Apple Releases First Beta of tvOS 11.4.1 to Public Beta Testers

Apple today seeded the first beta of an upcoming tvOS 11.4.1 update to its public beta testing group, one day after seeding iOS 11.4.1 to developers and a few days after releasing tvOS 11.4.

The tvOS 11.4.1 public beta can be obtained by going to the Settings app on the Apple TV and navigating to the Software Updates section under “System.” “Get Public Beta Updates” will need to be toggled on, and once it is, the Apple TV will download the beta software.

No notable features or changes were discovered in the first developer beta of tvOS 11.4.1, suggesting this is a minor update.

Most tvOS updates have been minor in scale, and Apple does not provide detailed notes outlining what’s new, so we may not know just what’s included in tvOS 11.4.1 if it’s only bug fixes.

Related Roundup: Apple TVBuyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Neutral)
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Releases First Beta of macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 to Public Beta Testers

Apple today released the first beta of an upcoming macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 update to public beta testers, one day after releasing the 10.13.6 update for developers. macOS High Sierra 10.13.6 comes as macOS High Sierra 10.13.5 remains in beta testing.

Beta testers who have signed up for Apple’s beta testing program will be able to download the new macOS High Sierra beta through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store.

Those who want to be a part of Apple’s beta testing program can sign up to participate through the beta testing website, which gives users access to iOS, macOS, and tvOS betas.

No notable features or changes were discovered in the first beta of macOS 10.13.6 provided to developers, suggesting the new software focuses on bug fixes and other under-the-hood updates.

macOS 10.13.6 is likely to be one of the last updates to macOS High Sierra, as Apple is transitioning to macOS 10.14. macOS 10.14 will be unveiled next week at the Worldwide Developers Conference.

Related Roundup: macOS High Sierra
Discuss this article in our forums

I tried living the dual phone life — it just isn’t for me

Having two phones and two SIMs to manage was just too much for me.

A couple of months ago, I wrote about carrying two phones at once; why you might want to, and some of the strategies that go into making it easier to manage. I’ve been dual-wieding phones since a little bit before then — right around the time I picked up an iPhone X — but I’ve finally given up on the prospect and gone back to carrying just one phone at a time because, for me at least, two proved to be more hassle than they were worth.

There are plenty of valid reasons to carry two phones, some work-related and some personal. I’m somewhere in-between; as a phone reviewer, it can be helpful to carry and test more than one phone at once, but I don’t really take full advantage of that. One of my pockets is almost always occupied by my iPhone X, despite me being an employee of Android Central. What can I say — I like having both mobile operating systems at the ready, and some of the conveniences when paired with my MacBook Pro (Airdrop and iMessage, in particular) make the iPhone hard to leave at home.

But eventually, the inconveniences of having to manage two devices outweighed any advantages brought on by Apple’s or Google’s ecosystems. Having to charge two phones every day, keep two SIM cards active, keep both of my front pockets free (which is especially frustrating when I carry my wallet in my front pocket and always worry about my cards scratching my phones if I keep both in a pocket), and so on — it just became too much for me to want to deal with.

I carried two phones for platform diversity, but that might’ve been my downfall.

In fairness, things might’ve been a fair bit easier had I been carrying two Android phones. In my aforementioned piece, I recommended Google Voice as a way to use one phone number across multiple devices, but that doesn’t work with iMessage. Neither does T-Mobile DIGITS, in case you’re wondering. Photos would’ve also been a bit easier to manage; while you can use Google Photos for unlimited photo backups on either platform, iOS is aggressive enough in its background app management that I’ve checked Google Photos countless times to see a week’s worth of photos still waiting to upload.

In any case, the dual phone experiment is over for me — at least, when I’m not traveling. This isn’t the first time I’ve carried more than one phone at a time and I doubt it’ll be the last, but having one phone just feels comfortable, and I’ve finally backed away from iMessage and moved my main SIM to the current phone I’m reviewing — which is the HTC U12+, in case you’re wondering. Life is simpler now, though I already hate being back on SMS as the media I send and receive reverts to what the internet lovingly calls “potato quality.”

