Technology - Google News

Qualcomm's X55 modem will help make 5G phones a practical reality - Engadget

Posted: 19 Feb 2019 06:24 AM PST

The first batch of 5G phones is right around the corner, but Qualcomm is already preparing for the follow-up. It's introducing a Snapdragon X55 modem that should make 5G more viable in the real world. Unlike the X50, the new chipset will support "all major frequency bands" for (millimeter wave or lower), different operation modes and network deployments (including 4G/5G spectrum sharing), effectively supporting most any 5G rollout on the horizon. You'll be more likely to get coverage beyond your home network, and shouldn't be left behind if there's a coverage upgrade.

The X55 is fast, too, promising 7Gbps peak download speeds and 3Gbps uploads in ideal conditions.

Crucially, it should lead to slicker devices. The 7-nanometer manufacturing should help with the X55's power efficiency from the get-go, but it's also using tricks like 100MHz envelope tracking and adaptive antenna tuning to minimize the electricity draw when you're on a 5G network. You shouldn't need a large handset or a bulky add-on just to enjoy better-than-LTE speeds.

Device makers already have samples of the X55, and the modem is poised to reach shipping hardware sometime in late 2019. In essence, Qualcomm is giving you a clue as to when 5G will become truly practical. The X55 should usher in a second wave of 5G phones that don't have to make extensive compromises in the name of speed.

Catch up on all the latest news from MWC 2019 here!

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Anthem: Day One Patch Will Improve Loading Times - IGN

Posted: 19 Feb 2019 07:15 AM PST

Sound the fanfare.

By Joe Skrebels

Because the world is strange and confusing, Anthem's day one patch will arrive a week after thousands of people began playing it. Thankfully, it should improve one of the most common complaints about the early version – its loading times.

Arriving on the game's official release date of 22 February (it was made available to EA Origin Access Premier subscribers on the 15th), the patch is wide-ranging to say the least, but puts loading times (and a bug that caused infinite loading screens) right at the top.

To gauge how big a problem that's been, the Anthem subreddit has been ablaze with posts on the subject. One post sees u/dragonoob44 timing how long it takes to exit Freeplay to change gear, then re-enter, which results in over 7 minutes of loading. It's not an out-of-the-ordinary complaint.

Exit Theatre Mode

We've yet to see how effective that fix will be, but it'll be welcome news for those just trying to play their new game.

The patch will also see problems with challenge tracking, disconnects, and crashes addressed, as well as having modifiers for weapons and gear reflected properly.

There is a lot (lot) more to the patch notes. If you want to see them all, I've included them at the bottom of this story.

Our review won't arrive until closer to release, but if you're playing through the loading pain, be sure to check out our ever-growing Anthem Wiki for guides and tips.

High level fixes

Improved loading times
Fixed many infinite loading screens
Fixed multiple challenges not tracking properly
A number of issues have been fixed that were causing players to disconnect or crash
Weapons and gear now have numbers present for modifiers

General Fixes and Improvements

Loot Reveal and Expedition Summary now correctly play during the end of expedition screen.
The gather party mechanic has been made more lenient in a number of situations
At the end of expedition screen players will no longer get stuck on "Recording Victories" or "Skipping All".
Game no longer hangs in Javelin menu when unlocking the second, third or fourth javelin
During the mission “What Freelancers Do” dying after killing Junkmaw & freeing Arcanists leaves you unable to progress, this has been fixed
Challenges now unlock for players at the correct levels
Fixed some camera issues during cutscenes
Legendary Contracts can now be accepted from the Social Hub contract board
Some enemies have had their shield values decreased
Loot now properly drops for players who are downed
The texture quality on the NPC Prospero has been improved
Final boss of strongholds now drop loot instead of only being shown on the end of expedition screen
Fixed the time outs on echoes and relics to prevent griefing and to handle disconnections properly
Players can no longer fall through the floor during the 3rd trial in the Fortress of Dawn
Completing the tutorial expedition will now show the correct Ranger appearance
After disconnecting, rejoining an expedition will now place you back into a squad if you were in one previously
Corrected an issue where players could not interact with each other in the launch bay in certain circumstances
Corrected an issue during the Mission "Bad Deal" where outlaws won't spawn, blocking progress
The start of expedition screen has been improved
Addressed a variety of situations where killing enemies does not properly progress world events
Opening a chest now increments Tomb of the Legionnaire progress for all squad members present
Scar snipers can no longer shoot through Storm Shield
Corrected an issue where players would get stuck on the end of expedition screen in some situations
Players will no longer get disconnected if joining the "Finding Old Friends" mission while the cinematic is playing
Addressed a number of situations where players can get stuck on the environment in the launch bay
Increased the damage of the electric status effect
Corrected an issue where the Shield of Dawn could be crafted with less materials then intended in some situations
The Platinum Mission feat now grants completion as intended
Status effects can more reliably be applied to Titans

Strongholds

Fixed an issue that would cause a Stronghold server crash after defeating the last boss
Temple of Scar - Players can no longer get stuck in the mined tunnel in the explosives room
Temple of Scar - Players can no longer be blocked from entering the explosives room due to fog wall
Fixed Tyrant Mine so people that join the stronghold in-progress do not end up locked away from their team
Adjusted lighting in Tyrant Mine underwater section to make it easier to navigate to the exit
The Swarm Tyrant will no longer get stuck in the side cave entrances in some situations
Corrected an issue where players would spawn into different areas of the Tyrant Mine in certain situations

Gear and Weapons

After having 1st pilot unlock suit after tutorials, creating a new pilot and going to forge no longer causes load screen hang
Ice damage bonuses are now correctly applied on ice gear
Suit-wide bonuses from inscription are now functioning properly
Players can no longer salvage equipped items
Javelin specific gear and/or weapons are no longer able to be used on javelins they aren't intended for
Corrected an issue where in some circumstances Masterwork Components do not have any inscriptions
The Endless Siege Masterwork Autocannon no longer displays a damage increase of 0% in its tooltip

Javelins

The Colossus javelin is now able to activate its shield more quickly after using an ability or firing a weapon
The Storm javelin now reacts to getting hit when its shields are up
Fixed an exploit that allowed the Storm's ultimate attack to be used more times than intended
The Colossus javelin can now shield and revive at the same time
Interceptor Combo Aura has been increased in power and now has a damage over time component

Crafting

Non-Masterwork materials purchased from the crafting store now show as their proper rarity instead of incorrectly showing as Masterwork

Controls

Additional Mouse and Keyboard control improvements have been made

Some conversations were not popping up the reputation points post conversation completion, this has been fixed
The squad screen now displays the correct information for each player
Fixed a number of issues where subtitles will no longer get stuck on the screen after dialogue has finished as often
Settings should no longer reset upon exiting and restarting the game on Xbox One
Motion blur can now correctly be turned off
The Electric Status Effect now shows scaled damage properly
An option has been added to hide the Squad Member HUD
The edge of the compass will now pulse to indicate enemy locations
A notification has been added in Fort Tarsis if a player's vault is at the cap of 250 items
On the "Repair the Strider" step of "A Cry for Help" the search radar has been adjusted to correctly lead the player to all 4 tools
Primer and Detonator icons have been added to all Interceptor gear
Corrected a user interface issue where a player’s ultimate would show as available when it isn't