Kamis, 10 Oktober 2019

Atari disputes reports that its retro-inspired console is doomed - The Verge

Atari put out a lengthy development update for the Atari VCS console earlier this week, on the same day that The Register reported that the project is experiencing significant difficulties. One source with knowledge of the project reportedly described it as a “shit show,” and the console is reportedly shaping up to be more of a Linux PC than a dedicated games console.

Atari’s post sought to assure backers that the project is proceeding as planned. Amidst numerous photographs of the console’s circuit boards and chassis, the company claimed that the molds for the plastic housing of the console are “largely complete,” that its controllers and joysticks are “just about ready for mass production,” and that it expects to host hands-on preview events for the console later this fall.

The Register’s report, however, paints a very different picture of the console’s development. For starters, the console’s lead architect, Rob Wyatt, has quit the project and claimed that his design consultancy hasn’t been paid in over six months. Wyatt’s Tin Giant consultancy was hired to develop the console’s hardware and software shortly before the console’s $3 million IndieGoGo campaign came to a close in June last year.

The report goes on to say that the so-called “console” will actually function more like a PC in a custom-chassis, and will run on a standard Linux distribution after Atari’s executives refused to approve the development of a custom operating system. It will also reportedly not feature an app store, another common feature of most consoles. Atari’s post appears to partially disagree with this assessment, and mentions what it calls the machine’s “custom Atari operating system.” However, even Atari admits that the machine operates “more like a computer than a fully-functional game system at the moment.”

The console also reportedly suffers from a myriad of other software issues. The Register claims that the console’s controllers might not work consistently across games, as you’d expect a console controller to, and that the promised streaming apps will actually consist of web apps accessed through a modified browser. The report says that the console, which will retail for prices starting at $250 in the US, is effectively just a Steam Machine, a Linux PC designed for gaming.

Unsurprisingly, Atari disagreed with many of the claims made in The Register’s report. ”Atari wishes to inform you that some of your questions indicate that you possess information that is incorrect and/or outdated,” a statement given to The Register from Atari’s PR firm read, “In addition, some aspects of the Atari VCS project clearly have been leaked to you in violation of existing confidentiality agreements, and Atari therefore hereby reserves its rights in that respect.”

We have contacted Atari to ask when the campaign’s backers, as well as customers who have pre-ordered the console from GameStop and Walmart can expect to receive their consoles, and we’ll update this piece with its response. In the meantime it’s well worth reading The Register’s report in its entirety for a full catalog of the issues the console is reportedly facing.

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https://www.theverge.com/2019/10/10/20907755/atari-vcs-troubled-development-architect-operating-system-crowdfunding-campaign

2019-10-10 11:33:02Z
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Google Pixel 4: What to expect - Engadget

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2019-10-10 10:00:08Z
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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite could be real and coming in two shades - TechRadar

Recently we heard rumors of a more affordable, likely mid-range Samsung Galaxy Note 10 model, which for now we’re calling the Galaxy Note 10 Lite. Now, we’ve heard about it again, complete with color and availability information.

According to SamMobile, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite will launch in black and red, and will be available in Europe.

That still doesn’t tell us much. We don’t know, for example, which parts of Europe it will land in, or whether it will launch anywhere outside Europe. So US, Australian and even UK availability remains unclear for now – though if this rumor is right then there’s a good chance it will land in the UK at least.

The source also doesn’t specifically say that the Galaxy Note 10 Lite won’t be available in other shades, just that it will be available in black and red.

That’s all the information included here, but with multiple rumors now pointing to the phone’s existence there’s a fair chance it’s a real thing.

No rumors as yet have mentioned the specs though, beyond apparently 128GB of storage, and it’s those and the price that could make or break this S Pen-toting handset. As soon as we learn any more we’ll be sure to update you.

Via GSMArena

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https://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-note-10-lite-could-be-real-and-coming-in-two-shades

2019-10-10 09:14:00Z
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Activision now in Hong Kong controversy while waiting for China to approve game - Fox Business

Activision Blizzard launched its video game “Call of Duty: Mobile” last week to much fanfare.

