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AfterDawn: News

Yahoo pays big money to big exclusive streaming platform for first NFL game

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 03 Jun 2015 11:00

Yahoo pays big money to big exclusive streaming platform for first NFL game Yahoo has been announced as the exclusive livestream provider for the October 25th Jacksonville Jaguars-Buffalo Bills game.

Even more importantly, the game will be completely free for viewers.

It is believed Yahoo paid over $20 million for the rights to the game, and Yahoo will also have exclusive ad rights for the game, with the potential to make a good return.

There is, of course, downsides. The game is to be played in London, meaning it will air at 6:30am for West Coast Americans. Even diehard Jaguars and Bills fans will have to think hard about waking up that early on a Sunday.

According to CBS, who is producing the Web stream, quality is a priority as is availability and the game will be available on mobile devices, PCs, Chromecast, Xbox 360 and the Apple TV.

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AfterDawn: News

Showtime to offer standalone streaming service for just $10.99 a month

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 03 Jun 2015 10:40

Showtime to offer standalone streaming service for just $10.99 a month Showtime has announced that it will offer a standalone streaming service starting next month with a price that undercuts HBO's Now service.

On July 12th, Apple users will get first crack at the service, which will cost $10.99 per month and give access to new and catalog Showtime shows. The service will be eventually available on more platforms, including Android.

"Going over-the-top means Showtime will be much more accessible to tens of millions of potential new subscribers,"
said CBS CEO Les Moonves. "Across CBS, we are constantly finding new ways to monetize our programming by capitalizing on opportunities presented by technology. This works best when you have outstanding premium content – like we do at Showtime – and when you have a terrific partner like Apple – which continues to innovate and build upon its loyal customer base."

"We're excited to offer Apple customers SHOWTIME's live channels and extensive on demand library of great TV shows and movies, without a cable or satellite subscription," said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. "iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple TV customers will now be able to subscribe to SHOWTIME directly and instantly start viewing their favorite programming with the same simplicity as buying an app."

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AfterDawn: News

'The Witcher 3' is still down for Xbox One gamers

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 03 Jun 2015 10:02

'The Witcher 3' is still down for Xbox One gamers Microsoft has been so far unable to fix issues affecting 'The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt" for Xbox One.

According to Microsoft's Xbox status update page (and hundreds of posts to sites like Reddit), it appears that gamers have been unable to access the game due to an unknown Xbox Live issue. The error code is 0x87de2726.

"Are you unable to launch or install The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt? We're working to address this ASAP! Thanks for staying patient. We'll fill you in as soon as we know more," reads the last status from 7PM EST.

The Witcher 3 is one of the highest rated games of the year, even receiving 10/10 from some prominent gaming sites.

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AfterDawn: News

Sony reveals free PS Plus games for Vita, PS3 and PS4 owners

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 03 Jun 2015 9:29

Sony reveals free PS Plus games for Vita, PS3 and PS4 owners Sony has revealed the free games that are now available for PlayStation Plus members on the PS Vita, PS3 and PS4.

There are six games total - two for each platform - and the games will be available throughout the month and until July 7th.

Title list:

PlayStation 4:
•Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
•Skulls of the Shogun: Bone-a-Fide Edition
•Super Exploding Zoo (via cross-platform playing from Vita)
•Futuridium EP Deluxe (via cross-platform playing from Vita)

PlayStation 3:
•Call of Juarez: Gunslinger
•Cloudberry Kingdom

PlayStation Vita:
•Super Exploding Zoo
•Futuridium EP Deluxe

You get to keep the games as long as you are a paying Plus subscriber.

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AfterDawn: News

Following years of complaints, Steam updates refund policy

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 03 Jun 2015 9:07

Following years of complaints, Steam updates refund policy After years of complaints from gamers, Valve's popular online games platform Steam has updated their refund policy.

For the most part, all purchases are part of the refund policy, and refunds can be for "any reason."

Reads the new page: "You can request a refund for nearly any purchase on Steam--for any reason. Maybe your PC doesn't meet the hardware requirements; maybe you bought a game by mistake; maybe you played the title for an hour and just didn't like it.

It doesn't matter. Valve will, upon request, issue a refund for any reason, if the request is made within fourteen days of purchase, and the title has been played for less than two hours....You will be issued a full refund of your purchase within a week of approval."


