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AfterDawn: News

Activision teases Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 with more to come on April 26th

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Apr 2015 10:21

Activision teases Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 with more to come on April 26th Activision has teased the next game in the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise, Black Ops 3.

As they do every year, the publisher is preparing a new COD title, and it's time for a new Black Ops title.

There's literally nothing in the trailer, but the company does mention that more info is coming April 26th.

Check the teaser here:

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AfterDawn: News

Don't want the app? Facebook launches Messenger for your browser

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Apr 2015 9:58

Don't want the app? Facebook launches Messenger for your browser Last year, Facebook annoyed users by splitting off their Messenger service into its own dedicated app that you had to download if you wanted to be able to send messages.

The company is somewhat remedying that situation now launching Messenger.com, an in-browser version of the popular chatting service. While you can still use Messenger from within the desktop Facebook page, Messenger.com allows you to just use the chat service, without any other distractions like games or timelines.

You can send pictures, stickers, and the gigantic Like emoji. What you cannot do, however, is send or even record voice messages.

You can go check it out here: Messenger




AfterDawn: News

HTC's larger One M9+ is now available in China

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 09 Apr 2015 9:07

HTC's larger One M9+ is now available in China HTC has launched the metallic One M9+ for China, a slightly larger and feature-full version of the recently launched One M9.

The M9+ has a QHD 5.2-inch display, runs on the new MediaTek premium 2.2GHz Helio 64-bit octa-core processor, has a fingerprint reader, a circular 20MP rear camera with new "Duo Camera" for 3D effects, 3GB RAM, the same UltraPixel selfie camera and 32GB internal storage.

While the fingerprint reader is new, there have a few complaints about the design, which looks like a home button and splits the bottom grill in half.

Finally, the device has a 2840 mAh battery with promised battery life in line with competition.

"HTC is excited to bring the HTC One M9+ to customers in China, where we have worked closely with mobile operators to create a phone with the right balance of screen size, processor performance, software, and radio network compatibility to meet consumers' needs. Ranging in other markets will be confirmed locally at a later date. The One M9+ is not currently planned to be released in North America or Europe, where we believe our flagship HTC One M9 is the best choice for blazing fast performance, incredible sound, and network compatibility across the broadest range of operators," read HTC's statement.

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AfterDawn: News

Star Wars films available for first time as HD digital downloads on Friday

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 08 Apr 2015 10:17

Star Wars films available for first time as HD digital downloads on Friday Disney has announced this week that the blockbuster 'Star Wars' series will be available as HD digital downloads for the first time ever, starting on Friday.

Dubbed 'The Star Wars Digital Movie Collection,' downloaders will get all six of the films and some bonus features. Each movie is also available individually if you are not a fan of specific movies (looking at you Phantom Menace).

"Since the debut of the first film nearly 40 years ago, Star Wars has become a worldwide phenomenon with legions of fans from every generation," said Alan Bergman, president, The Walt Disney Studios. "It's only fitting that audiences enjoy this legendary saga and its many fascinating behind-the-scenes stories on a wide variety of devices."

Here's the full list:

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AfterDawn: News

Popcorn Time for iOS now available for non-jailbroken devices

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 08 Apr 2015 9:38

Popcorn Time for iOS now available for non-jailbroken devices The team over at Popcorn Time has announced that their iOS app is now available for non-jailbroken devices, a massive launch that the team has been teasing for over six months.

iOS beta version 1.2 was also launched in conjunction, adding Chromecast and Apple TV support along with a ton of performance fixes and bug fixes. Free VPN will also be added in the coming days, notes the team.

"Ever since we released iOS for jailbroken devices in September 2014, we've been wrecking our brains to find a solution that will enable iOS users who don't want to jailbreak their device and use Cydia to also enjoy Popcorn Time on their iOS device.

Our relentless pursuit for a solution led us to a fruitful collaboration with another group of brilliant developers who came up with the awesome solution of making an iOS installer,"
said Popcorn Time.

