Software

Street Fighter V has been around since 2016 but has been constantly updated ever since. Now, those who never had the chance to take it for a spin can do so for free. The catch is that we are not talking about a few free days — the free-for-all period that has begun yesterday will end on May 5/6. However, PlayStation 4 need a Plus account to play online.

The tech leaker Stephen Troughton-Smith has supported a rumor that an iPad will gain the ability to pair properly with a mouse with the next iOS update. This new feature will allegedly be a new accessibility option in the new upgrade. However, it is not clear if the rumor applies to wireless, wired or both in terms of these peripherals yet.

Those who have been missing Vine — and/or have been not happy with TikTok — can now fill the void with Byte. The new looping video app comes from Vine's founder and it is currently undergoing closed beta testing. For now, only 100 testers are able to take it for a spin, but more people should be invited soon.

A photography blog claims to have discovered a specs sheet for a new Canon sensor with a whopping 63MP resolution. This new module is intended for a full-frame (i.e. 35mm) camera, and has pixels of 37 micrometers in size. Should this leak prove real, this new sensor could compete well with new 60MP counterparts from Sony.

Lenovo's latest flagship smartphone has been released today (April 23, 2019), as scheduled. Its launch confirms the presence of a quadruple rear camera, which incorporates a 48MP module as expected. Besides this, it has a Snapdragon 855 processor, a 12GB RAM variant and a 4000mAh battery.

The security analyst responsible for dismantling the WannaCry malware that crippled tens of thousands of computer systems (including many used in government services) pleaded guilty to two counts of writing malware used in banking attacks. Marcus Hutchins, who discovered the kill-switch that finally resolved WannaCry, will face up to 10 years in jail and up to $500,000 in fines.

In accordance with previous reports, the Realme 3 Pro has been released to the Indian market today (22 April, 2019). It offers the Snapdragon 710 processor in a package with up to 6GB of RAM, an AI-enhanced selfie camera and gradient color options. The Realme 3 Pro starts at the equivalent of US$200.

In its effort to make its service more conversational, Twitter has decided to add the Highly team to its staff. Sadly, this means that the iOS and Slack apps currently maintained by Highly will go down on April 26. Highly has been around since 2014 and had raised a seed round two years ago.

WhatsApp is reportedly working on animated stickers in its latest betas. This enables a user to superimpose a a moving piece of art (e.g. a drawing or character) on a message. A blog has also apparently found that the app is going to replace its existing emoji design with a new one.

A trio of IT researchers affiliated with Facebook have created a new method to turn a video of an individual performing a series of actions (e.g. a dance) into a 3D 'game character'. This character - and its associated movements - can then be transposed onto a new background. The researchers assert that this background could interact with said character.

Emtek, the licensed owners of the BlackBerry Messenger app, announced that the service will shut down on May 31 considering that users preferred using other messaging platforms. However, BlackBerry said that BBM Enterprise is now available for use by consumers and will be free for the first year for new users.

Microsoft has made the next upcoming version of Windows 10 available via its Insider Preview program. It is called 1903, or the May 2019 Update. An SDK for this build is also now ready to download.

Honor's latest phone, the 20i, has been launched in China. This phone has a 32MP front-facing camera in its U-shaped notch. In addition, the new phone has a 6.21-inch IPS-LCD full-HD screen, triple rear cameras and the Kirin 710 processor. Its prices start at 1,599 RMB (about US$238) for a 4GB SKU.

OnePlus' chief executive, Pete Lau, posted a tweet with more details on a "new device", as promised. It mainly consisted of what could be a new tagline for 2019, in addition to a short video showing a device that could have curved sides and nothing along its top edge. This, then, may be the rumored 7 Pro.

A new version of OxygenOS for the OnePlus 3 and 3T is finally here. However, there are a few slight caveats: it is still in beta (albeit an official Community Beta), and thus may still have some bugs. On the other hand, it has an up-to-date security patch - and is based on Android Pie (9.0).

The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has ordered Google and Apple to remove the app TikTok from their respective stores. This ban has followed allegations that the service increases the risk of child abuse. TikTok can now appeal this ruling on dates set for about a week from today (April 17, 2019).

