Friday 8 November 2019

'Death Stranding' is here -- but is it a good game?

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It's Friday, November 08, 2019.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

It’s finally Death Stranding day, and if you’re still on the fence about playing Hideo Kojima’s latest project, perhaps our added perspective can help. Apple has released another update to iOS 13 that should make multitasking better, and it’s time to take a peek inside the Surface Pro X tablet.

(View in browser.)

Multitasking is back to normal.

Apple releases another iOS 13 update to fix background app issues

You didn't have to wait too long for Apple to fix iOS 13.2's over-eagerness to kill background apps. The iOS 13.2.2 update should help stop apps from closing quite so quickly -- much like they did before 13.2 arrived. This should mean less need to restart resource-intensive streaming services and games as you swap between messaging and other apps.

It’s weeks away.

The Black Friday discounts have already begun

Your calendar isn’t wrong. Retailers just can’t help themselves. Best Buy and Target are the latest to preempt the icky Black Friday rush, with a selection of pretty decent deals on Apple hardware and more. Best Buy members can get either $80 or $100 off a range of iPad models, including the latest 2019 version. There’s also a $100 discount on the HomePod, and the discontinued Apple Watch Series 4 is down to $299.

At Target, you might want to pick up a new phone. The offers include a $200 gift card attached to Apple's iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max -- if purchased and activated from Friday through Sunday. There's a $300 gift card waiting for you upon the purchase of a Google Pixel 4 or Pixel 4 XL and a hulking $400 gift card along with Samsung's Galaxy S10, S10+ and Note 10+, all available now through Sunday.

Delays in its merger with Sprint could push back the launch date.

T-Mobile teases $15 5G plan and other post-merger initiatives

A post-merger “new” T-Mobile will offer a $15 per month prepaid 5G plan to customers when/if it launches 5G service on December 6th. Dubbed the Connect plan, it will include a 2GB per month data allowance, in addition to unlimited talk and text. At $15, the plan is half the price of T-Mobile's current cheapest plan. For $25 per month, customers can upgrade to a plan with 5GB of monthly data.

This $600 collection of design templates is just $39 today.

But that doesn't make it a good game.

'Death Stranding' is a great movie

Hideo Kojima builds cinematic games. His projects are visually ambitious, narratively complex and cutscene-heavy, dripping with references to the vaults of Alfred Hitchcock, George Romero and Orson Welles. Kojima is transparent about his obsession with film and how it influences his creative process.

Not to mention fan service -- have you seen the guy’s Twitter? Death Stranding is a game that’s been a long time coming, with numerous trailers, promotions, Hollywood stars and the rest. Jessica Conditt tackles Kojima’s new opus and attempts to square whether it’s meant to be a movie or a game.

Better performance and better looking this time around.

Google Nest WiFi review: A solid mesh network with built-in Assistant

Google’s updated mesh WiFi gear is great for novice users looking to set up and forget about their wireless network. However, power users may find it’s missing a few features and new technology like WiFi 6, and while the Nest WiFi's built-in voice assistant is convenient, it also adds some privacy concerns.

But wait, there's more...

1. Disney+ will hit the UK and four other European countries March 31st

2. AMD's $749 16-core Ryzen 3950X is its fastest desktop processor ever

3. AT&T gives customers 'bonus' data (and a $10 price hike)

4. Juul stops selling mint-flavored vapes

5. Sony A6600 review: A rare misstep for Sony's cameras

6. iFixit's Surface Pro X teardown reveals one of the most repairable tablets ever

7. The world's smallest 8K 360 camera can fit in your pocket

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Thursday 7 November 2019

Tesla's 'Cybertruck' pickup will be unveiled soon

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It's Thursday, November 07, 2019.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Mark your calendars because Tesla’s next big unveiling has a date. Other than an electric pickup truck, we’re also taking a closer look at Apple’s latest wireless earbuds and following the troubled launch of Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC.

(View in browser.)

It’s probably not an El Camino-style mod applied to the Model 3.

Tesla will unveil its electric Cybertruck on November 21st

According to Elon Musk, Tesla has crafted the Cybertruck to "meet or exceed an F-150. If the F-150 can do it, then a Tesla truck should be able to do it." The pickup will supposedly look as if it came out of a sci-fi movie like Blade Runner. And the CEO has revealed we’ll meet Tesla’s first electric truck on November 21st.

Refined design, better sound, more features.

