Technology - Google News

iOS 14 reveals iPhone 9 and updated iPad Pro details, new Apple TV remote, AirTags, more - 9to5Mac
NFL, 2K Games Ink Multi-Year Partnership for Numerous Future Titles - Hollywood Reporter
Microsoft to detail Xbox Series X and xCloud in new live stream next week - The Verge

iOS 14 reveals iPhone 9 and updated iPad Pro details, new Apple TV remote, AirTags, more - 9to5Mac

Posted: 10 Mar 2020 07:08 AM PDT

Leaked iOS 14 code obtained by 9to5Mac corroborates many details about what to expect from Apple's upcoming hardware refreshes, including the new iPad Pro, iPhone 9, and AirTags. Apple is also developing a new Apple TV remote, the code indicates.

New iPad Pro

According to the iOS 14 code, the upcoming iPad Pro refresh will include a new triple-lens camera array like previous supply chain reporting has suggested. This camera setup will include a time-of-flight 3D sensor, a wide-angle lens, an ultra-wide lens, and a telephoto lens. This is a major update from the current iPad Pro.

The time-of-flight sensor will likely lend itself to new augmented reality features. 9to5Mac reported earlier today that Apple is developing a new augmented reality application for iOS 14. The app will allow users to get more information about world around them via AR.

iPhone 9

iOS 14 code also includes details about the upcoming iPhone 9, again corroborating past supply chain reporting. The iPhone 9 will support Touch ID as well as Express Transit capabilities. Apple is hoping to push iPhone 6 users — which does not feature support for Express Transit — to upgrade to the iPhone 9.

The new iPhone 9 or iPhone SE 2 is expected to be released this spring, likely alongside the release of iOS 13.4 (barring any major delays due to coronavirus.) The device will, of course, be supported by iOS 14, hence why details about it are included in the operating system details.

Apple TV

The iOS 14 code seen by 9to5Mac also includes new details about changes to the Apple TV. Prior versions of tvOS 13 code have revealed that Apple is working on a new Apple TV box, but iOS 14 also includes the tidbit that there will also be a new Apple TV remote.

More specific information here is unclear (we're still digging), but the Siri Remote has been a point of contention for many Apple TV users. It's also relatively pricey, which doesn't help the Apple TV compete against lower-cost streaming boxes.

Apple is also developing a new workouts application for Apple TV. This application will allow users to download exercises and workouts and be coached via the Apple TV. All data will sync to Apple Watch, while Apple Music integration will allow users to listen to their own music during the workouts.

Lastly, iOS 14 code offers new details on Apple's upcoming AirTag item trackers. 9to5Mac has previously reported many details on AirTags, including the marketing name. iOS 14 code indicates that AirTags will be able to be set up in bulk through iOS and that there will be a user-replaceable battery, much like Tile item trackers.

Users of Apple's newest iPhone models will also be able to track AirTags via augmented reality. AirTags will also be able to play a sound to help users locate them.

More from iOS 14:

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NFL, 2K Games Ink Multi-Year Partnership for Numerous Future Titles - Hollywood Reporter

Posted: 10 Mar 2020 05:00 AM PDT

TECH

5:00 AM PDT 3/10/2020 by Patrick Shanley

The video game publisher previously partnered with the sports league on the 'NFL 2K' series from 1999-2004.

The NFL has entered into a new multi-year partnership with video game publisher 2K Games which will encompass multiple upcoming titles. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The partnership returns NFL games to 2K, which is behind the NBA 2K and WWE 2K franchises, for the first time in over 15 years. 2K previously published the NFL 2K series from 1999-2004. The NFL has had a deal with Electronic Arts' EA Sports publishing label dating back to 2004, resulting in the popular NFL Madden franchise.

The new 2K, NFL games are described as "non-simulation football game experiences" and specifics on developers, exact titles and release dates are yet to be revealed. However, current projects are already in early development and are slated to launch sometime in 2021.

"We're thrilled to be back in business with the NFL in a partnership that will span multiple video games centered on fun, approachable and social experiences," David Ismailer, president of 2K, said. "It's exciting to bring together 2K's expertise in creating award-winning sports games with the NFL's renowned status as a world-class entertainment and sports organization."

"Expanding the NFL's presence in the world of gaming has become a focus for the League as we look to grow the next generation of our fanbase and reviving our partnership with 2K was a natural step in that effort," said Joe Ruggiero, senior vp of consumer products at the NFL. "2K is a worldwide leader in sports video games, with a proven track record of creating best-in-class and award-winning games and we look forward to sharing more about the projects we are working on with them in the future."

2K has seen recent success with its NBA 2K franchise, with its most recent offering, NBA 2K20, selling more than 8 million copies. The game also outsold Madden NFL 20 in 2019, the fourth consecutive year the NBA 2K franchise has done so. WWE 2K20, however, failed to meet parent company Take-Two Interactive Software's expectations.

On Tuesday morning, EA Sports issued a statement regarding its relationship with the NFL: "EA SPORTS is the exclusive publisher of NFL simulation games, and our partnership with the NFL and NFLPA remains unchanged. Our agreements have always allowed for non-exclusive development of non-simulation games on various platforms. Our commitment to NFL fans, which spans almost 30 years, has never been stronger, and we're having our biggest year yet. Madden NFL 20 is the most successful game ever in the franchise, and new modes like Superstar KO and our Madden NFL esports broadcasts are growing the fan base. We'll be building on that momentum with more new and different experiences, on more platforms and with new ways to play, in the years to come."

Sources familiar with the situation tell The Hollywood Reporter that EA's deal expires at the end of the 2021 NFL season, in early 2022. Unsurprisingly, multiple parties have expressed interest in the rights and 2K and Take-Two's new deal shows the company's high interest in an expanded partnership.

March 10, 7:26 a.m. PT: Updated with EA's statement

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Microsoft to detail Xbox Series X and xCloud in new live stream next week - The Verge

Posted: 10 Mar 2020 07:11 AM PDT

This year's annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) might have been postponed amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, but that's not stopping Microsoft from streaming what it had planned for the show. The Xbox maker has revealed it's planning to live stream a number of developer-focused keynotes, including one specifically about the Xbox Series X and Project xCloud on March 18th.

Microsoft has so far surprised Xbox fans with the unveiling of the Series X hardware design during the Game Awards last year, and confirmation last month of the 12 teraflop GPU performance. Microsoft's hour-long live stream will be focused on how game developers can leverage its next-gen Xbox hardware, and we're likely to hear some new details. The company has been revealing Xbox Series X features and hardware specs in a gradual way, and that's likely to continue next week.

The Xbox Series X will include a custom-designed CPU based on AMD's Zen 2 and Radeon RDNA 2 architecture. Microsoft is also using an NVMe SSD on the Xbox Series X to boost load times for games. The next-gen Xbox will also support 8K gaming and frame rates of up to 120fps in games. Microsoft has partnered with the HDMI forum and TV manufacturers to enable Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) on the Series X as part of its HDMI 2.1 support.

Microsoft is still in the process of teasing the power and hardware support of the Xbox Series X, but the company has revealed some aspects of the software side. Specifically, the console will be able to resume multiple games instantly and even resume titles after the Series X is rebooted for a system update.

We'll also hear more about DirectX ray tracing next week, too. A separate talk on "what's new in DirectX" is scheduled for 1:20PM PT / 4:20PM ET on March 18th. Microsoft will discuss ray tracing, mesh shading techniques, and more.

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