XL from the Nexus 6P?

Is it worth upgrading to the Google Pixel 2 from the Nexus 5X?

Google is doubling down on the single camera

Something amazing happened this year: Google didn’t add a second camera to either the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL. The move says something in an industry where practically every other major manufacturer, from Samsung to Apple to Huawei, has taken steps to differentiate themselves with an additional camera sensor, and lots of added functionality as a result.

But Google’s image prowess allows it to do many things with one sensor that it takes other companies two to do. For instance, portrait photography. Portrait Mode is amazing on the Pixel 2 — better even than the iPhone X in many cases — and it applies to the front-facing camera, too.

With the Pixel 2, Google is doubling down on the single camera

Google built its own custom imaging chip to make the Pixel 2’s camera even better

Google may only be using one camera in the Pixel 2, but it’s got a trick up its sleeve — in the form of a new custom chip designed in-house called the Pixel Visual Core. Starting with the Android 8.1 update, it gives third-party developers a direct line to the immense amount of data captured by the Pixel 2’s camera sensor.

At first, the Visual Core will allow developers to tap into Google’s incredible HDR+ mode, which improves low-light performance while preserving detail in difficult lighting conditions. Then who knows — this is Google’s first foray into custom silicon, and it has huge potential for the future of the Pixel lineup.

The Pixel 2 camera’s secret weapon: A Google-designed SoC, the ‘Pixel Visual Core’

Pixel Visual Core enabled for all apps in Pixel 2’s February update

Pixel 2 is water resistant

This is the first Pixel that’s water resistant, with an IP67 rating, so you’ll be able to dunk your phone in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes at a time without a worry.

🏊

It also has no headphone jack

Yeah, these are the first phones from Google not to ship with a headphone jack, but the company is including a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter in the box (and is selling a $20 dongle if you want an extra) should you want to pair with traditional wired headphones.

If you want to go wireless, the Pixel 2 supports Bluetooth 5.0, and Google selling its own pair of wireless headphones called the Pixel Buds, and is partnering with companies like Libratone and others to market Google-certified headphones.

The best wireless headphones for the Pixel 2

It has an embedded eSIM

A what?

The Pixel 2 has this cool thing called an eSIM, or electronic SIM card, that allows you to connect to a network — in this case, Project Fi — with no physical SIM card.

Of course, the Pixel still supports that physical piece of plastic and bits, but you don’t need it to connect to Project Fi, and that little detail heralds the future of mobile connectivity — whenever the carriers decide to catch up. In the meantime, if you’re in the U.S., you can buy a Pixel 2 and activate Project Fi whenever you want, even if you didn’t order it directly them from.

Google Pixel 2 doesn’t need a SIM card, as long as you use Project Fi

Should you use the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL on Project Fi?

So it has an embedded eSIM card in the phone, and you don’t need to buy it from Project Fi to use it on the service. But should you use it with Google’s MVNO, which cycles between T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular in the U.S.?

Should you use your Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL on Project Fi?

The Pixel 2 series will get Android R 😱

It’s true — Google is giving the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL three years of guaranteed software updates, which means that when it launches with Android Oreo, it will get Android P in 2018, Android Q in 2019 and, miraculously, Android R in 2020.

Will people even use phones in 2020? We’ll find out!

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL come with 3 years of guaranteed platform updates

Here’s what you should do first

The Pixels are pretty easy to set up, but our experts know what you should dive into first. If you want the best out of your Pixel 2 experience, check out our list of the first six things you should do with your new phone.

The first 6 things to do with your Google Pixel 2 or 2 XL

Where to buy the Pixel 2

The Pixel 2 is now available to order at the Google Store in all launch markets — that’s Australia, Canada, Germany, India, UK, and the U.S.

For carrier availability and a country-wide breakdown on pricing, hit up the link below.

Where to buy the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

Which carriers can you buy it from in the U.S.?

Verizon. In addition to the Google Store and Project Fi, Verizon is once again the exclusive U.S. carrier for the 2017 Pixel lineup. While the Verizon model comes unlocked, and can be used on other carriers, it’s updated through Verizon, not Google, and has carrier-specific optimizations.

