Month: April 2022

Last year, rumors about the iPhone 13 getting a satellite connectivity started to spread. Although this iPhone didn’t get the feature, it’s rumored that the upcoming iPhone 14 could have it for emergencies or to send short texts to emergency contacts when out of cellular service range.

Now, according to a new report by Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, the next Apple Watch could also feature this extra technology.

In his Power On newsletter, the journalist says “the Apple Watch is also destined to get that functionality,” although Gurman believes Apple’s timeframe could be this year or 2023.

The technology could be used on an iPhone, Apple Watch or other mobile devices. It would offer an alternative to Garmin InReach Explorer and SpOT handheld satellite communicators that have similar features.

There have been signs lately that Apple and its apparent satellite partner Globalstar Inc. might be getting closer to launching such a feature. In February, Globalstar said it reached an agreement to buy 17 new satellites to help power ‘continuous satellite services’ for a ‘potential’- and unnamed – cusstomer that had paid it hundreds of millions of dollars.

Since rumors point out that Apple could be aiming for three new Apple Watches this year – the regular model, a new SE, and a brand new Watch destined for extreme sports -, it would make sense if at least the regular model and the rugged Apple Watch get this feature.

Last year, Gurman was already doubtful about satellites communication launching with the iPhone 13 by saying the hardware wasn’t ready yet for the new phones. Even if the feature is launched this year it won’t likely to be available in all markets. Here’s what he wrote in August 2021:

” The emergency functions will not work in certain areas and in some markets that do not have cellular coverage. Apple envisions eventually deploying its own array of satellites to beam data to devices, but that plan is likely years away from taking off.”

Do you believe this feature could become the Apple Watch’s next major innovation? You can read our full roundup of what to expect about the Apple Watch Series 8 here. Please don’t hesitate to leave your comments below.

Overwatch‘s announcement trailer, released back in 2014, was bombastic and beautiful, and it kicked off a fervent fandom. Players loved the bright designs, strong characterization, and optimism inherent to the setting. The game’s launch and follow-up cinematics only solidified this fan base; people loved to ship characters, imagine their missions, and daydream about future lore. Overwatch was so widespread and iconic it even revolutionized the Rule 34 scene; the game was everywhere.

Then, just as suddenly, it vanished. The lore slowed to a trickle after 2018 and eventually came to a complete stop, along with major additions — we haven’t seen a new hero since 2020. Now, on the cusp of Overwatch 2‘s PvP entering beta and a new Overwatch League season, the game should be poised for a triumphant return. It’s now on unstable ground and other developers are taking Blizzard’s momentum and running with it.

Open the floodgates

Overwatch did not invent the idea of building a hero shooter around strong characters shown off through cinematics. Valve’s Team Fortress 2 and its “Meet the Team” cinematics still hold up nearly 15 years later, and they’re far less complex and elaborate than Overwatch‘s trailers.

But Overwatch‘s utopian near-future and diverse cast attracted a fan base that had been historically underserved by the first-person shooter genre. There were many queer and female gamers who gathered to play the game. Some were there for gameplay only, others for the characters and lore.

Overwatch was, during its heyday, a legitimate cultural phenomenon. A huge fanbase grew out of the stunning cinematics and vibrant characters, as well as hints at larger stories. People cosplayed Overwatch characters and their skins, created fan art, wrote long fanfiction epics, collaborated on 3D animations of their own original heroes, and more. These players were the heart of Overwatch fandom, playing the game and letting it fuel their imaginations.

The influence of Overwatch is apparent in many of its competitors. The importance of character rosters is greater than ever. Having a bunch of gunsmen with mysterious backstories does not cut it any more. Apex Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, and Valorant are all great examples of games where a character’s aesthetics, personalities, and background matter as much as their gameplay. Other developers now create and promote characters like Valorant‘s Neon, a Filipina speedster; Rainbow Six Siege‘s trans operator Osa, and nonbinary Apex Legends character Bloodhound.

Overwatch would lose out to these other titles in the coming years, not because of its roster or its lore, but because of the lack of consistency around it.