An XDA contributor has noticed that Google Maps has gained the ability to scan a mobile device's clipboard for addresses. This enables it to suggest an address that has been copied from, say, Chrome, in its search bar without the need for a button or option to paste it. It is not clear when this new feature of Maps arose.

The V50 is LG's first 5G-enabled device, and was scheduled for release during an event on April 19, 2019. However, the OEM has issued a statement saying that this launch is now postponed. No reasons were given for this, although it is known that 5G services in South Korea are experiencing technical difficulties.

Samsung designed the Galaxy Buds as a wireless audio companion for devices such as the Galaxy S10s. However, they have recently improved in this capacity through a new software update. It allows the user to operate them using Bixby alone if they choose.

Casio has unveiled a new addition to the MT-G line of G-SHOCKs. It has Bluetooth connectivity so as to maintain accurate time via a dedicated phone app. This new 'bright red' MT-G is rated for 200M water- and shock- resistance, as well as its maker's 'tough' solar technology to stay charged.

Google Pay has gained more functionality in a new update. It involves the ability to 'scan' Gmail for information on a user's financial perks and other info. This includes rewards from using loyalty cards or other similar systems.

The latest software update for the Nintendo Switch hybrid game console comes with Save Transfer, which allows players to transfer save data between Switch consoles without an online subscription, a Zoom feature, new game sorting options, and various minor tweaks and fixes. Alongside the console firmware, a controller update has been issued as well.

Apple is throwing US $500 million behind its upcoming Arcade gaming subscription service, according to a report by Financial Times. The service could be a big payoff for Apple; devs that release games via Arcade will be bound to a period of exclusivity before they can release their game on other non-mobile platforms. That means Arcade may be the only place gamers can access certain Indie titles, some of which may provide unique and fun experiences.

Google and Apple provide and maintain 2 of the largest app markets in the world. The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets has decided to investigate them with regard to how third-party developers are treated on these platforms compared to their respective first-party counterparts.

A new report indicates that iOS 12's successor may gain a system-wide dark mode. In addition, this OS upgrade will lose the requirement for a profile in order to manage fonts. iPads may also get a version of Safari that defaults to desktop mode in iOS 13.

The Nubia X is one of a very few phones with working displays on both sides. It also now has Android 9 (Pie), albeit in beta form. Its maker is releasing it in a form that requires installation via local upgrade.

With the release of the P30 and P30 Pro, the Mate 20 series is now the second-latest generation of Huawei flagships. However, it appears the OEM is still maintaining an update schedule for these devices. It has announced a new beta program for EMUI 9.1 (based on Android 9) for these phones.

HTC unveiled the U11+ about eighteen months ago. Since then, though, the flagship has yet to get a single OS update. In fact, bar Android One phones, no HTC device has received the Pie update, and that's a list that includes devices like the U12 Plus—a flagship that was launched less than a year ago.

The Xiaomi Mi A1 was released back in 2017 and has received the two major updates it was promised. According to a new report, though, the device could get a third OS update that will see it enjoy Android Q and all the features it brings when it's released later in the year.

Google Wallet has reportedly gained access to a number of Google accounts over the last few days. That would be fine and all - if the official iteration of this app still existed. It was discontinued and absorbed into Google Pay some time ago, meaning that this name may now be used by scammers to steal user payment details or funds.

Xbox's Chief Marketing Officer Mike Nichols felt that Microsoft is in a better position than Google in the race for cloud gaming given the vast library of games and other content that Xbox provides, echoing the sentiments of Xbox Chief Phil Spencer. Microsoft is also optimistic about a great show for Project xCloud at E3 2019.

The Snapdragon processors 665, 730 and 730G are Qualcomm's latest mid-range SoCs. The 730G is particularly interesting as it is a specifically gaming-focused chipset. AnTuTu was able to test these new products and compare them to their predecessors. The results are unexpected in parts.

The future of Microsoft PCs such as the Surface Pro may yet be Qualcomm-based. A new report on the development of Windows on ARM includes references to several prototypes from this line with Snapdragon processors rather than those from Intel. Therefore, this prospect may now be more feasible than ever.

