Technology News for Tuesday 19th October 2021

1. New World players urge Amazon to patch invincibility exploit

New World is a game that heavily focuses on combat both PvP and PvE, and as you'd imagine, the ability to become invincible within the world would be extremely powerful. As demonstrated by one YouTuber, there is an exploit present in the game that can ...

2. How to play the Infected Game Mode in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

There are more than two limited-time game modes, however, and Infected is another one. Combined with the Prop Hunt Halloween game mode, these four limited-time additions will go live on Oct. 19.

3. How to play Prop Hunt Halloween Game Mode in Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War?

Gamers get to celebrate their seasonal events twice, both in real life and in their favorite games. Call of Duty isn't the one to skip out on holiday-themed events as well, and it'll be kicking off The Haunting event for Black Ops Cold War and Warzone ...

4. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 13.0: Full patch notes and changes

The version 13.0 update for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is now live, which fittingly adds Sora and additional content from the Kingdom Hearts franchise to the game, along with balance changes and bug fixes. Sora is the sixth and final fighter being ...

5. Apple drops Intel in biggest MacBook Pro overhaul in years

Apple Inc. took the most aggressive step yet to strip Intel Corp. chips from its computers, announcing more powerful homegrown Mac processors alongside a total revamp of its MacBook Pro laptop computers. The company showcased the chips at an event ...

6. Apple unveils new computer chips amid shortage

Apple has unveiled its M1Pro and M1Max chips used to power new MacBook Pro laptop computers. Apple says the M1 Max chip, with 57 billion transistors is the most powerful it has ever built. The new chips were announced almost a year after the firm ...

7. Dead by Daylight models are being sold as NFTs, no one is pleased

Non-fungible tokens are basically digital items that use blockchain technology to grant "ownership" to those who pay for them. Ownership is in scare quotes, because you really only own a sort of receipt that says a non-unique digital file is yours.

8. PC games that run great on the Steam Deck will get a special 'Verified' check mark

As the Steam Deck's December 2021 launch approaches, Valve is taking time to make sure gamers know which titles will work on its portable machine. While its site still promises “Your Steam Library, anywhere,” we've had an interest — and a little ...

9. Apple M1 Pro vs M1 Max: What's the difference?

Both of these new Apple silicon chips are only available in the new 2021 MacBook Pros, and those MacBook Pros are available for order right now from Apple's website. Prices start at $1,999 for the 14-inch model, and $2,499 for the 16-inch.

10. All Skin Bundles in Call of Duty The Haunting event

The Haunting event is finally here, bringing the Halloween vibes to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Warzone for players to enjoy. While the game may look slightly spookier throughout the event, all eyes will be on the new limited-time game modes ...

11. How Far Can Airpods Be Away From Phone?

Key Features of AirPods · Battery Capacity – Your AirPods battery life is critical to their performance. · Performance – Airpods' main selling point is its steadfast wireless connectivity. · User-Friendly Interface – The Airpods are easy to use.

12. Apple's M1 Pro is finally giving Mac fans what they've been clamoring for

Apple found the best way to get even the least savvy consumer on board with its new homegrown M1 Pro and M1 Max processor: throw a slew of long-requested features into the redesigned MacBook Pros that many fans had given up on as the company stressed more ...

13. Fisher-Price's iconic Chatter Telephone now makes actual phone calls

Apple's iPhone 4 is often held up as a pinnacle of phone design, but what about the Fisher-Price Chatter Telephone? With its friendly features (a big smiley face painted on the front) and mobile design (thanks to its four wheels), the Chatter Telephone ...

14. Google has tried everything but building the best phone

While Google has arguably had a hand in every flagship Android phone release going back to the T-Mobile G1 / HTC Dream in 2008 and the Nexus program from 2010 to 2015, it was never in charge of its destiny to the degree an Apple or even Samsung is today.

15. Does Metroid Dread live up to its predecessors' high standards?

The series follows the adventures of galactic bounty hunter Samus Aran as she battles space pirates and dangerous alien parasites (the titular “metroids”). The 1986 NES original intended to marry the platforming of Mario with ...

16. Google's app privacy briefings go live in the Play Store in February 2022

What type of data their app collects, including “location, contacts, personal information (e.g., name, email address), financial information, and more”; Whether this data is optional or required to ...

17. MacBook Pro 14-inch vs MacBook Pro 16-inch: What should you buy?

If you want more power, you can pay $2,499 for an upgraded model that packs an M1 Pro chip with a beefier 10-core CPU, a 16-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory and 1TB of SSD storage.

18. Watch Google unveil the new Pixel live right here

As for cameras, the regular Pixel 6 will have two camera sensors while the 6 Pro will feature three different camera sensors. And if you've seen a photo of those devices already, you already know that they feature a camera bump like you've never seen ...

19. Call of Duty: Mobile season 9 is called Nightmare

Call of Duty: Mobile's season nine is almost here. The new season will be called Nightmare, Activision revealed today, as Halloween is right around the corner. As usual, a lot of new content is dropping with the season. This includes a Battle Pass (BP) ...