Plot, pacing, and purpose

Overwatch set up big, dramatic dominos — and then proceeded to just gesture at them and say “Pretty cool, huh?” There were big mysteries set up from day one, like a climactic showdown at Overwatch’s Swiss HQ. In the 2016 cinematic “Recall,” Winston presses the big red button to restart Overwatch. We don’t see Overwatch actually go on a mission until the 2019 cinematic “Zero Hour,” which sets up campaign content that currently has no release date.

My personal breaking point was the Storm Rising Archives event in 2019. This lore event culminated with a robot guy meeting with Doomfist, the leader of the terrorist organization Talon. He agreed to join the cause, then took off his hood to reveal … just, like, a robot guy. He has never been seen in person. There’s an unknown character who is more mysterious than the cast. I had waited months to find this out, and all it really left me to do was wait for more answers. I couldn’t do it anymore.

While Overwatch stumbled, games like Valorant and Apex Legends jumped in the gap. Valorant is set to release six new heroes a year, but more importantly, Riot has demonstrated it can sustain a fandom.

Valorant, in particular, establishes a comfortable “present” that fans can safely theorize about and imagine characters in. There are big story-heavy cinematics, but they’re also peppered with smaller pieces meant to set up the moment. You can watch Raze dance around her hometown and take a manga-inspired look at Yoru’s typical day. A cinematic from January called “Warm Up” shows a chunk of the cast hanging out and having target practice; there are no narrative stakes, no confrontations, no epic storyline. This is just bantering and fun action. There is no waiting in the wings for the story’s perfect conclusion.

Meanwhile, Overwatch fans would daydream about parts of the game’s canon as they waited for the next installation in the story, only to have their ideas about the past or present contradicted later as the plot lurched forward from reveal to reveal. Questions set up about Reaper, all the way back in 2016, were answered in a 2022 novella, but many fans were dissatisfied with the answers.

Too little, too late

At the end of 2021, Blizzard finally moved the Overwatch plot forward. The company released a series of comics showing cowboy outlaw Cole Cassidy, previously named Jesse McCree, getting the gang back together. Activision Blizzard changed the name of Cole Cassidy in October after a lawsuit against them for sexual harassment and discrimination.

There was also the 2020 Tracer comic, with a cute supporting cast, made by an artist I really love. It’s too late. There’s only so long you can bang on the pot with a ladle promising me the good slop, only delivering spoonfuls, before I go and find another trough.

Overwatch‘s lore has been in stasis for so long, and its fandom has been so willing to make a meal out of the crumbs sprinkled out over the years, that I feel like the fans’ version of the cast is more concrete than the actual canon. The Reaper story was short and my reaction to it was somewhat confused. I don’t know who this guy is, but he’s not Reaper to me.

It’s possible that Blizzard will be able to recapture the magic with Overwatch 2‘s updates and upcoming PvE campaigns, and it’s also possible that the train has left the station. There was a brief, shining moment in my life in which I truly loved Overwatch. It’s now that I feel somewhat frustrated about the franchise. There’s only so long you ask players to wait and see before they just give up altogether.

While Apple just finished introducing all the M1 chip variants and we wait for the first batch of M2 computers, it seems the Cupertino company is already working on its third generation of silicon for Macs – and iPads. The M3 iMac is coming, here’s what we know.

In the latest edition of the Power On newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says that an M3 version of the iMac is already in the works. Although it isn’t clear what kind of advances or technology this chip will use, it’s interesting to know that Apple is already aiming its entry-level processor to another iMac.

For now, Gurman believes Apple is working on several computers with the M2 processor:

• An M2 chip for a new MacBook Air, entry-level MacBook Pro, and Mac mini;
• M2 Pro and M2 max chips for a new 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro;
• A dual M2 Ultra chip for the Mac Pro.

The M2 chip could land as early as June as the journalist said that Apple could be planning to release some new Macs in the next couple of months. In addition, here’s what Gurman wrote about the M3 iMac:

Since then, I’ve heard that the M2 chips aren’t the only one in testing within Apple. And if you’re waiting for a new iMac, i’m hearing an M3 version of that desktop is already in the works – though I imagine it won’t launch until the end of next year at the earliest. For those who are interested, an iMac Pro will still be available. But it won’t happen anytime soon.

9to5Mac was also able to confirm with independent sources that Apple is working in all those M2 Macs, although it’s interesting to note that the next iMac could possibly just feature the M3 chip later next year, skipping the M2 processor.