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After a big debut week for the game, the company finds itself in the middle of the Hong Kong protest controversy at a time it has a huge potential audience waiting for the game in China.

The Wall Street Journal reports downloads of the game hit 100 million in the first week, with gross revenue totaling about $10 million globally, according data from Sensor Tower.

Activision did those numbers without China as it waits for government approval in the world’s largest market for mobile games.

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On Tuesday, the company suspended a player from one of its esports competitions after the player publicly voiced sympathy for the Hong Kong protesters, according to the Journal.

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ATVIACTIVISION BLIZZARD INC.53.43-0.70-1.29%

It sparked criticism from American politicians and calls for a boycott of all Blizzard properties.

At the same time the National Basketball Association is involved in its own controversy.

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It would not be a good time for a boycott as revenue at Blizzard has fallen in the last two quarters and is expected to be down 28 percent, according to FactSet.

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https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/activision-now-in-hong-kong-controversy-while-waiting-for-china-to-approve-game

2019-10-10 07:57:57Z
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Oppo made a Gundam edition of its fast-charging Reno Ace phone - Engadget

As teased last month, Oppo's latest flagship phone, the Reno Ace, is unveiled today. We already knew about the device's 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 feature which charges its 4,000mAh battery in just 30 minutes, thus setting an impressive record in the industry. What's surprising is perhaps the Gundam 40th anniversary edition Reno Ace: only 30,000 of these special units will be available, and both the phone and packaging come in matching designs that pay homage to the RX-78-2. I mean, just look at that cute protection case.

Oppo Reno Ace Gundam Edition

The phone itself shares many traits with the OnePlus 7T from next door, namely Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855+ chipset, a silky smooth 90Hz AMOLED screen (6.5 inches, 2,400 x 1,080 resolution, "waterdrop" notch), in-display fingerprint reader, a 48-megapixel main camera (but f/1.7 instead of f/1.6), UFS 3.0 fast storage and stereo speakers. The quad camera on the back also features a 13-megapixel f/2.4 telephoto camera, an 8-megapixel 116-degree ultra-wide camera and a 2-megapixel monochrome camera. Oppo seems to be quite proud of its video stabilization tech which supports up to 60fps at 1080p, and you can also achieve 5x hybrid zoom with video recording.

Oppo has taken one step further by positioning the Reno Ace as a gaming-centric smartphone. The 135Hz touch sampling rate helps gamers aim and respond more accurately, while the "4D" vibration uses a linear motor to provide more immersive haptic feedback -- this will apparently be supported by several major titles. There's also a set of software boosting features and wireless connectivity optimizations to ensure stability. Similarly, Oppo added a layer of composite carbon fiber between the chipset and the vapor cooling chamber, which supposedly triples the heat conductivity to maximize CPU and GPU load. But that's as far as gaming features go; there's no shoulder button, built-in fan nor dual-screen accessory.

Oppo Reno Ace

The Reno Ace will be available in China starting from October 17th, with the 8GB RAM plus 128GB storage version asking for 2,999 yuan (about $420), going all the way up to 12GB RAM with 256GB storage for 3,799 yuan ($534). The Gundam edition packs 256GB storage but with just 8GB RAM, so it's only asking for 3,599 yuan ($506) which is 400 yuan ($56) more than the standard version, and pre-orders start on October 21st ahead of the November 11th launch.

For those who want to take things up a notch, Oppo is offering an optional Unicorn Gundam edition C1 attachable gamepad for 299 yuan (about $42), with pre-orders starting on October 10th ahead of the same launch day as the Gundam edition Reno Ace.

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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2019-10-10 07:24:28Z
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Oppo’s new Reno Ace can be fully charged in half an hour - Circuit Breaker

Oppo has announced the latest phone in its increasingly diversified Reno range of flagship phones, the Reno Ace. This one is in many ways the most high-end entry yet, although that depends on how you feel about notches.

