Nintendo Switch has 6-inch 720p multi-touchscreen

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Oct 28, 2016 12:00 AM CDT

Nintendo has already confirmed that it hasn't revealed everything about its new Switch console handheld hybrid, and now some of those features have apparently come to light: namely the Switch handheld's 6-inch 720p multi-touchscreen.

Nintendo Switch has 6-inch 720p multi-touchscreen

As millions of gamers watched the Nintendo Switch preview, a lot of us sighed in relief when no sort of touch-screen gimmick was shown. But internal sources close to the Switch have told Eurogamer that the Switch will indeed have a touchscreen, but it'll be both new and old territory for Nintendo.

Eurogamer's Tom Phillips reports that the Nintendo Switch's 6.2-inch handheld display won't be full 1080p, but 720p, and will support modernized multi-touchscreen with up to 10 points of capacitive touch, which is head over heels better than Nintendo's previous touchscreen endeavors (the Wii U and 3DS, for example, use pressure-sensitive resistive touchscreens with only one-point touch).

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Twitter kills Vine app, web version still available

Anthony Garreffa | Software & Apps | Oct 27, 2016 11:14 PM CDT

Twitter is going through troubles of its own, but now the social media giant has announced it will be shutting down the Vine app in the next few months.

Vine wrote in a blog post: "Since 2013, millions of people have turned to Vine to laugh at loops and see creativity unfold. Today, we are sharing the news that in the coming months we'll be discontinuing the mobile app".

Twitter announced it is restructuring itself, laying off 9% of their global workforce, and working on other methods to reduce cost. Vine users won't feel the pinch immediately, with their Vines still accessible, with Vine adding it will continue working with creators on answering any questions.

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Final Fantasy XV has gone gold, will have online co-op

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Oct 27, 2016 10:28 PM CDT

After a decade of waiting, Final Fantasy 15 has gone gold and is completely finished and ready to be shipped off to millions of gamers.

Final Fantasy XV has gone gold, will have online co-op

Final Fantasy 15 has gone from barely running at 30FPS on consoles to a competent and polished build known as the "final master version." Square Enix has proudly proclaimed the game has gone gold, meaning the main game is totally wrapped up.

But that's not it; Square Enix also revealed that the huge open-world adventure will allow four friends to team up for some online co-op. The co-op mode will be available following the game's release on November 29, and is one of the six DLC packs that are included in the $25 season pass. The co-op mode allows four players to take the roles of Noctis, Ignis, Gladiolus and Prompto and take part in in-game battle sequences.

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AMD's new Radeon Pro 400 series finds a home with Apple

Anthony Garreffa | Video Cards & GPUs | Oct 27, 2016 9:35 PM CDT

Apple unveiled its new 15-inch MacBook Pro today, something that includes AMD's new Polaris-based Radeon Pro 400 series graphics, available first inside of the new 15-inch MBP.

AMD's new Radeon Pro 400 series finds a home with Apple

AMD's new Radeon Pro 400 series graphics is explained perfectly on the Radeon Pro website, which details the new Polaris GPU as the best choice for creators.

Radeon Technologies Group SVP and Chief Architect, Raja Koduri, explains: "We couldn't be more proud to have Radeon Pro 400 Series Graphics launching in the new 15-inch MacBook Pro, a notebook designed for performance and creativity".

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Nintendo Switch may use USB Type-C for power

Derek Strickland | Gaming | Oct 27, 2016 9:11 PM CDT

Nintendo's new Switch console handheld hybrid will reportedly use the modern USB Type-C interface to charge the handheld while on the go, instead of a proprietary first-party charging cable.

Nintendo Switch may use USB Type-C for power

Sources at Nintendo have told Let's Play Video Games' Laura Kate Dale that the Switch handheld shown in the preview trailer uses USB Type-C port for power, meaning the actual consumer Switch could use the new Type-C interface. This would allow the Switch to benefit from Type-C's fast-charging modes, along with potential high-speed transfers and compatibility with a host of adapters.

USB Type-C charging could offset the Switch's purported three-hour battery life while in un-docked handheld mode, as users may be able to easily and quickly re-charge the Switch console. Nintendo typically regulates its hardware with exclusive first-party power cables, so this move to the new future-proof standard would be substantial for the company.

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Titanfall 2 post-launch DLC will be 100% free

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Oct 27, 2016 7:39 PM CDT

Titanfall 2 is finally here, with developer Respawn Entertainment coming out and explaining that there will be no Season Pass released for their second mech shooter in the franchise.

Respawn Entertainment confirmed the news in a blog post, explaining that Titanfall 2 isn't a typical shooter: "No Season Pass required: all maps & modes will be free in Titanfall 2 Multiplayer. This means no splitting up the community and it all starts with the legendary Angel City map, remastered from the original Titanfall".

They continued: "This means once you've purchased Titanfall 2, your investment includes a full single player campaign, the full multiplayer maps and modes, and long-term support with no hidden costs. You can pre-order the game to play 3 days early, but it will never cost you extra".

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Apple's new MacBook Pro powered by AMD Polaris GPU

Anthony Garreffa | Laptops | Oct 27, 2016 6:37 PM CDT

Apple has unveiled their new refreshed line of MacBook Pro laptops, with two new 13-inch models and a single higher-end 15-inch model that rocks Radeon Pro 450 graphics from AMD.

The lower-end 13-inch MBP features a dual-core Intel Core i5 processor at 2GHz, 8GB of RAM, 256GB SSD, 2 x Thunderbolt 3 ports and Intel Iris Graphics 540 - but it's the higher-end 13-inch MBP where the fun begins.

Apple has refreshed its MacBook Pro line up with some slightly beefier hardware, with Apple noting the new display on the MacBook Pro is 67% brighter, 67% higher contrast, and has 25% more colors than the MacBook.

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Google's total cost to manufacture the Pixel XL is $285

Lana Jelic | Mobile Devices, Tablets & Phones | Oct 27, 2016 1:46 PM CDT

Just like its competitors at Cupertino, Google's new Pixel and Pixel XL flagship duo carry a premium price tag. The Pixel XL starts at $769, for 32GB version, but can cost up to $869 if you go with the 128GB version.

A report from IHS Markit, an analyst company, based in London, shows that Google's total cost to manufacture the Pixel XL (32GB) is $285.75, after including $7.75 in basic manufacturing costs.

Andrew Rassweiler, senior director of cost benchmarking services for IHS Markit, said this isn't surprising.

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Tesla reports a profit for the first time in three years

Lana Jelic | Business, Financial & Legal | Oct 27, 2016 11:23 AM CDT

Tesla Motors published its third-quarter earning report, and for the first time in three years, they have made a profit. Last time they reported a quarterly net profit was is the first quarter of 2013, three years after the company went public.

For the last quarter, Q3 2016, they recorded net income of $21.9 million, or 14 cents per share. A year earlier, they announced a loss of $229.9 million, or $1.78 per share.

Total revenue more than doubled compared to the same quarter last year and is now $2.3 billion.

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Apple delays AirPods, says they 'aren't ready'

Lana Jelic | Audio, Sound & Speakers | Oct 27, 2016 9:33 AM CDT

Apple's AirPods, wireless ear buds that are somewhat of a replacement for the lack of headphone jack on the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, were supposed to go on sale late October, which is this week. However, that's not happening.

The company says they aren't ready for the customers and won't go on sale just yet.

A spokesperson confirmed this to iMore.

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