Valve will refund the money to your Steam Wallet or to the card you used to purchase it.

Of note, DLC and in-game purchases have different rules. That content can be refunded within 14 days (for DLC) and 48 hours (for in-game) as long as the content hasn't been "consumed, modified or transferred."

It will be interesting to see if the rules change for games that can be completely played through in under 2 hours, and how Steam will monitor that.

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AfterDawn: News

Sony Mobile lays off another 1000 jobs

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 02 Jun 2015 9:45

Sony Mobile lays off another 1000 jobs As the company struggles in the mobile handset world, Sony Mobile has laid off another 1000 employees, this time from their Swedish manufacturing and R&D centers.

The move is part of a company wide restructuring that Sony hopes will bring the division to profitability after years of losses.

"As part of its ongoing measures to drive transformation into a profitable and sustainable company, Sony Mobile will change its organizational structure effective April 1st, aiming to increase its operational efficiency and transitioning it to a leaner, more agile organization.

In relation to these changes to its organizational structure, Sony Mobile announced today that approximately 1,000 employees and consultants in Lund will be affected by job closures. This number is included in the approximately 2,100 global headcount reduction announced at Sony's earnings announcement on February 4th, expected to be completed by the end of FY2015,"
said Sony in a statement.

Sony Mobile continues to struggle and now has less than 5 percent market share in a market dominated by Samsung and Apple.

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AfterDawn: News

Nintendo: No, the NX will not run on Android

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 02 Jun 2015 9:12

Nintendo: No, the NX will not run on Android Following up on reports from yesterday, Nintendo has denied the rumor that it is creating its Nintendo NX console on an Android variant operating system.

Nintendo says there is "no truth" to the reports, according to the WSJ.

"There is no truth to the report saying that we are planning to adopt Android for NX,"
the Nintendo spokesperson concluded.

The original sources had claimed Nintendo would use Android to have access to a much larger developer base, and to save costs on having to build their own operating system for the console.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has already said we will not have more information about the console until next year so for now we will just have to believe that the NX is not to run on Android.




AfterDawn: News

Netflix denies it is adding advertisements to streaming service

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 02 Jun 2015 7:18

Netflix denies it is adding advertisements to streaming service Following reports that Netflix was preparing to add ads to its streaming service, CEO Reed Hastings shut down the rumors with a simple Facebook post.

"No advertising coming onto Netflix. Period,"
read the post, followed by "Just adding relevant cool trailers for other Netflix content you are likely to love."

Netflix whipped the media into a frenzy when it began adding promo trailers in front of some of its original content, ads that advertised other Netflix content.

Hasting's comments should hopefully quell the fire, and Netflix fans will just have to get used to some trailers in front of their content, just like you see on HBO Go.

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AfterDawn: News

Windows 10 is coming July 29th

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 01 Jun 2015 11:34

Windows 10 is coming July 29th Windows boss Terry Myerson has announced today that Windows 10 will be available on July 29th, right in-line with the date we have heard from multiple sources.

On July 29th, Windows 7 and 8.1 owners can upgrade for free to Windows 10, and new PCs will begin shipping with the operating system.

Making it even easier, Microsoft says you can "reserve" your free Windows 10 by clicking on a system tray icon that will show up and then following a few steps.

Adds Myerson:

We designed Windows 10 to create a new generation of Windows for the 1.5 billion people using Windows today in 190 countries around the world. With Windows 10, we start delivering on our vision of more personal computing, defined by trust in how we protect and respect your personal information, mobility of the experience across your devices, and natural interactions with your Windows devices, including speech, touch, ink, and holograms. We designed Windows 10 to run our broadest device family ever, including Windows PCs, Windows tablets, Windows phones, Windows for the Internet of Things, Microsoft Surface Hub, Xbox One and Microsoft HoloLens--all working together to empower you to do great things.

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AfterDawn: News

Nintendo 'NX' home console to run on Android?

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 01 Jun 2015 6:58

Nintendo 'NX' home console to run on Android? Formally announced earlier this year for launch next year, Nintendo's 'NX' console will really have to step up to the plate if the gaming company wants to remain relevant in the home console market.

Today, we have an interesting rumor about next year's console: The NX will run on Android.

