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UnlabelledTechnology - Google News

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

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Technology - Google News

PS4 Cross-Play Is Happening, Fortnite Beta Starts Today

Posted: 26 Sep 2018 06:58 AM PDT

Sony has announced that cross-play between PlayStation 4 and other platforms is coming to Fortnite. In a statement posted on the PlayStation Blog, Sony Interactive Entertainment said it has "identified a path towards supporting cross-platform features for select third-party content." The first of these third-party titles is Fortnite and, starting today, an open beta for Fortnite will allow for "gameplay, progression, and commerce" across PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch, Mac, Android, iOS.

"We recognize that PS4 players have been eagerly awaiting an update, and we appreciate the community's continued patience as we have navigated through this issue to find a solution," said John Kodera, president of Sony Interactive Entertainment. "We see the beta as an opportunity to conduct thorough testing that ensures cross-platform play is best on PlayStation, while being mindful about the user experience from both a technical and social perspective."

As previously mentioned, in addition to enabling players across the various platforms Fortnite is available on to play together, progress will be preserved over the different platforms and, more importantly, any purchases and unlocks will also be shared, which is good news for dedicated Fortnite players.

"For 24 years, we have strived to deliver the best gaming experience to our fans by providing a uniquely PlayStation perspective," Sony's statement continues. "Today, the communities around some games have evolved to the point where cross-platform experiences add significant value to players. In recognition of this, we have completed a thorough analysis of the business mechanics required to ensure that the PlayStation experience for our users remains intact today, and in the future, as we look to open up the platform."

It also notes that this "represents a major policy change" and Sony has said it is "now in the planning process across the organization to support this change." Further details will be provided on specifics regarding the beta timeframe, and what this means for other titles in the future.

The subject of cross-play on PlayStation 4 has been a sore issue for the last few months, especially as the popularity of Fortnite has skyrocketed and other platforms have enabled the functionality. In the past, Sony remained bullish on maintaining a closed online environment. Sony's CEO, Kenichiro Yoshida, for example said the PlayStation 4 was simply the best place to play, suggesting that there was no need for PS4 owners to connect with players on other platforms.

This stance drew criticism from other high-profile people in the video game industry, most notably from Xbox boss Phil Spencer and corporate vice president of Xbox, Mike Ybarra, who said Sony "still isn't listening to gamers" about the cross-play situation.

Tim Sweeney, the head of Fortnite developer Epic Games, later said that he believes it is in the industry's best interest to allow gamers on competing platforms to play together, and added that he believes cross-play is "inevitable." With Sony now on board, Sweeney has been proven right.

The cross-play beta arrives on PS4 in time for the start of Fortnite Season 6, which begins on September 27. In the lead up, Epic has released out a Fortnite Season 6 teaser for Fortnite which features a purple color scheme, much like the strange cube that appeared in the game recently. The start of Season 6 means there's very little time left to wrap up Season 5 challenges. Check out our Season 5 challenges roundup for help chasing down any that you may have left over.

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Apple Watch Series 4 review: It's time to give one to Grandma

Posted: 26 Sep 2018 06:56 AM PDT

The new Apple Watch is FDA-approved to test your heart
The new Apple Watch is FDA-approved to test your heart

The new Apple Watch is showing up the latest iPhones.

September is typically the time for Apple fans to ooh and ahh over the latest smartphones -- and the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are indeed worthy upgrades. But the real showstopper this year is the smartwatch: It's faster, more functional and could literally save your life.

The Apple Watch Series 4, which hits stores on Friday, represents the watch's first major redesign since its 2015 debut. Tucked into a more attractive design -- including slightly rounded corners, a slimmer body and 30% more screen space to tap tiny icons and texts -- this new Apple Watch is also a health-tracking powerhouse.

