Most Android antivirus apps fail to provide malware protection, study shows
A study by AV-Comparatives analyzed the effectiveness of Android antivirus apps in protecting against the 2,000 most common malware threats in the OS. Only 23 of the apps were able to detect 100 percent of the malware samples, and only 80 of the apps were able to detect over 30 percent of the malware
Nvidia shows why PUBG, Fortnite gamers should invest in graphics cards, monitors
Nvidia published a report that shows players who use more advanced graphics cards and monitors with higher refresh rates have better kill-death ratios in games such as Fortnite and PUBG. The company claims that investing in hardware will allow players to unlock their full potential on the battlefield.
Android Q beta will roll out to more smartphones than Android Pie beta
The Android Q beta will involve more smartphones compared to the Android Pie beta last year, which included seven devices beyond Google's Pixel. The development is due to Project Treble, which makes it easier, faster, and less costly for manufacturers to update devices to the latest Android version.
Apex Legends cheaters beware: 355,000 banned, report system coming soon
Respawn Entertainment has banned over 355,000 cheaters on the PC version of Apex Legends, with the help of the Easy-Anti-Cheat system. The studio revealed some of its plans in how to prevent the problem from getting worse, including the addition of an in-game report feature and a bigger anti-cheat team.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate may bring back Home Run Contest, Stage Builder modes
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate may soon add the Home Run Contest and Stage Builder modes, both fan favorites that have appeared in previous games in the series. Dataminers have discovered code referencing the two game modes, which may be coming to the multiplayer brawler in the version 3.0 update.
Google gaming console controller design, features reportedly revealed in patent
A newly discovered patent may have revealed the design and features of the controller for the rumored Google gaming console. The patent itself is a for a notification system, but it comes with technical sketches of a controller that resembles the DualShock controller for the PlayStation 4.
The Division 2 will take up lots of hard disk space, especially on PlayStation 4
The Division 2 will launch with a day-one patch that will require players to free up significant space from their hard drives for the initial install. Xbox One and PC owners will need to prepare up to 52 GB of space, but PlayStation 4 owners will need to have up to 92 GB open on their console.
Foursquare introduces Hypertrending feature: Creepy or cool?
At SXSW, Foursquare introduced Hypertrending technology, which shows the most popular spots in town through the size of dots on a map. The company behind the location app remains cautious about a wide release of the feature, and admits it walks the fine line between being creepy and cool.
Apex Legends is getting a flamethrower, remote turret, NPCs, and more
Apex Legends dataminers have discovered files for two new weapons, namely the flamethrower and remote turret, though they may instead be a new character's abilities. A significant number of files related to NPCs have also been uncovered, but it remains unclear how they will be added to the game.
Apple to reportedly keep Touch ID, headphone jack in next iPad
Apple will keep Touch ID and the 3.5-millimeter headphone jack on the 2019 iPad, which will reportedly be unveiled soon alongside the iPad mini 5. The features, which were removed from the 2018 iPad Pro, will live on in the 7th-generation iPad, though there are conflicting reports on display size.
Halo Infinite, a spiritual reboot for the series, will make its way to E3 2019
Halo Infinite, the follow-up to 2015's Halo 5: Guardians, was described by 343 Industries as a spiritual reboot of the series. The game will be at E3 2019, coinciding with reports that Halo Infinite will be a launch title for the next-generation Xbox consoles that will also be unveiled at the event.
Sony is apparently issuing refunds to Anthem players on PlayStation 4
PlayStation 4 owners have reported instances of Anthem causing the console to go back to the dashboard, or in some cases, completely shut down. Some frustrated players claim that it is easy to request for a refund from Sony for digital copies of the game that were downloaded from the PlayStation Store.
Fortnite may soon add respawn mechanic similar to Apex Legends
Fortnite may soon add the respawn mechanic, which was popularized by the surprise Battle Royale hit Apex Legends. Gamers have discovered files related to the Second Chance Van and the Second Chance Card, and have pieced together that respawning in Fortnite will likely work much like in Apex Legends.
Bethesda generates a buzz with previews of Fallout 76 brewing station
Bethesda previewed to Fallout 76 players the Wasted on Nukashine quest and the Brewing Station, which will give players the ability to make wines and spirits, beers, and mixed drinks. The beverages, like their real-world counterparts, will grant various bonuses, alongside different negative side effects.
Facebook Messenger dark mode rolls out: Here’s how to unlock the hidden feature
Facebook Messenger quietly added a dark mode, though users will need to take a few extra steps involving the crescent moon emoji to activate the hidden feature. The app's dark mode is said to be a work in progress, but it appears that most of its sections already support the long-requested feature.
Samsung reportedly wants to be the foldable display supplier to Apple and Google
Samsung allegedly sent samples of its foldable displays to Apple and Google, in a pitch to supply the technology to its rivals. The samples were sent after the unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, which transforms from a smartphone with a 4.6-inch screen into a device with a larger 7.3-inch display.
