Technology - Google News

Android users in Europe will get to pick their default search provider - Engadget
How to watch Ninja's first Mixer stream - Date, start time, more - Dexerto
Nintendo And Tencent Share More Details About Switch Launch In China - Nintendo Life

Android users in Europe will get to pick their default search provider - Engadget

Posted: 02 Aug 2019 05:25 AM PDT

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Following an antitrust ruling by the European Union, Google is explaining its plans to offer a choice of search providers to Android users. From next year, a new choice screen will be displayed on all Android devices shipped in Europe. This will, eventually, let users select the default search engine, and browser, for their hardware. Google, however, has found a way to spin this into a money-making opportunity.

After a lengthy investigation, last year the EU Commission fined Google €4.34 billion ($5 billion) for antitrust violations relating to the Android operating system. The Commission found that by forcing mobile network operators to install Chrome and to use Google as the default search engine on Android devices, the company created a monopoly for itself.

As part of the fallout from this case, in addition to the fine, Google agreed to ask Android users in Europe which browser and search engine they want to use. The company said this was to "support choice and competition in Europe." This echoes an antitrust case that began back in 1998 over Microsoft's choice to integrate Internet Explorer into Windows.

Android choice screen

Which particular search options are available to choose from will vary by region. As well as Google search, there will be three options available in each country. These options will be selected using a bidding process, in which search companies inform Google how much they are willing to pay when a user selects their option. The three highest bidders in each country will be shown as options on the choice screen -- so this is not so much a "free choice" offered to users as a method for Google to extract money from smaller search providers.

Google will be accepting bids from search providers from now until September 13th, with a final list of providers for each country being announced on October 31st. The choice screen will debut some time in early 2020.

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How to watch Ninja's first Mixer stream - Date, start time, more - Dexerto

Posted: 02 Aug 2019 02:03 AM PDT

Tyler 'Ninja' Blevins will be switching from Twitch to Mixer as of August 2, and his first broadcast will host some awesome Fortnite Battle Royale action. Here's what you need to know about the first stream in his ground-breaking move.

Streaming superstar Ninja shocked the world on Thursday, August 1 when he announced that he would be making the switch from Twitch to Mixer - with a strange annoucement video.

While he didn't make the instant switch, instead taking the day off to make the annoucement, his streaming life on Mixer gets underneath on Friday, August 2 - with a Friday Fortnite stream from the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago. However, don't worry if you're not sure on the start time or similar details - we've got you covered with what you need to know about the former Halo pro's first Mixer broadcast.

TWITCH:NINJA

Ninja will be swapping his normal streaming set-up for a public one at the iconic music festival.

Where can I find Ninja's Mixer stream?

So, obviously, you'll be able to find Blevins on Mixer under his own Ninja gaming tag - he's not making a name change, just a platform change.

But, if you're not entirely sure on how to navigate your way around the Microsoft streaming service, don't worry - we've embedded his new streaming home below so you don't have to go anywhere.

What time will Ninja go live on Mixer?

The streaming star won't be starting out life on Mixer with an early morning stream, however. He is scheduled to go live at 12pm CST - but the actual start could take a few minutes if his epic intro makes the move too.

However, don't fret if you don't know what time that will be in your timezone. 12pm CST is 6:00 PM BST, 1:00 PM EDT, 10:00 AM PDT, 3:00 AM AEST, and 7:00 PM CEST.

Who is Ninja's Friday Fortnite partner?

With this being Friday Fortnite, Ninja obviously needs a partner to help him take a shot at duos glory - and who better than the reigning world champion!

The streamer will be teaming up with 16-year-old Kyle 'Bugha' Giersdorf, who recently won the top prize at the Fortnite World Cup.

Epic Games

Bugha scooped up $3 million thanks to his solo World Cup win.

Fans who want to support their favorite streamer can do so by picking up a free month's subscription when they sign up to Mixer and claim the exclusive offer on Ninja's new channel.

Viewers who aren't committed to a monthly payment and instead want to toss Blevins a few dollars through donations and bits won't have to worry either. That can still happen via Mixer but bits are instead called 'Embers' and come attached with Ninja-themed on-screen emotes.

One thing that may come as a shock to some fans is that they won't be able to clip highlight moments like on Twitch. That privilege is reserved for the streamer himself, as he can pick and choose when to create a highlight.

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Nintendo And Tencent Share More Details About Switch Launch In China - Nintendo Life

Posted: 02 Aug 2019 06:35 AM PDT

Nintendo's plans to introduce the Switch and its games to the Chinese market appears to have taken another positive step today as the company, along with partner Tencent, have revealed more concrete plans.

The information comes from a press event hosted at the ChinaJoy gaming conference in Shanghai. Various Tencent staffers including Qian Wei, the general manager of the company's Nintendo Cooperation Department, and ex-Nintendo of Europe president Satoru Shibata took to the stage to discuss the partnership and how the two would complement each other going forward.

Essentially, it appears Tencent will offer cloud services and servers necessary for Switch's online platform and will localise Nintendo's games into Simplified Chinese for release in the market. The Switch's eShop will be slightly different in China, with Tencent's WeChat payment system being implemented for easy payments, and games like Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild have now been announced.

Nintendo shares were seen to significantly rise recently after it was confirmed that Tencent would distribute the Switch in the country a few months ago.

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