20. What is the new Apple Music Voice plan, and who is it for?

What it is not is a fee to use Siri to play your own music. If you have tracks purchased through or stored on iTunes, you can still play those with the Apple Music app and control them with voice, as before.

21. Facebook Portal Go review: A great portable video calling screen marred by the company's privacy and trust issues

Portability distinguishes the Portal Go from other video calling devices like the Amazon Echo Show or the Google Hub Nest Max. The biggest complaint when it comes to the Portal Go is the fact that it's made by ...

22. Instagram is adding 'Collabs,' new music features for Reels, desktop posting and more

Instagram today announced a number of new features that will roll out this week across both the Instagram Feed and its TikTok competitor, Reels. The creator-focused additions will allow users to collaborate with one another, raise funds, ...

23. Fisher Price calls on nostalgia with their Chatter Telephone for adults

Yes, the friendly and colorful phone with a rotary dial complete with wheels and a receiver is coming back. And just like the NES Classic Edition or even the Sega Genesis Mini, everything that was old is now new again.

24. Official Trailer Asks, What If Pokémon Legends: Arceus Was A Horror Movie?

It's fair to say that the world of Pokémon rarely ventures into territories that might be considered “adult.” This most family friendly of franchises works extremely hard to ensure, no matter how large the grown-up interest, it's always open and ...

25. Microsoft Flight Simulator: Game of the Year Edition will include DirectX 12 support

Asobo, the developers of Microsoft Flight Simulator, already shipped an update earlier this year that included huge PC performance improvements. This new DirectX 12 update should improve things even further for certain PCs, as DirectX 12 includes better ...

26. Facebook Portal Go: A tablet alternative that doesn't make sense

When I heard the pitch from Facebook representatives for a battery-powered smart display with a camera shutter and a handle, I was optimistic. At least, I thought, Facebook was doing something new -- a portable smart display.

27. Here are the VALORANT Patch 3.08 notes

Reporting cheaters or problematic players helps Riot track and deal with these disruptive individuals. Players will now receive a notification if Riot takes action against a reported player, providing a sense of closure and satisfaction. A notification ...

28. Google's Pixel 6 event: How to watch the Android 12 phone's reveal today

We did not yet learn the specs of the Pixel's cameras, but Google did reveal that both phones have a new sensor that takes in 150% more light than the Pixel 5 along with an ultrawide lens. The Pixel 6 Pro will step up its camera bar by also including a ...

29. Watch Out: Squid Game Malware Hits Google Play As Hundreds Of Unofficial Apps Flood Store

The malicious app, which was downloaded at least 5,000 times before Google caught it and threw it out of Play, was discovered by an Android security researcher using the handle @ReBensk and was subsequently analyzed by ESET Android malware researcher Lukas ...

30. Valorant patch 3.08 notes: Skin changes, report system updates, bug fixes

While relatively minor in comparison to some of Riot's more hard-hitting patches, Valorant Patch 3,08 focuses on improving the game's internal systems. Players will now be alerted if their report against a toxic ...

31. Google Pixel 6 event live blog: All the big news as it happens

We'll be on hand when the Pixel Fall Launch event live stream gets underway at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET/6 p.m. BST and will keep you up to date throughout the entire event as Pixel 6 news breaks (and possibly more).

32. I'll Believe Ubisoft Is Making A New 'Splinter Cell' Game When I'm Playing It

“Ubisoft has greenlit what will be its first mainline Splinter Cell game in a decade. That's according to development sources, who told us that the title has been put into production as a means of winning back fans frustrated by recent efforts to revive ...

33. Explaining 'Vivid' mode on the Switch OLED and the best games for it

One feature many reviews of the new Nintendo Switch OLED model neglected to mention (including my own) is the inclusion of a brand new feature exclusive to this model: “Vivid” mode. It's on by default for new Switch OLED devices, and it's likely the ...

34. Amazon Music can now play spatial audio on your favorite headphones

The company is supporting two formats of spatial audio: Dolby Atmos (which is also offered by Apple Music) and Sony's 360 Reality Audio. The Atmos mixes are provided by record labels, so the “ ...

35. Apple's new 140W charger can fast charge a lot more than just your MacBook Pro

As well as being included with the new 16-inch MacBook Pro, the brick is available separately for $99 (not including the USB-C-to-MagSafe cable, which costs an extra $49). Meanwhile, the new 14-inch MacBook Pros come with 67W and 96W chargers, depending on ...

36. PS5 Accessory Makers Just Won't Stop Taunting Sony's Lawyers

Dbrand, a tech accessories brand that my roommate described to me as “being for dudes who like new iPhones,” has decided to wage a very loud legal war with Sony Entertainment regarding their totally fine PS5 plates and cases. Advertisement.