One of the things I enjoyed most about carrying two phones was being able to use two different networks, always being able to fall back to Verizon when AT&T loses coverage or vice-versa. The obvious solution when carrying only one phone is to use a dual-SIM phone, which can switch back and forth internally, either manually or automatically based on coverage. In he States, your options for a dual-SIM phone are fairly limited but they’re not totally barren. Most of Huawei’s phones are dual-SIM capable, including the long-lasting Mate 10 Pro and the affordable Honor View 10. If you’re willing to import, you can also snag an international Galaxy S9, which makes use of the increasingly common microSD/nanoSIM hybrid tray to offer dual-SIM support.

I think for most people, though, the best option may be the OnePlus 6. Not only is it one of the more affordable options, but it’s one of the best phones currently on the market, with high-end specs and a surprisingly good set of cameras, though it’s still not quite up to par with true flagships like the Galaxy S9 and Pixel 2. It also works great on GSM networks — sorry if you were looking to use Verizon or Sprint. This means that even if you have a T-Mobile personal SIM and an AT&T work SIM, or some other combination of GSM networks, you don’t have to carry two phones around all the time unless you really want to.

See at OnePlus

What’s your take? Do you carry two phones, and if so is it by necessity or choice? Would you rather use a dual-SIM phone? Let us know in the comments below!

OnePlus 6: Everything you need to know

Unlock the secrets.

The OnePlus 6 is now available, and it’s a compelling option for someone looking for an unlocked phone at a reasonable price — starting at $529 to be specific. But price aside, it’s a great choice for anyone, even those considering more expensive options, thanks to a combination of hardware and software, and a community that continues to support the company and one another.

Here’s everything you need to know about the OnePlus 6!

The latest OnePlus 6 news

May 31, 2018 — Battery percentage coming to the status bar, fix for rear camera autofocus issue, and more

As part of a Q&A session OnePlus held of its forums, the company answered a lot of burning questions on users’ minds. You can read through the full rundown here, but the highlights include:

• The three dots in the status bar will be removed in the next update.
• A battery percentage is coming to the status bar in the next update.
• Scheduled Do Not Disturb will be added in the next update.
• The next update will fix low volume for calls and notifications.
• Future updates will correct issues with the rear camera’s autofocus.
• Your network will properly work when using an IDEA as a non-data card in the next update.
• A fix in the next update will resolve an issue that causes sound to stop working when switching to the speaker from the earpiece.

May 29, 2018 — JerryRigEverything tears down the OnePlus 6 to see how waterproof it really is

It was expected that OnePlus would have to cut a few corners in order to keep the OnePlus 6’s price as low as it is, and one of those cuts came in the way of a proper water resistance rating.

Unlike other flagship phones, the OnePlus 6 doesn’t come with a proper IP rating. However, OnePlus does note on its website that the phone “is well-equipped to survive a drop in the sink or a spilled glass of water.”

To test out just how “water resistant” the OnePlus 6 actually is, JerryRigEverything cracked open the phone and determined it’s about as protected as other phones that have a proper IP rating. Check it out above!

Read our review and watch the video

First thing’s first, watch the video and read the review. There’s plenty about the phone to learn, even though much of it is familiar. But the essential question a review tries to answer is, Should you buy this thing? And the response is an unrestrained, Yes.

The OnePlus 6 is the company’s finest phone ever, with excellent design, build quality, battery life and, for the first time, cameras.

Read the review

Review the specs

Once you’re done reading the review, you should, ahem, review the specifications. The phone is powerful — like one of the most powerful on the market today — with plenty of headroom and legroom (it’s proverbially spacious is what I’m trying to say) for whatever you want to throw at it. Apps-wise, not like object-wise.

OnePlus 6 specifications

How does it compare to other phones?

