Technology - Google News

Apple Launches Repair Program for Faulty MacBook and MacBook Pro Keyboards
Galaxy S9 vs. Pixel 2: Which Android phone should you buy?
Bethesda Sues Makers Of Westworld Game, Saying It Uses Fallout Shelter's Code

Apple Launches Repair Program for Faulty MacBook and MacBook Pro Keyboards

Posted: 22 Jun 2018 02:16 PM PDT

Apple today launched a keyboard repair program for MacBook and MacBook Pro models equipped with butterfly keys to address complaints over letters or characters that repeat unexpectedly, letters or characters that do not appear, and keys that feel "sticky" or do not respond in a consistent manner.

According to Apple, a "small percentage" of MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards from 2015 to 2017 can experience these symptoms.

Apple says that customers can bring an affected MacBook or MacBook Pro into an Apple retail store or to an Apple Authorized Service Provider to receive repairs free of charge, with the type of service to be determined after the keyboard has been examined.

Repairs may include the replacement of one or more keys or the entire keyboard. Eligible MacBook and MacBook Pro models are listed below:

MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016)
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)

No other MacBook or MacBook Pro models are included in the program, but it does cover eligible MacBook and MacBook Pro models for four years after the first retail sale of the unit.

To initiate the repair process, customers should find an Apple Authorized Service Provider, make an appointment at an Apple retail store, or mail the device into an Apple Repair Center after contacting Apple support. Apple says that if the affected MacBook or MacBook Pro has damage that impairs service, the issue will need to be repaired first.

Repair documents for Apple Authorized Service Providers seen by MacRumors suggest Apple will repair MacBook and MacBook Pro regardless of keyboard damage due to attempted keycap repair by the customer or physical top case damage unrelated to the keyboard. Liquid damage and physical keyboard damage unrelated to a keycap repair will require additional work to be paid for by the customer before a keyboard repair can be initiated.

Customers who experienced keyboard problems but were forced to pay out-of-warranty repair fees for their damaged MacBook or MacBook Pro models can contact Apple to inquire about a refund. In some cases, repairs for keyboard issues were priced at upwards of $500.

Apple's decision to offer a repair program follows increasing customer dissatisfaction with the failure rate of the first and second-generation butterfly keyboards in the 2015 and later MacBook models and the 2016 and later MacBook Pro models.

Customer complaints have suggested that these models experience issues more often than prior keyboards due to the flatter butterfly keys that adopt dome switches for a more responsive feel. The design of these keyboards can cause keys to fail when dust or other small particles get into the keys, leading to the "sticky" and non-responsive keys Apple describes above.

Apple is facing two potential class action lawsuits over the defective keyboards in recent MacBook and MacBook Pro models from customers who were forced to pay high prices for out-of-warranty repairs. Thousands of customers also signed a Change.org petition calling on Apple to fix the keyboard issues that are being addressed with the new repair program.

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Galaxy S9 vs. Pixel 2: Which Android phone should you buy?

Posted: 23 Jun 2018 04:00 AM PDT

If you're in the market for a top Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Google Pixel 2 are probably on your list of considerations.

That's no surprise -- as the reigning Android phone maker, Samsung has built a powerful and elegant machine in the Galaxy S9. And though it's pricey at $720-to-$800 (prices vary by carrier), £739 and AU$1,199, the S9 sits at the top of its class.

Now Playing: Watch this: The Galaxy S9 put up a good fight in our drop test

3:44

Google's marquee phone is also a champ in itself. The Pixel 2 has a best-in-show camera and a lower price tag that starts at $649, £629 and AU$1,079. It has such a wide appeal that we think even die-hard Apple iPhone users should give the Pixel 2 a shot. (Now we know the rumored Pixel 3 is expected to come in October, but if you need a phone now, both are available now.)

So which one should you buy? That would depend on what you want from a phone and how much you're willing to spend to get it. We've stacked these two powerhouses against each other to see which one has the best design, camera, software features and performance.

Design: Galaxy S9 flaunts a luxurious look

I was never a huge fan of the Pixel 2's design. Though I love its pocketable 5-inch size (there seriously needs to be a resurgence of smaller, high-powered phones), its attractive pale blue variant and its sturdiness, the Pixel 2 doesn't look sleek.

samsung-galaxy-s9-gold-3423 — The Galaxy S9 also comes in new colors like purple and gold.
James Martin/CNET

Its thick bezels and the matte finish on the (aluminum) back feel dated and cheap, especially in contrast to the Galaxy S9's edge-to-edge curved screen and glossy (albeit fingerprint-collecting) glass casing. The Pixel 2 also doesn't have a headphone jack, whereas the Galaxy S9 does, which is a deal-breaker for many. That means you'll need to connect either a Bluetooth headphone or carry around a dongle to listen to your music and calls.

