Magic: The Gathering maker Wizards of the Coast suffers database breach
Wizards of the Coast, the company behind Magic: The Gathering, suffered a database breach involving the accounts of MTG Arena and Magic Online players. The passwords in the database were protected, but as a precaution, affected users are recommended to change their passwords over the next seven days.
You can now feed Sony’s Aibo robot dog with virtual food
Sony rolled out a version 2.5 software update for Aibo, adding the ability to program the robot dog with custom tasks and feed it with virtual food. A web-based API offers access to the Aibo Developer Program for seasoned developers and Aibo Visual Programming for novice programmers.
Spotify starts testing real-time lyrics to enable karaoke experience
Spotify is testing a real-time lyrics feature in its mobile app, but only for users in certain countries. The public release of the feature, which will allow listeners to sing along to songs, is not yet known, but it should come soon as a similar experience just arrived to rival Apple Music.
Xbox Game Pass will soon add Final Fantasy games from VII to XV
Microsoft will add 10 Final Fantasy titles to Xbox Game Pass in 2020, from Final Fantasy VII to Final Fantasy XV. The list does not include the MMOs Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIV, but the addition of the latter to the subscription service is in the works, according to Xbox boss Phil Spencer.
Avoid juice jacking! L.A. warns travelers against public USB charging stations
The District Attorney's Office of Los Angeles County issued a warning against juice jacking, a method in which hackers load malware into public USB charging stations. While the attack is nowhere near epidemic levels, travelers are recommended to consider safer alternatives while on the go.
Tencent wants to make console games with Nintendo characters for U.S., Europe
Tencent, which is said to be looking to further leverage its partnership with Nintendo, reportedly wants to make console games with Nintendo characters. The long-term benefit for Tencent in such a project is the chance to learn from Nintendo how to win over gamers in the U.S. and Europe.
New Apple Mac Pro spotted in DJ Calvin Harris’ studio on Instagram
The Mac Pro 2019 was spotted in an Instagram story by DJ Calvin Harris, which he uploaded to show off his studio and a song that he is working on. Apple has not revealed a specific release date for the powerful new computer, but recent clues suggest that its launch is growing more imminent.
Roku app transforms Apple Watch into wearable remote control with voice commands
The Roku app is now available as a free download for the Apple Watch, enabling basic remote control functions on the wearable device's screen. The app also offers a Channel Launcher, voice search and voice command capabilities, and a way to find the Roku remote control in case it gets lost.
Pokémon fans repel negativity, spread the love with #ThankYouGameFreak
Pokémon fans have made #ThankYouGameFreak go viral through tweets that share their stories on what makes the franchise special. The hashtag was created to support Game Freak, the long-running developer of the video games in the series that has recently been under fire for Pokémon Sword and Shield.
Sony cartridge patent found: PlayStation 5 feature, or PlayStation Vita sequel?
The same Dutch website that spotted patents for the PlayStation 5 development kit's design discovered a patent for a cartridge. Speculations on the purpose of the cartridge are running rampant, including a new feature for the next-generation console and the possibility of the PlayStation Vita 2.
PlayStation CEO wants PlayStation 4 owners to quickly upgrade to PlayStation 5
PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan said in an interview with Games Industry that Sony wants PlayStation 4 owners to upgrade as quickly as possible to the PlayStation 5. While Ryan did not confirm any specific details, his comments suggest that Sony is planning a massive launch for the next-generation console.
Apple Mail on MacOS flaw leaves supposedly encrypted messages unprotected
A flaw in Apple Mail for recent MacOS releases, found by IT specialist Bob Gendler, leaves supposedly encrypted messages unprotected. Certain database files that Siri uses to make suggestions were discovered to keep the unencrypted versions of the emails, but Apple said that a fix is on the way.
Epic Games permanently bans FaZe Clan’s Jarvis from Fortnite for using aimbots
Epic Games permanently banned FaZe Clan member Jarvis Kaye from Fortnite due to videos where he used aimbots. Some players believe that the punishment was too harsh, especially since the hacks were used in non-competitive matches, but others think that content creators should not get special treatment.
VKLiooon first female crowned Hearthstone Global Champion after dominant run
Xiaomeng "VKLiooon" Li had a dominant run at BlizzCon 2019 to be crowned as the first female Hearthstone Global Champion. Li, who like many other women esports players faced discrimination, persevered through the challenges, culminating in a 3-0 victory in the finals against Brian "bloodyface" Eason.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate earns title of best-selling fighting game in history
It took less than a year for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate to sell over 15 million copies, surpassing Street Fighter II as the best-selling fighting game of all time. The brawler ranks second among all Nintendo Switch games, overtaking Super Mario Odyssey but still behind Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
Some Fallout 76 players in Australia will receive their requested refunds
Fallout 76 players in Australia who requested refunds between November 24, 2018, and June 1, 2019, will be able to get them, according to a ruling by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission. The launch of the latest entry in the Fallout series was plagued with a variety of issues.