As of now, the only iMac available is the 24-inch model. Since the company has no plans to introduce a bigger iMac, it seems this could be the version to get the M3 processor in the future.

What do you think of Apple’s schedule for its new Macs? Which one are you waiting for the company to release? Comment below to share your views.

WWDC 2022 will start in a few weeks from now. On June 6, Apple will likely announce iPadOS 16, which will mark the next major release of Apple’s software platform for the iPad. Head below as we recap all of the latest rumors and expectations for iOS 16 this year, including new features, release info, and more.

When will iPadOS 16 be announced?’

iPadOS 16 will likely be announced on June 6, during WWDC 2022’s keynote. The event will be online, although some students and developers will be able to attend the keynote in person at Apple Park.

Apple will continue to test its operating system until September. This is similar to what it has done in the past.

iPadOS 16 supported devices

One of the biggest questions people have every year is whether or not Apple will drop support for any older iPad model. With last year’s release of iPadOS 15, Apple maintained compatibility with all of the devices that were supported by iPadOS 14, although limiting many functions.

An early rumor indicates that Apple plans to drop support for the iPhone 6s and the original iPhone SE. If that’s the case, iPadOS 16 could be incompatible with iPad mini 4, iPad Air 2, iPad (fifth-generation), and the original iPad Pro models.

With that in mind, here’s what iPads could possibly receive iPadOS 16:

• iPad Pro 12. 9 (5th gen);
• iPad Pro 11 (3rd gen);
• iPad Pro 12. 9 (4th gen);
• iPad Pro 11 (2nd gen);
• iPad Pro 12. 9 (3rd gen);
• iPad Pro 11 (1st gen);
• iPad Pro 12. 9 (2nd gen);
• iPad Pro 10. 5 (2nd gen);
• iPad Air (5th gen);
• iPad Air (4th gen);
• iPad Air (3rd gen);
• iPad mini (6th gen);
• iPad mini (5th gen);
• iPad (9th gen);
• iPad (8th gen);
• iPad (7th gen);
• iPad (6th gen);

New features with iPadOS 16

As of now, there are two main features expected for iPadOS 16: a new multitasking interface and revamped look for notifications.

The rumored focus on notifications is interesting because Apple has made numerous changes to the iOS notifications system over the last two years, with the introduction of features like Notification Summary and Focus Modes. Apple seems to be unhappy with iOS’s implementation of notifications and plans more improvements for next year.

Also, iPadOS Pro users keep asking Apple for a more intuitive multitasking experience. Windows would, by far, be the best option to improve iPad’s experience on larger screens. Although the company made it easier to use Slide Over and Split View, the operating system is still not there yet.

Pro apps, such as Final Cut Pro, and the ability to have different accounts for the same iPad – just like on macOS and tvOS – are feature requests from users for years as well.

9to5Mac’s Take

We expect more details on iPadOS 16 to emerge as we approach WWDC 2022 kicking off June 6. Although Apple will announce tons of new features, if iPadOS 16 finally gets a proper multitasking interface, this will be a huge improvement for the operating system.

Personally, I hope to see Apple revamp notifications in a way that makes it much clearer and easier to see your latest notifications without awkward grouping. I’m also hoping for some updates to home screen widgets, particularly in regards to interactivity, and major updates to the Home app and HomeKit in general.

What do you hope to see in iPadOS 16? Is there anything you’d like to see in iPadOS 5? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section!

Related:

• iOS 16: Here’s what we know so far about new features, supported devices, and more
• watchOS 9: Here’s what we know so far about new features, supported devices, and more
• Here’s everything we know so far about the 2022 iPad Pro
• M1 iPad Pro turns one, but patience for pro experience hits zero

The number of new Star Wars video games in development has exploded since publisher Electronic Arts’ exclusive access to the Lucasfilm franchise has run its course. There are at least eight major Star Wars games in the works, likely with more to be announced in the coming months and years.

Those video game projects join a long list of new movies, TV shows, books, and comics set in George Lucas’ galaxy far, far away, as Lucasfilm Games works to rebuild Star Wars’ presence in games. Many of those games are years away, as evidenced by the number of Star Wars logos and untitled projects you’ll see below.