See at Verizon

Pixel 2 XL OLED problems

Before you commit to buying the phones, it’s worth pointing out that the Pixel 2 XL has a few display issues. The quality of the panel itself is fairly low compared to equivalent Samsung models, featuring discoloration when viewed off-center; graininess and muddiness, especially at low brightness; poor backlight uniformity (similar to the LG V30); and in some cases, burn-in.

That’s some pretty wild OLED burn-in on the Pixel 2 XL after maybe 7 days of full-time use pic.twitter.com/EPJTs6D0Kg

— Alex Dobie (@alexdobie) October 22, 2017

Burn-in consists of a permanent marking on the screen after an unmoving image has been there for some time. It’s a hallmark of OLED displays, and can be found on panels of both high and low quality. Generally, the higher the quality the longer burn-in takes to show.

In a post on its community forums, Google addressed the issue, saying that it found the burn-in, or “differential aging,” characteristics of the OLED panel on the Pixel 2 XL to be no worse than other flagships using screens of the same technology.

Extensive testing of the Pixel 2 XL display show that its decay characteristics are comparable to OLED panels used in other premium smartphones. The differential aging should not affect the user experience of the phone, as it’s not visible under normal use of your Pixel 2 XL.

An update issued in early November added a “Saturated” mode to the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL’s screens, and dramatically improved the color quality of the 2 XL. While blue shift is still a problem, washed-out colors are not, and Google now fades the navigation bar after a few seconds to mitigate burn-in. The official Android 8.1 update improved the Pixel 2 XL’s colors even more, so we’d now venture to say most people won’t notice an issue with the phone’s screen.

More: Google Pixel 2 XL adds new display profiles, UI changes to address burn-in

There have been some issues with trade-ins

Google offers up to $410 for users to trade in their previous Pixels or other high-end phones, but the system has been marred in delays and other problems that have kept people from receiving their credits for the new Pixel 2 phones.

Fortunately, the issues have been sorted (according to Google), and those who didn’t receive a credit, or had their phone denied, should be fine now.

Google says it has fixed Pixel and Nexus trade-in issues

What about cases and accessories?

With the Pixel 2, Google has implemented a new ‘Made for Google’ program where accessory makers can build products that are guaranteed to work really well with the company’s new phones. If you’re looking for the right case, or maybe just a new pair of headphones, we’ve got you covered.

The best Pixel 2 accessories

The best Pixel 2 cases

The best Pixel 2 XL cases

Here’s every Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL case we could find

Best Car Chargers for Google Pixel and Pixel 2

Best Wireless Headphones for the Google Pixel 2

The new Daydream VR headset is fantastic

Just because Google (and everyone else) is excited about its new phones, that doesn’t mean the company has forgotten about its plans for VR. Alongside the Pixel 2 and 2 XL comes a new Daydream VR headset with improved materials, better lenses, and more comfortable straps that make using it for longer periods considerably easier.

Daydream View 2017 review: Mostly successful refinement

Should you worry about some of the issues you’re hearing about?

From a problematic display on the Pixel 2 XL to clicking sounds from the top speaker to poor sound quality when capturing video, the Pixel 2 line hasn’t been without its fair share of problems.

Oh, and some units are shipping with software that won’t boot, while others are reporting Bluetooth issues when connecting to headphones and other music players.

The good news is that Google is working on fixing all of them, and some have already started rolling out with Android 8.1 update.

How to fix common Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL problems

What could have been

Every phone goes through different design iterations before making it to market, and the Pixel 2 line is no different. Google recently shared some prototypes of the phones to shed some light on the earlier versions of the Pixel phones. By and large the prototypes were close to the final, two-tone design, but Google experimented with wider bodies, different size camera sensors and more.

This is what the Pixel 2 could have looked like

Anything else?

There were lots of other things announced at Google’s hardware event on October 4. Take a look at the video above to take a look, and read our other coverage on the Home Mini, Home Max, new Daydream VR headset, Google Buds headphones, and more!

