Goodbye, Machinima: YouTube gaming channel pulls the plug after 13 years
Machinima, a YouTube gaming channel that was launched in 2006, has suddenly shut down, with all of its videos set to private. There was no public announcement regarding the move by Otter Media, so the #RIPMachinima hashtag is now making the rounds in social media to reminisce about the channel's content.
Google Maps will now help drivers stay within speed limits, avoid speed traps
Google Maps will now start showing speed limits and speed camera locations, so that drivers will not be flagged for speeding tickets. The new features arrive to the app years after they were introduced in Waze, which Google acquired in 2013 for about $1 billion, with no need to update Google Maps.
Popular Android navigation apps are just Google Maps with ads, researcher says
A malware researcher found that 19 free Android navigation apps on the Google Play Store were nothing more than Google Maps, but with ads. One of the apps asked for a payment to remove the ads, while some were security risks as they asked for access to services that navigation apps do not need.
Facebook reportedly developing LOL meme app to try to appeal to teens
Facebook is reportedly developing an app named LOL, which will feature memes in the form of funny videos and GIF-like clips. The app is said to be in testing with a very limited private beta, but sources said that the app is "cringey" as it feels like a futile attempt of an adult trying to be young.
Windows 10 Mobile is dead: Switch to iOS or Android, Microsoft says
A Microsoft support page detailed the company's plans to end support for Windows 10 Mobile in less than a year, which means that there will no longer be any security updates for the operating system. Users with devices powered by the platform are suggested to switch to iOS or Android devices.
Fortnite V-Bucks being used by criminals for money laundering on dark web
Criminals are using Fortnite's V-Bucks for money laundering schemes by using stolen credit card details to purchase the virtual currency, then selling them at discounted rates on the dark web. Epic Games, apparently, is not doing enough to prevent the game from being used for the illegal activity.
Apple AirPods may be used to spy on conversations, but please don’t
Apple added Live Listen to the AirPods through the iOS 12 update last September, to help users who have minor hearing issues. However, a viral tweet is suggesting that the feature may be used to eavesdrop on the conversations of other people, though they will have to leave their iPhone with the intended targets.
Dataminers discover SNES games, more emulators for Nintendo Switch Online
Nintendo Switch Online may soon launch SNES games and more emulators, according to code discovered by data miners in the subscription service. The list of hidden SNES titles include Breath of Fire 2 and Star Fox 2, while the other emulators are speculated to be the Nintendo 64 and Nintendo GameCube.
Verizon video game streaming service leaked, currently testing on Nvidia Shield
Verizon is currently testing a video game streaming service that is already running on the Nvidia Shield set-top box and will eventually launch on Android smartphones, according to The Verge. The platform, named Verizon Gaming, may be in development to take advantage of the looming 5G rollout.
Bethesda swings banhammer on ‘Fallout 76’ players visiting secret developer room
Bethesda is banning Fallout 76 players who gain access to the online multiplayer game's secret developer room. The hidden location contains plans for everything, including top-tier weapons and unreleased items, which players acquire and transfer to other accounts before the banhammer comes swinging.
Epic Games graded ‘F’ on customer service by Better Business Bureau
Epic Games, the studio behind Fortnite, received an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau over complaints against its customer service and issues with exchanges and refunds. Epic Games, which has launched its own online store, said that it has addressed the issues through its own channels.
Has Apple’s AirPower charging mat finally entered production?
Apple's AirPower wireless charging mat, initially expected to be released in early 2018 after being teased alongside the iPhone X, has reportedly finally entered production. Two different Apple suppliers, Luxshare Precision and Pegatron, are said to be involved in the manufacturing of the device.
Rumor may have revealed remaining ‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’ DLC fighters
An unconfirmed rumor has allegedly revealed all the remaining DLC fighters for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The next addition to the roster, after Persona 5's joker, is believed to be Erdrick from the Dragon Quest series, with Dragon Quest X's Anlucia and the Dragon Quest XI protagonist as alternate skins.
Cyberfishing Smart Rod Sensor transforms normal fishing rods into data recorders
The Cyberfishing Smart Rod Sensor, on display at CES 2019, upgrades normal fishing rods into smarter versions of themselves. The device, which is easily attached through couple of heavy duty rubber bands, will work with a companion app to record data, including fishing hotspots and trophy fish details.
