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Apple Music rumored to receive interface overhaul this summer
Following mediocre reviews of Apple Music's first iteration and departures of executives intended to revitalize the company's music strategy (among other bad news), those familiar with the service have told Bloomberg a revamp is on the way.
It's said the interface will be made more intuitive to use, Apple's streaming and download businesses will be better integrated, and its online radio service will be expanded. The reveal will take place at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference in June, at which point the marketing machine will go full throttle to get more customers on board.
Nine Inch Nails founder and tech geek Trent Reznor as well as content head Robert Kondrk are said to oversee the new design, with many other notable staff contributing.
Continue reading: Apple Music rumored to receive interface overhaul this summer (full post)
Fallout 4's Far Harbor DLC might have underwater exploration
Bethesda has just dropped a new trailer for Fallout 4's massive Far Harbor DLC, giving players a ton of clues and hints about what the add-on will offer.
Fallout 4's $25 Far Harbor add-on is the most substantial DLC the game has had so far. In fact, Bethesda affirms that Far Harbor is the biggest DLC the team has ever made. It takes place in the foggy, storm-ridden irradiated coasts of Bar Harbor, Maine, and the landmass is actually bigger than Oblivion's Shivering Isles. As far as specifics, Far Harbor features a ton of content to chew on, including new main, side, and faction quests, horrendous monstrosities, armor and weapons, settlements, and more.
In the trailer we also get a glimpse at what appears to be an old-fashioned diving suit, possibly confirming underwater exploration. Far Harbor will also have a considerable Children of Atom sect that worships in a working nuclear power plant. The region features a number of environmental factors, including heavy volumetric fog (possibly think enough to get lost in) as well as steady rainstorms and tumultuous waves.
Continue reading: Fallout 4's Far Harbor DLC might have underwater exploration (full post)
Titanfall devs working on Star Wars third-person adventure game
The Titanfall devs at Respawn is working alongside EA to make a Star Wars game, and it won't be a shooter.
Repsawn Entertainment, the team behind the Titanfall franchise, has confirmed they'll be making a third-person action-adventure game based in the Star Wars universe. Respawn Game Director Stig Asmussen promises that the game will be faithful to the beloved series, and feature "larger-than-life action and groundbreaking mechanics".
"We'll be making a third-person action/adventure game set in the Star Wars universe," Respawn game director Stig Asmussen announced in a blog post. "We promise to pay respect to the Star Wars legacy at all times, a fact that will be constantly reinforced and honored as a central game design tenet. Fans should expect the exemplary level of quality first established at Respawn with Titanfall, a game that epitomizes our studio's dedication to slick, larger-than-life action and fun, groundbreaking mechanics."
Continue reading: Titanfall devs working on Star Wars third-person adventure game (full post)
Battlefield 4 Dragon's Teeth, Hardline Robbery DLC temporarily free
EA's Origin client periodically has free games or DLC on offer under the 'On the House' banner, and today's is pretty juicy: DLC for Battlefield 4 and Battlefield Hardline.
The Battlefield 4 DLC is known as Dragon's Teeth, which originally released in July 2014 and features mostly medium-sized maps. Last I checked, Lumphini Garden was a horribly imbalanced travesty, but that may have changed since; the rest of the maps were very pleasant to play, particularly Pearl Market, which is a quality close quarters map, although the rooftop gameplay can be frustrating at times. Teeth also includes Chain Link mode which is okay but not popular, new assignments, and a new assault drone. As far as free goes, it's quite a good haul.
As for Hardline, you get the Robbery expansion, which launched in September 2015 and includes the 5v5 Squad Heist mode as well new maps, weapons, paints, gadgets, vehicles, and more. Again, a very respectable amount of content for the low, low price of free.
Continue reading: Battlefield 4 Dragon's Teeth, Hardline Robbery DLC temporarily free (full post)
Left 4 Dead, Evolve devs working on a new unannounced IP
The studio that brought us games like Left 4 Dead and Evolve is working on a fresh new AAA game for PS4, Xbox One and PC.