Of course, the OnePlus 6 doesn’t exist in a bubble — you have to compare it to other devices if you’re going to decide whether you should buy it. Thankfully, we’ve done most of the work for you, comparing it to the best flagships on the market right now.

• OnePlus 6 vs. Google Pixel 2 XL: Which should you buy?
• OnePlus 6 vs. Samsung Galaxy S9+: Which should you buy?

What about to other OnePlus phones?

Yeah, OnePlus owners like to keep it in the family, so to speak, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see many upgrading, or thinking of upgrading, from an existing OnePlus device, like a 3, 3T, 5, or 5T. Of course, with the company releasing two phones a year these days, it won’t be long until the next upgrade cycle hits, but that also means that the existing phones age quite well, thanks to frequent software updates (the joys of not going through carriers).

If you have a OnePlus 5 or 5T, you can probably hold onto those phones for a bit longer — unless you need the camera improvements. OnePlus’s 2016 phones, on the other hand, may be getting a bit long in the tooth and could use a replacement.

• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T: Should you upgrade?
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5: Should you upgrade?

Is the OnePlus 6 camera that much better than before?

This photo was taken in nearly pitch-dark conditions. OnePlus ramps up the light sensitivity to ISO6400, which would normally produce a lot of grain, but this photo is totally usable thanks to better software processing.

Yes! The OnePlus 6 has a larger 16MP sensor than previous OnePlus devices, with pixels that are 19% bigger, so low-light photography is immensely improved. It’s not going to overtake the Huawei P20 Pro or Pixel 2 for Low Light Champion Of The World, but it’s reliable in all conditions, and that’s more important than anything else.

The camera is probably the biggest improvement over previous OnePlus models.

The phone’s main sensor is aided by a fast ƒ/1.7 aperture, so true depth of field is a thing, along with drastically improved image signal processing from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845. Together, the phone is able to detect the correct settings more quickly, take multiple shots if necessary, enable HDR mode automatically, and reduce or eliminate grain in dark conditions.

There’s also Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which was in the OnePlus 3 line but removed in last year’s series for unknown reasons. It’s back now, and paired with a larger sensor and faster main lens, the results speak for themselves.

On the other hand, the OnePlus 6’s secondary camera has less to do — it’s a 20MP sensor with an ƒ/1.7 lens, but its main purpose is to facilitate portrait mode which, while good, isn’t enough reason to have a second sensor in the first place.

Is the notch distracting?

The notch is what it is. You may hate it out of an aversion to all things Apple, or you may learn to live with it and forget it’s there. Most people will fall somewhere in the middle — it’s a character trait, like a freckle or a certain hairstyle.

What it does, though, is open up spme additional real estate on the 6.28-inch screen, which is great. But it also limits the number of icons that can be seen in the notification area, which is a bummer. Plus, the clock on the left side of the notification bar will never make sense. If you watch the video below, though, you can see ways to tweak the notification area to your liking. And you can also disable the notch altogether if you want to.

How’s the software?

It’s good! Running Android 8.1 Oreo, OxygenOS has turned into one of the most enjoyable, reliable versions of Android to date. OnePlus has also added a number of additions to make the whole thing run more smoothly, especially if you’re looking to maximize your screen real estate.

One of the more interesting changes to the software is a set of gestures that eliminates the bottom navigation keys, relying on swipes up from different areas of the bottom edge to go back, home, and enter multitasking. It’s different, but not bad. You’ll have to try it yourself.

As for tips and tricks, we’ve already got that list going, so if you’re looking to make the most of your OxygenOS experience, we have you covered.

• How to enable navigation gestures on the OnePlus 6
• How to disable the notch on the OnePlus 6

What’s it cost?

The OnePlus 6 starts at $529 USD for the base model and goes up to $629 for additional RAM and storage. There are three configurations and three colors, though one of the colors, Silk White, is only going to be available in early June and will be manufactured in limited capacities.