B-Secur HeartKey taps ECG signals to authenticate user identity, monitor health
B-Secur's HeartKey platform uses the heart's unique ECG patterns for various applications, including user authentication and health monitoring. The company teamed up with Analog Devices to create the Advanced Auto Steering Wheel, which will start the car once it confirms the driver's identity.
There were no good Xbox One exclusives in 2018, according to Metacritic scores
There were no good exclusives, or games that received an average score of at least 75, for the Xbox One in 2018, according to review aggregation website Metacritic. In comparison, there were 13 good exclusives for the PlayStation 4, 10 for the Nintendo Switch, and a whopping 33 for the PC.
Overwatch Contenders’ ‘Ellie’ controversy sets back women in esports
Ellie, a female pro player who quit from Overwatch Contenders team Second Wind after being harassed due to her anonymity, turned out to be a male pro player who goes by the name Punisher. The alleged social experiment looked to make a point about women in esports, but it ended up damaging the cause.
Hacker discovers Minus World in ‘The Legend of Zelda’ for NES
YouTuber SKELUX tweaked with the game's code to unlock the Minus World of The Legend of Zelda for the NES, similar to the hidden world in Super Mario Bros. The discovery revealed glitched out but playable levels that included reversed enemy sprites, randomly placed objects, and lots of graveyards.
‘Red Dead Redemption 2,’ ‘God of War,’ ‘Spider-Man’ lead GDC Awards nominees
The nominees for the 2019 Game Developers Choice Awards have been revealed, with Red Dead Redemption 2, God of War, and Spider-Man leading the way. The winners will be announced during this year's Game Developers Conference on March 20, in conjunction with the Independent Games Festival Awards.
Apple makes a splash at CES 2019 with privacy-focused billboard in Las Vegas
Apple will not have an official presence at CES 2019, as the company prefers to launch new products and services on its own. However, it is making a splash at the annual event with a privacy-focused billboard put up near the Las Vegas Convention Center that features a play on a popular saying.
Apple tries to end bent iPad Pro controversy by explaining manufacturing process
Apple uploaded a new support page that tries to end the bent iPad Pro controversy by explaining the tablet's manufacturing process. The company maintained its position that a slightly bent iPad Pro is normal, as long as it is within the deviation limit of 400 microns, equivalent to four sheets of paper.
Tesla wants more employees to participate in Autopilot Hardware 3 testing
Tesla, which is currently testing its new neural network computer named Autopilot Hardware 3, is looking for more employees to participate in the program. To make signing up more attractive, the company is offering its workers up to $13,000 in discounts for buying a Model 3 electric vehicle.
Atlus debuts teaser for ‘Persona 5 R’ for PlayStation 4, promises more in March
Atlus has officially confirmed Persona 5 R for the PlayStation 4, with more information to be released in March 2019 as the teaser video and website did disclose much. The reveal debunked rumors that the game will be a Nintendo Switch exclusive, but the possibility of such a project is not all lost.
‘Monster Hunter: World’ and ‘Assassin’s Creed’ collide in surprise crossover
Monster Hunter: World quietly added a crossover event with Assassin's Creed, featuring a quest to defeat Odogaron, Deviljho, and Lunastra. Players will be able to take on the appearances of Bayek from Assassin's Creed: Origins and Ezio Auditore, last seen in Assassin's Creed: Revelations.
iPhone XS Max allegedly catches fire while in owner’s pants
An almost brand new iPhone XS Max allegedly caught fire and emitted smoke while in its owner's pants, ruining his clothes and burning his skin. The man from Columbus, Ohio is now thinking about launching legal action against Apple, due to the company's lackluster response to the incident.
Google rolling out spam-protection tool for Android Messages
Google has reportedly started rolling out an anti-spam tool for Android's Messages, which will allow users to block and report spammers. The feature is automatically activated for the lucky ones who gain access to it right away, but for privacy-conscious users, the tool comes with a catch.
‘The Elder Scrolls: The Official Cookbook’ invites you to feast on Tamriel’s dishes
Bethesda will release The Elder Scrolls: The Official Cookbook in March, to allow fans of the series to bring the dishes of Tamriel into the real world. The cookbook will contain over 60 recipes, including Apple Cabbage Stew, Sunlight Souffle, Sweetrolls, and the previewed Saltrice Porridge.