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, or PUBG for short, is one of the Korean studio Bluehole's biggest success stories. However, some state regulators seem not to like it as much as its millions of players do. Nepal is the latest country to ban the game, citing detrimental effects on children and teenagers.

According to a new report in the Korean media, those who have bought Samsung's 5G edition of the Galaxy S10 face a significant new issue with these devices. It seems that these phones fail to connect to 4G when the new radio bands are not available. As they have separate antennas for both kinds of mobile data, this should not be happening.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 was released over three years ago, and has received its two promised major OS updates—Nougat and Oreo. According to new information, however, the device could be set for one last hurrah, with Samsung apparently working on an Android Pie-based One UI update for the phone.

The new Disney+ streaming service will entail a mixture of old and new shows from all of the studios under its umbrella. This, therefore, includes Lucasfilm, 21st Century Fox, Pixar and Marvel. Therefore, Netflix may indeed forfeit several lucrative series-length titles as Disney parts company with it in 2019. This year should also see much more granular detail on what this new subscription has to offer.

Qualcomm and Swisscom have announced the implementation of Europe's first commercial 5G service. These telecommunication and technology corporations had set up a partnership to deliver this next-generation mobile data standard in Switzerland. This will also now enable other firms who operate in the same country to offer 5G products and hardware.

AnTuTu has taken to Weibo to present the first benchmark score derived from the newly-released OPPO Reno line. It is associated with the '10X Zoom' variant, which has a Snapdragon 855 processor and 6GB of RAM. This alleged super-camera-phone has returned a result of 369254, which is just about what is expected of its flagship SoC.

iTunes, the unified account by which Apple apps and services are accessed on devices such as Macs, seems to have been around forever. However, it also appears that this is no longer the case. A 9to5Mac contributor has confirmed rumors that the new protocol Marzipan is being used to make new apps (e.g. Apple TV) that do not require this old system on macOS.

After years of pleading, PlayStation users can now change their PSN IDs, a useful feature considering most users registered during their more juvenile ages and may have opted for obnoxious IDs. Like with all things Sony, however, the new feature comes with a few caveats.

Set to hit the market on April 16, Anno 1800 will enter a short Open Beta stage that is scheduled to be held this weekend. However, those interested in taking this business management/city building hybrid title for a spin can already preload the game — a process that involves downloading over 18 GB of data.

Asus has released the Android 9 Pie update to users of the ZenFone Max Pro M1 and the Max M2 as promised. The update is being seeded in batches and might take some time before the device shows the update notification. Android Pie update for the Max Pro M2 is expected to arrive before April 15.

The new firmware for the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is based on Tizen 4.0.0.3, the same version that came with this smartwatch at launch. The update has less than 14 MB in size and is currently rolling out in the US. It brings several minor improvements and lacks any new features.

The action camera market is projected to be worth over $10 billion in 7 years. It has been found to be made up of the popular brands in this space, such as GoPro, Sony, Olympus, Garmin and others. This market is reportedly driven by increasing levels of disposable income and interest in relevant outdoor pursuits.

YouTube has amassed a 265 million-stong user based in the Indian market. Speaking at a recent Google conference, the service's CEO, Susan Wojcicki, projected that this number would grow further to 500 million by next year. The executive attributed this to the availability of 4G in this country.

With gross sales on PC and Xbox One of over US$1 billion, Black Desert can be definitely considered a successful MMORPG. Since other titles made the same move in the last years, it is not surprising that this game will launch for both iOS and Android devices later this year as Black Desert Mobile.

Digital pre-orders are already live for 10 percent off, so those who want to enjoy Sniper Elite V2 in 4K with enhanced graphics, new playable characters, a frame-by-frame photo mode, and more, can go ahead and pay up. The remastered edition will hit Windows PCs, as well as PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch consoles on May 14.

Remember the Pixel 3 XL that surfaced on Twitter while booting Windows? Well, its owner is back and has turned the same skills on the OnePlus 6T. The phone reportedly booted the OS, then proceeded to successfully run it and start a number of apps, including a game.

WhatsApp has nearly always been available on iOS, but not on iPads. However, as these tablets come with SIM-enabled variants, some users would probably like the option. The app's developers may now be working on a new beta that is optimized for these Apple slates.