Here’s how the pricing breaks down in various regions.

6/64	$529	€519	£469	$699
8/128	$579	€569	£519	$769
8/256	$629	€619	£569	$839

See at OnePlus

Tell me more about the colors

There are three colors: Mirror Black, Midnight Black, and Silk White.

• Mirror Black is going to be the most common, since it’s the only color offered in the cheapest tier. It’s shiny, reflective glass, so it gets fingerprint-y, but that’s OK because you’ll likely put the phone in a case (see below). It’s also a little slippery, which is to be expected. Mirror Black is offered in 6GB / 64GB configurations for $529.

• Midnight Black is the color we’ve come to expect from OnePlus over the years, though the matte-looking finish belies a glass back, too, like the Mirror Black. Midnight Black is only available in 8GB / 128GB and 8GB / 256GB configurations for $579 and $629, respectively.

• Silk White is the most limited of the three colors, and will be available June 5. It’s also covered in glass, but like the Midnight Black model it has a matte finish and is easier to grip. Its white back has rose gold accents, and it’s definitely the nicest and most unique of the three colors. It will only be available in the 8GB / 128GB configuration, for $579, and once the run is sold out, OnePlus is not making any more.

I heard there’s an Avengers version — TELL ME EVERYTHING

Yes, you heard right: OnePlus has once again worked with Disney on licensing a special version of the OnePlus 6 for the Chinese and Indian markets. Last year, OnePlus offered an understated Start Wars variant of the OnePlus 5T, and now the Avengers version takes advantage of the hype behind the recent film release.

The Avengers version comes in a unique box and includes an Iron Man case and a OnePlus/Avengers co-branded medallion, which is neat. And while there’s a familiar glass back on the Avengers Edition, it has a Kevlar-style design underneath. Because Kevlar=superheroes, or something.

While the special edition isn’t coming to the U.S. officially, I’m sure that some entrepreneurial Indian and Chinese resellers will do the dirty business of importing some of them at a huge premium to this side of the world.

This is the OnePlus 6 Marvel Avengers Edition

The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Sprint or Verizon

The OnePlus 6 technically supports the CDMA bands for Verizon and Sprint in the U.S., but the phone lacks certification for their networks, so those users — just under half the smartphone-wielding U.S. population, is out of luck.

We’ve got your full technical explainer below.

The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Sprint or Verizon

Do you like cases?

As it does with all of its phones, OnePlus has unveiled a series of first-party cases for the OnePlus 6, and they’re all pretty great.

This year, there’s a fancy new protective bumper made of woven nylon, and while it adds a bit more bulk than the typical snap-on, I think it looks and feels awesome.

These are the official OnePlus 6 cases you can buy at launch

What are your thoughts on the OnePlus 6?

Let us know in the comments!

OnePlus 6

• OnePlus 6 review
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T: How much changes in six months?
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5: Should you upgrade?
• These are the official OnePlus 6 cases
• The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Verizon or Sprint
• Join the discussion in the forums

Save big on popular graphics cards, power supplies and more today only

Perfect time to upgrade!

Amazon is running a big one-day sale on a variety of PC components and accessories, saving you up to 25% on the purchase. With popular brands like MSI, ASUS, AMD, Seagate, WD, and more included, you’ll want to take a few minutes out of your day to check this out.

Some of the deals include:

• AMD Ryzen 7 Processor – $214.99 (Was $309)
• MSI Gaming Radeon RX 580 Graphics Card – $299.99 (Was $380)
• Corsair RM750x Modular Power Supply – $99.99 (Was $130)
• Seagate 4TB Internal 3.5-inch Hard Drive – $139.99 (Was $175)
• WD Black 250GB SSD – $93.49 (Was $120)
• Corsair Carbide Series Gaming Tower – $74.99 (Was $100)
• ASUS Curved VA326H 31.5-inch Monitor – $294.99 (Was $399)

There’s plenty more to check out as well, but keep in mind these prices are only good for today, May 31.