Spec-wise, this device is very similar to sister company OnePlus’ excellent new 7T. There’s a Snapdragon 855 Plus processor, a 20:9 6.5-inch 1080p display with a small waterdrop notch and a 90Hz refresh rate, and a camera system built around Sony’s ubiquitous 48-megapixel IMX586 sensor.

The Reno Ace gains an extra fourth camera with a monochrome sensor, however, and comes with up to 12GB of RAM. The Reno 10x Zoom, with its notchless display, “shark fin” pop-up selfie camera, and periscope telephoto lens, could still be considered the top-end Reno if you’d value its features over the faster processor and screen in the Ace.

The Ace’s truly unique feature is its breakthrough fast charging. Oppo was already the leader here with its Lamborghini-edition Find X, but the Reno Ace’s 65W SuperVOOC steps it up further. The phone’s 4,000mAh dual-cell battery can be charged from 0 to 100 percent in 30 minutes, according to Oppo, allowing for two hours of usage from just a five-minute charge.

Xiaomi and Vivo have both shown off faster ways to charge a 4,000mAh battery, but neither have actually shipped products that make use of the tech. Oppo also says the Reno Ace’s 65W charger is the smallest on the market thanks to GaN technology.

We’ll have to test those claims for ourselves, of course. The Reno Ace does also support both USB-C Power Delivery and Qualcomm’s Quick Charge at 18W for times when you don’t have Oppo’s proprietary charger and cable, which is good news given that Google now mandates standard fast-charge tech for all Android phones.

The Reno Ace is coming to China first. Pricing is yet to be announced.

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https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2019/10/10/20907652/oppo-reno-ace-announced-specs-fastest-fast-charging

2019-10-10 06:18:23Z
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Rabu, 09 Oktober 2019

Apple may launch its AR headset with third-party help early next year - Engadget

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Apple could release its long-rumored augmented reality headset before mid next year. According to a note obtained by 9to5Mac, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who has a strong track record when it comes to Apple predictions, says the company will launch the device in the second quarter of 2020.

Kuo has said in the past that Apple plans to market the headset as an iPhone accessory. It will reportedly wirelessly offload computing, networking and location-related tasks to the iPhone. In this way, Apple hopes to keep the device thin and light. Without providing additional context, Kuo adds Apple will work third-party brands to launch the accessory. 9to5Mac suggests Kuo means we could see a slate of different iPhone-compatible AR headsets from a variety of brands. MacRumors, meanwhile, indicates the headset is a single product. Based on these interpretations, one possibility is that you'll be able to buy the headset from both Apple and several other companies. Each headset may feature different styling, but they'll all use the same underlying components and technology, and they'll all be compatible with the iPhone.

In the same report, Kuo reiterates his prediction that Apple will launch a new low-cost iPhone SE model sometime in the first quarter of 2020. In a separate report from earlier in the week, Kuo said the "iPhone SE2" will feature Apple's latest A13 chip inside the frame of an iPhone 8, making it a lower-cost alternative to the iPhone 11.

Kuo also says Apple's new iPad Pro will feature a time-of-flight camera. While we've seen images of the new triple camera iPad Pro before, this is the first time the analyst has specifically mentioned the refreshed model will feature a 3D sensor. A time-of-flight camera measures the amount of time it takes for a laser or LED to bounce off objects in a room (the iPhone's TrueDepth camera works in much the same way). Once it measures travel time, the sensor is able to map 3D space accurately. Apple will likely use the sensor to boost the iPad Pro's ARKit capabilities. The company could also use the sensor to create portrait mode photos with smoother depth-of-field effects.

Lastly, Kuo mentions that Apple will release a scissor key MacBook sometime in the second quarter of 2020. Unfortunately, he doesn't specify the exact model Apple plans to refresh with its new, more reliable keyboard. That said, Kuo has said in the past that Apple plans to ditch its troubled butterfly keyboard mechanism. As always, all the usual caveats apply to reports of this type. Even if the note is accurate, Apple's plans could change significantly between now and the second half of next year.

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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2019-10-09 19:03:09Z
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