AirPods Pro review: Apple’s latest earbuds can hang with the best

We’ve spent over a week testing Apple’s new headphones, and you know what? They’re good. The company's AirPods have been the most popular true wireless earbuds for a while now, despite their polarizing design. The AirPods Pro are Apple’s best true wireless earbuds to date, but they’re also its most expensive. New features like active noise cancellation, transparency mode, on-board controls and silicone ear tips are all upgrades over the previous two models.

Despite Sony’s WF-1000XM3 outperforming these in audio and noise cancellation, the AirPods Pro do a great job with both, and hands-free Siri is a key feature Sony doesn’t offer. The AirPods Pro cost $249 and are available now.

The system had several serious software flaws, the NTSB said.

Uber self-driving car involved in fatal crash couldn't detect jaywalkers

The self-driving car that struck and killed a pedestrian in March 2018 had a major software flaw, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Uber’s software failed to recognize the victim and didn’t calculate that it could collide with her until 1.2 seconds before impact, when it was too late to brake.

Uber's system design "did not include a consideration for jaywalking pedestrians," which is also particularly damning. While the NTSB will meet to determine the cause of the accident, prosecutors have already absolved Uber of criminal liability but are still weighing criminal charges against the driver.

Get a Windscribe VPN subscription at Black Friday pricing.

Whether it's yoga or a Tougher Mudder race, there's a wearable to help.

Engadget’s Guide to Fitness and Health: The best fitness wearables

There are loads of wearables out there, even if you drill down to the ones pitched for fitness and wellness. Dan Cooper has plucked out the devices best worth your time and cash, offering recommendations for those training for Tougher Mudders, getting in a quick yoga session or anyone wanting a smartwatch with fitness credentials. Check out the full guide here.

And will offer full refunds if your rental doesn’t match the description.

Next year, Airbnb will verify every listing in the name of safety

Following a Halloween shooting in California and a report of scammers operating nationwide, Airbnb is attempting to improve the safety of its listings. The company plans to review every listed property, checking basics like addresses and photos, authenticity of the hosts and safety standards.

To back up the review process, Airbnb will also implement a "guest guarantee" if your rental doesn't match the description. You'll either get an alternative worth at least as much as you paid or, if that isn't available, a full refund.

But wait, there's more...

1. The 'Stargate Command' streaming service you never used is switching to YouTube

2. 'Red Dead Redemption 2' PC launch hasn't had the best start

3. Apple is now presenting its privacy policy as if it were another product

4. US court let police search GEDmatch's entire DNA database despite protections

5. Fossil's new hybrid smartwatches have customizable E ink displays

6. Amazon discounts Prime subscriptions by $40 for veterans

7. Leica's full-frame SL2 mirrorless camera has 5K video and higher resolution

8. 'Pokémon Go' will let you play with your friends' monster pals in AR

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Wednesday 6 November 2019

ECT News Network Weekly Newsletter

ECT News Network Weekly Newsletter: Wednesday -- November 6, 2019

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CRM Buyer | LinuxInsider

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This Week's Top News Headlines From the E-Commerce Times

Data Brokers' Secret Scores Can Cripple Consumers
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http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86341.html

Voice Commerce: It's a Natural
(Posted 05-Nov-19)
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86339.html

Retailers: Prepare Now for Holiday Outages
(Posted 04-Nov-19)
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86337.html

The Force May Be With Microsoft
(Posted 02-Nov-19)
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86335.html

Fresh Funds Brighten Faire Marketplace
(Posted 31-Oct-19)
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86331.html

This Week's Top News Headlines From TechNewsWorld

Adobe Max Event Highlights New iPad, iPhone Tools
(Posted 05-Nov-19)
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86336.html

The Truth vs. Censorship Trap
(Posted 04-Nov-19)
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86334.html

Evidence of War Crimes Vanishing From Social Media
(Posted 01-Nov-19)
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86333.html

Are You Suffering From Technophobia?
(Posted 31-Oct-19)
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/86330.html

This Week's Top News Headlines From CRM Buyer

DevOps for Salesforce Lightning
(Posted 04-Nov-19)
http://www.crmbuyer.com/story/86338.html

This Week's Top News Headlines From LinuxInsider

Microsoft's Chromium-Based Edge Browser Available as Release Candidate
(Posted 05-Nov-19)
http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/86340.html

Latest ExTix: Lots of Flexibility and a Few Flaws
(Posted 01-Nov-19)
http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/86332.html

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