Updated June 2018: This article has been updated with information on Android P, the Pixel 3, and more.

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

Best Buy
Verizon
Google Store
Project Fi

‘The Elder Scrolls: Blades,’ a free-to-play mobile RPG, arrives this fall

It turns out Bethesda is currently working on not one, but two Elder Scrolls games. Yes, The Elder Scrolls VI is in development, Bethesda announced at the end of its E3 2018 press conference. That is a long ways away, after Starfield, which is also a long ways away. Don’t be too sad, though. In the meantime, Bethesda is giving its fantasy franchise the mobile treatment in The Elder Scrolls: Blades, a free-to-play game launching this fall on iOS and Android.

Shown off on the iPhone X, The Elder Scrolls: Blades is a visual marvel, a pure Elder Scrolls experience that fans of the franchise will recognize instantly. It’s a first-person RPG. You can either tap the screen to move or use on-screen dual sticks to control your character like you would on a console.

In terms of dungeons, there are both procedurally generated and designed ones. The procedurally generated dungeons would seem to up the replay value of already-conquered lairs.

Blades will be split into three different modes. Town, where you can build up your little space in the world, is the main portion. This is where you grab story missions and quests. Outside of the main story, Blades has a player-versus-player mode called Arena, and a rogue-like set in an endless dungeon called Abyss.

While we imagine most will want to play Blades in landscape mode on smartphones, Bethesda has included the ability to play in Portrait mode. The controls are designed simplistically enough that you can play with one hand.

Get your game on

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The Elder Scrolls: Blades is already available for pre-order on both the App Store and Google Play. Interestingly, although all signs point to it being designed primarily for mobile audiences, Bethesda promised to bring the game to consoles, PC, and virtual reality as well — with cross-play across all platforms.

Given the success of Fallout Shelter — more than 100 million people have played so far — it’s no surprise Bethesda is cranking out another mobile game. If nothing else, Blades will at least help scratch the Elder Scrolls itch while fans wait for The Elder Scrolls VI. Blades looked impressive from the demo shown on stage. Plus, it’s free, so why not try it out?

Editors’ Recommendations

• Bethesda E3 2018 press conference confirms ‘Starfield’ and ‘The Elder Scrolls VI’
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‘Fallout 76’ is an online-only ‘soft-core’ survival game arriving this November

Bethesda finally revealed some juicy details about its latest Fallout installment, including its November 14 release date, during a press event on Sunday evening prior to the start of the E3 gaming convention. The Fallout 76 reveal was a bit more in-depth than what we saw during the Xbox show Sunday afternoon, where we learned the game’s world will be four times the size of the explorable area in Fallout 4. That little tidbit was just the tip of the massive Fallout 76 iceberg. 

For starters, Fallout 76 takes place before all other Fallout games. Set in the hills of West Virginia, it casts you as one of the best and brightest selected to repopulate the Earth. You’re also one of the first to emerge from a vault after the post-apocalyptic dust settles. You’ve spent 25 years underground preparing for what’s called Reclamation Day, when you’ll step out into the world above and begin to rebuild America. 

But don’t worry: This won’t be a building simulator with a Fallout theme. Fallout 76 is an RPG at heart that expands on the base-building mechanics of Fallout 4 to encompass an entire settlement. And you won’t be exploring and building alone: Fallout 76 will be a dedicated online multiplayer game where every character you meet will be an actual player. 

Game director Todd Howard classifies Fallout 76 as a “soft-core survival” game. You and other players can build settlements and move them anywhere you want. But you also must protect those settlements from mutated beasts, wildlife, and other players. Did a group just come in and destroy your settlement? Return the favor by locating one of the multiple nuclear missile sites and returning the favor. Don’t have the complete launch code? Find other players holding the missing pieces. 

“You’ll decide the heroes, and you’ll decide the villains,” he said. Howard added that you can visit the targeted site after the dust settles to collect rare, valuable resources. 