It appears that Nintendo is looking to power the console with a platform that has a large third-party developer base, and Android is the most popular mobile operating system on the planet. If the NX really does run on Android, that would likely mean Nintendo is not positioning the console against titans like the Xbox One and PS4 but rather as a complement to its existing popular devices like the 3DS.

Of course, the gaming giant could be aiming at the desktop console market, preferring to use a forked Android and using resources that may have gone towards building an OS towards making better games.

We will know more as the year goes on, and especially more next year.

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AfterDawn: News

Asus announces Android-packing ZenWatch 2 with 4 days battery life per charge

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 01 Jun 2015 6:36

Asus announces Android-packing ZenWatch 2 with 4 days battery life per charge Asus has launched the ZenWatch 2 today, a sequel to their first Android Wear smartwatch.

The watch keeps the same rounded design of its predecessor (and from the Apple Watch), while offering two sizes, three stainless steel casing colors and 18 different color/strap material combos allowing you to wear the watch for whatever occasion you may need it.

Updated from the original is a new crown and the addition of a magnetic charger that the company says will improve recharging times. The watch also now has IP67 water-resistance.

The watch runs on Android Wear 5.1.1 although Asus did not reveal which version it will ship with. On top of Android Wear is the company's own ZenUI tweaks which include FoneHelper, activity and fitness tracking, and Enhanced Remote Camera. ERC is easily the coolest feature of the bunch, as it syncs the wearer's smartphone camera viewfinder to your wrist. This could be helpful when taking pictures from harder angles, or even possibly selfies.

Asus also confirmed that the watch offers 3-4 days of battery life per charge, a huge improvement over the Apple Watch and other Android Wear devices that offer in the 18 hour range.

The smartwatch will sell for $199 when it launches later this year.

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AfterDawn: News

Comparing the new NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV set-top to the competition

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 31 May 2015 10:01

Comparing the new NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV set-top to the competition Earlier this week, NVIDIA launched the SHIELD Android TV set-top box with a base price of $199 and the early reviews are highly favorable.

The SHIELD has 16GB of internal storage, 4K support, is powered by a NVIDIA 64-bit Tegra X1 processor, 3GB RAM and 256-core NVIDIA graphics. In addition, the set-top supports HDMI 2.0, runs on the Android TV platform including Google Cast support, has a microSD slot, 802.11ac dual-band Wi-Fi, Gigabit Ethernet and two USB 3.0 ports. The SHIELD bundle also comes with a SHIELD controller and a free HDMI cable, a good deal given the controller's $49.99 price tag.

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AfterDawn: News

Android M will let you choose between light or dark theme

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 31 May 2015 8:41

Android M will let you choose between light or dark theme When Google introduced Android Lollipop and Material Design, the operating system took a turn from dark to light, with the operating system getting more colorful and lighter, moving away from the darker UI of previous iterations like Ice Cream and Jelly Bean.

Earlier this week, the company introduced Android M and released a Developer Preview. If you were a fan of the darker user interface, you are in luck if you have a phone or tablet that can flash the new OS.

Under developer options, there is now a new way to select the theme for your device, choosing between the stock version which is "light," the new dark, or automatic which will likely change your theme based on the time of day or ambient light sensor.

It is unclear whether the option will be standard when the OS launches officially, but there were plenty of Android fans that were peeved when the whole OS went light so we hope it will be a feature when M launches officially in November.

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AfterDawn: News

Intel set to close deal to purchase chip maker Altera

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 31 May 2015 5:14

Intel set to close deal to purchase chip maker Altera After talks had stalled last month, it appears Intel has resumed negotiations to purchase chip maker Altera.

The new deal could be for as much as $16 billion, 15 percent higher than Altera's current market value.

A deal could be made in the coming days, say the sources although both companies have declined comment.

The deal would follow the largest chipmaker merger ever, a $37 billion acquisition of Broadcom by Avago.

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AfterDawn: News

Latest CCleaner supports Microsoft Edge browser, get it here at AfterDawn

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 31 May 2015 1:09

Latest CCleaner supports Microsoft Edge browser, get it here at AfterDawn Piriform's CCleaner software has been updated to support Microsoft's new Edge browser (Project Spartan), and all you Windows 10 fans can get it here at AfterDawn.

In addition to normal browsing cleaning improvements to the popular Firefox and Google Chrome browsers, the company says they have also "improved our system restore detection algorithm" for the full app.

Changelist:

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