BlizzCon 2019 attendees tried to beat Google’s DeepMind A.I. in StarCraft II
AlphaStar, an A.I. program powered by Google's DeepMind, was at BlizzCon 2019, with the goal of beating any human that tried to go up against it in StarCraft II. AlphaStar is looking to understand the potential and limitations of open-ended learning, which uses learning-based agents to solve tasks in training A.I.
New icon for Microsoft Edge browser revealed in online Easter Egg hunt
The new logo for the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge was the treasure at the end of an online Easter Egg hunt that involved puzzles and a surfing mini-game. The release date of the final version of the internet browser remains unknown, but an announcement may be in store at the Microsoft Ignite conference.
Amazon mistakenly requires third-party stores to get approval for Nintendo goods
Amazon withdrew the requirement for third-party sellers to gain approval for Nintendo products, as the company claims it was an error. It remains unclear, however, if the ruling will return in some form in the future, especially since Amazon has recently faced issues over third-party listings.
Mario Kart Tour multiplayer beta starts in December for Gold Pass subscribers
The Mario Kart Tour multiplayer beta test will start in December, but it will only be available to the game's Gold Pass subscribers. Players who want to be among the first to send blue shells to their friends will have to sign up for the $5-month-plan, which also unlocks the highest racing tier of 200cc.
Pixel 4 face-retouching feature built with help of wedding photographers
The Google Pixel 4 face retouching feature was built with the help of wedding photographers so that the software will not cross certain lines. The feature is turned on by default when taking selfies with the smartphone, which should provide a confidence boost as people will look their best selves.
Persona 5 Scramble will continue Phantom Thieves’ story into summer vacation
Atlus rolled out a new trailer for Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers, which reveals that it will not be a typical Musou-style game. Persona 5 Scramble, which will continue the Persona 5 story into the summer vacation of the Phantom Thieves, is set to launch in Japan on February 2020.
Sony wants to sell PlayStation Vue as streaming industry gets more crowded
Sony is reportedly looking to sell the technology of PlayStation Vue and its subscriber base of 500,000 households, as the internet TV service keeps losing money. With the streaming industry set to become more crowded, Sony may have picked the perfect time to offload the struggling business.
Project Treble helps solve Android fragmentation, but still nowhere like iOS
Project Treble, which Google rolled out to help solve the Android fragmentation problem, seems to be working. Just before the launch of Android 9 Pie, Android 8 Oreo was installed in 8.9% of devices, and in comparison, just before the launch of Android 10, Android 9 Pie was installed in 22.6% of devices.
Ubisoft learns lesson from Ghost Recon Breakpoint, delays three AAA games
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot lamented over the disappointing reception for Ghost Recon Breakpoint, but the developer learned valuable lessons from the Ghost Recon Wildlands follow-up. To avoid similar issues, three games have been delayed to its next fiscal year, including Rainbow Six Quarantine.
PlayStation 5 exclusives may dive into deeper collaborations with Sony Music
Death Stranding is being considered as an "important benchmark" for what is expected to be deeper collaboration between Sony Music Group and the PlayStation 5. The soundtrack of the new Hideo Kojima game will feature real-world, Sony-licensed artists, and this may continue for PlayStation 5 exclusives.
Command & Conquer Remastered stays true to original in first gameplay teaser
Electronic Arts revealed the first look at Command & Conquer Remastered in a gameplay teaser that showcased upgraded 2D graphics. The project, which includes Command & Conquer: Tiberian Dawn and Command & Conquer: Red Alert, stays true to the original games, but there is still no release date.
Google Pixel 4 box hides augmented reality Easter egg: Here’s how to find it
Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL owners should not throw away the box of their new smartphones, at least not until viewing the augmented reality Easter egg. The show, which may be unlocked by using the device's camera with Google Lens activated, differs slightly between the Pixel 4's color options.
Dark Mode in iOS 13 proven to extend battery life of OLED iPhones
A test by YouTube channel PhoneBuff revealed just how much battery may be saved by activating Dark Mode on an iPhone XS. The feature was finally added to Apple's mobile operating system with iOS 13, and for owners of OLED iPhones, PhoneBuff's test gives a reason to activate Dark Mode permanently.