Turtle Rock Studios has posted up new job listings for a Narrative Director, an Animation Programmer, and a Senior Rendering Programmer to work on a brand new cross-platform AAA game. Since the project is listed as an "unannounced new IP" we probably won't see Left 4 Dead 3 in the pipeline.
"We are searching for a Narrative Director to help shape the entire narrative structure of our upcoming new AAA game for PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4. The Narrative Director will work closely with our Creative Director and Head Writer to create and oversee compelling stories, characters, and content that form the backbone of the game's story."
Continue reading: Left 4 Dead, Evolve devs working on a new unannounced IP (full post)
HoloLens specs revealed, features 2GB RAM and 64GB storage
The full specifications for Microsoft's self-contained HoloLens AR headset have been unveiled, showing a suite of specifically optimized hardware.
HoloLens sports mobile-grade specs with 2GB of onboard RAM, a 1.04GHz Intel Atom CPU (14nm Airmont), and just 64GB of storage. Keep in mind the HoloLens will likely be powered by highly optimized software, so the hardware isn't the full picture. Microsoft doesn't exactly detail the specifics of the mysterious Holographic Processing Unit (HPU), which can process whole terabytes of real-time data from the headsets sensors. Interestingly enough, the storage is actually enough for a full suite of apps and games, as Windows Central notes that most of the content doesn't require a lot of installation space. The battery is pretty meager, though, offering just 2 hours of uptime.
Windows 10.0.11802.1033 ( 32-bit)
Continue reading: HoloLens specs revealed, features 2GB RAM and 64GB storage (full post)
ResetPlug reboots your router when internet goes out
The newly available ResetPlug is a smart plug that keeps your internet connection as fluid as possible. When it goes out (and it's bound to from time to time), the plug detects this and resets power automatically, getting you back online quickly (assuming all you need is a reset).
If the reset doesn't work the first time, ResetPlug will keep trying. You might worry this would destroy your router's power supply or power circuit should your connection remain out for an extended period, but it resets every five minutes by default and this value is adjustable up or down during setup. As such, there shouldn't be issues.
The peripheral is said to work with any Wi-Fi router, Wi-Fi access point, broadband modem, or devices that combine any of the three, and you can use a power strip to monitor all three with one plug.
Continue reading: ResetPlug reboots your router when internet goes out (full post)
Dishonored 2 lets you play as Corvo or Emily, has dynamic endings
Bethesda has formally announced that Dishonored 2 releases on November 11, 2016 on PS4, Xbox One and PC, along with a few new tidbits about the game.
Dishonored 2 will actually feature two playable protagonists--Corvo Attano and Empress Emily Kaldwin--and players will be able to choose between the two. It looks like Emily and Corvo each have their own unique abilities, offering more replay value for the first-person stealth adventure. Bethsoft also revealed that Dishonored 2 will react to specific decisions you make in the game, unlocking dynamic missions that ultimately culminate in multiple endings. So on top of the dual-protagonist mechanic, we'll get an extra layer of replay value with the endings.
"Reprise your role as a supernatural assassin in Dishonored 2. Play your way in a world where mysticism and industry collide. Will you choose to play as Empress Emily Kaldwin or the royal protector, Corvo Attano? Will you make your way through the game unseen, make full use of its brutal combat system or use a blend of both? How will you combine your character's unique set of powers, weapons and gadgets to eliminate your enemies? The story responds to your choices, leading to intriguing outcomes as you play through each of the game's hand-crafted missions."
Continue reading: Dishonored 2 lets you play as Corvo or Emily, has dynamic endings (full post)
New Watch Dogs 2 lead character reportedly leaked
If these leaks are accurate, Watch Dogs 2 will feature a brand new protagonist.
Sullen hacker Aiden Pearce apparently won't be returning for Watch Dogs 2, and now thanks to an accidental leak we have a our first purported glimpse at the sequel's main protagonist. Performance artist and actor TheKingCort, who did motion capture and lent his likeness to the new hipster hacker character, prematurely posted the protagonist on hits Instagram page. King's Instagram feed is now set to private, and the post has presumably been taken down.
