Technology - Google News

Huawei signs deal with TomTom for a Google Maps alternative - The Verge

Posted: 20 Jan 2020 08:09 AM PST

Chinese phone maker Huawei will work with Dutch digital mapping company TomTom to put maps on its phones, Reuters reports. A TomTom spokesperson told Reuters that the deal closed "some time ago," but it became public late last week.

While TomTom maintains self-branded apps on iOS and Android, Reuters describes Huawei building its own apps with TomTom's maps, traffic information, and navigation tools. TomTom has previously provided data for Apple Maps — it was part of a shambolic patchwork of data providers at launch, but Apple reportedly kept using its services after overhauling the app as well.

Previous reports have said Huawei is building a full-fledged mapping system known as "Map Kit." That software would be meant for app developers and could use data from Russian tech giant Yandex and Huawei's own "telecom base stations." The TomTom deal could signal that Huawei is at least temporarily backing off Map Kit, or that it's simply still working on the tech and needs a short-term solution.

Like many Android phone makers, Huawei has so far relied on Google Maps. But the Trump administration placed sanctions on the company last year, threatening its ties to American tech companies like Google. Huawei is still using Android for now, but the future of that deal is "unclear," and Huawei is building its own operating system called HarmonyOS. The TomTom deal further reduces its dependance on Google — although mapping apps can be notoriously tough to get right, so Huawei isn't in the clear yet.

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Rainbow Six Siege's Year 5 pass has fewer Operators and no bonus R6 credits - GamesRadar

Posted: 19 Jan 2020 01:29 PM PST

An image detailing the contents of the Year 5 pass for Rainbow Six Siege has popped up online.

Whilst we wouldn't usually take a single image on Reddit as gospel, a Ubisoft rep has subsequently responded to the post and expanded a little on the upcoming changes, which implies it's a legitimate leak.

Details of the latest pass – not to be confused with the battle pass, of course – intimates we'll see fewer Operators this time around, as well as the removal of the usual 600 R6 credits, with many players speculating they'll be bundled in the battle pass instead. Ubisoft further clarified that going ahead, the team is "focused on features that benefit all players" which will "lead to additional content for all players, such as free events, extensive reworks, and other core gameplay features".

As for what will be included? Here's what we know so far:

6 Year 5 operators with 7-day early access
Exclusive customisation options
10% off in the shop
5% Renown boost
0.3% Alpha Pack Boost
30% discount on Battle Pass purchase
30% bonus Battle Points (not applied to challenges or achievements)

YEAR 5 Season Pass CONFIRMED from r/Rainbow6

For now, that's all we know, but we can expect more information at the Six Invitational scheduled to run next month, including clarification on why Ubisoft is releasing just six Operators in Year 5.

"As our Game Director, Leroy Athanassoff stated, 'We are investing our resources on building more features and systems that will impact every player in every match'," the Ubisoft spokesperson said in response to the post on Reddit.

"The Year 5 Pass reflects this direction focused on features that benefit all players, not just those playing the newest Operators. It will lead to additional content for all players, such as free events, extensive reworks, and other core gameplay features. More details on why we are releasing six Operators in Year 5, as well as how that leads into Year 6 and beyond will be shared during the Six Invitational in February."

In other Rainbow Six Siege news, we also reported today that Ubisoft is suing the owners of a website that it believes helped facilitate denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks organised to take down the servers it uses to run Rainbow Six Siege.

In a lawsuit filed in California at the end of this week, Ubisoft states the individuals were "well aware of the harm" the company causes and insisting the "defendants have gone out of their way to taunt and attempt to embarrass Ubisoft for the damage its services have caused to [Rainbow Six Siege]".

"In order to maintain Ubisoft's strong community of dedicated R6S players, Ubisoft has invested considerable time, money, and effort into ensuring that all of its players have a positive, fun, and rewarding experience each time they play R6S," the lawsuit – which seeks damages and legal fee costs, as well as the closure of the websites concerned – stated.

Looking for the latest on Rainbow Six Quarantine? We've got you covered, Operator.

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