Apex Legends was leaked last year, but nobody believed it
Apex Legends, which seemingly came out of nowhere to challenge Fortnite for the Battle Royale throne, was apparently leaked last year on Reddit. Developer Respawn Entertainment was relieved that nobody believed the leak, which was undeniably an image of an early version of the game's King's Canyon map.
Sony officially ends PlayStation Vita production after 7 years of struggle
Sony has officially ended production of the PlayStation Vita, which was a commercial failure despite being an upgrade to the successful PlayStation Portable. The handheld console bids goodbye seven years after its North American launch, though this is not a surprise as there have been signs of its demise.
Tesla app now keeps track of electric vehicle’s repair status
The updated Tesla app will now provide owners with real-time status updates for their electric vehicles under service, and will also alert them once the repairs are done. The move is part of a wider initiative to improve Tesla's service system, in preparation for the arrival of the $35,000 Model 3.
Google Clock now also supports Pandora, YouTube Music as alarm options
Google Clock, through its version 6.1 update, finally added Pandora and YouTube Music as alarm options, following Spotify which has been supported since July. Users will now be able to choose tracks from these services to wake them up in the morning, instead of jarring sounds or annoying jingles.
Fortnite Save the World players suffer from deadly Driftboard glitches
Epic Games recently added Driftboards to Fortnite as a mobility option, and they have become an important tool in Battle Royale mode. Players in the Save the World mode, however, have suffered from various glitches with the Driftboards, as they are sometimes launched across the map while riding them.
9 out of 11 small SUVs do well in tests of pedestrian-detection systems
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested the effectiveness of pedestrian detection systems in 11 small SUVs, and most of them came away with great scores. The technology is seen as an important countermeasure to the growing number of pedestrian fatalities, which reached 5,977 deaths in 2017.
Facebook to shut down Onavo app that harvested user data for market research
Facebook is shutting down Onavo VPN amid the latest privacy scandal that involves the social network, as the app's code was repurposed for the controversial Facebook Research app. Onavo was framed as a way to keep user traffic safe, but it also harvested data that was collected by Facebook.
Fallout countdown video spotted in Amazon placeholder for Bethesda game
Amazon placeholders for a Bethesda game were spotted, and they included a countdown video in the style of Fallout. A new Fallout game may be in the works, but with Fallout 76 just released last year, remasters of older titles in the franchise may be more likely, with a possible announcement at E3 2019.
Twitter reacts to Nintendo’s Reggie Fils-Aime retiring, Doug Bowser taking over
Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime revealed that he will retire in April, after 13 years leading the company, and he will be replaced by Doug Bowser. Twitter sent messages of gratitude to Fils-Aime, while celebrating the irony of Bowser taking over control of the Nintendo kingdom.
What’s ahead for Anthem? BioWare rolls out 90-day road map
BioWare rolled out the 90-day roadmap for Anthem, covering the first Act named Echoes of Reality. The studio promises new Freeplay events, Legendary missions, and something called the Cataclysm, though a significant number of items in the plan are unnamed to prevent spoilers of the game's lore.
Google’s Project Yeti hardware may be revealed at Game Developers Conference
Google will reportedly unveil its gaming hardware for Project Yeti at the Game Developers Conference in March. The console will be powered by the game streaming technology featured in the recently concluded Project Stream beta test, which allowed users to play Assassin's Creed Odyssey right on Chrome.
Microsoft reportedly planning to unveil next-gen Xbox consoles at E3 2019
Microsoft is reportedly planning to unveil the next-generation Xbox consoles, codenamed Anaconda and Lockhart and collectively known as Project Scarlett, at E3 2019, in which Sony will not be participating. Halo Infinite, which was revealed at E3 2018, will be a launch title for the new consoles.
Shanghai Dragons break 42-match losing streak in Overwatch League
The Shanghai Dragons finally won in the Overwatch League, breaking their infamous 42-match losing steak that is the longest in the history of professional sports. The team went winless at 0-40 in the league's inaugural season, but returned in season two with a revamped roster led by Gamsu.
Over 16,000 Apex Legends cheaters have already been banned by Respawn
Respawn Entertainment revealed that it has already banned over 16,000 cheaters in Apex Legends in less than two weeks since its release. The developer may be working on an in-game feature to report cheaters, which have become so prevalent that streamers are even implementing hacks while live.
Twitter keeps your direct messages, even years after you delete them
While Twitter users that delete their accounts or their direct messages on the social network might expect that the data is gone for good, a security researcher has discovered a "functional bug" that allows DMs to be recovered even years after they were deleted.
Apex Legends dataminers discover upcoming characters and weapons
Dataminers have discovered code in Apex Legends that refers to characters named Octane and Wattson, and weapons named the Havoc Rifle and the L-Star EMG. Octane is believed to have a Stim Pack ability, which is likely similar to the Stim ability of Titanfall 2, while Wattson has the Tesla Trap.