Ubisoft has already confirmed that Watch Dogs 2 will release in 2017, likely before the end of April of next year. Since a new Assassin's Creed won't release in 2016, Watch Dogs 2 will likely take its place, but a 2016 release might conflict with Ubi's original statements. AMD also confirmed that Watch Dogs 2 will be optimized for AMD video cards with extensive DirectX 12 support.
Continue reading: New Watch Dogs 2 lead character reportedly leaked (full post)
YouTube testing clean Material design
YouTube has had a pretty similar and somewhat chaotic design for a good six years or so, but it looks like that may finally change. A fresh and clean new design based on Google's Material platform has surfaced online, indicating it's likely in testing as you read this.
If you'd like to try it yourself, open Chrome and follow the steps below as outlined by redditor giorgiomarinel:
Note you may have to be on the US region setting, in Incognito mode, and/or sign out of your account to make it work. Happy Youtubing!
Continue reading: YouTube testing clean Material design (full post)
Twitter stock falls to all-time low
Twitter's stocks dropped to $13.90 this morning according to Bloomberg, an all-time low since the company's public inception three years ago. It rose slightly to $13.99 later in the day, putting its market cap at $9.7 billion: a significant drop versus last week's $14 billion, which was estimated prior to the release of the company's quarterly results. As of press time, they sit at $14.08.
Things haven't been going well for Twitter lately, between a recent smattering of executive departures and a trend of dropping stock values. Months ago, The New Yorker went so far as to say the end is near for the social media service, while USA Today stated about the same time that it could go on for hundreds of years due in part to its $3 billion cash reserves. We're inclined to think the truth is somewhere in between.
Continue reading: Twitter stock falls to all-time low (full post)
The Rock's alarm clock app inspires you to get up in the morning
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has a new iOS and Android app designed to motivate you to get out of bed in the morning and make the day your...well, you know. Appropriately named "The Rock Clock", it lets you set a personal goal, choose when you want to get up, and then wake up to a message from The Rock himself.
Other features include video messages from The Rock, 25 custom alarm tones, and "Rock Time", which syncs your alarm with The Rock so "you get up when he does" (probably not smart if you don't live in the Pacific Northwest). Amusingly, there's an intentional lack of snooze alarm because "The Rock is not a fan of that button."
Reviews are, perhaps surprisingly, quite strong with most sitting at four or five stars. Although some users note room for improvement, it appears to be a great foundation to start with.
Continue reading: The Rock's alarm clock app inspires you to get up in the morning (full post)
Expert says self-driving cars means more car sex
Driverless cars give rise to a variety of concerns for drivers and industry members alike. The latest: sex behind the behind the wheel, which has at least one expert on edge.
"I am predicting that, once computers are doing the driving, there will be a lot more sex in cars," states Barrie Kirk of the Canadian Automated Vehicles Centre of Excellence. And while that sounds like a great thing, he points out the potentially dangerous side, saying, "That's one of several things people will do which will inhibit their ability to respond quickly when the computer says to the human, 'Take over."'
Videos are already online showing those in Tesla driverless vehicles engaged in activities like reading a newspaper or brushing their teeth, so sex isn't much of a stretch.
Continue reading: Expert says self-driving cars means more car sex (full post)
NVIDIA's next-gen GeForce teased with 'Order of 10' mystery
NVIDIA's big reveal of its next-gen GeForce video cards is just days away, with the company teasing select members of the press with its 'Order of 10' mystery. What is the 'Order of 10' mystery you ask? Well, it's a teaser and countdown to the GeForce 1000 series reveal.
First off, some tech press received a mystery box that led them to the site orderof10.com, with a hexagon image with each side the equivalent of a piece puzzle. The site could be accessed by entering a code from the triangle that is found inside of the box, which was also sent to tech sites. The box has a '10' logo embedded on the front, with a single triangle with the code found inside.
GamersNexus found another link that led to a reveal countdown that ends on Friday, May 6. This is the day that NVIDIA will reportedly unveil its next-gen cards, but the puzzle is an interesting piece of marketing. The six pages on the site were: Collision, Structure, Circles, Compute, Vision, and Astronomy. Each puzzle leads to the next, solving the entire mystery.