PlayStation 4: The Ultimate Guide

The extended user manual for all things PlayStation 4

Some of us have been PlayStation fans from day one, but this most recent generation of Sony’s infamous game console has really turned heads. The PlayStation 4 is not only a capable competitor in the market, the list of incredible games available for it is unrivaled. But there’s a whole lot more you can do with this console if you know where to look, and like all gadgets sometimes things go wrong and you need to troubleshoot a problem. So whether you’ve just bought your first PlayStation 4, or you just need a little help getting started, we’re here for you. In this article, we are going to document all of the resources you will need to ensure that your PlayStation experience is the best it possibly can be.

• What to do once you’ve finally set up your PlayStation 4

If you haven’t bought a PlayStation yet, we’ve also go the tools to help you out. Choosing your PlayStation might be difficult and if you ever plan on using a PlayStation VR you definitely want a PlayStation Pro. Aside from performance, you want to save money, and we want to help you do it. Buying products in bundles, especially if you already need the whole kit, can save you boatloads of money.

• Do you want a PlayStation 4 Classic, PlayStation 4 Pro or Slim PlayStation 4?
• The difference between a PS4 and a PS4 Slim
• Which PlayStation 4 is best for virtual reality (VR)?
• Save money buying these PlayStation Bundles!

Update March 8th – 5.50 is releasing as an official update and coming out of Beta

Today PlayStation is launching a new 5.50 update for their consoles that will be coming with a whole lot of cool new content. If you have recently bought a PS4 for your child you’re gonna absolutely love the new Play Time Management feature that will now allow you to control how long your child’s account will be allowed to play their games. It isn’t even just subject to “4 hours a day” as the controls are so extensive you can change the settings to something like, “My child is allowed to play between 4pm-7pm on Wednesday for 4 hours, and 2pm-8pm on Saturday for 3 hours!” Not just that, but these settings can be controlled from the parental account on your PlayStation, Sony’s website or even the PlayStation App on your phone!

Your library will be getting a few more tabs in the update as well, making it easier to sort out and find new content. If you’re a PlayStation VR user, now you don’t have to guess which titles are VR supported by their names or descriptions. After this update all VR supported devices will have a VR icon next to them in the PlayStation Store, allowing you to organize your searches that much better.

The Quick Menu is also getting some nifty updates including a drop-down friends list for you to see who’s online and send them messages or invitations directly from a shortcut option! On top of this PlayStation Music and Spotify users will get a shortcut option with the Square button for volume control. USB Music Players will be using the Triangle button for play/pause, and the Square button for volume control! On the topic of Quick Menu’s, there will be a new option to permanently delete your notifications! No more clutter!

Now, onto the Tournament page updates! In addition to now being able to import your pictures from USB to use as your Team Logo, tournament page background you can also use then for your PlayStation Home background! Also, you can now schedule events directly from the tournament page, and more easily filter between Team vs Team and 1v1 events.

Finally, in regards to the performance, PlayStation Pro is receiving an update called Supersampling Mode which will allow the PS4 Pro to run a new resolution scale that goes up to 2160p!

Get to know the best hardware

Just like buying a new car there is always the option to get your possessions in a “fully loaded” style. Well, from the controllers to the headsets we’ve got all the information you’ll need to deck out your gear for the PlayStation. These accessories and upgrades aren’t just to improve the visual of your command center, but you can also improve the performance.

Last but not least, let’s take a moment to appreciate all the save files to our favorite games. The ones that, even if you don’t play for a few years, you never want to lose. PlayStation used to have an interchangeable memory card, but now it’s all on their internal hard drive. So if you’re running out of memory but don’t want to lose anything, you can also check out this list for the best external hard drives.