Beyond recent releases like Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for Nintendo Switch, and continued development of games like the MMO Star Wars: The Old Republic, here are all the Star Wars games in development (that we know about).

Star Wars: Hunters

Developed by Zynga and NaturalMotion, the studio known for its CSR Racing games, Star Wars: Hunters is a free-to-play multiplayer arena combat game coming to Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch sometime in 2022. Star Wars: Hunters is set after the fall of the Galactic Empire, and features a colorful cast of original characters. Standouts include Slingshot, an Ugnaught who rides a Droideka into battle; Utooni, a pair of Jawas doing the two-kids-in-a-trench-coat thing; Grozz, a Wookiee who fights using a pair of torn-off KX droid arms as melee weapons; and J-3D1, a droid programmed to think it can use the Force.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake

BioWare and LucasArts’ seminal Star Wars role-playing game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is being “completely rebuilt from the ground up” by developer Aspyr, with some help from Sony Interactive Entertainment. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Remake promises to “[honor] what fans love about the original, while bringing new fans on this incredible journey.” The remake of the 2003 original will be released for PlayStation 5 as a console exclusive at launch, and it will also come to PC.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – Remake does not have a release date.

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2

Image: Respawn Entertainment/Electronic Arts via Polygon

Titanfall and Apex Legends developer Respawn Entertainment is making a sequel to 2019’s Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the game that sent Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis on a galaxy-spanning chase set after the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Game director Stig Asmussen (God of War 3) is returning the lead the sequel, which does not have a release date or an official title.

Untitled Star Wars FPS

Image: Electronic Arts/Lucasfilm Games/Lucasfilm

Respawn Entertainment also has an untitled, all-new Star Wars first-person shooter in the works. Game director Peter Hirschmann is leading development on the shooter, which is good news for fans of the early Medal of Honor games and the original Star Wars: Battlefront games, where he was a producer. Respawn’s Star Wars Shooter has not been released or launched on platforms. However, it seems to be Electronic Arts’ replacement of the Battlefront franchise which was created by DICE.

Untitled Star Wars strategy game

Respawn also has its fingers in a new Star Wars strategy game. Although the studio produces the game untitled, Bit Reactor is leading its development. Bit Reactor was founded by Civilization and XCOM franchise developers. Bit Reactor is helmed by Greg Foertsch, the art director of XCOM and XCOM 2. This one is not yet available.

Untitled Star Wars game from Ubisoft Massive Entertainment

Massive Entertainment, known for its work on the Tom Clancy’s The Division games, is making a “new story-driven open-world video game set in the Star Wars galaxy.” Little else is known about what Massive calls “The Star Wars Project,” other than that it will use the studio’s in-house Snowdrop engine and that Tom Clancy series veteran Julian Gerighty will serve as the game’s creative director.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot described Massive’s Star Wars as “the beginning of a longer-term collaboration with Disney & Lucasfilm Games,” and we can expect much more from the Far Cry and Assassin’s Creed publisher.

Star Wars Eclipse

Image: Quantic Dream/Lucasfilm Games

Unveiled with a dramatic trailer at The Game Awards 2021, Star Wars Eclipse is the first announced video game set during the franchise’s relatively new High Republic era, the “golden age of the Jedi.” Eclipse is being developed by Quantic Dream (Detroit: Become Human, Heavy Rain) and will give players a diverse cast of characters as they explore the uncharted region of the Outer Rim and encounter never-before-seen species and planets. Quantic Dream claims a rich, multi-layered narrative. “Player choices will play a central role in the adventure, with every choice having a significant impact on the story .”

.”

Star Wars Eclipse does not have a release date or platforms, but early reports on its development indicate this trip through the Star Wars galaxy is far, far away.

Untitled Star Wars game from Skydance New Media

Image: Lucasfilm Games/Skydance New Media/Lucasfilm

Amy Hennig, who previously worked on a Star Wars game at EA’s Visceral Games studio, but saw her project — known as Project Ragtag — reworked and ultimately canceled, is getting another shot at Star Wars. Hennig’s relatively new studio, Skydance New Media, is developing a “richly cinematic action-adventure game featuring an original story” set in the Star Wars universe. No title, release date, or platforms have been announced.