Square Enix’s first Apple Watch RPG is stylish yet dull
There aren’t enough dedicated apps for the Apple Watch, let alone role-playing games from established publishers like Square Enix. The name alone conjures images of classic RPGs: Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger and Valkyrie Profile to name a few. That’s why Cosmos Rings, the company’s first Apple Watch-exclusive RPG, feels like such a departure from the norm. It’s vivid, gorgeous and inspired, but unfortunately it falls victim to the very same cliches of so many mobile games that came before it.
At first glance, Cosmos Rings looks quite promising, with a narrative that’s par for the course when it comes to JRPGs. As the God of Time, you’re tasked with wandering an endless expanse called the Rift in a bid to restore time to the way you once knew it. After being moved to stop time to grant the wishes of human beings, you’ve got to repent for causing the Goddess of Time to shatter into pieces. Her crystallized remains were scattered throughout the Rift, and it’s up to you to make things right. Lost love? Check. Protagonist taking it upon himself to make things right? Double check. Now all it needs is an amnesiac to fill the rest of its RPG trope quota.
The Rift acts as the stage on which Cosmos Rings plays out. Get used to the way it looks, because you’re going to be seeing a whole lot of it. After you launch the iPhone app and open up the companion version on your Apple Watch, you’re met with a bit of expository story coupled with artwork that’s meant to move you along. These quickly introduce additional characters whose presence don’t immediately make sense in the context of the God of Time’s story, but you’ll soon realize it won’t matter much when the game basically plays itself, barring a few player-controller machinations.
That’s right — Cosmos Rings is essentially an incremental game that requires little or no input from you. The game is perfect for the diminutive Apple Watch screen, and its neon pixel art absolutely sings on the small display. But in the end, it’s little better than playing Tap My Katamari or Cookie Clicker with a few added mechanics.
The God of Time continues to run headlong into the Rift, fighting off enemies as they appear before him. This is your default screen among the three the game’s comprised of. The God will automatically attack on his own, but if you so desire you can tap the Skills button at the lower right of the screen to utilize various attacks you’ll earn along the way. If you wait for the timer to count down and then fire off a Skill right after the first one, you can chain them for additional damage. You can also rotate the Apple Watch’s Digital Crown to head to the Fragments screen, where you can spend Fragments (displayed on-screen as you collect them in battle) to upgrade your weapons, unlock additional skill slots and most importantly, earn more time.
You’ll want to keep a close eye on the time you’re allotted, especially if you don’t want to keep playing the same “days” over and over. There’s a timer at the bottom left of the screen that continually counts down. Essentially, that’s your HP gauge. Let it run out, and you’re forced to start the game from the beginning, though you’ll retain any Skills or Relics acquired in the process.
It’s more akin to a roguelike in this respect than an RPG, and is one of the most challenging elements of Cosmos Rings. If you make a mistake or forget to use Fragments to level up or augment your equipment, you can also use the digital crown of your Apple Watch in the Rift to rewind time to a specific “hour,” as the game is split into during each day, to go back and do it all again. These light strategic elements add a little variety, but the game is otherwise so hands-off you’ll wonder why you’re even interacting with it.
Bizarrely, time doesn’t cease counting down unless you’re fighting a boss, when the ticker hits 3 minutes, or during a story event where you’re given a slice of story. So if you’re planning on not playing for a long stretch of time you’ll need to make sure you do keep an eye on the game when you want to make progress. It’s almost like toting around a Tamagotchi or a Giga Pet, except you can’t let your “pet” die.
Cosmos Rings is a strange amalgam of clicker mechanics, colorful pixelated graphics and a score that you’ll want to listen to more than once, but it’s also lacking in the RPG department. When compared to its competition, a fantasy adventure called Runeblade from Everywear Games, Cosmos Rings seems feature-deficient. The former utilizes several of the same mechanics Cosmos Rings does (namely time travel), but offers an offline mode, various quests, and other reasons to keep you coming back. It’s hard to recommend Square Enix’s offering over Runeblade, especially since Runeblade is free.
If you’re looking for something to idly tap on while on the way to work or need to use your Apple Watch for a use beyond regular apps, it’s an interesting experiment. If you’re hoping for anything more than an endless grind with little input required from you, you might want to take your 3DS or Vita with you along for the ride instead. Cosmos Rings is available now as an Apple Watch exclusive.
Source: App Store
Ultimaker makes a backpack for its 3D printers
Ultimaker’s 3D printers will now ship out with a backpack, so you can take them anywhere you want. Now, we don’t know why you’d want to to lug a big device around, but we won’t judge. Maybe you want to impress a cute, geeky date or print out anything you want to on the go. Or maybe, like the team behind 3DPrinterOS — those two dudes in the picture above — you actually need to carry a printer with you for something important, such as teaching 3D printing classes. Whatever your reasons are, this backpack designed to carry the printer in its foam packaging is at least a safer option than regular bags. So, next time a friend moans about the need for a special weapon that can up their Pokémon Go game, you can say “I got you, bro.”
