Tile deepens Google Assistant integration as competition with Apple looms
Tile deepened the integration of its item trackers with Google Assistant, allowing users to ask help in finding their lost things even if their phone is not around. It remains to be seen if more updates are on the way, in preparation for the rumored launch of Apple's own version of the accessory.
Blizzard sues Sina Games for blatant Warcraft rip-off Glorious Saga
Blizzard filed a lawsuit against Sina Games due to Glorious Saga, which blatantly ripped off Warcraft with the usage of characters and other assets from the franchise. Glorious Saga has since been taken down, and while it is still available on the Google Play Store, it no longer launches.
This Nintendo Switch Lite snap-on case with flip cover highlights its perks
Nintendo is offering a snap-on case with flip cover for the Nintendo Switch Lite that protects the console's joysticks and screen without adding bulk. It is being sold in Japan for about $35, but it remains unclear if the accessory will find its way to Nintendo's online store in the United States.
Facebook taps Minecraft as training ground for next stage of A.I.
Facebook researchers have chosen Minecraft as the training environment for the next stage of artificial intelligence. A.I. assistants are currently limited to performing one task well, but the game may help create a generalist A.I. that is capable of carrying out different kinds of activities.
Minecraft Earth beta rolls out for Android with feature not found in iOS version
The Minecraft Earth closed beta is now available for invited Android players, starting in Seattle, London, Tokyo, Stockholm, and Mexico City. To make up for the delayed beta release on Android compared to the iOS version, the Android beta will offer a feature that is currently not available on iOS.
Apple item trackers found in iOS 13: How will the Tile competitor work?
Apple is reportedly working on item trackers that will launch as Tile competitors, and code for the products was found by MacRumors in an internal build of iOS 13. New features, such as sounds coming from the trackers and augmented reality balloons, will allow users to easily find tagged items.
Hackers used scarily simple way to take over Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey’s account
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey's account on the social media platform fell victim to an old hacking method named SIM swapping. The attackers, who call themselves the Chuckling Squad, were able to acquire his phone number, which allowed them to tweet out offensive messages before Twitter took back control.
Book publishers sue Amazon’s Audible in attempt to block speech-to-text feature
Major publishers sued Amazon's Audible in an attempt to block a new feature. Audible Captions will use machine learning to transcribe spoken words in audiobooks into written ones to help children with their literacy skills, but the lawsuit claims that the company does not have the necessary licenses.
Huawei Mate 30 will stay on Android, but a Harmony OS smartwatch is on the way
The Huawei Mate 30 and Huawei Mate 30 Pro will stick to Android and not yet move to the Harmony OS, as the Chinese company wants to maintain one ecosystem. A Huawei executive said that no Harmony OS-powered smartphone is in the works, but a smartwatch running the operating system is on the way.
Sony gave away one of the best PlayStation VR games to some PlayStation 4 owners
Sony gave away free copies of PlayStation VR exclusive Astro Bot Rescue Mission to some PlayStation 4 gamers. The selection process for the giveaway is unclear, as both those who own and do not own the virtual reality system received an email, so it would be best for everyone to check their inbox.
Microsoft opens Chromium Edge bug bounty program with rewards up to $30,000
Microsoft launched a bug bounty program for the new Chromium Edge browser, with rewards ranging from $1,000 to $30,000. The highest reward tier will be given to the researcher who can find a combination of an Elevation of Privilege flaw and a Windows Defender Application Guard container escape.
PlayStation 4 exclusive Dreams takes home Best of Gamescom 2019 award
Dreams, the ambitious PlayStation 4 exclusive by Media Molecule that will give players tools to make their own content, bagged the Best of Gamescom 2019 award. Sony's presence at the annual event was lighter compared to previous years, but it still raked in recognition at the Gamescom 2019 Awards.
Leaked PlayStation 5 design looks out of this world in renders
A patent filed by Sony in Brazil reportedly revealed the design of the PlayStation 5, leading to renders of an out-of-this-world console. A veteran developer confirmed that the drawings were for the PlayStation 5, with the chance that this is what the console will look like once it is released.
Square Enix not thinking about Final Fantasy XIV sequel, new Final Fantasy MMO
Square Enix is not working on a sequel to Final Fantasy XIV or a new Final Fantasy MMO, according to producer and director Naoki Yoshida and main story writer Banri Oda. From the developers' comments, it appears that support for the game, which was first released in 2010, will continue for years to come.
Netflix starts testing Collections section: Curation by humans, not algorithms
Netflix has started testing Collections, a feature that will recommend lists of TV shows and movies curated by humans, not algorithms. The section will appear on the iOS app for selected participants, and it contains lists such as Oddballs & Outcasts, Dark & Devious TV Shows, and Artful Adventures.