On top of that, the Galaxy S9's bigger screen is sharper, with more pixels per inch, and it's slightly more water resistant. It can be dunked for 30 minutes in 1.5 meters of water compared to the Pixel 2's one meter limitation (that's about 3.3 feet). Though, I wouldn't bother with that distinction too much -- I'm just glad both phones are waterproof and you can just scoop them up quickly the moment they accidentally fall into the water. Of course, all these design goodies come at a higher cost, which puts a bigger dent in your wallet.

Winner: The Galaxy S9 is more expensive, and the way it attracts fingerprints and smudges is annoying. But I still prefer its sleeker design over the Pixel 2.

Camera: Pixel 2 packs a powerhouse camera

If you really want to know which of the two has a better camera, read our super in-depth camera comparison here: Galaxy S9 vs. Pixel 2: Which camera is best?

But here's the TL;DR: The Galaxy S9 has a fantastic camera, and excels at taking noise-free photos (like when you're capturing the sky or a low-light night shot) and pictures at medium low-light.

Now Playing: Watch this: Galaxy S9 vs. Pixel 2 camera showdown

4:33

However, the Pixel 2's camera is superior. It's HDR+ enhanced feature allows you to just click the shutter and effortlessly take a great shot. Photos taken in portrait mode (on both the rear and front-facing cameras) are smoother and look better, and it does a better job understanding that your hair shouldn't be blurred into the background, for example. Lastly, we think its video-stabilization capabilities are the best on any phone available.

(Seriously though, it's best you read our thorough Galaxy S9 vs. Pixel 2 shoot-out for all the photos and info.)

Winner: The Pixel 2's camera is exceptional.

Software features: Google Assistant vs. Samsung Bixby

Both phones run Android Oreo, though when it comes to updates, the Pixel 2 has an advantage. As a Google phone, it'll receive prompt updates from the company as soon as they are available for rollout (meaning it'll be one of the first phones to get the final version of Android P). The Galaxy S9's OS updates typically come a few months later.

The Pixel 2 and the Galaxy S9 also have their own unique digital voice assistants: Google Assistant and Bixby Voice, respectively. However, the Galaxy S9 also has Assistant, too.

Now Playing: Watch this: Siri vs. Google Assistant vs. Bixby

4:46

Both assistants can do the basics just fine (setting reminders and alarms, checking the weather, etc.), but Bixby can handle complex multi-step commands like posting your latest photo on Instagram with a dictated caption. Assistant, on the other hand, taps into Google's vast search database and can look up queries through continued conversation. It's also superfast when looking up answers, whereas Bixby takes a beat or two longer.

bixby-screens-0823-004 — Asking Bixby for the weather.
Josh Miller/CNET

With Google Lens and Bixby Vision built-in respectively, both phones can also look up visual items like identify landmarks or scan barcodes. For a deeper look at these assistants, check out our Siri vs. Google Assistant vs. Bixby comparison.

Personally, I prefer using Assistant because of its speed. I also like the Pixel 2's simpler UI. Because it's so streamlined, the learning curve is lower, and more user-friendly. I'm also not a fan of the Galaxy S9's dedicated Bixby button that sits on the left edge of the phone. It can't be reprogrammed to do anything else, and you end up hitting it all the time.

However, with the Galaxy S9, you don't have to choose between assistants because you have both. The phone also has iris scanning for extra user privacy.

Winner: Toss up -- I much prefer the Pixel 2's simple and refined user experience, but when it comes to "doing" more, the Galaxy S9 definitely has more options.

Performance and battery: Galaxy S9 reigns over all

Equipped with Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 845 chipset, the Galaxy S9 is smooth and lightning quick. As our benchmark results show, it comfortably beat the Pixel 2 -- which has a Snapdragon 835 processor -- on our benchmark tests.

Keep in mind that just because the Pixel 2 has last year's processor, it doesn't mean it's not zippy itself. When it comes to day-to-day usage like firing up the camera, quitting apps and scrolling through web pages, I didn't discern any difference in speed between the two, and the Pixel 2 is as responsive today as it was on day 1.

Geekbench v.4.0 single-core

Note:

Longer bars indicate better performance

Geekbench v.4.0 multi-core

Note:

Longer bars indicate better performance

3DMark Ice Storm Unlimited

Note:

Longer bars indicate better performance

The Galaxy S9's battery (3,000mAh) is only a little bigger than the Pixel 2 (2,700mAh), yet its battery life is impressive. In our battery lab tests for continuous video playback on Airplane mode, the Galaxy S9 ran a lengthy 15 hours and 30 minutes. The Pixel 2 lasted 13 hours and 28 minutes as well, but that was nowhere near the Galaxy S9.

In addition, the Galaxy S9 has wireless charging, similar to previous Galaxy phones, the 2017 iPhones, the LG G7 ThinQ and others. With this feature, you can place the S9 on a charging pad, and it'll juice up without the need of a cable. While this isn't exactly a make-or-break feature for me, it's one more convenience that the S9 has that the Pixel 2 doesn't.