37. Google's Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro finally bring new camera hardware in addition to software

Following the iPhone playbook, both Pixels feature ultrawide lenses with 12-megapixel sensors, while the 6 Pro adds a third telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom coupled to 48 megapixels of resolution. On the front, ...

38. Smash Ultimate's final update is a love story

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is delighted to announce the long-awaited nuptials between Mr. Doom Slayer Ripandtearington III and Ms. Isabelle née Shizue. The wedding ceremony took place during Smash Ultimate's final content update.

39. Amazon's Early Black Friday Deals Are Out In Full Force—Here Are 10 You Don't Want To Miss

Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus, True Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth 5.0 (Wireless Charging Case Included). $100$150Save $50 (33%). BUY FROM AMAZON.

40. How to unlock Zarya's Einherjar skin in Overwatch Halloween Terror

Each week of Overwatch's Halloween Terror event represents a new opportunity for players to earn a handful of character-specific cosmetics. And this week, gamers have a chance to get a skin for everyone's favorite Russian powerlifter.

41. Wow, Xbox Mini Fridge Preorders Sell Out Within 15 Minutes

Maybe it's because I primarily play console games on PlayStation. Maybe it's because I can't fit anything into my New York shoebox apartment. Maybe it's because I'm cynical about marketing that centers around the gamer identity. But wow.

42. Apple botched the MacBook Pro notch

It's possible that there are still technical issues here: maybe the Face ID module is just too big to fit into a laptop display, although Apple managed to fit it into both its iPhone and iPad hardware just fine.

43. New Splinter Cell reportedly in development

A mainline console and PC title for Ubisoft's Splinter Cell series is in development, reports Video Games Chronicle. The news comes right as a demoralized community of Tom Clancy fans practically downvoted Ubisoft's free-to-play Ghost Recon into a ...

44. Senate budget committee tells NASA to select two developers for lunar lander program

“The [Senate appropriations] Committee expects real investments in development rather than additional studies.” The directive is clear. What's not clear is how NASA expects the agency to fund two HLS teams without a ...

45. Dubai Police's luxury patrol fleet gets two new additions

Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia Quadrifoglio join the ranks ... Two new vehicles have steered their way into one of the most famous crime-fighting fleets in the world. The latest additions take the number of supercars available with Dubai Police to 31.

46. Facebook will pay up to $14 million to settle claims it favored foreign workers.

WASHINGTON — Facebook agreed on Tuesday to pay up to $14.25 million to settle claims brought by the federal government in the waning days of the Trump administration that the company had discriminated against United States workers.

47. Which AirPods model should you buy?

Apple also lowered the cost of the now-entry-level AirPods 2 from $159 to $129 and will now only sell the version that comes with a wired charging case. As a result, the AirPods lineup now consists of four models of AirPods: the $129 AirPods 2, the $179 ...

48. Where to exterminate Mini-Pufts in Fortnite

This next Ghostbusters challenge in Fortnite asks you to exterminate Mini-Pufts with a pickaxe in Sludgy Swamp, Lazy Lake, or Retail Row. Yes, we are going to murder mini versions of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from the original Ghostbusters.

49. Google Pixel 6's Tensor chip aims to make the Android 12 phone smarter and last longer

Google, which unveiled its $599 Pixel 6 and $899 Pixel 6 Pro phones during a virtual event Tuesday, introduced changes like new colors, display improvements, Android 12 and a horizontal camera bump strip on the back instead of a square-shaped corner array.

50. Facebook to pay $14 million to settle claims it discriminated against US workers

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit in December 2020 against Facebook for allegedly reserving jobs for temporary visa holders through the permanent labor certification program and using recruitment methods to deter US workers from applying to certain ...

51. Where to deploy seismographs in Misty Meadows and Catty Corner in Fortnite

A new challenge in Fortnite/Fortnitemares has players deploying seismographs in Misty Meadows or Catty Corner as part of the new Ghostbusters: Afterlife crossover event. Much like the titular busters, we're using tools to hunt down ghosts, or maybe cube ...

52. MacBook Pro 2021 vs. MacBook Air 2020: New M1 chips complicate your laptop choice

The MacBook Pro started life in 2006, as a successor to Apple's PowerBook line of laptops, and part of the first wave of Intel-powered Macs. The Intel/Apple partnership lasted 15 years, and now we're down to the last couple of available Intel Macs, an ...

53. Sony a1 Review

The Sony a1 is a true do-it-all camera, one that is equally adept at high-speed sports imaging, slow-working landscape photography, and professional video. It's priced to match, but it delivers. MSRP $6,499.99. PCMag editors select and review products ...

54. How to sign up for the Elden Ring closed network test

In November 2021, developer FromSoftware and publisher Bandai Namco will host a closed network test for the game. While not technically a demo, trial, or beta, it still provides an opportunity for players to test the game out well before release — and for ...

55. Facebook Portal Go review

Honestly, it's one of those things I'm surprised the competition hasn't gotten on board with. Amazon discontinued its portable Bluetooth speaker, the Tap, some time ago. Beyond that, you ...