Technology News for Wednesday 20th October 2021

1. Google's New Pixel and Android Beef Up iPhone Competition

Google launched the latest Pixel smartphones Tuesday, betting on its first custom-designed system processor and a new version of the Android operating system to lure buyers away from Apple Inc.'s iPhone. The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro differ only slightly in ...

2. Oppo reportedly developing own chips for flagship phones

Two people who spoke to the newspaper said that the plan was to release custom SoCs in 2023 or 2024 “depending on the speed of development.” Oppo reportedly wants to use TSMC's advanced 3nm process technology for the chips.

3. Pixel 6 first look: Google's Tensor chip, $599 price, new cameras and more

The Pixel 6 series is an important release for Google because it's a big shift away from the company's pleasant midtier phone strategy of the past and a significant step toward a portfolio designed to compete with premium phones from Apple, Samsung and ...

4. New World update 1.0.3 patch notes: Server transfers added, bug fixes

New World players rejoice ?— in update 1.0.3, Amazon has finally introduced server transfers so you can group up with your friends. Not only that, but the October 20 update includes plenty of bug fixes, a free emote to claim, and more; here's the full ...

5. Facebook plans rebrand with new name, says The Verge

Oct 20 (Reuters) - Facebook Inc (FB.O), under fire from regulators and lawmakers over its business practices, is planning to rebrand itself with a new name that focuses on the metaverse, the Verge reported on Tuesday. The name change will be announced ...

6. Facebook reportedly plans to change its name to focus on the metaverse

Facebook is planning to rebrand the company with a new name to focus on building the metaverse, according to a report by The Verge. CEO Mark Zuckerberg will unveil its new name at the annual Connect conference on October 28, but it could announce the ...

7. New World patch 1.0.3 to include server transfers, bug fixes, and gifts

New World is preparing to implement its latest patch 1.0.3 later today and along with the highly anticipated server transfers being implemented at a stage after downtime, there are plenty of bug fixes and even some free goodies for players.

8. Valkyrae's new skincare line sparks controversy

RFLCT is now available for purchase online. Products include a facial cleanser, moisturizing shield, gel treatment, and more. The items for sale are clearly targeted toward gamers, stating that the product is for anyone who uses a screen.

9. Activision Blizzard has shed at least 20 staff as a result of harassment investigations

Activision Blizzard says that more than 20 employees have "exited" the company in recent months due to ongoing investigations into workplace harassment. Meanwhile, more than 20 employees have faced disciplinary action. This follows a ramping up of ...

10. How to set up your new Nintendo Switch OLED

Let's get this baby up and running. Scott Stein/CNET. After you unbox your Switch OLED and bask in its great-looking display, it's time to turn the damn thing on and get it set up with your account info and game data. I've found new out-of-the-box ...

11. Handwashing habits in UK, Australia changed during COVID-19 pandemic

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Ipsos Mori studied consumer hand hygiene behavior during the pandemic in England, Wales and Northern Ireland between April 2020 and January 2021. Each quarter, 2,000 adults were surveyed. A dozen people also did an app- ...

12. Destiny 2 Nickle-And-Diming For New Dungeons Is A Bummer

Destiny 2 will get a lot of new content when The Witch Queen launches in February. Unfortunately, some of it will only be accessible to players who pony up for the Deluxe Edition of the annual expansion. It's the latest development in the messy ...

13. Is Facebook changing its name? Here's what to know

Facebook is reportedly planning to change its parent company name next week to a new name focused on “the metaverse.” The Verge first reported the Facebook name change news Tuesday, citing a source with close knowledge of the subject.

14. Samsung will now let you design your own Galaxy Z Flip 3

You won't be able to customize the Bespoke Edition with any color you want, but Samsung is offering a lot of options. You'll be able to choose a black or silver phone frame and front and back colors (aka the top and bottom, if the phone is open) of blue, ...

15. AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro: Comparing Apple's latest earbuds

The AirPods 3 also come with spatial audio support and water resistance unlike the standard AirPods, which Apple will still sell at the lower price of $129 (£119, AU$219). The new earbuds are available for preorder immediately ahead of their launch next ...

16. The new Titleist ball designed to make your indoor game better

There's a problem with some indoor simulator golf and indoor fittings that you didn't even realize. But it could change everything about the results of your next driver fitting, your next iron lesson or your next practice session.

17. No Man's Sky's newest expedition adventure features lots of worms

No Man's Sky is getting its fourth seasonal update with a new expedition called Emergence. Just in time for spooky season (and, coincidentally, the theatrical release of Dune) Emergence focuses on discovering, taming, and battling giant sandworms.

18. How to Talk to the World Through Free Translation Apps

Open up Google Translate or Apple's Translate and your mobile device turns into your personal language interpreter.

19. Fortnitemares 2021 guide: Candy locations, rewards, Ghostbusters & Ariana Grande

Halloween is nearly here, which means Epic Games is knee-deep in Fortnitemares 2021, this year's version of the annual spooktacular within Fortnite. Advertisement. As ever, Fortnitemares 2021 has brought a new set of quests and rewards to the iconic ...

20. Google's Plan to Make You Take the Pixel 6 Seriously Is Something Apple Could Never Get Away With

On Tuesday, Google had an event to launch the Pixel 6. It's a little strange because the company had already sort of announced the phone, and was even promoting it. Then again, Google's device strategy has never given the impression that the company is ...

21. TV prices are the highest they've been in at least nine years

This time of year TV prices typically fall -- a lot -- as retailers and manufacturers compete for your big-screen dollar. But there's something different about TVs in 2021, and I'm not talking about 8K resolution, OLED vs. QLED or the latest streaming ...