Epic Games further nerfs Fortnite mechs: Are the B.R.U.T.E. vehicles fair now?
Epic Games has further nerfed the controversial mechs of Fortnite, in response to the complaints of players since they were added in Season X. The B.R.U.T.E.'s rockets and mobility have been downgraded, and its ability to instantly harvest materials from the structure that it destroys has been removed.
Starman on Tesla Roadster makes first orbit around sun, braces for loneliness
Starman, the passenger of the Tesla Roadster that SpaceX sent to outer space last year, has completed his first orbit around the sun. The people on Earth may be able to catch a glimpse of the cherry-red electric vehicle on November 2020, after which Starman will go through a rough patch of loneliness.
Phantom Thieves get ready: Persona 5 Royal Western release set for spring 2020
Atlus revealed a spring 2020 Western release window for Persona 5 Royal, the extended version of the popular Japanese RPG Persona 5. The developer also uploaded new screenshots for the game, showcasing some of the new Personas and in-game events, as well as the new palace and the mysterious Jose.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild tagged as franchise’s bestselling game
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has taken the title as the bestselling game in the long-running Nintendo franchise. The game, a launch title for the Nintendo Switch and also released on the Wii U, took two years to outsell Twilight Princess, which was rolled out to the GameCube and Wii.
Apple Arcade early access program now underway with Apple employees
Apple has started the Apple Arcade early access program with its employees, charging them $0.49 per month after a free one-month trial. The internal testing will end with the release of iOS 13, expected in mid-September, which may also be when the video game subscription service is rolled out.
Fitbit Versa 2 will reportedly roll out September 15 with OLED display, Alexa
Leaked images confirm that the Fitbit Versa 2 will come with an OLED display and Alexa integration, as well as Fitbit Pay support and more than four days of battery life. A source claims that the Fitbit Versa successor will be officially unveiled on August 25, in preparation for a September 15 release.
Fire Emblem: Three Houses prepares to invade Tetris 99’s 6th Maximus Cup
Fire Emblem: Three Houses will collaborate with Tetris 99 for the battle royale puzzler's 6th Maximus Cup. Players who are able to earn 100 points by participating in the four-day event, which starts on August 23, will be able to unlock an exclusive Fire Emblem: Three Houses theme for Tetris 99.
Sorry, you can’t exchange your Nintendo Switch for an upgraded model
Customer representatives said earlier this week that those who purchased the old model of the Nintendo Switch after July 17 will be able to upgrade their console into the new model with longer battery life, for free. A Nintendo spokesperson, however, has now denied that such an exchange program exists.
Microsoft’s Xbox head debunks rumors of streaming-only console in the works
Xbox head Phil Spencer debunked rumors that Microsoft is working on a streaming-only console that will utilize the company's Project xCloud. Spencer also said cloud gaming is one of the directions where the video game industry is headed, but the technology will not yet replace traditional consoles.
Microsoft Surface Pro 6, Surface Book 2 throttled to 400 MHz by safety feature
Numerous complaints have flagged throttling issues with the Microsoft Surface Pro 6 and Surface Book 2 that are slowing down the devices to 400 MHz, which is a quarter of their processing speeds. The problem is apparently related to an Intel CPU flag that is designed to keep systems from overheating.
Epic Games insists Fortnite B.R.U.T.E. is fun; #RemoveTheMech not happening
Epic Games said that the controversial B.R.U.T.E. vehicles are part of providing "a fun experience" to Fortnite players. It appears that the developer has no plans of listening to the #RemoveTheMech movement, which calls for the removal of the mechs from the competitive modes of the battle royale game.
Apple implants warning message to restrict third-party battery repairs
Third-party battery replacements for the newest iPhone models will result in a warning message in the device's settings menu. The only way to clear it is to take the iPhone to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, as a new feature prevents other batteries from being inserted in the device.
Mod turns Tesla Model S into surveillance bot that tracks faces, license plates
Security researcher Truman Kain debuted the Surveillance Detection Scout at the Defcon hacking conference. The mod is capable of transforming a Tesla Model S into a surveillance bot that can track license plates and faces, and send out alerts if someone keeps appearing on the car's built-in cameras.
Shop discovers $13,000 treasure in grocery bag filled with old NES cartridges
A man walked into a Pink Gorilla Games store in Seattle with an unassuming grocery bag of old NES games. One of them turned out to be a Nintendo World Championships 1990 cartridge, a rare piece of video game history that the store purchased from the man for $13,000, then sold to a buyer within 24 hours.