Continue reading: NVIDIA's next-gen GeForce teased with 'Order of 10' mystery (full post)
Polaris is exciting, but will this be the GPU we're looking for?
There's a tremendous amount of excitement surrounding the upcoming Polaris P10 and P11 GPUs, as there rightfully should be. This marks a sort of subtle change in direction for AMD for some time. If rumors are true about the size and relative expected raw power of these two chips, then neither represent a true successor to Fiji, but will instead be a faster an far more power efficient Hawaii, which still continues to grow its performance with additional driver releases.
Continue reading: Polaris is exciting, but will this be the GPU we're looking for? (full post)
China is the first to have an autonomous police robot, with a taser
China seems to have beat us to the punch when it comes to enlisting robots and AI to help fight crime. It's not quite on the level of Robo Cop, but the autonomous machine is still slightly deadly.
Continue reading: China is the first to have an autonomous police robot, with a taser (full post)
The 'Space Jam' sequel is happening for reals this time
It's been coming for a while now, but it looks like the sequel to the 1996 live action/ animated smash hit 'Space Jam' is finally getting off the ground.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, director Justin Lin has boarded the long gestating sequel which is set to launch NBA star LeBron James' movie career. Justin Lin, a veteran of multiple 'Fast and the Furious' features, and is wrapping up the second 'Star Trek' sequel 'Beyond' which hits cinemas later this year. It's understood that Justin Lin, Andrew Dodge and Alfredo Botello are currently drafting the film's script. The original 1996 film, which starred the Warner Bros. stable of Looney Tunes characters alongside sporting legend Michael Jordan successfully reinvigorated the aging characters and was a box office success.
If all goes well, we could see 'Space Jam 2' in cinemas some time in late 2017 or early 2018.
Continue reading: The 'Space Jam' sequel is happening for reals this time (full post)
VR could be awesome as a mainstream device, but it might be held back
If anything, VR is most certainly not like the other myriad of technologies that have tried to increase immersion. In fact, it is precisely what we need to do that. Helping set-up an Oculus Rift over the weekend for a friend was surprisingly eye-opening.; VR could easily be mainstream.
Continue reading: VR could be awesome as a mainstream device, but it might be held back (full post)
Oculus Rift to be sold in-store at Best Buy starting May 7
Starting May 7, Best Buy will sell physical Oculus Rift VR headsets and hold in-store demos.
In a move that has a lot of pre-buyers quite bewildered, Oculus announces that it will be selling a "small number" of Oculus Rift headsets in U.S. Best Buy stores. Standalone Rift headsets will also be on sale on the Microsoft Store and Amazon starting May 6.
"A small number of Rifts will be available for purchase at select Best Buy stores starting May 7 and online from Microsoft and Amazon, starting May 6 at 9 am PST. Quantities will be extremely limited while we catch up on Rift pre-orders," reads a post on the Oculus Blog.
Continue reading: Oculus Rift to be sold in-store at Best Buy starting May 7 (full post)
Battlefield devs rip on new Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare trailer
Battlefield devs rip the latest Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare trailer, affirming the Battlefield 5 reveal footage will blow it away.
So far the reactions to Activision's latest Call of Duty game are mixed at best, and the competition at DICE have stepped in to poke fun at the footage. "Today I watched the new COD trailer. How quaint! Those cute little free-cam shots, precious 2010 graphics and grade school editing! Quaint!" said DICE dev Roland Smedberg in a deleted Tweet. Smedberg went on to criticize the "ugly" depth of field lighting, and promised that Friday's Battlefield 5 reveal video will be so good in comparison that the "internet will melt".
Perhaps the most hilarious (or harsh) bit was when DICE dev Randy Evans said that Infinite Warfare "looks like a game from 10 years ago." Evans, who is working on the Battlefield 5 trailer, echoed Smedberg's boasts by saying "the internet is gonna crumble!" once the BF5 footage launches. Even DICE's Julian Manolov chimed in by saying "3 and a half minutes of CGI...anyone got a link which shows the actual game?"
Continue reading: Battlefield devs rip on new Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare trailer (full post)