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AfterDawn: News

Logitech's great Keys-To-Go Bluetooth keyboard available later this month for Android, Windows

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 08 Apr 2015 9:02

Logitech's great Keys-To-Go Bluetooth keyboard available later this month for Android, Windows Last year, Logitech released the waterproof, Bluetooth 'Keys-To-Go" keyboard for iOS devices and it quickly became one of the company's most popular products.

Today, Logitech has announced that they are releasing a version of the keyboard that will work with Android and Windows devices, significantly increasing the potential userbase.

"The keyboard's thin and light form makes it easy to slip into your purse, beach bag or coat pocket without taking up precious space or weighing you down. The Logitech Keys-To-Go is wrapped in a water-repellent FabricSkin that helps protect the keyboard from spills and dirt, so it easily wipes clean and survives drops. It's durable enough for a variety of situations – indoors or outdoors," says Logitech.

The respective boards will also include a row for Android and Windows shortcut keys, just like the iOS keyboard had. The boards also comes with a portable stand making it easier to type on smartphone, which is held in an upright position. You can see more pictures below.

Logitech's latest will cost $69.99 and ship this month.

Check it out here.

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AfterDawn: News

Check out the new and awesome 'Deus Ex: Mankind Divided' trailer

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 08 Apr 2015 8:40

Check out the new and awesome 'Deus Ex: Mankind Divided' trailer Square Enix has released the first trailer for the upcoming Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, a sequel to the blockbuster cyberpunk action hit Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

The game itself will take place two years after its predecessor, but the game will have a more open-ended structure that leaves more decisions in the hands of the gamer. Additionally, there will be "new gameplay twists including new augmentations."

It is also important to note that the game was built on the new Dawn Engine game engine.

The game is set for release later this year (unknown date so far) for PC, Xbox One and PS4.

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AfterDawn: News

Apple iOS 8.3 is here, download it now

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 08 Apr 2015 8:21

Apple iOS 8.3 is here, download it now Apple's latest major update to their iOS operating system, version 8.3 is available now for download.

The release includes improved performance in a few areas, numerous bug fixes, and Apple's hyped up redesigned Emoji keyboard.

Here is a full change list:

Improved performance for:

• App launch

• App responsiveness

• Messages

• Wi-Fi

• Control Center

• Safari tabs

• 3rd-party keyboards

• Keyboard shortcuts

• Simplified Chinese keyboard

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth fixes


• Fixes an issue where you could be continuously prompted for login credentials

• Addresses an issue where some devices disconnect intermittently from Wi-Fi networks

• Fixes an issue where hands-free phone calls could become disconnected

• Fixes an issue where audio playback could stop working with some bluetooth speakers

Orientation and rotation fixes

• Addresses an issue that sometimes prevented rotating back to portrait after having rotated to landscape

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AfterDawn: News

Did Samsung hire fake fans to pose at their Chinese Galaxy S6 launch? Well, maybe.

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 06 Apr 2015 10:50

Did Samsung hire fake fans to pose at their Chinese Galaxy S6 launch? Well, maybe. Earlier this week, reports hit the Internet that Samsung had paid people to pretend to be fans at the Chinese launch of their Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge phones.

A Shanghai-based newspaper started it all by claiming that up to 500 of the nearly 1000 attendees came via Samsung recruiters and were paid 30 yuan (US$4.80) per hour to pretend to be fans.

Samsung has shot back today, calling the reports "totally groundless and bogus."

The company added: "Our findings have indicated that under no circumstances has anyone been hired or given money to attend the event. In fact, the more than 1,100 attendees, including consumers and industry officials, have all been formally invited to the Shanghai Culture Square where the event took place."

Samsung says the original newspaper took down the report after Samsung proved it was false.

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AfterDawn: News

New Sony Xperia Z3 only lasts 6 months on market as T-Mobile pulls device

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 06 Apr 2015 10:36

New Sony Xperia Z3 only lasts 6 months on market as T-Mobile pulls device As Sony continues to try to break into the U.S. smartphone market, it has been blocked by yet another hurdle: T-Mobile has pulled its latest flagship, the Xperia Z3, after just six months on the market.

Now that T-Mobile has dropped the phone, that leaves Verizon as the only major U.S. carrier to carry the Sony smartphone, selling their Xperia Z3v variant.

