Mafia IV could be on the horizon for next-gen consoles

Derek Strickland | Gaming | May 11, 2020 3:33 PM CDT

Mafia's official Twitter account causes tons of buzz with a single line, igniting speculation of a remaster collection or even a new big-budget sequel.

Mafia IV could be on the horizon for next-gen consoles

2K Games is teasing something Mafia-related. The series' Twitter account just broke its near two-year silence with a simple one-word Tweet that's the main theme in all Mafia games: Family. So what does it mean? The general consensus is 2K will re-release a Mafia I & II remaster collection on current-gen systems. But it's also possible a new entry is on the way, too.

Take-Two Interactive's current pipeline of games is its biggest ever in the history of the company. There's lots of games on the way from all of its labels and studios. Hangar 13, the dev behind Mafia III, is also working on a new project. Job listings say Hangar 13's new game is set in a fresh IP. So it's more likely the tease isn't for Mafia IV, but a remaster collection. Hangar 13 could assist in the remaster while it works on the new IP.

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Microsoft 365 roadmap highlights 'text predictions' coming this month

Shane McGlaun | Business, Financial & Legal | May 11, 2020 3:03 PM CDT

It's been a while since Google's Gmail application introduced a feature that predicted the text a user might want to enter next when composing an email. Gmail calls its feature called Smart Compose and when you're in a hurry or trying to send an email from a smartphone or other mobile device, it's a welcome feature. A new roadmap has surfaced for Microsoft 365, and it shows that the software giant is ready to take a page out of Gmail's book with its version of the feature called "text predictions."

Microsoft 365 roadmap highlights 'text predictions' coming this month

With text predictions, when a user sees a text suggestion, they like they can select it with the tab or arrow keys, according to Microsoft. Microsoft also notes that if the user doesn't want to use the text suggestion that turns up on the screen, they can simply keep typing, and the suggestion will disappear. The feature can also be turned off for those who don't want to use it.

Turning off text predictions requires users to go to settings, view all Outlook settings, mail, compose, and reply. Under that section will be a checkbox titled "Text predictions" that can be cleared to turn them off. Another interesting feature that Microsoft is working on is a scheduled email feature called "Send Later for Outlook.com" that would allow users to pick a time when an email will be sent.

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Far Cry 6 reveal possible at Ubisoft's new all-digital July event

Derek Strickland | Gaming | May 11, 2020 2:32 PM CDT

E3 is toast, and pretty much every games conference is going all-digital. Ubisoft responds with their own event called Ubisoft Forward, which goes live on July 12 at 3PM EST. "Get ready for an E3-style showcase with plenty of exclusive game news, exciting reveals, and much more."

Far Cry 6 reveal possible at Ubisoft's new all-digital July event

Ubisoft is working on a bunch of big projects right now. The company plans to ship five AAA games in FY2021, this fiscal year. We already know most of the big games: Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Watch Dogs Legion, Rainbow Six Quarantine, and Gods and Monsters. Reports say the last mystery game is a new Far Cry game for next-gen consoles. We might get an official reveal of Far Cry 6 at the July event.

Then again, it's possible these plans have dramatically shifted due to COVID-19. Ubisoft will confirm any changes to the release slate on May 14. The 5-game slate was announced in November 2019 when key games were shifted after Ghost Recon: Breakpoint's disappointing performance. Ubisoft has since changed the main creative design teams responsible for its biggest franchises.

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WWDC 2020 rumor claims the AirPods Studio headphones will debut

Shane McGlaun | Audio, Sound & Speakers | May 11, 2020 2:01 PM CDT

A new rumor is going around that claims Apple will be unveiling a new set of over-ear headphones at WWDC 2020. The rumor claims that headphones are over-ear units called the AirPods Studio (AirPods Pro pictured). The headphones are said to be highly customizable and aiming at a price point of $349.

WWDC 2020 rumor claims the AirPods Studio headphones will debut

If Apple brings the AirPods Studio headphones to market at that price, it would put them on equal footing with the popular Bose 700 and Sony WH-1000XM4 offerings. The headphones would be Apple's first over-ear units, developed under the codename B515. Rumors have claimed that the AirPods Studio will feature a magnetic headband and earcups, which aren't offered on any competitor's products.

One interesting fact is that the headphones are claimed to be as customizable as an Apple Watch. There is no indication of how exactly that customization will be pulled off. Presumably, the sound will be customizable along with the levels of noise cancellation.

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Call of Duty dev Sledgehammer games plans massive studio expansions

Derek Strickland | Gaming | May 11, 2020 1:34 PM CDT

Slegehammer Games is gearing up for some big projects, and plans to expand their forces to 300 developers across two studios.

Call of Duty dev Sledgehammer games plans massive studio expansions

Back in the day, Call of Duty games rotated between three studios: Sledgehammer Games, Treyarch, and Infinity Ward. Every year each studio released their own Call of Duty game, adding a lot of variety to the lineup. But now that mantle falls to Infinity Ward and Treyarch. Sledgehammer is more of a support team that sits alongside Raven Software and Beenox to help flesh out the experiences, with each team working on different portions of the game. Call of Duty games have always been collaborative efforts, and this time Sledgehammer is more in the trenches.

Now Sledgehammer is massively ramping up headcount across its California and Australia-based studios to prepare for a multi-project slate. Sledgehammer is 200-strong now, but wants to add 100 people to its pool, signifying big things are on the way. It's possible the studio could be reaching outside of the Call of Duty franchise for its own games.