The wearable comes with a handful of features aimed at a whole new demographic: the elderly. One new tool, for example, recognizes when a user falls and automatically sends a notification to their emergency contact. It's also the first wearable with a built-in FDA-approved ECG monitor -- a feature that qualifies the Apple Watch as a medical device. The ECG's software will be activated in the United State later this year. Apple hasn't said whether it'll come to devices globally.

apple watch series 4 product shot
Up close with the Apple Watch Series 4

The watch starts at $399 for a 40mm model and $429 for the slightly larger 44mm version. That starting price bumps up to $499 for cellular connectivity. (The Series 3 started at $329).

While the Series 4 price tag is higher, experts say Apple's features could modernize hospital and geriatric care, and even assist field-service workers in dangerous environments. The company put the smartwatch through a series of intensive tests, including one designed to train it to distinguish between a delicate plop onto the bed and a hard fall on the floor.

"By making this feature available on the latest watch, Apple stands to displace existing fall-detection equipment in many verticals," said market analysis firm IDC's Jitesh Ubrani, acknowledging brands like Life Alert. "I have no doubt the new Apple Watch will make patient monitoring much easier and far more regular."

That's because people will be more likely to show off (and keep on) a cool-looking Apple Watch compared to a traditional medical device.

Weston Henderek, director of the NPD Group, says the ECG functionality could one day help diagnose conditions such as atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat. Users can create long-term running logs of ECGs that can be shared with their doctors over time.

The new features are notable, but Henderek cautions the role of the Apple Watch as a true medical device is still a work in progress.

"The space will not be truly revolutionized until additional medical tracking functionality, such as blood glucose and blood pressure monitoring, are added to devices like the Apple Watch," Weston said.

tim cook apple watch sep 12
Apple CEO Tim Cookspeaks during an event at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple Park on September 12, 2018 in Cupertino, California.

Meanwhile, Fitbit -- Apple's biggest wearables competitor -- is also thinking ahead. In August, Fitbit unveiled its Charge 3 tracker with a Sp02 sensor, shorthand for peripheral capillary oxygen saturation, that measures blood-oxygen levels. Coupled with Fitbit's heart-rate tracker and sleep monitoring, this trifecta provides a solid snapshot of overall health. Although the Fitbit lacks the Series 4's fall detection and ECG monitoring, it's also a fraction of the cost at $149.

Apple Watch continues to lag behind competitors in sleep tracking, a feature Apple omitted. The Series 4 can't afford to shave any hours off its battery life, which is about 18 hours on a charge. Meanwhile, Fitbit's Charge 3 lasts for days.

As wearables get smarter, companies face a major challenge to educate the public how to properly use their products as medical devices.

"Consumers don't really know the difference between FDA 'approval' and 'clearance,'" Ubrani, the IDC analyst, pointed out. Plus, "some of the features are designed for healthy consumers rather than those who already have medical issues. ... It's easy for consumers to conflate the issues and think the Apple Watch will replace a traditional doctor's visit."

For now, experts believe users will prioritize staying connected via notifications such as texts, alerts and emails over health tracking. After all, users can now summon Siri with just a raise of the wrist, jump in and out of apps at faster speeds, and enjoy louder and more immersive sound, making it easier to take calls from the device.

The Series 4 also comes with new interactive watch faces. But a lack of downloadable custom options is a missed opportunity for developers, Apple and users.

Ultimately, however, Apple's greater push into health is its biggest growth opportunity. It will likely appeal to a new demographic, ignite partnerships with health and life insurance companies to offer the device to employees, and roll out internationally.

IDC predicts Apple Watch sales will soar more than 38% year-over-year and expects that rate to continue for the next 5 years, largely because of the device's focus on health.

"Apple is already the No. 1 player in the smartwatch market by a big margin and has shown very strong growth," NPD Group's Henderek said. "But continuing that momentum and finding new ways to grow will become even more challenging."

For now, the company hopes you'll splurge on an Apple Watch this holiday season not only for the kids and for yourself -- but for Grandma, too.

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WhatsApp cofounder Brian Acton calls himself a 'sellout' for taking Facebook's cash

Posted: 26 Sep 2018 06:35 AM PDT

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