• Where to buy the new PlayStation Gold Wireless headset
• Best PS4 decal kits
• Best portable monitors for your PS4
• The best PS4 controllers to own
• The best headset available for the PS4
• The best accessories available for your PS4
• The best travel accessories for your PS4
• The best charging stands for your accessories
• The best vertical docs for your PS4
• The best external hard drives for your PS4
• The best phone mounts for the PS4

The best fun to have on your PlayStation 4

While there are plenty of super cool apps to lose yourself in, one of the main reasons for owning a PS4 is for the games. As you know, exploring the PlayStation store from your console or even online can take hours and the only thing you’re going to do is wish your wallet was fatter. Well, you can save your time knowing that we’ve done most of the research for you! So instead of window shopping, check out these links here to get an idea of what people are already playing, and what you should be playing too!

Don’t forget to stay updated with our here on Android Central! Most of these articles are updated on a montly basis, so if you keep checking in we’re bound to have new content for you!

• Your favorite titles from PlayStation 2 that are available on PlayStation 4
• The best games for PlayStation 4 as of December 2017
• The best strategy games
• The best Indie games
• The best PS4 exclusives
• The best multiplayer games
• The best games for under $30
• The best free games
• Super cool demos you need to try out
• Every game that will release to PS4 this month

Recommendations when owning a PlayStation console

So you’ve got everything settled, you know how your system works and everything is set up just the way you like it. Now you’re wondering if there’s anything more you can do to make your PlayStation scream “YOU” just a little bit more. Check out these links to see what choices you have, and how to get them done!

• What is PlayStation Plus and why do I need it?
• Should you wall mount your PlayStation 4?
• Customizing the lights on your PlayStation Conrollers
• What you can get with a PlayStation Plus account

Help and how-tos

From troubleshooting to figuring out all the new commands for your console, we’ve got plenty of resources to help you out. Whether you’re a new PlayStation owner or just trying to figure something out you’ve never tried before, check out these links to see if any of these can help you out!

When buying a new PlayStation after already owning one

• How to transfer data from your old PlayStation 4 to your new PlayStation4
• How to set up parental controls

Navigating your PlayStation Store

• Should you buy physical games or digital games?
• How to make a PlayStation Store Wishlist
• How to use PlayStation gift cards
• How to download from the Japanese PlayStation Store

Helpful how-to

• How to organize your games
• How to delete your games
• How to change the theme of your PlayStation 4 home screen
• How to set up two-factor authentication
• How to eject a disk from your PS4
• How to use the share function on your PS4
• How to share your images off of PlayStation Network
• How to turn off auto-update for your games
• How to configure your audio controls
• How to wake up a PlayStation 4 with your phone

Troubleshooting

• The 5 most common controller issues
• How to fix ps4 controller jitters
• What to do when your PS4 Pro is running loud
• How to fix your PlayStation 4 from starting in Safe Mode
• How to deal with Blu-Ray problems
• How to get your PlayStation Move controllers to work with your Christmas tree (or any other crazy lights)
• How to fix your overheating issues
• How to use an external hard drive with your PS4
• How to enable HDR for PlayStation 4 on popular 4K TVs

Tips, Tricks and Everything you need to know!

• God of War: Everything you need to know!
• Detroit: Become Human – Everything you need to know!
• What to play after you beat Far Cry 5
• What to play after you beat God of War

Thoughts?

Do you have any questions regarding your PlayStation 4? What helpful hints would you like to see more of? Let us know in the comment section below!

Updated May 2018: We’ve added more articles — from buying the new PlayStation Gold Wireless headset to how to control your controller jitters, we’ve got your back!

PlayStation 4

• PS4 vs. PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: Which should you buy?
• PlayStation VR Review
• Playing PS4 games through your phone is awesome

Amazon

The Last of Us Part II: Everything You Need To Know

Joel and Ellie made it out alive, but did they really escape danger?

The original launch of The Last of Us was a refreshing departure for Naughty Dog. As much as we love Nathan Drake, seeing Uncharted’s level of polish, deep storytelling, and rich character development in an entirely different world is richly satisfying.