22. Facebook fined $70M for flouting Giphy order made by UK watchdog

Facebook — or whatever name the tech giant picks for a reportedly looming rebrand of its data-mining empire as it seeks to teleport its business into the metaverse to escape the unending cavalcade of toxic publicity its execs generate — has a new 'bad ...

23. Facebook plans to change its name as part of company rebrand – report

Facebook plans to make a dramatic break with its past by rebranding the company next week, according to a report. Facebook's founder and chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, plans to talk about the name change at a company event next week but it could be ...

24. Xbox Game Pass subscriber numbers grow but miss goal

The number of people subscribed to Xbox Game Pass has grown by 37 percent over the year ending 30th June, Microsoft has revealed. But that's a slower growth curve than the 48 percent goal it had previously set itself (thanks, Axios Gaming).

25. Facebook to penalize rule-breaking Groups' members by demoting them in News Feed

Today, Facebook says it's introducing two other changes. It will now enforce stricter measures against Group members who break its rules and it will make some of its removals more transparent, with a new “Flagged by Facebook” feature.

26. CDPR Delays Next-Gen Upgrades For Cyberpunk, Witcher 3

Nope, you're not getting (cyber)punk'd. CD Projekt Red has delayed the anticipated next-gen updates for its two massive role-playing games, Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Advertisement. “We have an important update regarding [the] ...

27. These are the best guns in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War's year in the spotlight for the CoD franchise has come and gone. Vanguard is here, and soon Black Ops Cold War's playerbase will shed, but many will still stick around in 1984. Unsurprisingly, many of the newer guns ...

28. Sony is officially bringing God of War to PC

One of Sony's best PlayStation games, God of War, is headed to PC. The game will be available on January 14th, 2022, and you can preorder it now on Steam and the Epic Games Store for $49.99. If you opt to pick up the game on PC, you'll be able to play ...

29. Microsoft now lets you test Android apps on Windows 11

A preview version of the Windows Subsystem for Android will be available to beta testers of Windows 11 today, providing access to apps from the Amazon Appstore. Testers with Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm processors will all be able to try out Android apps on ...

30. CD Projekt Red delays next-gen Cyberpunk 2077 and Witcher 3 to 2022

Now, the plan is for the next-gen version of Cyberpunk 2077 to release in the first quarter of 2022, while the next-gen version of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is scheduled for a release in the second quarter of 2022.

31. Here's how to customize your own Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Bespoke Edition

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission. Today, at its Galaxy Unpacked 2 event, Samsung announced its new Bespoke Studio program, which will allow you to customize ...

32. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 Bespoke Edition Brings 49 Possible Color Combinations Starting Today

Like the appliances that ushered in this new era of electronics customization, folks who order their Galaxy Z Flip 3 through Samsung.com will be able to make the device their own with 49 different color combinations to consider.

33. Check This Out: How to Easily Share Photos, Music, More in iOS 15 and iPadOS 15

If you visit an interesting website, snap a memorable photo, spot an intriguing news story, or listen to a cool podcast episode, you've long been able to share it from your iPhone or iPad with other people. However, accessing that shared content has always ...

34. Facebook reportedly plans to rename itself

The social media giant's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, plans to discuss Facebook's rebranding at the company's annual Connect conference on Oct. 28, but an announcement could come sooner, The Verge reported, citing an unidentified source with direct knowledge of ...

35. Posing In Apex Legends Is Crashing The Game

Have you ever flexed so hard in a game you made it crash? That's apparently a dream coming true for Apex Legends players, where performing Epic animated poses is breaking the game. Respawn is asking players of the battle royale shooter to stop using ...

36. Microsoft Missed Its Xbox Game Pass Targets, Here's Why

This news also did not come with any information about the total number of Xbox Game Pass subscribers, as last we heard it was at 18 million, but most reasonable estimates guess that the tally is now at least 30 million, and it's unclear why Microsoft ...

37. Three Reasons The New MacBook Pros Are Important To Apple's Legacy

Since 1997 Apple has created many "pro" level Macs in desktop and laptop form but the new MacBook Pros, with the M1 Pro and M1 Max processors are by far the most powerful laptops designed for their core customers.

38. No Man's Sky's new expedition has players hunting Sandworms

No Man's Sky's season-like Expeditions game mode gets a new adventure this month with Emergence, a Halloween-themed journey in which players must rid sand-covered planets of their Titan Worm infestations. “As travelers cleanse planets of cursed dust ...

39. 25 Games That Are Better On Switch OLED

It's a beautiful game with a lot of colour and fancy particle effects, which unsurprisingly really pop on the OLED screen. Headphones are recommended, but the improved speakers on the new console are also a fine way to get this game's audio into your ear ...

40. Fisher-Price iconic Chatter Telephone will now make and receive calls

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Your childhood is calling: Fisher-Price is releasing a new version of its classic Chatter Telephone — only this one actually accepts calls. The toy company announced on Twitter Tuesday that it will release the multi-colored rotary ...

41. How to Upgrade to Windows 11 for Free

You are given the option to restart the machine immediately or wait for the 30-minute timer to end if you need time to save any open work. After your PC reboots, you can sign into Windows again. Once the final setup is complete, you are deposited at your ...

42. Animal Crossing: New Horizons Fans Are Already Saving Up For Kapp'n's Pricey Fares

Nothing's free in this world. So why would anything, let alone public transit, be free in an idyllic video game world designed for escapism? When Animal Crossing: New Horizons soon gets the option to ride a ferry, those rides won't be free.

43. Assassin's Creed Valhalla's third big expansion spotted again

This means Ubisoft was being a little sneaky with its previous tease of Muspelheim - whose forces look set to invade Svartalfheim in this expansion. These events, j0nathan claims, will set up Valhalla's own mythical Ragnarok we've seen glimpses of ...