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Thunderbolt port vulnerability could leak personal data

Shane McGlaun | Business, Financial & Legal | May 11, 2020 1:03 PM CDT

A report is making the rounds that claims attackers could steal data from a PC or Linux computer even if the computer is locked and the data is encrypted. The report comes from a security researcher called Bjorn Ruytenberg, who says that the technique to steal the data is relatively simple, and it is called "Thunderspy." All the attacker needs is physical access to the computer, and they would be able to steal personal data in only five minutes using a screwdriver and easily portable hardware.

Thunderbolt port vulnerability could leak personal data

Thunderbolt offers very fast transfer speeds gives direct access to the PC memory, creating several vulnerabilities. Previously researchers believed that weaknesses in the Thunderbolt protocol could be mitigated by disabling access to untrusted devices or disabling Thunderbolt altogether. However, the attack method that Ruytenberg has discovered can get around those settings by changing the firmware that controls the Thunderbolt Port to allow any device access.

The security researcher also notes that the act leaves no trace and the user would never know their PC was altered. To perform the attack, which the researcher dubbed the "evil maid attack" the attacker would only need to unscrew the backplate, attach device momentarily, reprogram the firmware, reattach the backplate, and they would gain full access to the laptop.

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Grab a deal on the previous generation 13.3-inch MacBook Pro

Shane McGlaun | Laptops | May 11, 2020 12:04 PM CDT

Not long ago, Apple announced the updated version of the 13.3-inch MacBook Pro bringing with it updated processors and a revised keyboard. Apple fans who don't mind using the last generation 13.3-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar from mid-2019 have an opportunity to pick up an excellent deal with B & H Photo.

Grab a deal on the previous generation 13.3-inch MacBook Pro

B & H has a special going right now that drops the price of a well-configured 13.3-inch MacBook Pro by $400. Discounts on Apple hardware this significant are rare, making this a deal that many may want to take advantage of. For about 12 hours as of writing, the machine is available for $1399.

For the money, buyers get a 13.3-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU paired with 8 GB of 2133 MHz LPDDR3 RAM. The Mac includes 256 GB of SSD storage and uses Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655. Keep in mind that this is the previous-generation MacBook Pro using eighth-generation Intel processors.

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MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ 5G-integrated chipset family debuts

Shane McGlaun | CPU, APU & Chipsets | May 11, 2020 11:01 AM CDT

The MediaTek chipset family has a new product aimed at mobile devices focused on 5G connectivity and gaming. The Dimensity 1000+ chipset family has integrated 5G connectivity and promises "a number of leading technologies and upgrades for gaming, video, and power efficiency." The Dimensity 1000+ is based on the flagship Dimensity 1000 from MediaTek.

MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ 5G-integrated chipset family debuts

The chipset promises leading 5G capabilities, including Carrier Aggregation, dual 5G SIM, superfast 5G speeds, and the MediaTek 5G UltraSave power-saving technologies. The power-saving technology automatically adjusts the modem's power configuration and operating frequency according to network conditions and based on user activity to save power.

The chipset also supports 144 Hz displays that are becoming more common in flagship devices and phones aimed at mobile gamers. The Dimensity 1000+ also uses the latest HyperEngine 2.0 technologies to optimize the smartphone for a more fluid and immersive gaming experience. Those technologies include a Resource Management Engine designed to ensure game performance fluidity with minimal power consumption.

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Google talks about reopening its offices to workers

Shane McGlaun | Business, Financial & Legal | May 11, 2020 9:53 AM CDT

Alphabet is the parent company to search giant Google and has announced when it will begin to reopen its offices. Google will slowly begin to reopen offices starting in June, according to CEO Sundar Pichai. The company CEO announced the June reopening date for offices in an email sent to employees that turned up online. However, workers won't have to go into the office until they feel it is safe to do so according to a Google spokesperson.

Google talks about reopening its offices to workers

Pichai said about employees returning that the "ramp" back to the office will be slow. He said there would be no one-size-fits-all approach and guidance will vary from location to location. The leaked memo claims that Alphabet is aiming for between 10 and 15% capacity in the office at any time around the globe.

Pichai noted that currently, fewer than 5% of employees are working from offices. He also took time in the memo to thank the employees in the offices and data centers that were working in offices. The first employees to return to offices will be those who have jobs requiring them to be in the office. Those first workers to return will include those needing access to specialized equipment.

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Resident Evil 8 is 'dark as f*ck', the darkest Resident Evil ever

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | May 11, 2020 12:31 AM CDT

I still remember sitting on the bottom bunk in my room with my brother when I was 13 years old, playing the original Resident Evil on the first-gen PlayStation and almost sh*tting my pants when those damn dogs smashed through the windows in the mansion. But hopefully we're about to get some even darker, more gruesome gameplay.

Resident Evil 8 is 'dark as f*ck', the darkest Resident Evil ever

According to a Capcom insider, Resident Evil 8 will be one of the darkest, much more horror-fueled outings in the long-running franchise. Capcom insider Dusk Golem explained that Capcom is reportedly pushing the boundaries on Resident Evil 8, saying that Resident Evil 8 is "by far the darkest & most gruesome RE yet".

A follow up tweet teased us to "get ready for some of the most disturbing enemy designs" in the Resident Evil series, which will see a slew of new zombies, beastmen, a huge "juggernaut", and a witch-like enemy "stalker" with a hidden face.

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