Although it is unclear why the phone was pulled, it is easy to assume there was a lack of demand for the device. Besides being from a brand that has not historically succeeded in the U.S. in the mobile world, Sony was also slow to launch Android Lollipop on the device, losing out to competitors.

It remains to be seen whether Sony's upcoming Xperia Z4 will gain any backers in the U.S. amidst rumors that Sony is looking to exit the smartphone and tablet markets, for good.

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AfterDawn: News

Sharp seeking to spinoff its small LCD business

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 06 Apr 2015 10:20

Sharp seeking to spinoff its small LCD business According to reports, Sharp is looking to spin off at least part of its LCD business and the company is looking for help from a large government-backed fund to do so.

The spun off company would make small LCDs, like those found in smartphones and tablets.

Sharp is seeking investment from Innovation Network Corp. of Japan (INCJ), the government-backed company that is also the largest shareholder of Japan Display. Japan Display was created from the corpses of the LCD divisions of Sony, Hitachi and Toshiba.

Industry watchers say a spin off would make it much easier to stay focused and track performance.

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AfterDawn: News

Facebook integrating WhatsApp, adding messaging to profiles

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 06 Apr 2015 9:40

Facebook integrating WhatsApp, adding messaging to profiles A year after Facebook spent $19 billion to acquire the messaging giant WhatsApp, the social media behemoth is beginning to integrate the service.

Currently in an early beta, Facebook has begun testing integrating WhatsApp into its mobile apps, starting with Android.

Reads the report: "Facebook has added a "Send" button with the familiar WhatsApp icon as a part of the status actions buttons that appear under each status update. The new button appears on the right side (for left-to-right languages) for some users in the most recent version of the Facebook for Android app."

Other reports have claimed that both the Facebook and WhatsApp teams have been working on deeper integration that will let users of both Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp to send messages cross-platform and cross-app. If accurate, the move would be a huge deal for both especially as Facebook looks to take control of the instant messenger market.




AfterDawn: News

Stream your favorite EDM tracks for free via Beatport with new Android, iOS apps

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 05 Apr 2015 11:43

Stream your favorite EDM tracks for free via Beatport with new Android, iOS apps Beatport, the popular electronic dance music (EDM) desktop streaming service, is now available for free on Android and iOS.

After downloading and installing the app you get free and unlimited access to millions of tracks including music from popular acts like Sam Feldt and Dimitri Vegas and even bigger name DJs like David Guetta and Afrojack.

You can search for tracks and artists and you can also use discovery tools including a 'Pulse Chart' that shows what is trending and a "New on Beatport" chart to see what's new and hot.

You can log in with your existing account or sign up for a new one. Additionally, you can also search for live performances and festivals in your area from your favorite artists.

Get the app now on Android and iOS




AfterDawn: News

Apple confirms Watch to go on pre-sale at midnight Pacific time on April 10th

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 05 Apr 2015 11:12

Apple confirms Watch to go on pre-sale at midnight Pacific time on April 10th Apple has finally confirmed the time and date for the open of pre-orders of the upcoming Apple Watch smartwatch.

Starting on April 10th at 12:01 a.m. Pacific time, Apple's site will begin offering the watches, which begin at $349 and can go as high as $17,000.

If the launch is anything like the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus pre-order launch, expect to be extremely frustrated.

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AfterDawn: News

Bill Gates writes letter to all Microsoft employees on eve of 40th anniversary

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 05 Apr 2015 9:48

Bill Gates writes letter to all Microsoft employees on eve of 40th anniversary 40 years ago, Bill Gates and Paul Allen started a small software company that they named Microsoft.

Thanks to their creation of the Windows operating system and the Office suite of productivity tools, the company is now one of the largest corporations in the world, and Bill Gates is the wealthiest person in the world with an estimated $78 billion.

A decade ago, Gates began committing full time on philanthropy through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, looking to solve some of the world's biggest problems, but Gates has always been a specter around Microsoft, even more so now as the company transitions to just its third-ever CEO - Satya Nadella.

On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the company's founding, Gates sent a letter to celebrate the company and its roots.

Here is the letter in its entirety:

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