Technology - Google News

YouTube restricts iOS 14 picture-in-picture feature to Premium subscribers, 4K not available on tvOS 14 - AppleInsider
First PS5 photos show just how big Sony’s next-gen console truly is - The Verge
Confirmed: some Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 pre-orders have been delayed - TechRadar

YouTube restricts iOS 14 picture-in-picture feature to Premium subscribers, 4K not available on tvOS 14 - AppleInsider

Posted: 18 Sep 2020 05:09 PM PDT

Google's YouTube unit appears to be restricting picture-in-picture video viewing on Apple's iOS 14 to subscribers of its Premium subscription service, while promised 4K resolution in tvOS 14 is a no-show.

Apple's iOS 14 delivers PiP video viewing to iPhone for the first time. The handy feature allows users to simultaneously watch video content, conduct FaceTime calls and more while completing tasks in other apps.

Video viewing is a main use case for PiP, and YouTube is arguably the most highly trafficked destination for online content. Unfortunately, it appears that Google is gatekeeping access to the function.

While the feature remains free to use on iPad (at least through Safari), the iPhone version of YouTube's app restricts PiP to YouTube Premium subscribers. Shortly after iOS 14 launched, users discovered a workaround that enabled PiP compatibility when accessing content through YouTube's website in Safari. That hole has now been closed.

It's not clear if the recent change was made intentionally or is the result of a bug. As noted by MacRumors, however, PiP still works with videos that are embedded in third-party websites, suggesting YouTube actively updated its code to block the functionality.

YouTube is also dragging its feet on delivering a promised update that would allow tvOS 14 users to watch content at 4K resolutions. While 4K playback was supported in pre-release beta versions of tvOS 14, the feature is currently missing.

When asked about the issue on Twitter, YouTube said, "Sorry about the back and forth — jumping in to clarify that Apple TV 4K will support 4K playback soon. Stay tuned for an update here."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

First PS5 photos show just how big Sony’s next-gen console truly is - The Verge

Posted: 19 Sep 2020 04:52 AM PDT

Sony's upcoming PS5 hardware has appeared at Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC), providing us with the first close up photos of the next-gen console. The NCC has published a variety of images (PDF), showing the standard PS5 laying horizontally, the included cables, and the removable base that holds the console in both vertical and horizontal positions.

The photos also show just how big the PS5 truly is. We learned earlier this week that the PS5 is the biggest game console in modern history, even topping the Xbox One VCR-like shape and Sony's own PS3. Sony released official dimensions during its PS5 event this week, but they don't include the "largest projection" or the optional base measurements.

PS5 laying horizontally.

It's clear from these photos that it's going to be a challenge to fit a PS5 into entertainment centers, just as it will be with the Xbox Series X. Both consoles appear to be designed to primarily stand vertically, looking rather unwieldy on their sides.

Unfortunately, the photos don't offer a close look at exactly how you access the NVMe slot on the PS5. Sony is allowing PS5 owners to expand storage space, but we still don't have full details on exactly how this will work. Sony has also teased that the PS5 hardware is customizable in ways that previous generations of PlayStation consoles weren't, so it's possible that at least one side panel of the PS5 is removable.

Sony is launching the PS5 in the US on November 12th, priced at $499.99. A second disc-less PS5 Digital Edition will also be available for $399.99. Sony also revealed earlier this week that PS5 games will cost up to $69.99.

Update, September 19th 9:45AM: The photos were published at Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC), not the FCC as originally stated. We regret the error.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

Confirmed: some Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 pre-orders have been delayed - TechRadar

Posted: 18 Sep 2020 12:23 PM PDT

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 has officially gone on sale to the public in the US, UK, and other regions, but the new foldable phone might be getting to buyers later than they expected. After hearing reports of delays, Samsung has confirmed to TechRadar that a number of Galaxy Z Fold 2 pre-orders will be delayed.

Here's Samsung's official statement:

"Due to delays in shipment, a number of customers who pre-ordered the new Galaxy Z Fold2 will receive their device later than expected. We have contacted all customers affected directly, and are working with our distribution team to get these to them as soon as possible."

Samsung didn't offer a reason for the delay, nor did they say how many pre-orders were affected, nor how long the orders would be delayed.

We've asked Samsung for clarification on these questions, as well as whether the delays affect standard orders made now, and will update this post when we hear back.

Readers chime in with delay alerts

We initially heard from customers in the UK who had pre-ordered the Galaxy Z Fold 2, but it's unclear how far-ranging the delays are.

For instance, looking up the Galaxy Z Fold 2 on Samsung's UK page shows the foldable shipping on October 2 at time of publication. Samsung's US page, on the other hand, shows shipping by September 25 for the Mystic Bronze color but bit more drastic shipping delay for the device in Mystic Black, which ships by October 16.

Anyone ordering a with a custom color for the hinge should expect their order to ship in five to six weeks, though that's not unexpected.

Let's block ads! (Why?)