Winner: Though the Pixel 2 is still a reliable and fast phone, the Galaxy S9 is faster and has a longer-lasting battery to boot.

The Pixel 2 (top) and the Galaxy S9 (bottom).

James Martin/CNET

And the winner is…

Because I love the ease of which I can take a great photo with little effort, I personally lean toward the Pixel 2. I also its minimalistic interface, pocketable size and slightly lower price tag.

But which is objectively the better phone? I have to say, it's the Galaxy S9. With its smooth looks, fast processor and long-lasting battery, it edged out the Pixel 2 in more categories. This all makes sense, since it's the newer and more expensive model.

Whatever phone you choose, you'll surely be satisfied by both. However, it's important to note that these two aren't even your only options. If you want a bigger phone, there's the Galaxy S9 Plus and Pixel 2 XL to consider. And if you don't need a new phone immediately, the Pixel 3 is expected to launch in four months, while the next Samsung phone will be the Galaxy Note 9, which is due for release around August. Both phones should have more processing power, the latest version of Android P and better cameras.

The Galaxy S9 vs. Pixel 2 shootout: Which f these hotshot phones takes the best pictures?

Pixel 2 vs. iPhone: Why Google's phone is the best upgrade.

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Bethesda Sues Makers Of Westworld Game, Saying It Uses Fallout Shelter's Code

Posted: 22 Jun 2018 09:34 AM PDT

Bethesda is suing Warner Bros. and Behaviour Interactive over the new Westworld video game which it claims copies parts of 2015’s Fallout Shelter, according to court documents filed with the U.S. District Court for Maryland.

The lawsuit was filed June 21 and seeks to have money for damages awarded and for Warner Bros. to stop selling the game.

“The Westworld game is a blatant rip-off of Fallout Shelter,” Bethesda charges in their lawsuit, arguing that Behaviour is inappropriately using code developed while assisting the development of Bethesda’s game.

In the suit, Bethesda asserts that it paid Behaviour in 2014 to develop parts of Fallout Shelter and now claims that studio used some of the designs, artwork, and code commissioned for that game to help create Warner Bros. newly released Westworld mobile game.

Exhibit L of the lawsuit in which Bethesda cites an article by Kotaku to argue that the two games look very similar.

The Westworld game resembles Fallout Shelter, a management sim released three years ago for smartphones and later on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and most recently the Nintendo Switch. Kotaku ran an article saying as much, which Bethesda even cites as Exhibit L in the suit, despite still having the site blacklisted and never responding to our emails. The new lawsuit filed yesterday, however, alleges Behaviour actually used some of the same underlying code for both games, which would put it in breach of its contract with Bethesda.

“Under the agreement, all Behaviour work product of any kind, including code, designs, artwork, layouts, and other assets and materials for Fallout Shelter were authored and owned by Bethesda ab initio as works made for hire,” Bethesda claims in the suit. The video game publisher also alleges that Behaviour “utilized its restricted access to Bethesda’s intellectual property, including Bethesda’s copyrighted code, trade secrets, and other rights” in order to bring get the Westworld game out as soon as possible and calls it a “blatant rip-off of Fallout Shelter.” The company goes on:

Part of Bethesda’s lawsuit attempting to show that the character models in both games look the same.

“Working with the same copyrighted computer code used by Fallout Shelter, Westworld has the same or highly similar game design, art style, animations, features and other gameplay elements as Fallout Shelter, all of which are owned by Bethesda.”

A section of Bethesda’s lawsuit arguing that Westworld duplicates the visual layout of Fallout Shelter.

Beyond the surface similarities between how the two games look and play, Bethesda claims that there are programming bugs and defects that are present in both games. It cites as one example an apparent bug in the “demonstration” mode of the Westworld game. “Specifically, the view is out-of-focus and the scene that appears is far to the right and below the targeted landscape image,” the company writes. “It is as if a camera capturing the scene had been inadvertently pointed to the lower right foreground and then slowly refocuses on the central image. The identical problem appeared in initial versions of Fallout Shelter but was addressed before Fallout Shelter was released to the public.”

The rest of the suit goes on to argue what a success the Fallout brand has been, how that success in turn helped Fallout Shelter to be a popular game, and how Westworld’s allegedly ripping off the game “seeks to attract players by its misappropriation of intellectual property of Bethesda.” As a result, the publisher is seeking to recover an unspecified amount of money to compensate for damages and also get the game in its present form pulled.

Neither Warner Bros., Behaviour Interactive, nor Bethesda immediately responded to a request by Kotaku for comment.

Bethesda has been involved in a number of high-profile suits against other game-makers in recent years. Last year, its parent company Zenimax won a lawsuit against Oculus Rift over violations of a non-disclosure agreement and copyright infringement. In 2012, the company settled a suit against Minecraft-maker Mojang over a trademark dispute regarding a game called Scrolls.

Bethesda Sues Over Westworld Game by GMG Editorial on Scribd

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