So naturally, we’re expecting big things out of the Last of Us sequel. The Last of Us II is on its way for the PlayStation 4, and if you haven’t kept up until now, then we’re here to get you up to speed.

What’s the story so far? Spoilers for part I ahead

As the name implies, this is a sequel to Naughty Dog’s 2013 PlayStation 3 exclusive. That game was eventually remastered for the PlayStation 4. The Last of Us is an adventure game that features stealth and shooting mechanics at the core of its gameplay.

There’s also a survival horror element to it, with much of the player’s path being blocked by ghastly looking things called Clickers. These beings are actually humans who have been infected with a deadly strain of the cordyceps viral strain, a virus which makes them cannibalistic and mutates their bodies.

Players control Joel (voiced by Troy Baker), whose life was turned upside down when military soldiers came and shot his daughter at the onset of the outbreak. Joel had to live decades with the pain until a girl named Ellie (Ashley Johnson) was thrust into his life by a survival group known as the Fireflies. They tasked Joel with helping to smuggle Ellie from within a quarantined zone to their hideout.

Reason being? Ellie is actually infected, but instead of turning in three days like most of the other folks, she has been symptom-free for three weeks. They believe the cure to the virus lies within her, and they want to perform lethal surgery on her to find it. Joel is unwilling to let Ellie die, however, as he has grown attached to her – perhaps because she helps fill the void left in his heart by his daughter’s death.

Long story short, they eventually escape, and that’s where The Last Of Us II will pick up. In actuality, about five years have passed between the events of the original game and the sequel.

What’s happening in Part II?

Not much is known about the events that will unfold in The Last of Us Part II at this time, though we do know that Ellie and Joel are returning, with players controlling the former this time around. It’s also said to have an overarching theme of hate in stark contrast to the first game’s emphasis on love. Hint: Ellie is pretty grown up (19 years old), and she’s the one who’s pissed off now.

We also know it’ll be a much darker game in tone, and that it’ll double down on the whole cannibalism angle. The two trailers we’ve gotten about the game so far have been unrevealing in regards to the story, but considering there are still hordes of infected threatening the unnamed characters we can at least assume that a cure was never found.

Joining Joel and Ellie are a bundle of new characters, too. Victoria Grace is playing Yara, Ian Alexander will play Lev, and there will be a guest appearance from Emily Swallow as Emily. Laura Bailey is also confirmed to have a significant role in the story with a yet-to-be-named character. And at least part of the game is taking place in Seattle, Naughty Dog confirmed.

Gameplay details

Naughty Dog hasn’t yet revealed much about The Last of Us Part II’s gameplay. We can at least expect similarities to the first title, which featured a third-person shooter base with stealth and survival elements. Players can shoot, of course, but there’s also a crafting system for making tools, weapons, and consumables that you’ll need throughout the game.

You can also expect cooperative mechanics that’ll require the teamwork of both Joel and Ellie, puzzles that’ll need to be solved before you can move through an area, and more. We’re also sure that a multiplayer component will be returning for the sequel.

When can you play it?

Unfortunately, a release date for The Last of Us Part II has yet to be set. Sony will likely reveal more information at E3 2018. It’s possible the game could launch later this year or in early 2019, with recent murmurings suggesting Naughty Dog was as far as 60% into its development in December 2017. Don’t get your hopes up, however, because mum is still the word.

We’ll be updating this page with new details about The Last of Us Part II as they come in. Be sure to check back often for the latest!

PlayStation 4

• PS4 vs. PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: Which should you buy?
• PlayStation VR Review
• Playing PS4 games through your phone is awesome

Amazon

Lenovo teases a truly bezel-free smartphone that’ll be announced on June 5

A launch event will be held in Beijing, China.

Ever since the LG G6 debuted last year, OEMs have been in a race to trim down bezels on smartphones as much as possible. Samsung’s got its Infinity Displays, Apple paved the way for the infamous notch with the iPhone X, and now Lenovo’s begun teasing its Z5 handset that hints at a phone that’s truly bezel-free with no notch in sight.