Source: Ultimaker
Apple brings on new talent for autonomous car initiative
Apple has brought on the former head of BlackBerry’s automotive software division to lead its own self-driving car tech projects.
The latest addition to the Apple team previously founded and acted as chief executive officer of QNX, the operating system developer acquired by BlackBerry back in 2010. Dan Dodge joined Apple earlier this year to assist a team headed by Bob Mansfield. As part of Project Titan, Apple’s automobile initiative, Dodge is helping to research development of a new automated driving system in tandem with storied plans for Apple to create its own vehicle. This marks a change in direction from Apple’s previous plans for simply creating its own automobile.
In addition to Dodge, Apple has employed hundreds of additional employees who have been tasked with designing cars for a projected release date of 2020. While this date has changed several times over with the addition and departure of team members and switches in direction.
Via: Bloomberg
Apple shifts focus on Project Titan car to self-driving tech
Apple has brought back a longtime Apple executive to head up its secret car plans – and apparently that includes shifting the project’s focus to autonomous driving, according to a new report.
Bloomberg said Bob Mansfield, who previously served as senior vice president of technologies, wants Project Titan to be more about a self-driving car system, though Apple has not yet scrapped its goal of a full-fledged, electric vehicle. The company is working on both the car and software to make it autonomous. It even hired the guy who ran BlackBerry’s automotive software division.
Dan Dodge not only worked on self-driving technology but also QNX, a software platform found in many in-car infotainment systems. Dodge reports to Mansfield, just like all the other Project Titan engineers and employees, and Mansfield, who oversees three teams in the car division, reports directly to CEO Tim Cook. The teams consist of software, hardware engineering, and sensor.
John Wright leads software, while DJ Novtney leads hardware engineering, and Benjamin Lyon leads sensor. Check out Pocket-lint’s Project Titan round-up to learn about other recent hires at Apple who have car body manufacturing and research experience. Apple also picked up Ford employee Todd Gray in May, for instance, according to Bloomberg.
Rumour has it Mansfield and Dodge are hoping to launch an Apple Car by 2021, though the company original targeted a 2020 release date. The delay is likely due to the departure of Steve Zadesky, who previously led the project.
- Tim Cook on Apple Car: ‘It’s going to be Christmas Eve for a while’
- Apple’s self-driving car rolls on, meeting held with autonomous officials
Samsung will likely unveil its Gear S3 smartwatch in September
Samsung is close to introducing a successor to the Gear S2.
The company unveiled that smartwatch last November, but because we live in a high-tech age of annual product life cycles and never-ending consumerism, Samsung has been diligently working on yet another wearable for you to buy. Although the Korea-based electronics manufacturer hasn’t confirmed anything yet, a new rumour has popped up with some details about when you can get your hands on the next Gear watch.
The unveiling of Samsung’s Gear S3 will happen in September, according to SamMobile, which reported that Samsung plans to debut the Gear S3 at this year’s IFA in Berlin. The trade show begins 2 September and ends 7 September. An exact unveil date has yet to be confirmed, though Samsung previously used the stage to launch its flagship Galaxy Note handsets. However, the next Note will be unveiled in August.
That means the Gear S3 will be free to steal the show IFA 2016. Keep in mind Samsung launched the Gear S2 at last year’s IFA. Check out Pocket-lint’s Gear S3 round-up for more speculation, including what the device might feature.
SamMobile also said the Gear S3 should retain its predecessor’s rotating bezel.
- Best smartwatches 2016: The best smart wristwear available to buy today
Windscribe VPN: Get a lifetime of ad-free, private browsing for 91 per cent off
You’ve undoubtedly seen a range of VPNs on the market, but you’ve never seen one like this. Windscribe VPN is a desktop app and browser extension that guarantees you the safest online experience you could possibly want.
Get top security and unlocked premium access with a Windscribe VPN: Lifetime Subscription, now an impressive £27.41 ($39) on Pocket-lint Deals.
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The 2-in-1 privacy solution provides you with a shared IP you can use to download, Skype or surf to your heart’s desire without fear of observation. You can enjoy torrenting and file sharing without a care in the world, secure in the knowledge that your ISP is unable to pinpoint your system.
Meanwhile, an ad blocker will provide security from annoying ads at virtually every turn, offering you peace of mind without the annoyances of ever-invasive marketing.
Never miss out on another new episode of “Game of Thrones” or “Last Week Tonight” when traveling, as Windscribe allows you to bypass geo-locked content from anywhere in the world. Enjoy unlocked content, private browsing and ad-free convenience – get started today at 91 per cent off from Pocket-lint Deals!
The future of sound: KOAR Bone Conduction Bluetooth headset delivers audio to your inner ear
Have you ever listened to music through bone conduction? It sounds like science fiction, but the legendary Beethoven (who was deaf) was known to use this method of listening by biting down on his composer’s wand, which was touching the piano as he played.