Given Fallout 76 is entirely online, your progression stays with your character. Even more, your character won’t be tied to one specific server, so if Bethesda’s network needs to shift you over to another server, your character remains intact. Bethesda will provide servers “100-percent” dedicated to the game for years to come. 

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While it’s an online-only game, you can still play Fallout 76 solo. There’s a story and quests to complete that are rooted deep in West Virginian folklore, and six distinct regions to explore with their own styles, risks, and rewards. Backing this massive area is an engine rendering 16 times the detail seen in Fallout 4. You can even see distant weather systems on the horizon, Howard boasts. 

Fallout 76 will be playable in 4K with HDR on the Xbox One X console. We imagine this will be the case on PlayStation 4 Pro and Windows 10 as well. 

Pre-orders for Fallout 76 begin June 15, 2018. The Collector’s Edition will include a map that glows in the dark, figures you can place on the map, and a wearable T-51 Power Armor helmet with a working headlamp.

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Elon Musk’s Boring Company puts first 1,000 flamethrowers in buyers’ hands

Consumer flamethrowers and rockets on cars? Sure, right? Never happen. Fact is, Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised both and this weekend he delivered on his promised personal flamethrowers.

To be more specific, Musk’s The Boring Company delivered the first 1,000 of a limited run of 20,000 TBC Flamethrowers to customers this weekend. On that basis, who’s to say the next-generation Tesla Roadster won’t have a SpaceX option package with 10 rocket thrusters, as Musk claimed Saturday?

Choosing one of his favorite communications forums, Musk took to Twitter to post some photos of the flamethrower customer pickup event, accompanying his tweets with enthusiastic comments.

Musk’s Twitter thread started with a straight announcement, “First 1000 Boring Company Flamethrowers being picked up today!”

First 1000 Boring Company Flamethrowers being picked up today! pic.twitter.com/hBMp5fGzAB

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 9, 2018

Musk later posted a photo of a couple with a baby carriage and a flamethrower standing in front of a Boring Company photo shoot backdrop in a parking lot. “Nothing makes your baby more zen than a few gentle puffs of a TBC Flamethrower,” Musk tweeted.

Nothing makes your baby more zen than a few gentle puffs of a TBC Flamethrower pic.twitter.com/HewJf66hh2

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 9, 2018

Still on a roll, Musk followed up with a suggested application for the flamethrower: lighting BBQs and home fireplaces. This suggestion probably should have a “Kids, do not try this at home” caution, because you know that’s what people will do.

Musk tweeted “Flamethrower obv best way to light your fireplace/BBQ. No more need to use a dainty “match” to ignite! If no wood, just drop your flamethrower in fire place! It will generate way more warmth than a quaint pile of logs.”

Flamethrower obv best way to light your fireplace/BBQ. No more need to use a dainty “match” to ignite! If no wood, just drop your flamethrower in fire place! It will generate way more warmth than a quaint pile of logs.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 9, 2018

Twitter user @SPPhotonic mentioned California fire hazards, “Did Nobody tell you that fire Hazards in California are not a joke? Have some respect for the Firefighters and make an Ice Blaster.”

Did Nobody tell you that fire Hazards in California are not a joke? ???????????? Have some respect for the Firefighters and make an Ice Blaster❄️❄️❄️

— Sanki (@SPPhotonic) June 9, 2018

In response to @SPPhotonic, Musk may have revealed an upcoming new TBC product when he tweeted, “Each flamethrower comes with a state-of-the-art The Boring Company brand fire extinguisher. Will offer a TBC ice blaster before the dry season starts in winter.”

Each flamethrower comes with a state-of-the-art The Boring Company brand fire extinguisher.

Will offer a TBC ice blaster before the dry season starts in winter.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 9, 2018

The 20,000 TBC Flamethrowers sold out quickly for $500 each. If TBC actually does plan to offer an ice blaster and expects it to be useful when the “winter dry season” begins, the news should come soon. Musk first announced TBC Flamethrower in January and the first deliveries took almost five months.

The 2020 Tesla Roadster with the SpaceX option package won’t see light before 2019, so we’ll have to wait longer to see if Musk really meant it when he promised rocket thrusters.

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