A press invite that recently went out invites the media to an event that’ll be held on June 5, 2018, in Beijing, China. This is where Lenovo will unveil the Z5 for the first time, and while specifics on the device are still up in the air, we do know that it boasts an impressive screen-to-body ratio of 95%.

We’re ecstatic to learn more about the Z5, but don’t get your hopes up about owning one if you reside in the Western part of the world. Lenovo-branded phones typically don’t come to the U.S., but considering that Lenovo owns the more widely available Moto phones, it could be possible that the Z5’s tech creeps over to them in the not-too-distant future.

Don’t forget, the Z5 isn’t the only phone of its kind that’ll be revealed next month. A week later, Vivo will announce the consumer version of its Apex phone that was debuted at MWC this past February. That phone also features a screen-to-body ratio of more than 90%, and also includes things like an in-screen fingerprint sensor and selfie camera that pops out of the top frame.

Although these first few all-screen phones will likely get limited releases, it’s still exciting to see them actually come to market.

Are you excited for phones like the Lenovo Z5?

Vivo’s Apex concept phone has tiny bezels, pop-up camera and in-display fingerprint sensor

The $213 Piper Minecraft Raspberry Pi kit will teach kids valuable skills

Amazon has the Piper Minecraft Raspberry Pi Computer Kit on sale for $213.03, which is the lowest this has been all year. It typically would run you almost $300.

With this kit, your child can solve puzzles in the Raspberry Pi edition of Minecraft by building their very own computer from start to finish. Once that’s done, they can keep building power-ups within the game by using physical controls, switches, buttons, and lights. It’s perfect for kids ages 7 to 13.

This kit rocks because it combines the technology and fun that children love with hands-on learning, which is not something that can often be said when it comes to hours of watching YouTube Kids or Spongebob. It introduces them to coding, programming, and building in a way that keeps their attention and focus. One reviewer said, “My son hates school and says he hates to learn. But he LOVES his PIPER and doesn’t realize how much he is learning.”

Remember when you used to tear the remote apart, and then put it back together, just to see how it worked? This kit is kind of like that, but your kids will be guided through the whole process with step-by-step instructions. It comes with a handcrafted wooden computer case with HD LCD display, a functioning computer running on a Raspberry Pi 3 project board, a ton of electronic gadgets like buzzers and lights, cables, a laminated blueprint with assembly instructions, a USB mouse, an 8GB SD card, and a custom Raspberry Pi Edition of Minecraft. It’s Wi-Fi enabled and has free automatic level updates as well.

See at Amazon

California Senate passes a vote to bring net neutrality laws to the state

There’s even a rule that’s stricter than what the FCC previously had in place.

Although the FCC’s repeal of Net Neutrality is set to go into effect on June 11, that hasn’t stopped other government officials from doing what they can to ensure the internet remains free and open for everyone.

Photo by Credo Action.

Most recently, the California Senate passed a bill that would bring back Net Neutrality laws across the entire state. The bill was passed in a vote of 23 to 12, with the 23 yeses being Democrats and the 12 nos going to Republicans.

Should this bill become law, it would ban ISPs from blocking websites, throttling data speeds, or participating in paid prioritization deals. The California bill even goes a step further by banning any paid data-cap exceptions.

With that said, there’s still some work to do before any of this becomes law. The bill must be approved by California’s State Assembly and Governor Jerry Brown, but considering Brown’s a Democrat and the State Assembly has a Democratic majority, that shouldn’t prove to be much of a challenge at all.

As for Net Neutrality’s fate on the national level, the U.S. Senate recently passed its own bill in favor of restoring the regulations, too. The fight for net neutrality is far from over, and there are a lot of wheels in motion right now to ensure that fight keeps on going.

Net neutrality, consolidation, monopolies, and you