An updated version of this technology is available in the KOAR Bone Conduction Bluetooth Headset, a high-end set of headphones delivering crystal-clear sound directly to your inner ears. For a limited time, you can grab a set of your own at 48 per cent off from Pocket-lint Deals.
KOAR’s patented transducers bypass your ear canal to deliver sound straight to your inner ear. The sound is transmitted through vibrations via the bones of your face, sidestepping the outer and middle ear (where the eardrum is located) and directly stimulating the inner ear.
Durability is essential for any headset, and KOAR’s LiquiPel technology repels water and sweat to keep your headphones like new. Stay comfortable with lightweight titanium memory metal, so you can avoid any clunky hassle when you’re jogging, working out, or just going about your day.
Additionally, a rechargeable 1000mAh Li-ion battery delivers more than 6 hours of activity on a single charge, keeping your focus on the task at hand.
Take 48 per cent off your own KOAR Bone Conduction Bluetooth Headset today, with free shipping to the continental US for a total of £58.75 ($76.99) from Pocket-lint Deals.
HTC Vive owners can finally face the void in ‘Adr1ft’
It may be a few months late, but the day is finally here: Adr1ft, Adam Orth’s VR orbital survival simulator, is now available for the HTC Vive. The Oculus Rift launch exclusive was originally planned to launch on SteamVR back in May, but was delayed to build an experience unique to the HTC Vive and its motion controllers. The wait may have been worth it — the game’s creator says Vive’s motion controls have changed the game in dramatic and unexpected ways.
Orth says the general control scheme, such as player movement and menu navigation, hasn’t changed much — but thanks to the Vive’s motion controls, object interaction is an all new experience. “Reaching out for oxygen canisters, audio logs, terminals, collectibles, debris etc. with your arms while simultaneously micro-tuning your movement on the Wand pads and managing your oxygen adds an incredible new layer to the game that changes it fundamentally,” Orth said on the ThreeOneZero blog, “For many of us on the team, it’s our favorite way to play.”
The game didn’t get the full roomscale VR treatment, though — Adr1ft on HTC Vive supports sitting and standing experience only. That actually makes a lot of sense, considering the zero-gravity gameplay. The developer also left in the original gamepad control scheme, for players that prefer a more casual experience. Don’t want VR, but still want to get lost in space? You’re covered too: the game is also available on PlayStation 4, and launch on Xbox One later this summer.
Source: ThreeOneZero, Steam
Google announces add-ons for Docs and Sheets’ mobile apps
Ever wish you could do even more work on your phone? Then today’s your day. Google just announced third-party add-on support for its Docs and Sheets Android app, allowing the mobile version of its office suite to seamlessly integrate with other productivity tools. Starting today, users will be able to sign documents, import CRM data or create apps from spreadsheets — so long as they download the appropriate add-on, that is.
Want to be able to sign documents on the go? You can download the Android DocuSign app and prepare documents for signatures from inside the Google Docs interface. Need to add complex annotations to a document while riding the train? Use EasyBib to streamline the process. Users can add ProsperWorks to import CRM data, AppSheet to generate mobile apps from data sheets, Scanbot to capture physical documents with your smartphone camera and more.
While these add-ons seem like a great way to be more productive on your phone, there’s not very many of them. Google’s Docs and Sheets add-on page on Google Play lists just nine compatible apps — a far cry from the massive library available to desktop users — but it’s a start. Check out Google’s announcement post for more details.
Source: Google for Work
Now Lenovo offers a MacBook Air-like laptop, the Air 13 Pro
Chinese companies are going after Apple hard. And not just in terms of smartphones.
One day after Xiaomi announced a MacBook Air-like laptop called Mi Notebook Air, Lenovo unveiled its own Air-style, Air-branded machine. The Air 13 Pro laptop has almost all the same specs as Xiaomi’s laptop, including the same price, but there is a difference in RAM.
It comes with 4GB of RAM, along with a 2GB Nvidia GeForce GTX940MX GDDR5 GPU. Other specs include a 13.3-inch IPS full-HD display, Intel Skylake Core i5/i7 processor, and 256GB of SSD storage. There’s even fingerprint-recognition tech included. The laptop is 1.48cm thick and weighs 1.29kg. For comparison, the 12.8-inch MacBook Air is 1.7cm at its thickest point and weighs 1.35kg.
Also, as for the Mi Notebook Air, which is Xiaomi’s first laptop, it’s available in 13.3- and 12.5-inch screen sizes, with the the bigger version coming with a Nvidia GeForce 940MX dedicated GPU and 1GB GDDR5 RAM. It also has a 256GB PCIe SSD with an additional SSD slot.
The Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air and Lenovo Air 13 Pro laptop cost CNY 4,999 each. There’s no word yet if either device will make it outside of China, but if they do and stay the same price, you can expect them to cost $750/£570 each.
